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Hot Rods and Drag Racing around the Brew City

December 30, 2011 By 2 Comments

21323296577_1979z28with17x33slicks-front.jpgIt didn’t take long after the mainstream development of cars that guys decided there was something more fun to do with cars: race them!
The simplest way to race was to find a fairly straight stretch of highway, line up two cars, then race to a predetermined destination. Though this method was quite dangerous (and still is today), it eventually led to the development of drag racing as a sanctioned sport during the 1950′s.
America is credited with the origination of drag racing and it remains the most popular there, though you can find drag strips all over the globe. Canada has several sanctioned drag strips, due in large part to Americans traveling there to race. Then there are other locations you might not expect: Mexico, Australia, Japan, South America, New Zealand, Great Britain, Greece, Malta, and most of the European countries.

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Lost Dragstrip: Fontana Drag City

Once a major stop on the NHRA circuit all that is left of Mickey Thompson’s Drag City is a small patch of asphalt among suburbia. Hot Rods and the National Hot Rod Association

Beginning in the early twentieth century hot rods have become an incredibly popular hobby for enthusiasts and a viable career for professionals as well. Early Ford models endured changes to become racers, and the end of WWII brought skilled technicians from the military into the world of hot rodding. Along with the contribution of many others these early pioneers helped establish organizations like the National Hot Rod Association. Bo Zolland Designs Vintage Hot Rod

Bo Zolland of Sweden’s Viztech has just released its vintage hot rod with the name ’33-34′. In terms of its specifications, the two-seater will either be powered by Cadillac CTS-V’s 6.2-liter supercharged V8 with 556hp or jaguar 4, 2 with Hilborn electronic injection, mated to jaguar 5 or 6 speed manual transmission with AC Cobra style shifter. In addition, the hot rod will also feature Smith Instrument in a 40 ford style dash, tubular formula style suspension, and Jaguar racing brakes. Hot Rod 33-34 possesses the classic style leather interior with Manchester cloth in middle of seats. One more thing, there is full belly pan with diffuser and 19′ and 17′ wheel choices. Let’s take an inside look at this special edition as follows: Drag Racing Books For Drag Racing Car Lovers

Do you enjoy the smell, the noise and the velocity of drag racing? Do you know somebody who does? Drag racing books make the perfect present for everyone who thinks rubber burning in the morning is the smell of victory.We even came across a drag strip in the Caribbean while visiting there for our honeymoon. According to a quick Google search, it seems that at any given time there are 300+ drag strips in operation across the world.
When you visit a drag strip, you’ll find that most of the courses are in distances of a quarter mile. That’s what Milwaukee drag racing is all about, the quarter mile. But in other locations such as the southeast U.S., an 1/8th mile course is pretty standard. If you compared the two, you would find that no matter the distance, the excitement level remains high.
After watching a drag race, you may think to yourself that you could do it. It seems pretty easy, right? I mean, there’s no sharp turns or braking needed: just floor it and go.
What you underestimate is the quickness you need, not just with your car but with you. A successful driver must have the ability to react quickly to the green light. A bad start off the line and you’ll be doomed to lose the race. The driver will also need the mechanical ability to tune his car for peak performance, as well as make repairs as needed.
Then you must contemplate your competition. Some racers don’t mind loading their cars up on trailers and hauling it down to the local track to compete against their neighbors for bragging rights. Then you have the rare breed of drag racers. These racers take drag racing very seriously. They only attend sanctioned events and compete for big money, big trophies, and big bragging rights. It’s very difficult to compete with these types of racers…it’s not for the weary.
These big boys, aka professional racers, compete in one of five main categories:

