| Driver departures mean changes for NASCAR and the fans
Goodbye Dale Jarrett. Hello Juan Pablo Montoya. NASCAR's old guard is fast disappearing, making way for a cadre of hot, young driving stars. Bill Elliott and Mark Martin are only racing part time these days. Dale Jarrett plans to retire after the first five races, and Sterling Marlin might be forced to find a rocking chair if he can't find a full-time ride. Longtime fan favorite Darrell Waltrip retired after the 2000 season, and Rusty Wallace, Terry Labonte and Ricky Rudd have since followed. So, where does that leave the millions of fans who rooted for those drivers, joined their fans clubs and bought their souvenirs? "I talk to a lot of fans, and they say, 'You were the guy I pulled for. I don't like some of the new stuff going on, and I just don't watch no more,'" said Wallace, who remains part of the sport as a team owner in the Nationwide Series and a commentator for ESPN/ABC broadcasts.
Five injured in two-car accident on Parkway in Wall; one driver ...
WALL — One local man was brought to Monmouth County Jail in Freehold and four people were hospitalized following a two-car accident on the Garden State Parkway this morning, police said.
At 6:24 a.m., a Pontiac G6 driven by Kristofer Coltenback of South Toms River rear-ended a black Mercedes Benz, which had four occupants, as both cars were driving at milemarker 99.8 on the northbound side of the Parkway, State Police Trooper Thomas Powell said.
"Obviously, weather is always a contributing factor, but the cause of the accident right now is going to be excessive speed,'' he said.
Both cars then went through the left-hand guard rail and into the woods, where Coltenback's car overturned, Powell said. Investigation revealed that Coltenback was "impaired due to drugs'' and a search of the scene revealed marijuana and drug paraphernalia in his vehicle and in his possession, Powell said.
2008 Geneva Motor Show: World Debut of Rinspeed sQuba, First Underwater Car - GREAT FUN VIDEO
ZUMIKON, Switzerland - February 14, 2008: "Dive it again, James!" If the situation gets too hot for the secret agent he'll go underground - or under water. So demonstrated impressively by Roger Moore in 'The Spy Who Loved Me" in 1977 when he dove below the waves in a sleek vehicle that moments before seemed to be an ordinary car. The only problem: The scene never really took place; it was an animation. With the "sQuba," the world's first real submersible car, the movie fake now becomes reality for visitors of the Geneva Motor Show (March 6th - 16th, 2008). Rinspeed boss Frank M. Rinderknecht (52) is known for his extraordinary automotive creations. The acknowledged James Bond enthusiast and Swiss automobile visionary kept revisiting this scene in his mind over and over: "For three decades I have tried to imagine how it might be possible to build a car that can fly under water.
Capello showed steel to deny Beckham cap
Bravissimo, Capello! Setting aside sentimentality and nonsense from ex-footballers who should no better, he left David Beckham out of the squad to face Switzerland tomorrow at Wembley. Capello even boldly eschewed the compromise of putting Beckham on the field at Wembley for a few symbolic minutes, but has left the door open for him to win his 100th cap, albeit with the provision that the shows form in the MLS. Beckham himself made ludicrous claim for a place, insisting that he was fit and sharp even though he hasn't played a match since November. The clamour for his inclusion was all the more absurd given the fact England have three excellent young right wingers far worthier of a place than him. David Bentley has had a fine season with Blackburn and is in exuberant form.
Gebrselassie Warns He Could Miss Beijing Marathon
Marathon world record holder Haile Gebrselassie has said he could withdraw from the event at the Beijing Olympics if the city fails to reduce air pollution levels. The 34-year-old Ethiopian, who suffers from a breathing condition that forced him to drop out of last year's London Marathon, spoke of his concern after winning the Dubai Marathon on Friday. "When I come to Beijing, things could happen...it could be worse and that's why I am a little bit worried," he told Reuters Television in an interview. "If things are like that (still heavily polluted) I would try to run a different distance, instead of the marathon." Pollution in Beijing, known for its noxious smog, is a major concern for athletes and officials planning for August's Games. Olympic chief Jacques Rogge said last year that some events might have to be rescheduled if the air quality was not good enough.
Spescom names new CFO
JSE-listed information and communication technology firm Spescom on Monday said that it had appointed group financial manager Dashni Sinivasan as CFO. Sinivasan, who joined Spescom in June 2007, had previously worked as BMW Financial Services South Africa finance GM. The firm did not say when her appointment was effective from. .
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