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Ferrari’s €400 baseball cap 2007-08-28 23:42:39 For many motorsports aficionados, allegiance to Ferrari transcends the lines of age and social class. Young and old, from the everyman to captains of industry, on race days the differences are tossed out the window and they gather en masse, a sea of red in the stands, as tifosi. Ferrari knows this, and as a result, its strength as a merchandiser is unparalleled in the automotive landscape. Leveraging its iconic logos, rich history and legions of owners and fans, it has created a machine that churns out collectibles and accessories designed to fit almost any budget. And now, the tifosi have a new bauble to fight over, and it’s priced for the deeper-pockets crowd. In honor of the 1-2 podium finish at the Turkish GP for Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari has offered 50 signed baseball caps. Each lid is autographed by both Felipe and Kimi, arrives in a big red Ferrari cardboard box, has a certificate of authenticity, and costs a whopping €400. On the Ferrari Store websi ... Baseball

Audi developing electronic driving coach to boost fuel economy 2007-08-28 23:42:38 Few factors affect fuel economy more than individual driving style, and anyone who’s gotten behind the wheel of a modern vehicle equipped with an onboard computer has inevitably played the consumption game. Audi is taking the concept of an insta-mile-per-gallon gauge to the next level by developing a system that analyzes driver behavior and then tips off drivers on ways to reduce consumption. The system was presented at the TechDay 2007 seminar in Germany, where Audi sought to draw focus on drivers, fuel usage and emissions reduction. The automaker contends that just by changing the habits of the driver, fuel economy numbers could be boosted by as much as 30-percent, without having to sacrifice “speed and dynamism.” The system also incorporates the vehicle’s sat-nav to make route suggestions based on traffic and road conditions, something that should be available in next generation “digital road maps.” [Source: InsideLine]   Read | Per ... Developing

Hondata sets four new records at Bonneville 2007-08-28 23:42:38 If you’ve spent any amount of timing tweaking the B16 in your EK hatch, you’re probably all too familiar with Hondata. The firm specializes in providing easy-to-use, plug-and-play components for the world’s Acura and Honda owners, and has proved invaluable on at least two past project cars of ours. The So. Cal.-based tuning firm decided to take to the Bonneville Salt Flats a couple of weeks back and came away with four new class records, all behind the wheel of a heavily modified 2003 Acura RSX. The stock two-liter K20 was built by Prototype Racing and was able to produce 270 naturally aspirated horses running VP Racing fuel, and 390 HP when injected with everyone’s favorite go-juice, nitrous oxide. When the salt settled, the Hondata crew set a one-way speed of 190.1 MPH in the G/FCC class while running the NO2, and 172 MPH in the G/GCC class with the aforementioned racing fuel. You can follow the jump for Hondata’s press release and check out its website ...

U.S. R56 MINI Cooper S owners finally get the JCW treatment 2007-08-28 23:42:37 If you’re a U.S. citizen hankering for a factory-tuned R56 MINI Cooper S, you’re officially in luck. MotoringFile has received the press release on the new JCW tuning package, and according to our friend Gabe, some dealers already have demo vehicles and you might be able to score a ride in one later this week. The primary difference between the Euro kit we’ve reported on before and the kit to be sold Stateside is the exhaust manifold. Apparently, U.S.-spec vehicles are already equipped with the new exhaust plumbing, making the addition to the kit irrelevant. The kit boosts power to 189 hp and up to 207 lb.-ft. of torque between 1,750 and 4,500 RPM, and while MINI admits that the package equipped on the last generation hatch was cost prohibitive, both with respect to parts and labor, this new kit will come in at $2,100 with only two hours of shop time to install. The gains in power are provided by a new air filter housing, exhaust and a revised ECU tune, which suppose ...

BRABUS punches up the Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI 2007-08-28 23:42:37 Click image for gallery BRABUS has announced its D3 S POWER XTRA tuning kit for Mercedes-Benz’s new C220 CDI sedan. The Euro-market oil-burner sees a marked improvement in performance after installation, with power jumping from 168 hp/295 lb-ft to 217 horses and a stout 354 lb-ft of torque. On the road, this shaves a full second off the run to 100 km/h (62 mph), which takes 7.8 seconds post-modification. The car’s top speed increases to 149 mph, a 6 mph gain. Despite the added performance, emissions remain at the same Euro IV-compliant levels as the factory-stock C220 CDI. Installation can be performed at any Mercedes-Benz dealer’s service department. Naturally, BRABUS would love for buyers of the power kit to pony up for additional accessories like the tuner’s sport exhaust and bodywork modifications, but they’re certainly not required. Follow the jump for BRABUS’ full press release. [Source: BRABUS] Gallery: Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI by BRABUS Cont ...

