Auto News 5

Honeywell, which manufactures the air-conditioning refrigerant R1234yf together with Dupont, has dismissed Daimler's fears over the product.

General Motors is rolling out its newest electrified vehicle in two of the most eco-friendly states. But the newcomer will have to make its way in a market that is becoming more crowded, confusing and cutthroat.

The redesigned 2014 Mercedes-Benz S class that debuts this fall is loaded with high-technology safety features packaged into what Mercedes calls Intelligent Drive and Magic Carpet Ride -- features that automatically adjust to road conditions.

Mercedes-Benz may expand its compact front-wheel-drive lineup when a second generation debuts in 2018, Daimler AG CEO Dieter Zetsche said.

Katie Bowman Coleman took over a single-point operation in 2012. She needed to grow to compete against larger dealership groups in metro Detroit.

Mercedes-Benz has fixed a series of problems that enabled BMW and Audi to surpass it in global sales and profits, Daimler AG CEO Dieter Zetsche says. All except one, that is: customer satisfaction in the United States.

Dealers say they are paying Google dramatically higher prices than they were just seven months ago to snag smartphone users searching for vehicles and dealerships. Gold Coast Cadillac in Oakhurst, N.J.

No vehicle symbolizes Honda's wide-ranging efforts more than the redesigned Honda Fit.

Lexus will add another coupe to its stable, supplementing its IS C retractable hardtop with a pure coupe called the RC 350 that will be unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in November.

CarMax sold at retail twice as many used cars and trucks in its 2012 fiscal year as its nearest competitor.

Two years ago, AutoNation Inc. decided to invest millions in its parts and service business. So far, that bet hasn't paid off.

Mike Linn, CEO of the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association for 14 years, stepped aside July 1.

Volkswagen Group of America has cut its 2013 U.S. sales target for VW division, a sign that executives don't expect the brand to break out of its current slump by year end.

Veteran industry executive Wolfgang Ziebart has joined Jaguar Land Rover's management board as head of product development.

As they say, the show must go on.

For those who worried how the bankruptcy of Detroit would affect the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), Executive Director Rod Alberts confirmed that the 2014 edition (January 13-26) will take place no matter what.

The Cobo Center is independent of the city, and is managed and operated by a regional authority, so no funding from the city is needed for Cobo. The NAIAS is also an independent organization and will not be impacted in its operation or funding.

Detroit's NAIAS each year brings more than $350 million in economic impact to the Southeastern Michigan region.

Photo: NAIAS

From GMM

Eddie Jordan has tipped Red Bull to pick Daniel Ricciardo as Sebastian Vettel's new teammate for 2014.

Lotus team boss Eric Boullier said as recently as last Friday that he is doing "everything we can" to convince Kimi Raikkonen to stay next season.

Eddie Jordan, a former F1 team owner turned broadcaster for British television, thinks the Finn will ultimately decide to turn down Red Bull's admitted strong interest.

"At first I was pretty sure that Raikkonen will replace Mark Webber," Jordan told Russia's f1news.ru.

"But now I'm ready to change my mind. Sebastian Vettel is staying until 2015 and so it's probably not the best time to become his teammate," he admitted.

"I think Red Bull will opt for Daniel Ricciardo. I don't think Raikkonen wants to get into an extensive programme at Red Bull, with all the marketing, the work with the sponsors, the photo shoots and so on. That's the sort of work that every driver for that team has to do. Red Bull has a marketing programme, but Kimi Raikkonen just wants to race. I doubt they will find common ground," added Jordan.

Kimi Raikkonen. (Photo: Lotus F1 Team)

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, however, thinks Raikkonen should snap up Red Bull's offer.

"In his situation," the former Williams and Toyota driver said, "I would go to Red Bull without hesitation -- not for a second.

"It's true that we don't know every detail, like what kind of agreement Sebastian Vettel has," the German is quoted by Finland MTV3 broadcaster.

"But if the team gives both drivers the same equipment, it would be a great opportunity for Kimi, because he's a great driver."

