Latest News

May 31, 2008

Wrapped around a pole

This truck looks like it stopped pretty suddenly.

May 29, 2008

ARB cites Apria Health Care $14,000 for air quality violations

Settlement used to mitigate pollution, encourage clean
technology and provide education

SACRAMENTO - The Air Resources Board fined Apria Health Care
headquartered in Lake Forest, Ca, $14,000 for violations of
California's clean air laws requiring diesel fleet owners to
maintain the exhaust systems of their truck engines.

An ARB investigation revealed that Apria Health Care failed to
properly inspect and document their diesel trucks as required by
law. Violations occurred between 2006-2007 when the company did
not follow the Heavy Duty Vehicle Inspection Program. This
program along with the Periodic Smoke Inspection Program allows
ARB to inspect vehicles for excessive smoke emissions and engine
tampering.

"As a health care business, Apria should be especially sensitive
to the impacts of its trucks on public health. CARB will continue
to hold all fleet owners accountable for inspecting and
maintaining their vehicles" said ARB Chairman Mary Nichols.

Apria's violations occurred in facilities located in Concord,
Modesto, San Leandro, South San Francisco, Stockton, El Segundo,
Lancaster, Oxnard, Santa Fe Springs, Tustin, and Van Nuys.

The California Air Pollution Control Fund, established to
mitigate sources of pollution through education advancement and
use of cleaner technology, will receive $10,500 from the
settlement. The remaining $3,500 will go to the Peralta
Community College District which maintains a diesel technology
education training and program for diesel operating staff.

In addition to the fine, Apria has agreed to ensure that all
staff responsible for the compliance with state regulations
attend the California Council on Diesel Education and Technology
class and provide proof of completion within one year. Apria must
provide copies of all compliance records for 2008 and the
subsequent four years, and maintain proof that each vehicle in
its fleet meets emissions standards at least as stringent as the
U.S. federal standards. Finally, the company's vehicle operators
will be instructed to comply with state idling regulations.

Diesel exhaust contains a variety of harmful gases and over 40
known cancer-causing substances. In 1998, California identified
diesel exhaust as a toxic air contaminant based on its potential
to cause cancer, premature death and other health problems.
People exposed to higher levels of emissions from diesel-fueled
engines are at increased risk for cancer.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California
Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and
protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through
effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and
considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air
pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain
health based air quality standards.

May 28, 2008

Japanese Muscle: Part 7of 10. Nissan Skyline GT-R

Showing off the HKS V-Cam system for a GT-R. Its variable cam timing for the intake cam. Expensive, but it seems to work.

HKS V-Cam - HKS site in Japanese

1928 Ford engine

Spark plug flat pieces of non isulated wire

2009 Nissan Maxima : Motor Trend Test


Motor Trend

"For sure, a mere glance at the new Maxima confirms that Nissan has wrought dramatic changes. In an era when every model year seemingly brings "bigger, larger, fatter," Nissan has actually downsized its flagship four-door. Wheelbase shrinks 1.9 inches, length is cut by nearly four inches, and height is reduced almost half an inch. Importantly, though, track has widened 1.4 inches up front and 1.2 inches at the rear. While other cars have grown to accommodate an "expanding" audience (the Honda Accord comes to mind), the new Maxima is primed for responsiveness."
"Engine output climbs significantly for 2009. Remapped for premium fuel, the ubiquitous 3.5-liter V-6 sports a new intake, reshaped pistons, and a less-restrictive exhaust, among other refinements-helping it deliver 290 horsepower (versus 255 for the 2008 model) and 261 pound-feet of torque (up 9 pound-feet). Yet estimated fuel economy actually improves, to 19/26 city/highway mpg (compared with 19/25 for the outgoing car). An electronically controlled CVT with sport and manual modes is the only transmission offering; paddle shifters are optional."

May 27, 2008

Exedy Triple Plate Carbon Clutch Push for R32 GT-R

R32 GT-R carbon clutch. Triple plate.

