Image: WRX

Killarney International Raceway, the Mother City’s premier location for motorsport will play host to the Cape Town WRX Championship between the 7th and 9th of October for the penultimate round of the season.

Related: World Rallycross Championship confirmed for Cape Town in October!

Chairman of World RX of South Africa Iain Banner says, “I am delighted to announce that we are bringing another World Championship Motorsports event to South Africa. This time none other than the fabulous all electric World Rally Cross, to be staged over two days, at Killarney race circuit. With drivers like World Champion Johan Kristoffersson and the Hansen brothers, we can look forward to an incredible weekend of World Championship racing. A stunning ‘next up’ after our Formula E Cape Town race in February this year”.

The all-electric rallycross cars will be competing in the double-header and demonstrating the sport’s commitment to a sustainable future. This isn’t the first event of its kind in South Africa – the first Cape Town WRX event took place in 2017 with the second in 2019. Despite this history, this will be the first occasion that combustion-powered motors will not feature.

Related: Time to get airtime in the Ford Ranger Raptor at the Killarney Rallycross circuit!

The Cape Town WRX event is also being organised by the same team that brought the FIA ABB Formula E Cape Town E-Prix to the Mother City in February 2023. That being said, this second, electrified motorsport event is another proud moment for the city says Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.

“We are delighted to welcome the FIA World Rallycross back to Cape Town. We know Capetonians have the appetite for thrilling motorsports as we saw with the Cape Town E-Prix back in February, and we look forward to showing the world more ways in which we can stage high-impact, successful and sustainable events”.

Ticket prices start at R275 and are available from 29th August on Webtickets. Discounted family/group packages are also available.

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Shattered windshields and missing bodywork from T1+ Hilux and Rangers were a testament to the gruelling TGRSA Desert Race 1000. Here is what unfolded in and around the brutal Botswana biome around Jwaneng.

Rally Africa. This past weekend played host to not one but two significant off-roading events for our continent. First was the WRC event which took place in the vast planes of Kenya.

 

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The second of which was slightly closer to home, using the soft sands of Jwaneng, Botswana as a base for operations. Toyota Gazoo Racing was contending both but it seemed that the South African Rally Raid Championship event in our neighbouring country was the more anticipated of the two.

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The last time the SARRC contended the rally was in 2018 and Toyota boasts a strong record at the event historically. Spanning two days of just under 500 km each, the conditions proved to be the most brutal of the calendar.

After winning the first two races of the season in Malelane, Mpumalanga and Sugarbelt in Kwa-Zulu Natal, misfortune has the GR badged Hilux T1+ only manage the final podium step after the NWM Ford Rangers earned their first win of the season.

Related: Ford set to challenge Toyota for Dakar T1+ crown from 2024

On pace, the qualifying loop proved that both the Hilux and Ranger were on par as Guy Botterill clinched the honours of opening the course. A damaged driveshaft and punctures prevented him from holding the lead and that proved to be a recurring theme for the Toyota Gazoo Racing team throughout the warm winter weekend.

Each spectator point that all T1+ Dakar-ready bakkies passed through seemed to have them exchange more bodywork for more organic branches and bushes.

Spectator points were packed with locals. The Desert Race is the best-attended event in the region and arguably the continent with hundreds of thousands of spectators getting in on the weekend-long action. So big an event that Botswana’s president attends in the ceremonial start.

Find the results of the event here.

Toyota Gazoo Racing may have enjoyed a convincing 1-2-3 victory in Kenya, but it was here, in Botswana, where the African rally won. The winning NWM Ford Ranger T1+ will be flying the local flag high at Dakar in early 2024 where it will continue to battle with Toyota’s locally built reigning champion; the Hilux.

Find your next bakkie here with CARmag. 

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Image: Ford

A Ford factory team is going to the biggest, baddest race of them all; the Dakar Rally. With the collaboration of Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) and M-Sport, Ford Performance will be entering a Ranger Raptor bakkie into the T1+ category for 2024 with the goal to ‘finish and learn’ – thereafter, a new and upgraded model will grace the Dunes of Arabia, potentially with another motor.

