Home Blog Page 1646

Why the Future of NASCAR Could be Electric

Photo by Tom Radetzki on Unsplash

Slowly but surely, it seems as though the combustion engine is being phased out in favor of electric vehicles (EVs). Most major manufacturers have now either released an electric vehicle or have something in the works. It’s estimated that 60% of global passenger vehicle sales will be electric, and EVs will make up 30% of the vehicles on the road.

The shift towards EVs comes as concerns grow over our greenhouse gas emissions and the use of fossil fuels. Although EVs have their issues, they’re currently a lot greener and less damaging to the environment. Naturally, motor sports will also change and adapt to new technology. While a lot of traditional racing fans may not be keen on moving away from combustion engines, NASCAR bosses will be keen to move with the times to appeal to new audiences.

NASCAR has previously looked into hybridization, but there are also concrete plans to introduce an electric racing series. While this hasn’t been officially confirmed, it seems that there’s a lot of evidence to suggest the electric prototype will be unveiled at the 2023 Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum. You can bet on racing, as well as F1, and other sports at Betway.

What Electrification Means for NASCAR

Since electric vehicles are the wave of the future in terms of mobility solutions, NASCAR says it is now looking into the possibility of a racing series devoted to them. Even Steve O’Donnell, the chief operating officer of NASCAR, made a hint about this development in a March 2022 press conference. O’Donnell stated that NASCAR is preparing an “exhibition series” featuring electric vehicles during this press conference.

NASCAR also stated that it is now negotiating a detailed strategy with OEM partners and racing teams. Ford, Toyota, and Chevrolet are the front-runners among these OEMs. With this exhibition race, Dodge might also make a comeback in NASCAR with its future electric muscle car. It’s possible that NASCAR will explore electrification or hybridization, including new series alongside traditional motor racing.

Other sports, such as Formula One, have developed electric vehicle racing alongside their traditional racing, and this will likely be a strategy that NASCAR looks to explore. If all of the ideas are developed past the prototype level, NASCAR will enter an interesting and contentious period. Developing electric vehicles that are on par with or better than the present cars will require a lot of careful thinking.

Opposition to Electrification

The move towards electrification won’t be without its issues. There are a lot of NASCAR fans who are strongly opposed to these changes, with the classic pushrod V8 and internal combustion considered an integral part of the sport. In recent years, the rules have been changed to make way for the next generation of engines, something that has angered a lot of fans and left them feeling like their voices aren’t heard.

The idea of full electrification or even hybridization of their sport could see a lot of fans turning their attention elsewhere and leaving the sport entirely. It’s important that those in charge of NASCAR strike the proper balance. Luckily, it does seem that, for now, the sport will be looking to incorporate electric vehicles alongside the classic V8 engines.

One of the major things that fans will miss about electric vehicles is the noise and the roar of the race track. This has become a trademark symbol of motor racing, and although other motorsports have incorporated EVs, the races are missing the incredible noise. Motorsports such as NASCAR will need to strike a balance between appeasing current fans and appealing to new ones.

Upping your Motorsports Gambling Enjoyment

The infamous down season of racing is in full swing and there isn’t much to do besides twiddling our thumbs, or is there? As the famous saying goes, “The best time to plant a tree was two weeks ago, the second-best time is today”. Planning for the upcoming Formula 1 and NASCAR seasons can be a fantastic and financially beneficial use of time during the down season. Continue reading to learn about methods to make motorsports gambling more enjoyable.

Try Out Foreign Casinos

Foreign casinos are a great way to add a new level of livelihood to your online motorsport bets. The online environment of a foreign casino could be vastly different from what’s offered in your country and allows for a refreshing experience. The main benefits of using a foreign casino include the following:

  • Additional options to bet on local racing events within that country
  • Increased participation if that style of racing is not as popular in your country
  • New types of races to bet on
  • Quick payouts when using cryptocurrencies

Another benefit of using foreign online casinos is their ability to circumvent self-exclusion restrictions. An example of a popular self-exclusion program many British people use is Gamstop. When using a foreign casino, a bettor can bypass the gambling restriction because Gamstop has no jurisdiction over casinos outside the United Kingdom. There are plenty of services to help find casinos that are not on Gamstop, and you can find a comprehensive list at The News Minute.

