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Friday afternoon, at Phoenix International Raceway, NASCAR's premier level Sprint Cup Series will see its' first major overhaul of qualifying since this writer can remember.

And, it's about time.

Nothing was more depressing in recent years seeing a lonely car turning a few laps in a virtually empty stadium. The process was tedious, and, thus fans avoided it in huge numbers.

Knock-out qualifying, which has existed in Formula One and IndyCar for years is the new order of the day.

The general rule of the day for Phoenix and other tracks shorter than 1.25 miles will be two segments:

The first qualifying segment will be 30 minutes long and include all cars entered in the race. The 12 cars that post the fastest single lap time in this session will advance to the second and final round. The remaining cars will be sorted based on their times posted in the first round of qualifying in descending order.

There will be a 10-minute break between the two qualifying rounds. A few minor adjustments to the cars are permitted.

The second and final qualifying session will last 10 minutes, with the fastest single lap time posted by each car setting the top 12 spots on the grid.

NASCAR's Nationwide Series debuted in Daytona to mixed reactions by the some Cup-level drivers.

“It was quite a handful, a lot going on,” Kyle Busch said.

“It's just chaos at first, just sitting at the end of pit road trying to figure it all out and what was going to happen and then trying to get out there in a group and get a good-enough run. All in all, I think it was fun.”

Things appeared a bit confusing in person, but, in fairness it was the first time out for new qualifying rules.

And, the usually unflappable Matt Kenseth admitted it was a bit intense.

“Whenever you do that you've got people going different speeds and there's always that chance of having a big wreck,” Kenseth said. “Yeah, I mean, it's a little nerve-racking.”

In the past a driver might have found single-car qualifying a little nerve-wracking, but, that just didn't translate to fans watching an all-but-empty track. Now fans will get a virtual heat race and a final. A throw back to short track racing years ago.

It may have taken NASCAR a long time to change the rule, and it may take a while to get the quirks straightened out, but, knock-out qualifying wrings the bell for this writer.

From GMM

The prospect of a grand prix on the historic streets of London have raced back into the F1 headlines.

Two years ago, McLaren sponsor Santander dreamed up a layout taking in Big Ben and Buckingham Palace as a publicity stunt, but this week the famous British team said the plan is in fact "grounded in reality".

McLaren said "new government legislation will make it easier for public streets to be sanctioned for motor sport events, and that means the much-vaunted London grand prix once again moves a step closer to reality".

Photo: Santander

Also hoping to race on the streets of the British capital is the new FIA-sanctioned electric single seater series Formula E, with organisers having even scheduled a 2015 date.

The Times newspaper added: "Motor sport organisations, including F1, have been told that a consultation that will make it easier to hold races on public roads (in the UK) will be launched within days."

Less convinced is the Guardian, saying that given the hurdles, top British driver Jenson Button "would be retired in the unlikely event of it (a London GP) ever taking place".

And a spokesman for the UK's motor sport association (MSA) said: "Silverstone's got a long-term contract to host the British grand prix. The push from the MSA about getting this change in legislation is much more aimed at hill climbs, sprints and stage rallies around the country in less traffic heavy routes than Park Lane and Horse Guards Parade."

Citroen Racing has signed Chinese driver Ma Qing Hua for the 2014 season of the FIA World Touring Car Championship.

At the age of 26, Ma Qing Hua has solid bakground in single-seater racing, right up to Formula 1 level. He also won the China Touring Car Championship (1600cc class) in 2011.

Ma Qing Hua's programme for 2014 includes the Moscow, Spa-Francorchamps, Shanghai and Macao meetings. He will also take part in a fifth race, which has yet to be determined.

Ma Qinq will drive a C-Elysee WTCC alongside Sebastien Loeb, Yvan Muller and Jose-Maria Lopez.

Yves Matton and the four Citroën Racing's WTCC drivers will be present at Geneva International Motorshow on March 4.

Ma Qing Hua. (Photo: Citroën-Racing)

From GMM

Renault has asked for an extension to Friday's deadline for the development 'freeze' of its troubled turbo V6 power unit.

