Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Bode Miller to race Gumball 3000

U.S. Olympic gold medalist skier Bode Miller has teamed with Swedish X Games champion freeskier Jon Olsson to drive the Gumball 3000 Rally, a Tour de France-style auto race stretching from London to Istanbul beginning on Thursday. I have no idea what to expect, but I know its going to be a cool experience, said Miller, who last summer competed in a qualifier for the US Open tennis...

Source: http://www.nascarracinglive.com/nascar/bode-miller-to-race-gumball-3000-ap.html

Loris Kessel Bruce Kessler Nicolas Kiesa Leo Kinnunen Danny Kladis

Kirby Takes First RSR Win at Spa

Circuit De Spa-Francorchamps.� Known to race fans around the world simply as Spa, the track was unquestionably the most anticipated addition to iRacing?s collection of road courses.� Luckily for members of the Red Sox Racing League, iRacing?s team of track scanners, graphic artists, and programmers worked hard to get Spa into the virtual world of online racing.� Their combined efforts produced one of the most visually stunning tracks currently available to online racers.�� Spa is considered to be one of the most challenging tracks in the world.� Nineteen corners along a hilly, twisty, 4.35 mile layout, force drivers to remain focused all times.� High speeds and hairpin corners mean a single miscue could result in race-ending damage.� Eighteen members of the RSR league traveled to Spa to begin Season Two [...]

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/iracing-news/kirby-takes-first-rsr-win-at-spa/

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

Heidfeld laments practice fire

Nick Heidfeld was left lamenting his problems during final practice for the Spanish Grand Prix after being unable to run in qualifying. The German's car was heavily damaged in a big fire during the morning session, a problem caused by a small hole in the one of the exhausts of his car. Although Renault worked at full speed to try to get the car ready for qualifying, the German was unable to run and will start the race from the bottom of the grid.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/heidfeld-laments-practice-fire/

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

Wittmann dominates Pau GP

Marco Wittmann dominated this afternoon's 70th running of the Pau Grand Prix.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/3rdparty/wittmann-dominates-pau-gp/

Peter de Klerk Christian Klien Karl Kling Ernst Klodwig Kamui Kobayashi

Report: Lamborghini CEO Winkelmann confirms new "everyday" model line

Filed under: , ,

Stephan Winkelmann with Lamborghini Estoque concept
Stephan Winkelmann with Lamborghini Estoque concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

The incorporation of Lamborghini into the Volkswagen Group has certainly done a lot for their drivability, but we wouldn't exactly call a Gallardo or Aventador an "everyday supercar." But according to reports quoting the company's affable chief executive, Stephen Winkelmann, Sant'Agata Bolognese is set to add a new range of models to deliver exactly that.

The Lamborghini CEO was speaking at a Reuters conference, where he declared that a third model line was under development - one that "has to be an everyday car." Although he would not confirm in which segment the new car would compete, he did indicate that it would benefit from synergies within the VW Group.

The declaration is being widely reported as confirmation of a production version of the Estoque concept, a sensational four-door show car that Lamborghini unveiled way back at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The Estoque's production is tipped to share underpinnings with the next-generation Porsche Panamera, Audi A9 and a new Bentley four-door coupe.

Lamborghini CEO Winkelmann confirms new "everyday" model line originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 May 2011 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/24/lamborghini-ceo-winkelmann-confirms-new-everyday-model-line/

Oswald Karch Narain Karthikeyan Ukyo Katayama Ken Kavanagh Rupert Keegan

First Drive: 2012 Volkswagen Passat

Filed under: , , ,

Americanized Sedan Shows Its German Roots

2012 Volkswagen Passat
2012 Volkswagen Passat - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2012 Volkswagen Passat is facing a kind of perfect storm of skepticism from long-time fans of the brand. Volkswagen has wasted no chance to tell the world that the company's newest sedan will be custom-tailored to the American market, with styling and packaging tweaks designed to set the vehicle apart from its European counterpart. If that weren't enough, the new North American Passat will also carry the distinction of being the first VW product to be built at the automaker's brand-new assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

VW fans have always embraced the German flavor of their vehicles, but as the company pushes toward its (massively ambitious) goal of selling 800,000 units per year by 2018, we can expect to see more market-specific products in our neck of the woods. That trend kicked off with the 2011 Jetta - a vehicle that sacrificed interior materials and suspension refinement to meet a lower price point while growing larger to accommodate American tastes.

