2012 Summer Gearhead Games
The Summer Olympic Games take place in London, England, in July. Medals will be awarded for all manner of summer sports, including equestrian (horse), cycling/mountain biking, even canoe and sailing. For all the power, speed, and agility tests involving vehicles, there will be no automotive games. We think that should change, even if it means we design our own Summer Gearhead Games. Here’s some ideas on what that might look like.
Driving Through Adversity: Project Mobility 4×4
This story has been some time in the making. Something like three months in the making, actually. What’s more, this is one of the best stories I’ve ever had the honor and privilege of sharing. Why’s it taken so long? We are seriously short on pictures to go with it and the folks at Project Mobility are very busy. Nevertheless, this story needs told. Read it and think about what you – as a gearhead – can bring to the whole world.
A Wolf in Lamb’s Clothing
We met David Lamb on Twitter, where he impressed us with his over-the-top energy. Turns out he has quite the story. His dad opened a performance shop to keep his mom’s race cars running in tip-top shape and he took it over a few years ago. Today, he plays with Evos.
What We Can All Learn from Petter Solberg
I’d been hearing rumors of this for a couple days, but the news was officially announced today. Petter Solberg is back in a factory ride for the 2012 World Rally Championship. He and co-driver Chris Patterson will be in a Ford Fiesta RS. For me, this is very exciting news, but there’s a big lesson behind this I’ve not seen in any other automotive publication.
Make Mine a 1992, Please
Our friends (at least, I hope we’re friends) over at Hooniverse ran an interesting story earlier this week. Bradley Brownell asked their readers, “Could you recommend a vintage?” Basically, the game was to share a single year when just about everything a specific manufacturer had on offer was awesome. Mr. Brownell’s story focused on the 1985 Toyota lineup, with the Celica, MkII Supra, MR2, Hilux, and so on. Stuck in a meeting earlier today I thought I would recommend a 1992 Mitsubishi.
Talking Sponsorship (and More) with the First Professional, All-British Dakar Rally Team
EXCLUSIVE: I don’t really know how to introduce this one. We were fortunate enough to get in touch with David Jones, Business Manager for Excite Rally Raid, the first professional, all-British Dakar Rally team, who generously spoke with us about sponsor relations, team funding, prototype reliability, what it takes to compete at the international level, and why rally matters. You’re about to read over 2,200 words of AWESOME.
Introducing: The Rally Monster
Quick, scroll down and look at the right side of the page. See the link for The Rally Monster? Today we’d like to formally introduce you to Emily, who is personally handling our shirts and decals here-on out. Thinking about a GBXM shirt or decal for Christmas? Get to know the gearhead who will be making it for you!
Ray’s Twincharged Talon
When it comes to forced induction, it’s not uncommon to find a lot of either-or thinking. You can have top end power OR low end torque. You can have quick spool-up OR gratuitous CFMs. Ray Peters tends to think in terms of AND. As in, you can increase displacement AND run a big turbo AND supercharge AND you can daily drive it.
TGIF: Get Crazy with Crazy Leo
Crazy Leo is one of our favorite rally drivers because he’s always scheming up new ways to get more people involved in rally. He’s raffled off rides in his Beast for charity, and taken lucky event volunteers for the rides of their lives as a token of his appreciation for their efforts. Here’s how you can score an all-access VIP weekend in Bancroft, Ontario, Canada, with one of the sport’s most caring (and crazy) rallyistas.
