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Ferrari 296 Speciale Piloti: Lambang Kemenangan di Le Mans dan Perayaan Warisan Perlumbaan

Ferrari terus meneguhkan legasi perlumbaannya dengan pengenalan model edisi khas Ferrari 296 Speciale Piloti, yang didedahkan secara eksklusif sempena acara ikonik 24 Hours of Le Mans. Pelancaran istimewa ini bukan sahaja meraikan kejayaan bersejarah Ferrari dalam Kejohanan Ketahanan Dunia FIA (WEC), malah mengangkat semula semangat sukan permotoran melalui program pemperibadian Ferrari Tailor Made.

Sebagai penghormatan kepada kejayaan Ferrari dalam dunia perlumbaan endurance, 296 Speciale Piloti dihasilkan khas untuk pemilik dan pelanggan yang terlibat dalam perlumbaan rasmi jenama itu — sama ada secara kompetitif mahupun tidak. Pelancarannya di Litar de la Sarthe, lokasi keramat Le Mans, menandakan detik simbolik untuk kembalinya Ferrari ke puncak perlumbaan ketahanan selepas lebih lima dekad.

Inspirasi reka bentuk 296 Speciale Piloti datang terus daripada Ferrari 499P Hypercar, jentera yang menjuarai Le Mans dua tahun berturut-turut pada 2023 dan 2024. Model ini ditawarkan dalam empat pilihan warna luaran eksklusif — Rosso Scuderia, Blu Tour De France, Nero Daytona, dan Argento Nürburgring — dipadankan dengan liveri Giallo Modena yang menampilkan logo WEC, jalur bendera Itali pada bampar, serta nombor perlumbaan yang diperibadikan.

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Aston Martin Valkyrie LM: Enjin V12 dengan 697hp!

Aston Martin sekali lagi menggegarkan dunia automotif dengan pelancaran Valkyrie LM, sebuah hypercar ultra-eksklusif yang bukan sahaja mencerminkan keupayaan teknologi mereka, tetapi juga menjadi simbol penghormatan terhadap sejarah gemilang jenama itu dalam perlumbaan 24 Hours of Le Mans. Hanya 10 unit akan dihasilkan, menjadikan model ini antara kenderaan paling eksklusif dalam sejarah Aston Martin.

Valkyrie LM diilhamkan daripada jentera perlumbaan Valkyrie Hypercar yang kini bersaing dalam Kejohanan Ketahanan Dunia FIA (World Endurance Championship – WEC) dan Kejohanan IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar. Ia dijana oleh enjin V12 aspirasi semula jadi bersesaran 6.5 liter hasil binaan Cosworth, yang telah ditala mengikut spesifikasi perlumbaan dengan kuasa mencecah 697hp—setara dengan jentera perlumbaan sebenar.

Pelancaran model ini tepat pada waktunya ketika Aston Martin menggiatkan kempen untuk menawan semula Le Mans secara keseluruhan, pencapaian terakhir yang direkodkan pada tahun 1959 menerusi Roy Salvadori dan Carroll Shelby dengan jentera ikonik DBR1. Valkyrie LM bukan sekadar sebuah kereta, tetapi lambang warisan perlumbaan yang telah bermula sejak penyertaan pertama Aston Martin di Le Mans pada tahun 1928.

Dari segi kejuruteraan, Valkyrie LM direka hampir menyamai jentera perlumbaan tulen. Perbezaan hanya terletak pada pengubahsuaian kecil bagi meningkatkan keselesaan dan kemudahan pemanduan dalam suasana bukan perlumbaan. Sistem elektronik serta balast yang diwajibkan FIA telah disingkirkan, manakala antara muka kokpit telah disesuaikan untuk penggunaan pemilik. Sistem kawalan tork gelung tertutup digantikan dengan sistem gelung terbuka yang lebih mudah dikendalikan, dan enjin pula ditala semula untuk menggunakan bahan api komersial.

