(Source: McLaren Group)

McLaren and racing go hand in hand. As one of the most successful teams in Formula 1, McLaren is looking to conquer FIA GT3 for 2012 by applying lessons learned and engineering prowess. Sharing the same 3.8 liter twin turbo V8 as the road going 12C, but in ‘de-tuned’ format, this beast should see a few podiums down the line. As they work out the kinks, look for McLaren to tear up European tracks.

Words: Rob | Photos: Ruckus

If there was one word to describe Cars on Fifth this year, it would be perfect. Located on the exclusive 5th street in Naples, Florida, Cars On 5th consists of blocks worth of Exotic and Classic cars flanked with the best shopping and restaurants that Naples has to offer. This luxury atmosphere keeps us coming back year after year. The reason why I say this year was perfect was a great combination of cool seventy degree weather, a great crowd, and the best cars to date.

Much like the variety of restaurants on 5th street, the diversity of cars at Cars On Fifth is quite special. There are very few shows where you see a classic truck slammed on bags across from a Shelby GT500 which is parked next to a Gulf blue Mercedes SLS AMG; While for the most part, cars are grouped by make and model, juxtapositions like that remind you if you like cars, you can appreciate them all. That ideal is seen throughout Cars on Fifth, everyone appreciates everything. Look in any direction and you’ll see a Ferrari guy talking to a Ford guy about his Mustang, or a crowd of Porsche enthusiasts admiring a slammed Rat Rod. Simply put, there is no hate.

So what stood out to me? Well, the first car that made me go “wow” was a gulf blue SLS AMG. There wasn’t a whole lot special about it, except that beautiful powder blue and that’s enough for me. My other best in show was the two-tone Ferrari 458 Italia. The black accents on this hot new Ferrari took it to the next level, and a great example of subtlety going a long way. This was why in a row of six 458’s it was the one that everyone was talking about.

I could go on and on about the beauty of dozens of the cars there, but I’m sure you would rather just look at the pictures. With something for everyone from food to shopping to all types of cars, Cars On Fifth keeps getting better and better with each passing year. Their only problem will be topping the perfection of this year’s show!

(Source: L4P)

Generally, a track day consists of anywhere from a dozen to two-dozen cars taking over a race track to let loose. There may be one hyper car like a Bugatti, a few supercars, and the rest are track ready run of the mill sports cars. The SIC club in China does things a little bit bigger. The video below shows off the start to one of their events, and the only word I can come up with to describe the line-up is ‘unbelievable’. Three (3) Bugatties, an Aston Martin one-77, a Koenigsegg CCX, and a Zonda R made up the first of what seems like 50 rows of spectacular cars. I can only imagine what it would have been like to be at this unbelievable track day.

It looks like a scene out out of Fast and the Furious, tens of exotic and muscle cars being seized by the DEA all at once. YouTube user Speedracer38 happened to catch this scene on his work and decided to take a few minutes to film the whole thing go down. Further investigation from Autoblog believes these cars to be part of the arrest of 22 people involved in the illegal distribution of prescription medication at “rogue pain clinics” in Florida. In total $2.2 million dollars and 70 cars were seized, assuming this video has to do with the same scandal.

The collection is massive featuring a plethora of Lamborghinis, a few Dodge Vipers, and Mustangs new and old just to name a few. According to the comments some of the notable cars not shown include “a Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren Roadster, Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR, Diablo Roadster, and a Rolls Royce Drophead.” It’s unfortunate all these cars were bought with dirty money and will be taken off the street. On the bright side, if you live in Florida keep on the look out for when this collection of seized dream cars goes up on a DEA property auction.

(Source: Specialized)

It seems that every euro-car company has made their version of a road bike, and now McLaren has stepped up. Partnered with Specialized Bikes these guys worked together to implement the latest and greatest in bike and carbon fiber technologies to create the Venge. Being one of the leaders in the industry, Specialized covered the bike components as you would expect. What McLaren brought to the table was weight saving technology from their racing research. Through a new method of cutting the carbon fiber sheets, McLaren was able to produce a frame that weighs only 2.09 lbs which is 15% lighter than other top road bikes. No word on the cost yet but I’m sure the best in the industry does not come cheap. Not only is it a technical masterpiece but its also beautiful. The black and red frame and smooth lines give the Venge an elegant look.  Who knows maybe they’ll throw in this McLaren Road Bike when you buy a new SLR, that would be cool.

I definitely have a soft spot for Ferrari, and the 458 Challenge only solidifies that feeling; However, watching the McLaren MP4-12C run around the track in the hands of none other than the two best drivers in the world, my eye is starting to wander. With a V8 twin-turbocharged power-plant pushing a bit more horsepower than the newest prancing horse, does the McLaren have the balance and prowess to take the 458 at the track. If anyone has a link to the two up against each other, please do send our way…

Source: McLaren.com