2014 Renault Clio Cup【Video】Renault
has released the first details for the 2014 Clio Cup. The 2014 Renault
Clio Cup will be exclusively offered will go on sale in September of
2013 with pricing starts at €37,800.
Mazda has releases photos and details for the Mazda6 Skyactiv-D racecar ,which will debut at the 2013 Detroit Motor Show on January 26 at 2013 Rolex 24.
It may not be quite as radical as some of the company's past rotary racers, but the new Mazda6 Skyactiv-D racecar does have a notable powertrain underhood: the automaker's brand-new clean diesel four-cylinder engine.
Press Release MAZDA MOTORSPORTS ANNOUNCES MAZDA6 SKYACTIV CLEAN-DIESEL TEAM AND DRIVER LINEUP FOR 2013 ROLEX 24 MAZDASPEED Ladder and Mazda Road to Indy Racers Promoted Team SKYACTIV-D Mazda6 for Daytona January 4, 2013 (DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.). Mazda Motorsports today announced team and driver line-ups for the 2013 Rolex 24 at Daytona, where the manufacturer will be seeking its 24th class win at the most famous endurance race in America. Mazda teams will be racing in an all-new Mazda6, powered by the all-new SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine, in the new GRAND-AM GX class. "We're thrilled to be starting a new chapter of Mazda Motorsports history with the race debut of our all-new Mazda6 racecar, powered by our all-new production based SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine. Our long-time engineering partner, SpeedSource, has led the technical development of the program in hand with Mazda engineers in Japan and the U.S.," noted John Doonan, motorsports director, Mazda North American Operations. "SpeedSource will be joined in Daytona by Freedom Autosport and VISIT FLORIDA Racing/SpeedSource/Yellow Dragon Racing. Our driver line-ups include a talented mix of young guns and veterans, all of whom are from the extended Mazda family." SpeedSource #70: Jonathan Bomarito, Marino Franchitti, James Hinchcliffe, Tom Long and Sylvain Tremblay. Tom Long joins the 2012 SpeedSource Rolex 24 GT driver line-up. VISIT FLORIDA Racing/SpeedSource/Yellow Dragon #00: Joel Miller, Tristan Nunez, Spencer Pigot, Yojiro Terada, and Tristan Vautier. Terada is of course the veteran Mazda racer who has competed in more than two dozen 24 Hours of Le Mans races. The others are all racers who have won championships within the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Ladder and the Mazda Road to Indy. Freedom Autosport #25: Andrew Carbonell, Tom Long, Rhett O'Doski, and Derek Whitis. Freedom Autosport has been a winning team in the Continental Tire Challenge with Mazda. They are moving up as a complete team. The first of the cars will make its public debut at the "Roar Before the 24" test session at the Daytona International Speedway on January 4-6, 2013. The #70 car will also be at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Rolex 24 Hour race is January 26-27, 2013. Teams and driver pairings for the complete 2013 Rolex GRAND-AM full-season will be announced at a later date. Farewell and Thank You to Dempsey Racing and Team Sahlen's While Mazda welcomes Freedom Autosport and Yellow Dragon Racing to the Mazda6 family, two other teams are going elsewhere in 2013. "We want to thank everyone at Dempsey Racing and Team Sahlen's for racing with Mazda these past few years. Both teams contributed greatly to Mazda's success in the GRAND-AM series, highlighted by our Manufacturers GT Championship in 2010. Both teams scored GT-class race wins," noted John Doonan. "We wish everyone at Dempsey Racing and Team Sahlen's great success in 2013, and we part as friends. We may still collaborate on future programs in the years ahead, and we'll always welcome them back to the Mazda family, should it make sense for both of us."
Praga Cars has revealed full details of its upcoming hand-built R1 track racer. It is based around a carbon fiber monocoque chassis which helps keep the car’s dry weight to a mere 572 kgs (1,261 lbs). The body work is a combination of quick-release fiberglass, Kevlar and carbon fiber panels. The windows are custom made lightweight polycarbonate units.
Under the bonnet, the R1 has been fitted with a longitudinal mounted, naturally-aspirated, 4-cylinder 2.0-liter engine built by Renault Sports Technologies. The power mill generates 210 HP – 155 kW at 7,500 rpm and 220 Nm (162 lb-ft) of torque at 4,500 rpm. This enables the vehicle to have a power-to-weight ratio of 356 HP per ton.
There’s even Koni dampers for shock absorption duties, an AP Racing clutch and braking system as well as a Motec electronic engine management to boot for this hand-built Le Mans look-alike that stands 4,170mm long, 1,800mm wide and only 995mm tall. It will carry a price tag of 98,000 EUR (about RM400,000 at current exchange rates).
