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alternative energy
Nissan Drops $100 Mil On Green...Buildings
Yes, the green trends currently dominating the auto industry have reached as far as the actual headquarters buildings of the automakers. Case in point: Nissan's new HQ. The U.S. headquarters for Nissan is set to open up in Franklin, TN this July and it is loaded to the gills with all kinds of green and environmental technology. More »
never gonna do it without the fez on
When Shriners Go Bad!
According to the Washington Post, no charges have been filed against James H. Brooks, who apparently heard Judas Priest's "Hell Bent For Leather" playing at max volume in his head and hooned his miniature dune buggy into the crowd at a Chattanooga parade. Eight were injured in the mishap, five of whom were hurt badly enough to require hospital visits. While this incident wasn't anywhere near as tragic as the horrific Selmar burnout incident a while back, it's still gotta be tough for Tennesseans to have the crowd-hit-by car nightmare strike again.
tennessee tragedy
Father of Teen Killed In TN Pro-Mod Accident Sues
The father of fifteen-year-old Scarlett Replogle — killed in the Selmer, Tennesee accident when Troy Critchley's Pro Mod got out of line during an exhibition burnout at the Cars for Kids charity event earlier this month — is suing for 2.5 million dollars in compensatory damages, on top of $7.5 mil in punitive damages. Bruce Replogle has named Cars for Kids, Critchley and car-owner AMS as defendants in the case. In other news pertaining to the tragedy, the Tennessee Department of State is checking into whether Cars for Kids was correctly licensed as a charitable organization under the state's tax code. More »
fire-breathing, tire-smoking sadness
Troy Critchley and AMS Issue Statement on Weekend Pro Mod Debacle
A couple of Los Jalops have spent a fair amount of time covering drag racing or hanging out with drag racers (or in Bumbeck's case, actually wrenching on Fuel cars). While the signal-to-signal, station to station contest is the provenence of any teenage hoon in any part of the world, it's one motorsport whose apex is a truly American thing. Quarter-mile competition was invented here. And while we've seen all kinds of amazing motorsport between us, there truly is nothing quite like a top-rank dragster burnout. Fuel cars may stoke the sense the most, but anything from Pro Stock on up is still pretty mind-blowing. And we have to say, we've been on the barrier during NHRA Fuel burnouts snapping photos, and it's seriously an exercise in fight or flight. It's an absolutely exhilarating experience for those lucky enough to experience it. As impressive as it is from the stands, being ten feet from a car with that much power as it willfully chews rubber to get hot? And that in the back of one's mind that there's a remote possibility that a chunk of the engine's reciprocating mass may shoot right through one's skull, reminiscent of that one scene in Glory? Total, body-wide rush. It may have been irresponsible for the Cars for Kids people to allow people at the big end of the burnout. But at the same time, you also can't blame people for wanting to be close to it. It's sad when the awesome turns tragic. Critchley/AMS statement after the jump. More »
racing news
Tennessee Street Drag Race Kills Six Spectators
There's six dead and 18 injured in Selmer, Tennessee after the Aussie drag racer Troy Warren went out of control while doing a burnout for the fans at a charity event at a closed street event without guard rails. Warren then careened out of control into the crowd where a Tennessee Highway Patrol spokesman says the fatalities include two 15-year-old girls and a 17-year-old girl. The accident injured 18 others, including a five-year-old boy. The accident occurred at a "Cars for Kids" charity event, an organization set up by a father after a biking accident ten years ago involving his son. The irony: his son survived. More »
news
And That's The Nissan Way...Where Are My Shoes?
