Home - Piston.my

Safari Rally Kenya to run next week after an absence of 19 years from WRC (w/VIDEO)

Next week, the Safari Rally in Kenya takes place as the sixth round of the 2021 World Rally Championship (WRC). First held in 1953, the Safari Rally became part of the WRC calendar from the inaugural season of the championship in 1973 until 2002, after which it was excluded due to financial and organisational issues. It was to have been run again last year but the COVID-19 pandemic prevented it from being run. Although excluded from being in the WRC, the Safari Rally remained part of the African Rally Championship.

The Safari Rally earned a reputation as the toughest event on the calendar, with a route covering enormous distances in tough conditions characterised by high temperatures and dust. Top factory teams sent drivers like Bjorn Waldegard, Ari Vatanen, Hannu Mikkola, Michele Mouton and many others in legendary rallycars like the Audi Quattro, Toyota Celica TwinCam Turbo, Nissan 240 RS, Datsun Violet, with the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo dominant in the 2000s.

For its return, the format of the event will be closer to a typical WRC round but teams and drivers can still expect an extremely demanding rally, with rough and rocky roads as well as the potential for unpredictable weather.

*The Group B Celica Twin Cam Turbo won the Safari Rally three years in a row.*

*The Mitsubishi Lancer was also well known in the earlier years of the Safari Rally and also in the 2000s when the EVO model won year after year.*

320 kms of stages over 3 days
Safari Rally Kenya 2021, as the event is officially known, will have 18 stages and a total of 320.19 competitive kilometres. The rally will start from the capital city of Nairobi with an opening Super Special Stage in nearby Kasarani. The rest of the rally takes place around Naivasha, with Friday featuring a trio of stages on the Navaisha lake’s southern shores to all be run twice. Saturday’s format is the same but takes place further north near Lake Elmenteita. A total of 5 stages brings the rally to a close on Sunday, with the ‘Hells Gate’ test to host the deciding Wolf Power Stage.

Current generation has no Safari experience
The current generation of WRC drivers have never had Safari Rally experience so it will be a new challenge for them, even for 7-time World Champion Sebastien Ogier who heads the standings after winning the Rally Italia Sardegna. It will also be the first time the Toyota Yaris WRC is entering an event in Africa.

“I believe this rally will be very different from anything I have done before. We’ve heard a lot that we are going to have to set our targets a little differently. The way we drive nowadays in the WRC is by really pushing the limits all of the time. But when we go to Kenya, it will be much more about trying to survive the rally without trouble. I think it can be interesting to have a challenge like this during the year. It has been hard to know what is the right way to prepare, so I think the drivers will probably have to adapt a bit during the rally, but the recce will certainly be important to understand what is ahead of us,” Ogier said.

Competing in the WRC2 category with a Hyundai R5 (below), Oliver Solberg (above right) is not only one of the youngest competitors in the event but his father, Petter (left) also took part in the Safari Rally on several occasions in earlier years.

Very young and very old drivers
For one of the entrants – Oliver Solberg – taking part in the rally will be following his father’s participation in 1999. Peter’s father, Petter Solberg, took part in a Ford Focus WRC and was one of the youngest in the manufacturers’ team line-up then – finishing a credible fifth. He later took part in the event with the Subaru team. At 19, Oliver is one of the youngest drivers taking part and will compete in the WRC2 class with a Hyundai R5.

There will also be a 91-year old driver from Poland – Sobieslow Zasada. Active in the sport in the 1960s and 1970, he finished second in the 1972 event (driving a Porsche 911S) and last took part in the Safari Rally in 1997. For this 2021 event, he will be in a Ford Fiesta Rally3 run by M-Sport Poland.

One of the participants taking part is Sobieslow Zasada from Poland (above left). He was 41 years old when he was second in the Safari Rally in 1971 in a Porsche 911S and this year, at the age of 91, he will be driving a Ford Fiesta WRC in the event.

The entry list has 58 drivers, 34 of them Kenyans. All the three factory teams in Rally1 cars – Toyota GAZOO Racing, Ford M-Sport, and Hyundai Motorsport – will be present, while there will be 11 of the second-tier Rally2 machines.

“It will be an interesting Safari Rally especially on how the old and the young will perform,” said Phineas Kimathi, WRC Safari Rally CEO, adding that Toyota Kenya has provided two Hilux trucks for use as Zero Vehicles which examine each stage before the competitors start.

Karamjit Singh Confirms Rallying Comeback With Cisco Racing Team!

