CULTURE // CTD'S "OFFICIAL" FACEBOOK PAGE

Okay, so for the last few months the ColdTrackDays Facebook page has been a bit difficult to find. I suppose I'm to blame for that. But now, thanks to our friend Genghis Kwon of MotorMonk, ColdTrackDays has an "official" Facebook page! Click here if you 'like' us ;) // [comment]

EVENT // MUNICH EVO'S MOTORSPORT COLLECTIVE

Starting this Sunday and running through August 29th, our friends at Munich Evolution will be hosting a weekly car meet at the University Village shopping center. The event will be held from 9am-11am and is open to any and all makes and models. Dubbed the MotorsportCollective, this weeks gathering will feature special guests, Tesla of Seattle, as well as Munich Evolution's 1979 BMW M1. So if you're free this Sunday morning and would like to spend a few hours hanging out with some fellow auto enthusiasts, be sure and stop by the University Village for the first of what is sure to be a weekly tradition for us // [comment]

DOMESTIC INDULGENCE // GRIGGS RACING GR40RT @ INFINEON

Those of you that know me, know that I have an unapologetic soft spot for American made cars. Of those cars, the Ford Mustang holds a special place in my heart. What was both my first car and my current choice of transportation, the Mustang is, in my opinion, an example of everything good about the American automobile industry, absent of all that over indulgent, too big for their own good stuff we've grown accustom to (example).

That said, follow the link for a look at Darrell Anderson's newly constructed 2004 Griggs Racing GR40RT Mustang. Making just over 500rwhp, Anderson's Mustang set a new lap record at Infineon Raceway (1:45:101) when it made its racing debut in the American Iron Extreme class late last year... [read more]

EVENT // OUR 2ND ANNUAL ANNIVERSARY PARTY!

As you may know, Saturday night we held the 2nd Annual ColdTrackDays Anniversary Party. Celebrating two years on the internet, this years event took place at the new Tesla dealership in downtown Seattle. Our good friends at Lhasa Beer supplied the booze, while an amazing trio of ladies handled the catering. Friends from far and wide turned out to share stories, check out the new Tesla Roadster Sport (yea, they were doing test drives!) and meet some of the ColdTrackDays staff. An excuse for those of us in the motorsport community to get together, we all enjoyed some delicious food, good beer and a great time!

Additionally, I'd like to extend a special thank you to Tesla Motors for having us, George at Lhasa Beer and Kerri Patterson, Kristin Wood and Chloe Wood for providing us with an amazing array of delicious things!

Follow the link for additional photos... [read more]









Photo/Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

THREE SERIES THURSDAY // APPLE PRO-3 RUNNING OS 8.6

For those of you that are fans of ColdTrackDays on Facebook, you've probably seen this. But for those that aren't, check out this Apple liveried PRO-3 race car that turned out for last weekends NWERS Six Hours of Pacific Raceways. Co-driven by BimmerWorld owner and GRAND-AM racer, James Clay, this E30 BMW is running OS 8.6 and is equipped with one megabyte of RAM, an 800 KB floppy drive and a 16 MHz Motorola 68020 processor ;) // [comment]

IMO // THE 2011 SUBARU WRX STi SEDAN

Earlier today the 2011 Subaru WRX STi was unveiled at the New York Auto Show. For the first time in three years, Subaru is offering a four-door sedan version of the rally inspired WRX STi. With the addition of a 14-inch rear wing, 18x8.5-inch BBS wheels and a lightened chassis, the STi sedan is, in my opinion, everything a Subaru is supposed to be.

Now, don't take this the wrong way, as I was one of the first to proclaim my love for Subaru's hatchback'd STi, but as a rally car, one that competes against the likes of Mitsubishi's EVO X, Citroen's C4 and the new Focus RS, the STi should be a sedan. And while Subaru claims their new STi sedan will not be any faster than its wagon-like counterpart (the added weight over the rear wheels increases traction), we have to assume the reduced weight and massive rear spoiler will at the very least increase on-road performance and certainly improves the aesthetic of what is otherwise a crap looking car, again, in my opinion.

Follow the link for additional images... [read more]





Images and Information: Subaru USA
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

WHAT WE'RE READING // 0-60 MAGAZINE - SPRING 2010

A fresh copy of 0-60 arrived in my mailbox earlier this week. With a change in leadership (Scotto to WRC - Spinelli to E.I.C.), I must admit, I was rather curious what the latest edition of my favorite motoring magazine might look like...

