AUTO MANIA

by Dr. Iain Corness

Thailand’s Car of The Year (COTY) awards

I was out at the Bira Circuit last weekend while they were testing the contenders for the COTY awards. The cars were lumped into various categories, with judges drawn from places such as Chulalongkorn University.
For me, three cars stood out. The newly released Yaris, which looks very much like an A Series Mercedes Benz from the side (at one third of the price), the new Honda Civic which looks better and better every time I see one, and the new Mazda MX5 which still has managed to look like the first one, but incorporating the aggressive looks around the wheel arches of the RX8.


Formula V6 Asia by Renault

Asian motor racing gained another formula last week, with the announcement in Hong Kong of the launch of Formula V6 Asia by Renault, a brand new series set to change the face of the sport in the region and massively increase the odds of Asian racers reaching Formula One.

David Sonenscher (left) and Jean Paul Mari

For the first time, Southeast Asian-based drivers will be able to progress from karting, through the ranks of junior single seaters, such as Formula BMW, and step up to a program specifically designed to groom them for the pinnacle of international motorsport - Formula One.
Speaking at the launch, Malaysian-based Motorsport Asia’s Chief Executive Officer David Sonenscher (himself an ex-Asian open wheel racing champion) said he believes both the concept behind the series, and the timing of its introduction, are good news for the sport: “Until now, drivers reaching that crucial point in their careers where they have successfully mastered junior single seater racing and are ready to take the next step have had to move to Europe to do so. This can be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for several reasons such as cost, on-going education, or their sponsor’s reluctance to follow them outside Asia. Formula V6 Asia by Renault will give these drivers a chance to develop in the very highest category of single seater racing below Formula One without leaving the region. It puts a whole new face on the sport here in Asia, will give a far greater number of our drivers a realistic shot at Formula One, and I am sure will encourage a lot more youngsters to consider motorsport as a career.”
France-based Renault Sport Technologies’ Motor Sport and Communications Director Jean Paul Mari, also in Hong Kong for the launch said, “I am convinced that this is a genuine opportunity to develop motorsport in this part of the world and to create a real driver development programme leading to Formula One. The Asian market now needs a top-of-the-range single seater category to meet the expectations of drivers moving across from Formula BMW, Formula Renault and Formula 3. The car has all the necessary features: carbon fibre structure and HANS (Head and Neck Support System), left-foot braking, carbon brakes and steering wheel-mounted sequential gearshift.”
The car, which can reach top speeds of up to 275kph, is powered by a 370 bhp, 3.5 litre 24 valve V6 engine, and is equipped with “ship to shore” radio, electronic-display steering wheels and data acquisition. All cars will use Michelin Radial tyres.
The provisional calendar for the inaugural Formula V6 Asia by Renault season will be comprised of 12 rounds at six venues, beginning at Malaysia’s state-of-the-art Sepang International Circuit on April 15-16. From there, the series will form part of the Asian Festival of Speed (AFOS) weekend at South Korean’s new race facility at Ansan on May 13-14, before returning to Sepang for a further two rounds on June 24-25. The second of the three AFOS events the series will join is at Indonesia’s Sentul Circuit on July 22-23, followed by two rounds at Zhuhai International Circuit on August 12-13. The final two rounds will be held as part of the AFOS weekend at a second new race track in Taichung, Taiwan on October 21-22. Unfortunately, Thailand misses out on this formula, but perhaps next year?
The fleet of cars which will race in Asia successfully took part in a European championship for two seasons. The fusion of the V6 championship with the World Series by Nissan presented the opportunity to create Asia’s most senior single seater series ever. Renault Sport has completely renovated all the cars, and the engines, gearboxes, shock absorbers and chassis have all be reconditioned to the highest standards.
Motorsport Asia, the company behind the highly successful AFOS racing weekends which include the Asian Touring Car Championship, the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, and Formula BMW Asia, is the region’s leading motorsport outfit. The new partnership will marry Renault’s impressive motor racing pedigree with Motorsport Asia’s regional know-how and experience.


All-Japanese line-up for new F1 team

The new (and hastily cobbled together) Super Aguri F1 team has finally confirmed its 2006 driver line-up with Takuma Sato and Yuji Ide, another Japanese compatriot, taking the two race-seats.

