E3 Spark Plugs News

On New Year’s Day, TechCrunch.com posted an article that got E3 Spark Plugs thinking about the car of the future, with a little retro-tastic inspiration. The article took a look at the iconic TV cartoon The Jetsons, set in a Space Age utopia in the year 2062 – a century ahead at the time of the show’s first airing in 1962. At question was just how many of the show’s then-futuristic features have become everyday reality.

First, there’s RUDI, George’s Referential Universal Digital Indexer, which looks an awful lot like today’s PC. Remember George seeing and speaking with Jane or his boss, Mr. Spacely of Spacely Space Sprockets, via a monitor? Skype made that a reality. George read the day’s news from a screen in his home – much like our laptop screens. Even the Jetsons’ robot vacuum cleaner came to pass in iRobot’s Roomba vacuum cleaner.

But the one Jetsons’ item we still covet is that groovy ride – the flying family car. It appears Hanna-Barbera took inspiration for the design from the Ford FX-Atmos, which caused quite a stir with its debut at the 1954 Chicago Auto Show. The FX stood for “Future Experimental” and Ford officials touted it as a representation of “one of the many avenues which styling could take into the future.” Like George, the would-be driver of an FX Atmos would sit in the front center of the car and steer it with hand grips. A dash-mounted “radarscape” would help navigate by providing highway and aerial information and a clear dome roof could be lowered on a sunny, breezy day. Two needle-like protrusions from the front fender pods were jokingly referred to as “pedestrian spears” but actually were radio antennae designed to allow for collision-free auto piloting. Alas, since there was no motor, there also were no car spark plugs. Designers and engineers envisioned a car that could harness the power of the atom instead.

Fast-forward to 2012 and we may be a bit closer to a Jetsons-inspired automotive reality than many realize. Later this year, Terrafugia expects to make the first customer delivery of its Transition Roadable Aircraft, a revolutionary integration of the personal car and light-weight aircraft. The Transition can drive on any surface road, then deploy its stowed-away wings and take flight from the nearest airport – no hangar needed. It’s got all the essential automotive crash safety features and there’s even a cargo area for your golf clubs.

While it’s a bit bulky and lacks the groovy vintage vibe of the FX Atmos or the Jetson’s ride, we’ll take one – just as soon as we come up with the $194,000 asking price.

What’s your pick – Would you rather park a Transition or an FX Atmos in your driveway? Leave us a comment on the E3 Spark Plugs Facebook fan page.

Auto buffs, gear up for a fantastic year of car, truck and bike shows. Whether you’re into the latest and greatest auto technology or the sheer beauty of restored vintage treasures, there’s an auto show ticket with your name all over it. To see all the opportunities, you’ll have to do an Internet search. But E3 Spark Plugs has a few favorites.

Topping our list is Hot Rod Magazine’s annual Hot Rod Power Tour. E3 Spark Plugs is a sponsor of this year’s event, which will take drivers on a 7-day, 7-city, 1,400-mile road trip from Detroit, Michigan to Arlington, Texas. Each city will host a one-day car and truck show, where you’ll see some of the most envy-inducing hot rods around. A few host cities also feature races. Then they’ll all rev up and ride out for the next tour stop.

Check the schedule for the 2012 Hot Rod Power Tour and a few of E3′s top car show recommendations. Mark your calendars and be sure to take some pics and post them to the E3 Spark Plugs Facebook fan page.

2012 Hot Rod Power Tour

• Detroit, MI, GM Proving Grounds, Milford, June 2
• Muskegon, MI, Downtown Muskegon, June 3
• Champaign, IL, Assembly Hall, University of Illinois, June 4
• Madison, IL, Gateway Motorsports Park, June 5
• Miami, OK, Buffalo Run Casino, June 6
• Stillwater, OK, Kicker Corporate Complex, June 7
• Arlington, TX, Quicktrip Park, June 8
• Long Haulers only, Arlington, TX, Venue TBD, June 9

