20May/130
Video: The big dune jump and the damage done
Filed under: Motorsports, Truck, Videos, Ford, Specialty, Racing
The Silver Lake sand dunes see their fair share of well-built trophy trucks executing impressive jumps. Drivers build insane pieces of machinery for the express purpose of sailing through the air like mad men and women.
Mike Higgins is no stranger to the area. His heavily modified Ford trophy truck has gone flying through the sky on more than one occasion, but he recently bit off more than he could chew. After hitting a particularly lofty dune, Higgins went airborne for a ridiculous 180 feet before becoming intimately familiar with the finer points of gravity.
While Higgins nailed the jump, his landing fell short of wowing the judges. The impact very nearly broke his truck in two. Despite the mechanical mayhem, the driver walked away without a scratch, proving that occasionally miracles really do happen. You can check out the jump and the subsequent destruction below for yourself. Be warned: there's a fair bit of foul language.
Continue reading The big dune jump and the damage done
The big dune jump and the damage done originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 May 2013 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments18May/130
ETC: Costco offering this $115,000 full-size F1 simulator in UK
Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Toys/Games, Racing
For video game enthusiasts who can't stand the thought of playing a racing game on a single television screen, using a standard controller and (gasp!) sitting on a couch, there are plenty of realistic racing simulators out there. While better simulators usually include a trio of monitors, a racing chair and appropriate steering wheel and pedals, Costco has what could be the ultimate racing simulator for Formula One fans in the UK with deep pockets and a desire for a life-like gaming experience.
Costing a mere 90,000 British pounds (roughly $136,000), Costco UK sells a simulator mounted to a life-size F1 car that includes plenty of composite, carbon fiber and alloy. It even has full brakes, wheels and tires. The price includes set up and training, but don't expect to pick one up in addition to a 10-pound package of bacon and a 40-count package of toilet paper, since it takes about 12 to 18 weeks to deliver. All that is missing to get this thing on a real track are the engine and transmission. As for the simulation aspect, this system uses three 23-inch thin film transistor (TFT) screens, an Intel Core i7 processor and a five-speaker surround sound system.
Head over to the Costco UK website to check out what has to be the coolest and most excessive gaming device ever.
Costco offering this $115,000 full-size F1 simulator in UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 May 2013 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments17May/130
Hot Wheels: World’s Best Driver
Hot Wheels gathers eight Biomen drivers and makes them race and perform stunts along various terrain. It’s a live-action version of the scenarios kids make up while playing with their toy cars… down to the script.
More Awesome Stuff for You to Click On:
Hot Wheels Double LoopLambo vs. Stunt Plane
Car Does a Kickflip
Kenneth Moen Hillclimb Drift
BMW vs. Concrete Walls
17May/130
Official: Mitsubishi confirms pair of MiEV Evolution II electric racecars for Pikes Peak
Filed under: Motorsports, Mitsubishi, Design/Style, Electric, Racing
Preparing for next month's Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, Mitsubishi - the presenting sponsor of this year's PPIHC - has unveiled its entrant for the race: the all-electric MiEV Evolution II. Building off last year's MiEV-inspired entrant, the Evolution II has received numerous improvements, including a more powerful electric drive system, a lower center of gravity and even a more traditional racecar look. Driving a pair of MiEV Evolution II models this year will be Hiroshi Masuoka from Mitsubishi vehicle development and six-time PPIHC motorcycle winner, Greg Tracy.
Both MiEV Evolution II racers employ a quartet of electric motors (last year's car used just three), and output has been increased from 280 kilowatts (375 horsepower) up to 400 KW (536 hp). For improved handling, the cars' lithium-ion battery packs help provide lower centers of gravity, and both Masuoka's and Tracy's cars have received active yaw control, stability control and redesigned anti-lock braking systems. Hopefully, this will help them stick to the mountain better. As previously mentioned, even their look has changed, with less of a wide-body i-MiEV feel and more of a racecar appearance. We think the finished product would actually make for a pretty cool Le Mans Prototype racer, or perhaps an electrically powered rival for trackday cars like those from Radical.
Mitsubishi confirms pair of MiEV Evolution II electric racecars for Pikes Peak originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 May 2013 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments17May/130
Official: Mitsubishi confirms pair of MiEV Evolution II electric racecars for Pikes Peak
Filed under: Motorsports, Mitsubishi, Design/Style, Electric, Racing
Preparing for next month's Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, Mitsubishi - the presenting sponsor of this year's PPIHC - has unveiled its entrant for the race: the all-electric MiEV Evolution II. Building off last year's MiEV-inspired entrant, the Evolution II has received numerous improvements, including a more powerful electric drive system, a lower center of gravity and even a more traditional racecar look. Driving a pair of MiEV Evolution II models this year will be Hiroshi Masuoka from Mitsubishi vehicle development and six-time PPIHC motorcycle winner, Greg Tracy.
Both MiEV Evolution II racers employ a quartet of electric motors (last year's car used just three), and output has been increased from 280 kilowatts (375 horsepower) up to 400 KW (536 hp). For improved handling, the cars' lithium-ion battery packs help provide lower centers of gravity, and both Masuoka's and Tracy's cars have received active yaw control, stability control and redesigned anti-lock braking systems. Hopefully, this will help them stick to the mountain better. As previously mentioned, even their look has changed, with less of a wide-body i-MiEV feel and more of a racecar appearance. We think the finished product would actually make for a pretty cool Le Mans Prototype racer, or perhaps an electrically powered rival for trackday cars like those from Radical.
Mitsubishi confirms pair of MiEV Evolution II electric racecars for Pikes Peak originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 May 2013 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments16May/130
Video: Peugeot’s legendary Climb Dance remastered in high-definition glory
Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Peugeot, Off-Road, Racing
Climb Dance, the rally-porn film celebrating the Pikes Peak Hill Climb victories of Ari Vatanen in 1988 and Robby Unser in 1989 - and including footage from both drives - has been remastered in high definition. It was commissioned by Peugeot, maker of the four-wheel steering 415 T16 Grand Raid, the racecar that took both drivers to the top to overall victories.
Peugeot will be hoping that Sébastien Loeb can dance the same way next month when he runs up the now-paved mountain in his 208. You'll find the breathtaking remastered Climb Dance below, as well as tribute the Motor Trend made with Marcus Gronholm in a Ford Fiesta back in 2009. Enjoy.
Continue reading Peugeot's legendary Climb Dance remastered in high-definition glory
Peugeot's legendary Climb Dance remastered in high-definition glory originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 May 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments14May/130
Video: Driver, track worker survive horrific Ferrari 458 crash at Suzuka
Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Japan, Safety, Videos, Ferrari, Racing
Two people are lucky to be alive after a brutal crash during a recent Ferrari 458 Challenge event in Japan. Driver Shigeru Terajima lost control of his machine on the Suzuka Circuit start/finish straight, left the course at nearly 200 miles per hour and struck the inside wall where a corner worker was standing and monitoring the race. The 458 immediately disintegrated, sending bits of carbon fiber bodywork, suspension components, wheels and tires scattering into the infield and across the race course. The passenger cell spun through the air before coming to a stop on its roof.
Miraculously, both Terajima and the corner worker survived the incident. While the driver was transported to a local hospital in serious condition, he's expected to make a full recovery. The track worker, meanwhile, saw the incident coming and dove out of harm's way at the last possible moment, saving him from the brunt of the impact. You can watch an observer's frightening footage of the Ferrari crash by scrolling below.
Continue reading Driver, track worker survive horrific Ferrari 458 crash at Suzuka
Driver, track worker survive horrific Ferrari 458 crash at Suzuka originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 May 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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