Sibling Rivalry: Chevrolet takes Corvette ZR1 and Camaro ZL1 to VIR, sets a lap record

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Chevrolet, GM

While the Dodge Viper is in the midst of a much-too-long (and thankfully soon-to-be-rectified) hiatus, there's really no question as to who holds the title of Baddest American Sports Car: The Chevrolet Corvette. And the top-of-the-line in Corvette Land is, of course, the 638-horsepower supercharged ZR1.

Not that the 'Vette is the only way domestic car lovers can fan their inner flames of performance. Nipping at the Corvette's super wide and sticky heels are such classic nameplates as the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger... not to mention, from within its own stomping grounds no less, the Chevrolet Camaro.

Perhaps in a bid to cement its internal pecking order, the boys from Chevy took one Corvette ZR1 and one Camaro ZL1 to Virginia International Raceway for some sordid fun and hot laps. Wondering just how close the Camaro is to the top-rung Corvette, which the automaker says set the fastest published lap for a stock car in VIR's history? Satiate your curiosity by watching the two videos after the jump.

Continue reading Sibling Rivalry: Chevrolet takes Corvette ZR1 and Camaro ZL1 to VIR, sets a lap record

Sibling Rivalry: Chevrolet takes Corvette ZR1 and Camaro ZL1 to VIR, sets a lap record originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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P.J. Jones Teresa Earnhardt Dale Earnhardt Incorporated

Teams forced to alter test plans

Ferrari and Red Bull are told their plans to adjust the days they run at the final pre-season test session are against the rules.

JEFF STANTON JEFF WARD JEFF MATIASEVICH

Interesting numbers from Daytona

The much-delayed Daytona 500 was seen by a total audience of over 36.5 million Americans, according to the initial national ratings issued today by Nielsen Media Research, but the NASCAR season-opener averaged only 13.7 million, which was a long way down on last year’s rating of 15.6m and only just ahead of the much delayed [...]

DAVID VUILLEMIN HEATH VOSS WIL HAHN

2012 Phillip Island World Superbike Photos By Andrew Gosling: Supers Hit The Island

New colors and a bike that fits him better for Leon Camier in 2012

The last ever 250cc World Champion: Hiroshi Aoyama makes it to World Superbikes

One-sided rear wheels: always a thing of beauty

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Buffy Waltrip Michael Waltrip Racing Terry Labonte

Gumpert shows second Geneva teaser, will debut two new Apollo models

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, MISC

The Geneva Motor Show sets itself apart from the other international auto shows with a gathering of Europe's smaller boutique manufacturers and tuners. One of those is Gumpert, the German builder of supercars that have impressive performance and a polarizing appearance. Gumpert has had a strong showing at Geneva the last couple years, debuting the 750-horsepower Apollo S in 2010 and the coachbuilt Tornante last year.

Gumpert has big plans for this year's Geneva Motor Show, and back in November released a shadowy teaser showing a new supercar that would be revealed in March. Now that the show is just days away, Gumpert has released another teaser (seen above), and a few more details, including the fact that two Apollo models will be making their debut. First is the Apollo R, which Gumpert says is a "a true racecar with the brute power of up to 860 horsepower." Second is the Apollo Enraged, an exclusive model limited to just three examples that will be the "strongest Apollo that Gumpert has ever set on the road."

Gumpert also hinted at a time of 7:11.75 - no doubt a Nürburgring lap set by one of the aforementioned cars. Could the German supercar maker have nicked the production car lap record set by the Dodge Viper ACR back in September? We'll have to wait to find out. Check back on March 6th and 7th for official details and photos for both cars, as well as the rest of our Geneva Motor Show coverage.

Gumpert shows second Geneva teaser, will debut two new Apollo models originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DAVID VUILLEMIN HEATH VOSS WIL HAHN

Best Nascar Prayer Ever Now Auto-Tuned

Here is the auto-tuned version of Pastor Joe Nelm’s prayer from the Nationwide race in Nashville.

Phoenix Racing Mike Wallace Rick Ware Ware Racing Enterprises

Daytona 500 postponed until Monday on account of rain

Filed under: Motorsports

NASCAR officials have made the call to postpone the Daytona 500 until Monday, February 27 at 12:00PM EST on account of rain. This marks the first time that the 53-year-old race has been pushed back a day due to weather. The start of the race today was delayed by heavy rains, and while the weather did clear up long enough for track officials to break out their extensive fleet of track-drying trucks, the window didn't stay open long enough to run The Great American race. Carl Edwards will start on the pole when the race begins at noon tomorrow. Joining him and the rest of the field will be Danica Patrick, who garnered most of the attention the week prior to the race. This year's season opening race also marks the long-awaited debut of electronic fuel injection to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Daytona 500 postponed until Monday on account of rain originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Feb 2012 17:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mark Martin Roger Penske Penske Racing

Dungey Answers Back w/ Win #2 as Monster Energy SX Returns to St. Louis

Dungey Answers Back w/ Win #2 as Monster Energy SX Returns to St. Louis

Monster Energy AMA Supercross News Release

AURORA, Ill. (February 27, 2012) – As Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, returns to St. Louis’ Edward Jones Dome this Saturday night, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., hopes to build off of the momentum he gained last Saturday night with his win in Atlanta.

