02 Cadillac Seville 4.6 Liter Northstar Engine Crank Crankshaft # 12554681 on 2040-parts.com

Racing with the pros at the Ford Octane Academy: Video

We've all wanted to play with the pros at one time or another. Whether it's Madison Square Garden, Joe Louis Arena or the newly named Mercedes-Benz Superdome, at one point or another we've all thought, “I can do that.” But we're auto enthusiasts here. Our pros have names such as Block, Foust, Gittin and Deegan.

Who's Where: Martin Smith to retire, succeeded by Joel Piaskowski as Ford Europe head of design

Martin Smith, head of Ford of Europe design for the last 10 years, will retire at the end of this year, before which he will work on a project to study the future direction of the company's global design direction. He will be replaced by current head of strategic concepts group, Joel Piaskowski on 1 July. Smith (64) first joined Ford back in 2004, leaving General Motors as director of design for Opel/Vauxhall.

Corvette C7 makes its debut in Gran Turismo 5

An unusual one, this: from today, gamers playing Gran Turismo 5 will be able to test drive the new Corvette C7 - two months before it's revealed to the world at the 2013 Detroit auto show. The makers of GT5 on PlayStation have modelled a camouflaged 'Vette C7 with Chevrolet's approval. We can't remember a manufacturer letting the public 'loose' in a prototype quite so far ahead of a car's launch before.