ACE CAFE RADIO

    jeudi 11 avril 2013

    Smiling for the occasion / Sourires de circonstance


    This weekend sees Andreas Mikkelsen and Jari-Matti Latvala competing as Volkswagen Motorsport team-mates for the first time this year. They wore contrasting smiles at the pre-Portugal press conference, with the Norwegian upbeat and eager, while the Finn seemed a little more circumspect…
    Réunis pour la première fois dans le team Volkswagen Motorsport, Andreas Mikkelsen et Jari-Matti Latvala n’affichaient pas le même sourire en conférence de presse : enjôleur et impatient pour l’un, crispé et circonspect pour l’autre…
    The age difference between Andreas and Jari-Matti is only four years, yet the Norwegian’s world championship career begins this weekend, at a time when the Finn is going through something of a difficult period.
    “At last, my first rally with VW; it’s incredible,” beamed Andreas, who turns 24 on June 22. “So far, I have usually gone home on the Thursday after recce, but this time I am staying the whole weekend! For me, the Rally de Portugal could be the hardest round of the season. I’ve only been here once before, back in 2007; I was very young! My main aim is to get as much experience as I can, learn the championship, get a feeling for the rhythm of my rivals and get to know my new co-driver better…”
    The VW driver will share the N°9 Polo R WRC with Finn Mikko Markkula and has taken advantage of the switch to change his pace notes system which is now in English: “There were too many words in Norwegian. My system in English is simpler, but it’s difficult to have automatic reflexes for the moment. We’ve been practicing and Mikko has done a good job. I did two years in the IRC to prepare for the WRC. I feel ready, both physically and mentally. Lots of drivers would like to be in my shoes. My contract doesn’t terminate at the end of the year, so I’m in no hurry. I’m under no pressure…”
    His team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala is feeling a certain amount of pressure, however, after failing to finish two of this year’s three rounds so far, whereas Sébastien Ogier has won twice in an identical car.
    “It hasn’t been great since the start of the season,” commented the 28-year old Finn. “The car is fast and reliable, but I don’t feel perfectly confident. Our testing went well before coming here and that allowed me to put my finger on the problem: the front differential. My style isn’t the same as Sébastien’s, especially the way I position the car under braking. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make any modifications until Rally Argentina because certain parts, including the front diff, must be the same for Sweden, Mexico and Portugal. I’ve just got to live with the situation and do what I can. The team is very understanding. I have their support, but the situation can’t continue indefinitely. I need to prove my potential; that’s life. I’m not going to put myself under too much pressure here. We will see in Argentina.
    “For me, the Rally de Portugal is the hardest rally of the championship, with blind turns, delicate braking points and lots of stones and trees beside the stages. It requires good notes, but not too much information, either. It’s not easy, I can tell you…”
    Both Volkswagen Motorsport representatives have their sights set on reaching the finish of the Vodafone Rally de Portugal. One with the intention of learning, and the other with a view to boosting his confidence…

