Bob Wassom

From Where I Sit, Ford Is In The Driver's Seat.

2009-09-01T19:04:00Z

When you look at the fall out from the recent recession and resulting automotive industry bailouts and bankruptcies, it looks to me like Ford is the only American car maker heading in the right direction. Not only are they making (and selling) cars, unlike other brands who have ceased production (Pontiac) or declared bankruptcy (GM), but they're making cool cars.

Yesterday I saw a brand new Fusion Hybrid, and it was a second-look headturner. It had a smooth sophisticated look to it...although I have to admit it did look a bit like a Honda from behind. But it didn't have that clunky look many American designed cars have been plagued with in past years. And get this-- its combination electric/gas engine has a net 191 horsepower and delivers 41 mpg highway and 36 mpg city, which is what the company claims is the highest mileage hybrid in America. That's almost double what I get from my compact Mitsubishi SUV.

Now granted, the price starts at $27,000 for all that technology, but it's still pretty impressive. And it looks good! I even like the looks of the new family sedan Tauras, which Ford is comparing against thoroughbreds like Lexus, Audi and Infiniti, with impressive results.

But of course, my favorite is the new 2010 Mustang GT. The other night on The Speed Channel, I saw a video road test of the new pony car and, no surprise, I was ready to go put some money down on one the next day. Providing of course, that I had the money, which I don't. The new Mustang is more refined, more powerful and better handling than the 2009 model. It's a beast! Needless to say, I was drooling all over my t-shirt. Now if I could just find that rich uncle with 30 grand, I'd be driving one tomorrow.

So you think I'm all ga ga about Ford, and I'm all wet? Maybe. But based on sales and Ford's comparitively strong position in the market, a lot of other people agree also. Check it out. Go to Ford's website: www.fordvehicles.com. Let me know what you think.

Cash For Clunkers Is The Way Government Should Help.

2009-08-20T17:58:00Z

I've never been a fan of big government getting involved in free enterprise, but in this case, it has been amazingly effective. The Cash for Clunkers program hits close to home for our family, because my son-in-law sells cars. After a long, nearly dead 2009, he's finally selling some cars again. Much of it has to do with the Cash for Clunkers program. All around it seems like a smart idea. Stimulate consumer spending, get rid of old gas guzzling, carbon spewing clunkers and make everyone smile. I'm glad to see that Congress agreed to fund it again.

Let's hope that it continues to fuel the economy so we can climb out of this recession. I'm not sure how well the cash offers for buying a home have been working. As a taxpayer, I don't mind seeing my money being used to help stimulate the economy. Given our free enterprise system, it makes sense. It's tough though, because people are still holding on to their money. I know I am. Things are so tight with the economy that I'm afraid to spend money on anything but the necessities. I just hope things continue to improve.

I also think that the government should kick in with additional funds for people with disabilities who need transportation. My friend Robert, who is paraplegic, went to buy a new car last week to replace his old gas guzzling SUV and was turned down for financing. I'm not sure why, but it seems like people with disabilities should get some kind of break when they need new wheels...and I don't mean wheelchairs.

Speaking of wheels...meaning cars and wheelchairs, last week, another friend, who uses a chair, made me aware of an ad he saw aimed at getting young people not to drive distracted...meaning texting, talking on phones, etc. The photo showed a teen in a wheelchair with his head hanging down in a depressed manner. The headline said something like "Drive stupid and get a kickin' new set of wheels." Wow. The copy went on to say how you wouldn't want to suffer the shame and indignity of being in a wheelchair for the rest of your life because you were driving stupid. It literally portrayed the wheelchair as punishment. Unbelievable. It even used the word "crippled" and said "and wait until you roll your new wheels into school" as if you would be ostracised because you are in a chair.

Under the auspices of the Utah Chapter of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, we sent a scathing letter to the originator of the ad asking them to pull the ad immediately. I guess the surprising thing is that many people still view those of us with disabilities as victims, to be separated and pitied. Viewing a wheelchair as punishment, rather than for the mobility and freedom that it provides is so misguided and wrong. We're still waiting for a response. I'll keep you posted.

Keep On Rollin' Charity Car and Bike Show is a win-win for everybody.

2009-07-23T19:37:00Z

Last weekend, I had the good fortune of volunteering for the 2nd Annual Keep On Rollin’ charity car and bike show to benefit the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. Once again, the show lived up to its name, rolling up huge participation from car owners and spectators.

