Citroen C-Elysee WTCC roars into Frankfurt

Will compete in the World Touring Car Championship

After months of teasing, Citroen has officially unveiled the C-Elysée WTCC race car at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Set to compete in the 2014 World Touring Car Championship, the C-Elysée WTCC has an aggressive appearance thanks to a carbon fiber front spoiler, extended wheel arches and a prominent rear wing. We can also see a carbon fiber grille, aerodynamic side skirts and a massive rear diffuser.

Power comes from a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 380 bhp (283 kW) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. It is connected to a six-speed sequential transmission that sends power to the front wheels via a mechanical self-locking differential.

The car will be driven by Sébastien Loeb and Yvan Muller who has previously said the C-Elysée WTCC is "lighter, more powerful and more efficient" than anything he has driven in recent seasons.

Source: Citroen

via WORLDCARFANS

More Alsace action for Romain Dumas / Romain Dumas remet ça

Like last year, the winner of the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours has posted an entry for next month’s Rallye de France-Alsace (October 3-6), round 11 of the World Rally Championship. He will drive a Ford Fiesta RS WRC, with Denis Giraudet as co-driver.

Comme l’an passé, le vainqueur des 24 Heures du Mans 2010 sera au départ du Rallye de France-Alsace (3-6 octobre), 11e manche du Championnat du monde des Rallyes. Il pilotera une Ford Fiesta RS WRC et sera copiloté par Denis Giraudet.

After coming 16^th overall and setting some decent stage times in a Mini John Cooper Works WRC in 2012, the French all-rounder has switched to an M Sport-prepared Ford Fiesta RS WRC/Michelin for this year’s attempt.

The current season is one of transition for the works Porsche star who contested the opening rounds of this year’s FIA World Endurance Championship and won the GT class at Le Mans before focusing 100 percent on the development of the German make’s LMP1 prototype in preparation for 2014.

As a result, he has had less time to spend on other forms of motorsport, although he was able to take part in the USA’s Pikes Peak Hill Climb (retired, mechanical problem) and the occasional national-level rally, like the Rallye de Grasse Fleur et Parfum in a Porsche 997 which he won with Giraudet calling out the pace notes.

The experienced Frenchman will be at his side again for the Rallye de France. The event will mark the return of the WRC’s most experienced co-driver (175 starts) after he sustained a nasty back injury on Rally Finland in 2012. After two delicate operations and a long period of re-education, he has been given the green light to resume competing.

Après une 16^e place et quelques chronos encourageants l’an passé sur une Mini John Cooper Works WRC, l’éclectique pilote français remet le couvert, sur une Ford Fiesta RS WRC/Michelin préparée par M-Sport cette fois-ci.

2013 est une année de transition pour le pilote officiel Porsche, qui a disputé les premières épreuves du Championnat du monde d’Endurance FIA (victoire GT au Mans) avant de se concentrer à 100% sur le développement du prototype LMP1 qu’il pilotera la saison prochaine.

Romain n’a eu que peu de temps pour ses « activités annexes » : il a tout de même participé à la course-de-côte de Pikes Peak (abandon, mécanique) et à quelques rallyes nationaux, comme le Rallye de Grasse fleur et Parfum sur Porsche 997 où le tandem avec Denis Giraudet s’est formé par une victoire.

Denis sera de nouveau à ses côtés au Rallye de France. Ce sera le grand retour en WRC du plus expérimenté des copilotes (175 départs) après sa blessure au dos contractée au Rallye de Finlande 2012. Après deux opérations délicates et de longs mois de rééducation, Denis a eu le feu vert pour se rassoir dans un baquet de rallye.

Marc Marquez almost 100% fit and ready for Misano GP

It looks like Marc Marquez will not be taking part in the ‘Spurtleda’ charity event on Wednesday as the Repsol Honda rider has decided to arrive at Misano a little later than usual, in order to continue undergoing physiotherapy on his shoulder.

Marquez dislocated his shoulder at Silverstone during warm-up practice, and he also sustained some light ligament damage that didn’t him from battling with Jorge Lorenzo on the final lap of the British GP, come second just a heartbeat away from the Yamaha rider, but still keep a firm grip on the championship title standings.

