New Škoda Fabia IRC livery

The Fabia S2000 campaigned by Škoda UK Motorsport in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge is getting a fresh paintjob for the 2012 season.

To be driven by the reigning IRC champion, Norwegian Andreas Mikkelsen (the chap who made Vicki Butler-Henderson rather carsick when they competed together in a navigational rally for Fifth Gear), the car’s new livery combines Škoda’s traditional green, white and black colours with a Union Flag design for the roof and bonnet.



The 2012 Intercontinental Rally Challenge comprises thirteen events, of which nine are run on asphalt, three on gravel and one on mixed surfaces. The series begins with the Sata Rallye Azores, which takes place in February.



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2012 MotoGP calendar

The FIM has published an updated schedule for the 2012 MotoGP season.



Although still provisional, changes from the previous version include the naming of Sachsenring as host circuit for the German round, a date change for the opening Qatar event and finalisation of contractual terms for Jerez.

2012 MotoGP Championship - Provisional Calendar
Date	Country	Circuit
08 April	Qatar*	Doha / Losail
29 April	Spain	Jerez de la Frontera
06 May	Portugal (STC)	Estoril
20 May	France	Le Mans
03 June	Spain	Catalunya
17 June	Great Britain	Silverstone
30 June	Netherlands**	Assen
08 July	Germany (STC)	Sachsenring
15 July	Italy	Mugello
29 July	United States***	Laguna Seca
19 August	United States	Indianapolis
26 August	Czech Republic	Brno
16 September	San Marino	Misano
30 September	Spain	Aragon Motorland
14 October	Japan	Motegi
21 October	Malaysia	Sepang
28 October	Australia	Phillip Island
11 November	Spain	Valencia Ricardo Tormo
* Evening race
** Saturday race
*** Only MotoGP class
STC - Subject to contract

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MotoGP heading to Texas

2012 WTCC calendar

Motor racing fans in the UK are going to be disappointed that the Brands Hatch event has been dropped from the World Touring Car Championship for 2012.



The season calendar, as agreed by the FIA World Motor Sports Council, also sees the disappearance of the Belgian, Czech and German rounds. But four races replace those that have been lost: for the first time, Austria, Argentina and the United States will get to host WTCC events, while the Moroccan meeting is reinstated.

2011 WTCC Drivers' Champion Yvan Muller.

A change to the technical regulations sees a full move to 1.6 litre turbo engines, although older 2.0 litre Super 2000 models and touring cars running in national championships may still be accepted. Their inclusion, which is a sensible tactic to try and boost grid sizes, will be approved on a race-by-race basis.



Regarding the events themselves, the distance of each round in 2012 is to be increased to between 50 and 60 kilometres (about 30 to 40 miles), and the system for calculating success ballast has been simplified.

2012 World Touring Car Championship
Date	Country	Circuit
11 March	Italy	Monza
01 April	Spain	Valencia Ricardo Tormo* / **
15 April	Morocco	Marrakech*
06 May	Hungary	Hungaroring
20 May	Austria	Salzburgring
03 June	Portugal	Estoril***
08 July	Argentina	TBA
22 July	Brazil	Curitiba
23 September	USA	Infineon Raceway*
21 October	Japan	Suzuka International
04 November	China	Shanghai International*
18 November	Macau	Guia Circuit
* Subject to ASN confirmation
** Subject to the homologation of the circuit
*** Subject to the contract with the promoter

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2011 WTCC calendar

2012 Audi R8 LMS Ultra

Audi has launched the R8 LMS Ultra, a race car that’ll be available to customer teams from March 2012.

An evolution of the R8 LMS GT3, the Ultra has been developed by quattro GmbH and incorporates numerous changes.



In the engine bay, the 562 bhp (419 kW / 570 PS) 5.2 litre V10 gets a new exhaust system that allows for improved low-range torque, and there are larger engine oil and transmission fluid coolers. Air supply has also been improved thanks to bigger intakes in the R8’s side blades.



Tweaks to the bodywork include a broader front bonnet section that features extra vents, while the rear wing is wider than before and has larger end plates to maximise aerodynamic downforce. In the interests of reducing weight, the doors are now constructed from carbon fibre reinforced plastic, and they incorporate a new high-energy absorbing crash foam.



Wider 12-inch front wheels are fitted, and these benefit from better brake cooling and improved tyres. Suspension modifications are limited to enhanced, lighter Bilstein dampers and uniball joints for the transverse control arm mounts.



