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Brenda Priddy's spy photographer network recently caught the third Cadillac CTS variant, a wagon, during testing. Codenamed GMX 206, GM will start building this luxury wagon next spring, Priddy says. It will be built alongside the CTS sedan and coupe at the Lansing (Mich.) Grand River Assembly Plant. Expect GM to build around 10,000-12,000 units a year, a significant portion of that run earmarked for European sales.

Back in the United States, GM is expected to kill the SRX in the first or second quarter of 2009, and replace it with the forthcoming BRX. The CTS wagon is expected to slot between the sedan and sport-ute segments of Cadillac's lineup.

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SEMA-supported legislation to create classic motor-vehicle project titles was approved by the Kentucky State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Steve Beshear. The new law applies to vehicles at least 25 years old, not road-worthy and currently without a title or with a title from another state. Under the law, a classic motor-vehicle project title would prohibit the use of vehicles bearing these titles on the highway but, once restored, a regular title could be issued.

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed a dramatic increase in fuel economy standards to be phased-in between model years 2011 and 2015. The NHTSA would set average fuel economy standards at 35.7 miles per gallon for passenger cars (currently 27.5 mpg) and 28.6 mpg for light trucks (currently 22.5 mpg) by model year 2015.  When averaged together, the combined car/light-truck standard would be 31.6 mpg. The NHTSA estimates that it would add an average cost of $650 per new passenger car and $979 per new truck by 2015, while saving about $100 billion in gas costs for consumers.

The NHTSA’s proposal translates into a 4.6% annual increase in fuel economy gains through model year 2015. This is a more aggressive approach than the anticipated 4% time table established by lawmakers under the SEMA-supported federal energy law enacted last December, which mandates an industry car/truck fleet average of 35 mpg by model year 2020. 

Under the new regulations, the NHTSA would set an industry-wide fleet target but fuel economy numbers for specific models would be based on vehicle-size attributes. The NHTSA first established this approach when it revised the light-truck fuel rules in 2006. Individual car companies would have flexibility on how to achieve the rules, whether placing more emphasis on hybrids or reducing vehicle size and weight. The regulations would include a program allowing automakers to apply and trade credits when they exceed fleet requirements.

The NHTSA’s rule would also prevent any state from regulating tailpipe carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles since CO2, a byproduct of burned fossil fuels, is directly related to fuel consumption. The federal government has sole jurisdiction for establishing fuel economy standards. Last December, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cited the new energy law as justification for denying California’s waiver request to regulate CO2 emissions from automobiles starting in 2009. The EPA contends that the federal law would be more effective and have the added benefit of taking a federal approach, which provides a national solution as opposed to a potential patchwork of state rules.  The EPA ruling is subject to lawsuits filed by California and a number of other states and legislation in Congress to overturn the decision.

The NHTSA will accept public comments through early summer. It intends to issue a final rule by January, 2008.  For additional information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

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ON HOLD: The Old School Racing Series has postponed its inaugural season until 2009. The series, which will feature legendary drivers racing stock cars on short tracks, was scheduled to debut this spring.

FAST LADY: Ashley Force defeated her father John in the final round of the Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals to become the first female Funny Car winner in NHRA history. Her victory came one week after Danica Patrick’s triumph in an IndyCar Series event.

FULL THROTTLE: The NHRA and Coca-Cola announced that Full Throttle energy drink will replace POWERade as the title sponsor of the NHRA Drag Racing Series prior to the 2009 season. The series will be known as the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

GAS PRICES: What are some race track promoters doing to offset high gas prices and attract competitors and fans to their events. Find out in this week’s National Speed Sport News.

EXPLORING OPTIONS: Two-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart confirmed that he is exploring his options and listening to offers, including team ownership for when his contract runs out at the end of 2009.

NO TO ALONSO: Ferrari officials maintain the team is not interested in two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso joining it in 2009.

A NAME: The dragstrip at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, will be known as zMAX Dragway @ Concord.

DIED: Road-racing pioneer Cameron Argetsinger died April 22 at age 87.

