Audi R8 LMS could be racing in ALMS GT Challenge class in 2011

Audi R8 LMS - click above for high res image gallery

When Audi announced its new GT3 class R8 LMS race car late last year it was expecting 2009 to be a year of learning and development. As it turned out, it was a hugely successful season, landing championships in the FIA European GT series, along with the German and Belgian national series. All told, the R8s captured 23 race victories.

In 2010 the new GT Challenge class for GT3 type cars will become a permanent fixture of the American Le Mans Series as the GT1 class is consigned to history. During the 2009 season, GT Challenge was mainly the province of Porsche 911s. However, with the R8s success in Europe this year, Audi is considering offering the car to North American customers for the 2011 season. While the car could probably be competitive in 2010, Audi wants to set up a customer support infrastructure first.

New Bajaj Pulsar Launched in india

Bajaj Auto rolls out its all new Bajaj Pulsar in 135cc version. Bajaj Pulsar 135LS bike boasts of a new design and a whole new engine priced at Rs. 51000. The pricing has shifted Bajaj Pulsar to a more affordable range in the 135cc segment.

The new Bajaj Pulsar 135cc is powered with a 4 valve DTSi engine which delivers 13.5 Ps power. Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS bike is equipped with a light weight rigid frame assisted by gas-charged Nitrox shock absorbers at the rear. Speaking at the launch, Bajaj Auto MD, Rajiv Bajaj said "The Pulsar 135LS is not a big, intimidating Pulsar but its actually light, sharp and a faster Pulsar." He added "The unique thing is that at 135cc, high rpm, the world’s first twin-spark four-valve engine, the power to weight will give its bigger Pulsar brothers a run for their money."

Bajaj Pulsar 135cc LS Bike Key Features:
- Bikini headlight and LED tail lamps
- Clip on handle bar, split seats and split grab rail
- Single down tube frame
- 4 Valve DTS-i bike with135cc & 13.5Ps
- 5 speed gearbox
- Enhanced volume of air-fuel mixture with efficient combustion
- Improved power and fuel efficiency
- Faster and better evacuation of exhaust gases
- Improved pick-up at low speeds which removes the need for constant gear shifts
- Smooth power transmission
- Available in cocktail wine red and midnight black

Bajaj has major sales plans for the new variant and hopes to sell a minimum of 40,000 units of the all new Bajaj Pulsar 135LS. Bajaj Pulsar sales have picked up in past 6 months and the company is hopeful that the good sales figures will enable the company to capture more than 50% market share of the sports bike segment. The new bike is being manufactured at its Chakan plant near Pune.