Indy Car Info: 8/19/12

Saturday

Earnhardt?s tires will be the difference at Michigan, Letarte believes

The Sprint Cup series returns to Michigan, where one Dale Earnhardt Jr. scored his first win in a looooong time the last time we came around. And he didn't just win, he thumped the field. So there's an understandable sense of optimism around the 88 camp this week ... tempered with caution borne of years upon years of disappointment. What worked before might not work again, particularly with a slightly new tire and a track that's undergone a recent repave.

Letarte recently spoke with Frontstretch about the repave and the way it eliminated the high groove: "It is going to be years before you get back up to the wall again. You used to run up high because there was a little bit more banking and a little bigger radius to the corners, which was a little bit easier on your lateral load. Now that there is a tremendous amount of grip about one groove up, where there is the first groove with banking and that is where the preferred groove is. That is where you're going to see the majority of your cars." (That sounds like the threat of a one-groove track.)

On the plus side, Letarte noted that the cars have plenty of go: "I really think people underestimate just how much power we lose when we go to a restrictor plate track. We have a ton, a ton of power when we go to an open track."

Junior will be the odds-on favorite to repeat at Michigan. It won't be easy, but the fact that Letarte isn't taking anything for granted is a good sign for the 88's fans.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/earnhardt-tires-difference-michigan-letarte-believes-132734560--nascar.html

Bill Brack Ernesto Brambilla Vittorio Brambilla Toni Branca

Porsche Panamera Stingray GTR

On August 29th, the Moscow International Automobile Salon 2012 kicks off and it is scheduled to run through September 9th. For this upcoming show, TOPCAR has put together an entrant in the form of a 2012 Porsche Panamera customized to the gills. This Porsche Panamera Stingray GTR is actually the 9th edition of 25 upcoming Stingray GTR models.

We are not necessarily huge fans of the Panamera and even less of fans when it comes to customized models. So many companies tend to go way overboard restyling the Panamera and they actually end up taking away the little character that this Porsche sedan actually has.

TOP CAR has taken to this Panamera from top to bottom, decking out its interior, exterior, engine, and even the brakes in an attempt to not just make it look better, but run with the best of them. Can TOP CAR really pull off the nearly impossible by handing us a well-designed Panamera with accents where they need to be, or did they just roll out another Panamera hack-job like we usually see?

Click past the jump to read our full review to see how it stacks up.

Porsche Panamera Stingray GTR originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 24 August 2012 18:00 EST.

Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/porsche/2012-porsche-panamera-stingray-gtr-ar134122.html

Walt Ader Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian Kurt Ahrens Jr

On The Ground? MotoGP at IMS, 2011 Edition

(Note: WHAT?!? Another non-indycar related post? I know, I know; before anything else I was a fan of The Speedway so getting the chance to write about it is always exciting. I really enjoy these on-the-ground reports and many open … Continue reading →

Source: http://anotherindycarblog.wordpress.com/2012/08/16/on-the-ground-motogp-at-ims-2011-edition/

Henry Banks Fabrizio Barbazza John Barber Skip Barber

Volkswagen CC ? Four Door Coupe

In order to compete in today?s auto industry; manufacturers have to constantly come up with new cars, models, safety features, design, etc. There were some doubts within the industry when Volkswagen unveiled their Passat CC in 2007, but as it happens, it turned out to be a worldwide success. The Passat CC was inspired by [...]

Source: http://www.autocarblog.co.uk/315-volkswagen-cc-four-door-coupe.html

Gerry Ashmore Bill Aston Richard Attwood Manny Ayulo

?Kroc Hunters

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/PHWa7wJiT-s/kroc-hunters.html

Christian Danner Jorge Daponte Anthony Davidson Jimmy Davies

Friday

Spanish Grand Prix fire shows dangers of F1

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/jakehumphrey/2012/05/jake.html

Peter Ashdown Ian Ashley Gerry Ashmore Bill Aston

Mercedes SLS Roadster by Domanig

Two years after they built a program for the Mercedes SLS AMG, German tuner Domanig has come out with another program, only this time, it’s for the SLS AMG Roadster.

