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Go Karting 101: Mastering the Drift

July 15, 2018

Fast & the Furious Tokyo Drift has become a popular movie not just because of the fast-paced driving, but due to its insane drifting stunts. While you might not be able to pull off the complex stunts in the movie, you’ll be able to drift on the track in no time.

One of the best skills to learn on the track is drifting. Not only is it a maneuver that helps you cut through tough turns, but it looks cool when doing it. In this guide, we’ll give you a few pointers to help you drift smoothly and effectively.

How to Drive

When you obtain a Go Kart, you want to lean back in order to give the tires more traction. To make your driving more streamlined, you have to be consistent with all of your movements. This includes braking, steering, and pressing on the gas.

When turning, always lean towards the corner, this allows for the back wheels to receive more traction and turn more smoothly. While this may sound confusing, this is one of the basics of go-kart driving. If you do this, and your opponent doesn’t, then it might cost him the race.

How Can I Drift on A Go Kart?

Every go-kart track has one tricky turn, which can be difficult to maneuver at first. But this is where the thrill of drifting comes in, and you should aim to drift during this complex turn. However, you’re allowed to drift on any turn on the track. Here are a few steps that you should follow if you want to drift on a go-kart.

Drive on the Right Line: When you’re planning to drift, the line that you’re driving on makes a huge difference. To drift correctly, you need to drive on the exterior lane and keep your kart straight.

Lean Towards the Opposite Side: Once your kart starts approaching the corner, steer away from the turn at a balanced speed. While doing this, make sure that you lean in the opposite direction. For instance, if you’re turning left, lean to the right and vice versa.

Accelerator and Brakes: Before you make a strong and sudden move by driving in the opposite direction, make sure that you back towards the turn. Start by softly applying the brakes and then release them. Accelerate by moving your kart to the direction of the track.

Point Your Wheels: After you’re done drifting, make sure that your wheels are pointed to the right direction of the track. Let the wheels point towards the natural flow of the track and continue to drive.

Now that you know how to drift correctly, you’ll be able to block other drivers from overtaking you. Keep practicing it until you’ve gotten the hang of it.

Go Karting Tips

If you want to increase your drifting slide, start by hitting the accelerator and the brakes. But, you should try this step once you’ve practiced with your go-kart. Doing so will allow you to control the vehicle even if you lose direction.
When driving in a race, there will be some drivers that are driving faster and might overtake you. However, don’t panic or be intimated by them. Instead, just focus on the finish line that’s ahead of you and complete the race.
When you’re driving a Go-Kart, and you’re about to drift, you’ll reach a state of “controlled chaos.” However, its more fun when you don’t lose your cool and remain in control. By panicking, you’ll only increase the chances of failure when driving.
Don’t drive too slow on the track because you won’t be able to drift. You’ll just end up making a normal turn. Also, you don’t want to drive too fast as you’ll spin your go kart out. Continue to drive at a speed that you can control to ensure that you can drift correctly.

Overall, learning how to drift is a skill that’s easy to learn but hard to master. When driving your go kart, give it time to get used to the track and start turning at a regular speed. Once you’ve learned how to drift, you’ll be able to amaze your friends and increase your chances of driving like a pro!

Petter Solberg / Motorsport & Racing, NASCAR /

Amazing Facts You Didn’t Know About NASCAR

July 8, 2018

NASCAR auto racing is an exceedingly popular sport with a rich history which has been around for over seventy years. During that time, the motorsport has seen numerous changes.

The following is a list of surprising facts which you didn’t know about NASCAR and will increase your knowledge of the sport, enabling you to enjoy it further.

1 – Average Speed of Race Car

When racing, NASCAR racing cars average well over 150 miles per hour. A number of the racers are around 180 miles per hour, and some even flirt with the 200 miles per hour level. It takes one second to travel an entire football field at 200 mph.

2 – It Gets Hot in There

The temperature in the car regularly tops 100 degrees with the floorboards getting as high as 170 degrees. Race drivers can lose five to ten pounds of perspiration in one race.

3 – Drivers vs. Marathoners

During a three hour race, the heart rate of a NASCAR driver is 120-150 beats per minute. This is the same as the heart rate of a marathon runner. On the turns, NASCAR drivers are subjected between two and three G’s (which is up to three times gravity’s force).

