Tag Archives: teams

News, Wearables

Fitbit Mobile App and User Accounts Experience Major Outage

Fitbit, the popular fitness tracking company, is currently facing a major outage that is impacting its mobile app and user accounts. Fitbit Support tweeted about the issue on X, stating that their technical teams are actively working to resolve the problem. However, the exact cause of the outage and its full scope are not yet known. The Fitbit website also acknowledged the outage and provided a similar message.

The issues began around 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time, and some users have reported regaining access to the app since then. However, they have noticed discrepancies in their data. Some users claim that the app is displaying incorrect figures, while others have reported missing activity data from the period during the outage.

This is not the first time Fitbit users have experienced a major service outage. The previous one occurred in March 2023, primarily impacting the company’s iOS app. Prior to that, in February, there was a similar problem with Fitbit’s mobile platform, which took several hours to resolve. Fitbit did not provide specific details about the causes of these previous outages, and it is likely that we may not receive a detailed explanation for the current disruption in October 2023.

ToyotaUk

Toyota Doubles Number of Teams Participating in Annual Rebelle Rally

  • This year, six teams will showcase the broad range of resilient trucks and unyielding spirit
  • Toyota is presenting sponsor of Rebelle Rally’s Live Webcast again for 2023

PLANO, Texas (Oct. 2, 2023) – Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) announces that it will have six teams competing in the 2023 Rebelle Rally, double the number of participants from last year. Representing a wide range of professional disciplines and skills, the 12 participating Toyota team members will showcase driving and navigating prowess in the unique and demanding event, representing the company’s unwavering commitment to excellence. The experience provides each team member with real-world off roading insight into how Toyota’s truck customers use their vehicles, which can be useful in their everyday jobs. The annual off-road navigation rally, exclusively for women competitors, covers more than 1,400 miles of challenging terrain across the Nevada and California desert and takes place from October 12 to 21, 2023.

Toyota’s teams will compete using a fleet consisting of six vehicles comprised of various grades among some of the company’s most popular off-road options. The teams will demonstrate Toyota’s off-roading legacy, as they outlast and outlive every adventure.

Toyota’s team members for each vehicle:

“As a trailblazer, Toyota understands the values of collaboration, perseverance, and the unwavering pursuit of excellence,” said Kristen Tabar, group vice president, Advanced Mobility Research and Development at Toyota Motor North America. “The Rebelle Rally provides the perfect platform for Toyota team members to demonstrate their passion for learning and problem solving, develop their driving skills, navigate treacherous terrains, and work together as a cohesive unit. This remarkable journey highlights important principles to Toyota’s culture: teamwork and the challenging spirit that drives the brand forward.”

Toyota is once again a presenting sponsor of Rebelle Rally’s Live Webcast, which will stream throughout the competition. The webcast will offer live updates, interviews with participants, and insights from checkpoints along the way, providing an immersive experience of the Rebelle Rally.

As the competition unfolds, fans and enthusiasts worldwide are invited to follow the action-packed journey of Toyota’s teams. Follow the live webcast of the Rebelle Rally at http://www.rebellerally.com/live, and witness the triumphs and challenges faced by these incredible women as they navigate through the rugged terrains.

“Partnering with Rebelle Rally allows us to share amazing stories of resilience, determination and uncompromised power that our team members and vehicles showcase during this challenging event,” said Susann Kazunas, Vice President at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas. “We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the durable trucks and the incredible women who embody the spirit of the rally.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 49,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 33 million cars and trucks at our nine manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 10th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 26 electrified options.

Through its Driving Possibilities initiative, the Toyota USA Foundation has committed $110 million to create innovative educational programs within, and in partnership with, historically underserved and diverse communities near the company’s 14 U.S. operating sites.

BMW

Drive to Glory: Opening of the 44th Ryder Cup with Worldwide Partner BMW.

The 44th Ryder Cup is set to begin with an emotional opening ceremony in Rome. BMW, the Worldwide Partner, will provide an all-electric vehicle fleet for the teams and organizers. In addition, BMW will offer a unique brand experience for customers and fans. The first tee will have the “best seats in the house” for spectators, and exclusive live broadcasts will be available in the new BMW 7 Series and other models.

The opening tee off will take place at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, in front of an impressive grandstand. With tens of thousands of fans in attendance, the best golfers from host Europe and defending champions USA will compete in match play over three days. The Ryder Cup is not about prize money, but about achieving glory and honor for their respective continents.

At the opening ceremony, the unique emotions associated with the Ryder Cup were palpable, and the excitement for the 28 matches (four Foursomes and four Fourballs on both Friday and Saturday, twelve singles matches on Sunday) is immeasurable. BMW aims to transport the fascination of this renowned sporting event to customers, fans, and visitors using its vehicles, both in Rome and globally.

