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The Escalade is, for good or bad, the first model most would mention when asked to name a Cadillac product. Eldorado, DeVille and Fleetwood are all nameplates that have faded over time, unlikely to be remembered as cars that made Cadillac a household name known the world over.

The Escalade took the world by storm when its current guise hit the red carpet in 2007. The storm was soon over when the economy collapsed barely two years later. The Escalade fell out of favour just as the new 2009 Escalade two-mode hybrid hit the shelves.


A real hybrid
According to moi, a Hybrid vehicle is one that can run on either form of energy available on tap, exclusively. The Escalade Hybrid features an electric propulsion system with a 300-volt hybrid battery pack, and because of its two-mode nature it can, and does, run as often as possible on electricity alone.

Unlike a large number of other hybrids that use CVT transmissions, the Escalade uses a two-mode continuous electric-ratio hybrid transmission with four fixed gears. As simply as I can explain it: this impressive transmission seamlessly navigates through six operating functions through the four fixed gears, and the two electric continuously variable transmission (ECVT) modes... Whatever, it works especially well.

The other small element is the 332 hp 6.0L V8 with active fuel management. Altogether, they not only make the 2012 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid move with assurance and gusto, but they manage to do so without chugging an inordinate amount of fuel. I averaged a paltry 12L/100 km over a week's drive.

That same week, we had a 2012 SLP Cadillac Escalade Supercharged Sport Edition and actually had a bit of fun pitting the two against each other. More on that at a later point. but (spoiler alert!) I did not prefer the 525 hp SLP monster.

The engine produces 332 hp 6.0L V8 with active fuel management. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Refined hybrid
A strange thing is happening: I'm really appreciating everything oversized currently offered by car makers. The likes of the Lincoln Navigator and Infiniti QX are so cosseting that many luxury cars could stand to spend some time in class with the rude and crude trucks.

The Escalade Hybrid is as comfortable, solid and luxurious as one would expect -- with a slight twist. It was a leader in all of these criteria three or four model-years ago. It's still good, but it's severely lagging behind design-wise. However, all the bells and whistles are present and accounted for.

The seats are huge and cozy, as is the rear bench. The third row is a no-longer-clever marketing ploy. What's worse, the 3rd row must be physically removed to access all of the trunk's volume. This is a fail in 2012.

Aesthetically, the Escalade is still handsome, but like the Navigator its slab-sided, un-sculpted body lacks imagination and inspiration. It ain't ugly, though...

The Escalade Hybrid is as comfortable, solid and luxurious as one would expect. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Fine driving hybrid
As with all luxury SUVs, the 2012 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid rides regally. The Hybrid's standard Magnetic Ride Control suspension seems as though it's always one step ahead. Neither rut nor onramp would upset the big truck's stability -- that is, unless the driver foolishly overdoes it speed-wise.

The brakes and brake-pedal feel are not affected by their regenerative functions; in fact, I found them as (or more) responsive than in the SLP. Same goes for the steering: I felt as though the power electric rack and pinion was better judged and more precise in the Hybrid than the other.

In fact, the Hybrid experience was great overall. Far more surefooted and agile than I expected, the big ‘Slade was (dare I say it?) fun to drive...

The Escalade deal
The 2012 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is great, except for the fact that it's an Escalade. The spotlight time for gargantuan people-movers faded long ago, and as the GMT900 platform gets long in the tooth, the marketability of these vehicles becomes increasingly more difficult.

GM's hybrid system is efficient, very functional and still quite modern. If I were GM, I'd leave the powertrain well enough alone and concentrate on a new shell and cabin.

GM's hybrid system is efficient, very functional and still quite modern. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

At $95,000, the base Escalade Hybrid is decently priced, but then again it's the only one of its kind currently on the market. The tested, fully kitted-out version tips the MSRP scale at a whopping $110,000.

As a final comment, I wouldn't rebadge a Traverse and call it “Escalade.” I really don't think this will do well.

