Britcar 24 timetable announced.

Timetable for Friday 21 September

Start	Finish
09:00	09:20	Ma5da MX-5 Autumn Championship	Qualifying
09:35	09:55	F3 Cup/Monoposto Trophy	Qualifying
10:10	11:05	Britcar 24Hr	Warm Up
11:20	11:40	Porsche Club Motorsport for PMC Midlands Trophy	Qualifying
11:55	12:15	BIGprofile Sports 2000 Duratec Championship	Qualifying
13:15	14:15	Britcar 24Hr	Qualifying
14:30	14:50	Ma5da MX-5 Autumn Championship	Race 1
15:05	15:25	F3 Cup/ Monoposto Trophy	Race 2
15:40	16:05	Porsche Club Motorsport for PMC Midlands Trophy	Race 3
16:20	16:40	BIGprofile Sports 2000 Duratec Championship	Race 4
16:55	17:15	Ma5da MX-5 Autumn Championship	Race 5
19:00	21:00	Britcar 24Hr	Qualifying

Timetable for Saturday 22 September Start Finish 09:00 09:20 Ma5da MX-5 Autumn Championship Race 6 09:35 10:00 Porsche Club Motorsport for PMC Midlands Trophy Race 7 11:10 11:30 F3 Cup/ Monoposto Trophy Race 8 11:45 12:20 Britcar 24Hr Warm Up 12:35 12:55 BIGprofile Sports 2000 Duratec Championship Race 9 13:10 13:35 Porsche Club Motorsport for PMC Midlands Trophy Race 10 15:30 Britcar 24Hr Race 11 - 24 Hours

2013 Btcc dates announced.

Next years btcc dates have been announced, so get planning.

The calendar will again consist of 30 races at ten events (three races at each) at the UK’s top motor sport venues.

Furthermore the BTCC’s geographical reach – it will be in action in no fewer than nine counties – will continue to make it accessible for the vast majority of the population and provide high-profile nationwide and localised marketing opportunities for teams, sponsors and partners.
All ten events will once more be covered live by the ITV network on its ITV4 and ITV4 HD channels as well as the www.itv.com website.

Dunlop BTCC, 2013 Calendar (provisional):

Round	Date	Circuit, County
1	Sat 30/Sun 31 March	Brands Hatch Indy, Kent
2	Sat 20/Sun 21 April	Donington Park, Derbyshire/Leicestershire
3	Sat 4/Sun 5 May	Thruxton, Hampshire
4	Sat 8/Sun 9 June	Oulton Park, Cheshire
5	Sat 22/Sun 23 June	Croft, North Yorkshire
6	Sat 3/Sun 4 August	Snetterton, Norfolk
7	Sat 24/Sun 25 August	Knockhill, Fife
8	Sat 14/Sun 15 September	Rockingham, Northamptonshire
9	Sat 28/Sun 29 September	Silverstone, Northamptonshire
10	Sat 12/Sun 13 October	Brands Hatch Grand Prix, Kent

Price cut and more power for the wrx sti

With the September new registration rush just around the corner, Subaru UK has announced a mouth-watering price offer on its high-performance WRX STI model of just £26,995. At this price, the WRX STI becomes one of the performance car bargains currently available in the UK.
An additional finance offer means the STI can be financed at under £300 a month.
At the same time, Subaru UK has created a further engine upgrade for the STI so that customers can create a new high-performance All-Wheel Drive flagship, the WRX STI 340R.
The new 340R power upgrade, which adds £1,599 to the price, is available alongside the 320R (with 320 ps and 450 Nm) which was first launched to market last year. Both the 340R and 320R power upgrades can be applied retroactively without affecting a car’s warranty.
Available immediately, the WRX STI 340R boasts 340 ps and 490 Nm of torque – substantial increases of 40 ps and 83 Nm over the standard WRX STI – making the 340R one of the fastest point-to-point cars on the road.
The 340R power upgrade features different ECU settings to allow the 2.5-litre horizontally-opposed, four-cylinder Boxer engine to produce more power, while airflow has improved as a result of a new exhaust system, which also provides drivers with a thrilling soundtrack and the iconic Subaru burble.
The 340R will accelerate from standstill to 60mph in just 4.7 seconds, an improvement of 0.5 seconds over the standard WRX STI. There is also even stronger in-gear acceleration as a result of the improved torque.
As with other WRX STI models, the 340R benefits from Subaru’s advanced All-Wheel Drive technology, Torsen rear differential, fully-independent front and rear suspension and four-door saloon practicality.
“The 340R power upgrade turns our most performance-oriented model into one of the most rapid and charismatic cars available in the UK,” said Darren James, Managing Director of Subaru UK. “The WRX STI was already an exciting car, but improved power and torque, as well as the unmistakeable Subaru exhaust note, make the car even more tempting. In making such a generous price offer, we’ve turned the WRX into one of the best value and most accessible performance cars available in the UK.”
Subaru UK recently announced a new range of ultra-competitive finance offers, allowing buyers of base model Subarus (excepting the BRZ and WRX STI derivatives) two year’s interest free credit. For higher-specification models, interest-free credit is available over one year, while low-rate finance – just 3.9 per cent APR – is now available for Personal Contract Purchase buyers without a deposit.

