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Bijoy Garg Joins Jr III Racing in VP Racing SportsCar Challenge

Chris Green | ChrisGreenPhoto.com

Mooresville, NC (11 January 2023) – Rising open wheel talent Bijoy Garg will join Jr III (“Junior-Three”) Racing for four rounds of the new IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge (VPSC) driving the No. 3 S2 Cyber Ligier JS P320. The new IMSA championship will feature two 40-minute sprint races each weekend that will see two classes in action with fields comprised of both LMP3 prototypes and GS-class machines. The first-ever VPSC race will take place at Daytona International Speedway as part of the Roar Before the 24 event January 20-22.

Garg’s move to Jr III Racing will be one of several firsts for the 20-year-old California native as he will make his sports car debut as well as turn his first-ever laps at the fabled Daytona International Speedway. Garg is also slated for Jr III Racing’s VPSC entry at Sebring International Raceway, Lime Rock Park, and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta as he builds his racing resume to include multi-class competition in 2023.

“I feel confident about what we can accomplish this season,” said Garg. “I’m looking forward to developing in the LMP3 car and as a racer in general. Before Daytona, I was able to get more test laps in the car, giving me a better opportunity to fully understand the car and all the little things this car does versus an open-wheel car.”

Garg started racing go-karts and made his professional racing debut in 2020 with the US F4 Championship alongside a select schedule of outings in the USF2000 Championship. Garg competed in the 2021 and 2022 USF2000 Championship seasons, racing his way to two podium finishes with DEForce Racing in 2022.

“We are excited to have Bijoy join the team,” said Billy Glavin III, owner of Jr III Racing. “I think he’s a great young talent with a lot of potential. We were able to get some testing in for Bijoy before we head down to Daytona, so he was able to get some time behind the wheel to get him more comfortable in the car. Overall the whole team is excited for the first VP Racing SportsCar Challenge race.”

Jr III Racing will also return to IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar competition in the LMP3 class starting with the Sebring 12 Hour event in March as the Charlotte-based team continues to diversify its professional racing offerings in parallel with a continually growing roster of client programs that focus on vintage competition.

Round 1 of the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge will kick off at Daytona on Friday, January 20th. The weekend will feature two 40-minute races with the first on Saturday January 21st at 2:05 PM ET and the second on Sunday January 22nd at 12:20 PM ET. Both races will have live coverage available on Peacock TV.

RFK Announces Team-Wide Partnership with Esperion Therapeutics; Includes Primary Partnership for Brad Keselowski at the ’23 Daytona 500

NASCAR Champion Brad Keselowski to Run No. 6 NEXLIZET (bempedoic acid and ezetimibe) Ford in Famed Daytona 500

CONCORD, N.C. (Jan. 11, 2023) – RFK Racing has announced that Esperion Therapeutics, a Michigan-based pharmaceutical company, has partnered with the team for a multi-year agreement pursuant to which Esperion will promote two cholesterol lowering treatments – NEXLIZET (bempedoic acid and ezetimibe) and NEXLETOL (bempedoic acid). NEXLIZET will be featured on Keselowski’s No. 6 Ford at this year’s Daytona Speedweeks, including the famed Daytona 500 on February 19. NEXLETOL will be featured throughout the season on Chris Buescher’s No. 17 Ford.

Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Esperion discovers, develops, and commercializes innovative medicines and combinations to lower cholesterol, especially for patients whose needs aren’t being met by current treatment options.

“We’re thrilled to have Esperion, a company that is making waves in the pharmaceutical industry, on board with us,” said Steve Newmark, President of RFK Racing. “We look forward to working with Esperion to create engaging content around their two products in NEXLIZET and NEXLETOL and showcasing their debut on the No. 6 for the famed Daytona 500. We’re thankful to the team at Esperion and can’t wait to introduce them to the sport in a big way in 2023.”

In addition to the Daytona 500 (Feb. 19, 2:30 p.m. ET, FOX), Esperion will serve as a primary on the No. 6 Ford at the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway (May 21, 8 p.m. ET, FS1) and RFK’s home track at Michigan (Aug. 6, 2:30 p.m. ET, USA).

The brand will serve as a primary on the No. 17 at Las Vegas (March 5, 3:30 p.m. ET, FOX), Martinsville Spring (April 16, 3 p.m. ET, FS1), and Martinsville Fall (Oct. 29, 2 p.m. ET, NBC).

“We’re excited to partner with RFK Racing to increase brand awareness, and this sponsorship provides ample opportunities for community engagement and education to their large and diverse consumer base to advance awareness about the benefits of lowering LDL cholesterol and improving cardiovascular health,” said Sheldon Koenig, Esperion’s President and CEO.

