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The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series rolls into Circuit ICAR in Mirabel, Quebec this weekend for the ICAR Lucas Oil Grand Prix presented by Budweiser on the 15-turn, 2.113-mile road course set up on the grounds of the Mirabel Airport.

Twenty-nine drivers are entered, including the two-time series, champion Andrew Ranger.

After spending the 2010 and 2011 seasons picking up starts in four different categories, the 25-year-old native of Roxton Pond, Quebec is back with a full-time ride in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in which he won championships in 2007 and 2009.

Andrew Ranger (Photo: NASCAR)

Last year, after competing in an ARCA event the night before and missing qualifying, Ranger had to start the ICAR event from the rear of the 27-car field.

He picked his way through traffic on the 15-turn, 2.113-mile track and took the lead on Lap 28 of the 30-lap race, but he made contact with fellow Quebecer and former teammate Alex Tagliani which was deemed excessive by NASCAR officials resulting in an aggressive driving penalty and a finish in 21st place.

“Let's just say I hope this one turns out better,” Ranger said.

It's hard to bet against the winner of 11 Canadian Tire Series road-course races, especially in Quebec.

Entry list:

CAR DRIVER/HOMETOWN TEAM
02 Kerry Micks, Mt. Albert, Ont. Leland/BDI/PartSource Ford
03 Elie Arseneau, Laval, Que. * Prime Racing/Circuit ICAR Chevrolet
3 Jason Hathaway, Appin, Ont. Snap-on Tools/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge
04 J.F. Dumoulin, Trois-Rivieres, Que. ACASS/Bellemare/Marac Dodge
5 Noel Dowler, Sherwood Park, Alta. EMCO-Kohler/Rheem Dodge
07 Isabelle Tremblay, St. Hippolyte, Que. Frank Lyman Design Dodge
10 Derek White, Kahnawake, Que. Burger Barn Chevrolet
11 Mike Scholz, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. * Jiffy Car Wash/Watchfinder.ca Chevrolet
17 DJ Kennington, St. Thomas, Ont. Castrol Edge/Mahindra Tractors Dodge
21 Jason White, Sun Peaks, B.C. A&W/Bower&Wilkins Dodge
22 Scott Steckly, Milverton, Ont. Canadian Tire Dodge
23 Jeff Lapcevich, Grimsby, Ont. Tim Hortons Dodge
27 Andrew Ranger, Roxton Pond, Que. Dodge/GC Motorsports Dodge
29 Ray Courtemanche Jr., Montreal, Que. * Construction Danam Bonzai Dodge
36 Alex Labbe, St. Albert, Que. * VR Victoriaville Dodge
44 Jarrad Whissell, Calgary, Alta. SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford
47 Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, Trois-Rivieres, Que. WeatherTech Canada/Bellemare Dodge
55 Dexter Stacey, Kahnawake, Que. WJS Motorsports Dodge
56 Howie Scannell Jr., Milton, Ont. Trailers by Jim Bray Dodge
60 Ron Beauchamp, Jr., Windsor, Ont. Mopar/Mobil 1 Dodge
66 Robin Buck, Campbellville, Ont. Quaker State Dodge
81 Larry Jackson, Oakville, Ont. * B&B Decals/Speedy Auto Service Dodge
82 Dave Connelly, Arnprior, Ont. Schneider's/Metro Dodge
84 JR Fitzpatrick, Cambridge, Ont. Equipment Express Chevrolet
85 Michel Pilon, Blainville, Que. Aquacoupe Technologie Chevrolet
90 Martin Roy, Napierville, Que * Veloce/Gamache Truck Center Dodge
94 Dave Coursol, St. Jerome, Que. * Carquest Canada Dodge
97 Hugo Vannini, Repentigny, Que. VTI Motorsports Ford
99 Steve Cote, Ile Bizard, Que * White Motorsports Chevrolet

* Rookie of the Year contender
Unofficial and subject to change

LOS ANGELES, California - It's been several years since Cadillac offloaded its image of being Grandpa's favourite automobile company, and I'll admit to being rather impressed with what the company has managed to achieve in recent years. Take the stunning CTS, a vehicle which, in my opinion, is more than capable of taking on the best from the Europeans.


