Category Archives: OSM Blog

Manual vs Automatic

Posted by on January 3, 2012 No comments

In 1948, the first car with a fully automatic transmission was released.  Since that time, automatics have taken hold of consumer demand over their trickier and more attention needing counterpart, manual transmissions.  Most consumers don’t even bother learning the techniques of the stick shift in their entire life because they don’t need to.  I was lucky because my parents got me a nice, cheap manual the winter I got my license.  Well, they got it because I scorned stick and swore I’d never drive it and my father knew I’d have to learn if I didn’t want to ride my bike through two feet of snow everyday (my Dad in a nutshell).  Still, I learned how to maneuver a manual at a young age and even regret not learning it sooner.  That is not the way of the world, though, and automatics dominate the market to the point where stick is only used for racing or out of some undying habitual loyalty to the old age of automobiles.  That doesn’t mean one is better than the other, does it?  Well, I’m glad you asked (or rather I asked for you), because I’ve crunched the numbers and read the research.  I can tell you which switch to itch or what gear to grind, but what I want to do is explain the key differences between manual transmission and automatic and let you decide for yourself.  After all, it’s all what you are comfortable with.

The debate has raged on for decades and those more gear-head inclined seem to be savoring the flavor of the stick shift more than the average everyday commuter.  For those not seasoned in the art of clutch shifting, all it really is is an extra pedal and a knobby thingy set in beside the driver’s and passenger’s seat that clicks the engine into different gears for different inputs of gas into the engine.  Your vehicle needs to start at one gear (1st) and work it’s way to another or rather, can’t work at one gear (2nd) when it reaches a certain speed.  It’s all about managing your torque, which is the thing that accelerates your vehicle.  Each gear is designed for different set of RPMs (Rotations Per Minute) and that is what the torque is used to do.  The more torque, the more rotations, the more horsepower used, the faster your car goes.   When in a lower gear, your going to use less torque, but in 5th or 6th gear, you’ll be at your fastest so you’ll need a significant increase in torque for you’re car to run properly.  Failure to shift will kill your transmission because you’re not applying the right amount of torque to the speed and output of your engine, so it won’t be able to sustain.

I hope that last paragraph explained standard transmission at least enough for you all to follow along.  What you need to know about automatics is that the transmission is entirely different because you don’t have to shift and lock your tranny into a specific set of RPMs.    It works by adjusting several gears within to deliver the best torque as you accelerate.  The primary difference between the two types that an average consumer will notice is that manuals tend to expend less gas.  They require less gear shifting because they lock in where as automatics constantly change.   In a gas crisis this little fact could be enough to push those comfortable with stick shift in that direction.

Automatics are significantly easier to drive and provide drivers with the luxury of paying more attention to the road.  Granted, by the time you master the art of manual driving, it will come almost second nature to you, but automatics are crucial in traffic because you don’t have to hold down the clutch every time you move an inch.  Plus, manuals roll back when you let off the gas and that can be a pain when you’re stopped on a hill.  Conversely, automatics do not give you the same control over your engine.  Stopping is easier in a manual because you downshift back to previous gears which will slow you down gradually.  They are good for bending turns and handling and whether it’s off the line or in transit, they offer quicker shifting for higher acceleration and overall faster speed.  That is why all of NASCAR has a form of manual shifting and why all Paul Walker’s cars are too fast and too furious.

Automatics also cost more because manufacterers and dealerships know consumers don’t want to bother with shifting.  Buying sports or performance vehicles, however, is a bit of a waste if they are automatic.  Not enough grit or quickness to them.  Paddle shifting is something that has become rather popular for those who don’t want to deal with a clutch but want to shift that fancy sports car.  It basically does all the same things as a standard, just with a quick tap of a paddle built into the steering wheel.  These are semi-automatic because you won’t need to clutch down and shift, you just shift, but you still need to shift.  They are a more advanced form of manual in my book.  One last thing that needs to be noted is that when your car battery dies in an automatic, you need to jump start it.  For a manual, you throw it in neutral, push it, pop the clutch (throw it into gear) and fire the engine up.  It’s a lot more hassle free.

It’s hard to say what is right for you if you only know one way.  When I drove manual in my first two cars, I couldn’t wait to get an automatic and not have to deal with shifting.  After years with an automatic, I miss the control a standard gives and the competitive feel from hitting those gears just right and receiving that little extra push.  Manuals are downright fun to drive when you don’t have to deal with hills or traffic or traffic on hills.  Automatics are carefree and simple.  What it comes down to is what you prefer.  I suggest you learn both and decide for yourself.