F1/Round 7: Preview & Starting Grid For 2021 French Grand Prix

Race starts at 3 pm in France/9 pm in Malaysia

Historically, the French Grand Prix has been one of the regular rounds of the Formula 1 World Championship since 1950 and, apart from 1955, was in every year’s calendar until 2008. Then there was s 10-year break and it was reintroduced in 2018. This year should be the 62^nd running of the French GP but it is the 61^st because the event had to be cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Paul Ricard Circuit at Le Castellet has hosted the French GP 16 times since 1971, with six other circuits used on other occasions. It is a ‘traditional’ type of circuit, which is a change from the street circuits of the last two rounds in Baku and Monaco. Most of the long track has been resurfaced for F1’s return this year, and many of the corners have been very subtly reprofiled.

About the coloured stripes
The coloured stripes at Paul Ricard aren’t just for show: they make up a high-grip asphalt run-off system that replaces traditional gravel traps. Both colours use a mix of asphalt and tungsten to create an abrasive surface that helps slow the cars down if they go off track. However, the abrasion level is different, depending on the colour. The ‘Blue Zone’ isn’t as abrasive and is only mildly punishing, but the ‘Red Zone’ – close to the barriers – is much more abrasive and effective at slowing down the cars.

According to Pirelli, the tyre suppliers for F1, there are varied characteristics of the track but tyre degradation is generally low. However, Turn 13 is particularly demanding in terms of continuous energy demands on the tyre, as is the Signes corner after the Mistral straight.

“We’re back to the combination of tyres used for the first two races of this year, right in the middle of the range. This is the most versatile combination, well suited to a wide variety of different demands, and this is also what makes it a good match for the Paul Ricard circuit, which contains an interesting mix of corners,” said Mario Isola, Head of F1 and Car Racing at Pirelli.

He noted that the winning strategy in the 2019 race was a one-stopper, from medium to hard. This was adopted by all the podium finishers, with all but seven of the drivers starting the race on the medium tyre.

Finding the balance between speed and agility
The 5.8-km layout of the circuit presents a strong challenge for teams to find the optimum set-up. With high-speed straights and the fast Signes Corner at the end of the Mistral Straight, as well as the complexes of low and medium-speed corners at the end of sectors 1 and 3, the choice of downforce is not easy. The teams will have to carefully balance outright speed with agility through the corners.

Of all the tracks being used this year, Paul Ricard has the highest average track temperature (50°C) and second-highest maximum track temperature (55°C). This means the teams will want to ensure that the brakes can cool quickly and Brembo supplies six different front disc solutions. There is the medium cooling option with 800 holes, high cooling with 1,250 holes and very high cooling with 1,480 holes. Each of these then offers a sub-option with a process on the outer diameter – the so-called groove.

In the case of very high cooling, the holes are arranged in seven different rows; in the intermediate case in six rows; and the other case in four rows. They measure 2.5 mm in diameter each and are precision-machined individually. It takes 12-14 hours to punch all the holes on a single disc. The mechanical component tolerance is only four hundredths.

Championship positions
With Lewis Hamilton having lost his chance to collect any points in the previous round, and Max Verstappen having been forced out due to tyre failure, the difference between the two divers remains slim with the Dutchman just 4 points ahead of the reigning World Champion. Sergio Perez’ first win of the season in Baku has elevated him to third place with 69 points, 3 points ahead of Land Norris.

While Verstappen didn’t collect points for Red Bull Racing in the last round, the 25 points Perez collected for his win have extended the team’s lead to 26 points from Mercedes-AMG. McLaren and Ferrari are just 2 points apart, and the same for Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda and the Aston Martin Cognizant team.

Russian Cyclocar flying car to use cyclic propellers and hybrid powerplant (w/VIDEO)

Although there have been prototypes of flying cars for many decades, it’s only in the past few years that the idea has become a more serious venture. Even Audi and Porsche have, with aerospace partners, looked into developing vehicles that can fly as well as be driven along roads. In many cases, it appears that the potential usage is not for personal, individual transport but as taxis or transporters.

At the Russian Academy of Sciences, a flying car project is now underway under the framework of the Foundation for Advanced Research ‘Cyclone’. The project, undertaken by the academy’s Siberian branch of the Institute of Thermophysics, is for the development of an aeromobile called the Cyclocar.

Cyclic propellers and hybrid powerplant
The method of lifting the vehicle off the ground uses cyclic propellers which are powered by electric motors from a sequential hybrid powerplant with a petrol combustion engine or a turboshaft engine employing a gas turbine.

The advantages of using cyclical propellers are fast control of the thrust vector through 360 degrees, low noise level, and compactness. A cyclic propulsion device is one of the most complex aerodynamic devices to design but scientists and engineers of the Novosibirsk Institute of Thermophysics have been able to solutions to the inherent problems.

