Autoblog

Essen 2009: 1,050-hp 1956 Mercedes Gullwing drag car

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Mercedes-Benz, Misc. Auto Shows, Specialty

Gullwing dragster - Click above for high-res image gallery

This ungainly little creature had an area all to itself at this year's Essen Motor Show. Built over four years by Swiss drag racer Stefan Winter - who is a roofer by trade - the most important thing to say is this: Winter did not mangle a genuine 1956 Mercedes 300 SL to create this beast, and we can thank all the gods that be for that. He copied the body in fiberglass and placed it over a tube chassis, hiding a small block Chevy in front that's been bored out to 422 cubic inches.

With modified pistons, crankshaft, cylinder heads, and a bit more black-art-ness, the gullwinged monster puts 1,050 horsepower to the ground through a 3-speed transmission and rear tires 15 inches across. The 1/4-mile rolls off in 8.1 seconds at 166 mph. If nothing else, at that speed he shouldn't have any problem with keeping the car's interior cool, a problem the originals were known for...

Gallery: Essen 2009: Mercedes Gullwing Dragster

[Source: Das Auto Blog (translated) via Autoblog.nl]

Essen 2009: 1,050-hp 1956 Mercedes Gullwing drag car originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Serbian team reportedly in talks to take over Toyota F1

Noah Joseph — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota

Reports of Toyota F1's demise may prove to have been exaggerated as the latest rumors from the racing world suggest that the Japanese automaker is in discussions with a Serbian outfit about taking over the Cologne-based racing team.

Stefan Grand Prix is backed by Serbian engineering firm AMCO and headed by one Zoran Stefanovic, who, like N.Technology, filed an official complaint over the FIA's selection process for new teams. His suit was rejected, but Stefanovic remained determined. The departure of Toyota from the scene and the availability of its assets - including its 2010 car design and the all-important entry slot for next year's championship - may prove to be his way in. The deal could involve Toyota sticking around to supply engines for the next few years, and Kamui Kobayashi could be part of the package, operating from the current facility in Cologne, Germany, until the move to Serbia could be completed.

For its part, Toyota is likely trying to find a way to get around its commitments under the Concorde Agreement to remain in the series, the failure of which to honor could cost Toyota hundreds of millions in fines. Meanwhile if Stefan Grand Prix manages to pull it off, they'll have successfully circumnavigated the allegedly flawed selection process and secured their spot on the grid. Stefanovic denies the prospect of his outfit simply stepping in to Toyota's place, but confirmed that negotiations are under way.

Meanwhile Sauber - which just reacquired itself from BMW in the wake of the failed Qadbak deal - was hoping Toyota would default on its agreement, thereby giving them the green light. If the Stefan deal goes through, Sauber could be locked out, unless the powers-that-be opt to let them in as an unprecedented 14th entry.

[Source: F1-Live | Image: Clive Mason/Getty]

Serbian team reportedly in talks to take over Toyota F1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Danica Patrick signs multi-year deal to stay in IRL with restructured Andretti Autosport

Noah Joseph — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs

There are plenty of reasons why Danica Patrick stays in the news. If it's not her famous temper, photo shoots for Sports Illustrated or racy television commercials, it's her impressive results on the race track. She is, after all, the first woman to win an Indy race and, after finishing third at the Brickyard this year, the most successful woman to race the Indy 500. But lately the news has centered over the future of her racing career.

Rumors first began to pop up that Danica could move on up to Formula One, initially linked with Honda and then with USF1 before Bernie Ecclestone put his foot in his mouth. Again. Most recently, however, Danica's been tipped to switch to NASCAR. But with the latest announcement, those rumors have been quashed. Well, sorta.

Announced live today in Times Square on ABC's Good Morning America, Danica has signed a "multi-year" deal (tipped to be three years) to stay in the IndyCar Series with Michael Andretti's team. The four-car squad is restructuring this year, with partners Kim Green and Kevin Savoree splitting off the race promotion arm (responsible for the races in St Petersburg and Toronto), while Michael Andretti stays on to manage the team that drops the Andretti Green Racing moniker in favor of Andretti Autosport. GoDaddy.com has signed on to continue its sponsorship of Danica's No. 7 car. Tony Kanaan and Marco Andretti are locked into long-term deals for two of the other cars, while the fourth car is expected to go to former Rookie of the Year and race winner Ryan Hunter-Reay.