Audi win the 6 hours of silverstone

The Audi R18 e-tron of fassler,lotterer and treluyer took the victory by just under a minute. The Toyota finishing second ahead of the kristensen and mcnish Audi.

The lmp2 class was won by the oreca Nissan of graves,martin, charouz coming in eighth place overall, the brundle Nissan coming home a disappointing twelfth place and fifth in class.

LmGte pro was won by the Fisichella and bruni Ferrari 458 italia, who finished 2 laps ahead of the second 458.

LmGte am was won by the Ferrari 458 of Perazzini,Cioci,Griffin.

Audi qualify 1&2 at the silverstone wec

Audi have taken first and second place at the silverstone round of the world endurance championship.

The lotterer,treluyer and fassler R18 e-tron took pole with a gap of just 0.10 from the McNish/kristensen R18 ultra. The toyota of wurz,lapierre and nakajima took third over half a second behind.

The Honda of Brabham,Chandhok and Dumbreck took seventh infront of the Brundle's and ordonez nissan who took first in the lmp2 class.

Marc lieb and Richard lietz in the porsche 911 rsr took pole in the lmgte pro am class with the Ferrari 458 of Giancarlo Fisichella coming third.

The 6 hour race starts tomorrow at 12.

Mclaren X1 concept

McLaren Special Operations (MSO), the division of McLaren Automotive responsible for the delivery of bespoke projects, presented there latest concept at the pebble beach weekend called the X1.

The car was built with a very special brief:

‘One of our clients who already owned a McLaren F1, a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and now a 12C, wanted a unique car,’ says MSO Programme Director, Paul MacKenzie. ‘The conversation began with our Executive Chairman Ron Dennis almost three years ago − before the 12C was even launched. The client wanted a machine that had all the capability of the 12C but wrapped in a unique body that reflected his needs and personality.’

X-1: the creation
The X-1 is the most ambitious example yet of MSO’s expertise. It has a whole new body made of advanced materials.  Everything is bespoke, even down to the lights and wheels, necessitating new testing and homologation meaning the car took two and a half years to build, a process that began before the styling was signed off.
The X-1 had its own development programme because crucially, this wasn’t to be a fragile concept car that would never see tarmac.  It was to be a usable car, road legal and capable of travelling at supercar speeds.  It also had to comfortably seat two adults so although the 12C was already as shrink-wrapped as it could be from a packaging perspective, the ingenious flexibility of the MonoCell allowed the creation of a completely different form while maintaining the engineering purity of a McLaren.
A full CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) aerodynamic testing schedule ensured high-speed stability, and the car also completed approximately 625 miles of testing including two intensive testing stints at the Idiada circuit in Spain with chief McLaren test driver, Chris Goodwin.  After testing, the whole car was meticulously rebuilt, by hand to concours standard.

