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Yes, it’s spring time in Indiana, and although Jim Nabors won’t be singing ahead of the drop of the green flag, it’s time for another One Lap of America.

Having been part of the timing and scoring team for well over a decade, we tend to see a lot of the same faces and sheetmetal year in and year out, though there’s always a steady stream of newcomers. Every few races, however, there seems to be a bumper crop of new cars that show up as old ones get tired and drivers find something different to play with. This is clearly one of those times, perhaps brought about by the dominance of the Nissan GTR over the last several years. As a result, there are a glut of the Japanese supercars in the fold, along with other noteworthy new models including an Audi TT RS, a BMW M5 and 1 Series M Coupe, not to mention a factory-prepped Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. As ever, there’s a brace of Porsche 911 and Chevrolet Corvette models of various vintages, along with a Dodge Viper or two and a Ferrari 430. There’s even an E-Series ambulance and an incredible sounding Honda Odyssey, also running with factory support.

Unfortunately, one key classic will be notably absent from the paddock this year: Brock Yates. Father of One Lap Of America and the legendary Cannonball Run that spawned it, Yates’ health has been deteriorating due to Alzheimer’s. Yates’ son, Brock Jr. has been ably running the event for many years, but this is the first time that Senior won’t be in attendance.

As has become the usual, this year’s event kicks off in South Bend, Indiana at title sponsor Tire Rack’s massive headquarters with a wet skidpad event. The motley crew of madmen and their motors will then jog down the road a few miles to the South Bend Motor Speedway (a paved oval) before hoofing it over to Autobahn Country Club’s road course in Illinois. After that, it’s off to a string of road courses starting with scenic Pacific Junction, Iowa, for the Mid America Motorplex, then on to Oklahoma’s Hallett Motor Racing Circuit before heading to High Plains Raceway in Colorado. After that, it’s off to Motorsports Park Hastings in Nebraska followed by a northwestern jog to Brainerd International Raceway in Minnesota. Then it’s over to Wisconsin’s legendary Road America before the sleepless and bedraggled horde stumble back into South Bend next Saturday, April 14 for a final dry skidpad event. Got all that? If you don’t, you can check out a map here.

As we’ll be working the event, we won’t have the ability to give you daily updates on the rally’s progress, but if you’re interested in keeping tabs on the action, check out One Lap Of America’s official website and Facebook page, both of which figure to have live updates as the race gets underway this morning. In the meantime, you can check out our massive gallery above. It doesn’t have every one of the roughly 75 that are scheduled to race, but if you are new to One Lap, it’ll give you a good idea of the automotive diversity on display.

We’ll see you in 3,300 miles or so, if not sooner…

2012 One Lap Of America starts today

That’s right, the potential Republican Potentate is an AMC muscle car; according to the Secret Service, anyway. The Republican race for the presidential nomination is getting serious, and National Public Radio reports that the the Secret Service is stepping in to offer its protective services to the potential nominees. When this happens, code names are given to the protectees; for example, President Reagan was called “Rawhide” by those watching out for him. Mitt’s new Secret Service handle? Javelin.

The candidates are presented with the list of potential security handles, and Romney apparently thought a nod to the car company his old man ran suited him just fine. Does it say something about the way he sees himself? Kenosha, Wisconsin-based American Motors Corporation was ever the cash-strapped scrapper; a bit of a contrast from Romney’s well-funded election machine, but he won’t be the first person to romanticize the last independent.

The biggest question we have is which one he thinks he is? A Javelin SST with the optional Go-Pack would indicate he thinks he’s a serious performer, while a Pierre Cardin edition might match up more with the tastes of a man accustomed to the finer things. In any case, it will be hard to look at a Javelin from now on and not see Mitt’s well-coiffed, perfect-teeth grin.

This is Mitt Romney

One privileged Audi fan got to experience the Chicago Auto Show in his own garage recently, according to QuattroWorld. After driving three hours to Chicago and being denied the chance to sit in the 2013 Audi RS5 at the show, Joshua Smith wrote a letter to the company complaining about the way he was treated. Lo and behold, Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen responded, explaining that the pre-production RS5 was off-limits to show-goers because it had to make it through the full auto show season, but promising to arrange a private viewing of the car at Smith’s home in Neenah, WI. Audi reps showed up soon after the close of the show, not only with the RS5 but also with S6, S7, and S8 in tow.

