With the debut in 2011 of the Countryman, MINI tried to address the major drawback since the manufacturer's arrival in 1959. But is a four-door MINI, which arrives 11 years after new owner BMW rebranded Mini as MINI, an oxymoron? Or can the MINI legitimately be considered a family car? The new offering is one [...]
Greetings from James Raia
As a journalist since 1976, I contribute sports, business, travel and lifestyle articles to newspapers, magazines and web sites. Many examples of my work from Tour de France to my syndicated car review column The Weekly Driver to golf to lifestyle features are on this site.
I own and maintain the web sites: golftribune.com (All about golf); montereypeninsula.org (All about the Monterey Peninsula); theweeklydriver.com. (All about cars). My articles will also appear in my Twitter and Facebook pages.
E-mail: james@byjamesraia.com
Most Recent Stories
Sacramento seeks 2012 Tour of California stage
Seeking a spot for the sixth time in the event's seven-year history, Sacramento has applied to host a stage finish of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California. But the capital's involvement is far from assured. Race organizers are considering several route options, including a return to the Bay Area (not included this year) as well [...]
Dodge Charger, 2011: The Weekly Driver car review
Six years ago, the Dodge Charger re-emerged from its famed muscle car heydays during the 1970s. For 2011, with a redesigned exterior and interior the Charger has now become a borderline oxymoron — a sedan sports car. The Charger name has been featured on several different Dodge products since its debut as a concept car [...]
Subaru Forester, 2011: The Weekly Driver car review
In its 17-year tenure, the Subaru Forester has transitioned to having one of the coolest names in the automotive industry from having one of the worst names. The name Forester implies “Of the forest.” But when the vehicle debuted in 1995 at the Tokyo Motor Show as a concept, it was called the “Sutoriga” or [...]
Vladimir Efimkin: Happy with life, back in the saddle
Six years into a pro career that catapulted him to mountaintops and victory podiums around the globe, Vladimir Efimkin decided in the summer of 2010 he’d had enough. Everything right with cycling had been overshadowed by everything wrong. He grew weary of cycling’s abrupt random drug testing. He endured crashes and broken bones, the banes [...]
Honda Odyssey, 2011: The Weekly Driver car review
Has it really been nearly two decades since the Honda Odyssey debuted? In fact, it was 1994 and the 2011 version is newly designed as the fourth generation of the increasingly popular family van. Unlike some minor changes throughout its tenure, Odyssey’s redesign is drastic. Unveiled as a concept at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, [...]
Tour de France, 2011: Chris Horner, battered, broken and back on the bike with Colorado on his mind
Two weeks after he left the Tour de France following a crash replete with broken bones, contusions and uncertainty, Chris Horner is preparing for his next bike race. It’s still a month away in a new seven-day race in Colorado. But even by its Aug. 22 start, the cyclist from Bend, Oregon, will likely not [...]
Tour de France, 2011: Andy Schleck gets solo win on Col du Galibier; Thomas Voeckler keeps lead for 10th day
GALIBIER SERRE-CHEVALIER, France — Andy Schleck of Luxembourg pedaled to a solo victory in the highest stage in race history while surprising Frenchman Thomas Voeckler kept the race lead for the 10th day Thursday at the Tour de France. Schleck (Leopard-Trek) claimed the 124.5-mile trek from Pinerolo, Italy to Galibier Serre-Chevalier, France in 6 hours, [...]
Tour de France, 2011: Tyler Farrar Q&A with burritos, wine
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE, France — Six days remain in the Tour de France and Tyler Farrar is faring well. But like the rest of the weary field, the rider from Wenatchee knows the pending days in the Alps will likely be the race’s most difficult. The Tour de France is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Alps [...]
Mark Cavendish claims fourth Tour de France win; Tyler Farrar second in stage 15
MONTPELLIER, France — Tyler Farrar of Wenatchee, Wa., finished second while nemesis Mark Cavendish of Great Britain claimed his fourth stage Sunday in the 15th stage and second-to-last sprinters’ stage of the Tour de France. Cavendish took a line near the right railing and was victorious in the 119.9-mile stage from Limoux by about a [...]