    Andreas et Jari-Matti n’ont que quatre ans d’écart. Pourtant, le Norvégien débute sa carrière de pilote professionnel en Championnat du monde des Rallyes ce week-end, alors que le Finlandais vit une période difficile.
    « Enfin, disputer mon premier rallye avec VW, c’est quelque chose d’incroyable », claironne Andreas Mikkelsen (24 ans le 22 juin). « J’avais pour habitude de partir le jeudi après les recos, et là, je vais rester un peu plus ce week-end ! Pour moi, le Rallye du Portugal sera peut-être le plus difficile de la saison : je ne l’ai disputé qu’une fois, en 2007, j’étais bien jeune ! Mon principal objectif est d’acquérir de l’expérience, d’apprendre le championnat, de jauger le rythme de mes adversaires, de mieux connaître mon nouveau copilote… »
    Andreas Mikkelsen va partager l’habitacle de la Polo R WRC n°9 avec Finlandais Mikko Markkula et en a profité pour changer ses notes, désormais en anglais : « En norvégien, il y avait beaucoup de trop mots. On les a simplifiées en anglais, mais c’est un peu plus difficile d’avoir des automatismes…On s’est bien entraînés, Mikko a fait du très bon travail… J’ai passé deux ans en IRC pour préparer ma carrière en WRC. Je suis prêt, y compris physiquement. Tout le monde voudrait ma place chez Volkswagen. Mon contrat ne s’arrête pas en fin d’année, je ne suis pas pressé, je n’ai aucune pression. »
    Son équipier Jari-Matti Latvala est quant à lui sous pression après deux abandons en trois rallyes, alors que Sébastien Ogier a remporté deux épreuves avec la même voiture.
    « Je ne suis pas au mieux depuis le début de saison », commente Jari-Matti (28 ans le 3 avril), visiblement en plein doute. « La voiture est rapide, fiable, mais je ne suis pas en confiance à son volant. On a fait de bons tests avant le rallye qui m’ont permis de mieux comprendre d’où venait le problème : du différentiel avant. Je n’ai pas le même style de pilotage que Sébastien, notamment sur le placement de l’auto au freinage. Malheureusement, je ne peux rien modifier avant le Rallye d’Argentine car Suède-Mexique-Portugal sont liés au niveau de certaines pièces mécaniques, comme le diff’ avant. Je dois accepter cette situation et faire au mieux. Le team est très compréhensif avec moi, je me sens bien entouré, mais ça ne peut pas durer éternellement : je dois prouver mon potentiel, c’est la dure réalité de la vie. Je ne me mets pas trop de pression ici, on verra en Argentine… »
    « Pour moi, le Rallye du Portugal est le plus difficile de la saison avec des virages aveugles, des points de freinage délicats à appréhender, des pierres en bord de piste, des arbres. Il faut de bonnes notes, mais pas trop d’informations non plus. Ce n’est pas évident, et j’en sais quelque chose… »
    Les deux pilotes Volkswagen Motorsport poursuivent le même objectif : être à l’arrivée du Vodafone Rally de Portugal. L’un pour apprendre, l’autre pour se rassurer.
    from best of rallylive

    Ken Block tackles Russia's snowy roads in latest GoPro ad



    Tens of cameras installed

    Ken Block has teamed up once again with GoPro for a new promotional clip.
    This latest video was filmed entirely by using dozens of GoPro HD HERO2 cameras which recorded Ken Block as he "battles the elements, races rogue skiers and tries to take out as many cameras as he can" in his Ford rally car.
    The challenging Russian snowy roads were no match for Ken Block's skills behind the wheel of the custom Focus, with all the action grabbed from different angles by the full HD-capable cameras.
    Ken Block has been keeping himself busy lately by agreeing with Ford to promote the new Fiesta ST.
    Source: GoPro
    via Worldcarfans

    Dodge Dart returns to the Global Rallycross Championship


    Cars will be driven by Travis Pastrana & Bryce Menzies

    Dodge has announced plans to expand their partnership with Pastrana Racing by fielding two Dodge Darts in the Global Rallycross Championship.
    The first car will continue to be driven by Travis Pastrana, while the second will be piloted by Bryce Menzies. Both will take part in the season opener in Brazil on April 21st.
    The Dart GRC is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that develops an impressive 600 bhp (447 kW) and 745 Nm (550 lb-ft) of torque. It is connected to a "Sedav 4-wheel drive gear box" which enables the model to rocket from 0-60 mph in just 1.9 seconds.
    According to Dodge President Reid Bigland, "Racing is an integral part of our heritage and embodies our competitive spirit, so we're very excited to have Travis Pastrana back in the Dodge Dart for the 2013 season."

