Auto News 5

Twin-turbo systems will become mandatory next year as part of an ongoing move to ensure parity between engine manufacturers Honda and Chevrolet in IndyCar.

The decision was confirmed on Thursday following an IndyCar Engine Committee meeting.

The change will most affect Honda, which currently races its 2.2 litre V6 in a single-turbo configuration.

Chevrolet returned to the series with a twin-turbo engine developed in partnership with Ilmor.

Photo: IndyCar

American Le Mans Series' LMP1 leader, Lucas Luhr will make his IndyCar debut at Sonoma in August; having struck a deal with Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing.

Luhr, 34-year-old, will join forces with squad regular Josef Newgarden at the California road course.

The German confirmed that his ties with Honda Performance Development, which is involved in his ALMS programme with Pickett Racing, was the decisive element that helped him secure this drive.

In order for him to get accustomed with his new mount, Luhr, who has driven single seaters in the past, will get two days of testing at the Sonoma Raceway ahead of the race.

He also said that he would be interested in contesting a full programme in IndyCar in the future.

Photo: Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing

From GMM

Ross Brawn has admitted Paddy Lowe is shaping up to replace him at the helm of Mercedes AMG.

"Yes, there's been a lot of speculation," Brawn told the German newspaper Die Welt.

He insisted, however, that no one should be surprised Mercedes made a move for Lowe, given his solid work for McLaren over the past two decades.

"However," Brawn admitted, "the plan was designed more for the future.

"The idea was that my role in the team would change with time and Paddy would then take on more responsibility.

"But now he's here early and we need to rethink our original plans.

"At the moment Paddy helps wherever he can," he said.

Paddy Lowe himself has been notably quiet on the subject, although it is known he definitely expects to lead the Brackley based team eventually.

Ross Brawn, Mercedes AMG team boss. (Photo: WRi2)

Ross Brawn said: "I am responsible, Paddy works for me, but at some point in the future it will change.

"I don't know when. I'm already looking forward to the new season, 2014 will be a very exciting year with completely new technology.

"Mercedes will be in good shape obviously and it will be great fun."

Pressed to reveal the timeline, Ross Brawn insisted: "I will work with Paddy for the next six months, maybe longer. When the transition occurs, it will be a soft handover."

But Ross Brawn might not step back completely.

"I don't know what role I'll have in the long term. There are various options," he said.

"I like the team, and the people."

July 30th, 2013 will mark the 150th anniversary of Henry Ford's birthday, which prompted the state of Michigan to declare it “Henry Ford Day,” recognizing the man's vast accomplishments and innovations.

Both the Michigan House and Michigan Senate adopted resolutions earlier this year to acknowledge Henry Ford's impact on the automotive industry and on society at large.

Celebrations will take place tomorrow, July 27th, at Henry and Clara Ford's historic home, Henry Ford Estate/Fair Lane in Dearborn.

Photo: Ford

During a meeting held at the Hungaroring, Formula 1 team bosses voted against a rule change that would have set a minimum time for the tire changes during Grands Prix.

The directors met Thursday with FIA safety delegate, Charlie Whiting to talk about safety in the pit lane after a cameraman was hit by a wheel that came off Mark Webber's Red Bull.

TV broadcaster Sky commentators said on Friday that the idea of a minimum time for the pit stops was turned down because they are a big part of the spectacle and it would cause the teams to adopt the identical race strategies.

It emerged that drivers now face ten-position grid penalties for the following race if they are released from a pit stop without four properly attached wheels.

Photo: Red Bull Racing

Subaru announced that the VIZIV Concept, which made its debut earlier this year in Geneva, will appear at the Frankfurt Auto Show from September 14-22, 2013.

This crossover, whose name stands for “Vision for Innovation,” represents the new design direction and technologies that will take the Subaru brand into the future.

Meanwhile, the Subaru WRX Concept, unveiled at the New York Auto Show this spring, offers a pretty good idea of what the next-generation WRX will look like. It features a more lightweight carbon fibre roof, a wider front grille, a broad rear bumper, as well as quadruple tailpipes.

The WRX Concept will have its European premiere in Frankfurt.

Photo: Subaru

Photo: Subaru

Three-time world champion, Sebastian Vettel led teammate Mark Webber in a Red Bull one-two in both Friday's free practice sessions for the Grand Prix of Hungary near Budapest.

It was already very hot this morning when Vettel turned his best lap (1m22.723), 0.259s quicker than Webber's, with Kimi Raikkonen third fastest for Lotus and Fernando Alonso fourth for Ferrari.

Sebastian Vettel. (Photo: WRi2)

The track remained slippery and very dirty all through the 90-minute session which saw ambient and track temperatures of 30 and 45 degrees Celsius, respectively.

It was the first time the teams got to run Pirelli's revised tires (2012 construction and 2013 compound) in competitive conditions and there were no dramas to report, as everyone ran exclusively with the medium compound.