Actually, the homologation deadline is Friday at mightnight, when the basic performance specifications of Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault's new power units are set to be formally homologated by F1's governing body.

Photo: Renault

But Auto Motor und Sport reports that Renault, grappling so obviously with its new V6 and related systems, asked the FIA for a postponement of the deadline on Thursday.

Correspondent Michael Schmidt claims Renault, supplier to the reigning world champion team Red Bull and three others, has asked for "two to three" more months to get to the bottom of its technical problems.

Renault's request will be on the agenda at Friday's meeting of the strategy group in London, Schmidt added.

It is reported Renault president Carlos Ghosn has already met with FIA president Jean Todt "to convince him of the seriousness of the situation".

ItalDesign-Giugiaro, a member of the great Volkswagen family, will attend the 2014 Geneva Auto Show to present an all-new vehicle. Here's a teaser showing the front.

According to reports on social media, "The Maestro" himself, Giorgetto Giugiaro, penned the car as a potential rival for Maserati or BMW (Gran Lusso).

Last year, ItalDesign-Giugiaro introduced the Parcour coupe concept, designed by Fabrizio Giugiaro.

Source : wardsauto.com

Photo: ItalDesign-Giugiaro

From GMM

With Mercedes clearly out front and Renault clearly at the rear, F1's third engine supplier Ferrari has had a comparatively low-profile winter.

Many believe works team Scuderia Ferrari currently rank somewhere between the top Mercedes teams like Mercedes and McLaren and the struggling Renault-powered outfits.

A more precise rumour in the paddock as the final pre-season test began in Bahrain on Thursday put Ferrari's deficit to Mercedes at up to 75 horse power.

When that number was put to Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen, the Finn said: "I can't give an honest impression because I have not paid attention to it.

"I have only seen other cars when I'm passing them or when they're passing me," he is quoted by Speed Week, "but I can't put a number on it."

Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari F14-T. (Photo: WRi2)

As for Maranello based Ferrari's overall position with just three test days left until Melbourne, Raikkonen was quoted by Finland's MTV3 broadcaster: "We are not yet where we want to be, but we are not far away."

He is quoted by Spain's AS sports newspaper as admitting Ferrari intends to try a race simulation this week in Bahrain.

"Fernando (Alonso) will too, and then we will see where we are but really we are still working on the setup. I have had much worse winters and then the season has gone well, so I'm not worried. Things can change quickly during the season," said Kimi Raikkonen.

Mercedes' obvious advantage, however, is evidenced by the smiles in the Williams garage, with some paddock sources believing the new FW36 is currently a more competitive package than the works Ferrari.

But Mercedes-powered Williams driver Valtteri Bottas said: "They (Ferrari) also seem strong. Their reliability is not too bad, and we will see that Renault will improve.

"I don't think we should underestimate anybody, but we're hoping to be in the top ten and my feeling, at least for the start of the season, is that cars with Mercedes engines will be in front," Valtteri Bottas is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace.

From press release

Move Motorsports Management (Canadian formula car series promoters) and Stäubli (manufacturers of high quality couplers and connectors for the motorsports industry) jointly announced Friday a two-year sponsorship agreement of the popular Toyo Tires F1600 Championship and the recently launched F2000 Series.

“We are very pleased to be able to make this announcement today,” stated series promoter Jason Sharpe.

“Our series depends on the support of companies like Stäubli and we are thrilled they value a relationship with our competitor base,” he added.

Initially the series will start to make use of the CBI fuel sampling ports and the SPT safety breakaway fuel line connectors.

“Stäubli products have been used in all levels of motorsports and we are proud to bring its innovative fuel line safety break away and non-spill fuel sampling product to the growing Canadian motorsports market,” said Doug Syer, Stäubli Motorsports Business Development.

“Stäubli is excited to be working with Jason and the Toyo Tires F1600 Championship and F2000 Series. We look forward to a long and successful working relationship that will strengthen both Stäubli and motorsports in Canada”.

