Virginia Beach Dealers

From VA to OK with Love

I am normally pretty tough when it comes to disasters and seeing things on the news.  I am originally from OK and the news yesterday-seeing all the devastation-hit really too close to home (literally).  I was one of the lucky ones with family being safe and sound, out of harm’s way.  Many did not fair the same.

The Checkered Flag family of dealerships in Hampton Roads wants to send out lots of thoughts and prayers to those affected both near and far by the tragedy. 

To help out those in need and the Red Cross efforts, make an easy $10 donation to aid in the recovery by texting REDCROSS to 90999. 

For more information about disaster relief efforts and clean-up, stay logged on to checkeredflag.com. 

Checkered Flag Toyota Teen Driver Series

Checkered Flag Toyota continues with Part 2 of Toyota Teen Driver.

In-Car Driving Practice

Parent Supervised Driving Tracking Chart



 
Make a chart like the one above, or, print this article and cut out the chart.

Teens can learn a lot from observing an experienced driver. Though young drivers have driven with adults countless times, it's a different experience when your teen takes the passenger seat ready to learn, observe and reflect.

Before you get on the road, sit down with your teen to set goals about what you want to accomplish for the day or what you want to accomplish before they take their driver's exam.

Set a total number of hours you feel they need to be confident in using different techniques, driving on different types of roads, and driving during different times of the day. As a parent, you should feel comfortable to set an exact number of hours that your teen must experience each of these conditions before you allow them to drive in them without your supervision.

Once this chart is filled out, you and your teen can keep a copy on record as they complete goals that have been set.

Parent Supervised Best Vehicle Behaviors

One of the very first things you can do is sit in the vehicle with your teen and talk about the things you do before you even start the engine.

Eliminate the opportunity for distraction for your teen driver. Discuss taking your cell phone and putting it into the glove box.
Address other distractions that might be in the vehicle as well (e.g. friends, the radio station, etc.). Remind your teen driver to limit their distractions to drive as safely as possible.

Explain the preparation steps you complete each time you get ready to drive:
    Adjusting your seat
    Depress brake pedal as far as possible. Should still have a slight bend in the knee.
    Arms should be the same-slightly bent (never locked but also not completely bent)
    Hands should be at 9 and 3
    Fasten your seatbelt
    Check and/or adjust the side and rearview mirrors
   
    From the driver's seat, tilt your head to left, almost to the window and adjust the driver's mirror so you can just see side of car. For the passenger side mirror lean your head to the middle of the car and adjust so you can just see the outside of the car.

    Gas gauge? Tire pressure? Turn cell phone off and put it in the glove box to avoid temptation, etc.

Take your teen for a drive around your community, first with you behind the wheel. Remember to limit the amount of conversation between you and your teen until the car has stopped to reduce distractions for your teen driver. As you drive, complete the following activities together. Once you have done this with you behind the wheel, changes positions and watch your teen driver try to model their driving behavior on the behaviors you executed.

    Explain that your eyes are constantly scanning and moving so that you are fully aware of your surrounding and are able to react quickly. Instruct your teen to scan as you drive: looking to the left, to the right, in the side and rear-view mirrors and then returning quickly to the road. Ask your teen to verbalize their observations as you drive, taking special notes of potential hazards. How do these observations affect your driving?

    Now explain that you should always have a minimum of a three-second following distance from the car in front of you. (Following distance can be determined by making note of when the car in front of you passes a fixed object. Once the car has passed this object, count "one-one thousand, two-one thousand, three-one thousand." For a three-second following distance, your car should pass this same object only after you have reached "three-one thousand.") Have your teen calculate your following distance and modify your driving if necessary. Complete this activity as you drive through different speed limit zones and discuss how the change in speed affects your following distance.

    Once you have driven around your community, drive to the entrance ramp of a local highway. Explain to your teen that merging requires the driver to observe their surroundings and react accordingly. Ask your teen to silently make note of your actions and reactions as you merge. Once you have merged successfully, discuss your teen's observations. What did you do? What did the drivers around you do? What was successful and what could have been done differently? Now exit the highway at the next exit ramp and merge back onto the highway in the opposite direction. Again, ask your teen to silently make note of your actions and reactions. Once you have merged successfully, discuss the similarities and differences of this merge with your previous merge. Arrive at the conclusion that while all driving situations are slightly different, they each require you to be an alert, observant and defensive driver.

