Auto News 5

Linda Jackson, Citroen's new CEO, has the tough task of leading the brand without the newly independent DS line. The executive told Automotive News Europe that focusing on design and technology will be central to facing this task.

From GMM

Sahara Force India has played down this week's alarming news from India about team supremo Vijay Mallya.

Amid the decline of his airline Kingfisher, the former billionaire was declared a 'wilful defaulter' by the public sector lender the United Bank of India, meaning he will lose his director positions and be unable to borrow money.

An insider explained: "Any company in which they are directors, those companies would be affected."

And the very latest news is that India's supreme court rejected Mallya's petition challenging the 'wilful defaulter' tag, causing some to wonder if the 58-year-old's entire empire could begin to crumble.

The chief of Force India's title sponsor Sahara, Subrata Roy, is currently in jail on financial charges, but a team spokesperson has played down the effect Mallya's latest troubles will have on the Silverstone based outfit.

"The team will not be affected in any way," the spokesperson told PA Sport.

The two Sahara Force India, VJM07-Mercedes. (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM

Ferrari's customer teams are behind in payments to the Maranello marque.

Referring to engine customers Sauber and Marussia, team boss Marco Mattiacci is quoted by the Swiss newspaper Blick: "They are behind in their payments."

Expressing concern about the future of Hinwil based Sauber, correspondent Roger Benoit quoted his authoritative Italian colleague Pino Allievi as saying: "Ferrari has never dropped a long-term partner."

Both Sauber and Marussia are undoubtedly struggling financially, with Speed Week reporting rumours earlier this week that Marussia may not make it to Monza this weekend.

Paying driver Max Chilton was at the centre of a contractual kerfuffle last time out at Spa-Francorchamps, and the musical chairs is tipped to continue at the Italian grand prix.

But it emerges that Marussia's race transporters are at least en route to the Autodromo Nazionale.

Jules Bianchi, Marussia MR03-Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM

Daniel Ricciardo's rise from the deep midfield to title-contending prominence in F1 has been a surprise to almost everyone in the paddock.

In fact, even those who know him best - Dr Helmut Marko, Christian Horner and Adrian Newey - have said even they were shocked by the Australian's graduation from Toro Rosso nearly-man to Sebastian Vettel-beater in 2014.

But undoubtedly, sparks of a very special talent were always obvious.

Luca Furbatto, who has now left the Faenza team, worked closely with Ricciardo as he designed Toro Rosso cars until earlier this year.

Luca Furbatto and Daniel Ricciardo at Toro Rosso, in 2013. (Photo: WRi2)

He told Italy's Autosprint that as soon as the braces-wearing youngster stepped up from HRT in pre-2012 winter testing, "I was struck by the feedback he was able to give to the team".

"It was incredible how he recalled the behaviour of the machine even hours later," said Furbatto. "At 300kph he had the time and the intellect to think about the management of the car, which is typical of great quality.

"The other driver (Jean-Eric Vergne) was very limited in his feedback, so Daniel was always the point of reference.

"But I have seen before that drivers able to give so much information were not always the fastest. But my doubts soon disappeared -- qualifying in Bahrain in 2012 left everyone speechless," he explained.

Luca Furbatto said Ricciardo initially had some weaknesses: the race starts, the opening laps, his management of disappointment, his entries to the pitlane.

"But in winter testing in 2013 he seemed much more determined," he revealed.

"His feedback was a little reduced but he had become very strong in prioritising development. In the races he said things like 'Understood. No more talking from now on'," said Luca Furbatto.

"Perhaps he had been told of the chance to replace Mark Webber at Red Bull, but what was clear is that he had matured in a hurry."

Daniel Ricciardo gained his third victory of the season at Spa-Francorchamps with Red Bull. (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM

For the Schumacher family, life goes on.

This week, a charming book penned by a young fan of Michael Schumacher hit the desk of the stricken F1 legend's wife Corinna.

Corinna replied personally to the boy: "I would like to thank you for your best wishes and your kind present, which help us to move forward in those difficult moments.

"Our Michael is a fighter and he will never give up," Mrs Schumacher added.

Earlier, Corinna was photographed as a smiling spectator at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France.

Reportedly still at a Swiss rehabilitation clinic after his long coma, former Ferrari and Mercedes driver Schumacher remains in the minds of many.

