PENSKE RACING’S No. 22 CLAIMS TOP SPOT

AJ Allmendinger

August 22, 2013 – For most of the summer only one team has held the top spot in the NASCAR Nationwide Series owners’ championship points standings – the No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. That was until last Saturday at Mid-Ohio when the No. 22 Penske Racing Ford claimed the position with a 22-point cushion.

The No. 54 JGR team took its first owners’ lead after the season’s sixth race at Texas, which Kyle Busch won. The point margin reached its zenith of 51 points in mid-July at New Hampshire.

Since then, the drivers of the No. 22 Ford have gradually chipped away at the No. 54’s lead knocking it down to five points entering Mid-Ohio’s road race. AJ Allmendinger’s win in the inaugural NNS event at the Lexington, Ohio, road course, propelled the No. 22 into the top spot in the owners’ points standings.

When the series travels to Bristol for Saturday’s Food City 250, Penske Racing and the No. 22 will arrive on a hot streak having won four of the last five events. Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Allmendinger and Sam Hornish Jr. have combined for eight wins in 2013, seven of them coming in the No. 22.

Source: NASCAR 

 

INAUGURAL NISSAN GT ACADEMY WINNER TO BE THE FIRST TO DRIVE NISSAN ZEOD

Lucas Ordóñez

IRVINE, Calif. – August 22, 2013 – Nissan’s inaugural “gamer-to-racer” Lucas Ordóñez has been appointed as the official test and development driver of the Nissan ZEOD RC program – the unique electric race car that will debut at next year’s Le Mans 24 Hours.

Launched at Le Mans in June this year, the Nissan ZEOD RC will make its race debut at next year’s 24 Hours event. It will hit the track for the first time next month for testing with Spaniard Ordóñez entrusted with the development duties for the car.

The 28-year-old won the inaugural Nissan PlayStation GT Academy competition in 2008 and has gone on to become one of the star Nismo Athletes with Le Mans 24 Hours podiums, a championship win in the 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup and a third place recently at the Spa 24 Hours for Nissan with an all-gamer line-up of GT Academy graduates.

In addition to racing in this year’s FIA GT Series and the Blancpain Endurance Series, Ordóñez has also made appearances in the World Challenge Series in the US, the Japanese SUPER GT championship and also recently tested a V8 Supercar for the Nissan factory squad in Australia. The appointment of Ordóñez was announced today at the Nissan 360 global media event in California.

“It’s unbelievable. After working with Ben Bowlby and the guys developing the Nissan DeltaWing for Petit Le Mans, it’s really amazing to have this great news,” Ordóñez said.

“To work again with this group and to be part of this project for Le Mans is amazing. To actually start from the beginning of the project is just a dream for me.

“I’m really looking forward to working with the team to develop all the new technology in the ZEOD RC and to develop the car on track.

Nissan’s Director of Global Motorsports Darren Cox

“It’s a unique experience. I really like to learn from engineers, learn from teams and learn about new products like this because we get to do so much testing. That’s what I need as a racing driver right now.

“I’ve been proud of my pace competing against all of the other drivers but now it’s time to go one step higher in my career in developing the ZEOD RC.”

Nissan’s Director of Global Motorsports Darren Cox believes that Ordóñez will make a valuable contribution to the development of the new ground-breaking race car.

“The fact that Lucas didn’t enter the sport the traditional way through karting and junior formulas actually makes him ideally suited for the development role for the Nissan ZEOD RC,” Cox said.

“Lucas was the first to prove that the GT Academy concept works and the succession of Nismo Athletes that have graduated since that time has continued to show the program is extremely valuable in unearthing and developing new talent.

“The Nissan ZEOD RC is unlike any racecar previously developed and Lucas doesn’t have 10 or 15 years of pre-conceived ideas as to what a race car should or shouldn’t do.

“Our goal to ‘electrify Le Mans’ is just the first step in changing the face of motorsport and making it relevant to what we drive on the road and we’re thrilled to have Lucas playing a key role in that process.”

The first chassis for the Nissan ZEOD RC was recently completed and final construction of the unique car is currently underway. When it runs for the first time next month, the ZEOD RC will be in full electric-only mode.

Nissan is testing a number of electric drive-train solutions during the development of the car before locking in the package for next year’s Le Mans endurance classic.

“I was very impressed when I worked with Lucas last year at Petit Le Mans and I’m looking forward to working with him again,” said Ben Bowlby, Nissan’s Director of Motorsport Innovation.

“Maybe it is the fact he was a university student before he entered the GT Academy program but he had an enormous hunger for information and data and wanted to know more and more about the car.

“On track he was incredibly smooth and consistent and it really is hard to believe he has only been racing professionally – in fact – racing anything at all – for only five years.”

