Leading suspension specialist GAZ has offered GAZ Gold coilover suspension kits for the BMW Mini Cooper and Cooper S for quite some time. However, the company has relaunched the kits with the added benefit of a Black Zinc protective coating.
The new look kits are suitable for street, track day and even outright competition vehicles -especially those that have been subject to extensive power upgrades.
GAZ Gold coilovers are produced with a gas cell in the outer reservoir. This helps prevent cavitation. The units are then filled with a multi grade high viscosity index fluid to help resist fade under extreme conditions.
GAZ Gold units are bump and rebound adjustable whilst on the vehicle by means of an easily accessible adjuster knob. GAZ can produce this kit with ‘road use’ or ‘full race’ valving as required and supply the appropriate springs for the intended purpose.
Ride height is adjustable through 60mm of adjustment and all units are individually tested before leaving the factory and are covered by a two year warranty.
Part: GGA425 GAZ Gold Coilover Kit – BMW Mini Cooper 2002-08 RRP £1064.26 plus. VAT. Part: GGA425S GAZ Gold Coilover Kit – BMW Mini Cooper S 2002-08 RRP £1064.26 plus. VAT.
For further details visit the GAZ website: www.gazshocks.com
Fidanza Performance shifters are designed as a ‘plug-‘n’-play’ direct factory replacement and reduce throw by up to 40% for faster shifts.
Fidanza short shift kits are precisely made with 6061 billet aluminium and a hardened steel lever shaft.
Fidanza short throw shifters are based on the OEM shifter design with a reduced angle in the shifter shaft. The result will change your driving experience by giving you a shorter throw and an even sportier action. This conversion is also height adjustable so that the driver can adjust the shifter height to suit their own preference.
The Fidanza Short Throw Shifter number 891854 is suitable for: 1999-2002 BMW 5 Series.
Fidanza Short Shifter 891854 is available directly from Fidanza.com at $230.01 plus import tax and shipping.
For more information on Fidanza’s great products visit www.fidanza.com or contact sales@fidanza.com
Now you can install heat and sound proofing material, as well as carpet and headlining, without the mess or masking associated with spray adhesive.
DEI’s Adhesive Transfer Tape is a very aggressive, pressure-sensitive, double-sided tape designed to bond materials whilst maintaining a high-tack level.
The tape is also heat resistant which means that when the sun is shining your headlining won’t end up falling on your head! In fact, DEi’s Adhesive Transfer Tape will cope with temperatures from -30 to 120 degrees Celsius.
DEI’s Adhesive Transfer Tape is available in single (#50205 – £10.94) or dual-roll packs (#50207 – £20.99). The tape measures 3″ wide and comes in 32-foot lengths.
Prices shown are for supply direct from DEI in America and will be subject to import tax, shipping costs and handling fees. UK and European customers are recommended to check local DEI official dealers for prices.
To keep up with the very latest DEI product introductions and company news connect with DEI on Facebook or Twitter or subscribe to DEI’s You Tube channel.
Higher oil pressure and greater capacity are always a good idea when tuning an engine, but essential when preparing an engine for track-day or competition use.
Fortunately, the cost of higher oil pressure and higher capacity isn’t expensive. The Burton FT1055A Uprated Oil Pump for the Ford SOHC Pinto engine costs just £68.95 inc. VAT. A new FT1057 drive shaft will also be required at £9.95 inc. VAT.
Fitting this pump and shaft will give a 23% increase in flow volume.
The Burton Uprated Oil Pump for the Ford SOHC Pinto engines is suitable for: Ford Capri Mk1/Mk2/Mk3 1.6/2.0 1972-1987 Ford Cortina Mk3/Mk4/Mk5 1.6/2.0 1970-1982 Ford Escort Mk1 RS2000 2.0 1973-1974 Ford Escort Mk2 RS2000 2.0 & Mexico 1.6 1975-1980 Ford Granada Mk2 1.6/2.0 1977-1985 Ford Granada/Scorpio Mk3 1.8/2.0 1985-1989 Ford Sierra 1.6/1.8/2.0 1982-1989 Ford Transit Mk2/Mk3 1.6/2.0 1978-1994 TVR Tamsin 200 2.0
for further details contact Burton Power on 0208 554 2281 www.burtonpower.com
During braking, accelerating and cornering, oil is forced towards the sides of the sump (known as oil surge).
