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The merging of Chrysler and Fiat manufacturing systems will take a step forward early next year when a 935,000-square-foot (86,865-square-meter) paint shop opens at Chrysler's Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in suburban Detroit.

The merging of Chrysler and Fiat manufacturing systems will take a step forward early next year when a 935,000-square-foot (86,865-square-meter) paint shop opens at Chrysler's Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in suburban Detroit.

Scott Kunselman, Chrysler Group's head of purchasing, says Chrysler is reaping the benefits of buying parts jointly with Fiat.

The merging of Chrysler and Fiat manufacturing systems will take a step forward early next year when a 935,000-square-foot (86,865-square-meter) paint shop opens at Chrysler's Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in suburban Detroit.

The merging of Chrysler and Fiat manufacturing systems will take a step forward early next year when a 935,000-square-foot (86,865-square-meter) paint shop opens at Chrysler's Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in suburban Detroit.

The merging of Chrysler and Fiat manufacturing systems will take a step forward early next year when a 935,000-square-foot (86,865-square-meter) paint shop opens at Chrysler's Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in suburban Detroit.

The ">2014 Toyota Camry has arrived in Canadian showrooms, with a MSRP of $23,700.

The well-equipped 2014 Camry base model comes complete with 10 airbags, including two front dual-phase units and 6.1 inch display audio system with wheel-mounted controls.

The 2014 Camry is delivered in several versions, with numerous option packages available for each one.

Model	Price	Engine	L/100 km (combined)
Camry SE	$23,700	178 hp  4-cylinder	7.0 L/100 km
Camry LE	$26,985	178 hp  4-cylinder	7.0 L/100 km
Camry SE V6	$29,740	268 hp V6	8.3 L/100 km
Camry XLE V6	$34,275	268 hp V6	8.3 L/100 km
Camry hybrid LE	$27,745	200 hp combination 4-cyl + electric motor	4.7 L/100 km
Camry hybrid XLE	$29,235	200 hp combination 4-cyl + electric motor	4.9 L/100 km

Photo: Toyota

Championship leader and Volkswagen Motorsport driver Sébastien Ogier had to retire from this weekend's Rallye Deutschland, round nine of the 2013 World Rally Driver.

Ogier had already won two stages when he went off the road on the third, and broke the suspension of his VW Polo R WRC. The Frenchman limped to the finish to then repair his car on the side of the road.

Unfortunately for him, the hasty repairs holding up with ratchet straps soon let go during the following stage, which left Ogier to retire.

Sébastien Ogier, VW Polo R WRC (VW Motorsport)

The events mean Ogier will not be able to clinch the title this weekend.

Ogier's teammate, Jari-Matti Latavala took over the lead, ahead of Belgian Thierry Neuville in second and Spaniard Dani Sordo in third.

Pole Robert Kubica is on top form. He leads the WRC2 standings aboard his Citroën DS3.

How can you make the most of your sports car? Well, there are several clubs and organizations that bring enthusiasts together and allow them to improve their driving skills -- all on a closed track and at a reasonable cost.

Auto123.com recently entered the realm of the Porsche Club of America, more specifically in the Rennsport region which includes Quebec and Southeastern Ontario. We visited the legendary Circuit Mont-Tremblant and tracked down one of our employees, Frederic Feudi, as he experienced his first-ever track day. Being the proud owner of a 2007 Porsche Cayman, he wanted to explore the limits of his new sports car.

Photo: Frédéric Feudi

Rennsport trains Porsche novices by pairing them up with seasoned driving instructors. They learn, among other things, how to minimize weight transfers, where to look, how to brake, and even what driving position to adopt behind the wheel.

These techniques prove very useful not only on the track but also in everyday driving. If every road user received this type of training, you can bet that the number of accidents would drop significantly. Rennsport is not a racing club but rather a performance driving school.

Participants are so exhausted and have had such a big dose of speed after a full day on the track that they don't even consider defying the posted limits when they get back on the road.

