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From GMM

Mercedes has dropped a strong hint that it has no intention of racing out of formula one at the end of this season.

The German marque is currently arguing with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone over the 2013 Concorde Agreement, after only Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull were offered places on the sport's post-floatation board.

Media reports have indicated Mercedes, a supplier of engines and also with its own Brackley based works team, could quit formula one over the spat.

Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team

"We are in discussions with the commercial rights holder and we would like to ask for your understanding that we are not currently commenting on these discussions," a Mercedes spokesman told CNN.

In reality, however, Mercedes is already making plans for 2013.

On Tuesday, the team announced that the Swiss watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen has signed up to become a sponsor "from January 2013".

"It is widely recognised that motor sport serves as a testing ground for technologies that ultimately benefit us all," team boss Ross Brawn said in the media statement. "As the pinnacle of global motor sport, formula one is at the forefront of such development, and that leading role is set to continue in the years ahead."

Everybody on this tiny green Earth has a right to equal opportunities. Be it education, food, lodging, and transportation. The issue is not what the people want, it's what the Earth can give, and can take.

Almost overnight, China has become the world's foremost financial power and with money comes the desire to consume, and lots of it.

We, in North America, have had the last Century to adapt our needs and wants to goods being made available through industrialization and increasing technological advances. Think Henry Ford and the Model T and everything that he and it brought to our continent.


To this day, we still consume far more than we really need (I'm guilty) but when I read, watch or surf the news, the words China and growing markets have become synonymous with millions, billions, investment, development, buying, selling, building, expansion, increases, and biggest.

China is seemingly bursting at the seams with money and business opportunities, and everybody wants in. Ford, Chrysler, General Motors, Volkswagen, to name a few, are pouring freight trains worth of cash into the country to build cars to meet the ever increasing demands for more. And more. This list obviously does not include all the home-grown manufacturers that cannot build new cars fast enough either.

The Ex-Big Three have pledged millions and billions to build new plants, assembly lines and manufacturing facilities to build more cars in order to supply the country and the world with more. In business terms, it makes boatloads of sense as every manufacturer in this market has massive gains in sales to show for their investments. How long can the good times roll though?

This tsunami of production and consumption cannot be sustainable for ever... What will be left on the other side of this gynormous wave?

Again, EVERYONE has a right to new cars, clothes, furniture, and everything but the pace at which they are consuming is scaring the pants right off of me, and that in itself is a scary thought...

With the growing global energy crisis, pollution, and everything else that comes as by-products to mass consumption, how long will it be before these increasingly worrisome issues become more than simply things to come? In fact, the reality is that I don't think we are ready for reality.

China is revolutionizing the world and the car business but at what cost? Are we (who's we?) supposed to do something about this?

Gearhead procrastinators, listen up. Mother's Day is fast approaching - and you've probably got no idea what to get yours.

Since you likely spent the early years of your life tossing Cheerios, crayons and fries all over the interior of moms car, we've put together a list of ideas to redeem yourself - and help mom get the most out of her car and her time with it.

They're even arranged by price for easy matching to your budget.

$0 to $50: Two hours should suffice to wash, polish, shine, tidy and protect mom's car, inside and out. You can do it all for under fifty bucks - even if you have to pick up a new wash mitt, some Armor All, and a six-pack to enjoy during the cleaning procedures. And remember: giving mom ‘neat and tidy' without her lifting a finger is as priceless as gifts get.

Other cheap gift ideas include a peel-and-stick ‘stick family' for her rear window, a clip-on miniature flower vase, or a portable, plug-in travel mug to keep her beverages warm.


$50 to $300: Petro-Canada offers a ‘Season Pass' to their drive-thru car washes for about 200 bucks that'll let mom visit the drive-thru wash every day for 3 months. This gift will help her stay classy at the wheel all spring and summer.

Mom rockin' an older ride? Consider a new audio deck with Bluetooth compatibility for her Smartphone. Install the deck and pair her Smartphone to it for maximum brownie points.