Under normal driving conditions the surge is within the manufacturer’s limits and is not a problem. However under competition conditions on the track it can be a different story. When there is more power, bigger brakes, stickier tyres and/or competitive driving, oil surge becomes a problem and can eventually lead to oil starvation if the oil pickup is momentarily deprived of oil supply whilst the oil is trying to climb the sides of the sump and block. The result is an expensive engine rebuild.
Burton’s modified baffle is designed to keep oil surrounding the pick-up when subjected to more extreme conditions than those for which the stock sump was designed. The baffle plate features a one-way gate that will allow oil movement towards the pickup pipe, but not away from it.
The baffle plate will fit all Burton LHD alloy RS2000 sumps. Order as part number FT659 at £84.00 inc. VAT.
Ford SOHC Pinto Baffle Plate Application: Ford Escort Mk1 RS2000 2.0 LHD 1973-1974 Ford Escort Mk2 RS2000 2.0 & Mexico 1.6 LHD 1975-1980
for further details contact Burton Power on 0208 554 2281 www.burtonpower.com
Finally: Jutta Kleinschmidt and Mattias Ekström clinched their first trophy in Extreme E in Sardinia. In a dramatic finale and with an impressive race to catch up after a botched start, the German-Swedish duo celebrated second place in the so-called Island X Prix on the coast of the Italian island. After three race weekends with a wide variety of challenges, ABT CUPRA XE kept a cool head even in changing weather conditions and rewarded themselves with the first podium finish in the series for all-electric SUVs.
“Congratulations to the entire team, this success is more than deserved,” said ABT CEO Thomas Biermaier, who followed the Island X Prix in the garage and command centre. “We have already had to deal with a few setbacks this season. Nevertheless, we have never given up, but always motivated ourselves anew. Jutta and Mattias have become a super team – it’s a lot of fun to watch them prepare together. Now they have finally rewarded themselves and the whole team.”
The weekend in Sardinia was also marked by some ups and downs: In free practice, the power steering failed, causing valuable preparation time to be lost. From qualifying onwards, the e-CUPRA ABT XE1 then ran smoothly: third place after qualifying paved the way to the strongly contested second semi-final, where ABT CUPRA XE met the eventual winner RXR and Carlos Sainz’ team and finished second.
The final, in which five cars competed against each other, began with a little shock moment: Jutta Kleinschmidt stood a good three seconds too long and then chased after the field. And how she did that: After only half a lap she had caught up with the leader and handed over the car, which by now was marked by rain and mud, to her team mate in second place. Ekström’s attack on the eventual winners quickly came to an end, however, when a door came off and the team therefore decided, also in view of the water crossings, to rather drive home second place safely.
“Another crazy weekend, but this time with the happy ending for us,” said a delighted Mattias Ekström. “We fought bravely and with a lot of heart today, but also drove very smart – thanks for that to the whole team.” Jutta Kleinschmidt said: “I’m especially happy for the guys who give everything every weekend and take great care of us. Now we have the first trophy and of course we want to follow up in England.”
The finale of the first Extreme E season will be held on 18 and 19 December at the so-called Jurassic X Prix in Dorset (Great Britain).
