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DownShiftDownShift Mar / Apr 2013

www. DownShift Magazine .com our fairladyfairlady The Z33 Years Z

o n s c e n e at : ■ D ay to n a ■ A u s t i n ■ O r l a n d o ■ C h i c a g o RED LIGHT RACHEL RETURN of the ■ D e t r o i t distracts: skarsten ■ L a s V e g a s the big camera debate beautiful & determined ’s faith in concept ■ S e b r i n g May 16-19th Fontana Dam, 2013 NC Register for ZDayZX Today!

An annual event started in 2004 "By Enthusiasts For Enthusiasts" located near the Tail of the Dragon in the Smokey Mountains. This event attracts enthusiasts from all over the US and Canada.

ZDayZ is geared to all generations of the /Datsun Z car, Infiniti G's, Skyline's, and GT-R's, but all are welcome to enjoy the onsite and driving events held throughout the extended weekend. www.zdayz.com

2 Down Shift photos: forgedperformance.com table. of. contents

4 2013: Rolex 24 6 Our Fairlady Z: Z33 12 Red Light Cameras 14 2012: USGP Austin Register for ZDayZX Today! 16 McLaren To Debut P1 18 Festivals of Speed 20 BMW Z4 GTE 22 Tomorrow’s Performance 26 959 Prototype 27 Competion for GoPro 27 2013: Chicago 28 Music Spolight 30 The Genius of McLaren 32 2013: Detroit 34 Return of the DeltaWing 36 2012: SEMA 37 Actress Rachel Skarsten 38 Racing

DOWN SHIFT_staff Robert W. Maddrey, Jr._Editor Laura Maddrey_Creative Director Ric Quintanilla_Photographer J. Patrick Dean_Photographer Michael Coates_Photographer Paul Epperly_Analyst Steve Welk_Tamed Race Car Driver Garrick Hansen_Associate Associate Eliza Thompson_Administrative Vikram Saini, Esq._General Counsel model: taylor lane dsh, llc . po box 272652 tampa, fl 33688 . 813-448-3108 . downshiftmagazine.com Mar/Apr 2013 3 Rolex 51st Running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona Speedway 24Wrap Up

2013 Marks the Fifty-First until a racing incident clipping the wall while exiting As prosperous as the weekend was for BMW on the the pit lane. After fighting back to within two laps of the Daytona Prototypes front, it was inversely so for the GT Running of Florida’s Legendary leading 01 Ganassi car -the 02 car suffered a mechanical class. – who was to be represented Rolex 24 Hour Endurance Race at failure with approximately 4 hours to go. through two E92 M3’s and with star drivers like Bill Daytona International Speedway Auberlen, , and ultimately lost ground during practice with only one of the M3’s running After nearly 23 hours and 50 minutes – the race came versus the two originally planned. The #93 Turner M3 down to a successful a single, accurate pit stop for fuel went off during a practice session in which Andy Priaulx for the BMW-powered Racing with Felix crashed heavily due to a potential mechanical failure. Sabates BMW Riley 01 car with Motorsport legend Juan While Priaulx was ultimately OK and came away from Pablo Montoya in for the final stint. Was there need for the accident uninjured – the #93 chassis did not. After concern? a detailed assessment of the damage, the decision was made to not rebuild the car for the Rolex 24 – despite As has become typical for the Rolex 24 Hours in the the 93 car qualifying better in class in 18th compared last few years – the endurance race has become a to the 94 car’s 22nd. sprint race to the finish. The 01 car was under attack by in the Velocity Worldwide Corvette DP The sole Turner M3, and sole M3 in the whole of the Rolex car. Ironically, this late in the race both cars were low on 24, fought hard throughout the day, night and back into fuel with the 01 Ganassi car leading. In the closing minutes the day. However, it was no walk in the park as early into of the race, the Ganassi car dipped into the pits for a the night session the car developed mechanical issues splash of fuel, handing off the lead to the Velocity car. Out of the pits and back onto the track, Montoya found himself caught up by the heated battle between the trio of R8’s fighting their own sprint race – luckily, cutting through the GT’s Montoya was back on pace as the #10 Corvette DP dipped back into the pits for fuel giving the 01 Ganassi car a chance to regain the lead for the final two laps. With that the Ganassi team – powered by BMW S62 V8’s won another Rolex .

The victory proved historic – while Montoya was the driver to get the Daytona Prototype across the finish line for his third overall win in Daytona, today’s victory marks a fifth with for . That proves especially significant to Mr. Pruett as it ties him for number of wins with famed Porsche driver Hurley Haywood – legendary for piloting the blue and red striped Brumos cars over the last 40 years. Ganassi’s 02 piloted by Dario Franchitti, Jamie McMurray, and which had been running very well just behind the 01 car throughout most of the race

4 Down Shift resulting in a prolonged pitstop in which the car was Porsche Cayman which came second in GX class. The will be even more exciting brought back to the garage for more work. This delay diesels, reminiscent of the ’s running as the merger between Grand-Am and the American Le put Turner many, many laps down against the GT in the World Endurance Championship with their eerily Mans Series will be in full effect this time next year. competition. Ultimately, it was largely a battle between quiet through the corners, had a poor showing Here’s hoping to see a Z4 GTE or M3 taking its class the Ferrar 458’s of Team Corsa Michelotto and AIM with two retirements earlier in the race and the third next year! Autosport the new-to-Grand-Am Audi R8’s. Almost a sometime later. Despite a difficult weekend, it’s a 1-2-3 finish in GT, the RumBum R8 exhausted its fuel welcome sign to see new technologies like diesel on the final lap pushing them down to seventh in class racers finding their way into Grand-Am. with WeatherTech and Audi Sport Customer R8’s making it a 1-2 with the AIM Autosport 458 rounding All in all, the 2013 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona proved to out the podium in GT. be an exciting race. Though predictable in its nature, the sprint race that comes in the closing hours of the As far as GX class, the new, somewhat less regulated race is nothing short of impressive to see so many class – it was a mix of Porsche Caymans and Mazda contenders still in it all the way down to the finish. SkyActiv diesels with the Napleton Racing Cayman Beyond the finish, the diversity seen in the field with taking first in class while James Clay, owner of the the new GX class and the addition of the Audi R8’s in Continental Challenge Series team Bimmerworld GT plus a strong showing for the Corvette DP’s keeps was one of the drivers campaigning the Bullet Racing things interesting across the entire field. No doubt the

Mar/Apr 2013 5 6 Down Shift our fairladyfairlady

After production of the Z32 Nissan 300ZX ended in 1996, Nissan initially tried to keep the Z name alive by re-creating the 240Z the following year. The car was conceived by Nissan’s North American design team in their free time, and the concept was introduced in a four state Road Show in July 1998 to various car media, dealers and employees.

The 240Z concept was produced for the Detroit Motor Show for the following Au- gust and September. Nissan was unhappy with the first design as they felt the original 200 bhp 2.4 L engine known as the KA24DE that was going to be as- signed made the car feel under-powered they also felt the car was considered too “retro” or too “backward” resembling a futuristic 240Z; thus, a redesign was commissioned. During a press conference in February 2000, president Carlos Ghosn announced plans to produce the car as he felt the new model would help to assist the company’s recovery.

The Z Concept was unveiled in Detroit Motor Show two years later, which was similar in body shape but with a new front end. The car then underwent a mi- nor redesign and was eventually assigned the VQ35DE engine, hence becoming known as the 350Z.

The 350Z entered production in late 2002 and was sold and marketed as a 2003 model. The first year there was only a coupe, as the roadster did not debut until the following year. Initially, the coupe came in base, Enthusiast, Performance, Touring and Track versions, while the roadster was limited to Enthusiast and Touring trim levels. The Track trim came with lightweight wheels and Brembo brakes, but its suspension tuning was the same as all other coupes.

Released on August 20, 2002, the 350Z coupé was available in the U.S. in 5 trim packages: ’350Z’ (Base), ‘Enthusiast’, ‘Performance’, ‘Touring’, and ‘Track’ editions. In Europe, only the ‘Track’ trim was available, although it was badged and marketed as ’350Z’. model: Taylor Lane car: Track Edition, 2006 Z Mar/Apr 2013 7 In 2004 Nissan introduced the 350Z Roadster featuring an electrically retractable soft-top roof. In the U.S. market the car was available in just 2 trim packages (Enthusiast and Touring), while in Europe, the same versions as the coupé were offered. Nissan added the Grand Touring (GT) trim to the Roadster trim packages for 2005.

In 2005 Nissan launched a 35th Anniversary edition, with a revised exterior and interior (see Special Editions below). 35th Anniversary 6-speed manual models and Track models were a mid-year introduction, and included the 300HP/260 ft-lb Rev-up engine. Automatic -equipped 35th Anniversary edition models continued with the original VQ35DE with the 287HP 274 ft-lb powerplant.