Prepare an Extensive Plan

Financial success and preparation go hand-in-hand, and while it is possible gambling can generate wealth without preparation, an extensive plan can go a long way. Elements of a solid betting plan include contingency, risk management, and an exit strategy.

The good news is that motorsports offer plenty of ways to allocate your time to research. This research includes racetrack history, team composition, engine strength, driver performance history, rules, and weather. Knowing what to expect on race day is essential in creating a good plan that allows for contingencies and low risk.

Planning also requires knowledge of all the betting options provided by your casino/sportsbook. A good plan completely utilizes your betting strategies alongside your casino of choice.

Lastly, knowing when you should exit is essential. If you have had poor-performing race days and lost a lot of money, you should reassess your overall strategies and recreate a new one from scratch. Inversely if you end up gaining more than you planned, do not throw away your winnings at risky bets. Instead, pocket what you won and continue with your plan.

Joining Fantasy Motorsports

Fantasy motorsports is a refreshing alternative for those seeking more motorsport gambling for a few reasons. The first reason is that motorsport fantasy events happen daily, meaning down seasons are non-existent. The second reason is that fantasy motorsport is not truly gambling, skill and knowledge are incredibly useful and chance is barely prevalent. Lastly, it is much more user involved as it allows you to create your teams and setups and pit them against other players.

Companies and organizations have created plenty of fantasy motorsport apps and it is something down and play even today. At the time of writing, GridRival had a recent launch back in October and is a potential option for those that want to get involved.

Remember to gamble and play responsibly and let us all hope to have another fantastic race series in 2023!

Landon Huffman ready for Daytona Practice

Landon Huffman during the Jack Ingram Memorial at North Carolina's Hickory Motor Speedway on June 11, 2022. (Adam Fenwick/NASCAR)

Reigning Hickory Motor Speedway champion to test with Mullins Racing at Daytona

Landon Huffman is making the leap from the Birthplace of NASCAR Stars to the World Center of Racing later this month.

Huffman, 26, from Claremont, North Carolina, will turn his first laps around the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway on January 13-14 when the ARCA Menards Series returns to the famed superspeedway for its annual pre-race practice.

He heads to Daytona with Mullins Racing months removed from his first NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Division I track championship at Hickory Motor Speedway.

“I never thought I was ever going to get to run laps at Daytona, so this is pretty incredible,” Huffman said. “It’s every short track racer’s dream to run laps at Daytona. My dad had a quote, I use it in my podcast as part of my intro, after his first race at Daytona, he said, ‘it doesn’t matter if you’re racing a go-kart, slot car, or foot race, you won at Daytona.’”

Huffman picked up his first championship at Hickory Motor Speedway in September. His father, Robert Huffman, won two championships at Hickory in the late 1980s before going on to win five championships in the NASCAR Goody’s Dash Series.

“I’ve wanted a championship at Hickory since I began my driving career back in 2010,” Huffman said. “Dad won two of them and went on to do bigger things. Putting my name on the wall out front beside his name is an accomplishment I’m most proud of. I grew up racing at Hickory, watched my dad run many races there, and he watched my grandpa race there many times as well. It’s a family tradition and I’m proud to continue moving it forward.”

The husband-and-wife co-owners of Mullins Racing, Willie and Dinah Mullins, came to Hickory Motor Speedway last summer to watch Huffman race. They became fast friends and soon the two parties reached an agreement for Huffman to pilot one of the Mullins Racing cars at Daytona in ARCA’s pre-race practice.

“I have been internet friends with Dinah and Willie,” Huffman recalled. “They came down and watched me race at Hickory, came down to the pits, and we really hit it off. I really respect how they race, we can relate on a lot of levels, based on the money we spend versus our competitors, they’re a family team and do a lot of it themselves, a lot of mutual respect. They’ve done a great job building their program. Anytime I can work with people like that, it’s a good opportunity.”

