It is an upgraded version of General Motors. With Ariel Atom – the Vortex F1 is ready for battle. One of the new brands who are at 2010 SEMA Show to make their presence felt is Seattle-based Vortex Motors. And, they mesmerized us, for sure, with their new race ready F1 track car, dubbed the F1 Turn Key.

Vortex Motors – a new outfit that calls Seattle home – is using the SEMA Show as a coming-out party for the F1. The standard version, the F1 Turn Key, is sourced from an upgraded version of General Motors' turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec inline-four running through a six-speed manual transmission. Output is rated at 290 horsepower and 340 pound-feet of torque, but Vortex Sports Cars New Race Ready F1 Track Car will also sell an Ultimate version, bumping those numbers up to 330 and 360, respectively.

The all new F1 racer features a body constructed from out of a mix of fiberglass and aluminum, with carbon fiber available as an option. The car sits on 17-inch wheels at all four corners, riding on 275/40-series tires up front and beefy 315/35 rubber out back. The racer weighs 1400 pounds and aims to achieve 0-60mph in just 2.7 seconds and a quarter-mile run of just 10.5 seconds at 130 miles per hour.

The whole package can be yours for $49,995 for the Turn Key or $69,995 for the Ultimate. In addition to adding more power, the Ultimate also uses a fully carbon fiber body, upgraded brakes, wheels and tires, improved steering, carbon fiber seats and a sequential six-speed gearbox. Vortex says that it is also planning a fully electric version of the F1, with a targeted weight of only 1,300 pounds. We'd gladly pit it against a Tesla Roadster in a drag race any day.

The Aston Martin Rapide Nurburgring race car has been unveiled today and the company says it will make its debut in the 24-Hour event that will take place on 15/16 May 2010. Previously, Aston Martin has competed in the Nurburgring 24-Hour race with the V8 Vantage and the V12 Vantage. for this year, the British brand goes four-door.

For all those who thought Aston Martin had somehow gone soft by offering a four-door saloon, the famed British marque plans to prove the new Rapide is no slouch by entering it in the 38th ADAC Nurburgring 24-hour race on May 15-16. Piloting the vehicle win the grueling race will be none other than Aston Martin’s CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez, who at age 66 can still give the young guns a run for their money. Aston, with Bez at the wheel, has won top honors in the race’s production-based SP8 category for the past two years with versions of the Vantage coupe.

The Aston Martin Rapide Nurburgring will been entered in the race as company's Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez considers this event represents the ultimate durability test for any sports car.

The Aston Martin Rapide Nurburgring is extremely close to the production car. The only differences between the Aston Martin Rapide Nurburgring and the production model include the removal of interior trim to save weight, re-tuned suspension and slick tires.

PRESS RELEASE:

Aston Martin Rapide to contest gruelling Nürburgring 24-hour Race

Gaydon, Warwickshire 6 April 2010. Aston Martin will return to the starting grid of the legendary Nordschleife circuit for the fifth consecutive year at the 38th ADAC Nürburgring 24-hour race on 15/16 May 2010 with the marque's new four-door sports car; the Rapide.

Further underlining the sporting credentials of Aston Martin's latest model, the Rapide will compete in the demanding 24-hour race - as has been the case with other recent Aston Martin road cars, the V8 Vantage and V12 Vantage. The Rapide will compete in near-standard specification apart from mandatory changes required to compete in this most demanding of endurance races and will be driven by a team of engineers from the company's Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire, England.

Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez who will lead the Rapide driver team, explained: "This race represents the ultimate final engineering durability test for any sports car - it subjects the car to the toughest possible assessment under public scrutiny. "The Rapide has the capability to carry four people in comfort but first and foremost it is a sports car and we will subject it to the same tests we would our other sports cars. We already have a proven track record at the Nürburgring racing our road cars with limited modification and in recent years we have enjoyed success in winning the SP8 class both in 2008 and 2009."

The Rapide race car will be close to production standard with only essential race safety modifications, interior trim removed to reduce weight, re-tuned suspension and will run on slick tyres designed for track use. The Aston Martin Rapide encapsulates the values of Aston Martin in pure four-door sports car form with an unrivalled combination of performance, comfort, craftsmanship and exceptionally elegant design. Since the Rapide's original premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009 the car has gone on to win the widespread approval of customers and media commentators alike, prompting strong global demand for the car. Deliveries of the Rapide commence later this month through Aston Martin's 125-strong global dealership network.