If you’re thinking of employing the same squeaky-wheel tactic to get a flotilla of Audis parked in your driveway for the day, understand that Smith wasn’t just another self-important grumbler. As he indicated in his letter to de Nysschen, he does own an S5, A6 and A3, and is active in both the Chicago Audi Club and the Badger Audi Club in Wisconsin. It probably didn’t hurt that in his plea for better customer service this “true Audi enthusiast” happened to mention flirting with the enemy, writing “In the BMW booth at the show I spent over 30 minutes with a BMW representative who showed me the M3 and the all new M5, which was also closed to the majority of the public.”

Smith shot video of the cars at his home, which you can see after the jump.

Continue reading Audi goes extra mile to make up for customer’s bad auto show experience [w/video]

Audi goes extra mile to make up for customer’s bad auto show experience [w/video]

This winter hasn’t been quite as cold as it could have been, but in Wisconsin, there have been enough sub-freezing days for lakes to develop about of foot-thick coating of ice. That’s enough ice for some good ice fishing, but it apparently isn’t thick enough to use as a high-traffic parking lot.

Frozen anglers at a Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin fishing tournament decided to park in close proximity to one another on the ice with predictably disastrous results. Hit the jump to watch the Twin Cities’ Fox News 9 and its coverage of tow trucks plucking vehicle after vehicle out of the appropriately named Lake Winnebago. We saw quite a few pricey pickup trucks being pulled out of the deep, but we’re thinking the pea-green Pontiac Aztek could have been left in the lake long before the incident.

Continue reading 36 cars fall through ice at Wisconsin fishing tournament

36 cars fall through ice at Wisconsin fishing tournament

The Science Committee in the House of Representatives has a approved a bill that would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from allowing the use of gasoline with a higher ethanol content without additional study.

According to The Detroit News, the bill was sponsored by Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wisconsin and passed 19-7 along party lines after numerous groups spoke out against E15. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the American Petroleum Institute, the Friends of the Earth, the Milk Producers Council, the American Bakers Association and the National Turkey Federation all pushed for further E15 study.

Last year, the government estimated more domestic corn was used for ethanol than to feed farm animals, and opponents of ethanol argue E15 would only lead to steeper food prices across the country.

Congress just recently ended a 30-year tax subsidy on corn-based ethanol and put a stop to tariffs on the fuel imported from Brazil. The subsidy alone reportedly cost taxpayers $6 billion annually. All told, Congress has awarded the ethanol industry $45 billion in subsidies since 1980.

House panel blocks sale of E15

What exactly is TrueCar? That’s the question behind recent conflicts between the company and a growing list of foes, which include dealership organizations, automakers and regulators in at least three states.

According to a report by Automotive News, TrueCar’s business model is under fire by this old guard, backed by long-standing legislation to protect their franchise interests. AN says government officials in Colorado, Wisconsin and Virginia have all raised issue with TrueCar, and that the company may face legal problems in other states, including California. TrueCar has responded by promising to make “meaningful changes” to its service by the end of the year, according to the report.

Nominally, TrueCar is an “Internet marketing company” that profits from the fees that dealers pay when they sell a car that was listed on TrueCar. But that practice may not be legal, especially in states that have consumer protection laws against brokering and what is known as “bird-dogging,” or paying third parties for leads. There are also issues with TrueCar’s marketing, which could be in violation of some state’s rules prohibiting the mention of invoice price. Dealers who do business with TrueCar may risk steep fines or loss of license in some jurisdictions, but from what the report says, most regulators are putting businesses on notice first.

TrueCar has also raised the ire of at least one carmaker, with Honda recently reminding its dealers that if they want to get money through its dealer marketing program, they’d better not be advertising cars for below-invoice price on TrueCar.

