StreetNewsReporter

We're going to talk about e-bikes and politics in which our intrepid author attempts Nuance on the Internet™, so please pray for her both now and in the hour of her untimely ratioing.View the full article

For decades, Hyundai Motor Group has leveraged its industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty as one of its primary selling points. To most people shopping for a new car, this warranty signals bulletproof reliability. However, The Car Care Nut Reviews takes a closer look at the actual mechanical engineering beneath the hood—such as the layout found in the 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid— and it reveals a contrasting narrative. Instead of timeless durability, modern Kias and Hyundais appear to be designed to excel through their warranty periods, only to face expensive and potentially catastrophic failures immediately after. Kia The Problem with Turbocharged HybridsHistorically, both Hyundai and Kia have suffered severe setbacks, most notably the $5 billion Theta II engine recall nightmare. The recall centered around an engine that was plagued by manufacturing debris, oil starvation, and seized bearings. While Hyundai and Kia have pivoted to newer powertrains, their current engineering choices present deep long-term longevity concerns. Take their modern 1.6-liter turbocharged, direct-injection hybrid powertrain. Combining turbocharging with a hybrid system is a well-known engineering risk. Hyundai and Kia hybrids are designed to aggressively shut off the gas engine to coast in EV mode, a choice made to drive up MPG figures, showing tangible use of the hybrid powertrains. However, repeatedly cutting power to a hot, spinning turbocharger starves the component of cooling oil and subjects it to extreme thermal cycling. Over 100,000 miles, this rapid on-and-off behavior is a recipe for premature mechanical fatigue. Critical Failure Points by DesignHybrid turbocharging decision aside, these vehicles rely exclusively on direct injection rather than dual port-and-direct injection. Without port injectors washing fuel over the intake valves, severe carbon buildup becomes inevitable over time, strangling engine performance. Toyotachooses port injection for the Corolla hybrid, and it seems like the smarter engineering choice. The structural vulnerabilities extend to the undercarriage and accessories. The hybrid starter generator (HSG) is belt-driven and subjected to immense mechanical loads to crank the engine over. If this vital drive belt snaps out of warranty, the car immediately depletes its battery and shuts down completely. Below the vehicle, essential coolant lines lack structural shielding and rely on fragile plastic quick-disconnects exposed directly to road debris. This used to be acceptable when Hyundais were sold new for about $20,000 a long time ago, but now that a fully kitted new Kia Sportage Hybrid sells for over $40,000 MSRP, this sort of visible cost-cutting is difficult to justify. Kia Built for the First OwnerUltimately, Kia and Hyundai build vehicles packed with impressive out-of-the-box tech, refined drive dynamics, and accessible price points that make them appealing to initial buyers. But with unshielded underbody wiring harnesses, thermal mismanagement risks, and complex, high-stress powertrain combinations, these vehicles are optimized to survive the 100,000-mile finish line—leaving secondary owners to inherit the inevitable. View the full article

The first-ever all-electric take on the brilliant BMW M3 sports sedan is only due to arrive next year, but BMW has already been building anticipation by sharing tidbits on what to expect. BMW M boss Frank van Meel recently shared a post on Instagram showing that the electric M3 (which we'll call iM3 but has not been confirmed to carry that name) will share one design detail with the BMW M Hybrid V8 Le Mans endurance racer: yellow daytime running lights. Clearly, BMW is implying that the know-how gained in developing the racecar's electrification systems will benefit the iM3, and it's not the only way the high-performance EV has been linked with motorsport. BMW M3 EV Will Be As Racy As the Gas One franciscusvanmeel/Instagram The caption on the above image on Instagram says that yellow lights are part of BMW's racing DNA, and the company wants to "bring them to the streets." The yellow LEDs have previously been a signature of BMW's high-performance CS models, but it appears that they may be included on regular M cars going forward. It should also be noted that, while the electric M3 will appear first, just as the i3 sedan has already been launched and the gas 3 Series has not, the post does not specifically indicate that this is a teaser for the iM3, leading some to wonder if BMW is also hinting at V8 power for the next gas M3. Related: BMW Built A Manual Rear-Drive M3 CS Just For North America This seems unlikely, but it's not impossible, especially since BMW is now employing pre-chamber ignition, a technology that originated in motorsport and helps produce a cleaner burn, with improvements in both power and efficiency. Still, we think this is all about the iM3, as BMW M also let a camouflaged M3 EV lead a pack of all six M3 generations onto the Nürburgring last weekend (clip embedded below), and this had yellow DRLs too. Spare a thought for all the poor CS buyers who thought the yellow lighting would remain exclusive to special editions. What We Know About the First Electric M3 The M3 EV has also been spotted testing at the Nürburgring, and it looks quick doing it. The electric sports sedan is expected to produce between 800 and 900 horsepower from its quad-motor powertrain, though its architecture is capable of up to 1,341 hp, and although this is far more grunt than the next gas M3 is expected to deliver from its mild-hybrid powertrain, BMW will sell both combustion and electric variants at roughly the same price. The EV will also feature simulated gearshifts like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N to increase engagement, and when BMW M first began alluding to a high-performance EV, it shared a clip showing its M Quad-Motor Prototype burning rubber as it performed incredibly tight donuts, so expect torque vectoring and a drift mode to help make the experience as fun as possible. More information should be available before long, as these teasers mean BMW is making significant progress. View the full article