Former Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali this week named Schumacher as the driver he had the "best relationship" with.

"He was formidable because his contribution was not limited to his exceptional talent behind the wheel," insider Leo Turrini quoted Domenicali as saying.

"In private, he could be very severe, even ruthless, but outside he was always the first to defend the team," said the Italian.

On Schumacher's health, he said he understands the family's desire for privacy.

"We are in contact and they tell me that there is small, continuous progress. I know that we all hope that this terrible waiting will end in the best way. Unfortunately we just have to wait," said Domenicali.

Finally, Brazil's Globo reports that Schumacher's 15-year-old son Mick has finished runner-up in a competition of the FIA-sanctioned Junior KF karting category.

To ensure a lower profile, Mick races with the surname of his mother, Betsch.

From GMM

Fernando Alonso has denied being in contact with McLaren supremo Ron Dennis.

Dennis is making no secret of his desire to sign a driver of the Spaniard or Sebastian Vettel's calibre to spearhead the works Honda project from 2015.

The Telegraph newspaper even said Dennis, despite his spectacular falling out with Alonso in 2007, "has spoken" with the highly rated driver recently amid rumours of an audacious $32 million per-year offer to woo him from Ferrari.

But on Tuesday, Alonso played down the McLaren link by insisting it is "not my intention at the moment to move".

At the same time, Spanish reports quoted Alonso as denying he has been in contact with Dennis.

"No, he (Dennis) has not called me, it's 100 per cent not true," newspapers quoted Alonso as saying.

But he did admit that his 2014 hopes are now gone and he must look to the future for better times.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F14 T. (Photo: WRi2)

"Obviously this year, with seven races left, little will change -- the hope is for next year and the future. Hopefully we can close the gap to Mercedes, who have a big advantage.

"It is true that in these years at Ferrari I did not win, but two times it went to the last race and I have won great races.

"I think they have been very good years of which I have fond memories, but in the future I definitely want to win," Alonso added.

He said: "At no time have I regretted joining Ferrari, because at the end of the day, it is the most important team. The Los Angeles Lakers or Real Madrid also do not win always, but to play there is important."

Finally, Alonso played down speculation Ferrari is poised to announce at Monza this weekend that former technical director Ross Brawn is rejoining the team.

"I don't think there will be any announcement, or anything to announce," he said.

"We must have confidence in (Marco) Mattiacci that he knows what decisions to make. The changes that are made are 100 per cent intended to improve the team."

Brossard, QC -- The small-car segment is huge. In Europe it's an absolute behemoth, and here in North America we are just beginning to grow it into the giant it is worldwide. As the feisty little fellows start to overtake our streets (particularly in Quebec, where a special love for hatchbacks resides), companies like Toyota are taking note of the need for a highly European influence in these funky little vehicles and answering the public's desires with their latest refreshes.

Dubbed a “major-minor” mid-cycle update, the 2015 Toyota Yaris is all new as far as aesthetic changes and pricing are concerned, but has yet to see a new engine and/or transmission. Chassis upgrades along with suspension tweaks mean the drive feels all new, too.

But does it have the chutzpah to play with juggernauts like the Versa Note and Fiesta? I took this latest Yaris for a spin to find out.


What's new about the 2015 Toyota Yaris?
While not a new generation or even a total model refresh, the 2015 Toyota Yaris is enough of a “new” car to get a bit excited about -- at least the folks at the Japanese automaker are pretty pumped about it.

Essentially, the Yaris got a nifty facelift, a bit of a nip-tuck, some butt implants, and some new interior apparel. Mechanically, it's stayed pretty much the same, save for improved steering feel, increased body stiffness, and better aerodynamics. Otherwise, the 106-horsepower 1.5L 4-cylinder engine remains, as does the choice between a 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive and three or five doors are available.

That nifty facelift is quite nice, round back. Up front it seems to be trying desperately to evoke the spindle grille of the new Lexus IS while also pretending to be a grownup and look like a new Corolla. Of course, I see the family resemblance in the design language across all the new Toyota models, but here it just makes the little guy look mad. All. The. Time.

Inside, the 2015 Yaris was treated to new soft-touch materials and a newly laid out centre stack. Much more modern in design, the interior is a pleasant place to be. My only gripe? The seemingly cool “storage” slots above the glove box that are really just figments of your imagination and will see your iPhone flying into your knee (yes, and painfully so) upon acceleration as they are much too shallow to hold anything, really.

