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Review: Level 1 of Superbike School at Phillip Island

The California Superbike School, and no it’s not in the USA - well actually they’re all over the world – is operated by Steve Brouggy down here in Oz. The school was founded in the USA in 1980 by Keith Code, former motorcycle racer and author of numerous books on motorcycle riding. Code is regarded as one of the best on-track motorcycle instructors in the world and its no wonder with an alumnus that includes the likes of Chris Vermeulen. These guys had all the right credentials so a couple of...

Skoda Motorsport Factory Team to Appear at Rally Monte Carlo

The Skoda Fabia Super 2000 is going to have a competition premiere at the upcoming Rally Monte Carlo (21-24 January, 2009) as part of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge series (IRC). The Skoda Motorsport factory team will have two crews in action, Czechs Jan Kopecký with Petr Starý (co-driver) and Juho Hänninen with Mikko Markkula, both from Finland. Skoda Auto has successfully completed the vehicle homologation process and received an official homologation certificate from FIA that...

Lotus Driving Academy

The all new Lotus Driving Academy has been developed to link Lotus’ adrenaline-fuelled track experiences and it’s hugely successful driver training to create an unrivalled programme that creates better drivers. Mike Kimberley CEO of Group Lotus Plc comments: “Lotus cars have been designed to be fun to drive, exciting and offer phenomenal performance with excellent safety. The Lotus Driving Academy gives participants the skills to extract the best out of their cars, improving the ownership...

Maserati Launches the Ultimate Driving Course

Maserati has released details of the 2009 programme for the ultimate advanced driving courses, the Master Maserati Driving Course, with tuition provided by drivers from Formula One, World Rally Championship, Indy Car and European and World Touring Cars in latest Maserati models. Open to both aspiring and existing Maserati owners, the Maserati driving courses have been developed and perfected to provide the perfect blend of theory and practice. They ensure that participants may enjoy an...

Citroen reaffirms its commitment to the World Rally Championship

Citroen has reaffirmed that it will defend its recently won Manufacturers’ and Drivers’ World Rally Championship titles in the 2009 season and that rallying remains a core activity for the French car maker, building the image of the company and demonstrating its technical competence. “Citroen has entered in the 2009 FIA World Rally Championship as planned with its two crews, Sébastien Loeb/Daniel Elena and Dani Sordo/Marc Marti driving the Citroen C4 WRC,” says Olivier Quesnel, Citroen Sport...

Peugeot 308 HDi Comes First in its Class at 2008 AA Energywise Rally

A Peugeot 308 HDi featuring an EGC gearbox has come top of the Compact Car Class for the lowest CO2 emissions in the 2008 AA Energywise Rally staged in New Zealand, with a total emissions figure of just 106.03 g/km. The 308 has also come first in its class for using the least amount of fuel, with an overall consumption figure of just 4.047 l/100km, which is more than 10% better than the official manufacturers combined cycle economy figure. “At Peugeot we are very proud of this result. The...

Subaru Withdraws from World Rally Championship

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, today announced the withdrawal from the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) at the end of the 2008 season. FHI has participated in the WRC together with Prodrive, a motorsports and automotive engineering group in the UK, over the past 19 years to pursue its goal and philosophy in motor sports activities to enhance Subaru brand awareness by showing that Subaru vehicles offer safe, comfortable and pleasurable driving no matter...

Mosler to Join Australian GT in 2009 with a Viper

Several new GT3 specification Mosler race cars will join the grid for the start of the 2009 Australian GT Championship at the Clipsal 500 Adelaide (March 19-22). Following approval last week from the Australian Motor Racing Commission (AMRC), the Mosler MT900 GT3 has been added to the eligible vehicles list for the 2009 Australian GT Championship. A leading GT team is currently in the UK and is testing one of the cars today (Monday December 15) with up to four vehicles likely to be...

Suzuki drops out of 2009 WRC season

Suzuki Motor Corporation has decided to suspend its FIA World Rally Championship activities from 2009. The company made the 2008 season entry with two SX4 WRCs. In response to the contraction of the automotive sales caused by recent global economic turmoil, Suzuki has been promptly taking possible countermeasures including the reassessment of its global production output. The company, however, foresees the shrinking trend in long-term periods of time rather than a short-term phenomenon. To...

2009 Dakar Participation with Four Diesel - Turbo Racing Lancers

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and its motor sport unit, the Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart team, in association with its partners Repsol, Valeo and BFGoodrich, has entered four new turbo-diesel 'Racing Lancers' for the 2009 Dakar Rally. The event will start from the Argentine capital Buenos Aires on Saturday, January 3, before striking south to the South Atlantic resort of Puerto Madrine. The route will then head west over the dusty trails up and over the Andes Mountains. Competitors will...

Top Boxers Weigh-In for Abarth Celebrity Bout at Wembley

Four current and former British boxing champions will be warming up for a ‘bout’ with a difference – when they fire-up a Wembley Stadium crowd this weekend with a Race of Champions showdown in new Abarth 500 race cars. Ring legend Frank Bruno, young gun Amir Khan and fight stars David Haye and Enzo Maccarinelli have all signed up to drive 190 bhp Abarth 500 Assetto Corse superminis in a special Race of Champions celebrity event on the London arena’s purpose-built track.

Chrysler Australia and V8 Supercar Championship Series

Chrysler Australia announced today that they will no longer continue as the official Safety and Course Car provider for the V8 Supercar Championship Series. After four years of leading the pack, the sponsorship came to an end at the conclusion of the 2008 V8 Supercar Championship Series. "Chrysler has been a wonderful partner in our great sport," V8 Supercars Australia CEO Cameron Levick said. "Their sponsorship has been fantastic for Chrysler and V8 Supercars Australia. We...

No It's not Summernats or Easternats, would you believe the Maserati factory?

