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From Scotia Speedworld

Kids will get to take the front seat at Scotia Speedworld this Friday for the second and final Kiddie Rides Night of the season.

Gather up the kids and kick-off the Labour Day long-weekend with one of Scotia Speedworld's most popular events - Kiddie Rides, where kids get the unique opportunity to go for a ride in a racecar with their favorite driver!

Kiddie Rides get underway at 7pm sharp so be sure to get there early. Grandstand gates open at 5pm.

The format for Kiddie Rides is simple and safe. Drivers bring their cars to the front stretch and park. Once all engines are stopped, the grandstand gate is opened and children come onto the track and climb into their favorite car.

When all children are safely in the cars the drivers are led around the track at a safe speed by the pace car. After a few laps, the cars are stopped; the children climb out and proceed back to their seats in the grandstand to enjoy the rest of the night's events.

Following Kiddie Rides fans will enjoy great racing action from five Weekly Racing Series divisions.

First up are the Hydraulics Plus Bandoleros, also heating up the track will be the Strictly Hydraulics Legends, Dartmouth Dodge Sportsman and the ACE Lumbermart Thunder & Lightning cars.

Admission for Kiddie Rides is just $12 for adults; youth (8-15) are $2 and children 7 and under are free. Tickets are available at the gate on race day (cash only).

Scotia Speedworld is located at Exit 6 on Highway 102, across from the Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

From press release

The McLaren Group, which includes the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 team, has formed an exciting new commercial partnership with YouTube.

McLaren produces a range of high quality, creative video content that is shared on the McLaren YouTube channel [www.youtube.com/user/OfficialMcLarenVids] and gives motor racing fans, petrol heads and people interested in cutting edge technology unique access to the heart of the company. This includes the award winning ‘Tooned' animated series, an anarchic behind the scenes look at McLaren's racing exploits.

The number of subscribers to McLaren's YouTube channel has increased by 397% in the last year and revenue generated from the new commercial channel will enable the company to invest in exciting future video projects.

“As a business, this partnership is extremely positive,” said Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren Group CEO.

“McLaren and YouTube are both highly respected brands and combining our content with their expertise will help us both to achieve even more. Being able to gain revenue from our content will also enable us to invest more in future videos, which will be good for our brand, good for our partners and good for our fans.”

McLaren's YouTube channel is home to a range of creative and insightful videos. Examples produced in recent years include:
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-28 - Be a Part of History - SNEAK PEEK
McLaren 50 ‘Courage' video
McLaren Scalextric Race (commentary by Murray Walker)
Mobil 1 'Get personal' competition with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 
Tooned Episode 1: The Bruce McLaren Story
Jenson & Lewis meet up with a hero of the past: Ayrton Senna's legendary MP4-4

From FIA

This weekend the FIA European Rallycross Championship heads to Loheac, a small French village with a long rallycross tradition.

While the seventh round of the 2013 Rallycross Championship season will take place at a different site within Loheac, it marks a spiritual return to the sport's French birthplace. It is a return that is long overdue - despite continuing to host rounds of the French national championship, Loheac has not played host to a round of the European championship since 2001.

Of additional interest will be the presence of rally superstar Sebastien Loeb, one of the wildcard entrants at Loheac this weekend.

Loeb will be taking part behind the wheel of a 600-bhp Citroën DS3 run by Hervé “Knapick” Lemonnier.

Another famous face lining up to take part in the Loheac round of the FIA European Rallycross Championship is Kris Meeke, driving a Peugeot 208 for Albatec Racing Ltd. It will be the Briton's first time behind the wheel of a rallycross SuperCar

Defending champion Timur Timerzyanov arrives in Loheac as leader of the European Rallycross Championship; with 120 points accrued so far, the Russian racer has a four-point lead over second-placed Timmy Hansen of Sweden. Third in the standings is Frenchman Davy Jeanney, on 99 points.

Further down the order, Tanner Foust lies in eighth place on 50 points, while Petter Solberg is in tenth with 43 points.

From GMM

Mercedes chairman Niki Lauda has tipped Sebastian Vettel to wrap up his fourth consecutive drivers' world championship with two races still to run this season.

Although some think Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton is perhaps Red Bull leader Vettel's main challenger with eight races to go in 2013, triple world champion Lauda thinks the title race is effectively now decided.

"I would go so far as to say Vettel will be the world champion in Abu Dhabi, which is the third to last race," the great Austrian told Bild newspaper.

"His points lead was already big when he dominated at Spa, even though the Red Bull is not really suited to this track. Ok, maybe for Monza he is not the favourite, but on every other circuit he has the best car. It is more than enough for him," added Lauda.

