Hi, my name is David Richert and I am here to share with you a little bit about what I am up to in my life as a professional race car driver. Seeing as this is my first blog it may be a good idea to take the time and introduce myself to you. I am 26 years old and reside just outside of Winnipeg, Manitoba where I have lived my entire life. I grew up on a family farm just outside the town of Niverville and did all of my schooling in the community. Our farm consisted of chicken eggs, pigs, and about 1600 acres of land for growing crops. My daily job was to gather the eggs in our 9,000 hen chicken barn, needless to say it was a fairly long and tedious job at first. But with time, I was able to gather all 9,000 eggs in about an hour and half…and I’m proud to say that my personal record is 1hr 10 mins, yes I am almost as quick in the barn as on the race track. Growing up… my passion, like many other young Canadians, was to be a hockey player. My life revolved around the sport of hockey and it is all I would think or talk about. Stories are recounted to me of how my teachers in elementary school actually banned me from referring to hockey in any of my assignments as I somehow had a knack for turning everything into a hockey analogy. The peas on my dinner plate would break out into a hockey game or my grandma would have to wait while holding the car door open to let all of the imaginary hockey players into the car with me. Hockey was life. It wasn’t until many years later when I started to develop a passion for auto racing. I remember sitting in front of the television and watching a Formula 1 Grand Prix event. It intrigued me. Maybe it was the speed, the glamor, or just watching a human being try to control such a quick machine. My passion for the sport grew and I began to learn more and more about it. An opportunity came up to attend the 2001 United States Grand Prix held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was there that I stood in the upper deck seating on the front straight, I looked down at the cars streaking by, and decided that I would much rather be down in the cars driving than up in the stands watching. This event set things in motion and I haven’t looked back since. I could fill pages of text recounting events of the past 7 years…and...

Hot on the heals of GM filing for bankruptcy (gulp!!) comes some the welcome good news that The General has finally found a buyer for Hummer. Hummer sales have been in a free fall for months and month, and the last time I looked, they were down over SIXTY percent. So the sale of Hummer must come as welcome news to GM shareholders … hey, that’s us! So who bought Hummer? No, it is not Ahnuld, der Governator (a noted big fan of the mil-spec trucks) actually it’s … a mystery at this time. All General Motors will say is that they have entered into a memorandum of understanding (AKA an MoU to you MBA FYC out there, OK?) with a buyer for HUMMER (looks like it’s another one of those all-caps brands). The sale “is the result of GM’s strategic review of the HUMMER brand and the company’s ongoing restructuring efforts.” Or in other words, ‘we’re drowning in read ink and we had to sell it to save our skins.’ The upcoming sale is expected to be done and done by the end of third quarter of 2009 assuming it jumps through all the regulatory hoops out there. The real good news is that the deal is expected to secure more than 3,000 U.S. jobs in manufacturing, engineering and at HUMMER dealerships around the country. The transaction also includes plans by the investor to aggressively fund future HUMMER product programs. The deal means that HUMMER will continue to contract vehicle manufacturing and business services from GM. Meaning that GM’s Shreveport Assembly plant would continue to contract assemble the H3 and H3T through at least 2010 for example. (I’ve been to Shreveport, had family there. Great people, amazing food, terrible weather. Never visit in August, that’s all I can say.) “HUMMER is a strong brand. I’m confident that HUMMER will thrive globally under its new ownership. And for GM, this sale continues to accelerate the reinvention of GM into a leaner, more focused, and more cost-competitive automaker,” said Troy Clarke, President of GM North America. ” Time will tell. Here’s The General’s press release: General Motors Announces Preliminary Agreement To Sell HUMMER Deal could secure more than 3,000 jobs in the United States; preserves HUMMER as global off-road...

