XM Satellite RadioIt's finally here. XM Satellite Radio is the next generation of radio listening, enabling the listener to pick up the same radio station from shore to shore. So far, the company providing the service has coverage in only a select few cities across America. When the coverage is complete, any person with an XM compatible stereo receiver and who subscribes to the service for $9.99 a month will be able to hear any one of a hundred stations with no interference. The concept is great, and it's similar to what Europe has had for years. Unfortunately, if most people opt for free radio rather than paying a monthly fee (which is extremely likely), then XP Satellite Radio will go the way of DIVX.
Formula 1, 2000 Season VideoSo, you probably know that Michael Schumacher clenched the points championship during the 2000 Formula 1 season, but did you know that Mika Hakkinen and his McLaren team made an awesome comeback mid-season only to be handed defeat in Japan? Formula 1's 2000 season offered viewers such amazing races and competitors-like the introduction of the youngest F1 driver, twenty-year-old Jenson Button, who took the helm for Williams BMW-that it would be a crime not to own a video documenting the entire season. Luckily, Duke offers this and various other race videos, and will probably be offering the Formula 1 2001 season in review soon. Contact Duke at 800/458-5887 and order your video or video catalogue soon, so you too can delight all your friends with race trivia that most people find useless.
Sema NewsRecently, SEMA (otherwise known as the Specialty Equipment Market Association) contacted us with some troubling news. As it turns out, California passed a law stating vehicles with aftermarket exhausts can be ticketed for noise pollution even if they don't exceed the required 95-decibel limit. Fortunately, if the owner can prove the exhaust is within the legal limit then the state will cancel the citation. SEMA is trying to change the law so the officer making the citation must prove that the exhaust exceeds the state limit before the ticket is written. This law sounds bad, but it's not as bad as a proposed law in Massachusetts, where lawmakers are trying to pass a bill stating all custom exhaust systems are illegal.
Hamann MiniIf you're one of the elite few who is going to be getting a new Mini, then there's a chance that you're going to want to modify it. Hamann, renowned manufacturer of quality aftermarket parts, is expanding its line of performance add-ons to the Mini. With a simple phone call to Hamann's exclusive North American importer, Wheel Power (714/375-9666, www.wheelpower.com), you can get your hands on 17x8 Hamann HM4 alloy wheels, a full Hamann lowering suspension kit, as well as a Hamann exhaust. Since only a handful of Minis are being brought stateside, you'll probably have to order your parts from Wheel Power and wait while they ship from Germany. Then again, if you're getting a Mini, chances are you've been on a waiting list for at least six months just to get the car.
Sachs And RacingSince Sachs launched Its RacingDivision early last year, it has shown a definite interest in producing and carrying some of the highest quality performance products. Along with its regular Mintex street brake pads, Sachs now carries the new Mintex C-Tech high-performance brake pad line, designed to be a fade resistant pad ideal for use in most club racing events. Sachs has also built an E-36 M3 to the nines with Sachs products, as a rolling showcase displaying what Sachs products can do for your Euro. Keep an eye out at the major shows, as the Sachs M3 will be attending plenty of them this year.