Aston Martin's Race plan

By Ben Pulman Motor Shows 17 October 2007 15:36 It’s only just over a week since Aston Martin was sold, but today it confirmed plans to race at Le Mans.The DBR9 will return to the famous La Sarthe circuit in June. Perhaps this was inevitable, since Aston’s new non-executive chairman is David Richards - the chairman of Prodrive, which develops the DBR9 and its FIA GT3-spec sister car, the DBRS9. The team will face a tough challenge, though, as the 24-hour Le Mans is the only race that Aston Martin Racing will compete in this year.

Carroll Shelby honored with Keith Crain achievement award

Famed car designer Carroll Shelby received the 2011 Keith Crain/Automotive News Lifetime Achievement Award on Thursday evening during the Washington auto show. The award is given annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the auto industry. "I accept this award with all of the humility a person could have," Shelby said.

Cyclists 'a pretty special bunch'

WE BRITS think cyclists are more intelligent and charitable than the average person, according to a new report. A study for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) found that sportsmen and women generally were more attractive than celebrities, with most qualities attributed to cyclists. The survey of 600 adults also showed that two thirds admitted to liking lycra.