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F1 and INDYCAR Launch Virtual Racing Series

March 21, 2020 by ponycargirl Leave a Comment

It started in the wake of Formula E suspending its season for two months, then Formula 1 cancelling the Australian Grand Prix because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jean-Eric Vergne (JEV), the two-time ABB FIA Formula E Champion, posted a modest proposal on social media and tagged other drivers: “To all my fellow friends racing drivers who won’t race in the next 2 months: should we create an online championship and race?” A day later, JEV posted a graphic with the tag “Not the AUS GP” – Real F1 Drivers vs. Top Gamers. The first driver announce was McLaren Driver Lando Norris, then former McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne (currently with the Mercedes Formula e team), along with Mercedes development driver and former Formula E driver Esteban Gutierrez and more curiously, Thibault Courtois (goalkeeper for Real Madrid) following suit. Veloce Esports, JEV’s sponsor, would be host of the live event on their YouTube channel and Twitch March 15, 2020.

Thanks to Instagram’s logarithms that always show me things I would actually want to see 17 hours after they have happened, I missed the livestream but the entire event can be watched here. I’ll admit to being a complete stranger to Esports – gaming is not my thing, so on the outset I was surprised at the level of detail, including race stewards behind the fence and nervous team engineers in the pit garage. The 29-lap the e-race had some exciting moments, though there was a strange glitch at the race start when the light went green but the cars just sat on the grid for several seconds. Missing is the onboard banter (which seems to be in a separate video), the excitement of real-life pit-stops, and the general drama of F1 and its various personalties, but the after-race interviews and banter tries to make up for that. And hey, Williams finished in the points, hopefully a good omen for the 2020 season when real racing finally gets started. Of the real drivers, Lando Norris finished 6th after working his way up from a start at 19th, Gutierrez finished 10th after a DQ in qualifying when his system crashed, and Vandoorne came in 15th. Nineteen year old Hungarian esports driver Dani Bereznay won both pole and the race. His comments afterwards echo all of our sentiments, I think: “…I’m a huge Formula 1 fan myself as well, so I just want to see the real teams and cars and guys racing out there as soon as possible, but at least from this negative we did some kind of positive results a the end of the day…”

Team roster for Not The AUS GP:
Mercedes: Stoffel Vandoorne – Esteban Gutierrez
Red Bull: Tiametmarduk – Veloce Hyperz
Toro Rosso: Super GT – Jimmy Broadbent
McLaren: Lando Norris – WillNE
Alfa Romeo: Dani Bereznay – James Baldwin
Racing Point: James Doherty – Thibaut Courtois
Williams: Sacha Fenestraz – Tom Martinez
HAAS: Louis Delétraz – Ryan Tveter
Renault: Jarno Opmeer – Simon Weigang

Early on March 20 Formula 1 announced its own F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix series to be broadcast on Formula 1 YouTube, Twitch and Facebook channels. The first e-race will be the Bahrain Virtual Grand Prix 8pm GMT Sunday, March 22. Not surprisingly these races will not have actual championship points for the drivers. The Virtual Grand Prix is a separate event from the Not The BAH GP, which will be at 6pm GMT on the Veloce Esports channel. Both events will announce the competitors soon, but it’s safe to say that the F1 version will have more current F1 drivers, and the Veloce version will have a different variety of drivers (including Williams’ Nick Lafiti) and e-sports champs.

With the racing season from regional tracks to prominent series like F1 postponed and cancelled globally, it’s not surprising that INDYCAR and NASCAR would also take a cue from the success of this hastily organized Veloce e-race. Hours after the F1 announcement, INDYCAR sent out a press release announcing the first race of the INDYCAR iRacing Challenge on Saturday March 28, 2020 at 4pm EST. The IndyCar virtual racing will start out with six races to be streamed live on indycar.com as well as YouTube, Facebook Live, and Twitch for the next six Saturdays. The actual venue will be voted on by fans and the winner will be interviewed on Instagram afterwards by Katie Hargitt. The entry list will be announced in the coming week. (Read the full press release here.) NASCAR is launching the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series for fans Sunday, March 22, 1:30pm EST, limited to FS1 and the FOX Sports app. The race will feature NASCAR notables such as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Bobby Labonte, Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, Clint Bowyer, Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Bubba Wallace and more at iRacing virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Lemonade from lemons; this could be a fun diversion while we are all practicing social distancing and hoping the best for friends and family.