Elliott Sadler bounced back from a questionable penalty call in Indianapolis to take the Nationwide Series win in Iowa.

The Richard Childress Racing driver was penalized by NASCAR, last week, for jumping a restart, a move questioned by many. He had been bumped ahead of the leader, Brad Keselowski -- who admitted that he had spun his wheels which caused him to slow. That's when NASCAR called the penalty.

This week nothing was going to deprive him of a well-deserved win or his lead in the series championship.

After taking the checkered flag by a comfortable margin over Justin Allgaier he radioed his crew “They're (NASCAR officials) not going take a championship away from us.

“It's been a rough week,” the 37-year old driver said in Victory Lane acknowledging how his team reacted to the disputed call. “We felt like we should have won that race last week."

“I'm still upset about it,” Sadler said Friday. “I'm still pretty emotional about it. That's a once-in-a-lifetime win that we felt got taken away from us.”

One week later it was a different story.

Sadler started from the pole, in a Chevrolet, with a track-record qualifying speed of 135.141 mph and was near or at the front of the pack the entire race. He passed Justin Allgaier on the 192nd lap and went on to his fourth victory of the season.

Third place went to Sam Hornish Jr. followed by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. who saw his three-race winning streak end at the 7/8ths of a mile oval.

Sadler's teammate, Austin Dillon, had to make a green flag pit stop early in the race for a vibration. That caused the rookie to fall one lap down and eventually finish on the lead lap but in 15th place.

Sadler's series points lead extended to 18 points over Dillon. Stenhouse, who finished fifth, remains third in the standings 21 points behind.

Hornish also won the series sponsor's $100,000 Dash4Cash bonus.

Veteran Michel Bonnet won Race 2 of the Formula Tour 1600 series held Sunday in the streets of Trois-Rivieres, Quebec.

Bonnet captured pole position for Sunday's race and made a good start to lead the field into the tricky Corner 1. His son Olivier followed him closely with Xavier Coupal in third place. The first lap of the race was surprisingly quiet with no crashes nor contacts.

On lap 4, Olivier Bonnet moved in front of his father by out-braking him at the end of the Du Carmel straightaway. The top three cars were now running nose-to-tail.

On lap 5, Nathan Blok started to put immense pressure on Coupal. It was a splendid battle with the two drivers passing and re-passing each other several times each lap !

Meanwhile, the two Bonnet ran away out in front. Olivier set the fastest time of the race when Blok found a way past Coupal to take third place.

Serge Boudreau and Didier Schraenen fought hard over fifth place.

Blok and Coupal continued to entertain the spectators. It was already 30 degrees C when the competitors reached the half-race point at just 9:15 am !

Schraenen managed to pass Boudreau, but the Bonnet fight was still raging on out in front.

On lap 21, Michel passed Olivier at the end of the Du Carmel straight but one lap later, Michel out-braked his son at the Ryan hairpin corner.

On the penultimate lap, Coupal went straight into the tire barrier after the Duplessis arch and retired. Simultaneously, a car spun on the main straight, forcing race control to send the safety car out on the track.

So the race ended under yellows with Michel Bonnet taking victory in front of Olivier Bonnet and Nathan Blok.

Serge Boudreau crossed the line in fourth place ahead of Didier Schranen, Luc Théroux, Pascal Bellemare and Jean-Philippe Jodoin.

Sebastien Loeb's incredible run success in the FIA World Rally Championship continued today when he won Rally Finland for a third time alongside co-driver Daniel Elena.

Loeb, whose victory was his 73rd in the world championship - which puts him equal with Finnish rallying legend Juha Kankkunen on the list of all-time Rally Finland winners -, overcame a stern challenge from Citroen teammate and local hero Mikko Hirvonen to triumph by 6.1s as the thrilling high-speed gravel event ended with a second pass of the famous Ouninpohja stage this evening.

