International Motor Racing Research Center

The Chrysler PT Cruiser.  I like it.  This particular one had a manual gearbox and a very cool looking interior.  It's also comfortable.  Wait, I'm in the PT Cruiser with Bill Green, the leading historian at the International  Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen, New York.  And we were driving the famous Old Course, where road racing in America officially started.  I was getting the grand tour.  As we drove around the course, i absorbed the mounds of information coming from him, and Kevin Hughey, the Archival Associate at the Center.  Bill wasn't just getting this knowledge from books, though.  No, this knowledge was from experience.  He was there when the Alfa Romeo won the first race at Watkins Glen in 1948.  He was there when there was a temporary hay bail chicane on The Railroad Straight, which was taken down after an MG flipped in practice.  I now know about Milliken's corner and why it's called that.  These two were a constant stream of information, and it was probably one of the coolest things I've ever done.
But my story doesn't stop there, you see.  Because I am also a volunteer at the Center, and I was charged with the task of sorting through hundreds of photos.  This was by no means tedious, as I saw the history of 80s motor racing in front of my eyes.  But don't think the center only covers the 80s, because, oh no, they go from the 1895 Benz motor car to today's Ferrari's.  For instance, I saw pictures of Jeff Gordon's Midget car days.  Every single picture I went through came from the collection of pictures given to IMRRC after National Speed Sport News went to the Internet and stopped making papers.  Everything from Midgets to Formula 1 to NASCAR was covered in these pictures.  It was incredible.  Just being there, amongst all things cars, from the Supermodified car in the center of the room to the Jaguar F1 car model on a bookcase.  This place is the car lovers dream.  They also do events, such as this weekend's Supermodified discussion with a panel of experts led by former TV presenter Dick Berggren.  I wish I could go to that, but I have a school Science Bowl event to go to.
So, if you like cars, or need a car identified or anything like that go to these guys and girls.  They know all there is to know, and I hope to have the same knowledge that they do someday.

Car News for February 24th, 2013

Fiat 500L Gets Two New Engines-
Information Source: CarBuzz mobile app
Image Source: www.designboom.com
While U.S. customers will have to wait for the arrival of the Fiat 500L, European buyers now have two new engines to choose from.  They can have a 0.9L (?!) TwinAir turbo from the 500 and a MultiJet II turbo-diesel four-cylinder.  The 0.9L engine makes 105HP and 107 ft-lb of torque.  With a six-speed manual, that engine will propel the 500L from 0-60 in 12.3 seconds and on to 112 mph.  The 1.6L diesel also makes 105HP, however it has 236 ft-lb of torque, nearly twice that of the 0.9L petrol.  If you mate the diesel to a six-speed manual, the car goes from 0-60 in 11.3 seconds and on to 112mph.  It does get 52.2MPG compared to the petrol's 49.  These new engines will be available next month.




Porsche 911 GT3 RSR Preview-
Information Source: CarBuzz mobile app
Image Source: www.carbuzz.com
Porsche has released photos of the upcoming 911 GT3 RSR that will debut at the WEC race at Silverstone on April 14th.  It has completed more testing at Sebring last week.  This new model will race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans as did it's predecessor.  Porsche has not released any specifications or details.  It does have new bumpers, side skirts, and a new aero kit.  Porsche's motorsport chief Helmut Kristen said "We are very pleases with how testing has gone so far.  Our goal is to be well prepared for the challenges of the very strong GTE class in the WEC and at Le Mans.  Until the season kicks off at Silverstone, we will conduct some final tests on the other race tracks so that our new 911 RSR is well and truly ready."

Daytona 500 Starting Grid

Below is the starting lineup for The Great American Race, the Daytona 500.