From press release

Off road racing star Robby Gordon spent some days in Los Cabos, Mexico to hang out and start developing friendship and sharing ideas with Matt Campbell and the El Martillo Racing team looking forward to the 2015 Dakar Rally.

Campbell, from Calgary, Team Principal and driver of El Martillo Racing invited Gordon to come to Cabo spend time fishing and have a little party with some of the local racing community of Baja California Sur, a nice evening dinner with tacos, speed energy drink and lots of people hanging out with one of the most admired off road racers of Baja.

Matt Campbell and Robby Gordon. (Photo: El Martillo Racing)

At the event Matt Campbell made a statement about the plans with Robby Gordon and the motive of his visit. “There was no agenda in fact, but Robby and I are planning and talking about going to the Dakar as a solid North American team, not mixed on cars and teammates but maybe getting together to share some of the logistic and infrastructure...”

Getting clear about this as a project and nothing as a fact, Robby thanked Matt´s invitation and said that he is looking forward to get this alliance cleared out for the benefit of both El Martillo Racing and Robby Gordon Racing. Gordon was very emphatic saying that he wants to win the Dakar and that getting a solid team is the best way to go.

From GMM

A decision about whether a twelfth or even thirteenth team will make its debut in 2015 has been postponed.

With separate applications led by Nascar team co-owner Gene Haas, former HRT chief Colin Kolles and Serbian Zoran Stefanovich believed to have been lodged with the FIA, F1's governing body was scheduled to make an official announcement on Friday.

Representatives of the three projects met with the FIA early this week, where their respective financial and technical plans were discussed.

But Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said on Friday that the announcement has been delayed.

Photo: WRi2

Correspondent Michael Schmidt said the delay is because F1's commercial rights holders, headed by chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, are yet to fully analyse the prospective new teams' projects.

And Formula One Management "has a right of veto", Michael Schmidt said.

"Only when Bernie Ecclestone gives his approval will the applications be accepted," he added.

From GMM

Amid team supremo Vijay Mallya's high-profile problems, it emerges that another key Sahara Force India figure is also in major trouble.

Team boss Mallya's grounded Kingfisher airline has hogged all the headlines, but now the owner of Force India title sponsor Sahara is also in hot water, according to domestic publications including The Indian Express.

The report said police have raided the house of Subrata Roy, after a non-bailable warrant for his arrest was issued by the supreme court.

Subrata Roy, Sahara Force India. (Photo: WRi2)

The police "failed to find him there", the newspaper said, but Roy insisted in a statement on Friday that he is not on the run.

"I am not that human being who will abscond," he said. "In fact, being a law-abiding citizen, I shall hate myself to do any such thing ever in my life."

The warrant was issued after Roy failed to appear in court to answer a case about unpaid refunds to investors.

Sahara Force India driver Sergio Perez remained on top of the timing sheet Friday as he set the fastest time of the day in this final Formula 1 winter test in Bahrain.

Yesterday, Perez set a 1m35.290 in the Mercedes-powered VJM07. Today, his fastest time was a 1m35.570.

Sergio Perez, Sahara Force India (Photo: Sahara Force India)

“It has been another busy day with lots of miles completed and a great deal learned,” said Andrew Green, Technical Director at Sahara Force India.

“The programme this morning involved assessing a different set-up direction compared to yesterday, which will help in our decision-making going into Melbourne. After lunch we switched to extended runs using several of the tires compounds available to us”.

Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing (Photo: WRI2)

Driving the Ferrari F14 T, Fernando Alonso was second quickest. In the morning, Alonso continued with development work on the car, trying various changes to the set-up and running a comparison of some aerodynamic parts. In the afternoon, the Spaniard completed a race simulation with live pits tops.

Red Bull Racing made significant progress, with Daniel Ricciardo recording 66 largely trouble-free laps and claiming the third time. The team was also able to get in some pit stop practice and conduct a number of background tests and aerodynamic evaluations.

Williams' Felipe Massa ranked fourth in the Mercedes-powered FW36. The British team worked on aero evaluation, race simulation and set-up.