CAPO TEULADA, SARDINIA, ITALY – OCTOBER 22: Jutta Kleinschmidt (GER)/Mattias Ekstrom (SWE), ABT CUPRA XE during the Island X Prix on October 22, 2021 in Capo Teulada, Sardinia, Italy. (Photo by Andrew Ferraro)
It is not without good reason that Audi describes the latest Q8 TFSI e as the “most progressive SUV coupé to date” of its vehicles: It combines dynamic performance with local emission-free and low-noise driving. This is achieved by the combination of an electric motor and V6 engine. Four selectable driving modes determine the extent to which the two drive solutions are used. The most powerful model, the Q8 60 TFSI e, has a combined system performance of 462 HP (340 kW) available under your right foot. With its performance upgrade*, ABT Sportsline boosts the combustion engine from 340 HP (250 kW) and 450 Nm to 408 HP (300 kW) and 500 Nm, thereby providing significantly more power to the plug-in hybrid. After installation of the high-tech control unit ABT Engine Control, the system performance of the SUV coupé is an impressive 530 HP (390 kW). The upgrade from the Bavarian company is also available for the Q8 TFSI e model with lower system performance.
The world’s largest automotive aftermarket and performance parts specialist for Audi and VW provides more than merely boosting performance. The hybrid Q8 can also be enhanced with a more individual appearance. To this end, ABT Sportsline offers a multi-component Aero package that comprises front skirt add-on, rear skirt set, rear spoiler and fender inserts. The latter is also available in stylish carbon fibre. All parts are also available separately.
ABT Sports rims are available in three different versions. The GR model in glossy or matt black is available in 22-inch. And if more girth is your thing, the GR-F is available in the same colours, but in 23-inch. For a different colourway, the HR-F wheel is available in dark smoke. This is available in both 22 and 23-inch sizes. If you like this multi-spoke design but prefer a classic black, then the glossy black version is the one for you. The last two offer next to stylish optics also a low empty weight because of FlowForming –Technology – which lifts them up to the class of High-Performance-Wheels.
For further individual tuning options for the Q8TFSI e, such as the interior or details regarding the electronic lowering ALC, visit the ABT Configurator.
Extreme E is coming to Europe: After events in Saudi Arabia, Senegal and Greenland, the off-road series for fully electric SUVs will take place in Sardinia (Italy) next weekend (23 and 24 October). With the Island X Prix, the teams, drivers and organisation also want to draw attention to the growing threat to the island from heat waves and forest fires. In sporting terms, the ABT CUPRA XE squad, with its drivers Jutta Kleinschmidt and Mattias Ekström, will be competing for the first trophy in their debut season.
The venue for the race is the Capo Teulada military training area in the Sulcis-Iglesiente region, a historic area in the south-west of Sardinia. The approximately seven-kilometre-long course leads over hard ground with many rocks and bushes, as well as dried-up riverbeds. In the autumn months, the terrain softens, creating many natural obstacles for the drivers. This also results in different ideal lines and thus overtaking opportunities. Drivers and teams will get to know the track for the first time during the track walk on Thursday afternoon.
After the shakedown and a free practice session on Friday, Saturday is dedicated to the qualifying races, before the semi-finals and the final will decide the winner on Sunday. The Island X Prix is the penultimate race of the season. The final will be held on the weekend before Christmas (18 and 19 December) as the Jurassic X Prix in Dorset (Great Britain).
KANGERLUSSUAQ, GREENLAND – AUGUST 28: Jutta Kleinschmidt (GER)/Mattias Ekstrom (SWE), ABT CUPRA XE during the Arctic X-Prix at Kangerlussuaq on August 28, 2021 in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. (Photo by Zak Mauger / LAT Images)
Kelvin van der Linde and ABT Sportsline kept their word and fought for the DTM drivers’ title until the very end. In a dramatic finale at the Norisring, the title dreams only burst shortly before the end of the last race of the season with the left rear tyre of Kelvin van der Linde’s ABT Audi R8 LMS.
It was preceded by two intense days of racing on the DTM’s only city street circuit. Free practice on Friday already indicated that the two Ferraris of the Red Bull AlphaTauri AF Corse team would also have a clear advantage at the Norisring. The only one who could threaten championship leader Liam Lawson in qualifying was Kelvin van der Linde, who secured second place on the grid for both races. In the first qualifying session, however, he was almost two tenths of a second off the pace – a small world on the Norisring, which is only 2.3 kilometres short.
