TAG HEUER MONACO // 1969 ORIGINAL RE-EDITION CHRONOGRAPH

Celebrating 40 years, TAG Heuer will release the ‘TAG Heuer Monaco 1969 Original Re-Edition Chronograph’ later this month. Featuring a squared stainless steel case, self-winding Calibre 11 movement, blue dial, red chronograph hand, and an exclusive back signed by Jack Heuer and engraved in honor of Steve McQueen, the NOS Monaco will be limited to 1,000 pieces. Click here for additional information // 02.28.2009

MiTo GTA // THE MOST IMPORTANT ALFA ROMEO TO DATE?

I know, I know, this is old news, but when the opportunity arose to showcase what might be Alfa Romeo’s most important automobile to date (hold on, let me explain) I couldn’t pass it up. Only the second Alfa to see US shores in over a decade (the other being the 8C Competizione), the MiTo is a fuel efficient hatchback, set to fill a gap in the American automotive consumer market.

But that is not what makes this Alfa Romeo so important. While the new MiTo looks to dominate the entry level compact car market, a carbon fiber clad, direct injected 1.7-liter, 240bhp GTA edition is expected, and will offer those looking for a bit more, all of that and then some. With competitors like the Mini Cooper S and Volkswagen GTI, the MiTo GTA hopes to dominate with stunning looks and equally impressive performance. A bit biased, I have to say, neither the Cooper S or the GTI can even compare... Your thoughts? // 02.28.2009

MATTHEW MEAD @ THE BATHURST 12 HOUR // PART 3

Featured above, is the final installment of Matthew Mead's exclusive coverage of the Bathurst 12 Hour.

Held at the Mount Panorama Circuit, the Bathurst 12 Hour is an endurance racing competition with a field of cars that are only slightly modified. This year saw 240 cars enter, with the overall victory going to R.Salmon, T.Longhurst and D.White in the TMR Australia-Mitsubishi Lancer RS.

For complete results from the 2009 Bathurst 12 Hour, click here. For a look at more of Matthew's photos from Bathurst, click here // 02.28.2009

THE A1GP @ KYALAMI // SWITZERLAND AND NEEL JANI TAKE LEAD

The series arrived at the famous and challenging Kyalami circuit in South Africa with Team Ireland atop the standings. But by the end of Sunday, the Irish were left distraught after Team Ireland driver Adam Carroll was unceremoniously punted out of the feature race on lap 1 by Fairuz Fauzy in the Malaysian car.
 
The South African round saw the return of "Power Boost Qualifying" which once again mixed up the starting grids for both races.
 
The Sprint race was totally dominated by Team Netherlands with Jeroen Bleekemolen taking a superb lights to flag victory. It was the 1st win for the Dutch in the last 45 races.

Controversy reigned at the start of the Feature as Ireland and Malaysia tangled, with Adam Carroll retiring in the gravel. Jani took another win for Team Switzerland with Brazilian Felipe Guimaraes in 2nd place, just a second up the road from Team Monaco's Clivio Piccione. Guimaraes' 2nd place finish sets a new record for the series, as he becomes the youngest driver ever to record a podium spot at just 17yrs and 11 months.

 South Africa was a weekend to forget for Team USA and Marco Andretti after finishing a lowly 17th in the sprint and 8th in the feature. The team really just used the Sprint Race as an extra test session as they had gone the wrong way on set-up for Saturday. It did however prove to be of some value, as Andretti came home inside the top ten in the longer feature Race.

 The Series now moves on to the "Brand New" Algarve International Autodrome in Portugal on April 10th-12th for the penultimate rounds of 2008/2009.

Editorial: Neil Tozer - Photo: A1GP.com

MATTHEW MEAD @ THE BATHURST 12 HOUR // PART 2

Here is the second set of photos from Matthew Mead's coverage of the 2009 Bathurst 12 Hour. Be sure and click through for a look at more of Matthew's photography // 02.27.2009

COBBLE STONES & F1 // A GRAND PRIX ON THE STREETS OF ROME?!

Rumor has it, that Formula One’s Max Mosely is scheduled to visit Rome later this week, walking the streets to discuss the possibility of a Formula One race on the streets of Rome. Yes, you read that right - a Formula One race on the streets of Rome - and according to 0-60 Magazine, the plan could come to fruition as soon as 2010!