For Hirvonen, the two seconds he dropped with a sensor glitch on Friday's final test, coupled with the delay he encountered nudging a tree on stage 13, means his wait for his first WRC win with Citroen continues.

Jari-Matti Latvala was the leading Ford finisher in third with Petter Solberg fourth in an identical Fiesta RS WRC. It was a frustrating event for the Blue Oval pair, who had been tipped to challenge for victory but ultimately conceded that they didn't have the speed to beat their Citroen rivals on this occasion.

Adapta Fiesta pilot Mads Ostberg fought back from a mechanical failure on the second Leustu stage to reclaim fifth from Ott Tanak on the first run through Ouninpohja. Tanak, from Estonia, drove without error in his M-Sport Fiesta to end a miserable recent run of form in sixth position.



Rally Finland - Final classification
1. Loeb-Elena (Citroen DS3 Wrc) in 2.28'11”4

2. Hirvonen-Lehtinen (Citroen DS3 Wrc) + 6”1
3. Latvala-Anttila (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 35”0
4. P. Solberg-Patterson (Ford Fiesta Wrc) + 56”1

5. Ostberg-Andersson (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 2'32”1

6. Tanak-Sikk (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 2'47”6

7. Rantanen-Lukka (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 4'51"7
8. Ketomaa-Stenberg (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 6'01"9
9. Prokop-Hruza (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 6'04”3

10. Ogier-Ingrassia (Skoda Fabia S2000) + 8'46”0
Etc.

Championship
1. Loeb 171 points, 2. Hirvonen 128, 3. P. Solberg 104, 4. Ostberg 90, 5. Latvala 69, etc.

Juan Pablo Montoya was a little surprised, but, very pleased at winning the pole for the Pennsylvania 400 on Saturday.

After a disastrous 2011 season team owner, Chip Ganassi, replaced the upper management and Montoya's crew chief in an attempt to turn the team around. It hasn't exactly showed that turnaround until this weekend.

“To be honest with you, I'm not sure if I'm more shocked that we're on the pole right now,” the Colombian driver explained, “how the last few races have been for us and how hard our season has been, or that I'm on the pole in Pocono. This is a place where I struggle in qualifying. It's big.

“This is a big boost for everybody on the Target team. We've been working so hard and we really need a little bit of light.”

Part of that pole-winning lap of 51.124 seconds, 176.043 mph, was due to gaming the qualifying system. By concentrating on his race setup, while not looking for outright speed, Montoya earned an early qualifying draw in his Chevrolet. NASCAR bases qualifying by inverting the first practice speeds with the fastest driver attempting to qualify last.

That strategy paid off with Montoya's 8th career pole and first at the 2.5 mile track called the Tricky Triangle due to its tri-cornered shape.

Denny Hamlin, who usually performs well in Pocono was second fastest in a Toyota at 175.795 mph. Paul Menard claimed third spot in a backup car, at 175.627 mph, after wrecking in Friday's opening practice.

Amplifying what this weekend means to Montoya and his team he said “this is a big day for us. We played the strategy right.

“Everyone has been working so hard understanding what the car needs. It shows we're going in the right direction. We've seen the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Still Montoya admits the real story will be told after Sunday's race.

“I know tomorrow is going to be a reality check that we've still got to work on it a lot,” he said. “I told people...'let's enjoy today.' I think we've done our homework yesterday in race trim and we know where we need to go with the car, so we'll see.”

The newly redesigned 2014 Mazda6 is now in production at Mazda's Hofu Plant No. 2 in Japan's Yamaguchi prefecture. About 500 people attended the official kick-off ceremony, in the presence of Mazda's CEO, Takashi Yamamouchi.

The first vehicle off the assembly line was the Mazda6 wagon, built to European specifications and powered by the SKYACTIV-G 2.0 gasoline engine. The Hofu Plant should produce about 120,000 units annually. Furthermore, this Mazda6 will be the first model to benefit from the automaker's new i-ELOOP regenerative braking technology.