Regrow an Arm, or a Finger, with Magic Pixie Dust


Its not April Fools day, and this is on CNN, so I will assume its true. If it is true, it will be like the coolest thing ever. Or maybe the coolest thing this week. Doctors are experimenting with regrowing body parts. This CNN article gets into all the details.

I love how they call it "Pixie Dust".

1/43 Ebbro Skyline GT-R JGTC test car

$350 for a Ebbro 1/43rd is a little steep

May 25, 2008

1982 Mercedes 300D - Turbo Diesel for Sale

1982 Mercedes 300D. Turbo Diesel. Perfect for a Bio- Diesel conversion.

May 22, 2008

If you fall off, you should get right back on.


http://view.break.com/505730 - Watch more free videos No, it doesn't look real.

I heart nitrous


An old Big Bird dyno chart. 2540's, nitrous. Breaking up a the top. I have to plot this in the turbo lag plots. 656 whp. .

Targa Newfoundland - Updates - Prepping for Paint #2


IVOAC.CA

Getting closer

Speedhunters website goes live


Speedhunters via Kultivate Blog
"Working on the world's number one car racing video game does have its privileges. One can get pretty deeply connected into the universes of drifting, racing, new car launches, car builders, automotive magazine and the personalities that drive the action. For some people on the Need for Speed team, this is a dream made in heaven. What could be better than submerging oneself in all aspects of worldwide car culture? For us this is an all encompassing lifestyle; we breathe, eat and sleep all things..."
Check it out.

GMC Typhoon launches in reverse



GMC Typhoon. Pulls up past the tree. The starter waves him back. He backs up into the lights, turns the lights on. Torque brakes it, and then launches it, still in reverse. Slams it into drive. It didn't sound good. I should make this newer.

May 20, 2008

July 2008 Sport Compact Car

Left hand drive ( LHD ) Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 for Sale

Can't see too much from the pictures they posted. I wonder who did the conversion.

May 19, 2008

Big Bird R33 Skyline GT-R off the two step

No nitrous.

Japanese Muscle: Part 6 of 10. Nissan Skyline GT-R

From GT Channel HKS V-Cam. First part.

Better than a Hybrid: Buy a used car

Wired Blog

"As Matt Power notes in this month's issue of Wired, hybrids get great gas mileage but it takes 113 million BTUs of energy to make a Toyota Prius. Because there are about 113,000 BTUs of energy in a gallon of gasoline, the Prius has consumed the equivalent of 1,000 gallons of gasoline before it reaches the showroom. Think of it as a carbon debt -- one you won't pay off until the Prius has turned over 46,000 miles or so.

There's an easy way to avoid that debt -- buy a used car. The debt has already been paid. But not just any used car will do.

It has to be something fuel efficient. Like, say, a 1998 Toyota Tercel that gets 27 mpg city / 35 mpg highway miles. The Prius will have to go 100,000 miles to achieve the same carbon savings as the 10-year-old Tercel. Get behind the wheel of a 1994 Geo Metro XFi, which matches the Prius' 46 mpg, and the Prius would never close the carbon gap, Power writes.

There are a lot of used cars out there that top 30 mpg, and more than a few that reach into the 40s. Just about any Ford Festiva or Aspire will deliver 33 mpg. The mid-'90s Mazda Proteges are good for 30 mpg or so, as are the Dodge Colts of the early '90s."

Inland Wholesale Auto Center

May 18, 2008

2009 Nissan Maxima unveiling at Stillen

The 2009 Nissan Maxima was shown at the Stillen Nissan/Infiniti owners day event on May 17,2008. Nissans 4 door sports car. Why is it on a GT-R blog ? Mr. Tamura was involved with the car . Part of his ideas in the car are the wide fenders. He wanted to give the car a very aggressive , break though look.

May 15, 2008

HKS GT-RS turbos. Nissan Skyline GT-R RB26DETT

This is part of my on going look at turbos and the relationship between RPM's and horsepower on RB26 engines.