Keselowski enters his second season at RFK and 14th full season in the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS). With 35 Cup wins to his credit, he is set to make his 500th Cup start in 2023. Buescher, now in his fourth season back with RFK, embarks on his eighth full-time season of Cup competition.

At Daytona and Michigan combined, Keselowski has 19 combined top-10 efforts, including a win in the 2022 Duels where RFK swept the season-opening exhibition qualifying races. At the two-mile Michigan facility, he has top-10s in half of his all-time starts in his home state.

Coming off a victory in the historic Bristol Night Race, Buescher will carry the NEXLETOL banner at another short track in Martinsville, in addition to the race at Las Vegas.

The 2023 NASCAR season unofficially kicks off with the Clash at the Coliseum (8 p.m. ET, FOX) on Sunday, Feb. 5, in Los Angeles. Coverage of Daytona 500 week begins on Wednesday, Feb. 15, with full-field qualifying, followed by the Duels on Thursday, and a pair of practice sessions set to take place Friday and Saturday.

About Esperion
Esperion works hard to make our medicines easy to get, easy to take, and easy to have. We discover, develop, and commercialize innovative medicines and combinations to lower cholesterol, especially for patients whose needs aren’t being met by the status quo. Our entrepreneurial team of industry leaders is inclusive, passionate and resourceful. We are singularly focused on managing cholesterol so you can improve your health easily. For more information, please visit esperion.com and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EsperionInc.

About RFK Racing
RFK Racing, in its 36th season in 2023, features an ownership lineup pairing one of the sport’s most iconic names, Jack Roush, along with NASCAR Champion, Brad Keselowski, and Fenway Sports Group owner John Henry. Roush initially founded the team in 1988 and it has since become one of the most successful racing operations in the world, propelling him to be the first NASCAR owner to amass three hundred wins and capturing eight championships, including back-to-back NASCAR Cup titles in 2003 and 2004. Keselowski, a former owner in the NASCAR Truck Series, brings to the team a championship mindset himself having won the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Championship. In 2007, Roush partnered with Henry, who also owns Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C., and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, to form Roush Fenway Racing. Off the track, RFK is a leader and proven winner in NASCAR marketing solutions, having produced multiple award-winning social media, digital content and experiential marketing campaigns. Visit rfkracing.com, and follow the team on all social platforms @rfkracing.

Fr8Auction Celebrates Eighth Great Year Supporting Front Row Motorsports

The Asset Liquidation Firm to Partner with McDowell and Smith in 2023

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (January 11, 2023) – Fr8Auctions, a staple partner of Front Row Motorsports (FRM), today announced its continued support of the organization for its eighth consecutive season. The Atlanta, Georgia-based asset recovery business has been one of the longest-tenured and loyal partners to FRM and has supported its growth into a winning and championship team.

Fr8Auctions began its partnership with FRM with support of its No. 34 team before supporting Georgia-native David Ragan during his tenure racing the No. 38 Ford. Now, for the second consecutive season, Fr8Auctions.com will partner with both the 2021 Daytona 500 champion, Michael McDowell and the 2022 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, Zane Smith.

“We are thrilled to continue our support of FRM, Michael and Zane as they both build on their huge successes of 2022,” said Marcus Barela, Founder, Fr8 Auctions. “It was awesome to be part of the championship year with Zane, and watching Michael run his best statistical season in Cup to date only excites us more for what is coming this season for him and that team.”

Fr8Auctions, the leading asset recovery organization in the Southeast, will adorn the No. 34 Ford Mustang in both their home state and at marque NASCAR Cup Series events in 2023, starting at The Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on February 5.

Along with The Clash, Fr8Auctions.com will join McDowell’s No. 34 car at both the Atlanta Motor Speedway events, the All-Star race at the North Wilkesboro Speedway, and finally the regular-season finale at the Daytona International Speedway.

“This is a big milestone to be celebrated and admired,” said McDowell. “Fr8Auctions has been a loyal supporter of Front Row Motorsports and have been a critical part of our growth. It is great to have their continued support because we can’t continue to get better without their support. We have bigger goals this season and Fr8Auctions.com will get us started in the right direction at The Clash and be with us all season.”

Smith and the Ford F-150 team will run the Fr8Auctions.com branding at the Fr8 208 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series on Saturday, March 18. Smith hopes to bring Fr8Auctions.com a win at their home track.

“We really want to get the Fr8Auctions.com Ford into victory lane at Atlanta during their race event this year,” said Smith. “That is a goal that we have this season. Also, they were one of the biggest supporters of our program last season, and I am excited to have Fr8Auctions.com with us as we chase our second championship together.”

Fr8Auctions partners with freight lines, distribution companies, and consumer product-based businesses to help sell excess, discontinued or damaged inventory outside of traditional distribution channels. Utilizing industry leading merchandising techniques, product presentations, and a competitive bidding environment, Fr8Auctions offers both their partners and buyer’s opportunities to maximize returns on their investments. Buyers can also access online (sealed bid) auctions to bid on the thousands of pallets of merchandise, which can range from gas grills to ceiling fans and cleaning products.

