crummer

Race is live on Speed @ 230am, but wanted to get thoughts on the race. Will 7 time champion Schumacher get another podium? Will Mercedes finally be able to capitalize on their qualifying position? Will the new Ferrarber chassis return the prancing horse to a contender? How many ppl will Kimi pass on the way to a top 5 finish? Does banging Nicole Shirtzinger chill out Lewis Hamilton enough for a podium? Lettuce discuss...

Agreed, the only way to watch those early morning ones. I have mine set to record longer and it just caught the end of the race. However it stopped before the post race news conference.

^ after it stopped raining the teams almost ran their intermediate tires down to the cords. It just one of those cool F1 moments when no one knew what to do. Then one guy comes in for slicks and starts cracking off laps 4 to 5 seconds faster. I was pissed when Schumi got spun, but to watch him still beat Vettel and Button was still somewhat satisfying.

Is it me or do the Ford GT's seem to be relatively stable at 200+ mph? It seems like allot of design work went into the aerodynamics.

I was so pulling for S. Perez. I would have loved to see the Ferrari sister car chase down the pride of Maranello. That being said, Alonso was able to maximize his good fortune even though the car looks like a pig on ice. Just goes to show you he is still a great driver. Massa is done, he is so cooked in the head (maybe sprung in the head) I don't think he can mentally recover at this point. Kimi is looking solid, I think it is great he is back in F1 Shumi still can't put it all together, the car looks more suited to his style as he is outpacing Rosberg, but the gremlins keep preventing him from translating qualifying pace to race pace The new aero rules show how well developed the blown diffuser was on last year's Adrian Newey Red Bull car. McClaren are the clear front runners and have the best looking car (no step nose) on the grid. With 6 former champions on the grid, I am looking forward to watching what happens this season. As it stands now, 4 to 5 of the champs have a strong car and have a legit shot at a title. Sux that the next race is in 3 weeks.

11/32 < 20/32 < 24/32 or 11/32 < 5/8 < 3/4 However you want to look at it the stronger the foundation and floor, the more weight it will hold over time.

NA, 450hp V8 with a 8K+ rev limit. Sounds like that thing will pull forever and you will only need to shift half as much. The weight distribution is also interesting, maybe they made more of an effort to dial out under-steer?

How so? The MB, P-car, & BMW's cover less miles in a year than the Yotas, Chevys, and Fords. Therefore the probability of the least expensive group to have an accident is greater than the costlier group based on the number of miles driven a year.

Another way to look at this would be the number of miles driven by the two groups in a given year. I would argue that the costlier group covers less miles in a given year than the lesser cost group. So less miles per year begins to make the cost per mile exponentially expensive.

Intresting that there is not a single American made car on the top 20 most expensive. All of them are German with the exception of one Japanese car. On the other hand, the inexpensive autos are 11 American, 6 Japanese, and 3 Korean. I feel this survey was somewhat limited in scope, maybe based on number produced by the manufacture. I was suprised to NOT see a Corvette on here, especially with new models clearing the $100K mark.

