motor racing

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Gets Pulses Racing at Daytona 500

Our favorite blueblooded British stunner, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (above) turned heads and set pulses racing at the Daytona 500 recently where she put in an appearance as a Grand Marshall alongside her Transformers 3 colleagues Josh Duhamel and Michael Bay. The modified NASCAR stock cars of drivers Jimmie Johnson, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. – featured as characters in the film – made their first public appearance at the event as well leading the 43-car field during the pace laps of the kick-off event to the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. In 2009 the movie's director Michael Bay piloted the official pace car at a NASCAR Sprint Cup race to promote the DVD release of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and credits his vision to include NASCAR stock cars in the new Transformers film to the experience.

Tags: actress, British supermodels, celebrity, celebrity cars, Daytona 500, directors, Josh Duhamel, lingerie model, Michael Bay, motor racing, movies, NASCAR, race cars, racecar, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, supermodel, Transformers, Victorias Secret

The Classicist: Barbour Launches the Ltd. Edition Steve McQueen Collection

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Sports, Men's Style, The Classicist

EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW: Two icons of authentic sporting style come together in classic British outerwear brand Barbour's cool new limited edition collection designed in homage to the great Steve McQueen, set to launch this fall. In celebration of the 75th anniversary of their iconic International clothing range, which the King of Cool wore while motorcycle racing in the 1960s, the capsule collection of 19 pieces features several new jackets, shirts and sweaters inspired by archival photos of the actor racing motorbikes and driving his collection of classic sports cars. McQueen first donned a Barbour International jacket when he represented the United States team in the 1964 International Six Day Trials (ISDT) motorcycle race in East Germany. The ISDT (now known as the International Six Days Enduro), one of the most challenging moto racing events in the world, requires each rider to cover 200 miles a day over hellish terrain.

Prior to the event in '64 Steve McQueen and other members of U.S. team stopped off in London and bought six-pocket Barbour Internationals, derived from a one-piece racing suit first offered by the firm in 1936, as a defence against the vagaries of European weather. McQueen quickly became enamored of the International's weather-defying qualities and rugged utility, wearing it in several grueling moto races over the years. Classic images of McQueen in his Barbour grace the linings of the jackets in the new collection. Standout pieces include the Penton (above, $799) and Baker ($599) waxed cotton jackets featuring stars and stripes linings and U.S. flags on the left chest, faithfully recreating the jacket that McQueen wore in the '64 ISDT. Two other wax cotton jackets, the Trophy ($429) and the Greenham ($399), reflect McQueen's effortless style on and off the racecourse. [cont'd]

Gallery: Barbour Steve McQueen Collection

Tags: apparel, Barbour, Barbour International, celebrity, ISDT, jacket, London, mens style, motor racing, motorcycle, racing, Steve McQueen, UK

Continue reading “The Classicist: Barbour Launches the Ltd. Edition Steve McQueen Collection”

Lotus to Launch Lotus Originals Lifestyle Brand

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Luxury Cars & Autos, Men's Style, The Classicist

Famed British sports car marque Lotus has a super-stylish history, with the likes of James Bond and Steve McQueen among its best known enthusiasts. Now the storied firm, founded in 1952 by Colin Chapman, is looking to reclaims some of that former glory with a new lifestyle brand set to launch in February. Dubbed Lotus Originals, the diverse offerings will include everything from leather jackets and blue blazers to bags and backgammon sets. The company's motor racing and sports car heritage were used as inspiration for the collection, with tire tread patterns, vintage Lotus logos, racing stripes, car silhouettes and numbers relating to the dates of famous Lotus racing victories of the 1960s and 70s appearing on certain items.