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull RB9, at Spa-Francorchamps. (Photo: WRi2)

The comments indicate Mercedes, already strongly focused on the huge rules challenge of 2014, has now given up on pushing for this year's title.

"We will not give up," Lauda insisted to Osterreich newspaper.

"But I am also realistic. Vettel dominated at Spa, and I think he could have been three, four tenths per lap even faster. We have improved so much, but Red Bull is still better," he admitted.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IZOD IndyCar Series have announced that Graham Rahal will be allowed with his Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing DW12 car to turn laps on the infield road course on Wednesday, September 4.

This trial run has been authorised as to gather information about the current course layout as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway considers changes and upgrades to the track.

Speedway officials plan to invest nearly $100 million in the facility that could include modifications to the road course to allow IndyCar testing or racing in the future.

IndyCar Series President of Competition Derrick Walker said he expects to have Rahal test several configurations of the road course.

Auto123.com had already reported that the IMS, along with the IndyCar brass, are evaluating the feasibility of holding an IndyCar event on the IMS road course at the beginning of May to launch the Indianapolis 500 activities.

Although the idea could generate some interest in the racing world, some prominent drivers like Helio castroneves and Dario Franchitti have already stated their skepticism toward such an event.

The IMS road course has hosted several racing series including Formula One race from 2000-2007, the annual MotoGP event that debuted in 2008, and the Grand-Am Rolex Series that first competed at IMS in 2012.

From GMM

Jean Todt is facing a challenger ahead of the next FIA presidential elections.

The first reports emerged in July, when David Ward - who worked closely with Frenchman Todt's predecessor Max Mosley - revealed he was "thinking about" running against Todt.

Until now, Ward has been the director-general of the FIA foundation.

But F1's official website on Thursday said Ward has resigned his post in order to contest this year's presidential election in December.

"After much careful thought I have decided to stand," Briton Ward, 56, confirmed in a statement.

F1.com said Todt has not yet confirmed his intention to run for a second term.

And "No other potential candidates have yet put their names forward," said Telegraph correspondent Tom Cary.

Happy is part of the package
Each time I bring a car home, I try to imagine myself living with said vehicle. I use it for everyday tasks: take my son to day care, pick up groceries, go out with friends, and drive to work. I load it up with the usual; water bottle, baby wipes, notepad and pen (because I'm a writer), and really “live” with it. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it really doesn't.

Sometimes, it's pure perfection.

Such was the case with the 2013 MINI John Cooper Works Convertible. Baby seat securely fastened in the back, roof down, and sun shining I was ready to motor. Not once did the smile leave my face the entire week I was behind the wheel.


What is a MINI John Cooper Works Convertible
Besides a grin-producer, the MINI JCW is a pocket-rocket built for speedy, go-kart road experiences. Based on the Cooper platform, the John Cooper Works is a tricked out MINI that boosts horsepower by 27 ponies over the Cooper S, decks out the body in skirts and JCW decals.

Who is John Cooper? Only the Founding Father of racing Minis. Their success continued over decades, and in 2000, Michael Cooper (son of John Cooper) founded the performance division of MINI, John Cooper Works, to boost power in the new generation MINIs.

While MINI has tried their hand at decking out other MINI models in John Cooper Works regalia, there really is no comparison for the hatch (as Matt recently experienced with the MINI Countryman John Cooper Works).

Besides a grin-producer, the MINI JCW is a pocket-rocket built for speedy, go-kart road experiences. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

2013 MINI John Cooper Works Convertible Price and Specs
MINI managed to squeeze as much power and handling prowess out of this little hatch as possible, with a jacked up 1.6L turbocharged engine that pumps out 208 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque (with overboost the number rises to 207 lb-ft). With a top speed of 236 km/hr and a 0-100 km/hr time of 6.9 seconds: this little number is ready to go...

Although an automatic is available, I implore you to go with the 6-speed manual transmission.

All that pleasure can be had starting at $42,900. There's a bit of a premium for less car as the non-convertible MINI John Cooper Works starts at $36,900. My as-tested MINI Cooper John Cooper Works Convertible (with an $1,850 Wired Package for navi and voice recognition, etc.) plus a few cosmetic extras came in at just under $50k.

A lot for not-a-lot-of car? Some would say so. I don't.

Although an automatic is available, I implore you to go with the 6-speed manual transmission. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Driving the 2013 MINI John Cooper Works Convertible
Uplifting. Rejuvenating. Serendipitous. Fortuitous. Fun. I could fill this section with adjective upon adjective to describe what it's like to drive the 2013 MINI John Cooper Works Convertible, but I think you get the idea.

