Auto News 5

True colours revealed on a road trip
First impressions are important, but sometimes you really need to get to know someone to discover their true nature. This doesn't just apply to people, but vehicles too, and was all too much the case for my time behind the wheel of the 2013 Acura MDX.

At just a smidgeon over $60k (for my Elite model), the 2013 Acura MDX sits in high class, futuristic company, and I thought it was sitting pretty and was a viable choice from the aristocratic group in which it resides.

I was wrong.


What is the Acura MDX?
The Acura MDX is a three-row, seven-seater crossover SUV, and was the first of its kind when it arrived in 2000. With plenty of space and a decent engine available from the beginning (a 3.5L when it arrived, and now a 3.7L), the MDX answered a need for space, a bit of power and efficiency. Wrapped in a stylish Acura-designed package, it was well received.

Always a “luxury” vehicle, the Acura MDX has continued the trend well over a decade into its North American stay. The 2013 model is no slouch when it comes to amenities, loaded to the gills with everything you need to make life behind the wheel (and as a passenger) easier.

Technicalities
The 2013 Acura MDX is equipped with a 3.7L 24-valve VTEC V6 that pushes out 300 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. Tipping the scales at 2,109 kg (for my Elite model, the chunkiest of the bunch), this is no lightweight. A 6-speed automatic transmission manages the power and performs quite well on its own, but can also be controlled via paddle shifters. The 2013 Acura MDX also features Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system (SH-AWD) and has a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs.

As the Acura MDX was designed and introduced to be a convenient family vehicle (with luxury amenities) cargo volume and space are of the utmost importance. With all back seats folded down, the 2013 Acura MDX offers up 2,364 litres of space to swallow up goods. With all rows up, that number shrinks to just 425 litres behind the third row (less than the Kia Soul that offers 546 litres with all seats up).

The 2013 Acura MDX is available in three model trims: MDX (base), Tech, and Elite. Prices range from $50,810 all the way up to $61,010. Engine and drivetrain remain the same across all models.

The 2013 Acura MDX is equipped with a 3.7L 24-valve VTEC V6 that pushes out 300 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Driving the Acura MDX
Behind the wheel of the 2013 Acura MDX is a pretty good place to be. Throttle response is good, as is engine delivery of the 300 horses under the hood. I also enjoyed the ability to shift via the steering-wheel mounted paddles. Honda/Acura have a knack for making vehicles that are good fun to drive, and such is the case with the MDX -- despite a few niggles.

On a trip to the country with a fully loaded MDX (which I'll get to in a moment as well), we noticed that road noise is abysmal. For a luxury vehicle, the 2013 Acura MDX doesn't “sound” luxurious as we actually had to raise our voices to speak to one another. All passengers also noted that the MacPherson strut front independent suspension and multi-link independent rear suspension may need some serious updating as it was a less than comfortable ride.

Even though the 2013 Acura MDX Elite offers up the ability to change the “ride” from Comfort to Sport, it just stiffens things up from float-y, sea-sickening (read: Comfort) to jarring and uncomfortable (read: Sport). Not the ideal road-trip vehicle after all.

On a trip to the country with a fully loaded MDX, we noticed that road noise is abysmal. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Inside and Out of the Acura MDX
Sitting at the top of the pack, my 2013 Acura MDX Elite was decked out with everything and then some (DVD entertainment for the back, XM satellite radio, blind-spot monitors, rear-view camera, the whole shebang). I quite like the look inside: it's sophisticated and upscale without being too snooty. I want to offer up a “bravo” to Acura for the multitude of buttons it threw into the MDX in our currently button-less automotive world. While everyone else goes for touch-this and link-that, Acura's remained old school, and for that I'm thankful.

However, button placement on the steering wheel is a bit annoying as some sit much too low.

Seating in the 2013 Acura MDX is mainly good. Front passengers have plenty of space and comfort. Second-row occupants will feel the same with plenty of legroom. But it all kind of goes downhill when you hit the third row. At 5'2” essentially I should fit anywhere. Yet, I had virtually no legroom in the third row and had to sit with knees to the side -- and the second row cannot be slid forward for more room in the back.

The exterior look of the 2013 Acura MDX is, perhaps, its best quality. Sitting atop 19” wheels with modern Acura touches we've come to recognize over the years, this is a sharp-looking crossover SUV.

Sitting at the top of the pack, my 2013 Acura MDX Elite was decked out with everything and then some (DVD entertainment for the back, XM satellite radio, blind-spot monitors, rear-view camera, the whole shebang). (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Comparing the Acura MDX
The 2013 Acura MDX Elite sits amongst some pretty heavy hitters like the BMW X5, ">Audi Q7 and even the Mazda CX-9. While a good-looking package inside and out, the MDX just isn't “fresh” enough to warrant the price tag attached, in my opinion.

From GMM

Lloyds, the part government-owned British bank, has sold its stake in the F1 team Marussia.

F1 business journalist Christian Sylt said the bank's private equity division LDC decided to sell its 25.3pc stake due to huge losses and the team's lack of results.

"LDC has sold its minority shareholding in the Marussia F1 team to (Russian supercar maker) Marussia," a spokesman confirmed to the Telegraph.

The spokesman said the team will continue to have a loan from LDC.

Photo: Marussia F1 Team

Rally champion, Sébastien Loeb will contest the Porsche Supercup races in Barcelona and Monaco.

The nine-time World Rally Champion will drive a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup type 991 and will make his debut in the Supercup, after having raced in the French Porsche Carrera Cup in Albi in 2008, Paul Ricard in 2011, and especially Pau last year where he clinched victory.

Loeb, who will run under the colours of his own team, just took part in the FIA GT Series round in Zolder last weekend, before flying to Rally Argentina. In June, he will compete in the Pikes Peak's hillclimb, driving a Peugeot 208 T16.

He is also rumoured to enter the 2014 Dakar rally, driving a buggy in Nasser Al Attiyah's team. Loeb is also waiting for the green light from Citroën to enter the World Touring Car Championship.

