Mar
29
Car-Racing :The Popularity of the NHRA
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By: Richard A. Brink
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It is the Christmas holiday weekend, the family is sitting around the livingroom discussing how much of a very fine meal we’ve eaten, when the conversation shifts: “You on for the drag races this summer?” I asked my brother. “Oh yeah,” he answers back. As we reminisce about the past years NHRA Nationals and discuss plans and dates for this years race, we wonder why the NHRA does not have a bigger following. If you like fast cars, and you have not been to a NHRA Nationals event, you have no idea what your missing. That, we decided, is exactly the problem. You have got to see it live to understand why it has the following it does. Television is at fault, after-all this sport has many times the horsepower of NASCAR, the pitts are open to anyone with a ticket, and the drivers come out of the haulers just to sign autographs on a regular basis. They even give you a free, glossy team photo to get the autograph signed on. The problem is none of that comes across on TV. When you watch NASCAR they televise the pre-race activities, the on-track activities, and the post-race activities. They even have a segment called CRANK IT UP, in which the anouncers dont say a word for a few laps so you can litterally blow your speakers apart with your surround sound. This helps give you the feeling you are at the track. You could be watching your first NASCAR event and by the end of the race come away with the feeling you understand it, and more importatly you will feel like you know the drivers. I dont want to take anything away from NASCAR; it is a great motorsport and they have done a fine job of marketing to get to this point. But (and it is a big but) there is no feeling in the world like two top fuel dragsters coming off the line simultaneously; it will shake your soul. Trying to explain this feeling to someone who has never experienced it is futile. Nor can you explain the smells of the track, the smoking tires, the rubber dust in the air, or the way your eyes burn from the half-burnt alcohol sprayed from the firey pipes. The sound…absolutely deafening.
If we could somehow get these sights and sounds through our TV’s, the NHRA would explode with popularity. “Maybe they should send out bag of rubber dust and a candle that smells like burnt rubber before each broadcast,” we quipped.
In reality, the biggest thing I see that can be done is for television to help us get to know the drivers and their crews. Even the World Poker Tour understands they can’t just show you people playing cards. We have to feel as if these drivers are our friends. Introduce us to their world! We must be able to connect with them on a personal level. Show us what it takes to go 300mph in less than five seconds! The crews can tear down an engine and put it back together in less than an hour. Show us that! Dont talk while the rockets thunder down the track. Let us blow our speakers! It will never take the place of being at the track, but it would go a long way in bringing the NHRA back to the fore-front of the racing world.
Do yourself a favor, the next time the NHRA is in your neighborhood, GO. Take your kids, call some friends, or go by yourself; just go. There is no experience like it in the world, at least not yet. Maybe someday soon, when we can board a rocket bound for the moon, the NHRA might have competition. Until that day comes you owe it to yourself to take in an event.
Richard A. Brink is CEO of Internet Busines Realities. Richard writes articles for several sites in the IBR network including, AftermarketGoodies.com.
Jan
31
Filed Under Cars News, News | Leave a Comment
The Michigan International Speedway has offered its track-which is known for hosting NASCAR races-for testing technology that will enable cars to communicate with another, effectively rendering them incapable of crashing into each other.
In a press conference held earlier this week, Michigan Department of Transportation officials said the initiative, “Connected Vehicles”, will provide automakers and research companies the neutral testing ground that has been missing to test research in the field. While the technology already exists, it still needs to be put through implementation, testing and production. According to Kirk Steudle, MDOT director, the technology will allow researchers to “push to zero fatalities”.
“It is coming,” says Roger Curtis, president of the MIS. “It will happen in the next generation of vehicles. It is a question of how fast it happens and where it is developed.” Work in this field could generate 1000 jobs in the next year or so, ultimately yielding 10,000-40,000 high-tech jobs for Michigan, according to David Cole, the director of Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Center for Automotive Research.
The ultimate goal is to make Michigan the international center for research and development of intelligent highways and vehicle connectivity. Greg Krueger, the program manager of MDOT’s Intelligent Transportation System program office in Lansing, Michigan said that MDOT has promised $100 million to support the effort for a five-year period that began in 2005.