Stay tuned to Checkered Flag.com for more helpful teen driver tips from your Virginia Beach Toyota dealer.

Pungo Strawberry Festival this weekend

Get your strawberries here!!  Shortcake is only one of hundreds of strawberry dishes you'll find in Pungo this weekend.  You Checkered Flag fans know what I’m talking about. 

This weekend brings one of the favorite Hampton Roads food festivals.  The 30th Pungo Strawberry Festival kicks off this Saturday!   

Where else can you find so much family fun in one place?  Strawberry everything, a carnival, and even pig races draw in crowds from all over Virginia and North Carolina.  Here are the details.

When:  Saturday and Sunday, May 25-26 from 9am to 7pm. The Parade will be Saturday May 25th beginning at 10am.

Where:  1776 Princess Anne Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456.

Cost: Parking is $5 and admission to the festival itself is FREE.

Traffic is usually a nightmare on the way to the parking lots, so bring patience with you.  Trust us, it is worth the wait.  Don't miss the strawberry-topped funnel cake!

For more news from the Pungo Strawberry Festival, stay tuned to your Virginia Beach car dealerships, Checkered Flag.com.

4Runner Owner Gets Lucky in Drive Thru

Toyota seems to have some of the safest cars and trucks around.  Appearantly this is not only due to the features installed by the manufacterer, but Toyota has some really smart owners too. 

The news this week is really starting to make me chuckle-starting with an article about a Washington State woman who had her Toyota 4Runner stolen and later to have it drive up to the window of the McDonalds where she was working.  Isn’t that some crazy luck?

McDonald’s worker sees her stolen car in drive-thru
Tri-City Herald

KENNEWICK — A woman working at a Kennewick McDonald’s saw her stolen SUV in the drive-thru of the restaurant and called police, who arrested the driver.

The SUV was stolen from Virginia Maiden’s apartment complex on 4th Avenue Tuesday morning and hours later she saw it in the drive-thru at her work, said Kennewick police Crime Prevention Specialist Mike Blatman.

Police arrested the driver of the SUV, 22-year-old Katherine A. York, of Kennewick, at the McDonald’s on West Canal Drive. A male was also in the car with York, but he was not arrested.

Police found a large amount of stolen clothes from JC Penny and Sears in the SUV after York was arrested, Blatman said. Police are investigating the stolen clothes.

York was booked into the Benton County jail.

Source: [yakimaherald.com]

I love Toyota, the cars are much like loyal lap dogs, they just come right back to you.  That being said, having a really dumb criminal didn’t hurt at all.

Checkered Flag Toyota is proud to sell some of the smartest cars around.  Come in to the Virginia Beach dealership today and have one of the agents show you just how smart the cars and trucks really are. 

Call Hampton Roads Toyota source today at (757) 687-3447 to find out more about their incredible selection of 4Runners and other great vehicles.

ABT Tuned R8 V10-Sets Roads On Fire

Having some very fast friends is makes the Audi R8 V10 even more impressive a ride.  The Audi R8 is equipped with a V10 engine and is well versed in going fast (as a gross understatement), but with the help from some overseas tuners they have made the vehicle a beast of speed greatness.

Checkered Flag Audi is the proud to host some incredible vehicular masterpieces.  Read on to hear more about the work done to the R8 and what they were able to accomplish with ABT’s help.

Audi R8 V10 gets tuned up by ABT
By Jonathon Ramsey

Bavarian tuners ABT have done another job on the Audi R8 V10, pumping up the 5.2-liter FSI V10 from 525 horsepower to 600 hp, and torque from 391 pound-feet to 406 lb-ft. With 50 more horsepower than the R8 V10 Plus - but not the extreme weight-loss scheme - ABT claims a 0-62 mile per hour run of 3.5 seconds, the same as the R8 V10 Plus, and a top speed for the mid-engined coupe of 198 miles per hour "is no problem at all."

