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RCX 2011: SEMA for the RC set [w/video]

Filed under: Videos, Toys/Games

RCX 2011

RCX 2011 at the Pomona Fairplex – Click above to watch videos after the jump

We’re looking for a new hobby, and we think we’ve narrowed it down. The world of remote control vehicles has grabbed our attention and we’re eager to learn more. So we grabbed the camera, ventured out to the 2011 Remote Control Convention at the Pomona Fairplex and figured we’d totally understand the hobby by lunchtime.

We were mistaken.

In fact, we were wholly unprepared to take in the maelstrom of activity and information presented at RCX 2011. It’s like SEMA for R/C world and over 17,000 folks descended on the convention grounds over the course of two days. Bikes, cars, trucks, planes, helicopters, trains and motorcycles were all on display.

Traxxas radio controlled stadium truck The RCX 2011 experience isn’t just about looking at vehicles in their packaging, however, because numerous tracks were set up to let us take the miniature wheel. Professionals raced their nitro buggies and truggies on a course set up with large jumps while remote control rock crawlers tackled scaled-down rugged terrain. Nearby, super sideways driving was taking place on both indoor and outdoor courses.

Even though the action was scaled down, there were plenty of examples of serious speed. Scaled-down top-fuel dragsters lined up side-by-side as those wielding the controllers eyed the light tree. Gas-powered race cars and motorcycles attacked a twisting course while the buzz of airplanes, helicopters and scale powerboats droned on in the background. When we wanted a break from the speed, we stared at the hypnotic scale train that ambled around a wonderfully detailed town.

The event is an orgy of remote control action, and it only served to bolster our interest in the hobby. We entered the RCX 2011 doors thinking we’d narrow down our choices, but the convention has only served to confuse. Do we want electric or gas, car or truck? You could walk away from RCX with a great toy for a few Jacksons, or you could’ve spent a bucketful of Benjamins on a high-powered nitro screamer.

We now know that we’ve got a lot more to learn about remote control vehicles. The Remote Control Convention isn’t a one-time event either. It’s traveling around the country and you can check out the schedule at the RCX website.

Click past the jump to watch some quick clips of various vehicles in action.

[Lead Image: Hope McCall, Air Age Media]

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Mopar Avenger Rally Car: More power, less pork… and not for production [w/video]

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Videos, Chrysler, Dodge

Mopar Avenger Rally Car

Mopar Avenger Rally Car – Click above for high-res image gallery

When we think of rally cars, the Subaru Impreza and Ford Focus immediately come to mind. At no point does the Dodge Avenger enter our thoughts, but that didn’t stop Team Pentastar from building its own dirt-ready rally sedan.

Chrysler wanted to celebrate a new business partnership with Fiat subsidiary Magneti Marelli by building a collaborative vehicle that combines the talents of the Italian components maker and Chrysler’s iconic Mopar team. The result is an Avenger that can handle more than America’s urban jungle.

Magneti Marelli and Mopar spent a few weeks modifying a stock Avenger Heat with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 underhood. The Avenger chassis remains intact, but a Magneti Marelli suspension was added for improved handling, lowering the Avenger by 1.5 inches. Brakes were upgraded to include 14.25-inch front rotors and 13.5-inch rear rotors, and a rear brake rally package with a hand-operated brake was included.

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Gallery: Mopar Avenger Rally Car

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Ferrari 458 Challenge and GT3 racers debut at Monza [w/video]

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Europe, Videos, Ferrari, Racing

Ferrari 458 Italia GT3

Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 – Click above for high-res image gallery

There’s no shortage of race tracks in Italy and around the world that are commonly associated with Ferrari. The factory has its own Fiorano circuit on premises, and the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola – former host of the San Marino Grand Prix – is just fifty miles away. But the spiritual home of the Tifosi, Ferrari’s legions of fans, is at Monza. A fitting location, then, to launch the latest Ferrari sports racers.

This past weekend, Monza hosted a number of production-based races including the first rounds of both the European and Italian leagues of the Ferrari Challenge series. After launching the new 458 Challenge spec racer at the Bologna Motor Show several months ago, this was the first time the car was actually being raced. And what would you know, it actually won its first outing! (Okay, it is a spec racing series, but the new 458 Italia racers did beat out the older F430 models that are still being used by some teams.)