Top Fuel
Funny Car
Pro Modified
Pro Stock
Pro Stock Bike

If you work your way up to these ranks, you will commonly see cars reaching speeds of over 300 mph. These high speeds allow the cars to reach the finish line in just over 4 seconds. If you don’t have the guts (or money) to compete at this level, don’t feel bad. Watching cars go down the strip at 300+ miles an hour is still an option, and still brings a high level of exhilaration.
This high level of competition has helped turn drag racing in a multimillion-dollar business. The high visibility of these cars in magazines and on television has allowed racers to charge companies big bucks for advertising spots on their cars. You can help but notice all the advertisements that you are exposed to at the track.
The next time you’re at the track or watching races at home on your TV, take a look at all those ads. It truly is a marketing wonder. And if you’ve got friends or family that haven’t been exposed to Milwaukee drag racing, do them a favor and take them with you the next time you go to a race. It’ll be experience that they’ll never forget.

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Customizing Your Vintage For a Drag-Racing Advantage – Auto Parts Replacement

December 30, 2011 By 3 Comments

01323296577_bba56d2f.jpgDrag racing has profusely seeped into the world’s car culture. A sanctioned legal form of racing done on a drag strip, it is a sport in which cars race down a track with a set distance in the fastest possible time while precisely responsive to specific guide lights and mindful of strict lane regulations depending on the rules agreed for the game.
With its illegal counterpart off the streets, drag racing is perhaps more popular than NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) and NFS (Need For Speed). The hype over the drag race has largely drawn car speeding aficionados and a lot of Chevrolet customizing geniuses.
Incidentally, drag race aficionados seem to have a well-bred passion for the antiquities with their considerable interest in vintage and classic cars. Old fashioned and strange as they may appear on the outside, these cars are highly esteemed for their sturdy body built and fit streamlining which is way beyond some of our modern car’s durability in time of collisions and bumps.
So structured, a matter of careful exterior paint restoration or redesigning is what it takes, infused with a selective modification of choice modern and hybrid parts to build a customized car with top-fuel speed and reliable aerodynamics that avails of the vehicle’s maximum capabilities.
Stock treaded tires are replaced with wide, flat, treadless tires.
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How to Buy Appropriate Automotive Parts

Choosing appropriate auto parts for your car is as important as buying the car itself. A wrong decision can lead to a more expensive product or even worst, accidents can happen when faulty auto parts are purchased. But a good decision will definitely give best results. Summer Lovin’ – Get Your Auto Ac Parts Ready For The Warm Season

With the Christmas holidays being gone, winter has quickly reached its peak. Before you know it, the cold season is over and the warm season starts. That is why it’s more important than ever to make all the necessary repairs for your car, especially for your auto ac parts, now; it might just be too late if you decide to put this task up for later. Tricks To Marketing Your Auto For Big Money!

If you were inserting your home on the market, would you stick a sales sign in the front-yard without marking any changes to the existing state? I presume not. Then, why ought you act the same if attempting to sell a automobile? Shake things up and get creative. Use available websites such as China wholesale auto parts to spruce up your automobile before you try showing it. How to Locate Auto Parts on Discount

People all over the globe are affected by the ongoing recession. They are continuously in the search of the markets that offer the car parts at discounted price. This is the reason why the discounted auto parts market is flourishing. The reason for their success is that the customer gets quality, reliable and the durable parts at discount price.Called racing slicks, they help speed up your drag car by having a better grip on the track.
Top-fuel racers are cars purposely-built to resemble open-wheel circuit racing vehicles with engines based on second generation Chrysler Hemi 426 “Elephant Engine” made 1964-71 but distinctly fueled by a special mixture of nitromethane and methanol which is popular among racers as “racing alcohol”.
Although the top fuel engine is built exclusively of aftermarket parts, it retains the basic configuration with two valves per cylinder activated by pushrods from a centrally-placed camshaft.
Additionally, turbo chargers which are basically compressors that force increased oxygen into the cylinders of the internal combustion engine increase the power of your vehicle by blowing air into the combustion chambers, making the fuel burn faster.
Largely of composed of steel and aluminum parts from cylinder heads, crankshaft, and pistons, customized cars of this make offer increased power and optimal shock damping. Corrosion and wear-resistant Teflon is used to coat the piston, preventing galling during high temperature operation.
Notwithstanding, the unique brand of sophistication and racing advantage vintage drag cars acquire after an explorative customization can be capsized without incorporating proper safety equipment into it such as an eye shield, a helmet, fire extinguisher, and possibly a roll cage to protect you in case of a midcourse car turn-over. Also, an upkeep auto air conditioner topped up with the right amount of refrigerant to go through fully functional components such as the Chevrolet AC Condenser and drier helps keep the rider refreshed and safe from heat stress.

