Will drivers like Danica Patrick and Darren Manning fade in the physically difficult race on Saturday?  They better hope for a lot of cautions to rest their arms.

Steve Snoddy/IRL

Tracy said the 14-turn circuit over bumps and hard-left-hard-right corners on the 1.96-mile (3.1-kilometre) course always takes its toll on the weak.

“Definitely it’s the most physical track you can do in North America,” said Tracy.

“Everybody’s going to tell you they’re in great shape, but in the last Champ Car races, you see the guys that were going fast at the end and you see the ones that were hanging on just to get to the end.”

He said he and Oriol Servia last year started at the back of the field but moved up as the sun beat down and the laps mounted.

“At the end of the race we were catching up guys that were getting tired and that’s going to be the case (on Saturday).

“This track is tough, tough as it gets.”

Australian Will Power said the track pounds the tires like no other course on the IndyCar circuit this year.

“Here over a stint, after 10 laps, (the tires) really start to go off, so when you’re driving that car you’re really on the wheel, which makes it even harder to not make a mistake.” Edmonton Sun

The drivers have described the MP4-23 as being particularly well-balanced in high-speed corners, how do you expect it to cope with the low-speed twists and turns of the Hungaroring?

"The two circuits on the calendar that most resemble the characteristics of the Hungaroring are, bizarrely, Montreal, which is dusty and low-grip, and Monte Carlo, which requires a high-downforce set-up to cope with the minimal straights and numerous low-speed corners. And the reality is that we were reasonably competitive at both those circuits."

"While it has been true to say that one of the key strengths of our car is its pace in high-speed corners, we’ve done a lot of work to the package to strengthen its weak spots. At Silverstone, we were comfortable with our pace through the last sector, and at Hockenheim, we were comfortably quickest through the stadium section of the track, which is tight and reliant on good mechanical grip."

"There was definitely a disagreement," Stewart said Friday. "But that's the great thing about my relationship with USAC. We talked about it after it happened and after the race was over. They've got their eyes open and they're doing everything they can to make sure incidents like that don't happen again."

The incident Stewart was referring to occurred when his driver, points leader Tracy Hines, brushed the wall and had to come in for repairs. The crew fixed the car and attempted to get him back in the race before the restart, according to the Herald Bulletin, but a USAC official said the crew was too late to get the car in the race for the restart.

Stewart became upset, which eventually led to the altercation. He said he stayed until 12:30 a.m. talking with series officials to sort everything out, but told reporters Friday he expected to be penalized for his actions.

"When you're sitting there and you've got your corporate sponsors there and you've got a car on the race track and it's sitting on pit lane and they can't get a push truck to it, you're supporting your guys and your team that worked hard on that car trying to get it back out," he said in explaining his role in the altercation. Scenedaily.com

2009 Provisional MotoGP Calendar

April 12th – Qatar, Losail (Evening Race)
April 26th – Japan, Motegi
May 3rd – Spain, Jerez
May 17th – France, Le Mans
May 31st – Italy, Mugello
June 14th – Catalunya, Catalunya
June 27th – Netherlands, Assen (Saturday Race)
July 5th – United States, Laguna Seca (MotoGP Class only)
July 19th – Germany, Sachsenring
July 26th – Great Britain, Donington Park
August 16th – Czech Republic, Brno
August 30th – Indiana, Indianapolis
September 13th – San Marino, Misano
September 20th – Hungary, Balaton
October 4th – Portugal, Estoril
October 18th – Australia, Phillip Island
October 25th, Malaysia, Sepang
November 8th – Valencia, Ricardo Tormo Valencia

"No money is worth the sort of trouble and anguish it's caused everybody," the lady known only as Woman E told Sky News. "I have been stupid, naive and I wish I'd never done it."

She added: "I know for a fact, that it was spoken about, that Max actually found it quite a turn-on to speak to them in German. He liked the German language. It was prison uniforms because we were doing a German prison scene. But it wasn't Nazi."

"I constantly told them that I didn't want to put my name to that. I would never have said it was Nazi - I would never have said he was a liar. There was lots in that second article that didn't come from me.

"I signed the article but I was put under massive pressure as I was told I would be put on the front cover and basically they would do a story on me anyway."

[Editor's Note: Mosley will now extract a lot of money from the News of the World bank account when he wins his libel suit.  And if he is ever able to prove that Ron Dennis put them up to it like many speculate as revenge for McLaren's $100M Stepney Spygate penalty, you will see McLaren banished from F1.  When Mosley attacks, he is ruthless.  Anyone want to buy an F1 team for pennies on the dollar?]

Sales for the quarter dipped 2.2 percent from a year ago to 2.867 trillion yen ($26.79 billion), largely because the rising yen eroded the value of overseas earnings. If the yen's value had held at levels of a year ago, sales would have jumped about 7 percent, Honda said.

Riding on its reputation for making cars with good mileage, the Tokyo-based manufacturer of the Civic and Accord compacts has racked up solid results despite worries among the world's automakers about a U.S. slowdown and rising steel prices.

Honda sold more vehicles worldwide than in any other fiscal first quarter at 962,000 vehicles, up 1.7 percent on year.

Having won a privacy suit against the original publication, News of the World, in the London High Court, it emerged on Friday that the FIA president began proceedings in Germany.

