Auto News 5

Sam Schmidt Motorsports' Victor Carbone took pole for this weekend's Indy Lights race in Toronto after a close battle with his teammate Esteban Guerrieri.

Carbone spent the last few minutes of the session trading fastest times with Guerrieri before securing his advantage with a 1min20.2282s. A late spin by Belardi's Jorge Goncalvez denied Guerrieri a final chance to reclaim the top spot.

Thunderstorms before the qualifying round forced a short delay before the green flag could be waved, and the wet track posed a challenge right to the end.

Carloz Munoz (Andretti Autosport) was sidelined for having triggered two red flags, while his teammate Sebastian Saavedra also fell victim to a spin.

Gustavo Yacaman (Team Moore) held the top spot for the majority of the session, but finished third, just ahead of Schmidt duo Tristan Vautier and Oliver Webb.


Qualifying results* - Indy Lights (Toronto)

1.Victor Carbone - Schmidt - 1min20.228s

2.Esteban Guerrieri - Schmidt - 1min20.335s
3.Gustavo Yacaman - Moore - 1min20.784s
4.Tristan Vautier - Schmidt - 1min20.976s

5.Oliver Webb - Schmidt - 1min21.532s

6.Peter Dempsey - Belardi - 1min21.847s

7.David Ostella - Moore - 1min22.013s

8.Sebastian Saavedra - Andretti - 1min22.381s

9.Jorge Goncalvez - Belardi - 1min23.471s

10.Juan Garcia - Jeffrey Mark - 1min24.442s
11.Carlos Munoz - Andretti - no time

*Unofficial timing

The NASCAR community was stunned with the announcement that AJ Allmendinger failed a random drug test.

Allmendinger, who drives for Penske Racing, "has been temporarily suspended from NASCAR competition based upon notification of a positive 'A' test NASCAR received from the Medical Review Officer as stated in Section 19-11B (6,7) of the NASCAR Substance Abuse Policy.

"Pursuant to the rule book, Allmendinger has the opportunity to request within the next 72 hours that his 'B' sample be tested," according to an announcement just prior to the start of the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway.

The 29-year old driver was 23rd in the Sprint Cup points standings at the time of the announcement.

Penske Racing issued the following response "NASCAR notified Penske Racing this afternoon that AJ Allmendinger was administered a drug test earlier this week, and those results tested positive. NASCAR has a strict drug testing program that Penske Racing fully supports. Penske Racing will work with NASCAR through this process and its next steps.

Sam Hornish Jr., will drive the No. 22 car in tonight's Coke Zero 400."

This is the highest profile driver to be suspended under NASCAR's anti-drug policy since Jeremy Mayfield in 2009.

Dyson Racing's Chris Dyson and Guy Smith may have started from pole, but Lucas Luhr and Klaus Graf made Muscle Milk Pickett Racing the winner at Lime Rock Park.

When Muscle Milk's HPD ARX-03a dove into the pits, only 45 minutes into the race, the ending looked set to go Dyson Racing's way. The problem: a malfunctioning gearbox. An ECU module reset later, Luhr and Graf were back in the race, albeit four laps down.

Making the most of traffic and yellow flags, the pair came back from the rear to take a third straight win this season, therefore extending their lead atop the P1 championship board.

In GT, Flying Lizard Motorsports took a first win this season with the 2012-spec Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, thanks to Jörg Bergmeister and Patrick Long's efforts to best Corvette Racing's Jan Magnussen and Oliver Gavin at the finish line.

The P2 class yielded at fourth consecutive win for Level 5 Motorsports and the Scott Tucker/Christophe Bouchut pairing, as well as a first series podium for actor Patrick Dempsey and his teammate Joe Foster, aboard their Lola-Judd coupe.

Jon Bennet and Colin Braun won the LMPC class for CORE autosport, while in the GTC class, the win went to pole-sitters Cooper MacNeil and Leh Keen.

News 7 Jul, 2012

Fernando Alonso is on pole for the British Grand Prix, ahead of Mark Webber and Michael Schumacher

Fernando Alonso is on pole for the British Grand Prix, ahead of Mark Webber and Michael Schumacher

The success of foreign carmakers like Hyundai in growing sales in European markets where local brands are struggling is agitating European car manufacturers and complicating the European Union's ambitious free-trade agenda, just as EU leaders look...

