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& Clack Talk Cars
By Tom & Ray MagliozziDear Tom and Ray:
I live in New York City, where
on-street parking spots are at such a premium
that fisticuffs and brawls have been known to
break out over disputed spots. Recently, on the
Upper West Side of Manhattan, while idling and
awaiting the departure of a parked car in a
coveted spot, just as I was about to pull in, out
of nowhere a woman driver took my space. Gender
definitely plays a role here; had it been a guy,
naturally I would have unleashed a torrent of
epithets and maybe even challenged him to a due.
But what is one to do when the parking spot thief
is of the fairer sex? - Peter
RAY: I think you should swat
her with your man-bag, Peter.
TOM: Say whatever you want.
Rude is rude, and gender doesn’t make a
difference. I say, you say to her whatever
you’d say to a guy in that situation.
RAY: I know what I’d do.
I’d walk up, politely knock on the window
and say; "I’m sorry, maybe you
didn’t see me waiting here to get into this
parking space, but I’ve been here with my
blinker on. If you wouldn’t mind, I’ve
been waiting a long time. I’m sure
you’d feel the same way if you’d been
waiting as long as I have. Would you mind pulling
out?" I think that gives the person a
face-saving way out. It employs etiquette rather
than vitriol - and demonstrates that you’re
going to be civilized, even if she’s not.
TOM: And when she tells you to
go chase yourself, I’d accidentally
sideswipe her car and find another place to park.
RAY: Well, you can do that. But
first make sure that her 6 foot 8 husband
isn’t in the passenger seat. Once he steps
out of the car, you may wish you had stuck to the
polite approach, Peter. But do whatever you think
is best.
RACING
By Greg Zyla
Sponsored by Curry Automotive
Who Will Drive
for Toyota in 2007?
Q: Greg, you were
right about the Bill Davis NASCAR team fielding
two Toyotas in 2007. But are you surprised about
Michael Waltrip becoming a two-car team owner
with Toyota? -- Bob L., Virginia
A: Bob, Toyota may
well win in its first year of Nextel Cup
competition. It has a proven engine program going
in the Craftsman Truck Series, so making the
switch to Nextel Cup specs won’t be
difficult. The Bill Davis connection was never in
doubt, as he was heavily involved in
Toyota’s initial testing and development for
its Craftsman Truck Series debut back in 2004.
Toyota thus became
the first new manufacturer in one of
NASCAR’s top series in more than 50 years.
In two seasons of NASCAR Craftsman Truck
competition, Tundra drivers have recorded 18
poles and 13 victories.
Granted, Davis
ended up in a lawsuit with Dodge when it dropped
him from factory support to independent status
after learning of his Toyota
"involvement," but knowing Toyota is
your cushion after Dodge was no doubt very
comforting.
Michael Waltrip,
on the other hand, is really no surprise at all.
Both he and his older brother, Darrell, generate
great publicity for their products. Darrell is
already involved in the Truck Series as an owner
of a Toyota team, and Mike’s new team-owner
status is a natural progression. I’ll also
give you 2 to 1 odds that Darrell replaces Junior
in the NAPA ads, because NAPA will, of course, be
a main sponsor on the Toyota Camry that Mike will
run in ‘07.
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