Peterson License Light W/ Bracket M436b on 2040-parts.com

Mini to return to the WRC in 2011 with 4x4

Mini is back in rallying, more than 50 years after it ruled the roost at Monte Carlo and beyond, giving a huge shot in the arm to the World Rally Championship. In typically audacious style BMW has announced it will campaign the Countryman SUV rather than the standard Mini, starting with selected WRC rounds in 2011 followed by the entire 2012 season.It’s also a return to WRC for Banbury-based Prodrive, the outfit behind Subaru’s legendary WRC success, who will develop the car and run the team. Prodrive last campaigned in the 2008 season, and have been developing the Countryman since early 2009.

Jets land on Rodeo Drive

Tail fins will be all over Rodeo Drive on Father's Day, June 16. The Rodeo Drive Committee has chosen “The Jet Age” as its theme for this year's street-closing concours, with tail-finned cars of the '50s and '60s lined up on the 300 block of the famous street. And to top it off, and perhaps because they made a nice contribution, parked on the 200 block will be a mock-up of the new Lear 85 business jet in all its carbon-fiber glory -- with the tail fin but minus the wings.

Mercedes-Benz SLC supercar spied on the road

There is life after the SLR for Mercedes, and spy shooters have caught plastic-clad versions of the new SLC that's due for 2011. We've seen this car before, but it continues to make us lick our chops. Previous shots showed gullwings, which these prototypes appear to have, though the doors are closed.