Other engineering highlights of the Praga R1 include a six-speed Hewland transmission, AP Racing brakes, Koni dampers, Sachs Racing clutch, Motec ECU, and an integrated OMP fire suppression system.
Press Release Praga R1 - affordable racing dream come true 2013 Praga R1 highlights: affordable two seater (low running costs, high reliability) ultra light (only 590 kg, 1300 lbs dry weight) 210 HP base model (3,58 kg/kW, 356 HP per tone) production started in November 2012 New ideas tend to come from unexpected sources. Here is one that just stands out not only in the world of racing. From an unlikely place comes unbelievably beautiful and functional racing car ready to be driven on public roads if required. Praga R1 is ultra-light compact track car that is set to rewrite motorsport books in its most basic rule - cost/performance ratio. Above all genuine design solutions stands its purpose - to provide top track performance and unprecedented reliability for reasonable price and low running cost. Praga R1 is here to be driven hard and not to spend owner's money and time in the garage. Might be surprising, but R1 is by far not the first racing car from Praga Cars LTD company. In past three years, small yet strenuous team have created two other cars that made huge impression within the greatest circuits in the world. Small Attack R4 and later Praga R4S managed to scoop several race victories and podium results in 2010-2012 on circuits like Assen, Zolder, Monza, Donington and SPA Francorchamps. Competing against "heavyweight" racing legends like Corvette, Ferrari, Porsche, Mosler and Viper proved right Praga’s new concept and approach. They are the same for all Praga cars - low weight, agility and functional aerodynamics rather than brute power and big engine. R1 is third race car hand built by the same team, completely from the ground up. Previous models (both still in production) found many satisfied owners over the last years. This newest one beautifully shows creator's competence and deep understanding of design, aerodynamics and construction. Praga R1 is a masterpiece which grabs attention only by looking at its shape and proportions. As lightweight as it can be, two seater Praga R1 is 4170 mm long, 1800 mm wide, only 995 mm tall with only 590 kilograms dry weight (1300 lbs). Yet pilots of Praga R1 get unprecedented level of passive safety and comfort. Closed cockpit provides safer and more convenient place for pilot and his passenger. Especially in wet and cold conditions. Carbon fibre monocoque reinforced by internal ribs and bulkheads, carbon fibre crumple zones for frond and side crash energy absorption, 6-point seatbelts, integrated fire extinguisher system, polycarbonate windows and safety fuel tank make it one of the safest racing cars. Base model uses naturally aspirated 2-litre 4-cylinder engine F4R 832 from Renault Sports Technologies with maximum 155 kW (210 PS) at 7500 rpm. This gives promising power to weight ratio of only 3,8 kg/kW (356 HP per tone). Located longitudinally almost exactly in the middle of the car together with specially prepared Hewland JFR 6-speed sequential transmission operated automatically via KMP pneumatic paddle shifting system gives the car extremely low centre of gravity and also little polar moment of inertia. Both these are essential for great handling, dynamics and overall performance. During October 2012, first prototype was hard tested on Praga Cars home racetrack Slovakia Ring near Bratislava, Slovak Republic. Thought through balance between beautiful shape and aerodynamics efficiency gives Praga R1 significant downforce which in return means higher cornering speeds and stability. Praga Cars wants to offer the best, that is why R1 uses only the finest components from world renowned manufacturers such as AP racing brakes, Hewland transmission, Sachs racing clutch, KMP pneumatic paddle shifting, Renault Sport Engine, Cosworth ECU, ATL fuel tank, Koni dampers, OMP fire extinguisher system and many more. Praga R1 is here to open the door into professional motorsport for those who prefer best price/performance ratio. Modern, sophisticated with cutting edge technologies, trouble free spare parts availability and low running cost. For 2013 season already Praga Cars is preparing first R1 cars to run it´s own Praga Cup series on professional European circuits. PRAGA R1 Technical specification General specification Made in EU Produced in 2013 Characteristics Basic description Single-seater race car (two seater optional), carbon fibre monocoque Weight (dry) 592 Kg Dimensions (H x L x W) 965 x 4144 x 1800 mm Wheel base 2527 mm Wheels and tyres front Praga, centre locking 15 x 8, with 200/580R15 Dunlop racing tyre rear Praga, centre locking 16 x 10.5, with 265/605R16 Dunlop racing tyre Body and Interior Construction Light weight and compact, longitudinal mid engine layout Crashbox Front, rear and carbon fibre honeycombed crashbox complying with FIA Production Sports Car Crash Test Body panels Quick-release lightweight fibreglass body panels reinforced with carbon and Kevlar Rear wing Low-drag fine adjustable bi-plane rear wing (carbon fibre optional) Doors Carbon fibre driver and passenger doors Windows Custom made lightweight polycarbonate windows with anti-scratch protection Fuel tank 60 litre foam-filled FIA approved ATL fuel tank located behind the seat (ATL dual quick fill valve – optional) Pedals & Steering wheel Adjustable pedals and 2-way adjustable quick release Cosworth steering wheel with display and rotary switches Seat Custom made Praga carbon Kevlar racing seat with