Romain Grosjean was fifth in the other Lotus ahead of Jenson Button in a McLaren and Adrian Sutil in a Sahara Force India.

Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team

Mercedes AMG's drivers, Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, who did not taste the new Pirelli tires at Silverstone, were down in 8th and 13th spots, respectively.

It was still very hot in the afternoon for the second practice session.

As teams ran Pirelli's soft tires before focusing on long runs on the harder mediums, Vettel carried on where he left off this morning with the fastest time of 1m 21.264, but Webber was right with him this time, just 0.044s adrift.

Grosjean of Lotus was third, only 0.153s off Vettel.

Fernando Alonso. (Photo: Ferrari)

Then came the Ferraris of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, and the Mercedes of Hamilton and Rosberg.

Raikkonen, Button and Sutil completed the top 10.

At the back end of the grid, the Renault-powered Caterhams again outpaced the Marussia-Cosworths.

Adrian Sutil. (Photo: Sahara Force India)

Hungarian Grand Prix
Friday July 26, 2013

Free Practice session 1 - Results*
1 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'22"723 - 19 laps
2 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'22"982 - 24
3 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'23"010 - 20
4 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 1'23”099 - 22
5 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'23"111 - 20
6 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'23"370 - 26
7 - Adrian Sutil (Sahara Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'23"390 - 20
8 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) - 1'23"531 - 28
9 - Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'23"591 - 26
10 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'23"911 - 21
11 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'24"119 - 21
12 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'24"150 - 27
13 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 1'24"157 - 28
14 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'24"204 - 15
15 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'24"299 - 19
16 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'24"314 - 23
17 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'24"383 - 24
18 - Paul Di Resta (Sahara Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'24"608 - 21
19 - Charles Pic (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'25"827 - 24
20 - Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'26"808 - 25
21 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'27"617 - 20
22 - Rodolfo Gonzalez (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'37"459 - 25

Free Practice session 2 - Results*
1 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'21"264 - 34 laps
2 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'21"308 - 42
3 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'21"417 - 40
4 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 1'21”426 - 34
5 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'21"544 - 37
6 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 1'21"802 - 42
7 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) - 1'21"991 - 40
8 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'22"011 - 32
9 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'22"180 - 41
10 - Adrian Sutil (Sahara Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'22"304 - 41
11 - Paul Di Resta (Sahara Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'22"526 - 39
12 - Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'22"529 - 37
13 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'22"781 - 36
14 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'22"837 - 42
15 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'22"841 - 39
16 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'23"369 - 34
17 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'23"411 - 41
18 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'23"646 - 34
19 - Charles Pic (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'24"325 - 38
20 - Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'25"065 - 36
21 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'25"143 - 39
22 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'26"647 - 33

* Unofficial timings

MINI recently used a virtual 3D hologram to present the new MINI Vision concept, which hints at the styling direction of future models.

Boasting a compact sporting presence, the MINI Vision combines design cues from the classic Mini with more contemporary touches. For example, it integrates both the bumper and auxiliary lights into the famous hexagonal grille.

The Glamorous Gold paint finish is a MINI first. Other exterior highlights include elliptical full-LED headlights, as well as a clear separation of the roof, greenhouse and body.

Providing maximum comfort within minimal exterior dimensions, the cockpit has a “floating” centre console and driver-selectable mood lighting. A “MINI Disco” floor can come to life, giving the MINI Vision the atmosphere of a nightclub. Lounge seats featuring dynamic piping add the finishing touch.

The next-generation MINI is scheduled to make its world debut in Frankfurt this fall.

Photo: MINI

From Speedway 660

This Saturday at 7p.m., the Best of the Best Pro Stock 150 highlights racing action at Speedway 660 in Geary, New Brunswick. In addition to one of the biggest pro stock races of the season, fans will also see competition in four other exciting divisions.

"The Best of the Best 150 is one of our most exciting events of the year and there will be a strong field of competitors from our RE/MAX Group Four Realty Pro Stock Division, plus this race always generates interest from the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour and Pro All Star Series race teams" said Speedway 660's Michelle Roy.

"The winner gets more than a trip to the Riverview Ford Lincoln Victory Lane on Saturday night, they'll get an guaranteed starting position in the Auto Value 250, coming up on SpeedWeekend."

There will also be racing in the Martins Home Heating Sportsman, DMR Auto Sales and Service Street Stock, Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooter and West Wood Estate apartments Bandolero Divisions. Street Stock, Sportsman and Pro Stock heat races gets underway at 7PM, while the Bando and Sharp Shooter heats are scheduled for 6:20pm.

"Our drivers, in all five divisions, and our fans are looking forward to a great night of racing" said Roy. "After the Best of the Best 150, we'll take our annual break for the August holiday weekend so we expect some awesome action in every division this Saturday night."

Recent winners of the Best of the Best Pro Stock 150 include: Ben Rowe (2012); Greg Fahey (2011 & 09); Dave O'Blenis (2010) and; Kirk Thebeau (2008). O'Blenis and Thebeau are also former Auto Value 250 champions.

