Archive for the ‘General’ Category

The ever-popular annual Earls Court Motor Show at the Goodwood Revival (16-18 September 2011) is set to be a key attraction again at the world’s most authentic historic motor race meeting, as once again exhibition doors are opened to a display of the finest motor cars from the past, present and future.

The Earls Court Motor Show at the Goodwood Revival takesits inspiration from the celebrated London Motor Shows of the 1950s and 60s, with an Art Deco frontage reminiscent of the glory days of exhibitions of the past.  This spacious area will give the expected 135,000+ Goodwood Revival visitors an insight into how the motoring of tomorrow might look from a pre-1966 perspective, with a display of ‘futuristic’ late-20th and early-21st century cars.

Externally, Earls Court looks like the entrance to a 1950s Motor Show, promising to display ‘beautiful cars of the past, present and future’ inside.  As no post-1966 vehicles are ordinarily allowed on site during the Goodwood Revival, the Earls Court Motor Show enables the event to break out of its ‘period’ timeframe and display later vehicles.  The effect is like walking into a time warp, offering other-worldly futuristic new cars to see, right up to and including manufacturers’ latest products.

Each vehicle manufacturer’s stand is presented in the style of a traditional Motor Show of the 1950s or 1960s.  As with the rest of the Revival, the overall display is not set in a specific timeframe, but rather at some unidentified point prior to 1966.  Manufacturer displays are therefore expected to include contemporary cars of the 1950s or 1960s, as well as some ‘concept’ cars showing each company’s vision of what production cars might look like in the early 21st Century.  Car manufacturers confirmed to be exhibiting at this ‘motor show of the future’ include Maserati, Jaguar, BMW, Rolls-Royce, Jeep and Ford, the latter celebrating its centenary in the Britain at the event.

In addition to the manufacturers’ stands, there will be a central ‘concours d’elegance’ exhibition.  This display will celebrate ‘The Most Beautiful Cars in the World’, based around the most commonly-considered automotive art forms, taking into consideration the views of many acknowledged leading authorities on outstanding vehicle design.  The Earls Court concours will feature around 25 of the most beautiful and elegant cars, from the mid-1930s, right through to the present day.  Expect to see gorgeous and influential models, such as the Jaguar E-type, Bentley Continental R-type, Citroen DS, plus various Maserati, Ferrari and Alfa-Romeo models.

Goodwood’s historic links with Earls Court are strong.  The famous London Earls Court exhibition site was built on land once owned by the Duke of Richmond; the Earl in the name referring to the Earl of March, from whom the present 10th Duke of Richmond, and his son Lord March, are directly descended. 

To order advance tickets for 2011 Goodwood Revival, please contact the Ticket Hotline:
Telephone: +44 (0)1243 755055
Email: ticket.office@goodwood.com
Book on-line: www.goodwood.com/motorsport

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YOU AND YOUR CAR AS VIDEO STARS…………

Posted: August 17, 2011 by The Car Spy in General
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Superchips Ltd, the world’s leading aftermarket high performance ECU specialist, offers one lucky winner the chance to meet former BTCC champion Tim Harvey, enjoy passenger laps in a Porsche 911 GT3 and get their car remapped for free!

The competition will be open until the 11th September 2011 and all entrants need to do is click on and register their name, car type/model and year, and contact e-mail address on the Superchips website – http://www.superchips.co.uk/s/you-and-your-car-as-video-stars

On 12th September 2011, Superchips will pick at random a lucky winner to come to Superchips HQ in Buckinghamshire where his or her car will be re-mapped for FREE and they will meet British Touring Car and Porsche Carrera Cup Champion Tim Harvey, who will review the process with them in person.

After a spot of light lunch, they will then be driven in their own car to the MIRA proving ground, near Nuneaton, in order to experience the benefits of the remap.

Once there they will also enjoy an exhilarating high speed ride as a passenger in a Porsche GT3 with Tim Harvey at the wheel.