side head rest Seat belts FIA approved SCHROTH 6 point seat-belts for use with HANS Communication system Built-in PELTOR / YAESU radio communication system (optional) Suspensions Fully adjustable front and rear suspensions − KONI 2-way adjustable, mono-tube, easy to adjust − unequal length upper and lower wishbones − CNC aluminum machined adjustable uprights − forged steel centre lock hubs − adjustable anti-roll bars − custom made progressive racing coil springs Fire extinguisher system Mechanically / Electrically-activated fire extinguisher system in engine bay (optional) Lighting Rear lights including rain light and turn lights, (front lights optional) Drivetrain Engine Renault Sport Formula 2010 2.0 engine Dampers Unique Praga compact bellhousing with dampers Braking system AP Racing brakes with 4-piston calipers Clutch Lightweight steel flywheel / competition twin plate ZF Sachs Racing clutch Gearbox custom made HEWLAND JFR - six-speed sequential semi-automatic transaxle gearbox, interchangeable gear sets Shifting Pneumatic KMP paddleshift system with flat shifts and auto blip Engine management ECU Cosworth / Pectel SQ6 with close loop lambda system, pit limiter speed control, traction control and full sequential shifting Engine Configuration F4R 832 Cylinder / Valves 4 / 16 Location Mid, longitudinally mounted Bore / Stroke 82.7 x 93 mm 3 Displacement 1998 cm Engine Life 10 000 Km before rebuild Engine Control System Cosworth / Pectel Engine Loom Military specification wiring loom Rev Limit 7500RPM Power 210bhp @ 7250 RPM Torque 220Nm @ 4500 RPM
Porsche has unveiled the 2013 911 GT3 Cup race car, which made its official debut on saturday at the automaker’s Night of Champions end of motorsport season celebratory event in Weissach, Germany.
The new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is powered by a 3.8-litre six-cylinder flat engine that develops 460hp at 7,500rpm, surpassing the predecessor by 10hp. The car is connected to a six-speed dog-type gearbox developed by Porsche Motorsport that is operated via steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.
For the first time on a Supercup racer, the six-speed dog-type gearbox is operated via steering wheel mounted shift paddles, transmitting its power to the rear axle. Centre-mounted single piece race wheels are new and the width of the Michelin-designed slick tyres has been increased by 2cm at the front (to 27cm) and by 1cm at the rear (now measuring 31 cm).
The 911 GT3 Cup will be priced from €181,200 (excluding VAT) and will compete exclusively in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup beginning next year.
Press Release New edition of the world’s most successful race car Stuttgart. The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is the most successful race car in the world. Since 1998, 2,395 units of the near standard vehicle for customer sport were produced. The new edition of the 911 GT3 Cup is the motorsports version of the future 911 GT3 and as such is the first race car that is based on the seventh generation of the sports car icon from Zuffenhausen. The 911 GT3 Cup will be run exclusively in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in 2013. The car for one-make racing made its debut on the occasion of the end of motorsport season “Night of Champions” celebration at the R&D Centre in Weissach. The new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is powered by a 3.8-litre six-cylinder flat engine. It generates 460 hp (338 kW) at 7,500 revs, surpassing the predecessor by 10 hp. A six-speed dog-type gearbox developed by Porsche Motorsport which is operated via shift paddles at the steering wheel for the first time in a Porsche brand trophy race car transmits the power to the rear axle. The single piece race wheels with centre mount were also newly designed by Porsche Motorsport. The width of the Michelin race slicks was increased by two centimetres to 27 centimetres at the front and by ten millimetres at the rear axle to now measure 31 centimetres. A newly developed race braking system further improves the excellent endurance qualities compared to its successful predecessor. The 380 millimetre slotted and inner-vented steel brake rotors at the front axle are decelerated by six-piston aluminium fixed callipers. The rear axle features a four-piston version. During the development of the new car a particular emphasis was put on the driver safety. A newly designed safety cage protects the pilot in case of a roll or a collision as does a newly developed race seat which is distinctively shaped around the head and shoulders and can be adjusted individually with the help of padding. A rescue hatch in the roof provides easy access for primary medical attention and for the extrication of the driver. “The new 911 GT3 Cup is much easier to drive at the limit,” says Porsche works driver Timo Bernhard, who was significantly involved in the development of the new vehicle. “The car is excellently balanced. The new axle geometry is enormously positive for the handling. Apart from that the new Cup 911 is great fun to drive.” Like its predecessor the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is produced in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen on the same assembly line as the road legal models. At the Motorsport Centre in Weissach it receives a general set-up for the circuit and is tested by a professional race driver before delivery to the customers. The basic price for the vehicle, which is available exclusively in white, is 181,200 Euro plus the country-specific value added tax.
