learnedsadness2: 2010

Friday, December 31, 2010

2011 Jaguar XF Gives Up on Glove-Box Touch Control, Gets Other Minor Changes

We noted a couple of quiet updates made to a 2011 Jaguar XF Supercharged that recently graced the C/D lot. Two buttons caught our eye?specifically the one that operates the newly available heated windshield (thanks, Land Rover!) and another that opens the glove-compartment door.
A read of the 2011 XF press release reveals this line: ?JaguarSense� [...]

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/M8D2vB0_lTE/

Willi Krakau Rudolf Krause Robert Kubica Kurt Kuhnke

Vettel eyes solid start to 2011

Sebastian Vettel is targeting a strong start to his 2011 title defence - in a bid to try and avoid the stresses that come from end of season world championship showdowns. Although Vettel eventually came out on top following a four-way title decider in Abu Dhabi this year, the German could have been crowned champion much earlier in the campaign if he had not given away valuable points at the beginning of the campaign. In Bahrain he lost victory when a spark plug failed in the closing stages of the race, while in Australia he looked set for victory before being pitched off the track with a wheel problem

Source: http://www.inracingnews.com/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/vettel-eyes-solid-start-to-2011/

FedEx Office Toyota Tony Stewart Old Spice Office Depot Chevrolet Jeff Green

Pirelli aims to protect your health, tires

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Motorcycle

Pirelli Motorcycle Tire Ads - Click above for high-res image gallery

There are plenty of guilty pleasures when it comes to cars and motorcycles, but chief among them has to be the burnout. Sure, you might as well be lighting $100 bills on fire, and yes, you're not exactly doing the environment or your vehicle any favors, but there's just something magical about sending the rear (or front, though that's usually not nearly as fun) wheels spinning. It seems that Pirelli has taken it upon itself to educate the public about the highly-addictive nature and dangers of lighting up a tire. Remember, kids, do as your told, not as we do.

Pirelli's genius ad company, Y&R, is behind this bevy of spots, and with excellent photography and a little clever word play, they're sure to stick in your mind. So, the next time you go to put your tires through some serious punishment, remember Pirelli's words on the subjects. Think of the tires.

Gallery: Pirelli Motorcycle Tire Ads

[Source: Asphalt & Rubber]

Pirelli aims to protect your health, tires originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/30/pirelli-aims-to-protect-your-health-tires/

Virgil Ernest Irvan III Kenny Dale Irwin Jr Dale Arnold Jarrett Jimmie Kenneth Johnson

Kansas Speedway Donating to Harvesters BackSnack Program

Money will help feed school children in Wyandotte County Kansas SpeedwayKANSAS CITY, Kan. (Dec. 16, 2010) ?Each year, thousands of children across the country receive free and reduced-price school meals during the week, but are at risk of going hungry on the weekends. That includes Wyandotte County where approximately 1,540 children are enrolled in Harvesters...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2010/sprintcup/12/16/kansas-speedway-donating-to-harvesters-backsnack-program/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kansas-speedway-donating-to-harvesters-backsnack-program

Elliott Sadler Stanley Ford Mike Bliss PRISM Motorsports Toyota

Dodge Launches Free Maintenance Program for Priciest Durango and Journey Models

Dodge has announced a new three-year/36,000-mile free maintenance program for two model-year 2011 vehicles. It’s only included on the top-of-the-line 2011�Dodge Durango Citadel, which starts at $42,645, and the Dodge Journey Lux, which costs a minimum of $33,490.
The “No-Cost Maintenance Plus” program means owners won’t pay for oil changes or any scheduled or recommended vehicle [...]

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Clint Bowyer Zaxby s Chevrolet Paul Menard Richmond Menards Ford

Nelson Piquet Jr. to race full-time for Kevin Harvick Inc. in Truck Series in 2011

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2010/12/nelson-piquet-jr-to-race-full-time-for.html

Martin Truex Jr NAPA Brakes Toyota Joe Nemechek Washington Music Center Toyota

Kansas Speedway Donating to Harvesters BackSnack Program

David Hampshire Sam Hanks Walt Hansgen Mike Harris

HANS Developing Safety Products For NASA

ATLANTA ? HANS Device inventor Dr. Robert Hubbard is working with NASA and NASCAR in an effort to improve crash restraints for astronauts

Source: http://www.inracingnews.com/nascar-news/nascar/hans-developing-safety-products-for-nasa/

Jackie Holmes Bill Homeier Kazuyoshi Hoshino Jerry Hoyt

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Audi to compete in 12h race at Bathurst

AUDI Ingolstadt, December 21, 2010 - Audi race experience Team Joest fields two Audi R8 LMS cars - Strong drivers from Australia, Asia and Europe - Extended program for the AUDI AG GT3 sportscar The 2011 motorsport season opens with...

