October 30th, 2026 – Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA is set for the season finale of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) next week. The team heads to the Autodromo Nazionale Monza having scored a points-finish at every round, a double points-finish at the last five rounds and two podium appearances this season.
The 6 Hours of Monza takes place at the 5.793 km (3.599 miles), 11 turn Autodromo Nazionale Monza. The No.38 car Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R will be driven by Jack Aitken, Earl Bamber and Sebastien Bourdais, with the No.12 car driven by Norman Nato, Will Stevens and Alex Lynn.
The 6 Hours of Monza gets underway with two Free Practice sessions on Friday November 6th. A third Free Practice on Saturday will be followed by Qualifying and the 10-minute Hyperpole session. The Race is scheduled for 11am local time on Sunday November 8th.
What they’re saying:
Jeromy Moore, Chief Engineer Cadillac Racing: “Monza has higher speed corners and long straights, which should suit our car better than the tighter nature of Barcelona. The Monza circuit was resurfaced in 2024, and gravel traps added at certain sections, so it will be new for all teams. We expect low degradation and potentially more overtaking. The weather may be a challenge considering we will be there in November where it can, historically, be quite cold and damp. We are currently sitting fourth in the Manufacturer’s Championship, just 12 points off third place, so our focus will be on an another strong set of results and securing P3 in the Championship.”
No. 38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R
Jack Aitken: “Seven races down and one to go. I’m looking forward to going to Monza. The track should suit the car there more than it did in Barcelona. We will be targeting another podium to finish the season with a great result.”
Earl Bamber: “It’s the final race of the season and the track should suit the characteristics of our car. We were very strong at Le Mans and there are a number of similarities with this track, such as the high speed straights, so we should have a good run in Monza too. We’ll be looking for a strong final race and hopefully a win. It would be great to sign off our last race with Seb on a high.”
Sebastien Bourdais: “We head to the temple of speed in Italy, a legendary race track which is always really cool to race at. It is quite different to Imola and Barcelona which are quite challenging for multi-class racing. The weather could be interesting; there’s often a lot of fog there at that time of the year so let’s see what we get! We’re all going to be pushing to end the season with some good results.”
No. 12 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R:
Alex Lynn: “We want to finish the season strong so will be pushing hard for that win, and what better place to do that than at the spiritual home of racing, the legendary Monza. I love that track and am really excited to compete there with the whole team.”
Norman Nato: “It’s the last race of the season already! The last two races have been good, scoring points with both cars. We want to keep this momentum and give it our all in Monza to finish the season on a high and take third place in the Manufacturers’ Championship. We might face tricky conditions again in Monza, so it’s all to play for. It’s a track I really enjoy to drive and I’m sure there will be a lot of fans attending, so it’s got all the ingredients to be a great last race!”
Will Stevens: “It doesn’t feel that long ago we was starting the season and here we are now at the final race of the year. Monza is another track that we have not been to for a few years in WEC, but it’s a track that is always fun to drive and I think will suit our Cadillac V Series R. The racing is always exciting around Monza and most likely we will have very mixed conditions again. We have our sights fully set on finishing this season on a high, especially as it will be our last race with Alex with us and I really hope we can sign off with a great result.”
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Walk through any short-track pit area on a Saturday night and you will hear two kinds of noise. One comes from the engines. The other comes from phones, speakers and team trailers, where drivers, crew members and fans are playing whatever gets them in the mood to race. Music has always been part of motorsport culture, from walk-up songs at driver introductions to the hype edits that fill social feeds the next morning.
What has changed is who gets to make that music. Small teams, local promoters and individual fans can now produce original audio without hiring a composer. With Nafy, an AI music generator that runs online, a crew member with a laptop can type a description of a sound, pick a vocal style and hear a full track built around it within minutes.
Here is how different corners of the racing world are putting that to work, plus a few ground rules for doing it responsibly.
Why original audio matters at the track
Popular songs come with licensing strings attached. Drop a chart hit into a highlight reel and the video may be muted, blocked or demonetized. For a grassroots team trying to grow a sponsor-friendly channel, that is a real problem.
Original music solves it and adds something extra: identity. A team that opens every video with the same guitar riff, or a speedway that plays its own theme before the green flag, builds recognition the way a paint scheme does. Fans start to associate the sound with the brand.
Who is making race-day music
Team content crews
Even modest operations now run social accounts that post qualifying recaps, shop tours and driver profiles. These clips need background music that matches the pace of the edit. A slow-motion shot of a car rolling out of the hauler wants something cinematic. A quick-cut pit stop compilation needs a fast, driving beat.
Track promoters
Local speedways often use music for pre-race shows, intermission breaks and promotional ads on radio and streaming. A custom theme gives a small facility a polished feel without a large production budget.
Fans and creators
Fans produce an enormous amount of racing content: podcast intros, fantasy league recaps, sim racing streams and tribute videos for retiring drivers. Many want a song that captures a specific moment, like a last-lap pass or a rain-delayed finish.
Writing prompts that sound like racing
The key to useful results is a descriptive prompt. Nafy’s text to music AI works from plain language, so you can spell out genre, mood, tempo, instruments and the intended use without any music theory.
Racing vocabulary helps. Compare these two prompts:
“Make an exciting song.”
“Heavy southern rock with distorted guitars and pounding drums, building tension like the final laps under the lights, confident male vocals, for a short-track highlight video.”
The second gives the generator a picture to work with. A few more starting points:
Pre-race hype: “Aggressive hip-hop beat, deep bass, crowd chant energy, walk-out music for driver introductions.”
Victory lane: “Triumphant country rock anthem, big chorus, celebratory, female vocals.”
Rain delay filler: “Laid-back acoustic instrumental, mellow and patient, background for a podcast segment.”
Season recap: “Emotional cinematic build with piano and strings, rising into a powerful finish.”
Generate several versions, then keep whichever matches the footage best. If one is close but not quite right, revise the prompt and try again.
Turning a fan chant into a full song
Many race-day traditions already have words. Grandstand chants, a driver’s catchphrase, a nickname shouted from the fence: these are lyrics waiting for music. Nafy’s lyrics to song generator lets you paste those lines, label the verse and chorus, describe the style and hear them sung.
A fan club could write something like:
Green flag drops and the whole place shakes
Bump-draft, slide job, no time for brakes
Short, punchy lines with strong stresses work best. Keep each line similar in length, put the key phrase at the end, and read it out loud before generating. Then listen, trim anything that feels crowded and try a different genre if the first one misses.
Respect the brands, the footage and the people
Racing is full of trademarks. Series names, team logos, sponsor marks, car numbers tied to specific teams and broadcast graphics are all owned by someone. Original music does not change that.
A few practical rules:
Do not imply endorsement. A fan-made anthem should not look like an official series or team release. Avoid putting league or team logos on cover art or titles in ways that suggest they approved it.
Get rights for official logos and footage. If you want to use broadcast clips, official team photography or trademarked graphics, secure permission or licensing from the rights holder first. Use your own photos and video where you can.
Ask before naming people. If a song celebrates a specific local driver, check with them before posting it publicly.
Avoid copying existing songs. Pen original words and describe the style rather than trying to recreate a famous track.
These steps protect you, and they also protect the racers and organizations you are trying to celebrate.
A simple race-weekend workflow
Before the event: write two or three prompts for the moods you expect to need, such as hype, tension and celebration, and generate options.
During the event: capture your own footage and note memorable moments, quotes or chants.
After the checkered flag: match the strongest track to your edit, or turn the night’s best quote into a quick lyric and generate a song around it.
Before publishing: confirm you hold rights or permission for every logo, clip and name in the video.
