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    Jim’s Javelin – Shannons Sharp New TCM Tool 

    by
    Tom
    Published on 02-02-2012 07:07 AM
    Categories:
    1. Local
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    • Richards debuts Shannons Javelin at Clipsal
    • 30-month project to develop new TCM front-runner
    • TCM newcomer generates huge interest with enthusiasts
    It has taken 30 months to complete, but Jim Richards says the Shannons 1972 AMC Javelin sedan he will debut at Adelaide’s Clipsal 500 opening round of 2012 Touring Car Masters on March 4 is the finest racing car he has even built.


    As an ardent admirer of Penske Racing and champion American driver Mark Donohue, who together dominated Trans Am racing with Javelins in the early 1970s, the distinctively styled AMC ‘Pony Car’ was Richards’ first choice as a potential successor to his very successful Shannons Falcon Sprint


    “We wanted something different that would interest spectators, but would also be in the Shannons mould,” said Richards. “The Javelin ticked all the boxes.”


    As only 178 Javelins were sold in Australia by then-distributors AMI, Richards began his search in mid-2008 by looking at US cars on the Internet.


    “However it turned out that the uncle of one of my team members was an enthusiast with four or five of them and I picked this car up almost around the corner in North Melbourne!” he said.”


    The exhaustive process of turning the former road car into a TCM front runner began mid-2009 and involved stripping the Javelin of every nut and bolt and then rebuilding it methodically to the TCM regulations, employing proven racecar technology.


    Richards said the project had taken him and former Gibson Motorsport Crew Chief Bruce Tyson some time to complete because his small team had been focussed on getting the most out of the Shannons Falcon Sprint, which rewarded them when Richards became the 2010 Touring Car Masters champion.


    “We believe it has been worth taking our time,” said Richards after the car’s first shakedown at Melbourne’s Calder Raceway. “The Javelin is a step up from the Falcon in every way and all the lessons we have learned from four decades of racing touring cars have gone into it.”

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    Audi Unveils Bathurst 12 Hour Livery 

    by
    Tom
    Published on 31-01-2012 07:02 PM
    Categories:
    1. Local
    2. Audi
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    • Two Phoenix Racing Audi R8 LMS race cars to take on a distinctly Australian appearance
    • Australian drivers to compete in the ‘Redback Spider’
    • International drivers to compete in the ‘Kangaroo’
    Two familiar Australian icons will adorn the Team Phoenix Audi R8 LMS race cars for this year’s Bathurst 12 Hour event.

    The Audi R8 LMS will return to Mount Panorama on February 24-26 to defend its 2011 Bathurst 12 Hour title under the cover of two famous Australian animals. The pair of Team Phoenix Audi R8 LMS race cars will be disguised as a ‘Redback Spider’ and a ‘Kangaroo’.

    Australian drivers Craig Lowndes, Warren Luff and Mark Eddy will be driving a white R8 LMS, complete with a graphic of a ‘Redback Spider’ sitting in a black web that covers the entire surface of the car. The International team of Christer Jöns, Christopher Mies and Darryl O’Young will race a black R8 LMS, with the world famous yellow traffic sign that depicts a kangaroo reproduced on the bodywork.
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    The New 2012 DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé 

    by
    Tom
    Published on 17-09-2011 08:55 AM
    Categories:
    1. International
    2. Mercedes
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    • Mercedes-Benz will race the DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé based on the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé in the 2012 DTM season
    • New, improved safety concept with state-of-the-art carbon fibre monocoque, a high-strength steel roll cage and six crash structures
    Mercedes-Benz chose the IAA International Motor Show in Frankfurt to present the new 2012 DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé. The new car is the successor to the AMG Mercedes C-Class, which scored 84 victories in 156 races to become the most successful vehicle in the 27-year history of the DTM. HWA AG began development, design and construction of the DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé in June 2010. The first chassis was assembled in June 2011, with the first vehicle completed in August.
    The DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé was designed to meet the new and improved safety concept for 2012, which includes a state-of-the-art carbon fibre monocoque and a roll cage made of high strength steel. In order to improve driver protection in the event of an accident, all safety-related components such as the fire extinguishing system and fuel tank have been incorporated into the monocoque. Furthermore, each vehicle is equipped with six crash structures to give the driver additional protection to the front, rear and sides. These carbon fibre crash structures are designed to gradually absorb impact energy, so that the driver is not exposed to high deceleration forces.
    The new safety concept was developed jointly by rights holder and promoter ITR e.V., the DMSB and the three manufacturers – Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. In order to verify the performance of the DTM safety concept, the DMSB developed a test programme, which was carried out and analyzed by DEKRA, the independent testing organization. All tests were completed without any problems.
    The new DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé is based on the latest Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé, which celebrated its world premiere in summer 2011. The C-Class Coupé rounds off Mercedes-Benz best-selling range and is offered with a choice of five engines – two diesel and three petrol units – developing from 115 kW (156 hp) to 225 kW (306 hp). The C-Class Coupé is manufactured at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen. It’s the fourth model to be built on a single production line alongside the saloon and estate versions, plus GLK – a new production method for Daimler.
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    The BMW 3 Series: An Unparalleled Career in Motorsports 

    by
    Tom
    Published on 17-09-2011 06:47 AM
    Categories:
    1. Local
    2. International
    3. BMW
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    A glance in racing speed at the milestones of the unprecedented motorsport career of the BMW 3 Series.

