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From wtcc.com

The new LADA Vesta WTCC that will compete in the FIA World Touring Car Championship from 2015 was revealed at the Moscow International Motor Show, in presence of the current LADA Sport drivers Rob Huff and James Thompson.

The new Vesta WTCC sported its future yellow-black livery, as the unveiling of the new car was coupled with the announcement of a new three-year deal sponsorship between JSC AVTOVAZ and ROSNEFT petrol company, which will start in 2015.

Lada Vesta WTCC (Photo: WTCC)

The Vesta WTCC is a brand new car, designed by LADA chief designer Steve Mattin and his team, in close cooperation with LADA Sport; it is bound to represent a milestone in LADA's racing history. Its larger wheelbase and more efficient drag make it especially suited for racing.

Until the end of this season, LADA Sport will continue to participate in the FIA WTCC and the Russian Racing Series with the LADA Granta Sport cars, in LUKOIL livery.

Lada Vesta WTCC (Photo: WTCC)

According to Japanese newspaper The Yomiuri Shimbun, Mazda could well become the first Japanese automaker to sell a diesel hybrid model...as early as fiscal 2016. However, sales of this vehicle would be limited to markets in Japan and Europe.

Comparable to gas hybrid vehicles, this Mazda model would be powered by a combined diesel engine and an electric motor. This type of vehicle could throw down the gauntlet to conventional gas hybrids, because diesel offers better fuel efficiency with lower fuel consumption.

Mazda will develop a system in which an engine-powered small motor will play a supporting role to the main diesel-fueled engine. Mazda's aim is to develop a diesel hybrid whereby it can travel about 40 kilometres on a litre of light oil — that's about 30% better than ordinary diesel-powered vehicles can run.

It's no coincidence that Mazda is focusing on the European market for this project: indeed, 1 car in 2 sold in Europe runs on diesel. The outcome also looks promising in Japan, where last year almost twice as many diesel vehicles were sold compared to the previous year.

Diesel engine vehicles represent 50% of new cars sale in Europe. In 2013 in Japan, approximately 76,000 units were also sold, about 1.9 times more than sales from the previous year.

Source : the-japan-news.com

From GMM

A week before Monza, which is always a hotbed of rumours, the notorious F1 'silly season' is looking uncharacteristically uncertain.

Speculation is usually rife around the time of the Italian grand prix, but looking ahead to the 2015 season and the sport's grandee drivers and teams, either a lot will change or not much will change at all.

McLaren, wielding new power in the form of its looming works Honda partnership, potentially has its finger on the first of a very influential set of dominos.

Its name is Jenson Button. The 34-year-old - F1's most experienced driver - is highly rated by the Woking team, but McLaren is also acutely aware that he may not be quite in the mould of true stars like Hamilton, Alonso and Vettel.

But all of the aforementioned three, respectively at Mercedes (Lewis Hamilton), Ferrari (Fernando Alonso) and Red Bull (Sebastian Vettel), are firmly under contract for 2015.

So McLaren waits.

"Well," said supremo Ron Dennis, when told that if the might of McLaren-Honda really wanted to sign one of them, it probably could find a way.

"That depends on whether you respect drivers' contracts or not, and I do," he told F1's official website.

Ron Dennis and Eric Boullier, McLaren, are looking for a star driver. (Photo: WRi2)

It is not impossible to imagine Dennis' former protege Hamilton refusing to stay at Mercedes next year if his arch-enemy Nico Rosberg secures the number 1 for 2015.

"At the moment it (Mercedes) is not a team. Is it ok to have them together in 2015?" Mark Webber told Austrian broadcaster Servus TV.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff admitted this week that contract talks with Hamilton have been paused.

"At this stage things are very intense," he said, "and you have to stay concentrated on the season. One thing is for sure: we are not going to talk to anybody else before having a very clear situation about how we can continue to work with Lewis," Wolff added.

As for Alonso and Vettel, the latter of whom is not happy at Red Bull this year in the new Daniel Ricciardo era, Dennis was asked specifically about the pair and he did not deny his interest.

