Le Mans : WR Biogaz : précisions

par Claude Foubert (Endurance-Info.com)

A la suite de l’annonce du projet WR Biogaz, nous avons sollicité WR pour avoir quelques précisons complémentaires. Pascal Coquin, en charge de la communication, a accepté de répondre à nos questions.

Quand le projet de la WR Biogaz a-t-il démarré ?

« Le projet a commencé il y a déjà une année maintenant. »

Quel est le concepteur du projet ? Gérard Welter, ou un petit groupe au sein du Welter Racing ?

« Ce projet est une œuvre collective et concerne l’ensemble du Welter Racing. »

La WR Biogaz est donc candidate à occuper le 56^ème stand des 24 Heures du Mans en 2016..

« Oui, la WR Biogaz correspond à la catégorie expérimentale. Son châssis est homologué pour le LM P1 ainsi que pour le LM P2. »

Un premier exemplaire a-t-il déjà été construit ?

« Nous avons réalisé une maquette du prototype à l’échelle 1, pour le passage en soufflerie. Cette maquette évolue par étapes successives. »

Quelle est la puissance escomptée du moteur 3 cylindres?

« Elle devrait se situer entre 400 et 450 chevaux ”

Le moteur est totalement WR ?

« Non, c’est un moteur WR/Peugeot. »

Quand sont prévus les premiers essais sur piste ?

« Normalement, ces premiers essais sont prévus pour le mois de septembre 2015. »

Qui sera le pilote de développement de la WR Biogaz ? Quels pneumatiques ?

« On fera appel à des pilotes qui ont couru avec nous précédemment (NDLR : lors de la dernière venue de WR au Mans, la voiture était pilotée par Philippe, Stéphane Salini et Tristan Gommendy. Ce dernier pourrait donc être concerné, mais aussi peut-être Bastien Brière, Stéphane Daoudi, Jean-Bernard Bouvet ou d’autres…) Pour les pneumatiques, rien n’est encore fait.”

Le projet attire-t-il des sponsors ?

« Nous avons effectivement déjà des contacts, qui sont positifs. »

Le projet WR Biogaz fait-il appel à beaucoup de sous-traitants ? Ceux-ci sont-ils français ?

« Le Biogaz, c’est européen, mais la France s’investit beaucoup dans cette énergie propre, donc nous avons des partenaires français. »

WR va présenter sa voiture avant les 24 Heures du Mans 2015 ? Pourrait-on la voir courir en fin de saison 2015 et en 2016, dans un programme complémentaire à celui des 24 Heures ?

« Il nous est impossible de répondre actuellement à cette question, car la décision finale appartient à l’ACO. »

En dehors du projet WR Biogaz, où en sont les activités commerciales de WR ?

« Nous travaillons toujours en collaboration avec la société SymbioFCell sur l’intégration de pile à combustible dans divers véhicules. On est en passe de finaliser avec l’UTAC le dossier pour l’homologation définitive. »

The Green Lane Relay ; exemplaire !!

In 2014, Greg Villalobos challenged himself to riding his KTM 450EXC from northern England to Buckingham Palace in London and back via as many BOATs (Byways Open to Traffic) as possible, a mini dirtbike adventure in his own back yard. No map. No GPS. No backup. He relied solely on Facebook and the generosity of strangers to pass him from county to county on his cross-country relay, through some of the UK's most spectacular scenery. On a motorbike meant to be serviced every 15 hours...

The Green Lane Relay from Greg Villalobos on Vimeo.

Tests hivernaux : VW en Suède, Hyundai en France / Winter testing: VW in Sweden, Hyundai in France

Les teams Volkswagen Motorsport et Hyundai Motorsport ont effectué chacun une semaine d’essais, l’un en Suède, l’autre sur les routes de l’Ardèche.

Deux semaines seulement après l’arrivée du Wales Rally GB, c’est déjà reparti pour les tests hivernaux en vue du début de saison 2015.

Volkswagen Motorsport a commencé par les essais préparatoires au Rallye de Suède. L’équipe allemande a dû se rendre à Borgafjäll, à 800 km au nord de Karlstad, pour trouver de la neige. Sébastien Ogier, Jari-Matti Latvala, Andreas Mikkelsen, mais aussi Marcus Grönholm ont pu tester la nouvelle VW Polo R WRC spec. 2015 et les nouveaux pneus Michelin X-Ice North 3 qui seront proposés aux partenaires de Michelin au Rallye de Suède 2015.

Les essais 2015 de Hyundai Motorsport avaient débuté la semaine suivant le Wales Rally GB avec du roulage sur terre dans le sud de la France avec la future Hyundai i20 WRC qui sera lancée en cours d’année 2015.