Renault has released the first details for the 2014 Clio Cup. The 2014 Renault Clio Cup will be exclusively offered will go on sale in September of 2013 with pricing starts at €37,800.
On the outside, the RS model gains a roof scoop similar to the one found on the current Clio Cup as well as a large roof-mounted wing that is said to offer 40kg (88 pounds) of downforce at 125mph (201 km/h).
Featuring a 1.6-litre turbo-powered engine tuned by Oreca Magny-Cours and sealed at source, developing 220hp and 270Nm of torque, the new Clio Cup racer has a six-speed sequential gearbox with an AP Racing clutch and limited slip differential. There is also the option for a paddle-shift gear change.
The car is being developed for the 2014 racing season and has clocked 3,500 kilometers (2,200 miles) on various circuits where it proved to be about a second faster than the old 2-liter Clio racer.
Other performance highlights include AP Racing brakes, ZF-Sachs adjustable dampers and a data acquisition system with a dashboard-mounted display.
Press Release NEW TURBO-POWERED CLIO CUP SET FOR 2014 UK RACE DEBUT Hot on the heels of the brand new Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo road car unveiled at the Paris Motor Show last month, Renault UK is delighted to confirm its intention for the competition version of the fourth-generation Clio to appear in Britain for the 2014 motor racing season. As the current domestic championship prepares to reach its conclusion at Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit this weekend on 20th/21st October, work is underway behind the scenes to ensure a smooth transition to the brand new turbo-powered car which will debut in Europe next year. During initial testing, which began in early August and has so far covered around 3,500 kilometres at a variety of French circuits, lap times have been roughly one second per lap faster than the existing normally-aspirated 2.0-litre Clio Cup car. Featuring a 1.6-litre turbo-powered engine tuned by Oreca Magny-Cours and sealed at source, developing 220hp and 270Nm of torque, the new Clio Cup racer has a six-speed sequential gearbox with an AP Racing clutch and limited slip differential. There is also the option for a paddle-shift gear change. High performance braking is guaranteed with 320mm AP Racing front discs and four-piston callipers, while the suspension features one-way adjustable dampers from ZF-Sachs with specific aluminium wishbones. Electronically, the complete data acquisition system is integrated into the TFT full colour dash display. Aerodynamically the car boasts a highly efficient rear wing, offering 40kg of downforce at 125mph, with the addition of a roof scoop similar to the one on the current Clio Cup. Enhanced safety features are, of course, a pre-requisite while the car sits on 17-inch Speedline Corse racing alloys. "We've enjoyed 22 fantastic years of Renault UK Clio Cup racing and the brand new Clio Cup race car is an incredibly exciting new chapter in the story for everyone", said Renault UK Communications Director Jeremy Townsend. "We will continue to run the existing car in the British championship through 2013, with the intention to then introduce the new turbo-charged Clio Cup car the following season. Getting the timing right is very important, the car will race in the Clio Eurocup next year so our teams in the UK will have ample opportunity to see it in action ahead of its planned 2014 UK debut." Since first bursting onto the national motorsport scene in 1991, as a replacement for the Renault 5 series, the Renault UK Clio Cup has been a cornerstone of British circuit racing and has played a key role in the careers of some of the sport's most successful touring car and sportscar drivers. The previous generation Clio Cup was introduced in 2006 and has been highly successful with over 700 race cars sold. Several graduates from Clio Cup currently form part of the current British Touring Car Championship grid, including 2006 champion Tom Onslow-Cole and 2010 title winner Dave Newsham. Jonathan Adam, the 2005 champion, is a race-winning force in the British GT Championship and also competed successfully in the BTCC prior to his switch to sportscars. The new Clio Cup will be available for delivery in the UK from September 2013 priced from €37,800 excluding VAT.
Toyota Motorsport GmbH will field a hybrid racer in the Le Mans 24 Hours and other 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship races.
The Japanese company will develop a brand-new, gasoline-electric hybrid racer that will compete in the top LMP1 class. The chassis will be built by Toyota Motorsport in its Cologne, Germany headquarters. The engine used will come from Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan.
