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In the final round of the 2013 season of the DTM, fans got to see an action-packed rain race with plenty of surprises at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg.

At the end of a very entertaining race, former Formula 1 driver Timo Glock crossed the finish line as the winner with his BMW M3 DTM from Spaniard Roberto Merhi (Mercedes-Benz) and Canadian Bruno Spengler (BMW).

Photos: René Fagnan

Swede Mattias Ekström was the best-placed Audi driver in fourth, but that wasn't enough for the brand from Ingolstadt to win the manufacturers' title.

Thus, BMW not only claimed first and third place at Hockenheim, but also repeated its success from last year in the manufacturers' championship, ahead of Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

The Audi Sport Team Phoenix with Mike Rockenfeller and Miguel Molina won the teams' title. A total of 122,000 spectators attended the final DTM weekend of 2013.

From GMM

Stefano Domenicali has admitted Ferrari was targeting Robert Kubica for a future seat until his career-altering rally crash of 2011.

It has been rumoured the Italian team wanted Pole Kubica, who is now a full-time rally driver after substantially recovering from near-fatal injuries, to be Fernando Alonso's teammate.

Asked if the rumours were true, team boss Domenicali said: "Yes, we were keeping an eye on him.

"Unfortunately, I don't think he will be back (in F1), because with his physical problem, he would struggle in certain limited situations which require reactivity. It's a shame," he added.

Robert Kubica aboard the Lotus Renault, in February 2011. (Photo: WRi2)

Domenicali's comments, posted on the Ferrari website, originated from a meeting he had at Maranello this week with two Italian fans who have been heavily critical of the fabled team in recent months.

In the revealing interview, Domenicali admitted both he and Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo had been highly critical of Alonso recently, after the Spaniard made disparaging comments about the team.

"If I have something to say to him, as would be the case with my engineers, I would do it behind closed doors and in a harsh manner," he said.

"But externally, I will always defend the team. When he (Alonso) crossed the line, president Montezemolo intervened and in private, so did I."

I often wonder if anyone actually likes to drive anymore these days, at least here in my hometown in Canada. I drive on some heavily trafficked and heavily full of construction roads. The landscape is meh, the road conditions are horrid, and the number of cars on the road with me often makes for a pretty slow go any time of the day. I find myself looking around at my fellow motorists and all I see are sour faces. It's rather sad, actually.

Is it a lack of sleep? Not enough caffeine? I'm not sure, but it's kind of upsetting, and I feel like their displeasure often seeps into my vehicle, and I don't appreciate that one bit.

Perhaps I notice our discontent mostly because I've had the opportunity to drive other roads, like my colleagues. From twisting, turning roads that wind through the Alps to long, sweeping stretches of perfect tarmac lazily meandering through the Californian countryside, there are roads around the world I would give my left foot to drive on every day.

I could imagine the commute to work in San Francisco as stunning every single day. I'm not sure I'd ever get sick of seeing the Golden Gate Bridge rise from the sea-born fog that surrounds it on a daily basis, large, red and looming between the coastal mountains. Even in stop-and-go traffic, it must be hard to ignore and appreciate that sight on some level. But would a San Fran native agree?

Just outside Las Vegas in Nevada, the roads that traverse the Valley of Fire are some of the best roads I've ever been on. I would ensure I bought a house that meant I just had to drive them every day. Sure, it might take a little longer, but oh that drive!

We've lost something in the hustle and bustle of life these days, something important, something visceral. We've lost that connection with the world around us, that stop-and-smell-the-roses part that makes us humans a little more, well, human.

As we ho-hum our way through our daily routines, we're blind to the world around us -- and I don't blame us for being that way sometimes. Without heads constantly bent over iPhones and iPads, ears plugged with iPods and cars that can do everything for us, even send texts, why would we take a moment to look past our windshields.

In truth, there's joy to be had on any road in any country, especially if you like the car you're driving. I think that also has a great deal to do with it; finding that "perfect fit" vehicle isn't the easiest thing (or sometimes not even financially possible) so we settle, and pay the price in the end. But I digress; what I really want to emphasis is the fact that even traffic-packed, cone-lined streets can be interesting and even exciting, if you just wake up and see the world around you.

I complained about my drive in to work at the beginning of this blog, wishing it were more like some of the European roads I've been on, but in actual fact it does have its own beauty. I plan on finding it tomorrow morning as I drive to work in the rising sun.

