Oct
24th
Honda will take the wraps off the S660 roadster concept at the upcoming Tokyo motor show at the end of November of this year.
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The latest auto news, reviews, prices, product and vehicle releases. Auto News 5
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Oct
24th
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Daimler reported earnings before interest and taxes rose 16 percent as a wider lineup of compact cars helped it gain ground on rivals.
Oct
24th
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Blue Solutions, the battery company being listed by Vincent Bollore, has already filled the order book for its upcoming share sale, the French industrialist said.
Oct
24th
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Union leaders at a Goodyear tire plant in northern France have agreed to talks with a Texan executive who caused an uproar earlier this year by saying the factory was "not worth saving" and calling the plant's workers lazy.
Oct
24th
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VW CEO Martin Winterkorn said the German government's goal to have 1 million electric cars on the country's roads by 2020 can be achieved if hybrids are included.
Oct
24th
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From October 31st to November 3rd in Charlotte, North Carolina, RK Motors Collector Car Auctions will sell over 40 exceptional cars including three rare Mercedes-Benz models.
The first is a 1995 Mercedes-Benz Lotec C1000 commissioned by a United Arab Emirates-based businessman who dreamed of owning the world's fastest street-legal car. It boasts a 5.6L V8 engine with twin Garrett turbochargers generating 1,000 horsepower, achieving 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 2.8 seconds, and a top speed of 268 mph (431 km/h).
Next is a 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster, which traces its roots to the purpose-built, FIA GT-champion racing machine of the late 1990s. Required to build an FIA-mandated 25 road versions of their CLK GTR race car, Mercedes-Benz and AMG specialist group H.W.A made a total of 26 CLK GTRs, including six roadsters. This one (chassis #3) has just 71 original miles (114 km), and uses a 6.9L V12 engine rated at 604 horsepower.
Last, but not least, is a 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing that was imported to Canada by Leopold Poldi Bentley, who helped build the brand in Western Canada. It was sold in 1956, and remained in that owner's possession for 50 years before being restored by Rudi and Company in Vancouver. This 300 SL Gullwing has only 45,687 original miles (73 526 km) on its odometer.
Source: RK Motors Collector Car Auctions
The first is a 1995 Mercedes-Benz Lotec C1000 commissioned by a United Arab Emirates-based businessman who dreamed of owning the world's fastest street-legal car. It boasts a 5.6L V8 engine with twin Garrett turbochargers generating 1,000 horsepower, achieving 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 2.8 seconds, and a top speed of 268 mph (431 km/h).
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| Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster 2002. (Photo: RK Motors Collector Car Auctions) |
Next is a 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster, which traces its roots to the purpose-built, FIA GT-champion racing machine of the late 1990s. Required to build an FIA-mandated 25 road versions of their CLK GTR race car, Mercedes-Benz and AMG specialist group H.W.A made a total of 26 CLK GTRs, including six roadsters. This one (chassis #3) has just 71 original miles (114 km), and uses a 6.9L V12 engine rated at 604 horsepower.
Last, but not least, is a 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing that was imported to Canada by Leopold Poldi Bentley, who helped build the brand in Western Canada. It was sold in 1956, and remained in that owner's possession for 50 years before being restored by Rudi and Company in Vancouver. This 300 SL Gullwing has only 45,687 original miles (73 526 km) on its odometer.
Source: RK Motors Collector Car Auctions
Oct
24th
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Fall keeps stretching and filling our days with sunny skies and warm weather, while spring does the same to put a premature end to winter. Amidst all this, however, is a unique mix of climate conditions that significantly affects our daily habits. More than anywhere else in the world, the cold season in Canada poses serious challenges that drivers must deal with.
Once again, the editorial team at Auto123.com presents its annual Winter Guide. Here you'll find advice on everything from winter tires to rustproofing treatments, from emergency kits to cooling system maintenance, not to mention visibility and driving techniques. Our journalists will provide you with useful tips and information, whether you drive a regular vehicle, a convertible, a hybrid, a motorcycle or even an all-electric car.
So winter's coming back, eh? That's cool. Canadians are a tough bunch, defying snowstorms and black ice. Other than orange cones, we fear nothing!
WINTER TIRES
WINTER DRIVING
MAINTENANCE
EMERGENCIES
CONVERTIBLES
ELECTRIC and HYBRID VEHICLES
MOTORCYCLES
Once again, the editorial team at Auto123.com presents its annual Winter Guide. Here you'll find advice on everything from winter tires to rustproofing treatments, from emergency kits to cooling system maintenance, not to mention visibility and driving techniques. Our journalists will provide you with useful tips and information, whether you drive a regular vehicle, a convertible, a hybrid, a motorcycle or even an all-electric car.
So winter's coming back, eh? That's cool. Canadians are a tough bunch, defying snowstorms and black ice. Other than orange cones, we fear nothing!
WINTER TIRES
WINTER DRIVING
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MAINTENANCE
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EMERGENCIES
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CONVERTIBLES
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ELECTRIC and HYBRID VEHICLES
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MOTORCYCLES
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Oct
24th
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From GMM
An Indian court will on Friday hear a petition to cancel this weekend's formula one race near New Delhi.
Indian reports say a supreme court judge agreed to hear the petition that was filed by a public interest campaigner called Amit Kumar, on the grounds that organisers have not paid enough tax.
"We will hear the petition tomorrow," the judge said.
