American Swagger

Over the past few years Ford has become a proud American institution.  While all the other American car manufacturers were taking government hand-outs, Ford was bootstrapping itself back to profitability.  By selling off Jaguar, Aston Martin, and Volvo, Ford found the capital and focused resources to improve quality across the board.  It also killed off the Mercury sub-brand which existed only to create carbon copies of Ford branded cars.  The Focus and Fiesta are considered cool by those in the know and the Ford Evos concept is a glimpse at what's to come.  However, there's still a fly in the Ford ointment, Lincoln.

Fast Bikes Slow [1000 FPS]

Thanks to incredible frame rates, we get to appreciate what makes these bikes race bikes and what makes these men professionals. Some of you have probably seen these videos already, but I believe its worth having another look. The devils are in the details and the details have never been more clear!

2013 Joisy GP!

OH EM GEE!

I've always wanted to attend a Formula 1 race, but with all the hotel and travel expenses on top of the ticket itself, I never had the funds to make it a reality.

Sometimes I'd wonder how nice it'd be if they renovated Watkins Glen to modern standards, but this? An outrageous street circuit right across the Hudson River? I'm loving this to bits. Comon', you've seen my past posts?!

The new Grand Prix at New Jersey for 2013 is beyond my wildest dreams, and more than I could ever ask for. As more details of the track start to surface, I've collected three videos that demonstrate the circuit's layout.

Have an awesome Halloween, peeps!

Augmented Driving

Imagine this situation: you're driving along the interstate at a decent clip when all of a sudden the skies open up, brake lights glow bright red, traffic slows rapidly, and your GPS just spouted off some inaudible set of directions.  Your reaction to this is probably a stab at the brakes, a flick of the wiper stalk, and maybe a couple of downshifts.  Now, what about that set of directions?  Looking over at the 3.5" Garmin that's 3.5 feet away will only take a split second but that traffic is getting close pretty quick...

In a few years, all that will be a non-issue with Making Virtual Solid's True3D heads up display (HUD) for GPS.  Their new HUD acts much like augmented reality applications that are widely available on iPhone and Android devices.  By exploiting parameters that the GPS unit already uses, the system can overlay pertinent information directly onto what you see out your windshield.  If you've played the racing game Forza, this type of interface will be instantly familiar like the racing line in the game.  While this HUD will make travel easier and maybe even save some fuel by avoiding the need to backtrack after missing a turn, it will most importantly make driving safer.

Announcing The Flappy Paddle Heads Gran Turismo 5 Invitational! [PRIZES TOO, Betch!]

Earlier this month, Danny Chin finally bought a Playstation 3 console. To celebrate Danny Chin's financial irresponsibility (and that of our fellow PS3 owners as well), we're reaching out to our fans in our very first Gran Turismo 5 invitational!

The goal of the event is simple. We love cars, love Flappy Paddle Heads, and love to share our enthusiasm. Although this is the first event, and everything feels a bit like an experiment, we hope that through racing and having a good time, we get an opportunity to thank many of our readers for visiting our blog and supporting us in general. How exactly will we thank you? Race winner of the night will get a sports car, specially prepped by FPH, to add to their virtual garage! Other prizes will be available too and we will continue providing updates in the upcoming days.

The event will be held a month from now, on November 26th, which align perfectly with the last race weekend of the F1 season in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Hopefully this will give you guys enough time to respond to us (details below*), as well as enough time for us to work out the details of the event.

One things for certain. You guys better perfect your race craft... because shit just got real.



* Add us on PSN (Playstation Network) with "FPH" written on the body of the request. Find us at:
Danny Choy: capn_chimichanga
Danny Chin: Anduril218
Kyle Swift: ROADWARRIOR721

2011 Saab 9-5. Swan Song Or A Phoenix Rising?

A couple months back, I wrote a post about Saab. As I've mentioned, I was never familiar with the marque. Yet, similar to the way a person can never look away from a train wreck, I couldn't leave Saab and its imminent bankruptcy well alone.

What will happen to an all-but-terminal company when its CEO, Victor Muller, sells his creation, Spyker Cars, just to see the new 9-5 realized? What will happen to a company that has passionate and loyal fans but a tiny, and shrinking, customer base?

I've presented a couple questions in my past article and after so long, not only have they all gone unanswered, but every so often, the questions would come to haunt me. I couldn't leave them alone.

What does the brand stand for? What sets Saab apart? Who are Saab buyers today? What's the one thing the company can do to turn it all around?

There was only one way to find out. I had to drive it.

Ciao Marco

For the third time in just over a week, the motorsports world is mourning the loss of one of its own.  MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli lost the front-end of his San Carlo Gresini Honda RC212V and careened across the track amongst a tight field of riders.  While trailing riders Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi tried to avoid Simoncelli, there wasn't enough track and they collided with the downed rider.

Never one to back down, Marco was a talented rider who could take the fight to anyone.  Fellow Italian Luca Montezemolo, President of Ferrari, put Simoncelli's abilities into perspective when he said,"I was very impressed by his speed, talent and the determination he showed this year. His qualities reminded me of Gilles Villeneuve and now, fate has chosen to link them in this tragic fashion."  Montezemolo's thoughts are supported by Marco's career highlights of 2009 250cc MotoGP World Champion as well as podiums in the premiere class in only his second season riding the 800cc motorcycles.

While a fearsome competitor on the track, Marco never lost sight of the importance of life and always kept a cheerful disposition.  Valentino Rossi had stated on twitter that Marco "was like a youngest brother.  So strong on track and so sweet in normal life.  I will miss him a lot."  We're right there with you, Vale.  We'll all miss Super Sic.  Ciao Marco.