Did you make it to this year’s Daytona 500? We didn’t either, but tens of thousands of fans attended “The Great American Race” yesterday. Those in attendance saw Matt Kenseth hold onto victory over fan-favorite Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in the weather-shortened race. The rain started to fall a little over half way into the 500-mile race, and it was called with only 48 of the 200 laps left.

For those who were less than interested in the action on the track, there was action elsewhere on race day. Keith Urban was on hand to perform before the gentlemen started their engines. Tom Cruise served as this year’s pace car driver, Gene Hackman was there just hanging out, and Gavin DeGraw started things off with the National Anthem.

If you’re still in Daytona Beach today, definitely go check out the Daytona 500 Experience—it will help get over your post race depression. ]]> kjb 2009-02-16T09:36:05-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/9/8/211414/5783

When it comes to car racing, Americans have their fast cars, Germany has its fast highways but it's unheralded Canada that offers something no other country can: A whole freaking lot of room to drive fast.

Nowhere is this on better display than at the Targa Newfoundland Rally, a 22,200-kilometer race that speeds through eastern Canada each fall. Contestants will be manning the latest top-of-the-line race cars--and some vintage beaters too--with more than 25,000 fans turning out to witness the race up-close. Most of the rally takes place on open roads, and despite the presence of top racers, anyone is welcome to enter.

The rally takes place September 13 to 20. For a preview, check out the teaser video after the jump.]]> BS 2008-09-09T12:00:24-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/8/18/7353/49791

With only two weeks left until Labor Day, you'd better get those last-hurrah-of-summer travel plans finalized. One idea is the 26th Rolex Vintage Festival held in the northwest corner of Connecticut at Lime Rock Park. Set in picturesque rolling green hills, the 1.53-mile track curves and bends through the landscape while spectators find their perfect spot on the grass--there are no grandstands or formal seating here.

Each day of the festival brings different types of vintage racing to the track. From pre-war cars to stars from the seventies, there is something for everyone to be interested in. Due to local noise ordinances, and a church across the street, there are no races on Sunday. But there will be a vintage car show where you can walk around the track and check out some of your favorites up close.

Best of all, you can sneak in one last camping trip to end your summer season. With a weekend pass, you're welcome to set up camp on Thursday evening after 6 pm and stay until Monday evening. Enjoy the races, car shows, and a swap meet all from the comfort of your air mattress. A weekend pass will cost you just $85.

Related Stories:
· Lime Rock Park [Official Site]
· Car Racing coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: SoxyLady]]]> kjb 2008-08-18T09:45:12-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/8/14/85333/8634

Imagine the thrill of being a race car driver: Slamming your foot on the gas, going hundreds of miles per hour, whipping around turns, hearing the non-existent roar of the engine. Wait, what? This isn't Formula One, it's Formula Zero.

The new race series is the world's first international championship for hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars. Held in Rotterdam August 22-23, it features teams of university students that will put their zero-emissions cars head-to-head in a race to the finish line.

A warning: Formula Zero may not be as hair raising as NASCAR. Although drivers will be zooming around Rotterdam's city center, they'll only be going 30 mph. Cut them some slack, though: It may not be death defying, but it is the cutting edge of clean technology.

Related Stories:
· Formula Zero World Premiere in Rotterdam [Treehugger]
· Formula Zero [Official Site]
· Netherlands Travel coverage [Jaunted]]]> Dan Gould 2008-08-14T13:00:10-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/7/27/23239/0063

If you're addicted to old school Mario Kart on Wii, or just love fast cars, head to Singapore for the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix, slated to take place on September 28, with practice runs on the 26 and 27. The coolest thing about this Grand Prix is that it's the first race of its kind held at night and the first street race in Asia.

The course will be lit with state-of-the-art technology and a high-tech lighting system designed to highlight the 23 curves and twists of the course that will line the marina. Drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Bourdais and Fernando Alonso are all set to take it on.

Race tickets are available online but moving fast, so don't waste time. Also, a variety of hotel packages offering rooms combined with tickets (at reasonable prices) can be found here.

Related Stories
· Singapore Grand Prix [Official Site]
· Datebook: Singapore [NYT]
· Mancations coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Formula_1_Singapore]]]> sedona 2008-07-28T09:18:24-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/