Are there still three trims available?
Indeed there are. The base CE model features a three-door layout along with 15” wheels and a chrome X-style front fascia with distinctive Angry Birds undertones. This very basic model only accounts for less than 5% of Toyota's Yaris sales, but they feel it's important to keep it around, as it is also the lowest-priced of the bunch at just $14,545.

Going up from there you've got the two 5-door models, the LE and the top-trim SE. Note that no matter which model you choose, you will have the same engine as well as a 6.1” display screen for entertainment and navigation (should you get that option). With the LE starting at $15,965, the majority of Yaris sales will be here. Nicely equipped with everything you'd want from a car in this segment, the LE is the ideal Yaris in my opinion.

However, should you want something a little more upscale in terms of hatchbackness, then the SE is your answer. With piano-black accents up front, fog lights, fancy LED daytime running lights, a nifty decklid spoiler and 16” rims, as well as piano-black accents on the leather-stitched steering wheel and buttons for cruise control and entertainment, the SE is a clear step above. Equipped with the automatic transmission, the 2015 Toyota Yaris SE will set you back just over $20,000, freight and PDI included.

But is it better to drive than the previous model?
As I mentioned above, this isn't a new generation, nor is it a brand new model. However, the engineers at Toyota somehow managed to tighten up the Yaris in just the right manner in order to make it more enjoyable on the road.

In torrential rain, the little hatchback zipped along country roads without much complaint. Body roll is kept to a minimum and the steering feels on point. Hop into a manual-transmission model and suddenly it feels like the Yaris has much more than its advertised 106 horses. Peppy and eager to please, the clutch and throttle are easy to harmonize, and I'd recommend the 2015 Toyota Yaris as a first-time car to anyone who's just learned how to drive a stick. It's forgiving and easy to master, even in fancy Wellie boots (trust me).

How does it stack up against the other small cars out there?
Here's the crux of the small-car conundrum: There are lots of choices out there. Nissan took the market by storm by releasing its sub-$10k MICRA. The panic that spread across the industry was like a tsunami as both Hyundai and Mitsubishi scrambled to lower the prices on their Accent and Mirage, respectively. So, will Toyota suffer the same fate to keep buyers out of Nissan showrooms? Only time will tell.

The Yaris is a formidable opponent for the likes of the Nissan Versa Note and Chevrolet Sonic Hachback, and in all honesty I believe it is brand loyalty that will win out in the end. Toyota has a reputation it continues to uphold, and with its latest Toyota Yaris that reputation will continue on.

From GMM

Mere days ago, Bernie Ecclestone remained certain Formula 1 will race for the first time in Russia next month.

Amid the Ukrainian crisis and the MH17 atrocity, the F1 chief executive defended his decision to resist calls to cancel the inaugural Sochi event.

"We have a contract, and I respect contracts. So we're going there," he told the Swiss newspaper Blick.

And last week, Ecclestone reiterated his admiration for Vladimir Putin, saying the controversial Russian president is "easy to deal with. A nice guy.

"Super guy," he told CNN and F1 business journalist Christian Sylt. "Trustworthy. He wants to get the race done and he will get it done."

But that was just before the very latest developments in Russia, as the West roundly condemned Putin for boldly stepping up his military stance against Ukraine.

Photo: Sochi Autodrom

Reports suggest European and US officials will meet this week to consider new sanctions against Putin's regime.

The Financial Times claims the European Union is considering recommending Russia's suspension from "high-profile international cultural, economic or sporting events" including the World Cup and formula one.

"Boycotting a prestigious international sports event has a distinctively Cold War feel to it," said a European analyst for the Eurasia Group consultancy.

"This will sting the Russians far more than anything the EU will do on finance this round."

On August 25th, a Frankfurt court ruled that car pick-up service Uber can no longer operate in Germany following a lawsuit filed by Taxi Deutschland. It could face up to a €250,000 fine per trip booked through the UberPop app.

An appeal process is ongoing, however.

UberPop was launched earlier this year and involves drivers (who are not directly employed by the company) over the age of 21 using their own cars to transport passengers. This, obviously, is a direct threat to taxi drivers, who also argue that Uber has fewer regulatory burdens placed upon it than they do, and poses unfair competition.

