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Auto123.com recently pitted a number of compact sports cars against each other on the track at Autodrome St. Eustache, Quebec. I saw it as a great opportunity to test Contour's latest action camera, the ContourROAM, as drivers completed a series of hot laps.

Design
The ContourROAM was primarily designed to be compact, lightweight and user-friendly - and it's a success. In fact, I've never come across a camera that was easier to use than this one. A slight pressure on the record button with the index finger is enough to turn it on. No visual check is necessary since the camera beeps to let you know that it's filming.

Photo: Olivier Delorme

The 145-gram, aluminum-built ContourROAM can withstand serious abuse and is 100% waterproof to one metre for about 30 minutes - or so says the company. I did a couple of tests in the pool and was pretty disappointed. When I took the camera out of the water after a 5-minute stay at just 30 centimetres deep, it didn't respond at all. Dammit!

I let it dry for a short while and plugged it into my laptop. Still no signs of life. I had to wait more than two hours for the camera to work again. I finally had access to my video files and could resume shooting. What a relief!*

One important note: You need the free Storyteller app to configure the ContourROAM and import videos to your computer. Available from Contour's website, this app is extremely simple and easy to use. You'll be totally familiar with it after just a few clicks.

Photo: Olivier Delorme

Filming
Like I said earlier, I've never come across a camera that was easier to use. There are only two buttons to play with, so you can't really go wrong. Just slide the record switch and you'll be filming a mere three seconds later.

Unlike some competitors, the ContourROAM has no internal memory, meaning that you must insert a MicroSD card to start shooting videos. Therefore, remember to bring one (or two) along or you might miss a chance to capture spectacular footage.

As for picture quality, here's a video that will show you how the ContourROAM compares to an iPhone 4S equipped with an Olloclip lens. There is no editing whatsoever, so what you'll see is actually what you'll get.



On the track
Now that you know what to expect, let's focus on the ContourROAM's performance on the track. By the way, if you plan to use the camera in your car, you should note that the suction cup mount is sold separately. It will help you attach the ContourROAM to any windshield or body panel.

The system worked great and held on at speeds of more than 120 km/h. In addition, the ability to turn the lens up to 270 degrees means that you can almost always choose the right angle.

Unfortunately, the camera doesn't allow you to shoot at 60 frames per second, even with a video resolution of 720p. I definitely could have used this option for a number of sequences.



Verdict
Overall, I was fairly impressed with the friendly new ContourROAM, especially at $249. Of course, I would have liked a sharper image, but those looking for a cheap HD action camera will love it. For more professional-looking results, get the Contour+.

The battery is very long-lasting. According to the manufacturer, you can shoot for three hours before it runs empty. I personally captured about 90 minutes of footage and still had more than 50% of the battery's capacity to spare.

Bottom line: the ContourROAM is a quick-shooting, high-value camera for amateur videographers.


*For the record, I did several other underwater tests after that and the ContourROAM remained operational at all times. I guess it was simply a case of bad luck. Just thought you should know.

From GMM

A Nurburgring official has admitted the German circuit cannot afford to host formula one next year.

As per the existing German GP alternating scheme with Hockenheim, the Nurburgring was due to return to the sport's calendar in 2013.

But the venue has succumbed to its financial problems, recently commencing an insolvency process.

The future looked brighter last week, when the governing Rhineland-Palatinate state agreed to guarantee a loan so that the Nurburgring can service its debts.

Nurburgring Automotive GmbH (NAG) chief Jorg Lindner said: "I am very optimistic that formula one will be going to the Nurburgring next year."

He said talks with Bernie Ecclestone would take place over the summer.


"We don't want to lose any of the racetracks, and we need to keep the race in Germany," said F1's chief executive, Ecclestone. "We will do our best."

But the Nurburgring's development chief, Thomas Schmidt, has dealt the situation a renewed blow by revealing that Ecclestone would have to dramatically reduce or even forgo F1's race sanctioning fee.

Schmidt told DPA news agency that, in the "current situation", the Nurburgring cannot afford to pay that sort of money.

"If Ecclestone accepts an offer without this typical fee, we can certainly keep formula one," he said.

Otherwise, "We simply don't have the money", Schmidt admitted.

He said he is "confident" a solution will ultimately be found, but warned that an F1 race is "not absolutely necessary" for the Nurburgring's survival.

During this year's Pebble Beach Concours, which will be held from August 16 to 19, Infiniti's EMERG-E Concept and LE Concept will be in display, along with a Red Bull F1 Racing show car and a line-up of their current production models that showgoers can test drive.

