Author: Olly

  • 2020 Formula One Turkish Grand Prix preview

    The Turkish Grand Prix hasn’t been on the Formula One calendar since 2011, but it’s back this weekend as round 14 of the reshuffled 2020 season.

    The first Turkish Grand Prix was held in 2005 and the race has always been held at Istanbul Park Circuit, a Hermann Tilke-designed circuit that stretches 3.31 miles and runs anti-clockwise.

    It features 14 corners, some of them among the most interesting on the calendar. They include the first turn, a steep downhill left-hander immediately after the start-finish straight. It’s been nicknamed the Turkish Corkscrew, because of its similarity to the famous turn at Laguna Seca. The best known corner however is the dreaded Turn 8, a very fast four apex left-hander similar to parts of the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

    Istanbul Park Circuit, home of the Formula One Turkish Grand Prix

    Istanbul Park Circuit, home of the Formula One Turkish Grand Prix

    The variety of high-speed corners takes a lot out of the tires. For instance, in 2011’s race, the winner, Sebastian Vettel driving for Red Bull Racing at the time, had to make four pit stops. As a result, Pirelli has nominated its hardest compounds, the C1, C2 and C3. The wets may also need to come out this weekend as rain is forecast for both Saturday’s qualifying and Sunday’s race.

    Following Friday’s practice session, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was the fastest, followed by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and then the Mercedes-AMG duo of Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton will only need to finish the Turkish race with more points than Bottas to secure the 2020 championship and equal Michael Schumacher’s record tally of seven titles. Hamilton has already broken Schumacher’s long-held record of 91 wins, with Hamilton’s tally currently at 93.

    Going into the weekend, Hamilton leads the 2020 Drivers’ Championship with 282 points, versus the 197 of Bottas and 162 of Verstappen. In the Constructors’ Championship, Mercedes has already taken out this year’s title and currently sits on 479 points, versus the 226 of Red Bull and 135 of Renault.

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  • AUDI RS6 GTO CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF QUATTRO

    Well, this sort of appeared out of the blue. Say hello to the Audi RS6 GTO. This is the work of 12 third-year apprentices and was built at Audi Sport’s Neckarsulm factory.

    We love it when manufacturers put their trust in youngsters. It shows that not only is the future bright for us car enthusiasts, but it also shows that when given the chance, manufacturers can build some outrageous cars that we would absolutely feature if it was built by one of you lot.

    This is the Audi RS6 GTO and it was built not only to showcase the talents of Audi’s apprentices, but also to celebrate the 40 year anniversary of Audi’s quattro four-wheel-drive technology. Those who’re fans of motorsport will notice that it emanates that of the Audi 90 quattro IMSA-GTO, which was driven by motorsport legends Walter Rohrl and Hans Stuck.

    Audi RS6 GTO Audi RS6 GTO

    “The RS6 GTO concept of our apprentices has turned out to be an incredibly great car. I am very proud of them and the results of their work,” says Helmut Stettner, Neckarsulm plant manager.

    So, what’s different? Mechanically? Not much. Apart from a wheel change, the actual drive from the standard Audi RS6 is no different. Visually, though, it’s very different. Inside, in place of the plush rear passenger bench now resides a roll cage, while the front seats have gone from comfy to not-so-comfy with the addition of Recaro bucket seats and Schroth harnesses and the windows get cargo netting for ultimate motorsport points.

    Audi RS6 GTO Audi RS6 GTO

    On the outside, as already mentioned, the Audi RS6 GTO gets a new wheel design, as well as side-exit exhausts, because why the hell not?! There’s also that rear wing that comes into play, too, not to mention the livery which points straight towards that Audi 90 mentioned earlier.

    Sadly, you can’t buy it and never will either, but that’s not to stop you from creating your own Audi RS6 GTO. And if you do, drop us an email, we’d very much like to see it… Let’s hope that these apprentices can influence Audi’s design language for decades to come.

    Audi RS6 GTO Audi RS6 GTO shop.kelsey.co.uk/AUT20Pshop.kelsey.co.uk/AUT20PSource

  • NURBURGRING BEST MOMENTS IN 2020

    We all know how formidable the Nurburgring is, there’s a reason millions flock to the circuit to enjoy the thrills. But that also means there’s plenty of drama. Here are the Nurburgring best moments in 2020.

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    The Nurbugring is considered by many to be the holy grail for track day enthusiasts. Spreading across 12.9 miles, the largely street-derived circuit has hosted countless race events over the years, but its the track day events that happen each day that people most enjoy.

    The thrill of such high speed corners and undulated tarmac combined with the closeness of the barriers makes this track all too real. But with that comes a huge number of crashes each year. It also comes with some epic wins from drivers like this Nissan 200SX , which blitzed the circuit in ridiculous fashion, and of course huge drifts. This video from Stateside Supercars brings together the Nurburgring best moments in 2020. Enjoy.

    shop.kelsey.co.uk/AUT20Pshop.kelsey.co.uk/AUT20PSource