Automotive

Letter From The UK: End of Days?

Letter From The UK: End of Days? Are We Witnessing The Automotive End Of Days?
As someone whose youth, fancy-free love life, musical taste, and motoring education is steeped in the bygone days of the 20th Century, I feel totally confident in my assertion, made not for the first time, that the Golden Age of Motoring is long gone. We shall not see its like again. It has also made me rethink my vehicle road-testing for the future.
Rules & Exceptions
It is not one single thing that has brought me to this pass, no; it is my recent experience of the latest cars and automotive advertising that I have had to endure. Most of the cars I have driven of late here in the blighted, benighted British Isles, have been perfectly fine in terms of build quality and the like but otherwise just so dull, dull, dull. To be balanced, I am currently driving the Peugeot 5008 which is attractive, versatile, and a decent drive (sorry, you can’t have it. The French brand is not returning to American shores for some time yet, if at all) and I like it a lot, but it is the exception that proves the rule.
Cars have become boring. Fact.
Peugeot 5008. Photo: DriveWrite Automotive.
Autonomous Cars. Not.
Like a lusty salmon determined to spawn up-river, I realise I am hardly going with the flow here but, as yet, there are no such things as autonomous cars. The general media always get a bit carried away in a sort of “The future is now!!” manner, but the plain fact is that the current technology is simply super-glorified cruise control. Ask the British public if they are looking forward to ‘driverless’ cars and they will tell you “meh.”
Ask the European motor industry or the government however, for whom any bandwagon is the ideal way to hide all the bad news, and anyone would think that these do-it-all cars are just around the corner; they are not. Certainly all the technologies will work side by side for now but the real deal is many years away. Yet such is the furore being whipped up that it is my contention that car makers have misread the public’s collective mind.
A recent study from CARiD uncovered some confusion as to what an autonomous car actually is. Less than half of the respondents correctly identified it as something controlled entirely by automated technology. A recent AAA study found that 73 percent of American drivers say they would be too afraid to ride in a self-driving vehicle, up from 63 percent in late 2017. Photo: Hyundai Motor America.
Youth of Today
With millennials and younger generations more interested in the latest technology rather than transportation, the future of the car industry, to me, looks to be built on shifting sands. As someone who has driven spectacular cars on open roads and race circuits, I find the latest trend for cosying up to the youth of today is not thought through. The latest crop of TV advertising is looking increasingly silly and juvenile and tells viewers absolutely nothing at all about the cars.
Of course, car bosses aren’t stupid. Those brands that are quick thinking and not afraid to reinvent themselves will survive but I contend that many will not. Start-ups like Tesla are exploiting buyers’ imaginations. Clever companies like Uber and ride-sharing operators like Lyft and HyreCar are demonstrating that car ownership is no longer a necessity if a ride is just an app click away.
Uber passengers share a ride in India. Photo: Uber
Somber & Gray
The reason so many cars are boring now is because they are about the lifestyle technology stuffed into them and not about engineering. Essentially they’re all the same under the skin. For grizzled old veteran curmudgeons like me it is the dawn of the beginning of the demise of motor cars as we know them. Thus I feel I will be testing fewer and fewer cars in the coming short term. I’m going to be picky and choose only those vehicles I believe have that extra something but I won’t be holding my breath.
Automotive end of days indeed.
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite

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2019 Ford F-150 Raptor Gets New Suspension & Upgraded Tech

