Wednesday, October 31, 2007
motogp.com 2007 Phillip Island Paddock Girl Pics
Source: motogp.com
Gotta love the champaign celebrations at motorsport events when the grid girls aren't quick enough to get away! Here is some great pics from motogp.com of the aussie round of MotoGP at Phillip Island from a few weeks ago. Thumbs up to motogp.com too! Great quality high resolutions pics they have on their site. Go check out the website.
titomedia.com 2007 Miss Indy On The Track Pics
Source: titomedia.com
Photographer: George Wallace
Here is some hot pics of the Miss Indy ladies on the track from good old titomedia.com. Awesome!
Volkswagen Passat R GT Concept
It’s the dream of every high-performance tuner to transform that excellence into the extraordinary, to create exhilarating answers to the question, “What if…?”
Volkswagen shares this drive to push the dynamic and aesthetic boundaries of its vehicles. The vast network of engineers and designers within VW’s worldwide reach never need to be urged to challenge conventional wisdom, and this philosophy is reflected not only in the unique character of VW’s production vehicles, it’s also fully displayed in a stunning ultra-high-performance Passat R GT built for SEMA 2005 in combination with HPA Motorsports.
The Passat R GT is not just flights of fancy branding. The badging on this one-off tells a story of advanced platforms enriched with strategic applications of factory and aftermarket expertise.
The Passat R GT was born from a European-spec 2006 Passat 3.2 V6 FSI with DSG transmission and 4MOTION all-wheel drive. A rewarding runner in its own right, the European Passat 3.2’s powerful engine, world-beating transmission and all-wheel grip provide an excellent basis for a SEMA special. The mechanical transformation by HPA resulted in dynamics that launch the Passat R GT into supercar dimensions, and its sleek, entirely modern bodywork was given the muscular look of a highly toned European high-performance sedan by Volkswagen designers.
Modifications begin with a twin-turbo conversion package that features dual exhaust manifolds, each carrying a Garrett GT25R ball-bearing turbocharger. Charge cooling is optimized by twin intercoolers, and the exhaust gases pass through a quad bypass emissions system that retains the stock catalytic converters. It boasts an extraordinary output of 575 horsepower and massive torque to match.
The Passat R GT's track-prepped chassis is suspended by a KW Variant 3-way coil-over racing setup, and the required upgraded braking is supplied by the Brembo-supplied system available on the Phaeton. The Passat R GT rides on the same high-performance Michelin radials as fitted to the Jetta R GT, as well as the forged-aluminum Avus alloy wheels. HPA also modified the DSG gearbox for more revs between each upshift to match the engine’s increased output.
Volkswagen’s California design studio chose gleaming candy white paint to clothe the modified bodywork, consisting of new front and rear bumper fascias and side rocker panels. Contrasting black leather cloaks the interior, offset by touches of white piano lacquer trim, a white Apple iPod module up front and a white Sony PSP in the rear. Of course, befitting a car that can cross Europe in hours, it features VW’s highest-quality sound system and full navigation.
Volkswagen Golf GTI by Abt
“Anybody driving a Golf GTI has nothing to explain.” This is an advertisement slogan for the latest baby from Wolfsburg. But this will hardly apply for drivers of the Golf GTI by Abt. When stopping at a motorway service area they will have to provide information to nosy observers about the origin of the super sports car from Kempten. Because already at first glance the origin becomes clear – a complete body kit inclusive front spoiler lip manufactured in carbon fibre, side skirts, rear skirt and a rear muffler with four chrome end pipes make sure of this.
Under the body shell – the bonnet of the exhibition vehicle in Essen is made of carbon fibre – the handwriting of the engineers and designers from Kempten continues: the power of the innately fast 2.0T FSI power unit increases to 230 bhp (147 to 170 kW) after the power cure and inherits snappy propulsion with 229 lb-ft. So that it doesn’t all only run smoothly in forward motion, the Golf GTI by Abt is equipped with an Abt sport brake system.
The Abt sport suspension kit which is not only adjustable in height but also in rebound and pressure makes sure of optimal road holding on Europe’s motor ways. So therefore the Golf GTI by Abt is optimally equipped and prepared for every challenge on the roads. The awarded Abt sport wheels SP1 in the size 8.5 x 19 inch with corresponding tires of partner Dunlop ensure perfect contact between technology and asphalt.
The responsible persons at Abt Sportsline deal with power and sportiness in the same way as they go about setting further discreet optical exclamation marks on their new top sports car: the marked Abt logo is positioned on the steering wheel and on the rear, also the Recaro sport seats and the GTI floor mats in the interior are provided with the three letters.
