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A 27-year-old motorcyclist in Sandy, Utah, allegedly assaulted his 76-year-old neighbor after the elderly man asked him to stop revving his bike in the middle of the night. Here's what we know thus far.View the full article

No Shortage of Crossovers at MazdaIf you head to your nearest Mazda showroom, you're pretty much greeted by a whole barrage of crossovers. Sure, there's the Mazda 3 and MX-5, but the rest of the lineup consists of hatchbacks and wagons on tall tires. It's what the public keeps buying, and it's what every automaker keeps churning. In Mazda's case, there's the CX-30 as a stepping stone, followed by the all-new CX-5 and the not-as-new CX-50. For those who'd like something more upmarket, one can choose the CX-60, CX-70, and CX-90. Outside of the U.S, there's even the CX-80, an elongated CX-60 with an extra row of seats, and the CX-6e, which is a result of its partnership with Chinese automaker Changan. Earl Lee/Autoblog And Another One?So, Mazda has a crossover for every size, tax bracket, and budget, but it seems that it's not stopping with its current lineup. The company recently filed a trademark for the CX-40, suggesting that it could build a model that slots in between the CX-30 and CX-5/CX-50. It was registered in the U.S Patent and Trademark Office on February 27, 2026. Should Mazda actually build it, it won't be the first time the company has made a crossover model with '4' in its name. From 2016 to 2025, Mazda introduced a model called the CX-4, and to no one's surprise, it slotted between the CX-3 and CX-5. It was exclusive to the Chinese market and adapted a more wagon-like profile with a lower roof. Think of it then as a jacked-up Mazda 3 hatchback in the same vein as the CX-30, but made longer. Mazda But Wait, There's MoreThe thing is, it wasn't just the CX-40 that we saw in the trademark database. Also present was CX-10, and given Mazda's naming convention, this might as well be the name of its smallest crossover should it decide to build it. Curiously, there was also a trademark for CX-20, though it was filed way back in 2020. If you recall, the Mazda Vision X Compact Concept shown at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show has all the potential to be produced. Mazda recently invested heavily in its facility in Thailand to build more compact hybrids, and the car that could be called CX-10 or CX-20 could be made there. As for something we can actually expect soon, the next-generation CX-30 is coming soon. It could be revealed a few years from now. There's no exact timeline just yet, but given the age of the current model, it'll only be a matter of time. Jacob Oliva/Autoblog View the full article

Few modern motorcycles capture the spirit of classic British performance quite like the 2014 Norton Commando 961 Café Racer. Finished in a timeless silver livery accented by black and red pinstriping, the bike delivers understated visual drama. Carbon-fiber components, including the front fender and flyscreen, introduce a contemporary edge while reducing unsprung weight. The solo seat reinforces its purist café racer ethos, prioritising rider engagement over passenger comfort. Underneath, the chassis is built for both composure and feedback. Wire-spoke wheels […] The post Bike of the Day: 2014 Norton Commando 961 Cafe Racer appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers. View the full article

A good knife is worth its weight in gold, as they can help you when things hit the fan. And Tops' Sidekick Diver Knife, one meant for the watery depths, could actually be the best adventure knife, too. View the full article

When BMW unveiled the iX3 electric crossover last year, it claimed an impressive 400-mile range on a full charge. It’s one of the iX3’s headlining figures, easily traveling further with a full battery than rivals like the Porsche Macan Electric and Audi SQ6 e-tron. But BMW has now published an even more impressive range figure for its first Neue Klasse SUV, raising the bar once more before the model arrives in the summer of 2026. Up to 434 Miles of Range BMW China The new range figure is up to 434 miles, which is based on preliminary BMW AG estimations. While the published range of new European EVs are often based on the optimistic WLTP cycle, BMW says the iX3’s 434-mile range is derived from EPA testing procedures. In other words, this is a realistic expectation of how far you can expect to get when the 108-kWh battery is fully juiced up. Here’s a look at how the iX3’s range compares to other similar EVs. EV Maximum Range BMW iX3 434 miles Audi Q6 e-tron 321 miles Porsche Macan Electric 309 miles Cadillac Optiq 317 Miles Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class 444 miles (WLTP cycle) Genesis Electrified GV70 263 miles Nothing in this segment comes close to the iX3’s range. The upcoming Mercedes GLC gets closest, but its claimed figure is based on the WLTP cycle, so the EPA rating will be a lot lower. You have to move up into the full-size segment to get another electric SUV with over 400 miles of range, with those models including Rivian’s R1S and Cadillac’s massive and far more expensive Escalade IQ. Related: BMW iX3 Crowned World Car of the Year, First Since 2006 The iX3 Isn’t All About Range BMW The BMW iX3 is the first of a new generation of BMWs, with a design language and technology that will eventually be mirrored on other models from the brand. We’ve already seen this with the reveal of the i3 and the facelifted 7 Series, both of which adopt the iX3’s Panoramic Vision system. The iX3 will initially arrive in the U.S. in 50 xDrive form, with dual motors producing 463 horsepower. It will have standard all-wheel drive, but a single-motor variant and additional dual-motor models are expected in early 2027. With 800-volt architecture, the brilliant range of this EV is complemented by exceptionally fast charging. The battery can be replenished from 10 to 80% in only 21 minutes, with charging speeds of up to 400 kW. Initial impressions from European reviews suggest the iX3 rides and handles superbly for an electric SUV, and we look forward to testing it ourselves in the months ahead. Related: 5 Coolest Features Of The All-New BMW iX3 Final Thoughts BMW It’s been proven that most people can get by with a 300-mile EV and a home-charging setup. The iX3 far exceeds this expectation with its 434-mile range. If verified by the EPA, it will give the new BMW a significant edge over all its primary rivals. At around $60,000, it also brings a genuinely long-range SUV within reach of more buyers. Together with its forward-thinking styling, completely fresh interior design, and the promise of great driving dynamics, the iX3 could be the electric SUV to beat when it arrives here later in 2026. View the full article

