FEATURE – FORMULA DRIFT KL 2011 – “HISTORIC BATTLE”

17 & 18 of December was another successful milestone for Formula Drift Asia fans, with the likes of many superstar drifters from all over Asia coming together to participate in a heated battle of tire smoking and sideways sliding. Round 3 of the Formula Drift series was set in the tropical country of Kuala Lumpur. Rain clouds were looming above but the event was somehow blessed and that rain never came. With the prominent names of the drifting scene like Manabu Orido, Daigo Saito and Daijiro Yoshihara, Formula Drift USA Champion as a special guest judge and from Thailand Kiki Sak Nana and Tong Nakarin of Team Red Bull, one can only expect some fireworks and the drivers didn’t disappoint… Read more

NEWS – MAZDA 787B RETURNING TO LE MANS!

The remarkable wankel powered Mazda 787B will be returning to Le Mans. It remains the first and only Japanese car manufacturer to win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. And the only non-reciprocating engine to win. While not participating in the race itself, this restoration will be demonstrated on the Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France on Saturday, June 11, 2011, before the 24-hour race begins.

The Mazda 787B has been specially restored and tested in preparation for the demonstration at Le Mans

The Mazda 787B is the first and only Japanese car, and rotary-engine car, to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Jointly developed by Mazda and Mazdaspeed, the organization that managed Mazda’s racing program, the 787B has a chassis designed to meet Group C racing car technical regulations and is powered by a four-rotor rotary engine that produces 700 horsepower. Due to a change in the race regulations, 1991 was to become the last year that a rotary-engine car could participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Featuring a complex suspension arrangement, including double wishbone pullrod with Bilstein dampers at the front and double wishbone top rocker operated with Bilstein dampers at the rear. The car was even graced with a Kevlar and carbon composite monocoque chassis.

Since 1991, the winning Mazda 787B has mostly been on display at the Mazda Museum in Hiroshima, Japan. In preparation for the demonstration at Le Mans, Mazda has carefully restored the winning 787B racecar back to driving condition for the first time since its post-race overhaul in 1991. The work was carried out by current Mazda employees who participated in the company’s original Le Mans Challenge Project, along with engineers from Mazda’s subsidiary engineering company Mazda E&T. The restored 787B has been tested by one of Mazda’s in-house top gun drivers, and its performance has been confirmed by former Mazda factory drivers Yoshimi Katayama, Takashi Yorino and Yojiro Terada at Mazda’s Mine Proving Ground in western Japan.

News : Super GT Qualifying in Motegi

Here we go! The final stage of the Super GT 2010 championship is under way and the qualifying session has set the stage for a cracking race tomorrow. As per the regulations, all the weight penalties have been removed for this last event and the cars and drivers went for their absolute best on a crisp and clear autumn day. Read more

Japfest 2009, Castle Combe, UK

For those not familiar with Japfest, it’s touted as the “largest Japanese car show in Europe” and previous years saw the cream of the UK J-scene turn up. However, the 2009 edition didn’t seem to offer a real representation of where the UK scene is at the moment. Read more

Take Off EA11R Suzuki Cappuccino Race Car

I’m sure when Suzuki named their lightweight convertible sports car “Cappuccino” they never envisioned it’d be tuned quite like this. Take Off are renowned throughout Japan as the go to place for Kei car tuning and parts and all their know-how has culminated in this crazy Suzuki Cappuccino race car. Let’s take a look at this not-so-lightweight Kei circuit special… Read more

Lexus LF-A to enter Nürburgring 24hr Endurance Race Once Again

Lexus will once again enter its LF-A prototype sports car in the 24 Hour Nürburgring endurance race on 21st – 24th May. The car will feature new race livery and more sponsorship from Gazoo (Automotive website produced by Toyota) and other racing-spec safety equipment and aero parts. Mechanically the car will differ little from last year although we’re told the whole car has been retuned for better performance. Read more

Exedy Cup Option 2 Endurance Race – Round 2

Round 2 of the Exedy Cup 4 Hour Endurance Race had a little bit of everything… from extremely hot weather to extremely bent propeller shafts! Read more