seca Archives | AutoDepot

Official: Forza 5 announces Laguna Seca and Spa, details on new physics engine [w/video]

Filed under: Videos, Audi, Toys/Games, Racing

During Gamescom in Cologne, Germany the Forza Motorsport team showed off another demo of Forza Motorsport 5 and announced two tracks for the game: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and Spa-Francorchamps. Laguna Seca and its Corkscrew have been in the previous four versions, while Spa and Eau Rouge are making their first intro to marquee Xbox driving game.

Turn 10 director Dan Greenawalt said during an interview that the power of the coming Xbox One has permitted new tire modeling, and that Turn 10 worked with internationally eminent tire testing institute CalSpan to upgrade the game’s tire science. We won’t know how that translates through the wheel until the game and console launch in November, but we’re told that being able to “collect data on tire variables that have never been isolated” means greatly enhanced “tire physics, suspension, geometry, aerodynamics.”

That sounds like code for getting more feedback, but you’ll need to be a much better driver. You can check out the interview in the video below and a host of new screenshots from the game, featuring the Audi R18 e-tron quattro.

Continue reading Forza 5 announces Laguna Seca and Spa, details on new physics engine [w/video]

Forza 5 announces Laguna Seca and Spa, details on new physics engine [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Aug 2013 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Official: Forza 5 announces Laguna Seca and Spa, details on new physics engine [w/video]”

Ferrari Racing Days at Laguna Seca: Corse Clienti returns to Monterey (w/VIDEO)

Filed under: Motorsports, Ferrari, Racing

Ferrari 599XX at Laguna Seca

Ferrari 599XX at Laguna Seca – Click above for high-res image gallery

The last time Ferrari’s exclusive Corse Clienti program made an appearance at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca was back in 2008. At the time, the FXX was the only race car in the Corse Clienti stable, but the 599XX joined the party for the program’s return to Monterey this year.

A trio of FXXs and no less than seven 599XXs-almost a quarter of the total produced by Ferrari -took to the track last weekend, their high-revving 6.0L V12s echoing throughout the surrounding hills.

If you didn’t make it to Laguna Seca to see the Corse Clienti race cars in action, no worries. We’ve got a huge gallery of photos below as well as a video of the cars in action after the jump.

Continue reading Ferrari Racing Days at Laguna Seca: Corse Clienti returns to Monterey (w/VIDEO)

Ferrari Racing Days at Laguna Seca: Corse Clienti returns to Monterey (w/VIDEO) originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 May 2011 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Ferrari Racing Days at Laguna Seca: Corse Clienti returns to Monterey (w/VIDEO)”

Ferrari FXX worse for wear after incident at Laguna Seca

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Etc., Ferrari, Racing

Wrecked Ferrari FXX at Laguna Seca

Crashed Ferrari FXX at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca – Click above for high-res image gallery

It was Sunday morning at the Ferrari Racing Days at Laguna Seca, and the Corse Clienti cars were out on track when corners workers began waving the black flag to bring all the drivers into the pits. Everyone came in, save for one of the three FXXs.

Moments later, we confirmed our fears: the driver had gone off track at the Corkscrew and stuffed the nose of the FXX into the tire wall.

We don’t know exactly what went wrong, but fortunately, the damage to the car seemed fairly minor and not serious enough to have hurt the driver. For the most part, it looked like the car will just need new front bodywork, and we wouldn’t be surprised if it was ready in time for its next scheduled outing next month in Montreal. You can get a closer look at the damaged FXX in the high-res gallery below.

Ferrari FXX worse for wear after incident at Laguna Seca originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 May 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Ferrari FXX worse for wear after incident at Laguna Seca”

Video: We lap Laguna Seca in BMW’s autonomous Track Trainer

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Videos, BMW

BMW Track Trainer at Laguna Seca

BMW 330i Track Trainer at Laguna Seca – Click above for high-res image gallery

You know what’s scary? Autonomous cars. What’s scarier? An autonomous car that can lap Laguna Seca at eight-tenths and post sub-two minute lap times all day long. BMW’s 330i Track Trainer can do just that. And we have the video to prove it.

