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ACURA:
Peter Cunningham debuted this TLX in the Pirelli World Challenge GT Class at Mid-Ohio this past August. It features and HPD chassis and Acura's SH AWD system.
Peter Cunningham's World Challenge Acura features an AR35TT GT engine. This is a production based twin turbo SOHC V6 with forged aluminum alloy pistons, alloy steel connecting rods, McLaren Electronics engine management, dry sump oil system, and single mechanical water pump.KIA:
There's something to be said about a car company whose acronym is KMA. Kia Motors America wanted to celebrate its second title-winning season in the 2014 World Challenge Manufacturers Championship (13 podium finishes with 5 wins) with “A Day at the Races.” The B.R.A.K.E.S. Optima turbo was propelled by Mark Wilkins who finished third in the drivers championship. Under the hood is the same 2.0L turbo GDI engine found in the Optima SX and SXL but with mods increasing power output from stock 274hp to 368hp.
The high performance Kia K900 was designed by Kia drivers Mark Wilkins and Nic Jonsson with LUX Motorwerks as a car they'd want to drive to/from the track. The custom body kit includes carbon fiber inserts and a set of iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations in the rear seats with 11 inch monitors so drivers can check out their GoPro footage or watch Russian dash cam videos.
The stock 420hp 5.0L V8 engine is boosted (“to an estimated 650hp”) with twin Garrett 2871 turbochargers displayed through plexiglass in the trunk. Yeah, the trunk- supposedly to reduce heat under the hood. To me, it looks like it's a fitment issue; what lag??? The trunk also contains compartments for the driving suit and helmet.
The Smitten Ice Cream Soul EV will give you a happy ending at the track.
The reason I blog (well, have…) is because it's the only place I can combine my two favorite hobbies- cars and craft beer. Obviously I'm not gonna grab a beer before a track event, but I love me some Sculpin (or Big Eye!) so I'd be very happy this see this Ballast Point Sedona at the finish line! It has a solid mahogany shell with flip top roof and fold down front bar. It can fit four half barrel's of God's nectar as well as a jockey box and 120 feet of copper beer-cooling coils with functioning Micro Magic taps. The suspension was upgraded with custom airbags to handle the extra weight.
The beer wagon is drivable (but not street legal) and I was hoping they'd get those taps going but I never got lucky. Guess I'll have to check this baby out in person at their tasting room in San Diego.MAZDA:
Miata fanboys everywhere rejoiced as Mazda unveiled the MX-5 Cup Car Concept at SEMA. The MX-5 cup car will start competing in the 2016 season in multiple series around the world. For the first time, Mazda will offer the Cup Car concept as is rather than as an install it yourself package. A 2.0L SKYACTIV-G engine will be under the hood but no specs on horsepower have yet to be released. The four piston Brembo BBS package will be available on production cars.
A blast from the past- the original MX-5 was introduced at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show spawning 25 years of Wreck Miata racing. This one in particular was one of the three original ones to debut in Chicago in red, white, and blue. Toyota Engineer Dan Edmunds leased VIN 017 and went on to compete in SCCA competitions before prepping it to run rallycross. Since first year models weren't allowed to race in Showroom Stock, the Miata enjoyed a year off before debuting at Willow Springs in February 1991. Edmunds then proceeded to rip the track a new record shaving 2 seconds off the lap times there and later in the season, 3 seconds off at Laguna Seca.