The Sebastien Loeb Racing's Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars. (Photo: Sebastien Loeb Racing)

In light of a blog I wrote a few weeks ago regarding the fact that I already know which car you own, I feel I should point out there's more to than knowing sales numbers and being generally observant. It also has a great deal to do with the fact that there are definite go-to cars out there; and the manufacturers know it as well as the consumers do.

What's a go-to car? Well, it's the vehicle you can buy without anyone questioning your purchase. There's no argument against it. You wanted an economical sedan and you bought a Honda Civic? Great choice! You wanted a pickup so you bought a base Ford F-150. You're the man. Finally reached a point in your life where you can afford the sports performance car you've always wanted and you chose a Porsche 911? No one is going to ask you, “Why the 911?” I guarantee you that.

Of course, car sales reflect these go-to car fixations, but they aren't the reason they exist. The Dodge Grand Caravan doesn't sell well because it's a big seller. That's the thing, these vehicles don't do well because they sell in droves, they do well because they are the originals; the models everyone else is trying to mimic to garner the same go-to status, and therefore the same sales.

This became glaringly true on a recent comparison drive. With three vehicles in the same segment, we realized that two of the three were just trying to be like the No. 1 seller, the one that everyone turns to in that segment. They were variations on the original, and they had a hard time matching up to it. The go-to car is a go-to for a reason.

The go-to car has history, and is often the first of its kind or the first in its segment. They are/were the trend-setters, the fad-starters, and so they became staples in driveways across the country. Because of this, go-to cars aren't often completely overhauled, they are kept as close to the original as possible, and despite that they continue to sell. Why? Because if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?

Manufacturers aren't dumb, they know what their consumer wants and so they continue to give it to them. Imagine the next F-150 suddenly came out with two doors, front-wheel drive, and only with a manual transmission. Can you imagine the response to such a sacrilege and how it could hurt the F-150's go-to status in the end?

I think go-to cars are a good thing. They are a constant in a constantly changing world of automotive choices consumers face every time they want to purchase a new car. It's nice to know there are certain makes and models we can always rely on, ones we know we can be satisfied with if we have specific needs.

All hail the go-to car.

AJ Foyt Racing's Takuma Sato ran with the frontrunners all afternoon long to finally claim his first ever IZOD IndyCar victory Sunday in the streets of Long Beach.

The former Formula 1 driver and Honda protégé took the lead on lap 31 and then ran a flawless race, making sure to maintain a good  gap between himself and his rivals.

Although he crossed the finish line under a full-course yellow, the Japanese driver had a 5.2-second lead over Graham Rahal who needed to clinch a good result following a disappointing start to the season.

Takuma Sato. (Photo: LAT/IndyCar)

Briton Justin Wilson, another former F1 driver, started the race from the pack of the field because he's been unable to complete a lap during qualifying. He finished the race at an impressive third place for Dale Coyne Racing.

Ganassi's Dario Franchitti, who took the start from pole position, crossed the line in fourth place, the Scot having lost time during a slow first pit stop.

JR Hilderbrand (Panther Racing) completed the top 5, having been promoted to that position after Oriol Servia was penalised for the incident in which he was involved with Tony Kanaan.

It was a day to forget for Andretti Autosport... James Hinchcliffe was squeezed into the wall and crashing out on a restart - an incident that also damaged the car of teammate EJ Viso - while Ryan Hunter-Reay crashed while trying to pass Ana Beatriz.

Takuma Sato leading the race in Long Beach. (Photo: LAT/IndyCar)

Results - 80 laps:

Pos Driver Team/Car Time/Gap
1. Takuma Sato Foyt Dallara-Honda 80 laps
2. Graham Rahal Rahal Dallara-Honda + 5.3612s
3. Justin Wilson Coyne Dallara-Honda + 8.2386s
4. Dario Franchitti Ganassi Dallara-Honda + 12.3573s
5. JR Hildebrand Panther Dallara-Chevy + 28.2402s
6. Oriol Servia Panther/DRR Dallara-Chevy + 29.4683s
7. Marco Andretti Andretti Dallara-Chevy + 30.2703s
8. Simon Pagenaud Schmidt Dallara-Honda + 31.8674s
9. Simona de Silvestro KV Dallara-Chevy + 33.1224s
10. Helio Castroneves Penske Dallara-Chevy + 33.4118s
11. Scott Dixon Ganassi Dallara-Honda + 33.6278s
12. James Jakes Rahal Dallara-Honda + 35.0645s
13. Josef Newgarden Fisher Dallara-Honda + 35.8945s
14. Ana Beatriz Coyne Dallara-Honda + 36.3442s
15. Sebastien Bourdais Dragon Dallara-Chevy + 36.5936s
16. Will Power Penske Dallara-Chevy + 43.0022s
17. Tristan Vautier Schmidt Dallara-Honda + 51.7961s
18. Ed Carpenter Carpenter Dallara-Chevy + 56.4533s
19. Alex Tagliani Herta Dallara-Honda + 1 laps
20. Tony Kanaan KV Dallara-Chevy + 2 laps
21. Charlie Kimball Ganassi Dallara-Honda + 2 laps
22. EJ Viso Andretti Dallara-Chevy + 27 laps

Retirements:
AJ Allmendinger Penske Dallara-Chevy 51 laps
Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti Dallara-Chevy 49 laps
Mike Conway Rahal Dallara-Honda 38 laps
James Hinchcliffe Andretti Dallara-Chevy 34 laps
Sebastian Saavedra Dragon Dallara-Chevy 1 lap

If it's NASCAR Sprint Cup you're interested in, you've come to the right page.  Find everything you need to follow the 2013 season, right here at the reach of your mouse.

(Photo: NASCAR/Getty Images)

TEAMS
From BK to Wood Brothers, all the race teams that entered the 2013 Sprint Cup season are listed here, along with everything there is to know about them.