Normally screaming engines, burning tyres, wild burn-outs and automotive donuts would be more than frowned on at the Maserati factory in Italy’s super car capital, Modena, and workers would never be expected to carry out major mechanical work in a matter of seconds. But, for one evening, everything changed at the Maserati factory in Viale Ciro Menotti, with the 2008 FIA GT Champions, the Maserati Vitaphone Racing Team, putting on a special demonstration in an area normally reserved for freshly...

Honda Withdraws from Formula One

Honda Motor Co., Ltd., have come to the conclusion that we will withdraw from all Formula One activities, making 2008 the last season of participation. This difficult decision has been made in light of the quickly deteriorating operating environment facing the global auto industry, brought on by the sub-prime problem in the United States, the deepening credit crisis and the sudden contraction of the world economies. Honda must protect its core business activities and secure the long term...

Review: The Ultimate Rally Drive Experience

Do you like watching motor sport on the TV and have thought I wouldn’t mind giving this a go. Well here’s a chance to experience the real deal without having to invest the time or the cost involved in buying a race car, getting your CAMS license, and travelling half way around the country to get behind the wheel. The Melbourne event is held just out of Bacchus Marsh a rural town only 45 minutes from the Melbourne CBD and only a 30 minute drive from the Melbourne Airport. The course is...

Lewis Hamilton Designs F1 SuperCircuit with Mobil 1

To round-off Lewis Hamilton’s glorious winning season, the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes’ Technology Partner, ExxonMobil, presented him a final challenge: to design the ultimate ‘Supercircuit’. This fantasy race track is a combination of the toughest corners, chicanes and straights from Hamilton’s favourite circuits around the world. It is also a fascinating insight into where adrenaline levels are at their highest, and the levels of performance that are required by the car, engine and race...

Audi Motorsport Based on Three Pillars in the Future

In future, the AUDI AG motorsport programme will be based on three pillars: During the 2009 season, the brand with the four rings will compete once again in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the DTM. Additionally, with the new Audi R8 LMS, Audi Sport offers for the first time a racing sports car specifically developed for customer use. "We know just how important motorsport is for the success of the brand," emphasises Michael Dick, who as Chairman of the Board for Technical...

2009 Lamborghini Super Trofeo Initial Testing

Last week saw the Automobili Lamborghini development team and engineers from tire partner Pirelli put the Gallardo Super Trofeo through its paces on the Vallelunga Race Track outside Rome. This marked the first tests under simulated race conditions, with Lamborghini test driver Giorgio Sanna behind the wheel. From the very outset, the lap times achieved were faster than any ever recorded with a single-brand trophy race car on this track. The new Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo delivered...

Chevrolet unveils new WTCC contender

With a new global car on the way for 2009, the World Touring Car Championship is the perfect platform for Chevrolet to put its latest model in the public eye. This is the new Cruze WTCC car, which replaces the successful Lacetti as Chevrolet’s contender in the 2009 series. Powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine, the WTCC Cruze has a hard act to follow, as the Lacetti won its final two outings for Chevrolet in Macau. But Chevrolet’s drivers are confident that the new car will be a top...

Video: Jason Akermanis Rolls Mini on Warm-up Lap

When Jason Akermanis is upside down, it is usually performing one of his celebratory handstands. Today however, it was an altogether different form of "upside down" when he rolled his Motorline MINI Garage machine on the warmup lap of MINI Challenge race one at Symmons Plains, which was won by DecoRug Racing's Paul Stokell. The Western Bulldogs star was caught out by new slick tyres on a damp racetrack and did a complete barrell roll, landing on all four wheels. Thankfully,...

Baja Volkswagen Touareg TDI Unveiled

The countdown to what is arguably the world's most unusual rally is running: On 21 November 2008, Volkswagen will start to the Baja 1000 in Mexico with a specially designed Touareg TDI for the first time. Today, Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board for Technical Development of Volkswagen, unveiled the spectacular prototype for the race at the LA Auto Show in Los Angeles. "We're extending our motorsport activities in North America by a pillar in off-road sport this way," says...

Video: 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Gymkhana Practice

Gymkhana - An automotive sport that takes place on an open field or parking lot and requires drivers to skilfully manoeuvre their cars around a series of cones, slaloms, 180 degree turns, 360 degree turns, figure eight turns or other obstacles using extreme acceleration, breaking and drifting. Similar to "autocross", Gymkhana courses are often very complex and the objective is still to obtain a fast lap time.

Mercedes-Benz to Star at Next Week’s Classic Adelaide Rally

The South Australian capital will ring to the tune of Mercedes-AMG V8-power next week when the 2008 Classic Adelaide rally commences. The four-day tarmac rally is based on special stage driving sections along some of Australia's most technically challenging roads. Leaving their mark on them again this year will be a variety of high-performance models from the three-pointed star’s sports and racing car division, Mercedes-AMG. Leading this year’s packed field will be two special V8-powered...

2009 Baja Volkswagen Touareg TDI

Volkswagen of America, Inc. will unveil its purpose-built Volkswagen-Red Bull Baja Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck, powered by a clean diesel TDI engine, during a news conference at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show. The news conference is scheduled for 10:45 to 11:10 a.m., Wednesday, November 19, 2008, at the Volkswagen stand. The Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck that will run the 41st Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race in the SCORE Trophy Truck class is powered by a 5.5 liter V-12 clean...

Lotus Sport 2-Eleven GT4 Supersport race car

The Lotus Sport 2-Eleven GT4 Supersport race car asserts itself at the pinnacle of the 2-Eleven range, combining race winning pedigree with unparalleled handling and balance. Building on the success of the 2-Eleven road and track variants, Lotus Sport has developed this GT4 Supersport race car to compete in the European SRO GT4 Supersports category. The Lotus Sport GT4 Supersport pushes the limits to the extreme: wearing a dramatic composite body, full rollcage and with increased power and...

