Nother CarGuy

Ford Performance revealed the all-new Drift Stick, the first-ever rally-inspired electronic handbrake, developed and designed for the Focus RS with the seal of approval by tire-smoke master Ken Block. The new Drift Stick was created by the same team responsible for the Focus RS’s infamous Drift mode. It’s basically an aluminum lever between the driver’s seat and manual transmission which opens the rear-drive unit’s clutches and applies hydraulic pressure to lock the rear wheels with a simple pull, just like a real rally car. “The passionate engineers at Ford Performance are also enthusiasts,” said Dave Pericak, global director, Ford Performance. “Everyone here is encouraged to think outside the box, so project ‘Wicked Stick’ was born. Our engineers will leverage the learnings from its development for many future products for Ford Performance and, ultimately, take back even more of an innovative spirit when they rejoin our mainstream engineering teams.” For the final sign-off, ...

Lucas di Grassi has walked away as champion of the 2016/2017 Formula E season at the final weekend in Montreal, Canada. Heading into the weekend, the Brazilian had a 10-point deficit to Renault’s Sebastian Buemi but on Saturday, scored pole position and went on to win the race to create an 18 point advantage over the defending champion. On Sunday, di Grassi started the season’s final race alongside his teammate Daniel Abt on the third row while Buemi started in 14th. The Audi drivers eventually finished sixth and seventh respectively, allowing di Grassi to claim his first Formula E championship. Throughout the season, the 2010 Formula One driver claimed two race victories, three pole positions and seven podium finishes in the twelve races. Speaking after the victory, di Grassi said:  “Today is the best day in my career. I’ve believed in Formula E from day one because the world, including motorsport, is changing. Three years ago, we won the first Formula E race in Beiji...

The U.S., Canada and Mexico have submitted a joint bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The three nations confirmed the bid on Monday, per U.S. Soccer. U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati issued a statement in the release: "This is a milestone day for U.S. Soccer and for CONCACAF. We gave careful consideration to the prospect of bidding for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and ultimately feel strongly this is the right thing for our region and for our sport. Along with our partners from the Canadian Soccer Association and the Federacion Mexicana de Futbol, we are confident that we will submit an exemplary bid worthy of bringing the FIFA World Cup back to North America. The United States, Mexico and Canada have individually demonstrated their exceptional abilities to host world-class events. When our nations come together as one, as we will for 2026, there is no question the United States, Mexico and Canada will deliver an experience that will celebrate the game and serve players...

While chances are, the uber-ostentatious  Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6  won’t make it into production, if you really want to intimidate the common-folk in a galore of luxury and opulence, there’s another Maybach with your name on it.  Like many other coachbuilds, this project seems purposefully created to be a rolling exhibit of one’s bank account, and it was created by a new, growing international firm focused on bringing “bespoke masterpieces to life” (or so they claim). The  Mercedes-Benz Rocket 900 Maybach -based Emperor I is the only product the company offers, but Canadian based, Scaldarsi Motors, plans to expand its automotive lineup in the near future, and build bespoke yachts and private jets as well. They’re off with a bang, as even  the Rolls Royce Phantom Zenith  looks restrained compared to the Emperor (ant that's probably an understatement), with Scaldarsi describing the machine as an "opulent beauty", and the meticulous combination of the wor...