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Aston Martin Unveils Valkyrie LM in Tribute to Le Mans Legacy – Limited to 10 Units!

Aston Martin has unveiled the Valkyrie LM, an ultra-exclusive hypercar that pays a bold tribute to the brand’s storied history at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The new model, limited to just 10 units, captures the essence of Aston Martin’s competitive spirit as it returns to the top tier of endurance racing for the first time in over six decades.

The Valkyrie LM is derived from the Valkyrie Hypercar race car currently contesting both the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. It is powered by a modified version of the Cosworth-built 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine, tuned to the same regulation-limited output of 697bhp as its racing counterpart.

This launch coincides with Aston Martin’s renewed campaign to achieve overall victory at Le Mans—a feat last accomplished in 1959 by Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby in the DBR1. The new Valkyrie LM reflects the culmination of decades of motorsport heritage, first established in 1928 when Aston Martin made its Le Mans debut.

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Porsche 963 RSP: A Road-Going Homage to Racing Greatness

As Porsche gears up for the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, it has unveiled an extraordinary new creation: the Porsche 963 RSP. A road-capable sibling to the 963 Hypercar, this one-off masterpiece pays tribute to one of the most iconic endurance racers in Porsche’s history—the 917—and celebrates the 50th anniversary of a bold, unforgettable journey from Zuffenhausen to Paris.

The Porsche 963 RSP is the brainchild of a collaboration between Porsche AG, Porsche Penske Motorsport, Porsche Cars North America, and motorsport icon Roger Penske, whose initials give the car its name. This bespoke model draws deep inspiration from the legendary Count Gregorio Rossi di Montelera’s 917, which famously travelled public roads from Stuttgart to Paris in 1975 with minimal road-legal modifications.

“Inspired by the Count Rossi 917, this project started as a passion-fueled ‘what if’ scenario among a small team of Porsche and Penske enthusiasts,” said Timo Resch, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. “We aimed to build a 963 that captured the same uncompromising racing soul while celebrating an era-defining moment in Porsche history.”

Unlike its racing counterparts wrapped in sponsor liveries, the 963 RSP is the first 963 to receive a full paint finish—an intricate process due to its ultra-light Kevlar and carbon fibre bodywork. It wears Martini Silver, matched from Porsche Museum archives and applied in a triple-layer lacquer. Other unique touches include satin-black minor components, a 3D-printed “963 RSP” rear badge, and period-correct Michelin logos on the 18-inch rain-spec Michelin tires mounted on forged OZ Racing wheels.

The revised bodywork includes enclosed fender vents, removable carbon fibre wing plates, and an enamel Porsche crest on the nose, replacing the usual racing graphic. These changes mirror the design language of the 917 while staying faithful to the form of the 963.

Though derived from a purpose-built endurance car, the 963 RSP is road-ready. Adjustments include raised ride height, softened suspension dampers, and reprogrammed electronics for street lighting compliance. Covered wheel arches, a functional horn, and approval from French authorities—supported by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest—allowed the car to be legally driven on public roads.

Timo Bernhard, Porsche works driver and Le Mans winner, piloted the 963 RSP during its public road debut near the Circuit de la Sarthe. “Driving a 963 alongside a 917 on the open road was surreal. This version felt more forgiving and incredibly special—surprisingly comfortable, too,” he said.

Roger Penske, Chairman of Penske Corporation, expressed pride in the RSP project:
“We’ve shared an incredible journey with Porsche since 1972. The 917/30 marked a golden era for us, and the 963 RSP honours that legacy. We wanted authenticity and purity—and this car captures the spirit of both the past and the present.”

The car will be on display during the 24 Hours of Le Mans before heading to the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. It will also appear at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, accompanied by the original 917 that inspired it.

The 963 RSP concept emerged during a conversation at Road Atlanta between Resch, Thomas Laudenbach (VP, Porsche Motorsport), and Urs Kuratle (Director, Factory Racing LMDh). Inspired by Count Rossi’s 917, they envisioned repeating history with the 963 and brought the idea to Roger Penske and Jonathan Diuguid of Porsche Penske Motorsport.