Huffman hopes to compete in a handful of ARCA Menards Series races for Mullins Racing at some point this season.

“You never know what may play out,” Huffman stated. “There’s opportunity out there for us to nail down a race or two but it comes down to funding. If we stay on the track we’re on, there may be some opportunities that come along, but we’ll just take it one step at a time right now.”

In addition to being a race car driver, Huffman also has a significant social media presence. That includes a popular YouTube channel where he chronicles his life as a weekly racer.

“I haven’t done a podcast for a couple years, and just started one called Huffman Racing Radio and it’s been going really well,” Huffman explained. “My YouTube channel helps get sponsors and I correlate all my content related efforts together. This past season was my first full year vlogging and I grew from over 2,000 subscribers to over 15,000 now and over 1.5 million views in 2022. We’re leading the charge on the short track front when it comes to YouTube content. I’ve sold a lot of merchandise and brought in some new partners.”

Huffman is one of five drivers who will drive for Mullins Racing during the ARCA pre-race practice at Daytona in January, and Willie Mullins, who finished second at Daytona in 2018, is excited about to have Huffman as part of the team.

In addition to Huffman, Willie Mullins, Kayla Surles and Brayton Laster will join Mullins Racing for the Daytona pre-race practice, with a fifth driver yet to be confirmed.

“We are extremely excited to bring Landon into the fold,” Mullins said. “The group of drivers we have put together are not only great on track, but great off track too. We embrace big personalities, and this group does not lack in that department. Each driver we have has created their own incredible online presence.”

The ARCA Menards Series pre-race practice at Daytona International Speedway is scheduled for January 13-14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST each day.

LTK Insulation Technologies and Damon Racing Innovating On and Off the Track for 2023

Bow, New Hampshire – January 3, 2023 – The 2023 Trans Am presented by Pirelli Championship season roars into life February 23 to 26 at Sebring International Raceway in Florida for the traditional season opener. TA2 driver from New Hampshire, Tom Sheehan, goes into the race with renewed optimism after crucial development work at the back-end of last season.

Tom drives the yellow No. 97 Insulation Technologies Damon Racing Ford Mustang, and his principal sponsors are a real American manufacturing success story. A forward-looking company, LTK is always looking for innovation and ways to broaden their appeal and create win-win situations with practical and efficient applications.

As part of their program for 2023, LTK aims to educate people about the capabilities and benefits of their outstanding and easy to fit products. This includes a campaign to champion the work ethic of previous generations, pointing out how LTK’s innovation can help contractors finish projects ahead of schedule.

Interestingly, there are parallels between racing and the innovative construction supply business that supports Tom; both racing and insulation require time certainty, both reward high levels of organization, both are areas where innovation creates an advantage, and both are arenas where winning creates opportunity. Hence off the track, Tom’s team at LTK will be targeting professional engineers and mechanical insulation contractors while on the track Damon Racing will again be drawing on the crucial support of the Mike Cope outfit with a view to target the regular top-10 finishes that Tom achieved in previous seasons.

For 2023 there are three races before the end of March with a trip to Nola Motorsports Park, Avondale, Louisiana in mid-March, a new event, ahead of the traditional trip to Road Atlanta at the end of the month.

The Memorial Day Classic is once again at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut at the end of May and then TA2 teams go straight from there to Detroit for the Detroit Grand Prix. The annual trip to Mid-Ohio is at the end of June closely followed by Road America up at Elkhart Lake in Wisconsin.

Teams and drivers then get a few weekends off before the hugely popular Big Machine Music City Grand Prix – another TA2-only event – around the streets of Nashville, Tennessee. Into September there are two weekends of action: first at the famous Watkins Glen before a new event at the World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois with the SpeedTour Grand Prix Festival. Virginia International Raceway proceeds what is now the regular season-ending event at the supremely challenging home of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas.

