Car Blog

The NASCAR Foundation announced today five community service projects across the country as keystone events to take place on NASCAR Day on May 21, teaming with several of the sport’s official partners and aimed at education and helping children live happier, healthier lives. “The Big Five” projects include:

• In Atlanta, Ga., renovation and race theme decoration of a portion of the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Recognized as one of the top childhood cancer centers in the country by U.S.News & World Report, the Aflac Cancer Center treats more than 370 new cancer patients each year and follows more than 2,500 patients with sickle cell disease, hemophilia and other blood disorders.

• In Daytona Beach, Fla., partnering with Bank of America for a racing-themed educational initiative at Daytona International Raceway as part of the bank’s signature program, “Students at the Speedway”, designed to showcase NASCAR as a strong career path for students who are eager to learn in the areas of math, science and technology.

• In Fontana, Calif., Auto Club Speedway will host school-aged students out to the race track for an educational experience with motorsports flare.

• In Kansas City, Mo., Sprint, Inc. and the NASCAR Foundation will build a brand new playground at the Ronald McDonald House of Kansas City. The playground will be dedicated in memory of Tom Murphy, a former Sprint Executive and NASCAR Foundation Board Member who died tragically last year. The Ronald McDonald House serves more than 6,000 families per year and is desperately in need of a playground facility.

• In the Charlotte, N.C. region, the foundation will work on a community service project at A Place for Hope, a community center committed to providing material resources, hands-on educational training and job development programs, and psychological hope for the residents of Blackmon Road.

NASCAR Day is an annual charitable celebration of the NASCAR spirit that enables fans and corporate partners to join together to make a difference in the lives of children. Since it began in 2004, NASCAR Day has raised nearly $8 million for charity.

Fans can help support these initiatives by making a $5 donation for the 2010 NASCAR Day collectible lapel pin or by registering to volunteer at one of the service projects. For more information visit WWW.NASCAR.COM/NASCARDay.

The new 2011 GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups are offered with a new 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel V-8 that tops the segment in power. It is rated at 397 horsepower (296 kW) at 3,000 rpm and 765 lb.-ft. of torque (1,037 Nm) at 1,600 rpm.

The new, more powerful 6.6L Duramax is also more fuel-efficient – up to 11-percent greater fuel economy than the outgoing model – reduces NOx emissions by up to 63 percent and helps enable greater towing ratings. Sierra 3500HD can tow up to 20,000 pounds (9,072 kg).

“Segment-leading power is great, but it’s not the only thing that makes the new Duramax a winner,” said Gary Arvan, Duramax chief engineer. “We designed the engine to make that power with less fuel and fewer emissions, while also increasing its durability. Customers will immediately feel the difference in power and, over years of service, appreciate all the other attributes that make it a dependable engine for any task.”

Among the 6.6L Duramax turbo diesel’s new and enhanced features are:
– Main bearing profiles changed to enhance oil film thickness
– Oil pump flow increased for more pressure at low speeds
– A revised turbocharger oil circuit for increased pressure at the turbo and faster oil delivery
– Connecting rod pin ends modified to provide increased piston support
– New, higher-strength piston design
– A new 30,000-psi (2,000 bar) piezo-actuated fuel injection system -capable of operating on ASTM grade B20 biodiesel – ensures more precise fuel delivery, improving emission performance
– An EGR cooler bypass reduces high-mileage soot deposits in the cooler and EGR circuit (pickup versions only).

A slightly different version of the 6.6L Duramax is offered in Sierra HD chassis cab and box-delete models. It is based on the same improved architecture and includes most of the same features as the pickup version. However, it is engineered to meet federal certification standards for incomplete vehicles, including the incorporation of a robust EGR system. It is rated at 335 horsepower (249 kW) at 3,100 rpm and 685 lb.-ft. of torque (928 Nm) at 1,600 rpm.