Truthfully, this little car doesn't have a crazy amount of power. 208 horses is rather “small” in terms of horsepower numbers these days, but it's how that power is harnessed and sent to the front wheels then handled by the four corners that make it so phenomenal to drive.

I feel at one with the MINI, like we were meant to be together forever and always. Feels a bit like home.

Steering is precise and spot on, the car is going where I want it to almost before I turn the wheel. Throttle response is also quite sensitive. Very little input is needed to make the MINI John Cooper Works rocket forward, and gear selection is smooth, rev-matching a joy, burbles and growls from the centre-mounted dual exhaust intoxicating, and cornering a dream.

My only complaint? The shifter is quite large and distance between gears is rather long. I'd shorten that up if I owned one.

The missing roof does nothing to take away from the 2013 MINI John Cooper Works Convertible's rigidity and cornering abilities.

Truthfully, this little car doesn't have a crazy amount of power but it's how that power is harnessed and sent to the front wheels then handled by the four corners that make it so phenomenal to drive.(Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Inside and Out of the 2013 MINI John Cooper Works Convertible
While the external differences on the JCW aren't immediately recognizable, it is eye-catching nonetheless. A more aggressive front fascia with black headlights and 17” black alloy wheels added a certain “mean” spirit to my tester.

Inside, standard MINI looks are found: round gauges, centre-mounted speedo. I also appreciated the Championship Read Leather Lounge ($1,900), though I'm not sure I'd dish out the extra dollars for them.

My son's Britax baby seat was a bit of a tight squeeze, but it did fit with the roof up or down. While the trunk is quite small, I was able to squeeze a small umbrella stroller in there along with a few grocery bags.

Inside, standard MINI looks are found: round gauges, centre-mounted speedo. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Comparing the 2013 MINI John Cooper Works Convertible
MINI has competition within its own walls in the BMW 1 Series convertible, and with another German brand in the VW Eos (though that comparison is a bit of a stretch). The most logical comparison is the Fiat 500 Abarth cabrio, which is also a quirky, different, fun-to-drive drop-top.

Kia has just released both pictures and the name of the of their new concept vehicle, which plans to launch September 10th at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The Niro, an urban SUV "has a number of intriguing features that we don't usually associate with smaller vehicles" along with atypical use of materials such as a stainless-steel roof.

Technical info has not been released at this point.

Photo: Kia

Gottlieb Daimler deposited a patent for the world's first motorcycle on August 29th, 1885. Built from wood, it was powered by a 4-cycle 1-cylinder engine that produced 0.5 hp. This invention represents an historical turning-point, as engines had only been used up to that point on stationary machines.

The original motorcycle is located in Germany, at the NSU Museum in Neckarsulm.

Adapted from GMM

He is no longer seen in the F1 paddocks, but Michael Schumacher has just secured a lucrative sponsorship deal that will be the envy of most of today's grand prix stars.

Bild newspaper reports that the seven time world champion, 44, has extended his contract with German investment company Deutsche Vermogensberatung.

Since 1996, the former Ferrari and Mercedes driver, now retired, has worn the long-winded word - or the shorter acronym DVAG - on the front of his cap.

Thursday's media report said Schumacher's new seven-year deal is estimated to be worth about 21 million euros, or 3 million per year.

Niki Lauda started the cap sponsorship in 1976 with Römerquelle, and then Parmalat, Oelikon and now Aabar. 

Photo: WRi2

Goodyear, which was founded by Frank Sieberling, has been around since August 29th, 1898. Started with just 13 employees, the company's activities focused maiinly on the manufacturing of bicycle and buggy tires, as well as rubber horseshoes.

As of 1901, Goodyear is a supplier of racing tires for Henry Ford, who's ground-breaking 1908 Model T will be shod with Goodyear tires. The company becomes the world's biggest tire manufacturer in 1926. Goodyear remains a successful company to this day, with worldwide tire sales that surpass the 20 billion dollar mark.

Evolution of the Goodyear logo

Photo: Goodyear

From GMM

Even before his 2014 seat has been announced, Daniel Ricciardo's Red Bull career has hit a snag.

The German-language Speed Week, and Italy's authoritative Autosprint, report that the Australian has been at Milton-Keynes for a seat-fitting in the 2014-spec RB10.

Designer Adrian Newey is known for his tight-fitting cockpits, and the packaging is reportedly even more problematic for 2014 given the new turbo V6 and 'ERS' regulations.

And while Ricciardo is slightly shorter than his Australian compatriot Mark Webber, the European media reports reveal that his hips are slightly wider than Webber and world champion Sebastian Vettel's.

