The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) today announced the launch of a new ad featuring NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, ampoule Jr.

The new campaign will air TV and radio ads nationally.

“In my company, no rx the cars run on gas, but the business runs on electricity. That’s why I have been learning about how coal keeps electricity prices down, and that keeps the lights on and people working, which keeps companies like mine out in front,” says Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in the ad.

The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity announced its first-ever sponsorship of a NASCAR team, JR Motorsports, the management company and racing operation for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. this Spring. Under the sponsorship, JR Motorsports cars feature ACCCE logos, and members of the race team, including Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Cole Whitt are working with ACCCE to inform and educate Americans about the importance of coal and clean coal technology.

“America’s families and business rely on affordable and reliable coal,” said Evan Tracey, senior vice president of communications for the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity. “These new ads will draw America’s attention to coal’s importance as a domestic energy source to power our economy – from manufacturing to motorsports and everything in between.”

MotoGP commercial rights holder Dorna Sports has suggested the sport must target lower running costs from 2013 onwards.

For Dorna, the main aim is to reduce running costs while maintaining the competitive nature of the sport. For 2012, this includes 1,000cc bikes and an initial entry list of 21 runners – 12 factory-entered machines and nine in the new CRT category.

“We must immediately do two things,” said Carmelo Ezpeleta, head of Dorna. “The first is to keep the grid is as compact as possible; this is not to say that there will be no differences, but to make sure that the CRT bikes are as close as possible to the factory bikes. Secondly, that factory bikes don’t technologically advance to performance levels that could be dangerous, with costs that can’t be assumed.

“The problem is not just how to reduce costs – it’s that if someone invests a significant amount, wins the championship and then leaves…it leaves you with nothing. We have three manufacturers – Ducati, Yamaha and Honda. I’m talking with them and I have ideas for making the championship more competitive.

“The basics of motorsport are the combination of entertainment and technology. In times of crisis, if we cut back on something it must be in technology, not the entertainment, which both television and circuits pay for. Again, I’m talking to the manufacturers and I think we will come to a conclusion in May as to how the championship will look from 2013.”

The upcoming 2012 MotoGP season begins in Qatar on 8 April.

Virgin Racing has joined fellow Formula One team Force India in announcing a technical tie-up with McLaren in a bid to help it improve its form in the Championship.

The team revealed today, July 4, just weeks after the team parted company with its technical director Nick Wirth, that it had concluded a deal that will see it receive assistance from McLaren.

Under the terms of the deal, Virgin Racing will have access to McLaren’s facilities – such a test rigs, simulators and computer technology – plus its wind tunnel. Furthermore staff from McLaren will be placed within the Virgin Racing group.

In addition, Virgin Racing has also purchased the business of Wirth Racing Technologies and its facilities in Banbury to provide a technical base for its future.

Andy Webb, CEO of Virgin Racing, said: “When we undertook our detailed review of the team in the first half of 2011, it was clear that our bold ambitions for the future would need to be matched with some equally bold steps towards achieving them.

“I am delighted that in a relatively short space of time we are now in the fantastic position of being able to make these two very important announcements, which will enable us to make some dramatic strides forward with immediate effect.

“Our technical partnership with McLaren is very exciting indeed. McLaren is one of the most prestigious and successful marques in grand prix racing history, with an enviable record of success over many years.

“We can benefit enormously from McLaren’s far-reaching techniques and capabilities and I have no doubt that this partnership will see us take the technical steps necessary to make a significant leap forwards.

“In addition, our acquisition of the WRT Formula 1 business ensures continuity of technical infrastructure for the period ahead, which means that the transition to working with our new technical partner can begin immediately and is not frustrated by logistical considerations.

“Our three-centre operation has served us well in our formative years but our ambitions for the future will rely on the full might of the team coming together under one roof.”

Speaking about the tie-up with Virgin Racing, McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh added: “Under the terms of this technical partnership, Marussia Virgin Racing will be able to access McLaren’s wind tunnel, simulator, rigs, and fitness and well being programmes.

