The one-hour weekly series, shot on a purpose-built set developed on the grounds of Ted Moser’s famed Picture Car Warehouse in Northridge, Ca., features a hand-picked, eight-person All-Star automotive team taking on shops from around the country in a pressure-packed, 72-hour restoration project, matching wits, skills and stamina on a wide variety of vehicles. Barris, Shine and Martin review the results and determine the winning team.

“The time frame will be their biggest challenge,” Barris said. “The teams need to be prepared to work around the clock with little break. It’s tiresome… they are going to have coffee coming out of their ears in order to allow them to stay awake, focused and driven to win.”

This time of year serves as a reminder that a drop in tire inflation pressures corresponds with the falling thermometer readings. Goodyear experts explain that air pressure in a tire typically goes down 1-2 pounds for every 10 degrees of temperature change.

“Odds are that many motorists haven’t checked their tire pressure since the weather began turning colder. If the last time the tire pressure was checked was during the heat of summer, with temperatures around 80 or 90 degrees, many people could be riding on severely underinflated tires without realizing it,” said Joey Viselli, Goodyear brand director.

Maintaining proper air pressure is the single most important thing drivers can do for their tires. Underinflation is the worst enemy a tire can have, as it causes increased treadwear on the shoulder area (outside edges) of the tire. It also can reduce fuel economy by increasing rolling resistance — since soft tires make the vehicle work harder.

Goodyear suggests checking tire inflation at least once per month with a reliable gauge. To find the proper air pressure for a tire, look in the vehicle owner’s manual, in the glove box or on the driver’s side door jamb. Hint: The inflation pressure stamped on the sidewall of a tire is the “maximum” pressure, not the “recommended” pressure.

“Even though consumers can simply and quickly check the air pressure of their tires, it becomes a neglected practice by many,” Viselli said. “That’s too bad, because the four patches of rubber that come in contact with the road surface are important to the performance of the vehicle. They are keys for acceleration, lateral traction and braking grip.”

For consumers who don’t want to bother with regular tire pressure checks, Goodyear offers a “Free Air” campaign. Motorists can have their tires — regardless of brand or where they were bought — inspected for free at any of the 650 Goodyear-owned stores, and at participating independently owned and operated locations across the country.

The increasing usage of in-dash tire pressure monitor systems on new vehicles will likely help more consumers to pay attention to their tires’ pressure levels. Still, Viselli urges the old-fashioned method of checking tire inflation.

“At least once a month, take a few minutes and check your tire pressure with an accurate tire gauge. You can’t tell if a tire needs air just by looking. It could be underinflated by 10 pounds and still look fine,” he said.

“When our three daughters started driving my wife and I took it very seriously. Each went through driver’s education programs, but we also taught them safe driving on our own,” said Wallace, driver of the No. 28 U.S. Border Patrol Chevy in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. “The most important thing to me is that they are safe drivers who are very aware of their surroundings when they are in the car.”

To drive home the message that multitasking behind the wheel puts drivers and their fellow motorists as risk, Nationwide hosted an event a Southlake Carroll Senior High School. Students and community members were able to see firsthand the impact text messaging has on their driving abilities while racing in a NASCAR simulator.

“In a race, if I don’t focus, I don’t finish and it costs me points,” said Coleman, driver of the No. 27 Kleenex Ford in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. “If I am distracted out on the road outside the racetrack, it could cost me and those around me a lot more.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says distracted drivers account for nearly four out of five crashes in the U.S. The problem is especially bad for young drivers. In a survey by Nationwide Mutual Insurance of 1,200 drivers, a third of Gen Y-ers admit to always multitasking while driving and 37 percent send text messages while driving.

“At Nationwide, we’re as much in the business of preventing accidents as we are in reimbursing people after an accident,” said Brian McCulloch, Nationwide’s Associate Vice President of Sales for Texas. “Text messaging comes natural to Gen Y-ers. However, multitasking while behind the wheel is quite different from multitasking while sitting at home.”

Distractions that take a driver’s eyes off the road even for just seconds put drivers and their passengers at great risk.

CitySights NY is ready to show you the New York Attractions. Best of all you can make a online booking, so you can save your time in New York.