Dungey, who won in St. Louis in 2010, captured his second victory of the 2012 season and cut into Ryan Villopoto’s Supercross Class point lead. Prior to Saturday night’s race in Atlanta, Dungey earned podium finishes in five races and currently sits second overall.

“To get that first win right off the bat (for KTM) in Phoenix was nice, but it took a while after that,” said Dungey. “But, to back it up here in Atlanta, it was a great night. We’ve been looking for that one for a while. The whole team has been working hard and things haven’t gone our way with testing and stuff, but we’re coming around to it and I think things are progressively getting better.”

Villopoto used a sixth-place start to charge to the front of the pack but was unable to make his way past Dungey. Western Regional Supercross Lites Class rider Cole Seeley made his American Honda Muscle Milk debut aboard the 450cc motorcycle and grabbed the early lead after capturing the Nuclear Cowboyz® Holeshot. Seely’s lead lasted seven laps before Dungey made the pass for the lead and rode off to victory.

“I just made a little mistake, and early on in the race I fell over and that cost me, huge,” said Villopoto. “The track was tough tonight, you could really see (that) and I just slipped up and washed the front end out. Overall, we had a good night. It just wasn’t the best of weeks coming into this (race), so to come out with second is good.”

JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha’s James Stewart, who is one of four riders to win a Supercross Class Main Event this season, put together a great ride after a less-than-favorable start. The two-time defending Supercross Class champion finished third, marking his fourth podium of the season.

Once again, GEICO Honda’s Justin Barcia, the defending class champion, found his way to the front of the pack en route to his second consecutive Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Main Event win. Barcia led all 15 laps of the Main Event, besting second place finisher Blake Baggett, of the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team, and third place finisher Justin Bogel, of the GEICO Honda team.

"Two for two (is) not a bad way to start," said Barcia. "I wanted a good start, I got the holeshot, and just rode hard from there. The track was super tough tonight. It was very slick and there were a lot of places where the bike was sliding around. I was trying not to make any mistakes. Fortunately, everything went really smooth and we got the win."

Barcia extended his points lead in the Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class to 12 over Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Durham.

During the 2011 Monster Energy Supercross stop in St. Louis, Stewart took home his fourth Supercross Class win of the season. In the Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class, Justin Barcia captured his third victory. 

The first Supercross Class race at the Edward Jones Dome was on April 27, 1996, and Kawasaki’s Jeff Emig, a Missouri native, won the Main Event, snapping Jeremy McGrath’s 13-race win streak. In front of his hometown crowd, Emig notched his first Supercross Class win for Team Kawasaki. Chad Reed and Ricky Carmichael are tired on the all-time win list in St. Louis with four. Kevin Windham, Stewart, Carmichael and Reed have all won in both classes in St. Louis.

SPEED will broadcast the Supercross class race LIVE at 9:30pm EST on March 3, 2012.

Tickets are available at participating Yamaha Deals, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge by phone at (800) 745-3000, www.supercrossonline.com, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available at the Edward Jones Dome Box Office beginning the week of the show. Practice and qualifying begin at 12:30 p.m. and the main event starts at 7:00 p.m. Club Level & VIP tickets are $50 Adult/Child; Gold Circle $37 Adult/Child; Lower Terrace $26 Adult / $20 Child; Endzone $20 Adult / $10 Child and Treadhead tickets are $10 Adult/Child. Fans can also get in to the Pits for FREE from 12:30-6 p.m. Race Day when they recycle a MONSTER Energy Can at the stadium Pit Entrance (valid only with event ticket).

