Grosjean calm about Spa chances

Lotus is keeping its hopes in check for this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix despite being viewed by many as favourite for victory , says Romain Grosjean. With the Enstone-based team having secured a double podium finish in Hungary , and its car expected to be well-suited to the high-speed Spa circuit, the outfit is being tipped for its first Formula 1 victory of the season. However, Grosjean says the lessons of this year show that form at each race has been hard to predict - which is why it is not getting ahead of itself just yet.

Robert Allen Labonte Terrence Lee Labonte Randy Joseph Lajoie Kevin Paul Lepage William Ashton Lewis Jr

Porsche?s Latest Tech Renders Heel-Toe Downshifting Obsolete

When the 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 broke cover this week, it did so with a software application that automatically blips the throttle during downshifts in conjunction with the seven-speed manual transmission as a part of the optional Sport Chrono package. That feature will spread across the stick-shifted Carrera lineup for 2013. A Porsche spokesman [...]

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AUTOS: Nissan Reveals All-New Sentra

The 2013 compact sedan gains fuel mileage, loses horsepower and gets a more-mainstream body that links it with Altima.

Juan Pablo Montoya Joseph Francis Nemechek III Ryan Joseph Newman Kyle Eugene Petty Floyd Anthony Raines

Why Are American Infrastructure Projects So Expensive?

You could hear a collective gasp last month when Amtrak released a plan to upgrade service on the Northeast Corridor with a $150 billion pricetag attached. Many rail advocates�expressed shock. The Amtrak plan is hardly an outlier: California High Speed Rail has been dogged by similar cost concerns.
The pricetag to build this interchange outside Milwaukee? [...]

James Christopher McMurray Casey James Mears Juan Pablo Montoya Joseph Francis Nemechek III Ryan Joseph Newman

Ross Chastain Hopes to go Wide Open with Melon 1 at Michigan International Speedway

Ross Chastain - Photo Credit: Todd Warshaw / Getty Images for NASCARMOORESVILLE, NC ? August 15, 2012 ? NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Ross Chastain and the SS Green Light Racing team will join thirty-five other competitors this weekend as the NCWTS begins the second half of the twenty-two race 2012 season. Saturday, the...more»

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Report: Mazda working on range-extended, rotary-powered vehicle

Filed under: Performance, Technology, Mazda, Misc. Auto Shows

The Moscow Motor Show may be hotter than we previously though. Right on the heels of the debut of the next Mazda6, the Japanese automaker has revealed that it will continue to develop rotary engines and is also working on a range-extended vehicle.

When word came that the RX-8 would drive off to the big salvage yard in the sky, it was feared that it would spell the end for the stupendously high-revving mill, but Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanouchi stated that the company will "continue to explore ways to improve the fuel efficiency and capabilities of the rotary engine so it can be the primary source of power again." That sounds very promising, coming form Yamanouchi, who said that interest in the rotary motivated his decision to come work for the automaker in 1967.

Part of the equation to maximize the potential of the rotary is to incorporate range-extending technology. Sure, Mazda's rotary engines loves to play with its RPMs in the stratosphere, the company knows this mill is most efficient at about 2000 rpm. Starting and stopping require a good amount of energy to change the momentum of the Reuleaux triangle-shaped rotor. Range extenders would keep the rotor spinning at that ideal 2000 rpm while idling.

Rotary fans will hopefully rejoice at the idea of the Wankel mill continuing on for some time. Anyone worried about the engine's fate will appreciate word that as long as Yamanouchi works for Mazda, research into the uses of the rotary will continue.

Mazda working on range-extended, rotary-powered vehicle originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ACO to organise ELMS from 2013

The beleaguered European Le Mans Series will be resurrected in 2013 under the organisation of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest. 2012 was the first year of the rebadged ELMS, which was closed to LMP1 entries, but it hit trouble early on as organisers cancelled the second round , due to be held at Zolder, due to a lack of entries

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Lincoln to Start Selling Cars in China by Mid-2014

Lincoln has announced that it plans to begin selling cars in China by the second half of 2014. Ford?s luxury division didn?t elaborate on which models it plans to sell in China?we think the MKT, new MKZ, and the Navigator are safe bets to make it there?although it did say the cars will be sold [...]

David Carl Allison Gregory Jack Biffle David Lee Blaney Michael Duane Bliss Kurt Thomas Busch

Springfield Dirt Another First For Josh Williams And His Team

Josh WilliamsSPRINGFIELD, Illinois (August 16, 2012) – - For the ninth time in 2012, Josh Williams and his Josh Williams Motorsports (JWM) team will tackle a new track on the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards circuit. This weekend, however the experience that the recently turned 19-year will inhale will be nothing like he?s ever...more»

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NASCAR Fan Picks: Top Five Drivers in the Auto Club 400 at Fontana, California (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

NASCAR heads to Fontana, California this weekend with Sprint Cup drivers racing in the Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on Sunday, March 25 at 2:30 p.m. EST. Who will capture the checkered flag? Here is a look at the five drivers who have the best chance at a victory.