For this issue’s column, I decided to do another chat with a driver and get their favorite fan interaction. Elaine Larsen along with her husband, Chris, founded Larsen Motorsports in 2006. Larsen Motorsports (LMS) has grown to become one of the most sought exhibition teams. Winning two world championships with the IHRA Nitro Jam series, LMS owns six elite jet racing teams that are crowd favorites, including the two-time world championship car driven by Elaine. Editor’s Note: This column originally appeared in DI #199, the Interview Issue, in March/April 2026. Headquartered in Palm Bay, Florida, LMS campaigns the Florida Tech and House of Kolor jet dragsters at over two dozen events per year. LMS prides themselves in safety and innovation and is on the cutting edge of new technology. The group also works hand-in-hand with the Aerospace Technology Group helping provide the next generation with valuable hands-on skills needed to provide them with the experience, dedication, and determination to gain access to their dream jobs. Elaine told me this story, which is exactly what we highlight in this column. “I was in Gainesville in 2017 at an NHRA event and Tony Schumacher told me he had someone he wanted me to meet,” Elaine begins. “Tony himself was a former driver of a jet car and we are good friends. He proceeded to introduce me to Josette Roach, who wanted to know how to have a career in drag racing. “We talked for a while and I told her to come to our shop. It took her two times scheduling and canceling, but she showed up. Josette was in school and headed to a career being a doctor, a profession that she thought would pay her well enough to be able to race. When she walked through the doors of our shop, she found a new place to call home and the career she wanted. “The first time Josette got behind the wheel, she definitely needed some time to realize she was going to fulfill her dream, and she tried so hard to do everything perfectly that she had a hard time, but eventually she got out of her head and everything came together. She has been with LMS since 2017, and I consider her my right hand. “We do a lot of driver development for future drivers and we host students from Florida Tech. We have hosted over 100,000 students and it’s her turn to train the next LMS jet car driver. We recently picked an 18-year-old girl named Sarah. Josette has the task of training her and teaching her all she needs to know. “I never could have known in 2017 when Tony brought Josette to meet me what an asset to my company and life she would become,” Elaine concludes. To learn more about Elaine, Josette, and LMS, go to LMSJets.com. We are always looking for fans who want to become more because we understand how important the fans are to our sport. This story was originally published on May 21, 2026. The post Fan View: How Josette Roach Joined Larsen Motorsports to Pursue Jet Car Dreams first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

The 'World Center of Racing' is getting a major update in the form of Musco’s modern LED lighting system, the same system utilized by venues like Yas Marina Circuit, which hosts the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Musco also installed the original system at Daytona International Speedway in 1998. Working with Musco, the 2.5-mile superspeedway in Daytona Beach, FL, will install LED lighting ...Keep readingView the full article