"As I say," he answered, "we'll always look to employ the best drivers available -- but they have to be available, don't they?"

Land Rover has released online a short promotional film showing the interior cabin of its all-new Discovery, which will be unveiled globally on September 2 at 7:01 PM (EDT). The digital short may be streamed live at www.landroverusa.com.

According to Land Rover, the Sport, which is the first member of the new Discovery family of vehicles, offers a more versatile interior. With optional 5+2 seating, the cabin showcases leather seating, a huge panoramic roof and a GPS screen.

More information will be posted on Land Rover's Facebook page: facebook.com/landroverusa

From press release

The top 16 points' racers from the DSE Sportsman Racing Series are preparing for a big Labour Day weekend Showdown at Toronto Motorsports Park as they look to hit the track Saturday August 30th for the First ever Abruzzi Transmissions and Converters All-Star Race during the 3rd Annual Canadian Funny Car Championships.

Having spent the first eight races of the Sportsman Racing Series season attempting to put themselves into a qualifying spot within their category for this race, the 16 racers will be looking to take home the $1000 to win cash prize as well the coveted All-Stars Trophy that will be debuted Friday evening at the DSE Sportsman Series Registration Trailer.

Qualifying for Delay Box side of the ladder is Steve Ferstl, Claude Losier, Allan Bain, Kevin Battista, Tom Bene, Bob Jennings, Jay Snell, and KC Kovac. On the No Box side of the ladder there is Bob Richards, Andrew Stirk, Gary Mac Donald, Ray Philps, Craig Wilson, Ryan Boniferro, Darrel Fraser and Brian Hampson.

The concept for the event which takes the top five points earners in Super Pro and Modified Eliminator, Top three from Quick 16, Top two from Street Eliminator and Top Super Bike/Sled racer, places them onto a pre-determined Sixteen car ladder similar to events like the NHRA All-Stars races and the older IHRA Sportsman Shoot-Out events.

Backing this special event for the Canadian based series is Marco Abruzzi and Bob Cireddu from Abruzzi Transmissions and Converters.

Adding to the excitement leading into this weekend, Abruzzi Transmissions has also signed up to extend their sponsorship of the All-Star race into the 2015 Season. Racers will also be able to begin accumulating All-Star Points for the 2015 season as next year's field will be set using the points from the final four points races of 2014 and the first four points races of 2015.

Gates open Friday for the weekend event at 4 pm with racing action in the DSE Sportsman Racing Series, Can-Am Stock/Super Stock Association and the Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series starts at 10:30 am both Saturday and Sunday.

More information on gate times and pricing can be found at www.SportsmanRacingSeries.ca.

Story updated, see below

Following today's crisis meeting at Mercedes AMG's headquarters in Brackley, Nico Rosberg issued a press release in which he admits contact with Lewis Hamilton was “an error of judgement”.

On his Facebook page, Nico Rosberg wrote the following statement:

“In the days since the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa, I have spent a lot of time thinking about what happened during the race and discussing it with the team.

I have already expressed my regret about the incident but, after meeting with Toto [Wolff], Paddy [Lowe] and Lewis [Hamilton] today, I wish to go a step further and describe it as an error of judgement on my part.

The number one rule for us as teammates is that we must not collide but that is exactly what happened.

For that error of judgement, I apologise to Lewis and the team. I also want to say sorry to the fans who were deprived of our battle for the lead in Belgium.

Lewis and I have been given clear instructions about how we race each other.

As drivers, we have a clear responsibility to the team, the fans of the sport, our partners and Mercedes-Benz to deliver clean racing. We take that responsibility very seriously.

I look forward to concluding the season with hard, fair competition on and off track right up to the final lap of the season in Abu Dhabi.”

Lewis Hamilton's view
Lewis Hamilton also posted a comment on his Facebook page. He it is:

“Today we came together as a team and discussed our differences.

Nico and I accept that we have both made mistakes and I feel it
would be wrong to point fingers and say which one is worse than the other.