Puis, cette semaine, l’équipe coréenne était en Ardèche, du côté de Mézilhac, pour préparer le Rallye Monte-Carlo. Thierry Neuville et Dani Sordo ont roulé chacun deux jours et cumulé les kilomètres au volant de la Hyundai i20 WRC spec. 2014. Ils ont également pu passer en revue la gamme de pneumatiques que Michelin mettra à disposition de ses partenaires WRC au Monte-Carlo, à savoir trois types de pneus Pilot Sport (SS4 super-soft, S4 soft et H4 hard), et le pneu Alpin 4 en version cloutée et non-cloutée. Le pneu Pilot Sport SS4 n’a encore jamais roulé en course.

Les tests hivernaux vont se poursuivre en décembre avec Hyundai qui se rendra en Suède semaine 50, avant deux jours supplémentaires pour le Monte-Carlo en janvier. Ford et Volkswagen prépareront quant à eux le Rallye Monte-Carlo semaine 51. Citroën attendra le mois de janvier pour effectuer ses essais en vue des deux épreuves hivernales du championnat 2015.

Volkswagen Motorsport and Hyundai Motorsport have been testing in Sweden and France’s Ardèche region respectively.

Just two weeks after the end of this year’s world championship in Wales, winter testing has already started to prepare for 2015.

Volkswagen Motorsport kicked off its programme by preparing for Rally Sweden in Borgafjäll, 800km north of Karlstad, where it was able to run on snow. Sébastien Ogier, Jari-Matti Latvala, Andreas Mikkelsen were joined by Marcus Grönholm. They took turns to evaluate the new 2015-spec VW Polo R WRC and the new Michelin X-Ice North 3 tyre which the French firm’s partners will have for the Nordic fixture.

Meanwhile, Hyundai Motorsport began the week after Wales Rally GB with a gravel test in the south of France with the new-generation Hyundai i20 WRC that will make its debut in 2015.

This week, the Korean squad was in France’s Ardèche region to prepare for the Rallye Monte-Carlo. Thierry Neuville and Dani Sordo spent two days each in the 2014-spec Hyundai i20 WRC. Their mission included sampling the tyres Michelin’s WRC partners will have for the season’s curtain-raiser, namely the Pilot Sport (SS4/super soft, S4/soft and H4/hard), plus studded and non-studded versions of the Alpin 4. The Pilot Sport SS4 has never been used competitively.

Next on Hyundai’s diary (Week 50) is a trip to Sweden, followed by two more days in January to build up to the Monte.

Ford and Volkswagen’s Monte preparations are scheduled for Week 51, while Citroën will start its work ahead of the 2015 calendar’s two wintry events in January.

2014 SEMA Week day 2

James Bond to drive new Aston Martin DB10 in ‘Spectre’

The new Bond movie ‘Spectre’ will once again see 007 drive an Aston Martin but, in a fresh twist, the new sports car from Gaydon will be developed and built specially for him. Just 10 examples of the new, bespoke Aston Martin DB10 will be produced…

The new DB10 was unveiled at Pinewood Studios, the home of the James Bond films, by Aston Martin in collaboration with EON Productions. Aston design chief Marek Reichman and his team worked with Sam Mendes, the director of the new Bond adventure ‘Spectre’, to create the ideal GT car for use in the film. The DB10 is a fitting celebration for this, the 50th anniversary year of the partnership between Aston Martin and EON Productions that began with the Aston Martin DB5. Of course, the DB10 is more than ‘just’ a film car – it’s also a hint at the future direction of the sports car brand. Aston CEO Dr Andy Palmer seemed in high spirits as he described the “wonderful new sports car created especially for James Bond”, commenting that he was “incredibly proud of everyone in the team at Gaydon who have brought this special project from concept to reality”.

All 10 examples of the Aston Martin DB10 will be built by the skilled craftspeople at Aston Martin’s Gaydon headquarters,  although it’s not yet known if, or how many of, the Bond cars will be sold to customers, rather than used purely for filming. ‘Spectre’ is due for release on 6 November, 2015.

Former James Bond cars and plenty of other classic and modern Aston Martins can be found in the Classic Driver Market.

AUTOLOGUE GAMBIT

At the recent Motorcycle Live event in the UK, it was clear to see manufacturers fully accepting the current interest in ‘New Wave’ customs. But which manufacturer had embraced it the most? BMW with their R-NineT? Ducati’s new Scrambler? Yamaha and the popular Yardbuilt series, perhaps? Seemingly, it was the Chinese manufacturer Herald Motor Company (nee. HJC). With two-dozen bikes on the stand, virtually every one was either factory customised or modified by an aftermarket builder in some way. Cafes, Trackers and Scramblers resplendent in their small capacity glory looked fantastic under the show lights. The quality of these machines is rising exponentially and we’ve already seen them successfully modified in the UK by Mutt Motorcycles. It’s likely we will soon see the same from that other industrial heavyweight, India.

