Mike Skeen at Road Atlanta - e36 M3

The Scuderia always enjoys an opportunity to watch Mike Skeen pilot a car around a track. It's a double payoff when it's an M3 and a nationally known and well liked track like Road Atlanta. I love the way he casually cuts through the field. Nice Work Mike.

Enjoy!

Car Porn Deluxe - "Double Brat" Edition- Guy Cosmos' 2:16 Pole Lap Around Road America

Brilliant Lap! As clean as they come. Enjoy!

Track Addicts Rejoice - Porsche Announces 2010 GT3 Cup

Introducing the 2010 Porsche Gt-3 Cup, which will debut at the 2009 Frankfurt auto show. Wearing a wing likely designed by Airbus, but sharing most body panels and engine with the 2010 GT3RS the Porsche 911 Gt-3 Cup offers a factory built race-ready version of the current 997 chassis. So for the bargain basement price of $215,000 (probably less than you will be able to buy a GT-3RS from a dealer) you will be able to order this plutonium-grade track weapon directly from Porsche.

Any takers?

Scuderia On Track @ Putnam Park - The Aftermath

We were at Putnam Park last weekend with the Windy City BMWCCA. Aside from some clouds, the cool weather was quite a welcome break from the usual 90 degree August temperatures.

I have some video from the 2007 Putnam DE, which was my first time on the track with the Cayman and my second HPDE. I had been at Road America in April of that year with my wife's E90 BMW 330. I had fun at RA with the BMW, but I didnt get hooked until I got out there with the Cayman.





This is some video from the 2nd session on Sunday:









During this 2 year descent into track addiction, I have lowered the car with Bilstein PSS9s and put in some Racetech seats w/ 6 pt. harnesses. I have avoided doing any engine related mods. I am running Nitto NT-01 tires.

From my advanced video analysis, it looks like I am doing about 1:23-1:25 laps. According to Trackpedia, I am about as fast as a Spec Pinata or 944. I guess I have more work to do :) Maybe time for a Traqmate and Hoosiers?

Scuderia Back on Track - Putnam Park with Windy City BMWCCA

Heading down to lovely Greencastle, Indiana, home of DePauw University, an original German V1 rocket (at the Municipal Building), a bunch of covered bridges and Putnam Park racetrack. (Which is actually in neighboring Mt. Meridian, IN). Putnam Park was developed and is owned by Richard Diasio, and his sons, who are the builders of the Diasio 962 Race Car and Flo-Fast Fuel transfer pumps.

Unfortunately it looks like we have some really cool weather and possibly some rain in store for the weekend, but it should make for some exciting on track action.

Hopefully we get some video and pictures from the weekend. Peace.

Car Porn Deluxe - "Heir to the Throne" edition - Tom Milner Jr.and the RLR M3 GTR

Tom Milner Jr. talks through his experiences as a RLR M3 GTR pilot with some great in car footage. It's my understanding that the M3 GTR will also be included in the standard Need for Speed Shift game, which looks like another reason to stay home from work for a month. A little jumbled but I think that some of the shots make up for it. Enjoy!

Car Porn Deluxe- " Does It get any Better Edition" - New 911 GT3RS

I'm not sure how this car could get any better. Now I need to find a way to come up with $132,800. Details any story after the video. Enjoy

(VIA Motortrend and Porsche)

Based on the previous iteration, the new GT3 RS utilizes the same core flat-six engine as the previous version, but its been bored out from 3.6L to 3.8L - enough to provide an extra 15 horsepower over the standard 911 GT3, bringing output totals to a full 450 naturally-aspirated ponies. A revised, short-throw, close-ratio six-speed gearbox has been thrown in the package to produce a vehicle that revs faster and produces more dynamic acceleration traits - and higher top speed -- than the version that goes before.

But this being Porsche, the powertrain is only half the story. The newest GT3 RS has also been sharpened underneath, resulting in a wider track both front and aft, and corresponding wider bodywork. New wheels measure a full 9-in. wide up front and 12-in. wide at rear, wrapped in 245/35 ZR 19 rubber and 325/30 ZR 19 respectively. Porsche Active Drivetrain Mounts (PADM) are featured as standard, changing in stiffness and damping according to road surface and driving behavior - this resulting in reduced body roll and dive.

Even the details have been fine-tuned, with the new 911 GT3 RS featuring a larger carbon fiber rear wing and lower ride height than previous versions, along with an optional lithium-ion battery that saves weight over the conventionally lead-based version by over 22 lbs. The distinctive dual exhaust tips of the 911 GT3 RS remain a trademark feature of the new car, and as before the entire exhaust system is constructed of lightweight titanium.

The new Porsche 911 GT3 RS is slated to hit U.S. showrooms next year after a Frankfurt debut. Base price will be $132,800 exluding delivery charges.

the essence of Ranting - "BMW, The Ultimate SUV's"

Okay, to say that I'm more than a little bitter over BMW's recent decision to pull the plug on their Formula One effort, close-down Formula BMW America, and continue to build 6000 lbs sport utes with 500 + hp, that can only be driven con brio with the stability control on has taken me over the edge. What ever happened to the Ultimate Driving Machine. What ever happened to BMW poking fun at other companies for pulling this crap?

So as it stands today, here is my prediction, BMW will be out of ALMS by 2011 and likely out of motor racing by 2015.

There is a slight chance that they may end up in, (wait for it) NASCAR in 2012, but I think that they are concerned with Toyota's spend versus results. Maybe the X5 can run in the Craftsman Truck series.

Also Buick is walking away from its relationship with the PGA, and except for the dedicated club racers and HPDE participants, where do you see the majority of BMW today? At the track or parked at the clubhouse?

I hope I am reading this wrong, only time will tell. Agree?