20 September 2011
Mercedes-Benz' 2012 C-Class Coupe DTM AMG shines (w/ video)
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz's successful DTM challenger has lost a pair of rear doors in its chase for the 2012 title. With 84 race victories and five driver titles under its belt in the DTM's 27-year history, the C-Class AMG will finally hand over the torch to the latest 2012 DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé.
Mercedes GP Petronas F1 drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg took time off their busy schedules to unveil the three-pointed star's newest DTM dagger at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Based on the freshly-launched Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé, it too shares its state-of-the-art carbon fiber monocoque/steel roll cage structure with other manufacturers Audi and BMW to lower costs. The improved safety cell gives the additional protection for the driver through six energy-absorbing crash structures, which should prove handy in case of a collision.
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Motorsports
13 September 2011
Audi's A5 DTM is ready to wrestle
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of Audi AG
Two months after the first design sketches were revealed, Audi's 2012 DTM contender is finally ready to step into the limelight at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The new Audi A5 DTM will be the first ever two-door coupe from the four rings brand to enter into international touring car series. And when it hits the track next year, it should be fit to slug it out with the best from BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Conforming to new Technical Regulations, the A5 DTM shares as much as 50 components with other cars on the grid to reduce costs by 40 percent. Its front and rear subframes are now identical throughout all DTM manufacturers, but underneath the composite body sits a freshly-designed hybrid carbon fiber monocoque and steel cage chassis to improve safety. Adding to that are more stringent material and production specifications for suspension components, which greatly limits the suspension's design options.
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Motorsports
09 September 2011
Chevrolet Cruzes to its second WTCC Manufacturer's Title
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of Chevrolet Europe
With six races to spare, Chevrolet clinched its second consecutive Manufacturer's Title in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) last September 3 and 4, 2011 at the Valencia Circuit in Spain. Driving the Chevrolet Cruze, Yvan Muller and Alain Menu snagged a 1-2 finish in race 1. With teammate Rob Huff, the trio crossed the finished line to take all podium positions in race 2. Now, the Chevrolet Factory Team heads over to Asia for the final three rounds in Japan, China, and Macau.
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Motorsports
25 August 2011
Gary Thompson aims for 2nd victory at Okayama
Gary Thompson will surely have his eyes set on a second victory this weekend at Okayama for the 2011 Japanese Formula 3 Championship National Class Title. One of the brightest young prospects in Irish motorsports, Thompson took his maiden Japanese F3 victory earlier this month with a commanding display of performance at Twin Ring Motegi. The 19-year-old had a string of podium finishes this season building up to this triumph. So it’s no surprise he is in high hopes to keep the momentum going in his pursuit of the championship title.
The Aviation Display and Cebu Pacific Air-backed SGC by KCMG team is on a mission to climb up to the top of the standings as they travel this August 27 and 28 to the Okayama International Circuit for Rounds 10 and 11 of the 2011 campaign. Thompson’s victory at Motegi brought him within 23 points of the championship leader. And with 24 points up for grabs this weekend at Okayama, he knows that a strong showing in both races is a must if he wants to keep his championship hopes alive.
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Motorsports
22 August 2011
Aussies invades the Philippines with V8 Supercars in 2013
The Clark International Speedway (CIS) in Pampanga has been host to several motorsport disciplines since it opened in 2008 - from drag races, touring cars, drifting, and even motorcycles. But in 2013, there's a good darn chance that Australian V8 Supercars will also start lining-up on its grid when the series' CEO Martin Whitaker confirmed their interest in staging a race in the country last week. The announcement was inline with plans to expand the series to 18 rounds with six races staged overseas, which includes other race venues such as New Zealand, Shanghai, and Bahrain proposed for 2013's race calendar.
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Motorsports
19 August 2011
Ken Block's epic Gymkhana FOUR goes Hollywood (w/ video)
There's no question that Ken Block's makes some of the most awesome, insane, and mind-blowing Gymkhana videos EVER. But in the constant pursuit to raise the bar higher, he and his 600hp Hybrid Function Hoon Vehicle (H.F.H.V.) Ford Fiesta is getting the Hollywood treatment, complete with robotic sharks, deranged zombies, and stunt men in gorilla suits. Hold on to your seats for nine minutes of car porn in Ken Block's Gymkhana FOUR: The Hollywood Megamercial.
Filmed at Universal Studios Hollywood, GYM4 blazes through the War of the Worlds set, drifts past the Back to the Future clock tower, and screeches around Psycho's Bates Motel. Epic Meal Time even makes a cameo as Block and the H.F.H.V. tears up their set. Block then smokes up a some forklifts, comes face to face with Jaws, and wraps up with a Bollywood-style song and dance number. Cool enough for ya?
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Motorsports
04 August 2011
Porsche's 997-based 911 GT3 Cup makes its last stand
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of Porsche AG
Before the current 911 model gets relegated by the up-and-coming 991 next year, Porsche is arming its 997-based 911 GT3 Cup car for a last stand in the 2012 and 2013 seasons. The latest 2012-spec 911 GT3 Cup is based on the road-going 997 GT3 RS, as it has been doing so for the past seven years. But according to Porsche, this machine is made to suit a wider range of motorsport races, expanding its reputation as one of the most popular and successful race cars to date.
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Motorsports
29 July 2011
McLaren's MP4-12C GT3 to race round-the-clock at Spa
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of McLaren Automotive
Four months after its public debut, McLaren's latest road-based race car has already had a taste of competition. The pair of Chris Goodwin and Andrew Kirkadly successfully qualified on pole and finished as high as fourth at the 2011 British GT Championship in early July. But with only one race weekend's experience under its belt, McLaren is cocky enough to pit the MP4-12C GT3 at the Total 24 Hours of Spa.
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Motorsports
