Taking a stop by Cantrell Motorsports

Posted on by

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

So Kyoko has Cantrell Motorsports plastered all over her. I figured that it was about time to find the place and take a look inside. The shop is based in Kirkland, surprisingly on my normal commute to work. I didn’t want to be ‘that guy’ running around with his jaw dropped at some of the cool cars I saw, but I couldn’t help myself. I am ‘that guy’. ;)

I was impressed with what I saw being worked on inside, like an E30  had been stripped down to the frame, and a Lotus Espirt. However, my personal-favorite was a silver E36 four-door with a cage inside.  *heart-skip beat*

Craiglist? Oh yeah…Because Race Car (E30)

Posted on by

I would almost never want to feature a car that was sitting on *gasp* Craiglist *gasp*, especially with the horror that Kasumi caused me.

However this car made such an impression on me after being brought to my attention, I couldn’t help myself! This car is sitting pretty local to me at 425 Motorsports. Maybe we should go down and check it out ourselves! They aren’t that far away from where I’m sitting right now.

Continue reading →

Global Concept Automobile #BMW 1M- Multi-national awesomeness

Posted on by

I can never say ’No’ to a production-based racecar. With the BMW 1M being such a fantastic road car, it was just a matter of time before someone designed to design one into a serious racer.

This car was designed by French company, Global Concept Automobile. Through their engineering arm, GC Automobile developed this silhouette BMW 1M to be suitable for FIA series races.

Producing around 550 bhp, this BMW is powered by a tuned small block Chevy V8…(That’s right, I said it) to complete in global endurance races. So basically, it’s a French designed German car that’s powered by an American V8.

Genius. Today the French have gained more points in by book, just for this. (Video below)

Continue reading →

BMW M5 powered Impreza- Inspired Creativity or Bastardization?

Posted on by

I just saw this video over on Speedhunters, and thought that I deserves a post to our readers here. Below is a video of a four door GC Impreza with an 5 Liter V10 from an E60 M5.  Completely mental, as I’m sure it took a lot of fabrication to get that lump in this car.

Clearly not the obvious choice, but isn’t that the point? I run into a lot of people who find these sorts of swaps repelling. However, I find myself inspired by this build. Clearly the car has lost the 4WD, but it does look like it’s turned into something that’s a lot of fun to drive.

I’ve driven an E60 M5 once, and I’m sure with the lighter chassis of the Impreza, the power delivery is just amazing!

What do you think? Mental (bad) or MENTAL (good)? *Listen to the noise!*

BMW in DTM- Looking back, before we look forward (Pictures and videos)

Posted on by

Most people will know that BMW is planning on re-entering Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters in 2012. The company is pulling the majority of it’s racing efforts behind this program, and it’s GT Racing program. We here at the ‘Grid’ think that this is awesome.

However, before we look at what the new DTM car will look like in the coming year, let’s take a look at what some of the good ‘ol boys were doing in Germany about 20 years ago. (Check out the video after the jump)

Continue reading →

24 HOURS IN 19500 FRAMES- 24 Hours of Nurburgring

Posted on by

One of our favorite event of the motorsport year is the 24 Hours of Nurburgring. With the drama surrounding the ‘Ring at the moment, it’s important to reflect on what makes that space so great.

Here is just one of the reasons why we must all go to the ‘Green Hell’ once before we die.

24 HOURS IN 19500 FRAMES from tim hahne on Vimeo.

 

 

 

Passing thought: BMW M3 (E46)

Posted on by

As much as we love talking about lightweight roadsters, and mid engined cars around here, sometimes we would just like a hint of comfort.

Not too much though. We might get used to it. ;) Enter the E46. The last of the straight-six M3. Something about this car reminds us that you can have a fun lapping day car, and drive it home afterwards.

Not as many pictures here, because it is a passing thought, but we do love us some M3.

BMW M1 Procar- Beauty of a Time.

Posted on by

After taking a look at one of the latest releases from the German firm, we found ourselves aching for BMW which showed a bit more passion. Besides the E30 M3, the earlier M1 is another Bimmer that really makes us smile around these parts.

However, the Procar chalks up other pleasant emotions. (We can’t talk about it here. Kids may be reading this blog ;) )

For those who don’t know anything about the M1 Procar: (Thanks Wikipedia!)

“The BMW M1 Procar Championship, sometimes known simply as Procar, was a one-make auto racing series created by Jochen Neerpasch, head of BMW Motorsport GmbH, the racing division of automobile manufacturer BMW. The series pitted professional drivers from the Formula One World Championship, World Sportscar Championship, European Touring Car Championship, and other international series against one another using identically modified BMW M1 sports cars.

Billed as an opportunity to see a mix of drivers from various motorsport disciplines,the championship served as support races for various European rounds of the 1979 Formula One season, with Formula One drivers earning automatic entry into the Procar event based on their performance in their Formula One cars. Austrian Niki Lauda won the inaugural championship. In 1980, the series held some events outside of Formula One schedule, and was won by Brazilian Nelson Piquet. BMW chose not to continue the championship in 1981 to concentrate on their entrance into Formula One.”

Alright, enough talking.