Another Day Another RecallDespite the inherently negative nature of a service advisory or recall, the severity depends on the specific issue at hand. Some recalls address major issues, such as powertrain problems, malfunctioning features, or safety-related faults. Other recalls simply tackle the very simplest and, in some cases, strange mistakes. GM's latest Customer Satisfaction Program (a gentle name for recall) is for the Cadillac Optiq, and the reason is perplexing. Cadillac The Wrong SwitchGM Authority wrote a report highlighting program N262552010, issued in May 2026. This program states that units of the Cadillac Optiq built for the 2026 model year have an issue with the driver-side power seat switch. Specifically, the bulletin states that some units of the Optiq have been built with a power seat switch that doesn't match the proper specifications. GM has instructed its Cadillac dealerships to inspect the seats on possibly impacted Optiq units and replace them with the correct spec if necessary. According to the report, an inspection might even determine that no repair or replacement is necessary. GM has not disclosed the number of Optiqs affected by the bulletin, but GM Authority says it expects only a small number of cars to be affected. Kyle Edward Other GM BulletinsAs is often the case with GM service bulletins, dealerships must first confirm that the car is still under warranty through their own proprietary global warranty management system. Once clear, the necessary replacement can be done. GM also says that this program will be available until June 30, 2028. The automaker is also telling customers that the supply of the correct part might be "constrained" for now. Customers can also expect a quick resolution to the problem, with the inspection and replacement taking less than an hour. Interestingly, this isn't the first service bulletin for the Optiq. Some models needed their brake system control module software updated due to an issue affecting braking performance at low speeds. A certain AC Delco brake fluid was also found to produce sediment and affect braking performance under certain conditions. Kyle Edward View the full article

Some of the biggest automakers in the U.S. are Japanese, led by Toyota and Honda. But on the other side, there’s Mitsubishi, with sales volumes that are only a fraction of those brands. Last year, Mitsubishi sales declined by 13.7%, and the brand closed a high number of dealerships in the country over the last few years. Many remaining dealers have expressed frustration with the automaker’s dated, uncompetitive lineup, as well as the its heavy reliance on fleet sales. Here’s a closer look at what’s happening behind the scenes as remaining dealers battle to keep Mitsubishi alive. A Dramatic Decline in Dealerships Mitsubishi According to Automotive News, Mitsubishi started 2026 with 56 fewer dealerships than it had early in 2019. No other mainstream brand besides Ford and Chevrolet (far larger brands overall) have seen their dealer network diminish at this rate. In the last 18 months alone, 35 franchises have been terminated by Mitsubishi, according to CEO Mark Chaffin. However, the company added 12 new dealerships over the last year, with the new stores expected to be more lucrative. “We’re focused on quality over quantity as we evolve our franchise,” said Chaffin. “It’s all about the right stores run by new-car-focused operators in the right areas.” Currently, Mitsubishi has 297 dealerships, but they only average 15 new-car sales monthly, which Chaffin believes isn’t good enough. Mitsubishi Dealers Aren’t Happy Mitsubishi Motors North America Mitsubishi dealers are unhappy with the automaker on several fronts. These include a heavy reliance on fleet sales, challenging factory demands, and few incentives for a generally older range of models. Mitsubishi’s only three models are the Outlander, Outlander Sport, and Eclipse Cross. The Outlander Sport is based on a platform that’s been around for 15 years, while the Eclipse Cross first went into production in 2017. Go back to around 2010, and Mitsubishi still sold sedans and even the Raider pickup. “It’s harder to compete with this lineup,“ Mitsubishi National Advisory Board Chairman R.C. Hill said. ”Dealer enthusiasm for the brand is fading." Mitsubishi Motors North America One dealer in the Midwest recently closed a store there, saying he had “lost confidence” in the brand’s lineup and was “fed up” after several years of losing money. Dealers are further incensed by the fact that many lower-trim models are being directly allocated to rental companies. In the first quarter of this year, almost 60% of Mitsubishi models sold went to fleet buyers. A compact electric crossover planned for September and a more rugged Outlander due to arrive in the first half of 2027 are part of Mitsubishi’s plans to revitalize its lineup, but retailers aren’t confident these models will arrive on time. “We keep being promised all this new stuff and how it’s gonna get better,” one of the retailers said. “Eventually Mitsubishi may get there with the new product, but it’s going to have to commit more to the U.S. if it wants to do well here.” What It Means Mitsubishi There’s only so much an automaker can do with a small, mostly dated lineup of vehicles. Until Mitsubishi introduces a few new models, its growth is expected to be limited and dealer frustrations will mount. Besides the need for more competitive crossovers, today’s Mitsubishi is a far cry from the enthusiast-pleasing brand it was in the 1990s and 2000s, when models like the Galant VR-4, 3000GT, and Lancer Evolution elevated its image. Such vehicles may not sell in large volumes, but they can be essential in attracting a new generation of customers to the brand in other segments. View the full article

