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    Honda Repsol Edition Launched With Hornet 2.0, Dio 125

    Honda Repsol Edition range with Hornet 2.0 and Dio 125Mechanically, Honda Repsol Edition of both Hornet 2.0 and Dio 125 remain identical to their standard models respectivelyHonda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI) has launched special Repsol Edition variants of their popular Hornet 2.0 and Dio 125. Both motorcycles now get special liveries with Repsol branding. With Repsol Editions, Honda intends to celebrate India’s maiden MotoGP event – Moto GP Bharat.Hornet 2.0 Repsol EditionHonda recently updated the Hornet 2.0 and made it comply BS6 P2 emission standards along with RDE norms and E20 fuel compatibility. This naked street commuter is one of the sportiest and most appealing motorcycles in its segment. Hornet 2.0 holds quite a pull on prospective buyers with its captivating design and appearance.Hornet 2.0 Repsol Edition costs Rs. 1.4 lakh (ex-sh), which is Rs. 1,000 more expensive than standard model. Repsol Edition gets a new stylish and dual-tone livery. Primary colours of choice are Ross White and Vibrant Orange. The Ross White elements extend from rear subframe body panels through side body panels and into its fuel tank.At the fuel tank, this Ross White livery lends the look of a perimeter frame, even though Hornet 2.0 gets a diamond frame. Hornet 2.0 Repsol Edition gets red pillion grab handles and red pin striping on alloy wheels. The 184.4cc single-cylinder engine gets 17 bhp of power and 15.9 Nm of torque. Slipper clutch, petal disc brakes, single-channel ABS, full LED lighting are notable elements.Hornet 2.0 Repsol EditionDio 125 Repsol EditionIn Honda’s extensive scooter lineup, Dio 125 is the newest. Range starts from Rs. 83,400 and the Repsol Edition costs Rs. 90,000 (both prices ex-sh). Dio 125 shares the design and body panels with 110cc Dio and packs new and modern features. Smart key and fully digital instrument cluster are new and highlight elements.Repsol Edition of Dio 125 gets the same Ross White and Vibrant Orange colour livery. As opposed to black wheels on Hornet 2.0 Repsol Edition, Dio 125 Repsol Edition gets alloy wheels painted in Vibrant Orange. There are multiple brandings and other visual highlights exclusive to Repsol Edition.The 123.92cc engine on Dio 125 generates 8.2 bhp of power and 10.4 Nm of torque. Dio 125 Repsol Edition features 12-inch alloy wheels, disc brakes and CBS as standard model.Dio 125 Repsol EditionWords from the manufacturerIntroducing HMSI’s latest offerings, Mr. Tsutsumu Otani, Managing Director, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “Racing is the heart of Honda. The pinnacle of motorcycle racing, MotoGP, is happening in India for the first time ever and there is a lot of enthusiasm among the Indian fans to witness history in the making. To further amplify their excitement, we have launched the 2023 Repsol Editions of Hornet 2.0 and Dio 125. We wish the upcoming BharatGP to be a great success.”Commenting on the launch of the 2023 Repsol Limited Edition models, Mr. Yogesh Mathur, Director, Sales and Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “We are excited to launch the new 2023 Repsol Edition of Hornet 2.0 and Dio 125.Both these models have delighted customers in their respective segments and with the launch of these Limited-Edition versions, we are happy to transform Honda’s racing DNA on Indian roads for the MotoGP fans in India. We also extend our best wishes to the Repsol Honda Team for the maiden BharatGP.” More

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    TVS Racing Electric Championship Announced – Apache RTE Race Bikes

