We all know U-Haul as our go-to guys for borrowing a trailer to tow a car, but they’re also great at helping people move and provide temporary storage. U-Haul Company of Louisiana however is going the extra mile for residents of southern Louisiana that were recently affected by severe thunderstorms and flash flooding.

Natural disasters are always bad news, but it’s always great to see companies stepping up to lend a helping hand afterwards. U-Haul will be offering 30 days of free storage and U-Box Portable Storage to help residents get back on their feet. With the U-Box Portable Storage, U-Haul will deliver the U-Boxes (or you can pick them up) and once they’re filled they will store them in a secure location or bring it to wherever you need it.

And in additional to the 30 days free storage being offered, U-Haul is also offering free boxes as part of their Take a Box, Leave a Box program. The company is encouraging all those with extra reusable boxes to drop them off at the nearest U-Haul location so that another family can utilize them.

Those families in Southern Louisiana that want more information on the program can contact U-Haul at (337) 993-9898.

“These severe thunderstorms and flash flooding have caused a tremendous amount of damage to the communities we serve,” stated Warren Iles, the president of U-Haul Company of Louisiana. “I hope this effort will help provide assistance to families that need support. We will do our best to help our friends and neighbors in this time of need.”

Avondale, Louisiana will become home to NOLA Motorsports Park, a new 750-acre, $60-million racetrack that is destined to become the longest in North America.

Currently a second track is being developed, and once completed in 18 months will join the existing 1.8-mile track to create a 5-mile course which will make it the longest racetrack in North America. In addition to the 5-mile racetrack which will undoubtedly house some of America’s finest race machines, there are three go-kart tracks totaling 1.4 miles and an 8-acre paved area for autocrossing.

Looking to attract some high profile events and possibly automaker test drives, the Avondale Motorsports Park will also have a restaurant by chef Scott Boswell, a 34,000-square foot clubhouse/event center and plenty of lots for members to build their own upscale condos over garages that are being called “Garage Mahals.”

The plans for the Motorsports Park were originally announced in September 2009 by retired doctor Laney Chouest (seen above), who is funding the project on his own. His original plan was a $30 million facility to be built in three phases, but like most projects that involve cars, it has turned into a complete monster, doubling in size and price.

The park is located 14 miles from the New Orleans Central Business District and General Manager Mitch Wright reports that the park already has 40 people signed up for family memberships, which runs $50,000 for life or $9,000 per year. Open track days will range from $325 for cars and $225 for motorcycles which grants you six 20-minute sessions. Karting as expected is much more affordable at $20 for a ten-minute run.

Interestingly enough, the park isn’t built for large spectator events but temporary grandstands could be erected for crowds up to 20,000. The track will have no walls ensuring that off-course racers can stop without crashing.

[Source: NOLA.com]

If you’re a New Orleans Saints fan, you’ll soon be watching the NFL team play at the newly named Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

The automaker has just signed a 10-year agreement that gives Mercedes-Benz official naming rights as well as other sponsorship benefits, such as being named the official and exclusive vehicle of the Saints.

The timing couldn’t be better, as the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in Louisiana will be hosting the 2012 Men’s Final Four, the BCS Championship Game, and one of the biggest sporting events of 2013, the Super Bowl. It’s Mercedes-Benz’s first naming rights deal in the U.S. and for the New Orleans stadium as well, which just went through a $336 million renovation that took six years to complete.

“The joining of the Mercedes-Benz brand with the world-class Saints organization and the Superdome, an iconic destination which has undergone an incredible transformation over the past six years, is a significant moment for us, the City of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana,” said Ernst Lieb, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA.  “Our commitment over the next decade is to the Saints fans, team, and this famous community as it flourishes beyond anyone’s expectations.”

There’s no word how much this 10-year agreement cost Mercedes-Benz, but it does come with a host of branding and signage opportunities for the luxury automaker. As part of the deal, all of the Saints print and online publications will feature Mercedes-Benz content and advertising. As an extra bonus, Mercedes-Benz will have access to Saints coaches and players for special events and promotions, which is sure to pull in a big crowd.

We’ll admit it: We like when cops get a taste of their own medicine. 90% of the time, Cops are there to protect us, whether it’s on the highway or in a local area, but we all know that sometimes power can get to their heads, and they think they are above the law.

One Louisiana State Trooper learned he’s not above the law the hard way, by picking up not one, but two boots on his Dodge Durango after parking in a Fire Zone. For the record, cops can only park their squad cars illegally when responding to an emergency. If not, they have to feed the meter just like the rest of us.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Got a couple of speeding tickets under your belt? Then you’re not going to want to settle in Louisiana, which can now boast that it has the highest car insurance rates in the U.S.

These findings are based on a new Insure.com national survey that collected average auto insurance rates for more than 2,400 vehicles, based on 10 ZIP codes per state and rates from six large carriers, and the averages were calculated nationally as well as for each state. The average insurance premium in Louisiana is $2,510.87, followed by Michigan, which comes in at $2,098.87. If you’re looking to save a few bucks, move to Maine where the insurance premium is just $902.85.

So why is it so expensive to drive in Louisiana? According to some insurance experts, it’s because of the state’s court system. Only cases with claims in excess of $50,000 receive a jury trial, so there are a lot of settlements that come in at $49,000. That’s great news for those seeking a claim against an at-fault driver, but bad news for the insurance companies that have to pay the tab. Added to this legal quagmire is the fact that Louisiana has had higher bodily injury rates and more lawsuits per capita than most states.

To keep there rates low, Maine has a few policies in place to keep cash in your pocket. According to Chris Condon, incoming president of the Maine Insurance Agents Association, this is because the average number of annual miles driven is low, as is commuter mileage, and its highways are not that busy.

Top 10 Most Expensive States for Car Insurance

State                                     Average Premium

1. Louisiana                             $2,510.87
2. Michigan                              $2,098.29
3. Oklahoma                           $1,869.39
4. Montana                             $1,857.96
5. California                            $1,774.41
6. South Dakota                     $1,772.83
7. Washington, DC                $1,753.19
8. Georgia                                 $1,751.42
9. Illinois                                   $1,679.15
10. Connecticut                        $1,678.90

Top 10 Least Expensive States for Car Insurance

1. Maine                                   $902.85
2. Vermont                              $968.58
3. Ohio                                      $999.86
4. Wisconsin                            $1,010.93
5. New Hampshire               $1,011.23
6. Iowa                                      $1,039.04
7. Massachusetts                   $1,043.80
8. North Carolina                   $1,130.45
9. Arizona                                 $1,152.50
10. Tennessee                         $1,170.12

[Source: Insure.com]

A shuttered General Motors plant in Louisiana will reopen soon but under new ownership. V-Vehicle Co., a new U.S. car maker says it will soon start building environmentally friendly cars at the facility thanks to a major investment by Texas billionaire T. Boone Pickens. The company has also hired on former Mazda design boss Tom Motano, the man who penned the Miata, to design the cars.

CEO Frank Varasano, a former VP at Oracle,  says the information on the new car will be released soon and that the production is scheduled to start before the end of 2010.

San Diego-based V-Vehicle Co. expects to hire as many as 1,400 workers in Louisiana to assemble the cars.

“The goal of the company is to provide the American buyer greater product value and a superior automotive experience,” the company said in a statement. ”VVC will produce a high-quality, environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient car for the U.S. market.”

Along with an investment from T. Boone Pickens, additional funding will come from venture capitalists Ray Lane and John Doerr. Plant-owner James Davison is also listed as an investor.

[Source: Automotive News]