The project was executed by Porsche’s Sonderwunsch team in Zuffenhausen and Porsche Classic in Atlanta. Under the direction of Grant Larson, Director of Special Projects at Style Porsche, the team developed a road-focused vision with hand-crafted design touches—inside and out.

At the heart of the 963 RSP lies a formidable 4.6-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, delivering approximately 680hp. This powerplant, designated internally as the 9RD, traces its lineage to the RS Spyder and shares around 80% of its components with the 918 Spyder’s engine. Complementing the combustion engine is a hybrid system featuring a Bosch-supplied motor generator unit (MGU) and an 800-volt lithium-ion battery developed by Williams Advanced Engineering. The integration of these systems facilitates electric-only operation and has been meticulously recalibrated to ensure smooth power delivery suitable for road use.

Transitioning the 963 RSP from track to tarmac necessitated several modifications. The ride height was elevated to its maximum setting, and the Multimatic DSSV dampers were adjusted to their softest configuration, enhancing ride comfort. The control unit underwent reprogramming to activate road-legal lighting systems, including headlights and turn signals. Additionally, the engine management system was adapted to operate efficiently on standard pump petrol, a significant undertaking given the vehicle’s racing origins.

Inside, the RSP takes an unprecedented departure from its track-only sibling. The race seat is retained but upholstered in tan leather and Alcantara with added padding for comfort. The roof lining, pillars, and footwells are trimmed in Alcantara. The multifunctional racing steering wheel is now leather-wrapped, and a custom side console holds the vehicle’s Peltor headset and a laptop for system operation. The final touch, a 3D-printed detachable cup holder that fits a Porsche travel mug.

The Porsche 963 RSP is more than a car—it’s a celebration of heritage, engineering, and passion. By uniting the past and present, it becomes a symbol of what Porsche and Penske have always done best: push the limits of what’s possible, whether on the track or the road.

Aston Martin Memperkenalkan Valkyrie Hypercar untuk Le Mans

Aston Martin kini memasuki era baharu dalam sukan permotoran dengan penampilan sulung hypercar Valkyrie, menandakan kepulangan jenama ikonik ini ke peringkat tertinggi perlumbaan ketahanan. Model yang berasal daripada versi jalan raya ini akan bersaing dalam 24 Jam Le Mans, serta menyertai Kejohanan Ketahanan Dunia FIA (WEC) dan Kejuaraan IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar (IMSA).

Hypercar Unik Berasaskan Jalan Raya

Valkyrie merupakan satu-satunya hypercar dalam kategori ini yang berasaskan model sah jalan raya. Ia bakal membuat debut global dalam perlumbaan pembukaan musim WEC 2025, Qatar 1812km, pada 28 Februari. Pasukan THOR Aston Martin akan menurunkan dua jentera Valkyrie dalam WEC, menegaskan kembali warisan jenama ini dalam perlumbaan ketahanan.

Barisan Pemandu Bertaraf Dunia

Aston Martin telah mengumpulkan pemandu elit untuk program Valkyrie:

WEC:
- Valkyrie #007 akan dipandu oleh Harry Tincknell dan Tom Gamble.
- Valkyrie #009 akan dikendalikan oleh Marco Sørensen (Juara Dunia FIA GT tiga kali) dan Alex Riberas.
IMSA:
- Valkyrie #23 akan bersaing dalam kelas GTP dengan Ross Gunn dan Roman De Angelis.
- Gunn juga akan menyertai Tincknell dan Gamble di Le Mans 2025 untuk barisan pemandu sepenuhnya dari Britain.

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Aston Martin Unveils Valkyrie Hypercar for Le Mans and Endurance Racing

Aston Martin is set to embark on an exciting new chapter in its storied motorsport legacy with the debut of the Valkyrie hypercar, marking the brand’s return to the top tier of endurance racing. The Valkyrie, derived from its road-going counterpart, will compete for overall victory at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans and take on both the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA).