POWER RANKINGS: With his second Sprint Cup triumph of the season, Kyle Busch jumped to the top of the National Speed Sport News Power Rankings. The National Speed Sport News Power Rankings are published weekly in the 74-year-old motorsports publication.

SUBSCRIBE: National Speed Sport News has been published weekly since 1934. To subscribe to National Speed Sport News, click on the following link for a special industry rate: www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/subscribe.html?pid=NQ%2BVfhkepT4%3D.

NEWS NUGGETS

FORCE MAKES NAME FOR HERSELF WITH WIN IN ATLANTA: Like the pages of a Hollywood screenplay, the rain delayed final round of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in Commerce, Ga. was filled with high drama and intrigue. In a race that pitted father against daughter, NHRA legend against NHRA sophomore, John and Ashley Force climbed into their 7,000 horsepower vehicles and, perhaps, into the pages of history itself. If John won, it would mark his 1,000th career win, more than any other driver in the history of the sport. If Ashley won, she would become the first woman in NHRA history to win a national event in Funny Car. It seemed only necessary that Force would have to face Force to achieve either of the landmark wins. As the dust and smoke settled on that cloudy day in northern Georgia it was the younger Force that came out victorious, cementing her place in drag racing history and showing that she was a ‘Force’ of her own. “I’m just happy to win an event,” Force told the media after the race. “That was the main thing. Being a female, that’s exciting for the record books and everything, but my team, we just wanted to get our first win.”

In Top Fuel, Antron Brown beat points leader Tony Schumacher, driving his Matco Tools dragster past the defending champ and winning on a holeshot. It was Brown’s second win in three races. Mike Edwards was able to hold off Pro Stock points leader Jason Line, cutting a .009 light and picking up his first win in over two years, while former Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Andrew Hines proved he had the bike to beat all weekend, picking up the No. 1 Qualifier award Saturday, then following it up with a win Sunday against Chip Ellis. It’s Hines’ first win of the season and 14th of his career. Visit NHRA.com for more on the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals.

FULL THROTTLE TO BECOME TITLE SPONSOR OF NHRA PRO SERIES IN 2009: Beginning in 2009, the phrase “Go Full Throttle or Go Home!” will be recognized among drag racing fans and drivers alike, as Coca-Cola North America’s Full Throttle energy drink succeeds POWERade as the title sponsor of the NHRA’s professional series. The new series title will be the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. The association between Coca-Cola and NHRA, which includes a two-year partnership extension through the 2013 season, represents one of the longest running series sponsorships in motorsports. To learn more about the NHRA Full Throttle Series, visit NHRA.com.

zMAX DRAGWAY @ CONCORD NAMED FOR 2008 INAUGURAL SEASON: After a review that saw 4,365 entries received by fans, the Lowe’s Motor Speedway’s new dragway has been officially named zMAX Dragway @ Concord. Fans had the opportunity to submit entries for the name of the dragway and it was Wanda Exum of Greensboro, N.C., and Carl Hackley, of Charlotte who won, each receiving two VIP tickets for the inaugural NHRA Carolinas Nationals Sept. 11-14. To learn more about the naming of the track, visit NHRA.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

O’REILLY NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS, GATEWAY INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, MAY 2–4: Traveling back to Madison, Ill., which sits just outside of St. Louis in view of the archway, drivers from the NHRA POWERade Series will look to gain some advantage in the Countdown to the Championship just before the start of the summer months. Defending event champions include: Melanie Troxel (Top Fuel); Ron Capps (Funny Car); Dave Connolly (Pro Stock); and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

O’REILLY NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS, BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY, MAY 16–18: The NHRA POWERade Series heads back to the Thunder Valley of Bristol, Tenn. for the eighth running of the event. Defending event winners include Brandon Bernstein (Top Fuel); John Force (Funny Car); and Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock).  

O’REILLY NHRA SUMMER NATIONALS, HEARTLAND PARK TOPEKA, MAY 30–JUNE 1: Entering the ninth race of the NHRA POWERade Series, drivers will look to gain precious points in their quest to qualify for the Countdown to 1. Defending event winners include: Brandon Bernstein (Top Fuel); Mike Ashley (Funny Car); and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock).

