Tag Archives: weeks

Motorsport

Ferrari KC23 One-Off: A Track Car With Unique Features

Ferrari has recently revealed a new special creation called the KC23. Unlike the SF90 XX, which was introduced a few weeks ago, the KC23 is even more exclusive as it is strictly a one-off track-only model. Based on the 488 GT3, this unique Prancing Horse incorporates design elements from the Vision Gran Turismo and 499P endurance hypercar. The KC23 features butterfly doors and distinctive styling cues.

The 488 GT3 Evo donor car has undergone significant modifications, including the addition of active aero achieved through motorized side body panels that open the air intakes. The traditional racing livery has been replaced with a new paint color named Gold Mercury. This paint has an aluminum-like finish created by infusing liquid metal into the four-layer paintwork. The KC23 was commissioned by a passionate and imaginative customer and includes a large rear wing that can be removed for a smoother rear end appearance.


BMW

BMW M Motorsport News, 11th July 2023

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

“Recently, the BMW M4 GT3 achieved significant victories at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps and in the DTM at the Norisring with our BMW M works drivers. This is great news for all of us at BMW M Motorsport. We are also proud of the success of our private teams and drivers. The Paul Miller Racing and BMW Italia Ceccato Racing teams had successful weekends with the BMW M4 GT3. The BMW M4 GT4 also had multiple wins. Our entry-level car, the BMW M2 CS Racing, was used in three one-make cups over a single weekend, proving once again that it is a highly sought-after racing car. Congratulations to all the teams and drivers!”

Top topics of this newsletter:

  • BMW Italia Ceccato Racing finishes on the podium in the Italian GT Endurance Championship.
  • Double victory for the BMW M4 GT4 in the GT4 European Series.
  • BMW M Motorsport teams secure eight class wins at NLS 5.
  • BMW M2 Cup: Triple racing action in Germany, Italy, and Belgium.

Italian GT Endurance Championship: BMW Italia Ceccato Racing on the podium at Mugello.

The second endurance race of the Italian GT Championship took place at Mugello (ITA) last weekend. BMW Italia Ceccato Racing secured second place overall and victory in the Pro-Am category with their BMW M4 GT3. One of their teams retired early in the race.

ADAC GT Masters: Second round at the Norisring.

The ADAC GT Masters returned to the Norisring (GER) last weekend after 15 years. FK Performance Motorsport and Schubert Motorsport competed with BMW M4 GT3s. The teams finished eighth and ninth in both races respectively.

IMPC: Turner Motorsport loses victory at CTMP.

Turner Motorsport initially celebrated a victory in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville (CAN), but were moved to the back of the field due to rule violations. The best-placed BMW M4 GT4 finished 14th in the GS class.

VP Racing Sports Car Challenge: Victory and podium finish for the BMW M4 GT4 at CTMP.

The VP Racing Sports Car Challenge took place at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CAN). The BMW M4 GT4 secured a dominant victory in the second race, and finished second in the first race.

GT4 European Series: Double victory for the BMW M4 GT4 at Spa-Francorchamps.

The GT4 European Series held its third event at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (BEL). The BMW M4 GT4 achieved a clear double victory in the first race, and another BMW M4 GT4 finished third in the second race.

NLS: BMW M Motorsport teams secure eight class wins at the Nürburgring.

In the fifth round of the Nürburgring Endurance Series 2023 (NLS), BMW M Motorsport teams achieved eight class wins. Walkenhorst Motorsport fought for an overall victory but both cars had to retire prematurely.

GT4 France: L’Espace Bienvenue with double triumph at Val de Vienne.

Ricardo van der Ende and Benjamin Lessennes secured victories in both races at the Val de Vienne GT Festival (FRA) in the GT4 France championship.

BMW M2 Cup: Van Soelen and Horsten victorious at the Norisring.

Senna van Soelen won the first race of the BMW M2 Cup at the Norisring (GER), while Bart Horsten narrowly won the second race.

BMW M2 CS Racing Cup Italy: Steven Giacon unbeatable at Mugello.

Steven Giacon dominated the BMW M2 CS Racing Cup Italy event at Mugello (ITA), securing pole position and winning both races.

BMW M2 CS Racing Cup Benelux: Dante Rappange/Dirk Warmerdam dominate at Zolder.

Dante Rappange and Dirk Warmerdam won both races in the BMW M2 CS Racing Cup Benelux event at Zolder (BEL).