BMW Motorrad Motorsport Corser and Xaus test new S 1000RR

The two day test at Valencia was the first time that BMW Motorrad Motorrad Motorsport's new riders Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus rode the new S 1000 RR and at the end both riders left in a very positive frame of mind. Both Troy and Ruben were immediately able to get right down to business and start working with the bike and start their new challenge. Fortunately the weather was good throughout the two days and the team were able to use the maximum amount of time on the track. Now the technicians...

Lewis Hamilton is the 2008 FIA Formula 1 World Champion

In one of the most dramatic finishes to a world championship ever, Lewis took the title by a single point after securing fifth position on the final corner of the final lap of the final race of the 2008 season. Lewis finished the year with 98 points, one point ahead of Ferrari’s Felipe Massa, who won his home race at Interlagos this afternoon. Heikki Kovalainen finished seventh - a result that helped the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team to second in the constructors’ championship with 151...

New Turbo-Diesel Mitsubishi Lancer to make Competition Debut

Mitsubishi Motor Corporation (MMC) and its motor sports subsidiary MMSP have entered an all new turbo-diesel Racing Lancer (FIA Group T1 Super Production Class) for Portugal's Baja Portalegre, round six of the 2008 FIA Cup for Cross Country Bajas. The all-new Racing Lancer will be driven on the Portuguese event by Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart's Stéphane Peterhansel (France) and loyal co-driver Jean Paul Cottret (France), with whom Peterhansel has shared all his cross-country rallying...

Mazda2 Extreme to Make Australian Rally Debut

Mazda Australia’s show-stopping Mazda2 Extreme will make its long-awaited rally debut in Canberra this weekend at the penultimate round of the New South Wales rally championship. This Saturday October 25 the rally-ready Mazda2 Extreme will contest the National Capital Rally; a challenging one-day, 12hr gravel endurance race held over 300km of closed forest roads in the ACT’s Brindabella Ranges. The Mazda2 Extreme is the fourth in Mazda Motorsport’s iconic series of extreme makeovers. It...

Honda Civic Type-R On Show at Coffs Coast Rally

Honda Australia has entered the final round of the Australian Rally Championship (ARC) for 2008, the Coffs Coast Rally. To be held on November 14, 15 and 16, this event will be Honda’s second endeavor at rallying in Australia with a view to compete in the full ARC calendar in 2009. British Rally Champion Guy Wilks will again drive for Honda, with Phil Pugh as co-driver in the JAS Motorsport built Group R Civic Type R. Once again, Mugen and JAS will assist Honda in the final ARC...

Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 Takes Shape for 2009 Dakar Rally

The ‘Dakar’ Rally 2009 promises to be the most demanding test yet for the Volkswagen Motorsport team, as it prepares to take on some of the harshest and most challenging terrain on the planet with four examples of the Race Touareg 2. The four factory-fielded Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 models will be piloted by Spaniard Carlos Sainz and his French navigator Michel Perlin; Giniel de Villiers (South Africa) and Dirk von Zitzewith (Germany); Mark Miller (USA) and Ralph Pitchford (South Africa)...

Mercedes-Benz Returns to Australian Formula One Grand Prix 2009

Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific today announced that it will be returning to the Australian Formula One Grand Prix next year, and the three-pointed star will certainly be hard to miss. The iconic luxury- and sports-car maker will have a distinct and immediate presence at the opening round of the 2009 Formula One World Championship when it kicks off in March next year. Situated at turn 12 on the Albert Park race course will be a VIP hospitality suite tailored to provide invited guests of...

Nobel and Green go for 1,000MPH Land Speed World Record

Twelve years since Andy Green OBE and Thrust SSC scythed through the sound barrier on their way to the current World Land Speed Record of 763.053 mph, Green and former record-holder, Richard Noble OBE, are preparing to write the latest chapter in the history of World Land Speed Record attempts, with a 1,000mph bid. As much an engineering adventure as the ultimate speed record challenge, the four-year Bloodhound Project, sponsored by premier fuel additive brand STP, is designed to re-ignite...

Mercedes-Benz DTM Racing Champion Bernd Schneider to Retire

Bernd Schneider is the only driver in the current DTM line-up who has competed in both the earlier (1984 to 1996) and the new DTM series (since 2000). He is also the only driver to have successfully defended his championship title in the following year (2000/2001). His record-breaking tally of victories, pole positions and fastest racing laps is set to remain unequalled for a very long time, if indeed it is ever equalled or bettered. But this is not the only reason why "Mr....

Audi Wins Le Mans Series - (Global)

After the triumph at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the early title win in the American Le Mans Series, AUDI AG performed another feat with the Audi R10 TDI diesel sportscar: At the 1000-kilometre race at Silverstone (Great Britain), Audi Sport Team Joest – clinching victory as well as fourth place – secured also the champion’s title in the European Le Mans Series (LMS). In front of a record turnout of 53,000 spectators (throughout the weekend) Dindo Capello (Italy) and Allan McNish (Scotland)...

A Strong Start On The Pax Rally (Portugal) For Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team (Global)

Determined runs on the opening day of the 2008 PAX Rally from all three Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart crews have seen Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (France) emerge as the early leaders. Team-mates Joan 'Nani' Roma/Lucas Cruz (Spain) and Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-Paul Cottret (France) follow in fifth and sixth places.

Casey Stoner Bad Role Model for Young People - (Australia)

Casey Stoner has been accused of being a bad role model for young people. These accusations come after a sponsorship deal between the Ducati team and tobacco giant Marlboro. Anti-tobacco organizations are labeling Stoner as the Marlboro Man.

Duval to Partner Hirvonen at Ford for Spain and Corsica Rallies - (Global)

Asphalt expert François Duval has been called up to join the BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team for the final two sealed surface rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship in Spain (2 -5 October) and Corsica (9 -12 October). The 27-year-old Belgian will be nominated to score points for the reigning manufacturers' world champion in a Ford Focus RS World Rally Car alongside season-long nominee and drivers' title challenger Mikko Hirvonen.