Well, aside from the rather unappealing Lucha Libre wrestler adorning the cover (I do get the reference, btw) 0-60's Spring 2010 issue is, without a doubt, greater than or equal to every issue that came before it. From cross country trips in the Focus RS, to joy rides in Balboni's RWD Gallardo, Spinelli and his team at 0-60 seem to have outdone themselves. So for those of you addicted to the endless stream of information available here on the blogosphere, do remember that batteries die, and that there is no substitute for well thought out editorial and stunning images.

Oh, and did I mention they retooled their website! Looking good boys // [comment]

RACE REPORT // SUPER GT ROUND 1 @ SUZUKA

The race started with a light rain falling on the circuit. Takashi Kogure in the #18 Weider HSV-010, who had started on pole, entered the 130R curve on the first lap and soon found himself off track. Racing through the confusion was the #35 MJ KRAFT SC430 driven by Kazuya Oshima. Having started in 5th, Oshima managed to take the lead by the end of lap one. Joao Paulo Lima de Oliveira in the #24 HIS ADVAN KONDO GT-R, who started 10th, was also able to move up five positions and finish the first lap in 5th... [read more]

After dropping to the back of the GT500 class on lap one and working feverishly to regain ground, Kogure in the #18 HSV-010 GT recorded the fastest lap of the race (1:55.555) on lap five. By lap 10, Kogure had moved from the back of the pack all the way to 8th position. However, for Kogure and the #18 team, the race would end on the next lap.

Working his way forward, Kogure, in an attempt to fight his way forward, soon found himself lined up side-by-side with Ryo Michigami in the #32 EPSON HSV-010 and Ralph Firman in the #8 ARTA HSV-010 running full steam down the front straight and into the first corner.

With Kogure on the inside and Firman on the outside, the pair were sent reeling off the track in the tire wall, while Michigami managed to escape with only slight damage to the front end of his HSV-010 GT.

With this, two of the five Honda HSV-010 machines were out of the race in the early running.

The safety car came out to slow the cars for five laps while the debris of the crash was cleared away. The race was finally re-started on the lap 16.

As the field entered the chicane on the next lap, Andre Lotterer in the #1 PETRONAS TOM'S SC430 tried to pass Richard Lyons in the #38 ZENT CEROMO SC430 to take 2nd position. Hpowever, Lotterer overshot the curve which allowed de Oliveira in car #24 to move into 3rd place and Bjorn Wirdheim in the #6 ENEOS SC430 to take 4th.

A close-fought battle would continue between these three cars until Lyons brought his #38 car into the pit for a routine stop at the end of lap 23.

On the same lap, Oshima in the #35 car also made his pit stop. His teammate Hiroaki Ishiura took the wheel for the second half of the race. However, on his first lap back on the track his pace slowed so much that even the GT300 cars were passing him. This allowed Yuji Tachikawa in car #38 to take the lead.

On the first lap out after his pit stop on lap 30, Juichi Wakisaka in car #1 was also unable to hold a fast pace and was quickly passed by Tachikawa as well. In contrast, de Oliveira in car #24 held off until lap 34 before bringing his car in for its pit stop. While changing drivers to teammate Hironobu Yasuda, the #24 team made the bold tactical move of foregoing a tire change and finished their pit stop in just 26 seconds.

After all the GT500 class machines had finished their pit stops, Yasuda in car #24 was leading the field, followed by car #6 (Daisuke Ito) in 2nd and the #100 RAYBRIG HSV-010 (Takuya Izawa/Naoki Yamamoto) in 3rd. Like car #24, the RAYBRIG HSV-010 had also skipped a tire change to save time and gain position.

From then on, these three cars continued to run at roughly the same pace lap after lap. Behind them, fierce battles for position were raging, but the three leaders sailed on to the finish without coming close to each other.

For the #24 HIS ADVAN KONDO GT-R (Joao Paulo Lima de Oliveira /Hironobu Yasuda) team, this was their fourth victory in SuperGT competition. It also marked their second consecutive opening round victory, having won the first race at Okayama last year.

Finishing 2nd was the #6 ENEOS SC430 (Daisuke Ito/Bjorn Wirdheim), while the #100 RAYBRIG HSV-010 (Takuya Izawa/Naoki Yamamoto) filled out the podium , finishing in 3rd.