The Rapide race car will be joined by a V12 Vantage - again modified only slightly for racing - which in 2009 swept to a class win on its competitive race debut. The near production standard V12 Vantage - which finished in 21st place overall last year - saw off competition from a field of largely specialist race cars in the SP8 class to claim an impressive debut win.

Further details on the V12 Vantage and the full driver line-ups for both Aston Martin entries plus details on a number of customer teams competing in the race will follow in the coming weeks.

The 38th ADAC Nürburgring 24 hour race will take place on 15/16 May 2010.

The GT3 Aero from Aeon Sportscars based in Kent, England, is a 3 seat kit car powered by a wide range of engines. The Aeon GT3 Aero, like its hard top sibling the GT3 Coupe, has an unusual 3 seat layout with a central driving position, however the car is also available in a conventional 2 seat version called the GT2 Aero.

Aeon was founded in 2000 by Keith Wood and John Hewitt to design and build a three-seater track/road car. John and Keith have a wealth of experience between them. John comes from an engineering background, serving his apprenticeship with the M.o.D. In his early years he built and raced karts and trials cars, and for the last 17 years has prepared cars and competed in sprints and hill climbs. Keith started his career as an apprentice in a drawing office, but for the past 18 years has owned and run a company that manufactures specialist off-road, amenity, agricultural and four-wheel-drive vehicles.

The steel spaceframe chassis of the Aeon GT3 Aero (which is identical to the GT3 Coupe chassis) commonly houses a 2-litre Ford Duratec four-cylinder engine or the 2.5-litre Ford Duratec V6 engine, although other units from a variety of front-wheel drive donors can be fitted to the mid-engined Aeon.

The bodywork of the Aeon GT3 Aero was developed with the help of MIRA's wind tunnel. MIRA is a world leading vehicle testing facility based in Warwickshire, England.

The seven piece fibre-glass body of the Aeon GT3 Coupe is supplied in white gel coat ready for painting.

Year (of specifications)     2009

Engine     various inc, 1.8 Audi, duratech V6

Transmission     RWD

Max speed     -

0-60 mph     -

Horsepower     various ranging from 160 - 280 bhp

weight     -

Today, GM has given news that they will make a track oriented version of the Z06 called the Carbon Limited Edition, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Corvette racing at the 24 Hours of LeMans. The Chevrolet Corvette has an ala-cart selection of options. There is base model, the Grand Sport which used the base LS3 engine with some Z06 goodies, the Z06 and it’s 7 liter motor, and the world-class ZR1.

When the 2006 Corvette Z06 was introduced, it represented the closest connection to the Corvette race cars ever. The 2009 Corvette ZR1 closed the gap between racing and production even further. In 2010, Corvette continues its tradition of track-to-street technology transfer with the 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition. "Designed to further incorporate technology developed through racing, the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition is a tribute to the 50th anniversary of Corvette's first race in the 24 Hours of LeMans," said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet General Manager. "With a limited production of 500 units, this car is a must-have for the true Corvette collector and driving enthusiast."

The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition is another example of the expanded Corvette line-up. Five years ago, customers had the choice of a Corvette coupe or convertible. With the addition of the Z06, Grand Sport coupe and convertible and ZR1, Corvette enthusiasts now have more choices than ever.

This limited edition Z06 will boast Brembo carbon ceramic brakes with specific dark gray metallic calipers. These powerful brakes were first introduced on the ZR1. Black 20-spoke 19-inch front/20-inch rear wheels complement the car's Michelin PS2 tires. Other mechanical features include Magnetic Selective Ride Control for the first time on the Z06 and enhanced cooling. The car also features a special carbon pattern engine cover.

The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition will be available in two colors: Inferno Orange and the all-new Supersonic Blue. Black headlamps and mirrors, a ZR1-style body color spoiler, body color door handles, carbon fiber raised hood, and black carbon fiber rockers and splitter enhance the Z06's dynamic design and reduce mass and aerodynamic lift. For track events, customers can also install the Euro-styled racing numbers that come with each car. An optional Z07 performance package that includes the mechanical upgrades introduced on the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition can be added to a regular 2011 Z06. This package also includes Competition Gray 20-spoke wheels and all the chassis and cooling upgrades.

The CFZ Z06 carbon fiber package includes black carbon fiber rockers, splitter and roof panel with the full-width body color spoiler. It can also be purchased with or without the Z07 package on regular Z06 models. The 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition, as well as the new Z07 and CFZ Z06 option packages will be available in late summer of 2010.