Racing is an intense and potentially dangerous sport that requires focus and discipline to be successful and safe as possible. Racecar drivers endure rigorous training and preparation to learn vehicles and tracks. Honda racing has found a new training method to prepare its drivers to provide the best experience for race car drivers.
Honda’s motorsports history
Honda logo | Getty Images
Honda has a storied and lengthy past in motorsports. As Honda HPD details, founder Soichiro Honda first introduced the brand to racing through motorcycles in the late 1950s. After that, Honda joined the inaugural year of Formula 1 racing, winning the Mexico Grand Prix in 1965. Honda then claimed wins across auto racing in Championship Auto Racing Team (CART), the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), the American Le Mans Series, not to mention the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) as well as rally leagues.
Honda created its Honda Performance Development (HPD) division in 1993 to specifically create parts and cater to the American motorsports series. The division is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co, which handles the research and development of performance engines.
Honda calls the training simulator the Driver-in-the-Loop or DIL, according to Honda Racing News. The simulator replicates the entire track experience for the driver and racing team from environmental factors like temperature to weather situations like wind speed and direction. Based on those factors, the driver can experience tire grip, the aerodynamics of the race car, and test different chassis setups.
Drivers don’t treat this tool as just a toy. They put on their racing gear like gloves and boots for their best performance and climb into the simulator that looks akin to something aerospace pilots might train using. During the immersive experience, drivers see a 180-degree image of the race track and surroundings, feel the vibrations of the track, and hear engine noise that adapts to acceleration and different maneuvers.
This sensorial stimulation makes drivers feel like they are on the track running the race and feeling many of the responses accompanying race day. It’s also a lot cheaper than practicing using the actual racecars in real life, as that involves using fuel, wearing tires called racing slicks, and regular maintenance of the car following running it.
HPD’s recent motorsports achievements
Honda is still breaking records and paving the way for new developments in racing. Among its many racing achievements, Honda celebrated its 10th Honda-powered win at the Indianapolis 500 in 2014. Then in 2017, Takuma Sato became the first Japanese driver to win the Indy 500, thus making history. In addition, Honda entered the Red Bull Global Rallycross by competing with its 10th generation Civic Coupe.
Honda HPD hopes that this new simulator will be an invaluable tool to ensure even more racing success for the company. Honda HPD reports that IndyCar newbie Romain Grosjean utilized the simulator to learn the Indianapolis Motor Speedway track and then, the following day, qualified for the pole position for the Grand Prix of Indianapolis. Since Grosjean’s experience is driving Formula 1 cars, the simulator has helped bridge some gaps.
With such a detailed, fine-tuned track experience, drivers can practice using virtual reality to become familiar with the road courses and peculiarities of the tracks, allowing them to be prepared for the actual events. That familiarity and preparation should translate into wins and even more racing titles across the board.
Jay Leno is one of the most famous car collectors in the world. Born in New Rochelle, New York in 1950, Leno grew up tinkering on abandoned vehicles in rural Andover, Massachusetts. His first car was a sensible choice for New England winters: a 1934 Ford pickup truck he bought when he was sixteen. These first cars ignited a lifelong passion for automobiles. Leno became a standup comedian and won a job hosting The Tonight Show from 1992 through 2014. His income allowed him to amass a collection of over 180 cars and 160 motorcycles. Car fans have begun to wonder why Jay Leno doesn’t own a single Ferrari.
Leno loves vintage cars, race cars, and Italian cars. He owns Lamborghini supercars, Grand-Prix-winning Bugattis, and even a rare Maserati grand tourer. Leno seeks out unique and quirky automobiles from as many brands as possible. Only one major brand is conspicuously absent from Leno’s collection: Ferrari.
Jay Leno and the Ferrari Enzo at an auto show | Photo by David Cooper/Toronto Star via Getty Images
After retiring from The Tonight Show, Jay Leno began hosting a show called Jay Leno’s Garage, full-time. He often invites Ferraris and their owners on his show. He is always interested in the cars and friendly with the owners. So the question remains: Why doesn’t Jay Leno own a single Ferrari?