A Fresh Recall for the TaosVolkswagen’s smallest crossover in the U.S. lineup, the Taos, has been hit with another recall. After previously being called back for a software issue that could cause a dashboard blackout, approximately 38,710 units are now being recalled over a fuel-system defect that could pose a safety risk. According to NHTSA recall No. 26V258, affected Taos models may have a fuel tank pressure sensor wiring harness that is too short, creating tension. In a rear-end crash, that tension could dislodge the sensor on top of the fuel tank, potentially allowing fuel to leak in a subsequent rollover. The report noted that “leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.” Volkswagen It All Comes Down to One WireThe safety campaign covers 2025–2026 Taos models, meaning vehicles from the crossover’s mid-cycle update for North America. The refreshed Taos gets updated bodywork for a bolder “baby Atlas” look, along with a revised powertrain. That includes an updated 1.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 174 horsepower, while the previous 7-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission has been replaced by an 8-speed torque-converter automatic. However, more than 38,000 Taos units, representing a 100% estimated defect rate, were manufactured with a fuel tank pressure sensor wiring harness that is too short. The issue was first discovered during a rear crash test on a 2025 model in March 2026. Volkswagen then conducted additional internal testing in accordance with FMVSS No. 301 before issuing the recall on April 15. Fortunately, Volkswagen is not aware of any crashes, injuries, or fires related to the issue. Volkswagen Getting It SortedAs part of the remedy, owners of affected Taos models will be asked to visit a VW dealer to have an 80 mm (3.1-inch) extension installed on the existing wiring harness to reduce tension. The service will be performed free of charge, but because the recalled vehicles are still covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, a reimbursement plan will not be offered. Owners will be notified on or before June 19, 2026, though VINs are scheduled to become searchable starting April 29, 2026. The automaker said newer Taos vehicles are planned to receive a longer wiring harness in production starting in calendar week 20 of 2026, or around mid-May. For reference, the model starts at $26,500, excluding destination fees. Volkswagen View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Last fall we shared video of Cotten installing electric air conditioning in his HEMI powered Monte Carlo, a car that was already polarizing before the A/C install. He liked the electric A/C, and we’ve known several folks who have installed them in their own cars, so we were excited to see how it all worked out on this one. It was okay, but needed some love, and in this video Cotten is going to make some changes for legit cold air, just in time for summer. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ORIGINAL INSTALL OF THE ELECTRIC AIR CONDITIONING Video Description: Welcome back!! On the last episode I installed a $500 Ebay 12 volt electric under dash ac unit. It did okkkkk. Just needed some tweaking. Follow along as we make it better. I’ve also put links to the products I bought to help ! Sit back and lets make this Monte finally cold! The post 12 VOLT ELECTRIC AIR CONDITIONER UPGRADES. Cotten Is Fixing The A/C In His Hemi Monte Carlo! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

The Cobra Jet 2200 isn't you're standard EV. This Mustang reset the electric vehicle drag racing record with a 6.78 at 222 mph.View the full article

I grew up in a stick shift drag racing family, so anything with a clutch pedal is near and dear to my heart. There is something about a stick shift car that just makes it more fun to drive, and even something like my Civic EG Hatch is a good time with a clutch pedal. But unlike an NHRA Pro Stocker, or any other car using a verticle gate shifter, the cars in the video below are all running H Pattern shifters which means there is some skill involved in shifting these things. Most of the folks racing in these classes are flat foot shifting, but using a little bit of clutch pedal. They are not clutchless transmissions. So running 6’s with a clutch assisted, h-pattern shifter, is hauling ass and doing things in the car to make it happen. We love it and I know you will too. Check out all the racing action below! Video Description: We were out at Street Car Bragging Rights at Rockingham Dragway, covering the top stick shift classes from Round 1 all the way to the finals. This event brings together some of the fastest H-pattern cars in the world, and this year didn’t disappoint. We saw heavy hitters like Sean Madden in both his C7 and White Betty C6, Jon Rogers’ VK56-powered 240Z, the Red Demon, and plenty more serious builds all chasing the win. The post Manual Cars Shouldn’t Be THIS FAST! 6-Second Stick Shift Drag Racing At Street Car Takeover In Rockingham. appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

In the increasingly sophisticated world of bespoke motorcycles, few builders consistently balance artistry and engineering precision like Lord Drake Kustoms. Their latest creation—the BMW R Nine T “RR”—is a compelling demonstration of how modern customization is evolving beyond retro homage into what can only be described as functional sculpture. Built upon the already versatile BMW R nineT platform, the “RR” represents a deliberate shift toward what founder Fran Manen terms a “Neoracer” philosophy. This concept blends classic café racer DNA […] The post Lord Drake Kustoms Unveils the BMW R Nine T “RR” appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers. View the full article

