Racing History Project’s Rare 1954 Sutton Jaguar Special

February 4, 2019 Staff Comments Off

The Racing History Project has unveiled their first 2019 “Legends of Racing History” at the Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo; a very rare 1954 Sutton Jaguar special. The “Legends of Racing History” display, changing quarterly, features little known, rarely seen, unique and historically significant racing cars as selected by the Racing History Project advisory board. The Sutton Jaguar Special, a hand-built aluminum bodied racecar based on an XK-120, was the work of Jack Sutton, a transplanted English metal shaping legend who set up shop in North Hollywood and produced one-off bodies for Ferraris, Kurtis 500’s and this unique Jaguar.

Aston Martin The Americas Appoints Alexa Harnett as Head of Marketing

February 4, 2019 Staff Comments Off

Aston Martin is pleased to announce the appointment of Alexa Harnett for Aston Martin The Americas, reporting to Laura Schwab, president of Aston Martin the Americas, effective January 28. Based at the company’s regional headquarters in Irvine, California, Alexa’s role as head of marketing embraces brand marketing and communications to both Aston Martin’s customers and 43 dealers in the region, spanning the United States, Canada, Mexico, and South America. Alexa joins Aston Martin from Mercedes-Benz USA, where she’d spent 12 years in a variety of roles focusing on regional, brand and event marketing. Most recently, she led the marketing communications department, overseeing all advertising, marketing, and social media activities, in an effort to drive brand and product awareness. Having graduated from Santa Clara University with a B.S. in commerce and marketing, Alexa launched her career at an internet marketing agency, […]

Lotus and Williams Advanced Engineering Announce Partnership

February 3, 2019 Staff Comments Off

Lotus and Williams Advanced Engineering announce a strategic technical partnership in which the companies will share research and development into advanced propulsion technologies. Lotus Engineering has extensive and proven expertise in the integration and application of new technologies – for Lotus Cars and many global engineering clients, and is an acknowledged leader in lightweight structures and advanced materials.

Local Students Get STEM Exposure at McLaren

February 2, 2019 Staff Comments Off

Pupils from a local school were the special VIP guests of retailer McLaren Birmingham in Solihull where they got to find out for themselves how pursuing a science or maths based career helps to create some of the world’s most iconic sportscars and supercars. Year 7 students from Alderbrook School met engineers and designers from McLaren Automotive to find out about what inspired their own journey to the luxury car company and how they use their skills to help push the boundaries of technology in the automotive sector.

MINI John Cooper Works Team to Enter SRO TC America

February 1, 2019 Staff Comments Off

MINI USA has announced that the MINI John Cooper Works Team (MINI JCW Team) will enter the 2019 SRO TC America race series (TC America). MINI USA will continue its partnership with Indianapolis-based LAP Motorsports and will sponsor a vehicle in the Touring Car A (TCA) Class of the 2019 TC America, which kicks off at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) on March 1, 2019, just outside of Austin, Texas. Most recently, the MINI JCW Team took home the 2018 Manufacturer’s Championship in the Street Tuner class of the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge Series, beating the likes of BMW, Porsche, and Mazda.

Classic Bentleys ready for Centenary year

Bentley Year of Celebrations for Centenary

February 1, 2019 Staff Comments Off

As Bentley enters its Centenary year, the oldest remaining and first racing model – EXP 2 – will be displayed at Retromobile, Paris. The first of many unique events in 2019 that will see Bentley celebrate this landmark year, Retromobile kick-starts the world car show season between 6-10 February at Salon des Expositions, Porte de Versailles. Showcasing Bentley’s motoring evolution over the past 100 years, the British brand’s stand in Paris offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the heritage and the innovation of the British luxury car manufacturer. Joining its illustrious forebear in Paris will be the new Continental GT Convertible – the pinnacle open-top Grand Tourer.

VotW – Jay Leno’s Jaguar 1954 XK120 OTS

January 31, 2019 Michael Carnell 3

We all start somewhere in the hobby. There is some event or person or car that flips the switch inside our head and leads us to follow the path of the car enthusiast. Some folks get addicted to horses or music or fishing, but if you are reading this, you are probably are addicted to cars. Our Video of the Week this go-round features the car that flipped the switch for a huge celebrity and even bigger car lover, Jay Leno. In this video about his 1954 Jaguar XK120, Leno recounts the tale of seeing his first real sports car, his first Jaguar XK. He tells how the owner of that car let the then only 9-year-old Leno sit in the car, and he tells of the effect that has had upon his life.

