Auto News 5

A misrouted transfer tube inside the fuel tank of the 2013 JX35 is the subject of a recall by Infiniti.

On some of the 1,116 vehicles being affected, the fuel gauge may read higher than the actual level in the fuel tank. This could cause the vehicle to run out of fuel without notice, leading the engine to break down.

Infiniti dealers will inspect the fuel transfer tube and reroute if necessary.

Source: Transports Canada

2013 Infiniti JX35 (Photo: Infiniti)

For most, the McLaren MP4 12C was already track-ready enough but if you know McLaren, their history and strive for perfection and performance, it was only a matter of time before they were to introduce a racing version of the 12C.

The McLaren 12C CAN-AM Edition Racing Concept is all go and all show. It's most striking feature is its unique aerodynamic package that increases downforce by 30%.

As with all race cars, weight and power are addressed as one increases while the other decreases. Weight is down to 1,200 kg from 1,301 (2,640 from 2,862 lb). Horsepower from the twin-turbocharged 3.8L V8 climbs to 630 from 592.

The cabin is all business with a full race-specification rollcage and two racing seats with six-point harnesses.

The McLaren 12C CAN-AM Edition Racing Concept will be unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance this up-coming weekend.

McLaren 12C CAN-AM Racing Concept (Photo: McLaren)

After making it two-in-a-row at Watkins Glen, Marcos Ambrose thinks he can make it back-to-back victories in 2012.

Last Sunday's thrilling battle with Brad Keselowski for the win has the amiable Australian thinking that by winning in Michigan this weekend he would also qualify for the NASCAR's Chase Wild Card.

He has some good reasons for his optimism.

“We have put ourselves within earshot of making the Chase,” said Ambrose during NASCAR's weekly teleconference. “If we can win one more race we are pretty much locked into the Chase format. After winning at Watkins Glen our only other option right now is to keep winning. We are going to Michigan after being on the pole there in the first race and running top five most of the day, we feel we have a great chance to win that race and lock ourselves in the Chase and that is really our only focus right now.”

While his RPM team is basking in the glory of Sunday's win the twice champion of the Super V-8 cars knows that the work has just begun. He's not getting ahead of himself.

“We have to be careful because we just are coming off a road race and for me that is what is expected at a road race,” said Ambrose. “I thought we had a good run at Pocono with a top-10 there and we have momentum, there is no doubt about that. We have to keep that going. Our team has had a lot of really great runs this year and we have had a lot of speed. We have had trouble converting that speed into results. We have had small issues and mechanical problems and driver error and wrong strategy. You name it, we have had it. We have to get our mind off all that and keep our focus.”

Marcos Ambrose. (Photo: NASCAR)

That said Ambrose is looking for a way to convert his road course process into checkered flags on ovals.

“The question that keeps coming back to my mind again and again is just like I did this time last year, I can be so commanding and in control on a road course race, competitive all weekend and we knew going into the weekend we had a chance to win and pulled it off.

How do we get that same mindset, feeling and result on ovals? How do we do it straightaway?

Part of my chit-chat with the team - I had lunch with them today and breakfast as well - It is the Spring package when you win a race they give you breakfast which is awesome. I had a chance to chat with them and look at the car we used and talked about the changes we will make going back.

Really most of our talking has been about how we are going to make the Chase and what we need to do as a team to get there. That is what I am focused on and I am excited about it. Every week in NASCAR things are changing and teams are moving. Just because we won a race last week doesn't change anything we are doing. We have to apply ourselves and hopefully get it right at Michigan to take the pressure off the last three races.”

And who knows? Ambrose just might become the first Aussie to make it into NASCAR's playoffs.

From GMM

Winning the 2012 world championship is going to be a much tougher task for reigning back to back title winner Sebastian Vettel.

That is the view of F1's legendary triple world champion Niki Lauda, who nonetheless told the Osterreich (Austria) newspaper that the 25-year-old German cannot be written off.