Earlier this week, the Uttar Pradesh government was in the supreme court seeking the withdrawal of entertainment tax exemption for the beleaguered Indian grand prix organisers.
The exemption had been achieved for F1 by the former Uttar Pradesh government.
While it is unlikely Friday's court action will succeed, Indian motor racing official Vicky Chandhok admitted the 2013 race could be the country's last.
He told British broadcaster Sky that he is only 70 per cent sure the race will return to the calendar in 2015, after a one-year hiatus for reportedly "logistical" reasons.
"I am really disappointed about not having it 2014, but I hope to be in 2015 and 2016," said Chandhok. "But the price has to be right."
An Indian court will on Friday hear a petition to cancel this weekend's formula one race near New Delhi.
Indian reports say a supreme court judge agreed to hear the petition that was filed by a public interest campaigner called Amit Kumar, on the grounds that organisers have not paid enough tax.
"We will hear the petition tomorrow," the judge said.
Earlier this week, the Uttar Pradesh government was in the supreme court seeking the withdrawal of entertainment tax exemption for the beleaguered Indian grand prix organisers.
The exemption had been achieved for F1 by the former Uttar Pradesh government.
While it is unlikely Friday's court action will succeed, Indian motor racing official Vicky Chandhok admitted the 2013 race could be the country's last.
He told British broadcaster Sky that he is only 70 per cent sure the race will return to the calendar in 2015, after a one-year hiatus for reportedly "logistical" reasons.
"I am really disappointed about not having it 2014, but I hope to be in 2015 and 2016," said Chandhok. "But the price has to be right."
 |
| Ferrari in the Indian pitlane. (Photo: WRi2) |
Oct
24th
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From GMM
Paul di Resta is unwell in India, it emerged on Thursday.
Earlier, it was no surprise in the Buddh circuit when word got around that reserve driver James Calado will be driving the Scot's car in initial Friday practice.
"FP1 will see James Calado make one of his Friday appearances," the Silverstone based team said on Twitter. "He will sub for Paul, who will be back in the car for FP2."
But Briton Calado said on his own Twitter account: "Due to Paul being unwell I will be driving tomorrow morning's FP1 session."
Di Resta appeared sprightly on Thursday as he spoke to reporters, fending off suggestions his future is looking particularly uncertain.
"I think in the midfield, nobody's certain anywhere at the moment," he said.
It is rumoured the Scot could have the dreaded 'Delhi belly'. German reports suggested Felipe Massa's manager Rob Smedley may be similarly afflicted.
At the same time, di Resta's Sahara Force India teammate Adrian Sutil seemed to be dropping hints about his own future.
"How do you know that I'm without a contract for 2014?" the German smiled to F1's official website.
When asked again about his chances of a 2014 deal, Sutil added: "Maybe it's already solved. Hopefully I can say more in the coming weeks."
Another driver whose future seems almost assured is Lotus' Romain Grosjean.
"I guess they only want to sort out the financial situation before they announce the drivers," the Frenchman said on Thursday.
Who Grosjean's teammate will be next year is less certain.
Nico Hulkenberg is hot property in the paddock at present, but if Lotus' 'Quantum' investment deal falls over, luring Pastor Maldonado's PDVSA dollars from Williams could be plan B for the Enstone team.
"It's in the stars," German Hulkenberg was quoted in India by Auto Motor und Sport.
"I said in Korea that there should be news by the end of the month. But I am having no headaches or sleepless nights," he insisted.
Maldonado, meanwhile, faced a tough media scrum in the Buddh paddock, tackling questions he wants to move to Lotus but also suggestions a corruption scandal in his native Venezuela could freeze his sponsor payments.
"For sure I will continue," he insisted. "If it's here in Williams, or somewhere else, I will continue."
Paul di Resta is unwell in India, it emerged on Thursday.
Earlier, it was no surprise in the Buddh circuit when word got around that reserve driver James Calado will be driving the Scot's car in initial Friday practice.
"FP1 will see James Calado make one of his Friday appearances," the Silverstone based team said on Twitter. "He will sub for Paul, who will be back in the car for FP2."
But Briton Calado said on his own Twitter account: "Due to Paul being unwell I will be driving tomorrow morning's FP1 session."
Di Resta appeared sprightly on Thursday as he spoke to reporters, fending off suggestions his future is looking particularly uncertain.
"I think in the midfield, nobody's certain anywhere at the moment," he said.
 |
| James Calado aboard the Sahara Force India VJM06. (Photo: WRi2) |
It is rumoured the Scot could have the dreaded 'Delhi belly'. German reports suggested Felipe Massa's manager Rob Smedley may be similarly afflicted.
At the same time, di Resta's Sahara Force India teammate Adrian Sutil seemed to be dropping hints about his own future.
"How do you know that I'm without a contract for 2014?" the German smiled to F1's official website.
When asked again about his chances of a 2014 deal, Sutil added: "Maybe it's already solved. Hopefully I can say more in the coming weeks."
Another driver whose future seems almost assured is Lotus' Romain Grosjean.
"I guess they only want to sort out the financial situation before they announce the drivers," the Frenchman said on Thursday.
Who Grosjean's teammate will be next year is less certain.
Nico Hulkenberg is hot property in the paddock at present, but if Lotus' 'Quantum' investment deal falls over, luring Pastor Maldonado's PDVSA dollars from Williams could be plan B for the Enstone team.