“Our first time in Dakar will be a learning adventure that will help inform how we compete in the future,” said Rushbrook. “But as with all racing, we’re not just racing to win, we’re also racing to help build better products for our customers.” – Mark Rushbrook, Global Director, Ford Performance Motorsports

The current vehicle, prepared by Neil Woolridge Motorsport which contends the local South African Rally circuit is outfitted with Ford’s 3,5-litre V6 EcoBoost motor churning out 300 kW and 600 N.m to meet strict FIA power and torque curves. Ford Performance mentioned that this vehicle would contend the 2024 event wearing the previous generation model’s aesthetics while the following year, in 2025, an all-new, custom-built Ranger bakkie would take to Saudi Arabia.

Looking for your next Ranger? Find a bakkie here with CARmag.

As it stands, Rushbrook has not confirmed the powertrain that will be employed in either the 2024 or the all-new 2025 Ranger T1+ bakkie. When asked what differences the SARRC T1+ Ranger would have in comparison to the one expected in Saudi Arabia in January, Rushbrook mentioned the entire bakkie would be taken to the next level. For context, the reigning champion that is Toyota Gazoo Racing’s T1+ Hilux employs a twin-turbocharged 3,5-litre V6 from the latest Land Cruiser 300 GR Sport. Total outputs on the GR DKR Hilux T1+ are 298 kW of power and 660 N.m of torque.

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Image: Ford

Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM), has long been competing with Ford machinery in the local rallying scene. Now, the South African Cross-country Championship Series contenders will be partnering with the established and globally renowned M-Sport to prepare a T1+ Ranger bakkie that will give Ford Performance the opportunity to compete for victory on the Arabian sands of the Dakar rally. No stranger to rally raid, the Pietermaritzburg-based team contends against the factory-backed Toyota team in several events within Southern Africa throughout the year with their bakkie frequently scoring podium results.

Looking for your next Ranger? Find a bakkie here with CARmag.

“We cannot underestimate the enormity of the challenge ahead of us. We need to finish and learn first with Ranger T1+ and partners like M-Sport and NWM, who bring their expertise to bear. Together, we can do amazing things in the sand dunes of the Arabian Peninsula,” says Mark Rushbrook; Global Director for Ford Performance Motorsports.

Starting from 2024, the locally built Ranger wearing the previous generation model facade will be competing in the Dakar rally. Ford further states that by the 2025 Dakar Rally, a completely new, custom Ranger Raptor will be designed and built by Ford Performance and M-Sport fitting the Dakar’s T1+ class requirements.

M-Sport has served alongside Ford in the international motoring sphere for over 20 years with the majority of their expertise being devoted to the FIA World Rally Championship. The latest fruit of this labour is the M-Sport Ford Puma HybridRally1 car piloted by Scandinavian Ott Tänak and French rookie Pierre-Louis Loubet. As part of Ford’s motorsport offensive including Le Mans, and a Red Bull Racing partnership in the top flight of motorsport, M-Sport will also be undertaking the engine builds for the Mustang GT3 program.

Both NWM and M-Sport will serve Ford in fulfilling their four pillars of being competitive contenders in a spectrum of motorsports.

“The Dakar Rally is truly among the pinnacle of global off-road racing events,” said Malcolm Wilson, M-Sport managing director. “We’ve achieved great success over the years with Ford in FIA WRC rally racing and can’t wait to apply this same level of focus, energy and effort to competing with Ranger in Dakar.”

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Image: Ferrari

In what can only be described as a battle of the ages, Ferrari and Ford predate modern regulations in Le Mans and are eternally imprinted in popular culture as a result of their efforts in the 1960s. With prototypes coming to prominence in the following decades vying for overall victory at the famed endurance race, both iconic automakers began to fade into obscurity in the top-tier category.

Related: Ferrari takes overall victory at Le Mans centenary in momentous return

Now, 50 years later and after a regulation change to entice more manufacturers to enter Le Mans in the hypercar category, Ferrari has finally reclaimed the title of outright victory at the Circuit de la Sarthe.

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Toyota, being dethroned after their impressive 5 years of dominance with menial competition from factory-backed teams were unable to quash the Ferrari hypercar, dubbed 499P of Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado and Antonio Giovinazzi. They managed P2, ahead of the likes of Cadillac, Peugeot and Porsche but this begged the question; would Ford ever make a return and reignite an age-old rivalry with the Italian automaker and add even more competitiveness in the World Endurance Series?

