Official: Toyota announces new four-cylinder Camry SE Sport

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Toyota

There are plenty of great reasons to look forward to the upcoming three-day Labor Day weekend, but is a Toyota Camry one of them? While a special-edition Camry might not sound as exciting as the numerous parties or cookouts taking place this weekend, Toyota is giving its dealers a special way to celebrate with the new SE Sport Limited Edition added to the 2012 Camry line equipped with the four-cylinder engine.

Essentially, this car is a more attractive value package that combines a few popular options bundled together for a low(er) price. The 2012 Camry SE Sport Limited Edition will have a starting price of $25,995 (*not including delivery charges) which is about a $2,700 premium compared to the 2012 Camry SE. The package will include added equipment such as navigation, Toyota's Entune infotainment (a $2,405 option on its own), power sunroof and power driver's seat.

Toyota livened this package up a little more with exclusive features like the 18-inch, smoked-finish wheels and a Blizzard Pearl paint that will only be produced between September 12 through November 12. The Camry SE Sport that shoppers can find in dealers this weekend will come in Barcelona Red and Attitude Black. Read the official announcement below.

Continue reading Toyota announces new four-cylinder Camry SE Sport

Toyota announces new four-cylinder Camry SE Sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 09:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/31/toyota-announces-new-four-cylinder-camry-se-sport/

Louis Chiron Joie Chitwood Bob Christie

Tarquini: Honda won’t shine until ’13

Gabriele Tarquini has warned not to expect immediate results from Honda's new World Touring Car Civic despite a successful first "real" test in Slovakia earlier this week.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/other-news/touring-cars/wtcc/tarquini-honda-wont-shine-until-13

Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari

Official: Citroën DS3 Cabrio ready to roll back its lid in Paris [w/videos]

Filed under: Convertible, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Citroën

Citroën is adding another member to its DS3 line, this one a Cabrio with a sliding fabric roof in either black, Infini blue or DS Monogramme (as shown). The two-position opening mechanism follows the path laid out by the Mini Cooper convertible and Fiat 500 Cabrio, the driver able to slide the roof back to the leading edge of the C-pillar or send it all the way down into a plinth-like pile atop the trunk hatch. And as with the Mini, the top can be opened at speeds up to 74 mph.

The rest of the very popular DS3 hatch has remained intact, but the addition of direct access to Helios has encouraged Citroën to say the DS3 Cabrio is "pleasure non-stop." If you'd like some of that for yourself, there's a trio of videos and the official press release below, along with a trove of high-res photos in the gallery. We'll see it live next month at the Paris Motor Show.

Continue reading Citroën DS3 Cabrio ready to roll back its lid in Paris [w/videos]

Citroën DS3 Cabrio ready to roll back its lid in Paris [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/31/citroen-ds3-cabrio-ready-to-roll-back-its-lid-in-paris-w-videos/

Tom Belso JeanPierre Beltoise Olivier Beretta

Today’s Headlines

Assembly Dems Rally Round Silver (NYT)
You Can’t Vote for Brooklyn’s Next Dem Boss, But You Can Get to Know the Contenders (Bklyn Paper)
Samuelsen Airs Conflict With MTA Over One Person Train Operation in HuffPo (via 2nd Ave Sagas)
Positive Press for Staten Island SBS in the Post
DOT to Slim Down Intersection to Prevent Wrong-Way Driving on 39th Street [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/08/31/todays-headlines-1465/

Mario Andretti Michael Andretti Keith Andrews

Schumacher to reach 300-race mark in Spa

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/08/30/2303602/schumacher-to-reach-300-race-mark.html

Mario Andretti Michael Andretti Keith Andrews

5 Questions Before ... Atlanta Motor Speedway

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/08/5-questions-before-atlanta-motor.html

Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot

Kahne Leads Wild Cards But Could Advance To Top 10

Kasey Kahne continues to hold the aces in the Chase Wild Card game. His two victories, along with an 11th-place ranking, lead six eligible winners standing 11th through 20th in current points. There’s a very large asterisk, however, as Kahne has closed to within 11 points of the top 10 and the possibility the first-year [...]

Source: http://thefinallap.com/2012/08/29/kasey-kahne-leads-wild-cards-but-could-advance-to-top-10/

Bernard Collomb Alberto Colombo Erik Comas

Video: Danica Patrick Wrecks Hard At Bristol, After Solid Run

Danica Patrick’s night ends early after getting hit by the No. 78.

Source: http://thefinallap.com/2012/08/25/video-danica-patrick-wrecks-crash-hard-at-bristol-after-solid-run-regan-smith/

Menato Boffa Bob Bondurant Felice Bonetto

Driver and Show Car Appearances for AdvoCare 500 Weekend

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/08/driver-and-show-car-appearances-for.html

Mauro Baldi Bobby Ball Marcel Balsa

Gibbs Garage: Hamlin dances his way to Victory Lane with smooth moves and two left side tires

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/08/gibbs-garage-hamlin-dances-his-way-to.html

Hans Binder Clemente Biondetti Pablo Birger

Alonso: Ferrari "slowest" of top cars

Fernando Alonso reckons Ferrari is the "slowest" of the teams fighting for the 2012 Formula 1 title, despite the Spaniard leading the championship.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/alonso-ferrari-slowest-of-top-cars

Karun Chandhok Alain de Changy Colin Chapman

Ferrari reveals 2014 engine dyno test

Ferrari has revealed that its new 2014 engine is running on the dyno at its Maranello factory. With Formula 1 engine manufacturers Renault and Mercedes already believed to have begun bench tests of their new power-units, Ferrari's head of engine and electronics Luca Marmorini says that his outfit is also well-advanced with its work. "It is a very challenging period for power train people," Marmorini told the official Ferrari website.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/ferrari-reveals-2014-engine-dyno-test

Eitel Cantoni Bill Cantrell Ivan Capelli

Suzuki working on 2014 MotoGP return

Suzuki wants to return to MotoGP from 2014, but has ruled out entering any races as a wildcard next year. The outfit's MotoGP project leader Satoru Terada says the programme is yet to receive definitive confirmation from Suzuki management, but revealed plans were already underway to return with a full programme in two season's time

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/other-news/motorcycles/motogp/suzuki-working-on-2014-motogp-return

Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi

Lincoln to Start Selling Cars in China by Mid-2014

Lincoln has announced that it plans to begin selling cars in China by the second half of 2014. Ford’s luxury division didn’t elaborate on which models it plans to sell in China—we think the MKT, new MKZ, and the Navigator are safe bets to make it there—although it did say the cars will be sold [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/XXVDmcF9OkA/

Cliff Allison Fernando Alonso Giovanna Amati

Raikkonen keen for ‘fun’ rally return

Kimi Raikkonen is keen to return to rallying "for fun" after his Formula 1 career is over.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/raikkonen-keen-for-fun-rally-return

Allen Berg Georges Berger Gerhard Berger

Driver Chase Clinch Scenarios: Eight Spots Remain

Three competitors have clinched seeded spots in this year’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™ and another – 2003 champion Matt Kenseth – moves to the post season with at least a “wild card” entry. Current points leader Greg Biffle, five-time champion Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. locked up Chase berths at Bristol Motor [...]

Source: http://thefinallap.com/2012/08/28/nascar-driver-chase-clinch-scenarios-eight-spots-remain/

Andrea Chiesa Ettore Chimeri Louis Chiron

Chinese Company Sort-Of Buys Spyker, Will Build $250,000 Luxury SUV

Just a year ago, a group of investors headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut, bought Spyker. Today, the Dutch company that once called itself an automaker—sales are in the low double-digits, if that—announced the start of a joint venture with a former suitor for Saab, a Chinese carmaker called Youngman. If you drill down through the companies’ statement, [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/IKLy4sBvK6w/

Don Beauman Karl Gunther Bechem Jean Behra

Engstler adds third BMW for Asia

Team Engstler is set to run a third car in the three Asian races that conclude this year's World Touring Car Championship. Japanese racer Masaki Kano, whose links with Team Engstler date back to 2007, is set to race a two-litre, normally-aspirated BMW 320si at Suzuka on 21 October. Joseph Rosa-Merszei will compete in his home event in Macau, the season finale.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/other-news/touring-cars/wtcc/engstler-adds-third-bmw-for-asia

Larry Crockett Tony Crook Art Cross

2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit Police Package Instrumented Test: We File a Police Report

Driving a police-spec Charger as a civilian isn’t so much about the car, but the experience. That’s because it feels and performs just like a regular model—which we’ve reviewed in many forms—save for one major distinction: Its performance is almost entirely dictated by its appearance, not the beefed-up chassis or the burly 5.7-liter V-8. You [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/quegvc_N7WI/2012-dodge-charger-pursuit-police-package-instrumented-test-review

Michael Bartels Edgar Barth Giorgio Bassi

ACO to organise ELMS from 2013

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

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/aco-to-organise-elms-from-2013

Eric Bernard Enrique Bernoldi Enrico Bertaggia

Official: Nissan launches rough and ready Almera in Moscow

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Nissan, Misc. Auto Shows, Russia

Nissan has taken advantage of the Moscow Motor Show to unveil a new Russian-specific sedan with an old name. The Nissan Almera is a new offering that will be built in Russia and feature attributes that, according to Nissan, "meet the unique demands of the Russian market." What exactly does that mean? The Almera features raised ground clearance (just check out the gaps in the wheel wells), special anti-corrosion treatment for the chrome bits and added production for the underbody.

The new Almera will be be built in the Russian city of Togliatti, which is also home to plants for automaker AutoVAZ.

The emphasis here is on basic, robust construction - even underhood, where a yestertech 102-horsepower, 1.6-liter engine is protected by a steel skid plate. The Almera rides on a ground clearance of 6.3 inches, which according to Nissan, is best in class, as is trunk room.

The Almera is the latest move stemming from Nissan's desire to expand its Russian automobile business - as of late May, the brand represented 5.9 percent of the market. This is the first step in a plan that Nissan hopes will bring its market share to ten percent by 2016.

Check out the gallery for images and the press release below for more information on the new Nissan Almera.

Continue reading Nissan launches rough and ready Almera in Moscow

Nissan launches rough and ready Almera in Moscow originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/29/nissan-launches-rough-and-ready-almera-in-moscow/

Joie Chitwood Bob Christie Johnny Claes

Astoria Gets a One-Day Plaza Demo as Community Board Vote Approaches

DOT is proposing a plaza on Newtown Avenue at the intersection of 30th Avenue and 33rd Street. Photo: Stephen Miller
Facing a small but influential opposition to a permanent plaza in Astoria, DOT installed a one-day demonstration on Saturday to give neighborhood residents a sneak peak of how the street could be transformed. The demo, a first [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/08/27/astoria-gets-a-one-day-plaza-demo-as-community-board-vote-approaches/

Chuck Arnold Rene Arnoux Peter Arundell

Report: Rolls-Royce planning one or two new models based on the Ghost

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Rolls-Royce, Luxury

Fourteen years after Volkswagen bought Bentley, its English brand has two distinct lines, Mulsanne and Continental - with numerous variants at the Continental's lower price point - an SUV on the way and perhaps a sports car and a Mulsanne convertible, too. In the 14 years since BMW bought Rolls-Royce, its English brand has the Phantom and Ghost - with three variants at the Phantom's much higher price point. Rolls-Royce doesn't chase sales, but the difference in the brand direction helps explain why Bentley has sold more cars in the first six months of this year than Rolls-Royce sold all of last year.

And even though Rolls-Royce isn't solely about the tally, it would still like to improve on the 3,538 cars it sold last year - a sales record that eclipsed a mark set in 1978. To do so its CEO is planning one or two more Ghost-based models beyond the as-yet-unnamed Ghost Coupe due next year, perhaps to be called the Corniche, according to a report in Autocar. A convertible version of the Ghost Coupe is the obvious guess for one of them, and it would get the double-R "closer to 4,000" sales, where the CEO would like to be.

Sales might not be the only part of it, though; the headline of the Autocar piece says the CEO wants the new models because they're "required to give Rolls-Royce a proper identity." If that is accurate, we have no idea what kind of identity Rolls-Royce could be missing that would be served by a wider range of cars in the Ghost range, which by their place in the brand's own lineup are admittedly not the most opulent carriages on the planet.