"It's in the stars," German Hulkenberg was quoted in India by Auto Motor und Sport.
"I said in Korea that there should be news by the end of the month. But I am having no headaches or sleepless nights," he insisted.
Maldonado, meanwhile, faced a tough media scrum in the Buddh paddock, tackling questions he wants to move to Lotus but also suggestions a corruption scandal in his native Venezuela could freeze his sponsor payments.
"For sure I will continue," he insisted. "If it's here in Williams, or somewhere else, I will continue."
Oct
24th
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From GMM
Daniil Kvyat secured the Toro Rosso seat for 2014 because his results were simply better than his opponents.
That is the claim of the Faenza based team's boss Franz Tost, despite earlier saying the 19-year-old Russian was too young and inexperienced to replace the Red Bull-bound Daniel Ricciardo.
It has been claimed Kvyat, a GP3 and F3 driver, beat the older and more experienced Antonio Felix da Costa, and also Carlos Sainz jr, to the seat because he is reported to be bringing some Russian rubles to the team.
And his drive has also been linked with the fact Russia's inaugural grand prix is taking place next year.
But when asked to explain why Kvyat got the seat, and not da Costa or Sainz, Tost told Speed Week: "The results.
"Kvyat impressed us with his strong performance in both the FIA European F3 championship and the GP3 series," he said.
"Da Costa did not show this consistency," Tost explained. "He (da Costa) finished third in the Renault 3.5 series.
"Kvyat," he continued, "is currently second overall in GP3, only seven points behind and fighting for the title with (Facu) Regalia.
"Sainz is ninth with 66 points," added Franz Tost.
Daniil Kvyat secured the Toro Rosso seat for 2014 because his results were simply better than his opponents.
That is the claim of the Faenza based team's boss Franz Tost, despite earlier saying the 19-year-old Russian was too young and inexperienced to replace the Red Bull-bound Daniel Ricciardo.
It has been claimed Kvyat, a GP3 and F3 driver, beat the older and more experienced Antonio Felix da Costa, and also Carlos Sainz jr, to the seat because he is reported to be bringing some Russian rubles to the team.
And his drive has also been linked with the fact Russia's inaugural grand prix is taking place next year.
 |
| Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso. (Photo: WRi2) |
But when asked to explain why Kvyat got the seat, and not da Costa or Sainz, Tost told Speed Week: "The results.
"Kvyat impressed us with his strong performance in both the FIA European F3 championship and the GP3 series," he said.
"Da Costa did not show this consistency," Tost explained. "He (da Costa) finished third in the Renault 3.5 series.
"Kvyat," he continued, "is currently second overall in GP3, only seven points behind and fighting for the title with (Facu) Regalia.
"Sainz is ninth with 66 points," added Franz Tost.
Oct
24th
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From GMM
India looks set to bow out of formula one amid a flood of bad press, as it emerges McLaren mechanics have been armed with mosquito repellent to get them through this weekend's unloved grand prix.
Although provisionally scheduled to return in 2015, the country is falling off the F1 calendar for now after this weekend's race near New Delhi.
Autosprint correspondent Alberto Antonini introduced his coverage of the 2013 edition by referring to slums and local indifference, and reports of tax, customs and financial problems.
"We have missed an opportunity," Sauber team boss Monisha Kaltenborn, an Austrian who was born in Dehradun, is quoted as saying.
"We have not been able to sell F1 well enough in these parts," she admitted.
Antonini said the poor locals cannot afford to buy tickets, while the race is "a nightmare" for teams, weighed down by customs issues, chaotic traffic and fears of dengue fever.
McLaren is sponsored by Hilton, and so the mechanics are staying at the hotel that is plagued by disease-carrying mosquitoes, while the drivers and team boss Martin Whitmarsh are at the safer Jaypee Greens.
"The Hilton is really nice and the people are friendly and helpful," Jenson Button's manager Richard Goddard told the Daily Mail. "But perhaps as the hotel is new, there has not been enough allowance made for the amount of mosquitoes in the area."
McLaren spokesman Matt Bishop said staff have been issued with "powerful mosquito repellent spray".
Sebastian Vettel will almost certainly wrap up his 2013 title in India, but his girlfriend and parents are staying away.
"India is a bit far away to visit for only one race," his father Norbert told the Kolner Express newspaper.
Bild newspaper said Vettel is taking all precautious to ensure his safety in India, refraining from putting ice in his drinks and eating local fruit and salads.
"To kill germs, he gargles with high-proof whiskey," the report revealed, adding that Mercedes' Nico Rosberg "dodged a cow" on a highway on Wednesday.
"Nothing unusual," the German driver Tweeted. Monisha Kaltenborn, however, thinks Rosberg has dodged his last farm animal.
She is quoted by Spain's AS newspaper: "I think that once a country leaves (the calendar) it is very difficult to come back again, especially when we have not been able to establish the sport here."
India looks set to bow out of formula one amid a flood of bad press, as it emerges McLaren mechanics have been armed with mosquito repellent to get them through this weekend's unloved grand prix.
Although provisionally scheduled to return in 2015, the country is falling off the F1 calendar for now after this weekend's race near New Delhi.
Autosprint correspondent Alberto Antonini introduced his coverage of the 2013 edition by referring to slums and local indifference, and reports of tax, customs and financial problems.
"We have missed an opportunity," Sauber team boss Monisha Kaltenborn, an Austrian who was born in Dehradun, is quoted as saying.