Demand for the car pick-up service is soaring throughout Germany. In fact, Uber said last week it was planning to rapidly expand into Cologne, Stuttgart and other cities by the end of the year.

Source : lemonde.fr

John Crosslé, who founded the Crosslé Car Company in Holywood, Co Down, in 1957, has sadly died.

Crosslé was born in Scotland but came to Northern Ireland when he was just a few months old and stayed to found the longest surviving custom racing car company in the world.

By the mid 1960s, the Crosslé Car Company was providing up-and-coming stars such as John Watson, Brian Cullen and Ken Fildes with Formula 2 cars.

However, Crosslé's greatest success was in the 1600cc Formula Ford class. Starting with the 16F in 1968, by 1975 Crosslé had a world-beater on his hands with the 30F.

Several top competitors drove Crosslé Formula Ford cars such as Nigel Mansell, Eddie Jordan and John Watson.

From there more than 1000 cars were designed, constructed and sold by Crosslé, mainly Formula Fords but also the S group of sports racing cars.

John Crosslé will be missed but not forgotten.

Nigel Mansell, Crosslé 32F Formula Ford (Photo: Crosslé Archives)

Mitsubishi will unveil the Outlander PHEV Concept-S on October 2nd at the Paris Auto Show. The first few images released by the company hint at the design direction of future Outlander and Outlander Sport (RVR) models.

Photo: Mitsubishi

This new concept, based on an earlier version that premiered in Paris two years ago, features a more upscale exterior and interior treatment. Actually, “Sporty and Sophisticated” is the theme.

Photo: Mitsubishi

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-S will likely use the current Outlander PHEV's powertrain, namely a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine mated to a pair of electric motors. Drivers should expect a quiet operation and superior performance, the automaker says.

Source : motorauthority.com

The fight against Tesla and its unique business model continues in the U.S. After battling with dealer organizations nationwide over its rights to sell cars directly to shoppers, the company now has to deal with a petition filed by the Georgia Automobile Dealers Association (GADA), which claims Tesla is illegally selling cars.

Georgia's state law allows for sales of up to 150 vehicles at automaker-owned stores, but Tesla has sold 173 copies of the Model S at its one and only store, the GADA argues.

The electric car maker responded by pointing out that sales restrictions are applicable on a calendar year basis. The aforementioned 173 units were sold from October 2013 to June 2014.

Tesla spokesman Simon Sproule told Automotive News on Tuesday that the petition “is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to stifle new innovation and eliminate consumer choice by trying to establish a monopoly that restricts the way consumers can buy new vehicles.”

Atlanta has the second-highest percentage of new electric car registrations in the U.S. (the No. 1 market remains the San Francisco Bay Area). It's a city known for long commutes and awful traffic, while Georgia is one of the few states offering a tax credit to encourage drivers to buy alternative fuel vehicles.

Source : money.cnn.com

Similar to BMW and Mercedes-Benz, Ford wants to use GPS data to increase the fuel efficiency of its hybrid vehicles. Called “Green Zone,” the new system will automatically switch to EV mode whenever the time is right.

With the help of the navigation system, Green Zone is able to detect when a car is entering a corner, approaching a hill or driving on the highway. As a result, the car could save its battery charge for the most EV-friendly situations.

Green Zone may wind up in Ford's next-generation hybrid vehicles if it meets efficiency and safety expectations. In its preliminary form, a driver would go to a website (or use the navigation screen) to set up specific zones, displayed in green, where the vehicle would automatically opt to run on battery power if possible.

Source : nbcnews.com

From press release

The 2014 Race Of Champions will be held at the Bushy Park Circuit in Barbados on December 13-14 after the Caribbean venue saw off a wide range of contenders from all round the world to host the prestigious motor sport event.

The annual end-of-season contest, which has been held for over 25 years, brings together the world's greatest drivers from motor sport's major disciplines - including Formula 1, World Rally, Le Mans, MotoGP, Nascar, IndyCar, Touring Cars and the X-Games - and sets them free to battle head-to-head in identical machinery.

In recent years the Race Of Champions has visited the Stade de France in Paris (2004-2006), London's Wembley Stadium (2007-2008), the ‘Bird's Nest' Olympic Stadium in Beijing (2009), Düsseldorf's ESPRIT arena (2010-2011) and Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium (2012).