If Volkswagen AG Chairman Ferdinand Piech and his protégé, CEO Martin Winterkorn, hope to consolidate VW's position as the world's largest automaker by 2018, American consumers will need to buy a lot more new Volkswagens, Audis and Porsches.

If Volkswagen AG Chairman Ferdinand Piech and his protégé, CEO Martin Winterkorn, hope to consolidate VW's position as the world's largest automaker by 2018, American consumers will need to buy a lot more new Volkswagens, Audis and Porsches.

Quality Metalcraft and its CEO Michel Chetcuti have emerged from the auto industry downturn by embracing flexible manufacturing and a focus on low-volume specialty prototypes and production parts.

From GMM

Red Bull has indicated it is keen to keep Sebastien Buemi on board as reserve driver next year.

The Swiss was dumped as junior team Toro Rosso's race driver at the end of 2011, but Red Bull Racing chief Christian Horner has indicated he is very happy with the 23-year-old's performance in his new role.

"In the simulator he's doing a sensational job," the Briton told the Swiss newspaper Blick.

"Technically he is very good, and in the simulator he can adapt to the driving style of both the race drivers without any problems. That's pretty unique," Horner added.

Buemi said earlier this week there is a possibility he could do some driving during a Friday morning practice session this season.

Horner apologised as he said that will not be possible.

But he added: "He will have a job with us in 2013 if he wants. We absolutely want to keep him."

Buemi, however, wants to return to racing next year.

"That's quite understandable," said Horner. "But Sebastien knows that he always has a job with us."

Kurt Busch's road to redemption got a bit shorter with a win in the Nationwide race at Daytona International Raceway on Friday night.

The race came down to a green-white checkered flag finish.

“We brought it home to Victory Lane at Daytona,” an emotional Busch said. “That there is a statement - that's what (owner) James Finch is all about. He loves Daytona and I'm happy that we were able to deliver.

“All of (the crew) came out to the start/finish line to be a part of the celebration. It's all about heart, and it's all about passion with these guys and I couldn't be more proud of this team effort tonight.”

Pushing Busch to the win was pole-sitter Ricky Stenhouse Jr., followed by Michael Annett.

“(Kurt) was fast all night and I just pushed him to the win,” Stenhouse said. “I was hoping I could make a move there, but I saw the No. 3 (Austin Dillon) car and everybody coming, so I tried to duck out and block them and we ended up second. It was a fun race.”

The reason for redemption is that the volatile one-time Sprint Cup champ parted ways with Penske Racing at the end of last season leaving the driver without a top ride for the first time in his career. James Finch who owns the tiny Phoenix Racing team hired Busch as he tries to regain a championship contending team.

“There's no other guy that gets as excited for Daytona as James Finch,” Busch said. “He wanted his cars orange so that they could be seen up front and so that the car could be recognized without a sponsor on it. We drove an unsponsored car into Victory Lane tonight.”

It was his second Nationwide win of the year. Earlier he won in a Kyle Busch Motorsports cars.

The race set a Nationwide Series record with 42 lead changes and 16 different leaders, besting the previous mark set at Daytona in February.

A combination of tandem drafting and big pack racing produced “the big one,” a 16-car wreck on lap 66 of the 100-lap race. A total of 26 cars suffered damage in the event.

Later Danica Patrick having one of her best runs and contending for the win when her car was spun and she hit the inside wall with about 16 laps to go.

Guy Smith and Bill Auberlen have put their respective cars on pole of their respective class at the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix of Lime Rock.

Guy Smith clocked his fastest lap in 44.017s in his Dyson Racing's Madaza-powered Lola coupe, the car he shares with Chris Dyson, and took his first pole of the season by doing so.

"We have struggled this year; it has been an uphill battle," admitted Smith. "After the Monterey round (in May, team owner) Rob Dyson said we need to knuckle down and put in the work. We've worked for the last seven weeks and tested and tested and tested.

Lucas Luhr, in the P1 rival Muscle Milk Pickett Racing HPD ARX-03a, took second with a lap of 44.119s.

