Report: First batch of Oprah VW Beetle giveaway cars on the way

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Hatchback, Volkswagen, Celebrities

We've never won a free car, but we bet it would be one helluva good feeling. But waiting a year for that very new ride? That has to be plenty painful. A year has passed since Oprah gave away 275 2012 Volkswagen Beetle models during her final "Favorite Things" episode, but those audience members didn't drive off the lot with their new ride. Since the Beetle was still a year away from production, audience members didn't even get to see what their new car looked like.

But while the wait was likely difficult, those lucky audience member are finally getting their high-five-inducing Bug. The Car Connection reports that the first 25 deliveries are taking place at a VW dealership in Orland Park, IL, and Volkswagen of America CEO Jonathan Browning will be present to hand over the keys. The remaining winners will reportedly receive their Beetle within the next few weeks.

As an added kicker to those 275 soon-to-be new Bug owners, the cash to take care of taxes and fees are also going to be provided. We're guessing the wait will be well worth the reward.

First batch of Oprah VW Beetle giveaway cars on the way originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/13/first-batch-of-oprah-vw-beetle-giveaway-cars-on-the-way/

Nanni Galli Oscar Alfredo Gálvez Fred Gamble Howden Ganley

Report: UAW workers in Chicago reject Ford deal, strike possible

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, UAW/Unions

Ford's hourly workforce is having a tough time ratifying the tentative agreement struck between the Blue Oval and United Auto Workers union last week, despite that deal being the most generous among those made this year between the Big 3 automakers and their respective unions. For example, Ford workers will receive a $6,000 signing bonus if the contract is ratified, compared to $5,000 for General Motors workers and $3,500 for Chrysler workers. GM was the first to strike a tentative deal with the UAW in September and has already seen its contract ratified, while Chrysler's deal is the most recent with voting expected to begin soon.

Earlier this week, UAW Local 900, a chapter that represents three Ford plants near Detroit, rejected the deal by a narrow margin. Automotive News is now reporting that Ford's Chicago Assembly plant is joining them in rejecting the offer, though this time "overwhelmingly." Chicago Assembly handles production of the Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS and Ford Explorer. Of the 2,317 workers who voted, 77% cast their ballots against the proposed deal.

At the same time, the UAW is reportedly making it known that, should the tentative agreement not be ratified, the organization will strike. Of the three major U.S. automakers, both General Motors and Chrysler workers lost the right to strike while those companies were restructuring in bankruptcy. Only Ford workers can strike, that company having avoided bankruptcy and its restrictions, and they may do so if the deal is not approved by the majority.

As of this writing, the UAW Ford Department Facebook page reports that 3,256 workers (45.4%) have voted to ratify the contract and 3,915 (54.6%) have voted against. That's a far cry from Ford's 41,000-strong union workforce, and the union has until October 18th to finish voting.

UAW workers in Chicago reject Ford deal, strike possible originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/13/uaw-workers-in-chicago-reject-ford-deal-strike-possible/

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

Austin Dillon takes yet another step in his successful career this Sunday

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2011/10/austin-dillon-takes-yet-another-step-in.html

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

Scuderia Toro Rosso 2011 Japanese Grand Prix Race Report

Scuderia Toro Rosso 2011 Japanese Grand Prix Race Report Suzuka, Japan, Sunday, October 9 2011 "CONGRATULATIONS TO SEBASTIAN VETTEL AND RED BULL RACING" Franz Tost First of all, on behalf of everyone at Toro Rosso, I want to congratulate Sebastian...

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2011/10/scuderia_toro_rosso_2011_32.php

Billy Garrett Jo Gartner Tony Gaze Geki

2012 Kawasaki ZX-14R Breaks Cover

True to its teaser campaign, the 2012 Kawasaki ZX-14R (2012 Kawasaki ZZR1400 to our friends abroad) finally got revealed today. Tweaking its hyperbike offering, Kawasaki has confirmed that the ZX-14R (note the added R to the name) will get a displacement bump to 1,441cc, along with a cosmetic overhaul and other basic features. Most notably added to the Kawasaki ZX-14R is the addition traction control, and ride-by-wire throttle control system. Kawasaki hasn’t spilled all the ...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/-ti3oL9cnFA/

Kazuyoshi Hoshino Jerry Hoyt Nico Hülkenberg Denny Hulme

Alonso: Podium a huge boost for team

Fernando Alonso described Ferrari's performance in the Japanese Grand Prix as a huge motivation for the team. Alonso finished second, charging onto winner Jenson Button's tail in the closing laps, and giving Ferrari its best result since he was runner-up to Lewis Hamilton at the Nurburgring in July.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/alonso-podium-a-huge-boost-for-team/

Paul Hawkins Mike Hawthorn Boy Hayje Willi Heeks

2013 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SUV Confirmed for Production on Colorado Platform

Chevy revives a familiar name for its new mid-size SUV. Chevrolet has announced the return of the TrailBlazer, and confirmed that the SUV will share a body-on-frame platform with the new Chevrolet Colorado pickup. You may recall that we published spy photos of the mid-size ute this past summer. Keep Reading: 2013 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SUV [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/Kbkqz6m0zO8/2013_chevrolet_trailblazer_suv_confirmed_for_production_on_colorado_platform-auto_shows

Jeffrey Tyler Burton Richard Allen Craven Kerry Dale Earnhardt Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr

CB 2 Committee Voices Support for Bike-Sharing as System Details Emerge

In Brooklyn, the borders of the bike share system will roughly follow these contours. The final service area is still subject to change. Image: NYC DOT
Committing to a “very intensive participatory planning process,” top DOT officials provided a wealth of detail about the city’s plans for bike-sharing at a meeting of Manhattan Community Board 2′s [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2011/10/12/cb-2-committee-voices-support-for-bike-sharing-as-system-details-emerge/

Brad Keselowski Ruby Tuesday Dodge Carl Edwards Copart Ford

UN Deal Clears Way to Close East River Greenway Gap Over Next Decade

Construction on the final segment won't start until roughly 2020, but when complete, the midtown gap in the East River Greenway will be filled. Image: East Side Open Space via Flickr.
The signing of an agreement to close the East River Greenway gap between 38th Street and 60th Street is big news for people who want [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2011/10/07/un-deal-clears-way-to-close-east-river-greenway-gap-over-next-decade/

Nicolas Kiesa Leo Kinnunen Danny Kladis Hans Klenk

Sims wins on F3 return at Silverstone

Alexander Sims produced a masterful performance in tricky conditions to win the final reversed grid race of the British Formula 3 season at Silverstone this morning. A damp but drying circuit prompted half the grid to switch to wet tyres before the start while the rest stuck with slicks

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/sims-wins-on-f3-return-at-silverstone/

Miguel Ángel Guerra Roberto Guerrero Maurício Gugelmin Dan Gurney

Confirmed: Mazda tweet confirms next-gen rotory engine with SkyActiv tech

Filed under: Japan, Technology, Mazda

In the soap opera saga of are they or aren't they still developing a rotary engine, Mazda seems to have indicated the affirmative. According to a translation of a Tweet from Mazda PR posted on a Japanese car blog, a "new model with a next-generation rotary engine" is in development.

While there's only so much to be gleaned from a single 140-character message - even in information-dense Japanese - this forthcoming vehicle will incorporate Mazda's fuel-saving SkyActiv technologies, which is only logical. Being thirsty has long been the Achilles heel of the Wankel, and anything that can help boost mileage and cut emissions should be well-received in a successor to the discontinued RX-8.

Mazda tweet confirms next-gen rotory engine with SkyActiv tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/11/mazda-tweet-confirms-next-gen-rotory-engine-with-skyactiv-tech/

José Froilán González Oscar González Aldo Gordini Horace Gould

Joey Logano, No. 20 GameStop Toyota Camry Charlotte Motor Speedway Preview

No. 20 GameStop Toyota Camry (Joey Logano) - Photo Credit: Chris Graythen / Getty Images for NASCARJoey Logano / No. 20 GameStop Toyota Preview Dollar General 300 Miles of Courage at Charlotte Motor Speedway No. 20 GameStop Toyota News, Notes & Paint Scheme: � ?BEAST OF THE SOUTHEAST? A FEAST (OR FAMINE) FOR LOGANO: Joey...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2011/nationwide/10/11/joey-logano-no-20-gamestop-toyota-camry-charlotte-motor-speedway-preview-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=joey-logano-no-20-gamestop-toyota-camry-charlotte-motor-speedway-preview-2

Gus Hutchison Jacky Ickx Yuji Ide Jesús Iglesias

Another Defence of Indy Fails To Make A Case

Bob Kravitz, writing in the Indy Star in defence of the Indianapolis MotoGP Course: Was the track slippery? Yes. That happens when a track gets repaved. Adjust and move on. Does the track lack the challenges these riders see on other tracks throughout the world? Absolutely. They often run on picturesque tracks, weaving through the [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/VvgnUF7UJkw/1319

François Hesnault Hans Heyer Damon Hill Graham Hill

Robert Richardson Jr. set for return to No. 23 Chevrolet of R3 Motorsports at Charlotte

R3 Motorsports ThumbnailCHINA GROVE, N.C. (October 11, 2011) ? When the NASCAR Nationwide Series activities begin this weekend at the 1.5-mile oval of Charlotte Motor Speedway, Robert Richardson, Jr. will be back in the seat of the No. 23 North Texas Pipe Chevrolet. While it?s a home ?game? for most everyone in NASCAR, Richardson will...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2011/nationwide/10/11/robert-richardson-jr-set-for-return-to-no-23-chevrolet-of-r3-motorsports-at-charlotte/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=robert-richardson-jr-set-for-return-to-no-23-chevrolet-of-r3-motorsports-at-charlotte

Peter Hirt David Hobbs Gary Hocking Ingo Hoffmann

Struggling Hanninen gets radical

Last year's Rally of Scotland winner Juho Hanninen is making radical changes to his Skoda Fabia S2000 in an attempt to find some pace from the car before this afternoon's stages.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/struggling-hanninen-gets-radical/

Phil Hill Peter Hirt David Hobbs Gary Hocking

Column: Not so fast with the Vettel-mania

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/10/10/1555738/column-not-so-fast-with-the-vettel.html

Karl Kling Ernst Klodwig Kamui Kobayashi Helmuth Koinigg

MOTOGP: Dovizioso To Tech3

Despite his status as the third ranked rider in the '11 MotoGP title chase, there was no room for Andrea Dovizioso on a factory team for 2012?