For the 2006 model year, the 350Z received a number of notable changes for its mid-cycle facelift. The 300HP, 260ft-lb Rev- up engine that was introduced mid-year 2005 with 6-speed manual was offered for every trim now. The VQ35DE with 287HP and 274lb-ft was offered with the 5-speed automatic. New features included bi-xenon projectors, a revised front fascia, new LED rear lights, and changes to the interior trim. Touring and Grand Touring models have radio-steering controls standard, MP3 CD compatibility, and Satellite Radio became an available option. For the 2007 model year, the 350Z was again moderately revised. The VQ35DE V6 was replaced with a new VQ35HR V6. It produced 306 hp at 6800 rpm with 268 ft·lb at 4800 rpm using the revised SAE certified power benchmark. The hood was redesigned featuring a bulge reminiscent of the original 240Z in order to accommodate the revised twin-throttle design of the new VQ35HR V6 engine. In the US, trims levels were narrowed down to 350Z (base), Enthusiast, Touring, and Grand Touring, while in Europe the same trim levels remained. our fairladyfairlady Z

8 Down Shift Model: Taylor Lane Age: 26 Birthplace: Cleveland, OH Height: 5’7” Education: Ohio State and working towards a Masters in Communications Hobbies: Dancing, working out and shopping! Aspirations: Work for a top-25 market TV station Favorite Car: Audi R8 Words to Live By: “I’m the hero in this story. I don’t need to be saved.” I even have it tattooed on me! Lastly, Danger or Security?: Danger fairladyfairlady

Mar/Apr 2013 9 LUXURY LIFESTYLE JETPORT RECEPTION Tampa International Airport Friday, April 5th 2013

10TH ANNUAL MOTORSPORTS GATHERING Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club. St.Petersburg Sunday, April 7th 2013

WWW.FESTIVALSOFSPEED.COM 352-385-9450 LUXURY LIFESTYLE JETPORT RECEPTION Tampa International Airport Friday, April 5th 2013

10TH ANNUAL MOTORSPORTS GATHERING Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club. St.Petersburg Sunday, April 7th 2013

WWW.FESTIVALSOFSPEED.COM 352-385-9450 Do Red Light Cameras Negatively Impact Driver Safety?

Red Light Cameras Are Fiscal Genius But Do They Actually Improve Public Safety?

12 Down Shift Universally hated by drivers world-wide, the 3) Ticket recipients are not adequately notified. 8) There are better alternatives to cameras. implementation of red light cameras in American cities has Most governments using ticket cameras send out If intersection controls are properly engineered, found meteoric popularity with local city and county tickets via first class mail. There is no guarantee that installed, and operated, there will be very few red light governments. These days it seems that every intersection the accused motorists will even receive the ticket, violations. From the motorists’ perspective, government is a potential money maker where a low cost and high let alone understands it and know how to respond. funds should be used on improving intersections, not yield camera system can generate a constant and However, the government makes the assumption that on ticket cameras. Even in instances where cameras nearly incontestable revenue stream…all under the the ticket was received. If motorists fail to pay, it is were shown to decrease certain types of accidents, auspices of public safety. assumed that they did so on purpose, and a warrant they increased other accidents. Simple intersection may be issued for their arrest. and signal improvements can have lasting positive Quite simply no. These cameras are perhaps more effects, without negative consequences. Cities can dangerous than helpful and offer no real value to public 4) The driver of the vehicle is not positively choose to make intersections safer with sound traffic safety other than filling government coffers with budget identified. engineering or make money with ticket cameras. surpluses which might be argued can be reallocated to Typically, the photos taken by these cameras do not Unfortunately, many pick money over safety. community improvements and public works projects. identify the driver of the offending vehicle. The owner Though we are admittedly skeptical on that leap of of the vehicle is mailed the ticket, even if the owner 9) Ticket camera systems are designed to faith. In reality they may actually be making intersec- was not driving the vehicle and may not know who inconvenience motorists. tions more dangerous as drivers stop erratically to was driving at the time. The owner of the vehicle is Under the guise of protecting motorist privacy, the avoid the possibility of getting a ticket they cannot then forced to prove his or her innocence, often by court or private contractor that sends out tickets often contest and in doing so increase the number of rear- identifying the actual diver who may be a family refuses to send a copy of the photo to the accused end collisions at stoplights. So while we acknowledge member, friend or employee. vehicle owner. This is really because many of the that errant drivers who run red lights are a serious photos do not clearly depict the driver or the driver is problem and risk to everyone on the roads we refuse 5) Ticket recipients are not notified quickly. obviously not the vehicle owner. Typically, the vehicle to accept that red light cameras (particularly those People may not receive citations until days or some- owner is forced to travel to a courthouse or municipal which are not clearly posted with roadside signage… times weeks after the alleged violation. This makes building to even see the photograph, an obvious and yes I’m talking about you Florida) are the end-all be- it very difficult to defend oneself because it would be deliberate inconvenience meant to discourage ticket all solution. So clearly we’re not fans but let’s take a hard to remember the circumstances surrounding the challenges. closer examination as to why we’re not. supposed violation. There may have been a reason that someone would be speeding or in an intersection 10) Taking dangerous drivers’ pictures 1) Ticket cameras do not improve safety. after the light turned red. Even if the photo was taken doesn’t stop them. Despite the claims of companies that sell ticket in error, it may be very hard to recall the day in question. Photo enforcement devices do not apprehend cameras and provide related services, there is no seriously impaired, reckless or otherwise dangerous independent verification that photo enforcement 6) These devices discourage the drivers. A fugitive could fly through an intersection devices improve highway safety, reduce overall synchronization of traffic lights. at 100 mph and not even get his picture taken, as accidents, or improve traffic flow. Believing the When red light cameras are used to make money for long as the light was green! claims of companies that sell photo enforcement local governments, these governments are unlikely to equipment or municipalities that use this equipment jeopardize this income source. This includes traffic- is like believing any commercial produced by a light synchronization, which is the elimination of company that is trying to sell you something. unneeded lights and partial deactivation of other traffic lights during periods of low traffic. When properly 2) There is no certifiable witness to the done, traffic-light synchronization decreases congestion, alleged violation. pollution, and fuel consumption. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but it may also take a thousand words to explain what the picture 7) Cameras do not prevent most intersection really means. Even in those rare instances where a accidents. law enforcement officer is overseeing a ticket camera, Intersection accidents are just that, accidents. it is highly unlikely that the officer would recall the Motorists do not casually drive through red lights. supposed violation. For all practical purposes, there More likely, they do not see a given traffic light because is no “accuser” for motorists to confront, which is they are distracted, impaired, or unfamiliar with their a constitutional right. There is no one that can surroundings. Even the most flagrant of red light personally testify to the circumstances of the alleged violators will not drive blithely into a crowded violation, and just because a camera unit was operating intersection, against the light. Putting cameras on properly when it was set up does not mean it was poles and taking pictures will not stop these kinds operating properly when the picture was taken of any of accidents. given vehicle.

Mar/Apr 2013 13 2012 Austin USLewis Hamilton has wonGP back-to-back races in Jenson Button’s McLaren pitted on lap 35 after the United States – but they came five years an extended first stint on Pirelli’s hard compound apart after the Englishman took victory for . McLaren Mercedes in the inaugural United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas™. “Losing three points maybe was not in our thoughts Friday night after practice,” said Alonso, Hamilton, race winner at Indianapolis in 2007 for “so we are really happy again to have a very good the same team, said: “What a great feeling to Sunday and be still in the championship.” win the first Grand Prix here back in the States! I won last time here as well so I’m massively Earlier Button, who started from 12th position, proud.” refused to yield when Michael Schumacher’s Mercedes squeezed him into Turn 1 on lap 10, Starting from the front row of the 24-car grid, the Englishman competing a clean overtake to Hamilton, 27, passed polewinner Sebastian launch a fine drive through the field that ended Vettel’s Red Bull on lap 42 of 56 with a clean with fifth position behind Massa. move at the end of the DRS zone into Turn 12. Next up were the Lotus Renaults of Kimi It was his fourth win of 2012, the 21st of his Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean, who recovered Formula 1 career – and a highlight in his own from an early spin, with the Force India of Nico eyes. “That was my best win, guys!” yelled a Hulkenberg in 8th. The last two points-scoring delighted Hamilton to his pit crew, whom he places went to Williams pair Pastor Maldonado leaves at the end of this season. “That was and , who almost took each other wicked!” out with just four laps to go.

With Vettel second, the title fight continues to the In a clean, absorbing race there were only two last race in Brazil as Fernando Alonso’s retirements. The first was Jean-Eric Vergne in again fought through the field for the final the Toro Rosso, the second was Vettel’s Red Bull podium position. Vettel now leads by 13 points with teammate Mark Webber. The Australian was 25 more on offer next Sunday. While the German running third when he fell victim to another grumbled about traffic in the crucial moments of apparent alternator failure, a gremlin that has his fight with Hamilton, he was quick to see the plagued the Renault-engined team this season. positives.

“All weekend has been incredible for the whole Formula 1 paddock,” he said. “As Lewis said, the last race here, he won it; it was my first race in Formula 1 here in the United States and to come back and have so much support – so many fans at the signing session yesterday, it was absolutely crazy! – and a full house, it was really nice today to race in front of the fans.”

Alonso started seventh after teammate Felipe Massa took a late five-place penalty but the Spaniard rocketed through to fourth by the end of the opening lap. His race then ebbed and flowed with the pit stops, finally sealing third place when

14 Down Shift Mar/Apr 2013 15 McLaren has confirmed the production version of its P1 Exactly how it will get there was not explained, although an Production supercar, a prototype of which debuted in Paris last year, will even stouter version of the MP4-12C’s 3.8-liter twin-turbo- be revealed to the public at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show on charged V8 engine, possibly mated to a KERS (kinetic energy Ready March 5. Along with today’s confirmation, the British sports recovery system) hybrid system like those found in F1, is one car manufacturer has also given a preview of the P1’s new possibility. Total output could top 800 horsepower. McLaren P1 digital gauge cluster, which adopts a race-inspired digital dash readout. The car’s construction will be all carbon fiber. Built around what McLaren calls the MonoCage, the P1 uses a carbon-fiber To Debut As McLaren explains, the screen in Race mode includes a monocoque and roof structure to form a strong safety cage. bank of lights across the top that illuminate green, followed The structure of the MonoCage, unlike the 12C’s MonoCell, at Geneva by red, then blue. These act as a shift indicator, as in also serves to guide air into the engine through an integral McLaren’s own Formula One race car. roof snorkel and air intake ducts, saving further weight.