    TVS Apache RTE Race MachineSpecially designed and developed Apache RTE motorcycles will race in TVS Racing Electric One Make Championship (e-OMC)Racing and TVS usually go hand in hand in a sentence. This is because of a profound vertical integration of racing DNA across TVS’ portfolio since its inception. Now, TVS has achieved a new milestone by announcing India’s first-ever electric racing championship for 2W vehicles. Say Namaste to TVS Racing Electric One Make Championship (e-OMC).TVS Electric Racing Championship AnnouncedFor the first time in India, a mainstream OEM is shedding new light on electric 2W racing. Not only is this a major milestone in TVS’ motorsport journey, but it also strengthens the company’s green credentials and commitment to eco-friendly and sustainable mobility solutions. This aligns with the brand’s intentions of spearheading 2W EV realm across multiple segments.TVS Racing Electric One Make Championship (e-OMC) will feature specially designed and developed thorough race-bred Apache RTE motorcycles. These Apache RTE bikes are for racing and are solely for e-OMC. They will be an embodiment of TVS Racing and the brand’s rich four-decade old racing heritage.On September 29th, 2023, TVS Racing Electric One Make Championship will make its debut at Indian National Motorcycle Road Racing Championship (INMRC) in the 4th round. TVS intends to redefine the future of e2W racing with this championship. There will be a total of eight handpicked riders who will race on all-new TVS Apache RTE (Racing Throttle Electric) bikes.TVS Racing Electric Championship AnnouncedApache RTE Race-spec Electric MotorcyclesThe 8 handpicked riders will race on race-spec Apache RTE electric motorcycles at the 4th round of INMRC. These RTE motorcycles are jam-packed with cutting-edge tech and top-notch build and construction. Both motor and motor controller are liquid-cooled and still boast highest power-to-weight ratio in their class.These racing electric motorcycles feature advanced battery chemistry and they get high-tech carbon fibre battery casing as well. Not only does carbon fibre battery casing save a lot of weight, but it also acts as a brilliant stress member for the chassis, owing to its incredible stiffness and structural rigidity.The BMS (Battery Management System) is custom-built and custom-coded for race-specific algorithms. In terms of componentry, TVS Apache RTE racing motorcycles feature bespoke Ohlins front and rear suspension and Brembo braking kit including 320mm front disc, calipers and master cylinders.TVS MD Sudarshan Venu With Apache RTE Race MachinePirelli Super Corsa tyres are wrapped on custom carbon fibre wheels, reducing unsprung mass. The carbon fibre fairing is sleek and boasts lowest drag coefficient in its class as well. The icing on top has to be TVS Racing Factory colours and livery.Words from the manufacturerMr. Sudarshan Venu, Managing Director, TVS Motor Company said, “TVS Motor has been championing racing ever since we started India’s first factory racing team. TVS Racing has been instrumental in making motorsports aspirational yet accessible for enthusiasts across the country. Many of the technologies that we pioneered in our racing machines have made way to our production vehicles, giving shape to our ‘track to road’ philosophy.In line with our vision of providing exciting and sustainable mobility solutions, we are thrilled to announce the debut of India’s first ever EV two wheeler racing. TVS Racing e-OMC will not only set new benchmarks in the racing segment but also demonstrate the potential of electric vehicles in delivering high-octane and thrilling racing experiences for the world to witness.”Vimal Sumbly, Head Business – Premium, TVS Motor Company said, “TVS Racing takes great pride in being the propagators of offering a platform for racers to hone and showcase their skills and following their passion for racing. We have been the frontrunners in the segment, whether it was pioneering the TVS OMC in India in 1994, and expanding it in women’s and rookie class, or being the first Indian manufacturer to foray with the Asia One Make Championship or participate in the Dakar Rally. With the TVS Racing e-OMC, we take a monumental step into redefining the future of racing.” More

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    Honda Motocompacto Mini Electric Scooter Debuts – Lighter Than A Suitcase?

