A photo from the McDonald's drive-thru went viral and brought two fans together.
GUESSED A WEEK AGO THAT SHE AND HER CAR WOULD BE IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT. BUT A PICTURE OF HER IN A FAST FOOD DRIVE-THROUGH IS BEEN SHARED ALL OF HER SOCIAL MEDIA SITE RACKING UP TENS OF THOUSANDS OF LIKES AND SHARES DANIEL BURBANK EXPLAINS WHAT CAUGHT THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S EYE. >> THIS IS JODY. LIKE CLOCKWORK SHE VISITS HER FAVORITE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT. >> I COME HERE FOR LUNCH ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. >> AND THEY KNOW HER BY NAME. >> HELLO. THANK YOU ETHAN. >> HER DREAM WAS TO ON A PIECE OF THE RESTAURANT CHAIN. SO SHE STARTED A COLLECTION. >> I HAVE COLLECTORS ITEMS, EVERYTHING. >> AFTER ADDING AN EMPLOYEE UNIFORM TO THAT LIST, SHE ALSO PERSONALIZED HER LICENSE PLATE AFTER A FAST FOOD CHARACTER FROM THE 80s. ACROSS TOWN, AMANDA DVORAK WAS WORKING FROM HOME SINCE MARCH WANTED A BREAK. >> I HAD TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE. YOU KNOW SEE SOME DIFFERENT THINGS BESIDES THE WALLS OF MY OWN HOUSE. >> SHE TOOK A TRIP TO HER FAVORITE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT. >> I PULLED UP IN THE DRIVE THROUGH AND IN FRONT OF ME WAS A CAR. THE LICENSE PLATE SAID HAMBURGER. >> SHE POSTED THE PICTURE TO SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE NEXT DAY THE MESSAGE STARTED TO ROLL IN. >> FRIEND MESSAGE MY HUSBAND AND SAID IS IN THIS AMANDA'S PICTURE? AND I SAID YES. AND I'M LIKE THIS IS HILARIOUS. >> JODY AND AMANDA ARE HAPPY THE LICENSE THEY CREATED A FRIENDSHIP AND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF SMILES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
What this particular concept or rendering is known as is the Nissan Dodgy. It’s another dream machine from Burov Design, the same team that brought us the Auto Union roadster. But this, this is nothing like the sleek designs the studio pushes out.
From the start we get the impression that this vehicle is straight out of some cartoon or an off-world movie, or just some 10-year old’s imagination. Its unconventional bulbous shape looks like rides seen in shows like Dragon-Ball Z.
But what sparks something like this? It could be a number of things, of which boredom could be one, but I don’t feel that’s the case here. This design studio is much too strong to just make things for no reason. So that leaves us with the option that the Dodgy could be used to showcase some technological ideas.
Whether that’s true or not, we’ll never know, but the way this Nissan branded design moves is indicative up some technologies that the automotive industry has actually been researching. What, you thought this was the first time someone thought up of a globe-like wheel system? Nope. Even I’ve thought of something like this a few years back, one Saturday morning while meditating on a porcelain throne.
But it isn’t the thinkers that rule the world, it’s the doers, and this is a start. However, ahead of myself and Burov Design, was Goodyear. They have been working on an idea for a while now that includes the use of a spherical wheel. Check out the video below and share it with your friends. This could be the very direction some of our vehicles will be headed. And why the heck not, it’s awesome tech if we can ever get it going.
Now that we know why the Dogdy could be a very big deal, let’s have a look at the design. From the start we see that it’s only constructed for one rider. We can also see no steering wheel of any kind, leading us to believe that it will most certainly be autonomous.
It’s globe-like design also allows for a very minimal use of structural supports while maximizing headroom and internal space. It’s a big reason as to why the VW Beetle is so popular, aside from the history it carries. This also allows the Dodgy to give us plenty of view. The strip of windshield extends over the top and gives a full view of the sky above.
The same holds true for the side panels. What side panels? They're just doors made of mostly glass, once again offering visibility that does away with the use of mirrors. But being autonomous, mirrors aren't needed anyway. All you have to do is enjoy the view.
Throw on some LED head and rear lights, the Nissan logo, and maybe, just maybe, you could see this on the streets in the future. If not this exact design, some aspect or another could very well be seen somewhere else.
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of the open road. When I was a younger man, there were few things in life that gave me more joy than hitting the interstate after work in my black Ford Mustang.
But, like millions of other people, I’m now disabled and unable to safely operate a motor vehicle. A few years back I started to really get into racing sims to try and scratch the old driving itch and, shockingly, it actually helped.
Games such as Forza Motorsport 7andGran Turismo Sporteschew arcade exploits and over-the-top design in favor of immersive photo and audio realism. Don’t get me wrong, games from franchises such as theBurnoutandNeed For Speedseries are fun, but they don’t make me feel like I’m actually driving a car.
With the right monitor (like this curved one from Alienware I reviewed awhile back) and a decent set of headphones, I can just about lose myself running laps in Forza.I say “just about” because there’s one thing that’s been missing: a proper steering wheel controller.