Photo: WRi2

F1 legend Niki Lauda sees another problem with Red Bull's apparent decision to sign Ricciardo.

"Out of the new generation, Ricciardo is the driver with the most potential," the Mercedes chairman said in an interview with Bild newspaper.

"But at the moment no one knows if that potential is really enough. So it's a risk," said Lauda.

Another F1 grandee considering taking a risk for 2014 is Ferrari. According to recent reports, talks with Nico Hulkenberg about replacing Felipe Massa are underway.

"Hulkenberg is not bad," said Lauda, "but I think he needs another year. And Ferrari doesn't have time to waste."

The great Austrian said that if he was in charge at Ferrari, he would sign Kimi Raikkonen.

"He would give the team a boost, just as Lewis Hamilton has done at Mercedes," said Lauda.

"At Ferrari, Luca di Montezemolo decides alone. Alonso would certainly not like it (Raikkonen as his teammate), but Ferrari does have a problem: if the car is not good, Alonso complains all day. If I was Montezemolo, I would pick Kimi," he added.

Finally, Lauda said the fact Nico Rosberg has been able to keep up with Mercedes' new recruit Hamilton in 2013 was a surprise.

Asked if Hamilton's 2013 title bid has been a surprise, Lauda answered: "No, as I knew that he would give the team a boost.

"What has surprised me is that Nico has been at eye-level. Nico has had more bad luck, but as far as the speed, they're both the same," he added.

2014 Chevrolet Suburban

Once upon a time, the Suburban was the darling of Chevrolet's consumer truck lineup.

New For 2014

The Suburban 2500 model is no more, but mid-grade Suburban LS models gain a raft of standard equipment, including remote start, auto-dimming rearview mirrors, a rearview camera, and rear park assist -- all features previously available as optional equipment.

2014 Chevrolet Suburban | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

2014 Chevrolet Suburban

Once upon a time, the Suburban was the darling of Chevrolet's consumer truck lineup.

New For 2014

The Suburban 2500 model is no more, but mid-grade Suburban LS models gain a raft of standard equipment, including remote start, auto-dimming rearview mirrors, a rearview camera, and rear park assist -- all features previously available as optional equipment.

2014 Chevrolet Suburban | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

2014 Chevrolet Suburban

Once upon a time, the Suburban was the darling of Chevrolet's consumer truck lineup.

New For 2014

The Suburban 2500 model is no more, but mid-grade Suburban LS models gain a raft of standard equipment, including remote start, auto-dimming rearview mirrors, a rearview camera, and rear park assist -- all features previously available as optional equipment.

2014 Chevrolet Suburban | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

2014 Chevrolet Suburban

Once upon a time, the Suburban was the darling of Chevrolet's consumer truck lineup.

New For 2014

The Suburban 2500 model is no more, but mid-grade Suburban LS models gain a raft of standard equipment, including remote start, auto-dimming rearview mirrors, a rearview camera, and rear park assist -- all features previously available as optional equipment.

2014 Chevrolet Suburban | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

2014 Chevrolet Suburban

Once upon a time, the Suburban was the darling of Chevrolet's consumer truck lineup.

New For 2014

The Suburban 2500 model is no more, but mid-grade Suburban LS models gain a raft of standard equipment, including remote start, auto-dimming rearview mirrors, a rearview camera, and rear park assist -- all features previously available as optional equipment.

2014 Chevrolet Suburban | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

Ford is adding another niche trim level to its lineup of full-sized pickups: the F-150 STX SuperCrew. It is aimed at first-time buyers or value-conscious customers who are returning to the market.

Volvo Concept Coupe First Look

A P1800 for the 21st century.

Volvo's senior vice president of design, Thomas Ingenlath, freely admits that the Swedish automaker's recent cars have looked "vanilla" -- in other words, bland and unexciting. So the first vehicle he styled after arriving at the company a year ago is supposed to redefine Volvo styling and set a new course for upcoming cars. "Our future cars will show that there are new, exciting ways to express Sweden's soul," Ingenlath says. The Concept Coupe is the first of three show cars that will pave the way toward that new design language.

Photo Gallery: Volvo Concept Coupe First Look - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: Volvo Concept Coupe First Look - Automobile Magazine

Volvo Concept Coupe First Look | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

2014 Chevrolet Suburban

Once upon a time, the Suburban was the darling of Chevrolet's consumer truck lineup.

New For 2014

The Suburban 2500 model is no more, but mid-grade Suburban LS models gain a raft of standard equipment, including remote start, auto-dimming rearview mirrors, a rearview camera, and rear park assist -- all features previously available as optional equipment.

2014 Chevrolet Suburban | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us