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When it comes to drag racing, passion isn’t quite a strong enough word to describe the mindset of specific individuals towards the sport. Synonyms such as obsession, enthusiasm, and devotion certainly reflect the intended verbiage, but regardless of the phrase, the emotion is undeniably present when speaking to Brandon Barker. Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in DI #197, the 30 Under 30 Issue, in November/December 2025. The Ontario, Canada, native and father of two daughters has literally built his life around drag racing. He and his wife, Rachel, are both racers and co-own the drag racing lifestyle brand, BracketLife. Brandon co-hosts the BracketLife Brand podcast with Andrew Stirk and has even branched into the realm of education through this year’s inaugural Bracket Racing 101 course. It’s believed that his infatuation began during his first visit to a racetrack, at only six months old, and Barker has never been more than a crawl’s distance away ever since. He has accumulated numerous victories, including being the first three-time Super Tour National Champion and becoming the winningest racer in Super Tour history with nine wins and 10 consecutive Top 10 finishes throughout 10 years. He claimed the John Scotti Canadian National Open Series championship in Super Comp this season during his first attempt at throttle-stop racing. Earning the Luskville Dragway track championship for the first time this season added a sentimental edge to his impressive season. “You feel those butterflies in your stomach, and you know it’s a meaningful day that’s going to matter,” Brandon explains. “Luskville has been open for 40 years, and the championship trophy has so many guys’ names on it that I grew up watching since I was born, and so many legends in my mind. You see the winners every year, and then you add your name to that, so hopefully someone is going to feel that way in the future about seeing you on there. That’s the cool part of winning a hometown series…it holds a lot of weight for the local guys and those who keep the sport going.” Barker’s on-track success highlights only a fraction of his impact throughout the bracket racing world. His cross-country traveling experience to various racetracks, combined with his candid nature, has created an audience of friends and followers throughout the years, which he has meticulously utilized to share the spotlight. “There’s really no outlet for Canadians to get their name out there [as compared to the United States],” Barker says. “The idea behind the BracketLife Broadcast was ‘Canada’s Drag Racing Show,’ and we want to highlight Canadian racers and talk about them the way that they should be. The best thing for sportsman drag racing was the Luke [Bogacki] and Jed [Jared Pennington] podcast, because they are talking about such awesome racers and stories. I wanted to bring that here to give the Canadian racers a platform to be celebrated.” Another way the Barkers are giving back is by sharing a wealth of knowledge through the Bracket Racing 101 course. Brandon believes that by helping the racers who may not feel as confident in their racing programs but are willing to put in the work if given the right tools, he can help ignite the same fiery passion for the sport that his family has. Everyone agrees racing is more enjoyable when you’re winning, and in the iron-sharpening-iron mentality, the entire sport will benefit. “We all want to drive, we all want to be successful and get noticed, and I’ve been fortunate to have my fair share of success on the racetrack,” says Barker. “I wanted to be chosen [for the 30 Under 30 List] because of how I drive, but I want to keep building and be so much more than that. It’s cool when you’re doing the backend work, just to be involved for the love of the sport and to keep growing it.” Although well-deserved, Barker would like to acknowledge that his wife also shares his success and accolades. “I wouldn’t be able to do anything without Rachel being so supportive and a huge part of it,” he says. “It’s my name and brand on all of it, but you don’t get to do all this stuff without a partner that’s supportive and involved in it as much as you. I’m just looking forward to what we can do as a team.”Many people claim to eat, sleep, and breathe the sport, but there is a strong working theory that Barker actually does. “I love racing, being part of it, and everything to do with it. And I just want more,” he says with a laugh. “Racing is my life, and I want to make a career out of being involved in the sport. As much as we’d all love to do that just on the racetrack, it’s not very likely, so whatever fashion that is, I’d like that to be my profession. When you have a lot of big plans and big ideas, there’s only one way to get there…keep working and moving forward.” The post DI 30 Under 30 2025: Brandon Barker first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Several spy shots of the new BMW 5-series, in both its sedan and Touring formats, are making rounds on the internet. While that’s happening on one end, as per, someone from Russia has decided to liven things up, rendering the new facelifted 5-series LCI based on what we know so far. Kolesa.ru shared a few photos of the non-camo’d Bimmer online, which, taken at face value, does make it seem like BMW is moving away from its beaver-teeth ethos. Although the design never fully made it to the 5-series, the G8X M3s and M4s—even the LCIs—are still shouldering the burden, with the Neue Klasse finally delivering a more palatable impression. Kolesa.ru The render has taken some inspiration from BMW’s radical new design philosophy, evidenced by the full-length headlights that remind us of the new iX3. However, we expected to see a lot more of the Neue Klasse styling in the render. While the grille design resembles a toned-down version of the controversial buck-tooth design, we have seen spy shots of the new 5 sporting a “regular-sized” grille, so it may not be an accurate representation, shall we say. However, nothing’s certain as of yet, and BMW could be intentionally misleading us with its clever camouflage. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that this render leans heavily into the LCI theme, as the sides and rear look very similar to the G90 M5/i5 M60, with the model even sporting the massive M-branded wheels from the current-generation flagship 5-series electric. So what about the inside? Unfortunately, there’s nothing available. That said, if we piece together what BMW has done in the past, it’s reasonable to assume the new 5-series LCI will likely get some of the Neu Klasse-inspired interior accoutrements. It may not be as dramatic as the new iX3, but expect some of the fancy electronics to find their way into this LCI model. As for powertrain options, we reckon BMW will likely carry over the existing options with a few subtle tweaks. The 255-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is expected to remain unchanged, while the 3.0-liter turbo inline-six might see a slight power increase. The PHEV and pure-EV versions will likely bring along efficiency upgrades in the form of improved driving range. View the full article

