Author: MrAngry

This is a quick synopsis of what just took place during Tiger Woods press conference. Ready… here we go:

“I’m really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really SORRY for screwing around“.

What he was really thinking:
I mentioned I have a Foundation that helps kid’s, so feel bad for me.

Then he said:
I’m still really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really,really, SORRY for letting my Wife, my Kids, my business partners, sponsors, the children, Mother Teresa and the Pope down.

What he was really thinking:
But I’m in therapy, so feel bad for me.

He was still up there, so he continued with:
Since I’m still standing here I’ll say: I’m really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really sorry.

What he was really thinking:
But I said I’m a Buddhist and working towards redemption, so feel bad for me.

What the rest of the world viewed:
Well, um… I guess that’s it, like I said, I’m sorry, maybe I’ll play golf again and please feel bad for me. Oh and by the way, my wife didn’t beat me up and I need a new Escalade (see… it’s still car related).

Well this should be an interesting one. At 11 am this morning Tiger Woods is supposedly going to get up on stage and speak out after a 3-month silence. You may remember that this douche-bag let down not only his family, but the entire sporting community when he decided to go out and hump the planet. Details aren’t known at this point if Captain Club is definitely going to apologize, or simply take the cowards way out and just make a statement. What is known however is that no questions will be allowed.

Did I also mention that this turd is at a center for sexual rehabilitation? I swear you can’t make this crap up. Oh and by the way, this is TOTALLY car related because he crashed his Cadillac Escalade… so there.

ABC, CBS and NBC All Carrying Tiger Woods’ Statement Live on Friday

Bullrun Season III is officially underway with one episode down. Over the last 2 seasons true fans of the show have seen it develop and pretty much know what to expect. We know there are going to be explosions, cool cars, some type of automotive carnage and of course, the Big Man himself: Goldberg. As a former contestant from Season 1 I think I have a pretty good idea of not only what to expect, but more importantly, what is going on in the heads of the contestants. Throughout the season I’ll not only be following the show, but I’ll give you my opinions on what I see on screen. These are things that you as a regular viewer might have missed.

Now to the contestants: you may or may not like what I am going to say about you at certain times. Some will get praise and others will get torched if the opportunity presents itself. If you’re like me, then in all honesty you won’t give a f*ck what anyone says about you, especially my big ass. I can tell you though that I am going to call it like I see it. If you act like a pussy then be prepared to be called on it, if you’re a rock star then so be it and if you’re down right sneaky bastards… you listening’ Wu’s… then you’ll get nailed on that too.

Also understand that I know editing plays a part, cause’ I’ve been there and I know you can get turned around – again, it’s part of reality TV so ya’ll best be prepared for it.

Now that all the legal disclaimer bullshit is out of the way, lets get onto Episode 1 of Bullrun Season III. Teams met at the headquarters of West Coast Customs in LA where they were introduced to each other and got a quick chance to view the other competitor cars. The rules were then explained slowly and clearly with on screen pop-ups for the viewers. Granted, this took a few extra minutes but I think it worked well for anyone who hasn’t seen the show before. It also explained new additions such as the immunity cards and the rules for elimination. I think the immunity cards are a great idea and offer an unexpected variable that can be cycled into the game similar to the time bonuses in Season 1.

Once the flag dropped all the teams seemed to have been met with the same shitty LA traffic that everyone on the West Coast has come to know and love. This gave them a bit of time to try and figure out how to get to their first checkpoint – The Airplane Graveyard in Mojave. While sucking down carbon monoxide fumes the teams began to strategize as to how to get ahead in the competition. Now this part is tough because as a contestant you simply have no idea what lies ahead of you. Your mind is trying to play out every scenario, but in the end you simply can’t… it’s a total mind-f*ck that can really make you over think things if you’re not careful.

Because of their local knowledge Team Wu was able to get out in front of the pack early on and make the decision to go for the immunity card. This however, is where things begin to get tricky. Apparently the Wu’s, sneaky bastards that they are (I do like them though), were able to make up false immunity cards along their route and when they reached the immunity checkpoint they switched out the real immunity item (a wrench) for the cards. The Lexus Ladies also got smart and utilized a strangers GPS phone to get them moving. This was a good move, as I like to see teams thinking outside the box.

Now, some of you are going to bitch about the Wu’s and say it wasn’t fair and that they cheated. Let me tell ya’ll something – THERE IS TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS on the line and because of this I can’t fault them. Looking back on Season 1 I can safely say there are SO many things we would have done differently. You only get one shot at the cash and the Wu’s fired the first bullet. Remember, you’re not here to make friends; you’re here to win money, a lot of it.

As the camera’s rolled we also got a chance to see inside the Teams cars and get a little better acquainted with them. First impressions of the Teams dictate the following: The guys from Team Hummer have mastered and brought back the lost art of pop-lockin’, Sylvia Cartwright from the Great State of Texas will slit your throat clean open if given the opportunity, and Ryan and Nick in the NSX are just trying to fly low and under the radar. That was actually really similar to what myself and Big Jim did, it worked out well too. We also learned that the Bimmer-twins are hard up for cash, the Challenger Guys are navigationally challenged but positive in the face of adversity and the VW Bug isn’t really that reliable. I think that was it.