Race drivers drive to the checkered flag on the track. Over at Hendrick Motorsports technicians' race to build NASCAR engines.

This year Robert Marock and Jay Wiles beat 11 other teams to win the 12th annual Randy Dorton Hendrick Engine Builder Showdown. The late Randy Dorton was Hendrick Motorsports' master engine builder until he lost his life in a plane crash nine years ago on his way to a NASCAR race in Martinsville.

Marock, the first two-time champion for Hendrick Automotive Group, and Wiles built their final Chevrolet R07.2 engine in 24 minutes and 38 seconds.



"I get more nervous every time I participate," said the 50-year-old Marock. "Jay (Wiles) was a great partner and communication was the key to winning today. I hope I can go back to the dealership and motivate my co-workers to get to this level and be in the competition. Hendrick teaches us not to be ordinary and this competition is an example of that."

Wiles, 49, has worked at Hendrick Motorsports since 1998 and won the first Randy Dorton Hendrick Engine Builder Showdown in 2002.

Eventual winners of the 12th annual Randy Dorton Hendrick Engine Builder Showdown Jay Wiles of Hendrick Motorsports and Robert Marock of Honda of Concord, a Hendrick Automotive Group dealership, near the end of their championship build. (Photo: Hendrick Motorsports)

"The first year I won we built our engine in just over 17 minutes, so that tells you how much more complex these engines and the process is now," Wiles said. "This event is important to Mr. Hendrick and important to all of us ...We compete and have some fun at the same time."

"Started in 2002, the Randy Dorton Hendrick Engine Builder Showdown pairs 12 Hendrick Automotive Group (car sales) master technicians with 12 Hendrick Motorsports technicians, in a two-day competition to construct Chevrolet R07.2 engines. The overall goal of the competition is to have the fewest errors in the shortest amount of time. The teams are set in a bracket-style format, and the two teams with the best times go head-to-head in the final round at Hendrick Motorsports," said a company release.

This year, 120 technicians took the test.

"We appreciate what our technicians at Hendrick Automotive Group do every day," said Rick Hendrick, Chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group and Owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "This event was established to recognize them and our team in the Hendrick Motorsports engine department. Whether it's selling cars or competing on the racetrack, we know the organization is stronger when we're all working together. That's something we're doing now more than ever."

Hendrick Automotive Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ed Brown, Vice President of Fixed Operations Wayne Simpson, General Manager of Honda of Concord Wes Watkins, Winner Robert Marock of Honda of Concord, Winner Jay Wiles of Hendrick Motorsports, Chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group and Owner of Hendrick Motorsports Rick Hendrick, and Director of Engine Operations at Hendrick Motorsports Jeff Andrews. (Photo: Hendrick Motorsports)

As we wait for the all-new 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid and Accord Plug-in Hybrid, I got to spend quality time with a 2013 Honda Accord Touring V6. I can easily see why this sedan won the AJAC's Canadian Car of the Year Award, as well as Auto123.com's 2013 Midsize Car of the Year Award.

Despite looking all serious and business-like, the Accord won me over the second I stepped inside. As a true benchmark for midsize cars, this Japanese icon is probably as close to perfection as it gets.


What is the Honda Accord?
The Honda Accord comes in sedan and coupe body styles, along with 4- and 6-cylinder engines, which makes it one of the most versatile midsize offerings in Canada.

Fully redesigned for 2013, the 9th-generation Accord keeps building on a stellar reputation for quality and reliability. It boasts a relatively sporty character, plenty of advanced safety systems, and high levels of comfort.

Fully redesigned for 2013, the 9th-generation Accord keeps building on a stellar reputation for quality and reliability. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

2013 Honda Accord Touring V6 Price and Specs
Under the hood of my tester was a 3.5L i-VTEC V6 rated at 278 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque. The engine worked with an excellent 6-speed automatic transmission, Variable Cylinder Management, ECON mode, and the friction- and weight-reducing Earth Dreams technology to achieve great fuel economy (more on that later).

In sedan form, the 2013 Honda Accord starts at $23,990. If you want the bigger mill, your only two options are the EX-L V6 and fully equipped Touring V6. At $35,400, the latter includes keyless access, which I quickly found out I couldn't live without.

Under the hood of my tester was a 3.5L i-VTEC V6 rated at 278 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Driving the 2013 Honda Accord Touring V6
The comfort-focused 2013 Honda Accord Touring V6 is far from boring to drive. Lively acceleration, decent handling, sharp steering, and very competent brakes contribute to a safe, pleasant experience behind the wheel. On the flip side, I was a bit disappointed with the turning radius.

