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These stunning shots show the beautiful and eerie underwater world of a Swiss ice-filled Alpine lake.

Taken in Lake Sassolo, close to the southern border with Italy, these were taken by diving photographer Franco Banfi.
Although the high altitude region is known for its sunny weather, the lake was formed by the run-off of the Alps surrounding it.

The giant ice structures dwarf the tiny divers as they explore the nooks and crannies of the icebergs.

'The other issue is altitude, it's hard work carrying diving eqipment and cameras around anyway, but when the air is thinner it becomes a real test of strength,' he added.
The region is home to 140 lakes and over 3,500 miles of rivers, streams and rivers and is popular with hikers and divers.

The bikes poured into Nathan Phillips Square as part of Bike Month. Today was the Group Commute where commuters meet and ride together to City Hall. Participants got a free Bike Month t-shirt, a breakfast and some other promotional goodies like GO Transit lunch bags. Bike month runs from May 26th to June 21st.

Update July 12, 2010: For information on the Honda Indy Toronto special events including the Driver's Party check out my blog post here. You can also see my coverage of the 2010 race on my blog post here.

Let's get the party started - In about a month and a half the CNE will come alive with the sound, smell and action of the Honda Indy Toronto on Friday, July 16 to Sunday, July 18. The three days will be jam packed with cars, girls, beer and other activities so drop by their site and keep an eye out for the proposed schedule of events. We do know that the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will be joining the IZOD Indycar Series and Firestone Indy Lights racing during the weekend. The Indy Racing League (IRL) race starts at 12:30pm on Sunday, July 18, 2010.

In 2009 the schedule had the gates opening at 8am and the days ending at 6pm Friday and Saturday and 8am to 5pm on the final day - Sunday.

Attendance at Indy races, like the Honda Indy Toronto, are a concern and they need to ramp up the marketing and advertising. It really is a good deal of entertainment for the buck so I do recommend coming out to the races. (UPDATE June 2: My friends at the Toronto Star have announced that Friday's admission will be on the Ontario Honda Dealers Association.)

Some of the events coming up ahead of the race include the following.

Annual Drivers’ Party.
Pit Crew Girl Search (Budweiser).

Media Pit Stop Challenge (Honda) - this was at Yonge-Dundas Square last year.
Autograph signing sessions (numerous sponsors).
Public celebration at Yonge and Dundas Square during race week.
Shoot For A Cure teams up with the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation for the second annual Honda Indy Toronto Walk Run ‘N Wheel-a-thon, to be held in downtown Toronto on Thursday, July 15, 2010 in support of spinal cure research.

I also noticed that David Letterman is one of the owners of the Graham Rahal car so maybe we will be lucky and see David in Toronto this year.

There are also a lot of sponsors on board with promotion plans such as.

Green Savoree Toronto, owners of the Honda Indy Toronto, Honda, Ontario Honda Dealers Association, Budweiser, Schick, Telus, Motorola, Dr Pepper, Mattel Canada, Pizza Pizza, Delta Chelsea Hotel, the Toronto Sun, the Ontario Government, Tourism Toronto, PHD, Grip and Torchia Communications. Honda, Budweiser and Dr Pepper are planning themed promotions.

The League has 11 more races in the season and Toronto is only 4 races away. The latest race was the May 30th Indianapolis 500 which was won by Dario Franchitti, winer of the 2009 Honda Toronto Indy (picture at top) as well as the 2009 Indycar Series Champion. The remaining schedule is as follows.

Saturday, June 12 Texas Motor Speedway, oval
Sunday, June 20 Iowa Speedway, oval
Sunday, July 4 Watkins Glen International, road course
Sunday, July 18 Streets of Toronto, street course
Sunday, July 25 Edmonton City Centre Airport, airport course
Sunday, August 8 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, road course
Sunday, August 22 Infineon Raceway, road course
Saturday, August 28 Chicagoland Speedway, oval
Labor Day Weekend Kentucky Speedway, oval
Saturday, September 18Twin Ring Motegi, oval
Saturday, October 2 Homestead-Miami Speedway, oval



The current standings show Will Power (above) in the lead followed by the rest of top five: Dario Franchitti,

Scott Dixon,

Helio Castroneves

and Ryan Hunter-Reay.

