Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Colin Monahan Named Marketing Coordinator at Infineon Raceway

Infineon Raceway SONOMA, Calif. (Jan. 4, 2012) Colin Monahan has been named Marketing Coordinator at Infineon Raceway, raceway officials announced....

Richard Allen Craven Kerry Dale Earnhardt

Ferrari: no panic over ?14 tyre supplier

Ferrari says that teams are not unduly concerned by the fact that Formula 1 has yet to secure a new tyre supply contract for next year. Pirelli has been seeking an extension of its current deal, but no agreements are yet in place with the teams and the FIA has yet to sanction the move - or open up the official tyre tender process. With Pirelli well aware of the timeframe needed to prepare tyres for next season, a deal needs to be sorted out in the next few months if F1 is to avoid the risk of being left without a supplier.

Kenny Dale Irwin Jr Dale Arnold Jarrett Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Kasey Kenneth Kahne Matthew Roy Kenseth

Volkswagen Golf MkVII Gets R Line Treatment?At Least in Europe

Volkswagen is expanding its R Line of visual and chassis enhancements, which already is available on the Beetle convertible, the Tiguan and the Touareg, and the CC. The brand has unveiled three R Line packages for the European-market Golf MkVII, each of which add a healthy dose of sportiness to the mid-level Comfortline and the [...]

Carl Michael Edwards III William Clyde Elliott Jeffrey Michael Gordon Charles Robert Hamilton IV Charles Robert Hamilton V

Button: McLaren rivalry rules now clear

Jenson Button sees no need for his McLaren bosses to get involved in any of his future on-track tussles with Sergio Perez, despite their clash at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Kenny Dale Irwin Jr Dale Arnold Jarrett

Charlotte Motor Speedway launches its version of 'American Idol'

William Ashton Lewis Jr Sterling Burton Marlin Mark Anthony Martin Jeremy Allan Mayfield James Christopher McMurray

2014 Toyota 4Runner: Kickin? It Body-On-Frame Style

Toyota introduced its fifth-generation 4Runner four years ago, a length of time that usually indicates a full redesign is just around the corner. But a full redesign isn?t headed the 4Runner?s way?at least not yet?but it is getting a mild update for 2014 with a fresh face, a spiffed-up interior, and more standard equipment. The [...]

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

2013 NASCAR Cup Series Richmond Starting Lineup ? Matt Kenseth On Pole

1 20 Matt Kenseth Dollar General Toyota 20.716 130.334 2 11 Brian Vickers(i) FedEx Delivery Manager Toyota 20.721 130.303 3 24 Jeff Gordon Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet 20.729 130.252 4 5 Kasey Kahne Quaker State / Menards Chevrolet 20.740 130.183 5 15 Clint Bowyer Toyota Care Toyota 20.744 130.158 6 42 Juan Pablo Montoya [...]

Sterling Burton Marlin Mark Anthony Martin

Nelson Piquet Jr., crewmen fight after Nationwide race

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

Toyota ME.WE Concept: Toyota Gets Weird

Leave it to Toyota to build a plastic-wrapped electric eco-box on wheels from a mission statement about freedom, lightness, and fighting back against the mountain of constraints faced by modern vehicles. The odd-looking vehicle in question springs from a collaboration between Toyota?s European design operations and noted industrial designer Jean-Marie Massaud, and is called the [...]

Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr Carl Michael Edwards III William Clyde Elliott Jeffrey Michael Gordon Charles Robert Hamilton IV

Monday, April 29, 2013

Report: Police using 43-year-old Plymouth Satellite to patrol Seattle streets [w/video]

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It's like throwback uniform days at the ballpark, only this happens every day and it's at the police station. A story and video by the Associated Press takes a look at Seattle police officer Jim Ritter and his 1970 Plymouth Satellite police cruiser (the Satellite was renamed Fury in 1975) - and yes, that's him above with the car, Ritter in his period-correct police uniform. As you might guess, this is one of those community relations efforts, but it's no show pony - the Satellite is Ritter's daily driver and he'll ride in convey with Crown Victorias to answer any kind of police call.

Ritter started the Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum 15 years ago, and there are 14 cars in its collection of automobiles. This one was offered by a retired Seattle city worker living in Nebraska, and after it was determined that it was indeed part of the King County Police Department in 1970, the museum restored it with the help of local businesses. It hasn't been made modern, though - it's got no air conditioning, no computer, and 43-year-old ride quality.

Nonetheless, as a woman remarks in the video below, it's "filthy," which means "awesome." You can read even more about it over on KOMO News.

Continue reading Police using 43-year-old Plymouth Satellite to patrol Seattle streets [w/video]

Police using 43-year-old Plymouth Satellite to patrol Seattle streets [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi TT Ultra Quattro Concept: The TT on a Diet

The annual W�rthersee GTI meeting draws fans and enthusiasts from all over the world into the Austrian state of Carinthia, and it?s the one time of year the Volkswagen Group lets its wildest ideas see the light of day. The event has enjoyed the factory’s support for many years, to the extent that it now [...]

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

Rossi flies in NASCAR test

Valentino Rossi lapped quick enough to be in the top half of the NASCAR Nationwide Series field as he tried Kyle Busch's Toyota stock car in a promotional event on Monday. Seven-time MotoGP champion Rossi travelled to Charlotte Motor Speedway after finishing sixth in his series' inaugural Austin race on Sunday. Busch was impressed by the speed Rossi eventually reached, as he lapped in the 185mph region

Kyle Eugene Petty Floyd Anthony Raines Scott Russell Riggs Hiroshi Fushida Beppe Gabbiani

iRNC 2013 Season 1 Championships Decided at Laguna Seca

The inRacingNews Challenge Series finished 2013 Season 1 at Mazda Laguna Seca in Week 12.� Laguna regulars can attest that this slick track is especially challenging at the left hand kink into ?Rahal Straight.?� This is the second time the multi-class series has visited Laguna Seca in Season 1.� The 14 laps of online racing here had championship implications in several divisions in both classes. Pontiac Solstice Christoph Sch�n (DE-AT-CH) continued his season dominance this week with the fastest qualifying time in Solstice (1:41.317). Sch�n scored 198 points in his Laguna win and a point total of 1411 secured the 2013 Season 1 Solstice Championship.� Chris Hughson (New York) qualified fifth this week at 1:41.988. Hughson won 11 races (slow week) at Laguna and his 255 point win is tops [...]

