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A funny thing happened to Nelson Piquet Jr. While the Brazilian was looking for his first NASCAR Truck victory he stole the show at the Nationwide Series race at Road America.

In only his third Nationwide race Piquet, driving a Turner Motorsports Chevy, won the pole and led the last 18 laps of the 50-lap race with a 2.258-second victory over Michael McDowell in the Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota.

"It is difficult to say the right words. I knew I could do it. It was just a matter of being with the right team, the right people and the right organization. It is great to win in the Nationwide Series," said the son of the Formula One champion.

"I opened a little gap on the last three restarts and the car was great."

Canada's Ron Fellows was third in a Chevy, and a little frustrated: not bad, it's decent," he said of his race.

"Based on what I saw Piquet turned a kind of a cat and mouse game with McDowell trying to save tires and fuel. This (his race) is still good fun keeps us young."

Another Canadian may have lost some NASCAR friends as a result of a last-lap incident. Jacques Villeneuve, driving for Penske Racing was battling with fourth place finisher Max Papis. They bumped.

When Villeneuve recovered he was directly behind Danica Patrick who had taken fourth (and led earlier) and was running in the top-five most of the day. As they entered the tricky turn five Villeneuve's car punted Patrick's off the track.

He ended up sixth.

"We were racing hard, and I wasn't even fighting with Danica, I was fighting with Max Papis," Villeneuve said in a radio interview. ''And just before the braking (zone), I guess he was wanting to cross over and go to the inside of Danica.

"And he probably didn't know I was there so he pushed me into the grass, and you don't slow down that much in the grass. So by the time I was on the racetrack again, I was going a little bit slower than Danica. That's all.''

Rather than expressing anger Ms. Patrick was very composed in her interview after the race where she ended up 12th.

"I ran the top five all day," she said. "That's the bummer I didn't get to finish the day. It would have been good to get a good result." Regarding the incident with Villeneuve she said "You all can make the decision about what you saw."

Elliott Sadler (15th) continues to lead the points, by 11, over Austin Dillon who finished 18th. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., third in the standings, finished 11th.

Esteban Gutierrez (Lotus) finally won for the first time this season in the first of two rounds presented in Valencia this weekend.

James Calado, teammate of Gutierrez, started from pole position and pulled a gap in the first laps, but the Brit pitted too late for his mandatory stop, the race having just being neutralized. When Calado rejoined the track, he dropped behind all of his rivals who already stopped earlier.

That's how Fabio Leimer inherited the lead, but the Swiss was later pushed a Gutierrez forcing his way back to first position, allowing also Luiz Razia to move up to second.

In the end, Gutierrez, one of the title favourites, took his first victory ahead of Marcus Ericsson, who came back from ninth place on the grid. Luiz Razia rounded out the top three.

Furthermore, several drivers were penalized after the race. Championship leader Davide Valsecchi lost his eighth place, which would have given him the pole position for race 2, for having overtaken during the safety car period.

This allowed James Calado to move up into eighth, and on pole for race 2.



Race 1 results - GP2 (Valencia)

1 - Esteban Gutierrez - Lotus - 28 laps in 1h00min31.895s

2 - Marcus Ericsson - iSport - 1.615s

3 - Luiz Razia - Arden - 6.064s

4 - Fabio Leimer - Racing Engineering - 6.408s
5 - Rio Haryanto - Carlin - 6.928s

6 - Nathanel Berthon - Racing Engineering - 7.605s

7 - Max Chilton - Carlin - 8.384s

8 - James Calado - Lotus - 11.099s
Etc.

Co-drivers Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas ended a nine-race winless streak at Road America Saturday, as well as Corvette's run of five consecutive victories in the DP category, aboard their BMW/Riley.

Pruett and Rojas, defending champions, made the best of the opportunity Ricky Taylor gave them when he crashed his No. 10 SunTrust Corvette DP, during a late caution.

Taylor lost control of his car while warming up his tires ahead of the restart.

Enzo Potolicchio and Ryan Dalziel came in second, followed by John Pew and Ozz Negri Jr.

In GT, Jeff Segal and Emil Assentato extended their lead in the championship by taking a third victory this season, at the wheel of the Ferrari 458. Canadians Paul Dalla Lana and Sylvain Tremblay took second and third spots respectively.

