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Nissan Zeod RC

The Nissan ZEOD RC was a hybrid electric racing car that competed as the prototype from “Garage 56” entry at the 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans race.

The ZEOD RC was designed by Ben Bowlby. Bowlby had worked for DeltaWing LLC, a Chip Ganassi company created to develop a concept race car for the IndyCar Series’ post-2012 chassis. When IndyCar awarded the tender to the Dallara DW12, Bowlby – working for DeltaWing Project 56 LLC, a consortium led by Don Panoz – adapted the DeltaWing design to race at Le Mans. Nissan Motor Company provided an engine for the Le Mans-specification DeltaWing, and received naming rights on the car.

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Trackspy – Motorsport Video Dashcam Comparison

It’s interesting to see how ordinary motorists and amateur/semi-pro race drivers are so fascinated (bordering on obsessed?) with obtaining F1-like data and telemetry for their driving activities.

So much so, that there are any number of quite good (and improving) smartphone apps for the major platforms that aim to provide the motorsports telemetry experience to a wide audience. Some are free, some are quite expensive, but all have a large following. Some are better implemented than others, but there’s a growing trend for this type of application to come with back-end server support for more comprehensive playback and analysis. These server systems are (so far) by no means as professional or as comprehensive as something like the Magneti Marelli’s top-end WINTAX or ATLAS products, but much more accomplished than you would ever be able to get on your smartphone.

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How to Insure Your Investment in Cars Properly

Owners of expensive, classic or remodelled automobiles may need to pay extra attention when they are insuring them. Their requirements can be slightly different from a typical family car. However, they should watch out for brokerages and underwriters who claim to be specialist on arranging coverage for certain types of vehicles. Not that there aren’t great specialist brokerages but a few of them make it sound like their services are worth paying an arm and a leg extra.

“It would certainly be cheaper if you could find a policy off the shelf but this may not be possible. However, a good standard policy can be adjusted to meet your needs with additional coverage and endorsements” says Joe Moore of CheapAutoInsurance.net. Here are a few points to keep in mind when you are arranging car insurance coverage for different, better than average and classic automobiles.

  • Original Part Replacement

 

When you have an expensive automobile you cannot have a policy that will stipulate on repairing your car with aftermarket parts. You just have to make sure that original parts will be used to repair your vehicle should something happen to it.

  • Choice of Mechanics

 

You should be allowed to choose your own mechanic for the repairs within reason. You should avoid policies that would restrict your choices in any way. Some companies may not necessarily mention that you need to use their approved garages but may try hard to steer you in that direction. Some companies may only be happy to pay you the costs of repairs if it was carried out in their approved garages. In other words, you may have to pay the difference out of your pocket if you were to choose a specific repair shop. Make sure that you can take your car to a good repair of your choice.

  • Agreed Price Coverage

 

There is a particular problem with the classic cars. Some of them are left to rot in a junk yard and worth almost nothing. But the ones that are lovingly restored and put back to their former glory are expensive. The problem with a standard vehicle insurance policy is that they only pay you the open market value of the car insured. Therefore, you should agree the open market value of a classic car at the time of insuring it in order to avoid disappointments and disagreements when it is totalled. This can easily be dealt with an endorsement on the policy.

  • Modifications

 

Modifications made on vehicles changes their specifications and increase the risk simply because auto insurers prefer manufacturers’ specifications. The problem is that they cannot verify who carried out the modifications and how good they are. You need to discuss the modifications made on your automobile while arranging coverage for it. You should make sure that the policy mentions the modifications. Otherwise, not only you may not get compensated for the costs of modifications but also your claim may be refused.

  • Be Extra Careful with Cheap Auto Insurance Policies

 

Not that anything wrong with those polices but they are designed to service motorists with low income and generally an average vehicle. They may have some of the additional conditions you want to avoid as mentioned above. And those underwriters would try to get the repairs done as cheap as possible. If you have never heard of the name of insurer you should do additional research on who and how reputable they are.

Ten practical ways to reduce your car insurance premium

 
Comfy Motoring
Not all insurance companies are the same they basically are the middlemen in between you the policy holder and the underwriter, the underwriter first needs to understand the type of risk associated with your disclosed profile and to see if you are an ideal policy holder for them to underwrite, if not your premium will be higher than underwriters targeting that particular profile of risk.

So by reducing an insurer’s appraisal of your risk you can reduce the insurance premium you end up paying.

There are of course many factors you either can’t change or can’t change easily for example your postcode if there is a high car crime rate your premium will be higher even if third party.

However there are ways to reduce your risk and basically reduce your insurance burden:-

  1. If you have a garage or a driveway you should use it as it is suggested this will reduce your payments by 4-8%.
  2. Avoid insuring high risk drivers on the same policy as this will add to the cost of the insurance premium.
  3. Avoid getting caught speeding or using your mobile phone as the latter is a serious offence which is reported to add more than 40% to the premium.
  4. Avoid modifying your car from the default manufacturers specification as this results in higher risk.
  5. If you have just passed your test take additional tuition for example PassPlus this will reduce your premium.
  6. Choose a car which reflects your risk if you have just past your test choose a vehicle with a 1.2 litre or perhaps even electric and if you want a little more power earn your way to the new car by building your no claims discount.
  7. Sounds an Obvious one this but don’t crash even if you have protected no claims discount as this will still reflect in a higher renewal.
  8. If you have no security system installed, it would be worth purchasing a professional install of a thatcham approved security device .
  9. Share the risk with the insurer by increasing your personal excess in case of a claim.
  10. Buy a new car which comes with 12 months free insurance could be a good option, but can also be rejected if the driver is deemed high risk.

