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I donated blood again this Wednesday at the new Red Cross facility in Torrance, CA. My O+ blood is CMV negative (an adult virus) so babies and children in need will get the blood very soon. This was a "Power Red" donation where 2-units of red blood cells are taken and the other blood components are then returned back into my system. The Red Cross has really updated their donation process and now, there is no needle sticking until the actual donation starts. That is very cool!! I just look away and the whole process is no big deal. I've been donating since 1979. I've been doing the "Power Red" donation for about 15 years. -- Thomas Luce Manhattan Beach CA USA

In the long history of Formula One, amid flamboyant characters like Teddy Yip, Lucky Castner, Flavio Briatore, Mike Hawthorn, Colin Chapman, etc., Irishman Eddie Jordan rose above the throng. While other team owners sought to make their cars fast or dominating, Eddie's oft expressed desire was to make racing "sexy!" If you do a search for his images, most will be splashed with his signature yellow everywhere, and invariably they will include two or more bountiful babes. The scrappy former Dublin street-trader also captured imaginations with his lucrative, swashbuckling sponsorship deals ¨C including one when he managed to convince delivery firm DHL to repaint their entire international fleet of white vans and planes with his famous ¡°Jordan Yellow¡±. Eddie once recalled: ¡°We were like cowboys in the Wild West, chasing around finding money.¡± Few were his equal. He was also famous for what even back in 1990 was described as an ¡°uncanny ability to spot young drivers and maximize their potential¡±. Those he gave big breaks to including world champions Ayrton Senna, Damon Hill, and Michael Schumacher ... rescuing the future seven time champion from being a cast off who all teams had passed on for any of their series. Other F1 winners to drive for him included Eddie Irvine, Rubens Barichello, Ralf Schumacher, Jean Alesi, Martin Brundle, Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Rubens Barichello. He discovered Katy Price as one of his pit girls, guiding her from tabloids to SuperModel, to TV, music and other varied careers to the heights of celebrity. She recalls: "He was a very charismatic and fun character to be around whose humor, just like himself, was unique. It's a great loss to the F1 family and he will be missed around the Paddock." Jordan was a competitive driver in F2 and F3, before turning his talents to team management with his expansive promotional skills. Keen musician Jordan even played the drums in a rock and roll band ... which should surprise no one! It's fitting that Eddie survived one more St. Patrick's Day and I'm sure he left with a song in heart and a pint on his lips. -- Bob Storck KC MO USA

Age and Treachery's flower fund got outbid again ... (... but Hugo still can bid on his aerodynamic 1911 Laurin & Klement Type S2 Sportswagen later this month!) https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/pa25/lots/r0008-1964-ferrari-250-lm-by-scaglietti/ https://racer.com/2025/01/31/ims-museum-aiming-to-raise-100-million-by-auctioning-most-valuable-race-cars/ -- Bob Storck KC MO USA