With half the 2012 championship now behind him, Vettel has one win compared to leader Fernando Alonso's three, and he also trails his Red Bull teammate Mark Webber.

Told that Vettel appears less happy in 2012, Niki Lauda said: "That's logical. Last year he had a huge advantage with his car. Now, in every race, he is having to fight like a donkey in order to stay in touch. And the stress level is higher."

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, at the German Grand Prix. (Photo: WRi2)

And Austrian legend Lauda, 63, said Webber and Ferrari's Alonso are not Vettel's only problems.

"All the top teams are closer together, as we saw in Budapest last time. I expect it to stay like that and I hope that Red Bull and McLaren can exploit their full potential."

As for how Vettel shapes up against 2012 favourite Alonso, Lauda said the Spaniard is "superior to everyone in difficult situations".

Niki Lauda was also asked about reports London could soon join the F1 calendar.

"I watched the Olympics from the opening to the closing ceremony," he said, "and loved it. An Olympic Games could not have gone better."

As for what he thinks about the idea of a London street grand prix, Lauda answered: "Not a lot."

From GMM

Lewis Hamilton and McLaren are apparently now "closer" than ever to agreeing a new deal beyond the 2008 world champion's current contract.

With the 27-year-old Briton's current deal expiring this year, he has been linked with sensational moves to Lotus or Mercedes.

Rumours have said the McLaren impasse is essentially over money, although Hamilton said recently the fact he is currently not allowed to keep his original trophies or helmets is a "push point" in the negotiations.

"In a lot of other teams, the drivers get their original trophies," he is quoted by the Guardian. "So whatever contract I'm having next, that is going to be a push point."

Jonathan Neale, McLaren. (Photo: WRi2)

McLaren's managing director Jonathan Neale suggested this week that Hamilton is now close to signing on for 2013.

"We are closer and of course we (are) in dialogue," he is quoted as saying by the Sun. "We are working hard to find common ground."

Asked if both McLaren and Hamilton want to keep working together in the future, Neale insisted: "Very much so."

Six World Rally Championship titles and 75 victories at WRC rounds: this is the impressive tally of the four rally stars that will be competing in the Legends classification of the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup round at the Nürburgring this weekend.

The drift aces Markku Alén, Juha Kankkunen, Carlos Sainz and Sébastien Ogier are pitted against the 21 regular drivers of the German one-make cup just one week before the ADAC Rallye Deutschland in the Eifel region.

But the title fight of the Scirocco R-Cup delivers suspense as well. Particularly the runner-up in the standings, Adam Gładysz, after having clinched three second places in the near-285-horsepower Cup Scirocco powered by a bio natural gas engine, is shooting for his first victory of the season in order to maintain his chances of winning the championship against leader of the standings Ola Nilsson.

Photo: VW Motorsport

Here are the rally legends:

• The Finn Markku Alén (61) in 1978 won the FIA Cup, the predecessor of the World Rally Championship and scored victories at a total of 19 WRC rallies.

• Alén's compatriot Juha Kankkunen (53), with four titles (in 1986, 1987, 1991 and 1993), 23 rally wins and 821 WRC points, was the WRC record holder for a long time.

• Spaniard Carlos Sainz (50) was ranking among the absolute top of the crop in rallying for nearly two decades. "El Matador” won 24 of his 180 WRC events and in 1990 and 1992 clinched the WRC titles as well.

• At the age of 28, Sébastien Ogier is the youngster among the Legends entrants at the Eifel circuit. The Frenchman is the first racer to have been signed by Volkswagen for the WRC commitment with the Polo R WRC that commences in 2013. With his race experience limited to a pair of outings in the French F4 single-seater of the Auto Sport Academy last year, Ogier is looking forward to the challenge.

From GMM

No longer in a Renault shirt, Fabrice Lom has revealed he is still "very busy" in the world of formula one.

A high ranking engineer at Renault throughout the Williams, Benetton and Fernando Alonso eras, the Frenchman's last team role was in 2011, liaising between the engine supplier and its most prominent partner, Red Bull.