Innovation on and off the track is the hallmark of LTK installation Technologies and Damon Racing with 2023 set to be a fine year. Keep up with Trans Am driver Tom Sheehan on social media – Facebook page is Damon Racing; Instagram is TomSheehanTA97 and follow @TomTA2_97.

For more information on LTK Insulation Technologies please visit the website online at https://ltkinsulationtechnologies.com/

About LTK Insulation Technologies:
Putting LTK insulation jackets & covers to work on your project saves your firm real money and time. The LTK Insulation products are so fast and easy. Installation is as fast as identification. Our carefully designed products line allows; fast, sure fit, 100% clean, no tool installation. Product designed for; balance valves, control valves, flex hoses, in line specialties, couplings, quick connects, unions and zone pumps. Your imagination is the only limit….GOLTK!

For more information on LTK Insulation Technologies please visit the website online: https://ltkinsulationtechnologies.com/

LUCAS OIL POWRi SOUTHWEST LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR SERIES 2023 SCHEDULE

(Lakeside, CA, January 2, 2023) The Lucas Oil POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series has released its exciting schedule for the 2023 racing season with 19 dates on the slate. Seventeen of the races will be in California and two will be across the border in Arizona.

Among the 19 races will be first-time stops at the Bakersfield Speedway and the Ventura Raceway. In addition, the biggest track lightning sprint cars compete on in the southwest, the half-mile at Perris Auto Speedway will become a regular stop for the first time for the SWLS. An impressive showing by the club at the longtime Riverside County clay oval last September has led to four races at the venue this year.

As well as the new tracks, the SWLS will be back in action at familiar racing facilities. The rejuvenated Imperial Valley Raceway will be the club’s home track in 2022 with six races scheduled. San Diego County’s only ¼ mile dirt oval, the Barona Speedway, will see the SWLS make four trips to town. The club will venture across the border to Arizona two times in 2023. The first trip to the “Copper State” will be on April 1st and the second will be on October 14th. Both of those sojourns will see the SWLS on the same card as the popular USAC/CRA Sprint Cars on the racy Mohave Valley Raceway.

“It is going to take a lot of these guys from down here in the San Diego area to tracks they have not been to before,” SWLS President Brent Sexton said when asked about the new series venues. “They will be able to compete against some different drivers on different tracks. Hopefully, at some point, we can join forces with the two groups (California Lightning Sprint Cars and Northern California’s Bay Cities Racing Association) and have 25 cars and B mains.”

The SWLS calendar shows a co-sanctioned six-race series with the California Lightning Sprint Cars that is titled “Best of the West.” Those six races will feature a $3,000.00 point fund that will be paid out to the top 10 drivers. The season-opening races at Imperial Valley on March 10th and 11th will kick off the “Best of the West.” Round #3 will take place at Mohave on April 1st. May 20th will see Bakersfield host round #4. After a two-month break, the next to last race in the BOTW will happen at Ventura on July 22nd before heading back to Mohave to wrap up the series on October 14th.

The busiest month for the SWLS in 2022 will be October when it races four times. After the finish of the “Best of the West” series on October 14th, the teams will be right back in action on October 20th and 21st at Imperial Valley. One week later, they head to Barona for the last time in 2023. After two weeks off, the season will end at Perris on November 11th.

Being back at Perris, one of the most visible tracks in the country is important for the SWLS. A longtime home to lightning races, last September’s SWLS appearance at the track known as The PAS was the first lightning race there in several years. The 18-car field and clean racing made track officials more than happy to schedule the SWLS four times in 2023.

“It is huge for us getting to run all of those races there with USAC,” Sexton responded when asked what it meant to have the famous track on the schedule. “It is a good thing so we can highlight these lightning sprints. It shows that these things can definitely lead to racing in midgets and sprint cars. It is a step for all of us (lightning sprints) here in California. It will strengthen that gap with the younger generations coming up through the ranks. Hopefully, it will help lightning sprint racing and full-size sprint cars as well.”