Hirvonen and Latvala Aim to Relight Ford's Gold Medal Bid - (Global)

BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team journeys to New Zealand for the third rally in just five weekends intent on putting its world title challenge back on track. The world champion dropped to second in both the manufacturers' and drivers' standings in the FIA World Rally Championship on Germany's asphalt roads earlier this month and is keen to make amends on the team's more favoured gravel surface.

Maserati Maintains its World Championship Leads - (Global)

Maserati has maintained its leads in the FIA GT World Championship following two races at the weekend (23-24 August 2008) at the new Bucharest road circuit in Romania, with Vitaphone Maserati team still leading the team title chase and its drivers, Andrea Bertolini and Michael Bartels, still in front in the drivers’ title battle despite the Maserati crews forced to haul 60 kg of ballast follow previous round wins.

Citroen Bid for Kiwi Win to Maintain Championship Lead - (Global)

Citroen Sport arrives on the other side of the Tasman this week for the 2008 Rally of New Zealand (28-31 August 2008) – the nearest the World Rally Championship comes to Australia this year – fresh from wins in Germany and Finland, gifting them the lead in the manufacturers’ title chase and putting four time World Championship winner, Sébastien Loeb at the front in the battle for the 2008 drivers’ title, but New Zealand will be no holiday – the Citroen team is promising maximum attack to keep...

Citroen Crushes Opposition in Germany - (Global)

For seventh successive Rally of Germany, the French crushed their opposition with Citroen’s Sébastien Loeb leading a Citroen 1-2 after leading the German round of the World Rally Championship at the weekend (15-17 August 2008) from start to finish and providing Loeb with yet more world records, as he has now won all seven Rallies of Germany since it become a WRC event and his seventh win of the season further extends his record as the most successful rally driver of all time.

Ferrari's Bitter Sweet Spanish Weekend - (Global)

There was good news and bad news for Ferrari from its Spanish weekend (23-24 August 2008) and the 2008 Grand Prix of Europe in Valencia, with Felipe Massa, who dominated the race with a pole start to finish victory, his fourth of the season, but Kimi Raikkonen’s race ended in a cloud of smoke near the end of the race and a Ferrari pit crew member ended up in hospital after a pit lane accident with Raikkonen’s car.

Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Targets Baja Portalegre for Debut of Turbo-Diesel "Racing...

Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart is targeting November's Baja Portalegre / Portugal for the competition debut of Mitsubishi's latest cross-country rally car, the turbodiesel “Racing Lancer”.

Le Mans Series – Nurburgring 1,000km – Peugeot Notches Up a One-Two in Germany - (Global)

Two months after the 2008 Le Mans 24 Hours, Team Peugeot Total was eager to pull off a win in Germany where its two 908 HDi FAPs both qualified on the front row of the grid. The two crews produced a perfect team effort to provide the French carmaker with its first one-two finish of the season, just as they had done at the Nürburgring this time last year. The result also hands Peugeot and its crews the provisional lead in both championships.

Cutting-Edge F1 Technology for Production Models - (Global)

The main prerequisite for BMW’s comeback to Formula One in 2000 was to generate synergies between F1 and series development.

Maserati Dominates SPA 24 Hour Race - (Global)

Maserati has scored a dominant win at the Spa 24 Hour Race at the weekend (2-3 August), the latest round of the FIA GT World Championship, with the two Maserati Vitaphone MC12 cars finishing 1-2 and a third Maserati MC 12 finishing one step off the podium.

Loeb Beats the Finns on their Home Ground! - (Global)

Sébastien Loeb has taken his Citroën C4 WRC to an historic win in Finland at the weekend (1-3 August 2008), becoming just the third driver to beat the Finns on their home ground in the legendarily difficult Rally of Finland, in the latest round of the World Rally Championship.

Mopar® Sunday- First Run for Team Dodge Drag Racing - (Australia)

Willowbank raceway was set alight with the launch of Team Dodge Racing at Mopar Sunday in Queensland. Lee Bekatsh managed to launch his Pro Stock Dodge Avenger down the quarter mile three times in front of a Mopar mad crowd. Following an initial test run to assess the new setup, Lee was able to run a 7.22 second pass.

Pickering Consolidates Australian Off Road Championship Lead for Mitsubishi at the Sunraysia 500 -...

Mitsubishi's Australian off road racing team of Geoff Pickering and Mark Henderson took the fight right down to the wire in the battle of the 4x4 class at the recent Sunraysia 500 held near Mildura but victory wasn't to be for the Queensland based championship team this time around.

FIA International Cup for Cross Country Bajas Baja Espana Aragon 08-20 July 2008 Leg 3 - (Global)

Following his victory for Mitsubishi on the Baja Espana in 2005, and his runner-up finish behind team-mate Stéphane Peterhansel (France) this time last year, this weekend saw Nani Roma (Spain) complete his home event in the medals for the third time in three participations.

Niki Lauda Drives BMW To Victory At Hockenheim - (Global)

Thirty years on from its first race, the BMW M1 Procar Series made a sensational return to racing at the Hockenheim Grand Prix circuit in Germany this weekend, with a host of big names and a host of fun.

Commanding 1-2 Victory For Audi At Mid-Ohio - (Global)

Audi Sport North America’s two Audi R10 TDI prototypes were in a class of their own in round six of the American Le Mans series at Mid-Ohio (U.S. state of Ohio). Lucas Luhr/Marco Werner and Dindo Capello/Emanuele Pirro achieved a commanding 1-2 victory for Audi – on a track which in the past favoured the lighter LM P2 cars and on which Audi last scored an overall victory in 2004.

Chrysler Australia Announce New Motorsport Partnership - (Australia)

Chrysler Australia is excited to announce their involvement in the Australian Drag Racing scene with the support of Lee Bektash and his Pro Stock Dodge Avenger drag car.