    from worldcarfans

    HONDA CB550F BY KDI CYCLES


    Honda CB550F
    For a one-man band, Kevin Dinsmoor has had remarkable success. Based in the small town of Colchester in Connecticut, USA, he’s carved out a reputation as a builder of finely crafted vintage customs—like this Honda CB550F.
    “The concept was hatched a couple of years ago,” says Dinsmoor, who runs KDI Cycles. “I wanted to prove to myself that I could build a bike from swap meet junk.” With $450 in his pocket, Dinsmoor bought a tired 1975 Honda CB550F, a swing arm, two wheels and a tank—all from different vendors.
    Honda CB550F
    Despite the budget nature of the build, Dinsmoor decided to avoid the retro café route. (“I have so many old café racers that go way too fast for the tires and brakes—and I like to ride fast!”) Instead, he decided to take the resto-mod approach.
    Work started on the engine. It now has a crankshaft lightened by six pounds and balanced by APE, allowing the revs to spin up much faster. Dynoman big bore pistons bump capacity up to 605cc. Dinsmoor also swapped out the stock CB550F cylinder head for a Mike Rieck special—complete with 1 mm oversize valves, titanium retainers, and heavy duty springs.
    Honda CB550F
    A Web Cam #358B ‘hot street’ cam was dropped in, and a Keihin CR29 carburetor bolted on. Gases now exit via a custom Yoshimura-style exhaust. Other uprated parts include a Pamco high performance electronic ignition, a Motogadget speedo, a Barnett clutch and a custom-made transmission output shaft. The starter motor has gone, saving a few more pounds, with the space now taken by a crankcase breather.
    The stock CB550F suspension has been replaced by newer components better able to handle the extra power. The front end is now from a 2003 Honda CBR900RR, and the swing arm from the swap meet, a 1995 VFR, has been modified by Pro Kart.) The rear suspension, steering damper and brakes are all from a Suzuki GSX-R750. The wheels are Marchesini, now shod with Michelin Pilot Power sportbike tires.
    Honda CB550F
    Dinsmoor has excelled at the bodywork, with a keen eye for matching parts or creating his own. The tank is from a 1976 Kawasaki KZ400, but the seat unit is hand-made from aluminum. The fairing comes from Glass From The Past, and sports a Honda Accord fog light. The powdercoating was handled by Competitive Edge Coatings, and the paint by K&W Custom Auto. They’ve both done a magnificent job.
    Honda CB550F
    And if you detect a Ducati Paul Smart influence in the colors, you’re right. “That came from my visit to the Barber Vintage Festival, where I saw some amazing Ducks,” says Dinsmoor. The number 16 on the tail? “I raced WKA Karts for ten years, and my last number was 16. Kind of fell in line.”
    For more on this lovely CB550F, head over to this build thread on the Do The Ton forum. And follow KDI Cycles’ news via Facebook.
    Images courtesy of Ron Agnello, © Strongbox Photography Studios LLC. Shot at the New England Air Museum.
    Honda CB550F
    from BIKEEXIF

    JMR CL360 Tracker


    JMR CL360 1 Lside 800
    This is Josh Mott, owner of JMR Customs of Boise, ID. We came across a 1974 CL 360 Honda donor while dropping a Moto Guzzi off to a customer. The lady had the bike sitting in her garage, it was in rough shape. When I say rough shape, I mean it was probably the worst one I have come across.  I asked her about it and she seemed relieved that someone was willing to get it out of her garage. I brought it back to the shop and checked the normal spark and compression. The bike had both so I cleaned the carbs and she fired first kick.
    JMR CL360 2 Front Crop 800
    After I found out the bike ran I started trying to come up with ideas. Street trackers have always struck my interest because when I was younger I had raced a lot of flat track. The CL came with stock scrambler up pipes so I went with a Mini XR 750 Harley theme.
    JMR CL360 3 LSide MS 800
    Most of the work was cleaning. I did have to freshen up the top end, rebuild the carbs and rebuild the suspension front and rear. One things I would like to point out is the main stand, mainly because you hardly see anyone using them these days.  Other things I really like include the front hub with machined holes, the counter shaft sprocket cover with machined out holes and the crinkle paint on the motor.
    JMR CL360 5 Combo 800
    Parts mounted include the mini megaphone mufflers, dirt track bars, Mulholland shocks and a Trail Tech speedo.  The fabrication work included a battery box to hold all the electronics, lithium iron battery, side number plates and the headlight. The headlight was built by hand out of 16 gauge steel using 50 watt bulbs, it was built to be a multi-use number plate. It still keeps the flat track look while being a headlight and dashboard for the trail tech.
    JMR CL360 4 Rside 2 800
    The bike rides amazing and sounds cool as hell. I am very pleased with how this bike came out considering what I started with. I cannot wait to show the previous owner what her old bike looks like now. This bike is currently for sale and will be on ebay within a couple months.
    JMR CL360 6 Wheel 800
    I’m not sure we can add much to Josh’s own write-up. We don’t get enough trackers on here, and we love the little Harley styled Honda. Good work – as usual.
    Photo kudos goes to Just Kate Photography. Check out more from Josh at the JMR Facebook Page or ay the JMR Website
    JMR CL360 7 RsideRA 800
    from thebikeshed