Anyway, moving forward. Team Wu actually got to the checkpoint ahead of everyone but laid back to let Team Viper take the win. This unfortunately put them in somewhat of a bad position, as they would now have to choose someone to go into the first challenge. Team Challenger and Team VW unfortunately came in the bottom two spots. Team VW however thought they had the immunity card, but as it turns out, because of Team Wu’s sneakiness, they got the shaft.

Since all the teams were now safely at the Airplane Graveyard (awesome location by the way) it was time for the challenge to take place. Jet Rescue was set up so that both teammates would have to drive. Leg one saw the first driver speed around a dirt course, run into and old airplane, and basically set his partner free. They would then swap places and continue through the course to the stop box at the end.

This is where it got sticky for Team Viper. I can completely understand them not wanting to put anyone in a challenge. It’s day one, you’re all still wearing fresh underpants and you don’t want to piss anyone off yet. However, it’s part of the game so someone’s gotta go. They chose Team Mustang. I’ll be honest; these guys wouldn’t have been my first choice. It’s an old car that’s basically stock and really didn’t seem like a mechanical threat to them. They did however say though, that they didn’t know them that well and that was the reason they put them in. I can understand that, so once again, I can’t fault them for their choice. If it were me though, I would’ve put one of the bone stock cars like the Mini or the BMW in and just hope they didn’t know how to drive. For those of you going forward, always remember, the more modified a car is, the more likely it’s going to break down so get the good ones out of the way early.

Team Mustang took off first and I’ll be honest, their pace looked PAINFULLY SLOW. Guys… was there a reason for this? If so let me know because on screen you guys looked like you were towing Kirstie Alley behind you. Next up saw Team VW met with more problems. Upon re-entrance to the car, their starter crapped out and put them even farther down in the time standings. Last up was Team Challenger. These guys nailed it and in the process dug themselves out of a very big hole – way to go guys.

In the end Team VW ended up getting eliminated and well… that just sucked. Guys, I have to tell ya’ that I was really sorry to see ya’ll all go, especially so early in the game. You guys were the true super fans and I was rootin’ for ya’ cause I know you busted your asses to get there.

But, like it was stated in the beginning, it’s a game. Someone has to win and some one has to lose, it just sucks to be the first ones gone.

Cheers Guys and see ya’ll next week.

Angry Out.

Vintage muscle cars have a reputation for being the biggest and baddest automobiles to have ever been produced. Names like Charger, GTO and Shelby conjure up visions of tire smoke and hooliganism. Factory lift-off hoods, shakers and air-grabbers were options that were so outrageous that today’s automakers would never even think of offering them, and let us not forget the stories. Mention the word HEMI and it brings up visions of an engine that had almost mystical powers. The real question is, what were they really like and did they live up to all the stories that have been told about them over the years.

Finding old car reviews used to be a nightmare. If you were interested you’d have to spend hours at the library (remember those) looking through card catalogs to find the one issue with your car in it. Then upon finding it, you’d have to hope the pages weren’t tore out. It was an arduous process that only paid off about 50% of the time. Finding information today is generally not more than a two step process. Step one is to go to Google and step 2 is to go wherever Google tells you to go – it really is that simply.

While rummaging through the endless content of Youtube I came across some wonderful vintage car reviews from the 60’s that are narrated by Bud Lindemann. Watching them is like taking a step back in time. The road tests and driving challenges are actually quite similar, but look at the performance figures and understand that what was good then would be atrocious by today’s standards. It’s like the old saying goes: “The older I get, the better I was”.

Notice things like body roll, braking and acceleration and listen carefully to the narrators comments. These cars were considered to be cutting edge back then, with the latest and greatest in automotive technology. Keep in mind there were no computers, no traction control or anti-lock brakes. Airbags were non-existent as were standardized shoulder belts and most cars still came equipped with drum brakes. The one thing the cars of yesteryear did have however was style and watching these guys throw them around when they were new is a real treat. So now, sit back, relax and enjoy because these videos are a hoot to watch.

• 1969 Charger 500 – 426 Hemi

So here it is, the big gun – a 1969 Dodge Charger 500 with a 426 HEMI. I’m not going to reveal the 0-60 and 1/4 mile numbers to you because I want you to watch the video. I think however that you may be somewhat surprised when you see the results.

• 1969 Plymouth GTX 440

Note to self: Remember the phrase “GIT-X” & “4000 lb. bomb”. The GTX, like the Charger falls into the B-Body class of cars produced by Dodge and Plymouth from 1962-1979. They were considered to be intermediate level sedans and coupes that shared similar platforms, parts and marketing strategies.

• 1971 Dodge Challenger 383

This is great, I think they did about 20 burnouts in this video! They really beat the crap our of this Challenger, which is great because it’s a true testament to how tough these old sleds really were.

• 1971 Dodge Charger SE

“Crank it up! Cause’ its’a happening!” This stuff is just priceless. For 1971 the Dodge Charger was completely restyled. Gone was the famed coke-bottle shape that made the 1968-1970 models so iconic. ‘71 brought about a much more refined automobile, interior trim packages where improved as where the mechanics. Keep in mind also, that by 1971 high insurance premiums and fuel prices began to negatively impact all muscle cars.