What's important is how we rise as a team from these situations. We win and we lose together and, as a team, we will emerge stronger.

There is a deep foundation that still exists for me and Nico to work from, in spite of our difficult times and differences.

We have the greatest team, the strongest group of individuals who have worked their hands to the bone to give us the best car you see us racing today.

It's important that we never forget that and give them the results they deserve.

Today, Toto and Paddy told us clearly how we must race against each other from now on in a fair and respectful manner.

The fans want to see a clean fight until the end of the season and that's what we want to give them.

It's going to be a tough road from here but Championships have been won from much further back than I am now.

And I promise you that I will be giving everything and more to win this for my team, for my family and for my fans”.

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W05. (Photo: WRi2)

The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, which was held between August 14th and 17th, was the stage chosen by Renovo for the unveiling of its « American electric supercar », the Renovo Coupe. This RWD car is propelled by 500 electric horsepower.

Capable of crushing the 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) sprint in only 3.4 seconds, the Renovo coupe will not be a car for the masses given its retail price of $529,000 usd ($579,000 cdn). Despite the impressive stats, the Coupe's top speed is limited to only 129 mph (207 km/h).

The Renovo Coupe is based on a Shelby American CSX9000 chassis and will go into production in 2015. As with most electric exotic cars, the Coupe will be available in California before hitting other markets.

Source : thedetroitbureau.com

From BMW

Just one week after Marco Wittmann triumphed at the iconic Nurburgring, BMW Motorsport has spent four days testing in preparation for the final phase of the DTM season.

From Monday to Thursday, the BMW drivers completed over 3,000 kilometres at the Lausitzring, which will host the eighth round of the touring car series on 14th September.

Heikki Kovalainen, BMW M4 DTM (Photo: BMW)

Making his debut at the wheel of the BMW M4 DTM during the tests at the “EuroSpeedway Lausitz” was ex-Formula 1 driver Heikki Kovalainen who competed in F1 between 2007 and 2013.

"First of all I am grateful that BMW Motorsport offered me the opportunity to drive its car. I was really looking forward to this interesting experience,” said Heikki Kovalainen.

Heikki Kovalainen, BMW M4 DTM (Photo: BMW)

“To be honest, I didn't really know what to expect as I have never driven a car like this. But I felt really comfortable in the BMW M4 DTM from the very beginning. It's an impressive car. Of course, it is heavier than a Formula 1 car and has less power, but the aerodynamics are very good and you can drive through corners very fast. The team helped me a lot to get used to everything. You can see that it is highly professional. I enjoyed the day very much.”

From press release

Green Savoree Racing Promotions and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park management have discussed the option of a Verizon IndyCar Series date at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in 2015.

A Verizon IndyCar track inspector has completed a full track inspection at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and has provided recommendations.

“Understandably, the Toronto 2015 Pan Am & Parapan American Games have forced us to consider alternative dates and venues for next year's race. We have worked tirelessly to explore all options and are close to making an announcement regarding when and where we'll be racing in 2015,” said Charlie Johnstone, president, Honda Indy Toronto.

“Kim Green and Kevin Savoree are friends within the motorsports industry and we will do whatever we can to help maintain an IndyCar date in 2015 here in Canada, given the challenges of the 2015 Pan-Am Games,” said Myles Brandt, president and general manager at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. “We'd be happy to help.”

From nascar.com

Three-time Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart will return this weekend in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Oral-B USA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway and make his first Sprint Cup start since Pocono Raceway on Aug. 3.

Stewart will speak to the media Friday at 1 p.m. ET at the infield media center at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

In a statement, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O'Donnell said: "Tony Stewart has received all necessary clearances required to return to all racing activities, and therefore is eligible to compete this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. NASCAR has remained in constant contact with his race team, and we will stay very close to this situation as Stewart returns to competition."

Stewart was involved in a sprint car racing incident earlier this month that resulted in driver Kevin Ward Jr. suffering fatal injuries at Canandaigua Motorsports Park, a half-mile dirt track on the Ontario County Fairgrounds.