Mercedes-Benz has presented a new collection of exclusive bikes with an outstanding level of technical features. In addition to the Mountain bike and the racing bike, which are limited editions to a particularly high technical standard, the Foldingbike impresses with its unique fold-down technology. Mercedes-Benz has also carefully updated its tried-and-tested bike models, with several detailed improvements. This means that for its bike collection, Mercedes-Benz offers the same outstanding level of quality as for its premium automobiles. Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. The Foldingbike is a real gem in technical terms. It features a patented folding mechanism that impresses by being particularly easy to operate. Folding and unfolding the bike takes only a few seconds, and no tools are required. The cleverly designed mechanical system allows two different folded positions: In the Shuttle position the frame is folded together, but the bike can still be pushed and steered – ideal for easy carriage using public transport. When completely folded down, the Mercedes-Benz Foldingbike requires very little space indeed. In this position it only measures 80×80×35 cm, enabling it to be stowed in the high-quality carrying bag which is also supplied. Accordingly the bike can be easily accommodated in the car boot, camper van, office or yacht as a constant companion. The folding frame of aluminium has a suspension travel of 40 mm at both front and rear, and this is adjustable for individual riding comfort. A Shimano 8-speed derailleur gear makes for relaxed cycling, while disc brakes ensure a high level of safety. A side stand, protective metal cover and a variable luggage rack make this extraordinary bike outstanding for day-to-day use. The new Mercedes-Benz Foldingbike is available in silver or white, and costs 1699 Euro. Mountainbike All Mountain Limited 2009 Even the roughest tracks and off-road biking adventures are sheer pleasure with the new Mountainbike from Mercedes-Benz. Limited to a worldwide edition of 100 examples, this bike is emphatically a high-end product. The lightweight, fully sprung aluminium frame in an exclusive MB design has a suspension travel of 125 mm at the rear and 120 mm at the...

Over the last few years, we’ve heard numerous stories, spy shots, and illustrations of the upcoming B-Class. This of course is another one that fits into that category, InfoMotori.com and their team have created a computer illustration of what the next-gen B-Class could look like. According to the artists, the primary objective of the project was to make the new B-Class more dynamic, and showcase it as a serious contender to the A3 and BMW 1 Series in terms of styling. While we certainly dig the styling, but it for some odd reason the rear just doesn’t fit the currently MB design philosophy. The design itself reminds me too much of a Seat Leon or even Ibiza, which doesn’t mean it’s bad, but to me, it’s just not MB enough. Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. Related Posts New computer illustration of the Mercedes-Benz SLA Roadster A few months back, we mentioned that Mercedes-Benz might be working on a new and smaller roadster … 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS computer illustration Just two weeks ago, we showed you spy shots of a CLS test mule with heavy camo. The test team did … Mercedes-Benz Cabrio gets spied with a soft top Last week, we got the opportunity to see a computer illustration on what the 2010 E-Class Cabrio m… Computer Illustration of upcoming E-Class Cabrio McLaren SLR Speedster Computer Illustration Read the original:  2010 Mercedes-Benz B-Class computer illustration

Starting from 19th on the grid after a precautionary overnight gearbox change, Lewis was always going to struggle to overtake cars around the twisting streets of Monte-Carlo. His early struggle for pace was exacerbated by damage to a front-wing footplate, caused after he tangled with Nick Heidfeld at Ste Devote in the early laps. Lewis was unable to finish higher than 12th. Jenson Button, the Wunderkind this season, had no issues with his car, taking another title and extending his lead to 51 points ahead of his team mate Barrichello, who has 35 points. This sure is a disappointing season for Vodafone Mclaren Mercedes, with Hamilton in 9th place with 9 points. Keikki is on the 13th spot, with only 4 points. Congrats to Jenson for another great win. Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. Related Posts Historic Mercedes ‘Silver Arrow’ at SeeRed 2007 To mark the 70th anniversary of The Donington Grand Prix, a Mercedes-Benz W125 racing car will r… 2009 Bahrain Grand Prix Who would have thought that Brawn GP would be leading both in the constructors and drivers leader … Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monaco Lewis Hamilton won the Monaco Grand Prix and took the lead in the Formula One Drivers’ Champions… Lewis Hamilton disqualified from Australian GP Formula 1 Grand Prix in Budapest Originally posted here:  2009 Grand Prix in Monaco

While the smart car has exceeded all sales expectations and created a nice following, it has also had some quality issues, especially the transmission. Owners complain about rough and slipping shifts between gears. MBUSA and smart USA is listening to the smart owners and is now sending letters to 24,622 owners of the 2008 smart car models; urging them to make an appointment at their local dealer to get a free software upgrade in hopes to smooth out the rough gear shifts. “We will upgrade your transmission software to the new 2009 operating mode which provides improved shifting dynamics as well as instant changing between automatic and paddle shifting just by touching the up or down shift paddles,” reads the letter to one owner. Smart spokesman Ken Kettenbeil acknowledges “a little hesitation between gears” in the ‘08 models, the first year that the Smart car was on sale, and that the software fix will bring about a “smoother transition.” The letter says the fix takes about 90 minutes. via Open Road Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. Related Posts Real world testing of the smart fortwo ‘ed’ in London Daimler AG has started a trial run of its electric smart fortwo (aka smart ed) vehicle in the city… Carlsson tunes the SL 63 AMG Carlsson, one of many respected Mercedes tuners, has taken the SL63 monster from AMG and given it … smart car gets 50% parking discount in NYC garages If you live in a metropolitan city or are just visiting the downtown area, you’re definitely famil… Mercedes-Benz planning an A-Class Roadster?!? smart fortwos being recalled Read the original post: 2008 smart cars to get free trany software upgrade to fix problems

