RaceQuip FIA / SFI Camlock Harness Set

TAMPA, FL – February 8, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – RaceQuip’s tag line is “The Best Value in Driver Protection”. Their new Camlock belt set is meeting that challenge by offering loads of features yet pricing them affordably for the grassroots racer. The 751 series Camlock belt set comes in a six (6) point configuration with a pull-down lap belt design. The harness sets not only exceed the SFI 16.1 specification, they also pass the stringent FIA 8853/98 standard. This “dual certification” allows racers in some sanctions (SCCA, NASA, etc.) to use these belts for five years instead of just two. Like all RaceQuip harness sets, they can still be rewebbed and SFI certified after the expiration date.

RaceQuip starts with a super-lightweight 165 gram magnesium alloy cam buckle. The buckle features an engagement cone which allows the belts to snap into the cam mechanism at angles of 21˚ left or right and 11˚ up and down for ease of engagement. Precise internal spring pressure allows a positive feel on the 45˚ (right or left) unlatch movement without fear of accidental opening.

Next, the drop-forged steel buckle hardware is sewn onto the premium 3” webbing. RaceQuip calls their proprietary blend webbing “transverse mono filament woven”, which means that there are mono filament fibers inter-woven into the straps in a pattern that transverses the standard weave. This design accomplishes two tasks – added strength and smoother edges on the belts. The harness sets also feature premium, lightweight, non-slip aluminum shoulder adjusters with easy lift grips. The lap belt adjusters utilize an anti-slip tensioner device as well. Heavy-duty drop-forged steel slide bars and bolt on ends come already installed, but they can be easily removed if you prefer to mount your belts by wrapping them around a rollbar. Belt adjustment lengths are 10” to 75” for shoulders and 20” to 60” for the lap belt. RaceQuip Camlock Harness Sets sell for $199.99 racer net, and are available in black, red, or blue.

To locate a dealer near you, contact
RaceQuip
5904 E Adamo Dr
Tampa, FL 33619
813-642-6644 or
visit  www.racequip.com

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‘American Chopper’ to ride into the sunset

By Matt Carter

“American Chopper” is getting ready to ride into the sunset. The series, which focuses on the Teutul family’s Orange County Choppers, will air its series finale on February 11.

The show itself has been in a state of flux for much of its six seasons. It moved to TLC over two years ago after spending much if its time on the Discovery Channel, and since then a massive rift has occurred inside the star family. Paul Sr. is currently suing his son over ownership of the motorcycle shop.

The Teutuls have appeared on numerous trade show and even guest-starred on an episode of “Jon and Kate Plus 8” last year.

Are you shocked that “American Chopper” is getting the axe, or are you just happy that it had a good run? Let me know your thoughts with a comment.

SOURCE: TV Examiner

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The rumors are true – Ferrari Is Bringing Hybrid To Geneva

By Tony Borroz

February 1, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – The rumors are true: Ferrari, which builds some the finest cars in the world, is bringing a hybrid to the Geneva Motor Show.

To some of the less informed out there, a gas-electric version of the 599 GTB Fiorano (pictured) might seem like a sacrilege.  But for those who know Ferrari’s history of technical innovation, and just what can be accomplished with a properly set up hybrid drivetrain, it makes perfect sense.

Ferrari is, quite simply, one of the most technologically innovative car companies around, having invented and brought to market everything from the sublime semi-automatic gearbox to the more prosaic 2+2 seating layout. So when the boys from Maranello have a crack at a hybrid, expect it to be beautifully engineered and thoroughly focused on stratospheric performance.

We’ve been following the rumors of a Ferrari hybrid rumors for awhile. Now Reuters, via Automotive News, confirms the hybrid 599 will use a road-going version of the kinetic energy recovery system Ferrari developed for F1. The car’s existence was confirmed by Ferrari capo di tutti capo Luca di Montezemolo at the presentation of the stunningly beautiful F10 Formula 1 car. Sadly, di Montezemolo did not relate any specifics on the hybrid show car, so we’ll have to bide our time until March.

If the 599 hybrid follows the patent drawings and other tidbits of data, the car will be most impressive. In addition to a glorious V12 engine up front, there will be an electric motor mounted at the rear transaxle and a lithium-ion battery pack located for optimal performance via weight jacking. Not only will the hybrid system be set up to provide an added boost in power, it will also give the car a start-stop function and regenerative braking.

And in case you’re interested, the 599 will get a 35 percent improvement in fuel economy.

Photo: by Ferrari

SOURCE: AUTOPIA

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GM opts to stay at RenCenter in Detroit

DETROIT, MI – February 5, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – U.S. automotive giant General Motors Co. has abandoned plans to move its global headquarters in Detroit, a source close to the company said.

Last year, based on tax credits the company received from the state of Michigan, it appeared likely GM would move half of the 4,000 employees at the Renaissance Center in Detroit to outlying offices. In November, former Chief Executive Officer Fritz Henderson said GM would consolidate 10 offices from southeast Michigan into larger offices, including Renaissance Center.

However, the Detroit Free Press quoted a source Friday as saying GM was no longer considering a second round of displacement.

“The big move is off,” the source said.

SOURCE: UPI

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Fisker Automotive to shut facility in Michigan

The electric car manufacturer will shift its engineering and sales center in Pontiac, Mich., to its Irvine headquarters.

By Jerry Hirsch

Electric car builder Fisker Automotive Inc. will close its Pontiac, Mich., engineering and sales center in March and move the operations to its Irvine headquarters, the company said Thursday.