The sound of the next lap
Racing has always rewarded people who build things with their own hands. Making the music that goes with it fits right into that tradition. With a clear prompt, a few honest lyrics and some respect for other people’s rights, any team, track or fan can give race day a soundtrack that is entirely its own.
A practical guide for working professionals and daily commuters looking to manage tire expenses, minimize vehicle downtime, and maintain dependable transportation.
For working professionals, reliable transportation plays an important role in managing daily responsibilities. Whether commuting to the office, attending meetings, or travelling between job sites, unexpected tire problems can disrupt schedules and create unplanned expenses.
Understanding basic tire maintenance helps drivers recognize potential issues before they become more serious. From monitoring tire pressure to identifying unusual tread wear, preventive care supports safer driving and more informed repair decisions.
Understanding How Tire Maintenance Helps Control Costs
Tire replacement can represent a significant vehicle maintenance expense, particularly when damage or uneven wear requires attention earlier than expected.
Routine inspections help identify conditions that may shorten tire life, including improper inflation, alignment problems, and irregular tread wear.
Underinflated tires can generate excessive heat and experience uneven wear, while overinflation may affect traction and cause additional wear in the centre of the tread. Both conditions can influence handling and tire performance.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends checking tire pressure regularly and using the pressure specified by the vehicle manufacturer rather than the maximum pressure printed on the tire sidewall.
For professionals managing transportation expenses, these simple checks can help reduce avoidable tire damage.
However, preventive maintenance cannot eliminate every tire problem. Road hazards, punctures, and age-related deterioration may still require professional assessment.
Understanding when maintenance is appropriate and when replacement becomes necessary helps drivers make practical financial decisions.
Reducing Vehicle Downtime Through Planned Tire Services
Unexpected tire problems can interfere with commuting, business appointments, and other time-sensitive responsibilities.
Planning maintenance around regular vehicle service appointments can reduce the inconvenience associated with scheduling separate visits.
Common tire services include inspections, tire rotation, balancing, repairs, and seasonal tire changes. Drivers researching these services can review Tech Savvy Automotive’s tire service information to better understand available maintenance options.
Tire rotation involves moving tires between designated vehicle positions according to manufacturer recommendations. This can help promote more consistent tread wear, particularly when front and rear tires experience different operating loads.
Wheel balancing addresses uneven weight distribution within a tire-and-wheel assembly, which may contribute to vibration at certain speeds.
Alignment inspections may also be appropriate when a vehicle pulls to one side or develops unusual tire wear patterns.
For example, a professional who notices steering-wheel vibration during highway travel should arrange an assessment rather than assuming the problem will resolve independently.
Coordinating inspections and maintenance with existing appointments can help identify issues while minimizing unnecessary disruptions to the workweek.
Recognizing Tire Warning Signs Before They Become Serious
Tires are the vehicle’s primary contact with the road, making their condition important for braking, steering, and traction.
Drivers should regularly inspect tires for visible cuts, bulges, embedded objects, and uneven tread wear.
A sidewall bulge may indicate internal structural damage and requires prompt professional attention. Similarly, a tire that repeatedly loses pressure should be inspected to determine whether a puncture, valve issue, or wheel-related problem is responsible.
Tread depth is another important consideration. Worn tread can reduce a tire’s ability to disperse water, increasing the risk of hydroplaning on wet roads.
Transport Canada provides road and vehicle safety information that can help drivers understand the importance of vehicle maintenance and appropriate equipment.
Drivers should also pay attention to changes in handling, unusual vibration, and tire pressure warning indicators.
These symptoms do not always mean replacement is required, but they should not be ignored.
If a tire appears severely damaged or loses pressure rapidly, drivers should stop in a safe location and arrange appropriate assistance rather than continuing to drive.
Extending Tire Life With Consistent Maintenance Habits
Maintaining tires involves more than responding to visible damage.
Consistent inflation checks, scheduled rotations, and attention to wheel alignment can help support even wear and predictable performance.
Tire pressure should be measured when tires are cold, using the manufacturer’s recommended specifications. Because pressure changes with temperature, seasonal weather transitions can make regular checks particularly important.
Drivers should also follow vehicle-specific tire rotation recommendations. Rotation patterns may differ for directional tires, staggered wheel configurations, and certain all-wheel-drive vehicles.
Driving habits influence tire wear as well. Frequent hard braking, aggressive acceleration, and striking potholes can place additional stress on tires and suspension components.
For daily commuters, maintaining a simple service record can make it easier to track rotations, repairs, tire age, and replacement dates.
These records may also help technicians identify recurring wear patterns that warrant further inspection.
Although no maintenance schedule guarantees a particular tire lifespan, consistent care can help drivers make better use of their existing tires.
Knowing When Tire Repair or Replacement Is Appropriate
Not every damaged tire requires replacement, but not every puncture can be repaired safely.
Repair suitability depends on factors such as puncture location, damage size, tire condition, and whether the tire has been driven while significantly underinflated.
Damage to the sidewall or shoulder generally makes a tire unsuitable for conventional puncture repair.
A qualified technician should inspect the tire and determine whether repair is appropriate under recognized industry procedures.
When replacement is necessary, drivers should consider manufacturer specifications, tire size, load rating, seasonal performance, and compatibility with the vehicle.
Comparing these factors helps avoid decisions based solely on purchase price.
Making Tire Maintenance Part of Your Routine
Reliable transportation depends partly on recognizing maintenance needs before they interrupt daily responsibilities.
Regular pressure checks, visual inspections, timely professional assessments, and appropriate tire replacement decisions can help working professionals manage vehicle expenses and maintain safer driving conditions.
By treating tire care as part of routine vehicle maintenance, drivers can make informed decisions that support dependable commuting and long-term tire performance.
Additional Resources
For further information about tire inspections, maintenance, repairs, and replacement considerations, explore this tire shop resource.
Sizing a campervan electrical system starts with two questions: how much energy will you use each day, and how will you replace it? For UK DIY converters, the answers can change considerably between summer weekends and longer trips in weaker sunlight. Before you buy batteries or panels, a campervan electrical system calculator helps turn an appliance list into a useful starting estimate.
Our top pick is Rayne Automotive for UK DIY builders who want to connect power planning with a supplier’s wiring diagrams and support documentation. Its Campervan Power Planner focuses on 12V appliances and solar, making it a relevant starting point for a leisure electrical system. For a standalone sizing check with transparent UK assumptions, 365 Techies is a useful alternative. Vunked takes a different approach, combining a questionnaire-led configurator with a free design consultation and pre-wired board options.
This list is for anyone converting a van in Britain on evenings and weekends, watching the budget, and trying to get leisure battery sizing and solar right the first time. Below you will find six ranked options, with attention to UK relevance, quality of appliance inputs, usefulness of outputs, links to real products or support, and ease of use for a non-electrician.
How these were ranked
This is a feature-based comparison, not a hands-on accuracy test. The selection favors tools that help UK builders estimate energy use, compare charging options, or move toward a system design. Some include UK seasonal assumptions; others require you to enter suitable sun hours yourself. The criteria below distinguish a quick estimate from a more detailed planning workflow.
UK relevance and sun assumptions
UK sun hours make a substantial difference to a build. A tool that lets you adjust for season, location, or equivalent full-sun hours is far more useful than one built around strong year-round sun. Other useful details include support for 12V systems, lithium versus AGM usable capacity, and UK seasonal changes.
Appliance inputs and usable capacity
Your daily total is watts multiplied by hours, added across every device. Small differences matter. Editable wattage and hours let you refine that total, while quantity fields make repeated devices easier to include. A clear split between 12V DC loads and 230V loads that need an inverter is also helpful, along with transparent usable capacity assumptions, such as around 80 to 90 percent for lithium and around 50 percent for AGM.
