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Famous race cars to thunder around Pontiac track at 1st Speed fest

By Betty C. Morrow 2 months ago

Famous race cars that set records and pioneered new technologies will take to the track at the first American Speed Festival Sept. 30-Oct. 3 at M1 Concourse in Pontiac.

The inaugural event will also feature two days of live racing by classic cars on M1’s 1.5-mile track, famous drivers, a tour of local automotive events and a charity dinner.

 The centerpiece of the weekend is a tribute to the legendary 1960s and ’70s Can-Am race cars, which became famous for unlimited engine power and technical innovation.

Watkins Glen Can-Am 1970. Jackie Stewart debuts the Chaparral 2J Ground Effect Vehicle, aka "the Sweeper," with its 2nd motor that drove two fans to extract air from the interior, thus creating downforce independent of the vehicle speed. This climbing section of the circuit used to be known as "Graham Hill." Photo by Pete Lyons 1970 ©2020 Pete Lyons

Driver and car designer Jim Hall will receive the ASF’s first Master of Motorsports award. Several cars from Hall’s museum in his native Texas will be present, demonstrating the design innovations and performance that made Can-Am one of the most entertaining and influential racing series.

Master innovator bringing cars

“As we honor Jim Hall, we are also showcasing racing innovation.” M1 Concourse CEO Tim

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Tesla builds 1st store on tribal land to dodge New Mexico car law

By Betty C. Morrow 3 months ago

NAMBÉ, N.M. – Carmaker Tesla has opened a store and repair shop on Native American land for the first time, marking a new approach to its yearslong fight to sell cars directly to consumers and cut car dealerships out of the process.

The white-walled, silver-lettered Tesla store, which opened last week, sits in Nambé Pueblo, north of Santa Fe, on tribal land that’s not subject to state laws.

The electric car company can only sell and service its vehicles freely in about a dozen states, while it faces restrictions in others. Some, like New Mexico, ban Tesla from offering sales or repairs without going through a dealership. In January, the company struck a deal with Michigan to resolve a 2016 lawsuit, a symbolic victory that allowed it to sell in the backyard of the nation’s largest carmakers.

Supporters of Tesla say the shop in New Mexico marks the first time

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Petersen Automotive Museum welcomes back car enthusiasts for 1st time in months

By Betty C. Morrow 8 months ago
LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Car enthusiasts, rejoice. The Petersen Automotive Museum on Thursday welcomed back guests after being shut down for months.

Those who are looking to visit will be required to have a reservation in advance as the museum can only operate at 25% capacity. Admission is free for first responders and health care workers through the year.

The museum will also have several safety protocols in place, including a face mask requirement and sanitation stations throughout the venue. Guests will also be offered a stylus, which can be used on things like elevator buttons, to enhance a touchless experience.

Operations manager Lincoln Ramirez told Eyewitness News the museum is excited to be able to open its doors and show off four new exhibits.

The museum actually reopened last June, but that didn’t last long due to changing state and local COVID-19 restrictions. It had to close 14

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