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Ferrari Not a Circus Act During COTA Rain Delay Activities

October 28, 2015 by Shane Walters

Ferrari Not a Circus Act in Regards to Pit Road Play During USGP Rain Delay

Ferrari not a circus act this is Formula 1 says Ferrari Boss. Ferrari recently released statements in regards to the COTA pit lane play that teams took part in during the rain delay of the USGP. Cars could not enter the racing surface as Hurricane Patricia brought storms inland and halted the show.

Teams took to creating their own show via custom rowing boats, rain dancing and other forms of horseplay. The spontaneous form of entertainment was to entertain both themselves and the crowd who opted to stay and wait out the rain delay as rain filled their shoes. It was a nice spin to see the high tension sports of F1 suddenly become a free-spirit atmosphere. A new side of the real pit lane personalities that we don’t usually see.

Click here to view other rain delay photos

However, Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene is upset that others are having fun and is here to put them all in timeout. He has critiqued the other F1 teams saying this was not good for fans.

However, myself and the freezing but cheering Circuit of the Americas fans would very much disagree. That quote to me sounds like Ferrari might just being taking themselves a bit too serious. They come across, as usual, as the overly strict parent with a stick up their ass about everything.

Click here to read about the time Ferrari stopped DJ Deadmau5 and his Nyan Cat Ferrari

The following quotes are every bit of why I hate Ferrari, with a passion equal to those who love them. These pompous quotes and others like it are regularly spoken from the mouths of both Scuderia Ferrari and the auto maker themselves. It makes my blood pressure rise when I see Scuderia Ferrari step on the toes of the other teams and ask why are they having fun?

Here’s what Scuderia Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene had to say about rain activities at the USGP.

We are a Formula 1 team, not the Cirque du Soleil,” said Arrivabene. “It’s fine if somebody entertains the public, it’s absolutely fine.

But we signed autographs for all the people that were waiting, and we took some of the children in wheelchairs into our pit box.

We prefer to do these things, rather than simulating fishing and doing funny things for the TV. That is not really doing something for the fans.

– Maurizio Arrivabene

Well Mr. Maurizio as their asses are freezing on the soaked metal grandstands I’m sure it took a lot to convert their pain to laugher and cheers. Fans braved the lighting to watch the show. I sat comfortably from my living room and I’m here to tell you it was the most exciting part of the rain broadcast. I would like to say thank you to Sauber, Red Bull and the majority of the teams for entertaining me and millions of fans and fuck you to Ferrari who now shames people for having fun. I guess they are just upset that for once the cameras were not on their pit stalls and had to share the attention with the peasant teams.

Kimi Raikkonen says Ferrari is Not A Circus

Even Kimi Raikkonen hopped in on the pompous dialog. When asked why he did not take part in any of the pit-lane antics, Raikkonen said:

You want an honest answer? I think this is F1 and not the circus.

The people are obviously not happy when we’re not running but we cannot make them happy with whatever we do apart from running [on track] and we couldn’t give it because of the weather.

Sometimes, it’s no wonder when people start thinking about what F1 is, when these kind of things happen.

This was everyone’s choice but, for me, we are here racing and doing our work.

– Kimi Raikkonen

This comes from the same man who got drunk and fell off a boat at the Monaco Grand Prix several years ago. I love how Raikkonen speaks his mind, it’s my favorite part about him, there’s no filter. However, in this case his thoughts are just wrong.

This is exactly why I hate Ferrari as if I needed a new reason. I’ve decided to spend half my morning bashing them for putting all the other teams in timeout. I hope it goes viral and we all get to laugh at Ferrari together.

Written By: Shane Walters

Photos: F1

Integrated Roadways Smart Highway in Missouri

Integrated Roadways Smart Highway Photos

August 28, 2015 by Shane Walters

Missouri Smart Highway Project on I-70 by Integrated Roadways

The ultra futuristic Missouri smart highway project is gaining steam. The project has been proposed by Integrated Roadways designer and engineer Tim Sylvester. It’s the solution to a big problem that myself and all Missouri transporters are fully aware of, our roads are bloody pot-holey trash.

Why is this smart highway so awesome? The roads are no longer just poured concrete. These pre-fabricated slabs are embedded with intelligent transportation systems. Beyond technology, it’s cheaper to build and cheaper to maintain.

