DOMESTIC INDULGENCE // MY FAVORITE FORD: THE '64 FALCON

Ever since I can remember I have been a fan of Fords. My first car, a 1995 Ford Mustang, was an underpowered, ill handling, gas guzzling, muscle car wannabe. But I loved it. My fathers sled, a mid-nineties Lincoln Town Car, albeit a hulking champagne piece of shit, is still cool, in my opinion. There is just something about a domestic car that makes me smile. And there is but one domestic that makes me grin, ear to ear, like an idiot; Ford's 1964 Falcon Sprint... [read more]

If you have ever been to the SOVREN Pacific Northwest Historics, you'll know why the Falcon Sprint is my favorite Ford. Each year, a 500hp 1964 Falcon Sprint unloads from its car hauler and proceeds to decimate the competition. Originally built by Ford to compete in the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally, the car featured above, which was modified by Holman & Moodie and driven by Graham Hill at the '64 Monte Carlo Rally, would later go on to compete in the British Touring Car series, followed by a long career with Alan Mann Racing.

The Falcon has since been completely restored by Group 2 Motorsports in Ballard, Washington, and now competes each year at SOVREN as well as other vintage motorsport events around the country.

Photo: Classic Driver
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

CULTURE // LATEST BOOKMAKERS PRICES FOR 2010 F1 SEASON

As we rapidly approach the start of the new decade, bookmakers around the globe have been busy with their calculators and spreadsheets producing the latest odds on one of the most eagerly awaited F1 seasons for many a year. Given that at the beginning of March this year, a certain Jenson Button was 80/1 against claiming the 2009 drivers title, this coming season should, by all accounts, not throw up such an opportunists delight, however there are still some interesting specials on offer!... [read more]

2010 FIA Formula One World Championship:

Drivers Championship:

Odds UK USA
Lewis Hamilton 12/5 +240
Fernando Alonso 7/2 +350
Michael Schumacher 5/1 +500
Sebastian Vettel 6/1 +600
Jenson Button 13/2 +650
Felipe Massa 9/1 +900
Nico Rosberg 12/1 +1200
Mark Webber 16/1 +1600
Robert Kubica 33/1 +3300
Nick Heidfeld 40/1 +4000
Rubens Barrichello 50/1 +5000
Kamui Kobayashi 66/1 +6600
Nico Hulkenberg 66/1 +6600
Adrian Sutil 80/1 +8000
Bruno Senna 100/1 +10000
Heikki Kovalainen 125/1 +12500
Jarno Trulli 125/1 +12500
Timo Glock 125/1 +12500
Vitantonio Liuzzi 200/1 +20000
Sebastien Buemi 250/1 +25000
Lucas di Grassi 250/1 +25000
Jamie Alguersuari 500/1 +50000


How many Grands Prix will Michael Schumacher win in 2010?

UK USA
None 16/5 +320
One 7/2 +350
Two 13/5 +260
Three 7/2 +350
Four 11/2 +550
Five Or More 6/1 +600


How many Grands Prix will Fernando Alonso win in 2010?

UK USA
None 4/1 +400
One 5/1 +500
Two 4/1 +400
Three 9/2 +450
Four 9/2 +450
Five 6/1 +600
Six 13/2 +650
Seven 16/1 +1600
Eight 25/1 +2500
Ten Or More 66/1 +6600



Most Grand Prix Wins in 2010 - Schumacher vs. Button

UK USA
Michael Schumacher 8/11 -138
Jenson Button Evens +100


Lewis Hamilton to out qualify Jenson Button in every race:
UK USA
Yes 40/1 +4000


German drivers to finish 1st, 2nd & 3rd in any G.P in 2010:

UK USA
Yes 3/1 +300



Michael Schumacher crash to determine outcome of 2010 World Championship:

UK USA
Yes 50/1 +5000


--
Editorial: Neil Tozer
Photo: Mercedes GP

NEWS // RALF SCHUMACHER TO MAKE F1 COMEBACK AS WELL?!

Following news that his brother would return to Formula One in 2010, reports suggest that Ralf Schumacher is now contemplating a similar comeback.

Some three years after he retired from Formula One, and having since raced for Mercedes in the German DTM series, Ralf Schumacher told Germany's Bild: "I feel that my desires to race in Formula 1 are still there. There must be a challenge - it is not about money but what we can achieve with the team. I know that my reputation suffered during my time at Toyota but I left that behind me. I know what I can do and I feel ready to do it again."