Supercross Class Results: Atlanta
1.    Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
2.    Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
3.    James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha
4.    Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
5.    Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
6.    Cole Seely, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
7.    Jake Weimer, Wildomar, Idaho, Kawasaki
8.    Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
9.    Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki
10.    Nick Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki

Supercross Class Season Standings
1.    Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki – 180
2.    Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM – 170
3.    James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha – 136
4.    Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Honda – 128
5.    Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki – 106
6.    Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda – 105
7.    Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki – 100
8.    Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda – 96
9.    Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha - 94
10.    Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Calif., Suzuki – 90

Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Results: Atlanta
1.    Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda
2.    Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki
3.    Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda
4.    Blake Wharton, Beaumont, Texas, Suzuki
5.    Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa., Kawasaki
6.    Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
7.    Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha
8.    Hunter Hewitt, Corona, Texas, Suzuki
9.    Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Suzuki
10.    Shane Sewell, Westville, In, KTM

Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
1.    Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda – 50
2.    Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa., Kawasaki – 38
3.    Blake Wharton, Beaumont, Texas, Suzuki – 36
4.    Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM – 35
5.    Blake Baggett, Butler, Pa, Kawasaki - 28
6.    Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda - 27
7.    Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Honda – 26
8.    Hunter Hewitt, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki - 22
9.    PJ Larsen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM – 21
10.    Lance Vincent, Youngsville, La, KTM - 16

Past Winners in St. Louis

Supercross Class
April 9, 2011:                             James Stewart
April 17, 2010:                           Ryan Dungey
March 21, 2009:                         Chad Reed
April 19, 2008:                           Kevin Windham
March 3, 2007:                          Ricky Carmichael
February 18, 2006:                     Chad Reed
March 5, 2005:                          Ricky Carmichael
March 13, 2004:                         Chad Reed
March 22, 2003:                         Chad Reed
April 6, 2002:                             Ricky Carmichael
March 31, 2001:                         Ricky Carmichael
March 18, 2000:                         Jeremy McGrath
March 27, 1999:                         Jeremy McGrath
March 28, 1998:                         Kevin Windham
April 5, 1997:                             Jeremy McGrath
April 27, 1996:                           Jeff Emig

Supercross Lites Class
April 9, 2011:                             Justin Barcia
April 17, 2010:                           Justin Barcia
March 21, 2009:                         Blake Wharton
April 19, 2008:                           Trey Canard
March 3, 2007:                          Ben Townley
February 18, 2006:                     David Millsaps
March 5, 2005:                          Grant Langston
March 13, 2004:                         James Stewart
March 22, 2003:                         Branden Jesseman
April 6, 2002:                             Chad Reed
March 21, 2001:                         Travis Pastrana
March 18, 2000:                         Travis Pastrana
March 27, 1999:                         Ernesto Fonseca
March 28, 1998:                         Ricky Carmichael
April 5, 1997:                             Stephane Roncada
April 27, 1996:                           Kevin Windham

Tune into the enhanced exclusive weekly video content from Supercross LIVE! during the entire 2012 season on SupercrossOnline.com, the Official Website of Monster Energy Supercross.

This week in the Toyota Tailgate Talk, James Stewart’s Mechanic, Patrick Barker, discusses the differences in bike setup for James Stewart and Davi Millsaps on the JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha team.

Weekly Supercross LIVE! Video Content Schedule
The Official Supercross LIVE! Pre-Show            
Race Days at 11 AM Local Race Time

Behind the Scenes with Supercross LIVE!          
All Day on Race Days

2 Minutes on the Track                                      
Race Days at 3:30 & 5:30 PM Local Race Time

And on the Podium Tonight                                
Following Each Round’s Main Events

The Official Supercross LIVE! Post-Show           
Saturday Nights at Each Race

Toyota Tailgate Talk                                         
Wednesdays at 5 PM ET

After The Checkered Flag                                  
Thursdays at 5PM ET


For more information on the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, please log on to www.SupercrossOnline.com, the official website of Monster Energy Supercross. For all media requests, please contact Denny Hartwig dhartwig@feldinc.com or 630-566-6305. To follow Monster Energy Supercross on Facebook and Twitter, log on to http://www.facebook.com/supercrosslive and http://twitter.com/supercrosslive.

About Feld Motor Sports®
Feld Motor Sports®, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment.  Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz®, and IHRA® Nitro Jam®.  Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment.  For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.

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RBR-Renault McLaren-Mercedes Ferrari

Rain delay at Martinsville-UPDATE

UPDATE:
The Cup race at Martinsville has been postponed due to rain and will be run tomorrow at 12:00PM EDT.
—————————————————–
There is a rain delay at Martinsville and the forecast does not look good for the rest of the day as more rain is expected. Stay tuned…

Timo Glock Sakon Yamamoto Nick Heidfeld

World Superbike Phillip Island race results

World Superbike Phillip Island race results

Max Biaggi takes an easy win by seven seconds after Checa crashes out of the lead in Race One; Checa does the same in Race Two after Biaggi runs off the track on first lap

Aprilia’s Max Biaggi took an easy win in Race One at the season-opening Phillip Island round of the 2012 World Superbike Championship, running away to win by 7.104 seconds over BMW Motorrad rider Marco Melandri and Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati’s Sylvain Guintoli. Early leader Tom Sykes headed the field on his Kawasaki for the first two laps before being overtaken by Althea Racing Ducati’s Carlos Checa; the reigning World Champion began to pull a slight lead while Sykes was soon passed by Biaggi, with Guintoli and Melandri in hot pursuit. It all came unraveled for Checa on lap five when he highsided at high speed the last turn before the front straight, handing the lead to Biaggi, who soon began to build a lead that the Italian would never relinquish.

