NEWS: SEAT Leon 280 DSG Breaks FWD Production Car Ring Record

SEAT's Leon Cupra 280 DSG has just set a new FWD production car record at the Nurburgring Nordschleife – with a belting time of just 7:58.4 minutes, in the hands of Spanish driver Jordi Gené, with an average speed of 96mph and hitting a peak at 150mph: Impressive! No wonder then that sales for the Spanish, VAG brand are up 10.6%!
The car used to set the amazing lap time was a production-specification Leon Cupra 280 DSG, equipped with an optional Performance Pack – loaded with Brembo high-performance brakes, specially designed 19-inch alloy wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.
Formally announcing the record at the Spanish company’s Geneva Motor Show press conference, SEAT S.A. President Jürgen Stackmann said: “Our ultimate expression of the successful Leon formula is the all new Leon Cupra. It is the fastest and the most powerful car we have ever built and yet is a comfortable family car. The Cupra is our new icon.”
Sticking with a high-performance theme, SEAT is also putting the new Leon Cup Racer – the competition vehicle developed and built by SEAT Sport – on display in Geneva. The Cup Racer forms the basis of the Leon Eurocup, beginning in May 2014 and which invites private race teams to compete on some of Europe’s most iconic racing circuits.
Another attraction on the SEAT stand is the new Mii by MANGO, a new range-topping, design-driven edition of SEAT's city car created in collaboration with the famous design label MANGO.
SEAT says: "The new Leon Cupra embodies SEAT’s brand values in the best possible way: state-of-the-art technology and stunning design, coupled with compelling performance and excellent everyday usability. With up to 280 PS, the new Cupra is the brand’s quickest and most powerful series-production car, and is the most dynamically engaging car SEAT has ever produced – while remaining comfortable day-to-day. With its extensive equipment and excellent quality, the new Cupra represents exceptionally good value-for-money. This new sports icon for the SEAT range will be offered from launch as a five-door and as the Leon three-door SC.
"The new SEAT Leon Cupra has demonstrated its phenomenal performance in the best possible way, with an impressive record on the world’s most demanding racetrack. The record time achieved (7:58.4 minutes) was possible thanks to the technological precision of the Leon Cupra, equipped with the optional Performance Pack* including Brembo high-performance brakes, specially-designed 19-inch alloy wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.
"The average speed was 96 mph, with a top speed of 150 mph on the Tiergarten section of the circuit. The circuit surface was dry, with an ambient temperature of 10ºC and a track temperature of 8ºC. There is no doubt that such an outstanding record time was achieved not only because of an exceptional car, but also thanks to a driver who was equal to the situation. Sitting behind the wheel of the Leon Cupra 280 was the Spanish driver Jordi Gené, official SEAT driver between 2003 and 2010 during the European Touring Car Championships (ETCC) and World Touring Car Championships (WTCC), among other events. He was also a member of the Leon Cupra development team at the Nürburgring."

Leon Cup Racer
SEAT has also launched a new Cup race car. They say: "The new Leon Cupra delivers the basis for an impressive, professional race car, presented by SEAT at the Geneva Motor Show ready for its first season on the racetracks of Europe. This 330 PS car will have its debut in May at the start of the new single-brand championship, the SEAT Leon Eurocup, to be held over six race weekends in six European cities and with attractive prize money."

Mii by Mango
The new Mii by MANGO is a special edition of SEAT’s city car designed in collaboration with MANGO, the world-renowned fashion label from Spain. With a raft of features that set it apart from the standard version, including an exclusive ‘Nude’ paint colour and Alcantara upholstery, it’s a stunning way to top the Mii range.
Available with three- or five-doors, its standard equipment list includes ESC, ABS, front- and side airbags for driver and front-seat passenger, head and chest airbags, deactivation of front-seat passenger airbag, Isofix anchor-points with Top Tether on the two rear seats, air conditioning, CD/MP3 radio + aux-in, hill start assistant, remote-control central locking, a 12V socket in central console and electrically-operated front windows.

Exciting times and plenty to shout about for the quirky Spanish brand eh? Bravo!
See more images here.

