Former IndyCar driver Davey Hamilton tries his hardest to go the right direction on the race track, but back home in Indiana, hed prefer facing the wrong way in a 1952 Ford pickup.The story comes courtesy of %7B%22provider_name%22:%22YouTube%22,%22provider_url%22:%22https:%5C/%5C/www.youtube.com%5C/%22,%22object_url%22:%22https:%5C/%5C/youtu.be%5C/>%22,%22type%22:%22oembed%22,%22channels%22:%5B%22desktop%22,%22tablet%22,%22phone%22%5D%7D target=_blank rel=noopener>Barcroft Cars’ Ridiculous Rides, which profiled Hamilton and his ridiculous custom truck built to be driven down the road bed-first.Construction started by essentially turning the body around on the frame. The engine now resides in the bed, while the gas tank sits under the hood. Power comes from a Chevy 350 (sacrilege!) connected to a Turbo 350 transmission.The interior has undergone a complete transformation, besides the seats just being turned around. A section of the rear cab had to be cut out for Hamilton to put his feet somewhere, never mind the pedals. The steering wheel now comes up at an angle more akin to a bus, and the entire dashboard is a custom-fabricated piece. The backwards truck is without a doubt a confusing creation, even befuddling Hamilton himself like when he enters the truck, for example, since the drivers side door is now on the passenger side.Hamilton says people get a kick out of it, and that its fun when it makes somebodys day. And at the end of it, thats what hot-rodding is all about, isnt it? Having fun, and not taking life too seriously too many people have that
Origin: Racer builds 1950s Ford truck that drives backwards
racer
Bentley to make new versions of pre-war Blower racer
Bentley will make 12 new versions of its famous 1929 4.5-litre supercharged Blower, in what it claims to be the first-ever continuation run of a pre-war race car. Just four examples of the Blower were built by Sir Tim Birkin in the 1920s, all of which were used in endurance events, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. All four machines survive and are now the most valuable Bentleys in existence. The 12 Blower Continuation Series models – one for each race that the original four chassis competed in – will be identical to the originals bare minor updates for safety. They will retain a pressed steel frame, leaf spring suspension and 400mm mechanical drum brakes, along with the original car’s supercharged four-cylinder 16-valve 4398cc engine, which makes 240bhp. To make them, Bentley’s Mulliner division will disassemble its own Blower – chassis HB 3403 – to individual parts, before cataloguing and scanning each to crease a digital model. Bentley’s engineers will then use 1920s moulds and tooling jigs to create 12 sets of parts based on that model, which will then be assembled into complete cars. The original Bentley, which continues to be used regularly in display events, will then be restored and rebuilt. Bentley boss Adrian Hallmark said: “We know there’s demand for genuine recreations that can be used, enjoyed and loved without risk to the prized originals.” He added that the new Blowers would “not only be an homage to our heritage, they will (also) be a celebration of the outstanding skills of our Mulliner craftspeople.” The project follows the recent Continental GT Number 9 Edition, a limited-run of Bentley’s new grand tourer featuring design nods to the Blowers. Bentley says it will take around two years to complete the 12-car series. Prices haven’t been
Origin: Bentley to make new versions of pre-war Blower racer
VW ID R: electric racer beats Goodwood hillclimb record
The 671bhp ID R broke the outright record at the Pikes Peak hill climb last year, but needed heavy modifications to cope with the 12.9-mile Nordschleife’s long straights and fast corners. They included a new F1-inspired aerodynamics package, which added a new rear wing, redesigned front splitter and drag reduction system (DRS) which, when deployed, reduces downforce by as much as 20%. Changes to the energy management system help the car reach its top speed faster, while using less energy from its twin lithium-ion battery packs. Driver Romain Dumas, who has won the Nurburgring 24-hour race four times dethroned the Nio EP9 electric hypercar by over 40 seconds. It set the previous record for fastest EV around the ‘Ring in 2017 with a time of 6:45.90. “The extent to which the ID. R has been continuously developed compared to 2018 is impressive,” Dumas explained. “I can’t wait to finally drive the ID. R on the Nordschleife.” Volkswagen also teamed up with free-to-play racing simulator RaceRoom to let players digitally compete with its real-world record attempt. A virtual version of the ID R was created using data from the original car, with VW Motorsport engineers helping to create a realistic driving experience. “The ID. R’s mission to be the spearhead of the fully electric ID. product family from Volkswagen continues in full force,” Volkswagen’s Motorsport Director Sven Smeets, said. “Once again, this time in 2019, the ID. R will demonstrate the great potential of electric drive, combining emissions-free technology with true
Origin: VW ID R: electric racer beats Goodwood hillclimb record
Drag racer plans mid-engined Hellephant wheelstanding Challenger for 2020
The 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Hemi Under Glass wheelstanderGoodwood Festival of Speed A brand new Hurst Hemi Under Glass drag racing wheelstander will be built by the drivers of the original car, based on a 2020 Dodge Challenger and powered by a 1,000-horsepower V8. According to Hemmings, the car will be built by Mike Mantel, who currently campaigns a 1968 model year Barracuda Hurst Hemi Under Glass built by Bob Riggle, one of the original drivers of the iconic 1965 Hurst Hemi Under Glass. Riggle had been campaigning the 1968 model since 1991, which makes it the longest-raced car of the series. Powering the wild car will be Dodge’s brand new Hellephant crate engine, which famously makes 1,000 horsepower and 950 lb.-ft. of torque from its 426 cubic inches, aided by a supercharger. The name Hemi Under Glass comes from a 1960s Barracuda wheelstander that had the engine behind the front seat, under the large fastback window. The new car will feature the same configuration, along with the same independent rear brakes for steering while doing wheelies; an undermounted radiator; and a window in the firewall so Mantel can see where he’s going. The idea came to Mantel a few years back, but when he pitched Bob Riggle about the idea, Riggle remarked people were only interested in seeing the vintage car run. Mantel showed a concept drawing to the crowd at the 2019 Spring Festival of LX, and the response was so positive that it reignited his desire to build the car. We’re super excited to see the vehicle as this is probably the first mid-engine conversion done to a Challenger, and the inclusion of the classic Cragar wheels as seen on the concept poster would send it over the top on the
Origin: Drag racer plans mid-engined Hellephant wheelstanding Challenger for 2020
All about car 