A 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X Quail Silver Limited Edition convertible crossed the block at Mecum Indy 2026 and sold for $605,000. Its starting price at launch was $241,395, meaning the buyer paid nearly 2.5 times what the dealer originally paid for it. For that price, the buyer gets 1 of 60 cars made, this one with just six miles on the clock. With just an estimated 100 scheduled for production, getting a ZR1X through the normal process required being the right kind of customer at the right dealership at the right moment. That scarcity is exactly what’s sent used prices into the stratosphere. Mecum Rules, Restrictions, and Why None of It MatteredChevrolet has been fighting the scalper problem for years. GM requires ZR1X buyers to sign a retention agreement promising not to sell within the first year of ownership. Violators forfeit the car's factory warranty and become ineligible to order future high-demand Chevy models. The second owner also loses warranty coverage if the car is resold within that window. For the ZR1X specifically, that means bumper-to-bumper, powertrain, sheet metal, tire, accessory, and electric propulsion coverage are all voided, with the only exception being the EV battery warranty. The Mecum buyer knew all of this and raised the bar anyway. Mecum What $605,000 Actually BuysThe ZR1X is quite extraordinary. It combines 1,064 horsepower from the LT7 engine with an additional 186 horsepower from the electric front drive unit, reaching a combined 1,250 horsepower. On a prepped drag strip, it hit 60 mph in 1.68 seconds and covered the quarter-mile in 8.675 seconds at 159 mph. At the Nürburgring, it set a lap time of 6:49.275, making it the fastest American car to ever turn a lap there, till the Mustang GTD beat it, at least. That time made it the fourth-quickest unmodified production car to lap the Ring overall. Mecum View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article The Quail Silver edition added a layer of ceremony to all that performance. It wears Blade Silver Matte paint, making it the first factory matte-finish Corvette in roughly 60 years, along with a full Carbon Fiber Aero Package including a rear wing, dive planes, and hood spoiler, plus carbon fiber wheels. For $605,000, you could have bought a Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato and a Porsche 911 GT3 RS and still have money left for track days. Whether this ZR1X buyer got a bargain depends entirely on how desirable these things remain five years from now. That part remains to be seen, of course. View the full article

This week, BMW announced arguably its coolest G-series car yet: a 2027 BMW M3 CS with a manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. But why is it only being offered in the U.S. and Canada? What makes us worthy of such a focused means of experiencing the manual transmission when the rest of the world missed out? Jay Hanson, a spokesperson with BMW's Product and Technology department, explained to BMWBlog that the U.S. is arguably the M division's most important market, and what an automaker's most important market wants, it gets: "The U.S. is the largest market for BMW M, and our fans there, more than anywhere else, have made it very clear to us that they still want these special, high-performance cars with manual transmissions. They asked for it, and we delivered - the M3 CS Handschalter was created for them." America Has Always Been a Fan of BMW M's Manual Transmission BMW While so-called daily drivers are almost always equipped with an automatic transmission for the majority of U.S. drivers, Americans tend to feel differently about performance cars, and the M3 CS Handschalter is only the latest manual Bimmer we get to keep to ourselves. The E60 BMW M5 was sold worldwide exclusively with the SMG transmission, a single-clutch automated manual, but in the U.S., a true six-speed manual was demanded, and BMW obliged by making it a no-cost option. The take rate for the stick shift was only said to have been around 14 percent, or 1,366 cars, but these were the days when 'paddle-shift' technology was a relatively new concept that, despite its clumsiness and ineptitude relative to modern DCTs and automatics, allowed a buyer to role-play as a Formula One driver, and every manufacturer that had a similar system boasted how it felt like being in a supercar. It was next-gen tech, and it's understandable why so many wanted to try it, especially when some manuals in high-performance cars had stiff clutch pedals. Related: BMW Alpina Starts Its New Era With A Big V8 Sedan Still, the fact that BMW was willing to go to the effort of providing a manual just for those few Americans who might not otherwise have bought an M5 showed that the brand understood the hardcore enthusiasts who make up an important portion of its buyer population, and they're the ones who talk most passionately about how fun-to-drive their M car is. Today, being able to drive a manual car properly is arguably the same kind of flex as having the means to own a paddle-shift car used to be. And flexing comes at a premium. Or does it? The Cynic's View of the $108,450 M3 CS Is Flawed BMW It's understandable if you have to question why this pricy special variant of the G80 M3 has only appeared now. The E60 M5 was offered from 2004 to 2010, and already in late 2006, around the middle of its time with us, BMW announced the option of a manual for the U.S. Meanwhile, the G80 M3 has been around since 2020, and only as a farewell to this generation is the three-pedal M3 CS arriving. Introducing this choice at the end of the G80's life cycle, for a single year, effectively limits availability. That's great for resale values, but if it had come sooner and been sold in greater volume, the CS badge might be less closely associated with the phrase "collector status," perhaps even avoiding most of the inevitable markups. Yes, this is the last non-hybrid M3, and it may well spell the end for the manual M3, too, which would make it the only M3 CS ever offered with three pedals. It's also the lightest G80 in this form, but it shouldn't be treated as something to preserve for posterity. Its performance should be plundered. It should be something to indulge in on a quiet canyon road, or during an untimed track day, not parked as an appreciating asset for all time. On the other hand, much of the essence of the manual M3 CS can be had with the base M3, too, and BMW's contemporary commitment to the stick isn't only extended to those paying six figures, though it could easily have made it so for 2027. If you want a manual M3, you can have one for $80,650. A 'normal' M3 won't be quite as light as a CS Handschalter, but you still get to row your own gears through 473 horsepower of rear-wheel-drive fun - and save nearly 30 grand in the process. The point is this: it's easy to be cynical about special editions, but while AMG and Audi Sport have long deserted enthusiasts of the manual transmission, BMW M has celebrated them as best it can for as long as it can, and whatever happens with the next M3, manual or not, giving Americans the choice of three pedals for this long, in base or CS form, is worthy of respect. BMW View the full article

