Two consecutive finishes outside the points have put the defending DTM champion Bruno Spengler in a tough spot.
In the fight for the 2013 title, Spengler has dropped to fourth, 39 points behind leader Mike Rockenfeller. Only three races remain on the calendar.
Reflecting on the last two rounds, in which he tangled with an Audi driver, the Canadian concluded they might have cost him a second consecutive crown: "If I am not champion again, it's definitely in these two races where it's cost us," he is quoted saying by British magazine
Autosport.
"Everyone who has eyes can see what happened in Moscow and what happened (at the Nürburgring), so I don't think I need to comment on this," he added referring to the contacts he had with Miguel Molina in Moscow, and with Filipe Albuquerque last weekend.
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| Can Bruno Spengler still turn his season around? (Photo: DTM.com) |
Audi's DTM boss Dieter Gass was quick to refute the theory according to which he told his drivers to target Spengler, however.
"After Moscow, I said it already that I don't want to see anyone taking out a championship contender," he told
TouringCarTimes.com. "We were fighting backwards and forwards, and I don't think it was harder on Bruno than it was on any of the other Audis."
In any case, the Canadian refuses to quit: "I will be back strong as a lion in Oschersleben," he also said.
"39 points looks hard as there's only 25 for a win, but it's still possible."
Ferrari has chosen the Frankfurt Motor Show for the launch of a souped-up version of the
458 Italia, the 458 Speciale. Equipped with a 597 hp V8, it is the most powerful V8 Ferrari ever.
Performance numbers released by Ferrari have the 458 Speciale accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 3 seconds, while reaching 200 km/h in 9.1 seconds. Top speed has yet to be announced.
Weighing in at 1290 kilograms, the 458 Speciale is equipped with moveable front and rear flaps and lateral skirts for aerodynamic efficiency. A new electronics system called Side Slip Angle Control (SSC), developed by Ferrari, helps maintains skid control.
Pricing for the 458 Speciale has not been published at this point by Ferrari.
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| Photo: Ferrari |
From press release
Reigning Canadian and North American Rally Champions Antoine L'Estage (of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Qc) and Nathalie Richard (of Halifax, Nova Scotia) will contest the final two rounds of the Rally America series in an Open Class 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, via support from Subaru and John Buffum's Vermont-based Libra Racing shop.
The Rockstar Energy Rally Team will make their first appearance in the car, an ex-Subaru Rally Team USA car last used by the team in 2010, this week at Minnesota's Ojibwe Forests Rally, and again at the Lake Superior Performance Rally in Michigan this fall.
"After our big accident in the WRC Lancer a few months ago, we were left without a car and looking for something competitive with which we could finish the Rally America series," exclaimed Quebec driver Antoine L'Estage.
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| Antoine L'Estage testing the Subaru WRX STI at Kearney Rally Village. (Photo: Neil McDaid) |
"The opportunity arose to drive a Subaru at the final two rounds and Subaru stepped up with support to make it happen. We're grateful for their assistance and I'm really looking forward to driving this car."
L'Estage will drive the Rockstar Subaru WRX STI in the last two rounds of the 2013 Rally America series. The car will be serviced by John Buffum's Libra Racing with technical assistance from Subaru technical-partner Vermont SportsCar.
The duo currently leads the 2013 North American Rally Cup and good results at these last two events would help increase their lead.
Toyota has announced the pricing for the different versions of the 2014 Venza, which are now available at Canadian Toyota dealers.
Available with a 2.7 litre 182 hp 4-cylinder engine or a 3.5 litre V6 that produces 268 hp, the Venza is equipped with a sequential 6-speed automatic transmission. Numerous standard features include heated-mirrors with integrated turn signals, convex mirror (for blind spots), floor lighting and an 8-way adjustable power driver seat among others.
| Model |
Engine |
Combined fuel economy (city/highway) |
Price |
| Venza (base) |
4-cylinder |
9.6L/100 km |
$28,695 |
| Venza V6 (base) |
V6 |
8.6L/100 km |
$30,495 |
| Venza AWD |
4-cylinder |
8.8L/100 km |
$30,450 |
| Venza AWD V6 |
V6 |
9.8L/100 km |
$32,250 |
A number of different equipment packages can be added to the 2014 Venza including XLE, Limited and Limited with Technology Package.
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| Photo: Toyota |
Lexus has chosen the backdrop of the Frankfurt Auto Show to introduce a concept vehicle of which few details have yet been released other than a furtive picture of the driver-side headlight.
The headlight bears a resemblance with those found on the
LF-CC Concept, introduced at the Paris Motor Show last fall, which is expected to eventually morph into the new soon-to-be-released RC Coupe. Several sources claim that the vehicle will most likely be in the compact SUV category. Tune in to the September 10th Lexus press conference to find out more.
The European launch of the GS 300h is also planned for Frankfurt. Equipped with the Hybrid 2.5 litre Lexus powertrain, the vehicle offers both lower emissions and improved fuel economy.
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| Photo: Lexus |
Ferrari has chosen the Frankfurt Motor Show for the launch of a souped-up version of the
458 Italia, the 458 Speciale. Equipped with a 597 hp V8, it is the most powerful V8 Ferrari ever.
Performance numbers released by Ferrari have the 458 Speciale accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 3 seconds, while reaching 200 km/h in 9.1 seconds. Top speed has yet to be announced.
Weighing in at 1290 kilograms, the 458 Speciale is equipped with moveable front and rear flaps and lateral skirts for aerodynamic efficiency. A new electronics system called Side Slip Angle Control (SSC), developed by Ferrari, helps maintains skid control.
Pricing for the 458 Speciale has not been published at this point by Ferrari.
|
| Photo: Ferrari |
Porsche was the first automaker to sell all their models in the United States with standard anti-lock brakes and driver- and passenger-side airbags.
Porsche was the first automaker to sell all their models in the United States with standard anti-lock brakes and driver- and passenger-side airbags.
Reynolds and Reynolds has acquired IMN Inc. to expand the branded newsletters that Reynolds' dealer customers use to stay in touch with car buyers and shoppers.Terms of the deal were undisclosed.
GM named Delphi executive Steve Kiefer head of global powertrain operations -- a post that has been vacant for more than two years. He will report to Mary Barra, GM's executive vice president of global product development.
Mitsubishi has just announced pricing for its 2014 Mirage, not to be confused with the
Mitsubishi has just announced pricing for its 2014 Mirage, not to be confused with the
Video game creator Codemasters' newest pair of racing simulators, and#8220;
Video game creator Codemasters' newest pair of racing simulators, and#8220;
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