Ryan was involved in an accident with Mike Conway during the Indy 500 and the pictures of Mike's car flipping into the air and running along the fence are amazing. IRL says "Mike Conway will miss at least three months of the IZOD IndyCar Series season after having surgery the evening of May 30 to repair fractures to his lower left leg suffered in the white flag lap crash in the Indianapolis 500 earlier in the day.

Indy Racing League Director of Medical Services Dr. Michael Olinger said Conway, of England, also has a soft tissue injury to his lower left leg and he is expected to have another surgical procedure later this week. Additionally, Conway has a compression fracture of one of his thoracic vertebrae and is being fitted for a back brace, which he will wear for three months." Here is a picture of Mike.



Canadians Alex Tagliani is 11th in the standings while Paul Tracy (below) has no points at this time. It was announced that Paul will race in both the Honda Indy Toronto and the Edmonton Indy, sponsored by Honda and supporting the Make-a-Wish Foundation.



Danica Patrick sits at 12th place and has been taking a public beating after discussing her car and her dislike of street courses - I still can't wait to see her race. She started out in the 23rd position yesterday and ended up finishing the race in 6th place.

Ambition two German automotive companies Volkswagen Porsche are trying to each other 'caplok' still going on even after they were declared the merger. But behind all that, did you know that in history, the big names they are very difficult to be separated.

A recent history of Volkswagen Beetle known as a very complicated and long to tell. It began on June 22, 1934 when the German domestic automotive industry associations encourage Porsche to build the Volkswagen (People's Car in the language
Germany).





The next day on June 23 became the most historic day for both the name. Because 75 years ago to coincide with this date, the German government at that time led by the Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler gave the order to Ferdinand Porsche to build a simple car concept.

Order Hitler is people's car that can carry five people (two adults and three children), the velocity 100km/jam, 14km/liter consume fuel at a price no more expensive than riding a motorcycle side.



Then made the concept of the embryo when it was Beetle called Kraft durch Freude-Wagen (KdF-Wagen), the city where this car was made given the name KdF-Stadt. KdF-Wagen poured in 30 prototype in 1937 and marketed beginning in 1938 but stopped after a time to produce 630 units due to World War II in 1939.

To temporarily diverted its factory facilities to produce vehicles like the Kubelwagen war (jeep) and Schwimmwagen (amphibious vehicle). Year 1942 appears Kommandeurwagen from KdF-Wagen base having a four Wheel /4x4.


Germany's defeat on the allies (UK, France, Russia and the U.S.) makes the country divided. KdF-Stadt mastered British Army and for their intervention and then change the name of the city to Wolfsburg. Volkswagen Vehicles for civil society began to be produced again before the World War II ended, precisely in the summer of 1945.


Civilian vehicle was also changed its name to Volkswagen or VW Beetle Kafer (in Indonesia is popularly known as the VW Beetle). Then this vehicle has become popular thanks to its simplicity, toughness and a long list of other More  and spread to different parts of the world.

Therefore, this unique vehicle has many nicknames such as:

* Kafer in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
* Pulga in Colombia
* Coccinelle or Kever in Belgium
* Vocho or Vochito in Mexico
* Fusca in Brazil
* Escarabajo in Argentina
* Map of Bolivia
* Folcika in Bosnia - Herzegovina
* Косτенурка (Kostenurka), Бръмбар (Brambar) in Bulgaria
* Buba in Croatia
* Brouk in the Republic Cheko
* Maggiolino in Italy
* Kabuto-Mushi in Japanese
* Turtle or Frog in Malaysia
Kever in the Netherlands *
* Pendong in Philippines
* Фольксваген-жук (Folksvagen-Zhuk) in Russia

In fact there are many other title names sometimes not just one. For instance in Indonesia other than the VW Beetle and the VW Beetle, he was also dubbed by our parents as a VW Sedan (although not as popular as the VW Beetle and VW Beetle).

To commemorate the history of travel at the same time affirm and strengthen the name of his Porsche, Porsche museum held an exhibition on June 23 until July 31. This exhibition is dedicated to celebrating the 75th anniversary of the VW Beetle concept such orders. In this exhibition displayed photographs of the original prototype with people who have been behind the birth of Ferdinand Porsche's Beetle included.