"Our goal with the Lotus Originals concept was to create a range of apparel and accessories that really capture the true spirit of our iconic British brand," notes Lotus' Wiebke Bauer. "Lotus Originals isn't just for traditional car enthusiasts, on some of the pieces the branding is very subtle allowing the style and quality to shine, so we hope that it will appeal to a much broader audience. We have developed a collection that is luxurious in a classic, understated way so it is easy to wear every day yet still make you feel part of our very special brand." The Lotus Originals collection will be launched exclusively online at www.lotusoriginals.com on February 23 during London Fashion Week with a London flagship store slated to open later in the year. Check out the gallery for a preview.

Gallery: Lotus Originals

Source

Tags: James Bond, London, Lotus, luxury cars, mens style, motor racing, sports car, Steve McQueen, UK

Steve McQueen's 'Le Mans' Racing Suit for Sale

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Men's Style, The Classicist

Steve McQueen's 'Le Mans' Racing Suit for Sale

The racing suit worn by the great Steve McQueen in his epic 1971 motorsports film Le Mans is being offered for sale by Toronto's Collector's Studio. The iconic two-piece flame resistant Nomex cream uniform made by Hinchman of Indianapolis bears the name of McQueen's character in the movie, Michael Delaney. It also features the insignia of Gulf, Heuer, Firestone, and the American flag. While the company has not put a firm price on the suit, there have been several serious offers so far, the highest of which is $140,000. The suit shows good signs of use and is fully documented, having been donated by Solar Productions / MGM to a British newspaper for a Le Mans themed contest in 1971. It was presented to the winner by British racing legend Richard Attwood, who won Le Mans in 1970 driving the famous Porsche 917K with Gulf livery made famous by McQueen. McQueen memorabilia is of course a proven earner; Antiquorum sold the actor's Rolex Submariner at auction last year for $234,000.

[via JamesList]

Tags: celebrity, Collectors Studio, entertainment, Heuer, Le Mans, memorabilia, motor racing, movies, Porsche, race car, racing, racing+suit, racingsuit, Steve McQueen

Winning Ferrari F1 Car Listed for Sale at $3 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The amazing 2006 Ferrari 248 F1 racer (above) that was Philip Massa's No. 1 car for the 2006 Grand Prix season has been listed for sale via global online luxury marketplace JamesList for about $3 million. The car, designed by Rory Byrne and Aldo Costa featuring a 785 hp V8 engine, won seven of the last nine races of the '06 season; overall, the 248 gave Ferrari nine race wins and four pole positions, and second place finishes in both the Drivers' and Constructors' World Championships. It's just one of the rare Ferrari F1 cars listed on the site by the UK's Red Dog; also up for grabs is a 1974 Ferrari 312 B3 F1 car for $2.2 million; a 1984 Ferrari 126 C4 F1 car for $940,000; and a 1994 Ferrari 412 T1 for $810,000, all with various victories under their bonnets. Gentlemen, start your engines.

Tags: F1, Ferrari, Formula 1, Formula One, grand prix, JamesList, motor racing, race car, racecar, racing

The Classicist: Etiqueta Negra Launches 'Classic Cars' Collection

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Luxury Cars & Autos, Sports, Men's Style, The Classicist, Luxury Shopping

This season Argentina-based design house Etiqueta Negra, known for its modern take on masculine, equestrian and sporting style, is launching a new men´s collection inspired by one of our favorite things: classic cars. The company's Classic Cars Collection features casual wear such as sweaters, t-shirts, jeans, down vests and leather jackets characterized by clean lines and neutral colors - black, white and dark gray - with a touch of yellow in the detailing designed to evoke traditional motor racing livery. The sporty and sleek pieces range in price from $40 to $1,200 for a leather motorcycle jacket.

"I've had a passion for automobiles since I was a child and am an avid car collector," explains the label's founder Federico Alvarez Castillo. "This appreciation for beautiful cars has played a central role in the design and aesthetic of Etiqueta Negra as a brand from its inception. It was only appropriate to integrate the vehicles into the design of the clothes." Etiqueta Negra, which means "Black Label", is committed to impeccable craftsmanship and the highest quality fabrics, from Pima cotton to fine denim, cashmere and merino.

