TOP GEAR

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

I’m not into NASCAR or any of the car shows that are on TV these days, so why do I love to watch TOP GEAR on BBC? Perhaps it’s the beautiful views of the English countryside and other parts of Europe as they race, rally and ride all over. It could be the camaraderie of the three English hosts, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, and their adorable British accents! I’m sure that’s part of it, but I think I just envy the crazy, fun things these three grown men do on a daily basis and call it a job!

My favorite adventure was when they played soccer…..using giant inflated soccer balls and mini coopers! They laughed until they cried and I laughed with them. They had so much fun doing the ridiculous, as they always do. Another great show was when they raced against the British Postal System, who guarantees delivery in a day. They raced across the English countryside to beat a letter and lost! I love the mishaps and obstacles they overcome with humor and determination. Whether they compete against each other, a plane, a ship, or even giant soccer balls, it’s always funny and entertaining.

A regular part of the show is having a celebrity guest race on their special track. The celebrity is given short training by the secret race driver called “The Stig” (we never see his face) and then does his best to beat the scores of all the other guest celebrities. The funniest part is the camcorder in the car as they race. It’s amazing what they say and in some cases sing as they rip around the turns and straight aways.

The final thing I love about TOP GEAR is that it’s a show I can enjoy with my husband. We have such opposite tastes in TV that it’s a rare thing that we can enjoy the same show. We usually have to take turns, I get Bones and he gets The Smoking Gun! I get the old Cary Grant movie and he gets Clint Eastwood. It works!

We were excited when they decided to make an American  TOP GEAR, but unfortunately, it just didn’t measure up. Maybe I just need those adorable British accents after all!

   

OF HORSE AND MAN

Michael “Bucky” Rubin

"There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man." - Winston Churchill

Truer words were never spoken. Like I said, last post, I’m a Jewish Redneck. Y’all know I love cars. Well I love horses. I rarely ride but I can tell you that I am most happy when I’m on a horse.

Okay I lied. I am most happy watching my son ride a horse. I see the same love in his eyes. I have a few friends who are pretty serious horsemen and women and I completely understand why. Horses are smart, powerful, and confident. Some mistake their confidence for arrogance; it’s just not the case.

NASCAR from the inside…

Michael D. Rubin

For the record, I am a Jewish Redneck. I fell in love with cars around the time when I started noticing girls.

In 2001 I found out that my former company, Nikon, was sponsoring Rusty Wallace and also the Las Vegas Motor Speedway with a debut at the 2001 Daytona 500. By luck I was at a sales meeting in Florida and they had extra photo passes for the first day and great seats at the finish line for the actual Daytona 500 race!

LADIES & GENTLEMEN...

START YOUR ENGINES!!!!

DAWN BOYLE

This week is the 53rd racing of the Daytona 500. The big race is on Sunday, February 20, 2011. It is a 200 lap, 500 mile race with a sold out crowd that is one of the highest rated sporting events that people tune in to see. It will be shown on Fox, with a 1:00PM start time.

Apparently there are a bunch of races that determine positioning. Martina McBride will sing the National Anthem and the United States Air Force Thunderbirds do a breathtaking air show to entertain the die hard fans of NASCAR. There is VIP seating and people pay top dollar to attend this legendary sporting event. This is considered the Superbowl of the racing circuit, with more then 40 of the best and brightest drivers jockeying to compete for the title.