The 2012 Audi R8 LMS Ultra is priced at €329,900 (plus VAT), an amount that equates to around £281,900 or US$444,100 at current exchange rates.



Owners of existing cars will be able to get them updated to full Ultra spec or, for any teams considering just a partial upgrade, Audi is working on obtaining individual homologation for each new aerodynamic component.



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2012 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

Porsche has unveiled an updated 911 GT3 RSR for 2012.



Aimed at customer race teams, the 997-based car has been built to ACO GTE regulations, which means it’ll be able to compete in next year’s inaugural FIA World Endurance Championship, as well as the American Le Mans Series, Le Mans Series and International GT Open.

The most striking visual changes are the larger wheel arches, which make the 911 GT3 RSR 48 millimetres (1.9 inches) wider than before. Consequently the rear section, front valence and door sills have all had to be adapted, while modified intakes in the rear panels now feed air to the engine.



Installed in its customary place out back is a four litre, six-cylinder boxer engine that develops 453 bhp (338 kW / 460 PS) and drives through a sequential six-speed transmission. That power output might seem strangely low given that the street-legal 911 GT3 RS 4.0 boasts 493 bhp (368 kW / 500 PS), but the race version has a mandatory air restrictor fitted that’s clearly doing its job.

Deliveries of the revised Porsche 911 GT3 RSR are due to begin in January 2012. The price, excluding VAT, is €498,000 (around £428,200 or US$685,900 at current exchange rates).



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Polo R WRC begins testing

Volkswagen Motorsport has begun testing the Polo R WRC, ahead of its entry into the 2013 World Rally Championship.



A 1.7 mile (2.8 kilometre) tarmac circuit around the vineyards of Veldenz near Trier - which will be familiar to spectators of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland - was the venue chosen for the car’s first runs. Behind the wheel was Carlos Sainz, two-times World Rally Champion and, more recently, winner of the Dakar Rally driving a Volkswagen Touareg.

Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Volkswagen Board of Management for Technology, also got to have a go (a very nice perk of the job). He later said: ‘The first test with the new Polo R WRC is a special moment and marks an important milestone in the preparations for our entry in the WRC.



‘We’re well on schedule and are now able to start testing our concepts and developments in reality. The WRC is the top category in rally sport and a great challenge for the team, the drivers and the technology. We’re taking on this challenge and will be making efficient use of the time before we start into our first competition.’

The initial testing session covered around 60 miles (100 kilometres), and it was completed without a hitch. Nevertheless, the team acknowledges that the project is still at a very early stage, and a comprehensive development programme is planned that will evaluate different engine, transmission and suspension configurations.



Also on the agenda are assessments on various surfaces including snow, mud and gravel in preparation for the Polo R WRC’s competition debut.

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2012 BMW M3 DTM livery

BMW Motorsport has revealed the livery that its new M3 challenger will be sporting in next year’s DTM race series.

Shown off at an event held in Heidelberg, the colour scheme sticks closely to tradition. Jens Marquardt, BMW Motorsport Director, commented: “Old-school DTM fans will recognise from the typical BMW M stripes that the appearance is based on the original BMW M3 cars from the ‘old DTM’. We are very proud of this design. It is both traditional and modern in equal measures. It shows our roots, but in a contemporary style.”

Three teams - BMW Team RBM, BMW Team RMG and BMW Team Schnitzer - have been chosen to represent BMW in its return to the DTM, and each will run two cars. So far, the only two confirmed drivers are Andy Priaulx and Augusto Farfus.

Fans attending tomorrow’s final round of the 2011 DTM at the Hockenheimring will be treated to a preview of next season’s entrants, as the M3 DTM, Audi A5 DTM and DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé are all going to run demonstration laps.



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Hybrid Toyota for Le Mans

Toyota is developing a petrol-hybrid LMP1 racing car to contest selected rounds of the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship.



That includes the Le Mans 24 Hours, and Toyota’s titanic challenge will be to overcome the recent dominance of diesel-powered entrants in that event.

The hybrid powertrain is to be produced by Toyota in Japan, but the design and manufacture of the car’s chassis and the running of the race team has been entrusted to Toyota Motorsport in Cologne, Germany. There’s no word yet on possible drivers.



