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How dangerous is the tool the FBI is asking Apple to build

2/20/2016

Imagine if you owned hundreds of rental homes. And imagine that one of your tenants in one of your homes committed a horrendous crime.

If the FBI got a search warrant for that house and asked you to open the door to investigate, you wouldn't have a problem with that, would you?

Probably not.

But imagine they didn't do that. Imagine, instead, that they said:

"Hey, all these locks and doors and other security features you have on your rental properties are too difficult for us to get through when we need to search somebody's house....

....so we want you to give us the keys and alarm codes to ALL your rental properties, even though no one in those houses committed a crime."

That's a much different situation.

And that's what the argument between Apple and the FBI is about.

The FBI is not asking Apple to unlock a single phone.
They're trying to force Apple into give them the key to every iPhone in the world.

That's why this is important. And it's got the potential to turn into history's biggest battle over your right to privacy.

Peugeot's legendary Climb Dance remastered in high-definition glory

2/20/2016

Climb Dance, the rally-porn film celebrating the Pikes Peak Hill Climb victories of Ari Vatanen in 1988 and Robby Unser in 1989 - and including footage from both drives - has been remastered in high definition. It was commissioned by Peugeot, maker of the four-wheel steering 415 T16 Grand Raid, the racecar that took both drivers to the top to overall victories.

Watch a Nissan GT-R Tow a Crazy Snowboarder Around Spa-Francorchamps

2/19/2016

When it's snowy outside, people usually like to hole themselves up at home with a movie and hot chocolate. But if we lived near a racetrack, we'd probably take advantage of that, instead.

The madmen at RSR, a racing school based at the Nurburgring, took a Nissan GT-R with a snowboarder in tow to the fresh powder at Spa-Francorchamps. With the Nissan's 540 hp and AWD, the video's caption claims that they were able to hit speeds of over 120 km/h [74 mph]. Which isn't that fast for a car on this famous racetrack, but for a dude on a snowboard? Absolutely.

This doesn't look safe by any stretch of the imagination. But it's something we've all thought about doing before. These guys just went and did it.

Watch the birth of a engine Crankshaft

2/19/2016

Its quite amazing the process of how an engine crankshaft is made.

You Will Watch All 5 Minutes of This Guy Cold-Starting His Old Diesel Nissan

2/19/2016

Look, there isn't much to say here besides what's in the headline. This is a five-minute video of a guy—two guys, actually—trying to start their 1983 diesel-powered Nissan pickup truck on a 22-degree day.

It takes all five minutes for the old truck to fire up. And somehow, what should be an utterly boring (if not downright frustrating) video is completely and utterly compelling.

Maybe it's the accents, as exaggerated as they may be. Maybe it's the surprisingly elaborate video editing—multiple camera angles! Smooth cuts! A completely overkill studio-quality microphone positioned to pick up the sound of that struggling, ice-cold engine!

The YouTube description says this video was created for diesel parts supplier IDParts' annual Cold Start Contest, the rules for which are stone simple: "Film yourself starting your diesel in the cold, upload it to YouTube and send us a link!"

We don't know if these guys won, but we hope they did. That 33-year-old pickup may be reluctant to wake up on a frigid day, but with the right loving touch, it doesn't let its owners down.

Watching the Tu95 Bear fly is simply mesmerizing

2/19/2016

I really shouldn't call the TU-95 a "relic" because it's still in service and likely will be for years to come. Like its B-52 counterpart, it's such an adaptable aircraft that it's managed to change with the times while many would-be replacements have come and gone.

Whenever you read some breathless news story about "Eek! Russian bombers fly near__ !!!" it's almost always a pair of TU-95s. Just flying a couple of them near Guam a while back was enough to send defense hawks into conniptions.

As one Russian general quipped "That's why they call it International Airspace."

I'll say one thing for the Russians, when they find something that works they stick with it.

In 1950 a request was sent to both the Tupolev and Myasishchev design bureaus for a new strategic bomber. The new aircraft was to have the ability to deliver an 11,000 kg bomb load to a target 8000 km (4,970 mi) away.

Myasishchev came up with the jet powered M-4, which was a monumental disappointment.

Andrei Tupolev knew that the jet engines he had to work with would be just too fuel thirsty to give him the range and payload required. He cleverly decided to go with turboprops. This was directly in contradiction to Stalin's orders, by the way. Stalin wanted a jet bomber dammit. Gutsy move Andrei.

There weren't just any turboprops either. He used 4 massive Kuznetsov NK-12s. To this day the most powerful turboprops ever built. These monsters produce 14,800 horsepower each and swing an 18-foot, 8-bladed contra-rotating propeller.

These engines were based on late-war German research with some help from a team of German engineers. Now before you scoff and say "Well sure, they had German scientists build it" there was plenty of Russian know-how that went into this as well, especially the metal alloys that allowed it to be built.

What happens when you hit the water at 85mph?

2/19/2016

Think being a Red Bull Cliff Diver is as simple as jumping off a cliff? Think again. It’s an exercise in mental mindset, bodily control, and, oh yeah – maths. Leaping off a 27m-high platform is most certainly a calculated risk. But we’ve seen the mid-air flips and twists countless times. Today – with some incredible underwater shots from Alex Voyer – want to take a look at the landing?

