Gulf McLaren F1 GTR Longtail Racing Coupe Heading to Bonhams Auction

Dressed in legendary livery, the ultra-modern competition coupe is one of the greatest sports cars ever built. 

One of the genuine icons of the modern-era sports car racing is heading to Bonhams Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia auction this August.The ex-GTC Gulf Team Davidoff 1997 McLaren F1 GTR 'Longtail' FIA GT Endurance Racing Coupe - to give it its full and proper name - is dressed in Gulf Oil's pale-blue and orange team livery, colors worn by other legendary victors such as the Ford GT40 and Porsche 917K.
Heralded as one of the greatest sports cars ever made, this particular example, chassis '028R,' was the 28th and final McLaren F1 GTR built by the British McLaren Cars factory, and the last of only ten highly developed 'Longtail' cars.These ultra-modern competition coupes represented the pinnacle of McLaren's Le Mans-winning F1 GTR family, identifiable by their stunning Gordon Murray design, unique centerline driving position and sophisticated all-composite structure.The Longtails also featured longer noses and tails to reduce drag and achieve the maximum possible aerodynamic downforce.

In 1997 '028R' raced at the Nurburgring, Spa-Francorchamps, Austria's A1-Ring, Donington Park, Mugello, Sebring and Laguna. The car was driven by Andrew Gilbert-Scott, Geoff Lees, Anders Olofsson and John Neilsen."We are delighted to have been appointed by an international collector to represent this breathtaking piece of competition machinery," says Mark Osborne, Head of Motoring at Bonhams. "Racing legends like the McLaren F1 GTR rarely if ever appear at auction."This is an epic car dressed in a legendary livery, which is why a year ago the same car was being offered for €3m.So when this particular Gulf McLaren F1 GTR Longtail crosses the auction block don't be surprised if bids surpass $4m.The 2012 Bonhams Auction of Exceptional Motorcars will take place Thursday & Friday, August 16 & 17 at Quail Lodge in Carmel, California.

Gulf McLaren F1 GTR Longtail Racing Coupe Heading to Bonhams Auction

[Video] Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 Heads to the Track

The new racing variant of the GT-R supercar has been captured flying around the track.

Official details of the GT-R Nismo GT3 were released in January after the car entered the Dubai 24-hour endurance race. Although the pictures of the race car were cool, there's nothing better than seeing and hearing it tear around a race track.JRM Racing has thankfully put together a promotional video showing one of its race cars undertaking shakedown tests, which gives us the chance to see the GT-R Nismo GT3 on the move.
It features a 3.8-liter V6 twin-turbo engine based on a standard road car unit, with power going to the rear wheels via a six-speed semi-automatic transmission. Output is rated at 523hp and 451lb-ft of torque.

Designed with road-going customers in mind, the 1,300kg car features "a chassis that inspires confidence," with suspension set-up and driver controls that be adjusted according to driver preferences.Anyone interested in picking one up for a spot of weekend racing or a rapid trip to the country, prices start at 32m yen, which is a smidgen under $390,000.

[Video] Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 Heads to the Track

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and Estate F1 Safety and Med Cars

Mercedes-Benz is continuing the tradition of providing safety and medical cars for Formula 1 races.

Mercedes-Benz has released some shots of their updated SLS AMG Safety Car and C63 AMG wagon Medical Car for the 2012 Formula 1 season. Both cars are based on their production variants and will provide the much-needed services over the duration of each race.The SLS AMG coupe boasts its trademark gullwing doors and will serve as the official safety car of Formula 1 races, pacing the laps and doing the usual drive-outs during bad weather.
It will be driven by former DTM driver turned instructor Bernd Maylander. No changes have been made to the SLS AMG other than to the exhaust for a more boisterous soundtrack.The C63 AMG wagon will utilize its 487hp 6.3-liter V8 to provide emergency medical car to any driver involved in an accident during the course of the 2012 season. The Medical Car will also follow the pack during the first lap of each race, as the cars will be packed close together thus increasing the likelihood of an accident.Both the SLS AMG coupe and C63 AMG will carry F1 and FIA decals and logos.

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and Estate F1 Safety and Med Cars

Corvette Evolution, Part 12: C5-R - Finally a True Racing Corvette

The C5-R was the first factory supported Corvette racing car, and it won the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times. 

During the first half of the last decade, a low silhouette racing sports car conquered not only American but also European racetracks. It was the Corvette C5-R, the first truly official racing effort of the famous American sports car.There is no official explanation for the change of heart from Chevy executives, after almost 45 years of complete disregard for racing Corvettes. However, the main objective for the investment was the desire to spread the reputation of the marque and improve sales.