Our only question - what does the FIA plan to do about the 2000 year old cobble stone streets that dominate Rome? // 02.27.2009

FROM 82 TO 55 // THE 2009 LE MANS COMPETITORS

There were 82 entries for the 55 positions that will make up the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans starting grid. With those 55 positions now officially filled, it appears that the 24 Hours of Le Mans remains somewhat immune to the current withdrawal from racing trend seen across the motorsport community.

The LMP1 class will feature 12 factory backed cars from Audi, Peugeot and Aston Martin, while the LMP2 grid will be made up of Porsche RS Spyders, Lolas, Zytek and Radical prototypes.

In GT1, Chevrolet’s C6R will make its final trip to Le Mans before its transition to GT2 next year, while the rest of the GT1 field will be made up of Aston Martins and Lamborghini's. Finally, in the GT2 class, expect to see a well fought battle between a handful of Ferrari F430’s, Porsche’s, Aston Martins and the sole Spyker. Also, do take note that Patrick Dempsey and Team Seattle will be battling it out in the GT2 class with their Ferrari F430 GT.

For a look at the complete list of 2009 Le Mans competitors, click here // 02.27.2009

EYE CANDY // IN HIS ELEMENT - THE KING OF COOL

We offer a bit of Eye Candy as our way of sayin sorry for not posting last night... And hey, it was a good excuse to post a shot of Steve McQueen doing what he did best // 02.26.2009

USF1 IS A GO // BUT DO AMERICANS REALLY CARE?

As it turns out, the rumors of that USF1 team we reported on last week, were true. Featured above is the SpeedTV press confrence, where Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor announce plans to go ahead with their USF1 effort.

The team will be based in Charlotte, North Carolina and will make its Formula One debut in 2010. At this time, details are limited, though Anderson and Windsor did answer a few key questions during their press conference. For a break down of their question and answer session, click through here // 02.26.2009

MATTHEW MEAD EXCLUSIVE // THE BATHURST 12 HOUR - PART 1

Here are a few shots from the Bathurst 12 Hour, held at the Mount Panorama Circuit, near Bathurst, Australia. An endurance racing competition held each year, the Bathurst 12 Hour offers drivers a chance to compete head-to-head in mildly modified cars.

Inspired by the long running Bathurst 1000, the 12 Hour offers limited restriction in terms of entrants and was an early alternative to the highly restrictive Australian Production Car Championship (APCC). The first Bathurst 12 Hour was run in 1991 with only 24 cars entered and has since grown to host over nine classes with 240 cars entered this year.

A Matthew Mead exclusive, we will be sharing a few of our favorite shots from our Australian correspondent over the course of the week. So be sure and check back tomorrow for shots from

MINES GT-R VS. SPOON NSX-R GT // PART 3 - TIME ATTACK

Featured above, is the third and final installment of the Spoon Sports NSX-R GT vs. Mine's GT-R time attack battle.

Professional drifters Tyler McQuarrie (NSX-R GT) and Dai Yoshihara (Mine's GT-R) share the track in a unofficial time attack event, with each driver allowed a few laps to warm up. The cars, a somewhat even match, perform exactly as they are expected to, with the Mine's GT-R laying down massive power to all four of its wheels, while the NSX-R GT provides incredible grip and great balance.

A pair of well tuned supercars with skilled hands at the wheel, it really was anyones game. Watch and enjoy // 02.26.2009

BMW ART CARS // EXHIBITION AT THE LA MUSEUM OF ART

Photographer Jerry Truong had the opportunity to shoot the BMW Art Car exhibit that showed at the Los Angeles Museum of Art last week. Featuring four of the 16 cars that now make up the BMW Art Car collection, Jerry captured the 1979 BMW M1 painted by Andy Warhol (in 23 minutes) as well as the 1977 320i that Roy Lichtenstein was commissioned to paint.

For a look at the other BMW Art Cars on display at the Los Angeles Museum of Art, click here // 02.24.2009

MINES GT-R VS. SPOON NSX-R GT // PART 2 - SPOON NSX-R GT

Part two of a three part series highlighting the time attack battle between Spoon Sports NSX-R GT and the Mines GT-R.

