Autoblog

Ken Block's Gymkhana 4 re-edited with less "Hollywood"

John Neff — Tue, 22 May 2012 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Etc., Hatchback, Ford, Design/Style

The fourth installment of Ken Block's Gymkhana series was aptly subtitled "The Hollywood Megamercial." We know Ken needs to sell some DC Shoes apparel to pay for these lavish drifting productions, but the sales pitch stole the spotlight from the action in Gymkhana 4. Ever wonder what the video would have been like without the special effects and clothing commercials?

It took them the better part of a year, but DC Shoes has finally released a bonus edit that removes the "Hollywood" parts of the video, leaving just the gymkhana parts that we all clicked Play to watch in the first place.

Cutting out the special effects and infomercial aspects shortens the video from a weighty 9:16 to a lithe and focused 5:11. The difference between the two vids is most apparent by comparing when the Ford Racing rally Focus leaves the starting line. Original video: 1:25. New edit: 0:09. Over a minute was saved just by cutting the clip of Ken Block on fire and nixing the opening credits for his wardrobe. Another two minutes was saved at the end by leaving the Bollywood dance on the cutting room floor.

Scroll down to watch the new bonus edit that lets the viewer better appreciate the skill required to perform such stunts, as well as the original version. You can also click here to watch a YouTube Doubler of the videos playing side-by-side.

Continue reading Ken Block's Gymkhana 4 re-edited with less "Hollywood"

Ken Block's Gymkhana 4 re-edited with less "Hollywood" originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 May 2012 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Knight of the Auction: Screen-used hero car K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider up for bid

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 19:24:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Auctions, Ford, Celebrities

Hero car K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider is for sale - Click above for high-res image gallery

For sale - Celebrity car. One lightly used crime-stopper of a coupe, has go-fast looks with a fuel-efficient powertrain. If you want attention, this is the car for you. Valued between $25,000 and $35,000.

Looking to add some celebrity "muscle" to your garage? Profiles In History is hosting a Hollywood memorabilia auction and lot #122 is one of two hero cars from the modern version of Knight Rider. Surely you recall the series... our very own Alex Nunez sat through every single episode to provide you with details of what was going on.

In the updated show, which first aired in 2008, K.I.T.T. is a Ford Mustang that wears Shelby GT500KR parts. The car in this auction has all those parts, inside and out, except it falls short one kind of important aspect: there's no supercharged V8 underhood... or any V8 at all for that matter. And it's not even the good V6 Mustang. Inside the engine bay sits the old 4.0-liter unit and it's paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. That's right... this K.I.T.T. is all show and no go.

Sadly, the most interesting thing about this car is that it also includes the wooosh-wooosh signature Knight Rider sweeping red light up front. Even that would get old quickly. Buying this car does have its benefits though, as the auction proceeds are being put towards a children's charity. The auction is a one-day affair scheduled for November 6th, 2010 at The Globe Theater in Universal Studios. David Hasselhoff sold separately.

Gallery: Hero Car K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider

[Source: Profiles In History via Inside Line]

Knight of the Auction: Screen-used hero car K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider up for bid originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz introduce the "Faux-cati" in Knight and Day *Update

Devon Brozek — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorcycle, Celebrities, Specialty

Let's just say even we don't know how to get our hands on one of these. Click above for high-res image gallery

When we first caught sight of Roy Miller on his shiny new Ducati, sporting that great hair, some solid leather heals and a denim shirt rolled up just enough to let the world now that he means business, we're not going to lie, a little bit of jealously came out of nowhere and smacked us in the face. Hey, he even has June Havens clinging tight for safety... its enough to make any man rush out and buy a new Hypermotard, right? Ducati certainly hopes so!

Much more than a brief glance at this Hyper will reveal that, unless your name is Tom Cruise, the chances of getting your hands on one like the bike from the movie may be only slightly better than Stanley McCrystal's hopes to spend fourth of July with the Obamas. What we have here folks is a genuine Faux-cati.

