Motorsports Racing News & Blog Articles

The Ducati 916 is a legendary and highly revered racing motorcycle that has become an icon in the world of motorcycling. Here are some details about this iconic machine:

1. Introduction and Design: The Ducati 916 was introduced in 1994 and was designed by Massimo Tamburini, the renowned motorcycle designer behind the legendary MV Agusta F4 and the Ducati 749/999 series. The 916 featured a distinctive and aggressive design, with sleek lines, a single-sided swingarm, and underseat exhausts.

2. Engine and Performance: The heart of the Ducati 916 was its powerful 916cc, four-valve, V-twin engine. The engine was known for its unique L-twin configuration, which delivered a combination of torque, power, and a distinct exhaust note. The 916 had impressive performance, producing around 114 horsepower, allowing it to reach top speeds of over 160 mph.

3. Racing Success: The Ducati 916 was highly successful in motorcycle racing, particularly in the Superbike World Championship. It secured four World Superbike titles for Ducati with the legendary rider Carl Fogarty, becoming an icon of dominance in the racing world. The 916's racing pedigree and success further elevated its status as an iconic motorcycle.

4. Influence and Legacy: The Ducati 916 revolutionized the sportbike market and had a significant impact on motorcycle design and performance. Its innovative features, such as the single-sided swingarm and underseat exhausts, set new trends in the industry. The 916's success and reputation inspired subsequent generations of Ducati motorcycles, with its design cues and performance characteristics influencing the development of future models.

As catastrophic flooding hits Vermont, the Superstar Racing Experience has been forced to move its 20 July race from Thunder Road Speedbowl to Stafford Motor Speedway, creating a doubleheader at the latter after hosting the season opener yesterday. Thunder Bowl will return to the calendar in 2024.

“In what was supposed to be one of the biggest weeks in the history of our iconic race track, has been turned upside down by a once-in-a-lifetime natural disaster and subsequent State of Emergency,” reads a track statement. “While we feel the immense pain of losing this major event for our business, it pales in comparison to those around our beloved state that have lost everything.”

President Joe Biden declared a federal state of emergency for Vermont on Tuesday as torrential rainfall has resulted in the state’s worst flooding since Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. On Friday morning, state officials confirmed the first death due to the floods after a citizen drowned in his home. Additional flood warnings were implemented on Friday as rivers continued to rise. Neighbouring New York also has a state of emergency declaration for certain regions.

The flooding forced Thunder Road to postpone its premier Governor’s Cup, which was originally scheduled for yesterday. The track hoped to make up for the loss by adding a Last Chance Qualifier to its Late Model All-Star Race that was to support SRX. However, the situation resulted in both being called off.

“Throughout the last week, the state of Vermont and city of Barre, VT have been devastated by intense rain and catastrophic flooding, leading to a declaration of a state of emergency by President Joe Biden,” commented SRX. “Our thoughts at SRX are with the people of Vermont.

By moving to ESPN for the 2023 season, the Superstar Racing Experience revived the tagline Thursday Night Thunder to reflect its new time slot. However, the third word was taken a bit too literally during the season opener at Stafford Speedway as inclement weather forced the final race to be shortened to 58 laps from the original 75.

In his SRX début, Denny Hamlin scored the win in a NASCAR podium sweep as Ryan Newman and Clint Bowyer followed. After winning Heat #1, Hamlin started the final in second alongside Paul Tracy, but defending champion Marco Andretti supplanted the latter as the top IndyCar veteran of the night from the beginning when he immediately committed to the inside entering the first corner to take the lead.

Andretti and Hamlin battled throughout the night before the former fell back.

“Just excited to win Round 1 of SRX,” said Hamlin. “It was getting close there at the end.”

While the top three was a NASCAR-savvy trio, the same could be said on the opposite end of the results tables. Just five laps into the race, Brad Keselowski and Bobby Labonte spun, causing the field behind them to stack up with Kevin Harvick briefly going airbourne after getting hit from behind by Ken Schrader. Tony Stewart finished in the bottom quarter after mechanical issues befell him on lap 17.