The Challenge, however, wasn’t the only version of the 458 that made its debut this past weekend at Monza. So did the 458 Italia GT3, which slots in between the GT2-spec 458 GTC and the aforementioned Challenge racer. The GT3 car was prepared by Michelotto Automobili – the same factory-endorsed racing garage responsible for countless racing Ferraris as well as the development of the 288 GTO and F40 – and campaigned by AF Corse in two races of the GT Sprint International Series that supports the Superstars touring car series, where it finished second and third overall on its race debuts – second only to the F430 GTC it replaces.

Want to see what it’s like to lap Monza in a 458 racer? To coincide with the launch of the new machinery, Ferrari has released on-board video footage of the 458 Challenge with Stefano Gai, the defending champion who dominated this weekend’s national series race from start to finish. Follow the jump to watch and check out the pair of press releases.

Gallery: Ferrari 458 Challenge

[Source: Ferrari]

Continue reading Ferrari 458 Challenge and GT3 racers debut at Monza [w/video]

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Latvian team aims to be first to contest Dakar rally with EV [w/video]

Filed under: Motorsports, SUV, Racing

2012 OSCar eO

2012 OSCar eO – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Dakar Rally covers more than 5,500 miles of rough terrain through some of the harshest conditions in South America. It’s hell on both machines and drivers, demanding reliability from high-strung engines and full focus from people running on very little sleep.

The strains are enough to kill even the stoutest internal combustion engines and make veteran drivers crack. Despite all that, Latvian race car builder OSCar has decided to tackle the race in an EV. Powered by a permanent magnet motor making between 180 and 315 kW with between 370 and 590 lb. ft. of torque, the OSCar eO is an electrified version of the company’s Chevrolet LS-powered e3.

The eO’s top speed is a slightly underwhelming 86 miles per hour, but OSCar says the top speed won’t be an issue since it won’t be competing against conventionally-fueled entries.

OSCar says the eO will have a small, Nissan-sourced gasoline engine serving as a generator to help it cover long distances, but propulsion will be 100 percent electric. Helping the generator charge the batteries will be a regenerative braking system. Without the generator’s help, OSCar expects the e0 to be good for about 190 miles under light strain, and roughly half that under pressure.

To make sure the EV makes it from one end of the rally to the other, OSCar is sending along a support truck and an gas-powered e3 to make sure the car makes it to the finish in one piece. Watch for the OSCar eO when the 2012 Dakar Rally kicks off on January 1. Check out the video and press release after the break.

Gallery: 2012 OSCar eO

2012 OSCar eO

[Source: OSCar]

Continue reading Latvian team aims to be first to contest Dakar rally with EV [w/video]

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Hot Wheels to attempt World’s Longest Jump at Indy 500 [w/video]

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Toys/Games

We all did it as kids – grabbing one end of an impossibly long stretch of plastic track, heaving it up and attaching one end to the highest object we could find (usually a door) and creating a ramp at the other end with a carefully planned trajectory to score the longest possible airborne distance, then finally setting our favorite Hot Wheels car on a journey of no return.

Team Hot Wheels, a newly created group of stuntmen and extreme sports addicts, are setting out to recreate those childhood memories in the real world. To get there, the group is assembling a 100-foot-tall starting ramp in the shape of a door that leads to – you guessed it – a giant jump. The resulting flight has a goal of reaching 302 feet, which would be a new world record distance.

We don’t know who’s piloting the machine just yet (we suspect we’ll find out for sure if it’s an official record). In any case, it’s the actual off-road truck, which features rear fins reminiscent of a ’59 Cadillac, and the giant Hot Wheels V-Drop replica track that are the real stars here.

Are you asking yourself why Hot Wheels is going to all this trouble to promote kids toys? Well, therein lies the issue. These don’t have to be just toys for kids – Hot Wheels is hoping to attract the attention of adults (males mostly, as you’d imagine) that grew up with these little cars and have fond memories of them. Collectors, take note.