Tyler Baker; OSM Writer

 

Nicky Hayden Injured in Motorcycle Training Crash

Posted by on December 30, 2011 No comments

2006 MotoGP World Champion, Nicky Hayden, had a rough 2011.  Unfortunately for Hayden, his year only got worst as he reportedly broke his left scapula (shoulder blade) while training at an indoor track in Kentucky.     He is currently undergoing tests to get a better understanding of his injury, which has already been determined as a break from an MRI and CAT Scan.

The Kentucky Kid, which is Hayden’s nickname, was optimistic in a report by CycleNews.com.  In the article, Hayden was quoted as saying, “It’s disappointing, but there’s nothing to do about it but heal quickly.  Anyway, this doesn’t change my expectations for 2012 which, fortunately, is just around the corner.”  As long as his injury can heal on it’s own and doesn’t require surgery, he could be ready for the end of January when the season events start up.  The reason is that the shoulder blade is surrounded by muscle and having surgery would require more rehabilitation for that muscle tissue to heal.

As we said, it has not been a good year for Nicky Hayden.  He finished in 8th place on the year with only one podium finish.  This of course was killed by a season ending injury when he collided with fellow rider, Valentino Rossi.  Both were injured in the accident.  Where this leaves Hayden is on the sidelines until he is healed up and cleared to race.  Easier said then done for a man with the heart of a competitor.

For more on the story, read the full article here: CycleNews.com

Tyler Baker; OSM Writer

Holiday Havoc

Posted by on December 28, 2011 No comments

For the second strait year and on the one year anniversary of the night I spent stranded in the Philadelphia Airport, I found myself unable to fly across the country without running into complications.  Last year was a snow storm that saturated all of Philly and this year was a flood warning surrounding Washington D.C.  The result is not a story, but a lesson.  That lesson is simple; don’t travel the day after the day after Christmas.

Now I know what you are all thinking, two chances of misfortune tumbled on top of one another, but here me out because at very least, I avoided the frustration and inconvenience of last years mishaps.  Last year, I flew from Buffalo to Philly and was set to fly from Philly to Las Vegas.  I arrived at the airport in Buffalo over an hour early, was at the gate with 50 minutes to spare (I’m always early).  Two hours later, our plane was delayed four times and the airline representative (for which airline I will not mention) was “optimistic” that if I got on the plane and flew to  Philadelphia, I would most certainly get on my connector.  I believed her, as any normal person would trust a stranger in official airlines attire and got on-board.  I didn’t really have an alternative, I drove into Buffalo and my only ride was an hour and four inches of snowfall away.

When I got to Philly, my flight was delayed only twenty minutes.  Perfect for me, because I arrived at the gate just in time to board.  Only we didn’t board.  The flight was delayed again.  Then thirty minutes later, delayed again.  When I asked the employee working the desk, he first told me the plane hadn’t arrived.  Then the plane arrived, but because it arrived so late, they had to wait.  Then because they had to wait, the crew, who were all on the clock while waiting, had gone over their maximum work hours for the day and some couldn’t legally work anymore according to FAA regulations.  The reason I bring this up is because our flight, after two and a half hours of waiting, was cancelled and it was all because we were short one airline attendant who was there, but was over the legal hours limit.  By that time it was past midnight and a plane-full of angry, tired travelers were forced to find new ways home.

We waited in the customer service line for another hour and a half before they closed for the night and left the back-end of the line with no place to stay or no way of getting out in the morning.  Most of us were told we wouldn’t be able to fly out for another three or four days since the flight schedules were all overbooked.  Luckily for me, I had worked the phone while in line and had scheduled me a flight out in the afternoon with the airline.  Later that morning, I jumped in line when the customer service opened back up (which was only closed for two hours!) and being very polite, where everyone else in line was exhausted, frustrated and bitter, was able to finagle an early morning flight out to LA and a quick connect over to Vegas.  All first class with no additional fee and I was home that afternoon.

This year, was different.  I recognized the problem, analyzed it with my android phone and keen ability to listen to other people’s conversations to figure out what the real story was when my flight was delayed three time in less than an hour.  I knew when the airline representative explained that we would land and I would only have ten minutes to get a shuttle to the other end of the airport to make last call for my flight to Vegas, she didn’t know what she was saying.  I had heard it before and I listened to her tell other passengers the same thing she had said to me forty minutes earlier about the plane fully boarded and pushed back from the gate, but didn’t take off yet.  I knew the signs, I recognized the potential for spending the anniversary of my worst travelling experience (which trumps my regurgitating road trip from New York to Florida) the same way and made the moves I had to to get me off that flight and onto the next possible option.