Although Cadillac is now widely recognised as a manufacturer of luxury and performance vehicles (think CTS-V), its history has predominately consisted of luxurious large-scale sedans, which brings us nicely to the company's latest offering, the all-new 2013 Cadillac XTS.

Now if I'm being totally honest with you, when I first heard of this vehicle, the whole project sounded a tad questionable, to say the least. For a start, Cadillac was talking of building a rather sizeable front-wheel-drive sedan, and we've all witnessed how that idea's panned out in the past! I'd also heard rumours of standardized Magnetic Ride suspension, not often seen on a vehicle priced under $50K. The MSRP is actually $48,995, with the top-of-the-line Platinum AWD model running at $64,975.

So, I had to question how this could be achieved without digging even further into the piggy bank. Then of course, last but not least, we'd heard that Cadillac had plans to release an infotainment system to end all such systems. Sure, like I've not heard that one before!

Well, with that said, I am now happy to report to you that Cadillac has pretty much achieved everything it set out to do. In fact, after experiencing the XTS for myself, I'm going to go out on a limb here and declare this the most surprising vehicle I have driven thus far this year.

The MSRP is actually $48,995, with the top-of-the-line Platinum AWD model running at $64,975. (Photo: Kevin Corrigan)

So, I had to question how this could be achieved without digging even further into the piggy bank. Then of course, last but not least, we'd heard that Cadillac had plans to release an infotainment system to end all such systems. Sure, like I've not heard that one before!

Well, Cadillac has pretty much achieved everything it set out to do. In fact, after experiencing the XTS for myself, I'm going to go out on a limb here and declare this the most surprising vehicle I have driven thus far this year.

The new XTS is a striking vehicle, especially when you consider its starting price. The interior oozes quality and, while other manufacturers offer choices of wood, aluminum or piano black finishes, Cadillac has chosen to fill its XTS with a subtle blend of all three. It's a good look and, coupled with contrasting color schemes, it rather begs the question why so many luxury car manufacturers today appear to have an ongoing love affair with the somewhat boring black on black.

Cadillac's new CUE (Cadillac User Experience), standard on all models, is pretty much exactly what the company promised us. Controllable like the now familiar iPhone & iPad, the system's touchscreen allows for simple finger swipe or push access to all features. However, whereas others have chosen to bundle everything into one, often awkward, mouse-like controlled unit, Cadillac has chosen to retain traditional control over items such as heating, fan speed and seat heating. This means that rather than search through endless screens to select a desired setting, you simply touch a button on the console.

The company has also wisely included a CD unit in the glove box, as not everyone is yet into iPod, SmartMedia and USB music. If you are, then you'll be happy to discover not one, but three USB ports available to you. Simply insert your stick and the system automatically downloads and categorizes your music. This is then totally controllable via the numerous programmable buttons on the steering wheel.

Controllable like the now familiar iPhone & iPad, the system's touchscreen allows for simple finger swipe or push access to all features. (Photo: Kevin Corrigan)

What's that? You don't like buttons? No problem, because real language voice control is also available. In fact, I could go on and on about how ingenious this system is, but I'll sum it up like this... most manufacturers attempt lip service to the idea of helping drivers keep their eyes on the road, whereas Cadillac is actually making this a reality.

Now to the drive, and the first thing which becomes obvious is that larger vehicles can now be powered via the front wheels without detriment to the handling and feel of the vehicle. The new Magnetic Ride suspension does exactly what you'd expect it to, and apart from perhaps a tad more tire noise than I'd have wished for, driving the XTS is a highly pleasurable experience.

The direct-injected, 304-hp 3.6L V6, although not a powerhouse, provides ample power for both front- and all-wheel-drive versions. Coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission, which includes paddle shifters, the XTS supplies decent fuel economy: 12.1/7.2 L/100km city/highway for the FWD version, 12.5/7.7 L/100km with AWD.

Le V6 de 3,6 L à injection directe fournit une puissance de 304 chevaux avec ou sans la transmission intégrale. (Photo: Kevin Corrigan)

The total features list, both standard and available for this vehicle, would border on a novel in itself. However, with innovations such as Cadillac's Safety Alert Seats, together with front and rear automatic brakes as well as Rear Cross Traffic Alert, you can be sure that this vehicle lives up to what the company describes as the most technologically advanced car it's ever produced.

