La Mesa car cruise, under new management, lowriders and all older than 1972 welcome

Jonathan, manager of the Regal Bar in downtown La Mesa is now the spokesman and came to the car council meeting to clarify that the last guy to sound off at the car council meeting (San Diego Car Club Council) was out of line, and his comments that lowriders aren't welcome was not the party line for La Mesa. So, I'm no longer calling for the boycott of the La Mesa cruise. Good news

The US Interior Secretary and Director of the BLM toured the Imperial Sand Dunes at Glamis

story here: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-sand-dunes-20110221,0,4494274.story but in a nutshell they came to relate that motorized recreation fits into the Obama administration's "America's Great Outdoors " conservation initiative rolled out last week that is heavy on land preservation.

great photo by Allen Schaben, shows the secretary in a ranger's sand rail that got stuck when they went to go over a steep dune... nice new rail huh?

Finally, a compressed air car is built

French enterprise MDI backed by Cater SA, a Swiss business have taken the concept to the roads, naminf a four wheel vehicle Airpod —to reflect on its engine powered by nothing but compressed air.

The fact that Geneva airport and a few French-speaking Swiss towns have already shown keen interest in Airpod augurs well for the project; not to mention that EU countries have already approved of the project.

It holds that initial production will kick off on Swiss grounds (in Reconvilier) where the first unit should roll out by March 2011

News from http://www.thecartimes.com/

Did you know there was a race to the South Pole in a Biodiesel powered vehicel?

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=929487&page=3

Segs 4 Vets, Mobilizing America's Heroes

The below seat can be seen at http://www.segseat.com/ and purchased for about 500 bucks

Just check the seating custom changes... this is what enables anyone with leg problems to utilize a Segway and have upright mobility. Both of the seats will flip up or down to get out of the way when getting on or off the Segway.

Seventeen severely wounded warriors received a custom modified Segway, the personal mobility device, at a ceremony on the forward deck of the historic USS Midway.

Segs4Vets recipients use the Segway instead of a wheelchair and say the Segway allows them to stand tall in their prosthetic legs, improves their mobility and lets them appear less disabled in public.

The recipients included nine soldiers, two Marines, two national guardsmen, two airmen and two sailors. They come from Guam , Washington, D.C. and a dozen states, including California. Many are still undergoing treatment and rehabilitation at the Naval Medical Center San Diego.
Segs4Vets, a project of Disability Rights Advocates for Technology, a non-profit organization rated as one of America’s best charities, (one of 2,000 out of 1,000,000 charities in America) returned to San Diego for the third time to make the presentation.

The recipients sustained serious injuries which limit their mobility during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Segway dramatically improves personal mobility for military service members who lost limbs to amputation or suffer from spinal cord injuries, neurological injuries and soft tissue damage.

``Those who become disabled while serving our nation deserve the best tools available to live productive and fulfilling lives,’’ said Jerry Kerr, president and founder of DRAFT. ``The Segway has proven its value to more than 400 wounded warriors and we are delighted to provide this device to these brave military service members to help them fulfill their dreams.’’

Several former recipients who attended the ceremony included John Hyland, a former Army soldier and trained opera singer who will sang the National Anthem at the ceremony, and Kortney Clemons who is training for the Paralympic Games at the Olympic Training Center in San Diego. Two of the earliest recipients used their Segways to complete undergraduate studies at Georgetown University and are now attending law school.

More than 33,000 men and women in uniform have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan since the beginning of hostilities. The Segway is not covered by military medical insurance.

Segs4Vets, created in late 2005, is run entirely by volunteers as part of Disability Rights Advocates for Technology (DRAFT), a 501c3 created to represent people with disabilities who refuse to be defined by their disability and whose passionate enthusiasm for participation in life’s activities is supported by Universal Design and new and emerging technologies. The organization is a member of Military, Veterans & Patriotic Service Organizations of America and has been certified as one of the best charities in America by the Independent Charities Seal of Excellence, an honor accorded fewer than 2,000 of the more than one million public charities in the United States.