Having turned down a seat with one of the new Formula One teams, rumors suggest that Ralf Schumacher is negotiating with Torro Rosso and might replace Jaime Alguersuari, partnering with Sebastian Buemi for the 2010 season... [read more]

While his brother saw nothing but success during his tenure in F1, Ralf Schumacher struggled to find speed and finished his 11 year career with only 6 wins and 27 podium finishes in 180 Grand Prix starts.

That being said, having another Schumacher on the gris in 2010 would be rather interesting...

Photo: Neil Tozer
Info: Autoblog & GP Update
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

DESKTOP // PORSCHE GT3 RSR @ ALMS PORTLAND

Courtesy of ColdTrackDays correspondent, Camden Thrasher, enjoy this desktop download of a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR from the 2006 American Le Mans Series race at the Portland International Raceway.

Download: 1600 x 1200
Download: 1900 x 1200

Stay tuned for more desktop downloads from Camden Thrasher // [comment]

NEWS // FORD RACING'S BOSS 302R IN THE FLESH

Ford Racing has finally unveiled their all-new 2010 Boss 302R. A factory built race car, the 302R is ready to compete in a number of stateside and European racing series, to include the new GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge... [read more]

Powered by Ford’s new 5.0-liter 32-valve Ti-VCT V8, which is mated to a six-speed sequential gearbox, the base model Boss 302R comes equipped with a full roll cage, racing seats, five-point harnesses, a data acquistion system, racing shocks and springs, as well as Brembo brakes and slick tires.

The Boss M-FR302R1, which features a sealed, high-output motor, upgraded cooling, a close-ratio transmission, seam-welded body, Koni dampers, an upgraded ABS system, tuned exhaust and a special one-piece drive shaft, is sanctioned for competition in the GRAND-AM Continetal Tire Sports Car Challenge, and is priced at $129,000.

Ford plans to build just 50 Boss 302R Mustangs, and with the 2010 GRAND-AM season just around the corner we are excited to see how the new Mustangs do against RIley Technologies all-new racing Camaros...

Images & Info: Autoblog
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

VIDEO // 2009 TARGA MILLE MOLISE HIGHLIGHTS

ColdTrackDays contributor and Evergreen Drift coordinator, Russell O’Connell, just sent me this highlights reel from the 2009 Targa Mille Molise. An event held each year in Ripalimosani, Italy, the Targa Mille Molise, simillar in many ways to the Targa Newfoundland and Targa Tazmania, is currently "looking for American drivers interested in joining us for the 2010 race being held October 23-24 next year.”

According to O’Connell, the Molise Foundation is looking for ten American drivers to compete in the 2010 Targa Mille Molise, and will supply them with an FIA racing license, car, pit crew and accommodations. As far as we’re concerned, there isn’t a better way to see the Italian country side then from the seat of a rally car!

Video directed by Stephane Benini of Clash Production

Click here for additional information // [comment]

VIDEO // USF1 PREPARES FOR THEIR DEBUT IN BAHRAIN

Following comments from F1 boss Bernie Eccolstone, insinuating that Peter Windsor’s American F1 effort would not be ready in time for the start of the 2010 season, Team USF1 has since uploaded a great deal of new content to their web page, detailing the teams progress thus far.

Included in that content is this video, which highlights the teams new headquarters in Charolette, North Carolina, as well as their Euorpean headquarters in Aragon, Spain. Also featured in the video is a look at their design and production process and capacity, and as far as we can tell, USF1 will be on the grid when the 2010 Formula One season kicks off in Bahrain on March 1st // [comment]

NEWS // LOTUS RELEASES TRIBUTE EXIGE S TYPE 72

Celebrating the teams return to Formula One, Lotus is set to release a special edition of their Exige two seater, paying tribute to the teams legendary Type 72 Formula One car.

The famous black and gold JPS sponsored Lotus 72 claimed 20 Grand Prix victories between 1970 and 1975 and according to Lotus the new Exige S Type 72 features once more the distinctive black and gold exterior albeit bereft of the tobacco advertising that ruled F1 back in the seventies... [read more]

The special-edition S Type 72 is equipped with a 'Sport Pack' as standard, which consists of a bespoke high quality interior, including black micro fiber ProBax sports seats complete with gold stitching. Power still comes from the 1.8L 4-cylinder which produces 220bhp. Performance wise, the 72 should reach 60mph in 4.5 seconds and top out at just over 144mph.

The UK will receive just 20 cars which is the same number of GP wins achieved by the Type 72 F1 car.