About $120 will get mom an all-in, one-year subscription to Slacker Radio - giving her a custom, personalized radio station she can access through her Smartphone in the car via Bluetooth streaming, at home on her iPad or anywhere else there's an internet connection.

For a more stylish idea, check out some jewellery and accessories. And not just any jewellery and accessories - Maserati jewellery and accessories! If you can't afford that new GranTurismo Mom's always wanted, perhaps a Maserati-branded scarf, silver necklace, tote bag or purse would give her a welcomed taste of the celebrated brand's passion for style and sophistication. Jewellery, accessories and clothing options are available from Maserati's online store.

Photo: Maserati

$300 to $2000: Spending a grand or two alone, or between a few siblings, opens the door on a whole slew of fantastic car-related Mother's Day gifts. Custom wheel and tire packages, body kits, a giant stereo, in-car entertainment consoles and the like are all available in this price range.

Thinking of a high-speed bonding activity? Your favourite premium automaker likely offers performance driving schools in this price range, too. Look for some from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and others.

Money no Object: Need a gift to make up for years of terrible misbehaving and nincompoopery? Money no object? Get mom that shiny new Infiniti she's always wanted.

And even if she's never wanted a new Infiniti, she will-- the moment she lays eyes on the new 2013 IPL G Convertible.

It's got 343 horsepower, a power-folding roof, and will make all her friends jealous. Plus, with actual rear seats and a comfortable but sporty ride, said jealous friends can come along on a road trip. Get back in mom's good books, and she may even let you drive it.

Photo: Infiniti

German driver Tim Bergmeister survived a terrifying crash at Fuji Speedway when his Porsche slammed in the guardrail at very high speed during the second round of the 2012 Super GT series.

Bergmeister was taken to the hospital in serious condition. His brother Jorg posted this update on Facebook.

"Tims condition has stabilized. He has severe lung injuries and the doctors are trying to safe his left lung while the right side is in much better shape. within the next 2 weeks we will know how it goes. His brokes bones are no issue right now and the good thing is there are no head injuries nor damage to the spinal cord. Please keep your fingers crossed for him. Thank you for all the messages. I will keep you updated. Jörg"

Wednesday, the news came that Tim's surgery was a success and he had regained consciousness.

We wish him a speedy recovery.

From Williams

The Audi R18 e-tron quattro, powered by Williams Hybrid Power's innovative electric flywheel hybrid system, impressed on its first competitive outing in Round 2 of the FIA World Endurance Championship held at Spa-Francorchamps this past weekend.

The No. 2 Audi R18 e-tron Quattro set the fastest time in Friday's qualifying and its sister car finished in second place around the famous circuit after dominating the early stages in difficult wet conditions.

The race at Spa-Francorchamps can be seen as a “dress rehearsal” for the 24 Hours of Le Mans next month in France.

The winning R18 Audi e-tron quattro at Spa-Francorchamps. (Photo: WRi2)

Williams Hybrid Power designed an entirely new, ultra-lightweight electric flywheel and associated power electronics for the Audi R18 e-tron quattro, delivering 150KW of power with a top rotor speed of 45,000 rpm.

The key benefits of the Williams hybrid system are a high power density and correspondingly low mass, the ability to continuously deep power cycle, high efficiency energy transfer to and from the e-storage, and an insusceptibility to performance or life degradation over a wide range of operating temperatures.

According to Williams, these defining features are highly suited to endurance racing and made the WHP flywheel the prime candidate for Audi's project when compared to other technologies such as batteries, ultra-capacitors or mechanical flywheels.

From GMM

McLaren looks set to run a higher nose this weekend in Spain.

Last week, at the very end of the Mugello test, test driver Oliver Turvey debuted a new front wing that featured a conspicuously higher nose tip.

Oliver Turvey, McLaren. (Photo: WRi2)

McLaren, the early 2012 frontrunner but having struggled recently in Bahrain, was the only notable team this year to ignore the new design trend for ugly 'stepped' front noses, introduced as arguably the best solution to new nose-height safety regulations.

