darren, Author at Octane Photography

Oct 04

by darren in Track 0 comments tags: Engel, Mercedes, Nordschleife

Engel Mercedes-AMG sets new Nordschleife record

The German marque’s $2.7 million hypercar just became the first street-legal vehicle to circle the Nurburgring-Nordschleife in under 6:30. In doing so, the Formula 1-inspired vehicle broke a record … that it set two years ago.

Oct 04

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: Engel, Mercedes, Nordschleife

Mercedes-AMG sets new Nurburgring record

The German marque’s $2.7 million hypercar just became the first street-legal vehicle to circle the Nürburgring-Nordschleife in under 6:30. In doing so, the Formula 1-inspired vehicle broke a record … that it set two years ago. What’s the best way to protect a record? You put it even further out of reach. That seems to be Mercedes’ thinking at least. The One didn’t just break its old record, it shattered it. During the latest run, the hypercar, which was driven on both runs by Marco Engel, sped around the winding circuit in 6:29.090. That’s more than six seconds faster than the 6:35.183 it posted in November of 2022 (which was itself eight seconds quicker than the previous mark). So how did the AMG One cut six seconds from its Green Hell lap time in less than two years? The car itself remains the same, but the big difference this time was the weather. Mercedes never seemed fully satisfied with the first mark, citing the weather and less-than-ideal track conditions. This time the track’s surface was completely dry, allowing the car to attain what the company called the “perfect grip.” Additionally, Engel and the rest of the AMG team would appear to have a […]

Oct 01

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: KTM, MotoGP

Aki Ajo appointed as factory KTM Team Manager from 2025

KTM has announced that Aki Ajo will lead the project as its new Team Manager for the 2025 MotoGP season, replacing the departing Francesco Guidotti. Ajo’s racing team, Ajo Motorsport, has been affiliated with KTM since 2012, and the partnership has produced three Moto3 championships in 2012, 2016, and 2021. From 2017, Ajo expanded KTM representation to Moto2, with his team claiming three consecutive titles from 2021-2023. Current MotoGP riders Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta ride for the factory and satellite teams. Both riders have won the championship in the junior categories. With Acosta joining Binder at the factory team for 2025, KTM believes that Ajo is the right fit based on previous working relations with both riders. Ajo was chosen to lead the project in 2025 due to familiarity with KTM’s operations and staff and previous success in the junior categories. Both Ajo teams in Moto3 and Moto2 will continue to develop riders as they progress up the two-wheeled ladder to the pinnacle. The Finn stated: “It’s an honor to be offered this great new role and opportunity to work in MotoGP with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. “At the moment MotoGP is at a very high level so […]

Oct 01

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: MotoGP, Oliveira, Trackhouse

Trackhouse update on Miguel Oliveira after surgery to fix fracture

Miguel Oliveira is likely to miss the next MotoGP rounds after successful surgery. The Trackhouse rider crashed during practice for the Indonesian MotoGP at Mandalika. Oliveira was taken to hospital by helicopter where they confirmed he suffered multiple fracture of the radius bone. A statement released by Oliveira has now confirmed: “Promptly assisted at the circuit’s medical centre, he was then evacuated to the local hospital to assess the severity of the injury. “After diagnostic tests, the fracture was reduced and immobilised. “The Almada rider was then able to travel to Lisbon and be accompanied by Dr. Gonçalo Morais Sarmento and his team at the Sant’Ana Hospital in Parede, where a plate was implanted to stabilise the bone. “Miguel Oliveira will have a careful recovery ahead of him, focused on the success of the surgery, and the first week will be of absolute rest so that he can then evaluate and define the best and appropriate strategy to get back on the bike as soon as possible. “At the moment, everything indicates that the rider will sit out the next two races, in Japan and Australia.” Trackhouse confirmed: “On Monday, Miguel was admitted to the Sant’Ana Hospital in Parede, Lisbon, […]

Sep 30

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: Guidotti, KTM, MotoGP

KTM confirm departure of team boss Francesco Guidotti

Red Bull KTM has confirmed that Team Manager Francesco Guidotti will be leaving the team at the end of the 2024 MotoGP season. Guidotti was appointed team manager in 2022 to replace Mike Leitner, and has overseen two wins for the manufacturer in the hands of Miguel Oliveira, as well as sprint success for Brad Binder at last season’s Argentinian Grand Prix. The Italian was believed to have had a contract scheduled to run until the end of 2025, but after two years without victory, he has been released by the Austrian manufacturer early. “After three years with Francesco and a lot of positive progress and working methods, we are moving the team with a different leadership approach,” said KTM Motorsports Director Pit Beirer. “Making these changes is never an easy process and we can only thank Francesco warmly for what he has done in our MotoGP story. “2025 will bring some big movements to the whole program in this close and exciting sport and we are laying the foundations now to keep making steps ahead.” The news of Guidotti’s departure means a big shift is scheduled for KTM for 2025, as they welcome new management into their stable alongside […]

Sep 29

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: Nascar, van Gisbergen, Xfinity