VIDEO: Maxiumum Bob Lutz answers questions about GM’s reliability 2007-08-28 23:42:36 The General’s chief product guru, Bob Lutz, responded to questions regarding GM’s reliability in the company’s FastLane Blog’s most recent video Q&A chapter. According to Lutz, who cites comparisons to company “H” and company “T” as being perpetual reliability yardsticks, GM has aimed at making every component throughout the automaker’s brands “bulletproof,” including the engines, transmissions and every mechanical part imaginable. The move began about four or five years ago, and despite high ratings in J.D. Power and Associates initial quality reports, Lutz explains that all the money spent was in an effort to “shoot for infinite life,” as opposed to what Lutz calls, “100,000-mile bogies.” Lutz goes on to recount his aim of making Buick the American equivalent of Lexus, which was just confirmed with the recent release of J.D. Power and Associates long-term reliability ratings. Buick sat prett ...

Opel unveils Astra OPC Nürburgring Edition 2007-08-28 23:42:35 Click image for photo gallery Opel pulled the wraps off the Astra OPC Nürburgring Edition at Round 4 of the OPC Race Camp, a competition that will ultimately produce a driver team the Automaker will send to next year’s Nürburgring 24-hour race. Opel and the Nürburgring go way back, with test stints on the Nordshcleife a standard part of production models’ development process. The Astra OPC Nürburgring Edition is a nod to the legendary track. Like its “regular” Astra OPC kin, the Nürburgring Edition is a 150-mph hatchback powered by a 240-horsepower turbo four mated to a six-speed manual. The special edition is finished exclusively in white with an offset checkered-flag graphic that runs along the hood and roof and fades away on the hatch lid. A high-mount spoiler, carbon fiber accents on the b-pillars and mirrors, and lightweight white wheels complete the visual. Inside, the full-leather interior is accented with an embroidered track ma ...

Battlestar Galactica: The Miniseries 2007-08-28 12:20:56 Since there are no new Battlestar Galactica episodes for quite some time, I’m going to do something rather obsessive: revisit all of Season 1 and 2 and write a post about each episode. So here’s the first post in the series regarding the Battlestar Galactica miniseries. The miniseries aired on the Sci Fi channel back in 2003 and was advertised as a “reimagining” - not a sequel to the original Battlestar Galactica but a “reboot” which has become increasingly common these days (Batman Begins, Superman Returns). At the time, the casting decisions were considered rather jarring and possibly offensive, namely casting a hot blonde as a Cylon and Boomer and Starbuck as women. Now, however, these complaints seem rather petty as in almost every way, the new Battlestar Galactica is a vast improvement over the original 1970s television series. The four part miniseries essentially parallels the original Battlestar Galactica movie, which has a great concept at i ...

Hacking A Monitor Stand 2007-08-28 12:20:55 Earlier I mentioned the need for a monitor stand due to setting up the Mac Mini. I had a pretty good idea of what I was looking for - something that would raise up the monitor but allow some space beneath for the diminutive computer. Of course, it seems pretty much every Mac Mini specific monitor stand is at least $30 if not much more. Stands at Office Depot and K-Mart were similarly pricey. All nice, but I’m something of a cheapskate - especially when it comes to an object that is essentially three flat pieces of plastic stuck together. Our kitchen has several cheap K-Mart shelving units - made of particle board and some thin plastic laminate - that I think cost 10 to 20 bucks apiece originally. I took a hacksaw to the smallest one, basically cutting it in half. The end result is a bit crude on top but nothing a bit of sandpaper couldn’t take care of at some later date. The end cost was pretty much free, plus I got to use our garage for something other than storing stuff. ...

Grow your own giant, milk fed pumpkins for Halloween 2007-08-28 06:20:58 One of my favorite autumn sights is when the pumpkins invade the grocery stores. I could easily do without the orange bags of Halloween candy in August, but once the pumpkins arrive I am happy as can be. There is something about seeing the bins filled with bright orange globes that takes me right back to childhood and makes me hope for the big night of trick-or-treating. In my book bigger truly is better when it comes to pumpkins. Those stories of obscenely large fruits that are big enough to hold a child are my favorites. Now, most of the grocery store pumpkins never reach such proportions, but if you have a pumpkin patch of your own, you can easily encourage your fruits to reach greatness. The first step to large pumpkins is to use seeds that produce large fruits. These are available at most gardening stores. A well fertilized garden also makes for a great beginning for your pumpkin patch. If you’re still looking for a bigger product, pour some milk around the pumpkins for so ...