• 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang KR

This is vintage Shelby when they actually made automobiles. Check out the interior, which for it’s day was actually quite luxurious and not something you’d think about when thinking about anything from Shelby. This also has to be one of the only cars ever produced with drop down racing harnesses for restraints… this was cool for back in the day.

• 1969 Ford LTD

The great thing about this review is that I think its the only place on earth where you are actually going to see someone beat the ever-lovin’ snot out of a Ford LTD of any year.

• 1971 Oldsmobile Delta 88

I remember a teacher of mine in the mid-1980’s had one of these bad boys. They were big, ungainly and unfortunately looked just like the one in the video. It did hit 0-60 in just a tick over 8 seconds though, so it’s not all bad.

• 1973 Buick GS455

It’s 1973 and the muscle car market is all but dead. Buick however rolls out one last ditch effort for the general public to grab onto, the Gran Sport 455. Not only is this a rare car by today’s standards, but to actually see one in action is a total treat. This video also has one of the best quotes in all of motoring: “This is as close to a super car as anything we’ve had since breathing clean air became popular.” I want a bumper sticker that says that.

• 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W-30

This video of the Oldsmobile is actually quite interesting as I can’t remember the last time I saw a road test being done with a convertible. I was looking at body roll and chassis flex through the cones and the big Olds. was actually quite composed. Impressive for a big drop top.

• 1969 AMX

The AMX was a short wheelbase two seater from American Motors. It was light (3000 lbs.) and pretty quick with 315 hp. That’s really not a bad power to weight ratio considering it did 0-60 in under 7 seconds. AMX’s are cool little cars but not too popular which is a shame because the more time goes by the less likely we are to see them on the road.

15 years ago the terms Pro-Touring and G-Machines didn’t even exist. There were simply new cars and old cars, but then something happened. Those old cars started to become cool again, I mean don’t get me wrong, they were always cool, but beginning in the mid-90’s a trend started to develop whereby classic muscle cars were being turned into some pretty serious street machines. Over the next few months Ridelust.com is going to be profiling some these uber updated G-Machines to give people not only a glance, but a little bit of insight, as to how these cars are built, who the owners are and why they decided to zig as opposed to zag.

The first car to be showcased in the new Corner Carvers section is Jerry Forthofer’s 1977 Chevrolet Camaro.

At 63 years old Jerry had been heavily involved with Porsches and the Porsche Club of America. However, upon moving to North Carolina a couple of years ago, he befriended a guy with a 1938 Chevy rod who was located in his subdivision.

Jerry states that: “We have a cruise-in every Thursday night at the local Sonic. After going there with my friend and meeting the other car nuts, I decided I needed an appropriate car.” This is how it usually starts, so guys, don’t show this article to your wives or you won’t be going anywhere.

Since Jerry had a background that was well versed in sports cars, he knew that a street rod was not going to cut it. He would need something that not only stopped well, but did great in the curves. So, after searching E-Bay he found a 1977 Chevrolet Camaro in Dallas, TX.

Jerry states that: “The car has in interesting history. It was purchased new by a guy in Indiana in 1977 and he owned it until he passed away in 2006 from cancer. The car passed on to his best friend who I talked to. The original owner showed the car the first three years he owned it. After getting bored with that, he began to drag race it. He raced it up until he was not physically able. Through racing he met his best friend. I have tons of period time slips and a car log he kept at events where he recorded the temp, humidity, temperature, tire pressures, etc. His friend never titled the car and kept it a year or so and then sold it to the guy in Texas. The car only has about 18,000 miles on the chassis. Another tidbit: The original owner was from Leesburg, Indiana which is five miles from where my wife grew up and her first teaching job!! I think we were meant to own the car!”

The Texas owner built the current 406SB motor, installed the suspension components and disc brakes. The Richmond 6-speed transmission was in the car at the time of purchase. All the suspension, brake goodies and tranny (Jerry’s not a fan of automatic transmissions) attracted him to the car. Even though the Camaro only had 300 miles on the motor and the car wasn’t properly aligned yet, Jerry decided to drive it home from Dallas to North Carolina which is a tradition for him. Then after getting the car back to North Carolina, Jerry decided to dive in… this is usually a bad idea. As with any older vehicle, especially a muscle car there is always the urge to personalize it to your taste, which is exactly what Jerry was about to do.

Jerry explains: “Here in the south, AC is a necessity so that is where it all began as I installed a Vintage Air unit. One thing led to another and I ripped the interior apart, did some minor floor repairs from various drag racing modifications, added the Auto Meter gauges, a rear view mirror with temp and compass, new carpet, new headliner, new seats, new sound system, and a AF gauge. The wiring was a nightmare so I basically ripped out everything that had been added over the years and began anew. I detailed the engine bay, installed the front-runner, a new vacuum booster, new brake lines and on and on. The UPS and Fed-Ex guys and I were tight last summer and fall. I even redid the Wilwood disc brakes, as the Texas guy had not installed E-brakes. After installing them, I discovered that 6 piston front calipers were a bolt-on to replace the four piston and so it was done. I was happy with the rear ride height but the front was too high so my son and I cut the springs to get the stance right.”

