After famously cheating death in an 800-degree fireball in 1976, Niki Lauda passed away peacefully in his sleep in a hospital in Zurich, surrounded by family members in 2019. But who was the man who defied death and the odds to become one of the most legendary racing drivers of all time? Who was racing car driver Niki Lauda? Lauda’s death left the world without a man who gave so much to the sport of motor racing, who revolutionized it and brought joy to the fans. His bravery, his level-headedness, perseverance and ingenuity will be his legacy. Beginnings Andreas Nikolaus Lauda was … [Read more...]
Jeremy Clarkson: A Maker or Breaker in the Automotive World
If you follow the car news - even if you don’t - you can’t have ever missed the name the world’s most famous car show presenter, Jeremy Clarkson. His influence measures in the millions of cars sold just because he deemed them beautiful, or unsold since he said they looked like a frog. (Sorry, Ford Ka.) Let’s see who the man is and what makes him so important. Jeremy Clarkson was born on April 11th, 1960 to entrepreneur parents. To raise money to pay for their children’s education, his parents made 2 Paddington Bear toys (one for each child) and sold it through their business. Mr. … [Read more...]
Loving the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix
If you’ve ever watched Formula 1, you know it’s not just about the races - it’s about a city coming alive with excitement. The Canadian Grand Prix (or Grand Prix du Canada in French) is an annual auto race held during the 2nd weekend in June since 1961 - but only since 1967 as part of Formula 1. The host is the City of Montreal, but only since 1978 (having moved from Mosport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario to Circuit Mont-Tremblant, Quebec before finally settling in Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on Notre Dame Island in Montreal). It’s the 7th race of the season and one that has seen Michael … [Read more...]
How Will Police Stop Self-Driving Cars?
As you know if you are a car buff, the automotive technology is constantly developing - and the car is evolving - bringing us significantly further from when it first appeared more than 100 years ago. Now we have not only cars running on electricity, but also smart ones - those that keep us connected with other people and in the know about the driving conditions in real time. And soon enough, people might not even be driving cars - with autonomous cars being developed by Tesla, Mercedes, Lexus, BMW and even Google as you read this. It’s an exciting time we live in, for sure, but it also raises … [Read more...]
Denise McCluggage: Racecar Journalist on 4 Wheels
If you google the name Denise McCluggage, there are 2 things you will see in every picture of her - her polka dot helmet and her wide smile. With them come incredible memories you can practically feel becoming a part of the longer you look at the pictures of this incredible woman. It’s obvious that the loved what she did and the people she did it with - the titans of the Golden Age of 1960s motorsport. She competed against men as their equal and instilled in them a trust of her so that she would be sure to have the best story at the end of the weekend. In an era when women were often pushed … [Read more...]
Elon Musk: From Electric Cars to a City on Mars
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last couple of years, you must have heard of Mr. Elon Musk. Actually, his name is most often associated with the electric car industry and the private 21st-century space exploration. The launch of Musk’s Tesla Roadster into the Earth’s orbit was hands-down one of the most exciting moments of 2018 and Mr. Musk was elbows deep involved in the preparations for it and the event itself. More recently, he has been making headlines about moving to Mars and making the staple of his most prominent company - the Tesla Model 3 - more affordable and … [Read more...]
A Short History of Cars (Infographic)
The car is a relatively new invention for the human race, but once conceived, it has developed pretty quickly and continues to evolve as the time goes on. By the same token, the automotive industry itself has had major milestones - all worth mentioning and being aware of - from those in the manufacturing process, through the points of impact on the society to the individuals who influenced the industry. Stick with us to see a short history of cars! CRS Automotive is here through it all for you and your car. Come to our repair shops in Hamilton … [Read more...]
Mary Barra: The Woman at the Helm of an Automotive Giant
The automotive industry is predominantly male - there is no beating around the bush about that - even though there are some … [Read more...]
Bertha Benz: The First Driver in the World
Do you know who invented the first car with an internal combustion engine? We assume that’s an easy question for all your car and history buffs out there. And the correct answer sure is – Karl Benz! Congratulations! But did you know that none of that would have even been possible if it wasn’t for one woman? That woman’s name is Bertha – Bertha Benz – Karl’s wife. This is her story. Bertha Benz was born on May 3rd 1849 in Pforzheim, Germany. While being an unmarried woman, she was free to invest her money freely, but several of those companies quickly failed. However, after … [Read more...]
How Will the Automotive Industry Change in 2018 and Beyond?
If you are a car enthusiast, you must be aware of the shift that is coming in 2018 - big changes have come from the major automotive manufacturers who are all jumping into the electric market and autonomous vehicles. Pretty much everyone this year announced some major offering in these fields and even some countries have said they will only sell electric by 2030. Note: Our auto service shop in Hamilton Ontario is prepared to assist with EV service and repair services, provided by our experienced, professional and certified auto mechanics. The Economist states that 2018 will be the … [Read more...]
