Farewell Bloggers

As the semester comes to a close, so does my blog. It went alot better than I thought it would, and sadly I began to enjoy doing it. 

Informing the unenthused drivers of my class has been rather eye-opening, and has allowed me to reflect on how I consider my audience when writing. 

I do regret not posting more about different fuel sources and their effects on modern transportation, such as my recent posts on the benefits of diesel. It would have allowed me to broaden my audience to more of an eco-aware group of readers and their opinions, possibly teaching me a thing or two.

Then again, I feel like I've opened many eyes to a very diverse scene of racing. From Formula 1 to vintage racing on a weekend, hopefully someone can look farther than just NASCAR, when they talk about racing. Hopefully a couple of people have taken my advice, and dropped the phone, while driving, causing less danger on the road. 

It is from here I must come to a close, end the season.

Did I finish on the podium,... or did I crash into the wall in a fiery flame? You decide.

Speaking of Diesels

Autoblog just reviewed the BMW 335d, a 3.0L twin turbo diesel that is slated for the states. Their words were very enthusiastic towards the powerplant, stating that it was a great car for racking up the miles on the highway. Passing speed is fast and effortless, and even driving at 80, they were seeing over 30m.p.g. 

While the power delivery may be different from what our gasoline motors have gotten us used to, the diesel is actually much more suited to American driving. Low-revving at high speed, and torquey for putting in traffic.

The testers at Autoblog did have a few negative comments about the car, but most of those had to do with the interior and how quick the options added to the cost of the car. 

So, how about it? Would you consider a diesel, now?

You can read the review for yourself at: http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/10/review-2009-bmw-335d-proves-efficient-dynamics-is-more-entert/ 

Malaysian Grand Prix

Well, the Malaysian Grand Prix aired today, but was cut short due to torrential rain. The very new Brawn team is proving to be quite an epic team, winning it's second first place finish in a row. 

For the first time, since 1984, the F1 top eight finisher will only recieve half points for their finishing positions, becuase of the rain cutting the race short by over half the race. 

Eventhough it was short, the race proved to be exciting while it lasted, with very competetive side-by-side racing. This season's proving to become one of the best in recent years.

Check out the gallery of photos at autoblog to see the flood that occured: http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-malaysian-grand-prix/

Diesel

Diesel. It's been widely used throughout Europe for some time, but it has never really caught on here in the states.

In Europe gas prices can be as much as five times what we pay for a gallon of gas. When the price spikes in fuel occured earlier this year, and we were complaining about $4/gallon gas, they suffered worse. So, while we were scrambling to pick up Civics and little eco-cars, the Europeans weren't quite as frantic. "Why?", you may ask.

In Europe, countries are not as distant as they are in the United States, allowing for very easy and economical means of transport by train. If you've been to New York City, you know many people rarely ever need a car, because the subway system is so much more practical. That is what the European train system is to Europe. And, when the need to have a car is inevitable, Europeans have a more reasonable approach to buying cars. Instead of large, heavy cars and SUVs, they purchase very small, light cars with small motors that return great fuel mileage.

Here is where diesel comes in. Even though they are sometimes chattery, noisy at idle, and sometimes lacking in power bandwidth, diesels can return incredible feul mileage. This is a big deal when gas costs easily $5-7 USD.

You would think that diesel would've been huge in the States when gas prices soared, but it didn't really come into stride. Even after people realized they could run on home-made vege-fuel. Too messy, I guess, when you have to store it in your home somewhere. I mean, the diesel truck driver may have gotten good use out of the new technology, but the diesel CAR never really took off. 

I believe this is because of two things. First, for many years it has been hard for diesels to pass certain emmisions tests, especially in California, and if it can't go to California, chances are it won't make it to the states. This has given diesels a bad reputation of being dirty, and in the past decade's sudden global environmental crisis, we can't use dirty anymore. Secondly, the recent implementation of hybrids and electric battery powered vehicles has deterred the idea of making cleaner and more efficient motors. Except for a select few auto manufactures: VW and Audi.