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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...

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

It?s Spring! Feel the Bike Hate Beaming From the New York Post

BEDLAM! A lunatic cyclist is brought under control by a slacking city employee.
Given the Post’s unequivocal hatred of people who ride bicycles, you’d think Col Allan’s tabloid would applaud DOT for assigning a small number of employees to encourage cyclists to ride in the direction of traffic and stop for pedestrians. Instead, the Post today [...]

Patrick Gaillard Divina Galica David Carl Allison Gregory Jack Biffle David Lee Blaney

Honda duo lead Slovakia Ring practice

Gabriele Tarquini and Tiago Monteiro both dipped under official lap record pace to put Honda firmly on top in the first World Touring Car practice at the Slovakia Ring. The pair spent almost the entire session at the top of the timesheets, with only a brief salvo from the RML Chevrolet of Yvan Muller denying them a clean sweep. It was Monteiro who began fastest, getting to within two thousandths of a second of Norbert Michelisz's 2012 pole time in the opening nine minutes.

Divina Galica David Carl Allison

In Colorado, a Big Legal Victory for Active Transportation Funding

Believe it or not, in many U.S. states one of the biggest obstacles to active transportation is in the constitution.
Embedded in the constitutions of 22 U.S. states�are bans on spending gas tax revenues and/or vehicle registration fees on anything but highways and bridges. That means no matter how much practical value a sidewalk, busway, or [...]

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

Tomczyk/Farfus to double up

BMW drivers Martin Tomczyk and Augusto Farfus will take part in the Brands Hatch DTM round and the Nurburgring 24 Hours over the same weekend this year. The pair have been named as part of the factory-supported Schubert Motorsport line-up for the May 19-20 event and will drive Z4 GT3s run by the German squad

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

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Webber bullish about 2013 form

Mark Webber says he is happy with his own performances despite his disappointing points tally and will bring himself back into contention once Formula 1 returns to Europe.

Scott Russell Riggs Hiroshi Fushida

Motorsports: Schumacher to drive Mercedes F1 car on N�rburgring Nordschleife

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In advance of this year's 24 Hours of Nürburgring race, and as a "thank you" to German motorsports fans, Mercedes-Benz has arranged quite the driving demonstration at the legendary German track. Seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher will pilot a the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 W02 - the team's 2011 F1 car that carried the Silver Arrow name - around the Nordschleife. As far as we know, this will be the first time that an F1 car will have lapped the North Loop since Nick Heidfeld drove a BMW Sauber car around it in 2007.

This will be far from Schumacher's first go with the Nürburgring: In 2011 he drove a classic Silver Arrow Stromlinie W196 (pictured above) for a demo lap around the Grand Prix track, and in 2007 he infamously punted a Ferrari prototype on the Nordschleife.

There's no word from Mercedes as to how exactly Schumacher will drive for his 'Ring run this time. Heidfeld's lap was slowed massively by his car wearing hard, demonstration tires and for slow-downs to film the event. We have every expectation that Schumi will be subject to the same demands of safety and public relations.

Of course, having the all-time fastest lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife in your CV is something that we'd guess might tempt the über-competitive driver, and he'll certainly have the car to make that happen. Stefan Bellof holds the record for the fastest-ever lap of the 'Ring in its current configuration and length, with a time of 6:25.91 in 1983, at the wheel of a Porsche 956. (Niki Luada has the record at the original length, with a lap of 6:58.6 in 1975, in a Ferrari 312T.) Pundits analyzed the fast bits of Heidfeld's 2007 run, and figured his full-pace time, on admittedly unsticky tires, would have clocked in at around 6:12.

Again, we're not suggesting that Schumacher will have the green light to drive at full speed, but it does sound as though the now one-year retired driver is amped for the opportunity. Said Schumacher, "Posting a lap in a modern Silver Arrow on the most beautiful and most testing circuit in the world, what a brilliant mix - it's every motor racing driver's dream!" We'll keep our fingers crossed on May 19, and hope that the lap is a hot one.

Continue reading Schumacher to drive Mercedes F1 car on N�rburgring Nordschleife

Schumacher to drive Mercedes F1 car on N�rburgring Nordschleife originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

Team Honda Research - West and Rimicci Corse Prepare for the USAF 25 Hours of Thunderhill

NAPA VALLEY, Calif. (October 30, 2012) - The United States Air Force 25 Hours of Thunderhill race is just over a month away with plenty of high profile entries preparing for the twice around the clock plus one hour race...

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

Miami Attempts to Wall Off Crime, Screws Up City in the Process

Florida,�to its detriment, has become the national capital of the gated community. Not only do fenced neighborhoods make it nearly impossible to walk anywhere, they also help perpetuate and institutionalize social divisions, which was brought home recently by the Trayvon Martin case.
Here, Miami political officials pose in front of a wall that was erected using [...]

Kasey Kenneth Kahne Matthew Roy Kenseth

Da Costa sent to the back of grid

Antonio Felix da Costa has been put to the back of the grid for the first Formula Renault 3.5 race at Aragon after his car ran out of fuel in qualifying. The Red Bull junior stopped on track following the chequered flag, and was unable to get his car back to the pits after setting the third fastest time in the session. Just like in Formula 1, FR3.5 rules require teams to be able to produce a fuel sample from a car after qualifying.

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

Meeke pushing for Peugeot ERC seat

Kris Meeke is hoping his test role with Peugeot will lead to an opportunity to drive its 208 T16 competitively in the second half of the season. The Northern Irishman, who won his 2009 Intercontinental Rally Challenge title with Peugeot Sport, has been working with Craig Breen on the test and development of the 208. Peugeot has confirmed Meeke is a strong contender for driving the car once it breaks competitive cover.

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

NHTSA?s Distracted Driving Guidelines Actually Matter a Lot

It requires little effort to blow off the “distracted driving” guidelines for automakers, published by NHTSA this week?and many have done exactly that. Sure, the government’s safety agency lays out a compelling case and ample data on the dangers of driving while talking on the phone and text messaging. And yes, there are endless details [...]

