Ram 1500 TRX Stunt Costs YouTuber $53k

by Gabrielle DeSantis

YouTuber Street Speed 717 owns some amazing vehicles. The YouTuber has accumulated millions of views for automotive-related content. One stunt got the content creator in hot water. He took his Ram 1500 TRX and attempted to jump a stream in the powerful truck. The video ended up costing him over $50,000 in fines. It also did some costly damage to his performance truck.

The $53k Ram 1500 TRX stunt

RAM 1500 Rebel TRX 4×4 | Raymond Boyd via Getty Images

The Ram 1500 TRX is a hellcat-powered truck. It is one of the few vehicles to still use an eight-cylinder engine. The 6.2-liter HEMI V8 engine makes a monstrous 702 horsepower. The Ram 1500 TRX is estimated to go from 0-60 in a mere 4.5 seconds.

The Ram 1500 TRX was made for tackling tough terrain and is one of the best off-roading trucks ever made. It competes with the Ford F-150 Raptor, another truck known for having insane power. YouTuber Street Speed 717 decided that he would put his TRX to the test without realizing there would be horrible consequences for his actions.

The YouTuber tried to jump a wide local Pennsylvania stream in his Ram 1500 TRX. He was able to clear the stream after launching the TRX at almost 60 miles per hour. The back window completely shattered on impact. The front bumper was severely damaged. The skid plate was bent. Much of the damage was cosmetic. Many would deem the jump a success.

The stunt did not amuse the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The commission brought 18 criminal counts against the YouTuber. The charges amounted to $53,000 in fines. The charges were brought against the YouTuber because the commission believed his actions damaged the environment and could have caused harm to the wildlife in the stream.

What is so special about the Ram TRX?

The Ram 1500 TRX.
The Ram 1500 TRX | Ram

The Ram 1500 TRX is special because of its Hellcat engine. The truck uses one of the most powerful engines on the market and thus is extremely fast. The TRX takes Hellcat power and combines it with the durability of a Ram truck to create the perfect combo of speed and strength.

This high-powered truck was made to withstand the elements and conquer the most brutal driving conditions. The extreme truck is special because it’s the truck that can do it all. It has sports car speed and style and truck brute force and might. The TRX is a dream for drivers who like to take the path less traveled and use their vehicle to explore, tow, and have a blast.

Is the TRX worth the money?

The Ram 1500 TRX.
The Ram 1500 TRX | Ram

The Ram 1500 TRX offers premium styling and performance at a premium price. It starts at $72,120. It is also the most powerful Ram truck in history, which is saying a lot. According to Car and Driver, one of the only few drawbacks it has is its fuel economy.

It’s no surprise that a V8 truck this powerful is a gas guzzler. Thanks to its suspension, the performance truck is meant for battling hills, rocks, sand, mud, and even water. Is it worth it? It depends on how much you’re willing to spend to live life on the wild side.

RELATED: Why the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX Is Better Than the Ford F-150 Raptor

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2020 Corvette Takes Last Drive After Selling-Then Crashes

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The owner of this 2020 Corvette; Spencer Everette, wanted one last fling in the Corvette he just sold. For the Greenville, North Carolina enthusiast, this would be just a quick squirt, and then it was off to the new owner the next day. He drove it out to Highway 11, and told WITN he “gunned it.” 

The Corvette owner lost control ending up on its side

Wrecked 2020 Corvette | WITN-TV

That proved to be a mistake. Losing control, the Corvette blew off of the road and then slid into a field of tall grass. From there, it flipped onto its side and that’s how this one-car crash ended.  

Everette was able to climb out of the wreckage before calling a tow truck around 2 PM on Monday. In the meantime, emergency crews arrived on the scene. From the video taken in the aftermath, there is significant damage showing on both sides of the Corvette.

