(Audi)
Audi is realigning its motorsports programs for 2020 and beyond. Part of the realignment is due to the fact that the brand is focusing on becoming "a provider of premium mobility with a carbon-neutral footprint," and is planning to generate about 40 percent of its sales with electric cars and plug-in-hybrids by 2025. The management board of AUDI AG also made its decision based on the severe economic challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic. Consequently, Audi will not extend its commitment in the DTM touring car racing series beyond the 2020 season. Audi will, however, continue its involvement in Formula E with the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler team as well as in customer racing support activities. “Audi has shaped the DTM and the DTM has shaped Audi. This demonstrates what power lies in motorsport – technologically and emotionally,” says Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. “With this energy, we’re going to drive our transformation into a provider of sporty, sustainable electric mobility forward. That’s why we’re also focusing our efforts on the race track and systematically competing for tomorrow’s ‘Vorsprung.’ Formula E offers a very attractive platform for this. To complement it, we’re investigating other progressive motorsport formats for the future.” Audi has scored 23 championship titles in DTM, including eleven driver titles, plus 114 victories, 345 podium finishes, 106 pole positions and 112 fastest laps. Editor-in-Chief's Note: Is this the end of the line for DTM? Most likely, yes. The German automakers are eyeballs deep in battery electric vehicle development, so if a new series emerges from the ashes of the DTM, expect it to be an all-electric one. -PMD
Audi is realigning its motorsports programs for 2020 and beyond. Part of the realignment is due to the fact that the brand is focusing on becoming "a provider of premium mobility with a carbon-neutral footprint," and is planning to generate about 40 percent of its sales with electric cars and plug-in-hybrids by 2025. The management board of AUDI AG also made its decision based on the severe economic challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic. Consequently, Audi will not extend its commitment in the DTM touring car racing series beyond the 2020 season. Audi will, however, continue its involvement in Formula E with the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler team as well as in customer racing support activities. “Audi has shaped the DTM and the DTM has shaped Audi. This demonstrates what power lies in motorsport – technologically and emotionally,” says Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. “With this energy, we’re going to drive our transformation into a provider of sporty, sustainable electric mobility forward. That’s why we’re also focusing our efforts on the race track and systematically competing for tomorrow’s ‘Vorsprung.’ Formula E offers a very attractive platform for this. To complement it, we’re investigating other progressive motorsport formats for the future.” Audi has scored 23 championship titles in DTM, including eleven driver titles, plus 114 victories, 345 podium finishes, 106 pole positions and 112 fastest laps. Editor-in-Chief's Note: Is this the end of the line for DTM? Most likely, yes. The German automakers are eyeballs deep in battery electric vehicle development, so if a new series emerges from the ashes of the DTM, expect it to be an all-electric one. -PMD
(Ford)
Ford is touting a one-off Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 prototype drag racer, a purpose-built battery electric vehicle projected to deliver over 1,400HP and over 1,100 ft.-lbs. of instant torque to demonstrate the capabilities of an electric powertrain in one of the most demanding race environments. It is projected to cover the quarter-mile in the low eight-second range at more than 170 mph. The car was designed, built and developed by MLe Racecars. The roll cage builder was Watson Engineering, which also handled chassis support and development. Software and calibration controls were provided by AEMEV. And the inverter and motor supplier is Cascadia. Expect Ford to show it off at drag racing events throughout the summer. Watch a video here.
Ford is touting a one-off Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 prototype drag racer, a purpose-built battery electric vehicle projected to deliver over 1,400HP and over 1,100 ft.-lbs. of instant torque to demonstrate the capabilities of an electric powertrain in one of the most demanding race environments. It is projected to cover the quarter-mile in the low eight-second range at more than 170 mph. The car was designed, built and developed by MLe Racecars. The roll cage builder was Watson Engineering, which also handled chassis support and development. Software and calibration controls were provided by AEMEV. And the inverter and motor supplier is Cascadia. Expect Ford to show it off at drag racing events throughout the summer. Watch a video here.
(Lotus)
Legendary Brazilian racer Ayrton Senna took his maiden F1 win in a Lotus 97T on April 21, 1985, in the Portuguese Grand Prix. Senna also set the fastest lap in the pouring rain at the Estoril circuit. Lotus marks the 35th anniversary of this momentous event with an exclusive podcast interview with Senna’s mechanic Chris Dinnage on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ShoutEngine. “His concentration levels were unparalleled – I’ve never met anyone like him,” says Dinnage. Rare Senna images from a private collection, plus a new US LOT blog can be found at media.lotuscars.com
Legendary Brazilian racer Ayrton Senna took his maiden F1 win in a Lotus 97T on April 21, 1985, in the Portuguese Grand Prix. Senna also set the fastest lap in the pouring rain at the Estoril circuit. Lotus marks the 35th anniversary of this momentous event with an exclusive podcast interview with Senna’s mechanic Chris Dinnage on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ShoutEngine. “His concentration levels were unparalleled – I’ve never met anyone like him,” says Dinnage. Rare Senna images from a private collection, plus a new US LOT blog can be found at media.lotuscars.com
(Photo courtesy of Motor Sport Magazine)
Editor-in-Chief's Note: Teams, drivers and fans have begun sending their tributes to Sir Stirling Moss, who passed away at 90 years old on Sunday. This article about Sir Stirling from Motor Sport Magazine is worth the read. -PMD
Editor-in-Chief's Note: Teams, drivers and fans have begun sending their tributes to Sir Stirling Moss, who passed away at 90 years old on Sunday. This article about Sir Stirling from Motor Sport Magazine is worth the read. -PMD
(Photo of Santino Ferruci by Jonathan Ferrey/GETTY IMAGES)
The INDYCAR calendar is being updated by the minute. The latest? Established events at Iowa Speedway and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will become doubleheaders. The Iowa 300 event weekend will add a race on Friday, July 17, along with the previously scheduled race on Saturday, July 18. The Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey event weekend will now feature a race on Saturday, Sept. 19, in addition to the previously scheduled race on Sunday, Sept. 20. And racing fans also will be treated to a third INDYCAR event at the Racing Capital of the World - The Indianapolis Motor Speedway - with the INDYCAR Harvest GP on the IMS road course taking place on Saturday, Oct. 3. This event is in addition to the GMR Grand Prix, already scheduled for Saturday, July 4, and the 104th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, Aug. 23. With these additions, there are now fifteen races on the 2020 INDYCAR calendar, an increase of one event from the fourteen races announced on March 26.
The INDYCAR calendar is being updated by the minute. The latest? Established events at Iowa Speedway and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will become doubleheaders. The Iowa 300 event weekend will add a race on Friday, July 17, along with the previously scheduled race on Saturday, July 18. The Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey event weekend will now feature a race on Saturday, Sept. 19, in addition to the previously scheduled race on Sunday, Sept. 20. And racing fans also will be treated to a third INDYCAR event at the Racing Capital of the World - The Indianapolis Motor Speedway - with the INDYCAR Harvest GP on the IMS road course taking place on Saturday, Oct. 3. This event is in addition to the GMR Grand Prix, already scheduled for Saturday, July 4, and the 104th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, Aug. 23. With these additions, there are now fifteen races on the 2020 INDYCAR calendar, an increase of one event from the fourteen races announced on March 26.