Red Bull Catalina Grand Prix 2010 - Pre-Event Update

This December, the stars will align for the rebirth of one of California’s most historic motorcycle races – the Red Bull Catalina Grand Prix. The famed race, which was held between 1951 and 1958, brought thousands of spectators and hundreds of riders to Catalina Island, helping establish it as the bustling tourist destination it is today. Caption & Image Credit: Red Bull USA

Red Bull Catalina Grand Prix 2010 - Pre-Event Update

The Red Bull Catalina Grand Prix 2010 is a closed-course motorcycle racing event sanctioned by the American Motorcycle Association.

Due to lax technical inspection, the 1950s era races were considered a “proving ground” for various types of suspensions, engine and frame modifications and special tunings. The Red Bull Catalina Grand Prix 2010 will follow its 1950s open class tradition by providing races for a wide variety of engine displacement and skill levels.

The field is expected to include almost 800 riders who registered prior to the October 7 deadline. There will be 12 races over the two days with an average of 80 riders per race. The Red Bull Catalina Grand Prix will be AMA sanctioned and all AMA rules will be followed.

The event is free to the public, and no tickets are required. All participants, spectators, and Press are expected to drop by the Hotel Metropole for check in, race registration, general event information/updates, food, and drinks.

Image Credit: Catalina Grand Prix 2010

The event is held over a three day period starting on Friday December 3, 2010 with a moderately priced charity golf tournament to benefit the AMA Legal Defense Fund and Riders Helping Riders. Green Fees are only $30.00 per player with Club Rentals at $11.00 a set and Golf Carts at $10.00 per player. To participate, please call 310-510-0530 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 310-510-0530 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 310-510-0530 end_of_the_skype_highlighting for a tee time (if available) - all participants must mention that they are"with the Catalina Grand Prix".

Friday night is the official Red Bull Party to kick things off before competition begins. - details can be found at the Hotel Metropole! Updated information found at Dirt Bike Magazine>>

The racing event will be held over two days on December 4-5, 2010, and be held on an approximate 7 mile course. The course will include natural, graded, and paved terrain that includes a Motocross section (80% dirt, 20% paved). Grandstands are available for spectators and they will be located at the Start/Finish line and the Motocross section.

“I’m stoked to be part of this historic race,” said four-time Baja 1000 winner and 2010 AMA National Hare & Hound champion, Kendall Norman. “I’ve heard so much about it - the pioneers of the sport racing their old-school bikes in one of the most unique locations imaginable. It’s great that we’ll finish off the season with what’s sure to be one of the most fun races of the year.”

Both motocross superstars and emerging talents will vie for top honors as they blast into the hills surrounding the main port town of Avalon. Riders will look to join Bud Ekins (the stuntman who performed the famous fence jump in “The Great Escape” for Steve McQueen) and Bob Sangren (the race’s only two-time winner) as champion of the island spectacle. Sangren will also be returning to the island to serve as Grand Marshal for the 2010 race.

Riders are considered finishers provided they make 50% of their class leader's laps and receive the checkered flag. Due to circumstances on the island, there will be no practice and all motorcycles will be impounded, except for the actual race. All roads on the island are private and permission has been granted for their use for the actual race only. During the race, all participants must stay on the marked course. Any motorcycle used otherwise, will be impounded and the rider will be disqualified and prosecuted with no refund of race fees. All tuning and testing must have been done before your motorcycle is shipped, as such activity will not be allowed on the island.

Image Credit: Catalina Grand Prix 2010

Let the races begin - SCHEDULE:

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2010

7:30 Opening Ceremony

Race 1 8:15 $250

Classic Skill A & B
Vintage Skill A & B
Evolution Skill A & B
Premier LWT Skill A & B
Premier 500 Skill A & B
Premier Open Twins Skill A & B

Race 2 9:30 $250

Magnum 50+ LWT Skill B
Magnum 50+ HWT Skill B

Race 3 10:45 $250

Magnum 50+ LWT Skill A
Magnum 50+ HWT Skill A

Race 4 12:00 $250

Senior 40+ LWT Skill B
Senior 40+ HWT Skill B

Race 5 1:15 $250

Senior 40+ LWT Skill A
Senior 40+ HWT Skill A

Race 6 2:30 $250

Veteran 30+ LWT Skill A & B
Veteran 30+ HWT Skill A & B

Saturday night at the Casino, a special Casino movie will be shown at 8:00 PM with special guest appearance from Nitro Circus! Updated information found at Dirt Bike Magazine>>

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2010

Race 7 8:00 $250

HWT Skill B

Race 8 9:15 $250

HWT Skill A

Race 9 10:30 $250

125cc Skill A & B
250cc Skill A & B

Race 10 11:45 $250

Mini Skill A & B
Women Skill A & B
60+ Skill A & B
70+ Skill A & B

Race 11 1:00 $150

Super Mini Skill A & B
Youth Mini Skill A & B
Junior Mini Skill A & B
Micro Mini Skill A & B

Race 12 1:45 $300 GPR Pro Race $5,000 purse

Pro 18+
Pro 30+
Pro 40+

For racers and fans staying over on Sunday, December 5th, join the locals for the annual Shop At Home Night. The holiday festivities kick off with a tree lighting ceremony on the Wrigley Stage on the waterfront in Avalon. Santa Claus arrives by fire truck and strolling carolers will be serenading the shoppers. Participating store will be staying open late, many offering refreshments and holiday treats in addition to bargain prices.

Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Wayne Griffin also invites guests to enjoy the Tour Of Lights to drop off a new unwrapped toy for the Toys 4 Tots program for the local children. Get your treasure card stamped and enter to win reservations for two to the 2010 New Year's Eve Gala on the Island.

Again, the event is free to the public, and no tickets are required. All event information, updates, and check in happen at the Hotel Metropole.

... notes from The EDJE

LA Auto Show 2010 - Lotus Enters Into A New Era Agreement With The IRL

The competition language just increased with the signing of an agreement to have Group Lotus/Lotus Motorsport supply engines and body aerodynamic parts to teams competing in the IndyCar Series starting in 2012. Pictured from left to right: Famed Indianapolis driver, Parnelli Jones, Randy Bernard, CEO of the Indy Racing League, Dany Bahar, CEO of Lotus Motorsport and Group Lotus. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2010)

LA Auto Show 2010 - Lotus Enters Into A New Era Agreement With The IRL

On Thursday, November 18, 2010, the second day of the LA Auto Show Press Days held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Group Lotus announced an agreement with Randy Bernard, CEO of the Indy Racing League, to supply engines and aero body kits for the IZOD IndyCar Series beginning with the 2012 season.

The deal that was put together by Dany Bahar, CEO of Lotus Motorsport, is for a duration of five years and has Lotus also creating a motorsport facility in Indianapolis that will give the company a base in the thick of the action for this unified, exciting, and adrenalin filled race series and make them easy to find by potential IndyCar engine and aero body kit customers.

This announcement closes out a great week for Randy Bernard, Brian Barnhart - President, Operations & Competition, and the future fortunes of the Indy Racing League for the level of competition on many levels starting in 2012. Lotus joins Chevrolet (USA), which also announced an agreement this week, and Honda (Japan) the current and exclusive engine supplier, making available a choice of three manufacturers engines to run in this new and unified era. The IndyCar Series is no longer a "Spec-Series" anymore!