The new Mercedes E-Class Coupe just went on sale and Brabus already presents an extensive tuning program for the new two-door. The Brabus 6.1 displacement engine is the highlight of the tuned Coupe. It has a rated power output of 462 hp (456 bhp) / 340 kW and propels the E 500 (US: E550) to an impressive top speed of 315 km/h (196 mph), achieving 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.7 seconds. Also on offer is an aerodynamic-enhancement program that was developed in the wind tunnel. Further highlights are custom-tailored wheels up to 20 inches in diameter, sporty yet comfortable suspension solutions and exclusive interior options. Check out the entire gallery Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. The displacement increase of the eight-cylinder engine sells for 29,000 Euros. It is facilitated by the installation of a billet crankshaft with longer stroke and larger pistons. Furthermore the four-valve cylinder heads are precision-machined and fitted with custom camshafts. The BRABUS sport exhaust system with high-performance metal catalysts also contributes to the impressive power output as do specially programmed engine electronics. More driving fun with the turbodiesel models is available with the BRABUS ECO PowerXtra kits. For the E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY BRABUS offers its D4 tuning kit. For just 1,390 Euros power output of the common-rail four-cylinder engine jumps from standard 204 hp (201 bhp) / 150 kW to 235 hp (232 bhp) / 173 kW. Peak torque grows to 560 Nm (413 lb-ft). The V6 turbodiesel engine of the E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY equipped with BRABUS ECO PowerXtra D6 (III) module produces 272 hp (268 bhp) / 200 kW and a peak torque of 590 Nm (435 lb-ft). All engines are lubricated with ARAL high-performance motor oil and like all BRABUS components they are backed by the one-of-a-kind BRABUS Tuning Warranty® of three years, up to 100,000 kilometers or 62,000 miles (see BRABUS warranty conditions as of November 2006). Stainless-steel BRABUS quad sport exhaust systems are available for all new E-Class models. The BRABUS designers have also developed a sporty yet elegant aerodynamic-enhancement package for the two-door E-Class. It is manufactured from Pur-R-Rim in OEM quality. The BRABUS front spoiler with integrated...

Daimler AG has acquired an equity stake of nearly 10% of Tesla Motors Inc. This investment deepens the relationship between the two companies. They have already been working closely to integrate Tesla’s lithium-ion battery packs and charging electronics into the first 1,000 units of Daimler’s electric smart car. In order to benefit from each other’s know-how, the investment enables the partners to collaborate even more closely on the development of battery systems, electric drive systems and in individual vehicle projects. “Our strategic partnership is an important step to accelerate the commercialization of electric drives globally,” said Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. “As a young and dynamic company, Tesla stands for visionary power and pioneering spirit. Together with Daimler’s 120 years of experience in the automotive sector this collaboration is a unique combination of two company’s strengths. This marks another important milestone in Daimler’s strategy for sustainable mobility.” Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. “Daimler has set the benchmark for engineering excellence and vehicle quality for more than a century. It is an honor and a powerful endorsement of our technology that Daimler would choose to invest in and partner with Tesla,” said Tesla CEO and Product Architect Elon Musk. “Daimler is also on the leading edge in the field of sustainable mobility. Among others the lithium-ion pouch-cell battery developed by Daimler and especially designed for automotive applications is of interest to us. We are looking forward to a strategic cooperation in a number of areas including leveraging Daimler’s engineering, production and supply chain expertise. This will accelerate bringing our Tesla Model S to production and ensure that it is a superlative vehicle on all levels.” Together on the road to electro-mobility As part of the collaboration, Prof. Herbert Kohler, Vice President E-Drive and Future Mobility at Daimler AG, will take a seat on Tesla’s board of directors. This long-term partnership with Tesla complements Daimler’s multi-facetted strategy to advance the electrification...

