Subaru Isle of Man TT Record Attempt
Subaru of America, Inc. has released a new YouTube video of the 2011 Subaru WRX STI setting an all-time course record for the historic Isle of Man TT Mountain Course. The 5 minute 25 second video highlights in graphic detail the speed and drama surrounding rally driver Mark Higgins' lap that averaged 115.356 MPH. After the run, Higgins talks through the "moment" at Brey Hill when he momentarily loses, and then regains, control of the WRX STI at more than 150 MPH.
Driving a US specification 2011 Subaru WRX STI, Higgins achieved speeds of 162 MPH and a lapped time of 19 minutes 37 seconds over the 37-mile track, navigating more than 200 corners.
"This is one of the most daunting tracks I have ever driven, and the most terrifying," said Higgins, a Manx native. "We were only able to get two practice runs and on our second practice I had the biggest "moment" of my career. We had a passenger on the run and so coming into Bray Hill at more than 150 MPH, the extra weight compressed the suspension more than on previous runs and shifted the Subaru to the left and then right as I corrected--it was a real tank slapper. The whole thing went by so quickly that we never slowed below 110 MPH, and then we were back on the power. It was amazing and the helicopter shots really show just how hairy it really was."
The WRX STI was a production US spec car running a standard 305 HP turbocharged boxer engine. Some safety modifications were made. The Subaru was equipped with a Lifeline fire suppression system, Hockley Motorsports roll cage, motordrive competition seats, Mintex brake pads (but stock calipers and rotors), and a louder open Exhaust to warn spectators of the on-coming car. The speed limiter was turned off to allow a higher maximum speed; off-the shelf Tien springs and dampers were added to accommodate the numerous high-speed jumps on the circuit, sending the WRX STI almost four feet off the ground. The car ran on street legal Pirelli P Zero Trofeo tires.
The Story Of The Metro 6R4 PART ONE
A look at the Competition history of the Metro 6R4, from it's design to it's last World Rally, the 1986 RAC.
We then follow the Austin Rover Works drivers, Tony Pond and Malcolm Wilson through the 1986 season.
We also look at the 6R4 in the British Open Championship.
This film is called Genesis to Revelation and is
Part 1 of 5.
Rover SD1 V8 3500 VDP EFI Vitesse start up
1984 Rover 3500 VDP EFI start up and general quick view mid-point of restoration. Thanks for viewing, more to follow when the car is finished. PS - this is my Dad's! not mine -lolol! - like for solar panel charging the battery XD
Metro 6R4 85 RAC Rally Preview
from sportsnight. had to take asmall section out to get it under 10 minutes but it was only about Tony Pond flying a helicopter.
Fly with Ian Hutchinson around Isle of Man
A fast lap on board with Ian Hutchinson around Isle of Man circuit.
Soundtracks are listed on movie at the end.
I do not claim ownership over video or audio sources.
TWR Bastos Rover Vitesse in NZ
Hulme/Allain/Hahne car racing at Ruapuna in Christchurch, New Zealand. Video includes close up on interior and car racing.
Jeremy Clarkson 5.2 Rover SD1 race car by RPI Engineering.
This is behind the scenes footage of Jeremy Clarksons 'At Full Throttle' video which we built this crazy 5.2 Rover SD1 for.It raced the race prep'd,tuned 2.0 16v Nova and won both races,in the RAIN!
www.v8engines.com
Design with Style -- The Rover SD1
Rover and British Leyland were beset by problems in the mid 1970s. Out of this cauldron of mismanagement came the Rover SD1 in 1976. It was called SD for the Specialist Division and 1 for the first car to come from the in-house styling department. Despite a dramatic, innovative design both inside and out, the option of classic V8 grunt, and more or less universally praised dynamics, the SD1's reputation -and its longevity suffered at the hands of a company in meltdown.
And it could all have been so different. The car, which was styled by Rover's design genius David Bache, had some grand ambitions. It had been designed to look like a family version of contemporary Italian supercars (they even got a load of Italian supercars in for comparison purposes early in the design process), while the attractive interior was intelligently designed from both a user's and an engineering perspective. Such was BL's confidence in it that they ploughed £31 million into a new factory (which in the end would be mothballed after just five years
it even received rave reviews from the motoring press. "It is hard to be over-enthusiastic about the new 3500" said Autocar. "On every score, its qualities justify any kind of enthusiasm. It would have been hard to predict, especially looking at the bald paper specification, just how well the car would perform, handle and ride.
"Add to that the spaciousness and aerodynamic efficiency of the body, and the attention paid to ensuring that the car will last, and it is easy to see why all competitors are casting worried glances, not only at the car but also at its price. If the 3500 will be built in sufficient numbers, if the quality can be maintained along with the price, and if the ground is not cut from under its wheels by ill-advised legislation, the new 3500 should be one of the successes of the decade."
But production numbers, of course, could not be maintained and nor could the quality. And all we are left with in the 21st century is a whole bag of 'what ifs' and a dwindling handful of what was once one of the most promising cars ever to be created in Britain.
Source: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=996733
5.3 litre rover sd1 vitesse starting up
rover sd1 club essex rep's 5.3 litre vitesse starting up at the december meet of the rover sd1 club (essex area) at the cross keys in hatfield peveral