Cars (short of an automobile that comes from the Greek 'autos' (self) and Latin 'movére' (move)) is a wheeled vehicle carrying four or more of their own machine. Types of cars, including buses, vans, trucks. Operation of the car is called driving.

The first steam vehicles made in the late 18th century. Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot with vehicle successfully demonstrated in 1769. The first vehicle powered steam engine, may increase the best-known steam engine, was developed in Birmingham, England by the Lunar Society. And also in Birmingham car power station was first built in Britain in 1896 by Frederick William Lanchester who also patented the disc brake. In the 1890s, ethanol is used as fuel in the U.S.


Cugnot discovery of low usage seen in his native France, and the findings forwarded to Britain, where Richard Trevithick runs a steam-wagon in the year 1801. Vehicles are considered to be strange at first, but the discovery of a decade later, such as hand brakes, multi-speed transmission, and increased speed and steering wheel, making it a success.

Today, America has more cars than any other country. Japan led in the manufacture of automobiles, but the Japanese population could not afford to run a car because parking is scarce and expensive fuel prices


Innovation


The first automobile patent in the United States granted to Oliver Evans in 1789; in 1804 Evans demonstrated his first automobile, which not only the first car in the U.S. but also the first amphibious vehicle, the vehicle-steam power could use the road on land and in water wheels used wheels padel.

Generally, the first automobile internal combustion engine that uses gasoline made almost simultaneously in 1886 by German inventors working independently. Carl Benz on July 3, 1886 in Mannheim, and Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach in Stuttgart.

On November 5, 1895, George B. Selden granted U.S. patents for two-stroke engine. This patent gives a negative impact on the development of automobile industry in the U.S.. Spectacular breakthrough made by Berta Benz in 1888. A steam-engine, electric, and gasoline to compete for several decades, with gasoline internal combustion engines achieving dominance in the 1910s.

Large-scale production-line manufacturing of affordable automobiles was debuted by Oldsmobile in 1902, and then greatly expanded by Henry Ford in the 1910s. In the period from 1900 to the mid-1920s, automotive technology development is very fast, due to the large number (hundreds) of small car makers all vying to grab the attention of the world.


Major developments including electronic ignition and electronic self-starter (both by Charles Kettering, to the Company in the years 1910 to 1911 Cadillac), independent suspension, brakes and four tires.


In the 1930s, mostly in automotive technology has been created, though often re-created at a later date and given credit to others. For example, front-wheel steering recreated by Andre Citroën Traction Avant in the launch in 1934, although this technology has appeared several years earlier in cars made by Alvis and Cord, and in racing cars by Miller (and may have emerged in early 1897 ).

After 1930, the number of car manufacturers drastically reduced berpasan with industry to join together and baked. Since 1960, the number of producers is almost fixed, and reduced innovation. In many cases, new technology only improvement from the previous technology. Dengam exceptions in the discovery engine management, which entered the market in the 1960s, when electronic goods become cheap enough for mass production and strong enough to handle the harsh environment on the car. Developed by Bosch, these electronic tools can make car exhaust reduces dramatically while increasing efficiency and power.
 

Security
Car accident almost as old as the car itself. Joseph Cugnot car crashed into power-steam "Fardier" with the wall in 1770. Fatal car accident the first time recorded was Bridget Driscoll on August 17, 1896 in London, and Henry Bliss on 13 September 1899 in New York City.

Every year more than a million people were killed and around 50 million injured in traffic (according to WHO estimates). The main cause of the accident was the driver drunk or under the influence of drugs, no attention, too tired, and danger on the road (such as snow, holes, animal, and careless drivers). Security facility have been made specifically in the car for years.

Cars have two basic safety problems: They have a driver who often make mistakes and the loss of tire friction when braking close to half-of gravity. Automatic control has been proposed and made an example.

Early research focused on improving the brakes and reduce the danger of fire fuel system. Systematic research in crash safety started in 1958 at Ford Motor Company. Since then, much research focuses on energy absorption outside with panels that easily destroyed and reduce human movement on the passenger space.

There was a test car's security standards, such as EuroNCAP and USNCAP. There are also tests that are assisted by the insurance industry.