So just what the heck is this creation, and more importantly, why? A close look at the two-sided swing-arm, the single front brake rotor and silver forks would immediately tip us off to the bikes real identity... its an Aprilia SXV. Well fine, it was all of that stuff, and the fact that it says Aprilia on the side of the motor. Certainly, a heck of a lot of time and effort went into making this Aprilia look like a Ducati. Why though would such an elaborate transformation take place?

We can only assume that girth was the number one factor. The extra hundred-plus pounds of the real Ducati must have been too much - even for a super cool action star with great hair - to pull off. No doubt the longer travel suspension of the Aprilia made theatrical stunts much easier to perform as well. Who knows, maybe Tom just couldn't choose which one he liked more so he said "give me both." Whatever the reason, keep your eyes peeled during the movie, see if you can spot the elusive Faux-cati for yourself. Now where can we get some of those great boots?

*UPDATE: Apparently, this bike was created for an ESPN promotion of some sort. Ducati reports that all the bikes used in the actual movie were in fact full-fledged Hypermotards. Of course, that doesn't change that the bike pictured above indeed an Aprilia wearing Ducati bodywork.

Gallery: Faux-cati

[Source: Hell for Leather]

Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz introduce the "Faux-cati" in Knight and Day *Update originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Transformers 3 will not have Megan Fox

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 20 May 2010 09:20:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Celebrities

For all the talk of heavyweight star power, in all but the most extreme cases, it is directors that have the most power on the set, not the celebrities. That's apparently how it happens that Michael Bay has removed Megan Fox from Transformers 3, who is said to have insulted Bay at almost every chance she got, calling him Hitler, Napoleon, a "nightmare to work for," and "hopelessly awkward." Actually, that last comment she meant to be a compliment.

The official line is that Fox was cut because "giving Shia a new love interest makes more sense for the story." If you buy that one of the most popular features of the franchise needed to be replaced - or that Sam Witwicky was looking for a hotter, more badass accomplice, well, we've got a few other things we'd like to sell you. We'll wait to find out who Michael Bay's got in mind to replace her, and who knows - casting hopefuls might be busy learning how to wash his Ferrari as we speak...

[Source: Deadline via Yahoo]

Report: Transformers 3 will not have Megan Fox originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 May 2010 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago 2010: Volo shines the light on some famous movie cars

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Motorsports, Police/Emergency, Celebrities, Specialty

Volo Auto Museum collection at Chicago Auto Show - Click above for high-res image gallery

One of the most fun parts of the Chicago Auto Show every year is that Illinois is also host to the Volo Auto Museum. Volo is one of those museum/used car dealerships that always has some of the most entertaining and outrageous cars in its inventory. One of the things they are best known for is their collection of rolling Hollywood memorabilia, and at this year's show, they have rolled out about a dozen vehicles that show off their range of Tinseltown metal.

First up is the Mellow Yellow NASCAR racer that Tom Cruise piloted in Days of Thunder. They even have a monitor running movie clips featuring Cole Trickle beside the very seat he sat in for the filming - and no, it wasn't a booster seat. Next to that is Speed Racer's Mach 5, signed by Kustom Kar King George Barris. That sits alongside one of the General Lee Dodge Chargers from the Dukes of Hazzard movie and a really odd Buick Grand National. The GN is one of the cars that Vin Diesel drove in Fast and Furious 4. It is totally gutted inside and has a wild rear steering system that made us do a double-take.

Across from that is the villain car from The Great Race and the awesomely wacky Turtle Mobile from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. Our favorite star car, though - and the one that looks most at home here in Chicago - is the Blues Mobile, driven by one Joliet Jake and one Elwood Blues, a.k.a. "The Blues Brothers." It even has the comically oversized loudspeaker still strapped to the roof. All-in, the Volo display is fun attraction here in Chicago and an example of why this show is always so popular with the public.

Gallery: Volo Museum Hollywood cars at Chicago Auto Show

Chicago 2010: Volo shines the light on some famous movie cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First image from Pixar's Cars 2 revealed?

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

The movie Cars 2 is slated for release in Summer 2011, and that means that Hollywood CGI types are busy sketching, rendering and compositing. Production artwork (seen above) found in Disney's annual report, has Lightning McQueen running in Japan ahead of what we'd imagine is a Formula 1 car. The plot has McQueen dashing around the world with Mater to win the Race of Champions. Mater gets confused for a top spy, and we can only hope that will be much funnier in Pixar's hands than Larry the Cable Guy's last outing as a government operative.

