Stefan Bradl unveils 2013 LCR Honda livery at Jerez

from Twowheelsblog

With a lot less fanfare and attention that Yamaha’s team presentation at Jerez received by the press yesterday, LCR Honda also took the wraps their 2013 team livery during today’s test at the Spanish circuit, and we must say that the studio photos of Stefan Bradl and his Honda RC213V are absolutely stunning.

Lucio Cecchinello (Team Manager): “As happens to those people who love their chosen sport, at this point every year, I am excited and nervous as we approach the coming season. Joy and suspense, desire and expectations… these emotions are the ones that make me feel alive and pull me into the world of MotoGP. Together with Stefan, Honda HRC and all the Team, we have an important objective and we will go forward and accept this challenge. I am very happy to offer Stefan this opportunity as he deserves this as he is a talented rider and a fantastic person. We are also happy to continue our little contribution to the great show of MotoGP, to give the auto-motive companies a chance to progress their technology and last but not least, to develop the safety procedures for all the motorcyclists around the world”.

Stefan Bradl: “I am excited to be back after the winter break and more importantly, I am happy to be back with Lucio and his Team. Last year we had a very positive season and I felt that everybody gave their maximum support for me in my debut in MotoGP class. Firstly I must thank Honda HRC for believing in me and to thank them again for making the RCV as it is a real dream bike. The main target for me is to be on the podium this year, I think we have the potential to do that. For sure, the challenge is high and my rivals are very strong, but as soon as somebody in front makes a mistake we should be there to catch a podium”.

Bradl finished the first day of testing in ninth and 2.3 seconds off pace, but he also suffered a crash.

Fangio's iconic Mercedes race car found in warehouse - headed for auction

1954 Formula One World Championship winner

An iconic Mercedes W196 race car, which helped propel Juan Manuel Fangio to the 1954 Formula One World Championship, has been rediscovered after being 'lost' for decades.

The details are a little hazy, but the car was apparently owned by a mysterious European who kept it locked away in a warehouse for almost 20 years.

Described as "one of the most significant motor cars of the 20th century," the W196 features a 2.5-liter straight-eight engine as well as several key innovations including an independent suspension and a tubular space frame.

The car is reportedly in rough shape but it will be auctioned off at Bonhams' annual Goodwood Festival of Speed sale where it is expected to fetch more than £5 ($7.6 / €5.8) million.

Source: Bonhams and Yahoo News via Jalopnik and Worldcarfans

BARCELONE, PROTOS : EQUIPE PALMYR OUVRE SON COMPTEUR.

Pas moins de 26 autos étaient au départ pour le coup d'envoi des VdeV Endurance Series à Barcelone. Une course de six heures était au programme avec une arrivée en nocturne. Le plateau 2013 allie qualité et diversité avec plusieurs constructeurs représentés : Norma, Ligier, Wolf et Tatuus. Les prototypes CN font de plus en plus penser à des LMP2 « light ». Ce premier round est revenu à la Norma M 20 FC/Equipe Palmyr de Philippe Mondolot, Grégory Fargier et du rapide David Zollinger. Le trio de la #40 a été intraitable sur les 189 tours de course. Il aura manqué un tour à la Tatuus PY012 de Roberto Lacorte, Giorgio Sernagiotto et d'un certain Enrique Bernoldi pour aller chercher la victoire. Le Brésilien a d'ailleurs montré qu'il n'avait rien perdu de sa verve en allant décrocher le meilleur tour en course (1.44.933). Les autos de Norbert Santos ont brillé en Espagne avec une autre M 20 FC dans le tiercé de tête avec celle du team TFT pilotée par William Cavailhes, Vincent Capillaire et Karim Doguet. A l'arrivée, l'équipage de la #8 ne compte que 51s de retard sur la Tatuus. On aurait logiquement dû avoir trois châssis différents aux trois premières places sans une pénalité pour la Ligier JS53 alignée par la structure Springbox Concept de Didier Vincent. Philippe Alliot et Yann Clairay ont magnifiquement roulé, mais une pénalité d'un tour plus 37s pour dépassement du temps de conduite du pilote « A » a repoussé le tandem de la #16 la 4ème place finale. Equipe Palmyr a placé une autre Norma M 20 FC dans le quinté de tête avec la #42 de Jean-Marc Menahem, Xavier Michel et Didier Beck.

Les Norma M 20 FC du CD Sport de Laurent Cazenave et Claude Degrémont ont magnifiquement animé le début de course et trois d'entre elles ont terminé groupées aux 6ème, 7ème et 8ème places. Jonathan Cochet s'est rappelé au bon souvenir de ses camarades en dominant assez nettement les premiers tours jusqu'à ce qu'une neutralisation ne regroupe les autos. Associé à Ines Taittinger et Kévin Dole-Besançon, Jon s'est finalement classé 8ème derrière Accary/Lecuyer/Gelin et Dhouailly/Beraud/Kirchdoerffer. Amandine Foulard, autre féminine du plateau, n'a pas rallié l'arrivée au volant de la Ligier JS53/Pegasus Racing partagée avec Julien Schell et Nicolas Leutwiler. Seize concurrents ont reçu le drapeau à damiers. Sur les quatre Wolf GB08 au départ, seule une a tenu les six heures de course avec la #27 du G-Cat Racing. Sûr dans la famille Bellarosa on aura à cœur de briller au Mugello afin de faire oublier le meeting ibérique.

Le classement de la course est ici.

by Laurent Mercier(Endurance-Info)

Hamann heavily modifies a BMW M5

Tuning taken to a whole new level

Well known German tuning firm Hamannhas decided to give the BMW M5 (F10) a whole new identity which surely won't be appreciated by many people.

The tuner is no stranger to aftermarket kits for the M5 but unfortunately things keep getting worse. While the first onewas not bad at all, the Mi5Sion package showed in Geneva earlier this month left a lot to be desired. However, we might have to reconsider our opinion after seeing Hamann’s latest M5-based project.

This more extreme variant was displayed at the Auto Trader Live luxury car show in Dubai where it shocked the crowd with its in-depth customization. Just about everything on the outside has changed, including the double kidney grille, ventilated hood, double rear spoilers and diffuser. The cabin is a blend of Alcantara and leather in black, red and light blue colors.

It seems there is a market for such a car as Hamann plans to make 10 units, each priced at 235,000 USD.

via Worldcarfans