The Corvette Club at Brighton

The show, which was held at Brighton Ski and Snowboard Resort, is the brainchild and passion of Ryan Stevenson, 28, of Salt Lake City, Utah. Ryan sustained a spinal cord injury three years ago while snowboarding at Brighton, which paralyzed his legs. The 2nd annual event was organized by the Utah Chapter of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, of which Ryan and I are founding members. I had the privilege of supporting the show by disseminating information about the Reeve Foundation while sitting next to Katie Johnson-Hill, Co-Chair of the Utah Chapter, and Christopher Reeve's step-sister.

Ryan Stevenson

About his injury Ryan said, "It was like somebody threw a hand grenade into my life, things just went all over the place." He cites his family and the Reeve Foundation for helping him recover and get back to life. He explained, "They lifted me up and said we're here for you, and whatever you need, you have it."
A '65 Chevy Impala helped Ryan steer his life in a positive direction again. In a way, it was part of his therapy.

"I've always wanted an old school Impala that I could make into a cool hot rod," he said. Ryan and his dad restored the car and came up with a plan. Ryan wanted to do what he could to help find a cure for paralysis and help others with similar injuries. Keep On Rollin’ was the result. “It’s a win-win for everybody” he said.

Ryan and his Impala

The truth in that statement was evident as more than 200 cars and bikes were on display for hundreds of spectators who enjoyed perfect summer weather, great music and food. Cars and bikes included everything from classic and custom Mustang’s and Corvettes to chopped Hot Rods, Ferrari’s, Porches and custom motorcycles. The 2009 show took in nearly $20,000 which will go to support the research and quality of life programs of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.

It inspires me to know people like Ryan, who have the rare ability to take a devastating, life-changing event like a spinal cord injury and turn it into a positive force for good. Keep on Rollin' Ryan!

Eighty Miles, Two Days, Eleven Miles Per Hour: Not Fast, But Unforgettable.

2009-07-05T18:40:00Z

I just spent two days on the road in lots of traffic, and it couldn't have been more inspiring or memorable. The occasion was my third MS Bike Ride, to raise funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The money goes to fund research and quality of life grants for the 400,000 people who live with MS. Having had a spinal cord injury, I know what it's like to lose the ability to move. And now my 28 year old daughter has been diagnosed with CIDP, a neuromuscular disorder similar to MS in it's symptoms.

I was fortunate to recover enough from my spinal cord injury to be able to ride a bike again, so I figure I needed to do something. That's why a couple of years ago, I signed up to be a Team Captain for the MS Bike Ride. I convinced some of my friends at AARP, whom I have done communications work for, to join me, and this was our third year to participate in the event.

So last week, we all went to northern Utah to spend two days on our bicycles to ride for those with MS. The idea is to get friends and family to sponsor you on the ride, by donating to the MS Society. It's a great concept, because each year it attracts about 3,000 cyclists, and raises about $1.7 million dollars!

It's a huge deal for me, because with the residual effects of my spinal cord injury, it takes all the leg power I can muster to ride 40 miles each day for two days, for a total of 80 miles. You have your choice of 40 or 75 mile routes, and the real crazy ones can do 100 miles the first day, if they want to. Those are the well-conditioned able bodied ones, believe me.

I have to have help getting on and off my bike, because I can't lift my leg high enough to get it over the cross bar, so I figure 40 miles is pretty good for a 59 year old partially recovered quad. I just feel it's such a privilege to be out there riding, and it's such a rush knowing I can help somebody else because of it. It helps knowing that over the last five miles each day, because it's pretty painful. But I love doing it.

As I reflect on last weekend, and life in general, I continue to be puzzled by so many of life's twists and turns. I continue to wonder why some people skate through life with nary a hangnail, and others spend their days on this planet in pain and suffering. I guess there's a bigger answer somewhere. In the meantime, I suppose we should all try to help each other as much as we can. That in and of itself feels pretty good and takes away some of the pain so many of us live with. Come to think of it, maybe that's one part of the Big Answer I keep looking for.

Who Needs 600 Horsepower Cars? We All Do.

2009-06-18T20:11:00Z

I just read an article about the supposed demise of 600 plus horsepower supercars like the Corvette ZR-1, Viper SRT10, Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series and Lamborghini Murciélago LP640. The article, written by Mark Gillies of Car and Driver calls them dinosaurs and says they're bound for extinction. These are vehicles that cost anywhere from $187,000 for the relatively inexpensive (I said "relatively") Corvette, up to $440,000 for the Lamborghini. Imagine, a car that costs twice as much as the average home.