While there isn’t any aesthetic modifications done on the car, the German tuner did have a couple of things in store for the SLS Roadster. The first is the wheels, which Domanig takes pride in. For this particular program, the German tuner fitted the SLS Roadster with a new set of 20" SOM03 wheels in the front and wrapped it in 275/30ZR20 Michelin Super Sport tires. Over at the back, the choice was 21" DOM06 wheels rapped in 305/25/ZR21 Michelin Super Sport tires.

Moving on to the car’s suspension, Domanig added a new KW suspension system that not only lowers the car’s ride height by 30mm, but also makes it work in tandem with the supercar’s standard Ride Control system.

Finally, Domanig made some engine tweaking to the SLS Roadster 6.3-liter V8 engine and ramped up its output from the standard 571 horsepower to past 600 ponies. 620 horsepower, to be accurate.

Overall, the program is bereft of the style of other tuners, but as far as unbridled power is concerned, it gave quite a bit of an added punch.

gallery: 2011 Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster

Mercedes SLS Roadster by Domanig originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 24 August 2012 17:00 EST.

Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/mercedes/2012-mercedes-sls-roadster-by-domanig-ar134081.html

Adriбn Campos John Cannon Eitel Cantoni Bill Cantrell

The Car That Google Leads Only 300.000 Miles Without An Accident Complete

Google has been working on cars that drive so unattended for several years and are seeing significant progress reflected. Just completed a new milestone: 300,000 miles (slightly over 480,000 km) driven by autonomous vehicles without causing an accident or taken control computer (apparently previously blamed an error caused by outsiders). The eras of science fiction [...]

Source: http://www.autocarblog.co.uk/309-the-car-that-google-leads-only-300-000-miles-without-an-accident-complete.html

Andrea de Adamich Philippe Adams Walt Ader Kurt Adolff

Relive Montreal?s best finishes

The Nationwide Series race at Montreal has quickly become such a highlight since the track's NASCAR debut in 2007. So much so, in fact, that there's significant clamoring for the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to host a Sprint Cup Series race, especially as the friendly sentiment for road course racing has grown in the wake of Sunday's crazy last lap at Watkins Glen.

The track, which has hosted Formula 1 races since 1978 is scenically located in the midst of the St. Lawrence River and thanks to the tight corners and long straightaways, has translated incredibly well to stock cars. Really incredibly well.

So, in honor of Saturday's race, here are some of the best Montreal finishes, including Boris Said beating Max Papis to the line in 2010, Carl Edwards capitalizing on Marcos Ambrose's mistake in 2009, and, of course, Robby Gordon's meltdown in 2007. Enjoy!

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/relive-montreal-best-finishes-131216656--nascar.html

Paul Belmondo Tom Belso JeanPierre Beltoise Olivier Beretta

IMS Press Release: 2012 Indianapolis Moto2 And Moto3 Post-Race Press Conference Transcripts

Transcripts of the post-race press conferences from both the Moto2 and Moto3 races at Indianapolis, courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway media service:

2012 RED BULL INDIANAPOLIS GP Moto2 PODIUM PRESS CONFERENCE

Marc Marquez, Pol Espargaro, Julian Simon
Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012

MODERATOR: The podium finishes then in the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix Moto2: In third place Julian Simon; second place, Pol Espargaro; and our race winner is Marc Marquez.
Congratulations, Marc. Fifth win of the season. It wasn't a normal Moto2 race where you were all fighting out. This one was very calculated. You decimated the field, as well. How good did it feel to be riding with the bike and have such a big gap behind you today?