They also offer a line of leather shoes designed exclusively for them by Casa Fagliano, the Argentina-based maker of Prince Charles' bespoke polo boots. Prices for the princely footwear begin at $2,500 a pair. Etiqueta Negra also sponsors a polo team in Argentina called Ellerstina, ranked as one of the country's best, which serves as the mascot for its Polo Team Collection comprised of chic sporting classics. Both collections are now available in the company's stores, including the recently opened New York outpost. The stylish spaces (above) are decorated with vintage leather luggage, racing helmets and handmade riding boots set against a background of dark wood paneling, iron beams, black and white photography and vintage-inspired industrial lighting.

Gallery: Etiqueta Negra Classic Cars

Tags: Alfa Romeo, Argentina, car, classic cars, equestrian, Etiqueta Negra, Ferrari, horses, leather, luggage, Maserati, mens style, motor racing, motorcycle, New York, polo, Prince Charles, Sienna Miller, sporting

Continue reading “The Classicist: Etiqueta Negra Launches 'Classic Cars' Collection”

Sixty Years of Formula One Racing in Photos

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Sports, Books

Autocourse: 60 Years of World Championship Grand Prix Motor Racing, new from Motorbooks / Icon Publishing, is a lavishly-illustrated account of the globally successful FIA Formula 1 World Championship from its roots before World War II to the present day. After the war came the glamorous era of the winning Alfa Romeos, followed by stunning victories from Ferrari and Maserati in the 1950s maintaining the Italian tradition before mighty Mercedes captured the crown; along the way technological advances causing several re-inventions. The book follows the action in over 500 images evoking the drivers - the great Michael Schumacher gets his very own chapter – cars, circuits, personalities and issues of each era. The back of the book contains a useful compendium of statistics, champions and more. With more and more countries vying with each other to gain the right to stage a Formula 1 contest, and as the calendar heads towards a twenty-race season, the book also looks forward to the megabucks sport's seventh decade as new teams arrive to take on the established giants.

Tags: Alfa Romeo, books, cars, coffee table books, Ferrari, Formula 1, Formula One, Maserati, Mercedes, Michael Schumacher, motor racing, racecar, racing, sports, World War II

Lotus Offers Limited Edition F1-Style Racers for $1 Million Apiece

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Sports

Got a need for speed and a million bucks burning a hole in your pocket? Lotus has just the thing: a new limited edition Formula 1-style racecar for motorsports enthusiasts and gentleman racers. Just unveiled at the Monterey Motorsports Pre-Reunion in California, the Lotus Exos Type 125 is a Formula 1-inspired track car pairing F1 design and technology with a 650 hp Cosworth V8 engine. Only 25 examples will be built and sold at $1 million apiece, forming a new race league for owners that will also help Lotus develop a new F1 program. With a carbon fiber monocoque chassis and F1 styling, the car also features carbon ceramic brakes and carbon fiber pushrod suspension. Purchasers will be founding members of the exclusive Exos Club, which includes driver training overseen by a team of Lotus engineers, race drivers, mechanics, physical trainers and even physicians – just like the pros.

Tags: California, carbon fiber, Formula 1, Formula One, Lotus, Monterey, motor racing, motorsports, racecar, racing

World's Most Expensive Porsche Sells for $4 Million in Monterey

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

A rare 1970s Porsche racecar just fetched $4 million at Bonhams' sale in Monterey, setting a new world record for the most expensive Porsche ever sold at auction. The stunning and historic car, the ex-Jurgen Neuhaus/Jurgen Barth 1972-73 European Interserie and David Hobbs/Mike Hailwood Gulf-JW Automotive team 1972-73 Porsche 917 Interserie Spyder, neé 1970 Gulf-JWA Le Mans 917K Coupe (above), was hammered down after fierce bidding. The car is similar to the famed model driven by Steve McQueen in Le Mans. Many other strong prices were attained for Bonhams' rarest offerings, including a 1930 Mercedes-Benz 7.1 Liter SS Tourer for $2.5 million, and the ex-works, Gerhard Mitter/Lucien Bianchi Nurburgring 1000 kms-leading 1967 Porsche 910 Endurance Racing Works Coupe for $800,000. Earlier we reported on the nine Ferraris which each fetched over $1 million at RM Auctions' own Monterey sale.