4 – Who Needs A Driver’s License?

NASCAR drivers are not required to have a state-issued driver’s license. They are expected to pass a physical examination and a drug test.

5 – Quick Reactions of Drivers

A NASCAR race car driver has the same skill as a hockey goalie or quarterback in anticipating what will happen.

6 – NASCAR is Big Business

Photo: https://www.nascar.com/

With over 75 million American fanatics, NASCAR is the most prominent auto racing sport with races being broadcast in over 150 countries worldwide.

NASCAR stadiums have a massive capacity of 170,000 spectators, and the sport often holds the large majority of the top 20 attended single-day sporting events on an annual basis.

Purchases of licensed products by its fans amount to revenue of over $3 billion annually. For a sport with such humble beginnings, its popularity has become quite immense.

7 – What’s With All the Flags?

To control a NASCAR race, eight different flags are utilized by the officials. The white flag (which signifies on lap remaining in the race) is the only flag which is shown just once.

8 – Dale Earnhardt’s, Sr. Lasting Legacy

In 2001, NASCAR started a requirement where drivers must wear head and neck restraints. There has not been one driver who has died since this rule was put into effect. The rule requirement was prompted by the tragic death of Dale Earnhardt, Sr. In the 2001 Daytona 500.

9 – Not Like Your Regular Car

A race car will utilize three times more motor oil than a regular passenger automobile. Also, their radiators only use water. A NASCAR race car has a paint job which consists of vinyl stickers being applied with the use of a tool similar to a hair dryer.

10 – Biggest Race of the Season

The biggest NASCAR race of the year is the Daytona 500, which is also the first of the season, as well as being the most recognizable name for even casual fans of the sport.

11 – Origins of NASCAR

In 1947, NASCAR was started by Bill France, Sr. Of Daytona Beach, FL during a meeting at a hotel. The points system which was devised was written on a barroom napkin.

On June 19, 1949, the first-ever NASCAR race was held at Charlotte Speedway (a ¾ mile dirt track) in Charlotte, NC. The race was won by Jim Roper after another driver, Glenn Dunnaway was kicked out of the race due to altering his rear springs.

12 – American Sedans

NASCAR race cars are designed to resemble an American sedan and are equipped with fenders. The vehicles are required to have three stock parts from the manufacturer, with the roof, the hood and the trunk lid considered standard.

13 – Legendary Racer and Inventory Richard Petty

Having won 200 NASCAR races and seven stock car championships in his career, Richard Petty is widely known as the top driver of all time. This legendary race car driver also invented the window net which keeps the arms of drivers within the vehicle, avoiding an injury during a crash.

14 – As Luck Would Have It

Michael Waltrip started a record 463 NASCAR races without earning a victory. He broke his streak of bad luck when he won the 2001 Daytona 500, a race mired in tragedy.

15 – First Woman Racer

Janet Guthrie was the first ever woman to compete in a Winston Cup race in 1976, finishing 15th in the World 600 race.

16 – A Television First

The 1979 Daytona 500 became the first 500-mile auto race to be televised live and in its entirety.

Petter Solberg / Formula 1, Motorsport & Racing /

F1 Facts: Some Things That Might Surprise You About It

June 20, 2018

The Formula 1 season has gotten off to a resounding start, and since the shift to vastly different cars in 2017, the sport has never been more revitalized, even though there was initially some doubt.

In this guide, we’ll be looking at some of the most surprising, impressive, or simply intriguing Formula 1 facts, so bear with us as we go through our list.

It is More Than a Competition Between Drivers

Most people assume that Formula 1 consists of a single championship over the course of its 21 Grands Prix, but you may be surprised to learn that it is, in fact, two championships. The first of these, which is better-known is the Driver’s Championship, in which the driver who accumulated the most points wins.

However, the second trophy that is handed out at the end of the F1 season is for the Constructor’s Championship, which considers the points scored by the cars themselves. This is because every F1 car is designed by the team that is racing it, and the best design will be separate from the skill of the driver.

F1 Cars Don’t Refuel in a Race

Fuel is managed differently in F1 than in other racing competitions such as Nascar, where the fuel is refilled during a pit stop. Instead, in F1, only damaged wings and tires are replaced during a car’s pit stop, meaning that the fuel that a racecar starts off with is what it will have for the rest of the race.