The EMERG-E Concept made its world debut at the Geneva Auto Show, represents Infiniti's vision of a sports car of the future. Its mid-ship layout boasts two electric motors that produce a combined 402 hp, good for a 0-96 km/h burst of four seconds. Once the 50-km EV range is depleted, a 3-cylinder gas engine fires up, acting as a generator to replenish the lithium-ion battery pack.

The LE Concept, which was introduced at the New York International Auto Show, showcases the brand's vision of the luxury sedan of tomorrow. The slippery LE Concept features an electric motor that produces 240 lb-ft of torque as well as a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, and according to Infiniti, a production version of this EV concept will be on sale in two years.

Infiniti LE Concept (Photo: Infiniti)

Infiniti EMERG-E Concept (Photo: Infiniti)

Canadian Ron Fellows will drive the No. 5 Canadian Tire Chevrolet for JR Motorsports at the NAPA Auto Parts 200 in Montreal August 17-18.

Fellows is a vastly experienced road racer, having competed for years in the Trans-Am series and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Fellows also won the rain shortened Montreal Nationwide race in 2008.

The Windsor native contested the Road America round of the Nationwide series earlier this summer.

“We had a strong car at Road America. It's the same chassis we used last year, as well. We played catch-up that day following a flat tire, then we had an issue in the pits just trying to fix some radios,” Fellow said about the race.

He will compete in the Zippo 200 race this weekend at Watkins Glen. “We've had great success at the Glen. It's a track that suits my driving style. Yeah, it's like a second home. I rally enjoy racing there,” Fellows declared.

Ron Fellows. (Photo: Getty Images/NASCAR)

Then, the Nationwide series' competitors will tackle the Gilles Villeneuve circuit.

“The two tracks are so different. It's kind of like comparing a mile-and-a-half speedway to Martinsville,” Fellows explained.

“Watkins Glen is long, fast corners. I think the minimum corner speed in Turn 1 is probably 90 miles an hour, is upwards of one of the fastest corners in Montreal. The Gilles Villeneuve track is heavy, heavy braking from high speed for 45 mile-an-hour chicanes, and a 35 mile-an-hour hairpin.

“It also is a very different set-up. You need to have, for Watkins Glen, a very stable platform. Aero is critical. Montreal, low speed to aero is not much of a factor, it's more about mechanical grip, and that means getting as much load into the tire. That generally requires a much softer spring package, softer roll bars, getting a lot more compliance from the shocks,” the Canadian added.

In Montreal, Fellows will face stiff competition from the local road racers, including the 1997 Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve.

“Yeah, I think typically in Montreal you got the strong French-Canadian contingent, the successful open-wheel guys, as well as Andrew Ranger, Jacques (Villeneuve), Alex Tagliani, (Patrick) Carpentier. I'm sort of the lone wolf from Ontario. I'll do my best to I guess maybe interrupt the celebrations there a little bit!” Fellows concluded.

The future of the London Black Cab, according to Nissan, is the NV200 London Taxi. A proposed replacement for those classic LTI cabs, the NV200 is said to be more comfortable, spacious and convenient, in addition to delivering better fuel economy.

Although the Fairway and the TX1 taxis are powered by Nissan-sourced 2.7L diesel engines, the NV200 London Taxi will use a 110-hp, 1.5L diesel and a 6-speed manual transmission. According to Nissan, it should offer a combined city cycle of 53.3 imperial mpg, up from the current TX4 cab's 35.3 mpg. That's 5.3 L/100km for you and me.

The NV200 taxi can host five adults; three on the rear bench, and two on the rear-facing fold-down seats. The front passenger will be removed to make room for luggage. Other thoughtful touches include sliding side doors for easier access and exit.

In 2013, Nissan will also be testing an all-electric e-NV200 London Taxi.

Source: Nissan

Yesterday, SRT Motorsports President and CEO Ralph Gilles announced that the 2012 NASCAR season will be the last for the Dodge brand.

The decision involves both the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and will end a nine-year collaboration with Penske Racing.

“We've spent an intense five months working to identify and evaluate all options for our future involvement in NASCAR,” said Gilles. “While we were pleased and enthused with the amount of interest from teams and sponsors over that time, in the end, we simply couldn't develop the right structure.”

Since 2001, Dodge-branded cars have recorded 55 wins in the Sprint Cup Series, and in 2010, Brad Keselowski clinched the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship title behind the wheel of the Penske Racing Dodge.

The compact Impreza sedan and 5-door, totally redesigned for the 2012 model year, gets a few minor equipment adjustments for 2013.

