Las Vegas Motor Sports News

2012 Dakar - Team Speed Hummer H3 - Stage 10

Jerry — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:55:32 GMT

The stewards believe that Gordon's modifying of the ventilation system linked to his engine improved its performance level - he denies that his tinkering had an impact on improving its speed and is basing his appeal on that.

Peterhansel is bidding for a 10th win in the testing race, six in the motorbikes and thrice in the cars.

2012 Dakar - Team Speed Hummer H3 - Stage 10

Jerry — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:43:05 GMT

Stage 10 had a boat load of Robby Gordon drama. Technical issues that Team Speed has to challenge. No info at this time as to exactly what the issue is, but I'm sure that one of the competitor team's brought this to the stewards attention. A crash while battling with the overall leader's Mini caused two flat tires and stuck in a ditch. Total time behind the leader is now at 20 minutes. Go Team Speed!

2012 Dakar - Team Speed Hummer H3

Jerry — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:56:21 GMT

Team Speed - Robby Wins stage 9

Jerry — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:49:52 GMT

Stage nine was a good win for Robby Gordon and Team Speed, but not good for Nassar and the Quatar Hummer as he continued to have mechanical problems and it looks like he has dropped out of the 2012 Dakar. Go Robby!

Team Speed - One, Two Sweep

Jerry — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 21:33:23 GMT

Defending champion Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar won Saturday’s seventh stage of the Dakar Rally with his car owner Robby Gordon in second place. Third place went to Stephane Peterhansel of France keeping him in first place in the overall standings. Go Team Speed!

Did You Hear?

Jerry — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:28:56 GMT

Not that anyone is paying attention - in fact from the lack of entries it would seem that I am not paying attention to my own blog. After struggling thru the SEMA show and re-injuring my knee I have pretty much done nothing but mope around and try to just get thru the holidays. Knee is much better due to the lack of doing anything - and a new year is upon us. That means the start of the SA Dakar - that is the South American Dakar. Today - Friday the 6th - the stage was cancelled due to snow on the mountain pass that would have taken the teams from Argentina to Chile where today's stage would have started this morning.

So, today a quick recap of the rally so far. Team Speed (that is Robby Gordon's Speed Energy Drink) has two entries this year. Drivers being Robby and last years winner Nasser Al Attiyah. Nassar won stage 2, and Robby had 4 straight stages of 5th or better. The Volkswagen team did not enter this year. Last year, the VW's main competition came from the BMW cars. This year, the BMW chassis have been skinned with MINI bodywork and so far it is working for them. Top 2 cars in the rally are MINI's and a Toyota in 3rd.

Hummers of Team Speed are fast and might be doing better if they could get their spare parts trucks out of Argentina customs. They are having to run tires two and three days and this has caused puncture problems - causing lost time. Go Team Speed in Chile.

November 2 - Wednesday

Jerry — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:12:00 GMT

My first day at the 2011 SEMA show. Arrived in time to see the press conference for Brad Keselowski Racing (BKR) and their alliances with Cooper Standard and Cequent Form on the number 29 BKR RAM truck which will be driven by Parker Kligerman.Cequent markets towing and trailer accessories with brands such as Draw-Tite and Reese. Cooper Standard products include body sealing systems and anti-vibration systems. A key element of the presentation was the fact that both these companies are new sponsors in the NASCAR family.

Autovox Korea has a unique line of traction devices that look like they can provide just the kind of product that you need for those unexpected snow or ice storms. Ya don't have to jack up the car or truck. They just clamp on the tire like an Octopus. Tough and simple to use. Check them out at www.snowcruiser.co.kr/
align="center">

Like every year at SEMA, lots of beautiful cars, trucks, bikes and women. Here are a few samples:

SEMA SHOW NEWS

Jerry — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:45:54 GMT

Enthusiasts Invited to Show Off Their Rides at the SEMA Show

DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (Sept. 7, 2011) – Owners of select vehicle models may be able to have their cars or trucks featured at the 2011 SEMA Show, taking place Tuesday–Friday, November 1–4, 2011, in Las Vegas. Through the SEMA Award Contender Contest, owners of a SEMA Award contender vehicle are invited to submit a video clip highlighting the vehicle’s modifications for a chance to have the vehicle featured at the SEMA Show. Vehicle owners will also receive credentials and amenities to attend the annual trade-only event, where they will be among the first to learn which vehicle platforms win the actual SEMA Award.

