Ford To Give Away Mustang Pace Car For Bristol Motor Speedway’s 50th Anniversary

Quite often automakers sell or auction pace cars from big races, but rarely (if ever) do they give them away. In celebration of Bristol Motor Speedway’s 50th anniversary, Ford will give away the 2011 Mustang pace car from the event.

Opening its doors in 1961, this year marks the 50th anniversary of Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee. To celebrate the storied track, Ford will give away the custom-built pace car designed specifically for the anniversary. The one-off car is built around a 2011 Mustang GT and features a custom two-tone black-on-gold paint scheme, black Ford racing wheels, and an exhaust upgrade. Ford values the car at $44,000, nearly $15,000 more than the price of a stock GT.

Fans can enter to win the car on the official Bristol Motor Speedway 50th Anniversary webpage. Among the entrants, three finalists will be awarded a trip to the Irwin Tools Night Race weekend in August. The three will each be given a key, one of which will start the car and be crowned the winner. Also sponsored by Scotts Lawn Care, the winner is set to receive a pallet of the company’s products.

Source: Ford

Ford To Give Away Mustang Pace Car For Bristol Motor Speedway’s 50th Anniversary

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2011 Detroit auto show: GMC SIERRA all-terrain HD concept TRUCK

Despite everything you’ve read, there is still a market for big, expensive lifestyle pickup trucks.

 

So GMC is tackling the Ford SVT Raptor/ Dodge Power Wagon market with its own kind of executive off-roader, the Sierra All Terrain Concept. Unlike the Raptor, it’s based on the Sierra 2500 HD. And keep in mind that at this point, it’s only a concept. In fact, just as the Ford Super Chief concept hinted about the look of the latest F-150, the Sierra All Terrain hints at the next 1500 Sierra, due in the ’13 model year. The concept features a 39-degree approach angle and 31 degree departure angle. Built on an ’11 Sierra 2500 crew cab body, with a 1500′s five-foot, eight-inch box, the concept has a stock Duramax turbodiesel, making 390 horsepower and 745 pound-feet, like the production engine. Transmission also is stock, the Allison six-speed automatic. Thanks to the non-stock box/body combo, the concept’s wheelbase is 149 inches, two inches shorter than a Sierra 2500 Crew Cab. Suspension features custom upper- and lower-control arms, and Fox supplied second rebound shocks front and rear. Tires are knobby 35-inch BFGs on 20-inch aluminum wheels.

2011 Detroit auto show: GMC SIERRA all-terrain HD concept TRUCK

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2011 CHEVY Silverado, GMC Sierra HD Trucks deliver the best towing ratings

Press Release: 2010-05-18 DETROIT – Chevrolet and GMC announced today that the new 2011 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups have increased towing and payload ratings to 21,700 pounds of towing and 6,635 pounds of payload.

 

The new figures were achieved through ongoing development and testing, making the Silverado and Sierra the most capable and powerful heavy-duty pickups in the segment.

• Read more about the Chevrolet Silverado HD.


• Read more about the GMC Sierra HD. 3

About General Motors:  General Motors, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908.  With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 204,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries.  GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands:  Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, FAW, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling.  GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy.  GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services.  General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation.

2011 CHEVY Silverado, GMC Sierra HD Trucks deliver the best towing ratings

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2011 Chevrolet Neiman Marcus Edition Camaro – One-of-a-kind

Originally there were to be 100 Neiman Marcus Edition Camaro’s built. That was the idea from the Neiman Marcus Christmas Catalog, page 44, in 2010. To get one you had to call an (800) number on October 19th 2010 at 12:00 E.S.T. and cross your fingers. All 100, were “snapped up”, in under 3 minutes.