In addition, Fr8Auctions also supports The Brave Like Wyatt Foundation.

The Foundation was established in 2019 to honor the memory of Wyatt Hatcher, who loved life and loved superheroes. He was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and had a heart transplant before his second birthday. The transplant allowed Hatcher to enjoy nine more years of life and had even beat cancer. However, the chemotherapy medication had damaged the donor heart and Hatcher passed in January of 2022. The Brave Like Wyatt mission was then born to help ease the burden of families dealing with similar circumstances by contributing to community resources, providing financial assistance for household bills, travel and when needed, funeral expenses.

“It is also really special to be able to continue our support of the Brave Like Wyatt Foundation,” added McDowell. “The motorsports community has always been about giving back and supporting others in need. Nobody defines that better than Marcus Barea (founder, Fr8Auctions.com) and his team.”

You can learn more at www.bravelikewyatt.com.

For more information about Fr8 Auctions, visit www.Fr8Auctions.com and follow Fr8 Auctions on Twitter at @fr8auctions and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Fr8Auctions.

About Front Row Motorsports

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and Craftsman Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 Craftsman Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 Craftsman Truck Series team from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

New Look for a New Era


Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport Rings in GTP New Year in Konica Minolta Blue and Black Livery

Brownsburg, Ind. (January 11, 2022) — Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport unveiled their full-season livery for the No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 set to make its GTP debut at the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s season opener, the Rolex 24 at DAYTONA, later this month at Daytona International Speedway.

“Our partnership with Andretti Autosport is a fantastic way to kick off the new season and the new era of GTP racing,” said Wayne Taylor, six-time winner of the historic 24-hour endurance event. “It is exciting to see our black and blue livery accenting the new lines of the Acura ARX-06 hybrid. Since our partnership with Konica Minolta began in 2014, our team has become well known by fans and drivers alike for our black and blue livery. Black has always been an intimidating color on track, especially when it is coming up behind you in your mirrors. What a great race this is going to be!”

Commemorating Konica Minolta’s ninth year partnering with the team in America’s pinnacle sports car series, the fan favorite blue and black livery of the No. 10 Acura ARX-06 will also sport the tech company’s signature green leaf, a symbol of Konica Minolta’s commitment to achieving Carbon Minus status by 2030, twenty years ahead of its initial goal. With the introduction of the LMDh hybrid technology, Konica Minolta joins IMSA and its stakeholders as the first in North America to embrace electrified technology in race competition.

“Our partnership with Wayne Taylor Racing is near and dear to my heart, and along with Acura we have very strong synergies, with similar cultures, desires and goals, the most important being our commitment to sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint,” said Michael Mathé, Chief of Operations and Sales Enablement, Konica Minolta. “Going hybrid is something we have wanted to do for quite some time, and we are proud to be a leader in making the series more environmentally friendly.”

The Roar Before the 24, the qualifying event for the 2023 Rolex 24 at DAYTONA, runs January 20th-22nd with qualifying at 1:25 p.m. ET on the 22nd. Full coverage can be streamed on IMSA.TV starting at 1:20 p.m. ET. Practice for the Rolex 24 is set to begin on Thursday, January 26th. Green flag for the legendary endurance race waves on the 28th at 1:40 p.m. with live coverage on Peacock for the full 24-hour cycle, alternate coverage on USA Network, and the final hours and victory celebrations available on NBC starting at 12:00 p.m. ET on the 29th.

ABOUT KONICA MINOLTA
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. is reshaping and revolutionizing the workplace to achieve true connectivity through the Intelligent Connected Workplace. The company guides and supports its clients’ digital transformation through its expansive office technology portfolio, including IT Services (All Covered), intelligent information management, managed print services and industrial and commercial print solutions. Konica Minolta has been included on CRN’s MSP 500 list nine times and The World Technology Awards named the company a finalist in the IT Software category. Konica Minolta has been recognized as the #1 Brand for Customer Loyalty in the MFP Office Copier Market by Brand Keys for fifteen consecutive years, and is proud to be ranked on the Forbes 2021 America’s Best-in-State employers list. The company received Keypoint Intelligence’s BLI 2021 A3 Line of The Year Award and BLI 2021-2023 Most Color Consistent A3 Brand Award for its bizhub i-Series. Konica Minolta, Inc. has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for nine consecutive years and has spent four years on the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World list. The company recognizes 150 years in global business in 2023. Konica Minolta partners with its clients to give shape to ideas and works to bring value to our society. For more information, please visit us online and follow Konica Minolta on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter.

The No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 effort and Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport is supported by an outstanding lineup of partners including Harrison Contracting Company, Acura Motorsports, Honda Performance Development and Hammer Nutrition.