Van Gisbergen rallies to eighth in remarkable Kansas recovery

Shane van Gisbergen has delivered a master performance in his first NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs race at Kansas. Despite starting down in 22nd and racing at Kansas for the first time, van Gisbergen produced a smashing final stage to soar to eighth and fifth amongst the Playoff contenders. It was the Kiwi’s fourth best result on an oval and could not have come at a more critical moment in the Playoffs opener where he is trying to be one of the leading eight to make the cut after the first three-race segment. Up front Aric Almirola made a late-race charge to snatch the win from Playoff drivers Cole Custer and Chandler Smith, who had words post-race. Sheldon Creed in fifth and Austin Hill in seventh were the only other Playoff drivers to finish ahead of the #97. The big Playoff victim was Justin Allgaier, who crashed out after making contact with Sheldon Creed and spinning into the inside wall from 10th on Lap 20. Van Gisbergen started 22nd after qualifying 0.948s off pole sitter Brandon Jones and had a steady opening stage, crossing the line 24th. The Kiwi crept into the top 20 in a second stage that was heavily […]

Sep 27

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: Slade, Supercars

Slade Announces Full Time Retirement

Tim Slade has announced the 2024 Repco Supercars Championship will be his last as a full-time driver. The 39-year-old took to social media this afternoon to share the news, deciding now is the time to step away after making his debut in the championship in 2009. “Ahhh car racing… Definitely provides a rollercoaster of emotions,” said Slade in his statement. “2024 is my 15th and will now be my last year competing full time in Supercars. “I’m proud to have spent that length of time racing at the top level in Australia in one of the most competitive series in the world. “I’m looking forward to finishing it off the best way possible in the remaining races this year and also for what’s to come next. “I’m very appreciative to the many people that have made it all possible over the years, especially and firstly my Dad and secondly, James Rosenberg [long-time supporter].” PremiAir Racing also confirmed the news via social media, with team owner Peter Xiberras thanking Slade for his role in boosting the young team towards the front of the grid. “Since joining as our full-time driver in 2023, Tim has consistently impressed us with his race craft […]

Sep 25

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: Skaife, Supercars

Skaife Steps Down from Supercars Board

Racing Australia Consolidated Enterprises (RACE), the owner of Supercars, has confirmed Mark Skaife is no longer on its board of directors after stepping down ahead of the Bathurst 1000. Skaife has stepped down from his position as a director of RACE and its Supercars subsidiaries, with the big change to take place in coming weeks ahead of the Bathurst 1000. With TV rights negotiations coming up due to the current deal with Fox Sports and Seven, the five-time Supercars champion felt the timing was right to step back. However, RACE will still use the knowledge of the 90-time race winner in an advisory role. Skaife has been calling Supercars ever since his retirement in 2008 as an expert on the Supercars TV broadcast beamed by Fox Sports since the pay TV network took over in 2015. A Supercars statement confirmed the news and stated that Skaife decided to “remove any perception of conflicts” due to his role behind the microphone. Supercars’ statement read: “Racing Australia Consolidated Enterprises Ltd (RACE), the owner of Australasia’s premier motorsport category, the Repco Supercars Championship, today confirmed that Mark Skaife OAM will step down from his position as a director RACE and its Supercars subsidiaries, […]

Sep 22

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: Formula1, RB, Ricciardo

Writing on the wall for Ricciardo after Singapore Qualifying Disaster

Daniel Ricciardo may be preparing for the final race of his F1 career on Sunday after another nightmare performance in qualifying. If the rumours weren’t already loud enough, it looks like there’s nothing left that will save Daniel Ricciardo’s career after another disastrous qualifying session at the Singapore Grand Prix. The promising signs for a good weekend for Ricciardo on the first day of practice, which saw him finished seventh in FP1 and sixth in FP2 evaporated on Saturday, going 17th fastest in FP3 before yet another Q1 exit from qualifying. The Aussie qualified 16th for Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix in yet another disappointing performance. Only this one came at the worst possible time with the whispers of him being replaced by Liam Lawson taking over the grid this weekend. Red Bull is reportedly set to drop the axe on Ricciardo after the weekend with a four-week break between Singapore and the United States Grand Prix in Austin. “We have an idea, but we have to wait until Singapore,” Red Bull supremo Helmut Marko told Viaplay. “It is still September, but from Singapore, we will have a precise idea. It will be quite clear as to what will happen with […]

Sep 20

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: Miller, MotoGP, Yamaha

Jack Miller joins Prima Pramac Yamaha in 2025

The Australian rider’s move completes the rider line-up Jack Miller is set to embark on a new chapter in his MotoGP™ career, joining Prima Pramac Yamaha Factory Team for the 2025 season. The Australian rider’s move completes the rider line-up for the upcoming campaign. After a two-year stint with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, Miller’s switch to Yamaha’s new-look Independent Team will see him partnering with Miguel Oliveira. This move represents Miller’s fourth different manufacturer in his MotoGP™ journey, showcasing his versatility and adaptability in the premier class. Miller is no stranger to Prima Pramac Racing, having spent three successful years with the team from 2018 to 2020. During this period, the duo celebrated nine podium finishes, including three impressive second-place results in 2020. This prior experience is likely to ease Miller’s transition into the team for the 2025 season. Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing, expressed enthusiasm about Miller’s arrival, stating, “With 10 years of experience in the MotoGP class with three different manufacturers, Jack will be a valuable asset for Yamaha. His speed, knowledge, work ethic, and team spirit will be invaluable to our project as we plan to improve the performance of the M1 in […]