The Garage

Happy 4th of July!

Gary Grant — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:17:58 +0000

We wish all of our American friends a very happy 4th of July!

Peter Revson & Alfa Romeo at Daytona 6 hour in 72

Gary Grant — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:11:28 +0000

Sports Car Digest has published a great story by friend of The Garage, Lou Galanos, about Peter Revson at the 1972 Daytona 6 Hour Continental. As always, Lou’s article is accompanied by some incredible photos. Lou describes the changes that were made to the FIA sports car endurance racing in 1972 and follows Revson and the Autodelta team through the Continental weekend.

For those with an interest in the history of sports car racing, this is an absolute must read.

Canadian Hot Rod Tour kicks off in Whitby

Gary Grant — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:25:21 +0000

The Dude and I were out for a dog walk last night and came across a parking lot full of hot rods. It only took a few moments to realize that it was the kick off for the Canadian Hot Rod Tour. Even though I was aware of the tour, I wasn’t aware that it was beginning a block from my house! As I had to leave for the day job early this morning, The Dude put on his photographer hat and set out on his bike to document the event.

The Canadian Hot Rod Tour is a collection of rods and other interesting rides that are driving from Whitby to Moncton, New Brunswick over the next 10 days. Hosted by Canadian Rodder Magazine, the event actually goes further than Moncton. The really intrepid rodders will head south to Maine and then through Vermont and onto the ferry from Burlington to Plattsburgh New York and then back into Ontario. If you live along the route, be sure to keep an eye out for the convoy and say hi from us in The Garage!

Gallery of The Dude’s photos after the break

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Look out X-Games, the Blue Oval is coming!

Gary Grant — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:00:51 +0000

Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday is an old cliche from the golden years of motor racing and car sales. Some folks just can’t see that in today’s politically correct, recessionary world. Fortunately, the folks at Ford have a deep history of sales resulting from wins so today’s news should not come as a surprise.

As part of their Fiesta Movement to build hype for the upcoming Ford Fiesta, Ford is entering 3 rally prepped Fiesta’s in the 15th edition of X-Games at the end of this month in Los Angeles. Prepared by Olsbergs Motor Sport Evolution race team, these 3 cars will be piloted by a trio of superstar drivers. The Olsbergs MSE branded car will be driven by Swedish IndyCar driver Kenny Brack while a pair of ROCKSTAR Energy Drink cars will be entered for drift star Tanner Faust and 10 time X-Games Moto X medal winner Brian Deegan.

Unlike traditional motorsports, X-Games is wildly popular with the video game generations, who are drawn by the extreme action of bikes, boards and rally cars. A win at X-Games pretty much guarantees interest from a whole new crowd of car buyers, a demographic which Ford desperately needs in the showrooms.

This post is our first for a contest Ford is hosting to invite non traditional media to a product launch later this month.

Full details of the Fiesta X-Games attack after the break

* Ford Fiesta, which will makes its U.S. motorsport debut with the Olsbergs Motor Sport Evolution race team at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in mid-July, has added a second North American event heading to ESPN’s X Games 15 on Aug. 2.
* All-star Fiesta driver lineup includes Kenny Brack, Tanner Foust and Brian Deegan.
* Ford makes its X Games debut in the new Ford Fiesta; production version set to hit showrooms in 2010.

DEARBORN, Mich., July 1, 2009 – The new Fiesta Rallycross cars have already created plenty of buzz in the enthusiast community with word of their North American motorsport debut in July’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado.

Now, the anticipation will be even greater as the Swedish Olsbergs Motor Sport Evolution (MSE) team has announced it will compete in ESPN’s X Games 15 in Los Angeles, Calif., July 30 – August 2. Olsbergs MSE is entering the race with the famous Swedish driver Kenny Brack. The team will also field two Ford Fiestas for ROCKSTAR Energy Drink with drivers Tanner Foust and Brian Deegan. All three Fiestas will comply with Rally America Open Class specifications.

Olsbergs Motor Sport Evolution will utilize BFGoodrich Tires at both the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and at ESPN’s X Games 15.

“The new Fiesta is already creating headlines around the world,” said Brian Wolfe, director of Ford North America Motorsport. “The announcement that it would compete at Pikes Peak was greeted so positively by enthusiasts everywhere. Now, to back it up with competition at the X Games will just create even more buzz for the car.”