Jeffrey Tyler Burton Richard Allen Craven Kerry Dale Earnhardt Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr

Brad Sweet, No. 38 Great Clips Chevrolet Impala Circuit Gilles Villeneuve Preview

Brad Sweet - Getty ImagesBRAD SWEET QUICK FACTS No. 38 Great Clips Chevrolet Circuit Gilles Villeneuve NAPA Auto Parts 200 August 18, 2012 No. 38 Great Clips Chevrolet News and Notes Brad Sweet Career NNS Stats Starts Poles Wins Top-Fives Top-10′s Avg. Start Avg. Finish 11 0 0 0 1 15.9 20.1 Back to stock...more»

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Lexus back in Superstars field

The International Superstars Series will add another manufacturer to the grid at the next round, with young Italian Michele Faccin poised to make his debut aboard an MRT Lexus ISF. The 22-year-old tested the ISF at the Franciacorta track test in Brescia, Northern Italy, on Tuesday, and is likely to race the car at next month's seventh round. The Lexus has not raced in Superstars since the opening round of the 2012 season at Monza, when Simone Monforte failed to finish either race in the MRT ISF

Casey James Mears Juan Pablo Montoya Joseph Francis Nemechek III Ryan Joseph Newman Kyle Eugene Petty

Today?s Headlines

Cuomo Calls for Lopez Resignation; Prior Harassment Claims Quieted by Shelly Silver (NYT 1, 2)
Jason Tavarez Struck and Killed in Longwood; Driver Charged With Manslaughter, DWI (DNA)
Unnamed Pedestrians Killed Trying to Cross Grand Central Parkway (DNA) and FDR (Post)
Advance: Dedicated Lanes for Hylan Boulevard Select Bus Are a Symbol of Unfair Transpo Policy
City Council Bill [...]

Hiroshi Fushida Beppe Gabbiani Bertrand Gachot Patrick Gaillard Divina Galica

Espargaro continues pole streak

Pol Espargaro captured his third consecutive Moto2 pole in a disrupted qualifying session at Brno. Oil on the circuit caused a spate of crashes and a lengthy red flag spell at the session's start, while spots of rain also led to much of the field retreating to their garages around the midway mark

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Priaulx and Farfus ?can win regularly?

Andy Priaulx and Augusto Farfus have all the qualities necessary to become regular race winners in the DTM in the near future, according to their team boss Bart Mampaey. The duo are both competing for Mampaey's RBM outfit in their rookie DTM campaigns this year and have had mixed seasons so far. British driver Priaulx, who previously won three World Touring Car titles in RBM-run BMWs, has managed two points-scoring finishes in the opening six races of the year, but has also endured frustrations.

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Solberg expected to return on Sunday

Petter Solberg is expected to return to Rally Deutschland for Sunday's third and final day, following his retirement from the event on the Panzerplatte stage on Saturday. The 37-year-old was running a comfortable second when he crashed, damaging the right-rear of his car

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5 Questions before Bristol's IRWIN Tools Night Race

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MTA Wants to Take Payroll Tax Ruling Straight to State?s Top Court

On Wednesday, a state Supreme Court judge ruled the Payroll Mobility Tax unconstitutional, saying that because the “budgetary crisis of the MTA is not a substantial state concern,” the law required a home rule message from the affected counties. Now, the MTA says it will appeal directly to New York’s top court.
New York’s courts allow [...]

Kurt Thomas Busch Kyle Thomas Busch Jeffrey Tyler Burton Richard Allen Craven Kerry Dale Earnhardt

Audi R8 LMS ultra to fight for World Champion's title in 2012

AUDI Motorsport Ingolstadt, December 20, 2011 - GT1 World Championship to be held with GT3 cars in 2012 - Team WRT from Belgium is set on battling for championship - Two new Audi R8 LMS ultra cars on the grid...

Casey James Mears Juan Pablo Montoya Joseph Francis Nemechek III Ryan Joseph Newman Kyle Eugene Petty

M Performance Line to Replace ?is? Models in Next-Gen BMWs

The BMW Z4 sDrive35is will be replaced by a Z4 M Performance model in its next generation BMW’s M Performance line of vehicles will be replacing the brand’s “is” models, we’ve learned from a BMW source.�Slotted between the brand’s regular lineup and the true M GmbH?developed high-power cars, the M Performance models are developed in [...]

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LeMons Chubba Cheddar Enduro Inspections: Northstar-Powered Maxima, a Lotus Elite, and Enver Hoxha

Here we are at Road America, for the first annual Chubba Cheddar Enduro 24 Hours of LeMons. Because of our support race over the weekend, we’re running a rare Monday-Tuesday LeMons event here in Wisconsin. Perhaps that’s the reason we have so many ridiculously great machines entered for this one. Where to start? Enver Hoxha, [...]

Scott Russell Riggs Hiroshi Fushida Beppe Gabbiani Bertrand Gachot Patrick Gaillard

Video: Tony Stewart Matt Kenseth Wreck At Bristol, Stewart Throws Helmet

Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth lock fenders as they battle for the lead and both cars pile into the inside wall.

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Blue Deuce is just one tie between Brad Keselowski, Rusty Wallace

Bertrand Gachot Patrick Gaillard Divina Galica David Carl Allison Gregory Jack Biffle

Today?s Headlines

MTA Confident That Payroll Tax Will Be Upheld on Appeal (WSJ,�NYT, NY1,�TransNat)
Ben Kabak Breaks Down the Insanity of Judge Cozzens’ MTA Payroll Tax Ruling (2nd Ave Sagas)
Sunset Park Residents Call for Pedestrian Safety Fixes on Deadly Third Ave (DNA)
This Is How They Do Street Safety Messaging Down Under (Bklyn Spoke)
Quinn “Supports Goals” of Boro Taxi [...]

Sterling Burton Marlin Mark Anthony Martin Jeremy Allan Mayfield James Christopher McMurray Casey James Mears

LeMons Chubba Cheddar Enduro Inspections: Northstar-Powered Maxima, a Lotus Elite, and Enver Hoxha

Here we are at Road America, for the first annual Chubba Cheddar Enduro 24 Hours of LeMons. Because of our support race over the weekend, we’re running a rare Monday-Tuesday LeMons event here in Wisconsin. Perhaps that’s the reason we have so many ridiculously great machines entered for this one. Where to start? Enver Hoxha, [...]

Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr Carl Michael Edwards III William Clyde Elliott Jeffrey Michael Gordon

Bayne planning full Nationwide Schedule in 2013

Casey James Mears Juan Pablo Montoya Joseph Francis Nemechek III Ryan Joseph Newman Kyle Eugene Petty

Bentley Mulsanne Convertible Concept: Top-Down Chauffeuring [2012 Pebble Beach]

The days of the monstrously huge convertibles are upon us again. The newest evidence of this is the cleverly named Bentley Mulsanne Convertible concept unveiled at an event leading up to the 2012 Pebble Beach concours. READ MORE ??

