[thefro]

Videos of 2012 IndyCar Sebring Test http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jYcS9lVHl4 As commented by a youtuber, the Lotus sounds great. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7Ev6U-pqk0

Your second link is to a video from 2011 (i.e. last year's car).

Here's one of the twin-turbo V6 Chevy from Panther Racing at Sebring
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzOozRDCYbs

[TylerD]

Oops, I think I accidentally copied the wrong link. I will post the correct link when I get home from work.

[ANDY_098]

Petter Solberg gets suspended ban over speeding offence
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97135

Petter Solberg has been given a suspended one-rally ban after being caught speeding on a road section during the Monte Carlo Rally last night. The Ford driver, who finished third in the event, was caught doing 106km/h in a 50km/h limit at 21.10 local time on Saturday, following the final stage of leg four. A statement from the organisers said: "On being questioned, the driver explained that indeed, he was accelerating at the said speed in trying to pass a slower car and in doing so, he passed the continuous centre line on the road, but was then braking immediately. He apologised for his lapse." The stewards felt Solberg had infringed article 151c of the International Sporting Code by committing an "act prejudicial to the interest ... of motor sport generally". Solberg was given a reprimand, a 1,400 euro fine and a one-rally ban, suspended for six events. The ban will "come into effect immediately should the driver commit any speeding offence of 50 per cent or more of an applicable speed limit in any of the next six WRC rallies in which he participates during the 2012 season."

[Burai]

I was once stuck in traffic on a dual carriageway trying to get into Cardiff to catch a train back in 2001 when Marcus Gronholm sped past us at some ridiculous speed on the inside grass verge in a Peugeot 206 WRC, desperately trying to get back to the city centre for the ramp ceremony for the Rally GB.

It was both terrifying and awesome.

[ashk]

Petter Solberg gets suspended ban over speeding offence http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97135

Last year in Sweden Solberg had to let his co-driver drive the final stage because he had his licence taken away for speeding. He should be more careful or it's likely to happen again :P

[ANDY_098]

DeltaWing will apparently use the engine from a WTCC Chevrolet Cruze (1.6L I4 Turbo, 310bhp) with a flywheel KERS.

http://twitter.com/#!/Murphythebear/...93897762189312


Looking forward to this car, the engine was the last major component missing as far as I know so they could start testing pretty soon if this is true.

[mclaren777]

DeltaWing will apparently use the engine from a WTCC Chevrolet Cruze (1.6L I4 Turbo, 310bhp) with a flywheel KERS.

So is this going to be the slowest car at Le Mans?

[S. L.]

Looks like Toyota will run two LMP1 cars after all.
Buemi will drive for them plus two japanese drivers will drive the second one.
http://www.yallaf1.com/2012/01/23/bu...oyota-in-2012/

[ANDY_098]

So is this going to be the slowest car at Le Mans?

I shouldn't think so. Last year some of the GTs topped out at less than 180mph. I don't think it will last the 24 hours though.

Looks like Toyota will run two LMP1 cars after all. Buemi will drive for them plus two japanese drivers will drive the second one. http://www.yallaf1.com/2012/01/23/bu...oyota-in-2012/

Didn't Buemi sign up to be RBR's test driver not long ago?

[S. L.]

first official pic!

with the front now better visible i think it looks more similar to the Lola than the Renault or Audi

Didn't Buemi sign up to be RBR's test driver not long ago?

yeah, but i guess being test/reserve driver with all the resource and test restrictions isn't exactly a full-time job

[S. L.]

Toyota Motorsport now has a twitter
https://twitter.com/#!/Toyota_Hybrid

and they posted a soundsample of the LMP1
http://tvider.com/view/75427

and two cars pretty much confirmed

24hoursoflemans ACO Toyota TS030 LMP1 : 2 entry forms asked for 24 Hours of Le Mans #24LM #LEMANS #WEC #TOYOTA

[ANDY_098]

Sounds much better than the near silent diesels do.

Le Mans doesn't coincide with a F1 GP this year so Buemi is free to do both. Last year it clashed with Canada, so assumed it would this year as well.



There is a Toyota press conference happening now, so there will be loads of articles up about it later today/tomorrow I guess.

