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Sprint the telecommunications provider sponsor of NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series is offering a way for fans to get more involved in the stock car series non-points curtain raiser at Daytona Beach on the evening of February 16th.

The 75-lap race, will be divided into three segments and will be called The Sprint Unlimited.


Fan voting categories, include:

Length of each of the three race segments:
• Choice A: 40 laps, 20 laps, 15 laps
• Choice B: 35 laps, 30 laps, 10 laps
• Choice C: 30 laps, 25 laps, 20 laps
-> Race format voting ends at 11:59 p.m. (EST) Wednesday, Feb. 13.

Team pit stop after the first segment:
• Choice A: No pit stop
• Choice B: Two (2) tire change
• Choice C: Four (4) tire change
-> Pit stop voting concludes at the green flag of the first segment.

How many cars will be eliminated after the second segment:
• Choice A: None (0)
• Choice B: Two (2) cars eliminated
• Choice C: Four (4) cars eliminated
• Choice D: Six (6) cars eliminated
-> Elimination voting concludes at the green flag of the second segment.

Fire suit to be worn by Miss Sprint Cup in Victory Lane:
• Fans have a choice of three different fire suit styles
-> Fire suit voting concludes at the green flag of the third segment.

The British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA) has just launched the first Online Child Passenger Safety Basics Course in the province.

The course is aimed at parents, caregivers and professionals who regularly or occasionally drive children, According to the BCAA, the majority of child car and booster seats are used incorrectly, making children more prone to injuries during a crash.

The Online Child Passenger Safety Basics Course includes information on how to use a seat belt system and child car seat properly, unsafe practice, and what happens in a crash.

It costs just $20, and is accessible to residents of Canada and the U.S.

Source: BCAA

A formidable new breed of Formula 1 cars appeared during the first winter test session 30 years ago in preparation for the 1983 season.

The 1982 cars had venturi tunnel located inside their sidepods sealed by sliding skirts that created an incredible amount of downforce. If, for any reason, a skirt broke or got stuck in its upper position, the car would instantly lose downforce and would crash really hard.

Following the tragic accidents that cost the life of the great Gilles Villeneuve and put an end to Didier Pironi's career in 1982, the FIA decided to change the technical regulations.

Patrick Tambay, Ferrari 126C2 (Photo: WRi2)

For 1983, the FIA required the cars to be fitted with a flat bottom from mid-ship to the axle of the rear wheels, and put a ban on skirts. The engineers realized that they lost something like 60% of the total downforce.

Alain Prost, Renault RE40 (Photo: WRi2)

However, they quickly discovered that a flat bottom could also generate a lot of downforce if it was angled correctly in relation to the ground, and was fitted with a diffuser (called an extractor at the time) at the rear.

Thierry Boutsen, Arrows A6 (Photo: WRi2)

Then, Renault aerodynamicists, including Jean-Claude Migeot, found that blowing hot exhaust gases in the diffuser increased downforce.

“Exhaust blowing to create a fluid skirt on the side of the car (also tested in early 1983) did not work, but blowing the rear diffuser was quite powerful. I remember something like 50 kg on the rear axle at full throttle, whatever the speed,” Migeot told F1 expert, Craig Scarborough.

Jean-Pierre Jarierl, Ligier JS21 (Photo: WRi2)

As you can see in these photos, the 1983 F1 cars had very short sidepods, almost limited to the dimensions of the mandatory flat bottom. The concept was to bring all the weight possible onto the rear axle to increase traction out of the corners.

Jacques Laffite, Williams FW08C (Photo: WRi2)

The Gordon Murray-designed Brabham BT-52B BMW is quite stunning, with super short sidepods that only contained the radiators and heat exchanger of the single turbo.

Nelson Piquet, Brabham-BMW BT52B (Photo: WRi2)

Visitors at the 2013 Montreal International Auto Show can try a new interactive application to customize their dream Volvo.

Developed by WhereCloud in Montreal, the app allows smartphone and tablet users to virtually tailor any Volvo model on display. They can select the powertrain, the exterior and interior colours, as well as the various features. The app then previews the result along with a price.

''Online vehicle builders can be quite complex and tedious. Touchscreens are much more attractive and intuitive to use, especially when the car is right in front of you,'' says Martin Dufort, founder and president of WhereCloud. ''Users can try out various options and compare prices in a clear and simple way. This app fits in Volvo's overall customer experience.''