In a change from the 2022 season when the SWLS had seven wingless races, there are only three topless shows on the schedule this year. The first will take place at Imperial on April 22nd. The second will be four months later in August at Barona. The last wingless race of the 2023 campaign will take place at Imperial on October 21st.

“At some of the tracks we are at it will make it more entertaining,” Sexton said. “Plus the six-race “Best of the West” series with CLS is all winged races.”

Built into the regular season will be three breaks for teams to travel to the Colorado Nationals in June, Washington’s “Dirt Cup” in July, and the “Minkota Nationals” in mid-August.

The series is currently hard at work seeking marketing partners for the 2023 campaign. If you or your company would like to be a part of the SWLS this year, call or email Brent Sexton at mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com.

The Lucas Oil POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series would like to thank Sexton Fire Protection, RTL Traffic Control & Equipment, Victory Graphix, BK Wing, and A.M. Ortega Construction Inc.

2023 Lucas Oil POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule

March 10 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged

March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged

April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged

April 15 Perris Auto Speedway Winged

April 22 Imperial Valley Raceway Wingless

May 13 Barona Speedway Winged (TBD)

May 20 Bakersfield Speedway Winged

May 27 Perris Auto Speedway Winged (TBD)

June 10 Colorado Nationals Winged (TBD)

July 8 Barona Winged (TBD)

Deming Speedway Clay Cup Winged (No Points)

July 22 Ventura Raceway Winged

August 5 Barona Speedway Wingless (TBD)

August 19 Perris Auto Speedway Winged

August 10-13 13th Minkota Nationals Winged (Non-Points)

September 2 Barona Speedway Winged (TBD)

September 23 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged

October 14 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged

October 20 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged

October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway Wingless

October 28 Barona Speedway Winged (TBA)

November 11 Perris Auto Speedway Winged

Lucas Oil POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series Champions

2020 Chris Crowder

2021 Grant Sexton

2022 Brent Sexton

Preparing for Your First Car

Owning a car is one of the most exciting experiences you can have. You may feel overwhelmed and think you must know many things before buying your first car. While it’s true that there are a few things to consider, the process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. There are just a few things you should know and do. So, before making that purchase, here are a few tips to consider:

Research Car Models

Before shopping around for a car, it’s important to research different car models and what they offer. Compare the performance, safety features, and cost of various cars to decide which is right for you. You should also consider how much space you need in the vehicle. A larger model may be necessary if more than two people ride in it regularly.

Additionally, if you want something to drive in the city, consider a fuel-efficient vehicle. This is because fuel is likely to be a major expense in your budget. Also, models such as hybrids could be a good option since they are more eco-friendly. You can also look into the more modern models like electric vehicles, which can be quite efficient and save you more in the long run.

Understand Financing Options

Unless you pay cash upfront, financing will likely play a role when purchasing your first car. Many dealerships offer financing options with low-interest rates or no down payment requirements. Still, it pays to shop around for other lenders with better deals. Make sure to read all the fine print in any contracts or agreements so that you understand the terms and conditions of your loan or lease agreement. You should also consider all the costs of your loans, such as insurance and registration fees. These are often hidden costs that can add up quickly.

If you are worried about your credit score, remember that you need no set credit score to get an auto loan. If your credit score is above 660, you can secure an auto loan with a rate below 10% APR. On the other hand, if you have bad or no credit, it’s still possible to get approved for a car loan. Just be prepared to pay more than expected.

Get Insured

Auto insurance is required by law in most states, so ensure you have coverage before taking possession of your new vehicle. Shopping around for different policies is important to get the best rate possible. Many companies offer discounts based on age, driving record, and other factors. Additionally, to legally drive your vehicle in certain states, proof of insurance must be presented at the time of registration. Failure to do so could result in fines or even imprisonment, depending on your state’s laws.

Insurance also protects other drivers and their insurance in an accident. Understanding your policy’s coverage limits, deductibles, and exclusions is important to ensure your car is properly protected.

