James May explains why supercars are ‘pointless’ – do you agree? [w/poll]

Filed under: UK, Celebrities

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport 16.4

2010 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery

Here we go again. Dante should have made the question ‘Do Supercars Make any Sense?’ one of his levels of hell near Sisyphus, since so many people love to wail and moan and gnash their teeth on it in circular fashion. James May, a.k.a. Top Gear’s Captain Slow, has taken up the query and come to the conclusion that the speedy little devils are pointless.

He intends to make his point by asking, “what benefit has accrued to Italy, principal arbour of the mechanism of the Renaissance, by their existence?”, and then by comparing the effect that supercars have have on the world to the effects produced by Gore-Tex and penicillin and the radio and the Maxim gun. Mr. May, you have us there – we’d rather our doctor prescribed us antibiotics and not a Ferrari if we had a staph infection. That is, unless we had at least seven days to live, in which case we’d take the Ferrari and trade a ride in it for a prescription.

Most supercars are as useful and as pointless as marshmallows, with little technology actually trickling down to more affordable machinery – at least on a consistent basis. In fact, we’re mildly surprised there’s any debate left in this issue – even in jest. If May wants to talk about pointless things, let’s start with the Salad Shooter or anything else sold by infomercial. We’d live without a Lamborghini Murciélago as soon as we’d live without s’mores, which means that we’d do it but we’d really rather not. Maybe the world hasn’t been changed by supercars, but our world has, and that’s good enough for us. Ergo, when May ends his piece with “Prove me wrong,” we’ll admit we can’t. But we can prove his article pointless.

How about you? Do you see supercars as pointless exercises? Take our poll below and then weigh in with your thoughts in Comments.

Gallery: First Drive: Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

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[Source: Telegraph]

James May explains why supercars are ‘pointless’ – do you agree? [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rally driver James Girvan killed in competition [w/video]

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Videos, Subaru, Off-Road, Racing

Jimmy Girvan

Jimmy Girvan and Mike Ramsay head out for stage one – Click above to watch video after the jump

James “Jimmy” Girvan, former Scottish Rally Champion, has died as a result of a crash at the this past weekend’s Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally in Scotland. According to the BBC News, Girvan’s Subaru Impreza collided with some boulders then was thrown into the surrounding trees. Mike Ramsay, Girvan’s co-driver, had to be cut free from the vehicle but he escaped with a minor arm injury. Jimmy Girvan, 56, was pronounced dead at the scene. After the tragic accident, race organizers shut down the event, which itself serves as a memorial to legendary driver Colin McRae who was killed in a helicopter accident in 2007.

We have video footage of the rally cars heading out from the first stage, including Girvan’s red Subaru Impreza. It was the last stage he finished at the event before his crash in Stage 2. You can watch the video after the jump, with Girvan and Ramsay pulling up to the starting line around the 1:20 mark. Our deepest sympathies go out to Girvan’s family, friends and colleagues. Thanks for the tips, all.

[Sources: BBC News, YouTube]

Continue reading Rally driver James Girvan killed in competition [w/video]

Rally driver James Girvan killed in competition [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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James Winner Jr., inventor of The Club, dead at 81

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Safety, Technology

The ClubJames Winner Jr. made a unique mark on the automotive world. He created a product that took the country by storm and ushered in a new age of aftermarket theft deterrents. And now he’s gone. Mr. Winner lost his life on September 14th, 2010 during a two-car crash in Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

After having his Cadillac stolen a few decades back, Winner realized there had to be a more aggressive way of securing a vehicle than simply relying on the alarm that came with the car. He put his brain to work and came up with The Club and sold millions of units around the world.

Winner, 81 years old, was driving his Lexus when for unknown reasons he crossed the divider into oncoming traffic and hit another car. Mr. Winner, as well as the driver and passenger of the car he hit, were pronounced dead at the scene. Seat belts were reportedly worn by both drivers.

The Club sold well and Winner made some serious scratch, but he didn’t keep it all for himself, becoming a prominent philanthropist in his community and donating large sums of money to hospitals and other worthwhile foundations across the country. Our condolences go out to all the families of those involved. Thanks for the tip, Charlie!

[Source: WKBN | Image: Michael McCauslin/Wikipedia]

James Winner Jr., inventor of The Club, dead at 81 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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