BK Racing
www.bkracing.com
260 Aviation Drive
Statesville, NC 28677
USA
Owners: Ron Devine, Wayne Press
Drivers:
David Reutimann - No. 83 Toyota Camry
Travis Kvapil - No. 93 Toyota Camry
Crew Chiefs:
Doug Richert (Reutimann)
Todd Anderson (Kvapil)
Engine Builder: BK Engines
Team Twitter Account: @BKRacing8393
Driver Twitter Accounts: @TravisKvapil, @DavidReutimann

Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates
www.earnhardtganassi.com
8500 Westmoreland Drive
Concord, NC 28027
USA
Owners: Teresa Earnhardt, Chip Ganassi, Felix Sabates
Drivers:
Jamie McMurray - No. 1 McDonald's Chevrolet
Juan Pablo Montoya - No. 42 Target Chevrolet
Crew Chiefs:
Kevin Manion (McMurray)
Chris Heroy (Montoya)
Engine Builder: Hendrick Engines
Team Twitter Account: @EGRTeams
Driver Twitter Accounts: @JamieMcMurray, @jpmontoya

FAS Lane Racing
www.faslaneracing.com
160 Gasoline Alley
Mooresville, NC 28115
USA
Owner: Frank Stoddard
Drivers:
Ken Schrader - No. 32 Federated Auto Parts Ford
Terry Labonte - No. 32 C&J Energy Ford
Timmy Hill - No. 32 US Chrome Ford
Crew Chief:
Frank Stoddard
Engine Builder: Roush Yates Engines
Team Twitter Account: @fas_lane_racing
Driver Twitter Accounts: @KenSchrader, @TimmyHillRacer

Front Row Motorsports
www.teamfrm.com
2670 Peachtree Road
Statesville, NC 28625
USA
Owner: Bob Jenkins
Drivers:
Josh Wise - No. 26 Front Row Motorsports Ford
David Ragan - No. 34 Peanut Patch Ford
David Gilliland - No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Crew Chiefs:
Steven Lane (Wise) Jay Guy (Ragan)
Frank Kerr (Gilliland)
Engine Builder: Roush-Yates Engines
Team Twitter Account: @FrontRowNASCAR
Driver Twitter Accounts: @Josh_Wise, @DavidRagan, @DavidGilliland

Furniture Row Racing
www.furniturerowracing.com
4000 Forest Street
Denver, CO 80216
USA
Owner: Barney Visser
Driver:
Kurt Busch - No. 78 Furniture Row Chevrolet
Crew Chief:
Todd Berrier
Engine Builder: ECR Engines
Team Twitter Account: @FR78Racing
Driver Twitter Account: @KurtBusch

Germain Racing
www.germainracing.com
218 Raceway Drive
Mooresville, NC 28117
USA
Owner: Bob Germain Jr.
Driver:
Casey Mears - No. 13 GEICO Ford
Crew Chief:
Bootie Barker Engine
Builder: Roush-Yates Engines
218 Raceway Drive
Mooresville, NC 28117
USA
Team Twitter Account: @GermainRacing

Hendrick Motorsports
www.hendrickmotorsports.com
4400 Papa Joe Hendrick Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28262
USA
Owner: Rick Hendrick
Drivers:
Kasey Kahne - No. 5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet
Jeff Gordon - No. 24 Drive To End Hunger Chevrolet
Dale Earnhardt Jr. - No. 88 National Guard Chevrolet
Jimmie Johnson - No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet
Crew Chiefs:
Kenny Francis (Kahne)
Alan Gustafson (Gordon) Steve Letarte (Earnhardt)
Chad Knaus (Johnson)
Engine Builder: Hendrick Motorsports
Team Twitter Account: @TeamHendrick
Driver Twitter Accounts: @JimmieJohnson, @JeffGordonWeb, @kaseykahne, @DaleJr

Humphrey-Smith Racing, LLC
114 Meadow Hill Circle
Mooresville, NC 28117
USA
Owners: Randy Humphrey, Mark Smith
Driver:
Mike Bliss - No. 19 Plinker Tactical Toyota
Crew Chief:
Peter Sospenzo
Engine Builder: Pro Motor Engines

Joe Gibbs Racing
www.joegibbsracing.com
13415 Reese Blvd.
Huntersville, NC 28078
USA
Owner: Joe Gibbs
Drivers:
Denny Hamlin - No. 11 FedEx Toyota
Kyle Busch - No. 18 M&M's Toyota
Matt Kenseth - No. 20 Dollar General/Husky Toyota
Crew Chiefs:
Darian Grubb (Hamlin)
Dave Rogers (Busch)
Jason Ratcliff (Kenseth)
Engine Builder: Mark Cronquist
Team Twitter Account: @JoeGibbsRacing
Driver Twitter Accounts: @kylebusch, @DennyHamlin, @mattkenseth

JTG/Daugherty Racing
www.jtgdaughertyracing.com
7201 Caldwell Road
Harrisburg, NC 28075
USA
Owners: Tad Geschickter, Jodi Geschickter, Brad Daugherty
Driver:
Bobby Labonte - No. 47 Kingsford/Clorox/Scott Products/ Bush's Beans Toyota
Crew Chief:
Brian Burns
Engine Builder: Triad Racing Technologies
Team Twitter Account: @nascar47
Driver Twitter Account: @Bobby_Labonte

Leavine Family Racing
www.lfr95.com
6007 Victory Lane
Concord, NC 28027
USA
Owner: W. Robert “Bob” Leavine
Driver:
Scott Speed - No.95 Leavine Family Racing Ford
Crew Chief:
Wally Rogers
Engine Builder: Roush Yates Engines
Team Twitter Account: @LeavineFamily95
Driver Twitter Accounts: @ScottSpeed