Visibility in the 2013 Honda Accord is good up front, but the raised trunk makes it hard to see out the rear. The multi-angle backup camera with available guidelines comes in quite handy. Moreover, thanks to Honda's LaneWatch system, a camera mounted on the passenger's side mirror displays an image on the centre screen to effectively increase the viewing angle. This helps avoid potential collisions with objects or people in the right blind spot. As for the expanded-view driver's side mirror, it merely provides a distorted view of objects on the far-left side -- I didn't like it.

There are green and white bars on either side of the 2013 Honda Accord's speedometer that track how efficiently you're driving. My goal was to keep the bars as green as possible (without going all hypermiler-crazy), and it paid off: I wound up with an impressive 8.3L/100km average (granted, I mostly drove on highways).

Thanks to Honda's LaneWatch system, a camera mounted on the passenger's side mirror displays an image on the centre screen to effectively increase the viewing angle. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Inside and Out of the 2013 Honda Accord Touring V6
The new design of the 2013 Honda Accord gives it a modern, upscale look. The LED headlights, fog lights, and 18” wheels definitely add a touch of class. Personally, the only thing that kind of compromises the sleek exterior is the boxy tail.

Build quality is fantastic on both sides of the doors. Material selection is exemplary; same for fit and finish. The 2013 Honda Accord Touring V6's heated leather seats all around are just as comfortable as they are supportive.

The modern, user-friendly dashboard comes with dual screens. The large one up top provides a lot of information on the vehicle, while the smaller touch screen below allows you to select audio input or change radio stations, for instance. While this kind of interface is sharp and trendy, I still prefer the old-fashioned array of buttons and dials to keep my eyes on the road.

Ergonomics in the 2013 Honda Accord are adequate, although the cascade of sub-menus don't help. I would have liked a button for the Front Collision Warning system to the left of the steering wheel instead of having to find it through the various settings (along with Lane Departure Warning). What's more, Honda's voice-recognition system still needs some improvements.

Finally, despite offering lots of space and split-folding rear seats, the 2013 Honda Accord's versatility is significantly reduced by the tight opening between the cabin and the trunk.

Build quality is fantastic on both sides of the doors. Material selection is exemplary; same for fit and finish. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Comparing the 2013 Honda Accord Touring V6
As you know, midsize sedans are in the midst of an all-out war, with the lovely Ford Fusion, high-value Kia Optima, and cutting-edge Mazda6 fighting the hardest for your dollar.

If the past is any indication, the 2013 Honda Accord will prove immensely reliable and satisfying. That, combined with an attractive base price, pleasant driving dynamics, great build quality, and terrific resale value, should continue to drive hordes of buyers to Honda dealers.

From Gord Craig

The off-season has begun for many racing series in Canada however the race season is far from over for title sponsor of the NPP Late Model Series.

Northern Provincial Pipelines Ltd. will be waving the Canadian flag south of the border at two upcoming race events.

"The dirt cars are parked for the year," says NPP owner Dwight Kennedy, "now it's time to bring out the pavement cars." Sidney, British Columbia's Darrell Midgley (below), the 2009 NPP Late Model Series Champion and St. Thomas, Ontario's DJ Kennington (top), the two-time Canadian Tire NASCAR Series Champion (2010, 2012), will both be racing south of the border in the coming weeks.

Midgley will be competing at the annual Fall Classic event on the 'The Bullring' at Las Vegas Motor Speedway the end of October (24th- 26th). Kennington will compete at the NASCAR K&N Series event at Phoenix International Raceway in November (7th-9th).

"For several years we've had cars compete in Phoenix and Vegas," says team owner Dwight Kennedy, "it's basically a tradition now."

This will be the sixth consecutive appearance for Midgley on the .375 mile paved oval track in Las Vegas, Nevada. "We've always run well and qualified well [in Vegas]," exclaims Midgley who finished 5th at the 2012 Fall Classic, "as a team we are putting a huge effort into this year's race." For the first time, Northern Provincial Pipelines Ltd. will be bringing two cars to the Fall Classic event in Las Vegas.

"We will be running in both the Super Late Model and the Late Model classes," admits Midgley, "yes there will be the additional pressure of running the extra race."

