Earlier this month, an SUV that will debut on the automotive market in early 2008, won an award in Los Angeles.

When the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid hits the roads in the spring of 2008, it will already have made history. Not only because it will be the first full size Hybrid SUV on the market, but also because it holds the prestigious title of ?Green Car of The Year?. The annual award was presented to Jay Flaherty of Chevrolet, at the Los Angeles auto show by Ron Cogan, publisher of ?Green Car Journal?.

The panelists that decided who the recipient of the ?Green Car of the Year? award would be included Jay Leno, host of the Tonight Show, Carroll Shelby, legendary automotive designer, and spokesperson representing four environmental organizations.

The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid brought to us by General Motors Corp., will also be the first General Motors vehicle that offers a hybrid system designed and developed in a collaborative effort with input given from BMW AG, Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz, in addition to GM.

General Motors Shows A Strong Back After Causing A Major Controversy.

With the release of the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, some critics may finally forgive General Motors for what was perceived as a major mistake. In 1997, GM launched the battery operated EV1, and the little electric cars were a hit with the few people who ever had the chance to own one. The revolutionary automobile never made it to the world, only the most thoroughly screened politian’s and celebrities were given the privilege of leasing them, and then they had to give them back. In 2002, GM yanked all the prototypes back in, and sent them to the junk heap. The reason was never explained in detail, nor will GM offer any further information on the particular issue. The entire program was completely and officially cancelled in 2003, the brief statement given at the time by a spokesperson for GM claimed that they ?never realized any profit from the product.?

Sophisticated Look, Distinctive Features, And Powerful Performance.

Powered by the world’s first two-mode hybrid engine system, the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid is inspiring to drive. This will be the first hybrid that is designed to optimize fuel efficiency for both city and highway driving. In the first mode, for driving at low speeds, with light loads, the Tahoe hybrid can operate in three different ways; gasoline engine only, electric only, or gas and electric together. In the second mode, for highway driving, or for pulling or carrying heavy loads, the Tahoe operates mainly with the powerful V-8 engine, assisted by electric battery when passing, or slowing.

Safety, appearance, and comfort are of great import to GM, as always. The newest member of the Chevy family is no exception to the rule. The Tahoe Hybrid SUV is as pleasing to the viewer, as is it is to the driver. The exterior has a sleek but sporty aerodynamic design, with optional features available. The dynamics that power the new model of Chevy Tahoe are updated, upgraded versions of the quality components that have made General Motors’ the worthy brand it has become. The interior of this model received quite a bit of enhancement over last year’s design. Including added storage space, additional air bags, and classy changes to the instrument panel and center console.

The 2007 NASCAR Nextel season came to its end Friday evening with NASCAR Award banquet at New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel where the driver, Jimmie Johnson who had a record breaking season, pilling up 1,663 points during the 10-race Chase Cup received the championship?s trophy. No less credit received the other Hendrick driver, Jeff Gordon who also posted numbers that would have been a sure ticket to Title Town in any other year, winning six races. A record money amount ($32.8M) was distributed between the top 10 drivers (over $1 million each).

Besides the recognition, Johnson definitely got the hang of being the champion for a consecutive year; he earned $7,317,499 from the Nextel Cup point?s fund, bringing his season winnings to $15,313,920; it also brings his career earnings to a $59.5 million. In addition to his winnings, he also received $350,000 for winning four special awards (The Goodyear Gatorback Fastest Lap, The Dow Automotive Strategic Call of the Race Award, the Sunoco Diamond Performance and the Goodyear Award).

Moreover, the 48 Lowe?s Chevrolet driver is now listed for the 2007 USA Sports Academy Athlete of the Year award presented by USATODAY.com and MSNBC.com. The chance for him to acquire another title this year is worth thanks to his four straight victories beginning in Martinsville and 10 victories through the post-season, a two digits record not seen since 1998.