I arrived in Las Vegas yesterday evening after flying for around six hours on two flights and a four hour layover…in Philly.  My morning flights, as they often do, went off perfectly and as long as I was in the air before 1 pm, I knew I would be safe.  By now, you’re probably wondering what the moral of this tale is.  It’s more of a venting rant than anything, but there is some valuable lessons to take away.  Most people don’t have the heart or social brutality to get in airline employee’s faces and ask for an honest answer to their questions(a lot do, though).  They are people too and it is not their fault planes don’t arrive on time or crew members blow past their daily hour allowance, but the least they could do is be strait about it instead of blowing you off for three hours then telling you you’re flight is cancelled.  That is why you have to be smart when you fly, especially during the holidays.

Recognize when you will be stranded and find a solution.  No matter what, those same people who tell you you should be fine will also help keep you happy by finding you a new route.  If you have a family with you, the last thing you want is to have your kids sleeping with an aluminum looking space blanket on a bench at gate A23 while you burn your cellphone battery on hold, waiting for some voice on the other end to find you four tickets with two connectors four days from then to get to your destination.  I was lucky, I was one person with no checked bags or problem adapting.  I guess, this story is more of something to learn from than anything else.  I hope it helped.

Tyler Baker; OSM Writer

 

Motor Home Survival Guide : Camping Gear

Posted by on December 23, 2011 No comments

It’s safe to assume that some people who own and operate recreational vehicles do so to avoid the rigor of outdoor living.  Either that or they have a family of suburban sophisticates that require a certain level of civilization to coexist properly with nature.  Still, it would surprise most of us to see how many motor home owners revel in the natural retreat of authentic camping.  Maybe not to the extent of Survivorman or Henry David Thoreau, but camping is part of our American heritage.  Even if you are the most domesticated and sheltered human in the world, if you own a motor home, you should always come equipped with camping essentials in case of emergencies.  We’ve compiled a list of these few essentials.

The first thing you need to consider is something you should already have in your motor home; a first aid kit.  The fact is, a first aid kit can mean the difference between life and death (dramatic, I know) and not necessarily on the spot.  If you receive a gash or cut, while it might not seem dire, they can get infected if the wound is not addressed properly in a timely fashion.  Same with burns.  Antibiotics, burn gel, bandages are all necessary to keep your wound clean and covered.  Things like eye drops, medical tape and a snake bite kit are essential as well

Next, you need to decide how hardcore you want to go.  Granted, if you have a camper on hand, you’ll probably be keeping it pretty modern, but some people like to keep it real and sleep under the stars.  If you do, you may not need a sleeping bag or a tent, but if you have kids, that is a more realistic accessory.  Either way, you should have a tarp folded and tucked away as a canopy against rain.  Remember to keep the tarp set up away from the fire, as the heat is liable to melt it (as most tarps are nylon and plastic blends).  A tarp is actually one of the most important of camping features.  It can be used to lay on the ground or over your head, as a makeshift outhouse or shower, the applications are limitless.

What is camping without a fire?  If you are going to build a fire, we strongly suggest that you find a dry area and surround it with any large to medium sized rocks you can find.  Since fire is by nature a wild entity, it acts on it’s own and can spread if not properly monitored and maintained.  A rock circle fire pit will help prevent a forest fire, but also make sure to clear out stray leaves and foliage around the outside of the circle to keep that area safe.  If you want to start a fire, but don’t want to go through the strenuous process that Tom Hanks had to in Cast Away, then have some lighter fluid and matches on hand.  Make sure you keep them secured in the kitchen, however, and not in a storage compartment.  You want to avoid the chance of the bottle being punctured and causing a hazard.

Some more objects to consider would be special made skewer sticks that can be used to cook hot dogs and marshmallows on the fire and a skillet that doesn’t have a plastic handle.  Also, folding chairs can easily fit anywhere in the RV and will make camping much more comfortable then sitting on a cold slab of stone.  You should pack hiking boots or sneakers if you plan on exploring.  Regular shoes, when used on the rough and unbalanced terrain of the woods can eventually lead to blisters or inconsistent gripping of the earth.

Perhaps the most crucial essentials to camping are a compass and a knife.  While we in no way advocate the use of weapons such as knives for adolescents or younger, a good knife handled by a responsible adult is like the screwdriver of the woods.  It can be used in any number of situations, including a first aid situation that might call for cauterization or simply to cut clothing.  Simply having it on hand in case of an animal attack is yet another reason to pack a blade.  Generally, however, you’ll use it to clip fishing lines, anchor tents and even as your makeshift spatchula during cooking.  While most of the concerning scenarios I just described are unlikely and may cause you to rethink your retreat into the forest, most wilderness aware outdoors-men carry much more than a knife when venturing off the path.  We would rather you were prepared with the right tools then end up in a situation that cannot be solved because you came empty handed.