DJ Kennington will focus his efforts on the NASCAR K&N Series event in Arizona. "This will be the first time behind the wheel of a race car since Peterborough Speedway [in September]." At the season ending race of the NCATS series, Kennington finished fourth and wound up second overall in the 2013 championship point standings. Kennington finished just two points back of top spot. "Looking forward to getting back to Phoenix," says Kennington, "we've had some strong runs there the past few races."

At the NASCAR K & N Series 2013 Season opener back in March, Kennington finished seventh. "We don't run with these guys all the time and to come out and grab a top 10 felt pretty good."

Both Kennington and Midgley will have two separate on-track practice sessions before qualifying and their individual race events.

From GMM

Red Bull's rivals are barking up the wrong tree if they are looking for a hidden secret to the world champion team's recent successes.

With a mere fifth this weekend in India, Sebastian Vettel will guarantee an easy romp to a fourth consecutive drivers' world championship, while the Austrian team is also leagues ahead in the constructors' race.

Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali, however, admits that boffins in the F1 paddock are currently scratching their heads to work out the secret behind Red Bull's stellar season, amid talk of 'strange' engine mapping settings.

"Everyone is trying to work that out," Domenicali is quoted by the official Ferrari website.

"But it's pointless make accusations if there is no proof. The FIA can check the control unit, and if they find nothing then Red Bull is obviously doing a good job," he added.

Adrian Newey at work in Red Bull's garage. (Photo: WRi2)

Dr Helmut Marko, Red Bull's plain-talking F1 consultant, would second that motion.

He says the Milton Keynes based team has simply ironed out all of its weaknesses.

"What our opponents lack is consistency," Marko told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. "Sometimes Mercedes is strong, sometimes Ferrari, sometimes Lotus.

"If they would always drive at that level then no one would think our car is so alien," said the Austrian.

"We have just got rid of our weaknesses. There are no wrong setups, no more bad strategies, no glitches during the pitstops," he added.

Marko said the simple matter of quickly getting to the bottom of an ideal setup is the uncomplicated key to a good race weekend.

"This is our new strength," he insisted. "We used to throw away a weekend on the wrong setups. Now we need a practice session and we can turn the whole thing around."

John Boyd Dunlop, who founded the Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Company, died on October 23rd, 1921, at the age of 81.

Born in 1840, Dunlop studied and actually practiced veterinary surgery for ten years before moving to Ireland.

In 1887, Dunlop developed the first practical pneumatic tire for his son's tricycle, an invention he claimed provided more comfort and grip. However, his patent was later declared invalid because Robert William Thomson had patented the idea of rubber strips on wooden rims in 1846-1847.

Dunlop's tire became an instant hit and made history, although it generated far less revenue than expected. The Michelin brothers' removable pneumatic tire, introduced in 1891, proved to be much more successful.

Source: Wikipedia

The newest and largest of Porsche's 15 Canadian dealerships recently opened in Oakville, Ontario. It is operated by the Policaro Automotive Family, which runs seven automotive franchises in six independently operated dealerships.

“Tonight is a momentous occasion for the brand in Canada,” said Alexander Pollich, Porsche Canada's President and CEO. “As the third point in the Greater Toronto Area, Porsche Centre Oakville will allow us to broaden our customer base. We congratulate the Policaro Group on their beautiful new facility.”

Bernhard Maier, Porsche AG member of the Board in charge of Sales and Marketing, attended the opening ceremony alongside famous Porsche enthusiast and collector Magnus Walker.

Source : Porsche Canada

Age and mileage are what do tires in. If we were all well organized, we'd probably only have to sift through our “car bill” folder and find the exact date, but we're clearly not.

What we can easily do is inspect the tires for treadwear. Nothing could be simpler than performing this check on our own. It's certainly easier than maintaining a folder full of bills in order...

Treadwear markers
The easiest and quickest way to get a sense of your tire's wear is by looking closely at the built-in treadwear indicators located between the blocks, inside the grooves. These small bumps or bars stick out above the very bottom of the groove. You can run your finger along the inside of the groove and you'll eventually find one; if you can't find them, better to dump the tires and not waste any more of your time.

A trick to remember: When the treadwear indicator is flush with the remainder of the tire's tread it's time for new rubber.


The Canadian way to test treadwear
Most of the time, old tricks no longer work in these times of iPads and wireless television. One exception to the rule is the quarter test.

Take a Canadian quarter, rotate the caribou's head until it faces down towards the inside of the groove. If you can still see the guy's nose, time to move on and get new tires. In practical terms, this means that the tread depth has fallen bellow 6/32 of an inch. Nothing prevents you from using the tires, but expect adherence and grip to drop off severely before winter's up.

