Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/11/mwr-weekly-wrap-up-clint-bowyer.html
Matthew Roy Kenseth Alan Dennis Kulwicki Travis Wade Kvapil Robert Allen Labonte Terrence Lee Labonte
Friday, November 30, 2012
Stewart Finishes 19th in Wild, Wild West
Mobil 1/Office Depot Driver Grabs Top-20 in Raucous Race at PhoenixTony Stewart - Photo Credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images
Date: Nov. 11, 2012
Event: AdvoCare 500k (Round 35 of 36)
Series: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Location: Phoenix International Raceway (1-mile oval)
Start/Finish: 9th/19th (Running, completed 318 of 319 laps in a green-white-checkered finish)
Point Standing: 9th (2,284 points, 87 out of first)
Winner: Kevin Harvick of Richard Childress Racing (Chevrolet)
Tony Stewart had a potential top-10 result deteriorate in much the same way as the ending of the AdvoCare 500k NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway. In a crash-marred finish at the 1-mile oval, Stewart crossed the stripe in 19th.
After starting ninth for the 312-lap contest, Stewart charged to sixth. Then, as varying pit strategies played out, Stewart hung within the top-15. Crew chief Steve Addington directed smart chassis adjustments to the No. 14 Mobil 1/Office Depot Chevrolet of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), and Stewart kept his eyes fixed on the front of the field.
But Stewart’s race got derailed during a charge from a lap-274 pit stop where his crew put on only right-side tires, which took a few seconds longer as crew members also inserted a rubber into the right-rear spring.
While running in 14th and looking to grab 13th on lap 282, Stewart spun off turn two. The left-front corner of his Mobil 1/Office Depot Chevy smacked the inside retaining wall, which required a prolonged stop on pit road to repair the damage.
Stewart lost a lap in the process, but his pit crew bandaged the No. 14 machine enough for Stewart to finish the race.
And the finish of the race is what many will be talking about.
A four-car accident on lap 312, triggered by Jeff Gordon intentionally wrecking Clint Bowyer, brought out the red flag and set up a green-white-checkered finish. And as a brouhaha between the teams of the two feuding drivers made the garage area crazy, the race’s final restart made things even crazier.
Jeff Burton spun Danica Patrick on the penultimate lap, sending Patrick into the outside retaining wall between turns three and four. After running well in 13th, Patrick’s No. 10 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet limped off the wall and down to the apron of the track and then along the frontstretch, all the while leaking oil from an oil line that ruptured during the crash.
But the caution flag was never thrown. The leaders raced down the backstretch and into turn three, only to discover, as race winner Kevin Harvick said, “There was more oil than there was asphalt.”
Harvick tip-toed off turn four and crossed the finish line first to take the win. Denny Hamlin followed, with polesitter Kyle Busch – who led four times for a race-high 237 laps – in third. Behind the trio was calamity, as cars spun in the oil and careened off each other.
Patrick’s car served as a proverbial ping-pong ball, and the No. 39 Quicken Loans/U.S. Army Chevy of SHR’s Ryan Newman was seemingly hit on every side as he slid to a fifth-place finish.
Smoke billowed. Tempers flared. Crewmen loaded up a host of busted racecars. It was a wild, wild race in the wild, wild West.
Newman’s fifth-place run was his fifth top-five finish of 2012 and his eighth top-five in 21 career Sprint Cup starts at Phoenix. And Patrick, who is piloting the No. 10 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet for Tommy Baldwin Racing via a collaborative agreement with SHR, finished 17th to score her career-best Sprint Cup finish in just her 10th Sprint Cup start, in spite of the late-race nudge from Burton.
Harvick’s win in the AdvoCare 500k was his 19th career Sprint Cup victory, his first of the season and his third at Phoenix.
Hamlin finished .580 of a second behind Harvick in the runner-up spot, while Busch, Kasey Kahne and Newman rounded out the top-five. Brad Keselowski, Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch, Paul Menard and Mark Martin comprised the remainder of the top-10.
There were eight caution periods for 38 laps, with 15 drivers failing to finish the 319-lap race, which was extended seven laps by a green-white-checkered finish.
Stewart is representing SHR in this year’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and came into the ninth race of the 10-race Chase in eighth place among the 12 Chase drivers, 80 points behind Chase leader Jimmie Johnson. Stewart leaves Phoenix ninth in the standings, 87 points behind new Chase leader Keselowski and 25 points behind fifth-place Hamlin.
Newman maintained 14th place in the standings. He has 1,009 points, 82 back of 13th-place Kyle Busch.
Just one race remains before a champion is crowned following the Ford 400 on Nov. 18 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Heading into the season finale, the top-12 Chase drivers rank as follows, with only Keselowski and Johnson eligible for the title.
1. Brad Keselowski (2,371 points) +1 position(s)
2. Jimmie Johnson (2,351 points, -20) -1
3. Kasey Kahne (2,321 points, -50) +1(mathematically eliminated from championship contention)
4. Clint Bowyer (2,319 points, -52) -1(mathematically eliminated from championship contention)
5. Denny Hamlin (2,309 points, -62) +2 (mathematically eliminated from championship contention)
6. Matt Kenseth (2,297 points, -74) -1 (mathematically eliminated from championship contention)
7. Greg Biffle (2,293 points, -78) +3 (mathematically eliminated from championship contention)
8. Kevin Harvick (2,285 points, -86) +3 (mathematically eliminated from championship contention)
9. Tony Stewart (2,284 points, -87) -1 (mathematically eliminated from championship contention)
10. Jeff Gordon (2,281 points, -90) -4 (mathematically eliminated from championship contention)
11. Martin Truex Jr. (2,260 points, -111) -2 (mathematically eliminated from championship contention)
12. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2,211 points, -160) +/-0 (mathematically eliminated from championship contention)
The Ford 400 begins at 3 p.m. EST, with live coverage provided by ESPN beginning with a pre-race show at 2 p.m.
Source: True Speed Communications for Stewart-Haas Racing, Press Release
The post Stewart Finishes 19th in Wild, Wild West appeared first on Catchfence.
Related Stories:
- Kevin Harvick Wins in Wild Finish at Phoenix International Raceway
- 2012 NSCS AdvoCare 500 at PIR Q&A with Team Chevy Driver Tony Stewart
- Tony Stewart – A Monumental Run at the Foot of Monument Hill
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/catchfence/~3/e3IWcadFr0c/
Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr Carl Michael Edwards III William Clyde Elliott Jeffrey Michael Gordon Charles Robert Hamilton IV
Carella's 2011 World Title Turns a New Page in F1 H2O Series!
F1 H2O / F1 Powerboat News
ABU DHABI - January 2, 2012
The young 26 year-old racer from Piacenza, Italy while trailing his teammate for most of the season, ran a smart and steady campaign, winning twice from pole position in both Kazan at the Grand Prix of Russia and along the corniche in Abu Dhabi.
Carella virtually locked his title away, when on the first lap of the final Grand Prix in Sharjah, he was able to out duel his teammate into second place. The two of them went into the left hand corner with Price making a desperate move that didn't work taking both drivers out of the race and handing Alex the title even before both DAC boats stopped barrel rolling in turn three.
"It was a very fulfilling season and we had success when we needed too," said Alex. "Jay was an excellent teammate all season and its too bad it ended the way it did on the very first lap in Sharjah. I was looking forward to going toe to toe with him for all 37 laps but I'll take the championship and am thankful to my whole team for making this a truly dream season for me."
