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Scosche launched the bacSTAGE pro II at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas last January. This handy device is a mount for the iPad (and iPad 2 or 3) that can be fixed to headrests for backseat viewing.

Scosche says that the product can be installed quickly and easily using just an Allen key, though I was sceptical about this claim when I first saw pictures of the backSTAGE pro II online.

I was wrong. In less than 5 minutes, I had no trouble setting it up, and I really did use just an Allen key. I didn't even have to take the headrest out - I just lifted it up as far as it goes, slipped on the mount and fastened two screws using the Allen key. Ta-dah!



After installing the mount, you just have to slide your iPad into the bracket, and then tighten it at the base. Once secured, you can tilt the backSTAGE pro II for the best viewing angle. When we tested it, this sturdy mount stayed put - the iPad hardly moved, if at all, so no car sickness or headaches.

With a built-in 12V car battery socket, you can power your iPad on the Scosche backSTAGE pro II as long as you want without worrying about running out of juice. Plus, with an integrated USB port and outlet for headphones or wireless (infrared) headphones, you can connect accessories directly to the mount - pretty nifty. And, if headphones aren't for you, the bracket mount also has a small built-in speaker.

Although, at $150, it's one of the most expensive iPad car mounts on the market, it's still a great product and a solid substitute for an automaker's own car entertainment system or portable DVD device. Moreover, it's safe for passengers - the Scosche backSTAGE pro II has successfully passed all crash tests, a major bonus.

From Octane Management

Turner Motorsports will field the No. 30 Chevrolet with driver Alex Tagliani for the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal on August 18, 2012.

Tagliani, a hometown favorite in Montreal, will compete on the circuit he knows well after narrowly finishing second in an epic battle to the finish during last year's event. He hopes to better that result in 2012.

Photo: Octane Management

"Last year's race was a great experience and it was amazing to qualify on the front row and finish the race second,” Tagliani said.

“This year is really cool because I met Trent Owens (crew chief of the No. 30 entry for Turner Motorsports) in Kershaw and he was really helpful, answering all my questions even though, at that time, he was working with his own team. It's ironic that we are going to work together a few short years later. He's an amazing guy, so I'm excited. I'm honored to drive for Turner Motorsports. This is a passionate group of individuals that make up an awesome team. From Steve (Turner) to all the mechanics, I'm looking forward to meeting everyone at the shop,” Tag said.

In 2003, Smart and BRABUS launched one of the most successful joint ventures in automobile history. And, with over 50,000 smart-BRABUS vehicles sold throughout the world (10,000 units in 2011 alone) the two companies can finally shout it out, loud and clear: mission accomplished.

Smart's Annette Winkler and Bodo Bushmann of BRABUS have confirmed that their collaboration will continue for years to come. To celebrate this ongoing partnership, customers will get the chance to nab one of the 100 smart-BRABUS 10th anniversary units.

With a top speed of 155 km/h, the teeny-weeny urban runabout can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds. Both wheel rims and the interior feature the titanium-tinted ‘Liquid Silver' finish. The interior also features black leather trim and hand-stitching in red. This limited edition comes branded with its own uniquely numbered plaque, naturally.

Pricing on the special edition smart-BRABUS has not yet been released

Photo: smart

NASCAR officials have suspended AJ Allmendinger “indefinitely” for violating the sanctioning body's substance abuse policy.

According to a statement released by NASCAR on Tuesday evening:

“On July 24, Allmendinger was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 19 (NASCAR's substance abuse policy) of the 2012 NASCAR rule book.

As outlined in the rule book, NASCAR next will provide Allmendinger a letter outlining a process for reinstatement. By agreeing to the letter, he will be allowed to participate in the Road to Recovery Program.”

While NASCAR has not released the name of the objectionable substance Allmendinger's representatives, previously, said NASCAR found “a stimulant,” but denied that the driver intentionally consumed any improper substance.

AJ Allmendinger has not driven since NASCAR announced the violation just prior to the start of the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona.

On Tuesday morning a “B” sample was tested at the Aegis Laboratories pursuant to a request by the driver or his representatives and that test had the same results as the “A” sample.

Under NASCAR rules the specimen obtained was divided into a part “A” and a part “B.”

Photo: NASCAR

Penske Racing issued the following reaction.

“In accordance with NASCAR's Substance Abuse Policy, Penske Racing was notified today of AJ Allmendinger's positive B sample test. We respect NASCAR's policy and the process they have taken with this matter.

Penske Racing is very disappointed with the result of the B sample test and will evaluate its course of action as it pertains to AJ over the coming week. Sam Hornish Jr., will drive the No. 22 Dodge Charger this weekend at Indianapolis and next weekend at Pocono.”

Hornish had filled in for Allmendinger at Cup races at Daytona and New Hampshire.

Then Shell Oil the sponsor of the No. 22 Dodge issued a reaction:

“Shell and Pennzoil believe that the process and procedures that NASCAR has in place as part of their substance abuse policy are appropriate and serve to ensure that the sport and its participants are held to the highest standards.

We share Penske Racing's disappointment with the result of AJ's (Allmendinger) B sample test and will work closely with them to determine plans moving forward. We hope for the best for AJ during this difficult time.”

AJ Allmendinger, through Tara Ragan, President, Walldinger Racing Inc.”