The Japanese automaker expects its new attack on Le Mans give better results than their lasta attempt in the late 90′s, the GT One, which was fast but not fast enough to get a win.
In addition Toyota will compete with the new hybrid racer in other races next year in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Press Release
TOYOTA TO RETURN TO LE MANS WITH HYBRID POWER SPORTS CAR
24-hour race included in proposed 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship programme
KEY POINTS
Toyota to compete in the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours with a new race car powered by a petrol hybrid powertrain
Chassis to be built to LMP1 specifications by Toyota Motorsport in Germany, engine produced by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan
Toyota also plans to enter other races in the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship
Race car will be rolled out early in 2012 for extensive pre-season testing
Toyota will compete in the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2012 with a new hybrid power sports car. Its return to the world's most famous endurance race will be with a new LMP1 chassis designed, developed and produced by Toyota Motorsport in Germany, equipped with a hybrid petrol powertrain engineered by Toyota in Japan.
Participation at Le Mans will be one of a number of races Toyota proposes to enter in the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship, a competition that will enable it to further explore the potential of its world-leading hybrid technology.
The new team will be based at Toyota Motorsport's Cologne headquarters and it is expected that the new car will be rolled out early in 2012 for an extensive pre-season testing programme. Further details about the team will be announced later.
Tadashi Yamashina, Toyota Motor Corporation Senior Managing Officer and Toyota Motorsport Chairman, said: "Toyota has entered Le Mans before, but by using our hybrid technology this time will be a completely new challenge. We want to write a new chapter in the history of the Le Mans 24 Hours, as in the FIA World Endurance Championship, through our use of hybrid technology.
"In addition, we aim to learn from the experience of competing in such a challenging motorsport environment to enhance our production car technology. Le Mans is a legendary race and I would like to thank the ACO and the FIA for their constructive and positive co-operation over the last few months.
Toyota Motosport's award-winning engineering services and all its current motorsport projects are unaffected by the announcement of the new racing programme and will continue as before. Toyota hopes the new enterprise will provide further impetus to Toyota Motorsport's successful business development.
Toyota last competed in the Le Mans 24 Hours as a manufacturer in the late 1990s racing the GT-One, a car which famously established a new race lap record in 1999.
Aston Martin revealed the result of its latest collaboration with Italian design house Zagato, a project built on the V12 Vantage platform that will be unveiled at the 2011 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, Italy’s premier collector-car event that starts up Saturday.
The new Aston Zagato endurance racer is powered by a 6.0-liter (5935 cc) all alloy quad overhead cam 48 valve engine, developing 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS), and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque. With a front mid-mounted engine, rear wheel drive architecture, the Aston Martin V12 Zagato comes equipped with a six-speed automated manual gearbox, a Twin Plate competition clutch and a limited slip diff. The full specification of Aston's new V12 Zagato is available lower down this page.
Like that car, the Zagato V12 is planned to be sold in limited numbers, both in road-going form and as a race car--the latter of which is set to make its debut at the Nürburgring four-hour race where it will feature a more extreme aerodynamic package, including lightly modified bodywork, a stripped-out interior and a towering rear wing.
The racing debut of the V12 Zagato will be at the Nürburgring on May 28, with a view to racing two of the cars at the 24-hour race on June 25. The driver team will be led for the sixth year by chief executive Dr. Ulrich Bez.
Press Release
Aston Martin unveils new V12 Zagato
In 50th anniversary year of the iconic DB4GT Zagato, Aston Martin introduces a modern interpretation of the famous Aston Martin and Zagato collaboration
New V12 Zagato concept to be premiered at the Villa D'Este Concours on 21st May to gauge customer interest
The V12 Zagato will appear in the form of an endurance race car to compete at the Nürburgring 24 hour race on 25/26 June; following tradition of recent new Aston Martins
Gaydon / Lake Como, 20 May 2011. Aston Martin will unveil the stunning new V12 Zagato endurance racer concept on the shores of Lake Como, Italy at the Villa D'Este Concours tomorrow.
Reviving a collaboration which has produced some of the most beautiful and sought-after cars in the world, the partnership takes inspiration from the past, to create a modern descendent of classics such as the DB4GT Zagato, V8 Vantage Zagato and DB7 Zagato based on Aston Martin's ultimate performance interpretation of the Vantage range: the V12 Vantage.
Dr Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin said: "The Zagato design language is a perfect complement to our design and engineering expertise. After 50 years of the two companies being associated with each other the partnership has produced some of the world's most iconic cars."
