Mercedes 500e // Porsche built // Loon Wagon
Ruf's // 8-cylinder // Porsche 911

The legend that is RUF rocked up to the Geneva Motorshow with news that it is to make its own bespoke V8 engine for the next generation of its 911-based RGT model.
The all new in house designed features a flat-crank, dry-sump, 4.5-litre naturally aspirated V8. This monster new engine will develop 542bhp at 8500rpm and 369lb ft at 5400rpm. And, before you say the V8 will screw with the perfect balance of the 911 you might want to take note that it will be weighing in at less than 200kg...not a bad job I think you will agree!
I for one can't wait to get my hands on this one.
Phil
crankandpiston // shot of the day // Evil Ben's Yard // Air-Cooled madness

I feel a million miles away from what makes me tick when I see pictures like this. A country buggy (look it up), type3 notch back (again...look it up) and a Ghia all looking completely awesome on their highly detailed Porsche Fuchs wheels and slammed to the floor. Useless and completely awful to drive but awesome on every level.
We will be bring you bits and bobs from the Yard of Evil Ben's as and when it hits us.
Phil
Exotica London bound // Summer Holidays // Pt1
KAMAZ-4326 // David Coulthard // Random Awesomeness

Thanks to jalopnik.com I came across this rather humerous picture of ex F1 Driver and King of the Chin's, David Coulthard ripping it up in a KAMAZ-4326.
It must be hard to be a retired Formula One driver.....
The KAMAZ-4326 is a 4x4 Diesel-powered truck designed to haul cargo to remote, hard to reach areas. Kamaz says it can operate in any environment, functioning reliably anywhere from -22 degrees to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Kamaz won the truck class in the 2010 Dakar...Not surprisingly really!
Phil
AMS Evo X // Redline Time attack // Finals
I'm a HUGE fan of Redline Time Attack in the US and would dearly love for it to become a feature on the UAE's Motorsport Calendar. One of the super heavy hitters in the US series is AMS Performance with their super sexy and very delectable Mitsubishi EVO X which seems to have run faster and harder than most of the cars throughout the year to a point where they grabbed the Unlimited AWD Championship! Considering the effort and the workmanship that went into the car I almost expected it would happen.
Turn it up...revel in the sense of speed and enjoy.
Phil
Qatar International Road Racing Championship // Watch this space...

In that eternal search for anything motorsport related here in Qatar, I came across this small fledgling series that's ran at the local Losail International Circuit. The series is very similar to the original tin-top races held at the Autodrome a few years back when just a handful of like minded petrolheads raced just for the fun of it.
The series is based on two classes of cars either modified or stock with the race is run over 10 laps. Various machinery shows up, like an insane locally modified GTR through to a pretty looking stock Lotus Elise. Unfortunately I just missed the last race, so i'll try and catch the action for the next one at the end of the month.
Leigh
FIA GT1 Championship // A brief Intro
crankandpiston // shot of the day // Huge Turbo

There is something oh so right about this picture...The car, the composition and scene and of course that insane looking turbo poking out of the bonnet...I can almost hear the noise it would make.
Phil
Khaleji Motorsport // Ferrari F430 GTC // Given the nod????

The word on the street and the internet gossip forums is that the awesomely successful and gorgeous Khaleji Motorsport GT2 Ferrari F430 GTC has been given the nod to run in an Invitational Class in the UAE GT Championship.
The big question now is how many cars will appear in that wing mirror and for how long?!
Boys, can you clarify?
Phil
Backwards Entry // Nikko // wearedrift.com
May we present a latest update from our friend Luke Huxham (www.wearedrift.com). Drifting seems to be continuing to grow at an amazing rate to the point that if your not entering corners backwards now, you're not trying hard enough.
Nikko (Japan) is a great circuit to find out where the current level of drifting is at as drivers from all around Japan travel to Nikko to test, tweak and generally break the boundaries that we know.
The DVD that Luke is putting together is on course for a quarter 4 2010 release release date.
Phil
Mercedes 190SL // Old School cool
Sebastien Loeb // Flashback // 1999 // A legend was born
I love videos like this...not only is it another epic from youtube god amjayes, but it's one of a legend in the making rather than a legend in the past. Sebastian Loeb has what can only be described as complete and utter control over his sport and will hopefully continue to have that control until he either gets bored and moves on or retires. His car control is sublime and even when in a Citroen Saxo in the junior ranks you can see the car control and skill oozing from the car.
As always the pure engine sounds mean you need to wack that volume up....
Phil
UAE National Racing // Touring Cars // Round 5
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DXB Racing // The Promo
Well this has just landed and WOW! A great insight into DXB Racing and the efforts that they put into creating great collection of cars, a great team and from spending time with the guys a great atmosphere.
Enjoy, Phil
crankandpiston // shot of the day // splitting the flock

Thanks to Camden Thrasher for this great shot that he dragged out of his archives...
Phil
camdenthrasher.com
Lap57 // The Project // Dubai 24hrs // Honda Civic
I love stories of true endeavour, effort and camaraderie...all between a bunch people with a common goal. In this instance the common goal was building a car to enter, take part and complete the 2010 running of the now globally respected Dubai 24hrs.
Not only that it would be a home brewed effort by a team made up almost entirely of UAE Nationals made of brothers, family and friends...
So sit back and enjoy this great little clip sent to me by Omran Al Owais..
Phil
Porsche 918 Spyder // The Future Has Arrived

I was jumping up and down inside my dressing gown like a blurry eyed school boy when I sat down in front of my pc this morning. To my delight, right there in front of me was this rather special offering from Porsche, only uploaded to Youtube barely an hour previously.
What you see here is the Concept Study 918 Spyder, and I for one think it is something sensational. The future of the sports car? The future of performance driving? Well, big statements to make, but I am very tempted to say yes and I am very excited to see how this story unfolds.
Check out the superbly made video below, and we will definitely be looking at this car in more detail as more information comes through.
Luke.
UAE National Racing // Touring Cars // Rd5 // it is coming

Well Rd5 of the super competitive UAE Touring Car Championships has been and gone, yet there is still no sight of the report from the team here at Ranch C+P!!!! Can you believe it???
Believe me it is coming and yes we do have some great stories from theshadow that was hawking around all weekend....So please hang tight and the treats will flow.
Phil
Killer video // Tuerk’s Off Season // Drift Alliance // Motormavens
From our buddies over at www.motormavens.com (the coolest site out there), this awesome video gives a glimpse at what life is like for Formula Drift driver Ryan Tuerck during the off-season.
Life behind a desk never felt so bad!
Phil
