2019 Ford F-150 Raptor Gets New Suspension & Upgraded Tech It is foolish to mess with a proven formula. When Ford bolted on a twin-turbocharged, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 to the second-generation Raptor, hardcore off-roaders were dismayed.
But when critics found out the motor churns out 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft. of torque, the new Raptor was welcomed with open arms. The new power plant produced 40 more horsepower and more torque than the heavier 6.2-liter V8.
Change is inevitable. In this case, the changes were for the better.
For 2019, Ford is upping the ante once again by giving the 2019 F-150 Raptor an all-new adaptive suspension along with a host of comfort features and clever tech.
Shock & Awe
Further cementing its status as the ultimate high-performance off-road truck, the 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor is equipped with electronically-controlled Fox 3.0 Internal Bypass shocks with LIVE Valve Technology. The 2019 Raptor also comes with a new Trail Control System, which is cruise control designed for low-speed and rugged terrain.
“Raptor’s success is rooted in its incredible suspension, superb vehicle control, and the confidence the truck instills in its owners,” said Hermann Salenbauch, Global Director, Ford Performance Vehicle Programs. “Upgrades to the 2019 F-150 Raptor have improved all three to new levels that the competition will have to benchmark – again.”
Ford worked closely with Fox to further hone the existing internal bypass shock absorbers. The result is an electronically-controlled Live Valve Technology that continuously adjusts damping in real-time. The system utilizes sensors in the suspension and body to maximize comfort, all-terrain handling, and bottom-out resistance.
“By automatically varying compression rates, Raptor can now make the most of its suspension travel of 13 inches at the front and 13.9 inches at the rear,” Salenbauch said.
2019 Ford F-150 Raptor with Fox 3.0 Internal Bypass shocks with Live Valve technology. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Hang Time
Have you ever heard of a suspension that automatically adjusts the damper settings when the vehicle is in midair?
“The 2019 Raptor is not just more capable off-road. It’s smarter,” Salenbauch continued. “Not many trucks need sensors to detect when you are midair. Raptor sets the dampers to full stiffness to help smooth shock performance as the truck lands.”
This may sound a bit silly, but the current F-150 Raptor is one of the most refined vehicles you can buy today. The upgraded Fox Live Valve suspension enables the Raptor to achieve new heights in all-terrain versatility and performance. When paired with the Raptor’s Terrain Management System, the Live Valve Suspension Technology will confidently traverse even the most unforgiving terrain at high-speed, while still retaining a smooth on-road performance.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Off-Road Cruise Control
The 2019 F-150 Raptor is also equipped with a new Trail Control system. It can automatically adjust and send power and braking force to each individual wheel. The system can be activated at speeds from 1 mph up to 20 mph depending on the driveline position.
Trail Control can feed engine torque to the driving wheels so you can easily climb over steep obstacles. The system can also brake each wheel individually, so the Raptor comes down smoothly on the other side of whatever you are climbing. It is a fool-proof system that allows you to focus on steering over rugged terrain.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Hold Me Tight
Also new for the 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor are Recaro sport seats. The seats are designed to offer aggressive support and substantial bolstering to smoothen those nasty kidney shots over rugged, uneven terrain. Available seat designs include blue Alcantara inserts and accent stitching inspired by the interior of the bonkers Ford GT supercar.
Pricing & Availability
The 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor is all yours by late 2018, and comes in three new colors: Ford Performance Blue, Velocity Blue, and Agate Black.
The upgraded 2019 F-150 Raptor will be built at the Dearborn Truck Plant. Ford has not disclosed pricing at this time.
Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine.
2019 Ford F-150 Raptor Gallery

Photos & Source: Ford Motor Company.

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2019 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Sedan: Fast Saloon Gets Mild Hybrid Technology

