Tag Archives: fascinating

News

Dakar 2024: Cornejo Wins Stage 4 And Takes The Overall Lead

There are a number of causes to seek out the Dakar Rally and rally raids usually fascinating. Pitting riders and their machines in opposition to really grueling programs, handing them roadbooks, and seeing how rapidly they’re in a position to traverse the terrain to get the place they are going is just a part of it.

Skills and camaraderie are additionally a serious a part of it. Call it the Dakar Spirit, or name it what you’ll, however it’s at all times heartening to see rivals in a self-discipline look out for one another.

Sure, they wish to win, they usually wish to be the most effective, however in addition they know that you aren’t getting good within the first place or proceed enhancing if there is not any one working on the identical degree. They wish to beat the remainder of the sphere, however they concurrently need the remainder of the sphere to do properly; simply not in addition to they do. It is sensible, proper?

While that spirit is a reasonably frequent factor to see within the bivouac and on the levels, one thing that is much less frequent is what Kove Moto head Zhang Xue has been sharing with the world. Remember how we talked about that Mason Klein had been having some technical difficulties with his bike on Stage Two and Stage Three of the 2024 Dakar Rally? 

Not plenty of producers or group house owners would hop on social media and take full accountability for a machine that is not performing in addition to they really feel that it ought to. Yet that is precisely what Mr. Zhang did after the Kove’s engine broke on Stage Two.

 

He provided each a transparent clarification for what went unsuitable, in addition to a heartfelt apology. It’s precisely this type of spirit that makes Dakar particular.

During Stage Three, when Klein spent hours fixing his bike after which nursing it throughout the end line of the stage, Mr. Zhang could not consider his eyes. He took to the group’s Instagram account once more to share his enthusiasm for what he lauded as Klein’s genius in fixing the engine properly sufficient to get the bike throughout the end line in any respect as an alternative of merely retiring.

 

Humans make errors and are fallible, however it’s what we do and the way we be taught from these errors that reveals who we actually are. At its greatest, that is what any good motorsport brings out in folks, and it is notably true with rally raids (and Dakar chief amongst them). 

Thanks to Klein’s expertise in getting the Kove again house after Stage Three, the group was in a position to go on and full Stage Four. He’s at present operating in 99th place, however overcoming such lengthy odds and obstacles is its personal form of profitable.

Dakar Rally 2024: Stage Four Results

Stage Four ran from Al Salamiya to Al-Hofuf on January 9, 2024. At the beginning, the temps had been hovering on the 5 diploma Celsius mark (that is about 41 levels Fahrenheit). Ross Branch fell twice and was okay each instances, however these falls put a dent in each his stage and general time rankings. 

In the top, it was Nacho Cornejo’s faultless navigation and pace that noticed him take each the stage win and the general lead after Stage Four. Ricky Brabec completed in second, and birthday boy Kevin Benavides rounded out third place for the stage.

Here’s the complete high 10 outcomes for Stage Four:

Rider Team Time
José Ignacio Cornejo Florimo (Chile) Monster Energy Honda Team 2 hours, 51 minutes, 11 seconds
Ricky Brabec (USA) Monster Energy Honda Team 2 hours, 54 minutes, 10 seconds
Kevin Benavides (Argentina) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 2 hours, 54 minutes, 29 seconds
Ross Branch (Botswana) Hero Motosports Team Rally 2 hours, 55 minutes, 37 seconds
Adrien Van Beveren (France) Monster Energy Honda Team 2 hours, 56 minutes, 36 seconds
Luciano Benavides (Argentina) Husqvarna Factory Racing 2 hours, 58 minutes, 33 seconds
Joan Barreda Bort (Spain) Hero Motosports Team Rally 2 hours, 59 minutes, 26 seconds
Rui Gonçalves (Portugal) Sherco Rally Factory 3 hours, 1 minute, 2 seconds
Skyler Howes (USA) Monster Energy Honda Team 3 hours, 1 minute, 16 seconds
Romain Dumontier (France) Team Dumontier Racing 3 hours, 3 minutes, 5 seconds

2024 Dakar Rally Overall Leaderboard After Stage Four

By taking his eighth-ever Dakar Rally stage win, Nacho Cornejo has now taken the lead for the primary time on the 2024 Dakar Rally. With a number of levels left to go, it is unattainable to foretell what is going to occur between every now and then. For the second, although, the lead is his to get pleasure from.

