Tag Archives: driver

BMW

Robin Frijns Joins BMW M Motorsport as a Works Driver

Munich. BMW M Motorsport recently announced the signing of Robin Frijns (NED) as a works driver. The 31-year-old Dutch driver will contribute to BMW M Team WRT’s test work with the BMW M Hybrid V8, as they prepare to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2024. Frijns’ participation in upcoming races will be determined at a later date. He becomes the 22nd works driver in the BMW M Motorsport squad.

Robin Frijns has a longstanding history with BMW M Motorsport. In 2010, he won the Formula BMW Europe title, becoming the final champion of the junior racing series. Frijns has achieved success across multiple series, including the DTM, where he won three races and finished third overall in 2020. Teaming up with WRT, Frijns clinched the LMP2 class championship in the WEC in 2021, as well as a class victory at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. He also won the Bathurst 12 Hour in 2018, claimed the Blancpain GT Sprint title in 2017, and secured the Blancpain GT Series Driver’s title in 2015. In 2022, Frijns emerged victorious at the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Additionally, he has been successful in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

Andreas Roos, the Head of BMW M Motorsport, expressed his excitement about Frijns joining their team, highlighting his versatility and extensive experience in prototype racing. Frijns will initially contribute to the test program for the BMW M Hybrid V8 in preparation for the 2024 WEC season. Roos also commended Frijns’ skills as a GT driver. However, a decision regarding his participation in future races will be made at a later time.

Robin Frijns himself is thrilled to be returning to BMW M Motorsport after starting his career with the team in Formula BMW Europe. He eagerly anticipates the new challenges that lie ahead, including driving the BMW M Hybrid V8 and becoming a part of the new golden era of motor racing.

Cars, News

Tesla Under Investigation in California for Autopilot Complaints

Tesla is facing a new investigation in California regarding complaints about its Autopilot system. The investigation, conducted by the California Attorney General’s office, includes contacting the driver who filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as well as reaching out to a former Tesla employee who has expressed concerns about Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) in public comments. The duration of the investigation is uncertain, but it is reported to be ongoing, with the driver contacted in the second quarter of this year and the former employee contacted recently.

This is not the first time Tesla has faced such actions in California. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has been investigating the company’s Autopilot technology for years and accused it of deceptive marketing practices in 2022. Additionally, in January 2023, a senior Tesla engineer alleged in a lawsuit that a promotional video for Autopilot, published in October 2016, was staged. The engineer claimed that the Tesla was not actually driving autonomously but following a pre-programmed route. This testimony was given in relation to a lawsuit filed against Tesla over a fatal car crash in 2018.

BMW

Valentino Rossi Wins his First GT World Challenge Europe Race at Misano

Valentino Rossi, the nine-time motorcycle world champion, has claimed his first victory in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS (GTWC). The race took place at Misano, Italy, and was part of the Sprint Cup in this season’s championship. Rossi, racing alongside Maxime Martin, dominated the one-hour race and secured the win in scorching hot conditions. This victory marks Rossi’s biggest achievement in car racing so far. BMW M Team WRT, Rossi’s team, also celebrated a class win in the Gold Cup, as well as other podium finishes.

Rossi and Martin were elated after their win and were cheered on by their countless fans. This triumph on home soil is Rossi’s most significant success in automobile racing. While he had previously won his first race on four wheels at the ‘Road to Le Mans,’ winning against the best GT racing drivers in the world in GTWC Europe is an even greater accomplishment. Martin played a crucial role in the victory, especially since the last time a BMW race car won in the GTWC Sprint Cup was eight years ago with Martin and Dirk Müller driving a BMW Z4 GT3.

BMW M Team WRT had more reasons to celebrate as well. Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts showed an impressive performance, climbing from 21st on the grid to finish third in the Saturday race. They started from pole position on Sunday but faced setbacks during the pit stop, ultimately settling for ninth place. Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer and Thomas Neubauer finished third, joining Rossi and Martin on the podium. Niklas Krütten and Calan Williams secured the Gold Cup victory on Sunday.