MotoGP's Tech3 Racing team has, after deep deliberation, once again picked KTM power as its engine supplier. If it hadn't, however, it could've meant the end of KTM in MotoGP. View the full article

Toyota’s V6 Recall Keeps GrowingThe saga with Toyota’s non-hybrid 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 continues. In the latest round, the Japanese marque has confirmed that another 44,000 model-year 2024 Toyota Tundra trucks in the US have been added to the recall list. That brings the total number of vehicles recalled for the V35A-FTS engine family to nearly 270,000 since 2024. This engine isn’t just powering the Tundra – it’s also used in several Toyota and Lexus trucks and SUVs, like the Lexus LX and GX. According to Toyota, the culprit is machining debris left inside the engine during production. That debris can damage the #1 main bearing, which might lead to knocking, rough running, hard starts, or even total engine failure. In some cases, drivers could suddenly lose power while on the move. However, this latest recall pops out because these engines were supposed to be safe from the issue, built with extra cleaning steps after the earlier recalls. However, Toyota admits that, even with those added measures, debris can still slip through and damage the bearings. Hybrid versions, for now, remain unaffected. Lubrication-Related Issues Could Also ContributeWhile Toyota continues to blame debris contamination, independent engine teardowns are starting to raise more questions about the V6’s long-term reliability. In a failed 2023 Tundra V6 engine – one with only 38,000 miles on the clock – the lower end looked far from ideal. Metal flakes were found in the oil pan, while several main bearings showed severe wear and heat damage. Some rod bearings also appeared heavily worn for the mileage. The damage seemed concentrated around the bearings rather than spread randomly throughout the engine. Looking at these findings, it’s easy to wonder if oil pressure inconsistencies, bearing tolerances, or other lubrication issues might also be at play. Toyota hasn’t pointed to any alternative causes, but says newer engines now use an improved #1 main bearing that should handle contamination better. What Happened Since 2024Toyota first recalled about 102,000 Tundra and Lexus LX models in May 2024, later announcing that many would receive full engine replacements. By November 2025, another 127,000 vehicles joined the list, including more Tundras, Lexus LXs, and the Lexus GX. Toyota says over 77,000 repairs from the original recall have already been completed. Even so, reports of failures outside that initial group kept popping up, which eventually led to this latest expansion. As for the newest recall, Toyota says fixes are still being worked out. Owners will be contacted in phases as soon as repairs are ready. I Do Cars/YouTube View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

The Isle of Man TT is undoubtedly one of the coolest races on the planet, but if you're attending in person, keep your wits about you.View the full article

India's Ultraviolette and Bolt.Earth are rapidly expanding a dedicated DC fast charging network for electric two-wheelers. View the full article