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ATS on Top as Ligier and Tyrrell Show Their Hand(s)

With 25% of the season gone the Classic Teams Championship (CTC) continues to be exciting and topsy turvy and, with the first round of major driver changes taking place, Ligier and Tyrrell showed good form as ATS raced to the top of the tables. As reported last week, Mark Bird was hotly tipped to take Hulbert?s place in Ligier and indeed the Englishman completed his transfer in time to race at Brands Hatch. Bird’s transfer then triggered the first of many changes this week. Augusto Gabaldoni moved into the Rebaque team and continued his solid season with a good 72 point haul, Stefan Gawol was signed for F2 team Polifac BMW, while Howard McMillion joined March Racing. Gawol responded with a season?s best 59 points while McMillion failed to start [...]

Kasey Kenneth Kahne Matthew Roy Kenseth Alan Dennis Kulwicki Travis Wade Kvapil Robert Allen Labonte

2013 Honda Accord Sedan Makes Its Debut at Ohio Balloon Festival

The 2013 Honda Accord sedan made its public debut Saturday, and it wasn’t among the glitz and glamour of some other weekend debuts at the Concours d’Elegance out in Pebble Beach. But that’s not to say the new Accord debuted without fanfare; no, sir. Honda’s new entrant into the Thunderdome that is the mid-size-sedan segment [...]

James Christopher McMurray Casey James Mears Juan Pablo Montoya Joseph Francis Nemechek III Ryan Joseph Newman

Chevrolet Prices Sporty 2013 Sonic RS from $20,995 With Six-Speed Manual

A few Sonic RS buyers skateboard and grow beards Chevy finally will begin building the RS version of the Sonic five-door hatchback this fall, and the company has revealed that it will charge buyers $20,995 to take one home. That base price gets you a 2013 Sonic RS with a six-speed manual transmission?a six-speed automatic [...]

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Roush Fenway Rewind: Biffle earns Roush a win in his backyard

Floyd Anthony Raines Scott Russell Riggs Hiroshi Fushida Beppe Gabbiani Bertrand Gachot

Lowndes wins, disaster for Whincup

Craig Lowndes delivered his third straight V8 Supercars victory in race one at Eastern Creek, as his erstwhile points-leading Triple Eight Holden team-mate Jamie Whincup had a disastrous race. Whincup's troubles started with a very slow start from pole, which left him down in eighth initially as front row qualifier Jonathon Webb stormed away in the lead.

Virgil Ernest Irvan III Kenny Dale Irwin Jr Dale Arnold Jarrett Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Kasey Kenneth Kahne

A Tour of Concorso Italiano 2012 [Photo Gallery, 2012 Pebble Beach]

One of the Pebble Beach Concours d?Elegance?s oldest sideshows, the Concorso Italiano, completed its 27th edition with the usual gathering of Latin bombshells, plus a tribute to the works of Turin coachbuilder Bertone, in all its glorious and, with credit to the show, not as glorious aspects. Lined up in the center ring with the [...]

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Logano gets 1st Bristol victory in Nationwide race

James Christopher McMurray Casey James Mears Juan Pablo Montoya Joseph Francis Nemechek III Ryan Joseph Newman

Today?s Headlines

MTA Warns of Devastating Service Cuts If�Payroll Mobility Tax Dies (Post, CapNY)
Bloomberg�Sarcastically�Suggests Congestion Pricing as Alternative (CapNY)
Lhota to County Execs: Suburban Commuters Get Biggest Subsidy of All (TransNat)
Court’s Decision Is Boost for Suburban GOP Legislators (CapTon)
Victim of Financial District Security Overkill ID’d as Sorel Depas-Medina (News, Post)
Daily News�Bike Demonization Continues; Central Park Mulls Separation from [...]

Bertrand Gachot Patrick Gaillard Divina Galica David Carl Allison Gregory Jack Biffle

Travel Tips: Bristol Motor Speedway

Alan Dennis Kulwicki Travis Wade Kvapil Robert Allen Labonte Terrence Lee Labonte Randy Joseph Lajoie

Rolls-Royce Reveals Phantom Coupe Aviator Special Edition [2012 Pebble Beach]

Rolls-Royce?s links to aviation go back to the company?s beginnings in the early part of the 20th�century, and the company has mined that history for inspiration for its latest limited-edition car, the Phantom Coupe Aviator. The big coupe may not look all that different from a regular Phantom Coupe, but it?s festooned with small art [...]

Kevin Michael Harvick Virgil Ernest Irvan III Kenny Dale Irwin Jr Dale Arnold Jarrett Jimmie Kenneth Johnson

Di Resta confident of ?big? results

Paul di Resta believes Force India has the potential to deliver some 'big' results in the second half of the season, as it bids to overhaul Williams and Sauber. Although the Silverstone-based outfit is currently eighth in the standings, it thinks it can do better in the second half of the campaign to lift itself ahead of its closest rivals. "There's still a long way to go in the championship and we need to get back to scoring regular points," said di Resta about the prospects for the remainder of the year.

Michael Duane Bliss Kurt Thomas Busch Kyle Thomas Busch Jeffrey Tyler Burton Richard Allen Craven

Menard's crew chief fined, suspended for Michigan violations

Hiroshi Fushida Beppe Gabbiani Bertrand Gachot Patrick Gaillard Divina Galica

IndyCar drivers hail Sonoma changes

Sonoma's recent track revisions met with a positive response as IndyCar drivers tested at the Californian circuit ahead of next weekend's race. As revealed by AUTOSPORT, Turns 7, 9 and 11 were all remodelled in the hope of increasing overtaking opportunities following consultation with drivers, officials and team bosses .

