Intro

Welcome back to The Spark Check, your weekly pit stop for the latest buzz in the automotive world. Whether you're a die-hard enthusiast or just love keeping up with car culture, we’ve got something for everyone.

Here’s what to expect in this week’s lineup:

• McLaren’s are Champs again 🏆

• Record-Breaking Mustang GTD 🏎️

• Cars, Coffee, and Toy Drives 🧸

Industry News

McLaren Clench F1 Championship

McLaren Secures First Formula 1 Constructors' Championship Since 1998

Lando Norris stayed cool under pressure, leading all 58 laps in Abu Dhabi to lock in McLaren’s first Constructors’ title in 25 years. Their win came despite Oscar Piastri’s rough start after a clash with Max Verstappen, which dropped him to the back of the grid.

Ferrari gave it their all, but they just couldn’t match the pace of Norris and his car. Charles Leclerc stole the show, earning “Driver of the Day” by clawing his way from 19th to an impressive 3rd-place finish. Carlos Sainz, in his last race for Ferrari, stayed hot on Norris’s heels the entire race but couldn’t find the speed to pass.

It was an emotional day for both Sainz and Lewis Hamilton as they said goodbye to their teams. Next year, Hamilton will trade his silver for Ferrari red, stepping into Sainz’s seat. Meanwhile, Sainz is heading to Williams for the 2025 season.

Read Full Story —>

Other News

• Honda has to call back 206,000 Passports and Pilots due to potential fuel leak issue. Read More

• Mercedes AMG’s new PureSpeed doesn’t have a windscreen, but sports a Formula 1 halo instead. Read More

• After 77-years, Praga builds a million-dollar track weapon called the “Bohema” and it looks awesome. Read More

Featured Story

Ford Does It. With a Mustang.

The Ford Mustang GTD just shattered expectations by becoming the first American-made production car to break the seven-minute barrier at Germany’s Nürburgring Nordschleife. Clocking in an incredible lap time of 6:57.685, this 815-horsepower beast isn’t just making history—it’s making waves.

Tackling the Green Hell

The Nürburgring Nordschleife isn’t your average track. Spanning 12.94 miles of narrow, twisting, and uneven roads, it’s a brutal test of any car’s engineering. Add in unpredictable weather—sunshine on one part of the track and rain on another—and you’ve got a challenge so fierce it’s earned the nickname “Green Hell.” This is where the Mustang GTD decided to stake its claim.

Back in August, Ford’s attempt almost ended in disappointment due to wet conditions. However, by the time German motorsport ace Dirk Müller got behind the wheel, the weather cleared enough to make history. Müller’s first lap smashed the seven-minute mark, relieving pressure and igniting pride among the team. While his fastest lap of 6:57.685 was impressive, Müller believes there’s still more potential. “The track wasn’t ideal. It was dry-ish and extremely hot, so we know we can go faster,” he explained.

Read Full Story —>

Local Listings

Hot Pick of the Week

Because who doesn’t looking at cars they shouldn’t (or can’t) buy.

1966 Ford Mustang GT350 CR Restomod

Price: $264,990 | Seller: West Coast Exotic Cars
Built by Classic Recreations, this ground-up restomod is an example of what is possible when a company builds a restoration without limits. Check it out —>

Other Listings:

• 2020 Ford GT Coupe (Light Blue) | $1,050,000 | Carlsbad, CA

• 2012 Mercedes-Benz AMG SLS | $189,999 | Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Have a cool car for sale? Email us at [email protected] to get listed.

What’s Happening

Saturday, December 14

• Bonita Cars & Coffee, 6am-9am

• Carlsbad Cars & Coffee, 7am-9am

• Point Loma Cars & Coffee, 7:30am-10am

• Rancho Santa Fe Cars & Coffee, 8am-12pm

• South OC Cars & Coffee, 9am-11am

• Event Motoring, Annual Holiday Mixer, 6pm-10pm

Sunday, December 15

• Escondido Cars & Coffee, 8am-12pm

• The Street Habits & Broke Boyz, 9:30am-12:30pm

• Analog & Grit, Christmas Toy Drive, 10am-12pm

Have an event coming up? Let us know at [email protected] to be featured!

Final Thoughts

We Want to Hear From You!

What did you think of our newsletter? From the bottom of our hearts, we appreciate you subscribing and joining the community. We’re always looking to improve, if you have any feedback, email us at [email protected]. 

Stay tuned, and keep the spark alive!