Almost every piece and component of the 370Z has been redesigned from the previous model (350Z). (Click to Enlarge -1920x1200)

Almost every piece and component of the 370Z has been redesigned from the previous model (350Z). It is powered by the VQ37VHR 3.7 L (230 cu in) DOHC V6 with Variable Valve and Lift Control and produces 332 hp (248 kW; 337 PS). Power delivery to the rear wheels comes through a new 7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters or 6-speed manual transmission which features the world’s first synchronized down shift rev-matching system, SynchroRev Match. The SynchroRev Match system is only available with the sports package. The differential offered with the Sport Package is indicated to be a viscous limited slip differential.

Compared to the 350Z, the 370Z has a wheelbase 4 in (100 mm) shorter at 100.4 in (2,550 mm) and an overall length 2.7 in (69 mm) shorter at 167.1 in (4,240 mm). The overall width has been increased by 1.3 in (33 mm), the rear track by 2.2 in (56 mm), and overall height reduced by 0.3 in (7.6 mm). The smaller exterior dimensions and use of more lightweight materials help reduce weight. (Although it should be noted that a 2003-2005 base model 350Z is actually lighter than the 370Z). The 370Z features a front aluminum subframe, aluminum-alloy engine cradle, aluminum door panels, an all-aluminum hood, and an aluminum hatch.

Front body torsion rigidity is improved by 10 percent with an extensively revised body structure which includes a new front suspension cradle to reduce front body lateral bending, new rear structural reinforcements, and an underbody “V-bar” to help reduce rear lateral bending. Additional enhancements include the use of a carbon fiber composite radiator housing and strengthening of the rear fender and hatch areas. Rear body torsion rigidity is improved by up to 22 percent and rear body vertical bending rigidity is improved by up to 30 percent. The new structure weighs slightly less than the 350Z.

The coefficient of drag is 0.30 and 0.29 with the Sport Package, figures identical to the 350Z. Nissan has also changed the clutch and brakes of the 350Z for the 370Z. The brakes have been changed from the more expensive Brembo racing brakes to Nissan branded brakes which are manufactured by Akebono.

Simple, delicious and decidedly local the excellently hidden Foothill Grill of Dahlonega, Georgia.

Somewhat off the beaten path but just barely an hour north of Atlanta on US-19/SR-60 lies the sleepy 19^th century mining town of Dahlonega, Georgia.  Once the home of America’s first gold-rush, tiny Dahlonega is today something of a weekend-tourist mecca. Quaint by nature and pastoral by location it’s easy to quickly see why a town like Dahlonega has gained such popularity with Atlanta day-trippers and vacationing tourists alike. Ideally set amidst the scenic foothills of North Georgia, Dahlonega offers visitors the unique opportunity to enjoy the community and culture of the region without sacrificing most of conveniences of the city. That being said, most of the restaurants and eateries scattered around the town’s central square while picturesque are anything but “local.” To that end we ventured just beyond the buzz of downtown to a little restaurant deceptively adjacent to old service-station and just within a stone’s throw of the local North Georgia College & State University’s campus; welcome to Dahlonega’s perfectly “local” Foothill Grill.

Nothing fancy, yes…that’s ostensibly the best way to describe the outward appearance of the Foothill Grill. Situated directly adjacent to an old service station it’s the sort of eatery you might first dismiss or pass by without notice, but that would be at a great loss as this is undoubtedly one of the single best places to enjoy some quality food amidst the locals of the Georgian foothills.  Once inside the ambiance changes a little, possessing a down-home quality that incorporates familiar elements from the sports-bar, the pub and the traditional American casual restaurant, elements that serve to create a warm and hospitable public space that feels both casual and relaxed. Decidedly unpretentious this is the sort of storied American eatery where a split dining room plan adorned with wood paneling throughout, festooned with both current and vintage local art and featuring unmistakably hand-crafted wooden booths not only makes sense it defines the experience.

Our road trip tested 2012 Honda Civic SI racked up more than 1,100 miles on our trip from Tampa, Florida to the mountains of Dahlonega, Georgia.

The service here is prompt and friendly, whether you are a local or a tourist the staff is eager to get you seated and go over the day’s specials. The day’s specials…yes, this is exactly the sort of place where you should take heed of just what the kitchen is making special for the day, because odds are good it’s something you are going to want. Friendly and informative our waitress made sure to let us know just how fresh everything on their sizeable menu was and the fact that everything is cooked to order! She was also kind enough to let us know everything they may have run out of for the day, (Foothills Grill serves breakfast all-day…but that doesn’t mean they don’t run out of grits, etc.. along the way).

The food lives up to the hype. Arriving at our table in short but accordingly good order, the food was every bit as good as we had heard from locals and tourists in the know. My hamburger was thick and juicy at a ½ pound and cooked perfectly medium rare as requested. Nothing fancy but a good reminder of how awesomely simplistic a good burger can really be. (Sometimes in bigger markets like Tampa or Atlanta we become lost in the intricacies of the more complex burger that we lose sight of it’s simple but tasty origins.) The tomato was fresh as were the onions and everything indeed tasted as fresh as the waitress had assured us it would be. Having opted for the potato salad I was happy to discover it was as fresh and unique as the burger, a sort of different take on the traditional southern potato salad that used a little less mayonnaise in lieu of dill and a light dusting of paprika. The hushpuppies…now these were the sort of thing that legends are made from. Perfectly browned and perfectly seasoned they were crispy to the touch but melted in our mouths.  Chicken Fingers, while not sounding like the most prototypical sort of fresh made delicacy were in fact actually that, as much like the hushpuppies they were hand shorn and then expertly battered and fried. The results of which were easily the most sublime chicken fingers you will ever find, delightfully simple but greatly fulfilling.

A hand-formed and cooked to order burger complimented by a fresh bun and perfectly browned and seasoned hush-puppies.

Walking out of the Foothills Grill it was easy to understand why the locals frequent this place, it’s simple, fresh and unpretentious; a family restaurant by definition and the sort of place where locals and passers-through alike can meet and enjoy terrific, fresh and made to order food at extremely reasonable prices…yes, Foothills Grill truly does epitomize the spirit of the rural community in Dahlonega, the embodiment of exactly what the tourists and weekend-getaway folks come looking for when they venture into Georgia’s Appalachian foothills.

Foothills Grill

995 Morrison Moore Parkway West
Dahlonega, Georgia 30533
(706) 864-0863
http://www.foothillgrill.com

Tues-Sun: 7am-3pm
Closed Mondays!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf3bjKwwlMM

Kim Dotcom, Kimi Raikkonen and Finn Batato tackle the Nürburgring Norschleife in three highly modified Mercedes Benz AMG CLK DTM’s. Coming in at 11-minutes and 23-seconds in length this video gives you a real life perspective for just how long (1) single lap on the Nürburgring Norschleife really is… All those times your fingers got tired in Forza or Gran Turismo, the designers nailed it.

Designed as a Honda test track in 1962 by John Hugenholtz, Suzuka is one of few circuits in the world to have a "figure 8" layout, with the back straight passing over the front section by means of an overpass. (Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200)

Designed as a Honda test track in 1962 by John Hugenholtz, Suzuka is one of few circuits in the world to have a “figure 8″ layout, with the back straight passing over the front section by means of an overpass.

The circuit has been modified three times:

In 1983 a chicane was put at the last curve to slow the cars into the pit straight and the Degner curve was made into two corners instead of one long curve; the circuit was also made considerably safer in 1983 by adding more Armco, more run-off areas and removing straw bales leading into vegetation;

In 2002, the chicane was slightly modified, 130R (marked as 15 on the diagram) was also modified and some of the Snake curves were made a bit straighter and faster;

In 2003, the chicane was made slightly faster and closer to the 130R.

The circuit can be used in three configurations; the full circuit, the “Suzuka East” and “Suzuka West” configuration. The “East” portion of the course consists of the pit straight to the first half of the Dunlop curve (turn 7), before leading back to the pit straight via a tight right-hander. The “West” course is made up of the other part of the full circuit, including the crossover bridge.

Super GT 2008 Rd.9: #46 "MOLA Leopalace Z" @ Fuji Speedway - Click to Enlarge (1920x1200)

Description: Super GT 2008 Rd.9: #46 “MOLA Leopalace Z”. The car used vocalod ‘Kagamine Rin and Len’ livery in the final round of the season, and won both the Drivers’ and Teams’ championships in the GT300 class.
Date: November 8th, 2008
Location: Fuji Speedway, Oyama, Shizuoka, Japan
Photographer: Morio

Thomas started working as a model at age 13, and at the age of 17 moved to London to become a professional model. Working in bars to pay for her living costs, she was rejected by many modelling agencies due to her height. (Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200)

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Imogen was born to Charles Thomas, an education welfare officer, and his wife Janette in Gorseinon, near Swansea, South Wales. Her parents separated when she was two years old, and, after her mother remarried when she was six, she was brought up by her mother and step-father in Llanelli, South Wales. She speaks Welsh fluently. Thomas has a sister, Alana. Thomas developed alopecia when she was six, losing chunks of her hair.

Thomas started working as a model at age 13, and at the age of 17 moved to London to become a professional model. Working in bars to pay for her living costs, she was rejected by many modelling agencies due to her height.

She reluctantly returned to her studies, and gained a degree in Health studies and Psychology at the University of Worcester. During this period she entered beauty contests, and was crowned Miss Wales in 2003, beating future Big Brother 9 winner Rachel Rice, who came third. She went on to represent Wales at Miss World in

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China. This prompted her to return to London to try glamour modelling, and also working as a bar hostess at London’s Sanderson Hotel.

Selected as a housemate in the seventh series of the Channel 4 TV series, Big Brother, up to week 5, Thomas was not allowed to participate in nominations. In week 1 she was in the Big Brotherhood, and there were no nominations. In weeks 2 and 3, she was banned from nominating for discussing nominations. In week 4, only Susie was permitted to nominate, and in week 5, as punishment for yet again discussing nominations she was forced (along with 4 other rule breakers) to nominate one fellow rule breaker in front of the group. On Day 84, Imogen moved with fellow nominee Richard into the House Next Door, where she remained until she was evicted on Day 86 with 62% of the public vote.

Since her time on the Big Brother series ended, Thomas has become a glamour model. She has had covergirl shoots with Zoo and Maxim magazines, while she had

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long running contracts with the Daily Star newspaper. Thomas was in the running for FHM Sexiest Woman in the World, coming in 58th. In 2008, she was included in the list of Playboy Bunnies on Playboy’s website. In 2010 she shot her first calendar.

In November 2006, Thomas was voted the Sexiest Woman in Wales, ahead of both Catherine Zeta Jones and Charlotte Church. Thomas has also been voted the sexiest Big Brotherhousemate.

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Age: 29
Profession: TV Personality
Nationality: Welsh
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brunette
Height: 5’6″
Why: Television personality and host
Where: Come Dine with Me  Currently airing on the UK’s Channel 4 & the Discovery Networks
Twitter:  @ImogenThomas

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The S30 was not a new idea, sturdy engineering, excellent performance, low prices, attractive styling, average interiors had been achieved by other manufacturers but the Z car capitalized on all these criteria and perfected the concept of a low-cost, reliable, sports car. (Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200)

 In 1974, the engine displacement was increased to 2.6 liters and the vehicle was dubbed the 260Z. This brought an end to the 240Z series which had sold 116,712 examples during its life-span. The United States emissions regulations were increasing every year. Thus, the 260Z had less horsepower than its predecessor and was rated at 139.

The 260Z was available in 2+2 configuration. With the fold-down rear seats, the 260Z offered a higher level of practicality over the 240Z. During its first and only model year, 63,963 examples were produced giving it the all-time Z-car sales record to date.

In 1975 the displacement was increased to 2.8 liters and the vehicle was dubbed the 280Z in America while elsewhere around the globe the 260Z moniker would continue. A Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection system was included which helped bring increase the horsepower to 149.

The Nissan S30 (sold in Japan as the Nissan Fairlady Zebra) and in other markets as the Datsun 240Z, 260Z and 280Z was the first generation of Z GT two-seat coupe. (Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200)

So what mod’s have been done to this Australian beauty you ask? Well ask and you shall receive!

Engine:
L28 with N42 head and flat top pistons
Triple 40mm Dellorto carbs
6-2-1 extractors
2.5 inch mandrell bent stainless steel exhaust
Race cam
MSD 6AL ignition with soft touch rev limiter
MSD Blaster 2 ignition coil
Electric fuel pump
Electric water pump
Twin electric radiator fans
Heavy duty clutch

Suspension & Steering:
R33 Skyline JIC coilovers, fully height and damper adjustable
AZC adjustable camber tops
AZC adjustable front lower control arms
AZC adjustabe castor rods
AZC rca and steering knuckle
Custom pillow ball tie rods
Alloy steering bush

Brakes:
280zx brake master cylinder
Front 12.2″ diameter curved vane directional vented rotors
Wilwood Superlite 6 piston calipers
Rear 11″ 280zx vented discs with 4 piston calipers

Wheels:
Work Equip 01s Rear:15×10 -22 Front: 15x 9.5 -26

Interior:
Bucket seats
Nardi steering wheel
Hydraulic handbrake
Defi tacho
Defi Link control unit
Electric water pump controller and temperature gauge
GReddy gear knob
Pioneer head unit

Body:
Front air dam
BRE spoiler
ZG flares
JDM fender mirrors
Series 2 260z bonnet vents

260Z models had bumpers that resembled those of the earlier 240Z, though increased slightly in size, pushed away from the body somewhat, and wearing black rubber bumper guards rather that the previous chrome bumper guards with rubber strips. These early cars still had the front turn signals located below the bumpers. (Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200)

1974 brought for the first time to the S30 line a new 2/2 (2+2) seating option, which offered room for 4 passengers and an extra 11.9 in (302 mm) of wheelbase. These cars have a notably different roofline from the 2-seat coupes, incorporating larger opening quarter panel windows. Some regard the 260Z as the least desirable of the S30 models, because of the reduced performance offered in comparison to the earlier 240Z, and also in comparison to the later 280Z with its fuel-injected 2.8-liter motor…

The 260Z debuted a redesigned dashboard and console, as well as new seat trim, and door panels for the interior. The rear tail lights were updated, moving the reverse lights from the main tail light housing to the back panel. (Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200)

This model was sold in the United States for the 1974 model year only, but was available in other countries until 1978. The engine was enlarged over that of the 240Z with a longer stroke to 2.6 L. In the U.S., federal emissions regulations forced a reduction in ignition timing and compression ratio, resulting in a lower power output (140 hp) for the 260Z’s despite the additional displacement, whereas in other countries the power output increased to 165 bhp. A 3-speed automatic transmission was an option, and the 4-speed manual remained standard.

The two-door design featured an elegantly curved roof merging into a streamlined rear panel in which the spare wheel was partially countersunk. The doors carried sliding windows, and each Airline coupé featured a sunshine roof. This actually consisted of three separate trapezoidal-like celluloid panels. (Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200)

After the introduction of the new P-Type Midget early in 1934, the N-Type six-cylinder Magnette appeared, replacing the L-Types and K-Types. Originally, these models were fitted with a 56 hp, 1,271 cc engine in a beefed-up chassis. The new six-cylinder N-Type was capable of a top speed of just over 80 mph, making it slightly faster than the smaller P-Type that could achieve 75 mph.

The N-Type, in addition to having a softer ride and being easier to drive than its predecessors, also had much more spacious and comfortable passenger accommodations. It was offered as an open two- and four-seater model, as well as a graceful two-door hardtop known as the Airline Coupé. Only 745 N-Types were built between 1934 and 1936, and of these, a very small number of cars were fitted with Airline coupé bodywork.

Aside from the K-Types, the N-Types were the most successful racing MG models of this period. In 1934, a six-cylinder N-Type won the TT at the Ards circuit in Northern Ireland and competed in team trials starting in 1937.

In 1935, the MG N-Series was upgraded and became the NB; the chassis remained unaltered, but modifications were made to the coachwork. With a slatted stone guard fitted to the radiator shell and a lowered scuttle height, the appearance was vastly improved; the front end lent itself more to two-toning, and the driver was provided with a better view of the road ahead.

Gone were the “suicide” doors, as they were now hinged at the front rather than at the B-pillar. New, larger chrome-plated hinges extend on the outside of the scuttle, which rectified a problem in earlier models where the doors tended to droop when opened.

The two-door design featured an elegantly curved roof merging into a streamlined rear panel in which the spare wheel was partially countersunk. The doors carried sliding windows, and each Airline coupé featured a sunshine roof. This actually consisted of three separate trapezoidal-like celluloid panels.

The XL1's length and width are similar to the Volkswagen Polo, with a length of 3,970 mm and width of 1,682 mm. However, the car is much lower with a height of only 1,184 mm, and has a coupe-like roofline, reducing interior volume.

The XL1 was the third iteration of the Volkswagen 1L car, first shown in concept guise at the 2011 Qatar Motor Show. The two older concept cars had been shown to the public in 2002 and 2009 (then called L1).

When the XL1 hits the road in 2013 it will be capable of achieving a combined fuel consumption of approximately 1 liter (.26 gallons) per 62 miles—or 235 mpg!

Like the L1, the XL1 uses a two-cylinder turbo-diesel. Displacing 800 cc, it is rated at 47 hp and 121 Nm of torque, and transmits power to the rear wheels through a seven-speed DSG transmission. The electric motor pitches in with 27 hp and 100 Nm of torque, and can work in parallel with the diesel or drive the car independent of it.

The concept-car XL1 had a curb weight of 795 kg and a drag coefficient of 0.186. Just 23.2% of the car (184 kg) is made out of either steel or iron; the drivetrain weighs 227 kg.

The XL1′s length and width are similar to the Volkswagen Polo, with a length of 3,970 mm and width of 1,682 mm. However, the car is much lower with a height of only 1,184 mm, and has a coupe-like roofline, reducing interior volume. The design incorporates gullwing doors, with the interior seating layout using a staggered side-by-side arrangement similar to a Smart Fortwo, rather than the previous versions’ tandem seating. Performance credentials include a governed top speed of 74.6 mph, with 0 to 50 mph in 32 seconds.

The concept-car XL1 had a curb weight of 795 kg and a drag coefficient of 0.186. Just 23.2% of the car (184 kg) is made out of either steel or iron; the drivetrain weighs 227 kg.

Hannah Simone

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From ages 7–10, Simone lived in Saudi Arabia but by the age of 13, both she and her family had once again moved, this time to Cyprus where she would be discovered by the local fashion industry. A successful young model Simone worked professionally throughout Cyprus, establishing a career which garnered her successes and accolades such as being featured on the cover of a leading local fashion publication. Her modeling career cut short by yet another move, Simone found her self at age 16 years living in New Delhi, India where she attended the respected American Embassy school. A terrific student who was community focused, while in New Dehli Simone helped organize a local benefit concert for women and children with AIDS. The following year, 17 year old Simone moved home to Canada where she would attend college and launch her career in the entertainment industry.

While attending the University of British Columbia, Simone received a BA in International Relations and Political Science. In 2004, while at Ryerson

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University, she received a BA in Radio and Television Arts.

Simone started in the entertainment business at age nine as an actress gracing stages around the world. Her stage career led her to host a cable home-design show before joining Canada’s largest music channel, MuchMusic. She served as the host for “Much News Weekly” and “The New Music,” as well as hosting live red-carpet events such as the “MuchMusic Video Awards” and television specials such as “MuchTalks: Climate Change” and “MuchTalks: AIDS.”

She recently completed work on “Sati Shaves Her Head,” a short film directed by Tejal Shah based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Simone serves as the Health Ambassador for the Pepsi Refresh Project, a campaign dedicated to fund ideas, initiated by individuals and non-profit organizations, that have a positive impact on society.

Simone worked at MuchMusic as a DJ at MuchMusic Headquarters, as a news presenter for

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“Much News Weekly” and the host of the show The NewMusic. She related well to youth interested in alternative artists. Simone stopped working at MuchMusic on 21 November 2008, stating that she had plans on moving to Los Angeles, California. Following her move to California Simon lander a role hosting the WCG Ultimate Gamer alongside Joel Gourdin on the Syfy Network. Moderately successful the series premiered in 2009 but later ended after its second season concluded in October, 2010.  In 2011 Simone landed her biggest role to date,  currently starring on Fox’s comedy New Girl alongside quirky indie-hipster princess Zooey Deschanel.

Age: 31
Profession: Actress
Nationality: Canadian
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brunette
Height: 5’7″
Why: Television Actress
Where: The New Girl  Tuesday Nights on Fox @9/8c
Twitter:  @HannahSimone
Facebook: /HannahSimone

Rusted Root's "Send Me On My Way", which hit No. 72 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1995, parts of the song have also been used on the television shows Party of Five, Homicide, Chuck, New Girl and in a 2011 Enterprise Rent-A-Car commercial.

Rusted Root’s “Send Me On My Way”, which hit No. 72 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1995, is its most commercially popular song. It was used on the soundtracks of Matilda; Ice Age; Pie in the Sky; Race the Sun; YTV Canada’s Are We There Yet?: World Adventure; and the Boy Scouts of America, Order of the Arrow Philmont Trail Crew promotional video that was released in the late 1990s. Parts of the song have also been used on the television shows Party of Five,  Homicide, Chuck, New Girl and in a 2011 Enterprise Rent-A-Car commercial.

Rusted Root - Send Me On My Way

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGMabBGydC0

Rusted Root released Stereo Rodeo, their first studio album in seven years, on May 5, 2009. In the summer of 2011, Rusted Root began to add four new songs to their setlist, all soon to appear on their next studio album. These songs include “Fortunate Freaks”, “Sun and Magic”, “Monkey Pants”, and one dated yet unreleased track, “Cover Me Up”. Glabicki has been quoted saying that he and the band are looking to move in a direction similar to Talking Heads.

Rusted Root has over 40 tracks that only exist on rare bootlegs recorded between the years of 1991 and 1995.

The band’s front-man Michael Glabicki is known for his unique guitar playing; often involving the use of Tremolo picking and Acoustic-electric guitar amplification. Some of his on stage guitar choices include: Larrivée, Martin, and Guild.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEBLDOeM7f4

What is it like to stand trackside at a major motorsports event? Well, now you know with trackside. No story, no opinion, just raw energy and excitement. This is what it’s like to hear, feel, and see the best racing cars in the world, from just over the other side of the wall.

Video of the Week: 12 Hours of Sebring Trackside

Unfazed, Power picked off drivers ahead of him one by one. His ability to make passes on a street course not easy to pass on enabled him to run the 85 laps on two pit stops instead of three and made Power the winner of the IndyCar main event by just 0.86 seconds over Simon Pagenaud. Pagenaud, a rookie, was in a Honda engine-powered car. (Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200)

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Unfazed, Power picked off drivers ahead of him one by one. His ability to make passes on a street course not easy to pass on enabled him to run the 85 laps on two pit stops instead of three and made Power the winner of the IndyCar main event by just 0.86 seconds over Simon Pagenaud. Pagenaud, a rookie, was in a Honda engine-powered car. But the penaltynotwithstanding, his was the only car with a Honda engine to finish in the top seven even though no Chevrolet-powered car started higher than 11th.

James Hinchcliffe was going to finish off the podium but was upgraded to third when Ryan Hunter-Reay, who crossed the finish line in that position, was docked 30 seconds for avoidable contact with Takuma Sato on the last lap. Hunter-Reay ended up sixth and Sato was eighth because the contact with Hunter-Reay caused him to spin out. Dario Franchitti, who started on the pole because of the Chevy penalties, did not have a good day and finished 15th. Power who also won at Long Beach in 2008 in the Champ Car finale before that series merged with IndyCar. Under the circumstances, this win was inordinately nicer.

“You know, this was a very sweet victory because I’ve been on pole here I think ’09, ’10 and ’11, and it just frustrated me that every year something would happen and I couldn’t win,” Power said. “I thought, `Oh, once again this weekend I’m starting 12th.’ ”I felt as though that’s impossible to win. I’ve got another bad year at Long Beach.” Power, a soft-spoken guy from Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, spoke in tones that for him were very animated. ”Yeah, I could not believe it,” he said. “It was just a good race, pushed hard all the time, no mistakes, great strategy, just a great team effort again.” The talented driver from Team Penske then said something kind of strange. Keep in mind he now has 17 victories – 15 in IndyCar, two in Champ Car. He also has finished second in series points each of the last two seasons. ”I go into every season thinking that there’s no way I can win another race,” he said. “I don’t know why I feel like that but I do, and that’s always my … I guess I have an insecurity or something or I don’t believe in myself enough.”

Power led just 15 laps – as in the last 15. Pagenaud might be a rookie, but he didn’t drive like one. The Frenchman from Sam Schmidt Motorsports led the most laps, 26, but had to pit three times. Even so, he reduced a 4.51-second deficit with five laps to go to less than one second by race’s end. Pagenaud now has finishes of sixth, fifth and second in the season’s first three events. At the end, Power had to lap EJ Viso, who then was between Power and Pagenaud. Race control had asked the cars about to be lapped to move over for the leaders. Viso finally did, but Pagenaud wouldn’t say he could have won if Viso would have moved sooner.