Michael Waltrip Racing
www.michaelwaltripracing.com
20310 Chartwell Center Drive
Cornelius, NC 28031
USA
Owners: Michael Waltrip, Robert Kauffman
Drivers:
Clint Bowyer - No. 15 5-hour ENERGY Toyota
Mark Martin, Brian Vickers and Michael Waltrip - No. 55 Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota
Martin Truex Jr. - No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota
Crew Chiefs:
Rodney Childers (Martin, Vickers & Waltrip)
Chad Johnston (Truex)
Brian Pattie (Bowyer)
Engine Builder: TRD, U.S.A., Inc.
Team Twitter Account: @MWRTeam
Driver Twitter Accounts: @mw55, @ClintBowyer, @55markmartin, @martintruexjr56, @brianlvickers

NEMCO Motorsports
www.nemcomotorsports.com
P.O. Box 177
Mooresville, NC 28115
USA
Owner: Andrea Nemechek
Driver:
Joe Nemechek - No. 87 NEMCO Motorsports Toyota
Crew Chief:
Steve Gray Engine Builder: TBD
Driver Twitter Account: @FrontRowJoe87

Penske Racing
www.penskeracing.com
200 Penske Way
PO Box 500
Mooresville, NC 28115
USA
Owner: Roger Penske
Drivers:
Brad Keselowski - No. 2 Miller Lite Ford
Joey Logano - No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford
Crew Chiefs:
Paul Wolfe (Keselowski)
Todd Gordon (Logano)
Engine Builder: Roush-Yates Engines
Team Twitter Account: @PenskeRacing
Driver Twitter Accounts: @keselowski, @joeylogano

Phil Parsons Racing
103 Center Lane
Huntersville, NC 28078
USA
Owner: Mike Curb
Driver:
Michael McDowell - No. 98 Phil Parsons Racing Ford
Crew Chief:
Gene Nead
Engine Builder: Roush Yates Engines
103 Center Lane Huntersville, NC 28078
Team Twitter Account: @PR98
Driver Twitter Account: @Mc_Driver

Phoenix Racing
www.phoenixracinginc.com
195 Jones Road
Spartanburg, SC 29307
USA
Owner: James Finch
Driver:
Regan Smith, AJ Allmendinger and Austin Dillon - No. 51 Phoenix Racing Chevrolet
Crew Chief:
Nick Harrison
Engine Builder: Hendrick Motorsports
Team Twitter Account: @PhoenixRacing51

Richard Childress Racing
www.rcrracing.com
425 Industrial Drive
Welcome, NC 27374
USA
Owner: Richard Childress
Drivers:
Paul Menard - No. 27 Menards Chevrolet
Kevin Harvick - No. 29 Budweiser/Rheem/Jimmy John's Chevrolet
Jeff Burton - No. 31 Caterpillar/Cheerios Chevrolet
Crew Chiefs:
Richard “Slugger” Labbe (Menard)
Gil Martin (Harvick)
Luke Lambert (Burton)
Engine Builder: ECR Engines
Team Twitter Accounts: @RCRRacing
Driver Twitter Accounts: @RCR27PMenard, @RCR29KHarvick, @RCR31JeffBurton

Richard Petty Motorsports
www.richardpettymotorsports.com
403 Gilead Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
USA
Owners: Richard Petty, Andrew Murstein, Doug Bergeron
Drivers:
Marcos Ambrose - No. 9 Stanley Ford
Aric Almirola - No. 43 Smithfield Foods/U.S. Air Force/STP Ford
Crew Chiefs:
Todd Parrott (Almirola)
Drew Blickensderfer (Ambrose)
Engine Builder: Roush Yates Engines
403 Gilead Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
USA
Team Twitter Account: @RPMotorsports
Driver Twitter Accounts: @MarcosAmbrose, @aric_almirola

Roush Fenway Racing
www.roushfenway.com
4200 Roush Place
Concord, NC 28027
USA
Owners: Jack Roush, John Henry
Drivers:
Greg Biffle - No. 16 3M Ford
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. - No. 17 Best Buy Ford
Carl Edwards - No. 99 Fastenal Ford
Crew Chiefs:
Matt Puccia (Biffle)
Scott Graves (Stenhouse Jr.)
Jimmy Fennig (Edwards)
Engine Builder: Roush-Yates Engines
Team Twitter Account: @roushfenway
Driver Twitter Account: @stenhousejr, @gbiffle

Danica Patrick (Photo: NASCAR/Getty Images)

Stewart-Haas Racing
www.stewarthaasracing.com
13016 Eastfield Road, Suite 200-126
Huntersville, NC 28078
USA
Owners: Tony Stewart, Gene Haas
Drivers:
Tony Stewart - No. 14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet
Ryan Newman - No. 39 Quicken Loans Chevrolet
Danica Patrick - No. 10 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
Crew Chiefs:
Steve Addington (Stewart)
Matt Borland (Newman)
Tony Gibson (Patrick)
Engine Builder: Hendrick Motorsports
Team Twitter Account: @StewartHaasRcng

Swan Racing
www.swanracingteam.com
117 Crosslake Park Drive
Mooresville NC 28117
USA
Owner: Brandon Davis
Driver:
David Stremme
Crew Chief:
Tony Eury Jr.
Engine Builder: Triad Racing Technologies
Team Twitter Account: @SwanRacingCo
Driver Twitter Accounts: @DavidStremme

Tommy Baldwin Racing
www.tommybaldwinracing.com
296 Cayuga Road
Mooresville, NC 28117
USA
Owner: Tommy Baldwin
Drivers:
Dave Blaney - No. 7 Accell/Seal Wrap Chevrolet
J.J. Yeley - No. 36 Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet
Crew Chiefs:
Tommy Baldwin (Blaney) TBD (Yeley)
Engine Builder: ECR Engines, Pro Motor Engines
Team Twitter Account: @TBR_Racing
Driver Twitter Account: @BuckeyeBullet10, @jjyeley1

Wood Brothers Racing
www.woodbrothersracing.com
7201 Caldwell Road
Harrisburg, NC 28075
USA
Owners: Glen Wood, Eddie Wood, Len Wood and Kim Hall
Driver:
Trevor Bayne - No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford
Crew Chief:
Donnie Wingo
Engine Builder: Roush-Yates
Team Twitter Account: @woodbrothers21
Driver Twitter Account: @tbayne21

(Photo: NASCAR/Getty Images)

TRACKS
Wondering what the banking on the backstretch at Michigan International Speedway is like, or maybe you want to know how many people fit in the grandstands at Talladega?