Tags: Bonhams, California, classic cars, Ferrari, Le Mans, Mercedes-Benz, Monterey, motor racing, motorsports, Porsche, Porsche 917, racecar, RM Auctions, Steve McQueen, world record, worlds most expensive

Rare Racers at Ferrari Event in Nurburgring

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events, Sports

An incredible array of Ferrari race cars just converged on Germany's famed Nurburgring circuit for three days of test-driving under the legendary Italian marque's Corse Clienti department. 15 Ferrari 599XX and 4 Enzo-based Ferrari FXXs were joined on the track by 10 rare Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 cars, among the world's most desirable vehicles. Amongst them was the F190 raced by Nigel Mansell in the 1990 Formula 1 Championship; the 412 T1 with which Gerhard Berger won the 1994 German Grand Prix; the F300, which was the 45th car built by Scuderia Ferrari for the 1998 season, driven to six wins by Michael Schumacher; and the F2001, with which the German champion won nine races. Also present was the more recent F2007, which took both World titles for the Scuderia team. The beautiful thoroughbred racers are almost as much fun to look at as to drive.

Gallery: Ferrari Corse Clienti Event at Nurburgring

Tags: Ferrari, Ferrari 599XX, Ferrari FXX, Formula 1, Germany, Michael Schumacher, motor racing, Nurburgring, racing, supercar

Magnum Opus: The $40,000 Ferrari Book

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Books

UK ultra-luxury publisher Kraken Opus, known for using real blood in some of their outlandish tomes, plans to charge $40,000 for a forthcoming book on Ferrari. The epic volume, which will be limited to just 399 copies, is signed by all living Ferrari champion racing drivers. The text is contributed by the world's finest automotive writers and interviewers, accompanied by hundreds of rare and previously unpublished archival images, including unseen pictures of Enzo Ferrari's villa and action inside Formula One racing pits, along with specially-commissioned photographs and illustrations. Opus uses special color processes and only the highest grade paper stocks, and each book is individually hand-bound and designed to stand the test of time and increase in value. A hedge-fund manager has already ordered 20 copies of the book (or $800,000 worth) and will pay Kraken a quarterly fee to store them in a climate-controlled facility, Karl Fowler, CEO of parent company Opus Media Group, tells the Wall St. Journal. Of course, for $40,000 you could buy a real Ferrari, albeit an older model like a 308 or Mondial.

Tags: books, coffee table books, Enzo Ferrari, Ferrari, Formula One, Kraken Opus, motor racing, publisher, racing, supercar, UK

Aston Martin Racing Luggage by Globe-Trotter for Hackett of London

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Luxury Cars & Autos, Men's Style

Hackett, the classic British clothing and accessories company that's the official partner of the Aston Martin Racing team, has come out with a new line of Aston Martin Racing luggage created in collaboration with Globe-Trotter, makers of fine travel cases since 1897. Part of a new collection of Hackett luggage designed by the famed firm, the hard-sided Aston Martin cases are finished in classic British Racing Green with leather straps, handles and detailing. The Aston Martin logo and British flag are featured on the outside while the interior is lined with Union Jack fabric. In addition to the Aston Martin range, the collection includes black Mayfair cases with a Prince of Wales checked lining, and the navy blue London range with a blue and white Bengal stripe interior. Prices start at about $750 with monogramming available for an additional $120. Last year The Classicist wrote about Hackett's full range of stylish Aston Martin Racing clothing and accessories.

