Auto News 5

Mahindra and Mahindra will buy a majority stake in PSA/Peugeot-Citroen's money-losing scooter unit, giving the Indian tractor and SUV maker access to European technology.

Indian SUV and tractor maker Mahindra and Mahindra will buy a majority stake in PSA/Peugeot-Citroen's scooter unit after PSA CEO Carlos Tavares said the group was looking to offload the business.

Toyota Europe is preparing to launch a production version of the C-HR compact crossover targeted at urban buyers looking for an edgier offering than its RAV4.

Fiat said its merger with Chrysler into holding group Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) would be effective Oct. 12 after all conditions for the tie-up were met.

Fiat says its merger with Chrysler will be effective Oct. 12 after all conditions for the tie-up were met. Shares in the new Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will start trading in New York the following day.

News 7 Oct, 2014

Volvo is flexing its performance muscles with 2.0-litre High Performance Drive-E engine using three turbochargers for 450bhp

Bo Andersson, who became CEO of Russian automaker AvtoVAZ in January, has been working to turn the Lada maker into a profitable part of the Renault-Nissan alliance.

With the redesigned F-150 pickup, Ford is out to prove conventional wisdom that only bigger and heavier can deliver more power and capability.

The top-of-the-line touring model of the updated 2015 Honda CR-V has a new suite of electronic technologies called Honda Sensing that the company is rolling out across its lineup.

GM plans to broaden Chevrolet's green-vehicle offerings by adding an electric model to a lineup that includes the Volt plug-in hybrid and the Spark EV minicar.

Auto executives say that the best response to Western sanctions against Russia is to continue investing there. Ford and Renault-Nissan plan to localize more production while BMW is continuing negotiations for a car factory in the country.

After thinking about it long and hard, Porsche has abandoned the idea of building an entry-level roadster.

The newest hot entry on our viral video rankings this week comes from Nissan Canada promoting its sponsorship of high school football.

Systems such as Apple's Siri electronic assistant, which automakers started installing in vehicles in 2013, may be as mentally taxing as the buttons and knobs they replace, research released today by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety suggests.

The following statement is provided by the family of Jules Bianchi, in conjunction with the Mie General Medical Center, and is distributed on their behalf by the Marussia F1 Team.

Yokkaichi, Japan
7 October 2014, 23.00hrs local/15.00hrs BST

“This is a very difficult time for our family, but the messages of support and affection for Jules from all over the world have been a source of great comfort to us. We would like to express our sincere appreciation.

Jules remains in the Intensive Care Unit of the Mie General Medical Center in Yokkaichi. He has suffered a diffuse axonal injury* and is in a critical but stable condition. The medical professionals at the hospital are providing the very best treatment and care and we are grateful for everything they have done for Jules since his accident.

We are also grateful for the presence of Professor Gerard Saillant, President of the FIA Medical Commission, and Professor Alessandro Frati, Neurosurgeon of the University of Rome La Sapienza, who has travelled to Japan at the request of Scuderia Ferrari. They arrived at the hospital today and met with the medical personnel responsible for Jules' treatment, in order to be fully informed of his clinical status so that they are able to advise the family. Professors Saillant and Frati acknowledge the excellent care being provided by the Mie General Medical Center and would like to thank their Japanese colleagues.

The hospital will continue to monitor and treat Jules and further medical updates will be provided when appropriate.”

* Diffuse axonal injury occurs in about half of all severe head traumas, making it one of the most common traumatic brain injuries. It can also occur in moderate and mild brain injury. A diffuse axonal injury falls under the category of a diffuse brain injury. This means that instead of occurring in a specific area, like a focal brain injury, it occurs over a more widespread area.

In addition to being one of the most common types of brain injuries, it's also one of the most devastating. As a matter of fact, severe diffuse axonal injury is one of the leading causes of death in people with traumatic brain injury. - From brainandspinalcord.org

The inaugural Grand Prix of Russia will be the sixteenth round of the 2014 season.

