Auto News 5

In North America the news off-the-track can take priority of news on the track.

During the 31rst Annual NASCAR pre-season Media Tour the biggest actual news of the week seemed to be Kasey Kahne's haircut.

Then, on Friday morning, Danica Patrick, confirmed to the Associated Press one of the worst kept secrets in the garage (and some media) that she was dating fellow Sprint Cup driver, and two-time Nationwide Series Champion, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

"I have a boyfriend, his name is Richard," she said adding that the couple waited until after the media tour was over to avoid conflicting with the serious business of racing news.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (Photo: NASCAR)

Last fall Patrick filed for divorce from her 47-year old husband Paul Hospenthal after a seven-year marriage.

Stenhouse, who at 25 is five years younger than Patrick, also confirmed the development after dodging questions during the media tour.

Oh, and if you missed it Kasey Kahne showed up at the Hendrick Motorsports stop sporting a modified buzz cut called a fade because the hair is shaved close to the sides of the head leaving a mop of almost regular length hair on top.

Team owner Rick Hendrick, kept his cool upon seeing that haircut but told the press he offered Kahne $20 “to finish the haircut.”

Becoming a successful race car driver requires world-class skills, tons of money, rock-solid determination, and (of course) a certain amount of luck or good timing (whatever you want to call it).

How many young drivers embark on this merciless venture without all of these prerequisites? Short answer: Too many.

Having spent the past three decades on and around the track, I've witnessed firsthand the attempts of hundreds of aspiring race car drivers. A number of them were clearly gifted behind the wheel, but had zero determination. Others were just not prepared to make huge sacrifices to succeed.

Auto racing is extremely competitive: If you're not willing to bring everything to the table, you might as well change sports already.

Let me tell you a story about a young woman (she shall remain anonymous) who put her heart, soul and everything else on the line to fulfill her passion for racing.

She started by investing what she earned via a contest into her first few ventures. Her goal was to make a significant amount of cash that she would re-invest into a car rental business.

Then, she moved to Uncle Sam's land to work in a karting centre, where she hoped to make some additional money, become a more household name and, more importantly, meet influential people.

After a few open-wheel races, she had a shot to enter the world of stock car racing, which was totally unfamiliar to her at the time. Resolved to continue her career at all costs, she jumped on the opportunity.

Of course, there is no bigger hotbed for stock cars in the U.S. than North Carolina. Our girl did not hesitate to leave the sunny beaches of California to move into an apartment on the East Coast.

Soon enough, a major sponsor offered her a chance to drive a super-fast, super-powerful car in front of her fans. Had she declined, that would have been the end of her career. On the other hand, saying yes meant facing by far her biggest challenge yet. She did, because she didn't really have a choice.

Photo: Matthieu Lambert

Exposed to intense scrutiny during the race, she received plenty of criticism afterwards.

“Just a pretty girl;”
“She can't do anything;”
“No talent;”
Even, “She doesn't belong here;”

Were some of the unflattering comments heard around the track.

But at least she tried. Her skills may not have matched those of her male counterparts, but this woman needs to be commended for seizing the opportunities she fought so hard to get. One day, she'll be able to tell her kids: “Yes, I tried, and I didn't succeed. But at least I gave it my all.”

How many young drivers, at one point or another, missed their shot to shine and show their worth on a bigger stage? A lot more than you think, I can promise you that.

What about you? Would you be willing to put everything on the line for a chance to succeed?

From GMM

Fernando Alonso will not drive Ferrari's 2013 car until the second test of the pre-season, the Italian team has announced.

Maranello based Ferrari said it will be Felipe Massa at the wheel for the first three days of the four-day test at Jerez early next month.

And it will be new test driver and Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa making his Ferrari debut on the final day of running.

"In the meantime and throughout all the first part of February, Fernando Alonso will intensify his physical training", Ferrari said in a report on its website.

The team said the double world champion will only debut the as-yet unnamed 2013 Ferrari at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, where he will drive for the first three days of the second four-day test.

Ferrari's racing duo will then share the running at the final Barcelona test, meaning that Brazilian Massa will head into the start of the championship with six days of running under his belt, compared to Spaniard Alonso's five.

The Ferrari drivers, Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso, will cross each other during the winter testings. (Photo: Ferrari)

Ferrari justified de la Rosa's day of running on the basis that his new role will be principally focused on simulator driving.