And so, of course I say...so what. There are only about 300 of each of these cars made each year....for people like Tiger Woods, a few Oil Sheaks and the like. But then, after reading the entire article, I realize that, yes we do need cars like this around. No, they're not fuel efficient, environmental or socially acceptable. But they so serve a purpose. In addition to being a lot of fun to drool over, they give automotive manufacturers--and more importantly designers and engineers--something to aim for.

They get to shoot for the moon in terms of form and function, maxing out horsepower, handling and design. They get to push the envelope. And of course that benefits those of us who buy the low-price, fuel efficient models. While they are pushing that envelope, they are learning what can and can't be done, what looks good, adding to their knowledge base, and refining their skills. When they do design and build the vehicle I can afford, it might have a bit of that high price thinking with it.

For example, my $25,000 Mitsubishi Outlander has steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, so I can manually shift my automatic transmission up and down without moving my hands off the wheel. Now, this is a feature originally designed for race cars. But I use it all the time, especially going up or down hills. It makes my car perform better and more efficiently, while giving me more control. It's very cool.

Beyond the practical reasons, it would be sad to see these cars go away...it just wouldn't be as fun without them. If you want to read the whole article, here's the link: http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1055918&page=0 It's a fun read, with lots of great photos.

New Camaro Gives Greg Valdez the Drive to Live

2009-06-04T20:44:00Z

Sometimes I wonder how relevant a car enthusiast blog is to people with disabilities. Then I come across something that makes me stop wondering. Pictured below is a guy named Greg Valdez who just took delivery of the first 2010 Camaro in Utah. Greg was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) about the same time he ordered the Camaro. Lou Gehrig’s is a progressive and debilitating neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Greg wasn’t sure if he would live long enough to see his new car.

“The doctors didn’t give me much longer, but I improve every day,” said Greg, who gets around in a wheelchair due to complications from his disease. The anticipation to drive the car helped give him the strength to pull through until the day Gus Paulos Chevrolet held a special celebration for Greg to drive the car off the lot.
“This is what helped keep me alive,” he said, also noting support from his family. “I didn’t think I would be here for this.”

Due to his illness, he was unable to climb into the car himself during the celebration. But he had plenty of assistance to lift him off his wheelchair and into the drivers seat of what is one of the most anticipated cars of the next decade. About 100 people showed up for the delivery of the new car, including family and friends, West Valley City officials and General Motors executives, who presented Greg with a plaque acknowledging his Camaro as the first one sold in the state.

Greg’s new Camaro is fully loaded. The Inferno Orange 2SS Rally Sport comes with a 6.2 liter V8 with 400 horsepower, Boston Acoustics sound system, leather seats and more. I recently spoke to Greg on the phone and asked him how he was enjoying the new car. He told me that while he has yet to drive it, he’s been a passenger on many rides. He said the car is “unbelievable…fast, yet smooth. He said it’s way better than his ’69 Z28.

“Every time we go out, we have at least five people photograph us driving by, and stopping to ask about the car.” His goal is to be in the driver’s seat soon. “I plan on walking again, “says Greg, “no matter what the doctors say.” I wouldn’t bet against him.

At the end of our conversation, Greg invited me to come by and take the car for a drive sometime soon. Stay tuned, because I’ll be doing just that next week. Greg hopes the Camaro will spark a new interest in buying American cars. “I think it’s one of the most exciting cars they’ve had in years,” he said. I for one would agree with Greg. The new Camaro could be just what General Motors needs to pull it out of a tailspin. There’s no doubt that it did wonders for Greg Valdez.

It's Race Time In The Rockies!

2009-05-19T19:06:00Z

Last weekend was the unofficial opening of the car racing season here in Utah, as Miller Motorsports Park (MMP) hosted the annual Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix. Larry Miller is the recently deceased founder of the internationally acclaimed race track, as well as the Utah Jazz and other big time sports organizations. This is no local yokel race. This is a major international event, and an official stop of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS).