Despite improvements in technology, the death rate from car accidents remains high, in the U.S. about 40,000 people die each year, a figure that still grow in accordance with the increase in population and travel, with similar trends in Europe. The mortality rate is expected to be doubled worldwide in 2020. The numbers of deaths are more injuries and disabilities.

Wikipedia

This racing game that one may not have been familiar to us, especially fans of racing games ..

Need for Speed (NFS) is a series of racing video game published by Electronic Arts and developed by several studios, including Canada, based company EA Black Box. This is the most successful racing video game series of all time, and one of the most successful overall. In October 2009, more than 100 million copies of the game in the Need for Speed series has been sold.

The series was originally developed by Canadian based company Distinctive Software, which is known as EA Canada. Series debuted with The Need for Speed in North America, Japan, and Europe in 1994. Initially, the series was exclusive to the console of the fifth generation and displayed in all the seventh generation of video game consoles in 2008. The game mainly consists of a variety of car racing with different tracks, and to some extent, including the activities of police in the race. In Japan, the series Over "was released as a driver. After the release of Need for Speed: High Stakes, it adopted the western name. Since Need for Speed: Underground, the series has integrated car body customization into gameplay. Currently, there are three games under development in the series.

NFS there from the year 1994

Genuine Need for Speed was released for 3DO in 1994 with the release version for the PC (DOS) (1995), the PlayStation and Sega Saturn (1996) after a short time later. Most cars and tracks available at the beginning of the game, and the goal is to unlock the remaining locked content by winning tournaments. The first version is shown a car chase with police who remained a popular theme throughout the series - called Hot Pursuit editions (Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit, Need for Speed: High Stakes, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2, Need for Speed : Most Wanted, Need for Speed: Carbon and Need for Speed: Undercover) were sold in the market better than the version of the intervention. The initial version also featured an obnoxious opponent who taunted the player if the computer won the race or the player was arrested (if the player speeding ticket a few times).


The first installment of NFS is one of only two serious by a series of efforts to provide a realistic simulation of car handling and physics without arcade elements (the other being the Porsche Unleashed). Electronic Arts to work with automotive magazine Road & Track to match vehicle behavior, including imitation of the sound made by the vehicles' gear control lever. The game also contained precise vehicle data spoken comments, several "magazine style" images of each car's interior and exterior, and even short video clips highlighting the vehicles set to music.


Another version of the game, called The Need for Speed: Special Edition, is based on the 1995 release of the PC game, and only released for PC CD-ROM in 1996 was showing support for DirectX 2 and TCP / IP networking, two new tracks, time of day for most variations of the track (morning, noon and night), and various enhancements in the game machine.

The Need for Speed and Special Edition is the only game in the series to support DOS, as the next release for the PC only runs on Microsoft Windows 95 or above.


Need for Speed II features several of the rarest and most exotic vehicles ever available, including the Ford Indigo concept vehicle, and features country-themed tracks from North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. A new racing modes are also introduced in NFS II dubbed Round, where the last racer to finish the round will be eliminated until the only leading racer remains, and won.

Forgoing the realism the first Need for Speed, NFS II provides more arcade-like style of play, while maintaining the level of intricate design. [Verification needed] In addition, track design is more open-ended, players can now "drive" off the asphalt, and even across the fields to take advantage of shortcuts.
The PlayStation port of NFS II is the first PlayStation game to utilize not only NeGcon controller, but both Dual Analogue and DualShock controllers as well.

Special edition of NFS II, Need for Speed II: Special Edition includes one extra track, extra cars, and support for Glide, which was then developing the 3D graphics standard used in 3dfx 's Voodoo and Voodoo 2 graphics card.



Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit Hot Pursuit mode adds, where players try to run either the police or the police, catch speeders.

NFS III to take advantage of the multimedia capabilities of CD-ROM featuring audio comments, slide images and music videos. This game is also the first in a series to allow downloading additional car from the official site. Consequently, the Modding community has been sticking to create more vehicles that can be available for the game. PC version is also the first game in the series Need for Speed Direct 3D acceleration hardware to support 3D.



High Stakes (North America and Australia the title), also known as the Road Challenge (European and Brazilian title), released in summer 1999.