"His day on track on 8 February will be very important," the website report read, "as it will allow both the team and the driver to work specifically on looking at the correlation between the virtual and the real experience."

Meanwhile, Brazil's Totalrace reports that Nico Hulkenberg will be giving Sauber's new C32 its debut at Jerez, before teammate Esteban Gutierrez takes over for the second half of the four-day test.

Toyota Canada will receive $16.9 million from the federal and Ontario governments apiece to add a new assembly line to the Cambridge plant.

The automaker will invest $125 million of its own in the project aimed at increasing hybrid vehicle production, namely the Lexus RX 450h.

The move will create 400 new jobs.

Press release

The increasing number of Asian drivers who enter Far East WTCC events on a race-by-race basis pushed the organizers to launch a dedicated trophy.

The first Eurosport Asia Trophy will be awarded at the end of the 2013 season to the best Asian driver on the basis of the results achieved in Suzuka, Shanghai and Macau.


The Trophy will be reserved to race-by-race entrants and will award points to the eight best drivers classified in each of the six races. One additional point will be awarded for each point scored in the WTCC Drivers' Championship.


In 2012, thirteen Asian drivers have entered in at least one of the three WTCC events in the Far East.

WTCC race in Shanghai. (Photo: FIA WTCC)

Kia will unveil a ''provocative and racy'' new concept vehicle at the Geneva Motor Show in March -- and we have some preliminary pictures to prove it.

This sporty model will no doubt turn a lot of heads, especially with a different interpretation of the company's signature tiger-nose grille and headlight arrangement.

Unfortunately, that's about all the information we have so far. Expect further details and additional images when the Geneva Motor Show kicks off.

Photo: Kia

Transport Quebec will add 37 photo radars across the province in 2013, including 18 mobile and four fixed units to catch speeding drivers, and 15 others to monitor traffic at stop lights.

Quebec City and Gatineau have already reserved four mobile photo radars, and each of them will cover up to ten spots considered as dangerous. These new cameras will help police penalize drivers who run red lights or simply drive too fast when the light is green.

The plan is for every new device to capture two shots in order to validate or invalidate the data from speed meters.

All political parties have given their approval so far, provided that drivers are alerted to their presence.

Source: La Presse

The Chattanooga assembly plant in Tennessee will now feature Volkswagen's largest solar facility in the world -- and the largest operated by an automaker in the U.S.

“This facility is a key part of our “Think Blue. Factory.” program and further proof of Volkswagen's worldwide commitment to environmental protection,” said Frank Fischer, CEO and Chairman of Volkswagen Chattanooga.

With 33,600 crystal solar modules, the facility will provide about 13,100 megawatt-hours per year. Solar power will represent 12.5% of all the power required in full-capacity production, and even meet 100% of demand when the plant is not in operation.

The Chattanooga plant employs more than 3,000 people and builds the new Volkswagen Passat, which was specifically designed for the North American market.

Photo: Volkswagen

From GMM

Pirelli wants a new F1 deal to be signed and sealed within three months.

That is the claim of Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, referring to the Italian marque's expiring three-year contract as the sport's official supplier.

When launching the new F1 tire range for 2013 this week, Pirelli chief Marco Tronchetti Provera confirmed that the marque wants to continue the "adventure" beyond this year.

Auto Motor und Sport said he wants the answer by April.

The new F1 tire range for 2013. (Photo: Pirelli)

"We need to know what's going to happen," motor sport director Paul Hembery confirmed.

"It's also important for the teams because so much is changing in 2014," he added.

Indeed, with the switch to turbo V6 engines, the downforce and weight of the cars is changing significantly, as is the torque that will be put through the rear tires.

DETROIT, Mi - For General Motors, it's been a time of ups and downs. Following the recent announcement that the Camaro's production would be moved from Oshawa to the U.S., Kevin Williams, president of GM Canada told press that while he thinks moving the Camaro is a mistake that will contribute to the decline of the Oshawa plant, the high cost of doing business in Canada makes it difficult for the company to show a profit.

Claiming that Canada is the "highest-cost producer for General Motors anywhere in the world" Williams believes that some concessions from the labour unions are in order if they're to continue producing vehicles in Canada, and prevent more work being relocated to cheaper labour markets such as Mexico.

