Velocity Invitational: history, hypercars, luxury lifestyle

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Several decades of pristine automotive engineering will make their way Oct. 14-16 to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey for the Velocity Invitational. A three-day motorsport and “luxury lifestyle” gathering featuring a series of races in a variety of automotive categories, the Velocity Invitational is similar to the Goodwood Festival of Speed or The Silverstone Classic. Formula 1, WRC, and WEC race cars with state-of-the-art hypercars are set to compete in 10-lap qualifying and feature races. The vehicles will participate in practice and qualifying sessions on Friday, Oct. 14 and Saturday, Oct. 15 leading up to feature races on Sunday,

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6 steps to being a better driver when learning to drive

Safety is imperative when learning to drive — for ourselves, passengers, occupants in other vehicles and pedestrians. It’s also an appropriate time to develop proper driving habits, not unsafe or illegal habits like driving too fast. Here are some basic guidelines to follow, whether you’re learning to drive or have many years of driving experience. Fasten Your Seatbelt It might seem obvious, but many car drivers and passengers don’t wear their seat belts. Without wearing a seatbelt or if it’s not properly attached, a car occupant can be tossed around the cabin, thrown into a windshield or launched from a

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4 essential car restoration tips you might not know

Classic car collectors know their passion for iconic vehicles can require substantial investments. Car restoration can also become more of a chore than anticipated. However, if you love owning and investing in classic cars, then exploring the restoration process may also be a welcomed challenge. Whether you’re interested in a particular make and model or are simply exploring options, some essential tips will help begin the restoration process. Here’s some crucial advice to consider: Research Your Restoration Options If you’re serious about restoring an old car, research is imperative. Some types of vehicles are better for restoration than others and

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#242, Sacramento collector talks California Automobile Museum

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:07 — 42.7MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreDavid Felderstein is a passionate collector of vintage automobiles and he shares his interests with friends and neighbors in East Sacramento and at the California Automobile Museum. Felderstein is the Exhibits Committee Chair and Board Secretary for museum, which opened in 1987 as the Towe Ford Museum. It was renamed the Towe Auto Museum 1997 and has has held it current name for nearly 15 years. Felderstein is my guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. While co-host Bruce Aldrich remains on assignment,

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3 reasons to visit a Mercedes-Benz service center in 2023

A Mercedes-Benz first needs servicing after 10,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first. Regular maintenance is then recommended every 20,000 miles or two years. The engine check-ups ensure a vehicle runs properly and provides the driver with a sense of road confidence. Two primary types of service are required: Service A includes oil replacement, fluid level check, component inspection, resetting maintenance counter, and tire inflation. Service B includes brake fluid exchange, cabin dust filter replacement, brake component inspection and inflation correction. The top reasons for automotive maintenance are increasing lifespan and overall performance of  a vehicle. A proper check-up

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Driving in snow? Prepare, slow down or don’t leave home

Driving in snow and other bad weather isn’t easy. Particularly when it’s cold outside, precautions are necessary to ensure your safety. Snow and ice, heavy storms, strong winds and tornadoes can cause car accidents within minutes. In short, driving during the winter can be a dangerous with snow and sleet particularly troublesome and cause of many inclement weather accidents. But adhering to safe driving practice practices specific to inclement can help. Here are some tips and must-dos to help ensure safe driving in poor weather conditions. What Are Some Basic Warning Signs? It is important to be particularly aware of

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2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 53: Handsome, fast, pricey

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Seven years ago, Mercedes-Benz changed the name of its mid-size sport utility vehicles from M-Class to GLE. It aligned the vehicles with the badges of the manufacturer’s most closely related sedans. The SUVs are offered in five trims, including the AMG GLE 53, and they remain among the carmaker’s most versatile luxury wheels. With the AMG GLE 63, the two siblings feature the subsidiary’s suite of high-performance engines and superior interior accouterments that can elevate the offerings to six-figure vehicles. All trim levels come standard with all-wheel drive, which Mercedes-Benz calls (4MATIC) except for the GLE 350. It’s also available

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5 SUV Must Dos And Must Haves For A Road Trip

Car travel is increasingly popular, with Americans experiencing fun-filled adventures, observing beautiful landscapes and collecting joyous moments  — and often in an SUV. But what cars are becoming Americans’ first choice to travel? Industry data details that sport utility vehicles outsold sedans two to one in 2019. And the trend is expected to grow. Sport utility vehicles are popular for their practicality, clearance height, power and cargo space. With the growing trend of SUVs, car riders need to plan and prepare for long road journeys. Here’s a list of essentials for traveling in your SUV: Maintenance Cars need maintenance, with

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Once the next great thing, farewell compact vans