Source: http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-dovizioso-to-tech3/

Carl Edwards Copart Ford Denny Hamlin Z Line Toyota

110 glorious years: Ford Racing program maintains spirit of Henry Ford and his historic win that helped start company

Ford RacingDEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 10, 2011 ? It was a 10-lap, 10-mile racing event at the Detroit Driving Club in Grosse Pointe, Mich., and billed at the time as ?the largest affair of its kind? that attracted the top drivers of the day, generating national attention. One hundred and ten years later, it has become...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2011/sprintcup/10/10/110-glorious-years-ford-racing-program-maintains-spirit-of-henry-ford-and-his-historic-win-that-helped-start-company/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=110-glorious-years-ford-racing-program-maintains-spirit-of-henry-ford-and-his-historic-win-that-helped-start-company

Kyle Busch Toyota Kimmy Z Line Designs Toyota Parker Kligerman

Chevrolet Wins NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Manufacturers? Cup for the Ninth Year Running

Team Chevy LogoTitle is 35th for Chevrolet since 1950 DETROIT ? (Oct. 9, 2011) ? Jimmie Johnson, with his win in the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway, clinched the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Manufacturers? Cup for Chevrolet, which now has won the title 35 times. ?Chevrolet is a huge partner at Hendrick Motorsports,?...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2011/sprintcup/10/09/chevrolet-wins-nascar-sprint-cup-series-manufacturers-cup-for-the-ninth-year-running/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=chevrolet-wins-nascar-sprint-cup-series-manufacturers-cup-for-the-ninth-year-running

Toyota Kimmy Z Line Designs Toyota Parker Kligerman Trevor Bayne

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Among Top-10 Most Valuable Sports Brands by Forbes

Earnhardt Jr. Among Top-10 Most Valuable Sports Brands by Forbes NASCAR driver ranks seventh in athlete category of the Forbes Fab 40 MOORESVILLE, N.C. (October 6, 2011) ? Dale Earnhardt Jr., an 18-time winner in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and eight-time NASCAR Most Popular Driver, ranked seventh on the World?s Most Valuable Athlete Brands [...]

Source: http://thefinallap.com/2011/10/06/dale-earnhardt-jr-among-top-10-most-valuable-sports-brands-by-forbes/

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

Baltic Mojo: Dartz Displays Loopy New Sports Car

In a tired world full of tired beings banging tired drums and singing tired hymns, it?s nice to see some people working tirelessly to further the cause of bat-guano bizarre. The fine Latvians at Dartz are just such folks. Freed from the tyranny of post-Stalin policy, the enterprising fresh faces hop from strength to strength [...]

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

Naoki Hattori Paul Hawkins Mike Hawthorn Boy Hayje

Report: Former Chrysler CEO Nardelli backpedals on bailout comments

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Chrysler, Celebrities, Fiat

Former Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli has performed a curt about face on his comments about the Obama Administration's handling of the auto bailout. The Detroit News reports that Nardelli said that he believes the administration made the correct decision for Chrysler in an email to the publication. Nardelli didn't go so far as to deny his earlier statements, but said that he understood why the government chose the path it took in the situation. He continued on to say that Chrysler was very appreciative of the government's understanding and assistance.

That's a starkly different tone from last week, when Nardelli was quoted as saying that if Cerberus had been given the same deal that the Obama Administration gave Fiat, Chrysler would still be doing as well as it is now. The former CEO went on to say that the automaker's current revival was thanks solely to moves that Cerberus put in place before bankruptcy.

Apparently Nardelli raised the wrong eyebrows with that gem.

Former Chrysler CEO Nardelli backpedals on bailout comments originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/07/former-chrysler-ceo-nardelli-backpedals-on-bailout-comments/

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

Costa takes pole for FR3.5 finale

Epic Racing's Albert Costa claimed his maiden pole position in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series for the final race of 2011 at Barcelona today. The 2009 Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup champion has a history of struggling to raise a budget, and has raced for the past three seasons on a combination of prize money, limited backing and support from his teams. Costa, who qualified on the front row in Saturday's race before colliding on the first lap with Jake Rosenzweig (Mofaz), is conscious that this weekend's meeting may be his last opportunity in single-seaters.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/costa-takes-pole-for-fr3-5-finale/

Billy Garrett Jo Gartner Tony Gaze Geki

Mikkelsen claims breakthrough win

Andreas Mikkelsen finally clinched his first Intercontinental Rally Challenge win in Scotland, having protected his lead through the final stages at Scone Palace. The Norwegian had narrowly missed out on wins in the prevous two IRC rounds - crashing with victory in sight in Hungary, then being pipped by Thierry Neuville in a final stage showdown in Sanremo. But in Scotland he drove flawlessly, battling with Guy Wilks early on, before emerging with a commanding lead when the Peugeot driver went off on Saturday morning

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/mikkelsen-claims-breakthrough-win/

Sam Hanks Walt Hansgen Mike Harris Cuth Harrison

Senna hopes Renault can keep updates

Bruno Senna is hopeful that Renault will be able to stick with the car updates it has introduced at the Japanese Grand Prix after an encouraging opening day of practice in Suzuka. The Brazilian ran with the tweaked aero parts, which included re-profiled bodywork, and the team encountered none of the cooling issues that had prevented some bits being raced in Singapore.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/senna-hopes-renault-can-keep-updates/