The 2011 campaign started out as if the Qatar Team was going to run away and hide from the competition throughout the full ten month schedule. Jay won the opening two events. First, at the Qatar Teams home event in Doha in the month of March, and again at the next Grand Prix in Portimao, Portugal in May passing Alex for his 11th career win.
The string Qatar Team success continued at the third event of the season. Alex, won easily from pole position. Meanwhile, Jay, racing what many thought was the drive of the season, charged all the way up from 15th on the grid to finish third giving the Qatar organization their third straight Grand Prix where both drivers finished on the podium at days end.
Alex finished the season with 84 points on the strength of two wins, two second places and a pair of fifth's and only failing to finish crashing out with his teammate at the final event.
The final standings differential Jay had with Alex and how he lost on the title, was his disqualification at the Grand Prix of China in Liuzhou.
On the very last lap, Jay misjudged the right hand buoy with three corners to go and lost out on a third place finish giving him no points and opening the door for his teammate Alex to have a chance to chase him down for the title. Alex did just that in Abu Dhabi out qualifying him and winning. Jay was third that day and finished second in the championship for the second straight year with 79 points.
"The difference between a great pass in a race and a miscalculation and disaster is a millisecond and that's what happened in Sharjah," said Jay.
"I thought I had an avenue and it closed and before I knew it, the season was finished. Alex is a great teammate and I couldn't have asked for a better team to work with this season. It was great to lead the championship for over 36 weeks I just wished I could have finished it the way I wanted to for myself and my team."
While Jay was racking up five straight podiums in every race he finished in 2011 another team that started slowly came on and dominated most of the last half of the season when their drivers caught fire themselves.
Team Abu Dhabi, which welcomed their two talented drivers Thani Al Qamzi and Ahmed Al Hameli back together for the fifth straight season, had no answer for their rivals from Doha in the first half of the year.
However, once both Thani and Ahmed hit their stride in their BABA boats at the mid-season mark, they became almost unbeatable, with Ahmed winning two of the final four events including a dominating one-two finish on the podium in Sharjah.
Thani, finished third in the championship with 75 points. He completed all seven races winning at Liuzhou in October and being a late season player for the championship with his four podium performances throughout the year.
Ahmed set the water on fire in qualifying in the second half of the season. He took three pole's in his last four starts. Ahmed, like Jay Price, finished on the podium in every race he finished this season with a pair of wins and two second place finishes coming home fourth in the championship with 70 points.
The 33 year-old driver from Abu Dhabi could have had even more points had he not crashed out in Portugal and was disqualified from running the next race in Kiev by the officials for his actions on the race course on the Arade River.
This opened the door for a special treat for all race fans of the UIM F1 H2O world tour. For Team Abu Dhabi Team Manager and four-time World Champion Scott Gillman came out of semi-retirement to race for the first time since 2007 for Team Abu Dhabi replacing the suspended Ahmed Al Hameli.
Despite never running in the BABA boat before this weekend, Scott qualified a respectable eighth and just missed taking his 56th career podium when fellow American Jay Price passed him with just a few laps to go in Kazan to capture third with Scott settling for a fine fourth.
While the Qatar Team held off Team Abu Dhabi for the Team Championship 172-154, finishing strongly as well was the CTIC China Team with 63 points. Led by French veteran pilot Philippe Chiappe who was fifth in the championship with 47 points and gaining confidence throughout the season.
Chiappe, driving a new French built "Moore" hull had three podium third place finishes (Doha, Liuzhou and Sharjah) combined with one other top five performance in Kazan. The driver from Rouen was penalized in Portimao and failed to finish only in Abu Dhabi to complete a solid year and bigger hopes for 2012.
Teammate Pierre Lundin of Sweden had all sorts of gremlins early on. The driver from Eskilstuna, started with three straight failures to finish, then he turned it around, going three straight finishes before dropping out at the last race in Sharjah. His best performance of the season came in Abu Dhabi when he qualified 10th and finished fourth. He finished the year tied for 10th in the drivers table with 16 points.
The Singha F1 Team was fourth in the championship with 44 points mostly delivered by the veteran number one driver Francesco Cantando who was sixth in the drivers championship with 42 points.
For this two time runner-up in the title chase back in 2000 and 2001, Francesco's best events were a pair of fourth's at the Grand Prix of Ukraine in Kiev and Sharjah in the UAE driving his own newly designed BLAZE boat.
The driver from Milan finished his 16th season in F1 and now in 134 starts has 12 victories and is third all time with 41 podiums and 79 top-10 finishes in his career.
Fellow Italian Stefano Paoletti joined him for the first race of the season in Doha finishing 13th in his first ever F1 Grand Prix.
Another young Italian star Ivan Brigada joined the team for one race in Portugal qualifying 12th and finishing a respectable 10th in the Grand Prix.
Italian veteran Valerio Lagiannella was at Francesco's side for the remaining races of the season picking up his first point of the season at the very last event in Sharjah for the Lecco driver who expects to be back for 2012.
Coming into the season the defending World Champion Mad Croc F1 Team looked to be solid with two time World Titlist Sami Selio back leading the team along with his new teammate Davide Padovan from Italy.
The Finnish superstar, Selio, never really got into the groove all year long except for the opening event in Doha where he earned pole position and led, until, breaking down. This opened the floodgates to a season where Sami would play catch up throughout the campaign finally finishing tied for seventh with his teammate with 21 points.
Sami, had one podium in Kiev and then had his year shortened after a horrendous accident at the Grand Prix of China. While at full speed, he crashed the boat, going in nose first and stopping immediately on the front straight while traveling at over 200 kilometers per hour. The driver from Helsinki sat out the rest of the year to rest and recover hoping to start back in Doha this March chasing a third title.
The young Italian Padovan, who was runner-up to rookie of the year honors in 2010, finished all four of his races in the top ten with his best day being in Liuzhou where he finished fourth. His learning curve will continue and he's looking more comfortable in the BABA boat all the time as he chases his first career podium in 2012.
Also joining the team late in the season was the first ever driver from Kuwait to race in F1 Yousef Al Rubayan. The talented driver from Holi, came over from F2 and earned his first two points in his first ever event in Abu Dhabi. His 11th place in Sharjah saw his tied for 18th in title with two points in the ledger books for a driver who has a great future.
Team Sweden started the season in Doha with a solid line-up of Swedish driver Jonas Andersson and USA rookie Shaun Torrente hoping to make a statement before seasons end. The two-time North American champ Torrente, captured a fine fourth place just ahead of his veteran teammate in Qatar. This sadly was a mirage as both drivers fell from a bis of exuberance followed by disappointment and back again as the season marched along.
Andersson, a winner of four victories during his six year career on the tour, finished the season a disappointing ninth in the drivers championship with 19 points and just one top five performance in four finishes. His switch to a MOLGAARD hull late in the year seemed to help his confidence.
Meanwhile, for the Peters & May sponsored Torrente, after his brilliant fourth place finish in Doha, battled for the lead of the race at the next Grand Prix in Portugal only to crash out on the restart after qualifying sixth. Now, forced to drive a new boat in Kazan for the first time, Shaun qualified a fine second place only to crash while pushing for a podium finish for the second straight event. His luck didn't change at the next event as he had a technical problem forcing him to drop out in Kiev on the opening lap.
The Miami driver missed China, only to rejoin the series with the Qatar Team in December. Shipping his own GRAN PRIX short boat from California to the series, Shaun's bad luck continued, crashing out on the opening lap in Abu Dhabi. The 33 year-old finished the season strongly in Sharjah taking a fine fifth place. His performance earned him Rookie-of-the-Year honors in the process capturing 10th in the championship with 16 points.
