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May
24th

F1: Mark Webber unsure over Red Bull future

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From GMM

Mark Webber's future at Red Bull is clouded, according to F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

It is believed the world champion team is considering replacing the veteran Australian next year with Kimi Raikkonen, or the top youngster from the development squad Toro Rosso, Daniel Ricciardo.

In the end, however, the decision could be 36-year-old Webber's.

"At the relevant time, we will sit down with Mark and see what he wants to do, what his plans are for the future," Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said in Monaco on Thursday.

Bernie Ecclestone, who is known for keeping his finger at the pulse of all the major deals in F1, also hinted that Webber will have a say as to whether or not he stays.

"I don't think Webber knows if he will stay at Red Bull," the 82-year-old told Formula Money editor Christian Sylt.

F1 Red Bull pitstop
Photo: Red Bull Racing

Sylt had also asked Ecclestone about the longer term future at Red Bull, and whether boss Horner might be given a share of the team, along the lines of Monisha Kaltenborn at Sauber.

"If Didi (Mateschitz) was going to sell I think he would look after Christian," said Ecclestone. "Christian and Adrian Newey have got long term contracts."


May
24th

GP2: Sam Bird wins chaotic race in Monaco (+video)

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British driver, Sam Bird won the first GP2 race of the Monaco meeting held Friday, which was stopped by a massive pile-up at the start.

Le carambolage au départ de la course de la série GP2 à Monaco.
Pile-up at the start of the Monaco race. (Photo: WRI2)

Johnny Cecotto Jr had a poor start from pole position and that allowed his teammate, Mitch Evans to power in the lead before the first corner.

Cecotto wanted to defend his position, braked too late, went wide at the first corner and hit the barrier. As a result, no less than 13 other cars get caught in the accident. The race was red flagged. Race stewards decided that Cecotto was responsaible of the accident and excluded him from the rest of the meeting.



A new start was given, but the starting order was based on the order in which the cars returned to their pits, and not on the original starting grid.

At the restart, Evans came under pressure from Sam Bird, and eventually lost the lead after the mandatory pit stop, losing even one more position when Kevin Ceccon moved up to second.

Race 1 :
1 - Sam Bird - Russian Time - 42 laps in 1.36'15"919

2 - Kevin Ceccon - Trident - 22"077

3 - Mitch Evans - Arden - 23"225

4 - Felipe Nasr - Carlin - 23"416

5 - James Calado - ART - 29"588

6 - Stefano Coletti - Rapax - 1'00"519

7 - Rene Binder - Lazarus - 1'02"449

8 - Adrian Quaife Hobbs - MP - 1'08"400
etc.


May
24th

F1 Monaco: Jenson Button believes Monaco nature hides car flaws

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McLaren's Jenson Button believes the streets of Monaco do not show up the flaws on the team's troubled MP4-28 car as much as on previous tracks.

Whilst Button and teammate Sergio Perez never threatened the top-five in either of yesterday's practice sessions, the 2009 world champion believes the car's long run pace around the principality is better than it has been on previous circuits as it seems to simply behave better with a street set-up.

"I'm happier with the car here than in the last few races," said Button.

"The pace on the long run is surprisingly good.

"There are some positives with areas that we've struggled in before, but seem a bit better.

"Because Monaco's such a different race, you change the car quite a bit, and it seems to be working a little bit better.

"Not that that matters much around here when you're 1.2 seconds off the pace in qualifying...”

F1 McLaren MP4-28 Jenson Button
Jenson Button, McLaren MP4-28. (Photo: McLaren F1 Team)



May
24th

Top 10: Queer Cars for the Straight Guy

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Life is all about perceptions; how we perceive those around us. Life is often about stereotypes as well, and as much as we try and avoid such things, they trickle into our everyday lives and have even seeped into the automotive world.

That's right; this list of top 10 queer cars for the straight guy is a gathering of seemingly girlie or feminine cars that are actually quite manly and brutish once you ditch the stereotypes and get behind the wheel.

Whether it's womanly because of the design or because of a stereotype that's grown over the years and never been squished, these 10 vehicles have been wrongly accused of wearing miniskirts and stilettos when they actually wear Levis and steel-toe boots.

Mazda MX-5/Miata (any generation)
Mazda MX-5
Photo: Mazda

It's adorable, little, and has always had a cute grin that makes girls say “awww” whenever they see one pass on the street. A two-seater convertible, the Miata brings to mind long blonde hair billowing in the wind. However, this queer car for the straight guy is anything but girlie. Nearly track ready and able to handle any curve you throw its way with ease, this grinning roadster is a rebel within.

Continue reading Top 10: Queer Cars for the Straight Guy

May
24th

NASCAR: Hamlin takes Charlotte pole

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While Denny Hamlin was concentrating on breaking the track record, in qualifying at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, his motivation was getting back into Chase contention.