VW use to be the only diesel car option for the states. It can be modified to return 50+ m.p.g. Audi has made huge strides in diesel technology with their LeMans race car. They have even had campaigns to raise awareness and interest in diesel cars, and I think people are warming up to the idea. Mercedes and BMW offers their clean diesel, which utilizes urea pellets to clean greenhouse gases. They don't drive too bad, either. They're torquey, which is great for around town, return great mileage, and manufacturers have quieted them down quite a bit. 

"Well, if they're so great, why do I barely see them growing?"

With stringent emissions rulings becoming ever more stringent, and the push for less dependancy on oil, many feel diesel is just not the answer to the larger problem.

Not to worry though! Audi is still planning to bring a few diesels to the states, and I've read news about Mazda readying a diesel that is clean sans the urea injection.

Ahh, just the way I like it, MEAN, and green.

Questionable Question?

I came across this article (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/uptospeed/2009/03/black-car-ban.html) about CARB looking to push for more reflective paints, so as to keep cars cooler. Their reasoning was that the cooler a car stays, the less A/C needs to be used, which in turn would use less fuel. 

One of the big things that came up was that black just wasn't reflective enough, and wouldn't be able to meet such a standard if implemented, but a recent statement calmed many fears of a ban on the color black in the near future.

Now, if you don't know, CARB (California Air Resource Board), is a division in California for emissions regulations (Green Freaks).

Well, I got curious, and looked up the board members, and credentials. Only one person was listed as automotive related. What really sucks about this sort of thing is the lack of knowledge dictating what should be allowed, and what should be banned. 

If you read in the article they want windows to come from the factory with a coating to keep your car cooler, but the last time I checked that is what some decent window tint was for. And coatings. Coatings are ussually chemicals, and I doubt any chemical mixed coating they want to spray on these windows are going to be natural in the least.

Then, they have this huge focus on energy saving, but they will not be open minded to diesel technology, which could provide nearly twice the fuel mileage of gas engines. Instead of encouraging the use of diesel, they claim that it is  filthy and is harmful to the environment. 

Another thing that I don't like, is the fact that they go around claiming that anything that has a chemical in it is bad for women and children, and the elderly, and the planet. But guess what? Everything has chemicals in it. 

I read an article on their websites front page, and it stated that air pollution caused more allergies. I say bull-shit. I think the whole clean freak, lack of exposure to anything causes more allergies in children. They can't build an immunity to particulates and dust, because you have that HEPA vacuum, A/C, and Lysol wiped everything in your house. A little dirt and dust never killed anyone.

What scares me is the fact that these people have the potential power to ruin the automobile. They could implement unrealitic policies that would, and could have already taken its effect on the industry.

It's just like what our teacher said about our government law makers not knowing enough about technologies. They have no business enforcing what they do not understand. 

I'm going to end this on a final note. Hydrogen is the answer. It is ready. It is efficient. It just needs an infrastructure to be set in place. Why it hasn't started already, is probably because of dirty money and politics, but it will have to come at some point. Hopefully sooner than later.  

Drift Genesis

Here's a cool look at the new Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Rhys Millen will be driving for the 2009 season of drifting. 

He gives a thorough look around, and gives a good description for what has and can be done to the car for racing purposes. 

Millen used to drive a Pontiac Solstice, but after his contract with Pontiac expired, Hyundai came to him with a proposal for their new, affordable, rear wheel drive coupe. 

Although I am not ecstatic about the looks, it's hard to beatthe value. The Genesis Coupe only costs a touch over 20K, and can be had with either a V-6, or a turbo 4.Tuners will eat it up, and they plan on selling a track pack version of the car.

Sounds good to me.

Stunt 101

I thought this was pretty neat. Who doesn't like to learn a trick or two every now and then? Hey, maybe it'll help you get away from the badies...if such a case were ever to happen. You never know!