One detail which is presented in Essen for the first time, for sure will be topic of conversation – not only when meeting on motor ways: Abt Sportsline has developed swing doors for its version of the GTI. A connection to motor sport where the motor sport team from Kempten once again presented itself as one of the most successful German teams in the current season: For the first time the Bavarians clinched the team title in the DTM.
Volkswagen R32 Stage II by HPA Motorsports
Stage I
The R32 factory engineers have beefed up clutch components, enlarged the exhaust diameters, throttle bodies and the valve train over previous 24v configurations. With this in mind, HPA Motorsports designed Stage 1 system to retain the stock catalytic converters, clutch assembly and exhaust system.
Fully upgradeable, the stage I offers a driving sensation associated with most exotics without the exotics price.
Component list:
- 1 bar (14.5 psi) boost
- 2 Hybrid KKK K04 turbochargers with oversized exhaust housings
- Velocity tuned HGP Exhaust Manifolds
- Twin 52 mm Down pipes
- Compression reducing head plate (8.0:1)
- Hi-Flow HGP cast aluminum Intake Manifold
- Dual Side mount intercoolers
- Proprietary Silicon Boost piping
- Proprietary Hi-Flow formed Silicon and Stainless piping
- Hi flow fuel injectors
- Hi-Flow Mass Airflow sensor
- Hi-Flow secondary fuel pump
- Re-tuned factory ECU
- Proprietary Electronic boost controller
Price: $24,000
Install: $2,500
Building on the components used in the Stage I, Stage II grows the performance figures outside the believable realm. Tested on pump gas, Motortrend pealed off a 3.2 seconds 0-60 mph and an 11.4 seconds 1 mile. Being able to launch the R32 at nearly 6000RPM requires HPA Motorsports' special dual ceramic clutch and the motor breaths through a sensational 3.5” exhaust system. HPA Motorsports' Race catalytic converters break down the exhaust gases, while race grade connecting rod bearings ensure the longevity of the bottom end.
Component list (plus all Stage I components):
- 1.3 bar (19 psi) boost
- Upgraded 70 mm Down pipes
- Twin Hi-Flow Race Grade Catalytic converters
- 3.5” (88mm) Exhaust system with Special secondary bypass valve
- Proprietary Race Grade connecting rod Bearings
- Upgraded ECU program
- Upgraded fuel pressure regulator
- Choice of dual ceramic or Super sport clutch and flywheel assembly
Price: $35,900
Install: $3,500
A 600 bhp Stage III version is also available.
Subaru Impreza WRC Concept 2007
Richard Taylor, Subaru World Rally Team managing director, commented: "We are on schedule with development of the 2008 car and the first body shell will be completed within a matter of weeks. We aim to be running the car in the last quarter of this year, and its competitive debut will be decided by the progress of testing and also that of the current car."
Nissan Micra R Concept
From bonnet to boot the R is unlike any Nissan Micra ever produced. For a start you won’t be able to lift the lid on its remarkable performance by looking under the bonnet; all you’ll see is a radiator and fuel tank. And you won’t be able to carry anything on the back seats or in the boot because that’s where a 265 bhp fully race-prepared engine sits.
While maintaining the distinct shape and friendly persona of the standard Micra, the R has the squat stance and purposeful poise of a sporting thoroughbred along with performance that matches its looks. There’s a 0-60 mph time of under five seconds and a top speed in excess of 150 mph.
Inside, the stripped racing car-style cockpit features sculpted Sabelt racing seats, five-point safety harnesses and the kind of touches you’d expect in any competition car such as a visible engine Electronic Control Unit, prominent fire extinguisher and hi-tech digital dash display.
But this is no Sunday fun car. It might be strictly a one-off, designed and built with performance driving in mind, but it can be everyday transport too. Chief designer Christopher Reitz added: "It’s very easy to build a £500,000 car if you’re doing everything from scratch. We wanted to do something that was a dream car but that you didn’t have to win the lottery to able to afford. Take the example of the Mini Cooper S in the Sixties. It was a successful competition car but it wasn’t too expensive if you wanted to own one."
Affordable it might be but one thing’s certain: it won’t just be hot-hatch owners who will be drooling with envy; the Micra R will give supercar drivers something to think about too. And Reitz would like to see it in competition as well. "I think it would be great to have a one-make series," he said. "If you provide cars that are all equal as well as safe and fun to drive the skill of the driver starts to become more important than it is in many areas of motorsport."
With the engine now sitting where the rear seats and fuel tank are usually located, RML has used all its experience to make the Micra R into a reliable and viable every day machine. To cool the engine, a radiator from an Almera 2.2 dCi has been slotted beneath the bonnet and cleverly the engineers have used the now redundant exhaust tunnels beneath the body to fit cooling ducts. Integrated with a touring car style aerodynamic ‘splitter’ at the front these ducts ensure that the engine can be fed with more than enough cool air to keep it performing at its peak.