Three friends complete Top Gear-style drive to the Arctic Circle
Three friends have completed a Top Gear-style drive from Manchester to the Arctic Circle in budget cars – including a Barbie-themed motor and another with a drinks bar in the boot.
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Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Father's Day is just around the corner. Gift ideas that will put a smile on dad's face
Families are counting down to celebrate Father's Day, a holiday to commemorate dads, grandpas and male figures. The county has been celebrating fathers for more than a century. The country's first unofficial Father's Day began with a service in a West Virginia church in 1908 as the congregation came together to eulogize 362 men killed in a Fairmont Coal Company mine disaster. The sentiment behind the holiday and its celebration have spread and expanded since then. In 1972, President Richard Nixon made it a national holiday. The day now includes backyard barbecues, rounds of golf or other hobbies enjoyed by dads and gifts. Gifts are a great way to show appreciation to others, Jessica Andrews-Hanna, an associate professor at the University of Arizona said in a Q&A, adding that gift-giving makes us feel better. "Evidence from brain imaging also suggests that both giving gifts and receiving gifts activate core areas of our brain associated with reward and pleasure," Andrews-Hanna said in a news release. Many may be wondering what to get their Dad for his special day? A few ideas: If your father is a fan of cars or auto racing — maybe even still excited after watching the 2025 Detroit Grand Prix — book him a spot at Michigan International Speedway for a one-hour training session inside a race car. At the end he'll have the chance to drive an Indy-style race car. The event is hosted by Virgin Experience Gifts and allows the driver to get on the track for a timed session and communicate with a racing instructor through a radio system. There are eight packages available starting at $539. For the dads who enjoy fishing, there are numerous spots in Michigan perfect for the occasion. Michigan's lakes and streams are home to more than 150 species, most of which are legal to catch. You can cast a line at more than 100 state parks and hundreds of other locations. Some favorites include William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor, Bishop Park, Belleville Lake and Lake St. Clair. Gifts can include such things as rods, reels, a cooler, etc. To celebrate the Detroit Tigers' quasquicentennial season, the Detroit Free Press' book 'Roar of 125: The Epic History of the Detroit Tigers!' will cost $44.95, but order now and it's only $33.71, plus shipping and handling. Order online at For a personal automotive gift, give sign your dad up for unlimited car washes for as low as $16 a month. Super Car Wash has Michigan's No. 1 unlimited wash club membership program, and has 10 locations across the state. If your father is a sports fan, there are tons of Michigan teams apparel that you can get him to support his favorite team. Whether it's the Tigers, Pistons, Lions, or University of Michigan or Michigan State, there is a plethora of Michigan merchandise that your father would love. Bucket list golf course round for dad Michigan is blessed with a number of great golf courses, although some can be pricey for every day play. But if dad's a golf nut — and there are many around — maybe a round at someplace like Arcadia Bluffs in Arcadia ($275 through Oct. 5), American Dunes in Grand Haven ($205) or Forest Dunes in Roscommon ($165-$195) — or any number of other great courses — fits the bill. Father's Day falls on June 15, 2025. Father's Day always falls on the third Sunday of June, which means the calendar date changes every year. The holiday celebrates fatherhood, fathers and father figures, the Old Farmer's Almanac's website says. In the U.S., Father's Day celebrations date back to the early 1900s in the state of Washington, according to Prior to that time period, a West Virginia church held the country's first event honoring fathers, a 1908 Sunday sermon for 362 men killed in a Fairmont Coal Company mine disaster. In 1972, former President Richard Nixon signed a law making Father's Day a permanent national holiday. Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: With Father's Day fast approaching, here are gift ideas that will bring a smile to dad's face
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Drivers compete in the 'Monaco of hill climbing'