One of the unique aspects of the ALMS is that there are four classes of cars on the track at the same time. The LMP1 class is the top prototype division, where cars produce speeds in excess of 200 mph. The LMP2 class includes cars that are slightly smaller but capable of racing at speeds between 180 and 200 mph. The cars in these two classes look more like space ships, with aerodynamic wings, and wind cheating designs. The GT2 class involves moderately modified two-wheel drive cars that share many characteristics of vehicles found in a showroom. Speeds reach 180 mph. The Challenge class is new. It allows up-and-coming drivers the chance to pilot identical Porsche 911s while experiencing the ALMS experience.

Unfortunately, I was not in attendance at the race, which is a big shame. I had planned other things way in advance, and wasn’t paying attention to the calendar. It’s unfortunate, because I love the sights and sounds of super high-tech racing machines. Plus, Miller Motorsports Park is in the back yard of the community where I grew up. It used to be pasture land populated with horses, cows and sheep. The only thing left now are lots and lots of horses…contained within high tech racing machines.

If you want to check out the official results of this year’s race, visit www.millermotorsportspark.com. Plus, you can check out the calendar for this year’s race season. There’s everything from the HANNspree FIM Superbike World Championship in late May to the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series in September. There’s even a NASCAR regional racing series event in late July.

I plan to frequent several of these races, and make another attempt this year to pilot a race-prepared MMP Mustang GT around the track, which is somewhat of a dream. I just need to find out if they have one that has an automatic transmission. My spinal cord injury affected left foot isn’t too efficient with a stiff race ready clutch pedal.

If you make your way to Utah, drive west from Salt Lake International Airport about 20 minutes and you’ll see the Tooele Valley where I grew up, now home to Miller Motorsports Park. Go visit and while you’re there visit the free museum to check out Larry Miller’s collection of Ford Cobra’s and Mustang GT’s. It’s well worth the trip.

Get More Smiles Per Hour With This Vehicle.

2009-05-05T21:10:00Z

I just test drove a new vehicle that was slow, didn't corner very well, had a top speed of about 10 mph and would tip over if you drove it on a side hill. It was also the most fun I've had on a test drive in years. That's because this vehicle was a single-rider golf cart for people with disabilities. It has a swivel seat with a seatbelt and shoulder harness that can elevate you to a standing position, if desired. It makes swinging a golf club possible for just about anyone who has the desire to play. To see how it works, visit http://swiftgolfcarts.com/

The occasion was a hands-on teaching seminar for area golf professionals sponsored by the Salt Lake County Therapeutic Recreation Board, of which I am a member, and the National Alliance for Accessible Golf, a program supported by the USGA, PGA, LPGA and Golf Course Owners Association. Judy Alvarez, an LPGA, PGA teaching professional from Florida taught the seminar. Judy has 15 years of experience working with golfers with disabilities, including paraplegic, hemiplegic, visually impaired, hearing impaired, amputees and others.

I was asked to share my experience as a spinal cord injury survivor and golfer, and the challenges I face with my limited strength, balance and flexibility. The defining moment came when I was asked to hit a few balls in front of 20 or so golf professionals. That was pressure. Fortunately I managed to get a few in the air, and even got some polite applause. Whenever I do things like this, I come away even more grateful than ever. I'm just so fortunate to be able to be active, even in my limited way.

The message here is that just because you have a disability doesn't mean you should stop living. My experience as a member of the Therapeutic Recreation Board has underlined the fact that there are a lot of different types of activities to participate in, regardless of your disability. You just have to seek them out. Fortunately, today there are a lot of resources available to help direct us. To find out more about The National Alliance for Accessible Golf, visit http://www.accessgolf.org/. Then like the cruise line ad says: "Get Out There!"

“Why?” A question best left to scientists and philosophers.

2009-04-28T19:21:00Z

Lately, I've been going through some challenging times, and I've found myself falling into the trap of asking "Why?" Most of the time I focus on what and how...as in "What will I do about this?" and "How will I accomplish it?" But once in a while that little three letter demon jumps into my consciousness and I find myself looking off in to the cosmos wondering why. Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do some people live like Kings, undeservedly so, and others live in abject poverty and illness? Why did I break my neck? Why does my beautiful daughter suffer more than I ever did?

I figure someday I'll be given the answers to those questions, when I have left this existence and moved on to another life. I believe there is a Higher Power, and life does go on in another dimension, and we will be enlightened as to why this life was the way it was. For now, though, particularly for those of us with disabilities...why is a waste of time and energy.