From Cornwall Motor Speedway

It was Ladies Night Sunday at Cornwall Motor Speedway as gorgeous weather greeted race teams and fans as a complete race program for all five divisions was on tap as Alexandria Home Hardware sponsored the evening.

Rookie contender Gabriel Richer took the early lead in the 30-lap Jiffy Auto Services Modified feature but Chris Raabe quickly passed him on lap 3. While Raabe pulled away, Richer faded to fifth as Tim O'Brien, Luke Whitteker and Kyle Dingwall were now in front of him.

A serious crash occurred in turn 3 on lap 9 as Laurent Ladouceur landed on his roof in turn 3 and sustained severe damage, Laurent was ok. Raabe ran away as the feature got back to green with Whitteker now running second and Brian McDonald now in third. Raabe was able to survive to other cautions to pick his first win of 2013 at Cornwall in front of Whitteker, McDonald, Dingwall and Kayle Robidoux rounded out the top 5.

In the 20-lap Alexandria Home Hardware Pro-Stock Feature race, Dave Seguin led the way as Charles-David Beauchamp was second. Beauchamp got to the lead on lap 2 as PJ Peters followed the leader in second. Beauchamp resisted to charges from Peters as 4 cautions slowed the feature race in the middle portion. Beauchamp survived a late charge from Peters to win his first feature in his career over Peters and Marc Lalonde.

Terry Ladouceur led the way in the 20-lap Tracy Wheeler Storm Realty Sportsman Feature as Mike Stacey and Billy Cook completed the top 3 after 4 laps.

After a caution, Ladouceur was the leader as Jessica Power was now in third. Power got the lead using the inside lane just before Bill Mullin and John Mills got together as the feature got to halfway point. While Power was in front, Joey Ladouceur and Chris Herbison were now in the top 3. Power leads the final circuit to win her first event in Cornwall over Ladouceur and Herbison.

The 15-lap Evans Bus Lines Semi-Pro Feature closed the evening as Adam Delormier grabbed the early lead. An early caution gave the opportunity to Derek Cryderman to grab the lead. Cryderman led the final portion to win his third feature in a row.

In the 12-lap Baxtrom YIG Mini-Stock feature, Elizabeth Gauthier landed on her roof in turn 1, she was ok. When the green flag was back out, Pierre Robidoux gained the lead but lost power giving the top spot to Mike Gaucher with Justin Desrosiers running closely. Gaucher was able to resist claiming his third feature in a row over Desrosiers and Dudes Thompson.

Do not miss next week as on the biggest shows of 2013 is finally here with the World of Outlaws Sprint Car series in town, with the fastest cars on DIRT! The best drivers in that category will be in Cornwall to compete for the coveted $10,000 to win!

From press release

Marco Sorensen (Lotus) produced another clean sweep at the Red Bull Ring on Sunday. The Dane took victory ahead of Nigel Melker (Tech 1 Racing) and his compatriot Kevin Magnussen (DAMS), penalised though his championship prospects were boosted by the retirement of Stoffel Vandoorne (Fortec Motorsports).

Nigel Melker was the fastest man in qualifying, but the Dutchman had his best lap deleted for blocking Kevin Magnussen. Marco Sorensen was duly promoted to pole position, with Melker alongside him on the front row. Championship leader Kevin Magnussen qualified in third, with his closest rival, Stoffel Vandoorne, joining him on the second row.

As the lights went out, Antonio Félix da Costa (Arden Caterham) remained glued to the grid. Marco Sorensen held his lead from the start, with Kevin Magnussen passing Nigel Melker after Stoffel Vandoorne had spun at turn one.

Marco Sorensen, Lotus. (Photo: Renault Sport)

When the pit window opened, the majority of the drivers used the opportunity to make their stops. Nigel Melker pitted on lap seven, with Marco Sorensen and Kevin Magnussen following two laps later. The race order remained unchanged, and Sorensen soon stretched his lead.

The Lotus driver, however, had his advantage wiped out on lap 22, after the safety car was introduced to remove Carlos Huertas' car from the track. The Carlin man's single-seater had stopped on the track following a spin.
Kevin Magnussen pushed hard after the restart, but Marco Sorensen held on to win the race. Nigel Melker finally recorded another second place after Kevin Magnusen got penalised after his first-lap off-track overtaking.