Petty GMS changes name, brand and announces Jimmie Johnson’s new number

INTRODUCING: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB

STATESVILLE, North Carolina (Jan. 11, 2023) – NASCAR team owners Maury Gallagher, Jimmie Johnson and team ambassador Richard “The King” Petty announced today the organization will officially change its name from Petty GMS to LEGACY Motor Club moving forward. LEGACY M.C. is home to two full-time NASCAR Cup Series teams featuring rookie Noah Gragson in the No. 42 Chevrolet and Erik Jones in the No. 43 Chevrolet as well as a part-time entry for seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Johnson.

“Just over a year ago, I had the opportunity to acquire Richard Petty Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series,” said Gallagher. “We made great strides throughout the 2022 season – winning the Southern 500 with Erik at Darlington and bringing Noah into the team for 2023. With the addition of Jimmie in an ownership role, we knew change was inevitable with his experience and knowledge. Our goal is to win races, win championships and to represent our partners by performing at the highest level. The new image of LEGACY M.C. is something that will allow us to stand out and foster a team environment that breeds success.”

Johnson unveiled the team’s new name and logo on NBC’s “TODAY” show Wednesday morning in New York City.

“After brainstorming about the new name of our team, Maury and I recognized the opportunity to do something special and different. We felt it was important to have a name (LEGACY) that honored the past and acknowledged the future. The term ‘Motor Club’ is a nod to car clubs of the past. LEGACY M.C. will be an inclusive club for the automobile racing enthusiast. I am excited to be a part of a story so rich in heritage and look forward to creating a new legacy in this sport outside of the racecar.” said Johnson.

“As we were all talking about creating a new name for the team, we looked at Jimmie, myself, and Dale Inman – that’s 22 championships – so there couldn’t be a better name to fit our race team than LEGACY. The “Motor Club” is a perfect fit because we want our fans to pull for the whole team.” remarked Petty.

“When I see the No. 42 & 43 cars, no matter who the driver was, is currently, or could be in the future, I want our fans to remember the Petty history that comes with them, and that history will continue to be made with LEGACY M.C.”

Additionally, Johnson also answered the much-anticipated question of which number he would compete with in 2023. The 83-time NASCAR Cup Series winner will campaign a limited driving schedule in the No. 84 Chevrolet, starting with the DAYTONA 500 on Feb. 19. Johnson will announce the remainder of the races that he is scheduled to compete in at a later date.

“I’m looking forward to a new era in the No. 84 Chevrolet with LEGACY M.C. and getting a shot to drive the new Next Gen car this season,” said Johnson.

The NASCAR Cup Series season will begin in Los Angeles, California at the LA Memorial Coliseum on Sunday, February 5th for the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum. Tune-in to FOX at 8:00 PM ET as LEGACY Motor Club makes its highly-anticipated official on-track debut in the exhibition race ahead of the 65th-annual DAYTONA 500.

ABOUT LEGACY MOTOR CLUB:

LEGACY Motor Club is a team that competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, owned by Maury Gallagher, Jimmie Johnson, and Team Ambassador, Richard Petty. LEGACY M.C. operates two full-time entries, the No. 42 Chevrolet of Noah Gragson and the No. 43 Chevrolet of Erik Jones. The team also fields a third part-time entry, the No. 84 Chevrolet, for Johnson’s limited racing schedule.

LEGACY M.C. operates alongside GMS Racing, which fields three full-time entries in the NASCAR Truck Series. Since the formation of GMS Racing in 2012, Gallagher, along with one of the NASCAR garage’s most accomplished figures, Team President, Mike Beam, built a victorious organization, capturing the 2016 and 2020 NASCAR Truck Series championships, the 2015 ARCA Racing Series championship, as well as the 2019 & 2020 ARCA East championships, accumulating over 65 wins across six national racing circuits.

For the last 75 years, the iconic Petty family name has been synonymous in NASCAR, spanning four generations. Over the course of his driving career, Richard Petty forever enshrined himself as “The King”, earning 200 wins and seven NASCAR Cup Series championships. GMS Racing entered the NASCAR Cup Series in 2021, later acquiring Richard Petty Motorsports to form Petty GMS. The team was rebranded to LEGACY Motor Club in 2023 with the addition of Johnson, another seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, to the ownership structure. As a nod to car clubs of past eras, LEGACY M.C. is an inclusive club for the automobile racing enthusiast, fostering a team environment that will breed success for years to come. LEGACY M.C.’s vision is to honor the rich history of its past and acknowledge future of the sport with some of today’s most iconic drivers.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow Legacy Motor Club on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