Photo: Race of Champions

The public was asked to contribute to the decision on this year's ROC host via a vote on the Race Of Champions website, Facebook and Twitter. The Bushy Park Circuit was one of the most popular choices - and after final discussions with all the leading contenders, the Barbados venue has now been selected to stage ROC 2014.

Newly renovated this year to become a multi-purpose motor sport facility, the Bushy Park Circuit has a 40-year history of hosting big racing events.

Situated a short drive from the Barbados capital city Bridgetown and the international airport, the circuit has now been extended from 1.3km to a licensed FIA Grade 3 circuit just over 2km long with capacity for tens of thousands of spectators. The redevelopment also features a new clubhouse and pits complex along with a drag strip and a kart track.

Photo: Race of Champions

Tonight is the official launch of the highly anticipated 2016 Mazda MX-5, which will simultaneously take place in the U.S., Spain, and Japan.

Simply tune in here at 9 p.m. ET to watch the event live below.

From GMM

The plans of F1's newest team are marching on.

Although it will only debut in 2016, the American outfit Haas Formula has announced a name tweak.

The team is now called Haas F1 Team, with the name-change decision made by founder and chairman Gene Haas "to better correlate his team with motor racing's most prestigious series".

Gene Haas, who also co-owns a leading Nascar team with Tony Stewart, has also this week launched an official website for the F1 team and social media pages.

Explaining the name-change, Haas - whose company Haas Automation already sponsors Ferrari - said: "When you hear 'F1' you know exactly what it is -- a global racing series that showcases the latest technology and attracts the best talent in engineering and design."

The press release issued on Tuesday said construction of a F1 headquarters adjacent to the Nascar factory in Kannapolis, North Carolina is "scheduled to be completed in November".

Stewart-Haas' factory at Kannapolis, North Carolina. (Photo: Stewart-Haas Racing)

Gene Haas told Forbes recently that his interest in F1 was piqued when officials of the USF1 project approached him to get involved in the ultimately stillborn team.

"I started watching the races more out of curiosity about it," he told the F1 business journalist Christian Sylt. "I was kind of amazed that there weren't more people trying to do it. There are so many super rich people in America I kind of thought 'why haven't any other Americans done this?'"

The next step for Haas is to announce a European base for the team, probably in England.

He said: "We are not going to be swayed by any smooth talking about dreams. This is a tough business and we know what we have got to do. There is a tremendous amount that we need to learn from this whole sport because we are pretty novice at it."

Ryan Blaney thrilled the huge crowd on hand at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Sunday, winning the Chevrolet Silverado 250.

Blaney captured victory with a last second pass to over German Quiroga Jr. The No. 29 Brad Keselowski Racing Ford driver took the win by a mere 0.049 seconds.

Erik Jones followed the duo to the line.

Andrew Ranger of Roxton Pond, Quebec was the top finishing Canadian who brought home the No. 53 Mopar Ram in fifth place.

See our photos from the exciting event!

2014 Chevrolet Silverado at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (Photos by Remi Fagnan)

PROs: With its Coupé, Hatchback and Sedan, the 2015 Hyundai Elantra covers a wide-ranging spectrum...to suit all tastes. And like all the automaker's other models, it is dependably reliable, offering good value for money. The Elantra has reasonable fuel consumption rates and offers excellent standard features with the emphasis on comfort and roominess.

CONs: The 2015 Elantra's suspension is perhaps a little too stiff. Furthermore, steering could be more precise and responsive - and maybe the type of tire fitted should be changed too. And last but not least, it should be noted that the 1.8 L engine lacks power and needs more oompth.

Photo: Hyundai

2015 Hyundai Elantra Price: For the 2015 version, Hyundai is selling the Elantra in three configurations: the Coupé, the Sedan and the Hatchback. The Coupé kicks off the show with six versions: the manual GL at $18,999, the automatic GL at $20,249, the manual GLS at $20,949, the automatic GLS at $22,199, the SE manual at $24,349 and finally, the SE automatic at $25,599.

As for the Sedan, you're looking at seven models: the L manual at $15,999, the GL manual at $18,749, the GL automatic at $20,099, the Sport automatic at $20,398, the GLS manual at $21,049, the GLS automatic at $22,399 and the Limited at $25,649.