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released new crash-safety scores for 16 models this month, and only two of them managed to achieve a safety award. This comes as the authority’s safety tests are made progressively more challenging. One notable vehicle that missed out on a safety award is the Toyota Land Cruiser, a model more closely associated with durability and toughness than most others. While not as large as the previous Land Cruiser, the new one’s more modern design was expected to attain perfect safety scores, so where did it fall short? Toyota Land Cruiser Safety ScoresFirst, we’ll start with the good news. The 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser excelled in the small overlap front and side crash tests, where it achieved the highest possible ‘Good’ ratings. The former test represents a crash whereby the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or object, while the side test represents a T-bone crash. The Toyota held up well in both tests, with no elevated risk of injury for the driver or passenger. The moderate overlap front test was another story, though. In this test, an offset crash is represented between two vehicles traveling at just under 40 mph in opposite directions. In 2022, the IIHS updated this test to evaluate rear-seat protection, too, and this is where the Land Cruiser struggled. It achieved only a ‘Marginal’ overall score for this test. While the structure and safety cage remained intact, there was a raised injury risk for the driver’s legs and feet, along with an increased risk for head/neck and chest injuries for those at the back. The rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics were only rated as Marginal. In the test, the rear passenger dummy’s head approached the front seatback and the lap belt moved from the ideal position on the pelvis to the abdomen. This result prevented the Land Cruiser from attaining a safety award, as a Good rating is required in all three crashworthiness tests. Related: Toyota Corolla Misses IIHS Top Safety Pick Over One Rear-Seat Weakness A Possible Weak Spot For Toyota? Toyota We took a look at ratings in the moderate overlap front test for other Toyota/Lexus models and noticed a bit of a trend: The Land Cruiser wasn't the only Toyota to struggle in this test. The Highlander, Sienna, and 4Runner were also rated as Marginal; the 4Runner shares its platform with the Land Cruiser. An Acceptable rating was given to the Corolla Cross, bZ, and bZ Woodland, while another SUV from the Toyota family, the Lexus RX, was rated as Poor. One Toyota SUV did well, though, and that was the Grand Highlander. Toyota isn’t the only automaker to struggle with the tougher moderate overlap front test; the popular Honda CR-V also got a Poor rating. However, in the midsize SUV segment, the Land Cruiser is one of the few vehicles to be marked down. While the Land Cruiser remains a safe vehicle overall, this gap in its level of safety protection is something for Toyota to pay attention to in a forthcoming update, as it’ll bring the vehicle up to the level of similar models like the Jeep Wrangler and Honda Passport. View the full article

Royal Enfield says Himalayan 450 sales outside India surged 53%. Clearly, this says a lot about what riders are looking for. View the full article

A handful of years ago, Aston Martin teamed up with motorcycle manufacturer Brough Superior and debuted the AMB 001. It was highly limited, and extremely expensive, and now one just came up for auction and it didn't go the way the seller would've likely hoped. View the full article

Opposition from major stakeholders including Honda, which is the biggest seller of motorbikes in Vietnam, may have played a role. View the full article

Few motorcycles capture the spirit of old-school motorcycling quite like the Ducati Scrambler Café Racer. In a world increasingly dominated by high-tech superbikes loaded with electronics, aerodynamic wings, and touchscreen dashboards, Ducati’s retro-inspired middleweight stands out for an entirely different reason: personality. In a recent video on YouTube, The Obsidian Collection took a closer look at the black-and-gold Scrambler Café Racer, highlighting why this machine might quietly be one of the coolest modern motorcycles Ducati has ever produced. With its […] The post Ducati Scrambler Café Racer: The Retro Ducati Everyone Overlooks appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers. View the full article

It’s Drag and Drive season and that means more and more folks are taking their hot rods and race cars out for racing and road trips and we love them for it. Back to the Streets is one of the more unique Drag and Drive events in that it is a No Prep event with a slightly different points and racing format throughout the week. We’ll let you watch the video to learn all you need about the event and hope you enjoy the coverage all week long. Check it out below! CLICK HERE TO WATCH ALL THE NO PREP DRAG AND DRIVE ACTION! The post FREE No Prep Drag And Drive LIVESTREAM: Back To The Streets 2026 Is Hitting Wabash, Wagler, Brown County And Bunker Hill Dragways This Week! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