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2010/12/audi_to_compete_in_12h_ra.php

Denny Hamlin Z Line Toyota Clint Bowyer Zaxby s Chevrolet

Commemorative Stamp Will Honor Indy 500

The United States Postal Service will honor the 100th anniversary Indianapolis 500 with a commemorative stamp next year featuring Ray Harroun driving the Marmon ?Wasp,? winner of the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911. (Ron McQueeney/IMS Photo) INDIANAPOLIS ? The 100th anniversary Indianapolis 500 will be honored on a United States Postal Service commemorative stamp that will go on sale in May 2011.

Source: http://www.inracingnews.com/indycar-news/indycar/commemorative-stamp-will-honor-indy-500/

Robert Kubica Kurt Kuhnke Masami Kuwashima Robert La Caze

Today?s Headlines

Car-on-Bike Crashes Are Up — The Post Finds a Cop Who Blames Cyclists and Bike Lanes
City Council Gives Final Approval to Riverside Center and Its 1,500 Parking Spaces (NYT)
Construction Has Started on NY Botanical Garden’s Huge New Subsidized Garage (BoogieDowner)
LaHood: High Speed Rail Will Be Our Generation?s Legacy (Streetsblog Cap Hill)
Thought Provoking Subway Spots Give [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/12/21/todays-headlines-1044/

Taki Inoue Innes Ireland Eddie Irvine Chris Irwin

Formula BMW Talent Cup winner to line up in ATS Formula 3 Cup.

BMW Motorsport Formula BMW Talent Cup Munich, 22nd December 2010. The attractive prize for the winner of the 2011 Formula BMW Talent Cup has been announced: The most successful graduate of the new BMW junior programme will receive full financing...

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2010/12/formula_bmw_talent_cup_wi.php

Al Keller Joe Kelly Dave Kennedy Loris Kessel

Vainio moves to GP3 with Tech 1

Former karting star Aaro Vainio will step up to GP3 in 2011. The 17-year-old will remain with French outfit Tech 1 Racing, which took him to fourth in this year's Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup. Vainio was the highest-placed rookie in the 2010 series.

Source: http://www.inracingnews.com/3rdparty/vainio-moves-to-gp3-with-tech-1/

Iron Horse Jeans Toyota Mike Bliss Key Motorsports Chevrolet Shelby Howard

Stewart: Current F1 field is best ever

Triple world champion Sir Jackie Stewart says he rates the current Formula 1 pack as the 'best ever', and believes the likes of Sebastian Vettel can be compared to legends such as Jim Clark, Jack Brabham and Graham Hill. The 2010 season saw one of the most spectacular title battles in F1 history, as Vettel narrowly overcame Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button in a season-long, five-way fight. "I think it's the best field ever," Stewart told AUTOSPORT.

Source: http://www.inracingnews.com/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/stewart-current-f1-field-is-best-ever/

Morgan Shepherd Victory in Jesus Chevrolet Eric McClure Kroger Ford

FRANK WILLIAMS RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS BBC AWARD

Williams F1 Grove, UK., 20 December, 2010. Frank Williams was last night honoured by the BBC at the annual Sports Personality of the Year Awards. Frank won the prestigious Helen Rollason Award for Achievement in the Face of Adversity....

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2010/12/frank_williams_receives_p.php

Post 9 11 GI Bill Chevrolet Martin Truex Jr NAPA Brakes Toyota Joe Nemechek Washington

Sidetracks: Don?t forget about the Nationwide race

But don’t — not if you care about racing. Whether you approve of Cup drivers racing the Nationwide cars, it does keep things interesting when racers at the top of their game compete against young men and women aching to … Continue reading →

Source: http://nascar-news-update.com/sidetracks-dont-forget-about-the-nationwide-race/

Barnes Sadler Johnny Andrew Sauter Kenneth William Schrader Bradley Reed Sorenson

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Harvick Reaches Out To Help Needy Children Around His ?Home Track?