The Corvette's choice for this assignment was a natural decision. However the claim that the racing program was also part of an international marketing and promotion effort is an exaggeration. Yes, the Corvette C5-R raced successfully at Le Mans, netting three class victories out of five starts, but the bulk of its racing efforts were done in the ALMS series.When the C5 Corvette arrived on the scene, everyone involved knew that when race-prepped it would be good enough to go head-to-head with the Saleen Mustangs, Porsches and Dodge Vipers in GT2/GTS sports car events in the North American theater.Chevrolet Race Shop had an enormous task at hand to start from scratch by putting together a race team and design a GT2/GTS race car based around the production C5.Pratt & Miller Engineering was hired to develop and construct the chassis under the direction of chassis engineer Ken Brown.Katech Engine Building and Development would handle the engine side of the racing equation. By November of 1998, the group finished the test mule and was working hard to complete and shake-down chassis' #1 and #2 in time for their debut in March of 1999 at Sebring.

The actual race chassis' were built, sharing only basic key structural elements with the production road cars. A firewall was placed immediately behind the driver's seat in the cockpit, eliminating any rear visibility from inside the car.A large diffuser and wing were added to the rear, while a splitter and vents on the hood were added to the front.The distinctive front headlights were also replaced with protruding permanent units in place of the pop-up headlights on the standard production car. Upon its initial completion, the C5-R came with a 366 CID (6.0-liter) V8 engine.This was replaced with a larger 427 CID (7.0 liter) engine several months later during the 1999 season and became the standard engine for the C5-R for the rest of its career. Katech Engine Development constructed the C5-R's engines, although they retained elements of the production LS1 units.
The C5-R made its race debut in 1999 at the Daytona 24 Hours, finishing second in its class. Its main competitor in the GT2 was the Dodge Viper. During that season performances weren't brilliant and no wins were achieved, but gradually the team gained experience and the car was development into a more competitive configuration.

In 2000 results improved with two wins in ALMS races. The team also, for the first time, went beyond U.S. borders and participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, capturing 3rd and 4th places in the GTS class.2001 was the first great year for the team and GM managers could see some return on their investment.The Corvette team won convincingly at La Sarthe, capturing the two highest steps of the podium and routing the opposition in the ALMS series with seven wins out of nine races. The Corvette C5-R was now firing all cylinders.The C5-R retired from racing after winning the 2004 ALMS title with a total of 35 ALMS race wins out of 55 starts. In 2004 alone the car registered a 100 percent success record with 10 wins out of 10 starts, in addition to a class win at Le Mans, the last of them in Laguna Seca Raceway."It's a very special year when you can go undefeated," said Doug Duchardt, GM Racing director, at the time. "This was an amazing effort from the beginning until the end. This is a great way to send out the C5-R."

Corvette Evolution, Part 12: C5-R - Finally a True Racing Corvette

[Video] Aston Martin Returns to Endurance Racing with the New Vantage GTE

This year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans will see Aston Martin’s return to endurance racing.

Aston Martin has just officially announced their return to FIA World Endurance Championship racing and they are doing so with a new racecar. The Vantage GTE is a stunning and fitting replacement for their Vantage GT2, of which it is based.The new Vantage GTE marks the first time since 2008 that Aston Martin will field a racer in Le Mans racing. Decked out in Gulf Livery, the new Vantage model features upgrades and improvements in the areas of handling, drivetrain, engine and suspension.

Running on a 4.5-liter V8 engine, it features new cylinder heads, valves, camshafts, connecting rods and a racing-spec exhaust. The engine is paired to a six-speed sequential gearbox.

"It's great to be returning to our core motorsport activity; production-based GT racing. It formed the basis for Aston Martin's return to competition when the DBR9 GT1-racer was launched in 2004, and it was in GT racing that we achieved our famous victories at Le Mans in 2007 and 2008," said Aston Martin Lagonda Chairman David Richards.The new Aston Martin Vantage GTE will make its competitive debut in the 12 Hours of Sebring in March before tackling the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Three drivers have been named so far, being Stefan Mucke, Adrian Fernandez and Darren Turner.

[Video] Aston Martin Returns to Endurance Racing with the New Vantage GTE

Hyundai Genesis Coupe GT Race Car from Austech

Austech has released the first official photos of the racing-spec Hyundai Genesis Coupe GT racer.