Also joining Team Sweden was the talented driver from "down under" Rhys Coles. The likeable Aussie who has a couple Australian titles to his resume, joined the team in China and played out the year. In his three races his seventh at the final round in Sharjah was his best. Overall, Rhys did rather well with two top 10's in his three finishes for the driver from Sydney.
Also on board was Swedish F2 veteran and part time ace mechanic Tommy Wahlsten, who, in his only appearance of the season, took a well earned ninth place in Liuzhou after starting 14th for the driver from Nora.
F1 Team Atlantic was four points behind Team Sweden in the team championship with 21 points. Led by their long time Portuguese veteran driver Duarte Benavente, who in his 15th year of racing, was tied for 10th in the drivers table with 16 points.
Duarte, who has 105 starts in his career, had five race finishes in the top-10. His best result, being at the final Grand Prix in Sharjah, where he finished sixth in his DRAGON boat built in Wales. He only failed to finish one event all year so he'll try to keep the consistency alive once again as he goes after his first Grand Prix win in 2012.
Philippe Tourre of France was Duarte's teammate for another year. The likeable driver from Paris, who enjoys a summer house off an island on the West Coast of France, struggled with just three finishes in his six starts. His best day was an eighth in Portugal followed by a ninth in Russia for five points overall and tied for 15th in the drivers championship.
The American Team Nautica organization enjoyed a three boat group of racers led by Norwegian women Marit Stromoy. The Oslo driver, had a breakthrough season, with a tremendous pole position at the Grand Prix of Portugal in May and later in the year with a second place starting spot in Abu Dhabi.
The multi-talented driver lost out on her first ever Grand Prix win when she and Shaun Torrente got together on a re-start in Portugal eliminating both drivers. This was followed by a season best sixth place in Kazan for her last finishing result of the season. Marit closed out 2011 with nine points tied for 13th but with a lot of confidence for the upcoming season as well.
Swiss driver Rinaldo "Rini" Osculati raced in six of seven events. He earned a championship point with a 10th place finish in Kazan. Rini's luck ran out failing to finish his last two starts for the native of Monza, Italy.
Joining Rini was another rookie in Polish driver Bartek Marszalek. His promising first season in F1 was abruptly ended in Abu Dhabi when he and Shaun Torrente got together at the first corner and never finished the first lap. Bartek's best day came in Kiev when he qualified 15th and climbed up to 10th earning his first point in F1 tied for 20th in the standings.
Russian pilot Stanislav Kourtsenovsky raced twice in Kazan and Kiev for his Jetech Tool F1 Racing Team. The veteran from St. Petersburg earning a fine seventh place after charging all the way from 16th on the grid at his home Grand Prix. This talented driver is hoping to fill his calendar for the upcoming campaign and run a full season.
In total, 2011 saw 24 drivers from 13 different countries travel throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East on their 10 month journey for a World Title. In the end, a young, new generation Italian in only 15 starts joined the elite list of person's who can be called World Champion. Alex Carella give the Qatar Team their second title in four years and moves them in a tie with Team Abu Dhabi and the Mad Croc Teams for most drivers titles of current F1 organizations.
Is 2012 going to be the year that Team's Abu Dhabi or Mad Croc shoot for revenge? Or will the Qatar Team
make it a rare back to back success for one Alex Carella? Time is short, there is only 10 weeks before the start of the new campaign on the ninth and tenth of March at the Grand Prix of Qatar in Doha.
Stay tuned, new drivers to new teams and new boats. It's already shaping up to something special for 2012!
Be In The Know - With F1 H2O!
Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2012/01/carellas_2011_world_title.php
Kamui Kobayashi Helmuth Koinigg Heikki Kovalainen Kevin Harvick Armour Vienna Sausage Kroger Chevrolet
Hughson, Cedrati Lead iRNC Standings Through Four Weeks
Reuben Bonnici (left) and Szabolcs Feher lead the field around Charlotte Motor Speedway as two Mazdas spin behind them.
A third of the way through the final 2012 season of the inRacingNews Challenge, two familiar names are on top of the standings—Chris Hughson in the Mazda MX-5 Roadster and Niccolo Cedrati in the Pontiac Solstice. After Weeks Three and Four at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Summit Point’s short configuration, respectively, the two drivers possess decent leads heading into the heart of the schedule.
Hughson has spent the past two weeks at extending his points lead, which is now 38 over Andrey Tararaksin. He’s scored 40 wins in 41 starts over those two weeks, now totaling 90 victories in his 95 starts. Tararaksin, meanwhile, only has a three-point advantage over Joseph Pisciotta III for second in points, while England’s Christopher J. Smith and Finland’s Harri Anttila round out the top five.
Michael Gomen leads Niccolò Cedrati (No. 1), Matthew Pilus (No. 9), and the rest of the iRNC field on Summit Point Raceway’s short configuration. Gomen would lead 11 laps of this race before Cedrati made the winning pass with nine laps to go.
Cedrati has spent the past two weeks reeling in Andrey Loginov, taking the points lead after Week Four. Two weeks ago, Loginov’s points lead on Cedrati was 26; now, Cedrati has a 43-point advantage, buoyed by a 178-point victory at Summit Point when Loginov only scored 126. Meanwhile, Kenville Inniss is only seven points back of Loginov for second, while rookie Philipp Bachmann and Hughson complete the top five.
The next two weeks will see the series visit the legendary courses at Lime Rock Park and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Last season, eventual Mazda champion Diego Rodriguez Alonso took a class victory on Lime Rock’s full layout, while David Benedict shared the honors in Solstice. In the two Laguna Seca rounds, Joni Backman (Week Six) and Kian Kim (Week 12) topped all Solstice drivers, while Christoph Schön (Week Six) and Alonso (Week 12) scored Mazda class victories.
Photo credit: Niccolò Cedrati
Alan Dennis Kulwicki Travis Wade Kvapil Robert Allen Labonte Terrence Lee Labonte Randy Joseph Lajoie
Hulkenberg proud despite collision
The German driver starred during the Interlagos event, overtaking the McLaren drivers to lead the race at various points.
But the Force India driver was given a penalty for crashing with Hamilton when trying to pass the Briton for the lead.
Hamilton was upset, but McLaren said after the race that Hulkenberg had apologised for their clash.
Hulkenberg, who will drive for Sauber next year, believes fifth was still a great leaving present for Force India.
“I’m not too disappointed,” he said. “Fifth place is still a good result.
“I think I’ve learned a lot in this race. My first kilometres leading a race, and fighting with the top guys, so it was pretty eventful and a hell of a race.
“I’m proud of what we’ve done and my drive. It’s not perfect but I’m still happy.”
He felt the collision with Hamilton was a simple racing accident.
“It was quite unfortunately obviously,” Hulkenberg said.
“We were challenging and we had Timo [Glock] and Heikki [Kovalainen] into Turn 1 as well.
“I think Lewis ran out of space with Heikki and was a bit irritated there. I obviously decided to make a move into Turn 1 and was on the damp side of the track and lost the rear a little bit. Unfortunately we collided.
“Looking at the incident I think it’s just one of those things in racing. I think he could’ve turned away a bit. But the way it worked wasn’t good for either of us.”
Team-mate Paul di Resta retired from the race when running in eighth position, the Scot crashing out two laps from the end.
“When we went back to the intermediates in the closing stages we were more competitive and I was up in eighth place,” he said.