NewsNew

ROLAND HINZ & ME

The year was 1980 when I started working at Dirt Bike Magazine. Two weeks prior, the ownership (Bill Golden) had hired an executive to run the day to day operations and play a role in the planning and execution of the two magazines we had, Motocross Action and Dirt Bike. Roland Hinz had come from a successful job working at entertainment mags (Rona Barrett’s Gossip and Hollywood) turning them into big money makers. He was a magazine guru, a newsstand specialist and he had a passion for dirt bikes.

Roland had come into an environment where huge egos worked diligently to protect their fiefdoms and were violently opposed to most of the ideas he brought to the table. Editorial meetings forecasting our plans for the month, cover subject meetings and cover line control and working within a budget led his vision. The reigning staff boiled.

What we didn’t know was that Roland was there to rescue a sinking ship that was hemorrhaging money. His goal was to pay off the debt, then purchase the company. What I remember was that things in the office got tense. I was a full-blown dirt bike enthusiast and was just excited to be working for the magazine. There was talk of anarchy, continuous criticism and zero respect for the future owner of Hi Torque Publications. I was afraid that I’d lose my job right after getting the best job on the planet.

Roland was tough but had enough patience to kickstart the change in the company. By the time he paid off the debt and became the owner, the Editors embraced his plan and amazingly, we flourished. I remember color meetings (where we chose the photos for the magazine and the main cover image) that lasted for hours. He was always enthusiastic about cover lines, knowing that they had the ability to attract attention at the newsstand if they had a good hook. Forty years later, Roland played a role in every cover line that appeared on his magazines.

He was good at allowing the editors with a passion for the sport to drive the content. We just had to convince him how this was good for the reader, beneficial for the advertiser, and aligned with the interests of the newsstand buyer. I remember when Paul [Clipper] tested a Honda ATC in Dirt Bike. It was a highly debated move, disliked by the purists in the office. Roland saw it as an emerging sport and started Dirt Wheels magazine. For decades, it was his most successful magazine.

In 1981, while at a Husqvarna product intro at DeAnza Cycle Park, all the press members got a chance to test ride every new model in their line. Roland was on a trail ride with Mark Blackwell, I was out riding in the canyons with Dick Burleson. Our two groups met head-on in a tight canyon with near misses among the riders. I collided directly with one of the riders. It was Roland. I thought that it was the end of my job. My boss was more scared than mad, and we never talked about the incident again.

There were some unique aspects to the man. He was incredibly successful yet drove a Volkswagen Thing to work every day for years. In the decades that I worked for him, he always wore shorts and tennis shoes. And when it came to religion, Roland was a devout Christian. Every year at our Christmas party, he would start it with a prayer, allowing non-believers to leave if they were offended. After my wife passed away following a long battle with cancer, Roland sat with me in my office every day, talking about life, death, and God, always ending with “are you good?”

When I started working for Roland, I was young and afraid of the stern German. We would clash over covers, argue about budgets for testing and travel, and in over four decades, nothing changed. Except that we became friends. He was a mentor, and in a changing world where magazines were seen as a dying industry, we remained profitable.

Roland passed away this weekend after a long battle with his health. I will truly miss this man. He was a teacher, a tough and strict boss, and had the gift of taking care of the people who made great things happen which was undoubtedly a catalyst for Hi Torque’s success. Rest in peace, my friend.

-Tom Webb

News

A Look At Triumph, Bajaj, Harley, Hero, And The Rise Of The Middleweights

We are now in July 2023, and it has been a busy few weeks for Triumph, Bajaj, Harley, and Hero MotoCorp. These companies have been working hard behind the scenes to prepare Triumph’s Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X, as well as Harley’s X440 for their debut. The excitement is palpable.

From an international perspective, the partnerships behind the development of these bikes make perfect sense. In many Asian countries, there is a huge number of small-displacement motorbikes being ridden by a diverse range of riders who rely on their two-wheeled vehicles for their daily lives. Large displacement bikes are often subject to high taxes and are less common. This has created a demand for a middleweight bike that falls between the small and large displacement categories. These bikes offer a little more power without crossing into the realm of big bikes. The partnerships between manufacturers are also important for resources, geography, and maintaining attractive pricing structures.

2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 - Rebel Blue and Dapper Ash

Royal Enfield has been a prominent player in this middleweight segment with its 350 trio: the Meteor 350 cruiser, the Classic 350 retro-modern standard, and the Hunter 350 modern urban machine. Now, Triumph/Bajaj and Harley-Davidson/Hero are entering the market to compete for a share of this growing segment. Aprilia, part of the Piaggio Group, has also announced plans to launch its own mid-segment bike in 2023. All these companies have initially launched their bikes in India, the world’s largest motorcycle market, with plans to expand to other international markets later.