Audi R8! Insurance companies don't seem to like the euros...... Car insurance comparison: The most and least expensive 2012 vehicles to insure By Emmet Pierce, Insure.com If you want to drive a flashy new car that turns heads and gives you an adrenaline rush when you step on the gas, you'll have to reach deeper into your pocket to pay for auto insurance. In Insure.com's 2012 rankings of the most and least expensive vehicles to insure, we found that high-priced cars with powerful engines and European pedigrees come with the highest car insurance quotes. The reasons: More crashes, higher repair bills and expensive injuries. Americans have long associated car styles with personal image. You may view the vehicle you drive as an extension of your personality. When you get behind the wheel of an expensive car, people form an impression of your personal worth and social status. Practical cars such as minivans are more economical, but they don’t have the same bragging rights. We surveyed auto insurance rates for more than 900 vehicles in the 2012 model year. This year’s least expensive vehicle to insure: The four-cylinder Toyota Sienna LE minivan. At the other end of the road is the 2012 Audi R8 Spyder Quattro convertible. With an MSRP north of $160,000, this 10-cylinder two-seater is the most expensive car to insure in this model year. See the top and bottom 20 rankings below, or use the tool above to explore all data. Average annual rates shown are for comparative purposes and are based on a specific driver profile. (See methodology below.) Too sexy for my car The Toyota Sienna LE carries the least expensive average auto insurance rate Geoffrey Miller, an evolutionary psychologist and associate professor at the University of New Mexico, says your choice of car says a lot about the way you perceive yourself. Driving a sporty car may be just another way of saying, "Hey, look at me, I'm really cool," especially for men, he says. "We know from biology that males typically are more ardent about displaying all sorts of sexual ornaments to attract mates, ranging from the peacock's tale to the gorilla's muscles to the human's luxury goods," Miller says. "I suspect these cars are bought disproportionally by single guys or guys whose marital commitment is not 100 percent.” He also points out, “It is why young single males are the most dangerous drivers, because they are on the mating market." Signs of success The Audi R8 Spyder Quattro Convertible carries the most expensive average auto insurance rate If driving a hot sports car says you are seeking status and attention, what does driving a cheap-to-insure minivan say about you? "A minivan says, ‘I am happily married with kids,’” says Miller. "It says, 'I am not on the mating market. I care more about safety than flash.'" Jill Bookman, CEO of Cherry Hill, N.J.-based American Collectors Insurance, insures new, limited-production cars and classic automobiles. She says for most buyers, it’s all about chasing the dream. "The reason people want to own a car that lightens their wallet by $100,000 is because it is … a physical representation of success. You have the wherewithal to purchase something that everyone knows is an expensive car." Choosing a flashy sports car can be a quest for status, but there are exceptions, says Elizabeth Lombardo, a psychologist based in Chicago. Some people genuinely value the added quality that luxury cars offer. "For some people it's ‘This car is so comfortable and it drives so nicely,’" she says. "It's not, 'Hey, look what I can afford!'" Jim Whittle, assistant general counsel of the American Insurance Association trade group, points out the economic realities of insuring luxury cars. "Oftentimes they are expensive because [manufacturers] only produce a certain amount of those vehicles,” he says. “Sometimes they are made with handmade parts. The cost to repair is a big driver in the cost to insure a vehicle." Least expensive vehicles to insure (2012) Rank Vehicle Cyl. Nat'l annual avg. rate 1 Toyota Sienna LE 4 $1,111 2 Toyota Sienna 4 $1,114 3 Jeep Patriot Sport 4 $1,116 4 Jeep Compass Sport 4 $1,118 5 GMC Sierra K1500 Regular Cab 6 $1,121 6 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Regular Cab 6 $1,125 7 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 6 $1,129 8 Ford Escape XLS 4 $1,137 9 Toyota Sienna 6 $1,139 10 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Extended Cab 6 $1,143 11 Dodge Journey SXT 6 $1,143 12 Honda Odyssey LX 6 $1,146 13 Kia Sportage 4 $1,151 14 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 4 $1,152 15 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport 6 $1,154 16 Nissan Frontier S King Cab 4 $1,162 17 Nissan Frontier SV King Cab 4 $1,163 18 Hyundai Tucson GL 4 $1,166 19 Ford Escape XLT 4 $1,167 20 GMC Canyon 4 $1,167 Most expensive vehicles to insure (2012) Rank Vehicle Cyl. Nat'l annual avg. rate 1 Audi R8 Spyder Quattro Convertible 10 $3,384 2 Mercedes CL600 Coupe 12 $3,307 3 Mercedes S600 12 $2,948 4 Audi R8 4.2 Quattro Coupe 8 $2,903 5 Porsche Panamera Turbo 8 $2,738 6 BMW 750i Hybrid 8 $2,701 7 Porsche 911 Turbo Convertible 6 $2,674 8 Porsche 911 Turbo S Convertible 6 $2,674 9 Mercedes CL65 AMG Coupe 12 $2,669 10 BMW 750Li Hybrid 8 $2,641 11 Mercedes SL63 AMG Convertible 8 $2,615 12 Mercedes CL63 AMG Coupe 8 $2,613 13 Jaguar XKR Supercharged Convertible 8 $2,585 14 Mercedes S63 AMG 8 $2,542 15 Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe 8 $2,532 16 Audi A8 L Quattro 12 $2,513 17 Mercedes SL550 Convertible 8 $2,458 18 Nissan GT-R Coupe Turbo 6 $2,457 19 BMW 750XI 8 $2,446 20 BMW 750i 8 $2,430 Survey methodology Insure.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to provide a report of average auto insurance rates. We calculated rates using data for six large carriers (Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, Nationwide, Progressive and State Farm) in 10 ZIP codes per state. Not all models were available, especially exotic cars. Averages are based on insurance for a single 40-year-old male who commutes 12 miles to work each day, with policy limits of 100/300/50 ($100,000 for injury liability for one person, $300,000 for all injuries and $50,000 for property damage in an accident) and a $500 deductible on collision and comprehensive coverage. This hypothetical driver has a clean record and good credit. The rate includes uninsured motorist coverage. Average rates are for comparative purposes. Your own rate will depend on personal factors. More from Emmet Pierce here