But a role at the FIA opened up late last year, with the governing body's engine boss Gilles Simon having accepted a job to design a V6 for Craig Pollock's new 2014 venture Pure.

Lom is the FIA's new head of powertrain.

"The FIA contacted me and proposed a job," he revealed.

"I was quite happy at Renault but it sounded like a very interesting opportunity for me and so I decided to take it. It is a very busy role," Lom admitted.

He is in charge of the powertrain for F1, world rally, world endurance, world touring cars and F3.

One of Lom's tasks, he revealed, is "discussing the details of the 2014 F1 rules with the manufacturers".

Canadian race car drivers Paul Tracy and Alex Tagliani will contest the Montreal 200, the Canadian round of the Grand-Am Rolex series held at circuit Gilles Villeneuve this weekend.

Both will be co-driving Daytona Prototype cars on the Montreal road course.

Action Express Racing will enter a Corvette DP for 2003 ChampCar series' Champion Paul Tracy and veteran driver David Donohue.

"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to join Action Express Racing in Montreal,” Said Tracy in a press release.

“When I got the call from Bob Johnson asking me if I'd be interested in joining the team for the race I was very excited about the chance to drive the new Corvette Daytona Prototype. I've known David for a number of years and think that our styles fit well together, and will be very competitive at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Of course, this track holds some fond memories for me, having raced there from 2002 - 2006 in the CART/Champ Car days...finishing 2nd in '06. Racing in front of the Canadian fans always holds a special place for me and I can't wait to get back to Montreal!" Paul Tracy added.

Alex Tagliani will co-drive the No. 2 Ford/Riley with Indianapolis Grand-Am Rolex race winner Alex Popow. This will be Tagliani's first race in a Daytona Prototype, although he competed in five GT races in 2006 for Blackforest Motorsports.

Tagliani will also race in Saturday's NASCAR Nationwide Series NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge in the No. 30 Chevrolet for Turner Motorsports.

From GMM

Gerhard Berger wants to make it simpler for young drivers to progress through the junior ranks to formula one.

The former ten-time grand prix winner, BMW motor sport director and Toro Rosso co-owner is now the president of the governing FIA's single seater commission.

Jean Todt, Berger's former Ferrari boss and now FIA president, told the latest edition of the federation's own Inmotion magazine that he is looking into "how we can best create a logical path for aspiring drivers from karting all the way to F1".

The problem has arisen in recent years, with the path now cluttered with junior series including GP2, GP3, Renault World Series, F2, Formula Renault, Formula BMW, Formula Ford, F3, Auto GP and others.

Robert Wickens, Formula Renault 3.5 Champion 2011. (Photo: World Series by Renault)

It was much easier in 52-year-old Berger's day, when he moved from Formula Ford and rose through the German and European F3 ranks and was spotted by the F1 team ATS.

"The commission," Berger said, "looks at everything between karting and formula one and I find that the pyramid at the moment is very loose. There are too many championships out there and attention between them is split too much. People are complaining that the best drivers are now all spread out and so you cannot look at the British Formula 3 championship, for example, and say that he is certain to get to formula one. These days, the best drivers are all over the place. The system no longer does what it is supposed to do, which is to give a highly talented driver a CV he can use to progress to formula one."

Edoardo Mortara, Formula 3 Euroseries Champion 2010. (Photo: F3 Euroseries)

Gerhard Berger said he is "sure" he can help to "sort out" the system "because of the contacts" and skills he has.

He has started by championing European F3, and the next step - according to Berger - could be an all-new "Formula 4".

"We are working on this," Gerhard Berger admitted.

From GMM

Turkey could return to the F1 calendar.

Between 2005 and last year, despite poor spectator attendance, drivers enjoyed the Hermann Tilke-designed Istanbul layout, featuring the unique quadruple-apex Turn 8.

But the race was not included on the 2012 schedule, after organisers and F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone disagreed over the sanctioning fee.