Source: Grand-Am.com


Race results* - Grand-Am (Road America)

1 - Pruett-Rojas (Riley-BMW) - Ganassi - 49 laps

2 - Dalziel-Potolicchio (Riley-Ford) - Starworks - 49

3 - Negri-Pew (Riley-Ford) - Shank - 49

4 - Donohue-Borcheller (Corvette DP) - ActionExpress - 49
5 - Braun-Mayer (Riley-Ford) - Starworks - 49

6 - Barbosa-Law-France (Corvette DP) - ActionExpress - 49
7 - Assentato-Segal (Ferrari458) - AIM - 47

8 - Auberlen-Della Lana (BMW M3) - Turner - 47
9 - Bomarito-Tremblay (Mazda RX8) - Speedsource - 47
10 - Cameron-Nonnamaker (Mazda RX8) - Sahlen - 47

11 - Davis-Keen (Porsche 997) - Brumos - 47
12 - Edwards-Liddell (Chevy Camaro) - Stevenson - 47
13 - Curran-Heinricy (Corvette) - Marsh - 47

14 - Espenlaub-Putman (Mazda RX8) - Dempsey - 47
15 - Edwards-Taylor (Chevy Camaro) - Autohaus - 47
16 - Foss-Lindsey (Porsche 997) - Horton - 47

17 - Dempsey-Foster (Mazda RX-8) - Dempsey - 47

18 - Norman-Von Moltke (Audi R8) - APR - 46

19 - Nonnamaker-Nonnamaker (Mazda RX8) - Sahlen - 46
20 - Angelelli-Taylor (Corvette DP) - SunTrust - 42

*Unofficial

From GMM

Bitterly disappointed on Saturday, Luca di Montezemolo chose the wrong moment to return to Italy.

The imperious Ferrari president, on a rare paddock visit, was visibly upset after Fernando Alonso qualified just eleventh at Valencia.

24 hours later, Spaniard Alonso was the darling not only of his team, but also of the rapturous partisan crowd in Spain's host port city -- and the only multiple race winner of 2012 and the new runaway championship leader by a huge 20 points.

An unusually-emotional Alonso picked up a Spanish flag on the slowing down lap and then his F2012 broke down in front of the grandstands, where he enjoyed a dance with his delighted countrymen.

Also on the podium were two other Ferrari champions: Lotus' Kimi Raikkonen who finished second, and Michael Schumacher, thoroughly enjoying the first podium of his comeback with Mercedes.

In the thrilling European grand prix, major title contenders Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton failed to score at all -- the Red Bull succumbing to a sudden failure whilst commandingly leading, and a furious McLaren driver crashing with Pastor Maldonado.

Romain Grosjean was another casualty, who was a contender to challenge Alonso until his Lotus failed.

"He was one of the big stars of today," said former team owner Eddie Jordan on British BBC1 television.

Mark Webber in the second Red Bull made a great run from 19th on the grid all the way back up to fourth, on a track where overtaking is known to be difficult.

Bruno Senna's chances of a good finish ended when he clipped with his rear right wheel the nose of Kamui Kobayashi's Sauber. The Brazilian picked up a puncture and a drive-through penalty in the incident.

Good pace and back luck for front runners looked like it might score Caterham its first point, but reality caught back with Vitaly Petrov, who was running 10th at one point.

A collision with Daniel Ricciardo ended the Russian's hopes of finishing in the top 10.

Timo Glock, still unwell from a virus, did not take the start.



Race results - European Grand Prix (Valencia)

1 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F2012) - 58 laps in 1h44min16.449s

2 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E20-Renault) - 6.421s

3 - Michael Schumacher (Mercedes MGP W03) - 12.639s

4 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 13.628s
5 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 19.993s

6 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes MGP W03) - 21.176s
7 - Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 22.886s

8 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 24.653s
9 - Sergio Perez (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 27.777s

10 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW34-Renault) - 34.630s

11 - Bruno Senna (Williams FW34-Renault) - 35.900s

12 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 37.000s

13 - Vitaly Petrov (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1min15.871s

14 - Heikki Kovalainen (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1min34.654s

15 - Charles Pic (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1min36.565s
16 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F2012) - 1 lap