What does that mean? It means our roads could have technology matching and beyond our smart phones.

It won’t play ‘Orange is the New Black’ on Netflix but the road itself could report the condition of the roads lying ahead. This technology includes Wi-Fi built into the road itself so if we want to get technical it could play previously mentioned jail show. If the kids need Wi-Fi to update their Tumblr page on the family trip from St. Louis to Kansas City, than you can pay a fee and get it from the concrete below.

The roads could also be heated for quick snow & ice removal. Not only does ice cause cracks, traffic and accidents but so do snow trucks. If the road heats itself, none of that applies and roads now last much longer, 4 times longer as claimed by Integrated Roadways.

Wireless EV charging is also possible. Telsa has taken off in recent years, even in the MidWest. So those battery powered machines could charge on the go, the days of the recharge station could come to an end.

Driverless cars and trucks could take action on a 200 mile stretch between Kansas City and St. Louis. Corporations would likely embrace this technology with open arms. A large portion or all of the road bills could be taken care of via subscriptions for allowing driverless trucks.

In fact, most of these above services above could be subscription based. Meaning the road could very literally pay for itself as car technology catches up to the road beneath.

A majority of the transporters will use the road free of charge as most of us lames lack electric or driverless cars. As more and more people have these things regular transporters will pay less and less in terms of tax dollars or worse the proposed toll booths.

The construction speed is about five times faster than traditional pavement

– Tim Sylvester

It sounds futuristic, which it is. However, the future is here and it should be embraced especially when it’s cheaper. The technology has already been installed on a stretch of Interstate 35 and a new building at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

As a Missouri native myself I can tell you first hand MO isn’t known for embracing modern design of any sort. I could strongly argue that in 1972 modern architecture was officially rejected by St Louis residents as Pruitt-Ego came crumbling down but that’s another story entirely. However, we can still flip that entire script and prove hick stereotypes to be false.

The possibilities are endless for the smart road technology. As technology improves, which it will, software can be updated and new systems could launch immediately. It’s adaptable.

Tim Sylvester told the Kansas City Business Journal that IntegratedRoadways estimates a smart highway would cost $3.6 billion. That price is within MoDOT’s range of $500 million to $4 billion for road repair. A smart highway, which uses precast concrete slabs, is faster to install and has a longer life than a traditional highway, which means reduced maintenance costs, he said. An estimated 40% savings on road construction and repair.

MoDot doesn’t know where they will find the money to repair the crumbling roads in Missouri. The problem is now thousands of miles long. This smart highway solution by Integrated Roadways and Kansas City resident Tim Sylvester is cheaper and could offer adaptable integrated subscription services, what are we waiting for exactly?

Author: Shane Walters

Integrated Roadways Smart Highway Photos

Integrated Roadways Smart Highway Video

Tim Sylvester Presents Smart Pavement for I-70 Highway Project

Photo/Video Source: Integrated Roadways

Tony Stewart Sprint Car Crash Kills Driver Kevin Ward Jr

Tony Stewart Sprint Car Crash Reportedly Kills Driver ( Crime Scene Tape )

August 10, 2014 by Shane Walters

NASCAR Driver Tony Stewart Sprint Car Crash Kills Kevin Ward Jr

Tony Stewart sprint car crash has taken a turn for the worst as Kevin Ward Jr has been pronounced dead. It happened at Canandaigua Motorsports Park and details are somewhat limited. Here’s what we know.

Scroll below to watch the Tony Stewart Sprint Car Crash video.

The Ontario County Sheriff’s Department would not identify the driver but said he was pronounced dead on arrival Saturday night at a hospital in Canandaigua.

Tony Stewart and 20 year old sprint car driver Kevin Ward Jr tangled in what looks like a slide job gone wrong. Kevin Ward then ran out of track, slid into the wall, cut a tire and nearly flipped.

Ward then exited his mangled car, helmet still on to show his displeasure with Tony Stewart. Kevin Ward Jr pointed as Stewart drove by under caution laps. However, it was the first caution lap. That’s important because the cars were still falling into line and slowing down. Yes, they were going slower than race pace but the sprint car field in it’s entirety was not at caution speed just yet.