AUTOBACS SuperGT Round 1 // GT500 Class:

1 24 HIS ADVAN KONDO GT-R J.P.Lima de Oliveira Hironobu Yasuda 1:53'23.333 52 YH
2 6 ENEOS SC430 Daisuke Ito Bjorn Wirdheim 0'09.322 52 BS
3 100 RAYBRIG HSV-010 Takuya Izawa Naoki Yamamoto 0'15.397 52 BS
4 1 PETRONAS TOM'S SC430 Juichi Wakisaka Andre Lotterer 0'17.954 52 BS
5 39 DENSO DUNLOP SARD SC430 Andre Couto Kohei Hirate 0'19.326 52 DL
6 35 MJ KRAFT SC430 Hiroaki Ishiura Kazuya Oshima 0'20.363 52 BS
7 17 KEIHIN HSV-010 Toshihiro Kaneishi Koudai Tsukakoshi 0'46.508 52 BS
8 23 MOTUL AUTECH GT-R Satoshi Motoyama Benoit Treluyer 1'32.333 52 MI
9 38 ZENT CERUMO SC430 Yuji Tachikawa Richard Lyons 1Lap 51 BS
10 32 EPSON HSV-010 Ryo Michigami Yuhki Nakayama 1Lap 51 DL
12 CALSONIC IMPUL GT-R Tsugio Matsuda Ronnie Quintarelli 42Laps 10 BS
8 ARTA HSV-010 Ralph Firman Yuji Ide 42Laps 10 BS
18 Weider HSV-010 Takashi Kogure Loic Duval 42Laps 10 BS

AUTOBACS SuperGT Round 1 // GT300 Class:

1 7 M7 MUTIARA MOTORSAMEMIYASGC 7 Nobuteru Taniguchi Ryo Orime 1:53'59.916 48 YH
2 46 UP START MOLA Z Naoki Yokomizo Tsubasa Abe 0'31.894 48 YH
3 19 WedsSport IS350 Manabu Orido Tatsuya Kataoka 0'36.498 48 YH
4 5 MACHGOGOGO SHAKEN408R Tetsuji Tamanaka Haruki Kurosawa 0'37.184 48 YH
5 3 HASEMI SPORT TOMICA Z Kazuki Hoshino Masataka Yanagida 0'50.302 48 YH
6 33 HANKOOK PORSCHE Mitsuhiro Kinoshita Masami Kageyama 0'50.400 48 HK
7 86 JLOC Lamborghini RG-3 Koji Yamanishi Yuhi Sekiguchi 0'53.837 48 YH
8 74 COROLLA Axio apr GT Takuto Iguchi Yuji Kunimoto 1'02.919 48 MI
9 27 NAC EISEICOM LMP Ferrari Yutaka Yamagishi Hiroshi Koizumi 1'05.724 48 YH
10 87 JLOC Lamborghini RG-3 Hiroyuki Iiri Yuya Sakamoto 1'24.323 48 YH
11 26 CINECITTA TAISAN PORSCHE Igor Sushko Masayuki Ueda 1Lap 47 YH
12 9 HATSUNEMIKU X GSR PORSCHE Taku Bamba Masahiro Sasaki 2Laps 46 HK
13 62 R&D SPORT LEGACY B4 Tetsuya Yamano Kota Sasaki 4Laps 44 YH
14 666 BOMEX LIAN BOXSTER Junichiro Yamashita Takashi Miyamoto 10Laps 38 YH


Stay tuned for continued coverage of the 2010 AUTOBACS SuperGT Series!

Photo: Masaaki Kitagawa
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey
Info: SuperGT

CULTURE // KARTING WITH RACE CAR DRIVERS

As promised, here are a few photos I took yesterday afternoon when myself and a pair of Continental Sports Car Challenge drivers, Joey Atterbury and Ted Anthony Jr. visited the Pacific Grand Prix karting facility in Auburn, Washington for a bit of mid-season seat time... [read more]

Pacific Grand Prix is the Northwest's premiere karting facility. It's 0.814 mile circuit is the largest in the area and offers both beginners and experts a challenging layout, with as many as 15 turns, to include a banked left hander that dumps onto the front straight.

These are the 5hp rental karts. PGP does however, rent both 125cc TaG (Touch and Go) karts, as well as 125cc Shifter Karts.