A Ferrari Owner Interviewed Jay Leno
Nick Cannon’s Ferrari on Jay Leno’s Garage | Photo by: Jesse Grant/CNBC
Nobody is more confused by Jay Leno’s disinterest in the Ferrari brand than Ferrari owners. In 2001, the members of the Ferrari Chat forum started a thread to debate why Jay Leno doesn’t own a Ferrari. One owner told an interesting story.
The Ferrari 348 owner, who identifies himself only as Ernie, said he had met Leno personally. According to Ernie, he was in the automotive section of his local newsstand when he bumped into Jay Leno himself. As Ernie remembered it, Leno was amiable and signed autographs for any passerby’s who recognized him.
Ernie introduced himself to Leno as a “fellow car buff,” and the two of them began a conversation.
Ernie asked Leno, “Why don’t you own any Ferrari’s?”
Leno said, “‘Cause they are a pain in the a–!”
Ernie, whose Ferrari 348 has required two engine-out services, had to agree.
Leno specified, “Don’t get me wrong I like Ferraris and think they are a great car. But every time I go into a dealership they automatically slap more money on the price. That’s just b—s—.”
Ernie may not have realized some exotic car dealerships take advantage of celebrities, but agreed that being hassled that way would be frustrating.
“The other thing,” Leno continued, “is that if I walk into a Porsche dealer, these guys go out of their way to help me. They give me little books, pamphlets, mail me info, show me the cars. But if I walk into a Ferrari dealership looking for a Daytona, I don’t get the same treatment. I would like to get one, but there is too much b—s— involved.”
Jay Leno Won Over A Ferrari Owner
Nick Cannon’s Ferrari on Jay Leno’s Garage | Photo by: Jesse Grant/CNBC
By the end of their conversation, Leno had guessed that Ernie was a Ferrari owner. He politely asked what kind of Ferrari Ernie drove and when Ernie said: “A 348.”
They went back to talking about cars, not dealerships. Ernie decided he had nothing but respect for one of the world’s biggest car buffs. He realized why Jay Leno doesn’t own a single Ferrari and is not happy with the marque. Ernie’s final message to Ferrari: “Change your song and start treating people better.”
Jay Leno is worth approximately $450 million. Obviously, if he wanted a Ferrari, he could have found a way to buy one by now. At this point, he is just sticking to his principals. We do not know if we are more impressed that Leno has so many amazing cars that he does not even need a Ferrari, or that he is so charming he managed to win a Ferrari owner over to his side.
Jay Leno Appreciates Other People’s Ferraris
A Ferrari driven in a cross-country relay stops at Jay Leno’s Garage | Photo by Getty Images
Jay Leno does not let his own frustrations with Ferrari salespeople prevent him from enjoying Ferrari’s cars. He has hosted many Ferraris–both new and classic–on his show, including a 2021 SF90, a 2021 812 GTS, a 1990 F40, a 1967 275 GTB4, a 1985 288 GTO, a 1984 308 GTB, a 2003 Enzo, a 1955 500 Mondial Series II, a 1952 Barchetta, and a 1993 Conciso.
Maybe someday, a Ferrari salesman will bump into Jay Leno at a newsstand, treat this multimillionaire like any other human being, and convince him to add something from Maranello to his legendary Scuderia. In the meantime, Jay Leno will have to amuse himself with his dozens of other priceless classics and supercars and his rare motorcycles. Somehow, we suspect he will get along fine.
https://news.usamotorjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-165237112-1024x684-1.jpg6841024Gabrielle DeSantishttps://news.usamotorjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/logo-usa-motor-jobs-white.pngGabrielle DeSantis2021-08-20 13:57:002021-08-20 14:26:13Why Jay Leno Doesn’t Own A Single Ferrari
Car maintenance can be incredibly hard to keep track of. There are so many parts to replace, fluids to change, and boxes to check. That’s why I want to create an extensive list of all the little things you may forget to check, like oils, tires, and fluids. This won’t be an article on how to perform maintenance, like changing your oil. But it will give you a clue as to what you need to check and have replaced.