The new Mazda6 will be on European and Japanese roads before the end of 2012, and will be available in North America, beginning 2013. The Mazda6 sedan will premiere at the Moscow International Automobile Salon 2012, opening on August 29.

Photo: Mazda

Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing) edged in front of pole sitter Will Power (Team Penske) during the final pit stop rounds to take his fourth IndyCar win in six years racing on the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

As consolation prize, Power did take home three bonus points for earning the pole the day before, and leading the most laps during the race. His point tally now puts in on top of the leader board as far as the championship is concerned.

"It's a very good points day," said Power, who has 379 points. "We're happy to get the Verizon car on the podium. We'll keep chasing after it. We'll get a win here soon and keep going after that championship."

Each and every one of the 85 laps that went by were caution-free.

Simon Pagenaud (Schmidt Hamilton) earned himself a podium, making Mid-Ohio his fifth top 5 finish of the season. Another Frenchman, Sébastien Bourdais (Dragon Racing) came home fourth, ahead of Canadian James Hinchcliffe (Andretti Autosport), who rallied from 16th on the grid up to fifth.

"That was probably the toughest race of the year running flat out every lap at this track," said Hinchcliffe, driving the No. 27 Team GoDaddy.com car for Andretti Autosport. "I think I had more fun than anyone but Dixon. It was like a qualifying lap every lap. We ran some good lap times and I'm just happy to bounce back after what happened in qualifying (qualified 16th)."

Alex Tagliani (Herta) completed the top 10, where as Giorgio Pantano, standing in for the injured Charlie Kimball, made it up from 24th on the grid up to 14th.



Race results - IndyCar (Mid-Ohio)*
1 - Scott Dixon (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Ganassi - 85 laps
2 - Will Power (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Penske - 3"4619
3 - Simon Pagenaud (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Schmidt - 4"5402
4 - Sebastien Bourdais (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Dragon - 5"5822

5 - James Hinchcliffe (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Andretti - 7"5663
6 - Tony Kanaan (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - KV - 12"3280
7 - Ryan Briscoe (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Penske - 27"9601

8 - Marco Andretti (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Andretti - 28"1691
9 - JR Hildebrand (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Panther - 29"2325
10 - Alex Tagliani (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Herta - 31"1722

11 - Graham Rahal (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Ganassi - 31"4387
12 - Josef Newgarden (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Fisher - 32"0754
13 - Takuma Sato (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Rahal - 32"4073
14 - Giorgio Pantano (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Ganassi - 33"9166

15 - Rubens Barrichello (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - KV - 35"2863
16 - Helio Castroneves (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Penske - 35"9205
17 - Dario Franchitti (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Ganassi - 36"9834
18 - Justin Wilson (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Coyne - 42"0974
19 - James Jakes (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Coyne - 46"4304

20 - EJ Viso (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - KV - 46"8068
21 - Mike Conway (Dallara DW12-Honda) - Foyt - 46"9535

22 - Ed Carpenter (Dallara DW12-Chevy) - Carpenter - 1 lap

23 - Simona de Silvestro (Dallara DW12-Lotus) - HVM - 2 laps



Retirements

79° lap - Ryan Hunter-Reay 

78° lap - Oriol Servia

*Unofficial results

Pole sitter Tristan Vautier, the reigning Star Mazda series' champion, clinched pole position and motored to an easy victory in the Firestone Indy Lights series' race held at the Grand Prix of Trois-Rivières.

Seconds after the green, Frenchman Vautier led the field into Corner 1 but was almost rear ended by his rivals when he braked carefully for the wet Corner 2.

Irishman Peter Dempsey, who started the race in fifth place, powered by Vautier on the Du Carmel straight to take first place.

However, Dempsey suddenly slowed down laps later, victim of a broken gearbox.

Vautier inherited first place and stretched his advantage to a four-second lead over Gustavo Yacaman and Carlos Munoz.

On lap 38, David Ostella went straight into the escape road at the end of the Du Carmel straight.

