Ducati and Cigarette Racing Team

Ducati and Cigarette Racing Team unveiled today the new Cigarette Racing 42X Ducati Edition at the Miami International Boat Show; launching a collaboration between two legends of marine and motorcycle performance.

The two performance icons have chosen to unveil the new model on Cigarette Racing Team’s home turf in Florida; and the 42X Ducati Edition delivers everything aficionados have come to expect from the performance brands. With literally dozens of championships between the two companies, the 42X Ducati Edition comes from an unmatched performance heritage.

“We are delighted to team up with Cigarette Racing Team, the Ducati of the sea. This new 42X Ducati Edition brings together the two legends of performance, design and racing heritage. I am very excited to announce this exciting boat, and feel we have found an excellent new partner in the team at Cigarette Racing.” Said Gabriele Del Torchio, President and CEO of Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.

“We are very proud to announce our partnership with one of the world’s greatest high performance, design and lifestyle brands: Ducati. The relationship between Ducati and Cigarette Racing allows two incredible high performance brands to showcase our passions together in complimentary ways. Ducati is the only motorcycle brand that fits the performance and lifestyle expectations of Cigarette’s customers.” Said Skip Braver, CEO of Cigarette Racing Team.

The 42X Ducati Edition will feature a massive 2,200 horsepower rating from a pair of staggered 1,100hp Mercury Racing engines. The livery of the model is pure Ducati, in white with a Ducati Red racing stripe. A white interior boasting red accents features a specially designed stereo from JL Audio. The 42 foot hull boasts an eight foot beam; completing this astonishing 120+mph package.

Cigarette Racing Team is the icon of performance boating as many people refer to ANY go-fast boat as a CIGARETTE.  Cigarette Racing was founded in 1969 by Don Aronow, the notorious “Godfather of Powerboat Racing” who won numerous World Championship titles, and raised the profile of the company through racing and his association with celebrities, presidents and kings who were customers and friends.  In 2002, the company was bought by Skip Braver, who focused on building Cigarettes with top-quality, safety and style.  His efforts and a renewed international dealer network have restored Cigarette to its original status as the brand leader in luxury and performance. A Cigarette is not just a powerboat, it is a lifestyle.

New Nike and TomTom Sports Watch

This new running watch, unveiled today at the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show, will provide athletes with the most dynamic and motivational running experience in the world thanks to its unique functionality, beautiful design, and direct connection to www.nikeplus.com, the world’s leading running community with almost 4 million members.

The Nike+ SportWatch GPS is designed for high-performance with an extremely clear and readable user interface that delivers the information necessary to the user while in-run. It adds personalisation and motivational features to the running experience, including audible sounds, challenges, run reminders and more.

“The Nike+ SportWatch GPS is a game-changing product that furthers our commitment to provide all athletes with unparalleled motivation and the tools to get better,” said Stefan Olander, VP of Nike Digital Sport.

The Nike+ SportWatch GPS is scheduled to be at retail stores and online in the U.S. and the U.K. beginning April 1. Broader distribution is scheduled for July 1. The Nike+ SportWatch GPS will be previewed for consumers at Nikerunning.com and TomTom.com beginning today.

Montante Maserati 8CTF

Italian car makers Maserati have released in collaboration with Montante Cicli a unique two wheeled masterpiece in tribute to their legendary racing car the Maserati 8CTF. The new Montante Maserati 8CTF features a frame which is painted in the same wine red color as the winning car in 1940 on the Indianapolis track.

The bicycle is painted mainly in wine red with the extensive use of chrome and includes added leather on the saddle, handlebars and loops of the pedals to resemble the exact experience of the driver in the original racing car. Only two hundred examples will be produced which can be customized to have the number of the owner along with the name and is exclusively available from Montante Cicli and Maserati dealerships.

Ferrari Virtual Academy

Ferrari’s first online virtual simulator is revealed today: the Ferrari Virtual Academy, which makes its press debut on the occasion of the Italian Grand Prix in the paddock of Scuderia Ferrari.

The virtual simulator, developed in collaboration with the drivers of the Scuderia Ferrari, Alonso, Massa and Fisichella, as well as its engineers, enables you to experience all the sensations of driving an F10 virtually. It allows aficionados from all over the world to compete with each other on the Fiorano circuit, for the first release, and subsequently Mugello and Nürburgring. The Ferrari Virtual Academy is the only virtual simulator for PCs, which faithfully reproduces the F10, which competes in the Formula One World Championship.

The dynamic modelling of the car was followed by a comparison of the real and virtual telemetric data of the F10 on circuits reproduced through laser scanning, to ensure that they corresponded. The analysis of the simulated laps, turn after turn, enabled targeted interventions to refine the dynamic behaviour and achieve a driving experience and response to controls with the utmost realism and fidelity. This was also made possible thanks to the physics engine, which, working at a frequency of 1000 Hz, calculates all the forces that act on the car every millisecond as well as their effect on the ride.

Every aficionado will be able to record their own time online, taking part in an international tournament which will reward the highest ranking virtual drivers with Ferrari products every week. At the end of the tournament, following the regulation of the competitions, the 5 drivers ranked as fastest will win a trip to Maranello, the heart of Ferrari. They will pass through the gates of Fiorano and take part in the exclusive Ferrari Driver Academy course, personally aided by the exceptional tutors of the Racing Department.

