Driving Sports

Formula Drift Announces TV Package

Professional drifting will slide into millions of households as Formula DRIFT announces a comprehensive and exclusive race programming schedule with SPEED TV. The 2008 Formula DRIFT Championship Series will air on SPEED beginning on Sunday, October 26 and continue through December 21, 2008.

The eight-stop Formula DRIFT Championship Series and World Championship programs will air over nine Sundays during the 4 PM (EST) / 1 PM (PST) time slot. Sunday, November 30 will be a “bye” on the air schedule. Each episode will showcase one Round of the Championship Series beginning October 26 with Round 1 – “The Streets of Long Beach” and continue all the way through the National Championships and into the final episode showcasing the inaugural Formula DRIFT World Championships. Each episode will re-air during the week immediately following the initial broadcast.

Supercar Life Expands Options for Hot Rides

Supercar Life, the first adventure lifestyle company to offer drives of exotic cars on racetracks, is expanding its program lineup to appeal to hard core driving enthusiasts as well as to those who prefer to travel first class.

Supercar Life's new Track Package ($4,990) includes a full day piloting $1.5-million worth of supercars on premier tracks around the country. The Luxury Package ($5,690), formerly the only option, adds top-shelf accommodations, gourmet dinner and VIP ground transportation. Details and registration can be found at www.supercarlife.com or by calling 1.877.420.0090.

Be The First Guy On Your Block To Drive 800 MPH!

The biggest one-day sporting event of 2008 may well be the breaking of the Land Speed Record by the North American Eagle (NAE), a group of Canadians and Americans working together for a common goal; creating a 50,000 horsepower car that will travel faster than the speed of sound. This huge event will inspire people all over the world and re-ignite the spirit of every American and Canadian.

NAE is currently searching North America for a young man or woman that wants to be trained by veteran land speed racing driver and NAE co-owner, Ed Shadle, to be the fastest person on earth. NAE is seeking a person with experience in high-speed motorsports as well as experience being on camera and with speaking to large audiences.

Scion Hako - A Face Only A Mother Could Love

Scion unveiled its Hako Coupe Concept vehicle at a press conference today at the New York International Auto Show. Honestly, our first impression is that these guys have seen way too many '32 Ford sedan hot rods. But it's of a piece with the Ford Flex, so this must be the going thing at the New York Auto Show this year.

Scion's Hako Coupe was developed by Tokyo Design Division, which studied global, youth-inspired trends. Japanese and American youth cultures often influence each other and are interpreted with a unique twist. The Hako Coupe Concept was inspired by the iconic xB and the emergence of American vintage style among young Tokyo trendsetters.

First Drive, The New 2009 Subaru Forester

People love their Foresters. This is what the folks at Subaru kept reminding us throughout the presentation leading to our first drive of the all-new Crossover Utility Vehicle. Despite this love, there were a few things that owners wanted, like more room fore and aft and a bigger loading area. But if you are reading this, you want the straight dope, and you will want to know how the new range-topping XT 5-speed drives. I can’t tell you anything about this car because it does not exist. That’s right, the turbocharged, 2.5-liter EJ255-powered shoebox is only available with an automatic.

Now there will be some who will wail and moan that the 5-speed turbo is another special car that Subaru has killed all in the name of being more bean-counter friendly, and rightly so. Subaru never sold many 5-speed turbos, at times it was never more than 10 units a month nationally. 

Racing at the Arctic Circle

Greetings from the Arctic Circle!  For a brief, shining moment, there's Internet access here in Dawson City, Yukon, and so I decided to seize the day and let you know what we've been doing.

What we've been doing is tear-assing through Canada, overwhelming kitchens and bars that normally see about two tourists a week this time of year. And doing a little TSD Rally and Ice Racing on the side.

We spent the first day getting across the border (and only a few of us got strip-searched, as I understand it.) and spent the night in Quesnel, B.C.  Next day we rallied the Blackwater Road - a tight, twisty track through deep snow. We knew we weren't in Kansas any more when we chased a Moose off the road in front of us.

The third day, we crossed into the Yukon - stopping for lunch at a place called "Mamma Z's" (no relation, honest) - absolutely the best Italian Food in Dease Lake, B.C. - and that's no exagerration. We spend the night in White Horse - and the next day was Ice Racing.