Bahrain Crown Prince: ?Frankly I?m here to go racing?

Bahrain?s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa met the media in the paddock this afternoon, accompanied by Bernie Ecclestone. Not surprisingly he presented a strong case for the Bahrain GP to go ahead as a unifying force … Continue reading

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/04/20/bahrain-crown-prince-frankly-im-here-to-go-racing/

Brian Gubby Andre Guelfi Miguel Ángel Guerra Roberto Guerrero Maurício Gugelmin

Crown Prince: GP cancellation would be a victory for extremists

“We are a real country with real issues and we hope you see us with all our complexities and all our shades,” said HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. “I genuinely believe that this race is a force for good. It unites many people from many different religious backgrounds and sects. Cancelling [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/rosberg-ahead-in-fp2/

Alain de Changy Colin Chapman Dave Charlton Pedro Matos Chaves Bill Cheesbourg

Audi officially buys Ducati

1. 1.

After months of rumors and speculation, Audi has officially confirmed the acquisition of the Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. The acquisition was approved today in Hamburg and will be completed as quickly as possible once authorized by the competition authorities.

While it hasn’t been confirmed just yet, rumors say that Audi paid approximately ?860 million, or $1.13 billion at the current rates, in order to buy Ducati. This is a fabulous deal considering Ducati sold around 42,000 motorcycles and generated revenue of some ?480 million (about $631 million at the current rates), employing around 1,100 people.

Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, declared: "Ducati is known worldwide as a premium brand among motorcycle manufacturers and has a long tradition of building sporty motorcycles. It has great expertise in high-performance engines and lightweight construction, and is one of the world?s most profitable motorcycle manufacturers. That makes Ducati an excellent fit for Audi."

Audi officially buys Ducati originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 18 April 2012 20:00 EST.

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Source: http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-news/audi-officially-buys-ducati-ar128215.html

Jan Flinterman Ron Flockhart Myron Fohr Gregor Foitek George Follmer

Video: Porsche 911 Turbo breaks 212 mph at Texas Mile

Whether the Porsche 911 is called a supercar or not, one thing we do know is that it can hit insane speeds when called upon.

At a recent Texas Mile event, one particular 911 validated its status as a supercar after posting a ridiculous - for its standards, at least - top speed of 212 mph. Consider that a 911 Turbo can hit a top speed of 194 mph, we beg the question as to where that extra 16 mph came from. Add that to the fact that it can hit the quarter-mile in just 10.61 seconds and surely, something must be cooking under that hood that isn’t of stock production.

Whatever performance enhancements that 911 Turbo carried, the feat nonetheless remains incredibly impressive. Reaching 200 mph on a 911 Turbo is impressive in itself. But hitting 212 mph?

That’s over-the-moon amazing. Respect, indeed.

Check out the video above and watch this 911 Turbo destroy Texas Mile on its way to 2-1-2.

Video: Porsche 911 Turbo breaks 212 mph at Texas Mile originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 18 April 2012 10:00 EST.

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Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/video-porsche-911-turbo-breaks-212-mph-at-texas-mile-ar128180.html

Alessandro PesentiRossi Josef Peters Ronnie Peterson Vitaly Petrov* Alfredo Piàn

Facelifted Audi R8 to sport dual-clutch transmission

1. 1.

The Audi R8 has been an extremely successful car for Audi, as it was originally launched as their first real attempt to compete with modern-day supercars. And boy did they deliver. The R8 is now offered in an array of versions, including the popular R8 V10 which uses the same 5.2-liter engine as the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, but just like every other car, there comes a time when it has to be updated and the facelifted R8 is set to debut in just a few months.

Various spy shots have been captured of the stunning supercar, and the biggest visual changes are set to be its redesigned headlights and taillights. Although they?re expected to largely maintain their shape, the design of the actual lights within will be very different. A difference which will only be clearly noticeable at night, but a change nonetheless.

However, the biggest change will happen underneath, as the 2013 model is set to feature a twin-clutch transmission, if Autocar is to be believed. Up until this point, the R8 has only been offered with either a traditional six-speed manual or a paddle-shift operated ?box, but the inclusion of a DCT should do wonders for sales of the R8.

Even though the R8?s successor is being prepped for a release in the next two years, Audi went all out to redesign the tub, suspension, and engine carrier to support the larger gearbox, and this has us coming to one solid conclusion. We?re doubtful Audi would go to that much effort just to get a few more sales and keep up with the competition, and instead believe that the R8?s successor will make use of the same tub and S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox.

Additionally, the R8 V10?s engine is set for a slight horsepower increase up from 525BHP to 540BHP, but it?s currently unclear if this engine will be retained in the future model.

Either way, it?s great to see Audi updating the R8 to keep up with the times and we?re extremely excited about the 2014 or 2015 model also, which is set to be a true evolution of the car.

Facelifted Audi R8 to sport dual-clutch transmission originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 17 April 2012 04:00 EST.

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Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/facelifted-audi-r8-to-sport-dual-clutch-transmission-ar128024.html

Jorge Daponte Anthony Davidson Jimmy Davies Colin Davis Jimmy Daywalt

2012 Chinese Grand Prix in pictures | F1 pictures

2012 Chinese Grand Prix in pictures is an original article from F1 Fanatic. If this article has been published anywhere other than F1 Fanatic it is an infringement of copyright.

Rosberg romps to victory and Williams mark the boss's birthday - pictures from the Chinese Grand Prix.

2012 Chinese Grand Prix in pictures is an original article from F1 Fanatic. If this article has been published anywhere other than F1 Fanatic it is an infringement of copyright.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/jvgeXlpgLNs/

Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot Cliff Allison