(Photos by David Whealon) – It was a cool, fast, and adventurous weekend for the stars of the NHRA Mission Drag Racing Series at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway in Charlotte, North Carolina. Lucky for us, we have great photos from our dude David Whealon who was on hand shooting all kinds of race cars, from nitro burners to door cars and everything in between. He was on hand for the first running of the Outlaw Street class as well, so we’ve got those photos for you to check out too! David Whealon shot these images and there are some stunners in here. From the four wide launches to the tight shots of funny cars and dragsters rocketing off into the night, if you dig drag racing, you’ll dig these photos. We’ll have even more galleries coming over the next few days, so stay tuned in to see more! The post NHRA Four-Wide Nationals Action Photos From Zmax In Charlotte: Our Nitro Burning Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car 4-Wide Drag Racing Photos Continue! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Brian Bednar's Oldsmobile Cutlass has transformed from family car to race car. Now the Olds is powered by a supercharged Gen III HEMI.View the full article

Whether you love their 4 cylinder power, or not, it’s hard to argue with the handling prowess of the venerable Mazda Miata. The MX5, as it is known everywhere else in the world, is light, nimble, and arguably the most popular weekend track and autocross machine out there. With great handling, moderate power, and a price point that made them easily attainable, the Mazda Miata has single handedly given more people their first racing experience than maybe any other car ever. They are kind of a big deal. It’s no wonder they have lots of aftermarket support, but when looking at the NC Miata the folks at Ridetech thought they could do something better. And boy have they. This is a really cool system that not only improves handling, and looks, but does so without sacrificing suspension travel which is a common issue on these machines. So if you can get improved handling, and maintain a decent ride quality, while also making this thing lower and cooler looking, it sounds like a win win to us. Check out the video below to learn more. Video Description: Coil-over Product Page: https://ridetech.com/product/hq-serie… NC Miata Sway Bars: https://ridetech.com/product-category… Ridetech is pleased to announce the expansion of their popular HQ coil-over lineup to include the 2006-2015 (NC) Mazda Miata. Ridetech continues to add to their already impressive line-up of performance suspension systems for late model performance cars and trucks. The majority of those have stayed within the traditional brand focus and include popular domestic marks such as the Camaro, Mustang, and Challenger/Charger. And while each are great driver’s cars, 400+ horsepower and 8 cylinders on tap is certainly not a prerequisite for enjoying a spirited drive on a favorite backcountry road, or a weekend autocross or track day. Check out the video for the full overview! The post Featured Product: Mazda Miata Coil Overs From Ridetech! One Of The Best Track Day Cars Ever Gets Some New Goodies From Ridetech! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

A late-season winter storm is hammering the Absaroka and Beartooth Mountains today, Thursday May 21, 2026, with enough snow to threaten the scheduled Memorial Day weekend opening of the US-212 Beartooth Highway. NWS Billings has an active Winter Storm Warning through 6 PM MDT for the high country straddling south-central Montana and northwest Wyoming. Peak Driving Danger WindowThe worst window runs through Thursday afternoon and into the early evening refreeze, with 8 to 15 inches of fresh snow and 30 mph north winds piling drifts onto US-212 between Cooke City and the Wyoming line, and onto the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (WY-296) climb toward Dead Indian Pass. What to ExpectSnow totals: 8 to 15 inches on north-facing slopes above 6,500 feet, roughly 10 inches at pass-level elevationsWind gusts: North winds to 30 mph, tapering through the eveningWorst corridors: US-212 over Beartooth Pass, the Cooke City southern access via WY-296, and Yellowstone's Northeast Entrance approachTiming: Through 6 PM MDT todayThe Weather Prediction Center had this corridor flagged at 40 to 50 percent probability for 4-plus inches days before NWS Billings upgraded to operational warning language. A cold upper-level trough is wringing moisture against the highest peaks of the Absaroka and Beartooth ranges, hence heavy mountain accumulation with modest valley impacts. Road ConditionsThe Beartooth Highway is still under seasonal closure. MDT and WYDOT plow crews have worked through 15-foot drifts since mid-April to ready the 64-mile corridor, and the Friday, May 22 scheduled opening is now in doubt. NWS Billings stated directly that several inches of snow are expected over Beartooth Pass, which may impact the opening of the highway. Cooke City is the bellwether. East access via the Beartooth is closed; the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (WY-296) remains open but exposed to the same wind and snow. The only year-round route in is from the west through Yellowstone's Northeast Entrance. Check Montana 511 and the WYDOT road map before committing. Winter Driving TipsThree numbers matter more than vehicle type for spring mountain snow: Tread depth: At least 4/32 inch before climbing a pass at altitudeTire pressure: Cold air drops PSI 1 to 2 pounds per 10-degree temperature drop; check cold, adjust to door-jamb specStopping distance: Triple your following distance on snow; AWD helps you go, not stopLook for the 3PMSF mountain-snowflake symbol on the sidewall, the only winter-specific certification the industry recognizes. M+S markings alone do not qualify. Autoblog's guide to best practices for driving in snow, ice, and rain covers technique, and our roundup of the best cars and SUVs for snow and winter driving covers hardware. At 10,947 feet on Beartooth Pass, a stuck vehicle is an exposure problem, not an inconvenience. Yellowstone NPS road status has the live picture for the Cooke City corridor. TimingThe Winter Storm Warning runs through 6 PM MDT this evening, Thursday May 21, 2026. Snow tapers as the trough exits east, winds easing overnight. The forward-looking question is whether plow crews clear the new accumulation in time for the Friday, May 22 opening. A similar 2024 storm delayed the Beartooth opening by several days. We'll update this article as conditions evolve. View the full article