“Unfortunately with a lap to go I aquaplaned in the final corner. It was a big hit with the wall, but I’m OK.”
Aldo Gordini Horace Gould Jean Marc Gounon Emmanuel de Graffenried Lucas di Grassi
Get to Know: Alex Warren
For this week’s article, I interviewed a fellow sim-racer from Illinois. In the three years he has been on iRacing, he has accomplished a great deal. Besides winning many races on the oval and road side, he has won several different iRacing championships, including last year’s NASCAR iRacing.com Pro Series. He was able to race full time in the NASCAR iRacing.com Series World Championship this year, where he finished in the top 25 in points. When not iRacing, he is currently attending North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. The driver I interviewed for this week is the one and only Alex Warren.
The 20 year old Warren has started nearly 900 oval races on iRacing, including the Class A, Pro and SWC series. He has visited victory lane 67 times, including 10 times this year. He is also an accomplished road racer, having started 72 races and visiting victory lane 11% of the time. That is only part of what he has done on iRacing. He won the 2011 Season 4 of the NASCAR iRacing.com Class C series and finished third in the NASCAR iRacing.com Class A points standings in 2011 Season 3, which earned him a spot in the NASCAR iRacing.com Pro Series, which he later went on to win. If you want to learn more about this rising driver, read on…
A: I have been sim racing for 3 years.
Q: How did you get started in iRacing?
A: I got started when my friends told me to get iRacing. It looked interesting, so I tried it out and the rest is history.
Q: Which race car driver do you look up to the most?
A: I really look up to Brad Keselowski the most. He is a driver that may not look like a typical NASCAR driver, but works his ass off each week and speaks his mind on things. He also doesn’t care what people think of him, just as long as they don’t hate him. To me, you can get anywhere in life with hard work.
Q: What type of hobbies do you do outside of iRacing?
A: I really enjoy sports like golf, football, and baseball. I really like to play those sports instead of watching them on TV.
Q: What is your greatest accomplishment on iRacing?
A: Winning the Pro Series championship earlier this year. It was a memory that I will never forget because no one thought I was a threat to win, but with great work from my teammates, crew chief/spotter and some luck, I was able to win the championship.
Q: What is one long term goal that you hope to still accomplish in iRacing?
A: I really hope to win the DWC championship someday. It’s going to be tough because of all the competition each year, but if you catch the lucky breaks in each race finish top 5 majority of the season, you can win. I really hope I do win it someday.
People want to race and have fun and that’s what I’m all about when I’m racing.
Q: What type of racing do you like to watch on TV?
A: I mostly watch NASCAR each week and I try to watch every race on Saturday or Sunday. I do follow though Indycar and F1 sometimes.
Q: How do you think your fellow iRacers see you?
A: I hope that they see me as a pretty respectable guy, who is clean and quiet competitor, because that’s who I am. If anything else, they are looking at the wrong guy!
Q: Who is Alex Warren outside of iRacing?
A: Outside of iRacing, I’m a caring, friendly, outgoing guy who never quits and never gives up on anything. Also, I always try and have fun, no matter what.
Q: If there was one thing you could change about iRacing, what would it be?
A: I would like iRacing to change the one lane racing every week to multi-groove racing. It would be more fun and more of a challenge in my opinion to change your racing groove.
Q: What is one thing that you love the most about iRacing?
A: I really love the community. People want to race and have fun and that’s what I’m all about when I’m racing. There will be the occasional idiot trying to ruin other people’s races on purpose, but the majority of this sim-racing community is awesome.
Q: Overall, how do you rate your success on iRacing?
A: I feel like I’m a really good driver, hopefully one day, I’ll be the best, but it’s going to be a while until that happens.
Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/iracing-news/get-to-know-alex-warren
Fred Gamble Howden Ganley Frank Gardner Billy Garrett Jo Gartner
Today’s Headlines
- Central Park Cyclist Sues Man She Alleges Pushed Her Off Bike, Resulting in Concussion (DNA)
- Yet the Daily News Can’t Help But Mention “Spandex Scofflaws” and “Speeding Bicyclists”
- Riders Alliance Pushes for Free Transfers From G Train to J/M and at Barclays Center (Bklyn Paper)
- No New Taxes, Tolls, Fees, or Fares to Pay for Sandy — We’ll Use the Credit Card (TransNat, NY1, WSJ)
- Don’t Expect Subway Service to the Rockaways Until Summer (NY1)
- Verrazano Toll Hike Slammed at S.I. MTA Hearing; P.A. Toll Hike Begins Sunday (Advance 1, 2)
- Garodnick Drops Out of Comptroller Race, Endorses Stringer, Looks to Council Speakership (News 1, 2)
- Quinn Wants NYC to Best London and Copenhagen Infrastructure… for Storms, Not Transport (Observer)
- Citing FreshDirect, Liu Wants to End EDC Subsidies (Crain’s)
- Tonight and This Weekend: A New Vision for Fulton Street in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill (Brownstoner)
More headlines at Streetsblog Capitol Hill
Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/11/29/todays-headlines-1526/
Brian Hart Gene Hartley Masahiro Hasemi Naoki Hattori Paul Hawkins
2012 NSCS NNS & NCWTS Homestead-Miami Speedway Weekend Track Event Schedule
HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY 2012
NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES / NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES
EVENT SCHEDULE
Thursday, November 15th 10:00 AM NCWTS HAULERS ENTER 11:30 AM NNS HAULERS ENTER 12:30 PM NNS REGISTRATION OPENS 1:00 PM NNS GARAGES OPENS 1:30 PM NCWTS REGISTRATION OPENS 2:00 PM NCWTS GARAGE OPENS 5:00 PM NNS & NCWTS REGISTRATION CLOSES 6:00 PM NSCS HAULERS ENTER 6:30 PM NNS & NCWTS GARAGE CLOSES Friday, November 16th 8:00 AM NSCS REGISTRATION OPENS 8:30 AM NNS GARAGE & REGISTRATION OPENS 8:30 AM TRACK SERVICES MEETING (MEETING ROOM) 8:30 AM NSCS GARAGE OPENS 9:00 AM NNS ROOKIE & SPOTTER MEETINGS & RANDOM DRAWING 9:30 AM NCWTS GARAGE & REGISTRATION OPENS 10:00 AM 10:50 AM NNS PRACTICE 10:00 AM NCWTS ROOKIE & SPOTTER MEETINGS & RANDOM DRAWING 11:00 AM 1:00 PM NCWTS FINAL PRACTICE 12:30 PM NSCS ROOKIE & SPOTTER MEETINGS & RANDOM DRAWING 1:00 PM NSCS ** HOT PASS IN EFFECT ** 1:30 PM 3:00 PM NSCS PRACTICE 3:10 PM 4:20 PM NNS FINAL PRACTICE 4:30 PM NCWTS QUALIFYING (TWO LAPS, ALL POSITIONS) 5:00 PM NSCS REGISTRATION CLOSES 5:00 PM NNS REGISTRATION CLOSES 5:40 PM NSCS ** HOT PASS IN EFFECT ** 5:45 PM NCWTS DRIVER/CREW CHIEF MEETING (CONFERENCE ROOM, MEDIA CENTER) 6:00 PM TRACK SERVICES MEETING-PIT ROAD 6:10 PM NSCS QUALIFYING (TWO LAPS, ALL