They were to be delivered in April 2011 but that didn’t happen. Those of on the list were informed in March 2011 that they would be delayed till mid-Summer, 2011. Once they were built and shipped, only 75 of these cars were built in total (30 Manual and 45 Automatic transmissions). There was no actual explanation as to why the additional 25 were not built. Via: musclevehicles.com

 

This one was built on July 5th, 2011 and was the 12th one produced. They were shipped in enclosed trucks. Each of these cars has their very own Birth Certificate as well as a window sticker with a M.S.R.P. of $75,000. Aside from the COPO Camaro, these are the rarest of

the 5th Generation Camaro’s made. This guy over here spoke to the actual company that painted the cars for G.M. in Michigan. He got ahold of them to see if he could get some of the paint they used so he could paint the rear difusser the same as the body. They were very helpful. The person he spoke to said G.M. asked him to paint a dozen cars then they wanted to see them in person. When they did see the cars, they said the paint was too perfect. Via: musclevehicles.com

They wanted the “orange peel” finish on the cars to look like all other factory painted Camaro’s. Then he asked him which number is this 2011 Chevrolet Neiman Marcus Edition Camaro, and it was the 12th – one of the “good ones”. Here’s the cool stuff – when the owner asked the GM guy about his opinion as to how much it would cost to paint his other Camaro the same color, he said over $20K, easily, as they dismantled the car to paint it. Via: musclevehicles.com

Anyway, if you open the hood you will notice the engine bay is gloss black. Besides, this tri-coat paint is really expensive. The window sticker calls the paint “Bordeaux”, which is not the actual name after all. The color is “Mystic Bronze Metallic”. You will notice that is does not actually photograph all that well. When you see one in person, depending on the light, it looks purple, brown, bronze or burgandy. The paint on this car is perfect. No scratches, chips or dings. It has only been washed 1 time in 19 months. It has been waxed 9 times. It is kept in an air conditioned and heated garage, under a silk Cover-King cover. It has never been driven in the rain or even parked outside over night. The top has only been down 5 times. Via: musclevehicles.com

Before it had 20 miles on it it went to Pro-Tech and got a clear bra treatment . It covers the entire front, lights, mirrors, rocker panels and bottom rear quarter panels. They did an awesome job then jabbed a $1,600 bill for it (worth it!). Now, last thing regarding the paint. Devious Designs, here in Las Vegas, is the best in the business when it comes to painting cars. The owners literally said that this car has one of the best paint jobs they have ever seen in regard to quality, the wet sand, and the clear coat. They are also the people who painted the other parts on this car. Via: musclevehicles.com

The stock, all original car was , yes, really cool. But, this guy has never been one to leave it at that. Keep in mind that all the O.E.M. parts are available and the car can be returned to “stock” with ease. The rear difuzzer is smoothed and painted the body color. It just looked unfinished and it really made a big difference. While they were doing that he had a Borla A-Tac cat back exhaust installed, with an X pipe. It needed to sound like a Camaro, not a sewing machine. After that the roll bar was installed. With the top down, it looked like it needed to look “tougher”, and now it looks really much better than before.

The rims were exclusive on the car. The polish that was done it extremely nice but they didn’t accent the cars colors. The Amber interior would benefit from a gold center mesh rim. The owner got ahold of Forgeline Racing and told them what he wanted to do. Not only a “one off” rim, but a center lock rim. They make a custom kit that eleminates the lug nuts. They are very light, very cool and over $2,200, each. While that was going on, the Eibach Pro springs were installed to lower the car 1 1/2 inches, all around.

There was something bothering about the front grille. There was no accent and looked like most other Camaro’s. This guy ordered the Heritage grille and had it painted the matte gray that the windshield frame came with, another big difference in appearance. The windows got the latest 3M tint applied, not too dark , just right. The engine is left stock. It’s hard to return a car to original if you start doing motor work. It’s a really rare car! The car has 960 miles on it. That from going to some car shows and the Saturday morning car club meets. That is an average of 1.7 miles per day but is no “daily”. This is a great car to add to a collection or as a display for a car audio company! Via: musclevehicles.com

2011 Chevrolet Neiman Marcus Edition Camaro – One-of-a-kind

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25 Incredible Photographs by the U.S. Air Force

Like many official U.S. Departments, the United States Air Force has an active Flickr Account where they post images for the press and public’s viewing pleasure. With a library of 4,600+ photographs, there’s some really interesting shots published. Below you will find a small collection of images curated from about 50 of their 275 albums. Follow-up posts to come :) Enjoy!

 

F-15E Strike Eagle in Afghanistan, Oct. 6, 2011 | Photograph by Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht

2.