A lot of the time, drivers will fill their cars with less fuel than is needed to accomplish the race so that the vehicle will be lighter. Over the course of the race, the driver will have to take measures to manage their fuel and ensure that they don’t run out by the end of it.

Race Strategy Plays a Huge Role

When it comes to winning F1 races, most people assume that it is similar to other motorsports, where the skill of the driver is in direct competition with that of others. In fact, the key to a successful race is largely in the strategy that is put together by the drive in conjunction with their team.

While F1 racing used to be more of a seat-of-your-pants experience where it was mostly up to the intuition of the drivers, the legendary Ayrton Senna changed the way that the sport is looked at. Now, drivers will spend hours poring over telemetry and other data so they can get the perfect lap.

Modern F1 Cars Are Vastly Different to Older Models

With the start of the 2017 season, F1 entered a new generation, and it was perhaps the greatest leap from one year to the next that we have ever seen in the sport. The cars grew massively, meaning that they now have wider tires and more area to produce downforce, improving their grip immensely.

In addition to the changes to the cars’ sizes, modern F1 puts more of a focus on electric drive technologies like KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems). Keep in mind that traction control is still banned from use in F1, though there are still some loopholes that teams try to take advantage of.

F1 Takes a Toll on Drivers’ Bodies

While being an F1 driver sounds like a dream come true for lovers of automobiles, you will find that it is one of the most stressful careers in the world. An average person trying to drive an F1 car would likely stall it because they weren’t going fast enough into the corners.

Over the course of a race, you will find that a typical F1 driver loses around 8 pounds of fluids due to the high temperatures and the extreme stress that they must endure. While this weight is regained afterwards, the sports does indeed take a physical toll on your body, even if you are sitting down.

Conclusion

We hope that our five F1 facts have proved informative and astonishing. Feel free to check out some of the other articles on our site if you want to learn more about cars, whether they compete in F1 or they are the peak of luxury.

Petter Solberg / News, Special Lists /

Top 4 Best Used Sports Cars Under $30,000

June 13, 2018

There used to be a time when the sports car was something that you could only drive if you had worked your whole life for it. What’s the point of waiting until you’re older to enjoy the feeling of speed? Unfortunately, many sports cars tend to be a little too steep to afford for many of us, but there is always the used car market.

Whenever you bring up wanting to buy a used car, you probably have that one friend who will go on for ages about how you should buy it new. Unfortunately, you won’t be getting a new Porsche for anywhere near 30,000 dollars, but you will undoubtedly be able to find one used for a similar price.

Over the course of today’s guide, we are going to be looking at some of the best used sports cars that you can find for under $30,000. We’ll be going over a varied selection of vehicles from various manufacturers so that you can get the right car for your needs (and even your preferences).

While these cars may be lacking some of the bells and whistles you’ll find in their modern counterparts; they are still impressive pieces of engineering. Without any further delay, let’s get into some of the best used sports cars on the market.

Best Used Sports Car Under $30K – Our Recommendations

Porsche Cayman/Boxster 986 (First Generation)

Details:

In production: 1996 to 2004
Engine: 2.5 to 3.2L flat 6
Transmission: Manual or automatic (5- or 6-speed)
0 – 60 mph: 6 – 7 seconds
Top speed: 160 mph
Horsepower: 200 to 250 hp

For those that are looking for an affordable sports car, few options will be able to match the Porsche Boxster or Cayman, both of which are essentially the same vehicle in a different form. First off, the Boxster is a two-seat roadster (meaning it has a convertible roof, for our non-auto lovers).

On the other hand, the Porsche Cayman has a bit more of a conventional layout, being a fastback coupe. While most coupes will feature a defined line where the trunk begins, a fastback takes inspiration from the vehicles of the 30s and 40s with a streamlined rear window that almost blends into the trunk.

Enough about the differences between these two cars, however, as they are similar in nearly every other aspect. Being a Porsche, this car features their typical inline six configuration for the engine, producing anywhere between 200 and almost 260 horsepower, which is quite a bit for such a light car.

While you would expect the Boxster to be lighter than the Cayman, you may be surprised to find that the two models are quite similar in weight. This is due to the additional chassis reinforcement that is needed in a roadster due to the amount of longitudinal stability that is lost by the omission of the roof.

