Unlucky Ford Mustang Ends up in Ditch Trying to Run From Police

by Gabrielle DeSantis

While running from the police is undoubtedly a bad idea, some folks still decide to try their luck with catastrophic success rates. Aside from often wrecking their cars, these people fail to consider the many other lives they endanger during that process. However, today we’ll be looking at a police chase that ended with a Ford Mustang in a fairly compromising spot. That’s because it got such in a massive drainage ditch.

According to WSLS News, the chase took place in Roanoke, VA, and began as officers spotted a suspect allegedly wanted on multiple charges. At this point, the sports car took off, crashing shortly after.

How did this Ford Mustang crash?

Ford Mustang | WSLS News

According to WSLS News, this chase started as police officers noticed a wanted suspect driving around in a Ford Mustang. Once the suspect caught on to the fact that they were being followed, they allegedly took off. As you might imagine, most folks aren’t used to driving their car at full speed, especially in a crowded city. As a result, WSLS News reports that the Mustang crashed quickly after running through a yard.

Judging from the photos, it seemed the driver of the muscle car expected a patch of flat land and was subsequently met with the drainage ditch. Once the car got stuck, WSLS reports that the driver decided to jump out and run. Fortunately for the pursuing officers, the suspect didn’t get very far and was eventually found hiding a dumpster.

Once police officers caught up with the car, they were faced with the unusual task of fishing it out of the ditch. From the looks of it, it appears to be a fifth-generation V6-powered Mustang likely produced around 2010.

How do you recover a muscle car from a ditch?

An image of a crashed Ford Mustang outdoors.
Ford Mustang | WSLS News

As you might imagine, fetching a Ford Mustang is no easy feat. According to WSLS News, this required the use of a massive crane. Unfortunately, judging from the photos, it seems the crane operator decided to hook onto the car’s wheels with a heavy-duty strap. However, in terms of outright damage, the muscle car doesn’t appear to have sunk deep enough to end up in the water below.

However, the impact itself seems to have caused severe damage to this car’s front end. For starters, the hood, bumper, and fenders appear completely wrecked. Given the speed of the accident, this car likely has severe frame and mechanical damage we can’t see with the naked eye. As a result, there’s a decent chance that this Mustang will never make it back out on the road.

What will happen to this Ford Mustang?

An image of a crashed Ford Mustang outdoors.
Ford Mustang | WSLS News

RELATED: Ultra-Rare 1965 Ford Mustang Costs $140,000 and Was Built for James Bond

If you’ve ever wondered what happens to crashed cars such as this Ford Mustang, chances are it’ll end up at a police lot first. Depending on the severity of the charges against its owner, the local police department could confiscate it indefinitely. However, given its poor physical and mechanical state, chances are it’ll end up getting auctioned off.

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The W Series Is a New Women’s Racing Series, and It’s Joining Formula 1

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The W series is the best thing to happen to racing, since rubber tires. At the risk of sounding like an internet echo chamber, representation matters. Racing is a sport almost completely dominated by white men. Hell, Lewis Hamilton is the first and, as of now, the only black Formula 1 driver in the sport’s history, and he just so happens also to be the GOAT. How many other great racers have been snubbed for more white dudes to have their shots? Specifically, how many women racers have been snubbed?

Hopefully, we don’t have to ask questions like this for much longer. As the W series begins its second season of women-only racing, the world can finally see that there is a much deeper pool of talented drivers than just super-rich white guys. As the W series joins forces with Formula 1, something tells me the world will soon be forced to care who the fastest female race car driver is. 

What is the W Series? 

W series cars | W Series

The W series is a women-only only racing series that started in 2019. The W series lost some much-needed momentum after having its second season canceled last year, like so many other races, due to COVID-19. However, the world’s fastest women took a beat and came back stronger for the second season now that F1 has officially welcomed the W series as a Formula 1 support series. 

Although many people haven’t had the chance to get into this badass women’s racing series, it is already seeing major changes that promise big things for the sport. According to RACER, the W series CEO just announced that the world’s fastest female racers are changing to a two-racer team series like Formula 1. The first race of the series will be held at the Red Bull Ring in Austria this weekend. 

What does this team transition mean? 

Mostly it means more money which means more coverage and respect. Unlike some Formula 1 drivers, these women can’t buy their way into a seat on the two-person teams. The teams are merit-based and on a first-come-first-served basis. Every woman on that track is there because they have proven their skill behind the wheel, period. 

The plan to move to these sponsored teams has been in the works for over a year, says W Series CEO Catherine Bond Muir. She went on to say, “For me as CEO, it means that the business of W Series is underpinned for the next few years,” Bond Muir said. “So for me personally, it means I’ll do a lot more sleeping at night! But, for the business, it’s for the long-term benefits.”

Muir goes on to say that they refuse to let the W series turn into the “billionaires girls club” as Formula 1 has become. She is quite serious about the mission to keep the opportunity to race completely free for these women. The racers aren’t expected to bring money, sponsors, or clout to earn a seat; they only have to be fast.  

Who is the fastest female race car driver? 

Given the newest series and the lack of women in the mainstream racing series, this can be an annoyingly hard question to answer. That being said, Jamie Chadwick was the winner of the first season of the W series. 

As fans of the series saw with the first season, Chadwick is one hell of a driver. However, I think I speak for any fan of the sport when I say we are looking forward to seeing many more tear-ass ladies take to the track and rip apart these F1 circuits like they’ve been there a million times. Hopefully, at some point, there will be plenty of women who have ripped these tracks millions of times with the world watching. 

In the meantime, put your foot through the floor, ladies. Give ‘em hell. 