JOB: Motorsport Marketing Opportunity @ Nürburgring

Our pals at Jaco's Paddock Motorsport at the Nürburgring are looking for a marketing media mogul to boost their 2014 track day rental, race car rental, car building and track day tuition services. It's a great opportunity to live and work at the world's coolest track, in the exciting world of motorsport… 

The advert says:
Are you an energetic expert in C21st sales & marketing?
Do you have a passion for motorsport?
Do you know your way around the Nürburgring & Spa-Francorchamps?
Do you know your viral video and impact image from your SEO? And can you make these happen?
Do you want to do a job you love?
Do you want to live and work at the world’s most incredible motor racing circuit – Nürburgring?
If so… then Jaco’s Paddock is looking for you, to work with us out here at Nürburgring from March to November 2014!
We are looking for a dynamic, successful marketing executive to expand our RCN and VLN race car rental, track day rental and tuition market share in 2014.
You will be responsible for boosting business sales and expanding our outbound marketing and social media services – selling drives in our superb BMW race and track car rental cars, and offering our expert race and track car building services and circuit tuition services… and lots more besides!
If you are the right person, in return, we will offer you:
· A modern home to live in and office to work from in beautiful Barweiler, just minutes from the Nürburgring.
· A basic living expenses salary of 500€ a month.
· A generous TBC commission % of sales made on race and track car rental and building, tutiion and other Jaco’s Paddock services.
If you are interested in applying for this role, please email proyle@roadmagazine.co.uk with a CV and covering letter for a chance to get a preliminary interview.
Good luck!

NEWS: Nurburging Race Rental & Track Day Tuition

Maybe you're a bit handy on a track day, think you know your way around the Green Hell, or have even tried a spot of domestic circuit racing?
But have you considered taking it to the next level – racing the infamous Nurburgring GP and Nordschleife, in the outstanding VLN Endurance Racing series (where many of the 24-Hr cars go bumper-to-bumper), or the equally fun, but slightly less hardcore RCN Circuit Challenge series?
If you've not considered it… you should put it on your bucket list. Not much comes close after you've been there, done that… and it need not cost the Earth, if you know the right people, as we do.
But where to start?
Take your own car out there, assemble a team, learn the ropes, jump the race licensing hoops, spend an age setting your car up with no local knowledge, cross your fingers and get racing? Well, you could do that…
Or...
You could tap into a lifetime of experience with our Green Hell know-how pals Jacos Paddock Motorsport and let them take the strain for you – provide you a perfectly set-up, reliable, rapid BMW race car with all the team support you could ask for and help you cut the red tape to get out a race at the Ring, hassle-free.
Super-friendly 'flying Dutchman' Jaco Velders and his crew have a fleet of really amazing BMW race cars – not the newest or the most flash, but with a perfect Nurburgring set-up, making them class winners in both RCN and VLN. And, budget, skill level and bravery depending, there's a BMW 325i E36 class V4 (for RCN), two BMW M3 E46 class V6 (one GT3 spec) and used two BMW 325i E36 V4 (for the VLN), to pick from… all of which are superbly neutral, balanced and fast race cars.
Jaco's Paddock run races all year at the Ring and also at Zandvoort in Belgium (the 12-Hr) and have raced at the Dubai 24-Hr and in the Nurburgring 24-Hr as well as decades in the RCN and VLN – so have plenty of know-how and experience. And their cars are built to last in these tough championships, which really test your driving skills (and the car).
Jaco's Paddock also offer track day and racing tuition, with individual personal training or in small groups of maximum four vehicles. Jaco says: "No matter what level of experience the participants have, using various techniques from our instructors in the car to following the instructor in convoy with in car communications – we will show you the right wet and dry racing line, the braking points, entry speeds, turning points etc. - everything you need to be quick here at the Green Hell, Spa-Francorchamps or Zandvoort.
"As part of the tuition, we offer a DVD and Power Point presentation and a track walk if possible. And, in addition, we offer preparation to obtain a German “A” race license to enable you to participate
in national races. We're a one-stop-shop for Ring racing!"
The Jaco's Paddock tuition packages include:

• Race car rental
• Qualified, skills racing driver instructors available for individual tuition or groups
• Both radio and intercom communications available
• Mechanical facilities available during the course for service, repairs and tyre replacement etc.
• Hotel, airport transfers & assistance with accommodation etc.
• A great time!

