ninetyoneoctane

Karla Pestotnik, our S2000 guru and race car driver, joins us for the inauguration of the new ninetyoneoctane! Formula 1's decision to charge $1500 for viewing holes on the Las Vegas Strip raises eyebrows, with doubts lingering about their sellability. The ongoing debates about Max Verstappen's Formula 1 dominance continue, while a noteworthy trend emerges as mothers nationwide refuse to cover leases for their adult children engaged in risky takeovers, sparking discussions about the consequences of such activities. In the realm of the extraterrestrial, the government's warnings about UFOs equipped with advanced technology evoke humor, reflecting on "Fast & Furious" movies and potential alien interests. Amidst these stories, Whistlin' Diesel's fiery spectacle of burning a Ferrari F8 to fuel his Ferrari F40 dream captivates attention. Finally, we end on a head-to-head competition to decide who's is the better expert in their field!

It's time for a new chapter of ninetyoneoctane and one I've always dreamt of. Please join me on this Journey but if you don't, no hard feelings. For those who stick around, let's have some fun!

On Under the Hood, Honda is gearing up for the Super GT series with its Civic Type R-GT, aiming to deliver "ultimate pure sports performance." The race car, developed from the road-legal Civic Type-R, is set to debut in the 2024 season, with shakedown tests scheduled for July 25 and 26. Meanwhile, Zenvo has revealed its extreme hypercar, the Aurora V12, boasting a 6.0-liter twin-turbo engine and two variants, Tur for road focus and Agil for high-downforce racing. However, accidents also make headlines, as a white Ferrari F8 Tributo crashed in Houston during a Cars & Coffee event, and a cargo ship carrying 3,000 cars, including Mercedes-Benz vehicles, caught fire off the Dutch coast. In the market, Nissan faces challenges with the 400z, selling less than 1000 units since its launch, while manual transmissions become scarcer, with only 20 models offering them in 2023. Mazda, on the other hand, decides not to participate in the horsepower war with Toyota and Subaru, focusing on the MX-5's balance and responsiveness. Additionally, Tesla faces scrutiny as it was discovered to have suppressed driving range complaints with a "Diversion Team" manipulating range estimates. On Bending the Rules, Scott Tucker, a race car driver and founder of Level 5 Racing, built a financial empire in payday loans, disregarding regulations and charging exorbitant interest rates of 400% to 700%. Tucker used the wealth he amassed from his payday lending business to fund his racing program for years. Despite his success on the track, Tucker's shady financial practices caught up with him. In 2017, he was convicted of 14 criminal counts related to his $2 billion payday lending company and sentenced to 16 years and 8 months in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to pay a $1.3 billion penalty to the Federal Trade Commission for his deceptive business practices. Despite his conviction, Tucker doesn't fully take responsibility and claims to be misunderstood. Ironically, he was featured on Netflix's show "Dirty Money," shedding light on his bending of the rules and unethical behavior both on and off the track.

On Under the Hood, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) identifies American muscle cars, including the Ford Mustang, as among the most dangerous vehicles on the road due to their high horsepower and aggressive driving image. The IIHS reveals that several variants of muscle cars have the highest driver death rates for the 2020 model year. Conversely, minivans, SUVs, and luxury vehicles have lower driver death rates. In the second segment, the American Automobile Association (AAA) conducts a study on the impact of changes in posted speed limits on traffic safety. The study finds that lowering speed limits results in more speeding tickets, while raising speed limits leads to fewer violations. However, there is no conclusive evidence linking speed limit changes to crash frequency. The AAA study challenges assumptions about speed limits and road safety, raising questions about their enforcement motivations. Ford reduces prices for its electric F-150 Lightning, aiming to boost production and lower battery mineral costs. Subaru teases a "sharper and more focused" BRZ model. Additionally, news on the tragic incident at an SCCA Pro Solo autocross event, GM pickup battery drain issues, Tesla's plan to license Full Self-Driving system, and Nissan's potential transformation of the Skyline into an electric SUV is covered. The Street Judge delves into the debate on whether M Performance models should be considered true M cars and explores the differences between M Division and M Performance models, their engineering, branding, and implications for the automotive industry.

Rolls-Royce, Porsche, and GM are taking action against car flippers, with Rolls-Royce's CEO stating that flippers will be blacklisted. Red Bull's announcement of Daniel Ricciardo's return puts pressure on Sergio Perez. Caterham unveils the Project V concept, an electric sports coupé with a 2+1 seating layout and a range of 249 miles. Ford faces an EV inventory problem and struggles to meet demand for Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning. The UAW plans negotiations with Detroit automakers and considers strikes. Ariel reveals the Atom 4R with a revised Honda Civic Type R engine and improved performance. Hyundai introduces the Ioniq 5 N Drift Spec with combustion-like sound effects. VW's CEO warns of challenges and calls for cost-saving measures amid EV investments. Toyota offers the "86 Refresh Service" for owners of 2012-2016 Toyota 86 models, providing various refresh courses at a total cost of ¥631,400 or $4,537. On the DRO Report, we decide whether to demolition derby, rent, or own the G87 BMW M2, G80 BMW M3, and A90 Toyota Supra.