“This was not the news we wanted to hear and we will work to get to the source of what may have caused this. To that end, we have secured the services of an independent lab to conduct thorough testing on every product within AJ's home and motor coach to find what might collaborate with his test, which created results that were within nanograms of accepted standards.

We are working closely with NASCAR and Penske Racing to identify the next action steps in this process.  We continue to be extremely grateful by the breadth and scope of support for AJ from his fans and partners. We would like to again thank NASCAR, Penske Racing and all our sponsor partners for the open communication, and for helping us at every step in this process. We expect to have further updates in the upcoming days.”


The last NASCAR Sprint Cup-level driver to receive a similar punishment was Jeremy Mayfield in 2009. Mayfield brought a suit against the sanctioning body, but, was unsuccessful in changing the ruling.

From GMM

Red Bull will be reverting to a standard engine mapping setting in the days ahead of the Hungarian grand prix.

Italy's Tuttosport is reporting that formula one's governing body will shortly formalise their advice to teams that what was uncovered at Hockenheim last weekend will no longer be tolerated.

The FIA's Jo Bauer had flagged up Red Bull's engine settings at Hockenheim, admitting he thought the 'maps' on Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber's cars were not legal.

The stewards, however, found that while the settings were suspect - reportedly amounting to a form of legal traction control and increased engine exhaust blowing - the letter of the existing rules prevented them from taking action.

Photo: WRi2

So Tuttosport said a clarification of the rule will now "be formalised in the next 48 hours".

Brazil's O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper is reporting the same.

Correspondent Livio Oricchio said the FIA told teams on Tuesday that the text of the relevant regulation will be tweaked to "avoid the interpretation" that was cited by Red Bull in the stewards' room at Hockenheim.

"We rely on the regulator, the FIA, to make sure the fight is fair," Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali said.

General Motors, which dropped Super Bowl advertising in May because it's too expensive, has become a sponsor of signing English Premier League soccer's Liverpool two months after signing Manchester United.

GM plans to make lump-sum pension payments in late August to white-collar retirees who have decided to take a buyout and forego a monthly pension check, a key step in GM's plan to bolster its balance sheet.

Audi's R8 halo machine is getting a light update, and the freshened model will go on sale in the United States early in 2013.

Ford has produced a one-off Red Tails edition of the 2013 Ford Mustang GT for an auction at the

2011 Kia Sportage EX - Four Seasons Wrap-Up

Greater expectations.

A funny thing happens when you consistently surpass people's expectations. Eventually, those expectations get raised. In that vein, we were not shocked when Kia, the Korean automaker that's been producing vastly improved and incredibly good-looking new vehicles for the last three years, took the sheets off the vastly improved, incredibly good-looking new Sportage. We were eager to get our hands on one for an entire year.

Photo Gallery: 2011 Kia Sportage EX - Four Seasons Wrap-Up - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2011 Kia Sportage EX - Four Seasons Wrap-Up - Automobile Magazine

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GM said today it plans to increase research and development in Canada significantly by 2016, meeting a commitment to boost those activities as part of the automaker's 2009 government bailout.

Ford said today the price of the C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid will start at $33,745, including a $795 shipping fee, and will be eligible for a $3,750 federal tax credit. After the tax credit, the vehicle will cost $29,995, including shipping.

The Ultimate Tire-Testing Machine

When BMW redesigned the 3-series for 2012, it probably didn't consider the needs of tire technicians in South Bend, Indiana. Maybe it should have.

When BMW redesigned the 3-series for 2012, it probably didn't consider the needs of tire technicians in South Bend, Indiana. Maybe it should have.

Photo Gallery: The Ultimate Tire-Testing Machine - Automobile Magazine

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CTS, the Indiana supplier linked to Toyota's unintended acceleration recalls in 2010, said today its second-quarter net income fell 20 percent from the year-earlier period to $3.3 million.

When most of us think of Gale Banks, we think of diesel engines, big honkin' trucks and tuning boxes that make pickups perform like slingshot dragsters.

2012 Toyota Prius C Three

The Prius c might just be the most sensible and desirable model in the Prius lineup.

The Prius c might just be the most sensible and desirable model in the Prius lineup, which now consists of the small Prius c; the conventional Prius; and the biggest model, the Prius v. After all, hybrids make the most efficient use of their powertrains in urban settings, and the Prius c is an ideal city car. It's small, it's nimble, it's easy to get in and out of, it has great outward visibility, and it has strong off-the-line acceleration for dashing around town. I'm not bothered by the thin carpeting and other cheap interior trim bits; the overall interior aesthetics are just fine, the radio works well, the gauges are clear and bright. As for the Habanero color of our test car, all I can say is, "wow." I know that Prius owners generally like to telegraph the fact that they're driving earth-friendly vehicles, but this color is garish and gross.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Toyota Prius C Three - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Toyota Prius C Three - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

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Also in this episode: Only one in five Chrysler dealerships will sell the 2013 SRT Viper, Lincoln announces pricing for

News 25 Jul, 2012

Vauxhall refuses to pay out when recall fix to leaky Astra radiator fails, leaving one owner facing a £2,300 repair bill

In setting the entry price for the 2013 Lincoln MKZ mid-sized sedan from $36,800, including shipping, Lincoln has taken aim at the Lexus ES 350. Lincoln said today it is taking dealer orders for the MKZ, which arrives in showrooms in late fall.

The Volkswagen brand's U.S. product planner wants a more Americanized lineup.