"We have not been able to sell F1 well enough in these parts," she admitted.
 |
| Photo: Buddh International Circuit |
Antonini said the poor locals cannot afford to buy tickets, while the race is "a nightmare" for teams, weighed down by customs issues, chaotic traffic and fears of dengue fever.
McLaren is sponsored by Hilton, and so the mechanics are staying at the hotel that is plagued by disease-carrying mosquitoes, while the drivers and team boss Martin Whitmarsh are at the safer Jaypee Greens.
"The Hilton is really nice and the people are friendly and helpful," Jenson Button's manager Richard Goddard told the Daily Mail. "But perhaps as the hotel is new, there has not been enough allowance made for the amount of mosquitoes in the area."
McLaren spokesman Matt Bishop said staff have been issued with "powerful mosquito repellent spray".
Sebastian Vettel will almost certainly wrap up his 2013 title in India, but his girlfriend and parents are staying away.
"India is a bit far away to visit for only one race," his father Norbert told the Kolner Express newspaper.
Bild newspaper said Vettel is taking all precautious to ensure his safety in India, refraining from putting ice in his drinks and eating local fruit and salads.
"To kill germs, he gargles with high-proof whiskey," the report revealed, adding that Mercedes' Nico Rosberg "dodged a cow" on a highway on Wednesday.
"Nothing unusual," the German driver Tweeted. Monisha Kaltenborn, however, thinks Rosberg has dodged his last farm animal.
She is quoted by Spain's AS newspaper: "I think that once a country leaves (the calendar) it is very difficult to come back again, especially when we have not been able to establish the sport here."
Oct
24th
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From GMM
Mercedes has overtaken Red Bull as the team with F1's fastest pit crew.
Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that the Brackley based crew did a 2.02 second tire pitstop at Suzuka, which was 0.04 seconds faster than the previous record set in 2013 by Red Bull.
And team manager Ron Meadows said the Japanese stop could have been even quicker.
"The mechanism of the jack was too slow," he said. "If it had worked properly, the time would have been 1.93 seconds."
Meadows said he is sure the magical two second barrier will be smashed this season.
"In practice we have done a 1.68 second stop," he revealed.
Mercedes has overtaken Red Bull as the team with F1's fastest pit crew.
Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that the Brackley based crew did a 2.02 second tire pitstop at Suzuka, which was 0.04 seconds faster than the previous record set in 2013 by Red Bull.
And team manager Ron Meadows said the Japanese stop could have been even quicker.
"The mechanism of the jack was too slow," he said. "If it had worked properly, the time would have been 1.93 seconds."
Meadows said he is sure the magical two second barrier will be smashed this season.
"In practice we have done a 1.68 second stop," he revealed.
 |
| Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team |
Oct
24th
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The Wall Street Crash of 1929, also known as Black Tuesday, took place on October 24th, 1929. As the most devastating stock market crash of the 20th century, it led to the 10-year Great Depression that affected all Western industrialized countries including their auto industries.
Car production dropped about 50% between 1929 and 1931, while overall unemployment rates exceeded 25% in the U.S. -- slightly worse than Europe, which was still picking up the pieces from World War I.
Even the powerful Rockfeller family, which made a fortune in the oil business, lost nearly 80% of its wealth.
Source: Wikipedia
Car production dropped about 50% between 1929 and 1931, while overall unemployment rates exceeded 25% in the U.S. -- slightly worse than Europe, which was still picking up the pieces from World War I.
Even the powerful Rockfeller family, which made a fortune in the oil business, lost nearly 80% of its wealth.
Source: Wikipedia
Oct
24th
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From IndyCar
For the first time since the inception of the Mazda Road to Indy in 2010, all races for the three series -- Indy Lights, Pro Mazda Championship and Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship - will be run in conjunction with IndyCar events in 2014.
Additional schedule highlights include doubleheader rounds for Indy Lights at all road courses. A 40-minute sprint race will be held on Saturday and a 60-minute feature will be contested on Sunday. Pro Mazda will feature standing starts at all street circuits and USF2000 will again host a tripleheader round.
The Mazda Road to Indy provides a scholarship package at each level for drivers to advance to the next step on the ladder. Recently crowned Indy Lights champion Sage Karam, 18, will receive up to $1 million in prizes and awards to aid his ascent to the IndyCar Series. Karam was the 2010 USF2000 champion and finished third in Pro Mazda last year.
Matthew Brabham, 19, secured more than $636,000 as the 2013 Pro Mazda champion and will advance to Indy Lights next season with Andretti Autosport. Brabham, the 2012 USF2000 champion, is the first driver to advance through all levels of the Mazda Road to Indy in succession.
After contesting a partial season last year, Scott Hargrove, 18, secured this year's USF2000 title and scholarship package of more than $383,000 to advance to Pro Mazda in 2014.
Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires
March 30: Streets of St. Petersburg 1.8-mile street circuit
April 13: Streets of Long Beach 1.968-mile street circuit
April 26-27: Barber Motorsports Park 2.38-mile road course
May 9-10: Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2.434-mile road course
May 23: Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2.5-mile oval
July 6: Pocono Raceway 2.5-mile oval
July 20: Streets of Toronto 1.75-mile street circuit
Aug. 2-3: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 2.258-mile road course
Aug. 17: The Milwaukee Mile 1-mile oval
Aug. 23-24: Sonoma Raceway 2.385-mile road course
Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires
March 29-30: Streets of St. Petersburg 1.8-mile street circuit
April 26-27: Barber Motorsports Park 2.38-mile road course
May 9-10: Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2.434-mile road course
May 24: Lucas Oil Raceway 0.686-mile oval
June 28-29: Streets of Houston 1.634-mile street circuit
Aug. 2-3: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 2.258-mile road course
Aug. 16: The Milwaukee Mile 1-mile oval
Aug. 23-24: Sonoma Raceway 2.385-mile road course
Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda
March 29-30: Streets of St. Petersburg 1.8-mile street circuit
April 26-27: Barber Motorsports Park 2.38-mile road course
May 9-10: Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2.434-mile road course
May 24: Lucas Oil Raceway 0.686-mile oval
July 19-20: Streets of Toronto 1.75-mile street circuit
Aug. 2-3: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 2.258-mile road course
Aug. 23-24: Sonoma Raceway 2.385-mile road course
For the first time since the inception of the Mazda Road to Indy in 2010, all races for the three series -- Indy Lights, Pro Mazda Championship and Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship - will be run in conjunction with IndyCar events in 2014.
Additional schedule highlights include doubleheader rounds for Indy Lights at all road courses. A 40-minute sprint race will be held on Saturday and a 60-minute feature will be contested on Sunday. Pro Mazda will feature standing starts at all street circuits and USF2000 will again host a tripleheader round.
The Mazda Road to Indy provides a scholarship package at each level for drivers to advance to the next step on the ladder. Recently crowned Indy Lights champion Sage Karam, 18, will receive up to $1 million in prizes and awards to aid his ascent to the IndyCar Series. Karam was the 2010 USF2000 champion and finished third in Pro Mazda last year.
 |
| Start at Indianapolis. (Photo: IndyCar) |
Matthew Brabham, 19, secured more than $636,000 as the 2013 Pro Mazda champion and will advance to Indy Lights next season with Andretti Autosport. Brabham, the 2012 USF2000 champion, is the first driver to advance through all levels of the Mazda Road to Indy in succession.
After contesting a partial season last year, Scott Hargrove, 18, secured this year's USF2000 title and scholarship package of more than $383,000 to advance to Pro Mazda in 2014.
Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires
March 30: Streets of St. Petersburg 1.8-mile street circuit
April 13: Streets of Long Beach 1.968-mile street circuit
April 26-27: Barber Motorsports Park 2.38-mile road course
May 9-10: Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2.434-mile road course
May 23: Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2.5-mile oval
July 6: Pocono Raceway 2.5-mile oval
July 20: Streets of Toronto 1.75-mile street circuit
Aug. 2-3: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 2.258-mile road course
Aug. 17: The Milwaukee Mile 1-mile oval
Aug. 23-24: Sonoma Raceway 2.385-mile road course
Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires
March 29-30: Streets of St. Petersburg 1.8-mile street circuit
April 26-27: Barber Motorsports Park 2.38-mile road course
May 9-10: Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2.434-mile road course
May 24: Lucas Oil Raceway 0.686-mile oval
June 28-29: Streets of Houston 1.634-mile street circuit
Aug. 2-3: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 2.258-mile road course
Aug. 16: The Milwaukee Mile 1-mile oval
Aug. 23-24: Sonoma Raceway 2.385-mile road course
Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda
March 29-30: Streets of St. Petersburg 1.8-mile street circuit
April 26-27: Barber Motorsports Park 2.38-mile road course
May 9-10: Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2.434-mile road course
May 24: Lucas Oil Raceway 0.686-mile oval
July 19-20: Streets of Toronto 1.75-mile street circuit
Aug. 2-3: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 2.258-mile road course
Aug. 23-24: Sonoma Raceway 2.385-mile road course
Oct
24th
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From GMM (Updated, see below)
Felipe Massa has agreed a five-year deal to stay in formula one next year with the British team Williams, a Brazilian website is reporting.
'Diario Motorsport' said the Brazilian, who has lost his Ferrari race seat, will replace Pastor Maldonado, who could take his lucrative PDVSA backing to Lotus.
The report said the news, with 32-year-old Massa to be "paid a wage" by Williams rather than become a pay-driver, will be announced "in the next days or even hours".
But for now, it remains just a rumour, even though it is interesting that, only very recently, Massa decided to 'follow' Oxfordshire based Williams on Twitter.
UPDATE
Felipe Massa on Thursday admitted he is in talks with Williams.
That would tie in with speculation Massa's move is being powered by the former Williams sponsor Petrobras, a Brazilian oil company, whose branding would clash with Venezuela's PDVSA.
"It's too early to talk about it. I am talking with many teams, and Williams is one of them,” he is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.
The Brazilian driver insisted he would be a paid driver.
"I do not pay to drive," said Massa in India. "If a team wants to have me, it's because of my performance and my experience.
"I would never go to a team and say 'I have a sponsor, can I drive for you?'
"First, I want the contract," Massa explained. "Then if a sponsor wants to join, I will help the team, because any extra money for the team will also benefit me."
Felipe Massa has agreed a five-year deal to stay in formula one next year with the British team Williams, a Brazilian website is reporting.
'Diario Motorsport' said the Brazilian, who has lost his Ferrari race seat, will replace Pastor Maldonado, who could take his lucrative PDVSA backing to Lotus.