Ferrari on the German Podium - Just - (Global)

Felipe Massa made it to the third step of the podium at the end of the German Grand Prix at the weekend (20 July 2008) and his Scuderia Ferrari team-mate, Kimi Raikkonen finished where he started - in sixth.

Volvo’s New C30 Green Racer - (Global)

Volvo Car Corporation has decided to enter its new ethanol powered Volvo C30 racer in the WTCC (World Touring Car Championship) at Brands Hatch on the 26 - 27th of July. The car, which is in its first year on track, races in the Swedish Touring Car Championship (STCC) as the only ethanol E85 powered car in that series. In STCC, the car has so far secured three out of seven pole positions and has led close to half of all laps driven.

Jaguar XF SV8 competes in 2008 Mountain Rally - (Australia)

The stunning new XF Jaguar, launched onto the Australian market just last month, competed this past weekend in this year's Mountain Rally organised by the Jaguar Drivers Club of Australia.

Lotus Slays Giants at GT Championships - (Global)

A Lotus Elise defeated the motor racing giants at last weekend’s round of the GT Championship at Eastern Creek Raceway with the marque’s maiden outright race win.

MINI Challenge Beating the Cold - (Australia)

Although the MINI CHALLENGE racecars are rugged up in front of the heater enjoying their hibernation until the L&H 500, Phillip Island – September 12-14, their owners and the category have been far from idle.

2008 FIA International Cup for Cross Country Bajas - (Global)

Following the victory of Luc Alphand and Gilles Picard (France) with the petrol-powered Pajero/Montero Evolution MPR13 on May's Rali Transiberico, Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart continues its 2008 cross-country program with a three-car line-up for the Baja Espana, round three of the 2008 FIA International Cup for Cross Country Bajas.

Maserati Maintains World Championship Lead - (Global)

Maserati has maintained its lead in both the FIA GT World Championship for drivers’ and teams’ after the weekend’s (6 July 2008) German round in Oschersleben despite race victory being snatched away from the Maserati drivers by the safety car.

Ferrari 430 Crushes Porsche - Again! - (Global)

The results speak for themselves – all three podium spots taken by Ferrari 430 drivers and eight of the top ten places filled by the Ferrari 430 – as Ferrari delivered another crushing result at the fourth round of the FIA GT Championship at Oschersleben, Germany, at the weekend (6 July 2008) in the GT2 class.

Dissappointment for Ferrari in the Rain - (Global)

The first half of the season ended in dramatic style at Silverstone, as the rain played a significant effect on the outcome of the race. The British Grand Prix was won with panache by Lewis Hamilton in the McLaren-Mercedes, but for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro it was not the best of days, with Kimi Raikkonen salvaging fourth place and Felipe Massa down in thirteenth spot, both men suffering lack of grip in the slippery conditions.

Ford Motor Company Australia dropping V8 Supercar teams

Ford's decision to drop sponsorship for 3 teams in 2009 has shocked the V8 supercar world. Team Vodafone, Dick Johnson Racing and Britek are to look for new sponsorship dollars next year.

Škoda Auto Appears at Rally Bohemia - (Global)

Just as many times in the past, the 35th Rally Bohemia will again, on 4 July, start from the Škoda Auto Museum in Mladá Boleslav. Beginning on Friday, 4 July, the rally will take place under the auspices of the car manufacturer with the winged arrow in its emblem. Surrounded by Škoda’s “automobile town”, the rally promises to offer an attractive show, a vintage car race and, as part of the start-ramp presentation, the first appearance of the prototype of the Škoda Fabia Super 2000, the...

Ford Takes a More Targeted Approach to Motorsport Sponsorship - (Australia)

Ford Australia today confirmed ongoing significant investment in V8 Supercar racing as part of the company's diversified sponsorship portfolio.

Audi Maintains DTM Lead - (Global)

In front of 140,000 spectators (throughout the weekend) Audi maintained its lead in the DTM standings in Nuremberg. Finishing the race in third place, Timo Scheider defended his overall lead and gave Audi its first Norisring podium since 2005. With Mattias Ekström in fourth, and Tom Kristensen in seventh place, two other Audi drivers scored points.

News from the Audi DTM Team - (Global)

The Norisring is regarded as the "German Monaco" and definitely lived up to its reputation again this year. Numerous celebrities kept their fingers crossed for the Audi squad at its "home race". And Audi came up with several special attractions for the fans as well.

TV Alert. MINI Challenge Highlights from Sandown This Saturday - (Australia)

What better way to beat the end of financial year blues than with a healthy dose of hot MINI CHALLENGE action!

Audi World Debut with Nick Mason at Goodwood - (Global)

Audi Tradition is marking this year's Festival of Speed at Goodwood, England (July 11 to 13, 2008) with a world debut. At the largest classic car racing event in the world, the Ingolstadt company will be taking the wraps off an absolutely authentic reconstruction of the original Auto Union "Silverarrow" Type D Dual Compressor from 1939.

Nissan GT-R Steps Up For Third Win Of The Season - (Global)

On the outskirts of the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, Sepang International Circuit (1 lap/5.542kms) played host to Round 4 of the SUPER GT series. Starting from a fourth-place qualifying result, the WOODONE ADVAN Clarion GT-R (#24; Joao Paolo de Oliveira/Seiji Ara) took the win. In second place, the pole-starting MOTUL AUTECH GT-R, (#22; Michael Krumm/Masataka Yanagida) came second, resulting in a resounding 1-2 finish for the NISSAN GT-R. From four rounds this season, this is the third...

Difficult Race but Ferrari Still Finishes 1-2! - (Global)

Ferrari scored its second 1-2 finish of the season in France at the weekend (22 June 2008) but given that Raikkonen had started from pole position, it wasn’t quite the result expected with Felipe Massa leading the flying Finn across the finish line as a broken exhaust kept Raikkonen off the top podium step.

