A1 GP – Max Mosley’s vision for Formula 1

So for anyone who believes that Max Mosley's plan of bringing standard engines to F1 is a good idea, I present to you the A1 GP aka "The World Cup Of Motorsport". The A1 GP is a open-wheel race series that brings teams representing different nations together through competition.

Initially 12 race series, now down to 8, utilizing a beautiful Lola spec chassis, slick tires, Ferrari engine, and running at some famous, if not somewhat forgotten by F1 tracks around the world, as well as some other well known, but non-F1 tracks.

The downside seems to be that no-one cares.

The A1 GP would truly be the world cup of motorsport, if that meant no one watched world cup events. Even during the off-season for almost all other forms of motorsport, the A1 GP series cannot find fans, interesting sponsors, or even a complete schedule. (They still list an event as TBD even though it is only months away).

If F1 goes with a spec package, I would imagine that it would look a lot like this, except for KERS, and a useless medal based points system. Check out some of the A1 GP action below.

Holy Human Cannonball - Porsche working on "hard-core" GT-2

According to the chatter on the interwebs, (and verified by reliable sources) it sounds as though Porsche is working on a "hard-core" version of their GT-2, possibly dubbed the GT-2 RS. While early reports state that the horsepower will remain the same at 530hp, the real news is that the car will be 200kg (440 pounds) lighter for a total weight of 2,735lbs. This would result in a very impressive 5.16lb/hp ratio (down from 6lb/hp) in the standard car.

I'll leave you with video of Walter Rohrl driving the current GT-2 as brief example of how fast the standard GT-2 is.

BTW, the clip is in German.

2009 Toyota F1 - Testing the "make it or break it" TF109

Toyota has finally gotten around to posting some video of their testing the "make or break" TF109.

I think the video is brilliant as it captures the spirit of Toyota's F1 program to date - it's two/thirds about them getting ready, and 1/3 about driving the car!

Lamborghini Gallardo 560 LP-4 in the snow

Great video of Tiff Needell  wringing out a gorgeous electric green Lamborghini Gallardo 560 LP-4 in the snow with traction control off.  Definitely not recommended for mere mortals.  

 

2010 Porsche GT3- there is no substitute!

Okay so here it is. . . Center lock wheels, 435hp from a larger 3.8L of displacement flat 6, an updated VarioCam system that adjusts both the intake and the exhaust valves . The end result is a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 312km/h. Need I say more.

American LeMans Series 2009 - Sebring testing

So if I understand the final list of attendees there will be no one in LMP1, as Audi has pulled out, (although its unclear if the new Aston LMP1 car will come to the states to test for LeMans.)

Acura and will be the only major player in LMP2, (with maybe a Dyson Mazda entry).

GT1 will be unoccupied, (except for maybe the  LISTA Maserati MC12 that shows up on occasion).

The real excitement will be in GT2, with the return of the BMW M3, the newly launched Porsche GT3 RSR and Corvette now competing with an actual Corvette, (not the Pratt and Miller beast disguised to look like a Vette) and Ferrari F430’s.  

Although I am very sad to see the current M3's in white instead of team PTG colors, it is nice to see BMW back in the series.  I wonder how long it will be be until Tom Milner dumps the Panoz's and finds his way back to Munich's finest.

From what I have read of the current Sebring testing, (although very early) there should be some fantastically close racing action in GT3. Thanks to SpeedTv for the Winter testing photos.

Congratulations to Turner Motorsports - Auberlen/Bell in their win at Daytona

Congratulations to Turner Motorsports for their win in the  Grand-Am Koni Sports Car Challenge race at Daytona Speedway. Bill Auberlen and Matt Bell brought home the first ever Koni Challenge win ever for a BMW M3 at Daytona Speedway which has generally favored higher horsepower or more aerodynamic cars. The Speed Channel's broadcast of this race will be this Saturday, January 31, at 4:00pm ET.

VW Fun Cup

Do you want a tube-frame, mid-engine, purpose built race car with a body designed by Porsche, center mounted seat, and full areo for 35K?

Welcome to the VW fun cup. Complete with a coil-over suspension, steel wheels, a VW/Audi 2.0liter 150hp engine and full safety equipment, not to mention a fuel cell and easy to replace composite body work, the Fun Cup car makes for a stout, cost-effective package. Not the fastest car around a track, but a great safe way to experience close racing action at some the world's most prestigious tracks.

Check out the action from Spa below. While you won't confuse it with Porsche Super Cup, the money you'd save over the course of a season would buy you a small condo in Villefranche-sur-Mer.