January 31st, 2010 by Byron Thurman

Filed under: Motorsports, Australia, Celebrities

There’s a rich tradition of Hollywood actors dabbling - some more seriously or successfully than others - in motor sports. Great names like Steve McQueen and the late Paul Newman instantly come to mind, but Eric Bana is aspiring to fill their considerable racing shoes. The star of Munich and Black Hawk Down has been campaigning his Porsche 996 Cup at various events, and is now gearing up to compete at one of his native Australia’s biggest motor races: the WPS Bathurst 12 Hour.

The “once around the clock” race at Mount Panorama will feature a record 49 teams this year, driving Alfas, BMWs, Fords, Holdens, Hondas, Mazdas, Mitsubishis, Nissans, Porsches, Subarus and Toyotas - 12 marques in all, representing eight of the ten top-selling automakers in Australia. Pictured above with his Ford Falcon, star of his upcoming documentary Love the Beast, Bana will be driving a Mitsubishi Evolution X, competing alongside his team mates against V8 Supercar and Australian rally drivers, as well as local television personality Grant Denyer who is currently recovering from injuries sustained while driving a monster truck. No sign of the Top Gear Australia crew, though. Follow the jump for more details in the press release.

[Source: NMD]

Continue reading Actor Eric Bana to compete in Bathurst 12 Hour enduro

Actor Eric Bana to compete in Bathurst 12 Hour enduro originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Originally posted 2009-04-22 20:26:10. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

January 31st, 2010 by Byron Thurman

Filed under: Etc., UK, Celebrities

It’s not pretty to watch once-popular shows and their stars drag things on years beyond their relevance. Everything that’s hot, hip, and new right now — the media creations that set tongues wagging — they’re all headed for their respective versions of Vegas Elvis. Even Top Gear, regarded by many to be the best car programming of all time, has a Bedazzled jumpsuit hiding somewhere in the wardrobe trailer.

Presenter Richard Hammond has said that he, James May, and Jeremy Clarkson have discussed how the show should go out. An exit at the top of its game without undue fanfare seems to be the prevailing wisdom; the only trouble will be knowing when that time is without overshooting it.

Rather than have an over-the-top final episode extravaganza, Top Gear will end its run like a regular signoff, at least if Hammond’s vision becomes the plan for closure. Instead of a show full of surprises, the biggest surprise of all will be that there are no more shows forthcoming. Ending TG sounds sad, but it would likely not hold the boys back. The success of Top Gear has opened other doors for the presenters and given them status as media personalities that now makes it possible for numerous side gigs. Hammond himself has several irons in the fire in addition to Top Gear, so even if the program goes out at its zenith, we may yet see the Hamster in that jumpsuit, if only for some stunt on one of his other shows.

[Source: Times Online | Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty]

Richard Hammond says Top Gear to go out on a surprise high originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Sep 2009 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Originally posted 2009-09-07 20:31:07. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

January 31st, 2010 by Byron Thurman

January 31st, 2010 by Byron Thurman

Filed under: Wagon, Japan, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Honda

Many moons ago, when the internet was newish and Netscape ruled the land, we took a class called, “Anatomy of a Virtual Community.” The idea was to explore and study how online communities functioned, if they were good or bad and if you really could achieve something akin to the mid-Nineties liberal arts school conception of “community.” You have to understand this was back when chat rooms were as exotic as Tahiti and there wasn’t anything on the internet but porn. The class itself didn’t go so well, because most of the students wouldn’t participate in the group chat the way the professor envisioned. Point being, it’s quite difficult to control behavior in an online environment.

Honda just got hit upside the head with this particular lesson. Yesterday, we posted that the Crosstour Facebook page was overflowing with negative comments regarding the look of Honda’s new CUV. Seems that the public at large isn’t too thrilled with the design. We went ahead and ran our own poll and looks as if Autoblog readers agree with the Facebookians - 81.7% of you feel the Crosstour should be killed with fire, and just 3.1% of you think it is good looking. And we’d guesstimate that well over 81.7% of the ensuing comments are negative. Many rabidly so. Difference is, we left the comments alone, while Honda was purging ‘em on Facebook. To be fair to Honda, they say they have removed a total 28 comments (out of thousands) because of “profanity or inappropriate content.” Further, they note that they “…did not remove any comments that simply expressed a negative opinion about the Crosstour.” They did, however, remove one that expressed a positive opinion.

Our pal Alex had the presence of mind to grab a screen shot of the above exchange which has since been removed from the Crosstour page. Obviously, this type of thing is embarrassing for Honda. And it illustrates what a sticky pickle modern day PR folks find themselves in. Regarding Eddie Okubo’s comments, here’s what Honda has to say:

Eddie Okubo is a manager in Honda Product Planning. His post was removed for two reasons: 1) He did not first state that he is a Honda employee and that his posting is his personal — not Honda’s — opinion. 2) He is not a spokesperson for Honda.