To support the smooth running of the Ryder Cup, BMW has provided a fleet of 120 all-electric vehicles, ensuring zero emissions transportation for the golf and organizational teams. Sustainability and electromobility are emphasized in the Ryder Cup Village and other areas on the event site, showcasing vehicles such as the new BMW i5, BMW i7, and BMW iX. Fans can also enjoy various activities in the BMW Fan Zone.

For an exceptional experience, spectators will have the opportunity to sit in the luxurious seats of the BMW i7 located at the first tee. Six seats have been installed in the stand, which will be allocated to fans on-site. There is also a chance for those without tickets to secure one of the six “best seats in the house” and enjoy the unparalleled comfort of the BMW i7 while experiencing the grandeur of the event.

For BMW customers unable to attend the Ryder Cup in person, they can still immerse themselves in the sporting drama and electrifying atmosphere that the event is renowned for worldwide. For the first time in Ryder Cup history, live broadcasts will be available in cars, enabling customers to follow every shot in a wide range of BMW models. Additionally, extensive on-demand content will be available for streaming.

Customers of the new BMW 7 Series can enjoy the feeling of being right on the fairways and greens. The Ryder Cup in-car app allows second-row passengers to watch the event on the BMW Theatre Screen, a 31-inch panorama display with 8K resolution in 32:9 format. This transforms the back of the new BMW 7 Series into an exclusive private cinema experience on wheels. The on-board 5G-enabled antenna system ensures optimal streaming speeds. While stationary, the front-row BMW Curved Display can also be used to view all the content. However, playing premium sports content is restricted for safety reasons while driving.

The live broadcasts and streaming of the Ryder Cup will be available in numerous countries, including the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain, and many others.

The BMW models that will support the live broadcasts are the BMW 7 Series (G70), BMW iX (produced after 03/23), BMW X5, BMW X6, BMW X7 (after 04/23), and BMW XM (after 08/23).

Motorsport

Red Bull and AlphaTauri F1 drivers have fun racing Honda kei trucks in exciting challenges

Red Bull and AlphaTauri, the two sibling teams in Formula 1, are not just competing on the race track. They have been participating in the (Un)Serious Race Series on YouTube. In the latest episode, Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Yuki Tsunoda, and Liam Lawson raced tiny Honda kei trucks through a series of thrilling challenges at Tokyo’s Ariake Stadium prior to the Japanese Grand Prix.

The first challenge was a reversing competition, which was won by AlphaTauri’s Tsunoda. Perez, driving the Honda truck for Red Bull, had some difficulty with the parallel parking part of the challenge.

These small trucks from Japan gained popularity as work vehicles due to their ability to navigate narrow roads and dense urban areas. Their compact size and practical design made them highly maneuverable, as showcased in the second challenge – navigating an obstacle course blindfolded.

Verstappen and Lawson wore blindfolds while Perez and Tsunoda gave them directions. The drivers had to pilot the trucks without losing any of the stacked boxes in the truck bed, which proved to be a challenge for Lawson. He pressed too hard on the gas while crossing the finish line, causing several boxes to fall off and earning him time penalties, similar to F1. On the other hand, Red Bull completed the course without losing any boxes.

AlphaTauri won the oversized bowling challenge, while Red Bull finished first in the final race. During the last race, Lawson slid across the truck’s interior, accidentally shifting into neutral and causing them to lose.

This was the third round of Red Bull’s (Un)Serious Race Series. Prior to the Miami Grand Prix, Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo engaged in a head-to-head mini jet boat battle, which Tsunoda won. He also claimed another victory before the Austrian Grand Prix. In another event, Tsunoda and Verstappen raced monster trucks.

Verstappen took his kei-truck victory and used it as momentum to win the Japanese Grand Prix. His first-place finish secured enough points for Red Bull to win the F1 Constructors’ Championship for the second consecutive year. Red Bull has twice as many points as Mercedes – 623 to 305.

Unfortunately, teammate Perez did not have the same luck in the race, retiring due to car damage and receiving two penalties.

AlphaTauri, Red Bull’s sister team, finished the race in the middle of the pack. Lawson finished 11th, ahead of Tsunoda in 12th place. The team currently sits at the bottom of the constructors’ championship with five points.

News

Interview: FIA boss on his conflict with F1’s commercial boom

FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) boss Ben Sulayem has voiced his opinion on the conflict between the FIA and the commercial boom of Formula 1. According to Sulayem, although the Concorde Agreement, which governs the commercial aspects of F1, allows for 12 teams, newcomers cannot be completely shut out of the sport.