Bluetooth phone connectivity will be standard in all Impreza trims, and that includes Bluetooth streaming audio as well. A media hub is also included in all versions, which includes a USB port for plugging in a thumb drive or connecting an iPod.

The 2013 Impreza with the Limited package gains a navigation system with voice recognition and a backup camera.

As with the 2012 model, the 2013 Subaru Impreza is available in base, Touring, Sport and Limited trim levels, with both 4-door and 5-door body styles. Power comes from a 148-hp, 2.0L flat-four BOXER engine, managed by either a 5-speed manual, a CVT automatic as well as full-time all-wheel drive.

The 2013 Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STI are also now available, still based on the previous generation car.

Photo: Subaru

Red Bull is rumoured to become the new promoter of the World Rally Championship starting from 2013, writes British motorsport magazine Autosport.

In January, the FIA ended the contract with long-time promoter North One, after the company's owner Vladimir Antonov was arrested in London.

Then, several companies were in talks with the FIA to become the new promoter, including Eurosport. But the European sports TV broadcaster, which is also the promoter of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, failed to find an agreement with the FIA.

Red Bull is already a partner of Citroen Racing. (Photo: WRC)

Today, it seems that Red Bull would be in a good position to become the new promoter of the WRC from 2013. The Austrian giant is already involved in the WRC, being the main sponsor of the Citroen Racing Team. Red Bull also backs the Skoda team in the IRC.

An official statement could be issued during Rally Germany, next round of the World Rally Championship, presented August 24-26.

From GMM

Jenson Button has revealed he would only consider becoming Fernando Alonso's Ferrari teammate "in a parallel universe".

The 2009 world champion's latest interview, with Italy's Autosprint magazine, is a cool rejoinder to speculation Button might consider leaving McLaren as Ferrari seeks a replacement for struggling Felipe Massa.

Asked if he has had contact with Ferrari in 2012, the 32-year-old Briton said: "Well, uh... there has always been contact. I always say 'hello, how are you?' when I see Stefano Domenicali in the paddock. But he knows and I know that I have a contract for next year. I really don't know why it (the Ferrari speculation) is focused so strongly in my direction."

Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) and Jenson Button (McLaren) on the German podium. (Photo: WRi2)

Trying another tack, Autosprint asked Button if he is flattered that Ferrari made an effort to sign him for 2013.

"Who says they did?" he reportedly smiled.

"I think if you look at this team - McLaren - you see a team that has achieved so much. And if you look at the red team, you see the same thing. The Italians are passionate about sports, especially motor sport -- but this (McLaren) is the right place for me now. Although, as I've always said, 'never say never'," Button insisted.

He explained that Ferrari is not the right place for him now because of the unique structure Alonso has built up around him at Maranello.

Asked if he thinks the Spaniard would willingly see 'his' team altered to suit the needs of a new teammate, Button answered: "If you asked him, then no, he wouldn't. He is a very intelligent driver and, maybe, in a parallel universe, I'd happily work with him. It would be difficult but it's always interesting to have someone next to you who's so tough, so smart. I admire him as I admired Alain Prost -- he created a great atmosphere around him, with very good people. I'm sorry for Felipe, but I think Fernando has the whole team around him."

Vehicle production in North America is gradually returning to pre-recession levels, but suppliers won't be able to return to business as usual. Automakers are expected to produce 17.4 million vehicles in North America in 2016, up from a likely 14.

Sirius XM Radio reported a 14 percent increase in subscribers in the second quarter, citing higher new-vehicle sales. Sirius XM's net income, boostedby a $3 billion income tax benefit #8212; was $3.

Automakers say they will squeeze much more efficiency from the internal combustion engine. For instance, they will use excess heat to warm engine lubricants more quickly to reduce friction.

This past June, the Audi R8 E-tron took to the Nürburgring and turned a lap time of 8 minutes, 9 seconds.

Also in this episode: Ford says its plug-in hybrid C-Max Energi will hit 85 mph,

About 1 in 4 car buyers is willing to pay extra for a fuel-efficient powertrain if the investment can be recouped in four years or less, a senior Ford executive said today.

Chrysler's Dodge brand is withdrawing from NASCAR stock-car racing at the end of the 2012 season, following a decision earlier this year by partner Penske Racing to switch to Ford from Dodge in 2013.

After announcing record sales for the first half of 2012 a month ago, BMW Group on Tuesday (7 August) said it had achieved a record sales result for July 2012 as sales worldwide rose 5% year on year to 135,537 units.

News 7 Aug, 2012

City cars and SUVs hold on to their value best, according to Glass's Guide

News 7 Aug, 2012

Dogs have a bigger carbon footprint than cars, according to scientists