If you want to make your year and have some memories to pass on to the wide-eyed grandkids, why not race or get some tuition with Jaco's Paddock this year? We HIGHLY recommend it here at Road HQ. 

Find out more & contact Jaco directly for prices and information via Facebook.

NEWS: Sabine Schmitz Joins Forces With Ron Simons Racing

Two of our greatest Green Hell buddies – Ron Simons and Sabine Schmitz – have (finally!) joined forces, offering yet another string to the fabulous RSRNurburg and RSRSpa track experience bow. 

"Ring queen" Sabine will now be on hand (most days of the week!) to offer her infamous 'hot taxi laps' around the world's greatest circuits – Spa-Francorchamps and Nurburgring Nordschleife – in the superb, eclectic mix of RSR track hire cars. Quite a heady combination, I can tell you – having sampled both over the years. Certainly a memory of a lifetime.   

For those who do not know, RSRNurburg (run by dude ex-racer, Ron Simons) have built a reputation of excellence over the past 15 years at the famous Nurburgring for driver training, instruction, track car rentals, corporate events and Road Tours. And Sabine Schmitz has raced the world over, but her true passion belongs at the Nurburgring where without doubt, she is most recognizable figure at the Green Hell, and Spa. 

The fabulous Sabine Schmitz said: "I am really thrilled to be able to work with RSR. Their huge fleet of modern cars and wide range of services makes sense for us to create a partnership. We were looking for a reliable and reputable company to help service our clients...it only takes a small glance at RSR’s testimonials to know we are in capable hands.

"The goal is to extend the available offerings, and RSR enables us to do this. Taxi Laps at Spa are really great, throwing the car around on this Formula track is just a joy, I can push so hard!” And in closing, “I am pleased to have formed this partnership. RSR are a professional company that have built a successful business on a reputation of excellence that is known and respected worldwide. Bringing their cars, expertise, various driving & instruction services and programs into our packages will open up new opportunities for our customers from around the world. We look forward to a long and successful partnership with them."
And the ace Ron Simmons added: "We are extremely excited to partner with Sabine. I have followed her career over the years, we have worked together in the past and now we cement this with a formal partnership to continue our combined success” Ron goes on to explain; “This partnership gives our existing customer base another range of options to choose from and now we have the quickest female racer in the world, certainly a force to be reckoned with on track!."
Find out more about how you get involved with these two lovely, experienced, fabulous track people and the RSR experiences at: www.RSRNurburg.com and www.RSRSpa.com.

A marriage made in heaven... or should we say (green) hell!  

NEWS: 2013 VLN Championship is Go!

This weekend will host the first of the awesome VLN Championship races of the 2013 season – one of only two VLN races before the annual Nurburgring 24h race season highlight, May 17th-20th. The series was initially delayed, due to bad Winter weather.

So, this weekend, more than 214 cars from 28 different brands and 500+ drivers from 30+ countries will participate in the inaugural season race – including many big team and driver names, not to mention car debuts. And our man, Jochen Van Cauwenberge of Frozenspeed Motorsport Photography will be there to capture all the action, in his ninth year of coverage of this incredible race series on the Nurburging Nordschleife: The best circuit in the world.
Top drivers for this weekend include Augusto Farfus, Martin Tomczyk, Dirk and Jorg Muller, Uwe Alzen, Lance-David Arnold and Marco Holzer and many other international GT aces. 

The FIA GT3 specification class has 21 entrants – an impressive number of top cars that would be enough to fill a field anywhere else in the world – such is the VLN's (understandable) popularity.
And the GT cars will be doing battle with the SP7 specials (such as the new Type 991 911 GT3 RSR), on a track loaded with Cup classes (Porsche, Opel, Renault, Toyota) and regular production touring cars.

Other highlights include, VLN and 24Hr regular, Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez driving the new Rapide S – in it's racing debut. And Dutch GT legend Cor Euser will debut the Lotus Evora GT4 on the Nurburgring. Meanwhile, Porsche works driver Marco Holzer will be driving the all-conquering Manthey RSR, marking a welcome return to the Nurburgring in the distinctive yellow green Manthey 911 livery.

