VeloceToday.com

The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

VeloceToday Interview: SPEED’s Bob Varsha, Part II

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In Part I of VeloceToday’s exclusive interview with Bob Varsha, he discussed how the Formula 1 SPEED team evolved, took us on behind-the-scenes tour of the studio, and talked about the future of F1 in the U.S. In Part II Varsha talks about Monterey coverage, the BJ Auctions and his most memorable moments as a broadcaster.

Surprisingly SPEED’s Formula 1 anchor Bob Varsha was brought up not as a car enthusiast, driver, mechanic or designer but a lawyer by profession and a cross country runner by choice. Yet for over 20 years, Varsha has reported on our favorite sport with great enthusiasm, in-depth knowledge and professionalism far above par. Unflappable, with a magnetic memory and smooth, even, assured delivery, he is an anchor’s anchor, rising above the noise and screams and conjecture whether at BJ Auctions or a Formula 1 race. It would be hard to imagine watching a Formula 1 event without Varsha at the helm.

David Seibert is well known to Ferrari race fans and VeloceToday readers, having been in charge of the U.S. Ferrari Historics for many years. A long-time friend of Varsha’s, Seibert conducted this exclusive two-part VeloceToday interview with the dean of Formula 1 broadcasters.

Interview by David Seibert, Interview photos by Sidell Tilghman

VeloceToday: Will SPEED be doing more programs like Victory by Design and Behind the Headlights?
[Read more…] about VeloceToday Interview: SPEED’s Bob Varsha, Part II

Phillip Island Classic, Australia, 2011

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Story and photos by Vince Johnson

Australia 18-20 March 2011

Maserati 250Fs haven’t been thick on the ground at race meetings since the fifties, but there were three of them at the Phillip Island Classic in March. During Sunday’s lunchtime demonstration they ran together for several laps. Peter Giddings in 2501/2523, Tom Price in #2525 and Jeffrey O’Neill in #2527 were obviously enjoying the moment. They’d filled the podium in their first race on Saturday morning in that order, proving they weren’t there just to circulate, and the sound of these three Italian classics had grown men misty eyed.
[Read more…] about Phillip Island Classic, Australia, 2011

Citroën Wins Rally Portugal, Mini Cooper Debuts

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Sébastien Ogier flying enroute to his second win in Portugal.

A year after they won their first victory in the FIA World Rally Championship in Portugal, Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia, after driving a tactically perfect race, have won the event for a second time in a row.

By Roberto Motta

Photos by Citroën Communication Citroën Racing, Ford Motor Company and
Rally de Portugal – media

March 23-27th
After the dusty gravel roads in Mexico, the WRC returned to old Europa for the continuing battle between the Citroën DS3 and Ford Fiesta RS. The fans had great expectations for this third round of the Championship because of the emotional rivalry between the teams. Even Americans had a favorite—Ken Block was entered in a Ford Fiesta WRC.
[Read more…] about Citroën Wins Rally Portugal, Mini Cooper Debuts

Australian Grand Prix, 2011

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The Start

By Erik Nielsen
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media

Sebastian Vettel’s number one on the nose of his Red Bull led the way in the season opener as the German took the momentum of winning the championship and converted the first pole into the first win. The Red Bull is quick out of the box; the question will be how long can they hold their advantage over the rest of the field.
[Read more…] about Australian Grand Prix, 2011

VeloceToday Interview: SPEED’s Bob Varsha, Part I

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Surprisingly SPEED’s Formula 1 anchor Bob Varsha was never a car enthusiast, race car driver, designer, engineer or mechanic: he graduated from law school and his first love was cross country running. Yet for over 20 years Varsha has reported on our favorite sport with great enthusiasm, in-depth knowledge and professionalism far above par. Unflappable, with a magnetic memory and smooth, even, assured delivery, he is an anchor’s anchor, rising above the noise and screams and conjecture whether at BJ Auctions or a Formula 1 race. It would be hard to imagine watching a Formula 1 event without Varsha at the helm.
[Read more…] about VeloceToday Interview: SPEED’s Bob Varsha, Part I

Ferrari 458GT2’s Maiden Race

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Not the greatest maiden race, but promising. Melo behind the helmet.

