Lotus Sport, the racing and performance arm of Lotus Cars, will unveil the Lotus 2-Eleven at the Geneva Motor Show. The 2-Eleven is a 1,477 lb track special based on a modified version of the aluminum chassis from the Elise. With a 252-hp supercharged and intercooled 1.8L engine, the Lotus 2-Eleven boasts a power to weight ratio similar to that of a 1960’s Formula One car.

Production of the Lotus 2-Eleven is scheduled to begin in April 2007 and will have a starting price of £39,995. The Lotus 2-Eleven will be available in a Road Going Version with front and rear lights, exhaust catalyst, single plane rear wing and other items for compliance with UK road legal requirements, and Track Only Version with an enhanced aerodynamics package including high downforce single plane carbon fibre rear wing, high downforce front splitter, brake lights and rear indicators and FIA approved driver’s race seat.

The Lotus 2-Eleven is aimed at the true track day enthusiast, taking Colin Chapman’s philosophy of ‘Performance Through Lightweight’ to its most extreme level yet.

Press release and high resolution gallery after the jump.

## Source: Lotus Sport ##

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Koenigsegg has revealed its two new supercars, the CCGT race car and the ethanol fueled CCXR, that will be unveiled at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show.

The first car is the CCGT race car, which is based on the production CC-model range. In the name of racing regulations, the CCGT is powered by a 600-hp engine based on the Koenigsegg production engine. The race engine has had the superchargers removed, but has been bored out to 5.0L. Koenigsegg has to add weight to meet minimum regulations.

Koenigsegg will also unveiled the ethanol-powered CCXR, which delivers even more spectacular performance than the standard CCX with its 1018-hp and 780 lb-ft of torque. Current CCX owners can have their cars converted to run on biofuel mill.

Press release after the jump.

## Source: Koenigsegg ##

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Fiat will announce the return of its Abarth inhouse tuning and racing division at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. Fiat will revive the Abarth name for use on a new factory tuned car and a racing version that will be entered in the 2007 Italian Rally Championship and Intercontinental Rally Challenge. But this is just the first step in an initiative which will later involve other models.

Fiat will unveil the Grande Punto Abarth Preview in Geneva, a concept version of the car that will enter production in September. The Grande Punto Abarth will is powered by a turbocharged 1.4L gas engine producing 150 bhp — 155-hp on 98 RON gas. At a later date, Fiat will release a version with 180 bhp, twice as much as the base Grande Punto, which also revives of the traditional power increase.

Fiat will also unveil its rally entry — the Grande Punto Abarth S2000. The four-wheel drive Grande Punto Abarth S2000 will be powered by a 2.0L engine developing 270 bhp.

Press release and high resolution gallery after the jump.

## Source: Fiat ##

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Six years ago, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt died in a last lap crash at the 2001 Daytona 500. To commemorate Earnhardt’s legacy and the release of the “Dale” documentary, GM Goodwrench has launched “The Power of 3″ Web site for fans to personally pay tribute and share their enthusiasm for the man known as the Intimidator.

Visitors to the site can also view the movie trailer, find out when the movie will be coming to town.

Full press release after the jump.

## Source: General Motors ##

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Nissan has announced that its factory Fairlady Z (350Z) race cars will now be powered by a stronger 4.5 L V8 engine, with the goal of returning to the series title in this years SUPER GT championship. Nissan’s 350Z race cars were powered by a twin-turbo 3.0L V6. Chassis changes and changes to other key components compliment the new V8 engine. The goal is to return the machines that won championships twice in the past three years to the winner’s circle.

Four teams will enter a total of five 350Zs in the nine-race 2007 Super GT Championship which kicks off at Suzuka on March 18.

Unfortunately, the V8 will not see its way into the production 350Z.

## Source: Nissan ##

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International Speedway Corporation announced it is considering developing a national-level motorsports facility in Adams County near Denver International Airport. ISC is evaluating 1,300-acre land parcels in Commerce City and Aurora, and exploring a 75,000 seat facility. The track would cost in the $350 to $400 million range.

“Right now there are no proposals on the table, no proposals have been made by International Speedway Corporation and no proposals have been given to the International Speedway Corporation,” said Wesley Harris of ISC.