We were already impressed by the new 2026 Can-Am Defender HD11 in our initial first drive, but seeing it get thrashed by pros across the brand's new Derby competition, we didn't even come close to its potential.View the full article

Bobby Rahal is letting go of one of the crown jewels in Japanese car history. His 1967 Toyota 2000GT, chassis MF10-10128, is currently listed on Bring a Trailer as a dealer-consignment Premium auction through Graham Rahal Performance. One of just 351 examples built during a three-year production run, this right-hand-drive Solar Red coupe comes with an unusually well-documented global backstory, a fresh mechanical pedigree, and a recent class win at the 2024 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. As of this writing, bidding sits at $751,251 with several days left on the clock, and interest is heavy, with thousands of views and more than 3,400 watchers. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article A World-Traveling 2000GT With Serious ProvenanceToyota and Yamaha developed the 2000GT together, debuting the prototype at the 1965 Tokyo Motor Show and hand-building production cars at Yamaha’s Itawa factory starting in 1967. Styled by Satoru Nozaki, the low-slung fastback coupe features pop-up headlights, driving lamps faired into the nose, bullet-style fender mirrors, and louvered panels flanking the hood, with the contoured roof standing under 46 inches tall. This particular car is said to have been sold new in Mozambique before being acquired by a South African collector in the late 1970s. It briefly passed through the U.S. in 1986, then went to a Costa Rican Toyota importer who kept it for the next 28 years. Between 2013 and 2014, the car underwent a full refurbishment at Restauraciones Clásicas in Costa Rica, including removal of the body from its steel X-shaped backbone frame and a refinish in Solar Red. The bumpers, grille surround, and other brightwork were replated by The Finishing Touch in Chicago. A UK buyer later commissioned additional paint and bodywork in 2015 from Paulerspury Coachworks, targeting the hood, tailgate, right-front fender, quarter panels, and left side of the cowl. The car then sold on BaT in 2016, returned to the platform again in 2021, and was purchased by its current owner, three-time CART champion and 1986 Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal. Under Rahal’s ownership, the car won its class at Amelia Island in 2024, and ribbons plus concours memorabilia are included with the sale. View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article Refreshed Chassis, Period Cabin, And A 3M DOHC SixUnderneath, the 2000GT’s Yamaha-built backbone chassis carries four-wheel independent suspension and servo-assisted disc brakes all around. This car rides on 15-inch magnesium alloy wheels secured by bright knock-offs and wrapped in 165HR15 Vredestein Sprint Classic tires, with a matching spare on Dunlop rubber in the rear cargo area. A 2015 mechanical refresh by Classic Performance Engineering in Bicester, UK, brought rebuilt brake calipers, reconditioned rotors, a new servo, replacement Eibach springs, Öhlins shocks, and a rebuilt steering rack. Power comes from the 1,988cc 3M inline-six, which uses a cast-iron block and a Yamaha-designed aluminum twin-cam head with hemispherical combustion chambers. Induction is via triple Mikuni-Solex 40 PHH carburetors rebuilt in 2015. That same round of work included reconditioned camshafts, valve shimming, and the installation of a Facet fuel pump. Power is sent to the rear wheels through an all-synchromesh five-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential, both rebuilt in 2015, along with a new flywheel, clutch, release bearing, clutch master cylinder, and refurbished driveshafts. Inside, the right-hand-drive cockpit is trimmed in black vinyl with knitted seat inserts and color-matched carpeting. Wood veneer accents the dash and center console, and the wood-rimmed steering wheel with matching hub fronts a 250-km/h speedometer and a 7,000-rpm redline tachometer. The five-digit odometer shows 78,000 kilometers (about 48,000 miles), with roughly 50 kilometers added under Rahal’s ownership. Auxiliary gauges monitor fuel level, oil pressure and temperature, coolant temperature, and amperage, all sitting above a pushbutton AM radio. Period-correct Jeco timepieces include a standard clock and a dual-faced rally timer with stop/start and reset buttons. Toyota A Blue-Chip Toyota In A Very Different Showroom WorldToday, most shoppers encounter Toyota through efficient commuters and rugged family trucks, from hybrids like the Prius to body-on-frame staples such as the Toyota 4Runner. At the other end of the spectrum, the company is preparing customer race hardware like the Toyota GR GT3. The 2000GT sits in a different lane altogether: a hand-built, 1960s halo car that laid the groundwork for everything that followed. That context is what makes Bobby Rahal’s example so compelling. You get one of 351 cars, a globe-spanning ownership trail, documented restoration and mechanical work, a recent class win at a major concours, and a current listing through a high-profile racing name. The BaT lot (MF10-10128) is offered on dealer consignment out of Zionsville, Indiana, with refurbishment records, photo documentation, invoices, Amelia Island memorabilia, and a clean Pennsylvania title in the name of Rahal’s dealership. There’s also a modest $245.28 document fee tacked on by the seller. With just nine bids on the board so far and days left before the auction closes, it would be surprising if this 2000GT didn’t climb well beyond its current mid-six-figure number. For collectors who see Japanese classics as core blue-chip assets rather than outliers, this is exactly the sort of car that doesn’t come around very often. View the full article