State regulators turn up the heat on TrueCar

While rummaging through the wares on offer at an estate sale, Bobby Goins, a “picker” in Grand Blanc, Michigan, found the car pictured above: a 1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Ghia Cabriolet. Hidden under a tarp and lots of detritus in a garage, once it was revealed Goins discovered that the car was almost completely intact. The only thing missing was the engine, and that was found in Wisconsin not long after the discovery of the car.

Without a serial number, it’s difficult to place this car exactly, even though the 212 Inter was only made for three years. It came early in Ferrari’s move to production cars, but was one of the most numerous models with the widest variety of bodystyles – no less than eight coachbuilders contributed designs and variations on those designs. For instance, this one has a Ghia grille used on another body, but a different hood treatment. No matter, it’s been rescued from oblivion and sold to a good home: it was bought by a Ferrari collector for just $150,000.

Follow the jump to see local news footage of Goins’ discovery.

Continue reading Barn Find: 1952 Ferrari 212 Ghia Cabriolet found collecting dust

Barn Find: 1952 Ferrari 212 Ghia Cabriolet found collecting dust

Toyota is bringing an arsenal of custom vehicles to SEMA 2011, including three pickups and one very cool Yaris B-Spec Racer. The pint-sized bruiser is based on the 2012 Yaris SE and should be bashing fenders with the rest of the SCCA B-Spec class contenders soon. Toyota says that Jamie Bestwick, of BMX fame, will campaign the car in the SCCA National Championship Runoffs at Road America in Elkhart, Wisconsin. The car features all of the hardware necessary to meet spec, including an eight-point SCCA roll cage, fire-suppression system, race seat, and six-point harness.

Toyota also has something special for those of you who prefer to take your racing off the track. The Long Beach Racers Tacoma is inspired by the upcoming Tacoma TRD T/X Baja Series, and features custom 60mm Bilstein race shocks, 35-inch BF Goodrich tires, a 50-gallon fuel cell and a big-brake kit among other goodies. All of that kit will come to bear when the truck heads to the Baja 1000 next year.

DC Shoes and West Coast Customs will also show off a unique Toyota Tundra built just for the motocross crowd while Oakley crafted a special Surf Tacoma to cater to the surfers of the world. A pre-production version of the Tacoma TRD T/X Baja Series pickup will also be on display as will the Camry Daytona 500 pace car.

Toyota unloads bounty of SEMA rides

Part Harley, Part Hot Rod, All Crazy

Think back through your own inner musings over the years, and we’d bet dollars to proverbial donuts that, at some point on your life, you’ve thought about buying a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The allure of riding Wisconsin’s finest around your neighborhood and down the interstate may have drawn you in after seeing one on the road or being extolled in a movie. But you can’t tell us you’ve never even thought about one.

Maybe you even went ahead and bought a Harley, and either got it out of your system or you’re still riding one today. But more likely than not, you passed on the idea. Maybe you heeded the warnings of that doctor or nurse who told you horrific stories from their days in the emergency room of grotesque biker accidents. Maybe you were turned off by the criminal element that – let’s admit it – is still part of the biker mystique. Or maybe you just never thought your ten thumbs and two left feet could manage to keep all that Americana on the straight and narrow.

That’s where the Campagna V13R comes in. It’s part Harley, part hot rod, and a whole lot of machine. To find out if it’s the real deal, we hit the open roads around Montreal, Quebec, and tried it out ourselves.

Continue reading Campagna V13R [w/video]

Campagna V13R [w/video]

The battle-tested AM General Hummer is on its way out and it’s time to bid farewell to the aging military vet.

In the Humvee’s place could step the L-ATV. The Wisconsin-built Light Combat Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle is built by Oshkosh Defense. Powered by a diesel-electric hybrid powertrain, the The L-ATV appears capable of traversing nearly any type of terrain.

The L-ATV is highly armored, can accept multiple armor configurations and has nearly unmatched off-road capabilities. Oshkosh’s proprietary TAK-4i independent suspension system offers an impressive 20 inches of suspension travel at each wheel, which Oshkosh says is 25 percent more than any vehicle currently in use by the U.S. military.

