NAIAS is coming!

The NAIAS is almost here!

In a watershed year for the car business, and with the stakes for all U.S. car companies never higher, the North American International Auto Show is set to drop the curtain in 5 days. US Automakers are in rebuild mode from some of the worst years ever, and the collective leadership is keenly aware that the next model cycle is absolutely critical to the continued operation of certain Detroit based firms.

Ford seems to have weathered the worst of the storm with the least pain, and it has created some buzz with the arrival of the new Fiesta and the all-new Explorer. They are not out of the woods by any means, as Lincoln still is suffering greatly and Mercury is about to be put out to pasture.

GM has undergone massive restructuring, with the assistance of huge governmental emergency loans and taxpayer investments, while shedding superfluous brands like Saturn and Pontiac. Additionally, extricating themselves from their ownership of Hummer and Saab (by closing and selling each brand respectively) has further bailed the proverbial water out of the collective row boat.

Chrysler Group, has both fresh new models, such as the all new Jeep Grand Cherokee (brilliant new car) and the long-in-the-tooth Chrysler 300 (less brilliant...). The Grand Cherokee, is married to a fantastic marketing effort, that really redefines what the company is capable of, and it's core values. Now, it's up to the leadership to live up to the manifesto they set forth in this compelling ad.

click for video:

If you haven't seen it, check it out. Skillful effort, and the car (and brand) just might live up to the hype going forward.

The NAIAS begins the 10th of January. Much more info here:

http://www.naias.com

Holiday Spirit!

Happy Holidays from Seventhgear Autosport! It's hard to believe that 2010 is winding to a close. Our 1 year Anniversary milestone, Hanukkah, and now Christmas have all passed... and New Years Day is just around the corner. We've got some fun things in store for 2011, and I cannot wait to dive into the new year. One of our New years resolutions is to have more fun with our blog, and with the car culture this year.

There is just so much to follow, in the world of car enthusiasm. The car show circuit is about to ramp up in a major way, as all the major global shows will take place in the next 120 days or so. The North American International Auto Show is scheduled in just a handful of days and there are sure to be some exciting concept cars to come out of that show.

The racing season is just around the corner, and there have been a number of interesting developments in Indycar and in Formula 1. Indycar just finalized a completely new set of chassis and engine design rules for 2012 (turbocharged V6's!), and they have signed 2 new (and Honda is returning) manufacturers with Chevrolet and Lotus. In Formula 1, the off-season shuffle is in full force, and teams are already testing design 'mules' on the track for their 2011 specifications. The KERS hybrid system specification returns too, which should make for interesting racing!

MINI (a car brand close to our hearts) has decided to enter WRC (World Rallye Championship) Racing with a hardcore effort to run the Countryman platform in full race trim. That's huge for MINI, as they have a strong history in Rally racing. Being MINI fans we can only root for them to succeed against the big guns like Subaru, Ford, and Citroen.

Anyway, in a nutshell, we are excited about 2011! Much more to come!

Jenson and Lewis are stuck building it themselves

This is great! It helps a race fan understand how complex these cars are!

Sebastian Vettel is the Champ!

Sebastian Vettel is almost in-human. For you non-F1 fans, pay attention. This guy is a ridiculous sporting talent. Calling him a "guy" is almost aspirational, as he's barely 23. He's more like a boy.

Or a 'man-child'.

His hero is the legendary Michael Schumacher, who he competed against today in the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi. Michael was driving in Formula 1 when Sebastian was just 4 years old.

Sebastian joined the F1 circus full time, 4 seasons ago at just 19! He is the youngest driver to score points in a F1 race (He did so in his first F1 start with Sauber F1). He's the youngest driver to lead an F1 race. He's the youngest driver to achieve an F1 pole position. He's the youngest driver to win an F1 race. You see where I am going with this?

As of this morning, he's also the youngest ever winner of the Formula 1 World Championship.

Some of you might be saying "So what?"

I'll tell you what. Have you ever seen a Football team with a 23 year old quarterback win the Super Bowl?

Given the difficulty in ever making it as a professional racing driver, much less getting through the lower ranks of Formula racing... all the way to the highest echelon (Indycar and to a greater Extent globally, F1). His title as a driver is one of the greatest feats in sports.

There are 1696 players in the NFL. There are 750 in Major League Baseball. There are 432 in the NBA. There are only 24 drivers in the world, in Formula 1. Rare air. To master this sport at all, is a remarkable achievement. To do it by the age of 23, is amazing.

On the surface, F1 racing seems simple. 24 drivers, 24 cars, and a racetrack. Yet, with 150 million live viewers of every race, the scrutiny is immense. With some teams nudging towards a 1 billion (yes, that's with a 'b') dollar annual operating budget to field 2 car/driver combos per season, this is a sport that requires the ultimate of teamwork. It requires team rosters ranging from 300-900 employees (50-75 of which travel to the races) working 24 hours a day to field those 2 cars, all while representing major corporate sponsors . In the case of Vettel that would be Red Bull. The commercial impact of every decision you make as a driver, every mistake, every nuance of your work is scrutinized.

That pressure, he appears almost immune to. Super impressive. Congrats to you, Sebastian!

Ok, lonnnng break... but BACK!

Somehow, in the crazy, zany world of ours I managed to neglect the blog. So here I am.... ready to chat again about all things 'auto'. Stay tuned for thoughts on Sebastian Vettel and his winning of the F1 World Title, a new Lambo in the offers, the end of the Murcielago, the insanity of 'Ferrari World, and many other random musings.

Thanks for hanging in there with me!

Out from under a rock!

Ok, so I took a little time off from blogging. Like... 2 months. This spring and summer has just flown by... so FAST! We've been busy selling cars and growing our little business at Seventhgear Autosport that I've not taken the time to sit and talk about cool car related stuff.

Welp... gonna change that right about now.

So stay tuned for some random musings! Coming SOON.

Happy Memorial Day!

First, let me say Godspeed to all our fallen veterans.

Without their sacrifices throughout the history of this nation, our populous would not be able to enjoy the fruit of liberty and freedom that we often take for granted.

Blessings to those that stand in harm's way, to represent a thankful nation of individuals, many of whom would never have the courage to do the same.

I salute you.