    Honda Motocompacto e-scooterWith its compact, lightweight profile, Honda Motocompacto can fulfil a variety of last-mile commuting needsGoing beyond the compulsions of range and performance, Honda Motocompacto mini electric scooter creates its own niche market segment. It perfectly suits last-mile commuting needs across large campuses, offices and industrial hubs, urban centres, large fairs and exhibitions and tourist hotspots. With foldable parts, this suitcase-sized mini scooter can be easily carried and used anywhere.Honda Motocompacto features, specsWhen folded, Honda Motocompacto can be easily mistaken for some sort of hi-tech luggage carrier. The handlebar and seat can be neatly tucked away when the scooter is not in use. There’s a dedicated carry handle to make it easier to lift the mini scooter. Side stand and foot rests are fully concealed when not in use. The scooter also has a small LED headlight and tail lamp.There’s storage inside the scooter for the charger. The charging port is located at the front, just below the headlamp. The scooter can be charged with any 15-amp socket. It takes around 3.5 hours to achieve a full charge from 0% to 100%. The battery pack is rated at 6.8Ah and seems to be a non-removable unit.The scooter is equipped with a 490-watt electric motor that generates 16 Nm of peak torque. Honda Motocompacto can achieve a top speed of 24 kmph. Accelerating from 0 to 24 kmph will take around 7 seconds. Motocompacto offers a range of 19 km. Considering a two-way trip, any destination within a radius of 7-8 km should be easily reachable.[embedded content]Of course, range won’t be an issue in places where charging ports are easily accessible. While being lightweight and compact, Honda Motocompacto can support heavyset individuals. Rated load capacity is 265 lbs (approx. 120 Kg).Motocompacto has a small digital instrument console that displays info such as battery level, speed, etc. Next to it is a small on/off push button switch. The size of the wheels looks pretty small, which can limit the usability of the scooter. Hopefully, a good suspension setup has been used to compensate for any inconveniences created by the small wheels.Honda Motocompacto priceWhile it looks unique, Honda Motocompacto is not necessary an original idea. The original version was conceptualized a few decades back by Honda as an ICE-based 49cc two-stroke mini scooter. However, the new version of Motocompacto looks a lot more sophisticated and environment-friendly. Honda Motocompacto has already received 32 patents.Honda Motocompacto stored in a carAlthough Honda Motocompacto can be useful, it may not be accessible to everyone. Price in the USA is $995, which is approximately Rs 83,000. Going forward, Honda has plans to introduce more features with the Motocompacto mini electric scooter. A dedicated phone app is being developed, which will be available for both Android and Apple devices. Users will be able to access a range of features such as personalization, ride modes, remote battery status, navigation, etc. More

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    Ola Electric Motorcycles Trademarked In India – 4 New e-Bikes

    Ola electric motorcycles trademarkedWith Diamond Head, Ola electric motorcycles could see a new direction in terms of engineering and can even break convention as wellWhen an automaker is at the peak of its intended success, branching out to different genres is one of the logical things to do. That is exactly what Ola Electric is doing. Ola recently launched its most affordable and ambitious S1 X range of electric scooters. At the same stage, Ola also showcased 4 new electric motorcycle concepts.Now, Ola Electric has trademarked the names of these upcoming electric motorcycles. As seen in the images below, these names are M1 Cyber Racer, M1 Adventure, M1 Cruiser and Diamond Head. Let’s take a look at finer details.Ola Electric Motorcycles Trademarked – A new era!The Indian startup brand, Ola Electric, is diversifying its portfolio like no other. The enthusiastic CEO Bhavish Aggarwal aims to venture into indigenous battery design and manufacturing, along with electric motorcycles and even electric cars. At the S1 X launch, Mr Aggarwal demonstrated working of its upcoming 4680 battery cells as well.With a mission to redefine electric motorcycles, Ola has been working relentlessly to have more outreach and penetration in the Indian market. Company’s four new upcoming electric motorcycles seem to be an important stepping stone in that direction. Ola has trademarked names for all four of its electric motorcycles.M1 Cyber Racer trademarkOf the four trademarks we see, only three have passed formality check, while one hasn’t. M1 Cruiser, M1 Adventure and M1 Cyber Racer trademarks were filed last month and all of them have passed formality check. Diamond Head is Ola’s flagship and flag bearer and the name has seen some objections.Which one will launch first?Names are pretty self-explanatory. M in M1 range means ‘motorcycle’ and M1 Cruiser is a low-slung electric cruiser, M1 is a dual-sport motorcycle with some off-road hardware, M1 Cyber Racer seems to be the roadster motorcycle that Ola demonstrated and Diamond Head is the flagship that will pack the new engineering direction.Of all the four, only M1 Cyber Racer seems to be a working prototype. This could be a good hint that Ola might launch its roadster before others. The most menacing and appealing of this bunch is definitely M1 Cruiser. Ola will launch all of these motorcycles in a phase-wise manner starting next year.Diamond Head trademark objectedPowertrains and specs are unclear at this point. But going with Ola’s approach to their S1 scooter lineup, performance should be one of the biggest priorities. Range, features and gimmicks will be in abundance as well. Faster EV adaptation will lead Indian electric motorcycle segment to new heights and there are a few examples like Ultraviolette F77 already on sale. More