Randy Bernard said: “Lotus is a renowned name in racing, with a long association with some of the greatest names of motorsports. We’re honored Lotus has chosen to serve as an engine manufacturer for the first time.” Randy shared that the number one concern of the fans after unification was that American open wheel racing did not take the easy route and become a pure specification series where every car was basically the same and all had parts and engines supplied from the same factory.

The speculation is that since Kevin Kalkhoven is the team owner of the car driven by Takuma Sato, and sponsored by Lotus, also owns Cosworth - this Lotus engine just might be produced by the Cosworth organization and have a Lotus name be placed on it which will give Lotus the instant "gravitas" and history of Cosworth ... and why not?!

The Lotus IndyCar engine will follow the agreed rules, namely 2.4 litre, up to 6 cylinders and turbo charged and producing between 550 and 700 horsepower to suit the diverse set of tracks on which the IZOD IndyCar Series competes. All engines will run on E85 with additional details on the fuel platform to be announced at a later date.

Dany Bahar, CEO of Group Lotus said: “Lotus is unique in the automotive world, no other car company has been more successful in such a wide variety of motorsports discipline, whether it is Le Mans, World Rally, Sportscars, F1 - of course, and IndyCar. This year we teamed up with KV Racing for IndyCar and we will significantly increase our participation next year. However in 2012 IndyCar competitors will have the exciting opportunity to choose an IndyCar with a Lotus engine and aero body kit, immediately become part of a legacy that is Lotus: one of the most innovative and successful sports and racing car brands in the world.” Dany also let loose during the announcement that Lotus would like to make its own chassis and offer this up to other teams as well - ummmmm, interesting.

Lotus announces an agreement to supply engines and aero body parts to the IndyCar Series beginning 2012. Pictured from left to right: Famed Indianapolis driver, Parnelli Jones, Randy Bernard, CEO of the Indy Racing League, Dany Bahar, CEO of Lotus Motorsport and Group Lotus, Claudio Berro, Director of Lotus Motorsport, and Brian Barnhart, President, Operations & Competition of the Indy Racing League. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2010)

The announcement in the booth and on the show floor of this 2010 LA Auto Show helped to lend an excitement to their proceedings. Rand Bernard, Brian Barnhart, and Dany Bahar were joined at the podium set up next to Takuma Sato's IndyCar by none other than the person who first drove and won in a Lotus at Indianapolis ... Parnelli Jones. New traditions do not get any better than when one reaches back and brings some of the original traditions forward to form the traditions of this new era.

Claudio Berro, Director of Lotus Motorsport said: “The history and DNA of Lotus is all about extracting the most performance out of a car in return for maximum efficiency and we are delighted to offer our engine and aero body kit to the 2012 IndyCar series.

Long live the IndyCar Series and its agreement with Group Lotus and Lotus Motorsport - may it spur others to step up and compete in this series at every level.

... notes from The EDJE

TRG Announces Second Entry for 2011 Rolex 24

This will be TRG's record 63rd entry for the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Image Credit Grand-Am

TRG Announces Second Entry for 2011 Rolex 24

Three-time Rolex 24 Hour at Daytona winners TRG announced it’s their second entry for the 2011 GRAND-AM Rolex Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 season opener. The TRG/Black Swan/GMG Porsche 997 will take the green flag on January 29th for the 49th Rolex 24 at Daytona with a strong line-up of American and European drivers.

The brand new 2011 Porsche will be driven by American Le Mans Series GTC class champions Tim Pappas and Jeroen Bleekemolen. Fellow ALMS GTC competitors James Sofronas and Bret Curtis join the team as well as a yet to be announced Porsche Factory Driver.

Pappas and Bleekemolen combined to win four races in the ALMS GTC class and went on win the 2010 series title in the Black Swan Racing (BSR) Porsche. Sofronas and Curtis competed in the ALMS as well as select SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge races in 2010 with Sofronas' GMG racing team. The foursome, and the addition of a Porsche hot shoe, will be one of the GT teams to be reckoned with come the end of January.

Pappas is making a strategic season decision by combining forces with TRG and GMG for the Rolex 24.

"Black Swan is focused on defending its championship title in the American Le Mans Series and thus a partnership with my friends at GMG and TRG made a lot of sense to me," Pappas said. "We can take a run at the 24 without losing our momentum elsewhere. We have a great driver line-up and my expectations are very high; of course we want to win, but I haven't been a part of Grand-Am in many years so it's difficult to gauge the competition. I have always wanted to compete in this prestigious endurance race, but at the same time I wanted to wait until a winning opportunity came along; this program is the right fit. With the combined experience of TRG, BSR and GMG, I think we can fight for a win. Daytona is a special place; I have been on the podium there in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge and I would certainly like to add a Rolex class victory to my resume." "In fact, the first time I ever drove at Daytona, or in any pro-racing environment was in a test with TRG back in 2000 at Daytona," Pappas added. "Paul Newman was there at the same time testing with another team - that's a pretty cool intro to the legendary driver and race track. I want to add my name to the list of GT winners!"

Sofronas is melding his GMG team with TRG and Black Swan Racing for the grueling Daytona 24 Hour.

"My expectations, like most teams running this race, are to win, or at least put us in contention to win," Sofronas said. "We will have a new car with PMNA (Porsche Motorsport North America) right there supporting us and some excellent drivers behind the wheel, not to mention a strong infrastructure with TRG. My goal is to do what I was hired to do - drive the car with the strategy and experience that we will have and be there at the end. I would like to expand my experience in the 24 as I have only done it once before in 2009. That year, despite many setbacks, we never gave up and ended up finishing seventh. I remember my third stint early Sunday morning that started in pitch black darkness around 5:30 a.m. with the sun coming up an hour later and it was so peaceful as the sunshine started to blanket the track. I think I ran five laps with no one around me. I can't wait to do it again! There is a ton of experience between GMG, BSR and TRG, so I thought it would be great to use the talents of all three teams to put forth this effort. GMG will run this race in the future, but we thought it best to go this route as TRG has a lot of experience in this race and BSR also puts together a great team. I have to thank Bret Curtis, a great client of GMG's as well as a great friend, as he is the reason I am driving in this race for 2011."

Curtis has one goal in mind at Daytona, winning.

"Knowing that we are running with a driver line-up that includes a two time Super Cup champion and current ALMS GTC champion in Jeroen Bleekemolen, a World Challenge winning driver in James Sofronas, a Porsche factory driver, as well as the other ALMS GTC champion Tim Pappas makes me feel pretty confident about our chances," Curtis said. "From the stand point of driver capabilities and experience, we have it. This driver line-up, coupled with the very capable and strong team support set up we have, will be very exciting. Running at the Daytona 24 is a lifelong dream of mine. Some of my favorite drivers like Ickx, Gurney, Andretti, Elford, Merzario, etc., have all run the 24 and the history is amazing. Having this chance to run, and with our driver line-up and team is an incredible opportunity for me. I plan to take advantage of it!"

This is the second TRG entry to date for the 2011 Daytona classic, the first being the Racing for Research Porsche with Kenny Wallace, Ron Yarab, Daniel Graeff and Pierre Bourque. This is a record 63rd entry in the Rolex 24 for TRG. The team that has traditionally prepared as many as eight cars for the race has several more announcements pending.