Next year will mark the 10th anniversary of the second-generation Tesla Roadster’s reveal in prototype form, and there’s still no sign of a production model yet. The new Tesla Roadster has been delayed at least eight times since its initial unveiling in 2017, with the latest estimates suggesting a production start in 2027 or 2028. Given that time frame, there’s a high chance a surprise Chinese electric supercar equipped with rocket boosters will beat the Roadster—including its optional SpaceX package featuring 10 cold-gas thrusters—to market. We’re talking about the Nebula Next 01 Jet Edition, a bonkers electric four-door supercar project coming from the most unlikely of manufacturers—Chinese robot vacuum maker Dreame Technology (which also makes a bunch of other smart home appliances). The Rocket-Boosted Electric Supercar That Came Out of NowhereUnveiled yesterday at the Dreame Next event San Francisco, the Nebula Next 01 Jet Edition is a rocket-powered electric vehicle featuring a custom-built dual solid-fuel rocket booster system that gives it otherworldly performance—at least on paper. Dreame Technology claims a neck-snapping 0-62 mph time of 0.9 seconds, which is unprecedented for a production vehicle. Not even the world’s quickest EV, the 2,200-hp Ford Mustang Cobra Jet 2200, can come close, as the electric dragster goes from 0 to 60 mph in 1.66 seconds. Dreame says in a press release that the Nebula Next 01 Jet Edition’s rocket booster system responds in 150 milliseconds and generates a peak thrust of 100 kN—the equivalent of 22,480 pounds pushing down due to gravity. No other powertrain or performance specs were disclosed, but Dreame did say the vehicle uses a CTP 4.0 (cell-to-pack) battery integration technology, which removes the traditional crossbeams and longitudinal beams from the battery pack to free up vertical space in the chassis. The company also said the car includes an ultra-high-definition DHX1 LiDAR unit for advanced driving assist features. Vaporware or the Real Deal? Dreame Technology The Jet Edition appears to be based on the Dreame Nebula 1 electric supercar concept that debuted earlier this year at CES. That vehicle allegedly has a total of 1,876 horsepower from four electric motors and is capable of sprinting from 0 to 62 mph in 1.8 seconds. Before dismissing the Nebula as vaporware, Dreame claims it has been working on its first car project for more than a decade, with the Nebula Next 01 Jet Edition pitched as a statement of its engineering. Dreame says that its decision to build vehicles “came only after the company had accumulated sufficient depth in technology, organization, capital, and global capability.” Dreame Technology So, what’s next? Last year, Dreame announced plans to build a factory outside Berlin, Germany, not far from Tesla’s Gigafactory Berlin; it hasn’t provided an update on the status of the plant project since. The company says it aims to start production of the Nebula Next 01 Jet Edition there in 2027, which is an insane timeline until you realize Chinese companies operate at a completely different speed than their western counterparts. The Autopian sent an engineer at the reveal of the Nebula Next 01 Jet Edition concept and he wasn’t very impressed, noting that the two rockets at the rear have no gaps around them and “everything has been blocked by plastic covers.” Plus, the vehicle has no air inlets and outlets, and the grilles are decorative and blocked off. His conclusion was that those aren’t actual rockets, they’re just made to look like the real thing. Of course, there’s also the possibility that the vehicle is just a design buck showcased for illustration purposes only, and a functional prototype exists somewhere. We’ll see if that’s the case if we ever hear about this rocked-powered EV supercar again. Dreame Technology View the full article

The writing has been on the wall for the naturally aspirated engine that makes the Porsche 911 GT3 so exciting for some time now. When the 992.2 facelift appeared, Porsche had to take extreme measures, such as two particulate filters and four catalytic converters, just to maintain the same horsepower output without falling afoul of emissions regulations, and the 4.0-liter boxer lost torque on the way. For the next generation, however, Zuffenhausen's finest may not be able to maintain the pure character of the GT3, with Car and Driver reporting that the engine may have to be turbocharged to meet global emissions regulations, particularly those in Europe. Of course, America does not follow the same stringent standards, but Europe's legislation may impact what we get anyway. Turbocharged GT3 Looks Likely, But So Do Other Options Porsche When C&D spoke with Andreas Preuninger, head of the GT line, the publication asked how much longer the naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine could survive without either forced induction or hybrid assistance. His reply was measured and somber: "In America, I don't know. Quite some time, maybe. In Europe, probably only a few years without any substantial changes." Preuninger was then asked if turbocharging was a possible solution for the GT3, and he replied, "It might be." In other words, Porsche is still trying to decide how best to proceed, and all the options look fairly disappointing for fans of the free-breathing engine. Related: What If Your Porsche’s Racing Stripes Could Appear and Disappear on Demand? The best-case scenario from an enthusiast's point of view would be for Porsche to spend fortunes further developing the current engine so that it can meet European Union requirements, using more lightweight materials and innovative exhaust systems, but that could cause the GT3's list price to soar. A naturally aspirated solution also needs to meet noise limits, and these measures may choke the engine's vocal cords, not to mention further reduce torque. Developing a whole new engine would also be costly. Turbocharging would solve the power problem but rob the car of its soul, and with a turbocharged GT2 usually sitting at the top of the lineup, not to mention the existence of the ridiculously fast 911 Turbo, the GT3 would only struggle to justify its place. Would buyers still be interested? GT3 Hybrid Seems Like the Logical Choice Porsche Electrification adds considerable weight and complexity, but it seems like the right path forward if Porsche can optimize in every department. The T-Hybrid system in the 911 Carrera GTS and now the 911 Turbo could be refined to reduce weight. Perhaps instead of being used for outright performance, Porsche might use an electric motor to push the car along at low speeds and leave it out of the equation during spirited driving, thus keeping the focus on the engine and potentially improving overall combined emissions. Ultimately, it's not financially viable for the U.S. market to get one sort of GT3 without forced induction or electrification and other markets to get what might be perceived as a watered-down version, but with Preuninger saying there are still "a few years" before the car is forced to adapt to EU rules, Porsche may yet find a solution that provides differentiation and satisfaction without too much compromise. View the full article