“I don’t know,” he said. “With a lot of ifs, you could change the world. It is what it is at the end of the day. I’m really happy with second. But if I had an opportunity (to pass Power), I definitely would have tried.

“You can trust me on that.”

Pagenaud was queried about the engine situation. Specifically, he was asked if it was demoralizing that even with its 11 cars sustaining 10-spot penalties Chevrolet-powered cars still had six in the top seven.

“No, it’s not,” he said. “I think Honda is doing a great job. I think it’s very tight with Chevy. But you know, Chevy has got teams like Penske and Andretti with six cars, so it’s quite a bit of cars to beat and they’re very strong as a team.”

Reaping the benefits of Hunter-Reay’s move on Sato was Hinchcliffe, who made the podium even though he actually crossed the finish line fourth. Prior to Sunday he had three fourth-place finishes, all last year in his first IndyCar season.

Two of the most successful drivers in the history of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón expanded their legacy with victories Saturday in the second round of the 2012 championship. A P1 victory for Luhr and a GT win for Gavin at Saturday’s Tequila Patrón American Le Mans Series at Long Beach advanced the two drivers to third and fourth, respectively, on the ALMS career-win list. Combined, the two drivers have amassed 71 class victories in their illustrious careers.

Luhr’s 36 victories rank him third in the ALMS record books. A four-time ALMS champion, the German driver has won races in three classes and became the first competitor to take three overall ALMS triumphs at Long Beach – 2008 for Audi and the last two years with Klaus Graf for Greg Pickett’s Muscle Milk squad. This season they won in a Honda Performance Development ARX-03a prototype and gave the new car its first worldwide triumph. Gavin’s career achievements so far with Corvette Racing are equally impressive. The Briton is tied with Audi standout Dindo Capello for fourth in career wins with 35. Driving with Tommy Milner, Gavin won at Long Beach for the third time and posted the fastest GT race lap in his Corvette C6.R. That made 26 all-time and broke a tie with ex-Corvette teammate Olivier Beretta. Gavin and Luhr – along with the rest of the ALMS field – will be back in action for the six-hour American Le Mans Monterey presented by Patrón at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The third round of the ALMS championship is set for 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 12 from the 2.238-mile circuit in Monterey, Calif. ESPN2 will air the race at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 13. Live coverage is available starting at 4:15 p.m. ET on ESPN3.

Andy Pilgrim, of Marina Del Rey, Fla., earned his first Pirelli World Challenge Championships victory since 2009 in the GT class and road racing great Jack Baldwin, of Marietta, Ga., earned his first World Challenge victory ever in the GTS class at Sunday’s Pirelli World Challenge Long Beach Grand Prix presented by StopTech. Pilgrim started second in the No. 8 Cadillac Racing Cadillac CTS-V and – as he had predicted after qualifying – was no match for polesitter Randy Pobst, of Gainesville, Ga., on the race’s standing start as Pobst used the all-wheel drive on his No. 6 K-Pax Racing Volvo S60 to full advantage. However, Pilgrim managed to slot into second place heading into Turn 1 and spent the next several laps searching for an opportunity to make a move. The opportunity presented itself in Turn 1 on Lap 9 of the 31-lap event and Pilgrim made the most of it. In fact, it turned out to be the Cadillac CTS-V Move of the Race. ”I think traffic played a little bit of a part in it,” Pilgrim said. “Randy got stuck in traffic a little bit in the hairpin and I gained on him a little bit on that lap. It wasn’t like I had a run on him, but I could stay with him. I just surprised him a little bit there. He was starting to move his brake point back a little bit and I noticed it. I just waited as late as I possibly could. The door was open and I went through.” ”Andy just put a beautiful, surgical pass on me,” Pobst added. “I had no idea he could gain that sort of advantage in the brake zone in (Turn) 1. He just studied for a while, realized he did have an advantage and he just took it like a surgeon cutting out a tumor. All of a sudden, it was just a beautiful pass.”

The W125 made its first competitive outing in May at the 1937 Tripoli Grand Prix with Mercedes-Benz entering four cars. German Hermann Lang won his first Grand Prix motor race to give the W125 a victory on its début and provide Mercedes with their first victory over rivals Auto Union since May 1936. (Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200)

A new racing department (‘Rennabteilung’) was set up within Mercedes-Benz in order to work on the car. Rudolf Uhlenhaut, previously a production car engineer for the company, was selected to lead the design team. Uhlenhaut had not previously designed a racing car, but had significant experience testing road cars on the Nürburgring race track, experience which allowed him to adapt his knowledge relatively easily to race cars.

When testing the old W25 car, Uhlenhaut remarked that the suspension was too stiff, preventing the wheels from following the road. During the test session, a wheel came off the car, yet Uhlenhaut continued to drive the car as if nothing had happened. This stiffness caused the chassis to flex and the rear axle to bend by up to 7–10 cm (3-4 inches) under braking. The brief for the new car included a stiffer chassis and more travel on the suspension to avoid the problems experienced in the 1936 car.

With no regulations limiting engine size, other than the 750 kg total car weight limit, Mercedes designed a 5.6 litre engine configured with eight inline cylinders and an overhead camshaft for the W125. Named the M125, the engine was also fitted with a Roots type supercharger producing 632 lb·ft (857 N·m) of torque at the start of the season. The engines built varied in power, attaining an output between 560 and 595 horse power (418-444 kW) at 5800 rpm. Fuel used was a custom mix of 40% methyl alcohol, 32% benzene, 24% ethyl alcohol and 4% gasoline light. The engine weighed 222 kg (490 lbs) – approximately 30% of the total weight of the car, and was mounted in the front of the car.

Like its W25 predecessor, the W125 used a 4-speed manual transmission. The gearbox design was changed to a constant mesh type, which provided better reliability compared to the sliding mesh transmission of the M25. In a constant mesh gearbox, the transmission gears are always in mesh and rotating, but the gears are not rigidly connected to the shafts on which they rotate. Instead, the gears can freely rotate or be locked to the shaft on which they are carried. The previous sliding mesh transmission required the gears to be spinning at roughly the same speed when engaged; otherwise, the teeth would refuse to mesh.

The W125 made its first competitive outing in May at the 1937 Tripoli Grand Prix with Mercedes-Benz entering four cars. German Hermann Lang won his first Grand Prix motor race to give the W125 a victory on its début and provide Mercedes with their first victory over rivals Auto Union since May 1936. The next race was held at the AVUS motor-racing circuit in Germany, a 12-mile (19 km) long circuit consisting of two long straights of approximately 6 miles (10 km) length joined at either end by a curve. As such, it was possible for a car to reach its top speed. Mercedes entered two W125 cars, a streamliner which was modified from the original design to increase its top speed on the straights and a standard car driven by Richard Seaman in case of problems with the streamliner. The streamliner had a top speed 25 km/h (16 mph) faster than the regular car. On lap three of the race, the streamliner retired while leading due to a gearbox failure. Seaman’s regular W125 finished in fifth position.

Collard greens, pot liquor, ribs, brisket and pulled-pork served up along side jalepeno-cornbread with home made honey butter...yes,to put it mildly we ate well in Candler Park this evening.

The Atlanta metro is one of those terrific places we often find ourselves visiting for both work and play.  Recently the latter was the case and my wife and I took the opportunity to casually try a few new local independent eateries,  the first of which was the apparently famous Fox Brothers BBQ of Candler Park. We arrived at the intriguingly eclectic restaurant just after 9pm on a dark and rainy spring evening, befitting of it’s reputation the place was PACKED. Apparently the copious amounts of rain brought in just ahead of a cold-front currently moving through metro-Atlanta was not enough to deter throngs of locals and tourists a like from making the crosstown pilgrimage to storied Candler Park eatery and devouring generous portions of BBQ, sides, deserts, bartender-crafted-spirits and regional micro-brews.

The building which houses Fox Brothers is…different. It works for a BBQ joint, no question about that but it’s the sort of eclectic hodge-podge you wouldn’t be so amused by if it were playing host to the vast majority of  any other food genre. Here the eccentrically dilapidated decor works though, delightfully warn, warm and comforting it creates a dining room that is as casual, comfortable and down-home as it is quirky in it’s colloquial chic. Evocative of a modern day urban-jook-joint, Fox Brothers is just the sort of place you expect to be served fresh, smoked and expertly seasoned and sauced southern BBQ.

Here the eccentrically dilapidated decor works though, delightfully warn, warm and comforting it creates a dining room that is as casual, comfortable and down-home as it is quirky in it's colloquial chic.

The food here was excellent if not classic in composition and presentation. There are to be no new spins on BBQ here, no high-end acoutrements or garnish, just good old southern BBQ at it’s finest. The pork, beef and chicken here are all expertly smoked with the all important smoke-ring  clearly made evident and while there is a visually present smoke ring, the meats are neither dry or tough instead you are greeted with smoky fresh, savory and moist BBQ. The sauces are down home good, achieving that all important balance between sweet and savory with vinegar and hot-spiced variants to satisfy every tongue and pallet. The sides here are fresh too, with the excellent house-made potato salad taking a slight Atlanta spin on the classic southern style. The BBQ beans were properly cooked and infused with just enough sauce, pork and molasses as to achieve that sublime complimentary balance only BBQ affords between meat and bean. Desert came in the form of an inspired raspberry-rhubarb crustini complete with fresh cream, cinnamon and vanilla ice-cream…readily mobile excellence in a to-go box.

Desert came in the form of an inspired raspberry-rhubarb crustini complete with fresh cream, cinnamon and vanilla ice-cream...readily mobile excellence in a to-go box.

Well reccomended if not a tad hard to find, Fox Brother’s is a definite must visit for anyone visiting the Atlanta metro…just remember to be patient when hunting for parking, it’s totally worth the wait.

Fox Brothers BBQ

1238 Dekalb Avenue Northeast
Atlanta, Georgia 30307
(404) 577-4030
www.foxbrosbbq.com

Mon-Thurs: 11am-10pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-11pm
Sun: 11am-10pm 

Fitted with a supercharged single overhead camshaft 7-litre straight-6 engine producing 200–300 metric horsepower and over 500 lb·ft of torque. (HQ Image Available - 1920x1200)

The SSK was based on the earlier Mercedes-Benz S, but with the chassis shortened by 19 inches (480 mm) to make the car lighter and more agile for racing, especially short races and hillclimbs.

Fitted with a supercharged single overhead camshaft 7-litre straight-6 engine producing 200–300 metric horsepower (150–220 kW) and over 500 lb·ft (680 N·m) of torque (depending on the state of tune),, the SSK had a top speed of up to 120 miles per hour (190 km/h), making it the fastest car of its day The supercharger on the SSK’s engine was operated by a cluch that was engaged by fully depressing the throttle pedal and then giving the pedal an extra push. Backing off the throttle pedal disengaged the supercharger clutch.

The SSK was driven to victory in numerous races, including in 1929 the 500 Miles of Argentina, the 1929 and 1930 Cordoba Grands Prix, the 1931 Argentine Grand Prix, and, in the hands of legendary Grand Prix racing driver Rudolf Caracciola, the 1929 British Tourist Trophy race, the 1930 Irish Grand Prix, the 1931 German Grand Prix, and the 1931 Mille Miglia.

The S/SS/SSK line was one of the nominees in the penultimate round of voting for the Car of the Century award in 1999, as chosen by a panel of 132 motoring journalists and a public internet vote.

Fewer than 40 SSKs were built during its production span, of which about half were sold as Rennwagen (racing cars). Many were crashed while racing and subsequently cannibalised for parts, and as a result there are now almost 100 replicasusing components donated from original vehicles.^{[citation needed]} Only four or five entirely original models remain, and their scarcity and rich heritage make them among the most sought after cars in the world; a 1929 model was auctioned atBonhams in Chichester in September 2004 for £4.17 million (US$7.4 million), making it the second most expensive automobile ever sold at that time. Another SSK, a streamlined ”Count Trossi”-bodied version owned and restored by fashion designer Ralph Lauren, has won best of show at both the 1993 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the 2007 Concorso D’Eleganza Villa d’Este.

The 1936-40 BMW 328 was one of the 25 finalists for “Car of the Century” – a competition eventually won by Henry Ford’s Model T. (Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200)

What’s the most iconic European sports car of the 1930s? Is it the 1935-39 Jaguar SS 100? The 1931-34 Alfa-Romeo 8C 2300 Spider? The 1938-39 Talbot-Lago T150?
Naturally enough, BMW thinks it built the most influential two-seater of that decade, the 1936-40 328.
With typical German thoroughness, they make a good case for their car. In a press release celebrating the 75th anniversary of the 328, BMW says, “Success was the result of its design parameters – through the use of systematic lightweight construction, aerodynamic lines, optimum engine types and outstanding suspension technology, it laid the foundation stone for a new vehicle concept, by which performance only leads to success if combined with perfect harmonization of all parameters and maximum efficiency.”
In a few less words, what they’re trying to say is that the 328 set the pattern for all other sports cars to follow. For that alone, it has to be considered an icon, but it had style, too, with headlamps built into, rather than sitting atop, the front fenders and smooth, flowing lines.
It was a common belief in the 1930s that to achieve better handling a car had to have a heavy chassis and a stiff suspension. BMW broke with that practice by building the 328 with a light but stiff chassis, using a tubular steel frame, and a more supple suspension system. Seventy-five years later, that is still the norm, as is the 328’s pioneering use of rack and pinion steering.
The only engine ever used was a 1,971-cc straight-6 coupled to a 4-speed manual transmission that produced 80 hp. That gave the lightweight roadster a top speed of 150 km/h.
The 1936-40 BMW 328 was one of the 25 finalists for “Car of the Century” – a competition eventually won by Henry Ford’s Model T.
To mark the 75th anniversary, BMW has created a concept called the 328 Hommage – a lightweight sports/racing car that honours the spirit of the original.
“With the BMW 328 Hommage, we wish to pay homage to the passion and inventiveness of the fathers of the BMW 328”, said Karl Bäumer, CEO of BMW Group Classic. “They created an icon, which is considered a milestone in the history of the automobile.”
The 328 Hommage offers a possible interpretation of how the designers of that time, Fritz Fiedler and Rudolf Schleicher, might have built the 328 today using modern materials. For instance, where the original made use of lightweight materials such as aluminum and magnesium, the Hommage is built of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). While the original 1936 328 tipped the scales at 830 kg with its 2.0-litre inline 6, the Hommage weighs just 780 kg with a 3.0-litre V6.
Never built in large numbers – just 462 examples made during its four-year-run – the 328 is even rarer today since the majority did not emerge from the wreckage of World War II.
As you might expect, this makes good examples highly prized – and highly priced – whenever they come up for sale.
For instance, a 1937 328 roadster was sold by Bonhams & Butterfields at Monaco in 2010 for $667,000. The same year, RM Auctions hammered down a 1939 model for $539,000 at its Sports & Classics of Monterey event. A special-bodied 328 that ran at Le Mans in 1937, and in the 1938 Mille Miglia where it won its class, sold at RM’s 2010 sale in Monaco for $5.6 million.

Aston Martin Racing's ferocious Vantage V8 finished 34th overall and 16th in the GT classes at this year's 12 Hours of Sebring. (Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200)

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEBLDOeM7f4

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Dindo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish completed 301 laps in their Audi R18 to win by four laps in the opening round of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón and the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Audi finished 1-2 at Sebring for the first time since 2005. Kristensen extended his Sebring record with his sixth overall victory. Capello now has won five times and McNish four. The winning trio gained control in the second half of the race as gearbox problems beset the pole-winning No. 1 Audi and the second-place R18 suffered contact with a slower car in the last hour.

“We had some small things to worry about, but the 3 car never crossed our mind,” Kristensen said. “We focused more on the keys like keeping the corners right. You have to keep doing this every lap. Lap after lap, you have to make sure that he knows you’re there. The key is to look for the rhythm.”

Dyson Racing took advantage of fueling issues for Muscle Milk Pickett Racing and won the ALMS’ P1 class. The trio of Chris Dyson, Guy Smith and Steven Kane moved into the class lead with about 30 minutes to go. Dyson Racing won last year’s P1 team championship, and Dyson and Smith also claimed the driving championship.

Their victory Saturday came within a week of testing the new Lola-Mazda for the first time. On the other end of the spectrum, the Muscle Milk crew was devastated by their final-hour fueling problems. Klaus Graf, Lucas Luhr and Simon Pagenaud were in the running for an overall podium finish for much of the race’s second half in their HPD ARX-03a prototype.

“I was really delighted with the performance the team put in the last couple days,” Dyson said. “After just getting the car 12 days ago with a lot of hours put in since then, this was a reward for their efforts. I am excited about what the rest of the year holds. I’m really looking forward to defending the championship now.”

Both P1 winners persevered through a race that started 62 cars and had 51 running at the end. It made the race more about patience and opportunity – and some good fortune.

“Every lap, every corner, you had to be focused to not make a mistake or make a stupid maneuver,” Audi’s Capello said. “We were careful, we finished with just little scratches on our car; nothing serious. It was one of the keys to our success today.”

Joey Hand won GT for BMW Team RLL after a wild last two laps that ended with the team’s second straight Sebring victory with the BMW M3 GT. It was a frantic race for much of the second half with six cars in position for the lead. Hand, who battled the last three laps with AF Corse’s Olivier Beretta, appeared to lose the lead on the final lap when he was forced off course by Gimmi Bruni in an AF Corse Ferrari F458 Italia.

Hand went off track but never stopped or lost the lead thanks to a remarkable recovery.

“We talked about this – what we had to do for this race,” Hand said. We knew we didn’t have the ultimate lap. We knew we had the smartest guys – starting with Bobby Rahal – then BMW, Dunlop, a lot of great people. We had four or five issues that could have taken us laps down.”

“This wasn’t GT; this was touring car,” said Mueller, who won the class championship with Hand last season. “We were flat out like a sprint the whole time. The win was really fantastic. Joey mentioned everybody; it’s not a driver’s job. It’s a team sport. Where we are now with the team is really special.”

Corvette Racing’s trio of Jan Magnussen, Antonio Garcia and Jordan Taylor also got around Beretta at the finish and ended 6.3 seconds behind the BMW. Beretta, Andrea Bertolini and Marco Cioci placed third in their Ferrari F458 Italia.

“(Hand) wants to win, we want to win and that was just racing,” Beretta said. “He was on the outside line and there is not as much grip especially on the last lap of the race. It was just the racing circumstances.”

Starworks Motorsports’ trio of Ryan Dalziel, Stephane Sarrazin and Vicente Potolicchio won in P2 with their HPD ARX-03b. The closing two hours were a back-and-forth affair with the Starworks car finishing third overall. Sarrazin and Level 5 Motorsports’ Joao Barbosa swapped the lead multiple times within the last 90 minutes.

It was a successful opening round in Level 5’s title defense of the ALMS P2 championship. Barbosa, Christophe Bouchut and Scott Tucker were the highest-finishing ALMS team in the class and overall standings.

“It was a good battle with the WEC car even though it is not a championship we are in,” said Tucker, who won the P2 title last year with Bouchut. “Overall my teammates did great today and we are really pleased with them. That is something we worked really hard on in the offseason and we are really pleased with all the developments in the class.  We think there can be four to six cars in P2 and make it a really competitive class in ALMS.”

It was a remarkable comeback for the Level 5 team after a huge crash in qualifying Friday that left Bouchut in the outside tire wall at Turn 1. The team began the race from the rear of the field after changing tires.

“We have a great team with really hard workers,” Barbosa said. “I was 100 percent confident that we were going to have good car and we had no issues. We just had to get the car going, and it was perfect from that point.”

Black Swan Racing placed second among the ALMS runners in class in its first P2 race since moving up from GT Challenge. Tim Pappas, Bret Curtis and Jon Fogarty completed 298 laps in their HPD-powered Lola B11/80 coupe.

They were ahead of Conquest Endurance, which finished third among the ALMS P2 finishers in the team’s first race with the Series. Martin Plowman, Jan Haylen and David Heinemeier Hansson drove their Morgan-Judd.

The 60th Anniversary Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida also marked the start of the fourth season of the Michelin Green X Challenge.

Muscle Milk Pickett Racing captured the first round of the prototype MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge in its new HPD / ARX-03a beating last year’s champion Dyson Racing.

Defending 2011 MGXC champions BMW Team RLL captured the first win of the season in the GT class edging out No. 4 Corvette Racing.

The event saw an unprecedented starting grid with 62 cars from the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón and the FIA World Endurance Championship. All cars competed on one of four alternative fuels – clean diesel, E85, E10 and isobutanol.

CORE autosport opened the defense of its Prototype Challenge championship with the team’s first victory at Sebring. E.J. Viso, Alex Popow and Burt Frisselle drove their ORECA FLM09 to a one-lap victory over PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports.

Butch Leitzinger, Rudy Junco and Ken Dobson finished second in another class fight that went down to the final hour. CORE’s sister car also took third on the class podium with the trio of Colin Braun, Jon Bennett and Eric Lux.

“Sebring is a place that is very special to have the opportunity to come here and drive,” Frisselle said. “Thirty-five years ago my father won this race and it is very special for me. The traffic was intense and without the brilliant driving and hard work from my teammates and CORE autosport, I would not be sitting here. I am proud I got to take part in Sebring history.”

Viso drove the final 2:15 and rarely had a lead of over a minute. It was an amazing result for a team with two drivers – Viso and Popow – who had never driven the car before this week. Frisselle had only driven the ORECA once – a victory at Petit Le Mans in 2010 with Level 5.

“We were told when we got here Sunday that we think we have a chance for the championship,” Popow said. “And it is here; we did it. We got first place. The team did a professional job and we just drove hard all day.”

Alex Job Racing won in GT Challenge at Sebring for the second time in three years. Bill Sweedler, Townsend Bell and Dion von Moltke outlasted the field for a one-lap victory over the team car of Cooper MacNeil, Leh Keen and J.P. Dumoulin.

The winning Alex Job car recovered from a couple of early-race issues that resulted in damaged tires and a spin after von Moltke was hit at the final turn in the 10th hour. After that, however, von Moltke drove a steady and clean race as other challengers fell by the wayside in the race’s second half.

“I had to push the last two hours and was able to get a gap, make the last stop and bring it home for the win,” said von Moltke. “The car ran flawless all day. The crew put a great car under us, and we delivered.”

AJR won at Sebring for the eighth time. The next round in Long Beach marks the start of a new chapter in the team’s history as Sweedler and Bell debut a Lotus Evora GTE in the Series’ GT class.

“What a way to go out.  It is just unbelievable,” Sweedler said. “Dion is spectacular and Townsend did a great job. The team put together an awesome car and what a day! It couldn’t have gone better.”

Green Hornet Racing’s trio of Damien Faulkner, Sebastiaan Bleekemolen and Peter LeSaffre placed third.

In GTE Am, Team Felbermayr-Proton’s Christian Ried, Gianluca Roda and Paolo Ruberti won by a lap in their Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. The Felbermayr team placed second in the class last year at Sebring.

This time they finished ahead of Larbre Competition’s Corvette of Christophe Bourret, Pascal Gibon and Jean-Phillippe Belloc.

“We had a bit of trouble in the last hour,” Ruberti said. “I did the last stint without the power steering but kept the car on good pace with good results. The Ferrari is a little faster than us, but we were in fact in the best position. In this place we need to now finish all the races for a good championship result.”

The Auburn Boattail Speedster was a car frequently seen in Hollywood and was powered by a 4.6L straight eight that, with the popular supercharger option (150hp) and could top out at an astounding 100mph. (Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200)

Employing imaginative designers such as Alan Leamy (who was chiefly responsible for the 1933 Speedster) and Gordon Buehrig (who modified leftover bodies to produce the 1935 851 Speedster, and facelifted the four-door), Cord built cars that became famous for their advanced engineering as well as their striking appearance, e.g., the Model J Duesenbergs, the 1935–1937 Auburn Speedsters and the 810/812 Cords. The Auburn Boattail Speedster was a car frequently seen in Hollywood and was powered by a 4.6L straight eight that, with the popular supercharger option (150hp) and could top out at an astounding 100mph.

The Depression, coupled with Cord’s stock manipulations, spelled the end of the company. Production ceased in 1937. The company’s art decoheadquarters in Auburn now houses the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum. It was made a National Historic Landmark in 2005. The Auburn Automobile Company also had a manufacturing plant in Connersville, Indiana, that occupied a facility formerly owned by the Lexington Motor Company.

Although still badged as an S model, the B8 S4 is now considered less of a hardcore sport sedan. Enthusiast driver aids are now optional rather than standard, such as active rear differential, active steering and ultra-quick electrically-adjustable shocks. (Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200)

The previous B6/B7 S4s were the top-of-the-line models in North America, ahead of the 3.2L V6 and 4-cylinder 2.0T A4s, and competed with the BMW M3 which at the time had a high-rev 3.2 L inline 6. The 3.0 TFSI V6 engine replaces the3.2 litre FSI V6 as the upgrade engine in the A4 and A6 lineups starting for 2009; both the 3.2 litre FSI and 3.0 TFSI were offered together until the end of the 2010 model year. The 3.2L V6 engine is no longer offered in the A4 lineup from the 2011 model year onwards, so the recently introduced B8 S4 is now priced 9% lower than its V8 predecessors, and slots directly above the 4-cylinder 2.0T base model. The S4 now compares more closely with the BMW 335i and Infiniti G37; since the discontinuation of the Audi RS4(B7) Audi has not produced a direct competitor to the BMW M3 saloon.

