The Bad Old Days of Racing - BBC " Grand Prix - The Killer Years"

I happened across this great series from the BBC and had to come back and share it. Enjoy.

24h of LeMans - BMW Promo Video

Peugeot 908 HDi FAP night Qualifying with Alex Wurz

Some impressive night qualifying from former F1 pilot Alex Wurz in the Peugeot 908 Hdi FAP.  Can only imagine what those speeds are like are the Circuit de la Sarthe at night, plus when you look at how far ahead the lights are projecting, I would think that you are over driving the beam by 4 or 5 seconds. Awesome courage and skill.

2010 LeMans 24h - Audi Preview

It looks like it will be another battle of the oil-burners at the Circuit de la Sarthe this year with Audi going at it with hammer and tongs against the closed top Peugeots.  Should be some decent battles back in the GT category, but generally the GT class winner has been decided by "who can avoid battle damage from back markers," more than "who has the fastest car and runs the best race."  Should be fun

Scuderia Back on Track - Gingerman Raceway with Auto Interests - New Turn 10B

Over Memorial Day weekend we had the opportunity to head out to Gingerman Raceway in South Haven, MI, for the launch of Gingerman's new turn 10B, which completely changes the nature of the track.

Now I've always been a Gman-hater myself and unfortunately the go-pro video of it sucks, but I'll work on posting something. Here's the deal: The transition out of 9 is a constant left arc to the turn in for 10. The track FALLS away off camber to a super late apex then it starts back uphill blind from track out back right across the track to end up mid point down the straight to 11. Much faster and the outside of 10 is all graded downhill, so an off leads to a long ride down the hill.

Looking forward to my next trip out once they plant some grass.

I wonder if they'll have to put truck nutz under the cars, aka The 2012 US Formula 1 moves to Austin Texas

[Via Cold Track Days]
After a three year absence, it appears Formula One will return to the United States in 2012. According to Formula One World Championship Limited and Formula One Administration Limited, Austin, Texas will host the United States Grand Prix from 2012 to 2021. A new facility will be built to accommodate the USGP and, according to Bernie Ecclestone, President and CEO of the Formula One Group, this "will be the first time a facility is constructed from the ground up specifically for Formula One in the US."

Follow the link for a look at the official press release..

Formula One returns to the United States
Austin, Texas, from the east. The Austin skyline by night, Texas. Austin hill country, Texas. The Austin skyline by day, Texas.

Formula One World Championship Limited and Formula One Administration Limited (together, the F1 Commercial Rights Holder) and Full Throttle Productions, LP, promoter of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™, announce that a historic agreement has been reached for Austin, Texas to serve as the host city of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ for years 2012 through 2021.

"We are extremely honoured and proud to reach an agreement with the F1 Commercial Rights Holder. We have been diligently working together for several years to bring this great event to Austin, the State of Texas and back to the United States. All parties involved have a great amount of trust and confidence in each other and are committed to establishing the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ in Austin, Texas as a prestigious global event," stated Tavo Hellmund, Managing Partner of Full Throttle Productions, LP.

Bernie Ecclestone, President and CEO of the Formula One Group stated: "For the first time in the history of Formula One in the United States, a world-class facility will be purpose-built to host the event. It was thirty years ago that the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ was last held on a purpose-built permanent road course circuit in Watkins Glen, NY (1961-1980), which enjoyed great success. Since then, Formula One has been hosted by Long Beach, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas and Phoenix all on temporary street circuits. Indianapolis joined the ranks of host cities in 2000 when they added a road course inside the famed oval. Lewis Hamilton won the last Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ in 2007, signalling the end to eight years at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This however, will be the first time a facility is constructed from the ground up specifically for Formula One in the US."

Mr. Hellmund added: "This is a case of the right timing in the right place. As many Americans know, Austin has earned a reputation as one of the 'it' cities in the United States. Austin features that rare combination of ideal geographic location and beauty. Its fine dining, world-renowned hospitality and excellent transportation infrastructure make Austin ideally suited to host and manage an event of this magnitude. Few cities if any in America could rival the connectivity of all the key elements needed for hosting a Formula 1 event as well as Austin. Now, many people around the world will have the opportunity to experience a world-class event, facility and city."