Fortunately for Marquez his crashes so far has left him with very few injuries - an abrasion on his chin at Mugello and a fractured toe and little finger at Assen - nothing compared to Jorge Lorenzo’s and Dani Pedrosa’s fractured collarbones.

“I’m already feeling much better since my accident in Silverstone, so hopefully I’ll be almost 100% by this weekend!” said Marquez. “I will arrive in Italy for the race weekend a little later than usual as I will use the time to have more physiotherapy on my shoulder. Misano has a lot of braking and is a smaller and slower track compared to others on the calendar, so it will be interesting to ride the MotoGP bike there. Once again, the aim is to start to work like always, focused on Sunday and prepare ourselves in the best way.”

Dani Pedrosa is still second in the standings, 30-points behind his team mate heading into this weekend’s Misano round, the scene where he suffered a massive screw-up on the Misano starting grid, due to a tire warmer jamming under the front wheel, that forced him to start from the back and then Hector Barbera wiped him out at turn 6, giving his 2012 title chances a massive blow.

I was slightly disappointed after Silverstone as we knew we had the speed and race pace to challenge for victory, anyway we must learn from the mistakes and move on,” commented Pedrosa. “Misano is quite a tricky track and the grip level is always a challenge, but I enjoy riding there. I’ve had good results in the past even if last year we experienced a nightmare on race day! This year we arrive confident and looking to reduce the points to Marc in the Championship.”

from TWOWHEELSBLOG

A change of key: Pianist Lang Lang in a Beetle

Lang Lang, the revered Chinese pianist, is one of the best in his genre – a virtuoso of the ivory keys. In his classic rally debut at the Schloss Bensberg Classics, the musician was paired with Classic Driver editor J. Philip Rathgen in the cockpit of a Beetle ‘Hebmüller’ Cabriolet...

“This is so cool!” said Lang Lang, as he entered the inner courtyard of Schloss Bensberg for the first time in the elegant VW Beetle ‘Hebmüller’ Cabriolet. The 31-year-old pianist from China had never sat in the car before, let alone participated in a classic rally. Undeterred, his enthusiasm and anticipation shone through. 

“This is one of the slowest, but most beautiful experiences of my life...”

The Beetle (known as a ‘Hebmüller’ courtesy of its famous coachbuilder) – fresh from Volkswagen Classic – is beautifully restored but a bit of a diva, and hence required some TLC from a VW mechanic to get it going. Lang Lang found this amusing, even sympathising with the car. “The Beetle has a mind of its own,” he said, comparing it to a historic piano that would demand even more attention than the car. 

After a successful start, the rally led through picturesque areas of mountainous country. Lang Lang compared the ride through the hills with a Beethoven Symphony, thank to its natural beauty. For someone more used to aircraft and limousines, the leisurely power and pace of the Hebmüller Cabriolet was a completely new experience, and one that the pianist clearly relished. As the rally headed toward Moitzfeld, Lang Lang laughed, proclaiming, “This is one of the slowest, but most beautiful experiences of my life.”

But all good things must eventually come to an end, and the experience-rich young artist and his team aboard the Beetle finally arrived on the ramp at the finish. Who knows – maybe Lang Lang will remember the slow ride through the landscape while next interpreting Beethoven’s 5^th Concerto. 

Photos: Kai-Uwe Knoth, Tim Brown, Volkswagen  

via Classic Driver

Horween Watch Straps by Worn & Wound

This is the all-new Horween watch strap by Worn & Wound out of Brooklyn, NY – We’ve featured the Worn & Wound NYC Nato strap in the past, as well as their watch roll, so you might already be familiar with their wares.
These new straps are all made from leather sourced from the world-famous Horween Tannery of Chicago, widely considered to be the best leather in the USA and amongst the best in the world. There are 3 colour variations available including rye, crimson and coal – the choice of colour will depend largely on the colour and style of watch you pair with them.
The straps are all in stock at the moment, but they tend to sell quite quickly so if you have an old watch you’d like to dress up a little you might want to click here and grab one.