While Joey struggles to adjust the tension on his chain, fellow CTSCC driver, Andrew Caddell, and I have a few laughs at Mr.Atterbury's expense.

Joey hit the track pretty early, taking advantage of the rare March sunshine.

Joining Joey on track was this Yamaha R6 powered home-built kart. You could tell this thing had legs and would have been better suited on Pacific Raceways 2.1 mile circuit that sits just next to PGP.


Fellow CTSCC driver, Ted Anthony Jr., who arrived shortly before I had to leave, was able to borrow Joey's TaG kart and get in a few laps around PGP. Thankfully, ColdTrackDays correspondent, Curtis Creager, decided to bust out his light capturing equipment so as to document the occasion.

Pacific Grand Prix is a great place to spend a sunny Spring morning and an even better place for guys like Joey and Ted to stay sharp ahead of their next CTSCC race.

Photo: Justin W. Coffey & Curtis Creager
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

ÜBER SALOON // MERCEDES-BENZ 300SEL 6.8 AMG

Thought I'd post a bit of Eye Candy before I retire for the afternoon to watch the Colts beat the Saints ;)

Images courtesy of our friends at PhotoFinish // [comment]

NEWS // AUDI SIGNS NEW DRIVER TRIO FOR 2010 LE MANS EFFORT

For motorsports greatest test of endurance, Audi has signed three new drivers, the Swiss Marcel Fässler, German André Lotterer and Frenchman Benoît Treluyer. The three will share the cockpit of one of three Audi R15 TDI cars this June, when the green flag waves at the Circuit de la Sarthe... [read more]

"In view of our strong competitors, we want to – and have to – be perfectly positioned in terms of drivers too," explained Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport. "Therefore, we decided to extend our driver line-up. Marcel, André and Benoît attracted our attention during the past two years in a particularly positive way. They are used to handling fast prototypes and know each other extremely well. The three of them, and we too, are convinced that they are a very good combination for Le Mans."

The new Audi drivers already have experience at the wheel of diesel racing cars. Marcel Fässler successfully contested two races in the American Le Mans Series for Audi in 2008, André Lotterer impressed at Le Mans last year behind the wheel of the Kolles Audi R10 TDI, and Benoît Treluyer competed in the 24-hour classic in a Peugeot in 2009

Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Treluyer have already visited Audi Sport in Ingolstadt for seat-fittings and will soon be testing the Audi R15 TDI. The first racing commitment for the new Audi driver trio is planned for May 9, in the 1000-kilometer race at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), which will serve as a dress rehearsal for the 24 Hours of Le Mans for Audi Sport Team Joest.

"For the time being, plans for Marcel, André and Benoît are fully focused on Le Mans 2010," says Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "But all three of them are still relatively young, and therefore, may also become part of our sports car project over the long term."

Audi has been contesting the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 1999 and having made 11 starts, has won the race as many as eight times. In addition to speed, reliability and efficiency are the key factors of success in the world’s most famous endurance race.

Furthermore, the LMP1 class is unrivaled by any other motorsport category in terms of offering the opportunity to test technical innovations in racing conditions. Thanks to its technology leadership, Audi has repeatedly set milestones in this regard. The Audi R8, for instance, successfully introduced TFSI gasoline direct injection technology in 2001, while in 2006 the Audi R10 TDI was the first diesel-powered vehicle to clinch victory in the history of the race.

Quotes by the new Audi drivers

Marcel Fässler: "For me, Audi is the most successful brand at Le Mans. Having the chance to be part of the Audi team this year is incredible for me and a great opportunity I want to take advantage of at all cost. I’m tremendously looking forward to the new challenge with Audi and expect the R15 TDI to be competing for overall victory. We’ll see which Audi team will be the most fortunate one in the end. The main thing is that victory will go to Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm again."

André Lotterer: "I’m proud about having been selected by such a successful team as Audi Sport. This is a major step in my career. I’ll give my best for Audi to recapture the Le Mans trophy. Last year, as a Le Mans rookie, I learned a lot in the R10 TDI of the Kolles team – particularly because my team-mate and I had to contest the race as a team of two. Now I’ve got the chance to compete for a top-class team. Consequently, I’ve just got a single goal: victory!"

