Auto News 5

AJ Allmendinger's short tenure at Penske Racing has come to an end following the driver's drug test failure.

Penske Racing issued a statement which followed a meeting, this week, between the driver and team owner, Roger Penske.

"Penske Racing fully supports NASCAR's substance abuse policy and we are disappointed with AJ's positive drug test results," said Roger Penske.

"AJ is a terrific driver, a good person and it is very unfortunate that we have to separate at this time. We have invested greatly in AJ and we were confident in his success with our team.

The decision to dismiss him is consistent with how we would treat any other Penske Racing team member under similar circumstances. As AJ begins NASCAR's ‘Road to Recovery' program, we wish him the best and look forward to seeing him compete again in NASCAR."

As a result Sam Hornish Jr. who is driving full-time in the Nationwide series will get another shot at the Cup level in “the No. 22 Dodge at Pocono this weekend and for the foreseeable future.”

But the team would not go so far as to nominate the former IndyCar driver for the drive next hear. “Penske Racing will evaluate its options for a driver of the No. 22 car for the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season,” it said.

In a very contrite statement Allmendinger said “I wish to thank Mr. Penske, Penske Racing, their sponsors, and especially all the of the No. 22 team for the opportunity they provided me and for their support in this difficult time. I also, again, would like to thank all the fans that really have been awesome through this.”

“I apologize for the distraction, embarrassment,  and difficulties that my current suspension from NASCAR has provided. As I stated last week, I have begun NASCAR's Road to Recovery program and look forward to using those resources and its completion to compete again in NASCAR in the near future.”

Penske Racing President, Tim Cindric, tweeted “AJ fans: I respect ur passion/disappointment n decision.I also want 2 c AJ succeed.We must now put our energy twd supporting his next steps.”

Rally driver Nasser Al Attiyah won the bronze medal by finishing third in the Skeet shooting tournament at the Olympic Games in London.

The driver from Qatar, who usually drives a Citroen DS3 in the World Rally Championship and the winner of the 2011 Dakar rally in a Volkswagen Touareg, was taking part to his third Olympic Games in Skeet.

He was fifth after the first rounds, which allowed him to qualify to the finale. He was third after the finale, tied with a Russian shooter. An extra round servied to determine the third-place finisher between the two men. Finally, Al Attiyah won by hitting 6 targets to 5.

That was the first medal for Qatar in London, and the third one for the country in the Olympic Games history.

In an interview published on Wednesday by Citroen, Yves Matton, the director of Citroen Racing, talked about the future of rally champion Sebastien Loeb with the team.

Loeb recently created its own road racing team which enters cars in the Porsche Cup and endurance series. The rumor says that Loeb will quit the World Rally Champiosnhip at the end of the 2012 season despite the fact that his current contract runs until the end of 2013.

“We are looking at what we can do together in the long term,” Matton said.

Sebastien Loeb, Citroen DS3. (Photo: WRC)

“Some people say that Sebastien will remain an ambassador of the Citroen make. But we're not just looking at 2013 and talking with 'Seb' about the 2013 season of the World Rally Champiosnhip but also about the things we can achieve together in the future,” Matton added.

“I've always said that I am not in a hurry. I think the medias are a lot more in a hurry than me. But for the moment, we will not talk about Sebastien's future during the month of August. We are working with him about our long-term relationship. And we are ready to announce the decision, we'll do so,” Matton ended.

From GMM

Stefano Domenicali has warned that Ferrari is only on the market for a number two driver.

With the 2013 option on Felipe Massa's contract running out last week, a large number of drivers have been linked to his seat for next season.

Reportedly the latest on the list is the team's 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen.

"Kimi was a world champion with us and I have seen the gossip -- but nothing more than that," team boss Stefano Domenicali is quoted by the Sun newspaper.

Quotes attributed to Domenicali by the German broadcaster Sky, however, appear to play down the likelihood that Fernando Alonso will be paired with an equal next year.

"It has always been Ferrari's philosophy," the Italian explained, "to have a great champion and then a very good driver who is close to him."

In effect, he is referring to the paddock perception of Ferrari's 'number 1 and number 2' approach to its driver lineups.

Photo: Ferrari

So does that mean drivers like Raikkonen, or McLaren's Jenson Button - both world champions - are actually unlikely teammates for Alonso in 2013?

"I think these drivers have contracts with other teams," Domenicali answered. "And we are not in a rush."

Number 2 or not, however, money could be a factor.

Brazilian correspondent Livio Oricchio thinks Lotus' Raikkonen could double his estimated EUR 5 million in 2012 retainer by taking Massa's Ferrari seat.

And according to Raymond Blancafort, writing in El Mundo Deportivo, the transaction would also work out for Ferrari, because a Raikkonen-like haul of points for Massa would see the Italian team in front in the lucrative constructors' championships.

