Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
WRS at Cottage Grove July 25th
Western Racing Series Four Cylinder Late Models:
In second night of action the four cylinder late models were in action for the second time of the season. The previous race they were at the Cottage Grove Speedway was on the fifth of July when Brian Johnsen of Medford was able to pick up the victory. In qualifying Bob Westcott of Milwaukie was able to outpace the field with a time of 14.999 seconds.
Westcott was able to keep his winning ways in style by picking up the $100 TPR Industrial Dash for Cash and also winning the first heat race which gave him the pole to the twenty five lap feature. In the second heat race Brian Johnsen was able to pick up the win and that would give him the outside pole.
In the feature Bob Westcott took the early race lead but pulled off early after having some mechanical problems. That gave Brian Johnsen the lead but Renny Marose of Puyallup, Washington was hot on his trail. Eventually Johnsen was able to get some breathing room as he was able to lap all the way up to fourth place. Johnsen would win it followed by Pat Akins of Milwaukie, Rick Rapp of Medford, Jason Wesolowski of Hillsboro, and Portland’s Mike Christoferson rounded up the top five.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Willamette Speedway Race Images
As always - a big thanks to Doc.
Here are some great action shots from Willamette Speedway.
To see more, please click HERE.
STRV: Ski Boat + Ram 2500 = Tow Segment
Thanks to SPEEDSPORTS for the use of the Master Craft Ski Boat -could not believe that you can buy a ski boat for so little. Should prove to be an interesting segment about the ins and outs of towing a watercraft.The test vehicle: DODGE RAM 2500 with a Bluetec Cummins surely won't blink an eye at the load, but towing correctly is also about safety and set up.
Monday, July 20, 2009
NWWT: Cottage Grove Images
Special thanks to Doc And his relentless efforts to share images from around the local race tracks. CHECK THEM ALL OUT HERE
SRTV: NASCAR G.A.S.S NW SPEEDSHOTS
Thanks to Bob Pengraph and NW SPEEDSHOTS
Great images from the G.A.S.S. race this past weekend.
Proof that I was out there not just filling the field.
Love the shot of me passing the #35 inside of turn 12.
Please check out all the great photos at NW SPEEDSHOTS
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Corvette C6R GT2 entered ALMS race
Following the 2008 American Le Mans Series, Chevrolet announced that its Corvette Racing team would abandon the largely uncontested ranks of GT1 and take on the challenge of GT2. As General Motors careened toward bankruptcy court this spring, the team competed in its final GT1 races at Sebring, Long Beach and Le Mans – but the big question was whether the GT2 program would be still-born.
Well, Corvette fans can now breath a sigh of relief – the news has just come from the American Le Mans Series that GM has filed official entry forms to compete in the GT2 class at Mid-Ohio in August. The existing driver pairings of Johnny O'Connell/Jan Magnussen and Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin will pilot the new Vettes, which will feature bodywork inspired by the ZR1 – including double side vents. We're certainly looking forward to seeing Chevrolets take on Ferrari, Porsche and Aston next month as they take to the roadcourse the weekend of Aug. 6-8.
Toro Rosso reportedly replaces Bourdais
Those pulling for Sebastien Bourdais will undoubtedly be disappointed by the latest reports emanating from the Formula One paddock. After winning the now-defunct Champ Car title four times in a row, the French driver switched to Formula One with Scuderia Toro Rosso last season, but while his team-mate Sebastian Vettel scored race wins, Bourdais never managed to do better than a couple of seventh-place finishes. Now, after his third early retirement this season at the German Grand Prix this past weekend, reports indicate that he's been given the axe.
Taking Bourdais' seat at STR for the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix will be Jamie Alguersuari, a Red Bull prodigy, recently promoted reserve/test driver for both Red Bull Racing and reigning champion in the British Formula 3 championship. Reports suggest that Alguersuari's promotion to the race seat serves as preparation for his full-time campaign next season and was fueled, so to speak, by a pending sponsorship deal with Spanish oil company Repsol, which supports Alguersuari's career. If the reports are confirmed and the 19-year-old racer starts the Hugarian GP for STR, he'll be the youngest ever to race in F1.
While the news undoubtedly comes as a disappointment for Bourdais and his fans, it surely disappoints another French multiple-champion as well. As rumors have escalated over the past few days about Bourdais' departure, five-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb publicly threw his hat into the ring to replace his countryman. Loeb previously tested an F1 car for sister team Red Bull Racing, and has long contemplated a switch of disciplines. But while Loeb's declaration infuriated Bourdais, but it looks like his move from WRC to F1 will have to wait a little longer.
