Auto News 5

When Erik Berkman, Honda's new chief for North America research and development, receives a text message, he sees a background image of the automaker's V-6 IndyCar racing engine.

Mazda Motorsports has announced that its SKYACTIV-D clean diesel platform, already previewed in Grand-Am, would also serve in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and World Endurance Championship (WEC).

Dyno testing of the 2.2L four-cylinder, dual-stage turbocharged powerplant has already begun; on-track testing is scheduled for later this year.

Race debuts are set for 2013, ahead of which Dempsey Racing signed up to compete the ALMS with Mazda's diesel engine right away.

Mazda's SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel (Photo: Grand-Am.com)

Dempsey Racing is actor Patrick Dempsey's race team, which debuted in the ALMS' P2 class at the recent Laguna Seca round.

The team is thrilled to take their partnership with Mazda up to the next level, since it fits so perfectly their ambition to take part in the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans.

"Our long-term partnership with Mazda has been fantastic, and we look forward to mutual success as we prepare for 2013," Dempsey said.

"We are focused on that preparation, which is why we are currently testing our P2 car here in the US, in preparation for the next ALMS event. Our team and partners are excited to be associated with SKYACTIV-D technology and the cutting-edge green technology it represents."

Source: ALMS.com

After Greg Biffle and 13 other drivers topped 200mph at the newly repaved Michigan International Speedway; it was announced that Goodyear will make a tire change to help fight blistering.

Biffle, driving a Sprint Cup Ford Fusion turned an eye-popping practice lap of 204.708 mph, followed by the Ford of Marcos Ambrose at 203.551 mph and Kevin Harvick in a Chevrolet at 202.954 mph.

"To be perfectly honest with you I wish I could tell you that I was holding my breath and on edge but it must be a lot of adrenaline because I don't remember," said Biffle.

While the drivers felt comfortable at speeds usually reserved for the high banked Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Super Speedway there were many complaints about tire blistering due to the high grip level.

Late on Friday evening NASCAR issued a statement: Goodyear will bring a tougher left side tire from Charlotte that the teams will use in Sunday's event.

The teams will qualify Saturday as scheduled at 1:10 pm ET with the tires previously allotted by Goodyear.

Following the NASCAR Nationwide Series race, the teams will be given a 75-minute practice session with the new left side tires that will start at approximately 6 pm.

"With the new repave here at Michigan, coupled with the high temperatures we're seeing this weekend, we feel this change will help us put on the best race possible on Sunday," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of Competition.

Goodyear's director of Race Tires, Greg Stucker, said the original thought was to allow drivers to scuff in all sets of allotted tires, but, when that didn't address the blistering situation "the safer option", was to go with a new compound.

Tristan Vautier took his second Indy Lights Series victory at the Milwaukee Mile on Friday, having successfully defend his position in the latter stages of the race.

Vautier, who had earned pole for the Milwaukee 100, lead every lap of the race but his tires, which were beginning to fade, made possible a late charge by Sebastian Saavedra.

The Colombian stayed close, but despite repeated attempts he was unable to find a way past. The margin between the pair was 0.3370s.

Vautier's teammate Esteban Guerrieri finished in third while fourth went to David Ostella. Carlos Munoz completed the top 5.



Race results* - Indy Lights (Milkwaukee)

1 - Tristan Vautier - Schmidt - 100 laps

2 - Sebastian Saavedra - Andretti - 0.3370
3 - Esteban Guerrieri - Schmidt - 3.7527

4 - David Ostella - Moore - 4.6492
5 - Carlos Munoz - Andretti - 6.1943
6 - Victor Carbone - Schmidt - 6.9557

7 - Alon Day - Belardi - 7.3770
8 - Gustavo Yacaman - Moore - 17.5798
9 - Jorge Goncalvez - Belardi - 18.4069
10 - Bryan Clauson - Fan Force - 23.3768
11 - Juan Garcia - Jeffrey Mark - 1 lap
12 - Oliver Webb - Schmidt - 1 lap



Retirement
Lap 34 - Mike Larrison

*Unofficial timing

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has declared himself delighted with the 2012 season so far.

So far, the unpredictable races - with an unprecedented seven different drivers winning the opening seven grands prix of the year - have split the paddock.

Some hail the enthralling 'show' caused by the closeness of the grid and the difficult-to-understand Pirelli tyres, whilst the purists worry that the 'lottery' will eventually turn off the fans.

F1 chief executive Ecclestone counts himself among the former.

"In all my years in this business I've never known anything like it," said the 81-year-old. "It's historic.

"Every grand prix has given us something extra special to applaud and be excited about," Ecclestone told the Gulf News over lunch in London.

"The whole show, evidenced by the massive TV audiences right across the world, as well as the sellout circuit attendances, proves that we are on a winner of a championship right now.

"I wonder how many more surprises we are in for before the end of the season. I hope my old heart can stand it," he added.

"We are not even at the halfway mark yet," Ecclestone continued, "and the lead in the drivers' championship is swapping all the time.

"There's a lot more fun and drama to come before the end of the season. That's a guarantee."

