2023 Ferrari LMH 499P

October 31, 2022 Francis Mitterrand

At the beginning of the year, the head of Ferrari Attività Sportive GT Antonello Coletta announced that after half a century, Ferrari is returning to the WEC (World Endurance Championship). Their new race car, the 2023 Ferrari LMH 499P, has undergone many tests and is now finally unveiled to the public.

Earlier it was said that the experienced AF Corse team will be in charge of the LMH prototype of the manufacturer from Maranello. “We are proud of this announcement. It is the crowning of a dream and recognition of the great effort made over the years. Our partnership with Ferrari is a winning one that began in 2006, and I am delighted to continue it in the LMH project We have immediately kicked off with great enthusiasm aiming to raise the bar even further and to be ready for this new challenge,” said AF Corse team owner Amato Ferrari.

The Ferrari 499P is powered by a twinturbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine with 680 hp (500 kW), which in combination with an electric motor with 272 hp (200 kW), produces a total of 952 hp (700 kW). The engine is paired with a seven-speed sequential gearbox. It is equipped with a 900-volt battery from Formula 1, which is charged by deceleration and braking.

The design of the car is reminiscent of the Deyton SP3, and it is decorated with a red color with yellow details, like the 312PB model from the seventies of the last century. The two cars will have the numbers 50 and 51, which pays tribute to Ferrari’s return to the WEC, but also to the number 51 worn by Ferrari racing cars throughout history.

Ferrari hopes that LMH will have the same success as the F430 GT2, which won all three titles in its debut season (team, drivers and constructors).

Source: Ferrari

News

57 speeding tickets in 54 days made with VW Beetle

October 30, 2022 Francis Mitterrand

Driving a powerful and fast car in most cases can put us in a situation where we exceed the speed limit. But driving a regular car and collecting almost 60 fines in less than two months is a real skill. Such a situation occurred in Great Britain where a driver received 57 speeding tickets in 54 days.

Welsh driver John Kelly driving a VW Beetle became the record holder by collecting the most traffic tickets in the shortest time. He did the “achievement” from February 19 to April 14 at four locations, racking up £46,880 in fines. In all locations the speed limit was 50 km/h and Kelly drove between 70 km/h and 110 km/h.

The last speeding was recorded by a police patrol who stopped the driver and after determining that he did not have insurance and that he had not paid previous fines, confiscated his VW Beetle. After confiscating the vehicle, Kelly was sent to court where, in addition to the fine, the judge gave him 48 penalty points and revoked his driver’s license for 36 months.

A truly unusual “achievement” considering the short period of time and the number of penalties. This means that he collected at least one penalty every day.

Source: Wales Online

Auctions, News

1991 Lamborghini Diablo is for sale

October 29, 2022 Francis Mitterrand

In 1990, Lamborghini introduced its first production car capable of reaching a top speed in excess of 200 mph (320 kph), the Lamborghini Diablo. By 2001, 2,884 cars were produced, and one of them, a 1991 Lamborghini Diablo with only 38k kilometers (~23k miles) on the odometer, is for sale.

The Lamborghini Diablo is powered by a 5.7-liter V12 engine with 549 hp () and (620 Nm) of torque. It reaches 62 mph in 3.9 seconds with a top speed of (335 kph). The power of the hay is transmitted to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox. The car does not have power steering, ABS brakes or a traction control system. It is equipped with 17″ OZ Racing wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Rosso tires, while for safe braking and stopping there are ATE disc brakes.

The car was bought new in 1991 by former Formula 1 world champion Mario Andretti. It wears its original Rosso red paint and is in excellent condition, having changed hands several times so far. Currently located in Florida.

Inside, fixed-back bucket seats upholstered in tan leather. Leather covers the lower dashboard and door panels. It is equipped with air conditioning (doesn’t work), a VDO clock, a gated shifter, a JVC head unit with Bluetooth, and speakers mounted in the rear bulkhead.

In 2020, the engine was serviced, the pipes were replaced, the cooling system was serviced, the cylinders were machined, and a year later the clutch cylinders were replaced. Carfax report shows no accidents or other damage.

The car was auctioned on Bring a Trailer, and the current highest bid is $140,000 USD.