While drivers of the L-ATV probably have more pressing issues to consider than the vehicle’s carbon emissions, they no doubt don’t want to be stranded by a vehicle that runs out of fuel deep in enemy territory. That’s one reason why the L-ATV’s diesel hybrid powertrain make sense (there are others). So, as the aging Humvee retires from active duty, do you think it will be the diesel hybrid L-ATV that takes over?

U.S. military considers replacing Humvee with diesel hybrid L-ATV

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has just announced a safety recall covering
295,123 vehicles, a pair of Subaru models and a close relative from Saab. The recall concerns front control arms that may fail if corroded, making the vehicle difficult to control. The action covers select 2003-2008 Forester crossovers, 2002-2007 Impreza models and some 2005-2006 Saab 9-2x hatchbacks, the latter heavily based on Subaru mechanicals.

In April, NHTSA launched an investigation after receiving seven complaints from owners of affected vehicles. In two instances, owners reported losing control of their vehicle due to control arm failure. The agency’s investigation revealed the front lower control arms may break at the hanger brackets due to corrosion if exposed to salt or humid environments.

This is a geographic recall, meaning that Subaru will inspect the degree of corrosion and either replace or rustproof the control arms on vehicles registered for use in the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island and West Virginia.

Saab dealers will be responsible to inspect and repair affected 9-2x models as necessary, including the possible rustproofing or replacement of control arms. Owners who think that their vehicle may be covered under the recall are urged to contact their dealer.

Continue reading Subaru Forester, Impreza and Saab 9-2X recalled over control arm corrosion

Subaru Forester, Impreza and Saab 9-2X recalled over control arm corrosion

Once upon a time ice cream was delivered in trucks to happy buyers. Then the people drove to the ice cream shop with curbside service. But back in those wonder years, the dream was that one day we’d zip over to the soda fountain in flying cars.

Though people have never stopped trying to make a flying car, that dream never seemed to have taken off, even after decades have passed. To whit, the notion has become something of an item of nostalgia, and at the EAA AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, a group of flying car enthusiasts gathered for some frozen treats and bygone dreams at a local retro malt shop. Follow the jump to watch the video footage.

Continue reading Is this the world’s first flying car drive-in?

Is this the world’s first flying car drive-in?

Ford has partnered up with EAA AirVenture for the last several years, producing one-off aviation-themed Mustangs that are auctioned off to benefit the EAA Young Eagles program. Whether it’s the collectible nature of the cars or just plain generosity by those with deep pockets, the cars have always garnered huge bids. Last year, an SR-71 Blackbird-themed Mustang built in collaboration with Shelby and Roush sold for $375,000, and previous years’ cars have sold for up to $500,000.

We fully expect there to be plenty of interest in this year’s car as well, with the Blue Angels being chosen as the theme for 2011. The one-off Mustang was built by Creation ‘n Chrome in Valencia, California, and features an amazing chrome blue paint scheme that pays homage to the famous F/A-18 Hornets. The Spectra Chrome process that was used along with hand painting the graphics took more than 600 hours to complete. A Boss 302 front fascia, custom rear wing and a set of HRE 590RS wheels complete the look of the exterior.

The Blue Angels theme continues inside, drawing inspiration from the pilots’ suits. Dual yellow stripes can be seen on both the seats and seat belts, and the custom Alcantara and leather Recaros each feature an embroidered logo of the Blue Angels’ crest. A few pieces from the Boss 302 Laguna Seca parts bin were used inside as well, including the dash-mounted triple gauge pack and the rear seat delete that has also been painted yellow. Even the gauges have been changed to an aviation theme, with the speedometer now displaying “ground speed.”

Performance hasn’t been ignored either. A supercharger system, Ford Racing handling pack and Brembo brakes have all been installed.

If you want to see the Blue Angels Mustang up close, it will be on display inside the Ford Hangar during EAA AirVenture from July 25-31 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Interested in buying the car? You’ll have your chance on July 28 when it goes up for auction. Hit the jump for more details and the official press release from EAA AirVenture.

