Watch this Audi RS6 go 208 mph... on ice

In and effort to promote the high-speed grip of its new Hakkapeliitta 8 winter tire, Nokian threw a set of its new rubber on a race-prepped Audi RS6 and got moving very, very quickly. In fact, on March 9 on top of the very frozen Gulf of Bothinia near Oulu, Finland, Nokian's test driver Janne Laitinen set a new world record for the fastest speed recorded driving on ice. If you'll recall, this isn't the first time that Audi and Nokian have played this game, either.

Using the guidelines set forth by the Guinness Book of World Records for such things, Laitinen averaged 208.602 miles per hour (335.713 kilometers per hour) over the course of two runs on natural, untreated ice. Another constraint is that the ice speed record must be done using commercial available tires, which is obviously great PR for the new Hakkapeliitas. The press release doesn't make any mention of how the RS6 was prepared to reach such high velocities, but the images of the car make it clear that this is no stock machine. Scroll on below to see the impressive video evidence of the Audi's record run.

Grand-Am, ALMS merger results in new United SportsCar Racing series

After the merger between Grand-Am and the American Le Mans Series was announced last year, a contest was held to name the new combined series, and that new name is now officially the United SportCar Racing series. This new branding will take place at the start of the 2014 season beginning with the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Fans of the American Le Mans Series are probably losing the most in this new series. Not only is the ALMS name (along with the connection to the 24 Hours of Le Mans) going away, but the more exciting P1 prototype class is also being dropped. In the new United SportCar Racing series, the new Prototype class will consist of Daytona Prototypes, ALMS P2 cars and the DeltaWing (including a new closed-cockpit version). The ALMS GT class will be renamed GT Le Mans (GTLM), while GT Daytona (GTD) will combine the current Grand-Am GT class and the ALMS' GTC cars. The Prototype Challenge (PC) and GX classes will both carry over unchanged from Grand-Am and ALMS, respectively.

DeltaWing shines up nice for 2013 ALMS season

Returning for its sophomore season, numerous changes have been made to the DeltaWing racecar not the least of which is the fact that it is no longer associated with Nissan but the most significant update could be a remedy to one of the car's biggest criticisms, its color. In the car's inaugural season, it was reported that other drivers on the track simply couldn't see the racecar, which, due to a combination of its narrow, low-slung stance and its matte black paint scheme, resulted in an early departure from the 24 Hours of Le Mans and a spectacular crash at Petite Le Mans. Rather than redesigning the entire car, though, the DeltaWing team is hoping that a new livery, consisting of a flashy chrome body with red decals, will alleviate some of the visibility problems.

The bright, reflective surface is the polar opposite of the previous livery, and the red accents include the mirrors, trio of rear fins and the DeltaWing name along the side of the car, which replaces the Nissan logo. This chrome, Nissan-less DeltaWing will make it racing debut in less than two weeks at the 12 Hours of Sebring, and Speed TV is also reporting that the closed-cockpit version of the racecar will debut for the ALMS race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in May.

Porsche 911 GT3 wows the crowds in Geneva [w/video]

Porsche has a long and storied history of taking its range-topping 911 sportscar racing, with an enviable record of achievements in tow. The latest machine with which the automaker will take to the track can be seen above: the fifth-generation 2014 911 GT3.

With 475 horsepower strumming through the 3.8-liter six-cylinder boxer engine, this is the pinnacle of naturally aspirated performance from Porsche. It can go from 0 to 60 in just 3.3 seconds, hit a top speed of 195 miles per hour and has lapped the Nrburgring Nordschleife in less than seven and a half minutes.

A dual-clutch PDK transmission (no standard manual gearbox will be offered) with shorter gearing than lesser 911 models sends power to the rear wheels. Providing forward motion isn't the only thing those rear wheels will be doing Porsche says the 2014 911 GT3 is fitted with the manufacturer's first active rear-wheel steering.