The announcement of Danica's extended contract would seem to put an end to the NASCAR rumors for at least the next three years, but reports still suggest that the talented Miss Patrick could run a parallel schedule in the second-tier Nationwide Series while contesting the full IndyCar calendar as well. Busy beaver indeed.

[Source: Andretti Autosport]

Continue reading Danica Patrick signs multi-year deal to stay in IRL with restructured Andretti Autosport

Danica Patrick signs multi-year deal to stay in IRL with restructured Andretti Autosport originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canadian GP back on F1 calendar through 2014

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:18:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Canada

It's official, Formula 1 and Montreal are in love again. Bernie Ecclestone's supersonic price increases in 2008 drove the Canadian venue (and North America entirely) off the map in 2009. It was the first time in three decades that the F1 club didn't visit Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, and by the end of this summer, everyone was highly motivated to get it back.

When Ecclestone's original demand of $175 million Canadian ($165M U.S.) over five years became $75 million Canadian, ($71M U.S.), the Montreal, Quebec, and Canadian governments got together to split the cost three ways. When the government's commitment to spend such an amount on a sporting event was questioned, Quebec's minister of finance replied that the GP will cost Quebec $4 million but return $10 million to its coffers alone. On top of that, Ecclestone promised them 30% of ticket sales every year, which, for a hugely popular grand prix, should be a substantial number. Vive le Montreal GP and June 13, 2010! Thanks to everyone who submitted tips

[Source: F1 Live | Photo credit: Vinod Sankar via CC2.0]

Canadian GP back on F1 calendar through 2014 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Volkswagen ponders becoming F1 engine supplier in 2012

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 12:19:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Volkswagen

There have been rumblings about VW getting into F1 by signing up with a specific team, but the chatter was always quashed. This time, reports suggest that VW is actively talking up the idea of getting into Formula 1 after 2012, but as an engine supplier to multiple teams. Hans-Joachim Stuck, VW's motorsports head, said with the way F1 engine regulations are going -- especially with costs and the potential of the "world engine" -- it could be the perfect opportunity for VW to start pumping out powerplants.

While future F1 regulations are still undefined, and VW's eventual entry into the series is by no means guaranteed, it's clear that VW's looking for ways to show off its engineering chops and get its name onto tracks. Stuck recently visited a NASCAR race and spoke about the company looking to get into the GrandAm series, and perhaps IndyCar.

Interestingly, the very conditions that Stuck sees as favorable for VW's entry are the ones that a number of F1 teams and fans are, at best, ambivalent about: substantially lower costs, spec engines, and more than 24 teams on the grid. With a new FIA president, what F1 is going to look like after 2012 is almost completely unknown. Hat tip to Stefano

[Source: Autosport]

Rumormill: Volkswagen ponders becoming F1 engine supplier in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Nov 2009 12:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bring the Noise: Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps reportedly safe... for now

Noah Joseph — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:25:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Government/Legal

Following earlier news that the Donington track, which was supposed to take over the British Grand Prix in lieu of Silverstone, had to declare bankruptcy comes a reversal of fortune for the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. The longtime host of the Belgian Grand Prix looked to be in serious trouble with local authorities when nearby residents got fed up with the noise emanating from the track. Government officials threatened to shut down the circuit if the situation wasn't addressed, but now they appear to be singing a different tune.

According to the latest reports, the regional environment ministry has given Spa an exemption from noise regulations in light of the economic benefits the Belgian Grand Prix brings to the region. There are a few conditions, though. First of all, while they're willing to overlook the noise issue for the F1 race (and possibly a few other events), authorities will crack down at other times, even shutting down the track completely during parts of the summer. Beyond that, they've appointed a third party to monitor the noise levels, warning the track owners that their exemption will be up for review again within two years. So, while race organizers and fans can breathe a sigh of relief, it'll be a short breath, proving once again that racing and bureaucrats don't mix.

