Latest / BREAK/FIX the Motorsports & Vehicle Enthusiast Variety Show / The Wheels of Time: 1972

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The Wheels of Time: 1972 · BREAK/FIX the Motorsports & Vehicle Enthusiast Variety Show

• 0:00
  Wheels of time.
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  A retrospective on automotive innovation is a series highlighting the significant
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  developments in both the automotive industry and motorsports, showcasing
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  the rapid advancements in technology, the establishment of notable and iconic
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  brands, and the constant changes in competitive racing as a popular sport.
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  Each lap that the wheels of time completes represents another
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  transformative period that laid the groundwork for future innovations in
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  both vehicle manufacturing and racing.
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  I. And up next, the top 50 most significant developments in the automotive
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  industry and motorsport for the year.
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  1972 BMW launched the five series A key model in the executive sedan
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  segment marking the beginning of one of BMW's most enduring model lines.
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  Over at Volkswagen, they introduced the Passat, a mid-size family sedan
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  That became one of the brand's most important and longest running models.
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  1972 also saw the end of production for the Volkswagen Beetle.
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  In Germany.
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  Production of the original beetle was phased out, though it continued
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  to be produced in other countries like Mexico, marking a pivotal
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  movement in the car's legacy.
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  In 1972, Chrysler partnered with Mitsubishi Motors leading to the
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  introduction of the Japanese design vehicles in the US market, such as the
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  Dodge Cult and Springboarding, what was known as DSM Diamond, star Motors.
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  1972 was also the safety scandal that surrounded the Ford
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  Pinto and public controversy.
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  Over the Pinto's gas tank.
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  Safety issues emerged, spawning lawsuits and concerns over auto safety standards.
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  In turn, Mazda released the RX three powered by a rotary engine furthering
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  the brand's commitment to the Winkle engine and lightweight sports cars.
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  Honda introduced a new K CAR R called the Life.
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  Designed for the Japanese market, emphasizing practicality
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  and fuel efficiency.
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  Meanwhile, Renault launched the R five, also known as the Renault five and would
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  be later sold in the United States as LA car, which became a popular subcompact
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  hatchback in Europe, known for its versatility and innovative design.
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  US emissions regulations continued to tighten in 1972 because
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  of the Clean Air Act of 1970.
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  Which led to stricter emission standards, forcing automakers to implement new
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  technologies to reduce pollution.
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  GM introduced the Cadillac Seville concept and began development on
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  the Cadillac Seville, which would become its first compact luxury model
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  reflecting, shifting market preferences for smaller fuel efficient vehicles.
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  And at the same time, Japanese car imports were on the rise.
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  The popularity of Japanese cars in the US continued to grow in 1972 with Toyota
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  Nissan under the name Dotson at the time, and Honda leading the charge in producing
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  affordable and reliable vehicles.
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  1972 saw the launch of the Fiat 1 32, a replacement for the 1 25 aiming to compete
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  in the large sedan market in Europe.
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  The Chevrolet G Series or the Chevy L van was launched, which would become a
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  staple for utility conversion vans and ambulances in the US starting in 1972.
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  Fuel efficiency became a major focus.
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  Rising fuel costs and concerns over the environment led manufacturers to begin
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  prioritizing fuel efficient vehicles with smaller engines and lighter designs.
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  GM abandoned their Winkle Rotary engine development program deciding to stop
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  its plans, citing concerns over fuel efficiency and emissions compliance.
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  At the same time, Volvo was developing an ozone cleaning catalytic converter.
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  They began focusing on this technology, hoping to reduce vehicle emissions and
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  contributing to the cleaner environment.
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  Audi introduced their Model 80 known as the Fox in the United States.
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  It was a compact executive car that would become a precursor to
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  the Audi A four Mercedes-Benz.
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  Continued development of the W one 16 series, which would become
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  the official S class and set new benchmarks for luxury and safety.
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  Toyota introduced their iconic.
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  Celica lift back a sportier version of the Celica that drew comparisons to the
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  Ford Mustang and added to the growing popularity of Japanese sports cars.
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  Ford, on the other hand, introduced the Granada, a mid-size executive
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  car that became a popular model in the European market.
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  GM introduced the Turbo Hydromatic 400 automatic transmission, which
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  became known for its durability and widespread use in a variety of
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  applications to include motorsport.
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  Citroen brought the SM to the United States with its advanced engineering
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  and Maserati engine making this Citroen's attempt to break into the
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  luxury GT segment in the United States.
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  Subaru introduced the Leon four-wheel drive station wagon, one of the first
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  all-wheel drive passenger cars setting the stage for Subaru's future success
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  in this segment, the Nissan known at that time as Dotson two 40 Z continues
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  to gain popularity and remained a popular sports car in the United States.
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  States due to its combination of performance, reliability,
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  and affordability.
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  And in 1972, Chrysler introduced the Challenger Rally, a performance
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  version of its pony car amidst the declining popularity of muscle
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  cars due to rising fuel costs.
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  Meanwhile over in the world of Formula One, Emerson Aldi wins the Formula
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  One Championship in 1972 at the age of 25, becoming the youngest ever.