Kevin HarvickMARTINSVILLE, Va. (December 22, 2010) ? When Kevin Harvick says Martinsville Speedway is his ?home track,? he means it. And he isn?t just talking about what happens on the race track. Harvick donated more than 200 toys and $500 worth of gift cards Monday to be distributed to needy youngsters in Martinsville and Henry...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2010/sprintcup/12/22/harvick-reaches-out-to-help-needy-children-around-his-home-track/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=harvick-reaches-out-to-help-needy-children-around-his-home-track

Gérard Larrousse Jud Larson Niki Lauda† Roger Laurent

Two More Women Accuse Brett Favre Of Coming On To Them While He Was With New York Jets

» 17 commentsvideo In the middle of the “Political Party” last night on Parker Spitzer, Kathleen Parker turned to her co-host Eliot Spitzer and said she wanted to “find out what your guilty pleasure is.” Then she began answering: “Eliot…” … Continue reading →

Source: http://nascar-news-update.com/two-more-women-accuse-brett-favre-of-coming-on-to-them-while-he-was-with-new-york-jets/

Nanni Galli Oscar Alfredo Gálvez Fred Gamble Howden Ganley

The 25 Hours of Thunderhill in the B-spec Mazda 2 and Honda Fit ? Feature

B?s: We find fun?and even success?racing the Honda Fit and a Mazda 2.
Among the BMWs, Porsche 911s, Mazda Miatas, and assorted sports cars at the National Auto Sport Association?s eighth annual 25 Hours of Thunderhill, three econoboxes stood out like camels in a herd of racehorses: two Mazda 2s and a Honda Fit. [...]

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Budweiser Ford Jimmie Johnson Lowe s Chevrolet Matt Kenseth

New Daytona Will Have Tighter Action, More Chance for Mayhem, Drivers Say

Filed under: Bobby Labonte, Jamie McMurray, Jeff Burton, Kurt Busch, Mark Martin, Daytona Int'l Speedway, NASCAR Testing, Sprint Cup, NASCAR

As defending Daytona 500 champion Jamie McMurray made his first laps on the repaved Daytona International Speedway Wednesday, the newness of it all was mildly overwhelming at first.

"Honestly, from my first 15-lap run in the draft, it took awhile to take it all in and kinda understand what was happening," McMurray said of the first of two days of Goodyear tire tests on the 2.5-mile speedway's new pavement. "When we unloaded, the cars seemed really wide and the track seemed narrow. But, really, after running 20 or 30 laps, it was not scary and was not that big of a deal.

"Today (Thursday), when I got out there, it felt way more comfortable and you kinda learn little tricks and stuff."

What they also learned, McMurray and other drivers said Thursday at a press conference at the speedway, is that because the new surface is so smooth and fast and so much easier to drive, big packs of cars will stay together longer, and that means the chances of big crashes are greater.

"It's gonna be different racing than what we've had in the past," McMurray said. "The cars are going to stay bunched up more. When you're really close together, it increases those chances" of a big crash, McMurray said. "You just gotta hope that you can make it to the end, because the odds [of a crash] are going to be really good, I'd say."

Barring a huge mistake or problem, "you're not going to the lose the draft," said Jeff Burton. "It's going to be big packs all the time. Three-wide is work. Four-wide is a wreck. Because of the mentality of superspeedway racing. there's going to be efforts to go four-wide to pick up positions, and when that starts happening, it's going to be get hairy."

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2010/12/16/new-daytona-will-have-tighter-action-more-chance-for-mayhem-dr/

Loan Max Toyota Tony Raines Long John Silver s Chevrolet Joe Nemechek

FRANK WILLIAMS RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS BBC AWARD

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2010/12/frank_williams_receives_p.php

Michael Curtis Waltrip Scott Alan Wimmer Jonathan Edward Wood Christopher Beltram

Ford showcasing live teardown of F-150 EcoBoost engine during Detroit Auto Show

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Truck, Work, Ford

After surviving some of the most heinous abuse that the engineers at Ford cold dream up, the same 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6 engine that pulled logs, raced in Baja and towed 11,300 pounds for 24 hours straight will be dissected in front of the crowds at this year's Detroit Auto Show. The stunt gets started on January 15 at 11 a.m., and Ford is hoping to be able to show off exactly how well its new V6 workhorse held up against the equivalent of 160,000 miles of torture.

Ford has come out with a bare-knuckle advertising campaign to prove that it's smaller-displacement, turbocharged engine can not only dish out equivalent power while using less fuel, but that it can stand up to the kind of work that pickup trucks are meant to endure. After wrapping up competition in the Baja 1000, Ford pulled its Ecoboost engine to perform dyno tests, and found that even after all of the beatings, the lump still churned out the same 365 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque that it left the factory with. Not too shabby. Stop by the Ford display at the 2011 Detroit Motor Show to check out the dissection, and hit the jump to see the press release.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford showcasing live teardown of F-150 EcoBoost engine during Detroit Auto Show

Ford showcasing live teardown of F-150 EcoBoost engine during Detroit Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/28/ford-showcasing-live-teardown-of-f-150-ecoboost-engine-during-de/

Jason Leffler Kevin Harvick Armour Vienna Sausage Kroger Chevrolet Clint Bowyer

2012 BMW 1-series Coupe and Convertible ? Car News

Subtle changes for the littlest Bimmer?can you spot them?
Introduced on our shores as 2008 models, the 1-series coupe and convertible saw their first major upgrades for 2011: a single-turbo engine for the 135i and a newly optional dual-clutch automated manual transmission. It seems BMW can?t leave well enough alone, as the company has already announced [...]