Output usefulness
A useful result goes beyond one big number. Daily watt-hours, battery amp-hours at 12V, suggested solar watts, and a starting point for inverter size each answer a different planning question. Cable guidance and next-step planning help are a bonus, although a web tool should not be treated as a complete installation design.
An energy budget also differs from a peak-power check. A device used briefly may consume little daily energy but still require substantial power while running or starting. An inverter estimate based on combined wattage plus a percentage margin is only a starting point: continuous and surge ratings must suit the actual appliances. Cable sizing, circuit protection, charging compatibility, and any 230V installation need their own design review by a suitably qualified professional.
Buying and support link
Numbers alone do not finish a build. Tools that connect to kits, pre-wired boards, wiring diagrams, parts schedules, or human advice help you move from estimate to installation. Full system builders, questionnaire-led configurators, and pure estimators serve different purposes, so the most useful choice depends on the help you need after getting an initial result.
Ease of use for non-electricians
You should not need an electrical background to get a first estimate. Clear steps and plain language matter, as do assumptions you can actually see. More inputs are useful only when the tool explains them instead of leaving you to work through unfamiliar electrical terms on your own.
Access and next steps
An estimate, a personalized diagram, and an installation service are different deliverables. Some tools provide standalone calculations, while others connect you with a supplier’s design process. That distinction matters when deciding whether you need a numerical starting point or a route toward a more detailed electrical plan.
The 6 best campervan electrical system calculators for UK van conversions
These six range from quick estimators to supplier-backed planning tools. The right one depends on how far along your build is and whether you want advice, a kit recommendation, or a numerical cross-check. Our No. 1 pick suits builders looking for planning alongside wiring and support resources; the alternatives offer different ways to work through the energy budget.
At a glance
Provider
Best for
Rayne Automotive
Joined-up planner with product range and wiring support
Vunked
Questionnaire-led configurator with consultation and pre-wired boards
Roam Wired
Regional comparison with season and charging inputs
365 Techies
Transparent UK battery and solar sizing
DIY Campervan
Beginner guided sizing with editable assumptions
VanPowerCalc
Quick instant sizing with flexible voltage and cable help
#1. Rayne Automotive – best for joined-up planning with wiring and support resources
Rayne Automotive offers a Campervan Power Planner covering the planning of an electrical system from 12V appliances to solar power. The platform also lists customer wiring diagrams and support documentation, connecting energy planning with resources that matter later in a conversion.
That combination earns it our top spot for a joined-up planning workflow. Battery capacity is only one decision in a van build: the appliance list also informs charging requirements and the eventual system layout. A planner offered by an automotive electrical supplier gives you a place to begin that conversation without treating a single battery-size estimate as a complete installation design.
Where it fits in your build
Start with a realistic appliance inventory before using any planner. Include the fridge, lights, fan, water pump, device charging, and any inverter-fed equipment. Record both power consumption and likely use, distinguishing a device’s running time from the hours it is merely available. A compressor fridge may cycle on and off throughout the day, so measured daily energy use or a manufacturer’s consumption estimate is more useful than assuming continuous operation at its maximum wattage.
Rayne’s focus on 12V appliances and solar fits that early planning stage. Its customer wiring diagram and support-document sections also make it relevant when you move beyond the energy budget. The appeal is continuity between planning and support, not a claim that an online result replaces component specifications or professional installation checks.
Key features
Campervan-focused electrical planning
Coverage of 12V appliances and solar power
Customer wiring diagram resources
Support documentation alongside the planner
Pros
A relevant starting point for a UK campervan leisure electrical system
Keeps power planning close to wiring and support resources
Suits builders who prefer a supplier-backed workflow to an isolated spreadsheet
Considerations
The supplier-centered approach is most useful when you also want help with the next stages of the build; a standalone estimator may suit a quick numerical cross-check
Complex systems still need a design review covering charging equipment, protection, cable routing, and component compatibility
Who it is best for
Choose it first if you want to begin with appliance and solar planning and continue toward wiring guidance and support. Use the resulting energy budget as a starting point for a complete design, rather than assuming it settles every installation detail.
#2. Vunked – best for builders who want a questionnaire-led configurator with free design consultation
Vunked takes a different path. Instead of asking you to enter watts and hours for every device from scratch, it walks you through a questionnaire about your vehicle, how you charge, how often you go off-grid, and what your budget looks like. Its main purpose is system configuration, with numerical estimation supporting that process.
This approach suits you if you feel stuck on the appliance list itself. You answer plain-English questions, then you can get a free consultation and a recommendation built around kits or pre-wired boards. Orders can include a personalized wiring diagram and install guide, which lowers the wiring barrier if you have never built a 12V system before.
The trade-off is focus. If you want to wire everything fully custom from individual components, a configurator tied to kits and boards will feel narrower than an open calculator where you control every assumption. If you like the idea of a tidy board that arrives largely prepared, that focus becomes a benefit.
Pros
Questionnaire format is friendly when you do not know your loads yet
Free consultation adds human judgment to the automated recommendation
Pre-wired boards simplify installation for builders without advanced wiring skills
Wiring diagram and install guide with orders help you finish the job neatly
Cons
It steers toward its own kits and board solutions, so fully custom scratch builders may find it less flexible than an open input tool
Best for builders who would rather answer questions about their van and trips than build a spreadsheet, and who want expert input alongside a board-based installation.
#3. Roam Wired – best for comparing UK and US setups with season and charging inputs
Roam Wired is built for comparison. You pick a region and describe your trip length, season, and charging sources before building an appliance list item by item. The tool then compares battery, solar, and inverter options and helps you think through a fixed leisure system versus a portable power station.
That structure is useful in Britain. Seasonal changes affect solar output considerably, and charging while driving or on shore power changes how much stored energy you need between charges. Adjusting those inputs shows why the same fridge and lights need more panel capacity in October than in June, and why two days off-grid looks very different from five.
You can also check the assumptions behind each appliance, which helps you learn as you go. If you are torn between a built-in system and a portable station you can lift out, the side-by-side framing helps you compare the options with less guesswork. Beginners should expect more fields than a one-click estimator, but working through them gives you a clearer picture of your build.
Pros
UK or US region choice makes it relevant on both sides of the Atlantic
Season input tackles the UK sun-hours problem head on
Solar, driving, and shore power inputs produce more realistic storage estimates
Appliance-level assumptions and system-versus-station comparison add transparency
Cons
More detail means more time. Total beginners may feel overwhelmed on the first pass and need to work through it slowly
Best for: planners who want to test scenarios, such as summer versus shoulder season, or driving-heavy trips versus solar-only stops, before they commit to battery size.
#4. 365 Techies – best for UK battery and solar sizing with transparent assumptions
365 Techies offers a free UK calculator that sizes leisure battery capacity in amp-hours and solar panel wattage from a checklist of what you run. It covers campervans as well as boats, cabins, and other off-grid setups, and you can add custom devices and adjust days of autonomy.
The method is easy to follow. It adds up daily watt-hours, allows about 15 percent for real-world losses, then converts to battery size using usable capacity assumptions of around 90 percent for lithium and around 50 percent for AGM. For solar, it gives you separate summer and spring or autumn figures so you can see how shoulder-season sun changes the panel requirement. Winter is discussed as the time to lean more on engine charging or hook-up rather than expecting solar alone to carry you.