Following Montreal, Volvo will present the app to visitors at other auto shows including Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver.

Photo: Volvo

Lotus Formula 1 driver, Kimi Raikkonen, nicknamed “Iceman” will contest an ice race in Moscow, Russia in February.

Raikkonen, who won the Grand Prix of Singapore last year as he returned to Formula 1 after a two-year hiatus in world rallying will be back behind the wheel of a sedan race car.

Andros Trophy, four-wheel drive Silhouette car (Photo: Andros Trophy)

The ice racing event, labelled “Race of Stars” will take place at the Moscow Hippodrome on February 23. The action will take place on a large oval.

Raikkonen has some oval experience under his belt, having contested a NASCAR Camping World Truck series' race and a Nationwide race two years ago.

Other well known drivers who have been invited to compete include Caterham new F1 driver Charles Pic, Russian F1 driver Vitaly Petrov, Russian World Rally driver Evgeny Novikov and Red Bull development driver, Daniil Kvyat.

Two Ferrari 250 GT sports cars were auctioned off and sold for over $8 million apiece last Friday.

First, a red 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione earned a winning bid of $8.14 million at an RM Auctions event. It sports a 280-horsepower V12 engine.

Later, a blue 1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider was sold for $8.25 million by Gooding & Company.

Other highlights from these events include a 1967 Shelby 427 Semi-Competition Cobra ($2 million), a 1938 Delahaye 135 MS Coupe ($1.54 million), and a 1954 Ferrari 250 Europa Coupe ($1.02 million).

All prices are in USD.

Source: The New York Times

Photo: RM Auctions

Photo: Gooding & Company

Much like the 2014 Grand Cherokee and Patriot, the 2014 Jeep Compass will arrive in Canadian showrooms in the second quarter of 2013.

Equipped with a new six-speed PowerTech automatic transmission and either a 158-horsepower 2.0L engine or a 172-horsepower 2.4L unit, the 2014 Jeep Compass is said to offer exceptional ride and handling in all weather conditions, not to mention great fuel economy (6.6L/100km on the highway with the base engine).

''Jeep Compass provides consumers with a combination of fuel economy, safety, value - and, of course, Jeep capability - in the important compact SUV segment,'' said Mike Manley, President and CEO of Jeep. ''For the 2014 model year, Jeep Compass buyers will enjoy their driving experience even more, courtesy of an all-new six-speed transmission and a refined interior and exterior design.''

The 2014 Jeep Compass comes in three trim levels: Sport, North, and Limited. All are available with front-wheel drive, the Freedom Drive I full-time active 4x4 system, or the Freedom Drive II Off-road full-time active 4x4 system with low-range capability.

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From GMM

Toto Wolff on Tuesday played down speculation he has wooed Paddy Lowe to Mercedes to replace team boss Ross Brawn.

Speaking to British reporters, Mercedes' new executive director and 30 per cent shareholder admitted there was "a lot of speculation" about the plans of McLaren's technical director Lowe.

McLaren and Mercedes spokespeople were keeping quiet on Tuesday, but BBC commentator Eddie Jordan - who has broken several stories in recent years - was clear.

"Paddy Lowe is going to Mercedes and it would appear that Brawn and (Nick) Fry are on their way out, and Lowe will be there in a very senior capacity," he said.

Wolff, however, said suggestions today about the next moves for Brawn, Fry or Lowe would be "foolish".

"I've read it in the papers as you have, but there's nothing else I can tell you," he added.

Swiss driver, Sebastien Buemi will continue to act as test and reserve driver for the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team.

The team confirmed Tuesday morning that Buemi will continue his work for 2013.

The 24-year-old will continue to work alongside previously confirmed race drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber.

Photo: WRi2

“I know everyone at Red Bull Racing well and it's good to remain with the team for another year,” said Sebastien Buemi in a team's press release.

“Of course my aim is to be driving at the races again, but I am still learning all the time from my work with the team. I help with the development of the car and provide feedback throughout the season, both at the factory and at races.”

“We're pleased that Sébastien has continued as test and reserve driver for the coming season,” said Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing team principal.

“He joined the Red Bull Junior Team in 2004, has worked with Red Bull Racing in 2008 and 2012 and has significant race experience. He is an integral member of the team and will complete important simulation work for us throughout the year,” Horner said.

