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Bad economy a yellow flag for smaller racecar venues

A misfiring economy and rising energy prices are choking off the racing done by the semi-pro drivers who grind gears each summer at Seekonk Speedway and other small tracks around the Northeast, according to The Providence Journal.

Record oil prices are pushing up the cost of many products associated with auto racing, including the fuels used to tow racecars to the tracks and to propel them once they arrive, the parts used in the racecars, and even the food sold in the stands.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 10:50 AM to Racing | Permalink | Comments 1

Backseat Apologia: Mea cupla on Greenwich Concours d'Elegance

Many apologies to anyone who read a short squib about the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance in Saturday's projoCars section.

I wrote that it was taking place last weekend when in fact it had already taken place the weekend of June 7th and 8th. Thanks to Tom Fair for pointing this out.

I have no excuse other than to quote Dr. Johnson when asked by a woman why, in his famed dictionary, he had defined a pastern as the knee of a horse.

"Ignorance, madam, pure ignorance."

I sincerely hope no one was seriously put out by my exhibition of pure ignorance.

- Peter C.T. Elsworth

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 10:32 AM to commentary | Permalink | Comments 0

Honda rolls out new zero-emission car

TAKANEZAWA, Japan -- Honda's new zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell car rolled off a Japanese production line Monday and is headed to Southern California, where Hollywood is already abuzz over the latest splash in green motoring, according to the Associated Press.

The FCX Clarity, which runs on hydrogen and electricity, emits only water and none of the noxious fumes believed to induce global warming. It is also two times more energy efficient than a gas-electric hybrid and three times that of a standard gasoline-powered car, the company says.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 10:21 AM to Alternative fuels , Honda | Permalink | Comments 0

Oil hits record near $140 a barrel on dollar, fire

NEW YORK -- Crude oil futures hit a record near $140 a barrel Monday as investors shrugged off Saudi Arabia's promise to boost production and instead focused on a weaker dollar. Retail gas prices rose to a record $4.08 a gallon, according to the Associated Press.

Light, sweet crude for July delivery soared to a trading record of $139.89 before retreating to trade up $3.33 at $138.19 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 10:18 AM to Crude oil market | Permalink | Comments 0