Driving a Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Hamlin broke the track record with a speed of 195.624 mph around one-and-a-half mile oval. He knocked the Chevrolet driven by Kurt Busch off of the provisional pole.

Shrugging off the effects of a fractured vertebra, suffered at Auto Club Speedway earlier this year, Hamlin thought a pole was good but only just good enough. "We have a mission ahead, and that's to try and make the Chase," said Hamlin.

In order to make sure that happens he'd likely need to win two races and advance to the top 20 in the points to earn a Wild Card entry into NASCAR's version of the "The best way to do that is to win races, and to win races, you're going to have to have every advantage you can -- one of them being the No. 1 pit stall (granted to the pole-winner).”

NASCAR Denny Hamlin Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
Denny Hamlin, Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing. (Photo: NASCAR)

Since it's NASCAR's longest race, at 600 miles, good pit stops will take on added importance. Having the choice of a pit stall helps determine where a driver might blast out off on restarts.

Hamlin is currently 27th in the standings 61 points out of 20th place after missing four races due to his back injury.

Kurt Busch, who has been working on restoring his stature in the NASCAR with some very good runs but no wins, said "I really just committed to running the best lap I could, pushing every envelope that I normally don't push. Obviously, it paid off with a big reward."

Despite being faster than 41 cars, in the 43-car field, Busch said “I didn't do my job, but my team is doing an incredible job with fast cars week in and week out. I told them we had a pole-winning car today. We didn't have a pole-winning draw as far as going out in the mid-range, but it's part of the game. You have to have a pole-winning car and then if you get a pole-winning draw, like Denny did to go out late, you want to deliver. And so he did.”

The Toyota's of Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin, and Clint Bowyer completed a Toyota sweep of third through fifth.

Sunday's race starts at 7PM EDT.


May
24th

BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé unveiled

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BMW today unveiled the Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2013.

Described as an “exclusive interpretation of a luxurious BMW Coupé as seen through the eyes of Pininfarina,” this long-wheelbase four-seater sports the signature double-kidney grille and halo lights capped by a long hood.

The interior features black and brown Foglizzo leather, as well as kauri wood aged more than 48,000 years in New Zealand.

The BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé is motivated by a powerful V12 engine. No other technical specs have been revealed, and production plans similarly remain unknown.

BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé rear 3/4 view
Photo: BMW



May
24th

Indy500: Simon Pagenaud sets fastest time on Carb Day

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Even though Indy cars do not run on carburetors any more, Frenchman Simon Pagenaud set the fastest time on Carb Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the last Friday before the famed Indy 500 race.

The Schmidt Peterson driver -- behind the wheel of a Honda-powered Dallara -- set his fastest lap with only minutes to go with a 225.827mph effort, bettering the 225.304mph lap that had been laid down by Andretti's EJ Viso a few minutes earlier.

Viso's teammate, reining champion Ryan Hunter-Reay was third fastest.

May
24th

Indy Lights: Sage Karam captured pole at Indianapolis

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Sage Karam barely beat Carlos Munoz to earn his first ever Firestone Indy Lights pole at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Karam set a two-lap average speed of 189.243 mph, putting him just ahead of Munoz's 189.103 mph mark (Munoz who will also take part in the Indianapolis 500 IndyCar race).

IndyCar Indianapolis Indy Lights
Sage Karam, Schmidt Peterson. (Photo: Chris Jones/IMS)

Munoz admitted that jumping between the Lights car and the IndyCar had made things a little trickier for him.

The Colombian's closest title rival was Jack Hawksworth, who ended up fifth on the grid behind Peter Dempsey and Gabby Chaves, but said that he was satisfied with his starting position.

A small field of just 11 cars took part in the qualifying session.

Pos  Driver   Team   Speed (in mph)
1. Sage Karam  Schmidt Peterson  189.243
2. Carlos Munoz   Andretti  189.103
3. Peter Dempsey  Belardi  188.793
4. Gabby Chaves   Schmidt Peterson  187.770
5. Jack Hawksworth   Schmidt Peterson   187.410
6. Kyle O'Gara  Schmidt Peterson   187.276
7. Zach Veach  Andretti   187.013
8. Juan Pablo Garcia  Moore  186.509
9. Chase Austin  Herta  186.261
10. Jorge Goncalvez   Belardi  186.183
11. Jimmy Simpson  Moore  185.967


May
24th

F1: Bernie Ecclestone asks Kimi Raikkonen to stop Hunt tribute

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From GMM

Kimi Raikkonen has reportedly been told to remove the depiction of 1976 world champion James Hunt from the top of his Monaco-spec helmet.