HE SAID, SHE SAID

AN EMOTIONAL WIN IN ATLANTA FOR ANOTHER DRIVER: It had been nearly two years (St. Louis 2006) since Pro Stock driver Mike Edwards had last visited the winner’s circle. During those two years he had only been to the final round once. But all that waiting, all that preparing seemed evident in Edwards’ words as he visited with the media in Atlanta following his win Sunday. “You just can’t describe the feeling of winning one of these races in this class,” said Edwards. “There are so many good teams and it’s been so long since I last won, and I was wondering if I was ever going to do it again to be honest with you. It’s just an unbelievable feeling to win one of these races.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

59: The point lead Ashley Force has over the Funny Car competition heading into this weekend’s O’Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals.

DID YOU KNOW…

…that NHRA top drivers Cruz Pedregon, Gary Scelzi, Ron Capps, Allen Johnson, Doug Kalitta, Dave Grubnic, Antron Brown, and Alan Bradshaw will compete in the U.M.P. DIRTcar Pro Late Models at Tri-City Speedway this Thursday, May 1, in Pontoon Beach, Ill.? Additional NHRA drivers are also expected to participate in the event.

For more information, visit www.nhra.com.

Dynamic Control announced that Mike Toney has joined the Dynamat team as western sales manager for the company. Toney will work closely with manufacturer’s representatives and direct with dealers to help them grow the Dynamic Control product lines, which include the market-leading Dynamat brand. Toney will work to expand the company’s ever-growing dealer base and help existing dealers maximize their profits.

George Alan Case was named vice president, drag racing operations for Moroso Motorsports Park. Case, a longtime motorsports executive and industry insider, brings more than 25 years of racing and business experience to the well-known facility.  Case will oversee the day-to-day operations at the dragstrip and the many exciting events held each season.

Advanstar Communications consolidated its Automotive Aftermarket and Off-Road Groups into a single business unit. The combined Automotive Group will be headed by Jim Savas, vice president, automotive. Savas was previously vice president of the Automotive Aftermarket Group. The properties in the new Automotive Group include Off-Road.com, Dirt Sports, Styling & Performance, Aftermarket Business, Automotive Body Repair News, Hot Auto Products, Search-Autoparts.com and the Off-Road Expo.

SmartDrive Systems Inc. announced that Greg Drew joined the company as chairman and CEO. Most recently, Drew was president and CEO of WebTrends, driving the organization's strategy to become a premier provider of digital marketing solutions, which has resulted in record performance nearly every quarter since. Drew will help guide SmartDrive in the continued growth of its product and service offerings.

Stäubli Corporation – Connectors Division hired Doug Syer as motorsports engineer responsible for covering the Circle Track market, which includes NASCAR and Dirt Track racing series. Syer has great knowledge and understanding of application engineering and complete customer knowledge and support. He will relocate from the Chicago area to the Charlotte, North Carolina, suburbs where he will be centrally located to manage all Stäubli business activities within the NASCAR and Circle Track markets.

Royal Purple Synthetic Lubricants is the title sponsor of the third annual Powder Puff Race for the Cure, created by M.O.R.E (Mohave Off-Road Enthusiast) & DAMZL Inc. Benefits and donations acquired from this year’s event will support Cedar Sinai Women’s’ Breast Cancer Research Center.  This year’s event will take place in Barstow, California, October 10–11. The Powder Puff Race for the Cure is the largest all-women driver event. For more on the Powder Puff Race for the Cure log onto: http://moreracing.net/powerpuff/index.html.

OEM Components and U.S.A. Switch Inc. acquired Rostra Precision Controls Inc., a leading supplier of transmission components, cruise control systems, rear obstacle sensing systems and electronic controls for the automotive and heavy-truck aftermarkets, as well as OEMs. Thomas Petrillo, founder of OEM Components and U.S.A. Switch Inc., teamed with the private equity firm Superior Capital to form Aftermarket Controls Corp. and purchase Rostra Precision Controls. Aftermarket Controls Corp. will be the parent company of OEM Components, U.S.A. Switch Inc. and Rostra Precision Controls. For more information, visit www.usaswitch.com or www.rostra.com.

 
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