Engine Oil Tab and Checking The Dipstick | Taylor Martin
How to check your engine oil
Oil changed might be the most important aspect of car maintenance. But in order to know when it needs to be changed, you fist need to know how to check it and what to look for.
Make sure the car is parked on level ground before your check any fluid, especially oil. From there, open up your hood and look for an orange or black tab on the engine block itself. That’s your dipstick, and at the very bottom, there are two marks: a minimum, and a maximum. Wipe off all the excess oil, slid the dipstick all the way back in, and pull it out again.
That’s your oil level, which you want to be between the two dots. If it’s above, your engine is overfilled and can spring leaks. If it’s below, there could be serious damage to the engine components due to a lack of lubrication. Depending on which is true, it can either be very simple or a royal pain to get the oil level where it needs to be.
If your engine is low, you can top it off with the oil grade recommended in your owner’s manual. Unscrew the cap on the motor block and, using a funnel, pour a smidge back in. In most circumstances, the distance between the two dots represents a quart of oil. So if you’re closer to the bottom, a half a quart will nudge you back up. However, if you overfill, you’ve got to drain the oil out from the bottom. This will likely turn into a fully-fledged oil change, as it’s quite tricky to only take out a certain amount of oil without making a colossal mess.
If you notice your engine is burning oil, just be sure to check it more often. A good rule of thumb is to check it every 1,000 miles, or even every time you stop for gas. One other thing to mention: engine oil is supposed to be the same color as olive oil, a yellow-ish gold, not dark black. That’s a common misconception, and if your oil is looking really dark when you check it (close to black, the oil pictured above is about halfway through its usable life), it may be time to change it.
How to check your transmission fluid
Transmission Fluid Plug | Taylor Martin
First of all, checking your transmission fluid is different on every vehicle. Car and Driver go into an extensive list of steps and reasoning for this process. Regardless, you’ll want to find a yellow or black ring buried in your engine bay (yes, it will be buried).
Your car might not have a tab, or it’s a tab that’s permanently sealed. If that’s the case, then your car is filled with lifetime fluid. But that really isn’t as “lifetime” as you think. Consult your owner’s manual before you pull any plugs or perform any car maintenance you’re not supposed to.
Some cars, like mine, require you to run the engine. Others you can check the fluid cold. If you need to start the car, engage the handbrake, then shift into either park (or neutral if you drive a stick). Let the engine heat up to normal operating temperatures, or until the temperature gauge is about halfway up. Then shut off the car.
Whether you’re checking the fluid hot or cold, the process is very similar to checking your engine oil, just with a different tab. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it down, reinsert it, and check again. Unlike engine oil, your fluid level should never move. If it is, head to a mechanic, as you have a transmission fluid leak somewhere. If everything looks normal, just reinsert the dipstick and you’re good to go.
How to check your brake fluid, wiper fluid, and coolant
Coolant Reservoir (Top Left), Brake Fluid Reservoir (Bottom Left), and Wiper Fluid Dipstick (Right) | Taylor Martin
Glancing at your brake fluid, wiper fluid, and coolant levels is fairly easy. The reservoirs where you’d fill them are typically labeled with a minimum and maximum level. In the case of wiper fluid, you may have to pull up on a tab to check the level, but that’s about all. However, these quick looks won’t tell you everything you need to know, which is where things start getting tricky.
Mechanics are better suited to check your coolant and brake fluid, though you can test it at home. For your brake fluid, use a syringe to take a small portion of the fluid out (not too much, otherwise you’ll allow air into the system). Put the sample in a plastic Tupperware container and use a brake fluid tester pen. That’ll determine how much moisture is in the fluid, which can create rust
To properly check your coolant, you’ll want to get under the car and take out another small sample. Look online and find out where your coolant drain plug is located, crack it open so some fluid can drain, and close it to prevent any more from leaking out. Depending on the coolant your car uses, it’s supposed to either be bright red, blue, green, or orange. If it looks rusty, or has metal flakes floating around inside, then it’s time for a coolant flush.