Once all the mechanics were done Jerry decided on a new paint job, finished all the additional detail work and completed the beast you see before you. Jerry, like the rest of us poor souls on the East Coast is now just waiting for the cold to subside so that this beast can return to its rightful place on the open road.

I’d like to preface this blog by saying that anyone who follows what I am about to say will have my full support. For those of you who don’t know, I am a New York native. I was born in lower Manhattan, grew up in Brooklyn and have lived all over the boroughs. Most people have preconceived notions about what it’s really like to live in and or around the big city, but in reality they have no idea. New York is a tough place, it wears you down and makes you hard. Living space is not measured in acreage here, it’s measured in square feet with a population density so tight that the borough of Queens could kick the shit out of the state of Rhode Island.

Living here means co-existing in close quarters. Parking is on the street and if you have a driveway or garage then you hang on to them like they’re gold bars. I happen to have both, but unfortunately my driveway is shared with the house next door. My neighbors are dirty, rude and inconsiderate. Truthfully I’d like to simply nuke them off the block but since most people would frown on a having a tactical nuke in such close proximity to them I needed another plan. As of late I have been compiling a list of devious, underhanded and lets face it, downright dirty pranks that should push my filthy neighbors over the automotive edge. I know others out there share my pain which is why this step by step list is being made available to the general public.

• Step 1: Identify your opponent

This is a key element that will help you succeed when trying to wreak havoc. First make sure you have the right car (this is key). Then observe and learn their automotive habits so when the moment comes to strike you are ready.

• Step 2: Determine the severity of the payback that you wish to deliver.

I know you’d like to simply blow your neighbors clean off the block, but lets face it, doing that will get you thrown in prison. We can however make their lives hell on earth. What you need to do is quantify the amount of payback you wish to deliver and the way in which to go about delivering it.

• Step 3 – ROCK-n-ROLL!!

The following is a list of A, B & C-class paybacks that will do nothing but annoy the ever-loving crap out of your intended target.

A-CLASS
Project FWAP, FWAP!!

Take a piece of duct tape about 40 inches long and fold it over on itself repeatedly. Make sure, and this is important, that you leave 4-6 inches of the sticky side exposed. Once folded, proceed to stick the tape to the inside wall of one of the rear tires. Then sit back and watch as the victim drives away. Almost immediately they will hear FWAP, FWAP, FWAP, FWAP, FWAP, FWAP in the rear and think something is wrong. One stop will ensue, then another and another until the sound drives them crazy. Since the tape is hidden I can almost guarantee it will take them multiple stops and a lot of searching before they figure it out.

*** You can also achieve the same amount of frustration by taking multiple zip-ties and securing them to the drive shaft of the vehicle. This is tougher though as you must crawl under the car to do so. The payoff however has a longer shelf life.

Operation Super-stank

This one is quick and easy but you must have access to the interior of the vehicle. Go to your local fish market and purchase 3 fresh little neck clams to work as your allies. When the opportunity presents itself take your little buddies and place them strategically inside the victims interior. Utilize any spaces under the dash, the seats and or in the storage compartments. Keep in mind that this is a time-release payback that won’t grant you immediate gratification. I guarantee however that after a few weeks the smell in that sucker will be worse than the stank in a sumo wrestlers unda’ pants.

*** Operation Super-stank can also be achieved by putting 2 fresh flounder fillets inside of each hubcap if the car is so equipped. This works especially well if the intended garages their ride.

The Love Monkey

Another quick and easy one that works great if the guy is married or in a relationship. Take one pair of panties and place them under the driver’s side windshield wiper of the partners car with a note that simply says; “_____, I Miss You”.

B-CLASS
Sit and Spin

For rear wheel drive cars: Take one floor jack and proceed to raise the rear wheels about ¼” off the ground. Now insert some 2×4s or whatever you have available under the rear axle so the vehicle still appears to be sitting normally. The driver will get in and proceed to go from forward to reverse while being dumbfounded as to why they aren’t moving. This is a good one, just try to make sure they don’t rock themselves off the blocks and run into a busload of nuns.

Parking boot the f*cker…

There is no special tactic here… just boot the bastard and be gone.

The Back-up Plan

Rag the tailpipe – this one is simple. Go find a nice greasy rag and stick it in the tailpipe of the offenders whip, then sit back and watch the sputtering and backfiring take place. They won’t know WTF is going on with this one.

C-CLASS
Assignment Lockout.

So now you’re at wits end. You’ve tried everything and nothings worked so it’s time to kick it up a notch. Grab one tube of JB Weld, mix appropriately and proceed to dab some on each of the cars door locks. Once this stuff hardens they won’t be getting back in unless they have a jackhammer.

Operation Flat Spot

Flat tires are never fun… especially when you have four of them. Remove all the valve stem cores and leave those pricks stranded. You can pick up a valve stem removal tool at any auto parts store. This prank will cost you $4.95 and leave you laughing all day long.

Up in Smoke

This one is great and will totally make those chumps next store think they blew a head gasket. Simply dump a little transmission fluid in the fuel tank and wait for the fun to begin. This is in no way lethal to the car, but it will make that Mutha’ F*cker smoke like a California forest fire.

So there you have it. A big ole’ list of how to get back at crappy neighbors, annoying employees or just people that you can’t flippin’ stand.