So why would you want to drive this car? You’d have a harder time finding reasons why you wouldn’t want to. First of all, it’s a Porsche, and while they may have higher maintenance costs than American or Japanese cars, they are a little more reliable than some other German makes.

Of course, reliability often comes down to the car itself. If you look around long enough, you may even find an Alfa Romeo that has never had any problems (but don’t hold your breath). Taking that into consideration, you will have to be prepared to pay a little bit extra to keep your car maintained.

While maintenance costs won’t reach anywhere near the levels you can expect to pay for a 928 or one of Porsche’s similarly old models; you will still have to allocate a budget. Other than keeping the car running, you won’t face too many problems with a Porsche 986, whether it is a Boxster or a Cayman.

Maserati Coupe/Spyder (Tipo M138)

Details:

In production: 2001 – 2007
Engine: 4.2 L Ferrari and Maserati F136 R V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual
0 – 60 mph: 4.9 seconds
Top speed: 177 mph
Horsepower: 390 hp

With the Maserati Coupe and Spyder, we are moving into real sports car territory. While many will look at the Porsche Boxster as a sports car lite, one glance at the Maserati Coupe will not give that impression. Of course, a car’s looks don’t determine how good of a sports car it is, but we’d be lying if we said they weren’t important.

The Maserati Coupe and Spyder share the same relationship as the Porsche Cayman and Boxster, being essentially the same car, with the former having a hard roof and the latter being convertible. While the Spyder is more sought-after, you will have to consider that the roof is a possible point of failure when it comes to reliability problems.

This car represented a fundamental shift for Maserati. In the early 2000s, the company had a tough transition from the automotive icon that they used to be to a brand that no one really remembered. The Maserati Coupe and Spyder helped bring the company back from the edge.

If it wasn’t for this car, it is entirely possible that Maserati would have been shuffled into another company, much like many other legendary names in this industry. With a combination of aggressive styling, impressive performance, and Italian build quality, the Coupe and Spyder are excellent vehicles.

Perhaps the most impressive part of this car is the engine, which was designed in conjunction with Ferrari, so you know that it is made to some high standards. The F136 is an iconic engine, and it has been used in cars ranging from the Maserati Quattroporte all the way to the Ferrari 458 Italia.

If you are lucky, you may be able to find the Gran Sport version of this car for a more reasonable price. Featuring improved performance and a redesigned interior, this special edition was produced for the last few years of this model’s run, and it is what directly led to Maserati’s legendary GranTurismo.

As with most other sports cars, you can expect to pay a hefty bill for maintenance when issues arise, though the continued support of F136 engines means that it won’t be that bad. Keep in mind that these are relatively popular cars on the resale market and they didn’t have that large of a production run.

Lotus Elise Series 2

Details:

In production: 2001 – 2011
Engine: 1.4 L Rover I4 or 1.4L Toyota I4
Transmission: 5- or 6-speed manual
0 – 60 mph: 5.7 seconds
Top speed: 124 mph
Horsepower: 118 hp

British automakers have had a tough run of things when we look at the past 30 or 40 years. From a once-proud industry, it is almost as if British car factories have gone the way of their empire and disappeared faster than you can blink your eyes. Thankfully, there are still some holdouts, like Jaguar, Bentley, and of course, Lotus.

Lotus has always been a well-known name in the automotive world for many reasons. From their Esprit S1 that was used to make the submersible Wet Nellie driven by James Bond to their long and storied history in motorsport, Lotus is an exceptional company, and so is their Elise.

The first series of the Lotus Elise did not last very long, and that is due to a change in European crash safety regulations. Once the car was redesigned, it was released as the Series 2, which is still arguably the most iconic variant of the Elise, and the most recognizable one.

When it comes to looks, the Lotus Elise is a somewhat divisive car, with some claiming that it resembles a bug, while others praise its squat, sporty appearance. The car’s small size isn’t just so that it can look cute, however, as it plays a crucial role in the vehicle’s performance and design philosophy.

So what does this mean for the car? First of all, the handling of a Lotus Elise feels more like a racing cart than a full-blown car. Keep in mind, however, that this little speed demon can go 124 miles an hour at full power, so driving flat-out in this car is not an experience that you will forget any time soon.

