Cute, streamlined, and boasting zero emissions, the new electric Bentley Greenpower tops out at 40mph while running on two 12-volt batteries that power its lightweight motor. Built by a group of Bentley factory apprentices (who are now referred to as Team Bentley) the one-wheel-drive car is comprised mostly of carbon fibre and features a bright chromed grill, Bentley leather interior and a custom Bentley-branded steering wheel. The car will participate in several races throughout the summer with the final one happening at Goodwood in October.

Via Edmunds

Going to a big horse race is about more than just cheering on your favorite pick, it's also all about fashion, parties, and socializing with the uber-rich. Depending on where you're headed, carnivals are scheduled around the races, there are parties galore, and no shortage of supermodels or brand name and designer goods up for sale and raffle. Horse races are big money, but the biggest of the them all is The Dubai World Cup. With a prize of $6 million dollars you can imagine what decadent luxuries they have available to keep people in the lap of luxury before, during, and after the actual running of the race. Read up and get an idea of the goings in in Dubai, plus several of the other richest horse races in the world, and get ready to plan your next vacation!

It would seem that NASCAR isn't just for the Budweiser-drinking, pickup-truck-driving, blue collar folk the stereotypes would have you think.

It's a dream-come-true for any sports fan -- get picked up in a limo, shuttled to the venue by helicpter, led on tours before the event of the pit and garages, then maybe take a trip or two around the track yourself. Then you're rushed up to a private suite overlooking the track by some 80 feet, where you dine on professionally-catered food and drink, trying not to grin like an idiot as the rumble of the vehicles buzzes the floor beneath your feet. Only the best for those who can afford it.

And afford it they do. Not only are luxury boxes available, but several tracks have condominium suites, featuring 8' x 25' windows with a view of the track, complete with bedrooms and baths to the tune of just $23,000 per weekend. NASCAR teams and even drivers own a few of these condos, while corporations and well-to-do fans own the rest.

Even without the condo, life can be good for NASCAR fans depending on the location of the race. The Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, for example, offers up the perfect opportunity for a wine tour and spa package after the checkered flag falls.

[Source: MSNBC]

Last year Woodford Reserve gave 50 traditional mint juleps a $1000 upgrade at the Kentucky Derby by using exotic ingredients and serving them in gold cups with silver straws. With the drinks providing such a unique keepsake and proceeds benefiting retired horses and jockeys through Thoroughbred Charities of America, the $1000 juleps were huge a success. So this year they'll be coming around again -- only with even more flair than before.

This year there will be a julep cup representing each of the Derby winners all the way from the first, Aristides, to the most recent, Barbaro. Those two, plus the 11 triple crown winners in between, will be auctioned off online between April 17th and May 1st -- and of course somewhat of a bidding war is expected over Barbaro's cup (it will be interesting to see who wins out on that one). Altogether this year there will be a grand total of 133 special edition mint juleps made, with only 10 being held back for sale at the actual race. In addition to those 10, and the 13 up for online auction, 109 are available to purchase online for $1000 each (first come first buy), and one will be reserved and sent to this year's Derby winner, free of charge.

As before, the juleps will leave nothing wanting in the way of exotic ingredients from around the world, featuring mint from Ireland, organic sugar from Australia, ice from the Bavarian Alps, and of course bourbon from Woodford Reserve.

The new 100 foot sloop Y3K from Wally Yacht was recently launched during a private ceremony. The new Y3K is an evolution of the old Y3K yacht, a 94-foot sloop which was sold and re-named Angle's share by her new owners. The new Y3K combines the lines of German Frers with the classic Wally style. The interior configuration is a bit different, the salon is aft and the owner's stateroom is located in the front of the vessel. The new Y3K is currently undergoing sea trails. She will be delivered to her new owner at then end of the month and then head off to Portofino to get ready for her first regatta in May.