The US Formula 1 Team has been met with constant resistance since its inception. Now the rumor mill is reporting they won’t even make it to the starting grid in Bahrain due to a lack of finances. Youtube founder and main partner in the US F1 team, Chad Hurley, is also said to be rolling towards the exit. Combine that with the fact that their Charleston, NC headquarters is up for sale, and you’ve got the makings of a story that does not have a happy ending.

Sources: Autoblog.com / Crash.net

When I last spoke to my buddy Matt Farah of The Smoking Tire, he informed me that he would soon be posting up some video of himself beating the snot out of the new Lamborghini Gallardo Balboni LP550-2. Keep in mind that the new Balboni was named after none other than Valentino Balboni, Lamborghini’s top test driver since 1967. The car has 550hp, is rear wheel drive and comes with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from this Italian icon. The video was filmed at Spring Mountain Raceway in NV and shows Matt trying to steel the high-speed crown from an 850hp Ford GT.

Another tough day at the office eh Matt…

Source: http://www.thesmokingtire.com/

Turning your passion into a career is something that very few people on this earth get to do. Whether you enjoy medicine, automobiles or accounting it simply doesn’t matter. Artists have always amazed and intrigued me. They see things differently than you or I and through their own vision of creativity, get to show the rest of the world their vision through whatever medium they choose. We’re all on this website because we love automobiles and they fulfill a part of us that would otherwise be left empty.

This next list is not a listing of who’s who in the art world. It is more so a list of artists who present us with their amazing visions of what the automobile is to them. Now take a look at some very cool visuals and make sure you pay their sites a visit because this is only the tip of their creative icebergs.

1. Christophe Desse

http://www.xtrm3d.com

2. Kane Rogers

http://www.kanerogers.com/

3. Le Morris

http://www.lemorris.com/site/

4. Brent Hale

http://www.brenthale.com/

5. Camilo Pardo

http://www.camilopardo.com/camilo.html

6. Michael Irvine

http://www.michaelirvine.com

7. Michael Leonhard

http://www.michael-leonhard.com/

8. Janne Kutja

http://www.jannekutja.com/homepage_pics/

9. Terry Ross

http://www.speed-still.com: I am simply blown away by the fact that someone was able to take multiple artistic visions like this and turn them into three dimensional sculptures. These are simply astonishing.

10. Thom Taylor

http://www.hotrodthom.com

Last week we brought you this 1969 Dodge Daytona Clone in one of our eBay finds. It’s a nice find that was done up as a Bobby Allison replica car. When I posted this last Thursday I said we’d check back to see how things turned out for the seller and well… they didn’t turn out too good. The final bid came in well short of the cars $65,000 asking price thus the car remains unsold.

It’s too bad to because this would’ve been a cool piece for someone to have in their garage. Oh well, maybe next time.

Automobiles, like everything else evolve over time. Shapes change, designers come and go and technology and engineering move forward. Cars that were cutting edge just 20 years ago are now outdated and antiques. Take a look at the above photo and see what I mean.

Source: http://i.imgur.com

If you’re like most car guys then you’ll appreciate this piece. As car guys I’ve always found that our love runs deep and it’s not just for automobiles. Take these nice people down in the great state of Texas for example. They like cars, but they LOVE lawn mowers, so much so that they race them almost every weekend. It may seem odd at first, but once you dissect it a bit it seems perfectly normal. You’ve got your engine up front, 4 wheels and a nice cushy seat for your tookus. You’re out side in the open air with the wind in your hair and the bugs in your teeth… it’s awesome.

They’ve also got some of the best names going like Mow-Ron, The Pro-grasstinator and Blades of Thunder. There is also Mr. Mow-Jangles, Weedy Gonzalas and even a nice lady that named her mower Precious Moments… hmm… I think there is more to that one than she’s letting on. In the end though these people take their racing seriously, hell, they even have their own organization called the Lone Star Mower Racing Association.

God I love being an American!

1. Ronin: 1998

1994 BMW M5, Mercedes 6.9, Audi S8

These are probably the best car chases to come out of Hollywood in the last 20 years. They’re fast and raw with some killer camera work. Plus the cars they use are stellar choices. I mean really, an Audi S8, BMW M5 and Mercedes Benz 6.9, these are the big guns of the worlds Super-Sedans.

2. Short Time: 1990

1980 Dodge Diplomat

Short Time came out in 1990 and stars Dabney Coleman as a cop who just found out that due to a medical condition he’s going to die in a short time… get it… Short Time. Anyway, in order for his family to collect his pension he needs to die in the line of duty. The movie is not that well known, but the chase scene is actually a lot of fun to watch, so sit back, relax and enjoy the next 8:11.

3. Tomorrow Never Dies: 1997

1997 BMW 750i

Take one BMW 750i, add a bit of James Bond and a really cool remote control doohickey and you’ve got a great bit of automotive carnage.

4. The Fifth Element: 1998

Futuristic Taxi Cab

The Fifth Element is an action-comedy, techno thriller directed by Luc Besson. I have to say that the man has one vivid imagination. The car chase scene takes place between a futuristic Taxi driven by Bruce Willis and a few futuristic police cars. Just envision a Chevy Caprice and Ford Crown Victoria 230 years in the future and you’ll get the idea.