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

West Side Protected Lanes Get Thumbs Up From CB 4

Bike traffic on the Eighth Avenue protected bike lane. Photo: BicyclesOnly/Flickr
By a vote of 26 to 10 Wednesday night, Manhattan Community Board 4 endorsed DOT plans to extend the protected bike lanes on Eighth and Ninth Avenue from 34th Street to 59th Street. The bike lanes will improve safety for all users on some of [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2011/10/06/west-side-protected-lanes-get-thumbs-up-from-full-board-of-cb-4/

David Hampshire Sam Hanks Walt Hansgen Mike Harris

Front wing effort pays off for Vettel

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has revealed that the new front wing parts that helped Sebastian Vettel claim a sensational pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix only arrived at the track 30 minutes before qualifying. Vettel broke his only version of the front wing with an off during first practice on Friday, so the team had to push ahead with work at the Milton Keynes factory to prepare new endplates. These were then put on a commercial plane from London to Nagoya overnight, before being couriered by helicopter to the Suzuka track shortly before qualifying got under way.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/front-wing-effort-pays-off-for-vettel/

Sterling Burton Marlin Mark Anthony Martin Jeremy Allan Mayfield James Christopher McMurray

Report: Former Chrysler CEO Nardelli backpedals on bailout comments

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Chrysler, Celebrities, Fiat

Former Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli has performed a curt about face on his comments about the Obama Administration's handling of the auto bailout. The Detroit News reports that Nardelli said that he believes the administration made the correct decision for Chrysler in an email to the publication. Nardelli didn't go so far as to deny his earlier statements, but said that he understood why the government chose the path it took in the situation. He continued on to say that Chrysler was very appreciative of the government's understanding and assistance.

That's a starkly different tone from last week, when Nardelli was quoted as saying that if Cerberus had been given the same deal that the Obama Administration gave Fiat, Chrysler would still be doing as well as it is now. The former CEO went on to say that the automaker's current revival was thanks solely to moves that Cerberus put in place before bankruptcy.

Apparently Nardelli raised the wrong eyebrows with that gem.

Former Chrysler CEO Nardelli backpedals on bailout comments originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/07/former-chrysler-ceo-nardelli-backpedals-on-bailout-comments/

Jimmy Jackson Joe James John James Jean Pierre Jarier

Keselowski dominates Nationwide race at Kansas

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/10/08/1551036/keselowski-dominates-nationwide.html

Bill Homeier Kazuyoshi Hoshino Jerry Hoyt Nico Hülkenberg

The NBBL Files: Bike Lane Opponents Knew Their Lawsuit Lacked Merit

This is the second installment in a series of posts examining the tactics employed by opponents of the Prospect Park West redesign. Read the first post.
When they filed their lawsuit this March, opponents of the Prospect Park West redesign had little chance of succeeding in court. As NYU Law Professor Roderick Hills, Jr. told Streetsblog [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2011/10/04/the-nbbl-files-bike-lane-opponents-knew-their-lawsuit-lacked-merit/

Hans Heyer Damon Hill Graham Hill Phil Hill

WSBK: Melandri to BMW Motorrad for 2012

Marco Melandri will join Leon Haslam�at BMW Motorrad for the 2012 World Superbike season, leaving Troy Corser presumably out of the factory team. The Italian’s maiden season this year at Yamaha proved to be an excellent one, as he his Championship battle with Carlos Checa come down to this penultimate race weekend. Over the 2011 season, Melandri won one pole out the twenty-three races run so far this season, and has three race wins to ...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/UqM4jFtFeaY/

Rupert Keegan Eddie Keizan Al Keller Joe Kelly

Drivers say other sports can learn from NASCAR

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/10/07/1548266/drivers-say-other-sports-can-learn.html

Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Kasey Kenneth Kahne Matthew Roy Kenseth Alan Dennis Kulwicki

Eyes on the Street: New Public Plaza Coming to Jackson Heights

Clarence sends over this photo of the newly car-free block of 37th Road between 73rd Street and 74th Street in Jackson Heights. Since this picture was taken, the asphalt on this block has been coated with an epoxy-and-gravel surface, and it looks like a two-way bike path will be striped on one side of the [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2011/10/06/eyes-on-the-street-new-public-plaza-coming-to-jackson-heights/

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

Proton expects Scotland upturn

Proton Motorsports team principal Chris Mellors says he expects to see a significant upturn in the performance of the Satria Neo S2000 on this week's Rally of Scotland, the car's first gravel Intercontinental Rally Challenge outing of the season.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/proton-expects-scotland-upturn/

Damon Hill Graham Hill Phil Hill Peter Hirt

Carl Edwards at ease in the midst of the Chase

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2011/10/carl-edwards-at-ease-in-midst-of-chase.html

Patrick Gaillard Divina Galica Nanni Galli Oscar Alfredo Gálvez

2011 Motegi MotoGP Sunday Post-Race Press Release Round Up

Press releases from the MotoGP teams after the race at Motegi:

Year: 

2011

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/VxFi8Px5M2s/2011_motegi_motogp_sunday_post_race_pres.html

Bob Gerard Gerino Gerini Peter Gethin Piercarlo Ghinzani

2011 NSCS Hollywood Casino 400 Q&A with Team Chevy Driver, Kevin Harvick

2011 Kevin Harvick All Smiles - Photo Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty ImagesKEVIN HARVICK, NO.29 BUDWEISER CHEVROLET, met with members of the media at Kansas Speedway and discussed his Championship run, the Phoenix test, racing at Martinsville and other topics. ON HIS MINDSET ABOUT BEING AT THE FOURTH RACE OF THE FINAL 10-RACES OF THE YEAR ?We?re...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2011/sprintcup/10/07/2011-nscs-hollywood-casino-400-qa-with-team-chevy-driver-kevin-harvick/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2011-nscs-hollywood-casino-400-qa-with-team-chevy-driver-kevin-harvick