Jenson Button, McLaren (Photo: WRI2)

Jenson Button followed in fifth place in the McLaren MP4-29. Button's run programme was affected by a gearbox issue - just as he was about to begin a late-morning race simulation run. However, the mechanics were able to get the car running for the final 75 minutes of the session, enabling him to get a long-run under his belt before the chequered.

Jules Bianchi planted the Marussia-Ferrari in sixth place overall, ahead of Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes AMG.

The Mercedes' programme targeted a race simulation programme in the morning, followed by setup work in the afternoon. Hamilton completed 61 laps before the lunch break. A further 28 laps followed in the afternoon, before a gearbox problem curtailed running with 90 minutes remaining.

Esteban Gutierrez, Sauber (Photo: WRI2)

Jean-Eric Vergne was 8th In the Toro Rosso, followed by Esteban Gutierrez in the Sauber, Pastor Maldonado in the Lotus and Marcus Ericsson in the Caterham.

The Lotus suffered a localised fire in the car which ended the team's running early and caused a reasonable amount of damage to the E22.

Third and final winter test session, Bahrain, Day 2*:
Pos. Driver Car Time Laps
1 Sergio Perez Force India 1m35.570 108 laps
2 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m35.634 122
3 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull 1m35.743 66
4 Felipe Massa Williams 1m36.507 103
5 Jenson Button McLaren 1m36.901 52
6 Jules Bianchi Marussia 1m38.092 75
7 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes AMG 1m39.041 89
8 Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso 1m39.636 61
9 Esteban Gutierrez Sauber 1m39.976 106
10 Pastor Maldonado Lotus 1m41.613 31
11 Marcus Ericsson Caterham 1m42.516 55
*Unofficial timing

Jules Bianchi, Marussia (Photo: WRI2)

From press release

Vitaly Petrov, Russia's first Formula 1 driver will also become the country's first Russian DTM driver as he will enter this year's championship with Mercedes-Benz.

Petrov will make his race debut at the wheel of a DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé at the DTM season opener on 4th May in Hockenheim. On 23th January, the former Formula 1 driver tested a DTM car with Mercedes-Benz for the first time in Portimão, Portugal. Last year, Petrov drove a Mercedes-Benz DTM race taxi at the Moscow City Race around Red Square and at the DTM premiere at the Moscow Raceway.

Vitaly Petrov in Portimao. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

Petrov finished the 2009 season in second place in the GP2 standings and moved up in the following year to compete in Formula 1, where he contested 57 Grand Prix for Renault, Lotus Renault GP and Caterham. Between 2010 and 2012, Petrov secured a total of 64 championship points and clinched third place on the podium at the 2011 season opener in Melbourne.

Vitaly Petrov: "The DTM is a great racing series and I'm very happy that Mercedes-Benz are giving me the chance to compete against the world's best touring car drivers in the DTM. I'm aware that I've got a steep learning curve ahead of me, but I love a challenge and accept it gladly. At my first test in Portimão, I was able to make my first acquaintance with the team and get a feel for the car, which is very important for me in order to play to my strengths. Motor racing is becoming ever more popular in Russia - last year, the DTM debuted at the Moscow Raceway and Sochi will host Formula 1 for the first time this year. I am certain that we will see many more Russian racing drivers in various series in the future and I hope that I can do my part in the DTM to make our sport more popular in my home country."

On January 21st, TOTAL Canada Inc. signed a multi-year deal to distribute its lubricants, high-performance engine oils, greases and special products in Western Canada through Bassett Petroleum Distributors Ltd.

The TOTAL Canada distribution centre is located in Sherwood Park, Alberta.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Bassett Petroleum as we create a solid base for Total's expansion into Western Canada,” said Stephen McGarvie, President of TOTAL Canada. “Working with a local family-run business makes Bassett Petroleum an ideal distribution company for TOTAL Lubricants' high-quality products. Their deep roots and close ties to local residents and businesses make this an excellent fit with our worldwide business model. “

Source : TOTAL Canada Inc.