Don't look any further! We've got stats on all 22 race tracks featured on the 2013 calendar.


Atlanta Motor Speedway
www.atlantamotorspeedway.com
Event: AdvoCar 500 (September 1st)
Track Length: 1.54 Miles
Race Length: 500.5 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 99,000
Banking: 24 degrees in corners, 5 degrees on straights
Frontstretch: 2,332 feet
Backstretch: 1,800 feet

Auto Club Speedway
www.autoclubspeedway.com
Event: Auto Club 400 (March 24)
Track Length: 2 Miles
Race Length: 400 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 90,988
Banking: 14 degrees in turns, 11 degrees on frontstretch, 3 degrees on backstretch
Frontstretch: 3,100 feet
Backstretch: 2,500 feet

Bristol Motor Speedway
www.bristolmotorspeedway.com
2013 Events:
Food City 500 (March 17)
IRWIN Tools Night Race (August 24)
Track Length: .533 Mile
Race Length: 500 Laps
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 160,000
Banking: Turns vary from 24 to 28 degrees, frontstretch varies from 5 to 9 degrees, backstretch varies from 4-8 degrees
Frontstretch: 650 feet
Backstretch: 650 feet

Charlotte Motor Speedway
www.charlottemotorspeedway.com
2013 Events:
Coca-Cola 600 (May 26)
Bank of America 500 (October 12)
Track Length: 1.5 Miles
Race Length: 600 Miles (1), 500 Miles (2)
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 135,000
Banking in Corners: 24 degrees
Banking on Straights: 5 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,980 feet
Backstretch: 1,500 feet

Chicagoland Speedway
www.chicagolandspeedway.com
2013 Event: GEICO 400 (September 15)
Track Length: 1.5 Miles
Race Length: 400 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 70,000
Banking in Turns: 18 degrees
Banking on tri-oval: 11 degrees
Banking on Backstretch: 5 degrees
Frontstretch: 2,400 feet
Backstretch: 1,700 feet

Darlington Raceway
www.darlingtonraceway.com
2013 Event: Bojangles' Southern 500 (May 11)
Track Length: 1.366 Miles
Race Length: 500 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 60,000
Degree of Banking in Corners: 25 degrees - Turns 1 & 2; 23 degrees - Turns 3 & 4
Banking on Straights: 6 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,229 feet
Backstretch: 1,229 feet

Dover International Speedway
www.doverspeedway.com
2013 Events:
Dover 400 (June 2)
AAA 400 (September 29)
Track Length: 1 Mile
Race Length: 400 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 113,000
Banking in Corners: 24 degrees
Banking on Straights: 9 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,076 feet
Backstretch: 1,076 feet

Homestead-Miami Speedway
www.HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com
2013 Event: Ford EcoBoost 400 (November 17)
Track Length: 1.5 Miles
Race Length: 400 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 55,000
Banking in Corners: 18-20 degrees (variable)
Banking on Straights: 4 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,760 feet
Backstretch: 1,760 feet

Indianapolis Motor Speedway
www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com
2013 Event: Crown Royal presents the “Your Hero's Name Here” 400 at the Brickyard (July 28)
Track Length: 2.5 Miles (160 laps = 400 miles)
Race Length: 400 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 250,000+
Banking in Corners: 9 degrees
Banking on Straights: 0 degrees
Frontstretch: 3,330 feet
Backstretch: 3,300 feet

Kansas Speedway
www.kansasspeedway.com
2013 Events:
STP 400 (April 21)
Hollywood Casino 400 (October 6)*
Track Length: 1.5 Miles
Race Length: 400 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 73,635
Banking in Corners: 17-20 degrees (variable)
Banking on Frontstretch: 10 degrees
Banking on Backstretch: 5 degrees
Frontstretch: 2,685 feet
Backstretch: 2,207 feet

*Note: After April 2012 race, due to the repaving of Kansas Speedway the configurations will adjust for October race.

Kentucky Speedway
www.kentuckyspeedway.com
2013 Event: Quaker State 400 (June 29)
Track Length: 1.5 Miles
Race length: 400 miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 107,000
Degree of Banking in Corners: 14 degrees
Degree of Banking on Straights: Front - 8 degrees;
Back - 4 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,662 feet
Backstretch: 1,600 feet

Las Vegas Motor Speedway
www.lvms.com
2013 Event: Kobalt Tools 400 (March 10)
Track Length: 1.5 Miles
Race Length: 400 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 142,000
Banking in Corners: 20 degrees
Banking on Frontstretch: 9 degrees
Banking on Backstretch: 9 degrees
Frontstretch: 2,275 feet
Backstretch: 1,572 feet

Martinsville Speedway
www.martinsvillespeedway.com
2013 Events:
Virginia 500 (April 7)
Goody's Fast Relief 500 (October 27)
Track Length: .526 Mile
Race Length: 500 Laps
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 65,000
Banking in Corners: 12 degrees
Banking on Straights: 0 degrees
Frontstretch: 800 feet
Backstretch: 800 feet

Michigan International Speedway
www.MISpeedway.com
2013 Events:
Michigan 400
Pure Michigan 400
Track Length: 2 Mile
Race Length: 400 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 85,000
Banking in Corners: 18 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 12 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 5 degrees
Frontstretch: 3,600 feet
Backstretch: 2,242 feet

New Hampshire Motor Speedway
www.nhms.com
2013 Events:
New Hampshire 300 (July 14)
SYLVANIA 300 (September 22)
www.nhms.com
Track Length: 1.058 Mile
Race Length: 318.458 Miles (1), 317.4 Miles (2)
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 93,521
Banking in Corners: Variable banking at 2 & 7 degrees
Banking on Straights: 1 degree
Frontstretch: 1,500 feet
Backstretch: 1,500 feet