From GMM

Tickets for the first US grand prix in Austin later this year appear to be selling exceedingly well.

The local American Statesman newspaper is reporting that the Circuit of the Americas organisation is considering adding more grandstands due to the unexpectedly high demand.

"We have experienced incredible demand for reserved grandstand seating tickets, and customers have quickly purchased our available inventory," public relations vice-president Julie Loignon confirmed.

She said most of the tickets that went on sale a week ago have been sold.

The first US grand prix since 2007 is scheduled for mid November.

Ganassi's Dario Franchitti, who won the Milwaukee Mile event last year, took pole for the 2012 edition of the famed oval IndyCar race that will be presented this Saturday.

The Scottish driver seemed surprised himself by his pole after having quite a bit of difficulty in finding the good settings during the early practice sessions.

Texas race-winner Justin Wilson (Dale Coyne Racing) came in second with an average speed of 168.287 mph but will have to start from 12th after having been penalized for an unauthorized engine change.

Therefore, Andretti Autosport's Ryan Hunter-Reay will start alongside Franchitti on the front row.

KV Racing's Rubens Barrichello, also benefiting from a similar penalty to Penske's Will Power is third followed by Power's teammate Helio Castroneves.

Besides Power, who is now 14th, Scott Dixon (Ganassi) was also penalized and will line up five places behind him.



Qualifying results* - IndyCar (Milwaukee)

1. Dario Franchitti (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Ganassi - 168.737 mph (271.556 kmh)
2. Ryan Hunter-Reay (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Andretti - 167.911

3. Rubens Barrichello (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - KV - 166.899
4. Helio Castroneves (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Penske - 166.763
5. EJ Viso (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - KV - 166.066

6. Tony Kanaan (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - KV - 165.915

7. Simon Pagenaud (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Schmidt - 165.369

8. James Hinchcliffe (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Andretti - 165.312

9. Marco Andretti (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Andretti - 164.893
10. JR Hildebrand (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Panther - 164.321
11. Graham Rahal (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Ganassi - 164.198

12. Justin Wilson (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Coyne - 168.287**

13. Alex Tagliani (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Herta - 163.866
14. Will Power (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Penske - 167.361**

15. Katherine Legge (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Dragon - 163.516
16. James Jakes (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Coyne - 162.020
17. Josef Newgarden (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Fisher - 166.699**
18. Charlie Kimball (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Ganassi - 161.079
19. Ryan Briscoe (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Penske - 166.031**

20. Oriol Servia (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - D&R - 160.375
21. Scott Dixon (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Ganassi - 165.726**
22. Ed Carpenter (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Carpenter - 160.308

23. Simona de Silvestro (Dallara DW12-Lotus) - HVM - 160.115
24. Takuma Sato (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Rahal - 165.285**

25. Mike Conway (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Foyt - 159.794**


*Unofficial timing

**10-place grid penalty for engine change

From GMM

One of F1's new owners has bought even more of the sport, it has emerged.

Amid expectations last month that the Singapore floatation was going ahead, the US based asset managers Waddell and Reed, and others, bought a $1.6 billion stake in the formula one business from existing owners CVC.

Reuters and Sky News are now reporting that Waddell and Reed has lifted its new stake by $500 million, to almost 21 per cent.

CVC, having cut its stake from 63 per cent to 42 per cent, confirmed the news.

The news follows F1's plans to delay its stock market floatation due to market turmoil.

After eight hours of racing, three Audis are leading the race, while the Toyota TS030s, which were a threat for the German prototypes during the first hours, encountered problems, the n°8 car crashing hard with Anthony Davidson at the wheel.

(Photo: WRI2)

The Audi e-tron n°1 driven by Lotterer, Treluyer and Fassler started from pole position, and retained its lead in the first hours of the race.

The Audi R18 of Romain Dumas went off the road, while the other R18 and the second e-tron hybrid lost several minutes in the pits due to technical problems.

After five hours of racing, the race took another twist as the No. 1 Audi e-tron hybrid was closely followed by the two hybrid Toyota TS030s. Treluyer (Audi) and Lapierre (Toyota) were engaged in a great duel for the lead.




But behind this battle, a terrible accident occurred when Anthony Davidson, who was running third, collided with the AF Corse Ferrari F458 GTE Am driven by Perazzini. The Toyota entered a series of loopings, felt hard on its wheels, before hitting the tire barriers violently, while the Ferrari ended up on its roof. Both drivers were unhurt, but the Brit complained of a sore back.

After a long safety car period, the race resumed, but there was another incident involving Toyota when the n°7 driven by Nakajima had a contact when lapping the DeltaWing driven by Motoyama, who ended up in the wall. The Toyota had to stop to change its rear wing, but then was back into the pits one lap later due to technical problems which stopped the Japanese prototype for about an hour.

That left Audi with a 1-2-3 lead after eight hours of racing, with both R18 e-trons leading the R18 diesel ultra ahead of the first petrol powered cars : the two Lola Rebellions. The first LMP2 car was the Murphy Prototype's ORECA-Nissan ahead of OAK Racing's Morgan-Judd.