From GMM

Red Bull on Friday mocked suggestions Sebastian Vettel threw a "hissy fit" amid the world champions' early-season crisis in 2014.

As the new title-defending RB10 car and engine supplier Renault continue to struggle in pre-season testing, Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko this week warned world champion Vettel that "getting angry" was no solution.

But in a website posting by the 'Red Bull Spy' on Friday, the team said a "major news broadcaster" had gone a step too far by claiming German Vettel in fact threw "a hissy fit" recently before "refusing to drive the car because it wasn't very good".

Red Bull called the report "lurid speculation".

"I suppose it could be true. Maybe four world championships really have turned him into a screaming prima donna," the 'Spy' said sarcastically.

In North America, few SUVs are as grand as Jeep's Grand Cherokee. It's no small wonder that's been voted Auto123.com's favourite midsize utility vehicle for 5 years in a row. This fact says a truckload about the big Jeep's place on the SUV landscape on our market.

Over the years, the Jeep Grand Cherokee multiplied its personalities and quickly realized that a highly capable luxuriously appointed SUV is something buyers want and are more than willing to pay for. Thing is, nearly all car manufacturers have jumped on the bandwagon and a few of them have figured out the diesel weapon of mass torque and little consumption.

I love this truck. I have nothing but good things to say about the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit EcoDiesel, but when I worked out the retail price my jaw dropped to the floor. The Grand Cherokee is smooth, handsome, powerful, and good on gas but the fact is that its main competitors are from luxury brands and retail for the same coin. How do you justify it?


What is a Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit EcoDiesel?
The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee is Jeep's flagship vehicle. It took top honours in the Jeep game in 1993 where it quickly helped the brand make some money and increase its appeal.

The Grand Cherokee is one of the most popular midsize SUVs on our market and likely one of the best suited for both on- and off-road duty.

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit EcoDiesel Price and Specs
The 2014 edition of Jeep's Grand Cherokee Laredo has a starting price of $39,995. There are four other trims before you reach the top SRT8 version, which commands $62,995.

Those that interest us in this review are the Overland ($55,595) and the Summit ($62,745). I drove a 290-horsepower 3.6L V6 Summit last fall and thoroughly enjoyed it. This time around, I was given the key-fob to an EcoDiesel Summit, shod with the Italian-built turbocharged 3.0L V6 diesel good for 240 horsepower and a whopping 420 lb-ft of torque. The other powerplant is none other than the 5.7L HEMI V8, which puts out 360 horsepower and 390 torques. All run with an 8-speed autobox, and varying levels of AWD superiority.

The jaw comment comes from the following. Take Summit retail price, add $4,995 for the EcoDiesel engine and $225 for the Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearlcoat and the total is $67,965. An Overland EcoDiesel (or the least expensive GC diesel) is $62,740 or about $7,500 more than a base VW Touareg TDI. The bleeding starts right here....

Consider the following prices for basic diesel-powered versions of these vehicles: Mercedes ML 350 BlueTEC $61,400; Audi Q7 TDI $63,200; BMW X5 xDrive35d $64,400; Porsche Cayenne Diesel $65,500.
Food for thought.

It took top honours in the Jeep game in 1993 where it quickly helped the brand make some money and increase its appeal. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Driving the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit EcoDiesel
Despite the price being an obstacle equal to a 300-mile long Wall that runs the length of the northern border of the Seven Kingdoms, the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel is damn good.

Unlike the Touareg TDI I reviewed recently, the Jeep's fuel-burner is fairly loud at idle and under load. I truly love the sound, and as such think this is a highlight. However, for most it might be a little much.

Otherwise, I can find no fault with the way the powertrain produces and dispenses its impressive gusto. Just beyond tick-over, the 3.0L's torque punches hard and comes on at full force at only 2,000 rpm. Shortly thereafter, at around 3,500 rom, max hp is delivered, together providing an addictive push that begs to be repeated at every opportunity.

The 8-speed automatic transmission is masterful at keeping up with all 420 Jones. Throttle response from a dead stop displays a tad of lag, but in an instant when the water-cooled variable-geometry turbocharger is full on, hang on. When in Sport mode, everything gets better.