4 Symptoms of a Bad Car Intercooler

Photo by Călin Răzvan

Introduction

When you’re driving and you notice that the engine temperature warning light is on, your car might have a bad intercooler. That’s because the intercooler like these Ford Ranger intercoolers is what keeps the air that enters the engine cool enough for it to operate properly. If this component isn’t working well or if it’s damaged, then your vehicle could overheat and even seize up during operation. Fortunately, several signs indicate when an intercooler is causing issues with your car’s performance—and knowing what these symptoms look like can help you decide whether or not it’s time to have your car repaired by a professional mechanic:

The engine temperature warning light comes on

If the engine temperature warning light comes on, it means that the vehicle is overheating. The light is usually red and located in the instrument cluster. If you see this warning, pull over immediately and turn off your car. This can be dangerous if not treated quickly, so it’s best to let a professional look at it instead of trying to fix it yourself.

The vehicle can’t accelerate any faster at high speeds

One of the most common symptoms of a bad car intercooler is that the vehicle can’t accelerate any faster at high speeds. This can be a problem for both fuel efficiency and performance, as the engine needs to be cooled down for it to run properly. The intercooler is responsible for this cooling process; if it isn’t working properly, your vehicle may not be able to accelerate at high speeds or may even stall if you try accelerating too quickly while driving on an incline.

There is smoke coming from under the hood

Smoke from the engine compartment is a common symptom of a bad intercooler. Many people believe this to be the only sign, and if there’s smoke, replace the intercooler. But smoke does not always indicate a failing air-to-air or air-to-water intercooler; it can also be an indication of other problems with your vehicle. Smoke coming from under the hood may have been caused by something as simple as an exhaust leak. Check all exhaust hoses for cracks and leaks, including those between manifolds and cats and between turbochargers and downpipes/catalytic converters (if fitted). If you find any leaks in these areas, you’ll need to take action immediately before they become worse or cause more serious damage.

If all else fails and you still suspect that it’s an intercooler problem despite having ruled out everything else above.

There is a loss of power when driving

If you experience a loss of power when driving, it could be caused by a faulty intercooler. A faulty intercooler can also cause your car to overheat and stall out.

If you suspect that your intercooler is broken, check for the following symptoms:

Other possible causes for a loss of power include a faulty turbocharger; bad spark plugs or wires; or an improperly cleaned air filter

These are all signs that your intercooler needs to be repaired.

Other symptoms that indicate a bad intercooler include:

  • A decrease in the car’s fuel economy
  • Unusual noises from the engine compartment or cabin
  • Lack of power when accelerating from a stop or going up hills

Conclusion

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, it’s time to take your car in for a checkup. You don’t want to wait until the damage is too big to fix, because then fixing it could be very expensive.

6 Things You Should Avoid When Using A Rental Car

Photo by Pixabay

Renting a car can be a great way to get around while on vacation or even for business. It’s convenient and often quite affordable, but if you don’t take the right precautions there could be hidden costs or dangers that come with it.

To make sure your rental experience is smooth and hassle-free, here are six things you should avoid when using a rental car. 

Be without insurance coverage

Even if the rental company offers its insurance policy, it may not cover everything in case of an accident or other damage to the vehicle – so always double-check and get some additional coverage before hitting the road.

Additionally, insurance coverage such as no-fault and liability coverage is necessary to protect you from any legal implications should the worst happen. If you find yourself in an accident when using a rental car, this coverage will minimize the financial burden and potential legal issues. Or, if you have personal car insurance, be sure to check that it covers rental cars as well.

Ignore the fine print of your agreement

Make sure to read through the terms and conditions of your rental agreement before signing any documents. Some companies may charge additional fees for things like an extra driver or additional mileage. Knowing exactly what costs are associated with your rental car ahead of time will help you stick to your budget and avoid any unexpected charges.

For instance, some rental companies may require a security deposit, so be sure to have it ready when you pick up the vehicle.

Additionally, be sure to check the return policy of your rental agreement. Most companies have a specific window for when you can return the car, and if you’re not careful, there may be additional charges or fees incurred if you fail to meet this timeline.

Neglect maintenance 

Before you drive off with your rental car, check it over for any stubborn stains, dents, or scratches as these can result in additional fees once you return the car because of wear and tear charges. Be sure to inspect the car thoroughly before signing off on the rental agreement as well. Make sure all dashboard warning lights are off and that there’s adequate fuel, oil, and coolant in the car. 

You can also ask the rental company for a maintenance checklist to make sure that everything is in good working order before you get behind the wheel. This document will also come in handy if you do incur any extra fees when returning the car.

Drive recklessly or break the rules of the road

This may seem obvious, but it’s important to remember when using a rental car: drive responsibly and obey all traffic laws. Not only is this essential for your safety, but rental companies may charge additional fees if you’re caught breaking the law or have an accident while in their care. 