Other vehicles making their debut are the Porsche 991 (in production class), Hyundai Veloster Turbo, Peugeot 208 GTI and 18 Astra OPC cup cars. And the list of amazing entries goes on and on with cars including Aston Martin Vantage, Audi R8 LMS Ultra, BMW Z4 GT3, Chevrolet Corvette C6, Ferrari F458, Ford GT, Ginetta G50 GT4, McLaren MP4, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, Nissan GT-R, Porsche 911 GT3 R and RSR.

Keep up to date here on the blog and see more of Jochen's amazing images on our Facebook page.

And find out about the superb VLN at: www.vln.de

VIDEO: Timo Kluck "Fast as Hell" – 911 GT3 RS 4.0 @ Nordschleife

Timo Kluck gets stuck into some serious testing for a Dunlop Sport Maxx race in his Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0. I think "on it" describes it quite well, don't you?  

NEWS: Audi R8 e-tron Sets Nürburgring Nordschleife EV Lap Record

Audi's exciting new R8 e-tron has just set a new lap record at the ultra-challenging Nürburgring Nordschleife for electrically powered production vehicles. Racing driver, Markus Winkelhock put in a time of 8:09.099 minutes on the 12.92-mile track, in the new all-electric sports car with 280 kW (equivalent to approximately 380PS)... adding another Green Hell accolade to their overall wins at the 24-hour races at the Nürburgring (oh, an and Le Mans!). "The R8 e-tron has given a magnificent demonstration of its potential on the toughest race track in the world," said Michael Dick, AUDI AG Board Member for Technical Development. Dick, who completed a fast lap himself in the R8 e-tron, added: "The record-setting drive confirmed that we are on the right track. To us, electric mobility has never been about sacrifice, but rather is about emotion, sportiness and driving pleasure."A comparison with the current record lap driven by a production car with a conventional combustion engine shows just how impressive the 8:09.099-minute time really is. The record time of 7:11.57 minutes was achieved by a Gumpert Apollo Sport, which is powered by a 700PS Audi V8 petrol engine. The all-electric Audi R8 e-tron was just over one minute behind that. Impressive...
The drive system of the Audi R8 e-tron that Markus Winkelhock drove to the world record is identical to that of the road-going model that will enter production towards the end of the year. The car’s electric motors generate a combined output of 280 kW and 820 Nm of torque; more than 4,900 Nm (3,614.05 lb-ft) is distributed to the rear wheels virtually from a standing start. The Audi R8 e-tron accelerates from zero to 62mph in just 4.6 seconds. Its top speed is normally limited to 124mph (and Markus Winkelhock drove two fast laps in one go in a second R8 e-tron that was limited to 124mph, recording 8:30.873 and 8:26.096 minutes, both well under the important nine-minute threshold); 155mph was approved for the record-setting lap. It has a range of 133 miles, although most likely not at this sort of race pace. And it weighs in at just 1,780 kilograms, despite the large battery, thanks to an all aluminium body.
"The record drives were a fantastic experience for me," said Markus Winkelhock. The 32-year-old, who lives near Stuttgart, has a high standard for comparison – the Audi R8 LMS ultra, in which he, along with Marc Basseng, Christopher Haase and Frank Stippler, won the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring a few weeks ago. "Of course, the R8 e-tron is a production car, not a racing car with the assistance of aerodynamics," Winkelhock emphasised. "But with its low centre of gravity and rear biased weight distribution, it brings with it a lot of sporty qualities. The torque with which the electric motors propel the car uphill beats everything that I know – even if they make hardly any noise in the process, which at the start was really a completely new experience for me. In places where I really need traction, the torque vectoring – the displacement of the torque between the powered wheels – really helps me."
Michael Dick proudly summed up events after the record-setting drive at the Nürburgring. "Within just a few weeks we’ve taken on some big challenges and in the process we’ve shown that we are at the forefront with all of our drive concepts," he said, adding: "We won the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring in May in the Audi R8 LMS ultra with a ten-cylinder engine. In mid-June we triumphed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Audi R18 e-tron quattro – the first overall victory for a hybrid-electric vehicle in the toughest race in the world. And now we’ve set another record with the all-electric-drive R8 e-tron on the most demanding track there is."