However, both of these jobs are somewhat complicated and, if not performed correctly, could damage the car. Having your local mechanic check and possibly change those fluids is smart, especially if you’re new to this.
How to check your tire pressure and tread
Tire Pressure Sticker On Driver’s Side Door (Left) and Checking Tire Tread With A Penny (Right) | Taylor Martin
You can purchase a rudimentary tire pressure gauge for $10 from any parts store, or a digital one that might be more accurate. Regardless, unless your car has tire pressure monitoring systems onboard, you’ll need one in order to check your tires. Unscrew the little cap on your rim, stick the pressure gauge inside, and see what the number is.
The number you get will be in PSI, but in order to know how much air you should have in those tires, all you need to do is open the driver’s side door. Usually, there’s a small sticker that’ll tell you how much air goes in the front and rear tires. You can purchase a $30 12-volt air compressor from most part shops as well and keep it in your car in case the tires need air, but if you’re a few PSI higher or lower then it’s nothing to worry about. After all, it’s impossible for every tire to be filled with the exact same amount of air.
Pretty simple, right? Well, if you thought that was easy, then you’ll love checking your tire tread. It’s the simplest form of car maintenance, as all you need is a penny, which you’ll stick into the large tread of your car. If ol’ Abe Lincoln gets a haircut, you’re fine, though if he doesn’t, you need a new tire. Also be sure to check for scuffs and scrapes on the sidewall, as those weaken the structural integrity of the tire and can lead to a blowout.
How to create your car’s maintenance schedule
My Maintained (And Slightly Dirty) Car | Taylor Martin
Here’s an insider trick: automakers have a recommended maintenance schedule that they’ve crafted to ensure your car falls apart after the warranty expires. So, if you’re following the guidelines illustrated in your owner’s manual or from the manufacturer, you’re buying into their lie. Don’t worry though, your car will continue to run fine, but there are more universally excepted numbers for changing oil, tires, and so forth. We’ll prattle them off here:
Have your oil changed 2,500 miles sooner than the reccomened service mileage (for example, my interval is 10,000 miles, but I change it every 7,500 miles).
Have your tires rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles (sooner if you can swing it).
Replace your tires once that tread is too low (don’t wait on that one).
Have your transmission fluid changed every 60,000 – 80,000 miles.
Flush your brake fluid every two years.
Have your coolant flushed every 30,000 miles.
Fill your wiper fluid resevoir whenever it runs out.
Yes, it’s a lot to try and understand, but keeping up with that maintenance can ensure your automobile is running smoothly for years to come. And keep in mind that the maintenance schedule highlighted here may not be best for your particular car, but is a fairly good guideline. Consult a mechanic, and do plenty of research on your particular make and model. Just keep your eye on these things so your car’s happy and healthy.
https://news.usamotorjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Engine-Oil-Tab-and-Dipstick-1024x731-1.jpg7311024Gabrielle DeSantishttps://news.usamotorjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/logo-usa-motor-jobs-white.pngGabrielle DeSantis2021-08-20 13:17:002021-08-20 13:56:04Car Maintenance: Checking Your Oil, Tires, and More
At Monterey Car Week this year, the rare luxury cars were everywhere. Since organizers canceled the 2020 event, there was an even wider variety of vehicles up for sale. The 1995 McLaren F1 stole the show, but there were many other historically interesting luxury vehicles at the event.
The auction had 25% fewer cars up for sale than in 2019 but saw a 35% increase in total sales. A 1970 Porsche 917 K race car that was expected to bring in almost $19 million at auction did not sell at all. The Porsche 917 was featured in the Steve McQueen film “LeMans.” The top bid was $15 million, but that failed to meet the reserve price.
