Well we’re just about ready to launch StreetFire’s new homepage. But before we push it live, we wanted to give our members a chance to check it out, so you won’t see it until after you log in. Obviously, since it’s brand new, you might experience a couple of hiccups—why do you think Google labels everything it does “beta?”—but we’ve tried to make a homepage that showcases the best and newest content on the site, and we really hope you like it. Leave us a message and tell us what you think!
Initially, I found the claim that the 1980 Trans Am was the world’s only production car with a turbo V8 a little sketchy, because I thought Ferrari was using turbos on its 308s. But as it turns out, Modena didn’t start offering turbos until 1983, so it seems like in this case, bragging rights belong to the General. And while the 4.9 liter engine’s power output isn’t fantastic by today’s standards—Pontiac said it made 220HP at the crank—you have to love that the General was doing something no other manufacturer was at the time, and this commercial is pretty sweet. Thanks for uploading Toni_B2!
Compared to the tame seat belt PSAs we see in the States, this British version is downright terrifying. From the first words the narrator speaks—”like most victims, Julie knew her killer”—it’s clear this clip is going to end badly, and the eventual crash is just horrible. Seriously, on this side of the pond, most of the spots I’ve seen encourage people to buckle up so they don’t get a ticket. But a fine is nowhere near as harsh as killing your mom because you were to lazy to fasten your safety belt. Something tells me if this were to run on American TV, there would be a ton of complaints. Thanks for the upload CaspersZ06.
Of course, both are right at home in a barn. Before he started producing the hot-blooded Raging Bulls he’s known, for Ferruccio Lamborghini made his living building humble tractors. If you believe the legend—and let’s all believe, please—he didn’t venture into the sports car world until he took his complaints about the clutches in his Ferraris to Enzo himself, who dismissed him as a simple tractor builder. The rest, as they say, is history. Check out some of Lamborghini’s original handiwork. Thanks arosafun!
Not including stupid, burnout-related accidents, this is one of the dumbest motorcycle crashes I’ve seen. Sure, the rider in the frame might have just hit something slippery—hey, it’s happened to me—and dumped, but the guy on the camera bike? What the hell is he thinking? If his buddy is obviously wrecking, why exactly does he follow? Of course, that’s not the only problem here. In following his buddy, the camera guy avoids being hit by a GMC rounding the corner by what looks like inches. It’s not clear who’s “1st Time Down” this is, but let’s hope there were some lessons learned. Thanks josephayal!
Every guy shooting wants to get as close to the action as possible, but something tells me the guy manning the camera here has invested in a zoom lens. He takes a pretty hard lick from the business end of the burly 4×4, but at least he’s knocked out of the way. The guy I was worried about? The one that gets run over immediately afterward. The way the truck is bouncing made me think the worst, but fortunately, he climbs out from under the rig unharmed. Given that the driver just keeps going like nothing happened, I have to wonder if he knows how close he came to killing somebody. Thanks MPLIGHTNING01!
We’ve already watched Pagani’s Zonda R at Monza, but seeing this beast on the street is another thing entirely! The machine is imposing enough by itself, and next to other cars it actually appears alien. Seriously, this baby looks about as home on a public road as one of the Space Shuttle’s engines would look in a high school auto shop. We don’t get to really see it tear up the neighborhood, but after the car moves out of the shot the gorgeous exhaust note confirms the driver isn’t playing around. Thanks for uploading, JohnnyMayday!
I’ve been desk-bound—or um, not—since getting back from SEMA way back in November, which kind of sucks. Last year at this time? I was flying all around the country and seeing all kinds of wicked stuff! Oh well. I went to a bunch of DUB shows last year, and while I never stuck around for the music, I’d make an exception for the Charlotte stop. Lethal Injection was in my CD changer for years, and I’ve never gotten to see Ice Cube live. If you’re in the area he’s worth the admission alone.
Personally, I didn’t think there was anything terribly complicated about running a car through a Hot Wheels-style loop. Shows what I know. Apparently, getting the speed right is absolutely crucial, because not only could the car fall off, but coming in too hot could produce g-forces which could kill the driver. Making this even more difficult? This is the biggest loop ever attempted. So the guys from Fifth Gear—with the help of a physicist from Cambridge—planned the operation down to the last detail. Does stuntman Steve Truglia pull it off? Watch and see!
Like Ewan McGregor explained in Faster, during a MotoGP race, your teammate isn’t your friend. He’s the guy you want to beat more than anyone, because he’s got the same equipment as you do, and only one rider can demonstrate how to best use it. But while there are some great battles in that flick, none of them illustrate the competition between teammates better than this clip. During last weekend’s race at the Circuit de Catalunya, Fiat Yamaha riders Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo were locked in combat from the green flag, and the last lap saw some absolutely spectacular racing. Enjoy.