The 2009 Olsbergs Motor Sports Evolution Ford Fiesta will be driven by 1999 Indianapolis 500 winner Kenny Brack at ESPN’s X Games 15 from July 30 – August 2 in Los Angeles.

The X Games, considered the premier action sports event in the world, features athletes from across the globe competing in a variety of sports, ranging from skateboarding, motocross, BMX and rally car racing. X Games 15 will be covered live on ESPN’s family of networks, including ABC, as well as across ESPN’s many digital media assets, including Xgames.com (or you can use ESPN.com/action or simply ESPN.com) and ESPN360.com.

The three Fiestas will be driven by an all-star lineup, which includes an Indy 500 winner, a former X Games rally champion and a 10-time X Games medalist.

The 1999 Indianapolis 500 winner Kenny Brack, who will drive the 2009 Fiesta 3-door hatchback, is making his X Games debut. Brack was the 1998 IndyCar Series champion and was a factory driver for Ford Racing’s Champ Car entry Rahal Letterman Racing (RLR). Brack sustained significant injures in a major accident at Texas Motor Speedway in 2003 while driving for RLR, but he returned to the car at the Indy 500 in 2005, subbing for the injured Buddy Rice and posting the fastest qualifying speed (227.598 mph) of the field. Brack has been retired since 2006, pursuing his music career, but still drives competitively in special events. Olsbergs and Kenny Brack have had a long-term partnership and at present Kenny and Olsbergs are acting as mentors for a new promising Swedish racing star, 17-year old Markus Eriksson.

ROCKSTAR Energy Rally driver Tanner Foust will drive a race-prepared 2009 Fiesta 5-door hatchback. He is a winning competitor in rally, drift, ice racing and time attack with a proven track record of multiple podium placements and national championships. Foust has seen success in Drift and Rally in the last few seasons. In addition to winning the both the 2007 and 2008 Formula Drift Pro Drift Championship, he also took the Silver medal as runner-up in the 2008 Summer X Games Pro Rally race.

Foust won the 2007 X Games Gold Medal in the Pro Rally for the ROCKSTAR Energy Rally team. He was selected to represent Team USA in the annual Race of Champions at Wembley Stadium in London, UK this past December. He teamed with Ford Racing NASCAR star Carl Edwards to do battle with the world’s fastest drivers and riders from Formula One, World Rally Championship, Superbike and Touring Car racing.

Joining Foust will be Moto X star Brian Deegan, a 10-time medalist at the X Games, including three gold medals for Moto X Best Trick (2002, 2003, 2005). Earlier this year, Deegan launched a Pro-Lite class off road truck team in Championship Off-Road Racing (COOR) under a newly formed ROCKSTAR/Metal Mulisha/Caffaro Motorsports banner. Named one of the Top 100 Action Sports Stars by ESPN in 2004, this will be Deegan’s first X Games rally event and he will drive a 2008 Fiesta 3-door hatchback.

This will be the first time a Ford race car has been part of the X Games’ Rally competition.

“We are very excited to see the Fiesta competing not only at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, but also at the X Games in LA,” said Jost Capito, director of Ford Global Motorsport Business Development. “The competition will be extremely strong in both events, but we’ve put together a strong team with the ROCKSTAR/BF Goodrich Tires Fiestas and our all star drivers. The Olsbergs Motor Sport Evolution race team is doing an outstanding job in preparing the cars for both of these world famous events.”

Fiesta Movement in North America
Although the Fiesta production vehicle isn’t slated to go on sale in the United States until 2010, 100 of the stylish European cars are already in North America in the hands of 100 internet-savvy individuals chosen to be part of the Fiesta Movement, an innovative social media campaign launched to build awareness for Ford’s new small car.

The 100 young trendsetters are driving and living with their Fiestas for six months, traveling as “agents” on special “missions,” and are documenting their experiences through a variety of social media sites, including Twitter, Flickr, Facebook and YouTube. “Pikes Peak and the X Games give our agents two more exciting events to attend and show off their Fiesta’s,” said Connie Fontaine, Brand Content and Alliance Manager for Ford Motor Company.

The “missions” are designed to be fun, take the “agents” to new places and let them experience new things – all while driving the new European Ford Fiesta and providing feedback to Ford on the product.