High Stakes introduces several new game types: High Stakes, Getaway, Time Trap, and Career. High Stakes is a racing mode (in career) in which reward the player loses the car. Getaway require players to outrun pursuing police vehicles for a certain period. Time Trap is where drivers must complete a number of laps within the time limit, with a police car trying to slow them down. Career mode combines monetary reward system that allows a player to purchase vehicles and performance upgrades while earning cash by racing in a chronological set of tournaments. Another innovation is the introduction of damage models. Vehicles that have been involved in a car accident that is displayed looks shattered bodies and suffered from performance penalties. After a race in Career mode, players are given the option to purchase the improvement. Mode also allows players, for the first time, to upgrade cars, although it only consists of the feature to switch between three levels of upgrades for each car.

The PlayStation version of the game, was released several months before the PC version, features improved gameplay. Just all the new tracks to be performed without additional rehashes from NFS III in the PC version. In addition, the AI in this game is more advanced; five AIS known as Nemesis, Bullit, Frost, Ranger, and people driving stupid show different characteristics (eg Nemesis player until slipup dog will occur, whereas Bullit exhibit a more aggressive style, sometimes Sometimes a vehicle ramming into the player). In addition, the Aston Martin DB7 at this in the game while the release version of the PC is required that you will need to download them online to insert it into the game. In the PlayStation version, the McLaren F1 GTR Long Tail is based on the year 1997 while the PC version is based on the original version 95/96.

 To Download Need For Speed Games And More For Free Please Click Here

If you want to know the name of a flying car has been produced and has been ordered by a few rich people and watching his videos, Terrafugia Transition is the name of the cool flying cars. This car can not be controlled by a driver who has a SIM amateur standards, but must be experienced in the pilot.

Terrafugia Transition Other sticker for approximately $ 2 billion, in a conversion to U.S. dollars is $ 194,000 and has been ordered by various circles. Deposit Fee is amounting to $ 10,000. Here's a video demonstration of the horrendous Terrafugia Transition, unique design, can be parked in the yard and also be invited to fly.

Floating in space with the car finally came true. Transition Terrafugian cars passing on the test flight at Plattsburgh International Airport, United States. Tech motorist was Colonel Phil Meteer from USAFR (United States Air Force Reserve).

"The breakthrough has changed the world of private cars. Travel became more freely without barriers, and coupled with a unique flying experience. The discovery of the car for USD 200ribu (approximately USD 2.4 billion) this community has been waiting since 1918 ", said Carl Dietrich, chief executive of Terrafugia, as reported by Vnunet yesterday.

Cars that can fly through the clouds at speeds 115 miles per hour, equipped with an automatic pilot that can be used for 30 seconds. Unfortunately, its capacity can only carry two people. When asked about fuel-efficient cars flying is starting. To fly per hour with an average speed of 115 miles, simply by using five gallons of fuel.


To drive a car, the U.S. Government plans to issue special regulations. Ie, must have an officially licensed pilot. That's why, for those interested in owning a car, flight department will open a new class of "light aviation."

Want to buy a car? Saving money is!

Who does not know Harley Davidson. History of Harley Davidson initially from a simple idea. Namely the intention William Harley and Arthur Davidson make a motor that could devour the climbs in the area of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
The most important breakthrough is the engine berkonfigurasi V, who later also known as the Knucklehead, Panhead, Shovelhead, Evolution, to win Cam. This engine later became the benchmark for other companies, especially from Japan, in making a big motor.

 

Start with 60 cc Engine

HARLEY and Davidson started this long journey in 1903, when they were still at the early age of 20s. Results prime tooling fiddle with two young children this is a single cylinder engine with a capacity of 60 cc. Walk and managed to devour the hill with ease. Later, because of this success, two brothers Arthur, Walter and William Davidson, joined.

Two years later, they agreed to institutionalize their business into the Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Co..

When standing, the company produces three new motor unit. All three motors were produced from the''factory''at the Davidson family's backyard. The so-called factory was a small shack behind the Davidson family home.

In 1906, the company moved to Juneau Avenue, occupying the room more spacious. Because more freely, the year that Harley-Davidson motorcycle can produce 150 units. Most of the motorcycles they bought the local police. The reason, Harley-Davidson can be driven at speeds high enough, and agile.