The investigation regarding the incident is ongoing. Stewart's racing plans outside NASCAR have been cancelled and will not resume until further notice.

One of the great rally legends, Bjorn Waldegaard has died aged 71 after suffering with cancer.

Waldegaard captured the inaugural drivers' World Rally title in 1979, winning the Acropolis and Criterium du Quebec.

Driving a works Ford Escort on European rally rounds and a Mercedes 450 SLC on the Safari and Ivory Coast, Waldegaard took the championship by a single point from Hannu Mikkola.

While the great Swede stopped competing at the international level in 1992, his love of competition kept him in and around rallies for the rest of his life.

He will be sorely missed.

Bjorn Waldegaard and Peugeot boss Jean Todt, 1990 Paris-Dakar (Photo: WRI2)

From GMM

Dieter Zetsche has become involved in resolving the damaging spat between warring Mercedes teammates Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton.

As team chiefs Toto Wolff, Paddy Lowe and Niki Lauda work to safeguard Mercedes' overwhelming title prospects amid an escalating driver feud, Lauda revealed that Zetsche has been moved to intervene.

"Naturally we have to report to him," the F1 legend and team chairman told the German weekly Bunte. "We have a need for clarification. It (the F1 project) is all about building credibility for the brand."

Until now, although there have been efforts to cool the heat in the wake of last Sunday's incident, the clear finger of blame has been pointed at Rosberg for causing the lap 2 crash at Spa that left Hamilton almost 30 points behind in their title fight.

Niki Lauda, for instance, admitted to Bunte that even the German driver's post-race explanation of what happened was "not understandable to me".

Nico Rosberg's front wing and Lewis Hamilton's tire, after two laps at Spa-Francorchamps. (Photo: WRi2)

A key meeting to plot a way forward will take place at the team's Brackley base on Friday, Germany's Sport Bild reports.

"I will not be there," Lauda confirmed, "but Toto, Paddy and the two drivers will be."

It is possible that Zetsche, who has always argued against team orders, will ask for any solution to the problem to not involve ending Mercedes' policy of 'free racing'.

Indeed, on Twitter on Thursday, Mercedes asked its half-million followers to vote for either "team orders or free racing".

"This is a chance to have your say," the team tweeted.

The predictable and overwhelming response saw 92 per cent support for free racing, with Mercedes going on to ask for suggestions for potential penalties for breaching the "no contact rule".

"Would you suspend a driver for a race and not maximise constructors' points? Perhaps you'd set the order at qualifying slots?" the team twitterer wondered.

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, at Spa-Francorchamps. (Photo: WRi2)

Niki Lauda tipped Mercedes to ultimately keep the faith and refrain from playing safe and introducing team orders for the rest of the 2014 battle.

"Nothing changes," he said, "although it is important to avoid unnecessary risk.

"But I do not want to prejudge the meeting tomorrow (Friday). Let's see what the decisions look like," Niki Lauda added.

Ford won dismissal of a lawsuit claiming the company aided South Africa's apartheid regime, with a judge saying it couldn't be sued in the U.S. over actions of their units overseas.

Toyota is using a location-based mobile ad tool to supercharge its annual clearance sale.

Bluetooth technology aims to leave drivers hands-free, but some drivers end up connection-free, according to a study of multimedia quality and satisfaction released today.

As antitrust regulators, most recently in China, go after auto suppliers in what has become a worldwide probe into price fixing, a longtime "business model" in the supply chain is now in danger, says an automotive purchasing executive.

As antitrust regulators, most recently in China, go after auto suppliers in what has become a worldwide probe into price fixing, parts makers can no longer collude to keep prices relatively high for new components they supply to car manufacturers.

Transform Automotive is expanding in Michigan after landing a new contract to build transmissions parts.

Automotive steering systems specialist Nexteer has announced strong financial results for the first half of 2014.

Responding to a question from just-auto.com, a spokesman for Peugeot has named Wuhan 2 as the location for build of the new 408, a sedan version of the 308.