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Motorsports mainstay Tom Walkinshaw dead at 64 [w/video]

Filed under: Motorsports

Tom Wilkinshaw

Tom Wilkinshaw, a former racer and Formula One team owner, passed away this weekend after a long fight with cancer at the age of 64. Wilkinshaw began making a name for himself in the racing world when he took the 1969 Formula Ford title, though he didn’t stop at the open-wheel leagues. After taking the European Touring Car Championship in 1984 with a Jaguar XJS, the sportsman took the Bathurst 1000 in the same car with co-drivers John Goss and German Armin. Wilkinshaw also snagged the Le Mans and Sportscar titles before jumping out of the cockpit to lend a hand with the legendary Benetton F1 team as an engineering director.

While there, Wilkinshaw helped usher Michael Schumacher to the first F1 wins of his career. After his time with Benetton, the Scot worked under the Ligier and Arrows banners before leaving F1 for Australian Supercars. Hit the jump to see the man in action behind the wheel of a Jaguar V12 XJS.

[Sources: Formula 1, The Sydney Morning Herald]

Continue reading Motorsports mainstay Tom Walkinshaw dead at 64 [w/video]

Motorsports mainstay Tom Walkinshaw dead at 64 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fabled GM design chief Chuck Jordan dead at 83

Filed under: Etc., GM, Design/Style

Charles 'Chuck' Jordan Charles Jordan, better known as ‘Chuck,’ was the driving force behind the modern design era at General Motors. After graduating from MIT in 1949, Jordan joined the GM design staff in the role of Junior Engineer. Throughout the years, Chuck Jordan rose through the ranks and designed some amazing vehicles. One notable design includes the GM Motorama-featured 1956 Buick Centurion Concept.

Other vehicles that you may have heard of, which featured Jordan’s guidance, include:

-1958 Chevrolet Corvette
-1959 Cadillac Eldorado
-1968 Opel GT
-1970 Opel Manta
-1992 Cadillac STS

That is just a partial list that can be filled with the Oldsmobile Aurora, a handful of Camaro models and a lot of stylish concepts.

Chuck Jordan was just the fourth person elected to the position of Vice President of Design, a position he held from 1986 until his retirement in 1992. He passed away in the evening hours of Thursday, December 9.

[Source: AutoWeek | Image: General Motors Archive]

Fabled GM design chief Chuck Jordan dead at 83 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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James Winner Jr., inventor of The Club, dead at 81

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Safety, Technology

The Club James Winner Jr. made a unique mark on the automotive world. He created a product that took the country by storm and ushered in a new age of aftermarket theft deterrents. And now he’s gone. Mr. Winner lost his life on September 14th, 2010 during a two-car crash in Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

After having his Cadillac stolen a few decades back, Winner realized there had to be a more aggressive way of securing a vehicle than simply relying on the alarm that came with the car. He put his brain to work and came up with The Club and sold millions of units around the world.

Winner, 81 years old, was driving his Lexus when for unknown reasons he crossed the divider into oncoming traffic and hit another car. Mr. Winner, as well as the driver and passenger of the car he hit, were pronounced dead at the scene. Seat belts were reportedly worn by both drivers.

The Club sold well and Winner made some serious scratch, but he didn’t keep it all for himself, becoming a prominent philanthropist in his community and donating large sums of money to hospitals and other worthwhile foundations across the country. Our condolences go out to all the families of those involved. Thanks for the tip, Charlie!

[Source: WKBN | Image: Michael McCauslin/Wikipedia]

James Winner Jr., inventor of The Club, dead at 81 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: Jack Pitney, BMW North America marketing VP, dead at 47

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, BMW

BMW VP Jack Pitney with Apollo Ono

Jack Pitney, BMW’s North American vice president of marketing was killed today in a tragic accident while vacationing on his farm.

Pitney, 47, had been with BMW since 1995, when he joined the German automaker to head its corporate communications operations. Influential in bringing the Mini brand to the U.S., he was its first boss in this market from 2001-2005. More recently, he was the point man for helping BMW secure a partnership with the U.S. Olympic Committee (see photo above). Pitney was tipped to become VP of BMW’s eastern region on September 1.

Our condolences go out to Pitney’s family, friends and colleagues. Official press release from BMW after the jump.