In this scenario, be mindful of the distance you plan to travel. As well, not all tires wear at the same rate. We've all heard of some winter tires practically melting after only a season. We're also about helping you out with your next tire purchases. Check out our recommendations for both cars and CUV/Minivan/small SUV.


TIRE MAINTENANCE
We've touched on this in the past, but here are the most important points to remember:

Tire pressure
Keeping your tires properly inflated not only reduces wear, but may also improve fuel consumption.

If you install your tires on your own, make sure the pressure is good before the install. The garage will do the same. Ideally, a few weeks down the line, bending over and checking where the pressure's at would be an excellent idea especially as tire pressure drops with ambient temperature. Filling tires with nitrogen is one way to slow the effects of the cold weather.

If you're not sure what your vehicle's recommended tire pressure is, it can be found in the owner's manual, on a label behind the gas or driver's door.

Rotation, balancing and alignment
The next best piece of advice to stretch your tire's life is via regular rotations. Every time the wheel/tire combos are installed -- or just the tires alone -- they should be installed in a different position on the car. Depending on the type of tire, directional for example, they can only be switched front to rear and not side-to-side. This information is located on the tire's sidewall.

Tire balancing should also be done on a regular basis or roughly every 10,000 km. If you get both your winter and summer tires mounted on the same wheels, you've nothing to worry about. If the winter tires are mounted on different wheels, it would be wise to get them checked every two seasons or if you hit a curb (by accident, of course).

An alignment every few years will also help extend the life of all your tires. Every few years should do it unless you begin to feel something off in the way your vehicle drives, such as pulling from one side to the other.

From press release

Canadian based Admiraal Racing driver, Kelly Admiraal, will make his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut at Phoenix International Raceway for the November 9th ServiceMaster 200.

Admiraal will drive the No. 56 entry for the newly formed team, Kapusta Racing, with primary sponsorship from Western Camp Services.

The 18- year-old from Edmonton will also race at the Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 16th, for the Ford Ecoboost 300 Nationwide race. Kelly has competed in a number of NASCAR K&N West Series events throughout 2013, most notably at the Sonoma event with a 7th place finish for his first ever road course race.

"I'm very excited to make my NASCAR Nationwide Series debut at Phoenix," said Admiraal. "I'm equally excited for the race at Miami as well and for 2014. These races will be great learning experiences for me and stepping stones for my career as I try to earn my stripes within NASCAR.

Overseen by his agency, Drive Motorsports International, Admiraal will use these two events to gain a comfortability with the Nationwide car and to fulfill licensing requirements with the series prior to entering the series full time in 2014.

Admiraal will also continue to compete in the K&N West Series through 2013 as well as various Super Late Model events in Western Canada where he is the 2012 Western Canadian Super Late Model Championship Rookie of the year as well as the 2011 Whelen Series Rookie of the year.

Notice the leaves turning and starting to fall? This means the winter season is just around the bend. Like it or not, it is already time to seriously start thinking about getting some winter tires.

There are plenty of things to think about when shopping for these large rubber winter-ready doughnuts, so we put this quick winter tire-buying checklist together to help you along with your selection.

Type of vehicle
Passenger cars, CUVs and minivans, performance cars, and trucks are the principal segments of motor vehicles catered to by tire manufacturers. Each category of vehicle requires a specific tire type with the proper speed and load ratings. These details and specifications are very important to consider.

In most cases, your tire retailer will only recommend the proper tire for your vehicle. The tire's sidewalls contain all of these vital pieces of information (including size), but once again, you should not have to worry about these details.


Type of conditions
There are two types of road conditions to consider (and they come in a number of variations): ice and snow. For most urbanites, navigating plowed city streets and highways does not require hardcore snow tires. In fact, ice tires (which can also manage snow quite well) are a better choice, especially when we remember slippery intersections with stop signs.

Those who live in a more rural setting should consider snow tires for the opposite reason. Their best bet is likely a set of studded snow tires, for both ice and snow.

Driving requirements
This pertains to the actual type of driving you do and will do during the winter season. Many of us park - sorry -- cover ground on highways at speeds. For this reason, it could be wise to look into a performance winter tire that will remain stable at higher rates of speed. This can apply to both cars and many crossover vehicles.

Alternatively, tires with deeper tread blocks are better suited for snow and slush accumulation as they can properly evacuate what stands between the tire and the road's surface. These same tires can be the cause of a loss of steering responsiveness and overall stability at higher speeds.