"We are pleased Texas has the opportunity to be involved with Formula 1 and that an event of this magnitude is coming to Austin," said Susan Combs, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. "It has been a pleasure working with Full Throttle Productions, LP and Mr. Hellmund on this project. Their tradition of producing successful major events coupled with a thirty year relationship with Mr. Ecclestone has us looking forward to this worldwide event and the benefits it will bring, including local job creation, increased tourism and a significant economic impact added to our state economy. The visibility and prestige of this event will spotlight our state on an international stage."

Texas Governor Rick Perry conveyed his enthusiasm for the project, explaining "Texas' relatively strong economy continues to draw both national and international attention and I commend Comptroller Combs for her work in bringing this exciting event to the Lone Star State."

City of Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell continued the positive sentiments, adding "The City of Austin will be proud to host this magnificent event and I look forward to welcoming the participants and fans of Formula One to our City."

Full Throttle Productions, LP acknowledges with great appreciation the efforts of all parties involved including Bernie Ecclestone, President and CEO of the Formula One Group, and the local and state officials of Texas.

"It has been a shared vision and monumental task to reach this agreement. We realize that over the last 30 years there have been one or two missing pieces from the previous editions of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™. We have a tremendous opportunity at hand to do it right - to feature Austin as the backdrop and produce the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ as one of the great sporting events in the world," stated Hellmund.

In addition to the State of Texas being the 11th strongest economy in the world, it has more Fortune 500 company headquarters than any other state. Key features of Austin include:
- State capital nicknamed 'Silicon Hills' for being one of the most important regions in the US for the Technology Industry;
- USA's 15th largest city and is located 145 miles from Houston (4th largest US city), 70 miles from San Antonio (7th largest US city), and 180 miles from Dallas (8th largest US city), population in this triangle is over 22 million;
- perfectly located geographically for North, South and Central American visitors;
- over 130 daily departing international flights within 180 miles;
- over 250,000 hotel rooms within 180 miles;
- desirable year-round climate, with an average annual temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 Celsius);
- geographically located in the Texas Hill Country, easily the most beautiful city in the State, and considered one of the most in the US;
- hotels/downtown/Formula 1 circuit/airport located within close proximity of each other, which is nearly impossible for any other large city in the US;
- world class night life entertainment along renowned 'Sixth Street'; and
- large film industry presence - many movies filmed in the area.

Austin's National Recognition
- Known as "The Live Music Capital of the World"
- Voted "Greenest City in America" (MSN)
- Voted "Least Stressful Large Metro" in the United States (Forbes)
- Voted Top Two "Best Cities" in the United States (Money Magazine)
- Voted Top Three "Hippest Cities" in the United States (Forbes)
- Voted Top Five "Safest Cities" in the United States (Forbes)
- Voted Top Ten "Sports & Fitness Cities" in the USA (Sports Business Journal)

Full Throttle Productions, LP is an Austin, Texas, special event and sports production company that provides event conception, event project management, day of event oversight, staffing and volunteer services, venue planning and logistics support.

More information on the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ will be forthcoming shortly. In the meantime, all queries should be directed to info@fullthrottleproductionslp.com.

In-Car Video of Bill Auberlen and the RLR M3 during ALMS Qualifying at Laguna Seca

Get a load of the sights and sounds of BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team driver Bill Auberlen during qualifying for the May 22, 2010 six-hour race at Laguna Seca.[via BMW of North America, LLC.]

A 2010 Nurburgring Night Lap - Onboard Aston Martin N24 Vantage V8

24H Nordschleife Race at Night 2010 Onboard Aston Martin N24 Vantage V8. Driver: Fredy Barth. Video by SOHAPPY RACING.

[via So Happy Racing]