2019 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Sedan: Fast Saloon Gets Mild Hybrid Technology The mere mention of the word “hybrid” is enough to ruin the day of a true-blue petrol head. But the 2019 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Sedan begs to differ. Yes, this fast German saloon is equipped with an electrified, AMG-enhanced motor called EQ Boost. If this sounds like the cushioning technology of a popular sneaker brand, you’re not very far off.
But instead of protecting your feet, the EQ Boost starter-alternator-generator is designed to create power for the 48-volt on-board electrical system. It all sounds very complex, but the result is 429 horsepower (6,100 rpm) and 384 lb-ft. of torque (1,800-5,800 rpm).
This is the same 48-volt hybrid assist system that powers the coupe and convertible versions of the E 53, including the Mercedes-AMG CLS 53, which both debuted at the 2018 North American International Auto Show.
2019 Mercedes-AMG E 53 4MATIC+ Cabriolet. Photo: MBUSA.
Luxurious Performance
Unless you’re living under a rock somewhere in New Mexico, you are probably familiar with the acceleration and performance characteristics of electric cars. Adding the EQ Boost system to an AMG-tuned and turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six sounds like a recipe for a good time, don’t you agree?
The Mercedes E-class is the epitome of a midsize luxury sedan. But the performance wizards at AMG were able to transform the 2019 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Sedan into an electrified performance monster without penalizing ride quality and comfort.
I hope you don’t mind me asking, but when was the last time Mercedes fitted an inline-six into the E-class? The magic starts with a proper 3.0-liter inline-six fitted with a conventional exhaust-driven turbocharger, which is pointing head-on into BMW territory. But apparently, this wasn’t enough.
Intelligent Electrification
Mercedes-AMG developed the EQ Boost starter-generator to provide “intelligent electrification.” The EQ Boost combines a starter and alternator in a powerful electric motor. The system is fitted between the engine and transmission.
I guess we’ve seen this before, in the former Honda Insight hybrid vehicle, but EQ Boost can do so much more than basic hybrid functions: energy recovery, gliding mode, shifting of the load point – it can even restart the gasoline motor with the start/stop function.
The system can supply an immediate burst of power to turn an electric auxiliary compressor. What this means is an instant rush of torque similar to a diesel motor, along with the famed smoothness and refinement of an inline-six.
48-Volt Electrical System
The EQ Boost system in the 2019 Mercedes-AMG E53 Sedan generates power for the 48-volt on-board electrical system. It also supplies 12-volt juice courtesy of a DC/DC converter. The 12-volt system will still supply power to the cockpit, infotainment system, and lights. On the other hand, the 48-volt system can supply power to the electric compressor to boost horsepower and torque.
The system can immediately provide 21 horsepower and 184 lb-ft. of torque with a drop of your right foot. When added to the existing power output, the result is a seamless and mesmerizing driving experience.
2019 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Sedan. Photo: MBUSA.
Transmission & Traction
Harnessing the power of the turbocharged inline-six and EQ Boost electric compressor is the AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G Transmission. This unit provides short shift times, multiple downshifts, and a double-declutching function. It also delivers faster responses to shift paddle commands so you can drive like Lewis Hamilton.
Power is routed to the 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system that can transition from rear-wheel to all-wheel drive and vice versa. The result is better handling and optimal traction on dry, wet, or snowy roads.
Drive Modes
The 2019 Mercedes-AMG E53 comes with five Dynamic Select drive modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Individual. The latter allows you to tailor the characteristics of the Mercedes-AMG E53. Want firmer steering with a more compliant ride? Done. You can basically go from mild to extra spicy with a press of a button.
Ride & Handling
The damping forces at each wheel are adjusted accordingly to suit any type of driving situation. The 2019 Mercedes-AMG E53 Sedan is fitted with an AMG-tuned, multi-chamber air suspension with ADS+ (the automakers “Adaptive Damping System”). The system is based on the Air Body Control technology developed in Affalterbach, Southern Germany. The result is neutral cornering with less body roll, better traction, and greater levels of ride comfort.
2019 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Sedan interior. Photo: MBUSA.
Modern Interior
The new AMG E 53 Sedan is equipped with a standard widescreen cockpit with virtual instrument panels. The 12.3-inch display is located above the central console so you can fiddle with the infotainment system, which can also be operated via the touchpad controller or by voice control. The voice command feature has been recalibrated so you can control things like the air conditioning, seat heating and cooling, and even the interior lights.
The AMG performance steering wheel in black Nappa leather, with red 12 o’clock markings, is standard.
Pricing & Availability
With an electronically-limited top speed of 130 mph and a zero to 60 time of 4.4 seconds, the 2019 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Sedan is more than a valid replacement for the previous AMG E 43 Sedan. You can expect the E 53 Sedan in the United States by late 2018. Pricing has not been disclosed yet.
Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine.
Photos & Source: MBUSA.

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Bricks And Bones: The Indy 500 Is Pure Righteousness: A Prologue

Bricks And Bones: The Indy 500 Is Pure Righteousness: A Prologue Tony Borroz is attending the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500, scheduled for Sunday, May 28th, 2017. This series, Bricks And Bones, explores the cultural significance, endearing legacy, and the nitty-gritty phenomenon of The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

Conflicting Emotions
I’m sitting in the Dallas/Fort Worth airport, between here and there, between desert and farmland, between my glowering past and my immediate future. I am calm, but my mind seems to be screaming out in a thousand different directions at once. Everyone seems to be saying I should be feeling happy or excited or sad or tired or respectful or lonely, but I’m all of those things and none of them all at the same time.
At the moment I am still. Waiting through this interminable layover, waiting for my connecting flight between here and there.
Frequent Fear
My mind, and a notional team of psychiatrists would imply that, in my given emotional state outside of “work” (which this is), peace and serenity would be good goals to pursue. Instead, I am anxious to stuff myself into an alloy tube controlled by overworked, overtired, yet overpaid former-military hotshots; worked by over-glorified wait staff that seem to have no compunction these days from physically and emotionally abusing you for the slightest infractions like airborne Stassi martinets.
Powerful Prelude
I should be still . . . be still . . . be still; seek out an extended period of immobility, but right now, what I am most anxious for is speed, and lots of it. I need to wad myself into an alloy tube and be blasting through the thin air at .84 Mach. I am going to need velocity and quickness, pace, and swiftness.
I am going to The Indy 500.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
*To be continued. Bricks And Bones is an Automoblog original series with forthcoming installments during the days leading up to, and following the Indianapolis 500.
Cover Photo: 1915 Indianapolis 500, courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