An unabashed fan of the wild, drinking, smoking, womanising British driver, Finn Raikkonen went one step further a year ago in the Principality, wearing the late Hunt's iconic black helmet livery.

This year, the Lotus driver's tribute to Hunt is a stylish picture on the top of his helmet, bearing the words 'James Hunt, 1976 world champion'.

And on the back of the helmet, above Raikkonen's 'iceman' logo, it reads: "Kimi on the Hunt'.

F1 Helmet Kimi Raikkonen Lotus James Hunt
Photo: WRi2

But according to reports, including in Speed Week and Finland's Turun Sanomat, F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has told Raikkonen to either cover the tribute or revert to his original helmet for the rest of the weekend.

Reportedly, Ecclestone objects either to the positioning of the tribute in full view of the overhead onboard camera, or believes it is an unauthorised advertisement of the forthcoming feature film about Hunt and Niki Lauda's 1976 title battle ('Rush').

When asked about the reported run-in with Ecclestone, Raikkonen told Speed Week: "I know nothing about it.

"As far as I know, I will wear the helmet all weekend."

Meanwhile, when asked about his admission he has "two options" on the table for the 2014 season, Raikkonen clarified that one of them is a return to retirement.

It had been reported that one of the options for the Lotus driver might be a switch to Red Bull.

"There is always the option that I will not drive (at all). It's always possible," the 2007 world champion is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace.

F1 Lotus helmet Kimi Raikkonen James Hunt
Photo: Lotus F1 Team

Lotus team owner Gerard Lopez agreed that F1 should take that possibility seriously.

"Knowing Kimi well, outside of the track too, he could just as well announce that he's stopping altogether," he said on Thursday.

"I wouldn't take any bets whatsoever," he added.


May
24th

AUTO123.COM – RSS 2013-05-24 00:00:00

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From GMM

The engine deal between Toro Rosso and Renault is reportedly not yet ready to be announced.

Earlier this week, we reported that the Red Bull-owned team's anticipated switch from Ferrari power would be announced imminently, on the sidelines of the Monaco grand prix weekend.

But German-language Speed Week reports that, during conference calls and internal meetings in the last days, there were still elements of the deal that were being discussed and debated.

"There are still too many outstanding issues," a Toro Rosso source is quoted as saying.

Alain Prost, on Renault's executive committee, said on Thursday that he expected progress to be made this weekend as the French marque signs up its 2014 customers.

"I'm not negotiating with the teams myself but we all know that it's going to be accelerating during this weekend," he said in Monaco.

"I cannot say all the (announcement) dates for all the teams but I hope very quickly."

F1 Renault Sport
Photo: Renault Sport F1


May
24th

Have your child safety seat inspected today at Canadian Tire!

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Is your child safety seat properly installed? Despite how much you love your little one, the answer may be no. As a matter of fact, a study conducted in 2011 by the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) revealed that only half of all child safety seats intended for children under 5 are used correctly.

Today, as part of the Child Safety Seat Inspection Day, 97 Canadian Tire stores across Quebec are inviting parents and grandparents to have their child safety seats inspected or installed free of charge from noon to 8 p.m.

Specially trained staff members will provide useful tips and advice on child safety seat installation, like making sure none of the car's seat belts can harm children in the event of a collision.

Permanent Provincial Network for the Inspection of Child Safety Seats

In partnership with CAA-Quebec, the SAAQ has created a permanent network to inspect child safety seats. It includes police forces, health establishments, daycare centres, and other organizations. With the addition of Canadian Tire, the network now has nearly 480 members.

“Joining the Permanent Provincial Network for the Inspection of Child Safety Seats was a no-brainer for a family-oriented company like us. Child safety seat inspection is yet another service we want to offer our customers,” said Bernard Villemaire, Regional Vice President Quebec, Store & Auto Operations at Canadian Tire Corporation.

The personnel on hand will be able to guide parents and grandparents to make sure they can safely install a child seat in their vehicle -- any vehicle, actually.

In Quebec only... for now
The 2012 pilot project in 14 Canadian Tire stores was so successful that the corporation decided to expand the program to the entire province.

While exclusively held in Quebec due to different rules elsewhere in Canada, Canadian Tire is “seriously considering” a plan to make the Child Safety Seat Inspection Day a nationwide event, Villemaire claims.

How does it work?
The specially trained individuals will check if a child is seated in the right type of child car seat for his or her height and weight. They will then check if the child safety seat is being used properly, more specifically that it is firmly anchored on the back seat of the vehicle and that the child is properly restrained.

Anchoring systems can also be installed in vehicles that don't have any in order to increase the effectiveness of the restraint device.

Beyond today
The Child Safety Seat Inspection Day at Canadian Tire stores primarily aims to raise public awareness. If you can't stop by today, you can still have your child safety seat inspected by making an appointment with a member of the Permanent Provincial Network.