Jade Edwards is set to make a return to One Motorsport for the remainder of the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season. After spending the first half of the year with Team HARD., Edwards will rejoin the Brackley-based squad and compete alongside Josh Cook and Aiden Moffat under the Starline Racing with One Motorsport banner.

Edwards, a third-generation BTCC driver, is no stranger to the One Motorsport outfit. She raced one of the team’s three Honda Civic Type Rs in 2021 and 2022, impressively scoring a handful of points finishes and securing a popular Jack Sears Trophy victory at Oulton Park. Now, re-aligning herself with the reigning Independent Teams’ champions, Edwards is eager to complete her third full campaign in the UK’s premier motorsport series on a high note, aiming for strong performances and results across the next five events.

Reflecting on her return to One Motorsport, Edwards expressed her excitement: “Being able to re-join One is something that I’m really excited about and I’m grateful that we’ve been able to work out a deal to make it happen. Having already spent two years with the team, it feels like home and I’m going back to familiar surroundings, which can only be a positive. I’m fully focused on having a strong end to the season and I believe being back in the Honda Civic Type R gives me the best opportunity to do just that!”

Steve Dudman, the Team Owner of One Motorsport, warmly welcomed Edwards back to the team: “We are very pleased to welcome Jade back to One Motorsport where her energy, professionalism, and genuine enthusiasm provide a great vibe throughout the whole team. One Motorsport also recognises the fantastic support that she has from some great people behind her, all of whom have provided support to secure this move. We’re hoping that we can use this second chance to find Jade further strong support for the rest of the season and then for future years because she has so much to offer.”

The 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will resume on 29-30 July at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire, where fans will eagerly watch the return of Jade Edwards to the One Motorsport team.

In a nod to the rich history of Rome, the top four contenders in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship gathered on the eve of the Rome E-Prix at Cinecitta World for a captivating photoshoot. Jake Dennis, Nick Cassidy, Pascal Wehrlein, and Mitch Evans paid homage to the fearless charioteers of ancient Rome, symbolising the fusion of ancient and modern racing.

With the championship battle heating up, the focus was on Jake Dennis of Avalanche Andretti Formula E Team, who currently leads the standings by a single point from Nick Cassidy of Envision Racing. Pascal Wehrlein of TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, who has been a consistent front-runner this season, sits in third place. Meanwhile, last year’s double-race winner in Rome, Mitch Evans of Jaguar TCS Racing, is ready to challenge the leaders from fourth position.

The drivers, dressed in their modern-day racing gear, took part in exhilarating races at the Circus Maximus, an iconic Roman arena near the city centre street track where the Formula E drivers will go wheel-to-wheel in the upcoming races. Despite the contrast between their advanced GEN3 race cars and the ancient chariots, the drivers embodied the fearless spirit of their predecessors.

Jake Dennis expressed his excitement about racing in Rome, saying, “I’m so glad to be back in Rome. It’s surreal to be racing in the GEN3 here for the first time given the iconic racing history of this city. It’s vital that we capitalize on the upcoming double header so we can try and extend the lead in the standings.”

Nick Cassidy, who had previously secured his first pole position in Formula E at the Rome circuit, shared his anticipation for the intense championship fight, “It’s great to be back in Rome, the circuit I got my first pole in Formula E at. The championship fight will be intense, but I’ll take it one race at a time and carry on how I have all season.”

The NEOM McLaren Formula E Team is gearing up for the highly anticipated 2023 Hankook Rome E-Prix at Cinecitta World, with driver Jake Hughes expressing his excitement and determination to make a strong comeback.

Following a challenging race in Portland that didn’t live up to their expectations despite a strong qualifying performance, the team is eager to put things right and regain their momentum for the remainder of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season.

Looking ahead to the Rome E-Prix, Hughes shared his thoughts, saying, “We want to put things right and get back on track for the remainder of the season. We’re expecting the races to be different from what we saw last time out in Portland and more towards what we saw in the first half of the season.”