    Over the 5 generations since its launch, the BMW 3 Series has enjoyed a most impressive career. This applies to its market success, but also especially to its career in motorsports. During the past 35 years, the 3 Series models with their characteristic compact dimensions, dynamic engines and sporty suspension have contributed considerably towards dynamic performance and the brand's excellent reputation on the racetrack. With such attributes, BMW's midrange model is ideally suited for successful use in motorsports in particular. With its return in 2012 to the DTM, a top motorsport category, BMW intends to replicate its earlier successes with the BMW M3 DTM now currently under development.

    A start with a bang: BMW 320i for the BMW Junior Team.

    The BMW 3 Series Sedan of the first generation had been on the market for just two years when it caused an incredible sensation on the racetrack. The task was to render the new series a flagship of the brand in terms of sportiness through its successful deployment in motor sports. The BMW Motorsport GmbH, which was established in 1972, developed the BMW 3 Series with the greatest consistency into a so-called Group 5 racing touring car in accordance with an extremely sophisticated technical regulation. The car was powered by a proven racing engine – the 2-litre four-cylinder power unit with four valves per cylinder, which had dominated Formula 2 racing for several years and already boasted 300 hp when first deployed in the BMW 3 racing car. Trimmed for good road holding by means of lightweight construction, torsional stiffness and huge wings at the front and rear, the three exclusively painted cars for the BMW Junior Team (comprising young talents Manfred Winkelhock, Marc Surer and Eddie Cheever) were the main topic of discussion during their first race at the Belgian Grand Prix racetrack in Zolder on 13 March 1977. But when one of the three BMW juniors, Marc Surer from Switzerland, went ahead of the established competition, eventually going on to win the race, the sensation was perfect. The BMW 3 Series had got off to a storybook start on the racetrack.

    During this first season and in the following years, the path to victory in its class always led via the BMW 3 Series racing touring car. It was deployed in countless national championships and at the end of the season the champion in those days was usually a BMW driver. Time after time, leading racing drivers such as Hans-Joachim Stuck or Ronnie Peterson demonstrated their extraordinary talents in this racing car. 3 Series cars in the Group 5 were also successfully deployed in the Manufacturer World Championship.

    In 1978, the German Racing Championship was won by a turbo version deployed by the Team Schnitzer from Freilassing. Incidentally, it was a 1.4-litre, 410 hp BMW works car also featuring this technology that encouraged advocates of an idea how to accomplish even greater deeds: The engine of this BMW 3 Series was, so to speak, the predecessor to the power unit with which, in 1983, the Brazilian Nelson Piquet became the first „turbo world champion' in Formula 1 racing history driving a Brabham BMW. The spectacular chapter of Group 5 racing cars drew to a close in 1982, but the next chapter in the history of BMW 3 Series motorsport had already been opened.
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    Audi Presents the New A5 DTM 

    by
    Tom
    Published on 13-09-2011 07:53 PM
    Categories:
    1. International
    2. Audi
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    • World debut at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt
    • Testing of the new DTM vehicle has begun
    • Reduction of costs by up to 40 percent
    On the eve of the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt Audi presented its new DTM vehicle: After the V8 quattro (1990 to 1992) and the A4 (2004 to 2011) the brand with the four rings has opted to use a two-door coupe in the most popular international touring car series for the first time.

    The new Audi A5 DTM, which bears the internal project name ‘R17’ at Audi Sport, conforms to the new Technical Regulations that will come into effect in the 2012 season. The project was premised on three key aims: the safety of the vehicles, reduction of the costs by up to 40 percent and a spectacular exterior design.

    IAA visitors will have the opportunity to get a first-hand impression of the new car’s look at the Audi Hall from September 13th to 25th. The Audi A5 DTM appears lower and sturdier than its successful predecessor with which Audi has won four of the last seven DTM titles. Underneath the body, which is completely made of carbon, a new type of chassis features a hybrid construction. The combination of a carbon fibre monocoque and steel cage sets new standards in terms of safety for a race touring car. In addition, the chassis is one of more than 50 components which are identical for all DTM vehicles.

