Save General Motors!

I'm am sure by now, everyone has seen the failure of the Auto Industry (Not a Bailout) Loan. Like many of you. I myself work in the auto industry and am very scared about the goings on in both Washington and Detroit. Now is the time to put aside personal differences and bias to a particular manufacturer.

The U.S. Auto Industry is the backbone of America. The auto industry stepped up to the plate at the beginning of World War 2. They stepped up after 9/11. Killing the Auto Loan Bill in Washington is killing the American Spirit at its best. Both General Motors and Chrysler have begun to seek bankruptcy lawyers. Can you picture a world with GM? I can't.

Detroit lost their chance by a simple 8 votes. Now is the time to stand up an be heard. This is OUR time to make history. It is time for us as U.S. citizens to make a difference. http://www.savegm.org/ is a grassroots campaign started by a friend. All proceeds go directly to General Motors. It may not be much, but at times like this. Every little bit counts.

We have arrived at the end of the road. The U.S. Auto Industry Officially Dead

It's not often that you will get a rant out of me like this.

Thanks to our wonderfully stupid, thinking nothing but themselves politicians in Washington. And the lying folks over at the UAW. The United States Automobile Industry is now dead in the water.

8 Votes. 8 Votes. That's all they needed to get the 60 required for the government to get some much needed cash to the Big 3. 8 Votes.

52 ayes, 35 nays. We find it unbelieveable that there are that many uneducated and uninformed people in our government. "We don't want to have to take this money from our taxpayers" one Congressman said. Uhm, aren't the people who work for GM, Ford and Chrysler taxpayers? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that the lineworkers and other folks working for the Big 3, would want to keep their jobs. Surely they wouldn't mind.

The Asian markets are already falling. In a few short hours Wallstreet and the European markets will open. And surely mass chaos will ensue.

We're absolutely at a loss for words with this one. This is it. Game over.

Breaking News: Acting and Racing Legend Paul Newman dead at 83

Few can claim the great success that Paul Newman was able to gain in 83 years. A 50 year marriage, a successful food line with all proceeds going to charity, acclaimed Oscar winning actor, philanthropist, and avid race car driver and enthusiast.

Paul Newman lived life to it's fullest. He retired from acting in 2006. And had quietly battled with cancer for the last few years.

Newman became an avid race enthusiast after staring in 1969's "Winning". Throughout the 1970s he raced at many races including a 2nd place finish at the 24 hours of LeMans. And became the oldest member of a winning team at age 70 at the 1995 24 hours of Daytona.


In 1983 he went on to partner with Carl Haas and Michael Lanigan to form Newman, Haas, Lanigan Racing. And competed in the Champ Car Series.


Last month Lime Rock Park was closed for a few hours so that Newman could take a few final laps in his GT1 Chevrolet Corvette race car.

Newman is survived by his wife of 50s years Joanne Woodward, two daughters, and eight grand children. His son Scott passed away in 1978.

Words fail to capture what Paul Newman was able to do. But his impact on the world will live on forever. God Speed Paul.

Racing legend Phil Hill 1927-2008

The racing world has just got a little bit sadder today. We have been informed that car racing legend Phil Hill has passed away at the age of 81 after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Mr Hill was widely known for his victories over his 20 year racing career. Including the 3 wins at 24 Hours of LeMans, the Italian Grand Prix, and the Belgian Grand Prix. In 1961 he was honored with being the first American to win the Formula One World Drivers Championship. Many of his wins were with Ferrari.

Phil Hill retired from racing in 1967. And had the honor of being one of the few drivers that have won both their first and last races of their careers. After retirement he had a business restoring antique and classic cars. He has also worked as a comentator for ABC's Wide World of Sports and as a contributing editor for Road & Track magazine.

Hill's assistance was also sought by Caroll Shelby and the Ford Motor Company to help develop the Ford GT40 and Shelby Daytona Coupe.

Hill will be sadly missed. He was truly one of the greats in racing from the days when racing was racing. God Speed Phil Hill!

Finally! Top Gear launches official YouTube page.

There's no denying how popular Top Gear has become worldwide. Through it's monthly magazine and the hugely sucessful TV show. The BBC has a winner. Well now the BBC and YouTube have made an agreement to have exclusive Top Gear TV clips hosted on YouTube.com.

So now you don't have to worry about posting your favorite clip and having it removed. So sit back, relax, and watch The Stig, Clarkson, Hampster, and Captain Slow do what they do best.

Top Gear YouTube Channel.

Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix 2008: Italian Car Fun!

It's not to often, unless you live in Los Angeles that you get to see Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Alfas, and Maseratis all mixed together out in the wild. For the 26th Annual Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, all of these marqes along with Fiat and some of the lesser known Italian brands had the spotlight as marque of the year. To see a Ferrari F40, 308 GT4 2+2, 308 GTS, 365 GTB/4 Daytonas, Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, Maserati Quattropotrtes, etc, is a sight to see. The marque of the year brought out over 100 of the finest Italian cars to the event. Enjoy the gallery of pictures.

Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Gallery

GM to discontinue Hummer brand? And close more plants

Now surely there a vehicles much more fuel efficient than the Hummer H2 right? Of course. So many in fact that we haven't seen an H2 actually driving on the road in well over 3 weeks. I caught wind of this little quote in an article released by the Associated Press this morning. GM CEO Rick Wagoner has announced the closing of 4 more GM plants in the United States and Mexico.

This is in efforts to save GM an additional $1 billion a year by 2010. By 2010 GM is hoping to have cut costs by $15 billion a year. The plants affected are Oshawa, Ontario; Moraine, Ohio; Janesville, Wis.; and Toluca, Mexico. The closing of these plants eliminates 2500 jobs, but in an act of good faith. They can return later this year thanks to 19,000 buyouts and early retirments that will leave towards the end of 2008.

Now what caugt me, was the mention of GM discontinuing the Hummer brand. It's mentioned by GM, but is not quoted anywhere in the article by Rick Wagoner. Of course it's no surprise since gas is nearly $5 a gallon in parts of the country. And the shift to smaller, economical cars is permanent said Wagoner.

But what about Hummer? You'd figure if the CEO actually dropped this bomb in an interview with MSN that there would be a quote in there somewhere outlying the fate of Hummer. So who knows how much truth there is to the article other than the plant closings, confirmation of high gas prices, and yet another confirmation that we'll see the Chevy Volt in 2010. We'll keep following this one til we get some answers. In the meantime, here's the article. Read it and draw your on conclusions as to how AP missed this one.

Source: MSN

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