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From GMM

Russia and Formula 1 are pushing ahead with preparations for the country's inaugural Grand Prix.

There have been doubts about the viability of the Sochi race in recent weeks, particularly after the MH17 disaster.

But Russia's Championat claims that preparations for the Russian grand prix, scheduled for mid October, are ongoing.

The latest development is that officials of FOM - the Bernie Ecclestone-led Formula One Management - visited the site to inspect the television compound, media and commentator facilities, and the actual circuit paddock.

"Particular attention was paid to pedestrian bridges, locations for cameras, as well as the use of digital flags," the report said, citing official sources.

Championat added that the final inspection of the Sochi circuit, located around the site of the 2014 winter olympics village, will be carried out by the FIA in the second part of August.

Sauber team boss Monisha Kaltenborn said that despite the political situation, the teams are currently committed to racing in October.

"We have to rely on the governing body and commercial rights holder," she said.

"They are the ones who have the responsibility and we will do as they say, like we've done in the past."

VW is recalling 189,490 Tiguan SUVs in North America for potential stalling issues. The company said gas bubbles may form in the fuel system in the affected vehicles from model years 2009-2014.

Conant Auto Retail Group of Newport Beach, Calif., which includes the nation's largest Honda dealership, bought Southern California's three-store Fladeboe Automotive Group.

Nissan, thanks to the launch of models that are getting high marks for styling, its wider range of vehicles and aggressive discounting, is catching up with Honda. In the next couple of years it could easily pass its rival in U.S.

Following shareholder approval of the proposed merger of Fiat and Chrysler, Sergio Marchionne now faces an uncertain few months waiting to find out whether he has to postpone the tie-up because too many shareholders want to be bought out.

VALENCIA, Venezuela (Reuters) -- Though it is the middle of the work day, the Jeep assembly plant in the central Venezuelan city of Valencia is empty, the machinery still.

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Building on the strengths of its inaugural United SportsCar Championship schedule, the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) announced an enhanced 12-event calendar for the 2015 season.

Each of the four classes will compete in 10 races.

The 2015 schedule includes one notable addition at the historic Lime Rock Park. The race at the Lakeville, Conn. circuit will be held on Saturday, July 25.

The season opens with the 53rd running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 24-25. The Rolex 24 also kicks off the Tequila Patrón North American Endurance Cup, which returns in 2015.

It continues with the 63rd Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida on March 21, followed by the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen on June 28 and the season-ending Petit Le Mans Powered by Mazda on Oct. 3.

Continuing its commitment to include the most iconic and premium road courses in North America, the first TUDOR Championship visit to Lime Rock Park will feature a race for the Prototype Challenge (PC) and GT Daytona (GTD) classes. 

“This is simply an outstanding and exciting schedule for sports car racing fans across North America,” said IMSA CEO Ed Bennett.

United SportsCar Championship at the Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (Photo: IMSA.com)

2015 calendar - United SportsCar Championship (USCC)
Date Event Classes
Jan. 24-25 - Daytona International Speedway (ALL)*
March 21 - Sebring International Raceway (ALL)*
April 18 - Long Beach Street Circuit (P/GTLM)
May 3 - Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca (P/GTLM and PC/GTD)
May 30 - Detroit Belle Isle (P/GTD)
June 28 - Watkins Glen International (ALL)*
July 12 - Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (P/PC/GTLM)
July 25 - Lime Rock Park (PC/GTD)
Aug. 9 - Road America (ALL)
Aug. 23 - Virginia International Raceway (PC/GTLM/GTD)
Sept. 19 - Circuit of The Americas (ALL)
Oct. 3 - Road Atlanta (ALL)*
*North American Endurance Cup events

Story updated, see below

A fatal incident took the life of 20-year-old Kevin Ward Jr. last night during a sprint car race at Canandaigua Motorsports Park. Tony Stewart was involved in it.

