Racing

Giant-scale model cars (and airplanes) powered by small gasoline engines have been popular with adult racers for quite a few years now. The largest scale models available through conventional RC hobby outlets are one-fifth or one-sixth scale, but the serious racers go quarter-scale. Now the smallest (quarter-scale) blown V8 gasoline engine in commercial production is being turned out by Conley Precision Engines to power.  Read More

From javelin throwing, archery and chariot racing in ancient times, through bicycle, motorcycle and automobile racing in recent times, as new forms of human endeavor develop around a new technology, there's always a competition to be found. Wingsuit flying is little more than a decade old, but the spectacular nature of the endeavour has been brought together in a new competitive sport which will have its first outing with the formation of the World Wingsuit League, which will hold its first Grand Prix on October 13-14 in Hunan Province, China when the 16 best wingsuit pilots in the world will race against the clock.  Read More

McLaren’s new race manufacturing arm, McLaren GT, is set to make its presence felt at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance by rolling out its 12C Can-Am Edition racing concept. Based on the 12C GT3 race car, the one-off design study is finished in McLaren Orange and satin black, with its U.S. appearance marking the first time a 12C racing variant has ventured outside Europe.  Read More

With his Luxodrome concept, architect Charles Wagner has put forward a novel take on the cycling velodrome, with two tracks side by side with adjoining lanes that form one long figure eight track.  Read More

This past January, the Lola-Drayson B12/69EV was unveiled to the public. Created by Drayson Racing Technologies and the Lola Cars group, it promised to be the fastest electric-powered racing car in the world. Well, it looks like it’s on its way to fulfilling that promise, as it set a speed record this week at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.  Read More

Audi has taken pole position for the Le Man 24 Hour race with its new R18 e-tron quattro, with André Lotterer beating last year’s best time by nearly two seconds. Audi qualified second and sixth with the Audi R18 ultra and first and fourth with the two R18 e-tron quattros. Toyota's TS030 hybrids managed third and fifth to set up an interesting battle of with hybrids filling four of the top five grid placings. The race runs for 24 hours this weekend and you can monitor the tussle in a variety of ways.  Read More

Seth Kettleman is no stranger to high-powered vehicles. The surplus aircraft parts dealer provided the Boeing engine and technical support for the building of a jet-powered Batmobile replica, and more recently attempted to sell his own similarly-outfitted Datsun 280ZX on eBay. Now, you have the chance to buy another one of his monstrosities – a custom-built jet-powered go-kart.  Read More

The Codemasters crew have long been known for some great gravel grinding off-road racers, but Dirt Showdown marks a move in a fresh direction for the company. The new game is still based on off-road racing and features the stunning looking Ford Fiesta piloted by American legend Ken Block as the centerpiece. However this time around the game eschews a more serious professional rallying approach and instead aims to deliver easier to access and often more spectacular arcade thrills.  Read More

With the World Superbike Championship celebrating its 25th year in 2012, it is an ideal time to reflect on the profound influence the series has had on the development of the everyday motorcycle. The production-based World Superbike Championship Series is now unquestionably the most important global race series in terms of influencing buyer decision of sports motorcycles and performance accessories but as our research shows, it appears to be even more influential than that. Statistics sourced from lap-times and speed traps over the last decade indicate the rapid rate road-going sports motorcycles are improving racetrack laptimes. Indeed, today's showroom models on road tires, are now quicker than the fastest factory superbikes of just five years ago.  Read More