This question was posed to Mark Rushbrook, the Global Director for Ford Performance Motorsports at an exclusive Q&A on the Blue Ovals announcement to return to the Dakar rally. The manufacturer recently announced it would return to Le Mans with Ford Performance, albeit in the GT3 category with the Dark Horse Mustang. On rivalling the Ferrari hypercar, Rushbrook mentioned that Ford assesses specific motorsports around the world and the chain of command goes straight to the top to determine viability.

Related: Ford’s all-new Mustang GT3 will take on 2024 Le Mans

For the short term, they don’t have any intentions to dethrone the recently crowned Ferrari hypercar but they regularly review the aforementioned motorsports. For now, Ford Performance will have their Mustang GT3 compete in the series, but that may be as far as it goes for the next few years.

“… as with all racing, we’re not just racing to win, we’re also racing to help build better products for our customers.” – Rushbrook, on developing their Dakar bakkie for 2024 onwards.

In terms of financial viability, each of these ventures is a costly exercise and Ford logically has to remain prudent with the battles they choose. Regardless, here is to hoping we can see a Ford v Ferrari reboot for generations to come!

Browse for Ferraris here with CARmag.  

The post Ford has no plans to challenge the Ferrari hypercar in Le Mans… yet appeared first on CAR Magazine.

Image: Ford

There have been rumours and clandestine testing of Ford’s potential involvement at the Dakar which has now been confirmed by Mark Rushbrook; Global Director, Ford Performance Motorsports.

The word Pietermaritzburg has just been featured on an international Ford press release, all credit for this to Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) who has contended the South African Cross-country Championship Series in a T1+ prepared Ford Ranger. The Kwa-Zulu Natal-based facility will now be thrust into superstardom after Ford Performance announced the local outfit will partner with British-based M-Sport to prepare a vehicle for the most challenging automotive race in the world – the Dakar!

Related: Ford’s new Dune Decimator! Ranger Raptor launch review

With the Ranger Raptor T1+ bakkie, Ford will compete in the 2024 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia in the Rally Raid T1+ class on a ‘finish and learn’ basis. Being their first foray into the dunes, Ford has taken the learnings of the NWM-prepared vehicle and will spend the next few months building on the platform to make it as competitive as possible in the vastly different terrain of Saudi Arabia.

“To lead the charge at one of the ultimate global off-road events – the Dakar Rally – has been a goal of ours. We cannot underestimate the enormity of the challenge ahead of us. We need to finish and learn first with Ranger T1+ and partners like M-Sport and NWM, who bring their expertise to bear. Together, we can do amazing things in the sand dunes of the Arabian Peninsula.” – Mark Rushbrook.

Rushbrook further states the learnings from the 2024 event will provide a critical source of information for the following year in which they will contend for the top step of the podium. This will require an all-new, custom-built Ranger Raptor designed within Dakar’s T1+ class regulations to ensure competitiveness and a rival worthy contender to other challengers.

Related: Why the new Ford Ranger Raptor is no longer produced in SA

For the remainder of 2023, the 3,5-litre EcoBoost V6-powered Ranger bakkie will use Spain’s Baja España Aragón and Morocco’s Rally du Maroc rallies in July and October as further test beds to develop the all-terrain contender.

Image: Ford

Aesthetically, the previous generation Ranger will comprise the exterior of the bespoke racing bakkie for the first attempt in 2024. Thereafter, Rushbrook has stated the styling will align with the all-new model from 2025 onwards when the team will intentionally compete for wins against the likes of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s seasoned T1+ Hilux bakkie with reigning champion Nasser Al-Attiyah and local icons Giniel de Villiers and Henk Lategan.

Related: Ford Ranger clinches SA Car of the Year title!

Speaking of drivers, Rushbrook has not alluded to who will be entrusted with the great responsibility to bring the Raptor T1+ bakkie to the finish line in Saudi Arabia. In the local SARRC events, it is Gareth Woolridge and Lance Woolridge that pilot the top-tier challengers in the varying Southern African terrain.

Just as the revered Ranger rivals the locally-loved Hilux in the South African market, watch the rivalry begin to unfold at the 2024 Dakar Rally taking place in the Arabian peninsula between the 5th and 19th of January in 2024!

Looking for your next bakkie? Find it here with CARmag. 

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Image: MotoGP

The race witnessed an all-Ducati podium, with Francesco Bagnaia claiming the top spot, followed by the Pramac Racing duo of Jorge Martin and Johann Zarco. As the race commenced, Bagnaia, starting from pole position and immediately asserted his dominance. The Ducati rider displayed exceptional skill and determination, maintaining a commanding lead throughout the entire race. Bagnaia’s flawless performance solidified his victory and extended his lead in the championship standings.

