Auto News 5

Mazda has promoted Kevin Rice, who rejoined the automaker from BMW last year, to lead its European design operations.

The Kelley Blue Book has published its honour roll of the 10 best hi-tech 2014 cars that money can buy for less than $20,000 for base models.

"Many inexpensive new cars now feature technology that was unavailable at any price just a few years ago," pointed out Jack R. Nerad, Executive Editorial Director and Executive Market Analyst for Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com. "Today budget-conscious car buyers can purchase an affordable sedan with amenities like a rearview camera, Pandora radio integration and full infotainment systems, items previously only available in top-of-the-line models."

2014 Models: KBB.com's 10 Best Tech-Savvy Under $20,000

1. Mazda3
2. Honda Fit (2015)
3. Honda Civic
4. Dodge Dart
5. Nissan Versa Note
6. Toyota Corolla
7. Kia Forte
8. Ford Fiesta
9. Hyundai Elantra
10. Chevrolet Spark

Source: Kelley Blue Book

From GMM

The Nurburgring's sale has hit a fork in the road.

In March, the financially embattled German grand prix host was bought for a reported EUR 77 million by a Dusseldorf based automotive group called Capricorn.

Capricorn has since been successfully negotiating with Bernie Ecclestone about a new long-term race contract.

But Rhein Zeitung newspaper has now claimed that Capricorn has not paid the second due instalment to the Rhineland-Palatinate state.

Citing sources, the report said the amount of 5 million euros became due on July 31. To date, Capricorn has only paid one instalment in the same amount.

"It is assumed that Capricorn's financing from banks has come to a standstill because the European Commission has postponed several times the decision on the legality of the sale," Rhein Zeitung reported.

Race start at the Nürburgring (Photo: WRI2)

A spokesman for the financial recovery experts in charge of the Nurburgring insolvency said: "We have a timescale shift for the second purchase instalment.

"We still expect the sale to go ahead," he is quoted by Speed Week.

And Capricorn chief Robertino Wild told Auto Bild it is "untrue" the payment delay is in fact due to the company's own financial problems.

"This is a completely normal process. The operation of the business is going very well," he added.

From GMM

Kamui Kobayashi will spend the Spa-Francorchamps weekend out of the cockpit and assessing the potential 'lack of harmony' in his racing life.

Although still under contract to Caterham, the team's new management has sidelined the popular Japanese for at least the Belgian grand prix in favour of 32-year-old F1 rookie and reigning Le Mans winner Andre Lotterer.

"It's a shame not to drive Spa," Kobayashi told his more than 150,000 Twitter followers. "I feel sorry for all my supporters but this is motor sports -- I hope not!"

Able to bring little to the table for the increasingly sponsorship-minded new Caterham chiefs, Kobayashi has earlier lamented the increasing power of the 'pay driver' but also life at the back of the grid in 2014.

Kamui Kobayashi, Caterham CT05 (Photo: WRI2)

Asked in Hungary recently if the uncompetitive Caterham is giving him the tools to showcase his famously attacking style, he admitted: "Not really!

"It's not really happy but I need to hope that one day I'm going to make something, a really exciting race. A 'train' race is not really exciting," he said.

Now, after his ousting, Kobayashi posted a Leonardo da Vinci quote to his Twitter followers in Japanese.

In English, the quote is: "Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer.

"Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller and more of it can be taken in at a glance and a lack of harmony and proportion is more readily seen," the fabled Italian painter had said.

Caterham's decision to axe Kobayashi has been criticised by former team technical boss Mike Gascoyne, who is still involved in the wider Tony Fernandes-led Caterham Group.

"Such a shame that Kamui is not driving for Caterham at Spa," the Briton said on Twitter. "He was their only hope of regaining tenth place but (the decision is) typical of the new management."

From GMM

Red Bull Racing was experimenting with an all-electric Formula 1 car at Spa on Wednesday, publications reveal.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport and Italy's Autosprint say the reigning world champions' electric prototype was in fact a 2013 Red Bull RB9 sporting a 2014 nose.

But the real novelty was its propulsion -- an all-electric motor to power the car in and out of the pit lane 'box' as the mechanics practiced pit stops.

After a practice stop, Autosprint correspondent Alberto Antonini reveals, the mechanic in the cockpit pushed a button, a reverse warning 'beeps', and the car lurched backwards to be ready for another stop.

Red Bull pit stop (Photo: WRI2)

Normally, the car is pushed forward by two or three strong mechanics.

