Year: 2009

Variety. The word describes the automotive fan as much as it does the cars they follow. NASCAR, Formula 1, Indy, Rally, Sports Cars, GT, Grand Prix…  and that is just a few of the racing series. That doesn’t begin to touch the thesaurus of general manufactured cars, modified or not, which draw people in. Lets not skip the customs and hot rods, the modified and the tame, which make people silly about the wheel. We’ve all been to a “car show” at some point. The problem with your typical car show is that it is crowded with cars. By that, I mean the cars are lined up side by side and some are surrounded by those rope things meant to keep you in line at the theatre. Yes – You see a lot of nice cars but they are static and surrounded. You can’t fully appreciate the cars because the many are all around distracting from the lines and curves of the the car in front of you. However, it is difficult to hold a “car show” where each vehicle has some space to be appreciated at its best… On the road, at speed, in a natural setting…

Mark Simpson in a '58 Scarab passing the Oak Tree turn at VIR
Mark Simpson in a '58 Scarab passing the Oak Tree turn at VIR

Unless you have access to a place like Virginia International Raceway.  June finds this paved jewel invaded by auto enthusiasts of all kinds bringing in some of the most beautiful car art ever built. The Heacock Classic Gold Cup features Morgans and MGs, Fort GTs and Ferraris, Porsches and Plymouths… and practically everything else! They are out in the open! They are on the track at speed! In other words – These cars appear in their natural habitat and definately NOT as a static display.

These are the cars you may only see on television or in a magazine. If you are like me (a working slob) then you don’t have the liquid cash to own one. However, on this weekend in June, you can come out to VIR when the people that do have the bank to own them bring them out for all of us to enjoy. Many of these cars represent the golden age of the car and motorsport. With graceful lines, powerful engines and exotic design, these cars turn the pavement of VIR into art in motion. It is something to see. Mark your calendar and don’t miss it again. It is an art gallery on wheels for any fan of motorsport. Check this gallery for a glimpse of the fun!

obamanotpay1Today new standards were set for fuel economy along with forthcoming national emissions standards for new vehicles by 2016. The target for a manufacturer fleet average is 35.5 mpg. Passenger vehicles are expected to reach 39mpg while trucks are set at around 30mpg. By 2016…? Did you see the date? 2016… Six years from now. My first question is… Why Wait? Why color this green appeasement with anything that even resembles a promise for the future? It is obvious we have the technology to build these cars now. To be clear, I am purposefully excluding hybrids in the mix of current technology and mpg possibilities. Hybrids are still very new technology. The effects on the environment have not been measured correctly and they have not been around long enough to show any real figures on dependability.

That leaves only combustion engine vehicles for review of mpg possibilities. We’ve been building 40+ mpg cars for some time. The 1991 Honda Civic CRX got and average of 45mpg and it was fun, quick and dependable. Early Saturns were hitting the high 30s. Nissan and Toyota were already hitting this mark in the early to mid ’90s. Even “performance” cars are capable of hitting the upper 20s to low 30s with six and eight cylinder engines. The hold up is not the combustion engine technology. The timetable is there to allow time to “soft sell” Americans into further believing that we will all die of sun poisoning unless we park our butts inside these vehicles the auto manufacturers will be forced to build.

Make no mistake (beyond the one that was made in November of 2008). This has nothing to do with foreign oil dependency. This has everything to do with just oil, period. If it was about foreign oil dependency, we would be drilling within our own borders. We would be building new refineries. Instead, we are setting in motion a pipe dream of “green energy” job creation which can’t even begin until there is an infrastructure of businesses with the capacity to sustain itself. Where are these “green” businesses? If they are so keen on expanding their product (and workforce to produce it) why are we still bleeding out jobs? Why haven’t they stepped up and brought these newly jobless in? The answer is simple. The jobs aren’t there because the “green” energy product does not have the resource to expand at the rate needed to counter current unemployment. Any jobs created in the “green” sector will not be created by simply saying so. In the mean time, we need fuel now. And as long as we need fuel now, we will continue to get it from where it is available. The promise of “green” energy jobs does two things. It appeases the “climate change” crowd by promising renewable energy (deliverable or not. The promise is all that is required) and, most importantly, by not allowing drilling within our borders. The latter is the key. Green agenda nuts are unconcerned with the economy, the free market, the sustainable growth of the United States or anything that obstructs their view of setting standards attempting to force us all into their narrow view of what human life should be.

Take the blinders off. Take a peek under the curtain. You are being lied to. A recent Administration memo so much as said so. CO2 memo

President Obama says these new cars will save “billions” of barrels of oil and cost Americans about $1,300 more per vehicle by 2016. Where do these figures come from? What is the baseline for making these predictions? He also makes the claim the fuel costs savings by having higher mpg vehicles will return that $1300 back to the consumer over time. Again, how does he know what fuel will cost in 2016? How does he even know these “new” vehicles will only cost an additional $1300? Even so, is that $1300 more than a current Ford Fusion or a Chevrolet Aveo? Until the baseline numbers these “predictions” are based on are made public and verifiable, these are just empty words from a President who has become famous for promising everything with no real consequence in offering nothing.