Rolls-Royce planning one or two new models based on the Ghost originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/29/rolls-royce-planning-one-or-two-new-models-based-on-the-ghost/

Edgar Barth Giorgio Bassi Erwin Bauer

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

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

Source: http://www.nascarracinglive.com/nascar/nascar-fan-picks-top-five-drivers-in-the-auto-club-400-at-fontana-california-yahoo-contributor-network.html

George Constantine John Cordts David Coulthard

INDYCAR: Sonoma Rewind

SPEED's Marshall Pruett breaks down last weekend's IndyCar Series race at Sonoma and hands out his first Golden Bowling Ball award in months.

Source: http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-sonoma-rewind1/

Slim Borgudd Luki Botha JeanChristophe Boullion

Justin Allgaier, No. 31 BRANDT Chevrolet Impala Circuit Gilles Villeneuve Preview

Justin Allgaier driver of the No. 31 BRANDT Chevrolet ImpalaJUSTIN ALLGAIER QUICK FACTS No. 31 BRANDT Chevrolet Circuit Gilles Villeneuve NAPA Auto Parts 200 August 18, 2012 Starts Poles Wins Top-Fives Top-10′s DNFs Avg. Start Avg. Finish 3 0 0 0 2 1 24.3 17.7 No. 31 BRANDT Chevrolet News and Notes Weekend Rewind: Watkins...more»

The post Justin Allgaier, No. 31 BRANDT Chevrolet Impala Circuit Gilles Villeneuve Preview appeared first on Catchfence.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/catchfence/~3/78G7ShLRpY0/

Tommy Byrne Giulio Cabianca Phil Cade

Mark Martin’s Plans for His Twitter Hacker: NASCAR Fan View (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Mark Martin has revealed his plans to get revenge on the person who hacked his Twitter account and changed the name to Epic Swag. Although Mark Martin has been able to recover his account, he plans to use Epic Swag as his name on the No.

Source: http://www.nascarracinglive.com/nascar/mark-martins-plans-for-his-twitter-hacker-nascar-fan-view-yahoo-contributor-network.html

Bill Brack Ernesto Brambilla Vittorio Brambilla

2013 BMW Alpina B7 First Drive: More Power Makes It Even More Charming

Vitamin B7 is also known as biotin, which sounds like some sort of bioengineered armor and therefore is awesome. The Alpina B7 is also known as a bad-ass 7-series, an adjective-and-noun combo that sounds pretty awesome, too. And the car is just that, thanks to its muscled-up version of BMW’s corporate twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 and [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/dIoMzz_QqFE/2013-bmw-7-series-alpina-b7-first-drive-review

Erik Comas Franco Comotti George Connor

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

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

The post Brad Sweet, No. 38 Great Clips Chevrolet Impala Circuit Gilles Villeneuve Preview appeared first on Catchfence.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/catchfence/~3/IVLMfUe8AGw/

Ian Burgess Luciano Burti Roberto Bussinello

2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit Police Package Instrumented Test: We File a Police Report

Driving a police-spec Charger as a civilian isn’t so much about the car, but the experience. That’s because it feels and performs just like a regular model—which we’ve reviewed in many forms—save for one major distinction: Its performance is almost entirely dictated by its appearance, not the beefed-up chassis or the burly 5.7-liter V-8. You [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/quegvc_N7WI/2012-dodge-charger-pursuit-police-package-instrumented-test-review

Paolo Barilla Rubens Barrichello Michael Bartels

Stroller-Share: Can I Get an Amen?

Childless urbanites love to hate the stroller. New Yorker Laura Miller started a blog, “Too Big For Stroller,” dedicated to mocking older children who get around the easy way. Commenters on a Greater Greater Washington story about strollers on buses last year showcased surprising vitriol, saying, “Carry your child, like an able-bodied adult should” and [...]

Source: http://dc.streetsblog.org/2012/08/24/stroller-share-can-i-get-an-amen/

Conny Andersson Mario Andretti Michael Andretti

Hendrick Garage: It's Bristol, Baby!

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/08/hendrick-garage-its-bristol-baby.html

Mike Beuttler Birabongse Bhanubandh Lucien Bianchi

Superlight: The 2014 Mazda 6 Debuts in Russian Spec

Good news, everyone! Mazda is just about to launch its third-generation 6, and this time around it’s smaller and much lighter than the car it replaces. The 2014 Mazda 6 could even capture some of the spirit of the delightful first-gen car—at least, that’s what Mazda’s execs want us to believe. The new 6 debuts [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/3NweGL2cXhM/2014-mazda-6-debuts-in-russia-photos-and-info-released-news

JeanDenis Deletraz Patrick Depailler Pedro Diniz

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

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

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/hfcN19O-SE4/

Art Bisch Harry Blanchard Michael Bleekemolen

Hamilton takes pole position for F1 Malaysian GP (PA SportsTicker)

By CHRIS LINES AP Auto Racing Writer

Source: http://www.nascarracinglive.com/nascar/hamilton-takes-pole-position-for-f1-malaysian-gp-pa-sportsticker.html

George Connor George Constantine John Cordts

Video: Post Race Driver Reactions From Bristol

Drivers discuss a crazy night of racing and clinching their spots in the Chase.

Source: http://thefinallap.com/2012/08/26/video-post-race-driver-reactions-from-bristol-johnson-biffle-earnhardt/

Louis Chiron Joie Chitwood Bob Christie

HWA crew member hurt in pit incident

A member of the HWA Mercedes team remains in hospital following an accident with Ralf Schumacher's car during DTM practice at Zandvoort on Friday.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/other-news/miscellaneous/dtm/hwa-crew-member-hurt-in-pit-incident

Chuck Arnold Rene Arnoux Peter Arundell

Kia Confirms Convertible Soul, Turbo Hot Hatch, Reports Say [Updated]

2009 Kia Soul'ster concept Update 8/23: Kia has commented on these reports. Click here to rear more. Kia looks set to add a convertible Soul and a turbocharged hot hatch to its lineup in the next two years, say a number of reports from the U.K. British outlet Autocar quotes a Kia marketing exec named [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/McWqnqAUB4Y/