Strong small-block 6.0L V-8

The standard engine in Sierra HD trucks is the Vortec 6.0L small-block V-8, which is enhanced for 2011 with greater idle refinement. It is rated at 360 horsepower (268 kW) at 5,400 rpm and 380 lb.-ft. (515 Nm) at 4,200 rpm in Sierra Denali HD, 2500HD and 3500HD pickup models. In chassis cab and box-delete models, as well as pickups with a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds, it is rated at 322 horsepower (240 kW) at 4,400 rpm and 380 lb.-ft. (515 Nm) at 4,200 rpm.

Approximately 90 percent of the Vortec 6.0L’s peak torque is available by only 2,000 rpm and excellent fuel economy is enabled by the engine’s low-friction OHV configuration and cam phasing. The state-of-the-art small-block architecture of the Vortec 6.0L – known commonly as the “LS” family – delivers great strength, smoothness and durability.

Source: General Motors

Performance Driving Program Adds SLS AMG and Pro Level

Following its inaugural year in the U.S., Mercedes-AMG is presenting a new season for driving enthusiasts who want to sharpen their advanced driving skills at the AMG Driving Academy. Among the list of enhancements is the addition of a Pro Level for 2010. Under the guidance of top professional instructors, the AMG Driving Academy offers the opportunity to personally experience the excitement of motorsports and the track capabilities of Mercedes-AMG vehicles including the all new 563 hp SLS AMG, capable of 0-60 mph in less than four seconds.

Originally founded by Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach, Germany in 2007, the AMG Driving Academy launched in the U.S. in 2009. More than six-hundred driving enthusiasts participated in the advanced driver program last year, and participants now have the opportunity to attend an advanced three-day Pro Level program at one of the top circuits in the U.S., Road Atlanta. Program participants have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of several AMG models including the E63 AMG, SL63 AMG, C63 AMG, SLK55 AMG and SLS AMG. The program features custom-designed exercises to experience and teach dynamic driving capabilities across two of the top tracks in the U.S.:

– Road Atlanta (Braselton, GA) – May 15-16, June 11-14 & 28-30, 2010
– For more than 40 years, Road Atlanta has lured top tier sports car and motorcycle racers from around the world. This 2.54-mile, 12-turn road course is one of the most technically challenging in the U.S.
– Laguna Seca Raceway (Monterey, CA) – August 27-29, September 25-27, October 29-30 and November 12-14, 2010
– Located in one of North America’s best destination locations — the Monterey Peninsula — Laguna Seca features tremendous elevation changes, the famous Corkscrew complex and 2.24 sinewy miles of twisty asphalt.

The AMG Driving Academy Basic, Advanced and new Pro Level for 2010:
– Basic ($1,795 per participant): Intense one-day track program focuses on performance driving dynamics. Participants learn the fundamentals of vehicle dynamics and car control maneuvers using customized exercises. Once participants perfect car control and handling, they progress to a set of high-speed exercises that make use of the entire track.
– Road Atlanta: May 15-16 & June 11-12
– Laguna Seca Raceway: August 27-29, Sept. 25, Oct. 29-30 and Nov. 12

– Advanced ($3,295 per participant): Two-day program picks up where Basic leaves off, providing advanced training and technical on-track instruction. Onboard diagnostics and data capture enable detailed computer analysis and evaluation. The Advanced program is offered to drivers who complete either the Basic Level, AMG Challenge, European Driving Academy program or an equivalent course.
– Road Atlanta: June 13-14, 2010
– Laguna Seca Raceway: September 26-27 & November 13-14

– Pro ($3,995 per participant): The pinnacle of the AMG Driving Academy curriculum, Pro program offers increased instruction while challenging and improving capabilities and skills to a much greater degree.  During the three day program, participants train on the legendary Road Atlanta circuit. As speeds increase and skills improve, open lapping provides the maximum challenge and thrill. With an intense curriculum, AMG experienced instructors prepare participants to confidently negotiate the signature corners of Road Atlanta.
– Road Atlanta: June 28-30, 2010

All fees include a dinner reception and introductory briefing the evening before the program, track hospitality, AMG Driving Academy certificate of program completion and an AMG gift bag. Participants are responsible for travel and accommodations. Additional information and registration for the AMG Driving Academy is available at www.AMGacademy.com or by phone at 1-800-217-6916.