Stewart, who is racing in the Cheez-it 355 with the NASCAR Sprint Cup series this week-end at Watkins Glen, often takes part in sprint car races, like Saturday night's at Canandaigua Motorsports Park, which is only 100 miles from Watkins Glen.

It appears Ward and Stewart collided during the race. Ward then exited his car and walked down the track, gesturing at Stewart.

As Stewart came around, he struck Ward.

"The driver was treated by on-track medical staff and transported to FF Thompson Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 11:15 pm," said a statement by the County of Ontario Sheriff's office.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends," added a statement from Stewart-Haas Racing.

The police added that Tony Stewart has cooperated with the investigators.

Interestingly, the Baltimore Sun reports: "In July [2013], Stewart was involved in another wreck at the same track that resulted in two drivers suffering injuries."

UPDATE
Stewart-Haas Racing VP of Competition, Greg Zipadelli, announced Sunday morning that Tony Stewart would not race in Sunday's Cheez-It 355 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Watkins Glen International.

"We know that it's just an unbelievable tragedy," Zipadelli said. "Our hearts go out to obviously Kevin and his family, thoughts and prayers. This is a very tough, very emotional time for everybody, his family, our family at Stewart-Haas, Tony Stewart.

"So with that being said, we feel that as a group, Tony will not drive today. Regan Smith is on his way up."

America already has its own F1 race, but in 2016 it could also have its own team and its own driver to cheer for.

While Haas Formula is expected to debut in two years, countryman Alexander Rossi could be on the grid as early as next year.

The 22-year-old recently became Marussia's reserve driver and could be promoted to a race seat, should Jules Bianchi graduate to a bigger team.

But Rossi would also love to race for Gene Haas.

Is Alexander Rossi America's next F1 driver? (Photo: AlexanderRossi.com)

"I'm very excited by Haas' project," Rossi is quoted saying by Nextgen-auto.com.

"He is very passionate and dedicated for his F1 bid to be a success, and for American fans to love F1.

"We spoke with him and he would like to have an American driver the fans could cheer. If the opportunity comes for me, and if the timing is right, I could be his man."

This Sunday Canadian Touring Car Championship (CTCC) race saw Rémy Audette win aboard his Honda Civic Si.

Audette was actually starting second behind another Civic Si, driven by Barrie's Scott Nicol. Roger Ledoux (Subaru Impreza STI) and Nick Wittmer (Honda Accord Coupe) completed the top 5 on the starting grid.

Immediately after the drop of the green flag, Audette jumped passed Nicol to take the lead. By lap 9, he had built up a 4.5-second advantage.

On lap 10, Wittmer spins. It seems like he was "helped" by Nicol.

By lap 12, the gap between Audette and Nicol drops to less than a second because the leader is caught up in some traffic.

Over the next 10 laps, the gap goes back and forth as Audette and Nicol lap the field.

Then finally, on lap 25, the checkered flag greets Audette as he completes the race ahead of Nicol and Ledoux, who put a late pass on Benjamin DiStaulo. Wittmer ends up fifth.

"I think starting second actually helped me today," said Audette.

"I could get passed Nicol quickly and run away.

"He caught me up in the traffic, so I had to watch my mirrors closely to make sure he didn't get by."

Marc Antoine Camirand captured his first career NASCAR Canadian Tire Series pole, earning the top starting spot for today's JuliaWine.com Le 50 Tours with a fast lap of 67.100 seconds on the 1.53-mile street course in Trois-Rivieres.

Camirand just edged local favorite L.P. Dumoulin, a Trois-Rivieres native and current series points leader. Dumoulin will start second after turning a qualifying lap at 67.323 seconds.

Marc-Antoine Camirand (Photo: Matthew Murnaghan/NASCAR)

Andrew Ranger, a Quebec native who has won four of the seven previous races at Trois-Rivieres - and finished second in the three races he didn't win here - qualified third at 67.333.

Kerry Micks (67.632) and J.R. Fitzpatrick (67.713) rounded out the top five. Alex Labbe, Jacques Villeneuve, J.F. Dumoulin, Elie Arseneau, and Alex Tagliani secured starting positions six through ten.