In GT, Bill Auberlen flew to pole position in his BMW Team RLL M3 GT, which means he will start his 100th ALMS race first. Corvette's Oliver Gavin follows in third, and then comes Team RLL's second car, driven DTM racer Joey Hand and Dirk Müller.

"We rolled off the truck really strong," Auberlen said. "We were really strong the first session and got better in the second. Qualifying went green and we banged a good lap out."

P2 pole went to Level 5 Motorsports' Christophe Bouchut, driving an HPD ARX-03b.

Canadian Kyle Marcelli (ORECA FLM09) shined in the LMPC class, taking a pole of his own for CORE autosport.

Alex Job's Racing Leh Keen (Porsche 911 GT3 Cup) took care of the GTC category.



Qualifying results* - ALMS (Lime Rock Park)

1. Dyson/Smith (Lola B12/60-Mazda) - Dyson - 44.017s
2. Luhr/Graf (HPD ARX-03a) - Pickett - 44.119

3. Tucker/Bouchut (HPD ARX-03b) - Level 5 - 46.539s

4. Marsal/Lux (Lola B11/66-Mazda) - Dyson - 46.552s
5. Tucker/Diaz (HPD ARX-03b) - Level 5 - 47.007
6. Plowman/Hansson (Morgan-Judd) - Conquest - 47.072s
7. Marcelli/Downs (Oreca FLM09) - Merchant - 47.249s

8. Junqueira/Drissi (Oreca FLM09) - RSR - 47.482s

9. Dempsey/Foster (Lola B12/86-Mazda) - Dempsey - 47.992s
10. Leitzinger/Dobson (Oreca FLM09) - PR1 - 48.033s

11. Popow/Kimber-Smith (Oreca FLM09) - CORE - 48.134s

12. Bennett/Braun (Oreca FLM09) - CORE - 48.137s

13. Richard/Ende (Oreca FLM09) - Dempsey - 48.726s

14. Mueller/Auberlen (BMW M3) - Rahal - 50.920
(...)

*Unofficial results

On July 11th at San Diego's Comic-Con International, Hyundai will showcase the Zombie Survival Machine, a customized 2013 Elantra Coupe designed by The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman.

Photo: Hyundai

Built by Design Craft, this one-off zombie killer will obviously never enter production... unless the nightmarish scenario comes to life.

Car enthusiasts who want to see the modifications to the Elantra, which will appear on the next cover of the popular comic book, can visit www.hyundaiundead.com.

From GMM

A young driver test is going ahead at Silverstone next week.

Earlier, Mercedes' Norbert Haug described as "ridiculous" the confusion surrounding the plans, after some teams baulked at running at Abu Dhabi as scheduled in November due to the calendar congestion in 2012.

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone then threw water on the alternate Silverstone plan because, technically, he controls a grand prix venue in the days before and after a world championship round.

The Spanish backmarker HRT, however, has confirmed it will definitely be in action at Silverstone next Thursday and Friday.

"An agreement has been finally reached", the team said in a statement.

Boss Luis Perez-Sala added: "The fact that these tests will finally be able to take place at Silverstone is great news for us because it fits perfectly with the next step that we had planned for (Chinese driver) Ma Qing Hua's development programme."

From GMM

Maria de Villota's condition has been downgraded from 'critical' to 'serious' as she recovers from her horror testing crash in an English hospital.

Marussia's 32-year-old test driver is currently in an induced coma following another round of surgery on Friday.

"Whilst Maria remains acutely ill ... she has been responding well to the treatment she has received since her accident," the team said in a statement.

Team boss John Booth told Bild newspaper: "The swelling in her head is not getting worse.

"This is some good news, but it will take a lot of time before she is completely well again. At the moment it's day to day, hour to hour."

Briton Booth said de Villota, who lost her right eye due to the severe head and face injuries, is aware of what has happened.

"Yes, she has spent most of the time conscious," he told the German newspaper. "But after the long surgery, the doctors decided it would be best for her recovery if she is in an artificial coma."

He denied Marussia acted negligently by putting an inexperienced driver, who does not have an FIA super license, at the wheel of the team's 2012 car for an aerodynamic straight line test.