Although still badged as an S model, the B8 S4 is now considered less of a hardcore sport sedan. Enthusiast driver aids are now optional rather than standard, such as active rear differential, active steering and ultra-quick electrically-adjustable shocks (both via Audi Drive Select Package). These trick differentials in the S4 are complex and heavy but they are key to solving the inherent flaw of high-horsepower front-drive vehicles, as the S4′s weight distribution remains nose heavy like its predecessors which contributes to under-steer. This allows the S4 to perform competitively with more balanced rear-wheel drive sport sedans such as the BMW 335i.

The S4 has sport suspension tuned for contributing to the vehicle’s handling and braking. It is also meant for providing safety and comfort by keeping the vehicle’s passengers relaxed and isolated from road noise, bumps and vibrations.

A new designed roadwheel is included on the B8 S4, an 8.5Jx18″ ’5-double-spoke S’ design alloy wheel with 245/40 ZR18 high performance tires. Optional 19 inch wheel and tyre packages are also available, sized at 8.5Jx19″ alloy wheels with 255/35 ZR19 tires. LED tail lights are standard fitment, along with Audi’s now-trademark LED daytime running lights at the front.

An amazingly talented 15-year-old from Hampshire, UK – Jasmine Van den Bogaerde had previously covered songs by The xx (The xx) and Cherry Ghost (People Help the People) .

Released back in January, her voice-and-piano cover of indie-icon Bon Iver’s Skinny Love is as economical as it is evocative, a song which has already become a hit in Birdy’s native Britain but is just now gaining airplay in the United States.

An amazingly talented 15-year-old from Hampshire, UK – Jasmine Van den Bogaerde had previously covered songs by The xx  (The xx) and Cherry Ghost (People Help the People) with great success, an accomplishment which set the stage for Birdy her debut album. With a soft and melodic fervor for the core essence of music Jasmine tackles many indie-rock favorites such as Phoenix’s 1901, The National’s Terrible Love and Fleet Foxes’ White Winter Hymnal. Surprisingly, though not out of character Birdy also dips into the soft-rock of a bygone era by covering James Taylor’s Fire & Rain, the oldest song on the album by a staggering three decades.

For its 11 tracks,  Jim Abbiss (Arctic Monkeys), Rich Costey (Franz Ferdinand) and James Ford (Klaxons) keep things interestingly intimate if not slightly shivery. Many songs boasting a more robust production than Skinny Love; Birdy’s piano chords often being cloaked in an alluring veil of reverberation and embellished with strings, vocal overdubs and even a few drum loops. However, when the record threatens to stray into MOR territory, everything is set straight once more through Birdy’s purely simplistic and empowering vocals.

Birdy - Skinny Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNzCDt2eidg

Does this teenage siren really appreciate the lyrics she’s singing, mostly written by men twice her age? That’s a matter of conjecture, but the album’s sole original track, an ambiguous break-up song called Without a Word suggests her emotional intensity is indeed legitimate. Either way, it’s hard not to declare the record an admittedly limited success but where it truly succeeds is in pointing to a bright future for the young British newcomer…

Hey, it also doesn’t hurt that she has a new song featured on the soundtrack for one of this year’s biggest film releases, The Hunger Games.

The Audi RS4's 4.2L V8 is capable of propelling the 3600+lb sedan from 0-60mph in a brish 4.5 seconds flat. (HQ Image Available - Click to Enlarge 1920x1200)

There was no RS4 built on the Audi ”B6″ platform which served as the basis for the Audi A4 between 2001 and 2005. However, after a long hiatus, the secondAudi RS4 quattro (Typ 8E), built on Audi’s ”B7″ A4 platform, by quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm, Germany (a wholly owned private subsidiary of AUDI AG), was unveiled in February 2005 at Audi’s ‘quattro Night’ celebration at the company headquarters in Ingolstadt, Germany.

An Imola Yellow RS4 saloon came down a replica of a ski jump, then rotated several times on an ice rink, before coming to rest in the centre of the ice. After several minutes to allow the assembled media and guests to examine the car, the RS4 climbed the ski jump and parked near the top. The ski jump was a homage to an Audi commercial from 1986; where an Audi climbed a ski jump in Finland to showcase its superior traction due to Audi’s trademark quattro four-wheel drivedrivetrain.

The RS4 became available to European customers in mid 2006. It was introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January, and arrived in June 2006 in North America. The production run of the B7 RS4 was 2006 to 2008 inclusive, although only 2007 and 2008 model year were sold in the United States. To date, approximately 10,000 B7 RS4s have been built, of which around 2,500 are in the USA.

While his grandfather and father were engineers, he was more involved into working out the looks of a product. He never thought of himself as an artist like a designer could be considered, but more as a technically talented craftsman in shaping. Seen here with his 1968 Porsche 911 Coupé (Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200)

F. A. Porsche: Businessman, Designer, Icon, Hero and Innovator

Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the man who gave the world it’s first Porsche 911, passed away yesterday Salzburg, Austria…a brilliant and talented man who has left the world too young at the age of 76. The death was announced Thursday by Matthias Muller, president of Porsche AG, who credited the late designer with establishing a “design that is a legacy.”

Porsche gained worldwide recognition at the age of 27 when he unveiled the first Porsche 911 at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1963. Recalling the design process, Porsche said: “Right from the start the specification was that the car had to be instantly recognizable as a Porsche from its silhouette.” The now iconic two-door luxury coupe was initially  called the Porsche 901, but after a patent issue arose with European rival Peugeot, Porsche opted to change the name to 911.

Ferdinand Alexander Porsche refines the classic 911 Coupé, refining aerodynamic characteristics still at the core of every successive 911 generation all the way up to the current 991 cars. (Click to Enlarge)

In addition to the 911, Porsche also designed the lauded Porsche 904 Carrera GTS, a Formula One racing car that has been praised for its sleek, forward design.

The Porsche Carrera 904 GTS was officially called Porsche Carrera GTS due to the same naming rights problem that required renaming the Porsche 901 to Porsche 911.

Porsche was born in Stuttgart, Germany, on December 11, 1935, to Dorothea and Ferry Porsche. He was named for his grandfather, Ferdinand Porsche the family patriarch and founder of the Porsche automotive empire.

As the story goes, he spent much of his time in the engineering and development offices of his grandfather, who is credited with the original design of the Volkswagen Beetle in the 1930s. F.A. Porsche, as he was referred to by his colleagues, joined the company at the age of 22 and soon developed one of the first clay models of the successor of the Porsche 356, the company’s first production automobile, according to Muller. In 1962, he took over as the head of the Porsche design studio and one year later unveiled what became the Porsche 911.

Ferdinand Alexander Porsche with a scale model of his innovative classic 1967 Porsche 911 Targa.

Porsche, who later served as president of the company, is credited with playing a major role in reshaping it in the 1990′s and guiding it through an economic turnaround.

Ferdinand will be buried in a private ceremony in Zell am See, Germany. An official service will be held at a later as of yet undecided date in Stuttgart, Germany. This service will be open to the public and serve as a commemoration of  the life, times and accomplishments of an automotive industry pioneer, icon, innovator, businessman and hero.

Ferdinand Alexander Porsche and the legendary Porsche 993 911 Turbo, last of the air-cooled supercars.

One of the most striking supercars ever built, the CCX here is perfectly contrasted against the dark earth tones of urban Seattle, Washington. (Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200)

Engine

Previous Koenigsegg models were powered by Ford Modular V8 engines sourced from the U.S. Though also based on the Ford Modular architecture the engine of the CCX was thoroughly re-engineered by Koenigsegg themselves and is assembled at the Koenigsegg factory. The engine block for the dual overhead camshaft, 4 valve per cylinder 4.7 liter 288 cu in (4,719 cc) V8 is cast for them by Grainger & Worrall, a British company that produces drivetrain components for Formula One cars. The engine block is made of 356 Aluminium that has undergone a T7 heat treatment, a form of accelerated precipitation strengthening. The aluminium alloy is stronger than the previous engine and allows a thinner, thus lighter, engine block that will withstand higher cylinder pressures. The engine is boosted by two centrifugal superchargers that provide 17.5 psi (1.2 bar) of boost with an 8.2:1 compression ratio. The engine produces 806 bhp (601 kW; 817 PS) at 6900 rpm and 678 lb·ft (919 N·m) of torque at 5700 rpm on 91 octane  gasoline. The engine is lubricated with a dry sump system with a separate oil pump, the pistons are cooled by oil sprayed onto them and the oil itself has an external cooler. The CCX does 14 mpg (17 l/100 km) in combined cycle and 18 mpg (13 l/100 km) in highway travel.

Exterior

The CCX is a two-door targa top and the removable roof can be stored under the front trunk meaning that, unlike many of its competitors, it can be changed at any location, not only one where the roof can be safely left. The body, made of pre-impregnatedcarbon fiber and Kevlar, is 169 in (4,300 mm) long, 78.6 in (2,000 mm) wide and 44.1 in (1,120 mm) tall with a ground clearance of 3.9 in (99 mm) As with all previous Koenigsegg models, the “dihedral synchro-helix” actuation doors rotate forward and upwards similar to scissor doors though the Koenigsegg design avoids the problem of the open door obscuring the passenger’s entry or exit.

The CCX has a frontal area of 2,894 sq in (1.867 m²) and a drag coefficient of just 0.30. It also has a flat underside with venturi tunnels at the rear and an optional rear spoiler to improve aerodynamics. Between the 2 speedster humps (humps behind the seats) is a vortex generator used as a ram-air intake that allows higher pressure in the air box without a roof scoop that would increase the frontal area. At 124 mph (200 km/h) there is 132 lbf (60 kilograms) of downforce over the front axle and 143 lbf (65 kilograms) over the rear.

Transmission

The CCX has a six speed manual gearbox made for Koenigsegg by Cima with a twin plate clutch of diameter 8.5 inches (220 mm) as standard but a sequential manual transmission option is available. The power is fed to the wheels through a torque-sensitive limited slip differential. The option to select gear ratios is available, but the default ratios of the 2007 CCX can be seen in the table below.

Wheels and brakes

The standard CCX wheels are Koenigsegg’s magnesium alloy wheels, though the option to upgrade to carbon/magnesium wheels which each weigh 6.6 pounds (3.0 kg) less than the standard wheels is available. The front wheels have a diameter of 19 inches (480 mm) and the rear, 20 inches (510 mm). Each of the wheels is attached by center locking wheel nuts. The car comes withMichelin Pilot Sport 2 unidirectional tires with asymmetric tread. The front tires have codes of 255/35 Y19 and the rear 335/30 Y20.

The front and rear cast iron disc brakes are 14.3 in (360 mm) across with 1.3 inches (33 mm) of contact at any point and have 6 piston calipers. The brakes can be upgraded to SystemST carbon ceramic brakes which weigh 4.4 pounds (2.0 kg) less per wheel, a diameter of 15 in (380 mm) with 1.3 in (33 mm) of contact and eight piston brake calipers.

The Agera R broke six world land speed records for a production car, including 0–300 km/h (0–186.4 mph) in 14.53 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 14.6 seconds set by the Bugatti Veyron. (Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200)

The Agera R can accelerate from 0–62 mph in 2.9 seconds and can reach a theoretical top speed of approximately 275 mph, although this has not been officially verified. On September 2nd, 2011 during test sessions in Ängelholm the Agera R broke six world land speed records for a production car, including 0–300 km/h (0–186.4 mph) in 14.53 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 14.6 seconds set by the Bugatti Veyron. The Guinness Book of Records has confirmed these results, and all data was measured and collected by a third party with the officially accepted Racelogic VBox performance recorder.

At the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, Koenigsegg revealed significant updates for the 2013 Agera R. Among them include new one-piece lightweight wheels constructed of hollow carbon fiber (a new, Koenigsegg-developed technology called “Aircore,”) a new suspension system, new front/winglets for more downforce, a new lightweight rear exhaust section, and an overall increased horsepower rating by using a new engine management system and increasing the rev limiter from 7250 rpm to 7500. On 93 octane fuel the Agera R produces 960 hp (up 20,) and on E85 fuel, 1140 (up 25.)

At just 20 years old, Jennifer Lawrence was the second youngest actress ever to be nominated for an Academy Award. ( Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200 )

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Having now held lead roles in TBS’s The Bill Engvall Show and in the independent films The Burning Plain and Winter’s Bone, for which she received critical acclaim and nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama and Academy Award for Best Actress. At age 20, this made her the second youngest actress ever to be nominated for an Academy Award. She also played Mystique in X-Men: First Class. In 2012, Lawrence starred as the heroine Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games, an adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ novel of the same name. The film marked her as the highest grossing action heroine of all time and garnered her commercial success and praise from critics.

Lawrence was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, and has two older brothers. Her parents are Karen (née Koch), who runs a children’s camp, and Gary Lawrence, who once owned a concrete construction firm, Lawrence & Associates. She acted in local theater and, by the age of 14, had decided to pursue an acting career, persuading her

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parents to take her to New York City to find a talent agent. Although she had no training or experience, she received high praise from the agency for which she auditioned. She graduated from high school two years early in order to begin a career in acting.

Lawrence was in the main cast of the TBS comedy The Bill Engvall Show, playing the eldest daughter of Lauren Pearson. Written and created by Bill Engvall and Michael Leeson, the show is set in a Denver suburb and follows the life of ‘Bill Pearson’ (played by Engvall), a family

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counselor whose own family could use a little dose of counseling. The series went on the air in September 2007 and was canceled in 2009 after three seasons.

Lawrence had guest-roles in the television series The Devil You Know, Cold Case, Medium, and Monk.

In 2008, she appeared in a small role in the film Garden Party as Tiff. It was directed by Jason Freeland. The same year, Lawrence appeared on the big screen inGuillermo Arriaga’s film directorial debut The Burning Plain, opposite Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger. Her performance in the film earned her the Marcello Mastroianni Award for best young emerging actor/actress during the Venice Film Festival in 2008.

Still in 2008, she had the lead role in another film director’s debut, Lori Petty’s family drama The Poker House, opposite Selma Blair and Chloë Moretz, where Lawrence starred as Agnes, a young girl victim of abuse. She appeared in the music video for the song “The Mess I Made”, from

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the 2009 album Losing Sleep by Parachute.

Lawrence’s lead role in Debra Granik’s Winter’s Bone, which won best picture at the Sundance Film Festival in 2010, is generally cited as a breakout performance for her. She portrays Ree Dolly, a seventeen-year-old in the Ozark Mountains who cares for her mentally ill mother and her younger brother and sister. Ree then discovers that her father put their house and land up as a bond for a court appearance before he disappeared, and the family now faces eviction.

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The performance was highly acclaimed by film critics. David Denby, writing in The New Yorker, said “the movie would be unimaginable with anyone less charismatic playing Ree.” Lawrence received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, for the role, on January 25, 2011. She is the second-youngest person to date to be nominated for the category.

Lawrence had a role in The Beaver, a dark comedy starring Jodie Foster and Mel Gibson that was filmed in 2009, but which spent an extended period of time stalled due to controversies surrounding Gibson. It was released on May 6, 2011. Lawrence co-starred in the independent film Like Crazy, which premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and received a wider release by Paramount Pictures.

In June 2011, Lawrence appeared as shape-shifting villain Mystique in X-Men: First Class, a prequel to the rest of the X-Men film series. Lawrence’s Mystique is a younger version of the

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character played by Rebecca Romijn in earlier X-Men films. Lawrence is also set to star alongside Elisabeth Shue in Mark Tonderai’s thriller House at the End of the Street, which completed filming in 2010 and is in post-production.

Lawrence has never taken any drama classes/lessons for acting. She lived in New York City for the first few years of her career, but resides in Santa Monica, California. Lawrence was cast in The Silver Linings Playbook,

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opposite Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro. She was originally cast to play “O” in the film Savages, but dropped out to film The Hunger Games instead.

On June 18, 2011, it was announced that Lawrence was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, an invitation that included that year, herWinter’s Bone co-star John Hawkes.

In March 2011, Lawrence was cast as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games, which was released on March 23, 2012. She had an accident on the last day of the six-week training phase, but was not severely hurt. On March 23rd, the film earned a record-breaking amount at U.S. midnight screenings for a non-sequel film, grossing $19.7 million. Its opening weekend gross was the largest for any film released outside July and the third-largest of all time making a record breaking 152.5 million.

Though the film generally received positive reviews, Lawrence’s portrayal of Katniss Everdeen was the most highly praised with Todd McCarthy

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from The Hollywood Reporter saying Lawrence “anchors” the whole film “with impressive gravity and presence”, and ultimately called her “the ideal screen actress”.Frank Swietek said that Lawrence is “the one ingredient of the film that can be described as outstanding” and continued to praise her for “conveying the character’s strength and vulnerability in equal measure. None of the other young actors comes close to matching her”. Ann Hornaday from the Washington Post praised Lawrence for playing Katniss as the “eagle eyed heroine” and for “combining the unapologetic

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aggression of Artemis with the girlier wish-fulfillment fantasies of a bemused Cinderella.” Roger Ebert also agreed that “Lawrence is strong and convincing in the central role”.

Lawrence will start filming the movie adaptation of the second novel in The Hunger Games trilogy, Catching Fire, this summer, which is scheduled to be released on November 22, 2013.

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Age: 21
Profession: Actress
Nationality: American
Eyes: Gray Blue
Hair: Blonde, Sometimes Brunette
Why: Popular Actress (The Hunger Games, Winter’s Bone)
Where: The Hunger Games in theatres now.
Facebook: /JenniferLawrence

[Show as slideshow]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBO8qMRDoBE

FRIDAY

The morning was spent preparing the Alpha Omega for tech inspection. A 1/2 mile shakedown pass was performed early afternoon. With much more power than last October, the Alpha Omega was literally flying down the track. Nonetheless, Ivan Phipps, the projects technician and driver for the Alpha Omega kept at it – pulling a 221mph top late Friday afternoon which was enough to claim the record!

On Saturday's one and only pass the Omega hit the 1/2 mile marker at 197mph and passed the 1 mile marker at 233.1mph!

SATURDAY

With the absence of wind Saturday morning, the decision was made to press on. The Alpha Omega only used approximately 1050whp of its available 1600whp on Friday’s record pass. With approximately 1250whp dialed in, the crew wanted to see if the car could at least break the 230mph barrier before heading home for the weekend.

On Saturday’s one and only pass down the Mile, Ivan was able to get the Omega to the 1/2 mile marker with a speed of 197mph. The car was flighty due to lack of aero, but the throttle remained pegged to the floor. Ivan passed the 1 mile marker at 233.1mph.

It was a new record for the R35 GT-R, but not without a hitch. The Omega hit a dip in the runway past the mile marker which caused it to bounce. Combined with the effect of the parachute, the force was enough to lift the rear wheels of the Omega off the ground. When the car rebounded, it lost control, sliding more than 90 degrees sideways.

AMS plans to continue testing the limits of the GT-R platform with improved aero and a final drive gear. To follow the Alpha Omega GT-R project, join AMS at Alpha GT-R or AMS Performance on Facebook.

In December 2010, LaMontagne received two Grammy nominations and won the award for Best Contemporary Folk Album. (Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200)

Raymond “Ray” Charles Jack LaMontagne  is a Grammy-award winning Americansinger-songwriter. LaMontagne has released four studio albums, Trouble, Till the Sun Turns Black, Gossip in the Grain and God Willin’ & the Creek Don’t Rise. He was born in New Hampshire and was inspired to create music after hearing an album byStephen Stills. Critics have compared LaMontagne’s music to The Band, Van Morrison, Nick Drake, and Tim Buckley. He lives in Maine with his wife and two children.

LaMontagne was inspired to quit his job and begin a career as a singer-songwriter after listening to Stephen Stills’ album Manassas. LaMontagne began performing in 1999, while maintaining a part time job as a tutor. In the summer of 1999, he recorded 10 songs for a demo album that was sent to various local music venues including Maine’s Oddfellow Theater, where he was hired as an opening act for John Gorka and Jonathan Edwards. A business executive introduced LaMontagne to Chrysalis Music Publishing and they recorded an album and sold it to RCA Records in the USA and Echo Records in the UK

In 2004 LaMontagne recorded his first album Trouble with producer Ethan Johns and released it on RCA Records. The album featured performances by Sara Watkins andStephen Stills’ daughter, Jennifer. The album sold over 250,000 copies in the USA and 500,000 worldwide. During a 2005 tour, LaMontagne performed on the TV show Austin City Limits.

Ray LaMontagne: Trouble

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3pltmw6cmI

An EP of LaMontagne’s performance at the Bonnaroo Music Festival was released in 2005 and his song “All the Wild Horses” was part of the soundtrack for the TV seriesRescue Me and the 2009 film The Boys Are Back. His song “Trouble” appeared in the TV series Alias and his song “Jolene” was heard in the credits of the 2010 film The Town. His song “Hold You in My Arms” was featured in the 2006 movie, She’s The Man.

LaMontagne’s second album, Till the Sun Turns Black, was released in August 2006 and featured horn and string sections on several of the songs with Rachael Yamagata providing additional vocals on the song “Barfly”. The album peaked at #28 on the Billboard 200 album chart, selling 28,000 copies in its first week of release. The album spawned the single, “Three More Days” and in 2006 LaMontagne performed onThe Tonight Show.

The song “Till the Sun Turns Black” was featured on the television show “ER”,^[20] and the songs “Lesson Learned” and “Within You” appeared on the CW drama “One Tree Hill”. His song “Be Here Now” was heard on the trailer for the movie Away From Her, in the film 27 Dresses, on the TV shows Bones and Covert Affairs.LaMontagne performed at KYSR’s Lounge for Life charity concert on October 5, 2006 at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, California. He also auctioned off one of his guitars on eBay for its charity auction. Funds raised from the concert and auction went to breast cancer research.

Ray LaMontagne: Jolene

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VBVqE-UtHw

LaMontagne released his third studio album, Gossip in the Grain on RCA Records in 2008, and it debuted at #3 on the Billboard Charts with 60,000 units sold. Working again with producer Ethan Johns, the album featured LaMontagne’s touring band of Jennifer Condos on bass, Eric Heywood on guitar, and Ethan Johns on drums and guest vocals from singer/songwriter Leona Naess.

The song “You Are the Best Thing” was featured in the movie I Love You, Man and in the television series One Tree Hill. LaMontagne performed on Saturday Night Live in March 2009. The song “Sarah” appeared on an episode of House. His song “Let it be Me” was featured on the television series Parenthood and was included on the Parenthood soundtrack in 2010. It was also used in an epidode entitled “JJ”, from the sixth season of Criminal Minds (TV series).

LaMontagne’s self produced studio album, God Willin’ & the Creek Don’t Rise (Ray Lamontagne and the Pariah Dogs), was released in August 2010. In December 2010, LaMontagne received Grammy nominations and won the award for Best Contemporary Folk Album.

Ray LaMontagne: Henry Nearly Killed Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpoVQNR2y6Y

In August 2010, he performed at a Nashville, TN, charity event to raise money for victims of a local flood. The song, “Empty”, appeared on an episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent in 2010 and was heard during the film credits for the movie The Conspirator. LaMontagne performed on the program Live from Abbey Road in October 2006.

In 2011 Ray sang a duet with Irish singer Lisa Hannigan on the song “O Sleep”, one of the tracks from her Choice Music Award-nominated ablbum, Passengers.

For his debut album, LaMontagne won four awards, including three Boston Music Awards (Best Male Singer/Songwriter, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year) and an XM Nation Music Award for Acoustic Rock Artist of the Year. LaMontagne has received a nomination from the Pollstar Concert Industry Awards for Best New Touring Artist, theBRIT Awards for International Breakthrough Act, the MOJO Awards for Best New Act, and was given the title of Best Voice in 2006 by Esquire.

In December 2010, LaMontagne received two Grammy nominations and won the award for Best Contemporary Folk Album.

Ray LaMontagne: Meg White

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HXsdodYvp8

The Koenigsegg CCXR Edition can accelerate from 0–62 mph in just 2.7 seconds and from 0–120 mph in just 8.9 seconds... (Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200)

Besides the use of ethanol fuel, the only changes to the engine are modified fuel injectors, upgraded fuel lines and piston rings, and a higher boost setting on the superchargers. The increased power of the CCXR, compared to the CCX, is a result of the cooling properties of ethanol in the engine’s combustion chambers allowing for a higher pressure in the cylinder and the biofuel having a higher octane rating of 113 RON compared to 95 RON for gasoline in North America and 100 RON for gasoline in Europe.

The designer of the CCXR, and founder of Koenigsegg, Christian von Koenigsegg is quoted as saying, “Our engineers couldn’t quite believe the figures when we tested the car”. In March 2009 the CCXR was chosen by Forbes as one of the ten most beautiful cars in history.