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Report: General Motors is under fire for accusations of diesel-emissions test cheating

Report: General Motors is under fire for accusations of diesel-emissions test cheating It seems the crackdown on cheating diesel emissions tests isn’t over and moves on to General Motors.

What’s going on?
Just when you thought the dust (soot?) was beginning to settle in the wake of Volkswagen’s TDI diesel-emissions cheating scandal, aka “dieselgate,” a class-action lawsuit was just filed against General Motors for similar accusations.
Like rubbing salt in the wound, this adds another layer of legal troubles for General Motors, following its largest recall for faulty ignition switches. So far, GM paid out roughly $2.5 billion in penalties and settlements.
What’s the suit about?
According to AutoBlog, the lawsuit alleges that more than 705,000 Duramax diesel-powered Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups from 2011 to 2016 model years produced two to five times more NOx pollutants than legally allowed. The lawsuit itself is seeking refunds or reimbursement for lost vehicle values and punitive damages.
GM spokesman, Dan Flores, declared the accusations as “baseless,” citing the trucks’ compliance with US Environmental Protection Agency emissions requirements. Flores also emphasized the trucks’ ability to meet California’s strict diesel standards.
It should also be noted that the Duramax trucks come equipped with urea-injection systems. Those system inject Diesel Exhaust Fluid into the catalytic converter to significantly reduce NOx emissions.
The never-ending story
General Motors is the fifth automaker to undergo scrutiny for its diesel passenger vehicles. They join Volkswagen, Daimler, Peugeot, Renault, and FCA. The latest lawsuit against GM is not much different. Further detailed allegations point to the use of emissions test “defeat devices.” That forces the truck’s engine computer to run at a different state than in real-world conditions under testing, thus falsifying results.
More as it develops…
– By: Chris Chin
Source: AutoBlog

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BREAKING: The new BMW 8-Series is back after a 17-year hiatus and this is it in concept form

BREAKING: The new BMW 8-Series is back after a 17-year hiatus and this is it in concept form After many rumors and teasers, BMW finally revealed its hotly anticipated 8-Series coupe revival in concept form….and just look at it!

What’s going?
The BMW 8-Series is back baby and Munich’s finest just unveiled a concept for the world to see on the Interwebs. Set for a debut at this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este show, the new 8-Concept previews a new large, grand tourer luxury coupe from Bavaria. And we couldn’t be any more excited.
The original BMW 8-Series ended production in 1999. Since then, the BMW 6-Series revival took the role of providing buyers with a large, 2+2 grand touring coupe option. But the 6-Series just wasn’t enough and it wasn’t the same, especially with competitors from Mercedes-Benz, like the S-Class Coupe. Lexus also has the new LC500, which laid even more pressure on BMW to make a larger, grand tourer.
“The BMW Concept 8 Series is our take on a full-blooded high-end driving machine,” said Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW Group Design’s senior vice president. “It is a luxurious sports car which embodies both unadulterated dynamics and modern luxury like arguably no other. For me, it’s a slice of pure automotive fascination.”
BMW’s new flagship

Due for a full launch in 2018, the BMW 8-Series Concept is in near-production form, meaning what you see here is what you’ll likely get when it hits showrooms. There will be some changes to meet regulatory and safety requirements.
Overall, the new BMW 8-Series takes inspiration from the Vision Future Luxury Concept showcased at the 2014 Beijing Auto Show. Other tidbits also resemble styling cues from the Pininfarina-styled Grand Lusso Coupe Concept. There are also some hints of BMW i8 in the 8-Series Concept, particularly with the rear three-quarter panel and shoulder line. Altogether, it is very pleasant for the eyes.
The same sentiments carry over for the insides. Both suave and contemporary, the complete interior comes jam-packed with technology. A total of three massive digital screens are visible, hinting at the use of gesture and touchscreen interfaces. We can’t imagine the steering wheel will pass safety requirements. But the rest of the interior appears to also be nearly production ready.
Spearheading razor-sharp dynamics and modern luxury
BMW didn’t specify what powers the new 8-Series Concept. But we imagine it involves some sort of internal combustion engine, mated to some transmission, driving the rear or all four wheels.
It might be a while until we learn of such details. So stay tuned for that.
– By: Chris Chin
Source: BMW
2017 BMW Concept 8 Gallery

