CASCAR Barrie

JR Fitzpatrick won the MOPAR Canada Day 300 at Barrie Speedway on Sunday afternoon. It was the first CASCAR feature win of his career.

Ron Beauchamp finished secons, ahead of Dave Whitlock.

The race featured a wild finish. With five laps to go, during a restart, second-running DJ Kennington got into the back of leader Don Thomson Jr., who ended up slamming into the outside wall on the backstraight. Kennington was black-flagged, knocking him out of contention.

Fitzpatrick survived a hectic final few laps en route to the win.

Top 10: 1. JR Fitzpatrick, 2. Ron Beauchamp, 3. Dave Whitlock, 4. Doug Brown, 5. Scott Steckly, 6. Brad Graham, 7. Mark Dilley, 8. Jim Lapcevich, 9. Jason Hathaway, 10. Don Thomson Jr.

In other action at Barrie Speedway on Sunday, Mike Alguire won the MOPAR 100 CASCAR Sportsman Series race to earn his first-ever CASCAR win.

... More to follow.

Mercedes CL Class - more photos

We're still waiting for Mercedes-Benz to come out with the official press material for the new CL Class, but meanwhile photos and details keep emerging.

The top of the range coupe from Mercedes-Benz will be on European markets next autumn, and for the first time it will be longer than 5 meters: it is 5.07 meters long (+7.5 cm), 1.87 meters wide (+1,4 cm) and 1.42 meters high (+2 cm). The trunk has a capacity of 490 liters.

The CL is more of a luxury-oriented Coupe, as the photos of the interior show. Standard specifications are similar to those of the S-Class, including Active Body Control. As optionals one can have various radar-based gadgets, such as the Parking Guidance System (to measure parking spaces), Active Cruise Control (it adapts the cruise speed when vehicels in front slow-down or accelerate), Pre-Safe (brakes in case an obstacle is present) and the infrared night vision system.

Initially there will be two engine options, one a V8 the other a V12 (no V6, no diesel, at least for now). The "base" model is the CL 500, with the 5.5 liters V8 engine (388 ps / 530 Nm) that takes 5,4 seconds to go from 0-100 km/h, 5.9 seconds from 60-120 km/h. The average fuel consumption is 12.1 liters/100 km on the combine cycle.

Going up, the CL 600, with the 5.5 liters V12 bi-turbo engine (517 ps / 830 Nm), weighing 2.185 kg. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, from 60-120 km/h in 4.8 seconds, with an average fuel consumption of 14.3 liters/100 km on the combined cycle.

Top speed is 250 km/h for both models, electronically limited. Starting price in Europe wll be about 110.000 €.

© Source: original article on eurocarblog.com

Ford lifts lid on Focus drop top

Ford is blowing the lid on the Focus with the arrival of the Coupe-Cabriolet model.

After much huffing and puffing about its Vignale concept, shown at the Paris Motor Show in 2004, we've been waiting for the Focus drop top.

We'll have to wait a little longer as the car does not go on sale in the UK until October, but we do get a first look at the Focus Coupe-Cabriolet's world premiere at the British Motor Show from July 20-30.

Italian design house Pininfarina has been closely involved with the design and the collaboration has resulted in sleek lines for the open top, with a unique rear end to accommodate the folding metal roof.

The interior has also come in for some re-working to distinguish it from lesser Focus models, but space has been preserved in the rear to seat four people.

Ford is claiming best in class practicality and cites 534 litres of luggage space with the roof up and 248-litres with the roof folded. Under the bonnet, engines are taken from the usual Focus staples.

The entry-level Coupe-Cabriolet will use a 1.6-litre petrol engine, with a two-litre petrol and 134bhp two-litre turbodiesel completing the line-up.

Ford is keeping schtum about prices, but we've been told they will be very competitive compared to a Vauxhall Astra TwinTop's.

© Source: original article on topgear.com

CASCAR SS: Sprint races

Don Thomson Jr. started on the outside of the front row in the first 50-lapper at Barrie Speedway on Saturday night and jumped past polesitter Mark Dilley on the way into turn 1...and never looked back on his way to the checkered flag.

Dilley finished second, ahead of Peter Gibbons, Brad Graham, Kerry Micks, Dave Whitlock, Dave Jacombs, Kent Nuhn, Jason Hathaway, John Fitzpatrick and Joey McColm.

The skies opened up prior to the start of the 2nd 50-lapper, ending the action for the night.

UPDATED: The starting field for Sunday's MOPAR Canada Day 300 will be based on the time trial results.

SCHEDULE:

BARRIE SPEEDWAY // SUNDAY, JULY 2, 2006

MOPAR CANADA DAY 300 presented by the Dodge Dealers of Ontario

8:00 a.m.: Pit Gates Open

9:00 - 10:30 a.m.: Sportsman Tech

9:00 a.m.: Super Series drivers' meeting

11:00 - 11:30 a.m.: Super Series practice (All Cars)

11:30 - noon: Sportsman Practice

11:30 - 1:30 p.m.: Super Series Tech

12:30 p.m.: Sportsman Time Trials

1:00 p.m.: MOPAR 100 CASCAR Sportsman Series Feature

2:00 p.m.: Super Series Driver Autograph Session

3:00 p.m.: Driver Introduction Ceremonies

3:30 p.m.: START: MOPAR CANADA DAY 300 PRESENTED BY THE DODGE DEALERS OF ONTARIO

CASCAR: Time Trial Results

Mark Dilley posted the fatest lap of time trials for Sunday's MOPAR Canada Day 300 at Barrie Speedway.

The Dodge Charger driver was one of 7 who bettered the existing Super Series track record at Barrie. Dilley will start on €he pole on Sunday.

J.R Fitzpatrick was 2nd fastest, ahead of Don Thomson Jr.

THe 50 lap sprint races to set the rest of the field go later tonight.

TRIB. STAR.: Feature on Robert Wickens

On June 30, the Terre-Haute, IN newspaper had a story on Canadian Robbie Wickens, who is driving for their local Formula BMW team, Team Apex.

T.O. STAR: Norris McDonald says that a Busch race in Montreal isn't such a good idea

Norris McDonald believes Mosport or the 'to-be-built' track at Cayuga would be better choices. He also contends that Montrealers won't go for a second-tier show.

While you're there, you can listen to Norris' Auto Racing Podcasts.

Still on the topic of NASCAR & Montreal, YAHOO Sports says it's a done deal. Apparently, the race will take place on July 21, 2007.