Source: The Detroit News
Jan
22
Auto Insurance
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Jan
22
Mini One Clubman Set to Debut at 2009 Geneva Motor ShowMini One Clubman Set to Debut at 2009 Geneva Motor Show
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The large Mini Clubman certainly isn’t everything seriously new, but the 2009 Mini One Clubman – slated for a debut the current March at the 2009 Geneva motor verify – is. Although Cooper and Cooper S versions are by now on cash in on throughout the globe, the Mini One Clubman supplies European purchasers (not people throughout the pond) further room without supplementary cost.
Like the base Mini One, the Mini One Clubman follows the “less is more” philosophy, sought after to thrifty shoppers. Not one and only performs the new example value additional as opposed to $2000 decreased as opposed to the Cooper Clubman, but it additionally takings 52.3 mpg on the EU combined test span (approximately 43.5 mpg U.S.), that trumps the Cooper and Cooper S Clubmans.
The Mini One Clubman get such a gas miser status in the advantages of a 1.4 liter, 95-horsepower engine. For further yellow points, the car as well employs “Minimalism” technologies these as regenerative braking, Automatic start/stop, and a shift daylight which signals the driver the several boom period to shift.
Both a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic is able to be to be had when the car launches in the UK at the end of March, but do not assume an U.S. launch anytime soon. As was the situation provided the easy hatchback, Mini feels Americans prefer the additional content and fuel of the Cooper and Cooper S models, and can not shoot the base trim here.
Jan
8
Car Increase: How Auto Insurance Rates Increase with Accidents
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You can experience heard such before, but buying to an accident is somewhat overly can influence your Automatic insurance. Like we said, you may suffer heard the phrase, but you can not suffer had to explained to you in depth. We wish to windfall you appreciate why your Automatic indemnity costs substantiate when you get to an accident. This are able to improve the ability of you focus easier, and can identify a good amount of virtually how your car coverage works. Use the approaching tips to grow your indemnity knowledge, while you never can make out when it ought to turn up to play. You difficulty to still be to combat for fair Automatic coverage values fluxes the may occur.
How Much Can Your Insurance Go Up?
First event you seek to do is form assured you frequently own indemnity additonally you are on the roads. Generally, in the wake of an accident you can find out overly your car coverage goes up something like 20% to 40% through the later 6 months. The total amount it in reality goes up will be able to depend on the protection company, so offer assured which you own them accountable. You are additionally at gamble of costing one or two discounts this you is able to suffer had earlier. These discounts can attain the span you pay much higher. You especially do not seek the accident you get in to be an expense of you a lot of people decent perks who you hold constructed up in time. It am able to be a lot to deal with for your finances.
Protecting Yourself
If you bring in yourself in an accident you trouble to fashion absolute you are watching out for your needs. Make definite the present your involvement in the accident is without a doubt represented. You do not like it to give the impression fancy you had a great deal more involvement as opposed to you really did, as the present might dwindle your indemnity more. If it is not your fault consequently force insured who it is listed as somewhat this was not your fault. A lot of those of us impact themselves and the car indemnity values as properties are not hiring treatment to how the accident is portrayed. You ask for to be secure additonally driving, but moreover obtain certain you are guarded ensuing an accident occurs. Fight for your own protection.
Tips on Avoiding Accidents
Make ensured who you are repeatedly clearing out distractions such a will force you to cost focus. If you are driving investing in kids and properties are yelling, you will undergo need paying for attention. Pull during and ask them to preclude yelling. We all can make out how distracting cell phones can be. Make ensured so you are not texting additonally driving! Finally, you crisis to craft insured such a you are watching out for additionally borrowers on the road. Do not be so trusting, and require insured this the greater amount of cars contemplation your space. Look out for yourself and your car at this moment time.
Dec
4
Automakers plead with Congress; votes lacking
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WASHINGTON - Imperiled automakers and their union worked feverishly Wednesday to sell a skeptical Congress on a $34 billion aid plan, promising labor concessions and restructuring. The Senate’s Democratic leader said there still weren’t enough votes to tap the $700 billion federal bailout fund to prop up the foundering Big Three.