Kerry Dale Earnhardt Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr

NASCAR defends penalties against Matt Kenseth

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

Transport U: CU-Boulder Catches the Bus to Savings

Without its Ecopass bus program CU-Boulder would have to build an estimated 2,700 parking spaces. Photo: Colorado Daily
This is the third installment in Streetsblog?s series on transportation demand management at American colleges and universities.�Part one�gave an overview of TDM techniques that schools employ,�part two�profiled Stanford, and�part three�looked at MIT.
Sustainability is part of the ethos in [...]

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

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Mercedes not panicked by Bahrain woes

Mercedes' difficult Bahrain Grand Prix is not a sign that its 2013 season is on the slide, insists team boss Ross Brawn. After podium finishes for Lewis Hamilton in Malaysia and China, Brawn declared that Bahrain would be an acid test for Mercedes given that it had previously struggled at the track. Although Nico Rosberg took a surprise pole position, he tumbled to ninth in the race, while Hamilton could only get up to fifth having been off the pace in the early laps .

Divina Galica David Carl Allison

Volkswagen Golf MkVII Gets R Line Treatment?At Least in Europe

Volkswagen is expanding its R Line of visual and chassis enhancements, which already is available on the Beetle convertible, the Tiguan and the Touareg, and the CC. The brand has unveiled three R Line packages for the European-market Golf MkVII, each of which add a healthy dose of sportiness to the mid-level Comfortline and the [...]

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

Richmond marks 10-year anniversary of Nadeau crash

Beppe Gabbiani Bertrand Gachot Patrick Gaillard Divina Galica David Carl Allison

Cruz Pedregon tops Funny Car qualifying

Kasey Kenneth Kahne Matthew Roy Kenseth

Yamaha and PETRONAS Conclude MotoGP Partnership

Yamaha Racing Sunday, 01 Jan 2012 As 2011 draws to a close it marks the end of a successful partnership between Yamaha's Factory MotoGP Team and PETRONAS....

Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr Carl Michael Edwards III William Clyde Elliott Jeffrey Michael Gordon Charles Robert Hamilton IV

Chris Young and CNN Headline News?s Robin Meade to Sing National Anthems During Aaron?s Dream Weekend at Talladega Superspeedway

Robin MeadeTALLADEGA, AL ? Two well-known national personalities ? country music superstar Chris Young and noted news journalist and recording artist Robin Meade ? have been selected to sing the National Anthems during Aaron?s Dream Weekend (May 3-5) at Talladega Superspeedway. Young will give his rendition of ?The Star Spangled Banner? prior to the Saturday,...more»

The article Chris Young and CNN Headline News’s Robin Meade to Sing National Anthems During Aaron?s Dream Weekend at Talladega Superspeedway is from Catchfence.

Dale Arnold Jarrett Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Kasey Kenneth Kahne Matthew Roy Kenseth Alan Dennis Kulwicki

Hamilton: Mercedes needs cool weather

Lewis Hamilton believes that the cooler conditions of upcoming races in Europe will suit Mercedes, after the team struggled to look after its tyres in the Bahrain Grand Prix. Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn had said before the Sakhir event that if his outfit performed well in Bahrain then it would be quick everywhere because it was a track where it had struggled in 2012. But although Nico Rosberg took pole position, he and Hamilton were beset by tyre overheating issues throughout the weekend and found themselves unable to challenge for a podium.

Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr Carl Michael Edwards III

The Final Lap Weekly #251 NASCAR Podcast ? Kyle Petty, THE Jeff Burton / Richmond Preview

SHOW #251 -�Guests: Kyle Petty, THE Jeff Burton – We recap Kansas, discuss the massive Matt Kenseth penalties, Denny Hamlin’s status report, Kurt Busch with V8 Supercars, plus a full Richmond preview. Hosted by Kerry Murphey and Toby Christie. (47:54 mins) CREDITS:� Hosts: Kerry Murphey & Toby Christie Executive Producer: Kerry Murphey Music: Russell Nash�Radium [...]

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

BTCC confirms Kia weighing up entry

British Touring Car supremo Alan Gow has confirmed Kia is considering joining the championship in future.

Mark Anthony Martin Jeremy Allan Mayfield James Christopher McMurray Casey James Mears Juan Pablo Montoya

Friday, April 26, 2013

Keselowski rallies in Nationwide race at Richmond

Charles Robert Hamilton IV Charles Robert Hamilton V

Auto GP to race at Mugello

The Auto GP Series will race at Mugello on July 14th this year, replacing a provisional meeting scheduled to take place at Zandvoort. The change of venue for the fifth round of the championship is a result of the Dutch venue's preference to hold the event on July 7th, creating a potential clash with the German Grand Prix meeting. Series promoter Enzo Coloni said, "We are happy to be back at Mugello.

Carl Michael Edwards III William Clyde Elliott Jeffrey Michael Gordon Charles Robert Hamilton IV Charles Robert Hamilton V

Schumacher in Nordschleife F1 run

Michael Schumacher will drive a 2011 Mercedes Formula 1 car around the Nurburgring Nordschleife on May 19.

Scott Russell Riggs Hiroshi Fushida Beppe Gabbiani Bertrand Gachot Patrick Gaillard

NASCAR Crushes Matt Kenseth?s #20 Team With Massive Penalty For Engine

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 24, 2013) ? Penalties have been handed down to the No. 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team as a result of rule violations discovered in the post-race engine inspection April 23 at the NASCAR Research and Development Center. The No. 20 car was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental [...]

Charles Robert Hamilton IV Charles Robert Hamilton V

2013 NASCAR Cup Series Kansas Starting Lineup ? Matt Kenseth On Pole

1 20 Matt Kenseth The Home Depot/Husky Toyota 28.145 191.864 2 99 Carl Edwards Aflac Ford 28.162 191.748 3 17 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. # Zest Ford 28.164 191.734 4 12 Sam Hornish, Jr.(i) SKF Ford 28.213 191.401 5 18 Kyle Busch M&M’s Toyota 28.294 190.853 6 43 Aric Almirola STP/Farmland Ford 28.305 190.779 7 56 [...]