Preventing a Bridezilla 2007-08-28 06:20:53 There are few things as stressful as planning a big wedding. With so many details and so many egos, feelings often get trampled and resentments easily arise. One of the most likely individuals to reach an emotional boiling point during wedding planning is the bride. So often a blushing bride turns into a ranting, raving woman desperate to get every detail perfect for her special day. Somewhere during the planning process she becomes a Bridezilla; a woman who many fear and go to great lengths to avoid. So how can you stop from morphing into this angry woman? Below area few thoughts to keep in mind as you make plans for your special day. Keep in mind that they are not sure thing, but if followed they might bring you some peace during this hectic time. Give yourself a realistic timeline. You can’t expect to pull off the gala of the year when you are inviting 300 people for an occasion two weeks away. Take time for yourself during the planning stages. Schedule in walks or a massage ...

Starting your child in preschool: Easy does it 2007-08-28 06:20:33 For many parents and children alike, there is a certain amount of anxiety involved with the first years of schooling. Starting a child in preschool can be particularly difficult to deal with, especially with a very a shy child. There are some effective strategies which you can use to lessen the stress of those early childhood schooling experiences. The following tips can help to provide substantial ease and comfort for both parents and children. Begin socializing your child early. Even a shy child must be made aware that other people will be sharing their space. Hand that kid off to other people once in awhile. Let your child know that other people can be nice to be around. Get your child comfortable existing without you in view. Start by slipping out of their field of view while they’re playing. Just step around a corner or duck behind a piece of furniture as they play. Once the child begins fussing about your disappearance, try calming them with only your voice before retur ...

Soccer moms: pack an easy, efficient first aid kit for the sidelines 2007-08-28 06:20:11 Soccer season is heating up across the nation. This means that soccer moms everywhere are getting out their portable soccer chairs, packing lunches, juggling schedules and tending to sore ankles. Soccer moms catch a lot of flack for everything from being overzealous to wasting precious gas. But since I am a dedicated sideline watcher to my two older kids, I have a certain soft spot for this population. We work hard to prepare our kids for s sport they love and we try to be prepared for everything from a tearful player to a hungry team to any sort of injury. We have only just entered the serious injury state of the game in our home. My son has left the recreational league for the high school game; the stakes have risen considerably. This type of soccer requires two practices a day, 8 mile runs before 7 a.m. and weekend practices. I knew our life had changed when I saw my 14 year-old with an ice pack wrapped around his ankle while he was relaxing one afternoon. I realized we needed to h ...

Prevent thieves from stealing your GPS navigation unit 2007-08-28 06:19:49 Police nation wide are reporting an increased incidence of stolen portable navigation systems. Would be thieves have discovered that the GPS units which retail anywhere from $200 to $1000, bring a quick hundred bucks or more at most larger city pawn shops. In an effort to curb “smash and grab” type thefts of GPS units, which involve punching through your car’s side window to liberate the unit, police and security personnel are informing vehicle owners that simply removing electronic devices from view may not be enough deterrent to wily thieves.You see, thieves are self trained on-the-job, and some of them are very good at what they do. A smart thief knows the signs to look for which will give away your electronic gadget’s presence even if it’s stashed away in the glove box while you’re not in the car. There are some easy things however, that you can do to help send those thieves looking for some other car to assault instead of yours. Keep the insid ...

Double your friends with cardboard standups 2007-08-28 06:19:41 Cardboard standees are pretty cool. They’re often made to promote movies, and sometimes, if a movie becomes very popular, standees of various characters might be released for sale to the general public (for example, several characters from The Lord of the Rings made it into flat, stand-up format). Those seem to retail for around $60 or so. But if you want to have a standee made, with your own photo of someone who isn’t famous, you’ll be out at least a hundred dollars more. That is, unless you check out FreakCitySF’s cool cardboard standup tutorial on Instructables. You can have the picture you want to use blown up and printed by a professional, or you can just use a site that helps you print posters in a modular format (IE, each segment of the photo is printed on a different sheet, and you must assemble them to get the big picture). Possible uses? Well, for fun. The photographic comedy possibilities are practically endless. There’s also the strange thing ...