If you manage your own perception of risk prior to buying a car and use the above tips to reduce premiums will ensure that your Car Insurance costs are kept to a manageable cost.

How to Buy a Used Car, Without Getting Ripped Off

Used cars are a great way to save money. After all, not everyone wants a long-term auto loan or has the money to put down on a brand new vehicle. By doing some research and having cars inspected, it is possible to buy used cars without getting ripped off.

Research the Dealer

Researching a dealer is very important so you should start by asking friends, relatives, coworkers and neighbours about where they and the people they trust bought their vehicles. Such advice will be honest and uninhibited. Additionally, people should look online to read reviews and ratings of area dealers. Local business associations, like the Better Business Bureau in the USA or Trading Standards in the UK will also have information about any past complaints filed against a business. The best dealers have a history of helping consumers find affordable and reliable vehicles.

Budget and Model in Mind

The first thing you should do is figure out how much he or she can spend on the vehicle. This helps narrow down the choices. Next, investigate different used cars and figure out a basic make and model. Most dealers have websites with current and past listings up. This helps people better understand what the market looks like and what is within their budget. For a more impartial opinion on the worth of a car, check out a website like this where you can find detailed valuations by make and model for each year.

Have the Car Inspected

The next step is to have the car inspected by a mechanic. You could ask a friend who knows their way around cars or could head to a local mechanic and pay a little for an inspection. This ensures that consumers know what is wrong with the vehicle so that it doesn’t break down a few months after purchase. Used cars often need minor work, but they shouldn’t kick the bucket right away. With the inspection in hand, you can ask for lower rates on the vehicle or move on to a different dealership.

Avoid Add-Ons to a Deal

Dealers make a lot of their money with warranties, selling roadside assistance plans and credit life insurance. If you want to walk away with a great deal then you need to say no to such add-ons. Researching book values on vehicles helps with this. There are so many price comparison websites online that make it very easy to find a cheap roadside assistance package or even a warranty at cheaper prices than most dealers can offer.

With some careful research, you can find a respected dealership and work with professionals to invest in a used car. This will save you money and ensures the vehicle you do end up buying is a good investment. Anyone who does not have the vehicle inspected or does not research a car’s worth could end up getting a less-than-ideal rate on a vehicle. The moral of the story: do your homework if you don’t want to get ripped off.

Trucker & Copper’s – Authentic Hog Roasting (16+ Adult Language)

Not everyday you get an insight in to the life and the vocabulary of a Trucker, but here is some poetic justice where a lane Hog gets his self in trouble from the law.

Not only is the driver oblivious to the fact hes got a smokey on his tail the driver decides to retaliate by applying his brakes, unfortunately for him this has probably landed him in trouble from the police.

Anyway enjoy the video but please be warned the Trucker is gifted with the most foul grasp of the English profanity, even would make Mel Gibson Cringe.

McLAREN 12C CAN-AM EDITION RACING CONCEPT – Pebbles Beach

McLaren

McLaren GT, the new race car manufacturing arm of the McLaren Group, is presenting a dramatic track-focused concept at the Pebble Beach Concours, the 12C Can-Am Edition. The one-off design study is finished in historic McLaren Orange and satin black, and is the debut appearance of a 12C racing variant outside Europe.

McLaren GT, the new race car division of McLaren Automotive, is to unveil a hardcore track going dubbed as the Can-Am Edition at the Pebble Beach Concours. The car will be finished in McLaren and satin Black and will be the first appearance of a 12C racing variant outside Europe.
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Invest in a stylish classic car for under £2,000

Invest in a stylish classic car for under £2,000

The classic car market in the UK is booming – and for thousands of Brits, seeking a stylish vintage alternative to modern motors is an increasingly affordable option.

Not only do many classics evoke feelings of nostalgia, but the realisation that owning a piece of historywon’t break the bank – especially if the annual mileage is kept down – is reason enough for many new enthusiasts to get involved.

However, taking those first steps into the classic car market can be intimidating if you don’t know what to look for.

Consequently, whether it’s a purchase made for investment purposes, or a motor simply for showing off in, it pays to get your choice right first time to avoid major maintenance headaches in the future.

Read on to discover the most top three most popular vintage vehicles for under £2,000…

Saab 900

One of the cheapest classic cars on the market, the Saab 900 really is a British favourite. Since its inception in 1978, this motor has gained a bigger following than the Pied Piper of Hamelin, thanks to its reliability and inimitable style. Available as a 2-door convertible or 4-door sedan, the Saab 900 comes complete with a juicy 2.0 L engine, which is more than adequate for cruising around your local village terrorising pensioners (I’m kidding, of course). Price-wise, you can pick one up for around £995 – and that really is an absolute bargain.

Mercedes 190

Still more exciting than finding a ten pound note in an old pair of jeans, the Mercedes 190 has stood the test of time to be considered a true classic in most enthusiasts’ minds. The car has oodles of personality and was one of the first compact models introduced by the German motoring giant. Importantly, prices nowadays are extremely reasonable, and a classic Mercedes for sale in good nick can be picked up for around £1000 – the same prices as a second-hand Mondeo…

Porsche 944

Most car nuts have likely dreamt of owning a Porsche at some point in their lives – and now they can, thanks to the affordability of the Porsche 944. Introduced in 1992, this car served two very important purposes for the discerning motorist: lots of speed and lots of style. It turned heads and made the driver feel invincible. Agreed, it’s not as sexy as the 911, but you can OWN A PORSCHE for as little as £1,500!