While we have seen Bluetooth controller access in modern infotainment systems, this is the first time we’re actually seeing PS Remote Play natively offered in any production car. The feature is made available in Sony-Honda Mobility’s Afeela 1 EV, a joint venture backed by two of Japan’s largest conglomerates. Playing video games while your EV charges or when the passenger is bored during your long trip are likely the proposed use cases here. The company says your PS5 and PS4 controllers can remotely connect to the Afeela’s integrated infotainment display, offering a seamless gaming experience to all participants. You would expect that, given it’s one of the company’s hottest-selling commodities, so it’s only natural that it finds a spot in its first-ever EV collab. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/uCVbELB9cCY As for internet speeds, Sony-Honda Mobility recommends a 5Mbps broadband connection, while a higher 15Mbps rate should guarantee a lag-free gaming session. Simply pair a DualSense controller to the car, and start browsing through the PlayStation library to get started. Afeela 1’s hardware is optimised to natively support both PS4 and PS5 titles. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Sony is responsible for the Afeela EV’s electronics and software, while Honda takes care of the manufacturing and car side of things. Also, it’s worth pointing out that the Afeela 1 is not a cheap car, with its entry-level Origin trim starting at $90,000. However, the EV itself isn’t particularly ground-breaking, shall we say. For starters, the combined power rating of the Afeela 1 is around the low-400-horsepower range, with two 241-hp electric motors on each axle. Sony Honda Mobility Sony-Honda reckons the Afeela 1’s circa 91-kWh battery is good for 300 miles of driving range, with up to 150 kW of fast-charge capability. As you can probably tell, these claims don't seem all that impressive, especially for a $100,000-plus electric vehicle (in its top-spec Signature trim) that's scheduled for a 2026 release. ​ View the full article

Vespa will lead a pre-1966 scooter parade at the 2026 Goodwood Revival, celebrating the roots of modern two-wheel culture.View the full article

The Cboys stark-swapped a shifter kart and studded its tyres so it could rip around on ice. Now it wheelies. View the full article

The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 has been setting records all over the world, becoming the fastest American production car to lap the Nürburgring. It's also recently been crowned the fastest car ever to lap Sonoma Raceway, and the fastest car around five other American racetracks. Now, Hennessey has taken a stock Corvette ZR1 to another record, though perhaps one not quite as prestigious as the others, beating a Hennessey Venom 1000 Ford Mustang by setting the highest speed ever achieved by a road-legal car carrying a Christmas tree. For the record (ha!), the speed it had to beat was 192 mph, and it did that by 4 mph, hitting 196 mph. You can watch that run at the bottom of this article. Not Just Any Tree, Not Just Any Supercar Hennessey Performance View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Specifically, the team at Hennessey strapped a 5.5-foot Christmas tree to the roof of the 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged supercar. Controlling the 1,064-horsepower 'Vette on its path down the runway at Chase Field, Beeville, Texas, was Hennessey's professional driver, Spencer Geswein, who was also behind the wheel for the previous record and when the 1,817-hp Venom F5 exceeded 270 mph back in 2022. And he'll likely have to do it all again next year - since this is Hennessey we're talking about, this black (paint code GBA) ZR1 probably won't stay stock for long, even with the world's largest factory-fitted turbos already equipped. Regardless, this has become an annual tradition for Hennessey, a company that never shies from the unexpected. View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article Previous Christmas Tree RecordsHennessey began its unusual tradition back in 2017, when it strapped a tree to the roof of a Dodge Challenger Hellcat Widebody, setting a time of 174 mph. Two years later, it decided to revisit the concept with its HPE1000-enhanced Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. That set a new speed of 181 mph, and a year later, a Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang went 1 mph quicker. In 2021, A Hennessey-tuned Audi RS6 Avant with 800 hp did 183 mph (see? Hennessey doesn't only work on American cars). In 2022, a Porsche 911 Turbo S only managed 175 mph, so the Venom 1000 Mustang was called in and clocked 192 mph. Three years later, it's the ZR1 claiming top honors at 196 mph. For the record, the ZR1 can do 233 mph without any foliage. Will Hennessey crack 200 mph? Find out in 12 months' time. View the full article