Despite the Ducati dominance, local icon Brad Binder stole headlines after snatching the MotoGP Top Speed record passing the traps at 366,1 km/h! Here is a list of the top 5 fastest records in the two-wheeled sport. 

Related: Brad Binder learns the Checkers Sixty60 delivery ropes

However, the battle for second place was intensely fought between Pramac Ducati teammates Martin and Zarco. Both riders exhibited remarkable speed and precision, engaging in a fierce contest throughout the race. Ultimately, it was Martin who crossed the finish line ahead of Zarco, securing the second spot on the podium.

Image: MotoGP

Meanwhile, Luca Marini of Mooney VR46 Ducati delivered a strong performance, securing the fourth position and contributing to Ducati’s exceptional achievement of occupying the top four spots in the race. Marini’s impressive display showcased the prowess of the Ducati team on the challenging Mugello circuit.

Brad Binder of Red Bull KTM, known for his remarkable riding skills, demonstrated his prowess once again. Despite facing fierce competition from the dominant Ducati contingent, Binder showcased his determination and skill, securing a commendable fifth-place finish.

The Mugello MotoGP race witnessed other notable performances as well. Aleix Espargaro of Aprilia delivered a strong showing, securing the sixth position, while Jack Miller of Red Bull KTM finished in seventh place. Marco Bezzecchi of Mooney VR46 Ducati claimed the eighth spot, closely followed by Enea Bastianini of Gresini Ducati in ninth place. Fabio Quartararo of Monster Yamaha rounded up the top ten finishers in the race.

Image: MotoGP

Related: Checkers Sixty60 partner with Brad Binder to deliver a dream

With his victory, Francesco Bagnaia extended his lead in the championship standings, now sitting 21 points ahead of his closest competitor, Fabio Quartararo. Jorge Martin, following his impressive podium finish, currently occupies the third position in the championship standings, trailing Bagnaia by 35 points.

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Image: Forza Motorsport

The latest trailer for Forza Motorsport made its debut during the Xbox Games Showcase at the 2023 Summer Games Fest. This in-game video focuses on the partnership between Forza and General Motors which highlights the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray and the Cadillac Racing V-Series.R LMDh racer, which will grace the cover of the game. The highly anticipated release date has also been unveiled as October 10, 2023.

Related: Forza Motorsport 8 developers confirms Kylami Grand Prix Circuit in new game

With Le Mans taking place over the weekend, many motoring enthusiasts with a keen eye will note that the trailer starts off with the V-Series.R racing on the track, showcasing its hypercar prowess. It then swiftly transitions to the Home view, where players can explore and select different vehicles, with a special highlight on the sleek E-Ray.

Various racing circuits are showcased in the video. The famous Suzuka Circuit makes an appearance, as well as a brief glimpse of the iconic Eau Rouge corner from Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. There is also a tantalizing snippet from the legendary Le Mans track which is where the Cadillac managed a podium in the top tier category over the weekend.

This short trailer is just a taste of what’s to come, as there will be a walkthrough of the single-player career campaign arriving today. For now, there is also a full gameplay demo showcasing some of the hyperrealism of the graphics. In addition to the stunning graphics, players can enjoy 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, enhanced by ray tracing for realistic lighting effects. A new time-of-day feature allows races to start during the day and seamlessly transition into night, adding to the immersive experience. Dolby Atmos support ensures impressive audio, providing a heightened sense of realism with dynamic sound projection.

Related: Hyperreal Forza Motorsport gameplay trailer is here ahead of 2023 launch

More importantly, Forza Motorsport will feature over 500 cars, with more than 100 being brand new to the game. Additionally, developer Turn 10 Studios promises an extensive lineup of racing-specific machines, along with over 800 vehicle customization upgrades. The game will offer 20 race locations, including five new additions, such as Hakone in Japan and the Kyalami circuit right here in South Africa.

Inclusivity is also a focus for Forza Motorsport, as the game introduces additional driving assists to make it more accessible to users. Features like Blind Driving Assists assist visually impaired or blind players by providing audio cues for track navigation. One Touch Driving assists those with difficulties in simultaneous button presses, gripping controllers, or maintaining button pressure.

Take a look at the official trailer below!