Team owner Kevin Buckler started preparing for the 2011 race as soon as the checkered flag dropped on the 2010 event. As a two time winning driver in 2002 and 2003, winning the race overall in '03, as well as finishing one-two in '09, Buckler knows the secret to success at Daytona is proper preparation in every area.

"We are already well into the preparations for the 2011 Rolex 24," Buckler said. "The line-up of Pappas, Bleekemolen, Sofronas, Curtis and strong fifth is one that can definitely contend for the win. We are honored that these guys decided to combine their efforts with ours for the Rolex 24. Tim, James and Bret could have put their own cars on the track, but decided to bring their driving talent and experience to our team and really make a strong run at winning the GT class. It only makes sense as we are very powerful when properly aligned. We offer a unique approach of being able to offer many benefits of aligning with TRG as well as allowing an existing team to maintain their identity and learn for the future throughout experience at Daytona. I am really looking forward to running this race as these guys are my racing friends and we are all on the same page with a common goal - winning. This is just the first of many cool announcements to come from TRG regarding the Rolex 24."

(Reposted from a Grand Am PR release, PETALUMA, Calif. - by Dicken Wear)

NALSR - Street Racing Made Legal, Bracketed, And With Punch

The National Association for Legalized Street Racing (NALSR). Click Here to become a member of the fastest growing racing series in the nation. Image Credit: NALSR

NALSR - Street Racing Made Legal, Bracketed, And With Punch

The concept of Street Racing has been around ever since the first vehicles were produced and a flat and open space was found where two or more people could gather with their machines and do what humans do naturally - Compete.

We all compete in one way or another. In school it is who can be the most popular, the most athletic, or the smartest. At work we admire competence, productivity, or the greatest producer in sales volume. At play? ... Isn't it said that the one with the most toys, wins?

Recently, the SEMA Show (Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association) 2010, the premier automotive specialty products and automotive culture market trade event in the world, took over all three halls and the front (Westside) parking lot of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The entire focus of this show has to do with what people can do to improve the look, performance, and functionality of the vehicle they purchase to the purpose they wish to have it serve.

Rich Evans of Rich Evans Designs in front of one of his latest creations - The Red Knight Mustang. Pictured here in the Vertical Doors Booth # 12459 at SEMA Show 2010. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2010)

A major portion of this show is dedicated to the improvement of the power and performance of vehicles ... but to what end? Well, to compete in the most common environment that exists ... the street - it's free and every major intersection has a timing light (traffic signals).

Back in August 2007, the son of famed WWE Wrestler Hulk Hogan crashed his modded yellow Toyota Supra in Clearwater, Florida while allegedly street racing. Caption and Image Credit: Zimbio/Clearwater Police Department

The problem with this simple and direct point of view, however, is that large, powerful cars can deliver a very damaging and lethal unintended consequence. Street Racing can hurt people and damage property and this is what makes this entertaining performance pursuit against the law and illegal. Since the end of World War II there have been many attempts throughout the years to make this "pick-up" pursuit safe, organized and legal but all fell short primarily because processes were complicated, expensive, and performed no greater purpose than to provide a venue to race at a point in time with little in the way of a greater goal than the event of that one race date.

NALSR's Jeremy Ford (center) talks with Toyota Speedway at Irwindale's Communications Director, Doug Stokes (left-center, red shirt) and Mark Vaughn of AutoWeek (Blue Shirt) about the drag strip venue located next to the track for future NALSR events. This chance meeting took place at the Continental Tire Media Center at the SEMA Show 2010. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2010)

Enter the National Association for Legalized Street Racing (NALSR). A concept born out of a way to protect and promote original reality television programming about street racing. This concept has even caught the positive attention of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) as a potential partner.

TV program producer (and former street racer) Jeremy Ford felt that if there was an association that set up organized street racing in regions at safe venues and have winners in brackets/classes that could then meet at the end of a racing season for top national honors, and have the added attraction and access to this association be inexpensive ($40.00 online registration) ... this would be a great way to create entertaining TV content for the potential street racing enthusiast in all of us.

Further, if this association were able to offer prize money - say, a minimum $10,000 to champions - and a chance to be featured on a reality television program to the participants and winners ... this would provide the punch.

This excerpted and edited from NALSR (pronounced nal-sar) website -

NALSR GOAL
By Jeremy J. Ford, CEO & President - NALSR - 171 Days, 7 Hours, 6 Minutes, Until the 2011 season

The goal of this organization is to address the growing concerns associated with street racing by providing racers with a safe, entertaining and controlled environment, thus minimizing street racing associated injuries and fatalities.

Originally established in 2008 by CEO & President, Jeremy J. Ford, NALSR (National Association for Legalized Street Racing) was established to give credibility to this outstanding sport and some of the best drivers on the road. No longer will street racing be stigmatized by its reckless past which has been highly publicized and profiled in detail by the media in a negative light. The media will now be invited to profile the street racing community for their talent, fast cars, and racing sport credibility.

Street racing now has a time and a place on the track in a sophisticated and organized manner. NALSR is currently teaming up with tracks across the US, to give street racers the opportunity to race in a safe and entertaining environment, enhancing the fans experience in the process, and free of legal interruption. When racers join NALSR, they will become recognized for the athletes they are. They will also be able to establish an identity and brand themselves, thus growing their fan base and helping establish an organized sport.
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SPONSORSHIP
Does your company want to tap into a new market? Does your company want to get involved in the next hottest trend? Put your company on the scene of some of the hottest and fastest cars and largest upcoming car venues.

We are supported and sponsored by NHRA (announcement pending) and Vitamin Water as having a founding interest in this viable solution to street racing. Join these and other companies that are backing the next hottest thing and reaching out to a potential untapped market for your product or enterprise.
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STREET KINGS ON MAVTV
The hottest Street Racing Reality TV "STREET KINGS" Show has been optioned by MAVTV for 13 episodes (official announcement pending). The show will be shot in Los Angeles and St. Louis. If you are a real racer and want to showcase your skills, then come out to one of our casting calls.
Reference Here>>

So if one is into tuning, tweaking, beefing up, and all-around customizing a car or motorcycle for performance and speed and is seeking a way to test out how good these upgrades are without subjecting the public to an unintended consequence of human and machine performance gone awry ... join and participate at a NALSR venue going live in the Spring of 2011 near you.

... notes from The EDJE

Bubba Rope Snags 2011 New Product Of The Year Award At SEMA

Bubba Rope strikes a chord with the buyers at the 2010 SEMA Show after it is awarded the 2011 New Product Of The Year (and the 2010 Global Product Of The Year by the international press). Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2010)

Bubba Rope Snags 2011 New Product Of The Year Award At SEMA
By Edmund Jenks - Managing Editor

This year's 2010 SEMA New Products breakfast saw 15 new products awarded (one from each category) with the vaunted 2011 Product Of The Year from a field of over 1,500 new product submissions.

One of the lucky product submissions, Bubba Rope, was picked for Best New Packaging Design designation. The Bubba Rope idea came from a brainstorming session where a company that was supplying rope lift solutions to the military and construction operations for helicopters wanted to gain access to the broader consumer market that existed in the recreational/off-road arena.