Six years after being founded, Harley-Davidson introduced the V configuration of two-cylinder engine with 45-degree angle. Capacity is 49.5 cubic inch engine (about 790 cc) and capable of producing approximately seven horsepower. With the machine, the speed of 60 miles per hour can be achieved. At that time, Harley-Davidson engines did not think that model would be one of the characteristics of their products.

That same year, Harley-Davidson's 1000 production figures broke through the unit, exactly 1149 units. Competition from other factories began to be felt, two years later. Apparently, the success of Harley-Davidson became the inspiration for another factory to start a business. In 1911, at least appeared about 150 motor brand. They would be a competitor of Harley-Davidson, though not really heavy.

The proof, Harley-Davidson is not difficult to increase production. In 1913, when the factory was expanded, Harley-Davidson's production almost reached 13 000 units. The number was increased again during the period 1916 to 1918, to around 20,000 units. This is mainly because the United States government ordered two-wheeled vehicles for the purposes of World War I.


The conquest of the Great Depression

ENTERING the 1920s, Harley-Davidson became the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, with total production of 28 189 units. To market a product, the Harley-Davidson has agents in 67 countries. In this decade, Harley-Davidson introduced a number of innovations. V engine developed capacity to 74 cubic inches (about 1184 cc). Gas tank teardrop design introduced in 1925. In 1928, Harley-Davidson began equipped with front brakes.


All the achievements were quite a Harley-Davidson's capital in the face of the Great Depression, the economic recession in 1933. Although the number decreased to 3700 units of production, Harley-Davidson is able to survive. Other motor makers who also survived the Indians. This company later became the only competitor of Harley-Davidson until the 1950s.

When depression is finished, Harley-Davidson is a direct step on the gas. They introduced the EL model with a capacity of 976 cc engine. This engine model popularly known as Knucklehead. With Knucklehead, Harley-Davidson rose slowly. In 1936, total production reached 9812 Harley-Davidson motorcycle units.

World War II brought its own blessings, as well as a new milestone for Harley-Davidson. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the entire production capacity allocated to the Harley-Davidson motorcycles produced for the benefit of the Allied forces. Consumer needs civil abandoned altogether.

During 1941-1945, approximately 90,000 units of Harley-Davidson created the WML series. For this achievement, Harley-Davidson gets a medal''E''from the United States Navy.

After the war, Harley-Davidson's re-opened the tap of its civilian production. Uh, apparently a lot of veterans who attracted the bike's performance, and want to restore the romance of riding a Harley-Davidson. Thousands of Harley-Davidson motorcycle units, production, post-war as well as older models, move to house the veterans, the forerunner to the Harley-Davidson fans.


Compete with the Indians

IN 1948, the production of Harley-Davidson to be 31 163 units. That year, Harley-Davidson is back to introduce new innovations, namely machine equipped with an 74 cubic inch hydraulic valve lifters and aluminum cylinder head. This is called The Panhead engine because the cylinder head cover resembling upside-down frying pan.

Entering the 1950s, second generation of the founding family began to become the motor of the company. When celebrating its 50th anniversary, Harley-Davidson motorcycle was left alone in the U.S. market. Its traditional competitors, the Indian, already folded.

In 1957, Harley-Davidson introduced the Sportster, which has been hailed as The Father of Superbikes, biangnya big motor. A year later, Harley-Davidson introduced the Duo Glide, which uses hydraulic rear suspension to complement the front suspension fork that uses the model.

Later, in 1963, Harley-Davidson to adopt the use of fiberglass in the motor-bike. For this purpose, they buy 60% stake in Tomahawk Boat Manufacturing Co., manufacturers of fiberglass in Wisconsin.

Year 1950-1960 was also marked by the presence of biker community, which introduces the biker culture. They are easily recognizable because it uses a leather jacket, covered in tattoos, and long hair. Wild Ones is the image of Marlon Brando introduced through a film titled the same.

Harley-Davidson's official community itself was only established in 1983, with the name Harley Experience Owner Group (HOG). It became the community's largest Harley-Davidson owners who supported directly by the manufacturer. Currently, the number of members of HOG approaching one million people around the world.