With daily fees of about $500 (including registration, gas, and tires), enjoying the experience of the Porsche Club of America is a lot cheaper than a ticket for excessive speeding. Plus, you'll benefit from a safe environment to sharpen your reflexes and hone your skills from early in the morning to right around dinner time.

Porsche owners would be fools not to go there!

Pirelli's engineers have investigated the tire problem that caused Sebastian Vettel to park his Red Bull-Renault early during Friday's second free practice session at Spa-Francorchamps.

Vettel was doing the long run in preparation for Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix when he picked up a puncture at the right rear corner. The German drove his RB9 slowly back to the garage without causing too much damage to the car.

The incident had many paddock dwellers recalling the tire-exploding chaos of Silverstone earlier this year, but it was not to be the case.

“Towards the end of the afternoon session, both Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso had a puncture on their right-rear tire around turn 14 and we are currently investigating the cause. From initial analysis it appears that both were caused by an outside factor, probably debris on the track,” said Paul Hembery, Pirelli's motorsport director.

Sebastian Vettel's tire. (Photo: WRI2)

From GP2 Media

The Russian Time driver Sam Bird was quickest in today's qualification in Spa, pocketing his first pole position of the season with a laptime of 1:56.957 set in the first ten minutes of the session. Fabio Leimer and James Calado completed the top 3.

Under blue skies and on a dry track, Johnny Cecotto set the early pace, but eventually, Bird put his head down and found the extra pace.

At the mid-session and as the drivers returned to the pits for a fresh pair of rubbers, Bird, Leimer and Calado were top three ahead of Alexander Rossi and Jolyon Palmer.

When the action resumed, Leimer improved slightly, but not enough to dethrone Bird who bagged pole at the chequered flag. Calado was unable to better his personal best and remained third.

In the final stages of the session, Marcus Ericsson managed to move up to P4 ahead of Rossi. Nathanaël Berthon, Palmer Stéphane Richelmi, Sergio Canmasas (who will be dropped ten places following a grid penalty picked up in Budapest Sprint Race) and Felipe Nasr completed the top ten.

Qualifying results - GP2 (Spa)
1.Sam Bird - Russian Time - 1'56"957
2.Fabio Leimer - Racing Engineering - 1'57"156
3.James Calado - ART - 1'57"404
4.Marcus Ericsson - Dams - 1'57"538
5.Alexander Rossi - Caterham - 1'57"578
6.Nathanael Berthon - Trident - 1'57"588
7.Jolyon Palmer - Carlin - 1'57"691
8.Stephane Richelmi - Dams - 1'57"802
9.Felipe Nasr - Carlin - 1'57"839
10.Robin Frijns - Hilmer - 1'57"881
11.Julian Leal - Racing Engineering - 1'57"924
12.Tom Dillmann - Russian Time - 1'57"950
13.Mitch Evans - Arden - 1'58"271
14.Simon Trummer - Rapax - 1'58"384
15.Dani Clos - MP Motorsport - 1'58"385
16.Johnny Cecotto - Arden - 1'58"419
17.Rio Haryanto - Addax - 1'58"463
18.Sergio Canamasas - Caterham - 1'57"804*
19.Adrian Quaife Hobbs - Hilmer - 1'58"534
20.Stefano Coletti - Rapax - 1'58"618
21.Daniel De Jong - MP Motorsport - 1'58"879
22.Rene Binder - Lazarus - 1'58"803
23.Vittorio Ghirelli - Lazarus - 1'58"831
24.Daniel Abt - ART - 1'59"022
25.Jake Rosenzweig - Addax - 1'59"253
26.Ricardo Teixeira - Trident - no time

*10-place grid penalty

Subaru has announced the arrival of the 2014 Legacy in showrooms across Canada, at a base price of $23,495. Offered with a choice of 2 SUBARU BOXER engines and 3 all-wheel drive transmissions, the 2014 Legacy can be equipped with EyeSight driver-assist technology which detects and alerts drivers of impending danger.