RELATED: Who Is Amber Balcaen from Racing Wives?

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Will the Kia Truck Be as Popular as the Kia Telluride?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Kia Telluride is one of the most popular SUVs on the market right now, but will the brand ever turn it into a Kia truck? There have allegedly been plans for the Kia truck in Australia, but it seems it might not come to fruition anytime soon. So what exactly are the rumors about this mysterious vehicle?

Will the Kia truck come to the U.S.?

Will the Kia Truck Be as Popular as the Kia Telluride? | KDesign AG

Right about now, we have no confirmation about the Kia truck coming to the U.S. However, back in 2019, CarsGuide spoke to Kia Australia and confirmed a truck was in the works for that market. Kia Australia’s Chief Operating Officer, Damien Meredith, said, “Work has begun. We’re talking about a dual-cab, a single-cab – what we’ve requested is the full gambit for the ute.” Meredith also confirmed that meant a diesel option and a gasoline option.

However, that was back in 2019. With the news surrounding the Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick trucks, is it the right time for the vehicle to make an appearance?

The rendering above was created by KDesign AG and shows a Kia Telluride truck. It looks like there would still be room for five passengers and have a full-size truck bed. To capitalize on the popularity of the Telluride, this is a creative idea.

Does Kia make a pickup truck?

In an update from CarsGuide from May 2021, the Kia truck continues to be elusive. The tone of the response from Kia was a bit more lukewarm this time around. Almost two years after the initial confirmation, the ton changed from “when the Kia truck happens” to “if the Kia truck happens.”

In the article, the truck was referred to as a light commercial vehicle (LCV). However, Meredith noted that the brand was not yet sure what would happen with the LCV. “We would hope that in the next couple of years that something does occur with LCV for our brand, not just for Australia but globally,” Meredith responded.

The push was for a 2022 release date, which is definitely not happening now. By the time it reached the U.S., it could be 2023 or 2024. When asked about a potential vehicle in the works, Kia North America responded. “Kia America will not comment on possible future product.”

Will the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz steal the spotlight?

The Ford Maverick is a smaller pickup truck that is starting at $19,995. It can tow 2,000 pounds with the base trim. The all-wheel-drive option increases the towing capacity to 4,000 pounds with the optional towing package. The truck is still compact enough to fit into smaller spaces but has the capabilities of a pickup truck. The affordable starting price also makes it more accessible for potential buyers.

The Hyundai Santa Cruz has two gasoline options for the engine, but it comes in front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. This truck gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined. The all-wheel-drive option comes with a turbocharged engine getting 22 mpg combined. The 2.5L four-cylinder engine that comes standard gets 191 hp, while the 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder makes 281 hp and 311 lb-ft.

By the time Kia gets around to releasing the Kia truck, will the momentum be over for trucks? Of course, anything is possible these days, so we hope Kia isn’t discouraged enough to scrap the idea.

RELATED: Consumer Reports: Cars To Avoid That Might Need Head Gasket Replacement

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What Disqualifies You From Being an Uber Driver?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

As the pandemic recedes and life returns to normal, demand for rideshare services has skyrocketed. If you’re considering becoming an Uber driver, it’s important to know if you meet the qualifications. And it’s equally vital to know what could disqualify you. Uber is looking for more in its drivers than simply owning the right kind of cars. Here’s what you need to know.

Is this the right time to drive for Uber?

If you’ve been thinking about driving for Uber, there are some good reasons to do it now. According to Forbes, rideshare companies are struggling to find enough drivers to keep up with their customers. With more people resuming normal activities, spending on rides is rising. From February to March, demand rose by 30 percent. However, the supply of drivers hasn’t grown as quickly as the demand.

To meet this need, Uber announced in April it would distribute $250 million to tempt new and returning drivers. The money will be used as temporary incentives and guarantees. For example, the company offered a $1,100 bonus to each driver in Austin who completed 115 trips. 

If that sounds too good to pass up, you’ll first need to know if you’re eligible to drive. 

Uber’s requirements for drivers

According to Uber, applying to be a driver takes only three steps. Sign up online, submit the required documents, and download the app.

Of course, applying isn’t quite that simple, but Uber’s expectations for drivers are pretty straightforward. You must meet the minimum age to drive in your city and have at least one year of experience driving with a license (this jumps to three years for people under 23 years old). You also need a valid U.S. driver’s license and an eligible vehicle with four doors. 

Potential drivers must submit a handful of documents, including proof of residency, auto insurance, and driver’s license. They also need a photo of themselves for their profile. 

The company says that after potential drivers sign up, they must complete an online screening. This includes a review of their driving record and criminal history. Uber also periodically screens drivers as long as they work for the company.

So, what can disqualify you?

That final step of the process is where applicants are likeliest to run into problems. According to the law firm Bogin, Munns, & Munns, Uber’s screening process looks at your number of driving violations. A driver with three or more moving violations in the past three years will be denied. These are minor violations, such as speeding or failure to yield the right of way. 

A single serious moving violation — such as a conviction for reckless driving, speeding more than 20 mph over the posted limit, or driving under the influence — also disqualifies applicants, depending upon when the violation occurred. If the serious offense was more than seven years ago, it won’t be counted against you. 

But other serious offenses disqualify applicants no matter how long ago they happened. For example, anyone convicted of a sex offense or other felony will never be able to drive for Uber.

Rideshare companies such as Uber are scrambling to attract people looking for flexible jobs. If you’re interested in trying your hand at the gig economy and you meet all the qualifications, this might be the right time to apply. 

RELATED: How Much Money Can You Really Make Driving for Uber and Lyft?

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