Culture|Garage

Tom Hazen, of Minnesota Austin Healey Club, puts on some incredible events from highspeed runs at an airport, to country cruises, to my favorite event, the hillclimb.  The hillclimb starts with a very simple autox portion in the lower parking lot and then you round the last turn and charge uphill.  To slow the speeds and keep the event safe, they add a couple of chicanes for good measure.  This year, four c|g’ers made it to the event.  All of us enjoyed our time and even placed fairly well, I will update later with results.  For the time being, enjoy the video of Andrew Douglas and my runs.

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Not to get all sentimental on you. But most of you are probably here reading this due to dad introducing you to cars. While my dad was never a car guy, I certainly remember having car talks with him. I remember asking him why anyone would want to drive stick (he is a perpetual automatic-guy) and he told me because people want to feel like race car drivers. So, all three of my current cars are manuals. Nothing makes me feel more manly then that.  Well that and when I was potty trained, I got stars.  A certain number of stars equaled a Hot Wheel car of my choice.  This continued until I was 14.

Anyways, most of you have probably heard of the Hoyts. If not, please watch the video. It’s an incredible story about the love and bond between a father and son. I first learned of the Hoyt’s when Rick Reilly, of Sports Illustrated, wrote of the father/son team. I wept. Read it here.

It’s a reminder to say thanks. And if you didn’t have a dad like that…it can help give you something to strive to be.

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Street racing- some call it a social ill, while others see it as a good way to spend time. I think both sides have an argument to make, but because the problem seems to have been swept by the waysde due to other, “more pressing” issues such as the conflict in the Middle East, the rising expense of living and the overall scheme of world life and politics, it has become a sideshow. With any luck, the upcoming film, 1320, A West Coast Story, will once again make the issue of street racing one worth pursuing, and bringing some resolution to. Don’t waste your nickel seeing Speed Racer, give this movie a shot instead. (EDIT- Release in 2009)

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Found an interesting video tonight which is a promotional short film about BMW’s ///M Division Process. Enjoy!

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Driving though Denver, or Philadelphia, or Boston or any number of busy cities in the world can be a hassle. A problem. A downright pain in the ass. Whatever the issue is-cell phones, ignorance or just plain bad driving- nothing compares to the commute in downtown Baghdad-which is depicted with great clarity in this weekend’s video. The liberal use of the chrome horn is a nice touch, I’d LOVE to use that technique sometime!

Have a GREAT Memorial Day weekend, and take a moment to remember the fallen!

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Two seven year olds, one of which was smoking cigarettes, decided to go Grand Theft Auto in grandma’s blinged out Durango. During that time of doing “fun hood stuff” they hit two parked cars, two moving cars, two mailboxes, a curb, a sign, etc. The good news is two fold, 1. no one was hurt and 2. a nasty portholed and dubbed out Durango is no longer on the road.

If I were the parents, a serious ass-whopping would be in this kids future, apparently Latarian believes he should be suspended from video games for “a whole weekend.”

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If you read last week’s Question of the Week, you know that I’m a huge fan of Jaguar E-Types, especially of the V-12 variety. Although the Jag straight six is a wonderful engine, you can’t match the WWII Spitfire sound that a Jag V-12 produces, it’s just magic for the ears. In browsing YouTube, I actually stumbled across this video of a ‘73 E-Type blasting down a few roads, engine at full yap. I really envy the driver- that is one beautiful Jag, being driven on a beautiful fall day-the perfect kind of day for spirited motoring. This is another one of those “turn your speakers up” videos-so give it a listen.

Have a great weekend, folks!

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Nurburgring, Nurburg, Ger- For some, today is a red letter day of the first order, as the upcoming Chevrolet Camaro has finally been captured on film-and in fine form. Spotted at Germany’s famed “Nurburgring,” the Camaro seemed to be testing, most likely to correct any glitches or bugs in the production car. Read the rest of this entry »

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