The MP4-27's new nose does not feature a step element, but the tip is notably higher than its predecessor.

"Nowadays it is quite a critical part of the car, you're looking to find very small improvements," team boss Martin Whitmarsh said on Wednesday.

As for whether the new nose will be seen in Barcelona, he confirmed: "You may well see it again, yes. There's a reasonable chance you'll see it on Sunday."

Yvan Muller (Chevrolet) and local hero Norbert Michelisz (BMW) were the winners of the two rounds of the World Touring Car Championship  presented at Budapest last Sunday.

Muller set pole position and maintained his lead in Race 1 to capture his fifth win this season ahead of his teammate Rob Huff and Alain Menu, for a third 1-2-3 sweep for Chevrolet this season.

Yvan Muller, Chevrolet. (Photo: FIAWTCC)

In Race 2, Norbert Michelisz moved up from his fifth position on the grid to the lead after he passed poleman Franz Engstler. He took win in front of his supporters.

Michelisz, driving for BMW crossed the line ahead of Alain Menu's Chevrolet, and Mehdi Bennani's BMW, the Moroccan driver taking his best WTCC career result.

Norbert Michelisz, BMW 320 TC. (Photo: FIAWTCC)

Yvan Muller went wide while fighting for sixth place, and dropped down to 10th. But the reigning WTCCC champion stands on top of the standings, 23 points ahead of Alain Menu.

Race 1:
1 - Yvan Muller - Chevrolet Cruze - RML - 12 laps in 23'23”462
2 - Robert Huff - Chevrolet Cruze - RML + 1”259

3 - Alain Menu - Chevrolet Cruze - RML + 1”759

4 - Mehdi Bennani - BMW 320 TC - Proteam + 10”983

5 - Tiago Monteiro - Seat Leon 1.6T - Tuenti + 15”206
Etc.

Race 2:
1 - Norbert Michelisz - BMW 320 TC - Zengo - 12 laps in 23'37”603

2 - Alain Menu - Chevrolet Cruze - RML + 1”805

3 - Mehdi Bennani - BMW 320 TC - Proteam + 4”998

4 - Pepe Oriola - Seat Leon WTCC - Tuenti + 6”221

5 - Tiago Monteiro - Seat Leon 1.6T - Tuenti + 8”020
Etc.

Championship:
1. Yvan Muller 180 points; 2. Menu 157; 3. Huff 150; 4. Coronel 97; 5. Tarquini 96; 6. Michelisz 78; 7. Oriola 69; 8. D'Aste 59; 9. Engstler 36; 10. Bennani 35.

Tuesday May 8 2012, Jacques Villeneuve drove the Ferrari 312 T4 Formula 1 car of his father Gilles to commemorate the 30th anniversary of his death.

Jacques, the 1997 F1 World Champion, took the wheel of the flat 12 Ferrari for a spin around the Fiorano test circuit located in Maranello.

Here's a short video of this very special moment showing Jacques driving the car Gilles drove to second place in the 1979 World Championship.

From GMM

Mark Webber appears headed for a new contract with Red Bull, after receiving a clear vote of confidence from the energy drink company's chief.

Following speculation the 35-year-old Australian could be headed to Ferrari in 2013, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner insisted Webber "is happy to be here, and we are happy to have him with us".

And the Swiss newspaper Blick has revealed that team owner Dietrich Mateschitz, the billionaire mogul, is also happy with Mark Webber.

"I hope that he keeps driving with us for a long time," the 68-year-old is quoted as saying.

Same line up in 2013? (Photo: WRi2)

Canadian road racer and Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières record holder Marc-Antoine Camirand will honour the late Gilles Villeneuve's memory in his own way, as 2012 marks the 30th year since the hero's death.

Just like Villeneuve did 36 years ago, Camirand will travel to France to race at the Grand Prix de Pau. Even though Villeneuve and Camirand cannot be compared, the touching gesture brings back a lot of memories.