Former Formula 1 driver, Robert Kubica completed a hundred laps behind the wheel of a Renault Megane in preparation to his DTM test with Mercedes later this week.

The Pole was badly injured in a rally crash in Italy at the beginning of the 2011 season.

Kubica, who seems to hesitate between resuming his career in rallying or in road racing, will be testing a Mercedes C-Coupe DTM in Valencia this Thursday, with the possibility to join the German squad for the 2013 DTM season.

Kubica prepared himself seriously for this test. He completed more than 100 laps of the short circuit of San Martino del Lago, in Italy behding the wheel of a team Oregon's Renault Megane Trophy car.

Renault Megane Trophy, team Oregon (Photo: Renault Sport)

From GMM

McLaren could be set to lose its technical director.

Germany's Sport Bild is reporting that Paddy Lowe, who has been with the Woking based team for twenty years, is following Lewis Hamilton to Mercedes.

The report said executive director Toto Wolff wooed Briton Lowe, 50, for a switch to Williams, but Austrian Wolff has subsequently moved to Mercedes.

"This is big news," Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko is quoted as saying.

McLaren declined to comment, according to Britain's Daily Telegraph.

Sport Bild said the other major changes at Mercedes, including the rise of Niki Lauda and the departure of Norbert Haug, could indicate that Ross Brawn and Nick Fry are preparing to leave.

The most endangered, however, appears Fry, with Mercedes' media statement on Monday saying: "Together with Ross Brawn, Lauda and Wolff will complete the management" of the team.

According to Italy's Autosprint, Mercedes' F1 shares are now split between Daimler (60 per cent), Wolff (30pc) and Lauda (10pc).

As he visited Mercedes' Stuttgart facilities on Monday, Hamilton said he knew nothing about Lowe's reportedly imminent McLaren-to-Mercedes switch.

"This is the first time I've heard of it," he said.

Lewis Hamilton visited Mercedes-Benz in Germany on Monday. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

Meanwhile, Autosprint reported that Wolff's move from Williams to Mercedes could result in Williams being powered by a turbo Mercedes engine in 2014.

Wife Susie Wolff, however, is staying as a Williams test driver.

"Very happy for my husband," she wrote on Twitter. "We will be fighting him hard on track!"

DETROIT, Mi - It seemed an inauspicious setting for one of the most highly anticipated events of this year's Detroit Auto Show, but when you consider that the Corvette, General Motors and Detroit itself have risen, phoenix-like, from the brink of extinction it was perhaps very fitting indeed.

Shuttled through a decaying landscape into a deserted-looking industrial complex, we're herded like lemmings towards an entrance, spotlights casting the Corvette flags upon the crumbling walls.

Inside, the juxtaposition of slick, refurbished studio space within the cavernous old warehouse creates a dramatic atmosphere, the crowd thrumming with anticipation.

During the economic meltdown of 2009, GM was drawing what looked like its last breath. What better way to announce its current state of health than to resurrect one of the most hallowed names in sports car history?

Unlike the first 1963 Corvette which was cobbled together from the GM part's bin, the 2014 C7 (seventh generation) Corvette is a ground-up creation representing the pinnacle of GM technology.

VP of Global Design, Ed Wellburn, gushing, declared the C7 to be the best Corvette ever produced, and worthy of the Stingray name.

Visually, it's an arresting design. Sharp, sculpted edges, vents and inlets were all engineered with the goal of improved performance.

In a departure from its blue-collar, muscle-car past, the 2014 C7 Corvette has more than a touch of European exotic. The front end is stylish, yet aggressive -- the grille wears a futuristic snarl. LED headlamps add more visual flair, while the sharply carved rump, with its square taillights, is more than a little Camaro-esque.

Criticized in the past for its spartan, sub-par interiors, the 2014 C7 Corvette boasts sculpted leather racing-style seats, premium materials, a smaller sporty steering wheel and an 8” high-definition Chevy MyLink infotainment screen. Chief Engineer for the C7, Tadge Juechter, is confident that the new Corvette will compete with such luxury sports cars as the Audi R8 and Porsche 911, not only in terms of performance, but in quality as well.

The steel frame has given way to one of aluminum in the 2014 C7 Corvette. It's not only 57% stiffer, but it's also almost 100 lbs lighter. More lightweight carbon fibre panels, shorter overhangs and a removable roof contribute to a lighter car that boasts a perfect 50/50 front-to-back weight distribution.