Early feedback has been extremely positive, and now there will be a chance for motorsport fans to take early interest in the Fiesta at the famous Colorado event.

Follow the Fiesta Movement at: www.fiestamovement.com.

About Fiesta
In Europe, the Fiesta name has long been synonymous with outstanding driving dynamics, design and value. The all-new Ford Fiesta is taking that three-decade heritage to U.S. consumers for the first time.

The Fiesta already is a hit in Europe and Asia, where it went on sale last year and earlier this year, respectively. The all-new Fiesta is the fastest-selling Fiesta model ever in Europe, helping boost Ford of Europe’s market share in 2009. In May alone, 39,200 new Fiestas were sold, with more than 191,000 delivered to customers since the start of the year. Fiesta is Ford of Europe’s best-selling model in 2009.

In 2010, the Fiesta will be produced at plants in Germany, Spain, Mexico, Thailand and China for sale in markets around the world. The Fiesta for the North American market will be built at Ford’s assembly plant in Cuautitlan, Mexico.

About Olsbergs
Olsbergs is a manufacturer of electro-hydraulic control systems for mobile application. The company-group has a high innovative ability and develops all hydraulic and electronics components themselves.

Olsbergs cast complex raw materials and machines it into hydraulic products and also manufactures their radio-systems within the company walls. Olsbergs ambition is a high technical level and a rational and atomized production which are some of the characteristics which these companies are known of.

About Olsbergs MSE
OlsbergsMSE is a co-owned company by Olsbergs and Andreas Eriksson’s company MSE. In this common resource, Olsbergs MSE, develops and builds cars and engines for both rally as well as rally cross.

Andreas Eriksson finished second in the Swedish championship last year with a 2008 Ford Fiesta. With a similar engine the OlsbergsMSE team debuted with its new 2009 Fiesta Rallycross car in this season’s Swedish and European Rally cross championships, and scored its first victory in just its second European event in Portugal last May.

The Olsbergs MSE Fiesta Rallycross car is based on the Fiesta hatchback model road cars. The all-wheel-drive Fiestas are powered by a 2.0-liter Duratec Ford engines capable of more than 800 horsepower.

About ROCKSTAR
Bigger. Better. Faster. Stronger. ROCKSTAR is the world’s most powerful energy drink. Enhanced with the potent herbal blend of Guarana, Ginkgo, Ginseng and Milk Thistle, ROCKSTAR is scientifically-formulated to provide an incredible energy boost for those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles–from athletes to rock stars. Enjoy this fully refreshing lightly carbonated beverage super chilled.

About BFGoodrich Tires
At the X Games, the Ford Fiestas will all race on BFGoodrich g-Force Rally tires. Using motorsports as a proving ground for more than 30 years, BFGoodrich Tires is involved in every type of racing, including oval, sports car, drifting, drag, desert, dirt, rally and extreme rock crawling. BFGoodrich Tires combines technological expertise with vast motorsports experience, delivering a high performance tire for every type of vehicle.

About Öhlins
OlsbergsMSE has a close cooperation with the world-known company Öhlins. The company manufactures racing dampers and the products are used in innumerable motorcycle- and car applications for different racing-team over the world. The products are used during extreme competition conditions.

About ESPN’s X Games Franchise
ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Action Sports, first developed its X Games franchise in 1995. Part of ESPN Content Development, X Games, Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. In addition to the two U.S.-based events, ESPN has held X Games competitions and demonstration events around the world including Dubai, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, Korea, Malaysia, Spain and China. The global franchise has also expanded its reach to Xgames.com, the definitive site for action sports fans, and to consumer products such as X Games bikes, protective gear, skateboards and DVDs.

###

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 205,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

VW of America Posts Strong Diesel Sales

Tom Williams — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:13:31 +0000

Here at The Garage we typically don’t get into much detail about the monthly sales reports we receive from various manufacturers, but when I received an e-mail from Volkswagen of America about their June 2009 sales, I took notice.

Taken in whole, VW sales last month compared to June of 2008 are down 18%, but the real story here is that Jetta sales are up, thanks in large part to its TDI diesel engine. In fact, one out of four VW’s that left the dealer’s lot was powered by a diesel. An overwhelming 81% of all Jetta SportWagens, 40% of Jetta sedans, and 29% of Touregs sold wore the TDI badge.