During the first stage of work, ground tests of a cyclic propeller with a diameter of 1.5 metres were carried out. The results obtained during the tests on traction and consumed electric power fully confirmed the viability of the concept for powering the Cyclocar.

As the pictures show, the cyclic propellers will be installed at the side of the body with their frames. Special attention is being given to the design of the propeller frames to prevent people from being close to them while they are spinning as well as to resist damage from foreign objects.

More compact than a helicopter
The dimensions are 6.2 metres in length and 6 metres in width. Besides the compact dimensions in comparison with helicopters, a useful capability is landing on an inclined surface (up to 30 degrees) and docking against vertical surfaces like buildings.

The Cyclocar is expected to be able to take a payload of 600 kgs with 6 persons on board. Its maximum speed will be up to 250 km/h and it will have a flying range of up to 500 kms. The present layout has boarding from both sides as well as the rear where there is a ramp that can be lowered at any angle. The interior configuration can be varied to carry long items or even medical modules for use in disaster areas.

Like driving a modern car
The designers expect that operating the Cyclocar will be no more difficult than driving a modern car. It can be flown by the operator on board or remotely controlled, with the possibility of being used like a drone. The pilot-operator can, if needed, use manual control or automatic control, depending on the situation.

The next phase will see prototypes being built for flight tests and a fully functional Cyclocar is expected to be ready for production in 2024. The vehicle is intended for use by the military rather than the civilian sector.

*The Audi Air Taxi developed in collaboration with ItalDesign and Airbus, was shown in 2018.*

Klein Vision’s AirCar successfully completes flight tests in Slovakia (w/VIDEO)

Even after you recover from COVID-19 infection, your quality of life may be affected and you may suffer for a long period after that. Avoid being infected by taking the necessary measures to protect yourself as well as others, and get vaccinated as well.

Red Bull Driftbrothers to debut new BMW M4 Competition in Drift Masters European Championship next month

The cars that you see in drifting are typically Japanese sportscars – after all, the sport began along the mountain roads of that country in the 1970s. There are also some other non-Japanese models and these include BMWs. At the Drift Masters European Championship (DMEC) this year, the new BMW M4 Competition will also be among the cars going sideways and the two cars entered are supported by BMW M GmbH.

The team is known as the Red Bull Driftbrothers – Elias Hountondji and Johannes Hountondji from Germany – who have participated in the DMEC since 2018. Now they use the M4 Competition which has been comprehensively modified to be suitable to the extreme demands of drifting.

Increased engine output, better aerodynamics
Work done on the cars has doubled peak performance of the straight 6-cylinder power unit to produce 1,050 bhp and increased maximum torque to almost 1,300 Nm, this being absolutely crucial for drifting. Elias admires the production engine for its massive potential and said: “It is by nature a genuine racing engine in a road-legal car, so to speak. When you look at each component of this engine, it is clear that many engineers have put a lot of thought into creating an optimal design.”

Besides a special, particularly efficient cooling circuit along with an additional second cooler at the rear, the aerodynamics were extensively modified and optimised for drifting. Here, BMW design experts offered help and virtually all newly designed aerodynamics components were manufactured exclusively at BMW M Prototype Construction.

For example, the Driftbrothers’ BMW M4 Competition was fitted with a new BMW kidney grille to optimise the supply of air to the engine compartment. Furthermore, carbonfibre was used to produce a new spoiler lip for the tailgate, side coverings for the rear diffuser and attachments for the side sills from the M Performance Parts portfolio.

These were complemented by so-called ‘winglets’, which optimise airflow at the front splitter and behind the front wheels as well as in front of the rear wheels. Should the need arise during the course of the season, the production of an airscoop for the bonnet would also be possible.

“It was a great honour for us to collaborate with experts from the design and prototype construction departments. With their help, we were able to implement our ideas perfectly,” said Johannes, the older of the two brothers.

“I am deeply impressed with what the Red Bull Driftbrothers have managed to coax out of our vehicles and wish both of them every success for the start of the season. The result also shows how good a basis the BMW M4 Competition provides for motorsport use. From the start of its development, we had designed the production vehicle to also form the basis for our GT icon, the BMW M4 GT3, which we officially presented during the 24-hour race at the Nurburgring almost two weeks ago,” said Markus Flasch, CEO of the BMW M GmbH.

5 rounds for second season
The M4 Competition will be appearing for the first time when the 2021 season of the DMEC starts on July 10 in Austria. The second season of the increasing popular series will have 5 rounds, with the finale in Georgia on October 5. Some 45 of the best drivers from Europe, the USA and the Middle East will compete in this invitation series.

