Auto News 5

Jon Fogarty, who set the pole the day before, and Alex Gurney (No. 99 GAINSCO Corvette DP), grabbed their first win of the 2013 Grand-Am season, Saturday, in the series' first ever trip to the Circuit of the Americas (COTA).

They last time Fogarty and Gurney were on the top step of the podium dates back to over a year.

Brendon Hartley (No. 8 Starworks Motorsports Ford/Riley), the Mercedes AMG F1 development driver, was leading actually, and looked set for the win, only until he crashed out of the race against a GT car.

Jon Fogarty and Alex Gurney won thanks to Brendon Hartley's late crash (Photo: Grand-Am.com)

Ryan Dalziel and Alex Popow (No. 2 Starworks Ford/Riley) and Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas (No. 01 TELMEX BMW/Riley) complete the DP podium.

Canadian Paul Dalla Lana (No. 94 Turner BMW M3) overcame a two laps deficit - thanks to the help of his co-driver Bill Auberlen -, to finish first in the GT class. Alessandro Pier Guidi (No. 63 Scuderia Corse Ferrari 458) had crossed the finis first, but he was penalized for a late contact with Andy Lally (No. 44 Magnus Racing Porsche GT3), who ended up second with co-driver John Potter.

Andrew Davis and Leh Keen (No. 59 Brumos Porsche GT3) complete the podium.

Jim Norman, Jeff Mosing and Spencer Pumpelly won the GX class.



Race results* - Grand-Am (Austin, Texas)
1 - Fogarty-Gurney (Corvette DP/Riley) - Stallings - 71 laps
2 - Dalziel-Popow (Riley-Ford) - Starworks - 71
3 - Pruett-Rojas (Riley-BMW) - Ganassi - 71
4 - Potolicchio-Sarrazin (Corvette DP/Coyote) - 8Star - 71
5 - Fittipaldi-Frisselle (Corvette DP/Coyote) - ActionEx - 71
6 - Jonsson-Krohn (Lola-Ford) - Krohn - 71
7 - Pizzonia-Yacaman (Riley-Ford) - Shank - 71
8 - Cameron-Nonnamaker (Riley-BMW) - Sahlen - 71
9 - Bennett-Braun (Riley/Dallara-Ford) - Doran - 71
10 - Angelelli-Taylor (Riley-BMW) - Taylor - 71
11 - Taylor-Westbrook (Corvette DP) - SpiritOfDaytona - 70
12 - Anassis-Massar (Riley-Ford) - BTE - 70
13 - Auberlen-Della Lana (BMW M3) - Turner - 67
14 - Lally-Potter (Porsche 997) - Magnus - 67
15 - Davis-Keen (Porsche 997) - Brumos - 67
16 - Lindsey-Long (Porsche 997) - Park Place - 67
17 - Assentato-Lazzaro (Riley-Ford) - AIM - 67
18 - Skeen-Vess (Porsche 997) - Park Place - 67
19 - Hedlund-Van Overbeek (Ferrari 458) - Extrme Speed - 67
20 - Marsal-Schaldach (BMW M3) - Turner - 67
21 - Marcelli-Von Moltke (Porsche 997) - Muehlner - 67
22 - Papis-Segal (Ferrari 458) - AIM - 67
23 - Balzan-Pier Guidi (Ferrari 458) - Corsa - 67
24 - Cole-Hart-McCutchen (Porsche 997) - Park Place - 66
25 - Curran-Said (Corvette Z06) - Marsh - 65
26 - Costabal-Salazar (Porsche 997) - Muehlner - 65
27 - Hartley-Mayer (Porsche 997) - Starworks - 63
28 - Edwards-Aschenbach-Liddell (Chevy Camaro) - Stevenson - 63
29 - Barbosa-Frisselle (Corvette DP/Coyote) - ActionEx - 62
30 - Mosing-Norman-Pumpelly (Porsche Cayman) - BGB - 62
31 - Baas-Bell (Audi R8) - Apr - 60
32 - Long-Tremblay (Ferrari 458) - Speedsource - 58
33 - Nonnamaker-Nonnamaker-Sahlen (Riley-BMW) - Sahlen - 52
34 - Negri-Pew (Riley-Ford) - Shank - 49
35 - Miller-Nunez (Mazda 6) - Speedsource - 39

*Unofficial

Championship standings
1. Pruett-Rojas 65; 2. Fogarty-Gurney 59; 3. Dalziel-Popow 57; 4. Angelelli-Taylor 53.

