Motorsports

Ever since the 355 Challenge of the late ‘90s, Ferrari has been producing lightly-modified, track-only versions of each of its mid-engine V8 models and putting on one-make series in which they can compete. No points for guessing, then, that Maranello’s newest “budget” model – the 458 Italia – would spawn the competition version seen above.

Taking a cue from its predecessors in that it's named the 458 Challenge, this latest rich-boy track toy reatains the street version’s direct-injected 4.5L V8, producing the same 570hp. However, it has less mass to schlep around thanks to weight-saving bits like Lexan windows and carbon fiber body panels. Reprogramming the paddle-shift dual-clutch transmission and tweaking the gear ratios relative to the standard car gives it even more scoot.

It is July. This means 2 things: The number of testicular injuries caused by fireworks is about to increase 4000%, and the inaugural Spectre 341 Challenge has just wrapped up. This event, put on by Spectre Performance, is held on a 5.2 mile road that has 22 turns, climbs over 1,200 feet, and you have to provide proof that your balls are the size of softballs. It is one of the scariest ways to test your driving prowess in the US. You do not enter it to find out if you like auto racing. That would be like joining the Marines to find out if you like the outdoors.

The participating field of the spectacular was hardly made up of wooden go karts with pedal power. GTRs, Porsches, Vipers, old Camaros and high-boost Evos all showed up to take on the mountain. Extra points go to the driver a 1950s DeSoto Pikes Peak car; the first documented case of someone creating something both quaint and badass. Steve Millen-not exactly a "novice"- was there in his Nissan GTR, in full Targa Rally prep. He ran the course in 3:22.926, snagging 2nd place. As fast as his purpose-built GTR was, it couldn't catch Lou Gigliotti piloting the 750 hp LG Motorsports Corvette ZR1. He crossed the line in 3:21.747, and even had time to videotape it for us to scream along with...

There was a lot of hype surrounding the Targa Trophy Rally 2010 SoCal Challenge. Big corporate sponsor such as W Hotels, NOS Energy Drink and HRE Wheels had signed-on, a gaggle of hot exotic cars had registered and the W Hollywood start line had expectations running high. Did it deliver?

Yupp! The car show in the lot behind the posh hotel served as the backdrop for the launch of the Targa Trophy 2010 event. 73 participating vehicles, taking the form of everything from a Lamborghini Murcielago to a Dodge Charger, sat quietly in two prime rows amongst a host of other sick rides parked up and down the asphalt. In the early morning hours, engines revved, exhaust systems growled and the racers got ready to roll. 

The Targa Trophy Triple Crown Road Rally Series is kicking into high-gear this summer. Next week the event series begins with the SoCal Challenge which takes place on Friday and Saturday, June 25th and 26th. A host of exotic, tuner, custom and muscle cars will battle it out between the W Hollywood and the W San Diego. North America's only road rally continues with two additional competitions - a race between the W San Francisco and W Silicone Valley on August 27 & 28 and the finale which starts and ends at the W Scottsdale on October 16 & 17. We are definitely looking forward to this year's Targa Trophy Road Rally. The nightlife, vehicle showcases, fashion and music are all expected to be outstanding. And having W Hotels as the backdrop only adds to the cache. 

This year's Triple Crown will host great automotive and lifestyle events at each stop. And the drivers will be tasked with running through a special route  along some of the most scenic expanses offered by the west coast.  The top 7 finishers of each event will be anointed with prizes valued at over $100,000. Drivers can participate in just a single event or go for the gusto - the Triple Crown - whose winner will be determined in Scottsdale at the end of the season. HRE Wheels, as an official event sponsor, will be crafting a nifty forged aluminum trophy for each winner. And for some added spice, the company is offering a set of custom forged HRE wheels to the winner of the "Triple Crown". 

There’s certainly a great deal of satisfaction to be had in making your car faster, better looking or both. But you can only get so much satisfaction out of ogling your newly-tuned ride as it sits in your driveway or garage. The whole experience would be so much more enjoyable if you could see for yourself if those performance parts you installed do, in fact, make your car quicker and handle better. Or find out what the rest of the world makes of your taste in things like paint, graphics, and body and interior tweaks. How would you go about doing that now that you have a tuned car? 

Well, if it’s pushing the performance envelope you’re after, public roads are out of the question…for a whole host of reasons. Thankfully, there are safer, considerably more legal options for discovering your car’s newfound potential. One such option is street legal drag racing. While the only real parameter it tests is acceleration, you still get the rush of the speed and the sound, plus it’s timed, so you’ll have physical evidence in the form of a paper time slip to show all the Doubting Thomases at your next bench racing session (or, more likely, the trolls on your favorite internet forum).

One of the best things about motorsport venues are the race queens that work these events, causing guys everywhere to snap their necks and gawk. From the pits to the podium, the 2010 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach showcased a seemingly endless supply of talent. 

Lovely ladies from Tecate and Patron were everywhere, from major thoroughfares to nooks and crannies around the course. And not to be outdone, many racing teams also brought their own promo models as well. 

The 36th annual Long Beach Grand Prix took place during a hot and sunny weekend with record crowds. On April 17th and 18th, six racing series held competitions on a 1.97 mile course that looped through the streets of Long Beach. These included the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, Tequila Patron American Le Mans series, Team Drifting Challenge, Firestone Indy Lights and SCCA Pro World Challenge Championship. Tecate, one of the premier sponsors, even held concerts on Friday and Saturday night.

In addition, a massive Lifestyle Expo was held, showcasing tons of automotive related products and services along with fun family activities like a BMW bike stunt demonstration. A continuing trend was the proliferation of green and eco-friendly motoring with Toyota leading the charge as they showcased their "Green-Power Prix-View" with alternative energy cars. Below is a brief recap of the three major races of the weekend - ALMS, World Challenge and IndyCar.

Motorsports seem to get more and more complicated these days with the advent of all kinds of sanctioning, regulations and stipulations. These are put in place for good reason - to keep things competitive - but sometimes you yearn for an event that cuts out the tedious red tape and keeps things simple. The Pirelli Ulitmate Track Car Challenge is that kind of event. Besides some basic classing guidelines, the UTCC allows competitors to "run whatcha brung." This annual event, sponsored by Grassroots Motorsports, is looking for the fastest track car in the country. Running against the clock, a bevy of heavily tuned and modified cars will sprint around the full course at Virginia International Raceway on July 23, 2010.

HRE Performance Wheels has joined the effort as a sponsor and will be offering serious discounts to any competitor who is looking to outfit their car with the company's lightweight racing wheels. Included in this proposition is access to HRE's latest 17 pounds 18-inch wheels. To sweeten the pot, HRE is putting up a $2500 contingency prize to the Overall Winner of the UTCC if he/she wins using their alloys. In addition, the company is also offering $1000 prizes to the winners of 3 other categories if they also run HRE wheels. Not to leave other drivers out in the cold, the top 3 finishers in each category using wheels from other manufacturers can still get discount certs towards future purchases of HRE wheels.