A total of 39 vehicle models have been named as SEMA Award contenders. While the actual SEMA Award winners will be selected by exhibitors based on the vehicles that exhibitors choose to display in their booths at the SEMA Show, the contenders are vehicle models that are most likely to have a significant presence at the 2011 SEMA Show. Contenders were determined based on several key factors, including support from the automakers, interest from the media and enthusiasts and SEMA-member program participation.

Owners of any of the contender vehicles are invited to submit a 60–90-second video showcasing the vehicle and explaining why their registered, street-legal vehicle deserves to be on display at the SEMA Show. Winning videos will include a walk around pointing out and describing the type, brand and benefits of products installed.

Select vehicle featured in the videos will receive a featured vehicle spot at the 2011 SEMA Show, along with two credentials to attend the event, two-nights hotel accommodations and allowance for food and gas. Vehicles will be selected by October 1, 2011. Complete details are available at www.sema.org/semaaward.

The 2011 SEMA Award contenders are:

Hottest Car
• Chevrolet Camaro
• Chevrolet Malibu
• Chrysler 300
• Dodge Challenger
• Ford Mustang
• Kia Soul
• Lexus CT 200h
• Mazda5

Hottest Truck
• Chevrolet Silverado
• Chevrolet Tahoe
• Ford Transit Connect
• Ford F-Series
• GMC Canyon
• GMC Sierra
• RAM
• Toyota Tacoma
• Toyota Tundra

Hottest 4x4-SUV
• Dodge Durango
• Dodge Journey
• Ford Explorer
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Jeep Wrangler
• Kia Sportage
• Toyota RAV4
• Toyota FJ Cruiser

Hottest Sport Compact
• Chevrolet Cruze
• Chevrolet Sonic
• Ford Fiesta
• Ford Focus
• FIAT 500
• Honda Civic
• Honda CRZ
• Hyundai Veloster
• Lexus IS
• Mazda2
• Scion iQ
• Scion tC
• Subaru Impreza

Complete details about the SEMA Award and the SEMA Award Contender Contest are available at www.sema.org/semaaward.

About SEMA and the SEMA Show
The SEMA Show is a trade show produced by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), a nonprofit trade association founded in 1963. Since the first SEMA Show debuted in 1967, the annual event has served as the leading venue bringing together manufacturers and buyers within the automotive specialty equipment industry. Products featured at the SEMA Show include those that enhance the styling, functionality, comfort, convenience and safety of cars and trucks. Additional details are available at www.SEMAShow.com or www.sema.org, 909/978-6723.

NEW TEAM

Jerry — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 22:01:47 GMT

43rd SCORE Baja 500

Jerry — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 21:18:44 GMT

Winning the overall 4-wheel vehicle at 43^rd SCORE Baja 500 was Bryce Menzies who drove the #70 Red Bull Trophy Truck equipped with FOX Racing Shox on all four corners. At the finish line, the podium was crowded with FOX athletes as Rob MacCachren finished second in the #20 Rockstar Energy Trophy Truck and Andy McMillin finishing only 36 seconds behind MacCachren after 452.84 miles.

I'm Baaaaacccccck!

Jerry — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 19:24:22 GMT

What a few weeks it has been - first I get sick, then when I need it the most, my computer pukes. Back in good health, and it is off to Frys to get parts and an upgrade from XP to W7. Up and running, but W7 wants more memory, so mail order so 4g more memory and now we are back in business. Thank goodness for the little laptop so I could keep up with the basic emails and news.

What a weekend of racing on TV. Indycars, Le Mans, Trucks, and Sprint Cup. Congrats to Audi for the win in France after destroying two cars in those spectacular accidents. Thank God everyone was spared any major injuries - especially the photo journalist watching McNish's car coming at them.

Dario was crying again after getting stuck back in traffic at the start of the second "moto" of the Indycar race. I hope he misses the championship by one point. Ya can't win everything - everytime Dario!

Has anyone seen Robby Gordon's Monster truck at a race yet? When is that going to happen and will it be Monster or Speed Energy on the door? Any bets on this one?

Initial Mint 400 Race results

Jerry — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 16:30:00 GMT

It looks like BJ Baldwin has done it again at the 2011 Mint 400. For the second year in a row, BJ Baldwin tamed the tough Nevada desert as he finished 1st. ahead of the truck of Chad Ragland and Bobby Baldwin with Mikey Childress coming in 3rd overall. The remaining class results as soon as they are available.

