NEWS // ROSBERG TO LEAVE AT&T WILLIAMS

Nico Rosberg will start his final race for the Williams F1 Team at Abu Dhabi this Sunday. The talented young German has announced that he will be leaving the Didcot based team but wouldn't be drawn on where his future lies for next season. It is widely thought that either Brawn GP or McLaren are the two teams in negotiation for his services, but much will depend on Mercedes's decision over its stake in either of the two teams... [read more]

Rosberg commented at Ab Dhabi “It's my last race with Williams, four or five years with the only team I have worked with and it's going to be quite strange to leave". He added “They have really supported my career, so it's a ‘thank you' for them.” He went on to say with regard to his decision “I would like to try to get into a car where there would be a very good chance of winning. “There is no reason they (Williams) can't be as good next year as this year and remain close to the top, but I am not sure they can win races.”

Rosberg's replacement is rumoured to be Brawn's Rubens Barrichello who has conducted talks with Williams for 2010.

Photo: Williams F1
Editorial: Neil Tozer

EYE CANDY // PURPOSE AND PERFORMANCE

I spotted this track ready BMW 2002 the other day and thought I'd share the shot. I am not entirely sure what the car was built for, i.e. time attack events, lap days or some particular racing class, but whatever the case, it is a fine example of what happens when purpose meets performance // [comment]

GERMAN TOP GEAR? // DSF MOTOR MAN HANDLES THE 997 GT3

What appears to be a German version of Top Gear, watch as Patrick Simon of DSF Motor man handles the Porsche's new 997 GT3. And while the detailed bits are in German, we figure the audio and video would speak for itself... // [comment]

THE MOTORSPORT LIFESTYLE // BENINI STEPHANE INTERVIEW

Our friend Benini Stephane of Clash Productions was recently interviewed by DeathMachines.net, a relatively new automotive weblog. Discussing his five plus years as a motorsport videographer, this interview is not only a great look at who Benini Stephane is, but what Clash Productions is capable of.

Follow the link for a look...[read more]

A CLOSER LOOK // ABU DHABI'S YAS MARINA CIRCUIT

At 3.45 miles in length, the new Yas Marina circuit features a handful of rather challenging corners, to include a 90 degree hairpin at the end of the start-finish straight. Designed as a Arabian version of Monaco, the twenty-one corner circuit will snake through the man made island, passing the marina and Yas Hotel designed by New York based architects Asymptote. However, with a seating capacity of only 41,093, the first annual Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be an event only few can attend. Qualifying is scheduled to begin at 6am (PT) tomorrow morning, with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix scheduled to begin at 1:30pm (PT) on Sunday.

Follow the link for a closer look at the new Yas Marina circuit... [read more]









Photo: F1Fanatic
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

FRANKENSTEIN // STI POWERED CAL-LOOK BEETLE

I am sure some of you have already seen this, but I thought it would make an interesting follow up to the JDM tuned M Coupe we featured yesterday, which I might add, was a bit of a flop. Seeing as how many felt the M Coupe was not staying true to its roots, adopting a set of Work wheels and a massive single-exit exhaust, I thought you might find this Cal-look Beetle more to your liking.

Powered by a 2.5-liter WRX STI motor and featuring a laundry list of go-fast goodies and aesthetic improvements, this might be the most impressive Beetle I have ever seen. Now I have been called a purist once or twice myself (particularly when eating plain donuts), but you must first take into consideration the level of craftsmanship and dedication it would take to create such a car. Countless hours and god knows how much money went into creating this one-off automobile, and as far as I am concerned, it was both time and money well spent. Follow the link for a closer look... [read more]







The Mod List:

Engine:
2.5L WRX STi Short Block
Portflow WRX Head
Crower Cams
Crower Retainers
Crower Springs
Supertech +0.5mm Valves
Outback Oil Pan
Unorthodox Crank Pulley
AEM Alternator Pulley