McLaren Special Operations:
The bespoke McLaren Special Operations division was launched at Pebble Beach in August last year. It offers a personalisation service that varies from simple trim changes to a whole new car – as showcased by the X-1. ‘We can realise almost anything,’ says MSO Programme Director Paul Mackenzie. ‘The only limit is the size of the customer’s imagination.’
Changes are typically to colour and trim, although Mackenzie is keen to do more mechanical work too. ‘We are not just about styling,’ he notes.
At the beginning of this year, Mackenzie expected 10 percent of all 12C customers to choose some level of personalisation – over and above that offered from the extensive McLaren option list. In fact, the percentage of customisation is currently 15 percent and rising. MacKenzie expects 20 percent of all 12C customers will ask for some degree of personalisation by the end of the year. ‘There is a major trend to individualise premium cars, and we expect the demand to continue to rise,’ he notes.
MSO grew out of McLaren’s Customer Care programme, which goes back 20 years to the days of the McLaren F1 road car. It looked after servicing and maintaining cherished F1s for owners. It also undertook personalisation when cars changed hands: new owners often wanted to put their own marks on their vehicles. Today, MSO continues to service and look after F1 road cars from around the world. It also travels to destinations around the globe, to service and maintain cars.
During the production period of the Mercedes SLR McLaren, the Customer Care department moved into personalising new cars for owners. ‘On the Stirling Moss limited edition version, about a third of all SLRs had an element of bespoke build,’ says Mackenzie. ‘It varied from more visual carbon fibre, to different colours, to retrimmed interiors, to radios – all above and beyond the normal options list.’
MSO was officially founded in August 2011 and encompasses design, project engineering, technicians and purchasing.  It also has technical and design access to other companies within the McLaren Group. MSO is headquartered in a dedicated building close to the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, UK.
Currently the most popular areas for personalisation include external visual carbon fibre body panels, carbon fibre exterior trim, carbon rear wings, vented wheel arches and different wheel finishers. Different graphics are also in demand, while bespoke colour schemes are popular. Interior changes typically include different trim and unique upholstery stitching.
‘But it’s certainly not just colour and trim,’ notes Paul Mackenzie. ‘A number of cars have had different front and rear bumpers, which has increased downforce and boosted performance. These cars had to go through full aerodynamic CFD testing before engineering sign-off.’
Adds Mackenzie: ‘We’re here to help the client personalise the car to their precise taste. They typically come to Woking to see us, or talk to their dealer, or we go to see them. We’ll sit down with them, listen to their requests, then come up with a new colour or mechanical components, or – as with X-1 – a new “tailor made” car. Of course we make recommendations but we’re certainly not here to be style police. Every client is different. Our main job is to listen and then to interpret the owner’s requests into a superb car.’
As Mackenzie concludes: ‘This is the first fully client commissioned MSO car, but it certainly won’t be the last. The carbon fibre MonoCell chassis used in the 12C, is not only stiff and light, it allows for great flexibility in body styling and provides an affordable structure from which MSO can develop unique cars, as is demonstrated with X-1.’

Each to there own but I would much rather have an mp4-12c :) the front angle doesn't look tragic but from any other angle it's odd.

New can-am Mclaren mp4-12c maybach

Mclaren mp4-12c can am

Mclaren have announced the possibility a new car to be on display at pebble beach.Fingers crossed they make it and one day it can go up against the zonda r and the xx series from ferrari, now that would be a top gear worth watching. Full press release here:

Key features

• Track-only design concept weighs 1,200kg (2645.5lbs) and features unique aerodynamic package with a 30 per cent increase in downforce
• More powerful 12C with increased engine performance of up to 630hp
• Debut showing of a 12C racing concept variant designed for the North American market 