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Image: Ford

During the centenary celebration of the 24 Hours of Le Mans that took place before the prestigious event got underway over the weekend, Ford took the opportunity to unveil their own model which will battle in the FIA GT3 category at events like the hallowed Circuit de la Sarthe. The most recent triumph enjoyed by the Blue Oval at the French circuit was in 2016 with the Ford GT.

Related: Ferrari takes overall victory at Le Mans centenary in momentous return

“Ford and Le Mans are bound together by history. And now we’re coming back to the most dramatic, most rewarding and most important race in the world,” said Jim Farley, CEO, Ford Motor Company. “It is not Ford versus Ferrari anymore. It is Ford versus everyone. Going back to Le Mans is the beginning of building a global motorsports business with Mustang, just like we are doing with Bronco and Raptor off-road.”

The 8th generation Mustang will also feature fresh branding and a new logo designed by Troy Lee which represents the premier motorsport designer’s first foray with Ford race cars. This branding coincides with Ford Performance branding global that features a cleaner, simplified look that embraces the minimal design language of the world. More importantly the new identity will position Ford Performance as a “standout lifestyle brand with a sporting mindset.”

Related: The Ford Mustang retains title of world’s best sellings sports car

Ford Performance has also extended its relationship with its two longtime partners; Multimatic and M-Sport for the basis of this project. Multimatic, builders of the iconic Ford GT, were also involved in the Ford GT race program and will help build and support the Mustang GT3s, while longtime World Rally Championship partner and two-time championship-winning team M-Sport will assemble the Ford Performance-developed 5,4-liter Coyote-based V8 engines that will propel all-new Mustang GT3 models forward.

“For a project like the Mustang GT3, we turned to two of our most trusted partners in the motorsports world to help bring this vehicle and program together,” said Mark Rushbrook, Global Director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “I know we’ll all be as thrilled as Ford fans when Mustang begins racing at the highest levels of GT racing in 2024.”

Interesting features of this purpose-built FIA model include a bespoke short-long arm suspension, rear-mounted transaxle gearbox, carbon fibre body panels, as well as a unique aero package developed to meet GT3 targets. Before the pony will take on the most recognisable endurance race in France for 2024, the Mustang GT3 will be competing at the hands of customer teams in various endurance series across the globe.

Related: Ready to rumble! Ford’s new V8 Mustang GT3 takes to the track

The first customer team, announced on the unveiling is Proton Competition. Based in Ehingen, Germany. Proton intends to campaign a pair of Mustang GT3s in the FIA World Endurance Championship, starting in 2024. Ford Performance will also field a two-car factory race program with Mustang GT3 in IMSA’s GTD Pro class. This will be managed by Multimatic Motorsports and begin at the 2024 Rolex 24 at Daytona.

The post Ford’s all-new Mustang GT3 will take on 2024 Le Mans appeared first on CAR Magazine.

Image: Le Mans

Many more challengers for the overall Le Mans Hypercar category in 2023 means Toyota GR had their work cut out for them to retain their title. In 2022 only two manufacturers, Toyota GR and Glickenhaus, competed for overall victory.

Related: Toyota win 90th edition of Le Mans for the fifth time on the trot

The new year with newly implemented regulations has fostered more healthy competition in the top flight of the prestigious event. A total of 16 entries now accompany Toyota GR and Glickenhaus, including Ferrari, Cadillac, Peugeot and Porsche.

After a nailbiting period at the Circuit de la Sarthe, it was the #51 Ferrari 499P car of Antonio Giovinazzi, Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado that emerged victorious over the #8 Toyota GR010-Hybrid of Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryō Hirakawa. Being impressively matched in performance, both contenders provided some nailbiting moments for spectators and their respective teams.

Image: Le Mans

With less than 2 hours to go, being over a dozen of seconds behind the Prancing Horse, Hirakawa suffered a spin towards the Porsche curves which relegated the young Japanese driver to over 3 minutes behind the leader – they would not fight against the Prancing Horse until the chequered flag fell at 4 PM.

Related: Ferrari unveil 499P which signals momentous return to Le Mans racing

Following the race leader and runner-up was a duo of Cadillacs that despite their consistency, seem to have been slightly shy of the performance to keep up with the front runners. The American brutes were chased by the sister car of the victorious Ferrari, followed by Porsche Penske. Further down, a duo of Glickenhaus led the duo of wingless Peugeots.

Formula 1, take a note out of their book!

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