[S. L.]

bunch of new info on the toyota

Toyota has expanded its attack on this year's Le Mans 24 Hours from one to two cars, the manufacturer announced at the launch of its 2012 LMP1 car on Tuesday. The Japanese squad made the announcement of its revised programme as it unveiled the petrol-electric LMP1 hybrid at Paul Ricard in France. Toyota stated that it could also run two of the cars, to be known as TS030 HYBRIDs, in additional rounds of the new FIA World Endurance Championship. No drivers have been confirmed for the second Le Mans entry, but Toyota Super GT and Formula Nippon driver Hiroaki Ishiura is a candidate after testing the new coupe at Ricard earlier this month. Toyota said the first TS030 completed several hundred kilometres at Ricard during a three-day shakedown on January 11-13, which included running at night. Alex Wurz and Nicolas Lapierre, who will share the lead entry with Kazuki Nakajima, undertook the driving along with Ishiura. TMG technical director Pascal Vasselon said: "The two main performance drivers of our car are the aerodynamics and the hybrid system. The development team at TMG has worked very hard to achieve an optimum aero concept based on windtunnel testing and CFD. "Judging by the positive feedback we received during the roll-out, we have a very good base on which to build in the coming weeks." It was also confirmed that the TS030 will make its race debut in round two of the WEC at Spa on May 5 in the hands of the Cologne-based Toyota Motorsport GmbH squad, which has developed the new chassis. The team's participation in further WEC rounds will be confirmed soon. The TS030's powertrain is based around an all-new 3.4-litre normally-aspirated V8, not the Super GT-based powerplant used in the Rebellion Racing Lolas last year, and uses super-capacitors instead of batteries to store energy from its regenerative braking system. Toyota is evaluating retrieving energy from either the front and or rear axle and will make a decision on what route to take in the near future. The TS030 HYBRID continues the nomenclature of previous Toyota Le Mans challengers. It follows the TS010 Group C car of 1991-1993 and the TS020, the internal codename for the car that raced at the 24 Hours as the GT-One in 1998-99.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97163
also
Toyota staying realistic over Le Mans goals for 2012
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97164

[mclaren777]

I meant to share this GIF last year when it was more relevant but I forgot.

Details: WSBR @ Spain, onboard with Wickins

[dalin80]

I hope that toyota is fast because by the gods its fugly.

[rhfb]

Just a reminder that the Rolex 24 at Daytona is coming up this weekend. First major motorsport event here in the states that I can think of.

[digita1alchemy]

Ford unveiled their 2013 Sprint Cup car today, the new Ford Fusion. For 2013 NASCAR is allowing each of the manufactures to redesign their cars so that they more closely resemble "stock" cars again.

[TylerD]

Beaten like a drum.

I like that they are able to incorporate some production vehicle cues into the styling now. Looks pretty sharp.

Definitely EcoBoost :/

Just a reminder that the Rolex 24 at Daytona is coming up this weekend. First major motorsport event here in the states that I can think of.

My body is ready. I have never really liked the Daytona prototypes all that much but a 24hr race is a 24hr race.

[ANDY_098]

Actually looks pretty nice. Although it does look like someone put the rear light stickers on crooked.

[digita1alchemy]

My favorite thing about it is that the doors and fenders actually have some definition, instead of being completely flat like they are now. It'll be nice to have the cars actually look different again.

[dalin80]

When I saw the title of the car I was really wondering how they could make a racing version out of this, the UK ford fusion-

[TylerD]

My favorite thing about it is that the doors and fenders actually have some definition, instead of being completely flat like they are now. It'll be nice to have the cars actually look different again.

Definitely. I wonder how the design of the cars are regulated though. Is it something where every car has to have the same drag coefficient so you can have variations in the designs between the 4 manufacturers as long as the aero performance is the same?

[ANDY_098]

Technical rundown of the Toyota TS030 plus lots of pics.
http://www.racecar-engineering.com/n...brid-revealed/

[rhfb]

My body is ready. I have never really liked the Daytona prototypes all that much but a 24hr race is a 24hr race.

I just love seeing the cars on the banks with the sun going down and then again when the sun rises, just sooo cool to watch.

[ANDY_098]

I just love seeing the cars on the banks with the sun going down and then again when the sun rises, just sooo cool to watch.

As weird as it sounds, seeing pitstops at night is always a highlight of mine. For some reason when I think Le Mans, the first think that comes to mind is seeing a car arrive from the darkness, sit silently for a minute or so in the floodlit pit lane, and then see it leave back into the darkness.

[Dead Man]

NASCAR really needs to quite with the sticker headlights, they aren't fooling anyone. I don't really understand the point of having a model branding on the cars. I get having a manufacturer branding, they want good marketing from winning. But does anyone out there really think a Camry is better because of NASCAR racing?

[NihonTiger90]

NASCAR really needs to quite with the sticker headlights, they aren't fooling anyone. I don't really understand the point of having a model branding on the cars. I get having a manufacturer branding, they want good marketing from winning. But does anyone out there really think a Camry is better because of NASCAR racing?

I think the manufacturers put it on there to sell cars.

[Dead Man]

I think the manufacturers put it on there to sell cars.

How many people do you think by a Fusion, or Camry, or whatever, because of the stickers on stock cars? If they were closely related to the road cars, I can see it, but they have no relation whatsoever, and everyone knows that. I would say they may help with brand loyalty, but model loyalty?