Mosley, 68, is seeking $2.35 million from Bild newspaper and its online edition, after the German newspaper echoed the evidently false claim that his prostitute session had a Nazi theme.

Also on Friday, the unnamed prostitute who secretly filmed Mosley broke her silence to back his claim the orgy did not have a Nazi theme.

Known in court only as 'Woman E', the prostitute - who did not testify and whose husband lost his job as an MI5 officer - told Sky News: "It wasn't Nazi."

Mosley's lawyers, meanwhile, confirmed that they have commenced further legal action against News of the World for libel.

Max Mosley isn't done with the News of the World just yet.  Remember, he never loses in court

The Times, which like News of the World is owned by Rupert Murdoch's publishing company News International, reported on Friday that Mosley, the FIA president, is considering a libel action.

While Mosley's High Court victory was based on invasion of privacy, subsequent legal action is likely to focus on the evidently false claim that his encounter with five prostitutes earlier this year was a "sick Nazi orgy".

Mosley's lawyers, Steeles Law, refused to comment, the British newspaper The Guardian said.

But a source at the firm said "there would be a time to talk about other things but that time is not now".

It is believed Mosley may also be considering legal action against newspapers that also carried the expose, and claims based on its falsehoods, in France, Germany and Italy.

Mosley on Thursday was awarded $120,000 damages by the London court, but the bill for the News of the World will actually be in excess of half a million, once the 68-year-old Briton's legal costs are factored in.

A successful libel action, meanwhile, could cost Murdoch's company hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Attendance for the Edmonton race has always been high, even on weekdays

At the Watkins Glen race earlier this month there probably weren't as many people in the stands on race day as there were in the Edmonton stands Thursday.

Tim Cindric, president of Team Penske, liked the city centre airport setup, as well as the number of fans who turned out on a normal working day.

"I've always enjoyed coming to Canada because of the enthusiasm, the knowledgeable fans. They know more than just the drivers, they know a bit about the sport. They're very knowledgeable fans, which is refreshing."

And Tony George, founder and chief executive officer of the Indy Racing League, whose opinion will be influential in where the IndyCar schedule goes in the future, said he was also very impressed with Thursday's turnout. Edmonton has a three-year contract with the IndyCar Series.

Sure, the 1979 Daytona 500 is regarded as the race that brought NASCAR into the national consciousness. But the first NASCAR race at Indianapolis proved that stock cars were just as worthy of racing at Indy as "the cars and stars" of the IndyCar racing.

The race was a huge success. Ticket demand was so high that it was estimated the first race could have been sold-out two-times over. In true NASCAR fashion, a young Jeff Gordon -- who spent his formative racing years in nearby Pittsboro, Ind. -- won the race for his second career victory. It helped make him a true legend and helped the Brickyard attain iconic status, leading some to predict that it would be bigger than the Daytona 500. With the late Dale Earnhardt winning in 1995 and Dale Jarrett in 1996, it was a race where the "big names" of the sport would triumph.

But 15 years later, the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard is no longer the "earth-stopping" event that it once was. Last year's race had as many as 50,000 empty seats at the massive Indianapolis Motor Speedway. These weren't simply scattered empty seats throughout the facility but large gaps in the North Tower Terrace, Turn 3 and both the north and south chute areas.

And as Sunday's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard looms closer, that trend is expected to continue in the face of a horrible economy with gasoline prices around $4.25 a gallon in the Midwest.

"Any time the economy takes a downturn, entertainment dollars become affected," says Joe Chitwood III, the president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "Motorsports is more expensive to participate in because of the travel and the days of activity with the hotels. [The economy] affects the [racing] customer more than it does those who follow a stick and ball sport. That works against us."

But the 400 itself has become "just another race" because of several other factors: More at SI.com

The number reflects Sunday race-day coverage through the first half of the 2008 season – Pomona to Norwalk – compared against the first half of the 2007 season. Thus far in 2008, NHRA has averaged a 0.69 rating and 659,340 households on Sunday versus .53 and 490,357 households in 2007, with rating increases at 11 of the first 12 races,

"This illustrates what we've known all along, that NHRA has a healthy, loyal, and growing fan base," NHRA President Tom Compton said. "These numbers speak volumes about both the tremendous value proposition NHRA offers to current and potential sponsors as well as the quality of the television broadcast."

Irishman Daly, who contested formula one races until the early '80s and is now a commentator, has written in a book that the fact Button's career stagnated at Honda may mean he now never wins a title.

He said that when Briton Button, 28, switched from Benetton to Honda-powered BAR earlier this decade, he looked like a future champion.

"The team then faltered," he said in his book Race To Win, of which extracts were published by The Sun newspaper on Friday.

"Jenson will have lost the Hamilton-Kubica type of hunger-drive and sometimes it's hard to get that back," Daly, 53, wrote.

Daly also offers critical observations about many of Button's current F1 rivals, including championship contenders Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa.

He said Hamilton's "technical abilities" - as well as Williams racer Nico Rosberg's - will not yet be "fully developed".

Daly, meanwhile, questions Ferrari driver Massa's "mental capacity".

"When he runs out of capacity he flies off the road," he said of Massa.

Daly advises Heikki Kovalainen to stop trying so hard.  "If his expectations were lowered he could develop to be superb in two years."