Intriguing numbers, to be sure. So, what gives? I see a couple of things-first, VW already has a loyal following of diesel buyers who had to go without for awhile. These strong numbers could suggest they have returned to the showroom now that VW has a product to offer them. Second, the press has been positive about the VW TDI engines, and American’s opinion of the diesel may finally be turning the corner. It’s possible the VW diesel faithful and early adapters together account for these numbers, but time will tell if Americans are embracing the idea of owning a diesel powered car.

*Please look for our driving impressions of the VW Jetta SportWagen TDI in an upcoming post.

GM Europe’s clouds of uncertainty.

John Heintzman — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:41:25 +0000

Welcome to another chapter in the strange world once called GM Europe. Within a week the deal for Opel with Magna International and their Russian partners seems on the rocks. Saab is waiting for a loan from the European Investment Bank and is seeing production slow in comparison to orders.

GM has rankled negotiations by insisting on a buyback clause which is strongly opposed by the government of Hesse the state in which Opel is headquartered. Roland Koch prime minister of Hesse has backed Magna’s bid. Sources say that Sberbank and Magna may withdraw their bid due to General Motors latest demands. GM has raised the price of Opel. GM is looking for an investment of 7 billion euros in Opel which is 14 times greater than the Sberbank initially offered.

GM is now looking to sign a non-binding agreement with Belgian holding company RHJ International and Beijing Automotive as a second option should the deal with Magna and partners fail.

Some of the sticking points on the Magna deal are:

GM is concerned that Magna is planning significant changes in engineering and design which would eliminate parts sharing with other GM cars.
GM is pertubed by Magna’s Russian partners. GM is worried that they will use Opel’s designs to help improve the Russian car industry.

Fiat also doesn’t seem out of the picture. Following a meeting with Fiat CEO Segio Marchionne, Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi told reporters the Fiat deal is “still on the table”.

Meanwhile Saab has been dealing with their own problems. Saab needs a cash infusion to get production up and running to meet the demand for orders. They are attempting to spped up a 4.6 billion kronor ($600 million) loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB).

The worry is that they may have to wait until September 22nd following the EIB’s next scheduled meeting in August. Saab chief Jan Åke Jonsson told the Göteborgs- Posten “We’re working with the EIB to see if we can move the decision to July. We haven’t ruled it out. If it doesn’t happen, we have the ability to adjust our operations so that our money lasts,“.

Currently the main plant in Trollhättan is producing a mere 100 cars a day. Without the cash infusion, production is likely to stay there.

The Swedish government is also a player in the negotiations between Saab and the EIB. Sweden is required by the bank to guarantee the loan. Saab is currently in talks with Sweden’s Riksgälden (National Debt Office) regarding the terms of the guarantee.

Stay tuned. General Motors and its European marques are sure to give investors and auto enthusiasts plenty of press this summer.

Source GP : Better read Swedish if you follow this link!

2009 BMW 335D: 3 is the new 5

Gary Grant — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:38:38 +0000

My first introduction to the BMW 3 series came way back in the first half of the Eighties when a buddy’s private school girlfriend arrived at our public high school to pick him up in her new 320i. The car was small and sporty yet actually held 4 people. Even better, it was priced low enough that us poor high school students could actually envision the possibility of affording one. Unfortunately, this is the image I had in my head when I picked up our 2009 BMW 335D tester.

Normally, when I review a car I don’t look at the press kit prior to driving the car. In this case, I had laid it on the seat and something jumped off the page at me. Price as tested: $62,200.

We’re not in the Eighties any more Toto!

It took me a couple of days to get over the shell shock of having my perception shattered. Lest the dear reader think that tainted my view of the car, I’ll be clear that the 335D is one of the most stunning sedans I’ve driven on many levels. It just took me a few days to get there.

On approach, one first notices the deep glow of the special black sapphire metalic paint with flakes that catch the sunlight in just the right way to accentuate the car’s subtle curves. Equally subtle is the sparing use of chrome trim coupled with jewel like lamps set off by the optional 18″ double spoke alloy wheels. Visually, the 335D looks like it can get down to business on the way to the office.