For one, both are heroes in their own way of the GP3R, and, two, will have tasted European racing for the first time in the streets of Pau.


Three, the trip will have been made possible thanks to the effort of GP3R organizers, since Villeneuve, in 1976, and Camirand, in 2012, were chosen to wear the Canadian classic event's colours oversea.

Albeit, for Villeneuve, at the wheel of a March-Ford 752 single-seater. Whereas Camirand will drive a fully electric Andros Car Evo 2, in the second edition of the Grand Prix Electrique de Pau.

BMW UK video-launched a new version of the brand's F10M M5, called the M5 M Performance edition. Only 30 of them will be made, supporting three different frost-finish colours: blue, white and red (10 units in each colours).

Under the bonnet, the same 4.4-litre should give out an identical 560-horsepower, but the price, which was not been determined yet, will most likely be different. The fact BMW UK unveiled the news hints that the special edition M5 will be only for the British market.

A Fisker Karma hybrid car belonging to a Fort Bend County resident, in Texas, has set its owner's house on fire.

According to local fire chief, Robert Baker, the fire originated in the Karma, which had just been parked, minutes before, in the garage.

Photo: Fisker Automotive

The car was not plugged for recharge, but the driver did notice a "smell of burnt rubber". Furthermore, the vehicle was almost new, having been purchased in April, less than 60 days before.

The experts have assessed the associated fire costs to upwards of US$ 100,000, leaving out the loss of the three vehicles in the garage at the time of the fire - the same Fisker Karma, as well as a Mercedes-Benz SUV and an Acura NSX.

Fisker Automotive is helping out the authorities dealing with the investigation, but refused to comment the incident.


_{Source: Autoweek}

BRIGHTON, ON — The early downpour did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of either supporters or participants at the first Brighton to London Eco-Run launch this morning. On hand to kick off the event were several members of the media, representatives from event partners CAA and Natural Resources, and Brighton's Mayor, Mark Walas ,who officially started each car with a wave of the green flag.

Inspired by Britain's historic London-to-Brighton vintage rally, the Eco-Run was created to promote consumer awareness of the various solutions available to fight rising fuel costs. These range from simple changes in driving habits to the latest in manufacturer's fuel-saving technology - from the tiny electric cars, plug-in hybrids and the start/stop functions in high-end performance cars.

During the run, our aim is to meet or exceed the official Energuide ratings in each of the 23 vehicles in real-world driving over the course of three days.

Photo: Lesley Wimbush

My first run was at the wheel of a 6-speed MINI Cooper over a 40-km route that was primarily hilly country roads, and small-town stop-and-go traffic. The average fuel consumption of 6.5L/100km was slightly higher than its 5.6L/100km officially rating. Fortunately, there are six more legs before the averages are calculated.

On the 66.6-km route from Cobourg to Oshawa, I achieved 5.8L/100km in the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, just slightly higher than its 5.1L/100km official combined rate.

En route, we stopped at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (Uoit), which boasts state-of-the-art testing chambers for vehicles and components. The fascinating tour included demonstrations of "shaker tables" that subject the vehicle to a simulated road test of any degree of surface or severity.

UOIT boasts the world's most sophisticated climatic wind tunnel - and it's also the quietest. We experienced first-hand the frosty chill of the -40 below cold chamber - used for cold-start testing and determining the durability of seals and shocks. Here they can produce a snowstorm in July - or the climate of Arizona or Dubai in January.

I spent leg three with the Lexus CT 200h, achieving an average of 4.9L/100km over 51.5 km - compared to its officially recorded 4.6L/100km.

Clearly - I should spend some time tonight reading the "Autosmart" pamphlet of fuel-conserving driving tips supplied by Natural Resources Canada. Perhaps tomorrow's driving will show a bit more conservative restraint.

Auto123.com Racing takes you for a guided tour of the stunning Charlotte Motor Speedway, home of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race that will be held May 19.