Taki Inoue Innes Ireland Eddie Irvine Chris Irwin

Racer chases down his speedway dream

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/10/05/1543235/racer-chases-down-his-speedway.html

Helmuth Koinigg Heikki Kovalainen Kevin Harvick Armour Vienna Sausage Kroger Chevrolet

2011 NSCS Phoenix International Raceway Open-Test Q&A with Ford Racing Driver, Carl Edwards

2011 Carl Edwards In Car - Photo Credit: Nick Laham/Getty ImagesCarl Edwards, driver of the No. 99 Aflac Ford Fusion, heads to Kansas Speedway this weekend in search of a highly coveted win on his home track. Edwards, who is tied with Kevin Harvick for the Chase lead, was subject of the NASCAR teleconference from...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2011/sprintcup/10/05/2011-nscs-phoenix-international-speedway-open-test-qa-with-ford-racing-driver-carl-edwards/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2011-nscs-phoenix-international-speedway-open-test-qa-with-ford-racing-driver-carl-edwards

Bill Homeier Kazuyoshi Hoshino Jerry Hoyt Nico Hülkenberg

Today?s Headlines

TWU Joins Wall Street Protests, Seeks Injunction to Stop NYPD Bus Seizures (News, Post)
APTA Says Transit Ridership Increased 1.7 Percent Nationwide Through June (Transpo Nation)
Responding to Demand, MTA to Add Weekend L Train (Bklyn Paper, NY1, 2nd Ave Sagas)
Ben Kabak: Manhattan Transit Projects More Style Than Substance
BoltBus to Shift Some Service to Port Authority Bus [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2011/10/04/todays-headlines-1239/

Alan Dennis Kulwicki Travis Wade Kvapil Robert Allen Labonte Terrence Lee Labonte

Dover race ranks 9th on cable TV

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/10/05/1542423/dover-race-ranks-9th-on-cable.html

Hans Heyer Damon Hill Graham Hill Phil Hill

Report: McLaren slows MP4-12C production over quality woes

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, MISC

Autoweek reports that McLaren is slowing down production of the company's MP4-12C due to quality concerns. The automaker is currently working on fixes to small problems like condensation in the vehicle's headlights, door functionality and an electrical issue that causes the battery to go dead over time. McLaren is refuting reports that the quality issues are safety or performance related in any way. Instead, the company says that production is being slowed to correct issues that are arising on vehicles already out in the wild.

In the case of the battery, McLaren engineers believe that the problem stems from the audio head unit. For now, owners are being advised to lock the vehicle's doors. Doing so shuts down the electrical system as a safety precaution, and will preserve the battery in the meantime.

According to Autoweek, there are 179 MP4-12C models ordered for the U.S., and those vehicles may be delayed by two to three weeks while the company works toward solutions for the quality issues.

McLaren slows MP4-12C production over quality woes originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/06/mclaren-slows-mp4-12c-production-over-quality-woes/

Karl Kling Ernst Klodwig Kamui Kobayashi Helmuth Koinigg

Radio call stokes Massa controversy

The controversy over Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton's collision in the Singapore Grand Prix has taken a fresh twist with the release of new footage from the race. The official highlights video posted on Formula 1's own website includes a radio message from Massa's engineer Rob Smedley which was not included in the live television broadcast.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/radio-call-stokes-massa-controversy/

André Guelfi Miguel Ángel Guerra Roberto Guerrero Maurício Gugelmin

Toyota NASCAR Tidbits ? Oct. 3-9, 2011

Toyota Motorsports LogoMONSTER MILE REWIND: Two Camry drivers earned top-10 finishes in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) race at Dover International Speedway. Kasey Kahne was the highest finishing Toyota driver with a fourth-place result and Chase for the Sprint Cup contender Kyle Busch finished in sixth-place. Mayetta, N.J.-native Martin Truex Jr. earned the pole...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2011/sprintcup/10/05/toyota-nascar-tidbits-oct-3-9-2011/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=toyota-nascar-tidbits-oct-3-9-2011

Oscar Alfredo Gálvez Fred Gamble Howden Ganley Frank Gardner

Best-Handling Car For Less Than $40,000

We match up six affordable athletes to find the cornering champ. Handling, in the simplest terms, can be defined as how a car responds to driver inputs and how it communicates feedback. Are the responses and feedback smooth? Do they inspire confidence? Does the car have insanely high limits? Does it approach those limits gradually? [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/sxdBc4LQl6E/best-handling_car_for_less_than_40_000-feature

Naoki Hattori Paul Hawkins Mike Hawthorn Boy Hayje

The Continental: Frankfurt Electric Facts, a Faster Mondeo, and German Enthusiasts Aren?t Saving the Manuals

Each week, our German correspondent slices and dices the latest rumblings, news, and quick-hit driving impressions from the other side of the pond. His byline may say Jens Meiners, but we simply call him . . . the Continental. The Frankfurt auto show has closed its doors for another two years, and I am recovering [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/cAjAPYgawN8/