The New Mint 400 Tech Day

Jerry — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 18:08:00 GMT

Spent the morning on Fremont street checking out the cars and trucks that will be racing in tomorrows Mint 400. Here a couple of photos.

The New Mint 400

Jerry — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:33:00 GMT

Hey all, it is that time of year again. That's Mint 400 time. Las Vegas just got over the NASCAR weekend a couple of weeks ago and now it is time for the rebirth of one of the biggest racing weekends in the BN (before NASCAR) city history. Along with the Mint 400, by SNORE, we also have the Monster Trucks out at Sam Boyd Stadium. 30,000 fans will be in town to watch the 2011 Advanced Auto Parts Monster Jam World Finals. Watch for us at Fridays technical inspection on Fremont Street or in the pits at the Monster Jam - See YA!

1968 Street Bug Project - UPDATE #33

Jerry — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 19:14:00 GMT

Hey all, it has been a long time since I could provide an update to the VW project. Lots of poor reasons, and many excuses, but in the end, it just got to a point that I lost some motivation after our vacation and the loss of a couple of friends and one family member. I got some motivation back when Joshua came up and helped me install the windshield. We continued to have the same problem that I had previous in trying to get the rubber seal to get on to the windshield. It was just to hard and would not stay on, especially on the bottom. So, we went to Classic VW down on Main Street and bought a new seal. This installed on the glass with our first try and with some effort, the windshield began to seat into the body. But, as we got to the last 6 inches of rope, we heard a snap, and the old windshield cracked right where the end of the rope was still in the rubber. After all of this, at least we had glass installed and now I did not have to worry about the wind blowing the car cover off and rain getting into the car. Now the search is on for a new glass and we will try again but this time for a touble free install.

SEMA 2010 - Day 2

Jerry — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 21:26:00 GMT

November 3, 2010, Las Vegas, NV -- -- Day 2 of the 2010 SEMA Show was a day full of pushing and shoving my way through the crowds for the second day. Every celebrity and every booth with a hot looking model had fans packed around trying to get autographs and photos.

There was a notable lack of rock crawling vehicles on display this year. I'm not sure, but it looks like the drifters have taken over the show this year. Drifting rides in Mustangs, and Ford F-150 were going on out in the front parking lot, where the off-road and rock crawlers had been for the past several years.

Very impressive were the graphics on everything from Axe handles to Xtreme trucks. More news tomorrow.

SEMA 2010 - Day 1

Jerry — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 23:51:00 GMT

November 2, 2010, Las Vegas, NV -- -- ELECTION DAY 2010

I hope everyone of you voted today. We can only make a difference if we let them know that we are serious about our Republic. Keep those commie - progressives out of Washington DC.

Back to the 44th version of the SEMA Show. A great day in Vegas - 80 degrees and lots of sunshine reflecting off the hundreds of custom cars and trucks parked around the convention center. Over 1,850 manufacturers on display this year. A new record was set for the number of new products presented for judging this year. I had a chance to talk to several of the smaller vendors, and they were optimistic about the coming year. Let's prey they are right.

Our industry needs some hope and the influx of new products is a positive indicator. Here are a few photos from today.

SEMA specials

Jerry — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 06:19:00 GMT

Looking for Billet parts for your project, give these guys a call or look them up on the web

Hey - it's SEMA time again - almost

Jerry — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 19:23:00 GMT

November 2, 2010 begins another week that I look forward to every year - the annual SEMA show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. If you are looking for a fun week, just check back here every day and follow me around the show. I'll get photos and interviews with some of our sports biggest stars and give you incite into what is coming in the racing, street and custom car scenes. If you are going to be in town, look me up.

The California 200

Jerry — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:21:00 GMT

My condolences to those who lost loved ones in the tragic off road accident. Comments on hundreds of blogs and articles have all over the landscape of public opinion. For me, it is a simple case of 8 people being in the wrong place at the wrong time. From the video, there were hundreds of people without common sense. Let's see - a 4,500 pound truck going 45 - 60 mph over jumps and rocks - let me stand within an arms length away so I can get the true feeling of what it is like to put my life in danger - danger -danger. Get my adrenaline pumping amongst all that beer I have been drinking - But wait - "No one told me I could not stand there!" Like most things going on today, no one ever told you NO and if they did you most likely ignored them anyway. Just like this time ignore the stupid signs that were posted or better yet - knock them down and get out of the way. These are trucks, traveling at speeds that make them on the edge of control at all times - get smart people and get your asses back from the tracks -