The Charlotte Motor Speedway offers several guided tours each day, giving fans a chance to take a close-up look at areas that are off-limits on race days.

Fans see the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Garage, navigate through two infield race tracks, make their way down Pit Road and take a picture in Victory Circle. Learn the history of Charlotte Motor Speedway while enjoying a comfortable van ride around the Superspeedway where you will feel the full-tilt force of the 24-degree banking.



Plus, visit zMAX Dragway and The Dirt Track at Charlotte on this exciting tour.

Here are some additional details about the guided tours:

Tour Length: 45 minutes to 1 hour

Departure Location: Second floor of Smith Tower

Time: Please arrive 30 minutes early for check-in

Weather: Tours operate rain or shine, please plan accordingly

Dress code: Comfortable clothing for outdoors and air conditioned vans, comfortable shoes for walking, sunscreen, sunglasses

Please note: All tour participants under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult. You are responsible for providing your own car seat for children. All on-track events are subject to track availability.

For more information: www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tours/

Former Ferrari Formula 1 driver Jean Alesi will make a return to competition later this month as he will compete in his first Indy 500.

Despite his vast experience, it was confirmed that Alesi will be participating in all Rookie on-track and off-track activities on Thursday, May 10, and all other days leading up to the Indy 500.

Photo: Courtesy of FP Journe

Alesi has been confirmed to drive with Fan Force United Team for this year's upcoming Indy 500. He is considered a rookie for this race.

The Frenchman has been training hard for the 500 for months. The 47-year-old has vast experience in a breadth of other series, and is taking on this wonderful new challenge with commitment and respect.

Photo: Courtesy of FP Journe

He has included his friends and old rivals in his training program, having started with a cycling tour of Sicily with Alain Prost. Alesi and Michael Schumacher have since raced each other on a circuit, and the FFSA have arranged sessions for him at Le Mans.

Alesi has also spent hours familiarising himself with the specific characteristics of the Lotus Dallara in a simulator and cannot wait for his first on-track test.

Former Formula 1, IndyCar, GP2 and Formula 3 driver Antonio Pizzonia will taste endurance racing for the first time of his career, this weekend at the American Le Mans Monterey, at Laguna Seca.

The 31-year-old Brazilian who raced for Williams and Jaguar in F1 will share with Martin Plowman and David Heinemeier Hansson the wheel of the No. 37 Conquest Endurance/Morgan/Nissan LMP2 prototype throughout the six-hour event.

"I'm really looking forward to working with Conquest Endurance this weekend," Pizzonia said. "It will be my first experience with this car and also with this type of racing but I have experience in many categories, which will be helpful in this situation."

Prototype LMP2 Morgan-Nissan. (Photo: Conquest Racing)

Team owner Eric Bachelart, whose team is coming off a second-place finish at the Long Beach Grand Prix, had kind words for his new driver: "We are very happy to welcome Antonio (Pizzonia) to the Conquest Endurance team," Bachelard said.

"He has a great amount of experience in many different types of race cars and he will be a strong addition to our team, I have no doubt that between him, Martin (Plowman) and David (Heinemeier Hansson) we'll have one of the strongest driver lineups out there and can challenge for a top result."

Source: ALMS.com

AutoExpress.co.uk readers vote satellite navigation the most useful in-car gadget of all time

2012 Buick Regal GS

Buick has a bit of a mixed bag with the Regal GS.

Comments left on previous articles about the Regal GS generally fall into two distinct groups: those who are irked that the new GS isn't a re-pop of the rear-wheel-drive Grand National they adored as a kid, or those who are irked that GM didn't just import the Opel Insignia OPC's driveline -- peaky twin-turbocharged V-6, all-wheel-drive, and all -- into the United States.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Buick Regal GS - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Buick Regal GS - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

2012 Buick Regal GS | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

Insurance and fire investigators in suburban Houston are probing a house blaze that destroyed a new Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid car last week.

Also in this episode: We review the 2012 BMW 528i sedan, the Cadillac ATS and the