The staff reasoned that since their helicopter lift solution did such a good job at plucking HumVees off of the ground to be whisked away to another destination, why not let stuck Jeeps and trucks get pulled out of a jam by a driver that was not quite as an unlucky driver as to get stuck in the first place.

What caught the imagination and funny-bone of the judging staff at SEMA was the ingenious way the tow rope product was produced, packaged, and presented with the instructions for safety written to appeal to the unlucky Bubba in all of us.

Bubba Rope in action .... pulled tight with an elastic type of stretch pull only a woven material of this type can provide. Pictured here with the 2011 SEMA Product Of The Year trophy (Bubba Rope also received the Global Product of the year from the international press). Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2010)

How it is made and safety instructions example excerpted and edited from Bubba Rope -

A kinetic energy recovery rope (KERR), Bubba Rope® provides superior performance, strength and durability that goes way beyond typical recovery ropes, snatch straps and chains. Professional Recovery Rope It stretches and actively uses its own kinetic energy to help get your stuck vehicle moving.

Bubba Rope® is actually three ropes in one: An inner nylon core, braided looser to absorb more of the lower loads, an outer nylon jacket braided tighter for higher loads and then the whole rope is dipped in a polymetric base giving it a protective shell.

Instructions and rope come packaged in a handy dirt to clean friendly nylon web zippered bag with pouch. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2010)

If you drive where there is mud, sand or snow then you need a Bubba Rope®.
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Please Read (Don’t worry we have pictures too!) Jump to Care and Maintenance

Make sure yer vehicle is actually stuck in mud, sand, snow or some kind of other gooey stuff and not that ya just forgot to take off the parking brake. Ol’ Uncle Jake was always making that kind of Bubba operator error.

Once y’all have established that yer vehicle is actually stuck, here’s yer chance to gain some big Bubba points. After all, rescuing a fellow Bubba or Bubbette from the depth of an ol’ muddy mud hole is a true act of Bubba git-r-done kindness.

Pull yer Bubba Rope® out of its bag and announce loudly, “No problem y’all! I got me right here a gen-u-wine Bubba Rope® made in the good ol’ USA!” No doubt this phrase will make ya an instant expert and will impress everyone in ear shot.

Reference Here>>

Well one gets the idea pretty quickly that even though this is a serious product to help people get out of a jam .... it just does not have to take itself tooooooo seriously.

Company motto or saying as it is printed on the back of their business cards. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2010)

When the product first went for sale on the internet, the second logged order was registered from France. We can only assume that this was from a "Bubbet" (bah-bay).

As one can easily see, no matter where one rolls around in the mud and dirt on this Earth, we can all become Bubbas and when we get stuck, we will need the best tool for the job of unstucking ourselves ... a Bubba Rope.

After this SEMA Show 2010 week to be known as the SEMA 2011 New Product Of The Year and Global New Product Of The Year award winning Bubba Rope.

SLIDESHOW>>

... notes from The EDJE

**Article first published as Bubba Rope Snags 2011 New Product Of The Year Award At SEMA at Examiner**

SEMA, Las Vegas 2010

SEMA Show Preview

The Show will take place November 2 - 5, 2010

Located in the Las Vegas Convention Center, the SEMA Show represents the fastest growing segment of the specialty automotive aftermarket industry.

The show features eleven miles of aisles packed with profit-making products for several niche markets including, light truck, street rod, wheel/tire, restoration, on-board technology, street performance, off-road, restyling, racing, mobile electronics, import/sport compact performance, powersports and paint and body equipment. For more information, visit http://www.semashow.com/

Look for news and stories right from the SEMA Show here as the show goes on.

Our entire staff: Dicken Wear, Ed Jenks, and our contributors. Lawrence, Brian, Sheryl, Michelle, and Chris will have news and updates from the floors of the Las Vegas Convention Center. I sure hope we can park in the empty parking lot at the corner of Paradise and Sahara so we can ride the Monorail.

See you all in Vegas. Dicken Wear, Editor-in-Chief (SEMA Member).

Out of town Members of: MPG, PAPA, AARWBA, NMPA that need help getting around town, need a recommendation on where to stay, or a place to Eat, Drink and be Merry feel free to contact this office for insider help.

More Problems for Toyota

Image credit: AP file photo

More Problems for Toyota
By MALCOLM FOSTER, Associated Press Writer

Toyota is recalling 1.53 million Lexus, Avalon and other models, mostly in the U.S. and Japan, for brake fluid and fuel pump problems, the latest in a string of quality lapses for the world's No. 1 automaker.

Toyota Motor Corp, said Thursday it will call back for repairs about 740,000 cars in the U.S. and 599,000 in Japan. The remainder are in Europe and other markets around the world.

Over the past year, Toyota has recalled more than 10 million cars and trucks worldwide for a variety of problems, from faulty gas pedals and floor mats that can trap accelerators, to braking problems in its Prius hybrid. In August, Toyota recalled 1.33 million Corolla sedans and Matrix hatchbacks in the U.S. and Canada because their engines may stall.

The majority of vehicles this time around need to be fixed for a problem with the brake master cylinder which could lead to weaker braking power, said spokesman Paul Nolasco in Tokyo. Some models in Japan and elsewhere — but not in North America — have an electrical problem with the fuel pump which could cause the engine to stall, he said.

No accidents have been reported from the two defects, he said.

Nolasco said the recall decision was made under Toyota's new quality control regime instituted over the last several months in response to criticism that the company was slow in dealing with the slew of safety problems earlier this year. Changes include naming a chief quality officer to head up regional quality control teams that have more autonomy and can contribute directly to decisions on whether recalls are required.

Toyota received initial complaints about both problems five years ago, but that didn't mean there was documentation of a pattern that would trigger a recall, Nolasco said.

"It takes a while to compile the evidence for a recall," Nolasco said. Once the evidence pointed to a need for a recall, the company moved quickly to announce one, he said.

Analysts said the recall decision, coming just two months after the Corolla and Matrix recall, seems to suggest that Toyota is trying to be more forthcoming about safety issues. American regulators hit Toyota with a $16.4 million fine for failing to promptly tell the government about its car defects.

"Toyota's image suffered because it was slow and so it is trying to be quick with its response," said Ryuichi Saito, auto analyst with Mizuho Investors Securities in Tokyo.

The models affected by the latest recall in the U.S. include the 2005 and 2006 Avalon, 2004 through 2006 non-hybrid Highlander and Lexus RX330, and 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350 vehicles, the company said in a statement from its U.S. headquarters in Torrance, California.

Toyota will notify owners around the world by mail to come for repairs at no charge, Nolasco said.

In a letter to U.S. regulators, Toyota said it first received reports of leaking brake fluid in February 2005, and found they involved aftermarket fluid that was different from the Toyota fluid installed in new vehicles. Toyota attributed the problems to the fluid and changed the rubber seals used in the brake's master cylinders to be the same as in other Toyota vehicles, it said.

From 2006 to 2010, Toyota said it received reports of the problem "sporadically" and found in all cases that the rubber seals had curled and the brake fluid was not the original Toyota fluid. After receiving more consumer reports, mostly from Japan, Toyota found that certain brake fluids contained only a small amount of polymers, which could cause the seal's lubrication to deteriorate, it said.

