Saturday, December 31, 2011

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...

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2011/12/audi_r8_lms_ultra_to_figh.php

Miguel Ángel Guerra Roberto Guerrero Maurício Gugelmin Dan Gurney Hubert Hahne

Max Jones Named Team Manager at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing

Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix SabatesCONCORD, NC (December 21, 2011) ? Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced today that long-time NASCAR veteran Max Jones has been named team manager of the organization?s NASCAR operation. Jones takes over the role effective immediately in preparation for the 2012 season. ?We are all pleased to get someone...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2011/sprintcup/12/21/max-jones-named-team-manager-at-earnhardt-ganassi-racing/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=max-jones-named-team-manager-at-earnhardt-ganassi-racing

Brian Henton Johnny Herbert Al Herman Hans Herrmann François Hesnault

Audi Unveils Limited-Production 256-HP 2012 A1 Quattro

Audi is launching the ultimate A1, a limited-edition supermini designed to put the Mini John Cooper Works hardtop to shame. Powered by a turbocharged, direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 256 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, the all-wheel-drive A1 Quattro is said to hit 62 mph in 5.7 seconds and top out at 152 mph. The [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/v84NIBfnyeA/

Oscar Alfredo Gálvez Fred Gamble Howden Ganley Frank Gardner Billy Garrett

HRT expects short-term struggle

HRT's new team principal Luis Perez-Sala has admitted that the squad will probably start 2012 in worse shape than it ended 2011 as its restructuring progresses - but is confident that the team's longer-term prospects are now much brighter.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/hrt-expects-short-term-struggle/

Dan Gurney Hubert Hahne Mike Hailwood Mika Häkkinen Bruce Halford

Tricky Magic

Tricky New Hampshire Motor Speedway was the venue for Week Eight of the NASCAR iRacing.com Class A Series (NiCAS). Nearly 250 sim racers were brave enough to take on this oddball of a track in the top oval stock car in the world of online racing.� While some were able to overcome to challenges of the Magic Mile, others were left scratching their heads. Flat track ace, and current NASCAR iRacing.com Series World Championship (NiSWC) driver Josh Berry captured top honors on the week.� A constant threat whenever he races, Berry positively thrives at flat tracks . . . as this week demonstrated.� Berry heads a rather unusual top five with Brendan Doyle coming home second, followed by the surprise of the week, Brodie Kostecki in third. Kostecki is an [...]

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/nascar-news/tricky-magic/

Chris Irwin Jean Pierre Jabouille Jimmy Jackson Joe James John James

Focus ST: Riding Shotgun in Ford?s Next Shogun

?You see how you can play with the back end going on or off the throttle?? asks Jost Capito, who is clearly having fun. Inside Ford?s European proving ground near Lommel, Belgium, the director of Global Performance Vehicles is drifting through the corners of the handling track in his latest �project, the Focus ST, adjusting [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/eNAFdPpoVYc/2013-ford-focus-st-first-ride-feature

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

Exclusive: Autoblog's Top 100 Photographs of 2011

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We are nearly at the end of 2011, and that means another 365 days of driving the latest cars and attending automotive events around the world. Of course, we constantly have our cameras at our sides so we can share everything with you, and we take a lot of pride in bringing you beautiful, high-res images of all the cars we come across, whether it's one that just debuted at an auto show or one that just spent a week in our garage.

As has become tradition here at Autoblog, we've spent the last few weeks going through our archive of images to select the very best photos that we captured with our own cameras from the last year. We've carefully chosen our favorite 100, which you can see in the gallery above. We've also included links to the article in which the image originally appeared, in case you want to see more photos of the car or event.

We hope you enjoy viewing the images as much as we did taking them and putting them together. If you want to see our favorite images from previous years, you can view our galleries from 2010, 2009 and 2008. Enjoy!

Autoblog's Top 100 Photographs of 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/30/autoblogs-top-100-photographs-of-2011/

Bruce Kessler Nicolas Kiesa Leo Kinnunen Danny Kladis Hans Klenk

Among Democrats, Cuomo Lags Far Behind on Transit Policy

When it comes to transit, Andrew Cuomo seems to see only the costs and never the benefits.
Under Governor Andrew Cuomo, New York's transit policy is being eclipsed by states like Utah.
Responding to near-unanimous support for transit on the Tappan Zee Bridge from the Hudson Valley’s elected officials, including the county executives on both sides of [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2011/12/20/among-democrats-cuomo-lags-far-behind-on-transit-policy/

Yves Giraud Cabantous Ignazio Giunti Timo Glock Helm Glöckler Paco Godia

Followup: Infiniti QX-powered boat continues construction

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1962 Chris Craft hull getting ready for Infiniti QX power

Over the summer, we posted on a project being undertaken by students at the Tennessee Technical Center-Nashville and Nashville State Community College: prepare a 400-horsepower, 5.6-liter V8 from an Infiniti QX56 for seafaring duty in a 20-foot Chris-Craft.

The engine's transformation is nearly complete, but it seems the boat needs a great deal more work. The pleasure craft, which dates from 1962, has already has three other marinized engines from car manufacturers, a Lincoln and two Chrysler Hemi powerplants. The gents at Freeport Boat Outlet in Freeport, Maine are overseeing the wooden hull restoration and have said that 85 percent of the mahogany will need replacing.