The Koenigsegg CCXR engine is a 4.7 litre 288 cu in (4,719 cc) V8, with dual overhead camshafts and 4 valves per cylinder. The engine block is made of Aluminium alloy that has undergone a T7 heat treatment, a form of acceleratedprecipitation strengthening. The engine has a compression ratio of 8.8:1, is boosted by two Rotrex centrifugal superchargers that provide 1.6 bar of boost, having a patented response charge system for optimal engine response, and is injected by a sequential multipoint fuel injection system. The engine is lubricated with a dry sump system with a separate oil pump, the pistons are cooled by oil sprayed onto them and the oil itself has an external cooler.

The engine produces 1,064 bhp  at 7,200 rpm and 782 lb·ft of torque at 6,100 rpm on E100 ethanol fuel. The CCX engine burns 13 mpg on highway travel and 11 mpg on combined travel on E85 ethanol fuel.

It's been a long time coming but we finally broke the 80,000 hits in a single month milestone!

We’ve come close to 80,000 hits on a few occasions before but we’ve never actually broke it…and in March we broke it by a convincing 2,513 hits; clearly we’re excited because that’s nothing short of awesome. Just to let us bask in the accomplishment a little bit longer let’s see how 82,513 breaks down over the course of a 31 day month…

82,513 hits p/month

=

18,632 hits p/week
2,662 hits p/day
111 hits p/hour
1.85 hits p/minute!

A milestone we could have never reached without all of our contributors, staff and most importantly you the readers!

Thank-you!!!

finis

Victoria's Secret Model's Candice Swanepoel and Miranda Kerr (Click to Enlarge)

Victoria’s Secret Swim Press Day 2012: Sexy Snaps

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Candice Swanepoel

Miranda Kerr

It's twin-supercharged V8 produces 806bhp, accelerates 0-62mph in just 3.2 seconds and tops out at 245+ mph! (1920x1200 - Click to Enlarge)

To sell cars to the North American market many alterations were made to the design of the CCR; the previously used Ford Modular engine was replaced by a Koenigsegg engine designed to run on 91 octane fuel, readily available in the United States, and to meet the Californian emission standards.

The front bumper of the CCX is designed to be safer in low speed collisions than previous Koenigseggs and the whole body is 3.46 in (88 millimeters) longer to comply with the United States’ rear impact regulations. Additionally the CCX can display United States or European number plates.

The CCX is 1.6 in (41 mm) taller than the CCR and, combined with the carbon fiber reinforced plastic sports seats by Sparco, the CCX allows for 2 in (51 mm) of extra headroom that Autoweek reviewer Mark Vaughn hypothesizes is “to accommodate U.S. NBA stars.” The electronic control unit has also received an upgrade over the CCR meaning that the CCX is without physical fuses and it is lighter than the previous system.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p25xLWzEqoo

Connor De Phillippi qualified on pole and controlled the opening Star Mazda race for his first win of 2012. Jack Hawksworth won Race 2 driving for St. Pete’s own Team Pelfrey. The win was Hawksworth’s first career Star Mazda win and first in North America. He finished second behind De Phillippi in the opening race and subsequently exits the weekend with a 10-point lead in the championship.

Sage Karam impressed onlookers in both races after missing the opening qualifying session due to a crash in practice. Rebounding well, Karam drove from 22nd to 8th in the opening race and finished 7th after starting 12th in Race 2. Rookie Ryan Tveter was involved in a big barrel-roll crash during the second race but emerged from the fiery wreck (oil fire) unhurt, despite a heavy impact with the wall on the outside of Turn 1. Said Tveter post race, “In terms of a crash it looked big but it really wasn’t that bad.”

Spencer Pigot swept the USF2000 competition claiming both race wins. (Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200)

USF2000 National Championship

Spencer Pigot swept the USF2000 competition claiming both race wins (he’s won 3 of 4 to open the season). Still, his lead is just a slim two points ahead of Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing teammate Matthew Brabham who finished runner-up in both races in St. Petersburg. Brabham finished race two despite missing a portion of his front wing.

RC Enerson also swept the competition, claiming both national class wins while driving for ZSports Midwest. He, too, leads by just two points over Scott Rettich.

Honorable mention has to go to Matthew Di Leo who finished third for his family-run privateer team MDL Racing in Race 2. Shannon McIntosh made a run from 25th to 11th in Race 1 and Dalton Kellett drove from 33rd to 14th earning “hard charger” honors in Race 2.

Star Mazda

Connor De Phillippi qualified on pole and controlled the opening Star Mazda race for his first win of 2012. Jack Hawksworth won Race 2 driving for St. Pete’s own Team Pelfrey. The win was Hawksworth’s first career Star Mazda win and first in North America. He finished second behind De Phillippi in the opening race and subsequently exits the weekend with a 10-point lead in the championship.

Sage Karam impressed onlookers in both races after missing the opening qualifying session due to a crash in practice. Rebounding well, Karam drove from 22nd to 8th in the opening race and finished 7th after starting 12th in Race 2. Rookie Ryan Tveter was involved in a big barrel-roll crash during the second race but emerged from the fiery wreck (oil fire) unhurt, despite a heavy impact with the wall on the outside of Turn 1. Said Tveter post race, “In terms of a crash it looked big but it really wasn’t that bad.”

Driver Jack 'The Hawk' Hawksworth in his #82 Star Mazda Racer at the 2012 St. Petersburg Grand Prix

Indy Lights 

Before the Indy Lights race I was asked how I would gauge Tristan Vautier’s chances of winning the 2012 Indy Lights championship. My response (per Twitter’s 140-character limit): It’s a long season but [Vautier] sure has been impressive so far and showed remarkable consistency last season in Star Mazda.

His consistency is off to a good start in Indy Lights, too. Vautier led all 45 laps of the St. Petersburg 100 en route to the win in his first career Indy Lights race. Afterwards he emphasized focus on taking the season one race at a time.  ”Next week it starts all over,” he said.

Aside from laying down some fast, consistent, laps on the 1.8-mile street circuit, Vautier managed three restarts perfectly and exited Florida with a 13-point lead in the championship over second-place finisher and sophomore racer Esteban Guerrieri. Sebastian Saavedra completed the podium. Vautier punctuated the win by qualifying on pole and setting the fastest lap of the race (67.9783 seconds, 95.325 mph). Rookie Oliver Webb was fourth with Victor Carbone rounding out the top five.

The Indy Lights race will be broadcast at 5 p.m. (EST), March 29, on NBC Sports Network.

Aside from laying down some fast, consistent, laps on the 1.8-mile street circuit, Vautier managed three restarts perfectly and exited Florida with a 13-point lead in the championship.

Winning his 3rd St. Petersburg Grand Prix, IRL driver Helio Castroneves honors the memory of St. Pete resident and fellow IRL driver Dan Wheldon who lost his life in the 2011 IRL season ending race. (Click to Enlage)

Castroneves robustly began a season of trying to reestablish his position within the Izod IndyCar Series and Team Penske hierarchies, using pit strategy and a pass of Scott Dixon on lap 73 to win his third installment of the IndyCar season opener.

Castroneves performed his customary postvictory fence climb in turn 10—renamed “Dan Wheldon Way” a few weeks ago—then crossed the track to scale another fence and actually touch the new green street sign bearing Wheldon’s name.

“I remember I used to stop in turn one and celebrate,” said Castroneves, who gave Team Penske its fifth win in St. Petersburg. “This time I said I’m going to do something else, in a different corner. I saw turn 10. I don’t know, I didn’t plan [it]. I looked and I saw Dan’s sign. It’s amazing. I said it before, I say it now: You can never question God’s mystery.”

Castroneves’s gesture punctuated a weekend of taut emotional balance in the adopted hometown of Wheldon, the late two-time and defending Indianapolis 500 winner and former series champion. Castroneves, a father of a two-year-old daughter, said he was “very touched” two weeks ago when he was hugged by Wheldon’s 3-year-old son, Sebastian. Wheldon’s younger sister, Holly, waved the green flag to start Sunday’s race and presented the winner’s trophy.

Driver Helio Castroneves takes the lead which will ultimately result in his 3rd victory at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in eight years. (Click to Enlarge)

“I did think about my family as well,” Castroneves said. “That’s why there was a little more emotion. That’s why it was good.”

Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon finished second, 5.529 seconds back, followed by Andretti Autosport’s Ryan Hunter-Reay.

Castroneves passed Dixon for second place in turn one late in the race on lap 73 of 100 and inherited the lead two laps later when leader J. R. Hildebrand pitted. The Brazilian driver led by as much as seven seconds as he paced through the final five laps.

“Helio was a man on a mission,” Dixon said.

Absolutely. The race was a marked change of emotion and momentum for Castroneves, who sparked a multicar crash on the first lap of the season last March in St. Petersburg. The incident proved to be a harbinger of ill results for Castroneves, who was involved in several on-track incidents last season, inciting derision from his peers. He finished 2011 winless for the first time in a major North American open-wheel series since 1999 and an IndyCar-career worst 11th in points as a full-time driver. All the while, teammate Will Power became the competitive standard for Penske and the series, winning six times and finishing as runner-up in points for the second straight year.

Down Shift Magazine and fan favorite Dario Franchitti drove well on Sunday but would ultimately finish 13th in the 2012 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. (Click to Enlarge)

Sunday’s race essentially synchronized for Castroneves on lap 13, when a caution period caused by Katherine Legge’s nonrunning car prompted an early decision whether to attempt the race on two or three stops. The eventual podium finishers stayed out—much to Dixon’s dismay—while notables such as pole winner Power and three-time defending series champion Dario Franchitti pitted. But 13 caution laps in the next 18—because of James Jakes’s crash into a tire barrier and Tony Kanaan’s apparent electrical failure—allowed teams on two-stop strategies to conserve enough fuel to reach the end of the race.

Though the 2011 installment produced a more spectacular melee than unusual, the 1.8-mile street course has become a frequent scene of unusually physical racing. But, Dixon said, drivers “were good to each other today,” though none could explain why.

Chevrolet’s potential dominance already has Power rethinking his championship situation after finishing second to Honda-driving Franchitti the past two seasons. Power, who finished seventh in St. Pete, said he wasn’t concerned about Franchitti’s finishing position (13th) because he now isn’t sure whether Franchitti will be his chief rival.

“I’m not sure we’ll be fighting with him this year,” Power said. “Honestly, I think we’ll be fighting within our own manufacturer. I think that’s how it’s going to be.”

An aerial shot from atop from atop an airport parking garage affords a good view of the 2012 course, perfectly framed by the marina and downtown skyline of St. Petersburg. (Click to Enlarge)

Dixon said, “We have some work to do in some areas,” but he expressed general pleasure with Honda, while Ganassi Racing teammate Franchitti conceded that “we weren’t particularly quick,” and he ran out of fuel on the last lap.

“We weren’t particularly fast anyway, trying to make some things happen with strategy and every time we did, it seemed to put us further behind,” he said. “I had to save fuel the whole last stint to a crazy degree and we still ran out. Tough day.”

Power’s problems belied his confidence in Chevrolet, which occupied four of the top five finishing positions. A self-described “atrocious” and too conservative approach on restarts, he said, amplified an inability to pass.

Franchitti had a laugh with Power after the race, he said, about the Australian’s concerns about passing.

“I got passed by enough people, so I think it depends on how good your car was, how far back you got, and the strategy,” Franchitti commented. “[It was just] one of those days, man. We pick ourselves up and go to Barber [Motorsports Park next week].”

Driver Ryan Hunter-Reay performed well all day and ultimately would finish 3rd overall in this years Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. (Click to Enlarge)

Attrition, as expected, was an issue. The Lotus-powered cars of Legge and Simona De Silvestro experienced engine problems in the first 23 laps, and Kanaan was beset by the latest in a long series of Chevrolet electrical woes on lap 22.

“From lap one, [the car] started to get low voltage a lot,” Kanaan said. “I said it was the battery, but my dash went blank. With these electronics nowadays, you can’t pull it out of gear [and you stall]. So either the alternator or whatever caused it . . . it’s unfortunate, but it’s a new car, new engine.

“I think we have much bigger problems in life than just dropping out of a race. It’s sad, but I want to thank my crew guys and I’m obviously thinking about Dan. That’s what I’m really thinking about.”

Fan favorite and member of the 1st family of American open-wheel racing, Marco Andretti drove well in Sunday's race but ultimately finished 14th overall just behind Franchitti. (Click to Enlarge)

[Show as slideshow]

The 2.0 L Mitsubishi Sirius engine#4G63 engine has MIVEC technology (variable valve timing), and a revised turbocharger design which boosted power output to 287hp and torque to 289 lb·ft. (Click to Enlarge)

The North American markets saw the model exhibited at the New York International Auto Show the following month. The 2.0 L Mitsubishi Sirius engine#4G63 engine has MIVEC technology (variable valve timing), and a revised turbocharger design boosting official power output at the crankshaft to 291 PS (214 kW; 287 hp) and torque to 392 N·m (289 lb·ft).

The USDM Lancer Evolution IX models: standard (Grand Sport Rally or “GSR” in some markets), RS (Rally Sport), SE (Special Edition) and MR (Mitsubishi Racing) varied slightly in their performance capabilities. Subtleties unique to each model accounted for variations in acceleration, handling and top speed. The RS excluded features standard on the standard, SE and MR models (stereo system, power windows and locks, rear wiper, rear wing, trunk lining and sound insulation). The result is a weight savings of over 60 lb (27 kg). The fuel capacity remains the same as the Evo VIII at 14 USgal (53 L).

Although the RS is the lightest of the group, the RS did not manage to outperform the standard IX and the MR around a road course (even if only by fractions of a second). This was purported to be due to the lack of a rear wing on the RS. In a drag race, the three models are all about even. The times for the quarter miles ranged from 13.4 to 13.7 seconds. The RS model was produced for rally and racing teams who wanted a platform to build a race car from. It is stripped of all the creature comforts, and other upgrades that drive the price up for features that the race teams would not require.

The IX MR retained the features of the Evolution VIII MR, like Bilstein shocks, a 6-speed manual transmission, a rooftop vortex generator, BBS forged wheels, HID xenon headlights, foglights, accessory gauge package, “zero lift” kit, special badging and an aluminum roof. All models continued to sport Recaro bucket seats, Brembo brakes and Momo steering wheels. Additional revisions from 2005 included a closer gear ratio for the 5-speed manual transmission, new lighter Enkei wheels on non-MR models, a redesigned front end with a more efficient air dam (the most noticeable feature are the two small oval ducts to cool the intercooler pipes), and a new rear bumper with a diffuser undersurface to smooth out the airflow coming out of the car for non-US models. In an effort to reduce the price increase on the Evolution IX model,^{[citation needed]}HID headlights were no longer standard equipment on the base IX (nor were they standard on the 2005 VIII), and were available only in the SSL package (Sun, Sound, and Leather), SE (Special Edition) and MR trims.

The US versions of the Lancer Evolution IX did not come with the AYC but the ACD was still present. The drivers can select from three different driving modes, “Tarmac” “Gravel” and “Snow”, and the car’s computer system relatively promotes the active center differential to change the differential locking which, eventually changes the front/rear power distribution to increase traction, thus providing an optimum driving experience. Although the US versions did not come with the AYC, it did come with a rear 1.5way clutch type LSD (limited slip differential)which, limits the slip from both rear wheels causing less traction loss of the rear wheels. The most common setup is the 1.5 way LSD, locking on throttle and partially locking on braking. In racing, Lancer Evolutions are not equipped with AYC or ACD because it is believed that better lap times are achieved by pure driver skill without any computer based assistance systems.

One of the changes from the previous iteration of the Lancer Evolution, was the change in the engine, the new 4G63 came with MIVEC, Mitsubishi’s variable valve lifting technology, which drastically improves the fuel consumption by changing the valve timing on the intake cam. The MIVEC system is similar to Honda’s i-VTEC system only that it doesn’t change valve lift, only intake valve timing.

Three trims were available for Japan, Asia and Europe. Although all models used the same 291 PS (214 kW; 287 hp) engine, the torque differed from one model to another. In Europe, however, the Evolution IX was advertised to have 280 PS (206 kW; 276 hp). The GSR produced 400 N·m (295 lb·ft) of torque, while the RS and GT produced 407 N·m (300 lb·ft).

While a woman of science would never believe in anything as unnatural as the supernatural, she does evidently believe in love – and let's hope that she finds it by the next time she records. (Click to Enlarge)

For her second solo outing Goodman mines some of the same slacker seams that Vivian Girls dig away at, but she also puts her own spin on things. Please Be My Third Eye is a down-tuned, super-fuzzy single which has ‘radio friendly’ written all over it. The specifically medical subject matter of this song is apt – this double physics graduate names Serbian engineer Nikola Tesla as one of her all time heroes. Indeed, in life, the science-loving hipstress effortlessly plows her way through many of what had tiresomely been thought of as men’s domains, and she stands as both a ginger style icon to female fans and something of an indie-rock fantasy girlfriend to her male ones.

Elsewhere Goodman mixes the meticulous with the whimsical. And the experiment – conducted with a solid backing band for support – can be judged a success. There are delicate laments such as Love That’s Gone and It’s Over Now, a Pixies-influenced bottle rocket (Break My Heart), the kind of calypso-flavoured ditty that Zooey Deschanel should be making right now (Real Boy), and a sing-along surf-rock treat in the Best Coast mold (I’m Alone).

La Sera – Please Be My Third Eye

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUM2kZkXLi4

Please Be My Third Eye is a down-tuned, super-fuzzy single which has ‘radio friendly’ written all over it. 

If these song titles suggest to you that this is a break-up album in the classic mould, well, it certainly seems that way. But it’s unsentimental, never cloying and ultimately breezy. Goodman casts a spell on the listener with Sees the Light. While a woman of science would never believe in anything as unnatural as the supernatural, she does evidently believe in love – and let’s hope that she finds it by the next time she records.

Progenitor of the production model EVO-X, Mitsubishi unveiled a 2nd EVO concept car at the 2007 North American International Auto Show. (1920x1200)

…and what better place to start than with the latest, greatest and most competent EVO built to date; the “X”.

In 2005, Mitsubishi introduced a concept version of the next-gen Evolution at the 39thTokyo Motor Show named the Concept-X, designed by Omer Halilhodžić at the company’s European design center. As photographed above, Mitsubishi unveiled a second concept car, the Prototype-X, at the 2007 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

The Lancer Evolution X sedan features a newly designed 4B11T 2.0L (1998cc) turbocharged, all-aluminium inline-4 GEMA engine. Power and torque depend on the market but all versions will have at least 276 hp.

The Evolution X went on sale October 1, 2007 in Japan, January 2008 in the USA, February in Canada (as the first version of Evolution in Canada)and in March 2008 in the UK. The Twin Clutch SST version was available in Japan from November 2007. Europe will follow with sales in May, GSR and MR version included premium Package. The introduction of the 2010 MR-Touring moved the car even further upscale. Leather and a Moonroof became standard while revising the rear spoiler to just a lip spoiler.

North American models

Engine produces 291 hp @ 6500 rpm and 300 lb·ft @ 4400 rpm.

• GSR – Same as base Japanese GSR with small spoiler. (available only with manual 5 speed)
• MR – 6-speed TC-SST transmission. Suspension with Eibach springs and Bilstein struts. 18-inch BBS forged alloy wheels. Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps. Color-keyed large rear spoiler. Leather and sueded seating. Electronic keyless entry and starting system. Steering wheel-mounted audio controls. Bluetooth hands-free cellular phone interface system with voice recognition.
• MR Premium – MR with a Rockford Fosgate Navigation/Stereo with 9 speakers.
• MR Touring – (2010) Major differences from the MR are the rear-lip spoiler, heated full-leather seats, upgraded interior trim, and a power-sunroof on a steel roof.
• SE – (late 2010–11) Is a combination of all three 2010 models; some key features are the GSR front grill and interior, MR rear diffusers, 6-speed TC-SST transmission, Eibach springs and Bilstein struts, MR touring rear-lip spoiler, and heated seats. Only 340 were produced in the United States. A special key fob with the series number and a letter of acknowledgement from Shin Kurihara were given to the purchaser of this trim.

The Honda Grand Prix of St Petersburg brings Indy Racing League open-wheel racing to the city streets of St Petersburg for it's 8th annual outing starting tomorrow; Saturday March, 24th, 2012

Remembering A Hometown Hero, Friend and Father

The biggest topic in St. Petersburg is IndyCar’s first race since the death of Dan Wheldon. In what is expected to be a highly emotional weekend, drivers will climb back into their cars for the first race action since that tragic October day at Las Vegas when Wheldon was killed in a horrific crash.

Adding to the emotion is the location of the race. St. Pete is Wheldon’s adopted hometown, the place where his widow and two children still live and the place where IndyCar came to mourn at his funeral.

How will the drivers handle the difficult task of focusing on the race and mourning their friend at the same time? What will the event feel like without the popular hometown driver gracing those in the garage with his ever-present grin? And can IndyCar move on with racing while still remembering last year’s Indy 500 champion in a proper way?

Driver Dan Wheldon, of St Petersburg, Florida, poses with his family, wife Susie, left, holding Oliver, and Sebastian, right, next to the Borg-Warner Trophy during the traditional winners photo of the Indianapolis 500 auto race champion on the start/finish line at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. Wheldon died Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011 in a fiery 15-car wreck at Las Vegas Motor Speedway when his car flew over another on Lap 13 and smashed into the wall just outside turn 2. He was only 33.

What, When and Where

WHAT:  The annual Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg serve as the season opening race for the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series for a second consecutive year.

WHEN:  March 23-25, 2012

WHERE:  Held on a temporary waterfront circuit that includes a combination of adjacent downtown streets circling Pioneer Park, the Mahaffey Theater, the Salvador Dali Museum and extending onto the runways at Albert Whitted Airport, which overlook the Tampa Bay and picturesque St. Petersburg Harbor and Marina.

An aerial shot of beautiful downtown St Petersburg leading up to Grand Prix preparations in March.

Six Sanctioned Races

1. IZOD IndyCar Series: The premier open-wheel series in the United States, competing on a challenging combination of superspeedways, short ovals, scenic road courses and temporary street circuits.

2. Firestone Indy Lights: The premier ladder series for drivers and teams striving to compete in the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500. More than 20 drivers who have competed in the Firestone Indy Lights have raced in the IZOD IndyCar Series.

3. Star Mazda Championship: Is presented by Goodyear is part of the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Driver Development Ladder and is the second step in the Road to Indy. Graduates of the series include Graham Rahal and Marco Andretti.

4. USF2000 National Championship: Cooper Tires presents USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda is part of the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Driver Development Ladder and is the first step in the Road to Indy.

5. Pirelli World Challenge Championships: is North America’s top production car-based championship. World Challenge is separated into three classes: GT, GTS and Touring Car.The longest-running series of its kind.

6. Ferrari Challenge: has given Ferrari owners the opportunity to enjoy North America’s finest tracks while sharing in both the competitive and social aspects of the series with fellow owners. The competition also gives Ferrari enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy the cars in their natural environment – the race track.

USF2000 Driver Petri Suvanto of Finland at the Saint Petersburg Grand Prix in 2011.

Staying the Course

HQ Available: Click to Enlarge (1920x1463)

The Dance Card

Saturday, March 24

8:00-8:45am – Pirelli World Challenge Qualifying
9:00-9:40am – Firestone Indy Lights Qualifying
9:55-10:55am – IZOD IndyCar Series Practice
11:10-12:00pm – Ferrari Race #1
12:10-12:50pm – USF2000 Race #1
1:00-1:40pm – Star Mazda Race #1
1:55-3:15 – IZOD IndyCar Series Qualifying
3:30-4:40pm – Firestone Indy Lights Race
4:55-5:45pm – Ferrari Qualifying #2
6:00-7:00pm – Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg, Pirelli World Challenge Race #1

Sunday, March 25

8:00-8:20am – Ferrari Sponsor Hot Laps
8:35-9:05am – IZOD IndyCar Series Warm-up
9:15-9:55am – USF2000 Race #2
10:05-10:45am – Star Mazda Race #2
11:00-12:00pm – Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg, Pirelli World Challenge Race #2
12:00-12:30pm – IZOD IndyCar Series Pre-Race
12:30-3:00pm – Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, IZOD IndyCar Series Race
3:30-4:20pm – Ferrari Race #2

Featuring a 5.4 L naturally aspirated V8, the C55 AMG saw it's overall power raised to 362hp at 5750 rpm with torque of 376 lb·ft. (Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200)

The C 32 AMG scaled back down to a 3.2 L V6 engine, to match the E46 M3 displacement and improve weight distribution, but it required a twin-screw type supercharger (manufactured by IHI) to reach 349hp) at 6100 rpm and 332 lb·ft at 4400 rpm. Like its predecessors, it used a five-speed automatic, helping it to complete a 0–100 km/h sprint within 5.2 seconds. The second version was C 30 CDI AMG, using a 3.0 L five-cylinder engine, capable of 228hp at 3800 rpm and 398lb·ft at 2000 rpm. Both were available in all three body styles, but the diesel model did not reach sales expectations and was retired in 2004, as well as the C32 AMG Sportcoupé.

