March 25th, 2010

Breaking News: Robin Roberts to Drive Indy 500 Pace Car

Robin Roberts, who co-anchors Good Morning America, will drive the pace car on May 30 at the Indianapolis 500. She’ll drive a Chevrolet Camaro SS.

She is only the second woman in the race’s 99 year history to have driven the pace car. The first woman to have this honor was model Elaine Irwin-Mellencamp in 2001. She drove an Oldsmobile Bravada.

The official pace car will be driven by three-time 500 winner Johnny Rutherford. The first pace car in 1911 was a Stoddard-Dayton driven by Carl G. Fisher.

Watch the video of Roberts driving with Indy 500 (and Dancing With The Stars) winner Helio Castroneves in New York City.

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March 24th, 2010

Driver from Jamaica Turns Disaster into a Dream

Lisa Bowman-Lee, 40, is married to her childhood sweetheart, has 2 kids, resides on the beautiful island of Jamaica and is living her dream as a race car driver.

Although she had always been passionate about cars, it took a bullet to bring her to racing. In 1987, her husband was shot and nearly paralyzed. When he recovered he decided he wanted to live out his dream of being a race car driver. They both began karting and she never looked back.

Since then, she’s won 120 trophies. When she was 25 she even hid the fact that she was 3 months pregnant so she could race and she ended up winning!

March 23rd, 2010

She’s the Only Woman in Corvette’s Pit

Melanie Correll has been a timer and scorer in the racing world for 29 years. Currently, Correll is the only woman you’ll see in Corvette’s pit.

This is how Correll looks at it “If you’re the best driver, they’ll put you in a car because they want the best driver. The same goes for the crew”

She got her start in 1969 when her father, an amateur race car driver, asked her to keep time for him. Since then she’s gone from working with a pen, paper and stopwatch to serious technology. “My job has evolved as technology has evolved,” she said.

Seems like the team is doing something right. In GT1 class, Corvette has won 8 consecutive manufacture team championships from 2001-2008 and 7 consecutive driver championships from 2002-2008. Keep up the good timing!

March 22nd, 2010

First All-Female Car Dealership in Germany

Maria Erkner comes from an auto family, her father and brother both own several dealerships in Germany. So, when her father challenged her asking if an all-female dealership would be successful, she answered by opening up one herself.

In late 2009, Erkner opened “Senorita Maria” named after the owner. The dealership located in Hennigsdorf, just north of Berlin sells the Seat car. She opened the store with a team of 8 women and they also have female mechanics working on the cars.

In addition, they set up a play area for kids to have fun while mom shops. The dealership also welcomes male buyers as well. No discrimination here.

March 21st, 2010

Suri Cruise Wants to Race Cars

When we wrote our post Do You Have a Car Loving Kid? we didn’t realize this was a trend. Nor did we realize the $25,000 toy Ferrari was just a starter car.

Seems as if Tom Cruise’s little angel Suri loves racing. According to reports, he bought her a $30,000 custom-made replica Indy car.

Reportedly, a source said, “Suri has been mesmerized by auto racing on TV so he thought it would be fun for her to have her own little car to ride in. If Suri truly takes to the sport, Tom plans on having a little race track installed at his L.A. property. But for now she’ll just be going up and down the family’s long driveway.”

Dlisted.com had this to say about Suri’s car, “Let’s get really really REAL here. Suri didn’t want that mini race car. If Suri wanted a car, she’d request a burgundy Cadillac Deville with gold-plated accents, tan leather seats and a driver in a tuxedo. Suri is a REFINED LADY. She doesn’t play around with stupid race cars.”

Hmm, sorry Dlisted but we don’t agree! Why can’t Suri have her heels and drive fast wheels too? We know some folks (see: all of our readers) who are refined ladies who love their fast cars. Who knows Suri could be the first female in F1. Suri, we support your driving passion—you go girl!

March 19th, 2010

Vintage Ford Ad Targeting Women

We found this vintage Ford commercial from the 1950s. Oh suburban life, being a two Ford family—it’s a whole new way of life!

March 18th, 2010

Do You Have a Car-Loving Kid?

Matchbox cars are so yesterday! If you’re a good parent and you really love your car-obsessed kid you’ll get her or him this replica Ferrari F40. It’s only $25,000.

The car was built in Germany (by the company that makes Ferrari’s F1 wind tunnels) and was made for the opening of a dealership in Moscow and now somehow it’s ended up in Long Island—go figure. It’s got a 80 cc Honda motor in it, perfect for your little princess or prince to get their F1 career started.

But wait, we’re not done. Once this gift arrives (don’t forget the big red bow!), you present your child with tickets to Abu Dhabi. Why you ask? Well, because we know your kid isn’t the type to be impressed by photos with Mickey Mouse at Disney World—oh no. Your kid wants to be the first to ride the Ferrari F1 roller coaster at Ferrari World. Supposedly it will be the fastest coaster in the world at 149 mph. It’s opening in the second half of 2010, so call your travel agent immediately!

Don’t worry, you and your kid can thank us later. Happy birthday and have fun!