Spring might be in full swing across most of the country, but road crews in Wyoming and Montana are facing a brutal reality check. The annual battle to reopen the scenic Beartooth Highway is officially underway, and the Montana Department of Transportation is currently using heavy machinery to carve through massive 15-foot snowdrifts. Photo by Maleo Photography on Getty Images The High-Alpine ChallengeConnecting southwest Montana to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park, U.S. Highway 212 is one of the highest paved roads in North America, peaking at a staggering 10,947 feet. Because of this extreme alpine elevation, the 64-mile stretch closes every winter under dozens of feet of snow. Rebuilding the InfrastructureHowever, do not expect an early trip. Plowing is only half the battle. Once the pavement is clear, crews must complete essential safety repairs, fix damaged asphalt, and reinstall protective guardrails that are purposefully dismantled every autumn to prevent destruction from winter snow chutes. The official target opening date is locked in for May 22, just in time for the busy Memorial Day holiday weekend. Drivers planning an early-season road trip should prepare for intense mountain conditions. Up at 10,000 feet, the weather changes instantly. Mountain officials run a pickup truck with a snowplow across the pass every single morning to clear rockslides and sudden snow accumulation, meaning travelers should always pack extra warm clothes, food, and water before making the climb. Late-Season Storm ComplicationsThe hard-set opening date of May 22 is now facing a major, last-minute challenge from mother nature. The National Weather Service in Billings has officially issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Absaroka and Beartooth Mountains, stretching through 6:00 p.m. MDT today. A late-season system is bringing heavy snow and 30 mph wind gusts to the region, dropping an estimated 8 to 15 inches of fresh accumulation right over the mountain pass. This sudden blast of severe weather puts the highly anticipated Friday morning opening at significant risk. Crews who were previously cruising ahead of schedule to clear the remaining 5 to 15-foot snowdrifts must now pivot to clear a massive layer of fresh snow and ice. Fortunately, the intense system is expected to clear out quickly. The local forecast shows high pressure building right behind the storm, bringing clear skies and a rapid warm-up into the mid-50s by Friday, followed by low 60s for the weekend. While the Montana Department of Transportation and the National Park Service have not officially canceled the May 22 at 8:00 a.m. reopening time, travelers looking to tackle U.S. Highway 212 this holiday weekend need to keep a close eye on local road reports. If the gates do unlock on time, expect winter driving conditions, heavy slush, and potential delays as daily plow trucks clear any lingering rockslides or overnight snow accumulation from the pavement. Take a ride in a snow cat to see the massive scale of this clearing operation first-hand in this Beartooth Highway Snow Clearing Video. This footage captures the immense size of the high-altitude snow drifts that crews must level and push past mountain cliffs before standard passenger vehicles can safely access the pass. View the full article

The Indianapolis 500 will be run for the 110th time this Sunday as the green flag drops for the 2026 edition of this amazing race. Regardless of whether you are a hardcore Indy Car Series fan, or just have casual interest, everyone talks about the Indy 500 over Memorial Day weekend. This one should be fun to watch. We’ve been sharing testing and qualifying coverage, but this video below is something special. This is more than 100 years of history, stories, and amazing moments. Watch below. Video Description: Watch the full documentary from INDYCAR and FOX Sports, tracing more than a century of triumph, heartbreak and sacrifice through the stories of Indianapolis 500 legends, trailblazers and unforgettable moments that shaped the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. The post Indianapolis 500 Movie – The 500: Immortality at Indy. The Greatest Spectacle in Racing. appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article