    Brough Superior; l'histoire


    La Rolls de la moto

    Histoire constructeur : Brough SuperiorAu début du 20ème siècle, la famille Brough dispose d’une solide expérience du milieu automobile. Suite à une brouille avec son père, George Brough décide de fonder sa propre marque de motos qu’il nomme Brough Superior en 1919. Si ce nom sonne comme un affront à son père, il est surtout le reflet d’une qualité qui sera toujours l’une des marque de fabrique du constructeur. George Brough parlait d’ailleurs de concevoir la Rolls de la moto.
    En 1921, la toute première Brough Superior à voir le jour est dotée d’un Vtwin Jap de 986cm3 capable de la propulser à plus de 160 km/h. Trois ans plus tard, le modèle le plus connu de la marque est présenté, il s’agit de la SS100. En 1926, c’est au tour de la SS680 de faire son apparition.
    Réputé pour la qualité de ses machines, Brough Superior demeure une marque luxueuse et peu accessible. Chaque machine est en effet testée et adaptée à son futur acquéreur sous peine de retourner en atelier. Toutefois, la marque s’intéresse un moment à la production de modèles moins coûteux.

    La Brough Superior Austin

    Brough Superior SS100Au début des années 30, George Brough met au point la Brough –Superior-Austin, un modèle expérimental mu par un moteur quatre cylindres automobile issu d’une Austin Seven. Munie d’une marche arrière, la moto est vendue plus chère que l’Austin Seven.
    Parallèlement, la marque se fait connaître grâce à ses nombreux records de vitesse. Ainsi, en 1924, une Brough Superior atteint les 180 km/h avant de dépasser, cinq ans plus tard, les 200 km/h. A la fin des années 30, le constructeur britannique parvient même à coiffer les BMW au poteau en atteignant les 230 km/h.
    Si ses records de vitesse lui assurent une certaine notoriété, Brough Superior peut également compter sur la publicité gratuite que lui fournissent plusieurs célébrités de l’époque. De nombreux personnages célèbres ont en effet pris le guidon d’une Brough Superior, à l’image de Lawrence d’Arabie qui en posséda sept. Il décéda d’ailleurs quelques jours après avoir été victime d’un accident à moto.

    Vers une renaissance ?

    Lawrence d'Arabie au guidon d'une Brough Superior Ss100A la fin des années 30, Brough Superior continue d’innover et dévoile sa Golden Dream, un bloc-moteur de 1000cm3. Cependant, la Seconde Guerre mondiale scelle le sort de l’entreprise qui cesse toute production après 1940.
    Il faut ensuite attendre 2008 pour entendre à nouveau parler de la marque. British only Austria rachète cette année-là les brevets du constructeur dans l’intention de reproduire la célèbre SS100 de 1927 à partir de pièces et de méthodes modernes. Le projet serait encore en développement à l’heure actuelle et les quelques rares modèles subsistants s’arrachent aujourd’hui à des prix tout aussi exhorbitant que ceux des prix de vente de l’époque.

    Plus d'infos sur Brough Superior

    from lerepairedesmotards

    A flying start for Sordo / Sordo démarre fort

     Dani Sordo (Citroën DS3 WRC/Michelin) was the fastest driver on today’s Qualifying Stage. The Spaniard has chosen to start 13th on the road when the 2013 Vodafone Rally de Portugal 2013 begins on Friday.
     
