Ford is launching a program this week that links test drives of Ford vehicles on military bases to donations to local chapters of the National Military Family Association.

The program, “Drive One 4 UR Troops” is part of a 10-base tour called “Operation Drive One” that also features vehicle displays, entertainment and classic car shows. The shows will also raise money for the National Military Family Association.

For each test-drive taken as part of the “Drive one 4 UR Troops” Ford will donate $20 (up to $10,000) to the local chapter of the National Military Family Association (NMFA).

Ford says former pro-wrestler Goldberg — now the actor Bill Goldberg on NBC’s “The Celebrity Apprentice” — will also join the tour and make an appearance at each stop.

Ford will also pick eight veterans (among past and present military personnel who sign up at www.fordoperationdriveone.com) for a trip to the Ford Championship NASCAR race weekend in November. Of those veterans, two will also win a new 2011 Ford Mustang and one grand-prize winner will be awarded a Toby Keith concert for his or her home base.  Great idea and keep up the good charity work Ford!

Car and Driver Magazine revealed that the White House had ordered that “GM and Chrysler must cease participation in NASCAR at the end of the 2009 season if they hope to receive any additional financial aid from the government.” The White House was said to have released the following statement: “In order to receive this money, corporations must demonstrate they will spend it wisely. Racing has been said to improve on-road technology, but frankly, NASCAR almost flaunts its standing among the lowest-tech forms of motorsport. NASCAR is not proven to drive advancements that transfer from the racetrack to the road, and this nation’s way forward does not hinge on decades-old technology. We need new, and we need innovation.” NASCAR was said to be exploring other options, such as inviting Korea’s Hyundai corporation to compete in GM and Chrysler’s place.

I guess I give this one a little edge because it is believable, but it is pretty stupid and in 2009 I was sick and tired of hearing about these two companies – 6/10

Invisible Car (2009)

The Daily Express claimed that a British inventor had built an invisible car, designed to fool speed cameras: ““It is beautiful in its simplicity… The plastic film appears completely normal to the human eye. But the flash of the camera reacts with molecules in the film and light is reflected outwards to make the car appear invisible in pictures.” The inventor admitted that the one problem was also covering the wheels and developing an invisible suit to wear.

I like this one because I think the technology probably exists in some military lab, plus who would not want to be invisible – 8/10