The drop takes three seconds and they reach 85kph

The divers accelerate off the platform at 9.8m/s – that's almost as fast a Bugatti Veyron supercar accelerates from 0–60mph. Did we mention they're flipping and twisting, while spotting their landing? Because they are. World record: five forward rotations by Steven LoBue.

They hit the water with two to three times the force of gravityThe impact isn't easy. The divers go from 85kph to zero in less than a second.

Muscles engaged: extensor muscles in legs, groin, core, abs!

This is one time it's OK to flex. By tensing muscles before impact, the divers protect themselves from injury (but injuries can still occur).

It’s like an underwater bombThe divers hit the water so fast that they actually create a 'bomb hole' where they entered the water.

As the divers enter the water, friction slows them down incredibly fast. The water jetstreams around the leading edge of the diver's feet or hands. The shot above is a precise moment after impact.

As soon as the diver enters the water, friction hits the brakes for them – but they also spread their arms towards the end of the dive to decrease the depth.What happens if they mess up on the landing? "Anything that's not straight up and down is really going to hurt," says Orlando Duque. And what if they do a 'belly flop'? Thankfully, that doesn't happen too often...as it could be catastrophic.

WORLD’S LARGEST INDOOR/UNDERGROUND BIKE PARK

2/19/2016

Previously, abandoned limestone mines were only good for one thing: low-budget horror movies. But some resourceful types in Louisville, Kentucky, have come up with an even better idea: build the largest indoor bike park in the world.

The Louisville Mega Cavern has opened the Mega Underground Bike Park, and with a whopping 17 miles of space to play in, we’re officially calling this a better day than the Kentucky Derby. Besides having the world’s only underground off-road bike course, there’s also zip lines, a ropes course, and plenty of event space. And don’t forget, being 100 feet underground means perfect weather 24/7. Spread out over the 320,000 square feet are 45 trails, jump lines, pump tracks, slalom courses and more. It just opened to the public, and bike rentals begin in April at $24 per person for half a day.

What this guy can do with a CH-46 Sea Knight Helicopter is mind blowing

2/19/2016

This guy and his flying abilities with such a big helicopter are impressive to say the least.
Just watch the video below

The 5 Places and Things you Need to do as a Petrolhead

2/19/2016

As a petrolhead, there are certain things that we all want to do in our lives, events we want to go to, things we experienced, so heres a list of the 10 places and things you need to do as a petrolhead.

1. Visit the Goodwood Festival of Speed

One of the ultimate events that goes on every year for a petrolhead has to be Goodwood. The hillclimb that goes up Lord March’s driveway in West Sussex attracts some of the most amazing cars, from brand new pre-production cars to classic race cars. The wide variety of cars is one of the things that makes this event so appealing, and is now attracting manufacturers to come to Goodwood to show off their new performance cars as well.

2. Drive the Nurburgring

This one should be obvious for most people, but this should be the one of the most holiest of pilgrimages for petrolheads. Being completed in 1927, the Nurburgring is one of the oldest race tracks in the world, and is still the most demanding track in the world. Being built high in the Eifel Mountains in Germany, this means that there are extreme elevation changes throughout the circuits 13 miles. Even with the new speed limits in places in response to the tragedies that happened earlier this year, the Nurburgring is still one of the most intense tracks in the world. Bring your own car or rent one and experience it for yourself.

3. Go to the 24 Hours of Le Mans

The long and storied history of Le Mans starts back in 1923. This 24 hour test of man and machine is one of the most amazing spectacles in motor sport, with teams and drivers being pushed to the absolute limit. Nothing is more amazing than watching the cars drive into the night.

4. Go to Monaco on F1 weekend

Another race with a long and storied history, the Monaco Grand Prix is the crown jewel of the Formula 1 calendar and one of the most unique as well. The cars long ago outgrew the tight streets of Monaco, which is what makes this event so special. Although staying in Monaco and having tickets to the race can get expensive, it’s totally worth the money to go at least once in your life.

5. Go on a Roadtrip up the Pacific Coast Highway

I felt like I had to include something from America on this list and what better than driving along one of the most iconic roads in America. The PCH from Santa Monica to San Francisco is one of the most stunning drives in the world and should be experienced in a convertible of some sort. The road is pretty twisty as well, so grab something that’ll be fun to drive.

So those are the top 5 things you should do as a petrolhead. Did I miss anything? Let me know and I might do a part 2.

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Forward>>

How dangerous is the tool the FBI is asking Apple to build

Peugeot's legendary Climb Dance remastered in high-definition glory

Watch a Nissan GT-R Tow a Crazy Snowboarder Around Spa-Francorchamps

Watch the birth of a engine Crankshaft

You Will Watch All 5 Minutes of This Guy Cold-Starting His Old Diesel Nissan

Watching the Tu95 Bear fly is simply mesmerizing

What happens when you hit the water at 85mph?

WORLD’S LARGEST INDOOR/UNDERGROUND BIKE PARK

What this guy can do with a CH-46 Sea Knight Helicopter is mind blowing

The 5 Places and Things you Need to do as a Petrolhead

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