Transmission:
Rancho Pro Drag Transmission
KEP Twin Disc
KEP Pressure Plate
KEP Flywheel
KEP Engine Adapter
Sway-A-Way HD Axles
EMPI Shifter

Fuel Injection:
AEM Race EMS
RC 1000cc/min Injectors
Walbro 255 Fuel Pump
AEM Fuel Pressure Regulator
AEM Fuel Filter
E85 Pump Gas

Exhaust:
IHI VF23 Turbo
DC Sports Exhaust Manifold
DC Sports Up Pipe
DC Sports Muffler

Intake:
STi V8 Intake Manifold
RC 65mm Throttle Body
Turbonetics Blow Off Valve
K&N Air Filter

Cooling:
Spearco Intercooler
Spal 6.5” Fans (x2)
C&R Radiator
Fluidyne Radiator
Fluidyne Oil Cooler
Spal 14” Fan

Brakes:
Airkewld Cross Drilled Front Brakes
Airkewld Cross Drilled Rear Brakes
Dual Master Cylinder
Stainless Brake Lines

Suspension/Structural:
KCW 4in Adjustable Beam
KYB Shocks
CSP Torque Bar
CSP HD Tranny Mount
Gene Berg Tranny Mount

Wheels:
HRE Model 311 Fuchs 17?9
Porsche 911 Fuchs 16?7
Toyo RA-1 235/45ZR17
Toyo T1-R 185/50ZR16

Interior:
Lilliput LCD Touchscreen
Sparco Steering Wheel
Porsche 993 OBC Tachometer
Procar Rally Seats by Scat
Powell Roller Throttle Pedal

Exterior:
Porsche Headlights
Car Craft Rear Fenders
Car Craft Deck Lid
Moon Eyes Stainless Rack
Weight:
1,796lbs

VIDEO // KEN BLOCK @ NEW ENGLAND FOREST RALLY

Watch as Ken Block and co-driver Alex Gelsomino, at the wheel of their Impreza WRX STI prepared by Vermont SportsCar, set a record stage time at Concord Pond during the 2009 New England Forest Rally.

Follow the link for a look... [read more]

NEWS // NO GRAND PRIX DE PAU IN 2010

One of Motorsport's most historic events, the "Grande Prix De Pau" has been shelved for 2010. The traditional street circuit race in the town of Pau, France which lies at the foot of the Pyrenees dates back to 1901 and indeed was the first event to have the title of Grand Prix. 2010 would have seen the race's 70th anniversary, but having failed to re-negotiate a contract extension with the WTCC which has visited the classic circuit since 2007 the event will not be held in any form in 2010... [read more]

Fears that the race has been lost for good have been allayed by the new mayor of the city Martine Ligineres-Cassou who after conducting a study into the views of the city's inhabitants commented "
"The will of the city of Pau is to sustain its grand prix.That is the reason why we are suspending the 2010 edition and we will use these next 20 months to build a project that will debut in 2011."

With it's unique setting and rich tradition coupled with a circuit that driver's found an amazing challenge, it is hoped the event can return in in 2011 but with which form of racing is unknown.



Photo: Neil Tozer & lighthousefriends
Editorial: Neil Tozer

NEWS // SEAT TO DEFEND WTCC TITLE LEAD IN JAPAN

The SEAT Sport team is faced with a difficult challenge in the last but one 2009 WTCC series of races to be held on November 1st at the Okayama circuit in Japan. Though the track favours rear-wheel drive vehicles, all team members are leaving for Japan determined to come out of the race still at the head of the field so as to be in the best possible position for the final races in Macau. This determination is the result of the two victories in Imola at the last European WTCC race which consolidated the Spanish brand’s leadership.