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Kenny Wallace Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet Jason Keller TriStar Motorsports Chevrolet

Team Lotus unveils winning design

Team Lotus has unveiled the black-and-gold paint scheme that it would have based its 2011 design on if it had not decided to keep the colours it ran this year. The Hingham-based team launched a fans' competition in November to design its car's colouring for next year after announcing its intention to run in black and gold

Source: http://www.inracingnews.com/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/team-lotus-unveils-winning-design/

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

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Todt to reconsider superally rule

FIA president Jean Todt has strongly hinted that he would like to get rid of the superally regulation which allows crews to re-enter rounds of the World Rally Championship when they have retired. The controversial regulation began on the Acropolis Rally in 2004 and has divided opinion in the sport ever since. Purists believe retirement from an event means just that, while the alternative argument points to the benefits of returning retired cars to the event for the following day for spectator entertainment and the opportunity for younger drivers to gain experience.

Source: http://www.inracingnews.com/world-rally-championship-news/wrc/todt-to-reconsider-superally-rule/

Landon Cassill Zaxby s Ford Morgan Shepherd Victory in Jesus Chevrolet

Season Rewind: Grand Am Rolex Series

CHAMPIONS: Scott Pruett & Memo Rojas Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas drove to nine victories and the Grand Am Rolex Series Daytona Prototype championship in 2010. (Grand Am Photo) To say that the Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates duo of Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas dominated the Grand Am Rolex Series season would be an understatement.

Source: http://www.inracingnews.com/grand-am/season-rewind-grand-am-rolex-series/

Floyd Anthony Raines Scott Russell Riggs Hiroshi Fushida Beppe Gabbiani

Kanaan Finds A Home At De Ferran Dragon

Tony Kanaan (left) and Gil de Ferran during the de Ferran Dragon Racing announcement this morning in Indianapolis.

Source: http://www.inracingnews.com/indycar-news/irl/kanaan-finds-a-home-at-de-ferran-dragon/

Red Bull Toyota Kyle Busch M and M s Toyota Sam Hornish Jr

Longtime Roush executive Smith retiring (NASCAR.com)

Longtime Roush executive Smith retiring

Source: http://www.nascarracinglive.com/nascar/longtime-roush-executive-smith-retiring-nascar-com.html

5 hour Energy Toyota Tony Raines Long John Silver s Chevrolet Tayler Malsam

Kanaan confirmed at De Ferran

The De Ferran Dragon Racing team has confirmed Tony Kanaan for the 2011 IndyCar championship.

Source: http://www.inracingnews.com/indycar-news/indycar/kanaan-confirmed-at-de-ferran/

Joe Nemechek Gator com Chevrolet Erik Darnell 3M Ford

2012 BMW 1-series Coupe and Convertible ? Car News

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/471twTLCPVY/

Brad Keselowski Dale Earnhardt Jr AMP Energy National Guard Chevrolet Kasey Kahne

NASCAR The Game 2011 Launch Trailer

This is about as real as it gets, coming February 2011 For more info about this game, CLICK HERE

Source: http://finallapradio.com/2010/12/19/nascar-the-game-2011-launch-trailer/

Red Bull Toyota Kyle Busch M and M s Toyota Sam Hornish Jr

Join Mike Wallace and JD Motorsports for a successful 2011 Nationwide series program

JD MotorsportsGAFFNEY, S.C. ? Mike Wallace and team owner Johnny Davis have already agreed upon one thing as they ready for the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series season ? they have what it takes to be successful. They have the equipment, crew, intelligence, talent and tenacity on the team. Davis, sole owner of the team, isn?t...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2010/nationwide/12/23/join-mike-wallace-and-jd-motorsports-for-a-successful-2011-nationwide-series-program/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=join-mike-wallace-and-jd-motorsports-for-a-successful-2011-nationwide-series-program

Michael Curtis Waltrip Scott Alan Wimmer Jonathan Edward Wood Christopher Beltram

Monday, December 27, 2010

Why, yes, that is a Tata Nano covered in pure gold

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, India, Tata, Design/Style, Luxury

Tata Nano Gold Plus by Titan Industries - Click above for image gallery

Try to imagine the most basic car on the road, and you'll likely conjure up images of the Tata Nano. The Citroën 2CV of our time, the Nano was conceived as bare-bones, bargain-basement transport for the masses. But while it makes the rest of us wonder how much our own cars are really worth, sales of the diminutive budget car have been lagging in the wake of safety concerns after cars were reported to be spontaneously combusting due to bad wiring and such.

