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Indian car market leader Maruti Suzuki sold 86,196 units in April 2014, including 7,077 exports.

Pictures See all 9 pictures 1 May, 2014

Précis was my favourite part of English lessons which is probably why I put my hand up when the quarterly and annual results come in to the just-auto editoral office. Trying to work out what's important other than the obvious sales/margin/profit/ figures can be a rewarding challenge - if somewhat frustrating because of the language used.

News 1 May, 2014

Prices and specs for the 2014 Nissan Juke, with the facelifted compact crossover starting from £13,420. On sale in June

European Automotive supplier organisation, CLEPA CEO, Jean-Marc Gales, has stepped down from his post, with no indication yet of who will replace him long-term.

Given the trend for larger sunroofs, glass makers are working on ways in which to meet heat absorption as well as privacy requirements. Matthew Beecham takes another look at some infrared reflective (IRR) trends in the automotive market.

-- Hard to believe it's been 20 years since the passing of Formula One legend Ayrton Senna, but

DIGITAL EDITOR ANDREW STOY: After driving the 2014 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 5-Door, I called it and#8220;perhaps the best affordable small car on the market today.

News 1 May, 2014

The new, limited edition Fiat Punto Jet Black 2 is now on sale in the UK, and is yours for £12,000

Pictures See all 6 pictures 1 May, 2014

The Audi TT, Renault Twingo and Peugeot 108 were big Web winners during the first quarter because of their debuts at the Geneva auto show. The quarter's top performers, however, were the Volkswagen Golf and Land Rover's Range Rover.

The U.S. government says it lost $11.2 billion on its bailout of GM, more than the $10.3 billion the Treasury Department estimated when it sold its remaining shares in the company in December.

TrelleborgVibracoustic supplies the Porsche Macan's optional air springs that allow the crossover to sit 15mm lower to the ground. The lower ride helps reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 5 percent.

The UK is the only European market that will get a 'greener' Porsche Macan SUV with a four-cylinder engine. The model is the automaker's first four-cylinder car in almost 20 years.

The Audi TT, Renault Twingo and Peugeot 108 were big Web winners during the first quarter because of their debuts at the Geneva auto show. The quarter's top performers, however, were the Volkswagen Golf and Land Rover's Range Rover.

Mitsubishi's European operations ended a three-year profit drought because of foreign exchange windfalls, demand for the Outlander plug-in hybrid and the closure of its Dutch plant. The unit reported an operating profit of 261 million euros.

The UAW still has several options to unionize VW Group's Tennessee car plant in the U.S., labor law experts said, after the union failed to win enough support in a February ballot.

From press release

Peterborough Speedway, known as Canada's Toughest 1/3-Mile Paved Oval is excited to introduce a new program that will permit racers in its entry level category a chance to take the next step up the ladder.

Peterborough Speedway and the Ontario Modifieds Racing Series, powered by TORQUE BUILDERS INC. - in conjunction with Battlefield Equipment Rentals - will work together to assist any 4Fun driver looking to move to up to another division - Thunder Car or higher - with a request for sponsorship and a monetary award from OMRS and Peterborough Speedway of $300.00 for a season.

Track owner/promoter J.P. Josiasse says the program has some excellent value for the right driver.

"The 4Fun division has been home to a number of talented drivers over the years," said Josiasse. "That particular class was introduced as a proving ground for younger, up and coming drivers and with help from OMRS, someone with the right amount of talent and desire could find a way to expand their understanding while getting behind the wheel of some diverse racing equipment."

4Fun driver Willow Barberstock has been in the OMRS Driver Development Program since last season and has received valuable assistance with mentoring and car set-up.

Josiasse went on to say that depending on the level of interest in the program, the opportunity could also exist for a 4Fun pilot to run some practice laps in a detuned Ontario Modifieds Racing Series machine prior to a Saturday night show. The track is also looking at instituting a mentorship program that drivers in all weekly divisions could take part in.

"Stick and ball sports have had talent growth programs in place for a number of years. We're looking to do the same thing here," said Josiasse.

"Besides the yearly point fund payout, OMRS will provide the added incentive of a $200 monetary award for a driver whose on-track performance excels, along with their interaction with fans and their peers, as well as the community."

Full details on this driver development program can be found by checking www.peterboroughspeedway.com.

The opening round of the all-new FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy will kick off in Portugal this weekend with more than 50 of the world's best rallycross drivers set to battle it out in three categories.

The line-up will also include two former World Champions as former Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve and former WRC Champion Petter Solberg join the Supercar line-up.

The Championship is made up of 12 rounds: Portugal, Great Britain, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Turkey and Argentina.

Round 1, World RX of Portugal, will be based in Montalegre: a municipality in northern Portugal, located in the district of Vila Real on the border with Spain.

Jacques Villeneuve (Photo: World RX Championship)

The draw for Saturday's first qualifying heat will be made on Friday afternoon (2 May). The second qualifying heat also takes place on Saturday with the remainder of the heats plus the semi-finals and finals to take place on Sunday (4 May).

