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May
21st

F1: Daimler chairman says Alonso ”best driver” in F1

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From GMM

Fernando Alonso is "perhaps the best driver" in formula one, claims Dieter Zetsche this week.

Zetsche is the chairman of Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes, whose Brackley based F1 team is utterly dominating in 2014.

It has been rumoured recently that Mercedes could be interested in reviving McLaren's fiery 2007 duo, by ousting Nico Rosberg and pairing current championship leader Lewis Hamilton with Spaniard Alonso next year.

Fernando Alonso is reportedly frustrated with Ferrari's continuing lack of championship-winning potential, and eyeing a 2015 move to Mercedes or perhaps McLaren.

Mercedes figures including Niki Lauda and Toto Wolff have denied the speculation.

F1 Ferrari Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso, Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

But Dieter Zetsche said on Tuesday: "Alonso is perhaps the best driver on the grid, demonstrating it even in a slightly less competitive car."

And he is quoted by Spain's EFE news agency as saying driver skill is more important than ever, after the move to the new breed of turbo-powered cars.

"Drivers with the new hybrid power must be very good, because the cars are no longer the 'trams' that we have seen before," said Dieter Zetsche.

"Today's cars are exciting; it doesn't bore me that the same team has won every race so far," he smiled.

"It is the job of the other teams to equal the performance of Mercedes, even if we also have a lot that we can improve."


May
21st

F1: Rob Smedley confident Felipe Massa will be stronger in Monaco

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Team Williams' new head of vehicle performance, Briton Rob Smedley is confidant his protégé, Felipe Massa will be in stronger shape at this weekend's Monaco GP.

The engineer made that comment following the results of the recent Barcelona test.

Massa drove the Mercedes-powered Williams FW36 last Tuesday, and Smedley says both Williams and the veteran driver himself are pleased with the improvements made.

Smedley led the recent post-race technical debriefings.

F1 Williams Martini Racing Rob Smedley Felipe Massa
Rob Smedley and Felipe Massa, Williams Martini Racing. (Photo: WRi2)

"My approach is to always go through and look at every single detail even if that wastes a little bit of time going down certain avenues,” he said.

"So, we have come up with some very, very good analysis in a very short space of time. Luckily there was the test after the race in Barcelona so we were able to test some things could there, which worked. That just gives us all a great deal of confidence in our analysis methods and then going to test those methods in the track, it gives Felipe confidence that 'I had a problem in the last two races, the guys have got stuck in and they've come out with a bunch of things, we've tested that all in Spain and it's all worked',” the engineer explained.

"So he's confident going into Monaco, we're confident in him and I'm certainly happy with that round of work,” Smedley concluded.


May
21st

Rally: Hyundai Motorsport appoints Nino Frison as Technical Director

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From press release

Hyundai Motorsport announced May 21 the appointment of renowned Italian motorsport specialist Nino Frison as the company's Technical Director with immediate effect.

Frison will be based at Hyundai Motorsport's factory in Alzenau, from where he will head up the various engineering departments (chassis, engine and design).

He will report to Team Principal Michel Nandan and be responsible for the continuous development of the Hyundai i20 WRC car.

Frison has a wealth of experience dating back over thirty years during which he has become one of the most trusted technical and management advisors in international motorsport. His experience covers all forms of racing from single seaters, including numerous leading roles within Formula 1 teams, to the pinnacle of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC).

Hyundai Motorsport inaugurates new engine dyno facilities at Alzenau

Hyundai Motorsport has recently inaugurated a new engine test bench (dyno) at its factory in Alzenau in a bid to accelerate its engine development and testing processes.

The dyno will give the team more freedom to conduct ongoing development and analysis of its 1.6 litre turbocharged engine in-house, while simulating the diverse range of conditions that the team will have to face in the competitive WRC environment.

WRC Nino Frison Hyundai Motorsport
Nino Frison. (Photo: Hyundai Motorsport)


May
21st

Recall on 2004-2008 Chevrolet Aveo

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Yet another day with another recall announced by General Motors. This time, 218,000 Chevrolet Aveo models from 2004-2008 are targeted due to a potential fire hazard.

The problem stems from a faulty part in their daytime running lights that could overheat and cause a fire. GM has yet to report any related incidents.

That pushes to nearly 16 million the number of vehicles recalled by GM since the start of 2014.

Last week, the automaker was also hit with a $35 million fine for not recalling certain vehicles in a timely manner.

Source : auto.lapresse.ca
May
21st

Harry Poole Memorial 100 to Launch 2014 Pro Stock Tour Season

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From press release

The Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour will open another season of stock car racing this Saturday, May 24 at Scotia Speedworld with the Harry Poole Memorial 100 presented by Lucas Oil.

The season opener will launch the 12-race schedule that will take the Tour to five Maritime markets over the next 17 weeks.

Approximately thirty of the best teams from across the region are expected to battle for a spot in Saturday's main feature. Qualifying for the Harry Poole Memorial 100 presented by Lucas Oil gets underway at 3:10 pm with racing slated for 4:00 pm. Grandstands gates open at 1:00 pm.