Lotus have said that similar limited numbers should also be available soon in both Europe and Japan.

The Lotus 72 F1 car (below) was yet another innovative design from the late Colin Chapman, which featured ground breaking design changes including side mounted radiators and an overhead air intake. Also with Its advanced aero design, the Lotus 72 was quite simply years ahead of its rivals.


Photo: Lotus
Editorial: Neil Tozer

NEWS // WTCC TO ATTRACT MORE PRIVATEERS?

In a move that is surely intended to increase the possibility of attracting more privateer teams to the 2010 World Touring Car Championship, organisers have announced a substantial increase to the 'Independents' prize fund.

With decreased 'Works' entries from both BMW and Seat for next season, the role of independent teams within the series will become much more important during 2010 which is seen as a transitional year before the championship switches to new rules for 2011. So with this in mind, a 24% increase to the Yokohama Independents Trophy prize fund has been announced which will see the total prize fund jump to 480,000 euros... [read more]

The following prize money will be awarded to the top six Independent drivers, classified by adding together the points obtained in the two races of each event, according to the following scale:

- 12,000 euros to the first driver
- 10,000 euros to the second driver
- 8,000 euros to the third driver
- 5,000 euros to the fourth driver
- 3,000 euros to the fifth driver
- 2,000 euros to the sixth driver

Also new for 2010 will be one additional point awarded to drivers setting the independents’ pole position and fastest lap at each round, along with three additional points for each point scored in the WTCC overall classification.

Previous winners of the Independents Trophy were Wiechers-Sport’s Marc Hennerici (BMW 320i) in 2005, GR Asia’s Tom Coronel (SEAT León) in 2006, Wiechers-Sport’s Stefano D’Aste (BMW 320si) in 2007, Proteam Motorsport’s Sergio Hernández (BMW 320si) in 2008 and SUNRED’s Tom Coronel (SEAT León) last year.

Photo/Editorial: Neil Tozer

DRIVER BLOG // KYLE KEENAN: AN INTRODUCTION

My driving career started in 1996 when my dad, Kevin Keenan, purchased a kart. For two years we took it to large industrial areas and drove it around. After being tired of getting kicked out of parking lots, we decided to go Dirt Oval racing.

We raced for two years at Pat's Acres and Portland Speedway. We were consistent podium finishers, collecting one win and eight podiums in the 12 races I ran over those two years. At the end of 2001, my dad went back to working for local NASCAR racer Bruce Vollstedt, and my driving got put on the backburner... [read more]

Around 2004 I started spending more and more time at the track. I met Spec Miata driver's Will Schrader and Gary Bockman, and began hanging out around their pits. I learned so much about racing on a whole new level, and learned just how precise everything has to be in order to run up front in a competitive class. Naturally, I fell in love with the Spec Miata class and hoped to one day battle it out with Gary Bockman, Joey Atterbury, Will Schrader, and all the other Spec Miata racers.

From 2004 to 2007, I worked for drivers including Gary Bockman, Joey Atterbury, Will Schrader, Brian Richards, Andrew Caddell, as well as working for TC Motorsports at Enduro's and some ICSCC events.

In 2008 I was given the opportunity to work for Pro Drive Racing School in Portland, Oregon. I took their four day racing school and recieved my SCCA Novice licence, however I spent 2008 getting used to the Spec Miata that my dad had allowed me to drive. We both planned to run some SCCA events in 2009. I also competed in Electrathon America, an electric racing series with hour-long races based to see on how much distance you can cover in one hour. The highlight of my season was a race win at the Entek International Grand Prix in Corvallis, Oregon. I won by nine laps over second place. Lynn Davis, a teacher at the Clark County Skills Center, asked me to drive and represent them at this race.

For 2009, we decided to run the North West Region SCCA Spec Miata class, and won the championship by a single point. I see it as my dad who won the championship. He puts in hours upon hours of work, on top of his day job and commitments with other race teams, so I can play on the weekends. His passion for motorsports and racing is absolutely astonishing, and I find it surreal that the same man who worked on Indy and NASCAR for years is the same one turning a wrench on our club racing efforts.

In 2010, we're hoping to compete in the Miatacage.com Oregon Region SCCA Spec Miata Championship Series. My goal is to finish in the top five in points in our Team KBR/AR Auto Service Spec Miata #44.

When not on track, I can be found at one of my two jobs, karting with some friends, or spending time with family

For additional information on Kyle Keenan and his 2010 racing efforts, readers can follow his career on his website Kyle-Keenan.com, as well as @KyleKeenan and on Facebook.