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Automoblog Book Garage: The Complete Book of Classic Ford & Mercury Muscle Cars

Automoblog Book Garage: The Complete Book of Classic Ford & Mercury Muscle Cars The 2018 Mustang GT has the whole nine: a redesigned 5.0-liter V8, quicker response times for the 10-speed SelectShift transmission, and even custom-designed Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires in the Performance Pack. The new 5.0 registers 460 horsepower and 420 lb-ft. of torque, and hits 60 in less than four seconds in Drag Strip mode.
If there ever was an American performance car, this is it. And modern technology has taken nicely to the great pony car. However, the glory days stand tall, thanks to the work of author Donald Farr, who penned this recently-released wonderful gem we are featuring this weekend.
The new Mustang might be hot but these old Fords sure could stoke the fire.
Total Performance
The Complete Book of Classic Ford and Mercury Muscle Cars spans the Blue Oval’s catalog of classic machines from the early 1960s to 1973. Farr takes us through this prolific time, from the Fairlanes and Galaxies with their 390 bigblock V8s to the iconic Shelby and Boss Mustangs. We are able to dive deep into what was known as Ford’s Total Performance program, which subjected these cars to the rigors of drag strips, oval circuits, European rally events, road courses, and everything in-between.
Later we see the Mercury Cougar, Cyclone GT, and Spoiler. And the Cobra Jet looks as good as ever.
This beautiful 428 Cobra Jet is found on page 116. It continued as an option for the 1970 Mach 1, including a handful of Twister Specials built as a special Kansas promotion. They came with side decals in addition to the 1970 Mach 1’s aluminum rocker panel covers. Photo: Eric English.
Horsepower & Nostalgia
Car enthusiasts – and especially Ford fans – will enjoy thumbing through this one. In my early years as a Ford sales consultant, I would have displayed this book on my desk at the dealership. We sold Mustangs, yes, but most of the cars we moved daily were the Focus and Fusion. Great cars for sure, but there’s something refreshing about a little extra horsepower and nostalgia, which The Complete Book of Classic Ford and Mercury Muscle Cars easily provides.
Author
Farr has been with Mustang Monthly Magazine for 30 years. In addition to his magazine work, he authored Mustang Boss 302: Ford’s Trans-Am Ponycar and owns the 1966 Mustang GT his grandfather purchased new. He was inducted into the Mustang Hall of Fame in 2012, an honor well-deserved.
The Complete Book of Classic Ford and Mercury Muscle Cars: 1961-1973 is available though Amazon and Motorbooks.
The Complete Book of Classic Ford and Mercury Muscle Cars Gallery

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2018 Indy 500 Notebook: Part 4: By This Time Tomorrow

2018 Indy 500 Notebook: Part 4: By This Time Tomorrow Tony Borroz opens up what has been dubbed “The 2018 Indy 500 Notebook” for an unedited look at The Greatest Spectacle In Racing. This new series will span the days leading up to and after the 102nd Indianapolis 500, set for Sunday, May 27th. The 2018 Indy 500 Notebook is not exactly live coverage, more like raw coverage. It’s an unfiltered look and what makes the Indy 500 so alluring in the first place.
The prologue can be found here.
Part 2: “Hey Hinchcliffe, Wanna Race? Then Go Faster!” here.
Part 3: “Carb Day” here.
Part five is forthcoming as the action in Indianapolis continues.
By This Time Tomorrow, this should all be over. We shall know, who Won and who Lost. At this point, flip a coin. Sure, sure, the Penskes look strong as always and Carpenter is the hometown hero to pick, but one thing is immutable: None of these people have raced this aero package at these speeds.
Let me say that again:
None of these people have raced this aero package at these speeds.
This is the first time that Indycar teams will be going this fast with the new speedway aero kit. No one has run in traffic – let’s say, for the sake of discussion, that “traffic” means three-wide heading into Turn 3 at 230 mph – and no one has done it for 500 friggin’ miles.
Tony Kanaan was the fastest (227.791 mph) in the No. 14 ABC Supply AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet during final practice on Miller Lite Carb Day. Kanaan won the 2013 Indianapolis 500. Photo: IMS LLC.
Easy Peasy
I mean, say what you want about the driving precision needed to “work” at Monaco – and I could, but we’re not covering Grand Prix racing (SPONSOR US) so I’ll have to connive a way to do that later – but screwing up tomorrow, in Speedway, Indiana is going to have Serious Consequences.
So don’t screw up. And don’t overreact to any near screw ups that anyone makes around you. And if someone does screw up, don’t get caught up in it . . . and take advantage of the yellow flag it’ll cause . . . and the next (inevitable) yellow . . . nail the pit stops . . . bring it into Victory Circle . . . drink your milk.
Simple.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.