17 - Pedro De La Rosa (HRT - Cosworth) - 1 lap

18 - Narain Karthikeyan (HRT - Cosworth) - 1 lap
19 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 2 laps



Fastest lap by Nico Rosberg in 1min42.163s



Retirements
Lap 41 - Romain Grosjean
Lap 34 - Sebastian Vettel
Lap 34 - Kamui Kobayashi
Lap 27 - Jean-Eric Vergne
DNS - Timo Glock



Drivers' championship
1.Alonso 111; 2.Webber 91; 3.Hamilton 88; 4.Vettel 85; 5.Rosberg 75; 6.Raikkonen 73; 7.Grosjean 53; 8.Button 49; 9.Perez 39; 10.Maldonado 30; 11.Di Resta 27;12.Kobayashi 21; 13.Hulkenberg 17; 14.Schumacher 17; 15.Senna 15; 16.Massa 11; 17.Vergne 4; 18.Ricciardo 2.



Constructors' championship
1.Red Bull-Renault 176; 2.McLaren-Mercedes 137; 3.Lotus-Renault 126; 4.Ferrari 122; 5.Mercedes 92; 6.Sauber-Ferrari 60; 7.Williams-Renault 45; 8.Force India-Mercedes 44; 9.Toro Rosso-Ferrari 6.

I would argue that most Harley-Davison riders want to be noticed, often doing so by shattering the already tattered calm of the city.

The same likely holds true for buyers of the 2012 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson edition. They want to be noticed too, and this 4x4 pickup has the goods to draw attention; fortunately with less auditory stimulation than the two-wheeled variants. Still, this is one mean sounding truck.


Genuine Harley-Davidson inspiration
Ford reports that nearly every member of their Harley-Davidson F-150 team is a Harley owner. No fakes here. The team has taken the 2012 F-150 H-D edition further along the single track than any of the previous versions.

In fact, they've adopted a snakeskin theme to accent the leather upholstery and bodyside graphics, inspired by tank inserts on premium-level Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Along with authentic H-D badging inside and out, Ford has fitted the H-D F-150 with 22" machined aluminum wheels with painted accents inspired by Harley motorcycle wheels.

Along with the big wheels, Ford has given the H-D a lowered appearance and equipped it with power- deployable running boards. They also chose Harley-Davidson White Platinum tri-coat paint to distinguish the 2012 F-150 H-D. This is the first year that white has been offered.

Finally, a unique six-slat chrome grille adorns the front of the truck. The slats are intended to resemble the cooling fins of the fabled V-twin air-cooled Harley-Davidson engine. Naturally, the engine behind the grille is something of a monster by comparison.

They've adopted a snakeskin theme to accent the leather upholstery and bodyside graphics, inspired by tank inserts on premium-level Harley-Davidson motorcycles. (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

Big truck - big power
The massive 6.2L SOHC V8 features variable cam timing and sequential electronic fuel injection to produce 411 hp @ 5,500 rpm and 434 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. Those are impressive numbers arising from the big-bore architecture of Ford's iron block powerplant.

No turbocharging or ultra sophisticated technology here; just hedonistic power produced the old fashion way - with cubic inches. Of course, power comes at a price - ask any dictator - and that price is paid at the pumps. My in-town average economy generally exceeded 20L/100km.

The thirsty powerplant unleashes its might into a 6-speed automatic transmission that feeds power to the rear wheels unless the electronically-activated four-wheel-drive system is engaged. As such, the driver can select all-wheel drive (4A), four-wheel drive high range (4H) or four-wheel drive low range (4L).

Mounted on the side of the shift lever is a small rocker switch that enables the manual selection of gears. This setup works remarkably well, allowing drivers full control of the transmission with nothing more than the touch of a thumb.

Also on the shifter is a small button to activate a tow/haul mode to assist the truck in motivating a caboose. And thanks to a tow rating of 3,400 kg (or 7,500 lbs), that caboose can be of significant substance.

Of course, luxurious trucks aren't all about work; they're about comfort as well, and the F-150 H-D epitomizes that attribute.