[Source: Pixar Planet]

First image from Pixar's Cars 2 revealed? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 Jan 2010 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Studios fighting for DeLorean biopic

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:16:00 EST

Filed under: Lifestyle, Celebrities

It doesn't take a genius to figure out why Hollywood is working on a film about a car company going kaput. You might wonder, however, why three different factions are working on another movie about John Z. DeLorean. Brett Ratner is collaborating with producer Robert Evans on one pic, and Face/Off producer David Permut has another version in the works. Now Time, Inc Studios becomes the third horse in the race, working from material published in Time and Fortune magazines and an unpublished memoir penned by DeLorean himself.

While Ratner's project has name recognition associated with it, Time appears to have the in-house material and the blessing of John's son Zachary, who is executor to the estate. Still, with three studios on the case, the DeLorean film's production isn't assured, even though one producer said, "It's almost like an updated Citizen Kane story of the great American entrepreneurial hero, and how it all went wrong." If the DeLorean biopic ever does get made, it'll probably be like Tucker, but with more women, more cocaine, and more stainless steel. Which isn't a bad thing. Thanks for the tip, Neil!

[Source: The Independent]

Studios fighting for DeLorean biopic originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Eminem Show: Slim Shady and Jimmy Kimmel flying 200 autoworkers to Hollywood

Noah Joseph — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Lifestyle, Celebrities

Slim Shady plays an assembly line worker in 8 Mile

Sure, thousands of auto workers may be losing their jobs, but don't think they've got nowhere to go. Following similar overtures made by Jay Leno and Michigan restauranteur A.J. O'Neil, Slim Shady will be putting on a free concert for Detroit's unemployed auto workers. But on top of playing for the downtrodden in his home town, Eminem will also be sayin' hello to Hollywood with 200 of his fellow Detroiters.

The concert is a joint effort between Slim (who played an assembly-line worker in the semi-autobiographical film 8 Mile) and Jimmy Kimmel, on whose show Eminem will be appearing and performing (presumably and somewhat ironically, in the Pontiac Garage). Kimmel and Matthers felt it was important to show the world how the Detroit 3 crisis is affecting "real people" while showing them a good time in the process. It'll be back to MoTown following the performance where Shady is scheduled to put on another exclusive show for auto workers in their natural habitat, where the entertained laid-off workers will hopefully be able to lose themselves in the music... at least for the evening.

[Source: USA Today | Image: Eli Reed/Universal Studios]

The Eminem Show: Slim Shady and Jimmy Kimmel flying 200 autoworkers to Hollywood originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 May 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Clint Eastwood vehicle titled Gran Torino

Dan Roth — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:03:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Ford, Celebrities

While he's shown a certain flair for historical pieces, we sincerely doubt that Clint Eastwood would forego his formidable film-crafting talent to make a documentary about a mid 1970's Ford that can be had for a dollar per pound. Details are scant, but Warner Brothers has targeted December 2008 as a release date for Gran Torino, which Eastwood both stars in and directs. Eastwood is no stranger to the big Ford - he drove a '72 in Magnum Force, the sequel to Dirty Harry, in which he wheeled a '68 Ford Custom. Despite the title we tend to doubt the movie will be terribly car-centric - who'd want to watch that?

[Source: Variety via Inside Line]

New Clint Eastwood vehicle titled Gran Torino originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Classified Find of the Day: Robocop 3 Ford Taurus cop car

Dan Roth — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 17:27:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Ford

There was a Robocop 3? Apparently so, it even had theatrical release, but it should have gone directly to video. The most memorable thing from the Robocop franchise, at least for us, were the Taurus police cars. They featured prominently in all of the installments, 3 included. Now for those of us who had the AMT/Ertl kit (I had the SHO cop car, not the Robo 1), you can pick up the real thing. This isn't just a hand-me-down Taurus that got a rattlecan paintjob, either, but the last surviving automotive cast member from the final installment.