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  Formula one champion driving for Lotus BMW entered Formula two with a factory
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  team establishing its motorsports.
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  Prowess in single seater racing Austrian, Nikki Lauda made his Formula one debut.
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  A key moment in the career of one of Motorsport's future legends.
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  Swedish driver Joe Bonnet died in a crash during the 24 hours of
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  Lamonts, underscoring the dangers of endurance racing in the 1970s.
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  Meanwhile, mark Donahue won the Indianapolis 500 driving for Roger
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  Penske's team solidifying Penske racing's growing dominance in motor sports.
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  The Turbocharged Porsche 9 17 10 proved to be dominant in the Can-Am
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  series highlighting Porsche's innovative approach to race car design.
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  Meanwhile, Ferrari was struggling at Formula One and faced a challenging
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  season with no race wins leading to internal changes within the team.
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  Bobby Allison had a. Standout season in NASCAR in 1972, securing multiple
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  victories and cementing his place as one of Motorsport's top drivers.
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  The International Motor Sports Association, better known as imsa,
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  held its first GT Championship in 1972, establishing a premier sports car
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  racing series in North America in 1972.
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  BMW founded BMW Motorsports later to be known as the.
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  M Cars, which would become synonymous with high performance
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  vehicles and motor sports success.
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  In 1972, the Grand National Series was officially renamed the Winston Cup series.
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  After securing sponsorship from RJ Reynolds ushering in a new era of
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  NASCAR history, Dutch driver Gz Van Len, along with helmet, Marco won the
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  24 hours of Lamonts in a Porsche nine 17 Continuing Porsche's dominance.
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  At the event New Zealand driver, Denny Hume, secured victory at the South African
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  Grand Prix, one of the key races of the 1972 Formula One season, the Constructor's
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  Championship in Formula One went to Lotus in 1972, further solidifying its position
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  as one of the top race teams in F1.
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  The famous Targa Florio Endurance race continued to challenge drivers with
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  its narrow mountainous roads with Alpha Romeo taking the win in 1972, Belgian
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  driver Jackie Hicks won his home Grand Prix at Spa Franco Shop one of the most
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  prestigious events in the F1 calendar.
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  Ronnie Peterson saw his first Formula one victory in 1972.
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  The Swedish driver secured his first ever Formula one win at the Italian Grand Prix.
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  Driving for March.
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  Engineering Swiss driver, Joe Cert won the British Grand Prix at Brands
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  Hatch driving for BRM, making this one of the highlights of his career.
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  And in 1972, McLaren continued to see Rise in Formula One, and had
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  a strong showing with the team's efforts laying the groundwork.
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  For future dominance in the sport.
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  Meanwhile, the SCCA TransAm Series continued to be a battleground for
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  American Muscle Cars with Ford Chevrolet, and a MC fighting for supremacy.
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  Though not held until later, the idea of the Paris Decar rally was conceived in
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  1972 leading to the future creation of one of the world's most famous off-road races.
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  The safety car was also introduced in Formula One for the first time
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  in 1972 at the Canadian grum.
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  Pre, although it was not yet a regular feature in this discipline of
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  Motorsport, Australian Racing legend, Peter Brock won the Bathhurst 500,
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  driving a Holden Tara, which would later become a symbol of his success.
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  Motorcycle.
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  Grand Prix Racing continued to grow in popularity worldwide with
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  Giacomo Augustini dominating the 500 cc class on an MB Augusta.
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  And finally.
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  In 1972, Monza hosts the Italian Grand Prix and remained one of the highlights of
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  the Formula One season known for its high speed thrills and passionate fan base.
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  The events captured here, though not all encompassing of this particular
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  year, reflect the dynamic nature of the automotive industry and motorsports as
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  a whole, and how seemingly unrelated events in history are simultaneously
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  connected like links in a chain.
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  It's truly remarkable to think about what we've been able to accomplish
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  with the combined efforts of artists, scientists, chemists, aerodynamicists.
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  Machinists engineers and the countless numbers of other people
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  that have contributed to the continued turning of the autos sphere.
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  Be sure to stay tuned to Break Fix podcast for episodes where we chat with
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  those very people from the diverse parts of the autos sphere, discussing cool
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  careers, captivating personal journeys, and the unique living histories of
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  individuals from all over the industry.
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  Just remember the wheels of time.
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  Keep on turning.
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  We don't know where we'll be tomorrow, but those wheels just keep on turning.
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  This episode is brought to you in part by the Society of Automotive Historians.
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  They encourage research into any aspect of automotive history.
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  The SAH actively supports the compilation and preservation of papers,
• 10:15
  organizational records, print ephemera, and images to safeguard, as well as to
• 10:20
  broaden and deepen the understanding of motorized wheeled land transportation.
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  Through the modern age and into the future.
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  For more information about the SAH, visit www.auto history.org.
• 10:40
  We hope you enjoyed another awesome episode of Break Fix Podcasts, brought
• 10:45
  to you by Grand Tour Motorsports.
• 10:47
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• 10:50
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• 10:54
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• 10:57
  be sure to check out the follow on article@gtmotorsports.org.
• 11:02
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