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2018 Indy 500 Notebook: Part 3: Carb Day

2018 Indy 500 Notebook: Part 3: Carb Day Tony Borroz opens up what has been dubbed “The 2018 Indy 500 Notebook” for an unedited look at The Greatest Spectacle In Racing. This new series will span the days leading up to and after the 102nd Indianapolis 500, set for Sunday, May 27th. The 2018 Indy 500 Notebook is not exactly live coverage, more like raw coverage. It’s an unfiltered look and what makes the Indy 500 so alluring in the first place.
The prologue can be found here.
Part 2: “Hey Hinchcliffe, Wanna Race? Then Go Faster!” here.
Part four is forthcoming as the action in Indianapolis continues.
Ah, Carb Day. Yet another vestige of the past that still exists into the present day during the month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Carb Day used to be held on the Thursday before the race. It was the last opportunity to practice. To tune up your car and, as the name implies for you old-timers out there, adjust the carbs for the atmospheric conditions. That was a huge deal, half a century ago. You’d set up your car for qualifying – that took place weeks before the race itself – but by carb day, the air could be thicker or thinner, higher or lower on humidity; a whole bunch of stuff that could really screw up your race day performance.
Woodstock of the (Mid) West
But now, in 2018 (and for a long while), there are no more carburetors. The art and science and sorcery of finessing float levels and needle and jet sizes is as obscure as A.J. Watson’s shaping hammers. So what do you do on Carb Day at Indy in 2018? Party baby!!
Well, some people are there to party. There’s some sort of stage area that’s turning into a fixture over in the Turn 3 area. There’s a whole bunch of people, tens of thousands, that turn up to Indy, buy a ticket, and never see the race. They’re all over in Turn 3, listening to one horrid mediocre band after another (Blues Traveler(!) is about to take the stage), drunker than 18th century sailors, oblivious to 99 percent of the world.
As a side historical note, this all used to happen over in the infield of Turn 1. It was known as “The Snake Pit” and was, legend has it, something like a cross between The Bog at Watkins Glen and Altamont, just before Meredith Hunter got his. Alcohol! Drugs! Nudity! Sex! Debauchery! You know, a good ol’party for a wide swath of America.
But that’s not the whole thing. Other stuff, stuff that’s actually important to racing, still happens on Carb Day, far and away from the “Snake Pit” of today.
For the 100th Running of the Indy 500 in 2016, the Snake Pit featured performances by Skrillex, Martin Garrix, Zeds Dead, DJ Mustard, and B.O.A.T. Photo: IMS LLC.
Beer Run
For one thing, there’s the pit stop competition. It has no bearing on the race, but this pit stop competition is important to the teams, as far as bragging rights are concerned. There’s some money involved, sure (there’s always money involved in racing) but the teams refer to it as “beer money.” Essentially two cars line up, side by side, ready-set-go, drive forward for about ten yards, stop, all four tires are changed, drive forward for another ten yards, and the fastest crew wins. Everybody seems to have a good time, the fans enjoy watching it, and it gives you something to do on what used to be Carb Day.
Anticipation & Anxiety
And that – having something to do – can be a real Godsend. The waiting, waiting, waiting for the green flag to fall can be interminable for drivers and teams. Shoot, it’s interminable for me. I’ve been ready for this race to start for months now, and I bet 99.9 percent of the drivers and crew members feel the same way.
This waiting can be a real killer on the nerves.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.

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