Such a decision is sure to rankle taxpayers who contributed billions to the bailout -- but Williams said that the company has honoured all of its required commitments federally and provincially.

Despite the 2009 bankruptcy restructuring, the struggle isn't over. GM's Canadian market share fell to its lowest point ever at 13.5%, a 6.6% drop from last year.

At a media event held in Detroit's historic Whitney House, Williams told assembled Canadian press that GM's new mantra is "Finding New Roads."

"We lost our way for a while," Williams said. And while the company is headed in the right direction, "we're not quite there yet." Williams is confident that better price restructuring, a current crop of highly competitive cars and the release of their new pickup trucks should help bolster sagging sales.

And yet Williams -- and indeed General Motors, overall -- seems to exude an air of optimism. The Cadillac ATS winning the coveted North American Car of the Year trophy accounted for some of that, but there was a sense that the North American auto industry in general was on its way back -- the Truck of the Year also being won by the Ram, another domestic product. Williams was unable to contain his enthusiasm for the ATS.

The most anticipated reveal of the show, the Corvette C7, generated a buzz that attracted most of the 6,000 media in attendance to its packed unveiling. It's being touted as the best, most technically advanced and fuel efficient Corvette in history, worthy of resurrecting the Stingray nameplate.

Also unveiled before a throng of media, the Cadillac ELR, a Volt-like hybrid, made its NAIAS debut.

"We're going back to what we do best," Williams said to the Canadian media. "And that's make good cars."

Photo: Lesley Wimbush

From GMM

Mercedes has offered Paddy Lowe a million euros per year to switch from McLaren, the major German newspaper Bild claims.

None other than Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn on Thursday confirmed that talks with McLaren's technical director have taken place, although Brawn strongly denied that he is being lined up to oust him.

Bild claims Mercedes' offer would "double" 50-year-old Briton Lowe's current salary.

Having also switched from McLaren to Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton however denied any knowledge of the deal.

"I've been assured by Ross his commitment is for the long term and he is here to try to win with me," the 2008 world champion told reporters at Brackley on Thursday.

Ross Brawn added: "I've talked to Paddy. He is not coming. If I chose to leave the team Paddy will come. We have a fall-back plan. It is as simple as that."

At the end of the day, Paddy Lowe stays with McLaren. (Photo: McLaren)

He attempted to fend off speculation that Nick Fry, team chief executive, is the first definite victim of the power struggle.

"Nick is still very much involved," Brawn insisted. "All the changes will have an impact but he'll certainly be here for a while."

Lewis Hamilton - never far from controversy throughout his six year F1 career - argued it's a good thing that Mercedes is exploring its options, having pledged to become a truly front-running team after three seasons of finishing clearly behind F1's 'big three'.

"I think it's important that they are always analysing and seeing what can be improved and what adjustments need to be made because they want to win," he added.

Finally, after Adam Parr's departure at Williams was linked to Bernie Ecclestone, it is rumoured the F1 chief executive may be striking again, this time at Mercedes, to give Toto Wolff's career another boost.

Ross Brawn and Bernie Ecclestone. (Photos: WRi2)

Ross Brawn admitted he has "not always seen eye to eye" with Ecclestone, but told the Telegraph: "I would be very surprised. The thing Bernie wants is a strong Mercedes. Hopefully he recognises I am an asset to the team."

A final update of just-auto's list of concepts and production models which made their debuts on the 7 February press preview day of the 2013 Chicago auto show.

The first media preview day of the 2013 Chicago auto show was Thursday 7 February. The following vehicles were revealed for the first time:

The media preview day of the 2013 Chicago auto show was today, Thursday 7 February. The following vehicles were revealed for the first time:

The media preview day of the 2013 Chicago auto show is today, Thursday 7 February. The following vehicles will be revealed for the first time:

Manufacturers continue to reveal initial details of concepts and new models ahead of their global debuts at the Chicago auto show show. The press preview day is Thursday 7 February.

Chrysler Group's Mopar division is now the third brand to have announced a global debut for the Chicago auto show. The press preview day is Thursday 7 February.

Kia is now the second brand to have announced a global debut for the Chicago auto show. The press preview day is Thursday 7 February.

Toyota is the first manufacturer to announce a global debut for the Chicago auto show. The press preview day is Thursday 7 February.

Also in this episode: Volkswagen goes green in Tennessee, and