4-season and the snowflake
The splicing of the winter-tire gene with that of the 4-season tire gene is becoming an increasingly common practice. So much so that the all-important, all-encompassing snowflake and mountain logo can be found on tires that, not so long ago, would not have been considered worthy.

Compound compositions have evolved vastly over the last few years to bring us closer to a single tire with the ability to handle multiple driving conditions. By definition though, these tires remain a compromise. The ideal solution for most of the Canadian market is to own two sets of tires, one for warmer days and one for when the temperature drops.

Tread wear
Different depths of tread have an influence on many facets of the tire's performance. The first is longevity or how long a tire will be able to "function" properly in the conditions for which it was designed.

Most true winter tires for cars will offer between 11/32 and 13/32 of tread depth. The deeper they are, the more apt the tire is at clearing the space sandwiched between the tire's contact patch and the road. Some provide shorter tread blocks with little compromise thanks to their innovative and technologically advanced tread design.

The final word: Price.
The bottom line is and will always be that you get what you pay for. Thankfully, tire pricing has dropped making tires more affordable.

Even so, you cannot expect a $75 tire to perform as well or for as long as a $125 tire in an equivalent size. Check out our recommendations for both cars and CUV/Minivan/small SUV.

Your vehicle, whether fairly new or well-used, has a way of communicating with you when it needs some attention. A light screech from the brakes, for instance, means your ride would appreciate a brake job. A loud squeal from under the hood typically means an accessory belt is in need of replacement. A drawn-out, struggling sound when starting the engine usually means the charging system or the starter itself should be looked at.

Then there are clunks.

These typically come from beneath the vehicle and can be experienced as bangs, pops or even clangs, depending on their cause.

If your ride exhibits any such sounds, possibly accompanied by a banging sensation felt through the floor, you're ride needs to visit a mechanic, pronto. Ignoring clunks can diminish ride comfort, affect steering and handling, and even cause an accident.

Here's a look at some common causes of concerning clunks, and what could happen if you ignore them. Not all possibilities are covered here, and sometimes worn-out suspension parts make no noise at all. The point is, if you've got any worries or if your ride is making any questionable sounds it needs a trip to your favourite service centre garage ASAP.


Sound: A grinding or popping noise -- possibly in succession.

When: While steering, almost always, and most notably when parked.

Possible Cause: Strut mounts. This component lets the front struts rotate in relation to the body of the car, allowing the wheels to steer. When strut mounts wear out, the bearings inside of them typically fail which makes it harder to steer the vehicle and puts additional strain on the steering system.

If Ignored: Steering effort will increase, meaning the driver will need to work harder to direct their car. Extra strain on the power-steering system will cause excessive wear of its components, too.


Sound: A light to moderate clunk or pop.

When: Over most or all bumps, especially sharp ones.

Possible Cause: Your shock absorbers could be wearing or worn. These components separate your vehicle's body from its wheels and have a major affect on ride quality, comfort, steering, and handling.

If Ignored: Blown shock absorbers will tend to make a vehicle ride like a lumber-wagon and diminish handling by bounding and bouncing excessively over bumps. Wheel contact with the road's surface is reduced, diminishing steering and brake-system effectiveness and increasing the likelihood of being in a collision.


Sound: A sharp popping, banging or clanging sound, sometimes accompanied by a banging sensation felt through the floor.

When: Over all or most sharp bumps, or even while cruising over uneven road surfaces.

Possible Cause: Ball joints. These important suspension parts are no bigger than golf balls, but when they wear out they make for a serious safety issue. Ball joints are comprised of two parts that are "pressed" together and serve a role in holding suspension and steering system components together. This is one suspension system component not to neglect.

If Ignored: In some cases, ball-joint failure can result in a wheel becoming severed from your vehicle's suspension, which will result in a total loss of control. Ever see a car on the side of the road with its nose on the ground and its front wheels pointing away from each other? That's ball-joint failure -- and it's no fun.


Sound: A rhythmic click or popping noise, possibly accompanied by a scrubbing or binding sensation at the back of your rear- or four-wheel drive vehicle.

When: Typically at lower speeds, while making sharper turns, like in a parking lot.

Possible Cause: The rear differential. Chattering, popping, clicking or scrubbing sensations usually indicate a problem, which could range from dirty, old differential fluid, water contamination of that fluid, worn-out internal parts or the need for a new differential all together.