Geoff Crossley Chuck Daigh Yannick Dalmas

Astoria Gets a One-Day Plaza Demo as Community Board Vote Approaches

DOT is proposing a plaza on Newtown Avenue at the intersection of 30th Avenue and 33rd Street. Photo: Stephen Miller
Facing a small but influential opposition to a permanent plaza in Astoria, DOT installed a one-day demonstration on Saturday to give neighborhood residents a sneak peak of how the street could be transformed. The demo, a first [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/08/27/astoria-gets-a-one-day-plaza-demo-as-community-board-vote-approaches/

Raul Boesel Menato Boffa Bob Bondurant

How Jaguar Fast-Tracked AWD for Its Cars—And Why It Can’t Do More

Only Jaguar XFs and XJs with a new supercharged six will be offered with all-wheel drive, and only starting in February—months after the rear-drive versions go on sale. We’ve learned that it’s nigh-on impossible to equip the turbo-four and V-8 Jags with all-wheel drive. Join us for an excursion behind the normally closed—and dead-bolted, CCTV-supervised, security-patrolled—doors [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/s_cpcvY9wow/

Julian Bailey Mauro Baldi Bobby Ball

2013 Acura ILX Long-Term Test Intro: Trying to Combine Luxury with the Civic Si

Just over a decade ago, Acura’s lineup included the NSX and the Integra—both among the most fun-to-drive cars in their segments, and two fairly iconic pieces of machinery. Since then, Honda’s luxury brand has introduced a line of funky-faced, tweener-sized cars that James Spader talks up in TV ads. Away from the sound booth where [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/ae_vGTnEQjg/2013-acura-ilx-24-premium-long-term-road-test-review

Luiz Bueno Ian Burgess Luciano Burti

IndyCar Series - Grand Prix of Baltimore Preview

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/08/28/2297959/indycar-series-grand-prix-of-baltimore.html

Chuck Daigh Yannick Dalmas Derek Daly

Lorenzo: Original set-up key to pole

Jorge Lorenzo said going back to the very first set-up he ever tried on a 1000cc Yamaha was the key to his Brno MotoGP pole.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/other-news/motorcycles/motogp/lorenzo-original-set-up-key-to-pole

Adrián Campos John Cannon Eitel Cantoni

Marquez triumphs in close Brno fight

Marc Marquez gave his 2012 Moto2 title hopes a significant boost with victory in a cagey four-way fight at Brno that exploded in the final laps.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/marquez-triumphs-in-close-brno-fight

Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto

OAK back to LMP1 with HPD power

OAK will use HPD power to return to the World Endurance Championship's LMP1 class for the final two rounds of the 2012 season at Fuji and Shanghai. Jacques Nicolet's team started the season with a Judd-engined OAK Pescarolo LMP1 car, before focusing on its LMP2 Morgan-Nissans.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/oak-back-to-lmp1-with-hpd-power

Frank Dochnal Jose Dolhem Martin Donnelly

HAYDEN INJURED IN TRAINING ACCIDENT

DUCATI HAYDEN INJURED IN TRAINING ACCIDENT Thursday Dec 29 2011 Nicky Hayden's winter vacation was marred on Tuesday, December 27, when he broke his left scapula and fractured two ribs while training near his home in Owensboro, Kentucky. Hayden was...

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

Alberto Colombo Erik Comas Franco Comotti

Report: Jaguar shacks up with singer Lana Del Rey to promote F-Type [w/videos]

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Jaguar, Luxury

The last time Jaguar launched a really important new coupe, it launched its "Gorgeous" campaign to help sell it. The marquee television spot had a spare musical arrangement and actor Willem Dafoe narrating a montage of obscenely chic lifestyle scenes washed in cool tones. As a luxury proposition, it was certainly a gorgeous commercial.

For the launch of the much-anticipated F-Type, Jaguar is reportedly turning to Lana Del Rey. For those unfamiliar, she's the indie songstress with the retro-glamour style, sultry voice and tracks like "Video Games" and "Blue Jeans" to have made her name. And very pouty lips.

If they do what we think they're going to do, you can check out the videos below for a preview. Start the two videos below at the same time, but play the "Gorgeous" commercial on mute while listening to del Rey's "Video Games." Voilà. Now who among the luxury obsessed glossy magazine folk doesn't want an F-Type?

Continue reading Jaguar shacks up with singer Lana Del Rey to promote F-Type [w/videos]

Jaguar shacks up with singer Lana Del Rey to promote F-Type [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/27/jaguar-shacks-up-with-singer-lana-del-rey-to-promote-f-type-w-v/

Conny Andersson Mario Andretti Michael Andretti

Dealership Fight Night! Inside the Battle Between Dealers and Carmakers

In February of this year, ­Mercedes-Benz and Sonic Automotive, a publicly traded corporation that owns more than 100 new-car dealerships, settled a four-year-old lawsuit. It was a very public airing of a typical disagreement between an automobile maker and its dealers. As manufacturers produce the wares dealers sell and dealers distribute the manufacturers’ products, a [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/Do2k_YKquoE/dealership-fight-night-inside-the-battle-between-dealers-and-carmakers-feature

JeanChristophe Boullion Sebastien Bourdais Thierry Boutsen

Bird wins in late Silverstone drama

Sam Bird won the second Formula Renault 3.5 race of the weekend at Silverstone after race-long leader Marco Sorensen suffered a puncture on the penultimate lap.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/bird-wins-in-late-silverstone-drama

Henry Banks Fabrizio Barbazza John Barber

Audi ultra on top in WEC practice two

Audi once again set the pace in the second free practice session for this weekend's World Endurance Championship round, the Silverstone 6 Hours. Unlike in the earlier session, it was the R18 ultra of Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish that was fastest with a lap in 1m45.645s, putting it 0.214 seconds clear of the e-tron Quattro of Marcel Fassler/Andre Lotterer/Benoit Treluyer. The #2 car's table-topping time came despite a collision between McNish and the Larbre Corvette of GTE Am driver Pascal Gibon at Brooklands.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/audi-ultra-on-top-in-wec-practice-two

Ian Ashley Gerry Ashmore Bill Aston

Video: Bristol Wrecks In Nationwide Series Race

Source: http://thefinallap.com/2012/08/24/video-bristol-wrecks-in-nationwide-series-race-crash-2012/