What this campervan electrical system calculator outputs for UK builds
You get battery amp-hours for your chosen chemistry and panel watts for both better and weaker sun conditions. For example, a daily load of 600Wh needs more usable storage than the raw number suggests once you apply losses and usable capacity limits, and the panel math shifts again when you drop from summer to spring or autumn light. The team behind it also offers off-grid design and installation services if you decide you want professional help after sizing.
Pros
UK-focused outputs with separate summer and spring or autumn solar figures
15 percent loss allowance keeps results practical rather than optimistic
Supports both lithium and AGM planning with clear usable-capacity logic
Custom devices and editable autonomy days handle varied trip styles
Cons
It centers on battery and solar sizing rather than full system building with wiring diagrams and parts schedules, so you will pair it with another resource when you plan cable runs and layout
Best for budget-conscious builders who want a clear leisure battery sizing and solar check, with visible assumptions, before they talk to a supplier or installer.
#5. DIY Campervan – best for beginners who want editable assumptions and clear outputs
DIY Campervan is a guided calculator that keeps the math visible. You add each appliance with its wattage, hours per day, and quantity, then mark whether it runs directly from 12V DC or through an inverter on 230V. That DC versus AC split helps explain why inverter use adds losses that need to be included in your planning.
Under the hood, it uses usable capacity assumptions of 80 percent for lithium and 50 percent for AGM, plus your chosen days without charging. You can edit equivalent full-sun hours, with a default of 3, and system yield at 65, 75, or 85 percent. You can also set inverter efficiency at 85, 90, or 95 percent. Outputs include daily battery watt-hours, 12V amp-hours, suggested panel watts, and an inverter starting point based on combined AC watts plus 25 percent headroom.
There is no built-in UK or US region switch and no season presets, so you set sun hours yourself. That gives you control once you understand the input, but it also means you need a realistic UK figure instead of borrowing a summer number for a winter trip. The solar estimate does not add a separate battery-loss or inverter-standby allowance, so leave yourself margin if you run the inverter a lot or camp in weak sun.
Pros
Step-by-step flow suits complete beginners learning watts, amp-hours, and solar yield
Sun hours and system yield are editable, as is inverter efficiency, keeping the assumptions visible
Custom appliance entries and DC versus inverter supply teach real system behavior
Clear Wh, Ah, panel watts, and inverter headroom outputs are easy to act on
Cons
You must choose sun hours yourself with no regional preset, so compare them with UK conditions before you buy panels
Solar math excludes extra battery-loss and inverter-standby margin, so heavy inverter users should add contingency or seek advice
Best for: first-time converters who want to learn the numbers while they size, and who like seeing exactly how each assumption changes the result.
#6. VanPowerCalc – best for quick instant sizing with flexible voltage and cable help
VanPowerCalc is an international English-language estimator for fast answers. You enter appliances by watts, hours, and quantity, mark DC or AC, choose sun hours from presets, and pick system voltage at 12V, 24V, or 48V. It then estimates battery, solar, and inverter requirements, with cabling guidance and links to related tools alongside them.
Speed is the appeal. If you are early in planning and want a sanity check on campervan power consumption, you can get a rough battery and panel estimate in minutes. The voltage choice also helps if you are comparing a simple 12V van setup against a larger 24V or 48V concept, and the cable section reminds you that wire length and current matter as much as battery size.
Because it is international rather than UK-localized, treat the sun presets as starting points, not UK forecasts. Enter a cautious sun-hours figure for Britain, especially outside summer, and use the result as a planning estimate to refine with a UK-specific tool or supplier. Think of it as an initial estimate to develop when you get into the details.
Pros
Instant results suit early-stage planning and quick what-if checks
Battery, solar, inverter, and cabling guidance in one place
Supports a choice of 12V, 24V, and 48V systems, with loads marked as DC or AC
Related tools help you keep exploring without starting over
Cons
Presets are generic rather than tuned to UK sun, so you need to input a realistic local figure and leave margin for weaker months
Best for builders who want a fast, low-effort estimate and a choice of system voltages before they commit to detailed UK planning.
Frequently asked questions
Which is best for a complete beginner with no electrical background?
Start with DIY Campervan if you want to learn the math with editable assumptions, or Vunked if you would rather answer questions and talk to a person. DIY Campervan explains watts-times-hours and the difference between DC and inverter loads, while also taking you through sun hours step by step. Vunked skips the spreadsheet feel and pairs a questionnaire with a free consultation and board-based options. If you already know you want parts plus diagrams in one place, start with Rayne Automotive instead.
What is the difference between a questionnaire-led configurator and a numerical calculator?
A configurator like Vunked asks about your van, trips, charging, and budget, then recommends a kit or board path with advice. A numerical calculator like DIY Campervan, 365 Techies, Roam Wired, or VanPowerCalc asks for appliance watts and hours and outputs battery amp-hours and solar watts. Use a configurator when you want direction and support. Use a numerical tool when you want to test assumptions and compare scenarios yourself. Many builders use one of each.
Which is best for UK winter planning versus summer planning?
Roam Wired and 365 Techies handle seasonality most clearly. Roam Wired lets you change season plus charging sources to see how storage needs shift. 365 Techies shows summer versus spring or autumn solar watts and frames winter as the time to rely more on driving charge or hook-up. DIY Campervan and VanPowerCalc can work too, but you must manually lower sun hours and add margin because they do not set UK seasons for you.
What is the difference between lithium and AGM assumptions in these tools?
Lithium lets you use far more of the rated capacity than AGM, so the same daily load needs a smaller rated lithium bank than AGM bank. DIY Campervan uses 80 percent usable for lithium and 50 percent for AGM, while 365 Techies uses around 90 percent and around 50 percent respectively. That is why chemistry choice changes your result so much. If you are undecided, run both chemistries in the same tool and compare the cost alongside the weight and space requirements before you choose.
Which is best for turning calculator results into parts you can buy?
Rayne Automotive is our pick for connecting planning with a supplier’s wiring diagrams and support documentation. Vunked suits those considering a kit or pre-wired board with a personalized diagram and install guide. Roam Wired opens a design studio with a parts schedule, forecast, and guides after email entry. With any route, review the proposed components against your own appliance list and charging sources, then consider the available installation space before ordering.
Which one should you choose?
Choose Rayne Automotive if you want to start with power planning and continue toward wiring and support resources from an automotive electrical supplier. For a transparent second opinion on leisure battery sizing and solar for UK light, 365 Techies is a useful option. Vunked suits builders who want a person to review their plan and a board-based installation. Roam Wired offers scenario testing across regions, seasons, and charging mixes. Choose DIY Campervan if you are new and want to see every assumption, or VanPowerCalc if you want the fastest first sketch.
Whatever route you pick, run at least one campervan electrical system calculator before you order batteries or panels. Spending half an hour with your appliance list, realistic sun hours, and the right chemistry assumptions can help you spot an undersized battery bank while there is still time to adjust the plan.
Aitken Aitken Cohn LLP handles complex auto injury claims by investigating the crash early, documenting every injury and financial loss, and preparing each case as if it will reach a jury. That trial-ready approach gives insurers a reason to offer fair settlements.
The roads make that kind of preparation necessary. Orange County is a county located between Los Angeles and San Diego, with the Pacific coast on one side and busy freeways like the 5, 405, and 91 running through its cities. UC Berkeley’s crash database shows the county recorded 223 traffic deaths in 2023.
Many injured drivers search for Orange County auto injury lawyers, and this firm’s record is worth a look. In this article, we’ll cover how the team investigates crashes, values serious injuries, deals with insurers, and what its case results show.
What Makes an Auto Injury Claim Complex
A complex auto injury claim involves serious or lasting injuries, disputed fault, or more than one liable party. A fender bender with a sore neck is usually not complex. However, a multi-car accident on the 91 Freeway that causes a spinal injury is.
