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Wild Donkervoort D8 GTO JD70 gets track-only R version

Dutch sports car marque Donkervoort unveiled the wild D8 GTO JD70 in June to celebrate the 70th birthday of its founder, Joop Donkervoort, and now the company has a version developed exclusively for track use, and yes, it’s even faster than the original.

For the track-only D8 GTO JD70 R, the engineers at Donkervoort dialed everything up a notch while also improving the safety via increased use of carbon fiber in the side-impact zones. A fixed roll cage and fire-suppression system are also fitted as standard. Should the customer desire, they can add a race car-style bladder-style tank or a Kevlar-carbon-fiber protective layer for the standard tank.

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Output from the D8 GTO JD70’s Audi-sourced 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-5 is unchanged at 415 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, yet the R version is faster. This was made possible by swapping the standard 5-speed manual transmission for a 6-speed sequential transmission with paddle shifters.

The sequential ‘box not only delivers quicker shifts, but it can up shift with the throttle held wide open, meaning no let up in power during acceleration. The transmission also blips the throttle when downshifting, though the driver can disengage this feature when desired.

Donkervoort D8 GTO JD70 R

Donkervoort said the rest of the drivetrain has also been strengthened, including the propshaft, driveshafts and limited-slip differential.

Donkervoort hasn’t released full performance specs but for reference, the original D8 GTO JD70 will sprint to 62 mph from rest in 2.7 seconds and top out at 174 mph. It will also pull an insane 2 g of lateral acceleration in the corners, limited only by its street-legal Nankang AR-1s. The R version bumps this to 2.25 g thanks to stiffened suspension (with four-way adjustable dampers) and slick tires, also Nankings.

Donkervoort D8 GTO JD70 R

To help hone one’s skills behind the wheel, telemetry data from most of the vehicle’s systems, including key elements like speed, tire temperature and g loads, can be sent to the pits for real-time analysis or saved for later use. This system is also connected to a forward-facing camera so a track run can be recorded with a data overlay.

Donkervoort plans to build only 70 D8 GTO JD70s all up, including both the regular and track-only versions. Pricing for either model starts at 198,000 euros (approximately $233,760).

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BRABUS ROCKET 900 REVEALED WITH 900HP

The Brabus Rocket 900 is based on the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4Matic+ but receives 888bhp and 922lb ft of torque!

Limited to just 10 models, the Brabus Rocket 900 is one of the most outlandish cars to be unveiled in 2020. The increase in power to 888bhp and 922lb ft of torque has been achieved by increasing the engine’s capacity from a 4.0-litre biturbo V8 to a 4.5-litre biturbo V8 via a new crankshaft, larger, forged pistons and stronger billet conrods. It also gets new turbos, a carbon fibre air intake, an improved fuel system, new performance exhaust and an ECU remap.

Brabus Rocket 900

This now means that the MCT 9-speed automatic-equipped Brabus Rocket 900, alongside the AWD system, can complete 0-62mph in just 2.8 seconds and goes on to reach 186mph in just 23.9 seconds. The top speed has been limited though, to 205mph… this is due to the tyres.

The standard suspension has been recalibrated and allows for a 25mm drop. You also get carbon ceramic brakes.

Brabus Rocket 900

As you can see from the photos, the engine isn’t the only area to receive an upgrade, with a new carbon fibre widebody kit also being used to allow for a wider staggered 21/22 inch Monoblock Z wheels. Brabus says the bodykit was designed in a wind tunnel to ensure greater aerodynamics.

Brabus Rocket 900

Inside you’ll find various touches to Brabus including a crest coat of arms dotted about.

Want one? Well, there’s only 10 examples being built and you’ll also need the tidy sum of about £390,000…

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2020 CLUB AND VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS

Motorsport UK are offering the motorsport community the chance to nominate in the 2020 club and volunteer of the year awards to celebrate standout efforts by the organisations and people who have helped keep motorsport alive through these unprecedented times.

In a normal year, the Club and Volunteer of the Year awards are an opportunity to make some noise on behalf of the grassroots clubs and volunteers who keep the sport thriving and deserve particular praise for going that extra mile. This is of course not a normal year by any stretch of the imagination, but the motivation to celebrate the achievements of organisations and people very much remains and Motorsport UK is inviting nominations for these prestigious awards.

The Club of the Year has been awarded for the last 27 years, and in 2019 the Clitheroe and District Motor Club won the honour as they worked tirelessly to ensure safe and low-cost motorsport is available to all, regardless of background. Previous winners have included the Enniskillen Motor Club, Southsea Motor Club and many others from across the UK.

Held for the last 17 years, the Volunteer of the Year award similarly rewards the hard work of the army of unpaid enthusiasts helping keep events running. Dave Read was awarded the Volunteer of the Year title in 2019 for his dedication to organising the North West Stages Rally.

2020 club and volunteer of the year

In light of this year’s lockdown afflicted season, the categories for 2020 have changed slightly and will now comprise Club of the Year, Organising Team of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Community Supporter of the Year, with the last award open to nominations from family members or friends as well as clubs.

The Organising Team of the Year award will be judged on application of Motorsport UK’s ‘Getting Back On Track’ guidelines, managing COVID-19 safe events for all participants and attendees and the successful implementation of social distancing and other measures.

Last but not least, Community Supporter of the Year will be awarded to a member of the motorsport community who has inspired and supported their local community through supporting vulnerable people during lockdown, working on the healthcare frontline or supporting charities through this time of crisis.

2020 club and volunteer of the year

Nominations close on 1st November 2020. For further information on the judging criteria and how to submit your entry please visit – www.motorsportuk.org/2020-club-and-volunteer-nominations/

Head of Sport Promotion at Motorsport UK Ian Berry said: “2020 has certainly been a challenging year, especially for all the volunteers who work tirelessly to make motorsport events happen. Our Club and Volunteer of the Year titles are some of our most prestigious awards, and this year we want to further showcase the passion and dedication of the motorsport community. In 2020, we are awarding two extra titles to highlight excellence and true community spirit, as we search for Organising Team of the Year and Community Supporter of the Year.

“There is so much work done across the country by our volunteers every weekend throughout the year, and we want to reward that commitment and shout about the excellent work in the sport and our members in the wider community.”

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