ACE CAFE RADIO

    jeudi 5 septembre 2013

    KTM FREERIDE Education



    Screen Shot 2013 09 04 at 9.23.57 PM 980x414 KTM FREERIDE Education    Teaser
    Screen Shot 2013 09 04 at 9.25.46 PM 980x412 KTM FREERIDE Education    Teaser
    Screen Shot 2013 09 04 at 9.26.33 PM 980x412 KTM FREERIDE Education    Teaser
    Some incredible scenery in this one!
    Check out the KTM FREERIDE Education clips and learn more about some basic Enduro softskills usefull for freeriding. Videos done by MTB FREERIDE (http://www.mtbfreeride.tv) with the new KTM FREERIDE 250 R & 350 (http://www.ktm.com/at/freeride.html) at the marvellous Zillertal in Tyrol, Austria starring Dieter Rudolf (Austrian Trial/Enduro rider), Christine Wiesner (Austrian female Enduro rider) and Marcus Klausmann (German downhiller). More episodes coming soon…



    Valentino Rossi 5th highest paid motorsports athlete


    Valentino Rossi still may not be winning MotoGP races like he used to do, the fabulous trio of Jorge Lorenzo, Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa are making sure of the that, but he is still one of the top earning motorsports athletes according to Forbes.
    According to Forbes’ 2013 list of Top-Earning Drivers in Motorsports, the former 9-time world champion ranks fifth, having earned between June 2012 and June 2013 a total of $22 million, with $12 million coming from salary and winnings and $10 million coming from endorsement deals.
    Rossi is the only motorcycle racer on the list comprises Formula 1 and Nascar drivers, like Fernando Alonso, who is the top earner with $30 million and Danica Patrick, 9th with $15 million who is the only woman on Forbes list.
    Valentino Rossi also owns his own management and marketing company VR46, that has in its line-up Tony Cairoli Andrea Iannone, Kevin Schwantz and even MotoGP rookie sensation Marc Marquez (we can guess this is the reason that the two get along so famously).
    Forbes 2013 List:
    1. Fernando Alonso ($30 million)
    2. Lewis Hamilton ($27.5 million)
    3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. ($26 million)
    4. Jimmie Johnson ($24 million)
    5. Valentino Rossi ($22 million)
    6. Tony Stewart ($18.5 million)
    7. Jeff Gordon ($18.2 million)
    8. Sebastian Vettel ($18 million)
    9. Danica Patrick ($15 million)
    10. Jenson Button ($14 million)
    VIA twowheelsblog

    Camouflage! / Drôles de zèbres !


    The new Porsche LMP1 prototype, the Hyundai i20 WRC and the Citroën C4-Elysée WTCC all feature flashy body camouflage. Car manufacturers are making increasing use of this technique to conceal the forms of vehicles that are under development. The trend was first used for production cars in order to trouble the autofocus function of spy cameras. The vinyl wrap is extremely easy to apply. 
    The Hyundai i20 WRC was put through a busy test programme during the summer on both asphalt, in France’s Vosges Mountains, and on gravel in Finland.

    Nicky Hayden bins the Panigale in Mugello test


    Yesterday at Mugello was the scene of Nicky Hayden’s test on on the Ducati 1199 Panigale. The American rider who is leaving the Italian manufacturer at the the end of this season, was offered an opportunity to ride the machine by his soon-to-be ex employers in order to convince him to stay with the company, albeit riding in World Superbikes.
    Ducati’s Paolo Ciabatti previously said that Hayden had received a very ‘important economic offer’ from them, and the test they he would be doing would be ‘proper one’ with with members of his MotoGP squad also present to help him out.
    According to GPone.com, Hayden yesterday did around thirty laps on the bike, but he also suffered a small and harmless crash.
    At the moment there is no news if Hayden will test the Panigale again or if he will accept Ducati’s offer, as he has several other interesting offers on the table.
    The Kentucky Kid has been linked to ride for LCR Honda on Honda’s new production racer, but he has also been tipped to be in talks Aspar’s MotoGP team for an ART, and also with Forward Racing, but the American was tracked down via a training run map (@MapMyRun) that he uploaded, to be very near Noale, the home of Aprilia, before the Mugello test.
    via TWOWHEELSBLOG

    24H BARCELONE : QUI POUR SUCCÉDER À MCLAREN ?