Some 100,000 readers of motoring magazine AUTO BILD have voted the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class the best-looking car in the world. As well as electing the Saloon as the overall winner among all the new models, AUTO BILD readers voted the new E-Class Coupé into top place in the “Coupé and Cabriolet” category. The world’s most successful business saloon can also claim to be the most attractive new car in the world. Mercedes-Benz Head of Design Gorden Wagener commented: “Our new E-Class stands for status, quality, highly advanced technology and driving pleasure – and it also reflects these attributes in its self-confident design. All these factors mean that the new E-Class promises to be a real trend-setter.” Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. Of course, there is much more to the world’s best-looking car than just its appearance. The special characteristics of the world’s top-selling luxury saloon include a unique combination of driving assistance systems. Among them are features such as drowsiness detection, Adaptive Highbeam Assist and the DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control system which plays an important role in helping to prevent rear-end collisions. Other characteristics typical of the E-Class are the high level of long-distance comfort, the high-quality materials used in the interior, the painstaking workmanship and the perfect ergonomics. What’s more, independent analysts judge that the new E-Class offers the best value retention in its class. The new E-Class Coupé, which AUTOBILD readers voted the most attractive newcomer in the Coupé and Cabriolet category, deliberately announces its close kinship with the new E-Class Saloon. But despite the family resemblance, it projects its own, distinct personality through its special emotional appeal and sportier character – attributes which confirm that the great coupé tradition is alive and well at Mercedes-Benz. Related Posts Autobild has an early look at the next-gen A-Class The good guys over at Autobild, have painfully constructed an illustration of what the next genera… AutoBild: M-Class and GL-Class “Car of the Year 2008″ Shortly after being updated, the Mercedes-Benz M-Class has come first...

Spring 2009 sees the GLK receive not only a number of new items of equipment but also a special distinction. It’s the first Mercedes-Benz SUV model family to receive the sought-after Environmental Certificate in accordance with ISO standard 14062. In awarding the certificate, the independent specialists at the TÜV test organization have once again recognized the company’s commitment to environmental protection, as also laid down in the policy guidelines for the entire Daimler Group These require the premium manufacturer to go much further than merely considering the environmental effects which a vehicle has while it is actually in use. Instead, the entire lifecycle from development through the production process and the use phase right up to disposal is examined and optimised. The Environmental Certificate is based on a complete life cycle assessment of the GLK which comprises some 40,000 separate processes. In addition to the GLK, the A, B, C and S-Class models have already been awarded the TÜV Süd Environmental Certificate. Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. The certification to ISO standard 14062 applies to all GLK models. The Mercedes-Benz GLK 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY was used as the basis for calculating a range of parameters including the energy requirement and emissions over a distance of 200,000 kilometres. The results for the compact SUV were extremely positive: it consumed just 6.7 litres of diesel per hundred kilometres (176 g CO2/km) and performed to a higher standard than that required by the EU 5 emission limits which come into force in September 2009. Factors optimised through the BlueEFFICIENCY strategy include aerodynamics, rolling resistance, vehicle weight and energy management. What’s more, all GLK models are also compatible with future fuels. They are already designed to meet the requirements of EU plans to increase the biofuel content. A bioethanol component of 10 percent (E10) is permissible for petrol engines while diesel engines are able to run without any reservation on fuel with a 10-percent biofuel component, comprising 7 percent biodiesel (B7 FAME) and 3 percent hydrogenated vegetable oil. Design for Environment: environmental protection starts on the drawing board...

The official key visual for the upcoming Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin Spring/Summer 2010 presents the new E-Class Coupé. International star photographer Peter Lindbergh has created an impressive work of art that perfectly expresses the attraction of beauty and elegance, you’ll be able to see some of the work in our gallery below. The leading role in the key visual is played by the international Mercedes-Benz fashion brand-ambassador Julia Stegner and the new E-Class Coupé. They are both surrounded by five additional women who seem to be fascinated by the design of the new E-Class Coupé. The key visual also serves as an entry to an interactive webspecial on the E-Class Coupé. Head over to www.mercedes-benz.com/e-class-coupe to experience the new Coupé from a variety of perspectives Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. “Elegance and style – that is the connection between Mercedes-Benz design and top-class fashion design. Since sporty Coupés embody a particularly elegant and expressive design, in our key visual we have shot the new E-Class Coupé together with top model Julia Stegner and additional protagonists”, saysAnders Sundt Jensen, Vice President Brand Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars. “The key visual will be further used in a webspecial, which also focuses on the attractive design of the E-Class Coupé, and is thus a component of our integrated marketing campaign.” The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé, which will be launched on May 9, 2009, sets new standards in design and efficiency within its market segment. With significantly reduced fuel consumption and an athletic and powerful design, the Coupé combines driving pleasure, comfort and emotionality. The key visual reflects the scenery of a classic fashion shooting, with Julia Stegner and the E-Class Coupé cast in the limelight. They are admired by five women who have slipped into the roles of assistants on the set. “I drive a Mercedes myself, so it was a great experience for me to shoot this car with the models so that the whole thing took on a unique character, an emotional completeness full of attraction,” says star photographer Peter Lindbergh. Julia Stegner is also thrilled with the idea of integrating...