81-year-old Ecclestone, however, said on Wednesday that he, the teams and the FIA are "happy" to go to Turkey.

He told the major daily Haberturk: "If we can solve this (fee) problem, Turkey can return to the F1 calendar."

It is not known if the news is linked with recent reports that, amid Greece's severe economic crisis, the country could enlist neighbour Turkey's help to stage a formula one street race in Athens.

A report in the Hurriyet daily said Greece was in serious talks with Turkish race official Mumtaz Tahincioglu.

"We have to support all projects that market Greece," said Greek sports minister Kostantinos Cavares.

Land Rover's iconic trail bruiser is getting a makeover for the 2013 model year. The flagship Range Rover's body is all new yet still instantly recognizable, but the changes and improvements are more than skin deep.

According to the Brits, the 2013 Range Rover is the world's first SUV with a unibody structure composed entirely of aluminum. That means less weight; reportedly, up to 926 lbs compared to the equivalent outgoing model. The Canadian version of the Range Rover will be up to 700 lbs lighter. That's major weight savings.

Land Rover also claims improved on-road handling without sacrificing the SUV's off-road prowess, and a second generation of the Terrain Response four-wheel drive system will be introduced.

Inside, the new Range gets acoustic lamination of its windshield and side glass for better sound insulation, while ride comfort is also improved. Rear-seat passengers get extra legroom, while a two-place rear seating package will be available.

A pair of V8 engines will still be offered, in naturally aspirated and supercharged kit. Both will now be paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 2013 Range Rover will arrive in Canada in December 2012.

Photo: Land Rover

I've been itching to get my hands on one of these.

Why? Well, because I've never truly been able to decide whether I like the Range Rover Sport or not. You see, having owned Land Rover products for decades, I've always viewed the Sport as the kid brother to the Range Rover; you know, the one who tries his best to emulate his older sibling, yet never quite manages to achieve it.


Now perhaps I'm being a tad unfair having never owned one, but as I've always purchased my LR products secondhand (I was, in the past, a LR technician), I've never seen any point in buying a Sport as they fetch nearly as much used as the full-size Range Rover.

Of course, that in itself is somewhat confusing, as having driven this vehicle for a week I now realize that the Sport is almost the size of my wife's 2001 P38 Range Rover (which was the full-size model of its day), so perhaps it's simply a case of the big brother gaining a little extra bulk hence making its younger sibling appear slightly more fit and agile?

Olympic contender? Perhaps
Well, that was certainly the case with my test vehicle because the supercharged 5.0L V8 (510 hp & 461 lb-ft of torque), which nestles under the hood turns the 2012 Range Rover Sport Supercharged into an Olympic-grade athlete! In fact, if it wasn't for the scrumptious wood & leather (read: gentlemanly) interior, I'd be tempted to label this the world's first hooligan SUV!

Yes, sitting at the lights waiting to turn left in heavy traffic can often be daunting for a sports utility driver. Even with plenty of oomph under the hood, there's always the feeling of accelerating a tad too lively and upsetting a high-centred SUV. Well not in the Range Rover Sport!

You simply sit back enjoying the opulence of one of the finest interiors in the business until there's a small break in the traffic and then, whoosh, you're gone (0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds). No fuss, no drama; it's like being fired out of a gun with the exception that this bullet can pull 90-degree turns.

The 2012 Range Rover Sport Supercharged hiding under the hood a supercharged V8 of 5.0 liters (510 horsepower and 461 lb-ft). (Photo: Kevin Corrigan)

No need for more than one car
Of course, now I get it! No wonder these vehicles are becoming so popular: they're absolutely addictive. Why purchase a sports sedan for the weekdays and an SUV for those weekend cottage getaways, when the Range Rover Sport Supercharged bundles this all together in one magnificent package?

Now, obviously, there's a price to pay for all of this. No, in my opinion, the figure of less than $100k ($97,600 as tested) makes this vehicle almost bargain-priced for what's on offer. What I'm speaking of is the fuel-economy figures. Natural Resources Canada gives this vehicle a fuel economy rating of 18.1L/100 km city and 11.7L/100 km highway. However, I struggled to get anywhere near those numbers during my test week.