[via BYM News]

For a racing junkie like actor Paul Newman there's no better place to be than Ferrari's headquarters. ANSA reports that the 81-year-old star visited Maranello and did several laps in a 599 GTB Fiorano. Newman, in addition to being a fine actor  was also at 70  the oldest driver to drive for a winning team in a major event. Newman was in Italy to visit the new camp that he is creating in Tuscany for kids who have diseases like cancer, leukemia and cystic fibrosis . Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang has camps all around the world that offer sick kids a chance to enjoy nature.

Newman has his own car racing team and is also currently trying to bring auto racing to an old rundown airfield in Brooklyn, New York. He wants to turn the airfield into a Grand Prix course and have a race to benefit charities and his children's camps.

Maserati is following in the footsteps of Ferrari and Land Rover and opening a  driving school. The Master Maserati North America Driving School is open to Maserati owners or anyone who wants to drive a Maserati around a world-class racetrack, Road Atlanta. The school will begin next month and will offer one-and two-day programs and will offer the GranSport, Quattroporte and Coupe. The school will be managed by Panoz Racing School and each course is limited to 18 participants per session. One-day courses will cost $1,800 with two-day courses at $3,400, not including airfare and transportation. Two-day courses will include a dinner and stay at the Chateau Elan Inn and Resort.

After having his armored BMW X5 stolen while eating lunch with his sons, David Beckham was offered a free Audi Q7 by Audi, which is the official sponsor of Beckham’s football team, Real Madrid. The car is his for the next year with only one caveat: Beckham has to drive it to training every day.

The Q7 is loaded with every extra that the company offers, making it worth around £70,000. It is a 4.2FSI in phantom black with pearl-effect paintwork and matching black leather interior. It is equipped with a car phone, flat screen television, Bose stereo, satellite navigation and a keyless entry and starting system. The first thing Beckham did with his new car was take it to the track – a challenging, professionally built track near the Real Madrid training grounds, where he tested its maneuverability and 154mph speed under the eyes of professional drivers.

Our friends at Autoblog found a company that produces "the perfect fusion between sport and jewels." The company is called Circuiti and, with designer Gianfranco Quartaroli, they make jewelery in the shape of internationally known motorcycle and auto racecourses.

Each piece in their collection can be made of steel or of gold, and are available with diamonds and without. A diamond is a popular way to mark the starting point of the course. The steel option might be the best choice of adornment for an everyday key chain, but the tracks set in gold with diamonds or other precious stones are the flashiest way for a fan to support his (or her) team. The stones can even be chosen to ensure that your pendant or cuff links will reflect your team affiliation. Prices start at around €64, depending up course and materials.

The Kentucky Derby just got a bit fancier. A $1,000 mint julep will be offered at this year's race at Churchill Downs on May 6. The $1,000 cocktail will be made of Woodford Reserve bourbon, mint from Morroco, ice from the Arctic Circle and sugar from the South Pacific and will be served in a gold-plated cup with a silver straw. The drink will go to the first  50 people willing to pay and the proceeds will raise money for Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation which provides homes for former race horses. If there was ever a place to sell such a drink, this would be it. The company usually sells about 90,000 mint juleps during the event.

Two new Vertu phones for racing fans. Vertu has announced their Racetrack Legends series. The first two phones in a series of six which pay homage to legendary tracks are Monza and Silverstone. The phones are available in limited, numbered editions of 1,000 each and feature racing tread rubber details and a map of the track laser-etched on the phone. The Monza is in red and the Silverstone is in green. They have also come out with a new color for their special editions, a summery azure blue (shown after the jump).

[Thanks, Marco]

Need an excuse to see the country this summer? The AKA Rally is a cross country rally which began in 2004. This year they plan to take 100 cars from Vegas to D.C. this year June 27 - July 3. This year's rally hits Albuquerque, Denver, St. Louis, Indianapolis and winds up in D.C. in time to celebrate the fourth of July. The events cost $3,000 for two people which includes hotels, breakfast, dinner and parties and special events. The only requirements for the car is that it is street legal and insured.