The 2007 poll for male athletes includes: pitcher Josh Beckett (Boston Red Sox), quarterback Tom Brady from the New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre, Swiss tennis player Roger Federer, U.S. sprinter Tyson Gay, Ethiopian runner Haile Gebrselassie, Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker, U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps and golfer Tiger Woods.

Fans worldwide select the athletes by voting online beginning December 1 and ending December 25. An overall winner is selected, along with male and female athletes of the year. Federer was the 2006 overall winner; Woods the ?06 male athlete of the year. Johnson finished third in last year?s voting. Hopefully, he will close his season with another award.

The term silly season is an extensively used term in the world of NASCAR. It refers to the period during the season when drivers, sponsors, and other various team members announce their plans for the following season, usually meaning that they are moving to a different team. The NASCAR silly season usually began around mid-summer and lasted until early autumn, in plenty of time to prepare for the succeeding season. Throughout the silly season, many rumors regarding drivers and teams and their future whereabouts swirl through the garage and into the World Wide Web.However, much has changed in the world of NASCAR, and silly season is not immune to changes. For an assortment of reasons, silly season begins much earlier in the season, and does not seem to end, and if it does, it is weeks before the Daytona 500. Each year, it has become increasingly lengthy.

Take the 2007 season for example. Even before the drop of the green flag at Daytona in February, it was common knowledge that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was entering the final year of his contract with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Add his contract situation to his purported feud with his stepmother Teresa Earnhardt, who owned the majority of DEI, and you had a wide variety of rumors as to what Dale Earnhardt Jr was going to do in 2008. From January to May, fans wondered where NASCAR?s most popular driver was going to call his home.Some thought it was with Richard Childress Racing while others swore he was headed to Joe Gibbs Racing. Others thought he would join the now defunct Ginn Racing. In the end, Dale Earnhardt Jr signed to drive for Hendrick Motorsports. Therefore, Kyle Busch had to find a new home, and eventually signed with Joe Gibbs Racing.Silly season can begin as early as March in today?s NASCAR. In 2008, Roush Fenway Racing driver Jamie McMurray found himself in the midst of silly season discussions. Following the race at Bristol in March, which is only the fifth race of the season that encompassed 36 races, McMurray?s team had fallen outside the top 35 in owner?s points. Immediately, there was speculation regarding his future. That did not end until late-summer when he and Jack Roush stated that McMurray would return to the organization in 2008.

By April,Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman dominated silly season headlines.They ended up leaving Joe Gibbs Racing and Penske Racing respectively and are now teammates at Stewart Haas Racing.Silly season never really ended in 2008. Due to sponsorship woes caused from the feeble economic conditions, many teams closed shop, while others merged with rival teams. In either case, hundreds of people were laid off. Following the 2008 season, DEI and Chip Ganassi Racing became Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, and they have yet to seal their 2009 driver lineup and sponsorship plans. Petty Enterprises merged with Gillett Evernham Motorsports, which meant that the 45 team is no more, and the 10 team may become a part-time effort.

Bobby Labonte left Petty Enterprises to join Hall of Fame Racing, which merged with Yates Racing. Due to the merger and other sponsorship dilemmas, the futures of David Gilliland and Travis Kvapil are unclear. Let us rewind back to the Gillett Evernham Motorsports soap opera. In December, team officials revealed their desire to replace Elliott Sadler with A.J. Allmendinger. Sadler threatened to sue the team, and they ultimately retracted their plans. Allmendinger may end up driving a partial schedule if sponsorship continues to lack within the organization.The bottom line is that silly season is no longer a season. It is now a way of life. It is unremitting in NASCAR, and unless you are firmly established with your team and your sponsor, no driver is immune from the drama that is NASCAR silly season.

I am looking to get a BMW soon, and I have heard good things about the E30 and E36s. Both being from the 90s, they would be in my price range.
Which year and series BMW would make a good first car, when taking into account reliability, and cost.
Also, how many miles should I look for on it?

My dad gave my son a bunch of Nascar collectibles and I was just curious as to how much we might be able to get for them if I sold them on eBay. They seem to mostly be the old McDonald’s car driver number 98, I think?