Red Bull and Aston Martin to Produce Hypercar

Aston Martin and Red Bull to Build Hypercar

March 17, 2016 Staff Comments Off

Aston Martin and Formula One team Red Bull Racing have announced a partnership which sees Red Bull Racing’s Chief Technical Officer, Adrian Newey and Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman collaborate to produce a ground-breaking Aston Martin hypercar. Codenamed Project ‘AM-RB 001’, the new hypercar will represent the ultimate blend of cutting edge F1TM technology with Aston Martin’s signature sports car design. The combined talents of Newey, widely noted as the most successful Formula One designer of all time, and Reichman, Aston Martin’s design chief since 2005, are set to produce the ultimate hypercar. Combining the strongest elements of Red Bull Racing, Red Bull Advanced Technologies and Aston Martin, this new Innovation Partnership unites the world’s best aerodynamicists, composite experts and manufacturing masters. All the parties offer different elite capabilities and the combination of all of those skills, ensuring […]

VotW – MG’s Magic Midget

March 16, 2016 Michael Carnell Comments Off

Our video this week takes you back, way back. Back to the 1930s when MGs were fierce competitors in racing around Europe and the world, and the Midget, the original Midget, was the car to beat. This film, titled “The Magic Midget” was produced by British Leyland to celebrate the racing pedigree of the MG and possibly transfer some of that aura of speed and success to the more modern incarnation of the MG Midget. From its earliest days MGs have been used in competition and from the early 1930s a series of dedicated racing cars such as the 1931 C-Type and 1934 Q-type were made and sold to enthusiasts who received considerable company assistance. This stopped in 1935 when MG was formally merged with Morris Motors and the Competition Department closed down. A series of experimental cars had also […]

McLaren Ads 570S GT4 and 570S to Track Models

March 15, 2016 Staff Comments Off

McLaren Automotive has announced two new track-dedicated models of the recently-launched Sports Series: the 570S GT4 and the 570S Sprint. Developed in conjunction with McLaren GT – the motorsport division of McLaren Automotive – and GT racing specialists, CRS GT Limited, the 570S GT4 will now enter an intensive season-long development programme in the British GT championship. McLaren GT and CRS GT Limited will work with recently confirmed customer team Black Bull Ecurie Ecosse, with the 570S GT4 competing in the full nine-round calendar, including the famous Spa-Francorchamps. The programme will be a rigorous testing schedule in live race environments. The 570S Sprint, which will be revealed in the coming weeks, will be dedicated for private trackdays and is therefore unrestricted by racing regulations. However, 570S Sprint owners will be able to upgrade to GT4 specification.

MG Triple Eight Racing BTCC Lineup

March 9, 2016 Staff Comments Off

MG Triple Eight Racing has signed Josh Cook and Ashley Sutton for the 2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), each driving a works-supported MG6. Cook, 2014 Renault UK Clio Cup runner-up, made his debut in the BTCC last year with Power Maxed Racing. Cook caught the eye at both Donington Park and Rockingham as he duelled for the lead, reached the podium and posted a fastest race lap – he carried on this form and went on to clinch victory in the Jack Sears Trophy come season’s end. “I’m over the moon to be working with a team and manufacturer that has such heritage,” said Cook. “I have worked extremely hard since the end of last season to get back on the grid – it was the only place I wanted to be. I now have an important job […]

Britain Triumphs Over Italy to Win Classic Six Nations Cup

February 22, 2016 Staff Comments Off

Great Britain has produced more of the world’s greatest cars than any other nation according to the voting for the Classic Six Nations Cup.

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Brian Lister Cup Awarded

February 11, 2016 Staff Comments Off

Following the end of another incredible season of wheel-to-wheel racing in classic Listers, Lawrence Whittaker – CEO of Lister Motor Company – has presented the Brian Lister Cup to Tony Wood, Will Nuthall and their team for a sensational racing comeback in 2015 in the Woods’ family Lister-Jaguar Knobbly. Presented at a star-studded dinner hosted by the Royal Automobile Club, the Brian Lister Cup went to Wood following a herculean effort that saw his priceless Lister-Jaguar Knobbly repaired in less than 40 days following an accident before the season began. Wood and his team then went on to grab three podium finishes and fifth place overall at the end of the season.

Historic New Zealand Grand Prix Austin Healey To Make Debut

February 10, 2016 Staff Comments Off

A 1953 Austin Healey that raced in the New Zealand Grand Prix will make its show debut at Race Retro on 26thto 28th February, the first time it has been on public display anywhere in the world. The Healey 100/4 BN1, chassis no 145426, will be on display at Stoneleigh Park as one of three works cars that were sent to take part in the inaugural New Zealand Grand Prix on 9th January 1954.