Eyes on the GridFollowing reports during last month’s Chinese Grand Prix that BYD was considering a move into Formula 1, Nikkei Asia has confirmed the automaker is now in talks with the series. BYD Vice President Stella Li said participating in the sport would be a good opportunity to “put our technology to the test.” That would be an interesting development, given that BYD does not have an extensive motorsports program. But for those who haven’t been following F1 closely, the 2026 engine regulations place greater emphasis on electric motors, particularly the motor-generator unit (MGU-K). It now has a near 50–50 power split with the 1.6-liter turbocharged V6, putting hybrid technology in the spotlight – something BYD already has in its portfolio. BYD Playing to Its StrengthsBYD offers a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle lineup called DM-i, but because the U.S. remains largely closed to China-made cars, these models are still unfamiliar to many. More recognizable, perhaps, is the automaker’s battery electric vehicle lineup, especially after making headlines for challenging Tesla in global BEV sales – and even surpassing it in 2025. Another hurdle is the “enormous cost” of entering F1. This would be even more significant if BYD somehow became the 12th team on the grid alongside McLaren and Mercedes-AMG. However, the report stated that the Chinese automaker does not necessarily need to establish a new team; becoming a power-unit supplier or sponsor is also on the table. Jacob Oliva/Autoblog A Global StageIf BYD successfully makes its way into F1, it would be a major boost for its brand, given that races are held across multiple continents. F1 also has a rich history that helped forge brands like Ferrari, and it is often described as the pinnacle of motorsport. If anything, BYD would need to bring its A-game. So far, though, the automaker has drawn attention after its luxury brand, Yangwang, set the record for the fastest production EV at the Nürburgring with the U9 Xtreme last year. Outside of motorsports, BYD has also been making moves by expanding into different regions and establishing plants in markets such as Europe. It is also a prime candidate to enter Canada after the country opened its doors to at least 49,000 EVs under a lower tariff in the first year of the deal. That was met with backlash from the U.S., which said China-made cars would not be allowed to cross the border. BYD View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

David Johnson and Josh Brookes will carry Aussie interest near the front of the 2026 Monster Energy Supersport TT field, with Brookes set to race one of the most intriguing machines in the class, a Next Generation Suzuki GSX-R750. The post Johnson and Brookes carry Aussie hopes into 2026 Supersport TT shake-up appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Grand Sport X Replaces E-RayChevrolet recently announced the return of the Corvette Grand Sport with a new 6.7-liter V8 engine and a newly-introduced Grand Sport X hybrid version. The Grand Sport X takes the spot in the Corvette lineup formerly held by the E-Ray, with prices starting at $112,195 for the 2027 model (the non-hybrid Grand Sport costs $88,495). Chevrolet View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article That is a hefty sum to spend on a Corvette, especially considering the base Stingray is available for $73,495, but the Grand Sport X is still far off the price of the Z06 ($121,395), the ZR1 ($197,195), and ZR1X ($227,395). It also made us wonder; if you are willing to live with a bit less power and a subjectively less exciting name, how much could you save by purchasing a used E-Ray instead of a new Grand Sport X? Buy A Used E-Ray Bring A Trailer View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article A little over a week ago, we spotted a barely driven 2024 E-Ray go up for sale on Bring a Trailer, listed with only 286 miles on the odometer. The car sold for just $90,024, a discount of more than $34,501 from its original MSRP. That's a bargain, especially considering this particular example was a 3LZ trim equipped with the ZER Performance Package. The bold Accelerate Yellow Metallic color might have made this E-Ray less desirable to some buyers, but if you can live with a 1LZ trim or higher mileage, we found several examples listed for under $90,000. At the lowest, you can find a used E-Ray for as little as $85,000, about $27,000 less than a new Grand Sport X (before destination). Boring Name, Wild Performance Jared Rosenholtz/Autoblog View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article The E-Ray's lack of sales could be attributed to its name, which led many Corvette loyalists to believe it was electric due to the letter "E" at the beginning. By pivoting to the more familiar "Grand Sport" moniker and adding a more neutral letter like "X," Chevy hopes it can attract more buyers to the hybrid Corvette the same way they quickly embraced the ZR1X. Though its name may have deterred buyers, nothing about the E-Ray's performance is lacking. The 6.2-liter LT2 V8 and front electric motor combine to deliver 655 horsepower, good for a 2.5-second zero-to-60 mph run and a quarter-mile time of 10.5 seconds. The Grand Sport X should be quicker with its new 6.7-liter LS6 engine, cranking the total output to 721 hp, but Chevy has not quoted a 0-60 time yet as of this writing. The bigger engine and performance improvements might be worth an additional $27,000 to you, but if it's not, the E-Ray is already a used performance bargain and prices only have further to fall when the Grand Sport X arrives at dealers. View the full article