Motorsports fans have gathered in Worcestershire to watch races described by organisers as like "Formula 1 up a country lane". The 120th British Hill Climb Championships at Shelsley Walsh, held on Saturday and Sunday, is billed as Europe's "fastest and most spectacular" speed hill climb. The track, near Stourport-on-Severn, claims to be the oldest motorsports venue in the world still staging events on its original course. Encompassing a steep hill with a 329ft (99m) rise, generations of racers have taken on the course since it opened in 1905. More than 200 cars took to the hill over the weekend to compete, some racing at speeds of about 150mph (241km/h) around the 1,000 yd (914m) track. Alex Summers, from Tenbury Wells, the fourth generation of his family to race the course, described it as "hallowed ground". "Some people refer to it as the Monaco of hill climbing," he said. "It's the sensation of speed and it's the fact that Shelsley's a natural amphitheatre, so you've got the ability to see almost the entire hill, pretty much wherever you are." Supporting from the paddocks, his mum Lindsay, who started racing 15 years ago, hit speeds of 143mph (230km/h) on her practice round. She said: "You just get to an age I think, as a woman, where you stop caring what people think and you just [say] 'I'm going to do it, I'm going to have some fun'." After lugging wheels up the track, she described the sport as "definitely not glamorous but a lot of fun". Porsche also put a prototype electric SUV, brought over from Germany and named Cayenne, through its paces on the track and a spokesperson said it was "very fast". Events started at 09:00 BST, with the fastest cars competing in the top 12 run offs. Course record holder Sean Gould was attempting to better his fastest time of 22.37 seconds in a 410kg single-seater, smaller-scale Formula 1-style car . He said hitting the high speed had been "frightening" in hindsight. "You kind of get carried away in the moment," he added. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. The race that is 'like F1 up a country lane' Shelsley Walsh
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Miami Herald
Street Takeover Participants & Spectators Could Soon Be Hit With Steep Fines
Street takeovers - where crowds block off intersections so drivers can pull stunts like donuts, burnouts, and drifts - have become a hallmark of Southern California's underground car culture. But now, L.A. County is drawing a hard line. A new proposal would double the fine for participating in or even watching a takeover, raising it from $500 to $1,000, the Los Angeles Times reported. The idea isn't just to hit drivers in the wallet; it's also aimed at the crowd. Spectators fuel the vibe, create cover for drivers, and generate social media content that keeps the trend alive. By making it costly just to show up, officials hope to tamp down the spectacle altogether. Takeovers might look like Fast & Furious-style fun, but they've turned increasingly dangerous. County officials point to a rise in fatal crashes, shootings, and torched vehicles tied to these events. In some neighborhoods, families say they hear engines bouncing off rev limiters just blocks from their front doors. Supervisor Holly Mitchell, whose district includes cities like Compton, Inglewood, and Carson, introduced the measure and stated that the issue is personal for many residents. In one recent tragedy, a woman in Pomona was killed during a suspected street-racing crash. Stories like that have become too common. The proposed ordinance doesn't stop with street-level enforcement. It also calls on social media platforms to enforce their own community standards and remove content that promotes illegal activity, specifically, takeover clips that rack up views and ad dollars. Officials want platforms to demonetize those videos and cut off the oxygen that keeps the culture going viral. Interestingly, while street takeover reports have dropped in most of L.A. County, Mitchell's district saw a sharp rise - from 191 incidents between July and September to 297 from October through December. County officials credit some of the decline elsewhere to a coordinated task force that includes law enforcement, city leaders, and community groups working to intervene early and redesign problem intersections. Mitchell's district is still playing catch-up, and that's part of why she's pushing hard for tougher penalties. If you're a car enthusiast, the rise in takeovers and the resulting crackdown might hit close to home, even if you're not in Southern California. Similar events have popped up across the country, and cities are watching each other to figure out what works. San Jose, Atlanta, Chicago, and Houston are all places that have seen sideshows spark community backlash and new legislation. The L.A. County Board of Supervisors gave the proposed fine increase a thumbs-up this week, but it still needs one more vote to become law. If approved, the new penalties could go into effect later this year. There's also talk of broader reforms - everything from hardened centerlines at takeover hotspots to possibly creating safe, legal alternatives for car enthusiasts. For now, though, the message is clear: if you're planning to show up at a sideshow in L.A., even just to watch, you might want to think twice. Your next post could come with a $1,000 price tag. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