After two decades of stability, the sprawling Hatfield-McCoy off-road trail system enters a new chapter that could redefine its impact on riders and rural communities alike.View the full article

Reinventing the Door HandleDesign-wise, flush exterior handles look sleek and help reduce aerodynamic drag slightly. At the same time, electronic handles have made their way inside cars, too, ranging from buttons to, again, electronic handles. We're now at the point where the simple and reliable door pulls are getting electronically assisted. It's forced manufacturers who make such doors to make emergency door openers in case of emergencies, such as fires. However, there have been some serious concerns about it, particularly in an emergency situation with fire. A Major ConcernIt goes without saying that getting away from a fire as quickly as possible is of utmost importance. Every millisecond counts, and easy access to any escape route is key. Getting trapped is the worst possible thing to happen to anyone faced with a car fire situation. A growing number of EV fire incidents have resulted in deaths, with some allegedly linked to occupants being unable to open the doors. Bloomberg has reported that Tesla has some of the most high-profile cases of such incidents. Tesla Model X configurator The ReportPer Bloomberg, its report focused on accidents in which the occupants survived the initial impact but perished in the fire that followed. So far, the publication has tied at least 15 EV fire fatalities to Tesla's vehicles. One case Bloomberg pointed out was an accident in Easton, Massachusetts. After slamming into a tree, the driver was able to call emergency services but was unable to exit his Model Y. The police report noted "he was trapped inside of the vehicle after a crash and the vehicle was now on fire." At the time of writing, the government noted 140 cases of door handle malfunction in the Model Y. Another crash in Wisconsin also had occupants survive the crash, but were unable to escape the burning vehicle. The vehicle involved was a Model S, and five perished in that accident. These cars are equipped with emergency openers that manually override the electronic switches, but it's hard to determine if those failed to work or if the mental state of the victims was at play. The families of the victims have since sued Tesla. Tesla Regulations Coming Soon?Now, Tesla isn't the only automaker with electronic door handles. Some notable examples include Rivian, Ford, Lexus, and even Volvo. Loads of Chinese automakers are in on it as well, and they're not spared from the same incidents that Tesla vehicles have encountered, either. The fiery accidents have caught the attention of the National Highway Transport and Safety Administration (NHTSA). Back in September, NHTSA had requested Tesla to "provide a detailed list of consumer complaints and reports involving crashes, injuries, fatalities, or fires." The company has previously said that it takes safety seriously and that its vehicles comply with federal laws, citing that the cars come with emergency door releases. So far, there's no word about US regulators stepping in regarding the matter. However, Europe and China have begun taking the first steps toward helping minimize EV fire fatalities by looking into it. More recently, the Chinese government has new mandates for standardized door handles, and it's possible that other countries can follow suit. Tesla View the full article

If you love the Triumph Scrambler style but your inseam doesn't agree, you really need to try the new Scrambler 900 for a very pleasant surprise.View the full article

You can buy AAA batteries for pennies each, or you can spend dollars each, and I always wonder if the cheap ones are actually worth buying or not. And then the cheap ones you get included in something you buy on Amazon sometimes don’t even have a label, and yet they seem to last forever in whatever they came in which doesn’t help me think I need to buy name brand batteries. In recent years I’ve gotten to where I mostly buy Kirkland batteries from Costco because they are supposedly Duracell batteries. But are Duracell really all their cracked up to be? Or is there another brand that is the most powerful? Video Description: Lithium and Alkaline AA batteries compared for total milliamp hour capacity, internal resistance, initial voltage, performance in subfreezing temperature, and performance in a flashlight over a 5.5 hour test. 26 brands, including Duracell, Energizer, Rayovac, Harbor Freight Thunderbolt, and many more. I purchased all of the batteries and test equipment to ensure an unbiased review. So, thank you for supporting the channel! The post Does A Battery That’s Better Than Energizer And Duracell Actually Exist? Putting Batteries To The Test To Find Out What’s Best! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