Fourth, Sergey Sirotkin was the best-placed rookie and gained six places thanks to a late pitstop. William Buller (Zeta Corse) came fifth, followed by Marlon Stockinger (Lotus), Nico Müller (International Draco Racing), Pietro Fantin (Arden Caterham) and Norman Nato (DAMS).

From Humberstone Speedway

Erick Rudolph from Ransomville, NY drove away from Mat Williamson to claim his second DIRTcar Modified main of the season on Boltworks Industrial Fasteners Night at the New Humberstone Speedway.

Paul Grigsby from Springville, NY claimed his second Peters Excavating UMP/DIRTcar Late Models feature of the season while Jason Fontaine from Port Colborne, Ontario claimed his third J.C. Auto Street Stock feature of the 2013 racing season.

Leroy Buscumb from Welland, Ontario, racing in a borrowed ride picked up his first Trackside Decals Mini Stock feature. Sam Iftody from Fenwick, Ontario claimed his seventh Frontier Auto Dismantlers Pure Stock feature event of 2013. Tim Zack from Dain City, Ontario made it two for two in the Vintage Cars.

Chad Chevalier and Erick Rudolph led the field of DIRTcar Modifieds to the green flag with Chevalier leading the way early. Williamson up to third by lap three and just two laps later, was taking over second place away from Chevalier.

Dale Planck started dead last on the grid after having problems at the border and was moving up through the field in his Page Trucking 7z for Mike Payne. Planck was inside the top ten until getting tangled up with Tommy Flannigan. Plank was unable to continue on.

On the restart it was Rudolph continuing to show the way with Williamson, Susice, Bowman and Chrysler running behind the third generation driver Rudolph. Erick Rudolph would pull away and pick up his second win of the season.

Mat Williamson, Ryan Susice, Mike Bowman and Randy Chrysler completed the top five.

Ken Winfield and Paul Grigsby led the field of Peters Excavating Late Models with Grigsby getting the lead. Rob Pietz passed Tim Gillespie for second place early one and the rookie in the division tried to reel in Grigsby. Jorden Peters was able to get around Pietz for second but couldn't reel in Grigsby as the Springville, NY pilot picked up his second win of the season in the Late Models.

Mike Greene and Ryan Turner led the field of J.C. Auto Street Stocks to the green flag for their 20 lap feature event and it was Ryan Turner taking over the lead on the opening circuit. Cory Turner, coming into the nights action in second place in points came to a stop on the front stretch with a trail of fluid underneath the 19 machine. On the restart, James Thompson, Jason Fontaine and Billy Hogue went three wide for the lead and Hogue got loose and lost several positions. James Thompson, Turner, Kevin Knapp and Jason Fontaine went three wide for several laps and the heated battle continued throughout the 20 lap affair. At the end, it was Fontaine pulling away and edging out Knapp and Thompson to pick up his third win of the season.

Leroy Buscumb in a borrowed ride and Nate Monahan were on the front row of the Trackside Decals Mini Stocks and it was Buscumb showing the way early on. Buscumb, Tyler Lafantaisie and Kyle Pelrine pulled away from the rest of the field. Evan Curtis broke away from the second pack to pick up the fourth spot.

After Nate Monahan and Brandon Iudiciani spun in one, Buscumb was able to keep the lead on the restart but Kyle Pelrine was able to sneak past Buscumb for the lead on lap 12. Buscumb was able to retake the lead coming off turn two and held off Pelrine to score the win.

Al Harju and qualifying event winner Rick St. Pierre led the Vintage Cars to the green flag and it was St. Pierre showing the way. Last Sunday's feature winner Tim Zack tried to reel in St. Pierre and coming off turn four on the final lap, Tim Zack drove around St Pierre to pick up the win. St Pierre was able to cross the line in second after St. Pierre having problems on the final lap.