More tests last summer found the amount of leakage from the brake master cylinder was "very small," it said. Even if the brake warning lamp went off, Toyota said the vehicle could be driven for another 185 miles (300 kilometers) before a driver noticed any difference in the brakes. If brake fluid was not added, brake performance "could begin to gradually decline," it said.

Toyota said even with the problem, sufficient braking force remained to stop the vehicle safely. It said after another 93 miles (150 kilometers), one of the brake circuits could stop working but because of the location of the seal, no more leakage could occur that would affect the other brake circuit.

Based on that assessment, Toyota said the condition didn't present an "unreasonable safety risk." But since the condition failed to comply with a Japanese regulation that prohibits leaking brake fluid, Toyota was required to conduct a recall in Japan.

"For other countries, including the U.S., although Toyota has not determined that a safety-related defect exists, in order to alleviate potential customer concerns and avoid confusion, Toyota has decided to conduct a voluntary recall campaign in the U.S. and other countries," the automaker said.

The models affected in Japan include the Crown, Crown Majesta, Harrier, Mark X, Alphard, Kluger, Lexus GS350, Lexus IS250, and Lexus IS350. The production date of the models ranges from May 2002 to November 2005.

Two models in Japan — the Lexus GS350 and the Crown — are affected by both problems.

In Japan, Toyota's image has taken less of a beating. And despite the safety woes, the Prius has been Japan's top-selling model this year.

From January through August, Toyota sold 5.6 million vehicles globally, up 13 percent from a year earlier.
(article re-posted by Dicken Wear)

33 Indy 500 Winners Line Up At The Brickyard For Their "Close Up"

The display on the Speedway’s front straightaway was part of the ongoing Centennial Celebration; the 2011 Indianapolis 500 will mark the event’s 100th anniversary. Each car present on Tuesday was a former race winner, and each has a story. Image Credit: IMS/Ron McQueeney

33 Indy 500 Winners Line Up At The Brickyard For Their "Close Up"

On Tuesday of this week, 33 winning Indy 500 cars were pushed to the front straight for the photo opportunity of a lifetime. Most of the Indy open-wheel racers came from the Hall of Fame Museum leaving the museum about half full, while other cars were on loan for the shoot from as far away as California. One car was a replica because the original is on view at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. where as all other cars are the actual winning steeds.

Director of the Hall of Fame Museum, Ellen Bireley introduces us to this effort to capture a unique moment in time and the staging of this historic "close-up" beauty shot in celebration of this upcoming centennial season!

This excerpted and edited from AutoWeekRacing.com -

The “pole” car was the Marmon Wasp that won the first 500 in 1911. Next to it on the “front row” were the cars driven by Dario Franchitti (2010) and A.J. Foyt (1961). Foyt’s car represented both his first 500 win and the winner of the 50th-anniversary event.

The rest of the legendary machines were positioned in a way that revealed an interesting evolution of race cars. Every row included front-engine and rear-engine cars in a pattern. Each decade was represented.

The four double winners were included along with the first winner after World War II. Twenty-seven of the cars are owned by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation.

The rows and the years the cars won:

-- Row 1: 1911 (Ray Harroun), 2010 (Dario Franchitti), 1961 (A.J. Foyt)

-- Row 2: 1979 (Rick Mears), 1939-40 (Wilbur Shaw), 1970 (Al Unser)

-- Row 3: 1963 (Parnelli Jones), 1990 (Arie Luyendyk), 1947-48 (Mauri Rose)

-- Row 4: 1980 (Johnny Rutherford), 1953-54 (Bill Vukovich), 1968 (Bobby Unser)

-- Row 5: 1964 (A.J. Foyt), 1965 (Jimmy Clark), 1922 (Jimmy Murphy)

-- Row 6: 1969 (Mario Andretti), 1957-58 (Sam Hanks, Jimmy Bryan), 1983 (Tom Sneva)

-- Row 7: 1912 (Joe Dawson), 1982 (Gordon Johncock), 1952 (Troy Ruttman)

-- Row 8: 1972 (Mark Donohue), 1962 (Rodger Ward), 2000 (Juan Montoya)

-- Row 9: 1928 (Louis Meyer), 1995 (Jacques Villeneuve), 1950 (Johnnie Parsons)

-- Row 10: 1977 (A.J. Foyt), 1951 (Lee Wallard), 1992 (Al Unser Jr.)

-- Row 11: 1946 (George Robson), 1978 (Al Unser), 1932 (Fred Frame)

Reference Here>>

... notes from The EDJE

California: The Worst Place To Drive ... Or Be A Driver?

The Good - California has some of the best drives available in the world. Image Credit: googleguide.com

California: The Worst Place To Drive ... Or Be A Driver?

Conclusions in a article from Forbes Magazine suggest that cheap gas and insurance make South Carolina the best and that California, with high costs and bad infrastructure, is the worst.

The Bad - City traffic and the politics ... California State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner is proposing legislation that would allow insurance companies to lower rates for drivers that cut back on drive time, which could come in effect as early as next year. Image Credit: Examiner/Getty Images

This excerpted and edited from Forbes Magazine -

The Best And Worst States For Drivers
No Surprise California sucks the most, (all you have to do to know that is to drive here).
Forbes Magazine - William P. Barrett, 10.08.10, 01:00 PM EDT

With its politicians hiking the Appalachian Trail or facing sex charges, South Carolina draws more than its share of bad publicity nationally. So here's some good news about South Carolina: By our reckoning, the heart of the Old South is the best state to drive in, by far. The country's lowest average gas price, plus cheap insurance, good legal protections and the sixth-best rating for infrastructure/safety, make the Palmetto State a dreamland for motorists.

Using the same measures, California is the worst state to be a driver--also by far. The Golden State has the third-lowest rating for infrastructure/safety, the third-highest gas prices and the fifth-highest insurance. Legal rights for drivers aren't so hot either. (Not to mention all drivers in CA think they all must drive in the left lane. (Jerry Brown is part of the reason for all this mess. Meg Whitman are you listening?)

Forbes put together its ratings of the best and worst states to drive using a number of published studies evaluating different elements of the driving experience. All the studies touched in major ways on pocketbook issues. Giving the studies equal weight, we used their 1-to-50 rankings to figure out which states were friendly to motorists, and which were not.
Here are the criteria Forbes used, and the sources:
Gas Prices

For many motorists, this is the single most important factor in the driving environment. Numerous sources provide regular updates on average fuel costs, which can vary among states by as much as 36%. We used data from GasBuddy.com. South Carolina and New Jersey have the lowest average prices, and Hawaii and Alaska the highest.
Insurance Rates

According to Insure.com, the average cost of coverage moves around even more than gas prices, with rates in some states nearly three times those of others. The cheapest are found in Maine and Vermont; the highest are in Louisiana and Michigan.
Infrastructure/Safety

For 19 years the Reason Foundation, a libertarian think tank, has cranked out a lengthy study--the latest is 109 pages--assessing each state on road and bridge infrastructure and safety-related indicators. Obviously better roadways reduce a motorist's costs in all kinds of ways, such as fewer gas-wasting delays and costly accidents. The latest study puts North Dakota and Montana at the top, and Rhode Island and Alaska at the bottom.
Legal Protections
The National Motorists Association periodically rates the states on 17 criteria it says look at whether police and courts are "exploiting" motorists. Areas include enforcement practices, speed traps per capita, treatment of traffic ticket defendants and whether radar detectors are banned. The study concludes Wyoming and Idaho afford the most legal protections to motorists, and New Jersey and Ohio the least.