The process will take a mere 15 minutes, and could one day make the difference between life and death during a crash.

*Special thanks to the Canadian Tire team at 1450, Le Corbusier Boulevard in Laval, for their precious collaboration.


Inspection of Child Safety Seats
Photo: Canadian Tire


May
24th

F1 Monaco: Mark Webber not overly concerned by lack of Red Bull pace

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Red Bull's Mark Webber is not overly concerned about the team's single lap pace in Monaco, despite both cars failing to finish in the top-three in either of yesterday's free practice sessions.

Despite recording only the fifth fastest lap in the final session, some +0.645 seconds off pace setter Nico Rosberg's Mercedes, Webber is refusing to be downbeat about the team's performance.

"You will never come to Monte Carlo and have the perfect day or perfect set-up,” said the 2010 and 2012 Monaco winner.

"We were not really in the window here last year up until my last lap in Q3.

“We need to rediscover that if I can and be towards the front - you need to be there here."

However, teammate Sebastian Vettel was not as positive following a KERS issue that halted his running on Thursday, as well as a ‘very poor' run on soft-tires.

"Not completely ideal but that is Friday - or in this case, Thursday,” said the triple world champion.

"We would like to be a little bit more competitive in low-fuel configuration so we need to try and find some lap time there.

"My run on super-softs was very poor, so we need to understand why.

“I wasn't able to improve which you should be quite easily.

"After that I did a long run on super-soft and it seemed quite OK.”


May
24th

F1: Pirelli issues F1 teams ultimatum on 2014

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Pirelli has issued ultimatum to Formula 1 teams that should they not agree on a 2014 contract for the Italian tire manufacturer, then it will pull out at the end of this season.

Over recent weeks, talks between Pirelli and the teams have broken down, with the tyre firm saying it is running out of time to be able to fully prepare and produce tires for next season; a season which will see a massive technical overhaul in Formula 1.

The company's motorsport director, Paul Hembrey, told the media on Thursday at Monaco that the situation was becoming ‘extremely serious', and should the matter not be resolved soon, Pirelli will be unable to make the tyres for next season.

F1 Pirelli Paul Hembery Bernie Ecclestone
Bernie Ecclestone and Paul Hembery. (Photo: Pirelli)

"Apparently on September 1, we are meant to tell them [the teams] everything that they need to know with the tires for next season, but now we are in mid-May," he explained.

"You can imagine how ludicrous that is when we have not got contracts in place.

"Things are getting, as far as we can see, extremely serious because the changes next year are substantial.

"The sport has to take a rapid decision because aside from having the fixed resources in the business involved in F1, there is also a technical job. We need to do a technical job as well.

"It is not just a case of maybe putting a harder compound on to this year's tires - the changes are so dramatic that we will need to do a thorough re-engineering of the tire. That takes time, so the longer is goes on it makes our job impossible.

"There comes a time where we will not have time to do the job any more. Maybe we won't be here..."

It is rumoured that should Pirelli withdraw from the sport, South Korean tire firm Hankook, the DTM's tire supplier since 2011, is set to replace them.


May
23rd

Car news 2013-05-23 18:42:03

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Renault Twin'Run static
News 24 May, 2013

Renault Twin'Run concept makes its world debut at the packed Monaco Grand Prix circuit

May
23rd

2014 Mazda 3 hatchback photo leaks in report: Photos show Kodo front end, swoopy styling, same shape

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The 2014 Mazda 3 hatchback was caught with no camouflage on the Bank of America Merrill Lynch's annual "Car Wars" study.
May
23rd

Tesla, Chrysler take federal loan payment dispute public: Execs take to Twitter, company blogs

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Tesla CEO Elon Musk took to Twitter Thursday to respond to Chrysler's barb that Tesla wasn't the first American automaker to repay the U.S. government for aid.
May
23rd

Dodge banks on Fast and Furious 6 tie-in to rev up Dart sales

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Can the coattails of Fast and Furious 6 and its young, devoted male fans give a boost to Dodge Dart sales? Chrysler Group is counting on it.
May
23rd

Experian vehicle history reports to appear in AutoTrader.com starting in September

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Starting in September, dealers will be allowed to post used vehicles on AutoTrader.com with Experian Automotive's AutoCheck vehicle history reports in addition to reports from Carfax.
May
23rd

New Ecotec 2.5-liter to power 2014 Chevy Impala: Efficient four-pot makes nearly 200 hp

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The 2014 Chevy Impala will be the first to use General Motors' new 2.5-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine.
May
23rd

Tesla and Chrysler trade barbs about paying back Uncle Sam

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Tesla CEO Elon Musk took to Twitter today to respond to Chrysler's barb that Tesla wasn't the first American automaker to repay the federal government for aid.
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