MARC MARQUEZ: Yes, in the beginning I was a little surprised because I thought Pol and Iannone would be stronger, but I saw that the race was quite slow. I tried to lead the race and try to make my rhythm that I make in the qualifying and practice and warm-up. From that was quite difficult in the middle of the race and in the end keep the same concentration, because when I was alone there in front, was quite difficult. But I want to say thanks to my team, to Suter, because now I feel better on the bike. I feel quite good. So this victory is important and start to have the second part of the season with a victory, it is important. We will enjoy it, but we need to think that next week we have Brno, and that circuit is quite difficult.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/giV52nAkM5w/ims_press_release_2012_indianapolis_moto.html

Elio de Angelis Marco Apicella Mбrio de Araъjo Cabral Frank Armi

Thursday

What Can We Expect For The Rest Of The Season?

At the mid-point of the Formula One break, it is a perfect time to review what has happened so far in the Championship, as well as to unveil the predictions for the return to business in Belgium. The year started with Jenson Button leading the chase, with his spectacular performance in Australia, closely followed by [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/_hLZYs1yOEE/what-can-we-expect-for-the-rest-of-the-season

Gianfranco Brancatelli Eric Brandon Don Branson Tom Bridger

Wheldon Receives Winner's Ring

Source: http://www.16thandgeorgetown.com/2012/05/wheldon-receives-winners-ring.html

Alain de Changy Colin Chapman Dave Charlton Pedro Matos Chaves

That was quick: John Wes Townley replaced for Pocono race

We posted Tuesday about John Wes Townley's potential Sprint Cup Series debut at Pocono on Sunday, and we're now about to bring some closure to the story.

Wait, you say, it's only Friday? And wasn't Townley driving a car that was locked into the field via the top 35 rule?

Yes and yes. However, Townley scraped the wall of of turn two on his warmup lap during Friday's first practice session. He didn't post an official speed, and the No. 32 FAS Lane Racing team spent the rest of the practice repairing the car -- and apparently finding a replacement driver. Camping World Truck Series driver Jason White was brought in to drive the car during the second practice session and will be in the car for Sunday's race.

From the Sporting News:

"I was at an autograph session for the Camping World Truck Series and Frankie gave me a call and said the driver didn't know if he wanted to run the race, so they wanted to make a driver change," White said.

"I got signed up with NASCAR to get my Cup license. ? Did all that, changed a few things with the seat and jumped in the seat right before the end of practice. I wasn't really prepared for it but it was pretty cool to come out here and run."

Neither Townley nor FAS Lane owner Frankie Stoddard commented on the situation, so we don't have an official explanation for the decision to remove Townley from the car, though it seems from White's quote above that it was a driver decision.

Townley, who doesn't have any top 10s in his 57 NASCAR Nationwide and Truck Series starts, was scheduled to be in the car with sponsorship from Zaxby's, a restaurant chain his father helped found.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/quick-john-wes-townley-replaced-pocono-race-234954203--nascar.html

Olivier Beretta Allen Berg Georges Berger Gerhard Berger

The Lincoln Tunnel At 190mph?! (Video)

Here?s one for our American fans, as David Coulthard takes on the Lincoln Tunnel at, wait for it? 190mph! The former British F1 racer jumped behind the wheel of a Red Bull for a little drive around New Jersey ahead of the 2013 Grand Prix of America. His session was capped off with a blast [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/DUNDbVDG-uI/the-lincoln-tunnel-at-190mph-video

Derek Daly Christian Danner Jorge Daponte Anthony Davidson

Wednesday

What Can We Expect For The Rest Of The Season?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/_hLZYs1yOEE/what-can-we-expect-for-the-rest-of-the-season

Alain de Changy Colin Chapman Dave Charlton Pedro Matos Chaves

Drawing a Blanc over Blancpain Endurance series...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/B8f5zlMcXdU/drawing-blanc-over-blancpain-endurance.html

Bernard Collomb Alberto Colombo Erik Comas Franco Comotti

Wild Card Race: Ryan Newman is in, for now

With four races to go before the Chase, Marcos Ambrose's win vaulted him into serious Chase discussion, but Ryan Newman was also a big beneficiary of Watkins Glen's final lap craziness.

