Newly appointed President and CEO of MBUSA Nicholas Sparks introducing the 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC at the Media event on Wednesday at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
2019 Los Angeles Auto Show Highlights By: Brandon O'Brien
Starting this weekend the Los Angeles Auto Show will be open to the public. This year Twenty-seven manufacturers have their newest and best wares on display to wet the appetite of the car buying public. Notably absent was Volvo. Noticeably present was a lot of "blue". It appears that this years' favorite color for display is a light blue close to that used on the original BOSS 302's. Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Ford and Porsche used this color.
Since the movie "Ford vs Ferrari" debuted this past week lets start with that iconic manufacturer.
Which one, you say? Ford of course! Much of the talk since the early part of the week has been about the new electric "Mustang". It's called the Mustang Mach E4 X. It certainly does not look like a Mustang. Guess Ford is trying to get mileage out of the Mustang name.
World Premier of the 2020 Ford Mustang Mach E4 X at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
Also new this year and on display for the first time in Los Angeles is the 760 horse power Shelby GT500. Now, IT DOES look like a Mustang. One that can go "head-to-head" with the Hellcat and Demon. Time and testing will tell.
The aggressive front end on the 2020 Ford Shelby GT500. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
The 760 horse power 2020 Ford Shelby GT500 as seen at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
A real surprise has to do with the movie. On display, behind glass, is the real GT40
that had the overall win at the 1966 Le Mans event. This car was not used in the movie. I've seen the car before, in Monterey in 2017, but this time seemed more special. Being able to see this car is worth the price of the ticket and parking. See the movie, then come and see the real thing.
The 1966 Le Mans winning Ford GT40. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
The other car that was getting a lot of attention on Media Day was the new Chevrolet Corvette C8. Chevrolet had two on hand, one coupe and the other a convertible. The car is beautiful but to this writer it seems that most of the mid-engined automobiles have the same design characteristics and look. Put the new Corvette next to an Acura NSX or Ferrari 488 and you will see what I mean. On the lower level near the South Hall there is a display of early Corvettes.
The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 is the first mid-engined Corvette to reach production. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
The convertible hardtop Chevrolet Corvette C8 in a stunning light blue color as seen for the first time at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
1953 Chevrolet Corvette on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
Karma Automotive put on a nice display off the Concourse Hall next to the Galpin Hall of Customs. The Karma started life a few years ago as the Fisker Karma. The company went into bankruptcy in 2013 was bought out and became Karma Automotive. On display they have the Revero GT, GTS, and two concept cars; the SC1 Vision and SC2.
2020 Karma SC2 Concept on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
Under the cover is the Karma SC1 Vision. You will need to go to the show to see what it looks like. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
There are twenty-four other manufacturers so what follows are some of the other cars you will be able to see.
The 2020 all electric Mercedes-Benz EQC has 402 horse power and 564 lb-ft torque from four electric motors. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
The 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLS 6.3. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
The limited production 2020 BMW M2 CS. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
Built in collaboration with BMW the Toyota Supra is based on the BMW Z4. The is the GR Hyperboost Edition. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
The Toyota i-ROAD Concept is a single seater for travel in metropolitan areas. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
The new 2020 Porsche Taycan 4S was unveiled by Porsche at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport Carbon. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
The 2020 Alfa Romeo Tonale SUV on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
The KIA Habaniro Cross-over Concept seen at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
2019 Audi TT RS Coupe. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
1965 Honda S600 Roadster on display in the Honda area. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
2019 Aston Martin DB11 on display in the Galpin Hall. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
The 2020 Audi RS Q8 SUV has a whopping 591 horse power V8. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
Honoring 60 years is this Lifestyle Collection Mini. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
Santa's Dodge SRT Sleigh Demon on display direct from the North Pole. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)
The show is open to the public from November 22nd through December 1st and has a lot more than what I depicted here. Have fun!
TAGS:Los Angeles Auto Show, LA Auto Show, Automobiles, Car Show, Brandon O'Brien, Motor Driven Images, BMW, Audi, Porsche, VW, Volkswagen, Ford, Shelby, Corvette, Aston Martin, Galpin, Alfa Romeo, Ford, Mercedes-Benz
A pack of GT3 cars at the start of the Intercontinental GT Challenge California 8 Hours. Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images
California 8 Hours Has Worldwide Appeal Words By:Brandon J. O'Brien Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise specified
The 2019 Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli became the first major event of the racing season at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The Intercontinental GT Challenge features five endurance races on five continents (Australia, North America, Europe, Japan, and Africa). In 2019 it features eight manufacturers (Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Honda/Acura, Mercedes-AMG, Nissan, and Porsche) using GT3 homologated cars. WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca hosts the shortest race of the series at 8-hours with SPA hosting the longest at 24-hours.
Last year at Laguna Seca Tristian Vautier was crowned the series champion after finishing the 8-hour event in third place thus securing his title. Audi secured the manufacturers' title.
Tristian Vautier on his way to a Third Place finish securing his 2018 Driver's Title at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit: 2017 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images
One of the 2018 Audi Sport Team WRT Audi R8's that helped secure the 2018 Manufacturers Title. Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images
Mario Farnbacher's qualifying time of 1:23.156 in the No. 30 Honda Team Motul Honda NSX GT3 EVO placed him on the pole. The top ten positions were only separated by 0.558 seconds and included seven of the eight manufacturers. Filling out the grid was a GTC and few GT4 cars.
The Pole Winning Honda Team Motul Honda Acura NSX GT3 Evo exiting Turn 11. Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images
With twenty-two cars on the grid for the start the first 30 minutes was anything but boring. The No. 35 KCMG Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 took the initial lead followed closely by the No. 30 Honda Team Motul NSX GT3 Evo. They were followed closely by the remainder of the field. The No. 107 Bentley Team M-Sport Bentley Continental GT3 started from pit lane after not completing qualifying the previous day. Within 45-minutes he had caught up with the sister Bentley.
