By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

Race car drivers are almost always involved in some kind of charity work, and it usually involves causes that are strategically uncontroversial, like disabled children or breast cancer. While it’s great that those worthy charities benefit from the motorsports involvement, it’s also kind of cool to see drivers who follow specific passions to support something a little more edgy. Leilani Munter, who drives in both the ARCA series and IRL, has never let up on her hardcore commitment to green living and animal protection. But for her, it’s not just a matter of writing a check: she recently traveled to Taiji, Japan, the scene of the gruesome annual dolphin slaughter made infamous by the Oscar-winning documentary The Cove, to get right up in the hostile, shouting faces of the “fishermen” responsible for the barbarism. Good for her–it’s a great cause, and one that any one of us can support simply by not giving our consumer dollars to captive swim-with-dolphins programs or marine-mammal exhibitors like Sea World–the corporations whose expensive purchases of captured display dolphins are what’s making the massacre possible in the first place. Read Munter’s account of her experience at Taiji here, and check out SaveJapanDolphins and SeaShepherd to learn more about the dolphin slaughter. Via Ecorazzi.

By Michael Berenis

Tampa Sports Car Examiner

In an attack seemingly planned to coincide with turkey-slaughtering season, an innocent Porsche was maliciously pecked by a pair of foul-spirited fowl. Apparently they’ve had enough of the seasonal genocide and are ready to take a stand, and lucky for them, the Porsche driver had a sense of humor about it. More on the turkeys’ demands at Tampa Sports Car Examiner.

By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

I always try to remember to bring my camera when I stop by my favorite neighborhood machine shop, because there’s generally something random going on there. Yesterday a mounted policeman stopped by to tell John about his MG and the wiring problems he’s having with his ’55 T-bird. Meanwhile, his horse was totally checking out the Austin-Healy.

By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

Moki, the incredibly peaceful and potato-like shop dog at NorthWest Auto Salon, now has this luxurious custom Mercedes dog bed to lounge in when cruising in Blake’s CL. Blake had the piece made to his specs by TopStitch Upholstery in Los Angeles. Nice!

By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

Unlike the dog that went to town on that cop car, this swan seems to stick to amorous nibbling that doesn’t leave any damage. I love how its mate is standing around looking all “that’s great honey, let’s go.” Via English Russia.

By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

The cop was manning a speed trap in Chattanooga, Tennessee when his Crown Vic started mysteriously “shaking.” Man, those are some well-trained dogs…

Dog Attacks Police Cruiser

By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

Korean artist Ji Yong Ho’s weird tire sculptures have been making the rounds for at least a couple of years now, but they sure are new to me. I love how he uses the recycled treads to create the textures of skin, scales, and shaggy fur on his lifelike creatures. See more below the jump, and check out his bio here.

Continue reading "Tire Mutants!" »

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

OK, this can’t be there first time that a rally car has nailed an animal during a race. But seriously, a horse? Yikes. Everyone’s heard the horror storied about drivers hitting deer and winding up with a totaled vehicle or a fatal injury—or both— so we can’t figure out why this EVO X looks completely unscathed. For the record, we feel really bad for the poor horse involved, given that the driver was on its turf and everything.

There wasn’t any explanation of this photo set, but when it comes to passenger cars, I think Bart Simpson’s directive applies. Four more pics after the jump.

Continue reading "Don't Have a Cow, Man!" »

Even though I’ve been looking a this picture for a whole week, I still think it’s totally hilarious. And given some of the awesome captions we received, you guys thought it was pretty funny too. This week’s first runner-up is T Stewart, who submitted; "Yeah Yeah. Goldie-Locks stole my Honda." Our next runner-up is NobiZero, who came up with; "To California please. I have wildfires to prevent… and step on it!" But while those were both good efforts, AJ Lane totally delivered with; "Step on it, I got to get to work. The zoo opens at nine AM!" Congrats to all who entered. Tune in tomorrow for the next installment of our wildly popular Caption Contest!