Latest news with #Hellcats
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Exclusive: Inside high-speed driving training new GA officers are getting to improve safety
Starting this year, new law enforcement officers in Georgia are getting high-speed driving training aimed at making our roads safer. Channel 2's Michael Seiden got an exclusive look at the training that could lead to fewer deaths, injuries, and crashes. If you travel about an hour south of downtown Atlanta, you will find hundreds of recruits who are training for some of the most dangerous scenarios that law enforcement can face – including high speeds on the interstate. 'The criminals out here are driving Camaros, Mustangs, Corvettes, Hellcats – 500, and 600, and 800 horsepower cars,' said Brian Stokes, an instructor at Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth. Challenges are also found on congested suburban streets. 'They can be people, they can be mailboxes, they can be other vehicles,' said Kevin Angell, another instructor at GPSTC. Instructors are now teaching new officers how to drive safely in any environment. 'We want to prevent or help lower the incidents of officers being injured in the line of a vehicle crash. That's a very high statistic across the country. And also, the citizens that are involved in those as well,' said Ara Baronian, Director of Basic Training at GPSTC. He said since the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council voted last year to increase the minimum training requirements to become a certified police officer, recruits are now required to log at least 56 hours of drive time. MORE STORIES FROM 2 INVESTIGATES: A study finds long EMS response times in DeKalb. What are the reasons? 'Emergency message' orders Social Security withhold 50% of benefits for those who were overpaid Popular apps could be collecting your data, affecting car insurance prices Used car sales spiking over tariffs, but you need to read the fine print, or it could cost yousplit-second In April, Seiden got the opportunity to play recruit for the day. The training starts with the basics: how to navigate the roads when you are dealing with obstacles. Seiden started on the cones course, with each cone representing a person, mailbox or even another car. 'They've got two minutes and 40 seconds to move their way through this course and really the skills that it's focused on is turning left, turning right, braking, backing up, being able to accelerate and being able to decelerate safely,' Angell said. But it didn't take long before Seiden got into some serious trouble. 'Once we get around them. Oops, I almost hit them. I gotta go back up. I feel I'm 16 again. Yeah, it's pressure,' Seiden said. Ultimately, Seiden failed the test. 'If this were a real-life situation, I'd be in a lot of trouble right now,' Seiden said. Channel 2 Action News also took a ride on the urban track where recruits are forced to make split-second decisions in real-life scenarios. 'What we wanted to add to that was the additional variables, like manipulating a high-priority call through traffic, right through a city street,' Baronian said. Seiden also rode along for a couple of laps around the high-speed course. 'Wow! Wow! We're going over 100 miles per hour right now,' Seiden said. This is a vital part of the training because it teaches the recruits how to maintain control of their cars as they fly around curves. On this day, we also found several recruits practicing their pit maneuvers, a law enforcement tactic that is used to force a fleeing car to stop. The state is only 16 weeks into this new training, but so far, the feedback is positive. In fact, instructors believe that these tactics are going to make Georgia roads much safer. 'We're not rushing to any conclusions yet, but so far, we've had a lot of success,' Baronian said. Seiden asked them how they are going to measure success and they told him that they don't track outside statistics, but they stay in constant communication with local, state, and federal partners and use it to tweak their training programs.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hallmark Star Heather Hemmens Lists Her SoCal Treehouse for $2.3 Million
Through the years, Heather Hemmens has amassed an extensive acting resume. After her breakout role as Alice Verdura in the WB series Hellcats, she went on to snag parts in If Loving You Is Wrong, Yellowstone, the Roswell reboot, and Dad Stop Embarrassing Me! with Jamie Foxx. Along the way, she became a regular on the Hallmark Channel, most recently starring in Christmas Under the Lights and The Groomsmen First Look. She's also branched out to directing and producing. Now Hemmens is shifting gears on the real estate front, hoisting her hideaway in a rural area of L.A.'s Topanga Canyon in the foothills above Malibu on the market for nearly $2.3 million. That's around $800,000 more than she paid for the place in early 2021, but she did add some personal touches to the 1970s treehouse-style residence during her tenure. Neyshia Go of Sotheby's International Realty's Beverly Hills Brokerage holds the listing. More from Robb Report These Trail-Ready E-Bikes Fold Flat When You're Ready to Travel The 2025 Audi RS E-Tron GT Performance Will Change the Way You Think About the Marque Christian Louboutin Just Launched His First Eyewear Collection RELATED: Renée Zellweger's Former SoCal Home Hits the Market for $8 Million Set on nearly half an acre of land providing mountain views, the beige and brown wood-sided structure stands out against its forested setting and has three bedrooms and two baths in roughly 3,400 square feet. Rustic yet modern living space on two levels boasts vaulted wood-beam ceilings, rich hardwood floors, and large windows throughout. There's also a lower-level guest suite with its own kitchen, living and dining areas, bedroom, and bath, along with a small nook that currently serves as a gym. Among the highlights is a sunken living room sporting a stacked-stone fireplace that stretches to the ceiling and French doors spilling out to a balcony. The glass-lined dining room is accompanied by a lounge area, while an eat-in kitchen is outfitted with white and wood-toned cabinetry, a wine fridge, and stainless appliances. A fireside primary has a multi-hued slate bath equipped with dual vanities, an elevated soaking tub, and a walk-in shower. RELATED: Thandiwe Newton's Former Rustic-Chic SoCal Retreat Hits the Market for $4.2 Million The grounds are spotlighted by a spacious flagstone terrace that's ideal for alfresco lounging amid mature oak trees, plus wood decks hosting a swim spa, a hot tub, and a fire pit. A turf-clad lawn has a seating area tucked off to the side, and walking paths also meander their way through the picturesque natural of Robb Report The 10 Priciest Neighborhoods in America (And How They Got to Be That Way) In Pictures: Most Expensive Properties Click here to read the full article.