5. The Rock: 1996

Hummer, Ferrari 355

Nicolas Cage and Sean Connery star in this return to Alcatraz flick, that pits an H1 Hummer against a Ferrari 355 Spyder as they rip through the streets of San Francisco. One thing that always amazes me about 90’s car chases, is that the cars sustain absolutely no damage. How is this possible? It’s kinda’ like the General Lee from the Dukes of Hazzard. That big tomato jumped over everything in Hazzard County and never got one dent… it’s simply mystifying.

6. Striking Distance: 1993

1980’s Chevy Caprice / 1980’s Ford Crown Victoria

Once again we’ve got Bruce Willis as a cop trying to catch the bad guys. This time however, he’s got his old man in the car who’s also a cop and shows amazing composure throughout the entire chase seen. He must really be confident in his Son’s driving ability to be so damned relaxed. I’d be screaming like a four year old boy if I was in that thing.

7. Terminator 2: Judgement Day: 1991

Grumman Box Van / Helicopter

Here we have James Cameron shooting another one of his multi-ba-billion dollar blockbusters. We’ve got Arnold on a Harley Road King, little Eddie Furlong on a Kawasaki dirt bike and Robert Patrick rolling heavy in a Peterbilt. Combine all these elements together and you’ve got the makings of a great car chase.

8. Lethal Weapon 3: 1992

1987 Ford F-250 / 1984 Kawasaki Police 1000

This was Mel Gibson when he was still famous – you know before he decided to hate the Jews. Back then he was also a fan of chasing cars on foot, although I’m not exactly sure why. In this scene, aside from utilizing his Puma’s, he also uses a subway car and motorcycle. Hey, at least he’s branching out.

9. Die Hard With a Vengeance: 1995

Mercedes 560 SEL / Dodge Ram 1500

Wow! Bruce Willis was just everywhere in the 90’s wasn’t he? He’s been in 3 chases so far. In Die Hard With a Vengeance he’s actually running from the baddies in a stolen (well, he stole it) Mercedes Benz, while being chased by a big ole’ Dodge pick-up truck through Central Park. The conclusion is somewhat predictable, but that doesn’t stop it from being a great car chase.

10. Freejack: 1992

Chevy S-10 Pick-up / Armored personal carrier

This chase made the list simply because I think Mick Jagger is hilarious when he acts. Emilio Estevez plays a race car driver who was brought into the future so that his body could be used as a surrogate for someone else. Problem is, he’s not quite done with it, so he’s on the run with Microphone Mick hot on his trail.

Way back in 2007 I was lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to participate in something that very few people get to be a part of – a reality show. The name of the show was “Bullrun”, hosted by Bill Goldberg and it was based on the cross-country road rally that carried the same name. 12 teams of two individuals and their automobiles, rallied 4000 miles through the continental United States competing for a chance at $200,000. Along the way we encountered everything from breakdowns to obstacles to dealing with the other teams. It was a wild ride and I have experiences that I’ll never forget… neither will my car for that matter. It’s now 3 years later and Bullrun is getting ready to premier its 3rd Season. Season 1 was shown on Spike TV, with seasons 2 and now 3 on Speed TV.

Season 1 Cast

Season 1 was a big budget ordeal and was like being on a movie set day in and day out for 3 weeks. With 200 people and 20 trucks it was complete chaos, but in the end they produced a show that I was very happy to be a part of.

Season 2 Cast

Season 2 premiered on Speed TV on February 19, 2009 and immediately the quality of the shoot seemed to have been downgraded. Camera and picture quality was down as were the computer-generated clips that tied a lot of Season 1 together. From an action standpoint though it was completely nuts. Two cars were totaled and the challenges were bigger and more outlandish.

Fast forward now to February 12, 2010 – one week before the official premier of the 3rd season. This year the boys at Bullrun seem to be taking a different approach as they are setting the tone early for a season that looks to be filled with high-octane action and speed. A 30 minute “Bullrun Survival Guide” was shown this past Friday and damn if they didn’t hit the nail on the head with it. I have a feeling that the 3rd times a charm for the Bullrun guys as they’ve probably got most of the kinks out of the production. Camera’s and equipment all look to be top shelf this year as does the casting, so as of right now it looks as though they are definitely headed down the right road. The 30 minute survival guide was a great way to not only introduce the teams, their cars and the challenges, but it gave first time viewers and loyal fans a little insight as to what is to come in the 3rd season – this was a very cool way to get people excited.

Ok then… lets get to the teams of Season 3 and their rides.

Team 04 – 2006 Mini Cooper Convertible

The Bullrun guys are great at casting, they always have been and I have a feeling that these two Texan’s may surprise a few people. My only concern is that they may be too nice for Bullrun, at least that’s how they come off. As for the car, well… I think it’s going to kick some serious ass if Cowboy Jack can drive it and is willing to take some chances. It’s bone reliable, handles like a go-kart and gets great gas mileage. Those are HUGE assets to have on this show.