To drum up enthusiasm for the Nano, Tata has brought in one of its subsidiaries, Titan Industries, to give the car a more luxe appearance in the form of gold and jewels. Celebrating the 5,000th anniversary of Indian jewelry, Tata and Titan launched a public campaign to solicit designs for a bedazzled Nano. Thirteen designs came in, with the winner you see here chosen just a few days ago. The conspicuous one-off will be crafted out of pure gold by Titan at its facility in Bagalore. Have a closer look at the winning design, along with a couple of the runners-up, in the gallery below.

Gallery: Tata Nano Gold Plus by Titan Industries

[Source: International Business Times]

Why, yes, that is a Tata Nano covered in pure gold originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/27/why-yes-that-is-a-tata-nano-covered-in-pure-gold/

Johnny Herbert Al Herman Hans Herrmann François Hesnault

Why, yes, that is a Tata Nano covered in pure gold

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, India, Tata, Design/Style, Luxury

Tata Nano Gold Plus by Titan Industries - Click above for image gallery

Gallery: Tata Nano Gold Plus by Titan Industries

[Source: International Business Times]

Why, yes, that is a Tata Nano covered in pure gold originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/27/why-yes-that-is-a-tata-nano-covered-in-pure-gold/

Oswald Karch Narain Karthikeyan Ukyo Katayama Ken Kavanagh

2011 Nissan Quest ? First Drive Review

Nissan?s quirky Quest tries to inject some excitement into the minivan market.
Minivan sales collapsed from more than 1.1 million in 2004 to a little over 400,000 in 2009. The number of players in the game has dropped as well, with Ford and GM backing out years ago and Hyundai following suit for [...]

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Dale Arnold Jarrett Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Kasey Kenneth Kahne Matthew Roy Kenseth

Marcos Ambrose Is NASCAR Crash King With 19 Incidents

Filed under: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin, Elliott Sadler, Jimmie Johnson, Juan Pablo Montoya, Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., NASCAR Crashes, Sprint Cup, Joey Logano, FanHouse Exclusive, NASCAR

Marcos Ambrose, NASCAR's Aussie driver, did not let a mid-season surge in futility by Elliott Sadler deter him from capturing the season 'championship' in yellow-flag crashes and spins.

Coming on strong during the final eight races with seven spins or crashes, including a final spin (at right) during the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Ambrose easily outdistanced the competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series to post a season-leading 19 incidents and win the title by two.

Sadler, meanwhile, found uncommon consistency in the final stretch, chalking up only a single yellow flag in an incident at Martinsville Speedway during the last eight races. That brought his season total to 15, a number easily surpassed not only by Ambrose, but by hard-luck Sam Hornish Jr., who reached the second-highest total of 17 after the misfortune of four more incidents in the final eight races, including two in the Martinsville race.

Kyle Busch and Joey Logano were tied for fourth in our exclusive FanHouse crash and spin roundup, with 14 incidents apiece.

Drivers involved in 13 spins or crashes in the 36-race schedule, or one every three races, were Kurt Busch, Kasey Kahne, Brad Keselowski and Juan Pablo Montoya.

In our tally, we count an incident on a driver's tally if his car is listed as being involved in a spin or a crash that brings out a yellow flag. Caution periods caused by stalled cars, engine failures or debris do not count, unless a spin or crash was involved and a car number listed.

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2010/11/28/marcos-ambrose-is-nascar-crash-king-with-19-incidents/

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

China caps boom year for autos

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/12/20/872505/china-caps-boom-year-for-autos.html

David Gilliland Charter Air Transport Ford Tony Raines A and W Ford

Mini Paceman Concept ? Auto Shows

Mini builds a three-door version of its five-door crossover for the Detroit auto show.
Sometimes concept cars offer brilliant, creative solutions to transportation challenges while seducing the eye on an auto-show turntable. Others answer questions that no one would ever ask. Mini?s Detroit-show star, the Paceman concept, belongs in the latter group.
Keep Reading: Mini Paceman Concept [...]

