Open wheel affairs.

Indy, alas Indy or should I say Izod before I  can mention the series? Speaking of Izod, it's odd to see a clothing company as the main sponsor of a series. Can you imagine a GAP 500 at Daytona or a Tommy Hilfiger Cup series? Strange. Although I have much to say about a series that ran the same chassis, engine and tire for the past six years or so I must admit there might be some interesting changes that could make the league worth your time and money.

 The cars are brand new, designed by Dallara in Italy, and soon to be manufactured at a new facility in Indianapolis. Although they will all be the same, aside for some "aero kits", it should be exciting for the first few years at least. Engines are also new, and sound quite nice. They have more of a grunt compared to last year. Three manufacturers are set to  supply a combination of Turbo and naturally aspirated 4 and V6 engines running on E85 fuel. They include Chevy, Lotus and Honda. The cars look quite sleek, and one might even suggest nicer than the current platypus looking F1's. The words used by Indy directors was sexy, and to some extent I could agree. At first view they seem like something out of Paul Bartel's Death Race 2000 but once you see them in person, and get better acquainted, the lines make more sense.

If all the new technology wasn't enough, long time Formula One veteran Rubens Barrichello made a second appearance last weekend testing for Jimmy Vasser's KV racing team.  Apparently a deal is practically finished and it could mean extra T.V. ratings from a large Brazilian audience. Many who still root for Barrichello and want to see if he can redeem himself after 20 years in F1 without a championship. Not to dis-merit his over 300 Grand Prix resume, which is the current world record. Native supporters aside, who doesn't want to see a F1 driver going around circles in the U.S.?

It seems as if after a long time Indy  finally has a few exciting things going for it. Which comes in perfect timing considering many were questioning the leagues very existence after the fatal crash involving Dan Wheldon at Vegas last year. Although I think the changes are nothing spectacular its a humble start that could perhaps make it a true competitive racing environment once again, and not just a marketing tool for big companies.

Barrichello returning to pits.

HONESTY. Pass it on.

May Saab rest in peace. There should be a law prohibiting GM from buying car companies people care for. 

Cupid Union files cease and desist against Match.com

Happy Valentines! Ti's the time again. Grown men are out buying teddy bears, single people question life, lines at theaters make you feel like your entering a couple's therapy seminar. Our beloved grandma's are getting cakes, cupcakes and crayon scribbled cards from their grand kids. But when it comes to things with four wheels the first car that comes to mind when I thought of Valentines was the Citroen DS. Not sure why, maybe its the elegance of French design or maybe I saw a movie with one or something. Nevertheless they are quite beautiful cars, not screaming Ferrari beautiful, which have the same appeal as a Victoria's Secret model, but more like a model in a wedding dress or something. You get my drift, or not.

Got Techron?

Utah, somewhere along I-70.

Ever find yourself in the middle of nowhere and think you'll probably never be there again? And then a while goes by and next thing you find yourself  in the same exact spot? Strange feeling. First time I was in this random Chevron was at night, this time I could notice all the nice scenery around. Utah is really a nice place to drive through, specially the dedicated "speed test" zones with long stretches of highway with a 80 mph posted speed limit. (Anyone know of a higher speed limit in the U.S.?) I'm sure Montana or the other Canadian province sounding states must have something faster. Speed limits aside the scenery is incredible and some parts of the I-70 and I-15 stretch makes one feel like they're driving through some sort of  small scale Grand Canyon. A small town called Beaver claims to have the best tasting water around, didn't quite feel compelled to prove them wrong or right, but if your searching for some sort of American Evian then I suppose it would be a good place to start.

 If your feeling adventurous and don't mind getting your car full of salt, you can drive around the Bonneville Salt Flats just west of Salt Lake City. All you have to do is hop out of the freeway  and enjoy a 10 mile straight and 5 mile wide dried lake bed for your driving pleasure. Not sure if you can legally drive around as fast as you can, but I didn't notice any signs and after 2 hours of some very childish fun no one seemed to really care. I think they just figure the tourists need to get it out of their system and soon enough they'll get bored and leave. Anyways, always a pleasure to drive through this state.