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Hellcat Hunter: Mercedes-AMG S63 E-Performance Hits the Drag Strip
"Man, you're out here eating up Hellcats!" So says the guy in the Dodge Charger Scat Pack who had the misfortune of lining up twice against the 2024 Mercedes-AMG S63 E-Performance plug-in hybrid at Rockingham Dragway. The big Benz doesn't look like it would be all that quick, especially wearing a gold paint job that prompted me to dub the car "Champagne Supernova" on the sign-in tech sheet. (Mercedes calls the hue Kalahari gold metallic, a $1750 option.) It's the kind of color you expect to see in the valet line at Joe's Stone Crab, not in the staging lanes at the Rockingham March Madness takeover, where the predominant exterior aesthetic seemed to be "vandalized by a graffiti artist, but in a cool way." The S63 is a sleeper, is what I'm saying. The S-class doesn't look like it has 791 horsepower and 1055 pound-feet of torque, but there's a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 at the front making 603 horsepower, and there's an electric motor out back contributing another 188 hp. It's like a mullet on both sides of your head: party in the front, party in the back. The electric motor is hooked to its own two-speed transmission and can generate its peak 188 horsepower for 10-second stints, after which it drops to 94. And 10 seconds, by my seat-of-the-pants reckoning, ought to be just about long enough to see the S63 down the quarter-mile. It feels like a 10-second car off the line. Is it? Let's find out. I've only run one official 10-second quarter-mile, in a Hennessey Hammer Wagon at Darlington. I almost certainly ran one there in the McLaren 765LT too, but the timing equipment malfunctioned on my first run and then traction went away after that. I got close with a Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye at Fayetteville, but the best I could wring was an 11.1. Even with the gonzo horsepower of modern muscle- and supercars (and EVs), 10 seconds remains rare air. But the S63 feels like it's got the juice. With a wet clutch, all-wheel drive, and launch control, the S63 departs like it's going to pull the front tires off the ground. (It's close, really—Elana Scherr tells me the drag-race term for this is a "paper-slipper," because you could slide a piece of paper under the front end at launch.) On my first few runs, I can't seem to get launch control going, but the Benz still cracks off runs in the 11.3-second range at 126 mph. That is no joke, but not quite what I'm looking for. I pull to the side in the staging lanes and consult the AMG addendum to the S-class owner's manual, learning that my practiced starting-line calm is actually too chill—you need to hold the brake with your left foot and aggressively stab the accelerator with your right to tell the Benz you'd like some launch control, please. At that point, the V-8 chatters at just below 4000 rpm, and when you pop your foot off the brake, you're on your way to what is surely a sub-3.0-second sprint to 60 mph. The first time I make a launch-control pass, I'm on my way back past the bleachers when I hear a spectator exclaim, "That m---------r's fast!" After another run, a guy calls out, "Is that an AMG?" Yes. "What've you done to it?" Nothing. This is just how they build them now. And I sneak into the 11.1 range—11.19 seconds at 125 mph—but that's all it's got. Which, make no mistake, is crazy quick, especially for a car that can do that sort of thing while giving you a hot stone massage and wafting its own signature fragrance from the HVAC vents. The S63 E-Performance is an impressive answer to the question, "Where does the S-class fit in a G-class world?" It's stately and menacing all at once, like Nicole Kidman in The Perfect Couple. The S63 never lost, even dispatching a fearsome regular-cab F-150 powered by what sounded like a supercharged Coyote. A guy in a Jeep Trackhawk challenged me to a run but later decided he wanted to line up against the F-150, so we don't know how that would have turned out, but I suspect my perfect record would've been shattered. The Jeep owner was wearing a sweatshirt emblazoned with a photo of the Trackhawk, and I asked him, "Am I about to learn not to run against someone who has a picture of their car on their sweatshirt?" He laughed in a way that suggested that this was correct. Although I never broke into the 10s, I think my sense that the S63 is a 10-second car is correct. It has a vulnerability, though. Around 80 mph it feels like there's a flat spot in the power, followed by a 100-shot of nitrous. This happened consistently, at the same place every run, making me wonder if the car thought there was a traction problem or some reason to moderate thrust and then suddenly restore it. Then I realized the likely culprit: I was feeling the shift from the two-speed transmission at the rear axle. So that pause and surge before the eighth-mile is the electric motor hitting its limit, then rejoining the party after the upshift. As Benz's tech material says, "An electric actuator engages second gear by approximately 87 mph, which corresponds to the electric motor's maximum speed of around 13,500 rpm." If I may make a suggestion, perhaps we could tinker with the gear ratios to either extend that shift to, say, 130 mph, or do it sooner, before the electric motor runs out of revs. Because I want to break into the 10s again, and I've got a feeling that ol' Champagne Supernova here can do it. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Alan Jackson's Limited Edition Dodge Challenger SRT-8 to Hit the Auction Block