 

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft from the Kansas Air National Guard’s 190th Air Refueling Wing prepares to refuel Navy F/A-18 Hornets over Wake Island during an escort mission from Japan to the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ben Fulton)

3.

 

The U.S. Air Force F-16 Thunderbirds demonstration team performs aerial stunts at the “Legacy of Liberty” open house and air show at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 8, 2011. The team’s primary mission is to exhibit the capabilities of modern warfighting aircraft and to demonstrate the high degree of skill maintained by Air Force members serving in a variety of career specialties. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman DeAndre Curtiss)

 

 

4.

 

A pararescueman from the 920th Rescue Wing (RQW) at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., free falls from a HC-130P/N King refueling aircraft at 3,500 feet during a Cocoa Beach Air Show demonstration Nov. 4, 2011. The Cocoa Beach Air Show will feature 920th RQW Reserve rescue Airmen, HC-130P/N King aircraft and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters Nov. 5-6. Pararescuemen are able to perform life-saving missions in the world’s most remote areas, by air, land or water. (Courtesy photo by Mike Brown)

 

5.

 

A U.S. Air Force B-2 bomber aircraft performs a flyover of the 98th Rose Bowl, Jan. 2, 2012, in Pasadena, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jennifer Greene)

 

 

6.

 

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Schaumberg, a 31st Rescue Squadron pararescueman, is hoisted up onboard an Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter by Master Sgt. John Durbin, a 33rd Rescue Squadron flight engineer and squadron superintendent, during a joint field training exercise off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 1, 2011. Members from the two squadrons trained together on water survival, search and rescue, close air support, and maritime defense and interdiction. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jarvie Z. Wallace)

 

7.

 

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter aircraft deploys countermeasure flares Nov. 12, 2008, over Afghanistan. The aircraft is assigned to the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon)

 

 

8.

 

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft from both the 8th and 419th Fighter Wings demonstrate an “elephant walk” formation as they taxi down a runway during an exercise Dec. 2, 2011, at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea. The exercise showcased Kunsan aircrews’ capability to quickly and safely prepare an aircraft for a wartime mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rasheen Douglas)

 

9.

 

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft with the 4th Fighter Squadron receives fuel as part of an air refueling mission over Jordan Oct. 17, 2011, during Eager Tiger Falcon Air Meet 2011. The Eager Tiger Falcon Air Meet is an annual competition and training exercise for countries that fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Asha Kin)

 

 

10.

 

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Justin Evans, a crew chief with the 60th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, rolls a used C-5 Galaxy tire-and-wheel assembly to a collection point after its removal from an aircraft Oct. 6, 2011, at Travis Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Robert Couse-Baker)

 

11.

 

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds execute a maneuver while visitors watch from Falcon Stadium after the graduation ceremonies of the Class of 2009. This was the 51st graduating class, and consisted of 1,046 newly commissioned 2nd Lieutenants (US Air Force photo by Dennis Rogers)

 

 

12.

 

U.S. Air Force Maj. Aaron Jelinek demonstrates the turning performance of a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft at Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H., during the Boston-Portsmouth Air Show, Aug. 14, 2011. Jelinek is the lead solo pilot for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Larry Reid Jr.)

 

13.

 

U.S. Air Force Airmen look out the back of a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft during Operation Christmas Drop (OCD), Dec. 12, 2011. The island of Fais is located within the Yap state of the Micronesian islands and is one of the more than 50 islands that will receive care packages this holiday season as part of OCD. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)

 

 

14.

 

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II ground-attack aircraft is refueled over southern Afghanistan Aug. 18, 2011. The most prominent feature of the A-10 is the 30 mm GAU-8/A Avenger Gatling-gun cannon. This weapon is capable of firing 3,900 rounds a minute and can defeat an array of ground targets, including tanks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen)

 

15.

 

 

The first of 15 Block 40 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft reconnaissance system is unveiled by Northrop Grumman and U.S. Air Force officials June 25, 2011 in Palmdale, Calif. This newest addition to the Air Force’s growing fleet of Global Hawks carries an advanced, all-weather multi-platform radar technology insertion program (MP-RTIP) sensor capable of detecting, tracking and identifying stationary and moving targets. (Courtesy photo)

 

 

16.