When it's finally finished, the QX lump with water-cooled manifolds and a closed cooling system will be mated with a ZF/Hurth marine transmission and tested back at Infiniti HQ. Assuming all goes well, the hull will get an SUV's worth of Infiniti luxuries and be married to its engine. In the meantime, the name of the boat is being put to the public, so have a read of the press release after the jump for all the details. Then, come summer, keep an eye out for a very slick watercraft plying Tennessee's lakes.

Continue reading Infiniti QX-powered boat continues construction

Infiniti QX-powered boat continues construction originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/30/infiniti-qx-powered-boat-continues-construction/

Jackie Holmes Bill Homeier Kazuyoshi Hoshino Jerry Hoyt Nico Hülkenberg

DAMS signs Pic for 2012 FR3.5 season

Arthur Pic will join DAMS to compete in the 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 series, the team announced on Wednesday. Pic, the younger brother of Marussia F1 driver Charles, raced in the championship with Tech 1 Racing during the 2011 season. He finished in 23rd position with 12 points scored.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/dams-signs-pic-for-2012-fr3-5-season/

Clint Bowyer Zaxby s Chevrolet Brad Keselowski Ruby Tuesday Dodge Carl Edwards

Stewart To Lead Chili Bowl ?Team of Champions?

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2011/12/stewart-to-lead-chili-bowl-team-of.html

Kevin Harvick Armour Vienna Sausage Kroger Chevrolet Clint Bowyer Zaxby s Chevrolet Brad Keselowski

Kubica loss ?biggest blow? to Renault

Renault team boss Eric Boullier believes the absence of Robert Kubica was a bigger factor in the squad's poor 2011 season than the unsuccessful forward-facing exhaust layout. After a promising start to the year, with two podiums in the opening two grands prix, Renault's season tailed off dramatically and by the end of 2011 it was often struggling to even get into the points, leaving its technical chiefs to admit that the radical exhaust arrangement had hampered the car

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/kubica-loss-biggest-blow-to-renault/

Hans Herrmann François Hesnault Hans Heyer Damon Hill Graham Hill

Friday, December 30, 2011

Name That Shifter, No. 56: 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais Diesel

On Monday we presented this week?s shifter and asked you to identify the make and model of the vehicle from whence it came. The wide spectrum of your guesses this week indicates to us that the contest was tough. A few of you were close, but no one correctly identified the shifter?s origin. The five-speed [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/T4NQKsKuqgQ/

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

Chevrolet Bringing Sportier 2013 Sonic RS to Detroit Auto Show

Chevrolet?s latest B-segment contender, the Sonic, is pretty darn good. It placed second in a recent six-car comparison test, and nifty interior duds won it a place on our 10Best Design Details list. Things are about to get even more interesting with the turbocharged Sonic RS that will debut at the 2012 Detroit auto show. [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/R2ErWA3TycI/2013-chevrolet-sonic-rs-news

Jason Leffler David Carl Allison Gregory Jack Biffle David Lee Blaney Michael Duane Bliss

Report: New car seat concept uses your butt print as identification

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If Fido can distinguish people and other pooches by their backsides, why not a seat? When students at the Advanced Institute of Industrial Technology in Tokyo, Japan asked that question, they came up with a car seat fitted with 360 sensors that makes a map of the pressure applied by your posterior. Among the six rumps tested, the seat was 98 percent accurate at sorting one from another.

The ultimate aim is to work with automakers to develop an anti-theft solution that would be available in the next few years. With such a small testing pool, it's too early to start asking the difficult questions about real-world viability (especially when you start to factor in things like different articles of clothing, Costanza wallets, and so on), but we have a feeling this kind of technology will find an application somewhere.

New car seat concept uses your butt print as identification originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/30/new-car-seat-concept-uses-your-butt-print-as-identification/

Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Kasey Kenneth Kahne Matthew Roy Kenseth Alan Dennis Kulwicki Travis Wade Kvapil

The 2011 NYC Streetsies, Part 2

The 2011 Streetsies continue with a look at the most troubling news and dastardly deeds of the past year. You may want to catch Part 1 and the people’s choice poll results before diving in.

Biggest Setback
Which Andrew Cuomo transit policy deserves the honors?

Fast-tracking a Tappan Zee replacement with no transit option, undoing nearly a decade [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2011/12/29/the-2011-nyc-streetsies-part-2/

Cliff Griffith Georges Grignard Bobby Grim Romain Grosjean Olivier Grouillard

Audi Re-Confirms Next A3 and R8 E-tron for 2012 Arrivals

Audi confirmed 2012 on-sale dates this morning for its third-generation A3 and the distinctly less practical R8 e-tron. While the R8 has looks to kill, the A3 will be the real star for Audi. The current A3 proved a global success for Audi, and the new car will arrive just in time to cash in [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/Qbgb-iNT5bU/

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

Focus ST: Riding Shotgun in Ford?s Next Shogun

?You see how you can play with the back end going on or off the throttle?? asks Jost Capito, who is clearly having fun. Inside Ford?s European proving ground near Lommel, Belgium, the director of Global Performance Vehicles is drifting through the corners of the handling track in his latest �project, the Focus ST, adjusting [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/eNAFdPpoVYc/2013-ford-focus-st-first-ride-feature

Peter de Klerk Christian Klien Karl Kling Ernst Klodwig Kamui Kobayashi

John Phillips: I?ve Never Owned a Gun. Probably a Good Thing

In 1965, Gregg Allman painted a bull?s-eye on his moccasin, then shot himself in the foot. I believe some alcohol was involved. Some planning, too. Allman had called an ambulance, and he didn?t pull the trigger until he heard the sirens drawing near. His aerated foot deeply impressed the draft board, and Allman consequently missed [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/cVgJRtJmHJI/john-phillips-ive-never-owned-a-gun-probably-a-good-thing-column