 

KASEY KAHNE MOTIVATED BY LATE SEASON PRESSURES

Having an insurance policy lessens the immediate pressure

kasey kahne

August 21, 2013 – And if you’re Kasey Kahne with two victories – one of them this spring at Bristol Motor Speedway – this isn’t a week to stress over “will I or won’t I” make the Chase. Kahne and the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet are better than 50/50 proposition to make NASCAR’s postseason. They currently hold the first Wild Card entry and stand 11th, four points outside the top 10.

“I’ve (gone) through it; I kind of enjoy it. I kind of enjoy the pressure, like to have to be perfect that weekend, things like that.” said Kahne, who’s finished in the top three six times but has suffered three, accident-caused DNFs.

A year ago, Kahne overcame a difficult early season to make the Chase. He came on strong finishing fourth in the final standings. Kahne sees no reason this can’t happen again – especially if he can keep his Chevrolet SS out of harm’s way.

“It’s a tough part of the season,” he said. “But it’s kind of what we’re all here for, too, to step up when times are tough. I know we have a really strong team. I think we’ll be in a really good spot, must to put those final 10 (races) together. That’s what it’s all about.”

Source: NASCAR

 

GINETTA TO DISPLAY THE G40R AND G60 AT SALON PRIVÉ

Syon Park, London, 20 August 2013 – British marque Ginetta confirms it will be in attendance at Salon Privé 2013 with the G40R and the G60.

Possessing over 50 years experience in race engineering and racing itself, the Ginetta name has become synonymous with performance automobile manufacturing. Ginetta’s two road cars, to be displayed at this September’s Salon Privé, illustrate the manufacturer’s diversity in terms of car production.

In 2005 Ginetta was taken over by enthusiast and racing driver, Lawrence Tomlinson, and within six months the G50 had been built. In 2006, Tomlinson and the Ginetta factory Team LNT entered and won the GT2 class of the Le Mans 24 hour race.

Ginetta won ‘Small Business of the Year’ from the Motorsport Industry Association in 2008, illustrating Tomlinson’s positive impact on the company, and Team LNT continue to be a dominant force in GT racing today, with their G50 GT4 & G55 GT3 models.

With both cars hand built in Yorkshire, the G60 is famed for its design features and performance specifications, the same you would expect of any modern supercar. Boasting a lightweight carbon fibre body and a 310 bhp power plant, the car delivers a 0-62 mph time of 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 165 mph.

In keeping with one of the main themes at Salon Privé, much of the technology behind the G60 is of a bespoke nature; the suspension for example has been completely designed in-house by Ginetta’s CAD team. Not only this, the ECU and harness wiring are tailor made for improved reliability and the driver’s position has been fully re-evaluated.

The G40R is of a different nature to the G60, however that is not to say the car is any less significant; as a road-going version of the famous Ginetta G40 sports car, it has the looks and specifications of a full on racing thoroughbred.

It only takes the G40R one second more than the G60 to reach 62 mph and has an impressive 200bhp. ‘A race car for the road,’ the G40R shares a number of characteristics with its G40 racing sibling, representing the culmination of Ginetta’s racing pedigree translated perfectly into a road car.

Following on Ginetta’s history within racing it is proud to announce the launch of Ginetta Lifestyle at Salon Privé.

Lifestyle is a luxury clothing collection reflecting Ginetta’s heritage within Motorsport.

Designed for the modern man, versatile and contemporary in fit, it offers the perfect wardrobe whether at the circuit, going on a road trip or everyday life.

Salon Privé is the perfect platform for showcasing key pieces of the collection as lifestyle upholds Ginetta’s core traditions of car manufacturing, every garment is designed and handmade in Britain offering only the best for their customers.

Tickets for Salon Privé can be purchased at www.salonprivelondon.com or by calling the Ticket Hotline on 0808 100 2205.  Entry is fully inclusive of Pommery champagne, lobster luncheon, English afternoon tea and full access to all areas.

 

ROAD COURSE RINGERS CONVERGE “EN MASSE” ON MID-OHIO

August 15, 2013 – Racing on road courses requires a unique set of skills that don’t always translate well into for a driver groomed on the oval tracks common throughout North America. While some drivers competing fulltime in NASCAR’s three national series have proven they have the chops for both, others are what one would describe as road-racing specialists or “ringers.”

When the NASCAR Nationwide Series arrives at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 on Saturday afternoon, there will be plenty of road-course ringers on hand.