Mason Smith and Brad Booker led the field of Frontier Auto Dismantlers Pure Stocks to the green flag for their feature event and it was Marcel Beauregard, starting in third taking the race lead on lap one. Sam Iftody was on the move and by lap five, racing in second place. Iftody and Kyle Tomaski were able to reel in Beauregard. Beauregard and Iftody came together coming to the white flag lap and Iftody was able to take the lead and held off Tomaski for the checkered flag.

The infamous DeltaWing race car ran the Mobil 1 Sportscar Grand Prix at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park this past weekend in the capable hands of Katherine Legge and Andy Meyrick.

Saturday, it clocked a time of 1m10.256 in morning practice, good for second place overall and second spot in the P1 class. The team changed engines between practice and the afternoon sessions. The DeltaWing LM12 qualified with a time of 1m10.531, to start the race in third place overall.

The DeltaWing LM12 (Photo: René Fagnan)

Putting a five-second gap between himself and the third place P1 car, Andy Meyrick was looking forward to a solid race until a minor chassis failure caused the oil pump to fail on lap 16.

Compared to last year, it is now powered by an Elan Power 1.9-litre turbo gasoline engine that boasts 350 horses. The tires are now provided by Bridgestone.

A narrow Bridgestione front tire (Photos: René Fagnan)

The aerodynamic negative lift is generated by twin vortex underbody downforce system - BLAT (Boundary Layer Adhesion Technology).

The DeltaWing weight distribution is necessarily more rearward than traditionally seen with 72.5% of the mass between the wide track larger rear tires. Seventy-six per cent of the aerodynamic downforce acts on the rear of the car which has a lift to drag ratio of >5.0.

Generating so little drag allows the 590kg DeltaWing to reach a top speed of more than 300 km/h with an engine power of just 350bhp.

Photo: DeltaWing Race Cars

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

ENGINE
Type: 4 cylinder 1.9-litre Elan Power (Direct Injection Gasoline Turbo)
Maximum Power Output: 350bhp at 6800 rpm
Maximum Torque Output: 270 lb/ft constant from 3500 to 6800 rpm
Cylinder Head: Mazda-Speed Direct injection.
Engine weight: 176 lb (80kg)
Exhaust system: 4 into 1 exhaust with external waste-gate

TRANSMISSION
Gearbox: 5-speed sequential
Clutch: 2 Plate Carbon-Carbon
Shift System: Pneumatic paddle shift

The front end of the monocoque, with the front suspensions and brakes. (Photos: René Fagnan)

CHASSIS
Chassis type: FIA homologated carbon fibre monocoque
Front suspension: Double-wishbone, unequal length, with coil over shock units to lower wishbones. 4130 heat-treated thin wall tubular steel welded construction
Rear suspension: Double-wishbone, unequal length, with pushrod/rocker actuation of coil over shock units. Motion ratio discrimination between heave and roll via fulcrum arm on rear anti roll bar axis
Fuel tank: 40 litres FIA-specification gasoline fuel cell
Brakes: Vented PFC Carbon/Carbon discs with 4-pot aluminium monoblock calipers
Brake bias: 40% torque bias front
Front brake size: 280mm diameter, 18mm thick
Rear brake size: 320mm diameter, 25mm thick
Front wheel size: 15" diameter, 4" wide
Rear wheel size: 15" diameter, 12.5" wide
Front tires: 4.0/23/R15 Bridgestone
Rear tires: 12.0/24.5/R15 Bridgestone

The impressive floor with the side vortex generators. (Photos: René Fagnan)

WEIGHTS & DIMENSIONS
Weight: 490kg without fuel or driver, 590kg with fuel and driver
Weight distribution (front/rear): 28/72
Overall Length: 4.65m
Front width: 0.76m
Rear width: 2.08m
Height: 1.03m
Wheelbase: 3.05m
Track width (front): 0.6m
Track width (rear): 1.74m
Minimum ground clearance (front/rear): 30mm/60mm

Rear end of the car showing the engine installation. (Photos: René Fagnan)

PERFORMANCE
Top speed: 195 mph (313 km/h)
0-60mph: 3.3 sec