My favourite stories from 2023

As 2023 draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of my favourite pieces of work from the past year.

 

RACER – Why Ken Block mattered

Although I’m ashamed to admit it, I come from a generation that generally isn’t really interested in cars, let alone motorsport. “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday” has never quite worked for us ‘90s kids, yet Ken Block found a way to reinvigorate our industry for the younger generation… READ MORE

 

RACER – Daytona 500 bid just one more quantum leap for Pastrana

With 17 X Games medals, six U.S. rally crowns, three motocross titles, a Nitro Rallycross championship, starts in NASCAR’s Truck and Xfinity Series, a run in the Rolex 24 At Daytona, the Mount Washington Hillclimb record and even wins in powerboat racing, there’s very little that Travis Pastrana hasn’t done in his career… READ MORE

 

RACER – Aston Martin unveils AMR23 for 2023 F1 season

Aston Martin has unveiled its latest Formula 1 challenger, the AMR23, at an event at its new 400,000 square ft engineering campus at Silverstone… READ MORE

 

RACER – Why Aston Martin’s AMR23 is just the first step in a bigger plan

Aston Martin’s new AMR23 is a departure from the car that preceded it – a 95% change from the AMR22, according to the team’s technical director Dan Fallows. Despite the notable shift on the design front, the team isn’t talking up a surprise title challenge this year, but is rather hoping to set the baseline for a considered long-term plan that it hopes will move it to the fore… READ MORE

 

RACER – Saudi Arabia building toward a diversified motorsport portfolio

Having the Extreme E season opener in NEOM leading into the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on back-to-back weekends has put the Middle Eastern Kingdom at the forefront of international motorsport… READ MORE

 

Vermont SportsCar – Two wins, one day

Saturday March 18 2023 will forever be remembered as a historic day for Vermont SportsCar, as it became the first organization in the US to win major rally and rallycross events on the same day, and the first to win with both combustion and electric vehicles on the same day… READ MORE

 

RACER – Nitro RX to be rebranded as ‘Nitrocross’ for 2024

Nitro Rallycross will rebrand as “Nitrocross” for the upcoming season, with the series keen to promote its uniqueness and distance itself from more traditional rallycross, RACER can reveal… READ MORE

 

RACER – Daly takes a leap into the unknown with Nitrocross debut

If you spent time in the Nitrocross paddock at the Visions Off-Road festival in Oklahoma last weekend, you will have spotted a familiar driver smiling from ear-to-ear. That smile that didn’t leave his face all week long, despite the fact that the event came just days after one of the toughest moments in his career… READ MORE

 

RACER – World Rallycross? WRC? F1? Lia Block is weighing her options

She might only be 16, but Lia Block is already building up quite the motorsport resume.

The eldest of the late rally and Gymkhana icon Ken Block’s three children has already been turning heads on the national rallying scene in the States, taking three class wins from four this year, and dominated on her recent appearance in Nitrocross’ second-tier NEXT class only for a post-race ruling to stamp out a comfortable win… READ MORE

 

RACER – Hakkinen reunites with 1999 title winner at Goodwood

The 1999 Formula 1 championship battle was one for the ages, with reigning champion Mika Hakkinen fending off an unlikely challenge from Ferrari’s Eddie Irvine – stepping up to the plate after teammate Michael Schumacher was injured – in a duel that went to the final round of the season in Japan… READ MORE

 

McLaren – What are the differences between Formula 1 and Formula E?

Every now and again, a young upstart comes along to shake things up. A decade ago, that was Formula E, which entered the motorsport landscape as a way of taking the sport forward into the future.

But how does this all-electric, city-centric series compare to Formula 1, which we know and love? READ MORE

 

RACER – Andretti still eyeing NASCAR, although focus remains on F1

Michael Andretti has reiterated his long-standing desire to expand into NASCAR, despite the organization’s immediate focus being on joining the Formula 1 grid… READ MORE

 

RACER – How racers are simulating their way to success

As costs continue to rise and prying eyes aim to peek at any advantage they can see a rival working on, simulation is becoming an increasingly vital tool in motorsport. Its advantages for drivers — giving them near endless seat time ahead of events to learn tracks, cars, and procedures – are obvious, but simulation has a much wider use aside from letting people log laps… READ MORE

 

RACER – Why Extreme E plans to swap its E for an H

Extreme E is still a fresh addition to the world of motorsport, but with its stock still on the rise, it’s about to press the reset button… READ MORE

Also check out: Extreme E pulls back the curtain on hydrogen testing

 

RACER – McLaren has a top-secret Heritage center. We went there.

When McLaren said to me “we’ll see if we can get you down to the unit as well” after spending some time with them at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, I was a bit stunned… READ MORE

Also check out: An inside look at the McLaren Technology Centre

 

RACER – Rare air: How Red Bull’s ‘Showrun’ program takes F1 to extremes

A quick look at the history books will show Red Bull Racing’s RB7 as one of the greatest cars to ever race. With 18 poles from 19 starts, 12 victories, 10 fastest laps, and a drivers’ and constructors’ title double, it’s very much an icon… READ MORE

 

McLaren – McLaren’s movie star

As well as being one of the most accomplished racers of the last 20 years, NEOM McLaren Extreme E Team driver Tanner Foust has carved out an equally successful film career… READ MORE

 

RACER – Hosaas building off-road career momentum with Extreme E

The showcasing of emergent female racing talent that Extreme E has provided is well illustrated by Hedda Hosaas… READ MORE

 

RACER – ‘Why’s it always got to be old school?’: Brian Deegan’s keeping an open mind about electric racing

For many purists, the switch to electric cars marks the beginning of the end for motorsport. Brian Deegan may be a purist, but he doesn’t share the doom and gloom outlook… READ MORE

 

RACER – Hansen Motorsport targeting Nitrocross return in 2024

Renowned rallycross team Hansen Motorsport is exploring a return to Nitrocross next season… READ MORE