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Brands Hatch SRF Challenge Gallery

Jeffrey Tyler Burton Richard Allen Craven Kerry Dale Earnhardt Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr

We Hit The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering [Photo Gallery, 2012 Pebble Beach]

While it has one of the more pretentious and misleading monikers of any event on the Pebble Beach calendar (there are in fact no quails anywhere to be seen; it takes its name from the golf lodge where it?s held), the Quail is one of the more laid back. Yes, it?s mostly a back slap [...]

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Old Wisconsin?s Snack Bites to Debut on Michael Annett?s No. 43 at Atlanta

Michael AnnettCORNELIUS, N.C. (August 15, 2012) – Old Wisconsin is pleased to announce that it will debut its popular Snack Bites products on NASCAR driver Michael Annett’s No. 43 Pilot Flying J Ford Mustang for Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) in the NASCAR Nationwide Series event held on September 1, 2012 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway....more»

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Paffett frustrated by missed chance

Gary Paffett has described last weekend's Nurburgring DTM race as a "missed opportunity" to further strengthen his position at the head of the championship. The HWA Mercedes driver arrived at the circuit 26 points ahead of his team-mate Jamie Green, but with Bruno Spengler winning, the British driver's advantage has been cut to only 20 points with four races remaining and 100 points still available

Floyd Anthony Raines Scott Russell Riggs Hiroshi Fushida Beppe Gabbiani Bertrand Gachot

Why I Love NASCAR: Bristol Part 2 by Chief 187?

Kyle Thomas Busch Jeffrey Tyler Burton Richard Allen Craven Kerry Dale Earnhardt Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr

Brands Hatch SRF Challenge Gallery

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RAB Racing Reinstates John Wes Townley: NASCAR Fan Reaction (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

On March 23, RAB Racing announced that driver John Wes Townley has been reinstated and will be able to compete at the Camping World Truck Series Kroger 250 on March 31. Townley was officially placed on probation by NASCAR on March 22 because of a previous DUI arrest.

Kerry Dale Earnhardt Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr Carl Michael Edwards III William Clyde Elliott

Chubba Cheddar LeMons Day 1: Fiat X1/9 Leads. No, Really!

First of all, we need to make it clear how disappointed we are that Car and Driver legend Csaba Csere has not made an appearance at the race we (sort of) named after him. He must have more important things to do, but we can’t imagine what could be more important than watching Fiat’s miserably [...]

Divina Galica David Carl Allison Gregory Jack Biffle David Lee Blaney Michael Duane Bliss

Piquet claims maiden Truck victory

Nelson Piquet claimed his first career victory in the NASCAR Truck Series on Saturday at Michigan International Speedway. The Brazilian had been a strong contender after qualifying, where he claimed a front-row starting spot

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NASCAR Fan Picks: Top Five Drivers in the Auto Club 400 at Fontana, California (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

NASCAR heads to Fontana, California this weekend with Sprint Cup drivers racing in the Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on Sunday, March 25 at 2:30 p.m. EST. Who will capture the checkered flag? Here is a look at the five drivers who have the best chance at a victory.

Randy Joseph Lajoie Kevin Paul Lepage William Ashton Lewis Jr Sterling Burton Marlin Mark Anthony Martin

Juncadella wins to extend points lead

Daniel Juncadella took a dominant victory in the first F3 Euro Series race at the Nurburgring on Saturday morning to increase his championship lead over Raffaele Marciello to 20.5 points.

Sterling Burton Marlin Mark Anthony Martin Jeremy Allan Mayfield James Christopher McMurray Casey James Mears

McLaren?s Bizarre X-1 Concept Shows It?ll Build ANY Commissioned Car [2012 Pebble Beach]

When visiting McLaren?s factory earlier this year, we learned that the McLaren Special Operations division, which builds personalized cars for discriminating clients, was working on an incredible custom-bodied project. A client had requested totally unique bodywork for an MP4-12C. The final product, MSO staff said, would bear no resemblance to the normal MP4-12C. In fact, [...]

Kevin Paul Lepage William Ashton Lewis Jr Sterling Burton Marlin Mark Anthony Martin Jeremy Allan Mayfield

Sharp Suits Compared: 2012 Audi A7 vs. 2013 BMW 640i Gran Coupe

The Mercedes-Benz CLS, a fitted tux to the off-the-rack E-class sedan on which it?s based, is iconic, having pried open the niche for executive-class four-seaters with cut-down greenhouses and arresting good looks. Despite the CLS?s decade on the market, though, Audi and BMW have only recently let their designers loose on their own mid-size sedans. [...]

Travis Wade Kvapil Robert Allen Labonte Terrence Lee Labonte Randy Joseph Lajoie Kevin Paul Lepage

Cortese denies Kent Indy Moto3 pole

Moto3 championshp leader Sandro Cortese beat Ajo team-mate Danny Kent to pole in an incident-packed Indianapolis session that saw two red flags. The first stoppage happened when Aspar's Hector Faubel had a very violent high-speed at the final corner. Faubel escaped serious injury but has been taken to hospital for checks due to chest and back pain.

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Ogier to race in VW Sciroccos

Sebastien Ogier will make his Volkswagen Scirocco Cup debut at the Nurburgring this weekend, and will be joined by rally legends Juha Kankkunen, Carlos Sainz and Markku Alen. The 28-year-old Frenchman, who has been driving an S2000-spec VW Motorsport-run Skoda Fabia in the World Rally Championship this year, previously competed in one of the biogas-powered Sciroccos on his way to victory in last year's Race of Champions

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2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG Spy Photos: The Affordable Offering from Affalterbach

What It Is: The AMG version of Mercedes-Benz’s upcoming A-class?based compact sedan, the CLA, which is touted as the little brother of the CLS four-door coupe. The AMG version will top the car’s lineup with a powerful all-wheel-drive model. Visual differentiation will come in the form of aero flics around the lower front intakes, rectangular [...]