Classic Minis to party at 2019 Silverstone Classic 5

Classic Minis to Party at Silverstone

January 31, 2019 Staff Comments Off

Mini owners are being offered a fantastic opportunity to be part of the idolized little car’s unmissable 60th birthday party at this summer’s Silverstone Classic (26-28 July). Plans to salute the diminutive icon’s diamond jubilee with the biggest-ever grid of racing Minis has already been announced – but now comes confirmation of an exclusive anniversary track parade and display, too.

Jaguar F-Type Checkered Flag Limited Edition

January 31, 2019 Staff Comments Off

Jaguar has announced the addition of a new Checkered Flag Limited Edition model to the 2020 F-TYPE model line-up. This limited edition model celebrates the brand’s rich sports car heritage dating back to the reveal of the XK 120 in 1948. Based on the Jaguar F-TYPE R-Dynamic Coupe and Convertible, and available with a powerful four- or six-cylinder engine, the Checkered Flag LE features a range of subtle visual enhancements to the exterior and to the driver-focused “1+1” cabin. Highlights include a Black Contrast roof on the Coupe and a luxurious Windsor Leather interior featuring Performance seats with embossed headrests, a Dark Brushed Aluminum center console trim finisher and – in recognition of the Jaguar brand’s motorsport successes – a steering wheel with a discrete Checkered Flag logo and red leather band to mark the 12 o’clock position.

MG Annual Dealer Conference and Awards

January 30, 2019 Staff Comments Off

More than 130 dealer representatives attended MG Motor UK’s annual Dealer Conference and Dealer of the Year Awards in Birmingham last week, marking the start of an exciting and busy year ahead for the iconic British brand. Dealers were treated to the official unveiling of the New MG ZS EV, the iconic British brand’s first battery electric car which is set to launch in September 2019. They also heard about “Momentum & Growth”, MG’s mid-term sales plan which will drive the business to treble its sales volumes over the coming years. Significantly, MG also used the Dealer Conference to announce the launch of its aftersales customer retention programme, a key initiative to generate increased service profitability through the rapidly growing MG parc.

Beaulieu to Celebrate DB7 Anniversary at Simply Aston Martin

January 30, 2019 Staff Comments Off

Beaulieu’s new events season gets off to a stylish start with Simply Aston Martin on Sunday, April 7th as it marks the 25thanniversary of the DB7 going into production. More than 300 Aston Martins are expected to gather in the grounds of the National Motor Museum for the fourth Simply Aston Martin rally, with an impressive display to celebrate one of the world’s most revered sports car marques. A special area will be set aside for Aston Martin DB7s, from coupes to Volante convertibles powered by smooth six-cylinders to brutal V12 engines. An important landmark in the company’s history, the DB7 reintroduced the legendary ‘DB’ title after a two-decade break – and all are welcome to join the display.

Bentley Returns to Bathurst in Centenary Year

January 30, 2019 Staff Comments Off

Bentley Motorsport embarks on a landmark racing campaign as the world’s most sought-after luxury car brand when it competes in the season-opening Bathurst 12 Hour for the fifth time. The opening round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) signals the first competitive outing in Bentley’s centenary year for the second-generation Continental GT3. The British squad returns to the challenging Mount Panorama circuit confident it can fight for victory in this year’s blue riband GT events, following a strong season of development in 2018.

Teaser image of new Ginetta supercar prototype

Ginetta Confirms New Supercar To Come

January 30, 2019 Staff Comments Off

Ginetta, the Leeds based racecar manufacturer, has confirmed that an all-new supercar is on the way. Full details will be announced soon, with highlights including a carbon fiber tub chassis, full carbon fiber body, race-derived 600+ bhp naturally aspirated V8 alloy engine designed and manufactured in-house, sequential gearbox and race-derived aerodynamic package.