Damage to the Corvette was extensive on both sides

Crashed Corvette
Wrecked 2020 Corvette | WITN-TV

So it might have barrel-rolled once before ending up on its side. There was nothing between the road and the grass to have damaged the sides like they are. It was probably a wild ride, one that Everette won’t soon forget.

But there was more bad news to come. The police determined that by his own admission him “gunning it” constituted reckless driving. So besides the loss of the Corvette and embarrassment, he was also charged. 

Can it be fixed or will it be totaled?

Wrecked 2020 Corvette
Wrecked 2020 Corvette | WITN-TV

The good news is that with the top off, this could have been far worse than it was for Everette. With restraints and airbags he might have gotten bruised and shook up, but nothing more serious than that. It’s hard to tell whether it can be fixed or if it is totaled. 

We’re sure that the price of C8 Corvettes was too tempting for Everette to pass up. Unfortunately, that opportunity to make a nice little profit has evaporated. Maybe now that it has its war injuries he can get it fixed and enjoy it for the foreseeable future.

RELATED: Totaled 2020 Corvette: Why Is It $48,000 More Than A New One?

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Valentino Rossi Reportedly Left Moto GP for Car Racing

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Races involving motorcycles tend to be a little less popular than competitions like NASCAR or Formula 1. However, these races are just as enjoyable and feature some beautiful bikes. It also takes a lot of skill to compete. Few have mastered that art like Valentino Rossi.

After a long career in motorcycle racing, Racer reports that Rossi is transitioning toward racecar driving. What brought this about after Rossi’s years of accomplishments? Here’s why many people regard Rossi as one of the most talented motorcycle racers in history.

Valentino Rossi’s impressive career

Valentino Rossi | Getty Images

Valentino Rossi was born in Italy and began racing karts when he was just five years old. He won a regional kart championship at age 11 and won several more races the following year. When he was 22, Rossi would get his first motorcycle lesson from prolific Grand Prix racer Paolo Pieri.

Rossi made his debut in the 1996 Grand Prix season, grabbing a few victories a few years later. He won the Grand Prix title in 1997 and dominated these races for two more years. He won the 500cc World Championship in 2000 and the 8 Hours of Suzuka races for Honda.

He would race for Honda for four years in the MotoGP championships, winning the title each time. He left to race for Yamaha in 2006 but lost the title that year due to an accident. He was reportedly on the verge of retirement until he made another victory in 2008. Despite suffering from a broken leg in 2010, he still scored some victories and got third place.

Rossi began racing for Ducati the following year but would return to Yamaha after many discouraging losses. Despite a rocky start, he finished the 2013 Grand Prix in third place and would hold second place for three years. His performance began to falter leading up to the end of his contract with Yamaha in 2020. He didn’t have any wins in 2018, suffering a collision and multiple close races.

Even during his slow years, Rossi distinguished himself from other racers with his amiable nature and amusing victory stunts. Top Gear showcases him in his early years dressed as Robin Hood and riding with a blow-up turkey on his bike. Even with no wins in 2007, some of his fans indulged him and dressed like bowling pins for him to topple.

Why is Valentino Rossi retiring from MotoGP?

Earlier this month, Rossi announced that racecar driving would be the next step in his career. He said that he had always loved the idea of car racing, though not as much as motorcycling. He expressed interest in trying the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where drivers do laps for a solid day.

Despite his decline, Valentino Rossi still developed a legacy during his time with MotoGP. He has kept the same number throughout his career and is the only racer to compete in over 400 Grand Prix races. He won nine Grand World Prix Championships in total, many when he was still considered a rookie.

Will Rossi have a smooth transition?

Although both sports have the same basic strategies, racing a motorcycle is easier in many ways. A racecar, while much lighter than civilian vehicles, still requires more force to accelerate and maneuver.

Fortunately, Rossi has already had some experience with racecars throughout his career. He got a few starts in the World Rally Championship and even finished the Gulf 12 Hours with a Ferrari. Wherever Rossi’s career takes him next, we’re confident that his skills will continue to shine.