Out in front, Vautier managed to keep the gap between himself and his pursuer (Yacaman) between 2.5 and 3.0 seconds until the end of the hour-long race. He also set the fastest lap of the race at 58.297 seconds.

After 60 laps, Vautier took the checkered in first place, winning the race by 6.6 seconds ober Yacaman.

Munoz arrived home in third place ahead of Esteban Guerrieri, Oliver Webb, David Ostella and Jorge Goncalvez. The other four drivers all retired from the race.

Lucas Luhr and Klaus Graf were no match once again for their P1 competition at the American Le Mans Series' Mid-Ohio stop.

The pair drove Muscle Milk Pickett Racing's HPD ARX-03a to a fifth consecutive wins this season, slowed down only by a computer glitch during the driver change. For a few seconds, the car wouldn't start - which allowed Dyson Racing to take the lead. But only for a brief period as it would turn out.

The battle in the GT category was much more heated, ending in the last lap with a season's third victory for Tommy Milner and Oliver Gavin in the No. 4 Corvette C6 ZR1. They were followed to the flag by Flying Lizards Motorsports' Jörg Bergmeister and Patrick Long.

Pole-sitters Jörg Müller and Bill Auberlen (BMW Team RLL) were left sitting third on the podium.

Christophe Bouchut and Scott Tucker of Level 5 Motorsports made better use of their pole in the P2 class, coming home with a win over last round's winner Conquest Racing. They did lose the lead in the first stint, but battled back with success.

In LMPC, it was Marino Franchitti who earned the win with his teammate Rudy Junco.

Tim Pappas and Jeroen Bleekemolen, who were racing together for the first time this season in GTC, won on their comeback run.



Race results - ALMS (Mid-Ohio)
1 - Luhr/Graf (HPD ARX-03a) - Pickett - 123 laps 2.46'04"189

2 - Dyson/Smith (Lola B12/60-Mazda) - Dyson - 1 lap
3 - Tucker/Bouchut (HPD ARX-03b) - Level 5 - 2 laps

4 - Plowman/Hansson (Morgan-Judd) - Conquest - 2 laps

5 - Tucker/Gonzalez (HPD ARX-03b) - Level 5 - 3 laps

6 - Franchitti/Junco (Oreca FLM09) - PR1 - 5 laps

7 - Popow/Dalziel (Oreca FLM09) - CORE - 5 laps
8 - Marcelli/Downs (Oreca FLM09) - Merchant - 7 laps

9 - Dempsey/Cameron/Foster (Lola B12/87-Mazda) - Dyson - 7 laps
10 - Junqueira/Drissi (Oreca FLM09) - RSR - 8 laps
11 - Gavin/Milner (Corvette ZR1) - Corvette - 8 laps

12 - Bergmeister/Long (Porsche 997) - Flying Lizard - 8 laps
13 - Marsal/Lux (Lola B11/66-Mazda) - Dyson - 9 laps

14 - Mueller/Auberlen (BMW M3) - Rahal - 9 laps

15 - Richard/Ende (Oreca FLM09) - Dempsey - 9 laps

16 - Brown/Cosmo (Ferrari 458) - Extreme Speed - 9 laps
17 - Hand/Mueller (BMW M3) - Rahal - 9 laps
18 - Sharp/Van Overbeek (Ferrari 458) - Extreme Speed - 10 laps

19 - Neiman/Holzer (Porsche 997) - Flying Lizard - 10 laps

20 - Brown/Cosmo (Ferrari 458) - Extreme Speed - 11 laps
21 - Bennett/Braun (Oreca FLM09) - CORE - 11 laps

22 - Miller/Maassen (Porsche 997 Cup) - Miller - 11 laps
23 - Wittmer/Farnbacher (SRT Viper) - SRT - 12 laps
24 - Sweedler/Bell (Lotus Evora) - Alex Job - 14 laps
25 - Goossens/Kendall (SRT Viper) - SRT - 14 laps
26 - Pappas/Bleekemolen (Lola B11/80-Honda) - Black Swan - 15 laps
27 - Pumpelly/Carter (Porsche 997 Cup) - TRG - 16 laps

