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AUDI TOP LE MANS TEST
Audi completed its preparations for the most important endurance race of the year with a test in France that was largely held in rain. Two weeks before the Le Mans 24 Hours, Audi Sport Team Joest set up the long-tail version of the Audi R18 e-tron quattro for the high-speed track on the eight-hour test day. On a mostly wet Sunday at La Sarthe, the team of the eleven-time Le Mans winner concentrated on testing various aerodynamic set-up versions of the Audi R18 e-tron quattro. In addition, the engineers experimented with different tire pressures in order to analyze the performance of the rain tires on a single lap and across longer distances. When showers set in, the team decided to end the morning’s practice session early. The track conditions were too inconsistent, as Loïc Duval came to find out too in an off-track excursion in the Tertre Rouge corner toward the end of the first half of the day. His car, designated as number 2, remained structurally undamaged in the incident and was ready to resume the test after the lunch break. Despite inclement weather there were as many spectators at the 2013 Le Mans 24 Hours test day as in 2012 when it was sunny. A crowd of around 23 000 had a taste of what they will experience at the Le Mans 24 Hours in two weeks time. It shows just how much people are looking forward to the 90th anniversary event.
Continue reading...BRIGHT START TO THE GREATEST RACE
9. June 2013
The cars are soon on the famous Le Mans circuit for the first time in 2013 as the test day gets under way for the World's greatest motor race. For almost a year people everywhere have been waiting for this moment! The test day kicks off a hectic fortnight, which will climax on 23rd June with the huge crowd of supporters flocking to the track under the podium to crown the winner of this year's Le Mans 24 hour classic. Between now and then laughter and tears will follow each other in rapid succession! Thousands of stories, whether of great or little import, will be written between the centre of Le Mans and the Mulsanne corner at the southern extremity of the circuit. From this day, memories will be made, dreams will come true and the 56 garages will be a theatre of great joy and huge disappointments. There is always something at stake at the test day. It is THE day that plunges teams into a state of doubt or panic or, on the contrary, gives them the impetus and the confidence to reach for the heights. In short, it sets the tone. This year there are many questions: will Audi or Toyota come out on top psychologically speaking in LM P1? Which of the 24 LM P2s prototypes will find the best setup as they are all potential category winners? Will the new Vipers, back in GTE Pro after a 10-year absence, be able to match the pace of the Ferraris, Porsches, Corvettes and Aston Martins? For Austrlaian V8 Supercar Star Jason Bright, today is the fulfilment of a career long dream. For as long as I have known Jason he has always had a burning desire to race at this, the world's greatest race...
Continue reading...RECORD BREAKING DEBUT GT WIN FOR LE BROCQ
26. May 2013
Erebus Motorsport continued their domination of the Australian GT Championship at Phillip Island with 20-year old Jack Le Brocq destroying the opposition to win race one. Starting from pole position, the reigning national Formula Ford champion held a narrow early lead over veteran John Bowe, before charging away from the field as the fuel load lightened, [...]
Continue reading...FORD’S AUSSIE PULLOUT: HEAR THE FULL MEDIA CONFERENCE
24. May 2013
In case you missed it, here is the full audio of the Ford Australia media conference announcing the company’s decision to end manufacturing in Australia. ford-press-23rd-may-2013ford-press-23rd-may-2013
Continue reading...THE FALCON IS DEAD! FORD TO END AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURING
23. May 2013
NO DECISION ON MOTORSPORT FUTURE, YET! Ford Australia have announced their decision to withdraw from manufacturing in Australia with both Geelong and Broadmeadows plants to close in October 2016. Rumours of the withdrawal have been rife within the local car industry for several years now, with most talk centring around the future of the iconic Ford Falcon. The move comes after years of declining sales for the Falcon and the failure of other nameplates to capture the market. Bob Graziano, president and CEO of Ford Australia, told the media that the company had lost $144 mil. Last year alone making a loss of $600 mil. Over the past five years. Mr Graziano confirmed that the Falcon nameplate would cease when production of the car ends in 2016. He sais the the decision to end local production followed a comprehensive review process of the companies operations in Australia. In it's media staement Ford said: "Given the changing dynamics of the auto industry, a number of business scenarios were reviewed during the past year to determine next steps for Ford’s Australian business....
Continue reading...WIN TICKETS TO SENSATIONAL SANDOWN MAY 18 - 19
7. May 2013
To win tickets to the second round of the Victorian Circuit Racing Championships at Sandown Raceway on May 18 - 19 just go to the In Pit Lane Competition page and answer the very simple question. HINT: She was a recent guest on In Pit Lane. The In Pit Lane Competition Page
Continue reading...WEBBER TO HEAD PORSCHE RETURN TO LE MANS ?
15. April 2013
Radio Le Mans are reporting that Mark Webber has signed a five year deal to drive for Porsche in thee company’s long awaited return to Le Mans. The news came after the Australian endured another disappointing race in China. After starting from pitlane after a fuelling problem in qualifying, Webber was forced to retire after making contact [...]
Continue reading...JASON BRIGHT HITS THE TRACK AT PAUL RICARD
30. March 2013
Australian V8 Supercar driver Jason Bright has taken his first step towards fulfilling his dream to race at the Le Mans 24 hour race with a test of the Ferrari 458 Italia that he will drive at the classic race in June. Bright currently has a fastest lap of 2:01.011, just outside the time set by [...]
Continue reading...LUCKY ESCAPE FOR DIXON DOWN UNDER
30. March 2013
NHRA Top Fuel start Larry Dixon has escaped unhurt after a spectacular ride at Queensland’s Willowbank Raceway. The three time NHRA champion competing for local outfit Rapisarda Racing, had a rear axle breakage, resulting in a wheel coming off at the mid track point. Dixon was able to straighten the car up and bring it [...]
Continue reading...MELBOURNE: THE ICE MAN COMETH
17. March 2013
Kimi Raikkonen has scythed up the grid to take the first win of the F1 season at the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park. Raikkonen's Lotus was only thereabouts in qualifying, starting the race from seventh on the grid. A solid start put him into the top five, and he fought his way up from there. 'I was a bit disappointed this morning after qualifying,' explained the Finn. 'It was more about timing than maximum speed for all the cars, so not an ideal starting place [in seventh].' 'I knew that my car was quite good, it was feeling good all weekend. The secret to Raikkonen's controlled victory was the Lotus' supreme tyre use, which enabled him to run a two-stop strategy. 'In a way I was very confident, but of course you have to get through the start and the first lap, and it's the first race so you never know what's going to happen. 'We got it exactly right. We followed the plan and it worked out perfectly for us. It was one of the easiest races I've done, to win the race.'
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10. June 2013