Three-time world champion Sir Jackie Stewart has long been outspoken in his opposition to Mosley holding the top job - even before the sex scandal was broken by Britain's News of the World earlier in the year, and says he sees no reason why winning his action against the newspaper should prolong the president's stay in office.

"Max should now step down and be cut out of it totally," he told the BBC, "His stewardship of the FIA simply cannot be undertaken in its fullest form because of what has occurred."

The Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame in downtown Talladega is both a focal point saluting NASCAR's greatest names and a tribute to one of racing's brightest stars - the late Davey Allison. Developed in 1994, the Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame has inducted one active driver and up to two inactive drivers since 1995 based on the fans' vote chosen from a ballot of nominees selected by strict guidelines.

White, 78, of Fayetteville, Georgia, will be inducted as this year's inactive driver. White won the 1960 NASCAR Grand National (now Sprint Cup) championship as a driver/owner, recording six wins and 35 top 10s in 41 starts. He is one of just six driver/owners in history to win a series championship. Fan voting for the 2008 Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame began on April 15.

In addition to Labonte, active driver nominees this year included: Michael Waltrip, Jeff Burton, Morgan Shepherd, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne, Robby Gordon, Greg Biffle, Jimmie Johnson, Jeremy Mayfield, Joe Nemechek, Ryan Newman, Elliott Sadler, Ken Schrader and Carl Edwards. White competed against inactive drivers, Jim Paschal, Bill Rexford, Jack Smith and Speedy Thompson. In the park, Davey Allison is remembered with a large marble monument, while drivers inducted into the Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame have bronze plaques placed around the park, accessible by walkways that form the shape of Talladega Superspeedway. For additional information, visit www.talladegawalk.com. TSS PR

• FIA to inspect Lewis Hamilton's V8 engine for cheating 
• Indian GP still on track for 2010 - Mallya
• Ferrari to test 'shark fin' engine cover
• Another video keeps Kimi amid controversy
• Valencia F1 track set to host first races
• Spyker F1 chief fined for insider trading

FIA to inspect Lewis Hamilton's V8 engine for cheating
(GMM)  F1's governing body is to inspect the Mercedes-Benz engine that powered Lewis Hamilton to victory at last Sunday's German grand prix.

The inspection, although the first of its kind this season, is apparently both random and routine, in accordance with the current two-race per engine regulation, and the so-called 'freeze' on free engine development.

The inspection will take place during scrutineering prior to the Hungarian grand prix next week, the Spanish newspaper Diario AS revealed.

The FIA informed Hamilton's team, McLaren-Mercedes, of the pending inspection in the form of an official communiqué on Tuesday, the newspaper added.

Indian GP still on track for 2010 - Mallya
(GMM)  Preparations for an inaugural grand prix in India are still on track for 2010, Force India team boss Vijay Mallya says.

The Indian billionaire, who is also head of the Indian national motor sporting federation, said recently that organizers have obtained land, set aside race fees, and will build a circuit outside the capital city Delhi.

It is understood Mallya is not directly involved, but he explained to F1 reporters at Hockenheim last week that the CEO of one of India's biggest banks is backing the project.

Construction of the track will begin in early October, Mallya said.

"For the first time, now I think I feel very confident to be able to say to you that there will be a brand new track and that we will have our first grand prix in 2010," he said last Friday.

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton was in the Indian city Mumbai this week and he also backed the plans for a grand prix in the country.

"India is certainly going to have an impact on formula one in the next couple of years," the McLaren driver said.

Tickets for the event go on sale this October.  Reserved camping and hospitality tickets go on sale October 1, while all other tickets - general admission, grandstand, paddock, parade lap and parking - go on sale October 6.  Renewal forms will be sent to current customers on August 21.

Tickets and information for the remaining events in the 2008 season at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca are available by calling (800) 327-SECA or online at www.laguna-seca.com.

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca's world-class 2008 racing schedule includes the 35th Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races presented by Toyota August 15-17, the Corona AMA Superbike Finale September 27-28 and the Monterey Sports Car Championships featuring the American Le Mans Series October 17-19.

Jones, 49, of Greenwood, Ind., was injured last Saturday in a pit incident in the American Le Mans Series race at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Jones was transferred Tuesday from the Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, to the Richard M. Fairbanks Burn Center at Wishard Health Services in Indianapolis.

Jones’ condition was downgraded from critical to serious on his arrival to Wishard.

The Keith E. Jones Fund has been opened at National City Bank. Contributions to the fund can be made at any National City Bank.

The de Ferran Motorsports team has asked that best wishes be sent to the de Ferran Motorsports headquarters in Brownsburg, Ind.  The team headquarters are listed below:

Keith Jones
c/o De Ferran Motorsports
485  Southpoint Circle, Suite 900
Brownsburg, IN 46112

In Segment One of qualifying, each group receives 20 minutes of track time. The fastest six cars from each group advance to Segment Two, while the remaining cars are assigned positions 13-26. Group One drivers will occupy the odd-numbered positions (13, 15, 17...) while Group Two drivers will occupy the even-numbered positions (14, 16, 18...) based on their fastest lap times.

During Segment Two, the 12 advancing cars receive 15 minutes of track time. The fastest six advance to the Firestone Fast Six Shootout while the remaining six cars are ranked in positions 7-12 based on their fastest laps.