Managing all that speed are the aero tweaks provided by a comprehensive body kit including a rear wing, a lowered and beefed-up suspension, a stainless steel exhaust and 19-inch wheels in two different designs.

While ABT hasn't put a price on the Audi upgrades, but it's safe to say that nearly 200 mph in an R8 won't come cheap.

Source: [autoblog.com]

Virginia Beach Audi loves to hear about special Audi modifications and all that is available to the Audi owner.  Their parts department is available to help our Hampton Roads residents and Audi enthusiasts gain all that they desire in the way of power or speed.

For more information about what is available to you through Audi sales or parts and service, call them today at (757) 687-3447.  The knowledgeable agents will help make your vehicular dreams come true.

Meteoroid hits moon, causes huge explosion visible from Earth

Earlier this spring, a few of our Checkered Flag fans happened to catch the bright flash of explosion of a meteoroid hitting the moon.

If you missed it, here's newly released video of the event:



If you have trouble viewing the moon meteoroid video on this page, choose the following link and scroll down to this article.  Link: Meteoroid hits moon

NASA telescopes captured a meteor strike on the moon on March 17 that triggered a massive explosion.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - An automated telescope monitoring the moon has captured images of an 88-pound rock slamming into the lunar surface, creating a bright flash of light, NASA scientists said on Friday.

The explosion on March 17 was the biggest seen since NASA began watching the moon for meteoroid impacts about eight years ago. So far, more than 300 strikes have been recorded.

"It exploded in a flash nearly 10 times as bright as anything we've ever seen before," Bill Cooke, with NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, said in a statement.

A NASA satellite orbiting the moon is now on a hunt for the newly formed crater, which scientists estimate could be as wide as 66 feet.

The flash was so bright that anyone looking at the moon at the moment of impact could have seen it without a telescope, NASA said.

After reviewing digital recordings made by one of the program's telescopes, scientists determined the space rock was about 1 foot in diameter, and traveling about 56,000 mph when it slammed into the moon and exploded with the force of five tons of TNT.

That same night, cameras detected an unusually high number of meteors blasting through Earth's atmosphere as well. Most meteors burn up well before reaching the ground.

But not always. In February, an asteroid estimated to be about 66 feet in diameter exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia, damaging buildings and shattering glass, leaving more than 1,500 injured. It was the largest object to strike Earth since 1908.
"The Russian fireball was many orders of magnitude larger and possessed 100,000 times more energy," than the lunar impact, Cooke wrote in an email to Reuters.

He believes the lunar impact and the March 17 meteor shower on Earth are related, the result of both bodies traveling together through a region of space sprinkled with small rocks and dust.

"We'll be keeping an eye out for signs of a repeat performance next year when the Earth-moon system passes through the same region of space," Cooke said.

End of article.

For more breaking moon news, stay tuned to the home of your Hampton Roads Scion dealer, Checkered Flag.com.

Video source: [youtube.com]
Article source: [msn.com]

Armed Forces Day Thank You

Hampton Roads has an incredible number of military bases and Armed Forces members as part of our community.  It is sometimes easy to loose sight of what these brave men and women do for our area and our country.  Checkered Flag and thier family of dealerships wants to thank each and every Armed Forces member for their hard work and bravery and for what you do for our country and our area. 

The men and women of the United States Armed Forces are some of the bravest and selfless individuals.  They deserve to have a day of recognition.  Thank you for all that you do to keep our nation safe from threats both foreign and domestic.  Our country is all the better because you serve.

Checkered Flag dealerships have many savings programs for Military members and their families as thanks for all that you do to keep our country safe.  Call (757) 687-3447 today to find out about all the amazing savings that you achieve due to your service.

Checkered Flag looks forward to serving you, because you serve us so bravely.  Happy Armed Forces Day.

Jaguar F-Type ad has eveyone waiting for their turn

Have you seen the new red roadster on TV?  Every Checkered Flag Jaguar fan wants to get behind the wheel of the new Jaguar F-Type.  We can't wait for our turn.  Can you?



If you are unable to view the 2014 Jaguar F-Type video on this page, choose the following link and scroll down to this article.  Link: 2014 F-Type video

For more information about the 2014 Jaguar F-Type, contact our Jaguar specialists at (757)687-3447 or visit our Virginia Beach Jaguar dealership on Virginia Beach Blvd.