    Le célèbre Circuit de Catalunya, bien connu pour servir de cadre au Grand Prix d'Espagne de Formule 1, accueillera les 24H BARCELONA ce prochain week-end. Avec une liste d'engagés riche de 60 bolides, allant de bolides de la catégorie GT3 à des bombinettes s'illustrant parmi les voitures de Tourisme, c'est le meilleur du sport auto qui est attendu dans chacune des classes de cette épreuve d'endurance...

    Comme le veut la tradition, la Classe A6 accueille les cadors de la compétition. Six GT3 sont ainsi engagées, avec une Aston Martin Vantage GT3, une Ferrari F430 GT3 Scuderia, une Porsche 911 GT3 R et pas moins de trois Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3. Les équipes privées alignant des Mercedes ayant remporté la majeure partie des courses d'endurance pour GT cette année, les voitures engagées par les Allemands de Collection Motorsport, les Italiens de De Lorenzi Racing et les Suisses de Hofor Racing chercheront à décrocher la victoire. L'Allemand Kenneth Heyer, un des pilotes de la SLS Hofor, a un objectif précis : le week-end dernier, il a remporté les 24 Heures de Zolder, et s'il décroche une nouvelle victoire à Barcelone, il sera le premier pilote à remporter deux courses de 24 heures en une semaine cette année. Les teams alignant le bolide aux portes papillon feront néanmoins face à une solide opposition. Les Britanniques de Barwell Motorsport ont l'intention de célébrer le centenaire de la marque Aston Martin avec style, ayant ajouté Bruno Senna et Stefan Mücke à leur line-up. Les Danois de Bremer Racing alignent eux aussi un solide quatuor sur leur Ferrari F430, tandis que les Suisses de Stadler Motorsport compteront sur quatre pilotes expérimentés dans l'art de dompter le bolide allemand, incluant Norbert Siedler, habitué de la Porsche Supercup. Ici aussi, il s'agit de célébrer avec faste le 50ème anniversaire de la Porsche 911...

    La Classe Porsche 997 Cup est fréquentée par des teams arrivant d'Australie, de France, l'Allemagne et d'Italie, tandis qu'une équipe belge a engagé un duo de Porsche 996. La catégorie SP2 inclut une puissance Corvette Callaway et deux Silhouettes GC Automobiles. La Ginetta G50 GT4 est le premier choix dans la Classe SP3, avec pas moins de quatre exemplaires alignés par trois équipes différentes en provenance de Grande-Bretagne, d'Italie et d'Espagne. Les autres SP3 sont une BMW M3 GT4, une Lotus Evora GT4, une Aston Martin Vantage GT4 et une Audi R8. Comme d'habitude, la Classe A5 est une affaire de BMW, avec différentes versions de la Série 3 WTCC avec moteur 3,5 litres, une Série 3 M Coupé et une 130i Cup.

    A domicile, à quelques kilomètres à peine du quartier général de Martorell, la marque espagnole SEAT est prête à remporter la Classe A3T, avec pas moins de huit SEAT Leon Supercopa sur la grille de départ, arrivant de France, d'Angleterre, du Mexique, des Pays-Bas, de Nouvelle-Zélande, d'Espagne et des Emirats Arabes Unis.


    Dans cette catégorie, la seule voiture qui n'est pas une SEAT est une Volkswagen Scirocco GT24 engagée par une formation espagnole. Dans la catégorie A2, cinq Renault Clio en découdront avec deux MINI et trois Honda Civic. La Classe D1, réservées aux voitures gavées au diesel, est riche de deux SEAT Leon TDI, deux BMW 120d, une BMW 320d et une Volkswagen Golf V TDI, en plus d'une paire de BMW 135d engagées dans la catégorie D2.

    Les festivités sur le Circuit de Catalunya débuteront ce vendredi 6 septembre, avec des essais libres de 16h30 à 17h15, suivis des qualifications programmées entre 17h45 et 19h45, et une séance libre nocturne entre 21h00 et 23h00. La course de 24 heures débutera le samedi 7 septembre à midi.

    Les dernières infos, le live timing, les photos et les vidéos peuvent être consultés sur live.24hseries.com. Des mises à jour seront régulièrement postées sur Twitter (@24HSERIES, hashtag #24BCN) et sur Facebook (www.facebook.com/24hseries).