I'm glad scientists and physicians ask why...as in why my daughter contracted a neuromuscular disorder known as CIDP. I hope their search for answers results in an effective treatment and eventually a cure. I'd like my daughter to spend the rest of her time on this planet in less pain and discomfort. I know they're looking for the answer to "why doesn't the spinal cord regenerate new nerve tissue?" I hope they solve that one too.

My friend Muffy Davis says, "Show me the problem and I'll figure out a way to solve it." She figured out how to make it to the Olympics as a paraplegic and how to climb Mt. Shasta when your legs don't work. For me and my daughter, the quest is: how to be happy and enjoy this life when you're living with limited mobility, pain and not much income. I'm going to renew my determination to forget "why" and focus on "what" and "how".

Because this is supposed to be an automotive blog, here are a few automotive "why's" that don't have good answers:

Why do people who don't venture beyond the mall need a Hummer with blacked in windows, GPS and ‘bling-bling" wheels?
Why does GM make one model and put four different name tags on it, like the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook?
Why are we so concerned with how our cars look?
Why does a 65 mph speed limit result in a 75 mph average speed?
Why do I need a 315 hp Mustang GT that does 0 to 60 in less than 5 seconds?
Why does Jay Leno have over 100 exotic cars and motorcycles, with people falling all over themselves to give him more...at no charge?

See what I mean? Now I think I'll go out and focus on "what" and "how."

Three Wheels And The Wind In My Face.

2009-04-20T17:25:00Z

Me and my Triumph, circa 1970.

It happens every spring. I get an overwhelming desire to relive my youth by cruising down a lonely stretch of desert highway on my Triumph motorcycle. The last time I rode that bike was May 28,1972--the day before I broke my neck. The next day I sold it and delivered it to the new owner. Since I didn't have a bike anymore I went to the lake with some buddies. That's where I dove into the water, hit a submerged tree stump and ended up quadriplegic. But I was lucky. My spinal cord injury was incomplete. Today, I have regained substantial motion and can walk slowly, though I still have a lot of residual weakness and loss of balance.

So anyway, here's that urge again to be out riding. While I can and do ride a bicycle, I don't have the leg strength to hold up a 500 pound motorcycle. My balance is OK, not great. If a bike started to tip over, it would be curtains. The painful part is that my nephew and brother-in-law are about to head out on their road bikes for a trip to Laughlin, Nevada, through Utah's spectacular red rock country.

Enter the Can-Am Spyder. It's a three-wheeled vehicle, with two wheels in front and one in the back, and a liquid-cooled 998cc V-Twin engine which produces 106 hp. Can-Am claims the Spyder will top out at 110 mph and accelerate from 0-60 in 4.5 seconds. That's fast...like a Corvette or Mustang GT 500. You straddle it like a motorcycle and while it does have handlebars, that's where the similarity to a motorcycle ends. It even has a reverse gear, which is necessary because it weighs 700 pounds. All the reviews I've read say that it's just plain fun....a real kick in the pants to ride. If you want to check it out, visit http://spyder.brp.com.

The Can-Am Spyder at speed.

OK, so Steve McQueen didn't jump a fence on a Can-Am in the Great Escape (it was a Triumph). And Peter Fonda didn't ride one in Easy Rider (that was a chopped Harley.) But they weren't living with a spinal cord injury either. I figure it's a great way for me to hit the open road with my nephew and share the wind (and bugs) in the face with him. There are many confirmed motorcycle riders who have switched to the Can-Am Spyder and love it. That's good enough for me to test ride/drive one.

Stay tuned. I'll be reporting back on my test ride. Who knows, I may be reporting from the road somewhere in southern Utah. I just have a good feeling about this. I better get my Ipod loaded up with some good road music. I'll start with Steppenwolf's "Born to be Wild" and go from there.

Horse Power To The People.

2009-04-08T17:37:00Z

I just wrote an article for Disaboom about the use of horses for the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in war veterans and others. It's called Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). It's an amazing process and well worth reading about. When I sat down to write this blog, I couldn't help thinking about horses, and horsepower and transportation. I began wondering what life would be like if, instead of automobiles, we were still using horses for transportation, as well as sports....and yes, psychotherapy.