From GMM

McLaren is yet to sign an engine deal for the new turbo V6 era beginning in 2014, according to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"Mercedes is pushing for a decision in the next days," said correspondent Michael Schmidt.

The successful, title-winning McLaren-Mercedes partnership dates back almost two decades, but with Mercedes now with its own team, McLaren is no longer the 'works' partner.

According to Schmidt, the solution could be Honda.

"The question is whether the Japanese are coming in 2014 or not until 2015," he said.

"It is a poorly kept secret that McLaren is talking with Honda."

In fact, Schmidt relayed paddock rumours that Honda already has engineers working at McLaren's Woking headquarters, with a final board decision about whether the manufacturer will return to F1 after a half-decade absence "pending".

March is here, and things are warming up in the automotive world.

The first two official photos of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible -- but no details -- have been released ahead of the car's debut at the

What is it?

American Suzuki received bankruptcy court approval of its Chapter 11 reorganization plan to wind down U.S. auto operations and continue selling motorcycles, ATVs and boat engines.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR BOB GRITZINGER: Not my cup of tea, this 2013

Rolls-Royce and Bentley will unveil new vehicles at the Geneva auto show as they intensify their battle in the fast-growing luxury end of the market. Rolls-Royce will debut a two-door coupe version of its Ghost model, known as the Wraith.

Mercedes-Benz reported a 22 percent surge in U.S. sales last month, building on its early lead as it tries to unseat BMW as the leader in luxury-auto deliveries this year.

Jon Fogarty, driving his No. 99 GAINSCO Corvette DP, captured his 24th career pole, qualifying ahead of the first ever Grand-Am race at the Circuit of the Americas, in Austin, Texas.

Jordan Taylor parked a second Corvette DP on the front row of the grid, his No. 10 Velocity Worldwide machine. Memo Rojas was third in the No. 01 TELMEX BMW/Riley.

No. 99 GAINSCO Corvette DP (Photo: Grand-Am.com)

The GT pole went to Alessandro Balzan, who put the No. 63 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 458 right in front of Max Papis' Canadian-backed No. 61 R.Ferri/AIM Austosport Ferrari.

2013 24 Hours of Daytona champion Jim Norman bagged the pole in GX.



Qualifying results* - Grand-Am (Austin, Texas)
1.Fogarty-Gurney (Corvette DP/Riley) - Stallings - 2'00"179

2.Angelelli-Taylor (Riley-BMW) - Taylor - 2'00"239
3.Pruett-Rojas (Riley-BMW) - Ganassi - 2'00"289
4.Barbosa-Frisselle (Corvette DP/Coyote) - ActionEx - 2'01"127

5.Taylor-Westbrook (Corvette DP) - SpiritOfDaytona - 2'01"436

6.Pizzonia-Yacaman (Riley-Ford) - Shank - 2'01"624
7.Dalziel-Popow (Riley-Ford) - Starworks - 2'01"737

8.Fittipaldi-Frisselle (Corvette DP/Coyote) - ActionEx - 2'02"300
9.Potolicchio-Sarrazin (Corvette DP/Coyote) - 8Star - 2'02"522
10.Cameron-Nonnamaker (Riley-BMW) - Sahlen - 2'03"229
(...)

*Unofficial

Let's face it: Range Rover has always been the class leader when it comes to luxury sports utility vehicles. It is as happy plowing across a snow-covered field as it is graciously depositing occupants outside Her Majesty's front door. It's a vehicle which not only says you've arrived, but also that you'll get home no matter what your friendly weatherman throws at you.

Range Rover is as British as fish & chips and afternoon tea, except that Britain's favourite dish is now officially an Indian curry, and those quaint little English tea shops have long been replaced by Starbucks!


Times have changed considerably since the world's first SUV was introduced in Britain back in 1970, and the famous Land Rover product has had to evolve. So I took a spin in the new 2013 Range Rover Supercharged to see how things have progressed.