Camping is a part of life.  While many of us might not understand this, having spent all our lives sheltered on a couch, set up in front of a television, the bond with nature is inherent in all of us.  It’s something we evolved out of over centuries of societal progression, but there is a special bond built between man and wild that cannot be denied.  There is nothing quite the same as the serenity of sparkling stars and swaying trees and we passionately persuade all of you to go camping at least once in your lives.  Now that you know what to bring, you can visit the great outdoors knowing you are equipped.

Tyler Baker; OSM Writer

 

SAAB WATCH 2011 : Saab files for bankruptcy

Posted by on December 19, 2011 No comments

As inevitable as it always was, Saab Automobile finally filed for bankruptcy this morning in Swedish courts.  The car manufacturer was under debt protection for several months while it attempted to re-align it’s stars and scrambled to find funding to stay alive.  They failed, due to a combination of things, and were forced to file bankruptcy as a result.

For these keeping score at home, Saab has been in trouble since they closed their manufacturing plant in April of this year.  They were out of money to pay parts providers and wages to their 3,000 plus employees.  They had plans in place to pay off these wages and developed a restructuring process that included finding foreign investors interested in purchasing the company, but missed deadlines, vetoed proposals and general disjointed communications has lead Saab to finally throw in the towel.

As it was reported in the Chicago Tribune this morning, Saab’s CEO Victor Mueller announced that he handed in the submission of bankruptcy himself.  Since Saab’s deal to be bought by Chinese automotive company, Zhejiang Youngman was thwarted several times by General Motors, Saab lost the potential option for a buy-out as Youngman has to pull out of the deal.  The reason GM, who still have priority votes in regards to any business deal Saab would want to make, denied the sale has to do with their concern that the technology they provide Saab with currently would be used against them by their Chinese competitors in the Asian market.  Since GM didn’t see a way that the sale of Saab would benefit them, and rightly so, they couldn’t allow the deal to go through.  It’s not clear if Saab every truly understood this, because they proposed several deals in the past month, but none of them really addressed GM’s concerns.  With the veto in place, the investors had to give up.

Mueller is reportedly placing blame on Saab’s recently resigned reconstruction administrator, Guy Lofalk, for misrepresenting to the Chinese investors how much of the company could be sold to them.  He claims Lofalk implied the Chinese could do a complete buy-out, which was never going to be approved by GM.  It’s hard to say if this is true or not, seeing as Lofalk asked last week to be removed as the administrator on their restructuring because he didn’t see a way out for Saab.  On the outside, at least, it looks as if Lofalk recognized the severe disconnect between what Saab thought they should get and what their realistic value was.  He also petitioned the courts to end the creditor protection for Saab, siding that they had no legit plan to restructure properly.

Though we may never be able to verify the truth, it seems that Mueller and his board may be the real people responsible for Saab’s constant misfortune and eventual destruction.  He was the one who turned down Chinese investors several times because he was afraid of losing Saab’s identity to outside companies.  It was only after they had missed the deadline to present a course of restructuring to courts that Saab caved in and announced they would sell off their shares to the Chinese.  Then, when GM stepped in and stated their position, Saab did nothing until they ran past the deadline to pay owed wages, in which they resubmitted a deal that would only give up 60% of the company to the Chinese.  GM rejected that as well and here we are.

It is sad to think that the 3,000 employees of Saab, who have been on the edge, waiting for some good news, had to wait until the week of Christmas to learn they’re company would probably be chopped up and sold in pieces.  When a company is so mismanaged the way Saab was, it’s hard not to realize where this was heading.  Mueller’s company, Spyker Manufacturing, purchased Saab from GM almost two years ago with the promise to turn the company around in five years.  A year and a half later, they ran out of money.  Even from the start, many analysts saw a flaw in Mueller’s optimistic plan.  The fact that sticks out the most is how Saab sold a company record 133,000 vehicles in 2006.  Three years later in 2009, they reported sold only 27,000 vehicles.  As plain as day, we can see how such a steep and brutal drop in sales would kill any resemblance of a profit margin.

Today, Saab files for bankruptcy, but the story doesn’t end there.  The courts need to figure out how best to sell off their assets in order to pay debts.  If they can find a buyer who will take the entire company as a whole, this may salvage the jobs of many employees.  For now, however, nothing is certain except that Mueller and company will be out and someone else could be in.