For Immediate Release: RustSeal Easily Stops Rust, Delivers a Beautiful Finish, and Stands Out with 11 Color Options RustSeal makes it easy for DIYers and professionals alike to permanently stop and prevent rust and corrosion while still getting a durable, great-looking finish that’s available in a choice of 11 colors. This rock-hard yet flexible coating fully seals bare metal—or even lightly rusted or corroded surfaces—to lock out moisture, salt, and other contaminants. RustSeal prevents new rust and corrosion from forming and stops existing oxidation from spreading. The result is long-lasting protection that provides peace of mind. RustSeal’s 1K moisture-cured urethane formula uses premium materials and Advanced Cross-Linked Coatings Technology to form a tough, non-porous barrier that resists impacts and abrasion without cracking, chipping, or peeling. It cures with moisture—actually drying faster when exposed to it—to create a hard yet flexible finish that bonds tightly to metal and stays bonded as the metal expands, contracts, or takes a blow. RustSeal is ready to use and can be applied directly to bare metal, treated surface rust, primers, and most existing paints and coatings. Its excellent flow-out and self-leveling characteristics create a beautiful, smooth finish that can stand alone or serve as a rust-preventive primer for any paint system, body filler, or putty. Rated for temperatures up to 600°F, RustSeal also works great as an engine block sealant. RustSeal applies easily by brush, roller, or spray equipment. For best results, prepare metal surfaces with KBS Klean and KBS RustBlast before applying RustSeal. Note: If RustSeal will see repeated or extended exposure to direct UV light, applying a topcoat is recommended to prevent cosmetic changes to color and sheen. Its guaranteed rust-protective properties will remain unchanged. KBS Coatings are proudly made in the USA. For more information, visit kbs-coatings.com/rustseal, or call (888) 531-4527. The post Featured Products: KBS RustSeal Easily Stops Rust, Delivers a Beautiful Finish, and Stands Out with 11 Color Options appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

A railroad speeder is one of those little tiny cars that ran on the train track back in the day to do repairs, check on track conditions, etc. Remember the ones in cartoons where two guys were hand cranking one to get it to cruise down the tracks? That’s a speeder, except later models actually had engines and could cruise down the tracks at speed. In the 1980 and 1990s speeders went away as the railroads changed over to road rail vehicles, which are those pickup trucks with the narrow wheels and little steel wheels that sit down on the tracks. The advantage of the road rail trucks is that they can drive on the street and get onto the tracks anywhere where there is a crossing, but they certainly aren’t as cool as speeders! Check out this great group who gets together in Oregon every year to spread some Christmas cheer while driving their speeders on tracks that are only used by freight trains. It sure looks like fun to me. Video Description: Once a year, enthusiasts drive vintage railroad speeder cars across the Oregon Coast Range and down the coast, getting to see gorgeous places few people see — all while delivering gifts to kids in need. There are speeder runs across the Northwest, but this annual run is often cited as the most scenic. It goes across trestles and through tunnels, over bridges and sloughs, and past the Oregon Dunes. The post These Railroad Speeders Got A Unique View Of The Oregon Coast While Spreading Christmas Cheer! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Kevin and the KSR Performance and Fab crew headed out to Bradenton for Cleetus McFarland’s Christmas Tree Drags, but like most folks in the motorsports world it was with a heavy heart after the unfortunate death of Greg Biffle and his family. He wasn’t alone, as he and many of the other racers at the Christmas Tree Race were friends with Biffle or raced with him in a variety of races at Bradenton and the Freedom Factory. But even though Greg’s death put a big of a dark cloud over the weekend, the race went on like he’d have wanted. Watch the racing action and see just how well KSR and Soccer Mom did with a Christmas tree strapped to it. The post Racing With Heavy Hearts…..The KSR Crew Heads To Bradenton Motorsports Park’s Christmas Tree Drags 2025! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

I’ve seen some personalized or vanity plates that I was surprised made it through the approval process, but then I’ve also heard about others getting kicked that I didn’t think were bad. To be honest, I wonder who it is that actually approves or denies all the ones that people come up with and submit. I’ve had several personalized plates over the years, but none of them were anything controversial. With that said, I’ve seen a ton I laughed at and wondered how they got approved. Watch the video below and let us know which one was denied that you thought should have been approved. The post Illinois Puts Out A Video Every Year Of Some Of Their More Entertaining Rejected Personalized Plates And Here It Is! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

The unfortunate and tragic death of Greg Biffle made news worldwide but for Garrett Mitchell, aka Cleetus McFarland, the news hit home much harder. Biffle and his family were on their way to Florida for some birthday and racing fun with Garrett and his family and friends when they had issues and were forced to turn back to the North Carolina airport they had just taken off from. Their crash landing has been discussed thoroughly over the last few days, but the video below is a fitting tribute to a good friend. We’ve said it before, but our hearts go out to all the family and friends of those poor folks on the plane. This Christmas will be very different for these poor families. Video Description: Well guys. I don’t have much to say. We lost our brother Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, Son Ryder, Daughter Emma, his best friend Craig, his Pilot and their son in a horrific crash last week. It’s been rough. This video is some of our best memories. I’ll miss my brother forever. The post The One and Only Greg Biffle: A Fitting Tribute From His Friend, Fellow Racers, And Family Man, Cleetus McFarland. appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