Phoenix International Raceway
www.phoenixraceway.com
2013 Events:
SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 (March 3)
Kobalt Tools 500 (November 10)
Track Length: 1 Mile
Race Length: 500 Kilometers
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 50,000
Banking in Turns 1 and 2: 11 degrees
Banking in Turns 3 and 4: 9 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 3 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 9 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,179 feet
Backstretch: 1,551 feet

Pocono Raceway
www.poconoraceway.com
2013 Events:
Pocono 400 (June 9)
Pennsylvania 400 (August 4)
Track Length: 2.5 Miles
Race Length: 400 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: N/A
Banking in Turn 1: 14 degrees
Banking in Turn 2: 8 degrees
Banking in Turn 3: 6 degrees
Frontstretch: 3,740 feet
Backstretch: 3,055 feet
Shortstretch: 1,780 feet

Richmond International Raceway
www.rir.com
2013 Events:
Toyota Owners 400 (April 27)
Federated Auto Parts 400 (September 7)
Track Length: 0.75 Miles
Race Length: 400 Laps
Grandstand Capacity: 94,063
Banking in Corners: 14 degrees
Banking on Frontstretch: 8 degrees; Banking on Backstretch: 2 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,290 feet
Backstretch: 860 feet

Sonoma Raceway
www.racesonoma.com
2013 Event: Toyota/Save Mart 350 (June 23)
Track Length: 1.99 Miles
Race Length: 350 Kilometers
Grandstand Seating Capacity: N/A

Talladega Superspeedway
www.talladegasuperspeedway.com
2013 Events:
Aaron's 499 (May 5)
Camping World RV Sales 500 (October 20)
Track Length: 2.66 Miles
Race Length: 500 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 108,000
Banking in Corners: 33 degrees
Banking on Frontstretch: 16.5 degrees
Banking on Backstretch: 2 degrees
Frontstretch: 4,300 feet
Backstretch: 4,000 feet

Texas Motor Speedway
www.texasmotorspeedway.com
2013 Events
Texas 500 (April 13)
AAA Texas 500 (November 3)
Track Length: 1.5 Mile
Race Length: 500 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 122,377
Banking in Corners: 24 degrees
Banking on Dogleg: 5 degrees
Banking on Backstretch: 5 degrees
Frontstretch: 2,250 feet
Backstretch: 1,330 feet

Watkins Glen International
www.theglen.com
2013 Event: The Cheez-It 355 at The Glen (August 11)
Track Length: 2.45 Miles
Race Length: 220.5 Miles
Grandstand Seating Capacity: N/A

Enjoy the season!

(Photo: NASCAR/Getty Images)

From GMM

Romain Grosjean has hit back at Alain Prost, after the quadruple world champion said the Lotus driver's lack of pace in 2013 was due to his "emotionally difficult situation".

"I haven't seen him (Prost) this year," Grosjean said, after putting his early-season troubles behind him with a podium in Bahrain.

"I have a deep respect for what he did but I think it's easy to speak when you are not here," the 27-year-old added.

The two Lotus drivers on the podium. (Photo: WRi2)

Grosjean struggled with a mysterious problem in Australia, Malaysia and China, leading Lotus to wipe the slate clean with a brand new chassis for the Swiss-born Frenchman in Bahrain. Grosjean drove chassis 01 since the beginning of the season, and switched to 02 for the Bahrain race.

"We have realised what was wrong," he told France's RMC Sport. "There was nothing mechanically broken. Honestly, I can't tell you what it was because it's confidential, but I said on the radio on Saturday morning 'This is day and night -- this is the car I love'. I had asked myself whether it was me, or the tires, or the car, but in the end it was neither one nor the other, but a combination very difficult to detect."

Team boss Eric Boullier backed Grosjean's explanation.

"Well, we found a lot of details that had not been working well in Romain's car," he is quoted by Speed Week. "It's nice to see him smiling again."

Romain Grosjean at the arrival of the Bahrain Grand Prix. (Photo: WRi2)

Finally, Grosjean dismissed Prost's diagnosis that his recent struggles had a psychological cause.

"I think that the fact that you're able to come back from a very difficult situation proves that I think he was wrong," he said.

Stephane Ortelli and Laurens Vanthoor (Audi R8) won qualifying race in Zolder, before taking second position in championship race, which put him in first position in provisional classification.

Photo: Audi Motorsport

The pair already clinched victory in main race in the opening round in Nogaro. Vanthoor moved up in front of qualifying race when the Lamborghini Gallardo driven by Stefan Rosina went wide in the closing lap, after the italian car started from pole position. The Audi won qualifying race, as the second WRT car driven by Mayr and Melnof completed the podium.

Peter Kox and Stefan Rosina took revenge on Sunday. The Lamborghini moved up to the lead in the first stint, then Rosina was, this time, able to keep the pressure from Vanthoor and maintain its lead until the checkered flag.

Photo: FIA GT Series

Ortelli and Vanthoor now stand in first position in provisional classification, two points ahead of Sandstrom and Stippler, with Kox and Rosina in third position.

After a great start of the season in Nogaro, the Sébastien Loeb Racing had a tough week end in Belgium. Loeb and his team mate Alvaro Parente were given a penalty after qualifying for a turbo pressure issue, and were forced to start from the back of the grid. The pair was caught in race incidents in both races, as their team mate Zuber and Parisy took fourth place in both races.

Qualifying race:
1 - Ortelli/Vanthoor (Audi R8) - WRT
2 - Kox/Rosina (Lamborghini Gallardo) - Reiter - 10"332
3 - Mayr-Melnhof/Rast (Audi R8) - WRT - 15"928
4 - Zuber/Parisy (McLaren MP4-12C) - Loeb - 16"427
5 - Stippler/Sandstrom (Audi R8) - WRT - 17"355
Etc.