Tyler Baker; OSM Writer

( Source : Chicago Tribune )

 

SAAB WATCH 2011 : $5 million; World’s Cheapest Bailout

Posted by on December 14, 2011 No comments

It’s silly, but Swedish automotive manufacturer, Saab just won’t die.  For months now, the world has watched the spectacle surrounding Saab as they desperately sought new investors, then denied them, then approved a buy-out, then GM denied them and so on in that fashion.  Well, last week it was made clear to Saab that the Swedish courts would judge them by Friday.  They had no money, their last submitted proposal for Chinese investors was rejected by GM again and they owed millions of dollars worth of wages to their employees.  Today, however, Saab received a $5 million investment from Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile, one of two proposed Chinese investors.

This move was to solve Saab’s immediate tax issue and according to an article on Reuters.com, Youngman is set to give Saab another 20 million euros by tomorrow.  That money will go to paying the owed salaries of Saab’s several thousand employees.  With that out of the way, Saab will be better positioned to face the courts come Friday.  Still, Saab was almost entirely out of funds yesterday, so it’s hard to see how $5 million will make a difference.  That is why, Yougman is reported to be handing over another 10 million euros by the end of December.  That could, theoretically, keep them afloat until they can get GM to approve Youngman’s acquisition of Saab.  The reason GM continues to reject this deal is because they feel it would hurt them in the Asian market and replace them the primary parts and technology provider for Saab.

It is fun to see how Saab continues to stay alive while constantly hanging in that place of business limbo.  For those Saab is in debt to, the same cannot be said.  Saab has failed to pay off their debts for some time now, shielded by court order creditor protection.  That could end by this week, which would leave Saab circled by all it’s creditors with nowhere to hide.  It seems, however, that Youngman Lotus has taken a keen interest in Saab and would likely prevent that from happening while taking hold of the company reins.  We’d be lying if we said we weren’t engaged in where this story will eventually end up.

Tyler Baker; OSM Writer

( Source : Reuters.com )

Do electronics really interfere with airplanes?

Posted by on December 12, 2011 No comments

With recent news surrounding the online petition to ban the FAA’s sky law prohibiting the use of electronics during take-off and more entertaining gossip regarding Alec Baldwin’s recent run in with American Airlines, the truth of electronics on an airplane have been called into question.  Namely, does your cellphone or ipad or laptop really put you at risk when being used on a flight?  Lucky for us, NBC’s Today Show fielded the question willingly.  What they found might surprise you.

According to the Today report, when asking if the signal of your cellphone or electronic devise interferes with the navigational system of an airplane, the short answer is no.  Simply put, the navigational system is not in question, but rather, the radio is the thing being interfered with.  Today revealed that the electronic displays of a phone, not the GPS or cellular signal is what interferes with plane radios during a flight.  Since the radio is used for specific instructions, especially during take off and landing, this could be a potentially dangerous thing.  However, one cell phone is not going to bring an airplane spiraling and dropping out of the sky.  In fact, there has been no proven evidence that a plane crash has resulted from the use of electronic device, according to Today.  We would think it highly unlikely that technology as conflicted with an everyday item as an ipod or blackberry would be used in something that soars several thousand feet above the surface of the Earth.

What does this mean?  Well, the FAA looks at it in terms of hypothetical.  While a single electronic device, placed in the right area, will interfere with the radio to a mild level, how much interference would a plane full of these devices do?  Given that a passenger might have one to five devices with them on any given flight, the FAA’s rules are in place to prevent the overloading of a minimal interference.  Today reported that while not proven, the FAA believes one airplane crash was caused by a pilot’s cell phone interfering with the radio from the cockpit.  Again, this was never proven, but if it was true, wouldn’t it make sense to prevent the use of such a device when there are theoretically hundreds of these little techs available in the cabin.  Of course, if they allowed the use of electronics during the crucial parts of a flight (the ascent and descent) people would be rifling away with rabid fingers to keep themselves busy or prevent boredom, or maybe like Alec Baldwin, they will be engaged in a vicious verbal campaign that needs a victor.

If it is known that an issue does occur between the radio system and electronic devices, then how does one lobby against the FAA rule banning the use of electronics while below the 10,000 feet height?  As we learned last week, the online petition to remove this ban has been going strong.  The players behind the movement, recognize that the correlation between the myths and the math are far between anything consistent to keep them from stowing their electronics.  At least according to Today, this is only partly accurate.  For now, rules are rules and whether Alec Baldwin like it or not, we have to power down our devices.

If you’d like to see the video, it’s available here:  Can our electronics interfere with flights?

Tyler Baker; OSM Writer

 

Luxury car pile-up in Japan

Posted by on December 5, 2011 No comments

What started as a luxury car joyride amongst automotive enthusiasts ended in an expensive 14 car pileup on a Japanese freeway over the weekend.   ABC News reported this morning on the accident as perhaps the most expensive crash in the world, estimated at $3 million (although the police have not issued the actual estimate).

