Rookie Herta Sets Pace On Day One Of NTT IndyCar Series Spring Training

Colton Herta sets his earpieces along pit lane during the Open Test at Circuit of The Americas. Image Credit: Chris Jones - NICS (2019)

Rookie Herta Sets Pace On Day One Of NTT IndyCar Series Spring Training

Colton Herta wasted no time making his presence felt in the NTT IndyCar Series. The Harding Steinbrenner Racing rookie was quickest in both on-track sessions on opening day of INDYCAR Spring Training at Circuit of The Americas.

Herta, driving the No. 88 Harding Steinbrenner Racing Honda, logged the best lap of anyone among the 25 drivers participating Tuesday in the official series open test on the 3.41-mile permanent road course. The 18-year-old son of retired Indy car driver Bryan Herta, who's now an NTT IndyCar Series team co-owner, navigated the COTA course in 1 minute, 46.6258 seconds (115.132 mph).

"I'm super happy with how the day went," said Colton Herta, the 2018 Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires runner-up who made his NTT IndyCar Series debut in last September's season finale at Sonoma Raceway and is slated to run the full season this year.

"We did some great things to the car and I'm very happy with how the boys got everything together in time for this test," he added. "Everyone did a fantastic job and there were no issues with the car; it was perfect. We kept chipping away and kept finding time. By the end of the day, we were quickest by quite a margin. I can't wait for tomorrow now."

A second day of testing is set for Wednesday, with six more hours of on-track time. The NTT IndyCar Series will return to COTA from March 22-24 to conduct its first race on the spectacular road course, the INDYCAR Classic.

A total of 1,034 laps were turned by the drivers on Tuesday. Following Herta on the combined timesheet were Team Penske drivers Will Power and Helio Castroneves. Power, the reigning Indianapolis 500 winner, ran a lap of 1:47.1044 (114.617 mph) in the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet. Castroneves, who will try for a record-tying fourth Indy 500 title in May, was clocked at 1:47.6949 (113.989 mph) in the No. 3 Pennzoil Chevrolet.

"We were trying to get it into a good (setup) window where you can make small adjustments on the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet," Power said. "We took some big swings at it today and (were) trying to understand when the tire comes in and how long it lasts, and what package we want to run. We wound up with a lot of big changes.

Will Power on course during the Open Test at Circuit of The Americas. Image By: John Cote - NICS (2019)

"I think the track is phenomenal," the 2014 NTT IndyCar Series champion added. "It's got every sort of corner you can dream of. I think all the drivers are going to love to keep coming here."

Chip Ganassi Racing teammates came in next on the speed chart, with rookie Felix Rosenqvist fourth at 1:48.0451 (113.619 mph) in the No. 10 NTT DATA Honda. Scott Dixon, the reigning and five-time NTT IndyCar Series champion, was fifth in the No. 9 PNC Bank Honda (1:48.0474, 113.617 mph).

Test sessions are scheduled for 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2 p.m.-6 p.m. ET Wednesday. Live timing and scoring is available at RaceControl.IndyCar.com.
[ht: IndyCar]

... notes from The EDJE



TAGS: NTT IndyCar Series, COTA, Circuit of The Americas, Day One, Spring Training, Colton Herta, No. 88, Harding Steinbrenner Racing, Honda, Will Power, Helio Castroneves, NICS, The EDJE

Bugatti Type 32 - 1923 GP Automobile Club de France Racecars

Bugatti Type 32 - 1923 GP Automobile Club de France Racecars

From left to right - #16 Pierre Marco & #18 Prince de Cystria

A quick look into the digital window of the web netted the searcher this gem from pinterest showing a third Bugatti Type 32 of #11 Pierre de Vizcaya.

Image Credit: Pinterest

This excerpted and edited from Jalopnic -

The Short-Lived 1923 Bugatti Type 32 is the Fastest Baby Shoe You'll Ever See 

Open up a dictionary, and under the definition for ‘class’ you’ll probably find a picture of a Bugatti. These are cars that generally radiate elegant beauty through their sleek curves and undeniable speed. But… not everyone can always be perfect all the time.

Case in point: the 1923 Bugatti Type 32. Aka, The Tank.

I think you can see why.

It’s not the most visually appealing car in the world, but it was something of an engineering marvel of its day. Think of other cars from the early 1920s. They tended to be clumsy-looking and boxy, or plain ol’ cigar-shaped; they were big, angry, heavy machines. This was an era before we knew all those fancy aerodynamic terms. Back then, people weren’t as inclined to think “downforce” as they were “well it’s top-heavy but it goes fast”.