“These properties are state-of-the-art, and we confidently therefore expect Marussia Virgin Racing to derive significant benefits from them.

“During the period in which we were agreeing this deal, our experience of dealing with Andy and his team was extremely positive and we recognise that he and his colleagues are very serious about making developments that will lift the competitiveness of their cars over the coming months and years.”

As expected, the International Cricket Council (ICC) came to a decision at yesterday’s, April 4, executive board meeting in Mumbai, to reduce the number of team’s competing in the 2015 and 2019 Cricket World Cups from 14 to 10.

An ICC press release read: “The Executive Board confirmed their decision made in October 2010 that the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in Australia and New Zealand and the ICC Cricket World Cup in England in 2019 will be a 10-team event.

“The Board agreed that the 2015 World Cup will comprise the existing 10 Full Members, however, they gave notice to all Full Members that participation in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup will be determined on the basis of qualification.”

The ruling means that associate nations – such as Kenya, Canada, Ireland and the Netherlands will not be permitted to partake in the next edition of the tournament in Australia and New Zealand in 2015.

Full members Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe will be the only teams competing at the event.

The decision left Irish Cricket chief Warren Deutrom outraged, claiming the the ruling was ‘disgraceful’ and adding: “I have already been in contact with my other Associate chief executives and it is not a question of if we are going to do something but what we are going to do.”

Ireland reached the Super 8 of the competition in 2007 and in this year’s event defeated England in a memorable victory which saw batsman Kevin O’Brien smash the record of the fastest 100 ever made at the quadrennial tournament, reaching the landmark in just 50 balls.

In other news, the statement from the ICC revealed the world governing body’s strategic plan which “seeks to lead world cricket by providing a world class environment for international cricket; delivering major events across all three formats (Test, 50 over and T20); providing targeted support to members and promoting the global game.”

ICC chief Haroon Lorgat stated: “The strategy is the product of wide ranging and constructive engagement held with the world’s leading cricket administrators and stakeholders. The plan covers a range of strategic topics from the role of the ICC, governance, promotion and protection of the three forms of the game, competition and meritocratic pathways as well as targeted investment.

“The targeted funding for Members will be used to protect the game and its integrity; provide a platform for success and also focus on growth and improvement of playing standards.”

ICC President Sharad Pawar spoke of this year’s tournament, stating: “The tournament reinforced the attraction of 50 over cricket and showed the enthusiasm and excitement generated by nation v nation cricket. There is no doubt that this event has been a great advertisement for ODI cricket.”

Great Britain’s Men’s and Women’s national basketball teams will compete in next year’s Olympic Tournament at the 2012 London Games after the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) granted them automatic places at the Central Board on Sunday, March 13.

FIBA recognised that Great Britain had met the requirements set out for them, which included; proving their competitiveness on the court with both teams qualifying for
this summer’s EuroBasket tournaments and providing a solid legacy plan for the sport in the country beyond the Games of the XXX Olympiad.

The Central Board voted 16-4 in favour of Great Britain taking their place in the field of basketball teams at next year’s Olympics. However, the board re-iterated the need for British Basketball and the home nations’ (England, Scotland and Wales) federations to work towards proving their commitment to grow the game by figuring out the best governance model going forward.

FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann stated: “The Central Board took a vote on the following proposal: yes, both men’s and women’s teams should play at the Olympic Games, but by 30th June 2012 British Basketball and the home nations must figure out the best way for the future governance of the sport.

“They have until that date to decide what governance they want to go forward with after the Olympic Games end.”

The other major decision on the agenda saw Turkey awarded the next FIBA
World Championship for Women in 2014, getting the nod over Australia for the honour.

Golf authority the R&A has appointed experienced golf administrator Mark Lawrie as its Director in Latin America.

Lawrie will join The R&A from the Asociación Argentina de Golf, cough where he has served as Executive Director since 2000.

In his new role, viagra Lawrie will be closely involved in the staging of the Latin America Amateur Championship, a joint initiative between The R&A, the Masters and the USGA, which will be played for the first time at Pilar Golf in Buenos Aires from 15-18 January 2015.