Due to the lower weight of this car, the acceleration is impressive even though the engine isn’t all that powerful. If you should choose to purchase this car, don’t underestimate it when you first step into it, as it just might surprise you with how responsive both the throttle and the steering wheel are.

BMW M3 (E46)

Details:

In production: 2000 – 2006
Engine: 3.2L S54B32 I6
Transmission: 6-speed manual or 6-speed SMG (paddle)
0 – 60 mph: 5 seconds
Top speed: 155 mph (limited)
Horsepower: 333 hp

Of course, in a list of the best used sports cars, we would be remiss not to include the most iconic affordable sports car ever. The BMW M3 is well-known to automotive enthusiasts for being priced reasonably and being capable of some serious performance, but which generation is currently the one to buy?

While the E36 series is a favorite (if unreliable) option, most will agree that the E46 improved on it in every possible way. This car is an excellent option for someone who isn’t looking to spend too much money up front, though you may have to dispense some cash on keeping the vehicle running, as with any BMW.

The M3 is the performance model of BMW’s 3 Series coupe, which is an excellent vehicle in its own right, if not a little boring (especially compared to the M3). Once BMW’s M Division gets around to a car, however, everyone knows that it’s going to change immensely, and that was the case here.

The 333 hp engine in this vehicle gives it significant acceleration for what looks like an unimposing car. If it were not for the electronic limiter in this car at 155 mph, it would be able to make it to around 170 mph. Many people are shocked to find that a car that externally resembles a 3 Series can go so fast.

The choice of transmission is a bit of a challenge for some drivers, though we prefer the traditional manual with clutch. You also have access to the SMG transmission which is a flappy paddle gearbox, for those of you that prefer to have an electrohydraulic system managing the clutch.

Usually, the first part of the M3 to go is the internal electronics, so don’t be surprised if the windows sometimes jam up or some of the buttons stop working. When looking over a car, you may buy, pay particular attention to the interior and whether or not everything works.

Keep in mind that if you can’t find an E46 in your area for a reasonable price, there is nothing wrong with opting for an E36, but you will have to be even more diligent when overlooking the car. Older cars are more likely to have reliability issues, so it always helps to be eagle-eyed.

Conclusion

There is a wide range of affordable used sports cars on the market, and what we have presented is but a slice of what is available. If you are looking for the most affordable option on this list, it will likely be either the M3 or the Porsche 986 (either variety) because of how common they are compared to the others.

We hope that at least one of these cars has caught your eye, as we chose a varied mix of vehicles to ensure that our readers would each find one thing they like. Feel free to leave any other affordable sports car recommendations in the comments below.

Petter Solberg / Motorsport & Racing, Special Lists /

Top 10 Famous Car Races in History

May 8, 2018

Monaco Grand Prix

In 1929, Anthony Noghes and the Automobile Club de Monaco organized the first race through the streets of Monte Carlo. The Circuit de Monaco layout was the same one which is in use today. In 1950, the event was included in the Formula One World Championship.

With respects to time, Monaco is the longest Formula One race and can go the full two-hour time limit if it is slowed down by inclement weather. Overtaking another car is almost impossible due to the limited amount of racing space. The low speeds do not require much fuel to be burned, as Mika Salo finished fifth in 1997 without having to perform one pit stop.

Ayrton Senna of Brazil won the race six times and did it consecutively from 1989 to 1993. In a total of ten starts, he was able to finish on the podium eight times. The record for fastest lap is held by Michael Schumacher.

Indianapolis 500

Known as the famed Brickyard, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been home to the Indy 500 since 1911. The idea for the race track came from Carl Fisher, a businessman who thought the racetrack would be an ideal location for auto manufacturers to test their vehicles. Of course, they would have to do this against other car manufacturers.

The first race at the speedway was in June 1909 before a capacity crowd of 15,000 spectators. There was also tragedy on that day, as there three deaths and many injuries. In 1909, the track was reopened, as several modifications were made to the racing surface to improve safety.

The first of the famed 500-mile races was held at the track on May 30, 1911, which kicked off the Memorial Day tradition. Two years later in 1913, the race was receiving international attention with cars from Italy, Germany, England, and France entering the race.