One day before the chiefs of the auto companies return to Capitol Hill to make their urgent cases for loans, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said the money was unlikely to come from the Wall Street rescue fund.
“I just don’t think we have the votes to do that now,” Reid told The Associated Press in an interview.
The White House called the timing of his comments “interesting” coming on the eve of high-stakes congressional hearings Democrats demanded.
“It’s not hospitable,” said Dana Perino, the White House press secretary.
Indeed, the reception the Big Three were getting from Congress was anything but friendly. Even a top Democrat in charge of evaluating their aid requests made it clear he was eager to avoid voting on a bailout.
Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, wrote to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Wednesday asking the central bank chief whether there was anything stopping him from using his considerable lending authority to help the automakers.
In Capitol Hill meetings, industry officials said the collapse of one or more of the Big Three carmakers could greatly worsen the nation’s recession and undermine the companies’ ability to survive.
“We’re on the brink with the U.S. auto manufacturing industry. We’re down to months left,” Chrysler’s vice chairman, Jim Press, told the AP in a separate interview. “If we have a catastrophic failure of one of these car companies, in this tender environment for the economy, it’s a huge blow. It could trigger a depression.”
The United Auto Workers union, scrambling to preserve jobs and benefits, agreed at an emergency meeting in Detroit to allow the companies to delay payments to a multibillion-dollar, union-run health care trust and to scale back a jobs bank in which laid-off workers are paid most of their wages. The concessions could help mollify some lawmakers who have criticized the union’s benefits as too rich when compared with those of workers at foreign-brand auto plants in the U.S.
The Bush administration and auto-state Republicans and Democrats are pushing to help the automakers with aid from a different source: a previously approved $25 billion program that’s supposed to be used to help them produce more environmentally advanced vehicles.
Environmentalists – and a number of powerful friends in Congress – are vigorously opposing that idea.
Reid said the administration could act unilaterally to use a portion of the Wall Street bailout program for loans to the automakers, but the White House has consistently resisted that approach.
“There’s talk going around now that the Bush White House may ask for” the second $350 billion installment of the $700 billion financial industry rescue fund, Reid said.
But if Bush’s team doesn’t act, he said, “I think that we are probably going to have to try to do something” in Congress.
Reid said he would rely on Dodd to determine what kind of legislation would be appropriate.
The autoworkers’ concessions are “a step in the right direction,” he said.
“I think it’s too bad that negotiated contracts between labor and management are going to have to be changed,” Reid said. “But it’s obvious to everyone, as strong of a union guy as I am … that there has to be some changes made.”
Ahead of Thursday’s televised hearings, GM’s president and chief operating officer, Fritz Henderson, met with congressional aides and said bankruptcy for his company would further erode consumer confidence. About 25 auto dealers also combed through House and Senate office buildings, lobbying for the bailout package.
General Motors Corp., Chrysler LLC and Ford Motor Co. submitted three separate survival plans to Congress this week after flunking their first attempt to persuade lawmakers to throw them a lifeline.
GM and Chrysler said they needed an immediate infusion of government cash to last until New Year’s, and both said they could drag the entire industry down if they fail. Ford wants a $9 billion standby line of credit in case a competitor fails.
Chrysler said it needed $7 billion by year’s end to keep operating. GM asked for an immediate $4 billion as the first installment of a $12 billion loan, plus a $6 billion line of credit to use if conditions worsen.
Ford’s chief executive, Alan Mulally, and GM’s chief executive, Rick Wagoner, said they would work for $1 a year if each company accepted government loans. The carmakers also have offered to cancel bonuses and merit raises. Chrysler said its chief executive has cut his annual pay to $1.
All three plans envision the government getting a stake in the companies that would allow taxpayers to share in future gains if they recover.
Jul
11
Arden Range Rover Sport with Wing Doors
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Arden Range Rover Sport amid Wing Doors review:
Elegance, supple sportiness and understatement hold consistently continued the recognizing portions of English cars. For throughout 30 ages now, tuning experts Arden on Krefeld, Germany, can`t resist the draw of such vehicles. This is the place at which most shoppers hold run to for ages now surrounded by preferences on either common aspects or for custom customisation on such a Jaguar or Range Rover. The a large amount of spectacular revision for the Range Rover Sport is right out available: wing doors!