2013 Outside the cabin, the P1’s large, active rear wing extends The P1 is highly aerodynamic, carrying a drag coefficient of The Production Model and its pitch alters into an optimal aerodynamic position. just 0.34 despite generating 1,320 pounds of downforce at McLaren P1 Supercar speed. Part of that equation is the active rear wing, which Is Set To Debut at the That’s all McLaren is telling us now, although the automaker can extend up to 120mm on the road and 300mm on track, has already revealed some of the car’s specs. McLaren has all while changing angle of attack. Small adjustable flaps Geneva Motor Show on previously said the P1 will offer a better than 3.7-pound- under the front of the car further reduce drag or increase March 5th per-horsepower weight-to-power ratio. downforce.

16 Down Shift A new McLaren video on YouTube shows the digital dash readout in action.

“The visuals demonstrate what the driver will see as the McLaren P1 transitions into a fully-focused track car,” said McLaren in a statement. “On selecting Race mode, the large double element adjustable ‘active’ rear wing extends, and the pitch of the wing alters into an optimal aerodynamic position.

“In Race mode, the screen includes a bank of lights across the top, which illuminate green, followed by red and finally blue. These act as a shift indicator, as in a Formula 1 car."

Sales of the new P1 will commence later this year, during which McLaren celebrates its 50th anniversary. Pricing is expected to exceed $1 million.

Mar/Apr 2013 17 Now in it’s 7th year, the Orlando Festivals of Speed has really grown into a terrific week- The 7th end long celebration of automotive excellence and transportation oppulence, a festive weekend no better kicked off than with the much lauded jet-port reception at the Galaxy Annual Aviation hangar adjacent to busy Orlando International Airport. Orlando A celebration of exotic cars, personal jets and classic and collectible airplanes, the an- nual jet-port reception caters to a veritable who’s who of Orlando business and philan- Festivals thropy…an event where it is perhaps just as amusing to be seen as it is to bask in the glow of a McLaren MP4-12C. Offering a wide array of exotics and semi-exotics intermixed of Speed with Gulfstreams and their like, the evening turns the Galaxy Aviation hangar into a night club of sorts where the sounds of the live jazz band are ever so often accompanied by the tuned exhaust notes of exotic street legal race cars. A balanced gala that some how man- ages to be all things to all attendees the event offers a good time in a unique environment surrounded by only the best transportation options money can buy. Jet Port Jet

18 Down Shift It was a beautiful December afternoon on December 2nd, the perfect Some of our staff favorites: the all new-to-America BMW X1, the sort of winter day in Florida with with mild temperatures, clear skies and Ferrari Enzo and FF, the always eye catching Aston Martin Vanquish and The 7th ample sunlight perfectly punctuated by passing clouds. The perfect day of course the incredibly rare star of the show: the Veyron 16.4 Grand to be spent outside perusing the perfectly manicured grounds of the Ritz Sport Sang Bleu. Not a show favorite per say but one that none the less Annual Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes, gracious host to this year’s 7th annual deserves mention as it did make us all collectively scratch our heads; Orlando Festivals of Speed exotic car show. a mirror wrapped Infiniti G37…so ridiculously shiny and blindingly Orlando reflective as to be wholly illegal and terrifying to just imagine on the Highlights of the show included numerous McLaren MP4-12C’s, including roads of Florida or at large. Festivals the all new convertible model, multiple Bugatti Veyrons including the one of a kind Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Sang Bleu and of course a pleth- of Show Car Speed ora of various , Lamborghinis, Aston Martin and so much more.

Mar/Apr 2013 19 ALMS Debut for Team RLL’s BMW Z4 GTE

20 Down Shift BMW is embarking on a new chapter of its “There is a lot of enthusiasm in the team for Motorsport commitment in North America. the new car,” team principal Bobby Rahal said. After four successful years with the BMW M3 “Certainly there will be a development GT, the new BMW Z4 GTE will take over at the period involved but ultimately I see no head of the manufacturer’s campaign in the reason why we can’t be competitive with 2013 . the great competition that exists in the GT category in the ALMS. Although this might BMW Motorsport and BMW Team RLL presented be a development year in many respects, the car and drivers for the new season at the level of driver talent we have on the Daytona International Speedway, site for the team – including the two new exciting additions first race of the 2014 combined North American with and John Edwards – I think sports car championship. The first race for the that ultimately we can have success and do 2013 ALMS season is the 61st Mobil 1 Twelve much as we did in 2009, the first year of the Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida BMW M3 GT, and work hard toward achieving on March 16. maximum results in its first year. One aspect of the launch that is very exciting is not just the Supported by Premium Partner Crowne Plaza introduction of the BMW Z4 GTE and our drivers, Hotels & Resorts, guests from around the world but also the collection of historic cars that were were given the opportunity to inspect the BMW the cars that began the success story of BMW Z4 GTE at close hand, talk to those responsible in North American racing.” for the team, and experience the iconic racetrack in Florida from the cockpit, courtesy BMW’s guests travelled to Orlando, Fla. on of taxi rides with the BMW ALMS drivers. Monday, and were welcomed that evening at a dinner in the Crowne Plaza Universal Orlando “All of us at BMW Motorsport and BMW Team by Marquardt, Ludwig Willisch, President and RLL are very curious to see how the first few CEO of BMW of North America; Rahal; and BMW races pan out with the new BMW Z4 GTE,” said NA Motorsport Manager Gordon McDonnell. On BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “We Tuesday, the ALMS drivers took the visitors on are setting out on a development year, but are a series of taxi rides in historic BMW racing very confident we have once again developed cars. The official unveiling of the BMW Z4 a car that has the potential to win races and GTE followed. titles in the form of the BMW Z4 GTE. Seeing our drivers at this event, you could tell how The car is not the only important new thing much they are looking forward to the first race BMW Team RLL can look forward to in the in Sebring. coming season: is the new tire partner of BMW Motorsport in the ALMS. In BMW Motorsport also announced the driving contrast, Premium Partner Crowne Plaza pairings for the coming season. American Bill Hotels & Resorts is something of a constant. Auberlen teams with ALMS rookie Maxime The successful cooperation will continue in Martin, from Belgium, in the No. 55 entry. 2013. Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts belongs German Dirk Müller will contest all the races to the InterContinental Hotels Group. IHG in the No. 56 car; Americans Joey Hand and maintains, runs and owns over 4,400 hotels John Edwards will alternate as the two-time and more than 658,000 rooms in approaching ALMS GT champion’s driving partner. Edwards 100 countries. will stand in for Hand when he is unavailable due to his parallel commitment in the DTM. Jörg The 61st Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Müller (No. 55) and (No. 56) will Fueled by Fresh from Florida is set for 10:45 bolster the squad at Sebring and the Petit Le a.m. ET on Saturday, March 16 from Sebring Mans season-finale. International Raceway. SPEED’s live coverage begins at 10:30 a.m. ET.

Mar/Apr 2013 21 Future Performance In A Greener World

When it comes to high-performance automotive 555 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque that’s The vehicle’s name will change, and Jaguar will build choices, there has been no better time in the already found in the X5M and X6M. This engine has a just 250 examples at a base price of $1.151 million history automobiles for the enthusiast consumer. considerably higher output than the 500-horsepower, or more, depending on the market and taxes, based From 1200-horsepower, multi-million-dollar Veyrons naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-10 in the 2010 M5. To on recent exchange rates. A 1.6-liter, highly boosted to $23,000, 300-horsepower/30-mpg musclecars, the increase fuel efficiency 25 percent over the V-10, which gasoline internal-combustion engine with “not just current automotive market really does offer it all. was rated at a mere 11/17 mpg, the 2012 model uses one simple blower,” according to Jaguar-Land Rover But for how long? Are we at the peak of automotive an automatic start-stop function in combination with engineering director Bob Joyce, combines with two performance, or just the beginning? a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The M5’s powerful electric motors and four-wheel drive to bring suspension tuning will take advantage of decades of on a sub-3-second 0-60-mph time and sub-6-second We know the future of the automobile will keep racing knowledge and countless development hours 0-100-mph time, plus a top speed of more than 200 getting greener, but where does that leave those who spent lapping the Nürburgring. For 2012, an Active M mph. All-electric range is up to 31 miles, and Jaguar’s love rev-matched downshifts and the synchronized differential has been employed to split power between estimated CO2 emissions of less than 99 grams per scream of pistons, cams, valves, and crank at wide- the rear wheels, which should improve handling by kilometer comes to more than 55.2 mpg. ”Fundamentally, open throttle? Just what is the future of performance? over-driving the outer wheel in a turn. At the I wanted to deliver the concept car. But in the time We surveyed the industry and asked several key experts pavement are lightweight 20-inch, five-spoke, forged- frame, we can’t do that with the [2010 Paris concept's] to look 10 years into the future of high-performance alloy wheels wrapped in 265/35ZR20 Michelin tires. gas turbines,” said Bob Joyce, Jaguar-Land Rover cars. You’ll be surprised at what they told us… BMW assures us the M5 has large enough brakes to lap engineering director. “The piston powertrain fits the the ‘Ring right from the showroom. design envelope. It will be just like the transformation AUDI: WHEN DOES INTERNAL-COMBUSTION DIE? from Range Rover LRX to Evoque.” It will not use an “I will not be alive any more. And I hope I’m still JAGUAR: TAKING THE NEXT LEAP existing engine or an F1-based powerplant, Joyce said, living some time, but I’m convinced it will still be in Jaguar takes on the Porsche 918 on the road, if not the though it will use Williams F1 principles. Williams F1 existence. It will stay one of the best solutions, and track, with its C-X75 hybrid supercar. It’s set to take is involved in developing the high-profile, low-volume not only for motorsport.” -Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Head orders this fall, with deliveries beginning in late 2013. supercar, and will contribute aerodynamic, carbon- of Audi Motorsport fiber, and hybrid technology know-how. The cars will be

BMW: M5 UPS THE ANTE The heart of any BMW M5 is its powerful engine. For the 2012 model, this meant the same 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 that produces

22 Down Shift built in the United Kingdom, though the project is part of Tata Motors’ $1.7 billion per year, five-year investment in new technology and product. Hallmark would not say whether Williams F1 is a subcontractor or a partner on the car’s development and production. “The commercial details are secret. But this is our project.” It doesn’t matter whether Jaguar makes money or not on the C-X75, says Jaguar-Land Rover chief executive Carl-Peter Forster. It’s a recruitment program for 1000 engineers JLR will hire as part of Tata’s five-year investment. “This car is a step to developing future technologies for us. In order to explore technologies, we need research projects. Here, customers can pay for it.