Tadashi Yamashina, Toyota Motor Corporation Senior Managing Officer and Toyota Motorsport Chairman, said: “Toyota has entered Le Mans before, but by using our hybrid technology this time will be a completely new challenge. We want to write a new chapter in the history of the Le Mans 24 Hours, as in the FIA World Endurance Championship, through our use of hybrid technology.”



2012 will see the inaugural running of the FIA World Endurance Championship, and it comes as the result of a new partnership between the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO). The race calendar is expected to closely follow that of this year’s Intercontinental Le Mans Cup series.



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2012 BTCC calendar

The provisional dates for the 2012 British Touring Car Championship have been announced.



As per this season, there will be ten events, each comprising three races. Brands Hatch will get to host both the opening and closing meetings.

2012 British Touring Car Championship - Provisional Calendar
Date	Circuit	Location
1 April	Brands Hatch (Indy circuit)	Nr. Dartford, Kent
29 April	Thruxton	Nr. Andover, Hampshire
10 June	Oulton Park (Island circuit)	Nr. Tarporley, Cheshire
24 June	Croft	Nr. Darlington, North Yorkshire
12 August	Snetterton (300 circuit)	Nr. Attleborough, Norfolk
26 August	Knockhill	Nr. Dunfermline, Fife
23 September	Rockingham	Nr. Corby, Northamptonshire
7 October	Silverstone	Nr. Towcester, Northamptonshire
21 October	Brands Hatch (GP circuit)	Nr. Dartford, Kent
Dates shown are the Sunday of each race weekend.
Donington Park will also be staging an event, but the date is still to be confirmed.

Several teams are also busy preparing their plans for 2012, with Triple Eight Race Engineering and Pirtek Racing already revealing that they are going to field full-NGTC specification cars next year.



Both outfits currently run Vauxhall Vectras in the BTCC, but neither has said yet which make or model will form the basis of their NGTC entries.



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DTM Mercedes C-Coupé

Like Audi, Mercedes-Benz has chosen the Frankfurt Motor Show to reveal its challenger for the 2012 DTM season.



Unveiled by Mercedes GP drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg, the new DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé will replace this year’s AMG Mercedes C-Class.

Few technical details have been released, but the DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé will be built to the revised 2012 DTM regulations. That means many of its components, including the carbon fibre monocoque chassis and built-in steel safety cage, will be shared with the rival Audi A5 DTM and BMW M3 DTM race cars in an effort to cut costs.



Norbert Haug, Vice-President Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, said: “This new-generation vehicle, based on our Mercedes-Benz C- Coupé, signals the introduction of an even more spectacular racing car from the start of 2012. I am certain that the spectators will get their money's worth from the three-way fight between Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the DTM next year.”



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Audi unveils new A5 DTM

Audi has taken the wraps of its new A5 DTM at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The car, which has the internal project code ‘R17’, will compete in the 2012 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters race series against entries from both Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

Audi A5 DTM 2012. Scroll down for more images.

The A5 DTM is being built to revised regulations that come into force from next season. As with many championships around the globe, these focus primarily on increased safety and reduced costs.



Indeed, in an effort to slash expenditure, more than fifty components will be shared between the A5, C-Class and M3 rivals. These include the engine sub-frame, six-speed transmission and even the chassis, which is constructed as a carbon fibre monocoque with a built-in steel safety cage.



Another important change for 2012 is more restricted aerodynamics. A good example of this is the rear wing, which will be much less complex than before despite being larger. Again, this measure has been implemented mainly to reduce costs, but it should also create more overtaking opportunities because the cars will be able to slipstream better.



Carried over from the old A4 DTM is the V8 engine that delivers around 450 bhp (340 kW / 460 PS). Audi has also drawn from its GT3 race programme in developing the A5 DTM, as the central display and Bosch engine management system are borrowed from the R8 LMS.

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2012 Formula 1 calendar

The World Motor Sport Council yesterday agreed the 2012 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar.



Twenty rounds are planned, including the inaugural running of the United States Grand Prix at the new Austin, Texas circuit.



Turkey is off the schedule after seven seasons, but another attempt will be made to stage the Bahrain race (despite this year’s fiasco).