Prepare Yourself For Responsibility

Owning a car comes with added responsibility-not only do you need to keep up with maintenance such as oil changes and tire rotations, but you also pay attention to traffic laws while driving. Set rules for yourself ahead of time regarding speed limits and distracted driving (such as not texting while driving) so that you develop good habits from day one as an owner/driver. Taking care of your car now will save you money by avoiding costly repairs due to neglect or abuse later on!

It is also important to take defensive driving courses if you have not done so already. You can take a defensive driver course online if you don’t have access to one in your area. This will help you understand defensive driving techniques and other important safety tips that can help you avoid accidents or reduce damage if an accident should occur. Defensive driving means understanding and recognizing hazards on the road so that you can react quickly and appropriately. This also means understanding other drivers’ behavior and being aware of your surroundings. This will be handy as you learn to navigate new roads and highways.

Preparing Your Budget for Unplanned Expenses

You may not think about it, but unexpected car expenses can add up quickly. It’s important to prepare for the cost of potential repairs and maintenance that may be needed down the road. Unexpected costs such as flat tires or a dead battery can happen, so make sure you are prepared for these. Set aside some money each month to cover any potential car costs in the future. It would help to get a roadside assistance program or an extended warranty if you can afford it.

There are many exciting benefits associated with owning your first car-the freedom to go where you please without relying on public transportation or rides from friends or family members being just one example-but additional responsibilities also come with those benefits. By understanding the responsibilities involved, you can ensure that owning your first car will be nothing short of an enjoyable experience!

The environmental benefits of hiring a chauffeur for a special occasion in Melbourne

Photo by why kei on Unsplash

There are several environmental advantages to hiring a chauffeur in Melbourne for a special event. For starters, it can lessen the number of vehicles on the road, which can aid in reducing traffic congestion and air pollution. The vehicles in iChauffeur Melbourne have been optimized to minimize environmental impacts and our professional drivers have excelled in driving safely and fluently.

The fewer automobiles on the road are one of the most evident environmental advantages of hiring a chauffeur in Melbourne for a special occasion. According to iChauffeur Melbourne self-driving travel increases the number of vehicles on the road, which can worsen traffic congestion and contribute to air pollution. By choosing to use a single vehicle as opposed to several cars, such as a chauffeur, you can contribute to a reduction in the overall number of vehicles on the road. Whether it is for business purposes or airport transfers, our chauffeur car services have got you covered. And you will not feel anything but relaxed when you experience the professional service our chauffeurs have to offer.

Chauffeured transportation can use less fuel than standard modes of transportation, in addition to reducing the number of vehicles on the road. Our experienced drivers are taught to operate vehicles safely and effectively, so they are less likely to waste gasoline by operating vehicles carelessly or inefficiently. This can help you save money on gasoline prices while also lowering the overall carbon footprint of your transportation.

The possibility of using alternative fuel vehicles is another advantage for the environment of booking a chauffeur for a particular event in Melbourne. The option to hire electric or hybrid vehicles, which emit much fewer emissions than conventional gasoline-powered automobiles, is now widely available from chauffeured transportation firms. You may further decrease your carbon footprint and do your part to help the environment by selecting to hire a vehicle that runs on alternative fuels.

The advantages of using a chauffeur over other modes of transportation in terms of the environment should also be taken into account. For instance, taking public transportation or ride-sharing services as opposed to driving oneself can be a more ecologically friendly choice, but it may not always be feasible or convenient for a special occasion. However, using a chauffeur still lessens your environmental footprint while giving you the convenience of owning a car and still arriving at your destination on time.

The advantages of hiring a chauffeur for a special occasion in Melbourne go beyond environmental considerations. One benefit is that you can sit back, unwind, and take it all in without having to worry about navigating new roads or finding parking. Our professional chauffeurs are nothing short of providing our clients with exceptional service. This can be especially helpful if you’re going to a corporate event where parking and traffic can be a problem.