The list of New York sights, attractions, and points of interest is so long. Some examples:
Times Square, World Trade Center (Ground Zero), Statue of Liberty, New York Stock Exchange, Wall Street, St. Paul’s Chapel, Broadway, Trinity Church, World Financial Center, Federal Hall, Madison Square Park, Flatiron Building, South Street Seaport, US Customs Building, 5th Avenue, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Central Park, Strawberry Fields, Dakota Building, Canyon of Heroes, Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Verrazano Bridge, Hudson River, East River, FAO Schwarz, Lincoln Center, Chrysler Building, Woolworth Building, Met Life Building, Trump Tower (From The Apprentice), Plaza Hotel, Central Park Zoo, City Hall, Ellis Island, Washington Square Park, New York Public Library, Greenwich Village, Soho, Tribeca, Macy’s, Herald Square, Trump International, Tiffany’s, Harlem, AOL Time Warner Center (CNN), Metropolitan Museum, Museum Mile, American Museum of Natural History, Apollo Theatre, Top of the Rock.

Other than double decker bus tours the company offers attraction tickets, daily trips to Boston, Washington DC, and Philadelphia as well as shopping trips to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets.

Museum members will receive exclusive benefits and privileges reserved for those who want access to the back roads of the Harley-Davidson experience. Special access to a members-only Web site and exclusive events throughout the year are just a few of many exciting benefits. In addition, members will enjoy perks not available to the general public, such as behind-the-scenes information on Museum exhibits, “fast lane” admission to the Museum, a discount at the retail store and a members-only dog tag.

Just as riders have many route options, the Museum is offering five Membership levels to create the best ride for its new members. Memberships start as low as $40 annually, and each was created to meet the needs of customers, whether they are from Milwaukee or Milan. For example, “Open Road,” an online membership, was designed specifically for the global audience base of Harley enthusiasts who may not be able to visit the Museum’s physical location frequently. With primarily Internet-based benefits, this membership level also offers one-time free admission and discounts to the Museum retail store.

Other Membership levels include Individual (“Serial #1”), Couple (“Two-up”), Family (“Wrecking Crew”) and Premier (“Hill Climber”). These levels include free, unlimited visits to the Museum. The “Hill Climber” Membership also allows members to bring up to four extra guests to the Museum during any visit and includes a three-inch Living the Legend rivet for customization and installation on the Museum grounds.

“Membership will allow our visitors to get the most out of their Museum experience,” said Stacey Schiesl, Harley-Davidson Museum director. “Through exclusive events and behind-the-scenes access, our members will be able to connect to the Museum and the history and culture of Harley-Davidson in a very meaningful way.”

For those who prefer a shorter road trip, general admission tickets are also available. General admission tickets for the general public are $16 for adults; $12 for students and seniors; $10 for children (ages 5-7 years) and children under five years of age will be admitted free with an accompanying adult. Visit the Web site for additional updates on group sales and tour information.

To join the Harley-Davidson Museum family, log on to www.h-dmuseum.com/membership. Those who sign up prior to the opening in July 2008 will receive Membership that extends until one year after the official Museum opening date.

Winners in the contest’s five categories were:

Best All-New Production Vehicle: Dodge Challenger
Best Concept Vehicle: Cadillac CTS Coupe
Best Chicago Auto Show World Introduction: Dodge Challenger
Best Exhibit: Chevrolet
Vehicle I’d most like to have in my driveway: Chevrolet Camaro “Bumblebee”

On Tuesday, Jan. 22, visitors with a camera and an auto show ticket will be able to attend the show an hour early (8 a.m.), giving them unprecedented access to photograph the show for the photo contest.

“Last year’s inaugural contest was a huge success and we are very excited to once again partner with WWJ Newsradio 950 to provide this unique opportunity to NAIAS attendees,” said Carl Galeana, senior co-chairman for the NAIAS 2008. “The contest not only allows show attendees early access to the show floor for photo opportunities, but their photos will be posted on the NAIAS Web site and prizes will be awarded for the most outstanding photos.”

Photos must be taken with a camera (camera phones do not qualify). Photos can be submitted from Tuesday, Jan. 22 through Sunday, Jan. 27, but participants are only allowed early entry on Tuesday, Jan. 22, through the Oakland entrance. Participants will be able to upload their photos on www.naias.com, browse photos from other participants and enter to win an official framed NAIAS 2008 poster.

