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.
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.
 |
| 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.
The organizers of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, in England, have decided to move the event to the weekend of July 12-14, 2013 so as not to coincide with the revised German Grand Prix, which will now take place on July 7.
The Moving Motor Show will be held on July 11.
Each year, more than 150,000 visitors from all over the world attend the Goodwood Festival of Speed. If you've already purchased your tickets for the 2013 edition, don't worry: They remain valid for the new dates.
 |
| Photo: Goodwood |
Marcos Ambrose, NASCAR road racing winner, will join Michael Shank Racing, the defending Rolex 24 At Daytona Champions for the test called the Roar Before the 24 on January 4-6.
Australia's Ambrose will be substituting for 2008 Rolex 24 pole winner and frequent triathlete, Ozz Negri, who suffered a leg injury in off-season training. Ambrose will share the testing duties in the No. 60 Ford Riley Daytona Prototype with John Pew, who has been confirmed as Negri's full-season co-driver.
The Richard Petty Motorsports racer has two NASCAR Sprint Cup victories to his credit, winning the Watkins Glen races in 2011 and 2012. The former V8 Supercars superstar has raced at Daytona International Speedway with a Rolex 24 start in the GT Class in 2005, and he has tested a Daytona Prototype on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.
 |
| Photo: MichaelShankRacing.com |
Negri suffered a leg injury while training on his mountain bike, and is already working forward on his rehabilitation program, but will not be fully healed in time for the opening test at Daytona.
“I just want to say a big thanks to Marcos for jumping in and offering to help us out,” said team owner Mike Shank.
“We are hoping to see Ozz back and ready to go as quickly as possible and we will be continuing to finalize our plans as that healing process moves forward. In the meantime, we've got a lot of work to do to be as ready as we can be for the 24, and we are fortunate to have someone like Marcos step in and help us out.”
The team will announce its full driver line-up for their 10th Rolex 24 At Daytona event during the Roar Before the 24 Test Days.
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.
News
22 Dec, 2012
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.
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.
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.
News
21 Dec, 2012
Lexus has announced that it has sold more than 500,000 hybrids globally
News
14 Jan, 2013
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. 