Accordingly, Kelvin van der Linde had to take a lot of risks in both races. The South African put all his eggs in one basket and attacked Liam Lawson in the first corner – both times with consequences.
On Saturday, the ABT driver braked a little too late, was carried far to the outside in turn one and dropped back to seventh place. Also thanks to a clever strategy, the South African was able to move up to fourth and finish one place behind Liam Lawson. The title decision was thus postponed until Sunday.
In the second qualifying session, only 41 thousandths of a second were missing for pole position. Again, van der Linde tried to attack the championship leader on the better inside line. Because he pushed Liam Lawson wide in turn one, he had to serve a 5-second time penalty during the pit stop.
Despite the time penalty, van der Linde returned to the track after his pit stop ahead of the eventual winner and champion Maxi Götz in the Mercedes. This would have put him ahead of Götz in the championship. Attempting to resist of being passed on cold tyres, the two title contenders touched at the exit of the Dutzendteich corner, which deflated the left rear tyre on the ABT Audi R8 LMS and finally shattered the title dreams.
Team-mate Mike Rockenfeller also suffered a puncture shortly after the start on Saturday and retired from the race. On Sunday, in his last DTM race for Audi, “Rocky” just missed the podium in fourth place. The entire team wore caps with the words “Thank you Rocky” on the starting grid.
Lucas di Grassi showed how quickly he learns in his second outing in the DTM. The Brazilian managed to match the pace of his teammates and could have scored top ten results in both races. On Saturday, his crew delayed the compulsory pit stop too long, which is why di Grassi was retroactively demoted to 15th place. On Sunday, the Formula E star spun after a contact with Mike Rockenfeller in the frantic start phase. Although he did not find reverse gear straight away, di Grassi still finished twelfth.
Nürnberg: DTM Norisring 2021, Nürnberg on October, 9, 2021, (Photo by Hoch Zwei)
Even before the finale of the 2021 season at the Norisring, ABT Sportsline has already set the course for the future. Kelvin van der Linde will continue to compete in the DTM for the team from the Allgäu region next year.
“The message is clear: we remain committed to the DTM and are looking forward to continuing our extremely successful collaboration with Kelvin,” says Team Principal Thomas Biermaier. “Kelvin’s debut season in the DTM impressed everyone in the team. He is one of the fastest GT drivers in the world and was clearly the benchmark with the Audi R8 LMS this year. What’s more, he’s a great character and simply one of us: ABT has supported Kelvin since he first came to Germany from South Africa as a young man. He has lived near Kempten ever since and is extremely popular within the whole team. He is also an absolute asset for the DTM. The fans love him.”
The 25-year-old South African has taken four wins and five pole positions in his first DTM season so far. Before the last two races, he is in second place of the drivers’ standings, only 14 points behind championship leader Liam Lawson. “The DTM has always been my dream,” says Kelvin van der Linde. “ABT Sportsline has made this dream come true. To win a race straight away during my first weekend in the DTM at Monza was awesome. Although we had two difficult weekends at the Red Bull Ring and Assen, we are still in the title race. That shows how strong the team is. My guys at ABT are the best in the whole paddock. It’s great to already know before the finale how things will go next year. That gives me extra motivation. The DTM has exceeded all of my expectations. You get noticed much more than in all the other racing series I’ve competed in so far. The DTM weekends are very intense, and the level is extremely high.”
ABT Sportsline will field at least two Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II cars in the 2022 DTM season. “The DTM is a strong product with an attractive presence on SAT.1 and a large media reach,” says Thomas Biermaier. “We are working on the best possible package for 2022. It’s a shame that ‘Rocky’ is leaving Audi. Even though he will no longer be competing for us in the DTM, he will remain a good friend. We rate him very highly as a person and as a racing driver.”