Sizzling Summer Deal on Toyota Tacoma

We are well on our way to summer in Hampton Roads.  Whether you plan on moving to a new house, renovating your yard, or just relaxing at the beach, you could do it better with a truck.  Now, through May 31st, Checkered Flag Toyota has got an incredible deal on 2013 Toyota Tacoma. 

New 2013 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner Double Cab
$19,988

Applies to new 2013 Tacoma Pre Runner Double Cab 4X2 2.7L.  Model  7186.  Automatic Engine.  Plus tax, title, tag and $599 dealer doc fee.  All prices plus $845 freight.  Includes $1000 Toyota military rebate for active duty military.  Must finance through TFS not everyone will qualify.  With approved credit.  See dealer for complete details.  Expires 5/31/13

Call our Virginia Beach Toyota store at (757)687-3447 for full details about the 2013 Toyota Summer event or to set up a test drive.  

Checkered Flag Scion Brings the BigMother to VA. Beach

Virginia Beach is going to have BIG things going on come June 1st.  Checkered Flag Scion is sponsoring the “Bigmother Autocross and Car Show”. 

Come by and show your own vehicle, if you have that kind of ride, or come out and enjoy the hard work of others.

My favorite part of the day, it is free for spectators and Checkered Flag Scion customers.

Enjoy some great weather, amazing cars, and all that Checkered Flag has to offer.

Chesapeake Jubilee takes place this weekend

This is a big weekend for Hampton Roads events.  With the weather warming up, festival season is picking up.  One of our Checkered Flag weekend top picks is the 30th annual Chesapeake Jubilee taking place at Chesapeake City Park.  Here is a quick overview of this year’s festival. 

At the Jubilee you will find carnival rides, a kid's corner for children's activities and crafts, lifestock, crafters, live music, performers, food, concerts and more.

Where: Chesapeake City Park, 900 Greenbrier Pkwy, Chesapeake VA 23320.

When: (see official site for full schedule)

    Thursday, May 16, 2013 from 6-10pm (Rides only)

    Thursday, May 16, 2013 from 4:30-7pm Khedive Shrimp Feast

    Friday, May 17, 2013 from 5pm-10pm Chesapeake Jubilee Festival

    Saturday, May 18, 2013 from 10am-11pm Chesapeake Jubilee Festival

    Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 9pm Fireworks!

    Sunday, May 19, 2013 from 12-7pm 2013 Chesapeake Jubilee Festival

Cost of Admission: Tickets may be purchased on-site for $3/day (ages 6 & up) and the cost includes all concerts.

Cost of Rides: Individual tickets are sold for $1 each, packets of 20 ($20), 56 ($50) or unlimited ride wristbands for $25/day

Cost of Parking: On-site $5/day

For more Hampton Roads events, stay tuned to the home of your favorite Chesapeake Toyota dealership, Checkered Flag.com.

Info source: [MyActiveChild.com]
Image source: [pilotonline.com]

Toyota Corolla LE under $15,000 at Checkered Flag this May

It's half way through May and Checkered Flag Toyota is upping their game.  Added today: this incredible deal on the new 2013 Corolla LE. 

Through May 31st, you can grab Toyota specials and discounts on hundreds of vehicles at our Virginia Beach Toyota store, including:

2013 Toyota Corolla LE Special
$14,770

Applies to new 2013 Corolla LE Automatic, Model 1838.  Plus tax, title, freight, license, and $599 dealer processing fee.  Includes $1,000 Military Rebate from Toyota and $500 Customer cash included from Toyota.  Financing through TFS not all customers will qualify.  With approved credit.  See dealer for complete details.  Expires 5/31/2013. 

Offers expire 5/31/2013

Call our Virginia Beach Toyota store at (757)687-3447 for full details or to set up a test drive.  

Top news: Pop-tarts announces newest flavors

Drop everything.  Get your keys.  Run to the car.  Drive like mad to the grocery store.  Pop-tarts has released two new flavors.