Enthusiasts will appreciate that the small, racing style wheel connects to steering that's 50% stiffer than the outgoing Vette's. Underhood lies an all-new, 6.2L, direct-injection V8 with cylinder deactivation and variable valve timing. Under light load, the C7 can coast in 4-cylinder mode.

Claiming a estimated rating of 9.0L/100kms, the new 2014 C7 Corvette is the most fuel-efficient Vette ever -- while still boasting an output of 450 hp/450 lb-ft of torque.

While there's an available 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, most enthusiasts will opt for the 7-speed manual. Purists will decry its new rev-matching downshift technology, which virtually eliminates the need for heel 'n' toe, but weekend trackday participants will no doubt embrace its ability to make them look like heroes.

The new Stingray can sprint from 0-100km/hr in less than 4 seconds. The 8“ screen behind the steering wheel can display three different configurations: touring, sport and race. Touring mode focuses on navigation and fuel consumption; sport mode puts the tachometer front and centre; while race mode displays the revs in a bar graph along with G-force and lap times.

A new Drive Mode selector allows the driver to modify the 2014 C7 Corvette depending on the situation with five different modes: Touring for regular, everyday driving; Weather to optimize control in snow and rain; Eco to provide the best fuel efficiency; Sport for enthusiastic driving; and Track mode.

There are 12 different vehicle settings that control throttle response, launch control, traction control, transmission shift points (automatic), steering and damper settings (Z51 models only).

The 2014 Corvette Stingray should be available sometime in the third quarter of 2013, with Canadian pricing to come later.

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There have been changes made in the total distances at four different venues on the 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series schedule to prevent races with fuel saving strategies.

Those four events are; St. Petersburg, Long Beach, Milwaukee and Mid-Ohio. According to series' officials, the new distances better match traditional fuel windows at each circuit.

Changes are the followings:
• St. Petersburg: Increase of 10 laps to 110 (198 miles total)

• Long Beach: Decrease of five laps to 80 (157.4 miles)

• Milwaukee: Increase of 25 laps to 250 (250 miles)
• Mid-Ohio: Increase of five laps to 90 (203 miles)

Photo: IndyCar

BMW Motorsport press release

Timo Glock will take to the track at the wheel of the BMW M3 DTM this week.

The German driver is in Valencia for BMW Motorsport's first DTM tests of the year, during which he will familiarise himself with the car and be put through his paces at the “Circuit de la Comunitat”.

“We are pleased to be able to offer Timo Glock the opportunity to get to know our BMW M3 DTM in Valencia,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “Timo has demonstrated his driving ability over many years, particularly in Formula One. It is made all the nicer by the fact that he is, to a certain degree, returning to his roots in testing for BMW Motorsport.”

Timo Glock. (Photo: BMW Motorsport)

“I have fond memories of my time with BMW Motorsport and am very excited about testing the BMW M3 DTM,” said Glock. “Furthermore, I am bound to see a few familiar faces in Valencia from my previous time with BMW. I am really looking forward to it.”

Glock acquired the necessary tools for his successful career in single-seater racing while competing in the Formula BMW series in 2000 and 2001. The German driver won the Formula BMW ADAC Championship in 2001. Three years later he made his first appearance in Formula One, when he made his debut for the Jordan team at the Canadian Grand Prix.

In 2007, Glock returned to the BMW Motorsport fold. Together with three-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel, Glock was a test driver for the BMW Sauber F1 Team. He also took the title in the GP2 Championship in the same year. Since 2008 he has lined up as a regular driver for various teams in Formula One, and currently has 91 races to his name.

What does 2013 have in store for the world's auto industry? There will always be variations in how individual firms perform, but the whole industry will be watching developments in major markets very closely. Just how far they grow or contract has major implications for everyone - for volumes, for margins and for bottom lines. We review prospects for demand in the major vehicle markets, starting with a world overview and a closer look at the US light vehicle market.

Slot Mods of Clinton Township, Mich. is in the business of building hyper-realistic, hand-crafted 1:32 scale slot car tracks.

A new online service enables car shoppers to test drive vehicles without going to a dealership.

Cars.com will return to the Super Bowl next month with a commercial touting how the vehicle shopping Web site takes the drama out of car buying. In a statement, Cars.

GM is offering a two-year, 30,000-mile maintenance plan through its Business Choice program for business fleet buyers.

Also in this episode: Timo Glock will not race for Team Marussia this year, and