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

Chad Knaus' Championship Fire Still Burns

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2011/12/chad-knaus-championship-fire-still.html

Mack Hellings Brian Henton Johnny Herbert Al Herman Hans Herrmann

Alonso welcomes Raikkonen?s return

Fernando Alonso says he is delighted he will share the track with Kimi Raikkonen next year, following the Finn's return to Formula 1 with Lotus. Raikkonen, who left the sport at the end of 2009, has secured a two-year deal with Lotus Renault to return to grand prix racing in 2012. Alonso believes the Finn's comeback is good news for the sport

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/alonso-welcomes-raikkonens-return/

Frank Gardner Billy Garrett Jo Gartner Tony Gaze Geki

NASCAR in 2011: Nothing went by the script (Yahoo! Sports)

Tony Stewart won, Carl Edwards stayed put and Kurt Busch was without a ride? Nothing in NASCAR was predictable in 2011.

Source: http://www.nascarracinglive.com/nascar/nascar-in-2011-nothing-went-by-the-script-yahoo-sports.html

Dave Kennedy Loris Kessel Bruce Kessler Nicolas Kiesa Leo Kinnunen

TRG Announces First GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series Entry For 2012

The Racer's Group (TRG) Petaluma, CA. December 15th, 2011 The Racer's Group announced today that two stalwarts from its 2011 Daytona 24 champion GT team. Spencer Pumpelly and Steve Bertheau, will not only return to defend their title but will...

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2011/12/trg_announces_first_grand.php

Timo Glock Helm Glöckler Paco Godia Carel Godin de Beaufort Christian Goethals

Thursday, December 29, 2011

First Drive: 2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

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Exhilaration At 1 MPH

2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

When thinking about the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, one tends to picture an orange meteor barreling across the desert at absurd velocities, flying through the air, long-travel suspension dangling its dirty bits below. That's partially because desert storming and bombing down muddy, root-strewn fire roads was the Special Vehicle Team's design brief, and partially because those environs have dominated Ford's advertising efforts. Marketing shtick aside, there's little doubt that the Raptor has that Kool-Aid Man "Oooh, Yeah!" wall-crashing thing going on better than any other vehicle on sale today.

In fact, if you tend to picture the Raptor exclusively in terms of yumps and dry creekbeds, you're not alone. Ford and SVT kind of admit they did, too. But in building this street-legal trophy truck, they've come to realize that they unwittingly created a vehicle that's far more versatile than originally envisioned. Case in point: Back in 2009, a massive snowstorm crippled the ability of Ford staffers and media members trying to reach the Chicago Auto Show. In particular, Mark Fields and other key execs had to journey from Dearborn to the Windy City, and company pilots refused to take off in the horrible weather. Fields and some other executives settled on boarding the train, arriving haggard eight hours later and barely making their press conference. SVT boss Jamal Hameedi and his crew elected to travel by Raptor. Driving their trucks through inches of thick slush and ice in the fast lane at more-or-less normal highway speeds (while what little traffic was sharing the road crawled along with hazard lights aglow) was a revelation. Despite building the thing, Team SVT simply didn't expect something with wide, knobby tires and a higher center of gravity to cut through the frigid slurry like that.

It's exactly this sort of discovery process that led us to the foot of the smoothly picturesque red rocks seen here. We had arrived in a convoy of eight 2012 Raptors, having taken the easy hour's drive from Grand Junction, Colorado to Moab, Utah to tackle Hell's Revenge, a well-known 4x4 trail over this otherworldly terrain that doesn't take kindly to larger vehicles like our full-size SuperCab pickups. Solid bets for tackling Hell's Revenge include Jeep CJs and Wranglers, Toyota FJ Cruiser 4x4s and so on - vehicles with exceptional approach, departure and breakover angles. Even with its raised suspension and ground clearance of 11.2 inches front and 12.1 rear, we couldn't help but feel a bit sheepish about the Raptor's chances.

Continue reading 2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/29/2012-ford-f-150-svt-raptor-first-drive-review/

Graham Hill Phil Hill Peter Hirt David Hobbs Gary Hocking

Chevrolet Bringing Sportier 2013 Sonic RS to Detroit Auto Show

Chevrolet?s latest B-segment contender, the Sonic, is pretty darn good. It placed second in a recent six-car comparison test, and nifty interior duds won it a place on our 10Best Design Details list. Things are about to get even more interesting with the turbocharged Sonic RS that will debut at the 2012 Detroit auto show. [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/R2ErWA3TycI/2013-chevrolet-sonic-rs-news

James Christopher McMurray Casey James Mears

The 2011 Streetfilms Tribute to #BikeNYC

Cycling in New York City endured an unprecedented media bombardment in 2011. But New Yorkers kept on riding and the public opinion polls kept on showing that despite the political and press attacks, bike lanes enjoy broad support. To celebrate a year of resilience, we figured we’d show a montage of New Yorkers out on [...]

Source: http://www.streetfilms.org/celebrating-nyc-bicycling-2011-a-montage/

Bobby Grim Romain Grosjean Olivier Grouillard Brian Gubby André Guelfi

Greg Zipadelli Named Competition Director for Stewart-Haas Racing

Greg Zipadelli - Photo Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCARKANNAPOLIS, N.C., (Dec. 16, 2011) ? Greg Zipadelli, winner of two championships and 34 victories as a crew chief in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, has been named competition director at Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR). He will work with Vice President of Competition Matt Borland and oversee...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2011/sprintcup/12/16/greg-zipadelli-named-competition-director-for-stewart-haas-racing/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=greg-zipadelli-named-competition-director-for-stewart-haas-racing

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

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Hirvonen in emotional M-Sport farewell

World Rally Championship runner-up Mikko Hirvonen has talked of an emotional visit to M-Sport earlier this week, when he went to say goodbye to his former team. Hirvonen flew to Britain earlier this week to pay tribute to the Ford and M-Sport, with whom he finished runner-up to Sebastien Loeb in this year's championship. The Finn subsequently announced he would be joining his long-term rival at Citroen, and has already tested the DS3 WRC which he will drive from next month onwards.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/world-rally-championship-news/wrc/hirvonen-in-emotional-m-sport-farewell/

Olivier Grouillard Brian Gubby André Guelfi Miguel Ángel Guerra Roberto Guerrero

BBC defends shared F1 coverage move

BBC director general Mark Thompson has defended the decision for Formula 1 television coverage to be shared with Sky from next year - claiming any other deal would have been worse for fans. In a transcript that has just been published from a recent hearing in front of MPs at the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Thompson said that the share deal is better for fans than if F1 coverage had gone to another British broadcaster

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/bbc-defends-shared-f1-coverage-move/

Timo Glock Helm Glöckler Paco Godia Carel Godin de Beaufort Christian Goethals

Austin and Ty Dillon Partner with TAG Heuer Avant-Garde Eyewear

TAG Heuer EyewearWELCOME, N.C. (December 21, 2011) - NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Austin Dillon and ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards champion Ty Dillon will look stylish on and off the track in 2012 thanks to a new partnership with TAG Heuer Eyewear in which the RCR drivers will serve as ambassadors for...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2011/arca/12/25/austin-and-ty-dillon-partner-with-tag-heuer-avant-garde-eyewear/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=austin-and-ty-dillon-partner-with-tag-heuer-avant-garde-eyewear

Keith Greene Masten Gregory Cliff Griffith Georges Grignard Bobby Grim

New bid to bring F1 back to Argentina

Designers of a new circuit being constructed in Argentina are aiming for the venue to host the nation's first Formula 1 grand prix since 1998. The Velociudad Speedcity in Zarate, 100km from Buenos Aires, is being built by Populous, which was behind the recent Silverstone redesign and is also working on an F1-standard circuit in Mumbai.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/new-bid-to-bring-f1-back-to-argentina/

Hiroshi Fushida Beppe Gabbiani Bertrand Gachot Patrick Gaillard Divina Galica

Audi Unveils Limited-Production 256-HP 2012 A1 Quattro

Audi is launching the ultimate A1, a limited-edition supermini designed to put the Mini John Cooper Works hardtop to shame. Powered by a turbocharged, direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 256 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, the all-wheel-drive A1 Quattro is said to hit 62 mph in 5.7 seconds and top out at 152 mph. The [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/v84NIBfnyeA/

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

IndyCar announces 15-race schedule, may add 2 more

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/12/22/1728192/2012-indycar-schedule.html

Frank Gardner Billy Garrett Jo Gartner Tony Gaze Geki

Ecclestone doubts US will embrace F1

Bernie Ecclestone doubts that Formula 1 will become a big success in America even with two grands prix in the nation from 2013. The world championship returns to the United States next year after a four-season absence, racing at a new purpose-built course in Austin, Texas, where construction was recently restarted after financial and organisational issues

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/ecclestone-doubts-us-will-embrace-f1/

Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Kasey Kenneth Kahne Matthew Roy Kenseth Alan Dennis Kulwicki Travis Wade Kvapil

Button: I can beat Red Bull in 2012

Jenson Button believes that next year will give him his best opportunity yet of adding to his 2009 Formula 1 world title.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/button-i-can-beat-red-bull-in-2012/

Christian Goethals Paul Goldsmith José Froilán González Oscar González Aldo Gordini

In Memoriam

By many measures, 2011 was a bleak year for advocates of traffic safety. Where 2010 offered hope with the passage of new laws designed to hold reckless drivers accountable for harming vulnerable street users and the seating of a district attorney who pledged to do the same, this year saw those same laws go all [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2011/12/27/in-memoriam-3/

Trevor Bayne Out! Pet Care Toyota Jason Leffler David Carl Allison Gregory Jack Biffle

Rumormill: Chevy Sonic Boom concept headed for production?

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Chevrolet took a brace of Sonic concepts to the 2011 SEMA show, among them four variations on themes from the Z-Spec parts bin, the Super 4 Racer for the track, and a brazen red hatch called the Sonic Boom. Based entirely around a 4,000-watt Kicker sound system, the Sonic Boom contains a high-tech head unit controlling components designed with a jet theme, and a report on the Chevrolet Sonic forum indicates it's headed for production.

There aren't many details to share, other than that Chevy has reportedly applied for a "Sonic Boom" trademark, but ChevroletSonicForum.com says their GM sources tell them that a planned retail version will take a step down from its 4,000-watt progenitor. Chevrolet has already admitted it wants to create a model selection that puts the Sonic into niche markets, and with a deep trough of Z-Spec add-ons, even as a concept the Sonic Boom doesn't appear to be too far from production-ready.

Chevy Sonic Boom concept headed for production? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/27/chevy-sonic-boom-concept-headed-for-production/

Toyota Kimmy Z Line Designs Toyota Parker Kligerman Trevor Bayne Out! Pet Care Toyota

Best Buy Partners With Roush Fenway Racing

Minneapolis, Dec. 20, 2011 ? Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) today announced a new sponsorship deal for the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Season. Best Buy will serve as primary sponsor of the Matt Kenseth No. 17 Ford for nine races and Carl Edwards? No. 99 Ford for two races. In addition, Best Buy [...]

Source: http://thefinallap.com/2011/12/20/best-buy-partners-with-roush-fenway-racing/

Eddie Johnson Leslie Johnson Bruce Johnstone Alan Jones Tom Jones

Edwards could be guy to end second-place curse (NASCAR.com)

Edwards could be guy to end second-place curse

Source: http://www.nascarracinglive.com/nascar/edwards-could-be-guy-to-end-second-place-curse-nascar-com.html

Kazuyoshi Hoshino Jerry Hoyt Nico Hülkenberg Denny Hulme James Hunt

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Silly season hits insane proportions

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2011/12/silly-season-hits-insane-proportions.html

Ken Kavanagh Rupert Keegan Eddie Keizan Al Keller Joe Kelly

Belk Bowl players run laps

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/12/23/1730723/belk-bowl-players-lap-charlotte.html

Piercarlo Ghinzani Bruno Giacomelli Dick Gibson Gimax Richie Ginther

Stoner impresses in V8 Supercar test

MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner tested Craig Lowndes' Triple Eight Holden V8 Supercar at the Driving Centre in Norwell, Queensland, yesterday - and convinced the team he could be very competitive should he ever switch to four-wheeled motorsport. The Australian drove the car that Lowndes had taken to victory in the season finale in Sydney a fortnight ago, and quickly acclimatised.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/other-news/motorcycles/motogp/stoner-impresses-in-v8-supercar-test/

Denny Hulme James Hunt Jim Hurtubise Gus Hutchison Jacky Ickx

Eyes on the Street: Curb-Jumping Cab Driver Hits Pedestrians on UWS

Photos: Liz Patek
Streetsblog reader Liz Patek sent in these photos of the aftermath of a Tuesday afternoon crash at 68th Street and Broadway, in front of the Loews Lincoln Square movie theater. Liz writes:
Police were still on the scene. From talking to people, it appears that the cab backed up at a high speed around [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2011/12/21/eyes-on-the-street-curb-jumping-cab-driver-hits-pedestrians-on-uws/

Jo Gartner Tony Gaze Geki Olivier Gendebien Marc Gené

Barnhart says banking not to blame

IndyCar president of operations Brian Barnhart has quashed claims that Dan Wheldon's fatal accident at Las Vegas in October could be attributed to IndyCars running on 1.5-mile, high-banked ovals. The suitability of IndyCars to tracks such as Las Vegas and Texas has been subject to intense scrutiny since Wheldon's crash, with the series confirming last week that it was backing out of plans to race at Las Vegas next year

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/indycar-news/indycar/barnhart-says-banking-not-to-blame/

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

Busch gets new ride with Phoenix Racing

Kurt Busch has a new ride.

Source: http://www.nascarracinglive.com/nascar/busch-gets-new-ride-with-phoenix-racing.html

Z Line Designs Toyota Parker Kligerman Trevor Bayne Out! Pet Care Toyota Jason Leffler

Lawmakers Push to Fund Transit Service During Economic Emergencies

In October, Reps. Russ Carnahan (D-MO) and Steve LaTourette (R-OH) introduced a bill to allow transit agencies to use federal money to hire bus drivers and pay other operating expenses.
Without federal help, more buses could go out of service -- and the ones still circulating could charge more. Photo: Gothamist
Last week, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), [...]

Source: http://dc.streetsblog.org/2011/12/19/lawmakers-push-to-fund-transit-service-during-economic-emergencies/

Keith Greene Masten Gregory Cliff Griffith Georges Grignard Bobby Grim

Trulli: Caterham ready to score points

Jarno Trulli is adamant that Caterham can break into the Formula 1 midfield and challenge for a maiden points finish in 2012 - and insists he is '110 per cent motivated' on helping the team achieve the goal. Well documented struggles with the handling of the team's 2011 challenger - and particularly with the power steering system - led to speculation that Trulli could be replaced for 2012. The Italian, a veteran of 252 grand prix starts, said that even in the worst moments of 2011 however he was focussed on helping the team to prepare for its third season of competition, as Caterham bids to realise its goal of breaking into the F1 midfield.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/trulli-caterham-ready-to-score-points/

Jason Leffler David Carl Allison Gregory Jack Biffle David Lee Blaney Michael Duane Bliss

Former NASCAR PR Chief Launches New Firm

Ramsey Poston, head of communications at NASCAR since 2004, has launched a strategic communications firm, Tuckahoe Strategies, which will work with clients?including NASCAR?to provide strategic communications counsel, marketing support, and crisis management and litigation advice. Poston managed a number of crises, including the fallout surrounding the death Dale Earnhardt on behalf of NASCAR. Tuckahoe Strategies...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2011/otherseries/11/28/former-nascar-pr-chief-launches-new-firm/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=former-nascar-pr-chief-launches-new-firm

Eddie Johnson Leslie Johnson Bruce Johnstone Alan Jones Tom Jones

Acura NSX Approved for Production! Concept to Appear at 2012 Detroit Show

Much to the delight of rabid, froth-mouthed fans?and more than eight years of teasing on Acura?s part?a proper second-generation NSX sports car is on its way. The concept version debuts at the Detroit auto show in early January. (You can dive into the NSX 2.0?s decade-long gestation here, from its shifting engine placement to prototype [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/yk6TDHdivZ8/

Heikki Kovalainen Kevin Harvick Armour Vienna Sausage Kroger Chevrolet Clint Bowyer Zaxby s Chevrolet

Report: Ford F-150 EcoBoost hits 100,000 sales

Filed under: , ,

ecoboost f-150

Ford bet big on the combination of light duty pickup trucks and boosted V6 power, and it appears the gamble has paid off. The Detroit News reports that Ford has already reached 100,000 F-150 sales in 2011, just as the automaker promised it would.

Overall EcoBoost models accounted for 40 percent of all F-150 sales, which is impressive considering that the boosted mill comes with a $895 price premium compared to the very capable 5.0-liter V8. Still more impressive is the fact that Ford also sold plenty of 3.7-liter V6 models as well, and the overall take rate of V6 engines is over 50 percent on the year. Ford hasn't sold this many V6-powered F-150 models since Doc Brown turned a DeLorean into a time machine (1985).

With V6-powered F-150 models selling this well, we're expecting General Motors and Chrysler to follow suit with their own six-cylinder offerings. It seems truck buyers would be more than okay with the decision.

Ford F-150 EcoBoost hits 100,000 sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/26/ford-f-150-ecoboost-hits-100-000-sales/

Bob Gerard Gerino Gerini Peter Gethin Piercarlo Ghinzani Bruno Giacomelli

Ford Teases All-New Global Vehicle, Fiesta-Based Crossover Most Likely Candidate

While those of us in the U.S. will be tuned in to the goings on at the upcoming 2012 Detroit auto show at the beginning of January, Ford will be conducting additional operations at the concurrent Auto Expo in New Delhi. The company released a teaser image of a new global model debuting at the [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/R259lx8vWpg/

Christian Goethals Paul Goldsmith José Froilán González Oscar González Aldo Gordini

Monday, December 26, 2011

Sauber reveals new car launch date

The Sauber team has announced it will unveil its 2012 challenger ahead of the start of testing at the Jerez circuit. Sauber's Ferrari-powered C31 will be launched at the Spanish track on February 6 before it takes to the track on the following day

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/sauber-reveals-new-car-launch-date/

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

Richard Petty Motorsports Statement on Best Buy

STATEMENT FROM RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS REGARDING THE BEST BUY SPONSORSHIP Concord, N.C. (Dec. 20, 2011) ? ?We have had a successful and rewarding relationship with Best Buy for the past few years and appreciate all they have done for us,? stated Richard Petty, co-owner of Richard Petty Motorsports. ?Although it is very disappointing that Best [...]

Source: http://thefinallap.com/2011/12/20/richard-petty-motorsports-statement-on-best-buy/

Elmer George Bob Gerard Gerino Gerini Peter Gethin Piercarlo Ghinzani

Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats to Sponsor Austin and Ty Dillon in 2012

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2011/12/bass-pro-shopstracker-boats-to-sponsor.html

Georges Grignard Bobby Grim Romain Grosjean Olivier Grouillard Brian Gubby

iPRoC with Joey Logano & Coleman Pressley

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/videos/iproc-with-joey-logano-coleman-pressley/

Phil Hill Peter Hirt David Hobbs Gary Hocking Ingo Hoffmann

Name That Shifter, No. 55: 1987 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth

On Monday we presented this week?s shifter and asked you to identify the make and model of the vehicle from whence it came. Our winner? Tyler T., who linked this week?s mystery stick with the 1987 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth. He?ll get the holiday-inspired Save the Manuals prize pack we promised. The Sierra RS Cosworth [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/6EKYmgHNCz8/

Naoki Hattori Paul Hawkins Mike Hawthorn Boy Hayje Willi Heeks

Buick Teases Five-Seat 2013 Encore Crossover Ahead of Detroit Auto Show Reveal

Buick has announced that a new five-passenger crossover called the Encore will join its 2013 lineup and released a teaser photograph of the sub-Enclave-sized SUV. Judging from the headlight seen here, the Encore will be somewhat less exciting than the Envision concept from this year?s Shanghai auto show. While we speculated that a production version [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/i4KzgWV2XMA/

Jean Marc Gounon Emmanuel de Graffenried Lucas di Grassi Cecil Green Keith Greene

Some of the best, biggest and most bizarre of 2011

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/12/22/1729332/some-of-the-best-biggest-and-most.html

Clint Bowyer Zaxby s Chevrolet Brad Keselowski Ruby Tuesday Dodge Carl Edwards

IndyCar wants more team co-operation

IndyCar officials have said that they expect more co-operation from teams and drivers in testing to ensure that they have a full understanding of how cars behave in pack conditions in order to avoid a repeat of Dan Wheldon's fatal crash at Las Vegas. Speaking at today's announcement of the initial findings from the investigation into the accident that claimed the life of Wheldon in October, IndyCar president of operations Brian Barnhart said that understanding how the cars functioned in race conditions was critical in restricting the opportunity for similar accidents in the future. "I think it is one of the byproducts to come out of this is that [teams will] have a better understanding of the request and requirements that we are expecting," Barnhart said.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/indycar-news/indycar/indycar-wants-more-team-co-operation/

Trevor Bayne Out! Pet Care Toyota Jason Leffler David Carl Allison Gregory Jack Biffle

Sauber reveals new car launch date

The Sauber team has announced it will unveil its 2012 challenger ahead of the start of testing at the Jerez circuit. Sauber's Ferrari-powered C31 will be launched at the Spanish track on February 6 before it takes to the track on the following day

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/sauber-reveals-new-car-launch-date/

Clint Bowyer Zaxby s Chevrolet Brad Keselowski Ruby Tuesday Dodge Carl Edwards

Ford Teases All-New Global Vehicle, Fiesta-Based Crossover Most Likely Candidate

While those of us in the U.S. will be tuned in to the goings on at the upcoming 2012 Detroit auto show at the beginning of January, Ford will be conducting additional operations at the concurrent Auto Expo in New Delhi. The company released a teaser image of a new global model debuting at the [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/R259lx8vWpg/

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

New for 2012 Preseason Thunder NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Testing at Daytona

Preseason Thunder Test is Jan. 12-13-14 at Daytona International Speedway Final preparations for 2012 Speedweeks, in particular, the running of the 54th annual Daytona 500 ? Sunday, Feb. 26 Rules package is a result of information gathered during recent tests at Talladega (October) and Daytona (November) Rules package includes: Smaller radiator – Maximum of 2 [...]

Source: http://thefinallap.com/2011/12/18/new-for-2012-preseason-thunder-nascar-sprint-cup-series-testing-at-daytona/

Tom Jones Juan Jover Oswald Karch Narain Karthikeyan Ukyo Katayama

Franchitti: New car needs changes

Reigning IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti has called upon the series to do more to ensure that the new Dallara DW12 chassis that will be introduced for 2012 can be adapted to different driving styles.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/indycar-news/indycar/franchitti-new-car-needs-changes/

William Clyde Elliott Jeffrey Michael Gordon Charles Robert Hamilton IV Charles Robert Hamilton V Kevin Michael Harvick

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Hudson Scores Chicagoland Win

Tyler Hudson made a rare 2011-12 GSRacing.net Truck Series appearance on Thursday night and wasted little time reminding the competitors of the series who he is. Hudson captured the victory in the Exlander Designs Solutions 150 at the Chicagoland Speedway, his first of the season in only his second start of the campaign. Hudson took the point for the final time with 15 laps to go in the 100 lap, 150 mile online race and never looked back en route to the triumph. Brad Wright returned to the series with a second place run as he held-off a hard charging Ray Alfalla for the spot. The podium run for the 2011 NASCAR iRacing.com Series World Champion was his first top five of the GSR season. Completing the top five were [...]

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/iracing-news/hudson-scores-chicagoland-win/

Jean Pierre Jabouille Jimmy Jackson Joe James John James Jean Pierre Jarier

Allmendinger lands No. 22 Cup ride for Penske Racing in 2012

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2011/12/allmendinger-lands-no-22-cup-ride-for.html

Gene Hartley Masahiro Hasemi Naoki Hattori Paul Hawkins Mike Hawthorn

Vergne: Ricciardo will have early edge

Jean-Eric Vergne has conceded that Scuderia Toro Rosso team-mate Daniel Ricciardo may have the edge on him at the start of next year, but hopes he can develop quickly to catch him up. The Frenchman has been handed his Formula 1 chance by Toro Rosso, after the outfit announced on Wednesday that it was dropping Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastian Buemi.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/vergne-ricciardo-will-have-early-edge/

Stefan Johansson Eddie Johnson Leslie Johnson Bruce Johnstone Alan Jones

Kurt Busch to drive for Phoenix Racing

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/12/22/1728854/kurt-busch-to-drive-for-phoenix.html

David Lee Blaney Michael Duane Bliss Kurt Thomas Busch Kyle Thomas Busch Jeffrey Tyler Burton

Ragan the front-runner for Petty's iconic No. 43?

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2011/12/ragan-front-runner-for-pettys-iconic-no.html

Oswald Karch Narain Karthikeyan Ukyo Katayama Ken Kavanagh Rupert Keegan

Six Days of Giveaways - Day 6: Xbox 360 Forza Motorsport 4 Edition with game and wheel [UPDATE]



UPDATE: The entry period for this giveaway has ended. We'll publish the name of the winner once his/her eligibility has been verified.

We wanted our Six Days of Giveaways to be our presents to you, the readers of Autoblog who make what we do even possible. And so we've saved our best gift for last.

The final prize is an amazing racing setup courtesy of the fine folks at Forza Motorsport 4 (Facebook, Twitter). They've given us not only a copy of their own fine work, but also a gaming console to play it on and a wireless wheel to control it. We're particularly fond of this custom Xbox 360 console that not only comes with Kinect, but also features a custom Forza 4-themed case with the visage of a 2012 BMW M5 staring back at you.

We hope all of you follow the instructions below to enter to win our Day 6 prize package courtesy of Forza Motorsport 4. The chance to win (and actually winning for one lucky entrant) is our small thanks for your patronage this past year.

NOTE: Make sure to check your spam folder to see if you're a winner of any of this week's giveaways.

HOW TO ENTER
  • Leave a single comment on this post (if you leave two or more, all of your entries will be disqualified)
  • You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec)
  • Limit 1 entry per person during entry period
  • The entry period ends at 1:00 PM EST on Saturday, December 24th, 2011. We'll randomly select 1 winner at that time to receive a Xbox 360 Wireless Speed Wheel ($59.99), Forza Motorsport 4 for Xbox 360 (59.99) and an Xbox 360 "Forza Motorsport 4" custom console ($199.99).
  • For a list of complete rules, click here.