McLaren GT, the new race car manufacturing arm of the McLaren Group, is presenting a dramatic track-focused concept at the Pebble Beach Concours, the 12C Can-Am Edition. The one-off design study is finished in historic McLaren Orange and satin black.
The 12C Can-Am Edition is finished in striking shade of McLaren Orange, in tribute to cars of Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme which were extremely successful throughout the 1960s and 1970s. The bold hue is in dramatic contrast to the roof, door and bumper sections, finished in satin black, while carbon fibre also features on the side radiator vanes, wing mirrors and engine cover. The McLaren badges on the front and rear are also finished in carbon fibre. Beneath the surface, the 12C Can-Am Edition shares the same carbon fibre MonoCell chassis as the 12C road car.
Being purely a concept at this stage, and designed as the ‘ultimate track car’, the 12C Can-Am Edition is not subject to the regular racing regulations, despite being based on the 12C GT3 race car. The revised version of the familiar 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine features a unique engine calibration and optimised cooling system, which allows a power output of up to 630hp, making it the most powerful 12C derivative ever shown. The overall dry weight is just 1,200kg (2645.5lbs).
The unique aerodynamics of the 12C Can-Am Edition, as with the 12C GT3 race car, have been honed by McLaren Racing using Formula 1 technology and simulation to optimise downforce. This unique package offers an increase in downforce of 30 per cent.
The optimised aerodynamic package includes a carbon fibre front splitter, carbon fibre dive planes, and a carbon fibre wing which dominates the rear of the car. The wing is held in place by polished aluminium mounts. An imposing carbon fibre diffuser helps to further maximise the aerodynamic package, fitted beneath the two-tone rear bumper.
The extra power output of the 12C Can-Am Edition is kept in check with a braking system developed by Akebono. The highly efficient braking system sits behind a set of black satin-finished forged lightweight racing alloy wheels, shod with Pirelli racing slick tyres which complete the exterior revisions.
Inside the cockpit, the 12C Can-Am Edition is race ready as well.  Two black race seats, complete with full six-point harnesses are mounted within the cabin, while a full race-specification rollcage has also been fitted. The steering wheel is carried over from the 12C GT3, with the shape and grip derived from that of Lewis Hamilton’s MP4-24 Formula 1 car, while carbon fibre detailing also continues throughout the cabin, across the dashboard and sill panels. An integrated air conditioning system, mandatory now in a growing number of race series, is also present.














No more Maybach
In other news there will be no more maybach's produced as they shut production after 10 years.A great shame as they had some really interesting gadgets etc and the sheer size of one was something to behold.

Upcoming events

September is a very busy month for motoring events and there's still some left in august.

Lotus festival

The lotus festival at brands hatch will be taking place on the grand prix track for the first time.With a jam packed race weekend you will be able to see some rally action alongside the track action. The event takes place on the 18th and 19th of august.

Tickets available here: http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk/calendar/2012/august/lotus-festival.aspx

Fia world endurance championship

The very confusing lineup of the fia world endurance championship heads to silverstone for the uk round on the 24th to the 26th of august for the 6 hour race.

Tickets available here: http://www.silverstone.co.uk/events/FIA-World-Endurance-Championship/

More information on the series here: http://www.fiawec.com/

Chelsea autolegends

The suprise event from last year is back with even more racecars present, taking place in the wonderful setting of chelsea hospital grounds some very rare cars are guaranteed to be on display.The show takes place on sunday the 2nd of september.

For more information and tickets: http://www.chelseaautolegends.com/

British f3 and gt championships

The british f3 and gt championships head to silverstone on the 8th and 9th of september, if the racing is anything like it was at brands this promises to be an unmissable event.

For tickets and more information: http://www.silverstone.co.uk/events/British-F3-GT-Championships11/

Ferrari racing days

An event not to be missed for any Ferrari fans the ferrari racing days event heads to silverstone on the 15th and 16th of september. This is the only time in the year the xx programme's are in the uk. Alongside the xx programme will be the various ferrari challenge races and demonstrations.

Ferrari north europe will also be aiming to break a Guinness world record for the largest parade of ferrari cars on the saturday currently 600+ ferrari's are confirmed for this.

Also of note is ferrari owners gain free entry to this event.

For more information and tickets: http://www.silverstone.co.uk/events/Ferrari-Racing-Days/?tab=overview

Britcar 24

The britcar 24 hours is back on the 21st and the 23rd of september. This is a brilliant event and is never uncomfortably busy so makes for a great day/days out.

For tickets and more information: http://www.silverstone.co.uk/events/Britcar-24-Hours/

Cheap ferrari 612

If someone would be kind enough to buy this and remove the temptation it would be appreciated :)

Ok the running costs will be high but that is the price of a specced golf r but with this you get 530bhp.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4110837.htm

Ferrari fxx fun

The ferrari corse cliente comes to the uk in just over a month at the silverstone circuit. Aswell as the xx programs there is set to be one of the largest display's of ferrari's ever currently 600+, one thing that's definately 600+ is the horsepower of this fxx, which seems more than willing to brake traction.