For the Second Time in a Week Ferrari 430 Wins 1-2-3-4! - (Global)

Less than a week after is dominant performance in the Le Mans 24 Hour race, where Ferrari 430S filled the top four GT2 places, Ferrari reliability has enabled it to beat Porsche again, this time in the third round of the FIA GT Championship with a Ferrari 1-2-3-4 at Adria at the weekend (21 June 2008) putting a Ferrari 430 team at the head of the GT2 title chase and Ferrari 430 drivers leading the pursuit of the drivers’ GT2 crown.

Maserati Takes the Lead in the GT World Championship - (Global)

Maserati may be yet to take the top step of the podium in 2008, but consistent performances on the second and third steps of the podium, culminating in a second place in the weekend’s (21 June 2008) third round of the FIA GT World Championship at the Italian track at Adria, has seen the Maserati Vitaphone Team take the lead in the team championship and Maserati drivers Andrea Bertolini and Michael Bartels are now first equal in driver’s title chase.

Audi Employees Celebrate Le Mans Winners - (Europe)

Thousands of Audi employees celebrated yesterday the Audi R10 TDI which won the Le Mans 24 Hour race. Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen completed show laps with the over 650-hp strong diesel sportscar at the Audi factory in Neckarsulm (Germany).

Facts About Audi’s Eighth Victory at Le Mans - (Europe)

At one of the most exciting and fastest races in Le Mans history, AUDI AG clinched another triumph at what is arguably the world’s toughest motor race.

Carlos Sainz Involved as Škoda Auto Carries On with its Fabia Super 2000 Test Programme - (Austria)

Successful tarmac test of the new Škoda Fabia Super 2000. Besides experienced test drivers Jan Kopecký and Raimund Baumschlager, the team recently testing the competition version of the Fabia Super 2000 in Austria included two times world champion Carlos Sainz. The Volkswagen factory driver won the Central European Rally with a Race Touareg this year in April and contributed to the double success of the new Scirocco in its class at the 24-hour race in Nürnburgring a few days ago.

Le Mans Clean Sweep for Ferrari - (Global)

The leading American Ferrari Team, Risi Competizione, has lead home a Ferrari clean sweep in the GT2 Class in the Le Mans 24 Hour Race, proving that they were more than equal to the challenge of the greatest sports car test in the world for man and machine, with Jaime Melo, Mika Salo and Gimmi Bruni guiding their Ferrari 430 home in the grueling long distance race to take the top step on the winners podium.

Powered by Ferrari A1GP Car Continues Testing - (Global)

The Powered by Ferrari A1GP World Cup of Motorsport car for the 2008/09 season successfully completes its first intensive testing programme outside the confines of Ferrari’s own facilities with two days at Italy’s Enzo e Dino Ferrari racetrack in Imola.

Audi Achieves Second Le Mans Hat-Trick - (Europe)

The Audi R10 TDI remains unbeaten in the Le Mans 24 Hour race: in its third attempt, the diesel sportscar won the French endurance classic yet again. After the incredible thrill of the 76th edition of the race, Dindo Capello (Italy), Tom Kristensen (Denmark) and Allan McNish (Scotland) triumphed at the wheel of the Audi R10 TDI number 2.

Ford's Turkish Delight as Hirvonen and Latvala Seal 1-2 Finish - (Europe)

Master tactics paid dividends for BP Ford World Rally Team as it claimed a 1-2 finish on a thrilling Rally of Turkey today. Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen claimed their second win of the FIA World Rally Championship season in a Ford Focus RS World Rally Car to move back into the lead of the drivers standings by three points. Team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila were just 7.9sec behind in another Focus RS as Ford extended its lead in the manufacturers' series to nine points.

Citroen Swept Away From Victory - (Global)

The Turkish round of the World Rally Championship at the weekend (13-15 June 2008) saw the Ford team win with a masterful display of tactics by forcing Citroën’s Sébastien Loeb to sweep the road on the first two days of the event, leaving the Citroën duo to finish in third and fourth position and, in doing so, Loeb has dropped back to second place in the World Championship title race.

Peugeot Sport Gets Ready for its Biggest Challenge - (Europe)

With the clock slowly ticking away until the start of the 2008 Le Mans 24 hour race, Peugeot has already demonstrated its commitment to win the race by dominating the official preliminary test-day.

Picking and Pajero Take 4x4 Class Victory on The Finke Australia's Toughest Desert Race -...

For the seventh straight year, Geoff Pickering and Mark Henderson driving their V6 Mitsubishi Pajero have taken victory in the 4x4 Production class on the gruelling 2008 Tattersalls Finke Desert Race, held near Alice Springs over the June long weekend.

Audi Relies on Efficiency for Le Mans Anniversary - (Europe)

Ingolstadt … On 14 and 15 June Audi starts for the tenth time in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. For AUDI AG it is much more than just claiming a possible eighth overall victory in the French endurance classic: Quite probably the world’s hardest car race acts as test bench for new technology later used in street cars.

Reigning Blue at Sandown - (Australia)

Ford dominated without doubt at Sandown in Melbourne this long weekend, taking a triple podium with Jamie Whincup at the top and Mark Winterbottom's second accelerating him to the Championship lead.

Bargwanna Completes Perfect Sandown Weekend - (Australia)

Jason Bargwanna (Trivett Classic MINI Garage/Matchmaster TV Reception Systems) completed the perfect weekend in MINI CHALLENGE at Sandown International Raceway, using the wet conditions to his advantage, taking a dominant race victory by some 10.4 seconds over Neil McFadyen (M3 Motorsport).

Bargwanna's Dream Run Continues at Sandown - (Australia)

The elbows were out in MINI CHALLENGE today at Sandown International Raceway, with Jason Bargwanna showing the field a clean pair of heels in both races held this afternoon.

Jason Bargwanna Storms to Pole - (Australia)

Jason Bargwanna has given his Trivett Classic MINI Garage/Matchmaster TV Reception Systems team the perfect possible start, by setting the fastest time in MINI CHALLENGE qualifying at Sandown International Raceway today.