Paul Hawkins Mike Hawthorn Boy Hayje Willi Heeks

Brian Scott, No. 11 Shore Lodge Toyota Camry Kansas Speedway Preview

No. 11 Shore Lodge Toyota Camry (Brian Scott) - Photo Credit: Chris Graythen / Getty Images for NASCARBrian Scott No. 11 Shore Lodge Toyota Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway No. 11 Shore Lodge Team Notes of Interest � Brian Scott and the No. 11 Shore Lodge Toyota team travel to the Midwest for this...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2011/nationwide/10/04/brian-scott-no-11-shore-lodge-toyota-camry-kansas-speedway-preview/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=brian-scott-no-11-shore-lodge-toyota-camry-kansas-speedway-preview

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

Stoner rues off-track excursion

Casey Stoner was left to rue the cost of an early off-track excursion after admitting he had the bike to win at Motegi. Having taken a brilliant pole, Stoner had already built a gap of more than 1s in the first three laps when he hit bumps on the back straight of the Japanese circuit, unsettling him and his bike just as he arrived at the Turn 11 braking point

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/other-news/motorcycles/motogp/stoner-rues-off-track-excursion/

Dan Gurney Hubert Hahne Mike Hailwood Mika Häkkinen

Brian Vickers, No. 32 Dollar General Chevrolet Impala Kansas Speedway Preview

No. 32 Dollar General Chevrolet Impala - Photo Credit: Chris Graythen / Getty Images for NASCARBRIAN VICKERS QUICK FACTS No. 32 Dollar General Chevy Kansas Speedway Kansas Lottery 300 October 8, 2011 No. 32 Dollar General Chevrolet News and Notes Welcome Brian Vickers - Turner Motorsports welcomes Brian Vickers to the seat of the No....more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2011/nationwide/10/05/brian-vickers-no-32-dollar-general-chevrolet-impala-kansas-speedway-preview/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=brian-vickers-no-32-dollar-general-chevrolet-impala-kansas-speedway-preview

Charles Robert Hamilton IV Charles Robert Hamilton V Kevin Michael Harvick Virgil Ernest Irvan III

2011 Motegi MotoGP Sunday Post-Race Press Release Round Up

Press releases from the MotoGP teams after the race at Motegi:

Year: 

2011

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/VxFi8Px5M2s/2011_motegi_motogp_sunday_post_race_pres.html

Parker Kligerman Trevor Bayne Out! Pet Care Toyota Jason Leffler

Martin Truex, Jr., 2011 NSCS Hollywood Casino 400 Race Preview

Martin Truex with Crew Chief Chad Johnston in the Garage - Photo Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCARCORNELIUS, N.C. ? No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota driver Martin Truex Jr. is at Phoenix International Raceway this week testing the newly-reconfigured and repaved track. PIR changed the banking and the configuration to produce more side-by-side racing...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2011/sprintcup/10/04/martin-truex-jr-2011-nscs-hollywood-casino-400-race-preview/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=martin-truex-jr-2011-nscs-hollywood-casino-400-race-preview

Ignazio Giunti Timo Glock Helm Glöckler Paco Godia

Suzuka hat-trick would be perfect coronation for Vettel | 2011 Japanese GP preview

Vettel calls Suzuka one of his favourite tracks and won on both his previous appearances here.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/PgzdYZR2_I8/

François Hesnault Hans Heyer Damon Hill Graham Hill

Audio: RTR ? Canadian Auto Racing News, Oct 3rd, 2011

Race Time Radio Their mission�is to present to you the fan with the most up to date racing information for the Canadian racing scene. Where you can voice your opinions in the hot topics in racing. Live interviews with track promoters, drivers, travelling series, teams, and others that shape our sport. Race Time Radio: Oct. [...]

Source: http://thefinallap.com/2011/10/04/audio-rtr-canadian-auto-racing-news-oct-3rd-2011/

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

All-New 2013 Ford Escape to Drop V6 in Favor of EcoBoost Engines, Debut at 2011 L.A. Show

Ford has announced that we’ll get our first undisguised look at the redesigned 2013 Ford Escape at next month’s Los Angeles auto show; for previous, camouflaged looks at the new compact SUV, head here and here. (You can also check out the Ford Vertrek concept, which faithfully previews the Escape’s styling.) The Blue Oval also [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/uB42vuY0oco/

Denny Hamlin Z Line Toyota Kyle Busch Toyota Kimmy

MotoGP: Japanese GP Proves to be Worth the Hype

A less well-known MotoGP factoid is that Honda owns the Twin Ring Motegi circuit, though to the casual observer HRC clearly had a dominate presence at Motegi this weekend, with eight bikes on the grid throughout the race weekend. As the Yamahas struggled throughout the week, and with Ducati still hunting for a setup that will allow them to compete near the front, Honda continued to make a point of national unity at the Japanese ...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/WRqU9M-or2s/

Juan Jover Oswald Karch Narain Karthikeyan Ukyo Katayama

Official: Nissan Frontier and Titan dash in with new appearance packages for 2012

Filed under: Truck, Nissan, Design/Style

Nissan has announced new appearance packages for the 2012 Frontier and Titan. The smaller of the two workhorses will jump into the new model year with a Sport Appearance Package on King Cab and Crew Cab SV iterations. The kit packs 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, as well as a front grille with a Dark Hyper Silver, body-color front and rear bumpers and the Frontier graphic on the vehicle's flanks seen above. The interior gets its fair share of kit as well, with the addition of cloth sport seats, white-faced gauges and a Bluetooth hands-free calling system.