A Unique Hypercar Entry

Unlike any other competitor, the Valkyrie is the only racing car in the Hypercar category derived from a road-legal hypercar. It will make its global competition debut at the 2025 WEC season opener, the Qatar 1812km, on February 28. Aston Martin’s THOR Team will field two Valkyrie entries in WEC, further cementing its place in endurance racing history.

British Talent Leads Aston Martin’s Le Mans Line-up

Aston Martin has assembled a formidable driver lineup for the Valkyrie program. In WEC, the #007 Valkyrie will feature British endurance racer Harry Tincknell alongside rising star Tom Gamble. The #009 Valkyrie will be piloted by three-time FIA GT World Champion Marco Sørensen (DEN) and accomplished endurance racer Alex Riberas (ESP).

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Ford Set to Make a Triumphant Return to Le Mans 24 Hours in 2027

Ford has officially announced its return to the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours race in 2027, aiming for overall victory with a new LMDh prototype as part of a World Endurance Championship (WEC) campaign. The move marks the American automaker’s first full-factory assault on Le Mans since the Group C Ford C100 program in 1982.

The decision was revealed by Ford Motor Company’s Executive Chair, Bill Ford, during a motorsport launch event in Charlotte, North Carolina. Reflecting on the brand’s storied history at Le Mans, he highlighted the company’s iconic victories between 1966 and 1969 with the Ford MkII, MkIV, and GT40, as well as its triumph in the GTE Pro class in 2016, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of its first outright win.

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Honda Berpotensi Untuk Kembali Ke Le Mans 2025

Potensi kembalinya Honda ke Le Mans semakin mendapat momentum pada kadar yang mengagumkan. Dalam masa hanya setahun, kedua-dua IMSA (International Motor Sports Association) dan WEC (World Endurance Championship) telah menyelaraskan peraturan mereka, membolehkan pengeluar automotif untuk menyertai kelas GTP (Grand Touring Prototypes) dan Hypercar. Pembangunan ini menyaksikan pemain utama seperti Cadillac dan Porsche bersaing secara global pada tahun 2023, satu tren yang diikuti oleh BMW dan Lamborghini tahun ini. Penggabungan aktiviti perlumbaan Honda dan Acura baru-baru ini meletakkan jenama ini untuk persaingan antarabangsa, walaupun penyertaan Le Mans pada tahun 2024 telah dikecualikan.

Melihat ke hadapan pada tahun 2025, Presiden HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) US, David Salters, menyatakan keyakinan yang berhati-hati, menekankan keperluan untuk keadaan yang menggalakkan. Berbicara di Rolex 24 tahun ini, Salters memberi penghargaan kepada pasukan di HRC dan Oreca kerana mencipta kereta IMSA yang hebat, menyatakan minat Honda dalam Le Mans sambil memantau persaingan.

Penggabungan HPD (Honda Performance Development) dan HRC pada Januari 2024 menandakan pergeseran penting dalam strategi perlumbaan Honda, beralih dari pendekatan yang berpusat di Amerika Utara kepada pendekatan global. Salters mengakui daya tarikan Le Mans dan WEC, memuji IMSA, ACO, dan WEC atas usaha mereka dalam tahun pertama perubahan peraturan. Walau bagaimanapun, beliau menekankan kepentingan pembangunan berterusan dan memastikan penyertaan Honda selaras dengan objektif perniagaan.

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Honda’s Le Mans Return Gains Momentum for 2025

The potential return of Honda to Le Mans is gaining momentum at an impressive pace. In just a year, both IMSA (International Motor Sports Association) and WEC (World Endurance Championship) have streamlined their rulebooks, enabling auto manufacturers to participate in both GTP (Grand Touring Prototypes) and Hypercar classes. This development saw major players like Cadillac and Porsche competing globally in 2023, a trend followed by BMW and Lamborghini this year. The recent consolidation of Honda and Acura racing activities further positions the brands for international competition, although a Le Mans run in 2024 has been ruled out.