2012 FIA Formula One World Championship - Calendar
Round	Date	Country
1	18/03	Australia
2	25/03	Malaysia
3	15/04	China
4	22/04	Bahrain
5	13/05	Spain
6	27/05	Monaco
7	10/06	Canada
8	24/06	Europe
9	08/07	Great Britain
10	22/07	Germany
11	29/07	Hungary
12	02/09	Belgium
13	09/09	Italy
14	23/09	Singapore
15	07/10	Japan
16	14/10	Korea
17	28/10	India
18	04/11	Abu Dhabi
19	18/11	United States
20	25/11	Brazil

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Octavia vRS hits 200 mph

This year’s Bonneville Speed Week has seen a team from Škoda UK succeed in its bid to crack 200 mph (322 km/h) using a modified Octavia vRS.



With journalist Richard Meaden behind the wheel, the speed actually achieved across the salt flats was 202.15 mph (325.32 km/h). However, with a few days of Speed Week still remaining, the aim now is to reach 216 mph (347 km/h) - the 2.0 litre production car record.

Robert Hazelwood, Director for Škoda UK, said: “Months of rigorous planning, testing and preparation have all been worthwhile. At 13:24 on Monday 15th August, we took our Octavia vRS past the 200 mph barrier.



“The entire team has done an outstanding job. Our special thanks go to Richard on an incredible drive. This marks another exciting milestone in the brand’s motorsport achievements and is a great way to celebrate 10 years of the vRS range and commemorate 110 years of Škoda’s participation in motorsport.”



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Škoda entry in 2012 BTCC

Hertfordshire-based TH Motorsport has announced that it’ll be entering the 2012 British Touring Car Championship with a Škoda Octavia vRS.



The team’s aim is to get the car, which will be built to Next Generation Touring Car regulations, completed by the end of this year. Matt Hamilton has been confirmed as the race driver for 2012, and he’ll also be involved in developing the Škoda.

Trevor Humphrey, Team Principal of TH Motorsport, said: “We were very disappointed to have to leave the BTCC in 2010, and it was always my intention to return as soon as possible. I considered purchasing an S2000 car to run this year, but for a smaller team like us, it was a ‘no brainer’ to be patient, and go the NGTC route. In the long run, the NGTC car will be much more cost effective to run, and with a structured development programme, I know that we can be competitive.”



And it may take a little while for the full-NGTC cars to make an impression on the BTCC, especially during the current transitional phase for the regulations. So far in the 2011, the results have been dominated by the mixed S2000 chassis / NGTC engine entries, with Matt Neal in his Honda Civic currently heading the championship.



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Audi A5 DTM renderings

Funny how that on the day BMW took the wraps of its M3 DTM Concept, Audi also decided to issue some preliminary details about its 2012 DTM challenger. Very coincidental, indeed…



But it’s not as if Audi even has a car to show yet, because the new A5-based racer won’t have its public debut until September’s Frankfurt International Motor Show. So, all there is to look at for the time being are a few ‘concept study’ sketches.

The A5 DTM, which has an internal codename of ‘R17’, replaces the four-door A4 that Audi currently uses in the championship. And like other DTM competitors, it won’t have much in common with its road-going equivalent.



Its bodyshell, for example, will be built from carbon fibre with a hefty steel safety cage. Revised regulations for next season mean that driver safety standards are to be improved further, especially in the areas of side impact protection and fire suppression systems. Other changes include fewer permitted aerodynamic components on the car, although the rear wing will actually be larger.



One element that is going to be carried over from the A4 DTM is the powertrain, which comprises a V8 engine producing around 450 bhp (340 kW / 460 PS) and a six-speed gearbox.



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BMW M3 DTM Concept

BMW M3 DTM Concept

Ahead of a keenly anticipated return to the DTM in 2012, BMW has unveiled its M3 DTM Concept Car.

During a launch event held at the BMW Welt facility in Munich, it was announced that three teams - BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW Team RBM and BMW Team RMG - will be campaigning the cars next season.



Andy Priaulx and Augusto Farfus were also confirmed as the first two drivers, although it has yet to be decided which teams they’ll be allocated to.

Three-time World Touring Car Champion Priaulx said, “The DTM will be a big challenge for us all. Together with BMW, I have celebrated success in many different disciplines and behind the wheel of some fantastic racing cars in recent years. I am more than confident that this will also be the case in the DTM. The BMW M3 DTM looks fantastic. I can hardly wait to get to know the car better in the coming tests, to contribute to its development, and ultimately to sit in the cockpit for the first DTM race in 2012.”



Powered by a V8 engine producing around 473 bhp (353 kW / 480 PS), the M3 DTM should be able to accelerate from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in about three seconds, before going on to a top speed of 186 mph (300 km/h).

