Tag: Cars

Top Gear’s 8 Greatest Racing Models of All Time

Top Gear has reviewed a variety of racing cars during their several years of broadcasting. From models like the Porsche 956 to the Peugeot 205 T16, Top Gear has experienced the many thrills that racing models have to offer. With the experience of driving a vast array of cars under their belts, Top Gear has chosen only a select few as their favorites of all time.

McLaren MP4/4

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The McLaren MP4/4 was the model that was famously driven by Ayrton Senna. Both the MP4/4 and Senna made F1 history as a powerful duo. The MP4/4 won 15 of 16 races during the peak of Senna’s rivalry with Alain Prost.

Peugeot 205 T16

The Peugeot 205 T16 was a strong competitor in the Group B rally group. This model was driven by Juha Kankkunen, a four-time World Rally Challenge champion.

Maserati 250F

The Maserati 250F is a F1 model that houses a straight-six engine. The car was driven by Juan Manuel Fangio and he clinched two world championships racing with this model. The 250F also received praise from Stirling Moss as one of the best front-engined cars that he ever drove.

Lancia Stratos

Lancia primarily designed the Lancia Stratos as a rally car. Lancia made history with the model since it was the first purpose-built rally car.

Tyrrell P34 Six Wheeler

The Tyrrell P34 Six Wheeler was a very original idea during its time. The model competed with 6 wheels but was later taken out of service due to Goodyear’s end to the production of the model’s front tires.

BMW E30 M3 Touring Car

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The BMW E30 M3 Touring Car won many championships during 1987. With its adaptability the BMW E30 M3 Touring Car was able to win two hillclimb championships, seven touring car championships, two rally championships, and a Rally Corsica title.

Mazda 787B

The Mazda 787B is a three-rotor beast that dominated the 1991 24 Hours of Le-Mans. The only issue that the 787B faced during the endurance race was a blown headlight.

Audi 90 IMSA GTO

The Audi 90 IMSA GTO was developed by Audi after Group B rally racing had ended. The model produces 720 brake horsepower and maintains traction through 14-inch wide tires.

The Latest Tech Regulations for F1 Racing 2019

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With newer seasons in Formula 1 racing comes newer regulations regarding the cars’ technical standards. These are not only for improved performance by the vehicles themselves, but also, and more importantly, for the drivers’ safety.

The first and, perhaps, biggest change going into 2019 models is a thinner tire tread. This is actually to prevent drivers from being able to finish the entire race without having to make more than one or two pit stops, as these races had become fairly predictable. With thinner tire treads, cars will have to stop more often, but not at the risk of their own safety. They also come with decreased heat held within them, reducing the risk of blistering.

The amount of fuel allowed per race is another big change as well, with drivers now receiving an additional 5 kilograms, totaling 110kg. This gives drivers the freedom to worry less about the amount of fuel being burned per race, but also gives them the option of intentionally short-fueling their cars to then rely on coasting, lift, or safety cars to reach the finish line.

The design of the mirrors has been adjusted to improve aerodynamics after an increase in drivers modifying their own rear-views, too. Many teams bent the rules to increase their cars’ top speeds, leading to this fairly significant tech change. The mirrors are now positioned in smaller areas which improves both vision and drag.

Another change with the goal of increasing aerodynamics is a small adjustment of the sidepods. The area where the barge boards are located and the free space behind them should now be utilized more by most teams, though some restrictions still exist in accordance with older regulations.

For Formula 1 racing to remain an exciting, safe sport for all to enjoy, these technological adjustments are absolutely necessary. If you’re looking to prepare for the upcoming 2019 F1 season, check out the latest schedule here.

NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductees

Last month NASCAR issued in a new class of Hall-of-Famers, among them were 5 members who well deserve their place among racing’s greats. Bill Elliott, Wendell Scott, Fred Lorenzen, Joe Weatherly and Rex White all were honored in late January for their contributions to the sport where competition passion reigns.logo

Headlining the event was Elliott, who raced with a family team and little funding during his beginning years. he went on to race for 37 years, winning the Cup in 1988 while winning 44 races total. Bill was known as ‘Awesome Bill From Dawsonville’, a nickname that contributed to him winning 16 Most Popular Driver Awards.

Wendell Scott was a pioneer, being the first and only African-American to win a Cup race. He collected the checkered flag in 1963 at Speedway Park in Jacksonville, Florida. His career lasted 13 years while battling the prejudice, and low funding. On the Virginia short track he tallied more than 100 wins.

Weatherly won the ‘62 and ‘63 titles in NASCAR’s top stock division while compiling 101 wins along with a modified championship. Weatherly finished top five in almost half of his 233 races, a feat that can be credited to his absolute knowledge of the car he was in.

All racers inducted speak of their hardwork and determination, how that is the key factor to the success they saw and their subsequent induction into the Hall of Fame. Without the appreciation of elbow grease and the joy of competition, they would most likely not have seen the inside of this storied Hall.

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