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From Grand-Am.com

MONTEREY, Calif.  (Sept. 7, 2013) - Richard Westbrook hopes Spirit of Daytona's success at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca will help turn around what has been a disappointing season for the team.

On Saturday, the defending winner captured his second consecutive TOTAL Pole Award at the 2.238-mile circuit in qualifying for Sunday's Continental Tire Sports Car Festival powered by Mazda.

Westbrook lapped the 2.238-mile road course in 1 minute, 21.557 seconds (98.787 mph) to give the No. 90 VisitFlorida.com/Go-Pro Corvette DP its first pole of the season, edging out Max Angelelli in the No. 10 Velocity Worldwide Corvette DP by a mere 0.021 seconds.

“I like this place,” Westbrook said after winning his fourth career pole - and second in two attempts at Mazda Raceway.

“It was not easy for us here last year, but the competition is so much stronger this year, you really have to work to get an advantage. We're not happy with the way this season has gone; it's been really tough for everyone. I'm proud of the way the team has bounced back. Tomorrow is very important for us.”

Westbrook's co-driver is Ricky Taylor, whose younger brother Jordan Taylor is teamed with Angelelli on the all-Corvette DP front row.

Richard Westbrook, Corvette DP (Photo: Grand-Am.com)

Dane Cameron qualified third in the No. 42 Team Sahlen BMW/Riley co-driven by Wayne Nonnamaker. He will be joined on the second row by Indy 500 winners Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon in the No. 02 Cessna BMW/Riley.

The top 10 contenders for the DP championship are separated by only five points with two races remaining, led by Angelelli and Jordan Taylor.

Other contenders include Christian Fittipaldi and Joao Barbosa, who start fifth in the No. 5 Action Express Corvette DP; defending champions Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas, starting seventh in the No. 01 Telcel/TELMEX BMW/Riley; Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty, starting eight in the No. 99 GAINSCO Auto Insurance Corvette DP; and Ryan Dalziel and Alex Popow, starting ninth in the No. 2 Starworks Motorsport/Soloson BMW/Riley.

In qualifying for the production-based GT class, John Edwards captured his third pole of the season with a lap of 1:27.529 seconds (92.05 mph) in the No. 57 Stevenson Auto Group Camaro. Edwards edged out road course veteran Boris Said, who will start from the outside of the front row in the No. 31 Marsh Racing Corvette.

“We've got a really good car on (new) sticker tires,” Edwards said. “Our goal for tomorrow is to get better on older tires.”

From GMM

Red Bull will conduct a two-day, 1000 kilometre tire test with Pirelli mid next week in Barcelona.

The news revives memories of this year's Mercedes 'test-gate' scandal, but Auto Motor und Sport reports that the world champion team will be using a 2011 car, not the title-leading RB9.

And the race drivers will not be in action.  Instead, it will be test driver Sebastien Buemi alongside 2014 race driver Daniel Ricciardo.

Their task, confirmed by Pirelli motor sport boss Paul Hembery, will be to test 2014-specification tires.

Red Bull RB7 (Photo: WRi2)

But not everyone is happy.

"It's a huge advantage for them," said Force India sporting director Otmar Szafnauer.  "We were not offered a test like this."

It is believed however that a condition of Pirelli's tire testing with individual teams is that all of the other teams also have to be offered a similar opportunity.

Hembery denied Szafnauer's claim.

"We asked everyone.  We have another team that is interested but no date as yet," he insisted.

2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet First Look

A Sharper Entry-Level Drop-Top.

Though Americans' conception of the Audi A3 has always been that of an upscale four-door hatch, Europe has long enjoyed a much broader offering of Audi's compact model, including a cabriolet model. At the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, the wraps are coming off the 2015 A3 Cabriolet, giving Audi's entry-level drop top sharper yet still restrained styling consistent with the brand's larger offerings, as well as a healthy helping of technology.

Photo Gallery: 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet First Look - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet First Look - Automobile Magazine

2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet First Look | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet First Look

A Sharper Entry-Level Drop-Top.

Though Americans' conception of the Audi A3 has always been that of an upscale four-door hatch, Europe has long enjoyed a much broader offering of Audi's compact model, including a cabriolet model. At the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, the wraps are coming off the 2015 A3 Cabriolet, giving Audi's entry-level drop top sharper yet still restrained styling consistent with the brand's larger offerings, as well as a healthy helping of technology.

Photo Gallery: 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet First Look - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet First Look - Automobile Magazine

2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet First Look | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

Daimler AG plans to build a new Mercedes factory in Brazil to benefit from growing demand for compact cars in the country, CEO Dieter Zetsche told a German newspaper.

Russia's car market passed Germany to become Europe's biggest in sales in August, according to Russia's analytical agency Autostat.

Russia's car market passed Germany to become Europe's biggest in sales in August, according to Russia's analytical agency Autostat.

Russia's car market passed Germany to become Europe's biggest in sales in August, according to Russia's analytical agency Autostat.