Continue reading We lap Laguna Seca in BMW’s autonomous Track Trainer

We lap Laguna Seca in BMW’s autonomous Track Trainer originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 May 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Video: We lap Laguna Seca in BMW’s autonomous Track Trainer”

Video: Ferrari 458 Challenge demonstrates evolution of the breed on Laguna Seca’s Corkscrew

Filed under: Motorsports, Ferrari, Racing

Ferrari 458 Challenge at Laguna Seca

Ferrari 458 Challenge at Laguna Seca – Click above to watch video after the jump

The Ferrari 458 Challenge made its racing debut last month at Monza, and the spec race car appeared for the first time here in the U.S. a few weeks later at California’s Infineon Raceway. While we couldn’t make it out to Sonoma for the latter, we did get our first look at the 458 Challenge this past weekend at the Ferrari Racing Days at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

As with its road cars, Ferrari somehow manages to vastly improve the performance of each generation of race cars, and the 458 Challenge is no exception. Ferrari says that the 458 Challenge can lap the Fiorano race track about two seconds faster than its predecessor, and that difference translated to Laguna Seca. The fastest 458 Challenge cars were turning in times more than three seconds quicker than the top 430 Challenge cars. Even the fastest 430 driver, who set a new class qualifying lap record of 1:31.630, was half a second behind the slowest 458.

You can see our photos of the 458 Challenge at the Ferrari Racing Days in the high-res gallery below, and follow the jump to watch a video of the cars tackle Laguna Seca’s famous Corkscrew.

Continue reading Ferrari 458 Challenge demonstrates evolution of the breed on Laguna Seca’s Corkscrew

Ferrari 458 Challenge demonstrates evolution of the breed on Laguna Seca’s Corkscrew originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 May 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Video: Ferrari 458 Challenge demonstrates evolution of the breed on Laguna Seca’s Corkscrew”

Video: Ferrari Racing Days at Laguna Seca: F1 Clienti bring the Formula 1 experience closer to the masses

Filed under: Motorsports, Ferrari, Racing

Ferrari F1 Clienti at Laguna Seca

Without a doubt, the highlight of this past weekend’s Ferrari Racing Days at Laguna Seca was the F1 Cliente. Ferrari started the program in 2003 to allow their most significant and wealthiest customers to own and operate old Formula 1 cars at some of the world’s best racing circuits under the guidance and supervision of a dedicated team of Ferrari’s own mechanics and engineers. Participants in the program need only to show up – Ferrari takes care of the maintenance, care and transportation of the cars. The crew will even bring the owner’s racing suit to each of the events.

For the event at Laguna Seca, a total of six F1 cars were in attendance, ranging from a 1972 312 B2 driven by Jacky Ickx to an F2007 test car driven by Michael Schumacher. Two other Schumacher race cars from 2001 and 2004, an F2003-GA driven by Rubens Barrichello, and a Berger/Mansell F1-89 filled out the rest of the lineup.

The best part about the F1 Clienti is that Ferrari allows a relatively good amount of access to see the cars up close. Just try walking into the Ferrari garage at an actual Formula 1 race. To see and hear the cars in person is also an entirely different experience than watching on television. The zoom lenses of the television cameras betray the actual speed at which an F1 car can travel. The 599XX and FXX actually seemed slow in comparison.

You can watch the Ferrari F1 Clienti at Laguna Seca for yourself in the video after the jump, or check out our photos from the event in the gallery below.

Continue reading Ferrari Racing Days at Laguna Seca: F1 Clienti bring the Formula 1 experience closer to the masses

Ferrari Racing Days at Laguna Seca: F1 Clienti bring the Formula 1 experience closer to the masses originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 May 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Video: Ferrari Racing Days at Laguna Seca: F1 Clienti bring the Formula 1 experience closer to the masses”

Ferrari FF makes North American debut at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

Filed under: Performance, Hatchback, Ferrari

Ferrari FF

Ferrari FF North American Debut – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ferrari’s absence at North American auto shows the past few years has meant that its newer vehicles have made their debuts at some less conventional venues. Last year, the 458 Italia’s first U.S. appearance was at the Ferrari Challenge event at Miller Motorsports Park. This weekend, the Ferrari FF received a private showing at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca during the Ferrari Racing Days.