The Porsche and the facilities will be provided by Supercar Lifestyle, the fastest-growing supercar members’ club in Europe. With their own rapidly expanding fleet of supercars, offices and circuits in the UK and Spain, together with a number of international partners, they aim to give their members an incredible range of driving and lifestyle experiences.

The Superchips competition winner will be filmed reviewing the day and we will post this video of the whole experience on line for the world to enjoy (video shot and produced by Be a Tiger).

Anyone who has registered for this competition by 11th September can then book to have their car remapped or can order a bluefin ‘plug and go’ handset from Superchips HQ until 31 October 2011, and they will receive 10% off the RRP.

Please note that the winner must make themselves and their car available for any day between Monday 19 September 2011 and Friday 23 September – we will advise which day on announcement of the draw results. Should entrants be unavailable, Superchips will re-draw the winner. We will announce the winner via the Superchips website by Wednesday 14th September 2011. Full Terms & Conditions available on website – www.superchips.co.uk

An open-air Spyder version of the outlandish Audi urban concept is ready to make light work of the Frankfurt Motor Show next month (September 17-25) alongside the recently announced Sportback model. These radical and weight-optimized 1+1-seat technical studies are not descended from any previous Audi model – their development is based on the strict principles of lightweight construction, efficiency and reduction.

The highly-concentrated look of the concepts, with their forward-urging lines, free- standing 21-inch wheels and protective surrounding plates incorporating strips of ‘blinking’ LED lights is dynamic and innovative, and lends a completely new impetus to the Audi design language. Characteristic features of the Spyder include its low, continuous window area and its doors that open upwards diagonally.

Inside there is sporty, low-slung seating for two mounted in a slightly staggered position and underpinned by carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) which integrates each seat undercarriage. All controls and materials are subject to the dictates of ultra-lightweight construction to ensure they convey a unique, sensory allure. The driver can adjust the steering wheel and pedals for his or her own driving position.

Two e-tron electric motors provide the propulsion – giving the ultra-light Audi urban concepts the ability to accelerate powerfully. A lithium-ion battery supplies the energy – ideal for extended city tours.

As McLaren GT prepares to enter two cars in the Blancpain Endurance Series race at Magny Cours on 27 August 2011, the new GT race car manufacturer is announcing that the first 20 MP4-12C GT3 race cars available to purchase for racing in 2012 are now sold. Like the 12C road car on which the 12C GT3 race car is based, demand has outstripped supply.

Production of the 12C GT3  has been deliberately limited, as McLaren GT plans to develop close relationships and provide ongoing engineering support to its customers racing in 2012 and beyond.  This limited production run of race cars will be distributed among private owners and race teams for racing in Europe next year.  A full list of clients for the new 12C GT3 will be published in advance of the 2012 season, and will include:

  • ASM Team
  • Andrew Tate
  • Apex Motorsport
  • Boutsen Energy Racing/Ginion Group
  • Doerr Motorsport
  • Gulf Racing
  • J.A.S. Motorsport
  • Klaas Hummel
  • Leon Price
  • Von Ryan Racing

McLaren GT began development of the 12C GT3 in March, when the first iteration of the stunning new race car undertook debut tests at the MIRA proving ground and Silverstone Stowe Circuit in the UK.  Subsequent tests at two of Europe’s most challenging new circuits; Circuito de Navarra in northern Spain and Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal, were followed by a race debut in the British GT Championship at Spa-Francorchamps early in July.  At the end of July, three examples of the 12C GT3 competed in the Total 24 hours of Spa.

McLaren GT Project Manager Andrew Kirkaldy said: “The new 12C GT3 has gone from its first ever shakedown to a 24 hour endurance race in a matter of a few months. That is a huge achievement for the car and its new componentry, as well as the team responsible for its development.