Ford Aims to Find a Taste for Turkey as WRC Reaches Midpoint - (Europe)

An exciting opening half of the FIA World Rally Championship comes to a close next weekend when BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team takes its series lead to the Rally of Turkey (12 - 15 June). This eighth round of the 15-event campaign returns to the calendar after a year's absence and is the last of a quickfire session of three hot weather, rough road rallies spanning five weekends in the Mediterranean.

Safety Car and Hamilton Stop Ferrari - (Canada)

Four points was a meagre reward for Scuderia Ferrari in the Canadian Grand Prix at the weekend (8/6/2008), thanks to a great drive to fifth place for Felipe Massa.

Ford's New V8 Supercar Weapon Has Arrived - (Australia)

Ford's new FG V8 Supercar 'FG01' is set to roll from its current home at Ford Performance Racing (FPR) to the tarmac at Sandown this weekend, making its public debut at the Midas 400 in Melbourne.

Double Bargwanna Trouble for MINI Challenge! - (Australia)

After becoming the first ever MINI CHALLENGE UBER-STAR at Eastern Creek, Jason Bargwanna will complete the remainder of 2008 in the Series, this time with cousin, Scott in a two car super-team, starting this weekend at Sandown.

Audi is Set for 24 Hours of Le Mans - (Global)

All set for the "race of the year": covering a total of almost 2,600 kilometres on the only official test day, the Audi drivers prepared themselves for the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans to be staged on 14 and 15 June. The Audi R10 TDI vehicles completed the eight-hour test without the slightest technical problem.

Hirvonen Takes Podium for Ford on Gruelling Acropolis Rally - (Global)

Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen claimed a gutsy podium finish on Acropolis Rally of Greece today as Ford maintained its lead in the manufacturers' standings of the FIA World Rally Championship. The Finns finished third in a Ford Focus RS World Rally Car after one of the roughest WRC events in recent memory. Team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila were seventh in a similar Focus RS on the three-day event, which proved a matter of survival as much as pure speed.

2008 Le Mans 24 Hours Peugeot's Big Challenge - (Global)

In the space of just a year and a half, Peugeot has risen to a formidable challenge. It has designed a car from A to Z capable of taking the fight to rivals seen as the benchmark in the realm of endurance racing. On June 14, exactly 531 days after its track debut on December 31, 2006, the 908 HDi FAP will begin its bid to secure the priority objective of Peugeot's 2008 season: victory at Le Mans. The nine drivers who will drive the three cars, and the bonded, motivated team are already fully...

Victory In Greece Puts Loeb Back Into World Title Lead - (Global)

Victory in the Greek round of the World Rally Championship, the legendary Acropolis Rally, at the weekend (30 May – 1 June 2008) has put Citroen’s Sebastien Loeb back into the lead of the of the drivers’ title chase and Citroen within two points of the manufacturers’ title lead but it was not an easy win with Citroen fighting tough, unforgiving conditions right through the event.

Massive Weekend of MINI Challenge Action On the Box - (Australia)

Strap yourself in Australia for a massive weekend of MINI CHALLENGE action on TV.

No Brotherly Love for Stillwells at Sandown - (Australia)

Forming a part of the unique Melbourne and motorsport zeitgeist is the name Stillwell. Similarly, MINI is synonymous with Melbourne’s cast of the cool and motor racing in Australia. This coming Queen’s Birthday long weekend (June 7-9), both will combine at Sandown Raceway for the fourth round of MINI CHALLENGE.

Rain Makes Monte Carlo A Real Gamble - (Global)

A third place for Felipe Massa and a ninth for Kimi Raikkonen was definitely not what Scuderia Ferrari had expected, given that the two F2008 Ferraris started the Monaco GP from the front row at the weekend (25 May 2008).

2008 FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup (Round 2)Rali Transiberico (May 20-25, 2008) - (Europe)

Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (France) safely completed the final stage of the Rali Transiberico on top of the provisional leaderboard. Only the last 213.37km road section to the official finish in Estoril now stands between Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart and the first win of its 2008 campaign.

2008 FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup Rali Transiberico (May 20-25, 2008) - (Europe)

Spaniard Juan 'Nani' Roma and his co-driver Lucas Cruz continue to top the provisional classification of the 2008 Ralli Transiberico after a day of competition based entirely in their home country, close to the Portuguese border. The conditions of the third leg were made extremely slippery by heavy rain which fell during the night, but Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart still dominates the standings with Roma/Cruz and their team-mates Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (France) who follow in second place.

2008 FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup Rali Transiberico (May 20-25, 2008) - (Europe)

Following recent poor weather, competitors lining up for the start of the 2008 "Rali Transiberico" in Portugal were greeted by sunshine and temperatures of 25°C. This afternoon saw Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart's Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-Paul Cottret (France) lead away the 57-strong field after an official ceremony in Mafra, 50km northwest of Lisbon.

New Impreza World Rally Car is Hatched - (Global)

Subaru has unveiled its stunning new generation All-Wheel Drive Impreza World Rally Car 2008, in time for its competitive debut at this month’s Acropolis Rally in Greece.

2008 FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies Rali Transiberico (May 20-25) - (Europe)

Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart is in Portugal this week for the Rali Transiberico, the second round of the 2008 FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup. Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and its motorsport unit MMSP have entered a line-up of two Pajero/Montero Evolution MPR13s for Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-Paul Cottret (France) and Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (France), while Joan 'Nani' Roma/Lucas Cruz (Spain) will drive a diesel-powered Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero Evolution MPR14.

Double Podium In Sardinia Keeps Ford Ahead In World Title Race - (Global)

BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team finished second and third in an enthralling Rally d'Italia Sardegna today to retain the lead in both the manufacturers' and drivers' standings in the FIA World Rally Championship. Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen claimed second in a Ford Focus RS World Rally Car, with Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila third in a similar car. Ford preserves its seven- point advantage in the manufacturers' series while Hirvonen is three points ahead in the drivers' table.

