Auto Racing is Safe for Women Drivers

The idea that auto racing is a mens-only game is a myth. Women have been racing motor vehicles since the 1880s. While fewer in number, their passion for the sport equals that of their male counterparts.  And, with racing becoming more and more poplar in the US, future generations will likely have more champions like Danica Patrick, Ana Beatriz and Simona del Silverstro.

With more and more women on the track, concerns about the safety of race cars is increasing (not that racing was cavalier about the safety of male drivers). Mothers who are concerned about whether their daughter will be safe as she races around the track can rest assured that all the major race series have been amping up their safety requirements in order to insure the health and safety of their drivers.

The photos of cars pinned on racing profiles like http://pinterest.com/scotttucker/ look futuristic and fast, but they hide a myriad of safety features designed to protect their drivers.  Below are some of the features now required by NASCAR as an example of the safety of race cars.

Race Suits

Racing Suits aren’t part of the cars, but they are a vital part of racer safety. All suites must be fire retardant.  This includes the gloves and shoes worn by racers. Many drivers add a heat shield to the bottom of their shoes as well, to protect not just from fire, but from the heat of the car’s engine. The helmets worn by drivers must also meet safety standards to protect racers from head injuries.

Harnesses and HANS

Far beyond the simple seat belts found in regular cars, racers are strapped in using a strong harness that encompasses the shoulders, waist and legs. The HANS device (Head And Neck Support) attaches to the helmet and provides support for the back of the neck and head. In the event of a crash, it prevents the head from whipping forward without stressing the neck.

Structural Features

Cars themselves have built in safety features to protect drivers.  These include window nets to limit flying debris and restrain the driver’s arms, roof flaps to reduce the chance of cars going airborne or flipping repeatedly down the track.

Car of Tomorrow

NASCAR has spent nearly a decade developing what they call the Car of Tomorrow, which changes the very design of race cars.  It includes a roof that is both higher and wider, a smaller fuel cell, a windshield made of flexible glass, and a reinforced roll cage.

These, and many other safety features are being tested and used by drivers and racing teams around the world — not just NASCAR.   Young women who dream of joining race teams in NHRA, American Le Mans Series, or any race league can learn about these features by following their favorite teams online at sites like Scott Tucker Racing.

Betty Boop, Sadie Hawkins and Cinderella

Of the three women, Sadie Hawkins, Betty Boop or Cinderella, which would be more likely to know how to fix her own rims and tires ? How to change the oil in her car, or even just simply check the oil? Which one would know when it is time to switch the windshield wiper blades or when to have her car tuned up? Myths and stories that children grow up with can have a lasting effect on the way girls feel about themselves and the women they grow up to be. Not only this, but they have an effect on how they may be perceived throughout their life.

The Sadie Hawkins story began with a comic strip. Two female characters came onto the animation scene in the 1930′s. One was created by Max Fleischer and Grim Natwick. This character is Betty Boop, who quickly became a symbol for female strength and personified the world of feminism. The other was created by Al Capp and also has become a feminist role model, and she is Sadie Hawkins . In Capp’s story, Sadie was 35 years old. The story revolves around a race, wherein the spinster chases eligible bachelors throughout the day, and the one she drags across the finish line by sundown, was required by law to marry her.

Over the years, this somewhat sad story has evolved into women standing up for what they want, and reversing the gender roles. It is a bit telling of a society, when a ‘holiday’ must be created in order for a woman to have the ‘chance’ at doing so, however…much in the same way Betty Boop put power back into the hands of women so too did Sadie Hawkins. The difference between the stories of Sadie and Betty, is that Betty was no wall flower. She did not need a day to make a man dance with her. In fact, Betty may have wanted men, but she certainly did not need men. If she were outfitting her car with new Goodyear tires , she would not need a man to come along for support. Betty would know which kind of tire would give her the best traction during a snow storm or which ones were rated safest and most durable.

Cinderella is a story of a different sort. Over the years, politically correct versions of the story have been written. These modern stories give Cinderella more of the characteristics and strengths that are possessed by Hawkins and Boop. Cinderella is pretty and nice, but helpless to change her situation. Her stepmother and step sisters are ugly and mean. Chances are that the stepmother and sisters would know how to change a car tire, but they would make Cinderella do it. She would get it done of course, but in order to do so she would most likely be standing on the side of the road with her pretty little foot showing…attracting not a man with the glass slipper, but a man with a tire jack and strong forearms. Or, perhaps ol’ Sadie and Betty may pull over…and teach Cinderella how to fix it all herself.

