Autoblog

Following the sale of Spyker F1 (again), the new owners have announced the team's new name: Force India. Indian investor Vijay Mallya got together with former Spyker Cars CEO Michiel Mol to buy the team from the financially-troubled niche sportscar manufacturer, which it now seems had no business in F1 to begin with. Spyker itself had acquired the team from Midland, who in turn had purchased it from Jordan, changing the name and image with each new owner.

Mallya aims to use his new team to raise India's image abroad in an apparent confusion between Formula One and the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport, which is made up of national teams. The team's logo is anticipated to include the Indian flag, and will probably look like the one on Mallya's hat (at right).

[Source: Formula One]

Paris isn't the only auto show in early October. The students of Northwood University are preparing for their 43rd annual International Auto Show, to take place at the Midland, Michigan campus October 6-8.

The college show is one of the largest outdoor shows in the US, and entrance is free of charge and open to the public. The entire event is planned and executed by over 600 students led by a 13-member team and attracts approximately 40,000 visitors each year. And it's not just the Big Three exhibiting their standard models, either. This year, participating manufacturers include Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Bentley and Maybach, to name just a few.

A grassroots car show in the quad is a welcome and refreshing break from the glitz and glamour of the "major" shows. Makes us wish our colleges had car shows instead of poster sales and intramural lacrosse games.

Follow the link to the university's website for more information. We're sure anyone who has attended the NUIAS has good things to say about the students' efforts.

(Thanks for the tip, Ben!)