Championship race:
1 - Kox/Rosina (Lamborghini Gallardo) - Reiter
2 - Ortelli/Vanthoor (Audi R8) - WRT - 0"448
3 - Stippler/Sandstrom (Audi R8) - WRT - 3"763
4 - Zuber/Parisy (McLaren MP4-12C) - Loeb - 14"587
5 - Mayr-Melnhof/Rast (Audi R8) - WRT - 17"899
Etc.

Championship:
1. Ortelli/Vanthoor 44 points ; 2. Sandstrom/Stippler 42; 3. Kox/Rosina 32; 4. Mayr-Melnhof/Rast 31; 5. Ide/Kumpen 24, etc.

From GMM

McLaren has urged Sergio Perez to keep up his fighting spirit, despite rebuking the Mexican for pushing "over the limit" in his battle with teammate Jenson Button in Bahrain.

Reports say team boss Martin Whitmarsh had firm words with the 23-year-old after the Bahrain race, following Button's depiction of their clashes as "dangerous" and "dirty".

But just a week ago, in China, Martin Whitmarsh had accused struggling Perez of being "too polite" in wheel-to-wheel duels, urging him to use his "elbows" in future.

"I don't want to curb Checo's passion and spark, because that's what got him past Alonso and Webber," Whitmarsh said. "And even if he knows that he pissed off his teammate, I don't suppose that will keep him awake tonight."

Jenson Button ahead Sergio Perez, McLaren. (Photo: WRi2)

Earlier, Perez admitted the early pressure of being a McLaren driver in the spotlight, versus racing with Sauber in 2011 and 2012, was palpable.

His predecessor at the great British team, Lewis Hamilton, admitted he has noticed the strain on Perez.

"There is a lot of pressure when you are in such a strong and powerful team like that," said Hamilton. "It's not easy. Just as it is here (at Mercedes). The team relies heavily on you, on just those two drivers to pull those results out and if you don't you feel it."

"He looks like an individual who feels it," he added.

Polesitter Carlos Munoz led from start to finish to finally win the Indy Lights round in Long Beach with only half the cars being able to cross the finish line.

Five of the 10-car field were out of commission before the end of the first 11 laps, among those three that were involved in an accident at the start of the race.

The accident started when previous points leader Jack Hawksworth squeezed Andretti's Zach Veach into the wall at the start, pitching both cars back across the track where they collected the unfortunate Peter Dempsey.

Carlos Munoz, Andretti Autosport. (Photo: IndyCar)

After the restart, Juan Pablo Garcia tried to move on and close the gap with Munoz but he lost his car and his hopes when he made a mistake in turn 1 and spun on lap 11, only to take his own teammate at Team Moore Mikael Grenier out of the race.

Munoz maintained his lead during the restart and drove off for a comfortable win, finishing two seconds ahead of Gabby Chaves who himself was followed by Sage Karam.

Results - 41 laps:
Pos Driver Team Time/Gap
1. Carlos Munoz Andretti 1h00m04.9293s
2. Gabby Chaves Schmidt + 2.2190s
3. Sage Karam Schmidt + 18.1043s
4. Jorge Goncalvez Belardi + 21.0389s
5. Matthew di Leo MDL/Dragffy + 1 lap

Retirements:
Juan Pablo Garcia Moore 11 laps
Mikael Grenier Moore 11 laps
Jack Hawksworth Schmidt 0 laps
Zach Veach Andretti 0 laps
Peter Dempsey Belardi 0 laps

Despite Matt Kenseth's dominance at Kansas Speedway he had to deal with a determined Kasey Kahne to notch his second win of the year for his new team Joe Gibbs Racing.

The key was Kenseth's Toyota beat Kahne's Chevy off of pit road after the day's final caution.

"When it was in front, we knew it was really fast," said Kenseth, who also won in Kansas last fall for Roush Fenway Racing. “If we could get (off pit road) first, we'd be tough to beat."

Photo: NASCAR

Oddly enough he likened the 400 mile race to child game. “ It was kind of like musical chairs," Kenseth said. "You had to be out front when the music stopped. Our car was very fast in clean air. It was reasonable in dirty air, but it wasn't quite good enough to catch all them guys and pass 'em (in traffic).

"Thankfully, I had a couple of really crazy-good restarts for some reason and made up some ground and got us back in position."

"We were very close at the end, battling with Matt," Kahne said. Then he added that the finish reminded him of a race earlier this year. "Felt like Vegas all over again, just kind of felt like really similar to that in how I could catch him but couldn't really do anything once I got close. It made my car a little bit looser. So I tried a few things there, and he kind of blocked those spots and went those directions and gained the speed that I (had), and then we were even again.

"It was tough, but we still had a great race."

With a third-place finish, Johnson opened a 37-point lead in the Cup standings over second-place Kahne, who gained five spots. Johnson is 38 points ahead of Keselowski in third.

“Well, it's hard to believe we've got a huge gap like that in the points already,” said the five-time NASCAR champion. “We've been off to a great year and even had some trouble at Bristol and didn't finish as well as we did there and 37 points up on everybody is pretty awesome.”

Talking about the race in Kansas Johnson added “last two days we've had a comfortable race car, but just didn't have the speed in it for qualifying and for the fast lap time that you would see in practice sessions, the first lap out. But our car was comfortable over the long haul and we just kind of waited and hoped that the comfortable balance that I felt in the race car would be there come race time, and it was.”

Crash Kyle Busch and Joey Logano. (Caption: NASCAR)

Keselowski drove a car with something like battle damage to sixth place and that felt like a pretty good finish to the 2012 Sprint Cup Champion. “Yeah.  Usually, you're not happy unless you win, but a day where you can fight through adversity like we did today and get a solid finish, that kind of is a win, yes,” he said. And, referring to the stiff penalty imposed on the team by NASCAR for a technical rules violation he added.  “Yeah, it's been a long week, but we're not giving up.” 