28 - Faieta/Avenatti (Porsche 997 Cup) - Competition - 16 laps

29 - MacNeil/Keen (Porsche 997 Cup) - Alex Job - 16 laps

30 - LeSaffre/Faulkner (Porsche 997 Cup) - Green Hornet - 17 laps

31 - Magnussen/Garcia (Corvette ZR1) - Corvette - 18 laps

32 - Kovacic/Burgess (Oreca FLM09) - Merchant - 35 laps

Manchester United said its General Motors sponsorship agreement will generate $559 million through 2021. Under the sponsorship, the Chevrolet logo will be placed on the soccer team's jerseys beginning in 2014.

Manchester United said its General Motors sponsorship agreement will generate $559 million through 2021. Under the sponsorship, the Chevrolet logo will be placed on the soccer team's jerseys beginning in 2014.

Joe Hinrichs, Ford's top executive in Asia, has a solution for the automaker's minnow status in China: cheap cars in backwaters. For now, Ford's offerings in China are neither cheap enough nor extensive.

As the UAW embarks on an uphill battle to organize Nissan's plant in Mississippi, it is drawing inspiration from the famous struggle waged in the state during the civil rights movement.

The Gazette has obtained results from a 2006 to 2010 SAAQ study recording collisions reported to the police between cyclists and moving vehicles. The English daily published a map outlining the city's collision hotspots.

Records reveal that at 24 accidents, the Ontario/Berri intersection is the most collision-prone, while the Crémazie/Christophe-Colomb intersection comes a close second. With 250 collisions overall, Sherbrooke Street has been proven to be the most dangerous route for cyclists.

According to this study, accidents are more likely to happen during the month of June or on Thursdays between 4 and 6 pm. So, if you happen to be riding a bike during rush-hour on a Thursday in June, you might want to avoid Sherbrooke!

Source: montrealgazette.com

History/Description: Replacing the Echo was Toyota's subcompact sedan & hatch, the Yaris. Available from 2006 to 2011 in its last generation, Yaris packed four-cylinder power, a flexible interior and feature content including stability control, antilock brakes, air conditioning, cruise control, power accessories and more - depending on the year and model. Alloy wheels and fog lamps were available too, adding a sense of street-smart flair on some models.

2007 Toyota Yaris sedan (Photo: Auto123.com)

Look for a 1.5L four-cylinder engine with 106 hp on all models. A five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic were available. Folding rear seats in the Yaris hatchback, particularly, helped enhance flexibility and day-to-day utility.

Note that models wearing the CE designation were the base models, while LE or RS, for instance, represented higher-end versions.

What Owners Like: Typically, Toyota's reputation, fuel efficiency and a high degree of utility and maneuverability are raved about by Yaris owners. Handling dynamics, relatively speaking, are also highly rated. Interior roominess rounds out the package.

What Owners Dislike: Common complaints include a less-than-stable feel driving in rain or snow, a lack of power and limited at-hand storage for smaller items in the cabin. Some owners wish for a heavier, more stable and ‘safer' driving feel. Finally, appreciation for the Yaris's centre-mounted instrument cluster is mixed at best.

Common Issues: Yaris is a compact car with an all-star reputation for reliability - though a few issues are noted in used models, and standard checks do apply.

Start a test-drive of a used Toyota Yaris with a walk-around, checking the paint for signs of chipping, scratches or rust. Some owners report that the Yaris's bodywork is thin and lightweight, making it easy to scratch and dent.

Check the speakers for proper operation at all volume ranges, as intermittent operation of front speakers is not unheard of.

2008 Toyota Yaris Hatchback (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Continue reading 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris Pre-Owned

From GMM

Mark Webber has described the high profile of technical controversies involving Red Bull as a "tactic" deployed by rival teams.

