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This Sunday the storied Lime Rock Park in the northwest corner of Connecticut will feature

This Sunday the storied Lime Rock Park in the northwest corner of Connecticut will feature

This Sunday the storied Lime Rock Park in the northwest corner of Connecticut will feature

This Sunday the storied Lime Rock Park in the northwest corner of Connecticut will feature

Automakers and suppliers are rolling out systems that take over the wheel from the driver. Mercedes, BMW, Nissan and Volvo, along with suppliers Bosch and Continental, are among companies working on autonomous driving technology.

Nissan's startling announcement last week that it will have self-driving cars ready for dealerships in 2020 thrusts the company into the forefront of an emerging and controversial new technology. And that's deja vu all over again.

Nissan's startling announcement last week that it will have self-driving cars ready for dealerships in 2020 thrusts the company into the forefront of an emerging and controversial new technology. And that's deja vu all over again.

With competition growing in the mid-sized luxury car segment, Mercedes-Benz decided to do a major midcycle overhaul of the E-class range rather than wait three years for the next generation.

Despite last week's boast by Nissan Executive Vice President Andy Palmer that automated driving technology will be ready for the market by 2020, the industry is likely years, if not decades, away from people being able to get in a car, type an...

Despite last week's boast by Nissan Executive Vice President Andy Palmer that automated driving technology will be ready for the market by 2020, the industry is likely years, if not decades, away from people being able to get in a car, type an...

Automakers and suppliers are rolling out systems that take over the wheel from the driver. Mercedes, BMW, Nissan and Volvo, along with suppliers Bosch and Continental, are among companies working on autonomous driving technology.

With competition growing in the mid-sized luxury car segment, Mercedes-Benz decided to do a major midcycle overhaul of the E-class range rather than wait three years for the next generation.

Despite last week's boast by Nissan Executive Vice President Andy Palmer that automated driving technology will be ready for the market by 2020, the industry is likely years, if not decades, away from people being able to get in a car, type an...

Nissan's startling announcement last week that it will have self-driving cars ready for dealerships in 2020 thrusts the company into the forefront of an emerging and controversial new technology. And that's deja vu all over again.

Automakers and suppliers are rolling out systems that take over the wheel from the driver. Mercedes, BMW, Nissan and Volvo, along with suppliers Bosch and Continental, are among companies working on autonomous driving technology.

With competition growing in the mid-sized luxury car segment, Mercedes-Benz decided to do a major midcycle overhaul of the E-class range rather than wait three years for the next generation.

From GMM

Daniel Ricciardo has confirmed reports he would be a tight squeeze at the wheel of Red Bull's 2014 turbo car.

We reported on Thursday that the Australian, the hot favourite to replace his countryman Mark Webber at the world champion team, hit a snag this week when he had a seat-fitting in the cockpit of the 2014-spec RB10.

Designer Adrian Newey is known for his tight-fitting cars, and European media reports claim Ricciardo's hips are wider than Webber and Sebastian Vettel's.

Daniel Ricciardo (Photo: WRi2)

"It's not my arse per se," the 24-year-old told the Telegraph.

"Even when I signed for Toro Rosso we had to do a few seat fits and they did some scans to make that particular part of the cockpit a bit wider, so that we're not sitting on the actual carbon fibre.

"I can't do much about it. Even if I go on a massive diet my hip bones aren't going to change."

Ricciardo insisted, however, that his hips are not going to hurt his dream of switching to F1's premier team.

"No chance," he grinned. "I'd shave my hips if necessary. I might die of blood loss but it would be worth it!"

He is not confirming Webber's recent cat-out-of-the-bag announcement that he has secured the 2014 seat -- but Ricciardo is at least starting to drop big hints.

"Oh ok, I'll just come out and say it," he said. "I moved to Monaco last week. There," said Ricciardo, who has lived in the UK for the last five years.

Moving to the tax-haven is a sure sign Ricciardo's income is about to soar.

Still, he's confirming nothing.

"Until something is done I'm not getting too excited," said the Perth-born driver. "Then if it doesn't happen I won't kill myself."

A.J. Allmendinger's NASCAR redemption has come to full completion with the announcement that he will be driving the No. 47 for JTG Daugherty Racing in 2014.

The 31-year old failed a NASCAR random drug test last year, when he drove in Sprint Cup for Penske Racing, but completed a required treatment program.

Roger Penske showed his loyalty and confidence putting Allmendinger in an IndyCar and competing in the Indy 500 this year where led 23 laps and finished seventh — a performance he calls "probably the biggest moment of my career."

Allmendinger went on to win the Nationwide Series races at Elkhart Lake and Mid-Ohio for Penske while competing in 12 Sprint Cup races for Phoenix Racing and JTG Daugherty. His new team previously signed him to do a total of six races alternating with their current driver, Bobby Labonte. Now he will replace Labonte for next year.

"For me, it is an amazing opportunity," Allmendinger said.

"I looked at this year as a new beginning for me. I have worked hard and feel fortunate about every opportunity this season and I am very grateful. It has been nice to have the chance to really get to know the JTG Daugherty Racing team and the owners Brad (Daugherty), Jodi and Tad (Geschickter). This is the start of something full-time and I look forward to the next full blown chapter of my career with JTG Daugherty Racing."

The team did not announce its' manufacturer affiliation for 2014.

Kyle Larson, one of NASCAR's hottest prospects has been named to take over the No. 42 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevy SS, currently driven by Juan Pablo Montoya, next year in the Sprint Cup Series.

The 21-year old Japanese-American, in his first year in NASCAR's Nationwide Series, has yet to visit Victory Lane, and may be best known to casual fans as the driver of the car which went through the crossover gate at Daytona International Speedway in February.

Industry observers think that the timing may be premature.

Team owner, Chip Ganassi, insists that his protégé is ready for the move up to the major leagues of stock car racing.

"Obviously, the guy is ready," Ganassi said. "Like some of the smarter people in the sport have said, maybe a Cup car is a little more like his style than a Nationwide car. It wouldn't be the first time, and time will tell. The kid's ready."

Ironically sprint cars, the open wheel roadsters which weigh 1400lbs and have 900 hp where Larson has come from, are more like Sprint Cup cars than the Nationwide car in the power to weight ration.

As Larson explained “I'm used to having way too much horsepower. I think it will translate well to the Cup cars.”

As for the 37-year old ex-Formula One driver and Indy car champ, Montoya, Ganassi hasn't ruled out running the Colombian in other series.

“I think there are always opportunities in our team that seem to present themselves,” said Ganassi. You never know from time to time when those come along.

“With all the different cars we have, it does make for some great opportunities at different times. I'm certainly not counting him out of any opportunities or potential opportunities coming along.”

Transport Canada has issued a recall of 18,368 2005 to 2011 Ford Crown Victoria, Lincoln Town Cars and Mercury Grand Marquis', as the steering column lower intermediate shaft can become severely corroded.

As a result, the upper intermediate shaft could collapse on certain vehicles, allowing the steering column lower bearing to separate, causing a loss of steering capability. A loss of steering control could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.

Dealers will replace the steering lower intermediate shaft. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected and, if necessary, repaired or replaced. If the steering column lower bearing has separated, a retainer clip will be installed.

Source: Transport Canada