arwinchamps's blog

Jason Ratcliff new crew chief for #20 Cup Series Car at Joe Gibbs Racing

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (December 16, 2011) ? Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) announces today that Jason Ratcliff has been named crew chief for its No. 20 Sprint Cup Series team, replacing Greg Zipadelli who is leaving the organization to pursue an opportunity with Stewart-Haas Racing. ?We appreciate everything Greg has done for us here at Joe Gibbs [...]

Source: http://thefinallap.com/2011/12/16/jason-ratcliff-new-crew-chief-for-20-cup-series-car-at-joe-gibbs-racing/

Ken Kavanagh Rupert Keegan Eddie Keizan Al Keller Joe Kelly

Hulkenberg ?relieved? to secure drive

Nico Hulkenberg says hearing he had secured a racing seat with Force India for 2012 was a relief after months of speculation.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/hulkenberg-relieved-to-secure-drive/

Brian Henton Johnny Herbert Al Herman Hans Herrmann François Hesnault

Statement from Richard Petty Motorsports on A.J. Allmendinger

Note: This release came to our email @ 11:52am eastern, well after Penske’s announcement that AJ had already joined them at 11:23 am. STATEMENT FROM RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS REGARDING THE RELEASE OF AJ ALLMENDINGER CONCORD, N.C. (Dec. 21, 2011) ? ?Richard Petty Motorsports has released AJ Allmendinger to pursue other opportunities within the sport,? stated [...]

Source: http://thefinallap.com/2011/12/21/statement-from-richard-petty-motorsports-on-a-j-allmendinger/

Danny Kladis Hans Klenk Peter de Klerk Christian Klien Karl Kling

Report: Massive auto parts price fixing probe spreads to four continents

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Government/Legal, Japan, Earnings/Financials, Australia

Investigators are currently expanding the scope of an automotive component price fixing probe. Officials in Australia, the U.S., Europe and Japan are collaborating to discern the breadth of the issue. So far, 20 automotive suppliers have been identified as being part of the investigation, though it's thought that authorities are looking into a significantly larger number of companies. In fact, a government official has already declared this investigation the largest such probe in U.S. history. Those that have been identified so far are publicly traded and must disclose such investigation to their shareholders by law. Private companies have no such obligation. According to Crain's Detroit Business, the companies in question supplied parts to both automakers and the aftermarket.

So far, only one company has been convicted of price fixing in the investigation. Furukawa Electric Company of Japan has been handed a fine of $200 million and three U.S.-based executives are headed toward incarceration. Sentencing has yet to occur for those workers.

The report says the scandal spreads across automotive systems, and subpoenas have been handed down for raids against at least 19 suppliers over six supply sectors. Even so, those subpoenas may be aimed at securing evidence against a company's competitor, not the manufacturer itself.

Massive auto parts price fixing probe spreads to four continents originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/22/massive-auto-parts-price-fixing-probe-spreads-to-four-continents/

Piercarlo Ghinzani Bruno Giacomelli Dick Gibson Gimax Richie Ginther

The Continental: Speaking with Marchionne, Driving the Panda, and Another Lovable Unimog

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. Fiat has chosen the Pomigliano plant near the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius as the launch site [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/O6qBYbdTr6Q/

Mike Hawthorn Boy Hayje Willi Heeks Nick Heidfeld Theo Helfrich

F1: Ferrari To Unveil 2012 Car In Early February

Ferrari officials say it's time for the once-dominant team to start winning again...

Source: http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-ferrari-to-unveil-2012-car-in-early-february/

Walt Hansgen Mike Harris Cuth Harrison Brian Hart Gene Hartley

Will Urban Revitalization Leave Some Cities Behind?

Chris Leinberger’s op-ed about the decline of the outer suburbs a few weeks ago in the New York Times has been widely praised and scrutinized in the blogosphere. A few of us remarked that the decline of the outer suburbs and the rise of the central city doesn’t seem to be a uniform trend across [...]

Source: http://streetsblog.net/2011/12/19/will-urban-revitalization-leave-some-cities-behind/

Kamui Kobayashi Helmuth Koinigg Heikki Kovalainen Kevin Harvick Armour Vienna Sausage Kroger Chevrolet

Rumormill: Audi testing revised R18 at Sebring with possible hybrid power

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Audi, Racing

After dominating Le Mans-class endurance sportscar racing for years now, Audi is left with little to prove. Plus, with sister-company Porsche returning with an LMP1 program of its own, and Bentley reportedly considering the same, rumors have been circulating that the four-ringed automaker could quit while it's ahead. It's something that rivals old (like Peugeot) and new (like Toyota) were undoubtedly rooting for, but no such luck: Audi isn't going anywhere but the finish line.

The German automaker's racing division - which is, incidentally, undergoing a thorough shake-up in preparation for new opposition - has brought its new R18 prototype to these United States for testing at Sebring, saying little more than that it's preparing to challenge the new FIA World Endurance Championship in the new year. But take a close look at the photos the company released along with the statement after the jump and the keenest of eyes may notice that the new R18 has undergone what looks like some significant changes.

Of course, all we can see from the outside is the aero package, but sources suggest there's something more lurking under the skin. The Audi fanatics over at QuattroWorld insist this latest prototype is packing a hybrid powertrain, putting it up against Peugeot's 908 Hybrid4 and Toyota's upcoming hybrid challenger. If that's the case, we can pretty much guarantee that whoever's car will cross the finish line in the upcoming season of endurance racing will be doing so with a bit of battery boost, too.

Continue reading Audi testing revised R18 at Sebring with possible hybrid power

Audi testing revised R18 at Sebring with possible hybrid power originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/22/audi-testing-revised-r18-at-sebring-with-possible-hybrid-power/

David Hobbs Gary Hocking Ingo Hoffmann Bill Holland Jackie Holmes

New bid to bring F1 back to Argentina

Designers of a new circuit being constructed in Argentina are aiming for the venue to host the nation's first Formula 1 grand prix since 1998. The Velociudad Speedcity in Zarate, 100km from Buenos Aires, is being built by Populous, which was behind the recent Silverstone redesign and is also working on an F1-standard circuit in Mumbai.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/new-bid-to-bring-f1-back-to-argentina/

Sam Hanks Walt Hansgen Mike Harris Cuth Harrison Brian Hart

iRacer of the Year

iRacing.com is excited to announce the first annual iRacers of the Year awards.  The iRacing.com 2011 Driver of the Year will be awarded to a member for his/her achievements in competition on the virtual race tracks of iRacing.com.  The iRacing.com 2011 Member of the Year will be awarded to a member for his/her contributions to the iRacing community as whole as the result of their technical contributions, helping other drivers and/or simply adding to the fun, fellowship and sense of community. Below are the nominees for the iRacer of the Year awards.   Voting runs from December 15 through December 31 at 23:59 GMT and the winners will be announced in early January.   Click here to cast your votes. Driver of the Year ?   Ray Alfalla ? NASCAR iRacing.com Series World [...]

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/iracing-news/iracer-of-the-year/

Graham Hill Phil Hill Peter Hirt David Hobbs Gary Hocking