"This is the new Formula E," Auto Motor und Sport correspondent Tobias Gruner quoted a Red Bull mechanic as joking.

He added that among the fascinated observers in the Spa-Francorchamps pitlane on Wednesday was none other than FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer.

From GMM

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso is the best driver in Formula 1 today.

That is the claim of F1 legend and triple world champion Sir Jackie Stewart, who said the Ferrari-driving Spaniard is in fact the only "genius" on the 2014 grid.

Asked by the Spanish sports newspaper Marca to name the best driver in F1 today, the 75-year-old Scot said: "Mentally, probably Alonso. The fastest is perhaps Lewis Hamilton.

"Rosberg is definitely one of the best, more consistent, and on the same level I think is Vettel. Those are the best," said Stewart.

"In the world there are hundreds of millions of drivers, several thousand make their living from it, a few hundred live very well.

"There are 22 grand prix drivers, maybe six of them are really good, three exceptional, but there is only one genius. So if I had to choose the most complete driver I would say Alonso," he explained.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F14 T (Photo: WRI2)

And not only that, Stewart thinks Alonso, at 33, is in the prime of his racing life.

"I think it's the perfect age," he said. "He has lived the good, the bad and the ugly."

Arguably, however, the present is one of those 'ugly' phases for Alonso; highly paid but missing a third career title ever since he switched to Ferrari in 2010.

"I don't know if he should change teams," Stewart said, "but what I do know is that he will have to make that decision in the next six to eight weeks."

From press release

China Racing has today announced the signing of Red Bull Global Rallycross leader Nelson Piquet Jr and Chinese motorsport star Ho-Pin Tung as its driver line-up for the inaugural all-electric FIA Formula E Championship.

Formula E is the FIA's new fully electric single-seater championship designed to appeal to a new generation of motorsport fan.

Nelson Piquet Jr (Photo: WRI2)

Nelson Piquet Jr is the son of three-time F1 world champion Nelson Piquet and has experience in a variety of top motorsport categories including British Formula 3, A1GP, GP2, NASCAR and Formula 1 where he raced for the Renault F1 Team in 2008 and 2009.

The Brazilian is also currently leading the Red Bull Global Rallycross championship.

Ho-Pin Tung was the first Chinese driver to test a Formula 1 car, testing for Williams F1 in 2003, in addition to testing for Renault in 2009.

From GMM

Russian race car driver Sergey Sirotkin is still hopeful he will make his Formula 1 weekend debut in 2014.

Earlier a shoo-in for a Sauber seat amid the Swiss team's supposed Russian rescue deal, the 18-year-old has more recently appeared to be on the backburner.

"I'm just a test driver," he told Russia 2 sports television this week.

Sergey Sirotkin, Sauber C33 (Photo: WRI2)

"With the test in Bahrain I got the (super) license so it is very possible that I will drive at Sochi on Friday. At the very least I will be with the team.

"For me it's a positive thing -- to gain experience.

"There are some options for next year, on which we are working very hard," Moscow-born Sirotkin added, "and I think that one of them should work out."

Marussia Formula 1 will be providing Alexander Rossi with the opportunity to make his Grand Prix debut at this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps.

Rossi will race alongside Jules Bianchi, substituting for Max Chilton while contractual issues are resolved.

American Rossi joined the Team as Reserve Driver last month, the announcement coming at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

He has taken part in a number of Friday morning Free Practice 1 sessions with his previous team but this weekend will see him ‘racing' a Formula 1 car for the first time.

“Although it was not our intention to offer Alexander the possibility to race this season, in light of the circumstances we are pleased to be providing him with the opportunity to make his Grand Prix debut at this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Franchorchamps. Naturally we hope to resume normal service with respect to our established race driver line-up as soon as possible, but for now we wish Alexander well for the weekend ahead and we look forward to seeing him in action,” said John Booth, Team Principal.

“It goes without saying that I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to race in Formula 1 for the first time and I cannot thank the Marussia F1 Team for the faith they are demonstrating in me,” said Rossi.

“It's a very big moment for me and there's a lot to prepare in a short space of time, but on the other hand I have felt ready for this for quite a while now. It is also exciting to be given this opportunity at such a fantastic and historical circuit as Spa-Francorchamps. I can't wait to drive the MR03 from tomorrow and I hope to reward the team with a solid race weekend.”