    Dani Sordo (Citroën DS3 WRC/Michelin) a signé le meilleur temps de la Qualifying Stage. Il s’élancera en 13e position demain, pour la première journée du Vodafone Rally de Portugal 2013.
    Dani Sordo completed the 4.98km Qualifying Stage in a time of 3m1.6s, which was seven-tenths of a second better than Sébastien Ogier who is not in tip-top shape after picking up a throat complaint two week ago. The Frenchman’s team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala was third (+0.8s) and Mads Ostberg was fourth (+0.9s).
    Mikko Hirvonen was 1.3s slower than Sordo in the other factory Citroën DS3 WRC/Michelin, ahead of Novikov Neuville. Andreas Mikkelsen, who is making his debut at the premier level this week, was a cautious eighth (+6s), while Nasser Al-Attiyah (Ford) and Al-Qassimi (Citroën) posted identical times (+6.6s).
    The result of the Qualifying Stage allows the fastest WRC drivers to choose their start order for the rally’s first day and is consequently extremely important, but careful tyre management also promises to play a key role in Portugal. The priority drivers may only use up to 24 tyres (four per tyre-change opportunity [5] + another four for shakedown) from an allocation of 24 hard-compound gravel tyres and 16 softs. For this morning’s test stage, some drivers, including the Volkswagen and Citroën runners, chose four ‘soft’ tyres, which means they will have to use the same covers during the rally, even though fine weather is predicted for the duration… The Ford drivers (except Novikov) opted for the hard-compound Michelin Latitude Cross H2 for qualifying which they will be able to use again in addition to the other 20 H2s they have available.
    At 1:00pm local time, the 13 drivers who took part in the Qualifying Stage took turns to announce their preferred starting position. Unsurprisingly, and throwing superstition to the wind, Dani Sordo elected to start in 13th position, just behind Ogier, Latvala and Ostberg… The bulk of the ‘road sweeping’ work will be done by Dennis Kuipers, Michal Kosciuszko and Martin Prokop…


    En 3min01s6, l’Espagnol Dani Sordo a réalisé le meilleur chrono sur les 4,98 km de la Qualifying Stage, devant Sébastien Ogier (+0s7) qui n’est pas au mieux de sa forme. Le leader du championnat a contracté un virus et traîne un vilain mal de gorge depuis une quinzaine de jours. « Je ne prends plus de médoc, ils ne font plus effet. ». Son équipier Jari-Matti Latvala s’est classé 3e (+0s8) et Mads Ostberg 4e (+0s9).
    Derrière le top-4 réuni en moins d’une seconde, Mikko Hirvonen pointe à 1s3 sur sa Citroën DS3 WRC/Michelin, devant Novikov et Neuville. Pour ses débuts dans l’élite, Andreas Mikkelsen s’est montré prudent (8e, +6s). Nasser Al-Attiyah (Ford) et Al-Qassimi (Citroën) ont fait match nul (+6s6).
    La Qualifying Stage, qui, en fonction des résultats, permet aux pilotes WRC de choisir leurs positions sur la route pour la première journée, est très importante. Mais ce week-end, la gestion des pneumatiques sera aussi un paramètre essentiel. En effet, les pilotes prioritaires peuvent utiliser au maximum 24 pneumatiques (4x5 changements + 4 pour Shakedown) à choisir parmi 24 « hard » et 16 « soft ». Ce matin, certains ont opté pour quatre pneus « soft », comme les pilotes Volkswagen et Citroën, ce qui les obligera à les réutiliser pendant le rallye. Or, le beau temps est prévu tout le week-end… Les pilotes Ford (sauf Novikov) ont choisi des pneus Michelin Latitude Cross H2 « hard » pour la qualif qu’ils pourront réutiliser avec 20 autres pneus de même type H2.
    A 13h00, les 13 pilotes ayant participé à la Qualifying Stage sont montés sur l’estrade au milieu du parc d’assistance pour choisir leurs positions sur la route. Sans surprise et sans superstition, Dani Sordo a choisi de partir en 13e position. Ogier, Latvala, Ostberg… le précéderont sur la piste. Le gros du balayage sera assuré par Dennis Kuipers, Michal Kosciuszko et Martin Prokop…
    Ordre des départs 1ère journée
    1. Kuipers (Ford) – 2. Kosciuszko (Mini) – 3. Prokop (Ford) – 4. Al-Qassimi (Citroën) – 5. Al-Attiyah (Ford) – 6. Mikkelsen (VW) – 7. Neuville (Ford) – 8. Novikov (Ford) – 9. Hirvonen (Citroën) – 10. Ostberg (Ford) – 11. Latvala (VW) – 12. Ogier (VW) – 13. Sordo (Citroën)…
    from best-of-rallylive