During the Firestone Fast Six, the six cars receive 10 minutes of track time, with a guarantee of five minutes of green flag time. Each car receives one additional set of Firestone Firehawk tires for use during this final segment. At the end of the session, the cars are ranked 1-6 based on their fastest laps.

Driving the No. 3 Indeck/Tire Rack/NOCO machine for Forsythe/Pettit Racing, Hinchcliffe clocked a best lap at 1:05.910 (107.765 mph) to score his second pole of the season in Thursday afternoon’s qualifying session at the 1.973-mile Rexall Speedway. Hinchcliffe also started from the pole for the first race of last year’s Atlantic doubleheader and went on to finish third in that race. As opposed to duplicating that performance, however, Hinchcliffe is hoping for a similar result to the last time he started from the pole in Atlantic competition in May’s Monterey Festival of Speed at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. In that race, he earned his second career Atlantic victory.

“Anytime you get a pole position, it’s a great feeling,” Hinchcliffe said. “To do it on home soil, obviously, makes it that much more special. Frankly, I’m surprised to be up here. We weren’t really running that well in the session. The car wasn’t quite where I wanted it. I think we need to work on our race car over a long stint. We managed to put in one good lap, but it’s a 50-minute race. We’ve got to be there at the end.”

The move comes in the wake of the death of longtime racer Scott Kalitta in a Funny Car crash on June 21.

The task force is headed by Dan Olson, NHRA director of Top Fuel and Funny Car racing. He is joined by Austin Coil, crew chief for John Force Racing; Jim Head, Funny Car driver/crew chief; Alan Johnson, crew chief for the U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster; Jon Oberhofer, crew chief for Top Fuel driver Doug Kalitta; Mark Oswald, co-crew chief on Melanie Troxel's Funny Car; and Tim Wilkerson, Funny Car driver/crew chief.

Other representatives from NHRA and the Professional Racers Owners Organization (PRO) will also participate.

"This task force provides a more structured process for NHRA, together with crew chiefs within the racing community, to tackle emerging technical issues and find solutions to build upon the sport's long-standing safety record," said Graham Light, senior vice president of racing operations for NHRA.

It's the second time Toyota has beaten GM in sales in the first half of the year. In 2007, Toyota outsold GM by about 50,000 vehicles, although GM eked out a win for the full year, retaining its 77-year position as the world's largest automaker by sales.

Last year during the same period, Ford reported a net profit of $750 million, or 31 cents a share.

Revenues during the April-June period declined to $38.6 billion, down from $44.2 billion a year ago.

The second-quarter loss includes $8 billion, or $3.26 a share, in special charges, mostly in North America, which has been hit hard by an economic slowdown, a consequence of crises in the housing, credit and energy sectors.

Ford’s operating loss from continuing operations, excluding special items, was $1.4 billion, down from a year-ago profit of $258 million.

During the quarter, Ford’s cash reserves also decreased by $2.1 billion, to $26.6 billion.

Following Ford’s $100-million profit in the first quarter, Ford has now lost $8.5 billion through the first half of the year. Detroit Free Press

[Editor's Note: Getting their tails kicked by Toyota and Chevy week in and week out in NASCAR sure helps to contribute to Ford's downfall.]

“In our opinion, there is no technical justification to penalize the Toyota engine utilized in the Nationwide Series,” White said in a statement released Wednesday evening. “The success of the Toyota Camry this year in the Nationwide Series is the result of hard work and achievement by all of our race teams ... working in conjunction with [Toyota Racing Development].”

White said the manufacturer will work with its teams to make sure they remain competitive despite the setback. He warned that NASCAR’s decision “could be more far-reaching than simply mandating Toyota adjust its Nationwide engine.”

“The real impact will be felt by the Toyota teams as they adjust to the change, work to remain competitive for the remainder of this season and attempt to line up their sponsorships for next year,” he said.

It was a chance for Tracy to test the car's system, to get somewhat familiar with the shifting and braking, and ensure the car was running properly.

"It doesn't kick ass like the Champ Car," said the Toronto native, but that was to be expected. The Dallara, with its 3.5-litre normally aspirated engine produces about 640 horsepower compared to more than 800 horsepower for the turbo-charged cars that Champ Car ran. Plus, Tracy was running on rain tires that will be switched for the quicker slicks for today's practice sessions.

Tracy said he was satisfied with the car, found the shifting and suspension stable, and he's ready to practice. The entire 27-car IndyCar field will have its first practice session today at 1:30 p.m., followed by a second session this evening. Canada.com

Dear Dave,  Unfortunately many of the fans, and some of the regular media that cover NASCAR, are Bubbas and have no clue about what may have been invented elsewhere and swallow the lies hook, line and sinker.  They are simply sheep that follow their shepherd (NASCAR).  Mark C.

Kimi Raikkonen was third fastest for Ferrari, on grooved rubber.

Results Wednesday

Timo Glock

The 26-year-old race driver spent last Sunday night in hospital following a huge backwards crash in the middle of the German grand prix.

"The main thing is that I've made a full recovery and I feel fine," Glock, the reigning GP2 champion and a German, said in a statement issued by his team Toyota.

Glock's program was only cut short at the end of the day when his TF108 broke down with a fuel system issue.

Additionally, the parties announced an arrangement, under which, various Penske-affiliated brands will serve as primary sponsor of the Stremme-wheeled No. 64 in three additional events during 2008.  In addition to this weekend’s event, Stremme’s car will carry Penske-affiliated colors in the August races at Michigan, California and Bristol.