POSITIONS) 6:30 PM NNS GARAGE CLOSES 7:30 PM NCWTS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS-SECURITY–CLEAR PIT ROAD 8:00 PM NCWTS RACE (134 LAPS, 201 MILES) 8:30 PM NCWTS REGISTRATION CLOSES 8:30 PM NSCS GARAGE CLOSES Saturday, November 17th 7:30 AM NNS REGISTRATION OPENS 8:00 AM NNS GARAGE OPENS 9:00 AM 10:00 AM Pre-Race Practice 10:00 AM TRACK SERVICES MEETING (MEETING ROOM) 11:00 AM NSCS GARAGE & REGISTRATION OPENS 11:35 AM NNS QUALIFYING ( TWO LAPS, ALL POSITIONS) 12:30 PM NSCS ** HOT PASS IN EFFECT ** 1:00 PM 2:00 PM NSCS PRACTICE 2:00 PM 2:30 PM Homestead Miami Speedway Pace Car Rides** 2:30 PM 3:00 PM TV EXHIBITION RUN** 2:30 PM NSCS ** HOT PASS IN EFFECT ** 2:30 PM TRACK SERVICES MEETING-PIT ROAD 2:30 PM NNS DRIVER/CREW CHIEF MEETING (CONFERENCE ROOM, MEDIA CENTER) 3:00 PM 3:50 PM NSCS FINAL PRACTICE 4:00 PM NNS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS-SECURITY –CLEAR PIT ROAD 4:30 PM ` NNS RACE (200 LAPS, 300 MILES) 5:00 PM NSCS REGISTRATION CLOSES 5:00 PM NNS REGISTRATION CLOSES 7:00 PM NSCS GARAGE CLOSES Sunday, November 18th 8:30 AM 9:20 AM Homestead Miami Speedway Pace Car Rides 9:00 AM NSCS GARAGE & REGISTRATION OPENS 9:00 AM 1:30 PM NSCS Minors Admitted into Garage Area* 9:20 AM 10:00 AM NASCAR Pace Car Rides 11:30 AM TRACK SERVICES MEETING (MEETING ROOM) 1:00 PM NSCS DRIVER/CREW CHIEF MEETING (CONFERENCE ROOM, MEDIA CENTER) 2:00 PM NSCS ** HOT PASS IN EFFECT ** UNTIL ONE HOUR AFTER RACE 2:20 PM NSCS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS-SECURITY –CLEAR PIT ROAD 3:00 PM NSCS RACE (267 LAPS, 400.5 MILES) 3:30 PM NSCS REGISTRATION CLOSES *With Proper Credentials2012 Ford Ecoboost 400
ALL TIMES ARE IN EASTERN
TENTATIVE, SUBJECT TO CHANGE
The post 2012 NSCS NNS & NCWTS Homestead-Miami Speedway Weekend Track Event Schedule appeared first on Catchfence.
Related Stories:
- 2012 NSCS NNS & NCWTS Texas Motor Speedway Weekend Track Event Schedule
- 2012 NSCS, NNS & NCWTS Kentucky Speedway Weekend Track Event Schedule
- 2012 NSCS, NNS & NCWTS Dover International Speedway Weekend Track Event Schedule
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/catchfence/~3/qJvP6UzCvX0/
Mike Hailwood Mika Häkkinen Bruce Halford Jim Hall Duncan Hamilton
Los Angeles: Ford Fusion wins 2013 Green Car Of The Year
Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Ford
After three years that saw a diesel, a plug-in and a natural gas vehicle win Green Car Journal's Green Car of the Year award, the Ford Fusion won the title this year at the start of the second day of the LA Auto Show. The Fusion was nominated in part because it has a variety of powertrain options: hybrid, plug-in hybrid and an EcoBoost gas engine.
The other 2013 finalists included the Dodge Dart Aero, Ford C-Max, Mazda CX-5 Skyactiv and Toyota Prius C. For what it's worth, the C-Max won the informal Autoblog/AutoblogGreen poll for 2013 with 31.5 percent of the vote. The official votes were tallied by a panel of judges of "the nation's top environmental leaders," car freaks like Jay Leno and the GCJ staff. GCJ's Ron Cogan said the winner was chose by majority vote.
Cogan also said that the award (and his magazine) have never been about vehicles that eke out mileage gains by stripping away the joy of driving. The method by which the five finalists are chosen is somewhat shrouded in mystery, but the Tesla Model S was left off the list due to its high price and the current unavailability of the base model. He said:
Last year, the Green Car of the Year winner was the Honda Civic Natural Gas. Previous winners include the Chevrolet Volt (2011), the Audi A3 TDI (2010), the Volkswagen Jetta TDI (2009) and the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid (2008).The Tesla Model S offers everything, by all reports. What it doesn't offer are things that are crucial to the Green Car Of The Year program, which are different than Motor Trend's Car of the Year or Yahoo Autos. We deal specifically in cars you can buy and buy now and vehicles that are affordable enough that you can buy them. We deal in vehicles that are available in significant enough numbers so you actually have quantifiable emissions reductions and oil displacement. It doesn't have to be a mass produced car in the sense that it's one of the best-selling cars, but it does have to be available. And, right now, the Tesla Model S, as good as it is, is the Signature Series at $95,000 to $105,000. That's not accessible. And the base model is not being delivered.
Continue reading Ford Fusion wins 2013 Green Car Of The Year
Ford Fusion wins 2013 Green Car Of The Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/29/ford-fusion-wins-2013-green-car-of-the-year/
David Lee Blaney Michael Duane Bliss Kurt Thomas Busch Kyle Thomas Busch Jeffrey Tyler Burton
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Today’s Headlines
- Cuomo and Bloomberg Make Federal Aid Push (Post, News, AP)
- Cuomo: $5B Would Get the MTA Back to Pre-Sandy Working Order (TransNat, SAS)
- R Train Riders Packing 4 and 5 Trains (Post); South Ferry Won’t Reopen for Months (TransNat)
- City to Provide Free Towing for Storm-Damaged Vehicles Left on Streets (Advance)
- Gelinas: Mission Creep Debt Will Cripple the Port Authority for the Foreseeable Future (City Journal)
- Ratner Withdraws Barclays Tax Suit (Bklyn Paper); AYR Puts Knicks-Nets in Perspective
- Council to Regulate Pedicab Rates (Post); Vacca Wants Fare Decals Returned to Taxis (Post)
- Limo Driver Charged With Manslaughter for Pinning, Dragging Passenger to Death (News 1, 2)
- Manhattan Parking Garage Worker Crushed by Falling SUV (News)
- Toddler Hospitalized After Being Thrown From Minivan in Woodhaven Collision (Post, DNA)
- Kill Someone With Your Car, They Say, and NYPD Won’t Even Give You a Ticket (NY Mag)
More headlines at Streetsblog Capitol Hill
Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/11/27/todays-headlines-1524/
José Froilán González Oscar González Aldo Gordini Horace Gould Jean Marc Gounon
Kevin Harvick Wins in Wild Finish at Phoenix International Raceway
(PHOENIX, Ariz.) - What might have been a dominating victory by Kyle Busch in the AdvoCare 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race turned into a wild finish when Kevin Harvick raced his no. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet to the win in the closing 15 laps on the strength of a fierce restart with eight laps to go and another on a green-white-checkered finish.Kevin Harvick, driver of the #29 Budweiser Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on November 11, 2012 in Avondale, Arizona. - Photo Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR
The race was thrown into overtime when a caution period occurred a split second before the white flag was to wave. Instead of freezing the field and ending the race with Harvick as the winner in the regulation 312 laps, a red flag was displayed for 14 minutes and 58 seconds to clean a wreck that included four cars. It also extended the event to 319 laps.