JVB-MOTO DUCATI MONSTER 1100

Ten years ago, Ducati caused a flurry of interest in the custom world with its International Design Contest. The winner was an unknown young German designer called Jens vom Brauck, with a stunning concept called ‘Flat Red.’

Jens then built Flat Red for real, and the bike launched his company JvB-Moto onto the European custom scene. He’s now an established builder with a string of stark, brutal-looking machines to his name. A few days ago, at the Glemseck café racer festival in Germany, Jens revealed Flat Red II—and here it is.

It’s based on a Ducati Monster 1100, and sports an aluminum tank with a carbon cover. The emphasis was on saving weight—the bike hits the scales at just 150 kg, but packs a cool 100 bhp, thanks to a custom exhaust and a Termignoni ECU.

Flat Red II is no show pony: there’s Öhlins suspension all-round, and forged OZ wheels help to reduce weight still further. The swingarm is a modified Monster 696 item that conceals a compact li-ion battery. The brake fluid reservoirs are now located inside the top yoke, in place of the usual handlebar rubber mountings.

Hand-made aluminum parts are everywhere, from the oil cooler housing to the air intake to the front fender. The rear fender and headlight surround are carbon fiber, and the electrics are hidden within the shell of the new tank.

At Glemseck, Jens wheeled the Monster onto the sprint track and won the international class, beating British racers Guy Martin and Connor Cummins, and German pro racer Nina Prinz. “The bike goes like hell!” Jens reports. “It’s light and low, and could beat more powerful 4-cylinder bikes on the eighth-mile distance. Great fun!”

Flat Red II was a commission, but it’ll be the last of its type. “It’s a one-off,” Jens says firmly.

A shame, but you can get an additional fix of Jens’ work in our archives—and stay in touch with JvB-Moto news via Facebook.

via BIKEEXIF

PORSCHE FRANCE ET MICHELIN LANCENT UN SCHOLARSHIP NATIONAL.

A l'initiative de Porsche France, en partenariat avec Michelin, la saison 2014 sera encore un peu plus axée sur la détection des « Jeunes Talents » grâce à la mise en place d'un Scholarship Programme sur la Porsche Carrera Cup France.

Ce « volant » s'inscrit dans la droite ligne du Porsche International Cup Scholarship Program instauré l'an dernier. A l'issue de sélections qui se dérouleront du 27 au 29 octobre pour 12 pilotes, un jeune lauréat (moins de 26 ans) sera désigné. Il bénéficiera non seulement d'une bourse de 30 000 Euros HT, à valoir sur la saison 2014 de la Porsche Carrera Cup France, mais aussi d'un coaching individuel et d'une communication spécifique. Ce « Scholarship Programme » constitue ainsi la première étape du programme global mis en place par Porsche Motorsport au niveau international.

Véritable école de la performance, la Porsche Carrera Cup France mise plus que jamais sur l‘avenir en participant activement à la détection des jeunes pilotes. Déjà largement engagé sur cette voie grâce à ses nombreux « Jeunes Talents » présents dans la discipline, et à travers le Porsche International Cup Scholarship Program, qui permet à un pilote d'une Porsche Carrera Cup nationale d'accéder à la Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, Porsche France initie pour la saison 2014 son « Scholarship Programme » dans la plus pure tradition des célèbres « Volants » à l'origine de prestigieuses carrières sportives.

La sélection qui se déroulera du 27 au 29 octobre sur le circuit du Castellet est ouverte aux pilotes venant de tous horizons. Plusieurs conditions sont toutefois à remplir. Tout d'abord être âgé de moins de 26 ans au 1er janvier 2015 mais aussi n'avoir jamais participé à une course de Porsche Carrera Cup.

Douze pilotes seront retenus pour participer à cette sélection qui se déroulera sur trois jours. Le premier, le dimanche 27 octobre, sera consacré à une véritable immersion au cœur de la Porsche Carrera Cup France à l'occasion de sa finale 2013. Les 12 prétendants iront à la rencontre des pilotes et teams, mais aussi de Porsche France et de Patrick Pilet, pilote officiel Porsche Motorsport, Parrain des « Jeunes Talents » et qui sera le « coach » du lauréat de la sélection.