Dark Period Due to Merger

IN 1965, Harley-Davidson went public. Four years later, the American Machine and Foundry (AMF) to do a merger with Harley-Davidson. However, the merger is considered the darkest period in the history of Harley-Davidson. Because, in 1970 and 1980, motorcycles made in Japan that the price is very cheap to enter the market.


When Honda, Kawasaki, and Suzuki entered the U.S. market, Harley-Davidson's market share dropped dramatically. Of the original 80% in 1969, a 20% ten years later. Decline in market share is to grip a Harley-Davidson executives. They also find ways to save the company.

To restore the Harley-Davidson to khitahnya, they submitted a proposal to Citicorp. Endowment fund with U.S. $ 80 million from Citicorp, they buy back shares held by the AMF (Citicorp to sell those shares, Heller Financial Corporation in 1986). The concept and philosophy of production and sales of Harley-Davidson was repaired.

Initially, Harley-Davidson is a product that is affordable and easy to use and modify. That changed with the Harley-Davidson makes the product expensive and hard to find spare parts. To replace the rear lights, for example, Harley-Davidson motorcycle owners can not just buy batoknya. But I have to buy a whole sepatbornya.

In addition to Marlon Brando, a number of celebrities made Harley-Davidson parts of their appearance. Whether on a large screen, screen glass, as well as in everyday life. In 1956, Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll, and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle on the cover of enthusiast magazines.

The mid-1990s, Arnold Schwarzeneger appear with Harley-Davidson in the movie Terminator. Action Lorenzo Lamas and Harley-Davidson Softail gasoline bertangki yellow with red flames in the Renegade series also became a favorite spectacle at the end of 1990.


Actor Keanu Reeves was once distributed 12 units of Harley-Davidson, which is worth about U.S. $ 200,000, to all the stunt movie Matrix Reloaded. According to Reeves, ..

Recently, Samson introduces Motorwork, SkyBike, three-wheeled motorcycle that can fly with automatic folding wing.

This vehicle has a wing-shaped pair of scissors that can be folded. This wing will inflate easily when flying. According to its maker, SkyBike created to meet the increased demand for cars that could fly and the aircraft that could be used on the road.

This vehicle is the second version of the engine production flying Samson Motorworks automotive company that has offices in California, United States. The previous model could only be supported telescopic wing.

The design of this new model wing 90 pounds lighter than previous models. In addition, a more spacious cockpit space and maintenance costs become more frugal. This new model is also very sporty with a side by side seating. Landing speed was lower.

This futuristic car models inspired from Ferrari. While price is still kept secret. However, Samson was hoping the next year be able to introduce versions of this vehicle which can only be used on land.

This may be its form of motor future, the cabin is closed, riders without helmets can sit comfortably and can also use the ac, the music. What's not so cool is that?

This Monotracer artificial Peraves, manufacturer of origin Switzerland, and can go with more stable at speed of 200 km / j. These motors are sold very exclusive, with production capacity in the limit of 100 units per year. With four-cylinder engine from BMW's K, with a capacity of 1171cc. Complete with air conditioning (optional), GPS, Bi-Xenon, RDS and audio system (optional CD). Use cruise control as well.

More info at their website:
www.monotracer.com/

 Left click on the image to enlarge.....
Don summaries his work on the book and comment...