Here are the general rider standings after Stage Four of the 2024 Dakar Rally.

Rider Team Time
José Ignacio Cornejo Florimo (Chile) Monster Energy Honda Team 17 hours, 27 minutes, 13 seconds
Ross Branch (Botswana) Hero Motorsports Team Rally 17 hours, 28 minutes, 28 seconds
Ricky Brabec (USA) Monster Energy Honda Team 17 hours, 32 minutes, 9 seconds
Kevin Benavides (Argentina) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 17 hours, 47 minutes, 52 seconds
Adrien Van Beveren (France) Monster Energy Honda Team 17 hours, 49 minutes, 43 seconds
Luciano Benavides (Argentina) Husqvarna Factory Racing 17 hours, 58 minutes, 24 seconds
Pablo Quintanilla (Chile) Monster Energy Honda Team 17 hours, 58 minutes, 57 seconds
Toby Price (Australia) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 18 hours, 2 minutes, 7 seconds
Martin Michek (Czech Republic) Orion Moto Racing Group 18 hours, 5 minutes, 24 seconds
Romain Dumontier (France) Team Dumontier Racing 18 hours, 5 minutes, 27 seconds

What will occur subsequent? Your guess is nearly as good as ours. Feel free to speak about it within the feedback.

Internet

Google Has A Hidden Easter Egg For NASA’s Mars Helicopter: Here’s How To Find It

Now that you’ve got uncovered Google’s hidden Easter egg let’s delve into the fascinating world of NASA’s Mars Helicopter, Ingenuity. After a collection of checks and diagnostics, Ingenuity made its first powered flight above the Martian surface on April 19, 2021.

Since its deployment, Ingenuity has launched into a collection of take a look at flights, showcasing its capabilities within the skinny Martian ambiance. The copter’s major mission is to help the Perseverance Rover by scouting and offering invaluable knowledge on potential scientific factors of curiosity.

Originally deliberate for anyplace between one to 5 flights, Ingenuity has far exceeded its operational goals. As of January 2024, Ingenuity has carried out 69 flights, and extra flights are scheduled sooner or later. The plane was additionally just lately within the information after it set a brand new distance document on Mars by flying 2,315 toes (705 meters) throughout its 69th flight.

Ingenuity did give NASA a little bit of a scare in 2023 after NASA misplaced contact with the craft whereas performing its 52nd flight. The helicopter remained uncontactable for properly over two months (63 days, to be exact) earlier than NASA finally reconnected with the aircraft when the Perseverance Rover moved nearer to it.

Motorsport

Dusty De Tomaso Pantera Found After 46 Years, Set for Restoration

A classic 1972 De Tomaso Pantera that has been stored in a garage for over four decades is now being prepared for restoration. The car was inherited by the current owner from his father, who also left behind an impressive collection of British sports cars. Although covered in dust, the body of the Pantera is in good condition, and the interior remains immaculate, complete with an 8-Track player. The main issues are with the coolant tubes and wear items that have deteriorated from years of sitting.

To make moving the car easier, the Pantera is placed on dollies. Once a shelf and a Sunbeam Tiger are removed, the vehicle can be rolled out of the barn and taken to a shop for a thorough inspection of its underbody.

Remarkably, the Pantera remains in its original state with minimal rust. The next step is to determine the necessary repairs to get the V8 engine running again. Additionally, all the rubber parts of the car will need to be replaced as they have started to fall apart.

Aside from its powerful mid-mounted Ford-sourced V8 engine, the De Tomaso Pantera also has a connection with Ford in terms of distribution. From 1971 to 1975, Ford sold these cars through their Lincoln-Mercury dealerships in the United States. However, due to rising fuel prices and stricter emissions regulations, the company ceased their sales.

The 1972 model of the Pantera featured in the video has a distinct design with metal bumperettes on each corner of the front end. Later models had a full-width rubber piece across the nose. Equipped with a Ford 351-cubic-inch (5.8-liter) Cleveland V8 engine, this version produced 296 horsepower and came with a five-speed manual gearbox.