One team that Sulayem has shown support for is the Andretti operation, led by Michael Andretti, son of the famous 1970s F1 driver Mario Andretti. Andretti’s team is looking to partner with General Motors and join the sport.

However, Sulayem emphasizes that the rules state that if there are serious prospective teams, the FIA is obligated to review their application. He clarifies that there are rules in place, and the FIA cannot simply reject them. Furthermore, as there is a contract for 12 teams in place, the FIA must follow the process.

Sulayem is clear that his intention is not to upset Liberty Media, the owners of Formula 1, but he also acknowledges that certain comments made about the FIA can be upsetting. He stresses that the FIA’s objective is to sustain motorsport and avoid any legal action from teams who believe they have been unfairly blocked.

He explains that expressions of interest from potential teams are considered, with due diligence conducted on the financial and technical aspects. Additionally, the FIA considers its vision for the future and welcomes the idea of having a team from the United States. However, Sulayem cannot force anyone to buy a team in order to join the sport.

The decision on whether to accept new applicants is taking longer than expected. This situation showcases the tension between the FIA and Formula 1, although it is just one example of their ongoing conflict.

BMW

BMW M Motorsport News, 12th September 2023

Björn Lellmann, Head of Customer Racing at BMW M Motorsport:

“The BMW M4 GT3 performed exceptionally well in the hands of our customer teams over the past weekend. Our teams Century Motorsport and Walkenhorst Motorsport achieved victory in the British GT Championship and a double win in the NLS, positioning themselves favorably for the end-of-season race. The BMW M4 GT4 also secured more successes in the NLS, ADAC GT4 Germany, and the GT4 European Series. I want to congratulate all the teams and drivers on their achievements and look forward to the exciting battles for titles in the coming weeks.”

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Top topics in this newsletter:

  • NLS: Walkenhorst Motorsport had a perfect weekend.
  • British GT Championship: Dan Harper and Darren Leung triumph at Brands Hatch.
  • ADAC GT4 Germany: BMW M Motorsport teams secure trio of podiums.
  • BMW M2 Cup: Leyton Fourie takes a significant step towards the title.

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NLS: Walkenhorst Motorsport had a perfect weekend.

At the highlight of the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) season, Walkenhorst Motorsport emerged as the big winner with their BMW M4 GT3. Christian Krognes and Jakub Giermaziak in car #34 won both races in impressive fashion. Despite starting from the final position on Saturday, they fought their way to first place. On Sunday, they started sixth but quickly took the lead and secured a commanding victory, finishing nearly three minutes ahead of their teammates in car #35. The #34 crew is currently leading the team standings in the SP9 Pro class and the NLS Speed Trophy with two races remaining. However, Walkenhorst Motorsport’s Pro-Am car, car #36, retired from both races.

In total, BMW M Motorsport teams claimed 15 class wins across the two races in the NLS. Notably, FK Performance Motorsport’s BMW M4 GT4 dominated the SP10 class, while Adrenalin Motorsport Team Motec’s BMW 330i defended its lead in the NLS overall standings with two wins in the VT2-R+4WD class. Other class victories were achieved by BMW M240i, BMW M2 CS, V4, SP4, SP6, and H4. Samantha Tan from Schnitzelalm Racing won the race on Saturday and finished third on Sunday in the BMW M240i Racing, earning her permit.

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British GT Championship: Dan Harper and Darren Leung triumph at Brands Hatch.

Dan Harper and Darren Leung from Century Motorsport secured their second victory of the season in the British GT Championship at Brands Hatch. They won the race in the BMW M4 GT3 with a one-second lead after an exciting finale. Harper made a crucial overtaking maneuver to surpass the second-place Aston Martin. With this win, Harper and Leung remain in contention for the title, currently sitting in second place in the overall standings, 13 points behind the leader.

Additionally, Century Motorsport achieved success in the GT4 category at Brands Hatch. Michael Johnston and Chris Salkeld finished third, winning the Pro-Am classification. Carl Cavers and Lewis Plato took second place in the Pro-Am class, securing a double win for Century Motorsport. Johnston and Salkeld have a comfortable lead in the Pro-Am standings and are within reach of winning the GT4 title. The season finale will take place at Donington Park on October 21st/22nd.

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ADAC GT4 Germany: BMW M Motorsport teams secure trio of podiums.

