Cars & Cafe 2009
Apr 29th
Cars & Cafe 2009 promises to be even bigger than 2008. By the end of the year we had over 300 cars in attendance, and even more spectators. This year is still being graciously hosted by the AutoMotorPlex Minneaplis until we outgrow their spacious campus.
Here’s video from October 2008, the final event of last year:
And here’s a map to the AutoMotorPlex Minneapolis:
The event is from 8am – 11am, and is always free – even the coffee!
E-mail mark (dot) potter (at) morries.com if you’d like to join my events mailing list – including Cars & Cafe updates, invitations to our F1 parties, car shows, and other events.
Cars & Cafe DVD now available!
Mar 12th
Matt Desmond has finally released the DVD for the 2008 Minneapolis Cars & Cafe season. These are the videos that were posted to YouTube & Vimeo, in their full-screen, unsuperdupercompressed video and audio presentations.
There is also a special surprise if you click the image of our dealership in the bonus materials section.
Pick up your limited edition copy here: http://www.middlepathproductions.com
The next Cars & Cafe is April 4th, 2009!
Formla 1 2009
Feb 19th
The 2009 Formula 1 season promises to be an interesting season, no matter who your favorite team is, or what you think of the new rule changes… From the interesting new wings, a return to slicks, the implementation of the Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS), and the absence of Honda….. well, at least it won’t be dull? Here’s a video Marty shared, from team Red Bull that highlights the rule changes for 2009:
Here’s a video the Williams team made explaining their KERS system:
And this video shows us that carbon fiber does indeed conduct electricity:
Let’s hope that isn’t a theme this year…
Here is the full list of events this year: (not taking into account tape delayed races)
29 March – Formula 1 2009 season premier (Australian GP) 12(Midnight)-3am.
19 April – Formula 1 round three (Chinese GP) 1:30-4am.
26 April – Formula 1 round four (Bahrain GP) 6:15-9am.
10 May – Formula 1 round five (Spanish GP) 6:15-9am.
24 May – Formula 1 round six (Monaco GP) 6:15-9am.
7 June – Formula 1 round seven (Turkish GP) 6:15-9am.
21 June – Formula 1 round eight (British GP) 6:15-9am.
12 July – Formula 1 round nine (German GP) 6:15-9am.
26 July – Formula 1 round ten (Hungarian GP) 6:15-9am.
23 August – Formula 1 round eleven (European GP) 6:15-9am.
30 August – Formula 1 round twelve (Belgian GP) 6:15-9am.
13 September – Formula 1 round thirteen (Italian GP) 6:15-9am.
27 September – Formula 1 round fourteen (Singapore GP) 6:15-9am.
4 October – Formula 1 round fifteen (Japanese GP) 11:15pm-2am.
18 October – Formula 1 round sixteen (Brazilian GP) 10:15am-1pm.
1 November – Formula 1 round seventeen – the final race of the season (Abu Dhabi GP – Inaugural Race) 5:15-8am.
I have loaded all of these dates, as well as additional events into my public calendar, accessible on the right side of this blog, or by susbcription by clicking here. (link in the bottom right corner)
As always I will send out an e-mail with details before each race, so if you aren’t seeing them, or would like to subscribe, send me an e-mail (mark.potter[at]morries.com).
USA Today’s Review of the Maserati GranTurismo
Jan 8th
USA Today had a great review of the Maserati GranTurismo recently, here are some excerpts:
If you can talk about the Maserati Gran Turismo high-performance coupe for more than two minutes without using a naughty innuendo, you should get a prize. We’ll try to remain prizeless.Just looking at the $121,000 GT is enough to make you vibrate, so you can imagine what happens when you actually drive it.
Read the full article here: USA Today
GranTurismo MC Corse In-Car Video
Dec 15th
I ran across this in-car video of the GranTurismo MC Corse testing at Monza on YouTube today and had to share:
New Production Car Speed Record at the Nurburgring!
Oct 9th
For a long time I’ve pushed the fact that even though the Quattroporte was beat in horsepower and straight-line acceleration by the BMW M5 and the Mercedes S66 AMG, it was faster on the racetrack. The whole package of weight balance, suspension, chassis tuning, and electronics was such a superb setup that the car really is a lot faster than it looks on paper. EVO magazine proved it when they ran it around their Bedford Autodrome track in England. The Quattroporte was the fastest sedan, until they reconfigured the track and re-set the scores. Just look at these track times and the Quattroporte bests a lot of cars that should be faster.
Well now another Maserati has proven that it isn’t all about horsepower or straight-line speed. EVO magazine teamed up with a car fanatic we can all be jealous of, and a professional driver to push 5 supercars around the legendary ‘Green Hell’, otherwise known as the Nürburgring Nordschleife, all in an effort to answer one question: “Which one’s fastest?”
Apparently ONE guy is lucky enough to own an MC12, an Enzo, a Carrera GT, a Koenigsegg CCX, and a Zonda F. Now keep in mind, these cars range from 600 – 901 hp and are capable of sub 4 second 0-60 mph.