Unless, of course, you were Ettore Bugatti.

Bugatti Type 32 `Tank de Tours` - Image Credit: The-Blueprints.com

According to Hemmings, the Tank was an early experiment in aero. If the shape of an airplane’s wing provides an upward force, then why don’t we reverse that shape on our race car body? A streamlined car won’t have those extra bits that catch in the wind, and it’ll be nice and stuck to the ground.
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The Tank was originally designed with the specific intention of winning the 1923 French Grand Prix. A French marque competing against the likes of Fiats, Sunbeams, Voisins and Delages, Bugatti was fiercely determined to create a car that was going to steal the show and cement his brand as being the most competitive in the world.

Bugatti drew on the Type 30 road car for some of the Tank’s basic components. The chassis and inline-eight engine with a two liter capacity were the same across the board between the two. It provided a solid starting point for a little extra experimentation.

Almost more interesting than the shape itself were the front brakes. They featured a hydraulic assist, which was pretty much a first in the world of motorsport. The only problem was, there was no brake pedal. Drivers had to use a lever in an already-cramped cockpit.

Grand Prix de France 1923 - Image Credit: Wikipedia

The race, though, was fruitless. Bugatti hadn’t done much with the engine, and using an outdated model in competition against the supercharged Fiats was never going to work. It was only through the retirement of all three of their entries and a last lap spin by the driver of the third place Sunbeam that the last remaining Bugatti on the circuit - #6 Ernest Friderich - was able to steal a [P3] podium position.

In addition to the underpowered engines, the Tank just wasn’t low enough to the ground. The fact that a significant amount of air could still get underneath the car meant that as soon as a driver started cruising at a high speed, he started generating lift. Not exactly a comforting feeling when you’re trying to push the limits of speed.

Despite the car’s failure in its task, the Type 32 started to kick off some changing times in racing. Now, manufacturers were wondering what they could do with that odd, curving shape or that fancy braking system. Ettore Bugatti simply used the basis of his design to craft the Type 35—a car so successful it finally earned the man behind the marque the renown he’d been seeking.
[Reference Here]

... notes from The EDJE




TAGS: Bugatti, Ettore Bugatti, Type 32, #6, #11, #16, #18, Ernest Friderich, Pierre Marco, Prince de Cystria, Automobile Club de France, The Tank, Grand Prix de France 1923, Will Ellingham, The EDJE

A Key To Evolutionary Design - Variations On A Theme

BMW’s 2020 7 Series has a slew of new additions for the sixth-generation, including an enlarged kidney grille. Image Credit: BMW via Robb Report (2019)

A Key To Evolutionary Design - Variations On A Theme

Ever wonder what makes an artist a great automotive designer?

It comes down to the discipline one achieves through years of training, experiment, understanding materials, the balance of form & function, the creation of trash bin failures to grand acceptance and market success.

Just ask Art Center College of Design standout graduate, Frank Stephenson, who actually designed for, and penned the rebirth of the MINI Cooper and the first SUV platform produced by the famed German automobile manufacturer, the X5.

Frank Stephenson said in a 2017 interview published at The Drive "I'm flat-out not fond of modern-day cars," he told R&T. "They're going to where ugly cars are the new beautiful. Everybody loves the '50s and '60s in terms of what those cars were like. And we've kind of lost that romance of the design from that period, where the goal was to design a beautiful car, and people would love it at first sight. Nobody had to 'get used to' the design." ... 'nuff said.

Then there's this, from Andres Bastidas ...

So, it's "GET USED TO IT!"

... notes from The EDJE




TAGS: Kidney Bean Grill, BMW, Frank Stephenson, Art Center College of Design, Andres Bastidas, MINI, X5, SUV, Facebook Timeline, The EDJE

Justin Bell & Tommy Kendall Pre-Race #Rolex24 With D. Bell, K. Jennette, And D. Binks - The Torque Show Ep. 3

The Torque Show Presented By Michelin and additionally hosted by Motor Trend. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks via Screengrab (2019)

Justin Bell & Tommy Kendall Pre-Race #Rolex24 With D. Bell, K. Jennette, And D. Binks - The Torque Show Ep. 3

The actual of this presentation at Motor Trend on YouTube was titled "The Torque Show - 2019 Daytona Rolex 24 - Episode Two" yet, the explainitory text read in the following manner:

Episode 3 brought [brings] the behind the scenes [pre-race] of the #Rolex24 to you.