KTM’s Dakar-derived 450 Rally Replica returns for 2027, with around 35 litres of fuel capacity, limited Australian allocation and a $69,995 Ride Away price. The post Channel Chucky on KTM’s 2027 450 Rally Replica appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X may have lost its crown as the fastest American car at the Nürburgring to the Mustang GTD Competition, but it's far from done proving its abilities on track. In two YouTube clips embedded in this article, we see the 1,250-horsepower ZR1X claim two new lap records at American circuits, first at National Corvette Museum Motorsport Park, where it beat the time posted by the McLaren Senna, and then at Sonoma Raceway. It's not the first time the ZR1X has beaten the McLaren Senna, either, taking the record with a 2:34.2 lap time at Virginia International Raceway in February. ZR1X Shines Even Without Racing Drivers at the WheelEvery time Chevrolet has set a lap record with a ZR1 or ZR1X, it's done so without the help of professional racing drivers, and this time is no different. The time set at NCM Motorsport Park, 2:2.22, was set byDrew Cattell, the vehicle dynamics engineer who piloted the ZR1X around the Nürburgring, showing that even those without professional experience can be fast. The previous record was held by the McLaren Senna, which managed to perform a lap in 2:2.86. Similarly, the Sonoma Raceway lap record was set by a chassis controls engineer, Cody Bulkley, who managed to reach 148 mph heading into turn 1 before making it around the track in just 1:34.17 seconds. The previous record, 1:34.94, was set by a rear-wheel-drive Corvette ZR1, with "only" 1,064 hp. Both lap times are remarkable displays of both power and car control, and it's fitting that vehicle dynamics and chassis controls experts are the ones showing just how agile the ZR1X is, despite being a hybrid and powering all four wheels with more power than a Bugatti Veyron or Lamborghini Revuelto. But the truly remarkable bit about all this is that Chevy has extracted such world-beating straight-line and cornering performance without charging hypercar money. Corvette ZR1X Pricing Makes It a Relative BargainThe ZR1X starts at just $209,700 before options, and when the Revuelto costs over $600,000 and the Mustang GTD over $300,000, its record-breaking ability is even more impressive. This is genuinely hypercar performance for well-optioned Porsche 911 money, and it reminds us of when the R35 Nissan GT-R blew far pricier competition out of the water 17 years ago. The GT-R started at just under $70,000 in December 2009; the Ferrari 458 Italia started around $225,000, and it lost most performance comparisons to the plucky AWD four-seater. Granted, today's ZR1X is nearly twice as pricy as the GT-R when adjusting for inflation, but it's also twice as powerful and can do the standing quarter-mile in under 9 seconds without any modifications. That's surely worth celebrating. View the full article

The first IHRA Triple Crown event is shaping up to be huge. Ron Capps and Maddie Gordon will be at the Maple Grove race. View the full article

