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From press release

Maryeve Dufault's NASCAR Nationwide series debut Saturday in the No. 79 SK Hand Tools/Go Green Racing Ford was a more challenging job than the Sorel, Quebec native would have liked to have on her resume.

Multiple car issues during the course of the Dollar General 300 left Dufault muscling the car around the 1.5 mile oval but she persevered through the problems to finish in 31st place.

Dufault, in her first outing in the Nationwide Series had some issues in practice that kept her time on track to a minimum so she was pleased to come out and qualify in 36th place for the 200-lap Saturday event.

Photo: Maryeve Dufault Facebook

“We were locked in for the race,” explained Dufault, “so after the issues we had in practice I decided not to push too much in qualifying because we didn't need to do anything extra to get in the show. I was pretty happy in qualifying though because we still picked up some speed and the car felt pretty good.”

Dufault started strong in the race and gained five positions in the opening stint and was on her way to pick up three more spots until after the first round of pit stops derailed her efforts.

Dufault described it this way: “After the first stop, the car really changed on me. I knew I needed to just hold on until the next pit stop so we could make some changes but before we got to the next round of stops, the rear of the car really started to jump. Even my spotter could see the car stepping out so we knew something had gone wrong and we needed to head to the garage to find and fix the problem”.

Photo: Maryeve Dufault Facebook

“We spent 11 minutes behind the wall and the crew did a great job working on a transmission issue but couldn't entirely get it fixed so despite the problems with the gears we decided to try and finish the race so I was able to get some seat time in the car. The crew really worked hard to get the car in a shape to make it to the end,” she continued.

“It was just disappointing because our results this weekend didn't do justice to the capabilities of our team or showcase our partner SK Hand Tools. I'm fortunate to get an opportunity to partner with companies like SK Hand Tools, Von Zipper, Hilton French Polynesia, Billabong and Bell and we all want to succeed and run beside the top teams in Nationwide. I think with hard work and time, it will come,” Maryeve said.

Your iPhone is a work of art. Engineered to be both aesthetically pleasing and usable, the iPhone was designed with the user in mind. Or was it? I don't know about you, but those flimsy little buttons to lock and mute my iPhone4 are bloody annoying. And that glass back? Yeah, I cracked that ages ago. Super practical, guys; thanks.

So, what's going through the mind of designers and engineers when they put together items like the iPhone, your microwave, your TV, or the car in your driveway? In some cases, it's clear that function wins out over form, but more often than not I see form taking precedence over all, and that's not necessarily a good thing.

Take for example the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. You'd think this behemoth of an SUV would have practicality and usability written all over its massive flanks -- and, in essence, it does. However, one small detail left me scratching my head and wanting to ask Mercedes: “Why?!”

Equipped with a specific package, the GL had power-folding seats in both the second and third rows. At the touch of a button the seats would fold or unfold themselves -- a great feature if you've got a big family with lots of people moving in and out of each row. But what happens when you add a baby seat to all of that (a likely scenario for a large family)? Well, that's where it gets dicey.

The headrests in the second row are so massive that my baby seat was being pushed a good 3” off the backrest (no good). So, I tried to remove said headrest. No matter what it wouldn't budge. Online research revealed that this is a major issue with the GL-Class: The headrests are not removable on the power-folding seats.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

How does that make sense? Such a simple thing could make a huge difference in a family's life, and ultimately in their decision to buy a certain vehicle.

The Acura ZDX is another prime example of (horrible) form over function. The rear door openings are so severely angled you are guaranteed to smash your head every time you get in or out, unless you're an expert yoga practitioner and can fold your body perfectly in two as you slide in.

You like turning knobs to adjust volume, temperature, or browse radio stations? Don't get into a Fiat 500 or a Lincoln MKX; you'll only be greeted with a multitude of buttons to push or touch-sensitive panels, respectively.

I get the appeal of designing something that looks spectacular; sex sells, after all. Engineer and design a car that looks stunning and you've won half the battle, but is it with sacrificing practicality especially when it comes to vehicles that are supposed to be practical (like the GL-Class)?

There is no such thing as a perfect car or a perfect phone for that matter, but there are levels of perfection that can be attained by paying attention to everyday user struggles and addressing those while still keeping the product attractive. That's what redesigns and updates are for, and I look forward to every new vehicle that hits the market, eager to see the form vs. function battle rage on.

From GMM

Sebastian Vettel has admitted Red Bull is getting better as a team as it accrues more experience and titles.

Together with the German, the Milton-Keynes based outfit has collected every drivers' and constructors' title on offer since 2010.

"The team has got better and better over the years. There are less mistakes now, and more confidence." reigning triple world champion Vettel told the Austrian magazine Sportwoche.

Red Bull Racing set the fastest pitstop ever with Mark Webber. (Photo: Red Bull Racing)

The 26-year-old appears to be cruising to yet another championship in 2013, but he is not counting his chickens just yet.

"The first half of the season was very good, and the start of the second half has been even better," Vettel admitted.

"But we can see that the smallest things make a big difference -- ten degrees up or down and everything looks different. We need to stay focused, but it does seem that in any conditions we can always be in the top five," said Vettel.

Some have begun to compare 2013 with Vettel's dominance of 2011, when wins and the title seemed to come easy to the German.

"When people talk about 2011," said Vettel, "they say it was so dominant and easy. But I don't like the word dominant, and it is never easy."

From GMM

Lewis Hamilton has admitted not featuring in this year's driver 'silly season' has been a weight off his shoulders.

A year ago, the 2008 world champion was a leading player in F1's high-stakes game of annual musical chairs, as he weighed up between staying at McLaren or moving to another team.