Austech, the motorsport firm from Australia, has just released the first official photos of their new racecar for International GT racing. The 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe GT runs on the South Korean sedan's 5.0-liter V8 engine that will be tuned to either 450hp for Grand Am racing or 550hp for GT3 events.The racecar will be ready to go in multiple GT categories, such as the two listed above along with GTE racing.
Testing for the new racer is set to begin later this year and the Australian firm promises that it will be ready to hit the track in time for the 2013 season.Austech says that the affordable racer will be extra safe, as it carries a bit more weight due to FIA compliancy. They will also provide a support network in the U.S. and Europe for teams that decide to run their racecar.No word on pricing yet for the 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe GT racecar, but as it gets closer to completion we will bring you all the details as they come out.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe GT Race Car from Austech

2012 Savage Rivale GTR Revealed

The first official pictures and details of the racing version of the Roadyacht have been released. 

Official images and details of the hand-built limited-edition Dutch racer, the Savage Rival GTR, have been released via the company's Facebook page, showcasing the racing variant of the Roadyacht in full livery.Built on the same platform as the Roadyacht GTS, it comes equipped with a more powerful V8 in different trims good for around 700-800hp and 575lb-ft of torque and weighs just over 2,260 pounds (quite an impressive power to weight ratio). Top speed is measured at 224 mph and sprints from 0-62 mph in 2.8 seconds.
Only 69 will be built, with a Chrome Moly hand-constructed chassis, scissor doors and xenon lights. A 6.2-liter V8 gasoline engine is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, while a front-mounted turbocharger feeds the mid-mounted engine with power driving the rear wheels.The GTR also boasts a straight-pipe exhaust, ceramic Brembo brake system, and fully adjustable coilovers sitting on double wishbone a-arms. Inside, a custom carbon-fiber race spec interior houses Recaro race seats with six-point belts.At 141,250 Euros, this will be out of most people's range but that's a decent price for a custom-built race car.

2012 Savage Rivale GTR Revealed

Ferrari Joins the GT1 Series

Ferrari will fight McLaren, as well as the three German premium brands for the world championship. 

Ferrari and McLaren are going head-to-head on the racing circuit all around the globe in the next eight months. And it's not only going to be in 20 Formula 1 races, but also in 10 rounds of the GT1 World Championship and six rounds of the GT3 European Championship.The addition of Ferrari joining the GT1 championship was just announced by series organizer Stephane Ratel. The defending champion, the Aston Martin DB9, will not return to defend its title, thereby opening the way for a four-way scramble for victory.

McLaren will have their all-new MP4-12C GT1 racer run by the German Helix team while Ferrari will be entering the 458 Italia GT1, which will be run by a team that has yet to be revealed. Two Ferrari 458 Italia's have been built to accommodate the GT1 regulations.The new cars on the grid will now have to fight against the more tested racing machinery from German competitors Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.
"The addition of Ferrari to the 2012 line-up makes for a mouth-watering array of supercars racing in one world championship," Ratel said.
"The Ferrari team brings to five the number of confirmed teams and we are in advanced talks with a number of other teams. For reasons of confidentiality, we are respecting the wishes of those teams to announce their participation in their own time."

Ferrari Joins the GT1 Series

Ferrari’s New Ugly Duckling Might Turn Beautiful with Wins

After a disappointing 2011 season, Ferrari launched the F2012 to challenge for the F1 world title.

Amid heavy snowfall and arctic weather conditions (and probably driven in a red Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 from their hotel to the Ferrari factory) the two Ferrari drivers, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, unveiled the Ferrari F2012.The F2012 is Ferrari's 58th contender for the F1 World Championship. It made its debut in front of a massive world audience who watched the live stream online from Ferrari HQ in Maranello, located in Northern Italy.

A few weeks ago, Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo (who missed today's proceedings) said that he prefers a winning car to a beautiful one and that winning turns an ugly car into a beautiful one. Montezemolo knew in advance why he said it and after taking the wraps off the car, Massa described it politely as 'aggressive.' Ferrari's press release appropriately described it as "not aesthetically pleasing."

That description refers to the stepped nose, a result of Ferrari's interpretation of the new technical regulations that requires a lower front-end and a raised back-end.

These changes were made in order to raise the bottom part of the chassis as much as possible for aerodynamics purposes.The car was exposed from all angles as it stood on a rotating platform. When the back of the car was exposed, the diffuser area was blocked from view by a black bulkhead.The 2.4-liter V8 engine is an evolution of the one that powered last year's car. Much effort has gone into improving the engine's installation in the new chassis, so as not to penalize the aerodynamics of the car.

