Think it’s bad when a bird shits on your car? How about large, carnivorous birds tearing out your weather stripping? Because that’s what people in Bartow, FL are experiencing. The best part is the vultures are  protected, so even shooing them away is legally dicey. Here’s the news:

• Alfa Romeo has been rumbling about returning to the US market for years, and it looks like it might actually happen. Right now, they’re considering starting operations in Mexico, and hopefully, they’re also considering an entry-level, RWD 2+2. Is that too much to ask? Automotive News
• Earlier today, George Bush said "When I was first elected, there were virtually no hybrids on the roads. Today there is nearly a million." Oh, my god. Is this guy a riot or what? Detroit News
• American Axle workers are set to head back to the table and try to sort out their grievances with management. The sad thing? At this point, they’re just trying to keep from getting completely screwed. Freep
• Marco Andretti is going to be driving in the 12 Hours of Sebring. The kid is super talented and he’s not even old enough to drink. Kind of makes me wish I came from a legendary racing family. AutoWeek

So it doesn’t come with an engine, but if you’ve got a little bit of jingle in your pocket and are looking for a wicked track toy, this auction could be right up your alley. And like a lot of surviving racers, it comes with some great stories. Check out this bit from the description:

Michael Andretti won the Milwaukee 200 in the car’s inaugural outing and one week later was involved in one of the most memorable road races in CART history on Father’s Day at Portland. Having led 87 of the 104 laps, Michael Andretti came out of the last corner on the final lap only to run out of fuel! He was able to coast across the finish line, but not before his father, Mario Andretti had caught and passed him for a victory margin of 0.07 seconds. Happy Father’s Day Dad!

Losing to his Dad must have taken some of the sting out of that incident, but even still, I bet Michael had some choice words for his pit crew…