Aitken Aitken Cohn sees complexity show up in a few common forms.
Commercial trucks, rideshare vehicles, or government vehicles with layered insurance and strict claim deadlines
Brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or severe burns that need care for decades
Insurers that dispute fault or underpay a clear claim
Early Investigation Protects the Evidence
Evidence in a car crash case disappears fast. Traffic camera footage gets overwritten, vehicles get repaired or scrapped, and witnesses forget details.
The firm moves quickly to send preservation letters, collect police reports, and bring in accident reconstruction experts when the facts are disputed.
A truck’s electronic data recorder can show speed and braking in the seconds before impact, but that data can be lost if nobody asks for it in time.
PRO TIP: Take photos of the crash scene and your injuries as soon as you can. Clear pictures make it much harder for an insurer to dispute what happened.
Building the True Value of a Serious Injury
The biggest mistake in a serious injury claim is settling before the full medical picture is clear. Insurers often offer settlement money early, when the injured person is still in treatment and the long-term costs are unknown.
Aitken Aitken Cohn builds the claim around what your recovery will actually cost. That means gathering medical records and doctor opinions, then bringing in specialists who calculate future surgeries, home changes, and the income you’ll lose.
Dealing With Insurance Companies That Fight Back
Insurance adjusters work to limit payouts. A common tactic is arguing that the injured person shares blame, since any share of fault reduces what a California victim can recover.
The firm’s answer is to prepare for trial from the start. When an insurer sees a file built with experts, clear liability evidence, and lawyers willing to try the case, lowball offers tend to improve. When a company acts in bad faith, the firm has pursued that claim too.
A Small Firm with a Trial Reputation
Aitken Aitken Cohn is one of California’s most respected personal injury firms, with a national reputation for trial skills. The firm stays small and selective on purpose, so clients get personal attention instead of being passed down the line.
Founding attorney Wylie A. Aitken is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and has been voted one of California’s Most Influential Attorneys. The firm is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell and works from offices in Santa Ana, San Clemente, and Riverside.
Case Results in Crash Injury Claims
Here are a few crash-related results the firm has won for its clients.
$55 million jury verdict for a four-year-old catastrophically injured by a government worker
$19.5 million confidential settlement in an auto injury case
$15 million settlement in a truck accident wrongful death case
$9 million for a motorcyclist injured by a paving contractor truck.
Talking to the Firm After a Serious Crash
Aitken Aitken Cohn offers a free consultation, and cases are handled on a contingency basis. The firm covers trial preparation costs and gets paid only if it wins your case.
If you or a family member was seriously hurt in a crash, reach out for a straight read on your options before you give any recorded statement to an insurance adjuster.
Key Summary
Aitken Aitken Cohn LLP handles complex auto injury claims by investigating early, documenting every loss, and preparing each case for trial.
A claim becomes complex when injuries are serious, fault is disputed, or more than one party is responsible.
Quick action protects evidence like traffic camera footage and truck data recorders before it disappears.
Settling before the full medical picture is clear can leave an injured person with far less than they need.
The firm’s trial record and selective caseload give insurers a reason to take its claims seriously.
Quantum computing could eventually weaken the encryption protecting business data and communications. Large-scale attacks on today’s public-key cryptography aren’t yet practical. But the “harvest now, decrypt later” threat is already real — attackers store encrypted data today and hold it until future computing capabilities make decryption possible. That’s an active risk. Not a theoretical one.
Post-quantum cryptography uses algorithms designed to resist both classical and quantum attacks. The six companies below address different aspects of the transition. Network protection and key management sit in different parts of the stack — and secure communications is a third problem entirely. They don’t occupy the same space — and the right choice depends on your existing systems and migration priorities.
1. Fortinet
Network security and VPN protection. That’s where Fortinet’s relevance to post-quantum readiness sits — firewalls and the key exchange mechanisms underneath them. Traditional methods could eventually become vulnerable to a sufficiently powerful quantum computer, so reviewing how VPNs establish keys and authenticate endpoints matters now.
Fortinet’s guide to Post Quantum Cryptography covers the technology and its security implications — a useful starting point before any internal review of VPN architecture or quantum readiness posture. Their IPsec VPN approach includes hybrid key exchange — traditional and post-quantum methods together — to support a phased transition where compatible infrastructure allows it.
Honestly, a vendor roadmap doesn’t mean every product or deployment is already quantum-safe. Check the FortiGate model and FortiOS version — supported algorithms and configuration requirements vary, and that gap matters before any planning commitment.
Suits: Network security teams reviewing VPN infrastructure and quantum-resistant key exchange.
2. IBM
IBM brings cryptographic research and enterprise technology into quantum-safe planning — relevant for organizations preparing complex IT environments where cryptography is embedded across all sorts of systems at once. The hard part isn’t picking algorithms. It’s finding where cryptography actually lives.
Applications, databases, identity systems, cloud workloads, communications — replacing algorithms without mapping those dependencies first creates compatibility problems. Or it leaves systems exposed in ways that aren’t obvious until something breaks.
IBM’s work supports assessments of cryptographic dependencies and what to prioritize first. But research expertise doesn’t mean every deployed system is protected. Confirm which specific products and services support required standards and how they integrate with your existing architecture before committing resources.
Fits best: Large enterprises mapping cryptographic dependencies across applications and legacy systems.
3. Zscaler
Maintaining visibility without disrupting legitimate connections — that’s the specific problem Zscaler addresses as cryptographic methods change. And it’s genuinely difficult to get right mid-migration.
Inspection tools examine encrypted traffic for threats and policy enforcement. Changes to key exchange can create visibility gaps if systems aren’t updated in step. Zscaler offers post-quantum reporting and logging to help administrators track cryptographic activity — the product context covers what that looks like in practice.
Check feature availability and maturity. Post-quantum reporting and TLS inspection aren’t the same as VPN support — and treating them as equivalent during evaluation is how gaps get missed. Whether features are generally available or still in development matters a great deal during procurement — and that distinction isn’t always front and centre in vendor materials.
Strongest match: Enterprises using cloud-delivered security that need visibility as cryptographic methods shift.
4. Thales
Thales focuses on cryptographic infrastructure and digital trust — the keys and certificates that underpin it, along with the signature mechanisms that verify authenticity. Not the perimeter. The foundation underneath it.
Hardware security modules and key management platforms sit at the centre of what Thales addresses. PKI is part of that picture too. Each one requires checking for compatibility with required post-quantum algorithms and key formats. A mismatch between the encryption layer and the key management layer surfaces quickly — and expensively — during deployment.
Frankly, a sound migration plan covers the full cryptographic lifecycle, not encryption in isolation. Verify HSM firmware support and key management workflows before deciding whether this fits your environment — PKI integrations deserve their own check. Worth being specific about what you’re actually trying to protect.
Works well for: Regulated industries managing hardware security modules and the key infrastructure underneath their cryptographic stack
5. Barracuda Networks
Barracuda Networks is relevant to organizations still in the assessment phase — working out which data requires long-term confidentiality and which systems run cryptography that quantum computing could eventually threaten. And plenty of organizations are still at that stage, which is fine, but the time to start isn’t later.
Practical preparation means reviewing vendor roadmaps and mapping where cryptographic dependencies actually sit. Legacy applications and exposed services all deserve scrutiny. Certificates do too. Barracuda’s verifying specific capabilities resource gives useful context on quantum-related cyber risk — use it to sharpen the questions you ask vendors, not substitute it for direct capability checks.
