Herbert M�ller � N�rburgring 1971

At the 2007 Mosport Vintage Racing Festival, I had to honour of meeting Peter Felder, who was Swiss driver Herbert M�ller�s best friend and race team manager. We�ve been friends ever since, and Peter has come to visit me a few times in Nova Scotia. Peter�s stories of his racing experiences are completely captivating; he was kind enough to write one of these down for me:

In 1971, Herbie decided to run one of his Ferrari 512 M�s in an InterSeries race at the N�rburgring. (Unfortunately, Pedro Rodriguez perished in one of his 512�s at the Norisring a few months earlier). In any case, Herbie had transmission problems in qualifying and subsequently started last. At the start, the last rows were still in the last corner before the start-finish line. A young, wealthy German driver in a McLaren M8C, not being used to the torque of a 427, he spun coming on to the starting straight, in the process crashing into Herbie�s 512. The red 512 became airborne, flew across the track upside down and hit the pit lane guardrail; the guardrail sliced into the car right behind the driver seat, which caused an immediate explosion. The car landed in the pit lane, still upside down and fully engulfed in burning fuel.

The following is what Herbie told me afterwards in the hospital:

�There was a tremendous crash � I knew that I was flying through the air because I saw the blue sky behind the pits � and I knew that the car was on fire...and I though �This is not going to be good�. I braced myself waiting for some kind of impact, which is what happened � twice! All I was worried about was not to hit my head anywhere � then the car came to a stop � and I immediately release my seatbelt and since I didn�t know that I landed upside down, I fell into the burning fuel. I turned myself around � tried to kick open the door � no go � considered knocking out the windshield � didn�t work � so I tried the other door � and it opened enough for me to get through � and I knew that I was on fire � tried to figure out where to run � (and here comes the kicker) you know those Germans � I remember seeing a couple of fancy Mercedes cars on display next to the tower, so I thought � if I run towards the cars, somebody will try to save me so I don�t blow up the Mercs!�

Herbie and I had a lot of laughs about this whole ordeal.

Regrettably I was with him on May 24^th 1981, or ten years later, at the same track, when he crashed into Bobby Rahal�s crashed, stationary, Coca Cola sponsored, Bob Aiken owned 935.

Later that day I went to the Adenau hospital � but this time, we could not laugh together.

Buon compleanno, signor Ferrari!

Officially, today is Enzo Ferrari�s birthday, records showing that he was born this day 113 years ago.

In actual fact, he was born two days earlier, February 18^th on the outskirts of Modena, during a bitter winter storm. The storm delayed the registration of his birth, and so it came to be the later date.

Buon compleanno, signor Ferrari!

Novitec Ferrari 458 Italia?Video?

Novitec Rosso announced that it will greet Geneva Auto Show visitors with a Ferrari 458 Italia modification program. The Italian tuner offers a complex development that targets the tech, exterior and interior areas of the supercar.

The Novitec Ferrari 458 Italia is powered by the standard 4.5- liter V8 engine that outputs 39 hp / 28.7 kW more than the factory version. To tget the extra 40 hp, the Novitec Ferrari 458 Italia is fitted with a carbon-fiber airbox and modified air routing, a high-performance exhaust system and spor catalysts. Of course, a re-mapped ECU is also used. The final output of the Novitec Ferrari 458 Italia is rated at 609 hp / 448 kW at 9,100 rpm and 569 Nm of torque at 5,400 rpm.

For a top speed in excess of 330 km/h (205 mph) Novitec Rosso fine-tuned the body components using the wind tunnel at the University of Stuttgart. Made of carbon fiber the aerodynamic-enhanced kit consists of a lower spoiler, right/left wing flaps and ventilation louvers attached to the original bumper fascia. Also in carbon fiber are the fenders, side skirts, carbon-fiber mirror housings, rear spoiler and diffuser. And last but not least the roof panel and engine hood are also made from carbon fiber.

Custom-tailored versions of the three-piece Novitec Rosso NF3 wheels were developed for the 458 Italia. Novitec Rosso chose a staggered combination of size 9Jx21 wheels in front and size 12Jx22 on the rear. Custom-manufactured Pirelli PZero tires are mounted in size 255/30 ZR 21 and 335/25 ZR 22 front to rear, respectively.

Other changes made to the vehicle include a new lowering springs that drop the car about 35mm, plus a hydraulic lift system that raise the front of the car by 40 mm which is extremely helpful over those pesky speed bumps.






Press Release

World Debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2011:
NOVITEC ROSSO Refines the Ferrari 458 Italia
609 hp / 448 kW, more than 330 km/h and a Sporty Designer Suit

NOVITEC ROSSO now also refines the new Ferrari 458

Italia. At the Geneva Motor Show 2011 the extensive program for the mid-engine sports car will celebrate its world debut. The high-performance program includes engine tuning that increases power output to 609 hp / 448 kW, propelling the two-seater car to a top speed in excess of 330 km/h. The NOVITEC ROSSO high-performance exhaust system, made from the same INCONEL material also used in Formula 1 racing, optimizes both power yield and exhaust note while weighing in at 21 kilograms less than the production exhaust. The NOVITEC ROSSO aerodynamic-enhancement kit was developed in the wind tunnel and is manufactured from carbon fibers. It also contributes to the lightweight-design concept of the NOVITEC ROSSO conversion. A custom-tailored tire/wheel combination with diameters of 21 and 22 inches, a modified suspension with front lift system and exclusive interior options round out the upgrade for the Italian sports car.