    top promo !! Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas coming to Austin!



    Buster + Punch – In the Beginning


    “Making of our first collection – ‘HOOKED’
    All music by Jenn Grant and filmed in the UK”

    The Build interactive experience



    Here's something pretty special from Portland based, independent digital creative agency 'Instrument'. It's an interactive online experience that takes you into the minds and the workshops of 3 of Portlands top custom builders. On the 'Build Film' website James CroweThor Drake and Casey Him each share their thoughts about custom building in a series of beautifully shot videos by the talented folk at Instrument. Once you've watched the videos you can also interact with different elements of each builders life. This includes exploring Casey's workshop, checking out some of Thor's custom builds and checking out James' latest bike build plan.




    In this video they've compiled most of the videos together into a 16 minute documentary. Be sure to visit the Build Film website to get the full interactive experience (warning: site will takes ages to load on slow connections)

    Is it just me or is Portland becoming the world's capital of cool custom motorcycle culture?!
    The Build Film     |     James Crowe     |     Thor Drake     |     Casey Him     |     Instrument

    Looking for Cafe Racer parts and accessories? Head to 100MPH.com.au

    Tightest Parallel Park Record Broken TWICE - Guinness World Records !!



    13.10 cm (5.16 inches) between cars

    The world record for the tightest parallel park has been taken down once again, this time in a classic Mini Mayfair.
    Towards the end of last year a Volkswagen Up! driven by Ronny Wechselberger broke the record with only 14 cm (5.51 inches) of space between the other two cars. The record was short-lived as John Moffatt and his brother Alastair both took down the record on December 10, 2012 on the set of British TV program Officially Amazing.
    The measured gap was of only 13.1 cm (5.16 inches) and both record-breaking attempts were accomplished using a Mini Mayfair. As the video shows, not all tries were as successful but nevertheless the stunt is still impressive.
    Source: Guinness World Records
    via worldcarfans

    Deus Bali Dress Up Drags



    Those crazy kids at Deus Canggu (Bali, Indonesia) sure know how to have a good time! Last week the Deus crew hosted the fourth installment of their annual 'Dress Up Drags'. Costumes were worn, drags were won (and lost) and a very special guest came along for the ride. Check out these great shots and video from the day...

    Charley Boorman aka 'Evil Knievel'

    "The tri-fecta of birthdays that started this little soiree four years ago are still there but like a lot of things the Dress Up Drags has taken on a life of it’s own. To say this one was bigger and better that those before is fundamentally correct but each has been unique and they tend to deny comparison. One thing they’ve all had in common though is that it’s always been a great day at the races."




    "Now if all of this madness and mayhem wasn’t enough, we were also as pleased as punch to have a surprise guest. He’s a guy that regularly does over 100,000km’s a year on two wheels, today he was coming to play and he’d brought his own TV crew. Charley Boorman, who just happened to be in town to do a show about biking, heard about this little rice paddy ritual and had turned up, all dressed up as if he was Evil Knievel. This would be interesting."


    "As if on cue a wheel stand went wide on the uneven surface spilling the rider onto the track and the bike into the crowd. No serious injuries were had and our paramedics were on hand."



    If you find yourself in Bali anytime be sure to drop by the Deus 'Temple of Enthusiasm' in Canggu. The foods great, the beers are cold, the bikes are amazing and the atmosphere is addictive.






