Gurney takes the pole at Daytona!

Slot Car News wire-DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 25, 2007) - Forty-five years after his father, Dan Gurney, won the first sports car race at Daytona International Speedway, Alex Gurney took the pole position for the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve Rolex 24 At Daytona and will lead a star-studded to the green flag at 1:30 p.m. ET on Saturday (Live television coverage begins at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX Sports).

In a 15-minute qualifying session that saw the top spot changed hands several times, Gurney emerged at the top of the list with a lap at 1:43.475 (123.220 mph) in the No. 99 GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing Pontiac Riley. Gurney will co-drive the No. 99 machine in the 24-hour race with his regular Rolex Series teammate, Jon Fogarty, as well 1996 Champ Car champion, Jimmy Vasser, and team owner Bob Stallings. The lap was more than half a second quicker than the previous Daytona Prototype track record.

“This is a big thrill, for me personally and for the team,” Gurney said. “There's so many stars in this race, great cars and great drivers, I feel like I've come a long way to be able to be here. I'm happy for the team, who've put a lot of effort into their work to make this pole possible. It would be awesome to follow this up with a win. It is the crown jewel of the series. Qualifying really doesn't matter that much, it's really just for bragging rights, so we'll be happy with it for a day or so but beyond that, we've got to run 24 straight hours before we can win.”

News and photos used with permission from the Grand American Series.

DaveK

London Toyfair on MRE!

Well Gary takes first prize on this one! He's got a number of news items already on MRE's News page.

Revell's offerings look interesting:



...check in on that page on MRE often I think there will be more to see soon!

Thanks to Gary at MRE for allowing reuse of his photos here!
DaveK

Honda Racing F1 Team unveils new RA107

Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain; 10.00hrs CET; 25 January 2007: Following a successful debut for the Honda Racing F1 Team’s new RA107 race car on the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona yesterday, the team’s management and drivers today provided a technical insight into the car and their first impressions of the new challenger from the track.

With the RA107 sporting its black and white testing colours in preparation for a reveal of the new team livery next month, the focus was on the development of both team and car since the Honda Racing F1 Team concluded 2006 with a strong 4th place in the Constructors’ Championship. As the team put the new car through its paces, the team’s management, together with race drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, spoke of their intent to strive for even greater success in 2007.

Jenson Button

“I am looking forward to driving the RA107 for the first time later today, when I will be able to see the result of many months of hard work in Japan and England between both our team and drivers.

“I drove the RA106 here yesterday using the new Bridgestone Potenza tyres for the first time. Today’s run will give me the benefit of a direct comparison between the two chassis. Although I have been out of the car for a while, I am very pleased with my return to the cockpit and also my fitness level, which I have been working hard on since Christmas.

“We enjoyed a strong second half to the season last year and of course our first win together will always be special. This year we will hopefully make even greater strides towards our dream of winning the World Championship together and I feel that as we enter our second year under full Honda ownership we have a realistic opportunity of moving closer to that objective. There is a great deal of work to be done between now and Australia.”


Rubens Barrichello

“We had an encouraging first day of running with the new RA107 here in Barcelona yesterday and my first impressions were good ones. I am impressed by how the car and the team have evolved during my first year here and it is clear that the RA107 is a step in the right direction.

“The RA107’s new steering and suspension geometry is better suited to the new Bridgestone Potenza tyres, giving a good balance. The revised traction control system also makes it possible for us to get closer to maximising the potential of the tyres.

“I feel confident about the season ahead because I know the importance of a stable team of key staff and drivers. It’s great that we have that advantage. I also know just how much work has gone into this car throughout the whole Honda Racing F1 Team organisation and I believe that kind of effort will move us closer to achieving our Championship ambitions. I know that 2007 can be special so I am looking forward to the start of the season.”

All images and news used with permission from HondaRacingF1.com.

McLaren Testing info

Date: Wednesday 24th January 2007
Drivers: Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Pedro de la Rosa
Location: Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia, Spain
Track Length: 4.005km
Weather: Cold and windy, clear skies with some scattered cloud
Track temperature: High of 17.2 degrees Celsius
Air temperature: High of 14.6 degrees Celsius
Laps run today: 177
Kilometres covered today: Total – 708km approx.
Fernando – 268km approx. (Afternoon only)
Lewis – 276km approx.
Pedro – 164km approx. (Morning only)
Best lap time today: see below
Drivers for tomorrow: Fernando and Lewis
Duration of test: Three days (Wednesday 24th – Friday 26th January)

Driver- Time- Laps
Fernando Alonso- 1m12.387- 67
Pedro de la Rosa- 1m12.718- 41
Lewis Hamilton- 1m13.023- 69

McLaren news used with permission of www.mclaren.com.

Mustang

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cool car

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Mini Challenge

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