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Turbo cars lead BTCC

The 2011 British Touring Car Championship is now already midway through its season.



So far, it has been rather dominated by the contentious issue of performance parity between the turbocharged and normally-aspirated cars, although another boost reduction introduced for the most recent round at Croft seems to have helped a lot.



That said, the championship table remains dominated by cars running NGTC engines, with sixth-place Jason Plato in his Chevrolet Cruze seemingly the only non-turbo entrant with any realistic prospect of taking the title.

Chevrolet Cruze Super 2000

The series now takes its long summer break, with the next event taking place at Snetterton on 7th August.

2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship: Standings After Five Rounds
Pos.	Driver	Team	Car	Points
1	Matt Neal	Honda Racing Team	Honda Civic	140
2	Mat Jackson	Airwaves Racing	Ford Focus	131
3	Gordon Shedden	Honda Racing Team	Honda Civic	120
4	Andrew Jordan	Pirtek Racing	Vauxhall Vectra	111
5	James Nash	888 Racing with Collins Contractors	Vauxhall Vectra	104
6	Jason Plato	Silverline Chevrolet	Chevrolet Cruze	100
7	Robert Collard	WSR	BMW 320si	66
8	Tom Chilton	Team Aon	‘Global’ Ford Focus	64
9	Alex MacDowall	Silverline Chevrolet	Chevrolet Cruze	47
10	Paul O’Neill	GoMobileUK.com with tech-Speed	Chevrolet Cruze	32
11	Tom Boardman	Special Tuning Racing	Seat Leon	31
12	Nick Foster	WSR	BMW 320si	27
13	Tony Gilham	888 Racing with Collins Contractors	Vauxhall Vectra	12
14	Jeff Smith	Pirtek Racing	Vauxhall Vectra	12
15	Tom Onslow-Cole	Team Aon	‘Global’ Ford Focus	10
16	Andy Neate	Team Aon	‘Global’ Ford Focus	9
17	David Newsham	Geoff Steel Racing	BMW 320si	9
18	Lea Wood	Central Group Racing	Honda Integra	4
19	Liam Griffin	Airwaves Racing	Ford Focus	2
20	Rob Austin	Rob Austin Racing	Audi A4	0
21	Frank Wrathall	Dynojet	Toyota Avensis	0
22	David Pinkney	Rob Austin Racing	Audi A4	0
23	John George	GoMobileUK.com with tech-Speed	Chevrolet Cruze	0
24	Daniel Welch	Welch Automotive	Proton Gen-2	0
25	Tony Hughes	Speedworks Motorsport	Toyota Avensis	0
26	Chris James	Team ES Racing.com	Chevrolet Lacetti	0
27	Shaun Hollamby	AmD Milltek Racing.com	Volkswagen Golf	0

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Audi takes Le Mans pole

The grid for 2011’s Le Mans 24 Hours will see an all-Audi front row.



Both R18 TDI Audi Sport Team Joest entries managed to just better the times set by any of the Peugeots, surely their greatest rivals for the race.

Indeed, the first seven spots are occupied by either an R18 TDI or a 908, both of which are diesel-powered. That dominance would suggest that efforts by race organisers, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, to equalise performance between petrol and diesel cars hasn’t been successful.