In the ADAC GT4 Germany races at the Sachsenring, BMW M Motorsport teams achieved three podium finishes. Tim Reiter and Leon Wassertheurer from Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport finished third on Saturday, with their teammates Gabriele Piana and Marat Khayrov right behind them. On Sunday, Nico Hantke and Mex Jansen from Walkenhorst Motorsport secured second place, while Mohan Ritson and Tom Wood from FK Performance Motorsport finished third. BMW M4 GT4 cars performed well, with four of them reaching the top 10 on Sunday and three on Saturday.

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BMW M2 Cup: Leyton Fourie takes a significant step towards the title.

Leyton Fourie extended his lead in the BMW M2 Cup championship by securing two wins at the Sachsenring. Racing in the BMW M2 CS Racing with car number 46, Fourie finished ahead of Max Rosam and Bart Horsten on Saturday and had an even more convincing win on Sunday, finishing over five seconds ahead of his rivals. With a 17-point lead over Horsten, Fourie is now one step closer to winning the title, with the season finale at the Red Bull Ring in two weeks.

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ADAC GT Masters: Podium for Schubert Motorsport.

At the Sachsenring, Schubert Motorsport’s BMW M4 GT3, driven by Ben Green and Eduardo Coseteng, secured a podium position with second place on Saturday. They finished fourth in the race on Sunday.

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GT4 European Series: W&D Racing Team celebrates two podium positions.

At the Hockenheimring, W&D Racing Team’s Paolo and Davide Meloni finished second in the Am class with their BMW M4 GT4 on Saturday and achieved another podium position with third place on Sunday. BMW M Motorsport teams narrowly missed the podium in the overall classification, with the best positions being ninth on Saturday and eighth on Sunday.

BMW

DTM: BMW M Motorsport teams earn points at the Lausitzring – René Rast’s 100th DTM race

Overall, the BMW M Motorsport teams faced a challenging DTM weekend at the Lausitzring. In Saturday’s race, defending champion Sheldon van der Linde finished in fifth place, his teammate René Rast in eighth, and Marco Wittmann in tenth, earning important points. However, problems during Sunday’s qualifying session forced the BMW M Motorsport drivers to start from the back of the grid. Despite this setback, Wittmann delivered an exceptional recovery performance. Additionally, Rast celebrated his 100th DTM race, a remarkable achievement that includes three title wins.

Although the BMW M4 GT3 struggled to keep up with the leaders at the Lausitzring, van der Linde, Rast, and Wittmann performed well in Saturday’s qualifying session, securing fifth, eighth, and tenth positions respectively for the race. Sunday’s qualifying session proved to be more challenging due to a red flag five minutes before its end. This interruption prevented the drivers from getting their tires to the right temperature for the restart, resulting in Rast starting from 15th, van der Linde from 21st, and Wittmann from 22nd on the grid. However, the BMW M works drivers demonstrated great determination during the race, delivering impressive recovery performances. Wittmann particularly stood out by advancing from 22nd to ninth place, although a post-race time penalty demoted him to tenth. Rast finished in eleventh place, while van der Linde claimed thirteenth. Sandro Holzem also had a solid performance in his second DTM weekend, securing seventeenth and eighteenth places driving the second BMW M4 GT3 from the Project 1 team

Here are some reactions to the DTM weekend at the Lausitzring:

Sheldon van der Linde (#1 BMW M4 GT3, Schubert Motorsport): “I am particularly proud of our fifth-place finish on Saturday. Given the conditions we had with the BMW M4 GT3, I believe that was the best result we could achieve. Unfortunately, we lost a significant number of points on Sunday due to qualifying and some minor incidents during the race. It’s disappointing, but I’m still very much in the title race. Moreover, there are upcoming circuits where our car should perform better. We will keep pushing.”

René Rast (#33 BMW M4 GT3, Schubert Motorsport): “I managed to score points in both races, but overall, the points gain was modest. I had hoped for more in my 100th race. It was clear that we didn’t have the competitiveness required this weekend. I was the highest-placed BMW driver in Sunday’s qualifying, starting from 15th, and I think that speaks volumes. I gained a few positions during the race, but there wasn’t much more I could do.”

Marco Wittmann (#11 BMW M4 GT3, Project 1): “I have mixed feelings about the weekend. I earned points in both races, and my race pace was really strong, especially on Sunday. However, my goal is to be fighting at the front, which we are currently not achieving. As a team, we lack experience with the individual circuits, and this becomes evident during practice sessions as we spend more time searching for the right setup compared to more experienced teams. Nevertheless, we are improving and able to reach the level of others for the race, delivering solid performances. Overall, there is still room for improvement as we look ahead to the upcoming races.”