[Source: Autocar | Image: Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty]

Bring the Noise: Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps reportedly safe... for now originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevron staging a comeback with new GR8

Noah Joseph — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, UK, Specialty, MISC

The history of the British automobile is littered with dozens upon dozens of small, independent cottage-industry automakers. Names like Lotus, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Land Rover have stood the test of time. And in recent years companies like Ascari, McLaren Automotive and Ariel have sprung up to join the fold. (Heck, Lee Noble's been responsible for half of them.) But for every new automaker that sets up shop in the UK, there are dozens more that have faded into the night: carmakers like Triumph, Sunbeam, AC, Austin-Healey and TVR. But one is making a comeback.

Founded by Derek Bennett in 1965, Chevron Cars produced more than 60 distinct racing cars over the course of its history. But the Lancaster-based automaker has long since faded into obscurity. The marque now belongs to Westfield Sportscars, purveyors of Lotus 7 continuation cars, which is now preparing to bring back the Chevron with the design you see here.

The new Chevron GR8 is being developed as the spiritual successor to the original G8, a lightweight mid-engine race car built in the late '60s. The new car follows the same formula: a fiberglass body over a steel spaceframe with a 255hp 2.0-liter Cosworth engine mounted right in the middle. That might not sound like a lot of power, but the target curb weight of 1,322 pounds promises to keep the power to weight ratio on the fun side.

Chevron is planning an initial run of 20 examples, each to be sold for £49,500 (about $82k). They'll all be earmarked towards the GR8 Challenge, a new one-make racing series. After that, Chevron plans to turn the GR8 into a track-day special available for public consumption, but does not plan to make a road-going version. Which is a shame, because as many that spring up every so many years, we never get tired of British sportscars.

[Source: Chevron via PistonHeads]

Chevron staging a comeback with new GR8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW reaches agreement to sell F1 team back to founder Peter Sauber

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, BMW

The future of Sauber F1 looks a little more secure. After BMW's announcement earlier this year that it would withdraw from its involvement in Formula one at the end of the 2009, the automaker has reached a deal to sell the team back to eponymous founder Peter Sauber.

The new deal comes just days after it became clear that the previously unknown Qadbak investment company that had a deal to buy the team may have in fact been nothing more than a scam. According to previous reports, Qadbak apparently just wanted to collect Sauber's share of the F1 commercial money.

Peter Sauber has apparently raised the financing to buy back the team he sold to BMW in 2005 although the announcement does not disclose the purchase price. The team is being restructured in accordance with new F1 rules designed to bring down costs, and the staff at team headquarters will be cut from the current 388 to 250, with the first batch of layoff notices landing in inboxes today.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW reaches agreement to sell F1 team back to founder Peter Sauber

BMW reaches agreement to sell F1 team back to founder Peter Sauber originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW continues curtailing racing programs

Noah Joseph — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, BMW

BMW 320si WTCC, BMW-Sauber F1.07 and Formula BMW FB02 - Click above for high-res image gallery

What would BMW be without racing? We could be about to find out if recent developments are any indication. The Bavarian automaker competed in F1, the World Touring Car Championship and various sportscar series, while running its own Formula BMW feeder series that has helped breed such talents as Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel. The automaker announced its withdrawal from Formula One at the end of this year, and reports now indicate that they'll be severely curtailing their participation in the World Touring Car Championship as well.

BMW mounted a concerted comeback effort in the WTCC this year, only to narrowly lose out again to SEAT. Whether the decision is directly related to the upset or not is unclear, but reports out of Europe say that BMW will be reducing the number of its cars in the championship next year from five to two. That means eliminating the national teams system it had in place, consolidating and putting its WTCC-spec 320si in the hands of Team Schnitzer (the erstwhile BMW Team Germany), which gains triple champion Andy Priaulx from BMW Team UK to partner with multiple race winner Augusto Farfus. Two-time CART champion and double amputee Alex Zanardi, who was racing for BMW Team Italy-Spain, is moving to the Superstars Series. (Touring car fans should also note that SEAT's 2008 champion Yvan Muller is moving to Chevrolet to replace the retiring former F1 driver Nicola Larini.)

What remains to be seen is whether BMW will continue cutting its racing activities in other series as well, or if they'll have cut enough expenditures from their F1 and WTCC programs to let its sportscar programs and Formula BMW survive the cutbacks.