    Looking for Cafe Racer parts and accessories? Head to 100MPH.com.au

    Al Gharb al-Andalus…


    The Middle East is strongly represented in the 2013 edition of Vodafone Rally de Portugal in both the flagship WRC category and particularly in WRC2, courtesy of Qataris Nasser Al-Attiyah and Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, Khalid Al-Qassimi and Rashid Al-Ketbi from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Jordanian Ala’a Rasheed.
    Le Moyen-Orient est fortement représenté au Vodafone Rally de Portugal 2013 en catégories WRC et surtout WRC2 avec Nasser Al-Attiyah et Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari (Qatar), Khalid Al-Qassimi et Rashid Al-Ketbi (Emirats Arabes Unis), Ala’a Rasheed (Jordanie).
    The word Algarve – which originates from the Arabian ‘Al Gharb’, meaning ‘The West’ – is a reminder that the south of Portugal was once ruled by Muslims for almost five centuries. This weekend, the championship’s Middle Eastern contenders will be walking in the footsteps – or should that be driving in the tracks – of their ancestors, the Umayyads, who left Damascus in a bid to conquer the world following the death of the Prophet Mohammed in 632 A.D.
    For around 20 years, the participation of competitors from the Middle East in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) has been consistently on the rise. During the 1980s, Qatar’s Saeed Al-Hajri and Mohammed Ben Sulayem were the region’s pioneers. Nicknamed the ‘King of Dunes’, Al-Hajri was the first Arabian driver to score points in the WRC (finishing fifth on the 1985 Acropolis Rally and sixth on the same event the following year in a Porsche 911 SC). Now an FIA vice-president, Ben Sulayem contested 18 WRC events and claimed no fewer than 14 titles and 60 individual victories in the FIA Middle East Rally Championship. At the end of the 1990s, Saudi Arabian Abdullah Bakkashab and Amed Al-Wahaibi from Oman were the most visible Middle Eastern faces in the WRC, prior to the world championship debut of both Nasser Al-Attiyah and Khalid Al-Qassimi in 2004...
    Fans are eager to witness the first duel of the current WRC campaign between the Ford Fiesta RS WRC of the Qatari and his UAE rival’s Citroën DS3 WRC – and it will take place this weekend in Portugal. The two men have competed against one another for many years in the Middle East Rally Championship (MERC). Eight times a champion in that series, Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah has already triumphed in the opening two rounds of 2013 – the Qatar International Rally and Kuwait International Rally – whilst the 2004 MERC champ Sheikh Khalid bin Faisal bin Sultan Al-Qassimi was runner-up on both occasions.
    Bit by bit, other MERC regulars have successfully made their way into the WRC, such as Yazeed Al-Rahji and Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari. Following a short apprenticeship, both have shone in the early stages of the 2013 season, tallying a victory apiece in Sweden (Al-Rahji) and Mexico (Al-Kuwari) in the WRC2 category. Injured in a cross-country rally outing, Al-Rahji has unfortunately been forced to withdraw from Vodafone Rally de Portugal, but there will nonetheless be two other Middle Eastern drivers competing there in WRC2 – Rashid Al-Ketbi in a Skoda Fabia S2000 and Ala’a Rasheed in a Ford Fiesta RRC. Skydive Dubai Rally Team’s Al-Ketbi finished fourth and eighth respectively at WRC2 level in Monte-Carlo and Sweden this year, whilst Ala’a Rasheed will be making his FIA World Rally Championship debut this weekend.
    The four Abu Dhabi Racing team drivers – Mohammed Al-Mutawaa, Mohammed Al-Sahlawi, Bader Al-Jabri and Majid Al-Shamsi, all from the UAE – are potential future WRC stars. Al-Mutawaa and Al-Sahlawi were the two winners of the Citroën Racing shoot-out in Abu Dhabi last December, and consequently are both participating in the 2013 Middle East Rally Championship in DS3 R3s.