And so too, believe it or not, was Jeff Gordon, who found himself in the wall on the final turn of the race after spinning out because of oil on the track.

"I went to the outside and hit it (oil on the track) and just spun right out," Gordon, who ended up 21st, said. "I'm just really disappointed because we fought hard today to come back to get what was going to be a pretty nice finish. The thing is, I'm just disappointed at how hard we had to fight for the position. The points are going to be what the points are going to be. We can't control what other people do."

"We can only control what we do. And today, we took back control when we got off, and we were coming. It's just unfortunate that that gets taken away from you because NASCAR doesn't want to end the race under yellow. I understand. You want to keep it entertaining and give the winner a shot at it but there are a lot of other things going on our there too. I think they completely disregarded that and hey, it's over now. We'll move on."

One of the other people that Gordon was referring to was Kyle Busch, who was the leader as the white flag lap. Busch, now one of five drivers with a win outside the top 10, looked poised for win number 2 and a steady grip on the final Wild Card spot until that crazy final lap that saw him end up seventh.

""Yeah, (Busch winning) would have impacted it in a big way," Gordon said. "Again, we can't control what other people do. We can only control what we do. And we're not wishing bad luck on anybody. We're trying to go out there and race as hard as we can and get the best finishes that we can get."

If drivers are tied for a Wild Card position via wins, the tiebreaker becomes points position, and thanks to his 11th place finish, Newman tentatively holds the tiebreaker amongst the five with a win, as they are ordered like this:

13. Newman, -49 points from 10th.
14. Busch, -55
15. Gordon, -59
17. Ambrose, -93
18. Logano, -106

Winless Carl Edwards still lurks in 12th, 43 points out of the top 10, and imagine the craziness that could ensue if Edwards wins at Michigan next week? The lack of separation between Newman, Busch and Gordon at this point may mean that avoiding a bad finish is as important as getting that second win, while Ambrose and Logano are strictly needing another win.

We're looking (for a win) next week," Ambrose, who is still searching for his first oval win, said. "We got the pole at Michigan (in June).� We were running top five all day there.� No reason we can't go there and surprise them again."

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/wild-card-race-ryan-newman-now-213911063--nascar.html

Juan Manuel Bordeu Slim Borgudd Luki Botha JeanChristophe Boullion

Melkus files for bankruptcy in Germany

So much promise, yet not enough to back it all up. Such is the case with German automaker Melkus who has now filed for bankruptcy in a Dresden district court.

German press sources have told GTSpirit that sales of the Melkus R2000 have fallen short of the company’s 25-models-a-year target, thus forcing the company to file for bankruptcy in a last ditch effort to keep the company afloat, albeit barely.

Since the company was relaunched in 2006, Melkus has produced a total of one model - the RS2000. Not exactly the kind of business Melkus had hoped for after six years of being in the business. Certainly, the car’s combination of performance and price - the RS2000 has an output of 325 horsepower and is priced at close to $200,000 - is pretty insane, especially considering the multitude of more powerful choices you can have for that kind of money, but apparently it was not enough to warrant any sales.

Melkus’ struggles appear to have come as a result of overestimating the market with a car that doesn’t pack the kind of punch warranted by its price. Now, it appears they’re paying a pretty steep price for it.

gallery: 2011 Melkus RS2000 GT and GTS

Melkus files for bankruptcy in Germany originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 21 August 2012 18:00 EST.

Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/melkus-files-for-bankruptcy-in-germany-ar133952.html

Karl Gunther Bechem Jean Behra Derek Bell Stefan Bellof

So what really did Allmendinger take?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/uqlAUWBXiXI/so-what-really-did-allmendinger-take.html

Ivor Bueb Sebastien Buemi Luiz Bueno Ian Burgess

Tuesday

Whatever Happened To? Takuma Sato?

