RideLust

You risk your life on a daily basis, you’re constantly putting your well-being in front of those you don’t know, and at days end you don’t make a helluva lotta’ money. This is the life of a Firefighter and for the men and women who choose this profession well, let’s just say I take my hat off to them. I doubt however that most people understand that being a Firefighter incorporates around ten jobs in one. For instance in some cases you’re an EMT, in others you’re rescue swimmer and yet in others, you’re a u-boat commander. Don’t believe me, well that’s exactly what happened to these Firefighters as they crossed a section of flooded roadway down in Melbourne, Australia in their trusty Isuzu rig. Now while most people would have been stopped dead in their tracks, these guys simply rumble through without any hesitation at all. Hell, they’ve even got the windshield wipers going!

Source: Youtube.com

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I suppose it should come as no surprise that “The Car Show“, starring Adam Carolla, Matt Farah, Dan Neil and NBA star John Salley is in trouble. First off the producers have no idea how to shoot cars, and second their format is just a wee-bit too long. Apparently someone at SPEED has taken notice of this because Jalopnik is now reporting that not only has Salley been dumped by the wayside, but the shows format has been cut to 30 minutes. Here’s the deal, if they want to make this show work they need to do three simple things. One; let Farah show the producers how to actually shoot cars and help with the script. He’s extremely talented, knows how to capture the audiences attention and really knows his shit, plus he can drive. Two; let Dan Neil keep being Dan Neil. The Ying to Farah’s yang, Dan brings a wonderful sophistication to the show that works beautifully. Third; ditch Carolla, as the guy is simply not funny and his pot-shot jokes at Farah and Salley are childish and humorless. I think they’re on the right track with the current changes, my hope is that they just haven’t come too late.

There are some of you out there who will never remember a time without the internet, cell phones or cable TV. Don’t get me wrong, these are all wonderful things, however as a kids I think that they can sometimes cloud your imagination. Back in the day budding car junkies like myself would wake up on Saturday mornings with the sole purpose of watching our beloved Saturday morning cartoons for at least 3 hours. Our parents would sleep in till’ a whopping 7:30 am until it was time for breakfast, but for us, that was still too early for them to rise. Shows like Transformers, The Wacky Race and Speed Buggy all stoked the fires our mental combustion engines and help makes us the enthusiasts we are today. By today’s standards the animation was crude, but back in the late 1970′s and early 1980′s these shows were the shizznit. Below is a list of 5 classics that will transport some of us back in time. Enjoy.
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*Photo Credit: beaconict.com

Apparently the rumors are true as it seems that Top Gear’s Richard Hammond is all set to get his own automotive related TV show right here in the U.S.. The show, titled “Hard Drive with Richard Hammond” will air on BBC America and feature the hamster criss-crossing the U.S. in search of some of America’s most extraordinary vehicles. According to the site, tvbythenumbers.com;

Top Gear has consistently rated as one of BBC AMERICA’s most successful shows. Now Top Gear host Richard Hammond will star in a brand new original series called Hard Drive with Richard Hammond (wt) (6 x 60). Produced by BBC Worldwide Productions and based on the BBC format, World’s Toughest Driving Tests, it features Hammond traveling the U.S. and competing with local experts driving some of America’s toughest and most extraordinary vehicles. The executive producers for BBC Worldwide Productions are Rob Fox, Elli Hakami and Jane Tranter.

Now, we’re not sure how Hammond’s new show will impact shows like Top Gear U.S. and The Car Show, but I’ll you one thing, we’re eager to find out!

Image: Ed Perchick

UK car blog Breakdown Cover recently posted a list of Jeremy Clarkson’s 10 Commandments. As is usually the case with the acerbic Brit, Americans aren’t the primary target of his humor, so I’ll translate wherever necessary. If you understand the whole British humor thing, and have some familiarity with UK pop culture, I encourage you to read Breakdown Cover’s explanations as well as my own. Read More…

Image: Powerblock TV

Every weekend, I can guarantee you my husband will be watching the entire Powerblock TV lineup on Spike.  In between my domestic engineer duties (read: housework), I try and catch the episodes as well.  I absolutely love seeing them take what is usually a hunk of junk and turn it into something really special.  If we had the means and the space, we’d each have a pet project car.  Alas, we have neither but at least Powerblock allows us to live vicariously. Read More…

Well they’ve done it! The boys from Top Gear USA have cemented themselves in the annals of TV history by securing another season on the History Channel. For car enthusiasts here in the United States this is great news, as the current crop of automotive television is really pretty rancid. When it first launched back in November of last year, the show was met by mixed reviews from critics who were determine that the show would suck even before it got off the ground. Understand though that hosts Tanner Foust, Rutledge Wood and Adam Ferrara had some pretty daunting tasks on their hands. First they needed to live up to the hype of the European version, and second they had to win over a nation of brutal skeptics. In my book they’ve done both with flying colors. Sure they had a few growing pains, but hey, what show doesn’t?
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While I like the sentiment in Chrysler’s SuperBowl ad for the new 2011 Chrysler 200, I’m having a hard time accepting Eminem as a pitchman for Chrysler’s latest mid-size offering. I haven’t driven the Chrysler 200 yet, so I can’t comment on how much the car has improved, but I’ll say this: the outgoing Sebring was bad enough that virtually any replacement would have been a milestone achievement. I like the “imported from Detroit” tag line, and I like the idea that Americans (especially those from Detroit) know a thing or two about building luxury cars. I like the “Detroit is back” sentiment, because it’s largely true; the big three American car companies are turning out the best quality vehicles they ever have. Chances are good that an American car will be less problematic than an import these days, and it’s been a long time since I could say that.

The commercial jumps down the rabbit hole as soon as you realize Eminem is driving a new Chrysler 200. Putting Eminem in a Chrysler 200 transcends belief, since A-list celebs don’t motor around in mid-size, pseudo-luxury cars, no matter how much they’re improved. Eminem in the flagship Chrysler 300, or Eminem launching the new Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8? Now THAT I get. Anyway, here’s the Super Bowl ad in case you missed it. Read More…

Ok, I know tomorrow is Superbowl Sunday and all, but my God these car companies are going buck-wild on ads this year. This new ad by Kia featuring the 2011 Optima combines spies, aliens, a God of the sea and ancient Inca’s all in an attempt to show that this new Optima is well… epic. Now I’ve driven some epic cars in my time so I think I’m qualified to comment on the subject. For instance, the Porsche GT3 RS is epic, as is the Gumpert Apollo, Nissan GT-R and Corvette ZR1. The Kia Optima though… hmm, I suppose it could be, but then again it could also be total crap. Hell, I suppose if digs it then what does the rest of the world have to lose right?
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You’ve got to hand it to car companies these days as they’re really starting to have a little fun with their commercials. We’ve just recently brought you Volkswagen’s amazingly cute Darth Vader ad which cracks me up every time I watch it. Now it seems that Chevrolet is stepping up to the plate with some new Camaro placement that is getting ready to air during this Sunday’s Superbowl. It’s not as cute, but it’s got hot chicks, a Chevrolet Camaro, a helicopter, plus a blond, brunette and a redhead. The concept is simple; take a few average Joe’s and have them discuss their ultimate fantasy in regards to the new 2011 Chevrolet Camaro. There’s a bit of arguing going on at first, but in the end it all seems to get worked out with a happy ending. Oh and by the way… yea, Miss Evelyn is totally hot.
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