After the race weekend, Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, congratulated Rossi on his first GT World Challenge Europe victory and praised his development as a driver. Vincent Vosse, Team Principal of BMW M Team WRT, expressed his emotions and highlighted the significance of winning the race with Rossi at Misano. Rossi himself expressed his joy and gratitude, emphasizing the specialness of winning in this racing series at his home circuit. Maxime Martin also shared his excitement and mentioned the momentum they have as a team going into future races. Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts reflected on their performance, acknowledging the setbacks but remaining optimistic about their progress with the BMW M4 GT3.

Motorsport

Watch Formula 1 Drivers Show Their Skills by Driving Monster Trucks

There is a common belief that in Formula One, it is the car and not the driver that determines the winner. People think that the technology of the car overshadows the skill of the driver. However, this assessment is unfair, as it ignores one crucial fact – F1 drivers are incredibly talented and can excel in driving any vehicle.

To prove this point, Red Bull, the owner of the Red Bull and Alpha Tauri F1 teams, organized a challenge between two-time world champion Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda using monster trucks. An F1 car, with its low center of gravity, weighs around 800 kilograms (1,760 pounds) and is powered by a small 1.6-liter engine that produces approximately 1,000 horsepower. It relies on aerodynamics for speed and can accelerate from 0 to 100 mph and back to 0 in less than five seconds.

In comparison, a monster truck has a very high center of gravity, making it susceptible to tipping over. Its large V8 engine generates about 500 horsepower, and each wheel weighs around 700 kilograms (1,540 pounds). Yes, you read that right – each wheel weighs slightly less than a modern F1 car.

Unlike F1 cars, monster trucks do not prioritize aerodynamics; instead, they rely on grabbing air when launching or jumping over obstacles. Both Verstappen and Tsunoda were surprised by how loud the trucks were, how bumpy the ride was, and the amount of dirt that sprayed into the cab as they raced around the track at the bottom of the Erzberg Mine in Austria.

Right from the start, Tsunoda demonstrated his speed, skillfully maneuvering the blue and white Ram truck around the course in 58.3 seconds. It was an impressive time, but Verstappen proved to be even faster, completing a lap in just over 55 seconds. Regardless of the vehicle – whether it’s an F1 car, monster truck, or a Honda HR-V – the two-time world champion consistently showcases his remarkable speed.

In addition to their dominance in the F1 world, Red Bull is also a master of social media publicity. Their YouTube channel features various extreme sports and puts their F1 drivers in captivating situations, such as off-roading an F1 car in Australia to herd cattle or commuting from New York to Miami.

ToyotaUk

Toyota Racing Driver Ken Gushi On His Love of Drift

Ken Gushi is a racing driver for Team Toyota and a well-known figure in the world of Formula Drift. He has been driving for the series for as long as it has been in the United States, and he has always been behind the wheel of a Toyota.

Gushi expresses his excitement about being partnered with Toyota, stating that it is a dream come true for him. He grew up watching his father race the AE86 Corolla, and his family has always owned Toyota cars. Being able to represent Toyota as an athlete and share his story is something that still makes him feel good even after 15 years.

Gushi, who was born in Japan and now lives in Southern California, competes in Formula Drift with a Toyota GR Supra. He developed his love for drifting at a young age, learning to drive in his father’s Toyota AE86 when he was only 13 years old.

Despite coming from a family with limited financial resources, Gushi’s determination and talent led him to become the youngest competitor in the D1 Grand Prix and Formula Drift championships at the age of 16. He firmly believes that there is no dream too big to pursue.

Throughout his more than a decade-long partnership with Toyota, Gushi has become one of the most recognizable figures in drifting and has played a crucial role in the sport’s growth. He attributes his success to the support he has received from fans and the dedicated team members who have been with him throughout his journey.

Ken Gushi, Moty’s / Three’s Racing Toyota GR86

The Drift Difference

Drifting is a unique form of racing in which drivers maneuver their cars through a marked course while deliberately sliding sideways at high speeds. Unlike other motorsports that focus on speed or time, drifting is judged based on the execution and style of the slides.

In a Formula Drift event, drivers compete in tandem battles in a single-elimination bracket format. The drivers are ranked and placed into a bracket based on their qualifications, determining the pairs for the competition. Each driver competes one-on-one against another, and they are judged on their ability to complete the course with a high angle while maintaining fluidity and forward momentum.