“Isn’t the much-anticipated Boxster/Cayman fighter more urgent?” “We will never break out of our current brand position by just repeating what we’ve always done in the past. We need to move the brand, and then fill in the gaps. And what if the small sports car was actually better than the Lamborghini to think about at this moment. I think it is MERCEDES-BENZ: DOES “A” STAND FOR AMG? 911, not the Boxster? And this is better than the 918? against the heritage of the DNA of the flagship like Mercedes-Benz has released several forward-looking This isn’t a distraction for us. It fits perfectly within the Aventador. The turbo is something…but at the end, the vehicles, including the eye-searing SLS E-cell electric rest of our future.” -Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar Global Brand really sportive car is naturally aspirated. If you are a good supercar, but the future may rest in A-class, according Director engineer, you are able to achieve the best performance to Ola Kaellenius, chairman of Mercedes-Benz’s AMG without using boost. And for us, the challenge that we division. “That car screams sportiness. Whereas we Will man’s thirst for power ever be quenched? have is to be the best. To have the best means to use the haven’t made an official commitment or a final decision, “Where it’s going to end up en masse, that’s going to take best possible, that means the flow efficiency of the intake it’s something that we’re looking at very carefully,” says time to find out, but I think it’ll be a bit of everything. As manifold, of exhaust, reduce the back-pressure ..everything Kaellenius. Selling a small Benz in the U.S. is something far as internal-combustion engines, I think we’ll still see in the best way. If we talk about [a] hybrid solution, it is the company has been hesitant to do thus far, but as V-8s, V-12s, V-6s, whatever they might be. But the jury’s the same discussion. We want to use everything in order Americans continue to downsize and car companies face out and time will tell… “It’s all about efficiency now. If to achieve our target of reduction of the CO2 of 35 percent CAFE pressure, the question may no longer be if, but you can get 500, 600, 700 horsepower out of a more compared with 2007. To reach this, you must maintain the when. Question is, will it be a platform suitable for AMG? efficient engine, then it will happen. When you think that DNA. If you put 400 kilograms [880 pounds] of batteries it “When we put together a performance package for AMG, 100 horsepower per liter was once a goal…we’re talking will be difficult to have a car that can be able to run with it’s about the holistic engineering experience,” says 200, 250 horsepower per liter now. That’s phenomenal! handling that we want. Kaellenius. “We have as our core brand value, Driving Man will always want to strive for faster, bigger, better… Performance — in the dual sense of the term. It needs it’s the natural human state.” -Ian Callum, Jaguar Design The 2022 Aventador? to be a fantastic driving experience, but we also want to Director If I close my eyes, I want to retain the DNA of Lamborghini, be, from a technological point of view, from an innovation but I want also to be more and more aggressive in the CO2 point of view, the driving force of the performance seg- What is the key to the future for Lamborghini? reduction and fuel consumption. I must think something ment. Which means, if you want to make a performance We are pretty sure that carbon fiber will be one of the major like this: Cylinder deactivation-we have 12 cylinders, but car that fits that brand core, it’s not one specific thing. players for the structural parts of the next decade. It was if I can use in the town three, four, six…if I can have You have to go for the whole package. “Clearly, in the forecast that in the next four years the automotive business some energy storage, something like this, can be another engine/transmission combination, the power delivery [is will be the number-one consumer of carbon fiber, so this opportunity. But what is important is to maintain the DNA important] as is efficiency. Our goal is to not only have is clear. Carbon fiber will be a key for the future to improve of Lamborghini. If when I want to open the throttle body, I benchmark performance, but also benchmark efficiency safety, to improve the stiffness, and reduce weight. push the accelerator, I must have 12 cylinders that push in the segment. It’s a lot about the chassis. For a lot of me from behind. I must hear the noise. If I don’t have this, AMG cars we re-engineer the chassis completely to fit to Turbo or hybrid Lamborghini? it is finished emotionally for Lamborghini. And if it’s the driving profile we’re looking for.” Normally, you talk about turbochargers when you think finished emotionally, then there is no sense for Lamborghini about downsizing, and downsizing is something that to exist. -Maurizio Reggiani, Research and Development is difficult for a super sports car [manufacturer] like Director at Automobili Lamborghini, s.p.a.

Mar/Apr 2013 23 SUBARU: UNVEILING THE NEW DUO Two significant projects fill Subaru’s highly anticipated performance docket, and the first is a rendition of the Toyota/Scion FR-S rear-drive sport coupe. Like the Scion, the coupe’s compact dimensions and sumptuous design are undoubtedly athletic and modern. But while its form may evoke a notion of triple-digit speeds, it is the nimbleness of the car’s lightweight chassis that engineers are most enthused to highlight. A low-lying, nearly mid-belly-placed 2.0-liter boxer with direct and port fuel-injection technology borrowed from Toyota should ensure a lively character matched with superior fuel efficiency. Drivers will be able to select six gears from a manual or paddle-actuated automatic gearbox. An Electric GT-R? Really? Carlos Tavares, recently downsizing. If you look at the 911 Turbo, it is an example promoted to COO of Renault, hinted at as much at the of engine downsizing. We only have six cylinders, Subaru Tecnica International (STI) is currently beefing 2011 New York auto show. “Of course, it’s going to be turbocharged, and we have the power of competitors’ up an STI model based on the new 2012 Impreza and zero emissions.” V-8 engines. In the future, we are also thinking about soon-to-be released WRX. Expect to see a more muscular having a four-cylinder engine, but only if it can provide physique with wide shoulders and hindquarters. Handling The Electric GTR – Because your kids, my kids, they a strong level of performance. There is no decision made benefits from a broader track, a heavily revised will very soon select their car from a short list of zero- yet. There could be a hybrid version [of the 911] in 10 suspension, and an aggressively returned all-wheel- emissions vehicles. That’s going to happen very soon- years. Most likely we will give the customer the choice drive system. Brakes will definitely be upsized, as will my kids or the kids of my kids at the latest. So it’s going between a traditional high-performance car or a hybrid the forged wheels. Both will help cope with the 300-plus- to be zero emissions….going to be connected and plus car. It will depend on the market situation, on tax horsepower output from what we believe will be a in safety, comfort, and entertainment.” Of course, zero regulations and things like that, which car will be the turbocharged 2.5-liter derived from the new FB20-engine emissions can be achieved without going full electric, faster one.” How far into the product line will Stuttgart series. When it hits dealers sometime late next year, you but Nissan has already set a couple of precedents. The apply hybrid technology? If the company’s $845,000 918 can bet it will be the most powerful STI sedan ever, and Leaf is currently the only electric car available in the Spyder hybrid is any indication, all the way to the very top. likely the most efficient. U.S. by a major automotive manufacturer, and the company’s follow-up wasn’t a crossover or MPV. Nissan Porsche’s mid-engine hybrid supercar will be driven by TESLA: STILL JUST SCRATCHING THE SURFACE took the Leaf racing, with the Nismo Leaf RC. “Well, the a plug-in powertrain composed of a 500-plus-horse- What will be the key performance-enabling technologies GT-R is going to have, of course, a different balance of power V-8 and twin front- and rear-axle-mounted electric of the next decade? those attributes. But you have here the Nismo Leaf RC, motors producing approximately 160 kW (218 horsepow- which is, of course, a racing car. But it’s a racing car to er). The 918 will be primarily rear drive, via a compact Vehicles are going to need to deliver on both performance, make a statement that there is nothing contradictory seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, but the electric motor efficiency and cleanliness — high performance, zero between an EV power source and the pleasure of driving placements offer variable all-wheel drive. Powering the emissions. The most important technology improvements fast-in a racing car in this case.” Electric GT-R? You motors is a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery that can will be related to electrical energy storage. It will allow heard it here first… be charged from a wall socket and deliver a range of increased vehicle range and decreased vehicle mass and approximately 16 miles of electric-only driving. cost. Ultimately, it will allow cheaper operating costs per PORSCHE: EMBRACING HYBRID TECHNOLOGY 1. Front hybrid drive computer mile for a wide set of vehicle types. Power electronics and software controls are improving quickly. Those advances Of all the sports car makers, Porsche has been the first 2. Electric motor to openly embrace hybrid technology. It’s been only with will allow for increasingly impressive driving experience 3. Lithium-ion battery the company’s two best-selling (and least-sporty) mod- and torque responsiveness. What will Tesla’s flagship els, the Cayenne SUV and Panamera sedan, but, ac- 4. 500-hp V-8 engine sports car be like 10 years from now? cording Dr. Michael Steiner, director of the Panamera 5. Seven-speed dual-clutch (PDK) transaxle product line, that should change. “From our point of 6. Electric motor Far better! The model S motor packs twice the continuous view, hybrid technology could help provide some addi- 7. Rear hybrid drive computer power of the Roadster’s, is about the same size package, tional performance. We are also thinking of additional and was developed in only three years. We are still just