The most expensive luxury car that sold at Monterey Car Week, a 1995 McLaren F1 Coupe
Creighton Brown 1995 McLaren F1 | Gooding & Company
According to CNBC, the 1995 McLaren F1 Coupe was the top seller of the whole week. Not only that, but the F1 was the most expensive car to sell at auction since 2018. It sold for $20.5 million and had only 240 miles on the odometer. According to the listing from Gooding & Company, this F1 came with a four-piece luggage set and a matching set of tools. This particular 1995 McLaren F1 was kept in a private collection for 17 years and was rarely driven. “Most of the mileage that the McLaren accrued while in Japan was added during a promotional filming session at a test course near Tsukuba.” Not bad for a 26-year-old McLaren.
1995 McLaren F1 Coupe: $20.5 million
The 1959 Ferrari 250 California LWB Competizione Spider
10 Most Expensive Luxury Cars Sold at Monterey Car Week | Gooding&Co.
This 1959 Ferrari 250 California LWB has an Italian flag livery which sets it apart from other luxury cars at auction. This Ferrari raced in Italy and was only imported to the U.S. for one year, in 1995. Like the McLaren F1, it is one of the only cars in Monterey Car Week history to fetch over $10 million at auction. The only other vehicle is a Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK GTR. This 1959 Ferrari 250 is just one of 50 examples of the long-wheelbase options.
1959 Ferrari 250 California: $10.8 million
The ultimate luxury car: A 1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato Coupe
The 1962 Aston Martin DB4 sold at Monterey Car Week for $9.5 million through RM Sotheby’s. This particular Aston Martin DB4 is one of 19 vehicles and only one of six left-hand drive options made. It has the original engine, and the Shell Grey body was “was specified to be of a slightly heavier gauge of aluminum than standard, so as to be more robust.” Aston Martin is known for high-end luxury vehicles, but this one was touted as the “ultimate vintage Aston Martin.”
1962 Aston Martin DB4: $9.5 million
A competitive luxury car: 1962 Ferrari 268 SP Spider
The 1962 Ferrari 268 SP with the original Fantuzzi “shark-nose” body configuration will cross the block at our flagship auction, in Monterey, 12-14 August.
Historic image courtesy of the Klemantaski Collection.
This 1962 Ferrari 268 has quite a history. It was a Scuderia Ferrari Works entry for the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans and was one of six 268s with this engine. Ferrari fitted only half a dozen of these with the eight-cylinder engine. It is Ferrari Classiche Certified and has the famous “shark-nose” body. It also participated in the 1964 SCCA Class D Modified Championship.
1962 Ferrari 268 SP Spider: $7.7 million
The 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Long Nose Alloy Coupe
A winning bid of $2.4 million drops the hammer!
21,000 believed original miles Matching numbers 3.3L Colombo V-12 engine
One of only 12 examples, this 1966 Ferrari 275 had a 250 LM-type has a dry-sump Tipo 213 competition engine. It entered into the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1967, 1968 and 1969, and won its class in 1967. In addition, this 1966 Ferrari 275 won its class at the 1969 1000 KM of Spa-Francorchamps and 1969 500 KM of Imola. All of the numbers on the engine, gearbox, and other components match. The previous owner restored this luxury car in 2018, and the pristine paint job is proof.
1966 Ferrari 275: $7.7 million
Other luxury cars that sold last week include a 1958 Ferrari 250 GT TdF Coupe for $6 million and a 1929 Bugatti Type 35B Grand Prix Roadster for $5.6 million. A 1928 Mercedes-Benz 26/120/180 S Type sold for $5.4 million through Bonhams, and another 1958 1958 Ferrari 250 GT went for $4.4 million.
The 10th most expensive luxury car that sold was a 1963 Shelby Cobra 289 R&P Roadster for $4.1 million. Experts agreed that this was a strong year for the Monterey Car Week auctions.
https://news.usamotorjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Creighton-Brown-1995-McLaren-F1-1024x645-2-1.jpg6451024Gabrielle DeSantishttps://news.usamotorjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/logo-usa-motor-jobs-white.pngGabrielle DeSantis2021-08-20 13:00:002021-08-20 13:26:3310 Most Expensive Luxury Cars Sold at Monterey Car Week
21,000 believed original miles