Meanwhile, the full-size Titan will receive a Sport Appearance Package of its own, complete with 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels, a grille dipped in the same finish as the aforementioned Frontier, body-color bumpers all around and a set of black step rails. A handy lockable storage compartment resides inside the bed, and Titan graphics are also part of the party. Inside, the appearance package brings along many of the same tricks as found in the Frontier with captain's chairs embroidered with the Titan logo and white-face gauges.

If you like the sound of this dance, you can expect to pay $1,190 for the Sport Appearance Package on the Frontier and $2,490 for the garb on the Titan. Hit the jump for the press releases.

Continue reading Nissan Frontier and Titan dash in with new appearance packages for 2012

Nissan Frontier and Titan dash in with new appearance packages for 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/03/nissan-frontier-and-titan-dash-in-with-new-appearance-packages-f/

Carl Edwards Copart Ford Denny Hamlin Z Line Toyota

F1: Renault Paid Kubica In 2011 - Lopez

Robert Kubica did not drive in the 2011 Formula One season...

Source: http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-renault-paid-kubica-in-2011-lopez/

Willi Heeks Nick Heidfeld Theo Helfrich Mack Hellings

Rick Allen: The Voice of NASCAR

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2011/09/rick-allen-voice-of-nascar.html

Gus Hutchison Jacky Ickx Yuji Ide Jesús Iglesias

First Scratch Win For Peter-Broniszewski and Kessel Racing!

INTERNATIONAL GT OPEN Monza Race 1 Report Monza, Sat, 1st October 2011 12:38 PM Perfect race for the yellow Ferrari 458 Frezza-L�pez (Vittoria) 2nd and Rangoni-Gazrofano (AF) 3rd Ayari (8th) keeps a 3-point lead over Montermini-Moncini (4th) The Autorlando Porsche...

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2011/10/first_scratch_win_for_pet.php

Loris Kessel Bruce Kessler Nicolas Kiesa Leo Kinnunen

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Spy Photos: Hyundai?s Next Mid-Size Crossover Not Likely to be Boring

Hyundai turns up the heat under its mid-size crossover. The Santa Fe, Hyundai?s innocuous entry in the ultra-competitive mid-size crossover segment, has received numerous subtle improvements over the years but has never garnered much attention. Come 2013, though, the Santa Fe should turn more heads, trading its dreary duds for Hyundai?s dramatic new styling language [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/YoQxhpazjAw/2013_hyundai_santa_fe_spy_photos-future_cars

Cuth Harrison Brian Hart Gene Hartley Masahiro Hasemi

Official: Volkswagen confirms five-door Up! on its way

Filed under: Concept Cars, Budget, Hatchback, Volkswagen

For this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, Volkswagen was bent on making a splash with the production version of its long-anticipated Up! city car. But at an expo packed with countless exciting supercars on display, a humble vehicle like the Up! could easily have been overshadowed. So VW didn't just bring one car, it brought a dozen or so - and keeping them fresh was quite an accomplishment when you consider that the production version is only available (initially, at least) in one body style. But that's about to change.

With the show now behind us, Volkswagen has now confirmed that the Up! will be available later next year as a five-door model to join the three-door unveiled in Frankfurt. So what can we expect? Sneaky as VW is, they've already showed us with the Cross Up! concept that was mixed in with the batch of otherwise three-door (or entirely doorless) show cars displayed at its sprawling show stand at the Messe.

The concept's five-door shape - including a straighter shoulder-line instead of the upward kink in the three-door - will carry over from the Cross Up! but the off-road bits (like the beefed-up bumpers and wheel arch extensions) likely won't. At least not on the standard five-door Up!, though there's no telling what variants VW could squeeze out in the future.

Continue reading Volkswagen confirms five-door Up! on its way

Volkswagen confirms five-door Up! on its way originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/03/volkswagen-confirms-five-door-up-on-its-way/

Al Keller Joe Kelly Dave Kennedy Loris Kessel

Grave Digger Driver Dennis Anderson Has a TV Show, You Can Watch It This Weekend

The concept is both simple and ambitious: travel the world using 80 different modes of transportation, with no repeats. We’re guessing a monster truck won’t be among them, despite the fact that�Dennis Anderson?creator of Grave Digger, and the interviewee in the What I’d Do Differently feature in our upcoming December issue?is one of the show’s [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/dfaRn8vmKdc/

Fred Gamble Howden Ganley Frank Gardner Billy Garrett

2012 Audi A6 3.0T Quattro Tested: Redefining the Boundaries of Best in Class

Winner’s Circles: Audi redefines the boundaries of best in class. Just over a year ago, an Audi A6 3.0T Quattro tallied winning marks in a three-way execucar rodeo versus two brand-new rides?a BMW 535i and an Infiniti M37 [?War Rooms,? August 2010]. This was remarkable because the Audi was basically a five-year-old design. An A6 [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/KQBzg4prel4/2012_audi_a6_3.0t_quattro-road_test

Oswald Karch Narain Karthikeyan Ukyo Katayama Ken Kavanagh

Stoner Stands Firm on Indy

Stoner nails the reasons why Indy is a poor track. From MCN: The corners get tighter and tighter until you are almost stopped and then you have to get on the gas and exit. It doesn’t flow at all, each set of corners it muddles you up and then you go a little straight. I, [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/7WTOHk23K8Q/1314