With a relatively small presence in Western markets, it’s easy to forget that companies like Bajaj Auto are some of the largest producers of motorcycles in the world. Their capacity far exceeds many brands familiar in Europe and America. Simple air cooled steel framed bikes, made in the millions, is this a new, cheap source of donor bikes I wonder? In India the usual suspects of CB750s, NX650s and BMW R-series bikes are both scarce and expensive, so builders are picking up the torch and displaying their handmade skills on home-grown products, like this: The Gambit by Autologue designs.

Autologue is the brainchild of a team of passionate automotive designers and engineers. Formed in October 2013 by Mukul Nanda, he’s been involved with numerous vehicular projects including various cars, bikes, ATVs and Go-Karts. You name it, if it has an engine and wheels, then Mukul has likely had fun building and modifying it. Autologue’s aim is to bring Indian automotive design and customisation on par with global standards, and by doing so on a beloved domestic product, providing inspiration for thousands of others.

Based on a Bajaj Pulsar 180, a well loved entry level bike, the project came about when a customer wanted something light and simple that could tackle the hilly terrain of North East India. Despite this being a 1000 miles away from their Pune base and with a modest budget, Mukul and his team were eager to tackle the familiar Pulsar and transform it’s anonymous looks. What strikes you first about the Gambit is that beautifully crafted bodywork. Fashioned from steel, the tank with its concave sides, shows Autologue’s handiwork to it’s best. Any sacrifice in fuel capacity accepted as worthwhile in the bike’s metamorphisis; the frugal engine barely sips at the reservoir anyway

The matching side panels, made by Mukul’s team, cover the air intake, ensuring the engine doesn’t eat too much dirt. Purposely juxtaposed, they aren’t curved like the tank and look neatly OEM. The bodywork is coated in a groovy ’70s inspired paint job. The metallic orange shimmers, with white infill panels hosting the psychedelic characters. Out back a black leather tuck and roll seat sweeps with a classic scrambler vibe. ‘Partners be damned’ jokes Mukul, this is a bike for the singular person; the seat and lack of passenger pegs ensuring this is one of the few single occupancy bikes in India.

The mechanicals were kept as Bajaj provided, they are well tested and a known quantity on Indian roads. A new exhaust system was manufactured though, giving that thumping single soundtrack a lift. The megaphone finished system clad in a layer of black pipe wrap from port to silencer. The bike is functional too, featuring not only usefully sized mudguards at both ends but a custom bash plate keeps the powerplant pebble dash free. Lighting has been swapped out for a mesh covered Bates Style unit, keeping things classy. While the standard cast 6-spoke Pulsar wheels remain, some suitable dual sport tyres vastly improve the bikes ability on uneven terrain.

A great little project, we hope to see more builds based on more unusual platforms. Have no doubt that there will be more to come from Mukul and his team: Autologue are flat out working on their next projects. Check out theirFacebook page and Website for the latest developments.

from The Bike Shed

MORIWAKI’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY HONDA CB1100

Think of Moriwaki, and you probably think of snarling racebikes tearing around Suzuka in the 70s and 80s. Invariably piloted by hairy-chested legends like Graeme Crosby (above) and Wayne Gardner.

These days, the family-run race team is also a big name on the Japanese custom scene, with a huge range of hop-up parts carrying the famous blue-and-yellow logo. The company has just turned 40, and to celebrate, they’ve turned the Honda CB1100 into a classic café racer.

Being Moriwaki, there’s a serious amount of engineering going on here. The highlight is the lightweight fuel tank, which is crafted from three blocks of billet aluminum. It’s built using 5-axis machining—the same 
method Moriwaki uses for its Moto2 racebike frames.

The seat unit is also machined from solid aluminum billet, and designed to be as light as possible without compromising strength. With kicked-up styling, it instantly removes theslightly staid vibe of the stock CB1100—plus a much-needed few kilos of weight, too.

Power gets a boost from a stunning black one-piece exhaust system, but the Moriwaki engineers have wisely focused on dropping weight. The stock engine is smooth and torquey, but the showroom CB1100 weighs the wrong side of 500 pounds.

So we get a truncated rear subframe, a new steering stem, top yoke and clamps, and lightweight foot controls. The bike veritably drips with featherlight parts, like carbon and aluminum side covers, headlight brackets and compact lights.

To keep the rear end planted, Moriwaki have installed Öhlins shocks. And sitting right above them is the only splash of color on the CB1100: a beautifully finished tan leather seat.

It looks absolutely gorgeous and you can bet it’s a blast to ride. So will it go on sale? Unfortunately, no. According to Jin Sasaki of Moriwaki’s Race Department, there’s over $50,000 of work in this CB1100.

“Some of the parts are one-offs,” he tells us, “and too expensive for us to reproduce at reasonable pricing for the public. But we’re considering selling some of the bolt-on parts.”