The NEOM McLaren Formula E Team is quietly confident that they will have a better weekend from a racing perspective, building on their strong qualifying performance, which will be crucial on a challenging track known for limited overtaking opportunities.

Hughes emphasised the importance of qualifying well, stating, “It’s a bumpy track, and I can’t wait to tackle it this weekend.” With the nature of the circuit making overtaking difficult, securing a strong grid position will be vital for a successful race day.

Staged every summer for 30 years, Goodwood Festival of Speed is part of the legend of motorsport and has become an unmissable event for all motorsport enthusiasts. Among the esteemed attendees, the Iron Dames are thrilled to make their return this year, embracing the opportunity to celebrate motorsport and ignite passion among fans from all corners of the globe, especially the younger generation.

The Iron Dames eagerly will be taking on the world-famous and thrilling hillclimb, alongside the greatest legends of past and present motorsport. Behind the wheel of their striking pink Porsche 911 RSR – 19, Sarah Bovy and Rahel Frey are ready to put their exceptional driving skills to the test and proudly fly the flag for women in motorsport as they conquer the iconic 1.16-mile ascent to the summit of the hill.

This year, the Goodwood Festival of Speed pays homage to 75 years of motorsport, bridging the gap between its glorious heritage and the ever-evolving future. This theme perfectly aligns with the core values and mission of the Iron Dames.

Since its launch in 2018, the Iron Dames project has already etched its name in motorsport history, competing and achieving remarkable results at the highest level of endurance racing. However, the project’s vision extends beyond past accomplishments. It is firmly focused on the future, aiming to inspire and encourage the younger generation to believe in their dreams and embrace a career in motorsport, irrespective of gender or background.

Following an intense battle and a tightly contested final round, Gulf and Williams Racing have unveiled the winner of the highly anticipated Fan Livery Vote. The ‘Bolder than Bold‘ design emerged triumphant, securing its place on the FW45 cars of Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant at the Singapore, Japan, and Qatar Grands Prix, promising an exhilarating spectacle at these races.

Mike Jones, CEO of Gulf Oil International, expressed pride in the partnership with Williams Racing and the significance of this livery in motorsport history: “We are extremely proud of our partnership with Williams Racing, and this livery marks an iconic moment in motorsport history. The campaign has been a tremendous success, sparking excitement for both Gulf and Williams fans alike. Gulf’s iconic colours have created four incredible liveries, and the standout winner chosen by the fans, ‘Bolder than Bold,’ will now be inscribed into Gulf’s rich motorsport history.”

The Fan Livery Vote allowed fans worldwide to participate in selecting their favourite livery design from four themes: Heritage, Bolder than Bold, Visionary, and Contemporary. Over 180,000 votes were cast across the closely contested three rounds, celebrating the spirit of two iconic motorsport brands and setting the stage for an exceptional moment on the track.

The journey began with the ‘Bolder than Bold’ design facing off against the ‘Contemporary’ theme in a highly competitive knockout system. The ‘Heritage’ design emerged victorious in the second round, securing its place in the ultimate showdown against ‘Bolder than Bold.’ Fans from around the world participated in the final vote, resulting in a closely fought finish.

James Vowles, Team Principal of Williams Racing, highlighted the importance of the competition and fan engagement in shaping the team’s visual identity: “This competition provided a unique opportunity for our fans to actively engage and shape the visual identity of our team. The winning design perfectly encapsulates the essence of the Gulf and Williams Racing partnership, reflecting on the past while building towards our future. This livery will create a defining moment when it takes to the track later in the season.”

As the Desafío Ruta 40 returns after a four-year hiatus, Argentinian oil company YPF is once again partnering with the race. Rather than a simple sponsorship, YPF will become the official fuel for the rally and assumed naming rights to dub it the Desafío Ruta 40 YPF.

YPF is a majority state-owned corporation that produces natural gas and petroleum, among other resources. Among the company’s other sponsorships are the Chevrolet YPF Team in TC2000 touring cars and the World Rally Championship’s Rally Argentina from 2016 to 2018.