Pop-Tarts 'Gone Nutty' Debut In Peanut Butter, Frosted Chocolate Peanut Butter Flavors

Kellogg's has debuted two new Pop-Tarts flavors: peanut butter and frosted peanut butter. The "Gone Nutty" varieties, which both contain a peanut butter filling, pack a sugary punch -- the peanut butter flavor is topped with a sprinkling of sugar crystals and the frosted chocolate flavor features a frosted chocolate crust.

"Peanut butter has long been the most requested flavor by our fans," said Dick Podiak, director of marketing for Pop-Tarts, in a press release (peanut allergy increases be damned!).

According to Foodbeast, this is the first time in 27 years that Pop-Tarts have been available in a peanut butter flavor -- peanut butter & jelly Pop-Tarts were discontinued in 1986.

Pop-Tarts is marketing the new flavor to teens and college-aged students. For example, according to the brand's Facebook page, the company "lost" a shipment on University of New Hampshire's campus:



Perhaps the new flavor will inspire future Carl's Jr. Pop-Tart ice cream sandwich combinations.

The "Gone Nutty" Pop-Tarts are now available in stores nationwide. (end of article)

For more very important breaking peanut butter pop-tart news, stay tuned to the home of your nuttiest Hampton Roads used car stores, Checkered Flag.com.

Article and image source: [huffingtonpost.com]

Virginia Living Museum-Saved By Hampton Roads Support

The Hampton Roads city of Newport News got some amazing news today!  The Virginia Living Museum will be staying open.  The hard work of locals, the state and all those that sent in letters to the Newport News City Council paid off.

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM VLM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PAGE HAYHURST: I am thrilled to report that Newport News City Council adopted a budget last night that includes increased support for the VLM. Floods, the economy and the elimination of state support hit the museum hard and our community stepped up with both private support and now this critical public support. Thank you to all our members and volunteers who advocated on our behalf -especially Newport News residents who sent 1,000+ cards to Council --We are most grateful for all you do to ensure that we can continue our educational mission!

The Checkered Flag family of dealerships in Virginia Beach and Norfolk want to congratulate you for your news today and thank you for all the hard work you put in educating our community on ways to help keep Hampton Roads green and keep our animals safe.

Great price on Hyundai Sonata at Checkered Flag this May

With celebrations spanning from high school and college graduations to Father’s Day all happening in the next month, you’re going to need some gifts.  Checkered Flag Hyundai is here to help you with that.  Right now, you can grab a brand new Hyundai for under $15,000. 

2013 Hyundai Elantra GLS 4-Door
$14,990

Includes $500 Active/Retired Military rebate, $500 loyal owner rebate from Hyundai, and $1500 Finance Cash from HMFC.  Must finance with Hyundai Motor Finance with approved credit.  Tax, title, license, registration, and $599 dealer processing fee excluded. Plus $795 freight.  Offer valid through 5/31/2013. 

As for the old, Checkered Flag Hyundai will be pleased to appraise your vehicle for trade-in.

Call our Elantra experts at our Virginia Beach Hyundai store, Checkered Flag Hyundai, at (757)687-3447 for more information or to set up your test drive. 

Checkered Flag Toyota special military rebate extended

Checkered Flag Toyota is pleased to announce the extension of our special Toyota military rebate.

Through May 31st, active U.S. Military members and inactive Reserve members are eligible for a $1000 Toyota military rebate on any new Checkered Flag Toyota vehicle. 

Contact our Virginia Beach Toyota specialists for full details at (757)687-3447.

Pirate Party this weekend at Virginia Beach oceanfront

Looking for a family-friendly p'arrrrrrty this weekend?  Well, head down to the Virginia Beach boardwalk. 

From our friends over at MyActiveChild.com:

More Pirates! We all know pirates normally don't give anything away for free, which is why this weekend is so special. ‘Pirates on the Beach’ is happening on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront and the entire event is FREE and open to the public!

Arts and Crafts activities and displays will be on-site courtesy of:

Old Coast Guard Station
Mariner's Museum
Old Cape Henry Lighthouse

A weekend of fun is on the schedule for both days including Music, Facepainting, Storytelling, Weapons Demonstrations, and much more. Performers will include The Moody Crewe, York Privateers and the Overland Crew.

