Tag Archives: participants

Motorsport

BMW Z4 With a Nascar Engine Designed to Dominate Hillclimbs

In motorsport events around the world, you’ll often find at least one BMW on the list of participants. These BMWs are typically modified in various ways. However, there are individuals who believe that merely turbocharging a naturally-aspirated BMW engine is insufficient. One such person is Jimmy Giannoccaro, the owner of G&H Transport in South Africa, who has a racing background in Zambia. With both the financial resources and the experience, Giannoccaro has created something truly unique – a BMW Z4 with a Nascar V8 engine under its hood.

The project began with a roughly 10-year-old 5.7-liter naturally-aspirated Nascar engine imported from the United States to South Africa. The engine was then meticulously fit into the engine bay of the BMW. However, as the owner recalls, the car performed poorly last year, so they decided to start from scratch to improve its performance for this year’s Knysna Simola Hillclimb, the premier motorsport event in South Africa.

Among the modifications made to the Z4, the Americanized coupe was equipped with a sequential gearbox and a drivetrain borrowed from a BMW M5 to deliver power to the rear wheels. The engine was also converted from carburetors to fuel injection, which posed its own set of challenges. Additionally, the car’s brakes were upgraded to an AP Racing set with 15-inch rotors on all corners. The car now features luxuries such as a traction control system, ABS, and launch control, which were absent in the previous iteration.

The 5.7-liter Hendrick Motorsports engine is located behind the front wheels, effectively making the BMW Z4 a front mid-engine machine. Currently, the engine is limited to 7,500 rpm, but the owner plans to increase it to an ideal target of 9,000 rpm in the future. The car currently produces around 590 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque, which is commendable for a naturally-aspirated race car.

In terms of aesthetics, the team imported a genuine GT3 body kit from Germany, making Giannoccaro’s Z4 the first in South Africa to have such a appearance. It’s truly an impressive creation. After watching the video above, we’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

ToyotaUk

Toyota Renews Commitment to Rebelle Rally for 2023

  • Fielding six competition teams with twelve participants in this year’s event
  • Once again, the presenting sponsor of the event’s Live Webcast

PLANO, Texas (June 23, 2023) – Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) has announced that it will continue to support the Rebelle Rally, the premier women-only, off-road navigation rally. In 2023, Toyota will have a total of 12 participants forming six teams to compete in the event, doubling the number from last year. The Toyota representatives will be selected from various areas of the company, including CALTY Design, Manufacturing, Production Engineering, and Research and Development. Additionally, Toyota will once again serve as the presenting sponsor of the live webcast of the event.

Kristen Tabar, the group vice president of Advanced Mobility Research and Development at Toyota Motor North America, commented, “This event is important to us and provides a great opportunity for the women in our company. The Rebelle Rally is a unique and empowering experience that aligns with our values of pushing boundaries, learning by doing, and fostering a supportive and inclusive culture. We believe that our team members will not only have fun and learn from this adventure, but also bring back valuable insights and skills to their work and teams.”

The Rebelle Rally is an eight-day endurance event that will take place from October 12-21, 2023. It covers over 2,000 kilometers of challenging terrain in the deserts of California and Nevada. The rally stands out because competitors are required to navigate using only a map and compass, without the use of GPS or electronic devices.

As a Silver Sponsor and the Presenting Sponsor of Rebelle Rally’s Live Webcast for the second year in a row, Toyota will support the broadcast of the event on the rally’s website, YouTube, and Facebook. The coverage will include reviews of the format, standings, competitor interviews, live updates from the course, highlights, and a behind-the-scenes look at team planning and strategy.

Lisa Materazzo, the group vice president of Toyota Division Marketing at Toyota Motor North America, said, “We are excited to renew our commitment to Rebelle Rally and continue as the Silver Sponsor and the official Presenting Sponsor of the Live Webcast. This sponsorship allows us not only to showcase our exceptional Toyota trucks but also to support the remarkable endeavors of our team members. It is an honor to be associated with such an empowering event, and we are eager to contribute to an unforgettable experience.”

To follow Toyota’s teams and track their progress along with other participants as they navigate the challenging desert terrain, visit www.rebellerally.com/live.

More details about the Toyota teams participating in Rebelle Rally will be announced at a later date.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for over 65 years and is dedicated to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through its Toyota and Lexus brands, as well as its network of more than 1,800 dealerships.

In North America, Toyota directly employs over 48,000 people who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks across 13 manufacturing plants. Starting in 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will produce automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. As the automaker with the most electrified vehicles on the road, Toyota currently offers 22 electrified options.

Through its Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights how it partners with community, civic, academic, and governmental organizations to address society’s most pressing mobility challenges. Toyota believes that when people have the freedom to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

About Rebelle Rally

The Rebelle Rally is the longest competitive off-road rally in the United States. Covering over 2,500 kilometers through Nevada and California’s iconic terrain, it is an endurance competition for women that emphasizes precision driving and navigation rather than speed. The competition is innovative and unique, using maps, compasses, roadbooks, and strategies in the Rebelle Format. GPS and other electronic devices are strictly prohibited. As a remote and off-grid event for eight competition days, the Rebelle Rally serves as a proving ground for people, products, and stock manufacturer vehicles.

To learn more, visit www.rebellerally.com.