Loeb Takes His 40th World Rally Win In Sardina - (Global)

Sébastien Loeb has recorded his 40th World Rally Championship win at the weekend (18 May 2008); further extending Citroën driver’s lead as the most successful rally driver of all time and narrowing the gap between Loeb and the lead of the 2008 title chase.

MINI Challenge at Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show - (Australia)

On the surface, the link between MINI CHALLENGE and boating may seem tenuous at best, but look a bit deeper and MINI CHALLENGE racer, Darren Berry will build that link for you as his company – Clipper Motor Yachts – presents his MINI CHALLENGE racecar at the 20th annual Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show this weekend, May 22-25.

Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Takes Three Pajero/Montero Evolutions to Portugal and Spain -...

One month after kicking off its 2008 campaign with the Central Europe Rally in Hungary and Romania, Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart will travel to the other side of Europe for its second competitive outing of the season, Portugal's Rali Transiberico.

A1GP Reveals First Image of 'Powered by Ferrari' Car Ahead of UK Shakedown - (Global)

The A1GP World Cup of Motorsport has revealed the first image of its brand new ‘Powered by Ferrari’ car for use in season four (2008/09). The CAD drawing was released ahead of the car’s inaugural shakedown test in Southern England.

Honda's Strong Rally Debut in Rally of Canberra - (Australia)

Honda Australia has made a strong debut in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship in the Civic Type R.

Frosty Takes Pole and Trifecta in Clean Sweep Weekend for Ford - (Australia)

Mark ‘Frosty’ Winterbottom was unstoppable at round four of the V8 Supercars, taking pole position in Saturday’s qualifying and progressing to three 50 lap race wins at Barbagallo Raceway, putting him atop the podium today in Perth.

Le Mans Series: 1,000KM de Spa Race - (Europe)

Just like the first two rounds of the 2008 Le Mans Series, the 1,000km de Spa-Francorchamps turned out to be yet another fiercely-disputed, drama-filled race. The result saw Team Peugeot Total claim its third success from three starts without suffering the slightest technical problem. Nicolas Minassian, Marc Gené and Jacques Villeneuve shared the winning N°7 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP, but the team's other car crashed out shortly after the two-hour mark.

Maximum MINI Action as White Stays Cool as Ice - (Australia)

Damien White became the third round winner in as many rounds when he swept to victory in the most hotly contested MINI CHALLENGE race this season, whilst Gary Young (SALTA Constructions) scored his maiden MINI CHALLENGE victory.

Amendment to MINI Challenge Race One Results - (Australia)

As a result of a hearing conducted at Barbagallo Raceway this morning, the results of MINI CHALLENGE race one from yesterday have been amended.

Paul Fiore Wins Race One, Tune Transported to Hospital After Roll - (Australia)

Local driver, Paul Fiore (Shell Helix Ultra) took his second MINI CHALLENGE victory at Barbagallo Raceway today, however the incident packed 15 lap race was marred by a single car rollover involving former Wallaby, Ben Tune.

Barbagallo Day One Glory to Local Hope, Turner - (Australia)

After a glittering launch of Glory Team Racing’s stunning new United Industries supported MINI CHALLENGE racecar, Perth’s David Turner scorched around the Barbagallo Raceway to set the fastest lap of the first two practice sessions in MINI CHALLENGE today.

Hat-Trick Win for Massa in Turkey! - (Global)

Felipe Massa secured Scuderia Ferrari's fourth win from five races this season, his second this year, to take a hat-trick of Turkish Grand Prix victories.

Best Wishes to Ben Tune - (Australia)

Former Wallaby Ben Tune was discharged from hospital in Perth today in good spirits and is looking forward to returning home to Brisbane.

Toyota Virtual Crash-Test Dummies Help Improve Race-Car Safety - (Global)

The FIA Institute and Toyota have combined technology and expertise to help improve safety in high-speed race-car accidents.

Perth's MINI Challenge Competitors Defending their Turf - (Australia)

If current MINI CHALLENGE Series leader – Seven Network personality, Grant Denyer (DecoRug Motorsport) – was expecting a warm welcome at Barbagallo Raceway this weekend, he can think again, say the West Australian competitors in the Series.

V8 Supercars Engage In Geoff Polites Tribute - (Australia)

V8 Supercar teams will honour the passing of Ford boss Geoff Polites this weekend by incorporating black ovals bearing the word 'Geoff' into race car liveries at round four of the Championship in Perth.

Mitsubishi's Old Hand Makes Light Work Of New Entrant - (Australia)

Mitsubishi's Geoff Pickering with navigator, Mark Henderson alongside made light work of the newest addition to the Australian Off Road Championship, the Donald 500, taking the 4x4 class by storm in their Mitsubishi Pajero and finishing 15th outright against far more highly modified vehicles. Based in the Victorian Mallee region, the Donald round was well received by the locals who got right behind the event and before the start, Pickering was also full of praise for the newcomer to the 2008...

Audi Tradition To Feature Six Historic Vehicles At The Mille Miglia - (Italy)

From 15 to 17 May, Audi Tradition will take six historic automobiles to Brescia (IT) where the 1,000-mile race across half of Italy starts and finishes. Taking part for the first time this year will be Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. He will be piloting a Wanderer W 25. Three Wanderer W 25 vehicles in total will take part, each one representing a different year from the 1930’s. These 55 hp vehicles have previously taken part in the world’s most famous vintage...

Mini Challenge ‘Home-Coming’ For Leanne Tander - (Australia)

Fresh from a victory in the Australian Formula 3 Championship last weekend, Leanne Tander is poised to become the first female racer in the Australian MINI CHALLENGE at Barbagallo Raceway, when she pilots a second MINI CHALLENGE UBER-STAR CAR in suppor