To which the officer goes, "I didn't know you were stupid." To be perfectly honest, automobiles are the safest they have ever been at speed. Problem is, drivers don't drive anymore. They talk, text, talk with hands, or are just on another planet... Driving is no longer driving any longer, it is a short vacation to the next destination....

Could take a page out of the WV drivers manual under passing on the interstate. They run a limit of 70mph. Speeds on Interstates You should never drive faster than the legal speed limit. Do not drive slower than 55 mph on an interstate unless the weather or road conditions are bad or a lower speed has been posted. Always drive at a steady speed. When you drive on interstates at a speed much slower than other drivers, you create a hazard. Accidents may happen because other drivers may be forced to change lanes abruptly. Always drive in the right hand lane unless passing another vehicle. In theory, if there is an opening in the lane to your right you had better be in it unless you are initiating or completing a pass. Granted it is not black and white as speeding or not speeding, but the "intent" you should have in the left lane is to pass the vehicle in the right lane. You could infer from this that 3 or more cars would have to be in close proximity and the lead vehicle in the left lane has either not made an effort or has not made progress in passing the vehicle on the right.

Probably no way in hell but just the thought of the left lane law makes me giddy...... http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/01/30/not-passing-get-out-of-left-lane-bill-says.html

HGTV did a write up on it http://www.hgtv.com/home-improvement/swanky-silo/index.html Better link with video http://www.silohome.com/index.htm Here is an itemized list of all these bases across the country, most of them are in pretty poor condition http://asuwlink.uwyo.edu/~jimkirk/atlas.html Amazing places, still don't know if I would want to live in one. They are all out in the middle of nowhere, and you would need an airplane to fly to it. On second thought, may make a great place to retire....

Yep, sort of like watching a football announcer get stuck on the wrong team. It's like, Come on man, get in the game! Just saw the flashback of a General Lee selling in 2008 for $450K. Looks like this year they have the FIRST General Lee, which happen to be pulled out of a junk yard. Car will go across the block sometime Friday or Sat., wonder if it will pull the $450K that John Schneider sold his for in '08? Also, April Rose was a nice addition to the commentary team this year. https://www.google.com/search?q=april+rose&hl=en&prmd=imvnso&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=qokXT4PQJMGdgQeT882qAw&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CBcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1440&bih=785 http://www.facebook.com/OfficialAprilRose

I haven't been to see one live, always watch this stuff on TV, chasing classic cars and stuff. I will be intrested in your thoughts to see if the Palm Beach show shifts more toward luxury cars from the primary muscle car feel of Scottsdale. Saw that one go for $34K with just over 40K miles. Even thought the announcers screw allot of stuff up they still give allot of history about what correct cars look like or need to have. Just saw a '68 427 vett hammer for $31K, that is a pretty good deal if you ask me.

Looks like prices are climbing, $55K for a SBC Studebaker.... Monster energy coolers and Barrett on TV, I am on the wrong career path...

Day 2, anyone watching the auction?

^ looking at the auction list there is a place holder for a TBD Chevrolet to go across the block on Sat @ 2pm (or 5pm local). Not sure when Speed will broadcast it though.

I spoke too soon, a $50K custom 2009 Jeep Wrangler with a V6. Sheesh, I saw 2010 on ebay with similar set up and 6.1L SRT motor for less than that. On another note, I like the patina on the old rods. It seems to be a growing trend, but I didn't expect to see it @ Barrett.

The engineering firm that designed interchanges in central ohio needs shot. Everything is of such poor design, I am amazed more ppl don't get killed. Poor design = lanes that suddenly end, on and off ramps of inadequate length, how much can I make this cost in the smallest amount of physical space possible......

^agreed, the quality that goes across the block is insane....

Maybe just getting off to a slow start but prices seem down.

my buddy has all of the subframes reinforced and welded and still runs poly bushings as a preventative measure to keep the car from tearing itself apart. (would rather tear up a bushing than something more permanent) He recommended talking to Marco @ Turner as he sets up their race cars. Shoot me a PM if you want to go that route.