We love barn finds, and I know you guys do too, and part of the fun of a barn find is seeing what it looks like after the first wash. With decades of dust, dirt, and bird poop, this 1970 Chevrolet Suburban needs a bath in a big way, and the 90 year old man who owns it hasn’t seen it clean in at least 40 years. 40 years! Watch WD Detailing work their magic on this thing. Video Description: War Veteran Surprised With His Truck Cleaned For The First Time in 40 YEARS! EMOTIONAL REACTION Today, we tackle the interior & exterior of a 1970 Chevy Suburban owned by a 90 Year Old War Veteran that we’re going to completely surprise that are covered in dirt and debris that haven’t been detailed in years that will require us to pressure wash the entire exterior, followed by a wash, clay bar and then polishing the paint to bring back its shine and a full interior detail including mold removal! The post First Wash In 40 Years! Surprising The Owner As He Sees His Truck Cleaned For The First Time in 40 YEARS! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

A Clash of Modern Performance IconsThe Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 has delivered since its introduction last year, already racking up multiple performance benchmarks – including a Nürburgring lap time that beat the Ford Mustang GTD. But how does America’s most extreme production Corvette stack up against the tech-forward Ferrari 296 GTB in a straight-line battle? Thanks to DragTimes, we now have a real-world drag race between the two modern performance cars. The Corvette ZR1 lines up at the quarter-mile with a 5.5-liter twin-turbo flat-plane-crank LT7 V8 producing a staggering 1,064 horsepower. Power is routed exclusively to the rear wheels through an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). DragTimes noted that the ZR1 tips the scales at around 3,800 pounds, giving it roughly a 300-pound weight disadvantage compared to the Ferrari. America vs Italy on the StripHowever, the 296 GTB makes less power, producing a combined 820 horsepower from its 3.0-liter twin-turbo hybrid V6 – the powertrain Ferrari says offers advantages over a traditional V12. The engine itself carries genuine motorsports credibility, with architecture closely related to the V6 platform Ferrari uses in its Le Mans-winning 499P. But the big question is whether that pedigree translates into outright straight-line performance. During the first run, the Corvette ZR1 won, completing the quarter mile in 9.291 seconds at 153.20 mph. The 296 GTB followed with a 9.737-second pass at 146.08 mph. While the margin may appear small on paper, a difference of nearly half a second in drag racing terms is considered a commanding victory. A second run was necessary to rule out external variables such as driver reaction time. Yet the rematch told a similar story. The Corvette once again came out on top, posting a 9.315-second run at 151.70 mph, while the Ferrari recorded a 9.746-second pass at 145.66 mph. DragTimes on YouTube When Price Enters the EquationBeyond performance, pricing adds another layer of context. According to DragTimes, the tested 296 GTB carried a price tag of around $405,000 – roughly $174,000 more than the Corvette ZR1. Much of that premium comes not only from hardware and engineering, but also from Ferrari’s exclusivity-driven brand positioning. The Italian marque even operates under a loosely hierarchical ownership strategy, where customers often begin with entry-level models such as the 296 GTB before becoming eligible for ultra-exclusive offerings like the Daytona SP3. Chevrolet, by contrast, has stated that it does not plan to cap Corvette ZR1 production, though real-world output will remain constrained by manufacturing capacity and component availability. Ultimately, determining which car is “worth it” comes down to individual preferences. Nevertheless, head-to-head tests like this high-octane drag race provide valuable insight, helping buyers better understand what they’re getting for their money. DragTimes on YouTube View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

The Kia Tasman is a midsize pickup, and that should mean it's automatically a smash hit, right? Kia's reliability and practicality in a segment that always has plenty of buyers sounds like a winning recipe for the brand, but the Tasman's quirky design appears to be the one big thing counting against it. And yet, Kia is in no rush to redesign the truck, despite sharing renders of a better-looking Tasman on its own website. Speaking with local publication Drive, Kia Australia general manager of product planning Roland Rivero said, "If there's any rumor or if there's any suggestion that we are going to fast-track a PE [product enhancement], or a facelift, that is completely incorrect." Why Kia Won't Facelift the Tasman Yet Kia Over the course of this year, there have been several reports and rumors claiming that Kia will restyle the Tasman very soon, but Rivero said that a facelift would, as usual, "fall within the milestones of the product lifecycle plan, and there's no fast-tracking of any sort." Yes, sales of the Tasman have been disappointing, even with the improvements made by upfitters. But if Kia were to redesign the Tasman so soon, not only would it send a message that the automaker would be admitting the pickup is ugly, but such an exercise would be enormously expensive - especially since a facelift would normally come with interior updates, too. Rivero added that customers who have taken delivery of a Tasman are "very, very positive about their purchase, and they speak very highly [of the truck]." He noted that Kia just needs more Tasman customers, but unfortunately, it seems unlikely that any of those customers will be American. Kia Tasman Remains Unlikely for America Kia View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Rivero went on to say that Kia begins working on the concept for a vehicle's facelift immediately after launching a brand-new vehicle, but whenever that happens, we likely won't see the result in the metal because tariffs are making the Tasman and other Kia products considerably more expensive than expected. Kia said earlier in the year that a Tasman-based SUV is coming, but that likely won't make it to American shores either, as this will be produced in South Korea at the automaker's Hwaseong plant. The impact of tariffs is not unique to Kia, however. Mazda is likely to increase pricing and could be forced to move production of certain vehicles, and in the premium space, Porsche has confirmed price increases starting in January, while BMW is set to raise its MSRPs for 2026 again. View the full article