Mario Andretti Michael Andretti Keith Andrews

IndyCar buoyed by Fontana aero test

IndyCar believes its Fontana season finale will deliver the same quality of racing that saw its Texas round widely-praised, after three drivers tested aerodynamic packages at the California superspeedway on Thursday. Ending the 'pack racing' that had become predominant on large ovals in recent seasons was a priority in the design of the new DW12 chassis introduced for 2012. These efforts were deemed successful after the first superspeedway race of the year at Texas in June

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/indycar-news/indycar/indycar-buoyed-by-fontana-aero-test

Juan Manuel Bordeu Slim Borgudd Luki Botha

Smith defends role in Plato clash

British Touring Car driver Aron Smith has defended his actions in the first race at Knockhill after Jason Plato called for his licence to be revoked. Plato's works MG6 and Smith's Motorbase Ford Focus were fighting over second early in the race when several clashes ended with Plato being sent into the barriers at Clark's. Smith was handed three points on his licence and fined £500

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/other-news/touring-cars/btcc/smith-defends-role-in-plato-clash

Francois Cevert Eugene Chaboud Jay Chamberlain

How Grid Systems Promote Urbanism and Winding Streets Undermine It

"Dendritic" street patterns (above) spread connectivity and value evenly across an urban area. A more traditional street grid (bottom) is organized so that the center is the most connected, and valuable, part of the city, says Walkable Dallas Fort Worth's Patrick Kennedy. Images: WalkableDFW
What’s the difference between a sleepy, sprawling place and a vibrant, [...]

Source: http://streetsblog.net/2012/08/23/how-grid-systems-promote-urbanism-and-winding-streets-undermine-it/

Edgar Barth Giorgio Bassi Erwin Bauer

Schumacher keen to celebrate 300th GP

Michael Schumacher thinks his Mercedes team must celebrate his 300th grand prix in the right way - with a strong performance on track in Belgium.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/schumacher-keen-to-celebrate-300th-gp

Richard Attwood Manny Ayulo Luca Badoer

Photos: 2012 Saturday At Bristol Motor Speedway Night Race

PHOTO CREDIT: NASCARMEDIA (USED WITH PERMISSION)

Source: http://thefinallap.com/2012/08/25/photos-2012-saturday-at-bristol-motor-speedway-night-race/

Bob Christie Johnny Claes David Clapham

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....

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2012/01/yamaha_and_petronas_concl.php

Alberto Crespo Antonio Creus Larry Crockett

Power beats Briscoe to pole

Will Power continued his dominance at Sears Point this weekend, with the Penske driver claiming pole position for Sunday's race. Power claimed the top spot with a best lap of 1m17.2709, beating team-mate Ryan Briscoe by 0.1638s. Sebastien Bourdais, Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti completed the top six.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/indycar-news/indycar/power-beats-briscoe-to-pole

Adrián Campos John Cannon Eitel Cantoni

Aaron Robinson: Google is My Co-Pilot. What Can go Wrong?

In May, the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles issued the first-ever license plate for an autonomous car to Google. The state that loves to gamble chose red for the background and the infinity symbol—a twisted figure eight—as the logo. Future archaeologists unearthing one of these special tags might suppose that the message was “infinite danger [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/qrb6yREiHdM/aaron-robinson-autonomous-cars-are-upon-us-thanks-to-google-what-can-go-wrong

Giulio Cabianca Phil Cade Alex Caffi

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....

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2012/01/yamaha_and_petronas_concl.php

Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto

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

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

Source: http://www.nascarracinglive.com/nascar/rab-racing-reinstates-john-wes-townley-nascar-fan-reaction-yahoo-contributor-network.html

Giulio Cabianca Phil Cade Alex Caffi

Atlanta Motor Speedway Unveils the Speedway’s “Rev It Up Crew”

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/08/atlanta-motor-speedway-unveils.html

Jack Brabham† Bill Brack Ernesto Brambilla

Green: Mercedes can still win

Jamie Green believes that victory is still possible in Sunday's DTM race at Zandvoort, despite only qualifying sixth. The Mercedes driver was the best non-Audi driver in qualifying, but suffered after going off the circuit on the exit of the Marlborobocht on his first flying lap in Q3 and continuing through the gravel at the following Renaultbocht

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/other-news/miscellaneous/dtm/green-mercedes-can-still-win

Mike Beuttler Birabongse Bhanubandh Lucien Bianchi

Hamilton takes pole position for F1 Malaysian GP (PA SportsTicker)

By CHRIS LINES AP Auto Racing Writer

Source: http://www.nascarracinglive.com/nascar/hamilton-takes-pole-position-for-f1-malaysian-gp-pa-sportsticker.html

Stefan Bellof Paul Belmondo Tom Belso

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Bristol’s Most Consistent Performer

Earnhardt Bristol’s Most Consistent Performer Dale Earnhardt Jr. righted the ship at Michigan, finishing fourth after starting at the rear of the field in a backup car that replaced June’s winning No. 88 Chevrolet damaged in a final practice accident. Earnhardt suffered his two worst finishes of the year at Pocono and Watkins Glen to [...]

Source: http://thefinallap.com/2012/08/24/dale-earnhardt-jr-bristols-most-consistent-performer/

Lucien Bianchi Gino Bianco Hans Binder

Audi ultra on top in WEC practice two

Audi once again set the pace in the second free practice session for this weekend's World Endurance Championship round, the Silverstone 6 Hours. Unlike in the earlier session, it was the R18 ultra of Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish that was fastest with a lap in 1m45.645s, putting it 0.214 seconds clear of the e-tron Quattro of Marcel Fassler/Andre Lotterer/Benoit Treluyer. The #2 car's table-topping time came despite a collision between McNish and the Larbre Corvette of GTE Am driver Pascal Gibon at Brooklands.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/audi-ultra-on-top-in-wec-practice-two

Eric Bernard Enrique Bernoldi Enrico Bertaggia

Ford, Shelby Pay Tribute to Carroll Shelby with 850-hp GT500 [2012 Pebble Beach]

Fifty years ago, Carroll Shelby made the first Shelby Cobra, a lightweight British roadster with a big ol’ American V-8 up front. The car became legendary and Shelby’s most well-known accomplishment. As a tribute to the automotive icon who died this past spring, Ford and Shelby American built this one-off 850-hp, wide-body 2013 Ford Shelby [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/nevYDJX1ds4/