Gallery: BMW 320si WTCC

[Source: OmniAuto.it]

BMW continues curtailing racing programs originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ALMS champs Highcroft to run updated LMP2 Acura in 2010

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Acura

Highcroft Racing Acura ARX-02a - click above for high-res image gallery

2010 is bringing some changes to the class lineup in the American Le Mans Series, and defending LMP1 champions Highcroft Racing are adjusting. The new structure will combine the former P1 and P2 classes at all races except for Sebring and Petit Le Mans. As a result, Highcroft will campaign a new evolution of Acura's original ARX-01 P2 car dubbed 01c. Highcroft has been part of the Acura ALMS program since its inception in 2006 and is slated to continue in 2010 as the lead development squad.

According to Highcroft spokesman Paul Ryan, the team plans to run only the 01c in 2010, and at this point, only one car is confirmed. If the team can line up sufficient sponsorship, a second 01c may be added to the program.

ALMS spokesman Bob Dickinson has informed Autoblog that the final technical rules for 2010 are still being ironed out by sanctioning body IMSA, but in all likelihood, existing P1 and P2 cars will run together in a common class with weight and restrictor adjustments for equivalency.

At this time, we also don't know the fate of the other two Acura teams, de Ferran Motorsports and Fernandez Racing - or the ARX-02a. The last we heard, Fernandez is still looking for 2010 funding and may end up dropping out while de Ferran previously announced an expansion into IndyCar for 2010. Given Gil de Ferran's longstanding relationship with Honda, we would expect to see an ARX-01c in de Ferran colors next season. For its part, Honda Performance Development couldn't tell us anything about Acura's 2010 plans beyond what Highcroft has already announced. According to HPD spokesman T.E. McHale, plans are still being finalized and an announcement is planned for early December,

Gallery: Highcroft Racing Acura ARX-02a at Mid-Ohio 2009

[Source: American Le Mans Series]
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

ALMS champs Highcroft to run updated LMP2 Acura in 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Williams sells minority stake to Austrian investor

Noah Joseph — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:55:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Earnings/Financials

With all the money that goes into running an F1 team, and the limited opportunity to make any of it back, we can't see why anyone would view owning a team as a sound investment. Evidently Herr Toto Wollf feels otherwise, as the Austrian financier and gentleman racing driver has acquired a minority interest in Williams Grand Prix Engineering.

This marks the first time in over 30 years of operations that Frank Williams and Patrick Head, the two team principals, have sold shares to an outside party. For his part, Sir Frank insists that business will carry on as usual, that they're not relinquishing control over the team, and that the sale was simply a way of ensuring the team's financial viability. Tellingly, though, he also indicated that Wolff, some 30 years younger than Williams and Head and the veteran of local rallies and international sportscar racing, could take the reins some day in the future.

The announcement comes hot on the heels of reports that Renault - once Williams engine partner during its heyday - was considering a similar move. Follow the jump to read the official announcement, complete with Toto Wolff's bio.

[Source: Williams]

Continue reading Williams sells minority stake to Austrian investor

Williams sells minority stake to Austrian investor originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Big Deal? VW racing chief, F1 drivers visit Homestead for NASCAR season-closer

Noah Joseph — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Volkswagen

This year's Sprint Cup was awarded this past weekend at Homestead, where Jimmie Johnson scored his record fourth consecutive championship with a fifth-place finish behind race winner Denny Hamlin. (Oh yeah, "spoiler alert".) Anyway, on to the interesting part: the oval speedway had some unlikely German visitors for the series finale, leading the motorsport press and the fans to begin asking questions.

The Volkswagen Group's head of motorsports Hans-Joachim Stuck was reportedly among the spectators at Homestead this past weekend, and took a few visible meetings with NASCAR officials. But Stuck was quick to dispel any rumors. Although he kvelled over the purity of the spectacle that NASCAR offers, Stuck said that convincing the bean counters back in Wolfsburg that stock car racing made sense for them would be a tough sell.

If you think it would be an even tougher sell to fans, consider that VW's new plant in Chatanooga, Tennessee, could be only the first step in an increasing American presence for the German automaker, and that Toyota may have already prepared the ground for foreign makes to enter the series.