I have lots of friends who drive winter beaters, and while some of them drive the same one for several years I also have friends who buy something every year or two and drive them like assh@les because it puts a giant smile on their face. So anytime I see someone buying some winter machine, I think about how much fun we can have with them. I’m not alone obviously, as the Grind Hard Plumbing gang just bought this 1970s Snowcat and they are throwing a new engine in it that makes three times the power that the stock engine made new. What could possibly go wrong? The post The Boys Found A Rare Snowcat and Trippled the Power! What Could Possibly Go Wrong? This Is Going To Be Fun appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Tesla’s “Robotaxi” fleet is getting a lot bigger on paper, but the rollout looks very different from the fully driverless future Elon Musk has been pitching for years. In California, the company has registered well over a thousand vehicles for paid Robotaxi service in just a few months, yet every one of those cars still needs a human driver behind the wheel. At the same time, Tesla is testing dedicated driverless prototypes and showing off future designs, from a Model S–based Robotaxi mule to a Cybercab concept that recently hit a showroom floor. The gap between those experiments and the service ordinary riders can actually use is where the story lives. Getty View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article A Fast-Growing, Human-Driven “Robotaxi” FleetIn the Bay Area, Tesla’s Robotaxi program operates under a Transportation Charter-Party permit, the same basic category used by chauffeured ride services. That allows it to carry paying passengers in FSD-equipped cars, but only with a human driver in charge. Since launch, Tesla has quietly ramped up its CPUC-registered fleet from just a few dozen vehicles into the low four figures, with hundreds of drivers approved as “AI operators” to run shifts in Model Y crossovers. On the ground, the experience feels more like a Tesla-branded ride-hail than a sci-fi pod with no one in the front seat. The cars run the latest Full Self-Driving software, but regulators still treat it as driver-assistance that needs supervision. That legal framing is a long way from Musk’s older predictions about owners turning their personal cars into fully autonomous robo-fleets while they sleep. The tension is that California’s Robotaxi service today still relies on conventional cars with human drivers. In Texas, Tesla has begun small-scale testing of driverless runs, but those pilot fleets are counted in dozens of vehicles, not thousands, and they operate under a different regulatory climate. Until Tesla secures and uses full autonomous permits in key markets, the Cybercab will remain a showroom promise rather than something you can actually summon on your phone. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images Expectations, Reality, And Tesla’s Track RecordMusk has been promising coast-to-coast self-driving, a million Robotaxis, and fully unsupervised FSD “next year” for quite some time. Right now, it seems like a sensible middle ground: expand a supervised fleet, collect data, and continue developing the hardware and software for driverless operations simultaneously. Critics say that labelling a human-driven service as a “Robotaxi” only adds to the confusion that regulators have already expressed concerns about, particularly as California examines how Tesla promotes Autopilot and FSD. On the other hand, Tesla does have a track record of eventually delivering on some things that once sounded far-fetched. The Cybertruck, for example, took plenty of heat for its polarizing shape and stainless steel body, yet it just secured a top safety rating after many said that would never happen. The open question is whether Robotaxis will follow a similar path from overpromise to eventual execution, or whether the gap between branding and reality will keep widening as more “Robotaxis” hit the road with human drivers still firmly in charge. View the full article

