My FH5 Log: The Born-Again 911s

The GuntherWerks 400R and the Singer 911 DLS are prime examples of resto-mods, the trend in which old cars are born again in new and exciting ways to appeal to modern-day drivers.

What was so distinctive about these resto-mod Porsche 911s that set them apart from every other style example? Let's begin with one of my favorites; the Singer 911 DLS.

The California-based Singer Group Inc. has been restoring and reimagining 964-spec Porsche 911 vehicles since 2009. Following the success of their first model, the Classic Study, they introduced the 911 Dynamics & Lightweight Study (DLS), which evolves the iconic Porsche DNA with insights from Formula 1 technology. Aiming to create the most advanced air-cooled 911 in the world, the Singer DLS features reworked bodywork that enhances aerodynamics and incorporates extensive use of carbon fiber. In collaboration with Williams, the 4.0L air-cooled flat-six engine has been upgraded to deliver 500 horsepower, paired with a 6-speed Hewland gearbox. 

The DLS is part of a limited production run of 75 units, alongside the Classic Study, and is priced at over 1.8 million US dollars.

Now, let's focus on the Gunther Werks 400R, a 993-spec Porsche 911 born again for today's drivers.

Only 25 examples of this modern-day reboot of the 993-spec Porsche 911 Carrera have been produced. The car features lightweight materials, particularly carbon fiber, used throughout its body. It has bespoke LED headlights and a revised 4.0L naturally aspirated flat-six engine that generates over 400 horsepower. Additionally, it includes a modified Getrag 6-speed manual gearbox. Weighing in at 2,677 pounds, this car boasts an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 6.2 pounds per horsepower.

You may remember in one of my previous articles, I pitted the 992-spec Porsche 911 GT3 RS against these two born-again 911s on a Coast Run and blew them both. If Our Lady of Margarete got my 992 911 GT3 RS, I forgot to tell you that I've done some overtime with these two born-again 911s. Would you like the check them out?

You may remember the moment I won this Singer 911 back in the Series 10 update, I have Eve Kagayaki's name written all over it. Now, my Eve-designed Singer 911 DLS returns, and this time with a slightly revised design that features PriChan logos written around it. Welcome back, Eve-sama.

The GuntherWerks 400R, meanwhile, has Alice...Kagayaki's name written all over it. Yep, Eve's long-lost twin sister makes her appearance. Yes, really. The ALIVE duo's finally gathered.

With the Kagayaki sisters' names written all over my born-again 911s, it's time to give these two their moment to shine. The GuntherWerks 400R will sprint through FoxFer64's re-enactment of the Middle Circuit track from the Choro-Q 2 video game while the Singer 911 DLS takes on Pato Bincidi's re-enactment of the Albert Park venue from the F1 Australian Grand Prix. Let's get these shows on the road.

Being "born again" never felt so...ALIVE. Get it? ALIVE.

Just like people, classic cars have the opportunity to be "reborn" in new and exciting ways. This is the essence of resto-modding, and the GuntherWerks 400R and the Singer 911 DLS are perfect examples of this transformation.

This is the joy of being "born again". A second chance to do things you haven't done in a lifetime, almost.

Denmark's Victoria Kjær Theilvig wins 73rd Miss Universe pageant

Amid controversies surrounding the organization's owner JKN Global, the 73rd Miss Universe pageant proceeded as planned in the heart of Mexico.

Beauty queens from many countries are vying for the top spot bestowed by Nicaragua's Sheynnis Palacios, the previous winner.

Image: Miss Universe

Denmark's Victoria Kjær Theilvig is crowned the 73rd Miss Universe winner, beating the likes of Nigeria's Chidimma Adetshina, who faces scrutiny after South Africa issued a warning to revoke her ID documents according to reports, Mexico's Maria Fernandez Beltran, Thailand's Suchata Chuangsri, and Venezuela's Ileana Marquez.

In the Q&A segment, asked what message to the future generation of women, Theilvig said;

"My message to all the world that are watching out there is no matter where you come from, no matter your past, you can always choose to turn it into your strengths. It will never define who you are. You just gotta keep fighting. I stand here today because I want to change, I want to make history, and that's what I'm doing tonight. So, never give up always, believe in yourself, in your dreams, and that is exactly what you're going to do. Thank you."