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Reed Sorenson Dollar General Toyota Michael Annett Germain com Toyota

2010 Dodge Ram 2500 Laramie Mega Cab 4�4 Diesel ? Long-Term Road Test Update

20K down and 20K to go for this brute.
Date: December 2010
Current Mileage: 23,232 miles
Months in Fleet: 8 months
Average Fuel Economy: 14 mpg
Average Range: 476 miles
Service: $662
Normal Wear: $0
Repair: $0
Our Ram 2500?s long-term stay is more than halfway over, and now it?s time for the truck?s true test: winter. We?ll keep towing and hauling [...]

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/BE9CbMUMbk0/

BigSpot com Toyota Carl Long Millennium Fuel Energy Drink Chevrolet Willie Allen

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Gilt.com to Sell Three VW Jettas for $5995, Receive Untold Amount of Free Advertising

Gilt.com, which is better known for hocking expensive luxury-branded items to its members for for reduced prices, is partnering with VW for a bit of marketing so shrewd we couldn’t resist reporting on it. At noon on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week, Gilt will offer one 2011 Volkswagen Jetta for $10,000 off the [...]

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

Red Bull Toyota Kyle Busch M and M s Toyota Sam Hornish Jr

Sidetracks: Don?t forget about the Nationwide race

Source: http://nascar-news-update.com/sidetracks-dont-forget-about-the-nationwide-race/

Brian Gubby André Guelfi Miguel Ángel Guerra Roberto Guerrero

Bianchi signs for ART for 2011

Ferrari test driver Jules Bianchi has re-signed for the ART team in GP2 as he bids to improve on a challenging 2010 campaign. The Frenchman was a front-runner this year, finishing third overall in the standings despite being temporarily forced out of action mid-season when he fractured a vertebrae in a crash at the Hungaroring

Source: http://www.inracingnews.com/other-news/formula-cars/gp2/bianchi-signs-for-art-for-2011/

Keith Greene Masten Gregory Cliff Griffith Georges Grignard

NASCAR fan on your list?

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/12/16/866829/nascar-fan-on-your-list.html

Jacques Laffite Franck Lagorce Jan Lammers Pedro Lamy

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Opens Up About Team Shake-Up and His Popularity

Filed under: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hendrick Motorsports, NASCAR

LAS VEGAS -- The only suspense in Thursday's announcement of NASCAR's 2010 Most Popular Driver Award rested with the winner. For the eighth consecutive year, Dale Earnhardt Jr. claimed the honor -- tops among the 1.5 million fan votes -- once again proving his popularity is soaring even if his on-track efforts have fallen flat.

"Oh yeah, I was surprised,'' Earnhardt claimed moments after accepting the award during NASCAR Champion's Week. "You just never know. There's the performance factor we've suffered from on the race track, there's the new guys coming into the sport all the time. You never take it for granted.''

The same could be said for winning.

Earnhardt hasn't won a race in nearly three seasons and hasn't even been consistently competitive in the No. 88 National Guard-Amp Energy Chevrolet, while his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson will be crowned champion for the fifth consecutive year in Friday night's lavish NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Banquet at the Wynn Las Vegas.

The juxtaposition isn't lost on the third-generation driver, son of the late seven-time champion, Dale Earnhardt. The 2004 Daytona 500 champ and 18-race winner is hoping a three-way crew chief swap at Hendrick will infuse new life into his career. And it can't happen soon enough.

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2010/12/02/dale-earnhardt-jr-opens-up-about-team-shake-up-and-his-populari/

Kenny Dale Irwin Jr Dale Arnold Jarrett Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Kasey Kenneth Kahne

Lorenzo sees Stoner as biggest threat

MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo has tipped Honda's new signing Casey Stoner as his biggest rival for the 2011 title.

Source: http://www.inracingnews.com/other-news/motorcycles/motogp/lorenzo-sees-stoner-as-biggest-threat/

Bob Gerard Gerino Gerini Peter Gethin Piercarlo Ghinzani

Travis Pastrana tests stock car, says he has the passion to race in NASCAR

Travis Pastrana, a fearless athlete known for going fast, began the process of learning how to go fast in a stock car this week. Pastrana turned his first laps in a stock car Monday and Tuesday as he tested a K&N Pro Series East car at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway. The supercross, freestyle motocross and...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2010/nationwide/12/15/travis-pastrana-tests-stock-car-says-he-has-the-passion-to-race-in-nascar/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=travis-pastrana-tests-stock-car-says-he-has-the-passion-to-race-in-nascar

Aric Almirola JR Motorsports Chevrolet Kevin Lepage Hyatt Place Richmond Airport Toyota

Darlington President Honored With S.C. Award

DARLINGTON, S.C. ? Darlington Raceway President Chris Browning was awarded the Palmetto Patriot Award by Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer during a ceremony at the track Friday morning. In addition to Browning, NASCAR legends David Pearson, Bud Moore, Cale Yarborough and Cotton Owens ? all South Carolina natives ? were also honored along with former Darlington track president and NASCAR executive, the late Jim Hunter and his wife Ann.