NYC EPRIX – Formula e Returns to the Big Apple

July 20, 2018 by ponycargirl Leave a Comment

Despite the critics and naysayers, Formula e is sticking around. Even better, it seems to like New York City, and for the second year in a row set up a course in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn for the final two races for Season 4. There was a little less hoopla this time around, and New Yorkers flocked in the heat (and, a first for Formula e – rain!) to the 2.373km track – even if my NY brethren are still unclear on how to properly walk over the track stairs.

Because of the huge emphasis on being Green, the series ran shuttle busses to two main subway stations to encourage people to take public transportation. The track for the electric race cars is set on the large parking lot of the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, with the narrow cobblestone feeder streets blocked to traffic. The series attracts a curious mix of race fans, techie types, and curious people just looking for something interesting to do on the weekend.

The behind-the-scenes technology is fascinating. Formula e uses 18” Michelin tyres designed specifically for the series, and can be used in both dry and rain conditions. Unlike Indy Car or Formula 1, a good portion of the sponsors are tech companies that also partner with the teams. Speaking with Patrick Hurley, Vice President and General Manager of Acronis Americas, he told me that each team generated hundreds of gigs of valuable information each day. That information needs to be saved and protected on site. Acronis partners with the Renault e.dams team to store data ranging from simulations, video feeds, and telemetry.

Most importantly – there was racing. Earlier in the year at the New York International Auto Show, inaugural champion Nelson Piquet Jr. did donuts in the Panasonic Jaguar Racing formula a car, and he was back in New York for the season finale. Last year Formula 1 driver Sébastien Buemi couldn’t make the NY race, but this year ended up winning the Pole in New York driving for Renault e.dams.

Much to the delight of the drivers, the track was changed this year – longer, wider in spots, with more turns. The longer straight into Turn 7 and out of Turn 10 actually allowed for the chance to pass, making the race more competitive and exciting. “Formula e started something completely new so all the tracks were very conservative. All the Formula e tracks are becoming faster speeds, and longer straights, less chicanes, so for this year the chicane here is quicker, and the new part allows you to have a slightly longer straight, so that’s what we need. We need longer straights, we need a little bit more fast corners,” said Lucas di Grassi, “…if you make a track without overtaking points, for example Paris, it’s very difficult to overtake. Short straights with not really much space it becomes less of a race.”

Starting out in 11^thposition, Lucas di Grassi (Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler),worked his way up over the race. It looked like the race would finish under a yellow flag after Alex Lynn crashed, but with about five minutes to go the course went green, and di Grassi took the checkered flag followed by teammate Daniel Abt and Sebastien Buemi.

After the champagne spray, Jean-Eric Vergne, TECHEETAH was crowned the season champion. “I can’t believe it – what a crazy race – god it feels good… I have waited the whole season for this. When I crossed the line I honestly didn’t know I had won. My engineer told me, ‘I guess we’ve done it,’, so I said, ‘what do you mean?’ Then Lotterer went past me and clapped, so I knew something was up. When I found out I was speechless. I enjoyed the race, but obviously, it was very tough. Some drivers were quite hard and overconsumed energy to try and not let m e by. It was actually really complicated, a real fight unlike in Zurich – today, the drivers were tougher!”

SATURDAY GALLERY (Sunday race results and gallery follows):

Sunday’s qualifying took place on a wet course after some morning rain – then the course was completely close as a thunderstorm blew through. Not the sort of electric we were looking for, but it passed over fairly quickly and the drivers headed out to the starting grid on time. TECHEETAH’s Jean-Eric Vergne crossed the finish line first, with Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler’s Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi in second and third, respectively, and narrowly winning the team title over TECHEETAH.