Noted Wallace, “I’m really excited about the opportunity to carry the Penske colors once again.  Roger and I are great friends and we’ve had a lot of success together over the years.  I’m looking forward to continuing that success with David Stremme and the No. 64 team this season.  They’ve had a great year thus far, so I’m confident in our chances to make “The Captain” proud.”

This occurrence marks a continuation of the long-term friendship between Team Owner Rusty Wallace and his former partner, Roger Penske.  The duo paired to form Penske Racing South in 1991 and Wallace piloted the team’s legendary No. 2 in the Sprint Cup Series until his retirement from driving in 2005.  Rusty Wallace’s tenure as a driver at Penske Racing produced 37 of his 55 career victories, 27 poles, 143 top-five finishes, 244 top-ten finishes and nearly 15,000 laps led in NASCAR’s premier series.

“David has done a great job testing for our NASCAR Cup program this year and Rusty mentioned that there was an opportunity to support them in a few races this year,” said Team Owner, Roger Penske. “I felt it would be a great way to show how much we appreciate David's effort and Rusty's friendship.”

Teams are currently working hard in preparation for next year, when a drastic reduction in aerodynamic downforce poses a threat to the sort of lap times currently being set at grands prix.

The return of slick tires, and the 'boost' button in the form of energy-recovery KERS systems, should help the drivers to claw back the lost speed, and Briton Hamilton said on a visit to Mumbai that he believes development advances can stay ahead of efforts to slow the cars.

"GP2 is getting faster and formula one will have to stay faster," the McLaren driver said in India for a promotional event.

"Every time new rules and regulations are brought in, teams only get faster," Hamilton added, according to the news agency PTI.

Eckert, who started Jug's Catering nearly 40 years ago, was an institution at IMS. His commitment to serving great food has made him a pillar in the community and he provided many jobs for the people of Indiana.

See related article for more information and a photo of Jug.

This year, Formula BMW Americas awarded $80,000 scholarships and automatic enrollment in Formula BMW's Education and Coaching program to Canadians Gianmarco Raimondo and Mikael Grenier, and Brazilian Alexandre Ruiz. They currently stand first, third and fourth in the Rookie point standings respectively.

Proving the global reach of Formula BMW, the 25 young drivers represent the most diverse group ever entered for the licensing courses in the five-year history of the Formula BMW Americas Championship. This year drivers from Australia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Jamaica, South Africa, Venezuela, as well as Brazil, Canada and the United States will attend.

"I decided that the claimant had a reasonable expectation of privacy in relation to sexual activities (albeit unconventional) carried on between consenting adults on private property," he said.

Justice Eady also said there was "no evidence" to support the newspaper's claim that there was a Nazi element to his party with five prostitutes.

"I see no genuine basis at all for the suggestion that the participants mocked the victims of the Holocaust," he added, explaining there was "no public interest" for the News of the World's expose.

Mosley was awarded 60,000 British pounds ($120,000) in damages, compensating Mosley's "injury to feelings, the embarrassment and distress caused", Eady said.

He did not award punitive damages.

A statement issued by Mosley's lawyers said the 68-year-old is "delighted" by the ruling.

"I needed a strong judgment to make it absolutely clear that what the News of the World did was wrong.  Obtaining that in the full glare of the media has been extremely difficult but I am delighted that we have achieved what we set out to do," the FIA president added, reinforcing his promise to donate the money to the FIA Foundation.

Max Mosley has last laugh

In a statement issued by his lawyers after the verdict, Mosley said, "This judgment has nailed the Nazi lie upon which the News of the World sought to justify their disgraceful intrusion into my private life," said Mosley.

"By law we are all entitled to have our privacy respected. The News of the World invaded my privacy, dreamt-up the most offensive headline possible, and decided that I should not be contacted before publication to prevent me asking the Court for the injunction I would have been entitled to. They and their lawyers have then conducted this case so as to cause maximum embarrassment in the hope that I would be discouraged from continuing.

"I needed a strong judgment to make it absolutely clear that what the News of the World did was wrong. Obtaining that in the full glare of the media has been extremely difficult but I am delighted that we have achieved what we set out to do.

"I hope my case will help deter newspapers in the UK from pursuing this type of invasive and salacious journalism. I have learnt first hand how devastating an invasion of privacy can be and how readily papers like the News of the World will destroy lives in the knowledge that few of their victims will dare sue them. I want to encourage a change in that practice."

"As I promised at the outset, the damages will go to the FIA Foundation to further their work for road safety and the environment.

"Finally, I would like to thank all those who have supported me during this difficult period."

• BMW mechanic goes home after electric shock
• McLaren employee sues company, Ron Dennis
• Judge to rule on Mosley case on Thursday
• Struggling Vodafone won't axe F1 backing
• KERS - 2009 start-date may be called off
• Toro Rosso ready to set Red Bull pace - report

BMW mechanic goes home after electric shock
(GMM)  The BMW-Sauber mechanic who received an electric shock during Jerez testing earlier this week was released from hospital and returned home to Switzerland on Wednesday.

After being thrown to the ground when he touched Christian Klien's KERS-equipped car at the Spanish circuit, the unnamed mechanic received treatment in the on-site medical centre for an injured hand and grazing.