A longing for the movie and TV icon cars of the 1980s seems to be a common dork affliction - witness the fact you can buy flux capacitors and KITT, uh, kits. It takes a special breed to consider spending more on this '88 Taurus than it likely cost new. If you have no problem dropping $20,000 of today's dollars on yesterday's prop, the Volo Auto Museum has your ride. The car is fully documented and carries a George Barris signature (George seems to have signed any and everything...) and several other prop items. There's even a Robocop suit for an extra three grand if you want to go all-out.

[Source: Hemmings]

Classified Find of the Day: Robocop 3 Ford Taurus cop car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Dec 2007 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pitt Bullitt: classic McQueen remake to begin production

Noah Joseph — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

UPDATE: Don't fret all you Steve McQueen fans. After reading our post, Ford got in touch Brad Pitt's management, who don't know anything about the remake or Pitt's involvement. The credibility of this rumor's source, Monsters and Critics, was also called into question. Still, with all the positive buzz GM has earned for its involvement with Transformers, you'd think Ford would be all over a remake the stars Brad Pitt next to a recently released Bullitt Mustang.

Not unlike the retro styling and resurrection of old nameplates sweeping the car industry, some film critics bemoan the lack of originality inherent in the Hollywood trend of remaking old films, while others relish the opportunity to refresh classics for younger generations. One way or another, the latest Hollywood announcement has us frothing at the mouth, as the green-light has been given to start production on a remake of the most iconic of gearhead films of all time: the Steve McQueen classic "Bullitt".

Endeavoring to fill the legendary McQueen's pedals will be none other than Brad Pitt, who will take on the role of Lt. Frank Bullitt of the San Francisco Police Department, hunting down the hitman who killed his fellow officers. Pitt's co-stars have not yet been announced, but with the anticipated launch of the new Bullitt Mustang, the smart product-placement money would be on its inclusion in the new movie along with the Dodge Charger R/T, the two cars that made the famous race scene in the original.

This should be interesting.

[Source: Monsters and Critics via Mustangblog]

Pitt Bullitt: classic McQueen remake to begin production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Jul 2007 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Truman Show? Product placement in real life

Dan Roth — Thu, 24 May 2007 12:05:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Marketing/Advertising, Toyota

Hybrids, especially the Prius, have become the automotive equivalent of a teacup chihuahua to Hollyweird stars. No doubt the public viewings and statements by thespians have raised public awareness of Toyota's green-tinged offerings. The campaign of bringing Toyota Hybrids to the stars has been a clever bit of stealth marketing by the Environmental Media Association. What better way to quickly make a hybrid a desireable item than to equip media figures with the vehicles, adding an air of "sexy" to vehicles that wouldn't be considered conventionally attractive. It's definitely been an effective way to boost the cachet of the hybrid, and we gather that celebrities love to be stroked and told how good they are. The cynical side of us says "follow the money." We're waiting for the big Tinseltown push for keeping old cars going, thus avoiding the raw material, energy, and toxic materials hit that a new car creates. We won't be holding our breath.

[Source: CNN]

Truman Show? Product placement in real life originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2007 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is movie car czar George Barris taking credit for star cars he didn't build?

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 07 May 2007 09:24:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Last month, a celebration was held for George Barris, the octogenarian car customizer who created the original Batmobile. At his shop in North Hollywood, in addition to the Batmobile, was a DeLorean from Back to the Future, a General Lee, K.I.T.T., and a Monkeemobile from "The Monkees" sitcom. Problem is, he didn't create those last three cars. Universal Studios, who did the Back to the Future films, and the creators of the other cars want the world to know that.

Barris says he has never claimed credit for those other cars. He did, however, have something to do with various versions of some of those cars. Show cars come in four flavors: hero cars are for photographs, stunt cars are for chases and crashes, promotional cars only do the publicity circuit and replica cars are built by private owners. Barris didn't have anything to do with creating or building the Back to the Future DeLorean, but he did create a replica car and he did "clean up" a stunt car for Universal. He is also credited for "modifications" to the General Lee. And he built the Ecto-1 promotional car for Ghostbusters. Universal says that displaying cars like that in front of his shop and on his web site is tantamount to mispresentation. Whether displaying means taking credit for is up to interpretation, but when asked, Barris stated plainly, "I didn't work on the show and I've never said I did."