1,150-hp Ford RS200 going after Pikes Peak
It took 13 years for Rod Millen's 1994 Pikes Peak run to be toppled by Nobuhiro Tajima in 2007. And when Tajima set a new record of 10:01.408 in the Suzuki XL7 Hill Climb Special, there were doubts that time could ever be eclipsed.
This weekend, those doubts could be put to rest by Mach 2 Racing and its specially-prepared Ford RS200. Partnering with Avon Tires, the Essex-based motorsports firm has created the ultimate rally-bred Ford, packing a new turbo that boosts output to 950 hp, and then, for good measure, includes a 70-liter nitrous oxide tank to deliver another 200 hp for a total of 1,150 hp.
Discovery Channel's HD bringing WRC
For World Rally Championship fans living in the U.S., it's been tough to keep up on the action, as domestic television coverage has been virtually nonexistent for some time now. That's about to change, however, as the series has inked a deal with Discovery Communications' HD Theater, a channel with an audience of 633 million. HD Theater has committed to show weekly coverage "from every round of the championship" beginning in October, and it will also air shows featuring related WRC content and news.
The adventure/technology channel already shows other forms of motorsports coverage and car-related programming that we've enjoyed, and we're particularly excited for the return of WRC, as the rallying genre lend itself particularly well to the channel's 1080i, 5.1 digital surround high-def format. After all, the races regularly take place in spectacular settings, and HD broadcasting ought to provide for a heightened level of detail in everything from flying dirt to the look on bystanders' faces as the competitors whip by. Consider us psyched.
Honda CEO reportedly rules out F1
Things could hardly have played out worse for Honda. It has poured what surely amounted to billions of dollars for years into its Formula One team with little effect. Then it brought in Ross Brawn, only to withdrew its support from the squad, then it sold the entire operation to Brawn while paying out big bucks to avoid an even bigger severance bill. And only then did Brawn turn the F1 team into a winner. That'd be enough to send some automakers scurrying to get back in the game, but not Honda.
The Japanese automaker's new CEO Tokanobu Ito has reportedly completely ruled out the possibility of a return to F1 "even if the economy improves," deriding the series as bereft of relevant development possibilities. Well, there you have it. No word, however, on whether Honda will support the 2010 Japanese Grand Prix at its Suzuka Circuit after Toyota withdrew its Fuji Speedway from the event.
Jean Todt confirms candidacy for FIA president
The heat is on as former Ferrari chief executive Jean Todt has reportedly confirmed his candidacy for FIA president. The Frenchman has been touted as a potential head of the international motorsport governing body and automobile federation for years, with rumors intensifying following his resignation from the top spot at Ferrari over a year ago. However, reports now indicate that the renowned racing strategist will stand for the office to replace the departing Max Mosley.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
TEST DRIVE: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro RS
SRTv: Speed and Racing Television Test Vehicle.
2010 Chevrolet Camaro RS
More to come.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Dodge Viper SRT10 - Thank You Chrysler
Dodge Viper SRT10 Will Live On
Auburn Hills, Mich. , Jul 10, 2009 - Chrysler Group LLC announced today that production will continue for the legendary Dodge Viper SRT10.
Originally slated to cease production in December 2009, the Chrysler Group Conner Avenue Assembly Plant — the exclusive home of Dodge Viper production since 1995 — will continue to build the V-10 powered sports car. Chrysler Group is no longer pursuing a sale of the Viper business assets.
“The Dodge Viper has successfully captured the hearts and imagination of performance enthusiasts around the globe,” said Mike Accavitti, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dodge Brand. “We’re extremely proud that the ultimate American-built sports car with its world-class performance will live on as the iconic image leader for the Dodge brand."
Introduced as a concept car in 1989 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Dodge Viper was designed and engineered to test public reaction to the concept of a back-to-basics, high-performance, limited production sports car.
The reaction was so overwhelming that customer orders began to flow in even before the auto show was over. Chrysler Corporation immediately decided to determine the production feasibility on transforming the crowd-pleasing Dodge Viper show car into a limited-production sports car in no more than three years.
In May 1990, after months of intensive study and testing, Chrysler Corporation announced that the Dodge Viper, powered by an aluminum V-10 was a “go."
Dodge Viper production began in May 1992 at the New Mack Assembly Plant and was moved to Conner Avenue in October 1995. Viper V-10 engine production transferred from Mound Road Engine to Conner Avenue Assembly in May 2001. In 2008, Dodge introduced the all-new, fourth generation Dodge Viper SRT10. With more horsepower, more torque and more than 30 exterior and interior color combinations, the latest Viper gives enthusiasts the performance they expect on the track and off, with more factory customization options than before.