[Source: EAA AirVenture, Creations 'n Chrome]

Continue reading Blue Angels-themed Mustang to be auctioned off at EAA AirVenture

Blue Angels-themed Mustang to be auctioned off at EAA AirVenture

In the left corner, from Wausau, Wisconsin, we have Christopher “Flames are Surfacing” Bangle. In the right, from the mean streets of Greenwich, Connecticut, stands Jason “Let Me Out of My Birdcage” Castriota. Alright, gentleman… we know you are both highly accomplished automotive designers, but we want to keep this thing clean. Gloves up, and come out swinging!

The controversial former BMW head and new Saab stylist were caught chatting about the Swedish automaker’s new PhoeniX Concept on the Geneva Motor Show floor by CarDesignNews. Known for being an instigator, Bangle questions Castriota about what makes the swoopy coupe a Saab. The ensuing “conversation” is filled with awkward fake-smiles and restraint. Click past the jump to see the footage along with a separate video walkaround of the concept by Castriota himself.

Photos copyright (C)2011 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

[Sources: CarDesignNews via Jalopnik, Saabs United]

Continue reading Video: Chris Bangle hassles Saab designer Jason Castriota over PhoeniX concept

Video: Chris Bangle hassles Saab designer Jason Castriota over PhoeniX concept

The holiday season is in full swing, and that means holiday parties are in no short supply, filled with people wearing horrible sweaters. It also means booze is readily available, and the opportunity to drive after having too much to drink is at fever pitch. According to a study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 30 million folks will drive drunk in an average year while another 10 million get behind the wheel under the influence of drugs. Approximately 13.2 percent of Americans over the age of 16 drove under the influence of alcohol this past year, and in some states, the amount of drunk drivers in the past year is well into the 20-percent range. A bit higher numbers than the eight percent of people who actually admit to boozing before turning the ignition key.

f you hit the road in Wisconsin, keep a sharp eye on the cars around you because 23.7 percent of drivers drove drunk this year. The same can be said for North Dakota where 22.4 percent of the driving population should have taken a cab. Rhode Island and Vermont are high on the list of states that prefer drugs to alcohol with 7.8 and 6.6 percent of drivers impaired by illicit drugs, respectively.

On the other end of the scale sit states like Utah and Mississippi that see just 7.4 and 8.7 percent of alcohol-impaired folks getting behind the wheel. New Jersey and Iowa, at 2.9 and 3.2 percent respectively, have the lowest rate of drivers operating an automobile while under the influence of drugs. It’s not all bad news however because the nationwide figure of 13.2 percent has declined from 14.6 percent of people driving while drunk. The number of folks driving while on drugs has also fallen with a previous average of 4.8 percent to this past years nationwide average of 4.3 percent.

[Source: SAMHSA Image: Corbis]

Continue reading Study: Over 13% of motorists drove drunk last year; Wisconsin, North Dakota worst

Study: Over 13% of motorists drove drunk last year; Wisconsin, North Dakota worst

Roundabouts are the scourge of many a motorist and a favorite calming device of traffic engineers, and they’re spreading like crazy across the United States roadscape. As anyone who’s had the joy of driving in Massachusetts or New Jersey will tell you, plenty of drivers have absolutely no idea when to yield or how to successfully navigate these rings of macadam.

According to The New York Times, the fertile Midwest has sprouted a bumper crop of these sometimes-confusing intersections, with 100 popping up in Wisconsin since 2004, and almost 100 blooming in Kansas, as well. Other states have a richness of roundabouts; Maryland has nearly 200, for example; and there’s more on the drawing board across the nation.

Despite a public that’s apparently skeptical of the change, there are plenty of positives to roundabouts. Speeds are low, and any crashes that do occur are less severe because the head-on collision is virtually eliminated. Emissions are also purportedly lower because there’s less starting and stopping (though drivers waiting in epic backups approaching these things might disagree), they don’t require electricity to operate and they keep traffic moving simultaneously in multiple directions. Since they do seem to be the favorite device of traffic engineers, roundabouts won’t be going away any time soon, so we’re all going to get the chance to try them out. Like brussels sprouts at Thanksgiving dinner, they might even turn out to not be so bad.