"No, we did not. This is the normal method for a team to train its new development drivers and give them some experience.

"And it was not the first time Maria has driven a modern formula one car."

Booth would not talk about the likely cause of the crash.

"I cannot. Not yet," he insisted.

"Unlike in some other countries there are very strict procedures in England. What happened must not only be examined by the team but also by the authorities."

Booth said he can therefore "not talk about" issues such as why the truck loading ramp was sticking up at visor height.

Asked if the incident could have "serious consequences" for the Marussia team, he answered: "All I can say is that safety is taken very seriously in England."

Spaniard Fernando Alonso topped a wet qualifying at Silverstone, ahead of the British GP.

The top 10 shootout that saw championship leader Alonso take pole ahead of Red Bull's Mark Webber and Mercedes' Michael Schumacher was only the tip of the iceberg, as the red flagged qualifying session offered plenty of excitement.

It all started in Q1, when rain caught out a few drivers. Noticeably, Jenson Button (McLaren), unhappy on the Pirelli intermediate tires, made an early exit. 18th after the session the first segment, he was not allowed to go on in Q2 to try and redeem himself.

Q2 saw weather conditions worsen. Sergio Perez (Sauber) was the early star before the session was eventually red flagged by race director Charlie Whiting. When the action resumed, more than 30 minutes later, the track was considerably faster and everybody had to go out again to fight for a place in the final portion of qualifying.

The biggest looser of Q2 was Romain Grosjean (Lotus), who despite posting the 10th fastest lap, could not go on to fight for pole as he beached his car in the dying moments of the session. He therefore didn't go out in Q3.

On the drying track of Q3, drivers, including Schumacher and Kimi Räikkönen (Lotus), who had opted for the full wet had to come in for inters. Schumacher improved to third fastest, behind Alonso and Webber, but ahead of reigning double champion Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), Felipe Massa (Ferrari), Räikkönen, Pastor Maldonado (Williams) and Lewis Hamilton (McLaren), who is only eighth.

Nico Hulkenberg (Force India), in ninth, was the slowest car on track. Grosjean rounds out the top 10.

Penalties to Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber), Jean-Éric Vergne (Toro Rosso), Hulkenberg and Charles Pic (Marussia) will see each of them drop down the order.



Qualifying results* - British GP (Silverstone)

1. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F2012) - 1min51.746s - Q3

2. Mark Webber (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1min51.793s - Q3

3. Michael Schumacher (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1min52.020s - Q3
4. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1min52.199s - Q3

5. Felipe Massa (Ferrari F2012) - 1min53.065s - Q3

6. Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1min53.290s - Q3
7. Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW34-Renault)
8. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1min53.543s - Q3
9. Romain Grosjean (Lotus E20-Renault) - no time - Q3

10. Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1min57.009s - Q2
11. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1min57.108s - Q2
12. Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1min57.132s - Q2
13. Bruno Senna (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1min57.427s - Q2
14. Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1min54.382s - Q3 ****
15. Sergio Perez (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1min57.895s - Q2

16. Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1min48.044s - Q1
17. Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1min57.071s - Q2 ***
18. Vitaly Petrov (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1min49.027s - Q1
19. Heikki Kovalainen (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1min49.477s - Q1
20. Timo Glock (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1min51.618s - Q1

21. Pedro De La Rosa (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1min52.742s - Q1
22. Narain Karthikeyan (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1min53.040s - Q1
23. Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1min57.719s - Q2 **
24. Charles Pic (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1min54.143s - Q1 ****

*Unofficial timing
** 10-place grid penalty for Valencia incident
*** 5-place grid penalty for Valencia incident

**** 5-place grid penalty for gearbox change

History/Description: Chrysler's SRT team worked their magic on the Grand Cherokee for the 2006 model year, creating a fire-breathing SUV that would become the best-selling SRT8 model yet. With room for the family and their things, a 6.1L, 425-hp V8 engine and all-wheel drive, it was a hot-rod sport-ute that drivers could use all year round. All models got a five-speed automatic transmission with manual mode.