The massive 6.2L SOHC V8 produces 411 hp @ 5,500 rpm and 434 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

Within the Harley cabin
The H-D F-150 is laden with comfort, luxury and convenience. Its cabin is roomier than living rooms in most condo developments. Front- and rear-seat accommodations are expansive and heated; the front perches being cooled as well to ensure the utmost in trucking bliss.

The four-wheeled Harley is replete with Ford's latest SYNC technology and voice-activated navigation system paired with an 8" LCD screen that doubles as a backup camera. The system can even play DVDs when the vehicle is in Park.

Lest one should have to climb into the cab after a long day atop a Road King, the automatic deploying running board drops into place upon the opening of a door. Once inside, the delight begins.

The H-D F-150 is laden with comfort, luxury and convenience. (Photo: Rob Rohwell)

Behind the snakeskin wheel
There's ferocious power, and plenty of it. This truck hauls ass. I'm not sure how to put it any more succinctly - or elegantly for that matter. Off-the-line performance is herculean while life in the passing lane is mind-bending for such a behemoth.

Like the shattering tumult of straight-piped Harleys, the big F-150 emits a menacing exhaust staccato on its way to redline that doesn't abide by expectations. Under more conservative administration though, it speaks in deep, soothing murmurs.

The sense of calmness is further enhanced by the notable absence of road and wind noise in the plush environs. This, along with the vehicle's absorbent yet firm ride quality, imparts an aura of delight as one takes to the highway.

Still, there's no mistaking the fact that the underpinnings are those of a 4WD truck. This is especially apparent when the rear wheels encounter disagreeable sections of roadway. It's also apparent that agility and nimbleness are not strengths to be lauded. But hey, this isn't that sort of vehicle.

There's ferocious power, and plenty of it. This truck hauls ass. (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

The F-150 H-D wrap
The 2012 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson is a unique offering by Ford in conjunction with Harley-Davidson. It's a luxurious truck cross-bred with the famous - near mythical - motorcycle.

I enjoyed driving this rolling exhibit of Americana, albeit being noticed wasn't my desire. The truck garnered attention, even when parked outside my abode where many dog walkers stopped to give it the once-over.

Of course, rolling exhibits aren't generally inexpensive, and such is the case with my tester given its MSRP of $65,749.

Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn 4x4

GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab 4x4

Nissan Titan SL

From WRC.com

Sebastien Loeb has extended the lead over his Citroen teammate Mikko Hirvonen in the FIA World Rally Championship drivers' standings following his win on this weekend's Rally New Zealand.

Finland's Hirvonen drove a faultless rally at the wheel of a Citroen DS3 WRC to help the Citroen Total World Rally Team claim their third one-two result in a row. Loeb tops the leaderboard with a total of 145 points, 38 points ahead of second-placed Hirvonen.

Ford World Rally Team's Petter Solberg has claimed the final step of the podium with his third place finish in a Ford Fiesta RS WRC. The Norwegian driver lost time due to a wrong tyre choice on the opening day but battled back to finish the event 1m36.4s behind rally winner Loeb.

Factory Ford driver Jari-Matti Latvala had a bitter-sweet finish after claiming maximum points on the event's closing Power Stage. The Finnish driver was knocked out of winning contention following an off-road excursion on day one but battled back to finish seventh overall.

Russian privateer Evgeny Novikov drove a mature rally in his M-Sport Ford-run Fiesta RS WRC to finish fourth, 37.2s behind Solberg. Meanwhile, disaster struck for Rally New Zealand debutant Ott Tanak who had been running fifth for the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team.

The Estonian hit trouble on stage 20 when he rolled his Fiesta RS WRC and was forced to retire from the event.

Following a string of stage wins throughout today, Citroen Junior driver Thierry Neuville has shined on his debut in New Zealand. The 24-year-old Belgian finishes the rally in fifth place, and leaves the southern hemisphere with 10 well-deserved drivers' points.

Despite Dani Sordo's best efforts, the MINI WRC Team driver was unable to catch Neuville on the final day and reached the finish in sixth place. Fellow MINI John Cooper Works WRC driver Armindo Araujo has claimed eighth, despite suffering from damper-related problems throughout day two.