Always keep track of the speed limit and watch for any road signs that could affect your trip. For instance, some cities have toll roads that require payment when using them – be sure to plan your trip accordingly, so you’re not caught off guard.

Leave valuables in the car 

It goes without saying, but never leave any valuable items in a rental car. This includes items like laptops, jewelry, or expensive electronics – as these can often be targets for theft. Even if you’re just making a quick stop at the grocery store, it’s best to take your items with you when exiting the vehicle or place them in the trunk, locked glove compartment, or under the front seat. However, most rental companies should have a safe or lock box available for customers to store valuables during their trip.

This is important to remember not only for your safety but also because the rental company won’t be liable should any items go missing while in their care. 

Drive with expired documentation 

Before hitting the road, make sure that all necessary documents like your driver’s license and car insurance are up to date and valid. Without a valid license, you won’t be able to rent a car in the first place. Not all rental companies will accept international licenses, so it’s important to check ahead of time and have a valid license from your home country on hand if necessary.

Some rental companies may also require additional documents such as proof of insurance or credit card information. Be sure to bring all necessary paperwork with you when renting the vehicle, otherwise, you could be charged extra fees or your reservation may be canceled.

Renting a car can be an easy and affordable way to get around, but it’s important to remember that there are certain things you should avoid when using one. From additional mileage fees to leaving your valuables in the car, these tips will help you stay safe and keep your rental costs down.

Be sure to check all documents before renting the vehicle – such as driver’s license and insurance information – as well as inspect the car for any damages or wear-and-tear.

How To Choose The Right Beautiful Boat Paint Colors

Photo by GEORGE DESIPRIS

Introduction

We’ve all seen them: the boats that look like they were painted by a preschooler. Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t imagine cruising around the water with my family and friends on board a vessel that looks like something out of a Dr. Seuss book. But then again, maybe you’re different! If so, great! Paint away and don’t let anyone tell you differently! For everyone else who wants to make sure their boat looks its best while sailing or docked at home, there are some important things to consider before deciding which colors will look best on their vessel.

All for one, and one for all.

The first thing that you should do when choosing the right colors for your boat is to decide on a theme. What kind of style are you going for? How do the colors complement each other? If you’re the kind of person who likes things simple, then it would be wise to stick with one primary color as an accent. If you want something more elaborate, then it might be best for you to go for two contrasting colors.

Also, before you take that first trip on the water, make sure your boat is equipped with a reliable marine battery such as the 24v lifepo4.

Regardless of what style or design aesthetic applies most closely to your tastes and preferences, don’t forget some basic rules apply across the board:

  • Unifying color schemes unify all aspects of a room, including furniture pieces (or boats) and lighting fixtures like lamps or chandeliers. These kinds of spaces often have one bright color as an accent, which serves as both decoration and a focal point. It’s important not only that this focal point looks good but also that it complements all other elements within sight distance–this way everything comes together harmoniously instead of looking disjointed or confusingly messy!
  • A good rule of thumb when creating a color scheme is keeping things simple–too many different hues can easily lead down rabbit holes where nothing seems like anything else anymore! But don’t worry: if there isn’t enough contrast between shades from one another then they’ll blend into each other seamlessly anyway.

Don’t take my word for it.

The best way to choose the right paint is to talk with people who have experience with boat painting. You can ask your friends, family, and neighbors for their opinion on the subject, or visit a local marina and chat with the boat owners there. If you don’t know anyone personally who owns a boat, then use the internet to find out what other people are doing; there are plenty of forums where people discuss their experiences with paints and products related to them.

If you still aren’t sure which color would be best suited for your boat, then get help from an expert or boat painters: Take advantage of professional advice wherever possible! Local painters should be able to offer some good advice on what colors would work well in certain situations – sometimes they may even be able to provide sample pots so that you can see exactly how each shade looks before making your final decision

The sky isn’t the limit.

We all know the stereotype of boat owners: they are a conservative bunch, who want to stick with traditional colors and patterns. If you go this route, though, you might be missing out on some great opportunities for your boat’s appearance.

The sky is the limit when it comes to choosing your boat’s paint scheme. Don’t feel afraid to make choices that break tradition and bring something new into the mix. You might love bright colors or even get creative with design elements like lettering or graphics (think of them as “decals”).

It’s not snowing inside.

If you’re not sure what to do, start with a white primer. It will help the paint adhere better, and if you stain or scratch it, you can easily sand it off and start over.

If you prefer to stay clear of white, go for a color that complements your boat’s original wood tone. If you want something colorful but not too bright (and don’t mind seeing it from afar), choose a light gray or beige instead.

Mismatched patterns aren’t a good idea – unless you’re jazzing up your boat!

The best way to choose the right boat paint colors is to consider the kind of boat you have. If it’s a fishing boat, then you might want to avoid mismatched patterns. It’s better to stick with solid colors and blues, since they’re easy on the eyes and won’t distract anglers from their catch.