24 Down Shift scratching the surface with the capabilities of an electric say eight to 10 gasoline-free miles in town and the rest think it’s an innate part of the human being, you could powertrain. It is not bound by the mechanical constraints of the time the electric drive system serving to enhance argue especially males, that we love high-performance of a combustion engine — the possibilities are scary. Also, torque, is a very credible proposition. Two generations automobiles. And if they can’t buy them when they’re the relatively compact and efficient design of electric mo- from now, it’s entirely conceivable that a Corvette — young, they buy them when they’re old. -Bob Lutz, tors allow for much increased packaging options. -J.B. not a GM plan, this is just purely hypothetical on my former vice chairman, General Motors, member of advisory Straubel, Tesla Motors Co-Founder and Chief Technical part — would be a direct-injection, stratified charge, board, Lotus Cars Officer twin-stage turbo-boosted two-liter, four-cylinder engine developing 800 horsepower. BY THE NUMBERS: WE LOOK BACK TO SEE WHAT’S TOYOTA:THE PERFORMANCE SCION AHEAD You’ve probably already seen the sexy FR-S an un- What will Lotus be like 10 years from now? Even performance cars like the 911 and Corvette have abashed play on the famed ’80s-era Corolla GT-S code Lotus will continue to be a very small producer. Ten weighed over a ton and a half for 30 years. That these named AE-86. The FR-S ticks many of the archetypal years from now, I would hope for 12,000 to 14,000 cars cars will fall to an even ton in 10 years seems unlikely. sports car boxes. The drive wheels are at the rear, and per year, six to seven times what they’re doing today. We examined data from the past 20 years for the 911 a six-speed transmission is under hand. The bodywork It would be all five models. But as word gets out and Carrera 2, base Corvette, Mustang GT, Miata, and M3 is a pleasant sight to behold, especially when placed people see that these new Lotuses still keep the prom- and plotted power, weight and the resulting power to alongside current Toyotas. A finely balanced chassis ise of what a Lotus is all about, which is this supreme weight ratios. We then used that data to project where promises agile handling, helped by an ambitious low handling, man-machine relationship and this fantas- these cars would be 10 years from now with no outside weight target and special engine selection. Sitting up tic agility…you are not going to believe what it’s like intervention. While the projected weights of Mustangs, front is a tidily packaged, 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder to drive an Evora. I was expecting good, but I wasn’t Miatas, and M3s seem unlikely, the numbers for the 911 sourced from Subaru, and mounted as close to the expecting that. The chassis is beyond anything you’ve and Corvette are almost believable. Likely the most ground as feasibly possible and pushed deeply toward ever experienced. And without harshness. As Jack believable of these graphs is pounds to horsepower. the vehicle’s middle to optimize the coupe’s center Keebler says, it’s like you’re driving with a skyhook. How we get there is another story. of gravity and polar moment of inertia. The naturally aspirated boxer is also fitted with Toyota’s D4-S fuel- Design your own Lotus for 10 years from now WEIGHT: While the 911 and Corvette seem to have injection system, which combines port and direct considering social and government constraints. leveled out in weight, BMW continues to increase size injection to optimize fuel burn. The lightweight Scion I would probably have a 16-killowatt lithium-ion battery and weight of the M3. It is unlikely that the M3 will ever is expected to not only dance in the curves, but achieve and a plug-in and electric-drive capability for eight to reach the nearly 4100 projected pounds, but some of impressive efficiency as well. With federal fuel economy 10 miles, but also be able to use that battery for torque that will depend on the ever-inflating size of what was and emissions police always around the corner, the FR-S’ generation. And the car that I would do would probably once the small Bimmer. timing couldn’t be better. be mid-engine, a little smaller than today’s Corvette, batteries down the central tunnel, and the prime mover, HORSEPOWER: Although it’s claimed the power war is A FUTURE ACCORDING TO MAXIMUM BOB other than the electric drive, would probably be a twin- over, the numbers say otherwise. Another battle is being What will be the key performance-enabling technologies turbo V-6 of around 450 horsepower. And the body out fought on the emissions and efficiency fronts, as well of the next decade? of carbon fiber. as with government regulators. Future tech will allow It’ll continue to be the internal-combustion engine, smaller gas engines to be supplemented by electric driven to further perfection thanks to modern electron- Is the V-8 dead? motors. The Corvette may easily reach 533 hp and 40 ics, and a new generation of fuel-injection systems. I think it’s definitely moribund. Absolutely. Everything is mpg using a 350-horsepower forced-induction engine There’s probably another 20- to 25-percent fuel-economy moving to smaller engines and smaller numbers of cyl- and a 183-horsepower electric motor. gain to be wrung from the internal-combustion engine. But inders. This new generation of Malibu will not be offered certainly, it’ll no longer be done via ever more cubic inch- with a V-6. In cars that had both sixes and fours, the six POWER-TO-WEIGHT RATIO: While the Miata’s power es, because that’s really a wasteful approach. The mod- is being kicked out, and everybody is emphasizing the seems to have plateaued, we’d like to think that weight ern high-performance engine will become much small- smaller engine. will start dropping substantially and decrease the er, almost like racing formulas, with turbocharging, pound/horsepower ratio. The Corvette is projected to twin turbocharging, or supercharging. A lot of the Final thoughts? reach 5 pound/horsepower by 2016, squarely where the performance mid-range and low-end torque may well We had 75 years of Communism in China, where we ZR1 sits in 2011. Porsche can currently add more than wind up enabled by batteries and torque assistance, raised generations of kids who never heard the sound 200 horses with a 250-pound KERS system, and the for fuel economy and performance. So, the idea of an of a decent engine. And yet, the minute the shackles are technology is still evolving. ultra-performance hybrid car, maybe even plug-in, with off, the Chinese youth are performance-car crazy. So I

Mar/Apr 2013 25 How Much is a Porsche 959 Prototype Really Worth?

Said to be one of only four surviving prototypes and one of only two running survivors this is among the rarest of the rare when it comes to Porsche sports cars.

Barrett-Jackson’s listing gave extensive details on the provenance of this Porsche 959. Specifically it details how for three years Porsche engineers studied and worked on 959 prototypes and designs prior to its debut at the 1985 Frankfurt Motor Show. It goes on to explain that these early pre- production models actually carried Porsche 930 Turbo chassis numbers. In 1985, Helmut Bot, head of the 959 development, took 29 of these 930 chassis to turn them into 959 prototypes coded F, N and V. They were then used for road tests, crush tests and media coverage. The 959 up for auc- tion is one of seven V-series prototypes.

Amazingly most of the 29 prototypes were destroyed by Porsche leaving just four intact. This 959 is so correct it is said to not only have the proper pro- totype wheels, but the original pre-production Dunlop tires as well. Porsche is no longer releasing/selling prototypes to the public so it’s highly unlikely an opportunity like this will ever present itself again. With just over 300 959s produced for sale this was truly a “holy grail” type opportunity.

When the gavel finally fell, bidding had reached $400,000, plus a 10-percent buyer’s fee.

26 Down Shift Only $100 for a High Quality HD Action Camera? Yes! A High Quality Monoprice MHD Action 30 frames per second, but is also capable of The MHD Action Camera is also a 5 megapixel still Camera Can Now Be Had for Under $100 recording 1280 x 720p, 24-bit resolution at 30 fps camera, and a large button on the top of the unit is if preferred. easily accessed to capture Single Photo, Burst, and Monoprice is coming out with a $100 action camera Time Lapse modes with 24-bit color depth. next month. Yeah, the company best known for their The Monoprice MHD action camera is also water- ridiculously cheap and awesome HDMI cables sells proof to depths of 10 meters without the need for “The camera has plug and play operation and is a bunch of other super high quality gear, like the a separate outer enclosure, as with other action automatically recognized as a storage device by MHD Action Camera. cameras. Its also fitted with a two-axis gyroscopic Windows and Mac computers. Integrated software sensor ensuring that the video maintains the proper can be installed to a Mac or Windows PC to allow If you are looking for a HD action camera for under orientation, even if you don’t. access to the internal settings. The software is $100 the new Monoprice MHD action camera might compatible with Windows XP SP3 or later or Mac OS be worth more investigation, and provides both HD The MHD weighs just 3.9 ounces and measures 3 X 10.5 or later.” video and single image photography. 3/4 x 1 7/8 x 1 1/2 inches, and comes supplied with a mounting bracket but can also be mounted The Monoprice MHD action camera is now available The Monoprice MHD action camera has been onto a standard 1/4” x 20 threaded if required. to purchase from as little as $95 with an estimated designed to provide users with high-definition delivery date of March 4, 2013. 1920 x 1080p display with 24-bit color depth at

The 2013 Chicago Auto Show drew near record crowds at a very busy McCormick Place in the Windy City and while it didn’t feature many significant unveilings it did launch two impressive new NISMO's. The love it or hate it NISMO Juke and an aesthetically updated 2014 NISMO 370Z coupe. Wintry & Windy Chicago 2013 Auto Show :recap

Mar/Apr 2013 27 2013

Paramore Crushes Back Onto the Music Scene with Now Nearly Four Years After Paramore Released Their Last Album the Tennessee Rock Band Returns

Two founding members gone. No new album in nearly four years. No problem for Paramore. On the first single from the reconfigured group’s forthcoming self-titled album, singer Hayley Williams exhibits a tone of defiant survival that would make the late Gloria Gaynor proud. Overwhelmed with Tim McMorris’s Folksy Hit Single You’ve Probably Already Heard The Catchy “Overwhelmed” In Sam Adam’s Latest Commercial Atop a winding industrial-reggae rhythm and layers of noisy guitar grit, Williams fills the tune with forceful affirmations, declaring that “I’m bringing my sinking ship Powerful, poignant and composed with a heart felt masculinity, producer, composer back to the shore,” and “There’s a time and a place to die, and this ain’t it,” before and recording artist Tim McMorris is a musician on the rise who’s path to fame has “Now” resolves the tension by blasting into a full-throttle chorus. Williams starts out been less than conventional. her comeback pleading “Don’t try to take this from me now,” sounding like a singer desperate to keep her band; by the time she proclaims, “if there’s a future, we want A proponent and advocate of royalty free music, Tim has successfully honed his it now,” however, it feels like she’s already there. craft while helping to benefit many terrific groups and organizations. His single “Overwhelmed” had found more than 1,500,000 views on YouTube meteoric success Paramore publically struggled with fame throughout 2008. Of particular note was the in no small way attributed to the inclusion of McMorris’s catchy and folksy track in a attention lavished upon Hayley Williams, whom many media outlets deemed to be the very successful and long-running Samuel Adams commercial advertising campaign. leader of the group. Rumors of a breakup began to circulate, yet Paramore’s lineup Perhaps the best user reviews we’ve seen for Tim McMorris’s powerful and moving remained intact, and the band retreated to a California studio in 2009 to work on a “Overwhelmed” came from Amazon Music user CMorrissey, “I’ve never had a beer third album. Following a popular summer tour with No Doubt, the group issued Brand commercial make me somewhat teary. I had to get the song, and was happy to find New Eyes, a pensive record that featured some of Paramore’s strongest songwriting that the full track is even better than the little sample you hear in the commercial. to date. The album debuted at number two with sales of 175,000 copies, besting Good find, Sam Adams.” Mariah Carey’s Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel in the process. 2013 28 Down Shift 2013