Along with the mid-generation refresh of the C-Class in 2005, the C 32 AMG was also replaced, giving way to a new 5.4 L naturally aspirated V8-powered C 55 AMG. This was an evolution of the V8 engine found in the previous E-Class, with power raised to 362hp at 5750 rpm and torque climbing to 376 lb·ft at 4000 rpm. The C 55 AMG uses a V8 from the same engine family as the W202-generation C 43 AMG. Though maximum speed is still limited to 155 mph, the 0 to 62mph time has dropped to 4.9 seconds, and the C55 AMG was then considered the sportiest AMG model in the C-Class history before the recent release of the W204 (third generation) C 63 AMG. Unlike the less-powerful V6s in the rest of the Mercedes-Benz lineup, the C55 AMG continued to use the five-speed automatic with AMG Speedshift.

The opening moments of the 2010 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg held in beautiful downtown Saint Petersburg, Florida.

2012 will mark the 8^th consecutive year St. Petersburg has hosted an IndyCar race. The inaugural Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg was held in 2005 and was won by two-time Indy 500 champion and Tampa Bay resident, the late Dan Wheldon. The first races held on the streets of downtown St Petersburg were actually the SCCA Trans-Am Series, running in St. Petersburg from 1985-1990, and again from 1996-1997. Honda has been the title sponsor of the race since its inception in 2005.

Previous winners of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg include:

• 2005: Dan Wheldon, Andretti Green Racing
• 2006: Helio Castroneves, Team Penske
• 2007: Helio Castroneves, Team Penske
• 2008: Graham Rahal, Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing
• 2009: Ryan Briscoe, Team Penske
• 2010: Will Power, Team Penske
• 2011: Dario Franchitti, Target Chip Ganassi Racing

The fastest race was set by Helio Castroneves on April 2, 2006 with a time of 1:56:57.5172. Helio Castroneves is  also the only repeat winner with back-to-back race victories in 2006 and 2007. The fastest pole time registered on the streets of St. Petersburg was in 2010 by Will Power with a time of 1:01.6026. The fastest race lap was set by Marco Andretti on April 1, 2007 with a time of 1:02:965

An aerial shot of downtown Saint Petersburg, Florida leading up to race time.

HISTORIC FIRSTS

The Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg has had the privilege to see a number of “firsts” take place on its track. Among them are the following:

• 2012: The new IZOD IndyCar Series Dallara Chassis races for the first time in St. Pete
• 2012: Engine manufacturer competition is reintroduced with Honda, Chevrolet and Lotus
• 2011: First street/road course to see double-file restarts in the IZOD IndyCar Series
• 2008: Graham Rahal becomes the youngest winner in IndyCar history
• 2007: Becomes the first event to feature both IndyCar and ALMS
• 2005: First event to feature Firestone Indy Lights double-header weekend
• 2005: First non-oval event for the IZOD IndyCar Series

Female Driver Ana Beatriz in the 2011 Honda Grand Prix of St Petersburg.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHgtwQEIADo

PAST The winners of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg include:

2005 Dan Wheldon, Andretti Green Racing
2006 Helio Castroneves, Team Penske
2007 Helio Castroneves, Team Penske
2008 Graham Rahal, Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing
2009 Ryan Briscoe, Team Penske
2010 Will Power, Team Penske
2011 Dario Franchitti, Target Chip Ganassi Racing

Down Shift Magazine coverage of the 2010 St Petersburg Grand Prix. (Click to Enlarge)

The AMG 6.208L V8 engine, despite being detuned compared to other AMG offerings using the same powerplant, still provides the C63 AMG with more horsepower and torque over direct rivals such as the Audi RS4 and BMW M3. (Click to Enlarge 1920x1200)

Its AMG C-Class predecessors had essentially featured “bolt on” performance modifications, and according to Car and Driver these earlier AMG models suffered from “relentless understeer” and “heavy steering”. The C63 AMG has a revised front end suspension that is taken from the CLK 63 AMG Black Series. The ESP can now be completely turned off, interfering only under heavy braking. The C63 AMG also has the quickest, most responsive steering of any Mercedes to date. AOL Autos described the new C63 as the best driver’s car in the Mercedes lineup.

The AMG 6.208L V8 engine, despite being detuned compared to other AMG offerings using the same powerplant, still provides the C63 AMG with more horsepower and torque over direct rivals such as the Audi RS4 and BMW M3. The 7G-Tronic automatic transmission has AMG SpeedShift with three shift modes – Comfort, Sport and Manual – with the last one running with the converter locked allowing the driver to hold the engine at the rev limit. Car and Driver tested the car in their December 2007 issue and recorded a 0–60 mph time of 3.9 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 12.3 seconds at 116 mph (187 km/h). This made the C63 AMG the quickest 4-door production sedan in the world at its debut.

In 2010, Mercedes-AMG introduced a new “AMG P31 Development Package” for an extra $6,050, which ups the power to 487 PS (358 kW) compared to 457 PS (336 kW; 451 hp) for the standard model. Top speed has increased to 280 km/h (170 mph). When equipped with this package, the C63 AMG features a revised ECU and crankshaft.

For 2011, a limited-edition C63 AMG was introduced by the Mercedes-Benz Specialist Products division, dubbed the “DR520″. This is the most powerful version of the C-Class to date, with a power rating of 525 PS (386 kW; 518 hp) and 650 N·m (480 lb·ft)) of torque. The DR520 is exclusive to the UK market, with production limited to only 20 units. In July 2011, Mercedes announced an AMG C63 Black Edition. Available only as a coupe, the Black Edition produces 510 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque, propelling it from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds.

For the 2012 model year, the C63 AMG received the AMG SpeedShift MCT dual-clutch semi-automatic transmission, replacing the 7G-Tronic automatic transmission with AMG SpeedShift. A C63 AMG coupe was also added to the lineup.

Capable of traveling 0-60mph in under 4.6 seconds and packing a 5.5L naturally aspirated V8, the new AMG SLK is 2 parts sports car and 1 part muscle car. (1920x1200)

The company took the unusual step of issuing several press releases in October and November 2010 announcing new features such as “Magic Sky Control”. In January 2011 the car was officially announced. In the SLK55 AMG R172 Mercedes-AMG introduced the all-new naturally aspirated 5.5 V8 engine.

This engine is based on the M157 Biturbo V8 engine.

• 5.5 L 416 hp V8
• 0–62 mph in 4.6 seconds
• Top speed of 155 mph

You just can't help but love the nostalgically retro signage for House of Pies, a design cue carried over in every aspect of the iconic Los Angeles eatery.

This past November we decided to follow-up the annual SEMA show in Las Vegas with a few days of sight-seeing, dining and R&R in the pop-culture capital of America; southern California. Our post trade-show travels would lead us every where from Dana Point in the south all the way up to Santa Barbara in the north and seemingly everywhere in the greater Los Angeles area in-between… Whilst exploring that in-between on one particularly chilly November night we not only found our way up to the world famous Griffith Park observatory but also to the renowned vintage eatery which lies just at it’s foot, the House of Pies Restaurant and Bakery.

Inspiringly and authentically vintage the House of Pies fits in perfectly with it's surrounding and nearby Los Feliz shops like Katy Perry favorite PopKiller.

Established in 1969 this family owned and operated diner has changed little in the four decades since it’s opening. Happily serving locals and tourists alike for some 42 years, this landmark eatery has become a part of the local culture and folklore, reaching a historical mile-marker of sorts in it’s four decades of operation which purely attests to the quality of service, food and and convenience. Core attributes not to be taken lightly, because after all these three simple tenets of good service have afforded the peculiar pie shop a level of staying power rarely found in today’s modern disposable culture. The House of Pies has become more than just a 24-hour diner or bakery, it’s become a social gathering point and an icon for a neighborhood steeped in local history and panache.

Using an old school no-nonsense approach to making hamburgers, while not fancy these burgers are tasty and bountiful...perfectly complimented by perfectly salted fries.

Suffice to say, The House of Pies is a must-see for any Los Angeles history buff, tourist, business-traveler or pie enthusiast. A vintage rotating glass display greets you at the door, proffering a well-rounded selection of tantalizing pies and other delectable bakery good. A tatty antiquated interior, complete with chrome and naive wall hangings, easily spurs on nostalgia, giving the clean and surprisingly spacious dining room an ambiance befitting of a classic American movie. The main fare here is straightforward, no-nonsense comfort/diner food. While you won’t find foie gras on the menu, what you will find are hefty portions of caloric-carbohydrate guilt-inspiring goodness like fried chicken, burgers and thick-stacked sandwiches. Pace yourself though, this isn’t a race so much as a marathon and at that finish line is a multitude of fresh, delicious home-made pies. Because while the food is no-nonsense good, the pies are after all the name of the game here. Touted by many as irresistible, no visit to The House of Pies if complete without trying at least one slice of the Cherry, key lime, chocolate mouse or strawberry pies.

The star of the show here, the Strawberry Pie was nothing short of excellent and effortlessly tasted as good as it looked...curiously not often the case with strawberry deserts. Why is that?

Well reviewed and well reccomended by both myself and my three dining companions, we enjoyed everything The House of Pies had to offer. Impressed by it’s nostalgic charms, we found the restaurant and staff to be accommodating, pleasant and at the utmost convenient…because where else could four Floridian tourists find a quality meal, excellent desserts and good company in Los Angeles sometime around midnight on a Saturday?

The House of Pies Restaurant and Bakery

1869 N Vermont Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Neighborhood: Griffith Park/Los Feliz
www.house-of-pies.net

Mon-Fri: 6:30am-2am
Sat-Sun: 7am-2am

Beleive it or not, Adrianne was actually only the runner-up for homecoming queen at her High School in Toledo, Ohio. (Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200)

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She first made her mark with guest roles on popular crime and drama shows before she became a series regular on the critically lauded series “Friday Night Lights” (NBC/DirecTV, 2006-2011), where she portrayed a town vixen trying to shake off her bad-girl reputation. Palicki’s career soared when she scored the lead on NBC’s revamp of the popular 1970s series “Wonder Woman” (2011), where she donned the infamous gold cuff and shiny, star-spangled costume popularized by Lynda Carter in the original incarnation. The iconic role suddenly thrust the relatively unknown Palicki into the Hollywood spotlight, giving her an opportunity to flex her acting muscles, and paving the way for even more exciting roles to follow.
Adrianne Palicki was born on May 6, 1983 in Toledo, OH. At her hometown’s Whitmer High School, she ran track, played basketball, and was a runner-up for homecoming queen. After graduating from high school in 2001, Palicki headed out West to pursue a career in show business. But before she landed acting gigs, she

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bid her time making sandwiches at Togo’s restaurant. By 2003, Palicki started making headway in her acting career with minor roles in independent short films and on a number of drama series such as “Smallville” (WB, 2001-2011), “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (CBS, 2000- ), and a recurring part on the short-lived “South Beach” (UPN, 2006) starring Vanessa Williams. She also appeared in the pilot episode of the fantasy drama “Supernatural” (The WB, 2005- ), as the ill-fated girlfriend of Jared Padalecki’s character.
In 2006, Palicki joined the ensemble cast of the

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critically acclaimed drama “Friday Night Lights,” based on H.G. Bissinger’s classic 1990 book and a 1994 film of the same name. The show centered on the Permian Panthers, the high school football team in a fictional Texas town, and the team’s coach and his family. Palicki portrayed the cheerleader girlfriend of one of the football players who, as the series progressed, tried to shed her bad-girl reputation. While the show was well received by critics and audiences alike, it struggled with low ratings and was moved around different networks, which led to it ultimately getting canceled.
Palicki’s earnest performance on “Friday Night Lights” led to bigger roles, including a lead part on “Lone Star” (Fox, 2010), as the unsuspecting wife of a Texas con man (James Wolk) who is leading a double life. While the series’ pilot earned rave reviews, low ratings forced its cancellation after the second episode. In 2010, Palicki starred in the remake of the 1984 cult classic “Red Dawn,” about a group of teenagers fighting Russian and Chinese

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soldiers who have invaded their small town. That same year, Palicki made headlines when writer-producer David E. Kelley handpicked her to star in the remake of the popular 1970s television series “Wonder Woman,” taking over the super heroine role made famous by Lynda Carter. On the series, Palicki played an updated version of Wonder Woman, a.k.a. Diana Prince, a vigilante crime fighter in Los Angeles who is also a successful corporate executive trying to balance all the elements of her extraordinary life.

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Age: 28
Profession: Actress
Nationality: American
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Blonde/Brunette
Height: 5’11″
Why: Television & Film Actress
Where: GI Joe: Retaliation in theaters June 29th & Red Dawn in theaters November 2nd
RF: 97% LF: ?% PF: ? HF: ? AVG: 97%
Twitter:  @Adrianne_Palicki
Facebook: /AdriannePalicki

Trivia:
Once worked as a Togo’s sandwich maker.
Was the runner-up for homecoming queen…
#79 on the Maxim magazine Hot-100 for 2007.
Graduated from Whitmer High School in 2001.
Has a tattoo of her parents’ names on her arm.

The end!

[Show as slideshow]

The Shins performing songs from "Port of Morrow" on Saturday Night Live, Saturday, March 10th, 2012.

In that half-decade since the band’s last album release,  front-man James Mercer (the only original band member left) has grown as a writer and musician , having  explored new  sounds and collaborations with music industry innovators like Danger Mouse and producer Greg Kurstin. The product of this organic musical exploration and growth is an indie-rock band that has a new and clearly succinct sound; The Shins have steered away from the expectedly melancholy and instead found a new and authentic sound that is well composed, well executed and decidedly upbeat.

Gone is the euphoric-melancholy sing-along-and-cry indie rock The Shins were previously known for and in its place Mercer has infused new instruments, sounds and even electronica; elements which coalesce into an invigorating and enjoyable twist on classic indie-rock. At times, “Port of Morrow” greatly benefits from the filmy pop-electronica details that Kurstin drapes over the productions, much like he has for Beck, Lily Allen and his own band, the Bird and the Bee. “Bait and Switch” starts with smeary, disembodied effects and opens up to bubbling keys and a revved-up two-step that propels Mercer’s distinctive note-bending vocals. On a few other songs, the weak melodies can’t bear out the flourishes and they meander exhaustively.

The Shins – Simple Song (2012)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoLTPcD1S4Q

For the closing title track, Mercer tries a falsetto that sounds like Thom Yorke crooning in drowsy moonlight. It’s intriguing but the song never seems to come totally to form. Contrasted with the exhilarating force of “Simple Song,” you wonder what the album could’ve been if every melody hit its sticking point but still experimented outside the traditional guitar anthem. “Port of Morrow” feels like an announcement — exciting but unresolved — of what’s still yet to come.

The Shins Live @ Auditorium Shores SXSW 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1LxQGIhpXI

The SLS AMG is capable of accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds, and can reach an electronically limited top speed of 197 mph. (HQ Image Available: Click to Enlarge - 1920x1200)

Designed to be a modern 300SL Gullwing revival by Gorden Wagener, the car has a long bonnet, the passenger compartment is close to the rear axle and the rear of the car is short. The SLS AMG has also adapted the feature of wing doors that will swing open upwards on gas struts, not in a mix of upwards and forward like the SLR. The doors must be closed manually as AMG engineers decided against auto-closing systems because the systems would have added 90 pounds to the car.In case of a roll-over, the doors can be fully detached to allow the occupants to leave the vehicle.

The SLS AMG will be made in no less than four different versions. The first to launch is the coupe with gullwing doors. In 2009 a Desert Gold version debuted at the Dubai International Auto Show, in mid-2010 a FIA-GT3 racing version. For 2011–2013 Mercedes will also be releasing a roadster (with conventional doors and a soft top), an electric powered E-Cell version (most likely to be a coupe), and there will be a Black Series version, which will see its weight trimmed by as much as 661lbs.

Flying Lizard has run Porsche 911 GT3 RSRs continuously in GT since the team’s first year of competition in 2004.

The Porsche 997 GT3 RSR has a dry weight of 2,690lbs and 450bhp. (Click To Enlarge 1920x1200)

The Porsche 997 GT3 RSR has a dry weight of 2,690lbs and 450bhp. In 2007 Porsche had also installed front air louvers that channel air into the radiators and exit through the bonnet. For 2011 Porsche added splitters to the front and increased the tyre diameter to cope with the under-steer problem. So far the GT3 RSR has been the most successful GT car ever.

Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA) is the Porsche factory division that supports customer racing activities throughout the world. Porsche AG formed PMNA in 1983 to serve racing customers in North America. Porsche is the only manufacturer that offers this kind of professional service to all customers through the PMNA home base in Santa Ana, California, and at the race tracks by utilizing the PMNA Motorsport parts truck.

Fresh, Hot and local pizza paired with micro-brew beer...what more can the weary traveler ask for?

Because unbeknownst to Floridians such as ourselves many of Louisville’s suburbs and to some extent industry actually lie just across Ohio river in Indiana, making this part of Kentucky an interesting cross-pollination and confluence of the people, culture and culinary influences of both Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio culture.

Arriving at the New Albanian Brewing Company after dark having previously read reviews of it earlier in the afternoon we were at once more than a little surprised to see that it was actually situated in a strip-mall of sorts… Not a detractor so much as a surprise, having visited many such micro-brew-eateries all across the nation they’ve typically been hidden away in trendy reclaimed urban real-estate such as converted warehouses or factories not easily accessible suburban strip malls. Surprising and handy we were more than thankful for the ample and convenient parking on this cold February night. Upon walking inside the New Albanian we were greeted by a warm, friendly, helpful and very informative staff who made us feel right at home and at ease from a long day of travel. Dark but not dank, there is a British pub like quality here that is appreciated in lieu of some more trendy approaches we’ve seen taken as of late. The decor was authentic, fitting and un-ostentatiously complimentary of the ample lineup of house-brewed and regional micro-brew beers available on tap.

Breadsticks and Beer-sauce...New Albanian's appetizer of champions!

After reading over the massive chalk boards festooned to the walls of the Pub like pizza parlor I opted to try a house brewed Tafel Witbier which was of course accompanied by an appetizer composed of fresh pizza bread-sticks with cheese dipping sauces. Perfectly complimentary of each other the beer was fresh and flavorful, described by the brewing experts at the New Albanian Brewing Company as “ Tafel Bier is Flemish for “table beer,” which filled those earthenware pitchers in the Brueghel paintings, and is a flavorful, session-strength accompaniment to almost any cuisine.” The bread-sticks were excellent, perfectly and lightly browned on the outside and soft and warm in the center. The accompanying Beer-sauce and Nacho cheese dipping sauces were zesty and original with the former being our favorite, imbibing an almost soft-pretzel like quality to the bread-sticks. Following our bier and break-sticks it was of course time to move on to the  pizza, an excellent blend of perfectly cooked and seasoned dough in conjunction with a mild yet zesty tomato based sauce with fresh and flavorful meats and vegetables. Everything here was cooked to perfection, nothing was burnt or overly crispy and the moderately thin pizza crust retained a unique compromise between the attributes normally associated with thicker deep-dish style pizzas and thinner, crispy pizzas… simultaneously. To be frank, the pizza here was uniquely excellent, the sort of meal not easily categorized, quantified or qualified but greatly original and universally enjoyed.

Handcrafted with only fresh cheeses, meats and vegetables you can't help but like the New Albanian's approach on pizza.

Well reviewed and well reccomended to anyone finding themselves in the Lousiville, Kentucky area, we greatly enjoyed the fresh food and beers offered by the friendly and accommodating folks at the New Albanian Brewing Company.

New Albanian Brewing Company
Pizzeria & Public House

3312 Plaza Drive
New Albany, IN 47150
(812) 944-2577
www.newalbanian.com

Mon-Sat: 11am-Midnight
Closed on Sundays

The M3 GT is powered by a 4.4-litre V8 based on the 4.0-litre engine found in the standard M3, the GT produces 444hp and weighs 300lbs less than the standard M3. (1920x1200)

BMW’s RLL team kicked off the 2011 American Le Mans season with an impressive 1-2 win at the popular Sebring 12-hour race. The no. 56 BMW M3 GT, driven by Dirk Muller (DE), Joey Hand (US) and Andy Priaulx (GB) claimed GT victory in the 12-hour race after 312 laps. Dirk Werner (DE), Bill Auberlen (US) and Augusto Farfus (BR) came second with the no. 55 BMW M3 GT.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vHqCmAwF1Q

One of the hottest automotive stories over the past year has been the development of the DeltaWing racecar project which will participate in the 2012 Le Mans 24-hour endurance race. Nissan announced they are partners in the project as the car was unveiled yesterday.

The fact that the Deltawing is racing at Le Mans this year wasn’t planned. The car was originally developed as a next generation study for the Indy car series. In the end it wasn’t chosen but the project captured the imaginations of racing legends Dan Gurney and Don Panoz, concept designer Ben Bowlby and Michelin who continued to back the project. Le Mans organizers have classified the DeltaWing in an experimental class which doesn’t count for a win. But barring incident, there’s no doubt the DeltaWing will get a lot of broadcast air time when the race takes place in June. Ahead of that, the car is scheduled to complete a few demonstration laps at Sebring on March 15 ahead o the 12-hours of Sebring.

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Emily Vancamp currently stars as Emily Thorne on the hit ABC drama series Revenge. ABC Wednesday @ 10/9c (Click to Enlarge 1920x1200)

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Her believable turn impressed both critics and the show’s younger audience, which nominated her for four Teen Choice Awards during its network run. She later proved that she could hold her own with a powerhouse cast and more mature subject matter as an illegitimate sibling of the Walker family in the family drama, “Brothers and Sisters” (ABC, 2006- ).

Born Emily Irene VanCamp in Port Perry, Ontario, Canada, on May 12, 1986, her first love was dance, which she began pursuing at the age of three. Nine years later, her training paid off when she was accepted into the L’Ecole Superieure de Danse de Quebec, the official training program of the prestigious Grands Ballet Canadiens. But her passion shifted gears when one of her three older sisters – who was also a dancer – was cast in a film as a ballerina. Upon visiting the film set, VanCamp quickly fell in love with the environment, and decided to become an actress.

VanCamp was just 13 when she landed her first on-screen role in a pair of episodes of the kids’

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suspense series “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” (YTV/Nickelodeon, 1990-2000). Her natural acting ability and maturity at a young age led to supporting roles in a series of diverse and decidedly grown-up projects produced by or filmed in Canada, including the Emmy-nominated “Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis” (2000, as Jackie at age 13), the lesbian-themed drama “Lost and Delirious” (2001), and the psychological thriller miniseries “Dice” (2001). Her first job as a series regular – Kevin Williamson’s supernatural drama “Glory Days” (The WB, 2002) – lasted just nine

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episodes, but the network clearly saw her talent as something they wanted in their stable. It was not long after that she was cast as Amy Abbott on “Everwood.”

VanCamp’s headstrong Amy was at the center of a juicy love triangle for much of season one and two of “Everwood” – her boyfriend, Colin, was in a coma, and the town’s new doctor, Andrew Brown (Treat Williams), was a world-class surgeon, so she gravitated towards him and his son Ephram (Gregory Smith) in the hopes that he could help Colin. But over the course of the season, Amy and Ephram began to develop feelings for one another – which prove ill-timed, as Dr. Brown’s surgical skills helped to revive Colin. For the next two seasons, the relationship endured considerable ups and downs before reaching an impassable roadblock in the third season. Despite her age, VanCamp proved well-equipped to handle her character’s emotional arcs – which included dalliances with drugs, casual sex, an estrangement from her family, and her mother’s illness – and

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emerged from the show with a body of work that put the full range of her talent in an excellent showcase. Her performance also proved to be a favorite among the show’s sizable audience of young female viewers (as well as a number of older men and women), who saw fit to nominate her three times as Choice Actress in a Drama for the Teen Choice Awards between 2003 and 2005; she and Smith were also nominated for Best Chemistry in 2005.

While shooting “Everwood,” VanCamp had a supporting role in “The Ring Two” (2005), the

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much-anticipated sequel to Gore Verbinski’s 2002 remake of the 1998 Japanese horror film “Ringu.” VanCamp’s character, Emily, who survives an attack by the murderous ghost Samara, was a minor role, though the character got more screen time in “Rings” (2005), a short film about the events and characters that lead up to “The Ring Two.” The film enjoyed a successful opening weekend, but its final box office tally fell far short of the first film’s ticket sales.

VanCamp was featured in two independent features – the grim family drama “Black Irish” (2007) and the fantasy-thriller “Carriers” – prior to joining “Brothers and Sisters” in 2007. Like “Everwood,” “Brothers and Sisters” was produced by Greg Berlanti and explored the convoluted relationships between a family and their friends, lovers, and co-workers. Here, the Walker family, led by matriarch Sally Field, was the focus, and Rachel Griffiths, Calista Flockhart, Balthazar Getty, Matthew Rhys, and Dave Annable her children. VanCamp played Rebecca Harper, a Walker half-

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sibling whose mother was the mistress of the family’s late patriarch (Tom Skerritt). Over the course of the show’s first two seasons, Rebecca struggled to find acceptance within the Walker family, as well as inappropriate relationships with a teacher, and later, half-sister Rebecca’s (Griffiths) husband Joe, which leads to their divorce. A triangle between Rebecca, half-brother Justin (Annable), and Lena Branigan (Emily Rose), secretary to her half-brother Tommy (Getty), also developed in the second season.

