Category Archives: performance

Sebring 2026 – Porsche Takes 20th Complete Victory

Posted on 23 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“We had the right packages with the Porsche 963 in the top GTP class and the 911 GT3 R in the leading GT category. We were fast, the drivers kept their cool, and the teams worked flawlessly. We couldn’t have asked for more. Congratulations to our customer teams, the works squad, and all our partners. We’re delighted with this successful start to the season and these major achievements as we celebrate 75 years of Porsche Motorsport,” said Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport. Continue reading →

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Mustang GTD Applications Open April 17

Posted on 23 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“If you don’t try, you’ll never know. That’s not just a motivational saying. It’s true of Mustang GTD ownership, too,” said Joe Bellino, Mustang GTD brand manager. This is part of the celebrations of the 62nd birthday of the Ford Mustang. Continue reading →

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Chevy Teases 2027 Corvette Grand Sport at Sebring

Posted on 22 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“It is an incredible opportunity to be reunited with the Corvette Grand Sport C2 here at the Twelve Hours of Sebring – an event and a track that has always carried special meaning for me and for our race teams over the years,” Penske said. “Congratulations to Chevrolet on launching the new era of the Grand Sport program. It is truly special to see the C2 and the other generations of the Corvette Grand Sport, including the new C8, here at Sebring.” Continue reading →

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Andretti Global Rules Inaugural Java House Grand Prix

Posted on 16 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“What an absolutely phenomenal day for our #27 JM Bullion Andretti Global Honda. And hats off to Honda really for a 1-2-3-4 today,” Kirkwood said. “Man, did we have some pace. This JM Bullion Honda, Andretti, all these guys right here, they gave me the tools today. It’s because of this race car we won today, because of teamwork….“One-three-four (finish) for Andretti; we’re just so stacked here. I’m so stoked.” Continue reading →

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Ganassi Racing’s Palou Rules 2026 NTT IndyCar Start

Posted on 2 March 2026 by Ken Zino

Alex Palou opened the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series* season with a dominant victory in the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg with a 12.49 second lead over the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet of NTT P1 Award winner Scott … Continue reading →

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IndyCar Stays Green – New Hybrid Engines Coming in 2028

Posted on 12 February 2026 by Ken Zino

IndyCar today announced a multiyear commitment from Chevrolet and Honda to continue as official Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) of IndyCar and the NTT IndyCar Series.* Each OEM agreement will commence in 2027 and run for multiple years.[Buried in the release was the fact that a new hybrid powertrain – presumably with more electric power – will be used with a new 2.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 engine introduced in the 2028 NTT IndyCar Series – AutoCrat]

“This is a monumental day for IndyCar, fueled by a massive and historic commitment from two of our best and most trusted partners,” said IndyCar President J. Douglas Boles. “Chevrolet and Honda have worked tirelessly with us over the last 12 months to get to this point, and both have made it very clear that they are fully committed to this sport and invested in continuing the positive momentum the series generated in 2025.” Continue reading →

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First Look – Genesis X Skorpio Concept

Posted on 29 January 2026 by Ken Zino

Genesis this week unveiled the X Skorpio Concept, an off-road vehicle designed to perform within demanding terrain including deserts. This happened in Rub’ al Khali “Empty Quarter” desert in the UAE.* “The X Skorpio concept is an extreme off-road vehicle … Continue reading →

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First Look – 2026 Mercedes-AMG F1 W17 Racer

Posted on 22 January 2026 by Ken Zino

The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team today unveiled the first images of its 2026 car, the Mercedes-AMG F1 W17 E PERFORMANCE. Race drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, at the carbon fiber wheel of the W17, completed 67 laps of the Silverstone 2.979 km circuit, combining for almost 200 km of total mileage. The 2026 season inarguably the biggest technical revamp in the sport’s history, with all-new chassis, Power Unit, and fuel regulations. 

“Formula One will undergo significant change in 2026, and we are prepared for that transition. The new regulations demand innovation and absolute focus across every area of performance. Our work on the new car, and the long-term development of the Power Unit and advanced sustainable fuels with PETRONAS, reflects that approach” said Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO. Continue reading →

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Corvette ZR1X Runs 8.675-Second Quarter Mile

Posted on 19 January 2026 by Ken Zino

The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X, the most advanced and expensive Corvette ever, is the quickest American production car available – and the fastest way to get down a quarter-mile drag strip for under a million dollars.