2012 Auto Shows

• North American International Auto Show, Detroit, Jan. 9-22 www.naias.com
• Houston Auto Show, Jan. 25-29, www.houstonautoshow.com
• Washington Auto Show, Jan. 27-Feb 5, www.washingtonautoshow.org
• Philadelphia Auto Show, Jan. 28-Feb 5, www.phillyautoshow.com
• Chicago Auto Show Feb. 9-19 www.chicagoautoshow.com
• Jacksonville International Car & Truck Show, Feb. 17-19
• California 91Truck Show, March 3, www.91truckshow.com
• Daytona Beach Bike Week, March 9-18 www.officialbikeweek.com
• Atlanta International Auto Show, March 14-18, www.goautoshow.com
• DWF Auto Show, March 21-25, Dallas, www.dallasautoshow.com
• New York International Auto Show, April 6-15, www.autoshowny.com
• Minnesota Street Rod Association’s Back to the ’50s Weekend, June 22-24 www.msra.com
• SEMA Show, Oct. 30-Nov. 2 www.semashow.com
• LA Auto Show Nov. 28-Dec. 9 www.laautoshow.com
• Performance Racing Industry Trade Show, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, www.performanceracing.com/tradeshow
• San Diego International Auto Show, Dec. 29-Jan 1, www.sdautoshow.com

 

The 2012 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship Series revs up Saturday night at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA. All eyes will be on 2011 champ Ryan Villopoto as he begins his fight to defend his title against a full slate of the world’s top riders. And he’ll start that fight with a hard-charging bid to become only the sixth rider in history to win the series’ season opener in back-to-back years.

Villopoto also is the current AMA National Motocross Series champion and the Motocross of Nations champ, and he made headlines in 2011 for his utter decimation of the competition in the Monster Energy Cup. He dominated the field over the course of three 10-lap main events to take home the Monster Million – the biggest purse in the sport’s history. Rumor has it the Poulsbo, WA native, who had married the beautiful Kristen Young just days before, postponed his plans for a South Pacific honeymoon to compete for the Monster Million. We’re betting his bride didn’t mind.

His amazing 2011 season has made Villopoto the man to beat in 2012. But he’s got strong contenders. Chad Reed came in second in the SX championship last year and no doubt has his eye on the top podium spot this season. James Stewart has been loud and proud about his intentions to knock seven-time Supercross Class champ Jeremy McGrath from his title as the all-time winningest rider before moving on to four-wheel competition. McGrath currently boasts 72 supercross wins and Stewart is aiming for 73 before making the leap to NASCAR. And Ryan Dungey plans to capitalize on his reputation as one of the fastest motorcycle riders on the planet – a rep he earned in just two SX season.

E3 Spark Plugs congratulates Villopoto on an amazing 2011 season and looks forward to a thrill-packed 2012 season! Make sure your ride is competition-ready with E3 motorcycle spark plugs.

2012 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship Series Schedule

• January 7 – Angel Stadium – Anaheim, CA
• January 14 – Chase Field – Phoenix, AZ
• January 21 – Dodger Stadium – Los Angeles, CA
• January 28 – Overstock.com Stadium – Oakland, CA
• February 4 – Angel Stadium – Anaheim, CA
• February 11 – Qualcomm Stadium – San Diego, CA
• February 18 – Cowboys Stadium – Arlington/Dallas, TX
• February 25 – Georgia Dome – Atlanta, GA
• March 3 – Edward Jones Dome – St. Louis, MO
• March 10 – Daytona Int’l Speedway – Daytona, FL*
• March 17 – Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
• March 24 – Rogers Centre – Toronto, ON, Canada
• March 31 – Reliant Stadium – Houston, TX
• April 14 – Louisiana Super Dome – New Orleans LA
• April 21 – Qwest Field – Seattle, WA
• April 28 – Rice-Eccles Stadium – Salt Lake City, UT
• May 5 – Sam Boyd Stadium – Las Vegas, NV

So how did you ring in the New Year? Major props if you powered into 2012 anywhere near the way pro snowmobiler Levi LaVallee and FMX rider Robbie “Maddo” Maddison did – with record-breaking jumps across an icy San Diego harbor on a snowmobile and a motorbike at Red Bull’s New Year-No Limits event.

The two rode side-by-side with a shared goal of breaking their respective sports’ longest-jump records. Both succeeded fantastically. Maddison beat his 351-feet, 3-inches certified world record with an impressive jump of 378 feet, nine inches. He came a bit short of his 400-foot goal, likely because wet conditions nixed his 100-mph launch speed goal. But the massive leap proved a record breaker and a crowd pleaser nonetheless. That Maddo can pull off any feat of this sort is nothing short of a miracle if you know his history. Shortly after graduating high school, Maddison came down with viral meningitis and viral encephalitis. The sicknesses caused temporary paralysis and blinded Maddison in one eye. But he recovered and never looked back as he pushed his motocross passion and went pro.