Slow-running Jeff Gordon, who was being black-flagged for running less than the required minimum speed, was driving in the race groove in turn four and ended up at the focal point of the controversial crash. Seventh-running Clint Bowyer, the third place championship runner still clinging to faint title hopes, Joey Logano, and Aric Almirola crashed with Gordon split seconds before new leader Harvick reached the start-finish line. That angered Bowyer’s crew which took after Gordon’s team in a heated skirmish in the garage.
It also threw the sellout Phoenix International Raceway crowd into a frenzy. Emotions grew wilder moments later when multiple cars wrecked as they took the checkered flag that came seven laps after the scheduled 312 circuits.
With the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship in its closing stages, all eyes at the day’s beginning were on upstart Brad Keselowski who started seven points behind five-time champion Jimmie Johnson in the season’s penultimate race. When Johnson cut his right front tire on lap 235 his Lowe’s/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet suffered suspension damage when it hit the turn 1 wall. He finished 32nd, 38 laps down, and fell 20 points behind Keselowski in the championship hunt. One race remains next week, and Keselowski needs only to finish 15th, regardless of Johnson’s performance, to clinch his first title.
Most of the sunny afternoon was spent focusing on the taillights of Busch, who led by far the most laps with 237. “It (his pole-sitting no. 18 M&M’s Toyota) was an awesome piece, and I gave the race away,” he said forlornly. “I guess I didn’t know how to win it.”
Police break up fights in the garage area after an on-track incident with Clint Bowyer (not pictured), driver of the #15 5-hour Energy Toyota, and Jeff Gordon (not pictured), driver of the #24 DuPont Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on November 11, 2012 in Avondale, Arizona. - Photo Credit: Tyler Barrick/Getty Images
Race winner Harvick, who claimed his first checkered flag this season and third in 20 races at PIR, also offered a light touch when commenting on the fisticuffs between the Bowyer and Gordon teams: “Fights? This sport was made on fights. We ought to have more fights.”
The next exciting race weekend at PIR will take place in the second week of the 2013 NASCAR season when the Subway Fresh 500 headlines the March 1-3 weekend.
About Phoenix International Raceway
Since 1964, Phoenix International Raceway has served race fans as the premier motorsports venue in the Southwest. Watch the Subway Fresh Fit 500™ on Sunday, March 3. Tickets for the entire March 1 -3 NASCAR event weekend at Phoenix International Raceway can be purchased online at PhoenixRaceway.com/Tickets or by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223). For more information, visit PhoenixRaceway.com,Facebook.com/PhoenixRaceway and Twitter.com/PhoenixRaceway.
Source: Phoenix International Raceway, Press Release
The post Kevin Harvick Wins in Wild Finish at Phoenix International Raceway appeared first on Catchfence.
Related Stories:
- Kyle Busch Takes the Pole for the AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway
- Governor Brewer to Serve as Honorary Starter for AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway
- Kevin Harvick 2012 NSCS AdvoCare 500 at PIR Race Preview
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/catchfence/~3/u2ANdBK4fbE/
Jesús Iglesias Taki Inoue Innes Ireland Eddie Irvine Chris Irwin
Renault: Infiniti won’t badge engines
Infiniti, which is owned by Renault, announced on Sunday that it is expanding its sponsorship involvement with Red Bull and will take on naming rights from next year.
That move prompted speculation that it could go as far as including a rebranding of the team’s Renault engines, but the French carmaker has insisted that will not happen.
Asked by AUTOSPORT about that possibility, Renault chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn replied: “No. We don’t want any confusion at the level of the alliance between who does what.
“Renault changed and adapted its strategy in 2008 where most of the [manufacturer] teams went out of F1 and Renault stayed.
“Instead of being a one-team player we wanted to be a multi-team player by being at the heart of the competition – which is an engine.
“Having Renault supplying today one third of all the cars running, and being for the third year in a row champion with Red Bull, is a validation of the strategy we have taken.”
Ghosn said that with Renault’s on-track activities having been a success, it was now vital that the company fully exploited this in terms of marketing and increasing road car sales.
“The only point that is missing now is the link between what Renault is doing in F1 and the cars we are putting on the markets.
“This link will be through three particular points that we want to emphasise and you are going to see through the efforts of Renault marketing cars – technological innovation, fuel efficiency and reliability.
“These are the three points that everyone can see in F1, that we are selling and trying to market in different markets.
“Infiniti, as a premium car producer and marketer, associating its name to Red Bull-Renault, through thorough and sophisticated marketing efforts, brings the awareness of the Infiniti brand higher and reaches a level that we were targeting.”
Kamui Kobayashi Helmuth Koinigg Heikki Kovalainen Kevin Harvick Armour Vienna Sausage Kroger Chevrolet
Followup: Krafcik: 90% of Hyundai owners satisfied with fuel economy reimbursement program
Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hyundai
Hyundai (and sister company Kia) found itself in a bit of hot water recently over false fuel economy estimates on the window stickers of its cars. To remedy this, the automakers will be compensating some 900,000 owners based on their vehicles' odometer readings, and the companies will add an additional 15 percent over the dollar value. In simple terms, this means that for someone who has driven 15,000 miles, a 1-mpg fuel economy reduction would result in a reimbursement of $88.
As part of its Los Angeles Auto Show press conference, Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik updated us on the progress of its reimbursement program, stating that about 90 percent of owners are happy with the process.
"Our Hyundai dealers are focused on doing a great job of explaining the reimbursement program to those owners, and they are pulling out all the stops to delight them. It's difficult to put a number on satisfaction for programs like this one, but right now I can tell you that 90 percent of those people who have visited our dealerships for verification of their odometer reading are really satisfied with the reimbursement program. That's a great result. In fact, it's a higher level of satisfaction we've seen compared to any other dealers service campaign we've done.""I can tell you that 90 percent of those people who have visited our dealerships for verification of their odometer reading are really satisfied with the reimbursement program."
The Hyundai Accent, Elantra and Veloster will see their highway fuel economy numbers drop from 40 miles per gallon to either 37 or 38 mpg highway.
"This whole episode has obviously been a really difficult one for all of us at Hyundai," Krafcik stated. "We've had a goal of being a fuel efficiency leader in this industry, and while this situation seems to work against that cause, I'm telling you, it's actually strengthening the collective resolve we all have to do a great job here."
Hyundai has long apologized for this situation, citing "human errors" and "honest mistakes" being made during in-house fuel economy testing. "We're treating this like the serious matter it is," said Krafcik, "and we're treating each customer like we would want to be treated. We're owning this issue, we're letting folks know we care, and we're making it right for them - again, for as long as they own their cars."
Krafcik: 90% of Hyundai owners satisfied with fuel economy reimbursement program originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/29/krafcik-90-of-hyundai-owners-satisfied-with-reimbursement-prog/
Scott Russell Riggs Hiroshi Fushida Beppe Gabbiani Bertrand Gachot Patrick Gaillard
EcoMotors Design Contest: Reshaping the Future Around an Opposed-Piston, Opposed-Cylinder Engine [2012 L.A. Auto Show]
When people think of advanced new engines, they tend to focus on improvements in power or fuel economy, but engine innovation can also yield reductions in engine size and weight. The people at EcoMotors have been working on an engine that not only promises more power and greater efficiency, but does so in an unusual package.