Rally New Zealand - Final classification

1. Loeb-Elena (Citroen DS3 Wrc) in 4h04min51.2s

2. Hirvonen-Lehtinen (Citroen DS3 Wrc) + 29.6s

3. P. Solberg-Patterson (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 1min36.4s

4. Novikov-Giraudet (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 2min13.6s

5. Neuville-Gilsoul (Citroen DS3 Wrc) + 2min42.4s
6. Sordo-Del Barrio (Mini Cooper Wrc) + 3min03.1s
7. Latvala-Anttila (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 4min52.9s

8. Araujo-Ramalho (Mini Cooper Wrc) + 9min36.4s
9. Block-Gelsomino (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 10min30.3s

10. Stohl-Minor (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 11min26.3s
Etc.

Championship standings

1. Loeb 145 points, 2. Hirvonen 107, 3. Solberg 90, 4. Ostberg 80, 5. Novikov 55, 6. Latvala 54, 7. Prokop 36, 8. Neuville 32, 9. Sordo 29, 10. Al-Attiyah 23, etc.

From GMM

Sebastian Vettel pointed a finger at the race director after retiring from Sunday's European grand prix.

The Red Bull driver suffered a car failure having dominated from pole in Valencia.

He questioned the call to bring the safety car out, ostensibly to clear away crash debris.

"I think we could have been spared the safety car period," Vettel told German television Sky. "I think the reason is clear. I don't think there was a danger.

"There were pieces on the track earlier and it was acceptable.

"I think in a sense the safety car was to break our neck," said the 24-year-old German, who at the time of the call was approaching 40 seconds ahead of Romain Grosjean.

Vettel thinks the safety car period also contributed to his car failure.

"It's not exactly clear," he said. "Perhaps a combination of the safety car period when you have to drive slowly, and a similar problem that Mark had on Friday.

"It just went to sh**," Vettel shrugged. "I think it was clear to see that (until then) we were pulling away without problems.

"I think the important is that we have shown that we can be really fast, as we made a step forward this weekend."

Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, was keeping his temper under control after being punted out of the race by Pastor Maldonado.

In the cockpit, he slammed his steering wheel before throwing it against the barrier, but when flanked by press officers the McLaren driver told British Sky television he would "suck it up".

And on the BBC, the Briton said "That's life. You have to deal with it."

Sebastian Vettel will start the European Grand Prix from pole, having qualified ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Pastor Maldonado

Toyota said it will transfer its Yaris compact car production for North America to France from Japan in May next year, marking the first time the company will export cars from Europe to that market.

Toyota plans to transfer Yaris production for North America to France from Japan next year, marking the first time the automaker will export cars from Europe to the United States and other markets in the region.

Volkswagen and Porsche are forging ahead with tighter manufacturing links that could deliver hundreds of millions of euros in annual savings.

Bruce Rasher runs the third-largest portfolio of industrial property in the U.S, but with holdings made up of unwanted plants that GM shed during its 2009 bankruptcy, he will need a great deal of patience to sell them all.

From GMM

Lewis Hamilton's expression gave little away as insiders wondered if he is cheery or cheesed off about the situation inside McLaren.

He is the sport's latest winner and the new world championship leader, but he described as merely "interesting" the recent realisation his engineers were giving away the game to struggling teammate Jenson Button's side of the garage.

So lost was Button after being lapped by Hamilton in Canada that McLaren decided the only course of action was to get the two sides of engineers together.

"I went to the factory last week (and) I saw all the top engineers together on one table," Hamilton told reporters at Valencia.

"They had all of my data out, lap by lap, noting all the things I did differently to Jenson to try to understand things. So he has absolutely every detail of what I'm doing differently.

"So I'm sure we'll see a difference this weekend," he said.

It was hard to tell if the 2008 world champion was proud he was finally back on top of his highly-rated teammate, or piqued that his speedy secrets were the subject of internal espionage.

Pointed out that Button sounds more confident now, Hamilton answered quickly: "I'm sure he does.

"There's been a lot of work that's gone on with his car."

But surely it's a good feeling for Hamilton to know he's so on top of his game at present that a fellow world champion is having to copy his approach?

"Not really," the 27-year-old insisted. "Personally, I prefer the olden days where they didn't have all that data logging and it was down to the driver. Now it makes it a lot easier."

Sebastien Vettel (Red Bull) and Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) topped the field, locking down the front row of the European Grand Prix, held in Valencia.