Did Eddie really do anything wrong? He’s an employee defending not only his company and that company’s product, but his livelihood. Yet his comments and other similar non-sanctioned corporate communique will one day wind up in business textbooks as examples of how social media marketing can go very, very wrong. Also, isn’t every employee with a Facebook/Twitter account suddenly a spokesperson if their company decides to use social media? It could be that multinational corporations just aren’t ready for Facebook and it’s ilk. It’s definitely an issue that deserves further study.

Honda purges select comments from Crosstour Facebook page originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Originally posted 2009-09-06 21:06:32. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

January 31st, 2010 by Byron Thurman

Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Spy Photos, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Audi

Each successive batch of spy shots shows the 2010 Audi RS5 taking shape, and with development churning along at quick clip, we suspect Audi’s newest M3 fighter will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September.

Unlike previous images that captured the coupe traveling to and from Audi’s engineering center, these latest pics show the RS5 at speed on the Nurburgring, revealing a retractable spoiler similar to the unit fitted on the R8 supercar. It’s assumed that the new wing will deploy at a certain speed, and like its mid-engine sibling, expect a button on the dash that allows the driver to choose if the spoiler is up or nestled into the coupe’s trunk-lid.

As reported previously, the RS5 will likely be powered by a tweaked version of the RS4/R8’s 4.2-liter direct injected V8, sending 450 hp through either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox before reaching all four wheels. Naturally, everything within the wheel wells will be upgraded, and these newest shots show RS-specific calipers in front, with discs barely squeezed into the 19-inch lightweight wheels.

Spy Shots: 2010 Audi RS5 sprouts retractable wing at the ‘Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Originally posted 2009-05-01 01:38:42. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

January 31st, 2010 by Byron Thurman

Filed under: Etc., Toys/Games, UK, Celebrities

When Great Britain’s Brooklands motor racing circuit opened in 1907, it was the first purpose-built motorsport venue in the world. At 2.75 miles, the course is an oldie but a goodie, and the perfect place to make automotive history. To that end, on August 16, legendary slot racing brand Scalextric, along with hoards of volunteers, built the world’s largest slot car track around the Brooklands circuit in Surrey. The track was built using 20,000 sections, built over roads, water, wilderness and just about any other condition one could imagine. That’s an impressive feat that is more remarkable when considering that power and remote control had to be built into the Guinness record braking track.

The recordbreaking slot track race will be featured by Top Gear host James May in his new BBC2 series James May’s Toy Stories. May even raised the checkered flag at the conclusion of the world’s longest slot car race. Hit the jump to watch the building and racing of this amazing slot track, as well as a second video that features May waving the checkered flag at the conclusion of the race.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: World’s longest Scalectric track assembled at Brooklands, James May officiates

VIDEO: World’s longest Scalectric track assembled at Brooklands, James May officiates originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Originally posted 2009-09-07 20:30:33. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

January 31st, 2010 by Byron Thurman

Filed under: Videos, Humor

We’ve all been there. Is there anything more maddening than when you and three of your best buddies head out on the town for a day of merriment, only to find that there isn’t a single spot anywhere on earth in which to park your car? Boy, that really grinds our gears.

Of course, when that elusive parking spot finally does magically appear out of thin air, a great deal of rejoicing is in order. And beer. Lots of ice cold beer. What could possibly be better? Click past the break to watch the video and visit veryfunnyads.com for more.

[Source: veryfunnyads.com]

Continue reading VIDEO: Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Cheer Beer and the elusive parking spot

VIDEO: Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Cheer Beer and the elusive parking spot originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Originally posted 2009-10-03 22:40:14. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

January 31st, 2010 by Byron Thurman

January 30th, 2010 by Byron Thurman

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Videos, Hyundai

The 2009 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is a wild and crazy race where vehicles of all makes and classes traverse the 14,110-foot summit in the fastest possible time. Super drifter Rhys Millen took on the Peak this year with his RWD Hyundai Genesis Coupe, and he set a course record on his 17th run covering 12.4 miles in 12 minutes, 9.397 seconds. While it sounds impressive to climb Pikes Peak at such a high rate of speed, it looks downright scary when watching it on video.

We’re amazed that anyone would have the intestinal fortitude to fly up a gravel-laden Pikes Peak with the intent to reach the summit in world record-setting time, and the birds-eye view provided by the camera shows us just how dangerous a climb this was. Many stretches of road don’t even have guard rails, which makes the fact that Millen wore his tires down to their steel belts that much more amazing.

Follow the jump to view video of Rhys’ record-setting run.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: In-car with Rhys Millen’s Hyundai Genesis Coupe at Pikes Peak

VIDEO: In-car with Rhys Millen’s Hyundai Genesis Coupe at Pikes Peak originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Originally posted 2009-07-30 12:31:50. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

January 30th, 2010 by Byron Thurman