    Source : 24H Series
    VIA ENDURANCE-iNFO

    MAGNY-COURS : L'HEURE DE LA RENTRÉE A SONNÉ !



    Porsche Carrera Cup France, Porsche Carrera Cup Italia et Trophée Porsche Carrera Cup Italia / France - 911 50th Anniversary, le programme de la rentrée est chargée mais alléchant... Magny-Cours accueille sur son tracé une quarantaine de Porsche 911 GT3 Cup prêtes à en découdre sur deux courses pour leurs championnats nationaux respectifs et pour ce Trophée franco-italien dont le vainqueur sera invité sur la grille de départ de l'épreuve de lever de rideau des 24 Heures du Mans 2014. En juillet dernier, le circuit du Mugello fut le théâtre d'une première manche dominée par les pilotes italiens. Mais le match retour se déroule aujourd'hui dans la Nièvre et les Français sont prêts à prendre leur revanche...à commencer par les leaders du championnat français, Lonni Martins (Racing Technology) et Oleksander Gaidai chez les Gentlemen (Tsunami RT) qui l'un comme l'autre ont brillé sur l'épreuve transalpine.

    Vive la rentrée !
    Après la trêve estivale, le meeting de Magny-Cours marque la rentrée et le début de la deuxième partie de saison de la Porsche Carrera Cup France 2013. Solidement accroché à la première place du classement général, Lonni Martins (Racing Technology) tentera de décrocher une nouvelle victoire après celle du Mans en ouverture de saison et du Mugello en juillet dernier. Ses dauphins, Gaël Castelli (CRT by A-Style) et Côme Ledogar (Sébastien Loeb Racing) séparés par trois points seulement, sont placés en embuscade, prêts à profiter du moindre faux pas du leader. Léger avantage dans la Nièvre à Côme Ledogar, monté à trois reprises sur le podium des trois courses 2012, sur un tracé qu'il apprécie.

    Aux 4ème et 5ème places du général provisoire, Jim Pla (Nourry Compétition) et Sacha Bottemanne (Sébastien Loeb Racing) n'ont pas dit leur dernier mot, tout comme Maxime Jousse. Après un week-end maudit en Italie, qui s'est conclu sur un score vierge, le pilote du Sébastien Loeb Racing est très motivé pour redresser la barre et défendre ses chances dans la conquête du titre 2013 : « Je n'ai vraiment pas eu de chance au Mugello alors que nous avions une bonne voiture. Malheureusement, au terme des deux courses, deux scores vierges suite à des accrochages. Ce week-end est à oublier. Malgré tout, je garde le moral et je suis persuadé qu'en faisant du bon travail à Magny-Cours, je resterai dans la course pour le championnat. Je connais le circuit et ce tracé ne me déplait pas... Rien n'est perdu, je viserai comme toujours la victoire et je me battrai jusqu'au bout ! » D'autres pilotes sont aussi en mesure de perturber cette hiérarchie comme Paul Loup Chatin (Tsunami RT) qui après un début de saison sur la réserve semble avoir pris confiance et vient désormais se battre aux avant-postes : « En Italie, j'ai vécu des qualifications très difficiles et je me suis retrouvé en fond de grille sans trop comprendre ce qui s'était passé. Le week-end ne fut pas exceptionnel mais compte tenu des qualifs, je m'en sors plutôt bien. Comparé au début de saison, la tendance s'inverse et nous nous concentrons à fond sur les prochaines courses, à commencer bien sûr par Magny-Cours. La vitesse est là et désormais il faut concrétiser. Depuis le début d'année, l'équipe fait un super travail et je sais que nous sommes performants mais nous faisons preuve d'un vrai manque de réussite et quand de surcroit je fais une erreur, je le paye cash en termes de résultats. A Magny-Cours, nous y verrons plus clair. L'Italie a eu un effet de catalyseur... »