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Age: 25
Profession: Actress
Nationality: Canadian
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Blonde/Dirty Blonde
Why: Television & Film Actress
Where: ABC’s Hit Drama: Revenge Wed. 10/9c
RF: 90% LF: 91% PF: NA HF: NA AVG: 90.5%
Twitter:  @Emily_Vancamp_
Facebook: /EmilyVancamp

[Show as slideshow]

The R15 TDI features a 5.5 litres (336 cu in) Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) turbodiesel V10 engine, rated at over 590bhp and 774 lbf·ft of torque. Click to Enlarge (1920x1200)

The R15 TDI features a 5.5 litres (336 cu in) Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) turbodiesel V10 engine, rated at over 590bhp and 774 lbf·ft of torque. The electrical system uses a lithium-ion battery, a first for Audi sports prototypes, as well as LED headlights, and a unique system of LED rear lights that are mounted on the rear wing endplate.

The R15′s final race was at the 2011 Sebring 12 Hours. Both cars ran in 2010 configuration with new restrictors. The #1 Audi finished 5th overall after 2 consecutive tyre punctures and rear bodywork damage in the hands of Mike Rockenfeller. Later in the race the #1 had to serve a penalty for speeding in pitlane. The #2 ran at the front exchanging the lead with Peugeot until a shunt by one of the Peugeots at turn 17 put Capello out of contention with a suspension failure. The #2 finished 4th overall, albeit 5 laps down from the winning Oreca Peugeot. Throughout its career the R15 won 3 of the 10 races it entered; Sebring in 2009, Paul Ricard and Le Mans in 2010.

The engine, badged DIG-T (Direct Injection Gasoline – Turbocharged), is expected to produce around 300hp, sufficient to give Nissan DeltaWing lap times between LMP1 and LMP2 machines at Le Mans. Click to Enlarge (1920x1200)

A highly-advanced and hugely-efficient Nissan engine will power the remarkable DeltaWing car as it races for the first time at the legendary 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours (16-17 June).

While Nissan DeltaWing will not be classified in the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours, the Company is looking to showcase the pioneering technology that will show one potential direction for the future of motorsport and will feed into the research and development of future technologies, that filter down to Nissan’s road car product range.

A race-prepared 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, featuring direct petrol injection and a turbocharger, will power Nissan DeltaWing, which is half the weight and has half the aerodynamic drag of a conventional racer.

With innovation at its core, Nissan was a natural partner to be invited into the DeltaWing family by the existing group of core partners – US-domiciled British designer Ben Bowlby, American motorsport entrepreneur Don Panoz, the All-American Racers organization of former US Formula 1 driver Dan Gurney, Duncan Dayton’s two-time championship-winning Highcroft Racing team and Michelin Tyres North America.

The engine, badged DIG-T (Direct Injection Gasoline – Turbocharged), is expected to produce around 300hp, sufficient to give Nissan DeltaWing lap times between LMP1 and LMP2 machines at Le Mans, despite having only half the power of those conventional prototypes. It features the same technology found in Nissan road cars, such as the range-topping Nissan Juke DIG-T.

“As motor racing rulebooks have become tighter over time, racing cars look more and more similar and the technology used has had less and less relevance to road car development. Nissan DeltaWing aims to change that and we were an obvious choice to become part of the project,” said Andy Palmer, Executive Vice President, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

“But this is just the start of our involvement. Nissan DeltaWing embodies a vast number of highly-innovative ideas that we can learn from. At the same time, our engineering resources and commitment to fuel efficiency leadership via our PureDrive strategy will help develop DeltaWing into a testbed of innovation for Nissan”.

Nissan DeltaWing is unlike any other racing car currently on track. The driver sits well back in the car, almost over the rear axle and looks ahead down a long, narrow fuselage to narrow twin front tyres, specially created for the car by tyre partner Michelin. Click to Enlarge (1920x1200)

“This announcement gives Nissan the opportunity to become part of a ground-breaking motorsport project and one which could shape the future of the sport,” he added.

Nissan DeltaWing concept originator and designer, Briton Ben Bowlby, said: “Nissan has provided us with our first choice engine. It’s a spectacular piece. We’ve got the engine of our dreams: it’s the right weight, has the right power and it’s phenomenally efficient.”

Nissan DeltaWing is unlike any other racing car currently on track. The driver sits well back in the car, almost over the rear axle and looks ahead down a long, narrow fuselage to narrow twin front tyres, specially created for the car by tyre partner Michelin. With a rear-mounted engine, the car has a strong rearward weight bias, which makes it highly manoeuvrable, while its light weight and slippery shape make it far more efficient.

Its innovative design and forward-looking technology have encouraged the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), the organisers of the famous Le Mans 24 Hours, to invite the car to run in this year’s race from ‘Garage 56’, the spot in the pitlane reserved for experimental cars. As it doesn’t conform to any existing championship regulations, Nissan DeltaWing will not be eligible to challenge for silverware and will carry the race number ‘0’.

Nissan’s expertise has been applied to the development of the engine, in order to make it light and efficient enough to prove the philosophy behind the concept can work in ‘real-world’ motor racing. The Company, always among the first to embrace such radical ideas and surprising new performance innovations, has promised to apply key learnings from the experience to inform strategies for its PureDrive aerodynamics and efficiency package for road cars, as well as its overall research & development programmes.

Dan Gurney’s legendary All American Racers organization has built the DeltaWing. The new car continues the California organisation’s incredible legacy as a race car constructor which has included 157 different cars built – earning major victories in Formula 1, sportscars and the Indianapolis 500.

Paul Willcox, Senior Vice President, Nissan in Europe, said: “Nissan is a very innovative, forward-thinking company prepared to take a risk or two. And exactly the same applies to Nissan DeltaWing. Our involvement in the project shows the boldness of Nissan from an engineering and innovation mindset.”

The first two Nissan DeltaWing drivers to be confirmed are British Sportscar racer Marino Franchitti and Nissan’s reigning FIA GT1 World Champion Michael Krumm. The car will make its first public demo laps at Sebring, Florida, at 12.30pm local time on Thursday, March 15.

The first two Nissan DeltaWing drivers to be confirmed are British Sportscar racer Marino Franchitti and Nissan’s reigning FIA GT1 World Champion Michael Krumm. Click to Enlarge (1920x1200)

“The end result is a GT2 car that contains the DNA and the spirit of the production car,” 1920x1200

From a production car, the Jaguar XKR makes an excellent racecar. “The Jaguar XKR is exceptionally strong and rigid, and the construction method is in advance of the conventional steel stamping that we see in cars today,” explained Paul Gentilozzi, RSR team owner. “That allows RSR to build a lighter, stronger, stiffer racecar. Also, the basic aerodynamic design of the XKR has a low drag coefficient and more than sufficient downforce.”

The GT2 class features production-based cars modified as allowed by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) rules. “There are very specific limitations. We use what we call in the industry, the Body-In-White. That is the basic skeletal structure, the sub-frames and frames from the original production car. We started our GT2 car with a real Jaguar XKR, this is not a panel built or fabricated car. We are using all of the aluminum skeletal structure of the car, the production doors, roof and deck lid.”

The body work features a design that is based on the Jaguar XKR and was completed in the Jaguar Advance Design Studio headed by chief designer Ian Callum. The body has undergone intensive computational fluid dynamics work, know as CFD, by the Jaguar aerodynamics department. Information from the CFD was then incorporated into the finished body work which was made in clay at the RSR facility. Over 1100 man hours were spent during the clay process. The carbon fiber composite body work was molded and produced by a local company in Michigan and conforms to the ACO guidelines.

“The end result is a GT2 car that contains the DNA and the spirit of the Jaguar Design Department and the production car,” comments Gentilozzi.

Prior to its release, Ra Ra Riot described their sophomore release The Orchard a “so poppy you will want to throw up on yourself.”

Ra Ra Riot wouldn’t be the band it is without the dynamite string section of violinist Rebecca Zeller and cellist Alexandra Lawn, who know how to bathe even the briskest songs (“Boy,” et al) in a wash of melancholy. Wes Miles’ vocals may exude a sort of innocent calm, but his backing players (who also include bassist Mathieu Santos and guitarist Milo Bonacci) are experts at ramping up the tension, too. The result is a record that feels both big and personal — just the right recipe for a band looking to jump to arenas in the months and years to come.

Being friends with Vampire Weekend would’ve helped any band in 2008, but it was particularly beneficial to Ra Ra Riot and their relentlessly charming debut, The Rhumb Line, whose college rock came in similarly preppy tailoring. Plenty of this genre’s practitioners have attended ritzy private schools, but these two bands sounded like it: melodically nimble and compact songs bedecked with chamber-pop sweetener and nods to 1980s art-rock. Of course, Ra Ra Riot never faced the same accusations of cultural appropriation or privilege (maybe because Syracuse isn’t in the Ivy League?), but oddly enough, their detractors denounced them as even less edgy and more buttoned-up. Perhaps The Orchard is a reaction to that criticism; it pushes their stylistic range at the cost of hooks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asY08yquddo

Prior to its release, Ra Ra Riot described their sophomore release The Orchard a “so poppy you will want to throw up on yourself.” Following the indie-pop gem that was The Rhumb Line, this was a bold statement. It proved to be an incorrect one. Instead, they crafted an album that was more nuanced, less concise and a sound that is far less immediate. The band lost a little something in their transition between albums, but crafted a record that gets better every listen.

It seems a disservice, as it often is with sophomore releases, to compare The Orchard to The Rhumb Line, one of the best and most underrated albums released in recent memory. However, it is almost impossible not to, as The Orchard starts where The Rhumb Line left off, albeit with a few tweaks.

The greatest change occurs in the role vocals play in each song. Ra Ra Riot’s greatest strength is their string arrangements; it’s the most sonically dynamic element and what really separates the band from anyone else making similar music today. On The Rhumb Line lead singer Wes Miles wielded his quavering tenor expertly, almost as another instrument in the mix. Here, the band seeks to bring the vocals to the forefront, allowing Miles a greater freedom and where the instrumentals create a backdrop rather than the essence of the song itself. The songs of The Orchard are more spacious, loose and ultimately lack the impact many Rhumb Line tracks were characterized by.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRo7Ed4yfvo

However, the technique does yield some unexpected results. Although Miles does not have the voice to carry songs on his own, he does have a penchant for complex and often melancholic melodies. Overall, The Orchard carries a very bittersweet tone, and the vocals on the tracks “The Orchard” and “Keep It Quiet,” where Miles is singing almost unaccompanied ingratiate themselves in the mind, to the point where it is often hard not to sing along with his constantly changing tones.

Ironically, the song where the vocal prominence and pensive melody achieve greatest results is the only track on the album Miles does not sing on. On “You And I Know” cellist Alexandra Lawn takes over lead vocal duties to create a stunningly beautiful song. It’s the standout of the album, and not just because I’ve had a huge crush on Ms. Lawn for a few years now. She’s the unflinching center of the swelling guitar and bass, dynamic piano lines and a fantastic job of backup vocals by Miles. Coming in the middle of the album, it’s an unexpected and dramatic shift from the rest of the album, and works as a centerpiece to the record.

Another standout track from the outset is “Boy,” The Orchard’s lead single. The song typifies an effort to recapture their blissfully catchy and powerful sound from The Rhumb Line, and succeeds extremely well. The star of this track is undoubtedly the bass line cooked up by Mathieu Santos, both catchy and complex.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYf3bP-ZUOk

The lowest point of the album comes not soon after in the form of “Massachussetts.” Ra Ra Riot has been plagued since they began to break onto the indie scene by comparisons to contemporaries Vampire Weekend. Here they seem to play right into the comparisons, with Miles channeling his inner Ezra Koenig. The result is honestly comparable to something you’d imagine was left on the cutting room floor of VW’s debut album, not that they would record something as uninspired as this. The elements are all puzzlingly there; somewhat off-kilter drumming with the inclusion of unusual fills and cowbells, a melodically chanted chorus, and a reference to the Northeast of America.

As it will with this band, it will always come back to the strings for Ra Ra Riot. The songs that are consistently good on this album are the ones that Rebecca Zeller and Lawn have the greatest roles in. “Shadowcasting” and “Kansai” both keep momentum going through the second of the album and raise the album far above the “hit-and-miss” designation the first half would have you believe it was. An almost perfect representation of this comes in the form of “Too Dramatic.” From the beginning the track is characterized by frenzied bursts of very staccato violin and cello parts and Miles’ almost unbelievably clear and very impressive high vocal range. However, as the song progresses and musically changes from verse to verse they eventually drop the strings altogether and replace them with somewhat cheesy 80’s-style synths, an effect that sounds fun on first listen but ultimately ends up being somewhat gimmicky and detracting from the overall song.

In the end, The Orchard is a mixed bag. It’s a more mature Ra Ra Riot we are listening to. The songs often take their time to develop, and stick with you. There are missteps along the way, but there is a lot to look forward to in the future. It’s something entirely different than pop, even if that is what they set out to make here. Although it’s still easy to take in, there’s almost always something underneath the surface.

Dueling Porsche GT3's battle it out turn by turn during the 2011 59th annual running of the Twelve Hours of Sebring. (1920x1200)

The Sebring International Raceway is a 3.7 mile, 17-turn circuit. The oldest road course in North America, portions of the track were originally  a WWII B-17 training base.

In the all-Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car GTC class, the winning team consisted of Damien Faulkner/Tim Pappas/Sebastian Bleekemolen who finished 1 minute 8 seconds ahead of Spencer Pumpelly/Duncan Ende/Alain Li.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a8rgtAJAYs

We wonder what Steve and Rod Millen circa 1989 thought of the KA? Did they wish the US model had the CA…more than likely. We sure do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPl9pKxruR0

It’s amazing just how little Christie Brinkley has aged in 23 years…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp5yQg2WPK4

Ah, S14 luxury…well luxury might have been stretching it just a bit. A little less pseudo luxury and allot more SR oomph would have boosted the car’s sales.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uL05Z6EauQ

Ah yes and let’s not forget the 240 we were denied…oh how we <3 the S15.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRGrRI5kEE0

A limited edition model was created in 1996, called the NISMO 400R, that produced 400hp from a road-tuned version of Nissan's Le Mans engine. (1920x1200)

Nissan took the unusual step of down-grading the GTS model to have only the RB20E, while the twin-cam of the R32 GTS was discontinued along with the 2.0 L turbo RB20DET.

Some models came equipped with a new version of the HICAS 4-wheel steering system called Super HICAS. This computer controlled system was first used on the R32 GT-R. Super HICAS used electric actuators to steer the rear, as opposed to the hydraulic HICAS.

The BCNR33 GT-R version also had the same RB26DETT engine that the BNR32 was equipped with, although torque had been improved, due to changes in the turbo compressor aerodynamics, turbo dump pipe, and intercooler. The turbo core changed from a sleeve bearing to a ball bearing, but the turbine itself remained ceramic, except on N1 turbos (steel turbine, sleeve bearing). From the R33 onward, all GT-Rs received Brembo brakes. In 1995 the GT-R received an improved version of the RB26DETT, the ATTESA-ETS four-wheel-drive system, and Super HICAS 4-wheel steering.

A limited edition model was created in 1996, called the NISMO 400R, that produced 400hp from a road-tuned version of Nissan’s Le Mans engine. A stronger six-speed Getrag gearbox was used.

An R33 GT-R driven by Dirk Schoysman lapped the Nordschleife in less than 8 minutes. Though it was often said to be the first production car to break 8 minutes, the limited run Jaguar XJ220 had already achieved a 7’46″ lap. Other manufacturers had caught up since the R32 was released, and the R33 never dominated motorsport to the extent of the R32.

Models:

• GT-R – 2.6-liter RB26DETT DOHC twin-turbo I6, 305hp 4WD
• GT-R LM – 2.6-liter RB26DETT DOHC twin-turbo I6, 305hp FR
• NISMO 400R – 2.8 L RBX-GT2 DOHC twin-turbo I6, 400hp 4WD
• 4Dr.GT-R Autech Version – 2.6 L RB26DETT DOHC twin-turbo I6, 305hp 4WD

The R32 GT-R dominated Japanese Touring Car Championship (JTCC), winning 29 races from 29 starts, taking the series title every year from 1989 to 1993. (1920x1200)

The RB26DETTengine actually produced 320+ hp, but it was unstated due to the Japanese car makers’ “gentlemen’s agreement” not to exceed 276 hp. The engine was designed for ~500 hp in racing trim, and then muzzled by the exhaust, boost restriction, and ECU. The electronic boost control had a small physical restriction in the control lines. It was marked in yellow so the new owner could remove it and enjoy a safe factory boost increase. After this increase the car would put out ~310hp and could do 0–100 km/h in 4.7seconds and quarter mile in 12.8 seconds.

The GT-R had a significantly larger intercooler, larger brakes, and aluminium front guards and bonnet. Other distinguishing features include flared front and rear wheel arches. More supportive seats were fitted, and the turbo boost gauge and digital clock were removed from inside the instrument cluster. The clock was replaced with a torque meter that indicated how much torque was being delivered to the front wheels (0%–50%). Oil temp, voltage, and turbo boost gauges were fitted just above the climate control.

The Porsche 959 was Nissan’s target when designing the GT-R. The chief engineer, Naganori Itoh, intended to use the car for Group A racing, so the design specification was drawn up in conjunction with a copy of the Group A rules. The Nordschleife production car record at the time of development was 8’45″ – set by a Porsche 944. Nissan test driver Hiroyoshi Katoh reset the record with a time of 8’20″. Best Motoring managed 8’22″38.

The R32 GT-R dominated Japanese Touring Car Championship (JTCC), winning 29 races from 29 starts, taking the series title every year from 1989 to 1993. It took 50 races from 50 starts from 1991 to 1997 (latterly R33) in the N1 Super Taikyu.

The R32 GT-R was introduced in to the Australian Touring Car Championship in 1990 and promptly ended the reign of the previously all-conquering Ford Sierra Cosworth, winning Bathurst 1000 classic in 1991 and 1992. This success led to the Australian motoring press nicknaming the car Godzilla due to it being a “monster from Japan”. As Australia was the first export market for the car the name quickly spread. Such was GT-R’s dominance that it was a significant factor in the demise of Group A Touring Car racing, the formula being scrapped soon after. JTCC was similarly blighted by the R32 GT-R, and splintered soon after, leading to the switch to the Supertouring category and also indirectly to the GT500 category of today.

When originally designed, the homologation rulebook mandated 16-inch wheels, so that’s what the GT-R got. This limited the size of the brakes, and the Nissan four pots weren’t really up to competition use. A later change in rules allowed 17-inch wheels, so in February 1993 the GT-R V-spec (for Victory) emerged wearing 17″ BBS mesh wheels(225/50/17) covering larger Brembo brakes. The clutch actuation changed from a push to a pull system, the car had the standard rear differential, the electronic rear differential did not show up until the R33 Vspec. A year later the V-Spec II appeared with a new sticker and wider tires(245/45/17).

Mac's Heaping Portion of BBQ Pulled Pork Served with Baked Beans, Mac 'n Cheese and Bun

A local BBQ restaurant, craft beer emporium and sometimes biker-hangout, Mac’s is the sort of peculiarly fun modern-day urban eatery that successfully embodies a perfectly balanced energy and style.  A cross between old school comfort-casual, indie-hipster cool, undertoned sexuality and shabby-chic, Mac’s is quite possibly all things to almost all people…

Inside Mac's Southbend Location During A Weekday Lunch Service

While unabashedly playing up the socially accepted sexuality of their serving staff (in the spirit of Hooters or Winghouse), Mac’s has balanced that misogynistic equation by seamlessly integrating it with the colorful and whimsical culinary styles, sensibilities and vibes of the gastro-pub, classic BBQ shack and honkytonk jook-joint. The result of this cross-cultural pollination has been a rather unique restaurant experience that is at once a yuppie/foodie hang-out, a happy-hour craft beer drinkery and a biker bar…sort of. Cooked down to stock, Mac’s is a uniquely Charlotte centric balance of new and old, blue and white and every shade in-between.

Having established the overtly undertoned sexuality of the serving staff it is important to emphasize just that, while it may be in the spirit of places like Hooters or Winghouse, Mac’s is executed much better and more tastefully in such a way as to not demean the server or the patron. This is the sort of place you can bring your kids, your wife, your mother and definitely your father… Southern hospitality is alive and well here and the staff is all knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and hospitable. Offering a wide array of BBQ indulgences expertly paired with an expansive assortment or spirits and libations, take some time to study both the food and beer menu, ask questions, take your time, relax and have fun with it.

Kelli one of the excellent waitresses at Mac's Southbend Location

The food here is great, solid staples prepared with a kick or twist, just enough to keep things interesting and make Mac’s standout from some of the competition. Arguably however, the star of the show could be argued to be the assortment of home-crafted sauces on the table…this is North Carolina and we’re not talking dry-rubs, BBQ here is wet and steeped in vinegary sweet tradition. In particular we enjoyed the pulled pork sandwich and platter, tender, moist and bountiful; our amply sized “small” plates ranneth over. The sides were equally tasty and deployed in complimentary heaping portions. On this day we opted to try the Mac ‘n Cheese, Fresh Slaw, Potato Salad, Collard Greens and Cheddar Grits…all excellent.

In terms of Mac’s Alchoholic offerings one suggested draft choice seemed wholly appropriate with this meal; the Foothills Brewing Company’s excellent Hurricane Hefeweizen. A North-Carolina homegrown micro-brew out of nearby Winston Salem, this ingenious take on the classic hefeweizen was served on draft, ice cold, well-carbonated, medium bodied and finished smoothly. The perfect pairing for classic Carolina BBQ served up hot and fresh in a white collar gastro-pub shabby-chic jook-joint biker bar.

Just a few of Mac's wide array of draft beer offerings.

Mac’s Speed Shop

2511 South Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28203
(704) 522-6227
www.macspeedshop.com

Sun-Tues: 11am-Midnight
Wed-Sat: 11am-2am

The GT-R Family Tree: 1971 KGC10, 1980 R30, 1987 R31, 1992 R32, 1996 R33, 2000 R34, 2010 R35 (1920x1200)

… you’re welcome.  ~Down Shift

Melyssa is proudly of Filipino and German decent and takes great pride in her cultural heritage as well as being a bilingual speaker fluent in both Spanish and English. (1920x1200) Photo: IGN

HQ Image Available: Click to Enlarge (900x1200)

An accomplished model and media personality the outgoing Melyssa Grace Roberts was born in Oakland, California and spent much of her childhood in Ewa Beach, Hawaii. Moving back stateside several years later, Melyssa finished her middle and high school years in the coastal community of Ventura, CA just north of Los Angeles. Melyssa is proudly of Filipino and German decent and takes great pride in her cultural heritage as well as being a bilingual speaker fluent in both Spanish and English.

As a little girl, Melyssa always dreamed of modeling. She often posed for her mother’s camera where she practiced posing and walking like a fashion model. Growing up amidst the tropical surroundings of Hawaii had many perks for a young aspiring model and offered the young Melyssa great opportunities to learn and excel at several forms of dance (hula, tap, jazz and ballet) and compete in a wide array of beauty pageants. Childhood pursuits well-spent as in addition to having fun Melyssa was also able to develop

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invaluable skills and hone natural talents that would greatly aid her later in life while pursuing a career in modeling and beyond.

According to Melyssa, “Life has taught me many lessons, such as believing in yourself, working hard, and paying attention to detail. I am studying business so that one day I can open my own Sushi restaurant.

I love fast cars and fast bikes (I own a Kawasaki Ninja Motorcycle). I also love to travel and enjoy new experiences and meeting new people.

HQ Image Available: Click to Enlarge (900x1200)

My experiences in modeling have taught me the value of acceptance and commitment as well as self respect and the respect of others.”

Not your average model, Melyssa in addition to being crowned Miss Formula Drift 2010 is actually an avid Drift enthusiast and amateur racer, “I love drifting because it is an exhilarating hobby. I always have lots of fun while I am drifting! I will continue to practice my drifting skills in my spare time with my new drift race-car that I recently purchased.”  When asked about her further aspirations Melyssa responds, “One of my main goals relating to drifting is to someday star in my own drifting movie! Another goal of mine is to work as a professional stunt car driver in Hollywood movies and television shows.”

HQ Image Available: Click to Enlarge (1920x1200)

Age: 28
Profession: Model
Nationality: American
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brunette
Why: Modeling & Media Personality
Where: Magazines, Advertising, Events & More
RF: 94% LF: 91% PF: NA HF: NA AVG: 92.5%
Twitter:  @melyssagrace
Facebook: /MelyssaGrace

[Show as slideshow]

In 1970, the KGC10 2000 GT-X/R received a 2.0 L L20 I6 engine making 120bhp and replacing the Prince G-7 engine. (1920x1200)

Called the PGC-10 (KPGC-10 for later coupé version) internally and Hakosuka (ハコスカ) by fans. Hako (ハコ) means Box in Japanese, and suka（スカ） is short for Skyline (スカイライン; Sukairain).

It used the 2.0 L (1998 cc) S20 I6. This new DOHC engine (which was designed by the former Prince engineers) produced 160 hp (118 kW, 180 N m), and was similar to the GR8engine used in the Prince R380 racing car.