Think of the fossil fuels we wouldn't be using, and the pollution we wouldn't be breathing. Yes, we might have some issues with cleaning up the streets, but we'd have all of the lawn fertilizer we could handle....free. Most likely, people wouldn't be living 30 miles from where they work, spending two hours a day commuting. Businesses would have to be located closer to where people live. Communities would be closer knit. Vacations would be closer to home...and much slower paced. Would there be a global economy? Probably not. But we wouldn't have a global recession, either.

Horse breeders would be like GM and Ford...big businesses breeding the fastest, strongest, most powerful horses they could...that eat less. It would be interesting to see how they handled the choice of colors...and seating options. Heated, reclining saddles? And what about the foreign imports? Are Japanese horses more dependable? Are German horses more agile? We probably wouldn't need navigation systems. I recall that most horses always know the way home.

Then there's the competitive side of human nature. Horse racing is already pretty big. But I'll bet we'd see a proliferation of barrel racing and steeplechase, as well as a host of professional polo teams. And don't bet that we wouldn't see some form of Xtreme Horse Games, for the MTV crowd. I can imagine things like Horse-O-Cross, (instead of Motocross) where horse and rider navigate wild and wooly terrain to see who can survive. Wait a minute, that's already been done. I think it was called The Pony Express.

Maybe we could get the Farrelly brothers to do a movie about the Millenium sans cars. Sounds like the perfect vehicle (pun intended) for Ben Stiller and Kate Hudson. Or maybe Steve Carell and Elizabeth Banks. Maybe it's already been done. Anybody recall anything like it? Any ideas for a movie plot?Regardless, it's an interesting line of thought. Has progress really been progress? Or have we sacrificed as much as we've gained? I'm not sure about either. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go feed my horses. I have 220 of them...in my Mitsubishi Outlander.

Bill Clinton's Mustang And Other Automotive Factoids.

2009-03-29T19:22:00Z

Being a Mustang fan, when I heard that former President Clinton had a Mustang, I had to check it out. That's easy to do in the Google era. Come to find out, Clinton's Mustang, a 1967 Clearwater Aqua convertible with a white rag top was purchased used in 1972 by Bill's stepfather Jeff Swire for Bill's younger brother Roger while President Clinton was at Yale University. President Clinton acquired it later while he was Governor of Arkansas and had the car refurbished. According to news reports, one notable instance of Clinton and his Mustang involves his 46th birthday. On that day he and Hillary are said to have gone for a ride, with Clinton wearing his Hot Springs High School sweater and Hillary wearing a vintage high-school skirt. Too bad there wasn't a photographer nearby. That's a photo I'd like to see. Unfortunately, Bill doesn't get to drive his Mustang anymore, since it's on display at the Museum of Autombiles located in Morrilton, Arkansas. You can see it at http://www.museumofautos.com/. The car was an inline 200 cubic inch six with 120 horsepower. Not a lot of horsepower. My 66 Mustang had a 289 V8 with 225 horses. No, it's not in a museum. I traded it in 1971 for a Mazda RX2. Too bad I didn't keep it. It would have been a real classic!

Classic Cars To Benefit Christopher and Dana Reeve.

As a member of the Utah Chapter of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, I'm happy to report we're beginning to work on our 2nd "Keep on Rollin" Car show to benefit the foundation. The annual event, to held in July, is the brainchild of a bright young man named Ryan Stevenson, a classic car buff who broke his back several years ago while snowboarding in Utah. It was his dream to do something positive, so he came up with the idea of a car show. The first year was an outstanding success, and we're hoping to do even better this year.

Cool Inventions That I'll Probably Buy.

I'm surprised I haven't seen one before, but someone finally came out with a gadget to prevent idiots from dinging your car door in a parking lot. It's called a "Door Defender." Great name. This has always been one of my pet peeves. The Door Defender is a 28 inch long three inch thick device with shock absorbing tubes covered in a scratch-proof weather resistant polyester. They stick on the side of your car with magnets, and they're held by a ball at the end of the steel security cable that you simply toss into your vehicle before closing the doors. Check it out at www.doordefender.com. I'll be buying one and I'll let you know how well it works.

BMW's And Bicycles Don't Mix.