“Our new customers appreciate that taking a race season to develop the 12C GT3 means we are able to deliver a level of reliability and driveability that exceeds their expectations of new race cars.  Like the 12C road car, the GT3 version is based on a carbon ‘MonoCell’ chassis and has an all-new engine and transmission arrangement, as well as a bespoke aerodynamics package.  In tests and at races this season we have seen these technologies prove to be robust and efficient. Our experiences during this race season are helping us refine the 12C GT3’s technical credentials.” 

The 12C GT3 race car is based on the groundbreaking 12C sports car.  McLaren Group CEO Martin Whitmarsh said: “This is an exciting time for McLaren.  In 2011 McLaren Automotive has launched what I believe is the most innovative sports car in the world and now a network of the world’s best car retailers has begun opening showroom doors to customers of the 12C.  A new £40m McLaren Production Centre will officially open later this year and development programmes for McLaren Automotive’s future range  of sports cars are well underway.  

“The technological expertise we have in McLaren Racing and McLaren Automotive is now being introduced to a different level of motorsport by McLaren GT.  Since the launch of McLaren GT we have been overwhelmed by the number of enquiries received to purchase the 12C GT3.  Our new customers are leaders in GT racing, and we’re confident that we will deliver to them the the most efficient, reliable and easy to drive car among the competition when it lines up on the grid next year 

“Our clients are looking forward to receiving a GT car full of Formula 1 technology, and we are committed to ensuring ownership of the 12C GT3 is as enjoyable as racing it.” 

The development team at McLaren GT includes senior executives from McLaren Automotive and McLaren Racing. The development programme for the 12C GT3 is therefore advanced through the knowledge of specialists in aerodynamics, advanced simulation methods and vehicle dynamics engineering.

The 12C GT3 will be supplied with a steering wheel of the same design employed by Lewis Hamilton in his MP4-24 Formula 1 car. McLaren GT is working with Formula 1 suppliers past and present in developing the 12C GT3, including Akebono, Mobil 1, McLaren Electronic Systems, Ricardo and Michelin.

McLaren GT set the price of the new MP4-12C GT3 at £310,000. Customers of the car have been encouraged by the promise of no hidden costs and the opportunity to work with McLaren GT engineers throughout 2012 in developing the 12C GT3 to their own race specification.

CATERHAM EXTENDS ITS HIRE-A-7 FLEET

Posted: August 17, 2011 by The Car Spy in Caterham, General
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They say the only way to truly understand the Caterham Seven is to drive it – and now there’s more opportunity than ever before to enjoy the rest of the summer holiday season in style without breaking the bank.

Caterham’s legendary Seven sportscar is now available for hire from eight locations, with a number of new Roadsport models joining the fleet.

Ideal as an extended test drive or short break away, the Hire-A-7 service enables drivers to take in the unique sensation of piloting a lightweight, open-topped sportscar, famed for its intuitive handling characteristics, on their favourite A and B-roads.

With low weekday rates and discounts for weekend hire, the ultimate ‘race car for the road’ can be experienced for little more than the cost of hiring a regular car, with prices starting from £175 a day.

Running until the end of October each year, the Hire-A-7 service is available from Caterham South, Surrey; Caterham Midlands, Leicester; Open Road Hire, Scottish Highlands; Mark on Europe, Swindon; Seven Hire, Gloucestershire.

Most recently, Roadsport Hire in Yorkshire, Highlands Caterham Hire in Scotland and Hire 7, Northern Ireland, have joined the initiative.

Most Hire-A-7 vehicles are Roadsport-spec models, meaning there’s enough comfort for long-distance excursions and weather protection should the elements decide to turn.  

With its distinctive handling characteristics, the Caterham Seven is unlike anything else on the road. Its direct, race-inspired steering, alert throttle response and astonishing manoeuvrability unite to provide an unrivalled driver experience.

Priced from £175 for one day’s hire (including 120 free miles) or £325 for two days (including 240 free miles), vehicles can also be loaned from Friday to Monday.

Please visit http://www.caterham.co.uk or call 01883 333 700 for more information.