Cannonball Run

A new record... tech assisted:

But there was also a built-in Net Radar radar detector, a windshield-mount Escort Max 360 radar detector, an AL Priority laser jammer system and an aircraft collision avoidance system—a bit of gear usually used in airplanes to help them avoid hitting other airplanes.

And:

The car was equipped with brake light and taillight kill switches, and Toman had all of its flashy carbon fiber trim covered with silver vinyl, which he also used to change the appearance of the taillights. At first glance, the AMG looked more like a mid-2000s Honda Accord from the rear, not like a car that would be cruising at 160 mph or faster.

And:

For navigation and further police detection, they ran Waze—a popular traffic-avoiding and hazard-detecting app—on an iPad and an iPhone. For the GPS data they would later need to prove that they’d actually finished in the time they said they did, they ran two dash-mount Garmin GPS units and one of those GPS tags tracked by a third party. They also had a police scanner and a CB radio, each of which had a big whip antenna mounted at the back of the car.

Via Jalopnik

Alexa in my Car: Roav VIVA

Now I can get Alexa in my car... the Roav VIVA is an Alexa-enabled device that plugs into the 12 volt accesssory socket in your car. It has two USB charging ports. It connects to your phone via Bluetooth to get internet access to enable Alexa.

Pinewood Derby Telemetry

Just like a mini F1 car...

Some dads build their kids Pinewood Derby car I just embed an IOT sensor in my sons so we can get better data. https://t.co/qIbaheKGyD

— Jerry Gamblin (@JGamblin) January 11, 2017

Bike Ride

Not your average bike ride..


Apologies to whoever posted the link that got to me - I lost track of whoever did.

Blur Song 2 - BMW

Something made me think of Blur's "Song 2." And then my stream of consciousness led me to the series of mini-movies/commercials that BMW made. I remember downloading them - and they took forever - over our slow connections back in the day. This was was really funny:

4-Way vs Roundabout

My brother and I were just discussing this...

Dual Climate Control

While I don't find dual climate control systems in the relatively small confines of the typical cabin in a car to be especially useful, I know some people do. Long before such a thing existed, I recall a small deflector my grandfather wired to the central vent in his car. Granny was always hot and needed extra air. He was always cold and didn't want it. A simple thing - a thin piece of wood and a small wire - but effective none the less.

Now, if he had just gotten a utility patent on the idea.

Subaru Fun

Upgrade Cycle

Speaking of iPhones...

So my wife's car is almost 10 years old and my car is about 9. Does this mean we will need to start upgrading every two years?

Death Wobble

The Adaptive Curmudgeon experiences a "death wobble."
I laughed out loud a few times. Bless his heart.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

Top Gear

Becoming more and more convinced the guys on Top Gear have the best job in the world. The "Hamster" is driving a 2 million GBP Lamborghini on the episode I am watching. And they pay them to do stuff like this.

Must Have Feature

My wife's car is in for service. I'm driving a seven year newer version of her car as a loaner. It has lots of fancy features - rear camera, radio mutes when the car is in reverse, a button to engage the parking brake, etc. Of all the changes, the one thing I wish I had the most - the cup holders. The cup holder in our car is horrible - basically unusable.

Flying Car

It is about time. I've been enjoying all my other sci-fi gadgets, but I'm ready for my flying car.

Time for a New Car

I think it is time for a new car:

"Information about how to purchase these vehicles will be shared at a later date."

Top Gear, Top Shot

Who wouldn't want their job as presenters on Top Gear?



Via ENDO

Gonna be one of those days...

I was already running late when, out of no where, this guy on a Segway pulled out in front of me. To top it off, I ended up with a flat tire, too.

BMW iSeries

Being a tree-hugging hippie, I need a "green" vehicle. I want the BMW i8.

Via Uncrate

The Dragon

Linoge posted about riding the Dragon. I've not done it in a long time, but it is loads of fun. Back in the day, I had a Z3 - as did several of my friends. We ran the Dragon and the Foothills Parkway. Mine is the steel gray in the foreground. Man, I loved that car. It was completely impractical then and would be even worse now with a two year old in tow.