In GTE Pro, there was a great fight between the Corvette C6 ZR1 and the Ferrari F458, with the Corvette n°74 leading the Ferrari n°51. Finally, the GTE Am was also dominated by a Corvette, the C6 ZR1 ran by Larbre Competition, ahead of IMSA Performance's Porsche 997 GT3.

After repairs, that lasted for more than an hour, the DeltaWing was back in action.

Car fans had been waiting for it for a little while now: the third-generation RS 4 can, from this week on, be ordered from Audi. First deliveries should take place this fall in Europe.

This version offers 450 horsepower out of a 4.2L FSI V8, 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, and an impressive 1430 L cargo space.

Photo: Audi

On the outside, you spot the 10-spoke, 19-inch wheels and the fact the body has been lowered 20 mm from the normal A4. As far as options go, you can get ceramic and carbon fibre brakes or the Sport package, which includes, among others, a sporty exhaust system - boosting the engine note - and some 20-inch aluminium or titanium-look alloy wheels.

The whole inside is black, except for the roof line, which can come in optional silver. You can also get Audi Connect, which facilitates navigation through Google Earth, Google Street and Audi's online traffic information. It also allows occupants to connect their cellphone to internet.

Price for this third-generation RS 4? £54,925.

History/Description: Bringing a healthy dose of reliable performance, owner satisfaction and luxury to the premium sedan segment, the last-generation Lexus GS gave machines like the Mercedes E-Class, Acura TL and BMW 5 Series a serious run for their money.

2006 Lexus GS (Photo: Lexus)

Available from 2006 to 2011 inclusive, a new model has been introduced for 2013, so there is no 2012 model. The last-generation GS has now moved fully into used-car territory, and will be the focus of this review.

With six or eight-cylinder power, available all-wheel drive and a laundry list of luxury features and technologies bundled into various packages, finding a GS ideal for your needs, lifestyle or budget in the used market shouldn't be an issue. Horsepower ranged between 245 and 342, depending on the year and engine selected.

Feature content included navigation, a Mark Levinson stereo system, climate controlled leather seats, a sunroof, push-button start, xenon lights, Bluetooth and plenty more.

What owners like: A sumptuous cabin, overall comfort, performance, styling and a long list of gadgets are all enjoyed by Lexus GS owners. A smooth, quiet ride and high-quality, solid feel round out the package. Citing happiness with older Lexus models, many GS owners are repeat customers.

What owners dislike: Road noise and premature wear from the factory tires, dashboard rattles and some unintuitive controls are among the most common owner complaints.

Common issues: The Lexus GS looks to be a fairly solid performer as a used luxury car buy, but a few checks should be considered mandatory.

First, ensure all cabin electronics work as expected - triple checking proper operation of the climate control, navigation, stereo and motorized seats. These components will be expensive to repair or replace if they fail.

Check the condition of the factory tires, and listen for any brake ‘squeal' as you stop. A major complaint of the GS is squeaky brakes, which could be the result of improper pads or excessive brake dust. Having the brakes serviced is likely to fix this problem.

Have a Lexus mechanic check the condition of the vehicle's suspension while it's in the air on a hoist, looking for worn-out bushings or other issues. A check for fluid leaks is also ideal.

Note that a faulty oil line on earlier models with the 3.5L V6 engine could lead to oil ‘starvation' at startup when the engine is cold - which could result in a loud, clattering ‘metal on metal' noise from within the engine.

2008 Lexus GS (Photo: Lexus)

Continue reading 2006-2011 Lexus GS Pre-Owned

From GMM

Gerhard Gribkowsky could be close to admitting his involvement in the F1 bribery affair involving Bernie Ecclestone.

The former banker has been at the centre of the scandal, with German prosecutors claiming he received millions in bribes from the F1 chief executive relating to the sport's sale years ago.

81-year-old Ecclestone, who was also under investigation and has appeared as a witness, claims he was "shaken down" by Gribkowsky.

The Financial Times now reports from Frankfurt that Gribkowsky and his lawyers are currently in talks with prosecutors that could conclude the case.

Closing arguments were postponed on Friday because of the talks, with a court spokesman revealing that Gribkowsky is probably deciding whether to admit his involvement.

The Ford F150 pickup will join the lineup of municipal edition vehicles. It's not just the

Audi chose Le Mans weekend to unveil the newest and sportiest model in the Q5 range.

Just in time for the 80th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, RM Auctions has announced that it will be offering a

Tom Kowaleski, a veteran public-affairs executive, has joined Lincoln as its interim PR team leader, a Ford spokesman said today. Kowaleski, who once headed General Motors' communications staff, most recently worked at BMW of North America.

Chrysler Group canceled a Saturday overtime shift at its minivan assembly plant in Windsor, Ontario, due to parts shortages. The company didn't disclose which parts were in short supply.

A group representing General Motors' salaried retirees has sharply criticized GM's plan to replace their pensions with an annuity handled by an insurance company.

Also in this episode: The starting grid is set for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Mini refuels the

Hyundai has priced two new variants of its hot-selling Elantra -- a two-door coupe and five-door hatchback -- at under $20,000. The Elantra sedan is Hyundai's second highest-volume nameplate, with U.S.