Driver                                    Manufacturer
1.Danica Patrick                     Chevrolet
2.Jeff Gordon                          Chevrolet
3.Kevin Harvick                     Chevrolet
4.Kyle Busch                           Toyota
5.Greg Biffle                            Ford
6.Kasey Kahne                         Chevrolet
7.Juan Pablo Montoya             Chevrolet
8.Austin Dillon                         Chevrolet
9.Jimmie Johnson                     Chevrolet
10.Clint Bowyer                        Toyota
11.Kurt Busch                           Chevrolet
12.Matt Kenseth                         Toyota
13.Tony Stewart                         Chevrolet
14.Mark Martin                           Toyota
15.Brad Keselowski                     Ford
16.Paul Menard                            Chevrolet
17.Casey Mears                            Ford
18.Jeff Burton                              Chevrolet
19.Dale Earnhardt Jr.                  Chevrolet
20.Jamie McMurray                    Chevrolet
21.Joey Logano                            Ford
22.David Ragan                            Ford
23.Bobby Labonte                        Toyota
24.Marcos Ambrose                      Ford
25.David Gilliland                         Ford
26.Aric Almirola                           Ford
27.Joe Nemecheck                        Toyota
28.Ricky Stenhouse Jr.                  Ford
29.Michael Waltrip                       Toyota
30.Dave Blaney                             Chevrolet
31.Scott Speed                               Ford
32.Josh Wise                                  Ford
33.Trevor Bayne                            Ford
34.Ryan Newman                           Chevrolet
35.Denny Hamlin                           Toyota
36.Carl Edwards                              Ford
37.Martin Truex Jr.                         Toyota
38.Michael McDowell                     Ford
39.Terry Labonte                             Ford
40.Regan Smith                               Chevrolet
41.J.J. Yeley                                     Chevrolet
42.David Reutimann                        Toyota
43.Travis Kvapil                                Toyota

Drive4COPD 300 Results

NASCAR Nationwide Series-

I only had the chance to watch the final 12 laps of the race, but that's all that any one is talking about. On the final lap coming to the checkered flag the leader Regan Smith spun, triggering a massive accident that sent rookie Kyle Larson's #32 car into the catch fence.  The engine was torn from his car and deposited on the other side of the destroyed catch fence.  One of his tires and suspension parts flew into the stands and injured at least 24 people.  Last i heard, 2 of them were in critical condition at the Halifax Medical Center, with one of them being a small child.  Tony Stewart did manage to sneak past the early stages of the accident and win the race.  This was his 19th win a Daytona.  I hope all who were injured in yesterday's accident are okay.  Results are below.
Driver                                        Manufacturer
1.Tony Stewart                           Chevrolet
2.Sam Hornish Jr.                      Ford
3.Alex Bowman                          Toyota
4.Dale Earnhardt Jr.                    Chevrolet
5.Parker Kligerman                     Toyota
6.Brian Scott                                 Chevrolet
7.Justin Allgaier                           Chevrolet
8.Eric McClure                              Toyota
9.Robert Richardson Jr.                 Chevrolet
10.Travis Pastrana                           Ford
11.Nelson Piquet Jr.                       Chevrolet
12.Brad Keselowski                         Ford
13.Kyle Larson                                Chevrolet
14.Regan Smith                                Chevrolet
15.Elliot Sadler                                 Toyota
16.Matt Kenseth                                 Toyota
17.Mike Harmon                                Dodge
18.Joe Nemecheck                              Toyota
19.Brian Vickers                                 Toyota
20.Kasey Kahne                                  Chevrolet
21.Austin Dillon                                 Chevrolet
22.Jeffrey Earnhardt                            Ford
23.Mike Bliss                                      Toyota
24.Jason White                                    Toyota
25.Danny Efland                                 Chevrolet
26.Michael Annett                                Ford
27.Johanna Long                                  Chevrolet
28.Hal Martin                                        Toyota
29.Jamie Dick                                        Chevrolet
30.Reed Sorensen                                   Chevrolet
31.Trevor Bayne                                     Ford
32.Kyle Busch                                         Toyota
33.Jeremy Clements                                Chevrolet
34.Mike Wallace                                      Chevrolet
35.Kurt Busch                                          Chevrolet
36.Danica Patrick                                     Chevrolet
37.Juan Carlos Blum                                 Ford
38.Blake Koch                                          Toyota
39.Scott Lagasse Jr.                                  Chevrolet
40.Jeff Green                                            Toyota

Car News for February 23rd, 2013

Bertone Bringing Concept to Geneva-
Information Source: CarBuzz mobile app
Image Source: www.autoguide.com
Italian car designer Bertone has released a single teaser image of a four-door coupe that they will be bringing to Geneva.  It has looks similar to those of an Aston Martin Rapide.  We will just have to wait.





