DTM-SUPERGT REGS MERGER FRAUGHT WITH RISKS

Two of the world's top GT and Touring Car series look set to join under common rules for 2012. And the US based Grand-Am series may join them. Regulations for the popular Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) and the Japanese based Super GT series are set to merge opening up the possibility of an exchange of cars and drivers for the future. The new regulations were announced earlier this year and feature: - Common carbon monocoque with roll cage - A standard wheelbase of 2850 mm - Common front and rear overhang - Common front spoiler and rear diffuser - V8 engine of yet to be announced size - Limited number of engines during season - Introduction of "design line" where on one side all cars are common The main aim of the new regulations is a 51% cost reduction in costs, but it's the last item on the list that is concerning the purists most.

THE PROFITS OF CAPTAIN PENSKE

Success on the racetrack is not the only source of good news for US racing legend Roger Penske. Penske’s US based Auto sales and dealer network, has reported an impressive $29.4 million second quarter operating profit. Penske Automotive Group Inc. is the United States’ second-largest dealer holding company, and it has seen a 16% rise in [...]

AUSSIES POWER TO 1 - 2 FINISH AT THE GLEN

It may have been July 4th but at Watkins Glen it was Australia Day as Will Power led home fellow Aussie Ryan Briscoe to win the latest round of the 2010 Indycar series. Power passed Briscoe with six laps to go to take out his third IZOD IndyCar Series victory of 2010. Briscoe passed Dario Franchitti on the final lap to help Team Penske record its first 1-2 finish since Edmonton in 2009. Brazilians Raphael Matos of de Ferran Dragon Racing and Mario Moraes of KV Racing Technology completed the top five.

EARNHARDT JUNIOR TAKES THE #3 TO A DAYTONA WIN

DAYTONA NASCAR LIVE DOWN UNDER THIS SUNDAY

INDYCAR READY TO REVEAL THE FUTURE, JULY 14

The future direction of the US based IndyCar Series will be made clearer when the series announces its future car strategy on July 14, in Indianapolis. The media announcent will unveil details of the new chassis as well as further details of the new engine configurations. "The ICONIC Advisory Committee continues to work diligently to finalize our future car strategy and a decision is imminent," said Randy Bernard, chief executive officer, IndyCar. "We look forward to unveiling our plans to our teams, drivers, partners, fans and the media during a special event on July 14." IZOD IndyCar Series officials and ICONIC (Innovative, Competitive, Open-Wheel, New, Industry-Relevant, Cost-Effective) Advisory Committee members will not comment about the next generation of chassis until the July 14 news conference.

KELLY FIFTH AS EDWARDS WINS FOR FORD

Australian Owen Kelly has finished fifth in his NASCAR Nationwide race debut at Road America. Carl Edwards driving a Ford won the race which was marred by a massive 10 car pile-up which brought out the red flag. Robb Brent slammed into the back of Tony Raines’ car as the field scrambled to avoid the incident. 10 cars were damaged causing NASCAR officials to call the red flag. The race was restarted over 30 minutes later. Second place in the race went to veteran road course specialist Ron Fellows in a Chevrolet ahead of the Toyota of Brendan Gaughan.

AMBROSE ON TOP IN NASCAR PRACTICE. KELLY SHINES ON DEBUT

Marcos Ambrose has made the early running in this weekend's NASCAR Road Course race at Infinion Raceway, Sonoma. Ambrose took his Toyota to a fastest lap time of 76.375 at 93.800 MPH to edge out the Chevys of Clint Boyer and Ryan Newman. GT driver Jan Magnussen was off the early pace back in 26th place. DTM star Mattias Ekstrom also found his first taste of US stockcars quite a challenge ending the day in 40th place. Meanwhile in the Nationwide Cup at the spectacular Road America circuit, Aussie NASCAR debutante Owen Kelly has done well finishing the day in sixth position. Fastest time at Road America went to former Formula One World Champion Jacques Villeneuve. The Nationwide race from Road America can be seen in Australia on ONE HD early Monday morning, with a delayed telecast of Sprint Cup action also on ONE Tuesday night at 8.30 p.m.

AUSSIE BRISCOE ON POLE FOR TEXAS INDY

Australian driver Ryan Briscoe will start from pole in Saturday night's Indy car race at Texas Motor Speedway. Driving for Team Penske, Briscoe recorded a four-lap average speed of 215.273 mph (1 minute, 37.3275 seconds) to earn the PEAK Performance Pole Award for the Firestone 550K race which will be held under lights at the high banked 1.5 mile oval. Dario Franchitti, seeking to be the third consecutive Indianapolis 500 champion to win at Texas in the same year, was 0.0057 of a second off Briscoe's pace. He'll start on the outside of the front row for the 228-lap race under the lights after an average of 215.261 mph. Briscoe's teammate and fellow aussie, Will Power, will be on the second row along with New Zealand's Scott Dixon.

INDYCAR SAYS GOODBYE TO THE V8

Indycar have announced the end of the V8 with it's new engine rules for 2012 and beyond. The new rules stipulate a maximum of six cylinders as well as a 2.4 litre limit. According to the IRL the new engines will produce between 550 and 700 horsepower and will be turbocharged to allow for flexibility in power. "The ICONIC Advisory Committee has researched future engine platforms with manufacturers, teams, drivers and fans, and they felt this strategy best highlights key attributes of the sport - speed, competition and diversity," said Randy Bernard, chief executive officer of the Indy Racing League. "We feel this open and all-inclusive platform will make our sport an attractive option to engine manufacturers, while allowing development of a relevant and innovative platform to the current and future automotive industry by highlighting efficiency, performance, durability, quality, environmental responsibility and safety."