[Source: The New York Times Image: Una Smith via CC 2.0]

Report: Roundabouts proliferating in America, drivers confused

One of our favorite parts of SEMA every year is seeing the Ring Brothers’ latest creations, and they certainly didn’t disappoint this time around. The Wisconsin-based company brought out a custom 1970 Ford Mustang fastback that is one of the most stunning pony cars we’ve ever seen.

The car, nicknamed “Dragon,” features a Roush 427 IR V8 crate motor, five-speed Tremec transmission, Forgeline three-piece wheels, Flowmaster exhaust and a custom interior done by Upholstery Unlimited. The best part of the car, though, are the little details. For instance, the four point racing seat belts are held in place by a custom made billet jutting out from the rear seats, and many of the emblems and logos have been custom fabricated aluminum or carbon fiber. There isn’t a single part of the car that hasn’t been touched by the Ring Brothers’ magical hands, and the results are nothing short of impressive. Check out all of the car’s details in the gallery below.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

SEMA 2010: Ring Brothers 1970 Mustang is the king of restomods

Despite its recent financial woes and a bout with organized labor, Harley-Davidson is actually paying out dividends this quarter. If you happen to own some of the company’s common stock, you can expect to see a check in the mail for around ten cents a share. That’s not exactly money to retire on, but hey, last time we checked, no one turns down a free dime. As of this writing, Harley-Davidson, Inc. (HOG, NYSE) is trading at around $28.45 per share.

H-D recently went through a number of significant changes. After rumors spread that Harley-Davidson planned to leave Wisconsin in favor of greener labor pastures, the company’s unionized workforce renegotiated for terms that ensured the bike maker would stay up north for at least another seven years. Likewise, Harley sent its longtime advertising agency, Carmichael Lynch, packing.

[Source: Asphalt and Rubber]

Report: Harley-Davidson issuing stock dividend

After the dust-up surrounding Harley-Davidson’s rumored evacuation of Wisconsin, the motorcycle manufacturer has announced that it will be staying in the Midwest. Unionized employees voted on September 13 to keep production operations in both Tomahawk and Milwaukee right where they are. Three labor organizations ratified a new seven-year contract that will take effect once the current deal expires in April of 2012.

Earlier this year, Harley-Davidson began an assessment program to determine whether or not it would be in the company’s best interest to move production outside of Wisconsin, and they had even gone so far as to scope out a few likely new homes. However, the new labor contract agreements will allow for a $50 million savings by the end of 2013, making the company’s old plants more attractive than uprooting and starting new facilities elsewhere. Part of those savings come from the fact that by the time the new contract takes effect, the company will have 250 fewer full-time hourly unionized workers than what’s outlined under the current agreement.

While these and other restructuring changes will incur a number of one-time charges, Harley-Davidson is looking to see annual ongoing savings of anywhere between $290 million and $310 million. Hit the jump for the full press release.

[Source: Harley-Davidson]

Continue reading Harley-Davidson to Wisconsin: We ain’t goin’ nowhere

Harley-Davidson to Wisconsin: We ain’t goin’ nowhere

The achingly slow striptease of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe continues with a 47-second-long spot of the camo-clad coupe bearing just enough sheetmetal to keep us interested.

The multi-spoke wheels, drilled discs and quad-exhausts are the only elements not left to the imagination, but the extra vinyl aft of the front wheels is sure to hiding a set of M-style fender vents while a ducktail spoiler is fitted out back.

As for mechanicals, the smart money is still on an upgraded twin-turbocharged inline-six (N54), channeling over 335 horsepower through a manual gearbox and down to the rear wheels via a torque-vectoring M differential.

We’re hearing rumblings that the Coupe could be unveiled at next week’s Oktoberfest BMWCCA event in Wisconsin, but in the meantime, check out the latest teaser after the jump and scope the first vid in our previous post. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

Continue reading Video: BMW releases second 1 Series M Coupe teaser

Video: BMW releases second 1 Series M Coupe teaser