Meanwhile Stuck did confirm ongoing negotiations over the German auto group's potential participation in the Grand Am sportscar series, also owned by NASCAR's France family. According to Stuck, the Audi/Lamborghini V10 could be a perfect fit for the prototype racers, though they'd have to make it work with the spec ECU. Stuck also revealed that his company was discussing a possible entry into the IndyCar series.

The VW racing chief wasn't the only notable German at Homestead this past weekend, though, as Red Bull flew out its star driver Sebastian Vettel to witness the spectacle as well. After watching the race and chatting with former colleague Juan Pablo Montoya, Vettel said that F1 could stand to learn a lot from NASCAR, and that while he's committed to F1, he'd like to try out a stock car on an oval. This after his professed fascination with rallying as well. It's worth noting that Heikki Kovalainen, now looking for a new drive since leaving McLaren, was also at the race as a guest of Penske Racing, leading to speculation over the Finnish driver's prospects for next season.

[Source: Autosport | Image: Jason Smith/Getty]

Big Deal? VW racing chief, F1 drivers visit Homestead for NASCAR season-closer originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEAT dominates with second consecutive World Touring Car Championship

Noah Joseph — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, China, SEAT, Diesel

SEAT World Touring Car Championship Team with the Leon TDI - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you would have told us ten or twenty years ago that diesel would come to dominate motor racing, we probably would have laughed in your face. But since Audi charted new territory by dominating Le Mans with its R10 TDI, the competition benefits of burning oil is beyond reproach. Not satisfied to let diesel power dominate endurance sportscar racing, however, sister company SEAT picked up the mantle last year in the World Touring Car Championship with the Leon TDI.

As it turns out, running on diesel came to be a liability for SEAT as the WTCC reformatted the rules to reduce diesel's advantage. But the Sociedad Española de Automóviles de Turismo (Spanish Touring Car Company) pulled together, rallied its team and went on to dominate the World Touring Car Championship for the second year in the row, clinching all three of the series titles this past weekend in Macau - China's closest approximation of Monaco and the final round in the championship.

SEAT won the manufacturers' title, outpacing rivals BMW by three small points and outshining Chevrolet (with their new Cruze-based touring car) and Lada. SEAT's main shoe, Gabriele Tarquini, clinched the drivers' title ahead of his teammate (and defending champion) Yvan Muller. As if that wasn't enough, privateer Tom Coronel drove his gasoline-powered Leon to secure the Independents Trophy as well, making it a resounding triple victory for SEAT and its WTCC crew. Details in the press release after the jump and photos in the high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: SEAT Leon TDI at WTCC Macau

[Source: SEAT]

Continue reading SEAT dominates with second consecutive World Touring Car Championship

SEAT dominates with second consecutive World Touring Car Championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Baja 1000 - and Hummer vs. Toyota - has been decided

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, SUV, Hummer, Toyota

The 672.85-mile-long Baja 1000 race is over, and 328 starters were boiled down to just a handful of winners in various classes. The premier events were taken by Andy and Scott McMillin in the trophy truck category, in a modded Chevrolet Silverado. Andy won the race three years ago as a year ago as Robby Gordon's co-driver, but this year beat the NASCAR pilot by three places. The motorcycle category went to the three-way team of Kendall Norman, Timmy Weigand, and Quinn Cody, who crossed the line about 45 minutes before the McMillin's did.

Behind them, two legends of the race practically had the Stock Mini class to themselves: 20-time winner Rod Hall, along with Emily Miller, and Mike Winkel in a Hummer H3 took on Robert Ditner, Joe Nolan, Kez Ziesemer, and three-time winner Ivan Stewart in a 2010 Toyota 4Runner. Of three starters in the class, these two vehicles were the only ones to finish, and the issue came down to the last few miles: Hall's Hummer suffered a long repair stop at mile 40 and he only passed Stewart's 4Runner for first place just thirty miles from the finish.

While Stewart settles for second - and Hall gets his record-setting 21st class win - it's a triumph for the truck and drivers to have finished the race at all. Congratulations to all involved

[Source: SCORE]

The Baja 1000 - and Hummer vs. Toyota - has been decided originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: BMW hoodwinked by fraudster in sale of Sauber F1 team

Noah Joseph — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:25:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, BMW, Earnings/Financials

Questionable past acquisitions aside, you don't get to be as large and successful as BMW without having some business acumen. That assumption, however, is being cast into question as reports out of Germany suggest that the Bavarian automaker may have been duped in its sale of the Sauber F1 racing team.