This segment is attracting attention because it offers a step up from a 125cc scooter, making it an achievable aspiration for many riders. It provides a sense of personal growth and achievement without being out of reach.

Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X - Riding 16

According to Bajaj managing director Rajiv Bajaj, Triumph could potentially sell 40,000 to 50,000 TR-platform bikes annually in the next year. Bajaj’s partnership with KTM has given him insights into the motorcycle market, as KTM’s annual sales have grown significantly over the past decade. The partnerships between these companies are aimed at replicating this success in the middleweight segment.

It is worth noting that China is also becoming a major motorcycle market, and KTM has a strong presence there through its partnership with CFMOTO. Recently, Pierer Mobility and CFMOTO announced plans to strengthen their cooperation to meet the increasing market demand in China and the Asian region.

Some More Middleweight Development Details Worth Noting 

  • 2017: Triumph and Bajaj formed their partnership.
  • 2021: Harley-Davidson and Hero MotoCorp formed their partnership.
  • Piaggio Group, the parent company of Aprilia, already has a presence in India and has not partnered with a local manufacturer for its middleweight bike development.
  • Triumph and Bajaj’s TR-platform bikes will be exclusive to Triumph and will not be used by Bajaj for their future bikes.
  • On the other hand, the partnership between Harley-Davidson and Hero MotoCorp is similar to previous deals between BMW Motorrad and TVS Motor Company. This allows both companies to use the same platform for their respective bikes.
BMW

IMSA at Mosport: BMW M Team RLL Heads to Canada with Momentum Following BMW M Hybrid V8’s First Victory

Munich. The BMW M Team RLL is set to arrive at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CAN) with significant momentum after the BMW M Hybrid V8’s first victory at Watkins Glen (USA) two weeks ago. The upcoming weekend will see the sixth round of the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship (IMSA series) take place at the circuit near Toronto, also known as Mosport.

After the race weekend at Watkins Glen, the team conducted additional testing at the same venue for two more days with Connor De Phillippi (USA) and Nick Yelloly (GBR). All four drivers also spent time in the simulator, as Philipp Eng (AUT), Augusto Farfus (BRA), and Yelloly are unfamiliar with the Canadian circuit. Eng, Farfus, and Yelloly traveled back to Europe to participate in last weekend’s 24 Hours of Spa (BEL), where they, along with Marco Wittmann (GER), secured BMW’s 25th overall win in the ROWE Racing BMW M4 GT3. It was Yelloly’s second major victory in under a week.

Reflecting on the victory at Watkins Glen, BMW M Team RLL Team Principal Bobby Rahal expressed his satisfaction with the pace of the BMW M Hybrid V8 throughout the race. He extended his gratitude to everyone involved in the new-era GTP program, highlighting the hard work and dedication put in by both sides of the Atlantic since the project’s inception in July of last year. Rahal recognized the team’s commitment, stating that they received the cars in September, began testing in October, and already secured a win just five races into the season.

The team’s victory at Watkins Glen marked their 23rd win and 99th podium finish since 2009. This milestone has given the team an extra incentive to achieve podium number 100 at Mosport. The team has previously achieved one victory (2017) and three runner-up finishes (2015, 2017, and 2019) at Mosport while racing in the GT category prior to this season.

In the GT Daytona class, three BMW M4 GT3s will be competing. Bryan Sellers and Madison Snow (both USA) continue to lead the GTD class points with the #1 Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3. The pair has already secured wins at Sebring and Long Beach, as well as a hard-earned second-place finish at Watkins Glen after recovering from a three-lap deficit. Turner Motorsport will field two BMW M4 GT3s driven by Robby Foley and Patrick Gallagher (both USA), and Bill Auberlen and Chandler Hull (both USA).

The race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park is scheduled for Sunday, July 9th, and will last two hours and forty minutes, starting at 12:05 local time (18:05 CEST).

Quotes ahead of the race in Mosport:

Connor De Phillippi (#25 BMW M Hybrid V8): “Mosport is one of the most challenging and demanding tracks on our calendar. We have gained good momentum after Watkins Glen, and we will continue striving for further improvements throughout the weekend. I am extremely excited to drive this track for the first time in a prototype!”

Nick Yelloly (#25 BMW M Hybrid V8): “We will definitely try to keep our momentum going after a strong race at Watkins Glen. Mosport is a circuit that only Connor has prior experience on, so it will be a challenge for the three of us. Based on what I can tell, if the car performed well at Watkins Glen, it should be well-suited for Mosport. I am looking forward to experiencing what seems to be a very thrilling circuit.”

