Sunday 30 June 2013

NEWS: NSR Ford P68 Alan Mann


1144SW Ford P68
Alan Mann Brands Hatch 1968 #33


NSR have just release some photos of their upcoming Ford P68 Brands Hatch livery.  The P68 was one of my absolute favourite motorcars growing up as a kid, the P68 lines are insane!!!  I have the red 1046 Alan Mann #7 Nurburgring P68 and the #33 livery looks very similar right down to the red wheels.

As you would expect, NSR's P68 is a pleasure to drive and I recommend getting one if you don't already have one in your collection.



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MOVIE: RUSH


Ron Howard's RUSH

'The closer you are to death, the more alive you feel'

Ron Howard's new film Rush will be released in September this year.  The movie is a biography of F1 champion Niki Lauda and the crash in 76 that almost took his life.  Lauda recovers and returns to challenge his rival, James Hunt.  For those of you lucky enough not to have seen the trailers as yet...well let's just say you're in for a real treat!



'Set against the sexy and glamorous golden age of Formula 1 racing, Rush portrays the exhilarating true story of two of the greatest rivals the world has ever witnessed--handsome English playboy Hunt and his methodical, brilliant opponent, Lauda. Taking us into their personal lives on and off the track, Rush follows the two drivers as they push themselves to the breaking point of physical and psychological endurance, where there is no shortcut to victory and no margin for error. If you make one mistake, you die.'

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NEWS: GT6 Demo announced


Gran Turismo 6
Demo announced for July 2!


Sony has recently announced two interesting bits of news regarding their flagship software title Gran Turismo 6.  The first news is that GT6 will be released on the PS3, yes on the PS3.  Given the PS4 is to be released prior to Christmas (Gran Turismo is historically a platform release title) this seems an unusual decision unless you've familiar with the highly tuned beast that is the Sony money machine!  GT6 will of course be released on the PS4 as well.


The second bit on good news for PS3 owners is that Sony will be releasing a GT6 demo this week!  The demo will feature the beginner rounds of a GT Academy-themed race camp before unlocking the final qualifying event at the Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit.


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NEWS: NSR Audi R8 GT3


1154AW - Audi R8 LMS GT3


NSR have just release some photos of their next R8 GT3 livery and it looks pretty impressive.  I must say I've wanted to add the R8 to my stable of NSR cars but none of the NSR liveries released to date have grabbed my imagination till now.

The red Playstation #97 R8 livery is simple but impressive and would look fantastic running around the track...so many slots, so little mullah!



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NEWS: Pioneer SUNOCO Camaro


P018 Pioneer SUNOCO Camaro


Pioneer have released a photo of their first race livery and as we were informed it's the Sunoco Penske Racing team Camaro livery.  The car was raced by Mark Donohue and Craig Fisher who won the Trans Am class in the 12 Hours of Sebring no less.  From what we've been told this release is limited to around the 600 mark so if you want one make a move!

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Saturday 29 June 2013

NEWS: Mark Webber says farewell to F1


Mark Webber says farewell to F1
and joins Porsche's LMP1 Sportscar Programme

For those of you that have followed Mark's F1 career since 2002 and Minardi, you'll know it's been 12 years of successes, challenges and at times disappointment.  Not that I'm bragging but Mark has achieved nine grands prix victories, 36 podium finishes, 11 pole positions and 15 fastest laps and has twice finished third in the world championship, not a bloody bad effort mate!

For me as an Australian, Mark's best year in F1 was in 2010 when for 80 percent of the season I could watch as an Aussie dominated the F1 driver's championship leader-board.



Mark now moves onto driving for the Porsche LMP1 endurance programme in 2014 and as a enduro fanatic I'm very excited for Mark's future.  Porsche's return to Le Mans also signals a big wake-up call,  get ready Audi, the king of Le Mans is returning.

This from Mark of the future with Porsche: 'It's an honour for me to join Porsche at its return to the top category in Le Mans and in the sports-car World Endurance Championship and be part of the team, Porsche has written racing history as a manufacturer and stands for outstanding technology and performance at the highest level.

I'm very much looking forward to this new challenge after my time in formula one.  Porsche will undoubtedly set itself very high goals.  I can hardly wait to pilot one of the fastest sports cars in the world.' (auto123.com)

Of course this will not be the first time Mark has raced in enduro motor-sport, in 1998 and 1999 Mark raced for Mercedes Benz (in the CLR proto-type no less) at Le Mans and while the cars suffered from aerodynamic problems, Mark's performance was excellent.

The below video shows how the Mercedes CLR of Mark Webber and Peter Dumbreck's 1999 Le Mans race can to a spectacular ending.  Fortunately both drivers walked away but Mercedes pulled it's remaining cars from the 1999 race and the Mercedes Benz CLR programme was ended.



Below is a photo of the 2013 Porsche's hybrid LMP1.

Thanks for the wonderful memories Mark, now go make some more at Porsche and Le Mans!