Source: http://www.inracingnews.com/nascar-news/nascar/darlington-president-honored-with-s-c-award/

Landon Cassill Zaxby s Ford Morgan Shepherd Victory in Jesus Chevrolet

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Hanninen to focus on S-WRC in ?11

Reigning Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion Juho Hanninen has had his return to the World Rally Championship confirmed. The Finn will contest next season's Super 2000 WRC with the Red Bull Skoda team, alongside German driver Hermann Gassner Jr, in a deal which means Hanninen will not defend his IRC title

Source: http://www.inracingnews.com/world-rally-championship-news/wrc/hanninen-to-focus-on-s-wrc-in-11/

Reed Sorenson Dollar General Toyota Michael Annett Germain com Toyota

Lotus Releases Pretty Pictures of Elan, Elise, Elite, and Esprit in Hollywood

While in southern California for last month’s L.A. auto show, Lotus took some time to shoot photography of four of its six cars that debuted at the Paris auto show?the future Elan, Elise, Elite, and Esprit. The holiday snaps were released via Lotus Cars’ Facebook page, and can be seen in our full gallery below. [...]

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/z2mE8gW18gE/

NAPA Toyota Joe Nemechek Gator com Chevrolet Erik Darnell

Decrease In Number Of Cautions During 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Season

40 Fewer ServiceMaster Clean Cautions This Season ServiceMaster Clean RacingMEMPHIS, Tenn. (December 16, 2010) ?The 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season had a significant decrease in the number of cautions compared to 2009. There were 265 ServiceMaster Clean cautions during the regular-season, 36-race schedule just completed compared to 305 in 2009. The number was 56...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2010/sprintcup/12/16/decrease-in-number-of-cautions-during-2010-nascar-sprint-cup-season/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=decrease-in-number-of-cautions-during-2010-nascar-sprint-cup-season

JR Motorsports Chevrolet Kevin Lepage Hyatt Place Richmond Airport Toyota Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Name That Exhaust Note, Episode 70: 2011 Nissan Xterra

On Tuesday, we posted an audio recording of a mystery car?s exhaust note. To hear it again, click play above. A V-6 it was, but no one correctly guessed the note came from a 2011 Nissan Xterra.
Like that sound? Download the MP3 and quiz your friends, make your own ringtone, or just lull yourself to [...]

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/zbtd7uGpLI0/

Denny Hamlin Z Line Toyota Clint Bowyer Zaxby s Chevrolet

Johanna Long could be NASCAR?s best hope for a successful female driver

Johanna LongShawna Robinson, in 2002, was the last woman to race in Sprint Cup, closing out an eight-race Cup career with a 24th place finish in the July race at Daytona. Danica Patrick will likely be the next female in Cup, perhaps next year depending upon how her partial Nationwide season with JR Motorsports goes....more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2010/otherseries/12/17/johanna-long-could-be-nascars-best-hope-for-a-successful-female-driver/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=johanna-long-could-be-nascars-best-hope-for-a-successful-female-driver

JR Motorsports Chevrolet Justin Allgaier Verizon Wireless Dodge Elliott Sadler

Hyundai Veloster Confirmed for Detroit Show Debut: 1.6-Liter Four-Cylinder, Dual-Clutch Transmission, 40 MPG

Ready for the Veloster? A teaser video released through Hyundai’s YouTube channel and an accompanying countdown page confirm that the company will unveil the long-rumored car at the Detroit auto show next month. The video, which is embedded below, reveals that the car will have a direct-injected engine and a dual-clutch transmission and should return [...]

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

Hyatt Place Richmond Airport Toyota Ricky Stenhouse Jr Citifinancial Ford Michael McDowell

Mazda and Honda form B-Spec Showroom Stock racing series

Filed under: Motorsports, Hatchback, Honda, Mazda, Racing

Racing is a rich man's sport, no question about it. Sure, there are some ways to get into a bit of wheel-to-wheel that cost less than others, such as the 24 Hours of LeMons, but even that is more expensive than you might think. But regardless of the cost, some people still need to scratch that racing itch. One way to keep costs down is to get into spec racing - everyone uses the same type of car and they are typically kept showroom stock minus the addition of safety features such as a roll cage, harness and racing bucket. Mazda and Honda understand this and the two automakers have decided to roll out a B-Spec racing series that utilizes the Mazda2 and Honda Fit.