Separate general guidance from implemented product features — vendors produce all sorts of marketing material that sounds definitive but isn’t. Confirm specific capabilities and timelines directly before putting anything in a migration plan.
Relevant to: Organizations still mapping quantum-related risk and building out a readiness plan.
How to Choose a Post-Quantum Cryptography Provider
Start with what you have. Inventory certificates and applications first — then identify algorithms that need replacing for long-term confidentiality. That list drives the vendor comparison, not the other way around.
Assess standards support and integration fit. New algorithms can affect speed and resource consumption — these aren’t marginal issues at scale. Test changes before deployment. Request interoperability documentation and a clear roadmap from any vendor under consideration. A provider that can’t answer those questions specifically isn’t worth much for a production migration.
The coordinated roadmap for the transition to post-quantum cryptography from the European Commission provides wider regulatory and planning context — useful for understanding where compliance direction is heading.
ETSI’s post-quantum cryptography resources support technical teams following standards work closely. Use both as reference points to sharpen vendor questions — not as substitutes for testing product support directly. Standards publication and production-ready features are different milestones — a roadmap announcement sits somewhere in between. A pilot tests interoperability with partners and older systems before any wider rollout.
Conclusion
Each of the five providers above addresses a different aspect of quantum readiness. No single provider covers every organization’s needs — and any evaluation that doesn’t start from the same use case isn’t comparing like-for-like.
Identify vulnerable dependencies. Prioritize sensitive data. Validate vendor capabilities directly. A phased migration is far more manageable than an emergency one.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is post-quantum cryptography?
Algorithms designed to resist attacks from both conventional computers and sufficiently powerful quantum computers — running on current digital infrastructure without specialized hardware.
2. Why prepare now?
Migration takes time. Cryptography is embedded across systems and suppliers — and attackers may already be storing encrypted information for future decryption. The earlier the inventory starts, the more room there is to be methodical.
3. Is post-quantum cryptography the same as quantum key distribution?
No. PQC uses mathematically resistant algorithms on standard infrastructure. QKD uses quantum mechanics to distribute keys and usually requires specialized equipment. Different approaches, different deployment requirements — and the distinction matters during procurement.
4. How does an organization begin migration?
Inventory cryptography across the environment. Identify vulnerable public-key algorithms. Prioritize long-lived data. Review vendor roadmaps. Then test migration for interoperability and performance before rolling anything out broadly.
It’s 6:45 a.m. Your alarm hasn’t even gone off, but the bedroom shades are already gliding upward, letting in soft morning light. You didn’t touch a thing. Later, as the afternoon sun starts blasting the living room, the shades quietly drift down on their own.
It feels a little like living in a sci-fi movie, minus the robots. Window shades have been one of the most manual parts of a home forever. Pull a cord, twist a wand, and repeat several times a day. Most people barely think about them.
Automation is changing that everyday feature in a big way. Shades that move on schedules, respond to commands, or react to sunlight are becoming a real option for regular homes. It’s a small upgrade that can change how a space feels all day long.
How Window Coverings Became Part of the Smart Home
Today’s motorized window coverings Loveland CO homeowners choose can be controlled in several ways. Handheld remotes, wall-mounted switches, and smartphone apps let you raise or lower shades without getting up from the couch. No more tangled cords.
Schedules take convenience a step further. Shades can be set to open at sunrise, close at sunset, or adjust at certain times of day. That consistency means privacy and light control happen automatically, even when nobody’s home to think about it.
Many systems can also connect with compatible smart-home platforms, letting shades respond to voice commands or work alongside lights and thermostats. Exactly what’s possible depends on the product and installation, so checking compatibility ahead of time saves headaches later.
Why Controlling Sunlight Is About More Than Convenience
Glare is a daily annoyance for plenty of people. Sunlight bouncing off a TV screen or laptop can make a room nearly unusable at certain times. Automated shades can lower right when glare becomes a problem, keeping screens readable and eyes happier.
Privacy and light management matter too. Shades that close automatically in the evening help keep curious eyes out once the lights come on inside. During the day, partial positions can let in soft light without broadcasting everything happening inside.
Sun protection is another big perk. Strong sunlight can fade floors, furniture, artwork, and rugs over time. Managing direct sun exposure may also help reduce heat buildup in summer and hold onto warmth in winter, which can affect how hard heating and cooling systems have to work.
The Technology Hiding Behind a Moving Window Shade
At the heart of every automated shade sits a small motor, usually tucked inside the headrail or roller tube. It’s typically quiet and compact, designed to move the shade smoothly without drawing attention to itself.
Power comes from a few sources. Some systems use rechargeable battery packs, others use replaceable batteries, and some are hardwired into the home’s electrical system. Battery options can be easier for existing homes, while hardwiring often fits well during new construction or remodels.
Wireless controls and sensors add brains to the brawn. Remotes and hubs communicate with motors, while certain systems can use light or temperature sensors to trigger adjustments. Automation platforms tie it all together, turning individual shades into a coordinated system that runs quietly in the background.
Where Automated Shades Make the Biggest Difference
Tall and hard-to-reach windows are the obvious winners. Shades on a two-story wall of glass or above a staircase can be nearly impossible to adjust by hand. Motorization turns a frustrating chore into a simple button press.
Bedrooms and media rooms benefit hugely too. Blackout shades that close automatically at bedtime help create darker sleeping spaces, while media rooms can go dark instantly for movie night. Home offices can manage glare during video calls without constant fiddling.
Homes with lots of glass may see the biggest impact. Large windows bring amazing views and natural light, but also heat, glare, and privacy concerns. Automated shades help balance all of that throughout the day, without someone running from room to room adjusting every window.
Conclusion
Window coverings have spent decades as one of the most hands-on parts of a home. Motorization changes that, letting shades follow schedules, respond to commands, and adjust to sunlight with little or no effort. It’s a quiet upgrade with daily payoffs.
The benefits go beyond convenience. Reduced glare, better privacy, protection for furnishings, and potential effects on heating and cooling all make automated shades a practical upgrade, especially for tall windows, bedrooms, and sun-soaked rooms where manual adjustments get old fast.
Sometimes the smartest home improvements are the quietest. Automated shades don’t dramatically change how a room looks. They simply make it more comfortable, more convenient, and a little more effortless every single day. Your windows basically learn your routine.
The NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series head to Martinsville Speedway this weekend. The Craftsman Truck Series kicks off the weekend in the Black’s Tire 200 Presented by Down East Heating & Air Conditioning on Friday at 6:00 p.m. ET on FS1. On Saturday, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series National Debt Relief 250 begins at 4:00 p.m. ET on the CW Network. Then the Cup Series wraps up the weekend Sunday with the Xfinity 500 at 2:00 p.m. ET on NBC.
NASCARCup Series Notes for Martinsville Speedway:
Kyle Larson’s Talladega win and 71-point day expanded his points lead from 5 to 73, and if he earns 59 points at Martinsville, he is the 2026 Cup Series Champion regardless of what any other driver does. Any driver at least 77 points behind the points leader after Martinsville will be eliminated from Championship contention.
If Larson wins, this will be his third Cup Championship in his 12th full-time season (prior: Championships in 2021 and 2025).
The winner of the Martinsville Chase race, has gone on to win the Championship in four of the last 10 seasons.
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts SeriesNotes for Martinsville Speedway:
This is the 47th NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Martinsville since the inaugural race in 1982, and the 13th race since the series returned in 2020. Five drivers on the entry list have won at Martinsville: Justin Allgaier (2), Harrison Burton (1), Brandon Jones (1), Austin Hill (1), and Taylor Gray (1).