Ferrari engineers worked on improving the engine's performance drop off in order to maintain good characteristics even toward the engine's three race life-cycle.The engine's electronic management has been revised based on the modifications to the rules regarding the use of exhaust gases.The kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) maintains its low central location in the car (a choice also aimed at maximizing safety) and has undergone an update directed mainly at reducing its weight and improving the efficiency of some of its components.
Because of the arctic weather conditions, Ferrari had to cancel not only the media event but more crucially the F2012's first run on the Fiorano track in order to assess the car's system before testing starts in earnest next week in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.There are only 12 days of testing, said team boss Stefano Domenicali, and in this period Ferrari's new ugly duckling will go through the beauty salon and if the treatment proves successful by winning a few races, the F2012 will surely be considered a beautiful car.

The Audi R8 Grand-Am Spends a Day at Daytona

Audi has developed a new R8 for racing in the States.

The Audi R8 Grand-Am has arrived. Audi has raced the R8 in endurance racing and GT3 competition for quite some time now, and the German brand thought it was about time the supercar got its due on the tracks in the U.S.Based on the R8 LMS, the R8 V10 Grand-Am will attempt to make its mark on the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, beginning with the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The RWD racer will vary from the LMS-spec racecar due to a different set of rules.
The Grand-Am features less downforce, less fuel capacity and no traction control or ABS. It will also be less powerful than the LMS R8, as it had over 500hp and in Grand-Am racing, the V10 will be brought down to 460hp thanks to an ECU revamp and an air restrictor.Two Audi R8 Grand-Am racers will compete at Daytona. APR Motorsports and Onyx Racing will field both cars and during the time trials and qualifying, released plenty of pictures of the new Audi R8 Grand-Am in action. Check out the gallery below to see the new racing-spec supercar in action.

The Car That Could End Red Bull’s Grip on the F1 Title

The most technical-minded team in Formula 1 has launched an evolutionary car for the 2012 F1 Season.

Today McLaren revealed the MP4-27, its challenger for 2012 F1 world title in a media event that took place at the team's headquarters in Surrey, England, at the McLaren Technology Center.The team's pair of drivers, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, were on hand to discuss their expectations for the forthcoming season as the design team explained the new car's appearance.Per tradition, both Hamilton and Button took the wraps off the new car.
The car was painted with all the expected sponsors' logo with a dominant silver color (a reminder of the Mercedes V8 engine that will propel the car, perhaps). Beneath the surface of the MP4-27, there is a car that has been adapted to the new technical regulations of F1 (though they weren't extensive).The exterior of the racer resembles last year's model quite a bit. The chassis, however, was substantially revised from the ground-up with all major systems updated or redesigned for the new season. The most evident visual differences include more tightly-designed rear bodywork.

It was developed to improve air flow toward the rear of the car along with a revised cooling system which re-directs the gearbox oil-cooler. Last year's U-shaped sidepods have also been re-designed - a legacy of the FIA's new exhaust regulations that redefine the shape of the rear bodywork."We've changed the sidepods," said Lewis Hamilton. "We had the L-shaped sidepods last year. The front of the car is generally the same. Obviously the nose dips down a little bit different to last year; we've changed our wing mirrors a little bit, so hopefully we'll be able to see a lot better, which is something that I was pushing hard for.""Felipe [Massa] will be very happy with that."McLaren is proud of its drivers' line-up, which the team claims is the best in the field. This could be seen as a slight affront at the no. 2 drivers of the Ferrari and Red Bull teams, though it is a correct assertion. "Between them, they have scored 22 grand prix victories for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and are the strongest and most consistent driver line-up in the sport," the team said in a statement."For sure we are massively motivated for next year," said Hamilton after he helped Button taking the wraps off the car.

"We have a good-looking car; I think generally when the car looks good, it generally is good, so hopefully that reflects on the circuit."

When asked about their respective winter breaks, Hamilton replied: "I was over in the cold, in the mountains in Colorado, I wasn't missing the car too much."

Button responded "I've had a pretty good winter, spent quite a lot time away somewhere nice and warm to chill out and recharge my batteries but also to do a lot of training. I was back on 5 January, been spending quite a lot of time in the simulator and also just getting back to the way of life of -- of a driver, and then spending time here at the MTC."

The Formula 1 teams will launch their 2012 racing machines during the next fortnight.Stay tuned to Carbuzz.com for full coverage of the build-up to the 2012 F1 racing season. Check out the full unveiling of the McLaren MP4-27 below.