Sykes held second until the 12th lap when Guintoli moved past, followed by Melandri two laps later. The charging Melandri soon got by Guintoli three laps later, and the duo began to pull a couple of seconds on Sykes. Guintoli kept Melandri honest however, staying glued to the BMW rider’s tailsection all the way to the end, coming up a couple of tenths short at the finish. Sykes had a couple of seconds over fifth-placed Jakub Smrz.

Photo Gallery: World Superbike Phillip Island race results - Sport Rider Magazine

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Haas CNC Racing johnny Sauter Raynard McGlynn

2012 Phillip Island WSBK QP1: Rea Holds Off Ducati Hordes

Johnny Rea has pulled off the first upset of the weekend at Phillip Island, by posting a sub-1'32 lap during the first session of qualifying for the World Superbike class to seize provisional pole. In the dying seconds of QP1, the Honda WSBK man took nearly a second off his best time to usurp the Ducatis, which had dominated until then, and seize the top spot. Rea's fast time demoted Effenbert Liberty's Jakub Smrz into 2nd spot, who had himself pushed Carlos Checa off provisional pole a few moments earlier.

The Althea Ducati man ended the session behind both Rea and Smrz, but more surprisingly, Checa also ended up slower than his rookie teammate Davide Giugliano, albeit by just a few hundredths of a second. Max Biaggi inserted his factory Aprilia between Checa and yet another Ducati, this time of Niccolo Canepa, while Tom Sykes led the Kawasakis in 7th, ahead of teammate Joan Lascorz in 8th.

Race Details

2012

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Williams-Cosworth BMW Sauber-Ferrari STR-Ferrari

Mercedes launch new car for 2012

Mercedes launch their new car for the 2012 season - the W03 - in Barcelona.

Larry McClure Phoenix Racing Mike Wallace Rick Ware

2012 Philip Island WSS QP2: Parkes Heads Honda Home Charge

Broc Parkes bagged the 15th pole of his career at Phillip Island, taking over from Kenan Sofuoglu at the end of the session, and holding off late charges from Sam Lowes and Jules Cluzel in a delayed World Supersport session, Parkes' advantage over Lowes just sixteen thousandths of a second. Honda's dominate the front row, with the Ten Kate bike of Broc Parkes ahead of the Bogdanka PTR of Lowes and the PTR of Cluzel, while the Kawasakis follow, Sofuoglu taking the final spot on the front row, ahead of Fabien Foret and Sheridan Morais.

Results:

Race Details

2012

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BOB HANNAH ROGER DECOSTER STEVE LAMSON

KTM Announces 9th Annual KTM Adventure Rider Rally

KTM Announces 9th Annual KTM Adventure Rider Rally

Make plans to join KTM staff and enthusiasts for the 9th Annual KTM Adventure Rider Rally in scenic Bend, OR taking place on September 14-16, 2012.

Bend, OR

Photo Gallery: KTM Announces 9th Annual KTM Adventure Rider Rally - Sport Rider Magazine

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Morgan-McClure Motorsports Ward Burton Rick Hendrick

2012 World Supersport Championship Standings After Round 1, Phillip Island

Championship standings for round 1, 2012

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Kenneth Wood Ash Motorsports Brandon Ash

2012 Phillip Island WSBK QP1: Rea Holds Off Ducati Hordes

Johnny Rea has pulled off the first upset of the weekend at Phillip Island, by posting a sub-1'32 lap during the first session of qualifying for the World Superbike class to seize provisional pole. In the dying seconds of QP1, the Honda WSBK man took nearly a second off his best time to usurp the Ducatis, which had dominated until then, and seize the top spot. Rea's fast time demoted Effenbert Liberty's Jakub Smrz into 2nd spot, who had himself pushed Carlos Checa off provisional pole a few moments earlier.

The Althea Ducati man ended the session behind both Rea and Smrz, but more surprisingly, Checa also ended up slower than his rookie teammate Davide Giugliano, albeit by just a few hundredths of a second. Max Biaggi inserted his factory Aprilia between Checa and yet another Ducati, this time of Niccolo Canepa, while Tom Sykes led the Kawasakis in 7th, ahead of teammate Joan Lascorz in 8th.

Race Details

2012

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Jimmie Johnson Jeff Burton Joey Logano