The new 2010 E-Class won’t just have an attractive design, but it will also have an irresistible price. Mercedes-Benz has set the price of the E350 at $49.475, which almost $5000 cheaper than the outgoing model. Mercedes also set the price of the V8 E550 at $57,175, the 4MATIC versions of the E350 and E550 will cost an additional $2500. The new E-class coupe will also be cheaper than the current CLK, although the difference is only $50. The E350 coupe will start at $48,925 and the E550 coupe will start at $55,525. The E-Class coupe and rear-wheel-drive E-Class sedan will go on sale late next month. The 4MATIC sedans will be available in September, and the 518 hp E63 AMG monster will show up in dealerships in November. We’ll have to wait until March 2010 for the 50-state legal diesel-powered E350 Bluetec. The E350 4Matic station wagon will follow in June and an E-class-based convertible is expected sometime next spring. Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. Related Posts Mercedes-Benz to release C-Class convertible – the CLR Autobild is reporting that Mercedes-Benz is working on releasing a C-Class convertible, named the … Facelifted 2010 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG on German streets Our friends over at GlobalMotors.net have spotted a facelifted Mercedes-Benz S-Class on the roads … Dieter Zetsche Confirms Electric Mercedes in 2010 – We were right!! We usually don’t like to brag here at BenzInsider, but this time we just can’t resist. If you’ve b… Smart Fortwo price revealed 2010 Pagani Zonda F See the original post here: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class price reduced by nearly $5k

It just can’t help GM? If you hate GM, then you probably don’t think much of the Chevy Volt . In fact, you might even call it an unrealistic hype machine into which GM has sunk far too much money. That’s the argument the Washington Post makes today , and I have to admit, it’s a pretty persuasive argument. For instance, the article points to numerous analyses, including some done by President Obama’s auto task force, that indicate the economics simply don’t make sense for a vehicle like the Volt. Thus, how can the Volt help GM’s bottom line? For example, even with $4.00 gas, it would still take, minimally, six years for the the Volt to recover its costs compared to today’s Toyota Prius . And, that’s assuming the Volt will only cost $30,000 after huge government tax credits and subsidies. Even at such a cost, it would still take far longer for many other Volt owners to recover their costs compared to a Prius. Thus, this Post editorial suggests pulling the plug on the Volt, and I couldn’t disagree more. I have long argued that the Volt should never have been an excuse not to develop a Prius-contender. Perhaps GM’s lithium-powered BAS hybrid system can fill this void, but cheap quality hybrids will be a necessity for any automaker in the very near future. Fortunately, GM’s billion dollar investment into the Volt could help produce such cheap hybrid vehicles , aside from the Volt. Because much of GM’s Volt investment has been centered around one core technology, lithium-ion batteries, GM could conceivably parlay this knowledge into many different types of hybrid and electric vehicles. Hence, to call GM’s Volt venture a waste that helped lead to bankruptcy and a loss of corporate reputation is pure nonsense. I’ve seen GM’s battery labs. I’ve seen GM’s virtual design center. These two elements alone could make GM’s Volt investment worth the cost, even if the Volt itself is another decade away from any sort of real world, cost-effective impact. Nonetheless, the Volt cannot save GM in the next decade. However, that does not mean the plug should be pulled on the Volt. Instead, it means GM needs to utilize the massive amount of intelligence gleaned from the Volt...

Will it make GM stronger, smarter? The other day I read that 2 out of 3 Americans want GM and Chrysler to go into bankruptcy? Why? To punish the UAW? Bondholders? Corporate boards and executives? All of the above? Ultimately, do Americans believe that bankruptcy will make these automakers stronger? Or, do they hope they will simply just disappear? Even if these companies successfully emerge from bankruptcy, does it change your opinion about their new vehicles, particularly autos like the Chevy Volt ? See the rest here: Why do you want bankruptcy for GM and Chrysler?