This time the Spoon NSX-R GT is featured, with professional drifter Tyler Mcquarrie at the wheel. Powered by a 420bhp, turbocharged 3.2-liter 24-valve V6, the NSX-R GT is capable of runs to sixty in less than four seconds and a top speed of 186mph. But is that enough to out run the dual turbocharged, all-wheel-drive Mines GT-R?... Check back tomorrow for video of their heads up battle at Willow Springs // 02.24.2009

FOR SALE // COLIN MCRAE'S '97 PRODRIVE IMPREZA WRC CAR

Word has it, that the first ever Subaru Impreza Prodrive WRC car (serial number PRO-WRC-97-01), is set to hit the auction block some time next month. For the Subaru fan (or WRC fan for that matter), this may be the most important car of them all.

After undergoing an extensive restoration by the gentlemen at McKinstry Motorsports in Ireland, the 1997 Prodrive Impreza (once driven by Colin McRae), will be offered at auction for $123,000. Finished in the same blue and yellow livery as when it debuted at the 1997 Rally Finland, we cannot help but wonder what plans her future owner might have... Goodwood perhaps? Suppose time will tell. Until then // 02.23.2009

MINES GT-R VS. SPOON NSX-R GT // PART 1

The first of a three part series highlighting a time attack battle between Spoon Sports NSX-R GT and the Mines Nissan GT-R.

In this installment, watch as professional drifter Daijiro Yoshihara takes the Mines GT-R around Willow Springs for a few practice laps. With a host of upgrades and a skilled hand at the wheel, stay tuned to see how the GT-R stacks up against Spoon's NSX-R GT... // 02.23.2009

WEARING NEW COLORS // AT&T WILLIAMS FW31

The AT&T Williams FW31 was spotted last week, wearing the livery expected when the 2009 Formula One season kicks off at Melbourne. A distinct difference from the previous livery we saw just a few weeks back, when Williams unveiled their 2009 F1 entry. Although there were no additional changes other than the aesthetic, we saw this as an opportunity to showcase yet another 2009 Formula One car... sorry, we’re getting a bit anxious.

For a look at more of the 2009 F1 cars, click here // 02.23.2009

SUPPORT THE ECONOMY // BUY VINTAGE MUSCLE CARS

A 1970 Super Bee on the Salt Flats... kinda makes me proud to be an American.

Video comes courtesy of Vita Brevis // 02.21.2009

A CLOSER LOOK // THE PAGANI ZONDA 'R'

As promised, here is a bit of info and some additional pictures of the Pagani Zonda 'R' we featured in a video yesterday.

Powered by a 750bhp 6.0-liter V12 (said to be sourced from the CLK GTR), the Zonda 'R' is a good example of where excess meets engineering. With a body made entirely of carbon fiber and no shortage of titanium, magnesium and other alloys, the Zonda 'R' tips the scales at a featherweight 2360/lbs. Not to be outdone by their neighbors in Modena (see the Ferrari FXX), Pagani will produce only 16 examples of their Zonda 'R', each with a price tag of nearly $2 million dollars... // 02.21.2009

MOVING PICTURES // A TRIBUTE TO THE BEST OF THE WRC

Timo Makinen, Sandro Munari, Bjorn Waldergard, Hannu Mikkola, Michele Mouton and Colin McRae. A list of names, that if you didn't know better, you might think was the starting lineup of some Nordic pro soccer team. But for those of us in the motorsport community, these names bring back memories of Group B rally cars, Prodrive and the WRC.

With that said, check out this video highlighting some of the WRC's greatest drivers and their cars. Spanning across 40 years of rally racing history and covering some of the greatest names and most memorable cars, we're sure you won't be disappointed. Enjoy // 02.21.2009

LUNCH BREAK VIDEO // PAGANI'S ZONDA 'R' @ MONZA

Not sure what the occasion was, but when Pagani unleased their Zonda 'R' onto a rather damp Monza circuit, those lucky bastards at EVO Magazine were there to capture it. Great bit of video, insane car.