The new line on this chart is GT-RS pump. That is a set of GT-RS turbos on a 2.8 liter RB26. It has what I would call mid sized cams in it. Lots of little tricks to make power. Its setup more as a real street car, so we tried to maximize area under the curve. Its pretty obvious from this chart, that we did just that.

One more chart after the jump.

Who says GT-RS are bad turbos ? Yes, I do.

May 14, 2008

Targa Newfoundland - Preping for Paint



From IVOAC

Working, working

Nissan 370Z picture and information


From Autoblog

"A recent presentation held somewhere on this floating orb we call Earth, however, included a slide that pretty much removes the mystery surround the rear-wheel-drive coupe's new looks. Fortunately for us, someone at the presentation forgot to confiscate everyone's camera phone. So what we see is a new 370Z that very much retains the basic shape of the current car, but features softened creases, fenders flaired even more, a kinky C-pillar and a pair of headlights with an odd 'L' shape that first debuted on the 2009 Maxima. Along with the new shape, the new engine should offer buyers around 330 horsepower,"

Opps

May 13, 2008

LIVE SOCKETS BATTLE SERIES REVS UP AT CALIFORNIA SPEEDWAY


The new racing series will pit teams in head-to-head battle on the full 2.8 mile Auto Competition Course at the Fontana track.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Official Website: www.livesockets.com

Los Angeles, CA (May 13, 2008) – Live Sockets Entertainment in conjunction with the Redline Time Attack Series will produce the Live Sockets Battle Series, a head-to-head racing competition, pitting some of the country's top tuners against one another on California Speedway's 21 turn, 2.8 miles Auto Competition Course. This unique event will run within the Redline Time Attack weekend July 19-20th at the famed Fontana raceway. Rules/regulations and a list of teams participating in the series will be announced shortly.

“Fontana (Speedway) in this configuration with the banked turn in play is a going to be insane,” says Thuy Dang, Live Sockets Executive Producer. “This may be the first time for many of these teams to run the cars on the larger road course and we're excited to see how everyone will adjust to this configuration and format.”

Nissan Skyline GT-R : Japanese Muscle 5 of 10

From GT Channel:

5 of 10

ARB cites Source Interlink and Wingfoot Commercial Tire Systems

$41,000 settles clean air violations for heavy-duty diesel
fleets
ARB cites Source Interlink and Wingfoot Commercial Tire Systems

SACRAMENTO - The California Air Resources Board last week
penalized two out-of-state companies for violation of clean
diesel truck regulations around the state for a total of
$41,625.

Source Interlink Companies, headquartered in Coral Springs,
Fla., and Wingfoot Commercial Tire Systems, based in Fort Smith,
Ark., in 2006 and 2007 violated California's Periodic Smoke
Inspection Program, which requires owners of
California-registered trucks to regularly inspect their vehicles
to meet state air quality standards.

Wingfoot's violations occurred in Walnut, Ontario, Chino,
Visalia, Benicia, Fresno, Hayward, Modesto, Redding, South San
Francisco, San Jose, Stockton and West Sacramento. Source
Interlink Companies' violations occurred in Los Angeles.

"Compliance by paying penalties is a needlessly expensive way to
do business in California," ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols said.
"Savvy business owners comply with laws from the outset, avoid
fines and contribute to clean air goals."

ARB enforcement teams found that both Wingfoot and Source
Interlink failed to properly inspect their diesel-powered
vehicle fleets. To settle the case, Wingfoot agreed to the
$30,000 penalty and Source Interlink agreed to $11,625 to comply
with the state's clean truck regulations.

In addition to the penalties, both companies must:

* Ensure that staff responsible for compliance with the
diesel truck emission inspection program attend diesel education
courses and provide certificates of completion within one year;
* Instruct vehicle operators to comply with the state's
idling regulations;
* Complete heavy-duty diesel engine software and control
technology upgrades in compliance with regulations;
* Supply all smoke inspection records to ARB for the next
four years; and
* Properly label engines to ensure compliance with the
engine emissions certification program regulations.

