The Gambler Movie: It's NOT a BMW M1, Guys

I watched The Gambler yesterday. Good movie, excellent plot, well shot, some memorable quotes. It was cool to see Mark Wahlberg drive a (fairly rare) BMW 1M but lame to see it referred to as the M1 in the movie.

Lamar Allen, a student of English professor Jim Bennett (played by Mark Wahlberg) referred to the Valencia Orange BMW 1M as "a BMW M1". I bet the BMW nomenclature is very confusing for screenwriters and film editors but if the main character drives a car that cool, let's get its model right, OK, guys? And if you want to find out more about it and see it in action at the track, you can find out in this OneHotLap video.

Santa Likes His Sleigh Air-Cooled Too!

Hat Tip to Peter P.

Merry Christmas!

The New Toyo R1R Is Expected To Have a 200 DOT Rating

How will tread pattern on the new 200 DOT R1R compare to the ex gen 140?

The Dunlop Direzza ZII, BFGoodrich g-Force Rival, and Bridgestone RE11A have company! Stangtv.com is claiming that Marc Sanzenbacher, senior manager, Competition Performance Products Division at Toyo Tire U.S.A. announced at the 2014 PRI Trade Show that the Toyo R1R treadwear has been changed from 140 to 200 for 2015. There is no official statement confirming this on Toyo's website yet and the Tirerack still has the old 140-rated R1Rs listed.

A move to a treadwear of 200 would make a lot of sense since that is at or just above the minimum rating required by LeMons (DOT 190), Chumpcar (DOT 180), and most SCCA street classes. Miata.net fans have been speculating since August that a move to DOT 200 is inevitable and that a Toyo rep had mentioned at a Toyo-sponsored event back then that Japanese engineers were already testing a 200 treadwear R1R.

So keep an eye on this space and if you are in the market for new street tires for the 2015 season, add the Toyo R1R to your list.

Related post:
More Thoughts on Street-Legal Performance Tires from Andy Hollis
Best 2013 Performance Tire Poll
Dunlop Direzza ZII - Onboard Video at the Autocross
First Dunlop Direzza ZIIs Shipped to Customers!!
Dunlop Direzza ZII - First Driving Impressions
Dunlop Direzza ZII: The Lap Time Comparison We've All Been Waiting for!
Dunlop Star Spec Direzza ZII: A Tire as Exciting as a Date with Scarlet Johansson!
Bridgestone RE11A: A New Suspect Has Entered the Crime Scene
BFGoodrich g-Force Rival: The Plot Thickens!

A Slot Car Fantasy for Christmas

If you are running late with your Christmas shopping and you have 300 grand to spend, we have just the perfect solution for you: a slot car racing fantasy with 1:32 scale models on your favorite track! Neiman Marcus and Slot Mods USA have teamed up to offer this slot car fantasy at a price that leaves room even for racing legends Vic Elford and David Hobbs to cohost your inaugural race night party.



Here are the details from Neimus Marcus:

"Le Mans. Nürburgring. Laguna Seca. You never had a racecar worthy of the world's most notorious tracks, but you've certainly dreamt of driving on one. Now pole position—and the checkered flag—are yours with this 100% authentic 1:32 scale model of your favorite track. Iconic structures, pit crews, period slot cars, and more help get you into the action while integrated track cameras capture and display it on mini screens. Need help revving up the crowd? Racing legends, such as Vic Elford and David Hobbs, will cohost your inaugural race night party. Gentlemen, start your engines."

Shipping at this price is free but the assembly is NOT included... Hopefully David Hobbs and Vic Elford will lend a hand with that.

Nurburgring 2014 CRASH & FAIL Compilation

The fan applause at 10:20 is really entertaining!

Formula 1 Pit Stops - Then And Now

Who needs a torque wrench or an air gun when you've got a big hammer!

ADRENALIN Film - DTM Snippet

These are some of the best racing scenes you will see anywhere!

Driving Instructor Has Own Gas Pedal In Case Student Total Pussy

Source: the ONION (America's Finest News Source)

OK, I admit it: the last line really did me in --

Dennison also said it’s sometimes necessary to use the vehicle’s emergency brake when a student is too chickenshit to fishtail like a total badass.