Click past the break for a little teaser video of the event that’s scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 29th. You’ll also find the complete press release for your reading pleasure, if you’re so inclined.

[Source: Hot Wheels]

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eBay Find of the Day: 1989 Porsche 911 Rothmans rally car tribute [w/video]

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Porsche, Off-Road, Racing

1989 Porsche 911 Rothmans tribute car

1989 Porsche 911 Rothmans tribute – Click above for high-res image gallery

This 1989 Porsche 911 Rothmans tribute is the second such 953 rally car homage to come from this seller in less than a year. Last year, he reportedly sold a 1980 Porsche 911 Rothmans to the folks at GoPro for north of $70k. That car was nice, but was only two-wheel drive.

This year, he decided to go all out, and took a perfectly-maintained 1989 Porsche 911 C4 and turned it into a near-perfect representation of the 1984 Paris-Dakar-winning 953. Check out the listing on eBay Motors, where the car has yet to meet its reserve. Using a C4 as the base car means this tribute carries an all-Porsche all-wheel drive system, making this year’s car even more desirable than last year’s.

Best of all, the car looks the part, but retains its street legality and some crucial creature comforts to make it a useful means of transportation as well as a suitable weekend warrior. According to the eBay listing, the car retains ABS, cruise control, climate control, a sunroof, power locks, power mirrors, power windows, and a differential lock. See the car in action after the jump. Top tip, Chris M!

Gallery: 1989 Porsche 911 Rothmans tribute

1989 Porsche 911 Rothmans tribute

[Source: eBay Motors via BringATrailer | Images: Jeremy Cliff/ThePhotoMotive]

Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: 1989 Porsche 911 Rothmans rally car tribute [w/video]

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Bremach T. Rex is World’s Most Badass EV [w/video]

Filed under: Hybrid, Truck, Work, Electric

2012 Bremach T. Rex

2012 Bremach T. Rex – Click above for high-res image gallery

Bremach has been pumping out rugged work trucks in Italy since the late 1950s, so it’s safe to say the company is clued-in to building no-nonsense, workaholic machinery. Its latest creation is called the T. Rex, and goes a long way to proving that EVs don’t have to be Dustbuster-shaped people carriers.

Just like the Tesla Roadster proved EV technology can work in a sports car, the Bremach T. Rex proves the instant torque of an electric motor is as handy as a pocket in a shirt off road as well. The T. Rex’s electric motor provides 100 kW of power at 0 rpm, with a claimed 150-mile range even under work conditions. Bremach will also warranty the powertrain for 30,000 miles or three years.

If full electric scares you or you want a little more range, the T. Rex is available with a traditional 6.0-liter gasoline-fired Chevrolet V8 with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic cog box. Even with the big-bore Chevy mill, Bremach claims the truck will achieve 20 mpg on the highway. For those who like to ride the middle line, there are compressed natural gas and hybrid options available as well. All of these powertrain options are available in a two- or four-door hardtop or a two-door convertible.

The T. Rex was designed to be as capable as possible while staying extremely fuel and space efficient. Partly by leaving the truck’s spaceframe skeleton exposed, Bremach’s designers were able to jam three seats into the T. Rex’s narrow cab, which the company claims will withstand five Gs of force. Bremach says that’s two Gs more than most of the competition… we’ll have to take their word for it. The price for all this is fairly steep, with a loaded EV version of the T. Rex hitting the register at just over $120,000. Awesome don’t come cheap.

Click past the jump for videos of the T. Rex in action.

Gallery: 2012 Bremach T. Rex

2012 Bremach T. Rex

[Source: Bremach]

Continue reading Bremach T. Rex is World’s Most Badass EV [w/video]

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2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette is all about racing history [w/video]

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Chevrolet

2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette

2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette – Click above for high-res image gallery

Chevrolet is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a fitting tribute to racing driver turned entrepreneur, Louis Chevrolet. The brand’s founding father raced in four Indianapolis 500s from 1915 to 1919, and though he never managed a victory, his motorsports expertise helped guide his car company from the outset.

