Are more race cars on the market?

It seems like there's been an increase of race cars for sale since the start of this recession. If you search for "race" on eBay motors there's now two pages of results instead of less than one several months ago. Unfortunately, it appears more and more people are having to sell their track toys to pay the bills. Have you noticed this too? The classic specimen, 1955 SIATA 300BC, above is for sale for a meager $198,000. Cheers. [image source - eBay]
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Lamborghini at the Palazzo and Lamborghini Las Vegas

Lamborghini at the Palazzo is very cool. There's a restaurant, a cafe and store, and a great venue for looking at the cars instead of dumping money into the slot machines. They had quite a few cars on hand but not as many as usual since they were prepping for a track event (sign me up please).

The dealership just off the strip is very nice. They had an amazing inventory of cars including a Lamborghini Reventon, three Bugatti Veyrons, and one of the Veyrons was the elusive black beauty the Sang Noir. Click the photo above or the ones below to jump to more. Ciao.

P.S. Thanks to Nick at Lamborghini at the Palazzo for letting drop by and giving me the low down!

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Top Gear reveals the Stig's identity twice!

Yes, they do the unthinkable and reveal the Stig's true identity twice. Of course they're just full of crap and having fun with us. It's entertaining nonetheless.
http://www.topgear.com/us/blog/more/the-stig-is-revealed/
http://www.topgear.com/us/blog/more/stig-unmasked-again/

The Stig can take you on a personalized tour of each corner of their grueling test track. http://www.topgear.com/us/assets/tg-track/index.html

Cheers. [image source - TopGear.com]
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Pagani debuts the Zonda R

The all new Zonda R from Pagani is sure to thrill. For the discerning, and wealthy, auto enthusiasts this car packs a knockout punch. It's AMG sourced engine has a walloping 750 hp. The car itself only uses 10% of the components from it's predecessor. It certainly appears more than ready for any track day. Here's the lowdown from Pagani.

While we certainly cannot say the Zonda F lacks performance figures, driving around the Nürburgring in 7:27:82 and achieving lateral G forces of almost 1.5 G, it is however a road car, easy to drive, intuitive and setting the benchmark for comfort, safety and lightweight. Paired with a quality finish and the attention to detail this made the Zonda F one of the most desirable supercars resulting in the 25 Coupé models being sold out in record time. This did not seem to fulfil the requirements of our most demanding customers, who adore the weekend drive on a racetrack. The spark has been set by an Italo-American customer, enthusiast and already proud owner of 3 Zondas. He describes the project this way: “The thought has been on my mind for quite some time, but I am not interested in racing”. The Zonda R is born with full liberty. The target: the ultimate performance at the racetrack without any implications of rules, except for safety, where no compromise is allowed. In September 2006 the first drawings were ready, but it was crucial to have the support of Mercedes-AMG for a high revving engine with a power output of 750hp, dry sump, light and with a low centre of gravity. The basis was the self supporting engine of the mighty CLK GTR, which has dominated the GT championships. Eve at constant racing pace the engine would have to cover over 5.000 km before servicing. The challenge has been accepted without hesitation. The Zonda R is a car designed from scratch, with only 10% of the Zonda F components to be carried over. The suspension forged in Avional, a new Pagani six speed transversal sequential gearbox, carbon fibre monocoque, aeronautical four pump fuel tank are only part of the equation. The wheelbase has grown by 47mm, the overall length by 394mm and the track is increased by 50mm. The bodywork and aerodynamics have been studied to offer maximum downforce. Even though built for the track, the project would not have received kick off, if the quality and finish of the car and its details was not up to the level of the Pagani road cars. One of the first cars to be delivered however will be kept in a living room, designed by Pagani and built with the same materials as the Zonda F, beautifully textured carbon fibre, avional, titanium, inconel and other state of the art materials. Additionally it will feature a bespoke HiFi System that will allow the customer to listen to the sound of this car at Le Mans and the Nürburgring.

Ciao.
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Coffee & Cars Southcenter

Coffee & Cars in Southcenter was fun. It was quite cold, in the mid thirtys, but fun. On the way there I was in a caravan of sweet cars. There was a white Ferrari 430 Scuderia, a green Lamborghini Murcielago roadster, an Aston Martin DB9, another Ferrari, and a Corvette. It was fun cruising on 405 with this contingent of fine automobiles.