Thanks for the tip, Jim!

[Source: LA Times]

Is movie car czar George Barris taking credit for star cars he didn't build? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 May 2007 09:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Further idolatry: Looking to TV and movie stars to learn respectful driving

Dan Roth — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Etc., Europe, First Drives

Because they're such stellar role models with cutting, well-educated insight on all matters, we should follow the lead of our favorite television and movie characters when on the road. We've been so impressed by the well-informed and thoroughly considered stances that many movie and television stars have taken that we hang on their every word, awaiting the eventual revelation of the meaning of life. They're on TV, so they must know, you know? That Ed Begley, what an automotive authority he is. Who hasn't wanted to emulate the drunk starlet as she cruises through life thouroughly self-absorbed? Sarcasm aside, UK-based Motorists' Forum is suggesting the use of television and movie stars, as well as atheletes, to deliver positive messages about road safety.

The premise is that sports figures and popular characters are so well known in people's homes that they're almost like surrogate family members. Because of the familiarity, the feeling is people will pay attention to an embedded message about driving respectfully and raise awareness of poor and antisocial driving practices. They go on to link criminality to seriously bad driving and suggest rewarding responsible behavior behind the wheel. We don't know why, but suggesting we look to people who are yessed to death and insulated from the real world for cues on how to behave in the real world doesn't impress us. We Autobloggers have always been self-thinkers, though. For those that don't see the problem in looking to unqualified, well-known stars for life tips, we can't help you. Babies outgrow spoonfeeding quickly, there's no need for adults to return to the practice.

[Source: Motorists Forum via AutoExpress]

Further idolatry: Looking to TV and movie stars to learn respectful driving originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Mar 2007 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Futuristic Citroen starring in French film

John Neff — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 14:54:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Etc.

What actor is bigger in Hollywood right now than the automobile? Pixar's hit CARS was full of them, James Bond was hardly ever seen without one, and today marks the release of Will Ferrell's octane-fueled Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. Now you can add Citroen to the long list of car film credits. The French automaker worked on a new animated movie called Renaissance: Paris 2054 to design a futuristic Citroen in which the film's lead character, played by new Bond boy Daniel Craig, could fight the oppressive power of a corporate-driven government. While the plot may sound a little worn, the trailer for the flick is pretty cool. The film is the silver screen debut for a purpose built Citroen, and it will be hitting theaters elsewhere around the world in two weeks.

[Source: Inside Line]

Futuristic Citroen starring in French film originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Aug 2006 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tracking down the cars of the stars in Hollywood and beyond: IMCDb

Chris Paukert — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising

We're willing to bet that more than a few Autoblog regulars have made use of The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) to keep tabs on their favorite star, or answer trivia questions like 'Who was the voice of Jazz in the Transformers Movie?' (A: Scatman Crothers).

But how many of you know about IMCDb - Internet Movie Car Data Base? The website chronicles the use of automobiles in movies of all ages and genres, and it's a fun and occasionally useful tool. Available in English, French and German, IMCDb boasts entries for a good number of vehicles used in films originating outside of Hollywood, as well as a large number of lesser-known marques like Hotchkiss and Innocenti. Well-organized with a powerful search utility that allows searches by manufacturer, vehicle type or film title, the massive database offers thousands of screen captures and allows users to participate by identifying 'mystery' vehicles.

'What Would Lindsay Lohan Drive?' Wonder no more.

[Sources: IMCDb; IMDB]

Tracking down the cars of the stars in Hollywood and beyond: IMCDb originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Apr 2006 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Revenge of the Touareg

Erin Mays — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Volkswagen

Thrill-seekers and theme park junkies, take note -- Volkswagen has signed a deal with Universal Studios to include the Touareg in its "psychological thrill" park ride, "The Revenge of the Mummy," at its Hollywood and Orlando theme parks. Based on the movie of the same name, "The Revenge of the Mummy" begins as a cloth-wrapped Touareg stops to pick up passengers, then embarks upon a wild ride involving scary mummified creatures, gross bugs and big explosions. Sounds like fun to us.

[Via German Car Blog]

Revenge of the Touareg originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Mar 2006 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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