Tony Stewart hit the gas as the driver approached. Fish tailing his sprint car into the standing driver. However, after watching the video below multiple times, in ultra slow motion, I really don’t think it’s that simple. The details of what happened next is very much debatable and it will be a discussion for years to come.

I think Tony Stewart hit the gas to avoid Kevin Ward Jr it was not to scare or provoke him as many have said. When the non-racing fans jump on board the conversation, this will become the frustrating part to explain. Here’s a short note directed directly at those people, your Mustang street car drives nothing like any race car, especially a dirt sprint car. In sprint car racing, if you hit the gas it helps steer the car to the left.

If you watch the video, very close, Kevin Ward Jr was walking far down the track, in an attempt to grab full attention of NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart. Ward walked so far down the track it looks like the blue car, just in front of stewart (name unknown) also almost hit Ward. It appeared to me like the blue car even made a slight movement around Ward as he went past. Ward then took a few more steps, walking further down the track for the next car in line, Tony Stewart.

Kevin Ward Jr was also wearing an all black racing suit on a dimly lit dirt track. Kevin Ward Jr took a jump in front of Stewart just before Stewart got there, almost like he was trying to make him stop. Ward tried to jump back very quickly but there wasn’t enough time. I think Stewart saw him at the last second and did his best to avoid him.

Kevin Ward Jr left it to the reaction time of Tony Stewart to avoid him. Anyone who tells you that Tony Stewart hit Kevin Ward Jr on purpose needs a serious talking to. No racing driver on this planet would ever hit another standing driver purposely.

Either way, Kevin Ward Jr went flying and twirling through the air in a very upsetting sight. You can see the Tony Stewart sprint car crash video below. Warning the video is very graphic.

Kevin Ward Jr lay motionless on the track. Emergency was dispatched immediately and the driver was taken to the hospital. He was then pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital at 11:15 PM.

It’s a terrible tragic incident that could have easily been avoided. The entire motorsports community send thoughts and prayers with the Ward family.

Fans at Canandaigua Motorsports Park were cleared from the speedway grandstands. The police investigation of the Tony Stewart sprint car crash with Kevin Ward Jr went underway immediately.

Sheriff Philip Povero says the 42-year-old Stewart was “fully cooperative” as he was questioned and released. Povero said multiple times the investigation is not criminal. In the press conference he also mentioned that this had happened at that very speedway before.

Roughly three hours after the accident in New York, Donny Schatz, a sprint car driver for Tony Stewart Racing, won the prestigious Knoxville Nationals in Iowa for an eighth time. Stewart had spent much of the earlier part of the week trackside in Iowa watching his drivers compete.

“I was just told there was an incident involving Tony. I don’t know to what extent or what’s happening,” Schatz said.

Today, Tony Stewart is scheduled to race in Watkins Glen, NY. Tony Stewart Racing announced that Tony Stewart will race today. However, he is scheduled to start 13th, the same number on Kevin Wade Jr’s sprint car.

Tony Stewart has announced he will address the media at some point before today’s NASCAR event at Watkins Glen International.

UPDATE: 3 hours later Tony Stewart said he would sit out this week at Watkins Glen.

Click here for additional updates on the Tony Stewart sprint car crash with Kevin Ward Jr. The link contains statements from both NASCAR as well as Tony Stewart.

Author: Shane Walters

Tony Stewart Sprint Car Crash Kills Driver Kevin Ward Jr Video

Tony Stewart Sprint Car Crash Kills Driver ( Photos )

Video: YouTube

25 Year Rule White House Petition Allow Skyline GT-R

DOT:EPA 25 Year Rule White House Petition Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 Wallpaper

August 8, 2014 by Shane Walters

25 Year Rule White House Petition In Place

Read about the 25 Year Rule White House Petition here. Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 and R33 fans of the United States get excited as petition hits the web.

Most Nissan Skyline GT-R fans have come across the idea of owning one at some point in their life. You quickly find out there is a huge hurdle just getting one across the border. It’s near impossible.

If you’re one of the lucky few who can make it happen, illegally. Everyday after you risk the Skyline GT-R being impounded and crushed, for no good reason.