Stay tuned for more from Kyle Keenan as the 2010 season gets under way!

Photo: Camden Thrasher, Chris Klein & Craig Kincaid
Editorial: Kyle Keenan

EVENT // THE WITLEY MCC BDE ENDURO

Witley and District Motorcycle Club held their annual post Christmas 3 hour Enduro event at Weavers Down near Liss Hampshire this last weekend.

With an entry list of over 300 riders the off road motorcycle event saw competitors from all over southern England battle the muddy conditions in what is a supreme test of both fitness and endurance... [read more]

The Witley & DMCC has a long and rich history being founded all the way back in 1921 and becoming affiliated to the Auto-Cycle Union of Great Britain in 1924.

Running as in previous years as a "Hare and Hounds" type event, the course which organisers laid out was approximately 8 miles in length and took riders through a multitude of sections consisting of extremely rugged terrain.

Parts of the marked out off road challenge ran through dense woodland along with various more open and faster sections including a virtually flooded 5 acre sandpit.

With the 300 riders taking the mass start on the stroke of 11am, competitors battled through the extremely wet conditions over the next three hours tackling hills you could only just manage to walk up, deep ruts and mud bogs along with all manner of other natural obstacles.

Coming home at the front of the field completing 8 laps and over 64 miles of punishing racing was James Jackman from Dorking in Surrey. 32 yr old Jackman who rides for Poole Motorcycles reached the final time control point some eleven seconds clear of the pursuing Mathew Bayliss and Daniel Bevan. The battle for second had raged right through the 3 hour event and by the time the pair had reached the finish they were quite amazingly only separated by 7 hundredths of a second.

Taking the win in the "Expert" class was Steve Holcombe who narrowly defeated the chasing Dorren Coutts. In the Clubman class victory went to Anthony Milliar on his Honda 450, with Anthony finishing the day a very ceditable 12th overall.

Results:

Pos No Name Laps Time Class Machine
1 1 James Jackman 8 03:05:30 Championship Yamaha 250 4T
2 8 Mathew Bayliss 8 03:16:32 Championship Honda 250 4T
3 6 Daniel Beaven 8 03:16:39 Championship Honda 250 4T
4 3 Richard Ely 8 03:20:33 Championship Suzuki 250 2T
5 28 Steve Holcombe 8 03:23:15 Expert KTM 144 2T
6 29 Dorren Coutts 8 03:23:40 Expert Yamaha 450 4T
7 7 Neil Bowker 8 03:24:01 Championship Honda 125 2T
8 208 Stan Watt 8 03:24:35 Championship KTM 400 4T
9 32 Tom Norton 7 03:00:39 Expert Honda 450 4T
10 351 Gary McCoy 7 03:02:59 Championship KTM 250 2T



Photo/Editorial: Neil Tozer

VIDEO // WEC 1981: REDMAN & WIETZES IN A LOLA T600

Ride along with Brian Redman and Eppie Wietzes in a Lola T600 as they lap the Mosport International Raceway during the Molson 1000 Kilometers, the 13th round of the World Endurnace Championship. This wonderful bit of racing footage comes courtesy of our friends at YORK Motorsport // [comment]

DESKTOP // CAMDEN THRASHER'S '09 COLLECTION (PART 1)

With but a few days before 2010, we felt like it was time to reflect on a few of the events we attended this year, a sort of reminder of where we have been and what we have bared witness to in 2009. That said, what could be better than a handful of desktop downloads from Camden Thrasher.

So to start things off, check out this shot from the sixth round of the 2009 Formula DRIFT Championship, held at the Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington.

Download: 1600 x 1200
Download: 1900 x 1200

Stay tuned for more desktop dowloads throughout this final week of 2009 // [comment]

EVENT(S) // JUST DRIFT TOY DRIVE & HTM HOLIDAYS

The weekend before last, ColdTrackDays correspondent, Larry Chen, apparently had his hands full, attending not one, but three events in the same weekend.

Not only did Just Drift host their second annual toy drive, collecting toys before Christmas for those in need, but RAD Experience held their annual HTM Holiday, a drift event at Willow Springs infamous Horse Thief Mile. Additionally, Larry also attended the annual Industry Day, an opportunity for those in the performance parts industry to come out and drive Big Willow, a challenging course that is known to see some rather high speeds.

Follow the link for a photo gallery from both track events... [read more]

Industry Day @ Big Willow:







HTM Holidays @ Willow Springs Horse Thief Mile:




















Photo: Larry Chen
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey