Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2011/12/more_than_1000_fans_celeb.php
Saturday
MORE THAN 1000 FANS CELEBRATE MATT HAGAN'S 2011 FUNNY CAR CHAMPIONSHIP IN HIS HOMETOWN
MATT HAGAN 2011 FUNNY CAR CHAMPION CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. (Dec. 19, 2011) More than 1000 fans and friends celebrated Matt Hagan's 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Funny Car championship at the special event hosted by Shelor Motor Mile in...
Hyundai: Lifetime Warranty for 2012 Sonata Hybrid Batteries; Ten-Speed Automatic Transmission in Development
Although battery replacement in hybrid vehicles has turned out to be largely a non-issue, Hyundai CEO John Krafcik looked to ease any concerns hesitant consumers may still have about pricey replacements by announcing that the 2012 Hyundai Sonata hybrid?s lithium-polymer pack will carry a lifetime warranty. According to Krafcik, ?We can afford the program because [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/zu0GGMfzVsM/
ES to run Vauxhall Vectras in 2012
British Touring Car squad ES Racing will run two ex-Triple Eight Vauxhall Vectras in the series this season. ES ran a single Chevrolet Lacetti for team boss Chris James last year. It recently announced that Dave Newsham will join James in 2012 and has now confirmed the duo will drive the NGTC-engined Vectras
Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/other-news/touring-cars/btcc/es-to-run-vauxhall-vectras-in-2012/
Video: R�mi Gaillard lends speed cameras a human element
Do you love to hate speed cameras? We feel your pain. After all, no technology is foolproof, and we prefer our citations to come straight from a fellow human being. But what if the speed camera had a mind of its own? As in, a real brain inside its head?
Not sure where we're going with this? Allow us to explain. Rémi Gaillard, a French funny man famous for his hilarious YouTube stunts (real-life Mario Kart ring a bell?), decided to play dress-up a full nine months before Halloween. Flashes fire, antics ensue.
We suggest you stick around to the very end, as the exhibition reaches it final, perhaps inevitable, conclusion. See for yourself in the video after the break.
Continue reading R�mi Gaillard lends speed cameras a human element
R�mi Gaillard lends speed cameras a human element originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/27/remi-gaillard-lends-speed-cameras-a-human-element/
Heikki Kovalainen Kevin Harvick Armour Vienna Sausage Kroger Chevrolet Clint Bowyer
Friday
A sneak peek at Chevrolet's plan for the Super Bowl
Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet
It's the two-minute warning in terms of Super Bowl advertising and Chevrolet still has some ground to cover. General Motors' largest brand is still mulling its advertising lineup with less than two weeks remaining until the New York Giants and New England Patriots meet in the big game.Chevrolet has purchased seven spots.
Chevrolet has purchased seven spots. Exactly which vehicles will be featured and at what times is still stirring healthy debate at GM headquarters.
"Every day, we're changing the spots of what's running where," said Chris Perry, Chevrolet's vice president of global marketing and strategy. "We're probably going to push it to the end."
That comes Tuesday, Jan. 31 when NBC wants final decisions. Click past the jump to continue reading.
Continue reading A sneak peek at Chevrolet's plan for the Super Bowl
A sneak peek at Chevrolet's plan for the Super Bowl originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/27/a-sneak-peek-at-chevrolets-plan-for-the-super-bowl/
Vainio moves to Lotus for 2012 GP3
Aaro Vainio will join Lotus - formerly ART - for his second season in GP3 this year.
Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/vainio-moves-to-lotus-for-2012-gp3/
Trevor Bayne Out! Pet Care Toyota Jason Leffler David Carl Allison
Look back on the 2011 seasons of Junior, Johnson and Keselowski
We're just weeks away from the start of the 2012 season ... and, really, only weeks away from the end of the 2011 one, too. NASCAR's funny that way. Anyway, let's continue with our season wrapups, featuring a few guys whose names you know well.
First up, Dale Earnhardt Jr. experienced a renaissance of sorts, making the Chase and doing pretty much everything but, you know, winning:
Next up, Jimmie Johnson, who saw his Cup chances end a whole lot earlier this year than they have in the past half-decade:
Finally, Brad Keselowski, who came from as close as you can to "out of nowhere" to make the Chase and briefly throw a scare into the sport's leaders:
Your thoughts on these three fine gentlemen's runs in 2011? Fire away.
MORE THAN 1000 FANS CELEBRATE MATT HAGAN'S 2011 FUNNY CAR CHAMPIONSHIP IN HIS HOMETOWN
MATT HAGAN 2011 FUNNY CAR CHAMPION CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. (Dec. 19, 2011) More than 1000 fans and friends celebrated Matt Hagan's 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Funny Car championship at the special event hosted by Shelor Motor Mile in...
Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2011/12/more_than_1000_fans_celeb.php
Thursday
New Urbanists Release Principles for Sustainable Street Networks
At the Transportation Research Board’s 91st annual meeting here in DC, it’s hard to miss the booth handing out copies of a bright blue pamphlet filled with illustrations of busy tree-lined streets, where bicyclists and buses work their way through a bustling urban bazaar. The booth is the Congress for New Urbanism?s ?occupation? of TRB, [...]
Carl Edwards will halt Nationwide run; ESPN next?
Hey, here's good news for some of the Nationwide drivers tired of getting beaten down like LSU in the national championship: Carl Edwards is leaving the Nationwide series.
Not that it matters from a standings perspective, as Edwards and other Sprint Cup drivers aren't eligible to win the Nationwide championship, but on the track, Edwards was one of the most dominant drivers in the series. He won the Nationwide owners' championship for Roush Fenway, and got that fancy trophy you see above, but in his quest to win championships in both series, he came up 0-for-2.
The question for Edwards, of course, is whether the Nationwide races helped or hurt his Cup runs. Certainly, three straight days of qualifying and racing can run you ragged, but you can learn tricks on Saturday that can help you on Sunday. Edwards, Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch have all testified to that.
[NASCAR Power Rankings: The biggest stories of the offseason]
"I'm hoping this lets me focus more on the Cup car, lets me be a better Cup racer by maybe having more time during the race weekend to maybe hone the setups in," Edwards told NASCAR.com. "I don't know how it will actually affect our performance but I do know my calendar is a lot more open and I'm able to breathe a little more. And I know my family and everyone will really appreciate [the open schedule]."
Another possibility is that Edwards is leaving the track for the cozy confines of the broadcast booth. The Daly Planet hinted at this late last season, as Jack Roush dropped a big hint that, in the heat of the Chase, went almost unnoticed. Edwards often drops into the broadcast booth, sometimes even during the same races from which he's crashed out, so this isn't big news.
Either way, we'll be seeing plenty of Carl Edwards this season.
Other popular content on Yahoo! Sports:
? Richard Petty: NASCAR sponsors leery of Kurt Busch
? Busted Racquet: Rafa Nadal injures knee in hotel room
? Video: Blake Griffin posterizes Kris Humphries
FIA: Reactive ride offered aero benefit
Reactive suspension systems were banned from Formula 1 once it became clear to the FIA that their principle benefit was aerodynamic, AUTOSPORT has learned. The governing body wrote to teams on Friday informing them that, in its view, the mechanical concepts pioneered by Lotus and Ferrari and being looked at by other teams would be in contravention of the rules if they were used to help the aerodynamics of the cars. This came despite the initial idea for the hydraulic devices, activated by brake torque, being given the green light as long ago as January last year
NASCAR Fantasy Racing Experts Picks: 2011 Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami
Expert
Website
Pick to Win
Finish
Experts Avg
Josh Lobdell
Tony Stewart
1
12.06
Jerry Lagger
One and Done Game Winner
Carl Edwards
2
12.78
Dennis Michelsen
RaceTalkRadio.com
Tony Stewart
1
12.33
Steve Wronkowicz
On Pit Row
Brad Keselowski
20
13.72
Eric McClung
KFFL
Carl Edwards
2
13.19
Eric McGuire
free agent
Carl Edwards
2
14.42
Dan Beaver
Fantasy Racing Games
Carl Edwards
2
12.89
Matt Mercer
On Pit Row
Carl Edwards
2
15.17
Adam Ansell
Roto Experts
no pick
Chris Leone
On Pit Row
A J Allmendinger
15
12.81
Bob Ellis
NASCAR Ranting and Raving
Carl Edwards
2
12.53
CharlieTurner
On Pit Row
Carl Edwards
2
13.83
Jordan McAbee
On Pit Row
Carl Edwards
2
12.14
Jon Rodgers
Gillette Young Guns Challenge [...]
Website
Pick to Win
Finish
Experts Avg
Josh Lobdell
Tony Stewart
1
12.06
Jerry Lagger
One and Done Game Winner
Carl Edwards
2
12.78
Dennis Michelsen
RaceTalkRadio.com
Tony Stewart
1
12.33
Steve Wronkowicz
On Pit Row
Brad Keselowski
20
13.72
Eric McClung
KFFL
Carl Edwards
2
13.19
Eric McGuire
free agent
Carl Edwards
2
14.42
Dan Beaver
Fantasy Racing Games
Carl Edwards
2
12.89
Matt Mercer
On Pit Row
Carl Edwards
2
15.17
Adam Ansell
Roto Experts
no pick
Chris Leone
On Pit Row
A J Allmendinger
15
12.81
Bob Ellis
NASCAR Ranting and Raving
Carl Edwards
2
12.53
CharlieTurner
On Pit Row
Carl Edwards
2
13.83
Jordan McAbee
On Pit Row
Carl Edwards
2
12.14
Jon Rodgers
Gillette Young Guns Challenge [...]
Wednesday
Ecclestone still confident over Bahrain
Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone says there are no doubts in his head that the Bahrain Grand Prix will take place this year - despite ongoing question marks about its future. With reports of continued political trouble still appearing in the media, there has been speculation that the event could face a repeat of the scenario 12 months ago when it had to be cancelled. But Ecclestone is adamant that the race, which is scheduled to take place on April 22, will go ahead because he does not see any issue with events going on in the Gulf state
Terrence Lee Labonte Randy Joseph Lajoie Kevin Paul Lepage William Ashton Lewis Jr
What If Lafayette Avenue Had a Protected Bike Lane and Ped Refuges?
A rendering of what Lafayette Avenue might look like with a protected bike lane. Image: jacob-uptown
Hilda Cohen, Ali Loxton and 1,600 petition-signers are asking for a painted bike lane and a road diet on Brooklyn’s Lafayette Avenue: They’re hoping to calm traffic and improve the area’s bike network by turning one traffic lane into a [...]
Hilda Cohen, Ali Loxton and 1,600 petition-signers are asking for a painted bike lane and a road diet on Brooklyn’s Lafayette Avenue: They’re hoping to calm traffic and improve the area’s bike network by turning one traffic lane into a [...]
Komanoff: 2,000 New Cabs Will Add as Much Traffic as 80,000 Private Cars
Transportation analyst and Streetsblog contributor Charles Komanoff is out with a piece in Reuters today that examines the traffic impacts of adding 2,000 new yellow taxis to Manhattan streets, and it’s not pretty.
As part of the grand bargain struck between Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor Andrew Cuomo that will create a new class of hail-able [...]
As part of the grand bargain struck between Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor Andrew Cuomo that will create a new class of hail-able [...]
Matthew Roy Kenseth Alan Dennis Kulwicki Travis Wade Kvapil Robert Allen Labonte
Tuesday
Monaco base discussed for ?Monte?
The organisers of the Monte Carlo Rally are under pressure to implement significant changes to the route for next year's event, including a wholesale move back to Monaco. Last week's World Rally Championship opener spent four of its six days (including shakedown) in Valence before a long road section down to the principality for the final two days
Scott Russell Riggs Hiroshi Fushida Beppe Gabbiani Bertrand Gachot
Name That Shifter, No. 59: 1979 Ford Fairmont ES V8
On Monday we presented this week?s shifter and asked you to identify the make and model of the vehicle from whence it came. Based upon the wide scope of guesses this week?but only one correct?we assume the shifter wasn?t the easiest to identify. This week?s mystery photo featured the 1979 Ford Fairmont ES V8?s four-speed [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/6zKmjDtj-tQ/
Kasey Kenneth Kahne Matthew Roy Kenseth Alan Dennis Kulwicki Travis Wade Kvapil
Retro: Legend of ?Jaws? began at 1977 Southern 500 (NASCAR.com)
Retro: Legend of Jaws began at 1977 Southern 500
David Lee Blaney Michael Duane Bliss Kurt Thomas Busch Kyle Thomas Busch
Official: Porsche celebrates building 100,000th second-generation Cayenne
Filed under: Performance, SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Porsche
Say what you will about the Porsche Cayenne - whether you think it's the best-handling SUV on the market or a storied automaker turning its back on its heritage - you can't argue that it hasn't been a huge success for the German automaker. In fact, Porsche has produced 100,000 examples of the Cayenne - and that's only counting the current model.
The milestone unit is set to be delivered to a customer in Brazil, one of the 124 markets in which the Cayenne is currently sold in five different versions. The milestone comes at an auspicious time for Porsche, which this year celebrates 10 years of production at Leipzig, where the Cayenne and Panamera are built. With the approaching introduction of the smaller Cajun line at Leipzig, the plant is expected to reach the 500,000 mark before the year is out.
Continue reading Porsche celebrates building 100,000th second-generation Cayenne
Porsche celebrates building 100,000th second-generation Cayenne originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/23/porsche-celebrates-building-100-000th-second-generation-cayenne/
Monday
Join us for 2012?s first NASCAR live chat, Wed. at 1 ET
It's 2012, and time for another NASCAR live chat! Join us, friends, at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday as we hang and talk whatever you like. Maybe it'll be NASCAR, maybe it'll be whatever rotten Christmas gifts you got or horrid New Year's Eve encounters you had. You never know! See you here.
Michael Duane Bliss Kurt Thomas Busch Kyle Thomas Busch Jeffrey Tyler Burton
2013 Audi A6 Allroad Announced: No, It Won?t Be Sold Here
Just after we first saw the U.S.-spec 2013 Audi A4 Allroad at the Detroit auto show, the company?s German mothership announced the one-size-up third-generation A6 Allroad. Unlike its smaller sibling, however, it won?t be sold here. What exactly are we missing? At its heart, an opportunity to drop a lot of coin on a wagon [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/s0qCg3UIMUU/
Report: BMW hooks DTM up with new M3 safety car
Filed under: Coupe, Europe, BMW, Racing
Choosing a safety car to pace a racing series is tricky business that almost invariably results in either a constant flux of vehicles called into duty or playing favorites between the manufacturers taking part in the series. NASCAR changes its pace cars about as quickly as it changes tires. Formula One sticks with Mercedes-Benz machinery, and nobody seems to complain very much. But DTM bridges the gap with a slightly different approach.
In the German touring car series, each of the participating automakers provides safety cars to the series organizers, which alternate between them from one race to another. That was simple enough when it was just Audi and Mercedes-Benz, but now that BMW has thrown its proverbial hat into the ring, DTM is putting a third car into the rotation. And this is our first look at it.
Revealed with a handful of crude snapshots on the BMW Motorsport fan page on Facebook, the BMW M3 DTM Safety Car looks closer to the standard, roadgoing M3 than the DTM racer, but with some extra modifications. Those include special wheels, an emergency light bar and a stripped-out cockpit with full roll cage and Recaro buckets. But there could be something special going on under the hood as well, where a bright orange engine cover lurks under a unique louvered hood. That could mean a more powerful version of the outgoing M3's high-revving V8 engine to help it stay out in front of all that racing machinery.
We'll have to wait for BMW to release additional information to find out, but for now you can check out the low-res images in the gallery above.
BMW hooks DTM up with new M3 safety car originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/23/bmw-hooks-dtm-up-with-new-m3-safety-car/
Casey James Mears Juan Pablo Montoya Joseph Francis Nemechek III Ryan Joseph Newman
Carl Edwards will co-host ?Live with Kelly Ripa.? Yep.
In the tradition of NASCAR greats like Dale Earnhardt and Fireball Roberts, Carl Edwards will co-host a NYC-based morning talk show, in this case the Regis-less "LIVE! with Kelly" on Tuesday, Jan. 10.
"LIVE!" (we're very sensitive about the proper use of the exclamation point here at Yahoo!) stars, of course, Kelly Ripa, and in this case she's taking on various pro athletes as co-hosts for a week. Other co-hosts will include Reggie Bush, Boomer Esiason, Jesse Palmer and Apolo Anton Ohno.