Owners will likely never fully utilize the extraordinary capabilities of their Range Rover. They'll probably never cross the Sahara by night or drive to base camp at Kilimanjaro. Just like the Ferrari owner who has never driven his vehicle at 300 mph, they each own the right to say they could if they wanted to. And for just $114,750 (top of the line Supercharged version), that is the very exclusive club to which you could belong.

At first glance
I'm pleased to say very little has changed for 2013 and everything is as it should be: utterly distinctive Land Rover with just a hint of progression supplied by a rather stylish new front grille and some dashingly attractive LED lights. So, yes, the granddaddy of all SUVs aptly retains its commanding presence on the road drawing attention wherever it goes. Jolly good show!

Climbing aboard, one is instantly aware of one or two things somewhat off kilter. Yes, you're still invited into a sea of supple cow hide, yet the usual wood veneers are now a glossy piano black finish. I'm still not 100% sold on this new, fashionable look, but I will admit that it adds a certain sportiness to the interior.

Then there's the gear selector, or what appears to be a lack thereof at first glance: The 2013 Range Rover now sports the ultra-modern pop-up dial familiar to current Jaguar owners. Completely unnoticeable until the vehicle is powered up, it then gracefully rises from within the centre console. A tad strange at first, once you've acclimatised yourself to the idea it works well and matches the appearance & operation of the company's famous traction control system which nestles neatly alongside it.

Yes, you're still invited into a sea of supple cow hide, yet the usual wood veneers are now a glossy piano black finish. (Photo: Kevin Corrigan)

Power on, and we're off!
Thumb the start button and the supercharged DOHC 32-valve 5.0L V8 thunders to life, yet quickly settles down to a surprisingly smooth, library-quiet tickover. In fact, the powerplant appears so peaceful at rest that it's easy to forget the 510 hp (461 lb-ft of torque) beast tethered to your right foot.

“Beast” is certainly the right word. The new 2013 Range Rover Supercharged can claw its way to 100 km/hr from a standing start in just over 5 seconds! That's true sports car territory, and in a vehicle of this size it's an experience which quickly becomes addictive.

Of course, like all addictions, pleasure comes at a certain cost. Fuel economy obviously springs to mind as “happy foot” typically equates to “unhappy wallet.” However, the techno-boffins at Land Rover haven't just idled away their time dreaming up new flavour shots for new-found caffeine-laced beverages; far from it. After all, the company has its reputation as the 4x4 industry leader to maintain, so this is the world's very first SUV manufactured with a lightweight, all-aluminum unibody.

The powerplant appears so peaceful at rest that it's easy to forget the 510 hp (461 lb-ft of torque) beast tethered to your right foot. (Photo: Kevin Corrigan)

Sounds impressive, eh? It is. The 2013 Range Rover Supercharged is now 700 lbs lighter! The true benefits lie in the vehicle's new-found handling characteristics. The previous Range Rover was no wallflower in that department. In fact, each model has boasted superb handling which is why the UK police have always used Range Rovers as highway pursuit vehicles. However, the 2013 Range Rover Supercharged takes things to an entirely new level. In fact, I'm almost tempted to describe this as the world's first sports-utility supercar!

It's not only in high-speed manoeuverability where this new diet is noticeable; it also plays a role in the overall comfort of the vehicle. On downtown roads with Canadian potholes, the 2013 Range Rover Supercharged feels considerably lighter and less bulky, even though it is still a sizeable vehicle. As the weight-savings all stem from the lower portion of the vehicle, and the structure is now much stiffer, everything feels less burdened and this allows the chassis components to work better, and more effectively absorb impacts.

So, yes, the granddaddy of all SUVs aptly retains its commanding presence on the road drawing attention wherever it goes. (Photo: Kevin Corrigan)

The best 4x4 by far!
This statement has been used by Land Rover for many years, and who am I to argue with it? After all, history has proven that Land Rovers were often the very first vehicles seen on certain continents. While I doubt many new Range Rover owners will plan expeditions across yet-uncharted new territories, just in case they'll be pleased to discover the vehicle's water-wading depth has now increased (up by around 8”) to just a tad under 3 feet.

Information like that just about sums this vehicle up.