Adult ticket prices for the Best of the Best Pro Stock 150 are $20 - Youth tickets, for kids between 8 and 15 years of age are $15- our family Pass for two adults and two youths is $65- and - as always admission is absolutely free for Speedway 660's youngest race fans - seven and under.

The rain date for this race is Sunday at 2p.m. If the weather is unsettled on Saturday morning, fans and race team members are encouraged to call the race line at 506-454-7223 or visit www.speedway660.com for race day status updates.

Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. and Mercedes-AMG GmbH intend to enter a technical partnership through which the latter will supply Aston Martin with engines as well as electric and electronic components.

“We have selected AMG specifically as the basis for this powertrain development process. Aston Martin sources cutting edge technology from key suppliers around the globe and the opportunity to include content from Mercedes-AMG GmbH in our next generation sports cars is, clearly, good news,” said Aston Martin Product Development Director Ian Minards.

The German automaker will receive up to 5% equity in Aston Martin without cash consideration in several steps following the progress of the technical partnership, along with an observer status in the Board of Management of Aston Martin.

Both parties have the intention to work towards signing of definitive agreements during the second half of the year.

From GMM

India has emerged as the most likely host to fall by the wayside, as Bernie Ecclestone promises teams the 2014 calendar will not have more than 20 grands prix.

Next year, New Jersey, Russia and Austria are set to join the schedule, meaning that - as things currently stand - the calendar could blow out to 22 races.

But F1 chief executive Ecclestone has vowed to limit the schedule to 20.

German-language reports in Auto Motor und Sport and Speed Week said India and Korea are the races likely to fall victim.

India's problems are immiment. But the problem is not new.

Ahead of the first race near New Delhi two years ago, the event was threatened until the eleventh hour over a tax dispute.

The Indian government wants the teams and drivers to be taxed according to their high incomes, but so far Ecclestone has managed to placate the issue.

Now looking to trim the calendar, however, it is rumoured in the Hungaroring paddock that Ecclestone "will be tough this time".

So if the Indians do not calm their tax demands, "there will be no grand prix this year", Schmidt claims.

After a successful test last month with the team, Australian James Davison will join Dale Coyne Racing at next weekend's IndyCar Mid-Ohio race.

The 26-year-old, who raced in Indy Lights back in 2008 and '09 will join the suad regular driver Justin Wilson on the 2.3 mile road course.

Both of Davison's Lights victories came at Mid-Ohio. Since finishing runner-up to JR Hildebrand in the 2009 Lights championship he has made sporadic appearances in Grand-Am.

Davison will be the fourth driver to have occupied the second Coyne seat during 2013, joining Ana Beatriz, Mike Conway and Pippa Mann.

Photo: Dale Coyne Racing

Several drivers, teams and actors of various motorsport categories are showing their support to the victims and injured people of the terrible Santiago de Compostela train crash in Spain.

Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 has three Spanish drivers: Fernando Alonso, Marc Gene and Pedro de la Rosa.

This weekend, Alonso will wear a black armband at the Hungarian Grand Prix while test drivers Pedro de la Rosa and Marc Gene asked the Scuderia to show its support for all the victims of the train crash. The team held a banner that read “Todo nuesto apoyo a las victimas de Santiago” (all our support for the victims in Santiago.)

Photo: Ferrari

Lotus F1 Team chairman, Gerard Lopez, born in Spain, also sent a message.

“I and all within Lotus F1 Team would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of those affected and involved,” Lopez said in a press release.

“As a Galician, I will provide all the help and support possible to those affected by this disaster, which has taken place in an area of the country I know and love so well. As an expression of support, I would like to reach out to those involved and show my unity to the region.

“Furthermore, as a mark of respect and display of moral support, Lotus F1 Team will drive with the Galician flag on the rear wing end plates of both E21 Formula 1 cars throughout the weekend of the Hungarian Grand Prix.”

World rally driver, Spaniard Dani Sordo will carry a Galician flag on his Citroen DS3 during the Rally Finland in memory of the victims of the train crash tragedy.

Kia's second-quarter profit beat analysts' estimates after South Korea's second-largest carmaker sold more vehicles in China. Net income excluding minority interests rose 8 percent to $1.06 billion, the company said in a statement issued Friday.

Infiniti has just announced pricing for the 2014 Infiniti QX80 and QX50 crossovers.

As an enthusiast, you're probably already worried about an autonomous car ripping the joy -- and the steering wheel -- from your hands.

Joe Holland last month attracted national publicity for challenging new federal laws requiring his West Virginia dealership to provide insurance coverage for contraceptives taken after sex.

Ted Foltz and Frank Peterson took home the hardware for their respective classes in the 48th annual Pikes Peak Auto Hill Climb in Manitou Springs, Colo.

As the new Mercedes-Benz vehicles roll out of the shop in Stuttgart, Germany, tuner Brabus must be there waiting with open arms for its next project.

Acura's new, long-awaited