The simulator can be purchased online from the site www.ferrarivirtualacademy.com at a price of €14.90 for the first release, the Fiorano Circuit, and €9.90 for the following track releases with the Mugello and Nürburgring circuits.

Limited Edition Ferrari bike

Colnago and Ferrari have brought their experience and technology together to create this Limited Edition bicycle, representing the highest synthesis of ‘Made in Italy’.

This bicycle is a technological icon with innovations from F1, as you’d expect. The bike sports a frame made of carbon fibre and weighs a mere 6 kg. With an opaque livery and minimalist graphics this bike is extremely elegant, without neglecting its sporty soul.

The main frame is based on 3PRS technology, a system to strengthen frames internally. A technology originated in aeronautics, improving the frame’s rigidity and reducing the weight. A further innovation is the employment of the Dura Ace Di2 electronic group, optimising the gears and keeping the bicycle chain tight and straightened, thus eliminating possible mistakes. The wheels are Racing Speed XLR’s with carbon fibre hub.

Once the bicycle has been ordered, the client will receive a form from the customer care department for the racing cycle’s personalisation. The client has to indicate his/her standover, the height and the shoe size for a perfect customisation. This collaboration seems to make more sense than most Ferrari-endorsed products, though at €12,500.00 it is certainly a premium item.

BMW M Bike

The BMW M Bike is a spectacular combination of state-of-the-art technology and exclusive design. Disc brakes and an elegant matt anthracite frame with the M logo combine perfectly with the leather saddle, stunning rims and handles, and shiny red seat inlay. Characteristic of the entire M collection, which, like the BMW M model itself, stands for the extraordinary and unique.

The BMW M Bike’s fi’zi:k saddle is made from the highest quality leather with a red inlay. This ensures extra riding comfort and superior grip. The built-in Shimano SLX gear system is light and sturdy. The Manitou Match suspension fork on the front wheel is incredibly durable and the disc brakes make for a clean stop.

Starting in June 2010, BMW M Bikes will be available in a special limited edition at select BMW dealers and online at BMW Shop.

Here you’ll also find choice textiles and other accessories from the M Collection, including the M Cabin Bag, a travel bag made from the finest leather, or the M Shoes − black sneakers made from a leather-nylon mix, designed in cooperation with Puma.

SLS inspired Cigarette Racing power boat

Speed boat makers Cigarette Racing have partnered with the Mercedes-Benz tuning division, AMG, to release a power boat inspired by the stunning new Mercedes SLS AMG.

The Cigarette Racing Inspired by AMG 46’ Rider is a forty six foot power boat powered by twin Mercury Racing engines each outputting one thousand three hundred and fifty horsepower giving it a top speed of over one hundred and ten knots. The boat is painted in AMG’s ALUBEAM silver paintwork also available on the SLS AMG. The interior is done in the two-tone AMG Designo porcelain and white Nappa leather, which is also offered on the SLS AMG…

DT takes on 26 mile lap of London

Darren has teamed up with some other members of the British Racing Driver’s Club to take part in this year’s London Marathon on Sunday 25 April. The guys have got together to raise £50,000 for CLIC Sargent, the children’s cancer charity. It’s a great charity and it deserves all of our help – please give generously.

If you would like to sponsor Darren you can do so at: www.justgiving.com/BRDC-marathon-legends. Make sure you say in the message that it’s DT you are backing so he knows he has your support!

Aston Martin ski's in Morning Frost White

In the light of our fabulous event with Aston Martin in St.Moritz next month, we thought it would be a nice addition to your excess baggage to show the delightful new ski’s available by Aston Martin. They have launched the range of skis in four very ‘Aston’ colours: Morning Frost White, Quantum Silver, Almond Green and Silver Blonde. They follow on from last winter’s special-edition ‘Lightning Silver’ skis, handmade by Austrian ski specialist Differences.

The skis, available in four sizes (180cm, 173cm, 166cm and 159cm), are intended to provide precise control in both slalom and freestyle skiing. While the race-derived materials make them perfect for all downhill descents, the construction is equally well-suited to more casual skiers. As with the latest Aston Martin sportscars, they boast high-tech materials such as composites, aluminium and carbon. The ski’s can be ordered with or without bindings.

If the off-the-shelf colours are just too common for you, thyen you could opt for the full bespoke service which allows you to specify the colour of your new skis from any of the standard Aston Martin exterior paint colours.

Find more information at www.astonmartin.com. For availability and ordering information please contact Aston Martin on +44 (0)1908 305530.

Maserati carbon fibre bicycle

Maserati have designed a bicycle in cooperation with fellow Italian bicycle makers Milani.

The Maserati bicycle is made of carbon fibre and painted in Maserati’s signature dark blue paint. Their are two models of bicycle – the Veloce racing bicycle modeled after the Maserati GranTurismo; and the Turismo city bicycle modeled after the Quattroporte.

Both bicycles are available in five different sizes and are available from Milani stockists and Maserati dealerships.

http://www.milanicycles.com/milani-for-maserati-veloce