From GMM

Having recently stepped down at Air Berlin, it is rumoured Niki Lauda could be looking to return to the world of aviation.

As he became a shareholder and the chairman at Mercedes' works team, the famous Austrian stepped down from an existing management position at Air Berlin.

The business newspaper Handelsblatt speculated last month that Lauda "wants to dedicate his future to his role in formula one".

But the Austrian daily Der Standard is now reporting that Alitalia, Italy's struggling national airline, has targeted former triple world champion Lauda for the role of managing director.

"We do not comment on these media indiscretions," an Alitalia spokesperson told the APA news agency.

And Lauda told Die Presse newspaper: "I've heard the rumours but no one has spoken to me -- not even the journalists who peddle the story."

The launch of Sony's PS4 a few days ago has been followed by some video game announcements.

The first aimed at car enthusiasts is called DriveClub, a racing simulation game developed by Evolution Studios, maker of Motorstorm.

A newly uploaded video gives an exciting preview and, well, let's just say that we are light-years away from the Atari...

Sources : revision3.com

Kimi Räikkönen had to give up testing his Lotus E21, Saturday, in Barcelona, Spain, when he found out he was suffering from food poisoning, Formula1.com reported.

Davide Valsecchi, the team's reserve driver, took over the morning session.

Davide Valsecchi, Lotus E21 (Photo: WRi2)

Meanwhile, Romain Grosjean who, having completed his scheduled two days Thursday and Friday left the track, was called back for the afternoon running.

The Frenchman went 10th fastest, and his teammate 11th, only a tenth down on him.

Fingers crossed, Räikkönen will be well enough to drive tomorrow, Sunday, to wrap up pre-season testing.

From GMM

Lewis Hamilton on Thursday sounded keen to patch up his broken friendship with returning F1 rival Adrian Sutil.

As German Sutil's career was in tatters amid the Eric Lux assault affair, long-time friend Hamilton refused to appear as a witness at the trial.

Sutil, now 30, is returning to the grid after a one-year absence with Force India this year, and both the German and Hamilton are testing this week in Spain.

"I emailed him a couple of times and I emailed him a while ago saying that I heard that he could get the seat and that I hoped he would because he deserved it," Hamilton told reporters in Barcelona.

Adrian Sutil (Photo: WRi2)

"I also emailed him on the way here as soon as I found out, saying congratulations, and that I was happy for him. I haven't heard back from him but I'm sure at some stage we will get to talk," added the Mercedes driver.

Sutil was fined EUR 200,000 and given an 18-month suspended sentence for the assault, and as he exited F1 he denounced Hamilton as a "coward".

Asked about his relationship with Hamilton, he said on Thursday: "I haven't spoken to him. I have no relationship with him.

"For sure I will meet up with him, but I don't know what will happen," added Sutil.

While it's a cliché to most people; age is just a number to Phoenix pole winner Mark Martin.

Speaking of numbers Martin becomes the second-oldest pole winner in NASCAR Sprint Cup history

Less than one week after he finished third at the Daytona 500 Martin repeated his 2012 spring Sprint Cup pole at the one-mile oval.

"A lot of people describe Mark by saying, 'Mark's on it,'" Martin's crew chief, Rodney Childers, said. "Well, for 2013, Mark's on it squared."   

Mark Martin, Toyota No. 55 (Photo: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

With a speed of 138.074 mph for his 56th career pole, Martin, driving a Toyota, eclipsed Bill Elliott for seventh place all-time.

Harry Gant is the oldest pole winner as he took the pole at 54 years, seven months in 1994 at Bristol.  Martin's 54th birthday was in January.

Kasey Kahne whose car was wrecked at the Daytona 500 starts second in a Chevrolet followed by Jimmie Johnson's Chevrolet and Kyle Busch's Toyota, respectively third and fourth.

"I said it last week and had some people make some snide remarks about it, but at this stage of the game it's pretty amazing I get to drive something like this," Martin said

He won from the pole, in Phoenix, in 2009.

"I deeply admire him and his passion for the sport," said Johnson, a five-time Sprint Cup series champion and Martin's former teammate.

"He's tried to walk away a few times -- I think we had a farewell tour for him once -- and he came back. He couldn't do it. He just loves driving his car and is an inspiration for any team he works for."

