Category: Car Banter
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Singer Buys Willow Springs and It Might Just Save the Soul of Racetracks
There’s a familiar knot in the gut that enthusiasts get when they hear a beloved racetrack is changing hands. The words “redevelopment” and “investment” get thrown around and suddenly visions of bulldozers replacing berms with condos dance in our heads. So when the news broke that Willow Springs International Raceway had been sold, the initial
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Fanatec GT America at Sonoma: The Perfect First Taste of Racing
When someone mentions the Sonoma area, you’d be forgiven for thinking of Napa Valley. Rolling vineyards, overachieving Cabernets, and enough rustic charm to sell out a year’s worth of fall weddings. Yet hidden among these same hills lies an entirely different world of similar sensory experience: the thunderous, adrenaline-fueled realm of Sonoma Raceway. Discovering Racing’s
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Project E21 Part 3: Engine Swap Setbacks, Small Victories, and a Change of Scenery
There’s a special kind of joy that comes with hearing your project car come to life for the first time after months or in this case, years of setbacks. If you’ve been following along with Project E21 on The Late Brake, you already know that Part 2 ended in a mess of engine trouble and
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First to the Finish: A Glimpse into the Mazda MX-5 Cup Championship
Motorsports fans are about to get an intimate look at the passion, perseverance, and high-stakes competition of grassroots racing with the upcoming docuseries First to the Finish. Premiering March 25 exclusively on Prime Video, this six-part series dives deep into the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Cup Championship—one of the most competitive spec racing series in North
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The 2025 GR Cup: Affordable, Accessible, and Unbelievably Competitive
While motorsport’s upper echelons burn through millions in technological arms races, Toyota’s GR Cup has spent the last two years proving that racing’s soul lives in simplicity. The series returns this April to Sonoma Raceway with its winning formula intact: identical GR86 race cars, hungry drivers, and the kind of door-banging competition that made us
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Inside TKO Motorsports: A Behind-the-Scenes Look Inside A Championship Winning Facility
When it comes to high-performance engineering and motorsport innovation, TKO Motorsports is in a league of its own. Nestled in Reno, Nevada, this cutting-edge operation is a powerhouse in fabrication, machining, and race car development. Known for its relentless pursuit of speed and precision, TKO Motorsports has built a reputation for delivering championship-winning race cars
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Rush SR Series: The Affordable Racing Revolution
“Simplify, then add lightness.” – Colin Chapman In the world of motorsport, Lotus Cars’ founder Colin Chapman’s philosophy has been echoed by countless manufacturers, yet few truly commit to the concept with the dedication it deserves. The Rush SR, however, takes this mantra and runs with it—straight past cars costing three times as much. With
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Project E21 Part 2: The Devil is in the Detailing
After the initial excitement of purchasing my E21, reality set in as the first major challenge reared its head in the form of obliterated engine internals. Part two of my journey is all about overcoming challenges, namely, the unexpected engine issues that turned my project into a full-blown mission. But as any car enthusiast knows,
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Rediscovering Art of Rally: A Tribute to Rally’s Golden Era
In the ever-expanding landscape of racing games, Art of Rally remains an outlier—a game that sidesteps the obsession with hyper-realistic graphics and sim-racing precision in favor of something far more evocative. Developed by Funselektor Labs, this indie title is less about chasing lap times and more about celebrating the raw essence of rallying. Now, years
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Formula 1 in 2024: The Season That Redefined Uncertainty
The 2024 Formula 1 season will go down as one of the most unpredictable and exciting years in F1 history. From an intense battle at the front that saw seven different race winners to shocking developments off the track, the sport was shaken to its core. A new constructors’ champion emerged, driver changes created seismic
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Werke Magazine is Proving that Print isn’t Dead
In an era where digital media is designed to be consumed quickly and forgotten just as fast, Werke Magazine exemplifies quality, passion, and attention to detail. It isn’t just another automotive publication—it is an experience, a tangible artifact, and a love letter to BMW enthusiasts. With a deep focus on the German brand’s history, engineering,
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Kia Telluride: Best Option For the Money or Best Option?
The Late Brake has purchased a new roadtrip rig. After years of battling issues with my 2020 VW Tiguan SE R-Line and a transmission related lawsuit, I finally made the decision to move on to something more reliable, practical, and honestly better quality. I know, I know, this is an enthusiast page and should reflect
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Project E21 Part 1: The Beginning of My Descend into Madness
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by classic BMWs. There’s something about their design, simplicity, and focus on driving that sets them apart from the rest. I regrettable sold an e30 1991 318is about 12 years ago for $1200 and it has haunted me since. About 8 years ago I was
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SEMA Spotlight: BBI Autosport’s Type-99
In the world of high-performance Porsche builds, few names command the level of respect and admiration that BBI Autosport does. Based in Huntington Beach, California, BBI Autosport has carved a reputation as one of the premier Porsche builders and tuners, known for their meticulous engineering and innovative approach to performance. With roots in motorsport and
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SEMA Spotlight: S Klub LA’s C63s Red Pig Tribute
Los Angeles-based S Klub LA has carved a niche for itself by creating some of the most imaginative and visually stunning automotive builds in the world. With a passion for blending classic car design with modern performance, S Klub LA is known for taking iconic vehicles and reinterpreting them in ways that pay homage to
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An Amateur at SEMA: My First-Time Attending
Attending SEMA for the first time is an unforgettable experience for any car enthusiast, and it was no different for me. As someone who’s followed the automotive world closely and always admired the insane builds, innovations, and creativity that emerge from this annual event, actually being there in person was surreal. Imagine stepping into an
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SEMA 2024 Spotlight: Evolve Automotive’s P65 Swapped 1M
Every year, SEMA showcases groundbreaking builds from some of the most creative minds in the automotive world. But this year, Evolve Automotive’s P65-swapped BMW 1M was truly a showstopper. Known for their precision engineering and high-performance builds, Evolve Automotive took what was already a cult favorite—the BMW 1M—and transformed it into a motorsport-inspired masterpiece by
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SEMA 2024 Spotlight: Toyota Unveils GR86 WRC Tribute
Attending SEMA 2024 was a sensory overload of automotive passion and innovation, but one car that truly stood out was Toyota’s GR86 Rally Legacy Concept. This wasn’t just another concept car on display; it was a heartfelt tribute to one of the most iconic rally cars in Toyota’s history—the Castrol-liveried Celica GT-Four, which dominated the
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Kia’s Returns to SEMA 2024 With Adventure in It’s Sights
There’s a certain magic that comes with attending your first live concept car release, especially at an event as electrifying as the SEMA Show. As an automotive enthusiast, I’ve watched countless unveilings online, but being there in person, in the bustling, high-energy atmosphere of SEMA, was a whole different experience. Standing among journalists, influencers, and
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The Downfall of Passion: How Private Equity is Diluting Car Culture
In recent years, we’ve seen an unsettling trend in the automotive world: the takeover of beloved car companies and media outlets by private equity firms. On the surface, this might seem like a good thing. Who wouldn’t want an influx of cash, bigger budgets, and more opportunities? But as we’ve seen with platforms like Car
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Gridlife Laguna is Forza Horizon in Real Life
If you have any interest in cars, motorsport, or simply having an adrenaline-fueled good time, Gridlife at Laguna Seca is an event you can’t miss. This high-octane festival combines the thrill of on-track action with the energy of a music festival, creating an unforgettable weekend experience. I had the chance to attend this year’s event
The Late Brake 