24 Hours of Le Mans

Running its inaugural race in 1923 near Arnage, France, the oldest and most famous endurance car race is the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The race has been run for every year since, except for the war years and in 1936 when there was a strike.

On May 26 and May 27, 1923, the very first 24 Hours of Le Mans was held on public roads in Le Mans and several villages in Sarthe, France. With the winner covering the greatest distance, the race was made to test the endurance of both the racer and the automobile over a 24 hour period.

Before World War II, the races were won by French, Italian and British drivers who were driving vehicles manufactured by Alfa Romeo, Bentley, and Bugatti.

Due to the significant damage inflicted by World War II, the 24 Hours of Le Mans race took ten years off to allow for the rebuilding of France.

After the decade-long break, one of the most famous car races resumed running in 1949 and interest in the event was on the rise. After the war, car manufacturers such as Aston Martin, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, and Ferrari competed on a regular basis.

Bathurst 1000

First held in 1960, the Bathurst 1000 is a touring car race of 1,000 km in length. The location of the annual race is at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. The race track is the most well-known landmark in the tiny city of Bathurst.

As the raced increased in popularity, most major car manufacturers in the Australian market were participating by the mid-1960s. The race gave the manufacturers an outlet to showcase their vehicles and image. Peter Brock, who is nicknamed “King of the Mountain,” has won nine races at Bathurst, which are the most of any driver.

Daytona 500

The Daytona 500, a 500 mile long NASCAR Cup Series motor race, had its first race in 1959, which coincided with the opening of the speedway. Since 1982, it has been the first race of the season for the Cup series.

As the most important NASCAR race, the Daytona 500 has by far the largest purse prize. Since 1995, television ratings have been the highest of any auto race, surpassing the Indianapolis 500 in viewership.

The race consists of 200 laps on the 2.5 mile Daytona International Speedway. Once 300 miles have been completed, the race is considered official. Following the Southern 500, the Daytona 500 was the second 500-mile race by NASCAR.

Monte Carlo Rally

The Monte Carlo rally originally was conceived in the early 1900s but began to gain popularity during the early 1950s. At the time, the race had become one of Europe’s largest rallies, with the results counting towards the European Grand Tourism Championship. This would go on to become the World Rally Championship in 1973.

In the 1960s, professional racing companies would take an interest in the event. Up until this time, the event was not known for pure speed. The original idea of the race was for consistency and endurance, both mechanical and human.

See more: Rally cars in 2018

Isle of Man TT

The International Isle of Man TT Race, which was first run in 1907, is an annual motorcycle sporting event. The event uses a time trial format on public roads which are closed for the race. There is a one-week practice session which is followed up by one week of racing.

This race is known as one of the most motorsport events in the world. There was a boycott of the Isle of Man race by racers and manufacturers in the early 1970s due to the safety concerns of the Snaefell Mountain Course. The course is 37.73 miles long and was called ‘38 miles of terror’ by a Sports Illustrated writer.

24 Hours of Nurburgring

An event which has been taking place since 1970, the 24 Hours Nurburgring is a touring car and GT endurance race held annually in central Germany. The Nordschleife (north loop) is over 25 km long and includes the participation of over 200 automobiles and 700 drivers.

Since its inception, the event has been dominated by BMW and Porsche, with Ford, Audi, Chrysler and Mercedes also winning at times. As would be expected, the majority of the drivers who have won the race have been German.

Pikes Peak Hill Climb

Held in the state of Colorado, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is a famed automotive competition that is sometimes known as the Race to the Clouds. This is a yearly motorcycle and car hill climb to the peak for which the race is named. The length of the track is 12.4 miles, consisting of over 150 turns and climbs which average a grade of over 7%.

The race dates back to 1916 and currently allows many classes of cars, trucks, quads, and motorcycles to enter. From year to year, new classes are recognized and discarded. The race has about 130 racers who participate.

Dakar Rally

The Dakar Rally is an off-road endurance race which utilizes off-road vehicles. The event first ran in 1978 from Paris, France all the way to Dakar, Senegal.

However, for security reasons, since 2009, the races have been held in the South American continent. Both professionals and amateurs can enter, with the latter usually outnumbering the professionals four to one.