Saturday evening make sure to head down to the beach for a Cap’n Pete’s Treasure Hunt (5:30pm) and a beach viewing of the movie Pirates: Band of Misfits (at 7:45pm).

Sunday bring a team to test your skill in the Pirate's Challenge (all pirate themed). There is a fee for this event.

When: Saturday-Sunday, May 18-19, 2013
Saturday, May 18, 10am-9:30pm
Sunday, May 19, 12-4:45pm

Where: 17th Street Park and on the beach at 17th Street - Virginia Beach Oceanfront

For more Hampton Roads events news, stay tuned to the home of your favorite Virginia Beach car dealerships, Checkered Flag.com.

100 years of Audi innovation featured in new ads

One week after Audi released a “fascinating” new Spock vs. old Spock ad, they have released a new series of videos featuring a different look at the history of the Audi brand.

If you have trouble viewing the new Audi “It couldn’t be done” video, choose the following link and scroll down to this article.  Link: History of Audi commercial

Over the following week, Checkered Flag Audi will run the remaining four new Audi videos featuring different aspects of the steadfast brand.

For more information about Audi vehicles, contact our Virginia Beach Audi store at (757)687-3447. 

Cicadas begin to emerge in Virginia

After 17 years underground, Brood II is ready to invade.

  Billions of winged-creatures are beginning to emerge from the soil along the Mid-Atlantic region.  With spring temperatures finally warming the ground to just the right conditions, the Brood II cicadas are coming out to play. 

But, this is no game.  The incredibly noisy nearly two-inch-long insects are expected to outnumber humans by 600 to 1 in the affected region.  Get ready for the crunch of cicada nymph skins under your feet.  And, if you're brave, try out a recipe for cicada soup!

Reports are coming in that over the past weekend, Brood II cicadas have emerged throughout Virginia, concentrated in Northern Virginia.  One interactive cicada map reports a Brood II cicada siting right here in Chesapeake. 

If you are unable to view the Cicada Video on this page, choose the following link and scroll down to this article.  Link: Cicadas invasion 2013

For more breaking cicada news, stay tuned to the home of your Virginia Beach Beetle store, Checkered Flag.com.

Image source: [washingtonpost.com]
Video source: [huffingtonpost.com]

May Sonata Specials at Checkered Flag Hyundai

This May, Checkered Flag Hyundai has the most Hyundai Sonatas in Hampton Roads at the best prices.

2013 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4-Door
$16,990

Includes $500 Active/Retired Military rebate, $500 loyal owner rebate from Hyundai, and $1500 Finance Cash from HMFC.  Must finance with Hyundai Motor Finance with approved credit.  Tax, title, license, registration, and $599 dealer processing fee excluded. Plus $795 freight.  Offer valid through 5/31/2013. 

Call our Sonata experts at our Virginia Beach Hyundai store, Checkered Flag Hyundai, at (757)687-3447 for more information or to set up your test drive. 

Happy Mother's Day

The Checkered Flag dealerships throughout Hampton Roads would like to wish all those special ladies in our lives a very Happy Mother’s Day. 

This is a day to celebrate those special ladies and all that they do.  Celebrate with buying her something a lot more shiny and large than a diamond, go by one of Virginia Beach or Norfolk’s premier dealerships and treat her to the car of her dreams. 

What would make a better Mother’s Day gift and say “Love You Mom” than a bright and shiny engine, purring with love for mom? 

Checkered Flag Stores open first thing Monday morning.  Come on by with that lovely lady for a test drive and some fun.

St. Mary's Auction Winner-Proud of His Contribution

Checkered Flag VW is very good at what they do.  Virginia Beach's favorite VW Dealer is very good at both helping people own amazing vehicles and giving back to the community that loves them.

The Annual Gala and Auction for St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children was sponsored by Checkered Flag VW, as it has been in the past.  The company generously donates a vehicle to help raise funds for the Home.  This year’s winner had the privilege of winning a new 2013 VW Passat.  Last year’s winner took home a 2012 VW Beetle.

This year’s winner, Mr. Tim McDermott, took home a 2013 Passat.  Although he was not able to be at the Gala, he was able to pick up his prize at St. Mary’s and pose for a few pictures shortly after.  His generous donation to the St. Mary’s children helped the facility and he is now a very proud owner of a gorgeous new Passat, thanks to Checkered Flag VW.

