Test Drives, Trends & Events

Valentino Balboni driving a Lamborghini Miura while simultaneously showing off the fact that he has the world's greatest job. (Copyright © 2008 Winston Goodfellow)

The 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance starts August 17th, 2008 with nine seldom-seen Lamborghinis gracing the green at the famous golf course. This year the Lamborghini class will benefit from the knowledgeable eye of Judge Valentino Balboni.

What makes him so special? Just the simple matter of working for the legendary Italian sports car maker for the past 40-years. Starting as an apprentice in 1968, he has worked his way up to the position of Chief Test Driver and Head of Restoration/Customer Service. More...

Gumballers hitting the streets -- not shown is the trailer that carries their wallets. (Photo courtesy of W. Skinner)

Let's play pretend for a minute … Close your eyes and imagine that you are a celebrity/professional athlete/super wealthy person, etc., and you are a little bored at the moment. What would you do if you had access to exotic automobiles and $120,000 burning a hole in your pocket? No … you've already donated enough for tax purposes. (Wow you’re boring!) You would enter the 2008 Gumball Rally!

The Gumball got underway over the weekend with the city of San Francisco providing the starting point. Participating in the adventure are Ferraris, Porsches, Land Rovers, as well as one 60s-era VW bus powered by a Porsche engine. This year's Gumballers are heading on a course that will lead them all the way to Beijing and the 2008 Summer Olympics. [...