The report said the news, with 32-year-old Massa to be "paid a wage" by Williams rather than become a pay-driver, will be announced "in the next days or even hours".
But for now, it remains just a rumour, even though it is interesting that, only very recently, Massa decided to 'follow' Oxfordshire based Williams on Twitter.
UPDATE
Felipe Massa on Thursday admitted he is in talks with Williams.
That would tie in with speculation Massa's move is being powered by the former Williams sponsor Petrobras, a Brazilian oil company, whose branding would clash with Venezuela's PDVSA.
"It's too early to talk about it. I am talking with many teams, and Williams is one of them,” he is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.
The Brazilian driver insisted he would be a paid driver.
"I do not pay to drive," said Massa in India. "If a team wants to have me, it's because of my performance and my experience.
"I would never go to a team and say 'I have a sponsor, can I drive for you?'
"First, I want the contract," Massa explained. "Then if a sponsor wants to join, I will help the team, because any extra money for the team will also benefit me."
 |
| Photo: Williams F1 Team |
Oct
24th
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Following its debut the Frankfurt Auto Show, the Jeep Wrangler Polar Edition will arrive in North American showrooms in November.
The exterior includes 18'' gloss black alloy wheels, a body-coloured hardtop, a gloss black Jeep logo above the front grille, and a unique, three-colour hood decal featuring the outline of mountains. Three paint options are offered: blue, black, and white.
What's more, the Polar badge next to the front fender flares exhibits the 78 degrees S and 106 degrees E coordinates that correspond to the location of Vostok in Antarctica -- the exact point where the absolute severest temperature in the world was recorded at -89.2 degrees Celsius.
Inside the Jeep Wrangler Polar Edition, you'll find black heated leather seats enhanced by Pearl White accent stitching and a Polar logo embroidered on the upper portion of the backrests.
The Jeep Wrangler Polar Edition is motivated by a 3.6L Pentastar V6 that produces 285 horsepower through a standard 6-speed manual transmission or an optional 5-speed autobox.
Pricing for the Jeep Wrangler Polar Edition has yet to be announced.
Source: Jeep
The exterior includes 18'' gloss black alloy wheels, a body-coloured hardtop, a gloss black Jeep logo above the front grille, and a unique, three-colour hood decal featuring the outline of mountains. Three paint options are offered: blue, black, and white.
What's more, the Polar badge next to the front fender flares exhibits the 78 degrees S and 106 degrees E coordinates that correspond to the location of Vostok in Antarctica -- the exact point where the absolute severest temperature in the world was recorded at -89.2 degrees Celsius.
 |
| Jeep Wrangler Polar Edition 2014. (Photo: Jeep) |
Inside the Jeep Wrangler Polar Edition, you'll find black heated leather seats enhanced by Pearl White accent stitching and a Polar logo embroidered on the upper portion of the backrests.
The Jeep Wrangler Polar Edition is motivated by a 3.6L Pentastar V6 that produces 285 horsepower through a standard 6-speed manual transmission or an optional 5-speed autobox.
Pricing for the Jeep Wrangler Polar Edition has yet to be announced.
Source: Jeep
Oct
24th
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From GMM
Gerhard Berger thinks Sebastian Vettel is the best driver on the grid today, while Bernie Ecclestone says the German might be F1's all-time great.
If Fernando Alonso fails to finish either first or second in India on Sunday, Red Bull's Vettel will be guaranteed his fourth consecutive drivers' title.
Bild newspaper said the 26-year-old will scoop a EUR 5 million title-winning bonus, while each Red Bull employee will go home with an extra EUR 12,500 in their regular pay.
Berger, who was the team boss at Toro Rosso when Vettel won his first ever grand prix in 2008, thinks the German is now the class of the field.
"I have always put Vettel behind Alonso," he told APA news agency, "but I think at the moment Alonso is focused too much on himself, becoming unstable.
"So while he is occupied with himself, Vettel gets one title after the next," added former Ferrari and McLaren driver Berger. "I think Vettel is clearly the best driver in formula one now."
Michael Schumacher agrees that Alonso has done himself no favours recently.
"He put himself on a path of stones," the seven time world champion told Bild newspaper, without elaborating.
"Things have happened that were not constructive," the former Ferrari driver added, still referring to Alonso.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner would not disagree, saying the fate of Vettel's teammate Mark Webber over the past few years proves Vettel's class.
"Mark Webber is a very good driver," he is quoted by Spox. "Before Vettel came into the team, his (Webber's) reputation was as a future champion. But this year in qualifying, Sebastian Vettel has beaten Mark 14 times and won nine times.
"If it was all about the car, we would be first and second in the drivers' championship, but we are not," Horner insisted.
"For me, he is now on par with Juan Manuel Fangio, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost and Michael Schumacher," Horner added.
F1 chief executive Ecclestone thinks Vettel is even better than that.
"People don't know how many titles Senna would have won," he told Bloomberg, "but Vettel is probably the best we've had."
Bernie Ecclestone admitted Vettel's dominance has hurt TV ratings slightly.
"People complain about him winning everything," he said, "but the racing is good.
"It's a bit like with Roger Federer or Muhammad Ali," he explained. "Vettel is the best there is and people want to be there when he gets beat."
Sebastian Vettel, however, has not been a universally popular figure this year, but Schumacher thinks that is more Red Bull's fault than his.
"If you win with a traditional team, a brand full of emotion and history, that is the ultimate. And that would certainly change one or two things in his (Vettel's) situation," said the great German.