Your special occasion can also be made more opulent and sophisticated by hiring a chauffeur. Having a professional chauffeur accompany you to your destination can enhance the experience, whether it’s for daily travel, Australian wine tours (https://www.ichauffeurmelbourne.com.au/services/wine-tours/), wedding day, birthday parties, or any other special occasion. We offer s comprehensive fleet consisting of a wide range of cars, thus ensuring a perfect fit vehicle for any occasion. Ride through the city in extreme comfort, travel in style, and make every journey with is a memorable experience.

Overall, there are several practical and environmental advantages to hiring a chauffeur service in Melbourne for a special occasion. You can lessen your carbon footprint and contribute to environmental protection by opting to use one vehicle rather than numerous automobiles, conserving fuel through efficient driving, and possibly employing alternative fuel vehicles. Having a professional driver carry you to your location offers ease and luxury at the same time. As a result, both you and the environment benefit.

Drink Driving on New Year’s Eve will result in Many Temporary Driving Bans in 2023

Photo by Alex Chernenko on Unsplash

Celebrations, events, and holiday stress create a perfect environment ripe for drink driving infractions. Statistically, drink driving during the Christmas period and January increases somewhere between 30-68%. Depending on where you live, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day have the highest amount of alcohol-related offences and crashes.

This morning on New Year’s Day police have already reported many drink driving incidents, one of which resulted in two people being arrested in the same car in the market town of Wokingham, Berkshire.

TVP Roads Policing Twitter account at 3:30 this morning stated: “The male driver decided to swap seats with female front seat passenger while car was still in motion. The female then continued to drive. Both now in custody as both over the limit”. Followed by the obligatory and humorous face-palm emoji. (Source)

According to the Reported drinking and driving data (Source) produced by the Department for Transport, January makes up about 11% of drink driving offences in a given year, increasing to 23% when including December. The majority of the 11% of offences in January occur during New Year’s Day following the festivities from the previous night.

Whether through extenuating circumstances, over-confidence, or peer pressure, many motorists intentionally place themselves behind the wheel even though they know they are over the legal limit during the festive season.

Oftentimes, hungover motorists don’t know or understand that they can still be drunk from the night before when they begin to drive the next morning. This results in unintentionally partaking in drink driving which can come as a surprise when pulled over.

Whether intended or not, these situations can easily result in disaster and severe punishments.

What are the punishments for Drink Driving?

If you end up charged with a drink driving offence you could easily face many fines, point penalties, driving bans, or even imprisonment. The severity of the punishment can range widely and depends on many factors, namely past driving history.

Motorists with a poor driving history can get up to 12 points in a 3-year period which can get them banned from driving for six months due to a totting up ban.

Hiring a Driving Offence Solicitor can be integral in defending your driving privileges. Solicitors ensure you are treated fairly and provide methods to bolster your defense in court. Solicitors can also help provide proof of exceptional hardships, and past driving history that may prevent you from losing your privilege altogether.

Consensus

The legal alcohol limit for driving is 35mg and a single drink can bring any motorist above the legal limit. Often motorists will not feel like they are over the limit, but tests will clearly show them to have above 35mg of alcohol within their breath.

Following the festivities of the holidays and the New Year, it is guaranteed that many motorists will make mistakes that result in bans and punishments on their driving record. If you have unintentionally been arrested for a drink driving incident, seek legal help. Remember that it takes a long time for alcohol to leave your system so plan accordingly.

What is the impact of pickleball’s rapid popularity growth on tennis?

Photo by Frankie Lopez on Unsplash

There is no evidence that pickleball is on its way to overtaking its much-older cousin tennis. 

According to pickleballclick and longtime tennis coach in the area.

An usually-vacant tennis court surrounds nine pickleball courts at The Ridge Club in Acton. The sound of volleyed plastic balls is heard nearly every day, while tennis cacophony is less frequent in the evenings. 

A racquet/paddle combo is what Kevin Curley is all about. 