The restoration of this Pantera will be documented in future videos by Hagerty.

Motorsport

Classic Corvette, Jaguar E-Type Look Beat Up But Salvageable In UK Barn Find

Cracking open an old barn or garage can reveal hidden treasures, and Anglia Car Auctions in Scotland recently uncovered quite a collection of vehicles, which are set to be auctioned off. Among the finds is a 1959 Chevrolet Corvette, one of the first cars discovered in the dilapidated barn. Although it lacks an engine and gearbox, it does come with a dismantled V8 engine and manual transmission. The current owner purchased the car in the 1990s with no accompanying paperwork.

Another noteworthy car in the collection is a 1935 Plymouth Coupe, sporting a two-tone pastel yellow and light brown exterior. Despite its age, it’s in relatively good shape with just a few dings and faded paint.

Four Jaguars are also part of the collection. A 1963 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Roadster is missing some crucial parts, including fenders, a front bumper, hood, and windshield. The 1955 XK140 and 1959 XK150 are in better condition, but the standout is a 1947 Jaguar 1.5, which can still roll on its own.

Other notable vehicles include a 1973 Bond Bug 700, a 1952 Bentley MkVI, a 1959 Ford Consul Capri, and a 1958 Austin-Healey Sprite Frogeye. The collection also features two Land Rovers and two MGs.

All 14 cars from the Scottish collection will be up for auction on November 4 and 5. With no reserve, these forgotten cars, many of which have not been taxed since the 80s, are in poor condition and are better suited as parts cars rather than candidates for full restoration.

News

Editor’s letter: Exploring Mazda’s Broad Perspective Beyond EVs

Spending time with Mazda is always a captivating experience, mainly because of its unique perspective on the world and its unconventional approach.

The most recent example of this was witnessed at the Tokyo motor show (Japan Mobility Show) this week, which has been hailed as the best motor show since the pandemic. In contrast to other automakers, Mazda chose not to unveil a battery-electric vehicle. Instead, they presented a concept that showcased a rotary-powered electric range-extender, giving a glimpse into the future of the Mazda MX-5.

Mazda’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Jeff Guyton, describes Mazda as an “intentional follower.” Being a small car manufacturer that operates in over 130 markets, Mazda faces varying regulations in each of these markets.

Motorsport

Watch And Listen As Tiny Inline-Six Engine Revs Beyond 10K RPM

It’s fascinating to see a small engine being assembled. Despite its size, it contains all the components of a full-size engine, but scaled down to fit on a desk. Let’s watch this 21cc inline-six engine come together and run.

This engine comes in a kit with everything needed for assembly. However, some fine-tuning is necessary for optimal performance. The assembly process follows the same steps as building a larger engine. First, the crankshaft is fitted into the block. Then, the pistons and connecting rods are installed. Since it is an overhead-valve design, the camshaft is inserted into the block.

The provided mechanical water pump doesn’t work effectively, so the builder replaces it with a separate electric one. Additionally, the supplied cylinder head gasket is not satisfactory, so the builder creates an aluminum one instead. There is also an issue with the distributor design, as the existing hall sensor cannot fit, requiring the use of a rotary tool to create space.

Similar to a full-size engine, the work doesn’t end once the engine is running. The initial tune results in a mixture that is too rich, and the ignition timing is off. After making some adjustments, the little engine sounds great. It revs quickly, and the laser tachometer demonstrates that it can even exceed 10,000 RPM.

There are still plans for further improvements. The builder intends to install a functional mechanical water pump and may also modify the exhaust and switch to a single-carburetor setup.

This builder is skilled at assembling and tuning these miniature engines. In fact, they have also built a tiny supercharged V8 and even constructed a three-speed manual transmission for a small four-cylinder engine.

The Howin L6-210 engine, which is inspired by Ford’s 300-cubic-inch inline-six, is available for $1,299.99. However, there is currently a $200 coupon being offered by the seller. The Ford 300-cubic-inch inline-six is well-known for its torque at low revs and was used in F-Series pickups from the 1965 model year until 1996.

