IndyCar switches up qualifying payouts for more exciting 500 pole shootout

Filed under: Motorsports

With a $175,000 check going to the Peak Performance Pole winner and new rewards for the other front-row starters – plus extra IZOD IndyCar Series championship bonus points – “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” is looking to make Pole Day the Greatest Spectacle in Qualifying. In a new two-session qualifying format just announced for the 2010 Indianapolis 500, the top nine cars after the initial four-lap runs are completed will have their times erased and will go into a second 90-minute round where they need to make at least one additional pass. They will be gunnin’ for not just the pole, but a cash payout more than twice what it was last year.

Besides the $175,000 check going to the pole winner, second place gets $75,000 and the final front row starter will get $50,000. In addition to the money, there are more championship points being doled out at Indy this year. Typically, the IndyCar Series rewards the Peak Performance Pole Award winner one point, but for this year’s 500, the series will award points to every qualifier. Pole gets 15 points, second receives 13, third 12, and so on for spots 4-9. Positions 10-24 get four points each and everyone else gets three.

The top 24 spots in the 33-car field will be claimed during the traditional four-lap runs, with each car getting up to three attempts during that time. The top nine follow that session up with the new pole shootout session, while the final nine spots will be filled on Bump Day (May 23), with four-lap qualifying attempts that could start bumping low qualifiers once 33 cars have already qualified. All of which should add just a little extra excitement to this year’s Indy 500.

[Source: IndyCar Series | Image: Chris Graythen/Getty]

IndyCar switches up qualifying payouts for more exciting 500 pole shootout originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Technology, Videos, Nissan

The gang at SoundMan Car Audio was the first to install an Apple iPad into an automobile when they dropped one into the dash of a Toyota Tacoma pickup the very day the device was officially released. That install was pretty slick, but required a bit of customization to the dash and a relocation of the controls. Now that they’ve had more than a week to think about it, SoundMan has once again done a car install of the wündertablet, this time sticking it into the dash of a 2004 Nissan Maxima.

Follow the jump to see how the follow-up install went, but know that SoundMan has taken a remarkably different tack with this configuration, making a simple notched slot for the tablet to slip into, with a single plug leading to the existing audio system’s aux jack. Slipping the iPad out of its holder reveals that the Max’s stock navigation and back-up cam screen are still functioning in their original locations. Assuming glare isn’t an issue, this install is very trick.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Second-ever iPad car installation keeps it simple, maintains factory tech

Video: Second-ever iPad car installation keeps it simple, maintains factory tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Bugatti, Specialty, Design/Style, Luxury

There was time in the late ’70s and early ’80s in America when a few misguided industrious souls decided to recreate some of the most iconic shapes in motoring history. Kit cars with shapes emulating classic Bugatti, Delahaye, Auburn, Pierce-Arrow, Mercedes, Bentley and Rolls-Royce designs flourished, many poorly made and based on cars like the Buick Regal or Lincoln Town Car. With the originals selling for six, seven or even eight figures, it wasn’t surprising that anyone would want a budget alternative, but the offerings were generally more of an insult to the originals than a tribute.

Flash forward a few decades and you’ll now find companies like Delahaye USA taking up a similar charge. Rather than offering unfortunate fiberglass bodies for existing vehicles, however, the NJ company is building modern interpretations of some of those classic designs, with the intent to show what those legendary designers of yore might be building today. Take their “Bella Figura” Bugnotti Coupe above, for instance. Inspired by the 1937 Bugatti Type 57S, it’s said to be a tribute to Ettore Bugatti’s son, Jean. At least as it shows in these renderings, we think it is beyond gorgeous.

The company has been showing off a 1/4-scale model of the project at certain shows and concours recently, but will have a full-size version to display for the first time this Fall. The full-scale carbon fiber body is set to debut at Retro Auto Aug. 13-15, in Pebble Beach, during the annual classic car festivities in Northern California. Delahaye USA plans to offer a turnkey version of the coupe on a custom chassis with an alloy body for $450,000, while a clear-coated or painted carbon fiber version will sell for around $250,000. Plans are to make a targa-style roof and drophead version as well. Check out the small gallery below and be sure to click over to the Delahaye USA site to see some of their other beautiful projects.