Now happily at Mercedes and on a three-year contract, the Briton said he has every intention of staying with the German team for that entire period and "hopefully even longer".

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W04, in Montreal. (Photo: WRi2)

Lewis Hamilton also admitted he has enjoyed being a mere spectator, as the 'silly season' played out instead with Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso and others in the main roles.

"Last year, I tried my best to avoid it, but of course it was hard to deal with all the questions and the fact that I didn't know what I was going to do," he is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace.

"It was taking my energy away from me, but it's not like that anymore. It's a great feeling to be in this position," said Hamilton.

"The difference is like night and day."

From GMM

Ferrari is on the cusp of tipping the balance of its resources away from the 2013 championship battle.

Although second only to title leader Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso's deficit to the top Red Bull is a full 53 points with just seven races to go.

And with Red Bull now constantly wielding a pace advantage over the other cars, Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali admitted the time is nearing when the Maranello team will sensibly shift its main focus to the huge challenge of 2014.

"After the result of the Singapore grand prix," he is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace, "we will make an assessment about what to do.

Pat Fry and Stefano Domenicali, Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

"We need to be realistic and see how we can improve for the races that follow. So if the difference to the leaders continues to be large, it is pointless to think that a tenth of a second can be enough to recover," added Domenicali.

"We will make a choice after Singapore, but always working not to lose too much ground because we want to fight at least for second place in the constructors' championship."

So although close to conceding defeat in yet another title campaign, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo insisted that does not mean Domenicali's job is in doubt.

"Over the past three years, we have lost two world titles at the last race and it was not his fault," Montezemolo told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Following the failure of Fisker Automotive to repay federal loans, the Department of Energy will try to unload its loan in the plug-in electric car maker through an auction, the agency said Tuesday.

Following the failure of Fisker Automotive to repay federal loans, the Department of Energy will try to unload its loan in the plug-in electric car maker through an auction, the agency said Tuesday.

Buick customers in the United States and China could see more European design and engineering in an expanded range of new models by 2020, as GM more closely integrates global product development between Buick and its German brand Opel.

Buick customers in the United States and China could see more European design and engineering in an expanded range of new models by 2020, as GM more closely integrates global product development between Buick and its German brand Opel.

Infiniti Asia and Oceania Operations managing director Allen Lu has reportedly let slip the name and build location of a previously unknown future model.

Infiniti Asia and Oceania Operations managing director Allen Lu has reportedly let slip the name and build location of a previously unknown future model.

Infiniti Asia and Oceania Operations managing director Allen Lu has reportedly let slip the name and build location of a previously unknown future model.

Further details surrounding earlier reports Audi would invest in Brazil have emerged with the German automaker saying it will produce the new Q3 and A3 models at the Sao Jose dos Pinhais site from 2015, in an investment worth EUR150m (US$200m).

Further details surrounding earlier reports Audi would invest in Brazil have emerged with the German automaker saying it will produce the new Q3 and A3 models at the Sao Jose dos Pinhais site from 2015, in an investment worth EUR150m (US$200m).

2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith Driven

The fastest, wildest Rolls-Royce yet.

At the rate it's going, Rolls-Royce will completely ruin its reputation. Fastest Rolls-Royce yet? Trumpeting its 0-to-60-mph time (4.4 seconds)? Boldly proclaiming horsepower and torque when the answer used to be, "It is adequate"? Once the Ghost was launched in 2010, the image of Rolls-Royce as a chauffeur-driven dilettante's car was blown to smithereens. At the time, R-R public affairs boss Richard Carter told us (with tongue firmly in cheek), "Naught to sixty in 4.8 seconds is disturbing. We don't want to be known as sporty. But . . . there you have it."

Photo Gallery: 2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith Driven - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith Driven - Automobile Magazine

2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith Driven | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith Driven

The fastest, wildest Rolls-Royce yet.

At the rate it's going, Rolls-Royce will completely ruin its reputation. Fastest Rolls-Royce yet? Trumpeting its 0-to-60-mph time (4.4 seconds)? Boldly proclaiming horsepower and torque when the answer used to be, "It is adequate"? Once the Ghost was launched in 2010, the image of Rolls-Royce as a chauffeur-driven dilettante's car was blown to smithereens. At the time, R-R public affairs boss Richard Carter told us (with tongue firmly in cheek), "Naught to sixty in 4.8 seconds is disturbing. We don't want to be known as sporty. But . . . there you have it."

Photo Gallery: 2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith Driven - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith Driven - Automobile Magazine

2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith Driven | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith Driven

The fastest, wildest Rolls-Royce yet.

At the rate it's going, Rolls-Royce will completely ruin its reputation. Fastest Rolls-Royce yet? Trumpeting its 0-to-60-mph time (4.4 seconds)? Boldly proclaiming horsepower and torque when the answer used to be, "It is adequate"? Once the Ghost was launched in 2010, the image of Rolls-Royce as a chauffeur-driven dilettante's car was blown to smithereens. At the time, R-R public affairs boss Richard Carter told us (with tongue firmly in cheek), "Naught to sixty in 4.8 seconds is disturbing. We don't want to be known as sporty. But . . . there you have it."

Photo Gallery: 2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith Driven - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith Driven - Automobile Magazine

2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith Driven | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

PSA/Peugeot-Citroen is considering selling a stake to Chinese automaker Dongfeng Motor to raise cash for an expansion outside its home continent, sources said.

PSA/Peugeot-Citroen is considering selling a stake to Chinese automaker Dongfeng Motor to raise cash for an expansion outside its home continent, sources said.

Volkswagen AG plans to debut a subcompact SUV in the U.S. as soon as 2016 and may build it at its Tennessee factory.