The accident included three Mercedes-Benz, a Lamborghini and a staggering eight Ferraris.  The driver responsible for the costly crash was one of the Ferraris drivers, who decided to accelerate past the pack in an attempt to take over the lead sled position.  This led to the Ferraris hitting a median and losing control.  The car came back across and hi the adjacent luxury cars in the pack.  After that, it was bump, grind and collide as the expensive rides each either lost control or attempted to avoid the building collision.  At the time, the cars were reportedly travelling at around 140 KPH or 90 MPH.

The crash shut down the Chugoku Expressway for a reported six hour stretch as cleanup crews and police worked to remove debris from the vehicles.  Nobody involved in the accident was seriously injured; however 10 people were treated for cuts and bruises at a local hospital.  The same cannot be said for the egos and wallets of those involved in the incident.

Tyler Baker; OSM Writer

( Source : ABC News )

Follow us on Twitter @OneStopMotors and read more of our articles at the OSM Resource Center!

 

Airline food may be cause of Miami man’s death

Posted by on December 2, 2011 No comments

Reported on Yahoo today, American Airlines are being targeted in a lawsuit as a result of an in-flight meal that has been said to be the reason behind a Miami man’s death.  The man, Orthon Cortes, apparently passed away on an American Airline flight after health complications attributed to the airline food he consumed on the flight just before it.  At least, that is what his wife and daughter are claiming.

The Cortes family, who filed a suit in a Miami district court, seem confident that the reason behind their patriarch’s death (he was 73) has to do with his meal, which they believe contained harmful bacteria.  They accuse American and LSG Sky Chefs, their German based food subcontractor, of  “failing to properly maintain or prepare the food”.  Sky Chefs has since partitioned to be removed from the case because they claim they did not cater the flight in question.

The flight was an international one from Barcelona to JFK, where Cortes had to catch a connecting flight to Miami.  At JFK, Cortes first displayed symptoms of a food-born illness.  According to the suit, Cortes began to feel “discomfort and pain that included sharp stomach cramps and sudden thirst and other clear outward manifestation of severe physical illness.”  He boarded the connecting flight and while in-air, Cortes went from nausea to shortness of breath and then suffered cardiac problems that resulted in him being unresponsive.  The flight made an emergency landing in Norfolk, Virginia, but Cortes was pronounced dead on arrival.

The bacteria he was allegedly subjected to is a type called Clostridium perfringens, which is the third most common cause for food poisoning in the United States.  It is extremely rare that this bacteria can lead to fatal circumstances.  While this is the strong point in the lawsuit, there is a portion that faults American Airlines for allowing Cortes to board the second flight in his sickened condition.  One has to wonder if American will be held liable for not grounding Cortes or if the bacteria was the actual cause to his untimely and tragic circumstance.

Tyler Baker; OSM Writer

( Source : Yahoo )

Follow us on Twitter @OneStopMotors and visit our Resource Center for more articles!

Walker Fowler named ATV Athlete of the Year

Posted by on December 1, 2011 No comments

The AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) ATV Athlete of the Year was hardly a contest this year.  Walker Fowler, the most dominant ATV rider of the year, recently received the honor at a star-studded event in Las Vegas just before Thanksgiving.

At the AMA Visa Card from Capital One Racing Championship Banquet on November 20th at the Red Rock Casino, Fowler accepted the AMA ATV top honor.  Fowler, who is only eighteen years old, won the award after winning every round of the XC2 Pro-Am Series this season.  That is somethign no other rider can boast to have done.  Fowler has remained grounded throughout it all, however.  According to ATV.com, Fowler was quoted as saying,  “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do it again.  It’s every racers’s dream to be able to do something that no one else can.  But there are a lot more goals in front of me that are the same thing, and that’s what keeps us racers going.  I just want to thank the AMA for giving us all these series to compete in and letting us go out and do what we do.”  That’s not too shabby for a young gun with a lot of sparks and skill surrounding him.

Other awards on the night went to The Cheaha Trail Riders of Alabama for AMA Club of the Year.  Advocates of off-highway vehicles (OHV), the group promotes the sport and safety of off-highway riding.  ATV Organizer of the Year went to Racer Productions for their Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series.  Reporter, Shane Moore, also received an award for his devotion to the sport through photography and reporting.  He received the AMA Racing Media Award.

All and all, the banquet was a beautiful affair.  Filled with industry competitors, personalities and their families, the AMA Championship Banquet was a smash of a success.  For Fowler, it was a happy ending to a fairy tale season.  For the rest of us, it was a sign of good things to come from the powersport series.

