Auto Industry News: Daytona Jeep Beach, 2019 Rolls-Royce Reveal, Deegan Legacy Continues, & More

With off-road events being a dime a dozen these days, it’s sometimes challenging to stand out. For organizers of Daytona Jeep Beach—the premier Jeep-only event in the Southeast—crushin’ it was the only thing they had on the mind. And crush it, they did. The 2019 Rolls-Royce is looking to inspire consumer interest as well (even if its pool of buy-in is quite small), as the badge preps to release a $325,000 Cullinan model. In racing news, Hailie Deegan—the famed daughter of X-Games legend Brian Deegan—is making her own headlines…thanks to Odyssey Battery upping its contract. All this and more in our weekly auto industry news! 

Daytona Jeep Beach CRUSHES IT!

Forget the beach chair and umbrella, because the only proper view of Daytona is behind the wheel. Imagine sitting in the driver’s side throne of a 4×4 American legend. That’s right, another spring has come and gone, bringing the sweet nostalgia and new age pleasure of Daytona Jeep Beach. And well, it might just be best to see for yourself. The event held a record-length “Jeep wave,” which featured several Jeeps, as they drove along both ends Tomoka State Park in Ormond Beach. True paradise. In addition, it was the event’s 15th anniversary, so the staff pulled out all the stops. Vendors from all over the country set up shop, selling the most sought after Jeep products available; there was also live music, a scavenger hunt, and of course, JEEPS out the wazoo. The 2018 rendition of Daytona Jeep Beach was certainly one to remember.

2019 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Reveal

It was a highly touted prospective vehicle, nearing almost urban legend status. Spy shots and hearsay kept everyone on their toes for months, but now the 2019 Rolls-Royce Cullinan is here, and it has exceeded expectation. First things first, it’s a big boy. Carrying a 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12, the Cullinan does more than rack up a hefty price tag. (Though, you should be warned that it’s expected to be near $325,000). It kicks you in the chest with 563 horsepower, while generating 627 lb-ft of torque. Plus this 2019 Rolls-Royce deploys a new all-wheel drive and all-wheel steer system. If you’ve got money to spend, feel free to steer it wherever you please because it’ll go there and then some! The Cullinan’s official release date has not yet been slated. Though does that really matter for you and me?

Thrilling Nurburgring 24 Hour

The power in this week’s news certainly doesn’t stop there, my friends. Because the Nurburgring proved to be an instant classic on Sunday. And if you haven’t seen any of the action, you likely will before you finish reading this. After grueling climbs, inclement weather, and hairpin turns, Porsche Manthey Racing came out on top in the world famous track’s 24 Hour race. Porsche, the perennial powerhouse that it is (their 12th Nurburgring victory & 6th 24 Hour Victory), outgunned the likes of Mercedes, who nipped at their heels but ultimately fell short, no thanks to some technical difficulties. Check out some of the weekend’s action!

Deegan Sponsorship & GEARWRENCH/Schmidt Peterson Deal

In an exciting passing of the torch, Hailie Deegan, daughter of X-Games legend Brian Deegan, is carving her own path. And she’s doing it with the help of Odyssey Batteries who now continues to sponsor her going forward. EnerSys, the maker of Odyssey Batteries has renewed its sponsorship of the 16-year-old phenom in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS). Anyone following Hailie Deegan’s young but bright career knows it’s well-deserved, as she was the first female to win a championship in the LOORRS, winning both the Modified Kart (2016) and the Junior 2 Kart (2013) titles. And it will surprise no one when her success extends to the future.

In the spirit of racing alliances, another has been forged between GEARWRENCH and Schmidt Peterson Motorsport (SPM). With this move, SPM, the IndyCar Series team, has finally nailed down an official hand tool brand. And a good one, at that! GEARWRENCH offers a wide assortment of over 4,100 professional automotive and industrial hand tools. So expect SPM to be in rare form this season, as their 20 technicians will be locked and loaded.

Around the Circuit

Back stateside, it feels like a lot of the same. At least in NASCAR anyway. Over the weekend at Kansas Speedway, Kevin Harvick crushed the field for his series-leading fifth victory of the season. He did this in spite of an explosive crash involving multiple cars which brought the red flag out late in the race. Clint Bowyer and Ryan Newman could not avoid the wreckage, yet remained unharmed. But William Byron was taken to the infield care center after walking away on his own power. No major injuries were reported. The field hits Charlotte next week.

It was a big week for F1. Not just because Lewis Hamilton took the checkered flag at the Spanish Grand Prix, but because it bolstered its future. F1 announced that it has decided to move forward with the vote on Miami’s bid for a Grand Prix in 2019. Though it has some naysayers, F1’s manager of commercial operations Sean Bratches claims “there’s [no] city on the planet” better for Formula 1 than Miami. For American race fans’ sake, let’s hope democracy gets it done!

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