Wingfoot paid $22,500 and Source Interlink $8,718 into the
California Air Pollution Control fund, created to conduct air
pollution research and fund several programs aimed at reducing
emissions as well as educating the public on pollution
prevention. In addition, the Peralta Community College District
will receive $7,500 from Wingfoot and $2,906 from Source
Interlink to fund diesel technology education programs and
training for staff that operate diesel-fueled vehicles.

Unchecked, emissions from heavy-duty diesel trucks contribute to
toxic diesel particulate matter levels that are a danger to
public health. Diesel emissions contribute to poor air quality
throughout the state.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California
Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and
protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through
effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and
considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air
pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain
health based air quality standards.

Nissan R34 GT-R Service Manual in English


R34 GTR service manual in English. Check out this thread on Freshalloy if you want to get a copy. Everything for free on the internet is only for the GTS and RB25DET. This supplement covers the GT-R, RB26DETT powered car.

"I also got a full copy of the Japanese Language BNR34 service manual, the English/Japanese Wiring Diagram book, and the Japanese R34 Owner's Manual."
You have to buy it, but at least you don't have to pay $700 for it.

Nissan GT 2012 Mid-term Business Plan Unveiled

Nissan GT 2012 Mid-term Business Plan Unveiled

TOKYO (May 13, 2008) – Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today announced financial results for the fiscal year 2007, ending March 31, 2008, and filed the following results with the Tokyo Stock Exchange:

* Net revenues of 10.824 trillion yen (US $94.62 billion, euro 66.98 billion)
* Operating profit of 790.8 billion yen (US $6.91 billion, euro 4.89 billion)
* Ordinary profit of 766.4 billion yen (US $6.70 billion, euro 4.74 billion)
* Consolidated net income of 482.3 billion yen (US $4.22 billion, euro 2.98 billion)
* Operating profit margin of 7.3%


Nissan sold a record 3,770,000 vehicles worldwide in fiscal year 2007, an increase of 8.2%. In North America, sales were 1,352,000 units, up 1.3%; United States sales were 1,059,000 units, up 3.0%. In Japan, sales were 721,000 units, down 2.5%. In Europe, sales came to 636,000 units, up 17.9%. Sales in General Overseas Markets (GOM) were up 22.1% at 1,061,000 units, surpassing the 1-million mark for the first time.

In fiscal year 2007, Nissan released 11 all-new models globally: Livina, X-TRAIL, Altima Coupe, Atlas truck, Aprio, Infiniti G37 Coupe, Rogue, GT-R, Infiniti EX luxury crossover, Murano and a single-cab version of the Frontier Navara pickup truck.



The company's net automotive cash position stood at 180.3 billion yen (US $1.58 billion, euro 1.12 billion) at the end of fiscal 2007. As originally planned at the start of Nissan Value-Up, Nissan will propose a 20-yen-per-share year-end dividend at the company's annual shareholders' meeting in June, for a full-year dividend of 40 yen per share for fiscal 2007.

"In a challenging and volatile environment, Nissan demonstrated that it has reached the maturity to deliver a high level of performance," said Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn.

Nissan GT 2012

Nissan also released an outline of its new five-year business plan called "Nissan GT 2012," which covers the period from April 1, 2008, to March 31, 2013. With "G" for growth and "T" for trust, this new plan is focused on the company's long-term performance combined with its responsibilities to stakeholders as a significant global business.

Nissan GT 2012 contains corporate commitments and business breakthroughs. The three commitments are:

1. Quality leadership: In addition to focusing on product quality, the company will continue and accelerate actions to improve service, brand and management quality.

2. Zero-emission vehicle leadership: Nissan will introduce an all-electric vehicle in the U.S. and Japan in 2010 and then mass-market vehicles to consumers globally in 2012.

3. Five percent revenue growth on average over five years (FY2008 to FY2012): Revenue growth will be supported by a product plan that will launch 60 all-new models in the next five years and more than 15 new technologies every year from 2009.