Terrence Lee Labonte Randy Joseph Lajoie Kevin Paul Lepage William Ashton Lewis Jr Sterling Burton Marlin

Lorenzo: Second great given difficulties

Jorge Lorenzo declared himself very satisfied with second in the Indianapolis MotoGP race having struggled for speed for most of the weekend. The MotoGP championship leader looked like he would be hard pressed to make it into the top five on the grid before a set-up change transformed his Yamaha and allowed him to jump to the outside of the front row.

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Syncing Traffic Lights No Sure-Fire Way to Reduce Emissions

From a motorist’s perspective, few things are more frustrating than sitting at a red light when the lights ahead are all green. That would help explain the popularity of traffic signal synchronization, neatly timing lights so that someone traveling the speed limit can expect to wait only every several cycles.
Many communities have seized on synchronization [...]

Bertrand Gachot Patrick Gaillard Divina Galica David Carl Allison

Mike Hewland passes away

Mike Hewland, founder of the Hewland Engineering company that became synonymous with motorsport transmission technology, has died at the age of 89.

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Montoya on pole again at the Glen

Juan Pablo Montoya claimed his second consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup pole position in qualifying for Sunday's race at Watkins Glen. The Colombian, a winner at the track two years ago, set a new track record with a time of 1m09.438s, which placed him more than half a second clear of the previous benchmark set by Michael Waltrip Racing's Clint Bowyer. Later both Joe Gibbs Racing's Kyle Busch and Hendrick Motorsports' Jimmie Johnson were able to run within less than a tenth of the Earnhardt Ganassi driver, ending up second and third respectively in the 43-car field.

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2013 Ford Mustang V-6 Premium Tested: Updated Looks, Recaros, and Very Green

Without question, the Shelby GT500 and its claimed 200-mph top speed headline the 2013 Ford Mustang range. But all models received design and packaging updates that make them about as advanced as they?re going to get before a new, more sophisticated pony car arrives for 2015. READ MORE ››

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2013 Audi RS5 First Drive: Very Far from Being a Loser

We have waited patiently for two years to see the Audi RS5 on our shores. In 2010, we drove the RS5 in Germany where we pitted it against the Cadillac CTS-V and BMW M3 on the autobahn and at the N�rburgring; unfortunately for Audi, its car finished last. But among that group, where the least [...]

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Farfus puts BMW top in second practice

Augusto Farfus put BMW at the top of the timesheets in the second DTM practice session at the Nurburgring on Saturday morning.

Charles Robert Hamilton V Kevin Michael Harvick Virgil Ernest Irvan III Kenny Dale Irwin Jr

Tagliani takes Nationwide pole in Montreal

Sterling Burton Marlin Mark Anthony Martin Jeremy Allan Mayfield James Christopher McMurray

Rolls-Royce Reveals Phantom Coupe Aviator Special Edition [2012 Pebble Beach]

Rolls-Royce?s links to aviation go back to the company?s beginnings in the early part of the 20th�century, and the company has mined that history for inspiration for its latest limited-edition car, the Phantom Coupe Aviator. The big coupe may not look all that different from a regular Phantom Coupe, but it?s festooned with small art [...]

Charles Robert Hamilton IV Charles Robert Hamilton V Kevin Michael Harvick Virgil Ernest Irvan III

Plato fastest in practice two

Jason Plato set the pace in the second British Touring Car Championship free practice session at Snetterton. The MG driver recorded the fastest ever lap of the Norfolk circuit in a BTCC car in the process and was also the only driver to break the 1m57s barrier

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All-New and Much Lighter: 2013 Land Rover Range Rover Revealed

With government regulators dictating that only the fuel-efficient and those with low emissions survive, engineers for the next Range Rover faced a Darwinian challenge. The fourth-generation Range Rover, which makes its public debut in September, uses so much aluminum that the company says it?s as much as 926 pounds lighter than its predecessor. That?s equal [...]

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NHRA JR. DRAG RACING LEAGUE CONFERENCE FINALS RETURNING TO DENVER, BRISTOL FOR 20TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2012

NHRA GLENDORA, Calif. Dec. 20, 2011 To help kick off the 20th Anniversary celebration of the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League, NHRA announced today that the Western Conference Finals and Eastern Conference Finals will once again return to Bandimere Speedway...

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Video: R&T improves Scion FR-S performance with a tire swap

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Scion, Subaru

On paper, the Scion FR-S is a great little performance car with its light curb weight, peppy engine and rear-wheel-drive layout, but as Road & Track recently found out about the car, none of that matters on the track if you have the wrong tires. The magazine's staffers found the Scion and Subaru cars were out-handled by competitors like the Mazda Miata and Hyundai Genesis Coupe, so they tried a simple tire swap on the FR-S to see if replacing the stock rubber with something with a bit more grip could help the matter.

In stock form, both the BRZ and FR-S come with Michelin Primacy summer touring tires, which are apparently tuned more for low rolling resistance than grip. Now, we're sure there will be plenty of FR-S and BRZ owners who will never take their cars to a track, so these stock tires help to optimize fuel economy and longevity, but for those who do want to have some autocross fun with their new Toyobaru coupe, then what?

R&T took an FR-S to Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch with three wheel and tire combinations, and put the car up against a MazdaSpeed3 and a Subaru WRX. First up were the stock tires, which put it almost two seconds behind the Mazda and a second behind the Subaru with a lap time of 1:29.3. Next, the car's 17-inch wheels were wrapped in Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Specs extreme performance summer tires, shaving a full two seconds off the FR-S' track time and making it the fastest of the bunch with a time of 1:27.0. Finally, they tested the FR-S with the same type of tires on lightweight 18-inch wheels, but while the time around the track dipped a little (1:27.6), this wheel and tire combination was the best on the skidpad with a 0.96g.