The road-racing specialists currently entered in the race are Ron Fellows, Stanton Barrett, Michael McDowell, AJ Allmendinger, Max Papis, Owen Kelly, Tomy Drissi and Marcos Ambrose. Ambrose is the only driver in the group currently competing fulltime in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

The eight have a combined nine victories, 27 top fives, 34 top 10s and seven poles at road courses on the NNS schedule. Ambrose and Fellows lead the way with four victories apiece, followed by Allmendinger, who posted his only NNS road-course victory earlier this season at Road America.

Source: NASCAR

HOMETOWN FAVORITE HORNISH JR. RETURNS TO OHIO AMIDST TIGHT POINTS BATTLE

August 15, 2013 – With only 12 races remaining before a new NASCAR Nationwide Series champion is crowned, forecasting the outcome is becoming harder with every passing weekend. After Saturday’s race at Watkins Glen only 74 points separate the top-10 drivers in the standings – a difference that the 10th-place driver (Parker Kligerman) could conceivably make up in only two races, although not likely.

Adding to the uncertainty surrounding predicting a champion is the venue of the next race. The series makes its inaugural trip to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, on Saturday for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200. The 2.258-mile, 13-turn road course is the second road course in as many weeks and the third and final one of the season.

Of the 42 drivers currently vying for a spot in the race, none are looking forward to the green flag more than Sam Hornish Jr., who grew up about 2-1/2 hours west of the track in Defiance, Ohio.

A win for Hornish, who is currently second in points three markers behind Austin Dillon, at Mid-Ohio in front of a hometown crowd would mean more to the 34-year-old driver than winning at any other track and would most likely return him to the points lead. In addition to having a home-field advantage, Hornish is also the only driver in the top 10 that has competed in a major national series motorsports event at the track. He finished 14th in the IndyCar Series race in 2007, a year prior to joining NASCAR fulltime.

In seven road-course races in the NNS, he has five consecutive top-five finishes and two poles, including a fifth-place finish at Road America in June and a runner-up performance last weekend at The Glen. This season, Hornish has one victory and five second-place showings in which he was the highest-finishing points-eligible series regular.

Dillon holds the points lead for the third week in a row, but his lead has shrunk to only three over Hornish. Two markers back is Regan Smith (-5) followed by Elliott Sadler (-12) and Brian Vickers (-18).

Source: NASCAR

 

SPECIAL EDITION TTS COMPETITION CELEBRATES 500,000 AUDI TT CARS

August 14, 2013 – Half a million Audi TT cars have been built. Audi is celebrating this production milestone for its compact sports car with an exclusive special edition model. Coupé and Roadster versions of the 200 kW (272 hp) Audi TTS competition will begin rolling off the assembly line in October. Total production is limited to 500 units.

The Audi TT has long been a design icon, and Audi is setting new accents with the TTS competition. It is available exclusively in the special paint finishes Imola yellow or Nimbus gray, and its exterior calling card is a fixed rear wing with bars in a matt aluminum-look finish. The Roadster’s top is available in either Black or Gray. The 19-inch wheels feature a five-arm “Rotor” design and are shod with beefy 225/35 tires.

The Impulse leather package in steel gray dominates the interior of the TTS competition and uses characteristic leather bands as decorative elements. Their cut edges are dyed Imola yellow, and this same shade of yellow is used for the contrasting stitching. Aluminum badges on the door trims embossed with “1 of 500” further accentuate the exclusivity of the special edition model.

A leather multifunction steering wheel with a more strongly contoured rim and the rear parking system round out the equipment. All other features – from xenon plus headlights and Audi magnetic ride damper control system to aluminum inlays – correspond to the already comprehensive list of standard equipment in the TTS. The TTS competition is also very attractive financially. The extra charge for the competition package is just 1,900 euros.

With its 200 kW (272 hp) and 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) of torque, the 2.0 TFSI engine defines the dynamic character of the Audi TTS competition. Paired with the six-speed S tronic, it accelerates the Coupé from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 5.3 seconds (5.5 seconds with manual transmission). Average fuel consumption for the Coupé is 7.7 liters per 100 kilometers (30.55 US mpg) with the S tronic, 7.9 liters per 100 kilometers (29.77 US mpg) with the manual. The Audi TTS competition Roadster with the six-speed S tronic sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 5.5 seconds. With the manual transmission, this same sprint takes 5.7 seconds. The Roadster consumes 7.9 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (29.77 US mpg) when equipped with the S tronic and 8.1 liters per 100 kilometers (29.04 US mpg) with the manual. quattro permanent all-while drive delivers the power to the road in all models, and top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155.34 mph)

Limited to just 500 units, the Audi TTS competition is a particularly exclusive special edition model. For all regular TT variants with up to 155 kW (211 hp), Audi offers the S line competition trim line, which also features special visual cues, 19-inch wheels and the S line sports package.