[Source: Delahaye USA | Renderings: Steve Wilkonski]

Delahaye USA to debut “Bella Figura” Bugnotti Coupe at Pebble Beach originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Earnings/Financials

Here’s a sign that things are possibly turning around in the automotive industry – Advertising Age is reporting that the total number of ad pages bought by automotive advertisers went up over the past year. First quarter numbers for American magazines went up compared with the first quarter of 2009, according to a report by the Publishers Information Bureau. This represents the first time that both of those numbers has gone up since 2007.

Back in February, the Media Industry Newsletter reported that although it was the smallest drop during nine consecutive quarters of decline, there was a 5.7-percent dip in ad pages compared to 2009 figures. The Publishers Information Bureau shows an even bleaker picture, with a reported decline of 9.4 percent from the first quarter of 2009. And lest we forget, the first quarter of 2009 was already pretty dismal, with drops of more than 25 percent over 2008 numbers. Still, the automotive sector is apparently stronger than several others, at least as far as magazine ad pages go.

Although Advertising Age says that financial, insurance and real estate figures have actually increased by 11.3 percent, with toiletries and cosmetics going up by 7.6 percent, the auto sector is still better off than several others. Apparel and accessories were down 15.7 percent, drugs and remedies dropped 15.6 percent, technology dipped 14.7 percent, media and advertising declined by 13 percent, as did public transportation, hotels and resorts.

[Source: Advertising Age]

Bucking the Trend: Automaker ad spending reportedly up in magazines originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Honda, Racing

Round three of the 2010 IndyCar season had the teams visiting Barber Motosports Park in Birmingham, Alabama for the first time. Well, technically the IZOD IndyCar Series was already here, as the track hosted the pre-season test sessions for the series. The 2010 Grand Prix of Alabama presented by Legacy Credit Union, however, was to be the first Indycar race held at the track.

Seeking to pick up where he left off in St. Petersburg, championship points leader, Will Power, was also aiming to set IndyCar history with the first ever three-for-three start to the season. If he managed to grab the checkered flag at the end of the race, Power would be the first to accomplish such a feat and would tie three other drivers for the most wins in a row in series history as well.

Power had already shown he could hold his own at Barber, claiming the fastest overall laps in testing and practice leading up to the race, so it didn’t look good for the competition. But would Power be able to claim the pole? Would he capture that third win in three races and set IndyCar history? Follow the jump to see how the race unfolded in Birmingham.

[Photo Source: Ron McQueeney, Dan Helrigel / IndyCar.com]

Continue reading IndyCar: 2010 Grand Prix of Alabama [SPOILER ALERT]

IndyCar: 2010 Grand Prix of Alabama [SPOILER ALERT] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Videos, Toys/Games

Blogger Richard Lai from sister-site Engadget recently had a chance to try out the amazing Festo AirMotion Ride driving simulator chair. Festo had the new device set up at The Gadget Show Live in the UK and Richard couldn’t resist giving it a spin. You can see a short video clip of that experience after the jump, but be forewarned, Lai asks ahead of time that no one judge his driving. We can’t resist a little playful mocking and advise Richard to not quit his day job.

Aside from the atrocious driving, you can see the extreme movement possible with Festo’s revolutionary “fluidic muscles.” That’s the name of Festo’s elastomer tubes that contract when filled with fluid, producing forces of up to 1,600 Nm (1,180 lb-ft). Better yet, there are no mechanical parts inside, making them simpler to replace than the typical hydraulic plungers found on competing simulators from D-Box, Simcraft, Force Dynamics and Motion-Sim.

Follow the jump to see Festo’s machine in action, and don’t judge Richard too harshly.

[Source: Engadget]

Continue reading Engadget tries Festo’s next-gen racing chair

Engadget tries Festo’s next-gen racing chair originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Apr 2010 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Aftermarket, BMW

Leave it to a rabid BMW fansite like 5Post.com to scrape up the latest accessory catalog for the new F10 BMW 5 Series. While this one happens to be for the European market, and is in German, 5Post promises an English-language version when it’s available. Click through to the gallery and you’ll see some of the add-ons BMW offers for the latest iteration of its midsize sport sedan.

You’ll see everything from luggage to bike racks, plus the usual assortment of wheels, interior trim bits, spoilers and taillight lenses (which are… unique, to say the least). Some of the wheel offerings are clearly new as well. So, if you’re in the market for a 2011 BMW 5 Series and want a preview of how you can blow your bottom-line price at the dealership right into the stratosphere, hit the gallery.

