Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

Car companies, community & a cause

Last Saturday night (April 20) was one of those I-can't believe-I-get-paid-to-do-this kind of evenings. My wife Maria and I -- along with 550 of our closest friends -- were invited to attend the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute's 31st annual dinner. The name sort of says it all, and the dinner is a simple enough concept that even I get it: It's held to raise money.

Celebrating the Bugatti clan at the Mullin Museum

Legend holds that Ettore Bugatti was at dinner with some of his wealthiest clients when an aristocratic lady -- who already owned numerous Bugattis -- lamented, "I want to buy another Bugatti…but I want the most luxurious car in the world. Too bad I have to buy a Rolls-Royce or a Hispano-Suiza." Ettore nodded politely, in that insouciant way that temperamental geniuses do in order to distance their own reactions, excused himself after dinner, ran to his hotel room, and drew what would become the Type 41 Royale -- the most astonishing, dramatic, expensive luxury car in the world. True to the name of the recent crop of limited-edition Veyron SuperSports (and what Veyron isn't a limited edition?), Bugatti traffics in legend.

2012 Chevrolet Corvette upgrades focus on track performance

To keep up on the track with the Vipers and Super Snakes of the world, Chevrolet has upgraded the Corvette for 2012. There's no change to the engines or their output for 2012, but you will shave a few seconds off your lap times with the newly optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Zero Pressure tire. Only offered on the Z06 and ZR1 models, the package includes the tires, 285/30-19 in front and 335/25-20 rear, and lightweight aluminum Cup-style wheels in satin black or machined finishes.