Sophisticated wing door construction
Gone are the days when just persons italian sports cars bearing steer logos got intended amongst wing doors. Arden indicates these kinds of characteristics soar SUVs as immensely establishing themselves as trail blazers. Arden achieves currently one-of-a-kind check with use of a professional door hinge unit this opens the hand made door mostly to the outside, at that time slowly but surely glides it upwards and gently opens it completely. A gas spring adds force to the opening cycle and comes down unnecessary strain to a minimum. The thorough mechanism is individually personal obtained of astronomical class stainless steel.
The sophisticated constructing that is pertinent due to the bad things in terms of on hand space, portions thorough engineering know-how. The largest degree of precision group is mastered by the German establishments surrounded by flying colours. As Arden takes security to heart, all mechanisms are attentively tested in accordance among manufacturing car UN-ECE regulations. Wing doors catapults most any Range Rover Sport to seem to be the ultimative demonstrate car! Price for alteration to the initial median doors includes installation.
From occurrence package to increased performance
Whether it`s an existence enhancement package or to substantiate performance, Arden supplies thorough opportunities for individualisation of the Range Rover Sport.
The German institutions post a variety of fuel enhancement portions and accessories for better performance of diesel and gas engines. Arden enables the V8 diesel TDV8 an increased performance to 315 HP and 700 Nm torque. The top version of the gas engine receives an substantiate in size for its compressor motor to 4,5 litres. Peak performance: 480 HP. Torque: 680 Nm. Vmax: 270 km/h.
Through the make it easier for of a extensive Arden bodywork kit for the AR5 or by widening the measurements for an AR6, the Range Rover Sport observer is left in an much !no! memorable impression. Likewise, Ardens wheels screen a Residual treat. Whether “Sportline” in 23-inch or Monoblock Rims “Dakar” in 22-inch: the Range Rover Sport is adequately if ideal footing.
Arden excessive performance squander institutions not alone renders an acoustic tuning, but has an diminish on electricity as well. Driving enhancements according to Arden possible results in distinctive proper handling and increased driving safety. In presently same manner, a surplus additonally in theme safety is promised surrounded by Ardens grown brake approach that forward for replenish&wshyp;able deceleration
End of Arden Range Rover Sport surrounded by Wing Doors review.
Jul
11
Citroen takes wraps off new C3 Picasso
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Supermini-MPV targets Renault Modus and family styling is supplied a different twist.
Citroen’s fresh masterpiece appears set to turn rivals blue amongst envy. Auto Express brought you exclusive spy shots of its new supermini MPV endure month. Now, official pictures of the C3 Picasso own arrived – and
it’s most any inch the artistic production its and cr suggests.
The French steady is willing to tempt mortgage holders away out of rivals this kind of as the Renault Modus and Ford’s forthcoming B-Max provided its new car, that is the third to wear the Picasso badge. It shares these types of family aspects as a wraparound windscreen, but as an all-new design, it serves to additionally be different based on what i read in the rest of the C3 line-up. A boldly styled front investing in tapered lights is complemented by a span of sporty features. There’s a deep front bumper, chunky alloys, front foglights and a dual grille. Flared wheelarches and SUV-style roof rails thorough the look.
At the back, high-mounted lights frame a split tailgate provided an independently opening glass section for versatile boot access. The curved A-pillars are similar to individuals on the perfect C4 Picasso.
According to Citroen, at 1.63 metres tall and 1.73 metres wide, the C3 would give out an astonishing total sum of cabin space. And the panoramic glass sunroof – that is the biggest in the superiority – shoots up the airy feel. In addition to the central levelheaded features, Citroen has as well focused on passenger comfort. So the seating position is high, and legroom is maximised – in the back, the bench adjusts by further as opposed to 150mm. It can in addition be folded flat to post 500 litres of storage.
The person is planning to be underpinned by a platform that as well forms the motive of the Peugeot 207 and next-generation C3.
