Some Predicitions...

The 2011 Formula 1 season gets underway this weekend with the Australian Grand Prix. This is against a backdrop of the F1 powers-that-be warning that Australia may be dropped in the future from the calendar, and interesting news that commercial head of F1 is in NYC this weekend meeting with Mayor Bloomberg about a Grand Prix on Staten Island. I am happy to leave the politics and wheeling and dealing to others and focus on the racing. Here's my 2011 predictions:

• Fernando Alonso will win the World Championship
• Red Bull will win the Constructors Championship
• Vettel, Webber, Hamilton and Massa will score wins
• Schumacher, Rosberg, Heidfeld, Button and Barichello will appear more than once on the podium

Enjoy what promises to be a fascinating season!

The Best of All Worlds...

I recently got rid of my 1992 Mercedes 300E after a year of service. Although it was a solid performer, I just wasn't smitten. It was underpowered and didn't get my juices flowing. So, after getting a decent offer on it, I jumped and sold it.

I have to say that the replacement for the big Merc' is at the opposite end of the 4-door spectrum. I purchased a 2011 Civic Si. I went from 6 cylinders to four, rear to front wheel drive, leather to cloth, German to Japanese, stolid to sporty, full-size to compact.

I think the Civic Si is the best performance bargain going. For a price of less than $22,000 (after some negotiation), you get a car that will carry a family of four comfortably, provide years of reliable service and be able to rev to 8,000 glorious RPM. This is my first Honda with a VTEC engine and it is awesome. It has a real Jeckyll and Hyde character - below 6,000 is a docile econo-car, but above 6,000 it shows its teeth. So far after six months of ownership a couple of family trips and daily commutes, I have no regrets...oh, and air conditioning works, which is a nice change from the Mercedes.

N.D.B. Cars and Coffee

A group of local Boston-area car nuts are working to organize a regular get-together for folks to talk cars and go for a "spirited" drive. I am sure the group will lean towards European sports cars from the '80, '90s and '00s, but all are welcome. The first meet-up is scheduled for April 16, 2011 in Weston with a route planned through the Weston, Concord, Acton, Subury area...so mark you calendars and tell your friends! Here are the details:

• What: An informal get together for car talk, coffee and a spirited drive


• When: Saturday, April 16, 8am meet-up, 8:30am departure


• Who: Everyone welcome as long as you are passionate about cars. All cars welcome. Just one rule: NDB - that means no Fast and Furious crowd.


• Where: Intersection of Boston Post Road and Townhouse Road in Weston Center (2 miles from Route 128 exit 26).


• Route: A 30-40 mile loop between the 128 and 495 belts starting and ending in Weston Center. Maps and directions to be provided.

Back in the Saddle

After a year off, I am going to try to revive this blog. Stay tuned!