An interesting note, the Dunlops are obviously much stickier and they cost less than the Michelins, but since they are built for performance, there is no treadlife warranty (according to Tire Rack, where R&T got their tires and prices). Meanwhile, the stock Michelin tires aren't as capable at the track, but they come with a treadlife warranty of up to six years or 45,000 miles.

Check out how the different tires affect the FR-S in the video below.

Continue reading R&T improves Scion FR-S performance with a tire swap

R&T improves Scion FR-S performance with a tire swap originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NSCS Pole Report: Juan Pablo Montoya wins pole, breaks track record

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Photos: 2012 Saturday at Watkins Glen

PHOTO CREDIT: NASCARMEDIA (USED WITH PERMISSION)

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Kurt Busch making return to Truck Series at Michigan

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2013 Fiat 500E Spied: Electric Cinquecento Gets a Name

What It Is: An electric Fiat 500 mule testing while wearing near-production bodywork. We already knew a 500 EV was coming for 2013; it was pretty much a sure thing ever since Fiat showed off a concept version two years ago. Inside, ?500E? lettering adorns the dashboard; the battery-powered 500 has yet to receive an [...]

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Multi-Modal Summer Reading

Summer gives permission to set aside serious reading for the refreshment of fluffier stuff. This year, though, several meaningful books on transportation are out that you might want to tuck into your beach bag. Each is that rare thing: a should-read that?s also a want-to-read.
Straphanger: Saving Our Cities and Ourselves from the Automobile by Taras [...]

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2013 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG First Drive: Gel�nde-Whoa, Nelly!

In the convoluted language of design, right angles convey paramilitary authenticity. The Mercedes-Benz Gel�ndewagen looks like a Maytag top-loader because the German army demands it. People want what the German army wants, apparently, because the G-wagen is still in production with a design that has remained true to form for 33 years. READ MORE ››

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Audi Sends Off Unfreshened 2012 R8 with 50 Exclusive Selection Editions

Audi announced a future update to the R8 line for 2013 just a few weeks ago, but today?s news is all about the supercar?s present. As a send-off to the not-so-fresh 2012 model?and no doubt to entice a few captains of industry who might otherwise wait for the updated car?the company will offer 50 Exclusive [...]

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Atlanta Motor Speedway Unveils Taste of Coca-Cola� Concession Menu for AdvoCare 500 Weekend

Chef Frank Abbinati with All five Coca-Cola� food products that will be sold at the Taste of Coca-Cola� Concession Stand located near section 123 on Labor Day Weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.HAMPTON, Ga. (Aug. 14, 2012) ? Due to an overwhelming response by fans, drivers and members of the media, Atlanta Motor Speedway will offer...more»

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Sainz supreme at soggy Snetterton

Carlos Sainz Jr utterly dominated the final race of the British Formula 3 International Series weekend at Snetterton. On a wet but gradually drying track, Sainz got the jump on poleman Jack Harvey at the start and the Spaniard sped into the distance. Felix Serralles also got a strong getaway from fourth on the grid and swooped around the outside of Harvey at Riches, the first turn, to take second

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Spy Shots: Is Lincoln getting its own version of the Ford Escape?

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Ford, Lincoln

Lincoln may be working on a new small crossover built on the same platform as the Ford Escape. Our spy photographers recently spotted this early development vehicle out on public streets around Detroit. Slightly larger than its non-luxury sire, the model may bow with a new interpretation of the Ecoboost four-cylinder. It doesn't take a keen eye to spot the larger intercooler stuck low in the hacked front fascia of the Escape. Word has it the vehicle could make use of a new 2.7-liter turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder engine, though power figures are still absent at the moment.

What will Lincoln call its newest addition? Chances are the company will stick with the confusing MK-based naming structure it currently uses, and early reports hint the CUV may fly under the MKD banner. Why D? Your guess is as good as ours. The luxury CUV segment is a volume powerhouse at the moment, and Lincoln would be wise to offer buyers a product in that segment. Whether the MKD can manage to be more than a gussied-up Ford remains to be seen, however.

Is Lincoln getting its own version of the Ford Escape? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Indianapolis 500 Veteran Grant Dies at 77

Jerry Grant and the purple Mystery Eagle INDIANAPOLIS, Monday, Aug. 13, 2012 - Jerry Grant, a 10-time competitor in the Indianapolis 500 and the first person to turn an official lap faster than 200 mph in an Indy car, died Sunday, Aug. 12. He was 77. Grant, a prominent American road racer, turned his historic...more»

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International Funders Shift Investments Toward Sustainable Transportation

Traffic congestion, air pollution, and lack of mobility disproportionately harm the poor in the developing world when transportation investments favor automobiles. Photo: Owni
If you think the United States is doing a bad job shifting toward sustainable transportation, take a look at the developing world. The places with the most to lose from auto-oriented development are [...]

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Spin halts Maldonado?s home run

A planned 'hero's homecoming' Formula 1 street demo for Williams driver Pastor Maldonado in the Venezuelan capital Caracas was cut short on Sunday when he spun and damaged the car on only his second lap. Maldonado, visiting his home country for the first time since becoming Venezuela's first grand prix winner, was due to complete a 12-lap run on the Fuerte Tiunas military parade ground in front of 20,000 fans and numerous political and military VIPs, with team owner Sir Frank Williams and shareholder Toto Wolff also present.

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Foyt to run Austin in 2013 Indy 500

Former Hendrick Motorsports development driver Chase Austin will drive a second AJ Foyt Racing entry at next year's Indianapolis 500. Austin, who became the first African American driver to start a NASCAR Busch (now Nationwide) Series oval race at Memphis in 2007, has since made several lower-division NASCAR starts, and ran selected Indy Lights rounds with Willy T Ribbs/Brooks Associates Racing in 2011, and this year with Juncos. "What can I say

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Audi confident of step forward

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2013 Cadillac ATS 3.6 Tested: It?s the Real Deal?Bring On the Comparo

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The Final Lap Weekly #214 ? Ty Dillon / Watkins Glen NASCAR Preview

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2013 Audi RS5 First Drive: Very Far from Being a Loser

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Hyundai Prices Standard-Wheelbase 2013 Santa Fe Sport from $25,275

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Shannon and Blake Koch welcome baby Carter

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NASCAR Fans Can Register to ?Get Driving! Win a Silverado!?

