| Ultra-high performance models punctuate a quieter, greener Detroit ...
This may not go down as one of Detroit's most memorable auto shows but it did have its telling moments. On a macro scale, we saw General Motors' product resurgence continue with an array of new vehicles and concepts, both green and mean in character, notably the Cadillac Provoq, CTS coupe and blisteringly fast CTS-V and Corvette ZR-1. And for the second big show in a row (counting Los Angeles), GM seems to be out maneuvering Toyota in terms of perceived leadership with plug-in hybrid and alternative fuels technology. Detroit's other players, hard-pressed Ford and Chrysler, regrouped around brand new versions of their core products, the Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram pick-up trucks respectively. While such vehicles -- as presented -- do not score many points in the green column, Ford and Chrysler did their best to appeal to that constituency with an emphasis on turbocharged smaller engine technology (from Ford), as well as diesels and advanced hybrids in Chrysler's case.
Don't expect breakout of boxing matches at NASCAR races
NASCAR officials declared recently that they want to see their drivers showing more personality and fire. It was a nice thought, but fans shouldn't raise their hopes too high. The past is gone, and there's little NASCAR can do to recapture it other than display dusty photographs and mementos in a Hall of Fame. Don't expect more races to end like the 1979 Daytona 500 did, with drivers wrestling right there in the infield. "It's not going to be some big change," Carl Edwards says of NASCAR's stated desire for drivers to loosen up. Even if NASCAR looks the other way, someone's watching. This big-money sport relies on sponsorships and not every corporation that pays millions to dress a car in decals wants the kind of publicity a right cross and a headlock on national TV can bring.
The Price of Success for Hamilton is $335,700
Lewis Hamilton will have to pay 228,000 euros ($335,700) for his licence to race in Formula One this year after forking out just 1,725 in his 2007 rookie season. Only Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, the Finn who beat the McLaren driver to the title by a single point in the final race, will pay more. International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Max Mosley confirmed on Monday that the governing body had decided to make Formula One superlicences far more expensive than in the past. "We spend a fortune on safety and most of it is for the benefit of the drivers," Mosley told reporters at a lunch. "A lot of the people who have otherwise been meeting the bill said 'Hang on a minute, these drivers are all earning megabucks and we are spending a fortune to try and make sure they are safe.' "So hence the increase." The FIA said the mandatory superlicence, which cost a basic fee of 1,725 euros last year with 456 added on for each point scored in the previous year's championship, would go up to 10,000 euros with 2,000 extra per point scored.
Jonny Wilkinson puts the boot in on luckless Worcester
R Winter, 59), B Woods, B Wilson. Worcester Warriors: T Delport; R Gear, D Rasmussen, S Tuitupou, M Benjamin; L Crichton, M Powell (rep: J Ar, 79); D Morris (rep: M Mullan, 79), A Lutui, T Taumoepeau (rep: S Ruwers, 80), G Rawlinson, C Gillies (rep: W Bowley, 67), T Wood (rep: C Quinnell, 71), P Sanderson, D Hickey. Referee: R Debney. Attendance: 7,219. .
Llodra wins in Rotterdam
France's Michael Llodra battled his way to a gripping 6-7 6-3 7-6 victory over Robin Soderling in the final of the Rotterdam Open. Llodra, who also won in Adelaide at the start of the year, became the fourth Frenchman after Cedric Pioline and Nicolas Escude (twice) to claim the Dutch event since the turn of the century in two hours and eight minutes. Ranked 58th in the world before this week, Llodra closed out a dramatic week that saw all eight seeds knocked out before the quarter-finals, with the Frenchman upsetting second seed Nikolay Davydenko in round two. "I could not have won this match a year ago," he admitted. "I could never have expected to win two tournaments in two months. But I'm fighting more now on every point and that can change a match.
December 2007 Archives
We have been hearing increasing rumors that Casey is not the baby's father," a family insider told the website. “Jamie Lynn will not tell anyone who the actual father is." So why would Casey take the rap for the pregnant Jamie-Lynn? Cash, of course. "Apparently Lynne is trying to cover the truth of it by making an arrangement with Casey," the insider revealed. “They may be paying him to pose as Jamie Lynn's boyfriend and the father of her baby in order to protect her and her future." So, what's the real story? Don't know yet, but the truth will come out. It always does. .
No. 1 Memphis Handles UCF, 85-64, To Extend Home Win Streak
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Joey Dorsey had 12 points and 13 rebounds and top-ranked Memphis remained the nation's only undefeated team with an 85-64 win over Central Florida on Saturday. Derrick Rose led the Tigers (23-0, 9-0 Conference USA) with 15 points, and Antonio Anderson scored 11 as Memphis extended the country's longest active home winning streak to 46 and continued their conference supremacy. Willie Kemp, Robert Dozier and Rose hit consecutive 3-pointers as the Tigers scored 16 straight points over a six-minute run early in the second half, taking a 65-42 lead that was never challenged. Mike O'Donnell led UCF (12-11, 5-4) with 15 points, and Jermaine Taylor added 13 points and five rebounds. The Knights were trying to topple the highest ranked opponent in school history, in just their second crack against the nation's best.
Accused killer says wife hit him
Veillette did not enter a plea. He could face the death penalty if convicted of aggravated murder. Veillette, dressed in an orange jail suit and wearing shackles, didn't speak aloud during the hearing but sometimes put his head down and quickly shook it back and forth during the testimony. Tim McKenna, his court-appointed lawyer, suggested police should have pursued other explanations for the fire and questioned the detective about conducting the hospital interview with Veillette, who was still recovering from injuries. "He was in the hospital, he was chained to a bed, there was no attorney present and I'm sure that's going to be an issue as to what he said can be admissible in court or not," McKenna said after the court hearing. Veillette admitted to investigators that he was having an affair and expressed concern about his girlfriend being dragged into the case, Deidesheimer said.
University's £160,000 logo change
Marketing bosses have dropped the dolphin, chosen 17 years ago to represent friendliness and intelligence, and picked a simple black typeface designed by London agency Precedent Communications. However, union leaders have condemned the logo's cost, which is the equivalent to four senior lecturer posts for a year and 160 bursaries for students from low incomes. The cost of changing all the campus signs and ordering new stationery is expected to add tens of thousands to the final price. David Wheatley, of the University and College Union, which represents about 1,000 academic staff, said too much money was being spent on a new logo while cuts were being made elsewhere. .
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