    Un vrai duel Oleksander Gaidai - Christophe Lapierre, arbitré par Tony Samon...
    Chez les Gentlemen, Oleksander Gaidai (Tsunami RT) s'est installé aux commandes au terme de deux formidables courses en Italie sur un tracé qu'il connaît à la perfection (participant également au championnat national transalpin). A Magny-Cours, Christophe Lapierre (Sébastien Loeb Racing) espère bien renverser la tendance. Si le champion en titre ne concède que 6 points à son rival, l'issue de ce duel arbitré par Tony Samon (Racing Technology) demeure incertaine. En effet, à la troisième place du général et très en forme au Mugello, le Parisien apprécie tout particulièrement Magny-Cours et s'y est imposé à deux reprises en 2012 contre une victoire pour Christophe Lapierre. Oleksander Gaidai n'y a tourné que lors de la journée officielle de Tests en avril dernier et redoute quelques lacunes face à ses principaux adversaires : « Après le Mugello où tout s'est très bien passé, je me concentre sur Magny-Cours. Je ne connais que très peu ce circuit pour y avoir roulé seulement pendant la journée d'essais officiels et en plus, sous la pluie. Mais j'ai beaucoup aimé son côté technique. Même si je suis désormais en tête du Gentlemen Trophy, je ne me mets pas la pression. La saison est loin d'être terminée et mes adversaires sont redoutables. Il ne faut pas oublier que j'ai commencé la compétition automobile depuis cinq années et que je pratique régulièrement seulement depuis deux saisons, je suis un « jeune » pilote tandis qu'eux sont très expérimentés. Nous verrons bien, mais comme à chaque course, je viserai la première place. »

    Au classement général provisoire, le trio de tête a creusé l'écart sur le reste du peloton mais la partie est loin d'être jouée.

    Magny-Cours : la revanche !
    La Nièvre accueille également les concurrents de la Porsche Carrera Cup Italia pour la seconde manche du Trophée Porsche Carrera Cup Italia / France - 911 50th Anniversary dont le vainqueur sera invité à disputer la course organisée en 2014 en lever de rideau des 24 Heures du Mans.

    Ainsi, pas moins de 40 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup seront en piste pour un spectacle de haut vol. Les concurrents des deux coupes nationales s'affronteront sur deux épreuves communes de 20 et 40 minutes, conformément au règlement français. A l'issue de chacune de ces deux courses, chaque pays extraira du classement scratch son propre classement national pour l'attribution des points à son championnat. Si en Toscane, lors de la première manche, les Italiens ont brillé sur leurs terres, les pilotes français comptent bien prendre leur revanche à domicile. Massimo Monti (Antonelli Motorsport) est en tête du Trophée alors que Matthieu Vaxivière (Pro GT by Almeras), auteur de deux superbes courses et véritable révélation, mais aussi Lonni Martins sont respectivement à seulement 8 et 11 points. Si tout peut encore basculer en faveur des tricolores, une chose est sûre, le spectacle sera garanti !

    Source : Porsche Carrera Cup France
    via Endurance-INFO

    Want This, Get This: ICON 4×4 CJ3B or Jeep Wrangler Moab


    want-this-get-this-icon-vs-jeep-gear-patrol-lead-full
    By AMOS KWON
    Let’s say you regularly pine for some rock climbin’, mud-slingin’, feel-good four-wheelin’. It’s not because you’re a country boy — you just love off-the-beaten-path driving and no-holds-barred adventure where others fear to tread. There are several options to choose from, none of which should involve heavily modifying your unfortunate buddy’s Suzuki X-90. Better wheels can be found at opposite ends of the cost spectrum: the custom-built and bad-to-the-bone ICON 4×4 CJ3B or the special edition Jeep Wrangler Moab, both of which will conquer rocks, mud, streams and snow with aplomb. One will make you look like a rich adventurer; the other will just make you look cool. You decide. Errr… perhaps your wallet will.

    ICON 4×4 CJ3B

    Custom-built in just about every way, the CJ3B is a high-end homage to the original Jeep Willys. This elite package includes Fox shocks/Eibach coil springs that are upgradeable to nitrogen-charged shocks, a 200 hp 2.4-liter ECOTEC engine and a two-speed transfer case. Since you’re worried no one will notice how special your ride is, the CJ3B has been littered with fancy bits like full LED head and taillights, a power winch, a CO2 powertank for airing up power tools or tires, and controls and gauges that are made with hand-crafted CNC alloy.
    And if you’re wondering how to make a style statement while hardcore off-roading, this rock crawler is your answer. The seats are modeled after the ones found in the original Willy, but are significantly more comfortable. This is a Jeep built to last, and all of the parts have been carefully chosen to create a classic yet modernized icon. More importantly, it’s simply pure off-roading awesomeness.