Yes, perhaps if you were to drive the vehicle like your granny would on the way to church on Sunday morning, you could possibly achieve somewhere around those listed numbers. However, I challenge anyone to drive the supercharged Range Rover Sport like that. Yep, no matter how hard you try to resist it, there's always that temptation nestling there beneath your right foot, and that's going to cost you at the pumps.

In my opinion, the figure of less than $100k ($97,600 as tested) makes this vehicle almost bargain-priced for what's on offer. (Photo: Kevin Corrigan)

Supercharged Justification
So, how does one justify purchasing a vehicle like this? Well, it's a Range Rover, so it's built as tough as the brickwork of Buckingham Palace and therefore pretty much as safe as vehicles come today. It also carries the Best in the Business off-road credentials, so you'll never need worry about your cottage trail again, summer or winter.

Then of course, you have to take into account the prestige value of its nameplate. Yes, there have been numerous pretenders to the throne, but the name Range Rover has always held its ground as the King of the Hill. In many ways, it's the perfect blend of performance, luxury and practicality. It is as much at home parked outside a stately manor house as it is traversing the muddy field adjoining the farm manager's cottage.

The 2012 Range Rover Sport Supercharged is, for want of a better description, the gold-plated Swiss Army knife of the transportation world; which is why one day I plan on one day having one of these parked outside my residence for longer than a week.

In many ways, it's the perfect blend of performance, luxury and practicality. (Photo: Kevin Corrigan)

So, yes, I'll admit to having wrongly evaluated this vehicle in the past. I should have known better and driven the vehicle before jumping to foolish conclusions. Its sports-like ride (20” rims) might not be to everyone's taste, and unless your family owns the odd oil rig or two you're likely to cringe each and every time you visit the gas pump.

However, if you're looking for a vehicle which is as at home on the track as it is off on the grass beside it, then the supercharged Range Rover Sport is just what you've been searching for.

Several Canadians will be competing in the NAPA 200 this weekend, round of the NASCAR Nationwide series on the Gilles Villeneuve road course in Montreal.

Please note that admission to the race track will be FREE on Thursday.

Here is the preliminary entry list, subject to changes.