For 2009, the Dodge Viper SRT10 offers outrageous power, with an 8.4-liter, 600-horsepower (450 kW) V-10 engine contributing to blistering acceleration (0-60 mph in less than four seconds, 0-100-0 mph in the low 12-second range), setting an American sports car benchmark.
To date, more than 25,000 Dodge Vipers have been built.
Monday, July 6, 2009
MotoGP: Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix PR Release
PRESS RELEASE:
Dani Pedrosa, who has battled injury and misfortune for the last year, rose back to the top of the MotoGP podium with impressive fashion in capturing the 2009 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
The Red Bull-sponsored Pedrosa started fourth from the second row, but shot out of the start to take the lead and never give it up for the 32-lap race around the 11-turn, 2.2-mile track. Valentino Rossi, who was expected to defend his title race, moved from third to second and only made a real threat to Pedrosa on the last lap, when he closed the gap to .34 seconds at the checkered flag.
"I took it too slow the last lap," said Pedrosa, whose last win was June 8, 2008 at the Catalunya GP. "When I went into the last corner I saw his [Rossi] bike coming behind and I said maybe I was too slow, but fortunately I won the race."
After the race, Rossi claimed it was too risky for him to chance a last turn pass. "I was not at 100 percent today," said the Italian, who has 100 MotoGP wins in his career. "It was a great race and an important 20 points toward the championship."
Rossi's Fiat Yamaha teammate, Jorge Lorenzo, completed the podium despite racing with shoulder separation and bruised foot injuries sustained from a nasty highside crash during Saturday's qualifying. Lorenzo at times turned the fastest laps and nearly overtook Rossi towards the end of the race in the same turn he crashed the day before, but he overran the turn and had to settle for third at the finish. Casey Stoner, the 2007 race winner, finished fourth after falling back from second position following the holeshot. He too was very sore from a highside crash suffered in qualifying.
American Nicky Hayden recorded best finish of the 2009 campaign with a solid fifth place run, thereby boosting his confidence heading into the second half of the season, his first with manufacturer Ducati.
"All year it has been so hard, and we come home and finally were able to get a good solid result," said Hayden, the 2005 and 2006 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix winner. "After winning this race twice, it's hard to get excited for fifth, but for what we've been through and how we started this season, I'm really happy. Hopefully, by the time we get to Indy [Red Bull Indianapolis GP] we will be ready for a little more,"
The day's results boosted Rossi's hold on the world championship standings to nine points over teammate Lorenzo and 16 points over Stoner. Pedrosa remains far back in fourth place, 59 points back from Rossi, but his win at Laguna Seca signals to the field that Pedrosa has found his winning ways again.
Hennessey announces 705 hp Z700
Nurburgring-Tested Track Upgrade for the 2010 Corvette ZR1
The world's fastest and most powerful production Corvette, the 638 bhp ZR1 has become the pinnacle of American sports cars. For most ZR1 owners, having a car capable of Nurburgring times of 7:26 is more than enough to satisfy performance to satisfy their need for speed. However, for the select few who subscribe to the mantra of "Too much horsepower is never enough" Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) has something special in store for them in 2010. HPE is happy to introduce the company's 705 bhp Z700 upgrade package for the 2010 ZR1.
Porsche 911 owners wanting the ubber Porsche can order the GT3 RS. Dodge Viper enthusiasts wanting the ultimate road race Viper have the ACR. Now ZR1 owners can opt for the Hennessey Z700 upgrade for their Corvettes.
Hennessey's Z700 performance package starts by upgrading the engine supercharger, exhaust and air induction systems and is dyno tuned to 705 bhp. But this is just the beginning. Additional upgrades include lightweight carbon fiber wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires, which reduce rotating weight by nearly 60 lbs. Hennessey's Z-Aero ™ carbon fiber front splitter, canards and rear spoiler also add over 300 lbs of down force helping to put the added power to the road and track. Rounding out the Z700 upgrade package is a revised interior with lightweight carbon fiber seats, Alcantara steering wheel and shift knob.
HPE will be throwing its hat in the Ring – literally – and plans to begin testing the Z700 at the famed Nurburgring in Germany later in 2009. The company plans to build just 24 copies of this limited edition Corvette ZR1 for the 2010 model year. Each buyer gets 1-day of performance driving instruction in his or her new Z700 at Hennessey's own private test track, Lonestar Motorsports Park. Lonestar, which is located next to the company's facility, is located just west of Houston, Texas and has a full ¼ mile dragstrip as well as a 1.1-mile road course, which will soon be under construction.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
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