CAFÉ RACER 76

ASTON MARTIN CELEBRATES CENTENARY AT BRANDS HATCH.

Tens of thousands of motor racing fans flocked to the Aston Martin Centenary Festival at Brands Hatch at the weekend to celebrate the British luxury sports car maker's 100th anniversary.

In bright sunshine the spectators enjoyed parades, static displays and 12 thrilling races, including the fourth and fifth rounds of the GT4 Challenge of Great Britain and the 100-minute GT Centenary Race - the pinnacle of the weekend.

Aston Martin Racing works driver Bruno Senna, competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2013, showed off the V8-powered Vantage GTE while celebrity chef James Martin competed in a Vantage GT4. A gathering of pre-war Aston Martins and iconic models from the James Bond films added to the list of attractions.

Stratton Motorsport won the first of two QuickSilver Exhausts and Post Vintage-sponsored GT4 Challenge of Great Britain rounds on Saturday to strengthen their lead at the top of the points table and British Touring Car Championship star Tom Onslow-Cole made a guest appearance in the race with Mardi Gras Racing.

On Sunday, no fewer than 44 Aston Martin GT racers competed in the 100-minute GT Centenary Race to cap a weekend of celebrations. The star-studded race included Aston Martin Racing works drivers Jonny Adam and Stuart Hall, Aston Martin Chairman David Richards while James Martin and Tom Onslow-Cole returned for a second day of racing.

Villois Racing and PGF-Kinfaun battled hard throughout the race for honours, with Massimiliano Wiser and Alvaro Barba Lopez eventually reaching the chequered flag first to clinch the victory for Villois Racing. Barwell Motorsport rounded out the podium, while Track Club took the win in the GT4 Challenge of Great Britain category.

The schedule included ten historic races, reflecting Aston Martins enduring involvement in motorsport that reaches back to the 1930s. The 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning DBR1 was on display to mark the luxury sports car manufacturer's famous victory at La Sarthe.

As a mark of respect for Allan Simonsen, the Aston Martin Racing works driver who lost his life in the famous 24-hour race a fortnight ago, a minute silence was held ahead of Sunday's 100-minute GT Centenary Race.

David Richards comments: "The weekend was a huge success; a fitting way to celebrate 100 years of Aston Martin's motor racing history. The large number of spectators who came to Brands Hatch to enjoy the celebration also reflects the huge enthusiasm and support we enjoy for Aston Martin's current racing activities.

"On the track, the Aston Martin Owners Club members put on several entertaining races. In the GT4 Challenge and the 100-minute GT Centenary Race our Aston Martin Racing customers battled fiercely on the circuit, yet the atmosphere in the paddock was, as usual, friendly and jovial, which is so typical of Aston Martin's motorsport events."

Aston Martin will continue its centenary celebrations in a week of events starting on 15 July, concluding with the largest gathering of the marque's cars in the history of the brand at Kensington Gardens on Sunday 21 July.

Aston Martin Racing will continue its campaign in the FIA World Endurance Championship at the Six Hours of Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sunday 1 September.

Source : Aston Martin Racing

via Endurance-Info

Canadian Premiere: First drive in the new Mercedes S-Class

Canada is so sparsely populated, and its beautiful landscape so still and dramatic, we had to question Mercedes’ decision to potentially spoil the idyll that is the Muskoka region with the worldwide launch of its new S-Class.

Fear not. While the surrounding countryside seems lifted straight from a BBC HD nature documentary, the latest technological masterpiece from Stuttgart is the kindest yet to the environment. And from the driving seat, the lush green trees, the dark, glittering lakes and circling birds of prey pass by undisturbed and in almost total silence. The latest (W222) S-Class is packed with over 20 assistance systems, a variety of cameras, cruise control, distance control, 500 LED lights, a Burmester 3D surround sound audio system (7500 euros, please…), massage seats and much, much more – many of which from the options list.

Not even an errant Canadian moose could outwit the exceptional safety systems found on the latest 'S'. 'Pre-Safe' would have warned the driver in time and intervened before the rear passengers spilt even the tiniest bubble of champagne. In the long wheelbase version those sitting in the back can enjoy a panoramic view of the Canadian night sky via the full-length, two-part sunroof. And they can do it from seats that can be reclined. Pity the poor executive forced to work upright at one of the car's rear tables.

There is something, though, that will stir the most sleepy S-Class passenger (let alone its driver), the performance from the top model's 455bhp V8. With 700Nm torque, the refined eight-cylinder propels the almost-two-ton limousine in the manner of the old 450 SEL 6.9. Hybrids will surely come in due course, but the performance of this petrol version is phenomenal, with its 7G-Tronic Plus transmission so totally seamless it appears to have just one gear.

The big car will sprint to 100km/h in just 4.8 seconds. 'Sprint' is not, perhaps, the best expression, and 'float' does not convey the way it glides over imperfections, all the while (if not in quite the same league as a BMW 7 Series) giving the driver total control. In fact, the optional Road Surface Scan and Magnetic Body Control systems 'see' the road ahead and virtually iron out any bumps.

To experience the Canadian wilderness you don't need an S-Class. But, with its endless, deserted roads it allows the new S-Class owner to really get to know his or her car.

In standard form the 2013 S-Class is still generously appointed and in short wheelbase its price in Germany is 104,600 euros. The long wheelbase car is 107,635 euros.

CUSTOM 1966 MUSTANG FASTBACK – THE BAIL OUT BY THE RING BROTHERS

ad the money these guys would be the first people I’d be in contact with. Ring Brothers are based in Spring Green, Wisconsin, USA and are responsible for this fine Mustang you see in this post. They have called it the “Bailout” which sits incredibly low to the ground, the huge wide tyres gives you an idea that this has racing pedigree incorporated into it’s design. The roll cage and racing fuel system is also a big giveaway not to mention the beast that lurks under the hood. Bailout’s intention to be driven at the Optima Street Challenge, you can recognise one of there car’s by the cool trademark red R on the front grill.

The flat black roof looks amazing and those big ass Hockenheim style alloys bulging out from the arches. Painted in “Stimulus Blue,” Mustang was a whirlwind of project, hammering out the sheet metal and completing the project in less than four months! The Ring Brothers had a Keith Craft 351 small block turned out to a 427ci Windsor stroker pumping out a ridiculous 602 horsepower. Everything on this has been perfectly restored or hand made to exactly what they need. I honestly think that this might well be the finest custom 1966 Mustang Fastback in the world.

Ring Brothers describe there ethos as “Creating unique and reliable billet aluminum parts and exterior styling components is now part of the already established Ringbrothers brand. Our attention to detail is what defines everything we create—Quality, Durability, Innovation and Originality.”

Images: ringbrothers.com

Website: ringbrothers.com