How iRacing developed the BMW M4 GT4 for sim racing

Summary of new vehicle sales and production in May 2021

*Data for 2021 does not include Mercedes-Benz sales as the company does not wish to release its numbers. Source: Monthly reports of Malaysian Automotive Association.*

While the Total Industry Volume (TIV) for May 2021 was double the TIV for the same month in 2020, the decline was beginning as the nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO) required non-essential businesses – including car showrooms – to be closed from May.

The Hari Raya festive period also reduced the number of working days and saw the TIV for May (46,663 units) being 19% lower than April.

90% of new vehicle sales were passenger vehicles, excluding pick-up trucks. This is also mirrored in the cumulative TIV for the first 5 months of 2021 which reached 245,932 units. During the same period in 2020, the TIV was 128,790 units due to the stoppage of businesses when the first MCO was implemented.

*Source: Monthly reports of Malaysian Automotive Association*

The vehicle output at the assembly plants also fell with the effects of the global shortage of microchips hampering production for some brands.

The total output of 42,522 units was 18% lower than in April or almost 9,000 units difference.

Cumulative output for 5 months was 240,998 units, or 117,142 units more than for the same period last year.

The MAA expects sales in June to be minimal and composed of companies carrying forward invoicing from May. No new vehicle sales can be conducted throughout June as showrooms must remain closed. Furthermore, agencies handling vehicle inspections or registration are also closed or working at reduced capacity.

BRABUS 900 Rocket Edition – the SUV that can demoralize the driver of a supercar

Although there are high-performance SUVs, a SUV that can demoralize the driver of a supercar seems unlikely – unless it’s the BRABUS 900 Rocket Edition. With a bigger engine that boosts output to 888 bhp and 1,250 Nm, this ‘Godfather of SUVs’ (as a former senior executive in Mercedes-Benz Malaysia referred to it) can go from standstill to 100 km/h in a claimed 3.7 seconds and if not because of the limiter, it would go beyond 280 km/h.

Enlarged V8 engine
The Rocket 900 is the latest creation from the German tuner which specialises in Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG models, extending their performance potential significantly. With the Rocket 900, they have given the current Mercedes-AMG G 63 SUV a twin-turbo V8 engine with an increased displacement of 4407 cc from the standard 3982 cc.

This involved more than enlarging the cylinder bores to 84 mm and installing appropriately sized forged pistons. A special precision-balanced billet crankshaft together with likewise forged high-performance connecting rods had also to be produced, which increases the stroke to 100 mm.

The dual turbocharging system, developed by BRABUS has a larger compressor unit and a special core assembly with reinforced axial bearings produce a maximum boost pressure of 1.4 bar. Two BRABUS BoostXtra valves provide an exciting blow-off noise when lifting off the throttle. For better breathing and more air intake, a RAM-AIR system is integrated into the exposed carbonfibre radiator grille.

There are also larger downpipes, and the final link in the chain of modified components is the stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with actively controlled exhaust valves for changing the exhaust note. This switches between a throaty V8 sound in Sport mode and a discreet whisper in ‘Coming Home’ mode at the touch of a button.

WIDESTAR package adds 100 mm width
Apart from the impressive technical aspects, the new WIDESTAR widebody package makes the imposing SUV more intimidating, adding 100 mm to the overall width. Many elements have exposed carbonfibre with an emphatically sporty rear wing on the roof, and a diffuser under the rear end. Appropriate paint finishes such as Stealth Gray or Signature Black have been specially developed for the Rocket 900.

Exclusive for this model are newly designed Monoblock Z 24-inch hi-tech forged wheels with BRABUS Aero Discs made of exposed carbonfibre, 10J in front and 12J behind. They are fitted with extremely wide 24-inch high-performance ZR-rated street tyres up to a size of 355/25 on the rear axle.

The chassis engineers developed the new BRABUS RideControl aluminium coil-over suspension specifically for this 2,560-kg model. The front-axle struts and rear-axle shock absorbers with integrated heat sinks are milled from solid stock, allowing height variation of up to 45 mm, with damping also adjustable.

Non-nonsense image in cabin
The cabin also mirrors the aggressive no-nonsense image of the exterior. Black leather with colour-contrasting as well as decorative stitching is used for upholstery. In addition to bucket seats front and rear, there’s a centre console with retractable tables in the rear. Two cupholders cool or warm the drinks of the rear passengers and for keeping the drinks cold, there’s a refrigerated compartment as well.

Only 25 units for sale
BRABUS will make on 25 units of the Rocket 900, with the first 10 vehicles to be delivered to their owners by the end of this year. The remainder will be completed during 2022. Ex-factory, each unit costs 480,059 euros (about RM2.4 million) but as each customer will almost certainly personalise his or her SUV, the final price would be higher.