Four of the last nine races have had a last-lap pass for the win, and the driver who led the most laps won 52% of the 46 races. Seven of the last ten races went to overtime, and the race has averaged 13 cautions per race.
Two races remain in the Chase, and the drivers 1st-7th are still eligible to win the championship. Drivers 8th-12th have been mathematically eliminated from championship contention. Any driver who leaves Martinsville 77 or more points behind the leader is mathematically eliminated.
To clinch the championship at Martinsville, Jesse Love would have to outscore Justin Allgaier by 57 points. But the only way for Love to score enough points to clinch at Martinsville is to win the race, and he would need help from the other drivers.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck SeriesNotes for Martinsville Speedway:
Any driver more than 77 points behind the points leader following Martinsville will be eliminated from Championship contention.
After Talladega, Kaden Honeycutt extended his points lead over Layne Riggs from 39 to 43.
Seven of the last nine Martinsville races had 10 or more cautions, and the driver who led the most laps won five of the last six races.
The Weekend Schedule for Martinsville Speedway:
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30
12:30 PM – 1:20 PM: NCTS PRACTICE 1:35 PM – 2:30 PM: NCTS QUALIFYING (IMPOUND) 3:00 PM – 3:50 PM: NOAPS PRACTICE 4:05 PM – 5:00 PM: NOAPS QUALIFYING (IMPOUND) 5:40 PM: NCTS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS 6:00 PM: NCTS RACE (STAGES 50/100/200 LAPS = 105.2 MILES ) ON FS1
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31
1:00 PM – 1:50 PM: NCS PRACTICE (IMPOUND) (ALL ENTRIES) 2:05 PM – 3:00 PM: NCS QUALIFYING (IMPOUND) 3:45 PM: NOAPS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS 4:00 PM: NOAPS RACE (STAGES 60/120/250 LAPS = 131.5 MILES) ON THE CW NETWORK
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1
1:15 PM: NCS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS 2:00 PM: NCS RACE (STAGES 130/260/500 LAPS = 263 MILES) ON NBC
*All times are Eastern. NASCAR Cup Series (NCS), NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS), NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS), ARCA Series (AMS)
Ford Racing Notes and Quotes NASCAR Cup Series Ford Media Zoom Call Thursday, October 29, 2026
Chris Buescher, driver of the No. 17 RFK Racing Ford Mustang Dark Horse, will be making the 400th start of his NASCAR Cup Series career this weekend at Martinsville Speedway. He spoke about reaching that milestone earlier today.
CHRIS BUESCHER, No. 17 RFK Racing Ford Mustang Dark Horse – HOW DOES IT FEEL MAKING YOUR 400TH START? “Old. That’s what I’ve gotten out of this. I turn 34 today actually and 400 starts coming at us in a couple of days, so it’s kind of gone by surprisingly quick. Fortunately, it’s been a lot of fun along the way. We’ve been able to win in our rookie season and been able to grab a handful of more along the way and been able to improve our outlook on the end of the year on most seasons. With that, it’s a slower progression than maybe we would have hoped at times, but certainly been a blast along the way. It’s pretty wild to sit here and think it was probably just over 20 years ago sitting in the grandstands at Texas Motor Speedway watching these races thinking, ‘Man, it would be cool to do one day,’ and now we’re here saying we’ve done 399 of them. That’s not a bad number.”
WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT THE MOVE YOU GUYS AT RFK MADE AT TALLADEGA? “I was so pumped when they said go, and it was not something that they had this big dialogue with me inside the race car. I was just in there. I said something probably eight or 10 laps prior and I was starting to lose my mind. I’m not gonna lie. It was so slow. I felt like we were just sitting there right off of idle speed and everybody just keeps going a little slower, a little slower and I was like, ‘Alright, somebody is gonna do this.’ And at one point it dawned on me. We were on the bottom. The middle was wide open. The top was running the same speed. I was like, ‘Man, do you think they would get really mad at me if I just took off down the middle right now and went.’ I knew I would ruin any strategy that our team had put together if I did that just out of spite, but props to everybody at RFK that came up with that game plan on the fly. It’s not something that went into it saying this is what we’re gonna do at this lap, it was situational. There was a massive opportunity that presented itself and kudos to everybody on our team for putting it together and getting everybody on the same page at the same time. And you know what? Shame on the rest of them for not reacting. That made it that much more of a story. We came down the backstretch, I don’t remember what lap this was, it was probably 10 or more before we pitted and I remember seeing a handful of cars getting into turn three as we came off of turn two. I keyed up and was like, ‘Is that the entire field or is that just stragglers,’ and they were like, ‘That’s the pack. That’s them.’ And then we ran them down before we pitted on top of that, so it was a whole lot of fun to do it that way. I even told them, I said, ‘I don’t care how this turns out right now, but thank you for getting me out of whatever that was.’”
HOW DO YOU LOOK AT WHATEVER THAT WAS? “We proved it worked in a massive way. The chances of it happening again are slim to none in the same way. At the end of the day, it gave us a great first stage. It gave us a great spot to start stage two as well. It caught a lot of people off guard. That being said, I was a little bit surprised to hear how upset everybody seemed to be about the fuel saving because it wasn’t but maybe two years ago when we were four-wide fuel saving around there probably five or six seconds off the pace and I remember everybody saying it was awesome. We were four-wide at Talladega for 25-35 laps. I was kind of shocked at that and I got out of that race and I was mad because it was like rush hour gridlock. You couldn’t go anywhere. You were doing it at 170 four-wide and you had no options. You couldn’t take off and leave the peloton if you wanted to and no one seemed to have a problem with it back then. I remember everyone thinking that was great, so I think it was the aspect and view of it and the way everybody realized how slow it was, and, two, when there were opportunities to make moves and it wasn’t as exciting as just a group of four-wide all the way around. It hit differently and I’m glad. I’m glad there’s buzz about it and I hope that there are ways to fix it, and I don’t know if I know the answers because at the end of the day there are a whole lot of smart people in this building I’m sitting in right now and there are a whole lot of smart people in this industry that will always figure out what the little bit of movement that will help somebody else going forward or their own team going forward. I don’t know if it can just be policed into not existing or if it will always be there in some regard.”
WHEN YOU LOOK AT YOUR CAREER, WHAT IS ONE MOMENT WHERE YOU SAY YOU KNEW YOU MADE IT? “I’ll be honest with you, I don’t know if I’ve ever felt that way. I feel like we’ve been on pins and needles through a lot of the years and obviously Jack and everybody at RFK gave me a massive opportunity a long, long time ago and just wanted to continue to do well for them and feel like we’re giving back to that opportunity that was afforded me. It always seems like it’s just one or two years at a time and you feel like, ‘OK, we’re in a good spot here, or just OK.’ It was hard to say you ever got to a point where it’s like, ‘Man, this is it.’ But I will say that the last handful of years has certainly felt like I’ve been able to really put stakes in the ground and hold on around here. It’s been fun to get this thing on the upswing and in a good place and in a place where we’ve been able to go win a small handful of races, but a handful nonetheless, and in the hunt to win a handful more, so we’ve got to keep after it and certainly this season we’ve not been in the best place the last couple of months for us specifically. Still, it’s been a great ride along the way. I think when Jack had me arrested, I think that one made me feel like, ‘OK, I’m gonna hold this over Jack’s head – that he’s getting me in trouble and I’m gonna be able to use this to stick around a little bit longer. If he’s trying to play games around here, I’m gonna have to figure out how to play games with Jack at the end of the day.’”
