Harley Davidson Touring Flh 52395-06a Flhtcui Passenger Backrest on 2040-parts.com

McLaren Automotive launches bespoke operations division

McLaren Automotive has today announced the launch of the McLaren Special Operations division, which will be responsible for the delivery of bespoke projects for McLaren sports cars. The division celebrated its launch with an example of the new MP4-12C, finished in Volcano Orange with a number of bespoke carbon upgrades, at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Bespoke designs featuring on the vehicle are diamond cut finish wheels with gloss black inners, MP4-12C branded carbon sill panels, a carbon steering wheel, front wheelarch louvres and carbon fiber engine cover vents, rear deck vent and wiper system cover.

Tunnels get F1 ace Räikkönen buzzing

FERRARI's Formula One aces Fernando Alonso and Kimi Räikkönen put pleasure before business at the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, taking to a specially-made track in a hyper-exclusive 458 Speciale in a test of driving excitement. The stars travelled down the road from the famous Spa circuit to an event hosted by Shell, Ferrari's fuels and lubricants partner, where a 1.2km circuit built for excitement had been put together, featuring a tunnel full of laser lighting, a simulated winter corner with authentic whirling snow, and an F1-style starting grid. The tunnel flicked Kimi's switch more than any other part of the track, with the telemetry showing a spike in excitement levels as he hit the power through the multi-coloured lasers and smoke.

Carrera GT: Even Jay Leno can't make it funny

When I heard that one of those celebrity-based half-hour TV shows dug up the video of comedian Jay Leno spinning a Porsche Carrera GT at Talladega Superspeedway at 182 mph, I knew it would awaken some memories that resulted in emails like, “Say, weren't you there? Pretty ironic given the Paul Walker deal, huh?” Yes, huh. Man, what a strange day that was.