The GT-R began as a sedan, but a 2-door coupé version was debuted in October 1970 and introduced in March 1971. The cars were stripped of unnecessary equipment to be as light as possible for racing, and performed well at the track. The sedan racked up 33 victories in less than two years, and the coupé stretched this to 50 through 1972.

The C10 raced against many cars including the Toyota 1600 GT (RT55), Isuzu Bellett GTR, Mazda Familia (R100) & Capella (RX-2) – even Porsche. In late 1971 the new Mazda RX-3 became the GT-R’s main rival. The GT-R managed a few more victories before the RX-3 ended the GT-R’s winning streak.

Following the success of Three Rounds and a Sound, the then-duo of Israel Nebeker and Ryan Dobrowski expanded into a full-fledged band and recorded their follow-up We Are the Tide.

In a time where much indie folk—from Fleet Foxes to Tallest Man on Earth to even Bon Iver—coats itself in the settled dust and sepia tones of nostalgia, Blind Pilot has a refreshingly clean, modern sound. Following the success of Three Rounds and a Sound, the then-duo of Israel Nebeker and Ryan Dobrowski expanded into a full-fledged band and recorded their follow-up We Are the Tide.

With new players and new elements like vibraphones, dulcimer, keyboards, and trumpets, the Blind Pilot sound has grown unabashedly big. The tones here are still subtle, the layers muted but expansive, but the vocals themselves—delivered with striking depth by Nebeker—are huge and high up in the mix here. All these players add texture, but mostly they serve to strengthen a foundation for Nebeker’s voice to layer and thicken and spread out over.

With this focus on the vocals, and the relatively straightforward approach of the music, Blind Pilot seems to fight to find its footing early on. Opener “Half Moon” is shadowy and tuneful, but as Nebeker’s voice stretches over the spacious keys and distant guitar, things feel a bit forced, even crowded. He claims, “It’s not hard to live like a ghost,” and while it’s a touching, sad statement, the song doesn’t haunt so much as it overpowers. Later on, “The Colored Night” suffers a same fate, with the high-in-the-mix, layered vocals feeling forced, bordering on melodramatic, and tipping the balance on an otherwise subtle tune.

These growing pains rise in part out of the album’s uniformity. We Are the Tide has seven of ten songs that clock in between three and four minutes, and the bulk of the record runs at a mid-tempo chug. This doesn’t end up dooming the album at all, though. A few stumbles aside, the band’s fresh sound comes through nicely, the layers introducing themselves with repeated listens. “We Are the Tide” coasts along on a bright shuffle, and Nebeker cuts his words instead of pulling on them to achieve a new tension, one that builds nicely to the hazy worry of the chorus. “We won’t last long but we’re giving it our best try,” he keens, and you can feel that will to push forward all over the song, as pedal steel warms up the cool backing vocals.

“Get It Out” similarly shows the vital contribution that is Dobrowski’s percussion. The snare rolls here puncture the otherwise dreamy sway of the track. Meanwhile, on the excellently poppy “Get You Right”, Dobrowski’s country shuffle adds propulsion to the jangle of Nebeker’s guitar, meshing it with the quiet banjo lines. In these moments, Blind Pilot feels like the full-on band they’re striving to be, creating layers that are effective without feeling crowded. The second half of the record shows all the textures they can achieve with these new elements and if the songs still feel similar to 3 Rounds and a Sound, that’s because Nebeker and company are capable of the kind of melodies that sound familiar right out of the gate, even if they come around to surprise you later.

As they hone their sound in the later songs on the record, the quiet moments shine. “White Apple”, a dusty ballad, relies on the odd piano fill or a distant horn to create atmosphere behind Nebeker’s emotive singing instead of letting the brittle strum of the guitar carry the day. Closer “New York”, though, shows the band’s true strength. Where other songs build to climaxes, going from humble verses to towering choruses, this buzzing swirl succeeds on restraint. Keys groan for much of the song, but leave space for the rumble of Dobrowski’s tom work and a melancholy bed of violins. The song captures, with its bittersweet fatigue, the double-edge of time. “I’ve got wise and I’ve got old,” admits Nebeker, “not once did I fall.” But it’s the last plea—“so don’t you now”—that sells the song. Maybe he has fallen, but he’s selling hope here to someone who needs it, and the mix of strength and worry coats his voice perfectly.

This precarious spot ends We Are the Tide at just the right moment, where the band has achieved its biggest, best sound by not trying at all to sound so big. The swelling tension of the song never bursts, and you’re left with the sweet ache of the album resonating. It’s an imperfect document, perhaps, but that’s only because it is one that never hides—behind too many layers or too much nostalgia. Blind Pilot lays itself bare on We Are the Tide and if there are a few stumbles early on, they make the successes later in the record all the richer.

Arguably one of the most overlooked or forgotten Skylines the R31 in spite of it's boxy appearance actually began the car's transition from plebian to Godzilla. (1920x1200)

The R31 Skyline introduced many new technologies and features. The HR31 was the first Skyline to be equipped with the new RB-series of engines. The R31 RB engines are often referred to as “Red Top” engines because of the red cam covers. There were three variants. The earliest series of DOHC RB engines used the NICS (Nissan Induction Control System) injection system with 12 very small intake runners, and a butterfly system to divide the intake ports in half for better low RPM performance. Later versions used ECCS (Electronically Concentrated Control System) engine management, discarded the twelve tiny runners for six much larger ones (though they retained twelve ports on the head, so there was a splitter plate), and received a slightly larger turbocharger. Nissan’s RD28, a 2.8 straight-6 engine, featured for a diesel option. Another technological first for the R31 was the introduction of Nissan’s proprietary 4-wheel steering system, dubbed HICAS (High Capacity Active Steering). The R31 series were also the only models in the Skyline family to feature a 4-door hardtop variation.

The ultimate version of the R31 was the RB20DET-R powered HR31 GTS-R Coupe of which 800 units were built to allowhomologation for Group A Touring Car racing. It had a reworked version of the normal RB20DET with a much larger turbocharger on a tubular steel exhaust manifold, as well as a much larger front-mounted intercooler boosting power to a factory claimed 210hp, with racing versions making over 430hp.

Using a stroker crankshaft from Toda Racing, the naturally aspirated engine displaced 3.5 liters and produced nearly 500 bhp. (1920x1200)

“The moment I drove the NSX, all the benchmark cars—Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini—I had been using as references in the development of my car vanished from my mind. Of course the car we would create, the McLaren F1, needed to be faster than the NSX, but the NSX’s ride quality and handling would become our new design target.” The NSX was marketed as the first “Everyday Supercar” thanks in part to its ease of use, quality and reliability. Murray himself remained an NSX owner for 7 years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8zUXratHvk

 “The reason for this special appearance was to test a new hybrid system mounted in the FR type NSX. The new SUPER GT regulation set to go into effect for the 2012 season will enable participation of cars with hybrid systems. With regard to the use of hybrid systems, GTA has been in talks with the three makers competing in the GT500 class, and Honda has stepped forward this time with an advance hybrid technology development project.”

The system in use is made by Zytek and is said to be a battery-equipped & liquid-cooled hybrid system. Initial shakedown testing has already been conducted a month ago, but this appearance marked the first full-fledged track tests. The system has a 40kw output and is said to be capable not only of powering an overtake button function like those used in F1 but also powering the car as an EV (electric-powered vehicle) in the pit lane.

What’s more, it is reported that the battery can be charged from a no-charge state to full charge while running just one lap of a racetrack. A full charge is said to power the overtake button for approximately 20 seconds of use.

According to a Honda spokesperson, the total weight of the system is about 50 kg. The battery and the radiator that cools it are mounted in the rear of the car. The engine mounted in the front of the vehicle is said to be the same 3.4-liter V8 presently used by Honda in the GT500 machines, but the overall weight of the car with the hybrid system is approximately 100 kg heavier than the current GT500 machine.

Despite the added weight of the car, Kaneishi succeeded in breaking the 1 min. 50 sec. barrier on the Motegi track on the second day of tests with a lap time of 1 min. 49.468 sec. That was just 4.453 seconds behind the fastest time recorded in that session by the ENEOS SC430.

2012 Honda NSX Super GT Car Featuring KERS system ( Kinetic Energy Recovery System )

Honda's breakthrough engineering in the NSX was a major contributor to the design of the McLaren F1... (1920x1200)

Externally the NSX shape has developed race by race, season to season to the demands of increasing aerodynamic downforce within the regulations. The most notable change is the position of the V6 engine, which is mounted longitudinally instead of transversely as per the road car. Similar to the setup used in modern Lamborghinis, the gearbox is located in the center tunnel under the cockpit and is connected to the rear differential by a driveshaft. Engines can either be turbocharged or naturally aspirated, depending on the class and on the rules.

Prior to rule changes beginning in the 2003 season, the Super GT/GT500 NSX was powered by a specially modified version of the C32B V6 engine. Using a stroker crankshaft from Toda Racing, the naturally aspirated engine displaced 3.5 liters and produced nearly 500 bhp. Beginning in 2003, Honda substituted a highly modified C30A, augmented by a turbocharger, which also produces up to 500 bhp.

The NSX continued to be used as the works Honda car in the GT500 class, even though it is no longer in production, until it was replaced in 2010 with the HSV-010.

Cars were entered by Raybrig in the 2005 Super GT season, Castrol Mugen Motorsports in 2000, Loctite in 2001 and Epson in the 2007 Super GT season.

Honda NSX Super GT specifications

• Chassis: Carbon fiber reinforced aluminium frame, steel Roll cage, JAF (Japan Automobile Federation) approval.
• Engine: Custom-built Honda engine, water-cooled V6 Normally aspirated (Longitudial-mounted), 3.494 liters, DOHC, 4-valves per cylinder.
• Speed: 191 mph (307 km/h)
• Fuel: Unleaded 100 RON gasoline.
• Lubrication: Mobil 1, BP, MOTUL, Elf.
• Fuel delivery: Fuel injection.
• Wheelbase: 2,530 mm.
• Length: 4,610 mm.
• Width: 2,000 mm.
• Weight: Over 1,120 kg
• Fuel capacity: 100 Litres.
• Clutch: AP C/C 5.5-inch 4 plates pull.
• Brakes: Alcon, Performance Friction.
• Springs and dampers: Showa Double wishbone inboard type.
• Gearbox: Hewland 6-speed sequential.
• Spark plugs: NGK.
• Wheel rims: RAYS Engineering, BBS F: 13J-18, R: 13J-17.
• Tires: Bridgestone, Dunlop F: 330/40 R18, R: 330/45 R17 radial slick/treaded rain tires.
• Intake air restrictor: 29.1 mm × 2mm.
• Safety equipment: TAKATA 5-point seatbelt, HANS Device.

A little known fact, Alison worked as a clown before becoming an actress. Ironically her mother taught at a community college. (1920x1200)

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Alison first gained attention after landing a lead role in the critically acclaimed drama series “Mad Men” (AMC, 2007- ), as a haughty and conservative wife of an advertising executive who struggled with her inability to have children. Brie then joined the zany cast of “Community,” and quickly earned an equally loyal following of both sexes who recognized her instinctive flair for comedy – all of which proved that she was ready to tackle more exciting and higher profile roles. Alison Brie was born on Dec. 29, 1983 in Pasadena, CA. She started performing at a young age, mostly at the Jewish Community Center in nearby Los Feliz. After Brie graduated from South Pasadena High School in 2001, she studied at the California Institute of the Arts, where she received a bachelors degree in drama. While pursuing her degree, Brie also attended the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, Scotland. After college, she continued to stage act while simultaneously going after TV and film roles. In 2006, she guest starred as a novice hairdresser

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on the popular Disney Channel series “Hannah Montana” (2006-2010), one of the network’s highest-rated shows about a teenage girl (Miley Cyrus) who lives a double life as both an average high school student and a famous pop singer. For her next project, Brie starred on “My Alibi” (ABC Family, 2008-09), based on the popular Web series that followed a group of high school kids who pull a large prank during first period and are locked up in one room until someone in the group confesses. With only a few acting credits to her name, Brie nabbed a juicy part on the Emmy

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Award-winning series “Mad Men,” a stylish drama set in the 1960s that followed a chain-smoking, hard-drinking, womanizing executive (Jon Hamm) who worked at one of Manhattan’s top advertising agencies. On the series, she played the uppity wife of one of the agencies’ partners (Vincent Kartheiser) who, because of her inability to have children, was always anxious about the stability of their marriage. Brie’s role on the critically acclaimed drama series ironically led to her being cast on NBC’s hit sitcom, “Community,” an ensemble comedy about a group of misfits at a community college in Colorado led by Joel McHale, a lawyer whose license was revoked and is now forced to return to school to earn a legitimate diploma. Brie’s role on the series – a straight-laced student who has just started dating and exploring her wild side – gave her instant sex symbol status and landed her a spot on numerous “Sexiest Women” lists. In 2011, she used her newly acquired fame to land a role as an overly ambitious personal assistant in the successful horror franchise “Scream 4,” which brought back to the fold many of the original film’s cast members, including Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette.

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Age: 29
Profession: Actress
Nationality: American
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brunette
Why: Popular Actress (Community, Madmen)
Where: Community – March 15th on NBC @9:30/8:30c
Save the Date & The Five-Year Engagement in theaters 2012
Twitter: @AlisonBrie
Facebook: /Alison-Brie

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Since the beginning of the NSX's production, the car has been used as a safety car at the Suzuka Circuit. (1920x1200)

When the factory decided to commence the NSX race program they commissioned the renowned chassis constructor John Thompson of `Thompson Composites’ to build the race chassis’ (in both GT1 and GT2 form) from a mixture of state of the art Carbon-fibre and aluminium. This car, GT2 chassis number 1 was prepared by the ultra-successful Kremer brothers and raced in the German GT Championship in 1994 where it took 5 pole positions, took three wins and finished 2nd overall in the championship standings. It also competed at Le Mans in 1994 when it was piloted by Armin Hahne and former Le Mans victors Christophe Bouchot and Bertrand Gachot and after a steady run it was placed 14th overall and 5th in the GT2 class. It was then entered into the 1995 Le Mans event by seasoned Japanese campaigner Kunimitsu Takahashi and was the only GT2 NSX entered alongside two turbocharged GT1 NSXs. Despite starting the race late and 6 laps down the Japanese trio of Keiichi Tsuchiya, Akira Iida and entrant Kunimitsu Takahashi drove an inspired race to erode the deficit and took GT2 class honours and 8th position overall ahead of the Corvettes and the usual gaggle of Porsches.

After the race, the car was put on display in a Honda showroom and it remained there until 2000. With the financial backing of Honda Germany it was then decided to run the car in German endurance events.

Since the beginning of the NSX’s production, the car has been used as a safety car at the Suzuka Circuit, even for the Japanese Grand Prix in its early years of production, and is still used at the circuit. The car is also used for the same role at Twin Ring Motegi, the other circuit owned by Honda.

When asked to describe FX's hit "Justified" this is what we came up with. A Dark, Angry, Unflinchingly Sarcastic, Charismatic, Heart-Warming, Moralistic, Comedic and well written modern day alternative to the classic western.

Justified

Tuesdays @ 10/9c on FX
http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/justified/

Having watched FX Network’s Justified since it’s premier on March 16, 2010 it’s proven to be one of those rare shows that not only delivered on the promotional hype leading into the pilot but has in fact over the course of the proceeding three seasons only gotten better. An outspoken fan of the show, I’ve often been asked how exactly I would describe Justified; A dark, angry, unflinchingly sarcastic, charismatic, heart-warming, moralistic, comedic and well written modern day alternative to the classic western. An answer which upon subsquent viewings has nearly always garnered the same response; it was justified.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Cnl-xa_nFU

Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens is something of a 19th century-style officer operating under the civil and loosely ethical code of the modern times, a man whose unconventional enforcement of justice makes him a target of criminals and a problem for his superiors in the U.S. Marshals Service. As a result of a controversial but “justified” shooting of a fugitive criminal-leader in Miami, Givens has been reassigned from South Florida to Lexington, Kentucky, a district that includes Harlan County, the rural mining area in the east of the state where Raylan himself was born, raised and thought he has escaped from.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pkf76L8k68

Developed by Graham Yost and starring Timothy Olyphant, Justified is based on the works of crime novelist Elmore Leonard, including Leonard’s short story Fire in the Hole.

In Season 2, “Deputy US Marshal Raylan Givens” (Olyphant) squared off against criminal matriarch “Mags Bennett” (the part for which Margo Martindale won an Emmy®Award). The end of Season 2 brought about the end of the Bennett family’s hold over Harlan County and the return of Raylan’s old nemesis/friend “Boyd Crowder” to the criminal life.

This season, Boyd and his crew will find they aren’t the only ones making a play to rule the Harlan underworld. Now Raylan finds himself facing off against dirty politicians, hidden fortunes, a mysterious man named “Limehouse” and an enterprising and lethal criminal from the Motor City.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beWUt8BjTGA

The series co-stars Nick Searcy as Givens longtime friend and boss “Chief Deputy Art Mullen”; Jacob Pitts as “Deputy Marshal Tim Gutterson”; Erica Tazel as “Deputy Marshal Rachel Brooks”; Joelle Carter as “Ava Crowder”; and Natalie Zea as Raylan’s ex-wife “Winona Hawkins.” Walton Goggins also stars as “Boyd Crowder.” Yost wrote the pilot and serves as Executive Producer/Writer on the series. Leonard is also an Executive Producer on the series along with Carl Beverly, Sarah Timberman, Fred Golan and Michael Dinner

A beautiful one-owner 1993 Acura NSX (C30A) shot in downtown Tampa during the Fall of 2011. (1920x1200)

The use of aluminium in the body alone saved nearly 200 kg in weight over the steel equivalent while the aluminium suspension saved an additional 20 kg; a suspension compliance pivot helped maintain wheel alignment changes at a near zero value. Other notable features included an independent, 4-channel anti-lock brake system; titanium connecting rods in the engine to permit reliable high-rpm operation; an electric power steering system; Honda’s proprietary VTEC variable valve timing system (a first in the US) and, in 1995, the first electronic throttle control fitted to a Honda.

Honda spent a great deal of time and money developing the NS-X. With a robust motorsports apparatus, Honda had significant development resources at its disposal and made extensive use of them. Respected Japanese Formula One driver Satoru Nakajima, for example, was involved with Honda in the NS-X’s early on track development at Suzuka race circuit, where he performed many endurance distance duties related to chassis tuning. Brazilian Formula One World Champion Ayrton Senna, for whom Honda had powered all three of his world championship-winning Formula One race cars before his death in 1994, was considered Honda’s main innovator in convincing the company to stiffen the NSX chassis further after testing the car at Honda’sSuzuka GP circuit in Japan. American Bobby Rahal also participated in the car’s development. Senna was given two cars by Honda. The newer one, a black 1993 model, license plate BSS-8888 (the letters meaning Beco – a childhood nickname – Senna Silva and the number 8 is a reference to his first F1 championship in 1988) is still in his family’s possession.

The production car made its first public appearances as the NS-X at the Chicago Auto Show in February 1989, and at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 1989 to positive reviews. Sports car enthusiasts focused their attention on its low height, body lines, and pronounced forward cockpit. Honda revised the vehicle’s name from NS-X to NSX before final production and sale. The Honda NSX went on sale in Japan in 1990 at Honda Vernodealership sales channels, subplanting the Honda Prelude as the flagship model. The NSX was sold under Honda’s flagship Acura luxury brand starting in 1991 in North America and Hong Kong.

Quaint, picturesque, unassuming, superbly tasteful and neatly operated in tight quarters all describe the unique eatery that is downtown Knoxville, Tennesee's French Market Creperie.

Quaint, picturesque, unassuming, superbly tasteful and neatly operated in tight quarters all describe the unique eatery that is downtown Knoxville, Tennesee’s French Market Creperie. Not your average breakfast nook or coffee house, the owners Susan and Allen Tate have created the relaxed sort of sidewalk eatery one would expect to find while strolling the city streets of Europe. The decor is succinctly themed without being kitschy and the place carries an ambiance that is at once interesting, inviting, casual and original.

Ham and Cheese Crepe

Let there be no question, this place is small…really small given the crowds it draws, but there in lies some of the charm. In Europe space is far more of a commodity than here in the states and by those standards the French Market Creperie is perhaps spacious…dining here truly does invoke the European experience both in it’s casually formal atmosphere and it’s efficiently compact operation. The staff here is pleasant, informative and welcoming…sort of a terrific mix between southern hospitality and Euro-sensibility.  Finding a table on a busy Sunday morning here was a challenge but one not overly difficult to achieve. Buzzing with coffee sipping, crepe devouring denizens both local and tourist alike this was exactly the sort of  cultural oasis needed on any road trip and a perfect foray into one of the few larger cities available in the Appalachian Mountains and rolling Kentucky hills.

The food here was simplistically excellent as one might expect from a creperie. Enjoying a hearty breakfast of both crepes and croissant sandwiches we neither left hungry not bloated but rather that perfectly healthy balance somewhere in-between. The food was prepared well, presented and plated appropriately for the theme and as easy on the eyes as the pallet… What more can one ask for from their breakfast/brunch?

Sweet Crepes Filet Mingon

Of note the croissant was excellent; flaky, buttery and fresh all of which served to accentuate the flavors of the Nueske bacon and scrambled eggs superbly. The ham and cheese crepe was also superb, a well balanced compilation of ingredients that empowered without overpowering. Offering a selection of teas and coffees I was particularly enthused with the fact that the French Market Creperie offered free refills on Lipton fresh-brewed iced-tea… It may sound insignificant but so many times when dining at restaurants of this very sort one finds the iced-tea a-la-carte and to a thirsty traveling patron free refills on tea is a huge and welcomed benefit.

Well reviewed and well reccomended we fully intend to make the French Market Creperie some place we stop every time we find ourselves in this part of Tennessee of traveling the I-75 corridor.

The French Market Creperie

530 South Gay Street  Knoxville, TN 37902
(865) 540-4372
www.thefrenchmarketknoxville.com

Mon-Wed: 9am-3pm
Thurs: 9am-8pm
Fri-Sat: 9am-10pm
Sun: 10am-3pm

The C30A NSX was powered by a 3.0L VTEC V6 engine, producing 270bhp with 210 lb·ft of torque and weighed just over 3,000lbs. (1920x1200)

In North America, the NSX-T replaced the standard coupe entirely as the only trim available, with the notable exceptions of the Zanardi Edition NSX in 1999 and a handful of special ordered post-1997/pre-2002 3.2 liter coupes. The removable roof reduced the chassis rigidity of the NSX and added about 100 pounds (45 kg) of structural reinforcements. In addition to this major change, the suspensions have also been softened to improve ride, comfort, and tire wear, at the ultimate expense of handling. The suspension redesign was also intended to reduce the sudden-oversteer problems that plagued most mid-engined vehicles. All roofs were now body-colored instead of black, although in Japan the two-tone black roof/body color was still available as an optional feature. Finally available in the manual transmission version NSX was electric power steering, previously found in the automatic version exclusively.

Scott Tucker Pilots Level 5 Motorsports to a LMP2 Championship at the 59th Annual Mobil-1 12 Hours of Sebring. (1920x1200)

Tucker and team logged more than 1,300 miles during the first test as they prepared for one of the most grueling endurance races in the world. Despite the amount of laps, the team is back this week for even more.

“The 12 Hours of Sebring is a tough race,” Tucker said. “This year, we will see another world-class collection of competitors and it will be a great event. We feel we are on the right track at this point but we are not taking any chances. We want to be prepared.”

Tucker, from Leawood, Kan., enters the 2012 season as one of the most successful and prolific sports car racers in America. He is a regular on the American Le Mans Series Circuit, and competes in the Ferrari Challenge Series, IMSA GT3 Cup, Sports Car Club of America and Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Series.

Level 5 is preparing for the 60th annual Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida, where Tucker will be seeking his third straight victory in America’s oldest endurance race. The American Le Mans Series season-opener, set for a 10:30 a.m. ET start on March 17, will also serve as the first race for the new FIA World Endurance Championship. It will be broadcast March 18 on ABC and shown live on ESPN3 or ALMS.com.

Mondays @ 8/7c on CBS

Sharp witted, seductive, alluring, sarcastic, playfully combative and all around awesome; actress Becki Newton. (1920x1200)

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Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Becki Newton was raised in Guilford, Connecticut. She is of English descent and began performing musicals and plays at local theaters, and studied at the University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated with a BA inEuropean History. At Penn, Newton was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She then moved to New York City and landed several roles in television commercials for such companies as the Olive Garden.

Newton portrayed the character Amanda Tanen in the comedy-drama series Ugly Betty from 2006 to 2010. With co-star Michael Urie, Newton co-hosted the Official Ugly Betty Podcast. She also appeared in ABC.com’s Mode After Hours webisode series. Ugly Betty was canceled in 2010 after four successful seasons allowing the show to receive a proper series finale.

In late 2009, Newton performed at a New York City Center Encores! presentation of the Gershwin musical Girl Crazy, which was

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directed by Jerry Zaks. She portrayed Molly Gray and performed opposite real-life husband Chris Diamantopoulos.