 

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft waits to refuel Aug. 18, 2011 over southern Afghanistan. The most prominent feature of the A-10 Thunderbolt II is the 30-millimeter GAU-8/A Avenger Gatling-gun cannon. Both the A-10 and GAU-8 entered service in 1977, and the gun accounts for 16 percent of the aircraft’s weight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen)

 

17.

 

A F-15 Strike Eagle assigned to the 390th Fighter Squadron, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, conducts a after burner run during exercise Maple Flag 42 at 4 Wing Cold Lake, Canada, June 9, 2009. Maple Flag is a Canadian-sponsored and Air Combat Command supported exercise, that provides aircrew simulated air and ground combat training to coalition forces in a NATO environment.

(U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Larry E. Reid Jr.)

 

 

18.

 

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Peter Jensen, a loadmaster assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, collects the straps that restrain airdrop bundles in the back of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft Sept. 30, 2011. Jensen and the aircrew of the C-17 air dropped 40 bundles to a remote outpost in Afghanistan. Aerial delivery of critical supplies decreases the total number of resupply convoys conducted in high-threat areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen)

 

19.

 

F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft with the Thunderbirds, the U.S. Air Force aerial demonstration team, perform during the 2011 Legacy of Liberty Air Show on Oct. 8, 2011, at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman DeAndre Curtiss)

 

 

20.

 

1920s — Capt. Lowell Smith and Lt. John P. Richter, made the first mid-air refueling, June 1923, at Rockwell Field. (U.S. Air Force archive photo)

 

21.

 

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft pitches out while popping flares over Iraq on Nov. 9, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)

 

 

22.

 

Nine U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft sit on the ramp before taking off Jan. 10, 2012, from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Twelve F-16s and approximately 250 Airmen deployed to Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, for a three-month deployment. The Airmen were activated as the 55th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenny Holston)

 

23.

 

1960s – The F-111 Aardvark was a medium-range interdictor and tactical strike aircraft that also filled the roles of strategic bomber, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare in its various versions. USAF F-111 variants were retired in the 1990s with the F-111Fs retired in 1996 and EF-111s retired in 1998. (U.S. Air Force archive photo)

 

 

24.

 

1990s – U.S. Air Force F-16A Fighting Falcon, F-15C Eagle and F-15E Strike Eagle fighter aircraft fly over burning oil field sites in Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. (U.S. Air Force archive photo)

 

 

25.

 

U.S. Air Force Maj. J.R. Williams, Thunderbird 6, Opposing Solo, performs a Sneak Pass during the Boston-Portsmouth Air Show at Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H., Aug. 14, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Larry E. Reid Jr.)

Source: Twistedsifter.com

25 Incredible Photographs by the U.S. Air Force

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Iran sends a monkey into space and recovers it alive: Should we worry?

As part of what Iran states is a step toward launching its own manned mission to space, the country claims to have sent a monkey into space on a rocket, and recovered it alive after it returned to Earth. Unfortunately for those of us fascinated by spaceflight or terrified of Iranian rocket technology, there aren’t many details on the (reportedly) successful flight.

Back in September of 2011, Iran attempted to send a monkey into space, but the reports coming out of the country said the mission failed. Exactly how the mission failed, though, was not disclosed. The mission reportedly involved sending a rhesus monkey into space on a Kavoshgar-5 rocket, and was supposedly “not publicized” because — as Iran Deputy Science Minister Mohammad Mehdinejad-Nouri put it — none of the mission objectives were met. We don’t know what that meant for the monkeynaut.

The report was aired on Iranian state television, and some images of the monkey being prepared for takeoff were shown. The little guy was wearing a protective monkey-sized outfit, and was strapped into a monkey-sized safety seat. The Explorer rocket in which the monkey traveled, dubbed the Pishgam (which translates to Pioneer), was said to have traveled a height of 72 miles (120 kilometers). There were no other details of the launch, other than the monkey returned to Earth safely, and was hopefully greeted appropriately.

Via: extremetech.com

Iran sends a monkey into space and recovers it alive: Should we worry?

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