NASCAR Nationwide, NAPA 200, Montreal

Number/Driver/Owner/Crew Chief/Make/Sponsor

01 Mike Wallace Johnny Davis Newt Moore Chevrolet TBA
2 Elliott Sadler Delana Harvick Luke Lambert Chevrolet One Main Financial
3 Austin Dillon Morgan Shepherd Danny Stockman Jr Chevrolet ADVOCARE
4 Daryl Harr Rusty Wallace Danny Efland Chevrolet TBA
5 Ron Fellows Rick Hendrick Bruce Cook Chevrolet Canadian Tire
6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr Jack Roush Michael Kelley Ford Ford EcoBoost
7 Danica Patrick Kelley Earnhardt-Miller Tony Eury Jr Chevrolet GoDaddy.com
108 Louis-Philippe Dumoulin Randy Hill George Ingram Ford Randy Hill Racing
10 Jeff Green Mark Smith Todd Myers Toyota TBD
11 Brian Scott J D Gibbs Kevin Kidd Toyota Dollar General
12 Sam Hornish Jr Roger Penske Chad Walter Dodge Alliance Truck Parts
14 Eric McClure Mark Smith Wes Ward Toyota Hefty/Reynolds Wrap Toyota
15 Chris Cook(i) Rick Ware Timothy Farrell Jr Chevrolet RWR
18 Michael McDowell(i) Joe Gibbs Matthew Lucas Toyota Fed Ex
19 Tayler Malsam Mark Smith Eddie Pardue Toyota G-Oil
22 Jacques Villeneuve Roger Penske Jeremy Bullins Dodge Discount Tire
23 Dexter Stacey Robert Richardson Sr Greg Conner Chevrolet N. TX Pipe
124 Derek White Jason Sciavicco Benny Gordon Toyota Boutique fashion broker
126 John Young John Young Ed Ash Dodge Eklekt Technologies Group
27 TBA Steve Meehan Wayne Grubb Ford Dodge
30 Alex Tagliani Harry Scott Jr Trent Owens Chevrolet Oasis/Sennheider
31 Justin Allgaier Sandra Turner Jimmy Elledge Chevrolet Brandt
33 Brendan Gaughan(i) Delana Harvick Ernie Cope Chevrolet South Point
38 Brad Sweet Steve Turner Mike Shiplett Chevrolet Great Clips
39 TBA Archie St Hilaire Clinton Cram Chevrolet TBA
40 Erik Darnell Curtis Key Sr Gary Showalter Chevrolet TBA
41 Timmy Hill Rick Ware George Church Ford RWR
42 Blake Koch Curtis Key Sr Mike Sroufe Chevrolet TBA
43 Michael Annett Sandra Turner Philippe Lopez Ford Pilot Flying J
44 Mike Bliss Mark Smith Paul Clapprood Toyota TBD
46 Chase Miller Curtis Key Sr Jacob Richardson Chevrolet Motorsports Group
47 Matt Dibenedetto Curtis Key Sr Chris Bohlman Chevrolet Curtis Key Plumbing
51 Jeremy Clements Tony Clements Ricky Pearson Chevrolet Clements Automotive
52 TBA Jimmy Means Tim Brown Chevrolet TBD
153 Eric Curran Robert Torriere TBA Dodge TBA
54 Kyle Busch(i) Kyle Busch Mike Beam Toyota Monster Energy
159 Kyle Kelley Bob Kelley Robert Rucker Chevrolet Jamison Eng. UPR.com
60 Billy Johnson Jack Roush Scott Graves Ford Roush Fenway 25 winning years
70 Tony Raines(i) Mary Louise Miller Mark Gutekunst Chevrolet TBA
275 Kenny Habul Kenny Habul Jason Overstreet Toyota SunEnergy 1 Racing, LLC
81 Jason Bowles Gina MacDonald John Monsam Toyota American Majority
87 Alex Kennedy Andrea Nemechek Gary Cogswell Toyota Global Barter Corporation and Dream Factory
88 Cole Whitt Dale Earnhardt Jr Bruce Cook Chevrolet TaxSlayer.com
97 Joe Nemechek Andrea Nemechek Mike Boerschinger Toyota TBA
99 Patrick Carpentier Robby Benton Scott Zipadelli Toyota Napa Auto Parts
(i) equals ineligible for driver championship points

The 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 burbles startlingly to life after that extra second of cranking that says something angry is about to awaken. The machine announces itself with a drawn-out snort and series of pops and crackles as spent fuel fills its big exhaust plumbing and fist-sized tailpipes.

The sound makes enthusiasts laugh gutturally and mutter expletives under their breath. I saw a few throw their arms into the air and toss their heads back, staggering a moment, as if they'd just been blessed by the gods of horsepower, boost and high octane, tire-vaporizing awesomeness.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

It's what you'd expect from the most powerful production V8 on the road. Ford's new 5.8L unit has an Eaton supercharger the size of a Civic's engine jammed between a set of cylinder heads as wide as Brock Lesnar. Output levels smash any number of exotics costing 3-to-4 times as much.

662 horsepower, if you're wondering.

Putting these to work is an experience unparalleled in its ability to launch drivers into a world of fearsome, nearly terrifying acceleration and noise.

Easing off the sensitive, grabby clutch with just a few revs on the tachometer causes the GT500 to leap ahead as if its leash were being held too tightly. Even a slight reduction in clutch-pedal pressure transmits enough torque rearwards to scrub the tires.

Stand on the rightmost pedal, and the nose lifts sharply as the rear end squats and squirms about for traction. The acceleration squeezes the air from your lungs right away, and the rocket-booster levels of thrust could make your favourite church-going aunt drop an F-bomb before the supercharger even gets into its game.

