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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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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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 »

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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