This week, a reportedly "furious" Ferrari hit back at Helmut Marko's claim that the Italian team was also caught with a hand-adjuster in its 2012 single seater.

Marko's claim followed the most recent technical controversy involving Red Bull, with the sagas so far in 2012 involving hand-adjusted ride heights, engine mapping, holes in the floor, and others.

Team driver Webber, however, said there are plenty of similar stories up and down pitlane, with those involving the reigning champions always getting the attention.

"I know - I know - other teams have been asked to address things with their cars," he is quoted by Australian news agency AAP.

"But they're not for general consumption and some of ours are for general consumption. Red Bull ones always seem to make the media."

Webber said the high profile of the Red Bull controversies is a "tactic" deployed by the team's rivals.

"It's a pretty boring tactic from them, isn't it?" he said. "Quite predictable.

"In their little bubble, if they want that, that's great."

And Webber, currently second in the 2012 points standings behind Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, predicted there would be more Red Bull controversies in the near future.

"There'll be something else, I promise you, but we will always pass every single test," he said in London, where he is taking in some Olympic action during F1's August break.

From GMM

There is good news from new formula one hosts in Texas as well as Sochi, Russia.

Austin's new Circuit of the Americas announced that three-day general admission tickets for its inaugural grand prix in November have sold out.

US media reports said the venue estimates a whopping 120,000 spectators will attend on all three days of the race weekend.

"Worldwide fan interest has been remarkable," spokesman Geoff Moore said.

And the Austin American Statesman newspaper said the first layers of track asphalt have been laid, concrete for the corner kerbs and pitwall poured, run-off gravel put down, and safety fencing is being installed.

Progress is also being made in Russia, despite earlier fears the resort city Sochi might not be ready for its inaugural 2014 race date.

Russian deputy prime minister Dmitry Kozak is quoted by the ITAR-TASS agency as saying the track will be ready for 2014, even though Sochi is also gearing up to host the winter Olympics.

"We'll be ready to host the first Russian grand prix in October 2014," he said in London.

Muscle Milk Pickett Racing are the reigning champions at Mid-Ohio, but they had never captured pole position, until yesterday.

Lucas Luhr put in a time of 1min11.019s in his HPD ARX-03a, besting class rival Dyson Racing by over half a second. The question remains however : can Muscle Milk make it six consecutive victories?

In GT, BMW Team RLL's Jörg Müller came out of nowhere to punt Extreme Speed Motorsports' Guy Cosmo off the pole, and therefore topped a session as tight as usual for the GT boys.

Corvette Racing and Flying Lizard Motorsports are within the same two-second window as BMW Team RLL and ESM.

Only the Viper GTS-R, on its first competition weekend, disappointed really. Tommy Kendall and Marc Goossens have the No. 92 entry in 24th overall, while the No. 91 of Kuno Wittmer and Dominik Farnbacher failed to post a time altogether.

P2 pole went to Level 5's Christophe Bouchut, who had his team back to normalcy after an tough race at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. For the first time this season, the team failed to win, as the victory went to Conquest Racing.

Marino Franchitti won a tight battle with Bruno Junqueira to the LMPC pole.

Damian Faulkner too, ended the session with the fastest lap, but in the GTC category.



Qualifying results - ALMS (Mid-Ohio)

1.Luhr/Graf (HPD ARX-03a) - Pickett - 1'11"019

2.Dyson/Smith (Lola B12/60-Mazda) - Dyson - 1'11"715

3.Marsal/Lux (Lola B11/66-Mazda) - Dyson - 1'12"678

4.Tucker/Bouchut (HPD ARX-03b) - Level 5 - 1'13"230
5.Plowman/Hansson (Morgan-Judd) - Conquest - 1'13"734