Porsche 917/10 and 911 gt1 up for auction

If you fancy treating yourself this summer, why not head over to rm auctions who have some very special porsche's going under the hammer.

Porsche 917/10
The 1971 Porsche 917/10 will be auctioned on saturday the 18th of august.

The estimate is from $2,900,000-$3,500,000 

• The ex-Jo Siffert privately raced 917 spyder
• Continuous known history with only five owners from new
• Former long-term ownership by Willi Kauhsen, including a highly successful Interserie racing career
• Fully restored to original Can-Am specifications
• One of the greatest sports racing cars ever built
• Extensive history file available for review

For more information:
http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=MO12&CarID=r197&fc=0


Porsche 911 gt1

This roadgoing gt1 will be up for auction on the same date as the 917/10 above.

Estimated price of $1,250,000-$1,400,000

• One of approximately 25 examples produced
• The only example known to be imported into the United States
• Homologated roadgoing street version of the 1997 911 GT1 Evolution Race Car
• A pristine, low mileage example

http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=MO12&CarID=r135&fc=0

Updated Mclaren mp4-12c hill climb acceleration run.

A video of the new updated Mclaren mp4-12c doing a quick run up the hill at the brooklands supercar sunday breakfast event. Traction was clearly being heavily controlled by the highly advanced systems of the mp4-12c then it's off.

Mclaren mp4-12c gt3 coverage from the spa 24 hours

A round up of the mclaren challenge at the spa 24 hours.















The 2012 Total 24 Hours of Spa was another challenging test of endurance and reliability for the McLaren GT customer teams competing at the headline event of the Blancpain Endurance Series over the weekend, 27-29 July. All nine examples of the 12C GT3 performed well around the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit despite harsh conditions throughout, but the incident-filled race took its toll. The punishing circuit and challenging weather saw an extremely high attrition rate throughout the field, but two 12C GT3s successfully crossed the line to claim P9 and P30.
The #88 12C GT3, run by Von Ryan Racing and driven by Alvaro Parente, Rob Barff, Roger Wills and McLaren Automotive Chief Test Driver, Chris Goodwin, battled hard into an impressive 4th place in the Pro-Am class, and P9 overall. The team’s #60 blue-and-black car piloted by Julian Draper, Matt Draper, Stephen Jelley and Stef Dusseldorp crossed the line P30 after a tough 24 hours.
Each of the nine cars showed strong pace throughout the weekend’s qualifying sessions, with five 12C GT3s in the top 20 for the start of the race. The striking dragon-liveried #88 car was the top-qualifying McLaren, claiming pole position in the highly-competitive Pro-Am class, and 3rd overall.
The opening stint was headlined by the #9 Gulf Racing UK car driven by McLaren ‘works’ driver, Rob Bell. After showing good pace during the weekend’s free practice sessions, a difficult qualifying saw the car line up in P51. However, by the end of his double stint, Bell’s strong pace in the 12C GT3 had moved him up to 7th position. The Belgian Boutsen-Ginion Racing team also put in an impressive performance in front of a home crowd with two cars, and the #5 orange-and-black 12C GT3 was the front-running McLaren as the light faded, leading the Pro-Am class, and in P5 overall.
The 4.352-mile (7.004 km) Spa-Francorchamps circuit, notorious for its own micro-climate, saw extreme changes in weather throughout the 24 hours. The opening laps took place in the dry, but conditions quickly changed, and a heavy downpour over part of the circuit during the first scheduled pit window resulted in some teams requiring an additional stop for wet tyres. Further rain showers throughout the remainder of the race ensured the teams and drivers were challenged until the end of the race.
During the 24 hours, the harsh conditions saw more than half the grid forced to retire. As darkness fell, a bold call to change to slick tyres by the Gulf Racing and Von Ryan Racing teams proved successful as the track dried, and gained both teams an advantage over the rest of the field. However, the track’s slippery conditions off the dry line were unforgiving and caused both Gulf Racing cars to retire after leaving the track.
The Lapidus Racing team showed good race pace after qualifying P12 on the grid, but an early collision saw the team lose time. The team worked hard to get the 12C GT3 back on track, and were making progress before coming together with the fast-charging #5 Boutsen-Ginion Racing car, bringing a premature end to the race for both teams. The ART Grand Prix and ASM teams also ran well in the opening 12 hours of the race posting competitive lap times, but the demanding circuit and treacherous conditions saw both teams forced to retire.
Chris Goodwin, McLaren Automotive Chief Test Driver, and driver of the #88 Von Ryan Racing 12C GT3, explained: “The Spa 24 hour race is unlike any other race on the GT calendar; it is a real event from the minute the teams arrive here, and it was fantastic to see the nine 12C GT3s in the parade through the town’s streets before the race. Then, to see them on track, and having five qualify in the top 20, is a real testament to the performance of the teams, and the developments that have been made throughout this season. This is the ultimate test of endurance and reliability for the cars, the drivers and the teams.”
Goodwin continued: “Doing anything non-stop for 24 hours is difficult, but putting in consistently competitive laps, around one of the most demanding circuits in such changeable conditions, is extremely tough. The fact that more than 30 cars were forced to retire from this event shows just how demanding a race it is. To have two cars finish, one in the top 10, in this, the debut competitive year for the 12C GT3, is a big result.”