Pastor Maldonado (Williams), he who took pole of Barcelona's Spanish Grand Grand, looked set for another first place start on a Spanish track, until Vettel turned on the heat, clocking a laps four tenths quicker than what Maldonado had managed.

Hamilton then squeezed through to split the two men.

Q2 claimed several high-profile victims: Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa (Ferrari), Michael Schumacher (Mercedes) and Mark Webber (Red Bull); the field being so evenly matched.

The top 13 cars were separated only by three tenths.

Alonso, Schumacher and Massa all missed out on Q3 by less than 0.1s.

Their misfortunes allowed Nico Hulkenberg and Paul di Resta (Force India) as well as Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber) into the top 10.

Performances were uneven between many teammates. Jenson Button only qualified ninth, where Hamilton sits on the front row. At Williams, Bruno Senna could only manage 14th and Sergio Perez 15th at Sauber. But the teammate out-shined the most by his teammate was Webber.

The Australian was left a distant 19th.

At the back of the grid, Timo Glock (Marussia) had to give up qualifying altogether because of illness. No word yet on whether or not he will be fit enough to take part in the race.



Qualifying results - European Grand Prix

1. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1min38.086s - Q3

2. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1min38.410s - Q3

3. Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1min38.475s - Q3
4. Romain Grosjean (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1min38.505s - Q3
5. Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1min38.513s - Q3
6. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1min38.623s - Q3

7. Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1min38.741s - Q3

8. Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1min38.752s - Q3
9. Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1min38.801s - Q3
10. 
Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1min38.992s - Q3

11. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F2012) - 1min38.707s - Q2

12. Michael Schumacher (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1min38.77s0 - Q2
13. Felipe Massa (Ferrari F2012) - 1min38.780s - Q2

14. Bruno Senna (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1min39.207s - Q2

15. Sergio Perez (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1min39.358s - Q2

16. Heikki Kovalainen (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1min40.295s - Q2

17. Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1min40.358s - Q2
18. Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1min40.203s - Q1
19. Mark Webber (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1min40.395s - Q1
20. Vitaly Petrov (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1min40.457s - Q1
21. Pedro De La Rosa (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1min42.171s - Q1
22. Narain Karthikeyan (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1min42.527s - Q1
23. Charles Pic (Marussia MRO1-Cosworth) - 1min42.675s - Q1
24. Timo Glock (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - no time - Q1

From GMM

Formula one is always glamorous and shiny, but this weekend in Valencia, a harsh alter-reality is also obvious.

Floating in the port city's harbour is the Indian Express, one of the world's biggest and most valuable private superyachts that is owned by Vijay Mallya, the boss not only of Force India but also the sinking airline Kingfisher.

That the Indian billionaire's boat is such a centrepiece this weekend is a paradox, amid near-empty grandstands in crisis-struck Spain and frenzied discussions in the motor homes about the urgent need to slash costs.

"He (Mallya) probably doesn't know whether it's good times or bad," Williams co-owner Toto Wolff shrugged to the Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung.

F1 is considering a number of measures to reduce costs, or increase incomes. One option for the latter is simply to expand the calendar, collecting and sharing new promoters' money.

One rumour is that up to three or four new races could be added to the 2013 schedule.

"The year has 52 weeks. We should have 26 grand prix!" Toro Rosso's Franz Tost said half-seriously, causing his Lotus counterpart Eric Boullier to explode with laughter.

"There is no exact number, no magic number," the Frenchman agreed, "but I'm rather like Franz -- more races, why not?"

Another idea could provide a new source of income for the bigger teams, whilst reducing the vast design and manufacturing costs for the minnows and providing better value for their sponsors -- customer cars.

"I would like to see some of the smaller teams with a single car sold by a top team, which had been used the previous year," Bernie Ecclestone is quoted by the Sapa-AFP news agency.

"Perhaps it could be driven by a rookie. Some teams would certainly get better results compared to now and spend less, immediately," he added.

The F1 chief executive seemed to rule out a "budget cap".

"It wouldn't work," he is quoted by the Spanish newspaper AS. "You can't stop the teams from spending all of the money they have."

Raybestos is offering residents of Canada and the United States a unique opportunity to win its fabulous 2013 Mustang Raybestos Rousch Stage 3. This rear-wheel-drive monster cranks out 580 horsepower and 550 pounds-feet of torque while burning 13.1 litres of gas per 100 kilometres.