Although drifting originated in Japan, Formula Drift is the first official drifting series in North America, established in 2003. Gushi has been involved in drifting for over 17 seasons and has witnessed the growth of the sport in the United States from its early days. He started his professional career in 2004, competing in the inaugural Formula Drift Championship in the U.S.

For Gushi, drifting is not just a job but a hobby that he is fortunate enough to get paid for. He feels a sense of accomplishment and joy when participating in the sport.

A Series Leader

Gushi has achieved multiple top-three finishes in the Formula Pro Championship standings throughout his career. His first victory was in 2005, which he remembers as a significant accomplishment and a moment of great happiness.

In 2019, as the owner-driver for Ken Gushi Motorsports, he finished 11th in the final standings and secured his first victory since 2005 in the series finale at Irwindale Speedway. His most recent win was in Salt Lake City in 2022.

During the Irwindale event, Gushi began the race in second position with his Toyota 86 and advanced to the Final Four after competing against several other drivers. In the final series, he faced a tough battle but ultimately emerged as the winner at the “House of Drift” in front of his home crowd. The victory holds a special place in his heart and is a moment he will never forget.

Lamborghini

Endurance personified: 24h in the life of Romain Grosjean

Lamborghini Factory Driver Romain Grosjean opens up on life after Formula One as the countdown to the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship with LMDh begins

Sant’Agata Bolognese, 20 June 2023 – Former Formula One and Lamborghini factory driver Romain Grosjean is preparing for his next challenge: as a key player in Lamborghini’s campaign in the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship. Profiled in two new Lamborghini films, the Swiss-French star discusses the exhilarating power of endurance racing; the anticipation surrounding Lamborghini’s newly announced LMDh contender; and the impact the events of the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix had on his life, and personal philosophy.

Now based in Miami, 36-year old Grosjean made 179 race starts in Formula One in a career that spanned nine seasons, from 2012 to 2020, as well as appearances in 2009. Since 2021 he has competed in the American IndyCar Series. He made his debut for Lamborghini’s Squadra Corse motorsport division when he raced a Huracán GT3 EVO2 in the celebrated Daytona 24 Hours race in January 2023. With progress on the LMDh rapidly gathering momentum, Grosjean is playing a key role in the development of Lamborghini’s eagerly-awaited LMDh racing hybrid prototype. The car is powered by an all-new 3.8-liter twin turbo V8, whose power output is limited by regulation to 680 CV.

Says Grosjean, “I love endurance racing. When I moved to the US, I really wanted to come to Daytona and the opportunity came with Lamborghini to do it. I love the atmosphere, and I love the fact that we were able to represent such an iconic brand. When you’re 20, all you care about is being the fastest. Now I’m older I love having team-mates. It’s not only about you, it’s about making sure that your team is the best around the race-track. It’s about compromise and making sure that everyone is happy.”

He continues: ‘There’s a lot of trust there, and the biggest challenge really is the endurance – for everyone, including the mechanics and the engineers. The drivers get the easy job, we get to rest! You have to expect the unexpected in endurance racing, and be ready for it.”

As well as the FIA World Endurance Championship, which includes the famously challenging Le Mans 24 Hours race, the LMDh will also contest the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in North America. This marks Lamborghini’s greatest commitment yet in motorsport following three class wins in the GTD category at the 24 Hours of Daytona, two consecutive wins in the Sebring 12 Hours, and numerous other successes during the past decade. Now the Hypercar class of the world’s two most fiercely contested endurance racing championships beckons, with Grosjean one of the drivers leading the charge.

“I’m very excited to be part of the project with the LMDh for next year,” he says. “I love the brand, I like the project, I like the approach, I like the people behind it. I know there’s a lot of work to do and there’s going to be a lot of learning for everyone, but I’m ready. Lamborghini is a brand that loves to be successful, one with a lot of history. So when we go into something, we need to do it right.”

During the opening lap of the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, Grosjean survived a terrifyingly high-speed impact which saw him trapped in his Haas VF-20 for 28 seconds while an inferno raged. Arguably one of the most dramatic incidents in modern F1 history, Grosjean reflects positively on how the crash and its aftermath have affected his life.

