Tag: ron

Read This: A look into how Ron Howard’s Rush got financed

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Celebrities, TV/Movies

Rush movie

Producing the upcoming 1970s Formula 1 movie Rush wasn’t like the old days, when a mid-budget film could be pitched with a good chance it would be financed by a major production company. No, even after famed director Ron Howard jumped on board the F1 biopic of legendary drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda, he couldn’t use his clout at Universal Studios to persuade the company to finance it, Variety reports. Universal cited the film’s biopic elements and F1’s low profile in the US as reasons not to produce it, but the company did agree to handle US distribution.

So how did Rush get an injection of $50 million when the heavy hitters wouldn’t touch it? You’ll have to read Variety‘s article, which details British screenwriter Peter Morgan’s convoluted quest to fund the movie – a pioneering example of how mid-budget films increasingly could be funded as major production companies look the other way.

When you’re done reading, be sure to check out the behind-the-scenes featurette of Rush to hold you over until its September 27 release.

A look into how Ron Howard’s Rush got financed originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Aug 2013 14:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Watch Sabine Schmitz race Ron Simons at Spa in a BAC Mono throwdown

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Videos

Last month, RSR Nürburgring put the Queen of the Nürburgring, Sabine Schmitz, up against Ron Simons, an instructor at the Ring (which we suppose makes him one of Sabine’s subjects). In that video, the two tangled on the Ring, with the German in her personal Porsche 911 GT3 RS and the Belgian in the excellent Ferrari 458 Italia. The Queen was victorious.

The next challenge saw Schmitz and Simons on the Belgian’s home turf, at Spa-Francorchamps. The cars, this time around, would be equal – two BAC Monos – meaning Schmitz didn’t have the luxury of using her personal vehicle. Factor in that the track was, rather appropriately for Spa, soaked, and that Simons claimed he’d never lost a race at Spa in the wet, and you’d be forgiven for think Sabine’s goose was cooked.

Take a look at video below. You might be surprised by the result.

Continue reading Watch Sabine Schmitz race Ron Simons at Spa in a BAC Mono throwdown

Watch Sabine Schmitz race Ron Simons at Spa in a BAC Mono throwdown originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jul 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: RON Automóviles shows off RXX and R7 sports cars for Mexico

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Performance, Specialty, Racing

Occasionally we learn about a new car manufacturer starting up in Mexico, but usually the country’s most significant involvement in the auto industry is relegated to building vehicles and parts for other auto companies. RON Automóviles de México hopes to change that with its new line of sports cars. The flagship model, the RXX, resembles an Ariel Atom with bodywork, while the R7 was inspired by the Lotus 7.

The RXX will be built and sold in three different versions, the RXX, RXX-S and RXX-R. The company states on its Facebook page that the model variants will be differentiated by their finish, equipment and power, but their specifications haven’t been released yet. Not much else is known about the RXX except that it is expected to be a lightweight, high-performance roadster with two tandem seats (that’s right; the driver sits in front of the passenger), an aluminum chassis with carbon-fiber bodywork and a carbon-fiber interior. RON states the RXX will be a street-legal machine that brings the excitement of driving a Formula One car to the masses.

The R7 will follow a more traditional mold, as it was inspired by the Lotus 7 and is based off of the 7’s chassis; no tandem seating here. From the photos, we can tell the R7 retains features that would be found on an old Lotus 7, such as rear drum brakes and a live rear axle. Let’s just hope that third-generation Volkswagen Jetta parts don’t find their way into the build.

RON Automóviles shows off RXX and R7 sports cars for Mexico originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Jul 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Ron Howard’s Rush gets new featurette

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Celebrities, Racing, TV/Movies

Ron Howard's Rush

As you’re likely aware by now, the classic 1976 Formula 1 season is being immortalized courtesy of the movie Rush, showcasing the rivalry between the British James Hunt, driving for McLaren, and the Austrian Niki Lauda, driving for Ferrari. In the film, the fun-loving Hunt is played by Chris Hemsworth and the super-serious Lauda by Daniel Brühl.

Both of the actors can be seen front and center in the video below, a featurette on the upcoming film, with commentary from director Ron Howard. You’ll see some of the racing action from the movie, a few shots of Brühl playing Lauda before and after his terrible accident and a sense of why Howard was so drawn to document this particular racing season.

Scroll down below to watch the video.

Continue reading Ron Howard’s Rush gets new featurette

Ron Howard’s Rush gets new featurette originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Jun 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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