DRAFT is the only organization to ever receive a blanket waiver from the U.S. military allowing a gift in excess to $1,000 to severely injured active duty military force members serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Why doesn't El Cajon have a "Jimmie Johnson Street"?

Is there something wrong with the El Cajon town council, do they have no pride in a native son?

One that is a household name for his achievements in NASCAR while ranked first (season champion) for 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009? You may not know that Jimmie is the only driver that has ever accomplished this, in all of NASCAR history.

One that reinvested in his home town with a Chevrolet dealership, and has been invited to the White House, has a charity foundation that helps the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and Make a Wish... and so on. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmie_Johnson

Want to do something about it? Monday March 22nd at 7pm the planning commission will be having a meeting... lets crash it. I'm planning on being there... this I gotta see and hear!


Support of Resolution No. 10604 - Jimmie Johnson Avenue

Please pass this along to any and all who could write in a short e-mail to the address below or show up on Monday, March 22 at 7:00 PM.

Please show up to the El Cajon Planning Commission meeting scheduled for:
Monday, March 22, at 7:00 pm, at
Council Chamber
200 Civic Center Way
El Cajon, CA 92020

…and wear your Jimmie stuff to show your support


OR IF YOU CAN'T ATTEND :
If physical letters are not possible
to Anthony Sottile,
Chairman – City of El Cajon Planning Commission,

emails of support for Resolution No. 10604,
(Jimmie Johnson Avenue), can be forwarded to:

Melissa Ayres, Director, Community Development.
(mayres@ci.el-cajon.ca.us).

Include first name, last name, email address, and comments in support of the resolution.

(FYI – http://www.ci.el-cajon.ca.us)
Points to mention:
- Agree with El Cajon City Council’s decision to honor JJ with “ Jimmie Johnson Avenue .” (Approved by Council on January 26, 2010).
- Fitting tribute for ON track accomplishments, (i.e. 4-Time NASCAR Champion, Future Hall of Famer, etc.).
- Most importantly, OFF track accomplishments - a true humanitarian who continues to support his hometown.

Thank You again,
Go Jimmie (Johnson Ave.) Go !!!

Tom McGrath from Alpine opinioned that East County road naming is best left alone and chided Union Tribune readers to keep our noses out of it, and stick with North County issues. Boo and hiss to you Tom. 4th story down http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/mar/13/oceanside-rejects-saving-1-million/

this reader had it right http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/feb/25/jimmie-johnson-way/

Is there a city in the South that doesn't have a street named after a stock car racer? Isn't this country founded with ideals of naming locations after important contributors to civic pride? Washington DC, Washington state, Pennsylnavia state, Boone county, Crockett County, and there almost was a state named Franklin... but that is a real history lesson. We even have states named after European royalty... why? Why not rename a state for a hero? Well, if that is too much, then I guess renaming a street for a NASCAR champion is good enough for me.

I've been interviewed, and a newspaper wrote a story about my blog!

http://www.mininggazette.com/page/content.detail/id/509118.html

It's the newspaper from the nearest big city of the little town I grew up in, same county, and it's the only newpaper article I've been in since getting through bootcamp!

Ridelust has a top 25 auto website list (I made their list!) and recommended blogs

I’m entirely moved, wow! Thanks! You’ve paid me an enormous compliment to feel my hobby compares favorably with the likes of Jalopnik, the NY Times Wheels section, wonderful Hooniverse, Dan’s Hemmings blog, Autoblog, Edmunds, Carscoop, B.A.T, … the websites I admire.

Is mine the only no advertising, no pop-up, non job, done after work, camera / laptop / and love of cars operation in your top 25? I’m astounded! Take that high school career counsler!

Long live car porn and the humor we find and post for readers! Many compliments to the 80 sites I recommend in my blog roll, Ride Lust has been one for years!