Penske Racing has appealed those penalties on both Keselowski's and Joey Logano's cars, crew and driver's points. No date has been set for that appeal.

From GMM

Fernando Alonso would have fought for victory in Bahrain, according to veteran former driver Rubens Barrichello.

Before the race began, Mercedes' Niki Lauda was asked to name the likely winner.

"Fernando Alonso," he answered, despite the fact Mercedes' own Nico Rosberg was starting from pole. "We have to be realistic," the Austrian legend added.

The Spaniard's charge, however, was thwarted by a failing DRS rear wing flap, which had to be manually closed by Ferrari's mechanics during a pitstop.

It then flipped open again, forcing yet another pitstop and ruining his victory chances.

Photo: Ferrari

"If Alonso had not had the problem with the DRS, I'm sure he would have fought with (Sebastian) Vettel for the victory," Barrichello, in Bahrain as a co-commentator for Brazilian television Globo, said.

Earlier in the weekend, the Brazilian had watched the action from the middle of the Sakhir layout, and named the Ferrari as among the very best cars in 2013.

"It is a wealth of data that leads me to say that Alonso would have fought with Vettel," the 40-year-old insisted.

"The Ferrari is a great car, even with the DRS open, when Alonso lost just a second per lap," added Barrichello.

From GMM

He ultimately finished second, but Kimi Raikkonen was almost not well enough to contest Sunday's Bahrain grand prix.

Finnish sources MTV3 and Turun Sanomat report that the Lotus driver was late for the pre-race driver parade because he was suffering from an allergic reaction.

"He gets it 3 or 4 times a year," the 2007 world champion's trainer Mark Arnall admitted. "We have no idea where it came from just before the race, but it affects mainly his skin, and not so much his eyes."

Arnall said Raikkonen was treated with antihistamines.

Lotus engineer Alan Permane said: "Considering he (Raikkonen) was suffering before he started the race, it was a very impressive performance indeed."

Photo: WRi2

Visitors at Auto Shanghai 2013 got to see the world premiere of the all-new 2014 Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid. Also making their debut were long-wheelbase Executive versions of the Panamera S and Panamera 4S.

The 2014 Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid model whose electric drive system produces 95 horsepower -- more than double the output of the previous motor. The new lithium-ion battery has increased capacity and can fully charge in approximately 2.5 hours when connected to a 240V power source. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h takes 5.5 seconds, while top speed is rated at 270 km/h.

Look for the 2014 Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid to arrive in Canadian showrooms this fall with a base MSRP of $113,300.

As for the Executive versions of the Panamera S and Panamera 4S, their 15 centimetres of additional wheelbase result in more legroom in the back. The new 3.0L twin-turbo V6 engine under the hood is not only more potent than the old V8 (420 hp vs. 400 hp), but also more fuel-efficient.

Photo: Porsche

Honda raised eyebrows at Auto Shanghai 2013 with the introduction of “Concept M,” a multi-purpose vehicle that will enter production next year for the Chinese market.

This prototype is said to “offer the attributes of a passenger car while adding new value through the realization of a comfortable and spacious cabin space made possible by Honda's packaging technologies, and the fun of driving.”

Concept M (Photo: Honda)

Also on display at Auto Shanghai 2013 is the new Honda CRIDER midsize sedan, inspired from last year's “Concept C.” Mainly developed for China, the CRIDER is expected to go on sale in June.

CRIDER (Photo: Honda)

Finally, the Honda JADE, based on “Concept S,” is a compact hatchback designed to match the tastes of Chinese customers born in 1980s who are energetic and known for pursuing their dreams. It will hit the Chinese market this fall before launching in other countries.

JADE (Photo: Honda)

The all-new Volkswagen iBeetle, which made its global debut at Auto Shanghai 2013 during the weekend, will go on sale in early 2014 as a Coupe and Cabriolet. It's the German automaker's first vehicle in which the iPhone becomes an integrative component, replacing many conventional functions of the dashboard.

As soon as the iPhone connects to the data network of the iBeetle via the docking station and a specially developed app, the latter supplies a main menu with functions such as Spotify (media streaming), Reader (text message reading), Trainer (comparing driving times, distances and fuel economy numbers for different routes), and Postcard (sharing the current location of the iBeetle to friends).

Obviously, the iPhone can also be used to navigate, make phone calls via a hands-free unit, listen to music from the media library via the audio system's amplifier and loudspeakers, and much more.

Photo: Volkswagen

Photo: Volkswagen

From Infiniti

Three-time Formula 1 World Champion, Sebastian Vettel Monday became the first F1 driver to experience the Sochi Olympic Park Circuit in Sochi, Krasnodar Krai, Russia.

(Photo: Infiniti)

Vettel was joined by former F1 driver, David Coulthard in driving part of the track, which is still under construction.

Once complete, the 3.7-mile Sochi Olympic Park Circuit, scene of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, will be the third longest circuit on the F1 calendar behind Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium and Silverstone in Britain.

(Photo: Infiniti)

Russia's inaugural Grand Prix race is scheduled for 2014, after the Winter Olympics. The circuit's integration into Olympic Park infrastructure is the key feature of the Russian venue.

Sochi Formula 1 circuit in figures:
Circuit length: 5,854m
Maximum speed: 320 km/h
Circuit width: 13-15 m
Number of turns: 18
Total area of the circuit construction site and its infrastructure: 36 ha
Developer and operator of the circuit is OJSC "Center "OMEGA"
Designer of the circuit: Tilke GmbH & Co.KG

Toyota is giving its Vios and Yaris models a major makeover for China as part of the Japanese group's make-or-break move into the no-frills entry-level segment of the world's biggest autos market.

GM and Volkswagen, the largest foreign carmakers in China, both forecast sales will climb to 3 million vehicles in the country this year as the rivalry heats up for a second year.

GM and Volkswagen, the largest foreign carmakers in China, both forecast sales will climb to 3 million vehicles in the country this year as the rivalry heats up for a second year.