Tyler Baker; OSM Writer

( Source : ATV.com )

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SAAB WATCH 2011 : The Hail Mary

Posted by on November 29, 2011 No comments

On Monday it was reported that the troubled Saab was under the gun to at least begin the process of paying back owed wages to their over 4000 employees.  Failure to do so could have resulted in an entire breakdown of their proposed buyout from Chinese investors as well as their creditors protection that was in place to keep them restructuring.  Well, there has been no word out saying that Saab has paid anyone.  Instead, the NASDAQ.com reported that Saab has offered a new proposal for ownership of their company.

There was a deal made late in October between Chinese investors and Saab that would see Saab lifted back into business but turn over the company to Pang Da Automobile Trade Co. and Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automotive Co.  This did not go over well with General Motors, who even after selling the Swedish based manufacturer last year, provides Saab with a number of parts and technologies.  The saw this deal as a hit to their own production as well as feeding into their Asian market competition.  Since GM still has voting privileges against any deal that Saab might make to sell themselves, GM voiced their veto publicly.  They would not approve of the hand-off as long as their interest was being hindered.  Since then, Saab’s deadlines for their tentative deal with the Chinese and to pay owed wages have both come and gone.  Now, however, Saab has a new idea.

In the article this morning, Saab has apparently proposed a new arrangement that would downgrade China’s control over the company’s stock.  To appease GM directly, Saab offered an arrangement that would give the two Chinese automotive corporations 40% less stake in Saab.  They would instead buy up all the remaining stock in Saab which stands at a cool 60%.  They would still have controlling interest, but both Pang Da and Youngman would get 20% appease less in total stock.  The article reports that is seems unlikely that GM will agree to anything that hands the Swedish company over to the Chinese.

For those who have been following the story for months now, you can probably read into the desperation Saab seems to be under.  While it could be argued that Swedish Automobile, the company that bought Saab from GM last year, has done everything in their power to redeem a dying star, it actually appears as if they keep holding out for something to be given to them.  Why else would they wait over two weeks to respond to GM’s denial of their China deal?  Why wait until after your deadlines have passed to try and strike a deal?  This is an unknown and while the company hangs between life and death, one can’t help but feel like they simply don’t know how to handle the situation.  After all, two months ago they turned down the Chinese offer to buy them out because they didn’t want to lose the Saab name.  A month after that, they were against the wall and had no choice but to accept a buyout.  Once more, here they are, procrastinating and postponing their demise.  That is, for now.

Tyler Baker; OSM Writer.

( Source : NASDAQ.com)

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Asgard Motorcycle Club rides for 27th Annual Toy Run

Posted by on November 28, 2011 No comments

Biloxi’s Sun Herald reported on a true feel good story today.  According to the newspaper, over 600 motorcyclists, many belonging to the Asgard Motorcycle Club, contributed both toys and monetary donations to help provide in-need children with a merry Christmas.  The 27th Annual Asgard Motorcycle Club Toy Run, has become a giving tradition for the Mississippi MC, who stand as sparkling examples against the rough personas that motorcycle clubs often fall victim to.

Riders from all over the state rode in to North Biloxi Sunday morning, where they packed an 18 wheel truck with the latest and greatest toys.  According to the Sun Herald, the truck was escorted to Knights of Columbus Hall where it was met by a truck filled with bikes donated by the Biloxi Fire Department.  While it was a giant success, the Asgard spokesperson, Alfred “Smokey” Stepputat, admitted there were less riders than last year.  This is not due to a lack of giving spirit, but attributed to the migrating rain that made riding less probable and more dangerous.

In a time of tight wallets and down markets, the need for something as selfless and pure as Asgard’s toy run is at an all time high.  As it was pointed out, this is the time of year to share your good fortune with others who haven’t had the same luck.  With Asgard gathering donations from local businesses as well as their own members, it’s clear to see that Biloxi hasn’t let the holiday spirit suffer this year.  As they shouldn’t and neither should the rest of the world.  It just goes to show that no matter your background or upbringing, no matter where your from or who you are, a good deed and an noble gift weighs the same all around.

Tyler Baker; OSM Writer

( Source  : The Sun Herald )

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SAAB WATCH 2011 : Crunch Time

Posted by on November 28, 2011 No comments

Since signing a tentative agreement with Chinese investors to help restructure and ultimately resurrect the zombified, never-say-dead automotive manufacturer, Saab has been quiet.  Even after General Motors announced they would not support Saab with supplies if the takeover was ratified, Saab remained quiet.  When the deadline on their agreement with Youngman and Pang Da expired, Saab remained quiet.  After all the silence and the shadowed games of musical chairs, the car company may not be able to be mute much longer.  It was reported by Just-Auto.com today that Saab has a deadline to pay owed salaries and the deadline is tomorrow.