With admiration for vulcanized rubber and all the uses we’ve found for it, with adoration for affordable tech like digital cameras, laptops, and jacking into neighbors wifi to upload to my blog, with love for the bloggers, photographers, and artists, the hot rodders, the hoons, the metal shapers, the body working masters, the designers, racers, owners, and rich buggers who can afford to keep Foose on retainer, admiration and respect for the lakes racers, salt streamliners, innovators like Navarro, Munro, and Blastolene Bros…

http://www.ridelust.com/ridelust%e2%80%99s-top-25-car-blog-and-websites/ this is the coolest thing to happen since I was picked as the artist of the month for my photography: In related news, in December '09 I was the artist of the month of the Photographer's Formulary company monthly online newsletter: http://www.photoformulary.com/images/2009%20Newsletters%20folder/December2009NL.pdf

Update to Ron Pratte post, the Darryl Gwynn Foundation

As has become a common and admirable occurance at Barrett Jackson auctions, Darryl Gwynn auctions off a remakable historic racecar, Ron buys it, offers it at auction again, it was bought by another collector who matched Ron's generosity, and was bought by a third collector who says it'll be for auction again soon.

Why the buy and sell, and the Gwynn connection? All of the money for the sale of Gwynn's vehicles go directly to the Foundation, with no auction fees, and everyone realizes that this astonishing generosity is to be applauded and continued by some who can afford it. Financially it may be a tax thing, but when over a half a million goes to a kids charity, I dare anyone to pick a bone with it. Respect, applaud, repeat.

For the full story and details: http://automotive.speedtv.com/article/autos-gwynn-dragster-scores-triple-header/

For the post about the collector and philanthopist Ron Pratte: http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2009/01/ron-pratte-car-collection.html

You should buy a lotto ticket if you are as lucky as the two guys in the taxi, they dodged a 5 to 25 ton, 50 foot pipe falling from an overpass

images from all over the local San Diego tv stations websites from cell phone photos sent into the news

The trucker was Southbound on the 125 from Santee at 9 am, was taking the exit to the Westbound 8, and was driving TOO FAST! He didn't make the turn, hit the barrier, and the chains that were restraining the pipe snapped, allowing the pipe to fall 75 to 100 feet onto Grossmont Center Dr.

The best coverage was channel 8, and click on the video for a good review of the story: http://www.cbs8.com/Global/story.asp?S=11663048 the video has a thumbnail and full screen mode

Suzuki B-King - Two Wheels King Kong

What would it be the motor of the type given Street Fighter Hypersport machine? Motor is not normal, not normal and not about compromise. Energy giant 183 hp and 115 Nm of torque accompanies this bike. Tank for carom board and stern like exhaust Sukhoi 27 makes this bike makes scared, not just competitors, but also the rider.

Dashboard Sophisticated, Smooth Sound!
This motor has sophisticated dashbord Digital nan. Not to mention technologies such as i-Drive BMW also found in this motor, only located in the tank. Comfortable and impressive aura of Hi-Tech. This means that even if a motor is not Normal, suzuki remain "normal" in the sense of providing hi-tech facilities for the customers.


3 laps to feel the energy Suzuki B-King
Indobikers never felt the enormity and power kesetabilan Suzuki B-King, the Community Ducati Indomobil invited by the large motor launch variants. 190/55 rear tire size to make sense of de in driving this king-kong. Although the first time driving this gigantsme patients streetfighter still feels comfortable when eating at a speed r2 curve 130 km / hour. On the second lap trying to open Indobikers full of gas to find out top speed B-King. Apparently the B-King indeed the "King" really. Upon opening the full gas, for combination of power and 180 hp at hebusan wind speed 235 km / h hit the rider was thrown up as the back ... Powerful! Even for Amos bro who is a rider Monster S4Rs (menjinakan accustomed to power by 130hp) considered B-King is the most powerful street fighter who ever lived. It's just that most of the riders agreed that the size of the B-King is too large very difficult to use on public streets.


source : http://ducatimonster.wordpress.com/2008/09/21/suzuki-b-king-two-wheels-king-kong/

2010 - Kawasaki GTR1400

MCN overall verdict
Kawasaki has given the GTR a significant upgrade, added to the comfort of the original model with a larger screen and include heated grips as standard. But more interestingly they’ve improved the safety of their flagship tourer with new ABS and traction control. The traction control is really impressive and works off the ABS wheel sensors and is the most advanced system currently available on a road bike.