Team Chevy LogoGrand Prize: 2013 Silverado Half-Ton Crew Cab LTZ 4×4 personalized by Dale Earnhardt Jr., a trip for two to the Texas Motor Speedway� and a meet and greet with Dale Jr.� DETROIT ?�The capability, dependability, and efficiency of the Chevrolet Silverado meets a leader in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series ? and one...more»

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Nine Racing To Feature Three Cars At Chili Bowl Midget Nationals

Nine Racing Inc. Brownsburg, Indiana January 4, 2012 Nine Racing, Inc. is pleased to announce the signing of three excellent drivers for the 26th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Presented by General Tire midget event that will take place...

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Ducati confirms Rossi?s departure

Ducati has confirmed Valentino Rossi will be leaving the team at the end of the 2012 season, ending weeks of speculation about the Italian's future.

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Denny Hamlin wins pole at Auto Club Speedway

Denny Hamlin went low when most drivers went high at Auto Club Speedway, and he ended up in pole position for Sundays race.

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AMA MX: Southwick Team-By-Team Preview

Ryan Dungey blasts into Southwick riding a six-round win streak but was his aura of invincibility erased last time out by Mike Alessi?

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Ferrari denies ride-height system claims

Ferrari has strongly refuted claims from rivals Red Bull that it has been running a manually-adjusted ride-height system in Formula 1 - on the back of the latest technical controversy that erupted at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Red Bull found itself last weekend having to deny suggestions that it breached the sport's regulations by having a system on its car that could adjust the ride height without the use of tools.

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Pocono Raceway establishes memorial fund for lightning strike victims

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Olympic bronze for Al-Attiyah

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200-Proof LeMons Photo: Curtis Turner Would Be Proud

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Hamilton fastest in Malaysian GP practice (PA SportsTicker)

By CHRIS LINES AP Auto Racing Writer

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EPA Confirms 47-mpg City Rating for 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid; 550-Mile Range for C-Max Energi Plug-In [Update]

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Mercedes not writing off 2012 season

Mercedes insists there is no reason to believe its season is now a write-off - despite its recent struggles in Formula 1. Having come into the year as a potential frontrunner, and having helped Nico Rosberg dominate the Chinese Grand Prix, there was a stage of the season where the team even appeared to be championship dark horses. But since the Monaco GP Mercedes has fallen away from its rivals ? and has scored less than half the points than teams like Ferrari, Red Bull Racing and Lotus.

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Lynn tops Snetterton F3 test

Alex Lynn pipped Jack Harvey and Harry Tincknell as the three Britons in the British Formula 3 International Series ended the Snetterton test in the top three positions. Harvey led Tincknell and Lynn in the one-hour morning session, with the trio covered by just 0.015 seconds. But Lynn put in a quick lap during the afternoon period to go fastest in his Fortec Motorsport Dallara-Mercedes at his local track in 1m41.753s - a big confidence boost ahead of this weekend's triple-header round.

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Nelson Piquet Jr. leads practice for Pocono Mountains 125

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Montoya takes pole at Pocono

Juan Pablo Montoya claimed pole position for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Pocono, setting an early benchmark that stood unbeaten for the rest of the session. The Earnhardt Ganassi driver produced a time of 51.124 seconds, at an average speed of 176.043 mph, improving on the previous best set by Phoenix Racing's Kurt Busch to claim his first pole since April 2011. The Colombian was only the 16th driver in the order to set his qualifying lap but as track temperatures increased the fastest drivers of Friday's sessions were unable to get close to their best from practice.

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Lowndes doubles up at Ipswich

Craig Lowndes completed a double victory in the second V8 Supercars race of the weekend at Ipswich's Queensland Raceway.

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Audi Gives Us the Skinny On Its Third-Gen EA888 Turbo Four and the SQ5?s Twin-Turbo Diesel V6

The Audi-engineered EA888 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder has served the Volkswagen Group well, having made its way into just about every VW and Audi since 2008, when it started replacing the EA113 that debuted in the 2005 A4. There are a few versions of this iron-block journeyman, which is used in both transverse and longitudinal applications, [...]

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Lexus Introduces New LS460 and LS600hL Hybrid Sedans for 2013, Adds F Sport Model

Lexus?s LS, long successful on the sales charts, has never been known to excite?whether visually or from behind the wheel. The 2013 model looks to change that rep, however, as it mixes in some aesthetic and mechanical spice to the brand?s traditional porridge of cosseting luxury and soporific refinement. (more…)

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High Economic Stakes for Pittsburgh as Transit Doomsday Looms

Employment in Pittsburgh has never been higher, but will its transit crisis undermine a promising trend? Photo: Keystone Politics
It was a rough few decades, but Rust Belt stalwart Pittsburgh seems to be pulling ahead. This former steel town, its name once synonymous with industrial decline, has rebuilt its economy largely around higher education. It [...]

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Spies wants better luck after crash

Ben Spies was left ruing his bad luck again after crashing out of fourth place in the United States Grand Prix due to a problem with his Yamaha's swingarm. Days after stunning MotoGP by announcing that he would leave the works Yamaha team at the end of the season, Spies shrugged off a heavy qualifying crash at Laguna Seca to run fourth until the accident. After coming under pressure from the Tech 3 Yamahas of Andrea Dovizioso and Cal Crutchlow in the opening laps, he was beginning to pull away when the problem occurred.

