This past Monday and Tuesday the Nürburgring Grand Prix track hosted the biennial Modena Trackdays. Organized by German Ferrari dealer and F1 Clienti agent Modena Motorsport, it traditionally attracts some very interesting road and racing cars, not necessarily sporting the 'Prancing Horse' badge. This year was no exception as a host of Formula 1 cars, sports racers and historic and modern road cars were found on the German circuit. Among the many highlights were a Ferrari 312 T4, two McLaren F1 GTRs and the Ferrari 250 GT 'Breadvan.' Possibly the most surprising entrant was the only surviving Mercedes-Benz CLR that is best known for its three flights at the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans.
We spent two days in the hot and humid German Eifel mountains, which has resulted in a short report and a 120-shot gallery packed with all the highlights.
In addition to the report, we have also taken a closer look at one of the best cars on track; a Sauber Mercedes C11. The chassis present at the Modena Trackdays is the only one in private hands and has just benefited from a full restoration. In our updated article it is joined by a sister car that is still owned by Mercedes-Benz, which is pictured at the 2007 Goodwood Festival of Speed. In this weekend's Festival of Speed the privately owned machine will feature prominently, so you have another chance to see the rare beast in action.
Completely unrelated but nevertheless very exciting is the latest addition to the Sportec line-up. Dubbed the SPR1 T80, it sports a highly modified version of Porsche's twin-turbo flat six, which produces a staggering 858 bhp. It will debut at the Salon Prive event later this month.

One of Lamborghini's living legends, Valentino Balboni, has retired from the Italian manufacturer. He was employed by the Bolognese supercar company for most of its existence and served as test-driver for over forty years. From 1973 he has driven all Lamborghini prototypes and also sampled most of the road cars as well before they were delivered to customers. Among the marque's aficionados he has achieved a cult-status. To mark the occasion of his retirement, Lamborghini have labeled the latest addition to the Gallardo line-up, the LP550-2 Valentino Balboni. It will be the first Gallardo to feature just two driven wheels. Combined with a 550 bhp V10 engine, it will make for a proper driver's car and an appropriate salute to Balboni. The production run will be limited to just 250 examples. Hinting at Balboni's early years at the company, the first 'Valentino Balboni' has be painted and upholstered in the style of the classic models. Compare for example the Gallardo's paint scheme with this Miura S.
Since its independence Aston Martin has been one of the most active manufacturers, introducing new models, racing cars and concepts almost every two months. This week the British manufacturer has launched their wildest concept yet. Wild not because it uses a 1000+ bhp engine or seats just one but because it's a supermini. Based on the universally acclaimed Toyota iQ, it is called the Cygnet Concept. The engineers have given the three-seater the Aston Martin treatment inside and out. One of the possibilities for a car like this may be to sell them in combination with the more traditional Aston Martin models as an every day city car.