McLaren Scores Historic Victory at Daytona

January 28, 2019 Staff Comments Off

The 570S GT4 scored McLaren a historic result at the Daytona International Speedway racing in the inaugural Michelin Pilot Challenge race (formerly Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge), with GT4 customer team Compass Racing and McLaren Automotive Factory Driver Paul Holton taking victory and Motorsports in Action securing the final podium spot. The result marks the first win of 2019 for the 570S GT4 and Holton, as well as the first ever win for McLaren at the world-famous Florida circuit. A strong performance during qualifying saw Holton secure the perfect start for the inaugural round of the Michelin Pilot Challenge, setting a new lap record and pole position for Compass Racing ahead of the four-hour endurance race. The result marked an eighth career GS pole and a record fourth consecutive pole position in the class for Factory Driver and Florida-local Holton.

MG Motor India Partners with Myles for Carsharing

January 28, 2019 Staff Comments Off

MG Motor India is preparing for the launch of their first product, the Hector SUV in the Indian market. Just before the launch, the company has announced a strategic partnership with Myles, the carsharing and car subscription company from Carzonrent. The two companies will work together to provide mobility solutions to customers. The first car from MG, the Hector SUV will be the first one to be made available to the customers followed by every new launch from the SAIC owned company. This also would include the EV MG Motor plans to launch before the end of this year. MG Motor and Myles believe that the value of this tie-up will be over Rs. 250 crores in the first phase.

Corporate Business

MINI USA Announces Executive Changes

January 25, 2019 Staff Comments Off

MINI USA today announced senior management changes effective March 1st, 2019. Steve Ambeau joins MINI USA succeeding McKenna as Department Head, MINI Brand Communications. In this role, Ambeau will be responsible for shaping the MINI US brand strategy, as well as leading the planning, positioning, and execution of customer-facing communications across MINI’s owned, earned, and paid channels. Patrick McKenna assumes the role of Department Head, MINI Product Planning and Consumer Events. In this role, McKenna is responsible for the MINI USA product strategy for present and future models in the United States. In addition, McKenna is responsible for developing and executing the strategy for consumer events. McKenna will transition from his current role as Department Head, MINI Brand Communications for MINI USA, a position he has held since May 2017.

MRL Announces New Grids at Gala Awards Night

January 25, 2019 Staff Comments Off

This past Wednesday night the UK’s premier classic race organizer Motor Racing Legends (MRL) crowned their 2018 series winners in style at a gala awards dinner at the Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall. The evening was hosted by MRL Chairman, Duncan Wiltshire and attended by many leading figures of the British motorsport scene including the CEO of Motorsport UK, Hugh Chambers, and Motorsport Vision Chief Jonathan Palmer. During the evening’s presentation, it was announced that MRL is to take on the organization of the two grids from the Historic Motor Racing News stable, the U2TC for under two-liter touring cars and the Pre63-GT series. Ownership of these two well-established series will remain with Carol Spagg, who is looking to step back from the day-to-day organization and administration.

JLR Releases Statement on One Week Production Stand Down

January 25, 2019 Staff Comments Off

Jaguar Land Rover has released a very short statement confirming their one-week production shutdown as was done last year. Today we have confirmed this year’s holiday dates to employees across all sites. As part of this, we have also confirmed that there will be an additional week of production stand-down 8th – 12th April due to potential Brexit disruption.

JLR Develops Projection System for Self-Driving Vehicles

January 24, 2019 Staff Comments Off

Jaguar Land Rover has developed a system that projects the direction of travel onto the road ahead of self-driving vehicles, to tell other road users what it is going to do next. The intelligent technology beams a series of projections onto the road to show the future intentions of the vehicle – for example stopping and turning left or right – as part of research into how people can develop their trust in autonomous technology. In the future, the projections could even be used to share obstacle detection and journey updates with pedestrians.

Theme announced for 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2019 Theme Announced

January 23, 2019 Staff Comments Off

Goodwood is thrilled to announce that the theme for the 2019 Festival of Speed presented by MasterCard, which takes place from 4-7 July, will be “Speed Kings – Motorsport’s Record Breakers”. Motorsport has always been about pushing man and machine to the very limit, and this year, Goodwood will celebrate the people and machinery that set the benchmark or raise the bar. The focus will not just be on the Land Speed Record, but on every area of record-breaking in motorsport, from the most consecutive wins to most championships, fastest laps, most poles set by a manufacturer and many more.