Gabriele Tarquini and Yvan Muller currently head the Drivers’ Championship, while SEAT at the head of the Manufacturers. Tarquini has 109 points, followed closely by Muller with 102, with Augusto Farfus, their most immediate rival, at 91. With 40 points still up for grabs, there is little doubt that the title play-off will be between SEAT and BMW drivers, and with little room to manoeuvre in the event of mistakes... [read more]

Gabriele Tarquini is very focussed on the most effective tactic for the team: “I think the SEAT drivers need to be more on the defensive than in Imola, where we went all-out to attack, because the track is not so favourable for our cars. My personal target is to get as many points as possible for the team”. Feelings which are shared by Yvan Muller, who also adds that the weather will be a determining factor in the race: “Our overarching aim is to give SEAT the best possible options for carrying off the Manufacturers’ Championship, and then we’ll start thinking about the drivers”. The Okayama track is difficult and completely unpredictable because of the constantly changing weather conditions, so making any kind of prediction as to the result is difficult”

In the Manufacturers’ category, SEAT leads with 271 points, followed by BMW at 250 points; both Chevrolet (175 points) and Lada (78) are out of the championship running. The most points an individual brand is awarded stands at 18 per race, so that there are still 72 points to be fought for (two races in Japan and 2 in Macau); thus it is unlikely that the championship will be decided after the first Asian race.

The 3703-metre-long Okayama circuit lies close to the city of the same name and is about 200 km from Osaka. The originally private track was reconditioned in 1994 to accommodate Formula 1 races, and was thereafter certified for international motor racing competition. It lies in a valley surrounded by thickly-wooded mountains, making rainy races very likely. This was the case last year, and was the determining factor in the victories by Rickard Rydell in his diesel SEAT León TDI and Tom Coronel in his petrol-engine SEAT León.

Photo: Neil Tozer
Editorial: SEAT Sport

BUILD QUALITY // WHEN BMW MEETS JDM

The byproduct of two very different automotive genres, this E36/8 BMW M Coupe has just the right amount of Bavarian go-fast mixed with JDM swagger. Featuring a handful of products from both continents, this M Coupe is powered by a turbocharged 3.2-liter inline six (S52), and features a laundry list of Dinan upgrades, as well as a set of Work wheels and a massive HKS single-exit exhaust system.

Follow the link for a closer look... [read more]








Images and info courtesy of The Car Park

EAR CANDY // BREAKING IN THE BAVARIAN

A bit of Ear Candy to help you through the afternoon. Enjoy the sights and sounds of this E46 M3 CSL as they 'test' out the new exhaust system! // [comment]

NEWS // 2010 SALEEN S281 EXPECTED @ SEMA

We just received word that Ford will officially unveil their 2010 Saleen S281 at SEMA this coming week. A car that at one time was the product of its namesake, Steve Saleen, is now being produced by Ford themselves and will incorporate much, if not all, of the same characteristics of the pervious S281 incarnations. Follow the link for a look at the new Saleen and stay tuned for additional coverage of the 2010 SEMA show... [read more]




Images and info courtesy of Autoblog

EYE CANDY // ALBERT YAU'S SUPER STANCE STI

A car that has garnered both great criticism and great praise, the new Subaru Impreza STI is, in my opinion, one of the best looking wagons, er, make that hatchbacks, on the market.

Owned and operated by Albert Yau, and powered by Subaru's EJ257 2.5-liter 305hp H4, the STI featured above is a fine example of just how good the new Impreza can look when some offset wheels and a lowered suspension are applied // [comment]

MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX // PHOTO GALLERY

Following his post-race report from the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, ColdTrackDays correspondent Anas Zakaria has provided us with a stunning array of images from the last weekends event, to include this incredible shot of Valentino Rossi, who collected his record 9th MotoGP World Championship.

Follow the link for a look at Anas Zakaria's photo gallery from Round 17 of the 2009 MotoGP Championship at the Sepang International Circuit... [read more]















For a look at more of Anas Zakaria's photos from the 2009 Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, click here

Photo: Anas Zakaria
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey