Kawasaki Z 1000 40th Anniversary by Angel Lussiana

Foto: Return of the Cafè Racers

via Racing Café

Kubica avec Citroën en WRC2 / Kubica to contest WRC2 with Citroën

Poland’s Robert Kubica has decided to contest the FIA WRC2 and the FIA European Rally Championship in a Citroën DS3 RRC.

Le Polonais Robert Kubica a choisi de rouler sur une Citroën DS3 RRC en Championnat du monde des Rallyes FIA WRC2 et en Championnat d’Europe des Rallyes FIA.

Robert Kubica’s Formula 1 career (76 Grands Prix) came to a sudden halt after a frightening accident on the Ronde di Andora on February 6, 2011, when he suffered bad arm and hand injuries. Today, the Pole has decided to turn his attention to rallying after a recent DTM test with Mercedes.

The 28-year old will take part in seven events of the WRC2 in a Citroën DS3 RRC, as well as selected European championship qualifying rounds. His Citroën DS3 RRC will be equipped with a hydraulic paddle shift system (to the left of the steering wheel) to facilitate gear changes. This special dispensation has been approved by the FIA.

“I weighed up the different options before deciding on this programme,” he said in the official Citroën press release. “I kept in touch with Citroën Racing and both sides were keen to continue working together. I’m really pleased now to be able to return to top-level racing. Taking part in Rally Islas Canarias will be an interesting challenge for me. I can’t wait to start racing, but I haven’t set myself any specific target. I still have a lot to learn in rallying and to improve I will need to rack up the miles on the stages.”

Robert Kubica is poised to contest the Rally Islas Canarias (March 21-23), round three of the 2013 European championship, before making his WRC debut – on gravel – in Portugal (April 11-14).

La carrière de Robert Kubica en Formule Un (76 GP) s’est brusquement arrêtée le 6 février 2011 après un terrible accident en rallye, à la Ronde di Andora, dont il garde encore de lourdes séquelles, notamment au bras et à la main droite. C’est pourtant en rallye que le Polonais a choisi d’entamer une seconde carrière, à 28 ans, après de récents tests en DTM avec Mercedes.

Robert Kubica pilotera une Citroën DS3 RRC sur sept manches du Championnat WRC2 et participera également à quelques épreuves du Championnat d’Europe des Rallyes FIA. Sa Citroën DS3 RRC sera équipée d’un système hydraulique de « paddleshift » (placé à gauche du volant) pour faciliter les changements de rapports de boîte. Une dérogation a été acceptée par la FIA.

« J’ai évalué différentes possibilités avant de m’orienter vers ce programme », confirme le Polonais dans le communiqué de presse officiel Citroën. «  Nous étions en contact avec Citroën Racing et il existait une volonté commune de poursuivre l’aventure. Je suis maintenant très heureux de pouvoir revenir à la compétition de haut niveau. La participation au Rally Islas Canarias sera un défi intéressant pour moi. J’ai hâte d’être au départ mais je ne me fixe pas d’objectif trop précis. J’ai encore beaucoup à apprendre en rallye et ma progression passe par l’accumulation de kilomètres de spéciales. »

Robert Kubica sera engagé au Rally Islas Canarias (21-23 mars), 3^e manche du Championnat d’Europe FIA, avant de débuter en Mondial (et sur la « terre ») au Rallye du Portugal (11-14 avril).

CUSTOM 2013 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED BY STARWOOD MOTORS

• by MOTO VERSO
 
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Starwood Motors are specialists in Jeep conversions and boast to be the US’s top custom Jeep manufacturers. This custom 2013 Jeep Wranglers has been completely modified from top to bottom with the incredible Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6! This contemporary engine features dual overhead cams and delivers vast improvement in both fuel efficiency and noise reduction over the previous Wrangler powerplant. The Pentastar advances horsepower output from 202 to 285 with a 10% increase in torque and a full 3 seconds quicker to 60. This might just be the ultimate Jeep ever to get built, it’s got the power and the ground clearance to go anyway not to mention the protection of the Kevlar paintwork this thing is one bad ass truck and is high at the top of my garage list.