[NihonTiger90]

How many people do you think by a Fusion, or Camry, or whatever, because of the stickers on stock cars? If they were closely related to the road cars, I can see it, but they have no relation whatsoever, and everyone knows that. I would say they may help with brand loyalty, but model loyalty?

The answer is not many, for sure, but that doesn't keep them from trying.

I've seen enough 2000-2004 red Monte Carlos with a big #8 on the door that tells me some people actually do buy for that reason.

[Dead Man]

The answer is not many, for sure, but that doesn't keep them from trying. I've seen enough 2000-2004 red Monte Carlos with a big #8 on the door that tells me some people actually do buy for that reason.

Fair enough. I would just like to see one of them be honest and just brand the things as a race car from the manufacturer.

[ANDY_098]

Is there any news about whether Rebellion will gain anything from Toyota joining Le Mans? Same engine (with or without KERS), same chassis etc?

Although I expect Oreca may be the first to gain from it as they worked on the development of the chassis with TMG.

[ResidentDante]

Ford unveiled their 2013 Sprint Cup car today, the new Ford Fusion. For 2013 NASCAR is allowing each of the manufactures to redesign their cars so that they more closely resemble "stock" cars again.

That looks awesome! Anybody know if I can watch NASCAR online here in Europe somewhere? Would like to try it out.

[thefro]

Pretty interesting rumor from John Oreovicz (ESPN's IndyCar reporter) on his Facebook page:

If Rubens Barrichello promised his wife he wouldn't race Indy cars, why is he reportedly doing a seat fitting today at KV Racing?

He and Tony Kanaan (also at KV) are good buddies.

[ANDY_098]

Daytona 24h spotters guides.

Page 1: http://www.spotterguides.com/wp-cont...24_SG_S1v1.jpg

Page 2: http://www.spotterguides.com/wp-cont...24_SG_S2v1.jpg

[digita1alchemy]

How many people do you think by a Fusion, or Camry, or whatever, because of the stickers on stock cars? If they were closely related to the road cars, I can see it, but they have no relation whatsoever, and everyone knows that. I would say they may help with brand loyalty, but model loyalty?

My favorite driver is Marcos Ambrose, and when I was in the market for new 4-door sedan recently I looked at a Ford Fusion simply because he drives one. I didn't buy it, but still.

[ANDY_098]

Onboard the TS030 Hybrid around Paul Ricard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViGR1Hw65e4

[NihonTiger90]

Daytona 24h spotters guides. Page 1: http://www.spotterguides.com/wp-cont...24_SG_S1v1.jpg Page 2: http://www.spotterguides.com/wp-cont...24_SG_S2v1.jpg

Thanks!

[ANDY_098]

Another vid of the Toyota LMP car, leaving the pits under electric only mode this time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bFShHZv4wk

[ashk]

Is there any news about whether Rebellion will gain anything from Toyota joining Le Mans? Same engine (with or without KERS), same chassis etc? Although I expect Oreca may be the first to gain from it as they worked on the development of the chassis with TMG.

I don't think Rebellion is gaining anything. The Toyota engine they're using is based on the SuperGT engine, while the one Toyota will be using is a brand new one built specifically for enduro. I don't know if they'll be changing engines. Rebellion is also using a completely different chassis built by Lola.

Regarding Oreca, judging from your statement it seems you aren't aware of the nature of their deal with Toyota: not only are they helping develop it, they will also be running it in the WEC/Le Mans (in association with Toyota of course). But this will all be done under the Toyota name, so unless you're aware of the fact it would be pretty difficult to figure out that there is any Oreca involvement at all. This isn't unprecedented as Oreca has already scored a Le Mans win with Mazda in the same manner.

[S. L.]

Another vid of the Toyota LMP car, leaving the pits under electric only mode this time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bFShHZv4wk

heh, that is really neat

[mclaren777]

The DP class has an amazing driver line-up this year! :o

[thefro]

Associated Press: Rubens Barriechello to test at Sebring with KV Racing

Rubens Barrichello will test an IndyCar next week for KV Racing, The Associated Press has learned. The Formula One driver is scheduled to be at Sebring International Raceway next Monday and Tuesday, a person familiar with the test told AP on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the 2-day test session is exploratory for both Barrichello and the race team. Barrichello has spent the last 19 seasons in Formula One, but was replaced last week at Williams by Bruno Senna. He has no seat lined up in F1 for the 2012 season. “I won’t be driving the Williams car this year,” he posted last week on his Twitter page. “I wish my friend (Senna) all the best. The future is wide open.” A few days later, he responded to well-wishers again via Twitter, indicating he planned to race a bit longer. “when I said that things were open is because I still have lot’s of speed on me,” he posted. “just like an old friend said: racing is in my blood.”

