Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Red Bull Drifting World Championship
Like Ferrari winning the Italian Grand Prix or a Mazda atop the podium at Laguna Seca, Rhys Millen scored a fitting victory in his Red Bull Pontiac Solstice GXP at the very first Red Bull Drifting World Championship over the weekend. The event featured the top thirty-two drifters from around the world at a purpose-built track at the ports of Long Beach, CA. Formula Drift drivers dominated the event, taking six of the eight spots in the quarter finals and all four places in the semi finals. Millen survived five knockout rounds, defeating the likes of Ken Gushi, Top Gear USA host Tanner Foust and Vaughn Gitten, and eventually beat out teammate Daijiro Yoshihara in the all-Pontiac finals. More details on the event are in the press release following the jump, and we weathered the tire smoke and flying bits of rubber to bring you plenty of fantastic high resolution photos in the gallery below.
Click above for a high resolution gallery of the Ferrari F430 Challenge
So you have a dilemma. You've got an itch for racing sports cars and cash to burn. Taking on Porsches and Ferraris in the GT2 category sounds fun, but the competition is pretty stiff and a spec series with a level playing field sounds more appealing. What are your options? If Porsches are your thing you might want to try the Porsche Supercup, featuring the 911 GT3 Cup, that runs in support of Formula 1. Rather go Italian? You can race an F430 in the Ferrari Challenge in North American, European, and Italian series, or try your hand in the brand new Lamborghini Super Trofeo series racing the Gallardo. American muscle more your style? You can race the FR500S Mustang in the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge at eight of America's best race tracks. We think each of them sounds like a ton of fun, but tell us which one you would pick in the poll below.
Click above for a high-res gallery of 2010 Mustang teasers
Can't make it out to the L.A. Auto Show to see Ford's new pony car? No worries! The Blue Oval and SPEED TV have teamed up to provide live coverage of the 2010 Mustang's unveiling next week. The cameras will be rolling next Tuesday at 11:00 p.m. EST, so either put it on your schedule or set your DVR. Of course, we'll also be there with cameras in hand, so be sure to check back here for plenty of photos and all the latest news on the Mustang and the rest of the LA Auto Show.
Click above for a high-res gallery of the edo competition Cayenne GTS
For Porsche Cayenne GTS owners who wish they would've opted for the forced induction 'ute, edo competition has come up with a performance and styling package that helps close the gap between the two models. The German tuner adds another 45 horsepower through the use of high-flow cats, a performance air filter, and a recalibration of the ECU. As a result, the Cayenne GTS is capable of reaching 60 mph in a mere 6.4 seconds and a top speed of 168 mph. Handling and braking is improved with massive 15-inch, six-piston front brakes and an adjustable sport suspension. Other upgrades include 22-inch forged wheels, power dome hood, a new front fascia, and a variety of interior options. Full details are in the press release after the jump, and plenty of high-res photographs can be found in the gallery below.
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
The recently-introduced Ford F-150 SVT Raptor seems to elicit emotional responses that range from "What's the point?" to "I need one NOW!" Opinions aside, the fact is that the SVT Raptor is one highly capable truck. We were able to get a ride in the passenger seat of one in the Nevada desert outside Las Vegas, and can attest to its ability to handle everything thrown at it. The beefy suspension upgrades and BFGoodrich All-Terrain TA/KO tires make the Raptor the best off-roading production truck ever built. Period. The guys at SVT weren't shy about exploiting this, and seemed to especially love kicking up as much dirt as possible (we're still cleaning all the dust out of our cameras). Ford recently posted some beautiful new photos of the Raptor doing just that, which we've added to the high-res gallery below. Enjoy!
