Volvo has always been synonymous with car safety and they come out with some good advice for keeping the family outings a happy experience. Sometimes we can’t control the overly-energetic kids in the back, but we can take some action for keeping everyone safe before hitting the road. Let us know what steps you take to make your trip to the store or annual vacation spot a safe experience. (Editor)

Volvo Cars of North America offers eight tips for keeping summer road trip passengers and drivers safe

IRVINE, Calif.(May 28, 2008) ­­– ‘Tis the season for families to pack up their cars and hit the road on trips both short and long. Volvo Cars of North America, a leader in safety innovation, is offering parents tips to pass along to their most precious cargo: their kids. While often overlooked in the safe driving world, kids can present parents with dangerous distractions while driving. Simple, preventative measures can keep both young passengers and adult drivers out of harm’s way.

“A distracted driver is far more likely to end up in or cause an accident,” said Bruno DiGennaro, Volvo senior safety expert. “Oftentimes driver distractions come from young, backseat passengers. Talk with your kids about safe riding practices before hitting the roads this summer. You’ll help keep everyone on your road trip out of harm’s way.”

In addition to putting small children and infants in car seats properly, there are other things parents can do to keep children safe in the car. Volvo offers these tips for riding safely: Read the rest of this entry »

Story and photos by Kurt Gensheimer

Since 1981, The Rising Sun 4 Wheel Drive Club of Colorado has celebrated the legend of the Toyota 4×4, and every April they kick off their season of wheeling with Cruise Moab; a three day event in Moab, Utah, running some of the most scenic and treacherous off-road trails in the United States. Although most of the club members own Land Cruisers, a fair portion of the club also own pickups, 4runners and Tacomas. And within the last two years, there’s been enormous growth with the new FJ Cruiser, a 4×4 which combines the legend of the FJ-40 with the latest in off-road technology.

Cruise Moab is to the Toyota enthusiast as Easter Jeep Safari is to Jeepers. Toyota 4×4 fanatics come from all over the country and beyond. In fact, the “Iron Butt” award for longest distance traveled in a non-towed truck was a guy from British Columbia, Canada. Over 2,500 miles in his diesel-powered BJ60 wagon, with his infant son riding shotgun, and we won’t even mention the pain of $4.50 per gallon diesel fuel. There’s no denying it, these guys are dedicated. Read the rest of this entry »

11 Gas Saving Tips

With gasoline and diesel prices continually rising at an astronomic rate, people are looking for ways to keep their fuel bills from devastating their already tight budget. Without investing into a hybrid or some other alternative fuel vehicle - which has an huge initial cost - you can go a little farther on that tank of gas and realize some immediate results by using some or all of the following gas saving tips. We compiled an easy list of things you can do right away and make fewer trips to the gas station.

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I admit it - I’m just a weenie when it comes to getting dirty and getting close to nature. Those tiny 6-legged creatures that fly and crawl do not fit in my comfort zone. Mountain biking may be one of favorite sports, but I’m always a hot shower away to returning to my clean suburban home, soft feather mattress, and biodegradable citrus cleaners. Today I took the opportunity to get an intro to off-roading at the Toyota Trail Teams outdoor demo at the Sea Otter Classic in beautiful Monterey, CA. Essentially, the Sea Otter Classic is northern California’s largest cycling event and I was at Laguna Seca for four days covering the event for our sister sites - mtbr.com and roadbikereview.com.

Now, how does a bicycle race fit in with a car review site? Read the rest of this entry »

There are some things that bring families together. Annual summer barbecues, parents 50th anniversaries, and a child’s first birthday are some things that come to mind. Who would have thought that a day at the race track could be a family bonding experience?

Today’s open track event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca showed me two shining examples where the thrill of racing can be shared by anyone old or young, male or female.

Parked next to me in the paddock were a father and son team sharing a ride in a ‘68 Cougar with a 302 engine stroked to 311. This silver bullet was dyno’d and measured 400 hp at the rear wheels (approximately 435 - 440 hp at the crank). Roger had built up the car for track events and invited his father, Roland, to share in the adrenaline rush.

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Sometimes you just have to let it all hang out. Sometimes you are inspired to drive the wheels off a car because you just can. And there are the times when it all comes together and you know everything is just right in the motoring universe. Such was the case when I took Mazda’s 40th Anniversary Edition RX-8 to (of all places) Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca located in Monterey, CA. Read the rest of this entry »

By Kurt Gensheimer
Photos: Matthew Talbott, Alex Fruehsamer, Patrick Pieper

I’m racing a $500 VW Rabbit GTI into turn one at Thunderhill and the only thing going through my mind is the video of a friend’s GTI snapping a front wheel spindle and doing a 90 mile-an-hour barrel roll into the grass. I know it’s taboo to think those things when racing, but when you’re at the helm of a 25 year-old malmaintenanced schlockbox, sometimes your subconscious gets the best of you. Read the rest of this entry »

By Kurt Gensheimer

Genius in theory. In reality? We might know by 2010.

For decades, American automakers, Washington politicos, oil companies and consumers alike have been caught up in the lure of cheap gasoline. It’s led to fuel inefficient vehicles, lax legislation, and even more lax energy innovation. But in the end, the root of all these behaviors comes back to the American consumer. The American consumer has always wanted and purchased gasoline-powered products, so that’s what the market delivers. But like repeatedly putting one’s hand on a burning stove, at what point do American consumers conclude the financial pain at the pump has gotten too great? And when do their automobile choices start changing the behavior of automakers, politicians and oil companies? Read the rest of this entry »

December 7, 2007

Another track day with TrackMasters Racing at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey. Our day ended early when the engine lost all it’s coolant on the track during my first morning session. We suspect a gasket for the water pump had blown given the amount of fluid dripping below the car whenever the system is pressurized. I’ll know the exact cause of the problem after we tear down the water pump.

Even though my day was done, I did manage to get a ride with Marissa in her Ford Taurus SHO. Marissa’s regular track car is a ‘94 Mustang convertible modified for track abuse with a Griggs Racing suspension setup, roll cage, and a lot of go-fast parts that bump the engine’s output to a conservative 300 horsepower.

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by Kurt Gensheimer

Blings:

• “Interesting” design
• High smug factor - if that’s what you’re into
• More compact than a crushed Geo Metro
• Gets more looks than a Ferrari
• Safer than you think
• Spacious interior makes you forget you’re in an 8 foot box

Dings:

• “Interesting” design
• High smug factor
• 40 mpg ain’t great for a 1600 lb car
• Paltry, wheezing engine
• Geriatric transmission
• High price tag for what it is
• Cargo space for a single…uh…nevermind

Verdict: I don’t get it.

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