Let’s hope Sasaki-san gives the go-ahead. Quite apart from being pure mechanical sculpture, they’d give the underrated Honda CB1100 a much-needed shot of sex appeal.

Moriwaki Engineering website | Facebook

via BIKEExif

Not even Google has heard of this Porsche 911 HLS

Can you believe that there’s still a Porsche model today that doesn’t have a single entry on Google? We wouldn’t have believed it either, until we came across this unique Porsche 911 HLS ‘retractable roof’…

Project ‘Racing Coupé’

The story of the forgotten Porsche began in 1964. Back then, this particular Porsche 911 sports car was happily running along in its standard form, little knowing that in 1966 it would be sent to the Automotive Engineering department at the University of Aachen. The mission: to turn it into a ‘racing coupé’ with a folding roof. The design study seems to take at least some inspiration from the pure racing Porsche 904 and its rear engine cover, which could be seen as a kind of retractable roof.

Body shop at the end of the road

Technical drawings and a miniature model were devised before the in-house body department at the University of Aachen went to work on building a completely new body. To keep the weight low, many parts were fabricated in aluminium, including the characteristic rear louvres and the adjacent ‘Targa’ rollover bar. The fact that this Porsche had genuine racing ambitions can also be seen from the arrangement of the instruments on the dashboard: they were subsequently added to the right-hand side. The highlight of the study was undoubtedly the hinged cockpit canopy, integrated in its closed state to flow in harmony with the body line. Finally, the concept car, complete with its retractable roof, was sent to a paint shop in Würselen, a German town in the Aachen district of North Rhine-Westphalia, where it was given its bright green colour. Here, too, the model name Porsche HLS was added in black letters.

Left to rot

What happened next explains why the retractable roof Porsche 911  has, up till now, generated not a single entry on Google: it simply disappeared. Presumably, the slightly eccentric study found no favour in the Zuffenhausen headquarters, and so it was simply parked up at the bodyshop and left there…  for the next 40 years. It was not until 911 expert Manfred Hering of Early 911S was asked whether he could restore the long-forgotten concept Porsche that it once again came blinking into the light of day. “I was asked whether I could restore the Porsche for around 30,000 euros. Of course, I had to say no, but I then tried to buy this unique Porsche,” says Hering. “After three years of discussions and negotiations I stood in front of the handsome wreck that had been left exposed to the weather for the last four decades. The original engine, and a spare engine, were dismantled but came with it – and had already served as a home for several families of mice.”

A bright future for the retractable roof Porsche

Hering has definite plans for the future of the car: “In mid-April 2015, I will present the retractable roof Porsche at the Techno Classic for the first time. Then we will study it more closely and attempt to restore as many original parts as possible.” Whether he will at some point in the future want to sell this unique treasure is a question we’ll save for a later meeting…

Photos: Rémi Dargegen for Classic Driver © 2014

Other early Porsche 911s can be found for sale in the Classic Driver Market.

HONDA CB CAFE RACER BY EXESOR

Is brown the new black? This highly-caffeinated Honda CB café racer built for a coffee company sure looks good. It’s a creative mix of CB250, CB360 and CB400 parts, and it took Christian Schwarzenlander of ExesoR Motorcycles over two years to construct.

Christian is a quality control engineer from Austria, and his attention to detail shows in every aspect of the build. The prestigious German magazine Custombike was impressed too, and earlier this year, awarded Christian the first prize in its annual competition—the first time that a café style bike has taken the top honor, and the first Honda too.

After cutting his teeth on streetfighters, Christian found himself veering towards the café style and picked up a 1976 Honda CB250 basketcase for €250 ($340) on eBay. “It was in a very bad condition,” he reports. “I started sketching out a design study, using as few stock components as possible.” There was another rule: No chrome. “Every metal part is either nickel-plated, black chrome galvanized or made from bare stainless steel.”

The work is meticulous. Christian strengthened the CB250 frame and slotted in a CB360 motor, bored out to 390 cc. The motor itself is blueprinted and juiced up, with a hot cam and a tweaked intake manifold. The kickstart is removed in favor of electric start, and power now runs through a race clutch. A Dyna ignition system controls the spark, and a custom-made LiFePo123 accumulator acts as a battery for starting.

The suspension is pretty trick as well. Christian’s upgraded the stock CB250 forks with Wirth springs, and coated the inner tubes with DLC—diamond-like carbon—a treatment more usually found on racing forks. The swingarm is a CB400 item extended 7 cm, with a custom-fabricated chain tensioner, and the drum brakes have been modified with extra ventilation to keep them cool during brisk riding.

The construction is impressive, but for me, it’s the warm, vintage aesthetic that takes this one to another level. Head over to the ExesoR website for more images of Christian’s work, and follow his news via Facebook.

Images by David Matl.

via BIKEexif

Pirelli 2015