I never really warmed to the idea of staking a bet on the F1 result when Takuma Sato was around. Unpredictable didn?t even cover it. Short and comical, he looked more suited to competing in Japanese game show Takeshi?s Castle than Formula One racing. Active at the pinnacle of motorsport from 2002 to early 2008, [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/FJxfNUYu1Lo/whatever-happened-to-takuma-sato-2

Bernard Collomb Alberto Colombo Erik Comas Franco Comotti

China Cancelled, IMS The Only Answer

Source: http://www.16thandgeorgetown.com/2012/06/china-cancelled-ims-only-answer.html

Patrick Depailler Pedro Diniz Duke Dinsmore Frank Dochnal

GM Workers in Columbia Protest in Painful Fashion

Posted on 08.21.2012 11:00 by Justin Cupler
Filed under: Buick Chevrolet General Motors (GM) GMC | government | South America | Cars | Car News

Protests can be a great way to get a point across peacefully. Typically, they occur without any pain and suffering and an agreement is met at some point. In Columbia, we guess they do things a little differently.

Several ex-workers at GM plants in Columbia started protesting in front of the U.S. Embassy in Bogota to settle a grievance. The charges that the ex-workers are seeking reparation for are being fired after getting injured on the job and failure of the company to cover the resulting medical expenses. These workers now want GM to pay the medical bills and provide help to ousted workers in finding new employers.

Both requests seem typical of a protest, but recently the protest has taken an eerie turn, as the workers have gone on a hunger strike. How are they proving they aren’t eating? Well, they have literally sewn their mounts shut with needle and thread.

Their mouths are bound just tight enough to not allow food through, but loose enough for them to mumble out their points. Today would mark the 20th day these workers have gone without food and, according to the protesters, they are willing to die for their cause. If you look closely at the images, these guys have IVs in their hands and arms, so we are curious if they are getting nutrition and liquids fed to them intravenously. Regardless, they have to be getting fluids somehow, as you cannot survive 21 days without water.

The amount of time you can live without food varies, depending on your body, but somber examples ? Northern Ireland protests in 1981 ? have shown you can live up to 73 days without food.

GM’s response to these protests? "GM Colmotores is respectful of the law and has never put the health or the well-being of its employees at risk," GM said. "Furthermore, the company would like to reassure and reaffirm that no employee has been discharged for health reasons."

The protesting workers state that GM is taking advantage of the country’s lenient labor laws to get away with not providing compensation for medical costs and firing them. Some of the protestors have undergone years of injuries and costly surgeries and now find themselves without a job and drowning in medical debt.

Let’s just hope this gets itself sorted out by GM stepping up or the ex-workers putting a stop to this starvation protest. Are medical bills and unemployment really worth losing your life?

GM Workers in Columbia Protest in Painful Fashion originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 21 August 2012 11:00 EST.

Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/gm-workers-in-columbia-protest-in-painful-fashion-ar133965.html

Derek Daly Christian Danner Jorge Daponte Anthony Davidson

Engine dispute threatens F1 schism

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2012/06/engine_dispute_threatens_f1_sc.html

Conny Andersson Mario Andretti Michael Andretti Keith Andrews

Allmendinger?s business manager says he tested positive for amphetamines

AJ Allmendinger's business manager said Wednesday that the driver tested positive for amphetamines, however, they were unsure of what the amphetamine exactly was.

From the Associated Press:

Allmendinger's business manager, Tara Ragan, confirmed multiple media reports Wednesday that an amphetamine triggered the positive test. Ragan said Allmendinger was waiting for additional data from the laboratory that might help identify the source of the amphetamine.

''What is it, exactly? That, we still don't know,'' Ragan said.

NASCAR spokesman David Higdon said on SPEED's Race Hub Wednesday night that it was protocol to inform Allmendinger of the specific substance. Allmendinger was suspended indefinitely from NASCAR Tuesday after his 'B' sample corroborated with the positive drug test of his 'A' sample after the Kentucky race on June 30.