In fact, the only similarity I could find between the new XTS and Grandpa's old Caddy is the size of the trunk. With a whopping 509 litres of available volume, you could even fit a couple of man-sized objects in there if you so desired.

The new 2013 Cadillac XTS will be built right here in Oshawa, Ontario, and we can expect to see them rolling into dealerships over the next few weeks. So if you're looking for full-size luxury, this one's worth placing on your looksee list.

Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec

Volvo S80

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

After suspending penalties during the month of May, the IndyCar Series has revealed that two drivers will get 10-spot grid penalties for having changed their engines for this Sunday's Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix.

Graham Rahal (Ganassi), who had to change his engine on May 14th and required a replacement to use before installing the uprated single-turbo Honda V6 for Carb Day and the race, will face a 10-spot penalty in the No. 38 Service Central car.

Graham Rahal at Indianapolis. (Photo: IMS)

The other driver sanctioned is Simona de Silvestro (HVM racing) who was forced to change engines on May 17th and will likely start last on the 25-car grid.

A third unidentified driver could also get a 10-spot grid penalty although the details remained to be officialised.

The Société de transport de Laval (STL) is showing environmental leadership once again. After reducing public transit fares from $2.75 to $1 on smog days, it's now offering electric vehicles to commuters who use the subway or train. It's part of the CLIC project, a unique carpooling initiative in Canada.

Instead of taking their own cars, users get to drive electric vehicles supplied by the STL and the Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) - from their home to one of three designated park-and-ride lots.

Similar services exist in Chicago (which has a fleet of 600 commuter cars), Minneapolis, and the state of Washington. Across the Atlantic, there's a car-sharing program in Paris called ''Autolib,'' which allows subscribers to rent cute little smart fortwo EVs for a specific period of time.

With CLIC, a carpooling team consists of a designated driver, a substitute, and two passengers. The designated driver keeps the vehicle at all times and is allocated 200 kilometres a month for personal use. He or she must pay $0.40 for every exceeding kilometre, which is definitely not uncommon according to the STL. How can you blame them given the soaring gas prices!

Participants don't have to worry about operating costs; all they need is an annual TRAM 3 public transit pass. Maintenance and repairs are taken care of by the STL and AMT, which rely on a local car dealer. Hydro-Quebec already set up charging stations at the various terminuses, while General Motors provided a number of Chevrolet Volt units.

Why not the Nissan LEAF or Mitsubishi i-MiEV? Simply because GM's electric car came to market first - at least that's what an AMT spokeswoman said.

The Volt can run in full electric mode at up to 160 km/h for anywhere between 40 and 80 kilometres, depending on the outdoor temperature, road conditions, and driving style. With 111 kilowatts (149 horsepower) on tap, the car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in less than nine seconds.

CLIC users have noticed a significant drop in performance during the winter months (starting around November), with total range falling to about 30 kilometres. When the battery charge is too low, the range-extending 1.4L gasoline engine steps in. A full charge and tank allows drivers to cover up to 580 kilometres, with top speed still at 160 km/h.

As mentioned earlier, charging stations can be found at the three designated park-and-ride lots along with reserved parking spaces. Charging takes 10 hours from a 120V source, and four hours from a 240V source. Domestic charging is also possible using a 120V outlet.

For more information about CLIC, go to www.stl.laval.qc.ca/lang/fr/services-et-tarifs/clic/. Hopefully, this project will spawn similar Earth-saving initiatives from coast to coast!

Photo: Société de transport de Laval

From GMM

The small teams are continuing to heap pressure on Red Bull, casting the energy drink company as a barrier to reducing costs in formula one.

On Monday in Monaco, the teams got together with Bernie Ecclestone and FIA president Jean Todt, with cost-cutting a headline subject of discussion.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that Todt indicated that the Paris based federation is willing to police cost cutting as part of the formal regulations in 2013 and beyond.

Ten of the 12 teams are pushing for that scenario, the only exceptions being Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso -- the two teams owned by Dietrich Mateschitz.

Sauber chiefs Peter Sauber and Monisha Kaltenborn were heavily critical of Red Bull last week, insisting some in F1 "don't care whether (the sport) is even here in ten years".