If Ignored: Ignoring a rear differential noise can result in accelerated wear, reduced traction or even full differential failure in extreme cases. The latter will likely cause rear-wheel lock-up (causing a loss of control and accident) or failure to drive the rear wheels (resulting in you going nowhere, fast).

From GMM

Nico Rosberg is engaged to marry his long-term girlfriend Vivian Sibold, according to German reports.

"Yes, it's true," the Mercedes driver told Kolner Express newspaper. "We're getting married," added Rosberg, referring to Vivian, an interior designer.

"It all feels very, very nice. When and where it happens is still in the stars," added Rosberg.

The German driver lives with Vivian, who is also 28, in Monaco and Ibiza.

Vivian Sibold and Nico Rosberg. (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM

Daniil Kvyat has denied his surprise promotion to Toro Rosso for 2014 is being powered by Russian sponsors.

"To come into formula one, especially with Toro Rosso, all that matters is the performance and the results," the 19-year-old GP3 driver told Championat.

Kvyat admitted, however, that his "door is open" to potential partners.

"We might be able to make some announcement," he told the Russian publication, "but I think we are far away from that."

It is also believed Kvyat's signing, ahead of Carlos Sainz jr and Portuguese Antonio Felix da Costa, could be related to the inaugural Russian grand prix next year.

Former Toro Rosso co-owner Gerhard Berger, however, said Kvyat's talent is obvious.

"He is a natural. He has brought strong results despite not having the best car," the grand prix winner is quoted by APA news agency.

Berger said he thinks Kvyat will cope, even though he is skipping the recognised final steps to F1 such as GP2 or the Formula Renault 3.5 series.

"Toro Rosso is a good school, and a good driver will always manage," he said.

Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso. (Photo: WRi2)

Daniil Kvyat told the Russian website f1news.ru that he felt his chances intensify as he built momentum this year with strong results in GP3 and F3.

"All of the key people at Red Bull saw that I was able to win races in two different series," he said. "I think this led to the decision."

At the same time, hot favourite Antonio Felix da Costa was struggling in Formula Renault 3.5.

"This year, he had to fight for the title," said Kvyat, "but it didn't come together, let's say, smoothly. With me, the opposite happened -- at first it was not easy, but I learned to cope with it well and I think all the right people appreciated it."

He insists he is not too young or inexperienced for F1.

"I have done about 160 races in the junior categories, and had many podiums and victories," said Daniil Kvyat. "Kimi Raikkonen did I think 32 races and then came into formula one, so I don't see any problems. Vettel debuted at about the same age."

Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko agreed: "Everyone who has been involved in the decision said Daniil, through his performance, his speed and his maturity, was the ideal candidate."

He told Spain's El Confidencial that speculation linking Kvyat's deal with the Russian grand prix is wide of the mark.

"We looked for what is best for Red Bull and what is best for Toro Rosso in the medium term," said Marko.

He said Kvyat will be given some time to get up to speed with experienced teammate Jean-Eric Vergne.

"Of course he will have to learn how it works in formula one, learn the tracks, but I would say that after six or eight races he should be in a position to stand up to Vergne," said Marko.

After years of research, development, and testing your new car, truck, minivan or crossover rolls off the assembly line ready to provide long-lasting toughness, capability, and great looks. Although designers and engineers built your ride to handle a wide variety of activities and jobs, they've also created a selection of accessories and add-ons to help provide enhanced protection against the elements.

Plenty of options are available to help protect your ride's finish, interior, and overall appearance.

Factory-approved accessories from your ride's dealer are designed to fit beautifully, are guaranteed to work and perform up to the same standard as the rest of the vehicle. They are also typically covered by the new-car warranty that applies to the rest of your machine.

Unlike parts from the internet, dealer-installed accessories don't come with expensive shipping and duty fees, and can be easily returned if there's an issue.

Here's a look at some common accessories available from your dealer that focus on protecting your ride from the elements during the upcoming winter travel season, and the wear-and-tear of everyday life year-round.


Mud Flaps/Splash Guards
These affordable accessories can add a sense of ruggedness to your ride's look while also preventing long-term paint and body damage caused by salt, rocks, and sand flung from your tires. Typically made of dense rubber or plastic, mud flaps prevent thousands of tiny impacts to the paint around your ride's wheelwells and rocker panels.

Protective Film
Virtually invisible and very strong, many dealers offer a protective film treatment to help protect your ride's vulnerable painted surfaces from damage. Applied to the hood, headlights, bumpers or even rear quarter panels, the tough, clear protective film takes the abuse for your paint.