“My accident changed my perspective in a big way. Being brave is about pushing yourself to always go further than you think you’re going to go. It’s about challenging yourself. Life is a beautiful thing, and I didn’t realize it could go away so quickly until that accident. It sounds a bit crazy but because my life is better now, I would think of [my accident] as a positive. I want to enjoy life in a bigger way, have fun and make sure that every day is a good day. I’m aware that I take risks in my life but there are also limits I set for myself.”

A committed family man, amongst his many talents Grosjean is an accomplished cook, and recently learned to fly. This is a man dedicated to expanding his horizons. “I’m a father, I’m a husband. I’m just someone normal that loves activities, that loves ‘doing’. When I start something I go flat-out. Flying makes my travelling and my life more efficient and more fun. I feel peaceful when I fly. You are taking a small space in the sky for yourself when you fly, you see the Earth in a different way.”

Back on terra firma, Grosjean has an equally stimulating mode of transport: a Lamborghini Urus Performante[1]. As he says, it’s a family car but one with a serious twist. “It’s just so cool to drive. The Performante sounds amazing, and even if it’s an SUV everyone knows it’s a Lamborghini. And I’ve got space for my kids.”

Lamborghini’s outstanding colour palette presented some problems, however. “My daughter wanted purple or pink. My second son wanted yellow. My eldest son wanted orange, and my wife wanted black. So I said, ‘all right guys, you know what? We’re going to go with green. It’s my car, I decide…”

[1] Fuel consumption and emission values of Urus Performante; Fuel consumption combined: 14,1 l/100km (WLTP); CO₂-emissions combined: 320 g/km (WLTP)

News

Are these Kymco Radar Sensor Patent Images a Glimpse of Future Bikes?

Over the years, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) have become common in modern cars, and they have also made their way into the world of two-wheeled vehicles. Radar-assisted cruise control and blind spot detection systems are now being incorporated into flagship adventure and sport touring motorcycles.

OEMs like Ducati, BMW, and Yamaha are collaborating with established companies such as Bosch and Continental to develop these systems and address placement issues for the components.

The Chinese Patent Office recently published a patent application filed by Kymco, a major Taiwanese OEM known for its scooters but also involved in motorcycle and electric vehicle development.

In the patent, Kymco explores the placement of rear-facing radar units in various potential motorbike designs. Among the drawings are configurations that resemble a café racer design and an adventure bike.

Kymco’s design goals for these configurations include protecting the radar unit from the weather and other obstructions, such as rain, mud, and snow. The unit is positioned between the taillight unit and the license plate unit, set back to offer some shelter from the elements. This design also aims to deter theft by integrating the radar unit into the rear portion of the motorbike.

These patent drawings indicate that Kymco is planning ahead for future motorbike models. Considering their partnership with LiveWire for the production of lightweight electric motorbikes, it is possible that the unseen tail configurations could be part of upcoming LiveWire models.

However, this speculation is purely based on the patent filing and partnership, and there is no concrete evidence to confirm or deny these assumptions. It is common for people to connect dots and create their own narratives, even when there is limited information available.

What are your thoughts and speculations on these images? Share your opinions in the comments section.

Citreon

CITROËN C4 AND Ë-C4 NAMED BEST CARS TO OWN IN THE UK ACCORDING TO DRIVER POWER SURVEY 2023

  • Citroën C4 and ë-C4 have won the ‘Car of the Year’ title in the Driver Power survey 2023.
  • Citroën C4 and ë-C4 have secured the top spot in the list of 75 most satisfying models to own in the UK.
  • The model has also been named the ‘Best Compact Family Car’ in this year’s survey.
  • Citroën ë-C4 can now be purchased with two all-electric powertrains that have a maximum WLTP range of 260 miles.

 

The Driver Power survey 2023, conducted and published by Auto Express, has crowned Citroën C4 as the most gratifying car to own in the UK. The C4 and ë-C4 have also been declared the ‘Best Compact Family Car’. Auto Express performs the survey each year, and this year more than 60,000 car owners provided their feedback on various aspects, including running costs, performance, and technology. Recognition in the Driver Power survey is valued by industry commentators and media worldwide as a fair and unbiased evaluation of car owners’ opinions.