But what if you’re looking for something more unique? In that case, mismatched patterns are a great choice! You can use them as an accent or even as primary colors if you’d like—whatever suits your fancy!

Go bold or go home.

Bold colors can make a boat stand out. If you have a small, white speedboat and you want it to look like an ice cream truck, choose a bold color that stands out from the crowd. A bright red or yellow would be great for this kind of boat because it will make your boat pop against the sea and sky!

If you’re going for something more subtle, try painting your boat black with gold trimming around the windows and doors. This gives off an elegant yet modern appearance – perfect for those who want their boats to look chic in addition to being functional!

You can have the prettiest boat in the harbor, so don’t be afraid to make some choices when painting your boat!

You can have the prettiest boat in the harbor, so don’t be afraid to make some choices when painting your boat!

No matter how much you love your home and its color scheme, you may want to consider a different shade for your vessel. The paint used on boats is typically brighter than that used for homes because it needs to stand out against water and the sky. It’s also important that it’s easily recognizable from far away so that rescuers can spot your vessel if something goes wrong on board. You can choose a color that is different from other boats by choosing something bright or deep, but it’s best if you stick with earth tones. These colors will help them blend into nature’s beauty around harbors and lakes, as well as camouflage themselves at sea.

Conclusion

We hope this article has given you some ideas on how to choose the perfect colors for your boat. Remember, there are no wrong choices when it comes to painting your boat and having fun with it. The best thing about boating is that you can do anything you want with it!

Christian Rose Joins AM Racing for ARCA Championship Run in 2023

STATESVILLE, N.C.: Officials from AM Racing confirmed today that Martinsburg, West Virginia native Christian Rose has joined the organization and will compete for the 2023 ARCA Menards Series championship title beginning with next month’s season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on Sat., Feb. 18, 2023.

The duo will launch their new partnership during this weekend’s preseason testing at the 2.5-mile superspeedway on Fri., Jan. 13 and Sat., Jan. 14.

Rose, a former Division 1 baseball player for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore has traded the glove and bat in for a steering wheel and helmet and has set achievable goals for his first full season of stock car competition aboard the team’s flagship No. 32 Ford Mustang.

Rose joins the Statesville, N.C.-based team on the heels of a limited ARCA schedule in 2022 competing in a series of races on ARCA’s platform with Cook Racing Technologies which was highlighted by a career-best seventh-place finish at Kansas Speedway last October.

Additionally, Rose earned two additional top-10 finishes at Five Flags (Fla.) Speedway and Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway respectively.

Despite less than five years of experience as a driver, Rose has captivated an audience with his ability to quickly dial in his race car and backup his intuition with his race craft on the track which included producing two top-10 finishes in his only two starts in the ARCA Menards Series West division during the 2021 season at the Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway Bullring and All American (Calif.) Speedway.

This year with the AM Racing team leadership and the support of Ford Performance, Rose is hoping for explosive results.

“I am incredibly humbled by this opportunity to compete full-time in the ARCA Menards Series for AM Racing,” said Rose. “I have learned so much over the past two seasons of a part-time ARCA schedule that I am excited to elevate my schedule this year which includes visiting new tracks of new disciplines with the goal of being in contention to win races and compete for the championship.”

AM Racing, which combined forces with Win-Tron Racing at the start of the 2020 ARCA Menards Series season will return to the series full-time for the first time since 2018 when Bluffton, S.C. native and two-time ARCA winner Gus Dean was at the helm.

“We are excited to return to the ARCA Menards Series full-time in 2023,” said AM Racing team principal Kevin Cywinski. “We have a lot of positivity surrounding our team with the launch of our Xfinity program with Brett (Moffitt) and now returning to ARCA with Christian (Rose).

“I strongly believe that the two programs will complement each other and work together to achieve the goal of bringing checkered flags back to the shop throughout the season.

“Christian is a very passionate and dedicated driver who won us over with his positive outlook and contagious work ethic. We look forward to helping him strengthen his racing resume immensely this season.”

The team’s sponsorship lineup along with a crew chief will be announced in the weeks leading up to the series’ 71st anniversary season in 2023 and its 60th race at the “World Center of Racing” on Feb. 18.

In addition to ARCA, Rose and AM Racing also plan to compete in a limited number of NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series races which will be announced at a later date.

For more on AM Racing, please visit AMRacingteam.com, like their Facebook page (AM Racing) or follow them on Instagram and Twitter @AMRacingNASCAR.

For more on Christian Rose, please like him on Facebook (Christian Rose Racing) or follow him on Instagram (@christianroseracing) and Twitter (@CRoseRacing).

About AM Racing:

AM Racing is a multi-tiered, multi-faceted Motorsports program headquartered in Statesville, N.C.