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- At a recent taste-testing experience of Nissan's entire current lineup, we were able to get a first-hand impression ranging from the tiny Micra to the mighty Titan pickup. Needless to say, the waiting period to climb into any of the available GT-R sports coupes was a lengthy one. Persistence pays off, however, and we were rewarded with a short but sweet 45-minute drive in the 2015 GT-R Nismo -- the most ferocious of them all.


What is the 2015 Nissan GT-R Nismo?
Nissan's two-door sports coupe, which replaced the iconic Skyline, first rolled off the production line in 2007. Promptly nicknamed "Godzilla" by salivating fans, the GT-R was an instant hit for its raw power and uniquely Japanese design. Notching it up even more, Nissan's performance arm just released a Nismo GT-R: a genuine track-worthy supercar that's equally at home on the road.

2015 Nissan GT-R Nismo Price and Specs
Under the Nismo GT-R's aggressively carved nose lies a twin-turbo 3.8L V6 delivering an eye-popping 595 horsepower and 463 lb-ft of torque -- that's 50 hp and almost 20 lb-ft over the regular version. The single transmission choice, as with the regular GT-R, is a 6-speed dual clutch automatic with manual shift control that delivers the power to all four wheels. Suspension upgrades include Bilstein DampTronic shocks, stiffer springs, retuned front links for better cornering stability, and beefier sway bars. The reinforced chassis is 8% stiffer. While Canadian prices have yet to be released, the GT-R Nismo will start at $151,585 in the U.S.

Inside and Out of 2015 Nissan GT-R Nismo
Our white tester carries a lot of visual impact with its black and red trim, aggressive front fascia and racecar wing. The reworked face, which includes a lower front bumper, large wing, and side cladding help improve aerodynamics and downforce. Taillights were redesigned to form four-ring circles.

The driver-focused cabin boasts red-stitched Nismo seats with aggressive bolstering and suede trim to help keep you planted during spirited driving manoeuvres. The fat and grippy steering wheel is racecar derived, with proper thumb indents and a red maker to indicate top dead-center.

While our tester was basic black with red accents and carbon look trim, there's a two-tone ivory option or a Premium Interior package with Red Amber semi-aniline leather, with red accents throughout. The 11-speaker Bose audio system also features active noise cancellation.

Driving the 2015 Nissan GT-R Nismo
Previous drives of the GT-R left me feeling that although it was a car that was undeniably thrilling, one could quickly grow tired of its gnashing and whining, frantic pace, and rather punishing ride.

Re-engineered for 2015, the GT-R has evolved into a superb sports car that still offers exceptional performance without sacrificing road manners.

Over some fairly twisty Tennessee roads featuring crumbling shoulders and patchy asphalt, the GT-R Nismo proved compliant and settled -- despite its increased stiffness.

Extra insulation, along with the Bose noise cancellation, help with road noise reduction -- there's still the thrilling aural symphony accompanying hard downshifts, but less drone during regular driving.

Steering has been recalibrated to require less turning effort at low speeds. Fortunately, it doesn't appear to be overly boosted and felt just heavy enough to impart a sense of confidence through the serpentine back roads. Shod with Dunlop tires, the GT-R Nismo stuck like glue to the pavement. Admittedly though, we had no opportunity to really push it.

The dual-clutch transmission shifts with the hard accuracy of a Gatling gun: it's thrilling and guttural all at once.

While previous versions of the GT-R seemed like super-modified tuner rockets, the 2015 GT-R Nismo has matured into a genuine supercar that's actually pleasant to drive.

Comparing the 2015 Nissan GT-R Nismo
In terms of competition, the GT-R Nismo stares down its racecare nose at the likes of the Porsche 911 Carrera, Audi R8, and to a lesser degree, BMW Z4 M.

From GMM

Toto Wolff has admitted Mercedes came close to signing up F1 rookie sensation Max Verstappen.

Ultimately, the 16-year-old Dutchman and his father-manager Jos went with Red Bull's famous driver programme, after Dr Helmut Marko promised him a race seat for 2015 at Toro Rosso.

"We had several meetings with Jos and Max," Wolff, Mercedes' motor sport chief, confirmed to the German newspaper Bild.

"He is certainly a great talent, but we would not and could not guarantee him a seat with us in Formula 1.

"So I advised them to accept the offer from Red Bull," Wolff confirmed.

Toto Wolff (Photo: WRI2)

Verstappen's signing at a very young age - before he even qualifies for a license to drive a road car - is controversial and it will be a big talking point throughout the Belgian GP weekend.

