As you prepare for today’s Grand Prix, sit back and relax with your coffee or tea and enjoy this week’s Last Lap. Today I have video of a Hennessey Venom F5 tested to 271.6 MPH, registration details for Velocity Invitational 2022, details on this year’s Lime Rock Historic Festival, news on the new Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series, where you can drive a Formula 1 car and more. Enjoy!
The Hennessey Venom F5 Breaks 270 MPH In Final Testing
With tests on the car’s braking, suspension, and stability at high speeds done successfully, the technical development of the Hennessey Venom F5 is now complete, and Hennessey plans to turn focus towards producing cars for customers. However, there is a bit of an extra surprise to go along with this achievement: during testing, the Venom F5 managed over 270 mph, and speed records weren’t even on the schedule for the day.
Velocity Invitational 2022
Applications for entry are now open for Velocity Invitational 2022 that will take place from Oct 14-16, 2022 at Laguna Seca. “The intent of Velocity Invitational is to bring groups of cars together which are correctly prepared to the period in which they raced. As a general rule, we strive to put like-kind Groups together, which are specified by time period and vehicle type, each a review of Motorsports history.”
Historic Festival 40 & Sunday In The Park
This year’s Lime Rock Historic Festival will honor the 70th anniversary of the Chevrolet Corvette. Scheduled for Labor Day weekend (September 1-5), the event will display 12 significant Corvette concepts, including the 1959 Stingray. More details are available here.
Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance
The Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance is in its 66th year for 2022 and fittingly, this year’s show will feature special classes celebrating Route 66. The event runs June 24-26 with a VIP event on Friday and a driving tour Saturday before Sunday’s concours. Click here for more information.
Festival Del Toro: The Lamborghini Enthusiast’s Dream Rally
Festival Del Toro is a Lamborghini enthusiast rally. Traveling along some of the most scenic routes the Northeast has to offer while stopping along the way for rest, views, and chat. Each year’s rally concludes at some of the very best culinary experiences in the entire region. Open to only the first 63 Lamborghini drivers and their guests, Festival Del Toro celebrates Lamborghini; the cars, the community and the spirit. To register, click here.
The New Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series Is “The Most Serious AMG GT Yet”
The DuPont Registry has a look at the new Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series and how it differs from the Black series. “The AMG GT Track Series goes even further than the Black Series, using its Black Series counterpart as a base car. Power comes up to 734 horsepower thanks to new injectors and other upgrades, and the gearbox has been swapped out for a Hewland 6-speed racing gearbox. Aerodynamics have also improved, with increased downforce, new cooling ducts, and a generally optimized airflow. On the inside, the car lacks just about any creature comforts, being completely dedicated to track domination.”
Mecum Houston auction to feature 180 American Classics
Racer.com reports that an eclectic selection of nearly 180 American classics, muscle cars, Corvettes, trucks, customs, motorcycles and replica movie cars from The Triple J Ranch Auto Collection will headline the estimated 1,000 vehicles expected to cross the auction block at Mecum Houston 2022 at Houston’s NRG Center, March 31-April 2. Vintage Motorsport has some highlights here.
Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro Demoed For Fans At Bahrain Grand Prix
During the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend, Aston Martin demonstrated the Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro for the Formula 1 fans gathered there for the race. The Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro is a track-only car, with a 6.5-liter engine naturally aspirated V12 engine able to rev up to 11,000 rpm producing 1000 horsepower.
The Lost History of America’s Wooden Speedways
CPX has a fascinating historical journey into the lost world of America’s Wooden Speedways. “It is still a bit shocking how little is remembered of this era. Perhaps the very nature of the building material contributed to this. The tracks were impermanent by default, as no suitable preservatives existed at that time. The high maintenance costs meant that the economic model was always going to be an uphill battle. The speedways started to fade in the late 20s, and the Great Depression put them to the sword.”
Always Wanted to Drive a Formula 1 Car? Here Are 4 Places Where You Can
Finally, If you have always wanted to drive an actual Formula 1 car without actually owning one, The Robb Report has a list of four places where you can do just that. You can driver everything from a Jordan EJ12 to a Jaguar R1. It will be like being part of Drive to Survive in real life!
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects. As a former lawyer, he applies his legal background and research skills to assist race drivers by showcasing the resources they need to make their motorsport careers happen.