2011 24 Heures Du Mans - Qualification
Pos.	Race No.	Team	Drivers	Car	Class	Time
1	2	Audi Sport Team Joest	M. Fassler / A. Lotterer / B. Treluyer	Audi R18 TDI	LM P1	3:25.738
2	1	Audi Sport Team Joest	T. Bernhard / R. Dumas / M. Rockenfeller	Audi R18 TDI	LM P1	3:25.799
3	9	Team Peugeot Total	P. Lamy / S. Bourdais / S. Pagenaud	Peugeot 908	LM P1	3:26.010
4	8	Peugeot Sport Total	F. Montagny / S. Sarrazin / N. Minassian	Peugeot 908	LM P1	3:26.156
5	3	Audi Sport North America	R. Capello / T. Kristensen / A. McNish	Audi R18 TDI	LM P1	3:26.165
6	7	Peugeot Sport Total	M. Gene / A. Wurz / A. Davidson	Peugeot 908	LM P1	3:26.272
7	10	Team Oreca Matmut	N. Lapierre / L. Duval / O. Panis	Peugeot 908 HDI-FAP	LM P1	3:30.084
8	12	Rebellion Racing	N. Jani / N. Prost / J. Bleekemolen	Lola B 10/60 Coupe-Toyota	LM P1	3:32.883
9	16	Pescarolo Team	E. Collard / C. Tinseau / J. Jousse	Pescarolo Judd	LM P1	3:33.066
10	13	Rebellion Racing	A. Belicchi / J. Boullion / G. Smith	Lola B 10/60 Coupe-Toyota	LM P1	3:34.573
11	15	Oak Racing	T. Monteiro / G. Moreau / P. Ragues	Oak Pescarolo-Judd	LM P1	3:34.933
12	22	Kronos Racing	V. Ickx / M. Martin / B. Leinders	Lola Aston Martin	LM P1	3:36.551
13	20	Quifel-Asm Team	M. Amaral / O. Pla / W. Hughes	Zytek 09 SC	LM P1	3:37.393
14	26	Signatech Nissan	F. Mailleux / L. Ordoñez / S. Ayari	Oreca 03-Nissan	LM P2	3:41.458
15	24	Oak Racing	J. Nicolet / R. Hein / J. Yvon	Oak Pescarolo-Judd	LM P1	3:41.908
16	42	Strakka Racing	N. Leventis / D. Watts / J. Kane	Honda Performance Development Arx 01	LM P2	3:42.615
17	48	Team Oreca Matmut	A. Premat / D. Hallyday / D. Kraihamer	Oreca 03-Nissan	LM P2	3:43.098
18	39	Pecom Racing	L. Perez-Companc / M. Russo / P. Kaffer	Lola B11/40-Judd BMW	LM P2	3:43.223
19	49	Oak Racing	S. Nakano / N. De Crem / J. Charouz	Oak Pescarolo-BMW	LM P2	3:43.479
20	41	Greaves Motorsport	K. Ojjeh / O. Lombard / T. Kimber-Smith	Zytek Nissan	LM P2	3:43.802
21	40	Race Performance	M. Frey / R. Meichtry / M. Rostan	Oreca 03-Judd BMW	LM P2	3:44.294
22	007	Aston Martin Racing	C. Klien / S. Mucke / D. Turner	Aston Martin AMR-One	LM P1	3:45.918
23	36	RML	T. Erdos / M. Newton / B. Collins	Honda Performance Development Arx 01	LM P2	3:47.308
24	5	Hope Racing	S. Zacchia / J. Lammers / C. Elgaard	Oreca Swiss Hy Tech-Hybrid	LM P1	3:47.691
25	009	Aston Martin Racing	A. Fernandez / A. Meyrick / H. Primat	Aston Martin AMR-One	LM P1	3:48.355
26	44	Extreme Limite AM Paris	F. Rosier / P. Haezebrouck / J. De Fournoux	Norma M200P-Judd BMW	LM P2	3:48.420
27	35	Oak Racing	A. Barlesi / F. Da Rocha / P. Lafargue	Oak Pescarolo-Judd BMW	LM P2	3:48.665
28	33	Level 5 Motorsports	S. Tucker / C. Bouchut / J. Barbosa	Lola Coupe-Honda Performance Development	LM P2	3:48.863
29	55	BMW Motorsport	A. Farfus / J. Muller / D. Werner	BMW M3 GT	LM GTE Pro	3:57.592