The next season should prove to be the most interesting year for the series with the Gen 2 car. Using a new battery from McLaren Applied Technologies and Atieva will allow the drivers shed their range anxiety, running the entire race in the same car – no more car changes halfway through a 45-minute race. Season 5 starts in Saudi Arabia December, 2018.

SUNDAY GALLERY:

: GEN 2

: GEN 2

: OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Crazy on-board footage from Renault Clio rally crash

May 8, 2014 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

I have never heard a co-driver scream during a crash like Nicolas Pire does in this one. Of course I am not being critical in any way, but I have watched a lot of rally crashes over the years and I have never heard something like this.

Fortunately, I have also never been upside down in a rally car myself, in either seat.

Pire was co-driving for Steve Poot in a Renault Clio R3 at the Rallye de Wallonie in Belgium when the back wheels were kicked up on a jump, which sent the little car flying into a series of rolls. I was involved in a conversation on Facebook recently where a road racer was complaining that the roll cage in his race car was not acceptable for a rally he was hoping to enter. Perhaps this was because a road racing cage is designed for one or maybe two impacts of a linear type, where rally cages are designed for the incredible violence that comes from a crash like this. Pire and Poot walked away from this.

If you think that little cars like a Clio aren’t really all that fast, check out this video compilation of action from the same rally. The mix of tarmac and gravel must make tire choice a nightmare.

Tarmac Rally Is Awesome

October 2, 2009 by Erik Ockwell 1 Comment

So when people think of rally cars, they usually picture a blue Subaru bouncing down a narrow gravel road.

But there are rallies that run on pavement, or “tarmac” as the euros like to say. The cars are mostly the same, but with stiffer suspension settings, larger brakes, sweet 18″ wheels and in most cases, shorter gears in the transmissions. Ocasionally some rich dude will run in a Porsche or Aston Martin, but for the most part, the usual suspects are winning.

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‘Crashgate’ Brings Massive Changes at Renault F1

September 23, 2009 by Tom Williams 1 Comment

2009-Renault-F1-R29-Front-And-Side-1920x1440

It just wouldn’t be Formula 1 racing if not for the drama, right? Crashgate refers to the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix-the first F1 race held at night. Ferrari driver Felipe Massa started the race from pole. Former F1 World Champion Fernando Alonso, driving for Renault started from 15th, seemed a non-factor in the race. Alonso pitted early, and then on lap 13 Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr. spun his car into the wall at over 100mph, bringing out the safety car, wrecking the pit strategies of the front-runners.

With Alonso’s early pit-stop ahead of the safety car, he was able to win the race. Sound fishy? The FIA thought so too. The World Motor Sport Council found Renault F1 guilty of conspiracy and race fixing. The team was also handed a two year disqualification from F1, suspended. Meaning if they screw up again, they are out.

[Read more…]

Forgotten Sporty Cars Part IX: Renault Fuego

March 9, 2009 by Tom Williams 18 Comments

Welcome back to Forgotten Sporty Cars at The Garage! In this space we recall an era where small, economy car-based based vehicles were sold with zippy styling. Whether there was any substance to the sizzle weÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ll leave for you to judge.

1982-1985 Renault Fuego

We’re on a roll with Renaults, but after TG’s last look at the GTA and today’s Fuego, it is a short run. While the GTA was built in America as a limited edition, higher performance Alliance, the Fuego took a different route. Made in France, based on the 18i sedan (sold in N.A. from ’81-’82) and 18i Sportwagon (sold from ’81-’86), the Fuego had a body all its own.
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Forgotten Sporty Cars Part VII: Renault GTA

February 21, 2009 by Tom Williams 45 Comments

1987 Renault GTA

The Renault GTA was a limited production model based on the Alliance (which was based on the Renault 9). Built in the last full year of Alliance production, the GTA was available as a coupe or convertible.Ã‚Â

The GTA was distinguished from the Alliance by its more powerful engine, a 2.0 liter four cylinder rated at 95hp. A five-speed manual was the only transmission available. Externally, the GTA featured side skirts, front air dam, rear spoiler, no chrome trim and 15″ Ronal alloy wheels. Inside, the GTA featured full instrumentation, well-bolstered seats, and a steering wheel from the European-only Renault R5 Turbo.