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    RE Himalayan 452 Homologated Before Launch – Specs Leak

    Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 renderThe new 451.65cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine might generate 39.47 bhp of peak power at around 8,000 RPMADVs are one of the biggest rages in motorcycling world both here in India and abroad. Royal Enfield has tried to cater to this segment with Himalayan 411 and has found quite a success. There is a new Himalayan 450 on the horizon with a larger displacement, more kit and more performance. Finer details have leaked for the first time.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 – More details leaked!There have been multiple spy shots of Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and we have a general perception of what to expect from this upcoming machine. However, it has now been homologated ahead of launch. Leaked report has divulged finer details about this upcoming ADV from Royal Enfield. These details include engine displacement, a few performance metrics, dimensions and more.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Details LeakFor starters, Royal Enfield has homologated this new motorcycle as Himalayan 452. It will pack a 451.65cc single-cylinder engine. This engine is liquid-cooled and looks like it has a DOHC setup too. 4 valves per cylinder can be a reality as well. Peak power output is supposedly 39.47 bhp, accessed at a healthy 8,000 RPM.Dimensionally, Royal Enfield Himalayan 452 will measure 852 mm wide and has a 1,510 mm long wheelbase. Spy shots had revealed Himalayan 452’s long wheelbase and the leaked numbers seem to justify that. Royal Enfield is getting ready to launch the new Himalayan between October 30 and November 1 this year.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 LeaksIs the name Himalayan 450 or Himalayan 452?Royal Enfield chose to call its scrambler motorcycle ‘Scram 411’, denoting its engine displacement. Going by that logic, the name Himalayan 452 is likely. For the first time, Royal Enfield is offering significant kit to their single-cylinder portfolio. Himalayan 452 will be the embodiment of this change, sporting many firsts for any single-cylinder RE bike or any Royal Enfield motorcycle in general.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 LeaksWe’re talking about upcoming Himalayan being the first single-cylinder Royal Enfield to get USD telescopic front forks, fully digital instrument cluster, a 6-speed gearbox, active engine cooling of any sort, LED headlights and more. Upcoming Himalayan 452 is the first Royal Enfield motorcycle ever to get liquid-cooling, LED turn indicators and a fully digital instrument cluster.What will it pack?The new engine is of primary importance with this motorcycle. Other notable components include a trellis frame of sorts and off-road-worthy hardware like long travel suspension, switchable dual-channel ABS, engine protection, wire-spoke wheels, block-pattern tyres, luggage mounting points, tubular frame for jerry can mounts and more.There is scope for Himalayan 452 to be a good tourer as well. We say this because of the windscreen, upright riding posture, neutral footpeg positioning and provision to haul a lot of luggage. Pricing could be around Rs. 2.5 lakh mark (ex-sh). It will rival current ADV-styled motorcycles like 390 Adventure and the likes. But face stiff competition from upcoming Hero Xpulse 440. More