Gallery: Globe-Trotter for Hackett

Tags: Aston Martin, Globe-Trotter, Hackett, leather, London, luggage, motor racing, racing, suitcase, Union Jack

Rolex Names Le Mans Champ Tom Kristensen New Brand Ambassador

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Luxury Cars & Autos, Sports

Danish racecar driver Tom Kristensen, winner of Le Mans a record-breaking eight times, has been named as Rolex's newest ambassador following the longstanding practice of the famed Swiss watch brand's association with world-class athletes. Rolex has never before made an official announcement naming an ambassador, but Danish Rolex retailer Klarlund persuaded them to make an exception this time. "Not only are we proud of Tom Kristensen's victories, we are also very proud hosts of such a rare and special occasion," Klarlund managing director Stig Andersen told Worldtempus after presenting the new ambassador with a Rolex Daytona Everose, one of Rolex's gifts to its new sporting face. Kristensen will also receive a Rolex Milgauss outfitted with a green sapphire crystal.

[via LuxuryLaunches]

Tags: Denmark, Le Mans, motor racing, racecar, racecar driver, racing, Rolex, Rolex Daytona, Swiss watch

TAG Heuer Limited Edition Split-Seconds Stopwatch

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

As part of its ongoing 150th anniversary celebrations, TAG Heuer is releasing a limited edition stopwatch that has a big dose of Steve McQueen style. Harking back to Heuer's racing heritage and evocative of the Heuer instruments on McQueen's Siata Spyder or "Little Ferrari". The STH810 Limited Edition Split-seconds Stopwatch features a 55mm chrome-plated brass case weighing in at 120g, or roughly equivalent to a standard TAG Heuer watch case (without bracelet). The movement encompasses 9 jewels, and features a tough anti-magnetic spring and reasonable shock protection. It records time to within 1/5^th of a second, and has a split action timer measuring start, stop, and time-out.The crystal is made of Plexiglass. Each stopwatch comes in a leather presentation box and has limited edition numbering on the back, and the series is limited to 1,860 pieces worldwide - the year the brand was founded with Edouard Heuer's first pocket watch.

[via Watch Happening]

Tags: Heuer, motor racing, racing, Steve McQueen, stopwatch, TAG Heuer, watch

The Classicist: Caracalla Bagaglio Commemorative Motorsport Collection

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Men's Style, The Classicist

Caracalla Bagaglio Commemorative Motorsport Collection

Simon Jordan takes his supercars seriously. He is the director of Cortese, an independent Ferrari and Maserati showroom located in Bath, UK on the Priston Mill Estate, where you can pick up an F430, Testarossa or GranSport as well as classic and racing models. It also houses his vast collection of Ferrari and Maserati memorabilia, including a library of books, pictures and models dating back to 1947. For Jordan, thoroughbred automobiles are a way of life. Hence he has also created Caracalla Bagaglio, a line of Italian leather goods designed to complement the world's greatest cars. The line takes its name from the Terme di Caracalla race circuit in Rome, where Ferrari won its first race in 1947, and its main range is the Commemorative Motorsport Collection featuring leather bags and holdalls dedicated to pivotal moments in racing history.

Skilled artisans hand make each bag in Tuscany from the finest leather in a process of craftsmanship passed down over generations. Each piece relates to the history of famous race car marques, drivers and racing numbers, and are endorsed by racing legends such as Sir Stirling Moss, Niki Lauda and Emerson Fittipaldi. Each piece closely matches the color (interior or exterior) and racing livery of the car it's designed to celebrate. The Moss No. 7 bag (priced at £295) for example, commemorates Sir Stirling Moss's victory at Goodwood in 1961 driving the legendary Ferrari 250 SWB bearing the number 7, Moss' favorite. Finished in dark blue leather to match the original paintwork it features Moss' official signature embossed into the white center panel, and Moss himself owns one of the bags.

Gallery: Caracalla Bagaglio Motorsport Collection