BMW

BMW Motorrad presents Customizing Championship.

Munich. The BMW R 18 has been a source of inspiration for motorcycle enthusiasts around the world to create amazing custom designs. The upcoming BMW Motorrad Customizing Championship aims to recognize the outstanding creativity and craftsmanship associated with the BMW R 18.

The BMW Motorrad Customizing Championship will take place from April 11th to September 29th, 2023. This exciting competition is organized by the BMW Motorrad global dealer network, with 150 dealers from 18 countries confirming their participation. The goal is to bring together motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world to showcase their creative and customizing skills with BMW R 18 motorcycles.

Customizers can use four models from the BMW Motorrad R 18 series – the R 18, R 18 Classic, R 18 B, and R 18 Transcontinental. The BMW R 18 features modern technology and a sleek design that is guaranteed to impress. The R 18 series was designed with customization in mind, offering an easily adaptable architecture for individualization.

“We are excited to launch the first-ever BMW Motorrad Customizing Championship,” says Stephan Reiff, Head of Customer, Brand, Sales BMW Motorrad. “This competition celebrates the passion and creativity of the BMW Motorrad dealer network and motorcycle enthusiasts, and we are eager to see the new additions to the R 18 family that participants will come up with.” The winners of the championship will have the opportunity to showcase their custom motorcycles at major motorcycle events worldwide.

The Customizing Championship allows dealers and enthusiasts to showcase their creativity in a freestyle format. Participants can customize their motorcycles using their own unique designs and ideas, as well as high-quality parts and accessories offered by BMW Motorrad. The best custom motorcycles from each country will be selected in the National Contests and will be eligible to participate in the international semi-finals. The final world championship event will take place in Berlin on September 29th, 2023.

The Customizing Championship has confirmed the participation of BMW Motorrad dealers from the following countries: Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the USA.

Registration for the Customizing Championship has already closed, and participants have signed up on the official BMW Motorrad website.

The main details of the Customizing Championship:

  • National Championships: May 15th – July 16th, 2023
  • International semi-final and vote for the best bikes: July 31st – August 14th, 2023
  • World final in Berlin: September 29th, 2023

The competition will be judged by a panel of international experts, including renowned customizers such as Thor Drake, Michael Lichter, Roland Sands, J. Shia, Giuseppe Roncen, and Yuichi Yoshizawa.

For more information about the BMW Motorrad Customizing Championship 2023, including rules and registration details, please visit the official website at https://www.bmw-motorrad.com/en/experience/stories/heritage/customizing-Championship.html

Disclaimer: The vehicles shown in the championship may be modified with third-party accessories and/or parts not manufactured, distributed, or tested by BMW. BMW is not liable for any modifications that may affect the characteristics and use of the accessories. Modifying production vehicles can affect riding characteristics and is done at your own risk.

For press inquiries, please contact:

Dominik Schaidnagel, Spokesperson BMW Motorrad
Telephone: +49-151-601-50181, Dominik.Schaidnagel@bmw.de

Tim Diehl-Thiele, Head of Communications BMW Motorrad
Telephone: +49-151-601-57505, Tim.Diehl-Thiele@bmw.de

Website: www.press.bmw.de
Email: presse@bmw.de

About the BMW Group: The BMW Group is a leading global manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles, with brands including BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce, and BMW Motorrad. The company also offers premium financial and mobility services. With over 30 production sites worldwide and a global sales network in more than 140 countries, the BMW Group sold nearly 2.4 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,000 motorcycles in 2022.

The BMW Group is committed to sustainability and efficient resource management, integrating these principles into its strategic direction and operations.

Website: www.bmwgroup.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

Motorsport

Watch Volkswagen ID. Buzz Maneuver Through Obstacles to Pass Moose Test

While vans are not typically known for their sporty handling, it is interesting to observe how the European version of the VW ID. Buzz performs in both the moose test and a slalom. This retro-inspired electric vehicle demonstrates impressive performance during the evaluations.

This particular ID. Buzz variant showcases a short-wheelbase design with a single rear-mounted electric motor, which generates 201 horsepower. It is equipped with Continental EcoContact 6 tires.