If the thought of tossing either of these two cars around a track doesn't sound fun, then you clearly have never driven either one. Though they are both down on power, they offer high levels of tossable excitement. Turn them into race-ready hoon machines and the volume knob twists to 11.

A spec series presents an even playing field for the competitors because the engines and chassis remain stock for all cars. Driving skill is what will win in an event like this, and every ounce of that behind-the-wheel prowess will be tested in these low-powered hatchbacks. Hop the jump to read the full press release.

[Sources: Mazda, Honda]

Continue reading Mazda and Honda form B-Spec Showroom Stock racing series

Mazda and Honda form B-Spec Showroom Stock racing series originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/24/mazda-and-honda-form-b-spec-showroom-stock-racing-series/

Dollar General Toyota Denny Hamlin Z Line Toyota Clint Bowyer

Strand Craft 166 yacht comes with its own supercar tender [w/video]

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Design/Style, Luxury

Stand Craft 166 Yacht - Click above for high-res image gallery

The problem with yachting is that there's just no way to bring all of your toys with you. How will the neighbors at the marina ever know that you've got a world-class supercar if you have to keep it tucked away in the garage while you're out sailing the Mediterranean? The shipwrights at Stand Craft have the perfect solution. Meet the 166 - a modern yacht that comes with its very own high-horsepower supercar tucked in the aft. The wheeled machine in question will reportedly wield a 620-horsepower V8, and Stand Craft claims that the vehicle will clip off a top speed of 189 mph.

It's a fitting trinket to go along with a yacht that packs a hidden Jacuzzi tucked into the bow, a retractable fly bridge that tucks away the ship's radar arrays when not in use and a whopping total of five state rooms. Each of the suites is loaded with 52-inch flat-screen television with iPad controls. If any of this is starting to sound or look familiar, that's because the company previously revealed their Strand Craft 122, another ultra-premium vessel that also featured a garage and lux accoutrements, albeit in a slightly less ostentatiously sized package.

Not too shabby. While you join us in waiting for real-world images, hit the jump for the full press release and a quick video.

Gallery: Stand Craft 166

[Source: Stand Craft]

Continue reading Strand Craft 166 yacht comes with its own supercar tender [w/video]

Strand Craft 166 yacht comes with its own supercar tender [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/23/strand-craft-166-yacht-comes-with-its-own-supercar-tender-w-vid/

Cash America Chevrolet Derrike Cope Charter Communications Dodg Carl Edwards

Friday, December 24, 2010

Eighteen Sprint Cup Teams Set for Tire Test at Repaved Daytona

Filed under: Jamie McMurray, Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Mark Martin, Tony Stewart, Daytona Int'l Speedway, Sprint Cup, NASCAR

The fresh asphalt laid at NASCAR's Mecca -- all 50,000 tons of it -- will get its first big workout next week.

At least 18 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers are scheduled to test the new surface of the high banks of the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway Dec. 15 and 16 as part of a Goodyear tire test, the track said Wednesday.

It will mark the first time NASCAR drivers will have driven on a new surface at the Florida superspeedway since the last time it was repaved in 1978.

"This place is going to have a totally new look to the drivers and the teams," two-time Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart said in October. "We're going to fill every square inch of the race track because the surface is so even now."

Goodyear will utilize the test to develop appropriate tire compounds for the preseason Sprint Cup Series test to be held in the middle of January.

The track was faced with repaving after a pot hole opened up in turn two during this year's Daytona 500, forcing substantial, hours-long delays to the race. Essentially, the force of the cars began to tear an ever-widening gouge into the typically smooth surface.

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2010/12/08/eighteen-sprint-cup-teams-set-for-tire-test-at-repaved-daytona/

Caterpillar Chevrolet David Ragan UPS Ford Dave Blaney

Shank Completes Rolex 24 Driver Lineup

COLUMBUS, Ohio ? Marc Goossens and Michael Valiante will join Ozz Negri and John Pew to complete the Michael Shank Racing driver lineup for the Grand Am Rolex Series season opening Rolex 24 at Daytona Int?l Speedway Jan. 29-30. The four drivers will share the No

Source: http://www.inracingnews.com/grand-am/shank-completes-rolex-24-driver-lineup-2/

Extenze Toyota Mattias Ekstrom Red Bull Toyota Bobby Labonte

Raikkonen close to Citroen WRC deal

Kimi Raikkonen is on the verge of committing his future to Citroen in the World Rally Championship, AUTOSPORT has learned, with an announcement expected within the next few weeks.

Source: http://www.inracingnews.com/world-rally-championship-news/wrc/raikkonen-close-to-citroen-wrc-deal-2/

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