“Testing on the ZR1X culminated in October 2025 with validation at US 131 Motorsports Park – reflective of the real-world environments where Corvette customers exercise their vehicles. On a prepped surface, the ZR1X completed the quarter mile in 8.675 seconds at 159 mph(see footnote 1), on pump gas, using standard-equipment tires and production 50-state street-legal engine calibration, and achieving a 0-60 mph time of 1.68 seconds (1) on the same run. The ZR1X blasted to 60 mph in less than 100 feet, generating a peak of 1.75G of acceleration force,” Chevrolet said. Continue reading →

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Cadillac Formula 1® – Checo Perez Completes First Track Laps

Posted on 19 January 2026 by Ken Zino

A Cadillac Formula 1 Team Filming Day happened this past Friday at the Silverstone track in England. The team was at the  track during a pre-season promotional day as it continues preparations for its debut Formula 1® campaign during 2026. The car ran entirely in black at Silverstone, with the final 2026 Cadillac Formula 1® Team livery set to be revealed on Sunday 8 February 2026 , via a globally televised championship broadcast during the Australian Grand Prix. [Let’s hope black isn’t symbolic of the first season of real racing – AutoCrat.] Continue reading →

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First Look – Cadillac Formula 1 Camouflaged Livery!

Posted on 13 January 2026 by Ken Zino

General Motors President Mark Reuss today revealed the Cadillac Formula 1® Team’s Special Edition testing livery at GM’s new global headquarters, the Hudson’s Detroit building. The livery will be used at the all-team Shakedown Week in Barcelona, Spain, 26 – 30 January, ahead of unveiling the final livery on February 8 at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. [Practice starts in Melbourne, Australia on March 6. So it’s unlikely the practice cars will be camouflaged enough to hide the racing configuration. Sponsorship logos may be lacking – AutoCrat?] The racing car of sorts will also be on display at the Detroit Auto Show until 25 January. Continue reading →

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Porsche Laments the Death of Hans Herrmann

Posted on 12 January 2026 by Ken Zino

Porsche AG is mourning the loss of Hans Herrmann. The former racing driver passed away on 9 January 2026, at the age of 97. During his motorsport career, he achieved more than 80 overall and class victories, the vast majority of them for Porsche. Herrmann not only competed in all major endurance races and European hill climb championship events, but also conducted countless test drives at the Weissach Development Center. Above all, Hermann was instrumental in making Porsche a serious competitor in endurance racing.

“The passing of Hans Herrmann has deeply affected us all,” says Thomas Laudenbach, Head of Porsche Motorsport. “He was one of Porsche AG’s most successful factory racing drivers. With the victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 in the Porsche 917, Richard Attwood and he made history.” Continue reading →

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Mercedes AMG 2026 Experience Goes Off-Road

Posted on 8 January 2026 by Ken Zino

Mercedes‑AMG today announced the continuation and expansion of its 2026 AMG Experience season with the inclusion for the first time of off-road driving. “Back by popular demand, AMG Experience’s ‘On Road’ program returns in 2026. This exclusive six-day excursion features … Continue reading →

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BMW Group Adds Alpina Brand

Posted on 5 January 2026 by Ken Zino

The BMW Group acquired the Alpina trademark rights on 1 January 2026. The Bavarian-based specialty tuner of performance versions of BMW models, now is BMW ALPINA as an exclusive standalone brand under the BMW Group. Alpena will continue produce performance cars at BMW Group assembly plants. [One wonders if this isn’t the pre-cursor to a BMW Formula One team ala Audi buying Sauber? – Autocrat. Read AutoInformed.com on Milestones – Audi F1 at Munich Brand Experience Center] Continue reading →

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Porsche – Happy Birthday Hans-Joachim Stuck

Posted on 30 December 2025 by Ken Zino

“Hans-Joachim Stuck has done a great deal for Porsche. His performances over long distances, in particular his success at the wheel of the Porsche 962, still count as some of the seminal moments in Porsche motorsport history,” said Thomas Laudenbach, Head of Porsche Motorsport. “We thank him for his dedication and wish him all the best for his 75th birthday.” Continue reading →

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