    Jeep Wrangler Moab

    For less than half the price of the CJ3B you can get a Jeep that’s just as capable, albeit less exclusive. Winner of the Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine 4×4 of the Year award, the Moab isn’t afraid of a little dirt. The potent 3.6-liter V6 engine is actually beefier than the one in the CJ3B and spits out 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque; heavy duty rock rails ensure your body is protected during the rough stuff; limited slip diff and available rear locking diff make off-road that much easier. The decor of the Moab is all modern, with black stitched leather seats and subtle black and gray accents from head to tail on bumpers, fenders, tasty wheels, the fuel filler door and even taillight protectors. But the only thing that’ll matter when you’re throwin’ down off-road prowess is the exhilaration you feel when everyone else gets stuck.

    DUCATI MONSTER STREET TRACKER – MONSTER TRACKER BY BCR


    This is a really cool modern looking Ducati Monster Street Tracker by BCR. They have lightened the bike and made it slightly narrower which makes it a lot easier to handle. The bike started of as a 2007 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with a little over 8K miles on the clock. For the first few months BCR used the Ducati as a daily commute, but after a while they got bored of the stock look, stock sound of the exhaust, and that dime a dozen look, so they decided to customise it. At first they were going to make it into a cafe racer but wanted to do something different for a change. BCR decided the build  “We decided to take the bike apart, and turn it into a tracker/urban scrambler with a little steam punk flare.”
    BCR said “Doing this project we found out that Ducati monster are great platform for any custom bike setup, be it cafe style or tracker/scrambler. Overall we are happy with how this project, Monster Tracker, came out.  The bike is now lighter and narrow, and a lot easier to handle. Plus with all the custom parts that we did, we were able to make the parts mount on to the bike without making any modifications to the frame. In the future we might change the tires to a more rugged enduro tracker type tires.”
    I love this bike, modern custom bikes are a bit of a rarity as people mostly try to make newer bikes look older. This is really nice, I love the split away exhaust system along with the off centre headlight. I think the only thing they need to do to truly finish the bike of is to add some scrambler tyres on the bike. The tank is perfect with a really sweet look paint scheme which runs through the front and rear of the bike.
    Images: Ben Chan – Blacksheep Photography
    Ducati Monster Street Tracker - Monster Tracker by BCR
    Ducati Monster Street Tracker - Monster Tracker by BCR
    Ducati Monster Street Tracker - Monster Tracker by BCR
    Ducati Monster Street Tracker - Monster Tracker by BCR
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    BCR-MTracker9320NEW (1)
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    HONDA CJ360T BY DIGITAL DIRECTIV