In 2005, ISC bought and closed the Pikes Peak International Raceway in Fountain, Colo., to clear competition out of the area and move the Busch Series race to Martinsville Speedway in Virginia. ISC owns and/or operates 13 of the nation’s major motorsports facilities, including Daytona International Speedway.

## Source: International Speedway Corporation ##

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The American Le Mans Series has announced that it will switch to an ethanol-enriched fuel for the 2007 racing season. ALMS will partner with the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) to make E10, gasoline containing 10 percent ethanol.

“At a time when alternative fuel initiatives are in the daily headlines, we could not be more pleased to unite with an organization such as EPIC to aid in spreading the awareness of renewable energy and the benefits of ethanol in the most demanding environment in motorsports: American Le Mans Series sports car racing,” said Scott Atherton, President and CEO of the American Le Mans Series.

The ALMS announcement follows the IndyCar Series, which began using an ethanol blend last year, and will switch to pure ethanol (E100) in 2007.

## Source: American Le Mans Series ##

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Due to changes in the rules, Audi is re-considering its participation in the American Le Mans Series. “After all the discussion in the last two weeks, we are rethinking whether we compete in the ALMS,” said Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, the head of Audi Motorsport, in an interview with Globecast Radio.

Following the most recent IMSA technical bulletion, which allows the LMP2 to run with a 5 percent larger restrictor, Audi has threatened to not participate in the ALMS after the Sebring race. Ullrich said that Audi’s R10 TDI race cars will be at the season-opening Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, but will evaluate the rest of its program if the full ACO rules are not adopted.

With a 5 percent larger restrictor, the LMP2 cars should at least run even with the LMP1 cars, like the Audi R10 TDI. Audi is obviously upset over this development, since it would likely greatly diminish the return on investment that Audi expects from racing in North America. I understand IMSA’s desire to increase competitiveness, considering there is only one other non-Audi entrant in LMP1, but Audi spent a lot of money developing the R10. All of the development was based on a set of rules that has changed, and nobody wants to be beaten by a smaller team.

Audi has made similar claims before. While Audi could pull out of the ALMS, what may be more likely for them to skip a few races, especially those tight tracks that could favor the LMP2 cars.

## Source: Planet Le Mans ##

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Volkswagen today announced that it will launch a production-based GTI Cup spec racing series starting in 2008. The GTI Cup is designed to offer young racers an affordable entry into professional motorsports. The GTI Cup series will be sanctioned by Sports Car Club of America.

While the GTI Cup spec race car will feature safety and performance enhancements for the track, it will be powered by the same 200-hp 2.0T four-cylinder engine that powers the production GTI. The engine will by mated to VW’s DSG gearbox.

The GTI Cup cars will be available beginning later this year. Additional details to follow.

## Source: Volkswagen ##

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The United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi has been confirmed as the latest city to be added to the F1 calendar, and will host its first Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2009. The announcement was made on Saturday at the first ever Abu Dhabi F1 Festival, with the President and the Crown Prince of the UAE, and Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone in attendence.

The race will be held on a 5.6km (3.5 mile) long track under construction on Yas, a leisure island off Abu Dhabi.

“We are delighted to welcome Abu Dhabi into the Formula 1 family and we look forward to a long and successful partnership,” Ecclestone said.

Abu Dhabi has the right to host the race for seven years starting in 2009.

## Source: Formula One ##

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Team Cadillac will have the last two SCCA SPEED GT champions on its roster as it pursuits the 2007 SCCA SPEED World Challenge manufacturers championship. Lawson Aschenbach, the 2006 SPEED GT champion, will join 2005 SPEED GT champion Andy Pilgrim as full-season drivers on the Cadillac factory road racing team. They will drive a pair of Cadillac CTS-V race cars sporting fresh red and black color scheme with silver Cadillac graphics.

“Team Cadillac is proud that we will have the last two SPEED GT champions in our stable this year,” said Team Cadillac program manager Dave Spitzer.

Aschenbach will carry the No. 1 on his Cadillac CTS-V that signifies the series champion, while Pilgrim’s car will wear his familiar No. 8. The third car in the Team Cadillac stable may appear in selected events.