Le lendemain, place à l'action avec les évaluations en piste supervisées par Patrick Pilet. Au programme de la matinée, pilotage de différents modèles Porsche de série. L'après-midi sera consacré à la Porsche GT3 Cup. La troisième et dernière journée sera dédiée aux évaluations sportives et aux entretiens individuels.

Le jury qui choisira le lauréat sera composé de Patrick Pilet, de Porsche France et d'un représentant de Michelin qui par ailleurs offrira une dotation pneumatiques au vainqueur pour la saison 2014.

Au-delà de la bourse de 30 000 Euros HT qui lui sera accordée, le lauréat intégrant le programme « Jeunes Talents » bénéficiera d'un encadrement individuel. Cet accompagnement se composera non seulement d'un véritable coaching mais aussi d'une mise en avant en matière de communication.

Pour Colas Henckes, Directeur Marketing de Porsche France, ce programme reprend le schéma des « volants constructeurs » qui ont permis la détection de bon nombre de fameux pilotes : « Le principe de ce programme est de donner une impulsion supplémentaire à la discipline tout en offrant au pilote sélectionné un accompagnement complet. L'attrait des jeunes pilotes pour la Porsche Carrera Cup France est réel et ce programme devrait amener encore un peu plus de sang neuf, ce qui se révèle excellent pour le niveau global. »

Parrain des « Jeunes Talents » depuis deux saisons, Patrick Pilet avoue que la pointe de vitesse ne sera pas le seul paramètre pris en compte : « Ce programme est destiné à dynamiser encore un peu plus la discipline et intéresser de jeunes pilotes tout en les aidant pour la suite de leur carrière. Nous recherchons un pilote très complet avec des qualités certaines en matière de pilotage mais aussi en dehors de la voiture tant au niveau physique qu'en matière de communication. Ce n'est pas forcément le plus rapide mais celui qui se rapproche le plus du profil que nous recherchons qui sera choisi. »

Source : Porsche

via Endurance-Info

ERC : An entertaining entry for Rally Poland / Du beau monde en Pologne

Round nine of the 2013 FIA European Rally Championship is the Lotos 70 Rally Poland which has attracted an entry of 85 drivers. Potential winners include Jan Kopecky, Robert Kubica, Craig Breen, Bryan Bouffier, Michal Kosciuszko and Katejan Kajetanowicz…

Neuvième manche du Championnat d’Europe des Rallyes FIA, le Lotos 70 Rally Poland s’annonce très ouvert avec, parmi les 85 engagés, Jan Kopecky, Robert Kubica, Craig Breen, Bryan Bouffier ou encore Michal Kosciuszko et Katejan Kajetanowicz en vainqueurs potentiels…

A fortnight after the Barum Rally Zlin which was dominated by Jan Kopecky, the ERC moves on to Mikolajki for the 70^th edition of Rally Poland which could well find a slot on next season’s WRC calendar.

Robert Kubica (Citroën DS3 RRC/Michelin), who is making his return to the ERC after May’s Tour de Corse, is eagerly awaited by his home fans, although the smooth dirt stages in the Masurian Lakes region will be totally new to him. That said, the ex-F1 driver, who won the WRC-2 class last month in Finland, has the potential to take the top prize.

He won’t monopolise the favours of the local fans, though, since the 2009 Junior WRC runner-up Michał Kościuszko (Fiesta R5) is taking part, too, despite hurting his back on Rallye Deutschland. Another expected front-runner is the three-time Polish champion KatejanKajetanowicz who will also have a Ford Fiesta R5.

Tomasz Kuchar has entered a Peugeot 207 S2000, while Michal Solowow – who came second in 2012 – will have his Ford Fiesta RRC. There will also be the 1997 European champion, former TV commentator and EuroMP Krzysztof Hołowczyc, 51 (Ford Fiesta RRC). Meanwhile, although French, Bryan Bouffier (Peugeot 207 S2000) is another three-time Polish champion who is likely to go well. He chose to miss the recent Barum Rally Zlin in order to focus on this weekend’s event.