There at the Barnes & Noble parking lot in Southcenter were probably 60 to 80 cars. There was a wide variety of cars too including Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches, BMWs, Mercedes, and more. On the way back we had an even bigger group making the trek North on 405. I'm sure a few heads turned to check out the group. Click the photo above or the ones below to jump to more.

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Lamborghini winter academy is back

The Lamborghini winter academy is back. Do you have roughly three to five thousand spare Euros and a desire to drift a Lambo in the snow? Well then Lamborghini has an exclusive deal for you. :) Check out their site, http://www.lamborghiniacademy.com/, for more details. Ciao.
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Road test of Ferrari 430 versus Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4

Car Magazine UK does an interesting road test of the 430 versus the LP 560-4. Check it out. Cheers.
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Lamborghini takes personalization to a new level

At the Detroit Auto Show they showed off a sweet new blue color as an example of what's possible. Here's the word straight from Lamborghini on the new options.
"Ad Personam offers every Lamborghini customer the opportunity to acquire a completely exclusive vehicle from a unique brand – one that is perfectly in tune with their own lifestyle,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. “A super sports car from Lamborghini is always a fundamental expression of the buyer’s personality. And that is why the highest levels of exclusivity are possible, right through to absolute one-of-a-kind Lamborghini vehicles.”

“Think the impossible” is the motto of the Lamborghini individualization program. Ad Personam offers a host of possibilities to bring a highly individual style to the exterior and the interior of a Lamborghini – all the way through to a Lamborghini like no other.

There are still rumors abounding regarding a new, lighter Murcielago on the way with upwards of 670 hp. Will they unveil it soon or is this just a rumor? Ciao.
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Lotus Evora is coming to Seattle in 2010

A representative at Park Place LTD told me that they won't be getting the Lotus Evora until 2010. So, if that sounds like a long time to wait check out these photos to help pass the time. Click the one above or the ones below to jump to more. Cheers.

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eBay find of wonder: Blue Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale

Check out this wonderful beast up for sale on eBay for the buy it now price of US $159,500. If it's all that it promises to be, someone will be very happy to have it in their garage soon. I was right behind a red one the other day and they sound amazing! Cheers. [image source - ebayimg.com]
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Books to help you get your dream car

So, if you're like me you're probably wondering how to "get ahead" and have the means to afford your dream car. These books can help. They don't offer get rich quick schemes but do offer sound advice and wisdom.

The Richest Man in Babylon

The Richest Man Who Ever Lived: King Solomon's Secrets to Success, Wealth, and Happiness

Happy reading and good luck with your financial goals! Cheers.
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F1 Monte Carlo trip

If you have some Euros to spare and want to witness the excitement of F1 in person. Check this out! I can't vouch for this trip so buyer beware. It looks like fun though. Cheers.
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Sunday night snow adventure

Last night in the outskirts of Kirkland there was already an inch and a half of fresh snow and I was itching to get some car control practice. :) So, foolishly I went out with my slightly modified BMW 318i with high performance summer tires. All was well until I was going down a hill and a pedestrian, who obviously was not paying attention, starts walking across the road in front of me. I braked, honked (so that he would get the heck out of the way), and braked some more. Then my car slowly slid into the curb. However, this pedestrian decides to help get me going again. So, of course I decide to hold my tongue about why in the world he was walking across the road.

Next it was on to the car control practice. I found a good location, turned the traction control off, put it in second gear, and I was enjoying snow drifting in this undisclosed location. I had fun getting the hang of it and then I started drifting around the mounds of snow. I didn't stay too long of course but it was fun.

Then some kind citizens helped push me to help me from an intersection that I should have just driven through instead of stopping for the silly light. For those of you who don't find this funny and think I should learn a lesson, I have learned. Yes, I need snow tires. Yes, it's better not to drive in the snow if one doesn't need to do so. :) Cheers. [image source - WikiMedia.org]
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AdvanTech shows off their video skills with this cool montage

I even picked up some free track tires after watching this! Okay, I was going to anyway but... Enjoy the show. Cheers.
Showreel '08 from AdvanTech on Vimeo.
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Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 named supercar of the year by Top Gear

It turns out that I'm not the only one who really, really, likes the new Gallardo. Top Gear fancies it quite a lot. It truly is an amazing supercar. Not only is it relatively easy to drive and mind numbingly fast it is also more environmentally friendly than its Gallardo predecessors. Jump here to read Top Gear's appraisal of this supreme beast of beauty. Ciao. [image source - WikiMedia.org]
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