Surprisingly the most expensive car in the group – the Koenigsegg CCX came in dead last. Fast in a straight line, but the “…peaky way the power is delivered made it challenging to control.” No lap time was published for the CCX. The Carrera GT came in 4th with a lap time of 7.28.71 – matching the time set by factory driver Robert Rohrl during development.
Third place went to the Ferrari Enzo, with a lap time of 7:25.21. The Pagani Zonda, powered by a 7.3 liter Mercedes powerplant came in second with a lap time of 7:24.65.
With a lap time of 7:24.29 the Maserati MC12 came in first place. Not only did it beat the rest of these massively capable supercars, but it set a new production car lap record in the process. The MC12 was the heaviest car in the group, had ‘old-fashioned’ steel brakes and conventional dampers, but still took them on and won. Just like in the GranTurismo and the Quattroporte, the MC12’s sum is greater than its individual parts.
Just because one car should be faster than another on paper, doesn’t make it so.
GranTurismo MC Corse Concept Revealed
Sep 29th
9/24 – Maserati’s new concept car was unveiled during the Maserati Day, an event held at Monza. No word yet on whether this car will be produced for GT racing, but I think we’ll see this competing in 2009, in either the FIA GT3 European Championship series that the Gran Sport Light used to compete in, or possibly the GT4 class that the Trofeo Light currently competes in.
Maserati’s race engineers have fine tuned the GranTurismo S’ aerodynaic efficiency with a new front bumper – increasing airflow to the engine and brakes, and a front “chin spoiler” for additional downforce. The hood features a new large air intake plus cooling vents towards the rear.
The front of the car now features side air-vents which lead into the new side skirts under the doors. To the rear of the car the boot spoiler has been re-sculpted to produce increased down force to match the front splitter. The lower rear bumper has been re-worked to incorporate additional air vents and centrally located tailpipes.
The Maserati Racing Department engineers have made major improvements to reduce the car’s weight while also enhancing its performance. The chassis has been significantly lightened and stiffened with the application of an integral rollcage, to meet FIA regulations.
The coachwork, partially modified to meet new FIA regulations, is in composite material. This has led to better weight distribution and an overall weight under 3,100 lbs, a 1,000 lb reduction from the production GranTurismo S.
The suspension, brakes, wheels and tires have seen upgrades to meet racing specification including: Single-rate racing dampers, larger brake discs with moobloc racing calipers, and new 13×18″ rear and 12×18″ front wheels wrapped in racing slicks.
The engine has been revised to further increase performance without impairing reliability. The 4.7L V8 now generates 450 hp, and 376 lb-ft of torque at 4750 rpm. The intake and exhaust systems have been revised through a new open element air filter beneath the large hood inlet, and a full racing exhaust system with race-type catalytic converters and silencers.
Specifications:
- Engine: V8
- Displacement: 4,691 cc
- Maximum power: 450 hp
- Maximum torque: 376 lb-ft at 4,750 rpm
- Power to weight ratio: < 7lbs/hp
- Body: In composite material. Windscreen, rear, and side windows in Lexan.
- Chassis: In welded steel with integral rollcage structure, FIA approved
- Interior: Backward-set driving position, with racing seat, dashboard and control console in carbon througout. 6-point HANS compatible seat-belt.
- Electrical System: Specific, with data acquisition system.
- Fuel Tank: 26.4 gallon, with carbon safety structure, FIA approved.
- Brakes: Steel discs, front ⌀ 15″, ⌀ rear 12.5″, without ABS.
- Wheels: Front 12×18″, rear 13×18″
- Tires: Racing slicks
- Weight: < 3,100 lbs
Links:
maseraticorse.com
Cars & Coffee – New Location Recap
Sep 23rd
As I mentioned previously Cars & Coffee is now at the MotorPlex in Chanhassen. As we found out last month, this new location is going to be a great spot moving forward. Matt posted up this great video from last month’s gathering:
Here is a map to 8200 Audubon Road, Chanhassen 55317:
View Larger Map
For more information on the Auto MotorPlex: www.automotorplex.com
Wayzata Rotary and The Minneapolis Club Car Show
Sep 2nd
Sunday, September 7th, 2008 (rain or shine)
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Admission Price: $15 per car. Spectators are FREE!
This show will feature vintage, classic, custom, foreign and specialty cars on display. Proceeds from the event will benefit local and international humanitarian projects.
The Auto Show is held in conjunction with James J Hill Days, a family festival featuring art, music, food, kids’ carnival, parade and other fun events on the shores of beautiful Lake Minnetonka.
Cars & Coffee – New Location
Sep 2nd
Our monthly gathering of automotive enthusiasts is moving! Last month’s show was so successful it was clear the Caribou parking lots were not going to be sufficient. So this month we move to the MotorPlex in Chanhassen.
Here is a map to 8200 Audubon Road, Chanhassen 55317:
View Larger Map
For more information on the Auto MotorPlex: www.automotorplex.com