Plus, it's possible to get yourself one of seven versions of the 5-door Hatchback: the GT L manual at $18,449, the GT GL manual at $19,599, the GT GL automatic at $20,849, the GT GLS manual at $21,799, the GT GLS automatic at $23,049, the GT automatic at $24,799 and the GT Tech automatic at $26,799.

Fuel Economy: Consumption rates for the Hyundai Elantra vary according to the model and powertrain. For the Coupé, it's 8.4L /100 km (city) and 5.6L/100 km (highway). For the Sedan: 8.8L /100 km (city) and 6.3L/100 km (highway)...for the 1.8L engine it's 9.8L /100 km (city) and 6.7L/100 km (highway) for the 2.0L engine model. As for the power-driven 2.0L Hatchback, consumption is 8.5L /100 km (city) and 5.8L/100 km (highway).

Improvements and Changes: The 2.0L motor is now offered on the GLS models.

2015 Hyundai Elantra Powertrain: Under the hood of the 2015 Elantra, Hyundai gives you the choice of two 4-cylinder DOHC engines: an inline 1.8 L providing 145 hp and a 2.0 L with an output of 173 hp. Both types are matched with a 6-speed transmission (manual or automatic).
Cargo Capacity: If you opt for the Sedan or the Coupé, you can pack in 420 L of storage space. If you go for the Hatchback, load capacity jumps to 651 L (with upright seats) and 1,444 L with the back seats lowered.

Safety: On the safety side, the 2015 Hyundai Elantra boasts ABS, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control and traction control.

Comparing the 2015 Hyundai Elantra: In this compact car segment, compare with the Chevrolet Cruze, Dodge Dart, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Kia Forte, Mazda3, Mitsubishi Lancer, Sentra Nissan, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla and Jetta Volkswagen.

From press release

Ohsweken Speedway officials are proud to announce a new event during Canadian Sprint Car Nationals weekend, as the Kevin Ward Jr. "Young Stars Challenge" presented by TJSlideways.com is now scheduled for the Night Before the Nationals on Friday, September 12.

The event will honour Kevin Ward, Jr., who passed away following a tragic accident in the Empire Super Sprints event held at Canandaigua Motorsports Park on Saturday, August 3.

Despite his young age, Kevin had already competed in four editions of the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals, including a top 10 finish in 2011.

Kevin's No. 13 will be represented in several ways in the Young Stars Challenge, as 13 drivers will compete in the 13 lap race, with $513 awarded to the winner.

A plaque commemorating the winners of the new event will be housed and updated annually at the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Iowa, while ImageFactor.ca Motorsport Designs & Photography will be giving away over $500 in photos to the winner and participants.

The youngest drivers signed in for competition on the Night Before the Nationals will make up the 13-car starting field for the Kevin Ward, Jr. "Young Stars Challenge" presented by TJSlideways.com.

The Ohsweken Shootout event will now become the Dave McLeod Memorial Shootout, replacing the Dave McLeod Memorial "Mr. Sprint Car Challenge" match races held in the past, with $400 going to the winner.

The 10-lap Dave McLeod Memorial Shootout line-up will consist of 12 drivers, including top finishers from the Patriot Sprint Tour, Southern Ontario Sprints, and Empire Super Sprints challenge events held at Ohsweken Speedway in 2014, plus the August 29 Corr/Pak Merchandising 360 Sprint Car event, and top drivers from the Sprints on Dirt and National Racing Alliance championship standings.

The Night Before the Nationals on Friday, September 12 will also include Twin 15-lap features for 360 Sprint Cars, and a full program for the HRW Automotive Mini Stocks.

The winners of Friday's Twin 15-lap features will be guaranteed starting spots in the $12,000-to-win feature race in the 10th annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals event scheduled for Saturday, September 13, along with the Affordable Towing & Recovery Thunder Stocks.

Visit the official Ohsweken Speedway website at www.OhswekenSpeedway.com.

From nascar.com

The 10-year agreement with XFINITY replaces Nationwide as No. 2 NASCAR series sponsor.

XFINITY is the cable and broadband division of Comcast, providing video, high-speed Internet and phone service to residential customers.

The 10-year agreement officially begins Jan. 1, 2015 and will see the series renamed the XFINITY Series.

XFINITY becomes only the third title sponsor in the program's history, following Anheuser-Busch (1982-2007) and Nationwide ('08-14).

The series will now be the XFINITY Series.