These prizes are amazing and are just part of what Checkered Flag VW, Virginia Beach’s premier VW dealership, do each year to give back to the community and those living in Hampton Roads.

For more information about the programs sponsored by Checkered Flag VW, and all the good they do for those living in Virginia Beach, Norfolk and beyond, stay logged in to Checkeredflag.com, or come by Checkered Flag VW today. 

May is the month for MINI discount madness at Checkered FlagMINI, Checkered Flag MINI, MINI specials, MINI May specials, MINI sale May, MINI Cooper Sale, MINI Countryman price, MINI Cooper S, MINI Cooper Convertible, MINI Clubman, Virginia Beach MINI, Nor

There is MINI madness going on this month at Checkered Flag MINI.  Almost every new model on our Virginia Beach MINI lot is eligible for special discounting.  Along with great prices, we offer outstanding finance rates.

This month’s Checkered Flag MINI specials include:

$1500 OFF MSRP ON ALL NEW 2013 MINI COOPER S COUNTRYMAN ALL4 MODELS!!***
$1200 OFF MSRP ON ALL NEW 2013 MINI COOPER S COUNTRYMAN MODELS!!***
$1000 OFF MSRP ON ALL NEW 2013 COOPER COUNTRYMAN MODELS!!***
$1000 OFF MSRP ON ALL PACEMAN MODELS!!***

***Applies to in-stock vehicles only.  All vehicles are plus tax, title, license, $599 processing fees, and includes all factory incentives.  Offer ends 05/31/2013 or while supplies last.  Please contact store for details.

REMAINING IN STOCK NEW 2012 MINI COOPER HARDTOPS $3250 OFF MSRP**

**Refers to (STOCK # M60071)  MINI Hardtop special offers are plus tax, title, license, $700 destination charge, $599 process fees, and include all factory incentives. In-stock vehicles ONLY.  Please see store for details; offer valid while supplies last.  Offer ends 05/31/2013.

For more information, call our Virginia Beach MINI store at (757)687-3447. 

Expect major delays at Midtown Tunnel in Norfolk

We have a traffic update immediately affecting Checkered Flag fans.  Beginning today, Thursday, at 3pm, the drivers using the Midtown Tunnel from Norfolk to Portsmouth are expected to hit delays.  Crews installing traffic sensors will have one lane directly outside the mouth of the tunnel closed down until 2pm this Sunday. 

VDOT is urging drivers to use the Norfolk Downtown Tunnel as an alternate route. 

Again, the lane closure will affect drivers leaving Norfolk headed toward Portsmouth.

For more Hampton Roads traffic updates, stay tuned to the home of your Virginia Beach Volkswagen store, Checkered Flag.com.

Virginia Beach listed in "Worst Traffic Cities"

Checkered Flag fans will not be surprised to find their hometown at the top of a newly published list.  The Weather Channel has just released their list of the 2013 Cities with the Worst Traffic.  And, guess who is at #22. 

According to the report, the average Virginia Beach area resident spends 18 hours per year sitting in traffic.  Yikes!  To make matters worse, they added that all that waiting in gridlock can have some terrible effects on the members of our community members.

“Not only can time spent in traffic wreak havoc on your emotional health and stress levels, but also it can damage your sleep cycle, lungs, heart and brain.

The air pollution from traffic has recently been shown to increase risk for heart disease and stroke, as well as lung diseases, such as COPD and poor cognitive performance. One recent study even linked traffic noise to an increased risk of ADHD in children.

Traffic can be so harmful to kids, in fact, that living near a busy road can cause enough lung damage to trigger asthma, making traffic pollution as harmful as secondhand smoke, a study published in the European Respiratory Journal found earlier this year.”

The top three cities with the worst traffic are Los Angeles, Honolulu, and San Francisco. 

Well, if you have to sit in traffic, you may as well wait in style and comfort.  Visit any of our eleven Checkered Flag locations to find the right ride to keep your stress level at a minimum.  We carry a full selection on environmentally friendly hybrid vehicles including Toyota Prius, Honda hybrids, and even BMW hybrids. 