6.Dempsey/Foster (Lola B12/87-Mazda) - Dyson - 1'14"346

7.Tucker/Gonzalez (HPD ARX-03b) - Level 5 - 1'14"791

8.Franchitti/Junco (Oreca FLM09) - PR1 - 1'15"107

9.Junqueira/Drissi (Oreca FLM09) - RSR - 1'15"189

10.Bennett/Braun (Oreca FLM09) - CORE - 1'15"556
11.Marcelli/Downs (Oreca FLM09) - Merchant - 1'15"675
12.Popow/Dalziel (Oreca FLM09) - CORE - 1'15"689
13.Richard/Ende (Oreca FLM09) - Dempsey - 1'17"311

14.Kovacic/Burgess (Oreca FLM09) - Merchant - 1'17"375

15.Mueller/Auberlen (BMW M3) - Rahal - 1'19"298
16.Brown/Cosmo (Ferrari 458) - Extreme Speed - 1'19"329
17.Bergmeister/Long (Porsche 997) - Flying Lizard - 1'19"445
18.Sharp/Van Overbeek (Ferrari 458) - Extreme Speed - 1'19"471

19.Magnussen/Garcia (Corvette ZR1) - Corvette - 1'19"536
20.Gavin/Milner (Corvette ZR1) - Corvette - 1'19"727
21.Hand/Mueller (BMW M3) - Rahal - 1'19"754

22.Miller/Maassen (Porsche 997 Cup) - Miller - 1'20"209

23.Henzler/Sellers (Porsche 997) - Falken - 1'21"222

24.Goossens/Kendall (SRT Viper) - SRT - 1'22"158
25.Sweedler/Bell (Lotus Evora) - Alex Job - 1'22"424

26.Neiman/Holzer (Porsche 997) - Flying Lizard - 1'24"096

27.LeSaffre/Faulkner (Porsche 997 Cup) - Green Hornet - 1'25"130

28.Pappas/Bleekemolen (Lola B11/80-Honda) - Black Swan - 1'25"424

29.Pumpelly/Carter (Porsche 997 Cup) - TRG - 1'25"620

30.MacNeil/Keen (Porsche 997 Cup) - Alex Job - 1'25"815

31.Faieta/Avenatti (Porsche 997 Cup) - Competition - 1'25"994

32.Wittmer/Farnbacher (SRT Viper) - SRT - no time

Marc-Antoine Camirand earned a record-breaking 10th victory at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières in the Canadian Touring Car Championship (CTCC) Friday night race.

Camirand didn't stop for no one on track, first posting the best lap in free practice, than in qualifying, and then running away with the victory of the first of two CTCC races at the GP3R, at the wheel of his BMW 330i.

"Yeah! That's one more," the local hero said of his latest win. "This 10th victory at the GP3R, in front of our fans, is a great one!"

Marc-Antoine Camirand zipping by (Photo: Flagworld Communications)

"It may have looked easy from the outside, but let me tell you it wasn't," he added. "I had to nurse an alternator problem for most of the race, much like in Montreal last June. In the end, I was forced to turn the power-steering off.

"A night race is always special, and this time it was even crazier with the three CTCC classes running all together on the track. You really have to watch what your steps."

From GMM

Sauber is "laid back" about its driver situation for 2013.

That is the claim of chief executive Monisha Kaltenborn, despite reports Kamui Kobayashi has underperformed, Sergio Perez is on Ferrari's radar, and Caterham's Heikki Kovalainen could be joining the Swiss team next year.

"We are not worried," she told F1's official website, when asked about speculation Mexican Perez could be lured to a bigger team off the back of his good performances in 2012.

"Regarding the future, we are not under pressure and I am laid back about it," added Kaltenborn.

However, Japanese Kobayashi has failed to shine as brightly as Perez in 2012, triggering rumours Sauber could be on the lookout to replace him.

"I think that the results do not show the whole picture," Kaltenborn continued.

"I would say that some factors played for Sergio -- and some simply didn't work out for Kamui.

"But as we still have half the season to go, Kamui can go out and copy Sergio."