Dale Arnold Jarrett Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Kasey Kenneth Kahne Matthew Roy Kenseth Alan Dennis Kulwicki

2013 NNS ToyotaCare 250 First Practice Session Speeds

2013 NNS Brad Keselowski (SF/Discount Tire) - Photo Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty ImagesThe 2010 NNS champion, Brad Keselowski, with a lap speed of 123.672 mph, was the quickest during the first ToyotaCare 250 practice session at Richmond International Raceway. Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender, Alex Bowman, was second quickest with a lap speed of...more»

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JJ Yeley 2013 NSCS Toyota Owners 400 Race Preview

J.J Yeley - Photo Credit: Tyler Barrick/Getty ImagesJJ Yeley: Richmond International Raceway Pre-Race News and Notes Event/Date: Toyota Owners 400 – April 27, 2013 Track: Richmond International Raceway (VA) Track Length: .75 mile Race Distance: 400 laps/300 miles Tune in: NASCAR on FOX at 7:00 p.m. (ET) Mooresville, NC (April 24, 2013) - JJ Yeley...more»

The article JJ Yeley 2013 NSCS Toyota Owners 400 Race Preview is from Catchfence.

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Why I Love NASCAR: Real Life by Chief 187?

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

FYI WIRZ: NASCAR?s Dale Earnhardt Jr, Kasey Kahne back in top 5 after race 8

FYI WIRZ: NASCAR?s Dale Earnhardt Jr, Kasey Kahne back in top 5 after race 8 by Dwight Drum at�Racetake.com NASCAR?s STP 400 in Kansas had an abundance of crashes and cautions while providing a thrilling duel at the end between winner Matt Kenseth and Kasey Kahne. Kenseth and Kahne had to work very hard the [...]

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

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Matt Kenseth's reaction to NASCAR penalties: 'Grossly unfair'

Beppe Gabbiani Bertrand Gachot

NASCAR Announces New Group Qualifying For Sonoma and Watkins Glen

New NASCAR Sprint Cup Road-Course Qualifying Procedure Announced New Group-Based Format To Bolster Excitement For Sonoma, Watkins Glen DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Apr. 22, 2013) ? NASCAR announced today that the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will implement the group-based road course qualifying procedure used in NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Touring Series competition during its road-course events [...]

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

McLaren keen Perez keeps fighting spirit

McLaren will ask Sergio Perez to slightly calm his style after his clashes with team-mate Jenson Button in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but not at the expense of the Mexican's "spark".

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

NASCAR Announces New Group Qualifying For Sonoma and Watkins Glen

New NASCAR Sprint Cup Road-Course Qualifying Procedure Announced New Group-Based Format To Bolster Excitement For Sonoma, Watkins Glen DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Apr. 22, 2013) ? NASCAR announced today that the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will implement the group-based road course qualifying procedure used in NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Touring Series competition during its road-course events [...]

Beppe Gabbiani Bertrand Gachot

2015 Volkswagen GTI Driven: Version 7.0 of the Original Hot Hatch

The new Volkswagen GTI, based on the seventh-generation Golf, is the automotive equivalent of airline-pilot intercom chatter. You know what we?re talking about: The pilot?s ?From the flight deck . . .? speech. His tone is invariably measured and soothing (with a slight quasi-Southern/military accent). It?s the aural equivalent of a cozy comforter. He could [...]

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

Toyota ME.WE Concept: Toyota Gets Weird

Leave it to Toyota to build a plastic-wrapped electric eco-box on wheels from a mission statement about freedom, lightness, and fighting back against the mountain of constraints faced by modern vehicles. The odd-looking vehicle in question springs from a collaboration between Toyota?s European design operations and noted industrial designer Jean-Marie Massaud, and is called the [...]

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

Di Resta not downbeat over podium loss

Paul di Resta refused to be too downbeat despite being denied what would have been his first Formula 1 podium just six laps from the finish of the Bahrain Grand Prix. The Briton's two-stop strategy, married to a third-row starting berth, meant he was a permanent fixture at the front of the race, even leading for three laps.

Divina Galica David Carl Allison

Tested! 2014 Mazda 6 Brings Andretti Family Values to the Mid-Size Sedan

Long limbed and slightly poisonous, the yellow sac spider (Cheiracanthium inclusum) is a North American native whose looks are as terrible as you?d expect from anything with ?sac? in its name. The little creature fell hard for the previous-generation Mazda 6, and for reasons unknown outside the arachnid world, the eight-eyed webmasters started shacking up [...]

Mark Anthony Martin Jeremy Allan Mayfield James Christopher McMurray Casey James Mears Juan Pablo Montoya

Video: 2013 SRT Viper spends its days living life a quarter mile at a time

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2013 SRT Viper drag strip

There are lots of ways to measure the performance of a car, but there's only one that is quintessentially American: the quarter mile. And while we've already seen a proper comparison test or two that puts the new (and also quintessentially American) SRT Viper on a racetrack, we've yet to see what it can do when put in the hands of a proper drag racer for an entire day of tire-burning performance testing. Now we do.

And so the $64,000 question is, How does it perform? Pretty well indeed, recording a best time of 11.1 seconds at 127.4 miles per hour, wearing street-legal drag radials with the boys from Drag Times behind the wheel. That run included 3.1 seconds for the big Viper to hit 60, and it took just 7.1 seconds to reach 100. Impressive performance, to be sure. But those figures need to be put in context for the full picture... in other words, how does its acceleration compare to such high-horsepower rivals as the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and Ford Mustang Shelby GT500?

Well, without running all three of these muscle machines down the same track on the same day with the same driver, it's not going to be a fair comparison. Plus, the Corvette in particular has had several models years for drivers to keep plugging away for the best possible results. That said, the Viper's 11.1 seconds at 127.4 mph is well shy of Drag Times' best recorded (and verified) ZR1 time slip of 10.332 seconds at 132.74 mph, and there are a total of seven documented ZR1 runs quicker than the Viper's.

As for the GT500, the best recorded run on file at Drag Times is 11.570 seconds at 124.3 mph. So, it's not as quick as the Viper or ZR1, but we wouldn't really expect it to be. In any case, it's a fun comparison for bragging rights, but it's anything but scientific. In other words, take all this with a healthy spoonful of salt and stay tuned for more in this space from all three of the American automakers.

Check out a video from Drag Times below, and remember, reaction time doesn't matter in this scenario.