Engine
Thankfully Kawasaki has left the engine alone, which has been a strong point of the larger tourer. The powerplant is taken from the mighty ZZ-R1400 but detuned for more midrange. The GTR also now boasts variable valve timing, the first on any Kawasaki, which has the smoothest operation on the market, far better than Honda’s VFR. It also has nearly 140bhp and gallons of torque, both of which are class-leading.

Ride and Handling
Kawasaki hasn’t played around with the handling, either, which was not a fault of the old model. There’s a slightly stiffer spring at the rear, but that’s about it. For a large bike, the GTR can be hustled along with confidence, but you need a lot of confidence in the front Bridgestone tyre, which has been specifically designed for this model. The new linked ABS braking is excellent, and it’s changeable for riding fully loaded or with pillion and luggage.

Equipment
This is an area where the old GTR lacked, especially when compared to the competition from BMW. However, Kawasaki has addressed this and now the GTR comes with more options as standard like heated grips, larger screen, ABS and traction control as standard. There is also an additional mode button on the left bar to scroll through the informative clocks while the electric screen is pre-programmable.

source : http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Kawasaki/Kawasaki-GTR1400-2010-current/?&R=EPI-119779

New information on the 2010 Camaro... No supercharged 650 hp 427cu in for California

CAFE won't allow them to be sold in California, and this is from GM marketing via a car club council meeting member.

So much for getting a GT 500 supercharged Shelby Mustang Cobra competitor in California

The Schlumph collection, also known as the Malmerspach collection

Over the years nearly 400 items (vehicles, chassis and engines) were acquired, A team of up to 40 carpenters, saddlers, and master mechanics were assembled to carry out the restoration work.

They were under a confidentiality agreement to keep their work and the scale of the collection a secret - a singlemindedness often referred to as "The Schlumpf Obsession." Many, including irate members of Bugatti clubs around the world, knew of the collection; although the eventual scale of the enterprise became a surprise to almost everybody.

In 1976 the Schlumpf brothers had begun to sell their factories. In October the Malmerspach plant laid off employees, and a strike broke out, with 400 police holding back the workers from ram sacking the Mulhouse plant.

After a stand-off, on March 7, 1977, textile union activists staged a sit-in strike at the Schlumpf offices, and broke into the Mulhouse "factory" to find the astounding collection of cars. An unrestored Austin 7 was burned and the workers' union representative remarked "There are 600 more where this one came from."
The Schlumpfs fled to their native Switzerland, and spent the rest of their days as permanent residents of the Drei Koenige Hotel. But with wages outstanding, the factory was occupied for the next two years by the textile union and renamed "Workers’ Factory." To recoup some of their lost wages, the union opened the museum to the public, with some 800,000 people viewing the collection in two years.
As the scale of the brothers Schlumpf debt rose, various creditors including the unions eyed the valuable car collection as a way to recover their losses. To save the destruction, break-up or export of the collection, in 1978 the contents were classified as a French historic monument by the Council of State. In 1979, a bankruptcy liquidator ordered the building closed.

In 1981 the collection, buildings and residual land were sold to the National Automobile Museum, now the largest automobile museum in the world . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mus%C3%A9e_National_de_l

62 cars of this collection from the Schlumpf collection were bought in 2008, and 12 will now be in the Peter Mullin Collection in Oxnard, in the former Otis Chandler museum, Otis Chandler’s collection is closed but to reopen soon as the “The Vintage Museum of Transportation”

http://www.bugattirevue.com/revue35/malmer.htm

The American Bugatti club is going to stop by the Mullin museum during their 50th Anniversary Celebration of the club and the US International 2010 Bugatti Rally.

Peter Mullin is a founding member of the Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation and served as Foundation Co-Chairman from 1994 to 2004.

http://www.worth.com/Editorial/Passion-Investments/Wheels-Wings-Water/Passion-Investments-Auto-Eternal-Combustion.asp

If you have a passion for Bugattis: http://www.velocetoday.com/archives/775