Certain models can be delivered with the Subaru PZEV system (Partial Zero Emission Vehicle) that complies with stringent CARB (California Air Resources Board) emission standards.

• Legacy 2.5i: $23,495
• Legacy 2.5i Convenience Package: $26,295
• Legacy 2.5i Convenience Package and PZEV: $26,995
• Legacy 2.5i Touring Package: $27,495
• Legacy Limited Package: $32,495
• Legacy 2.5i Limited with EyeSight: $33,995
• Legacy 3.6R Limited with EyeSight: $36,195

Photo: Subaru

Richie Parker, 30, grew up with most people telling him what he couldn't do without hands - ride a bike, drive a car or find a good job. But Parker never listened, and today he drives his own car and is a design engineer for NASCAR's Hendrick Motorsports.

Parker was born in May, 1983, to parents Tracy and Lottie. However, Richie was found to have a non-genetic birth defect that left him with bilateral amelia; in other words, he was born without arms.

Parker has always believed that there was nothing that he couldn't do; such confidence and resolve led him to interview for Hendrick Motorsports, the most winning name in NASCAR, as an engineer.

For the past 8 years, Parker has worked as a chassis and body component designer.

When we might think we have it hard sometimes, and wonder how to make it through the day, it's helpful to remind ourselves that others must overcome a great deal more to get where they are going.

ESPN has produced this great video about this outstanding man.

From GP2 Media

The Russian Time driver Sam Bird was quickest in today's qualification in Spa, pocketing his first pole position of the season with a laptime of 1:56.957 set in the first ten minutes of the session. Fabio Leimer and James Calado completed the top 3.

Under blue skies and on a dry track, Johnny Cecotto set the early pace, but eventually, Bird put his head down and found the extra pace.

At the mid-session and as the drivers returned to the pits for a fresh pair of rubbers, Bird, Leimer and Calado were top three ahead of Alexander Rossi and Jolyon Palmer.

When the action resumed, Leimer improved slightly, but not enough to dethrone Bird who bagged pole at the chequered flag. Calado was unable to better his personal best and remained third.

In the final stages of the session, Marcus Ericsson managed to move up to P4 ahead of Rossi. Nathanaël Berthon, Palmer Stéphane Richelmi, Sergio Canmasas (who will be dropped ten places following a grid penalty picked up in Budapest Sprint Race) and Felipe Nasr completed the top ten.

Qualifying results - GP2 (Spa)
1.Sam Bird - Russian Time - 1'56"957
2.Fabio Leimer - Racing Engineering - 1'57"156
3.James Calado - ART - 1'57"404
4.Marcus Ericsson - Dams - 1'57"538
5.Alexander Rossi - Caterham - 1'57"578
6.Nathanael Berthon - Trident - 1'57"588
7.Jolyon Palmer - Carlin - 1'57"691
8.Stephane Richelmi - Dams - 1'57"802
9.Felipe Nasr - Carlin - 1'57"839
10.Robin Frijns - Hilmer - 1'57"881
11.Julian Leal - Racing Engineering - 1'57"924
12.Tom Dillmann - Russian Time - 1'57"950
13.Mitch Evans - Arden - 1'58"271
14.Simon Trummer - Rapax - 1'58"384
15.Dani Clos - MP Motorsport - 1'58"385
16.Johnny Cecotto - Arden - 1'58"419
17.Rio Haryanto - Addax - 1'58"463
18.Sergio Canamasas - Caterham - 1'57"804*
19.Adrian Quaife Hobbs - Hilmer - 1'58"534
20.Stefano Coletti - Rapax - 1'58"618
21.Daniel De Jong - MP Motorsport - 1'58"879
22.Rene Binder - Lazarus - 1'58"803
23.Vittorio Ghirelli - Lazarus - 1'58"831
24.Daniel Abt - ART - 1'59"022
25.Jake Rosenzweig - Addax - 1'59"253
26.Ricardo Teixeira - Trident - no time

*10-place grid penalty

They say in motorsports that everything happens so quickly. It's true. When you're on the track, you have to read your environment to anticipate what's going to happen next. Focus and concentration levels have to be at their peak, and reflexes razor-sharp. Basically, the track forces you to step up your game.