Moto News Weekly Wrap April 29, 2026 What’s New: Kyron Bacon impresses at Campionato degli Assoluti d’Italia Jaggar Townley tops 85 cc class at French MX Speedway World Cup SF-1 line-up revealed Sherco announce ISDE rental and assistance packages Lorenzo and Sherco top Carta Rallye 2026 Denno wins 2026 SMX Next — Supercross AMA National […] The post Moto News Weekly | Enduro | Rally | AFT | SX | Speedway appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Pete Harrell isn’t a racer in the current LDR rules debate. He’s the engine builder and tuner watching a class he cares about argue itself into a corner. Three days after Brett Lasala walked away from the Radial Outlaws Racing Series (RORS) over a mid-season rules change, Harrell published a 30-minute video laying out the institutional case for why fairness was never the point. Harrell runs Harrell Engine & Dyno in Mooresville, North Carolina, and the Real Good at Doin’ Stuff!!! YouTube channel. His shop has put tune-ups on Cleetus McFarland’s twin-turbo “Mullet,” Mike Finnegan’s “Blasphemi,” and a long list of high-horsepower drag-and-drive programs that survive the kind of abuse Sick Week and Drag Week throw at them. He also tunes customer cars in Radial Outlaws, which means his read on the rule book isn’t disinterested. Rule changes hit his work, too. The video is titled, “Let’s have a good rant about Snot Rocket rules!! Should racing be ‘fair’???” Spoiler: he doesn’t think it should. “These rules have nothing to do with fairness,” Harrell said. “Nothing. The rules are put in place to establish parity.” That’s the thesis, and the entire 30 minutes is a methodical defense of it. Harrell isn’t arguing that the Limited Drag Radial (LDR) rules committee handled the latest controversy perfectly. He’s arguing that the people most upset about the latest controversy have the wrong frame entirely. LDR was launched in 2016 by Tyler Crossnoe and Jason “Pooch” Rueckert with an economic theory baked into the rule book. These are not cheap cars. Top-tier LDR programs are $300,000-plus operations, some closer to half a million. But the purses are modest by heads-up standards, often around $7,500 to win. That structure is intentional. The founders’ theory was that keeping prize money low would keep the class off the radar of the well-funded teams that typically take over heads-up categories once the purses get attractive. The goal was to keep the class sustainable longer and avoid the boom-and-bust cycle that eats classes alive. Performance was always going to evolve. That’s the nature of heads-up drag racing. Pro Mod was running 4.10’s in the eighth-mile and dipping into the low-6’s in the quarter-mile in the mid-2000’s. Today the same class is in the 3.50’s in the eighth, and the NHRA Pro Mod cars – the only place the class still runs the quarter regularly – are going 5.60’s. LDR running mid-3.80’s and quicker in 2026 isn’t a failure of the class. It’s how every class moves. The drift Harrell is pointing at is different. It’s technological, not chronological. The class was designed to evolve through tuning, chassis work, and the kind of incremental gains that fit a working-man’s budget. It wasn’t designed to evolve through pro-level concessions like lockup transmissions on forced-induction combos. That’s what classes starting with the word “Pro” exist for: Pro 275, Pro Mod, Radial vs. The World. Bringing pro-level tech into LDR is the move that invites pro-level teams, which is the exact outcome Crossnoe and Rueckert wrote the rule book to delay. His starting point is the lockup transmission. Lasala’s “Snot Rocket” Mustang ran a lockup before the recent rule change banned them three races into the season – a change Lasala called “a death sentence for any LDR program trying to run in the 3.80’s” in his exit statement. Harrell’s read on the lockup question is that it never should have been allowed in the class in the first place. “At the genesis of LDR, there were several things that were just deal breakers,” Harrell said. “One of these was big-buck lockup transmissions. They were a no-starter on forced-induction combos from the beginning of the class. That was one of the centerpieces of the class. You want to do this? Go run Pro275, RvW. There’s other classes where you can run that.” In Harrell’s telling, the recent rule change wasn’t a deviation from the class. It was a correction back to it. The technology drifted in. The rule book pushed it back out. And the people calling the change destabilizing are working from a baseline that was already off-spec. The harder argument, and the one where Harrell departs most sharply from the Lasala piece, is about how rule-making is supposed to work. Lasala’s frame, in his exit statement, was that the damage wasn’t the rule itself but the precedent: a sanctioning body changing a fundamental piece of the class mid-season. Harrell agrees the precedent is the problem, but he locates the precedent further upstream. Concessions, in his telling, are the precedent that broke the system. “If you keep handing things out because somebody can’t compete, you’re not making the class fair,” said Harrell. “You’re rebuilding the class around the team that’s struggling. That’s not a rule book. That’s a customer service department.” It’s the bottom-up versus top-down rule-making argument that has been quietly running through every parity conversation in radial racing for half a decade. Harrell is squarely on the top-down side: establish a baseline, write the rule book around it, and let the field find its way to the baseline. Don’t move the baseline because part of the field can’t reach it. He also isn’t blind to the casualties. In one of the more striking moments of the video, Harrell named Rob Goss as a racer he believes has been hit too hard by recent rule changes. “If anybody got hit a little too hard, it’s probably Rob Goss,” Harrell said. “He got crushed with the rule book.” It’s a notable concession in a piece otherwise built around defending LDR’s methodology. It raises the obvious follow-up question, which is what the racer Harrell named would say about all of this if asked directly. Goss has spent the last 24 months absorbing weight penalties without publicly complaining and hasn’t said much on the record about any of it. What Harrell’s video does is fill a hole that has been sitting open since Lasala posted his exit statement. There was a class-voice argument waiting to be made – that LDR’s rule book is doing what rule books are supposed to do, that fairness is the wrong frame, that concessions are the precedent racers should worry about and not the latest single rule. Harrell didn’t go in on “Snot Rocket” or Lasala. He went in on the methodology, and he made the methodology argument out loud on his own channel. Lasala’s piece said the damage was the precedent of a mid-season change. Harrell’s piece says the damage was the methodology that got the class to the point where a mid-season change felt necessary. Two different angles reaching the same diagnosis: the class moved away from itself. This story was originally published on April 28, 2026. The post Pete Harrell on Limited Drag Radial Controversy: “These Rules Have Nothing to Do With Fairness” first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

We’ve got a few weeks until the start of all the official Indy 500 festivities, including official practice sessions, qualifying, etc, but that doesn’t mean that teams aren’t already making laps in early testing. We’ve got live streaming video from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the Indy 500, where INDYCAR Series racers are making laps and testing setups in an effort to get their rides ready for the 2026 edition of the Indy 500. The post FREE LIVESTREAM: 2026 Indianapolis 500 Open Testing Is On! | Day 1 | INDYCAR SERIES appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

The Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Association era – 30-plus years – will officially come to an end this weekend when the club hosts its “Last Blast” during Maryland International Raceway’s 18th annual Door Wars presented by ATI Performance Products, May 1-3. Originally scheduled for last fall, the weather-postponed Last Blast will serve as one final celebration of NEOPMA’s history and impact on regional Pro Modified racing. NEOPMA founder and president John Mazzorana announced his retirement at the end of the 2024 season, capping off 32 years of leadership with the group. Though it originally appeared that Mazzorana’s retirement meant the end of the series, four-time NEOPMA champion Andy Jensen stepped in to carry the group into 2025. But participation in the brief schedule didn’t warrant a 2026 season, and the 2025 season finale at MIR’s Superchargers Showdown was set to be the curtain call. Mother Nature had other ideas: the weekend was rained out and the Last Blast was moved to this weekend’s Door Wars. Jensen and MIR track owner Royce Miller came together to make the race happen, both as entertainment for the fans at MIR and as a tribute to Mazzorana and the volunteer NEOPMA team. Pro Mod teams will compete for $8,000 to win plus several thousand more in round money and bonuses. It’s a bittersweet time for Mazzorana, who grew up in a poor section of Brooklyn, built a successful career in the banking industry, and led NEOPMA through three decades. “First of all, I’m excited about seeing my colleagues, my friends, and my brothers and sisters in the Northeast Outlaw Pro Mods,” said Mazzorana, who will turn 85 on July 4th. “It’s been a privilege for me to work with these people because they’re professional, they’re fun-loving, they’re very nice people in general, and they give from the heart. I told my wife, Faith, whenever I have an issue or a problem and I need help, I never call my banking friends. I call my car friends. We’re more down-to-earth and interdependent on each other. I appreciate that and being part of a program that lasted 30 years. It was my privilege and an honor to work with all these people that have come and gone over the years.” Mazzorana has reflected on the club’s history over the last year or so, finding numerous points of pride. Dozens of drivers have competed in NEOPMA events over the years, from world champions and record holders to weekend warriors looking for a place to compete on a high level close to home. Participants found a competitive environment, but also one that fostered camaraderie and a sense of community. “We’ve had people join, step away, and come back, and I thought that was a wonderful thing,” Mazzorana said. “We’ve had some pretty big names race with us and we’ve had a lot of fun. For a small club, we were actually as fast as some of the national events and series. Dean Marinis in Harry Pappas’ car broke the nitrous world record (a 5.57 in 2019) at one of our races. We held the blower record for years. We were small but powerful, and that was fun. “We were a band of brothers and sisters, in that racing was obviously the main thing that brought us together, but at night we would get together and it would not be uncommon for us to party into the wee hours of the night,” Mazzorana continued. “We went out of our way to make sure that the racers were treated well. We always made sure the tracks were safe. We literally walked away from tracks that refused to prep the track properly. I wouldn’t put my people in harm’s way. Safety should be the first and most important concern.” Mazzorana is always quick to share credit with everyone else that made NEOPMA possible: racers, sponsors, track operators, and of course, the small but dedicated group of officials that, like Mazzorana, donated their time and effort to keep Pro Mod racing alive and well in the Northeast. “It wasn’t just me; it was a collective effort,” Mazzorana said. “We’ve had people who helped out in the club for years, and they became part of the core team of people that helped me manage the club. I’m appreciative that Royce and Andy and all the people who are putting this race on recognize that.” Mazzorana notes that while he would’ve liked to see NEOPMA continue on for years to come, he’s excited about the current state of Pro Mod racing and drag racing as a whole. He attended the Drag Illustrated Winter Series races over the winter and plans to visit more events this season. But for now, he’s looking forward to one “last blast” with his NEOPMA family. “My wishes for everybody for this weekend is that they have a safe race, and going forward, that they have safety, and that they continue to make drag racing a fun experience for them and their families,” Mazzorana said. NEOPMA teams can test on Friday before qualifying starts with sessions at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. A final third qualifying session is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. The club will provide a free pizza luncheon for all teams at 3:30 p.m. Eliminations will start at 6 p.m. and will continue through the evening until a winner is crowned. The winner will walk away with a guaranteed $8,000 plus a “big ass trophy” and a trailer check. Round money is also up for grabs: $3,500 to runner-up, $2,000 for semis, $1,250 for quarterfinals, and $1,000 for first-round exits. Additionally, there’s a $1,000 “Last N2O Car Standing” Bonus by Powermist Fuels and Xtreme Racing Engines, a $500 Low Qualifier Bonus from NY BOOM Truck, a $500 “Fastest 1st Round Loser” Bonus from ATI Performance Products, and a $500 Best Appearing Car Bonus from Nick Rabe and The Wax Shop. Jensen thanked the event’s sponsors for their contributions: Mark Micke at M & M Transmission, ATI Performance Products, Maxima Racing Oil, Brodix Inc., World Products Blocks and Heads, Xtreme Racing Engines, Nick Rabe & The Wax Shop Racing Team, Penske Racing Shocks, Dave Hance and NY BOOM!, PowerMist Fuels, MBE Cylinder Heads & Induction Systems, and Turn 2 RC Radio Systems. Door Wars will also feature Warriors Outlaw, Southern Outlaw Top Sportsman, and the 1320 Fabrication ET Series classes: Super Pro, Pro ET, Sportsman, and Jr. Dragster. For more info, visit https://goracemir.com/schedule/calendar/2026/26-05/26-05-01.htm This story was originally published on April 28, 2026. The post NEOPMA’s ‘Last Blast’ Headlines MIR’s Door Wars This Weekend first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

For some, the Ruhr region of Germany is defined by its industrial grit, a landscape of coal, steel, and smoke. For Dirk Oehlerking, the mastermind behind Kingston Custom, Gelsenkirchen is a sanctuary of craftsmanship. It is a place where the down-to-earth nature of the people matches the honest, mec... View the full article