Wiesmann to Bring MF4 ClubSport to Geneva-
Information Source: CarBuzz mobile app
Image Source: www.carbuzz.com
Wiesmann, a German niche manufacturer of retro sports cars, will be bringing a track-day version of their GT MF4 to the Geneva Motor Show.  It will be called the GT MF4 ClubSport, and it is lighter, with a weight of less than 1300kg.  Under the hood, it has a 4.4L twin-turbo BMW V8 producing 420HP and a 0-60 time of less than five seconds.  Only 25 MF4 ClubSports are to be produced.




2014 Jeep Cherokee Revealed-
Information Source: Automobile News mobile app
Image Source: www.autoblog.com
The Cherokee name is back as a replacement for the old Liberty midsize SUV.  The new Cherokee will debut at the New York auto show later in March.  The Cherokee's looks are new, with 3 sets of headlights and a prominent grille.  The Cherokee is said to offer much better fuel economy than the outgoing Liberty.  It will have a 3.2L V6 with a possible 9-speed automatic.

DRIVE4COPD 300 Starting Grid

NASCAR Nationwide Series-

Today is the season opener for the NASCAR Natiowide Series, taking place at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The green flag will be dropped today at 1:00 Eastern Standard Time.  Here is the starting lineup
Driver                                   Car                     Notes
1. Trevor Bayne                   Ford                     2011 Daytona 500 Winner
2.Sam Hornish Jr.                Ford
3.Parker Kligermann           Toyota
4.Travis Pastrana                  Ford                      Famous Off-Road/Stunt Driver
5.Austin Dillon                     Chevrolet              2012 NCWTS Champion
6. Elliot Sadler                      Toyota
7.Kyle Busch                        Toyota                  NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver/Winner of Duel 2
8.Alex Bowman                    Toyota
9.Matt Kenseth                      Toyota                 2012 Daytona 500 Winner
10. Tony Stewart                   Chevrolet             NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver
11. Brad Keselowski              Ford                     2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion
12.Danica Patrick                   Chevrolet             Daytona 500 Polesitter/First Woman Polesitter
13.Dale Earnhardt Jr.              Chevrolet             NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion
14.Justin Allgaier                   Chevrolet
15. Regan Smith                      Chevrolet            
16.Jeff Green                           Toyota
17. Nelson Piquet Jr.                Chevrolet
18.Jamie Dick                          Chevrolet
19.Kasey Kahne                        Chevrolet            NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver
20.Brian Vickers                       Toyota                  NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver
21.Kyle Larson                          Chevrolet
22.Michael Annet                      Ford
23.Mike Wallace                        Chevrolet
24.Scott Lagasse Jr.                   Chevrolet
25.Johanna Long                        Chevrolet
26.Mike Bliss                             Toyota
27.Mike Harmon                        Dodge
28.Eric McClure                          Toyota
29.Brian Scott                              Chevrolet
30.Robert Richardson Jr.             Chevrolet
31.Jeffrey Earnhardt                     Ford
32.Hal Martin                               Toyota
33.Joe Nemechek                         Toyota
34.Blake Koch                             Toyota
35.Jason White                             Toyota
36.Juan Carlos Blum                    Ford
37.Jeremy Clements                      Chevrolet
38.Danny Efland                           Chevrolet
39.Reed Sorensen                          Chevrolet
40.Kurt Busch                                Chevrolet             NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver

NextEra Energy Resources 200 Results

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida:
Information Source: www.nationalspeedsportnews.com
Image Source: www.baynews9.com  www.sports.yahoo.com
The NextEra Energy Resources 200 may have started off with minimal accidents, but ended just the opposite.  The "big one" on lap 54 took out rookie Brennan Newberry among many others.  Leaders included Ty Dillon, Kyle Busch and Todd Bodine.  Kyle Busch had the lead coming off of a caution on lap 81, but Johnny Sauter, with a push from Todd Bodine, took the lead.
As the field came to the white flag, Sauter still lead with Busch hot on his tail.  But just as the leaders took the white flag, a wreck erupted from mid-pack, causing the race to end under caution.  It is the 100th victory for Toyota and the seventh-strait win a Daytona for Toyota.  Results are below the images.



Driver                                            Make
1. Johnny Sauter                                Toyota
2.Kyle Busch                                    Toyota
3.Ron Hornaday Jr.                           Chevrolet
4.Justin Lofton                                  Chevrolet
5.Jeb Burton                                      Chevrolet
6.Ty Dillon                                        Chevrolet
7.Miguel Paludo                                Chevrolet
8.Ryan Blaney                                   Ford
9.Matt Crafton                                   Toyota
10.Ryan Sieg                                        Chevrolet
11.Todd Bodine                                   Toyota
12.Darrell Wallace Jr.                           Toyota
13.James Buescher**                               Chevrolet
14.Ross Chastain                                  Ford
15.Chris Cockrum                                Toyota
16.Tim George Jr.                                Ford
17.Norm Benning                                 Chevrolet
18.John King*                                        Chevrolet
19.Dakoda Armstrong                          Chevrolet
20.Dusty Davis                                     Chevrolet
21.John Wes Townley                          Toyota
22.Joey Coulter                                    Toyota
23.Jeff Agnew                                      Chevrolet
24.Max Gresham                                  Chevrolet
25.German Quiroga                              Toyota
26.Clay Greenfield                               Dodge/RAM
27.Timothy Peters                                Toyota
28.Ryan Truex                                      Chevrolet
29.Brendan Gaughan                            Chevrolet
30.Jason White                                     Chevrolet
31.David Starr                                      Toyota
32.Bryan Silas                                       Ford
33.Brennan Newberry                          Chevrolet
34. Chris Fontaine                                 Toyota
35. Jennifer Jo Cobb                             Chevrolet
36.Scott Riggs                                       Chevrolet

*Last years event winner
**Last years series champion

Car News for February 22nd, 2013

Citroen Restyles C3 for Geneva-
Information Source: CarBuzz mobile app
Image Source: www.telegraph.co.uk   www.topgear.com
Citroen's hatchback has received some upgrades such as new fascia, bumper mounted LED DLRs, new taillight clusters with new reflectors under the rear bumper.  The interior has gotten chrome detailing and dashboard strips available in matte black, brown and Moondust grey.  The C3 has borrowed 1.0L and 1.2L Puretech 3 cylinder gasoline engines from the Peugeot 208.  The 1.0 produces 67HP, while the 1.2 makes 81HP.  A 118HP VTi engine is also available with either a manual or automatic, along with four diesel options.






Land Rover Freelander 3 Spied Testing-
Information Source: CarBuzz mobile app
Image Source: www.garagecar.blogspot.com
The next Land Rover Freelander, known as the LR2 in the US, has been spotted cleverly camouflaged in Evoque body panels.  The new Freelander 3 could be offered in three different body styles.  Expect it to be revealed in 2015.





2014 Kia Soul Prototype Spied-
Information Source: MotorTrend mobile app
Image Source: www.forums.subdriven.com
The 2014 Kia Soul has been spied, and we can now see its updated interior.  It has a larger touch screen,  a redesigned center stack featuring a large clock, and infotainment controls on the steering wheel.  It has black leather seats with yellow stitching.