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From GMM

Plans to take formula one to New Jersey are in tatters, as Bernie Ecclestone confirmed a race amid the Manhattan skyline will not happen in 2014.

This year's scheduled New Jersey race had already been delayed, but the F1 chief executive announced it also won't be on the 2014 calendar because organizers "haven't got any money".

Ecclestone told F1 business journalist Christian Sylt: "It's not on the cards for next year."

In the same CNN report, however, a spokesman for the event insisted preparations are in fact "on track for 2014".

He added that a statement will be issued after the 2014 calendar is officially published.

But Ecclestone likened the New Jersey foray to Donington's disastrous bid for the British grand prix a few years ago.

He said New Jersey "is like Donington all over again", adding that it is "such a muddle and a mess that it is not worth doing".

Ecclestone said he was surprised promoter Leo Hindery jr could not make the project work.

"The guy is a multibillionaire and is well-known in New York," Ecclestone told Sylt.

Hyundai is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its Canadian adventure and has created a special consumer-accessible website for the occasion. The website allows users to retrace the highlights of Hyundai Canada's accomplishments as well as the chance to win a 2013 Veloster with Tech Package and EcoShift DCT transmission.

"Hyundai has always boldly forged ahead. The fact that it was firmly established in the Canadian market only 16 years after being founded and a full three years before conquering the American market is indicative of its accomplishments. It was an audacious endeavor, but dreaming big has always been part of who we are as a company,'' explains Steve Kelleher, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp President & CEO.

Go to www.hyundai30years.ca to visit the Hyundai anniversary website.

Auto123.com is sad to report that two Dutch taking part in a demonstration run aboard an historic car died in a crash during the Arena Panzerplatte stage of the Rallye Deutschland, round nine of the World Rally Championship (WRC).

The event organizers issued the following statement:

“It is with great sadness that the organiser can confirm an accident took place this afternoon at the Arena Panzerplatte involving a historic car participating in a non-competitive demonstration programme.

The car, driven by a Dutch pairing, left the route near the Gina crest. The emergency services were on the scene immediately to assist but despite their best efforts the injuries sustained by both the driver and passenger proved fatal. No one else was involved in the incident.

Everyone associated with the event extends their deepest sympathies and condolences to the families, friends and individuals who are being touched by today's terrible tragedy.

The second passage of Arena Panzerplatte has been cancelled and the competition cars have been re-routed back to the Service Park in Trier.

The rally will continue on Sunday according to its itinerary.”

Our best wishes from Auto123.com go to friends and family of the departed.

Adapted from GMM

Kimi Raikkonen on Friday said he is unwilling to even talk with Lotus about 2014 until certain issues are cleared up.

"They (Lotus) know exactly what they have to do first, and then we are open to talk," he said.

Undoubtedly, the inimitable and unforthcoming Raikkonen was uncomfortable and annoyed as the media spotlight burned brightly. But he did little to assuage suspicions his Thursday illness was a form of boycott because Lotus is behind on paying him.

"Yeah, fine," he said when reporters asked if he had returned to health.

"There's always reasons for things.  I don't have to tell."

Meanwhile, team owner Gerard Lopez was playing down reports of financial strife at Lotus.

Reportedly in debt to the tune of EUR 120 million and with the new Infinity Racing investment in doubt, Lopez insisted at Spa-Francorchamps that Lotus is in fact in good health.

Indeed, some believe the team's debt is actually just 28 million.

Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus E21 (Photo: WRi2)

"It is 120 million," Lopez confirmed to Auto Motor und Sport, "but four-fifths of it we owe to ourselves, to Genii, because we do not sponsor the team but finance it through loans."

He said, therefore, that Genii is not going to urgently demand Lotus pay it back.

"First of all I want to ensure that the team continues to be well funded.  Whether we get the money back now or later, we have to see.

"We continue to look for partners to join the team.  It's not about getting money back quickly now."

Lopez insisted that is precisely why Lotus does not have a title sponsor at the moment.

"We could have signed a cheap contract," he said.  "But we think from the performance point of view, we need a sponsor who pays really well.

"We don't want to sign something now for three, four, five years that we will regret later."

Citroën's Dani Sordo ended Saturday as the new leader of the Germany Rally, round nine of the 2013 Word Rally Championship (WRC).

Former leader Jari-Matti Latvala (Volkswagen) had to throw in the towel after stage 12, where he slipped off the road, and broke a disc brake.

Second-place Thierry Neuville (Ford) went off at the same place, but escaped terminal damage, instead getting away with only a damaged exhaust. The Belgian was slowed down but could still press on.

Sordo therefore leads Neuville at the end of day two, but by only eighth tenths of a second. Sordo's teammate Mikko Hirvonen holds on to third place.

Aboard is Citroën DS3 RRC, Robert Kubica is leading in WRC2 and maintaining himself in the top five overall, ahead of Elfyn Evans (Ford), who is fighting the Pole for the class win.

Latvala will be allowed to take part in Sunday's remaining two stages thanks to Rally2 regulations.

Dani Sordo, Citroën DS3 WRC (Photo: Citroën Racing)

Provisional standings - Rallye Deutschland (WRC)
1. Sordo-Del Barrio (Citroen DS3 Wrc) in 2.43'48”5
2. Neuville-Gilsoul (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) a 0”8
3. Hirvonen-Lehtinen (Citroen DS3 Wrc) a 1'27”6
4. Prokop-Ernst (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) a 6'06”3
5. Kubica-Baran (Citroen DS3 Rrc) a 7'33”1
6. Evans-Barritt (Ford Fiesta RS R5) a 7'40”9
7. Latvala-Anttila (VW Polo Wrc) a 9'27”0
8. Paddon-Kennard (Skoda Fabia S2000) a 10'37"3
9. Ostberg-Andersson (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) a 12'27”8
10. Novikov-Minor (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) a 14'08”1

While this weekend's Swedish car gathering at Larz Anderson Auto Museum has little chance of beating Carlisle Import Nationals'

While this weekend's Swedish car gathering at Larz Anderson Auto Museum has little chance of beating Carlisle Import Nationals'

While this weekend's Swedish car gathering at Larz Anderson Auto Museum has little chance of beating Carlisle Import Nationals'

While this weekend's Swedish car gathering at Larz Anderson Auto Museum has little chance of beating Carlisle Import Nationals'

While this weekend's Swedish car gathering at Larz Anderson Auto Museum has little chance of beating Carlisle Import Nationals'

While this weekend's Swedish car gathering at Larz Anderson Auto Museum has little chance of beating Carlisle Import Nationals'

While this weekend's Swedish car gathering at Larz Anderson Auto Museum has little chance of beating Carlisle Import Nationals'

The Chevy Corvair, best known for its air-cooled, rear-engine layout and being and#8220;

The Chevy Corvair, best known for its air-cooled, rear-engine layout and being and#8220;

The Chevy Corvair, best known for its air-cooled, rear-engine layout and being and#8220;

The Chevy Corvair, best known for its air-cooled, rear-engine layout and being and#8220;

The Chevy Corvair, best known for its air-cooled, rear-engine layout and being and#8220;

The Chevy Corvair, best known for its air-cooled, rear-engine layout and being and#8220;

The Chevy Corvair, best known for its air-cooled, rear-engine layout and being and#8220;

Lexus has just released pricing for its refreshed