A few days ago, there was a news report in our daily paper about a 57 year old bicyclist who was hit head on by a white BMW while riding on a very popular bicycling route...one very near my home that I ride quite frequently. The report was that the northbound BMW veered across the road and hit the cyclist head on--and then left the scene. According to witnesses, the driver of the BMW got out of the car, looked at the unconscious cyclist laying on the ground, and then drove off. The cyclist was taken to the hospital with a broken leg and collarbone, but is expected to recover. The rest of the good news: the police found the white BMW in a nearby garage, which is in a very exclusive area of the city. It was covered with a tarp. Apparently, the 28 year old driver told his parents he had hit a deer. I hope he loses his license. Hit and run is inexcusable. Lately, I've been riding on a paved trail exclusively for cyclists, runners, walkers and rollerbladers. After this last incident, I may keep riding there for a while. I'm fairly confident that I won't be the victim of a hit and run runner.

Stress Relief on Four Wheels.

2009-03-22T22:43:00Z

Some time ago, I wrote about an article about a good friend, Marianna "Muffy" Davis, who many of you may know from Disaboom. She's a Paralympic skier, amazing motivational speaker and now a super mom. I wrote about her recovery from the skiing accident that left her paraplegic, and her return to world class ski competition via a mono-ski.

In her story, she told me how on bad days after the accident, she would get in her hand-controlled car and drive to Galena Summit, north of Sun Valley, Idaho.

“I would look out over the Stanley Basin and watch the sunset,” she said. “That’s where I would find my peace again. That’s where I would grieve, and that’s where I would heal and get the strength to go back at it again.”

That scene came to me as I was thinking about what to write for this blog. It struck me that she used her car as an escape vehicle, as a way to go somewhere that was meaningful to her, to make sense of it all, take a deep breath and decompress. I did that two days ago as I drove to central Utah to visit an old friend, and learn some new tricks about blogging and the internet from his wife, who teaches computer technology at a two year college.

I've been going through a few tough days of late, with my daughter's illness and my own financial situation (something we probably all worry about more these days.) Getting in my car and heading out alone on the open road gave me the chance to think, listen to good music and enjoy the wide open landscape of Utah.

Just being insulated from the world was therapeutic. In my car, I forget how difficult it is to walk and how long it takes me to get from point A to point B on my feet. I can enjoy a change of scenery with very little physical effort, and because I was in the car for two hours by myself, I could let my thoughts wander (though not so far that I couldn't be aware of navigating the road.)

I became instantly grateful that I could afford to have a car, and that I am able to drive myself wherever I want to go. Just getting in touch with my grateful list was healing. It helped end my pity party of one. I felt better about life, and a bit more capable of taking it on again. And it really didn't have anything to do with horsepower or handling or leather seating. It had everything to do with freedom and mobility.

Of course there are other ways to find serenity and stress relief. Just check out the article about stress relief in the "Living" section of Disaboom.com. You don't need a car. But if you have one, and can take off to your favorite outdoor sanctuary, it can be helpful. Just don't do it if you're angry or so distraught that you can't drive safely. That will just make things worse.

For me, cranking up the engine and the music helps me forget what I'm so stressed about. Thanks Mitsubishi, and thanks Mick Jagger. As he vocalized "You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, well you just might find you get what you need."

Spring Fever And The Sunroof Is Open!

2009-03-19T15:36:00Z

It finally happened. Mother Nature has cooperated and blessed us with some warm spring-like weather, though it's only March. Sunshine and temperatures in the mid-60's have made the tulip bulbs sprout and the sunroofs open. Yesterday I enjoyed a cruise down a city thoroughfare with my sunroof open and Sirius radio blasting out Suite: Judy Blue Eyes by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. It was a moment to savor.

While I still miss my Eclipse, the Mitsubishi Outlander I drive with it's 650 watt stereo, subwoofer and sunroof is a pretty good substitute....even if it is an SUV. And the bonus is, I had my bicycle on the rack and was heading out to one of my favorite trails for a good long ride. Life was good, if just for the moment, and recession fears, wars and financial worries were way in the back seat.

It made me realize how important it is to be able to have moments like this, no matter what we're doing. We need passions to pursue, music and sunshine. It's a scientific fact that vitamin D, in the form of sunshine is critical to our well being. Does that justify shopping for a new convertible? It works for me. So I did...online. I couldn't resist checking out the latest and most popular convertibles. While there are tons to choose from, I decided to check out the Mustang, Mazda MX5 and Pontiac Solstice. I tend to look at cars I could actually afford to drive, rather than the Ferrari's and Porsche's that are out of my league.

While I've always considered the Mazda a little to small for me, I have to admit that they have done a great job in updating its looks. It used to be a little to "cute", but they've remolded the skin to give it a more muscular appeal. And it certainly doesn't lack for popularity. There are Mazda MX5 clubs all over the country. Mazda took the charm of a British roadster and made it dependable.