Yup ... vintage racing will require Sumitomo powder blue driving suits ... and then there's that bridge at LeMans ... Subject: Goodyear Announces Sale of Dunlop Brand to Sumitomo Rubber Industries News Release Issued: Jan 7, 2025 (9:00pm EST) To view this release online and get more information about Media | Goodyear Corporate visit: https://news.goodyear.com/2025-01-07-Goodyear-Announces-Sale-of-Dunlop-Brand-to-Sumitomo-Rubber-Industries Goodyear Announces Sale of Dunlop Brand to Sumitomo Rubber Industries Gross cash proceeds at closing of approximately $701 million Advances Goodyear Forward transformation plan, optimizes portfolio of brands Goodyear to supply Dunlop tires to Sumitomo Rubber Industries pursuant to a five-year Transition Offtake Agreement in Europe Goodyear to license back the Dunlop trademarks for use on commercial (truck) tires, and retains its rights to the Dunlop trademarks for use on motorcycle tires in Europe and Oceania AKRON, Ohio, Jan. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) ("Goodyear" or the "Company") today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell the Dunlop brand, comprising trademarks and intangible assets necessary for operations of the brand business in Europe, North America and Oceania for consumer, commercial and other specialty tires ("Dunlop Brand"), together with certain associated intellectual property, to Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (TYO: 5110) ("SRI"). The sale of the Dunlop Brand follows a previously announced strategic review of the brand in connection with the Company's Goodyear Forward transformation plan. Pursuant to the transaction terms, SRI will pay Goodyear cash proceeds at closing of approximately $701 million for the transfer of the Dunlop Brand across the relevant geographies, a "Transition Fee" for support in transitioning the Dunlop Brand to SRI, and the purchase of Dunlop tire inventory. The transaction also provides for additional ongoing offtake, licensing and other arrangements which are detailed below. "This is another important milestone as we continue to execute against our Goodyear Forward transformation plan. We are optimizing our portfolio and reducing leverage to drive sustainable and substantial shareholder value creation," said Mark Stewart, Goodyear Chief Executive Officer and President. "Not only does the transaction deliver significant value for our shareholders, it better positions Goodyear to enhance our focus on the growth of our core brands." "Our team conducted a comprehensive process focused on maximizing value for Goodyear through a divestment of our Dunlop Brand, and we are very pleased with the outcome achieved," said Christina Zamarro, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "We are committed to working closely with SRI to ensure a smooth transition for customers of the Dunlop Brand." The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals, other customary closing conditions and consultations and is expected to close by mid-2025. Goodyear intends to use transaction proceeds to reduce leverage and fund initiatives in connection with the Goodyear Forward transformation plan. Transaction Terms Goodyear will receive approximately $701 million of cash proceeds at closing from SRI, across three transaction components: (a) SRI will pay Goodyear $526 million for the Dunlop Brand and certain associated intellectual property; (b) SRI will pay Goodyear a $105 million Transition Fee for support in transitioning the Dunlop Brand and associated intellectual property, and facilitating the transition of Dunlop customers, to SRI, including planning matters and support of distribution and logistics through the end of the Transition Offtake Agreement; and (c) SRI will purchase existing Dunlop consumer tire inventory at an agreed markup. The exact inventory value to be purchased will finalized between signing and closing, however Goodyear estimates proceeds to be approximately $70 million, subject to a true-up. In addition, under the terms of a Transition License Agreement ("TLA"), Goodyear will continue to manufacture, sell and distribute Dunlop branded consumer tires in Europe through at least December 31, 2025 (subject to extension, as described below). Goodyear will pay a royalty to SRI during this period on Dunlop sales but will otherwise retain all profits from these sales. The term of the TLA will automatically extend for an additional year, through December 31, 2026, unless the parties mutually agree to an earlier termination. This transition period is intended to give SRI time to scale its organization in Europe to effectively absorb the Dunlop Brand and maintain service levels for existing Dunlop customers. Following the completion of the TLA, Goodyear will supply certain Dunlop branded tires to SRI in Europe for a five-year period under the terms of a Transition Offtake Agreement ("TOA"). The TOA stipulates minimum purchase quantities of 4.5 million tires per year for the five-year term, on a take-or-pay basis. SRI may terminate the TOA early after the third year, with twelve months' notice, subject to payment of a termination fee. The TOA provides Goodyear with an agreed markup to total costs (including raw materials) for each tire sold. Goodyear will license back the Dunlop trademarks from SRI for commercial (truck) tires in Europe on a long-term basis, subject to a royalty on sales. Goodyear can terminate this licensing agreement at any time during the licensing period. Dunlop consumer tire sales totaled $532 million in 2023. Dunlop commercial tire sales totaled $201 million in the same period. Other specialty Dunlop tire sales (excluding motorcycle) totaled $22 million. Goodyear will retain its rights to the Dunlop trademarks for its motorcycle tire businesses in Europe and Oceania. Goodyear does not expect the transaction to materially impact segment operating income through the term of the TLA. Thereafter, the Company expects the transaction to reduce segment operating income by approximately $65 million per year during the term of the TOA, before any potential actions the Company may take to improve its operating margin. This impact also does not take into consideration other financial benefits resulting from deployment of proceeds from the transaction, including interest expense savings associated with expected debt repayment and other ongoing actions under Goodyear Forward. Additional information on the transaction, including presentation materials, can be found on Goodyear's investor relations website: http://investor.goodyear.com. Advisors Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC. is acting as lead financial advisor, Barclays Capital Inc. is acting as financial advisor and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is acting as legal advisor to Goodyear. About The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs about 71,000 people and manufactures its products in 54 facilities in 21 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio, and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate. Forward-Looking Statements Certain information contained in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the proposed transaction, including statements regarding the benefits of the transaction and the anticipated timing of the transaction, and information regarding the businesses of Goodyear and SRI. There are a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control, that affect our operations, performance, business strategy and results and could cause our actual results and experience to differ materially from the assumptions, expectations and objectives expressed in any forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: our ability to implement successfully the Goodyear Forward plan and our other strategic initiatives, including the sale of the Dunlop Brand; risks relating to the ability to consummate the sale of the Dunlop Brand on a timely basis or at all, including failure to obtain the required regulatory approvals or to satisfy other conditions to closing; actions and initiatives taken by both current and potential competitors; increases in the prices paid for raw materials and energy; inflationary cost pressures; delays or disruptions in our supply chain or the provision of services to us; a prolonged economic downturn or period of economic uncertainty; deteriorating economic conditions or an inability to access capital markets; a labor strike, work stoppage, labor shortage or other similar event; financial difficulties, work stoppages, labor shortages or supply disruptions at our suppliers or customers; the adequacy of our capital expenditures; changes in tariffs, trade agreements or trade restrictions; foreign currency translation and transaction risks; our failure to comply with a material covenant in our debt obligations; potential adverse consequences of litigation involving the Company; as well as the effects of more general factors such as changes in general market, economic or political conditions or in legislation, regulation or public policy. Additional factors are discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent our estimates only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates as of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our estimates change. MEDIA CONTACT: DOUG GRASSIAN 330.796.3855 DOUG_GRASSIAN@... ANALYST CONTACT: GREG SHANK 330.796.5008 GREG_SHANK@... SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company To unsubscribe or change your settings click here: https://news.goodyear.com/index.php?s=subscribe&code=2rN6FvPzZEdKDgVm8ODZ5mP13ToWgGgD -- Bob Storck KC MO USA