With Ferrari currently ranked just fourth due to Massa's meagre tally of 25 points, the situation stands to cost Ferrari many tens of millions when the sport's 2012 income is divvied up.

"The Brazilian at the moment is very expensive to Ferrari," Blancafort said.

Stefano Domenicali is keen to play down the speculation for now.

"We are aligned with Felipe and we want to protect him. It is important for this championship," he said.

The World Touring Car Championship organizers have released a draft calendar for 2013, which has a round in Russia scheduled.

A race in Indian on the Buddh International Circuit was expected but do not appear on the provisional calendar.

The season should start in Monza on March 10, with the final round presented in Macau in November 17. Additionally, the Portuguese round has been moved from Portimao to Porto.

Photo: WTCC

The calendar is subject to approval by the FIA.

Provisional calendar for 2013:
10th March - Monza, Italy
24th March - TBD, Spain
7th April - Marrakech, Morocco
28th April - Slovakiaring, Slovak Republic
5th May - Hungaroring, Hungary
19th May - Salzburgring, Austria
9th June - Moscow Raceway, Russia
30th June - Porto, Portugal
28th July - Curitiba, Brazil
22nd September - Sonoma Raceway, USA
20th October - Suzuka, Japan
3rd November - Shanghai, China
17th November - Macau, China

From Lotus LMP2

The first photo of the LMP2 car currently being designed by the German Kodewa team under the Lotus banner has been unveiled.

Tests in the wind tunnel already took place and more will follow in the next weeks in order to complete first test runs just after the season final of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

A study of the new Lotus LMP2 sports car has been shown in June and now there is a first picture showing the new Lotus T128 during wind tunnel tests and giving a first impression of the look of the new racing car.

Lotus T128 LMP2 (Photo Kodewa)

The sports car prototype has been developed in accordance with the new regulations set by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) and will be a state of the art car in terms of aerodynamics and monocoque design.

The Lotus T128 can be run by customer teams in many sports car race series all over the world, for example in FIA World Endurance Championship or the Le Mans Series in Europe, America and Asia.

Every once in a while someone comes up with a brilliant idea that has people scratching their heads in awe and bewilderment. One such invention came to me, as most things do, while surfing the internet.

There was this guy in this video who was spray-painting his wheels with some product, demonstrating how easy it was. Nothing out of the ordinary there. Moments later, in the video, the guy removes the tape that was covering the tires, then with a single finger proceeds to remove the excess spray as well. As I searched, I found the entire collection of videos from Dip Your Car, and I was immediately smitten.

I wasn't the only one who got hooked. My partner-in-crime-at-the-office, techno-super-geek, Olivier Delorme and I immediately began collecting info and data about this fantastic miracle product called Plasti Dip.

This spray paint is actually liquid plastic that adheres to virtually any smooth surface, so long as it's clean. The trick is that it comes off just as easy as it goes on. In fact, prepping any surface for paint requires a quick clean followed by applying random blotches of tape, roughly framing out whatever it is that requires paint. Once the layers of the stuff have dried, only moments are required to pull the tape and excess Plasti Dip off and that's it -- or just about.

Photo: Olivier Delorme

I've now been tempted to Plasti Dip my WRX wagon, because you can spray an entire car. I found this out after I met a guy who works with a guy out of his garage who Plasti Dips cars. Not sketch at all...

The entire job would take no more than a day (including covering the wheels, engine bay, windows and anything else I would not want sprayed). One day; no fuss; new paint job; new car; done! And the cost would be between a fifth and a quarter of the price of a full-on paint job.

Uh, no-brainer?

I may have to bite the bullet on this one cause the Sonic Yellow paint on my Rex long ago lost its Sonic-ness.

What to do? Should I do it? Or should I take the cash and make the WRX go faster?

From GMM

A Spanish publication has spotted a walking and apparently well Maria de Villota entering an outpatient clinic in Spain this week.

After 17 days in a UK hospital, and several more days in hospital in her native Madrid, the 32-year-old finally went home last week.

La Nueva Espana now reports that, almost a full month since her horror Duxford testing crash, de Villota was seen visiting the Instituto Oftalmologico Fernandez-Vega - an eye specialist clinic - in Oviedo, Spain.

The report said she arrived in a black Mercedes with members of her family, with her hair shaved after several recent operations.

La Nueva Espana said wounds were clearly visible, as was a blue eye patch.

The report said video and photographs of de Villota leaving the car and entering the clinic were taken, but they are not being published "at the request of the family".

We really liked the previous generation of the Subaru Legacy. Despite being a little small for a midsize sedan, it flaunted a sporty flair that charmed us in addition to being equipped with a competent, all-wheel drivetrain to survive our harsh winters.