Say goodbye to the compact van segment — at least in the United States. According to several online automotive publication reports, Ram will stop importing ProMaster City to the United States at the end of this season and Ford will drop the Transit Connect at the end of 2023. The two were the last of the remaining vehicles in the once popular niche segment. Ram and Ford have not commented on the reports of once niche but popular segment of the utilitarian vehicles. Compact Vans: So Long, Farewell Ford, which brought the new segment of compact vans into the United

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#241, Subaru, Maserati, cheapest, priciest insurance rates

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:37 — 44.8MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreBuying car insurance may be the least enjoyable component of automobile ownership. It’s a huge industry ripe with misinformation, high-profit margins and small print. CarInsurance.com, self-defined as “a one-stop online destination for car insurance information,” does its part to give consumers the basics and the details. Owned and operated by QuinStreet, Inc., a “pioneer in delivering online marketplace solutions to match searchers with brands in digital media” the website offers a good launching point for those seeking car insurance. It recently published a list

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2022 Range Rover: looks, power, big money

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Land Rover decided 2022 was the ideal time to introduce the most expensive vehicle in the multi-national manufacturer’s nearly 75-year history. It’s called the Range Rover SV LWB. The rig is powerful. It features a 4.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 with 523 horsepower and a top speed of 155 miles per hour. Its vastness and power also result in impressive versatility. The Range Rover has an 8,000-pound towing capacity and it can also accelerate from 0-60 miles per hour in five seconds. With its preposterously opulent collection of features, the new Range Rover is the quarter-million dollar car from Jaguar Land Rover.

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2022 Subaru WRX worth its long wait makeover

Thirty years after its automotive mentor, the Impreza, was unveiled for the World Rally Championship, the Subaru WRX debuted in its second generation. It’s been a long time coming. The first stand-alone WRX (World Rally eXperimental) arrived in 2014. Eight years later, the sport compact’s full makeover is welcomed and much-needed. It’s available in base, Premium, Limited and GT trims. The turbocharged WRX is among a stellar list of punchy sedans, a front-engine, all-wheel drive sedan with a desire to capitalize on its aggressive four-cylinder engine. They all make driving enjoyable. In the Subaru, shifting gears, darting around town and

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Little Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 SUV is big-time

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Mercedes-Benz and its uber-luxury sidekicks AMG and Maybach offer 31 vehicles in 2022 models. Coupes, convertibles, electric vehicles, sedans, sport utility vehicles, roadsters and wagons are all in the mix. Add multiple trims in each segment, and whether via abacus or app, keeping track of the German manufacturer’s extended family of vehicles is a task. Mercedes-Benz Offers Lots Of Choices Even connoisseurs of the carmakers’ stoic vehicles might need a chart to differentiate the GLA 250, GLB 250 and GLC SUVs. The former is a luxury subcompact; the latter is a luxury compact. The Mercedes-Benz GLC is among the competitors

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#240, Vintage driver, vintage Bugatti

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:36 — 44.8MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreVisiting a grandparent as a youngster often includes affection, treats and wisdom, all offered for free. It leads to buying a Bugatti in parts for $150,000 less frequently. Nathanael Greene’s childhood visits to New Hampshire resulted in his 65-year history with the iconic automobile introduced by Italian-French carmaker Ettore Bugatti in 1924. Greene owns three, including the 1925 Bugatti Type 35 he’s competed in at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for many years beginning in 1997. The former investment executive was my recent guest on

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Illinois is stunning state for a safe drive

Chicago, Illinois is a major transportation and museum hub. It’s well-known for its cuisine, including horseshoe sandwiches, deep dish pizzas and corn dogs. Illinois was also the first state to abolish slavery. Illinois offers a lot for visitors, particularly for those who want to drive around the state. Here’s a comprehensive list of places to visit: Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive Spoon River Valley is a picturesque 140-mile trip with more than two-dozen attractions. The lovely byway hosts flea markets, antique shows and handmade delicacy businesses. Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive Fall Festival is the main attraction of the valley’s

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2022 Volvo XC60 Recharge redefines station wagons

American full-sized station wagons were dispatched from the new car lineup in 1996. Once chariots of choice to transport occupants and massive trundle-style suitcases to train stations, the three-row beauties were discarded in favor of a multi-brand brigade of sport utility vehicles. Thankfully, wagons still abound, with cargo space still relevant. It’s now part of the versatile vehicles’ three-part attraction that also includes sportiness and performance. The updated 2022 Volvo XC60 Recharge adds a fourth attraction. It’s a plug-in hybrid in both the T6 and T8 Inscription (hybrid twin-engine technology) trims. The last long-tenured American full-size wagons were family rooms

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