Does the Passat share a similar fate? When the sedan first debuted at this year's Detroit Auto Show, it came packing a host of styling cues lifted directly from the smaller Jetta. That lead many onlookers (ourselves included) to conclude that in creating its new mid-sized sedan, Volkswagen had simply supersized the Jetta.

Fortunately, that's not the case.

Continue reading 2012 Volkswagen Passat

2012 Volkswagen Passat originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 May 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/24/2012-volkswagen-passat-first-drive-review/

Carl Edwards Copart Ford Denny Hamlin Z Line Toyota Kyle Busch

Renault: Kubica unlikely to race in 2011

Renault team owner Gerard Lopez says Robert Kubica could assess his fitness by driving in a Friday practice session at a grand prix later this year - but reckons it is highly unlikely that the Pole will be fit enough to race again during 2011. Kubica is continuing his rehabilitation at home following the rally crash nearly four months ago that left him with multiple injuries including a partially severed right arm. The doctors treating him have suggested it will be the summer before they can predict a potential date for his Formula 1 return, and Lopez said the door was open for Kubica to participate in a Friday practice session if it would be helpful, even if he was not up to racing this season

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/renault-kubica-unlikely-to-race-in-2011/

Mike Hailwood Mika Häkkinen Bruce Halford Jim Hall Duncan Hamilton

Pole Report: NNS John Deere 250 from Iowa Speedway Qualifying Rained Out

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2011/05/pole-report-nns-john-deere-250-from.html

Elmer George Bob Gerard Gerino Gerini Peter Gethin Piercarlo Ghinzani

De Silvestro admits crash shook her

Simona de Silvestro admitted she had second thoughts about getting back in the car for Indianapolis 500 qualifying after her ferocious practice crash, but was glad she made the decision to continue after qualifying 24th. The HVM driver sustained burns to her hands when a suspension failure sent her into a fiery, aerial accident on Thursday. She was cleared to return to the track yesterday and managed to qualify the team's lower-spec back-up car in 24th

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/indycar-news/indycar/de-silvestro-admits-crash-shook-her/

Danny Kladis Hans Klenk Peter de Klerk Christian Klien Karl Kling

Indy driver thankful crash only damaged hands

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/05/23/1219653/indy-driver-thankful-crash-only.html

Bobby Grim Romain Grosjean Olivier Grouillard Brian Gubby André Guelfi

2012 Fiat 500 Sport vs. 2011 Mini Cooper ? Comparison Tests

Playmobiles: Fiat battles Mini for sandbox supremacy. It’s on like Donkey Kong. The wide boulevards, endless expressways, ?and three-car garages of the United States are not what you might call prime territory for tiny city cars. Sure, they?re big business in Europe, the hatchery?that birthed these automotive Peeps, with all major carmakers (including Mercedes-Benz and [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/aOeXYasx4Zw/

Max Jean Stefan Johansson Eddie Johnson Leslie Johnson Bruce Johnstone

Lotus: No Elan Until 2016 at the Earliest, More Evora Variants to Come In the Interim

Lotus will not sell a reborn Elan (pictured above) for at least five years, a spokesperson for the company told us today. A car bearing the Elan name?a two-seat, mid-engine coupe unveiled in concept form at the 2010 Paris auto show?was originally scheduled to launch in 2013 or 2014. According to that plan, the similar [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/Y3stQQKX6WY/

Joseph Francis Nemechek III Ryan Joseph Newman Kyle Eugene Petty Floyd Anthony Raines Scott Russell Riggs