After about two hours of racing the first five positions were fairly well established with the No. 27 HubAuto Corsa Ferrari 488 GT3 leading followed by the No. 911 Park Place Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R, No. 34 Walkenhorst Motorsport BMW M6 GT3, No. 44 Mercedes-AMG Strakka Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3, and the No. 999 Mercedes-AMG GruppeM Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3. Excluding the normal position changes due to pit stops these five remained fairly constant.
The overall winning HubAuto Corsa Ferrari 488 GT3 after exiting the "corkscrew" at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images
With half the race run there were still about 15 cars on the lead lap and there had not been a full course yellow. This is primarily attributable to the high quality and professionalism of the drivers some of whom had never raced at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
The race continued into the late afternoon without incident and the final 30-minutes saw the top four being on the lead lap. It appeared that Augusto Farfus driving the No. 42 BMW Team Schnitzer BMW M6 GT3 in fifth place was trying and would have been able to get back on the lead lap if he had been driving on fresher tires.
The Team Schnitzer BMW M6 GT3 with A. Farfus trying to get back on the lead lap. Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images
The No. 27 HubAuto Corsa Ferrari 488 GT3 took the checkered followed 12.509 seconds later by the No. 999 Mercedes-AMG Team GruppeM Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 which in turn was followed 8.259 seconds later by the No. 911 Park Place Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3-R.
The Second Place finishing Mercedes-AMG Team GruppeM Mercedes-AMG GT3 during Friday Practice. Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images
The Third Place Park Place Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3-R leading a pack of cars through Turn 3 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images
The GTC and GT4 top finishers were the No. 88 ARC Bratislavia Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo and the No. 41 PF Racing Ford Mustang GT4.
The sole GTC ARC Bratislavia Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo (2015). Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images
The winning GT4 class PF Racing Ford Mustang GT4. Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images
With a third place at Bathhurst in the first event and a second place here, Maxi Buhk, Raffaele Marciello, and Maxi Gutz hold the drivers lead and Mercedes-AMG is leading the manufacturers championship.
The next stop for the Intercontinental GT Challenge will be on July 28 for the 24-Hours of SPA.
TAGS:Acura, Audi, Augustus Farfus, Bentley, Bentley Continental GT3, Bentley Team M-Sport, BMW, BMW M6 GT3, Brandon O'Brien, California 8 Hours, Ferrari, Ferrari 488 GT3, Honda, HubAuto Corsa, Intercontinental GT Challenge, Maxi Buhk, Maxi Gutz, Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-AMG GT3, Motor Driven Images, Nissan, NSX GT3 EVO, Park Place Motorsports, Porsche, Porsche 911 GT3-R, Raffaele Marciello, Strakka Racing, Team GruppeM Racing, Team Schnitzer, Walkenhorst Motorsport, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
GT4 West Competes in Rounds 3 and 4 At WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
Words By: Brandon J. O'BrienImage Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise specified
Beginning this year, GT4 America began two regional series integrated into its Sprint X Championship. The regional series consist of five rounds each in the eastern and western sides of North America in a two-driver, pro-am format. Rounds 3 and 4 were contested this past weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Friday morning dawned cold and wet after a light rain fell through some of the night. By race time the track was fairly dry and the cars were able to take to the track on dry tires. The top three finishers of the first race (Round 3) were the No. 19 Stephen Cameron Racing BMW M4 GT4 co-driven by Sean Quinlan and Gregory Liefooghe, the No. 5 USRD Ginetta G55 co-driven by Jeff Bader and Casey Dennis, and the No. 91 Rearden Racing Audi R8 LMS GT4 driven by Vesko Kozarov and Jeff Burton.
Race 1 Winning No. 19 Stephen Cameron Racing BMW M4 GT4 co-driven by Sean Quinlan and Gregory Liefooghe. Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images
2nd Place No. 5 USRD Ginetta G55 co-driven by Jeff Bader and Casey Dennis. Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images
3rd Place No. 91 Rearden Racing Audi R8 LMS GT4 driven by Vesko Kozarov and Jeff Burton. Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images
Race 2 was run in the afternoon and the track conditions and weather had improved markedly. The top three finishers for this race (Round 4) were the No. 28 ST Racing BMW M4 GT4 co- driven by Jon Miller and Harry Gottsacker, followed by the No. 19 Stephen Cameron Racing BMW M4 GT4 driven by Sean Quinlan and Gregory Lieffoghe. Third Place was taken by the No. 67 TRG-The Racers Group Porsche 718 Cayman CS MR driven by Kevin Woods and Chris Bellomo.
After just passing the No. 19 BMW the No. 28 ST Racing BMW M4 GT4 co- driven by Jon Miller and Harry Gottsacker takes 1st Place. Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images
The 2nd Place No. 19 Stephen Cameron Racing BMW M4 GT4 driven by Sean Quinlan and Gregory Liefooghe heading up to Turn 6 in the previous race. Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images
3rd Place No. 67 TRG-The Racers Group Porsche 718 Cayman CS MR driven by Kevin Woods and Chris Bellomo. Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images
ENDS
TAGS:Audi, Audi R8 LMS GT4, BMW, BMW M4 GT4, Brandon O'Brien, Casy Dennis, Chris Bellomo, Ginetta G55, Gregory Liefooghe, Harry Gottsacker, Jeff Bader, Jon Miller, Kevin Woods, Motor Driven Images, Porsche, Porsche Cayman 718 Cayman, Rearden Racing, Sean Quinlan, Stephen Cameron Racing, ST Racing, TRG-The Racers Group, Vesko Kozarov, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