The JuliaWine.com Le 50 Tours is scheduled to begin at 3:30 pm Sunday.

Qualifying Results - JuliaWine.com Le 50 Tours
1 88 Marc-Antoine Camirand 01:07.1
2 47 L.P. Dumoulin 01:07.3
3 27 Andrew Ranger 01:07.3
4 2 Kerry Micks 01:07.6
5 84 J.R. Fitzpatrick 01:07.7
6 36 Alex Labbe 01:07.7
7 7 Jacques Villeneuve 01:08.0
8 4 J.F. Dumoulin 01:08.1
9 3 Elie Arseneau 01:08.1
10 18 Alex Tagliani 01:08.1
11 22 Scott Steckly 01:08.2
12 3 Jason Hathaway 01:08.3
13 39 Alex Guenette 01:08.3
14 72 Xavier Coupal 01:08.3
15 17 D.J. Kennington 01:08.4
16 97 Hugo Vannini 01:08.6
17 59 Gary Klutt 01:08.6
18 76 Jeff Lapcevich 01:08.7
19 24 Luc Lesage 01:08.8
20 42 Peter Klutt 01:08.9
21 95 Anthony Simone 01:08.9
22 37 Simon Dion-Viens 01:08.9
23 99 Matt Pritiko 01:09.1
24 94 Dave Coursol 01:09.2
25 5 Noel Dowler 01:09.2
26 71 Patrice Brisebois 01:09.3
27 25 Joey McColm 01:09.5
28 16 Benoit Theetge 01:09.6
29 56 Matthew Scannell 01:10.5
30 29 Ray Courtemanche Jr. 01:10.6
31 9 Vaughn Gittin Jr. 01:11.1
32 0 Dominic Jacques 01:14.5
33 77 Jocelyn Fecteau 01:28.2
*Rookie

The Danish Queen Margrethe II presented Audi factory driver Tom Kristensen with the Order of the Dannebrog for his merits in sport in Copenhagen.

This means that the record winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans has been knighted.

Sir Tom Kristensen (Photo: Audi)

“I am very proud,” said Kristensen.

“It is a great honor to know that the Royal Family has been following my career and recognizes me as a sportsman and ambassador of Denmark.”

Kristensen, also known as "Monsieur Le Mans", has his nine victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and two drivers' titles, in the ALMS and WEC series, to his name.

Formula One has become too complicated for its own good, and that's why fans are emptying the grand stands at race venues.

That is the view of Sauber team principal, Monisha Kaltenborn.

"Fans are losing interest because we don't explain them anything," she is quoted saying by Nextgen-auto.com.

"For example why is this one retiring because he pressed the wrong button or why is this one's hybrid system not working to full capacity. Nothing about this is exciting.

"We have to simplify things."

Toto Wolff (Photo: WRi2)

Meanwhile, Mercedes' executive director Toto Wolff thinks F1 must go digital.

"TV ratings are going nowhere while internet is enjoying huge growth. I can understand that we must not upset TV companies.

"But we must find a way around this problem because the market is going to be completely different in 10 years."

General Motors failed to convince a Georgia judge to dismiss a revived lawsuit over the death of a 29-year-old woman that helped trigger the automaker's ignition-switch recall crisis.

Volkswagen is recalling 189,490 Tiguan small SUVs in North America for potential stalling issues.

Ford has agreed to license the blue oval to a Florida restaurant group that has begun opening a chain of Ford's Garage restaurants with a 1920's theme.

For Rick Case Fiat, Cynthia Toro-Azicri's rise was another coup in a long effort to attract young people to the sales floor and keep them motivated enough to stick around.

Toyota and Honda's Chinese ventures joined Mercedes-Benz and Audi in reducing prices of spare parts amid an antitrust investigation into the auto industry.

The new-generation C-class sedan moves up in price, size and features because it's no longer the entry car into the Mercedes-Benz lineup.