    "Due to these shared components it was possible to achieve the cost reduction target of up to 40 percent without compromising on the safety and attractiveness of the DTM vehicles," explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, who has been in charge of the new Audi A5 DTM development.

    The A5 DTM is 5.01 metres long, 1.95 metres wide and 1.15 metres low. The wheelbase of all DTM vehicles is identical, i.e. 2,750 millimetres. Like its predecessor, the A5 DTM is powered by a V8 engine with an output of approximately 340 kW. The six-speed transmission, now pneumatically operated using paddle shifters in the steering wheel, is a new development. The shifts are more precise compared with conventional manual gearshifts and allow the mileage of the unit to be quadrupled to up to 24,000 kilometres.
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    BMW M3 DTM Concept Car Celebrates Debut in Munich – Priaulx and Farfus Line Up for BMW Motorsport in 2012 

    by
    Tom
    Published on 18-07-2011 10:31 AM
    Categories:
    1. International
    2. BMW
    Article Preview

    Just two weeks after the official roll-out of the new racing car for the 2012 DTM season, BMW presented the BMW M3 DTM Concept Car. Dr. Klaus Draeger, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for development, and BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt unveiled the car on Friday evening in the Double Cone building at Munich’s BMW Welt. As part of the DTM event in the Olympic Stadium, the BMW M3 DTM Concept Car will be on show to motorsport fans and visitors to BMW Welt at the weekend.

    The car offers an initial impression of what the BMW M3 DTM will look like when it lines up at the start of the 2012 season. However, the vehicle was not the only star of the evening at BMW Welt: BMW Motorsport also presented the first two drivers to be confirmed as wearing the company colours in the DTM as of next season – Andy Priaulx (GB) and Augusto Farfus (BR). Furthermore, the first partners of BMW Motorsport for 2012 were introduced.

    “It is good to see how our DTM project is picking up speed,” said Dr. Draeger. ”Next year, BMW returns to the DTM after two decades. We will be facing our main competitors in the premium sector – and are already looking forward to this challenge. The DTM comeback sees BMW return to its roots. We have enjoyed great success in production car racing in the past, and I am convinced we will follow on in 2012 where we left off. Everyone at BMW Motorsport is working hard to ensure we get off to a successful start next season.”

    Marquardt added: “Getting a new racing programme up and running is a bit like doing a jigsaw. New pieces are added almost every day, and we must put them together to create the big picture. The BMW M3 DTM Concept Car is an important milestone on our route to the start of the 2012 season. The roll-out of the car was successful, and we are now starting our test programme out on the track. Drivers Andy Priaulx and Augusto Farfus are also involved and will form part of our driving line-up in 2012. Their impressive performances in touring car and GT racing make them ideally suited to the DTM, and we are sure they will leave their mark on this series too. It is obviously just as important to have strong partners on board, and we were able to present some of them today. The pieces are fitting together perfectly, so we can definitely say: our preparations for the 2012 season are going according to plan.”
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    Touring Car Racing as it Used to Be 

    by
    Tom
    Published on 01-07-2011 05:43 AM
    Categories:
    1. Local
    2. CAMS
    Article Preview

    Winton Festival of Speed brings back Rolling Starts and Pit stops

    Touring Car devotees will be able to journey back in time to witness tin-top racing ‘as it used to be’ at the second annual Festival of Speed staged on the Winton Long Circuit over the August 13-14 weekend.

    Organised jointly by the Victorian Historic Racing Register (VHRR) and the Winton Raceway, one of the highlights of the Festival of Speed will be a Group N historic touring car race complete with a rolling start and a pit stop.

    The 20-lap Shannons ‘Rose City Touring Car Trophy’ for cars under and over 3.0 litres will be a mini endurance event lasting almost half an hour that is guaranteed to generate plenty of excitement.

    For added interest there will be a top-10 shoot out to establish grid positions for the Trophy event.

    The touring car race will augment the Rose City 10,000, a re-enactment of the 1978 open-wheel race for the big Formula 5000 V8 racing cars that was won by former Formula One World Champion James Hunt.

    The 2011 re-creation will be run as two separate 10-lap races with an hour’s break in between. This will help with reliability.

    The Festival’s Race Committee Chairman, Ian Ross, said the modern re-creation of the Rose City 10,000 would be even more exciting than the original event, which was run on the old ‘short track’. As well as the main event, the Formula 5000s will have a 30- minute qualifying session, plus an eight-lap race.

    “With the Long Track’s two additional long straights, we expect the F5000 ‘big bangers’ to reach some awesome speeds, further enhancing the spectacle of noise and power,” he said.

    The organisers are hoping to attract a field of at least a dozen of the 5.0-litre open wheelers, which in their heyday were every bit as popular as their touring car brothers.

    The second ‘Festival of Speed’ has already attracted considerable interest from historic racers and the final list is expected to eclipse that of 2010.
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