Meeke signs for Mini WRC programme Thursday, September 2nd 2010, 08:55 GMT Kris Meeke has signed to drive for Mini in the World Rally Championship next year, this week’s AUTOSPORT magazine reveals.

Honda: Plato tough to beat By Jamie O’Leary Thursday, September 2nd 2010, 10:14 GMT Jason Plato is the clear favourite to win the British Touring Car Championship this year, according to his title rival Matt Neal. Honda driver Neal lies third in the standings, 23 points behind Plato and five adrift of Tom Onslow-Cole after amassing only two podium finishes from the six races at Snetterton and Silverstone.

Massa says pressure is on Ferrari By Jonathan Noble Thursday, September 2nd 2010, 10:18 GMT Felipe Massa says the pressure will be on Ferrari to deliver a strong result on home ground in Italy next week - as it bids to get itself back in the hunt for the world championship. On the back of a disappointing Belgian Grand Prix, where Ferrari was no match for Red Bull Racing and McLaren, the outfit lost big ground in the points standings when Alonso crashed out. And with just six races to go, Ferrari needs to recover the lost ground quickly if it is going to keep its title hopes alive.

Petronas extends Malaysian GP deal Thursday, September 2nd 2010, 10:36 GMT Malaysia’s state oil company Petronas has signed a new five-year deal to title-sponsor the Asian country’s grand prix. The new agreement will see Petronas sponsor the Sepang race until 2015. The oil company has sponsored the event since it took place for the first time in 1999.

Johnson and Wood to miss Knockhill By Jamie O’Leary Wednesday, September 1st 2010, 08:41 GMT Martin Johnson and Lea Wood will both miss this weekend’s British Touring Car Championship rounds at Knockhill. Johnson’s Boulevard Vauxhall outfit is remaining at its Lincolnshire base for budgetary reasons

Michelin bids for WRC return By David Evans Wednesday, September 1st 2010, 08:53 GMT Michelin’s competitions director Nick Shorrock has revealed to AUTOSPORT that the French firm is bidding to return to the World Rally Championship for the first time since 2005. Michelin departed the WRC at the end of that year, rebranding its headline rally involvement as BF Goodrich for the following two seasons, before Pirelli was awarded a sole-supplier contract from 2008 until the end of this season

Hamilton eyes ‘full set’ of historic wins By Matt Beer Wednesday, September 1st 2010, 19:34 GMT Lewis Hamilton feels victory in next weekend’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza would complete a ‘full set’ of wins at Formula 1’s most famous venues. The McLaren driver said that having now added a Spa win to his Monte Carlo and Silverstone triumphs of 2008, Monza was the last of the historic racetracks where he had yet to mount the top step of the podium. “I’ve always looked at those four circuits on the calendar as being a little more special than the others,” said Hamilton in an interview for his personal website.

Meyrick to race for Aston Martin By Matt Beer Wednesday, September 1st 2010, 19:52 GMT Andy Meyrick is to race the factory Aston Martin LMP1 car in the final round of the Le Mans Series, the AUTOSPORT 1000kms at Silverstone later this month.

NEW YORK — Jessica Brunelli is a fan of “Jersey Shore” and “The Real World,” so the 17-year-old race car driver knows just how addictive reality TV can be.Addictive enough to draw in viewers who don’t know Jeff Gordon from Jeff Burton? That’s the gamble behind “Changing Lanes,” a new show that airs not on a sports network but BET.Yes, BET. Where better to reach a completely new audience?

Red Bull in damage limitation mode By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, August 31st 2010, 10:11 GMT Red Bull Racing has admitted it will head to the next race in Italy in ‘damage limitation’ mode, before expecting a return to form for the final flyaway races of the year. After seeing main rivals McLaren get back onto the top step of the podium with Lewis Hamilton’s victory in Belgium last weekend, Red Bull Racing does not expect to swift recovery of fortunes for the high-speed Monza venue.