Continue reading 2013 SRT Viper spends its days living life a quarter mile at a time

2013 SRT Viper spends its days living life a quarter mile at a time originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wednesday, April 24, 2013

3M Provides Grant to National Sprint Car Museum on Behalf of 3M Volunteer Dennis D. Johnson

Hiroshi Fushida Beppe Gabbiani

NSCS Recap: Busch caps perfect weekend with Cup win at Texas

Photo Credit:�Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR By Reid Spencer NASCAR Wire Service FORT WORTH, Tex.?The record book will say that Kyle Busch won the NRA 500 on Saturday night. If truth be known, Busch started the process on Friday afternoon and applied the coup de grace with 20 laps left on Saturday evening. Yes, Busch [...]

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

"Caption this" winner: @L5S1ouch

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

Tung gets KCMG Le Mans seat

Chinese driver Ho Pin Tung will compete at this year's Le Mans 24 Hours with the KC Motorgroup squad. The 30-year-old will replace Hong Kong driver Jim Ka To for the round-the-clock race

Beppe Gabbiani Bertrand Gachot

Michel Jourdain Jr. to run Indy again for Rahal

Hiroshi Fushida Beppe Gabbiani Bertrand Gachot Patrick Gaillard Divina Galica

IN THE PITS: A changing of the guard in IndyCar?

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

Fisker execs will be questioned today over DOE loan, repayments

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Fisker logo on sheetmetal

As we get ready for a Congressional hearing later today, news of money that Fisker Automotive owes to the US government is on the mind of regulators and the public. Therefore, the US Department of Energy has announced that it did recently collect $21 million from the struggling automaker. The DOE says that the $21 million was paid back April 11. The company's first repayment, of $10 million out of the roughly $192 million that the company took (it was originally granted a $529 million loan but never took all of the money), was due Monday but the company did not send that check. DOE spokeswoman Aoife McCarthy said in a statement that the agency is "taking strong and appropriate action on behalf of taxpayers," and that the $21 million came from a reserve account. Whether the money covers the payment due is not clear.

Today, the ever-positive-in-the-face-of-trouble co-founder Hekrik Fisker (since resigned), company CEO Tony Posawatz (maybe; reports differ) and COO Bernhard Koehler will be questioned by Republican Darrell Issa's (R-CA) Government Reform and Oversight Committee. Word is that Henrik will say the company could "survive and move forward if it can secure financial and strategic resources, to build on its achievements so far" and that Fisker's problems are the result of "a confluence of events," which sounds like we could be in for some testy testimony.

It's pretty clear Issa has got a negative attitude about the company, since the hearing's official title is: "Green Energy Oversight: Examining the Department of Energy's Bad Bet on Fisker Automotive." We'll have more later today.

Fisker execs will be questioned today over DOE loan, repayments originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 60-year-old woman takes her 11-second AMG to the track

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Like any form of motorsports, drag racing is a passion that never dies. Case in point, check out this woman, who is an admitted "60-some-odd years old," caught in this video taking her murdered-out Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG to the track for a little side-by-side action. As it turns out, drag racing is even a family affair, too, as her husband hits the strip in a second-gen Dodge Viper.

She says that she's been racing since she was a teenager, and she's still logging some solid times in her "not totally stock" Mercedes-Benz, which she claims is laying down around 475 horsepower from a chipped computer and cold-air induction. That's well worth of its "BADBENZ" license plate, if you ask us. The video below shows a short interview with the woman and some proof that this car is no Sunday driver. Excuse us while we hum "The Little Old Lady From Pasadena."

Continue reading 60-year-old woman takes her 11-second AMG to the track

60-year-old woman takes her 11-second AMG to the track originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Redding secures maiden Moto2 pole

Scott Redding produced a stunning late lap in Moto2 qualifying to take his first ever grand prix pole position. Marc VDS Racing's Briton was the only rider to go below 2m11s with a last ditch flier to claim top spot by almost seven tenths of a second from Takaaki Nakagami's Italtrans Kalex.

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Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Peugeot to Return to Pikes Peak with Its Stunning 208 T16?And S�bastien Loeb [Updated w/ Photo Gallery]

Update 4/23: Title Sponsor of Peugeot?s return to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, Red Bull, has released a collection of photos of the Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak that S�bastien Loeb will race into the thin air of Colorado in June. Check out full details on the race car and see the full gallery [...]

Carl Michael Edwards III William Clyde Elliott

TV Schedule: April 19-21

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2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel EPA-Rated at 46-mpg Highway

Chevrolet has announced that the new-for-2014 Cruze diesel will get an EPA-estimated 46 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg in the city. With its 2.0-liter turbo-diesel making 148 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque matched with a six-speed automatic transmission, the diesel joins the base 1.8-liter four and the optional 1.4-liter turbo four already [...]

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

New Chinese tie-up for British F3

Chinese racer Sun Zheng is to contest the British Formula 3 International Series with CF Racing as the first protege of a new tie-up to promote the Asian country's talent into European motorsport.

Terrence Lee Labonte Randy Joseph Lajoie

Brian Keselowski Motorsports to Make Sprint Cup Attempt at RIR for the ?Toyota Owners 400?

2013 NSCS Driver Brian Keselowski (Wreaths Across America) - Photo Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesHuntersville NC ? (April 23, 2013) Brian Keselowski will pilot his No.52 Brian Keselowski Motorsports Toyota at Richmond International Raceway with high expectations of successfully qualifying to race in the ?Toyota Owners 400? on April 27, 2013 at Richmond International Raceway. Brian...more»

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Get to Know . . . Derek Crone

This week, I interviewed one of the lead drivers in the youth movement on iRacing.com. Born on March 19, 1996, this iRacer has worked his way from the very bottom to the very top, from hitting the curbs at Oxford Plains Speedway in the Legends car, to racing in the NASCAR iRacing.com Series World Championship in his Gen6 Chevrolet SS: West Virginia?s Derek Crone. Derek has been racing on iRacing.com since December of 2010, and he has made a lot of noise in the 2 and a half years on the service. He has started 313 races on the oval side of iRacing, and has visited victory lane 40 times, with the majority of those wins coming in 2012. He has also scored 145 top fives and 65 poles in [...]

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Honda celebrates 20 years in racing at Long Beach

Richard Allen Craven Kerry Dale Earnhardt

Rising Flood Waters Force World of Outlaws STP Sprint Cars to Cancel Next Week?s Race at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55

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

Talladega Fans Now Have Fingertip Access to Aaron?s Dream Weekend Tickets Using Smartphones

Talladega (Ala.) SuperspeedwayTALLADEGA, AL ?�It just got even easier for fans to purchase tickets to NASCAR?s most exciting and unpredictable venue – Talladega Superspeedway. It?s now literally at a consumer?s fingertips. To directly gain access to Aaron?s Dream Weekend, May 3-5 – which is less than two weeks away – fans can now use their...more»

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Monday, April 22, 2013

CUP: Road-Course Qualifying Goes Group

Sonoma, Watkins Glen races to replace single-car qualifying with group runs?