The race held at Sochi marks the first time that the Russian Grand Prix has been held in a century, and will also be the first time the Russian Grand Prix has been run as a round of the Formula 1 World Championship since the championship was formed in 1950.

Timetable of the 2014 Russian Grand Prix*:

Thursday October 9
Formula 1 Press Conference - Press Room 15:00

Friday October 10
Formula 1 Practice 1 10:00 - 11:30
GP2 Practice Session 12:00 - 12:45
Formula 1 Practice 2 14:00 - 15:30
GP2 Qualifying Session 16:00 - 16:30
Formula 1 Press Conference - Press Room 16:00 - 17:00
GP3 Practice Session 17:00 - 17:45

Saturday October 11
GP3 Qualifying Session 09:30 - 10:00
Formula 1 Team Pit Stop Practice 10:30 - 11:00
Formula 1 Practice 3 12:00 - 13:00
GP3 Race 1 (15 Laps or 30 Minutes) 13:40 - 14:15
Formula 1 Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk 14:20 - 14:45
Formula 1 Qualifying 15:00
GP2 Race 1 (30 Laps or 60 Minutes) 16:40 - 17:45

Sunday October 12
GP3 Race 2 (15 Laps or 30 Minutes) 11:00 - 11:35
GP2 Race 2 (21 Laps or 45 Minutes) 12:05 - 12:50
Formula 1 Drivers Track Parade 13:30
Formula 1 Starting Grid Presentation 13:45 - 14:15
Formula 1 National Anthem 14:46
Formula 1 Start of race 15:00

*Note - please be advised that this timetable is subject to change.

From BMW

BMW Motorsport will add a new chapter to its success story in GT racing in 2016.

The BMW M6 GT3 will replace the BMW Z4 GT3, which has been in action since 2010. Development work on the new car is already in full swing.

The first tests with the car, which is based in the BMW M6 Coupé, are planned for the first quarter of 2015.

Artist's view of the BMW M6 GT3 (Image: BMW Motorsport)

Customers will be able to purchase the BMW M6 GT3 from the end of 2015, allowing them to compete in the 2016 BMW Sports Trophy with the new car. Orders will be accepted over the course of 2015.

The exact date, from which orders can be placed, will be announced at a later date.

The heart of the BMW M6 GT3 is the BMW M Twin Power Turbo 8-cylinder petrol engine, which features a capacity of 4.4 litres. The engine is familiar from the production model and has been modified specifically for racing.

The chassis is being optimised by hand for the specific demands of the racetrack in the BMW Motorsport workshop in Munich (DE). With regard to technology, the focus is on the use of extras that meet the very highest and latest standards in motorsport development, such as racing gearbox, racing ABS and racing electronics.

Artist's view of the BMW M6 GT3 (Image: BMW Motorsport)

From press release

Chrysler Group LLC announced Monday that it is discontinuing the factory-backed SRT (Street and Racing Technology) Motorsports racing program in IMSA (International Motor Sports Association) with the conclusion of the 2014 season.

This decision affects participation in the IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship with the Dodge Viper SRT GTS-R GTLM-class team. The Dodge brand will redirect its focus and efforts on the brand's product line-up.

The Dodge Viper SRT GTS-R 2014 racing season concluded Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Petit Le Mans.

SRT Dodge Viper GTS-R (Photo: Richard Prince/SRT Motorsport)

The two-car SRT Motorsports team won the team and driver titles with Canadian Kuno Wittmer in the inaugural IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship GTLM-class.

SRT Motorsports won two-of-three championships contested in the class and finished second in the GTLM manufacturer championship in just its second full year of the program.

As the company announced May 6, the SRT brand will continue to be aligned with the Dodge brand, delivering SRT ultimate performance vehicles to complement the Dodge brand's mainstream performance vehicles.

From press release

With so many different weekly racetracks represented at the 22nd Annual Autumn Colours Classic - presented by Lucas Oil Products - at Peterborough Speedway, the biggest question being asked is where this year's winners will be from.