In recent car news, the first 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 was auctioned at Barrett-Jackson for a charitable cause, raising $700,000. Actress Nicole Kidman acted as the auctioneer, and the winning bidder generously donated the car back to Barrett-Jackson for another auction. The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 is a powerful vehicle with 1,025 horsepower and 945 lb.-ft. of torque. In another incident, an electric SUV in China, part of Geely's ride-hailing service, had its battery pack fall off while driving on a busy highway, raising concerns about the safety of EVs using swappable battery technology. The 2024 Ford Mustang configurator is now live, offering customization options for the EcoBoost, GT, and Dark Horse models with various trims and powertrain choices. Koenigsegg has unveiled the production version of the Gemera, offering customers the option to choose between a V8 engine hybrid or an Inline 3 engine. Alef Automotive has received FAA certification for its flying car prototype, known as the "Model A," which can both fly and travel on public roads. The Vermont DMV has closed a loophole that allowed out-of-state individuals to register cars in Vermont, aiming to prevent fraud and reckless activity. Lastly, the Ford Fiesta, the UK's best-selling car, will end its production after nearly 50 years, with the final model being manufactured in Cologne, Germany.   And we end on Round 7 of Bimmer Challenge at Streets of Willow which resulted in a little explosive drama!

Subaru addresses oil issues in the 2021 Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86, defending the design integrity of the FA24 engine for road use. Meanwhile, a Philadelphia towing company, TDI Towing, faces charges in a multi-million dollar catalytic converter theft ring. On a historical note, Thomas Edison's promotion of electric cars in the early 1900s is highlighted, as well as Lordstown Motors Corp.'s recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. Looking ahead, Alpine, Renault's sports car sub-brand, plans to expand to the United States and Asia by 2027, introducing a comprehensive range of electric sports cars. In a legal development, FedEx is accused of participating in a major odometer fraud scheme, while vehicle data collection and privacy concerns are brought to attention by Privacy4Cars. Lastly, Geraldo Pereira, an armless man from Brazil, gains recognition for his remarkable ability to build toy cars with his feet, serving as an inspiration to car enthusiasts and encouraging children to engage with car culture.

First, we discuss how Florida's Governor DeSantis has signed a bill blocking direct-to-consumer car sales. The bill, written by lobbyists for the Florida Automobile Dealers Association, restricts automakers' control over dealer inventory and prices. However, exceptions were negotiated for Tesla and other electric startups. Dealers argue that they play a crucial role in providing customer service and warranty work. Next, we shift our focus to Oregon, where the state has passed a bill allowing Oregonians to pump their own gas. While full-service fueling won't be eliminated, gas stations can designate up to half of their pumps as self-serve. Populous counties will still require at least one attendant, and gas prices will be the same for self-serve and full-service pumps. Moving on, we share an amusing story about Porsche CEO Oliver Blume camping in a rooftop tent on a 911 Turbo S during the Le Mans race. The tent, designed for various Porsche models, comes with comfortable amenities and bears the iconic Porsche branding. In another segment, we discuss the sighting of a road version of the Ford Mustang GT3, featuring a wide body and center-exit exhaust. Spy shots reveal design cues and tire sidewalls resembling Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 R tires. The car's front-end remains heavily camouflaged, hinting at aggressive aerodynamics. Lastly, we touch upon BMW M's transition away from manual and twin-clutch gearboxes. The twin-clutch gearbox won't make a comeback, and the recently launched M2 is expected to be the last manual M car. BMW M is favoring automatic transmissions for factors such as cost and comfort. We conclude with a look at Circuit Safaris, an exciting fan experience in Japan's World Endurance Championship and Atlanta Motorsports Park. Fans can enter a lottery for a chance to buy tickets and witness race cars up close. While the event presents risks, it has been deemed a success by the WEC and FIA.

NASCAR made an impressive entry into the 24 Hours of Le Mans race with a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. The project, backed by NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports, featured renowned drivers like Mike Rockenfeller, Jenson Button, and Jimmie Johnson. Despite facing some criticism from rival teams, the Camaro performed well, setting lap times faster than the GTE cars. However, transmission trouble forced the car to undergo repairs. Ultimately, it finished 39th out of 62 cars. In another Le Mans comeback, Ferrari triumphed after a 50-year absence. The race saw intense competition between Ferrari and Toyota, with the Ferrari eventually emerging victorious due to issues faced by Toyota. The 2024 Acura Integra Type S will participate in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, while an amusing incident occurred in Colorado when a driver tried to avoid a DUI arrest by switching places with his dog. Finally, a recap of some popular opinions on topics like dealing with car leaks, the status of Pluto as a planet, and the reactions to the check engine light.   Finally, we cover A Moment in History with The Ocean to Ocean Automobile Endurance Race. A transcontinental race held in 1909 from New York City to Seattle. It aimed to promote the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Expo. Henry Ford's Model T emerged as the winner, showcasing the potential of the motor car. However, Ford was later disqualified for swapping a motor, and the second-place Shawmut car was awarded the win. The race was re-enacted in 2009 with 55 Model T Fords taking the same route.

This week on the podcast shady car dealer Imran Behroozi Garaei admitted to selling £350,000 (~$400,000) worth of clocked cars and Porsche unveiled the Mission X concept, a futuristic electric hypercar with unique features and impressive performance goals. We also introduce The People Have Spoken, where we review the polls you have all participated in during the week! This week on the polls Ford introduces the Mustang Dark Horse-based race car for FIA GT3, The Voo Doo gets some attention, your favorite Southern California track, and owning more than 8 cars in your lifetime. Finally, we bring back A Moment in History with Horatio's Drive. America's first cross-country drive that happened 120 years ago!