Philipp Eng (#24 BMW M Hybrid V8): “This weekend will be my first time in Canada and at Mosport. We have prepared extensively on the simulator after Watkins Glen. The track is fast and relatively short, so we should have ample opportunity to complete numerous laps during practice and get the #24 car up to speed. The win at Watkins Glen was crucial for the entire GTP project, so we will work hard to maintain that momentum.”

Augusto Farfus (#24 BMW M Hybrid V8): “Mosport is one of those fast, old-school circuits. I have never been there before, but I am a fan of such tracks that emphasize speed. Philipp and I will need to adapt quickly to get our car dialed in. Considering the success of the #25 car at Watkins Glen and the team’s acquired knowledge, perhaps we can secure two podium finishes for BMW at Mosport.”

NewsNew

YAMAHA YZ345 PROJECT: TWO-STROKE TUESDAY

On this week’s Two-Stroke Tuesday we take another look with some unseen photos of a very unique Yamaha YZ345 built by fabricator Howard Jenkins of MotoFab Industries located in central California. Could you imagine a YZ250 two-stroke engine dropping right into a newer Yamaha four-stroke chassis without any major frame modifications? Well, it might just be possible! The topic in our 2-Stroke History section this week is Suzuki’s RM250 and could it be the best used bike ever. Don’t miss our Behind The Build of Mike Browns FXR/Rockstar Yamaha YZ250 at the bottom of this post!

So what if we told you a Yamaha YZ250 two-stroke engine would fit into newer four-stroke chassis without cutting huge sections of the frame away? True story Howard Jenkins CEO of MotoFab Industries in central California had a customer that really wanted to make this bike a reality and he was excited about the challenge of creating something truly different.

This is our first build with the 345 kit the MotoFab crew has done and are excited to feel it put power to the ground.  Eddie Saunders (ESR) designs and manufactures the entire cylinder kit in house except for the casting which he has casted in California.  The most unique aspect to the cylinder is the power valve design.  The main exhaust port actuation is driven by exhaust pressure and can be adjusted to fasten or slow its operation based on the spring tension.  The two exhaust side ports are open all the time with no actuation at all.

With more than a year of development the MotoFab intake for the YZ345 has been finalized. This one piece carbon fiber system utilizes the stock air box placement providing a larger volume of air in the system before being restricted by the air filter and is giving better performance on the bottom end. The system has a rubber grommet that presses into the opening of the part at the carburetor that allows for the OEM air boot clamp to make the seal.  At the other end it’s connected to the intake boot with a small section on silicone turbo hose that gives the system the ability to flex.  Attachment is made to the sub-frame with molded carbon tab at both sides of the subframe.

This YZ345 has a unique wide ratio transmission setup featuring YZ 1st and 2nd gears and WR 3rd, 4th, and 5th.  The WR 1st gear the MotoFab crew felt was too low and love the combination of YZ 2nd and WR3rd because the  YZ 2nd and WR 3rd are more closely geared than the stock setup from either the YZ or the WR and give a great combination for woods or trail riding.

With Yamaha focusing so much on centralizing mass for the four-stroke version the MotoFab crew positioned the YZ250 two-stroke engine as low as we could in the chassis wanting to keep the weight low. With the much shorter 2-stroke engine and forward facing cylinder, the motor weight in the bike is lower and further forward.  They hope it gives the bike a more “planted and stable” feel.

2-STROKE HISTORY

The story of the Suzuki RM250 isn’t just about a single motorcycle. It’s about a dynasty of bikes, championships and riders that goes back to a glorious era in the history of motocross. Click the image below for the full story!

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR FULL STORY

2-STROKE BEHIND THE BUILD

Mike Brown has raced at the highest level of motocross, Supercross and off-road for factory-level teams during a career that has spanned over three decades. The 47-year-old racer is no longer competing to put food on the table, but is now doing selected events for Yamaha, FXR and Rockstar Energy just for fun. Click the image below for the full story! 

Featured

Car News That Mattered This Week (June 19-23): Updates On Maruti Invicto, Facelifted Kia Seltos Reveal, Spy Shots And More

This week’s major highlights include information on upcoming models from Maruti and Kia, as well as some interesting spy shots.

This past week of June revolved mostly around the news on upcoming models like the Maruti Invicto premium MPV and facelifted Kia Seltos compact SUV. During the same week, Mercedes-Benz brought back its SL roadster namelate in India after more than a decade. Aside from these, we also had an update on Tesla’s plans for India. Let’s have a quick overview of what mattered that week.