Stirling Moss Scrapbook 1955 - Contest Give-Away

Contest Give-Away – Stirling Moss Scrapbook 1955

February 8, 2016 Staff 76

UPDATE: Comments and the contest are now closed because we have a winner! Yes, out of all the entries Frank Stabler was selected through a random drawing to receive the prize. Congratulations Frank! Last year, at Sir Stirling Moss‘s suggestion, Porter Press reprinted their most popular Scrapbook documenting his amazing 1955 year which of course included the Mille Miglia win and first GP victory. And we are having a contest to give one away. The 1955 Stirling Moss Scrapbook is now back in stock to commemorate sixty years of this crucial year for the racing driver. The first of a series of Stirling Moss scrapbooks which now includes as separate volumes 1926-54, 1956-60, and 1961, the 1955 Scrapbook evokes memories of the heyday of classic motorsport. We covered this book when it came out back in July, and were sent one […]

McLaren 650S GT3 Bathurst 12hr 2016 0088

McLaren 650S GT3 Clean Sweep at Bathurst

February 7, 2016 Staff Comments Off

The 2016 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour has been won by the McLaren 650S GT3 of customer team Tekno Autosports in one of the hardest fought battles in the history of the event. On its debut outing at the iconic Mount Panorama, the 650S GT3 claimed the clean sweep over the course of the weekend with pole position, fastest lap, overall race win and a new lap record. The trio of Alvaro Parente, Shane Van Gisbergen and Jonathon Webb triumphed in the battle of strategies which saw five different manufacturers lead the race over the 12 hours. A record-breaking qualifying session saw the four examples of the 650S GT3 qualify within the top six, with pole position in the Pro-Am class for customer team Objective Racing and overall pole position and a new lap record for Van Gisbergen and the […]

McLaren GT Confirms Team Drivers

February 5, 2016 Staff Comments Off

Following the most successful season for McLaren GT, with the 650S GT3 winning on each of the four continents it competed on, 2016 will see more cars competing in more championships across the world. Plans for Factory Drivers Rob Bell and Alvaro Parente are now finalised along with confirmation of the signing of Côme Ledogar to the works line up. In addition, the recently-announced Driver Academy is further strengthened with Colin Thompson joining for the 2016 season. The announcements coincide with confirmation that the 650S GT3 will line up as part of an impressive display at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show alongside the three-tier model range from McLaren Automotive for the first time. Joining the Factory Driver line-up for the 2016 season is 24-year-old Côme Ledogar. The young Frenchman made the switch from single-seater racing at the end of 2011, […]

Silverstone Classic Looks for Charity Partner

February 4, 2016 Staff Comments Off

With more than 1,000 of the world’s finest historic competition cars racing on the famous Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit, no fewer than 10,000 iconic cars from yesteryear on display in the infield paddocks and in excess of 100,000 visitors lapping up the magical nostalgic atmosphere, the annual Silverstone Classic is firmly established as the ultimate celebration of classic cars. In 2016, for the first time, the hugely popular three-day festival is offering an exciting new opportunity for an organisation to share in the success as the glittering event’s official charity partner.

2015 Jaguar Heritage Challenge - Donington Park_1810

Jaguar Returns to Le Mans with Jaguar Classic Challenge

February 1, 2016 Staff Comments Off

Excitement levels are building for the second season of the Jaguar Classic Challenge as the Le Mans Classic is confirmed for inclusion in the all-new race calendar for 2016. The Le Mans Classic will be one of the major highlights of the forthcoming season that will see a diverse field of pre-1966 Jaguars going wheel-to-wheel in the competitive single-marque series. Jaguar has a long and successful history at Le Mans, with the marque first winning there back in 1951 with Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead driving the C-type – affectionately known as XKC 003.

HMSA Announces the New Bonhams U2 Challenge Series

January 29, 2016 Staff Comments Off

The Historic Motor Sports Association (HMSA) and Bonhams today announced a new series for under 2 Liter sports racing cars built between 1950 and 1962 to take place at the HMSA’s Barber Historics and The Sommet des Legends in 2016. The U2 series will feature the “giant killer” sports racing cars from the 1950’s such as the Lotus 11, Lola Mk1, Maserati 200S(I), Ferrari 500TR(C), Ferrari 196 Dino SP and Porsche 550/RSK/RS60-62. Drivers will be competing both on and off the track with awards given for race results and best “giant killer” performance, as well as the most period correct car on the grid and for the person and or team who best exhibits the spirit of the 1950’s sports racing scene. “At Bonhams we see the world’s best collectable automobiles at our auctions every year,” commented Mark Osborne. “The […]

The MINI John Cooper Works #37 car at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Florida. (03/2015) Foster Peters Photography

MINI John Cooper Works Gearing Up For 2016 IMSA Continental Tire Sportscar Challenge Series

January 28, 2016 Staff Comments Off

MINI USA and LAP MotorSports LLC are gearing up the MINI John Cooper Works Team for the 2016 season of the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge(CTSCC), the first full season for the team. The team also today announced the addition of a third car and two new drivers – Ethan Lowe and James Vance. Building on the momentum of the team’s first podium at the season finale at Road Atlanta last year and a solid performance during three days of testing at The Roar Before the 24, the team is hopeful for more podium finishes during the 2016 season. The season kicks-off this Friday, January 29th, at Daytona International Speedway. The Indianapolis-based MINI John Cooper Works team owned and operated by racing veteran Luis Perocarpi will return this year with drivers Mat Pombo and Derek Jones. The racing duo, who […]