The entire exterior of the vehicle has been professionally coated with Premium Protective Coating w/Kevlar Fiber (4700 PSI tensile strength, which is over 200% strength of other brands), making it impervious to the elements. This is a whole load of Jeep for $47,388 and just look at those stunning big ass wheels on the beast.

Images: starwoodmotors.com

Website: starwoodmotors.com

FERRARI’S NEW HYPERCAR

2013 is shaping up to be the year of the Hypercar. Joining the entries from Lamborghini, McLaren, Ferrari also wowed crowds in Geneva this week with the release of the LaFerrari. Ferrari chose the slightly curious name for the project because the new car is the “maximum expression” of what defines the company.

Built to be the follow-up to the legendary Enzo, the LaFerrari’s wind tunnel-sculpted body and chassis are built using four different types of carbon fiber and weight distribution comes in at 41-59.

It’s powered by 6.3 liter V12 that makes 789 horsepower, but that’s not everything. There’s also an additional 160 horsepower electric motor developed from the use of KERS on Ferrari’s F1 team.

The KERS system is obviously not the only F1 influence on the LaFerrari. Scuderia drivers Fernando Alsonso and Felipe Massa also played a significant role in the car’s development. The driving position for example, was set with a lot of input from the F1 pilots.

The styling of the car in particular seems to the be the perfect combination of modern, functional hypercar design , but with a solid nod to Ferrari’s rich race history. Perfection.

Here’s a little glimpse of the beast in action. Ferrari plans to build just 499 LaFerraris, and I’d be willing to bet that getting one won’t be easy – even for those that have the financial means.

-Mike

Jorge Lorenzo testimonial for Porsche Barcelona

from TWOWHEELSBLOG

After Valentino Rossi becoming the brand ambassador for the Opel Adam, his team mate and reigning MotoGP champion, Jorge Lorenzo has announced that he will be sponsored by Porsche Barcelona.

The partnership agreement will see Lorenzo as a testimonial in several events organized by the German sports car brand, and in exchange the Yamaha rider will receive a new 911 for his personal use for the rest of the year.

Lorenzo is also a car enthusiast and has participated in several endurance races with excellents results and he said, “I’m a big fan of four wheels and I love having the opportunity to drive a Porsche assiduously. We are also looking at the possibility of taking part in a Porsche Cup race if doesn’t interfere with the MotoGP championshipm and it could be an exciting challenge. ”

Josè Velasco, General Director of the Porsche Center in Barcelona said, “Jorge is one of the greats of motorcycle racing and this year we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of 911 which is one of the most successful sports cars of all time, with over 20,000 victories in all competitions, but also a model that can meet the needs of everyday use.”

Source | JL99FC.facebook.com

Opel Adam Rocks & Adam R2 concepts revealed

 

Rocks concept could preview the Adam Cabrio

Opel has taken the wraps off two new Adam concepts at the Geneva Motor Show.
First up, the Adam Rocks is an "urban mini-crossover" that has plastic body cladding, an increased ride height and matte aluminum accents. Other highlights include LED headlights, a retractable fabric roof and 18-inch alloy wheels that cover Brembo brakes.
The cabin is nicely equipped with Nappa leather seats, neon-blue piping and white painted trim. There's also metallic accents and an IntelliLink infotainment system.
 
Moving on, the R2 concept is based on the Adam Cup and was designed to meet FIA R2 specifications. It features an OPC body kit with a quick release hood and a roof-mounted scoop. Other features include a sport-tuned suspension, Brembo brakes and lightweight racing wheels.
The interior is equipped with Sparco racing seats, a roll cage and a digital instrument cluster. There's also an electric fire extinguisher and a MONIT trip computer.
 
Motivation comes from a 1.6-liter EcoTec engine that develops approximately 185 HP (136 kW) and 190 Nm (140 lb-ft) of torque. It is connected to a five-speed sequential transmission which sends power to the front wheels via a limited-slip differential.