The list of potential victors continues, of course, with the Czech Republic’s Jan Kopecky (Skoda Fabia S2000/Michelin) who has already won five ERC rounds in 2013 and who has every chance of being this year’s champion. The Peugeot Rally Academy makes its return to the series with Peugeot 207 S2000s for Craig Breen (co-driven by Lara Vanneste) and Jérémie Ancian. Other drivers to watch include Estonia’s Martin Kangur (in a Ford Fiesta R5 run by MM-Motorsport) and Turk Yagiz Avci (Fiesta S2000), winner of the 2012 Yalta Rally. In all, 15 S2000/RRC/R5 cars are expected.

Friday afternoon’s Qualifying Stage (2.50km) will determine the start order for Leg 1’s seven special stages (Saturday, September 14), including two visits to 'Mragowo' (25.16km) which will be shown live on Eurosport. Sunday’s action features six stages, including two attempts at ‘Mateuszek’ (26.02km, also ‘live’), before the finish in Mikolajki at 7:30pm.

Deux semaines après le Barum Rally Zlin dominé par Jan Kopecky, l’ERC a rendez-vous en Pologne, à Mikolajki, pour la neuvième des douze manches 2013. La 70^e édition du Lotos Rally Poland, qui pourrait revenir au calendrier mondial l’an prochain, s’annonce somptueuse.

De retour en ERC depuis le Tour de Corse en mai dernier, Robert Kubica (Citroën DS3 RRC/Michelin) est attendu par tous ses fans sur une épreuve qu’il va découvrir, tracée dans la région des Grands Lacs de Mazurie, sur des pistes en terre très roulantes. Vainqueur WRC-2 au Rallye de Finlande, l’ancien pilote de F1 a démontré son potentiel sur ce même type d’épreuve.

Il ne sera pas le seul soutenu par le public polonais puisque Michał Kościuszko (Fiesta R5), vice-champion du monde Junior 2009, ne pouvait manquer ce rendez-vous malgré une blessure au dos contractée au Rallye d’Allemagne. Autre candidat à la victoire, le triple champion de PologneKatejanKajetanowicz qui disposera lui aussi d’une Ford Fiesta R5.

L’ancien pilote WRC Tomasz Kuchar pilotera une Peugeot 207 S2000 alors que Michal Solowow, deuxième en 2012, sera au volant de sa Ford Fiesta RRC. Enfin, à 51 ans, le champion d’Europe des Rallyes 1997, ancien présentateur TV et parlementaire européen Krzysztof Hołowczyc est attendu au départ sur une Ford Fiesta RRC. Le plus Polonais des Français, Bryan Bouffier – triple champion de Pologne – a fait l’impasse sur le Barum Rally Zlin pour mieux préparer ce rendez-vous sur une Peugeot 207 S2000.

Parmi les autres candidats à la victoire, le Tchèque Jan Kopecky (Skoda Fabia S2000/Michelin) évidemment, déjà lauréat de cinq rallyes ERC cette année et qui file vers le titre 2013. La Peugeot Rally Academy est de retour avec deux Peugeot 207 S2000 pour Craig Breen – associé à Lara Vanneste - et Jérémie Ancian.  A suivre aussi l’Estonien Martin Kangur au volant d’une Ford Fiesta R5 engagée par MM-Motorsport, sans oublier le Turc Yagiz Avci (Fiesta S2000) vainqueur du Yalta Rally 2012.  En tout, quinze S2000, RRC et R5 sont attendues.

La Qualifying Stage (2,50 km) est programmée vendredi après-midi et déterminera l’ordre des départs de la première étape samedi 14 septembre où sept spéciales seront à parcourir, dont deux passages dans Mragowo (25,16 km) retransmis en direct live sur Eurosport. Le lendemain, six spéciales (dont deux fois Mateuszek, 26,02 km en live) sont au menu avant l’arrivée à Mikolajki à partir de 19h30.