"Of course, fifty years ago Italian design houses were widely seen as leading the way with new designs but now and supported by our independency, Aston Martin has its own in-house design ability so this new venture with Zagato is more collaborative than it perhaps would have been in the past."
"The task for us has been to create a concept that is a natural successor to those iconic cars that have gone before. Matching the technology of the age with the traditional skills vital to deliver such a bespoke and exclusive sports car will lead to a strictly limited run of road going V12 Zagatos."
Work began in 2010 with initial meetings between Aston Martin and Zagato where sketches incorporating the design DNA of both companies were discussed and a decision was made to proceed with the project.
Director of Design, Marek Reichman added: "The Design team at Gaydon spent time refining the concept using a mixture of the latest computer based modelling techniques along with crafting traditional clay models to give a real world idea of proportion, stance and detail"
"The V12 Zagato is an elegant yet brutal design which reflects the great balance between race performance and pure Aston Martin style. The original DB4GT Zagato was a true icon, powerful and graceful; the new design is a true representation of the spirit of DB4GT Zagato. The muscular organic forms define the thoroughbred nature of the car's racing credentials."
Working alongside the initial design team was a dedicated group of Aston Martin engineers led by Chris Porritt - previously responsible for the engineering of the One-77. With the skills and knowledge gained from such specialised projects this team has worked to bring the unique design of the V12 Zagato to reality in a very short period of time.
Featuring a new handcrafted aluminium body, the V12 Zagato delivers a beautiful and muscular design not possible using pre-formed panel techniques. Using the influences and skill of nearly 100 years of heritage in the craft, every aluminium panel was formed using an English wheel and traditionally crafted body bucks. Each front wing alone comprises seven separate pieces of aluminium, combined and then hand finished to give one flowing form. Another iconic Zagato design cue is the double bubble roof created in this case from five separate pieces illustrating further the intensity of craftsmanship involved in the construction of the V12 Zagato.
Designed for the focused driver, the V12 Zagato has been honed with pure driving enjoyment in mind. The V12 Zagato combines Aston Martin's most dynamic bonded aluminium platform with the power of the 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS), and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque.
The V12 Vantage which forms the basis of the V12 Zagato has been proven on the race track as early as 2009 with a class win in its debut race at the 24 hour race at Nürburgring whilst being close to production standard with only essential safety modifications, reduced weight and re-tuned suspension but no additional aerodynamic enhancements. In 2011 the car has gone on to form the basis of the new Aston Martin GT3 race car unveiled last month.
The first DB4GT Zagato shown to the public in late 1960 spent much of its life as a racing car after launch. Later perhaps the two most famous DB4GT Zagatos, registered ‘1 VEV' and ‘2 VEV' were raced with success by such names as Jim Clark and Roy Salvadori. The fascinating story of these cars and the nature of high performance and low weight which drove the Zagato projects gave the inspiration for the first two V12 Zagatos to be created as endurance race cars.
The racing debut of the V12 Zagato will be at the four hour VLN race at Nürburgring on 28th May with a view to two cars racing at the 24 hour race on 25/26 June. The cars will be driven by a team with great experience of Aston Martin race cars, led for the sixth year by Chief Executive Dr. Ulrich Bez.
Both cars follow Aston Martin's philosophy of racing in close-to-production form but with full FIA safety compliance. V12 Vantage Zagato specification includes a bonded aluminium platform modified with a bespoke steel roll cage, front and rear double wishbone suspension with fully adjustable Multimatic DSSV Dampers and a 120ltr endurance racing fuel tank.
The Aston Martin V12 Zagato will be shown for the first time at the Villa D'Este Concours on Saturday 21st May 2011
Aston Martin V12 Zagato Endurance Race Car Specification
Body: Two door, two seat coupe body Bonded aluminium structure Bespoke steel roll cage. Hand crafted Aluminium body
Engine: All alloy quad overhead cam 48 valve 5935cc V12 Compression ratio 10.9:1 Front mid-mounted engine, rear wheel drive
Transmission: Rear mid-mounted, six-speed automated manual gearbox with auto shift manual/select shift manual (ASM/SSM) electric hydraulic control system Magnesium alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft Twin Plate competition clutch. Limited slip differential.
Suspension: All round independent double wishbone with fully adjustable Multimatic DSSV dampers.
Brakes: Front: Ventilated floating grooved discs with 6 piston callipers Rear: Ventilated floating grooved discs with 4 piston callipers
Cadillac is currently testing its CTS-V Coupe race cars.
The CTS-V Coupe will have to undergo plenty of modifications to meet up to the SCCA standards, but Cadillac has yet to announce what the changes for the future race car will include. Of course, the fact that the standard coupe gets a 556 HP V8 engine is reason enough for some teams to be shaking in their performance tires.