By Roberto Motta

Photos: Ferrari-Media

March 19-20, Sebring, Florida
The Sebring 12 Hours started the season of the American Le Mans Series and the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. Making their international debut was the Houston’s Risi Competizione 458 Italia GT2 and the Tequila Patron 458 Italia GT2. The Risi 458 was closely observed by Ferrari managing director, Amedeo Felisa, in Florida to witness this special moment.
[Read more…] about Ferrari 458GT2’s Maiden Race

The Year, 1961: the Car, the R4

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1961 R4 open for business.


1961:The R4 Takes its First Steps

Words by Roberto Motta
Photos by Renault Communications

The 4L was Renault’s first “voiture à vivre” or “livable car”. It was based on a brilliant idea: create a car that would break down the barriers assigning one function to each vehicle. [Read more…] about The Year, 1961: the Car, the R4

This Week, of Interest

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“Confronted with a tragedy like the one that has struck Japan today, Formula 1 and all its problems to do with tires, wings and engines is way down the list of priorities and today, my thoughts go first and foremost to the victims and their families.”–Fernando Alonso upon hearing of the disaster in Japan. His comment reflected our feelings as well.

What's in your driveway? Back in 1967 or 1968, Eric Davison of Troy, Michigan, looked out his window to see this Ferrari Mexico 340 Vignale Coupe, s/n 0224AT, sitting in his driveway. Unfolding out of the low-roofed Ferrari was his friend Cal Gleason, who had driven the Mexico over to show Eric his latest purchase. Cal was not a rich man, merely a man with good taste, recalled Davison, who took this photo. Today, Cal would have also been a very rich man, had he kept the Ferrari. It was sold last weekend at the RM Auction for $4,290,000.

Baby Bugatti Part II: A Free Premium Feature

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Read Part I.
 In Part II, the mystery of “The Type That Never Was” deepens. Our intrepid model builder also tells us about chassis numbers, specs, and how to buy a Baby Bugatti.

By Marshall Buck
The very first Baby Bugatti was built for Roland Bugatti, Ettore’s five year old son. Proof again that it’s good to be born with a “silver spoon” or in Roland’s case, more like a silver steering wheel. The Baby made its public debut at the 1927 Milan Automobile show, and was priced at 3,900 FF, which seems to be the price most were sold for, though some were delivered at higher prices. [Read more…] about Baby Bugatti Part II: A Free Premium Feature

Desert Classic Concours d’Elegance Continues to Impress

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Peter Read’s 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato coupe won the Motor Trend Classic Editor’s Choice Award. When asked how he made his choice, Editor Matt Stone said, 'It’s one of the original, real 1961 cars built, it has serious racing pedigree, it’s an Aston Martin, it wears Zagato aluminum tinwork so tightly stretched over its chassis that it fairly pings when you touch it. And oh by the way, it’s supermodel gorgeous, in case you didn’t notice.' Credit John Wylie.

Michael T. Lynch

The fourth edition of the Desert Classic took place at the La Quinta Resort & Club on 27 February. The event is nestled against the Santa Rosa Mountains in the greater Palm Springs area, about 125 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. The entry continues to be among the most diverse of the great American concours.
[Read more…] about Desert Classic Concours d’Elegance Continues to Impress

Citroën DS3 Defeats the Ford Fiesta RS in Mexico

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Jari-Matti Latvala flies through the village of Guanajuato, but the Fiesta could only manage third overall.

RALLY GUANAJUATO MEXICO

By Roberto Motta
Photos by Citroën Communication Citroën Racing, Ford Motor Company and BMW-press

The opening two events of the WRC season provided extremes contrasts: after the snow and ice in Sweden, the FIA World Rally Championship traveled to hot and dusty Mexico for the Rally Guanajuato Mexico. It is the first of seven consecutive events on gravel. The first rally on asphalt will not take place until the end of August when the crews tackle Rally Germany.
[Read more…] about Citroën DS3 Defeats the Ford Fiesta RS in Mexico

Final Days of Testing in Spain

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Massa pulls out for some tire testing.

THE AUSTRALIAN COUNTDOWN BEGINS

By Roberto Motta
Photos: Ferrari-Media

Following the cancellation of the Sakhir test and the Bahrain race, the pre-season continued with the last testing days at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya from Tuesday to Saturday. For the drivers, these testing days are the last chance to wrap up their development programs, evaluate new upgrades and improve their cars before the Australian Grand Prix, March 25-27.
[Read more…] about Final Days of Testing in Spain

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