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Hungary Sunday quotes: Caterham

Heikki Kovalainen - 17th : "It was a decent race. I made a good start and got up to 16th on the first lap and maintained a pretty good pace for the whole race from there. We're realistic about the performance of the car, but I think the balance and setup were very good this weekend.

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Joey Coulter gets first Truck Series victory

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Why We?re Doubting the Next Ford F-150 Will Have a Fully Aluminum Body

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2012 NSCS Pennsylvania 400 Q&A with Team Chevy Driver Tony Stewart

Tony Stewart - Photo Credit: Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images for NASCARTONY STEWART, NO 14 OFFICE DEPOT BACK TO SCHOOL CHEVROLET met with media and discussed racing at Pocono, drivers going for a wildcard spot to make the Chase, road course racing, the upcoming 2013 car test at Martinsville, and more. HOW WAS THE FIRST PRACTICE SESSION?...more»

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Carl Edwards To Run Nationwide Race At Watkins Glen With Subway

CONCORD, N.C. (August 1, 2012) ? Carl Edwards will return to the NASCAR Nationwide Series next weekend at Watkins Glen International to race the No. 60 Subway Ford Mustang. It will be Edwards? first appearance in the series this season after running full time the past seven years. Subway, which also sponsors Edwards in the [...]

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Why We?re Doubting the Next Ford F-150 Will Have a Fully Aluminum Body

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Today?s Headlines

Schumer Vows to Reinstate Transit Commuter Tax Benefit, Again (Capital)
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NYPD: Officers Hurt in Astoria Crash Slammed Into Parked Cars to Avoid [...]

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Mechatronik Mercedes-Benz M-Coup�: 1970 280SE 3.5 Meets Modern AMG V8

The Mechatronik M-Coup� serves as transportation in the same sense that a Gothic cathedral shelters you from rain. Virtually unknown in America, Mechatronik is a German company founded in 1997. It might be a fraction of the age of the Benzes it rebuilds and restores, but the quality of Mechatronik?s work is such that its [...]

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Jimmie Johnson Wins Fourth Cup Race At Brickyard; Earnhardt Jr. Takes Series Lead

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McLaren: Qualifying, pitstops key to win

McLaren believes that the key to its success in the Hungarian Grand Prix was its qualifying position and the swift pitstops that helped Lewis Hamilton hold track position for the whole race.

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Official: Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 gets Alpine and Vapor special editions for 2013 [w/video]

Filed under: Car Buying, Performance, SUV, Jeep, Design/Style, Luxury

If there's any brand that loves special editions more than Porsche, it's Jeep. The automaker has officially released two new flavors of the 2013 Grand Cherokee SRT8, and both include sexy monochrome exteriors in either black or white. The Alpine edition comes dipped in Bright White paint, while the Vapor edition shown above is soaked in Brilliant Black. Both come wearing 20-inch five-spoke gloss black wheels as well as a few other matching appointments, including badges, grilles and rear light bar. Jeep says the special edition packages will cost $2,495 each on top of the machine's $60,920 base price.

The 2013 model still bows with a monstrous 6.4-liter V8 with 470 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. The engine is capable of pushing the 5,150-pound SUV to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 160 mph. If that's not enough to tickle your chin, Jeep says the 2013 Grand Cherokee SRT8 can click off .90g on the skid pad. Check out the full press blast as well as a quick video below.

Continue reading Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 gets Alpine and Vapor special editions for 2013 [w/video]

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 gets Alpine and Vapor special editions for 2013 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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British Bulldog: The Latest on Bloodhound SSC and Andy Green?s Push for 1000 mph

There is something symbolic about the Bloodhound SSC project being based in Bristol Docks, alongside Isambard Kingdom Brunel?s S.S. Great Britain, the world?s first iron-hulled, screw-driven ocean liner. When it was launched in 1843, the Great Britain was the largest ship afloat and designed to be the fastest across the Atlantic. Now, in a dockside [...]

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Driver Cleared for Killing Manhattan Cyclist Says He Was ?Probably? Speeding

A driver who killed a Manhattan cyclist last summer and was not charged or ticketed for the crash later told authorities he was likely speeding at the time of the collision.
Ray Deter. Photo: Brew York, New York
Ray Deter, a popular and revered East Village bar owner, was riding east on Canal Street on the afternoon [...]

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2013 Audi SQ5 TDI First Drive: Diesel + Crossover + S

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Schumacher: Mercedes too slow

Michael Schumacher said that Mercedes just has to accept that it will not be competitive in the Hungarian Grand Prix, after the team's worst showing of the season in qualifying. Schumacher will start down in 17th position, four places behind his team-mate Nico Rosberg. Schumacher's flying lap was compromised by dust left on track by Williams driver Pastor Maldonado, but the seven-time world champion said that he?

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Auctions: George Clooney auctioning off his Tesla Roadster for charity

Filed under: Convertible, Auctions, Celebrities, Tesla, Electric

Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach auction set for next month just got a little more interesting, with George Clooney's very own Tesla Roadster added to the docket. Finished in Obsidian Black Metallic paint, Clooney's Tesla is number eight of the original "Signature 100" built in 2008 and comes with the premium two-tone leather interior.

Clooney isn't selling the electric roadster to get some extra cash, though. The Academy Award-winning actor is well known for his philanthropic exploits, and the full proceeds from the auction will be given to one of his charities, the Satellite Sentinel Project. Co-founded by Clooney and human rights activist John Prendergast, the non-profit organization aims to prevent a return to civil war between Northern and Southern Sudan.

"We admire and respect Mr. Clooney's talent and dedication to making a difference in our international community, and hope his fantastic car will attract great support for the Satellite Sentinel Project and recognition of the lives his work saves every day," said company president David Gooding.

The auction house estimates the value of the Tesla Roadster at $100,000 to $125,000. Scroll down to read the official announcement from Gooding & Company.

Continue reading George Clooney auctioning off his Tesla Roadster for charity

George Clooney auctioning off his Tesla Roadster for charity originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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