As for the car itself, it features an aerodynamic carbon fiber body and a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that develops 535 hp (399 kW / 542 PS). While this is 21 hp (16 kW / 21 PS) less than the standard CTS-V Coupe, the car weighs 1,000 pounds (454 kg) less than the production model.
Press Release
Cadillac Racing Waves Green Flag for 2011 Season
CTS-V Coupes prepare for first race in World Challenge GT Series Race
Final pre-season test of racecars completed this week in Sebring, Fla.
Teams set to compete this weekend in Streets of St. Petersburg
Event marks Cadillac's first race since 2007
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Cadillac Racing finished a final round of track tests this week in Sebring, Fla., as a pair of CTS-V Coupe racecars prepare for their first weekend of competition March 25-27 at the Streets of St. Petersburg.
The event will mark Cadillac's return to the Sports Car Club of America World Challenge GT series. Cadillac last competed in the series in 2007 with a racing version of the CTS-V Sedan. Cadillac Racing will compete twice on the Streets of St. Petersburg course: Saturday, March 26, at 11:50 a.m. and Sunday, March 27, at 4:30 p.m.
"We look forward to getting back on the track," said Don Butler, vice president for Cadillac marketing. "We know the competition will be tough, but we're also confident in our performance credentials. The CTS-V Coupe provides a great foundation for building a world-class racecar."
Johnny O'Connell, a three-time GT1 champion in the America Le Mans Series, and Andy Pilgrim, who won the 2005 SCCA World Challenge GT class in a Cadillac, will be behind the wheel of the CTS-Vs. The drivers will participate Thursday at 7 p.m. in a webchat on the Cadillac Facebook page, which also will carry updates from this weekend's races.
Both drivers were impressed with the CTS-V Coupe racecar as they finished track tests this week at Sebring and prepared for the Streets of St. Petersburg race. The event kicks off the 2011 World Challenge season, which has eight races from March to October.
"The St. Pete race has a great atmosphere," Pilgrim said. "Fans can get really close to the teams in the paddock. The track has some classic street-course tight sections and really good fast corners on the backside."
Said O'Connell: "St. Pete is a beautiful circuit with lots of challenging areas. I've won there before, which always makes it nice to go back to. The CTS-V Coupe racecar has been very nimble during testing and seems to brake very well. I not only expect it to do well on a street circuit, but everywhere we compete."
In less than eight months, Cadillac Racing and Pratt & Miller, a New Hudson, Mich., engineering firm that specializes in motorsports, transformed a CTS-V Coupe body structure from GM's Lansing (Mich.) Grand River Assembly Plant into a racecar that meets World Challenge requirements.
The racecar shares the production car's distinctive wedge shape, an aerodynamic design well-suited for the track. A deck-lid spoiler was added to the racecar for increased traction in turns.
The production version and racecar both feature a 6.2L V-8 engine. The output on the racecar engine is restricted to 535 horsepower, compared to a 556 horsepower rating on the production version. The CTS-V Coupe racecar, though, weighs 3,200 pounds, about 1,000 pounds less than the production car.
"The tight timeframe presented a challenge for the team, but we were fortunate to start with an extremely capable production sports car," said Mark Kent, head of GM Racing. "The CTS-V Coupe translates well to the track. The production version already provides plenty of power and exceptional handling."
A new racing version of the McLaren MP4-12C supercar has been unveiled today, the brand new McLaren MP4-12C GT3, which has successfully completed its debut tests at the famous Silverstone circuit in the UK.
The McLaren MP4-12C GT3 is based on the standard 12C, which means it features the 75Kg carbon MonoCell chassis along with a series of race spec components like composite body panels, a fixed rear wing, a new front splitter, door blade and diffuser along with a new paddle shift transmission from Ricardo and a new ABS system from Bosch Motorsport.
Performance wise, the race car is fitted with the same 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 as in the production car, only tuned to race specification. A bespoke paddle-shift system operating an all-new Ricardo-designed gearbox developed specifically for racing will be fitted.
The first tests with the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 were done to calibrate and bespoke aerodynamic body structures for the first time. The tests will be followed by comprehensive scheduled tests throughout March and April at a number of FIA certified circuits across Europe.
Press Release
NEW MCLAREN MP4-12C GT3 BREAKS COVER TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE FIRST TESTS
MIRA and Silverstone in the UK selected for initial McLaren MP4-12C GT3 tests
Championship-winning racing driver Álvaro Parente joins McLaren GT as test driver
The first McLaren MP4-12C GT3 to be built by McLaren GT - a new company that brings together the expertise of the McLaren Group and CRS Racing - has successfully undertaken its debut tests at the MIRA proving ground facility and Silverstone Circuit in England. McLaren GT has also appointed a new test driver to its team, 26-year-old Portuguese racing driver Álvaro Parente.
