N.D.B. Cars and Coffee 3rd Running - June 19th 2011 at 8am in Weston

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

New Addition to the Family...

We are proud to announce the recent addition of a 1992 Mercedes 300E to the "Scuderia Bellanger." The 300E joins the 2008 Passat, 2002 Astro, 1990 2CV and 1981 Golf GTI. The 300E will replace the Astro as my daily driver (thank God). Given the recent sale of my Aprilia scooter, this addition does not increase the number of wheeled conveyances in the Bellanger household (at least that's how I justified it to my wife).

Although I am not a Mercedes guy, the W124 300E is one of the last great Mercedes built in the pre-Lexus days. (After Lexus launched, Mercedes cut build quality in order to compete on cost with the Japanese.) The W124 is completely over-engineered and over-built. Hopefully it will deliver me years of reliable service.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

OktoberFAST

I had the pleasure of attending the Green Mountain Chapter of the BMW Club's OktoberFast event last weekend in Stowe, Vermont. This was a gathering for all German makes and after a one-year hiatus, the organizers were trying to get the event back on its feet. Although attendance wasn't great, there was a terrific atmosphere and I have the sense that this event will build momentum over the next couple of years. It was also a great chance to drive some of Vermont's great twisty roads at a beautiful time of year. Add to that the fact that my co-attendee and camping partner Brian and I scored some great hardware - Best Original Condition and Best In Show for Brian and his 1989 BMW 325iX and Best VW for me and the GTI - and you have an all-around great weekend.

Dabu Habi, I mean Abu Dhabi

Formula 1 will visit the brand new facility at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi for the last race of the 2009 season. James Allen just posted some great video on his blog of the first Formula 1-style car being driven around the circuit. Looks like a good layout - add to that the fact that this will be a twilight race (starting in the light, finishing in the dark) and it should be pretty spectacular. See the video below...enjoy!