After four years of rapid growth for the auto industry, a top Toyota executive says sales are "starting to plateau" around a rate of 16 million units a year. Bob Carter, senior vice president of automotive operations for Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.

The Chevrolet Malibu Eco, which uses General Motors' eAssist mild-hybrid system to boost fuel efficiency, is about to become a tough sell.

Russia's car market passed Germany to become Europe's biggest in sales in August, according to Russia's analytical agency Autostat.

Russia's car market passed Germany to become Europe's biggest in sales in August, according to Russia's analytical agency Autostat.

On September 6th and 7th 1914, over 650 Parisian cabs, Renault AG1's, were requisitioned in order to carry troops from the front to stem the German advance on Paris. 3,000 soldiers from the 7th Division boarded these vehicles (1 on the running board, 3 in the rear and 1 by the driver). Called Marne Taxis, these vehicles made history.

The Renault AG1 ran on wooden wheels and was powered by a 2-cylinder engine. Lighting consisted of a petrol-soaked wick lamp. They needed to stick close together at night so as not to lose sight of each other. This initiative can be considered as the first ‘'mechanized unit'', which proved to be so successful in WWII.

This operation constituted the first mechanized unit. For the record, the requisitioned vehicles cost the pubic treasury some 70,000 francs, as the drivers were paid the regular fees for their services...

Source : Musée Automobile Reims Champagne

Taxi de la Marne © musée de l'Armée (Dist. RMN-Grand Palais) Photo: Pascal Segrette

From GMM

Jean Todt has finally indicated he intends to fight for his role as FIA president.

Challenger David Ward has already published his manifesto as he seeks election in December, while incumbent Todt had yet to even say he will push for a second term.

"I guess to have an election you've got to have more than one candidate," said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner at Monza.

Finally on Saturday, on a visit to the Italian grand prix, Frenchman Todt told Auto Motor und Sport: "Why should I not want to finish what I have started?"

Also on Saturday, former Ferrari driver and ex Toro Rosso co-owner Gerhard Berger backtracked on earlier comments in which he suggested Todt's reign had not been good for F1.

"Jean Todt is 25 years a friend of mine and the reason why I do certain things in the FIA," the Austrian, also at Monza, told Reuters.

"And I support the FIA and Jean, just to clarify this.

"I would be very surprised if Jean does not stay long term in this role," added Berger.

From Grand-Am.com

There's no better place for a world premiere than sunny California. This weekend, two famed automobile marques will make their GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series debut, when Aston Martin and Lotus compete in Sunday's Continental Tire Sports Car Festival at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Months in the planning, TRG will field the No. 66 PayPal/Hewlett-Packard Aston Martin Vantage for factory driver Darren Turner and Brandon Davis. SDR/Lotus Racing will roll out the No. 11 Lotus Evora GX for Scott Dollahite and Jeff Mosing in the GX class.

Aston Martin Vantage (Photo: Grand-Am.com)

TRG owner Kevin Bucker said his new car was built specifically for the Rolex Series. He shook the car down with a sixth-place finish at the recent SCCA World Challenge race at Sonoma Raceway - an event won by Davis in a similar Aston Martin.

“I've been waiting for this moment for a long time,” Buckler said. “We've been working on this car since January. We're not sure how competitive it will be the first time out, but we brought in the best of the best for this weekend. “

Buckler also plans to run the new Aston Martin for the 2013 Rolex Series finale at Lime Rock Park on Sept. 28 in preparation for an all-out assault on 2014, beginning with the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Lotus Evora (Photo: Grand-Am.com)

It's been a long and winding road for Lotus to enter the Rolex Series. Originally, McMahon Raceworks planned to run the new Evora in the GX class, but sponsorship failed to materialize.

The team sold the car to Scott Dollahite and his father Bill, and they've spent the last five months getting ready at their shop in Austin. The SDR facility also includes a test track - Driveway Austin - where Scott Dollahite and Jeff Mosing did plenty of testing.

From Caterham F1 Team

Caterham F1 Team's racecars, driven by Charles Pic (#20) and Giedo van der Garde (#21), will bear the silhouette of a brand new concept Caterham road car on the side of the two CT03s at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza this weekend.

The new ultra-high performance model will be unveiled by Tony Fernandes, Chairman of Caterham Cars, during the SingTel Singapore Grand Prix race weekend (September 20th to 22nd).

The concept is the first model to be designed and developed with significant input from all of Caterham Group's specialist business arms - Caterham Technology & Innovation, Caterham Composites and Caterham F1 Team.

Separately, Caterham's all-new two-seater sportscar, which is being developed as a joint-venture with Renault-Alpine, continues to move apace ahead of its launch in early 2016.

Charles Pic, Caterham CT03, Monza (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has denied distributing the draft 2014 calendar that found its way into team bosses' hands at Monza.

The schedule features a record 21 grands prix, but F1 chief executive Ecclestone insisted the real calendar "hasn't been produced yet".

"I'm saying there is no draft calendar," he told Reuters.

Ecclestone also told the British broadcaster Sky: "It wasn't (released by) us."