To watch the car being assembled and enter the draw, go to http://raybestosgarage.com before September 15th. Good luck!

Source: http://raybestosgarage.com/

From GMM

Drivers stranded down the Valencia grid are not expecting to scythe through the field on Sunday.

Jenson Button qualified ninth and admitted he doubts he will fare much better in the race.

Told by an optimistic reporter at Valencia that 'lots can happen' over 57 long laps on Sunday, the Briton answered: "Not really, we're in Valencia. You can't overtake round here.

"Not a lot happens here in a race. I don't think it will be the most exciting one."

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel is on pole, which is exactly where he wants to be, having travelled to the Spanish port city predicting that overtaking is possible on the streets of Valencia "only with some risk".

In 2010, Vettel's teammate Mark Webber was lucky to escape unhurt after flipping over backwards in a misunderstanding with backmarker Heikki Kovalainen.

And the Australian will have to spend Sunday among the backmarkers due to qualifying a dismal 19th with KERS and brake issues.

Team consultant Dr Helmut Marko admitted it is unlikely Webber will carve through the field.

"In recent years there were hardly any overtaking moves here, so for Mark's sake I hope it's better this time," he told Austrian broadcaster ORF.

From GMM

As F1's topsy-turvy 2012 seeks an eighth different winner at the eighth race weekend of the season, Force India appeared to leap into contention in Valencia.

Paul di Resta was sixth fastest on Friday morning, before his teammate Nico Hulkenberg came a mere tenth of a second from upstaging Sebastian Vettel for the best time of the entire day.

So far in 2012, the Silverstone based team has appeared largely out of the loop, as its formerly midfield rivals including Lotus, Sauber and Williams genuinely battle for champagne spoils in the hotly-contested and unique 2012 title race.

But harbour-side this weekend, it could be Force India's turn.

"There is no explanation for it," Hulkenberg marvelled to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, insisting the Mercedes-powered car has not been majorly upgraded, or is particularly well-suited to the Spanish street layout.

Montreal winner Lewis Hamilton admitted: "Force India looks massively quick so who knows what's going to happen."

Also comparatively quick, however, are Red Bull, Sauber, Mercedes, Williams, Ferrari, Lotus and McLaren -- all separated by less than a second on Friday.

From GMM

Paul Ricard boss Stephane Clair has revealed the uncertainty about France's return to the F1 calendar could drag on for many more weeks.

Prior to Nicolas Sarcozy losing the country's recent general election, the circuit looked destined for the 2013 calendar, thereafter alternating annually with Belgium's Spa Francorchamps.

The new government is currently reviewing the project and also considering Magny Cours as a possible host, but Paul Ricard's Clair insisted that time will eventually run out.

"Even if we still don't know at the beginning of September, we will have time to prepare the necessary infrastructure and market the grand prix," he is quoted by L'Equipe.

"Beyond September, it will be harder."

Indeed, more should be known by September, when the World Motor Sport Council is set to release a 2013 calendar.

"For us, late August is the ideal date, because of the weather and the accommodation capacity in the Var region," said Clair.

He also raised the interesting prospect of an alternating scheme between Paul Ricard and Magny Cours, insisting he has "no opposition in principle" to the idea of "two French grands prix".

The IndyCar series was trying out on Friday its first ever three-heat qualifying format and Dario Franchitti (Ganassi) will start the race at Iowa Speedway from pole position after winning the final qualifying round.

In the final confrontation, current champion Franchitti was able to pass Marco Andretti (Andretti Autosport) on lap five to take the lead while Penske's Helio Castroneves did the same a couple of laps later, although the Brazilian being unable to challenge the Scots for top spot afterward.

James Hinchcliffe (Andretti Autosport) stayed in fourth all thru the race but was put under a lot of pressure by the Penske Dallara-Chevrolet of Ryan Briscoe who tried to pass the Canadian with only five laps to go but without any luck.

The first two heat races determined the grid order from the fifth row back for the main race. But both Kanaan and Rahal are facing 10-place gird penalties for unauthorized engine changes, as are Viso and Schmidt Hamilton's Simon Pagenaud.