Meanwhile, LaVallee had his own point to prove that night. He was out to break his record of 361-feet, hit last year in a practice jump that nearly killed him. LaVallee suffered collapsed lungs, a broken pelvis, cracked ribs and a concussion a year ago and has since rebounded in ways that many – including LaVallee’s doctors – thought impossible. To say he “broke” the record doesn’t do the guy justice. He SLAMMED last year’s record by a full 51 feet, crossing the harbor with a 412-foot jump. If you’re doing the numbers, that’s 52 feet longer than an NFL football field.

So what, pray tell, drives a man to repeat the feat that nearly put him six feet under?

“It was something I had to overcome,” LaVallee told ESPN. Otherwise it was going to haunt me the rest of my life… After last year and being out I was like, ‘Man, you just missed out on the coolest opportunity.’ And to be here today and to be able to land an over 400-foot jump… you can’t make it any better.”

From all of us here at E3 Spark Plugs, congrats to both LaVallee and Maddison. Got your eye on breaking your own personal best record? Stock your ride with E3 motorcycle spark plugs or snowmobile spark plugs. Be bold, but be careful. And have an awesome 2012.

 

Assuming the cataclysmic theories about Earth being sucked into a black hole, colliding with another planet or otherwise disintegrating on December 21 aren’t true, 2012 looks to be a promising year. The economy is starting (though ever so slowly) to mend, Jon Bon Jovi is still alive and, if the Toyota Fun-Vii ever comes to market, you’ll one day be driving around with a hologram hottie perched upon your dash board. Something to look forward to, indeed.

In the meantime, no doubt you’re busy building your list of New Year’s resolutions. E3 Spark Plugs offers a few suggestions to help keep you and your ride healthy, happy and on the road.

1. Resolve to keep your car in great shape with DIY checks and fixes including keeping your tires well inflated, changing or topping off your car’s fluids regularly, and ditching those worn-out windshield wiper blades BEFORE they start etching rainbow-shaped grooves into your glass.
2. Resolve to have the pros check out your car from fender-to-bumper twice a year including the brakes and the charging and electrical systems.
3. Resolve to get those new knocks, pings and groans checked out STAT so minor problems don’t turn into major repair bills.
4. Resolve to dig that auto owner’s manual out of the depths of your glove compartment and use it – especially when it comes to keeping track of and following through with recommended scheduled maintenance.
5. Resolve to keep your car and the air around it clean. All that sand from your last trip to the beach is wearing on your car’s upholstery, interior and paint job. And unless you’re using E3 car or truck spark plugs you’re likely mucking up your environment. E3′s patented technology is designed for a cleaner, stronger and more fuel-efficient burn.

From all of us here at E3 Spark Plugs – have a happy, prosperous and safe 2012!

The 2011 Supercross season proved quite the exciting ride. When the dust finally settled, it was Ryan Villopoto at the podium as the 2011 AMA Supercross Series Championship winner. So how will the 2012 season play out? E3 Spark Plugs has a few predictions.

One guess is that we’ll get quite the show from the ongoing rivalry between Australian native and two-time Supercross Class champion Chad Reed and James Stewart, also a two-time Supercross Class champion, as well as a former AMA Motocross champion and the first African American to win a major motorsports title. The two have treated fans to some of the sport’s toughest battles and neither has any plans to back down.

“James and I have a lot of respect for each other,” says Reed, who last year became an entrepreneur founding Two-Two MotorSports. “We both want to win and neither of us lets anything get in the way of that.”

No doubt Stewart shares that sentiment. But he’s also got his eye on knocking seven-time Supercross Class champ Jeremy McGrath from his title as the all-time winningest rider before moving on to four-wheel competition. McGrath currently boasts 72 supercross wins.

“My No. 1 focus is get to 73 wins, and after that, we can hit NASCAR full force,” Stewart, who makes his debut with the Joe Gibbs Racing MX Team next month, recently told USA Today. “We are definitely making steps to hopefully battling with Junior [Dale Earnhardt] and [Jimmie] Johnson. I am looking forward to it as another challenge in life. The cool part is maybe I have a chance to be great in two different sports.”

Of course, if Ryan Dungey has his say, neither Stewart nor Reed will see the champion’s podium come May 5. In just two Supercross Class competition seasons, Dungey earned respect as one of the fastest motorcycle riders on the planet and in 2010 became the second rookie in history to win the Monster Energy AMA Supercross. He came excruciatingly close to defending his title in 2011, letting it slip by a mere 10 points. This year, he joins the Red Bull KTM team.

We’re also expecting an exciting season show from Monster Energy / Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Broc Tickle, who makes his Supercross Class debut next month after an impressive five-year run in the Lites Class.

