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Motorsport

Rare British Military Light Strike Vehicle Dune Buggy Heads To Auction

A road-legal dune buggy with a military background is set to be auctioned in the United Kingdom. This particular vehicle is a Longline/Ricardo MkII Light Strike Vehicle (LSV) that saw service with the UK’s Special Air Service (SAS) during the first Gulf War. The auction, hosted by Bonhams, is expected to fetch a price between $35,550 and $38,085 (£28,000 and £30,000) on July 14.

The MkII LSV is equipped with a Volkswagen-sourced 1.9-liter water-cooled flat-four engine, which originated from a Transporter van. It comes with four-wheel drive, an upgrade from the previous two-wheel drive configuration found in the MKI version. The later MKIII models switched to a turbodiesel VW powerplant.


Motorsport

Dacia Plans to Compete in 2025’s Dakar Rally with Synthetic Fuel

Dacia has announced its participation in the Dakar Rally, with plans to begin competing in the World Rally-Raid Championship in 2025. The automaker will be racing in the T1+ category as a manufacturer. Dacia CEO Denis Le Vot stated that the rally will not only test the company’s endurance but also demonstrate its commitment to low-carbon mobility.

While Dacia did not provide many details about its race car, it did reveal that it will be powered by synthetic fuel supplied by Aramco. Dacia is one of several automakers exploring the use of synthetic fuels.

Last year, Porsche started producing its own synthetic fuel in Chile and used it in a 911. However, this technology is not yet capable of saving the internal combustion engine, as Toyota stated in May that it needs further development before mass production becomes feasible.

Sébastien Loeb and Cristina Gutierrez Herrero will be leading Dacia’s campaign in the Dakar Rally. Both drivers bring several years of Dakar Rally racing experience to the team, with Herrero becoming the first Spanish woman to finish the race in the car category in 2017. Loeb, a nine-time winner of the World Rally Championship, has been participating in the Dakar Rally since 2016.

Next year, Dacia will begin testing prototypes at the Rallye de Maroc, with Loeb and Herrero behind the wheel during the test phase. The automaker sees the rally as both a testing ground and a laboratory for their racing efforts, and they will not be the only ones participating in the race.

Dacia’s factory program will also benefit from the expertise of Prodrive, the British motorsport group. Prodrive has been competing in the Dakar Rally and Rally-Raid since 2020 and achieved second place overall in 2022 and 2023 with Loeb. Ford has also recently announced its entry into the Dakar Rally for next year’s event, setting the stage for competition against Dacia’s entry in the T1+ category.

The Dakar Rally is known for its challenging off-road conditions, and many automakers have been competing in the race for the past 45 years. This year’s event covered over 3,000 miles of desert terrain in just two weeks, attracting new competitors year after year.

News

Street Riders, Here Are Some Basic Off-Road Riding Tips For Dirt And Gravel

If you’re an experienced street rider who wants to try off-roading but is unsure how to start, this video from MotoTrek offers some great tips. In the video, off-road instructor Dusty Wessels provides basic but useful advice to help you feel more comfortable exploring the unpaved roads and improving your off-road riding skills.

The first tip is to invest in a good set of dual sport tires. While you can opt for more hardcore off-road tires if you’ll only be riding off-road, it’s advisable to choose tires that can handle both off-road and street riding. Modern tire technology plays a crucial role in improving the performance of the tires on different surfaces, so read reviews and take advantage of the current advancements in tire technology.

The next important aspect is body positioning. Standing up on the pegs gives you better control and stability off-road. This technique allows you to redistribute your bike’s weight when encountering obstacles and lowers the center of gravity. It also provides a clearer view of the path ahead. Additionally, bending your knees slightly into the tank and loosening your grip on the handlebars allows you to flow with the bike, use gentle inputs for steering, and maintain traction more effectively.

When riding off-road, it’s important to focus on smooth and gradual motions. Apply the brakes smoothly with a rear brake bias, use gentle throttle inputs, and make smooth turns. Gradual inputs make a significant difference in off-road riding. It’s crucial to gain practical experience and practice your off-road skills. While watching instructional videos and reading about off-road riding is helpful, nothing beats actually getting out there and riding.

If you’re a beginner and concerned about damaging your expensive adventure bike, consider starting with a dirt bike. Dirt bikes are designed for off-road riding and are more forgiving in case of falls. Overcoming mental obstacles is also important. If you’re worried about bike damage, ride a smaller bike that’s meant to be dropped until you gain confidence. Invest in boots with strong ankle support to alleviate concerns about ankle injuries. When you’re less stressed about peripheral concerns, your skills will improve more quickly.

Motorsport

Plymouth Superbird and Ford Torino Talladega Barn Finds: Classic Race Cars Discovered

During the late 1960s, NASCAR was a hotbed of fierce competition among automakers. These were the days of the aero wars, with manufacturers pushing the limits of vehicle design to gain an edge on the racetrack. It was during this time that road cars closely resembled their race car counterparts. Recently, an exciting barn find uncovered a collection of high-performance race cars from this era.

This impressive collection includes several American-made models from the late 1960s. One standout is a 1969 Charger Daytona, painted in the iconic B5 Blue with a white stripe and blue interior. This vehicle is already undergoing restoration, along with several others in the collection. However, the barn also houses some rarer gems for enthusiasts to discover. Among them are several Plymouth Superbirds, known for their distinct big wings and aerodynamic noses. Some of these Superbirds are already being worked on, with one having its vinyl roof and nose removed. Additionally, one of the Superbirds featured a four-speed gearbox, while the rest were equipped with a 440-cubic-inch V8 engine and automatic gearboxes.

Also present in the collection are several 1969 Ford Torino Talladegas, which were a more aerodynamic version of the car. The Mercury variant, known as the Cyclone Spoiler, is also part of this barn find. These Torino Talladegas were produced in limited numbers, with rumors suggesting that less than 800 were made in the first few months of 1969. As a result, these cars are quite rare and highly sought after. They came in three different colors and featured power steering, power brakes, and an AM radio.

While not every car in the collection is destined for restoration, many of them are in decent enough condition to be revitalized. Unfortunately, there is a burnt-out Superbird that is beyond repair. Nevertheless, it’s exciting to think that there could be more NASCAR-related treasures hiding in barns across the country. It’s incredible how many forgotten or abandoned vehicles are out there, waiting to be appreciated by new owners. Though they may require some work, few of these cars are beyond salvage.