[Source: BMW via 5post.com]

2011 BMW 5 Series Euro accessory catalog revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Apr 2010 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Minivan/Van, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows

Overseas, Volkswagen offers a tall wagon known as the Touran. Somewhat like a shrunken Routan, but way cooler, we didn’t think it was possible for VW to improve on this already stellar vehicle. After all, the Touran is the reincarnation of K.I.T.T. despite what that goofy Mustang will tell you. In Leipzig, VW took the wraps off a refreshed-for-2011 Touran that now features the design DNA common across the rest of the vee-dub lineup. Since the Touran is already the best-selling MPV in Germany, with a fifty percent market share and 1.13 million units sold worldwide, VW wisely chose not to mess too much with the successful package.

There’s the signature new grille, LED taillights, new alloy wheels and chrome rub strips along the flanks. The interior changes are similarly minor, with new trim finishes, a three-spoke steering wheel, a new information display and white-backlit gauges. The center console gets chrome highlights surrounding the new controls for the ventilation system. Powering the three-row seven-seater is a range of force-fed engines that promise greater performance and economy with fewer emissions. A new 105 PS, 1.2-liter TSI engine is the entry-level gasoline unit, joined by a 1.4-liter lump producing 140 PS.

Diesel fans will have their choice of a 1.6-liter TDI with either 90 or 105 PS, while the 2.0-liter version is available with 140 or 170 PS. Better yet, the 1.2 TSI and 1.6 TDI engines can get the BlueMotion Technology treatment, with Start/Stop. Even the ParkAssist feature gets a makeover for 2011, now automatically parking in head-on spots as easily as in parallel situations. The new VW Touran will go on sale in the UK in September, with prices and final option details coming closer to the release date. Check out the gallery of images from Volkswagen below and the full press release after the jump.

[Surce: Volkswagen]

Continue reading 2011 Volkswagen Touran shown in Leipzig

2011 Volkswagen Touran shown in Leipzig originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Apr 2010 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Aston Martin, Design/Style, Luxury

Some of you might remember Ugur Sahin. He’s a designer that we’ve featured before, specializing in grand touring cars that make our mouths water. Starting with already beautiful designs, he somehow manages to make shapely Chevrolet Corvettes and Ferraris look even better. From the Corvette Z03 to the Ferrari Dino and Ferrari-599-based USD GT-S Passionata, he’s created some of the most exotic and graceful shapes we’ve ever had the pleasure to lay eyes on.

The latest automaker to earn Sahin’s attention is Aston Martin. His latest design, the Gauntlet, blends some of our favorite design cues into a wholly unique package that’s simultaneously sensual and brutal. Study the images and you might see a bit of One-77 in the mix, along with a dash of DB AR1, or perhaps you are carried back to the old DB3S, a car that Ugur mentions specifically as inspiration for the Gauntlet.

There’s also some Maserati GranTurismo mixed with a little Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione as well, but we’re definitely not complaining. It’s a terrific design that has us wishing that Aston is looking at Sahin’s designs for the next DBS and V12 Vantage. For those who still lament the loss of the Vanquish, with its broad shoulders and studly swagger, this might be the car for you. It’s definitely earned a spot in our dream car garage.

You can read more of his thoughts on the project after the jump, and be sure not to miss the huge high-res gallery of pics below.

[Source: Ugur Sahin Design]

Continue reading Ugur Sahin dreams up Aston Martin Gauntlet concept

Ugur Sahin dreams up Aston Martin Gauntlet concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Europe, Ferrari

A Turkish singer just set a land speed record, making him the fastest man on the planet when his Ferrari F430 averaged 182 miles per hour during a record run down a runway at an airport in eastern Turkey. Now, if 182 mph doesn’t sound fast enough to set a world land speed record, know that the driver was blind… and alone in the car. Metin Senturk became the fastest blind man driving solo with his Guinness-verified speed of 292.89 kilometers per hour (182 mph).

Senturk was followed down the runway by his driving coach, former rally driver Volkan Isik, who relayed instructions to Senturk via radio. The driver is a pop singer in Turkey who has been blind since the age of three. He said that the record run, “was really hard, like a dance with death.” When Senturk emerged from his borrowed car, he was told by the Guinness people that he had bested the old record of 284 kph, held by a British bank manager.

In case you were wondering, this unaccompanied record is about 20 mph slower than the record set by Hein Wagner of South Africa, who had his coach riding shotgun when he drove a Mercedes-Benz SL65 Black Series to a tick over 200 mph last October.

[Source: Reuters via NBC Sports]

Report: Turkish singer sets blind land speed record at 182 mph in Ferrari originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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