Alan Dennis Kulwicki Travis Wade Kvapil

Help a couple drive their 1984 Vanagon around the world

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Meet Brad, Sheena and Nacho

Drive Nacho Drive

Driving through China is a pricey proposition. The couple will need to pony up a staggering $19,514 just to cover the fees.

Brad and Sheena Van Orden are in the midst of a life-defining campaign to travel around the world, and they're doing it in a 1984 Volkswagen Vanagon custom built for the occasion. The past 15 months have seen the couple quit their jobs with Gore-Tex and drive from Arizona to the very southern tip of Argentina after spending a full two years saving and preparing for the trek. Now they're in southern Asia gearing up for the next leg of their journey.

Currently, Brad and Sheena face two options when it comes to making their way west toward Greece. Right now, the couple plans to point their faithful van, Nacho, toward Cambodia and drive through Laos before entering China. No one said the Van Ordens were taking the direct route.

The only problem is that driving through China is a pricey proposition. The couple will need to pony up a staggering $19,514 just to cover the fees associated with obtaining a Chinese driver's license, registering Nacho in the People's Republic and paying for an official, government-required guide's food and lodging during their time in the country. Considering Brad and Sheena have budgeted $2,000 a month for their entire adventure, the price tag is a bit out of reach. Or at least it is without our help.

We caught up with the Van Ordens while they were stopped at a campground in Thailand for a quick chat.

Continue reading Help a couple drive their 1984 Vanagon around the world

Help a couple drive their 1984 Vanagon around the world originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Live updates from the STP 400

Kenny Dale Irwin Jr Dale Arnold Jarrett Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Kasey Kenneth Kahne Matthew Roy Kenseth

Sato 1st Japanese driver to win an IndyCar race

Beppe Gabbiani Bertrand Gachot

The Continental: Professor Lenz on EVs, Schaeffler?s Hub Motor, and Product News

Each week, our German correspondent slices and dices the latest rumblings, news, and quick-hit driving impressions from the other side of the pond. His byline may say Jens Meiners, but we simply call him . . . the Continental. Next week, the inner circle of the powertrain engineering world convenes at the Vienna Engine Symposium. [...]

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Shanghai: MG CS Concept takes Morris Garages softroading

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MG CS Concept at 2013 Shanghai Motor Show - front three-quarter view

Although we now have live images of it, we don't know anything more about the MG CS SUV concept now than we did a week ago when the Sino-Anglo brand previewed it. A compact SUV looking for some of the lucre being thrown at that segment, it's not made for the MG purist. But if parent company SAIC can keep the production version close to the concept, it could find a lot of new MG fans.

There's a brief press release below with lots of flowery words and nothing in the way of technical details. But be sure to click through our gallery above to see the funky little crossover for yourself.

Continue reading MG CS Concept takes Morris Garages softroading

MG CS Concept takes Morris Garages softroading originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Apr 2013 18:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bahrain qualifying quotes: Mercedes

Nico Rosberg - 1st: "For the first time this season everything went perfectly today and that's a great feeling. Pole position feels like a kick start for me and it's a great achievement from everyone in the team

Ryan Joseph Newman Kyle Eugene Petty

Ford Racing 2013 NSCS STP 400 Post-Race Recaps

Ford RacingJOEY LOGANO ? No. 22 AAA Ford Fusion ? WHAT HAPPENED? ?I watched the 18. He was spinning out and I saw it the whole time. I saw he got loose and thought, ?OK, he?s gonna come back across,? and he didn?t. It looked like he was gonna stay up there because he kind...more»

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Fast and Furious 6 not out yet, but next installment already has a release date

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Fast & Furious 6

Good news, Fast & Furious fans. The cast of the sixth installment of the street-racing film franchise recently took the stage at CinemaCon in Las Vegas to preview a few more clips from the newest installment of the franchise and answer a handful of fan questions.

More importantly, Vin Diesel confirmed that we won't have to wait very long for the next installment. Diesel said, "The next one, which is probably going to be the biggest one of all, is going to be in theaters on July 11, 2014."

That puts Fast & Furious 7 out just a year after Fast & Furious 6 hits theaters. James Wan is set to direct number seven with both Neal H. Moritz and Diesel staying on as producers. Beyond that, details are scarce, with no word on the plot or the cast. Stay tuned for more info, and check out the latest trailer for Fast & Furious 6 below.

Continue reading Fast and Furious 6 not out yet, but next installment already has a release date

Fast and Furious 6 not out yet, but next installment already has a release date originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Apr 2013 16:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sunday, April 21, 2013

Bahrain race quotes: Marussia

Jules Bianchi - 19th: "A really difficult race for us today and a tough weekend all round to be honest. I was hoping that things might improve for the race, but we really struggled with the tyres.

Gregory Jack Biffle David Lee Blaney

Top-10 Finish for Brian Vickers and No. 20 Dollar General Team at Texas Motor Speedway

2013 NNS Brian Vickers (Dollar General) - Photo Credit: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty ImagesBox Score Info: RACE: NASCAR Nationwide Series O?Reilly Auto Parts 300 TRACK: Texas Motor Speedway DRIVER: Brian Vickers CAR: No. 20 Dollar General Toyota Camry START: 13th FINISH: 9th LAPS: 200 / 200 POINTS STANDING: 9th Post Race Highlights: � Pleased with his car...more»

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Driver Quotes: Thoughts on the recent tragedy in Boston

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Franchitti claims pole for Long Beach

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Lorenzo believes Hondas can be caught

Jorge Lorenzo has not lost hope of matching the Hondas in the inaugural Austin MotoGP race this weekend, despite his Yamaha being 1.6 seconds off the pace in practice . Honda had dominated the pre-season test at Austin and Marc Marquez was a class apart on the opening day of practice on Friday

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RSR 2013 Season One recap

Red Sox Racing League 2013 Season One recap Forty-seven drivers, the largest opening day roster in Red Sox Racing League history, signed up for the league’s inaugural season of racing with the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 in Season One of 2013.� Forty-two� showed up for the “Gentleman Jim’s Day” night race at the Daytona road course.� The race was held in honor of “Gentleman” Jim Albertson, a founding member of the league who died in November of 2012 after a long struggle with cancer.� The opening day roster included so many past RSR winners and� champions that odds-makers in Las Vegas refused to take bets on who would win the opening race. Their hesitation to gamble on a front runner was well founded as three different drivers (Paul Hesla, Dustin McGrew, [...]