Here's the following note Carlos Ghosn, the CEO of the cross-global alliance, sent to his North American staff today to explain why he wouldn't be coming to this year's Christmas party. I feel like I'm reading a speech by Imelda Marcos or something.Sent on behalf of Carlos Ghosn, president & chief executive officer, Nissan Motor Company, Ltd.More »
news
High in Mississippi: Toyota Highlander, New Crossover to Be Built Near Tupelo
According to Automotive News, Toyota is building a $1 billion plant in the wilds of Memphis, Tennessee. At least, they're expected to, which means someone spilled the beans ahead of a local press conference to be held this morning in Blue Springs, Miss — a tiny town outside of big
news
Breaking! Nissan Vice Chairman Jim Morton Moves Company To Tennessee, Up And Leaves
We just received this news from a tipster at Nissan NorAm's new HQ inFrom: N-COM USMore »
Sent: Friday, February 23, 2007
Subject: Internal E-News - Corporate - NNA Executive
Change
news
Breaking! Nissan Offers "Voluntary" Buyouts To Tennessee Hourly Workers
We just received a tip letting us know Nissan will be offering a "voluntary transition program" — otherwise known as a "cash buyout" — to all workers in the automaker's Smyrna and Decherd, Tennessee plants. The Smyrna plant began by building trucks and SUV's, but has recently moved into car production — a less labor-intensive process. Decherd makes engines. All hourly workers will be offered the plan which includes cash incentives of "$45,000 lump sum payment and an additional $500 for each year of service." We've also been told the program will not be offered to employees at other Nissan manufacturing locations in North America. Full e-mail sent to employees is after the jump. More »
road trip report
Jalopnik Road Trip Report: Sevening on the Tail of the Dragon
Last weekend, I drove for 32 hours and more than 1,700 miles in the process of making an increasingly popular vehicular pilgrimage. No, not Bowling Green, nor Indy, nor Pebble nor Laguna. There was no factory tour waiting for me at the end of my journey. No concours of priceless Italian bella macchina. Just a $59/night motel and some of the best damn driving roads in the US of A. More »
news
Towing Corruption in Tennessee
Buddy Frazier, Jr., owner of of Chattanooga, TN's Absolute Towing and Recovery, has been busted on numerous counts of auto theft as well as charges relating to running "a shady business," according to Chattanooga authorities. Frankly, every tow yard we've ever dealt with seemed like a shady business to us. We hope they convict you and throw away the key, Frazier. It's punks like you who've ruined it for reputable, fair and decent tow-yard operators everywhere. Then again, we've never met one of those, so we're not quite sure they exist. More »
The Speed-Trappiest Towns in the USA
If one Sheriff R.P. Coltrane ever finally runs permanently afoul of a certain Jefferson Davis Hogg, it would behoove him to look for employment in one of the cities listed after the jump.
If one Sheriff R.P. Coltrane ever finally runs permanently afoul of a certain Jefferson Davis Hogg, it would behoove him to look for employment in one of the cities listed after the jump.
news
Kickin' it Like St. George on the Dragon: Tennessee's Public Nurburgring
According to a mysterious man known only as El Tonito, every year, especially around the time of the Honda Hoot, motorists and motorcyclists converge on the Tail of the Dragon, a section of US 129 south of Knoxville that features 300 turns in 11 miles, no doubt in search of the ultimate in brake and tire burnination, and possibly leaving a beefy arm or two on the side of the road. We feel like the only way to truly enjoy this section of road is on a consummate V-twin while smoking cigarettes hand-rolled from loose-leaf and sparked up by a BMW lighter. And the Trogdor comes in the NIIIIIIIIGHT! More »
news
Honda Throws a Hoot, Everyone Shows Up
Bikes of all sortsa stripes have descended upon Knoxville, TN for the Honda Hoot, a rally that's flooded the street and side roads with all manner of motorcycles from ring-dings to rumblers. The Honda people even set up a showing of On Any Sunday, the 1972 film that had tons of kids off popping wheelies on Stingrays, and is often credited with inspiring the invention of BMX. We wish we had a Mini-Trail 50 right about now. Man oh man, do we ever. [Thanks to CTE for the tip] More »
news
Viva Nissanvegas: Japanese Automaker's New TN HQ
Carlist's got a bit up on Nissan's new Nashville headquarters. While many critics of Mr.
morning shift
• Oil prices are too high, the environment's gettin' worse — and that's just why this man wants to make it easier for Big Oil to pollute. Well — to be fair — he did wait until after Earth Day. [Detroit News]
• Dale Jr.'s flyin' the black flag this upcoming week at Talladega for Dale Sr. We're totally wellin'. [Mercury News]
• In Indiana? Got a few extra grand to spend? Love exotics and semi-exotics? Here's a way to put that extra cheddar to good use. [Gleaner]
• In Michigan, a golf cart ride turns tragic. [Freep]
• When we hear someone has "rolled their car" we think of F1 drivers too. [News & Star]
• And in the seemingly never-ending TVR saga (Day Three) — TVR has finally issued a statement on future production. Next week on As The World Turns. [Auto Industry]
• Seriously, this is one of those times where it totally makes sense to move to rather than from Michigan. The other time would be if Nissan were moving to Alabama. [Business Wire]
The Jalopnik Morning Shift
• Oil prices are too high, the environment's gettin' worse — and that's just why this man wants to make it easier for Big Oil to pollute. Well — to be fair — he did wait until after Earth Day. [Detroit News]
• Dale Jr.'s flyin' the black flag this upcoming week at Talladega for Dale Sr. We're totally wellin'. [Mercury News]
• In Indiana? Got a few extra grand to spend? Love exotics and semi-exotics? Here's a way to put that extra cheddar to good use. [Gleaner]
• In Michigan, a golf cart ride turns tragic. [Freep]
• When we hear someone has "rolled their car" we think of F1 drivers too. [News & Star]
• And in the seemingly never-ending TVR saga (Day Three) — TVR has finally issued a statement on future production. Next week on As The World Turns. [Auto Industry]
• Seriously, this is one of those times where it totally makes sense to move to rather than from Michigan. The other time would be if Nissan were moving to Alabama. [Business Wire]
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