Peter Sauber's eponymous racing team joined the F1 grid in 1993, and raced for a dozen seasons independently before BMW bought the team in 2005. But earlier this year, the German automaker announced it would withdraw from the sport, leaving Sauber to look for a new investor. A mysterious Swiss finance firm called Qadbak Investments stepped up, and the sale was completed. Having missed the deadline to re-commit for 2010, however, Sauber was replaced by newcomer Lotus, but since Toyota vacated its position, Sauber has been waiting on the FIA to give them the go-ahead. And now we're starting to understand the FIA's hesitance.

According to emerging reports, it appears that Qadbak - which also recently acquired the Notts County football team in England and was supposedly backed by a couple of reclusive, wealthy Middle Eastern families - is little more than a string of shell companies for a convicted British fraudster based in Dubai. Apparently Russell King, the fraudster at the end of the Qadbak paper trail, was trying to tap into the shared F1 revenue streams split between the teams in the series. Having finished sixth in the constructors' championship this season, the Sauber team would be entitled to a considerable slice of the pie.

The revelation raises more questions than it answers, but we're expecting the whole picture to come into focus over the coming weeks, so stay tuned.

[Source: SonntagsZeitung via Axis of Oversteer]

REPORT: BMW hoodwinked by fraudster in sale of Sauber F1 team originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: Mercedes GP confirms Nico Rosberg for 2010

Noah Joseph — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Mercedes-Benz

Following earlier speculation, the newly-acquired Mercedes Grand Prix team has confirmed its first driver for the upcoming Formula One season. As expected, Nico Rosberg will be switching places with Rubens Barrichello, the departing Brawn GP driver who moves to Williams for next year.

24-year-old Rosberg is the son of former World Champion Keke Rosberg, but he has earned a reputation all his own. After winning the inaugural GP2 Series title in 2005, Nico became the youngest driver to test an F1 car and was subsequently hired by Williams F1, for whom he's raced for the past four seasons. This year, he placed a respectable seventh in the drivers' championship, but there's no telling what he can accomplish with his new World Champion team.

Although he holds Finnish citizenship, Nico was born in Germany, raised in Monaco and races under a German license. The new Mercedes team is tipped to be pursuing an all-German driver lineup, with eyes locked on departing arch-rival BMW's Nick Heidfeld to join Rosberg behind the wheel, while rumors of Michael Schumacher's return or Kimi Raikkonen's change of heart persist.

Details are the press release after the jump, where the team repeatedly refers to the return of the Silver Arrows, leading us to wonder exactly what banner the new team will fly when it hits the grid next year.

[Source: Mercedes GP | Image: Clive Mason/Getty]

Continue reading Officially Official: Mercedes GP confirms Nico Rosberg for 2010

Officially Official: Mercedes GP confirms Nico Rosberg for 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flash Mob: Police reportedly bust illegal night race on Hockenheim circuit

Noah Joseph — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Government/Legal

We don't condone illegal behavior here at Autoblog. Heaven forbid. But if you are going to break the law, this strikes us as a good way to go about it.

Reports out of Germany indicate that a group of some 100 people in 43 cars descended upon the Hockenheimring (host of the German Grand Prix) in southern Germany this past Saturday night for what we can only describe as the racing equivalent of a flash mob. The group reportedly coordinated over the interwebs, showed up at night after the track was closed and staged an impromptu race around the circuit.

That is, until 50 cops showed up to bust the illegal race. Officials say they'll all be fined - presumably for trespassing, since we don't imagine there's anything illegal about actually, you know, racing on a race track - and that this wasn't the first time this kind of race has been held on the track after hours. Giggity. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

[Source: The Local | Image: Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty]

Flash Mob: Police reportedly bust illegal night race on Hockenheim circuit originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: USF1 signs pay-drive deal with Jose Maria Lopez

Noah Joseph — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs

Reports circulating the motorsport press indicate that USF1 has signed a provisional contract with Argentine driver Jose Maria Lopez to drive for the new team next season. The arrangement, however, depends on Lopez bringing with him $8 million in sponsorship dollars, of which the young South American reportedly already has 80% in his coffers.