The move will result in the relocation of 20 to 30 employees and create new employment for as many as 100 workers in the coming year.

Last month, Fisker raised an additional $115.3 million in private equity funding that is helping to pay for the move. Now, Fisker will house all of its design, engineering, sales, marketing and administrative operations in Irvine.

“Having our entire team in California ensures greater efficiency and speeds up development of our new plug-in hybrids,” said Henrik Fisker, the automaker’s chief executive.

Fisker is working on the Karma, an $87,900 plug-in hybrid that will be assembled in Finland, using mostly U.S. parts. Production will start this year, with a target of 15,000 vehicles annually. It also plans a lower-cost plug-in hybrid that the company is calling Project Nina.

jerry.hirsch@latimes.com

SOURCE: The Los Angeles Times

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Volkswagen plans to overtake Toyota to become world auto leader by 2018

With Toyota on the ropes, Volkswagen senses an opening.

The world’s third-biggest carmaker aims to boost group vehicle sales by nearly 60% and improve profit margins by 2018 in a bid to surpass Toyota for the title of world’s top carmaker, Automotive News reports. The ambitious goals were just approved by VW’s management board.

MORE: Volkswagen wants to be the No. 1 automaker

Worldwide, VW wants to sell more than 10 million vehicles a year by 2018. It sold 6.3 million vehicles last year, up 1.1 percentage points to make up 11.4% of the global vehicle market.

Not so fast, says Toyota. While the News says Toyota’s sales fell 12% to 7.8 million vehicles, Bloomberg is reporting from Japan today that Toyota forecast a return to annual profit and still has seen a surge in U.S. sales this quarter before its sales stoppage of eight models began.

President Akio Toyoda, 53, predicted sales of 503,000 vehicles in North America in the three months ending March 31 even as Toyota has been forced to take its top-selling models off the U.S. market. Global recalls of almost 8 million vehicles due to reports of unintended acceleration will dent demand by 100,000 vehicles and cost 100 billion yen, the company said.

“There’s a huge possibility that Toyota won’t meet this forecast,” said Koji Endo, managing director of Advanced Research Japan in Tokyo. “The recalls will damage their reputation and if they widen, there will be costs which Toyota has not yet taken into account.”

Right now, VW is in third place. The News says it may be Europe’s biggest automaker, but it still trails General Motors and Toyota.

By GABRIEL BOUYS, AFP/Getty Images

SOURCE: USA TODAY

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New Hamann Lamborghini Gallardo Victory – HD Video

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Mercedes SLS AMG – Extreme Loop!

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BAK Industries launches their new website

BAK Industries is proud to announce the launch of their new website, www.bakliner.com. The new website will allow you to get an in depth look at all of BAK Industries products. Whether you’d like to see specific videos on our various kinds of tonneau covers, watch detailed tutorials on how our products install or simply stay abreast of what BAK has in store for the automotive industry, www.bakliner.com is certainly a site of real substance. You can locate dealers, register a product warranty, get technical assistance and much more. Visit www.bakliner.com today.

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Mack Daddy Racing’s Mikey Avila Signs With Arlen Ness Racing For 2010 AMA Pro Sport Series

DUBLIN, CA, – February 6, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – The legendary Arlen Ness, designer of custom motorcycle aftermarket parts and accessories for Harley Davidson, has built a reputation for premium-level race and road riding garments over the past eight years. They initially found success in the apparel business in Europe signing such riders as Ruben Xaus and other world-class racers. In 2008, they expanded into the U.S. market. The sponsorship of 2009 AMA Horizon Award Winner, Mikey Avila signals a major commitment to the U.S. market.

“We signed Mikey Avila due to his substantial success in motorcycle dirt track racing. Harley Davidson has been synonymous with the sport over the years and Arlen Ness has a tremendous tie to the Harley tradition. He’s the perfect racer to represent our company and our brand.” stated Eric Klein, Arlen Ness Product Manager.

Ness has made a bold statement with their entry into the racing apparel business, boasting such features as kangaroo leather (reputed for its traits of suppleness and strength), two and three-times stitched seams, and innovations such as magnesium forearm sliders.

Avila has made an equally bold statement in the dirt track community by earning the 2009 AMA Dirt Track Horizon Award, the highest echelon of youth racing achievement in the U.S.

“This is a great opportunity for me, Arlen Ness and our race program. As I enter my first year of AMA professional racing, I feel proud and honored to fly the Arlen Ness name. Together, our goal is to continue to build our reputation and name in the industry and introduce new fans into the sport we all love.”

The 2010 AMA Professional Racing Series begins in Daytona Beach, Florida on March 3rd and ends in Prescott Arizona on October 10th, with 21 races held across the U.S. Mikey will contest the AMA Pro Sports Series.

About Mikey Avila:
Mikey Avila, AMA #33e is a talented 16-year-old motorcycle dirt track racer from Madera, California. In 2009, Mike was awarded the prestigious AMA Horizon Award, given to the nation’s most promising youth rider. To learn more and follow Mikey’s careeer, go to his website at www.mikeyavila.com and sign up at his Facebook Fan page.

About Arlen Ness:
Arlen Ness is an American entrepreneur and motorcyclist, who is best known for his customized choppers and hot rods. Arlen has received recognition and awards including Builder of the Year, induction into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Awards. Arlen Ness, Inc. is located in Dublin, California, a store and a museum featuring more than 40 of his custom motorcycles. Learn more at www.arlenness.com

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