For the smaller teams, the situation is urgent because if there is no agreement before June 30, cost-cutting FIA regulations cannot be in force for 2013.

Williams shareholder Toto Wolff has now joined Sauber in pushing Red Bull to move.

"At the moment they spend an estimated EUR 250 million (per season)," he said, "so the cost ceiling would save Mr Mateschitz a hundred million euros."

"It would be doing him a favour, because his model of unlimited spending no longer has the same advantage due to the current rules. The results of the first six races should have convinced him," added Wolff.

Mike Rockenfeller (Audi A5) emerged quickest in the first free practice session on Friday at Spielberg, Austria, scene of the fourth round of the DTM championship.

The German driver, who finished third two weeks ago at Brands Hatch, beat BMW driver Dirk Werner, and the C-Coupe Mercedes of championship leader Gary Paffett.

The Brit went off in a gravel trap during this first session, as did numerous drivers today.

That was a bad day for the two Canadians. Bruno Spengler (BMW M3) was only 18th, after his track time was shortened by 10 minutes as a penalty for a mistake he made in the pit lane during the morning roll out.

Toronto's Robert Wickens was classified last in his C-Coupe Mercedes.

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed that plans to float formula one on the Singapore stock exchange have been put on the back burner for now.

The F1 chief executive said in Monaco last weekend that the sport's owners had adopted a "wait and see" attitude in light of the problems with Facebook's high profile listing.

And this week, London based jeweller Graff Diamonds postponed its Hong Kong floatation, citing adverse market conditions.

Ecclestone told Bloomberg on Thursday that F1 is also going to wait for the markets to "settle down".

"I'm absolutely confident we will do it this year," said the 81-year-old. "There's no rush, the markets aren't good at the moment, it doesn't inspire people. We don't have to do it now."

Ford will introduce ads on Facebook on Friday promoting licensed merchandise such as T-shirts and toy cars with the Blue Oval logo that the automaker recovered control of last week.

A federal appeals court on Thursday refused to approve a class-action settlement over alleged defective sunroofs on several Volkswagen and Audi models but proposed a fix that could revive the nationwide accord.

Also in this episode: Volkswagen wants another SUV in its lineup,

The Utah Museum of Fine Arts at the University of Utah will host the new exhibit and#8220;Speed: The Art of the Performance Automobile.and#8221;

Some analysts wondered why sales of the subcompact Ford Fiesta sank 44 percent in April, while sales of its big brother, the compact Focus, jumped 13 percent. Is the Fiesta sinking? No, says Erich Merkle, Ford's chief sales analyst.

The most influential source of information for U.S. car buyers is a salesperson at the dealership. That salesperson trumps all other influencing factors for car shoppers and buyers, according to an annual study conducted by St.

The series of earthquakes that struck northern Italy this month did much more than temporarily halt supercar production.

Robots Ate My Road Trip

Atlantic to Pacific, dealing only with machines.

First, they offered to take our money at the self-serve pump. Then the E-ZPass robots took over the tollbooths and the red-light cameras wrote robot traffic tickets. I wanted to know if technology has become so pervasive that a person could drive across the United States, Atlantic to Pacific, dealing only with machines, no humans.

Photo Gallery: Robots Ate My Road Trip - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: Robots Ate My Road Trip - Automobile Magazine

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Volkswagen is planning an extensive reorganization of managers to keep Europe's biggest car maker focused on growth targets as VW is absorbing brands and increasing market footprints, according to people familiar with the matter.

Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn intends to overhaul the management board to prepare for 2018, when VW aims to be the world's biggest and most profitable carmaker, selling more than 10 million vehicles, sources said today.

GM's top marketing executive said today the automaker will plow savings from a recent decision to drop Super Bowl advertising into other ads and marketing efforts to support a slate of vehicle launches planned in 2013.

Brilliant weather and a field that included a stunning gathering of French-bodied classics ranging from a 1923 Hispano-Suiza H6B Dual-Windshield Touring from the Million-Guiet works to a 1948 Bentley Mark IV Roadster with Saoutchik coachwork were...

Ford Motor is working to transform Detroit into a Silicon Valley for the auto industry, Chairman Bill Ford Jr. said today. The automaker announced two initiatives today to increase entrepreneurship.