Engine options comprise 1.4-litre VTi 95 and 1.6 VTi 120 petrols, as vastly as the existant 1.6-litre HDi 90 and HDi 110 diesels, as offered providing the 207. Specifications for UK cars experience yet to be finalised, but a production-ready version of the C3 Picasso would debut at the Paris Motor Show in October, alongside the rest
of the exemplary range. Prices are set to begin at about the £9,500 mark when it goes on sell approaching year.
May
8
Fiat New Cars
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The Italian car major, Fiat is all set to go places in India. It is planning a huge comeback in the Indian automobile market and plans to launch around 8 cars in the next 2 years, 2008-2009. A decade ago, its Ranjangaon plant near Pune was set up but there were hardly any productions. Now, this unit is going to be alive and rocking with activity due to the major expansion program planned by Fiat India.
Fiat is all set to launch car models from its global portfolio like the two-door Cinquecento (European best seller), the Linea, Palio Multijet and even Ferrari. It is also refurbishing its sales and service network, which was supposed to be the aspect where Fiat used to fumble earlier. Fiat India is expected to start hiring very rapidly to fasten the production, promotions and sales. At present, the Ranjangaon plant makes two versions of the Palio. In 2008, we will have a third version with the multijet engine technology.
The biggest surprise given by Fiat is that it has opted to produce CBU, i.e. Completely Built Units. This can be expected to be seen even in small evocative hatchbacks. This is the first time anyone has decided to tread this path for brand building. India will soon have a treat for all Fiat worshippers with as much many as six cars being launched this year. Given below is a small briefing on some of the anticipated cars.
Fiat Palio 1.3
The Fiat Palio 1.3 Stile hatchback is powered by the superior 1.3 Multijet engine, the same one that works in the award-winning Suzuki Swift DDiS model. It has a price tag of around Rs 4.5 lakh and is supposed to be the short-term model for Fiat in India, before the launch of all-new Palio based on the previous generation Punto floorpan around 2009.
Fiat Grande Punto
One of the leading cars of Europe, the Fiat plans to launch the Grand Punto in India as well. Not only is the car comfortable and spacious, it is powered by the multijet engine for excellent performance. Priced at Rs 5-5.5 lakhs, this car is sure to make all prospective buyers reach for their cheque books as soon as possible.
Fiat Linea
Based on the concept of the Punto, the Fiat Linea is another car which is at par with excellence. It offers a very smooth ride, decent performance and the fuel economy is worth applauding for. This car will be priced at approximately Rs 7.5 – 8 lakhs, making it quite a steal.
Fiat Alfa
This is one such car that can easily compete against BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class and the Audi A4 in India. Complete with sleek exteriors and comfortable interiors, the Alfa will make automobile lovers and critics smile with pride. It will be introduced with quite a heavy price tag of around Rs. 28 lakhs and its sale will hugely depend on Indian road conditions and the company’s service back-up.
May
7
Ford Europe launches new top shelf Mondeo – the Titanium X Sport
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Click above for high-res gallery of the Ford Mondeo Titanium X Sport
The Ford Mondeo has been a well received car in Europe, and Ford says that there’s so much demand for high-end models that it’s decided to introduce a new top-of-the-line version called the Titanium X Sport. Dubbed “the most desirable Mondeo yet” by Ford, the Titanium X Sport will be available either as a saloon (sedan) or estate (wagon) and be powered by Ford’s 2.5L turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine or its 2.2L TDCi diesel mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission. New 18-inch alloy wheels, side skirts and chrome dual exhaust tips add a premium punch to the visuals, while the interior benefits from red stitching on its leather seats, as well as a cow hide-covered steering wheel and shifter. You’ll find no wood veneer on this car’s instrument panel, as aluminum inserts and piano black inlays give the Mondeo’s domicile a more stark and modern feel. There is a “sports suspension”, but it appears that the Titanium X Sport is more show than actual go. Buyers will, however, get a nice long list of standard features to keep them company while accelerating to 62 mph in 8.4 seconds in the diesel-powered version.
Gallery: Ford Mondeo Titanium X Sport
[Source: Ford Europe]
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