Corvette Racing Season 11 - Episode 1

Proof money doesn't buy you brains

REAL pics of the Lamborghini Aventador

Finally, the moment we've all been waiting for. Complete, un-camouflaged, un-adultereated pictures of Lamborghini's newest bull straight out of the pen. An my my, is it gorgeous.

In case you haven't heard, the new Lamborghini LP700-4 or "Aventador" has a brand-new V12 engine design that is set to push out 690 horses. That coupled with a new 7-speed electronic ISR transmission is going to chuck the 3,400 lb, carbon-fibered monocoque car from 0-60 mph, in a mere 2.9 seconds.

Also, the new Lambo has a fresh pushrod suspension setup to keep its feet planted on the ground.

Bernie calls off Bahrain GP due to civil unrest

With the amount of civil unrest going on over in Bahrain, the F1 community has been waiting for weeks to hear Mr. Ecclestone's decision of whether or not the F1 season opener will continue as scheduled.

Finally, after a couple weeks, it has been decided that he Bahrain GP will no continue as schedules, which mean the F1 calender is set to be pushed back 25, 26, 27th of March in Australia.

Are you the new McLaren MP4-12C's suspension

With more and more retail information being released about McLaren's new supercar; more and more technical specifications are also revealed. Awesome specs like its 3.8L V8 engine block chucking out a steady 600 bhp and 443lb ft which has been said to send the car from 0-62 mph in somewhere around 3 seconds. 

What has really caught my eye though is that, rumor has it, McLaren is abandoning its long time manufacturers connection with Koni to provide suspension components. Supposedly, McLaren has switched to a partnership with Tenneco, of Monroe shocks fame.

Even more interesting, this new car boasts a very advanced suspension design which lacks sway bars by using  some sort of a hydraulic to relate the suspension components with each other. Also, the car has some sort of a passive anti-roll system, again utilizing advanced hydraulics to keep the car planted on the ground without the expense of ride comfort.

Some of the links to some Tenneco brochures are included here and here.

Also here's some up close and personal pictures:

10 years ago this day...

Ten years ago on this day, a racing legend was lost. Dale Earnhardt was a gifted racing driver who held his own. He was very well known for his antics in NASCAR, being forever known as "The Intimidator", whats surprising though is the lack of people who knew him for his career in sports car racing. In 2001, Dale drove the #3 Corvette in the 24 Hours of Daytona; one of the last races he would ever drive in. The story of him in Daytona is a great one which I would highly recommend reading.

Part 1 -  Part 2 -  Part 3

Is the Porsche 917 the greatest racing car ever created?

I think I've known about the 917 before I even understood real racing. Growing up, it was always some sort of a legend of motor racing, a relic of the past that was only talked about in story form. The more I think about it though, and the more my knowledge of motorsports grows, I have to stop and ask; is the 917 the greatest racing car ever made? 

I think yes. Click the break to see why.

Trouble for the Bahrain GP

As political turmoil ensues with thousands of citizens take to the streets  of Bahrain, for anti-government protests; the current status of the 2011 Formula One calendar remains shaky.

Last night, the situation in Bahrain became critical as security forces in tanks took the downtown campsite set up by protesters and several people were killed.

The GP2 Asia event due to take place over the next three days has been cancelled at the request of the Bahrain Motorsports Federation. Thursday's practice was originally just postponed, due to ambulances being required in the city, before the whole event was called off.

With all that, it's obvious that there may be some skepticism toward the 2011 Formula One season opener set to take place in Bahrain in three weeks time. Concerns of personnel safety have the FIA concerned. The Grand Prix would be a clear target for protesters as it is the country's most prestigious international event and also the pet project of the ruling royal family. 

Although the Bahrain GP organizers are seemingly insistent that the GP will continue, F1 chief exec Bernie Ecclestone is set to make a official ruling in the next week prior to the beginning of the practice of March 3-6.

Hate the winter and antsy for track days to start?

Though these videos don't really have the greatest in cinematic quality, it's the sounds that make it. With that, I'll let you listen. Obviously it's best to hit the HD setting and turn up the speakers.

Nick Heidfeld announced to fill Bob's seat.

After setting the fastest time during a recent practice session at Jerez in Renault's very forward thinking new car. Nick Heidfeld has been announced as the replacement driver to fill in Robert Kubica's seat following the Polish drivers rally accident.

The 33 year old German driver's selection comes as no surprise to me considering out of the possibilities that were considered; Bruno Senna, Antonio Liuzzi and Nico Hulkenberg, Heidfeld is by far the most experienced considering his 172 races in the last 11 seasons.

Let's just hope he doesn't take the doors off the safety car this time.