The Pontiac Solstice is the most exotic looking of the three, and for $26,000 for the normally aspirated 173 horsepower model, it's a great value. I've always been amazed how Pontiac (or GM) can turn out a car as cool looking as the Solstice, and then also crank out the clunky looking Vibe. I suppose there's a market for both...but maybe that's also why GM is in trouble: inconsistent product lines. But the screaming yellow Solstice that Road and Track featured is a "look at me" head turner, no doubt.

The Mustang GT Convertible is a bit of a different beast than the other two small roadsters. This is a big American muscle car, and costs about $6,000 more. But it also cranks out 315 horsepower and while it probably can't compete in a cornering contest, it would certainly outrun the other two on a straightaway. But, it's still my favorite. And the new 2010 body is a killer. I've never gotten over my 1966 Mustang. If I had my choice, this would be the car for me.

Ahh, its fun to dream. Truth is, I can't afford to buy anything right now but a tank of gas for my Mitsu. But I've always enjoyed a good fantasy. And who knows, maybe some as yet unknown (rich) relative will remember me in their will and I'll be rich. Right.

But sunshine is still free. With or without a convertible or sunroof...go find some. Just sit there and soak it up. It's especially welcome after four or five months of winter. And here's the best part: the sun comes up every day. So there's plenty to go around.

Drooling Over Japanese Technology.

2009-03-11T15:34:00Z

This blog is a bit late, because I was on a road trip with my family to the southern reaches of our state in search of some warmer weather and sunshine. Fortunately we found both. Unfortunately we had to come back north and drove home in a blizzard. Winter just refuses to let up here in Northern Utah. It makes the skiers ecstatic, but I'm ready for clear roads so I can ride my bike outside, instead of on a trainer. But today the sun is shining. It looks pretty, even though it's about 28 degrees.

I'm sitting in the Mitsubishi dealership because my Sirius satellite radio is not working, and the radio (which fortunately is still on warranty) is being replaced. I really could have used that radio on our 600 mile round trip outing. I"m hooked on satellite radio. You get an unlimited variety of music, sports, entertainment...and it's crystal clear...even when you're 200 miles from the nearest town!

So here I am, in the midst of the latest high tech offerings from Mitsubishi engineers, like the Lancer Evolution MR that I just drooled all over. This is a technological tour de force. It has a 2-liter 4-cylinder turbo-charged engine that puts out 291 horsepower and 300 lb feet of torgue. That's a lot for a lightweight car. But that's just the beginning. The Evo has 4 consecutive World Rally titles. It's all about performance. It has all-wheel drive, a six-speed twin-clutch automatic sportronic transmission, Recaro front seats, Brembo brakes and Bilstein shocks. For auto enthusiasts, those are all names that mean performance. And does it perform. It does 0 to 60 in under 5 seconds. And for you rally types with a family, it's a four door sedan, with a real back seat. So you can strap the kids in and go. Or leave the kids home and head for the closest race track.

I remember seeing a comparison of the Mitsu Evo with the Porsche Cayman--a car that costs twice as much. The test was conducted by the Speed Channel at Utah's Miller Motorsports Park. The Evo was every bit a match for the Porsche in handling and power.

OK, enough of the Mitsubishi sales pitch. I just get all excited about new high tech cars. It makes me feel like a little kid again. I've always been hooked on horsepower. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's a character flaw. I remember when my parents installed dual exhausts on my 66 Mustang for my birthday...at my request of course. Those Thrush glasspacs made the sweetest rumble. I'd drive with the windows down, just so I could hear it.

Here's the sad part of this blog. I'm sitting in a deserted showroom, waiting for my car to be fixed. Admittedly it's a weekday morning. But there's no one here. The service manager told me that they don't do Saturday service anymore because they had to cut their staff back. There are only two sales people here. The place has a recession pall over it. You can feel it. I hope it ends soon. I'm worried, but trying to be optimistic. I'm pinning my hopes on a young, smart President who exudes confidence. I'm going to give him a chance to do his thing, before I start nay-saying. It took awhile to get into this mess. It's not going to go away overnight.

In the meantime, the sun is shining and I still have my health, so I'm going to take my Mitsubishi Evolution MR brochure and go drool over it while I sip a latte. Now that's fun.