We remember the good times, and thank you. You are not forgotten. -- Bob Storck KC MO USA

Here is a photo of the "old" Devil's Bowl, which was on the eastern outskirts of Dallas and was the predecessor to the Devil's Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, TX (now also closed). This was taken in 1956. The track was carved out of an old gravel pit. There was another track in Waco, TX -- the Suicide Bowl -- which was carved out of an old gravel pit, and which operated for maybe 10 years after WWII. One end had a higher elevation than the other, which meant one straight was an uphill run while the other was downhill. This was a predecessor to the Heart O'Texas Speedway, which opened in 1960 and is still operating, although the current HOT Speedway is about a mile or so from the HOT that opened in 1960. Early on, these tracks ran 6 cylinders and flatheads, but the Devil's Bowl was quick to allow V-8s, and soon thereafter its cars became referred to as supermodifieds, which in turn evolved from rail frames to chassis by CAE and the like, and then full up sprint cars. Jim McElreath and Johnny Rutherford ran the weekly supermodified programs at the Bowl. In 1960, they went down to Waco several times to run special programs for the supers. Johnny tells the story where one evening in Waco, after running hot laps, he came in only to hear the car owner announce that he had found another driver and that Johnny was fired. That other driver went out to qualify and was killed. About halfway through that summer of 1960, McElreath and Rutherford packed up and headed to the Midwest in search of rides. And the rest is history. I am curious whether there were any other post-war tracks that were carved out of abandoned gravel pits. Bill Blaylock Dallas, TX -- Bill Blaylock Sanbornville NH USA

Slightly OT request: I'm trying to identify a 1930's Ford. I believe this is a 1938 Ford Deluxe Tudor. My car spotting experience is not that great. The car belonged to my dad and I have a vague memory of playing in it in the early 1960's. That young boy in the photo is my older brother. Picture was taken in about 1956. The 1938 Ford is almost identical to either the 1937 or 1939 Ford, but maybe some sharp-eyed car spotters can tell a difference. Many thanks for the help. -- Thomas Luce Manhattan Beach CA USA