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Tuesday 25 June 2013

NEWS: Scalextric Corvette 60th


Corvette 60th Anniversary
C3368A Limited Edition of 3000


Scalextric have just released some images of their upcoming 60th anniversary LE Corvette box set which is due for release in August this year.  Limited to only 3000 units, the set contains the Stingray L88 and its modern evolution, the C6R with famous starts and stripes racing livery.

Scalextric have always been the masters of the box sets and I think this one will be popular, obviously and particularly in the USA.

From Scalextric; '2013 marks the 60th anniversary of a true American icon and one of the world’s most desirable sports cars; the Chevrolet Corvette. Now in its sixth generation, and an instantly recognisable symbol of American motoring history, the Corvette has grown from humble beginnings into a world class, high performance road car and an endurance racing legend.


This presentation box contains a Chevrolet Corvette Stingray L88 and Chevrolet Corvette C6R. Each highly detailed Scalextric model boasts an honorary 60th anniversary livery; in keeping with the spirit and energy of the Corvette throughout its enigmatic years. As long as there is Chevrolet, there will always be the Corvette.'



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Monday 24 June 2013

NEWS: Le Mans 2013 Results


Le Mans 2013
Audi wins its 12th Le Mans title!
Tom Kristensen wins his 9th Le Mans title!

245,000 (5.5 million online fans) fans attended Le Mans this year to watch history as Audi claimed its 12th title and winner of the historic 90th running of the most prestigious and gruelling endurance motor race on the planet.  Impressively Toyota came a close second announcing a clear message that they are serious about winning at Le Mans, this won't be another failed F1 exercise.


This from Tom Kristensen (Lemans.org); "For me, Le Mans was filled with very personal emotions this time. I’m proud to drive for the world’s best team. This applies to all team-mates, all employees in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm and for Audi Sport Team Joest. They make it possible for us to realize a dream. Now this dream has come true again – winning the fastest and toughest race under the direction of Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. Unfortunately, we lost someone yesterday (with Allan Simonsen) who had the same dream. He was a very modest and nice person. That’s why I’m experiencing highs and lows this time. With respect to my ninth victory: I’m driving with determination and the ambition my father inspired in me. He died in March. Before his death, he told me that I’d win Le Mans this year with my team-mates. I’m hoping that one day I’ll be able to celebrate another victory with Loïc and Allan that I can dedicate to my father. Because this Le Mans success I’m dedicating to Allan Simonsen."

Enjoy the below highlights summary video of the 90th running of the great race...



Below are the final standings for the race (from Le Mans.org);

LMP1

1. #2 Kristensen/Duval/McNish Audi Sport Team Joest Audi R18 e-tron quattro * 348 laps (34 stops)
2. #8 Davidson/Buemi/Sarrazin Toyota Racing Toyota TS030 hybrid * 347 laps (30 stops)
3. #3 Gene/Di Grassi/Jarvis Audi Sport Team Joest Audi R18 e-tron quattro 347 laps (30 stops) 
4. #7 Wurz/Lapierre/Nakajima Toyota Racing Toyota TS030 hybrid * 341 laps (29 stops) 
5. #1 Lotterer/Fassler/Treluyer Audi Sport Team Joest Audi R18 e-tron quattro * 338 laps (32 stops) 
6. #21 Leventis/Watts/Kane Strakka Racing HPD ARX-03c * 332 laps (29 stops) 
7. #12 Prost/Jani/Heidfeld Rebellion Racing Lola B12/60-Toyota * 275 laps (26 stops) 
8. #13 Belicchi/Beche/Cheng Rebellion Racing Lola B12/60-Toyota 275 laps (29 stops)

LMP2

1. #35 Baguette/Gonzalez/Plowman OAK Racing Morgan-Nissan * 329 laps (30 stops)
2. #24 Pla/Heinemeier Hansson/Brundle OAK Racing Morgan-Nissan * 328 laps (31 stops)
3. #26 Rusinov/Martin/Conway G-Drive Racing Oreca 03-Nissan * 327 laps (32 stops) 
4. #42 Mardenborough/Ordonez/Krumm Greaves Motorsport Zytek-Nissan 327 laps (28 stops) 
5. #49 Companc/Kaffer/Minassian Pecom Racing Oreca 03-Nissan * 325 laps (29 stops) 
6. #43 Gachnang/Mailleux/Lombard Morand Racing Morgan-Judd 320 laps (28 stops) 
7. #48 Hartley/Patterson/Chandhock Murphy Prototypes Oreca 03-Nissan 319 laps (29 stops) 
8. #38 Dolan/Turvey/Luhr Jota Sport Zytek-Nissan 319 laps (29 stops) 
9. #36 Paniatici/Ragues/Gommendy Signatech Alpine Alpine-Nissan 317 laps (32 stops) 
10. #34 Frey/Niederhauser/Bleekemolen Race Performance Oreca 03-Judd 314 laps (32 stops) 
11. #41 Kimber-Smith/Lux/Rossi Greaves Motorsport Zytek Nissan * 307 laps (31 stops) 
12. #40 Downs/Dagonneau/Younessi Boutsen Ginion Racing Oreca 03-Nissan 300 laps (29 stops) 
13. #39 Porta/Raffin/Brandela DKR Engineering Lola B11/40-Judd 280 laps (31 stops) 
Ret. #33 Tucker/Franchitti/Briscoe Level 5 Motorsports HPD ARX-03b 242 laps Retirement 
Ret. #46 Thiriet/Badey/Martin Thiriet by TDS Oreca 03-Nissan 310 laps Retirement 
Ret. #45 Nicolet/Merlin/Mondolot OAK Racing Morgan-Nissan 246 laps Accident 
Ret. #47 Imperatori/Tung/Howson KCMG Morgan-Nissan 241 laps Retirement 
Ret. #32 Holzer/Kraihamer/Charouz Lotus Lotus T128 * 219 laps Retirement 
Ret. #30 Mowlem/Hirschi/Burgess HVM Status GP Lola B12/80 Coupe-Judd 153 laps Accident 
Ret. #25 Graves/Nakano/Hamilton Delta-ADR Oreca 03-Nissan * 101 laps Accident 
Ret. #28 Giroix/ Haezebrouck/Ihara Gulf Racing Middle East Lola B12/80 Coupe-Nissan * 22 laps Accident 
Ret. #31 Weeda/Rossiter/Bouchut Lotus Lotus T128 * 17 laps Mechanical

