Argentine media reports a man died when the small truck he was driving collided with a car participating in the Dakar Rally.

Charter Air Transport Ford

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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. Seven- and eight-speed transmissions are so 2010: The transmission gurus tell me that nine- and 10-speed boxes [...] Related posts:

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Terry Labonte Kevin Conway Joe Nemechek Jason Leffler Kevin Harvick Armour

Thanks to its new NV series of body-on-frame vans, Nissan now has a stake in the commercial cargo moving market. But how will the Japanese automaker entice fleet buyers to stop their scheduled orders for tried-and-true options like the Ford E-Series and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter in favor of unproven models like the NV 1500, 2500 and 3500? The answer appears to be some clever incentives.

Instead of just dropping cash on the hood, Nissan is instead offering the choice of several no-cost options to help NV buyers convert their vehicles into a cargo-carrying juggernaut. Customers who purchase an NV can choose from a cargo management systems consisting of three 44-inch shelving units, a steel cabin/cargo partition, or an exterior standard roof utility rack or an interior rack for high roof models. NV buyers more interested in marketing than cargo enhancements can opt for a personalized graphics package from Original Wraps that spans up to 70 square feet. And if none of those options sound good, Nissan will cut $300 from the new van's $24,590 starting price. Hit the jump to read over Nissan's press release.

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Nissan luring business owners to buy new van with free upgrade packages

Nissan luring business owners to buy new van with free upgrade packages originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Bobby Labonte, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jamie McMurray, Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Juan Pablo Montoya, Kurt Busch, Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Daytona Int'l Speedway, NASCAR Sponsors, NASCAR Testing, Sprint Cup, NASCAR

The freshly repaved track at Daytona International Speedway is smooth, has plenty of grip and plenty of room for racing, said NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers who participated in Wednesday's Goodyear tire tests at the track.

"They smoothed out all the bumps," said Dale Earnhardt Jr., the 2004 Daytona 500 champion. "The track is real smooth. It's got a lot of grip. The track reminds me a lot like Talladega was like when they first finished it.

"The racing during the drafting was exciting and I think it is going to be a good show, a more exciting show for the fans because the cars are going to stay real tight on each other throughout entire runs."

The speedway said 18 drivers took part in the tire test Wednesday -- the first day of a two-day Goodyear test to determine the proper tire compound for the 2.5-mile speedway's new racing surface before the 53rd annual Daytona 500 on Feb. 20. Drivers turned laps on the speedway in both single car and drafting sessions.

It was the first time race cars have been on the track at speed since the repaving job was completed earlier this month. From July to December, the entire track was repaved for only the second time since it was built and opened in 1959.

 

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Filed under: Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Jamie McMurray, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Sprint Cup, NASCAR

Twenty years ago, when I started covering NASCAR stock car racing, the sanctioning body's public relations staff consisted almost exclusively of one man who ran 'his' media centers in the same dictatorial manner that his boss, the late Bill France Jr., ran NASCAR.

That PR guy is now doing hard time in prison, but that's another story. Today, the many-tentacled NASCAR public relations operation is a media bureaucracy -- an endlessly churning mill of facts, figures, videos, press conferences, photos and other information and content.

In their efficiency and zeal, bless their hearts, the PR folks at NASCAR have informed us exactly which five of the season's 36 Sprint Cup races were the best of the year. Although I don't agree with all the choices -- I think the race in Texas last month was one of the best races I've seen in years -- NASCAR says these five were selected "from discussions with the national series director, competition department and NASCAR PR managers."

 

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With up to 426 hp, an available stick, and some real structural reinforcements, this Camaro could banish the redneck jokes for good. Related posts:2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible – Auto Shows2012 Chevrolet Sonic Debuts @ Detroit Auto Show – VideoChevrolet Aveo RS Concept @ 2010 Detroit Auto Show – Video Related posts:

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Kenneth William Schrader Bradley Reed Sorenson Anthony Wayne Stewart Martin Lee Truex Jr Brian Lee Vickers

Hendrick Motorsports will change the crew chiefs for three of its drivers, with Jeff Gordon ending his long-term partnership with Steve Letarte - who will now work with Dale Earnhardt Jr. Just days after winning its 10th NASCAR Cup title, the team has announced a major reshuffle for 2011. Letarte will move to Earnhardt's car, following another disappointing season for the crowd's favourite driver.

Jan Lammers

Loan Max Toyota Aric Almirola JR Motorsports Chevrolet Kevin Lepage Hyatt Place Richmond Airport Toyota