This project began in 2005 and the last chapter was finished in February 2010. (This is while maintaining a full-time day job and having my walking range tail away due to multiple sclerosis.) One reason it took so long was the flavour and scope evolved from a book about a handful of key characters to attempting to shine a light on some 40 riders who ventured to Europe between 1948 and 1960.
It might be the last chance to talk to some of these guys, so I felt compelled to recount their stories. I'm very sad that some key sources haven't lived to see the finished book -- including former racers Bob Mitchell, Bob West, Allen Burt and Jack Findlay.
I was fortunate two decades ago to have talked to Eric and Ruby McPherson, and George Morrison, about their Continental Circus experiences in 1949-50 and to Tom Phillis' parents Tom and Elsie.
Australian Motorcycle Heroes 1949-1989 was an obvious starting point. I had some chapters that didn't make the finished version in 1988. But I re-interviewed many of the characters and tracked down many more -- so this book goes much deeper into the 1950s than "Heroes". It picks up on aspects some reviewers identified as missing from the 1988 effort,
including the economics of 1950s racing in Europe. But it also attempts to show the diverse characters involved and tell the sometimes extraordinary stories.
The focus is very much on the private entrants and their way of life -- riding non-championship Continental Circus internationals week-in,week-out.
In addition, there are several chapters on the experience of racing behind the Iron Curtain. There are also more "side" players, including one of the two women who travelled with Bob Brown in 1955 after Allen Burt was seriously injured at the Isle of Man.
The internet has made research faster than 1988 in some ways -- there are more results and more photos available, even websites devoted to old circuits. Thanks to email you can often have a question answered in 24 hours. But the people are now 20 years older.
One of the first research activities was approaching the FIM for copies of the race calendars -- so I had the actual dates for the non-championship meetings. This made it easier to trace a rider's path across Europe and appreciate the distances from race to race.
In 2006 I visited a couple of the old circuits, most notably St Wendel -- a meeting the 1950s private entrants all enjoyed. One restaurant in the town has a wall dedicated to the races. The metal sign for the start/finish line stands in the front of the house where race director August Balthasar lived.
The next three years were devoted to research and writing -- with momentum often maintained by the thrill of the chase... Finding the tale behind a particular result, poring through a diary, unearthing the photo of a forgotten machine or just hearing the enthusiasm in a voice when you take a chance on a telephone number.

Circus Life: Australian Motorcycle Racers In Europe In The 1950s

By Don Cox

From the co-author of Australian Motorcycle Heroes 1949-1989 and the author of The Aussies & 2 NZ Blokes
Foreword by Australia’s 1969 world 250 champion Kel Carruthers
Over 100 photographs, many previously unpublished
Background on some 40 Australians who raced in Europe from 1948 to 1960

The Story:
Which sport saw the first Australians compete behind the Iron Curtain? In the 1950s, which profession allowed a welder from Prahran and a toolmaker from Belfield to earn 15 times their regular weekly wage?
Welcome to the gypsy world of the Continental Circus private entrants – warts and all -- with the joys, camaraderie, heartache, laughs and low acts. It was a time when rider usually had to be truck driver, mechanic, cook and start-money negotiator as well. And management help? You wish! In the 1950s it was considered un-Australian to push your own barrow.
Travel with the young men criss-crossing a still rebuilding Europe, racing for a living – some with their mates, others just married. Drift a Manx Norton flat out with Bob Brown at Spa-Francorchamps. Learn the Isle of Man Mountain section with Maurie Quincey. Take on race organisers over starting money with Jack Ahearn and Keith Campbell. Cure an electrical problem with your teeth and mend a broken gear linkage with fencing wire. Cross the mine fields into East Germany, where one wrong move could put you in a gulag. Experience the highs, lows and scary hospitals – stories even the men who lived them reckon people would not believe.
The fruits of five years’ research, Circus Life goes deeper than the typical “who won what and when”. The author puts you on the grid at Villefranche des Rouergue; in the van trundling across Europe in high summer and behind the Iron Curtain on the oil-stained public roads of Brno.
 “The author has worked miracles from a set of disjointed telephone conversations and emails!” -- Trevor Pound
Don is awaiting the first printed copies and envisages the price to be in the AUD$75 range plus postage from him direct or from specialist bookshops.
When the book becomes available, I'll run another blog with firm details.
I've searched through my files for a pic or two of some of the riders to be featured....

Outside "Rose Villa" the favourite guest-house haunt of Aussies in Douglas IOM, L to R.
Alan Burt, Ritchie Thomsen, Bob Brown, Maurie Quincey's wife, Maurie Quincey.

Alan Burt in Ramsey Cottage hospital, IOM- following his horrendous crash in practice 1955 TT.




 Bob Brown's trophies.....

Jack Ahearn and Jack Forrest....
Gordon Laing, Ray Amm and Ken Kavenagh...somewhere in Europe.
Geoff Walker, Tasmania, practice 1953 IOM TT.
Keith Campbell and Gordon Laing, in the paddock Assen for the TT, 1953.

Keith Bryen on the podium after winning the 350cc race at  Norisring, 21.07.1957. Eric Hinton to the right.
( last five photos courtesy of Keith and Gwen Bryen )