In addition to the new Ferrari four-seater itself, the display showcased the numerous interior options and a full set of matching luggage. The car on hand was a European version, but retail sales of the U.S.-spec FF should begin at either the end of October or the beginning of November of this year. Only 40 cars will be available for the rest of 2011. After that, Ferrari plans on selling approximately 200 cars yearly to American buyers.

You can see our photos of the Ferrari FF at Laguna Seca in the gallery below. Check back this week for more coverage of the Ferrari Racing Days.

Ferrari FF makes North American debut at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 May 2011 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Ferrari FF makes North American debut at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca”

Video: Caning the Chevrolet Volt around Laguna Seca

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Etc., Videos, Chevrolet, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt

2011 Chevrolet Volt at Mazda Raceway – Click above to watch video after the jump

There are plenty of adjectives in the English language we could use to accurately describe the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. Innovative, clever and efficient all readily leap to mind, but sporty doesn’t quite make the top of the list. That didn’t stop the crew from TheFutureIsElectric.com from taking the new wonder child from General Motors to Laguna Seca for a couple of quasi-quick laps around the world-famous track. Fortunately for all of us buzzing around the Internets, the crew captured the whole shebang via the glory of high-definition video.

With nothing but the sound of some wind buffeting and the tortured screams of the low-rolling resistance Goodyear Assurance tires, the Volt is more or less capable of keeping pace on the hallowed tarmac. It’s far from able to match speed with hardware from Porsche or Lotus, but we’re guessing that’s beyond the point all together. Hit the jump to see the action for yourself.

[Source: TheFutureIsElectric.com]

Continue reading Video: Caning the Chevrolet Volt around Laguna Seca

Video: Caning the Chevrolet Volt around Laguna Seca originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Video: Caning the Chevrolet Volt around Laguna Seca”

Video: Tommy Milner laps Laguna Seca in NFS: SHIFT 2 Unleashed

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Toys/Games

Tommy Milner Need For Speed: Shift 2 Unleashed lap

Tommy Milner Need For Speed Shift 2: Unleashed lap – Click above to view video after the jump

Tommy Milner made his mark driving for BMW Rahal Letterman in last year’s ALMS series alongside Bill Auberlen and Dirk Werner. Together, they won the team and manufacturer championships in the ALMS GT Class.

Milner also managed to win the Dubai 24 Hour race overall in the Need For Speed BMW Z4. This year, Milner’s behind the wheel of the Compuware GT2 Corvette C6.R, and managed 3rd in class at Sebring.

To promote Need For Speed Shift 2: Unleashed, Milner took some hot laps of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca driving a GT1 Corvette C6.R. Without any driving aids, Milner laid down a 1:21.709 lap, just two seconds behind the GT1 lap record of 1:19.304. Click past the jump to check out a video of Milner’s lap.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Tommy Milner laps Laguna Seca in NFS: SHIFT 2 Unleashed

Video: Tommy Milner laps Laguna Seca in NFS: SHIFT 2 Unleashed originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Video: Tommy Milner laps Laguna Seca in NFS: SHIFT 2 Unleashed”

Porsche says Rennsport Reunion IV headed for Laguna Seca in October

Filed under: Classics, Porsche, Racing

Porsche 917 Rennsport Reunion

Classic Porsches at the Rennsport Reunion – Click above for high-res image gallery

Porsche has announced that it will host Rennsport Reunion IV at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca from October 14-16 this year. The Rennsport Reunion is a gathering of Porsche racers from the past to celebrate the company’s tradition and future.

The festival will feature vintage Porsche racing and a concours d’elegance show for race participants. There will be a series of 911-specific events to celebrate the racing history of Porsche’s most-famous model.

Models at the event will include 550 Spyders, 917s, 956/962s, 911 GT3 RSRs and a host of 356s, 904s and 911s. Tickets are pretty steep at $400, and are available through Porsche. Feel free to read all the details in the press release after the break.

Gallery: Porsche Rennsport Reunion

Porsche Rennsport Reunion

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Porsche says Rennsport Reunion IV headed for Laguna Seca in October

Porsche says Rennsport Reunion IV headed for Laguna Seca in October originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Porsche says Rennsport Reunion IV headed for Laguna Seca in October”