Step Bars
Ideal for families who travel in a crossover, SUV or pickup, step-bars make it easier to board and exit, and give those muddy, slushy boots a place to kick off, which means less mess tracked into your ride's cabin.

Door Sill Covers
Your ride's door sills are exposed to a lot of wear, especially if you frequently travel with a passenger or two of the four-legged variety. Protect your ride's painted door sills from claws, sand, and other damage with a set of accessory door sill covers. These add durability, while typically welcoming passengers on board your ride with its nameplate or logo proudly displayed.

Cargo Mats
Got a hatchback, wagon, crossover or minivan? Consider a cargo mat for the rear. By protecting the carpeting from wear, a cargo mat can affordably help keep your ride's interior in tip-top shape. Ideal for keeping the wear of loading and unloading gear away from the carpet, cargo mats are typically spill-proof, making them ideal for pet owners, too.

Rubberized Floor Mats
Designed to fit your ride precisely, rubberized floor mats offer fantastic, affordable protection for your carpeting and floor-pan. By trapping water, sand, salt, and other nastiness, your ride's carpet (and the metal floor beneath it) is protected from wear, mildew, rust, and staining. Rubberized floor mats are easily removed and cleaned with the garden hose or in the laundry-room sink.

From press release

Honda has confirmed that current drivers Gabriele Tarquini and Tiago Monteiro will be retained for the 2014 FIA WTCC campaign.

Hideo Sato, General Manager of Honda's Motor Sports Division commented: “Always with a new car and a new programme there is many areas to work on and always we are against the clock. Thanks to the driving skill, experience and technical knowledge of Gabriele and Tiago and their hard work with the team, we have made great progress very quickly this year.

They have both been fighting to get the Honda Civic WTCC into the results and to have won races and many podium positions is a great result. For 2014, I expect the regulations changes will create an exciting and dynamic racing season. I am confident that our two experienced drivers, who have intimate knowledge of the Civic, will be key to our success. I am very pleased to have them in the Honda Racing family for 2014 which will be another competitive season for sure.”

Tiago Monteiro and Gabriele Tarquini, Honda WTCC. (Photo: WRi2)

Tarquini, who is currently second in the Drivers' Championship, said: “I am proud of the long relationship I have had with Honda, from theBritish Touring Car Championship times until today. We have such a good team spirit and everybody is working for one thing and that is to win the races. We have developed this car into a winner and soon we will start with the 2014 car so to see Honda renew its confidence in me is a great reward."

And Monteiro echoed: “It is a great honour for me to have been involved in this project since the beginning and actively participate in the development of the Honda Civic WTCC which has become a highlycompetitive and winning car. Working with the whole Honda Team is a privilege at all levels. For 2014 I want to continue the good work we have been developing with the team and Gabriele and achieve many more podiums. I'm already looking forward to the start of the new season.”

From GMM

This weekend's Indian grand prix could be the last, concerned motor sport chief Vicky Chandhok has admitted.

There have been conflicting explanations as to the reason India has dropped off the 2014 calendar, amid reports of scheduling difficulties, tax hurdles and financial problems.

But the New Delhi round is provisionally scheduled to return in 2015. If it does not, Indian motor sports clubs president Chandhok fears India's F1 foray will be over.

"If it doesn't come back in 2015, it may never come back at all," he told the Guardian newspaper. "That is my concern. Once you lose a race it can be gone forever."

Photo: Buddh International Circuit.

So Chandhok called on Indian locals to make the 2013 race one "to remember", but organiser Jaypee has admitted it expects its 100,000-capacity circuit to be only half full this weekend, Bloomberg reports.

Sebastian Vettel is likely to secure his fourth title in front of that crowd of 50,000, the news agency added.

"We're hoping sales will increase as the race nears. Things should be ok," chief executive Sameer Gaur said.

65,000 attended last year's Indian grand prix, down from 95,000 in 2011.

A man selling tickets close to the Buddh circuit this week told the Indian Express that business has been slow in 2013.

"Very slow," he added. "Today, the booth has been open since 8 in the morning. Nine hours later, we have sold a total of 25 tickets."

Honda is going sporty and small at the Tokyo Motor Show next month, introducing close-to-production concepts of a miniroadster and its NSX sports car, alongside production versions of the upcoming Fit-based small crossover and a Japan-market...

Don't let the