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ETC: Red Bull Soapbox winners and racers in all their glory [w/videos]

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Videos, UK

Red Bull Soapbox Race London UK

There is simply no end to the crazy stuff the crew from Red Bull will sponsor. From the well-known Formula 1 outfit to moped rallies to what you see here, soapbox racers, there seems to be nothing worth doing (or not, we suppose) that the energy drink isn’t interested in. And we’re thankful for that.

If not for Red Bull, where else in the world would you see grown men and women storm Alexandra Palace in the UK to spend a day barreling down a hill barricaded by hay bails with strategically placed jumps in gravity-driven wheeled vehicles just to get judged on their speed, creativity and showmanship? Nowhere. That’s where.

We can’t show you all 70-something teams that took part in the soapbox festivities in the UK this year, but we have managed to scrounge together a gallery of images from the event, and you can see videos of the top three finishers, along with some high- and low-lights, below.

Continue reading Red Bull Soapbox winners and racers in all their glory [w/videos]

Red Bull Soapbox winners and racers in all their glory [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Jul 2013 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Red Bull Racing to collaborate on Infiniti performance model

Filed under: Performance, Infiniti

Infiniti and Red Bull

History and the contemporary automotive market hold no lack of examples of F1 teams translating their checkered flags into road cars. It’s practically Ferrari’s raison d’être, after all. McLaren’s following suit, as well. Even Williams has collaborated with Renault on performance-oriented Clios, and now with Jaguar on the C-X75. But though each of these teams has claimed its share of championships and then some, these days it’s Red Bull Racing that’s on top. Trouble is – PlayStation fantasies notwithstanding – Red Bull doesn’t make automobiles beyond a small batch of single-seaters for Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel. That’s where Infiniti comes in.

Powered by sister company Renault’s engines, the Red Bull team this year features prominent sponsorship from Infiniti – a move which is expected to turn into a more comprehensive re-branding scheme in the future. In the meantime, Infiniti is keen to capitalize on its tie-in with the world champion F1 team (particularly since its only previous racing activities involved limited success in converting the Q45’s V8 for Indy racing), and now reports are suggesting that a collaborative road car project between Red Bull Racing and Infiniti could be underway.

Citing the Renault Clio Williams as precedent, the Japanese luxury automaker is reportedly looking into making a performance-oriented version of one of its current products to go beyond the current Infiniti Performace Line. The G37 coupe would be the likeliest basis, but a substantial re-engineering effort could (unlike the Renault Williams tie-up) involve the F1 team’s engineers to transfer their competencies to the road. Sources expect the project to be complete within two years from now.

Red Bull Racing to collaborate on Infiniti performance model originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 May 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Red-light camera company exec put on leave after internet misrepresentation

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

red light camera

Bill Kroske, vice president of American Traffic Solutions, Inc., has been suspended after misrepresenting himself on two newspaper websites in western Washington. Kroske claimed to be a citizen in comments he made on both the Everett, Wash. Herald and the Spokane, Wash. Spokesman-Review.

In those comments, Kroske promoted American Traffic Solutions’ red light camera systems, which bust impatient travelers even when cops aren’t available. A reporter at the Herald found Kroske out after tracing comments he made back to Scottsdale, Arizona, where the company is based. That wasn’t the only clue, however.

It seems that Kroske used his work email address and real name to set up commenting accounts on both websites. He then proceeded to extol the benefits of red light camera systems on both newspapers’ sites. Evidently Kroske was ignorant of the fact that comments are moderated, and administrators can track their origins. For all the gory details on Koske’s online bumbling, head over to the Spokesman-Review’s website.

Red-light camera company exec put on leave after internet misrepresentation originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 May 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Mini and Dsquared² present the Cooper S “Red Mudder” at Life Ball 2011

Filed under: Aftermarket, Hatchback, Mini, Design/Style, Off-Road

Mini Cooper S Red Mudder

Mini Cooper S “Red Mudder” by Dsquared² – Click above for high-res image gallery

If you’re looking for an off-road Mini, the Countryman is your best bet. But Mini’s always toying with new bodystyles, and the Countryman’s All4 traction system may expand to other models as well. Could this be our first look at the next off-road Mini?