    Le mot Algarve, qui vient de l’Arabe « Al Gharb » (à l’ouest), nous rappelle que le sud du Portugal fut occupé par les Musulmans pendant près de cinq siècles…Ce week-end, les pilotes du Moyen-Orient vont donc marcher sur les traces de leurs aïeux, les Ommeyades, partis de Damas pour conquérir le monde après la mort du Prophète Mahomet en l’an 632.
    Depuis une vingtaine d’années, la présence des pilotes du Moyen-Orient n’a cessé de s’accroître en Championnat du monde des Rallyes FIA. Dans les années 80, le Qatari Saeed Al-Hajri et Mohammed Ben Sulayem furent les pionniers. Surnommé le « Roi des Dunes », Al-Hajri fut le premier pilote arabe à marquer des points en WRC (5e Acropole 1985, 6e Acropole 1986 sur Porsche 911 SC). Actuel vice-président de la FIA, Ben Sulayem a disputé 18 rallyes WRC et remporté 14 titres et 60 victoires en Championnat du Moyen-Orient. A la fin des années 90, Abdullah Bakkashab (Arabie Saoudite) et Amed Al-Wahaibi (Oman) étaient des pilotes assidus en WRC avant les débuts mondiaux de Nasser Al-Attiyah et de Khalid Al-Qassimi en 2004...
    On attendait impatiemment le premier duel de la saison mondiale entre la Ford Fiesta RS WRC du Qatari et la Citroën DS3 WRC du pilote émirati. Il aura lieu ce week-end au Portugal. Les deux hommes s’affrontent depuis de longues années en championnat du Moyen-Orient (MERC). Octuple champion, Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah a remporté les deux premières manches 2013, le Qatar International Rally et le Kuwait International Rally, alors que le champion MERC 2004, Sheikh Khalid bin Faisal bin Sultan Al-Qassimi, a terminé deux fois deuxième.
    Peu à peu, d’autres pilotes du championnat du Moyen-Orient se sont lancés avec succès en WRC, comme Yazeed Al-Rahji ou Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari. Après une ou deux années d’apprentissage, ils ont brillé en début de saison avec une victoire en Suède et au Mexique en catégorie WRC2. Blessé lors d’un Rally-Raid, Al-Rahji a malheureusement dû déclarer forfait pour le Vodafone Rally de Portugal où l’on retrouvera deux autres pilotes du Moyen-Orient en catégorie WRC2, Rashid Al-Ketbi (Skoda Fabia S2000) et Ala’a Rasheed (Ford Fiesta RRC). Al-Ketbi (Skydive Dubai Rally Team) a terminé 4e et 8e WRC2 au Monte-Carlo et en Suède, alors qu’Ala’a Rasheed découvre le Championnat du monde des Rallyes FIA ce week-end.
    Les quatre pilotes du team Abu Dhabi Racing, Mohammed Al-Mutawaa, Mohammed Al-Sahlawi, Bader Al-Jabri et Majid Al-Shamsi (Emirats Arabes Unis) sont peut-être de futurs pilotes WRC. Al-Mutawaa et Al-Sahlawi ont remporté les sélections organisées par Citroën Racing à Abu Dhabi en décembre dernier et disputent le Championnat du Moyen-Orient 2013 sur des DS3 R3.
    from best-of-rallylive

    For Sale: Porsche 935 Moby Dick


    Porsche 935 Moby Dick
    Built in Weissach for the 1979 season, this Porsche 935 is, according to Freisinger Motorsport, the last factory 935er and one of just two cars in this illustrious Martini Livery; the other being chassis 935-006 in the Porsche Museum.
    When Porsche withdrew from endurance sports racing at the end of 1978 this car, chassis 935-007, went into storage in Korntal, where it stayed until Kerry Morse bought it in 1988. Freisinger Motorsport then bought it in 2008 and is offering it for sale today.
    The car features Porsche’s 845 horsepower 935/71 turbo six-cylinder motor, which was not available to private teams at the time, along with the gearbox from 935-006.
    It’s in stunning condition and you can check it out over Freisinger Motorsport’s website here.