The company’s OPOC (opposed piston, opposed cylinder) engine is essentially a horizontally opposed engine with one big difference. Within each of its cylinders, there are two pistons traveling in opposite directions. The resulting engine is very low top to bottom, very short front to rear, and fairly wide. In either two- or four cylinder form, it’s a completely different shape than any other engine out there.
In order to derive the greatest benefit from such an engine, a vehicle should be designed around its unusual shape. To demonstrate what such designs might look like, EcoMotors sponsored a design contest at America’s two best design schools: Detroit’s College for Creative Studies (CCS) and Pasadena’s Art Center College of Design (ACCD).
The contest was called “Reshaping the Future,” and students at each school were asked to create concepts that would make best use of the OPOC engine’s unusual characteristics. The designs were to be judged based on how well they harness the packaging advantages of the OPOC engine—in other words, “More Space for Man, Less for Machine.”
The designs were also evaluated on how well they fulfilled target customer needs—efficiency, attractiveness, and societal relevance. The judges knew more than a little about these factors, as they had all served as design chiefs for one of the Detroit Big Three. Wayne Cherry ran GM styling from 1992 to 2004, Tom Gale headed Chrysler’s design team from 1985 to 2000, and Jack Telnack was Ford’s styling chief from 1980 to 1997. A more distinguished and discerning panel of judges would be hard to find.
The overall winners in the three categories—Mid-Size Sedan, Full-Size Pickup, and Emerging-Market Vehicle—will be announced at the Los Angeles auto show this week; we’ll have an update soon.
In the meantime, here are the 23 concepts that the feverishly creative student minds produced:
2020 Datsun Pickup by Alex McGowen (CCS)
This 177-inch long mini truck, intended for emerging markets in Southeast Asia, is barely a foot longer than a Mini Cooper Clubman, but still provides room for four, a useful cargo bed in the rear, and covered storage in front where the engine normally is. The OPOC engine, in this case a twin-cylinder 150-hp version coupled to a CVT, is nestled under the back seat where its short length and generous width fit easily.
A structure composed of bonded aluminum extrusions provides good strength and stiffness at minimal tooling costs. The orange body panels are plastic and have anchor points so that more cargo can be strapped on. A full-size spare tire, which McGowen deems necessary for the less than perfect roads in the target markets, is tucked into the right side of the truck, which only has one door on that side. McGowen’s goal was for the vehicle to look solid, but not cheap, even though he envisions a price under $5000.
2025 Volkswagen Teneo by Marty Coons (CCS)
With this Teneo, Marty Coons has tried to reimagine the modern compact crossover by making it vastly lighter and roomier. Composite materials as well as the front-mounted OPOC engine account for the light weight. By placing the wheels at the extreme corners of the chassis, Coons has maximized the space within.
In addition to the luggage space behind the rear seat, he’s also added a small exterior bed to provide further cargo utility. He also has a reinforced roof so that larger items can be carried overhead.
Eco Exotic Luxury Sedan by Taylor Langhals (CCS)
Taylor Langhals placed the OPOC engine—two of them in fact—in the rear just above the axle. This freed up space in the front end, allowing a much shorter dash-to-axle dimension. As a result, even though his creation is no longer than a Porsche Panamera, and a full 10 inches lower, it has similar interior space—if less headroom.
The huge tires planted near the corners of the car provide a very athletic stance, while the taut, but highly sculpted surfacing further emphasizes the muscular image. The car looks like an automotive version of Mr. Olympia.
By using two of the larger OPOC engines, there is sufficient power to propel the 3100-pound car to 60 mph in under five seconds. When full power isn’t needed, one of the engines is de-clutched and shut down to improve efficiency. The high engine position provides nice visual imagery through the rear deck, but does nothing to promote a low center of gravity.
Ford Pickup by Eric Um (CCS)
Eric Um approached the design of this truck by understanding that even most pickups spend 80 percent of their time carrying passengers. So he decided to create a modular vehicle that could efficiently carry passengers, while still working like a truck when necessary. He started with both a short- and a long-wheelbase chassis. Each chassis could accommodate a small or a large passenger compartment, with a matching large or small cargo bed.
The OPOC engines were integrated within each axle, creating individual power modules. For passenger or light-duty use, the truck would have only one power module driving the front wheels. But when hauling heavy loads, a second power module would be added to the rear axle, creating four-wheel drive and provide much greater hauling capacity.
Um’s notion is that the various parts would be shared within a community, although each driver would retain on a unique interior to provide a sense of ownership. Given the mess some people leave in their vehicles, not sharing interiors may be one of Um’s best ideas.
Eco 6 by Jae Han Sang (CCS)
A BMW X6 clone designed for efficiency
Jae Han Sang likes the feel and proportions of the BMW X6, but he wants it to be more efficient. So he’s designed a machine that shares the X6 size and profile, but constructed from high-tech materials to reduce its weight. He imagines the structure made from carbon-fiber composite members, while the skin is produced from aramid-fiber reinforced plastic, a material used in aircraft. Similar materials are used on the interior components.
Under the hood lie two OPOC engines side by side, with their crankshafts mounted transversely. The two engines together take up less space than the standard BMW V-8 allowing a lower hoodline for improved visibility and aerodynamics.
Sang’s design is perhaps the sportiest looking SUV we’ve ever seen and if it came in at the 2300-pound weight that he envisions, it might be one of the fastest as well.
Mercedes by Cara Kim (CCS)
Cara Kim’s goal was to shrink the external dimensions of a luxury sedan like the Mercedes E-class without reducing its internal space by taking full advantage of the OPOC engine’s compact size. She did this by fitting a single EM100 engine just behind the rear seat and forward of the rear axle.
She has reduced both front and rear overhangs to shave some six inches from a stock E-class’s overall length, while extending the wheelbase by over 16 inches. Kim’s car is slightly wider than stock, but sits about four inches lower, giving it a far sleeker look.
The design’s muscularity is emphasized by a greenhouse that is substantially narrower than the lower body, which is characterized by knife-edged fender tops at all four corners. We suspect that interior space might be tight for more than four passengers, but luggage space should be fine, thanks to the now vacant underhood area.
2020 Messerschmitt by Timothy Mann (CCS)
Tim Mann understands that much of the emerging world still relies on motor scooters and cycles for basic transportation. His vision was to design a four-wheeled motorcycle of sorts that could replace these two-wheelers with an equally efficient but safer and more comfortable conveyance.
To achieve these ends, he designed a highly-aerodynamic, teardrop-shaped body that sat on four narrowly spaced wheels. The machine’s 52-inch overall width minimized the real estate it would occupy on the road, while its narrow upper body—made possible by the tandem seats—and 51-inch height meant that it would be punching only a small hole in the air.
An EM100 engine sits below and behind the rear seat and drives the rear wheels. Hubless wheels combined with airless tires simplify the design while looking cool and allowing for aerodynamic wheel covers.
C-Segment Sedan by Brian Malczewski (CCS)
Brian Malczewski’s vision was to take advantage of the OPOC powerplant to complete repackage a luxury sedan in the BMW 3-series, Mercedes-Benz C-class segment. He ended up with a machine about the same size as a Chevy Cruze but with far more space.
One major packaging advantage comes from eliminating the hood and positioning an OPOC EM65 in the rear along with its radiators. The engine drives a generator that powers small electric motors in each wheel, making the car a series hybrid. The black component slung under the car is a battery, which makes the car a plug-in hybrid.
The design looks more like a compact SUV than a luxury sedan, but the prominent, protruding wheels make a powerful statement. You’ll notice that the fenders wrap very closely around the tires, a feature made possible by a suspension that is contained within each wheel.
