IZOD IndyCar Series Driver to Carry Girl Scout Logo on Helmet While She Races the Indy 500

While competing in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on Sunday, IZOD IndyCar Series driver Katherine Legge will honor millions of Girl Scouts by wearing the Girl Scout logo on her helmet during the 96th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Legge, who attributes much of her success to the confidence and character she developed while growing up as a Girl Guide in the United Kingdom, will become the ninth woman to race in the Indianapolis 500.

The logo will be worn to call attention to Girl Scouts’ ToGetHerThere campaign, and Legge’s partnership with the Girl Scouts will continue beyond Sunday’s race as she becomes Girl Scouts’ inaugural STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) Ambassador and Girl Scouts’ first motorsports athlete as a national spokesperson.

 “Without a strong belief in myself, I would not be one of the few women to compete at the highest level in the male-dominated world of motorsports,” said Legge. “Carrying Girl Scouts’ logo on my helmet reminds me of what got me here. When I was a young girl, Girl Guides inspired me to believe that if I set my mind to it, nothing could prevent me from achieving my dreams.”

Girl Scouts of the USA is celebrating its centennial this year and is using this moment to engage all members of society—mothers, fathers, all adults and IndyCar fans, corporations, government and nonprofits—to help girls reach their leadership potential. To support this effort, Girl Scouts has launched the ToGetHerThere cause campaign, the boldest advocacy initiative dedicated to girls’ leadership issues in history. The goal of the campaign is to create balanced leadership in one generation.

Automotive recall alerts are familiar items in the news, but does that mean you should be alarmed if you discover that your vehicle is being recalled? In a nutshell: No. Unless your vehicle is actually exhibiting a serious safety problem, there’s no need to panic. In fact, you should feel relieved, because the dealer is going to repair your car so that it will be safer than it was before. However, if you’re considering buying a used car, you’ll want to ensure any recalls in its history have been repaired before you finalize your purchase.

Marketing to Women Case Study: FIAT of Austin Lisa Copeland, General Manager

FIAT of Austin sales numbers are still steadily rising with a startling 63.7% of vehicles sold to women car buyers.

FIAT of Austin sales numbers are still steadily rising with a startling 63.7% of vehicles sold to women car buyers. The FIAT of Austin studio experience is currently the #1 FIAT dealer in the US and opened their doors just last year in March of 2011. Lisa Copeland is the innovative GM who heads up this success, her passion is focused on improving the dealership experience for women, and gaining market-share by focusing on the women car buyer.

Half her dealers — and half her managers — are women, in a business where women often don’t like car shopping. One is not overwhelmed with choices. There are two models: A hatchback and a convertible. They come in six trims. Copeland’s store has sold more than 850 in just over a year.

“In all my years in the car business, I’ve never been so energized,” Lisa Copeland, GM says. “The No. 1 thing people say is they like the experience. No pressure. I don’t want someone to take a FIAT out of here if they don’t love it.”

The invitation from Ford Motor Company promised automotive journalists a rare treat: an informal opportunity to just drop in and drive some of the company's hottest new vehicles. Of course, AskPatty was there!

One of the biggest draws was a chance to drive the Ford Focus Electric, which I've had my eye on since seeing it demonstrated at last year's Detroit Auto Show. 

As families across the country get ready to kick off the summer and honor our military heroes this Memorial Day weekend, MADD urges motorists to stay safe on the road during a time of year when drunk driving deaths typically increase. Over Memorial Day weekend in 2010, 158 people were killed in drunk driving crashes nationwide.

Here are five tips for safe driving over the holiday weekend and year-round:

1. Plan a safe way home. Arrange a sober ride home, or offer to be the sober designated driver.
2. Wear a seat belt. Seat belt usage is one of the best ways to stay safe on our roadways.
3. Don’t call or text. Any form of impaired driving poses a serious threat to those on the road.
4. Slow down. Respect all posted speed limits.
5. Be aware. Pay attention to other drivers on the road and avoid those driving erratically.

Law enforcement agencies across the country will be intensifying their efforts over the holiday weekend, so MADD encourages drivers to utilize these tips, which have the power to save lives and prevent injuries.

Get more information about how to spot a drunk driver and what to do, or learn more about MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving®. 

(National Motorists Association press release - Waunakee, WI (NMD Newswire) May 22, 2012)

Nothing says "welcome to summer" like an undeserved traffic ticket--especially when you're traveling in another state.

But how do you know which states and cities are most likely to ruin your Memorial Day vacation by issuing you that ticket? States don't track traffic ticket data for all of their jurisdictions. And most municipalities don't want to publicize their ticket-happy ways for fear of being labeled speed traps.

The NMA to the Rescue
Luckily, the National Motorists Association (NMA)--a motorists' rights group that has been helping drivers fight traffic tickets for 30 years--has updated its traffic ticket rankings to give holiday travelers some insight into which locales are most likely to ticket them.

The Grove Park Resort and Spa located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina has been host to many U.S. presidents but during this past April it was host to a wonderful group of ladies who are passionate about their BMWs.

BMW Car Club of America offers this trip to its female members for a multi day event which includes a day of driving at the BMW Performance center in Greenville, SC, two nights at the Grove Park, lunch at the Biltmore Estate and then a drive back to Greenville through the twisty Blue Ridge Parkway while cruising in the latest luxury and performance BMW has to offer.

A close friend of mine who has participated in this girls trip several years in a row called me last minute and asked if I could join them at the Grove Park, since they had fewer ladies sign up than they did in past years. They have had as many as 72 women in previous years. I jumped at the opportunity. I always enjoy meeting other woman who share the same passion I do for automobiles.