Continue reading BREAKING: Jack Pitney, BMW North America marketing VP, dead at 47

BREAKING: Jack Pitney, BMW North America marketing VP, dead at 47 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: The Ford Focus ST is dead, long live the Focus ST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Ford

Ford Focus ST

Ford Focus ST – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Euro 5 emissions standards have struck again, contributing to the (timely) death of the current generation Ford Focus ST.

The ST is yet another high-powered Euro-only offering to meet its end at the hands of the upgraded emissions regs, joining the ranks of the recently axed Honda Civic Type-R, Mazda RX-8, V6-powered Alfa Brera and the 5.0-liter V10 turbodiesel fitted to the Volkswagen Touareg and a handful of other VAG products.

While the turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder found in the Ford is being retired for duty, fear not. An all-new ST is rumored to debut at the Paris Motor Show this October, likely packing a turbo’d 2.0-liter four mated to a dual-clutch gearbox and sending 200 horsepower to the front wheels. We can’t wait.

Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Ford Focus ST

[Source: Autocar]

Report: The Ford Focus ST is dead, long live the Focus ST originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: At least 8 dead in California 200 off-road race tragedy

Filed under: Motorsports

Crash at California 200 off-road race

Crash at California 200 off-road race – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Associated Press is reporting that eight people are dead after an off-road racing truck hit spectators near the start of the California 200 off-road race Saturday evening. Witnesses say the truck had just completed a jump called “the rockpile” that occurs about two miles from the start of the race when it lost control, struck spectators and came to a rest on its roof. Six people died at the scene, two others after being airlifted to the Loma Linda University Medical Center and 12 others were injured. It reportedly took rescue vehicles and helicopters a half hour to reach scene, during which time spectators tried to help the injured. Witnesses say the driver of the truck, who remains unidentified, had to flee the scene after some spectators became hostile and began to throw rocks at him. [UPDATE: Reports of the driver being pelted with rocks have not been verified, with some witnesses claiming it never happened.]

The California 200 is a 200-mile off-road race that occurs in the Mojave Desert close to the city of Lucerne Valley, just 100 miles away from Los Angeles. As with most off-road races of this type, there are no barriers separating spectators from race vehicles that can rocket by at near triple-digit speeds while facing obstacles like jumps that are designed to get all four wheels off the ground.

While the California Highway Patrol normally does not investigate crashes at organized motorsport events, AP reports that the CHP has taken the lead on this one due to its “scope”. The Federal Bureau of Land Management is also assisting. At this point, it’s not known what caused the driver of the truck to lose control, though we expect that and the driver’s identity to be revealed in due time.

The families of the victims will be in our thoughts as we try to process this tragedy, and we’ll let you know as soon as more information is available.

UPDATE: The non-profit organization FAST-aid is accepting donations to assist families of the victims. 100% of the donations will go to assist the families, which is pretty great.

UPDATE 2: Video news reports added after the jump from local news station, plus a CNN video that shows how close spectators may have been to the track.

Gallery: Crash at California 200 off-road race

Crash at California 200 off-road race

[Source: Associated Press]

Continue reading BREAKING: At least 8 dead in California 200 off-road race tragedy

BREAKING: At least 8 dead in California 200 off-road race tragedy originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Aug 2010 15:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bloomberg: Lamborghini Estoque production hopes not dead, still under consideration

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Performance, Europe, Lamborghini, Rumormill, Luxury

Lamborghini Estoque Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Just when you thought that hallowed Lamborghini was safe from the threat of a new mega saloon, news like this crops up. While speaking with interviewers, company CEO Stephan Winkelmann said that adding a third model to the Lamborghini lineup would be a good way to shore up diminished sales. The company hasn’t quite been able to maintain its pre-recession numbers with sales down 18 percent compared to last year.

What exactly does Winkelmann have in mind? A four door designed to compete with the likes of the Aston Martin Rapide, Porsche Panamera and Maserati Quattroporte. If that means something along the lines of the mighty Estoque Concept, our hearts wouldn’t exactly be broken, even if that means diluting the Lamborghini gene pool somewhat.

For now though, the new model is simply Winkelmann’s best guess at how to get buyers back behind the wheel of a Raging Bull. Before the company goes dumping cash into development, it will need to see sales of both the Gallardo and Murcielago improve in a big way.

Gallery: Paris 2008: Lamborghini Estoque LIVE

[Source: Bloomberg]

Bloomberg: Lamborghini Estoque production hopes not dead, still under consideration originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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