Besides title sponsorship, YPF will provide refuelling logistics for competitors.

“For us it is a pride to be part of Desafío Ruta 40,” said Santiago Carreras, the communications manager for YPF. “At YPF, we are convinced that the values and attributes of sport are characteristics that are associated with the history and present of the company. Just as we are sponsors of the soccer, tennis, basketball, hockey, volleyball, and rugby teams, we also have our development in motorsport. Being able to join as the official fuel of a competition of this quality fills us with joy.”

The DR 40 has also partnered with the Desafío Ansenuza (“Ansenuza Challenge”) for the first time. While the main rally is a speed-based event where setting the fastest time determines the winner, Ansenuza focuses on navigation skills similar to the Dakar Classic at the Dakar Rally. Consisting of four classes for cars, bikes, quads, and UTVs, the event will follow the DR 40’s locations but otherwise take place on a separate course.

Williams Racing brought home a stellar result at the British Grand Prix, with Alex Albon claiming points in eighth place and Logan Sargeant finishing just shy of the points positions in eleventh. 

Williams Head of Vehicle Performance Dave Robson was pleased with the car’s performance, as the team’s recent upgrades continue to impress. FW45 proved to be handy around Silverstone, with both Albon and Sargeant pulling off strong campaigns around the high-speed circuit– though Sargeant will have to keep waiting for his first points in the series. 

“The car worked well today and both drivers were excellent. Alex showed great skill in attack and defence whilst also managing his tyres very well. 

“Logan too showed good race craft and was able to build on his race in Austria to deliver another impressive performance. It is frustrating for him to finish 11th, but his first Formula 1 Championship point is getting ever closer.”

The weather at the beginning of the race posed a difficult challenge for the drivers, Robson said, with low grip and relatively high tyre degradation evident. These conditions subsided as the race continued, revealing the true potential of FW45 at Silverstone Circuit.

The McLaren Formula 1 Team achieved an outstanding performance at the British Grand Prix, leaving the team and fans elated. Under the leadership of Team Principal Andrea Stella, McLaren demonstrated their competitive edge throughout the weekend, excelling in both qualifying and the race itself.

“This is a great team result at the British Grand Prix,” Stella remarked, clearly proud of the team’s accomplishments. “It comes at the end of a very strong weekend for the MCL60, in which we’ve been able to compete at the top on both single-lap pace during qualifying, and now across race stints also.”

The team’s improved race performance was evident, allowing them to capitalise on an excellent performance from the previous day. However, Stella expressed regret regarding Oscar Piastri‘s missed opportunity for a podium finish due to the unfortunate timing of the Safety Car. Despite this setback, Stella acknowledged Piastri’s exceptional drive and praised his overall performance throughout the weekend.

“It’s a real shame for Oscar, he should have been on the podium but the timing of the Safety Car meant that we lost a position and he finished fourth – but that takes nothing away from the strong weekend he’s had and the incredible race he drove,” Stella stated, emphasising the team’s unwavering support for their talented drivers.

Amidst the team’s achievements, Stella expressed his delight for Lando Norris, who enjoyed a memorable moment in front of his home crowd after delivering an excellent performance. Norris’ success further highlighted the team’s progress and the potential for future victories.

Alpine, the French automotive brand, has announced the appointment of Bruno Famin as the Vice President of Alpine Motorsports and a member of the Alpine Management Committee. Reporting directly to Laurent Rossi, Alpine CEO, Famin will take charge of leading Alpine’s activities across various motorsport disciplines.

This strategic organizational change aims to streamline and strengthen Alpine’s governance under Rossi’s leadership. It follows the recent appointments of Philippe Krief as the Vice President of Engineering and Product Performance, and Antonino Labate as the Vice President of Sales, Marketing & Customer Experience.

By appointing Famin to this role, Alpine reaffirms its commitment to establishing itself as a prominent presence in top racing categories. Famin will oversee all teams, ranging from Formula 1 to endurance racing, customer racing, and competitions such as Rallye-Raid.