Eating South Carolina's dust on the best list are Nebraska and Missouri. Inhaling California's fumes on the worst list are Illinois and New York.
Generally the more populous states fare worse than those with low populations, but there are exceptions. Giant Texas ranks No. 6 on the best list, while tiny Rhode Island comes in No. 7 on the worst list.

Our compilations produced some surprising results. New Jersey misses being in the 10 worst list---it ranks 13th--only because the state's many oil refineries help give it the nation's second-lowest average gas prices. North Carolina, home of NASCAR, misses being in the 10 best list--it ranks 13th--because of a low score on legal protections.
Generally thought to be a good place for motorists, Montana lands right in the middle of the 50 states. High ratings for infrastructure/safety and legal protections are offset by low rankings for gas and insurance prices.
Worst 5 States For Drivers

No. 1 California Despite its reputation as a car-culture haven, the Golden State is by far the worst of the 50, with low rankings in each of the four categories. From highway congestion and poor legal protections to the high cost of gasoline and insurance, the nation's most populous state has it all. No. 2 Illinois The Land of Lincoln is also a Disaster for Drivers, garnering low marks, like California's, in all four categories. The lowest grade is in legal rights for motorists. No. 3 New York The Empire State fares a lot better than California and Illinois in insurance rates, which were pretty close to the national average. But that is more than canceled out by rock-bottom expenditures on road maintenance and sketchy legal motorist protections.
Reference Here>>

Editor's Note:

I don't live or Vote in California, but I do drive, and work in California. Also, I read the paper, and I pay attention to the Traffic laws (I didn't say I obeyed them all). I have also watched what was going on in California for the last 30 years while living in various States around the Country. I can say that while I don't know which politician can fix California, I can say for sure that Boxer and Brown cannot, will not, and do not have a clue how to fix it. These two politicians represent a couple of the main reasons California is so screwed up.

My position on the California Election is anybody "BUT" Jerry Brown and Barbara Boxer. These two could be the reason California dies an awful death, and they for sure would add the last nails in the coffin before the state of California is buried once and for all.

Dicken Wear, "Keep Right Except To Pass".

NASCAR Sprint Cup at Auto Club Speedway

Image Credit: Dicken Wear

Image Credit: Dicken Wear

Tony Stewart fought off Clint Bowyer and Jimmie Johnson for his first Auto Club Speedway win on Sunday, taking the checkered flag at the Pepsi MAX 400 for his 39th career Sprint Cup win and second in 2010.

In a race that had 14 lead changes, Stewart (No. 14, Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet) took the lead coming off a caution on lap 189 while Bowyer (No. 33, The Hartford Chevrolet) and Johnson (Lowe’s/Jimmie Johnson Foundation Chevrolet) battled behind him finishing second and third in one of the most exciting Auto Club Speedway races in years.

“I’m glad to finally win one in California,” Stewart said. “I can now check it off the list of tracks I’ve never won at.”

Following the victory, Stewart jumped five positions in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings and now sits in fifth place, only 107 points back of leader Johnson.

Added Stewart, “We’re doing everything we can do (to win the Chase). We’re going to need some help but we’re doing everything we can do. I’m just so happy with these guys. They refused to give up and refused to back down.”

Bowyer managed to take the lead earlier in the race leading with 16 laps to go until caution was called for debris on the track.

“The cautions had a lot do with so many guys having a chance today,” Bowyer said. “The more you have the more you get bunched up it’s going to breed more cautions. The tire/grid track combination whatever it may be made for a good race up high and down low. Mark Martin was the class of the field for awhile running from the bottom and then from the top. And then everyone was running all over. And when you can do that on a track this size, I think it’s going to make for some good racing.

“I was frustrated I didn’t get a win. I really wanted to get a win. We’re capable of winning races and if we keep doing what we’re doing we’re going to win again.”

Johnson was seeking his fourth straight victory at Auto Club Speedway. He maintained his Chase Cup lead by 36 points over Denny Hamlin. Three drivers are within 85 points of Johnson.

“I think if it would have stayed green you would have seen the No. 48 car in victory lane,” Johnson said. “We were really catching Tony fast on the top side. I just didn’t have anything on the bottom down on three and four. And on that restart that’s where I let Clint get on the inside of me and get by me. Wish we could have finished in victory lane but if you’re going to finish in the top three week in and week out you’re going to have a shot and that’s all we’re after.”

Story & Interview: Joann Young & ACS.

NASCAR invades California

Kyle Busch’s dominance at Auto Club Speedway continued on Saturday with his record-extending 12th victory in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2010 as he took the checkered flag at the CampingWorld.com 300 despite a speeding penalty that forced him to play catch-up at the most crucial stages late in the race.

“Maybe I need to do it more often,” said Busch (No. 18, NOS Energy Drink Toyota), who was assessed a speeding violation coming out of pit road for the third time this season where he’s gone on to win the race. The speeding violation dropped him to 15th place.

“I don’t like doing it that late in the race,” he continued. “Obviously, it makes it a little bit harder and you never know what can happen. Especially those late cautions can happen at a point in which I get a speeding penalty and I’d have to go to the back and get caught in another one of those. Fortunately it all worked out our way and played out.

“Pit road probably won this race. I can’t thank these guys on pit road enough.”

To say the race was simply won on pit road would be a huge overstatement. The crafty Busch, who also won last February’s NNS Stater Bros. 300 at ACS, zigged in and out of traffic late in the race, ultimately claiming eight spots in 12 laps. He moved to second place after the third caution and passed Brad Keselowski for the lead with 38 laps left.

“You know we just worked our way through traffic, going high, going low, going where they weren’t and being able to get up through there,” Busch said. “Once you get up to seventh or sixth you kind slow and stop. I wasn’t making as much progress as I wish I could have. It was still some decent progress and then the caution came out and I got up there. The guys on pit road really helped me out today.”

Busch, who captured the pole position with a lap of 182.039 mph on the two-mile oval track, recorded his 42nd victory in 198 NNS races. He has now won 82 times in NASCAR national series competition.

It was Busch’s fourth victory and ninth top-10 finish in 12 races at Auto Club Speedway. He has won four of his last five starts here.

Busch held off Keselowski, who maintains his points standings lead by 384 points over Carl Edwards and finished second. Keselowski (No. 22, America’s Tire Dodge) posted his third top-10 finish in nine races at Auto Club Speedway and recorded his 24th top-10 finish in 2010.

“We just needed a little bit of speed to be able to beat the No. 18 and 33,” Keselowski said. “We slightly out-executed the 33 in pit stops on that last restart. I wish we had a little bit more speed on these track but we’re working on it. All in all, it was a decent and respectable day with a second-place finish.”
He continued: “That’s what we had to work with today. These races come down to short runs on the Nationwide side here in California. One of the things about California that has made this a great race on the Nationwide side is you don’t have the restrictor plate on it. California has turned into the new Daytona, some great racing, some great drafting.”

Kevin Harvick (No. 33, Jimmy John’s Chevrolet) had some excellent long runs, but some crucial pit stop errors prevented him from earning the victory. He finished third and posted his 13th top-10 finish in 16 races at ACS.