Established in December 2015, AM Racing is prided on faith, honesty and intelligent performance.

The family-owned team will compete in the ARCA Menards Series, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series in its seventh year of competition.

The team has named Brett Moffitt and Christian Rose as their primary drivers for the 2023 Xfinity and ARCA Menards Series seasons.

Asphalt Paver Inspection Checklist

Photo by Tom Shamberger

Introduction

This is a general Asphalt paver inspection checklist but should be an overall guide on what to look for. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s recommended intervals.

Engine:

  • Check the oil level.
  • Check the coolant level.
  • Check fuel level.
  • Check battery charge and condition of cables and terminals, including starter cable if applicable.
  • Look for wear or damage on belts, hoses, pulleys, and other drive components that could lead to failure in the future. Also, look at pulley alignment; if it is misaligned it can cause premature belt wear or even breakage.
  • Clean the air filter and check/replace it as necessary (you may need an adapter). Make sure your air intake filter is not blocked with debris as this will reduce engine performance significantly by restricting airflow into the engine’s cylinders (you may need an adapter). If you find a problem with either of these filters then we highly recommend having them replaced before starting up your machine again so that you do not damage your equipment!

Controls / Operation:

As you operate the controls, look for:

  • Smooth operation. If the controls are jerky or stiff, they may need to be lubricated. If they are worn or damaged, they will need to be replaced. Check that all cables and wires function properly; wear on these parts can cause malfunctions in other components of the machine due to a lack of support and control.
  • Tightness. Check that all nuts and bolts are tight enough so that nothing comes loose during use, but not so tight as to make them difficult for someone else with no experience using your paver to loosen if necessary (i.e., if an emergency arises).
  • Wear and tear on moving parts such as cable guides or pulleys; excessive noise from motors; excessive vibration from engine mounting points; excessive oil leakage from any part of the machine (this could indicate poor maintenance practices over time).

Tracked Inspection:

  • Check for wear and tear on the tracks.
  • Look for leaks on the track frames.
  • Inspect bolts to ensure they’re tight.
  • If you think something might be broken or cracked, get a second opinion from an expert in asphalt pavers before making any repairs yourself.

Screed Inspection (Mechanical):

  • You should use a flashlight to inspect the screed for cracks, damage, and wear.
  • Check all bolts and screws for tightness.
  • You should also check for damaged or broken welds.
  • Inspect the bearings for wear as well as any worn-out links or pulleys attached to them.

Track Frame Inspection:

  • To inspect the track frame:
  • Check for cracks and signs of damage.
  • Look at the pins to see if they are bent, worn, or missing.
  • Check the nuts and bolts to make sure they are tight, if not tighten them with a wrench. If you need more leverage, use a socket wrench instead of an adjustable wrench so you don’t round off your nuts or bolts!
  • Inspect the track shoes to make sure they’re not loose or missing any parts (bolts, rivets, etc.). If any parts are damaged in any way contact us and we will send out replacements free of charge!

Arms, Brackets, Tie Rods, and Chains Inspection:

  • Check all bolts for tightness and looseness.
  • Check for cracks or broken welds.
  • Check for oil leaks.
  • Check for loose or broken parts, including brackets and tie rods, chains and sprockets, support arms, and rollers on equipment such as the asphalt paver drum. Make sure they are not bent or worn out so that they can’t hold up the weight of the machine when it is operating properly on its weight alone (without being lifted by a crane). If you find any problems with these components that don’t allow them to work properly as they should then they need to be replaced before using your asphalt pavers again after repairs have been made!

Undercarriage Inspection:

  • Remove the undercarriage components.
  • Check for wear, damage, and corrosion.
  • Check for oil leaks.
  • Check for hydraulic leaks:
  • Have a helper start the engine while you watch undercarriage components carefully to see if any oil or hydraulic fluid is leaking from them.
  • It may take several minutes before these leaks manifest themselves, so be patient if nothing appears immediately after starting up the engine.
  • Inspect all hoses: look at each hose end for cracks or other signs of damage; check that all clamps are secure; inspect both sides of every hose (one side will have a label).

Takeaway: This is a general inspection checklist, but it should be an overall guide on what to look at. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s recommended intervals.

Asphalt pavers are a popular piece of equipment for asphalt contractors, and they’re used to pave everything from parking lots and driveways to highways. You may have one or more as part of your fleet, so it’s important to know how to perform regular maintenance on them. This article will give you a general inspection checklist and a guide on what things you should look at during your pavement maintenance schedule.

Asphalt pavers are typically used by contractors who need large amounts of paving material quickly, so they tend to be very durable pieces of machinery. However, even with the most well-used machines in the world, some common problems can arise over time if they aren’t cared for properly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you can use this checklist to help you inspect your asphalt paver. The more thorough and detailed your inspection, the better results you’ll get from your paver.