So, the track is definitely not a place for people who suffer from the fractum collum, (Latin for broken neck) syndrome.

They are my worst nightmare: broken neck syndrome sufferers. Yet, as a true outdoor freak and all-around sports lover who goes to work on his bike, I come across them every day.

I'm telling you, they are even worse than the people who -- and this might sound crazy because it's illegal -- talk on the phone or text while driving. You know those who shamelessly take advantage of every straight bit of road to pick their phone up again... I cannot believe how many of them are out there, dangerously sharing the highways with me.

Back to the broken neck syndrome, a true and serious medical condition that affects many, many people.

Wondering what it is? Well, those who suffer from broken neck syndrome can only turn their head one way, hence the "broken neck" name.

Fortunately for them, on our city's roads, danger always comes from one side only. Whether it's the mom pushing her stroller around or the pedestrian or the cyclist or the cute girl in the tight jogging pants, they all come from the left. ALWAYS. Nothing ever comes from the right side.

Nothing? Well, except maybe for... all of the above.

Of course, danger never comes from the same side! It wouldn't be called danger if it wasn't unexpected. Still, every day I see people not seeing me as I try to cross square junctions. I see people brushing past me as if I was an Armco barrier at the Monaco Grand Prix track. And not just kids who are learning to drive, seasoned commuters, too.

Actually, the Armco barrier metaphor doesn't work because people who drive race tracks know where they are going. They are not effected by fractum collum, as I said earlier.

Luckily, if you do suffer from broken neck syndrome, there are treatments available to you. They're called "take your time, look right and left" and "breathe when you drive," and you don't even need medical insurance. How awesome is that?

Pirelli's engineers have investigated the tire problem that caused Sebastian Vettel to park his Red Bull-Renault early during Friday's second free practice session at Spa-Francorchamps.

Vettel was doing the long run in preparation for Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix when he picked up a puncture at the right rear corner. The German drove his RB9 slowly back to the garage without causing too much damage to the car.

The incident had many paddock dwellers recalling the tire-exploding chaos of Silverstone earlier this year, but it was not to be the case.

“Towards the end of the afternoon session, both Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso had a puncture on their right-rear tire around turn 14 and we are currently investigating the cause. From initial analysis it appears that both were caused by an outside factor, probably debris on the track,” said Paul Hembery, Pirelli's motorsport director.

Sebastian Vettel's tire. (Photo: WRI2)

From GMM

Pirelli test driver, Jaime Alguersuari could finally leave the Formula 1 world at the end of the season.

Since losing his race seat at Toro Rosso at the end of 2011, the Spaniard stayed in the paddock as a co-commentator for British radio, and he still remains tire supplier Pirelli's main tester.

But the Spanish sports newspaper Marca reports that Alguersuari, still just 23, is now eyeing a switch to America's premier open-wheel scene.

The report said chassis supplier Dallara is keen to see Alguersuari to the IZOD IndyCar series, and is involved in talks to arrange a test in a DW12 car "in a few months".

Marca linked Alguersuari with a move to the Panther team for 2013, who have recently fielded fellow Spaniard Oriol Servia.

Oriol Servia, Panther Racing (Photo: Panther Racing)

From GMM

Adrian Sutil has stepped up his rhetoric against former friend Lewis Hamilton, revealing the 2008 world champion is yet to come forward to make amends.

Amid Sutil's legal troubles of 2011, he branded Briton Hamilton a "coward" for refusing to step up as a witness in his assault trial.