All the while, the rumbling exhaust sounds flood and saturate the cabin thickly, overlapped by a sharp "zing" from the twin-screw blower as it comes into play about halfway to the 7,000 rpm redline.

There's no lag. No waiting for a turbo to kick in. No anticipation of a trick variable valve timing system to ramp up engine power. Hammer down, and the GT500 simply blasts towards the horizon, steadily and linearly, immediately sucking occupants into their seats. It's as if the gas pedal is attached to one end of a pulley system that connects the Shelby with the horizon ahead. It goes "right now."

Long gears (we're talking over 100 km/h in first) mean acceleration comes long and hard and with vast amounts of pavement consumed before an upshift is required.

Said upshifting creates a brief moment of silence and zero gravity as cogs are swapped -- followed by another body-check into your seat and more lusty, throaty, whining sounds flooding the cabin once the clutch is released. An interesting abruptness.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

So, it's fast as all bloody hell. And much of the experience is wasted on roads with speed limits. You'll wish the 360 km/h speedometer and tachometer had demerit points and dollar signs, instead of velocities and revs. This car will do to your license what Panda Express's Kung Pao chicken does to a digestive system: annihilation.

However, for speed freaks and bragging-rights enthusiasts, this Shelby Mustang Cobra offers an extremely cost-effective way to use your rich buddy's Ferrari, Aston Martin or AMG as a chew toy.

From GMM

Rubens Barrichello has admitted that driving an IndyCar after an almost two-decade formula one career was a rude awakening.

And not just the speed difference.

Asked by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport if his new mount felt slow even after Williams' uncompetitive 2011 car, the Brazilian said: "Yes, at first. But when you come to Indianapolis, you think differently about the speed."

The biggest difference, he explained, is the driving style he now needs to deploy.

"I am driving a car that is 200 kilograms heavier, so my precise and smooth style that I had over 19 years in formula one is not needed here. I have to be aggressive, against my instinct," said Rubens Barrichello.

Rubens Barrichello at Indianapolis. (Photo: LAT for IndyCar)

Another major difference, said the winner of 11 grands prix, are the circuits.

"As the former president of the GPDA, I have to say that we would not allow these circuits in F1. No formula one drivers would go there," said Barrichello.

"They are very bumpy, there is no run-off. You have to get used to it after being spoiled in formula one. If we would take the IndyCar to the European tracks, I would look better," he insisted.

Rubens Barrichello said that it is for that reason that - perhaps strangely - he is performing better this year on the ovals compared to the bumpy road and street circuits.

"I'll tell you why. It's because a precise and smooth driving style works best on the ovals. I can drive there (on ovals) according to my instincts," he explained.

Another rude awakening, said Barrichello, has been the technology shift.

"In formula one of course, there are many electronic toys that do not exist here. Even in the car setup of the IndyCar there are not too many adjustments you can make; just the classical dampers, springs, anti-roll bars. There is nothing wrong with that, there is simply less money available. Here, you can put together a car for five million dollars. In formula one you need more like 50 million," said Barrichello.

Range Rover's redesigned 2013 flagship SUV goes on sale in December featuring a sharply lighter body, improved fuel economy and better handling. The five-seat Range Rover has an all-aluminum unibody structure -- a first for an SUV, Land Rover said.

Ford, projecting losses of more than $1 billion in Europe this year, is examining the competitiveness of its vehicle lineup and brand in the region as it draws up a turnaround plan.

Ford Motor, projecting losses of more than $1 billion in Europe this year, is examining the competitiveness of its vehicle lineup and brand in the region as it draws up a turnaround plan.

Ford Motor, projecting losses of more than $1 billion in Europe this year, is examining the competitiveness of its vehicle lineup and brand in the region as it draws up a turnaround plan.

Way back in June, Autoweek published a speculative rendering of the forthcoming Chevrolet SS.