    Honda CJ360T
    Most builders dread dealing with the electrics on a bike. But not Joe Tessitore of California-based Digital Directiv, a mad scientist operation focused on bringing vintage bikes up to date with modern electrical technology.
    “Builders don’t usually talk about upgraded electrical systems or modern convenience, especially on vintage motorcycles,” says Joe. “It’s all about crazy fab work, bumped up horsepower, or period-correct pieces. That’s not my thing. I do electrical and I do it well.”
    Honda CJ360T
    For three years, Joe was Jay LaRossa’s right-hand man at Lossa Engineering. And the skills he picked up from Jay shine through on this 1976 Honda CJ360T.
    “Working with Jay, I learned how to build a custom wiring harness with my eyes closed. So I knew this would be a focal point of the build, albeit an almost invisible one. But the pièce de résistance is the hidden keyless ignition—a swipe of the RFID key fob in just the right spot, and she comes to life.”
    Honda CJ360T
    Joe’s CJ360T has the attitude of an urban pothole jumper, but embodies many of the traits of a Lossa bike: It’s clean, without a spot of rust or a speck of dirt, and the lines are clean too. “Tabs, wires, brackets, switches, anything … if it’s not serving a purpose or complementing the lines of the bike, it has to go,” says Joe.
    No part is untouched. “If you can buy a new part, do it. If you can’t, refinish it. Seals, bearings, bolts, bulbs, nothing is safe.” The bike looks (and works) as well as it did when it rolled off the Honda showroom floor. “Paint, powdercoat, zinc, chrome, polish, whatever it takes. Even machines destined to be daily riders should leave the shop looking like a show bike.”
    Honda CJ360T
    Visually, it’s not an easy build to pigeonhole, and that’s deliberate. Joe believes in ‘building the bike you want to see.’ “Fads come and go while people’s opinions are all over the map,” he says. “At the end of the day, be true to yourself and your craft and you’ll be respected for it.”
    I think he’s earned that respect already. Find Digital Directiv here.
    Images by Truen Pence.
    Honda CJ360T
    1976 Honda CJ360T
    Digital Directiv RFID keyless ignition & scratch built wiring harness
    Custom CNC’d front brake adapter w/ CBR600 front caliper
    CNC’d battery and electronics tray
    Lossa Engineering exhaust cone
    Motofactory rear brake stay
    Leather upholstery by New Church Moto
    Cleaned, de-tabbed, and chopped frame
    Re-sealed and re-finished motor
    Mikuni VM30 carbs from Sudco
    Renthal Fatbars
    Pro Tapers risers
    XR650 fairing and headlight
    Hagon rear shocks
    Tarozzi fork brace
    All Balls steering head and wheel bearings
    Rick’s regulator/rectifier
    Ballistic Li-ion battery
    Pirelli Scorpion tires
    Koso digital gauges
    Ducati Monster style LED taillight
    Renthal dual compound grips
    Magura brake master cylinder
    Braided Stainless steel brake line
    Stainless, re-finished, or replaced hardware
    via BIKEEXIF

    LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER 3.0 TDV6 VOGUE - SIGNATURE