There will be six World RX two-car teams present in Portugal including the manufacturer-backed squads of Ford-OlsbergsMSE (Andreas Bakkerud and Reinis Nitiss), VW-Marklund (Topi Heikkinen and Anton Marklund) and Peugeot-Hansen (Timur Timerzyanov and Timmy Hansen). Also in Portugal and fighting for Supercar victory will be PSRX's Petter Solberg with team-mate Alex Hvaal.

Albatec Racing is fielding two Peugeot 208s for Jacques Villeneuve and Andy Scott.

Villeneuve spoke positively ahead of his World RX debut: “Rallycross is both fast and exciting. The power in the cars is unbelievable, they're like rockets but driving is what I know - it's what keeps me alive. The extra elements that make up rallycross are what I need to learn this year - the strategy, the close driving, the tires - that's what's new for me.”

Other notable entrants in Portugal include top female driver Ramona Karlsson who will be driving a Per Eklund Motorsport run Saab 93.

CIRCUIT INFORMATION:
Name: Pista Internacional de Montalegre
Length: 945 metres / 1,050 metres with joker lap
Composition: 40% gravel and 60% tarmac
Direction of the track: Clockwise
Number of laps in the Qualifying Heats: 4 laps
Number of laps in Semi-Finals and Finals: 6 laps

The 2014 drivers. (Photo: World RX Championship)

Entry list, Supercars category:
No  Driver  Nat.  Competitor  Car
1 Timur TIMERZYANOV  RUS Team Peugeot-Hansen Peugeot 208
3 Timmy HANSEN  SWE Team Peugeot-Hansen Peugeot 208
6 Alexandre THEUIL  FRA Alexandre Theuil Citroën DS3
11 Petter SOLBERG  NOR PS 110% AB Citroën DS3
12 Alexander HVAAL  NOR PS 110% AB Citroën DS3
13 Andreas BAKKERUD  NOR OlsbergsMSE AB Ford Fiesta ST
15 Reinis NITISS  LVA OlsbergsMSE AB Ford Fiesta ST
22 Koen PAUWELS  BEL Koen Pauwels Ford Focus
21 Bohdan LUDWICZAK  POL Bohdan Ludwiczak Ford Fiesta
25 Jacques VILLENEUVE  CDN Albatec Racing LTD Peugeot 208
26 Andy SCOTT  GBR Albatec Racing LTD Peugeot 208
33 Liam DORAN  GBR LD Motorsports  Citroën DS3
41 Joaquim SANTOS  PRT Joaquim Santos Ford Focus
44 Krzysztof SKORUPSKI  POL LD Motorsports  Citroën DS3
47 Ramona KARLSSON  SWE Per Eklund Motorsport Saab 9-3
54 Jos JANSEN  BEL Jos Jansen Ford Focus
57 Toomas HEIKKINEN  FIN Marklund Motorsport VW Polo
66 Derek TOHILL  IRL LD Motorsports  Citroën DS3
92 Anton MARKLUND  SWE Marklund Motorsport VW Polo

Austrian Formula 1 driver Roland Ratzenberger embodied the spirit and drive that often define sporting greats. While not blessed with the same natural gifts as Ayrton Senna, Roland will forever be linked to that tragic Imola weekend.

He was that rarest of characters: charismatic, yet humble; shy, yet vivacious; able to climb the ladder without breeding enmity. His was a life dedicated, and ultimately surrendered, to a singular passion - motor racing.

Simtek
His big chance finally arrived in 1994 with the small Simtek team, where he would partner David Brabham.

"We spent some time together early on, training together and also going down to Monaco," recalls Brabham on Formula1.com.

"The thing about Roland was he was immediately easy to get on with - he was a great guy. For me he was the model racer: fit, good looking, and someone who lived life to the full.

Roland Ratzenberger, Simtek, 1994 San Marino Grand Prix (Photo: WRI2)

"He struggled for money - he always had to find it and raise it by himself. He didn't have a silver plate; it was always a personal battle. That was why he'd gone to Japan, because he could make money. He would go wherever he could to drive. He and I had both raced at Le Mans and were now in F1, which was something fairly unique to us really. Reaching F1 had always been his goal though, and he achieved it."

Ratzenberger failed to qualify for 1994's opening race in Brazil. He missed dry practice due to mechanical issues and was then prevented from setting a competitive time as rain washed out final qualifying. He did, however, make the grid for round two in Japan where he would finish 11th, despite a less than compliant car.

Imola
During qualifying at Imola, Ratzenberger ran wide and off the road at Acque Minerali, apparently damaging the front wing of his Simtek. He opted to stay out, but approaching the flat-out Villeneuve kink on the next lap his wing failed, and he was pitched into the barriers at over 300km/h.

"There are parts of Imola I can't remember, for obvious reasons," Brabham recalls. "Like anything in life, you can't fully understand the experience before you actually go through it. It was devastating; there is no other word. I was numb”.

“ I'll forever remember his smile. He was a very committed driver, and very honest both on track and off, but it's his smile that is my enduring memory. He was a racer through and through; he lived and loved the sport. I've never once regretted racing that day in tribute to him,” Brabham said.

Just one day later, Ayrton Senna's fatal accident would send shockwaves around the world. It later emerged that the Brazilian had been carrying a furled Austrian flag in his cockpit, in planned tribute to Roland Ratzenberger.