He later went to hospital for checks when he complained of dizziness.

"He was subsequently released by the doctors who were happy with the results of their tests," the German team said late on Wednesday.

"The mechanic is on his way back to Switzerland this evening," a media statement added.

McLaren employee sues company, Ron Dennis
(GMM)  A former McLaren employee has brought legal action against team boss Ron Dennis.

The employee claims unfounded rumors that he was gay led to him being unfairly sacked last September.

The 27-year-old, who worked as Dennis' private jet steward, appeared over the matter in a Southampton (UK) employment tribunal this week, the British newspaper Daily Telegraph reports.

He said his relationship with Dennis, the F1 team principal and McLaren Group chairman, broke down "dramatically" amid rumors among colleagues he is gay.

The sacked employee, also claiming sexual discrimination and victimization, alleges things got "nasty" amid the furor, with a private investigator allegedly sent to his home to threaten him about the return of his Mercedes company car.

Lawyers for Dennis and McLaren Group companies argued that the employee was sacked because he "kept on falling asleep and was rude".

However, they accept he should have been given three months written notice of his dismissal.

"Although Daniel hasn't been in any oval Indy Lights races yet, he finished second at Milwaukee in a Star Mazda race in 2006,” team co-owner Dan Andersen said. “We expect him to pass his rookie oval test quickly, and we'll field cars for both him and J.R. Hildebrand at the Kentucky race on Aug. 9."

Herrington competed in five Firestone Indy Lights races last year with SpeedWorks and four races this year with Michael Crawford Motorsports, finishing a career-best third last year at Watkins Glen 2. He was running at the finish in all but one event.

Herrington will replace Andrew Prendeville in the No. 5 car.

"Andrew gave our team its first podium finish in the Firestone Indy Lights Series last year, and we wish him the best," Andersen said.

Edmonton Oilers (back L to R) Fernando Pisani, Steve Staios, and Kyle Brodziak, and IndyCar driver Graham Rahal (R) take to the track to unveil the Number 06 Rexall-Oilers Car prepared by Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing

“Rexall has received tremendous value from its sponsorship of the Edmonton Indy,” said Andy Giancamilli, CEO, Rexall. “This sponsorship is a great way to build on Rexall’s successful relationship with Indy racing and further our support for an event that has become an important part of the community here in Edmonton.”

In addition to Rexall’s title sponsorship, Kimberley Clark, Mars and BMO will join NHLR’s sponsors McDonalds, Dasani and Bosch on the racecar.

"Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing is looking forward to coming back to Edmonton, where we have had great success," said Carl Haas on behalf of himself and co-owners Paul Newman and Michael Lanigan.  "This year we are even more excited about our return because of our partnership with Daryl Katz and the Rexall family of pharmacies.” 

Graham Rahal sporting copper and blue of the hometown Edmonton Oilers, special Rahal jersey #06. Rexall has signed on as the title sponsor of the Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing car for the 2008 Rexall Edmonton Indy, July 24-26. Edmonton Oilers (back L to R) Fernando Pisani, Steve Staios, and Kyle Brodziak were on hand for the unveiling of the No. 06 Rexall-Oilers race car

In the three races run in Edmonton, NHLR has won two (2005, 2007) with Sebastian Bourdais and has earned five podium finishes, including Graham Rahal’s third place finish last year.

"We're very happy to have a great sponsor like Rexall on the car for the Edmonton race,” said Graham Rahal, Driver, Number 06 Rexall-Oilers Car. “Since Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing has won two of the three races in Edmonton we felt almost like a 'home team' and now this partnership will make it official.  I'm a hockey fan so having the Oilers on the car is pretty special for me and I think the race fans will enjoy it too.  The Rexall program has been coming together for a long time so it is exciting to be working with these companies and especially a guy like Daryl Katz.  I'm excited to get to Edmonton and do a good job for Rexall and everyone."

On April 6th, 2008, Graham Rahal became the youngest winner in IndyCar Series history when he drove to victory in his IndyCar Series debut in St. Petersburg, Fla. at the age of 19.  Marco Andretti previously held the mark for youngest driver by winning at Infineon Raceway.

Rexall is proud to again be the title sponsor of the Edmonton Indy. Last year, the race attracted more than 167,000 spectators and contributed over $25 million to the local economy. Rexall’s sponsorship of the Indy builds on its commitment to Edmonton and all of northern and central Alberta, including recent support for the Edmonton Oilers Tickets for Troops Campaign, the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, the Stollery Children’s Hospital, the University of Alberta and the 2008 David Foster & Friends Charity Gala.

The Rexall family of pharmacies is the largest integrated retail pharmacy network in Canada and one of the most trusted health care brands in the country. The Rexall name is seen on thousands of health care products and is exclusively carried by the Rexall family of pharmacies – Rexall, Rexall Pharma Plus, The Medicine Shoppe, Guardian and I.D.A. - across Canada as well as proudly displayed within numerous community and health events across the country.

Pablo is a rookie in Firestone Indy Lights driving for Team Moore Racing and is riding a string of seven consecutive top‑10 finishes starting at Milwaukee. Three of those finishes were fifths, and last weekend Pablo finished third at Mid‑Ohio, which moved him up to eighth in the points.

Pablo, congratulations on your strong runs recently. Seems like the season got off to a bit of a slow start, but now you're really on a roll. Can you tell us a little bit about how the season has gone for you so far?