He’s been quoted in the past as saying his wife would not let him race in the IndyCar Series, and it’s not clear if Barrichello was serious. He’s close friends with fellow Brazilian Tony Kanaan, who drove last season for KV and is scheduled to return to the team in 2012 KV Racing fielded three entries last season, for Kanaan, Takumo Sato and EJ Viso. Kanaan finished a team-best fifth in the final IndyCar standings. Next week’s test could be a test to see if Barrichello has any interest in possibly racing in IndyCar in 2012, or if he can offer any technical assistance to KV, which has partnered with Chevrolet this season.

Source

I'm guessing he'll race in Sao Paulo at minimium.... will be interesting to see if he just does a few races or decides to run a full season.

[rhfb]

Associated Press: Rubens Barriechello to test at Sebring with KV Racing Source I'm guessing he'll race in Sao Paulo at minimium.... will be interesting to see if he just does a few races or decides to run a full season.

I'd like to see him run at least the road/street courses. Shouldn't be too hard to get some sponsorship for those races. He should also perform quite well, even for his age. I mean Sébastien Bourdais did great last year, and I would think that Rubens is a better driver than Bourdais.

[Dilly]

That Toyota footage is amazing.

Shows how interesting LMP's are compared to what's allowed in modern F1 cars.

[Handycrap101]

What is the difference between an Indy car and an F1 car?

Furthermore, do either of the 2 series run on parallel tracks that we could compare laptimes to? I've always been curious about the similarities in performance.

[rhfb]

What is the difference between an Indy car and an F1 car? Furthermore, do either of the 2 series run on parallel tracks that we could compare laptimes to? I've always been curious about the similarities in performance.

Both series are open wheel racing, but F1 is in an entire different league. Each team in F1 makes their own car following a strict set of rules (The "formula"). The cars in IndyCar are almost "stock" by comparison. Each team has the same basic core for their chassis with additional aero parts that they add (wings/sidepods/ect). IndyCar also runs on several ovals.

[thefro]

I'd like to see him run at least the road/street courses. Shouldn't be too hard to get some sponsorship for those races. He should also perform quite well, even for his age. I mean Sébastien Bourdais did great last year, and I would think that Rubens is a better driver than Bourdais.

He'd be on a better team with a better teammate than Bourdais had last year.

Bourdais has always been *really* good at setting up the car to his liking in America (adjusting the mechanical grip), which you can't really do in F1, so I don't think it's a slam dunk that Rubens would be a better driver in the US.

What is the difference between an Indy car and an F1 car? Furthermore, do either of the 2 series run on parallel tracks that we could compare laptimes to? I've always been curious about the similarities in performance.

The basic difference is an Indy car races on both street/road courses and ovals, which means the cars are heavier since they have to be designed with safety features to handle high-speed oval crashes. It's also a North American based series (they just have a race in Brazil and a race in China) unlike F1 which is worldwide.

They used to be faster than F1 cars because they had more HP and turbocharged engines.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champ_C...th_Formula_One

That's a pretty decent summary of how things used to be (Indy car = Champ car). To summarize a long story, there was a split of the series in 96 due to the team owners and the owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway being morons that nearly killed the sport. Things basically turned into a defacto spec series on both sides and they lost the speed edge over F1. Finally both sides came back together in 2008 (the side that "won" was running cars from 2003 that were built only to run on ovals). They are finally getting a new car and engine competition this year and opening up the body work rules in 2013 to where companies can build around a "safety cell" mandated by the series.

They don't run on any of the same tracks that F1 does these days. I would suspect the new DW12 will still be significantly slower than the current F1 cars. The engines that Honda/Chevy/Lotus are building (750 HP turbo V6s) are very comparable to what F1 is planning on going to in 2014.

[dalin80]

Another vid of the Toyota LMP car, leaving the pits under electric only mode this time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bFShHZv4wk

Here's, a query, can a hybrid car be allowed or utilise the electric drive to bump start itself? With all the stater motor and electric problems in enduro racing or stalls following spins etc. it could be mighty useful to just pull away under electric without being hindered.

[dubc35]

Onboard the TS030 Hybrid around Paul Ricard. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViGR1Hw65e4

I love how race cars are engineering marvels yet the simple things still work. I'm viewing the cheap, light weight plastic tubing used for, presumably, cabin air zip tied to the chassis. Function and weight savings over form. I hope the car turns out to be a winner. I like the look...until the dorsal fin. I don't like it on any of the LMP cars.

edit, probably posted already but I would love some time on the simulator (or any high end simulator)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMAK4_TOn0w

[Leunam]

I really like the sound on that Toyota.