Monday, May 23, 2011

Brawn against December season finale

The possible extension of the Formula 1 calendar into December to try and help accommodate the return of the Bahrain Grand Prix has been labelled as a step too far by Mercedes GP boss Ross Brawn. As AUTOSPORT revealed last week, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is looking at the possibility of moving the Indian GP to December 4 so that the Bahrain GP can be held on October 30.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/brawn-against-december-season-finale/

Bruce Johnstone Alan Jones Tom Jones Juan Jover Oswald Karch

The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Lineup ? Kyle Busch on the pole

1 18 Kyle Busch M&M’s Toyota 119.191 135.916 2 33 Clint Bowyer BB&T Chevrolet 119.666 135.377 3 16 Greg Biffle 3M Ford 120.232 134.740 4 99 Carl Edwards Aflac Now Hiring Ford 120.683 134.236 5 25 Mark Martin Farmers Insurance Group Chevrolet 121.194 133.670 6 14 Tony Stewart Burger King Chevrolet 121.206 133.657 7 4 [...]

Source: http://finallapradio.com/2011/05/20/the-nascar-sprint-all-star-race-lineup-kyle-busch-on-the-pole/

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

Force India Formula One Team 2011 Spanish Grand Prix Race Report

Force India Formula One Team 2011 Spanish Grand Prix Race Report Circuit de Catalunya, Sunday May 22 2011 A fast-paced Spanish Grand Prix saw both Force Indias improve on their qualifying positions with Paul coming home in 12th, followed home...

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2011/05/force_india_formula_one_t_68.php

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

Winterbottom grabs race two pole

Mark Winterbottom took his and Ford Performance Racing's first pole position of the 2011 V8 Supercars season in qualifying for race two at Winton today. In a late scramble as a slightly damp track dried after a brief shower, Winterbottom managed to edge out championship leader and race one winner Jamie Whincup by 0.09 seconds - helped by the Triple Eight Holden driver going off course on his final lap. Steven Johnson followed up his race one front row start and podium finish with third place in the Dick Johnson Racing Ford, alongside HRT's Garth Tander.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/3rdparty/winterbottom-grabs-race-two-pole/

Kazuyoshi Hoshino Jerry Hoyt Nico Hülkenberg Denny Hulme James Hunt

Pic heads Addax one-two finish

Charles Pic led Giedo van der Garde home for an Addax one-two in the first GP2 race of the weekend at Barcelona.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/other-news/formula-cars/gp2/pic-heads-addax-one-two-finish/

Stefan Johansson Eddie Johnson Leslie Johnson Bruce Johnstone Alan Jones

GM Adds Solar Array to Chevy Volt Assembly Plant

General Motors is adding a 264,000-square-foot solar array to its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant, the facility where it assembles the Chevrolet Volt. While the move clearly showers the Volt?s assembly process with the same warm and fuzzy environmental consciousness exuded by the Volt itself, the solar array also makes keen financial sense, according to GM. Unlike [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/HZ3QKrfVP3A/

Juan Jover Oswald Karch Narain Karthikeyan Ukyo Katayama Ken Kavanagh

Scoop: Audi S6 and S7 to Offer Diesel Option ? Car News

For the first time ever, Audi?s sporty sub-brand will include oil burners. It?s easy to be impressed by diesels?but it can be hard to fall in love with them. The awesome torque and impressive efficiency combine to allow drivers to burn tires and miles with ease. But love? This requires something more. No diesel we?ve [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/Ho6aiu-gQA8/

Jesús Iglesias Taki Inoue Innes Ireland Eddie Irvine Chris Irwin

Motorsports This Week on ESPN and ABC

ESPNIndianapolis 500 Airs on ABC for 47th Consecutive Year One of the longest-running relationships between a sporting event and a network will continue on Sunday, May 29, when the Indianapolis 500 airs on ABC for the 47th consecutive year. ESPN on ABC?s coverage from Indianapolis Motor Speedway begins at 11 a.m. ET with The Indianapolis...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2011/sprintcup/05/23/motorsports-this-week-on-espn-and-abc-32/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=motorsports-this-week-on-espn-and-abc-32

Patrick Gaillard Divina Galica Nanni Galli Oscar Alfredo Gálvez Fred Gamble