He is counting on you not to peek under the curtain. He is counting on you to simply nod your head and go back to watching “American Idol”. He is counting on you to not question and not look beyond the presentation. He isn’t lieing. He isn’t telling the truth. He is simply saying nothing at all.

An internal memo from the Obama administration (Office of Management and Budget ) may put a lid on “cap & trade” legislation for a while. “Cap and Trade” is a regulation method which forces additional costs onto businesses and power generation facilities for their emissions beyond a set point. Those additional costs (taxes) would then be shuffled by the Federal Government into other areas, specifically, the research of so-called “renewable” energy sources.

Never mind that many of these “renewable” energy sources are already being explored by the private sector and many of the power and fuel companies that would be targeted are deeply involved in the research. Never mind that “cap and Trade” costs would be passed onto the consumer, raising energy and fuel costs at the retail end placing an even higher burden on a struggling economy. Never mind that the entire process is being driven by a government that has swallowed steroids for regulatory growth and expanded government dependency.

Now, an internal memo about CO2, the EPA and the questionable science behind it has surfaced. This memo mentions politically driven motives above science, questions the premise of hazardous CO2 and lifts the hood on the entire debate of CO2, human-caused climate change and political power grabs. Face it. If there is a viable question about the validity of CO2 hazards put forth by a government with an agenda, then it only follows that many of the “facts” we’re being subjected to by the “green” government and a media sympathetic to those goals is also suspect.

A great read on this memo, video from the government committee meeting which references it and more “caught in the headlights” fun is online here: wattsupwiththat

pontiac_logoThe Pontiac brand is being put out by General Motors. Is this a move of logic by General Motors or is this a pressure move from the Federal Government which stands to take over more than 50% of GM stock in cancelling a chunk of bailout debt? Pontiac is a “performance” brand name with a history of muscle cars, sports cars and racing heritage. The current administration is certainly waist deep in “green” cohorts and may not want to have a controlling interest in a brand known for burning rubber and turning fast laps. Is Pontiac really losing money or is it a show of “green” power? Currently, Pontiac power plants and car models are running and winning on the track. Just recently at Virginia International Raceway, a Pontiac powered Daytona Prototype won the class in the Bosch Engineering 250. On the same track running with the DP class, a Pontiac GXP.R won the GT class. Pontiacs are selling. They are out on the road with their split grills and diamond point logos. So the question remains…  are they really losing so much on the showroom floor? More so than other brands…?  Really?

1969 Pontiac GTO "The Judge"
1969 Pontiac GTO "The Judge"

The historic Pontiac GTO has been a staple of muscle cars since it was introduced. Now, General Motors is ready to throw it in the ditch and keep Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac and Buick. Buick!? Are you kidding? Think… Can you remember the last time you saw a Buick on the road? What is it that says keeping Buick and dropping Pontiac makes sense? Is the bottom line on Buick really so fantastic? Is the bottom line on Pontiac really so dismal? Is this a “business” decision or is this a mandate from a government being lead by a man who was driving a Chrysler 300 up to the point he announced a campaign and politically embraced “climate change” verbage with the purchase of a hybrid to show how “green” he could appear to be?

2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
2009 Pontiac G8 GXP

Pontiac is not the only brand in line with the scrap yard. Hummer is on the list. Why anyone wanted one of these toned-down military knock-offs in the first place was amazing. They make Pontiac look “green” as country meadow! Saturn is on the list to go. Really? Saturns have a pretty good reputation for dependability and economy so why would they be out there on a limb? Saab is GM owned but they don’t want it any longer. Saab has always been a niche luxury sports car with a loyal, but smaller, following. Saab has, however, made some good moves with styling and performance but perhaps was too little, too late.

The questions concerning Pontiac just scratch the surface. The economic turn down has made the magnifying glass turn on every aspect of modern business. Larger questions remain. Right now, as things stand to continue to go downhill or could swing towards growth, a large question concerns trust. How much do we trust those that are telling us things are bad and drastic measures must be taken? How much do we know about the coincidence of chopping performance cars off just as those that push the “green” agenda gain access to those in power? How much is real and how much is manufactured? Time will tell. When it does will we realize we’ve been duped or saved?

Here’s a Missed Gear Auto Quiz. What do you get when you take 3.2 miles of pavement, 1200 acres of scenic views, 4 or 5 divisions of high technology, a healthy dose of speed and a touch of nostalgia and mix them all together? You get a splendid automotive playground tucked away just east of Danville, VA known as VIR.  Virginia International Raceway has a historic beginning with the SCCA and names like Carl Haas and Carroll Shelby. Now, however, VIR hosts some national racing events while still playing host as a SCCA proving ground.