Click above for high-res gallery of the ProCharger Challenger SRT8 supercharger
As we found out at SEMA, performance parts are coming fast and furious for the Dodge Challenger. The Camaro may have been the official vehicle of the Las Vegas show, but the Challenger was the car of choice for many of the tuners in attendance. We were especially fond of the pair of Group 2 Widebody Challengers from Classic Design Concepts, one of which featured a ProCharger intercooled supercharger system. The blower wasn't unique to the car, however, and we found that ProCharger is offering two separate kits for Challenger owners, both of which boost horsepower by at least 150. Both feature ProCharger's P-1SC-1 centrifugal supercharger pushing 6 psi of boost, a 3-core air-to-air intercooler, upgraded fuel system and all necessary tubing and brackets. The Stage II kit pushes the bar further with a dedicated drive system for the supercharger and an upgrade air intake. You can check out full details on each system in the press release following the jump.
Click above for a high-res gallery of 2010 Ford Mustang teasers
A tease is only fun for a short while, and we're ready for this one to be over. Ford's unveiling of the 2010 Mustang has been unbearably slow, and the only reason we aren't going crazy right now is because we will have seen the car in person by this time next week. The latest (and final) tease to come from Ford shows most of the updated rear end. We really like what we see, especially the rear spoiler which now has a ducktail design instead of being raised from the rear decklid. The taillights maintain their classic three-pillar design, although they now have a more tailored look that flows along the line of the rear bumper. According to Ford, there will also be an option for a rear-view camera, although we don't know exactly where the camera will be placed. We'll bring you all the details and plenty of photos next week from the LA Auto Show, but until then enjoy one last look at the gallery of all ten teasers below.
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Aigner CK65 RS Eau Rouge Dark Edition
Carlsson is continuing its line of two-tone Aigner-themed vehicles with the CK65 RS Eau Rouge Dark Edition. Previous versions include the CL-based CK65 Eau Rouge introduced in Frankfurt last year and the S-based CK65 RS Blanchimont. The latest rendition features an upgrades twin-turbo V12 with up to 756 horsepower, 849 lb-ft torque and a top speed of 208 mph. The exterior gets a carbon fiber aero kit, 21-inch lightweight wheels, and Obsidian Black Metallic and Himalaya-Gray paint scheme. Inside, the seats have been upholstered in Aigner leather, and a leather/Alcantara steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and wood trim have been added as well. Carlsson has planned a production run of just ten cars with a price tag starting at over $400,000. More details about the car can be found in the press release after the jump, and we've put together a gallery high resolution photographs below.
While the motorsports season is coming to a close, manufacturers and teams are already preparing for the 2009 season. Pirelli is getting a jump start by debuting their new P Zero racing slick this week at Daytona International Speedway for the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona test session. Both prototype and GT cars will run the upgraded rubber next season, and reports are coming back that the new tire has both a higher level of performance and increased longevity. The Rolex 24 Hours will kick off the 2009 Grand-Am series from January 24-25. More info on Pirelli's new racing slick can be seen in the press release after the jump.
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Formula Drift event at Irwindale Speedway
Formula Drift first announced the inaugural Red Bull Drifting World Championship back in July, and the final preparations are being made for the event this weekend. The top thirty-two drifters from around the world will slide their way around a specially-built six-turn course including a high-speed entry turn that should have many of the cars in excess of 100 mph. Things will get kicked off tomorrow, Thursday, November 13, with a parade of the competitors' cars and an autograph session in downtown Long Beach. The drivers will hit the track on Saturday for practice and qualifying, and on Sunday they will compete in a knockout-style bracket tournament with the winner taking home the largest purse in drifting history. Full details in the press release after the jump.
Officially Official: 2010 Ford Mustang!
2010 Ford Mustang revealed early on Ford's own website!
2009 Nissan 370Z rolls out early in So. Cal
VIDEO: 2009 Nissan 370Z revealed early in So. Cal.
BRABUS begins business of tuning the Tesla Roadster
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Mercedes Benz C63 AMG
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Hyundai Genesis
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Chevrolet Traverse LT
Knight Rider: The Liveblog -- Season 1, Episode 7
