THE LINE

November 4, 2009

Toyota. Publisher's Note: The Japanese auto company has abruptly pulled the plug on its Formula 1 program. The automaker entered the sport in 2002 hell bent on finally trying to do something about burying its stodgy image as an "assembler" of motorized appliances once and for all. And it failed miserably. Toyota is estimated to have spent as much as $2.5 billion - if not more - in its quest only to achieve a few poles and a few podium finishes, and not one single victory. This move by Toyota signifies more than a pullback for financial reasons, it's an embarrassment of the highest degree. This company demonstrated that in spite all of its financial might and technical resources it could not get it done. All they have to show for it now is its new Lexus LFA super sports car, which becomes a $350,000 answer to a question that nobody was asking, no matter how good it is. The bottom line in all of this is that the natural order of things has been emphatically proven yet again. When Honda goes racing, it's part of their corporate soul, and they have won and will continue to win championships when they put their minds to it, because that's who they are. As I've said repeatedly, they don't call it the Honda Motor Company for nothing. Toyota? Not so much. It's a car company, yes, but it's more of an assembler of ingredients than anything else. Racing and winning has never been a part of who they are. It has never driven them, and they've competed over the years when it seemed like the thing to do, not because they believed in it to their core. And so it goes... - PMD

(Ford Racing)
Ford Racing unveiled the 2010 Cobra Jet Mustang - a factory-produced turnkey race car - at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show. The 2010 Cobra Jet, like its predecessor, is intended for NHRA Stock and Super Stock racing. The 2010 CJ will come with all of the features of the 2008 car with enhancements that include options for a full race-prepared automatic or manual transmission, drag race-specific shocks and springs, manual steering and brakes, 8.50 certified rollcage, and an Aeromitive return-style fuel system with trunk-mounted fuel cell. Additionally Ford Racing engineers have developed a factory-first launch control/rev limiter that will allow drivers to preset the rpm after they stage the car. When they are ready to leave, all they do is put the throttle pedal to the floor; they don’t have the engine speed to free rev. Previously, the launch control/rev limiter was only available as an aftermarket option. The Cobra Jet will get its start at the Auto Alliance International (AAI) assembly plant in Flat Rock, Mich, as a base V-6 Mustang. The entire 50-car run of 2010 Cobra Jets will be built on the same production line that produces the production 2010 Ford Mustang. Production of Cobra Jets will begin in January, with delivery of all vehicles expected in the first quarter of 2010. All of the additional parts and pieces for the CJ can be found in the Ford Performance Parts catalog. The 2010 CJ features a choice for customers between two supercharged engines or three normally aspirated engines (pending NHRA approval). These options will allow the Cobra Jet to be eligible for more classes in the NHRA, as well as competition with other sanctioning bodies, including NMRA, NMCA, PSCA and IHRA. All 50 of the 2010 Cobra Jet Mustangs have already been ordered by Ford dealers for delivery to customers. For those customers who missed out on the limited run of 2010 Cobra Jets, Ford Racing has set a goal to provide future versions of the Cobra Jet.


(Ford Racing)

Ford also announced at the SEMA show that its 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor will be available with an all-new 6.2-liter V-8 engine that produces 411 horsepower and 434 ft.-lb. of torque, making it the most powerful half-ton truck on the market today. Ford Racing also announced that it will produce a limited production run of 50 special off-road-only versions of the Raptor - the FR Raptor XT - for hard-core off-road racing enthusiasts. The FR Raptor XT is nearly the same truck that finished the 2008 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, but with all the comfort and convenience found in a production Raptor. Essentially, FR Raptor XT is a turnkey professional pre-runner and not street legal. Production timing will be announced at a later date and the truck will be priced at $99,950.
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Key specs of the FR Raptor XT include:

* 500-hp (est.) 6.2-liter naturally aspirated engine
* Six-speed automatic transmission
* Electronically selectable 4x4; 4.56 gear sets; front and rear e-lockers
* A-arm with uni-ball front; four-link RR suspension
* 15-inch front/18-inch rear wheel travel
* Coil-over with bypass shocks front and rear
* Chromoly “4130” rollcage; extensive skid plating
* Full featured interior, including power windows/windshield and air conditioning
* Factory seating with five-point restraints
* Off-road beadlock wheel/tires
* Unique appearance package including tubular front and rear bumper and integral lighting

(Chrysler Group)
Publisher's Note: Following in the footsteps of Ford, which introduced its faux "Mustang" for the Nationwide series a few weeks ago, Dodge Motorsports unveiled its faux "Challenger" as its “New Car” entry for the NASCAR Nationwide Series last weekend at Talladega. Dodge also announced an expansion of its partnership with Penske Racing beginning in 2010, which will now include a two-car operation in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, in addition to Penske’s three teams in the Sprint Cup Series. The "Challenger" will be used at the four “New Car” races NASCAR has designated in 2010, beginning at Daytona in July. At the other 31 events that complete the 35-race season, Penske Racing will field Dodge "Chargers" as it did this season with the No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge Charger driven by Justin Allgaier. NASCAR is expecting full integration of the “New Car” in the Nationwide series in 2011, as it's really difficult for them to figure out how to do it next year. Why? We have no frickin' idea. Running cars that kinda-sorta look like their street versions (at least from the windshield forward) would go a long way toward at least somewhat appeasing fans clamoring for relief from the dreaded cookie-cutter CoT, wouldn't you think? But then again, it isn't that much of a priority for NASCAR, apparently. After all, we are talking about an organization that clearly equates the concept of "change" with the H1N1 flu. - PMD

(BMW M GmbH) 
BMW M GmbH will offer a special BMW M3 Coupé for Clubsport and track day events that can also be outfitted for the road. The BMW M3 GTS is largely hand-built by BMW M GmbH with lightweight construction, adjustable aerodynamic units, an increase in engine size (4.4-liters) and output (450HP) of the V8 and trick suspension and brake components, etc. Unladen weight according to the DIN standard is less than 1,500 kg (3,300 lb), and the lightweight body comes with special mounts for six-point seat belts and a rollcage fitted behind the B-pillar. Market launch of the BMW M3 GTS will be in spring 2010. It will not be available in the U.S.

(BMW M GmbH) 

Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation announced today a multi-year agreement in principle with the Indy Racing League (IRL), the sanctioning body for the IndyCar Series, for its IZOD brand to become the title sponsor of the newly renamed IZOD IndyCar Series. The IZOD IndyCar Series, which will mark the League’s first title sponsorship since 2001, introduced its new logo and key partnership details today, with additional activation, promotional plans and marketing initiatives to be revealed in the coming months, prior to the start of the 2010 season. Under the new arrangement, IZOD will also retain its designation as the official apparel partner of the Indy Racing League, which began in 2008.

Publisher's Note: Along about this time of year - with the racing season starting to wind down - we like to publish The Year in Review by John Thawley. John and I knew each other way back in the 70s when we were both doing something totally different, and we renewed our friendship around racing three decades later. John is now considered one of the best at what he does, and it's a real privilege to be able to share his work with our Autoextremist readers throughout the season. John's year-end gallery allows all of us to step back and savor another excellent season of racing in the American Le Mans Series. Thanks again to John for allowing us to display his work. Click here. - PMD

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