Got a prediction of your own? E3 Spark Plugs wants to hear it. Post your thoughts on our Facebook fan page. And remember to stock your bike with a set of E3 motorcycle spark plugs for a championship-worthy performance.

We should all be so lucky as to drive a gorgeous classic car around town now and then. Alas – no such luck for many of us. But one can dream. And plan. And make that move. If one of your New Years’ wishes is to finally fix up that old jalopy in your granddad’s garage or to buy that dream ride you’ve been eying for decades, E3 Spark Plugs offers a little visual inspiration. Behold the world’s three most expensive classic cars:

• 1954 Mercedes W 196 – $24 million: Considered the “holy grail of racing cars,” the Mercedes-Benz W196 debuted at the 1954 French Grand Prix at Reims. Throughout the 1954 and 1955 Formula One seasons, the car racked up nine wins in 12 races, helmed by racing legends Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss. Mechanically, it’s known for its revolutionary fuel injection and desmodromic valve system developed by Mercedes engineers working on the Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter engine during World War II. The valve system utilized positive control without resorting to springs.

• 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO – $16.6 million: Built specifically for racing, the Ferrari 250 GTO had a bit of a rough start. It initially was developed by chief engineer Giotto Bizzarrini, who installed the 3.0 L V12 engine of a 250 Testa Rossa into the chassis of a 250 GT SWB, and designer Sergio Scaglietti, who created the body. But in a fiery dispute with founder and former racer Enzo Ferrari, Bizzarrini was fired, along with nearly all Ferrari engineers on staff at the time. Further development then went to Scaglietti and engineer Mauro Forghieri. A grand total of 39 Ferrari 250 GTOs would be produced over the next few years, and its engine established Ferrari as the racing champion of the world. In the United States, they commanded an $18,000 purchase price (big money in those days) and buyers had to be personally approved by Enzo Ferrari himself, as well as his North American dealer Luigi Chinetti.

• 1931 Type 41 Bugatti Royale – $8.7 million: Boasting 21 feet in overall length and a 170-inch wheel base, and built with the finest woods, metals and leathers of the day, the Bugatti eschewed automakers’ focus on performance in favor of a focus solely on luxury. In fact, founder Ettore Bugatti, borne of a long line of artists, sculptors and designers, initially planned to build just 25 Royales and sell them to European royalty. But these were the days of the Great Depression, and not even the elite were making such extravagant purchases. As a result, only six were made and just three sold. Today, the Bugatti Royale remains one of the world’s largest and rarest.

Rounding out the top 10 list of the world’s priciest rides are the 1962 Ferrari 330 TRI/LM priced at $6.5 million; the 1932 Alfa Romeo Tipo B at $5.6 million; the 1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe at $4.4 million; the 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 at $4.07 million; the 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster at $3.63 million; the 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza Spider Corsa at $2.53 million; and the 1956 Ferrari 860 Monza at $2.5 million.

Do you drive a prized classic car? E3 Spark Plugs wants to see it. Post your pics on our Facebook fan page.

When the sounds of sleigh bells and carolers get rudely interrupted by the sounds of glass shattering and metal crunching, you know your holiday spirit just took a dive. E3 Spark Plugs wants you and yours to enjoy a safe and happy holiday, so we’ve compiled a list of top holiday roadway safety tips.

It’s not exactly a news flash that America’s roadways are more dangerous during the holidays. Christmas parties and New Year’s Eve bashes nearly always involve drinking. Those who get a little too merry too often end up behind the wheel – and in the hospital. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 10-year Crash Stats study found that New Year’s Day is the deadliest day of the year for speeding-related fatal crashes, followed by Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. A high percentage of these accidents also involve drunk driving. In fact, 54 percent of all New Year’s Day accident deaths and 38% of Christmas-time car accident deaths are alcohol related, the NHTSA says.

To help keep you and your loved ones safe on the roadways this holiday season, follow these tips:

• If you and your family or friends plan to attend parties where you’ll be drinking, make sure you designate a driver and have a backup plan should your designated driver bail on you. Find the best local taxi services and load their phone numbers into your phone’s contacts list. Some cab services offer free rides to get inebriated passengers home safely.

• If you must drive and want to enjoy a drink, do so sparingly. Drink a glass of water or sparkling water between alcoholic drinks. Sip, don’t chug. And mingle. A lot. After all, you can’t talk and drink at the same time, and who knows who you’ll meet while you mingle.

• When driving, be hyper-aware of other vehicles around yours. Keep the radio volume low and the distracting chatter to a minimum so you can keep your eyes and ears on the road. If another car is having trouble staying in one lane or is driving too fast or too slow, steer clear of it. Even the safest driver can fall victim to a speeding, intoxicated one.