The German duly sat out 2012 but returned to F1 with Force India this year, and Hamilton promptly vowed to put their broken friendship back on track.

But, months later, Sutil said the Mercedes driver has done nothing.

"He is not able to speak -- maybe he is scared of me, I don't know," he told The National newspaper on Thursday at Spa.

"There is a time when people have to grow up and he hasn't done it," added Sutil.

Lewis Hamilton and Adrian Sutil in 2008 (Photo: WRi2)

He speculated that Hamilton's personality might be the victim of his success, having grown up in a council flat but then, while still a boy, signed by McLaren mentor Ron Dennis.

"Maybe," said Sutil.

"You suddenly go from being not interesting to being at the top and everyone loves you.  You get the best from everywhere, you have a lot of money suddenly and this all affects your life.

"Hopefully, you wake up early and then you can sort out your life to be successful.  Some people don't get that.

"If you have only a lot of possessions and no friends, you will be a lonely and sad man," Sutil concluded.

Everyone dreams of owning a Porsche, yet not many people realize that these cars are more accessible than they think... provided a few sacrifices are made elsewhere in life: I'm talking about bringing your homemade lunch to work, not denying your kids a quality education.

I hadn't planned to change cars this year, but all the stars aligned when a young lady -- an angel, some would say -- wrecked my Mazda RX-8 with her car.

I pondered for three weeks whether I should take over the lease of an Infiniti G37s coupe or Subaru WRX STI, while also scouring the internet every night in hope of finding some hidden gem. I found a BMW 335i, M3 and M Roadster and made not-so-reasonable offers to their respective owners. It didn't work out, of course.

Photo: Frederic Feudi

One day, Porsche Canada's website listed a used 2007 Cayman for sale at a very attractive price, and with just 80,000 kilometres on the clock. There were no pictures, and the car didn't even appear on the dealer's (Porsche Lauzon) website. I was quite intrigued and had a hard time falling asleep that night. I mean, there I was, entertaining the thought of calling a Porsche dealer to seriously enquire about a car for sale!

It could have been a computer mistake, and I fully prepared myself for disappointment.

At 9:02 a.m., a salesman told me that he was unaware of such vehicle. At 9:15, he came back and confirmed that it did exist. Thirty minutes later, the guy assured me that this particular Cayman could be certified. Immediately after lunch, I made a deposit.

Meanwhile, the poor car must have spent four long and stressful hours wondering who would be its next owner...

Porsche Approved, the company's certified pre-owned vehicle program, comes with an extensive mechanical and visual inspection, as well as replacement of excessively worn parts. In my case, the technicians changed the tires, brake discs and pads, and they applied paint touch-ups to make the Cayman look as immaculate as possible. Porsche Approved also adds two years of comprehensive warranty (with a maximum of 160,000 kilometres). I wish Audi and BMW would do the same.

I got off the dealer's lot and immediately hit the open road for a trip to Uncle Sam's land. The 2007 Porsche Cayman may not be the fastest car out there, especially in straight lines, but man, talk about balance and finesse! And what a sound! While the Cayman is one of the youngest members of the Porsche family, it seems to embody all the rich German tradition of the Stuttgart-based automaker, maybe even more so than models like the Cayenne.

That being said, owning a Porsche and limiting yourself to public roads is like keeping a cheetah on a leash: You might as well stay home.

Photo: Porsche

Continue reading Porsche Club of America: A personal account

From GMM

Suzuka has inked a new five-year contract to keep hosting the annual Japanese grand prix.

Speed Week reports that the extension, signed trackside at Spa-Francorchamps on Friday, will see the sport return to the popular track until at least 2018.

Hiroshi Soda, President of the Mobilityland Corporation with Bernie Ecclestone.

"We actually expected no other outcome from the negotiations," Japanese race promoter Masaro Unno told the correspondent Agnes Carlier in Belgium.

"Nevertheless, it is always a beautiful sight to really see Bernie's signature on the paper," he added.