Peering inside, one is struck by the richness of the Chestnut Brown Dakota Leather that wraps the optional sport seats in our tester. In addition to the sport package, our tester also came with the executive package with added burled walnut trim to the visual and tactile experience in the cabin. Any plastic surface was made of high quality, low gloss material that looked and felt just right. There is no question that one is seated in a BMW.

If I had any complaints about the interior it was the fact that I had a heck of a time entering the sport seats without whacking my head on the a-pillar. This may be because I’m a fat guy with a bad back, but I’ve had an easier time getting my butt into a full on rally car. Once in the seats however, they are deep and comfy with super supportive bolsters that keep both front seat passengers in place even during spirited cornering. Couple this support with a myriad of adjustments and you have heaven for a bad back. Until you try to get out again.

Leading up to driving the 335D I had great expectations in the driving experience thanks to gushing comments from several fellow writers who fell in love with the car. Let’s face it, a BMW’s reason for being is the driving experience so I was excited. Once ensconced in the cabin, with mirrors and radio adjusted I planted my foot on the brake and pressed the starter button. The 3.0 liter, twin turbo straight 6 diesel rumbled to life. This is no clattering diesel of old, rather a smooth rumble is barely audible when the throttle is applied.

As I creep out of the press fleet office onto the empty industrial road, I roll gently into the throttle. The beast within responds with nothing more than a swift kick in the pants. With a whopping 425 ft/lbs of torque on hand, the 1735 kg (3800lb) sedan feels like it has silent booster rockets on it! As at idle, the diesel is never noisy, at full throttle there is just a confident rumble from beneath the hood. At first I was disappointed that the 335D isn’t available with a manual transmission, but there really is no need. The 6 speed automatic transmission is truly a magnificent device. Shifts are almost imperceptible and it always seems to be in exactly the right gear to make full use of all of that torque. Nowhere is this more evident than at the exit of just about any highway on ramp as one begins to apply throttle and notices that the engine is spinning at exactly 2,000 rpm and the big sedan launches hard down the road. This wicked acceleration is beyond addictive.

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Whenever I have a fun to drive tester, dread sets in as I approach the pumps. Of course the pumps in this case are diesel and this is said to be the 335D’s strongest point. Nevertheless, I had been having some serious fun enjoying the wickedly quiet acceleration so I was doubly concerned. There was no need, as the D performed like a champ at the pumps too. Over 860 km of combined city and highway driving I averaged 8.3 l/100 km (33.1 mpg imperial)! From a 3800 lb car with 425 ft/lb of torque! Absolutely incredible!

To put this fuel economy into even greater perspective, let’s compare this to the gas powered 335. The performance numbers of both cars are very similar (though they probably feel different getting there) and the fuel tanks are the same size. The government test ratings for the gas model show 9.9 l/100 combined city and highway using premium unleaded gasoline. At the time of our fillup, diesel was 83 cents per liter, while premium rang in at $1.11 a liter. A little bit of quick math (not that I’m very quick) shows that the gas model would consume almost $36 more to cover that same 860 km! Given that the 335D’s base price of $49,700 is only $800 more than the gas version, it would seem that buying the diesel would actually be an incredibly smart financial choice.

Thinking of the title of this review, how exactly is 3 the new 5? Well, the 3 series has definitely moved upscale from it’s position as the entry level BMW. That space has been taken over by the 1. The 2009 BMW 335D is certainly far more upscale than the 5 series that existed way back in the Eighties while the 5 series has also been moved farther up the scale. The 335D combines the traditional BMW driving experience with modern green technology while actually having a smaller long term impact on the wallet than the gasoline powered variant. There aren’t many other manufacturers that can say the same about their alternate fuel vehicles.

Happy Canada Day!

Gary Grant — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:31:06 +0000

Driven: Honda Insight EX

Tom Williams — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:36:19 +0000

Our “Driven” series highlights the several cars I was able to sample at IMPA’s Spring Brake 2009 event. These short takes are summaries of my driving impressions of the cars on the roads surrounding Bear Mountain State Park in Rockland County, New York.

The calling card for Honda’s new Insight is that this is a hybrid car for everyone. Taken at face value, that’s a vague statement, so let’s distill what Honda is really telling buyers.