New engines are significantly better than older engines in many regards, but not in all of them. And new engines being better than old engines doesn’t mean that old engines aren’t good. Another important thing to remember is that better and good are not technical descriptors when it comes to anything that has to be quantified with data. So you might be able to look at data and then describe one engine as “better” than the other in a particular test, but saying that something is “good” doesn’t actually give any real information on the quantifiable elements used to make that decision. If I’ve lost you, don’t worry, it’s not critical for understanding this video at all. Just watch, and listen to our friend Lake Speed Jr. as he explains what new data has come available on why modern engines have been making news with their failures. Video Description: The Hemi Tick, Roller Camshaft failures and bearing problems, let’s face it, modern engines aren’t just built the same anymore. There is something common about all of these modern engine mechanical problems that relates to motor oil. OEM recommended viscosity and oil change intervals are part of the problem, but probably not for the reason you think. Motor oil does more than just lubricate the engine. It protects against rust and corrosion. It Cleans, Cools and help Seal the engine. We’ve mentioned these important functions in previous videos, but there’s another function that motor oil provides in modern engines – hydraulic force. You see, Variable Valve Timing and Displacement On Demand systems utilize the motor oil as hydraulic fluid, and this is where the problem lies. Here is the proper framework for making decisions regarding oil. Step 1 – Utilize the OEM recommended oil and do two early oil changes during the break-in process (500 to 1,000 miles and again between 3,000 and 4,000 miles). Step 2 – Take used oil samples at each oil change to establish the trend analysis. Step 3 – Go 5,000 miles on the third oil change and take a used oil sample. If the wear rate per 1,000 miles is below 5 ppm, you are good. If the wear rate is between 5 ppm and 10 ppm per 1,000 miles, go another 5,000 miles on the OEM recommended oil and resample. If the wear rate is still greater than 5 ppm per 1,000 miles, then move to step 4. Step 4 – Review the used oil analysis data to see if the OEM recommended oil is falling short in any aspect (low viscosity, additive depletion, higher wear rate). If it is falling short, try a different oil of the same viscosity that meets the OEM spec. Go 3,000 to 4,000 miles on that oil and then refill with that same oil and go another 5,000 miles before taking another sample. See if the change in brand drops the wear rate per 1,000 miles below 5 ppm. If it does, you are good. If it does not, then move to Step 5. Step 5 – Since the change in brand did not get the wear rate per 1,000 miles below 5 ppm, use next higher viscosity grade of whichever oil had the lowest wear rate per 1,000 miles. If it was the non-OEM brand, resample at 5,000 miles to check the wear rate per 1,000 miles. If it was the OEM brand, you will need to use it for 3,000 to 4,000 miles to flush the non-OEM oil out of the system before going 5,000 miles on the higher viscosity OEM oil to take another sample. If either higher viscosity oil brings the wear rate down, then stay with that viscosity grade. If the wear rate per 1,000 miles is still above 5 ppm, go back to Step 4 and repeat. If the wear rate per 1,000 miles is below 5 ppm, you are good. You can then use the oil analysis results to fine tune the oil change interval. For more about Oil Analysis, check out: https://www.speediagnostix.com The post Bad Parts? Wrong Oil? NEW Data Reveals WHY Modern Engines FAIL Prematurely! This Info Might Scare You. appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Living Up To ExpectationsIt's hard to follow up on a "great," and more often than not, it might be better to just have the one iteration and let the lore stay that way. That wasn't the case for the Acura/Honda NSX, an ambitious project that involved the very best of Honda in the '90s and even a certain F1 driver named Aryton Senna; it became the antithesis to the European idea of a sports car. The follow-up act came in 2015, and it was supposed to have the same core ideals as the first generation, but now with revolutionary hybrid power and all-wheel drive. Let's say critics were divided, and sales weren't as stellar, leading to its demise. With no new NSX in sight, some fans are looking to the second-hand market, and one has just hit the sale block. Bring a Trailer View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Low Miler GaloreJust listed on Bring-a-Trailer is a 2017 Acura NSX. This particular NSX is notable for a few things, but mainly for the fact that, over its 8-year life, it has only clocked an incredible 956 miles. If being a low-mileage example of a model that isn't in production anymore is enough to garner attention, this NSX also has some pretty extensive modifications. The list of modifications is quite long, but it includes a Fi exhaust system, 20- and 21-inch Vossen multi-spoke wheels, and an Air Lift Performance suspension. The exterior looks have been modded with Jewel Eye LED headlights, carbon-ceramic brakes, an ELS sound system, and carbon-fiber engine bay trim. The body is finished in Silver, and the body kit from AimGain gives this NSX a wider stance. Bring a Trailer View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Betting on the FuturePerformance-wise, this NSX is untouched. It still has the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 paired with dual electric motors, with power rated at 573 horsepower and 476 lb-ft of torque. This Acura NSX with all the upgrades is currently being bid at a high of $69,696 and has six days left on the auction block. While this example may have modifications that might turn people away, the less than 1,000-mile odometer is hard to ignore, and even if this isn't the coveted NSX generation, getting it now might reap higher rewards and returns in the future. Bring a Trailer View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Brooklyn is home to a great many strange, hip, modern, and trendy new businesses that can feel cartoonishly stereotypical against the constantly shifting landscape of the legendary NYC borough. For all the cucumber milkshake parlors and Croatian Black Metal concert venues dotting Brooklyn, there is ... View the full article