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector Country music icon Alan Jackson is parting ways with one of the gems from his extensive car collection, a 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 Inaugural Edition, which is set to be auctioned off at the upcoming Mecum Glendale event in Arizona on March 20, 2025. This particular vehicle, known for its robust performance and distinctive style, stands out not only for its celebrity ownership but also as a collectible piece of automotive history. The Challenger is one of a limited run, with this unit being number 3,897 out of 6,400 produced, a fact proudly displayed on a dashboard plaque. It boasts a striking Hemi Orange paint job with black stripes, a color scheme that underscores Jackson's well-known penchant for classic muscle cars. Under the hood, the car features a 6.1-liter Hemi V8 engine capable of delivering 425 horsepower. At the time of its release, before the advent of Dodge's now-famous Hellcats, Redeyes, and Demons, this model represented the pinnacle of Mopar muscle car performance. Additional features include Brembo brakes visible through the five-spoke alloy wheels, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and its functional prowess. Despite its performance capabilities, this Challenger comes equipped with an automatic transmission, rounding out a nearly perfect package for muscle car enthusiasts. Inside, the car is just as impressive, sporting a leather and suede interior that appears virtually untouched. Modern comforts such as air conditioning, seat heaters, cruise control, and a premium Kicker sound system with 13 speakers ensure a luxurious driving experience. With only 17,580 miles on the odometer, this Challenger is in exceptional condition. Given its limited usage and meticulous maintenance, it reflects Jackson's ability to preserve the quality of his vehicles, despite his extensive collection. Celebrity-owned vehicles can often fetch higher prices at auction, and with Alan Jackson's reputation as a car enthusiast, this Dodge Challenger is likely to attract significant attention and competitive bidding. Collectors and fans alike will have the opportunity to own a piece of automotive and music history when this car crosses the auction block next spring. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Heading To Auction: Alan Jackson's Dodge Challenger SRT-8
Read the full story on Backfire News Country music star Alan Jackson is known for collecting cars and one of his former rides, a 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 Inaugural Edition, is heading to auction. The fact the Mopar muscle car not only is part of a limited production run plus was owned by a celebrity could help it snag quite a top bid when it crosses the car is number 3,897 out of 6,400 made, as clearly displayed on a dashboard plaque. It's a good-looking ride with Hemi Orange paint and black stripes, showing Jackson has good taste when it comes to muscle cars. Plus, with a mere 17,580 miles on the odometer, it's in cherry condition. Considering the musician famously owns a vast collection of rides, he doesn't have to log a log of miles on a single one. Of course, back when this Dodge debuted, the 6.1-liter Hemi V8 was a shining star with 425-horsepower on tap. Keep in mind this was before the Hellcats, Redeyes, and Demons launched, so it was the pinnacle of Mopar muscle car performance. Brembo brakes are visible through the five-spoke alloy wheels. Sadly, it comes with an automatic transmission, so this vehicle was almost perfect. Although, we have to say photos shared by Mecum Auctions shows the leather and suede interior looking essentially brand new. Air conditioning, seat heaters, cruise control, and a Kicker sound system with 13 speakers are all included, making this a nice ride. Celebrity ownership is a funny thing when it comes to vehicle value. Sometimes it will boost the price of a car significantly and other times will have no effect. In this case, we suspect it will push the final bid higher since Jackson is a known enthusiast. This car will cross the block at the Mecum Glendale auction in Arizona on March 20, 2025. Check out the lot listing and find out more about it here. Images via Mecum Auctions
