Motorsports
Penske to Switch from Dodge to Ford in 2013 NASCAR Season
Involved in racing since 1972, Roger Penske has fielded many cars of different makes in his NASCAR efforts. First entering the sport with a red, white and blue AMC Matador for Mark Donohue in 1972, Roger Penske has since fielded Chevrolets, Mercuries, and Pontiacs. From 1995 through 2002, Penske raced with Ford. Finally, from 2003…
2012 Daytona 500 Gets Second Lowest Ratings Since 1995
Despite the dramatic explosion, folks didn’t seem to care very much for this year’s Daytona 500. After experiencing the first-ever rain postponed race at Daytona, the event itself took a while to get started after a multi-car wreck on the first lap and then another two hour delay when Juan Pablo Montoya collided with…
Mitsubishi Works On All-Electric i-MiEV Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Prototype
One special Mitsubishi i-MiEV city electric car gets pumped up with performance enhancers as the Japanese automaker prepares to enter an all-electric race car into the 2012 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Details are limited for now, but Mitsubishi says the new i-MiEV hill climb prototype will be based upon many of the same production…
Audi R18 E-tron Quattro Heading to 24 Hours of Le Mans With Diesel Hybrid Power
When Toyota revealed its TS030 LMP hybrid, the Japanese automaker had its targets sighted onto the reigning diesel Audi R18. However, the R18 is proving to be a fast moving target. Earlier this month, Audi announced that it will field two innovative diesel-hybrid LMP1 cars for the first time in its team of four at…
Ayrton Senna Memorabilia Auction Shatters Initial Estimates
Weeks ago, we mentioned Ayrton Senna’s original 1991 Championship season racing suit and racing helmet were placed for auction at the Race Retro Sale of the Silverstone Auction held in the UK. Initial estimates for the rare racing memorabilia speculated a handsom $66,000 for the helmet and $31,000 for the suit. Apparently, the figure wasn’t…
Honda Civic BTCC Race Car Revealed
After recently announcing plans that it would once again return to challenge for the title in the British Touring Car Championship, Honda has now released the first photos of the car it intends to do so in. The Next Generation Touring Car (NGTC) Civic is based on the European Civic hatchback model (not on our…
Ayrton Senna Helmet and Racing Suit Up For Auction
Last December, an auction provided a rare opportunity for racing fans and cinema buffs to bid on Steve McQueen’s original Gulf livery racing suit worn in the movie “Le Mans.” In case you missed out or couldn’t afford the $800,000 price tag, a new opportunity to own a piece of motorsport history has arisen. Thanks to…
Electric Race Car Debuts New EV Technology
A dream team of ten engineers and tech experts have assembled at the UK-based Lola-Drayson to develop an extremely innovative all-electric race car. This electricity powered car is aiming at a top speed of 320 km/h or 200mph. While that seems like an astronomical number, this actually isn’t the ultimate goal of the electric racer. According…
80th 24 Hours of Le Mans Promo Video is Nostalgic, Awesome
Recently named the world’s best sporting event by National Geographic, this year the 24 Hours of Le Mans celebrates 80 years. The racing season may seem a long way off now, but to help set the mood the event’s organizing body, the ACO (Automobile Club de l’Ouest) has prepared a montage video of highlights throughout…
F1 Enthusiast Builds Car From Old Scraps
Formula 1 is the epitome of motorsport glamor and fortune and the pinnacle of automotive engineering, technology and innovation. However, if an F1 car doesn’t have what it takes to win, then apparently it isn’t worth anything at all. Yet amid the unforgiving reality of competition, Kevin Anthony, a 47-year-old resident of Brighton, England realized…
Honda Civic Hatch to Enter European WTCC
Increasing motorsports exposure, Honda announced its plans to enter its newly redesigned European 2012 Honda Civic into the 2012 FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). According to Honda CEO Takanobu Ito, this entry entails creating an all-new engine developed specifically for touring car competition. “We have made a decision to enter into the WTCC with…
Michael Shank Racing Dominates The Rolex 24 At Daytona
A grid of 58 vehicles at the 50th anniversary of the Rolex 24 at Daytona made this year’s event one of the most competitive races in the history of the franchise. It was so competitive, in fact, NASCAR star racing driver AJ Allmendinger of the Michael Shank Racing #60 Ford/Riley car only beat Starworks Motorsport’s pole-sitter Ryan…
Honda Fit B-Spec Racing Suspension Kit Available February
The Sports Car Club of America’s B-Spec class is growing in popularity as enthusiasts enjoy a relatively inexpensive entry into amateur racing while automakers are discovering B-Spec to be a great platform for grassroots motorsport marketing. Honda, one of the early adopters to B-Spec racing, is committed to the series and hopes to gain even…
Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 Now Available to Order for $388,000
Nissan Motorsports International (NISMO) has made the release of the GT3-spec GT-R official, pricing it at around $388,000 based on today’s conversion rates. A joint project between NISMO and JR Motorsports (JRM), the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 packs a 3.8L V6, twin-turbo powerplant that is seen in the factory production model, but pumps out 523-hp….