It’s illegal to bring a Skyline GT-R into the United States if it’s not at least 25 years old. There are very expensive ways around this. Such as shipping the car in as individual parts in different containers from Japan. Then assembling it yourself in America as a kit car. From that point, some have even registered it.

However, showing the true incompetence of the Department of Motor Vehicles, this still doesn’t make it legal. Registering your Skyline GT-R only tells the feds exactly where the Skyline’s are. Likely it will some day be crushed when they get good and ready to come collect a batch of them. Every few years you’ll see headlines about a batch of Skyline’s being crushed.

You could label it as a car for show purposes only and never drive it on public roads. Even then you have hurdles, it’s a mess.

Just this year the 1989 Skyline became legal. The problem is, this is a car with a strong cult like following. The prices on the 1989 Skyline’s went through the roof in Canada. People began buying them instantly and bringing them in from Canada.

Several people purchased them month ahead of January 1st. The cars then sat in storage containers at the shipping yard until it was legal to drive them off the lot.

If the official White House petition hits 100,000 the United States President Barack Obama will have to address the issue. Right now it has nearly 35,000 signatures. 65,000 more are needed in the next month to make it happen.

It’s beyond silly to crush a car for really no good reason. They say you can’t fix stupid but lets give it a try.

Author: Shane Walters

The DOT/EPA 25 Year Rule White House Petition Info

The Motor Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988 ended import of grey-market vehicles to the USA. No evidence was presented that grey-import vehicles’ safety performance differed significantly from that of US models.

* Differences between U.S. vehicle and the rest of the car producing world are shrinking all the time. Most 15-year-old cars coming from Canada, Europe, or Japan will not be significantly different in safety or emissions

* Importers of grey-market vehicles have been targeted by monies taxpayers have intended to be used to secure our country against terrorist activity.

*There’s no reason why rules couldn’t be relaxed with no real detriment to safety or environment.

The DOT/EPA 25 Year Rule White House Petition Link

Click here to cast your vote on the DOT/EPA 25 Year Rule White House Petition.

The DOT/EPA 25 Year Rule White House Petition ( Nissan GT-R Photos )

Lamborghini Police Car

May 24, 2014 by Shane Walters

Lamborghini Police Car Huracn LP 610-4 Polizia Car

Lamborghini Police Car When Things Go Wrong

The Lamborghini Police Car shown below takes all the fun out of owning that new Ferrari FXX, purchased for 1.5 million euros. You thought you were in the clear from the man and any stubborn authority figure. Now, you’re laying face down chewing into the dirt with a knee pressed to your back.

Let’s backup and I’ll set the nightmare scenario for you. You’re an italian wine maker who just hit the lottery courtesy of your new batch of fancy grapes.

Now you can comfortably purchase that shiny new Ferrari. Perhaps a matte Ferrari if you’re up on the latest design trend. You’ve been staring through the window at that Ferrari FXX since you were little. Now, you get to own one of your own.

You walk into the dealership door, decline the cheese and the wine. After all you can’t enjoy your wanker competitor wine makers product. Cheese just doesn’t work without wine. Besides is it really a good idea to drink and drive off in your new supercar? Who’s idea was this anyway?

The cash only purchase puts you driving out of the lot in your Ferrari. Stepping on it is the only option. If you didn’t already wreck.

A complete lack of understanding when it comes to the led lit traction control button can get you in trouble. If all fenders remain then you’re on your way to the highway.

160mph later, those other cars are like a Caterham F1 car in qualifying. Those things are flat in the way. The freeway shoulder is now a passing lane. Cops, what cops? I can’t be caught. Helicopters cant even catch me, vigilantly.

A dot in the rearview is getting bigger. That’s not possible, what’s this?

It’s a baby blue Lamborghini coming into view via the rearview mirror. You guess the feisty guy wants to race so to high gear you go. Lights come on. You’re being pulled over by the Lamborghini Police Car and now you’re laying aside the highway with a load of dirt in your face.

That Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 Polizia really killed your fun. What a terrible day. That Lamborghini Police Car really is a vigilante’s nightmare.

Don’t sweat it though, other than the possibility of your now revoked license you’ll be ok, off with community service.

Author: Shane Walters ( Racing News Network )

Lamborghini Police Car Photos