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    2024 Mazda CX-30 Costs More Than Before, Ranging from $26K–$38K

    Pricing for the 2024 Mazda CX-30 subcompact crossover is up a significant amount from last year.The base price rises $2045, to $26,370, and the top Turbo Premium Plus trim now starts at $38,625.The new brown-on-brown Carbon Turbo costs $34,165.Mazda’s upward push into the premium market continues to impact new-car prices, including the 2024 Mazda CX-30 subcompact crossover. For the new model year, the CX-30’s base price goes up by $2045 to $26,370, and other trim levels are up by between $500 and $1850. The new Carbon Turbo model (pictured at top), which has a brown-on-brown color scheme, starts at $34,165.There’s a bit of new standard equipment offered in the base CX-30 2.5 S model to offset the price hike, including blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The CX-30 comes standard with a 191-hp 2.5-liter inline-four, a six-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive.The 2024 CX-30’s trim-level structure is a bit different than before, as the Select is renamed the Select Sport and now starts at $27,875. The Carbon Turbo, finished in Zircon Sand exterior paint and featuring Terra Cotta leather accents inside, is also new to the lineup and is now the cheapest way to get the more powerful turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four with 250 horsepower. The Select, Preferred, Carbon Edition, and Premium models continue on with the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter, while the Turbo Premium and Turbo Premium Plus models start at $36,960 and $38,625, respectively—pushing well into luxury subcompact-crossover territory.All 2024 Turbo models get a larger, 10.3-inch infotainment screen instead of the 8.8-inch screen on lesser models. They also add a wireless phone charger and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Mazda says the updated CX-30 lineup will go on sale later in the fall.More on New MazdasSenior EditorDespite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.   More

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    Volvo Confirms It Will End Diesel Engine Production Next Year

    Volvo confirmed that it will cease production of all diesel-powered vehicles by early 2024. The announcement comes on the heels of Volvo’s commitment last year to eliminate its research and development budget for combustion engines. The company has committed to selling only electric cars by 2030, and Volvo aims to be a fully carbon neutral company by 2040. Automakers continue to move towards electrifying their lineups in small steps and big leaps, with Volvo announcing Tuesday that it will end production of all remaining diesel models by early next year. In conjunction with Volvo ceasing diesel production, the automaker doubled down on its move towards electrification. Volvo made the decision last year to end development of new combustion engines and no longer spends any R&D budget to do so. Last November, the company sold its stake in Aurobay, a joint venture company that held the carmakers remaining combustion engine assets.Volvo EX30VolvoVolvo hasn’t sold a diesel powered vehicle in the U.S. in decades, but even viewed from a global standpoint, the announcement doesn’t come as a huge surprise given the declining market share held by Volvo’s diesel-powered cars. According to Reuters, the majority of the cars Volvo sold in Europe were diesel as recently as 2019, though in 2022 they made up just 8.9 percent of the manufacturers sales. “Electric powertrains are our future, and superior to combustion engines,” said Jim Rowan, Chief Executive at Volvo Cars, in a statement. “We’re fully focused on creating a broad portfolio of premium, fully electric cars that deliver on everything our customers expect from a Volvo—and are a key part of our response to climate change.”More Volvo NewsThe move is part of Volvo’s roadmap towards 100 percent electric vehicle sales by 2030, and on to its further aims of being a carbon-neutral company by 2040. As far back as 2019, the automaker began electrifying all new models, including hybrid, plug-in-hybrid, and battery-electric vehicles such as the upcoming EX30 and EX90 SUVs. This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More

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    Life with a Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Live Blog

