A SNEAK PEEK // AUDI'S 'TRUTH IN 24' LE MANS DOCUMENTARY

We visited our friends at University Audi this evening and were privileged to a pre-screening of Audi’s documentary, Truth in 24. Narrated by Jason Statham, Truth in 24 chronicles Audi’s 2008 Le Mans effort as they battled Peugeot and their 908 HDI. Filmed in stunning HD and offering a rather insightful look at both the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Audi Sports dedication to continued dominance, be sure and check out Truth in 24 when it airs live on ESPN, next Friday (March 20th) at 5pm PST. For a look at the trailer, click here // 03.14.2009 [comments]

TAKE 2 // DUKES, DEMMITT AND NISSAN'S 370Z

We had heard of a collaboration between Steve Demmitt and Scott Dukes some weeks back. Rumor had it, that the two were working on a video project dubbed Take 2, a documentary style piece involving Nissan's newly introduced 370Z. Little is still known about the project, but if the video featured above is any indication of what's to come, we eagerly await the results // 03.14.2009 [comments]

WHAT WE'RE DOING THIS WEEKEND // A BIT OF GT4

With only a few months until my first Kart race at the PSGKA's Mountain Highway Raceway, I decided it was time to sharpen up the hand-eye coordination with a bit of time behind the wheel, er, joysticks. An oldie but a goodie, Gran Turismo 4 was released in early 2005 to an eager audience of video game nerds and motorsport enthusiast alike. Featuring over 700 cars from 80 manufacturers, GT4 is a great way to kill a little time in the off season... that is of course, until we get our hands on Gran Turismo 5! // 03.13.2009 [comments]

MCLAREN'S 2009 MP4-24 // THE WORLDS LARGEST R/C CAR?

Unbelieveable. That’s all there is to say // 03.13.2009 [comments]

OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL // AUDI'S R15 TDI PREPARING FOR SEBRING

Audi ‘unofficially’ unveiled their replacement to the uber dominant R10 TDI earlier this month, when a few carbon clad, low light images appeared on the interwebs. Dubbed the R15 TDI, little is known about their new prototype, except that Audi intends to remain atop the podium in 2009.

Set to debut later this month at the 12 Hours of Sebring, the images above from Audi’s official release, with the R15 sporting the well known silver and red Audi Sport livery. Be sure and stay with ColdTrackDays, as our correspondent Phil Woodard will be live at Sebring to capture all the action. Until then... // 03.13.2009 [comments]

A SMALL BIT OF PROMO // THE MiTo GTA COMES TO LIFE

Alfa Romeo has released this promo spot for their forthcoming MiTo GTA hatchback. Powered by a turbocharged 1.7-liter four cylinder, said to produce 230bhp, the MiTo (designed in Milan, built in Torino... MiTo) hearkens back to the aluminum bodied GTA’s of the early nineteen sixties. And while the two only mildly similar, we think that Alfa Romeo is headed in the right direction // 03.13.20009 [comments]

LE MANS TESTING // ASTON MARTIN'S LMP1 CONTENDER

Aston Martin’s Gulf liveried LMP1 was spotted testing earlier this week. Powered by a V12 sourced from their DBR9 and mated to a Lola chassis, this closed cockpit prototype will compete in all five 1,000km races under the European Le Mans Series as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans // 03.13.2009 [comments]

UK CLUB KARTING SEASON KICKS OFF WITH HEALTHY GRIDS

Despite the impending financial doom that is reported on regularly in the UK at present, CTD correspondent Neil Tozer thought he would check out the 'health' of Kart racing, by visiting the local circuit where he raced back in the eighties and early nineties.
 
Clay Pigeon Raceway is one of the oldest tracks in the UK and also one of the most challenging. The circuit itself dates back to the late fifties and early sixties, which for Kart Racing is roundabout the time the sport was born! The history of the hallowed tarmac started when an old WWII Military Hospital site was converted using the foundations of the old "Wards" which were joined together to form a 500m circuit. It was on this configuration that the 1st race was held on May 5th, 1963.
 
The meeting itself attracted 93 entries, and back then a complete chassis and engine would set you back roughly £200. By the seventies, the circuit was lengthened to 815m and the UK MSA approved circuit became the breeding ground for many a young aspiring race driver. Famous faces that were Clay Club Members include Jenson Button, Jamie Davies and Johnathon Buncombe.
 
Clay has hosted numerous British Championship Rounds over the years with great memories of battles won and lost. If you were to retrieve back issues of event programmes from the Dorset venue, the list of stars is endless - Hamilton, Coulthard, Herbert, Mcnish,Wheldon and Franchitti, they have all raced there, picking up the skills and tools of their trade along the way.
 
Forget the artificial and often sterile "New" kart circuits, because just as in automotive racing, the oldest circuits are widely recognized as the best.
 
Anyone who has passed around the outside through "Billys Blind" will never forget the thrill, Forget PF International and the like, this was where UK Karting became the success that it has now become.