PABLO DONOSO: Yeah, like you said, the beginning was really hard. I was without a team with the last moment but was supposed to run IndyCar with Foyt but we had some problems, and we couldn't do that, but we started in IndyCar in Indy Lights with another team, and now I moved to Team Moore Racing, and on the last few races we had really good results. Not perfect, because I would like to be on the podium all the time, but this series is so hard, so competitive, so finishing in the top five is really, really good. We are learning, and we are going up, and we are having good results on the last race, and I hope to have the same result on the next four races and move up a little bit more in the championship.

THE MODERATOR: You're teammates with Jeff Simmons, a guy who has a lot of experience both in the Indy Lights cars and also some IndyCar Series experience. How much has Jeff helped you this season?

“It’s good to be back. Obviously, everything came together kind of last minute. I’m excited about the opportunity with Derrick Walker, Vision Racing and Subway as the sponsor. We’re going to jump into the deep end here, but I think the team’s motivated, I’m motivated to do well, and if we can have a good result, we’ll see what develops for the future. That’s really the first step in getting back into the series full-time.”

(About pressure) “Not really. I’m not in a points battle. There’s really no pressure from where you finish in the championship. For me, it’s an opportunity to get going. We’re just going to take it step-by-step everyday. I haven’t driven since Long Beach, and the team hasn’t competed at this level since Long Beach, so from that standpoint we’ve just go to do the best we can. We all want to do well. Our expectations are to do well, but really haven’t set any type of goal for myself like we have to win the race or anything like that. We’re just going to go out there and do the best job we can. There’s always a possibility to win a race no matter what happens during a race.

Scott (Dixon) and Helio (Castroneves), I haven’t raced against Dan (Wheldon) and a couple other guys in the series, but all the frontrunners I’ve run against in my career.”

(About Edmonton) “You really have to be quick here to do well. It’s kind of like Cleveland where if you’re not on the pace, you’re really going to struggle. From that standpoint, the car has got to be good here. To stay in the front, you have to have the pace to do that, because it’s not too difficult to pass. I’ve been here before, Justin (Wilson) has been here before, the Champ Car guys have been here before, but the top level at this game, guys like (Scott) Dixon, Helio (Castroneves) and (Tony) Kanaan, they can learn a track in 10, 15 minutes. From that standpoint, there’s a small advantage maybe going into the first practice, second practice, but by the time qualifying comes, the top teams will have it figured out.”

Race Day TV coverage on the ESPN networks starts with "NASCAR Now" at 10 a.m. (ET) Sunday, July 27 on ESPN2. Coverage shifts to ESPN at 1 p.m. with the pre-race show, "NASCAR Countdown," and flag-to-flag race coverage starts at 2 p.m. on ESPN.

Qualifying coverage starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 26 on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com, which also will feature practice coverage at 2 p.m. that day.

ESPN2 and ESPN360.com will offer NASCAR Sprint Cup practice coverage at 3:30 p.m. Friday, July 25.

NASCAR required a tapered spacer for all engines this season. The spacer acts like a restrictor plate to rob engines of the air/fuel mixture, which decreases horsepower. Previously, all engines had a spacer with the same size holes.

The Toyota engine is the newest of the four manufacturers, as Toyota came into the Nationwide Series last year.

“Eventually, all teams that upgrade to new engine packages will be subject to this rule modification,” NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton said in a news release. “Over the years in our sport, we’ve taken steps on numerous occasions to help maintain a level playing field among our competitors and we will continue to do so.”  Scenedaily.com

Wallace owns Rusty Wallace Racing, which fields two Nationwide Series teams. When asked about the possibility of his team going Cup racing in the past, Wallace has cited his ESPN contract as a hurdle.  More at Scenedaily.com

What can they provide other than money?

"The biggest thing that they provide is the engine technology. Teams can’t really design and cast their own engines, and blocks, and heads and that sort of thing. NASCAR has a channel for all of that. It comes through the manufacturers so that will be a piece of that technology that they will provide no matter how much money they were giving the teams. Teams couldn’t quite replace that. That part of it is probably always going to be there."

Kyle Busch - He may not be a "pretty boy" like some drivers, but he certainly can drive a race car better than all of them

"You’ve seen the maturity on and off the racetrack. Now that might be hard for some people to believe the way he goes about some of the antics off the racetrack when he gets out of his car and things, but I think what we’re seeing is a young man who’s just very comfortable with who he is and what’s happening now. I don’t know if this would have happened a couple of years ago. I don’t know that he would have been able to handle all of the success he’s having a couple of years ago.

Kyle Busch bows to his fans

"He has the ability, and I saw this when I raced against him, to drive a car yawed-out (loose) a little bit more than what others do. And I’ve been able to verify that through a contact that I have at Joe Gibbs Racing that yes, indeed, he does do that more than even the other drivers there at Joe Gibbs Racing. He’s able to drive that car with a freer motion than what the other drivers do, and I think that’s a big key as to why he’s winning with this type of car that everyone fights. The m.o. of this car has been loose in, tight in the center and loose off, and he’s able to get his car through the center because he’s able to drive it in the corner a little bit looser and that’s just a feel that he has that right now no one else does, and it serves him well."

[Editor's Note: To drive a stock car loose is very difficult and underscores why Busch has buried his JGR teammate Tony Stewart.  He simply has more talent than any other NASCAR driver right now.]

