Motorsports | Fairfax By Night

BMW Returns to DTM

After a 20 year hiatus, BMW has returned to the German stock car racing series DTM pitting their newest iteration of the M3 against rivals Audi and Mercedes. Think of it as Germany’s version of NASCAR, but with better cars and on proper racing circuits. Not since racing the legendary E30 M3 has BMW competed in this racing series, and they are back to prove their dominance. [BimmerFile]

Porsche Facebook Cover Photo Creator

One of the only good developments with Facebook’s change to the timeline format is the ability to add a large scale cover photo to the top of your profile. Porsche has developed an in-depth app for you to create a custom cover photo featuring any of their line of legendary automobiles. If you are down with the greatest sports car ever made, log in to the app linked in the photo above and make one for yourself. My profile is looking super sharp with this 1970′s 911 Carrera, There Is No Substitute. [Jalopnik]

Audi Quattro A2

The glory days of Rally Racing were certainly in the 1980′s. Iconic cars from Ford, Lancia and Audi were pushing the sport to levels of performance that change the fabri cof automobile racing forever. Check out this amazing painting of a Audi Quattro A2 flying over the crest of a dirt road. This was a common sight on gravel rally stages back in the day.

F1 Heroes Portraits

Polish artist Piotr Buczkowski has designed a set of portraits honoring the legends of the different eras of Formula 1 racing, Juan Manuel Fangio, Ayrton Senna, and Michael Schumacher. Incorporating a classically painted face with a modern composition, each drivers bust paired with their famous Formula 1 car makes for a very regal portrait. I found the most striking to be Ayrton Senna, three time World Champion who tragically died in 1994 at San Marino Grand Prix in Imola Italy, and is considered to the be greatest F1 driver of all time. The prints can be purchased HERE.

Deus Ex Machina Venice

Located on the the corner of Venice and La Brea in a building that used to be a Conroy’s flowers, Australian motorcycle company Deus Ex Machina has opened their flagship American store. The stores concept extends beyond just being a bike shop, it also houses a showroom for their line of apparel, their surfboards and a coffee shop for people to hang out. With a very open space and a casual Venice vibe, they really have achieved a wonderful environment inside. I spent about an hour hanging out their recently checking out the clothes and reading the various books they have on the tables, and it was super cool. Thanks to RackedLA for the photographs.

Jeep Mighty FC

Jeep has just released a new line of concept vehicles that are inspired by some of the their discontinued models from the past. The gem of the bunch is clearly the rebirth of the classic Jeep Mighty FC, America’s answer to the legendary Mercedes Unimog. A sharp looking utility minded vehicle with a long bed and ready to go to work attitude. This truck doesn’t have any of the luxuries of a modern SUV, and it doesn’t need it.

Beverly Hills Race Track 1921

Modern day Beverly Hills has very few redeeming qualities. It’s essentially turned into insular community of wealthy people that want to disjunct themselves from the real world. Not cool. However, back in the day, the physical and cultural landscape of the greater Los Angeles area was quite different, as was Beverly Hills. As you can see in the aerial photograph above from the 1920′s, the city was not sprawled out yet and left a lot of open land to be developed. And of all the things you would imagine to see in glitzy and glamorous Beverly Hills, the Southeast corner of Wilshire Blvd and Santa Monica Blvd (current site of Beverly Hills High School) was the site of the Beverly Hills Race Track. Yes, a race track in Beverly Hills. Very cool. Built as a board track with a surface constructed from wooden 2×4′s, the speedway hosted many motorcycle and automobile races. To help glorify this amazing piece of Los Angeles history, the National Film Preservation Foundation has put together a film highlighting this legendary track, compiling footage they have received from Indian Motorcycles and the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Peugeot 207 vs. Downhill Skier

Here we have a video of my three most favorite things in the world: Rally Cars, Snow and Skiing. In this episode of Top Gear, they decided to race a Peugeot 207 rally car with studded snow tires against a downhill skier on the slopes. One unfamiliar with either sport would assume the car would win handily, but I can tell you from experience, the skier can go just as fast. As a former owner of a 400 HP rally car, and one who can top 70 mph on a pair of ski, let me assure you that this is definitely a legitimate race. It must be such a thrill to be going head to head with a rally car on a downhill race course. [AxisOfOversteer]

The Otis Maybach

The Spike Jonze directed video for the track “Otis” from the album “Watch The Throne” features a Mad Max makeover of a very expensive Maybach. Transforming one of the most exclusive and pricey cars in the world into a post-apocalyptic death sled makes for a hauntingly glorious combination. Fortunately, this car will now be auctioned for charity by Phillips de Pury & Company off so it can be released into the world destroying everything in it’s path.

BMW M3 vs. Ford Mustang GT

Yes, I am dead serious. The 2011 BMW M3 vs the 2011 Ford Mustang GT. It’s a legitimate comparison that now has many car enthusiasts, myself included, scratching our heads. I read this article about a year ago, and have finally come to realize that the realm the M3 has dominated for 20 years has been completely changed. The new Ford Mustang GT is nearly as good if not slightly better in some instances than the current BMW M3, for almost half the price. This article by Motortrend has convinced me, and if you care about cars, it should convinced you too. I’ve always been a import guy (Subaru, Porsche, BMW), never giving domestic sports cars any credibility because up until now their performance never deserved any consideration. But now these American made cars are finally proving to be a worthy contender and it’s time to give these Ford engineers some respect. Let’s be proud of what our country can produce and support American made sports cars. I’m sold, and will seriously consider the Ford Mustang GT when shopping for my next automobile.

Porsche 550 Spyder

A Porsche 550 Spyder attacking a turn at the Brussels Grand Prix. This photograph is so spectacular, using words to describe it does it no justice…

BMW 3.0CS

I don’t know if it’s just a matter of taste, or that classic cars are just flat out more beautiful than cars of the modern era. I have seemed to narrow it down to the fact that they are more sleek, simple and balanced than today’s automobile, most likely due to the fact that these older cars did not have to accommodate all the extensive technology and bulky safety features that we have today. Simply put, the car itself was more basic, allowing for auto designers create a more slender and attractive form. For example, one of my favorites cars of the past is the BMW 3.0CS manufactured in the early 1970′s. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful BMWs ever made, and arguably one of the finest looking cars of it’s time. Extraordinarily balanced design of both curvy and boxy elements, sleek fenders, a canopy comprised of thin pillars that gently rests upon body, and an aerodynamic shape that beckons to be driven. It is also the subject of the famous BMW Art Cars. [Buamai]