Team Cadillac will unveil its new look for 2007 at the Cadillac / Mobil 1 Super Bowl Celebrity Grand Prix go-kart race in Miami, Florida on Saturday, February 3, 2007 — the day before the big game.

Full press release and high resolution image after the jump.

## Source: General Motors ##

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Ford Motor Co. has announced that it will not return as an official sponsor of Champ Car World Series. Ford had participated in Champ Car and its predecessor, CART, since its return to open-wheel racing in 1992.

Ford has “decided that this sponsorship does not align with our current business objectives,” said Dan Davis, director of Ford Racing Technology. “We wish them well as they try to grow the sport.”

“Today’s decision was made from a business standpoint on both sides and in no way should tarnish the long legacy of success that the Ford Motor Company has established in Champ Car competition. We thank Ford for what it has done for the series, but we are continuing building a bright future for the series and are exploring a number of other options for a manufacturer partner,” said Champ Car President Steve Johnson in a statement.

So what is going to happen to Champ Car? Will this speed a merger between Champ Car or IRL? Or is it the beginning of the end? Is it not going to make a difference? Do you care either way?

Press releases after the jump.

## Sources: Ford, Champ Car ##

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At the Detroit Auto Show, Chrysler Group announced that the Dodge Avenger will race at select events in NASCAR Nextel Cup competition beginning in 2007, joining the Dodge Charger in the Dodge NASCAR racing lineup.

“With NASCAR Nextel Cup racing two distinct cars for 2007, it makes perfect sense to have the Avenger join the Charger in the Dodge racing family,” said Mike Accavitti, Director - Dodge Motorsports and SRT Product Planning, Chrysler Group. “Dodge is all about delivering bold, capable performance, and that will become even more evident when the Avenger hits NASCAR’s race tracks this year.”

The Dodge Avenger race car is scheduled to make its competition debut at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 25, 2007, as the Dodge entry in NASCAR’s “Car of Tomorrow” implementation. NASCAR’s Car of Tomorrow goeal is to develop a safer, less expensive race car using a more common design. The “Car of Tomorrow” design will be phased into NASCAR competition over the next three years, beginning with 16 races in 2007.

During the multi-year phase-in of NASCAR’s Car of Tomorrow, the Dodge Charger will continue to race in NASCAR Nextel Cup competition.

## Source: Chrysler Group ##

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Apex Motorsport and Jaguar revealed the XKR GT3 for use in the FIA GT3 European Championship at the Autosport International Show in Britain. The Jaguar XKR GT3, features a supercharged 4.2L V8 engine, the aluminium body of the production XKR, and has been modified to fit with the regulations.

Apex Motorsport has Jaguar’s blessing to compete with the XKR GT3, but this is not a factory program. Stuart Dyble, Jaguar Board Director and Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs, Premier Automotive Group and Ford of Europe, said, “We welcome this initiative which will result in production Jaguar sportscars being seen once again on race circuits across Europe. We have just launched the all new Jaguar XKR road car, and GT3 is the natural race series in which to compete.”

Official FIA track tests on the XKR GT3 still need to be conducted, the first of which will take place at Monza on February 22 and 23.

The five round GT3 Championship begins in May at Silverstone, then travels to Bucharest (ROM), Monza (I) and Brno (CZ) in Europe before finishing in Dubai in November. Some owners may also plan on entering the non Championship GT3 race within the Spa 24 Hours event in Belgium at the end of July.

Press release and high resolution photo gallery after the jump.

## Source: Apex Motorsports ##

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Volkswagen maintained its one-two lead, but a change at the top of the leader board saw Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz take the lead over former leaders Carlos Sainz/Michel Périn. de Villiers/von Zitzewitz clinched their second stage victory on the way from Zouérat to Atâr in Mauritania.

The South African-German duo that won the stage ahead of French Mitsubishi driver Stéphane Peterhansel and the Spanish-French Volkswagen factory team of Carlos Sainz/Michel Périn is lying 1.39 minutes in front of Sainz/Périn after seven stages in the Race Touareg. Up to the halfway point Volkswagen scored five of seven possible stage victories, with the Race Touareg 2 having maintained the lead throughout the rally since it started on 6 January.

## Source: Volkswagen ##

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