Maruti Invicto Bookings Open

Maruti Invicto MPV

The Toyota Innova Hycross-based Maruti Invicto is all set to be launched on July 5, and ahead of that, the carmaker has also opened its order books for the MPV, but in a limited capacity. Maruti has also released a new teaser of the Invicto, giving a glimpse of its interior. Additionally, some spy shots of the MPV at a dealer’s stockyard have also surfaced on the internet for a better look at the exterior design.

Kia Seltos Facelift Debut Date Confirmed

Kia’s best seller, the Seltos, is due for an update since it went on sale in August 2019. Now, we have the confirmation of its debut date in India. Also, customers can pre-book the facelifted Seltos at select Kia dealerships.

First Hyundai Exter Rolled Out

Hyundai Exter production begins

Hyundai has started series production of the Exter micro SUV at its Tamil Nadu based manufacturing facility in India. The bookings for the micro SUV are already underway, and it will go on sale in July.

Tesla Affirms India Plans

Elon Musk Narendra Modi

After meeting the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, Tesla boss Elon Musk has confirmed that their EVs will be heading to India with major investment plans. Tesla is also readying up a new entry-level EV, which is likely to be called the Model 2.

Kia Carnival No Longer On Sale

After spending almost three years in the market, the Kia Carnival has now been discontinued in India. The Carnival sold here was already a previous generation model which was based on an old platform. 

Ola Gigafactory Construction Begins

Ola has started the construction of its Gigafactory in India, in an initiative to localise the production of EV batteries in the country. The company is ambitious about the timeline to finish construction and begin operations. 

Spy Shots This Week

This week’s spy shot stories include the test mule of the Tata Safari’s facelift with new interior details. The facelift of the Kia Seltos has also been spied from inside for the first time. Internationally, we get a revealing peek at the Maruti eVX prototype on test for the first time.

Mercedes AMG SL 55 Roadster Launched In India

The iconic Mercedes-Benz brought its SL convertible moniker returns to India after a gap of  almost 11 years. Launched exclusively in the performance guise,  the Mercedes AMG SL 55 Roadster is the only open top offering from Mercedes in India after the E Class cabriolet.

2024 Toyota Vellfire Unveiled

In international news, the new Toyota Vellfire has made its debut with an all new design and feature improvements. The new Vellfire is also expected to make its way to India soon as the luxury MPV is fairly popular here. We have detailed 5 of the key improvements that the new Vellfire gets over the existing model.

Read More on : Seltos diesel

Volkswagen

First preview of the new ID.7 GTX: a long-distance limousine with more power and all-wheel drive

Three weeks ago, Volkswagen presented the new ID.7 as an all-electric limousine for the upper mid-size class. The most dynamic model variant will now follow in late summer with the world premiere of the ID.7 GTX. Equipped with the latest drive generation of the ID. models, the dual-motor all-wheel drive system and a host of sporty design elements, the long-distance limousine is a high-performance model. The launch of the new GTX model is planned for the IAA Mobility in Munich (5–10 September 2023).

Black and red stand for GTX. In the interior, details such as the red GTX contrast stitching on the seats, dash panel and doors emphasise the sportiness of the model. The exterior design, on the other hand, is characterised by black gloss elements. Together with the standard black roof paint finish and the darkened windows, these features ensure that the upcoming ID.7 GTX will also enjoy a powerful and distinctive appearance.

GTX – fine-tuned for efficiency and driving pleasure. Like on the previous GTX models ID.4 and ID.5, the vehicle dynamics manager is responsible for intelligent control of the dual-motor all-wheel drive system in the ID.7 GTX. This software, developed in-house by Volkswagen, always aims to achieve the optimum combination of efficiency, dynamics and driving stability. The vehicle dynamics manager controls not only the powertrain, but also all braking, steering and chassis control systems, depending on the selected driving profile. The limousine’s running gear and steering have been fundamentally enhanced on the basis of the modular electric drive (MEB) platform and offer a large bandwidth between comfort and sportiness thanks to the possibility of driving profile selection. This underlines the ID.7 GTX’s status as the flagship model in the ID. family.

GTX as a formula for success. The sporty GTX brand with its all-electric performance models has been part of Volkswagen’s portfolio for two years now. The dynamic vehicles combine electric mobility, sustainability and intelligent sportiness. Their sporty design also emphasises the special character and recognition value of the high-quality GTX models.