    Signature Land Rover Range Rover 3.0 TDV6 Vogue

    Signature Land Rover Range Rover 3.0 TDV6 Vogue

    Signature Land Rover Range Rover 3.0 TDV6 Vogue

    Signature Land Rover Range Rover 3.0 TDV6 Vogue

    Signature Land Rover Range Rover 3.0 TDV6 Vogue

    Signature Land Rover Range Rover 3.0 TDV6 Vogue

    SWEDISH SLIDER: ALEXANDER & THE GREAT E28


    Man, what a crazy month July was. Were there ever more madness-inducing builds or a greater amount of combined horsepower featured on Speedhunters in a single month? It was quite an experience witnessing and then sharing all those amazing cars with you.
    We couldn’t have possibly fit everything we saw into one month though. One of the extras that overflowed was an impressive little BMW E28 built by Sweden’s Alexander Granlund and photographed by Sean and Paddy during their adventures in the region.
    Although Alexander’s BMW has evolved over the years to become a fully fledged pro-spec drift car, it definitely wasn’t intended to be that way.
    The story of this build begins almost exactly four years ago. Alexander was working on a different E28 and was in need of some fuel injectors for his build so he rang a friend who he thought might be able to help. It turns out the friend didn’t have the injectors, but he did have an entire E28 chassis that he offered up to Alexander.
    Because the car being offered was a higher spec M535 rather than the 528 he was working with it, he decided to take his buddy up on the deal and used the new chassis as the basis for his build instead.
    As is usually the case, Alexander’s initial goals for the build were modest. He just wanted something that he could enjoy both on the street and at track days. He began by installing a roll cage and then built a turbocharged M30B35 engine that made a stout 405 horsepower to the rear wheels.
    After a season of track days and drift events, he decided that more power was in order, so he built a new motor that made 566 horsepower to the rear wheels. At this point Alexander was still driving completely for fun, but in the spring of 2012 he heard about the establishment of a new Swedish drift series called Power Drift, so he went to see what it was all about. It didn’t take much convincing to get him to join the series.
    But it wasn’t as simple as just showing up at an event and driving. There were technical regulations that needed to be met, and with just one month to go before the first event, it was a major challenge to get the car ready in time. During that month Alexander says he spent far more time in the garage than he did sleeping.
    Finally, the car was ready for its competition debut and Alexander embarked upon his first season of Power Drift running as a self-supported privateer. He was running the same engine set-up as before, and even though he found the car to be lacking in low rpm power in many situations, he was still able to take third place in the season championship.
    The rigors of competition had taken their roll on the body and chassis of the decades-old BMW, but Alexander was able to get the car looking a lot more presentable looking for the next season with the help of his new sponsor Ilanda Karosseri and Lack Auto Body.
    With a year of experience under his belt, it was much easier to attract sponsors and with the added support he was able to address the lack of bottom end power he experienced with the old engine setup.
    During the off season, he replaced the motor with a brand new set-up using an M50B25 engine with fully built internals and a three liter crankshaft from an E60 530, along with custom fabricated intake and exhaust manifolds.
    Boost comes from a Precision 62/65 turbocharger with a Precision 46mm wastegate, and Alexander also installed the largest intercooler he could possibly fit. The result of the new engine setup is 691 horsepower to the rear wheels with 850 newton meters (626 foot pounds) of torque.
    To fuel the motor, the car is equipped with Bosch 1,200cc injectors and twin Bosch fuel pumps which are supplied from an FIA-approved fuel cell mounted in the trunk.
    The whole set-up is then overlooked by a Maxx ECU engine management system.
    While it wouldn’t have been terribly difficult to just throw a ton of horsepower at the car from the get-go, I do like the way Alexander has gradually upped the power in equal proportion to his track time  and competition experience.
    As for the driveline, the turbocharged six cylinder is mated to a ZF transmission with a TXR Performance shifter, a Clutchmasters twin plate clutch and billet aluminum flywheel. Out back, there’s a complete E34 M5 subframe and differential swap to get the power to the ground.
    When Alexander redid the motor for the current season he also completely rebuilt the front subframe and steering using parts from an E36. Along with the E36 steering column and subframe, he also made custom arms for the wider track and made a custom kit to increase the all important steering angle.
    Braking is handled by E46 330 calipers and discs in the front, and E34 M5 components in the rear. As for wheels, Alexander runs 17×8.5 BBS Pitlines up front, along with a variety of different wheels that are mounted on the rear during events.
    Inside the car you’ll find a full roll cage to protect Alexander during competition, along with a Luisi steering wheel…
    … and a pair of Toora bucket seats with Sabelt harnesses.
    There’s also the requisite hydraulic E-brake setup, supplied by TXR performance.
    But even with additional sponsors and more competition experience, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Alexander and the E28. Most recently the car had a gearbox failure, and when we spoke to him last, he was working hard to install a gearbox that can handle the abuse. Based on how far this car has come in a few short years, I have no reason to believe he won’t be back out there soon doing his thing in the remaining events of this season and beyond.

    Words by Mike GarrettInstagram: speedhunters_mikemike@speedhunters.com
    Photos by Sean KlingelhoeferInstagram: seanklingelhoefersean(at)speedhunters(dot)com
    and Paddy McGrathTwitter: @PaddyMcGrathSHInstagram: speedhunters_paddypaddy@speedhunters.com

    Alexander Granlund’s BMW E28
    Numbers
    Max power – 691whp, max torque – 850Nm (626 ft. lbs)
    Engine
    M50B25 bottom end, balanced and polished crankshaft from E60 530, support girdle , H-beam rods, CP pistons, M50B25 head with double intake-camshafts, harder valvesprings, custom-made intake manifold, custom-made exhaust manifold, Precision 46mm wastegate, Precision 62/65 turbo, 3.5″ exhaust system, custom intercooler, Nissan S15 aluminum radiator, PPF blow-off valve, VAG cop coils, Bosch 1,200cc injectors, Nuke fuel rail, 2x Bosch 044 fuel pumps, Aeromotive fuel pressure regulator, FIA-approved fuel cell, Maxx ECU engine management system
    Driveline
    ZF gearbox, TXR Peformance shifter, Clutchmasters kit with billet aluminum flywheel and twin disc clutch, E34 M5 diff
    Suspension/Brakes
    E36 front subframe, E36 steering column , E36 BC front coilovers, custom arms, custom steering angle kit, E34 M5 rear subframe, XYZ E34 rear coilovers, E46 330 front calipers and discs, E34 M5 rear calipers and discs, TXR Performance hydraulic E-brake
    Wheels
    BBS Pitline 17×8.5 J (front),  misc wheels for events (rear)
    Interior
    Full roll cage, Toora seats, Sabelt harnesses, Luisi steering wheel, Autometer gauges, Najkcarbon carbon fiber door panels, NASCAR rear view mirror