According to the article, the due date for wage settlements for white collar union employees and management is tomorrow (29th).  The owed wages for IF Metall, the blue collar union, was due last Friday.  Saab has not paid into any of them thus far.  While this makes sense, seeing as Saab is currently penniless, they have claimed that the Chinese investors were supposed to pay salaries by today.  Even still, IF Metall will meet at Saab Headquarters in Trollhattan this afternoon.

The more pressing concern for Saab is that failure to at least show the signs that they are in the process of paying their 4000+ work force. Failure to at least have money in the bank account designated for paying the wages could lead to an even bigger delemma.  According to IF Metall legal advisor Darko Davidovic, “if they don’t have the money for salaries, they don’t have the money for anything.”  Apparently, the courts may see it that way as well.  If no money is moved or paid out in the next two to three days, the issue could leave the labor union bodies’ hands and carry over to the administrator of Saab’s bankruptcy protection.  This means that that Guy Lofalk, the administrator in question, could file to have Saab’s court approved reconstruction status lifted.  This move would leave Saab unprotected against a slew of rabid creditors and employees all looking to get the money they were entitled to months ago.

With the due date for the white collar union and management salaries due tomorrow, it will be interesting to see if Saab or the Chinese will come through with the cash.  With the pressure on and the potential breakdown of everything looming on the backburner, we can only play the waiting game on this Saab circus.  Check in with us later in the week to learn more as it develops.

Tyler Baker; OSM Writer

( Source : Just-Auto.com )

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Tony Stewart takes the NASCAR Championship the hard way

Posted by on November 21, 2011 No comments

Last night, in what most are calling the greatest finale to NASCAR’s Sprint Cup chase of all time, Tony Stewart beat out Carl Edwards both on the track and in the standings to win his third championship.  The truly amazing part is that Stewart and Edwards finished the Ford 400 in first and second (Steward in front of course) and tied in the Sprint Cup Standings.  That is something that until yesterday, had never happened in NASCAR history before.  Unfortunately for Edwards, there had to be a winner and Stewart had the tie breaker on lock.  Having won five of the last ten races of the year and three of the last four, Stewart easily edged Edwards who has only won once this year.

It is an outstanding feat for Tony Stewart to come out on top after starting the year with spectacular disappointment.  He was losing and his team was under-performing on every cylinder.  According to an article on ESPN.com, Stewart was quoted as saying, “If we’re going to run this bad it really doesn’t matter whether we make the Chase or not.”  After that, it seems everything turned for the Stewart-Haas Racing team.  Stewart came storming back into the standings, snagged a spot in The Chase (NASCAR’s version of playoffs) and the rest is history.  Now he sits atop the pack, holding the Sprint Cup as evidence of his legendary run.

After the race, Carl Edwards congratulated Stewart for his victory on the track and in The Chase.  To think, Stewart started the race at 15 and at one point was running all the way back at 40 for a time.  Being the skilled driver that he is and the tough competitor he will always be, Stewart managed to weave his way through the pack and into the number two spot behind Edwards, where the two battled for the final 36 laps of the race.  Even though Edwards had led the most laps of the race (119 of 267), Stewart shot past him, going low on a turn and help Edwards off to take the checkered flag.

For those who thought NASCAR has had trouble adjusting to new car styles and teamwork dynamics, the Ford 400 will go down as sacred ground in motorized racing history.  One thing is for sure, NASCAR is far from dead.  Same can be said about Tony Stewart, who is 40 as of this year.  The bad news is the season is over and we’ll have to wait till next year’s Sprint Cup to see this new age of racing continue.

Tyler Baker; OSM Writer

( Source : ESPN )

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Chrysler pitches in $1.7 billion to replace Jeep Liberty

Posted by on November 18, 2011 No comments

It was reported in an article by Autoblog.com today that Chrysler has announced it will invest $1.7 billion in the development of a new vehicle to replace the Jeep Liberty.  According to the article, $500 million will go to an expansion of the Ohio based Toledo Assembly Complex which produces the Jeep Liberty and the Dodge Nitro.  Included with this will be the creation of over 1,100 new jobs by 2013.

First introduced in 2002, the Jeep Liberty has been a constant performer for the Jeep name, despite lackluster reviews on it’s safety performance.  Last year Chrysler reported that they sold nearly 50,000 Liberty vehicles.  While this may not be as staggering a number as the 170,000 plus Toyota RAV4′s sold or Chevrolet’s Equinox which just missed 150,000 sold, it is a decent number.  Chrysler apparently believes that a replacement model, more geared towards a mixture of it’s competitors and it’s parent company, Fiat, will help re-establish the Jeep brand and raise sales.  For now, Jeep Liberty will be on the market until it gets benched forever.

Tyler Baker, OSM Writer

( Source : Auto Blog )

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