THE LAST THIRD OF THE YEAR HASN’T HAD THE RESULTS YOU’VE WANTED. WHAT HAS HAPPENED? “They haven’t been where they need to be and it’s been frustrating, no doubt. A lot of it has been more around the shorter tracks and from your Loudons to Richmonds to place that we had gotten really good at that we just haven’t fired on all eight as we’ve gotten to the end of this season. That’s been a big area trying to look into. I would say I love Homestead. It’s been a blast of a racetrack for a lot of years for me. Martinsville, the spring was actually looking up to be, by a pretty good amount, our best race at Martinsville before we had that freak deal happen. So, I’m actually excited to go back to Martinsville this weekend. It’s good timing. We’ve got a lot going on this weekend with the 400th start and having Nerds on board. It’s gonna be another fan favorite, so we’ve got to put on a good show. I think we can get there, it’s just gonna take a deep dive as we get into some off time here and figure out where it is that we had a little swing and a miss through some of the short track stuff.”
NERDS SEEMS TO BE A POPULAR SPONSORS? “Yeah. This is bringing back a lot of those Cinnamon Toast Crunch vibes from last season. The Nerds folks have been fantastic. Everybody with the Kroger group has really leaned into this as well and it’s gonna be a very exciting weekend. I’d say you’re not gonna miss the displays. They’re going to be as tall as our haulers, I believe. Enroute right now there are thousands of pounds of Nerds Clusters heading to Martinsville, so I’m sure you can find a sample somewhere along the way. It’s Halloween weekend, so obviously we’re giving out Nerds. That only makes sense. That’s what we’re always looking for anyway, so it’s turning out to be an awesome paint scheme. We’ve been looking forward to this all year. I’ve known about this since April, maybe a little earlier than that, and it’s been killing me not being able to tell people. I just keep saying, ‘Keep an eye out. We’ve got another fun one coming,’ so this is it.”
WITH ALL OF THE YEARLY CHANGE THAT HAPPENS IN THE CUP SERIES, HOW HAVE YOU HAD TO ADAPT THROUGH YOUR CAREER TO MAKE IT TO 400 STARTS? “It’s not been just one thing that’s gotten me there each and every year. It’s being able to adapt on what is needed at that time. We’ve been able to go and elevate. Wherever we’ve been we’ve been able to improve through the year or improve on the previous year, whether that was Xfinity racing and being able to start winning a few races to winning the championship at the end to being able to win that race our rookie season with Front Row. We steadily built up at JTG to where by the third year there we were running in position where a lot of people didn’t expect us to be and there’s a sense of pride in that. I think there’s the ability to walk through the garage and for others to see that. The industry is not blind to it when you can go to these places and have good people surround you and put in the work and do great things together or at least make progress wherever you go and not ever feel like you’re a weak link or bringing it down. I think with that that’s been certainly a help as you continue to go through the year. I think that certainly you can never do that as one person, so that’s not just me, that’s being around good people and people making good decisions and putting in the work and making sure that we’re always building, so that’s why I say I know that this season started off really well and had a ton of potential. We made the Chase with two of our cars, which is awesome and really narrowly missed with Brad, so we’ve had a strong season, but the last third of the year just turned and when it did it definitely has had an impact on all of us. Our Chase has not been what we want it to be, so, right now, it’s about how do we make these last two weeks be as good as they can be so we have a little bit of momentum through the offseason so we can dive into it and feel like we’re ready to go when we get back to these style of racetracks and we’re not sitting here wondering about too much big picture stuff. It’s more getting into the details again and figure out how to improve on the ones we know we need, so it’s changed through the years, but I feel like I’ve found a very solid spot here at RFK over the last couple of years, and in the last couple of years felt like this is home. We’re gonna do this together. We’re gonna continue to build this thing up and be in the hunt to win more races together and try to get in the Chase and be in the hunt to win some championships. We’ve got plenty of years left to do this. I’m not close to giving it up yet. We’re just older than some of the guys that might get their driver’s license
Anthony Alfredo and Parker Retzlaff will continue to drive for Viking Motorsports for the 2027 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season.
Alfredo, a 27-year-old native of Ridgefield, Connecticut, will retain driving responsibilities of the No. 96 Chevrolet Camaro entry and continue to work alongside crew chief Josh Graham. Retzlaff, a 23-year-old native of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, will return to pilot the No. 99 Chevrolet Camaro entry for a second consecutive season in 2027 while also remaining paired with crew chief Danny Efland.
The news comes as Viking Motorsports is campaigning on a breakout year in 2026. Between Alfredo and Retzlaff, the duo have notched a combined seven top-five results, 22 top-10 results and 41 laps led. This season marks Viking Motorsports’ third season competing in NASCAR and first as a two-car organization while having an enhanced technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing.
“Keeping Anthony, Parker, Josh and Danny together was a priority for us heading into 2027,” Don Sackett, Owner of Viking Motorsports, said. “Both of these teams have shown what they’re capable of this season. The way the No. 96 group has come together over the back half of the season has been impressive, and the No. 99 making the Chase in just its second full-time year says a lot about the people at Viking Motorsports. Continuity matters in this sport, and we believe these four give us the right foundation to keep moving forward.”
Alfredo was named a full-time competitor of Viking’s newly formed No. 96 Chevrolet entry in December 2025 for the 2026 season. This season marks his fifth in a row competing in the O’Reilly division as a full-time competitor, but first with Viking. Alfredo competed with Alpha Prime Racing during the season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway in February after he originally failed to qualify with Viking. Since EchoPark Speedway in mid-February, he has notched career-high stats in top fives (three) and top 10s (10) through 31-scheduled starts, with his highest-finishing result being a fourth-place run at Sonoma Raceway in mid-June. He has also led 24 laps, holds an average-finishing result of 17.6 and is ranked in 16th place in the 2026 driver’s standings.
Through 182 current starts in the O’Reilly division, Alfredo has accumulated a single pole, eight top-five results, 33 top-10 results, 85 laps led and an average-finishing result of 17.6 as he continues his pursuits of his first series’ victory and championship.
“We’ve come a long way since this team was put together last December,” Alfredo said. “Josh [Graham] and I have worked together before, and the whole No. 96 crew has put in the work to get where we are now. The way we’ve been running lately shows where this team is headed. Being able to carry that momentum into the offseason is huge for us.”
Like Alfredo, Retzlaff first joined Viking at the start of the 2026 season, with this season marking his fourth in the O’Reilly division. He notched four top-five results, 10 top-10 results and 21 top-15 results throughout the 25-race regular-season stretch, which was enough to obtain a first-ever Chase berth for himself and Viking. With two additional top-10 results achieved through seven Chase events, Retzlaff holds a career-best average-finishing result of 13.5 through 31-scheduled events. He is currently ranked in 11th place in the Chase standings and he trails the top-10 mark by 12 points with two-scheduled events remaining in 2026.
Through 138 O’Reilly starts, Retzlaff has achieved two poles, eight top-five results, 27 top-10 results, 80 laps led and an average-finishing result of 19.4. Like Alfredo, he continues his pursuits of his first series’ victory and championship.
Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com.
“I’m really grateful to ownership and everyone at Viking Motorsports for the opportunity to come back,” Retzlaff said. “This has been the best year of my career, and a lot of that comes down to the team assembled around me . Making the Chase was a big goal for us, but none of us are satisfied. We know each other now and we know what we need, so having another year with the same group has me excited for what we can do in 2027.”
With plans for the 2027 season set, Viking Motorsports’ 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season resumes this Saturday, October 31, at Martinsville Speedway in Ridgeway, Virginia, for the National Debt Relief 250. The event’s broadcast time is slated to commence at 4 p.m. ET on the CW Network, MRN Radio and SiriusXM.