The three commitments of Nissan GT 2012 will be backed by five business breakthroughs:

* Quality leadership
* Zero-emission vehicle leadership
* Business expansion: Infiniti, Light Commercial Vehicles and global entry cars
* Market expansion: India, Middle East, Brazil, Russia and China
* Cost leadership


"Nissan GT 2012 reflects the determination of our company to play a major role in the development of a sustainable mobile society," commented Ghosn. "There's a balance to be sought between the potential growth in world markets and the demand for a cleaner planet. We are convinced that the mass availability of affordable zero-emission vehicles is the most significant breakthrough our industry could deliver, and, together with Renault, Nissan intends to be the breakthrough leader."

FY2008 outlook

The global sales forecast for fiscal 2008 is 3.9 million units. The main contributions to volume growth will come primarily from GOM and Russia. Nissan will launch nine all-new products during fiscal 2008: Teana, Infiniti FX, Maxima, Bakkie successor, Qashqai+2, a mini SUV, Cube, Z and Infiniti G37 Convertible.

In 2008, principal external risks are high commodity and energy prices, volatile foreign exchange and weakening mature automotive markets.

* Based on the company's outlook and assuming foreign exchange rates of 100 yen/dollar and 155 yen/euro, Nissan filed the following forecast for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009, with the Tokyo Stock Exchange:
* Consolidated net revenues of 10.35 trillion yen (US $103.50 billion, euro 66.77 billion)
* Operating profit of 550 billion yen (US $5.50 billion, euro 3.55 billion)
* Ordinary profit of 545 billion yen (US $5.45 billion, euro 3.52 billion)
* Net income of 340 billion yen (US $3.40 billion, euro 2.19 billion)


Note 1: Amounts in dollars and euros for the results are translated for the convenience of the reader at the foreign exchange rates of 114.4 yen/dollar and 161.6 yen/euro, the average rates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008.

Note 2: For the purpose of comparison with FY2007, FY2006 excludes the one-time fifth-quarter inclusion made in 2006 to harmonize the fiscal years of overseas subsidiaries such as Europe and Mexico.

May 12, 2008

ARB proposes new rule to clean up state trucks, buses

Diesel emissions from freeway trucks are major contributors to
poor air quality

SACRAMENTO - The Air Resources Board unveiled a revised draft
regulation this week that will require retrofits and engine
replacements for the estimated privately owned 300,000 diesel
trucks and buses transiting California roadways beginning in
2012.

Staff re-worked an earlier version of the draft regulation to
eliminate the need for truckers to replace two trucks in a
nine-year span, instead relying more heavily on retrofits for
the first two years of the regulation. The revised proposal has
a lower cost while preserving important public health benefits.
The proposed regulation now calls for truckers to retrofit
pre-2007 model year trucks with soot filters and then requires a
gradual modernization of trucks beginning in 2012, so that
ultimately all trucks are the cleanest, 2010 or newer models.

This draft regulation addresses the largest unregulated source
of diesel emissions in the state. Between 2010 and 2020, ARB
estimates that the regulation will prevent 11,000 premature
deaths associated with exposure to diesel exhaust, and save
roughly $500 million in health care costs during that same
period.

"If passed by the Board later this year, this regulation will
save thousands of lives and help the hundreds of thousands more
who suffer from asthma and other respiratory ailments," said ARB
Chairman Mary Nichols. "While we are sensitive to the economic
impacts this measure poses to truckers, the public health
benefits are far too great not to move forward."

This regulation is projected to cost the trucking industry
somewhere between $3.6 to $5.5 billion from 2010 to 2021, which
ARB staff estimates will add less than a penny apiece to
products hauled by these trucks that people buy, ranging from
athletic shoes to television sets. ARB is in the midst of
allocating $1 billion in Proposition 1B funds, much of which
will go toward helping truckers retrofit and replace trucks.
Other entities, including the U.S. EPA and several California
ports are offering financial assistance.