The initial shakedown tests undertaken with the 12C GT3, whereby new components are calibrated and bespoke aerodynamic body structures are appraised for the first time, will be followed by comprehensive tests scheduled throughout March and April at a number of FIA* certified circuits across Europe. News on the development programme, full driver line-up and planned competition for the 12C GT3 will be confirmed after these tests are completed.
MP4-12C GT3 development to focus on quality and performance
McLaren GT Project Manager Andrew Kirkaldy and McLaren Automotive Chief Test Driver Chris Goodwin piloted the new 12C GT3 on its first outings. These real-world tests follow months of virtual testing in the McLaren Simulator at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, which is also used to develop the 12C production car and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes' Formula 1 cars.
Andrew Kirkaldy said: "We have an extensive list of subjective and objective development targets set for the MP4-12C GT3. In the first tests, the car is achieving excellent results in many areas including handling, powertrain and other aspects of dynamic performance.
"The 12C's carbon chassis and aerodynamic efficiency mean we started with a lightweight, dynamically-optimised sports car. Those characteristics are fundamental to any race car.The car is around 100mm wider than the standard production car and features a new suspension system which we have tested in the McLaren Simulator. Having now experienced this new set-up in the 12C GT3 car, I'm delighted with the progress we are making.
"The McLaren GT team is working with Formula 1 technology suppliers, and several of the senior technical personnel involved in this project have vast experience in Formula 1. This is a unique advantage in developing a GT specification car."
From 2012, McLaren Automotive and CRS Racing will supply and support a limited number of FIA GT3-compliant racing cars based on the McLaren 12C high-performance sports car for privateers.**
MP4-12C GT3: Technical specification outline
The 12C GT3 race car is based on a standard 12C. Developing the race car has required a team of engineers, technicians and test drivers from McLaren Group and CRS Racing to focus on several fundamental components.
The 12C GT3 is based on the McLaren carbon MonoCell chassis, which weighs just 75kg and is produced in a revolutionary one-piece mould. Race specification composite body panels and a fixed rear wing have been added to the GT3 car.
The same 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 as in the production car on which it is based will be used in the 12C GT3, tuned to race specification. A bespoke paddle-shift system operating an all-new Ricardo-designed gearbox developed specifically for racing will be fitted. This system eschews the 7-speed SSG dual-clutch Graziano transmission supplied in the standard 12C.
New electrical architecture is being supplied by McLaren Electronic Systems Limited, including electronic dash and data technologies. Bosch Motorsport will supply a new ABS system for the 12C GT3. A new aerodynamics package has been developed by McLaren Racing in compliance with GT3 regulations, incorporating a new front splitter, door blade, rear wing, diffuser and louvres in the front fenders.
The new GT3 car will feature motorsport-specific braking and suspension components. These include bespoke callipers by Akebono, Official Supplier to Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. Due to regulations imposed by racing authorities, the 12C GT3 will not feature the road-going 12C's ProActive Chassis Control System; negating the requirement for an anti-roll bar. Instead, the 12C GT3 will use a configuration comprising race-specific roll bars and dampers.
McLaren Automotive Chief Test Driver Chris Goodwin said: "Those who have seen the new MP4-12C production car won't be surprised to learn that immense attention to detail has been applied in developing the GT3 version. Quality is a watchword. We know that our potential customers will expect McLaren GT to deliver a competitive car right out of the box and, starting now with a programme covering aerodynamics development and durability testing, we are determined to do just that.
"The McLaren GT team is committed to achieving unprecedented levels of performance, also guaranteeing the levels of quality, reliability and durability with which we expect to delight future race teams entering competitions with the 12C GT3."
Álvaro Parente signs for McLaren GT Álvaro Parente, a 26-year old racing driver from Portugal, is today announced as the first new professional racing driver to join the McLaren GT race team. McLaren GT Project Manager Andrew Kirkaldy and McLaren Automotive Chief Test Driver Chris Goodwin are leading the development of the 12C GT3, and in total six test drivers will be in the team by the middle of 2011.
Álvaro Parente said: "It is a great honour to be selected to drive with the McLaren GT team. Since receiving an invitation to join the team by Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh, I have been made to feel like an important part of the team and I hope to give valuable feedback in developing the car. I have always dreamt of racing a McLaren!"
* Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
**Professional race teams interested in being the first to own and race the new MP4-12C GT3 should register at www.mclarengt.com