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Slumping Franchitti wins pole in Long Beach

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Poll: When Will Jacques Capsouto Come Around on Bike-Share?

Jacques Capsouto is the Tribeca restaurateur who got some nice free publicity by throwing a one-man tantrum yesterday about the bike-share station going up next to his restaurant, Capsouto Freres. Of course, it’s probably just a matter of time before Capsouto realizes that having 23 public bike docks by his front door is a customer [...]

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Hamlin could return next weekend at Richmond

Patrick Gaillard Divina Galica David Carl Allison Gregory Jack Biffle David Lee Blaney

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Penske says team was "working in a gray area"

Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Kasey Kenneth Kahne

The Continental: Professor Lenz on EVs, Schaeffler?s Hub Motor, and Product News

Each week, our German correspondent slices and dices the latest rumblings, news, and quick-hit driving impressions from the other side of the pond. His byline may say Jens Meiners, but we simply call him . . . the Continental. Next week, the inner circle of the powertrain engineering world convenes at the Vienna Engine Symposium. [...]

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

Shanghai: 2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP720-4 50 Anniversario is indeed worth celebrating

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Here is the Giallo Maggio candle that carries the flame of Lamborghini's 50th anniversary: the
Aventador LP720-4 50 Anniversario Edition. There will be just 100 of them produced, each one in the buttery hue that has been the most popular color among the Lamborghini palette since the Miura arrived in 1966.

This limited-edition Aventador gets 20 more horsepower than the standard car for a total of 720 horses, and there's a new aerodynamics package to keep all of them planted on the ground. Inside, there's new leather in colors tied to the Bolognese home of Lamborghini: Terra Emilia brown or Giallo Quercus yellow, and black. A new diamond type of stitching also sets it apart from any other Aventador out there.

You'll find a press release with a lot more info just below.

Continue reading 2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP720-4 50 Anniversario is indeed worth celebrating

2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP720-4 50 Anniversario is indeed worth celebrating originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Apr 2013 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Exclusive: GM China President says automaker could export vehicles from China to US

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GM of China executive Bob Socia at 2013 Shanghai Motor Show

At a press conference on Saturday at the Shanghai Motor Show, General Motors announced plans to further expand its presence in the Chinese market. Among those commitments are plans to build four new plants by the end of 2015, giving the automaker the capacity to produce around five million vehicles a year in the country.

In order to make the most of that expansion, GM is adding 400 dealerships in China this year alone (for a total of 4,200 sales points), and it's eyeing 5,100 dealers by 2015. Yet not all of that production will stay in China - GM is planning to increase exports as well. Officials estimate the company will export somewhere between 100,000 and 130,000 Chinese-built vehicles this year - a record. And it's gunning for more.

Autoblog asked GM China president Bob Socia (above) if that means the company might eventually export new vehicles built in China to the United States, and he responded:

"It could very well happen. It could very well happen. You know, I'm not sharing any plans with you, but we try to keep open as to what makes sense. And Tim [Lee - GM's president of international operations] is the right guy to talk about your manufacturing footprint. If it make sense to tool up a vehicle in one location as opposed to two, from an economic perspective, Tim will say that's what we should be doing. We're open to be doing that. There's no reason why we can't be exporting to the States, and obviously the States are exporting here."

Given that the Pan-Asia Technical Automotive Center - GM and Chinese automaker SAIC's joint-venture vehicle engineering and design house - is expanding and increasingly calling the shots with Buick, the Tri-Shield brand is arguably the most likely way that Chinese-built vehicles could find their way to the US. GM has sold more Buicks in China than in the States for some time now, and PATAC has been responsible for a growing amount of work on the brand, from taking the lead on styling and engineering for the current LaCrosse to designing showcars like the just-revealed Riviera Concept shown below.

But are there such export plans in place at this time, we asked? "No."

GM China President says automaker could export vehicles from China to US originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Apr 2013 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bertrand Gachot Patrick Gaillard

Hunter-Reay tops messy practice

Ryan Hunter-Reay went fastest in a patchy second IndyCar practice session at Long Beach, with track time interrupted four times by red flags. Hunter-Reay produced a 1m09.4224s to take the top spot for Andretti Autosport, leaving Rahal Letterman Lanigan's series returnee Mike Conway second-quickest with a time just 0.0379 seconds off that set by the reigning champion. Early leader Will Power finished up with the third-best lap in his Penske entry, although the constant interruptions made it hard for all teams to string together meaningful runs

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

Early-Race Incident Relegates Kyle Larson to 32nd-Place Finish at Texas

Kyle Larson, driver of the #32 Cessna/Bell Helicopter Chevrolet, is involved in an incident during the NASCAR Nationwide Series O'Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 12, 2013 in Fort Worth, Texas. - Photo Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty ImagesFORT WORTH, TEXAS (April 13, 2013) - Competing in the “Wild Asphalt Circus” at Texas...more»

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Gonzalez to drive Marussia in practice

Rodolfo Gonzalez will make his debut on a grand prix weekend when he drives the Marussia Formula 1 car in first practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix. The Venezuelan, 26, was appointed as Marussia's reserve driver for the 2013 season last month

William Clyde Elliott Jeffrey Michael Gordon

Bahrain practice quotes: Ferrari

Fernando Alonso - 2nd/4th: "It was a positive day and we are reasonably pleased with how the car behaved. We had no major problems and more importantly, we didn't have to make any radical changes to the F138 to adapt it to this track and its long straights and slow corners, characteristics which I like a lot and usually produce a great show in the race

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Class B Rocks

Rockingham Speedway played host to the tenth week of the season for the NASCAR iRacing.com Class B Series.� A fixture on the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series for years, Rockingham was brought back to light by Andy Hillenburg and staff in 2008.� 134 sim-racers would take to the high banked mile oval for Week 10. Brandon Buie would lead the series after a tough week.� Buie collected 286 points in his one start during the week, bettering second placed Brad Patton who earned 268 points in two starts.� Series points leader Simon Crochart was third with 250 points in his lone start of the week, while Steven Eszenyi and Anthony Kernich rounded-out the top five in points at Rockingham. Simon Crochart topped the week’s qualifiers with a 23.099 second [...]