For a look at additional shots from Neil's visit to Clay Pigeon Raceway, click here // 03.12.2009 [comments]

F1 WINTER TESTING // CATALUNYA CIRCUIT [MARCH 9-10]

Formula One testing has begun at the Catalunya Circuit in Barcelona, Spain. Monday and Tuesday saw similar driver lineups, with Mondays fastest lap going to Nick Heidfeld and the BMW-Sauber team. Tuesday saw the Ferrari F60 of Kimi Raikkonen come to life, as he laid down a 1:20.314 lap, a solid half second ahead of Kazuki Nakajima in the Williams FW31. Results are as follows...

Overall Results - Monday, March 9th:
1. Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber) 1:20.338 96
2. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) 1:20.908
3. Jarno Trulli (Toyota) 1:20.937
4. Jenson Button (Brawn GP) 1:21.140
5. Nelson Piquet (Renault) 1:21.662
6. Sebastien Bourdais (Toro Rosso) 1:22.158
7. Mark Webber (Red Bull) 1:22.246
8. Adrian Sutil (Force India) 1:22.452
9. Kazuki Nakajima (Williams) 1:22.813
10. Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren) 1:22.948

Overall Results - Tuesday, March 10th:
1. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) 1:20.314
2. Kazuki Nakajima (Williams) 1:20.907
3. Rubens Barrichello (Brawn GP) 1:20.966
4. Jarno Trulli (Toyota) 1:21.182
5. Mark Webber (Red Bull) 1:21.347
6. Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber) 1:21.615
7. Adrian Sutil (Force India) 1:21.834
8. Fernando Alonso (Renault) 1:21.937
9. Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren) 1:21.991
10. Sebastien Bourdais (Toro Rosso) 1:23.039

Testing is scheduled to continue through the week, so be sure and stay with ColdTrackDays for additional coverage from Catalunya // 03.12.2009 [comments]

DREAM CARS // SHELBY'S DAYTONA COUPE - CSX2601

I used to have a picture of this car stuck to my refrigerator. Something I had cut out of a magazine, Shelby’s Daytona Coupe was a daily reminder that no matter how far I strayed, there would always be a few things that represented who I was and where I had come from. A Ford fan from a young age (my first car was an SN95 Mustang), Shelby’s Daytona Coupe sits high atop my list of dreamcars. Purpose built to take on Ferrari in the FIA's GT class, the Daytona Coupe was as a success both on and off the track.

Having won three of the eight FIA races it was entered in, the CSX2601 (pictured above) was responsible for helping Shelby clinch the World Manufacturers Championship in the GT III class. Once piloted by Bob Bondurant, the Daytona Coupe has since been fully restored to original condition and now sports its Reims livery. Additionally, Bondurant was reunited with the car this past week at his high performance driving school in Chandler, AZ. Joined by Peter Brock, the man responsible for designing the coupe, Bondurant took the CSX2601 out on the track for a few hot laps, the first time he had driven the car in more than 20 years.

Though it is unlikely I will ever be the proud owner of a Daytona Coupe, when news came that chassis number CSX2601, the fourth of only six Daytona’s ever built, was coming up for sale, I decided a post here on ColdTrackDays was necessary. I mean come on, maybe one of our readers will seize the opportunity, purchase this piece of motorsport history, and as a token of appreciation for having heard about the sale here on CTD, allow me a little face time with Shelby's Daytona Coupe... Hey, a guy can dream right? // 03.12.2009 [comments]

JASON CASTRIOTA & STILE BERTONE'S 'PROJECT M' // PART.2

This is the first installment in Bradley Farrell's documentary following Jason Castriota's 'Project M.' A design effort between Castriota and Stile Bertone, 'Project M' is the title given to their one-off supercar set to unveil at the 2009 Auto Shanghai.

Seeing as how we will be in Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix (April 19th), we decided a visit to the 2009 Auto Shanghai show (opening April 20th) was in order. The only sanctioned automotive show in China, Auto Shanghai will be held in the new International Expo Center and will feature an ‘Art of Innovation’ theme.

Be sure and stay with ColdTrackDays for continued coverage of both 'Project M,' as well as the 2009 Auto Shanghai show // 03.12.2009 [comments]

EYE CANDY // TROY TINSLEY IS 'RACING ON THE CHEAP'

This weeks Eye Candy comes courtesy of Troy Tinsley, creator of RacingOnTheCheap.com. A recent Westcoast transplant, Troy races his 1971 240Z with VARA in their CP class, and with NASA in PTB. For more info on both Troy's weapon of choice as well as a few tips and tricks about racing on the cheap, click here // 03.12.2009 [comments]

SEAT HAT TRICK IN BRAZIL // ALEMIRO REPORTS ON THE WTCC

The Seat Sport team dominated the opening round of the FIA’s World Touring Car Championship last weekend in Curitiba, Brazil. By setting the pole on Saturday, being the fastest cars on track and winning both rounds on Sunday, Seat took an across the board victory to start the season.

The 2008 Champion Yvan Müller (FRA) grabbed the pole, won the first round and was followed by three of his team mates, Jordi Gené, Rickard Rydell and Gabriele Tarquini.