 

Citroën C4 and ë-C4 outperformed their competitors according to the scores given by their respective owners. The car owners seemed satisfied with the good MPG or all-electric efficiency, running costs, safety features, and reliability. The quality of ride and handling left an excellent impression on the owners, irrespective of the chosen powertrain.

 

Both C4 and ë-C4 are beneficiaries of the Citroën Advanced Comfort® Program. Citroën Advanced Comfort® seats are constructed specifically with high-density foam in the core of the seat, providing additional support, along with an additional layer of 15mm memory foam just under the fabric. The Advanced Comfort® suspension system, which is exclusively available in Citroën cars, improves the absorption of imperfections in the road and ensures that passengers experience a comfortable ride, creating a real ‘flying carpet’ consistency. This experience is further enhanced by the serene soundless electric powertrain of ë-C4.

 

Steve Fowler, auto express editor-in-chief, commented on this achievement, stating that, “We’ve been greatly impressed by this sleek and stylish Citroën from the outset, and it’s clearly making a huge impression on its owners. It’s a remarkable win for the French firm, which has not only transformed its product range in recent years, but has also invested hugely in improvements to quality.”

 

Citroën C4 is available with a collection of efficient petrol and diesel engines, and the ë-C4 comes with two electric powertrains, one with a 50kW battery that promises a maximum of 222 miles of range (WLTP), and the other with a 54kW battery that ensures up to 260 miles of range (WLTP). Citroën ë-C4 supports 100kW rapid charging, implying that you can charge from 0-80% in only thirty minutes from a public rapid charger.

 

Citroën UK’s Managing Director, Greg Taylor, commented, “This is a wonderful accolade for everyone at Citroën UK, but much more importantly it’s fabulous news for present and future Citroën customers. An enormous amount of work has gone into our latest products to ensure they’re best in class in terms of quality and ownership experience. And now, the outstanding service delivered by our retailer partners means Citroën can proudly say that we are the maker of the most satisfying car to own in the UK right now.

 

To learn more about C4 and ë-C4 and the rest of the Citroën range, visit: https://www.citroen.co.uk/

 

 

ToyotaUk

Toyota Racing’s Antron Brown Is Focused on the Next Generation

The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) is home to many well-known drivers, with Antron Brown being one of them. Brown is a Team Toyota motorsports driver who has been with them for 16 years now. He also became the first African-American driver in history to win a major auto racing championship in the United States in 2012, claiming the NHRA Top Fuel series title.

In 2022, Brown created his own team, AB Motorsports, after spending several years with Don Schumacher Racing. Last year, his team finished second in its debut season. Brown is proud of all they have accomplished, and his plan is to continue building something special.

Trademarks shown are those of their respective owners

How Hard Work Pays Off

Antron Brown comes from a family that instilled the values of hard work and dedication from a young age. For as long as he can remember, he has watched his family run a family-owned septic business, and it has been his grandfather’s practice to give them everything they needed as long as they worked for it.

While Brown was already familiar with drag racing due to his father and uncle’s passion for it, he was initially not interested in pursuing this career. Instead, Brown wanted to race in motocross, even though he was not fond of how much time drag racers spend on making modifications to their vehicles instead of actually driving them. However, as he grew older and gained more driving experience, his initial distaste for drag racing turned into a newfound appreciation for the sport.

Shaping the Future of Drag Racing through AB Motorsports

As AB Motorsports’ owner and driver, Antron Brown is focused on creating a legacy that will last for years to come. He is heavily invested in bringing young talent into the sport, thereby ensuring its continued development. To that end, he has introduced his own children to drag racing through the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing series, in which children as young as five years old can drive half-scale dragsters.

Brown believes that it is essential to cultivate more racers earlier in order to attract new fans to the sport. He is dedicated to identifying talented young racers and has made it his mission through ABM to give them a chance to pursue their passion for drag racing.

“It really gets me pumped up when I can see somebody that has passion and that want-to,” Brown says. “That’s something you can’t instill in people. And I see it every day in those junior dragster ranks.”