This posting reflects the original posting on The Torque Facebook Timeline.

DURATION: 43:45

From the VP of Marketing at Michelin, Yahn Heurlin giving insight into their operation, to Derek Bell MBE, a 3x winner of the [#Rolex24] race, talking about the past. Kevin Jeannette and Danny Binks also stopped by to chime in on today's action!

Thanks for watching #TheTorqueShow and be sure to follow The Torque Show on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for shows throughout the IMSA season.

Green, green, green, good luck drivers!

... notes from The EDJE




TAGS: The Torque Show, 57th Rolex 24 At Daytona, Motor Trend, pre-race, Justin Bell, Tommy Kendall, Derek Bell, Kevin Jeannette, Dan Binks Corvette Racing, The EDJE

Infield Evening Fan Walk With Justin Bell & Tommy Kendall - The Torque Show #Rolex24 Special

Justin Bell is just getting warmed up talking with fans gathered in the Daytona International Speedway infield. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks via Screengrab (2019)

Infield Evening Fan Walk With Justin Bell & Tommy Kendall - The Torque Show #Rolex24 Special

This presentation was posted on The Torque Show's Facebook Timeline and not on the official Motor Trend YouTube broadcast element page.

The broadcast ended with the battery expiring due to the cold evening temperatures and, further, there was trouble keeping the microphones alive.

DURATION: 13:56

Such are the potholes experienced with a new show pursuing an impromptu broadcast presentation.

... notes from The EDJE




TAGS: The Torque Show, 57th Rolex 24 At Daytona, Motor Trend, Fan Walk, infield, Justin Bell, Tommy Kendall, The EDJE

Trio Of Terrific Porsche Turbos On Display

Porsche 944 turbo sporting a hood scoop and a four hole vented nose panel. Image Credit: Rennlist

Trio Of Terrific Porsche Turbos On Display

The eighties called and they want their Porsche turbo sports coups back!

Someone shared this little video expose on a Facebook Timeline - and it will bring a bit of joy for those who appreciate and still long to capture a strong sense of the heady eighties.

Nothing never really competed with the presence of the sculpted wheel well bulges found on the Porsche 944 turbo. Especially one with a hood scoop or a four hole vented nose panel.

From WIKI -

The Porsche 944 is a sports car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Porsche from 1982 to 1991. A front-engine, rear-wheel drive mid-level model based on the 924 platform, the 944 was available in coupé or cabriolet body styles, with either naturally aspirated or turbocharged engines.

Intended to be produced into the 1990s, major revisions planned for a 944 "S3" model eventually morphed into the 968, which became its replacement. Over 163,000 cars were produced in total, making it the most successful sports car in Porsche's history until the introductions of the Boxster and 997 Carrera.

... notes from The EDJE




TAGS: Porsche, 944 turbo, 1982, 1991, hood scoop, vented nose panel, The EDJE

Alex Zarnadi Competes In The 57th Rolex 24 At Daytona - The Torque Show Ep. 2

The interview of Alexander Zarnardi begins at the 8:42 minute mark. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks - Screengrab The Torque Show (2019)

Alex Zarnadi Competes In The 57th Rolex 24 At Daytona - The Torque Show Ep. 2


Welcome to episode two of the lead up to the 57th running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona. #TheTorqueShow episode 2 explores tall tales and touchy subjects with Alex Zanardi and Jimmy Vasser from their indy racing days! You can get the whole truth behind "The Pass" at Laguna Seca.

DURATION: 1:26:26

The WeatherTech Girls drop in and take over the show, from Justin and Tommy. Finally, competing for the Cadillac DP Wayne Taylor Racing team, we have Jordan Taylor and Rodney Sandstorm 2.0 (AKA Fernando Alonso) on camera together for the first time!

You won't want to miss this. #Rolex24. #Michelin #MichelinIMSA

The race will be shown on NBCSN - broadcast on Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. ET. or catch the realtime Timing & Scoring at https://scoring.imsa.com/

... notes from The EDJE

TAGS: The Torque Show, Motor Trend, 57th Rolex 24 At Daytona, 50th IMSA Season, Tommy Kendall, Justin Bell, Alex Zanardi, , BMW GTLM #24, WeatherTech Girls, The EDJE