Congratulations to Victoria Kjær Theilvig and the finalists of the 73rd Miss Universe pageant!

2024 Repco Supercars Championship - VAILO Adelaide 500

The 2024 Repco Supercars Championship concludes with the VAILO Adelaide 500. With everything happening this season behind them,  all eyes are on the two Red Bull Ampol drivers, Will Brown and Broc Feeney as they will settle the score in the finale. The question is, which one will be the champion?

Screengrab from Supercars

In the season's penultimate race, the Red Bull Ampol team delivered a 1-2 finish with Feeney the winner and Brown the second-placer. At the same time, Cam Waters was the only Mustang driver completing the podium with a third-place finish. In the finale, Will Brown's victory ahead of the two Mustang drivers, Optus' Chaz Mostert and Monster Castrol Racing's Thomas Randle, earned him the right to be crowned the champion.

Congratulations to Will Brown for becoming the 2024 Supercars champion!

This concludes the 2024 Repco Supercars Championship. See you next season.

Let's Do The News! (November 16, 2024)

         

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- Pepito intensified into a Super Typhoon as it approached the Bicol Region.

- 11 SAF personnel were sacked for moonlighting, according to the Philippine National Police.

- Former UK MP William Wragg tells the BBC he felt "enormous guilt" over his role in the Westminster honeytrap scandal.

- Israel police questioned Tzachi Braverman, an aide of Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu, over altered records of the October 7, 2023 terror attacks.

- The left-wing alliance of Sri Lanka's new President Dissanayake wins in a landslide.

- Vaccine shares have dropped following Donald Trump's vaccine-skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appointment as health secretary.

- Formula 1 will host Monaco Grand Prix races until 2031 via a new contract extension.

- Penske Entertainment has purchased the Long Beach Grand Prix.

- The TV anime Himitsu no AiPri was renewed for a second season.

- THE IDOLM@STER Tours arcade game's service will commence this 2025.

- Jake Paul defeats boxing legend Mike Tyson via unanimous decision.

- Connor Williams abruptly retires from the NFL at the age of 27.

- BBC's Doctor Who TV series announced the title of the 2024 Christmas Special. The 2024 Christmas Special is titled "Joy to the World".

TTFN.

My FH5 Log: Rennsport Reunion V - Tornado GP

The 992 911 domination in Forza Horizon 5's Horizon Track Day update continues with the in-game arrival of the offroad-oriented limited edition model, the 911 Dakar.

Having obtained this offroad-ready 911 from the update's Storm Season playlist, it's time for a quick introduction to the limited-edition rally raid sports car the Forza producers labeled as "911 Rallye" for unknown reasons.

Unveiled at the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Show, the 911 Dakar is an off-road-oriented version of the iconic 911, paying tribute to Porsche's first-ever victory in the Paris-Dakar rally in 1984—an event that inspired the creation of the all-wheel-drive 911.

The 911 Dakar is powered by the same 3.0L biturbo six-cylinder engine found in the 911 Carrera, producing 480 PS and 580 Nm of torque. It is paired with an 8-speed PDK transmission, which enables it to accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in just 3.4 seconds. The top speed is limited to 240 kph, a restriction due to the all-terrain tires that are standard for this model, marking a first for the 911.

Notable features of the 911 Dakar include Rallye Launch Control, a standard lift system, increased ground clearance, a modified radiator with stone chip protection, and two new driving modes: Rallye and Offroad. Customers can also choose the Rallye Design Package and three decal sets inspired by Porsche's entries in the East African Safari Rally during the 1970s. Additionally, they have the option to add either a roof rack or a roof tent.

A total of 2,500 units were produced and sold.

Recently, a unique 911 Dakar commissioned by Sonderwunsch has been completed in Signal Yellow and Lamperdusable dual color, with light blue lines separating the two colors. This commemorates the end of the 911 Dakar's 2500-unit production run. My take may not match the real deal but this is what the 911 Dakar will be donning for today because this offroad sports car is up its show.

