In the mean time, here’s a video of the wacky Ford Transit Trophy!

Anyway, since my last post I went to the WTCC and Le Mans Series so I’ll post something about it soon. Also I’m preparing a second part of the Toyota Racing history, this time about the Carina E trophy.

Since my Levin is still being fixed, all I can do is watch the trackdays from behind the armco…

A pair of Dutch Minis looking very hot. I really like this Clubman and it looks like it was driven very hard, considering the huge ammount of mosquitoes

Enjoy the rest of the pictures.

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Toyota always had a strong presence in Portugal and in Portuguese Motorsports. They hosted single-make trophies with Starlets, Corollas and Carinas (oh and Yaris) for about a decade or more.
Toyota also had a strong presence in rallying and Group B1 circuit racing in the early stages of the Eighties, but that’s for another post.

The first year of the AE86 Trophy was in 1985 and it was ran until 1987, when it was replaced with the AE92 model.
The car was pretty much stock,  TRD springs and ATS rims.

As you can see it’s the Phase 1 Corolla in every year (except for maybe 1 racer?)

1985

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1986

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Pretty neat liveries, huh?

1987

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And here’s a video!

The stillborn NSX successor presented by Honda back in 2008 has made its way into the 2010 Super GT season. Powered by a 3.4L engine FR layout, it is supposed to output 500hp or around that, as per GT500 regulations.
Now, why do they race a car that will never be sold is still a mystery to everyone.

For the past few years Honda has been busy destroying their image of a great auto maker. From making a new Civic Type-R that is outperformed by its predecessor, to killing the NSX and its futuristic HSV prototype. Their design has become too odd in a love it or hate it fashion… Then they embarked on a suicide marketing move with their F1 team and finally pulled out of the championship.  The only good thing was the Integra DC5, but since it wasn’t sold worldwide it doesn’t really count, does it?

Anyway, after using the NSX for several years, Honda have finally decided to retire it and introduce the HSV prototype… managing to get round the race regulations.

Here’s a video of the HSV-010 roaring down the track.

Image credits to Honda Motor Company. (shots taken from ultimatecarpage.com)

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Stirling Moss, Jochen Mass, Bobby Rahal. BMW Batmobile, a couple of Matras, Amon F1 cars and all sorts of vintage racecars.

The Algarve Historic Festival was a great event with many Historic race classes, from pre-war F1 racing to 70′s Touring & Prototypes. The ambience was exactly like you’d expect in a gentlemens event and you could easily spot Stirling Moss or Bobby Rahal happily strolling around in the paddock.

I will be attending the 2010 edition and hopefully get more insight info on what’s going on.

A very loud Matra and a DeTomaso Pantera. Never saw these two together before, but it’s a great sight!

John Player Special. Guess who was #5!

Portuguese drivers also have great cars and that shows pretty well on this picture

American Muscle. The Mustang didn’t stood a chance agains the other huge boats with wheels.

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This car races in the Portuguese Classic Car Championship (1300cc class). It still strugles a lot agains the Escorts, but aparently they can change the injection system and so next year they will pose a threat.

This is an iconic car, having made its return in 2008 after two decades of absense. In the early 80′s Toyota dominated the Group B2 class with two official Starlet 1.3S that came directly from TRD Japan.

Photo was taken by me with the cellphone… so sorry for the low quality

Yes! I bought a 1987 AE86. Because of this a new page will be avaliable in a couple of days at the top right corner of this blog. There you’ll find the spec sheet, mods, pictures and so on.

As you’ve noticed the photos are really bad. I haven’t had time for a photo session but hopefully that will change next weekend.

I’m in favour of donations so don’t be shy!

Every year the final race of the year is held at the unique street circuit of Macau. The WTCC venue has been present in the late eighties and early nineties, coming back strong again in 2005.

The 56th edition WTCC, Formula 3, Macau Motorcycle GP, Road Sport Challenge, CTM Touring Car Race, F.BMW Pacific, Macau GT Cup and HKG Interport Race.

1982 Macau Guia Race (Group 5 silhouettes)

1989 Macau Touring Car Race

1990 Macau Guia Race (Nissan Skyline R32 onboard)

2006 Macau GP WTCC Race 1

2008 Macau GP Roadsports Race

Also be sure to visit the official website at http://www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo/ as their photo gallery is great, even if it only goes back until 2001.

One day I’ll watch it from the grandstand in front of Hotel Lisboa…