Car FYI

2024 Ford Mustang Convertible at 2024 Canadian International AutoShow (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada) Sometimes in life it’s best to open up. For automobiles, an opportunity to reveal an inner personality is realized with convertibles. Despite the prevalence of air conditioning on almost every modern vehicle, convertibles remain special for delivering occupants the feeling of being one with the world with the rushing breeze when in motion and the warmth of a summer sun. This sensation continues to impress up to this day with cars such as the Mazda MX-5, Ford Mustang convertible, BMW 4 Series Cabriolet and the Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster, it may be disturbing to know how the excitement of open top motoring almost rendered extinct to North American audiences roughly 50 years ago. A perfect storm of circumstances contributed to a near death for the convertible. The Top Goes Up For Safety The first half century of the automobile was propelled by unbridled innovation and imaginati

Close-up of Scott Dixon's Honda-branded Engine Cover (Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada)   A company maintaining an uninterrupted 30-year association with motorsports is a commitment involving a great deal of mutual appreciation and respect. Back in 1994, the Honda name’s appearance on Indy cars was a new sight for many racing fans. While the auto marker had gained a reputation for winning in Formula 1 through the 1980s and early 1990s, the North American open wheel racing scene presented a much different challenge. Honda Racing’s endeavour into IndyCar immediately demonstrated that some first steps may be uneasy but the capacity to endure these early struggles can amount to greatness.   Honda had explored involvement with Indy car racing during the early 1980s partnering with Engine Development Limited (a company jointly founded by Jack Brabham and John Judd) to create a competition powerplant. While Honda opted not to officially enter the CART Indy car racing, work on the turboch

Photo Credit: Pattie Petty/NASCAR When it comes to stock car racing or even auto racing in general, the name Richard Petty ranks alongside the legendary stars of any major sport. The son of early stock car racing icon Lee Petty, Richard’s accolades behind the wheel are marks drivers today struggle to beat. Amassing 200 victories in the NASCAR Grand National/Cup Series including seven championships, Petty would retire from driving in 1992 with the lofty nickname of “The King”. Although his on-track feats would be enough to earn the moniker, professionalism and business sense reflected by a long-term partnership with automotive additive company STP combined with a fan-friendly personality has made Richard Petty a figure that continues to resonate among the motorsport community. Before all the victories and championships, a 1/3-mile oval on Toronto’s Exhibition Place was the site where everything started.  Richard Petty was born the son of Lee Petty who achieved three championships in t

  Photo Credit: Chris Owens/IndyCar For all race drivers, there is a desire to conquer the clock. Although it may seem to be an accomplishable goal to spare some movement on a stopwatch, certain elements in time no one can stop. For this reason, many of us want to achieve goals so early in our life. For NTT IndyCar Series driver Colton Herta, his entrance into full time competition in the tour resulted in him becoming the youngest-ever race driver as he took the checkered flag at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Six years removed from a first taste of victory, the driver of the Honda-powered #26 Andretti Global Dallara is a steady veteran behind the wheel while only 24 years of age. At the age of 18, the IndyCar career of Colton Herta started in the 2018 season finale at Sonoma Raceway. Although he finished 20th in the Harding Racing #88 car, many saw potential on the driver who finished runner-up in the Indy Lights championship to Pato O’Ward. The young American racer entere

The temptation of speed can be such a captivating sensation. This immense feeling resides as passion within the hearts of many who make the choice to get involved with auto racing. One’s desire to experience the full world of speed in any form is something so great it would be disgraceful to believe it should be held by just one group of people. Thanks to affordable, entry-level tiers of auto racing, we’re enjoying a brilliant unity through on-track competition. Competing in her first full season in the Radical Cup Canada series, Alana Carter desire for a fast on-track life has taken her from a dirt track in Alberta to road courses overseas. For the young racer from Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, her first exposure to motorsports was made possible by her father. Progressing as a fan to a driver took place early for Alana Carter first driving go-karts and would quickly advance to oval track racing. At 14 years old, she secured the Future Stock Season Champion at Edmonton International Race

Clip of Possum Van during a Red Green Show season 1 scene transition.  It could be argued that the car someone regularly drives can be reflective of their personality. The level of character traits found in our automobiles can range from subtle to flamboyant as practicality, style, power, brand loyalty and other details are factors influencing our vehicle affection. On the big screen and silver screen, an automobile (frequently popularized as a Star Car) can be used to affirmatively to expand on a human character. Batman’s Batmobile, the Dodge Charger called the ‘General Lee’ in Dukes of Hazzard, the Volvo P1800 featured in the 1960s television version of The Saint, the Aston Martin DB5 driven by James Bond in some of the most famous spy movies are some popular examples where vehicles play a major role in reinforcing the appearance of fictional individuals. Due to the budgetary constraints of Canadian media productions, the presence of native Star Cars is rare. However, one successful

Photo Credit:  Maserati S.p.A. For Italian exotic car builder Maserati, 2024 is a year of some major milestones. At the end of this year, the company will make its 110th anniversary producing exquisite sports cars and other various luxury vehicles. Other notable anniversary for Maserati recognizes one of their brand’s classic limited edition supercars with a limited edition release of their current supercar. Spawning as part of Maserati’s Special Series with touches furnished through their Fuoriserie Personalisation Program, the MC20 Icona and MC20 Leggenda pays tribute to the MC12's legacy. Built in 2004 and 2005, the Maserati MC12 is recognized as the company’s fastest production vehicle. While the phenomenal MC12 owed much of its existence to the extraordinary Ferrari Enzo as the Prancing Horse-badged machine was the source for the Trident branded supercar’s chassis and 6.0-liter V-12 engine, Maserati was able to apply some distinguishing traits to their vehicle. Wearing a body

Photo Credit: Drew Gibson via Zacharie Robichon's Instagram This weekend, 62 of some of the finest sports cars and competitors challenge themselves on a famous race track in Le Mans, France for some of the most meaningful 24 hours in motorsports. Venturing to the Circuit de la Sarthe vying for honour in Hypercar, LMP2 or LMGT3 competition categories, the historic mechanical and physical torture test attracts the usual mosaic of cars, teams and drivers. For the 2024 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a Canadian will be competing in each of the three classes. Their competition in the 24 hour race comes on the centennial for when John Duff (Canada's only overall winner at Le Mans) co-drove a Bentley to victory. For 2024, each of these three motoring athletes wearing a maple leaf has their own unique racing story that they hope to write the latest, greatest page with glory in the classic endurance event.   Antonio Serravalle Photo Credit: Penske Entertainment/Chris Owens Team:

Photo Credit: Chris Owens/IMS The 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 was destined to provide a Memorial Day weekend worth remembering in the United States. Not even a long anticipated rain shower was enough to bring silence the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday. Showers did press the green flag back from its usual early afternoon start close to 4:45 pm eastern time but the sounds of Chevrolet and Honda engines propelling Dallara race cars did fill the air.  Among the 33 competitors starting the 2024 Indianapolis 500 was NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson driving for Arrow McLaren. Larson had planned to compete for 1,100 miles during Sunday as he would have run 500 miles at Indianapolis before boarding a private jet to Charlotte, North Carolina to drive his familiar #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro in the Coca-Cola 600. The temptation to run the prestigious event on the yard of bricks was just too much for Larson causing him to remain at the track.  Before la