Let’s start with the looks. The body is aerodynamic to maximize fuel efficiency, yet the Insight doesn’t look like it has landed here from another dimension. Simply put, the styling is quite user-friendly. I’ve seen a few Insights in person, but I thought the car I drove in a metallic grey (to match the grill, which is grey regardless of color) looked smart.

Inside, the Insight is easy to get used to, and is a car you can just hop in and drive away-no real surprise, coming from Honda. This is a departure from Toyota’s Prius, which has a futuristic appearance. As comfortable and simple as the cabin was, I thought the interior was a little drab and uninteresting.

In price, the Honda Insight has the distinction of costing less than a Prius, which is a major plus. While the Toyota does get better mileage, it could take a little time with your calculator to determine how long it would take for the Prius’ better fuel economy to compensate the higher purchase price.

But how is the Insight to drive? In a word…nice. I had to remind myself of Honda’s mission-a hybrid for everyone. The Insight handles and drives like a normal car. In normal mode, you don’t sense at all that you are driving a hybrid. The Insight is not quick, but not so slow that it can’t get you out of harm’s way. At higher revs I found the 1.3 liter four not as smooth as I’ve come to expect from Honda. The Insight’s only available transmission is a CVT, the best choice for fuel economy. Even so, this is a transmission I cannot warm up to. On the EX model I drove, you do have shift paddles to recreate ’stepped’ gears, in a sense, but to me this seemed to run counter to the Insight’s mission.

Handling, steering and braking were all adequate, but again, the Insight is meant for a broad group of buyers. If you were hoping for the handling of a sports sedan, look elsewhere. The car is by no means sloppy, and in most normal driving situations the Insight should do great.

Putting the Insight into Econ mode alters the car’s personality slightly. The climate control’s effectiveness is reduced (something I noticed at it was nearly 90 degrees in NY that day). Throttle response is not as sharp. But Econ mode is as it suggests-the car adjusts itself to maximize fuel economy. In normal cruising you would be pressed to spot the difference, but in the twisting, undulating roads I was driving on, the changes were more pronounced.

If it sounds like the Insight is a bore to drive, it actually isn’t. For the car guy, or gamer in you, the Insight is engaging on a different level. You have the ability to scroll through different screens to track, and even score how economically you drive the Insight. The reward is not in how fast you go or carve a corner, it is seeing a difference in your economy, or how “well” you are driving the Insight.

With the Insight, Honda has created a hybrid that should appeal to a large group of buyers who may have been turned off the by how different the Prius is. Still, I came away from the Insight wishing it had a little more verve and style like the smaller, more inexpensive Fit.

Porsche adds rally for kids at museum

Gary Grant — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:41:18 +0000

Car museums can be a tad boring for kids, even those who are certified junior gearheads. All these really cool cars, but you can’t actually get in them. Of course the Porsche museum has some priceless machines and ice cream hand prints just wouldn’t do. Still, it is so important that Dad and Grandpa bring the young kids out to see the cars that have generations of enthusiasts have lusted after.

The Museum Rally gets kids excited about the history of the cars as they scour the displays looking for clues to get them to the end. Lucky kids have a chance to win a monthly prize. This is pretty cool because it takes the boy behind the rope and puts him right in the action, ensuring that he’ll inherit that lust for Porsche.

Full details after the break

MISSISSAUGA, ON — June 29, 2009 — The new Porsche Museum in Stuttgart has responded to its growing number of young and very young visitors with a range of activities designed for children. Starting immediately, young Porsche enthusiasts can join in a “paper chase” through the Porsche Museum.

With a bit of luck and some detective work, visitors of elementary-school age have the chance to win a prize given away each month in a raffle. To qualify for the prize, they’re encouraged to take a closer look at the special features of the historical cars in the exhibition and answer ten questions correctly on a game sheet.

The paper chase guides the Museum’s youngest visitors in a playful process through the entire exhibition, offering them an exciting insight into the history of the sports car manufacturer. The “Museum Rally,” as it is called, costs two Euros at the Museum Shop. There are also special guided tours for girls and boys from 7 – 13 years of age (registration required in advance).

The Porsche Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. The admission fee is 8 Euros, the reduced fee four Euros. Children up to the age of 14 accompanying an adult are free. For more information, visit www.porsche.com/museum.

The Garage

Happy 4th of July!

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