"We want to be the most customer-friendly entertainment company in the world, and this is part of that effort." Spanberg noted the hotel package is a "joint effort between the speedway and the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority," and 36 hotels within a 30-mile radius of LMS "have agreed to cut prices 15%." Meanwhile, LMS, in partnerships with Circle K and Coca-Cola, also has created family four packages, which include "four [reserved] seats in the Diamond Tower section, four hot dogs and four 20-ounce Cokes" for $159.

The offer represents a 30% savings, and LMS officials "plan to sell as many as 10,000 seats at that price." Additionally, anyone buying the special ticket packages also "receives a 12-pack of Coke Zero at Circle K" 

With the benefit of slick tires the entire day, the German, who had also been quickest in yesterday's session, was the only driver who managed to lap the Spanish track in less than 1m19s.  Five other drivers used slicks, but not for the full day.

"I spent the whole time on the 2009 spec slick tires and the biggest difference you notice is in the slow corners,  where  you  feel  more  mechanical  grip,"  said Vettel.  "However, the low downforce configuration in line with next year's rules means  you  have  a  lack  of  aero  which  you  feel  on  the  high  speed sections, but it is balanced out by more grip from the tires. We tried two types  of  tire  and  it  was  an  interesting  experiment,  from  which  we  got loads of data to study."  Tomorrow, Sebastien Bourdais takes over for Toro Rosso the final two days.

McLaren's Pedro de la Rosa was second quickest, the Spaniard using the morning to work with a 2009 configuration, including slick tires and revised aero. In the afternoon he reverted to this year's tires.

Honda test driver Wurz suffered a suspected engine failure around noon, bringing out the red flag.

Results:

• Total overseas sales grow 10 percent
• Cadillac's overseas sales up 14 percent
• Chevrolet posts strong growth in emerging markets, overseas sales up 19 percent
• GM remains on track to post fourth straight year of 9 million global sales

As the Spanish group test kicked off, the mechanic went to push back Christian Klien's KERS-equipped 2007 car when he was thrown to the ground.

He received treatment in the on-site medical centre for an injured hand and grazing, and it was confirmed he then returned to the German squad's test team.

But it subsequently emerged he was taken to hospital when he later complained about dizziness.  The news was confirmed on Wednesday by a spokesman for the team.

He said hospital tests showed no serious problems, but some further tests will be conducted today.

At Jerez on Wednesday, Test driver Klien is at the wheel of a conventional 2008 BMW-Sauber car.

Buddy Rice said he and everybody not involved in one of the top three teams - Team Penske, Target Chip Ganassi or Andretti Green - are quite happy to have hit the road course run of the schedule. "They've won almost all the races the last few years," he said of the Big 3. "Racing (and winning) on the ovals is all about money."

Number of races since your last win:
Buddy Rice 65
Marco Andretti 30
Helio Castroneves 27

• F1 teams to discuss KERS issues
• Hamilton swerved German GP disaster 'by inches'
• F1 comeback 'not realistic', Ralf admits
• Alonso career hit low-point at Hockenheim
• F1 figures play public poker at Hockenheim
• Haug insists no title conspiracy against team
• German F1 hosts happy with alternating scheme

F1 teams to discuss KERS issues
(GMM)  Issues arising from the development of KERS systems for 2009 will be discussed at the next meeting of F1's Technical Working Group (TWG).

Before the German grand prix, Red Bull had to evacuate its Milton Keynes factory amid a smoke and fume scare, and at the Jerez test on Tuesday, a BMW-Sauber mechanic received an electric shock when he touched a car fitted with a developmental KERS system.

There are also suggestions doing the rounds that a potentially extremely dangerous by-product of exploded KERS batteries is the poison arsenic.

"First of all we need to understand exactly what has happened," Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali said.

"I think that is something which will be discussed at the next Technical Working Group.

"We don't have to over-react to anything at the moment because of course it's a new project, we need to take care of all the safety aspects and all the other things," he added.

Domenicali explained that Ferrari has not itself encountered any of the serious problems that have emerged at some of the other teams.

Hamilton swerved German GP disaster 'by inches'
(GMM)  Hockenheim winner Lewis Hamilton only narrowly averted a disastrous finish to last Sunday's German grand prix.

The championship leader ultimately delivered a second consecutive dominant win for his McLaren team, but he very nearly threw it away in what would have been an embarrassing gaffe at engine partner Mercedes-Benz's home race.

Britain's Independent newspaper reports that Hamilton, 23, very nearly crashed his silver McLaren into the back of the similarly Mercedes-powered safety car following Timo Glock's mid-race accident.

The near-miss was not captured by the TV cameras, but on lap 41 in the stadium section, as he slowed down and then sped up in readiness for the restart, Hamilton missed hitting the safety car by a margin of "literally only inches", the newspaper said, citing eyewitnesses.

The British driver ultimately destroyed the opposition at Hockenheim, pulling out a four point advantage over his nearest Ferrari rival, Felipe Massa.

But amid the plaudits, Hamilton is refusing to agree he is now on a fast track to the 2008 crown.

"We're looking strong, we're looking good, but in a formula one season things change," he insisted.

"We will see in the next few races, I don't know what to expect. All I know is that we will have a competitive car and if we can challenge for wins, then great.