2014 track champions and other competitors from more than half a dozen of the province's finest racing facilities will converge on Canada's Toughest 3rd of a Mile Paved Oval for the Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing.

From Delaware in the west, Capital City Speedway in the east, Barrie in the north and everywhere in between, chasing an Autumn Colours Classic checkered flag is their common goal. Track owner/promoter J.P. Josiasse says fans will be in store for some edge of their seat racing all weekend long.

"From the moment they roll from the staging area and onto the racetrack, every driver in every division will be battling it out for any spot they hope to gain," said Josiasse.

"If short track racing is your thing, we'll have your brand of excitement and plenty of action to keep you entertained throughout the event."

When the Sunset Speedway group signs in for the 22nd Annual Autumn Colours Classic, they'll be led by 2014 Late Model track champion Dwayne Baker (above), who'll be looking for a 3rd consecutive Limited Late Model crown.

Randy Rusnell - the 2013 Thunder Car event champion - hopes for back-to-back wins, but will face a tough challenge from young upstart Cayden Lapcevich, who clinched the hometown honours with feature race win on the final night of the year. Throw this year's Chase for the Colours winner Nick Goetz into the mix and there's a good chance at least one of the ACC titles could head back to Sunset.

Sauble Speedway will be represented by Chase winner and 2014 Thunder Car track champion Ken Grubb and 4 Cylinder/Mini Stock champ Billy Schwartzenburg.

Flying the Capital City Speedway colours will be Mini Stock chauffeurs Casey Cavanaugh and Nolan Gould and Thunder Car pilot Todd Musker, while Malcolm 'Pops' MacDonald will take a stab at the 4Fun checkered flag. Barrie Speedway runners Doug Butler, Rick Walt and Gord Shepherd will attempt to take the Mini Stock, Thunder Car or Pro Late Model crowns back to their home turf.

Of course, there is also a long list of Peterborough Speedway drivers who'd love to keep the winner's cheques and trophies in the Liftlock City. 2014 track champion Ryan Kimball will be doing double duty in the Limited and Pro Late Model divisions, while 2009 track champion Amanda Connolly - who ran a partial schedule this past season - will chase an Autumn Colours' payday. Saturday night regulars including Danny Benedict, John Baker Jr., Craig and Brandt Graham, Ryan Babin, Howie Crowe, James Townsend, Tyler Junkin and others could easily be considered legitimate contenders for an Autumn Colours Classic win.

Make your plans now to catch the Super Bowl of Stock Racing at Peterborough Speedway's 22nd Annual Autumn Colours Classic - presented by Lucas Oil Products - October 10th, 11th and 12th. Pit gates open daily at 10. See www.peterboroughspeedway.com for details and click the 'Autumn Colours' tab.

The video of Jules Bianchi's Marussia's car colliding with the tractor recovery vehicle retrieving the broken-down Sauber of Adrian Sutil at Suzuka Sunday triggered several questions.

When the tractor went out to recover the damaged Sauber, double flags were waved at the marshalling post.

A double-waved yellow flag is defined as warning a driver to 'slow and be prepared to stop'.

In a statement on Sunday evening, the FIA confirmed: ‘On lap 42, Adrian Sutil lost control of his car, spun and hit the tire barrier on the outside of Turn 7. The marshals displayed double-waved yellow flags before the corner to warn drivers of the incident.'

Moments later, a green flag is being waved by a marshal from Hut Twelve that is above, but slightly beyond, the crash scene.

It was explained that the flag is, in effect, a boundary point around the circuit, and only comes into force once it has been passed.

This shows the left-hand Corner 7, with M (marshals) and L (lights pannel). (Image: FIA)

Investigation
FIA President Jean Todt has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash and is reported to have asked Formula 1 Race Director Charlie Whiting to compile a report ahead of this weekend's Russian Grand Prix.

Incidentally, Jean Todt's son, Nicolas, is Jules Bianchi's manager.

The 25-year-old Bianchi in a critical but stable condition in Mie University Hospital after suffering what the FIA have described as a 'severe' head injury in the crash.