Rally America, the premiere rally championship in the United States, and the United States Auto Club (USAC), a major American sanctioning body, have joined forces.
The one-year deal gives Rally America license holders membership of the USAC, one of the oldest racing clubs in America.
Over the years, the USAC has helped organize major events such as the 12 Hours of Sebring, the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, the Indy 500 and Formula One races.
"Obviously we look forward to this partnership in 2013 as we work together with Rally America to produce America's top-level rally championship," said USAC president and CEO Kevin Miller.
"I am certain Rally America and USAC will find many new ways to engage global rally racing fans as the two groups begin working more closely in the coming months," said Rally America president and owner Bill Fogg.
The IZOD IndyCar series has inked a new deal with its long-time tire supplier Firestone.
The deal runs through 2018, and makes Firestone the only tire manufacturer of the championship until then.
"Firestone performance and safety have been synonymous with Indy car racing for more than 100 years," Firestone Racing executive director Al Speyer reminded everyone.
The deal also boosts Firestone's role within IndyCar.
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| Will Power, Penske Racing (Photo: LAT for IndyCar) |
Starting in 2014, the Bridgestone fold will participate through "technical support, investments in advertising, event promotions, at-track signage, hospitality, race title sponsorships and other programs," the official IndyCar website says, as well as through supplying the tires.
As far as the IndyCar's Indy Lights feeder series is concerned, the title sponsorship and official tire status is good until 2013.
Firestone has been involved in the series since the league's inception in 1996.
1997 F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve managed a successful
return to ice racing at the third round of the Trophée Andros' 2012-2013 season, in France's Alpe d'Huez.
The French Canadian finished fifth of race one of the weekend, aboard his SPEEDAVENTURE Citroën DS3.
Victory went to championship leader Jean-Philippe Dayraut.
Former Monaco Grand Prix winner Olivier Panis finished second, followed by the Dubourg brothers, Jean-Baptiste and Andréa.
Round two of the weekend awaits the competitors on Sunday.
2012 Formula Renault 2.0 champion Stoffel Vandoorne has taken Robin Frijns' seat at Fortec Motorsports in the bigger 3.5 series.
The Belgian will also try to emulate Frijns' success.
The Dutchman became the first Fortec driver to win the championship last year, - controversially - edging ahead of Jules Bianchi in the final duel for the title.
He is now a reserve driver for Sauber's F1 team.
The future does look promising for Vandoorne who, in a recent FR3.5 test at Aragon, managed to break Frijns track record.
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| Vandoorne sampling Formula Renault 3.5 power (Photo: Stoffel Vandoorne@Facebook) |
"My choice was quite easy between the teams I have tested for in the FR3.5," the Belgian said.
"I felt very good with Fortec straight away, and we showed some really good speed during the post-season tests. I'm happy that finally the deal is done, and I can start focusing on next year."
In 2012, Vandoorne was also named "Belgian Driver of the Year" by the Royal Automobile Club de Belgique.
Valpak, a leader in local print and digital coupons, has just signed a deal with ROXIMITY to offer deals at nearby locations in real time, meaning wherever customers happen to be driving.
Coupons can now be downloaded in any Ford and Lincoln vehicle equipped with
SYNC AppLink. Honda and Subaru models will soon offer the service, too.
At the moment, the system appears to remain exclusive to the U.S.
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| Photo: Valpak |
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Our rundown of the 116 best new cars coming to showrooms over the next 12 months
General Motors, trying to end losses in Europe, said it agreed to sell a French transmission plant to Punch Metals International.
The 62-year-old Jeep brand is poised to get a sweeping multibillion-dollar overhaul that will expand the product range, boost its overseas presence and knit the fortunes of Jeep and parent Chrysler even more closely with those of Italy's Fiat.
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General Motors and Saab Automobile Parts North America said they have reached an agreement on warranty service coverage for Saab owners in the United States and Canada.
Light vehicle sales in the US look set to end the year on a strong note according to analysts.
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Lexus has announced that it has sold more than 500,000 hybrids globally
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The world's fastest four-seater convertible, the 202mph Continental GT Speed Convertible, has been revealed
Dealerships are working to get rid of the remaining 2012 models as the year comes to an end, so there are plenty of incentives on 2012 cars, pickups and SUVs.
French President, Francois Hollande, insists this week's Renault agreement to build vehicles in Algeria will not be at the expense of domestic employment.
Also in this episode: Hyundai Veloster, GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado are hit by recalls, and Dan Akerson puts his '58 Corvette on the block for charity.
Capitalizing on the popularity of car commercials, the advertising competition known as the One Show will make an appearance during the Detroit auto show next month to reveal its picks for the 10 greatest car commercials of the last 25 years.
Capitalizing on the popularity of car commercials, the advertising competition known as the One Show will make an appearance during the Detroit auto show next month to reveal its picks for the 10 greatest car commercials of the last 25 years.
The latest auto news, reviews, prices, product and vehicle releases. 