Jeff Gordon co-hosted the show once; Edwards has been a guest but not a co-host. Check your local listings, Cuz fans.
2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK to Get ?Significant? Face Lift, Optional Diesel Four
The Mercedes-Benz GLK crossover will receive a “significant” face lift for the 2013 model year, U.S. president Steve Cannon tells us. We should see major changes to the front fascia?beyond just headlights and bumpers?as well as big upgrades to the interior. The interior improvements made to the C-class during the past year are probably a [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/nmWU1ELHLu0/
Sunday
Official: World's smallest car headed back into production
Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Plants/Manufacturing, Toys/Games, UK, Electric
We have a hard time imagining anyone would find the Smart ForTwo uncomfortably large or the Scion iQ too big for their needs, but a group of businessmen in the UK believe there's a market for even smaller transportation. The group has resurrected the Peel brand, and the manufacturer is now accepting orders for both the P50 and the Trident. Both models will launch with a 49 cc two-stroke gasoline engine making just 3.35 horsepower, but buyers will also be able to choose one of two electric motors as well.
A brushless electric motor producing 1.6 horsepower and 2.5 pound-feet of torque can propel either vehicle to a golf-cart rivaling 15 mph. So equipped, the P50 and Trident deliver an operating range of around 50 miles. A more potent 4-horsepower motor is also available, which propels the three wheelers to a top speed of 50 mph with the same range. Both Peel models are limited to 28 mph.
With the Trident weighing just 130 pounds and the P50 tipping the scales at a slightly heavier 198 pounds, even the most atrophied among us should be able to drag the machines into a convenient parking space or elevator. As of the time of writing, only 9 of the 50 first limited edition Peel models remain available. Prices start at around $10,772, but if you want one, you'll need to place a $1,546 deposit. Head over to the Peel website for more information, and follow the jump for our favorite Peel video ever: Clarkson bringing one to the office for Top Gear.
Continue reading World's smallest car headed back into production
World's smallest car headed back into production originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/22/worlds-smallest-car-headed-back-into-production/
TRD Shows Performance Parts for Toyota GT 86, Similar Items Will Be Available for Scion FR-S
Toyota?s performance parts and racing division, TRD, has revealed a new line of accessories and performance parts for the GT 86 sports car?which will be sold here as the Scion FR-S?at the Tokyo auto salon. Besides the expected body kit, the TRD upgrades are pretty extensive. There?s a big-brake kit, an adjustable suspension, a set [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/zK_OsOfWxUM/
Report: Turkish private equity firm jumps into Saab buying fray
Filed under: China, Saab, Middle East
The next chapter in the Saab opera has a new protagonist called Brightwell Holdings, a Turkish private equity firm. Brightwell is is perhaps the unknown Turkish entity mentioned last year as having an interest in bankrupt Saab, along with India's Mahindra & Mahindra. A board member at Brightwell said the company will spend two weeks evaluating Saab's assets and then will make a bid, "there's no question."
Turkey doesn't have a national car company, but it does have plenty of automotive manufacturing expertise since Ford, Fiat and Renault have factories there. Brightwell has said it would keep Saab production in Trollhätten, but (and this is only conjecture) along with a decades-old push for a national car company, the increase of Turkish private equity, and Turkey's desire to join the European Union, the bid could have motivating factors beyond the financial.
Regardless, that means we now have two players in the Saab story, with Youngman's renewed run at Saab expected to result in a bid as soon as next week that could exceed a billion euros. It's difficult to imagine that Saab will somehow be rescued, but the ball is still in play.
Turkish private equity firm jumps into Saab buying fray originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/22/turkish-private-equity-firm-jumps-into-saab-buying-fray/
Scouting Report: Phoenix
How to make an informed pick for the Kobalt Tools 500:
1) Practice will be extremely important this week and luckily we get to see two practice sessions before qualifying (weekend schedule of events). This will not be your typical Phoenix race weekend. The track changed in such significant ways that solely going off past Phoenix [...]
1) Practice will be extremely important this week and luckily we get to see two practice sessions before qualifying (weekend schedule of events). This will not be your typical Phoenix race weekend. The track changed in such significant ways that solely going off past Phoenix [...]
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