Saturday's season opener will be run in honour of Harry Poole, one of the original builders and owners of the Pro Stock Tour and Scotia Speedworld.

John Flemming (Halifax, NS) won the season opener last year en route to his fourth series championship (2002 '03, '06, '13).

Two fellow multi-time series champions are also expected in the field on Saturday; Shawn Tucker, (Fredericton, NB) a three-time series champion, (2004, '07, '10) and Shawn Turple (Enfield, NS) who has won two of the Tour's prestigious tiles (2010, '12).

These veterans will have their hands full as an ambitious and talented field of drivers will be looking to take home the first checkered flag of the season.

Sarah McKay (Quispamsis, NB) will debut as the first female to pilot a car on the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour. When the green flag flies this Saturday, McKay will become the first lady of racing in the Maritimes. McKay has a solid track record, a standout in karts; McKay moved to the competitive Sportsman division at Speedway 660 in 2013 and won the Rookie of the Year Award in the class.

After competing at Speedway Miramichi and Petty Raceway to complement her Speedway 660 schedule and showing quick promise in a full bodied Late Model, the team made the call to run full-time on the Tour in 2014.

The Maritime League of Legends will kick off their 2014 campaign with a 50-lap feature prior to the Harry Poole Memorial 100 presented by Lucas Oil.

Admission for Saturday's season opener is $25 for adults; $5 for youth; pit admission is $30. Children 7 and under are admitted for free. Tickets will be available at the gates on race day (Cash Only).

Sunday May 25th will launch the 2014 season for Scotia Speedworld's Weekly Racing Series, racing starts at 2:00 pm on Sunday.

EXPECTED ENTRY LIST - Harry Poole Memorial 100 presented by Lucas Oil
No.0 - Shawn Turple - Enfield, NS
No.5 - Jonathan Hicken - Brudenell, PE
No.8 - Kent Vincent - Westmoreland, PE
No.11 - Marty Prevost - Fall River, NS
No.14 - Terry Dougay - Albany, PE
No.18 - Darren MacKinnon - Charlottetown, PE
No.20 - Greg Fahey - St. Stephen, NB
No.21 - Shawn Pierce - Bridgewater, NS
No.24 - Steve Ross - Waverly, NS
No.29 - Greg Proude - Springvale, PE
No.31 - Colby Smith - Cape Sable Island, NS
No.32 - Sarah McKay - Quispamsis, NB
No.37 - Cy Harvey - Elmsdale, NS
No.51 - Vance Hanes - Kennetcook, NS
No.52 - Shawn Tucker - Fredericton, NB
No.53 - Cole Butcher - Porter's Lake, NS
No.66 - Daryl Mahar - Hubley, NS
No.67 - Dylan Blenkhorn - Truro, NS
No.72 - Brad Eddy - Lower Sackville, NS
No.87 - Matt Harris - Fredericton Junction, NB
No.88 - George Koszkulics - New Glasgow, NS
No.89 - Donald Chisholm - Antigonish, NS
No.91 - Dylan Gosbee - Cornwall, PE
No.97 - John Flemming - Halifax, NS
No.98 - Jerome Kehoe - Sydney, NS
No.99 - Craig Slaunwhite - Terence Bay, NS

*Entry list subject to change without notice

May
21st

Mazda MX-5 Miata 25th Anniversary Edition sold out in 10 minutes

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All 100 units of the 2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata 25th Anniversary Edition were reserved today within the first 10 minutes of availability.

The pre-order program was set to run through 11:25 AM PDT on May 31st, 2014 or when 250 customers were registered, whichever came first.

Those 250 registered customers will be contacted directly by Mazda North American Operations, of which the first 100 verified will be given the opportunity to pre-order an anniversary model. Upon verification of purchase intent and transmission selection, the customer's information will then be forwarded to the dealership of their choosing to finalize the transaction.

The 2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata 25th Anniversary Edition models will arrive in dealerships beginning late summer.

Additionally, each owner will receive a custom-crafted Tourneau watch and display winder box featuring MX-5 and 25th Anniversary logos.

Source : prnmedia.prnewswire.com

Mazda MX-5 Miata 25th Anniversary Edition
Photo: Mazda




May
21st

Rallycross: Nelson Piquet Jr. joins SH Racing

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Former Formula 1 and NASCAR driver, Brazilian Nelson Piquet Jr. will contest the 2014 Global Rallycross season with team SH Racing.

SH Racing will run the full season this year with Piquet driving the No. 07 Ford Fiesta ST.

The car will be sponsored by N.O.-XPLODE in six of the 10 events, including the X Games Austin.

For Piquet Jr, the Global Rallycross is a new opportunity after a lack of sponsorship ended his partnership with Turner-Scott Motorsports in NASCAR.

The son of three-time World Champion Nelson Piquet Sr. became the first Brazilian to win a NASCAR national series race in 2012 when he won the Nationwide event at Road America, and he scored Truck Series wins at Michigan and Las Vegas.


May
21st

Race Of Champions update

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The Sports Authority of Thailand and the organisers of the Race Of Champions have been unable to find a new date for the 2013 event, originally scheduled to take place on December 14-15.