Well, we never know what the future might hold for the BMW division, but what you’re looking at here is the result of Mini’s latest fashion collaboration. Called the Red Mudder, this Mini Cooper S hatchback has been retrofitted by Canadian fashion designers Dean and Dan Caten.

Previewed in renderings earlier this month, the one-off features a raised suspension, brush guard, rally lights, tinted windows, knobby tires (including a spare mounted to the tailgate) and an interior fitted with aluminum plating and a compass on the dashboard. The Caten twins also applied their signature maple leaf logo to the door panels and to the headrests.

It’s the latest product of Mini’s 11-year sponsorship of the Life Ball – Europe’s largest HIV/AIDS fundraiser – that has seen such designers as Versace, Diesel, Kenneth Cole and Calvin Klein create their own interpretations of the Mini, each year auctioned at the event with the proceeds going towards the cause. Follow the jump for the full press release and scope out the images in our high-resolution gallery.

Continue reading Mini and Dsquared² present the Cooper S “Red Mudder” at Life Ball 2011

Mini and Dsquared² present the Cooper S “Red Mudder” at Life Ball 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 May 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Exclusive: Amazing Scion FR-S Soapbox car ready to roll in Red Bull race this weekend

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Scion

Scion FR-S Soapbox Derby Car

Scion FR-S Soapbox Derby Car – Click above for image gallery

Remember the good old days when you and your dad spent countless hours in a dimly-lit garage to piece together an old ramshackle Soapbox Derby car for an upcoming downhill race? It probably was constructed out of ancient materials, rocked wagon wheels and had a cable brake that may or may not have stopped you before kissing something solid. Well, my friends, just like the rapture of tomorrow, those days are over.

Scion FR-S Soapbox Derby Car Renowned concept car builder Five:Axis is ready to throw down with a truly outstanding build for an upcoming Soapbox Derby. Being put together by Red Bull, this ain’t your regular Soapbox Derby, and this certainly ain’t your average backyard special. This is a custom one-off fiberglass micro-body based on the super stylish Scion FR-S Concept unveiled at the New York Auto Show in April. Since Five:Axis is well intertwined with Toyota, Lexus and Scion, it looks like they got some design studio CAD files to design the shell and the same slinky red metallic paint that the FR-S was wearing for its first stage appearance.

Think the underpinnings are still ’50s Soapbox technology? You couldn’t be further off because the custom aluminum space frame features a TEIN coilover suspension and Wilwood disc brakes. But all that technology isn’t going to be worth jack if there isn’t a ringer behind the wheel. The Five:Axis Scion FR-S will be piloted by none other than Dai Yoshihara, the Formula D drifter who slides the Falken Tire Nissan 240SX. Dai knows a thing or two about grip as well since he also competes in the Redline Time Attack Tuner Car Championship in an imported Civic Type R.

However, at this point we’re not sure what part of Dai’s expertise is really applicable for the upcoming Redbull Soapbox derby race. The only race on the calendar in the U.S. this year, it’s slated to be held tomorrow, May 21 at 5th & Grand in downtown LA and promises to be nothing like what you might envision a traditional Soapbox derby to be. There are sharp 90-degree turns, NASCAR-style banks and myriad of sweet jumps. Although it appears the Five:Axis build will hold together during the abuse, we are not sure that Dai’s run will be crash or injury free.

Amazing Scion FR-S Soapbox car ready to roll in Red Bull race this weekend originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 May 2011 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Red Bull drifts through downtown Atlanta

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hyundai, Pontiac, Racing

Red Bull Peachtree Drift Battle

Red Bull Peachtree Drift Battle in Atlanta – Click above to watch the video after the break

According to the company’s slogan, Red Bull is supposed to give you wings. Apparently, all it gives Rhys Millen and Ryan Tuerck is smoke… tire smoke that is, and lots of it.

The two drivers – Millen in his Hyundai Genesis Coupe and Tuerck in his Pontiac Solstice Coupe (may it rest in peace) – were flown out to the Georgian capitol to take part in the Red Bull Peachtree Drift Battle, which, as you may have guessed, takes place down Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta.

There’s isn’t really a winner to this staged race, except for perhaps all the innocent bystanders who got a much-needed injection of excitement into their routine daily commutes. See all the tire-smoking action in the video after the break.