In observance, the 2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette gets a special coat of “Carbon Flash” black paint and carries logos on the B-pillars with the number 100 and a likeness of Mr. Chevrolet himself. Inside, there’s plenty of Alcantara and contrasting red stitching to set off additional black trim, and the headrests are embossed with the same 100th anniversary logo as the B-pillars.

Outside, the Centennial Edition gets special 18 or 19-inch for the Grand Sport and standard Corvette and 19 or 20-inch rollers for the ZR-1 and Z06.

The Centennial Edition package is available on every Corvette model they sell, meaning you can get your Z06, ZR-1 or Grand Sport gussied up just the same as your standard coupe or convertible. All of the cars with the 100th anniversary package receive red painted brake calipers and Corvette’s optional (and excellent) magnetically adjustable suspension.

The Centennial Edition Corvettes go on sale this summer, but the first one will be auctioned off by Barrett-Jackson tomorrow in West Palm Beach, Florida. Proceeds of the sale will go to the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer. Full press release and video after the jump, gallery below.

Gallery: 2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette

2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette

[Source: Chevrolet]

Continue reading 2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette is all about racing history [w/video]

2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette is all about racing history [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford delivers 2012 Mustang Cobra Jet racers, lays claim to quickest production car [w/video]

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Videos, Ford

2012 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet

2012 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet – Click above to watch the video after the jump

We’re all for an event that culminates with the serving of cake, especially when the sweet stuff is delivered in tandem with supercharged Mustang coupes built especially for drag racing. Ford recently threw a party at the Auto Alliance Mustang factory in Flat Rock, MI to celebrate the official delivery of its new 2012 Mustang Cobra Jet, a vehicle that the company proudly maintains is quickest accelerating production vehicle ever made. When pressed, Ford tells us the CJ will do a 60-foot launch in 1.3 seconds and the quarter-mile in under 10 seconds. We asked about a 0-60 mph time, but we were reminded that measurement is pretty meaningless in drag racing.

Cobra Jet buyers from all over came from as far away as Calgary, Alberta and Puerto Rico to participate in the ceremony and take delivery of their new racecars, and we’re betting they would have made the trek even without the sheet cake. All attendees signed a 2012 Mustang Cobra Jet hood that will later be placed on the walls of the production facility.

Continue reading Ford delivers 2012 Mustang Cobra Jet racers, lays claim to quickest production car [w/video]…

Gallery: 2012 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet Delivery

Continue reading Ford delivers 2012 Mustang Cobra Jet racers, lays claim to quickest production car [w/video]

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Top Gear presents its side of story about Tesla Roadster [w/video]

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Government/Legal, Hatchback, Tesla, Electric

Tesla vs. Top Gear

Tesla vs. Top Gear – Click above to view Top Gear’s review after the jump

Tesla has gone to great lengths to publicize its libel suit against Top Gear for the program’s 2008 review of the Tesla Roadster. The suit claims that TG‘s review of the car was rigged, and its assertion that the car doesn’t work in the real world had been decided even before Clarkson drove the car.

Until now, there had been no response from the BBC or Top Gear, other than to say they would defend themselves. According to Top Gear producer Andy Wilman, it’s their policy to hold back any comment until the matter goes to court. Since Tesla has been so vocal about the case, though, Wilman decided to issue a response.

Wilman responds to Tesla’s claims that the show lied about the car’s brakes being broken, that its range is only 55 miles and that an overheated motor immobilized the car. Top Gear says the 55-mile range claim came from Tesla engineers who studied data gathered from the car after the test day. Wilman stands by his show’s claim that the brakes broke, saying a blown fuse in the vacuum pump made pedal effort abnormally high, and that Tesla wouldn’t let them continue the test until the problem was solved.

Whatever side of the matter you stand on, the facts of the case will have to shake out in court. The only thing that seems certain at this point is that the case will likely be long and messy. Click past the jump to see Top Gear‘s original review and draw your own conclusions.

[Source: Top Gear]

Continue reading Top Gear presents its side of story about Tesla Roadster [w/video]

Top Gear presents its side of story about Tesla Roadster [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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