Negotiating highway traffic is almost fun with all that torque. Obviously, the EcoDiesel is not only about crushing, twisting power. When cruising through town or on the highway, it is conceivable to consume as little as 8L/100 km. My snow-laden, weeklong test returned an average of just over 10L/100km. I can deal with that.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a fine riding SUV that puts the emphasis on comfort and isolation from the road. The Touareg is far more apt at handling and stability; however, traversing broken urban roads is better coped via the Jeep. The standard Quadra-Lift air suspension system is well versed at managing the Grand Cherokee's ways. Same goes for the Select-Terrain (with Auto, Snow, Sand, Mud and Rock settings) that goes along with the Quadra-Drive II 4x4 system.

Just beyond tick-over, the 3.0L's torque punches hard and comes on at full force at only 2,000 rpm. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Inside and Out of the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit EcoDiesel
The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee's is all truck, and in Summit trim brings chrome and large 20” wheels. Its handsome good looks start with the legendary seven-slat grille and work their way ‘round back.

My EcoDiesel-powered 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit's cabin is identical to that of the 3.6L Summit from last fall. It is fully loaded and is well crafted with classy materials and proper fit and finish throughout the cabin.

Nice touches include: chunky heated tilt/telescoping steering wheel, heated and cooled fairly comfortable front seats, and well presented and complete instrument cluster. The trunk is capacious as it should be in a midsize SUV.

It is fully loaded and is well crafted with classy materials and proper fit and finish throughout the cabin. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Comparing the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit EcoDiesel
Unlike the Volkswagen Touareg, this Grand Cherokee is priced way out of its normal segment. Although the big Jeep is a significantly good product, the EcoDiesel option from the Overland trim on up is difficult to accept. The US can specify this engine with the Limited, which would bring down the base price by $7k. If Chrysler wants to sell more EcoDiesels, that's the way to go...

Jon Rafman is a photographer who has made a speciality of unearthing the best, coolest, and funniest images captured by Google Street View cars around the world. For your viewing pleasure, he has made a compilation on his Tumblr account.

Enjoy the show by clicking on the image below.

Source : airows.com

Photo: Google Street View

Next week at the 2014 Geneva Auto Show, Volkswagen will unveil a new compact SUV concept called T-ROC.

Riding on oversized 19'' wheels, it's about the same size as a Golf, more precisely 4.18 metres long (with a wheelbase of 2.59 metres), 1.83 metre wide, and 1.5 metre tall -- making the T-ROC a possible future rival of the Nissan JUKE.

Photo: Volkswagen

Under the hood is a 2.0L 4-cylinder TDI engine that produces 182 horsepower through a 7-speed DSG and 4MOTION all-wheel drive system, shooting the T-ROC from 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. Fuel consumption is estimated at 4.9L/100km. Three drive modes are available including Street, Offroad, and Snow.

Photo: Volkswagen

These are the first pictures released by Volkswagen ahead of the T-ROC world premiere in Geneva.

Photo: Volkswagen

FOTA, the Formula One Teams' Association created six years ago, will soon be a thing of the past.

FOTA was formed in 2008 when times were quite difficult in Formula 1 as the worldwide economic downturn triggered Honda's exit, BMW and Toyota were to follow soon.

The group later agreed their own 'Resource Restriction Agreement', limiting costs on their own terms. Although the agreement never made it in F1 rules, aspects of it are now, for example the limits on testing.

Cracks eventually developed in FOTA's façade. Crucially, disagreements over the Resource Restriction Agreement led to the withdrawal of Scuderia Ferrari and Red Bull Racing in late 2011, with Sauber and Toro Rosso following suit.

FOTA continued anyway, but with much weaker power. It is believed that the recent shake-up at McLaren finally put an end to FOTA.

The 2015 Subaru Forester will cost $23,045, including destination, when it goes on sale in March or April.

News 27 Feb, 2014

New Volkswagen T-ROC SUV concept bound for Geneva Motor Show in March