The NOVITEC ROSSO specialists unleash an additional 39 hp / 28.7 kW of power from the 4.5-liter V8. A new carbon-fiber airbox with modified air routing is installed on the intake side. The NOVITEC
ROSSO high-performance exhaust system was developed to improve exhaust-gas flow. The exhaust system consists of two high-performance manifolds, sport catalysts and a rear muffler with a control flap, whose sound can be adjusted by the Manettino button on the steering wheel.

The exhaust system features three tailpipes with a diameter of 90 millimeters and optimizes power yield while producing a more sporty exhaust note. But that's not all: It is manufactured from INCONEL,
the same material used on Formula 1 race cars, making the NOVITEC ROSSO exhaust especially heat resistant and more importantly extremely light: Compared to the production exhaust it represents a
weight saving of 21 kilograms.

The engine conversion also includes newly programmed engine electronics with newly calibrated mapping for ignition and injection.

After the conversion the engine of the 458 Italia produces 609 hp / 448 kW at 9,100 rpm. Simultaneously peak torque grows from 540 Nm to 569 Nm at 5,400 rpm. The engine also responds even faster to throttle commands and the slightly higher redline speed results in even better continuity during upshifts.

Powered by this engine the two-seater with NOVITEC ROSSO engine tuning reaches a top speed in excess of 330 km/h.

At these speeds favorable aerodynamic properties are essential. The NOVITEC ROSSO body components were fine-tuned in the wind tunnel of the University of Stuttgart. The components are made from especially light high-strength carbon fibers and give the car an unabashed racing look while reducing its weight.

The NOVITEC ROSSO front spoiler is attached to the production bumper and lends the car a more striking face. In combination with the flaps to the right and left of the central air inlet its sophisticated
shape minimizes lift on the front axle, which benefits directional stability at high speeds. Wings and the fender-mounted ventilation louvers now made from carbon fibers add further sporty emphasis to
the front of the car. Carbon-fiber mirror housings add the final touch.

Strikingly styled NOVITEC ROSSO rocker panels create optimal airflow between front and rear wheel wells.

To reduce lift on the rear axle for an optimal aerodynamic balance NOVITEC ROSSO upgrades the 458 Italia with a rear spoiler and a carbon-fiber diffuser. The racing look is rounded out with additional
carbon-fiber applications such as ventilation louvers or the fog lamp surround.

Custom-tailored versions of the three-piece NOVITEC ROSSO NF3 wheel were developed to make perfect use of the available space in the wheel wells. Choosing a staggered combination of size 9Jx21 wheels in front and size 12Jx22 on the rear axle further emphasizes the wedge shape of the two-seater car. Technology partner Pirelli supplies PZero high-performance tires custom-tailored for this car. On the front axle the tires are mounted in size 255/30 ZR 21. In the rear tires in size 335/25 ZR 22 provide optimal traction.

The NOVITEC ROSSO sport springs are precision-matched to these ultra-low-profile tires. The springs lower the ride height of the Ferrari by some 35 millimeters. At the same time the NOVITEC ROSSO
specialists also developed a particular feature that further improves the everyday utility of the 458 Italia.

The hydraulic NOVITEC ROSSO front lift system can raise the front of the car at the push of a button in the cockpit by some 40 millimeters, eliminating problems posed by speed bumps or parking
garage ramps. At a second push of the button or automatically upon reaching a speed of 80 km/h the front reverts to its original position.

NOVITEC ROSSO fully caters to customer requests with perfectly crafted leather and Alcantara interiors. Customers can choose from an endless number of colors and a multitude of upholstery designs
meticulously sewn to perfection. The racing theme of the NOVITEC ROSSO body kit is continued in the interior with a center console, scuff plates and longer shift paddles on the steering wheel, all made
from carbon fibers.

Formula 1 Ferrari Pictures Wallpaper

More shots of the 458 Italia

Here are a couple more shots of the 458 Italia from the iPhone 4...












Those black seats with red stitching are just so niceeeeee...

The ICE in the car is not too shabby either.

Reminds me of the air vents you see on Gundam mecha or fighter planes.

Don't you feel like you're sitting in a cockpit?

Everything is at your fingertips. Even the signal repeaters are on the steering wheel!



You can't see much of what's behind you from the inside of the car, because you don't need to. Half the time you'll be leaving them in a trail of dust!

The 4.499 L V8 is gorgeous.

Loving the black interior with red stitching.

This front grille flexes down during high speeds to reduced drag.




Here's a short clip of her starting up...

458 Italia

A couple of shots of the Ferrari 458 Italia before she gets sent of to it's lucky new owner. Please excuse the iPhone 4 quality shots...








Getting cleaned up before she's sent off.