2013 Mar/Apr 2013 29 McLaren Engineers McGrath says: “We took a formula that worked very “This is McLaren standards applied to state-of-the-art nicely for racing car design, then applied it to road Expand On Winning vehicle manufacture.” car design, then bike design. We take the know-how, Formulas the skills that we never commercialized and hundreds At Ford, Flewitt operated to a cycle time – the time of millions of pounds of research, and apply it to new F1 Manufacturer McLaren taken by a production line task – of 45 seconds. At markets.” Applies It’s World-Class McLaren it is 45 minutes. There is no conveyor belt, no noise from stamping machines or robots. The only Expertise In New Markets The healthcare market is the company’s next target, he sound is the squeak of tyres as completed models are adds. Secretive billionaires, princes and superstars might driven across the white-tiled floor into testing booths. supply the Formula One circuit with its brash glamour Flewitt says: “If you have a white floor, it creates an The British automotive industry has delivered a strong and pageantry but when the season returns with a roar imperative to keep it clean. It looks like this because performance in the post-crunch doldrums. But al- in March, two of the cars tearing round Melbourne’s Albert we want it to be a great working environment. I also though Nissan added a further 280 jobs at its plant in Park will have been constructed in a sleepy corner of believe the aesthetic is vital. This gives you confidence Sunderland last month, carmakers are unlikely to open Surrey. in the quality of the product. It is difficult to give people new sites here; what is more probable is that they will that confidence if you work in a tatty facility.” follow the example of home-grown Jaguar Land Rover, The McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) in Woking, which recently started work on a factory in China. In- In contrast with mass-market manufacturers, the exemplifies the quieter fortune being made by the UK stead, the hope is that suppliers – the makers of nuts, paint finish is applied manually by specialist staff motor sport industry: the Norman Foster-designed bolts and components – can spur domestic growth. rather than by robots. I watch Flewitt submit a finished building is the centrepiece of a sector worth around There is an estimated £3bn worth of unsatisfied de- 12C Spider bound for Singapore to a minute inspection. £6bn to the UK economy. Eight of the dozen F1 teams mand for UK-made components. He praises the way the volcano-orange paint has been who competed in last year’s championship are based in sprayed on to the contoured vehicle. “Paints have the UK, and McLaren, which came third in the constructor’s Flewitt says about 50% of the McLaren sports car’s different compositions,” he says. “The sprayer’s art is league, is one of its most successful participants. suppliers are UK-based. But the key, state-of-the-art to understand the model so you get an even finish.” component, its carbon-fibre chassis, is made in Aus- There would be no financial or aesthetic gain from At McLaren’s headquarters, the relentless pressure of tria. Flewitt believes that could change – McLaren has spending millions of pounds on paint-spraying robots, the F1 calendar is distilled to a zen-like focus. Long already done much of the hard work by designing the he adds, instinctively flicking away a dust mote. Like white corridors and glass lifts take visitors to an indoor kit. their mass-produced counterparts, the majority – eight boulevard: historic McLaren vehicles are lined up out of 10 – of McLaren sports cars will be exported. on one side, and an artificial lake can be glimpsed “It is a technology where we in the UK can be very Four dealerships are opening in China this year. through a glass wall on the other. competitive,” he says, adding that the government can help by bringing in production partners and wooing po- Elsewhere in the building are other examples of tential customers. Ron Dennis, executive chairman of the group, which is McLaren excellence, overseen by its McLaren Applied majority owned by Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, Technologies (MAT) arm, which supported Team GB in Nick Henry of consultancy ICF GHK says Britain’s F1 in- describes the atmosphere as “a reassuring hush”. cycling, canoeing, rowing, kayaking and sailing at the dustry has dominated the sport for more than 30 years 2012 Olympics. The new racing car is being built behind frosted glass despite attempts to develop rival hubs in Bahrain, Ma- at one end of the boulevard. But McLaren is looking The rationale behind MAT is that McLaren should make laysia and South Africa: “The history of F1 is continued beyond motor sport: last year it opened a production more financial gain from its world-class abilities in UK success in the face of globalization which is chip- centre next door, where it builds the 12C and 12C Spider design, analysis and production. At one end of the ping away at it but feeding its growth at the same time. sports cars – offshoots of decades of competing in the boulevard, propped next to an F1 car, is the £25,000 These are flexible small and medium-sized businesses upper echelons of F1. Specialized S-Works Venge bike ridden by Mark Cav- doing high-quality engineering. There has been churn endish in the 2011 Tour de France, which McLaren in [team] ownership but behind it this core of British Production of the £200,000 12C model is overseen by helped design. The director of MAT, Geoff McGrath, says engineering creates products the world pays for.” Mike Flewitt, who managed production of 8,500 vehicles McLaren’s skills in telemetry, or monitoring a car’s per- a day when he was vice-president of manufacturing at formance through accumulated data, are the key. This Amid the clamor over the need to re-balance Britain’s Ford of Europe. McLaren produced a total of 1,552 cars allows McLaren to simulate how a car, or any product, struggling economy, the long-term success of the in the whole of last year. “We are a road car company will perform by building a computer model of it. country’s motor sport industry offers a quiet lesson in that has developed from a race car company,” he says. how it can be done.

30 Down Shift This is McLaren standards applied to state-of-the-art vehicle “manufacture.”

Mar/Apr 2013 31 2013 North American International Mercedes-Benz brought some big news to Detroit this year as usual. The world debut of the 2014 E-Class Auto Show family containing the sedan, wagon, cabriolet, coupe :recap and exhilarating AMG sedan. These updates include efficient engines, new assistance systems and a new design idiom. Per Mercedes, “Many new or optimized assistance systems from the future S-Class celebrate their world premiere in all E-Class models. They blend comfort and safety; we refer to this as “Intelligent Drive.” This includes systems capable of preventing accidents with crossing vehicles or pedestrians for the very first time. Active Lane Keeping Assist can also prevent collisions with oncoming traffic. With these innovations Mercedes-Benz underscores its pioneering role in vehicle safety.”

Our tour of Germany continues with BMW. BMW brought four products to Detroit: the Concept 4 Series Coupe, the M6 Gran Coupe, the Z4 and the 1 Series coupe and convertible. Starting with the Concept 4 Series Coupe, BMW explains, “The Concept 4 Series is visibly larger than the 3 Series coupe in terms of length, width and So you wanted to attend Detroit’s North American Another feature in this Corvette, keeping pace with wheelbase, while the roofline is considerably lower. The International Auto Show but couldn’t make it? That’s Porsche’s 911, is a 7-speed manual gearbox. The 2014 4 is about more than just a standalone design; it also OK! Go ahead and put the snow gear back in the closet Corvette Stingray coupe is expected to go on sale in the boasts a new level of sporting dynamics, greater and the ice scraper back in the garage, because Down third quarter of 2013. exclusivity and even stronger differentiation from the Shift has you covered with a quick recap and photo 3 series range.” tour of the what has quickly become one of the most Lincoln is next in line with something for the small luxury popular and heavily attended Detroit Auto Shows in utility segment. The “MKC Concept” is a new small The M6 Gran Coupe is the third body variant of the M6 decades. utility concept aimed directly at this growing market. It high-performance sports car lineup. “The M6 Gran also builds on momentum obtained at previous shows Coupe brings together the hallmark performance The show starts with the winners of the North American with the release of the MKZ midsize sedan. Per Lincoln, attributes of M cars within a handsome and sumptuous Car and Truck of the year. This year’s winners were both “The MKC further establishes the Lincoln Design DNA design.” Under the hood is a V8 engine with M Twin- from American auto makers! The North American Car of beautiful and elegant vehicles that are warm, open Power Turbo technology developing 560 hp and 502 of the Year is the Cadillac ATS and the Truck of the Year and inviting.” lb-ft of torque. is the Dodge Ram 1500. Both winners are deserving products in each manufacturer’s lineup. Infiniti’s press conference unveiled an all-new luxury The Z4 boasts new exterior features, detailed sedan. The 2014 Q50 Sports Sedan builds on the interior refinements, a new equipment package and a loves to grab attention in Detroit and this “inspired performance” slogan. Per Infiniti, “The all-new new entry-level engine variant. The 1 Series coupe and year was no different. The world premiere of the 2014 sedan sets fresh design, performance and technology convertible are given a new Limited Edition Lifestyle Corvette Stingray wasted no time in stealing the show’s direction for new generation of vehicles. Choice of 3.7L equipment package. The package’s exclusive and high- momentum. Per the press kit: “The 2014 Stingray is the V6 and 3.5L Hybrid with other powertrains being added quality equipment details are added to the interior and most powerful standard model ever, with an estimated to global market launches. Q50 offers world’s first exterior. 450 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. An all-new 6.2L LT1 technologies designed to enhance the driving experience, V8 engine combines advanced technologies, including using Direct Adaptive Steering and Active Lane Control. BMW’s little brother, MINI, brought some fun to the party direct injection, Active Fuel Management, continuously Also, a fully customizable digital environment for linking as well. They introduced the MINI John Cooper Works variable valve timing and an advanced combustion various driver settings and driving characteristics to Paceman. This fun looking MINI boasts a turbocharged system that delivers more power while using less fuel.” i-Key technology. Lastly, Infiniti InTouch next-gen smart engine with 208 hp and an ALL4 all-wheel drive system. connectivity features dual touch-screens and an array An aerodynamic kit, 18-inch wheels and lowered sports of advanced functions.” suspension round out this model.