"Whether he would have had the same successes with Ferrari," Schumacher acknowledged, "is a different sheet of paper."
Gerhard Berger thinks Sebastian Vettel is the best driver on the grid today, while Bernie Ecclestone says the German might be F1's all-time great.
If Fernando Alonso fails to finish either first or second in India on Sunday, Red Bull's Vettel will be guaranteed his fourth consecutive drivers' title.
Bild newspaper said the 26-year-old will scoop a EUR 5 million title-winning bonus, while each Red Bull employee will go home with an extra EUR 12,500 in their regular pay.
Berger, who was the team boss at Toro Rosso when Vettel won his first ever grand prix in 2008, thinks the German is now the class of the field.
 |
| Gerhard Berger and Sebastian Vettel in Monza 2008. First victory in F1 for the German driver. (Photo: WRi2) |
"I have always put Vettel behind Alonso," he told APA news agency, "but I think at the moment Alonso is focused too much on himself, becoming unstable.
"So while he is occupied with himself, Vettel gets one title after the next," added former Ferrari and McLaren driver Berger. "I think Vettel is clearly the best driver in formula one now."
Michael Schumacher agrees that Alonso has done himself no favours recently.
"He put himself on a path of stones," the seven time world champion told Bild newspaper, without elaborating.
"Things have happened that were not constructive," the former Ferrari driver added, still referring to Alonso.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner would not disagree, saying the fate of Vettel's teammate Mark Webber over the past few years proves Vettel's class.
"Mark Webber is a very good driver," he is quoted by Spox. "Before Vettel came into the team, his (Webber's) reputation was as a future champion. But this year in qualifying, Sebastian Vettel has beaten Mark 14 times and won nine times.
"If it was all about the car, we would be first and second in the drivers' championship, but we are not," Horner insisted.
"For me, he is now on par with Juan Manuel Fangio, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost and Michael Schumacher," Horner added.
F1 chief executive Ecclestone thinks Vettel is even better than that.
"People don't know how many titles Senna would have won," he told Bloomberg, "but Vettel is probably the best we've had."
 |
| Sebastian Vettel and Bernie Ecclestone. (Photo: WRi2) |
Bernie Ecclestone admitted Vettel's dominance has hurt TV ratings slightly.
"People complain about him winning everything," he said, "but the racing is good.
"It's a bit like with Roger Federer or Muhammad Ali," he explained. "Vettel is the best there is and people want to be there when he gets beat."
Sebastian Vettel, however, has not been a universally popular figure this year, but Schumacher thinks that is more Red Bull's fault than his.
"If you win with a traditional team, a brand full of emotion and history, that is the ultimate. And that would certainly change one or two things in his (Vettel's) situation," said the great German.
"Whether he would have had the same successes with Ferrari," Schumacher acknowledged, "is a different sheet of paper."
Oct
24th
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Today we have the first official renderings of the all-new 2015 Hyundai Genesis, which will make its global debut in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Set to go on sale in the second quarter of 2014, the next generation of Hyundai's entry-level luxury sedan will mark the first time that all-wheel drive is available on a Hyundai car.
The 2015 Hyundai Genesis also embodies the new “Fluidic Sculpture 2.0” design language in an effort to rival more directly with premium sedans from Germany.
Source: Hyundai
Set to go on sale in the second quarter of 2014, the next generation of Hyundai's entry-level luxury sedan will mark the first time that all-wheel drive is available on a Hyundai car.
The 2015 Hyundai Genesis also embodies the new “Fluidic Sculpture 2.0” design language in an effort to rival more directly with premium sedans from Germany.
Source: Hyundai
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| Hyundai Genesis 2015. (Photo: Hyundai) |
Oct
24th
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Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s head injury last year may put NASCAR on notice that all drivers need to have a medical baseline before such injury occurs.
On Thursday NASCAR announced that beginning in 2014, the sanctioning body require pre-season neurocognitive baseline testing as part of its comprehensive concussion prevention and management program for all of its national series drivers.
Earnhardt had a suffered a concussion while testing at Kansas Speedway, in August 2003, but insisted on continuing racing until he was involved in a 25-car crash at Talladega last October. Persistent headaches caused him to seek medical attention and his doctor ordered him to miss two races in the middle of NASCAR's playoffs.
Earnhardt and NASCAR learned from that. And now they are both onboard with the testing.
“This test can pinpoint where in the brain you're struggling, what kind of injury you have, what kind of things you can do to rehab and to recover,” Earnhardt told the Associated Press in February. “It helped me a lot. There was a lot of good information I learned throughout that whole process.”
In a press release NASCAR explained:
Baseline testing will be performed through the use of an ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) test, which is a widely-used neurocognitive assessment tool. The result of neurocognitive testing is one factor out of many that doctors use to diagnose and treat concussions. This particular test evaluates an athlete's verbal and visual memory, processing speed and reaction time.
By performing this test prior to the start of a season of competition, doctors are given a snapshot of an athlete's brain function while in a healthy state. Doctors can then use that baseline to compare to post-concussion tests to assist them in both evaluating the effects of any injury and informing their decisions to return an athlete to competition.
“NASCAR made this decision because we think it is important to drivers' health for doctors to have the best information and tools available in evaluating injuries,” said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR vice president of racing operations.