Additionally, Alpine will provide technical support to Dacia for its Dakar project. Famin will also assume responsibility for the Alpine Academy, focusing on identifying and nurturing talented drivers who can contribute to Alpine’s motorsports endeavors.

Importantly, Famin will continue his role as the Managing Director of Alpine Racing’s factory in Viry-Châtillon, France, ensuring the supply of high-performance powertrains across all racing categories.

Four-time Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel will make a sustainable statement at this weeks Goodwood Festival of Speed by using 100% fossil-free fuel in his collection of F1 cars. Powered by P1 Fuel, Vettel’s iconic racing machines will demonstrate the practicality of using fossil-free fuel without modifications to their powerful engines.

Vettel, a pioneer of ‘Race without a Trace,’ aims to reduce CO2 emissions while driving and find a sustainable solution for future mobility. Goodwood Festival of Speed is joining the cause, with 20% of the total entry running on alternative fuels.

The former F1 champion’s presence at Goodwood provides an opportunity to hear directly from him about his cars, life after 16 years in F1, and his passion for finding alternative solutions to fossil fuels.

Martin Popilka, CEO of P1 Fuels, expressed his pride in showcasing the versatility of their fuels through Vettel’s participation, “Today is a proud day for P1 Fuels and the sustainable mobility community. Sebastian Vettel represents “Race without a Trace” with his Williams and McLaren F1 cars at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

“It’s a significant milestone showing the versatility of our fuels in both new and old engines without any modifications. With the automotive world’s attention on this event, powering Sebastian’s cars further demonstrates the flexibility to cover all cars with ICE engines with our fuels.”

Lotus 38

The Lotus 38 is a significant race car in the history of the Indianapolis 500. Here are some key details about the Lotus 38:

Manufacturer: Lotus Year of Manufacture: 1965 Design: The Lotus 38 was designed by Colin Chapman and his team at Lotus. It featured an innovative mid-engined design, which was a departure from the traditional front-engined cars that had dominated the Indianapolis 500.

Driver and Victory: The Lotus 38 was driven by British racing driver Jim Clark. In 1965, Clark piloted the Lotus 38 to victory at the Indianapolis 500, becoming the first driver to win the prestigious race in a mid-engined car. The victory was significant as it showcased the potential of the mid-engined design in IndyCar racing.

Performance: The Lotus 38's superior handling and aerodynamics gave it a competitive advantage over the front-engined cars. It demonstrated exceptional speed and maneuverability on the high-speed oval track of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Carlos Llibre is seeking a place in the Dakar Rally to check off one of the biggest goals on his late twin brother Álex‘s bucket list. After falling short in 2022, he and his ALL1 Dakar team will take their next shot at the Desafío Ruta 40 in August.

Álex died in a motorcycle accident in 2017, leaving behind an incomplete 101-item bucket list. One of his aspirations was to race the Dakar Rally on a bike, which Carlos took upon himself to achieve alongside his friends Javi Amat, Álvaro Andreu, Fernando Condo, Pepe Martí, Josep Pedró, and Xavi Pes. The septet race together under the ALL1 banner, the name representing the slogan “All as One”.

In October 2022, ALL1 entered the Rallye du Maroc with all seven competing in the Rally2 category. Llibre crashed in the fourth stage and broke his collarbone while the others completed the race; Pedró finished the highest in their class in twentieth ahead of Amat (fortieth), Pes (forty-ninth), Marti (fifty-first), Andreu (fifty-seventh), and Conde (fifty-eighth).

El Efecto ALL1, a documentary covering their Dakar efforts, premiered in January. Besides dune training, the team took part in the Baja TT Dehesa Extremadura in April where Pedró finished fourth among all bikes while Llibre was eighteenth. ALL1’s next race will be the Baja España Aragón on 21/22 July.

Like the Rallye du Maroc, the Desafío Ruta 40 is part of the Road to Dakar programme which grants free Dakar Rally admission to the top riders with no prior experience there. The ASO and FIM will select the initial wave of riders for the 2024 Dakar Rally on 20 July, though more can qualify or solidify their entries afterwards.