At this point, I was going to get our Teenieping friend Sandping to make me a sandbox for the 911 Dakar to play with but instead...

Instead, I went to another one of Dexter 4130D's EventLab creations which makes good use of the Halo props provided in this update. It's called the Spartan Rally and the 911's unique styling and spartan driving manners as well as the Dakar's offroading prowess will feel at home in this Halo-themed dirt track envisioned by one of the most respected Forza-devoted content creators.

Commence the operation.

Although slight mistakes were made, the 911 Dakar still has the beating heart of the Spartan warrior...from the world of Halo.

Capable of tackling everything Sandping would throw at it, the 911 Dakar is what happens when you turn one of the most influential sports cars of all time into a road-legal rally raid car that can embarrass even the Cayenne.

Sandping, you have lost your battle.

My FM Log: Black Label

The prize car for clearing the Mustang Tour in Forza Motorsport (Xbox Series X|S) before the November 27, 2024 deadline is another of the professionally-tuned sixth-generation Mustangs featured in the world of Forza; the Saleen S302 Black Label.

Based on the facelifted sixth-generation Ford Mustang, the Saleen S302 Black Label is the top-tier variant that enhances the capabilities of the standard Mustang.

For this model, Saleen has equipped the base Mustang's 5.0L V8 engine with a 2.6L screw-type supercharger and an intercooler system, featuring a 103mm throttle body that generates 12 psi of boost. It also includes 47 lb fuel injectors, a cold air induction system, a retuned ECU, and a Saleen-tuned exhaust system. By Saleen's standards, the Black Label boasts an impressive 340 horsepower increase over the standard V8-powered Mustang, all while maintaining Ford's full warranty.

To see how capable this near-800HP 'Stang by Saleen is, I return to Laguna Seca for a one-lap drive. Let's roll the tape.

My personal best in Seca in this car is 1m45.020s. Not quick as such but it proved its worth as one of the most formidable tuned 6th-gen Mustangs on the road and track.

Enjoy your new ride.

Let's Do The News! (November 15, 2024)

         

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The PH Department of Transportation targets the December groundbreaking for the Taguig City Integrated Terminal Exchange.

- Parts of Cagayan Valley remained flooded due to Typhoon Ofel while parts of Bicol are bracing for Typhoon Pepito.

- Adjusted mall hours in Metro Manila will begin this Monday. According to the MMDA, malls will open from 1100 to 2300 hours Manila time.

- The brother of the late Mohamed Al Fayed, Salah, also abused Harrods staff, according to female witnesses.

- The boss of the Bank of England says the UK must "rebuild relations" with the EU in some of his strongest comments yet on Brexit. 

- US President-Elect Donald Trump named former presidential competitor Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as US health secretary. RFK became infamous for his COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy theories. During the election period, he ran for president but withdrew his campaign to support Donald Trump's re-election campaign. RFK got a shoutout from Donald Trump's victory speech as Trump said RFK could "make America healthy again".

- At least ten people died and others were hurt in a fire at a retirement home in the Spanish town of Villafranca de Ebro.

- Global health advocates press Cephied for a cheaper mpox diagnostic test to help tackle low testing rates in poorer nations affected by the virus.

- The first-ever Acura ADX compact crossover was unveiled.

2025 Acura ADX

- Ken Akamatsu was named as the parliamentary vice-minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology as well as Reconstruction.

- Satire site The Onion buys InfoWars. The sale drew support from families of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary shooting victims.

- Bugatti's W16 Mistral smashed the open-top road car speed record with 282mph top speed.

- Jaguar previews its all-electric GT car as it gears up for its 2026 comeback.

- Newborn Italian supercar company Giamaro will unveil its first vehicle this May 22, 2025. It will be powered by a V12 quad turbo.

- Seiyuu Ibuki Kido announces her marriage.

- K-pop boy group OMEGA X cancels their US tour.

- The National Telecommunications Commission is set to commence Phase 1 of Analog Switch-Off in Metro Manila by the end of 2024.

TTFN.