The second round began behind the safety car due to heavy rain 15 minutes before the race. The BMW’s were in front due to the reverse grid, but Gabriele Tarquini took the lead from BMW drivers Andy Priaulx and Sergio Hernández, putting his car in front on the fifth lap. The Seats seemed to handle the wet conditions better than the BMW’s, and led four of their drivers to the podium again, with Gabriele Tarquini (ITA) winning the second round

Müller and Tarquini lead the Drivers Championship with 15 points each.
The next round of the WTCC is in Puebla, Mexico and from what we saw in Brazil, BMW will have to work hard to beat the Seat.

Photo/Editorial: Alemiro Almeida // 03.11.2009 [comments]

FORMULA ONE WINTER TESTING // STR4 & BRAWN GP AT CATALUNYA

This week saw a number of Formula One teams head to the Catalunya Circuit in Barcelona, to begin yet another round of winter testing. This was first test session for the recently released Torro Rosso STR4, as well as the newly created Brawn GP team. Stay tuned for complete results later this week // 03.11.2009 [comments]

COLD TRACK DAY INDEED // NWERS '6 HOURS @ PR' [PART 3]

Here are the last of our shots from this weekends NWERS 6 Hours of Pacific Raceways. Though the event was cut short due to foul weather, we must applaud the efforts of all the teams that turned out. You are far braver than us.

For a look at all of the photos from our visit, click here // 03.11.2009 [comments]

F1 UNVEILING // SCUDERIA TORRO ROSSO'S STR4

Being the only team to not do so, Scuderia Torro Ross unveiled their 2009 F1 entry earlier this week. With a Ferrari powerplant (as opposed to the RB5’s Renault engine), the STR4 will incorporate Ferrari’s KERS regenerative braking system and will utilize a different fuel tank than its Red Bull brethren. With Sebastian Vettel having moved to the Red Bull team, the STR4 will be piloted by Sebastien Bourdais and Sebastian Buemi for the 2009 season.

For additional shots of the Scuderia Torro Rosso STR4 and other 2009 F1 cars, click here // 03.11.2009 [comments]

EYE CANDY // A 993 IN THE UAE

This weeks Eye Candy comes courtesy of Phil McGovern. Based in the United Arab Emirates, Phil is the proud owner of the 993 Porsche you see featured above. A beautiful car with a stunning backdrop, proper Eye Candy // 03.10.2009 [comments]

JUST A TASTE // WTCC SEASON OPENER @ CURITIBA

ColdTrackDays correspondent, Alemiro Almeida, headed to the Autódromo Internacional de Curitiba in Pinhais, Brazil, this weekend to cover the WTCC season opener. We expect a full report from Alemiro in the days to come, but figured we should post a few shots in the interim.

For a look at more of Alemiro's photography, click through to his Flickr page // 03.10.2009 [comments]

COLD TRACK DAY INDEED // NWERS '6 HOURS @ PR' [PART 2]

A few more shots from the NWERS 6 Hours of Pacific Raceways. With weather conditions turning from bad to worse, the race was red flagged after only a few hours.

With visibility declining steadily as the rain turned to snow, and with patches of ice forming across the track, officials decided it best to stop the race short of the six hour mark. An unfortunate end to the NWERS season opener, I must say however, this was a true display of motorsport enthusiasm.

For more shots from the NWERS 6 Hours of Pacific Raceways, click through to our photo gallery // 03.10.2009 [comments]

SUPERCHARGED // THE GRAND PRIX CAR [1924-1939]

Offering an in depth look at the Grand Prix cars of pre-war Europe, sit back and enjoy some footage of Bugatti's Type 35 and Alfa Romeo's P2, as they tackle the streets of Monte Carlo, the banking at Monza and other Grand Prix circuits, in yet another great video from Vimeo user TravisD // 03.10.2009 [comments]

COLD TRACK DAY INDEED // NWERS '6 HOURS @ PR' [PART 1]

Following a bout of foul weather, Pacific Raceways played host to the Northwest Endurance Racing Series (NWERS) season opener this past Sunday. With a break in the weather and a bit of hard work by officials and volunteers to clear the track, the brave few willing to endure six hours of non-stop racing in otherwise deplorable conditions, took to the track for a few practice laps before the start of the 2009 NWERS 6 Hours of Pacific Raceways.

Be sure and stay tuned for additional shots from the NWERS season opener later this week // 03.09.2009 [comments]

ON THE GO // CTD ON YOUR CRACKBERRY

After numerous complaints that our 'ColdTrackDays.com' URL would not load onto mobile internet browsers, I decided to investigate. After borrowing a few mobile devices, I found our blogspot address to work just fine on both an iPhone and the Blackberry Curve.

So, for those wishing to visit CTD while enjoying their 1/2 decaf, triple tall, sugar-free vanilla, non-fat, 142 degree latte, be sure and login at www.coldtrackdays.blogspot.com // 03.09.2009 [comments]

LUNCH BREAK VIDEO // THE FLYING SCOT - JACKIE STEWART

Another great bit of video from Vimeo user, TravisD. Offering an in-depth look at the life and career of Jackie Stewart, be sure an set some time aside for this one (83min run time). For additional videos from TravisD, click here // 03.09.2009 [comments]