But F1 legend Emerson Fittipaldi thinks the talented Dutchman can be ready for his record-breaking 2015 debut.

"Today, with all the electronic help, young drivers with talent are able to go very fast right off the bat," he told Brazil's Globo.

"Last year I had the chance to drive a new Lotus and the car is really well balanced.

"The drivers also have a very large support team around them.

"I am good friends with Franz Tost, he has worked with the drivers who later went to Red Bull like Vettel and Ricciardo, so I trust him a lot," Fittipaldi added.

From press release

The Strictly Hydraulics Legend cars will take centre stage at Scotia Speedworld this week as they do battle for 50 laps under the lights Friday night.

Also on this week's racing card are the Coors Light Trucks who will also run a 50-lap feature and the Thunder & Lightning cars.

Admission is just $12 for Adults; Youth (8-15) are $2 and children 7 and under are free...all summer long! Tickets are available at the gate on race day. Grandstand gates open at 5 pm with racing action slated to get underway at 7 pm.

The Strictly Hydraulics Legends return for a highly anticipated 50-lap main event. Cole Butcher (Porter's Lake) has the point championship in a headlock but anything can happen as these drivers go the extra distance. Fan favorite Emily Meehan is the only other driver this season in the Strictly Hydraulics Legends class to win a feature and will look to make it two on the season this Friday.

Tim Hortons at the Airport Rookie of the Year candidate Nicholas Naugle (Dartmouth) enters off the momentum of a big win two weeks ago on the Maritime League of Legends Tour and will look to add another trophy to his case. These three, along with over a dozen others, are expected to strap in for an exciting 50-laps around the oval Friday night.

The Coors Light Trucks are set to embark on their biggest event in division history as they get set to run a 50-lap main event Friday.

This event marks the first time the Trucks will run a feature longer than 25-laps in length. Dan Smith (Lower Sackville) can still take one step closer towards his third consecutive Coors Light Truck Championship Friday night with a solid finish on Strictly Hydraulics Night. Smith has a 15-point lead on Tim Hortons at the Airport Rookie Cory Leonard and 27 points on Cy Harvey (Elmsdale).

Thierry Neuville rolled his Hyundai i20 WRC heavily in shakedown at ADAC Rallye Deutschland Thursday morning.

The accident happened at a double left corner in the vineyards, 1.7km after the start of Neuville's third pass at the Konz shakedown.

After leaving the road on the outside of the bend, the car rolled six times downhill among the grapes.

Neither Neuville nor co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul were injured.

The damaged Hyundai of Neuville. (Photo: wrc.com)

The car has heavy panel damage on Gilsoul's side but it is thought the vines may have absorbed some of the impact.

FIA technical officials inspected the car after it was returned to the service park. It was confirmed there was no damage to the roll cage and the car could be repaired.

Blue screens were erected around the i20 in the Korean manufacturer's service area and mechanics this afternoon began the long job of stripping the car and rebuilding it.

Tony Stewart will not drive this weekend in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Instead, Jeff Burton will once again be behind the wheel of the No. 14 Chevrolet.

Stewart has not raced in the past two Sprint Cup events following the death of Kevin Ward Jr.

This change only pertains to Bristol. Stewart's plans for upcoming Sprint Cup races have yet to be determined, according to a team release.

Stewart-Haas Racing officials said last weekend at Michigan that there is no timetable for Stewart's return to NASCAR racing and that the decision will be the driver's call to make.

Last week-end, Bugatti enthusiasts could admire for first (and last) time all 6 Bugatti Legend models at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance event.

Indeed, the renowned automaker put the cherry on top with the world premiere of the ‘Ettore Bugatti' the sixth and final model in this series, which pays tribute to key personalities and vehicles from the company's long and distinguished history. Other Legends in the series include: the ‘Jean-Pierre Wimille', the ‘Jean Bugatti', the ‘Meo Costantini', the ‘Rembrandt Bugatti' and ‘Black Bess'.

Each of the 6 Legends was limited to three vehicles and now all 18 vehicles have been sold to wealthy clients around the world.

“The Legends edition is a great success,” stated Wolfgang Dürheimer, President of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S., at the presentation of the Legends models. “The edition shows that history can be authentically clothed in contemporary design. In addition, we have the technical excellence and luxurious comfort of a modern Bugatti. The Bugatti Legends have already proven to be highly-valued collectors' items.”