    Not so long ago the Car and Driver long-term test fleet featured performance greats such as the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0, the BMW M3, and Cadillac’s Blackwing twins. Naturally, our taste for high-octane performance machines has only grown more insatiable since their departure. Enter the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Powered by a 670-hp flat-plane-crank 5.5-liter V-8, this is a Corvette gone Super Saiyan. Oh, it’s also the fifth-fastest car we’ve ever run at Lightning Lap. Sadly, we aren’t able to run our usual 40,000-mile long-term test format (as we did on a regular C8, a 2021 Stingray Z51). But we did manage to wrangle an extended loan, and we’ll be producing frequent updates to let you know what life with a Z06 is like. From dropping the kids off at school to grocery store runs and potential track days, we’ll be updating you on every mile for the next month or so. 4300–5304 miles: City Living Our first road trip in the Z06 saw us travel from Detroit to Chicago for the Riot Fest music festival. And what better car to bring to Riot Fest than the Z06, which is its own miniature riot? Earplugs are not required for this one, thankfully—although Track mode definitely pumps up the volume. Andrew Krok|Car and DriverThe drive to Chicago wasn’t bad. The magnetorheological dampers and decent tire sidewalls do a good job of keeping the ride from being truly intolerable, but impact harshness remains severe—one particular pothole had us worried that we’d turned one of the front wheels into a square. Noise is ever-present; the targa-style top did a good job sealing out wind noise, but those aggressive Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires made a whole lot of road noise, in addition to tramlining on grooved or wavy pavement.Stop-and-go traffic is not the Z06’s favorite place to be. Left to its own devices, the transmission can be reluctant to upshift out of first. Shifting for ourselves in Manual offers a bit more comfort bouncing between zero and 25 mph.Speaking of bouncing—the tall, slab-sided buildings of Chicago provide the perfect acoustic environment for the Z06. The flat-plane-crank V-8 positively shrieks above 3000 rpm, emitting a wail that may feel out of place in a Corvette, but it feels right at home in a supercar. Andrew Krok|Car and DriverYou know that feeling you get when you can tell somebody’s looking at you from . . . somewhere? That’s every waking minute in the Z06. It’s a long, low, brash wedge with race-car front aero and a wing the size of a dining-room table. It pulls eyes and comments wherever it goes. As you might expect, the dudes are very into it. Here’s a feather for Chevrolet’s cap: One person asked us if the car cost $250,000. Perhaps the biggest concern is fitting anywhere. The Z06 is wide, and the giant canards at each corner of the front bumper look sharp enough to slice an ankle and vulnerable enough to crumble at the first sight of a curb. There are no front parking sensors, merely front cameras activated with a button on the center console. It makes parking a slow and steady job, but one that can be done without much frustration. Parallel parking isn’t as bad since there are sensors at the back. Andrew Krok|Car and DriverVisibility is also a point of contention. There simply isn’t any in the blind-spot region, requiring us to rely heavily on the blind-spot monitoring system, in addition to the occasional head out the window. Not that there’s a risk of accidentally changing lanes into someone; between the noise and the visual theater, people show deference to the Z06 and give it a wide berth wherever it goes. Perhaps all the bad Corvette drivers of yore have secretly benefitted those of us merely trying to weave around double-bunched buses and arbitrarily placed construction horses. Would the Z06 have been our first pick for a trip to the city? Absolutely not. But now that we’re here, we wouldn’t have chosen any other car. Except maybe that McLaren Senna we saw on Michigan Avenue. —Andrew Krok Editor-in-ChiefTony Quiroga is an 18-year-veteran Car and Driver editor, writer, and car reviewer and the 19th editor-in-chief for the magazine since its founding in 1955. He has subscribed to Car and Driver since age six. “Growing up, I read every issue of Car and Driver cover to cover, sometimes three or more times. It’s the place I wanted to work since I could read,” Quiroga says. He moved from Automobile Magazine to an associate editor position at Car and Driver in 2004. Over the years, he has held nearly every editorial position in print and digital, edited several special issues, and also helped produce C/D’s early YouTube efforts. He is also the longest-tenured test driver for Lightning Lap, having lapped Virginia International Raceway’s Grand Course more than 2000 times over 12 years. More