For more Hampton Roads traffic news, stay tuned to the home of your favorite Virginia Beach and Norfolk used car stores, Checkered Flag.com.

Info and image source: [weather.com]

Treadmill Dancing video goes viral

 

Now, I can't help but wonder what song he is listening to. 

I'm betting many of our Checkered Flag fans have seen some strange things at the gym.  But, this treadmill dancing video takes the cake.

If you are unable to view the treadmill dancing video on this page, choose the following link and scroll down to this article.  Link:  man dancing on treadmill

For more entertaining 2013 viral dance videos, stay tuned to the home of your grooviest Hampton Roads used car stores, Checkered Flag.com.

Video source: [youtube.com]

New Spock vs. Old Spock in Audi's "The Challenge"

How would we describe the all-new Audi S7?   In a word, fascinating. 

Check out what happens when Audi puts Leonard Nimoy against Zachary Quinto, in their new video called "The Challenge."




For more information about the all-new 2013 Audi S7, or to set up a test drive for any of our Audi vehicles, contact our Virginia Beach Audi store, Checkered Flag Audi, at (757)687-3447. 

Gas prices still dropping in Hampton Roads

Hampton Roads has something new to brag about.  Our local Hampton Roads gas prices are on a roll.  And, Checkered Flag fans will be glad to know, they are rolling in the right direction.

Local gas prices fall for fifth straight week
By Dave Mayfield for The Virginian-Pilot

Gas prices in Hampton Roads bucked the national trend this past week by dropping a bit, AAA said in its Daily Fuel Gauge Report.

The local average for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.35 on Monday, down about 2 cents from a week earlier. The local average a month ago was $3.53.

Last week marked the fifth consecutive week of gas price drops in the region.

The decline locally came in spite of a slight rise, to $3.52 on Monday, in the U.S. average for regular. A week ago, the national average was $3.50 a gallon. It was $3.61 a month ago, according to AAA.

GasBuddy.com reported Monday that Greenville, S.C., had the lowest price among U.S. metro areas, at $3.13, while Chicago ranked highest at $4.25.

So, get to the gas pumps, Checkered Flag fans!

For more helpful tips about saving your pennies from the pump, check out our blog about improving your fuel economy. 

Info source: [pilotonline.com]

33 Cars named after wild animals

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Today, we will be reviewing the 33 cars named after animals.  I knew many of them, but certainly not all. 

Can you Checkered Flag fans name all 33 without looking at the list?

1. Barracuda (Plymouth)

2. Beetle (Volkswagen)

3. Bison (Chevrolet heavy-duty truck)

4. Blackhawk (Stutz)

5. Bluebird (Nissan/Datsun)

6. Bronco (Ford)

7. Charger (Dodge)

8. Cheetah (rare 1960s high-performance sports car)

9. Cobra (Shelby, Shelby-Ford)

10. Cougar (Mercury)

11. Fox (Audi, Volkswagen)

12. Gazelle (Singer)

13. Honey Bee (Nissan/Datsun)

14. Impala (Chevrolet)

15. Jaguar (outgrowth of S.S. Cars, formerly Swallow Sidecars, Ltd.)

16. Lark (Studebaker)

17. Marlin (AMC)

18. Mustang (Ford)

19. Pinto (Ford)

20. Rabbit (Volkswagen)

21. Ram (Dodge)

22. Road Runner (Plymouth)

23. Sable (Mercury)

24. Skylark (Buick)

25. Spider/Spyder (Porsche)

26. Stag (Triumph)

27. Sting Ray/Stingray (Chevrolet Corvette)

28. Super Bee (Dodge)

29. Thunderbird (Ford)

30. Viper (Dodge)

31. Wasp (Hudson)

32. White Eagle (Kissel)

33. Wildcat (Buick)

We have many of these wildlife-inspired cars right here at Checkered Flag.  Remember, on top of our 10 store brands, we also carry just about anything imaginable in pre-owned inventory.  If you find yourself hunting for something specific check with our Norfolk and Virginia Beach used car stores.  Just call (757)687-3447.  We may have the vehicle already in stock or be able to locate it for you!

List source: [howstuffworks.com]