A quick car spotter on PureGT captured this Aston Martin Rapide at an Italian petrolstation this past weekend in the Alps. The license plate is the same Aston Martin Rapide mule that was filmed while testing on the Nurburgring two months ago.

The car was full of test gear including screens and computers which would be used to monitor all the dynamics of the testing for analysis. Testing vehicles in the alps allow Engineers to test a vehicle under a wide range of temperature and atmospheric pressure variances.

We’ve just stopped in to find our desk in the press office here at Silverstone. After having a quick walk around we came across these little monsters out on the old runway. Its qualifying and practice day here at the Silverstone Classic for what is already a very busy event.

And it looks like its going to be a jam packed weekend of classic racing with everything from rally cars like these to classic Le Mans and F1 cars. If you have some time on your hands I recommend you jump in the car and come down and see whats going on.

The Silvertsone Classic will feature eight decades of motor racing entertainment including 700 cars previously driven by some of the worlds greatest drivers. But there will be something for everyone at this year’s Silverstone Classic. It’s not just track activity on offer, making the event a truly family affair.

As well as the open paddock offering the chance to see race cars up close and talk to some of the hundreds of drivers present, there is also the chance to watch some superb on-track and air displays. These include a flypast by a Spitfire and Mustang as well as the Red Devils Freefall Parachute Team, Hunter Jet Fighter and a Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

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In an effort to outdo Ford and their soon to be launched Focus RS, Renault launched the new Mégane R26.R today at the British Motor Show. With the next generation Megane III expected to make it’s world debut in Paris this September, Renault is giving it once last charge with a sporty lightweight version, hoping it will give the outgoing Megane a boost in sales.

The car is more track car than road car and will be restricted to only 450, with some 250 units destined for the UK. The Mégane R26.R uses the same engine, gearbox and limited slip differential, but has been lightened by 123kg and features specific suspension calibration. The result is a new lap record for its category around the legendary Nürburgring in Germany with a time of 8m 17s.

Identifiable externally not only by the graphics, the Mégane R26.R also receives a varnished carbon bonnet, 18-inch wheels, new spoiler.

Inside, the cabin includes the use of leather and suede for the steering wheel and gear lever plus a production number plaque. It is also equipped with Sabelt bucket seats and harness belts, and can be ordered with an optional four-point roll-cage.

For the weight loss programme the R26.R lost its rear seats, airbags, climate control, rear wiper and wash system, foglamps, headlamp washers and a majority of soundproofing material. Additionally the use of other lightweight components include the carbon bonnet, polycarbonate quarter glass and rear screen and carbon seat shells with aluminium frame.

The Mégane R26.R goes on sale this October with limited availability in Great Britain, France, Switzerland, Spain and Germany. The price is currently rumored to be £22,900. Please form an orderly queue on the left.

Last year Team England – made up of Button plus three-time World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx – got through to the semi-finals of the ROC Nations Cup before being knocked out by Germany’s Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel, who went on to win. This year, instead of an English and Scottish squad, Team Autosport Great Britain will be the first of two British teams, leaving more options for potential drivers to enter.

“I never thought I’d be able to say I’d compete for my country against Germany at Wembley, but it was great to do that last year, and the crowd were awesome,” said the Honda Racing F1 Team star. “As soon as I heard Schumacher and Vettel had signed up for Germany again, I knew I had to come back to take them on.”

Tickets for the event are on sale now by calling 0844 412 1743, or online at www.raceofchampions.com. Adult prices start at £14.40 (including a 20% discount available until 31 July) and children can get in for as little as £9.

[Source: Newspress]

Our favored Nissan Team has had a dificult time with the Black 350Z visiting the garage for several repairs, and is as we speak (4 hours in) currently in the pits.

The white car has also had some problems relating to fuel but it is expected that this can be fixed.

Industry leaders PlayStation and Nissan have come together to create the ultimate competitive driving test – GT Academy. The eight-month, pan-European competition sees virtual and real-life racing merge to make the wildest dreams of two aspiring race drivers come true. The prize: a four-month training programme to earn their racing licences, followed by a real-life race driving a Nissan 350Z as part of the Nissan team at the 24H endurance race in Dubai in January 2009.

Today on the morning of the Nurbrugring 24 hour race Nissan and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, chose the Nurburgring, as the Venue to offically announce the launch of the competition.

To earn a place in GT Academy, candidates will face a series of elimination-based competitions on and off the racetrack – starting at a national level with an online GT5 Prologue tournament hosted on PLAYSTATION®Network.

GT Academy builds on the long-standing partnership between PlayStation and Nissan that began with Nissan working with Gran Turismo developers Polyphony Digital. Nissan provided vehicles, racing drivers and feedback to help perfect the game’s ultra-realistic driving simulation.

Entrants must register, via their PS3s, on the PLAYSTATION®Network (PSN) to compete in the special online tournament. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue on PS3 has sold over one million units since its launch, with the Gran Turismo franchise now having sold more than 50 million units worldwide.

To see the podcast of the launch presentation click on the video link below.

Qualification began this morning for the 230 plus entrants at this years ADAC 24hr De Rennen. As always our interest was with the boys over at Nissan Motorsports, namely RJN Motorsport. With 2 entries in the race we are hoping for good results.

Unfortunately a problem was found on the black car. After a thorough inspection it was found to be an oil leak and the team set to fixing it. This will mean that they will miss tonights night time qualifying session, but it will give the team a chance to rest overnight rather than work straight through and finish just before the begining of the race tomorrow.

Speaking to Team owner Bob Neville, he was confident that the problem would be fixed and the more powerful of the two cars would make the starting grid tomorrow afternoon.

The white car on the other hand, has been running like a dream and the team is happy that they have a good package, now that they have upgraded the car from the traditional manual box to a new state of the art 6 speed sequential.

The Creator of Gran Turismo 5 Kazanuri Yamauchi, was given a very special chance to drive the new Nissan GT-R on the Nurburgring. Kaz was handed the keys of one of only 2 offical road registered cars in Europe. Then more spectacularly, he was allowed to take it out for a quick blast of the Nurburgring Nordschleife.

As ever we were there to capture the moment they allowed him out to play on the ring. Giles Meyrick, quickly grabbed some shots of the game designer setting the car up just the way he liked it.

However even famous game designers have to wait their turn at the moment and Kaz was not allowed out until the previous single seater race had finished.

When he was finally allowed, it was very clear from the look on his face that he was excited by the prospect. TPW has heard that the lap was filmed and that it is expected to make its debut on an upcoming Playstation TV episode. You heard it here first!