Emissions from diesel particulate matter are associated with
causing a variety of health effects including premature death
and a number of heart and lung diseases. A recent study looking
at the health impacts to West Oakland residents posed by diesel
emissions estimates the yearly non-cancer health impacts
resulting from exposure to port-related diesel particulate
matter emissions in the area: 18 premature deaths (age 30 and
older), 290 asthma attacks, 2,600 days of work loss, and 15,000
minor restricted activity episodes. Most of the risk comes from
diesel particulate matter emissions from trucks traveling on
nearby freeways and marine vessel traffic in the San Francisco
Bay Area unrelated to the Port of Oakland.

ARB has put in place stringent regulations to curb the health
risk to Californians. The most recent adopted regulations to
limit diesel emissions affect cargo handling equipment,
transport refrigeration units, truck idling, off-road
construction equipment, harbor craft, ship auxiliary engines,
port drayage trucks and ships-at-berth. Also, the introduction
of cleaner fuel for railroads and ships has contributed to lower
pollution around the ports and rail yards.

Later this year, ARB will also consider adopting another
proposed regulation involving ocean-going vessel main engines to
further reduce diesel soot. State control measures will
contribute to an approximate decrease of 80 percent in harmful
emissions by 2015.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California
Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and
protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through
effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and
considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air
pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain
health based air quality standards.

The energy challenge facing California is real. Every
Californian needs to take immediate action to reduce energy
consumption. For a list of simple ways you can reduce demand and
cut your energy cost, see our web site at http://www.arb.ca.gov

May 11, 2008

New Nissan S16 Silvia ?


From 7Tune
"It’s possible that a 2.0L NA engine with a higher output will power the compact FR sports car range, with totally new 1.6L or 1.8L direct injection turbo engines also being considered for the task. The smaller capacity turbo engines are looking favorable at this point, largely due to the inclusion of Nissan’s VCR (Variable Compression Ratio) Piston-Crank System which will improve fuel economy - like that of a small capacity NA engine around town - and also provide high power when needed. The VCR equipped 1.6L turbo engine was mentioned along with the Roundbox concept at last years Tokyo Motor Show so it could very well make it into the compact FR sports coupe. Best Car calculates that around 150ps will be available in high compression mode, with anything up to 225ps in low compression turbocharged mode."
Lets see if it gets built.

Ethanol Alternatives Stuck in the Slow Lane

From the Arizona Republic
"Despite a public-relations backlash of epic proportions and frenzied research on other technology such as algae biodiesel, it likely will be years before other alternative fuels are as widely used as corn ethanol.

Ethanol is now a staple in gasoline, used as an additive that reduces the amount of crude oil and cuts back on vehicle emissions.

The 134 ethanol refineries in the country are expected to produce about 9 billion gallons of the fuel this year. Even with some cancellations, dozens of plants are expanding or being built, according to the Renewable Fuels Association. Many have direct ties to corn, with farmers owning 49 plants."

Most of the fuel we use in California is E10. 10% Ethanol. E85 is an "alternative" fuel but not liked by too many people. Its interesting if you use it as a performance application, but as a fuel, the gas mileage is reduced, and the steps in refining it supposedly uses more resources than it releases.

"Beyond the dilemma of using food for fuel, ethanol has efficiency issues. High-concentration blends get about one-third fewer miles to the gallon than gasoline, although the ethanol industry promotes "optimal" blends of 20 or 30 percent that can raise mileage in some engines despite the lower energy content of ethanol.

Ethanol proponents tout corn as a steppingstone to "cellulosic" ethanol. In the cellulosic process, enzymes are used to break down the woody part of plants, rather than just the sugary parts, like corn kernels."

May 10, 2008

GRID Match : Bonus Clips. Flip a Bitch Contest

From GT Channel

Bonus

GRID Match : Part 4 of 4. Flip a Bitch Contest

From GT Channel

#4

GRID Match : Part 3 of 4. Flip a Bitch Contest

From GT Channel

#3

May 9, 2008

R32 GT-R passing a Viper in the Canyons

He let me by. Maybe

Big Bird R33 GT-R burnout video

An old video of me doing a burnout in Big Bird.