"Actually, specific substance, not stimulant, that is something that they said. We don't reveal the actual substance," Higdon said. "But it's part of the protocol that's outlined in our rulebook, the medical review officer does in fact inform the competitor of the exact substance that he or she has tested positive for. That information is also conveyed to NASCAR."

Well then, that's interesting, isn't it? Penske Racing President Tim Cindric said that the team hasn't been notified of the specifics, saying that all the team knows is what's been released by Allmendinger's camp publicly.

Earlier Wednesday, Ragan confirmed that Allmendinger would be entering NASCAR's Road to Recovery Program immediately in an attempt to return to the track as fast as possible. Given the likely timeline of the program ? generally five months or so ? it's doubtful that Allmendinger will be eligible to compete before the end of the season. Sam Hornish is scheduled to be in the car on Sunday at Indianapolis and the following weekend at Pocono.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/allmendinger-business-manager-says-tested-positive-amphetamines-024845243--nascar.html

Marco Apicella Mбrio de Araъjo Cabral Frank Armi Chuck Arnold

Monday

Millionaire man Maldonado answers critics

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2012/05/maldonados_maiden_victory_over.html

Raul Boesel Menato Boffa Bob Bondurant Felice Bonetto

Alonso unsure whether Kubica will make F1 return | F1 Fanatic round-up

Alonso unsure whether Kubica will make F1 return is an original article from F1 Fanatic. If this article has been published anywhere other than F1 Fanatic it is an infringement of copyright.

In the round-up: Alonso says Kubica is pained by his F1 absence ? Newey warns over engine manufacturer dominance in 2014 ? Caterham reveal new factory

Alonso unsure whether Kubica will make F1 return is an original article from F1 Fanatic. If this article has been published anywhere other than F1 Fanatic it is an infringement of copyright.

Source: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/08/21/f1-fanatic-roundup-218/

Ettore Chimeri Louis Chiron Joie Chitwood Bob Christie

GB 1-2-3

Lewis Hamilton, Paul di Resta and Jenson Button led the Q1 session in Hungary, ahead of Nico Rosberg, Fernando Alonso, Sergio Perez, Nico Hulkenberg and Felipe Massa. The top 10 was completed by Kimi Raikkonen and Bruno Senna. The two Red Bulls struggled with Mark Webber 16th and Sebastian Vettel 17th, while Daniel Riccardo was [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/07/28/gb-1-2-3/

Christian Danner Jorge Daponte Anthony Davidson Jimmy Davies

Remember the Sunfire Prototype?

In our weekly scrounge to try and dig up an interesting photo for you folks, we came across something rather interesting that we had forgotten all about. In 1995, GM decided it was time to overhaul the Cavalier and axe the Sunbird altogether. With the exit of the Sunbird came the introduction of the ?sportier? Pontiac Sunfire ? ah, GM’s creative naming department struck gold there. What we tend to forget is that the Sunfire project started in the early-1990s and was far different than the end result.

To think that the crappy Sunfire was actually a hot concept car with true sports car appearance and likely matching performance numbers seems preposterous, but it’s true. From this photo, you can see just what GM was working on and, on the outside, it was a stunner. Now, inside was a different story. You can see the huge, clunky 1990s GM buttons on the center of the steering wheel and a plethora of these eyesores on the center console too.

One of the advertising gimmicks on this flier, which was distributed at car shows, was the remote-control CD player. This was for those people that just did not have the energy to move their arm the foot or so, needed to touch the CD player’s buttons. What innovative thinkers GM was in the 1990s, right?

Anywho, we need to thank Flickr user Hugo90 for the laughs we got from this blast from the past. Make sure to check out his entire photo stream here, as he has tons of awesome pictures and fliers from various car shows.

Remember the Sunfire Prototype? originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 18 August 2012 06:00 EST.

Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/remember-the-sunfire-prototype-ar133711.html

Bill Brack Ernesto Brambilla Vittorio Brambilla Toni Branca