Sato

Since the inception of the team, reports have been doing the rounds suggesting that not only would team boss Aguri Suzuki sign Sato as his number one driver but he would also opt for an all-Japanese line-up. Those reports have now proven to be true.
Sato, who was dropped by BAR (now called Honda) at the end of last season, is delighted to have the chance to race for the team in its debut F1 season, and to maintain his association with Honda, particularly since he has blown up more Honda engines than anyone on the planet.
“Everyone at Super Aguri has done a great job to make the team happen in such a short period of time (they are using three year old Arrows chassis). I am extremely excited to be working with the team and especially with Aguri-san who has achieved huge success in motorsport,” said Sato.
The second driver, Ide, who was runner up in the 2005 Formula Nippon Series, will be making his F1 debut in what he says will be a “very exciting and challenging” year for himself and the Super Aguri team.
“I would like to thank Suzuki-san for giving me the opportunity to drive in Formula One. I drove an F1 car for the first time yesterday and I was nervous, but very excited. The car is powerful!”
Team boss Suzuki added, “I am grateful that these highly experienced drivers are joining my team. Although I expect a tough year as it is our first in Formula One, with these two drivers I will put all my efforts into creating a positive outcome.”
Considering they are going to be running ‘old’ cars and second-string Honda engines, there will be a new name at the tail of the field. The biggest problem for the top teams will, however, be Sato. Trying to get past without getting a helping hand into the guard rails!


Autotrivia Quiz

Last week I mentioned there was a vehicle built in the USA which you could buy with amphibious drive gear as an optional extra. I asked what was its name? It was called the Monocoque Box, which had a transverse 1.6 litre Honda engine running Keihin carburetion (and sounds like an enlarged version of the Honda CBR engine), four wheel drive, two seats and a front opening door. It looked very much like a box too!
So to this week. From which country did the mechanicals for the first Morris Cowleys (1915-1919) come? This one is easy!
For the Automania FREE beer this week, be the first correct answer to email [email protected]
Good luck!


New Lexus ES packs more power, options

Automotive News in the US has given the new entry-level Lexus the thumbs up after its release at the Chicago motor show this month. The 2007 Lexus ES 350 lands in dealerships in April, packing an impressive array of technology for a near-luxury car.
According to Automotive News, even the motor mounts, a common off the shelf item for most automakers, are high-tech. The mounts have electronic solenoids that reduce vibration when the engine is started.

Lexus ES 350

The front wheel drive ES 350, which replaces the ES 330, is a softer, smoother, quieter sedan aimed at an older crowd than the IS. Though the car is based on the underpinnings of the Toyota Avalon, the ES 350’s styling has a family resemblance to other Lexus sedans; however, the power-train, interior and suspension tuning are unique to the ES 350.
Some of the ES 350’s technical highlights include a six-speed automatic transmission, a first for a front wheel drive car from Toyota, and a 272-hp, aluminium, 3.5 litre V6 that has variable valve timing, delivers 0 to 100 kph performance in less than seven seconds and gets an estimated 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Other techo items are antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, plus stability and traction control.
Optional equipment includes a three-panel glass roof, radar-based adaptive cruise control, rain-sensing windshield wipers and a parking-assist system that warns the driver when the car gets too close to an object.
At this stage the Lexus ES 350 is only being produced in left hand drive, but if the car is popular, Toyota will reconsider this. To my eye, the car is somewhat drab, and brings to mind a two year old Camry design, but it will be interesting to see it in the flesh.


How long it takes to build an Effwun car?

Ever wondered just how long it takes to design and construct a brand-new F1 car? McLaren have published a ‘design timeline’ of their new MP4-21 as it evolved from a mere concept to a state of the art motor car ready for the 2006 season.
First engine design meeting: August 2004
Engine specification first issue: October 2004
Layout work started on MP4-21: April 2005
First design meeting: April 2005
Gearbox simulation: Mid April 2005
Car specification first issue: May 2005
First scheming of gearbox: May 2005
First dyno test for V8 engine: June 2005
Wind tunnel work commences: Early July 2005
First drawing for gearbox: July 2005
Datum sheet issue, final dimensions: August 2005
First track test for V8 engine: September 2005
Gearbox production begun: September 2005
Chassis manufacturing begun: October 2005
Car mock-up ready: Chassis – November 2005; Initial engine – November 2005; Final engine – December 2005
First chassis ready for bonding: December 2005
FIA test on first chassis: December 2005
First car build started: December 2005
First car build finished: January 2006
First track test of MP4-21: 23rd January 2006
Cars depart McLaren Technology Center for first race: Friday 3rd March 2006.
Ignoring the ‘pre-event’ planning, work on the new car began in earnest in April 2005, and it turned its first wheel in January 2006. That’s about nine months, as very human-like gestation period!