Newton starred in the television series Love Bites. The hour-long romantic comedy was created by executive producer Cindy Chupack, who worked on Sex and the City. NBC announced the pick up of the series in May 2010. However, with Newton announcing her pregnancy, co-star Jordana Spiro contractually obligated to stay with her other show My Boys (which was later cancelled) and Chupack’s desire to leave the show, Love Bites was pushed back to mid-season. Love Bites aired in summer 2011 on NBC and was cancelled after eight episodes. In November 2011, Newton was cast as Quinn on CBS’s How I Met Your Mother. She will be playing a new love interest for Neil Patrick Harris’s character Barney Stinson.

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Age: 33
Profession: Actress
Nationality: American
Eyes: Hazel
Hair: Dirty Blonde
Why: Popular TV actress
Where: How I Met Your Mother Mondays on ABC 8/7c,
The Goodwin Games Fox’s 2012 Fall TV lineup
RF: 90% LF: 91% PF: NA HF: NA AVG: 90.5%
Twitter: @NewtonBecki
Facebook: /BeckiNewton

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Acura's SH-AWD incorporates one electric motor in a dual-clutch transmission, forming a unique hybrid drive-train for the NSX. (1920x1200)

On January 9, 2012, Acura kept it’s word and unveiled the much anticipated 2012 Acura NSX Concept to great fan-fair at the Detroit Auto Show.

The new concept retains the 2-door coupe, mid-engine, with an all-wheel drive formula. Weight is kept down through the use of a high-tech platform made from lightweight materials. Power comes from a V6 mounted behind the two occupants that sends its power to the rear wheels and is augmented by an electric motor. Acura’s SH-AWD incorporates one electric motor in a dual-clutch transmission, forming a hybrid setup. Additionally, two more motors can instantly send negative or positive torque to the front wheels during cornering for improved handling and efficiency. Acura claims the new all-wheel-drive system will provide super car acceleration while offering better efficiency. Acura did not disclose how much horsepower its V6 engine and three electric motors will produce.

The production NSX is not expected to be produced until at least 2015 and will be built at the Marysville Auto Plant in Marysville, Ohio.

With over 169 million views on their Youtube channel, Karmin's major-label record debut "Hello" is set to be released in April, 2012 on Epic Records

The duo, comprised of Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan, got their start as a viral sensation by covering Chris Brown’s ‘Look at Me Now,’ helping them them to secure a recording contract with Epic. After surreptitiously leaking onto the internet ahead of schedule, the quirky couple went ahead and officially released their debut single ‘Crash Your Party’ on iTunes and Amazon in January.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOorxvAVqb4

The song has been widely labled as  “hip-pop,” meshing elements of classic pop with the street sensibilities of hip-hop. Heidemann’s delivery here is disturbingly catchy and utterly addictive. She switches tempos and tones throughout, rapping, singing and showing off infinite yet still cute “swagger.”

The track samples Black Sheep’s ’90s rap classic ‘The Choice is Yours’ a handful of times, anchoring the song’s overall fluffy pop vibe with little bit of street heft, all the while lending some groove. We love when Heidemann sings, in an auto-tuned voice, “Who do you think you are / You can kiss my Oh My God!” It’s completely silly, but damn if it’s not memorable and amusing…because sometimes we need music to just make us laugh.

Heidemann’s rap parts remind us of a greatly improved Kesha; better overall delivery, dreamy, femme and in tune…really more akin to the pre-pop Gwen Stefani. She’s not the most technically proficient singer, but she sounds so pleasant among the beats that if you’re not tapping your toes by the first minute in, then you should probably check for a pulse.

Amy Heidemann graduated from Seward High School in Nebraska along with her younger brother Eric Heidemann. Nick Noonan graduated from Old Town High School in Maine, where he was a member of the concert band and jazz ensemble. Amy and Nick met at Berklee College of Music and released their first album, Inside Out, in May 2010.

The duo gained popularity after being discussed on reddit, and their video for “Look at Me Now” was posted on Ryan Seacrest’s blog. The group later thanked reddit by giving the reddit alien mascot a prominent place in their video for their cover of “6 Foot 7 Foot”. There was significant anticipation and speculation concerning Karmin signing with a record label. On June 2, 2011, the group announced that they had been signed by a major record label. Reports indicated, with confirmation from an industry insider, that the group had signed with Epic Records as part of L.A. Reid’s return to the company. On their official website they asked their fans about what they wanted to hear on their album, and about 50% said they would like to have rapping. On February 11, 2012, Karmin was paired with host Zooey Deschanel as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live, performing two original tunes from their album which is scheduled for release later in 2012.

Motoharu Kurosawa piloted a 2003 NSX-R around the Nurburgring road course in 7:56, a time equal to a Ferrari F360 Challenge Stradale. (1920x1200)

A second iteration of the NSX-R was released in 2002, again exclusively in Japan. As with the first NSX-R, weight reduction was the primary focus for performance enhancement. The chassis is based on the fixed-roof coupe, due to its lighter weight and more rigid construction. Carbon fiber was used to a large extent throughout the body components to reduce weight, including a larger, more aggressive rear spoiler, vented hood and deck lid. The vented hood was said to be the largest one-piece carbon-fiber hood in production cars. Additionally, the original NSX-R weight reduction techniques were repeated, including deletion of the audio system, sound insulation and air conditioning. Furthermore, the power steering was removed. A single-pane rear divider was again used, as were carbon-kevlar racing seats manufactured for Honda by Recaro. Finally, larger yet lighter wheels resulted in a total weight reduction of almost 220 lb to 2,800 lb.

The 3.2L DOHC V6 engine received special attention as well. Each NSX-R engine was hand assembled by a skilled technician using techniques normally reserved for racing programs. Components of the rotating assembly (pistons, rods and crank) were precision weighed and matched so that all components fell within a very small tolerance of weight differential. Then, the entire rotating assembly was balanced to a level of accuracy ten times that of a typical NSX engine. This balancing and blueprinting process significantly reduced parasitic loss of power due to inertial imbalance, resulting in a more powerful, free-revving powerplant with excellent throttle response. Officially, Honda maintains that the power output of the Second-Gen NSX-R engine is 290bhp, which is identical to the stock NSX. The automotive press, however, has long speculated that the true output of the engine is higher.

Creating the impression of increased power the accelerator was remapped, becoming much more sensitive to movement, particularly at the beginning of the pedal’s new shorter stroke. This, coupled with the harsh suspension, makes it very hard for the driver to drive smoothly at low speeds on streets with even slight bumps. The lack of power steering has also been noted by drivers as making the car tiring and hard to steer at low speed.

The result of Honda’s second NSX-R effort was a vehicle that could challenge the latest sports car models on the track, despite having a base design that was more than 15 years old. For example, noted Japanese race and test driver Motoharu Kurosawa piloted a 2003 NSX-R around the Nurburgring road course in 7:56, a time equal to a Ferrari F360 Challenge Stradale. The NSX-R accomplished this feat despite being out-powered by the Ferrari by over 100bhp.

The charter was simple and clear; build the world’s best roadster without exception… (1920x1200)

With a power-to-weight ratio that can be as low as 3.5 pounds per horsepower, the Mk4 Roadster is a match for any sports car made today. Zero-to-sixty acceleration times in the three second range, and 10-second 1⁄4 mile passes are not uncommon. Factory Five customer Steve Berg has run his own FFR Roadster down the drag strip at an amazing 9.13 seconds at 154 MPH! With a well-built, modestly powered FFR Roadster, you will simply own any stoplight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F119jOCDxVw

The Panamera GTS goes on sale in February 2012 with prices starting at €116,716 in Germany.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KjAUFoN8QA

Based on the Panamera 4S, the 2012 Porsche Panamera GTS includes more power, upgraded brakes and a body lowered by 10 mm with new, sportier chassis tuning coupled to air suspension and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). In terms of appearance, the new Porsche Panamera GTS includes design features at the front, side and rear as well as black highlights. Inside, the car features SportDesign steering wheel with mini shift paddles and exclusive GTS leather interior with Alcantara surfaces.

Powering the Porsche Panamera GTS is a modified 4.8 liter naturally aspirated V8 engine delivers 430 horsepower at 6,700 rpm and 384 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is mated to the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) transmission. This combination enables to Porsche Panamera GTS to sprint from0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds with top speed of 178 mph.

The 0-60 figures and top speed only scratch the surface of the new Porsche Panamera GTS’s sporty character. Its chassis in particular makes it fit for the race track: the adaptive air suspension and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) connect the chassis and body, constantly adapting to the driving challenges by regulating leveling settings, adjusting height, modifying the spring rate and electrically modulating the damping system. The body has been lowered by ten millimeters and the damping designed to be tauter, which helps agility and further reinforces the sporty personality of the Porsche Panamera GTS. Five millimeter wheel spacers between the wheel and the wheel hubs increase the rear axle track width, giving the Panamera even more stability. The required grip is provided by standard 255/45 size 19-inch tires on the front axle and 285/40 on the rear axle. Optional 20-inch wheels are available with 255/40 tires on the front and 295/35 on the rear. The Porsche Panamera GTS is equipped with the braking system from Panamera Turbo, which includes larger diameter front brake rotors than Panamera S/45.

The Type 65 Coupe is a faithful reproduction of the world famous 1965 World Championship Coupes that dominated the world's racetracks in the late 1960's. (1920x1200)

 The car definitely looks the part. From every angle, it looks like a no nonsense racecar. In fact, the side pipes, bulging fenders and sparse interior confirm that this is a serious car. It is not for the timid or those looking for comfort. It is for those that want to make a very specific statement and that statement is – “I own the road.”

Like The Factory Five Mk3 roadster kit, the Coupe kit can be built two ways. The base kit is “donor Mustang capable” and costs about $15,000, or you can buy the complete kit that gives you just about every nut and bolt you’ll need to build the car less the engine, transmission, wheels and paint. The complete kit costs about $22,000.

Car and Driver Magazine tested a FFR Coupe in November 2000. They were impressed, “The phrase eye-ball sucking performance is a tired, overused metaphor, but it should have been saved for the FFR Coupe. Galloping to 60 mph takes only 3.6 seconds. Bye Bye Porsche 911 Turbo! The quarter mile passes in only 11.9 seconds at 119 mph, faster than a Viper GTS!…”

Actors Sam Witwer, Meaghan Rath and Sam Huntington exude the darkness, hope and uncertainties that Being Human so adeptly uses to create atmosphere and suspense.

An American/Canadian adaptation of the BBC’s hit series by the same name, SyFy’s take on the uneasy cohabitation of a werewolf, vampire and ghost set against that backdrop of urban Boston (although it’s actually shot in Montreal) has proven to be a breakout success for the cable network’s continued foray into original programming. Loosely based-on and following the formula already set in place by the show’s UK progenitor the SyFy version of the show has now in it’s second season really grown into it’s shoes and begun to explore new territory while gaining a sense of it’s own identity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxCmNzPgmgU

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a drama series that is often (and rightfully) praised for the way it used metaphor to tackle issues young people deal with while focusing on the demon-infested town of Sunnydale. It still feels far too soon to draw major comparisons between Buffy and Being Human, however one of the Syfy series’ biggest strengths is in the way it looks at the lives of three young adults who are aren’t willing to completely embrace the dark side that comes with their hidden nature. Their struggle to grow up, mingled with the supernatural element does tread into similar waters as Buffy in that respect, as does the use of humor to cut the tension.

Aidan (Sam Witwer) is a vampire who was turned during the Civil War. While he’s attempting to live off bagged blood while he works as a nurse at a hospital in Boston, his past is full of blood and violence from the days when he felt no guilt over his vampiric lifestyle. Josh (Sam Huntington) is a werewolf who has to deal with transitioning into an out-of-control beast each month. Meanwhile, Sally (Maeghan Rath) is a ghost who’s stuck in a limbo world, where only supernatural-beasts like Aidan and Josh can see and speak to her.

Season 2 picks up in the aftermath of the first season, with Aidan trying to deal with the mess left behind by his now (fully) deceased mentor Bishop. This means looking out for the vampires Bishop had assembled for a secret army, and trying to protect them from the higher-up vampires. Josh and Nora are dealing with his wolfish condition in the wake of Nora’s miscarriage. And last season, Sally missed her door, which was to take her to the afterlife. This might mean she’s stuck in ghost-form and unable to move on indefinitely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1EMRJubbMc

The focus of Being Human is on Aidan, Sally and Josh’s attempts to live normal lives and not lose their humanity to the temptations presented by their true natures. This is something that the three characters share with one another, despite the fact that each faces different challenges. Season 2 seems to have found a way to hold on to the series’ initial premise, while also taking the story further as each of the characters deals with what’s ahead. For Aidan, moving forward means once again facing his past as he’s assigned a challenging task in exchange for the promise of true freedom from the vampire hierarchy. This involves a “vampire princess” (played by Dollhouse‘s Dichen Lachman). Josh and Nora are attempting to move forward, but Nora hasn’t revealed to Josh that he scratched her the month before. And Sally makes a new friend in an old classmate and discovers a new way to pass the time, which could end up sending her down a dark path.

What works best about Being Human is the way Aidan, Josh and Sally are set up to feel like real people. They haven’t delved so far into their natures as supernatural beings to lose the traits that make them human (or in the case of Aidan, he’s found his way back to humanity), which makes them relatable as characters. The use of humor, the music featured in the series, and the way many scenes are often filmed with an especially light, almost over-saturated look, offsets some of the darker elements of the series. In the end, the finished product is a darker toned drama series that doesn’t wallow completely in the negative. There’s a balance that works, which makes the show fun but also builds suspense.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YE67pkGot8Q

Pulled Pork, Ribs, Baked Beans, Collard Greens, Home Made Pickles and Garlic Toasted Bun...BBQ excellence.

Expertly crafted and finely honed, the staff at Heirloom Market BBQ pay homage to the classic style and culture of southern BBQ while simultaneously invigorating it with an upscale down-home and international taste. A delicate balance of classic southern wood fired smokiness with rich, tangy and sweet sauces balanced by the infusion of divergent Korean tastes and textures. The result chefs Jiyeon Lee and Cody Taylor’s inspired culinary works is clearly some of the finest barbecue to be had in all the south.

Chefs Jiyeon Lee and Cody Taylor in their Heirloom Market BBQ dining room.

The location is small…and when I say small, I truly mean small but don’t let that be offsetting or deter you from eating here because once inside you will find one of the most organized and efficient casual dining operations I’ve ever encountered. Every inch of space here is accounted for and well thought out,  with a little creative finagling you should be easily accommodated in the dining area unless visiting at the very peak of work-day business lunches. The Heirloom Market is a foodie oasis tucked away in the midst of a forest of mid-rise office complexes and apartment homes. Conjoined with a convenience store, it’s not exactly the stereotypical image of  high-caliber, high-concept BBQ…or is it? Either way it’s amazing.

Small, Efficient, Hospitable and Inviting all describe the Heirloom Market BBQ restaurant.

The staff here is superbly friendly and inviting, taking care of their guests with expedience and courtesy even on the busiest of days. They do their best to make sure the ebs and flow of dining denizens are fed quickly and comfortably while making room for the next guests with as little turn-time as humanly possible. Even in-spite of it being a cold February day when we visited, resulting in the additional outdoor seating being impractical or uncomfortable the folks at Heirloom Market made it work. Something which in true southern form included the courtesy our fellow patrons who were all equally courteous and socially aware of the etiquette involved in sharing such close dining quarters.

Then there is the food…wow. Adjectives like rich, smoky, vibrant and unique just begin to scratch the surface of defining the caliber of BBQ being turned out by the folks in the kitchen here. A balance of traditional southern fare and more international Korean tastes the food is always interesting and differs just enough from the other BBQ eateries in the area to make Heirloom Market a divergent delicacy worthy of your visit. Offering a variety of takes on pork, beef and chicken all of which can be combined with sauces that range from sweet to savory and from vinegary to hot there is truly something here for every taste. (Ok, not completely Vegans are out of luck here.) The sides are prepared with equal delicacy and offer a fresh take on local grown accouterments to each BBQ entree. Of particular note, the potato salad and baked beans were extremely enjoyable having offered a slightly different take on each that was at once warmly familiar but also interestingly different.

Well worth your visit, Heirloom Market BBQ is a must stop for anyone who finds themselves passing through Atlanta and should be a new local favorite for Atlanta metro residents.

Heirloom Market BBQ

2243 Akers Mill Road Southeast, Atlanta, GA 30339
(770) 612-2502
‎heirloommarketbbq.com

Tues-Thurs: 11am-8pm
Fri 11am-9pm
Sat 12-9pm
Sunday and Monday Closed

Gotye says his U.S. debut 'Making Mirrors' features plenty of "peculiar twists." Speaking of, we swore at first listen that it was Katy Perry singing with Gotye...but it's actually New Zealand Singer/Songwriter Kimbra.

Gotye — aka Belgian-Australian musician Wally De Backer — knows that such a massive international hit could overshadow anything else he does. “Maybe it’s going to have some aspect of a one-hit wonder to a lot of people — cursory music listeners or people who have never heard what I’ve done in the last seven or eight years. And probably rightly so,” says De Backer, 31, whose nom de plume is pronounced “Gaw-tee-ay,” a phonetic variant of the French translation of his given name, Walter.

After topping the charts in Australia and several other countries, Somebody That I Used to Know is now hitting U.S. radio. It’s No. 2 on USA TODAY’s adult-alternative airplay chart and No. 3 on alternative radio while making inroads in top 40, hot adult contemporary and rock formats.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UVNT4wvIGY

Making Mirrors is Gotye’s third album but serves as his U.S. debut. It sold 41,000 digital copies before its “official” CD release Jan. 31. Listeners who venture further into the music than Somebody That I Used to Know‘s conspicuous melodic hooks will be amply rewarded. While track I Feel Better recalls vintage Motown, much of Making Mirrors takes a more experimental, though still accessible, tack. “There are moments that use very conventional pop structures, that very consciously play out like studies or homages to genres from decades ago,” says De Backer. “But I think hiding amongst that are some more peculiar twists.”

The FFR Type 65 Coupe is the culmination of four years of R&D engineering and design work. (1920x1200)

Despite the fact that the design never entered production, those six cars, hand-built upon 289 AC chassis, became symbolic of the end of an era. Even while the Coupes were winning on the track in 1965, the Ford GT40 program was under way and large corporate money began to write a new chapter in LeMans and the racing world. The original Coupes are one of the most unique and stunning shapes in automotive history. Even today, more than 40 years removed, the car has no equal when it comes to sheer muscular looks and stance.

Recently named by critics as one of the breakout stars of 2011/12, and Forbes named her on their list of 30 under 30 who are "reinventing the world". (1920x1200)

She began acting at an early age, eventually training at the famed Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City before moving back to her birthplace of Los Angeles to pursue a full time entertainment career. Levy first made waves in Hollywood with a recurring role on “Shameless” (Showtime, 2011- ) as a vampy, punk teen who agrees to act as her gay friend’s girlfriend. The edgy-yet-likeable role won Levy a slew of television fans and gained the attention of other networks. Fresh off her “Shameless” stint,

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Levy landed a starring role on the quirky ABC comedy series “Suburgatory” (2011- ) as a Manhattan-raised teen whose life turns upside down when her father decides to move them to a suburban neighborhood. Channeling the snarky attitude and fears of a city gal feeling trapped in a world of soccer moms and SUVs, Levy boosted her career from an ingénue to a respectable actress able to take on versatile roles.

Jane Colburn Levy was born on Dec. 29, 1989 in Los Angeles and was raised hundreds of miles north in the Bay Area’s Marin County. The future star landed her first acting role at age seven, appearing in a local production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic “Oklahoma!” (1955), followed by community theater performances of “Annie” and “The Wizard of Oz.” Even though she dove into acting early on, Levy decided to pursue other interests as a teen, including playing soccer. Levy enrolled in the liberal arts program at Goucher College in Baltimore, MD before transferring a year later to the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New

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York City. After spending two years in the city to hone her acting skills, Levy moved back to L.A. where, just after two weeks, she had booked her first television role on the Showtime family drama “Shameless.” The series starred Emmy Award-winning actor William H. Macy as Frank Gallagher, an alcoholic single father of six and Emmy Rossum as his responsible yet insecure eldest child Fiona. Levy was cast in a recurring role as Mandy Milkovich, a teen punk and vixen that agrees to act as the girlfriend of Frank’s closeted third child Ian (Cameron Monaghan). Among an already colorful

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cast of characters, Levy’s Mandy added brash naughtiness and cool intrigue to the critically acclaimed show. The role was recast during the second season, however, due to Levy landing a lead role on a network show.
Coming off her successful stint on “Shameless,” Levy starred on “Suburgatory,” one of the 2011 fall season’s most buzzed-about new shows. The comedy series centered on Tessa Altman, a Manhattan teen whose father (Jeremy Sisto) transplants them from the big city to a suburban neighborhood, which she comes to regard as her version of hell on earth. Created by Emily Kapnek, who had previous success producing shows such as “Parks and Recreation (NBC, 2009- ) and “Hung” (HBO, 2009- ), “Suburgatory” blended snarky humor with offbeat yet grounded characters. Tessa’s transition from city lights to her own suburban nightmare was not always smooth sailing, yet the actress handled her character’s many situations with aplomb and often hilarious results. During a fall TV season that saw other

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shows yanked after only a few episodes, audiences embraced “Suburgatory.” They could not get enough of the chemistry between Levy and her co-stars, including TV dad Sisto and Cheryl Hines as a deliciously loopy, “Stepford Wives”-inspired character.

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Age: 22
Profession: Actress
Nationality: American
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Red (naturally blonde)
Why: Popular TV actress
Where: Suburgatory Wednesdays on ABC 8/7c,
The Evil Dead theatrical release for 2013
RF: 94% LF: 91% PF: NA HF: NA AVG: 92.5%
Twitter: @JaneLevyCom
Facebook: /JaneLevy

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Extremely light-weight, packing big brakes, big displacement and featuring track optimized suspension and aerodynamics the 427SC Mk4 is a beast. (1920x1200)

Zero-to-sixty acceleration times in the three second range, and 10-second 1⁄4 mile passes are not uncommon. Factory Five customer Steve Berg has run his own FFR Roadster down the drag strip at an amazing 9.13 seconds at 154 MPH! With a well-built, modestly powered FFR Roadster, you will simply own any stoplight.

When it comes to road holding, Factory Five cars fare equally well. FFR cars have routinely run in the 1.00 to 1.05 range in skid pad tests on street tires. That means the FFR turns as fast as it falls through the air! On a track or a twisty section of road you will hold a line that others in lesser cars (like a Porsche 911, 0.91G) will not be able to hold. These numbers are borne out in the real world by the staggering number of autocross and road racing wins FFR customers have racked up over the years.

At a vehicle weight about 2,200 pounds, braking is also impressive with the stock Mustang GT brakes.

Packing a 3-liter supercharged V6 producing 424hp with 346lb-ft of torque the Avus S4 is both street and track competent. (1920x1200)

Ride height is lowered by a suspension setup that uses threaded strut tubes to adjust the spring perches. Those 20-inch wheels wear Hankook Ventus S1 tires, and the stock exhaust has been swapped out for stainless steel mufflers. Body mods in shiny black or carbon fiber are tacked on before the cars leave the Avus shop, too. Thanks to the revised plumbing and some engine tweaking, the AP-fettled sedan churns out 424 horsepower.

A solid sports-coupe the G35 sedan's VQ series V6 produced 298hp with 258 lb·ft of torque. (1920x1200)

It had little in common with the Infiniti G20, and continued in the same tradition as the Infiniti J30, which was also a RWD sedan utilizing the same powerplant as its contemporary Nissan Z model, the Nissan 300ZX. According to Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan Motors, the letter G was chosen “for marketing purposes and its similarity in sound to the letter J”, apparently in deference to the Infiniti J30.

The G35 is based on the Nissan FM platform shared with the Nissan 350Z coupe and roadster sports car and Infiniti FX crossover SUV. The FM platform stands for “front midship” design where the engine is moved back towards the rear of the engine bay which in turn improves the weight distribution. The G35 was Motor Trend’s Car of the Year for 2003 and has been well-received by both the media and customers as a viable alternative to other luxury cars. The G35 was also nominated for the North American Car of the Year award that year and was on the Car and Driver Ten Best list for 2003 and 2004.

Sporting the ubiquitous VQ35DE engine, the Infiniti G35 uses a front-midship engine, rear-wheel drive layout (all-wheel drive is available for the G35x sedan) to achieve a 52% front/48% rear weight distribution. Both body styles are available with either a 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission, although the automatic is the only transmission available for the AWD sedan.

A 6-speed manual transmission became available in 2003 as a 2003 model on the sedan (the coupe always had the option). For the 2003-04 model years, the V6 produced 195 kW (265 PS; 261 hp) and 350 N·m (258 lb·ft) of torque in the sedan, 282 hp and 269 lb·ft in the coupe. In the 2005 and 2006 model years, those with automatic transmissions (both sedan and coupe) produced 282hp and 269 lb·ft of torque, while those with manual transmissions produced 298hp and 258 lb·ft of torque (again, both in sedan and coupe form). There is speculation that the output did not actually change, and that Infiniti was simply taking advantage of the outdated SAE standard of rating horsepower. The G35 is assembled in Tochigi, Tochigi, Japan, and the first G35 was built on March 12, 2002 as a 2003 model.