“I think you just look at the positive and you look at how fast my Jimmy John’s Chevrolet was and it was two weeks in a row where we’ve come with something different probably took the best car and gave it away on pit road,” Harvick said. “We’re going to make some changes on pit road this week and come back with something different. Our cars are just tremendously better then what they have been and obviously we’ve got to take the next step on pit road because they’re just doing a terrible job so we’ve got to fix that. That’s not what our operation is all about. If they can’t stand the pressure they’re going to have to go find something else to do.”

It was a nice run for Danica Patrick (No. 7, Tissot/GoDaddy.com Chevrolet), who started the day 14th for her best qualifying run in her eighth NNS race. She was headed for a top-15 finish when a hard wreck with two other cars ended her day with 10 laps to go. She finished 30th.

“I was really happy that the car was good on the long run,” Patrick said. “I was really happy with that. I was settling at the middle and really came on at the end. I’ve been really confused as to what it’s going to take to be good from the beginning to the end and I think that we’re getting closer. I really do. We’re going to have a lot of confidence going into Charlotte I think. It does make a difference to come back for a second time. It’s a bummer there aren’t going to be any others.”

Colin Braun (No. 16, Con-way Ford) was 13th and was the highest finishing rookie.

NASCAR invades California

Auto Club doesn't just sponsor the Track or the Teams, they come help when their Race Car won't start.
A real Road Service call at Auto Club HQ.

Kyle Busch’s dominance at Auto Club Speedway continued on Saturday with his record-extending 12th victory in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2010 as he took the checkered flag at the CampingWorld.com 300 despite a speeding penalty that forced him to play catch-up at the most crucial stages late in the race.

“Maybe I need to do it more often,” said Busch (No. 18, NOS Energy Drink Toyota), who was assessed a speeding violation coming out of pit road for the third time this season where he’s gone on to win the race. The speeding violation dropped him to 15th place.

“I don’t like doing it that late in the race,” he continued. “Obviously, it makes it a little bit harder and you never know what can happen. Especially those late cautions can happen at a point in which I get a speeding penalty and I’d have to go to the back and get caught in another one of those. Fortunately it all worked out our way and played out.

“Pit road probably won this race. I can’t thank these guys on pit road enough.”

To say the race was simply won on pit road would be a huge overstatement. The crafty Busch, who also won last February’s NNS Stater Bros. 300 at ACS, zigged in and out of traffic late in the race, ultimately claiming eight spots in 12 laps. He moved to second place after the third caution and passed Brad Keselowski for the lead with 38 laps left.

“You know we just worked our way through traffic, going high, going low, going where they weren’t and being able to get up through there,” Busch said. “Once you get up to seventh or sixth you kind slow and stop. I wasn’t making as much progress as I wish I could have. It was still some decent progress and then the caution came out and I got up there. The guys on pit road really helped me out today.”

Busch, who captured the pole position with a lap of 182.039 mph on the two-mile oval track, recorded his 42nd victory in 198 NNS races. He has now won 82 times in NASCAR national series competition.

It was Busch’s fourth victory and ninth top-10 finish in 12 races at Auto Club Speedway. He has won four of his last five starts here.

Busch held off Keselowski, who maintains his points standings lead by 384 points over Carl Edwards and finished second. Keselowski (No. 22, America’s Tire Dodge) posted his third top-10 finish in nine races at Auto Club Speedway and recorded his 24th top-10 finish in 2010.

“We just needed a little bit of speed to be able to beat the No. 18 and 33,” Keselowski said. “We slightly out-executed the 33 in pit stops on that last restart. I wish we had a little bit more speed on these track but we’re working on it. All in all, it was a decent and respectable day with a second-place finish.”
He continued: “That’s what we had to work with today. These races come down to short runs on the Nationwide side here in California. One of the things about California that has made this a great race on the Nationwide side is you don’t have the restrictor plate on it. California has turned into the new Daytona, some great racing, some great drafting.”

Kevin Harvick (No. 33, Jimmy John’s Chevrolet) had some excellent long runs, but some crucial pit stop errors prevented him from earning the victory. He finished third and posted his 13th top-10 finish in 16 races at ACS.

“I think you just look at the positive and you look at how fast my Jimmy John’s Chevrolet was and it was two weeks in a row where we’ve come with something different probably took the best car and gave it away on pit road,” Harvick said. “We’re going to make some changes on pit road this week and come back with something different. Our cars are just tremendously better then what they have been and obviously we’ve got to take the next step on pit road because they’re just doing a terrible job so we’ve got to fix that. That’s not what our operation is all about. If they can’t stand the pressure they’re going to have to go find something else to do.”


Colin Braun (No. 16, Con-way Ford) was 13th and was the highest finishing rookie.

News and interview courtesy Auto Club Speedway. Image credit: Dicken Wear

Skid Plate Racing ... Irwindale's Toyota Speedway's Latest Motor Culture Craze

Over 20 cars and drivers showed up for a Memorial Day Weekend Saturday night race at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale – the home race track of Skid Plate racing. When the green flag dropped the field charged and slid down the front straight at maximum possible velocity. Perhaps a little too hot. Caption & Image Credit: Clunkbucket.com

Skid Plate Racing ... Irwindale's Toyota Speedway's Latest Motor Culture Craze

When one first hears the words, Skid Plate Racing, one immediately asks "WHAT?" At least that is what this reporter was left with.

There are many forms of automobile competition ... but none are as accessible as a series that is based upon the most available junker car platforms with the most common powerplants. All cars are mandatory STOCK save for one Teensy-Weensy specified modification ... the Skid Plate.

This racing platform and oval racing series is the brainchild of Auto Soccer and Demo Derby Master of Mayhem, Robert Rice. He developed, created, and tested the rear skid plate wheels for use in this unique to Irwindale style of 1/3 mile banked oval motor racing.

Part race car driver, part car owner, and all “mad scientist”, Rice and his intrepid crew of hardworking, hardcore, honest-to-Iaccoca team of car nuts designed, built, tested, and now race the heck out of a division that’s aptly-named “Skid Plate Cars” … because THAT is what they do.

SPARKS - what looks like track destruction is actually not harmful at all to the third-mile racing surface at Toyota Speedway where 30 of 40 of these machine can be seen racing at one time. The beveled lip and the large flat surface allow the plates to glide over the expensive asphalt showering copious sparks, but not damaging the track in the least. Caption & Image Credit: Toyota Speedway/Stokes Communications

The formula is simple: Take one front wheel drive compact or sub-compact car, remove the rear wheels, remove the tires from those wheels, weld a ¾” thick 10” x 20” steel plate to it, weld in some angle iron braces, drill a couple of holes in the inside of the rim and rattle-can the whole thing whatever color you’ve got a can of (oh yes, remember to bevel the front edge of that plate please!).

Take those wheel arrangements and bolt them back on the vehicle (that’s been race-prepped by having all window glass removed and the doors bolted shut on both sides).

Open the trunk and drill a 3/8” hole midway down each wheel arch, do the same thing in the rear seat area. Insert eye-bolts, cinch up and then do the same with both sides (front and rear) of the skid wheel. Attach a suitable length of strong chain on both sides and you are ready (as you’ll ever be) to go Skid Plate Racing.