Staying Safe with Hands Free Devices

Truck drivers have a lot of responsibility to keep the roads safe. Not only do they have the responsibility to get from point A to point B safely, but also to get the goods that they are delivering there on time. Without truck drivers, the shelves at the grocery stores would be empty and items wouldn’t be delivered or available when needed. Truck drivers are the backbone of society in many ways. They allow one to live their live as they wish, with the ability to go to the store and pick up a few items when they are needed.

Some states are making it illegal for truck drivers to talk on the phone while driving. This is going to make a tough job even harder. As many truck drivers will tell you, their cell phones are their link to the world. Many drivers have families that they don’t get to see or say goodnight to every night. While they are torn between having to make a living and balancing their home lives, many have been forced to ignore their families at times because they weren’t allowed to talk on the phone. Many drivers will agree that being able to keep both their hands on the wheel at all times would be optimum but they also realize that they need to be able to communicate with the world outside their truck cab. Not only being able to use the phone, but also turn the radio station to be able to keep up with weather conditions, or road closings.

There are many different bluetooth devices that truck drivers should take advantage of to be able to keep the roads safe for everyone while still staying in touch with coworkers, family and friends. Many companies offer a variety of hands free phones that truck drivers should take advantage of to be able to make their deliveries in a timely fashion, while still being able to make those important phone calls to the ones they love.

When looking for a Bluetooth device, there are few things that need to be taken into consideration. Some devices are better at noise canceling than others. Look for one that is recommended for noisy situations so that you will not only be able to hear the person on the other end, but also be heard. The other thing that you are going to look for in a bluetooth device is how it can be utilized. Some clip on the visor of the truck, while others are worn over your ear. Think about how you would be most comfortable using the device and then pick one that would best fit your needs.

While looking for hands free phone devices, don’t over look hands free radios. These too are beginning to become a popular choice as it allows drivers to change radio stations while keeping both hands on the wheel at all times. Remember there is a lot of power behind each one of those wheels and with a lot of power comes a lot of responsibilities for yourself and others on the road.

Carol Taylor is a contributing writer for TruckertoTrucker.com, a site which offers a variety of new and used truck options for those in the trucking business. If you are looking for a used Ford for sale, TruckertoTrucker offers a variety to choose from.

When to Buy New Tires

Tire stores are constantly advertising sales and great deals on wheels & tires . It is reassuring to know that when you need new tires, you will probably be able to find a good price. The question is, how do you know when you need to buy new tires?

Newer tires come equipped with wear indicator strips. When the strip or bar is visible, it’s time to get new tires. If your tires don’t have a wear indicator, a good rule of thumb is that tires should have at least 1/16th of an inch of tread. Anything less than that should be replaced. If you’re unsure, then check with the tire manufacturer to find out their recommended tread, it is usually around 20 percent of the original tread depth .

Tread is how your tires gain traction on the road. Therefore it’s important to watch not just for worn out tread, but for tread that is wearing unevenly. If the inside or outside of the tire is wearing faster than the rest, there could be a problem with your car’s alignment . Bad tire inflation can also cause the center to wear faster than the edges. You should also watch for any separation of the tread from the tire body.

Lastly, if there is any damage to the tires or rims that can’t be properly repaired, then you need to replace them. This includes sidewall cracks, large tears or gashes, or cracks in the rims. There are so many options available for buying new tires and even custom wheels that there is really no excuse for driving on tires that are past their prime.

5 do-it-yourself Tractor Trailer Repairs

If you are an owner operator then the economy has hit you harder than company drivers. In times of ever rising fuel prices and driving rates that go down by the day, it’s important to save some cash anyway you can. There are some really simple tractor trailer repairs and maintenance that you can do yourself and effectively cut your costs.

1. Changing Oil
Changing oil is about the easiest maintenance that you can do yourself and it can save you a bunch of money in the long haul. This will add more years to the life of your engine and will save you the money it cost to have a professional do it. This procedure is actually easier than changing car oil and the used oil (when saved) can be sold making you a few bucks.

2. Changing Tail Lights
Keeping a flat head screw driver and an extra tail light in your cab will save you money in multiple ways. This is a very simple job to do as you just pop one out, plug the new one in and place it back into the slot. This will save you from having to call a roadside service, being shut down by DOT and a ticket all at the same time.

3. Installing a CB Radio
Installing a CB is easy now with quick connectors, so why pay someone fifty bucks to install your new one? Simply put don’t, you can do this in less than thirty minutes and the only reason why you would ever have to hire a professional is to run new line.