George Abecassis Kenny Acheson Andrea de Adamich

Schumacher keen to celebrate 300th GP

Michael Schumacher thinks his Mercedes team must celebrate his 300th grand prix in the right way - with a strong performance on track in Belgium.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/schumacher-keen-to-celebrate-300th-gp

Jenson Button Tommy Byrne Giulio Cabianca

IRWIN Tools Night Race Guests Receive Flag, $10 Off Coupon from Outback

IRWIN Tools Night Race LogoBRISTOL, Tenn. (Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012) – Bristol Motor Speedway guests at the Aug. 25 IRWIN Tools Night Race receive a couple of special rewards from Outback Steakhouse just by finding their seats. As part of the continued involvement in NASCAR racing by the popular restaurant chain, each guest will receive a...more»

The post IRWIN Tools Night Race Guests Receive Flag, $10 Off Coupon from Outback appeared first on Catchfence.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/catchfence/~3/nYS1aKDKpGc/

Peter Collins Bernard Collomb Alberto Colombo

Da Costa tops first Silverstone practice

Antonio Felix da Costa led the way in the first Formula Renault 3.5 free practice session of the weekend at Silverstone. The Red Bull-backed driver went to the top of the timesheets just two minutes from the end, deposing Ferrari junior Jules Bianchi to lead the way. Bianchi had been fastest for nearly half of the session up to that point, but as one of several drivers not to improve in the latter stages he had to make do with second.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/da-costa-tops-first-silverstone-practice

Adrián Campos John Cannon Eitel Cantoni

Eyes on the Street: First Signs of the New Corona Plaza

A tipster sends in this bird's eye view of the new pedestrian plaza on Roosevelt Avenue in Corona.
A pedestrian plaza that garnered support from local business, a unanimous vote at Queens Community Board 4 in June, and the backing of City Council Member Julissa Ferreras is being installed in Corona. The project is on the site [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/08/22/eyes-on-the-street-first-signs-of-the-new-corona-plaza/

Michael Andretti Keith Andrews Elio de Angelis

Regan Smith More Confident Than Ever Heading Into a Race

2012 NSCS Regan Smith - Photo Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCARDENVER, Colo. (Aug. 15, 2012) – The anticipation about Sunday’s Sprint Cup race at Michigan International Speedway has been crescendoing for Regan Smith ever since he and his Furniture Row Racing team departed from the Goodyear tire test session at the 2-mile oval on...more»

The post Regan Smith More Confident Than Ever Heading Into a Race appeared first on Catchfence.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/catchfence/~3/3JnRko219M8/

Pedro Diniz Duke Dinsmore Frank Dochnal

Refreshed 2013 Ram 1500 Starts at $23,585; New V6, Eight-Speed Auto Cost Extra

The 2013 Ram 1500 pickup truck has received a near-total redesign with a new engine and transmission, available air suspension system, and some significant changes to its body panels—you can read about all of the changes in our first drive—and now the company has released some pricing info for the rig. The 2013 1500 will start [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/BCoLAYk2GTg/

Chuck Daigh Yannick Dalmas Derek Daly

The Final Lap Weekly #216 – Sam Hornish Jr. / Bristol NASCAR Preview

SHOW #216 – Guest: Sam Hornish Jr. (@samhornish) – We recap the big stories coming from Michigan, Jimmie Johnson #fail, Hendrick Motorsports #fail, Dale Jr. Vs. Jeff Gordon, Paul Menard pummled by NASCAR, plus a full preview of Bristol Motor Speedway under the lights. Hosted by Kerry Murphey and Toby Christie.  (47:50 mins) LISTEN HERE [...]

Source: http://thefinallap.com/2012/08/23/the-final-lap-weekly-podcast216-sam-hornish-jr-bristol-preview-nascar-preview-sports-radio-streaming-listen-online-syndicated/

Bill Cheesbourg Eddie Cheever Andrea Chiesa

No McLaren doubts over Hamilton deal

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh sees no reason to worry about his team's failure to finalise a new deal with Lewis Hamilton yet - because he has no doubts a new contract will be signed eventually. Although Hamilton's current McLaren deal runs out at the end of this year, and there remains a chance that Mercedes could lure him over if Michael Schumacher does not continue, Whitmarsh insists both team and driver are happy to bide their time to ensure what they agree on is best for both parties. And ahead of what looks set to be a tight battle for the world championship over the second half of the campaign, Whitmarsh is convinced there will be no detrimental effect if nothing is sorted out before the Belgian Grand Prix

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/no-mclaren-doubts-over-hamilton-deal

Sebastien Buemi Luiz Bueno Ian Burgess

Magny-Cours test to go ahead

Formula 1's young driver test at Magny-Cours is to go ahead next month, AUTOSPORT can reveal. A number of teams had been looking for an alternative venue after Silverstone's test in July was reduced to two days, because they were not keen to run at Yas Marina in November.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/magny-cours-test-to-go-ahead

Pedro Diniz Duke Dinsmore Frank Dochnal

Crew member suspended for substance violation

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/08/24/2289409/crew-member-suspended-for-substance.html

Skip Barber Paolo Barilla Rubens Barrichello

Official: DOT teams up with Fox's Glee against distracted driving [w/videos]

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Videos, Celebrities

In attempt to combat car accidents and fatalities caused by distracted driving, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Ad Council have teamed up with the hit Fox television show, Glee, to produce a pair of public service announcements aimed at younger drivers. These PSAs were introduced as a part of the "Stop the Texts. Stop the Wrecks." campaign that attempts to raise awareness to the danger of texting and driving.

The PSAs show Quinn Fabray, a character on Glee (played by actress Dianna Agron), driving while attempting to read a text before consequently being involved in a severe accident - the footage is taken from an actual episode of the show. According to NHTSA, about 10 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2010 were caused by distracted driving, pointing out that reading a text can distract a driver for around five seconds.

These PSAs were released on the same day that NHTSA announced a new federal program that would give grant money to states that have bans against distracted driving and/or texting while driving. As a part of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), states that have primary laws against distracted driving can be awarded up to $17.5 million. Secondary laws - which require police to pull the vehicle over for another violation to ticket a driver for distracted driving - do not qualify for the grants.