Looking ahead to 2025, HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) US president David Salters expressed cautious optimism, emphasising the necessity for favourable conditions. Speaking at this year’s Rolex 24, Salters credited the team at HRC and Oreca for creating a formidable IMSA car, stating Honda’s interest in Le Mans while closely monitoring the competition.

The amalgamation of HPD (Honda Performance Development) and HRC in January 2024 marked a significant shift in Honda’s racing strategy, moving from a North America-centric approach to a global one. Salters acknowledged the allure of Le Mans and WEC, commending IMSA, ACO, and WEC for their efforts in the inaugural year of the rule changes. However, he stressed the importance of continued development and ensuring that Honda’s participation aligns with business objectives.

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Porsche Penske Motorsport team reveals new Porsche 963 prototype for endurance racing from 2023

Motorsport is an expensive sport to start with and for teams that participate professionally, it can be very expensive. In the upper reaches of the sport, like Formula 1 and endurance racing, it has become so expensive that the FIA and other organisations have looked for ways to control the costs – while still enabling the teams to innovate to be competitive and advance.

Endurance racing from this year sees the birth of the Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) and Le Mans Daytona hybrid (LMDh) classes which have many things in common. This will allow the cars to race in the American series run by IMSA as well as the European events like the Le Mans 24-Hours. This extends the scope of racing for teams who can now look at more events to take part in.

The Porsche Penske Motorsport team has developed the new Porsche 963 to take advantage of this. From 2023, two of the hybrid LMDh-spec prototypes will be entered in both the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

The racing car which was unveiled yesterday at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England is being developed at two locations – in Germany for the WEc and in the USA for the IMSA series. The exchange of data between the high-tech centres of Porsche Penske Motorsport occurs almost in real-time.

The official race debut of the 963 is planned to take place in January 2023 at the 24 Hours of Daytona in the USA. In the meantime, the WEC has opened the door for testing as part of the upcoming world championship races this year. Porsche Penske Motorsport is aiming for a non-competitive dress rehearsal at the final round of the season in Bahrain this November.

In compliance with the LMDh regulations, the 963 is based on an LMP2-category chassis. This newly developed chassis is supplied by the Canadian high-tech company Multimatic. Bosch, Williams Advanced Engineering and Xtrac contribute the standard hybrid components to all teams. At the heart of the powertrain lies a 4.6-litre V8 Biturbo, the engine based on the 918 Spyder hybrid sportscar. Its DNA goes back to the RS Spyder racing car, with which Porsche and Team Penske collected many victories between 2005 and 2008.

“Over the past few months, our people at Porsche Motorsport and Team Penske have grown into an efficient and committed squad – the Porsche Penske Motorsport Team,” said Urs Kuratle, Director Factory Motorsport LMDh. “We’ll have powerful driver crews in the 4 factory cars. The collaboration with our long-standing tyre partner Michelin and the chassis manufacturer Multimatic works flawlessly. The Porsche 963 should be homologated this autumn. Until then, we want to make further progress with test drives and gain additional insights. We can hardly wait for our first outing.”

The design of the new 963 echoes the victorious 956 and 962 classics from the 1980s. A continuous strip of lighting at the rear echoes the distinctive feature of the latest 992-generation 911. The white-red-black vehicle design is a salute to Porsche’s successful racing cars. And another tradition lives on: the new Porsche racer will be available to customers from the first year of competition.

“After 7,889 test kilometres during the first half of 2022, we’re on a very good path but there is still work to be done before the start of next season,” said Thomas Laudenbach, Vice-President Motorsport. “Our new Porsche 963 should continue the legacy of legendary models such as the 917, 935, 956, 962 and the 919 Hybrid. I’m positive that we’ll be well-positioned when it comes to technology and we’ve also created the relevant team structures to set us up for wins in the thrilling competition between many manufacturers and different concepts.”