Team 02 – VW

I am very much looking forward to seeing these guys run. First off, my boy’s sportin’ a Mullet, so he gets big props right off the bat for that. Secondly, they went old school with the VW, then modified the shit out of it to make it a total sleeper. On top of that, they brought Matthew with them, I know this kid and he’s good stuff. This was a huge plus for TEAM VW, as I believe that Matthew will be carrying some good luck juju with him. If I had one concern about the VW it’s the airbag suspension. I’ve just seen to many problems over the years with it. Otherwise I’m rootin’ for these guys right out of the box.

Team 09 – BMW 335i

A brother and sister team in a bone stock 335i. This is a great car on all fronts as it truly does everything well, HOWEVER – and this is HUGE… it’s LEASED!! Dude, are you flippin’ nuts. I sincerely hope BMW NA isn’t watching or you’re screwed BIGTIME! Good luck though kids…

Team 01 – Challenger R/T

Hmm… I don’t have too much of a vibe on these guys yet as they just seem like two regular Dudes from Texas. The new Challenger is a great car but a little bit of a chubby chub when pushed hard. It’s no lightweight, but like all the other non-modified cars, it should be stone reliable and comfortable to drive.

Team 08 – 1987 Corvette

So let me get this straight. We’ve got a skinny French Dude, driving a big American Corvette with his little Asian co-driver girlfriend… well, shit… these guys should be a hoot to watch if they don’t wind up in couples counseling first.

Team 06 – 1973 Barracuda

What we have here is a beautiful classic pro-touring car and I can tell you from just looking at it, that this gentleman has spent BIG MONEY putting it together. Believe me, I know what these things cost and that right there may be a big factor in how hard he is willing to push it. You see Mopar = money… but broken MOPAR = HUGE “OH SHIT I BROKE IT” type money… hopefully they didn’t hurt the car. Hey Goldberg, please tell me they didn’t hurt the car!

Team 07 – HUMMER

Take one H3 Hummer, add in one little Black Dude with a White Co-driver and you’ve got comedy gold. Hell, these guys should probably get their own show right now with the Mexican’s from Season 1… HEY CAESAR! RALPH!! Where you boys at? I’ve got an opportunity for you!

Team 10… I mean TEAM WU – Lamborghini

Bill and Alan Wu… were do I even start with these guys. You see that Lamborghini they’re driving should be the last thing the other teams should be thinking about. Running with Bill and Alan is like trying to catch a chicken with a bottle rocket in it’s ass… it’s REALLY F*CKIN’ HARD. These guys have experience, knowledge and best of all, they know how to play the game. I am SO looking forward to seeing how they screw with the other teams, because I’ll tell ya’ from first hand experience, they’re really good at it.

Team 05 – Lexus

What we have here are two chicks in a hopped up Lexus that seem to have a chip on their shoulder. First off, don’t run around telling people you’re a former professional racecar driver because if you lose, you’ll look like a douche. Second, Bullrun is only partly about driver skill. There is still navigation, fuel economy and let us not forget the psychological aspect. I don’t know much about you except to say that I hope your girl scout co-driver can navigate and that you really can do all that driver stuff you claim, because in the end, that’s what separates the men…errr… woman from the boys.

Team 12 – Mustang

These guys I like… there I said it. I’ll give anyone initial props for bringing a piece of classic iron to the party. I just hope that the car isn’t too nice and prevents these guys from stepping it up when the time comes. I also REALLY hope that that carburetor of theirs didn’t give them any trouble – I have first hand experience with that and lets just say it’s not fun.

Team 04 – Acura NSX

Hopefully these guys do well, because I think I’d like to like them if that makes any sense. They just seem like two good guys who are into the car hobby and want to have some fun. As for the car – if they have to drive on dirt that pretty VeilSide body kit will be scrap as soon as they hit their first rough patch.

Team 03 – Dodge Viper

Why is it that just from their intro footage I am having flashbacks to Team EVO from Season II. They just come across as being way to cocky. Yes, that Viper is fast but it’s going to have the same problem as the other super cars when it hits the dirt. I just hope the carnage isn’t too bad.

There you have it, all the teams from Season 3 of Bullrun. The premier airs this coming Thursday evening on Speed TV so make sure to check your local listings. I’ll be doing follow-up blogs and giving you my take after the episodes air, so check back the following morning for some new information.

1. Monster Trucks Nitro

If you like cars then you’ll love monster trucks. Monster Trucks Nitro puts you in the thick of the action by providing you with one hell of a physics engine for this flash game. Have fun jumping over obstacles and hitting the nitrous button when you partake in one of the best redneck pastimes ever developed.

Click here to play.

2. Mercedes Benz AMG Drift Competition

Feel like getting your rocks off by slinging a big S-Class Mercedes through the snow? Well then here’s your chance. This game is pretty addicting with the goal being to hurl as much snow into the set barriers as possible without hitting anything. This is good fun for all ages.

Click here to play.

3. Ricky Bobby’s Fast Track

“If you ain’t first, you’re last” – these are words to live by ladies and gentleman. Hit the link, put in your nickname (mine was “THE MASTER CYLINDER”) and start racing NASCAR style. There’s bumping, in car commentary and full on crashes. This is a must for any Ricky Bobby fan.

Click here to play.