Toyota Sport Wagon by James Leo Yamazaki (ACCD)
James Leo Yamazaki’s goal was to create a wagon for “Brosome” (Brotherhood and Awesome) dads without sacrificing practicality. The result combines the three rows of seats, all-wheel-drive, and SUV ground clearance in an overall length of around 180 inches.
Key to achieving this was the short hood allowed by a single OPOC EM80 engine driving the front wheels. It also powers a generator which energizes a pair of electric motors provided drive to the rear wheels.
The short engine compartment allowed room for a large passenger cabin to accommodate the three rows of seats. The machine’s high stance and powerful haunches give it a very muscular look, but visibility out the back or towards the rear quarters looks to be minimal at best.
Jaguar Concept by Ege Arguden (ACCD)
Few cars have been as startling as the E-type was when it debuted in 1961. Ege Arguden’s Jaguar concept pays homage to the original with its oval grille, covered headlights, and curvaceous bodywork. But despite its sleek lines, this is a full four-seater with decent luggage space. A dual-module (four-cylinder, eight-piston) EM80 OPOC engine resides between the rear seats and the rear axle, powering the rear wheels. The engine’s compact size makes this position possible without compromising the car’s center of gravity height and rear cargo capacity.
Despite a tall and long greenhouse to provide space for four occupants, Arguden’s concept looks low and sleek thanks to its curvaceous fenders that create a flamboyant belt line. The car’s rounded ends also reduce the car’s visual bulk.
Ferrari Concept by Adriano Raeli (ACCD)
Adriano Raeli’s brainstorm was to design a car that equally showcased the body and the chassis. Incorporating visible structural elements and voluptuous body panels, we can almost see Raeli’s inspiration: lingerie.
With an EM120 OPOC engine mounted ahead of the rear axle, there’s plenty of room for four seats in a reasonable length. At the same time, the distinctive fenders and wheel arches create muscularity and pay homage to Ferrari’s F1 cars. The open rear end and prominent diffuser further cement the sporting connection.
Mini Pickup by Berk Erner (ACCD)
Designing a compact pickup in Mini clothing is not too hard, but maintaining a reasonable level of utility is more difficult. Berk Erner’s approach was to position a dual-module OPOC engine under the passenger compartment, allowing a very cab-forward design with a reasonable bed length.
The end result is still a two-seater, but one with much greater cargo versatility. With its open wheels and flaring fenders, it also has a powerful off-road orientation.
2020 Ford F-150 by Bruno Gallardo (ACCD)
The need for pickups that can carry large objects will always exist, but in the future, such machines will need to be smaller and more fuel efficient. Bruno Gallardo’s plan to improve packaging efficiency is to use two OPOC engines, one tucked into each flank of the pickup under the front of the cargo bed.
The result is some three feet chopped out of what was the engine compartment. This essentially reduces overall length by the same amount without losing any passenger or cargo capacity. Gallardo highlights this concept by exposing the engines on each side of the truck.
Nissan Pickup by Kenneth Hung (ACCD)
Kenneth Hung’s pickup also mounts the OPOC engine below the cab to reduce overall length while retaining carrying capacity. But Hung’s top priority was to make this pickup look athletic in the image of an off-road racer.
To that end, he has largely exposed the tires and incorporated a central driving position with passenger seats behind and slightly to the rear of the driver’s seat. If you remember the legendary Ivan Stewart’s winning Baja truck, you instantly see the look that Hung has channeled.
BMW Police Motorcycle by Sam Lee (ACCD)
Think of Sam Lee’s creation as a giant scooter, with dual rear wheels for stability and a 120-hp OPOC engine tucked under the passenger seat. The structure is a simple tubular frame that provides numerous storage areas for the necessary police gear.
The width of the bodywork and structure provides some protection from collision. Yet the machine’s sub-three-foot width lets it negotiate very crowded traffic conditions.
Audi for Japan by Yun Hyuk Jeong (ACCD)
To keep this city car narrow, Yun Hyuk Jeong placed his two passengers and the OPOC engine all in a row. Even the two front wheels with their cycle fenders are not terribly far apart. The mid-engine configuration draws inspiration from the Auto Union Grand Prix cars of the 1930s.
Normally, three-wheeled cars work best when engine is placed near the two-wheeled end, which also serves to drive the vehicle. Jeong has chosen the opposite approach in this machine for packaging reasons. The light weight and low center of gravity of the OPOC engine might mitigate some of the disadvantages of this layout.
Farmer’s Vehicle/Tractor by Ross Koball (ACCD)
Ross Koball’s idea was to create a modular vehicle that could be adjusted in size to perform various tasks. Sections can actually be added to the center part of the vehicle to increase capacity as needed.
The design is a simple tubular structure with a basic enclosure for the centrally mounted driver in the front. An OPOC engine is built into each axle module. For light loads only one module is used. But when the payload increases, or four-wheel drive is required, a second powered module can be added to the other end.
Rural Indian Utility Vehicle by Andreas Jakubec (ACCD)
Andreas Jakubec claims that he studied how Indian farmers have used elephants to perform rural agricultural tasks and designed this vehicle to accomplish the same tasks by performing essentially as a mechanized pachyderm.
He placed the OPOC engine under the very forward and elevated driving position, which is meant to suggest sitting atop the great beast. The large cavity behind the driver can be filled with either cargo or passengers and the rear bed provides further carrying capacity.
Mahindra Utility Vehicle by JJ Hwang (ACCD)
JJ Hwang starts with a small power unit that can be used as a walk-behind two-wheeled tiller. He has cleverly designed this 80-hp module so that it can be coupled to what is essentially a clever wagon, in order to carry people or cargo.
When the loads are bulky but light, the forward module can provide all of the necessary power. But when the load is heavy, a second power unit can be added to the rear axle.
Mumbai Scooter/Pickup by Vladimir Almonnord (ACCD)
Mumbai’s streets are perennially crowded, giving narrow vehicles a great advantage. Vladimir Almonnord’s idea was to graft a large load bed onto what is essentially a motorcycle. The OPOC engine provides plenty of power in the space under the rider’s seat while two outboard rear wheels provide stability.
The open bed can carry substantial cargo, and it can be fitted with an enclosure for bad weather or when the cargo requires greater protection. While the overall vehicle is fairly long, it retains the narrow footprint required to negotiate Mumbai’s packed thoroughfares.
Nissan Genki by An Chu (ACCD)
If the Nissan Cube is too conservative for you, An Chu has an answer in the form of this Japanese urban vehicle. The Genki is basically a tall box with great space efficiency, thanks to an OPOC engine mounted under the rear seat. One large door on each side provides interior access, while a folding rear seat can triple cargo capacity.
The four wheels are separated from the main structure and tucked at the extreme corners of the vehicle to add stability and some sporty flair. Yet despite the splayed wheels, the Genki is only 134 inches long and 55 inches wide.
Vivos Taxi by Yeong H. Kim (ACCD)
Yeong Kim’s idea was to maximize the utility and space efficiency of a compact taxi. He started by placing the OPOC engine below the driver’s seat to drive the front wheels. This essentially eliminated the hood and also left a low load floor that maximized space next to the driver and in the back seat.
There’s enough room for easy wheelchair access to the passenger seat, as well as space for wheelchair storage. In fact, the open interior was designed to allow the passengers to share the space with their luggage in those parts of the world where that provides additional security against theft.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/JSNueYIvNLw/
David Hobbs Gary Hocking Ingo Hoffmann Bill Holland Jackie Holmes
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)