Indeed, two venues not included - New Jersey and Valencia - were taking news of the release of the draft calendar tentatively.

"We have no official notification that the race is not going to happen," Jose Ciscar, vice president of the Valencia government, is quoted by El Pais.

And when asked about New Jersey, American FIA official Nick Craw said the draft calendar "contains more events than can be accommodated (and) doesn't contain some events that might be accommodated".

Beat Zehnder, team manager at Sauber, agreed that the calendar doing the rounds at Monza is almost certainly subject to change.

"Especially the number of races," he told Speed Week.

"To really have 21 races would require the consent of all eleven teams. And in all likelihood that is not going to happen."

From GMM

Nicolas Todt, who is Jules Bianchi's manager, is not ruling out a second consecutive season at Marussia for the French driver.

Rookie Bianchi, 24, has impressed this year, but it has been rumoured backers Ferrari want him in a better seat in 2014 -- perhaps Ferrari-powered Sauber.

But Bianchi's manager Todt told RMC Sport that Marussia should not be dismissed.

"The fact that there is an (engine) agreement with Ferrari in the long term is a good sign," he said at Monza.

"It shows Marussia has ambition and they will have a better car in the future.

"Yes, Ferrari has relationships with some teams, and it is in Ferrari's interest to exploit their opportunities to get Jules in another team.

"But staying at Marussia would not be regarded as a backwards step, but rather a continuation of a great adventure," Todt added.

Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali confirmed at Monza that the Italian team will continue to support Bianchi in F1 beyond 2013, with the ultimate aim of preparing the Frenchman for a possible future at the works team.

"We want him to do two good seasons with a team that gives him the opportunity to gain experience, and Marussia is one," he said.

Red Bull Sebastian Vettel, who set the fastest times in all practice sessions, topped the timing charts during all three segments of qualifying as well, to give his team its 50th pole in F1, ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

The German stayed in front of his teammate Mark Webber, who turned out to be the only other contender for the top spot on the grid. Third was Nico Hulkenberg, putting a nice bond on a tough season at Sauber. His best result so far has been eighth.

Ferrari's tactics of running in tandem failed, as Felipe Massa settled for fourth, ahead of team leader Fernando Alonso in fifth. Rumours of the Spaniard's discontent with the team are growing.

Nico Rosberg, piloting the only Mercedes in the top 10 shootout, managed a discrete sixth on the grid. His teammate Lewis Hamilton's run of four consecutive poles ended in Q2, with the Briton only 12th after a messy lap, for which he blamed himself. Nevertheless, former friend Adrian Sutil (Force India) did block him, and could be facing a penalty.

Both Mclaren drivers made it to Q3, and eventually Sergio Perez edged teammate Jenson Button with a faster time, leaving the pair eighth and ninth, sandwiched between the two Toro Rossos of Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Éric Vergne, who rounds out the top 10.

Despite showing up at Monza with a long wheelbase version of the E21, Lotus could not do any better than 11th and 13th on the grid, with Finn Kimi Raikkonen leading teammate Romain Grosjean.

Giedo van der Garde (Caterham) was fastest at the back of the grid. Teammate Charles Pic also managed to beat Marussia drivers Jules Bianchi and Max Chilton.

Qualifying results* - Italian Grand Prix (Monza)
1.Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'23”755 - Q3
2.Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'23”968 - Q3
3.Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'24”065 - Q3
4.Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'24”132 - Q3
5.Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 1'24”142 - Q3
6.Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) - 1'24”192 - Q3
7.Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'24”209 - Q3
8.Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'24”502 - Q3
9.Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'24”515 - Q3
10.Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'28”050 - Q3
11.Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'24”610 - Q2
12.Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 1'24”803 - Q2
13.Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'24”848 - Q2
14.Adrian Sutil (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'24”932 - Q2
15.Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'25”011 - Q2
16.Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'25”077 - Q2
17.Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'25"226 - Q1
18.Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'25"291 - Q1
19.Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'26"406 - Q1
20.Charles Pic (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'26"563 - Q1
21.Jules Bianchi (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'27"085 - Q1
22.Max Chilton (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'27"480 - Q1
*Unofficial timing

From GMM

Jean Todt has finally indicated he intends to fight for his role as FIA president.

Challenger David Ward has already published his manifesto as he seeks election in December, while incumbent Todt had yet to even say he will push for a second term.

"I guess to have an election you've got to have more than one candidate," said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner at Monza.

Finally on Saturday, on a visit to the Italian grand prix, Frenchman Todt told Auto Motor und Sport: "Why should I not want to finish what I have started?"

Also on Saturday, former Ferrari driver and ex Toro Rosso co-owner Gerhard Berger backtracked on earlier comments in which he suggested Todt's reign had not been good for F1.

"Jean Todt is 25 years a friend of mine and the reason why I do certain things in the FIA," the Austrian, also at Monza, told Reuters.

"And I support the FIA and Jean, just to clarify this.

"I would be very surprised if Jean does not stay long term in this role," added Berger.