Six Days of Giveaways - Day 6: Xbox 360 Forza Motorsport 4 Edition with game and wheel [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/23/six-days-of-giveaways-day-6-xbox-360-forza-motorsport-4-editi/

Peter de Klerk Christian Klien Karl Kling Ernst Klodwig Kamui Kobayashi

Name That Exhaust Note, Episode 118: 2012 Chrysler 300C

On Tuesday, we posted an audio recording of a mystery car?s exhaust note. We also threw in the incentive of a Save the Manuals prize pack for the first commenter to identify this week?s sound. To hear it again, click play above. A lot of you guessed that the exhaust note came from a Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/cEjBUQBr5Bc/

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

With Saab in Bankruptcy, Here?s How Dealers are Handling Discounts and Warranties

“OVER $17,000 OFF!” a Boston-area dealer proclaims on its web site. ?UP TO $16,000 OFF REMAINING 2011 SAAB MODELS? a Michigan Saab dealer yells in a mass e-mail. Even for folks who watched the mega-discounts roll in during 2009, that’s a shocking number. Glassman Saab of Southfield, Michigan, is hardly unique: Many other remaining Saab [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/8KxTK1zv7Xo/

Walt Hansgen Mike Harris Cuth Harrison Brian Hart Gene Hartley

Geneva-Bound Hyundai i-oniq Concept to Preview Updated Fluidic Sculpture Design Language

Hyundai?s current styling language, dubbed ?fluidic sculpture,? has yet to be fully implemented on its lineup, but already the company is previewing the next evolution of the look. Hyundai has released a stylized teaser image of what it?s calling the i-oniq concept, which will premier at the 2012 Geneva auto show. The fluidic sculpture theme [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/7Cw8LAwG4UY/

Paco Godia Carel Godin de Beaufort Christian Goethals Paul Goldsmith José Froilán González

RPM statement regarding AJ Allmendinger

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2011/12/rpm-statement-regarding-aj-allmendinger.html

Eddie Irvine Chris Irwin Jean Pierre Jabouille Jimmy Jackson Joe James

Williams sure it can build strong car

Williams's technical director Mike Coughlan believes the team has identified all the key elements to ensure it can now build a successful car every year after struggling during the 2011 season. The Grove-based squad had endured its worst campaign in Formula 1 this year, having scored just five points on its way to ninth place in the championship. Coughlan has taken over as technical director following Sam Michael's exit.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/williams-sure-it-can-build-strong-car/

David Lee Blaney Michael Duane Bliss Kurt Thomas Busch Kyle Thomas Busch Jeffrey Tyler Burton

Toyota NASCAR Champions Week Tidbits ? Nov. 28 ? Dec. 4, 2011

Toyota Motorsports LogoTOYOTA TIDBITS — NSCS Champions Week CAMRYS ON CUP CIRCUIT: Toyota drivers combined for six wins, 39 top-five finishes and 78 top-10 results in 36 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) races. Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) teammates Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin both claimed wins in 2011, with Busch taking four checkered flags (Bristol,...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2011/sprintcup/11/30/toyota-nascar-champions-week-tidbits-nov-28-dec-4-2011/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=toyota-nascar-champions-week-tidbits-nov-28-dec-4-2011

Oswald Karch Narain Karthikeyan Ukyo Katayama Ken Kavanagh Rupert Keegan

Saturday, December 24, 2011

GP drivers join new i1 Supercar series

Former grand prix drivers Jacques Villeneuve and Giancarlo Fisichella have joined the new i1 Supercar Series. The championship will use Radical SR3 cars for its inaugural season, which will visit the Buddh International circuit in India, the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi, the Losail circuit in Qatar, Sepang in Malaysia and Sakhir in Bahrain. Villeneuve and Fisichella will be joined by former and current GP drivers like Jean Alesi, Tonio Liuzzi, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Karun Chandhok and Mika Salo, according to Indian media.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/gp-drivers-join-new-i1-supercar-series/

Ruby Tuesday Dodge Carl Edwards Copart Ford Denny Hamlin Z Line Toyota

How much did NASCAR's Chase drivers make?

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/12/18/1719434/how-much-did-nascars-chase-drivers.html

Beppe Gabbiani Bertrand Gachot Patrick Gaillard Divina Galica Nanni Galli

Jason Ratcliff new crew chief for #20 Cup Series Car at Joe Gibbs Racing

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (December 16, 2011) ? Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) announces today that Jason Ratcliff has been named crew chief for its No. 20 Sprint Cup Series team, replacing Greg Zipadelli who is leaving the organization to pursue an opportunity with Stewart-Haas Racing. ?We appreciate everything Greg has done for us here at Joe Gibbs [...]

Source: http://thefinallap.com/2011/12/16/jason-ratcliff-new-crew-chief-for-20-cup-series-car-at-joe-gibbs-racing/

Jeremy Allan Mayfield James Christopher McMurray Casey James Mears Juan Pablo Montoya Joseph Francis Nemechek III

Williams sure it can build strong car

Williams's technical director Mike Coughlan believes the team has identified all the key elements to ensure it can now build a successful car every year after struggling during the 2011 season. The Grove-based squad had endured its worst campaign in Formula 1 this year, having scored just five points on its way to ninth place in the championship. Coughlan has taken over as technical director following Sam Michael's exit.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/williams-sure-it-can-build-strong-car/

Kyle Busch Toyota Kimmy Z Line Designs Toyota Parker Kligerman Trevor Bayne