Grand-Am Rolex Series Daytona Prototypes at VIR
Grand-Am Rolex Series Daytona Prototypes at VIR

This past April 24, 25 and 26 VIR hosted the Grand-Am Rolex Series with Daytona Prototypes and GT cars racing for points and highlighted on SPEED Network for the world to see. (See pictures from raceday here!) Through the course of three days of laps, qualifying and racing, VIR also hosted the Skip Barber Racing School, the BMW Championship Series, the Star Mazda Racing Series and the innovative VW TDI Racing Series.

Grand-Am Rolex Series GT Class @ VIR
Grand-Am Rolex Series GT Class @ VIR

Your ticket to VIR, which won’t cost you even the slightest bit of skin from a favored body part, gets you access to all of this racing, the paddock and no assigned seats. From a driver or car owner standpoint, VIR offers facilities for performance engine and chassis tuning. For developing racers, the VW TDI facilities are based out of VIR. One of the fastest consumer-ready enthusiast cars is built on the grounds. The Ariel Atom boasts 300+ horsepower and 0-60 in under 3 seconds. There is rental housing, condo ownership, garage facilities and so much more.

Volkswagen TDI diesel racing based from facilities at VIR
Volkswagen TDI diesel racing based from facilities at VIR

VIR remains a premiere destination for club racers, enthusiasts and car lovers. Now, however, VIR is a fan destination for sports car racing and motorcycle racing events. Tickets are cheap. The racing is exciting. The views are beautiful. You can even see NASCAR road course testing and an air show! VIR is a petrol payground no racing fan should skip so take the opportunity to go racing in Southside Virginia. You will be glad you did.

smile_earthIt is coming. Faster than ever before and with more mass behind it than could ever be imagined by thousands of Birkenstock wearing, self-proclaimed hippies. Of Course we’re talking about “Earth Day”.

Even before the calendar flips to “day of”, ordinary intelligent people are doing stupid things in the name of Earth, “climate change” and drowning polar bears. Turning off lights for an hour to make an impact…? Give me a break! How about turning off lights for an hour to make everybody feel all warm and fuzzy while the power company churns out the same amount of power regardless of how many lights are out…? Yes.

That is a perfect example of emotion over substance. It is a perfect example of people jumping onto a bandwagon without checking the direction it is heading. Look at us! Buying into “green credits” and “carbon offsets” and for what? To satisfy some feeling of guilt laid upon our feet by some bunch of greendiots using any means necessary to force us to live the way they feel we need to? To force us to buy the product they are selling? To force us to give them more political power?

Ask yourselves this question, “Who first told me about global warming?”. Was it a climatologist? Was it a geological historian? Was it a scientist? Perhaps, and more likely, it was a politician. Or a movie star. Or some nut that is a member of club that has looked down on human progress since the first Model-T rolled off the assembly line.

We’ve been herded by fear into a mindset of “our fault” and “we must do something or die” while the people orchestrating it all are doing nothing but talking. “We” have to drive hybrids. “We” have to buy expensive, twisty light bulbs. “We” have to turn off lights, eat less meat, ride public, grow a garden, fly less, do “staycations” and never buy packaged products….  Come on! The very people telling us to “cut back” live in a world of such excess that our day to day lives are alien to them.

Look. It is this simple. We can all do things to be more responsible when it comes to the world we live in. It is also important to do so for many reasons. However, those reasons do NOT include making someone else rich by purchasing their “green credits”. Those reasons do NOT include making some movie star feel intellectually validated by saying something about “global warming” on Oprah. Those reasons do NOT include satisfying an agenda that calls for us to back away from our dreams, our future or our progress.

If you want to buy a hybrid or electric because it fits your needs and you want to save money on fuel, have at it. However, if you are buying one so you can feel you are doing some great thing to save the planet from human damage because you were told it was fact by some talking head that has the scientific background of a bag of hammers, you are simply buying an agenda and helping nobody but the spinners of the myth.

Before you decide use your brain. Just once, instead of looking up “global warming” or “climate change” on Google, look up “facts about climate change”. You will find a wealth of information allowing you to decide for yourself. You want a starting point? Have a look at this website: http://www.climatechangefacts.info/  Read. Educate yourself. Act in accordance of fact, not fear.

Oh… One other thing. Have a nice “Earth Day”. Maybe you could go for a nice drive in the country…..

Jeff Gordon locks in a win at Texas. He’d been pushing the checkered flag for quite some time but couldn’t quite grasp it until he won the guns after 47 races without the taste of Victory Lane. He remains first in points and the Texas win only pads the margin.
Gordon’s teammate, Jimmie Johnson, picked up the Martinsville win the week before. Ironic as it seemed for many laps it was Gordon’s race to lose. Missed Gear was at Martinsville for the race and we’ve got lots of pictures! Check them out HERE!