The production of the 500,000th Audi TT documents the success of the compact sports car. The TT achieved design icon status with the very first generation, which debuted as a Coupé in 1998 and as a Roadster the year after. Its consistently implemented clarity of form and the loving attention to detail continues to captivate both the media and customers alike.

As a Coupé, the compact sports car impressed with its 2+2 seating concept and variable luggage compartment; as a Roadster with its puristic, lightweight cloth top. It set standards with its technology: with the potent downsizing turbocharged engines, quattro all-wheel drive for the high-end models and with the six-speed S tronic, which debuted in the model series in 2003.

The second generation, which followed in 2006/2007, marked the first time that Audi succeeded in reversing the weight spiral. The ASF (Audi Space Frame) body, which is made predominately of aluminum, made the new version as much as 90 kilograms (198.42 lb) lighter than the previous model. The low weight enables strong performance with very low fuel consumption. Another Audi innovation was the TT 2.0 TDI quattro: the world’s first premium-segment sports car with a powerful diesel engine and all-wheel drive.

 

A “NAUGHTY” FIAT 500 TO DEBUT AT CONCORSO ITALIANO

August 13, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. –  In Italian, “Cattiva” can describe a person or situation that is naughty yet cool. With that inspiration in mind, FIAT designers developed a standout, factory-customized Cinquecento with a “blacked out” look and an aggressive demeanor: the Fiat 500 Cattiva.

“The FIAT brand is all about personalization and self-expression,” said Jason Stoicevich, Head of FIAT Brand for North America, Chrysler Group LLC. “Now, Fiat 500 customers have a chance to showcase a different side of their personalities with the special-edition 500 Cattiva exuding a devilish designed-for-the-street look.”

New Fiat 500 Cattiva provides the 500 Sport and 500 Turbo models with a factory-tuned look

Inspired by the FIAT Design concept that debuted at the 2013 North American International Auto Show, the limited-production Fiat 500 Cattiva adds more excitement and tuned style to the 2013 Fiat 500 Sport and more powerful Fiat 500 Turbo models.

The aggressive styling approach starts with blacked-out headlamp, taillamp and parking lamp bezels and unique 16-inch Hyper Nero painted aluminum wheels with all-season performance tires. A uniquely painted Gloss Nero roof and performance spoiler enhance the silhouette of the athletically designed Fiat 500 Sport, or the performance-styled 500 Turbo with a bi-color look. Exterior paint colors for the 2013 Fiat 500 Cattiva include Rosso (red), Rame (copper), Nero Puro (straight black), Argento (silver), Granito Lucente (granite crystal), Bianco (white) and Luce Blue (light blue, 500 Sport only).

Inside, the Fiat 500 Cattiva features a Nero interior environment paired with Nero/Grigio (black/gray) cloth sport seats with Argento (silver) accent stitching. For a premium look and feel, Nero leather-trimmed seats are also available. Finishing the interior is a Matte Nero instrument panel for an understated look, while a Nero leather-wrapped shift knob and sport steering wheel are hand-stitched with Argento accent thread for added for detail.

The 2013 Fiat 500 Cattiva based on the 500 Sport includes the innovative 1.4-liter MultiAir® engine and fun-to-drive C514 five-speed manual transmission that deliver an EPA estimated 31 mpg city and 40 mpg highway. Like all FIAT products, engaging dynamics are essential, and the 500 Cattiva includes a driver selectable “Sport” mode on the instrument panel to unleash a more aggressive throttle map. Additionally, this naturally aspirated 500 Cattiva offers an optional six-speed automatic transmission with driver-selectable gear changes. With the six-speed automatic transmission, the driver can also select “Sport” mode on the instrument panel for a more aggressive shift schedule and a throttle map that improves engine responsiveness.

For the driving enthusiast, the Fiat 500 Cattiva based on the 500 Turbo includes the MultiAir Turbo engine and sport-tuned exhaust to deliver 34 percent more power (135 vs. 101 horsepower) and 53 percent more torque (150 vs. 98 lb.-ft.) compared to the naturally aspirated model. Also upgraded in the powertrain is the track-proven C510 five-speed manual transmission that includes an intermediate shaft with equal-length half shafts to mitigate torque steer. Additionally, brake performance is improved with semi-metallic brake linings at all four corners and larger 11.1-inch ventilated front rotors (up from 10.1-inch).

The 2013 Fiat 500 Cattiva will debut at Concorso Italiano, which takes place August 16 at Laguna Seca Golf Ranch in Monterey, California, and is scheduled to arrive at FIAT studios nationwide in the fourth quarter of this year. Pricing for the Fiat 500 Cattiva based on the 500 Sport model starts at $18,350, plus $800 destination charge. Pricing for the more powerful Fiat 500 Turbo based model starts at $20,350, plus $800 destination charge.