Ignazio Giunti Timo Glock Helm Glöckler Paco Godia

Bottas in GP3 development test

The GP3 Series has begun work on developments for its 2013 car in a test session at Catalunya. Recently-crowned champion Valtteri Bottas was in action at the Spanish track on Thursday trying a development version of the current car

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/bottas-in-gp3-development-test/

Romain Grosjean Olivier Grouillard Brian Gubby André Guelfi

Report: Kia bringing EV to market this year

Filed under: Etc., Hyundai, Kia, Electric, South Korea

Automotive News reports that Kia will launch a small electric vehicle by the end of this year, and that it will be the first car in a wave of forthcoming Korean EVs. It's not known if or when the new electric cars will eventually arrive in the U.S., though it would hardly be surprising if they did. Hyundai Motor Group calls this EV initiative the TAM project, and that the first vehicle to come out of it will ride on the subcompact Hyundai i10 platform.

All told, Automotive News says that Kia will produce 2,000EVs for 2012. A small group of BlueOn Hyundai i10 EVs has been ongoing in South Korea, and it's thought that the lessons learned will be applied to the upcoming Kia vehicle.

This is Hyundai's first real push into the electric vehicle segment. While Japanese and domestic automakers have already brought production EVs to market, Hyundai and Kia have contented themselves with offerings like the Sonata Hybrid and Optima Hybrid.

Kia bringing EV to market this year originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/02/kia-bringing-ev-to-market-this-year/

Jackie Holmes Bill Homeier Kazuyoshi Hoshino Jerry Hoyt

Audio: RTR ? Canadian Auto Racing News, Sept 26th, 2011

Race Time Radio Their mission�is to present to you the fan with the most up to date racing information for the Canadian racing scene. Where you can voice your opinions in the hot topics in racing. Live interviews with track promoters, drivers, travelling series, teams, and others that shape our sport. Race Time Radio Sept. [...]

Source: http://thefinallap.com/2011/09/27/audio-rtr-canadian-auto-racing-news-sept-26th-2011/

Taki Inoue Innes Ireland Eddie Irvine Chris Irwin

Skirts and Scuffs Takes on the Chase: Who will tame the Monster?

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2011/09/skirts-and-scuffs-takes-on-chase-who.html

Al Herman Hans Herrmann François Hesnault Hans Heyer

Concrete Carl Edwards Strikes Again at Dover

By Reid Spencer Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service DOVER, Del.?Carl Edwards pulled away from Brad Keselowski and Clint Bowyer after a restart on Lap 168 of 200 to win Saturday?s OneMain Financial 200 Nationwide Series race at Dover International Speedway. The victory was Edwards? seventh of the year and the 36th of his career. Keselowski [...]

Source: http://thefinallap.com/2011/10/01/concrete-carl-edwards-strikes-again-at-dover/

Marc Gené Elmer George Bob Gerard Gerino Gerini

2011 Magny-Cours World Superbike Saturday Press Release Round Up

Press releases from the World Superbike and World Supersport teams after qualifying at Magny-Cours on Saturday:

Year: 

2011

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/R4pwFiWvNqQ/2011_magny_cours_world_superbike_saturda.html

Al Keller Joe Kelly Dave Kennedy Loris Kessel

2013 Dodge Small Car Spy Photos: Small Dodge Shows Off Undisguised Front End

Dodge?s compact squeezes into some new Italian genes. When Fiat and Chrysler tied the knot, we knew that the brands would extensively share products, parts, and platforms. Cases in point include almost the entirety of the Lancia brand, the Maserati Kubang SUV, and the Ram version of the Fiat Doblo van. Most critical as far [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/SQzT5X32bYQ/2013_dodge_small_car_spy_photos_show_undisguised_front_end-future_cars

Jean Marc Gounon Emmanuel de Graffenried Lucas di Grassi Cecil Green

TRG Motorsports Looking To Add Some Insurance in AAA 400

No 71 Interstate Moving Services Ford FusionMooresville, N.C. (9/30/11) - The No. 71 Interstate Moving Services team heads to Dover, DE this weekend for the running of the AAA 400. The race will mark the second and final trip of the 2011 season to the track known as the Monster Mile. Driver Andy Lally, who...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2011/sprintcup/09/30/trg-motorsports-looking-to-add-some-insurance-in-aaa-400/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=trg-motorsports-looking-to-add-some-insurance-in-aaa-400

Nanni Galli Oscar Alfredo Gálvez Fred Gamble Howden Ganley

2012 Toyota Camry SE V6 Tested: Now Less Boring

Toyota revitalizes its bestseller?s core qualities. Like the late Rodney Dangerfield, the Toyota Camry could reasonably complain that it don?t get no respect. Keep Reading: 2012 Toyota Camry SE V6 – Short Take Road Test

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/GjchXzmhsU8/2012_toyota_camry_se_v6-short_take_road_test

David Hampshire Sam Hanks Walt Hansgen Mike Harris

Little change in 2012 Cup schedule

NASCAR announced next year's Sprint Cup series schedule, comprising 36 races from late February to mid-November. As it has been the case for the past few years, NASCAR's top series will open and close the season in the southern state of Florida with events at Daytona and Homestead respectively

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/nascar-news/nascar/little-change-in-2012-cup-schedule/

Eddie Irvine Chris Irwin Jean Pierre Jabouille Jimmy Jackson