“Before announcing this rule, we provided drivers concussion and baseline testing education and created opportunities for them to ask any questions they may have to a top neurosurgeon that specializes in traumatic brain injuries. Also, remember that ImPACT tests are not new to our sport and have been used for treatment through the years.”
Since NASCAR's recommendation prior to the start of this season, drivers were invited to two concussion education sessions featuring Dr. Vinay Deshmukh, M.D. of Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates, a member of NASCAR's Medical Advisory Group of Consulting Physicians. At those sessions, drivers were presented with an overview of what concussions are, their causes, treatment and the role that baseline tests play in the comprehensive evaluation of concussions.
“We are extremely confident that our concussion protocol is among the best in sports,” O'Donnell said. “We regularly review all of our practices involving safety and health to see if there is anything that we can do better, or should do differently moving forward. Implementing baseline testing is a primary example of our philosophy to protect our competitors the best that we can.”
On Thursday NASCAR announced that beginning in 2014, the sanctioning body require pre-season neurocognitive baseline testing as part of its comprehensive concussion prevention and management program for all of its national series drivers.
 |
| Danica Patrick crashing hard into the SAFER barriers. (Photo: NASCAR1Getty Images) |
Earnhardt had a suffered a concussion while testing at Kansas Speedway, in August 2003, but insisted on continuing racing until he was involved in a 25-car crash at Talladega last October. Persistent headaches caused him to seek medical attention and his doctor ordered him to miss two races in the middle of NASCAR's playoffs.
Earnhardt and NASCAR learned from that. And now they are both onboard with the testing.
“This test can pinpoint where in the brain you're struggling, what kind of injury you have, what kind of things you can do to rehab and to recover,” Earnhardt told the Associated Press in February. “It helped me a lot. There was a lot of good information I learned throughout that whole process.”
In a press release NASCAR explained:
Baseline testing will be performed through the use of an ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) test, which is a widely-used neurocognitive assessment tool. The result of neurocognitive testing is one factor out of many that doctors use to diagnose and treat concussions. This particular test evaluates an athlete's verbal and visual memory, processing speed and reaction time.
By performing this test prior to the start of a season of competition, doctors are given a snapshot of an athlete's brain function while in a healthy state. Doctors can then use that baseline to compare to post-concussion tests to assist them in both evaluating the effects of any injury and informing their decisions to return an athlete to competition.
“NASCAR made this decision because we think it is important to drivers' health for doctors to have the best information and tools available in evaluating injuries,” said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR vice president of racing operations.
“Before announcing this rule, we provided drivers concussion and baseline testing education and created opportunities for them to ask any questions they may have to a top neurosurgeon that specializes in traumatic brain injuries. Also, remember that ImPACT tests are not new to our sport and have been used for treatment through the years.”
Since NASCAR's recommendation prior to the start of this season, drivers were invited to two concussion education sessions featuring Dr. Vinay Deshmukh, M.D. of Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates, a member of NASCAR's Medical Advisory Group of Consulting Physicians. At those sessions, drivers were presented with an overview of what concussions are, their causes, treatment and the role that baseline tests play in the comprehensive evaluation of concussions.
“We are extremely confident that our concussion protocol is among the best in sports,” O'Donnell said. “We regularly review all of our practices involving safety and health to see if there is anything that we can do better, or should do differently moving forward. Implementing baseline testing is a primary example of our philosophy to protect our competitors the best that we can.”
Oct
24th
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From GMM
Daniel Juncadella has played down reports that said he has a good chance of lining up on the grid for Williams next year.
The Spaniard is racing this year for Grove based Williams' 2014 engine supplier Mercedes in the German touring car series DTM.
And it was rumoured that another link that could pay off for 22-year-old Juncadella, whose uncle is the former HRT boss Luis Perez Sala, is his sponsor deal with the Kazakhstan capital Astana.
TAK Group's Artur Ardavichus said in June: "Astana wants Dani to progress and gain experience with Williams, to prepare him to be a formula one driver with Mercedes."
But Juncadella has now told Speed Week that the Williams story was wide of the mark.
"No. A lot was written about Williams in the Spanish media," he said. "It was wrong. If I had EUR 20 million, I could drive in formula one, but that makes no sense to me.
"I want to drive in a championship where my talent and my results are important. That is the case in the DTM," said Juncadella.
"I also want to win races and titles. So while formula one is always the biggest target, in the near future I am only thinking about the DTM," he added.
Daniel Juncadella has played down reports that said he has a good chance of lining up on the grid for Williams next year.
The Spaniard is racing this year for Grove based Williams' 2014 engine supplier Mercedes in the German touring car series DTM.
And it was rumoured that another link that could pay off for 22-year-old Juncadella, whose uncle is the former HRT boss Luis Perez Sala, is his sponsor deal with the Kazakhstan capital Astana.
TAK Group's Artur Ardavichus said in June: "Astana wants Dani to progress and gain experience with Williams, to prepare him to be a formula one driver with Mercedes."
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| Daniel Juncadella, Mercedes. (Photo: DTM) |
But Juncadella has now told Speed Week that the Williams story was wide of the mark.
"No. A lot was written about Williams in the Spanish media," he said. "It was wrong. If I had EUR 20 million, I could drive in formula one, but that makes no sense to me.
"I want to drive in a championship where my talent and my results are important. That is the case in the DTM," said Juncadella.
"I also want to win races and titles. So while formula one is always the biggest target, in the near future I am only thinking about the DTM," he added.