Bas Leinders, Sporting Manager, McLaren GT - Headsho

Bas Leinders Appointed Sporting Manager of McLaren GT

January 27, 2016 Staff Comments Off

Ahead of the 2016 season, McLaren GT has added to its off-track team with the appointment of Bas Leinders to the role of Sporting Manager. Confirmation of a number of new McLaren GT customer teams for the 2016 season has further strengthened the GT3 grids around the world. Leinders brings valuable experience to the teams on the pitwall and he will work with customer teams to further optimise the potential of the 650S GT3. Leinders, 40, has enjoyed a successful GT and single-seat racing career, which included winning the German Formula 3 in 1998 before joining the McLaren junior team alongside former Formula 1™ driver Nick Heidfeld, and a role as Formula 1™ test and reserve driver. The move to GT racing saw Leinders claim back-to-back FIA GT G2 championship wins between 2006 and 2008 among further accolades. The Belgian […]

William Medcalf Vintage Bentley Prepares Cars for Peking to Paris Challenge

January 24, 2016 Staff Comments Off

Preparation for the gruelling Peking to Paris Motor Challenge is entering its final stages at William Medcalf Vintage Bentley. The Bentley specialist is preparing all four Vintage Bentleys entering the event, which covers more than 8500 miles over 33 days and over all terrains, including long gravel tracks, dirt roads, the Gobi desert and across Alpine roads making it a real endurance test of both driver and machine.

Silverstone Classic's power show at the NEC 1

Silverstone Classic Icons Wow at Autosport International

January 18, 2016 Staff Comments Off

The world’s biggest classic motor racing festival served up a stunning show of power at the annual Autosport International, staged at Birmingham’s NEC from 14-17 January. The Silverstone Classic teamed up with Classic & Sports Car magazine to create a very special showcase putting the spotlight on several of the mouth-watering race grids that will star on the action-packed racecard at this summer’s spectacular three-day extravaganza (29-31 July). Presented under the evocative ‘When We Were Kings’ banner, the prominent presentation at the NEC was one of the show’s major attractions, proving hugely popular with the sell-out numbers of visitors.

Bentley Unveils Bathhurst Line-Up and 2016 Livery -- The 2016 Bentley Team M-Sport Continental GT3

Bentley Unveils Bathurst Line-Up and 2016 Livery

January 14, 2016 Staff Comments Off

Bentley Team M-Sport will return to Mount Panorama in Australia next month (5-7 February) to take on the Bathurst 12 Hours with two Continental GT3s in the team’s new 2016 livery that was unveiled at the Autosport International Show today. Bentley Boys Guy Smith (GB) and Steven Kane (GB) will once again be joined on the mountain by Matt Bell (GB), and Andy Soucek (ES) and Maxime Soulet (BE) will welcome Aussie V8 star David Russell (AU) to their team.

VotW – Chimney Rock Hill Climb

January 13, 2016 Michael Carnell 5

Our video this week is a great period piece celebrating the Chimney Rock Hillclimb which ran in North Carolina for approximately four decades. The Chimney Rock Hillclimb was the most legendary hillclimb in the South. Held in Chimney Rock, North Carolina, it was a rite of spring for both drivers and spectators. Beginning in 1956 when sports cars and sports car racing was still in its infancy, the climb challenged Triumphs, Jaguars, MG’s and their drivers to a high-speed rollercoaster ride that scared even the most fearless. With two miles of hairpins and switchbacks and trees for guard rails, it was an event to behold. Sadly the challenge to the mountain came to an end as a result of “changing times”. In 1995 “the Rock” fell asleep again. To quote the Chimney Rock website … Engines roared. Tires […]

MINI ALL4 Racing X-Raid Team Dakar Naser-Al-Attiyah

MINI ALL4 Racing Line Up for 2016 Dakar Rally

January 4, 2016 Staff Comments Off

New Year, new challenges: 2 January 2016 will see the start of the 2016 Dakar Rally, the traditional season opener of long-distance cross-country rallies. Once again MINI takes on this exciting and exacting 9,500km, 15-day racing event but this year with a record entry of 12 MINI ALL4 Racing cars. Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT) and long-term co-pilot Mathieu Baumel (FRA) of AXION X-raid Team (#300) are the defending Dakar champions and more than ready to take up the challenge of motorsport’s toughest endurance race. “Preparation is complete,” said Al-Attiyah in Buenos Aires, starting point of the 2016 Dakar Rally. “We are ready to take on the greatest endurance race in the hope we can achieve MINI the same success of 2015,” said Joan ‘Nani’ Roma (ESP), fellow AXION X-raid Team member in MINI ALL4 Racing #304 along with co-driver Alex Haro […]