30	51	AF Corse Srl	G. Fisichella / G. Bruni / T. Vilander	Ferrari 458 Italia	LM GTE Pro	3:58.040
31	56	BMW Motorsport	A. Priaulx / D. Muller / J. Hand	BMW M3 GT	LM GTE Pro	3:58.426
32	74	Corvette Racing	O. Gavin / J. Magnussen / R. Westbrook	Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1	LM GTE Pro	3:59.519
33	89	Hankook-Team Farnbacher	D. Farnbacher / A. Simonsen / L. Keen	Ferrari 458 Italia	LM GTE Pro	3:59.519
34	73	Corvette Racing	A. Garcia / T. Milner / O. Beretta	Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1	LM GTE Pro	3:59.633
35	77	Team Felbermayr-Proton	M. Lieb / R. Lietz / W. Henzler	Porsche 911 RSR (997)	LM GTE Pro	3:59.662
36	59	Luxury Racing	S. Ortelli / F. Makowiecki / J. Melo	Ferrari 458 Italia	LM GTE Pro	3:59.901
37	75	Prospeed Competition	M. Goossens / M. Holzer / J. Van Lagen	Porsche 911 RSR (997)	LM GTE Pro	3:59.962
38	79	Jota	S. Dolan / S. Hancock / C. Buncombe	Aston Martin Vantage	LM GTE Pro	4:00.747
39	66	JMW Motorsport	R. Bell / T. Sugden / X. Maassen	Ferrari 458 Italia	LM GTE Pro	4:00.890
40	80	Flying Lizard Motorsports	J. Bergmeister / P. Long / L. Luhr	Porsche 911 RSR (997)	LM GTE Pro	4:01.024
41	58	Luxury Racing	A. Beltoise / F. Jakubowski / P. Thiriet	Ferrari 458 Italia	LM GTE Pro	4:01.176
42	61	AF Corse SRL	P. Perazzini / M. Cioci / S. Breslin	Ferrari F430	LM GTE Am	4:01.282
43	88	Team Felbermayr-Proton	B. Miller / N. Tandy / A. Al-Faisal	Porsche 911 RSR (997)	LM GTE Pro	4:01.752 33
44	71	AF Corse	R. Kauffman / M. Waltrip / R. Aguas	Ferrari 458 Italia	LM GTE Pro	4:02.216
45	76	Imsa Performance Matmut	P. Pilet / R. Narac / N. Armindo	Porsche 911 RSR (997)	LM GTE Pro	4:02.548
46	63	Proton Competition	C. Ried / H. Felbermayr Jr. / H. Felbermayr	Porsche 911 RSR (997)	LM GTE Am	4:03.532
47	81	Flying Lizard Motorsports	S. Neiman / D. Law / S. Pumpelly	Porsche 911 RSR (997)	LM GTE Am	4:03.648
48	70	Larbre Competition	C. Bourret / P. Gibon / J. Belloc	Porsche 911 RSR (997)	LM GTE Am	4:03.918
49	83	JMB Racing	M. Rodrigues / J. Menahem / N. Marroc	Ferrari F430	LM GTE Am	4:04.640
50	60	Gulf AMR Middle East	F. Giroix / R. Goethe / M. Wainwright	Aston Martin Vantage	LM GTE Am	4:04.825
51	57	Krohn Racing	T. Krohn / N. Jonsson / M. Rugolo	Ferrari F430	LM GTE Am	4:05.211
52	50	Larbre Competition	P. Bornhanuser / J. Canal / G. Gardel	Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1	LM GTE Am	4:05.955
53	62	CRS Racing	P. Ehret / S. Lynn / R. Wills	Ferrari F430	LM GTE Am	4:07.236
54	65	Lotus Jetalliance	J. Rossiter / J. Mowlem / J. Hirschi	Lotus Evora	LM GTE Pro	4:07.465
55	68	Robertson Racing LLC	D. Robertson / A. Robertson / D. Murry	Ford GT-Doran	LM GTE Am	4:08.208
56	64	Lotus Jetalliance	O. Slingerland / M. Rich / J. Hartshorne	Lotus Evora	LM GTE Pro	4:12.569