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Red Bull drifts through downtown Atlanta originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 May 2011 20:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: World Supersport race in Assen sees two red flags, carnage galore

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Motorcycle, Racing

Sam Lowes goes down at Assen

Sam Lowes goes down at Assen. Ouch. – Click above to watch video after the jump

Last weekend’s World Supersport race at Assen was a rough one. Both Sam Lowes and Alexander Lundh took away broken bones after separate incidents that caused marshals to bring out the red flag each time. Lowes highsided his machine while jousting with championship-leader Luca Scassa and eventual race-winner Chaz Davies. Despite the brutality of the crash, Lowes only suffered a broken collar bone and a mild concussion. He’s expected to be back in the saddle for the next series event in Monza.

Lundh, meanwhile, managed to find himself tangled up in an incident only two laps into the first restart of the race. The racer lost control of his machine after Marko Jerman highsided in front of him. Shortly after going down, Lund was hit by a third bike, resulting in a broken wrist. Jerman, meanwhile, escaped with only bumps and bruises.

The two red flags cut the race down to just 16 laps, and the third start allowed Davies to jump out ahead of the pack and maintain his lead. Head over to TwoWheelsBlog for a full rundown of the finishers and hit the jump for a look at some of the carnage.

[Source: TwoWheelsBlog]

Continue reading Video: World Supersport race in Assen sees two red flags, carnage galore

Video: World Supersport race in Assen sees two red flags, carnage galore originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Red Bull Donkey Cross combines dirtbikes and asses

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Europe, Videos

2011 donkey cross

Red Bull presents the 2011 Donkey Cross – Click above to watch video after the jump

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to cross the challenging world of motocross and walking donkeys? No? Neither have we. Red Bull, however, feels the two should be combined into one event. The result is Donkey Cross, and it recently took place in the hills of Makrinitsa, Greece.

Thirty riders from around the world converged in eastern Greece. The difficult terrain was the perfect place for the skilled two-wheelers to exercise their talents. We’re still not sure why the donkeys are involved, but no matter. There is video from the event and it’s waiting for you after the jump.

[Source: Red Bull, YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Red Bull Donkey Cross combines dirtbikes and asses

Video: Red Bull Donkey Cross combines dirtbikes and asses originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ford feels Japan quake effect with shortage of red, black paint

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Ford

2010 Ford Taurus SHO

2010 Ford Taurus SHO – Click above for high-res image gallery

Due to a pigment shortage stemming from the March 11 earthquake in Japan, Ford has had to stop taking new orders for cars in Tuxedo Black, and is limiting orders of three shades of red. Officials from Ford say they’re working on another source for the pigment as you read this, and have enough cars in each color to satisfy demand until production resumes.

The paint shortage affects the F-150 and Super Duty lines of pickups, as well as the Explorer, the Expedition, Focus, Taurus and the Lincoln MKS and Navigator. Ford’s slowdown follows General Motors, who slowed production of pickups in Shreveport, Louisiana, as well as compact cars in Europe following parts shortages.

Honda, Toyota and Nissan have all experienced slowdowns as a result of the quake, though none have had to limit color choices.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

[Source: Bloomberg]

Report: Ford feels Japan quake effect with shortage of red, black paint originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: Hennessey Venom GT Chassis #03 dressed up in red

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, MISC

2011 hennessey venom gt in red

2011 Hennessey Venom GT in red – Click above for high-res image gallery

We’ve seen the silver-colored Hennessey Venom GT chassis number 01 out running about, and now, the tuning company has decided to show off its bright red chassis number 03. The 1,200-horsepower supercar can ran from 0-60 miles per hour in 2.5 seconds and has an estimated top speed of 267 mph.

We’ve stared at it, heard it, seen it belch fire on the dyno, Jay Leno’s had his time with it and now we say enough is enough. We’re more than ready for our test drive, and while the red paint job of this latest build is indeed sexy, we’d gladly drive one in beige if it meant some seat time was in order.

Click through the gallery below to see the 2011 Hennessey Venom GT looking resplendent in its shiny new red coat of paint.

Gallery: Hennessey Venom GT – Chassis Number 03

[Source: Hennessey Performance]

Pics Aplenty: Hennessey Venom GT Chassis #03 dressed up in red originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 20:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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