Do the 1/4 mile in 9.1 secs and win a '59 El Camino

Paul Leroux

I must confess, I have the attention span of a gnat. Watching movies? Forget it. I'm too restless. Same goes for watching baseball, hockey, or any other popular game sport. They all take too long to come to an end.

Compare these to drag racing. It's a sport of many shorter outcomes, most of which are decided in 10 seconds or less. Which may explain why I watched the entire 11 minutes of this video of the 1959 national drag racing championship. Of course, it didn't hurt that the soundtrack consists mainly of roaring engines — I'm a sucker for a blown V8 in full cry.

Among other things, you'll notice there's no Christmas tree; the countdowns were performed by a live human being. Other highlights include a trophy for the safest dragster (seriously?), Art Arfons establishing a new track speed record, and a grand prize of a 1959 El Camino. In case you didn't know, Art held the world land-speed record three times during the mid 60s. And if you're really into trivia, note that GM introduced the Camino in 1959 in response to the success of the Ford Ranchero.

Okay, enough of that. Roll the tape...



And hey, did you notice? People were way thinner back then.
 

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Bentley unveils 2 new cars

Early this month, Bentley unveiled two new cars, the new Continental GT and GTC V8 models, at the North American International Auto Show, Detroit. The cars are powered by the new 4.0 litre, twin turbocharged V8 and said to offer exceptional standards for power-to-emissions in the high luxury sports car sector.

The new Bentley V8 engine delivers maximum power of 500 bhp (507 PS / 373 Kw) at 6000 rev/min and an extraordinary peak torque of 660 Nm (487 lb ft) which is available across virtually the entire rev range from 1700 to 5000 rev/min, providing exhilarating performance and effortless power delivery in the Bentley tradition. Combined with a new close-ratio 8-speed automatic transmission, this translates into a 0-60 mph sprint time of 4.6 seconds for the GT coupe (0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds) and a top speed of 188 mph (303 km/h).

The GTC V8 top up

The V8 Continental models achieve outstanding levels of fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions for the luxury performance sector and are capable of travelling over 500 miles (800 km) on a single tank of fuel. This represents a 40 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.

The new car models are distinguished by a black gloss matrix grille with chrome frame and centre bar, a red enamel Bentley badge, and a black matrix three-segment lower front bumper divided by distinctive body-coloured strakes.

20-inch alloy wheels comes as standard on both models with an optional 21 inch six-spoke design which is available in dramatic Diamond Black (exclusive to the Continental V8) or Diamond Silver finishes.

The interior car design continues the fresh, sporting design theme with an Eliade cloth headlining, new contemporary Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus veneers, optional two-tone leather colour split and short centre console.

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