Scroll down to view the two Glee PSAs and NHTSA's press release.

Continue reading DOT teams up with Fox's Glee against distracted driving [w/videos]

DOT teams up with Fox's Glee against distracted driving [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/24/dot-teams-up-with-foxs-glee-against-distracted-driving/

Martin Brundle Gianmaria Bruni Jimmy Bryan

Hamilton fastest in Malaysian GP practice (PA SportsTicker)

By CHRIS LINES AP Auto Racing Writer

Source: http://www.nascarracinglive.com/nascar/hamilton-fastest-in-malaysian-gp-practice-pa-sportsticker.html

Luiz Bueno Ian Burgess Luciano Burti

Alex Tagliani, No. 30 Turner Motorsports Chevrolet Impala Circuit Gilles Villeneuve Preview

Alex TaglianiALEX TAGLIANI QUICK FACTS No. 30 Chevrolet Impala Circuit Gilles Villeneuve NAPA Auto Parts 200 August 18, 2012 No. 30 Chevrolet News and Notes Welcome Alex Tagliani… Turner Motorsports is pleased to welcome Montreal-native Alex Tagliani to the seat of its No. 30 Chevrolet for this weekend’s NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) race at Circuit...more»

The post Alex Tagliani, No. 30 Turner Motorsports Chevrolet Impala Circuit Gilles Villeneuve Preview appeared first on Catchfence.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/catchfence/~3/BYC0v5eThmo/

Kevin Cogan Peter Collins Bernard Collomb

Thornton Scores Big at Talladega

Week Three of the season saw the NiCBS travel south to Talladega Super Speedway. Talladega is known for big points and last week was no exception.  Jared Crawford (Michigan) looked to get back on track after missing Week Two while point’s leader Jon Adams (Georgia) announced that he would not be able to compete for the championship. For the week, 1300 drivers ran at least one race while 429 drivers attempted at least one lap in qualifying. “That was a fun way to finish my final race for the Friday Night Showdown series!” – Jon Adams Friday night’s SoF was a good one. The SoF for the race was 5421, which broke the record for highest SoF. The race saw a full field of 30 drivers and paid 348 points [...]

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/all-news/thornton-scores-big-at-talladega

Alex Caffi John CampbellJones Adrián Campos

Video: NYPD Also Ignores Left Turn Ban at Delancey and Essex

After Gothamist posted a video of motorists ignoring the new left-turn ban at Delancey and Essex, we contacted NYPD to ask about traffic enforcement at one of Manhattan’s most notorious intersections. We’re still waiting to hear back. In the meantime, judging from this video by ANIMAL New York, it looks like police are not only [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/08/23/video-nypd-also-ignores-left-turn-ban-at-delancey-and-essex/

Clemar Bucci Ronnie Bucknum Ivor Bueb

NNS Pole Report: Trevor Bayne wins fifth career pole

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/08/nns-pole-report-trevor-bayne-wins-fifth.html

Jim Crawford Ray Crawford Alberto Crespo

Brawn: F1 must not become too random’

The second half of the 2012 Formula 1 needs to be less 'random' if it is to keep spectators enthralled right to the end of the world championship battle. That is the view of Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn. He believes there is a risk the sport could lose some of its attraction if this year's campaign fails to form a narrative following its unpredictable start

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/brawn-f1-must-not-become-too-random

Tom Belso JeanPierre Beltoise Olivier Beretta

Stoner to miss Brno for surgery

Casey Stoner will miss MotoGP's race at Brno and instead travel to Australia for surgery on his damaged ankle. The Australian had been due to re-assess his injuries in Friday practice, but has instead been advised by his doctors to have surgery.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/other-news/motorcycles/motogp/stoner-to-miss-brno-for-surgery

Ian Ashley Gerry Ashmore Bill Aston

IndyCar buoyed by Fontana aero test

IndyCar believes its Fontana season finale will deliver the same quality of racing that saw its Texas round widely-praised, after three drivers tested aerodynamic packages at the California superspeedway on Thursday. Ending the 'pack racing' that had become predominant on large ovals in recent seasons was a priority in the design of the new DW12 chassis introduced for 2012. These efforts were deemed successful after the first superspeedway race of the year at Texas in June

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/indycar-news/indycar/indycar-buoyed-by-fontana-aero-test

Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian Kurt Ahrens Jr

Video: Jay Leno examines the bonkers 1910 Brooke 'Swan Car' at Pebble Beach

Filed under: Classics, Videos, Celebrities, India, Specialty

How much oddball can you squeeze into one car? We probably haven't reached the limit yet, but just after the turn of the 20th century a man did his best to find out. A wealthy Scottish engineer named Robert "Scotty" Nicholl Matthewson, living in Calcutta, bought a 30-horsepower Brooke sedan in 1910 England, and had a maker of steam-powereed fairground rides chisel a monumental and highly ornate wooden swan's body to cover the engine. Then he took it back to India.

He could win an award for weird right there, but that's only the beginning. In an era of awesomely expensive coachbuilt cars, a Brooke was more than thrice the cost of a Rolls-Royce. To make sure the Swan's other amenities befit the marque, Matthewson had a multi-note, exhaust-driven horn installed that he could play on a keyboard in the rear seat, but an even more startling way to clear the roads ahead was the swan's beak, which emitted a jet of scalding water onto anyone in the way. Other features: glowing eyes, Indian silk upholstery, plenty of gold leaf, brushes to keep the wheels clean while moving, and an "orifice" round back that would deposit whitewash on the roads. Because sometimes a swan's gotta go. The car was such a hit in town that it was bought by the Maharaja of Nabha, who had a miniature replica of it made called the Cygnet.

Jay Leno checked it out with Evert Louwman, the man who owns the museum in The Hague where the Brooke Swan Car is displayed, while at Pebble Beach. You can watch the story of it below.