As a high-ranked junior tennis player at Hudson High School, he attended UMass-Amherst for four years. His tennis clubs are located in Westford and Lancaster, where he coaches the Acton-Boxborough boys team for over 19 years. Besides teaching tennis during the summer, Curley has directed Nike Tennis Camps for nearly twenty years. 

The Ridge’s pickleball and tennis courts have been replaced by a pickleball facility he constructed at The Ridge. When it comes to individual players, he doesn’t expect pickleball to overtake tennis in popularity. 

It is unlikely that a tennis player or a pickleball player would leave tennis for pickleball, he said. It will be interesting to see how the two games differ.” 

Tennis remains prevalent across the nation, despite Washington state’s recent designation of pickleball as its official sport.  

Pickleball was played by nearly 5 million people at least once in 2021, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. A large demand has been created for paddles, balls, nets, and complete game sets as a result of the sport’s growing popularity.

In the coming years, pickleball is expected to continue to grow in popularity both in the US and throughout the rest of the world, says Karen Thomas, director of marketing and communications at Pickleball Central, an equipment dealer website started in Kent, Washington, in 2006. “As the sport has grown, we’ve also grown.” Our inventory and shipping operations have grown, we have added more product categories (such as apparel) and have partnered with more paddle manufacturers and pickleball equipment companies. A few months ago, we moved to a larger warehouse to accommodate our growing inventory and shipping operations, and we have added more employees.

Since well before the pandemic, we’ve seen pickleball and the industry steadily grow year after year.

Nevertheless, according to Sports Marketing Surveys’ Participation report for the Physical Activity Council, tennis participation in the U.S. reached 21.64 million in 2020.  

Do you know Is Pickleball an Olympic Sport? The rise of pickleball is similar to the rise of snowboarding during the 1990s, when skiers weren’t the only ones using lifts. The New York Times reports that there were twice as many skiers as snowboarders at the peak of snowboarding in 2010-11 – 8.2 million riders. 

A similar ratio is revealed by the most recent data: 15 million skiers and 7.5 million snowboarders. 

However, tennis courts are 78 by 36 feet, while pickleball courts are 44 feet by 20 feet. 

In a tennis court of the same size as a pickleball court, four courts can be accommodated,” Curley said. It is literally possible to take a public space that typically holds two or four people for two hours and turn it into a space that holds 16 people for two hours.” 

Despite pickleball’s explosive growth, thetennispredict says tennis shouldn’t be diminished in large quantities by pickleball. 

“Pickleball is not as niche as racquetball used to be in the 1970s and 1980s,” he said. As there are already tennis courts in your area, my gut feeling is pickleball will overtake tennis from a volume standpoint – you’ll lose some tennis courts to pickleball by default – but there’ll be synergies between the two sports, so tennis fans will enjoy pickleball, and vice versa.”

Leland Honeyman Jr. joins Alpha Prime Racing in 2023

MOORESVILLE, N.C (December 30, 2022): Alpha Prime Racing is excited to announce that Leland Honeyman Jr. will be joining the team for select races during the 2023 NASCAR XFINITY Series season.

“What Leland was able to do in ARCA East last year was really impressive,” said APR President Tommy Joe Martins. “It’s even more impressive given his age. We see Leland as a young driver that can grow and develop with us not just this year but for years to come.”

Honeyman Jr. raced for Young’s Motorsports in 2022, making 7 starts for in the ARCA Menards East Series along with 3 starts in the ARCA Menards Series and 1 start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The 17-year-old notched 3 top-five finishes and 5 top-ten finishes along with a pole position at Pensacola in his ARCA East Series campaign while scoring an impressive 6th place finish at Iowa in the ARCA Series.

“I’m super excited to be a part of the Alpha Prime Racing roster in 2023,” Honeyman Jr. said. “It’s amazing to be stepping into one of the top levels of NASCAR and I’m truly grateful for this opportunity. I can’t thank Team Dillion Management, Tommy Joe and his team enough for believing in me. This is the opportunity of a lifetime and I’m ready to get to work and see where we can go together.”
Details regarding sponsorship and the races that Leland will compete in will come at a future date.