There are dozens of steering wheel controllers out there but Logitech’s are arguably the most popular. I was a huge fan of the G920, so when the company offered to let me test the all-new G923 I jumped at the opportunity.
I tested the G923 Xbox/PC version. Despite a few compatibility issues at launch it appears to be working with every game it’s supposed to now. I can’t speak to whether the PS4 version is working properly, but I wasn’t able to find any recent complaints online so I’m assuming it is.
Those of you familiar with the G920 will notice that, aesthetically, not much has changed. The major differences between the two models are mostly internal, though you may notice the LED display mounted on the top of the G923, a nifty addition that works as an RPM meter in many games.
That being said, it’s easy to see why Logitech didn’t attempt any radical changes. Just look at this thing, it’s gorgeous:
It’s difficult to gauge size in these images, but this thing feels like a junior-size version of a super-car steering wheel. I was surprised at how much attention to detail went into the leather and stitching. This isn’t a plastic toy by any means. It’s apparent Logitech is trying to bridge the gap between “real racing wheels” and video game controllers. And it’s having a lot of success.
The G923 racing wheel also comes with racing pedals. The gorgeous, brushed-metal pedals stand out as much as the racing wheel in the looks department:
They also feature an upgrade over previous iterations in the form of a rubber bushing in the brake pedal that’s supposed to help “develop muscle memory” when braking. I found it to be a mixed bag. On the one hand, it definitely mimics what a racing brake pedal feels like better than the old ones, but on the other it’s a pain in the ass to use if your floor isn’t carpeted.
The gist of it is the brake pedal has much more resistance than the clutch and gas pedals. A quick search online will tell you that many customers have taken the rig apart to remove the rubber because they don’t like how much “harder” it is to push.
I actually like the amount of resistance the brake pedal gives with the rubber bushing, but because of the pedal’s angle and the extra force necessary to “slam on the brakes” when I’m, for example, drifting, I end up kicking the entire setup away from me.
This isn’t a problem if you’re playing on a carpeted surface. Logitech’s clever design makes the pedals super-grippy on most plush carpets. But on my stone-tile floor it’s quite slippery.
This problem is easily solved by buttressing it against something heavy so it’s not a deal-breaker. I just wish it had some rubber on the bottom. There’s a bunch of soft rubber feet down there, but they’re tiny and do absolutely nothing to stop it from sliding.
Let’s talk about what it’s like to use the G923. I fell in love. It’s got paddle shifters, all the traditional Xbox or PS controller buttons, and a d-pad so you can use it as your only controller. There is one caveat: if you plan on using a headset while playing with the G923 on Xbox One you’ll have to connect it to a separate controller because the G923 doesn’t support wired or wireless headsets.
I love the way the G923 feels in my hands. Despite its diminutive size (when compared to production vehicles’ normal steering wheels) everything feels properly spaced. The paddles are so well-designed that I found myself compelled to stop using automatic transmission settings – a decision that’s served me well when it comes to attacking my best track times.
But the best things about the G923 are on the inside. Logitech’s absolutely nailed the vibration and force feedback with this controller. You can smash the gas, close your eyes, andfeelthe road beneath you. As you start to drift off track the vibration changes and itfeelslike you’re in dirt or gravel instead of on asphalt.
And when you turn, the way the wheel resists (called force feedback) is different depending on how fast you’re traveling, what kind of surface you’re on, and what vehicle you’re in. It’s an amazing feeling that really ties the immersive experience of playing a racing sim together – especially in ‘cockpit’ view.
This is nothing new though. The past few generations of racing wheels (including the G920) have been excellent at vibration and force feedback. And while the G923 seems to have improved even more on previous iterations, it’s the all-new True Force feature that separates it from the herd.
Here’s what Logitech says about True Force:
TRUEFORCE delivers directly rendered kinesthetic and tactile force feedback—calculated internally at up to 4000Hz—right to your G923, delivering an immersive, real-racing experience. Tactile feedback lets you feel everything with fine-tuned nuance—vibrational effects, road surfaces, terrain changes, tire contact, weather. Kinesthetic effects let you feel tire grip, bumps, crashes, and g-forces so you can react quicker and win the race.
I’d say that’s a pretty good description, but it doesn’t explain what that feels like in action. True Force requires game developers to code in support so it’s currently only available in a handful of titles (list here). I checked it out in a short playtest withAssetto Corsa Competizioneon Xbox One.
Simply put: True Force is incredibly impressive. It fills in the blanks that other feedback systems don’t. For example, when you’re rocketing down a straightaway at 150 MPH in most games there’s little to no wheel vibration. But in a real car traveling at high speed on imperfect terrain there’s always going to be some vibration, especially if said vehicle has a combustion engine.
True Force translates engine vibrations into steering wheel vibrations. This makes it feel much more like you’re driving a real car. I was able to visualize which tires were losing grip when I over/under-steered into or out of corners and this seemed to help me correct quicker and more accurately.
Overall, I found the G923 to be a worthy upgrade. Given the choice between finding a G920 on sale or purchasing the all new G923 I’d go with the latter just for the opportunity to play any upcoming titles that get support for True Force.