For 2008, the RX 400h hybrid luxury utility vehicle receives several styling enhancements including a restyled front grille design, new exterior chrome door handles, a new finish on the five-spoke, 18-inch wheels, and a color-keyed rear spoiler. The world’s first luxury utility hybrid also receives seven new exterior colors including Smoky Granite Mica, Golden Almond Metallic, Classic Silver Metallic, Breakwater Blue Metallic, Brandy Wine Mica, Desert Sage Metallic and Matador Red Mica.

The base MSRP for the RX 400h with front-wheel-drive will remain unchanged at $41,180. The price of the all-wheel-drive RX 400h also remains unchanged from 2007 at $42,580.

The SC 430 luxury hardtop convertible carries over unchanged for the 2008 model year. The base MSRP for the 2008 SC 430 also remains unchanged at $65,455.

The 2008 GX 470 also receives additional styling upgrades including a new dark metallic finish on the front grille, chrome roof rack side rails, liquid graphite on the standard 17-inch alloy wheels, a clear rear combination lamp turn signal lens cover, and two new colors — Salsa Red Pearl and Desert Sage metallic. Inside, the GX 470 receives a new Brown Walnut wood trim and a chrome finish on the front door speaker grilles. Additional changes were also made on the optional Sport Package where the carpeting, third-seat latch and cargo hook will now be black.

The 2008 GX 470 will carry a base MSRP of $46,815, an increase of $180, or 0.4 percent. Additionally, the price of the popular Third Row Seat with Rear Air Conditioner option significantly reduced by $1,545 and will now be offered at $485.

The 2008 IS 250 and 350 features a new finish to its standard 17-inch wheels for a sportier appearance. Additional upgrades include backlighting on the outside power mirror control, white illuminated scuff plates and an additional coin holder.

The base MSRP for the IS 250 with a manual transmission will be $30,455, an increase of $200, or 0.7 percent. The IS 250 with an automatic transmission will carry a base MSRP of $31,625, up $200, or 0.6 percent. The IS 250 with all-wheel-drive and an automatic transmission will carry a base MSRP of $34,085, a price reduction of $200, or 0.6 percent. The IS 350 will be base priced at $35,905, an increase of $200, or 0.6 percent.

For 2008 the Lexus ES 350 receives restyled outside rear-view mirrors for a sleeker look. Inside, the ES adds two rear personal lamps for added passenger convenience.

The ES 350 will carry a base MSRP of $33,720, an increase of $250, or 0.7 percent.

Launched in the fall of 2006, the all-new LS 460 and LS 460 L have received overwhelming accolades and enjoyed spectacular consumer acceptance. For the 2008 model year, the LS will carry over unchanged with the exception of one new exterior color, Opaline Pearl. The long wheelbase LS 460 L offers a new Air Suspension package that includes 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels with 245/45R19 all-season tires, Variable Gear Ratio Steering and Adaptive Variable Air Suspension.

The 2008 LS 460 will have a base MSRP of $61,500, an increase of $500, or 0.8 percent. The base MSRP for the LS 460 L will be $71,500, an increase of $500, or 0.7 percent.

“Partnering with Roush Fenway Racing further demonstrates how Wii is bringing gaming to the masses,” says George Harrison, Nintendo of America’s senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. “Like going to a NASCAR race, playing Wii is a family event. Everyone can enjoy Wii regardless of his or her gaming knowledge and experience.”

Biffle has one Nextel Cup and two Busch Series wins at Dover International Speedway as well as one Craftsman Truck Series win at Watkins Glen. Biffle looks to improve upon those stats in the Wii Ford Fusion later this season.

“I’m excited about this partnership with Nintendo and the Wii system,” said Biffle. “I just got one myself and I love the boxing game. I’ve always been a fan of boxing and with Wii, it’s a workout. I really get into it. I’ll be driving the Wii car at Watkins Glen and Dover. I’ve got a pretty good record at Dover and I’d love to get the Wii car up front in both races.”

Team owner Jack Roush is pleased to add Nintendo to the list of power brands that have chosen Roush Fenway Racing for their entry into the sport.

“We have been fortunate at Roush Fenway Racing to add several well-respected and recognizable brands to our list of sponsors,” said Roush. “The addition of Nintendo’s Wii as a valuable partner to Roush Fenway is an asset sure to produce multiple benefits both on and off the track. I understand this is Nintendo’s first venture in NASCAR and I know our team will do everything in their power to make it a positive one.”