May 2 is the deadline for MAMA members to register for its Spring Rally at Road America. Performance Driving, Off-Roading, Autocross and Scenic Drives are offered along with an opportunity to drive the candidates for MAMA’s Family Car of The Year. Contact: www.mamaonline.org.
WheelsTV is taking its in-house Previously Owned Vehicle (POV) of the Year award to NEMPA members. They are being asked to nominate 2 to 3 year-old vehicles in seven classes. The three top nominees in each class will be discussed at an event hosted by WheelsTV and winners determined. They will be announced at NEMPA’s awards dinner May 20. Criteria for POV cars include: repair history, recall data, IIHS and NSTA safety rating and consumer feedback.
NEMPA’s awards dinner May 20 will be held at MIT following an afternoon industry round table there on Connectivity and The Car: “the integrated use of telecommunications and informatics in vehicles and in conjunction with controlling vehicles on the move.” It will be moderated by MIT Grad Ray Magliozzi of Car Talk with panelists from Hyundai, Hughes Telematics, BMW, Ford, GM and MIT.
Car enthusiasts in the San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose Bay areas can gather for a free monthly Saturday morning “shoe and shine” outing at Club Auto Sport in San Jose. The idea is that car lovers cruise in or may trailer a collectible in and enjoy the people and the variety of vehicles on hand. CarProperty.com is sponsoring the series, and free coffee, as part of a new marketing partnership with Club Auto Sport.
The Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association (GAAMA) named the Nissan Murano Cabriollet “Best In The Show” at the Atlanta international Auto Show March 25. GAAMA also presented Peach Awards to the Hyundai Equs as Best New Vehicle; Nissan Leaf, Best Green Vehicle; Ford Explorer, Best Truck/SUV and Land Rover Evoque, Best Crossover.
GAAMA officers elected March 23 are: Ryan Rees, president; Kym Backer of Upscale Magazine, senior vice president; Linda Sharp of Distaff Publications, vice president; Priscila Rivere of Engines & Heels, secretary. Bob Jackson of CBS Radio, an at-large representative. Greg Morrison of Griot TV remains treasurer along with at-large members Araba Dowell of General Motors and Rene Serrato of Prestige Autos USA. Rees, who writes a weekly auto review column, The Car Couple, with his wife, Marilyn, takes over for Jim Tucker, publisher of Southern Automotive Journal, who remains on the board as president emeritus.
Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA LLC will help TAWA kick off the 2011 Texas Auto Roundup (formerly Spring Challenge) for the third consecutive year by hosting lunch, a vehicle display, a tour of Texas art in its building and (hopefully) helicopter tours on Sunday, May 1, from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. at its Fort Worth Business Operations Center.
The Riverside International Automotive Museum will allow two of its historic race cars to perform on the Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, Calif. The weekend of April 29-May 1 Tony Adamowicz will drive his 1969 F5000 championship Gurney Eagle on the road course. The very first Gurney Eagle, the 1966 4 cam Ford V8 Eagle which Dan drove at the 1966 Indy 500 will be on track as well, driven by RIAM president Doug Magnon.
There will be two guest cars from RIAM on the track. The Sunoco Indy Lola, driven to a second place finish by Mark Donohue at the 1970 Indy 500, and the Indy Lola driven by Roger Ward at the 1966 Indy 500 will be making one last run before heading back to Indianapolis.