Danica Patrick who monopolized the media spotlight by winning the pole for the Daytona 500 and leading laps - both firsts for a woman in that race - had a problem in between turns three and four and will take the green for Sunday's 500k race in 40th place.

Adapted from GMM

Mercedes is one of the teams that has been experimenting with the allowed 'passive double DRS' concept in recent testing.

The system, attached to the rear wing, has not been difficult to spot at times on the cars fielded in Barcelona by Lotus, Mercedes, Sauber and Red Bull.

Red Bull was fitted with the wing-stalling device all day on Friday.

"Until now, the systems were always being tried only briefly," said Mercedes' Aldo Costa.

"But whoever wants to use it in Melbourne needs to use it at least during one day of testing."

Sauber designer Matt Morris said the innovation is worth between "a few hundredths to a tenth" of a second per lap.

"And a tenth can make a huge difference when the cars are so closely matched," he added.

Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) added to speculations his team could race for the 2013 championship, setting the fastest lap of the third day of the last pre-season venue, in Barcelona, Spain.

Overall this week, his former teammate, Jenson Button, has been impressed with the progress of the silver arrows: "The one team that has been consistently quick has been Mercedes more than anyone else," dixit the 2009 champ.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W04 (Photo: WRi2)

But as Hamilton pointed out, none of his fellow world champions were out on track today. Button himself, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Räikkönen were all enjoying a day off.

Davide Valsecchi, Lotus E21 (Photo: WRi2)

Maybe the latter wasn't "enjoying" so much the day off. The Finn sat out the test because of food poisoning.

Esteban Gutierrez, Sauber C32 (Photo: WRi2)

Coming back to what happened on the track, Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) managed his best time, the second fastest of the day, before losing a wheel on the track.

Adrian Sutil, Force India VJM06 (Photo: WRi2)

Adrian Sutil (Force India VJM06), in his first outing as a confirmed driver for the Silverstone based team, was third fastest.

Completing the top 5 were the two Williams drivers, Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado a tenth ahead of rookie Valtteri Bottas.

Jules Bianchi, Marussia MR02 (Photo: WRi2)

Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR02) went 12th fastest in his new machine, half second quicker than Giedo van der Garde (Caterham CT03), 13th and last.

Sergio Pérez, McLaren MP4-28 (Photo: WRi2)

F1 winter testing, March 2nd, Barcelona (Spain)*
1 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 1'20"558 - 117 laps
2 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'21"266 - 94
3 - Adrian Sutil (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'21"627 - 109
4 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'22"305 - 34
5 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'22"468- 31
6 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'22"553 - 99
7 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'22"658 - 59
8 - Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4-28-Mercedes) - 1'22"694 - 101
9 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'23"223 - 114
10 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'23"380 - 46
11 - Davide Valsecchi (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'23"448 - 22
12 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'24"028 - 74
13 - Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'24"520 - 126

*Unofficial timing

Mark Webber, Red Bull RB9 (Photo: WRi2)

Having stepped up from the GT class to the LMP2 category, US based Extreme Speed Motorsports withdrew is Ferrari F458 from the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The move made way for a fifth Aston Martin entry at the fabled race.

ESM had planned running Le Mans in a GT Ferrari, and the 2013 American Le Mans Series season with two. But the Scott Sharp-owned team changed its plans, instead racing LMP2 prototypes.

So the team elected to pull out of Le Mans, which made way for a fifth Aston Martin.

Aston Martin Vantage (Photo: Aston Martin Racing)

No drivers have been announced yet for the fifth Vantage, but Richie Stanaway et Dane Cameron are expected to be tested soon at Sebring.

So far, Darren Turner, Stefan Mücke and Peter Dumbreck have been assigned to the No. 97 and Frédéric Makowiecki, Bruno Senna and Rob Bell to the No. 99, in GTE Pro.

Allan Simonsen, Christoffer Nygaard and Kristian Poulsen will drive in GTE Am, as well as Stuart Hall, Roald Goethe and Jamie Campbell Walter.

Ally Financial said in a securities filing that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has recently told the U.S. auto lender that it is being investigated for certain "retail financing practices."