This is due to date clashes with the 2014 motor sport calendars and the ongoing political situation in Bangkok, where martial law was imposed yesterday.

The Race Of Champions has been held all over the world for 25 consecutive years, including a successful ROC 2012 in Bangkok, and we hope to return to the Thai capital city to repeat that success at a future event.

News about ROC 2014 will be announced in the near future.



May
21st

Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell lands in California

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A shipment of Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell vehicles has just arrived in Southern California. The first retail sales of this mass-produced crossover are expected to begin within the next several weeks at three select dealers.

Under the Hyundai leasing program, customers will be able to drive Hyundai's next-generation Tucson Fuel Cell for $499 a month, including unlimited hydrogen refuelling and "At Your Service" valet maintenance at no extra cost.

According to Hyundai, people have shown strong interest in the Tucson Fuel Cell leasing opportunity, with over 200,000 unique visitors to the Tucson Fuel Cell microsite.

Source : prnewswire.com

Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell lands in California
Photo: Hyundai


May
21st

IndyCar: 9 details to know about the Indianapolis 500

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The 98th running of the prestigious 500 Miles of Indianapolis will be run this weekend on the 2.5-mile Brickyard. Here are 9 fascinating things and fun statistics to know about this race.

1
Most victories by a driver: 4 by A.J. Foyt (1961, 64, 67, 77), Al Unser (1970-71, 78, 87), Rick Mears (1979, 84, 88, 91)

IndyCar Al Unser Indy 500
Al Unser. (Photo: IMS)

2
Longest span between first and last victory: 17 years for Al Unser (1970 to 1987)

3
Youngest winner was Troy Ruttman (1952) at 22 years, 80 days old
The oldest winner was Al Unser (1987) at 47 years, 360 days old

IndyCar Troy Ruttman Indy 500
Troy Ruttman. (Photo: IMS)

4
Largest margin of victory was 13 minutes, 8.40 seconds - Jules Goux over Spencer Wishart in 1913. The closest margin of victory was 0.043 of a second - Al Unser Jr. over Scott Goodyear in 1992.

Al Unser beats Scott Goodyear by just 0.043 second.
Al Unser beats Scott Goodyear by just 0.043 second. (Photo: IMS)

5
Most Indy laps led in career: 644 by Al Unser

6
Most laps led without winning in his career: 431 by Michael Andretti

7
Most lead changes, single race: 68 in 2013; fewest lead changes, single race: 1 in 1930

8
Most consecutive laps/miles in career: Scott Dixon, 1,366 laps or 3,415 miles

9
Largest family at Indy: the Andrettis with 5 members
Mario Andretti (1965-78, 80-94) Father
Michael Andretti (1984-92, 94-95, 01-03, 06-07) Son of Mario
Marco Andretti (2006-13) Son of Michael
Jeff Andretti (1991-93) Son of Mario
John Andretti (1988-94, 2007-11) Nephew of Mario


May
20th

Street View not good enough for Google’s self-driver: Autonomous car will need to relearn roads despite existing data

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If anyone can bring the self-driving car to market, it's Google. Not only does the company have the necessary funds for such an undertaking, it has the necessary data -- at least one would think.
May
20th

Toyota moving away from EVs in favor of hydrogen fuel cells

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Toyota is walking away from building longer-range battery-electric vehicles in favor of its effort in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, its top North American executive said.
May
20th

Toyota tests chips that improve hybrid efficiency by 10 percent: Silicon-carbide semiconductors promise energy savings, but technical challenges remain

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Toyota announced on Tuesday that it has developed a new semiconductor, claiming it can boost fuel efficiency in hybrid cars by an impressive 10 percent.
May
20th

2015 Ford Mustang pricing to start at $24,425

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Pricing for the 2015 Ford Mustang with a V-6 engine will start at $24,425, including shipping, or $1,090 more than the outgoing base model, the company said today.
May
20th

New GM system won’t let car drive until front occupants buckle up

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General Motors is planning to launch a new belt assurance system, which does not allow the vehicle to shift out of park until the driver and front passenger are buckled in, on select vehicles later this year.
May
20th

Cadillac Escalade drivers shouldn’t have passengers up front: GM adds to the list with four more safety recalls

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It seems like every day General Motors is adding to its already extensive list of recalls. This makes 2014 a tough year for the automaker, bringing the total number of safety recalls up to 29.
May
20th

UK: Renault gets a Captur gain in Europe

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In European car sales data released by market analysts JATO, Renault emerged as a winner with sales so far this year up 10.6% on last year, helped by strong sales of the Captur small SUV.
May
20th

Order your Mazda Miata 25th Anniversary Edition today: Update: never mind!

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Are you tired of driving around in a boring old Miata? Are you tired of going through another day with a car that doesn't celebrate 25 years of the most popular roadster ever built? Do you just want that extra collectibility in your tiny sports...
May
20th

Enzo Ferrari biopic back on track: Studio scouting locations for script based on Brock Yates’ book

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Fans of
May
20th

SEAT Ibiza Cupster roadster concept

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News 21 May, 2014

Open-top SEAT Ibiza Cupster celebrates three decades of the baby of the range

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