Chrysler Mulling Australian V8 Supercar Entry for 2013
Ford and General Motors could have an all-too-familiar rival in the V8 Supercar series and despite some rumors, it won’t be from German or Japan. Hailing from the other side of the world, where they’re cross-town rivals, Chrysler is tipped as the latest possibly entry into the touring car championship. Top Chrysler designer and CEO…
Peugeot Announces Its Withdrawal From Le Mans Effective Immediately
Peugeot announced its withdrawal from Le Mans effective immediately. While the diesel Peugeot 908 prototype won the 2009 24 hours of Le Mans outright, and has also earned 14 victories out of the 16 races in 2011, Peugeot has decided to terminate its endurance racing program in order to place greater emphasis on its sales…
Race Cars of the Tokyo Auto Salon [Gallery]
The automotive aftermarket and motorsports have a lot in common, so it’s no surprise to see both celebrated together at venues like the Tokyo Auto Salon. On hand to cover the latest tuning trends from Japan, AutoGuide decided a closer look at the numerous race cars on display, from Formula cars to custom machines and…
Toyota Prius GT300 Race Car is Mean and Green: 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon
Racing a Prius might sound like the start of a joke, until you see this. Unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon in Japan, this Toyota Prius is fully prepped and sporting its race livery. Significantly wider and lower than a factor model, this Prius is designed to compete in Japan’s Super GT racing series starting…
Honda Previews Tokyo Auto Salon Lineup
Honda has announced its lineup of vehicles for the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon, the automotive aftermarket expo of Japan. The Honda exhibit will feature a variety of models including automobiles, motorcycles, power products, racing vehicles and other highlights in order to convey the joy of mobility and motorsport excitement. Honda Access Corp., manufacturer of genuine…
MINI Misses Deadline for 2012 WRC Season
MINI‘s hopes for capturing the 2012 World Championship Rally title took a big blow before the effort even started. Mini has missed the deadline for signing up for next years championship, which expired at midnight, last night. The Mini rally car, which is based on the Countryman model is prepared by Prodrive in Banbury, U.K….
Porsche Junior Development Program Is Launched For 2012
Porsche has put to motion an international Youth Development Programme to foster young drivers as the German automaker prepares an expansion of its racing involvement and its entry into the LMP1 class at Le Mans for 2014. Beginning with the coming 2012 racing season, two young drivers will receive the title “Porsche Juniors” and will…
2012 Ford Focus ST-R Priced at $98,995
With an illustrious past in motorsports, Ford expands its racing activity by introducing the Ford Focus ST-R, a turn-key race version of its popular hot hatch. Right out the box, the ST-R will be eligible to race in a selection of professional series including the Grand Am ST Class, World Challenge ST Class, Canadian Touring…
Newman/Haas Racing Closing After Three Decades
Legendary racing outfit Newman/Haas is closing its doors after nearly 30 years in business, after the team failed to find sponsorship for the coming season. Founded by Carl Haas and actor Paul Newman, the team had a solid record throughout its life – with 107 wins and 8 championships – but never managed to win…
Robert Kubica To Sit Out Start Of 2012 Formula One Season
Robert Kubica, one of Formula One’s most promising young drivers, will sit out the start of the 2012 F1 season as he continues to recover from a crash that partially severed his arm. While Kubica is making a recovery, the pace is not as rapid as some had hoped for. Kubica can move his arm,…