Same time as the header picture of this blog.

Building a Beast


From Forbes.com

"So Mitsuoka, 57, built his own gas-guzzling monster. Dubbed the Orochi after the mythical Japanese beast that's much like the Hydra of Greek legend, it's powered by a 3.3-liter V6 engine that propels the wide-body machine to a top speed of 150 miles per hour. It drinks a gallon of gasoline every 20 miles. Toyota's Prius hybrid car can travel 48 miles on the same amount.

Since the Orochi went on sale two years ago, he's sold 40 in Japan and 2 in Singapore--at roughly $100,000 each--and he says his order book is filled for the next six months. He now has dealers lined up in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, and dealers in the United Arab Emirates and Jordan have begun to offer the car to well-off Arabs. He says more dealerships, including one in neighboring Qatar, will soon join them: "In the Middle East people aren't interested in eco-cars, and water is more expensive than gas.''"

Way back when, in the 1980's and 1990's my father used to export US cars to Mitsuoka in Japan.

May 8, 2008

ARB Fines Crown Disposal Company $88,000

Trash hauler failed to test diesel fleet for excess emissions,
properly label vehicles

SACRAMENTO - The California Air Resources Board last week
imposed Crown Disposal Company, Inc., with more than $88,000 in
fines for a two-year failure to inspect their diesel trucks for
compliance with the state's smoke emissions standards, and for
violation of trash hauler rules.

Crown Disposal, based in Sun Valley, Calif., will pay $88,275
following an ARB investigation that found the company failed to
conduct diesel truck smoke tests in 2005 and 2006. Further, a
small number of Crown Disposal's trucks were missing
ARB-required labels for solid waste collection vehicles.

"Compliance with California clean air laws is not an option - it
is a requirement," said ARB Chairman Mary Nichols. "Our
enforcement teams are on the lookout for business owners who
think otherwise."



Under the penalty, Crown Disposal must:

* Ensure that staff responsible for compliance with the
diesel truck emission inspection program attend diesel education
courses and provide certificates of completion within one year;
* Instruct vehicle operators to comply with the state's
idling regulations;
* Complete heavy-duty diesel engine software and control
technology upgrades in compliance with regulations;
* Supply all smoke inspection records to ARB for the next
four years; and
* Properly label engines to ensure compliance with the
engine emissions certification program regulations.

The California Air Pollution Control Fund, established to
mitigate various sources of pollution through education and the
advancement and use of cleaner technology, will receive
$66,206.25. The remainder will go to the Peralta Community
College District to fund diesel education classes.

The South Coast region faces serious particulate matter and
ozone problems. A decade ago, the ARB listed diesel particulate
matter as a toxic air contaminant in order to protect public
health. Exposure to unsafe levels of diesel emissions can
increase the risk of asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory
diseases.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California
Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and
protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through
effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and
considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air
pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain
health based air quality standards.

The energy challenge facing California is real. Every
Californian needs to take immediate action to reduce energy
consumption. For a list of simple ways you can reduce demand and
cut your energy cost, see our web site at http://www.arb.ca.gov

May 4, 2008

Targa Newfoundland - Updates - Wheels

IVOAC forum

17" x 9.5" +12 offset

Sponsors so far:

Brave Auto International - www.braveautointernational.jp

Luxury Imports - www.luxuryimports.ca

Maximum Overdrive - www.maxoverdrive.ca

New West Collision - confusingly located in Coquitlam

Z-Tune Motorsports - www.ztune.ca

Anyone else that is interested in sponsoring the Targa Newfoundland effort, please contact Mike directly mbain@ivoac.ca

Thank you,

May 3, 2008

GRID Match : Part 2 of 4. Flip a Bitch Contest

GT Channel


Flip a Bitch

GRID Match : Part 1 of 4. Flip a Bitch Contest

GT Channel

Flip a Bitch.

May 2, 2008

Mr. Sweet

Yes, that is spray painted on the bra on that car.