Lopez has experience in formula racing, but has been off the radar for a few years now. After competing in Formula Renault and Formula 3000, Lopez drove a couple of seasons in the GP2 series and even ran some test sessions for Renault F1 . After that, he returned to Argentina, where he competed in local touring cars and in a few international sports car races.

Only a few months ago, USF1 team principal Peter Windsor said the team would absolutely not take on a driver purely on these financial criteria alone, but after balancing their budget, the nascent American grand prix team has apparently decided otherwise. Meanwhile, the team is said to be considering a number of F1 veterans for the second seat, with a 12-name short list that reportedly includes such names as Villeneuve, Montagny and de la Rosa. So much for nurturing American talent.

[Source: Autosport and F1-Live]

REPORT: USF1 signs pay-drive deal with Jose Maria Lopez originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Universal Soldiers: F1 aces Raikkonen, Vettel and Kubica lured by rallying

Noah Joseph — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:03:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Renault, Citroën

It used to be that a racing driver would pick his form of motorsport at the beginning of his career and stick with it for the duration. Sure, there have been a few notable exceptions - especially among the Finns - but these days, it seems as if the exceptions are gaining on the norm. F1 drivers like Juan Pablo Montoya are moving to NASCAR, WRC aces like Sebastien Loeb and MotoGP champs like Valentio Rossi are trying their hand at F1, while F1 champs like Michael Schumacher are checking out motorbike racing. But the latest trend has a growing number of current, active Formula One drivers contesting rallies on the world stage.

The most notable is Kimi Raikkonen, who has driven a few rallies behind the wheel of his own Punto Abarth. Now that he's looking to sit out of the next F1 season, all indications are that the departing Ferrari driver will find his way into the WRC. While downplaying the lingering prospect of the 2007 Formula One champion racing for the newly-christened Mercedes Grand Prix team next season, his managers are reportedly hard at work to get him a WRC drive for 2010. The most likely scenario would place Raikkonen with Citroen: Both the French rally team and the Finnish driver are sponsored by Red Bull, and the rapprochement could could pave the way for Kimi to return to F1 in 2011 for Red Bull Racing.

Even Red Bull's current F1 ace, Sebastian Vettel, has reportedly expressed interest in trying his hand at rallying, although his team principal is reportedly against the idea. After winning the Nations Cup at the Race of Champions together with Schumacher three years running, the young German has certainly demonstrated the versatility of his talent.

Meanwhile, the highly-rated Robert Kubica is preparing for his second rally since leaving BMW Sauber for the Renault F1 team. After a dismal first attempt, the Pole is set to return to the wheel of a Renaultsport Clio R3 Maxi for the final round of the French Rally Championship at Var next weekend. If Kubica manages to finish this time around, we could yet see more F1 drivers following him onto the rally scene.

[Sources: Autosport and F1-Live | Image: Clive Mason/Getty]

Universal Soldiers: F1 aces Raikkonen, Vettel and Kubica lured by rallying originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Salvation! Buell sportbikes reborn as Erik Buell Racing

Noah Joseph — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:33:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Motorcycle

Buell 1125R - Click above for high-res image gallery

Knee-draggers take heart: following the disappointing news that Harley-Davidson has killed the Buell brand, comes the announcement of its rebirth. Don't go looking for any new street bikes, though; the Buell name will carry on strictly through racing.

According to the announcement, company founder and chairman Erik Buell will leave the Motor Company to head up the newly formed Erik Buell Racing. This spin-off will be supported by HDMC and based at the Buell factory in East Troy, Wisconsin. The racing outfit will likely retain part of the workforce that, until last week, was responsible for assembling the roadgoing sportbikes. Rather than building bikes for public consumption, however, the team at Erik Buell Racing will supply the Buell 1125R to racing teams for as long as the bike complies with current competition regs.

So, while existing Buell retailers will sell off the remaining stock of street bikes, the name will live on (for a while, at least) on the racing circuit. Check out the fresh mega gallery of 1125R images (on and off the track) and the details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Buell 1125R

[Source: Harley-Davidson]

Continue reading Salvation! Buell sportbikes reborn as Erik Buell Racing

Salvation! Buell sportbikes reborn as Erik Buell Racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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