32 Down Shift The last stop on our tour de Germany is Audi. The in Resonance is a Compact laminated lithium-ion debut of the RS 7 and SQ5 into an already potent battery with intelligent battery charging control. lineup of RS and S-line performance vehicles and If you want a peek at Nissan’s future crossover SUVs were logical additions. The RS 7 Sportback design ideas, soak up the Resonance. is a large five-door coupe with a twin-turbo 4.0L TFSI engine producing 560 hp and 553 lb-ft of Heading back toward the General Motors area is torque. The SQ5 is the performance brother to the where you’ll run into Cadillac. Cadillac never already-popular Q5 SUV. Powered by a free-revving, disappoints and this year was no different. They supercharged, 3.0L V6 engine, the SUV makes 354 introduced the 2014 ELR Luxury Coupe. This Extended hp and 346 lb-ft of torque. My favorite is the RS 7. Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) is first of its kind for a full-line luxury automotive brand. Cadillac Toyota’s luxury partner, Lexus, revealed the all- explains, “The ELR delivers on the promise of the new 2014 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT. Per Lexus, “The Converj Concept on which it is based. The exterior IS will be available in rear and all-weather drive establishes a new, progressive proportion for the versions of the IS 250 and 350, a further evolution brand while the interior introduces a new design of F SPORT available across the entire model range theme that will define future Cadillac models, and in select markets, the IS 300h, the first IS to emphasizing modern elegance, technology and feature Lexus Hybrid Drive.” precisely crafted details. Industry-leading EREV technology provides full driving range exceeding Another company with some bold concept ideas is 300 miles, combining pure electric driving and an Hyundai. They revealed the HCD-14 Genesis concept. efficient, range-extending generator.” This generator Per Hyundai, “The HDC-14 gives a hint of the is a 1.4L gas-powered electric generator capable design direction we’ll be taking, and an indication of 207 hp of total system power. of the focus we’re placing on driving dynamics and technology.” Not only is the concept a beautiful design Last but definitely not least on this tour of the and execution, but there is some outrageously cool 2013 NAIAS is Tesla Motors. The Tesla Model S won technology in the works. “Ergonomics engineers the Motor Trend Car of the Year for 2013. The Model eliminated the traditional center stack, developing S is a fully electric vehicle (EV) and provides the an intuitive driver interface system that allows the largest range of any full EV vehicle to date. There HCD-14 driver to better keep his eyes on the road. are three battery options providing 160 / 230 / 300 Maserati brought the all-new Quattroporte. This miles. Beyond the innovative battery technology is luxury four-door is powered by a 3.8L twin turbo the car’s design and use of space on the interior. It V8 producing 530 hp with a 0-60 time of just 4.7 is an absolutely gorgeous car inside and out. The seconds. Maserati calls it the most high-tech interior features a groundbreaking 17-inch touch- engine ever installed in a Maserati car. screen that displays everything in one place. This car is a must see. Nissan revealed two products, the Versa Note and the Resonance Concept SUV. The Versa Note will be based on the popular Versa platform but will include a ton of technology features to make the driver’s life a little more pleasurable while commuting. Engine specs say a 1.6L inline 4-cyl with 109 hp and 107 lb-ft of torque. A CVT transmission will also be offered. The Resonance Concept is a “futuristic 5-passenger crossover with a fusion of dynamic fluidity and premium space,” according to Nissan. This is a 4-wheel drive Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV). The engine is a 2.5L DOHC internal combustion gas engine, high-performance electric motor with advanced control technologies, one- motor/two-clutch hybrid technology. The battery

Mar/Apr 2013 33 Panoz Returning With New DeltaWing Engine & Chassis ALMS founder and DeltaWing Supporter Heads to Sebring with a New Engine and Big Plans

Fans of the radical DeltaWing prototype that raced Based off of the 2.0-liter Mazda MZR engine found in of the one Mazda engine, and the top end of another aligned to the P2 category at Le Mans and Petit Le the Van Diemen Elan USF2000 chassis, the new mill Mazda engine, so we’re putting them together with the Mans will see Ben Bowlby’s creation return for a limited is slightly smaller at 1.9 liters, and adds both direct new billet block.” campaign in 2013, according to ALMS founder and fuel-injection and a twin turbo system to double the DeltaWing Racing Cars principal Don Panoz. 4-cylinder, twin-cam’s output. One of the most interesting developments with the DeltaWing involves its classification for 2013, and an And when it breaks cover, the DeltaWing will sound Rated at 170hp in the USF2000 car, the DeltaWing unit, upcoming change to its appearance. different, thanks to a new purpose-built racing engine which replaces the 1.6-liter RML-designed Nissan from Panoz’s Elan Power Products. engine that propelled the car in 2012, is currently After being relegated to the slower pace of P2-style achieving 345hp on the dyno, with 350 lf-ft. of cars at Le Mans and PLM, and running unclassified, the “We’ve been working on a new engine for the DeltaWing torque at 6500rpms. That’s an increase of almost DeltaWing will earns points in the P1 category starting that will be coming out for Sebring,” Panoz told SPEED. 50hp over the Nissan, further improving the car’s at Sebring. It will also be the last time the factory car is com. “It’s built from a billet block so we can make any power-to-weight ratio. run in its current open-top specification. changes that are necessary to it, which you can’t do if you cast the block.” “We’re about 15 pounds lighter than the Nissan engine “We’re building three new chassis right now,” said right now and two inches shorter than the stock Mazda,” Panoz. “You’ll see the open car at Sebring, and then Panoz’s team chose a powerplant it has worked with Panoz continued. “This engine is being developed for we’ll switch to the closed-top car after that.” for a number of years as the basis for the DeltaWing’s P1 and P2; we’re doing a batch of 40 engines at the new engine. moment. We liked what we saw with the bottom end

34 Down Shift Don Panoz The current plans involve racing the DeltaWing coupe at Mazda Driver lineups and testing plans will have to wait for now, as Raceway Laguna Seca’s May 11th ALMS date, with its east Panoz says the DeltaWing’s new engine is about to take a major coast debut coming on the streets of Baltimore on August 31st. step that will hopefully set everything else in motion. Participation beyond the three aforementioned ALMS races has not been confirmed. “We’ve had all the internals running in a mule engine and things have been doing great,” he remarked. “It makes a lot The new direction for the DeltaWing does not appear to include of power and it’s reliable. Today we’re putting a new top end on most of the partners involved in bringing the dart-like creation a new motor today and that should be the last big item to test to reality. I spoke with , whose before we look at going to the track.” firm built the first competition-spec DeltaWing, on Tuesday, and he said AAR has no affiliation with the car’s latest activities. Despite P1 being banished from the combined 2014 GRAND- AM/ALMS class framework, Panoz hopes to see his large batch , owner of the , also confirmed of Elan turbo engines become a serious option for teams in P1 his championship-winning team is not part of the 2013 program. and P2. Ben Bowlby acknowledged he and his staff are also unaffiliated with Panoz. “It can make more power and we’re committed to making them a success,” he said. “They can be branded other things if a manu- With the coupe version now on his plate, Panoz is relying on mix facturer wants to talk with us about that. And we have another of Elan’s existing chassis and composite suppliers to handle version of this engine we’re working on, a second type you could the closed-top project, with three new chassis, based on the say, that’s the ‘real’ P1 engine and has an innovative block with AMR-One, having been commissioned. a new material we’re trying that’s 20 pounds lighter.”

On the race team side, Panoz has reached back to his early days Beyond AAR, Highcroft and Nissan, the other major partner in the sport for a solution. in the 2012 DeltaWing program was Michelin, which made a sizeable technical and financial investment in the project to “I go a long ways back with Dave Price, which most people know develop and manufacture the car’s unique tires. from some of our first projects together, and he’s running the pro- gram for me,” Panoz confirmed. “A lot of the guys from our 1997 Although the company would not comment on its future with team want to be a part of what we’re doing, so it’s a lot like that the car, it’s believed Firestone, sole supplier for the IZOD Indy- family coming back together with Dave running things.” Car Series, could be asked to produce tires for the DeltaWing if Michelin winds down its involvement with the program.

Ben Bowlby

Mar/Apr 2013 35 Named after Busch's apparent alter-ego (Rowdy Burns always get faster. Starting life as a 560-horsepower R8 from Days of Thunder), the Rowdy Camry shows how mean GT, Underground Racing has developed four stages for the a midsize Toyota can look with styling upgrades like a wide car ranging from a "mild" 700 hp up to a ridiculously wild body kit, rear diffuser with integrated exhaust outlets and 1,000-hp version... and that's just on pump gas. SEMA a ram air hood. The blacked-out Camry also has a lowered suspension and rides on staggered-width 18-inch wheels, Underground Racing, known for tuning just about any rear- and it was was built for the Kurt Busch Foundation. engine supercar, says that the Stage 1 kit is good for 700 hp through the automaker's Quattro all-wheel-drive system on Supercharged 2013 Lexus GS 350 F Sport Delivers premium gas and 1,000 hp running on race fuel. Stepping 2012The Year Everyone Tuned A FR-S/BRZ If there's one legitimate complaint that can be hurled at up to the Stage 2 kit will drop 850 hp from the pump and Scion made a huge investment in the 2012 SEMA show, the 2013 Lexus GS 350 F Sport, it's that it has no more 1,200 hp on race fuel. Both the Stage 3 and Race Version and its spanking new FR-S coupe, by putting hundreds of power than its less-sporty siblings. It's not that 306 horse- kits are rated at 1,000 hp on 93 octane, but while the Stage cars in the hands of tuners. The result on the floor of the power and 277 pound-feet of torque isn't enough for good 3 tops out at 1,200 hp, the Race Version can lay down up Las Vegas Convention Center is unmissable, as just about performance – as the GS 350's 5.7-second sprint to 60 to 1,500 hp. everywhere we turned we found yet another FR-S. It was can attest – it's that a separate model that's billed as a so bad this year that we actually started keeping a hard performance version could use a few bonus ponies to keep count; 74. enthusiasts buyers from feeling snubbed.