Spencer Hyde, Funny Car driver of the Head Contractors and Engineers Funny Car, continued to build a rhythm in his sophomore season at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway, qualifying ninth in a stacked 16-car field and gaining valuable data despite an early loss on race day. Hyde delivered a strong 3.981 second pass at 319.67 mph during Friday qualifying to secure his position. He also picked up two bonus points with that pass, since it was the second-quickest run of the qualifying session. “It’s kind of becoming our thing to come out really strong in Q1 and pick up bonus points,” said Hyde. “I don’t hate it. Every point in the battle for the championship matters, and those bonus points add up quickly.”The weekend carried added meaning, as Jim and Janet Russell of The Caine Group stepped in as primary sponsors with a special livery to honor their late son, Caine, whose passion for racing continues to inspire. Hyde, the only full-time Canadian professional racer on the NHRA tour, emphasized his appreciation for the weekend’s meaningful partnership. “Having The Caine Group on board as our main sponsor this weekend meant a lot to all of us,” said Hyde. “Jim and Janet Russell’s son was a very special guy, and we were proud to carry his name on our car. We wish we could’ve gone more rounds for them, but we’ll keep pushing to make them proud the rest of the season.” On race day, Hyde faced a formidable opening-round quad that included No. 1 qualifier and three-time world champion Ron Capps, No. 8 qualifier and recent Gainesville winner Chad Green, and two-time reigning world champion Austin Prock. Hyde’s run was cut short by traction issues, preventing advancement to the next round. Capps went on to win the race. Despite the outcome, the second-year driver and 2025 NHRA Rookie of the Year remains encouraged by the progress his team is making. “We learned a lot this weekend, and that’s what’s important,” said Hyde. “This track can be tricky, especially in the four-wide format, but Jim Head and this entire team gave me a great car. That 3.98 run shows what we’re capable of, and we’re getting closer to putting it all together on race day.” Hyde leaves Charlotte seventh in the NHRA Funny Car points standings and now turns his focus to the next event, the NHRA Southern Nationals, a new addition to the schedule that presents a fresh opportunity for every team in the field. “It’s exciting heading into a brand-new race,” said Hyde. “Nobody has notes, so it really levels the playing field. We’ll take what we learned here, apply it and come out swinging. I’m confident in this team and ready to see what we can do.” Hyde and the Head Contractors and Engineers Funny Car will be back in competition next weekend at the NHRA Southern Nationals on May 1-3 at South Georgia Motorsports Park. There will be two qualifying sessions on Friday, May 1 and two qualifying sessions on Saturday, May 2. For tickets or more information on the NHRA Southern Nationals visit www.nhra.com. The post Spencer Hyde Makes Early Exit in Charlotte first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

BYD Sales Onslaught ContinuesBYD is not slowing down. Fresh off overtaking Tesla as the world’s top EV seller, the Chinese giant has unveiled its latest flagship SUV, the Great Tang. Within just 24 hours of launch, the model secured over 30,000 pre-orders, reinforcing the brand’s accelerating dominance in the global EV race and highlighting strong domestic appetite for high-end electrified SUVs. The Great Tang backs that hype with serious numbers and hardware. The rear-wheel-drive version delivers up to 950 km of CLTC range, positioning it among the longest-range SUVs in its class. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive variant produces 585 kW and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. Fast charging is equally aggressive with a 10C rate and peak current of 1000A. Even better, plug-in hybrid variants expand their reach. The DM-i tech pairs a 1.5T engine with a 300 kW motor for efficiency. The DM-p uses dual motors with 400 kW and hits 62 mph in 4.3 seconds. Chassis tech includes DiSus-A dual-chamber air suspension, rear-wheel steering, and a tight 17-foot turning radius. Cabin technology features lidar-assisted driving, a 3 nm cockpit chip, and a 27-speaker Devialet sound system. BYD View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Demand Could Be Even HigherAccording to CarNewsChina, Early dealer data suggests the initial 30,000-unit figure may only tell part of the story. Some channel checks point to actual orders being significantly higher, with internal estimates hinting the number could approach double that figure. Even if official numbers remain conservative, the launch performance is already exceptional by any metric. A key enabler is BYD’s second-generation Blade Battery. The updated architecture improves charging speed, thermal management, and structural safety. With BYD’s in-house control of batteries, motors, and semiconductors, the company can compress costs while pushing performance forward. This tight integration remains one of its biggest competitive advantages in a crowded EV market. VYD View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article The BYD SurgeBYD’s trajectory now resembles a surge rather than a gradual climb. A global fuel crunch has accelerated the shift to electrification, and BYD is scaling aggressively to meet that demand. The irony is that its biggest bottleneck is no longer market acceptance but production capacity, as factories race to keep up with incoming orders. The competitive landscape is shifting quickly. BYD has already moved past Tesla in EV volume and is increasingly challenging legacy automakers like Ford in total sales. With improving engineering quality and growing international confidence, the brand is closing the gap to traditional leaders. If momentum holds and supply constraints ease, BYD’s push toward the very top of the global auto industry looks less like a possibility and more like an inevitability. Rachen Sageamsak/Xinhua via Getty Images View the full article