No gadget is perfect though, and I was able to find some faults with this racing wheel. Firstly, I’m not a big fan of the mounting system. I think Logitech’s done the best it could here. It’s designed to work well with a desk or table.
But you really need a dedicated racing chair to get the most out of it. As I don’t currently have one, I would have much preferred a lap-contour that let me rest it on my thighs or some way to put it on top of my desk.
Another thing I didn’t like was the way it always spins through it’s full range, back and forth, when it powers up. If you happen to dismount the controller but forget to disconnect it you run the risk of having a steering wheel with a pretty powerful set motors driving it flopping around for a few seconds.
Issues aside, I highly recommend the Logitech G923 racing wheel. It’s the closest I’ve been to driving a real car in a long time.
You can pick yours up on Amazon where it’s currently on sale for less than $300.
For more gear, gadget, and hardware news and reviews, follow Plugged on Twitter and Flipboard.
Published October 1, 2020 — 19:45 UTC
Price$ 399.99ProductG923 True Force racing wheel by Logitech
Brett Hearn will return to the driver's seat for the upcoming DIRTcar OctoberFAST Series. (Adam Fenwick photo)
SUSSEX, N.J. – Multi-time Super DIRTcar Series champion and dirt modified legend Brett Hearn will climb back behind the wheel for the six-race DIRTcar OctoberFAST series.
Set for Oct. 6-11 at tracks across New York state, Hearn will pilot his familiar No. 20 DIRTcar big-block modified in the six-pack of events.
Having concentrated his time and energy this year as the Director of Motorsports at New York’s Orange County Fair Speedway, Hearn has only raced seven times during the pandemic-abbreviated 2020 season.
“Running Orange County is a full time job even in the best of times,” said Hearn, who put his 46-year racing career on the back burner after assuming the speedway management position earlier this year. “But in the time between the end of our weekly Orange County racing season and the traditional late October Eastern States Weekend, I had always planned to compete in the Super DIRT Week races.
“Coronavirus restrictions forced DIRTcar to come up with alternate plans, and the six consecutive OctoberFAST races are pretty appealing.”
Hearn will drive a new 2021 Teo Fabrications-built modified, fielded by a joint effort of his own BH Racing Enterprises team and long-time backers Madsen Motorsports and 4-Star Racing.
“I’m really looking forward to having the team together and getting back on the track,” added Hearn.
Hearn’s long career began as a 16-year-old in 1975. In that span, he has won a documented 919 races, the most of an American race car driver.
Hearn has won at 49 different speedways in 11 states and two Canadian provinces. He has 94 track and series championships to his credit.
Following the OctoberFAST races, Hearn will resume his speedway management role as he prepares Orange County Fair Speedway for the 59th annual Eastern States Weekend and the Eastern States 200, the oldest late-season championship race for dirt modifieds.
On Sept. 21 the owner of Stino Da Napoli reported that sometime over the weekend an unknown person attempted to break into the business. Officers found several points of attempted entry. There are no suspects at this time and the investigation is pending.
Rocky River announces updated city construction projects including streets, street signals and the new police station.
Traffic altercation, Interstate 90
On Sept. 22 a case of road rage was reported on the highway. Officers determined which cars were involved and identified both drivers. The two cars were westbound on the highway when one of the drivers sped up, cut off the other car, and then brake checked. This led to the two drivers gesturing at each other before pulling off the highway onto the north berm. The two drivers engaged in a physical altercation and both reported minor injuries. Conflicting accounts of the events that took place were reported.
Drugs, Center Ridge Road
On Sept. 25 it was reported that a man appeared to be passed out in his car in the Walgreens parking lot. Officers found the man, later identified as a 37-year-old from Sheffield Lake, slumped over the wheel of his car. Officers were able to awaken him and during the investigation, found several items of drug paraphernalia including two hypodermic needles. The man admitted to using heroin approximately one hour prior to the encounter and was tired. He was charged with possession of drug abuse instruments and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Back to school reminder
Rocky River City School District students returned to school in a hybrid model last week. Students at all Rocky River schools will attend school half day and participate in online training the opposite half day. Drivers should be aware of students during the midday commute, stop for school buses that are loading or discharging students, and that school speed zones have been extended during the hours of the midday commute, as indicated by flashing lights on school speed zone signs.
October 01, 2020 at 05:13AM
https://www.cleveland.com/community/2020/09/officers-find-man-slumped-over-steering-wheel-find-drugs-rocky-river-police-blotter.html
Officers find man slumped over steering wheel, find drugs: Rocky River Police Blotter - cleveland.com
A man was arrested after he was found sleeping behind the wheel of a vehicle near a busy intersection in Wildwood.
A red Nissan truck was spotted at an intersection at about 5 p.m. Monday near the Sunoco service station at 900 S. Main St. The driver was identified as 33-year-old Robert Scott Rice of Ocala. A witness said Rice woke up and pulled into the service station parking lot minutes before an officer arrived on the scene, according to an arrest report from the Wildwood Police Department.
The police officer determined that Rice has been classified as a habitual offender, with suspensions dating back to 2002. He was arrested on a felony charge of driving while license suspended. He was booked at the Sumter County Detention Center on $2,000 bond.