1936 BÖHMERLAND 600CC

If you’ve ever wanted to be that guy who everyone at the motorcycle rally walks over to and says “what the hell is that?”, this may just be your ride. Built by Böhmerland in 1936 this very rare and decidedly odd looking bike has a 600cc single cylinder engine, I’m assuming an engine like that means that it’s a bit of a rattler but it’s actually very hard to find information on this model and on the marque as a whole.

The Böhmerland Motorcycle Company was established in 1924 in Czechoslovakia and produced a series of rather oddball machines (including the longest-wheelbase production-motorcycle ever, at 10.5 foot) up until the Germans invaded at the beginning of World War II.

This bike is up for sale via the vintage motorcycle site Yesterdays.nl, click here to view the directory listing.

via SILODROME

KOTT HONDA CB750 DOHC

Dustin Kott is what you might call a builder’s builder. From his base in California he specializes in Honda CBs, turning out low-key but beautifully finished machines. Like this 1979 Honda CB750 DOHC, called ‘The Valentino.’

Kott enjoys working on vintage Hondas: The engineering tolerances are good, and they’re able to survive more neglect than most bikes. But he admits that the DOHC presented a challenge. “I had some reservations,” he says. “What could be done to balance out this machine, and create more fluid lines?” It was impossible to avoid comparisons with the iconic SOHC 750 series, and not necessarily favorable ones either.

To optimize performance, Kott completely disassembled and rebuilt the motor and transmission. He powder-coated the engine cases and applied touches of ‘black chrome’ plating to selected components on the engine and chassis. The carburetors have been modified to compensate for the removal of the clunky factory air box, and to allow fitment of K&N individual pod filters.

“Any enthusiast familiar with this particular bike will know that the frame needs heavy modification to get better lines,” says Kott. So he removed the last six inches of the frame—including the rear fender gusset—and welded in a steel battery/electrical component table.

To maintain a continuous straight line along the bottom edge of the frame, a custom steel-constructed seat was built to clear the shock towers and recapture the continuity. A new tank was installed to neatly align with the triple clamp and distract from the severity of the original tank angle.

Custom Works shocks were added to improve the handling and raise the back of the bike to a level line. The new rearsets keep the original actuation levers to maintain a vintage appeal. And because the DOHC engine is a wet sump design, the frame triangulation remains open, lightening the overall look.

Kott describes the build as looking “like an engine with handlebars,” and he’s right. “I believe we captured the essence of marrying a vintage aesthetic with new technology.”

It’s an old-school machine with a modern-day appeal. Head over to the Kott Motorcycleswebsite for images of Kott’s other builds—and check out this excellent interview onMegadeluxe.

Images by Alex Martino.

via BIKEEXIF

MINI at Frankfurt Motor Show 2013 Preview

With just over a week to go before the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show begins on 12th September MINI has announced that visitors to the Frankfurt International Motor Show will be able to see the whole of the British brand’s model range. MINI now produce nine models and various special and limited editions of their small premium car and they keep drivers loyal to the brand thanks to constant evolution of a winning formula and a range of Original MINI Accessories that will also be displayed on MINI’s stand.

The British brand’s accessories include retrofit 25-watt xenon headlamps for selected models, a next-gen portable navigation system with a 4.3-inch display that’s been designed specifically for the car and a new child seat tailored to the MINI. LED daytime running light are also an option that can be added retrospectively to various Minis.

As with a marque like Land Rover, the MINI name is a global brand. “As the original within the premium segment of small cars, MINI has now established itself in the compact class and penetrated additional target groups with the Mini Countryman and Mini Paceman launched this year in 2013,” the company’s statement says, “the brand continues its tradition as a supplier of globally successful and classless automobiles started more than 50 years ago.” This classlessness and global appeal means that there will be no shortage of visitors to MINI’s stand when the Frankfurt Motor Show opens on 10th September.

Mini at Frankfurt Motor Show 2013

With MINI diversifying the range to include cars like the Mini Paceman, Mini Clubman and Mini Clubvan we’re sure they will continue to produce variants of the MINI that push the range into new segments of the market, but we’re a bit disappointed that MINI don’t have any major announcements planned for Frankfurt.

via EUROCARBLOG