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200 mph Škoda Octavia vRS

Škoda UK is to enter a highly-tuned Octavia vRS at August’s Bonneville Speed Week. Running in the 2.0 litre production car class, the aim is to hit 200 mph (322 km/h) across the salt flats.

Remarkably, the car’s 2.0 TSI engine remains unaltered, although the standard turbocharger has been replaced with an upgraded Garret G05 item that can handle 28 psi of boost. Running on high octane race fuel, the result is an output of around 590 bhp (440 kW / 600 PS) - about three times that of the stock Octavia vRS.



Various pieces of safety equipment have been installed, including fire extinguishers, a roll cage and a parachute. The rear brakes, however, are obviously redundant as they’re missing from the spec sheet.



Other modifications are there solely to improve the Octavia’s aerodynamics, and therefore top speed. The ride height is lowered by 80 mm, disc wheel covers are fitted and anything extraneous such as the door mirrors has been thrown away.



The 200 mph attempt is being made to celebrate ten years of vRS performance models. Like all other Bonneville competitors, the Škoda will travel along a nine-mile straight course, of which a mile in the middle is timed.



One thing that the project highlights is the standard Octavia vRS chassis could easily handle more than its current 197 bhp (147 kW / 200 PS).



Assuming all goes well, maybe Škoda should congratulate itself by producing a celebratory showroom model using either the 236 bhp (177 kW / 240 PS) 2.0 litre engine from the Seat Leon Cupra, or even the 266 bhp (198 kW / 270 PS) version from the Volkswagen Golf R?

Technical Specifications	Škoda Octavia vRS (Bonneville Special)	Škoda Octavia vRS (Production version)
Performance
Max speed	200 mph + (322 km/h +)	149 mph (240 km/h)
Acceleration 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h)	TBC	7.2 secs
Power	550 - 600 PS	200 PS
Max. torque	450 Nm at 6,000 - 7,700 rpm	280 Nm at 1,700 - 5,000 rpm
Fuel consumption	TBC	36.7 mpg (7.7 l/100km) combined
CO2 emissions	TBC	180 g/km
Engine
Type	TSI, traverse-mounted	TSI, traverse-mounted
Capacity	1,984 cc	1,984 cc
Bore x stroke	82.5 mm x 92.8 mm	82.5 mm x 92.8 mm
Valves per cylinder	4	4
Fuelling	Direct fuel injection	Direct fuel injection
Compression ratio	9.6:1	9.6:1
Turbo	Garret G05 65 mm twin blade billet cut compressor wheel with ported intake housing and TIAL exhaust housing with 40 mm external waste gate and 55 mm blow-off valve	Stock Škoda IHI turbo with internal recirculation valve mounted on cast exhaust manifold
Boost pressure	26 - 28 psi	18 - 20 psi
Fuel type	120 RON high octane race control fuel with water methanol injection	95 RON unleaded petrol
Engine management	Stock Škoda engine control unit with REVO Technik software and AIM data logging	Stock Škoda engine control unit
Transmission
Gearbox	Six-speed Octavia GreenLine II manual transmission, fully synchronised with direct gearshift and GripperDiff Limited Slip Differential	Six-speed manual transmission
Clutch	Hydraulically-activated single plate four-pad sintered clutch with single mass flywheel	Hydraulically-activated single-plate dry clutch with diaphragm spring, asbestos-free coating
Chassis
Front axle / rear axle	McPherson axle with independent multi-link suspension	McPherson axle with the bottom triangular control arms and independent multi-link suspension with one longitudinal and two cross arms and torsion stabiliser
Suspension	K+W coilovers two-way adjustable with anti-roll bar removed. Ride height of 50 mm (subframe from floor)	Coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, rear springs located outside the shock absorbers (gas shock absorbers in rear)
Front brakes	Škoda Octavia GreenLine front discs and calipers for reduced drag	Disc brakes with hollow discs, internal cooling and single-piston floating calliper
Rear brakes	None	Disc brakes with full discs and single-piston floating callipers
Wheels	Škoda GreenLine 15” steel wheels	18” Neptune alloys
Tyres	Goodyear Eagle Land Speed Tyres	7.5J x 18” 225/40 R18 92Y
Dimensions
Kerb weight	1,450 kg	1,395 kg
Total weight	2,000 kg	1,950 kg
Ground clearance	50 mm	128 mm

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2012 WRC calendar revised

The FIA World Motor Sport Council has agreed the venues and dates for the 2012 World Rally Championship.



In a move that will delight many fans, the Monte Carlo Rally is to be included on the calendar for the first time since 2008, having spent the past three seasons as a round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

Could 2012 see a Mini win the Monte Carlo Rally for the first time since 1967?

Italy is also in, but the intended event in Abu Dhabi has been abandoned because its business plan did not get the required approval.

FIA 2012 World Rally Championship
Round	Date	Country
1	22/01	Monte Carlo
2	12/02	Sweden
3	11/03	Mexico
4	01/04	Portugal
5	29/04	Argentina
6	27/05 (or 03/06)*	Greece
7	24/06	New Zealand
8	05/08	Finland
9	26/08	Germany
10	16/09	Great Britain
11	07/10	France
12	October*	Italy
13	04/11	Spain
* Dates to be confirmed.
Dates shown are the Sunday of each rally weekend.

In a change to the regulations, a form of qualifying is going to be introduced from the beginning of next year. The shakedown times set by all Priority 1 and 2 crews will be used to determine the day one running order, with the fastest competitors allowed to choose their start positions.



This should help get around the current problem where the first to set off are often at a disadvantage - especially on gravel stages - because they sweep a clearer path for subsequent cars, who then benefit from the extra grip and so gain extra speed.



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2012 WRC calendar