Stage 8 of the 2024 Dakar Rally was filled with significant achievements and strategic plays by the competitors. In the bike category, Kevin Benavides clinched victory, marking his second win of this year's event. His brother, Luciano Benavides, also had an impressive performance, finishing just 31 seconds behind him. Honda's Adrien Van Beveren finished third, slightly over a minute behind Kevin. This stage saw strategic maneuvering among riders, with some slowing down in anticipation of the challenging days ahead. One of the highlights of the stage was the historic win by India's Harith Noah in the Rally 2 class, becoming the first Indian competitor to win a Dakar stage in any category. Despite finishing 11th overall in the stage, he led the Rally 2 category from the start, earning a significant achievement for both himself and his Sherco team. In the car category, Audi had a remarkable day with Mattias Ekström taking the stage win despite a penalty, followed by Stéphane Peterhansel and Guerlain Chicherit in third. Carlos Sainz finished fourth, maintaining a solid lead in the overall standings over Sebastien Loeb, who lost time towards the end of the stage. Overall, the rally continues to be a tight contest, with strategic decisions playing a crucial role in the outcomes of each stage. Ricky Brabec leads the overall bike standings, while Carlos Sainz maintains his lead in the car category. The rally's next stage promises to bring more excitement and challenges as competitors race across varied terrains​ https://new.enduro21.com/en/racing/latest/rally/2024-dakar-results-stage-8-kevin-benavides-wins-the-day-as-riders-play-tactics

Today 125 years ago saw the incorporation of Opel.

It’s a little known fact, but back in the early 1900’s pretty much all cars were just horse carts with an engine. Wilhelm Mybach was the instigator of that. He was commissioned to build a faster car, and essentially changed the structure of cars as they knew it then, and till today the basically principals apply.

The article from Car Throttle discusses ongoing issues with the new Forza Motorsport game. Despite critical acclaim at launch, the game has faced negative feedback from its community, particularly on its Steam page. The developer, Turn 10 Studios, acknowledged the top three areas of concern: the car progression system, the Forza Race Regulations penalty system, and AI behavior. However, their lack of a clear action plan and timeline for resolving these issues has left players dissatisfied, as evidenced by comments on a Reddit thread discussing the blog post by Turn 10 Studios. For more details, you can read the full article. https://www.carthrottle.com/news/forza-motorsport-devs-acknowledge-key-issues-players-still-left-annoyed

Hold onto your steering wheels, folks! Abarth and Stellantis Motorsport are joining forces to electrify your driving experience with what's billed as the most powerful Abarth ever - a whopping 240 horsepower of electric zoom! This partnership isn't just about making a car; it's about making history, paying homage to Abarth’s racing legacy, where competitions are as much a part of its DNA as its scorpion badge. Imagine combining Abarth’s flair for transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary with Motorsport’s tech wizardry. That's what's cooking here. They're mixing their rich histories to turbocharge road cars beyond your wildest dreams. They’ve concocted a secret sauce of technology and racing prowess, calling it the Perfo-eCMP platform. It’s like taking a traditional recipe and adding a dash of futuristic spice! This dynamic duo of Abarth and Motorsport has left no stone unturned. They’ve poked and prodded every technical element, from the powertrain to the suspensions, crafting a vehicle that doesn’t just drive but dances on the road, tackling curves and corners like a pro. And here's the cherry on top: a unique limited slip differential tailored for a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) powertrain, adding that extra zest to its dynamic personality. What's an Abarth without the thrill, right? Well, this one's got thrills in spades. It’s like a majestic piece of architecture with a heart of a racecar, boasting an advanced braking system with bigger, brawnier brake discs for that extra stopping power. The tires? Inspired by Formula E, they grip the road like a dream without sacrificing range or creating a ruckus. Inside this electric beast, you’ll find high-comfort seats designed for “extreme journeys.” These aren’t just seats; they're your personal thrones on the road, crafted with four types of foam for unparalleled support. They’re shaped to hug you on those wild bends and provide lasting comfort no matter how long or intense the ride. In essence, Abarth and Stellantis Motorsport are not just building a car; they're crafting an experience – a perfect blend of fun, performance, and safety. This electrifying journey stays true to Abarth’s performance-focused roots, promising more exciting details to come.