2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 (Photo: Chrysler)

And, best of all, unlike performance SUVs from across the pond, this HEMI-powered monstrosity didn't require parting with an appendage to own.

Look for upgraded Brembo brakes, upgraded suspension, wheels and tires and a variety of track-ready improvements. Forget taking this Jeep in the dirt, though - its lowered suspension and front air dam wouldn't approve.

Feature content included heated leather, navigation, premium audio, a sunroof and plenty more.

What Owners Like: Most Grand Cherokee SRT8 owners rave about crushing performance, looks, sound effects and year-round operation combined with everyday flexible utility. Obviously, passing power, acceleration and braking performance are highly rated.

What Owners Dislike: Fuel consumption, limited rear-seat space and a sometimes-rough ride are among the most common complaints of the Grand Cherokee SRT8. Additionally, some wish for a more ‘upscale' interior feel, though a mid-cycle refresh of the Grand Cherokee did fit some additional premium materials to address this concern.

Common Issues: First-generation Grand Cherokee SRT8 shoppers are advised, first and foremost, to scrutinize the condition of consumable parts like brakes, tires and suspension, and have the vehicle's underside checked for signs of damage or leakage. Checking service records is also advised. Be sure the seller isn't trying to pass off a unit that's wearing a set of fried tires and brake pads.

2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 (Photo: Chrysler)

Continue reading 2006-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 Pre-Owned

From GMM

Mark Webber has done little to quell rising speculation he could move to Ferrari at the end of the season.

Amid talk he is either close to re-signing with Red Bull for another season, or moving to Ferrari to replace Felipe Massa, all he would say at Silverstone is that decision-time is "getting closer".

It sounds as though Red Bull wants him to stay as Sebastian Vettel's teammate. Spain's AS newspaper says it's a done deal.

"We're reaching the time of year when you sit down to talk about the future," boss Christian Horner is quoted by Tuttosport.

"Mark is driving very well this year and he's in great shape," he added.

35-year-old Webber, however, admitted he has been talking to some other teams.

"It's been pretty light," he told the BBC.

It is rumoured Webber has been given the 'green light' to make the Ferrari move by his friend Fernando Alonso.

"I know Fernando reasonably well; I wouldn't say extremely well," Webber insisted.

If they do pair up next year, the Australian suggested any friendship would likely end anyway.

"It's that ego thing -- we drivers are all a bit precious and it all kicks off. Let's see," he said.

"I've made the decision I want to carry on. I'm motivated and hungry. Now I have to go and find some work."

Although he's won the Daytona 500 twice Matt Kenseth accomplished something else for the first time.

After 58 career starts at Daytona International Speedway, Kenseth - this year's 500 winner - finally captured his first pole on the 2.5-mile tri-oval with a 192.386 mph lap in a Ford in qualifying for Saturday night's Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola.

“I've never won a superspeedway pole,” said Kenseth, who has now qualified for the 2013 Daytona Shootout. “It's great to be on the pole - it puts us in the Shootout for next year. You like to be in all the special races. There's been a couple of years where I missed the Shootout and whenever you're not in (it), you feel like you didn't do your job as good as you should; you feel like you should be in the special races.”

It was Kenseth's eighth Sprint Cup Pole in 454 starts.

In another interesting twist of fate Ryan Newman, the 2008 500 winner, will start second, at 192.353 mph while his boss, Tony Stewart's second place time was disallowed when inspectors found an open cooling hose into the cockpit of his car. Coincidentally that same duct work violation had cost Austin Dillon the Nationwide Series pole earlier in the day.

“We had a couple of engine problems,” Newman noted

“But the Hendrick (who supply their engine) guys have been working really hard on that part of it, making sure we don't have those issues again and we'll keep working forward. I have to thank everyone at Stewart-Haas for doing a great job.Obviously, today we were close.

“This is the closest I've been to a restrictor-plate pole. So, just proud of the team effort.”   

Greg Biffle's Ford will start fourth at (192.139) and Jeff Gordon, in a Chevrolet will take the green flag in fifth (192.061).

Once a high-flying green technology company, battery maker A123 Systems on Friday told investors it has about five months of cash left to fund operations, adding to woes for a sector short on results and long on government loans.