 

Two new high performance abarth models hit the uk.

Abarth have unveiled two of there new high performance models will be coming to the uk.

An overhaul of the original and highly successful Abarth 500 line-up signifies a milestone in the development of the historic Scorpion brand. And to celebrate that history, two new versions of the sporting hatchback and convertible have been revealed: the 595 Turismo and the 595 Competizione.
Both of these cars will come as standard with a 160bhp version of the turbocharged 1.4 T-Jet engine, to offer greater choice for customers in terms of enhanced standard specifications.
The original Abarth 500 will remain as an entry-level model, though a new colour, and extra standard equipment has been added, while the on-the-road price has been reduced. An esseesse higher performance option will continue to be available for the Abarth 500 as part of a dealer upgrade kit.
All three new versions will be available in manual form or with Abarth’s MTA (Manual Transmission Automated) semi-automatic gearbox.

“When the ground-breaking Abarth 595 SS was created in 1964 it established itself as a genuine performance car and a force to be reckoned with on and off the circuits,” says Ivan Gibson, head of Abarth in the UK. “It is therefore fitting that our two new versions revive the great 595 brand in the form of the Turismo and the Competizione.
“While the Abarth 500 is positioned as an entry point for customers to gain access to the brand, the 595 models will now allow customers to progress or renew their Abarth experience and will also attract new drivers to the marque.”


Abarth 500
Main standard features:
1.4-litre T-Jet engine 135bhp (manual) 140bhp (MTA)
‘Corsa’ pack including Inox pedals, footrest and door kick-plates
Sport mode
16-inch alloy wheels
Air conditioning
Front fog lights
Rear parking sensors
Leather gear lever surround
Four pastel colours
Price (MTA):
500 - £13,975 (£15,275)
500C - £15,875 (£17,175)


Abarth 595 Turismo
Main standard features:
1.4-litre T-Jet engine 160bhp (manual and MTA)
‘Turismo’ pack including Alutex pedals, footrest and door kick-plates, bespoke floor mats, machined aluminium fuel and oil filler caps
Dark tinted rear windows
Upgraded front and rear dampers
Automatic climate control
Leather upholstery
17-inch 10-spoke Diamond finish alloy wheels
Xenon headlights
Red brake callipers
Titanium Grey front and rear sports grilles
10 exterior colours
Price (MTA):
500 - £17,725 (£19,025)
500C - £19,625 (£20,925)


Abarth 595 Competizione
Main standard features:
1.4-litre T-Jet engine 160bhp (manual and MTA)
‘Competizione’ pack including aluminium pedals, footrest and door kick-plates, bespoke floor mats, machined aluminium fuel and oil filler caps
Dark tinted rear windows
Upgraded front and rear dampers
Cross-drilled front and rear disc brakes
Sabelt seats in fabric upholstery
Monza exhaust upgrade
17-inch, 5-spoke Anthracite/Diamond finish alloy wheels
Xenon headlights
Red brake callipers
Titanium Grey front and rear sports grilles
10 exterior colours
Price (MTA):
500 - £18,725 (20,025)
500C - £20,625 (£21,925)
All models are available through Abarth’s UK network of 24 dealers.