4. Online World Drifting Championships

Graphically this game is pretty cool but it’s a bitch to master. Just as the title states, your goal is to become a drifting champion, just be prepared to put some time in on this one. It’s tough in the beginning, but when you get it down it’s one hell of a lot of fun.

Click here to play.

5. Hard Rock Racing

This game is BAD ASS. First off you’re driving a dune buggy that fires missiles and lays mines. Secondly you can choose circuit racing, free roam or sprint races, all of which are a blast and third, the game is in 3D. This one is a must for anyone who grew up playing Spy Hunter.

Click here to play.

6. Burnin’ Rubber 3

Here is more post apocalyptic action for ya’. Choose your car, pick your weapons of mass destruction, then proceed to hit the road and blow the crap out of everyone you see. This is a good way to get some of that built up office aggression out.

Click here to play.

7. Muddin’

It’s time to get down and dirty with Muddin’. This game goes back to the basics of why racing games are fun. Take one truck, put it on a track filled with mud pits and jumps then add a little drifting to create a few hours of non-stop entertainment. This one is definitely worth checking out.

Click here to play.

8. Drift Runners

This game is similar to Online World Drifting Championships, but it’s not as difficult to master. You’re running an old Honda CRX against other old CRX’s around a few different courses. In this game though the slides are bigger and there are bonuses that help propel you into the winners’.

Click here play.

9. Shaun the Sheep – Lamb Rover 4×4

You guys will like this one, hell the intro screen itself is worth the price of admission. If you’re a fan of Wallace and Gromit, you’ll really enjoy this as the character models are pretty similar. Game play and graphics are great as well so click the link and have fun with Shaun the Sheep.

Click here to play.

10. Crash Car Combat

This is demolition derby at its finest. Climb in, put your foot down and slam the guy next to you… it’s as easy as that.

Click here to play.

Never underestimate the power of Vodka and backyard engineering. Those crazy Russians are at it again first giving us Dolf Lundgren in Rocky 4 and now this. A fully functional set of tank tracks for use with your new SUV. I can only assume that this gentleman raided an old military parts warehouse after watching and episode of the Science channels “How It’s Made”, to create this masterpiece.

Source: Autoblog.com

NASCAR has always been a man’s sport… now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that it should be, I’m only saying that it always has been. That was however until this afternoon when drivers Chrissy Wallace, daughter of NASCAR driver Mike Wallace and former Indy Car driver Danica Patrick debuted at the Daytona 500 today. Unfortunately their debut was met with some hard times as both Chrissy Wallace and Danica Patrick crashed out. Chrissy Wallace spun coming out of turn four and slid across the track hitting the inside wall.

Danica Patrick’s run was also cut short when she was involved in a 12-car incident as she was running mid-pack. I’m sure neither Chrissy Wallace or Danica Patrick had the debut day they envisioned.

Source: A Breaking News

Source: www.stuff.co.nz

Road racing, track driving, street driving… hell, they’re all dangerous to a point. Take the lucky bastard in this Mazda Miata for example – throughout the entire video, he was nice and smooth with no real drama to speak of. Then all of the sudden the camera shutters and this poor guy goes ass over teakettle. Luckily the Miata is a great car and it looks as though this guy was running the proper belts and roll bar. What the video really shows though, is how fast and without warning accidents can happen. So, to all you guys out there who love the thrill of the track, make sure you’re suited up with the proper equipment as it can literally save your life.

Lotus is back in Formula 1 and they’ve decided to do it in style by debuting their new car in the classic gold and green paint scheme of the 1950s and 60s. This will be Lotus’s first time in F1 since 1994, which means they’ve got a lot of work to do. Team owner Tony Fernandes explains:

“We know we have a huge burden on our shoulders, standing on the shoulder of giants – Clark, Moss, Hill, and Mansell.”

“We know we have a tremendous journey in front of us, we are honoured and cherished to be a part of history – we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts and we will do our best to return Lotus to its glory days.

Source: Bleacher Report

It seems that Nissan is now ready to jump into the electric car fray with the new “LEAF” Zero Emissions Vehicle. Right off the bat the little Nissan gets some points. It’s good looking for a compact has room for four and has an 80% charge rate of about 30 minutes. The problem however is the range, as it tops out at 100 miles on a single charge. Not good if you’re planning a weekend road trip.

All electric cars produced thus far have two inherent flaws… price and range. Right now Nissan says the LEAF will cost about as much as a typical family sedan, which, in my estimation is at least $25,000. Keep in mind though, that that $25,000 will only get you a car that goes 100 miles on a single charge.

This leads us to problem number 2 – the range. 100 miles on a single charge is not very far, hell I do that almost every time I get in the car. Add to that the issue that this is not a plug and play machine and that you’ll need to hit up a specialized charging station after 90 minutes of continuous driving. The only other electric car sold today, the Tesla has a range of over 200 miles, but it also costs 4 times what the LEAF is advertised at and has two fewer seats.

One thing that I do find interesting is that, according to Business Week, Nissan will begin taking orders for the new LEAF this coming August. This is before the car is ready for production, before a recharging infrastructure is in place and before consumers get a chance to test-drive one. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for electric cars I just think before a company like Nissan takes your money they’ve got A LOT of issues that need to be addressed so their customers aren’t left stranded.

Source: Business Week