Stay tuned for a feature on the Pagani Zonda 'R' expected to post some time tomorrow. Until then, enjoy three minutes of carbon fiber, quad exhaust and Italian horsepower // 02.20.2009

RAIKKONEN ON TOP // F1 TESTING WRAPS UP AT BAHRAIN

Toyota, Ferrari and BMW are calling it quits after eight days of testing at the Bahrain International Circuit. Though a few of the cars suffered from reliability issues, the Bahrain test session was an otherwise successful outing for the three F1 teams.

Also of note, is just how close lap times were amongst the three. While Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen laid down the fastest lap of the week, BMW-Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld was but 1/100th of a second off his pace. Surprisingly close considering this was both Raikkonen and Heidfeld’s first outing in their new cars.

Overall results after eight days of testing - Bahrain International Circuit:
1. Kimi Raikkonen - 1:32.102 Ferrari F60 (17.02)
2. Nick Heidfeld - 1:32.225 BMW F1.09 (19.02)
3. Jarno Trulli - 1:32.230 Toyota TF109 (17.02)

Stay tuned as we will continue to cover the Formula One teams as they finish testing and head to Melbourne for the season opener March 29th // 02.20.2009

MOVING PICTURES //VITA BREVIS HIGHLIGHTS THE BMW 6 SERIES

Sourced from The Axis, check out this video of the BMW 6 series produced by Salt Lake City production compay, Vita Brevis.

Filmed on a Red One camera using Zeiss super speed primes, it might be worth your time to check out the HD version on Vimeo... // 02.19.2009

F1 TESTING AT BAHRAIN // RAIKKONEN AND THE FERRARI F60

Check out these shots of Kimi Raikkonen and the Ferrari F60 as they continue testing at the Bahrain F1 circuit. Raikkonen posted the fastest lap time of the week in Ferrari's new F60, and will now hand testing duties over to teammate Felipe Massa.

Ferrari, BMW and Toyota have been at the Bahrain circuit all week, performing routine tests of their 2009 F1 entries. And while Raikkonen and the F60 looked to dominate in the hot weather, their pace was followed closely by Jarno Trulli and the Toyota.

Overall Results - Bahrain International Circuit - February 16, 2009:

1. Raikkonen - Ferrari 1:33.35
2. Trulli - Toyota 1:33.429
3. Glock - Toyota 1:33.501
4. Massa - Ferrari 1:33.615
5. Klein - BMW 1:33.666
3. Kubica - BMW 1:33.702

Be sure and stay with CTD as we continue to bring you coverage from both Bahrain and Jerez // 02.18.2009

EYE CANDY // DANICA PATRICK & THE 2009 SI SWIMSUIT ISSUE

Came across this bit of Eye Candy while prowling the interweb for photos of a Shelby Cobra... honestly. Taken while shooting the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Danica and her SI photographer, Marlena Bielinska, utilized a Shelby Cobra as the backdrop for their photo shoot.

To see the full spread, you'll have to pick up a copy of SI's Swimsuit Issue, but in the mean time, click here for SI's online preview // 02.18.2009

LUNCH BREAK VIDEO // F1 TESTING AT JEREZ - FEBRUARY 10TH, 2008

A bit of video from the last weeks testing session at the former F1 venue, Circuito de Jerez. Red Bull, McLaren, Williams, Toro Rosso and Renault were all present, while the remaining F1 teams (Ferrari, Toyota and BMW) continued their testing in Bahrain.

So kick back, plug in the earbuds (no need to bother your co-workers) and enjoy // 02.18.2009

MASTER AUTOMOTIVE ILLUSTRATOR // YOSHIRO INOMOTO

Born in the Kumamoto Prefecture of Japan in 1932, Yoshiro Inomoto is a self taught illustrator, who after a number of years working for the Toyo Kogyo Co. Ltd (what later became Mazda) decided to pursue a career in freelance illustration.

With a body of work that spans several decades, Inomoto was dubbed the “Cutaway King” by Road & Track magazine in 1997. His ability to draw detailed representations of automobiles has garnered him a successful career and an almost mythological status amongst technical artists.

Inomoto now lives in Chiba, Japan and though well into his 70’s continues to practice his art form. For a look at more of Yoshiro Inomoto’s work and his interview with Kevin Hulsey, click here.

Images and info courtesy of KHulsey.com // 02.17.2009