However, for the last two years, the Legacy has gotten bigger... much bigger. It's now as big as a Toyota Camry in order to draw more mainstream-sedan buyers. The Legacy is a victim of conformity in its category; and yet, it's got a lot going for it and deserves more recognition from those who seek a comfortable, quiet and refined car.


On a cloud
We like to hate continuously variable transmissions, or CVTs, but I can't criticize the one that now equips the Legacy. It extracts the most from the 2.5L flat-four engine. From a standing start at least (regarding throttle response) it feels as though we're exploiting more than the published ratings of 170 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque, and the gearbox contributes to that feeling.

Our Legacy 2.5i dashed from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds, and performed better than the version that participated in our latest midsize sedan comparison test. It also proved more fuel efficient, averaging 8.8L/100km.

Thanks to its refined suspension and its 16” touring tires, the basic versions of the Legacy provide a very comfortable ride, while road noise is well isolated. On the other hand, the car's handling capabilities don't really encourage dynamic driving. At 100 km/h on the highway, the engine spins at only 1,800 rpm. Aboard this Legacy, life is relaxed and soothing.

A major attraction of this sedan, as in most Subarus, is its all-wheel drivetrain. The full-time system is one of the best for tackling slippery surfaces. However, this type of setup theoretically penalizes fuel economy. Among the Legacy's rivals, only the Ford Fusion and Suzuki Kizashi offer AWD.

Base versions of the Legacy are equipped with a 2.5L flat-four engine that develops 170 horsepower. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Sober environment
The Legacy's cockpit benefits from a very good finish, using quality materials. The design is an example of tastefulness and simplicity, although its appearance is rather sober. On the other hand, with enemies such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, as well as the targeted customer base, there's really no need to take risks with a more adventurous style.

The silver-painted trim on the dash and door panels add contrast, but is always vulnerable to scratches. Nonetheless, the switchgear is well laid out, and the instruments are easy to read.

What bothers me the most is the Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity system in this version of the Legacy. It's a module that fits into the centre stack's storage compartment and uses its own speakers; it looks dealer installed, not a factory fit, and breaks up the harmony of the dash's appearance. However, it works and that's the important thing, I guess.

Since its 2010 model year redesign, the Legacy obviously offers lots of interior space for front, and especially rear, occupants. While not as cavernous as the immense Accord, the Subie is as spacious as the Camry, the Mazda6 and the Chevrolet Malibu. As for the trunk, it has a below-average volume of 415 litres; in addition, the short decklid doesn't swivel out of the way when loading stuff in.

The cockpit is very spacious, while its sober appearance benefits from a quality finish. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Competitive pricing, with bonus AWD
The 2012 Subaru Legacy 2.5i with the Convenience package retails for $26,395. Its standard feature list includes air conditioning, cruise control, a telescopic steering column, automatic headlights, a power driver's seat, heated front seats and 16” alloy wheels.

In comparison, a Toyota Camry LE with the Upgrade package costs $26,120, while a Honda Accord SE costs $26,090. With a similar price and feature content, you can get a Legacy with the added bonus of all-wheel drive.

The Legacy 2.5i with the Convenience package is offered at a competitive price of $26,395 before taxes, freight and delivery charges. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

To get AWD in the Ford and the Suzuki, you must dish out $31,499 for the Fusion SEL AWD and $27,995 for the Kizashi S.

We miss the old, smaller and more dynamic Legacy. However, we must admit that Subaru has created a strong adversary for the best midsize sedans, especially in terms of interior space and ride comfort. And when we look at the segment's sales numbers, we can't blame Subie for the Legacy's metamorphosis. If this is the type of sedan you're looking for, you'll be impressed by its space, comfort and safety.

From GMM

The paddock noise about Red Bull 'cheating' is fuelled by jealousy, the team's Dr Helmut Marko has claimed.

So far in 2012, the reigning champions have been at the centre of most of F1's technical controversies, including holes in the floor, wheel hubs, engine mapping and ride height adjusters.

In a headline-writer's dream, team boss Christian Horner let his temper slip this week when German reports quoted him as denouncing the sagas as "bulls**t".

Photo: WRi2

And Austrian Marko, who is team owner Dietrich Mateschitz's right hand man, denied in an interview with the German broadcaster RTL that Red Bull is overly "aggressive" when it comes to interpreting the rules.

"We are just more creative," he said. "We live within the regulations, but of course we also see how we can make them work best for us."

Helmut Marko said "other teams" are simply not as good as Red Bull on that front.

"When they see us do something, they either copy it or they try to have it forbidden," he said.

"The jealousy and envy that we see in the paddock is because we have won for the past two years, and because we are not a traditional racing team. I think this has fed this resentment and these attempts to disturb us in some way," he added.