• Before you head out for the holidays – whether going out of state to a family gathering or just across town to a friend’s party – check your brakes and tires. Get a full brake inspection and, if it’s time for new brake pads, change them now. And double check that your tires are properly inflated. Underinflated tires contribute to more than 600 fatalities and 33,000 injuries a year on America’s roadways. Plus, they suck up your gas mileage.

Got more holiday roadway safety tips? Post them on our Facebook fan page. And from all of us here at E3 Spark Plugs, have a fantastic holiday season!

Are you a serious slacker when it comes to holiday shopping? No worries. E3 Spark Plugs has a few great ideas for those last-minute, stocking-stuffer gifts for the auto buff on your Christmas list.

• A good read: A subscription to an auto magazine is always a welcome gift from a car enthusiast. There are lots to choose from. Publications like Automotive News and AutoWeek, which offer across-the-board industry coverage. Others like European Car, Hot Rod and Vette cater to car lovers with particular automotive interests.

• That’s the ticket: A pair of tickets to a great auto event, whether to a mud-flinging Monster Truck show or a fancy-schmancy Concours d’Elegance, is sure to get you a sincere “OMG, I love it!”

• Help!: If there’s a teenager in the family who will be driving for the first time soon, consider a roadside emergency kit. AAA memberships are very popular holiday gifts for new drivers. An electronic tire gauge, a set of jumper cables and a battery- or cigarette lighter-powered car tire inflator (or at least a can of Fix-A-Flat) might not elicit the same shrieks of excitement as, say a new iPod pre-loaded with Justin Bieber tunes, but they’ll do doubt be much appreciate somewhere down the road.

• A thrill ride: For the experienced driver and dare devil in the family, spring for a gift certificate good toward a Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure package. Packages range from a four-lap intro for $195 to a full-throttle 80-lap experience for $3,695.

• Power surge: Of course, we’d be remiss without suggesting a set of E3 car, truck or motorcycle spark plugs Our favorite stocking stuffer will give your loved one a boost in engine power and efficiency, a little extra change in their pockets rather than the gas tank, and a bit of feel-good mojo knowing that a cleaner ride is good for the environment.

Got more great stocking stuffer ideas? Post them on our E3 Spark Plugs Facebook fan page. And remember to keep it safe on the roadways this holiday season. Slow down, watch out for impaired drivers and, if you plant to imbibe in a little liquid joy yourself, designate a non-drinking driver. From all of us here at E3 Spark Plugs, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and best wishes for the New Year!

IndyCar has released its official review of the October 16 crash that killed Indianapolis 500 champ Dan Wheldon. The report acknowledged that Wheldon’s head coming into contact with a fence support post was ruled the specific cause of death, in keeping with the October 17 autopsy that concluded blunt force trauma to the head killed the British racer. However, the report added that the exact cause of the accident itself could not be pinpointed.

“While several factors coincided to produce a ‘perfect storm,’ none of them can be singled out as the sole cause of the accident,” investigators concluded. “For this reason, it is impossible to determine with certainty that the result would have been any different if one or more of the factors did not exist.”

Despite two days of safety testing at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway before the start of the 2011 IZOD IndyCar World Championship, drivers knew it would be a potentially dangerous race. The track’s size allowed for a large field of cars running at unusually high speeds, which prohibited the “racing grooves” that typically help channel cars into some type of order. The result was track-side chaos. Drivers couldn’t tell where other drivers were or were headed, so routes to safety were hard to come by.

Gian Paolo Dallara, head of Italian manufacturer Dallara Automobili, recently told Autosprint he doesn’t believe that the 220-mph speeds contributed directly to the crash. Instead, he blames problems with wheel-to-wheel contact.

“If two wheels that rotate in the same direction touch, even at just 50kph [31mph], the car behind shoots up in the air,” Dallara said. “There’s nothing you can do.”

Dallara says that the new 2012 chassis had undergone a redesign aimed at reducing the risks of lifting off from wheel-to-wheel contact even before the 15-car crash that killed Wheldon. And in an ironic twist, it was Wheldon who had helped IndyCar and Dallara test the new chassis, logging upwards of 2,000 miles on it. In honor of the racer, Dallara recently announced it has named the new design the DW12. E3 Spark Plugs supports the new name and Dallara’s efforts toward creating a safer race car.

Meanwhile, race officials have dropped the Las Vegas Motor Speedway from the 2012 IndyCar schedule. Pending continued track testing, the series may return to Vegas in 2013.