4. Replacing a headlight
This is just as simple as replacing a tail light and in some case even easier. Keep a few in your cab or tool box and this will save you the hassle of spending both the time and money to get someone else to fix it.

5. Fixing a fuse
Blown fuses are a major cause for break downs and tickets. Always keep a box of each type of fuse that your truck takes in your cab or tool box. Don’t just carry one kind, if you think one fuse is blown then go ahead and replace them all. It will only cost a few dollars and will save you a lot more.

These are really simple repairs that any owner operator can do. They don’t just save you from break down time but they also save you from paying for expensive and often unnecessary road calls. A set of fuses for your truck will cost about 20 bucks and a road call to replace the same fuse will cost about 20 bucks an hour minimum. Stay safe and remember these tips, because they will save you.

Mark is a contributing writer for TruckertoTrucker.com, a site dedicated to all aspects of the trucking industry from the love of the road, to the practical aspects of trucking like maintenance, sales, repair and how to find bad credit semi truck financing options.

Buying a Car from a Local Dealer

When you set out to buy a car, you’re most likely looking for a used model. You’re looking for something a few years old with decent mileage and in good working condition. The internet has changed the way a lot of people shop for cars, but one of the most reliable is still using a local dealer. However, you can combine the internet with local dealers to get the best of both worlds.

The first thing you’ll want to do is conduct a search for ” used cars twin cities .” It’s important to look at the widest possible definition of “local” in order to get the most options. This will generate a list of area used car dealers with links to websites and possibly review sites. Review sites will give you a general feel for how honest and reliable dealers are which will help you narrow your list.

Once you’ve got it down to a few dealers with good ratings, visit their sites to see what models they have available. By researching models before heading to the lot, you’ll be able to look up blue book values and other information about the cars.

Now you can head to the lot armed with information about models, values, and pricing. Local dealers will be able to give you a test drive and may allow you to have your own mechanic examine the car, things that aren’t necessarily possible if you buy a car online. When you’ve decided on a car you’ll have all the information you need to negotiate a fair and equitable deal.

Information For Every New College Student

Going to college is hard on many young students, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t looking forward to it. What this does mean, however, is that they need some kind of help and there is no better help than websites aimed at the new student like TG student lounge . These sites can help a young student find an apartment, roommates, or a job.

Some of these websites are good for one of these things, others can cover all three items and more. Many of them are run by large companies like Transglobe Property Management Services , and this can be the downfall for many of these websites. Many kids these days seem unnecessarily weary of large companies without realizing that much of the information they get every day comes from large companies.

The information that these websites are able to provide is not always bad, and is often well researched because it comes from large companies that have the funds to put into finding quality information. While there are a few smaller companies that are in the same businesses as these larger companies, oftentimes they can not provide the same kind of information because they don’t have as much of a feel for the pulse of the industry the way a larger company must have in order to survive against other large competitors.

While this does not mean that you should trust all information provided by large companies, or use their resources in papers, it is not a bad thing to use the information they give out to help you along with something that you have to do anyway.

Small Engine Repair Wallpaper on Lewis Avenue

I worked in an old ice cream parlour as a teen looking to make extra cash for a car to drive out of my small town existence to the Big Apple where I wanted to be one of the many green worms that ate it. It was strange that the boss named Lewis because that was the name of the street that I lived on when I was a child. Lewis Avenue. It was supposed to be named after an old mechanic in our town who collected things to do with the automotive: engines, small engine repair manual, engine gears.

He especially enjoyed engine gears, but the repair manuals were what he did the most with. He used them to wallpaper the office where he took clients. It was really nifty actually. It took him awhile to do it too because he started with only a small collection of manuals from the early days when Ford started with his industry. Slowly he added more and more pages about what made up engines throughout the years. I grew up with the walls in a way. The taller I got, the taller the wallpaper project got until it reached the ceiling.

He stopped there because he had a bad back. He injured it when a child on a homemade pair of roller skates rode out into the middle of the street in front of a truck. He only had the time to push the child out of the way and not grab her. He took the hit for her instead. That was the reason why the street was named Lewis. He saved that little girl, the same little girl who grew up with his repair manual wallpaper.

He started to sell repair manuals after the accident. I remember Chilton books. He sold Chilton books like those found on http://www.haynes.com. I had come by with an ice cream sundae for him and a goodbye because I was leaving for New York the subsequent day in the old truck he sold me from automobile he maintained throughout the years for sentimental reasons he never explained to anyone. I almost tripped about a stack of them that had just come in when he caught me from hurting myself. The sundae splattered on some old tires and painted it in a Neapolitan constellation of colors. He just laughed about the sundae but not when he said goodbye to me.