Exterior modifications include unique front and rear fascias, a massive rear wing and a body that's 1.7 inches wider than the regular Carrera to cover the massively wide 20-inch rear wheels. Scroll down below for the official release info from Porsche, but not before scrolling through our high-res gallery of live images above.

UPDATE: Porsche has released its first video of the 911 GT3 catch it by scrolling below.

Mini celebrates racing success with John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 Dakar Winner 2013

French drivers Stphane Peterhansel and Jean-Paul Cottret drove a Mini Countryman to a class win at this year's Dakar Rally, and to commemorate their win, Mini has introduced a limited-volume car that will only be sold in France. The Mini John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 Dakar Winner 2013 might be a mouthful to say, but it's a fitting tribute to Peterhansel's eleventh Dakar win as this Countryman is painted to look like the rally car and only 11 will be sold in the Peterhansel's home country.

Sporting a similar green-over-matte-black paint scheme as the Dakar Countryman, the JCW Countryman ALL4 Dakar Winner 2013 also adds green accents to the full-length top and side stripes, the side marker lights and also contrasting stitching inside the cabin. Adding to the car's rally look, this special edition will also include the racers' number card on the front doors, Dakar decals on the front and rear and Peterhansel's signature on the hood. Grille-mounted rally lights, bright red brake calipers and unique 19-inch wheels with dark-painted inserts finish off the exterior design.

Wiesmann GT MF4-CS offers track-ready forbidden fruit, par excellence

Wiesmann has long been forbidden fruit of the very tastiest variety for car fans here in the US, and the boutique German sports car maker continues to concoct varieties of its GT that we long to drive. For this year's Geneva show, that means this flaming orange Wiesmann GT MF4-CS.

It's the last two letters of that name that are the most stirring, as they signify that this is the raciest-yet "Clubsport" version of the GT. With just 25 examples being built worldwide, the GT MF4-CS wraps a sparse interior with the same lascivious bodywork that we've come to expect from Wiesmann. The cockpit has shed such niceties as navigation, air conditioning and even a radio, in search of a lower curb weight (down to 2,976 pounds, unladen). The interior also features an integrated roll cage, racing seats and a fire extinguisher, so it's ultimate track aspirations should be clear from the first time you get behind the wheel.

As ever, the motive force of this Wiesmann comes courtesy of a BMW engine and gearbox; in this case its front-mounted, naturally aspirated, 4.0-liter V8 making 420 horsepower, and connected to your choice of a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Wiesmann specifies a top speed of 182 miles per hour, and a 0-62 mph sprint of 4.4 seconds. Further, large, 275-section rear rubber (245 at the front) on 19-inch wheels and a locking differential should help to keep all of that power flowing to the tarmac.

You'll find a full press release regarding the Wiesmann GT MF4-CS as you continue on below, and galleries of both live and stock images for your happy browsing, as well.

Carlsson SLK 340 Judd is winged up for hill climb glory

Carlsson has been expertly tuning Mercedes-Benz products for more than 20 years now, but we can't say as we remember the outfit turning out anything quite so racy as this SLK 340 Judd that it has brought along to the Geneva Motor Show this year.

This SLK is meant for competition, obviously, and Carlsson has already booked the car to race in several hill climb events in the E1 category. The purpose-built racer should have a fighting chance to do well in said races, with a shape vetted in wind tunnel testing for maximum downforce, the SLK uses a carbon-fiber bodyshell to help achieve a curb weight of just about 1,720 pounds.

The featherweight SLK's name comes from its 3.4-liter V8 engine, which churns out a wicked 610 horsepower to go with its 317 pound-feet of torque. A Hewland transmission with paddle shift operation manages all of the thrust.

In addition to the European hill climbs on the docket, Carlsson intends on dicing with the likes of Hyundai and Suzuki in this year's Pikes Peak race. We look forward to seeing the SLK on that famous run, to be sure. Find a bit more information about the Carlsson SLK 340 Judd in the official press release below.