Ford Stages Fratricidal Race Between 2013 Mustang Cobra Jet and Fiesta ST Rallycross

Ford builds a variety of racing cars, but it’s hard to find two models that are more far apart from each other than the Mustang Cobra Jet and the Fiesta ST global rallycross car (GRC).

While the former is designed to run the quarter-mile as quickly as possible on the drag strip, the other is a nimble little car made for crazy rallycross stages that combine dirt roads with asphalt and various obstacles.

There are more differences: the Cobra Jet is a rear-wheel drive monster powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine fitted with a Ford Racing-built Whipple 2.9L Supercharger, while the Fiesta ST GRC is an all-wheel drive supermini with a 550hp 2.0-liter turbocharged engine mated to an OMSE gearbox with custom ratios.

The two cars were driven at the zMAX Dragway at Charlotte Motor Speedway by drag racing legend Roy Hill and rallycross driver/Top Gear USA presenter Tanner Foust. We won’t disclose the outcome of the race, but we'll tell you that the race wasn't as one-sided as one would have expected.

By Dan Mihalascu

VIDEO

Selfish Cyclist Thinks Rally Stage is All for Himself…

A while ago, we saw a cyclist that didn’t want to share a London street with a supercar, but this is the first time we see a cyclist using a…rally stage while the actual rally is taking place.

It happened in Rome, Italy, over the weekend, during the inaugural edition of the Rally della Capitale. The cyclist entered the closed rally stage and started pedaling, ignoring the crowd’s warnings to clear the road. Not only did he put himself and the spectators in danger, but he also ruined the race for the Fiat Grande Punto S1600, whose driver had to brake hard to wait for the cyclist to clear the road.

One would say that by now he had realized he wasn’t supposed to ride on that road, but he didn’t. After the car passed, he hopped on the saddle again and continued his ride, only to cross paths once again with the Punto. What do you think; was the cyclist simply stupid or defiant at the rally being organized there? Tell us in the comments.

Story References: YouTube via Worldcarfans

By Dan Mihalascu

VIDEO

Rally Accident in Hungary Leaves Six Injured, One in Critical Condition

Word of caution: Some readers may find the images in the following video disturbing

A horrible accident that took place on Saturday afternoon (October 19, 2013) during a Hungarian rally in the village of Városlőd when a Volkswagen Golf Mk2 racer lost control of his car and plowed a group of spectators who were watching the vehicles fly by at speed, has left six people injured, one seriously.

According to media reports from Hungary, one elderly victim is in coma having suffered severe abdominal, chest, spine and head injuries.

The Golf was reportedly going around 150km/h (93 mph) when the accident happened, though; this is something that has not been confirmed. Police are still investigating the circumstances of the accident.

We've also attached a video report from the scene of the accident. We'd be much obliged if any of Hungarian readers can translate and share the most important parts of the interview in the comments.

VIDEO

Rally Car Engine Sound Fest Will Make You Smile!

A ten-minute long video compilation chock-full of modern and classic rally-bred motors backfiring everywhere sounds to us like a valuable montage to us, and another contender for our list of alternatives or ways to increase the effect of coffee in the morning, depending on your stance towards the beverage.

Actually, I think it’s so far the best at ridding you of the dreaded early morning lethargy, as it’s quite in-your-face both in terms of visual action and audio too.

The video was put together by YouTube user NM2255, and it features some of the new and old cars that participated in the Rally Legend 2013 event, in the Republic of San Marino. It features virtually everything from the Citroen Xsara WRC to a Porsche 964 RS Rally Special, and even the monstrous 380 hp MG Metro 6R4 Group B racer that made its debut eighteen months before the class was canceled for good.

You can check it out after the virtual jump, and the complete list of names you’ll going to spot throughout - it's a big list, so there's definitely at least one car you'll really like.

By Andrei Nedelea

List of Cars

Audi Sport Quattro S1 Group B
Lancia Delta Integrale 16V
Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 8 Group N
Skoda Octavia WRC
Peugeot 206 WRC
BMW 320is E36
Subaru Impreza WRC 1999
Lancia Rally 037
Ford Focus WRC 2007
Lancia Delta S4 Group B
Lancia Stratos
Ferrari 308 GTS Rally Special
Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 3 Group N
BMW M3 E30 Rally Special
Ford Focus WRC 2003
Porsche 964 RS Rally Special
MG Metro Group B
VW Polo R WRC 2013
Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6 Group N
Fiat Punto S1600
Subaru Impreza WRC 2004
Toyota Celica GT Four STI 205
Ford RS200 Group B
Subaru Impreza STi Group N 2010
Skoda Fabia WRC
Renault Clio KIT
Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 Group B
Toyota Corolla WRC
Citroen Xsara WRC

VIDEO

Ford to Withdraw from the World Rally Championship at the End of this Season

In a surprise move, Ford of Europe became the second team after MINI in four days to announce a withdrawal from the World Rally Championship (WRC) after the 2012 season.
Ford's motorsport division, in its current form, has participated in the WRC with a full factory-backed team since 1997 in cooperation with Malcom Wilson’s M-Sport.
In a statement, the Blue Oval explained that its decision to leave the series one year earlier than originally planned was made due to the “difficult economic environment” in its European business.

Hyundai Announces Return to World Rally Championship With New i20-based Racer

If at first you don’t succeed, then try again. It took Hyundai almost nine years, but the South Korean automaker announced its return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) at the Paris Motor Show.
Hyundai’s previews attempt with the Accent WRC did not yield the results that the team expected, so it withdrew in 2003. However, it had a long-term goal of setting up an in-house racing team in Europe and competing in the world’s top rally championship.