GTE-Pro

1. #92 Lieb/Lietz/Dumas Porsche AG Team Manthey Porsche 911 RSR * 315 laps (22 stops) 
2. #91 Bernhard/Pilet/Bergmeister Porsche AG Team Manthey Porsche 911 RSR * 315 laps (24 stops)
3. #97 Turner/Mucke/Dumbreck Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin Vantage V8 * 314 laps (24 stops)
4. #73 Garcia/Taylor/Magnussen Corvette Racing Corvette C6 ZR-1 312 laps (23 stops) 
5. #71 Beretta/Kobayashi/Vilander AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia * 311 laps (23 stops) 
6. #51 Bruni/Fisichella/Malucelli AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia * 311 laps (23 stops) 
7. #74 Gavin/Milner/Westbrook Corvette Racing Corvette C6 ZR-1 309 laps (25 stops) 
8. #53 Farnbacher/Dalziel/Goossens SRT Motorsports Viper GTS-R 306 laps (28 stops) 
9. #93 Bomarito/Kendall/Wittmer SRT Motorsport Viper GTS-R 301 laps (26 stops) 
10. #66 Bertolini/Alfaisal/Qubaisi JMW Motorsport Ferrari 458 Italia 300 laps (26 stops) 
Ret. #99 Bell/Makowiecki/Senna Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin Vantage V8 * 248 laps Retirement
Ret. #98 Auberlen/Dalla Lana/Lamy Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin Vantage V8 221 laps Retirement 

GTE-Am 

1. #76 Narac/Bourret/Vernay IMSA Performance MATMUT Porsche 911 GT3 RSR * 306 laps (23 stops)
2. #55 Perazzini/Case/O'Young AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia 305 laps (24 stops) 
3. #61 Gerber/Griffin/Cioci AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia * 305 laps (23 stops) 
4. #77 Dempsey/Foster/Long Dempsey Del Piero-Proton Porsche 911 GT3 RSR 305 laps (24 stops) 
5. #50 Bornhauser/Canal/Taylor Larbre Competition Corvette C6 ZR-1 * 302 laps (25 stops) 
6. #96 Goethe/Hall/Campbell-Walter Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin Vantage V8 * 301 laps (26 stops) 
7. #67 Gibon/Milesi/Henzler IMSA Performance MATMUT Porsche 911 GT3 RSR 300 laps (22 stops) 
8. #88 Ried/Roda/Ruberti Proton Competition Porsche 911 GT3 RSR * 300 laps (23 stops) 
9. #75 Collard/Crubile/Perrodo Prospeed Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RSR * 298 laps (23 stops) 
10. #81 Pottolicchio/Aguas/Bright 8 Star Motorsport Ferrari 458 Italia * 294 laps (25 stops) 
11. #70 MacNeil/Rodrigues/Dumas Larbre Competition Corvette C6 ZR-1 268 laps (21 stops) 
Ret. #54 Mallegol/Bachelier/Blank AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia 147 laps Retirement 
Ret. #57 Krohn/Jonsson/Mediani Krohn Racing Ferrari 458 Italia * 111 laps Retirement 
Ret. #95 Simonsen/Poulsen/Nygaard Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin Vantage V8 * 2 laps Accident  

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Saturday 22 June 2013

GALLERY: Revell March 83G

Revell Monogram March 83G
Blue Thunder #56 - American GTP Championship 84

Revell's March 83G is a complete surprise package and not at all what I've come to expect from the manufacture.  Ok like most Revell releases the March looks great, (the 2 tone blue with gold wheels - WOW!) but I didn't have high hopes for on-track performance.  Well I'm more than happy to be pleasantly surprised and that's exactly what the March did.  While not a 'terror from the box', the March is a solid performer on my Carrera track, performance is on par with a Scalextric DTM or V8.

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