Source: Opel via WORLSCARFANS

LES PETROLEURS

SWEET VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE PRINTS BY DAVID CRAN

from moto-verso

 As a graphic designer I love seeing custom motorcycle prints especially when they have been done with such skill and simplicity. David Cran is a Vancouver- Seattle based Designer and Illustrator, with more than 30 years experience, and a passion for vintage influenced Typography, Iconography and Branding who’s created these beautiful vintage motorcycle prints that are all available to buy online. I’ve always admired screen printed designs as they have to be prepared in such a way to work with the number of colours and 100% solid designs. David has done a fantastic job with all his prints and is adding more and more every week.

Buy Online: squeegeeville.bigcartel.com

Images: davidcran.com/

OldSoulYoungBlood : FestRide

Bad-ass weekend. After Brett left the west coast, he headed east to Miami to hang and ride with the Old Soul - Young Blood crew.

APOCALYPSE PAK

from http://www.thispak.com/

Regal Rovers: A Royal affair with Rangies

A scandal-free affair in the Royal Family? Yes, there is such a thing, at least when it comes to royal circles and their love of the Range Rover. The Royal Rangie is as much a part of the Queen’s public persona as her pastel-coloured hats and Corgis. Nor is it just the Queen who loves the luxurious SUV. 

Whether for State visits, hunting trips or to go to the races, the British Monarchy loves to arrive in a Range Rover – and so it has been since the first version of the luxury off-roader. When the Range Rover was officially launched in 1970, the British Royal Family acquired several variants of the three-door Range Rover ‘Classic’. It was perfect for State visits to Africa, for example, when the Queen needed to traverse the worst roads in comfort. The photo shows Elizabeth II with Prince Philip, standing in front of a white Range Rover on a visit to Zambia in 1970.



Prince Philip, a keen hunter, must appreciate the benefits of a modern-day Range Rover. His own models are easy to recognise, as they carry a special bonnet ornament that varies depending on the vehicle’s purpose: a galloping horse for horse racing and a Labrador with a dead pheasant in its mouth for hunting, and so on.



The royal love of Range Rovers has been passed down to subsequent generations of the Windsors. Both Princess Anne and Prince Charles are frequently spotted in them, while images were widely published of the then-pregnant Diana, sitting with the Prince of Wales on the bonnet of a green Range Rover at the Grand National. Although Charles today – as well as his children – seems to prefer Audis, it’s a Range Rover that the Prince will choose for turning up at a polo match. 



Despite the fact that the British Royals are not known for their modernism, the Windsors’ Range Rovers are almost always up to date. And it is usually the Queen herself behind the wheel, taking an active part, just as she did as a Princess during WWII, when she was photographed undertaking maintenance work on an Austin K2 ambulance.

Text: J. Philip Rathgen(ClassicDriver)
Photos: Getty Images

Sebastião Guerra’s FX650 SG-01

Sebastiao Guerra is from Lisbon in Portugal and has been a mechanic since he was just 18. He graduated to workshop leader in one of Portugal’s biggest Honda dealerships, so it’s fair to see he knows a lot about meddling with bikes from the big H. Since 2001 he’s been doing his own thing and this scrambler is the results of his labours, and it’s being featured in this month’s Motociclismo – a Portugese motorcycle mag.

The donor bike is a Honda FX650 Vigor 1999, which is not a well-loved or popular bike in Portugal – or anywhere else for that matter. It originally belonged to a customer, but Sebastiao liked it so much he snapped it up when the customer decided to sell, and he’s still wondering what else he can do to make it even better.

The bike has been stripped down and rebuilt, and every part and component has had some kind of modification or treatment – but many parts were successfully re-used or re-adapted to keep the costs under control, and other parts were made by hand, such as the battery box. The only new parts are the lights, exhaust, bars and tyres.

Sebastiao kept the original tank and seat, although this has been reshaped to match the frame, which has been chopped at the back. Black wrap keeps the high pipes from toasting his left leg.

Now that this bike has turned out so well, Sebastiao is well and truly bitten by the custom bike bug and already has SG-02 under way for a customer.

SG-02 will be based on the increasingly popular Honda NX650 Dominator, a bike which has produced a few really nice custom scramblers over the last 18 months, so we look forward to featuring his take on this platform in these pages.

Meanwhile Sebastiao looks justifiable pleased with himself. Meanwhile, picture credits to Rui Botas/Motociclismo

 from thebikeshed