Toyota Brings A Tekked-Out Prius and A Rowdy Camry And so we present you with this supercharged GS 350 From the same Dream Build Challenge that brought the F Sport, which is currently being shown here at SEMA. DragQouia to the SEMA Show, NASCAR stars Clint Bowyer There's an Apexi CG SPL supercharger kit along with a and Kyle Busch also got involved with the competition, matching Smart Accel Throttle Controller, joined by a PTS each hoping to win $50,000 for their respective charities. Joe Z Series header-back exhaust kit. The body is equipped with a Wald International Aero Package kit, and the entire Bowyer's Tekked-Out Prius is probably about as cool-looking car is hunkered down on 20-inch Vossen CV7 wheels via an as a Prius can get with its lowered stance, custom body kit, RSR coilover suspension system. Horsepower is up by 60 at side cameras replacing the door mirrors and black-and- the rear wheels with the supercharger running a conservative blue paint job matching the car's techie persona. Inside three pounds of boost, which means this F Sport is living is where most of the mods took place with a totally up to its name. redone interior including new fabrics throughout (including leather and Alcantara) and plenty of cabin tech such as Underground Racing Creates 1,000-hp Audi R8 GT the 17-inch touchscreen computer built into the passenger It is unlikely that anybody has ever accused the Audi R8 side of the instrument panel. Bowyer's charity of choice is GT of being a slow car, but like everything else on display the Emporia Community Foundation which goes to benefit at the 2012 SEMA show, where there is a will there is a Bowyer's hometown of Emporia, Kansas. way. Underground Racing proves yet again that fast can

36 Down Shift HRE Carbon Fiber Wheels for All Occasions HRE has brought some pretty excellent wheels to market in the past, such as the retro-tastic Vintage Series, bridging old and new in fantastic fashion. The wheel-maker's latest offering was the Carbon Series CF2 Concept. Made nearly entirely from carbon fiber, these HRE's do feature a forged aluminum center that is fitted with a rim made of the “exotic material.” Wheel sizes range from 19 to 22 inches, and widths from 9 to 12 inches. HRE claims a weight savings of 25 percent over typical aluminum wheels.

Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition Impresses Lexus brought a LFA Nürburgring Edition to its SEMA booth this year, apparently for no better reasons than to (a) show us the car in color other than the orange we saw for the Geneva debut and (b) let show-goers take turns running the car on a dynamometer. Good show Lexus…good show.

Hyundai Genesis Coupes from ARK Performance and Cosworth Hyundai brought along two high-performance Genesis Coupes to the SEMA Show this year in an apparent effort to offset it’s huge fleet of Velosters and Elantras. The ARK Genesis is creating 395 horsepower and 340 pound-feet of torque from its 3.8-liter V6, while the Cosworth is putting down some 389 horsepower from its V6.

2013 SRT Viper with Mopar Accessories Wins What would a new toy be without tons of new toys to accessorize it with? That's the question Mopar asked about the 2013 SRT Viper, and they answered it with more than 50 Mopar add- ons to go over, in and under the 640-horsepower coupe. The straightforward and inexpensive includes the $158 black leather shift knob, $205 door sill guards and $325 fleece-lined car cover in a choice of three colors. They also up the ante a bit with a cat-back exhaust for $668, the $880 carbon fiber engine cover that can be tastefully paired with the exposed carbon fiber brace at $3,175, or the StopTech brake rotors that will run you $1,445 at each axle. Top-dog fettling happens with racing exhaust that mimics a straight pipe for $1,005, the 5-into-1 headers for $3,495 and six-point harness that hasn't been priced.

Mazda’s Modified CX-5s Restore Faith 2013 is the CX-5's first model year here in the States and it only makes sense that Mazda used the 2012 SEMA Show as the perfect platform to show us just what exactly the excellent crossover is capable of. Of the three CX-5 concepts on display our favorite was easily the sporty and rugged CX-5 Urban. At first glance the crossover might simply look like it's been painted in a matte finish, but upon closer inspection, you'll see the multi-dimensional shadows with triangular patterns woven into the paint finish. It's seriously cool, as are the extended wheel flares that house new 22-inch matte black wheels.

Hyundai Veloster Re:Mix Is Production-Ready The Hyundai Veloster has been a popular base for customizers at this year's SEMA event, as its accessible performance and funky looks lend themselves to embellishment. But not all of the Velosters on the show floor are one-offs or flights of fancy; Hyundai also brought along it’s new Re:Mix edition which will eventually be available at local dealerships. The Re:Mix package is designed to appeal to those Veloster shoppers that would like something a bit more evocative than the standard car, and perhaps a little easier to maintain than the super- cool matte-finish option of the Veloster Turbo. The new trim level brings along a custom body kit and a nice level of specification that includes push-button start and some killer black wheels.

Mar/Apr 2013 37 sex Rachel Skarsten Is An Actress Poised for Great Success Lost Girl’s Hottest New Cast Member

Most aspiring actors and actresses never get Skarsten was aimless and lost. “I said to my mom, ‘I’m so bored! I don’t know what I’m a shot at Hollywood, but Rachel Skarsten is doing. I need an adventure.’ ” And Skarsten’s mother, in a flash of parental intuition, re- thankful at age 27 to be enjoying her second big sponded simply, “Why don’t you just go back to L.A.?” break. Almost 10 years after leaving California and returning to her native Canada to focus on an academic career, this English Literature and History major has returned One week later, Skarsten was in her car heading south. This time around, Hollywood was not to America intent on making a name for herself as an actress in both Los Angeles and quite so welcoming. “It had come so easily when I was younger, but in L.A., five years away back home in Canada. Career mediocrity was just never in the cards for Skarsten. is like a lifetime,” Skarsten says, recounting the uphill battle she fought to resuscitate her career. “I was living on a cash-in, cash-out basis. I really had to pound the pavement and Currently shooting two Canadian television series, Skarsten is the epitome of a scholar put myself out there.” turned actress; articulate, animated and readily adept at describing how a childhood spent acting allowed her to rediscover her craft in adulthood. In between auditions and meetings with casting directors, Skarsten even cleaned houses to keep afloat, and she reaped the benefits of her labour. She scored bit parts on shows and Despite this effort to remain grounded, Skarsten couldn’t refuse an offer from the WB in TV movies, getting herself noticed all over again. network for a role in its new show Birds of Prey. “I sent the director an audition tape I had made one day after school,” she recalls, “and the next thing I know, they’re After cutting her teeth on several movie projects, Skarsten is back in Toronto busy with Lost welcoming me to the WB.” Skarsten had officially landed her first major leading role Girl and The L.A. Complex. Unsurprisingly, in both shows she is portraying powerful (if at age 17. But full-time taping in L.A. and full-time school in Toronto were not exactly malevolent) women. “Lost Girl’s Fae Tamsin is brash and lacks any social graces but she’s compatible endeavours. An incredibly hectic time followed, with endless flights between also funny and bold,” Skarsten says. the two cities, on-set tutoring and a measly 13 actual in-the-flesh days at school. Somehow, the work had consumed her life. “Even though I was dirt poor when I first returned to LA, I really honed in on my true desire: I realized acting was what I wanted to do. And after working so hard to get here a second “In my mind, acting had just been another extracurricular activity,” she says. “I didn’t time, I feel immensely grateful.” realize I had signed an adult contract with adult expectations and adult commitment.” When Birds of Prey was done taping, Skarsten made her first adult decision. She worried that if she accepted any of her L.A. job offers she would be sucked into the business and never complete the schooling that was such a priority.

What does a former child actress do with a B.A.? Get a job, of course. And then another and then another. Back in Toronto and living at her mom’s house, Skarsten cycled through a series of dissatisfying gigs, including a stint as manager of Abercrombie & Fitch in the Eaton Centre.

38 Down Shift SecondSecond AstonAston MartinMartin RacingRacing EntryEntry forfor SebringSebring To Enter Two Cars At ALMS Opener At Sebring

Aston Martin Racing will have two factory Aston Martin Vantage GTE entries on the Aston Martin Racing will look for its first victory at Sebring since 2005 when the grid for the 61st Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. After a preseason test session DBR9 won its worldwide debut in the GT1 class. This time around, Aston Martin will at Portimão in Portugal, AMR will test both cars at before heading to face off against factory and works-supported efforts from BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, south to Sebring for the opening round of the American Le Mans Series on Saturday, Porsche and SRT. March 16. “The car has started this year like it finished last with great pace and reliability; , Stefan Mücke and Bruno Senna will drive the No. 97 Aston Martin although, of course, we don’t know how much our competitors have also improved at Sebring, and Canadian , American Billy Johnson and ex-AMR during the winter,” AMR team principal John Gaw said. “Importantly, all the drivers factory driver driving the No. 007 at Sebring. , another of gelled and were close on lap-times – it’s an excellent start to the team’s working America’s young road-racing talents, will test with the team at Atlanta. relationship – and we exceeded our ambitions for the first test session.”

“Although this isn’t the first time we have run the new Vantage GTE, it’s the first time we’ve been able to run it in anger and put some serious mileage on the car,” Turner said of the test in Portugal. ‘It does feel like a very good step forward. The team has done a great job over the winter and made some significant improvements. For me personally, it was probably as exciting to drive for the first time as the first drive of the DBR9. I have a really good feeling about the car and I’m looking forward to the next test in Atlanta in a few weeks time.”

Mar/Apr 2013 39