Benoît Treluyer: "For me, a dream is coming true. I’d never have expected to immediately get a slot with a ‘factory’ team for Le Mans after my return from Japan – and, what’s more, together with my best friend Andre Lotterer, and with Marcel Fässler with whom I started my career in Formula Campus. That really can’t be topped! We’ve got a car in which we can clinch overall victory. Before signing the agreement with Audi I watched the team while it was testing. The way they work and the attitude at Audi are exactly what I was looking for."

Info: Audi Motorsport
Editorial: Neil Tozer
Photo: Justin W Coffey

NEWS // CHEVROLET LAUNCHES CRUZE CUP IN THE UK

It seems nearly every automaker has a spec-racing series these days. From Formula Ford to the Lamborghini Tofeo, automakers appears to see the value in motorsports and have chosen to develop a few of their cars on race tracks around the world. That said, Chevrolet has just announced they intend to enter the spec-racing arena and will be launching the Cruze Cup in 2010... [read more]

The Cruze Cup will feature lightly tuned versions of the mild mannered Chevrolet Cruze. Modifications will include an FIA-certified roll cage, fire extinguisher and racing seat, as well as KW Racing suspension components, Rimstock wheels and slippery Dunlop tires. The 141hp 1.8-liter 16V motor and five-speed gearbox will remain stock however.

Chevrolet’s entry into spec-racing was announced at last weeks Autosport International show in Brimingham, and it appears they intent to launch the series on April 10th, running as a support race to the Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup.

Images and Info: Autoblog
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

EYE CANDY // AN OBSESSION: EARLY F1 CARS

It's like I was there. Monaco. Some time in the 1950s. A large crowd gathers as the green flag waves sending the field off in a cloud of smoke and noise. The cars seem unable to keep their rear ends planted to the pavement. Their front engine, rear drive layout is certainly not preferred, but no one knows any better, yet. The streets are lined with people as the cars make their way through Casino Square. The noise of their normally aspirated engines reverberates off the limestone and brick. I can see the driver work. His hands busy at the wheel. The danger is evident. The excitement and energy like nothing else. Oh, if only... // [comment]

NEWS // SUBARU ANNOUNCES 2010 RALLY AMERICA DRIVER LINEUP

With Ken Block set to race in the 2010 World Rally Championship, driving for the new Monster World Rally Team, many felt this years Rally America Championship was losing its biggest star. But with Subaru announcing their driver lineup for 2010, it appears this years Rally America Championship is shaking out to be a rather interesting season after all... [read more]

Returning to Subaru is four time Rally America champion, Travis Pastrana. Chasing his fifth consecutive title, Pastrana will be joined by former BMW star turned rally driver, Dave Mirra, who having moved up to the Open-Class, will, along with Pastrana, pilot a 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STi fabricated by Vermont SportsCar for this years Championship.

The 2010 Rally America season kicks off in just a few weeks with Michigan’s Sno Drift Rally.

Photo: Subaru
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

EVENT // 14TH ANNUAL TEAM SEATTLE SEND OFF PARTY

Last night, Barrier Motors hosted the 14th annual Team Seattle Send Off Party at Daniel's Broiler in downtown Bellevue. The event, like those before it, was an opportunity for Team Seattle supporters to mingle ahead of their departure for this years 24 Hours at Daytona, as well as those new to the effort, to learn more about Team Seattle and its benefactor, Seattle's Children's Hospital... [read more]

There was plenty of refreshments on hand, and I must say, the service provided by the staff of Daniel's Broiler was outstanding.

Rather than their usual send off dinner, Team Seattle decided to host a send off party, providing guests with appetizers, hors d'oeuvres and plenty of delicious things sure to satisfy event the hungriest guests.

Team Seattle Principal and driver, Don Kitch Jr., spoke briefly about this years race effort and the teams long-standing connection to Seattle's Children's Hospital.

The event was held at Daniel's Broiler which is located on the 21st floor of the Bank of American building in downtown Bellevue. The view was spectacular, to say the least.

Joining us via Skype was Team Seattle driver and Patrick Dempsey's long time racing partner, Joe Foster.

ColdTrackDays Public Relations Director, Karissa Wood, took the opportunity to snag a photo with McDreamy himself... okay, a cutout McDreamy.

We'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Team Seattle and Barrier Motors for a wonderful evening and their continued support of ColdTrackDays!

For additional information on Team Seattle and ways that you can support their 2010 24 Hours of Daytona effort, click here

Photo/Editorial: Justin W. Coffey