Dale Arnold Jarrett Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Kasey Kenneth Kahne Matthew Roy Kenseth Alan Dennis Kulwicki

Friday, April 19, 2013

Photos: President Obama Honors NASCAR Champion Brad Keselowski At The White House

U.S. President Barack Obama (R) talks with Sprint Cup Champion Brad Keselowski, driver of Penske Racing #2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion, on the driveway at the White House April 16, 2013 in Washington, DC. President Obama is hosted an event to honor the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion.

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Lamborghini Aventador LP720-4 50 Anniversario Leaked Ahead of Shanghai Debut

Lamborghini?s 50th birthday is fast approaching, and to celebrate, the Italian automaker is celebrating by creating a special-edition Aventador. But the raging bull?s memento isn?t just a yellow Aventador?it?s a yellow Aventador with an extra-wild carbon-fiber body kit and the oh-so-sexy name LP720-4 50 Anniversario. If this author looks this good when he hits 50, [...]

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

Bahrain practice quotes: Marussia

Max Chilton - 21st/20th: "I'm pleased that I was able to complete plenty of running in both sessions today. This is especially important given the tough conditions we are facing, which are obviously impacting quite a lot on the way the car is behaving here.

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

2013 NSCS STP 400 Q&A with Driver Jeff Gordon

2013 NSCS Jeff Gordon (AARP Drive to End Hunger) - Photo Credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty ImagesJEFF GORDON, NO. 24 DRIVE TO END HUNGER CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Kansas Speedway and discussed the first practice session, the tragedy in Boston and the affect is has had on him and his team and...more»

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He Said, She Said: Featuring Texas Motor Speedway, Rockingham Speedway And Kansas Speedway

Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series NRA 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 13, 2013 in Fort Worth, Texas. - Photo Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty ImagesWelcome to round three of ?He Said, She Said?, where members of the racing community sound...more»

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Brian Scott Drives the No. 2 Husky Liners Camaro to an 11th-Place-Finish Under the Lights at Texas Motor Speedway

No. 2 Husky Liners Chevrolet Camaro (Photo Credit: Robert Laberge / Getty Images North America)Brian Scott earned an 11th-place finish in Richard Childress Racing’s No. 2 Husky Liner’s Chevrolet Camaro Friday evening at Texas Motor Speedway, after battling a loose-handling condition for a duration of the 300-mile NASCAR Nationwide Series event. The 25-year-old Boise, Idaho,...more»

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FIA, FOM have no qualms over Bahrain

The FIA and Formula One Management both insist they have no qualms about the 2013 Bahrain Grand Prix going ahead, despite late pleas for it to be called off. A number of politicians urged the FIA and FOM to cancel the race because of the political situation in the Gulf state, where isolated protests continue

Jeremy Allan Mayfield James Christopher McMurray

Breaking News: Parts Confiscated From Penske Racing Teams Before NRA 500

Photo Credit:�John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR By: Toby Christie ?�Follow on Twitter @Tobalical Every week in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams push the envelope looking for an advantage over the competition ? this week it appears the Penske Racing teams push the envelope just a tad too far, as NASCAR confiscated rear-end housings and [...]

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GLOBAL iPRINT NAMED OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF NHRA

NHRA GLENDORA, Calif. Jan. 4, 2012 Global iPrint, a premier printing and distribution company, has signed a three-year agreement to become the "Official Print Sponsor" of NHRA....

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Thursday, April 18, 2013

2014 Chevy Corvette C7 Stingray Order Guide Goes Public, Options Detailed

When the 2014 Chevrolet C7 Corvette appeared in the metal composite for the first time at the 2013 Detroit auto show, it entered the room with all the subtlety of a bikini-clad co-ed stumbling into the lunchroom of an all-male prep school. But the initial thrill was slightly tempered by the fact that we didn?t [...]

Kyle Eugene Petty Floyd Anthony Raines

Diversity Graduate Kyle Larson Scores First NASCAR National Series Victory

“Californian Wins NASCAR Camping World Truck Race at Rockingham Speedway” 2013 Kyle Larson - Photo Credit: Nick Laham/Getty ImagesKyle Larson, a multi-talented 20-year-old from Elk Grove, Calif., captured Sunday?s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway to become the first graduate of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity initiative to win at the...more»

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Donations Make Another Dream Come True for Youngster

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Report: Jaguar planning two bodystyles for next XJ

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2014 Jaguar XJR

As we alluded to in today's F-Type first drive, Jaguar hasn't been selling its wares in China for very long, and as a result, buyers there usually don't have the same appreciation for the brand's history. So you might reasonably think that the company's recent radical styling shift (kicked off by the 2008 XF) wouldn't be as jarring to the nation's buying populace since they really didn't have the automaker's more traditionally styled models from years past to compare them against.

Yet while Jaguar and its sister marque, Land Rover, continue to pick up steam in China's developing market, that apparently isn't necessarily the case. Local buyers there tend to have more conservative tastes when it comes to styling, preferring more upright dimensions, big back seats and larger quantities of traditional luxury materials (think: chrome and wood) than other markets currently find desirable. Thus, the very bold current-generation XJ sedan may be leaving some sales on the table.

According to Edmunds, Jag doesn't want to risk that, and as such, it is preparing two bodystyles for the next-generation XJ - one with the rakish coupe-like styling of the current model, and a more "old-school" three-box sedan designed to appeal to a wider swath of Chinese buyers.

Given that Jaguar's small size means that nearly every model it generates must play worldwide today (with exceptions made for variants like the XF Sportbrake, which hasn't been engineered to global crash standards), it's reasonable to question whether Jag might offer both XJ bodystyles here in North America - perhaps in a tiered scheme like the Audi A8 and A7. That strategy might catch more profits for the marque, but it might also represent a setback to design head Ian Callum's vision for a thoroughly modern Jaguar portfolio.

Jaguar planning two bodystyles for next XJ originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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