RELATED: Want Fun Unpredictable Racing? You Need to Watch MotoGP

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The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing May Help the 2023 Camaro ZL1 Soar

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Lately, Camaro-related news has been full of doom and gloom where sales are concerned. Chevrolet’s muscle car isn’t selling well compared to its competitors, even with used prices on the rise. And rumors claim the Camaro may be replaced with an electric sedan that could even be badged as a Cadillac. However, another Cadillac may end up helping the Camaro, specifically the Camaro ZL1. And that Cadillac is the new CT5-V Blackwing.

A Z/28 isn’t happening, but the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is a go for 2023

2021 Chevy Camaro ZL1 | Chevrolet

Although aftermarket tuners like Hennessey are still enjoying the Camaro, as mentioned above, it’s in a sales slump. It’s gotten to the point that Chevrolet has started removing trims, such as the non-V8 1LE models. And while a Camaro Z/28 was in the works—with a flat-plane-crank V8—it’s officially been canceled.

However, Chevrolet hasn’t canceled the other high-performance Camaro trim, the ZL1. Unlike the naturally-aspirated Z/28, the Camaro ZL1 has a supercharged V8. And in track-focused ZL1 1LE form, it’s arguably the best-handling muscle car you can buy today. Plus, although some brake-pad-pollution-related issues temporarily stopped sales in several states, both ZL1s are still roaring along today.

And it appears that Chevrolet will keep offering the Camaro ZL1 models until the current-gen muscle car bows out. Recently, some photos surfaced on Instagram that showed what appeared to be a camouflaged Camaro near the Nürburgring, MotorTrend reports. That Camaro is likely a ZL1 or ZL1 1LE, MT says.

But why the camouflage? It might have something to do with the other news MT recently received.

The 2023 Camaro ZL1 could get some go-faster parts from the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing

A blue 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing slides around a racetrack
2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing | Cadillac

According to a confidential General Motors source, the 2023 Camaro ZL1 is getting a few upgrades courtesy of the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. Or rather, “Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing-inspired goodies,” MotorTrend says.

Officially, GM hasn’t confirmed anything about the source’s alleged information, Autoblog notes. However, Autoblog also says that giving the ZL1 and ZL1 1LE some Blackwing parts “makes logical sense.”

Not only are these models their respective base cars’ highest-performing trims, but they also ride on the same platform. Like the last-gen CTS-V, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing and Chevrolet Camaro are built on the Alpha platform. Plus, both the CT5-V Blackwing and the Camaro ZL1 feature LT4 supercharged 6.2-liter V8s and magnetorheological ‘MagneRide’ dampers. Though it’s worth noting the Blackwing’s versions of both are upgraded compared to what the ZL1 offers.

However, if the GM source’s information is accurate, those same upgrades could be coming to the 2023 Camaro ZL1. So, instead of 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, the 2023 ZL1’s V8 could make up to 668 hp and 659 lb-ft of torque. And rather than using third-gen MagneRide dampers, the muscle car would use the fourth-gen versions. Plus, unlike the current ZL1 and ZL1 1LE, the 2023 model could get optional Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes.

When will it be available?

Seeing as GM hasn’t officially confirmed these 2023 Camaro ZL1 rumors, it’s difficult to tell when the hypothetical car will hit dealers. It’s also hard to gauge how much a ZL1 with CT5-V Blackwing parts could cost. For comparison, the 2022 ZL1 starts at $61,495 before taxes and additional fees.

But while it won’t be the same as a new Z/28, giving the ZL1 a Blackwing touch makes some thematic sense. After all, the current-gen Camaro is on its way out, the same as Cadillac’s non-electric performance cars. So, this could be a way to let the Camaro fly high and fast one last time.

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RELATED: 2,800 Mile 2015 ZL1 Camaro Manual 6-Speed: Get Your Checkbook

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