The distances of each stage of the race vary from very short to 800 to 900 kilometers for one day. The off-road terrain consists of mud, crossing dunes, rocks and many other landscapes. The first race of 10,000 kilometers in length was finished by 74 of the 182 vehicles which had started.

Petter Solberg / Motorsport & Racing, Rally Cars /

Rally cars in 2018

April 29, 2018

We will show you some of the rally cars used this year in the championship

Citroen C3 WRC

This car is one of the most represented in rally races this year. The length of this car is 4m, and the width is 2.5m and weighs 1190kg and 1350kg with the crew. Below the hood is a 380 HP engine with a maximum torque of 6000 rpm and a four-wheeled towing system. The car has six speeds. Brakes are ventilation discs. The success of this automobile is: 17 races, 2 of that are victories and five races he reaches the podium.

Ford Fiesta WRC

Second car worth mentioning is the Ford Fiesta. This car is 4 m long and 2.5 m wide and weighs 1350 kg with the crew. Changing speed is done using the Six-speed sequential gearbox developed by M-Sport and Ricardo with the hydraulic shift. The brakes on these cars differ from Citroen; the front brakes have Brembo ventilated discs with Brembo four-piston monoblock calipers and the latest Brembo ventilated discs with Brembo four-piston monoblock calipers. The power of the engine in this car is 380 HP with a maximum speed of 6000 rpm and also a four-wheel drive. The success of this car is 17 races of it: 8 wins and 22 podiums. He has three titles.

Hyundai I20 coupe WRC

A slightly longer car of 4.1 m and a width of 2.5 m. The same engine power as the previous two, 380 hp but the number of rpm that can reach is 6500 rp m. The gearbox uses the Sequential gearbox, six forward gears and one reverse with paddle shift. Brakes are all four wheels of the same Ventilated Brembo disc brakes (370mm on the tarmac, 300mm on gravel). Air-cooled 4 piston calipers. The success of this car: 17 races of that 5 victories and 16 podiums.

Toyota Yaris WRC

One of the cars that did not shine on the rally scene. This car is slightly narrower than the others with 1.87 m, while its length is about 4 meters long. It differs from the engine that has 380 horsepower but also has a turbo and direct injection. Gearbox is a 6-speed hydraulic shift. Brakes are 300mm gravel / 370mm asphalt. The maximum speed this car can reach is 201 kph. Achievements of this car: 17 races of that two victories and eight podiums.

Petter Solberg / PSRX /

My team

April 29, 2018

You can see them in the background on TV, out of focus on still images/photographs captured in the service area or on the grid. Without my team there I would never have been a double FIA World RX champion. Here is my tribute to my best friends, helpers, and family: the PSRX team!

I have been in countless discussions about the importance of a good team and whether rallycross – (and motorsports in general –) should be referred to as a team sport. My contention is clear, I firmly believe the answer to this is YES! For me, to even think about competing at all in the FIA World Rallycross Championship, I must have a team around me. How good the team is, determines how well I will achieve.

My team is hand-picked. I’ve put together a group of people who want the same as me. They want to win as much as I do, and they will do whatever it takes, no matter how “impossible” it may seem at times.

The downside of this sport

Life in World RX is tough, and we are often out traveling for a long time. It’s a comfort for all of us knowing that those who are at home, support us fully in our determination and quest to fulfill goals and dreams.

Let’s briefly recapture our struggles that led to race success: Almost all the other World RX teams also came to Lousada, did some test runs and disappeared again. PSRX was among one of the first of the teams to arrive and also were one of the last to leave as well.

We spend a lot of human resources in our preparations. But my team’s philosophy is that it would have been pointless for us to emerge starting in Montalégre without being fully prepared. In the final three weeks before the race, a base of 10 technicians, mechanics, helpers, team members and I worked around the clock under a small roof as the only protection against rain, snow, and hail in Lousada. We worked to make the car more than right. We worked to make it perfect.

Season 2016

We do not believe the season will be easy – but what we now know from the race in Portugal, should reflect the 2016 season for us:

1) When we are struggling, and we have been beaten (like on Saturday), we must still keep the faith and believe in the plan and our strategy. To achieve success in a World RX race and to win the final, the most important job is to stay safe through the four qualifiers and then the semi-final.

2) It’s better to be safe than sorry. What you don’t get to do today, you can only regret tomorrow!