Continue reading Jay Leno examines the bonkers 1910 Brooke 'Swan Car' at Pebble Beach

Jay Leno examines the bonkers 1910 Brooke 'Swan Car' at Pebble Beach originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/23/jay-leno-examines-the-bonkers-1910-brooke-swan-car-at-pebble-b/

Elio de Angelis Marco Apicella Mário de Araújo Cabral

Bayne back at Bristol trying to get more seat time

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/08/24/2289268/bayne-back-at-bristol-trying-to.html

Jay Chamberlain Karun Chandhok Alain de Changy

Brundle open to prolonging comeback

Martin Brundle says he is open to future sportscar outings after earning a 'surprise' opportunity to race in this weekend's World Endurance Championship round at Silverstone.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/brundle-open-to-prolonging-comeback

Adrián Campos John Cannon Eitel Cantoni

Stoner determined to try to race

Casey Stoner will attempt to ride in the Indianapolis MotoGP race despite having suffered ligament damage and small fractures to his right ankle in his qualifying crash. After further checks in hospital, it was confirmed that there was an element of bone damage in addition to the torn ligaments. The initial diagnosis at the circuit medical centre had been a fractured ankle.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/other-news/motorcycles/motogp/stoner-determined-to-try-to-race

Felice Bonetto Jo Bonnier Roberto Bonomi

Martin escapes frightening crash

Mark Martin was fortunate to emerge unscathed after crashing into a pitwall opening while leading Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Michigan. The veteran was dominating after starting from pole position when Bobby Labonte, who was about to be lapped, lost control of his car ahead of him

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/nascar-news/nascar/martin-escapes-frightening-crash

Jean Behra Derek Bell Stefan Bellof

Stoner to miss Brno for surgery

Casey Stoner will miss MotoGP's race at Brno and instead travel to Australia for surgery on his damaged ankle. The Australian had been due to re-assess his injuries in Friday practice, but has instead been advised by his doctors to have surgery.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/other-news/motorcycles/motogp/stoner-to-miss-brno-for-surgery

Clemente Biondetti Pablo Birger Art Bisch

Eyes on the Street: The Not-So-Barren Jackson Heights Plaza

Marking Eid-ul-Fitr at Diversity Plaza in Jackson Heights. Photo: office of Council Member Danny Dromm
Business owners in Jackson Heights have done more than just take over maintenance of the plaza on 37th Road. They’ve rechristened it “Diversity Plaza,” and they staged a community celebration that concluded on Monday to mark Eid-ul-Fitr, the breaking of fast [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/08/22/eyes-on-the-street-the-not-so-barren-jackson-heights-plaza/

Francois Cevert Eugene Chaboud Jay Chamberlain

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....

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2012/01/colin_monahan_named_marke.php

Bill Cantrell Ivan Capelli Piero Carini

iRacer Profile: Justin Hamilton

Justin Hamilton’s learning curve on iRacing has been a steep one.  Since joining iRacing in January, he’s made steady – and rapid – progress up the charts, particularly with his Mazda MX-5 in Nvidia Cup competition.  A credible but “distant” 66th place finisher in S2, he moved up to P17 in Season 2B on the strength of 22 wins in 31 starts, then took sixth place in Season 2C with a nearly perfect 13 wins and 14 top fives out of 15 races. Although the Brisbane resident is an F1 aficionado – Ferrari in particular – he has his sights set on iRacing’s upcoming foray into the British Touring Car Championship and the Honda HSV-010 GT for the future.  Small wonder, given the fact that he used to race a [...]

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/iracing-news/119737

Mário de Araújo Cabral Frank Armi Chuck Arnold

Menard and team penalised for breach

Paul Menard and his team have been severely punished with fines and suspensions after technical irregularities were found in his car following last weekend's Michigan Cup race. According to a statement from NASCAR the team is being penalised for "Intentionally modifying frame rails for the purpose of deceiving NASCAR's inspection gauges," after the car was inspected this week at the sanctioning body's Research and Development centre in Concord, North Carolina. As a result, the Richard Childress Racing driver has lost 25 points in the driver standings, which drops him one spot in points to 16th behind Hendrick Motorsports Jeff Gordon

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/nascar-news/nascar/menard-and-team-penalised-for-breach

Tony Crook Art Cross Geoff Crossley

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....

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2012/01/global_iprint_named_offic.php

Gerhard Berger Eric Bernard Enrique Bernoldi

Hamilton takes pole position for F1 Malaysian GP (PA SportsTicker)

By CHRIS LINES AP Auto Racing Writer

Source: http://www.nascarracinglive.com/nascar/hamilton-takes-pole-position-for-f1-malaysian-gp-pa-sportsticker.html

Walt Ader Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian

Hamilton fastest in Malaysian GP practice (PA SportsTicker)

By CHRIS LINES AP Auto Racing Writer

Source: http://www.nascarracinglive.com/nascar/hamilton-fastest-in-malaysian-gp-practice-pa-sportsticker.html

Luciano Burti Roberto Bussinello Jenson Button

Keselowski eyeing title bid as Chase approaches

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/08/22/2285126/keselowski-eyeing-title-bid-as.html

Tony Crook Art Cross Geoff Crossley

Confirmed: Nissan hires away Consumer Reports auto test chief

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Nissan

David Champion, the public face of Consumer Reports automotive testing, is returning to Nissan. The carmaker has hired CR's former auto test center senior director and given him a newly created job: Executive Advisor, Competitive Assessment and Quality. Champion worked for Nissan from 1994-1997 as a quality assurance engineer, before moving into the world of publishing.

Consumer Reports is the 800-pound-gorilla of automotive testing: Exalted by the mainstream, feared by automakers, and often reviled by enthusiasts. While that's unlikely to change after Champion's departure - after all, the institute's reputation goes largely unchallenged due to a dearth of legitimate competition - we do wonder how Nissan will respond to having a former outsider in its midst. At least we imagine Champion is being cast in the role of provocateur when he heads to Nissan's Arizona Testing Center.

While Nissan is clearly doing a pretty good job with product right now - given both its growing sales and our esteem for a number of its recent models, from GT-R to the Juke and Altima - insularity and myopia always seem to be lurking in the next product development cycle. These terrible twin traits have historically proven to afflict even the most esteemed automakers, often when they seem most impervious. A plum gig for Champion this may be, but he will no doubt have his work cut out for him.

Scroll down to read the full press release from Nissan, as well as a statement from Consumer Reports.

Continue reading Nissan hires away Consumer Reports auto test chief

Nissan hires away Consumer Reports auto test chief originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/23/nissan-hires-away-consumer-reports-auto-test-chief/

Michael Bartels Edgar Barth Giorgio Bassi