Source : Bugatti

Photo: Bugatti

From press release

The Grand Bend Motorplex will once again celebrate the upcoming Labor Day weekend with its traditional "Thunder by the Beach" weekend offering a great three-day show of drag racing action.

Presented by Teamsters Canada and Local 879, fans will be able to watch a wide variety of racing August 29-31 at the quarter-mile facility in Southwestern Ontario.

Coming into its final event for 2014, teams in the Pro Modified Racing Association will take to the track running on all cylinders in the tight Championship Point Award Series race. The two companion series of the PMRA, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, presented by NAPA Auto Parts, and the Pro Bike & Sled Series, presented by Wiseco Performance Products, will also be racing over the holiday weekend.

Some of the other highlights of the Thunder by the Beach show will be the appearance of nitromethane-burning race cars and crowd-pleasing jet-powered cars.

Four Nitro Altereds will compete, while the Top Secret and GoJo Firebird Jet Funny Cars will light up the track along with the Jet Dragster Queen of Diamonds in the Saturday "Night of Fire" program presented by Performance Unlimited.

Continuing with the fire theme Saturday evening, a large fireworks display will also take place after the show's racing.

Included in the three-day show will be Grand Bend's regular program competitors in the Thunder Series, Junior Series, and Extreme 32 Series championship racing programs.

Gates for this event open Friday at 3 pm with qualifying in the PMRA, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and the Pro Bike & Sled Series at 7:30 pm. Gates open at 8 am Saturday and Sunday with the racing program getting underway at 10 am and 9 am respectively. Camping on the grounds is available, and ticket prices range from $10 Friday to $30 Saturday and Sunday. A weekend pass is available for $55, and children 6-12 are $5 any day or $8 for the weekend.

From press release

The Toyo Tires F1600 Championship season is winding down and the points' battle is heating up.

This weekend the teams head to the beautiful Calabogie Motorsports Park, located just west of Ottawa, ON for the Motorsport Club of Ottawa's Ted Powell Memorial event.

Twenty-five competitors from all over North America will take to the track in rounds 9 and 10 of the Toyo Tires F1600 Championship.

The top spot has been held for the entire season by Eureka, MO's Tristan DeGrand. His 7 wins in 8 races has him at 740 points to Brampton, ON's Chase Pelletier at 606 points.

Pelletier is on a roll lately, sweeping the Super Series finale in Trois-Rivieres two weeks ago.

The Britain West driver also proved you never hand the trophy over until the last lap has been run as he came into the weekend with a mathematical chance, needing two solid finishes and some bad luck to befall DeGrand. He got both and walked away the Champion.

There will likely be a big shakeup in the top 10 this weekend as Craig Willis, Max Hanratty, Reid Arnold and Bruno Chapinotti look to make some gains with Jeff Kingsley not attending as he is competing in the ASN Karting Nationals.

Hometown racer Zacharie Robichon is on the entry list and driving the brand new Piper out of the Brian Graham Racing shop so he will be looking for a great result.

The team is using the event primarily as a test session for the new chassis but the BGR experience coupled with Robichon's credentials they are expected to be at the front.

Bryson Schutte will make his Series debut this weekend and is in a championship caliber car with Exclusive Autosport, taking full advantage of the spot opened up by Kingsley's absence.

Two-time Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso suggests that everyone should calm down about the arrival of a teenager in F1 next year.

Toro Rosso newly signed driver for next year Max Verstappen will make history in becoming the youngest ever F1 driver at just 17.

The Scuderia Ferrari driver maintains Verstappen's readiness for F1 shouldn't be judged on his age, but on how he performs in the opening half of next season.

Fernando Alonso, Minardi, 2001 (Photo: WRI2)

"I think it is just one number on your passport the age," Alonso told Sky Sports News HQ.

"At the end of the day you need to be ready for the challenge and be ready for Formula 1 Grands Prix. Some people are ready at 17, some people are ready at 28 - that is what we don't know.

"So before saying anything we need to see how Verstappen does next year and after six to eight races we can see if he was ready or not. But at the moment anyone is ready."

Fernando Alonso was 19 years old when he made his debut for Minardi at the 2001 Australian GP.

Ford plans to introduce a new hybrid gasoline-electric car in late 2018 to compete against the Toyota Prius, Reuters reported. The compact car will be Ford's first "dedicated" hybrid, rather than a variation of an existing gasoline model.

Ford plans to introduce a new hybrid gasoline-electric car in late 2018 to compete against the best-selling Toyota Prius, Reuters reported, citing two sources with knowledge of the company's plans.