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Drag Racing Car Numbers & Dial-Ins

December 29, 2011 By 2 Comments

11323296657_p2221571.jpgOver the weekend I was asked to help out in the drag strip’s tower as one of the workers had a relative who was seriously ill. They helped me try and learn the system with a crash course in it. Being in the tower gave me a new perspective of racing and made me appreciate more the hard job they have up there, especially working with the computer system they have.
One thing I noticed that is a big problem, is being able to read the car numbers and dial in’s. They sit approximately 80 feet from the line I’m guessing and trying to read shoe polish and people’s writing from that distance is a real challenge even with binoculars! Most regular racers do a good job, but there are some that are so bad, we have to ask the starter to tell us and that can hold up the race.
For those who do not race often, please understand how important it is that the tower be able to read your car number and dial in.

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The Popularity Of Old Number Plates

Number plates aren’t just an official registration of your vehicle. They can be a representation of something much more important and personal to you, such as a name, a birthday or even your favourite football team. Drive Safely: Your Life Depends On It

It’s not just knowing how to drive, it is also knowing how to drive safely to avoid a growing number of car accidents that is claiming a lot of lives. Used Race Cars For Sale – Drive Away a Racing Car at Less Than Half of Its Market Value

Did you know that there are also used race cars for sale? Not many are aware of these, because the most common vehicles that are typically found on sale at various auctions are your average cars, trucks, motorbikes and even mobile homes. But, yes, you can find used race cars that are available for your purchase at significantly lower prices. Sure, not everyone is on the look out for these kinds of cars, but for those who are then they can surely take advantage of this great deal. Just because they’re race cars doesn’t mean that you can’t use them as an everyday vehicle. If it’s a powerful engine that you’re looking for then race cars can certainly satisfy that. Scotland, Top Private Car Number Plates List

A recent survey carried out by a leading British insurer highlighted a few surprises when it comes to personalised number plate ownership in the UK. The traditional image of the personalised plate owner may not be quite as accurate as we first thought.It needs to be written on the top right side of your windshield and on the right side of your car, on the window if it’s a door car. They need to be written on the right side of a dragster and bike as well, not just on the windshield. The numbers need to be big enough, dark enough and legible. Some just slap on one coat of shoe polish for the night and it can’t be read from that distance. Please go over your numbers a few times with the polish and make sure it’s dark enough and written big enough. Using white or bright yellow or green polish is preferred over red and blue, especially at night. If you are using led lights, make sure they are turned up during the day and turned down a little at night.
If the numbers are put on the side of a dragster or bike they should be a contrasting color to the paint.
Having numbers matching the color scheme of the car or written in script look real pretty, but they are extremely hard to see from the tower especially at night. Metallic numbers also are hard to read at night with the glare of the track lights.
Another issue are cars that have more than one car number on them. This is where a car may have more than one driver who has a permanent number. Make sure that the number(s) not being used are clearly marked out. You cannot see one swipe of shoe polish from the tower. Use a piece of black electrical tape or something that draws a line clearly through the number not being used so the tower knows which car number you want to use.
I have learned how important being able to read those numbers are and realize I need to make my car’s number bigger. Keep in mind, that if the people in the tower cannot read the numbers, they have to ask the starter to read it to them and that holds the cars up on the line as they have to enter the info then or re-enter incorrect info. That all takes time causing the hold up. So be considerate of those in the tower doing their best to get numbers right and remember to always check your dial in before you stage.

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