Petter Solberg / Rally Cars /

Citroen Xsara At The Start

April 29, 2018

Citroen Xsara was a small parent car produced by a French car company Citroen from 1997 to 2006. Kassara has evolved from Citroen ZKS and Peugeot 306, which has developed a platform and racing equipment. This model comes with three and five doors. The four-cylinder range is powered by 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0-liter petrol engines, as well as 1.6, 1.9 and 2.0-liter diesel engines that are naturally accelerated and turbocharged. In some countries, for example, Portugal, a 1.5-liter TUD5 diesel engine is also available. Xsara was 1998. Semperit Irish Car of the Year in Irish.

Xsara enters in World Rally Championship

Xsara War Rally Car was one of the most successful cars in world rally championship, which ever compete. In 1999, VRC leader Xara Kit Car, a two-point driver, won a total of Rally Catalunya and Tour de Corse. This car is down to the best cars in the classes. The late Phillippe Bugarski became seventh in the whole and won the F2 Class Kit Car.

In 2003, Citroen Kara was one of the competing vehicles. In Wales GB, the leader Richard Burns suffered a dark signal and withdrew from the rally that Sebastien Loeb made a small mistake in the last round and lost the title by just one point.

The Citroen team won the title of the manufacturer and the 2004 year. They are still French who proved X-ray VRS archetype pilot virtually from the 2001 Concept, Jesus Puras, Carlos Sainz and Francois Duval were the other drivers who defeated.

In 2007, the car replaced the Citroen C4 WRC. However, Xara also used the private and other people. World champion Petter Solberg from 2003 drove Xsara for most of the 2009 season, which entered in his Petter Solberg world rally team.

Rallycross

Kenneth Hansen won the FIA European Championships every year from 2000 to 2005. In September 2014, Nabil Karam entered the World RKS France in 2014 from Xara nad finished 34 of the 37 qualifiers and did not defeat qualifying for the semifinals. The DS3’s upgrade plan for 2015, this is the only time Xara is used to the event in the world championship.

Petter Solberg / WRC /

Top 5 WRC drivers in 2017

April 20, 2018

Sébastien Ogier was born on 17 December 1983. He is a French rally driver for M-Sport Ford in the World Rally Championship. His teammate is Julien Ingrassia. He is the current World Rally Drivers’ champion. He won the title for five times, from 2013 to 2017. He is the second most successful WRC driver with 41 victories and five WRC titles. Thanks to his mentality, he managed to make his fifth title, celebrating the success at Wales Rally GB.

Thierry Jean Neuville was born on 16 June 1988 in Belgium. He is a driver for Hyundai in WRC with his co-driver was Nicolas. The race was characterized by changing conditions, but as the first man Andreas Mikkelsen struck a double point, Neville approached Latval, which was the most compelling competition. The victory meant that Neuwile secured the second place in the general placement for the third time in his career.

Ott Tanak was born on 15 October 1987 is Estonia . He is currently in Toyota team with Martin Järveoja . Tänak started the year well. He was third in Monte Carlo and Argentina and second in Sweden. In Portugal finish 4th. The Estonian finished the year with third place in Spain, sixth place in Wales and second in Australia, to finish on third place general placement in the WRC behind ex-teammate Ogier and Thierry Neuville.

Jari-Matti Latvala was born 3 April 1985 is a Finland. His teammate is Miikka Anttila since 2003. He is an aggressive driver, and many people compare hi to Collin McRae. With 17 race victories in the WRC, he is the most successful driver who has n’t won a championship. He won at Sweden, second at Monte Carlo and Italy, and a fourth place at Corsica. He finished fourth in general placement, behind Ford drivers Ogier and Ott Tänak, and Hyundai driver Neuville.

Elfyn Rhys Evans Welsh rally driver was born 28 December 1988). In 2017, Elfyn joined again to the M-Sport World Rally Team to drive DMACK car. He started the season sixth in Monte Carlo and then in Sweden. After two disappointing races in Mexico and Corsica, at race number five in Argentina he finished second, he lost his first victory just for 0.7 seconds to Neuville. In Finland, another second place. In Wales, his home, Evans took advantage of DMACK tires and won his first race in the season. He finished the championship in fifth place by the points.

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