Driving a Skid Plate Car is like driving on snow or ice with a cafeteria tray under each rear wheel or the park brake on while traversing a patch of glare ice. In other words, control is a sometimes thing, any and all driver inputs: steering, braking, gas pedal down (or up), even swearing at the thing, seem to have a mind of their own as to when something resembling what the driver asked for might actually happen.

A strong sense of pre-deja'vu and very limited imagination are two of the best things to have if one is thinking about any sort of pro career in one of these machines. Think of Skid Plate Racing as go-karting with a roof, a man-sized cockpit, with none of that pesky traction and cornering g-forces to contend with ... you will still spin, really, that's guaranteed!

Any 1980 or newer, four or six-cylinder, front wheel drive car with a 90-inch or longer wheelbase is OK. No secret reinforcements or buttressing is allowed. No added weight. However, hitting the buffet a few times to add weight to the driver before the race is way OK.

A Skid Plate Race car must be stock at its core. If you are going to run a V6, two of its cylinders must be disabled.

The skid plates are available from the House of Irwindale, and cannot be modified.

Big horsepower, a $500 paint job on your GFORCE or BELL brain bucket, neon piping on your fire suit, your race car’s body mounted with50 or 60 thousand out-of-pocket, and/or a $109,000.00 motorhome are all of no help here. On the other hand, a product sponsorship from a supplier Harbor Freight could be a big plus.

Thursday evening, October 7, 2010, fresh from Kansas Speedway, Penske Racing South and Mobil One are going Skid Plate Racing as a fun warm-up to this weekend's fourth NASCAR race for the ten event Sprint Cup Chase at Auto Club Speedway. There are no promises but participants will all be “members of the Penske stock car teams” which have as its drivers Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman. Since all of NASCAR is in town for the Chase ... who really knows just who might show up. This should be a good time for some friendly competition, after-all, it's only Skid Plate Racing!
(ht: Toyota Speedway/Stokes Communications)

... notes from The EDJE

DynoValve: The Awareness - Rebirth Of The Lowly PCV Valve

Savi Corporation's DynoValve Kit Packaging - The DynoValve takes the functioning of the mechanical Positive Crankcase Valve process and brings the process evolution to its maximum effectiveness. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2010)

DynoValve: The Awareness - Rebirth Of The Lowly PCV Valve

MPG Track Day exhibit discovery leads to test!

Motor Press Guild's Track Day is a time each year where journalists who have a focus on transportation technology and culture come together with the major automobile manufacturers to find out what is new for the next year's (2011) selling season. Any company who believes they have something to contribute to the event and wish to gain exposure to 150 plus people who write and another 100 or so people who market transportation platforms may end up presenting their solutions as an exhibitor or sponsor to the event ... Savi Corporation was one such company.

After over a half a decade of research and development, testing, and working with various environmental agencies, Savi Corporation was able to introduce its "smart" Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve to the world at last month’s 60th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance ... the DynoValve. The DynoValve replaces the mechanical PCV Valve found as original manufacture on all engines and takes the functioning of this environmentally useful process to a higher, more efficient level.

Pictured - The DynoValve computer-controlled valve on top with the mechanical PCV valve on bottom. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2010)

This excerpted and edited from Wikipedia -

As an engine operates, high-pressure gases are contained within the combustion chamber and prevented from passing into the crankcase (containing the crankshaft and other parts) between the side of the piston and the cylinder bore by piston rings which seal against the cylinder. However, some amount of gas always leaks past the piston rings into the crankcase. This amount is very small in a new or properly rebuilt engine, provided that the piston rings and cylinder walls are correctly "broken in", and increases as the engine wears. Scratches on the cylinder walls or piston rings, such as those caused by foreign objects entering the engine, can cause large amounts of leakage. This leaked gas is known as blow-by because the pressure within the cylinders blows it by the piston rings. If this blow-by gas could not escape then pressure would build up within the crankcase.

Before the invention of crankcase ventilation in 1928, the engine oil seals were designed to withstand this pressure, oil leaking to the road surface was accepted, and the dipstick was screwed in. The hydrocarbon rich gas would then diffuse through the oil in the seals into the atmosphere. Subsequently, it became an emissions requirement as well as a functional necessity that the crankcase have a ventilation system. This [system] must maintain the crankcase at slightly less than atmospheric pressure under light load conditions and recycle the blow-by gas back into the engine intake.

However, due to the constant circulation of the oil within the engine, along with the high speed movement of the crankshaft, an oil mist is also passed through the PCV system and into the intake. The oil is then either burned during combustion, or settles along the intake tract, causing a gradual build-up of residue inside the inlet path. For this reason many engine tuners choose to replace the PCV system with an oil catch can and breather filter which vents the blow-by gases directly to atmosphere and retains the oil in a small tank (or returns it to the sump), although this technically fails to meet most engine emission legislation.
Reference Here>>

The DynoValve takes the functioning of the mechanical Positive Crankcase Valve process from a spring loaded plug, door, or flap that is opened and closed through the variance in pressure from one side of the door to the other and regulates the opening and closing based upon electronic signals and computer commands that even out the performance and brings the process evolution to its maximum effectiveness.

Many claims as to the benefits of this computerized DynoValve system process center around two major areas. It is GREEN and it makes one's vehicle more fuel efficient.

The DynoValve is GREEN because it allows for a greater, more complete burning of the fuel and other materials in the cylinder of the engine due to the increased breath-ability of the engine itself. The carbon particulate matter from the fuel and the gasses from the crankcase being more effectively burned, along with the catalytic converter, knocks the emissions to a nearly un-measurable level.

The GREEN and fuel efficient Hummer H2 stretch limousine with DynoValve. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2010)

The DynoValve is more fuel efficient due to the fact the fuel is being burned more thoroughly because of the computerized DynoValve system process, a greater level of power is delivered by the engine so the performance is enhanced and less gas pedal is required to achieve the same performance results. An increase in the vehicle's gas consumption performance in miles per gallon of 30% is not unrealistic. One limousine company has documented an increase in MPG performance by as much as 300% under some specific driving conditions and a 200% increase is common.

This begs the question "Can this be tested and an article be developed by one of the journalists who became aware of the DynoValve at MPG Track Day to show the results one might be able to achieve on an everyday pick-up truck?"

The F250 "test-bed". Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2010)

The installation happened yesterday on a 1995 Ford F250 XLT, 7.5 litre/460 cubic inch V8 powered pick-up that had 55,488.6 original miles on it at the time of install. The truck pretty much averages 10 miles per gallon and there had been times the truck did achieve 12 mpg but these were times where one was traveling out of the San Bernardino Mountains and traveled on the freeway at reduced speeds.

It was discovered during the install procedure that there was a couple of breeches in the truck's vacuum hose array which had the pressure measuring around 17 lbs. (normal pressure is about 20 lbs.). After installation of the DynoValve and the replacement of the compromised hoses, the operation of the truck's PCV vacuum system was restored back to 20 lbs. (full slideshow here).

Installed DynoValve. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2010)

This posting will be the first of a series of articles spawned from the testing of Savi Corporation's computerized DynoValve system process installed on this writer's 1995 Ford F250 XLT, 7.5 liter/460 cubic inch V8 powered pick-up truck.

... notes from The EDJE