His wider responsibilities will include overseeing The R&A’s development work in Latin America. The R&A supports a range of existing championships in the region, Rules education programmes and development projects in several countries including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Uruguay which, in many cases, have led to the establishment of public golf courses and facilities.

Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: “We are delighted to welcome Mark on board and believe his appointment will enable us to enhance our co-ordination of the increasing range of initiatives we are supporting in Latin America. We have taken a similar approach in the Asia-Pacific region which has proved extremely effective.

“The R&A has been actively supporting golf in Latin America for more than a decade and we have invested considerably in championships and development projects. With golf set to return to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 there is a real opportunity to attract more people to take up the sport.”

Lawrie, who will continue to be based in Buenos Aires, said, “I am very pleased to be joining The R&A and to have the opportunity to assist with the important work it does in developing golf in Latin America. The advent of the Latin America Amateur Championship is a major step forward and will create an important platform for elite amateurs to compete and progress their careers.

“I will also be working closely with The R&A’s affiliated organisations in the region to ensure that we are effectively supporting their work in encouraging participation in golf.”

He will take up his new role with The R&A with immediate effect.

Wales have revealed that are interested in hosting a future World Cup in a potential join bid with England in 2026.  

Wales First Minister Carwyn JonesFootball Association of Wales chief executive Jonathan Ford said an attempt to land the biggest football tournament on the planet is a future goal.

After next year’s competition in Brazil, the World Cup then moves to Russia and Qatar, but Wales believe they can be part a bid to bring the finals to Britain for the only time since England lifted the trophy back in 1966.

Ford said: “It’s a great future ambition. We know where the World Cup is going in 2018 and 2022, but the process thereafter has yet to be determined.

“I absolutely support the First Minister in having a good ambition.”

Ford was speaking at a major events conference in Cardiff and in response to leader of the Welsh Government Jones’ shock comments.

The First Minister said: “We have got the UEFA Super Cup coming to Cardiff next year and we want that to be the starting point for bringing more major football events to Wales.

“We are talking with the FAW about bidding to be one of the venues for the 2020 European Championships, we want a Champions League final… and then there is the World Cup in 2026.

“The most likely joint bid would be with England and we know we have three good stadia we can offer.

“By 2026 we can get the Liberty Stadium and Cardiff City Stadium up to 30,000-plus to supplement the Millennium Stadium.

“Football is the world’s biggest sport and we know everyone has been talking about Gareth Bale since his move to Real Madrid and giving Wales a lot of global exposure.

“We hope he can inspire the Welsh football team to qualify for a major tournament in the future.

“You only have to look back to the 1990s, at the Jack Charlton era in Irish football, to see how a football team can build the confidence of a nation.”

WRU boss Roger Lewis backed the World Cup plan, saying: “It’s something we would always be a winning partner for but it’s something to be discussed with the FAW and FA.

“You have to respect the governance situation, it’s something they would put forward.

“I have met with the FAW over our European ambitions and we’re hugely supportive of them. We would work in partnership with them to deliver a world class venue.”

Essex Cricket have secured an agreement with developers, view MCD, discount for the first phase of the ground development of The Essex County Ground, Chelmsford to begin.

The 136-year-old club has just signed a deal with developer MCD to start building work on several blocks of flats around the ground.

This will help to finance the long-awaited new pavilion, cricket school, car park, public square and bridge.

Plans have been in the offing for eight years, with planning permission granted two years ago.

The first phase in the redevelopment is to build the smallest of three towers containing 62 flats on top of the current cricket club car park.

Two other towers, both overlooking the park and river, will soon follow..

Keith Brown, Treasurer of Essex County Cricket Club said: “Monday is a landmark day in the history of Essex Cricket, the start of a project which will lead to a first class cricket ground to complement our first class team. The agreements we will be signing with our development partner MCD and Chelmsford City Council enables the first phase of the development to commence in the Spring.”