The GTA lays claim to the shortest-lived Sporty Car profiled here in The Garage. I actually owned a red GTA coupe when I was 17 years old, until a UPS truck rear-ended me on I-95, which totaled the car. At the time, the GTA was sort of an eccentric alternative to a GTI, Civic Si or Corolla FX-16. The car looked the part, was quick enough, handled well and had quick steering, as I recall. Compared to the competition, fit and finish wasn’t even close; the GTA felt cheap and tinny. Ã‚Â When Chrysler took over AMC in 1987, the Alliance, and the GTA along with it bit the dust.

The Garage thanks AMXFilesÃ‚Â for providing information contained in this article.

Eagle: The Forgotten Love Child of the AMC/Chrysler Merger

October 22, 2008 by Tom Williams 11 Comments

Here in The Garage we’ve talked about the possibility of a GM/Chrysler merger, as well as Ã‚Â rumors that Nissan may buy 20% of Chrysler. We’ve speculated that GM would likely scrap all of Chrysler’s offerings, save the Jeep brand and the Caravan/Town & Country minivans.Ã‚Â

A similar scenario was actually played out in 1987 when Chrysler bought out AMC. Chrysler wanted the Jeep brand and nothing else. However, Renault had a considerable stake in AMC, and were just about ready to bring to market two new models. Renault OK’d the buy-out, but Chrysler was obligated to sell these new cars in North America. Chrysler quickly formed the Eagle brand, intended to appeal to enthusiasts. So what were these long lost, forgotten cars? Read on…

1988-1992 Eagle Premier

Sold as a full-size, front wheel drive , six passenger car, the Premier came with either a 111hp 4-cylinder or 150hp V-6. The car was fairly well engineered for its time, with a four-wheel independent suspension and rack and pinion steering. The body was designed by the famed italdesign.
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Detroit love triangle: While The General asks Dad for permission, Nissan bids for some service

October 22, 2008 by Gary Grant 2 Comments

While the folks from GM have been hard at work trying to put together a deal to absorb Chrysler, the folks from Nissan have slid one in from behind with an offer to buy 20% of the ailing firm.

All kidding aside, this isn’t all that different from when the Mopar squad assimilated AMC like The Borg taking over the Federation. Matador? Gone. Pacer? Adios. Gremlin? Vamos. The lone exception of course is the Jeep brand, which continues to be the shining gem in Chrysler’s fading crown to this day. If GM were to absorb the Detroit neighbor, you can bet that Jeep would continue to survive alongside the Caravan. Beyond that? Gone the way of AMC.

Carlos Ghosn has been called one of the brightest guys in the industry. When Renault partnered with Nissan, they did more than provide capital for the Japanese brand. They streamlined process, they reinforced brand, they developed product. They made a weak partner into a strong partner.

Imagine for a moment what potential the team at Chrysler has. Now, at the same time, consider the amount of dead wood in the dealer body, not to mention the dead wood within the corporate structure. If Carlos’ team is successful in their bid to partner with Chrysler, the Traditional Domestic landscape might change forever. GM is struggling to pay for their own mistakes, let alone the cash flow needed to date one of their long time rivals. Ford is in shock now that Big Kirk has pulled out and left a gaping hole where his money used to be.

With Ghosn at the helm of a giant tripod spanning 3 continents, this partnership could bring new meaning to the term The Big 3. With the ability to fund a ruthless restructuring of Chrysler’s overblown infrastructure, perhaps the talents within could be put to good use to actually resurrect Walter P’s namesake.

Interesting times ahead.

For all the serious details visit The Detroit News.

No auto execs were harmed in the shooting of the above photo we scooped from the internets.

How low can you go?

December 19, 2007 by Jeff Bressler Leave a Comment

How about a disposable car?

Tata Motors, India’s third-biggest auto marker, will showcase its $2,500 car at the Auto Expo in New Delhi on Jan. 10, with a commercial launch planned for later in 2008.

With that price, you could change cars every season and still have money for a Big Mac or two.
[Read more…]

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