BMW

BMW M Motorsport Teams Miss Podium at Nürburgring

The BMW M Motorsport teams concluded an impressive series of podium finishes at the Nürburgring in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe. In the 6th event of the season, none of the BMW M4 GT3 cars made it to the top 3 in the overall standings for the first time this season. In previous races, the teams had secured wins and podium finishes, but this time, the best result was a 7th place finish.

In challenging weather conditions, the WRT drivers Charles Weerts, Dries Vanthoor, and Sheldon van der Linde started 17th on the grid but fought their way up to 7th place. The BMW Junior Team, consisting of Dan Harper, Max Hesse, and Neil Verhagen, also showed a strong performance by moving up from 31st to 11th place.

On the other hand, the Spa winners Philipp Eng, Marco Wittmann, and Nick Yelloly had an unfortunate race. Wittmann faced multiple incidents, including being boxed in and colliding with a spinning Lamborghini. As a result, their car suffered damage, and they finished in 15th place. This loss in points cost them the lead in the overall standings for the Endurance Cup.

Unfortunately, Augusto Farfus, Maxime Martin, and Valentino Rossi had to retire due to radiator damage caused by a collision with a lapped car.

While no BMW M4 GT3 cars reached the overall podium, there was a podium finish in the Gold Cup. The WRT team’s BMW M4 GT3, driven by Niklas Krütten, Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer, and Calan Williams, secured third place in their class. In addition, the BMW M4 GT3 driven by Jens Klingmann, Darren Leung, and Lewis Proctor finished in sixth place in the Bronze Cup.

After the race, driver reactions varied. Dries Vanthoor expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance despite the challenging start, while Dan Harper acknowledged the lack of pace compared to previous races but praised the team for their flawless work. Marco Wittmann was disappointed with the race outcome and the damage sustained by the car. Maxime Martin lamented the collision with a lapped car and called for stricter penalties for ignoring blue flags.

Motorsport

Valtteri Bottas Takes Delivery Of Bluetiful Mercedes-AMG One

Valtteri Bottas, who recently moved from Mercedes to Alfa Romeo for the 2022 season, has taken delivery of his Mercedes-AMG One hypercar. He shared pictures of the car on his Instagram, showcasing its stunning blue color and exposed carbon fiber accents.

The delivery of Bottas’ AMG One comes after Mercedes has already started delivering the long-awaited hypercar to customers since January 2023. Other Formula 1 drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are also among the 275 buyers who have purchased the AMG One.

The AMG One, which was initially shown as a concept in 2017, faced development challenges that delayed its production start until August 2022. Mercedes eventually resolved these issues, including finding a solution for the turbocharged 1.6-liter V6 engine to idle at 1,200 rpm instead of 5,000 rpm, in line with F1 car regulations. Stricter emissions regulations also posed a challenge during its development.

This hypercar features a fragile six-cylinder engine that needs to be rebuilt every 50,000 kilometers. However, considering the rarity of the AMG One and the fact that Mercedes has announced it won’t produce another F1-engined road car, owners are likely to preserve its value by keeping it in climate-controlled garages.

The AMG One is hand-assembled in Coventry, UK, using a hybrid powertrain produced by the Mercedes‑AMG High Performance Powertrains division in Brixworth. This car, with its combined output of 1,049 horsepower, can reach 62 mph in just 2.9 seconds and has a top speed of 219 mph.

NewsNew

U.S. ISDE TEAMS ANNOUNCED FOR ARGENTINA, 2023

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has revealed the riders and teams that will be competing in the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in Argentina this fall. The U.S. will be sending a four-man Trophy Team, a three-man Junior Team, and a three-woman Women’s Trophy Team. Additionally, there will be seven three-man club teams representing the U.S. in the competition.



Taylor Robert will be back in action in Argentina.

The U.S. World Trophy Team, which consists of the top riders in the country, will be represented by Taylor Robert, Dante Oliveira, Cole Martinez, and Johnny Girroir. The U.S. Women’s Trophy Team will include Brandy Richards, Rachel Gutish, and Korie Steede. The U.S. Junior Team will be composed of Mateo Oliveira, Kai Aiello, and Grant Davis.

Argentina has proven to be a challenging location for the ISDE in the past, and this year’s event will take place in the same location as the 2014 competition. The U.S. teams have high hopes for success and are determined to perform well in the race.

The U.S. ISDE effort would not be possible without the support of the ISDE Advisory Committee and the event’s sponsors, which include KTM, BI-CON, FMF, Motorex, Rabaconda, Arai Helmets, and Motion Pro.

To learn more about the U.S. ISDE team and keep up with their progress, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com/isde/. If you’re interested in traveling and supporting the U.S. team during the competition, you can register at https://form.jotform.com/amatech/2023-ama-isde-registration. The registration deadline is July 10.