During the past few years, there has been a massive push to regulate the automotive industry in the face of climate change. Now, some of the bills have the potential to dramatically impact the aftermarket car part sector as well. Due to a massive push from people in the media and social media influencers, including YouTube, the United States House of Representatives introduced the RPM Act. This stands for Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports, and the goal of the act is to limit the ability of the EPA to enforce the Clean Air Act in the realm of motorsports. Why is this bill necessary, and what might the RPM Act do?

How the Clean Air Act Might Hamper the Automotive Industry

The Clean Air Act was passed by the EPA in an effort to clean up the environment, but the areas they are targeting can have massive impacts on the economy that some people might not have foreseen. Within the realm of motorsports, the EPA is trying to protect the environment by banning the conversion of street vehicles into race-only vehicles. This includes not only vehicles that are on the right track but also those that are transported to and from races that might never see any competition.

Even though this action may have positive intentions regarding the safety of the driver and the environment, this is going to have a lot of negative impacts on the aftermarket car part sector as well. If racers are not purchasing aftermarket car parts in an effort to modify their vehicles, the sector is going to dry up. As a result, people who rely on these parts for their own personal needs are not going to be able to find them. 

If this act is enforced, the only cars that will be at the racetrack will be custom-built cars from some of the major manufacturers. This would lead to the death of the aftermarket car industry, stopping the life out of an industry that is valued at billions of dollars per year.

What Does the RPM Act Do?

The RPM Act would make it impossible for the EPA to target manufacturers who sell products used for car modification online. Effectively, the act will give people the right to modify their vehicles in a way they see fit without having to worry about the EPA knocking on the door telling people they cannot do that. While the RPM Act has come up before, it appears to have more support now than in the past. Therefore, there might be a higher chance of having it passed.

The Bill is Being Reintroduced

The bill has come up before, but it has never had the support to get past. This fall, it was reintroduced again with bipartisan support. Richard Burr, a Republican from North Carolina, and Jon Tester, a Democrat from Montana, have thrown their support behind the bill. 

The Senators believe that American amateur motorsports are a right and a popular pastime. This bill would protect the ability of Americans to continue to engage in racing. Even though the Clean Air Act may have positive intentions, it appears to have overstepped its bounds. The motorsport community has consistently relied on the freedom to modify their vehicles to compete in row races. This bill would have effectively codified that right without hampering the ability of the EPA to ensure the American public has clean air.

Already, there are a number of other sponsors who have thrown their support behind the bill as well. It will be interesting to see what happens moving forward, but the bill has not yet passed. 

More Support Is Needed

Right now, legislators in Congress are listening to the will of the people. Even though there is a lot of support for this bill on YouTube and various other social media channels, it is important for people to continue to pick up the phone and call their senators. That way, they can let their senators know that they want the bill passed. If the federal government knows that this is a bill that people want, they will be more likely to pass it during the next legislative session. 

Author Bio: Luke Wilhoit has been a content writer for businesses in the automotive industry for over a decade and is now the Head of Content Marketing at automotive-marketing.com, an automotive-specific digital marketing agency. When Luke isn’t reading up on the latest automotive news, he enjoys his time outside in the great smoky mountains of east Tennessee. 

Three-day tickets provide fans access to the best available seats

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Nov. 17, 2021) – Three-day tickets to the 2022 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding are now on sale to the public. The 18th annual event is set for February 25-27, 2022, in downtown St. Petersburg.

Tickets are available online at gpstpete.com or by calling 727-898-4639 with pricing starting at $125 for reserved 3-Day Grandstand seats and $60 for 3-Day General Admission. Junior pricing is also available for those fans ages 12 and under. Pit Access and Firestone Paddock Passes can also be purchased. Single-day tickets will be released for sale in early 2022.

“We’re just over three months from the green flag falling on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding race weekend. Fans should act now to secure the best seats with great sightlines of the racetrack set alongside the picturesque waterfront,” said Kim Green, co-owner, chairman and CEO of Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC, organizers of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Presented by RP Funding. “The downtown vibe and setting which St. Pete has to offer is hard to top in all of motorsports. We can’t wait to host this great event again with all the fans back.”

The weekend schedule, highlighted by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ season-opening race, will have a full complement of racing series on track. Indy Pro 2000 Presented by Cooper Tires and Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship return as well as the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup bringing some fierce showroom stock racing action. Additional series will be announced in the new year.

For ticket pricing and event information, visit gpstpete.com or follow Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on social media using #FirestoneGP. Joining the E-Club also provides insider access to the latest news and offers. The complete weekend racing and festival schedule will be released in early 2022.

About Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding:
The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is a race event held during Florida’s spring break season. Traditionally the site of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ season-opening race, St. Pete is a destination city hosting this annual motorsports tradition and offering a festival atmosphere with its downtown location. The temporary circuit is a 1.8-mile, 14-turn configuration using the streets circling Pioneer Park, the Duke Energy Center for the Arts, The Dali Museum and extending onto the runways at Albert Whitted Airport, which overlooks the waterfront of Tampa Bay and picturesque St. Petersburg Harbor and Marina. Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is owned and operated by Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC. Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC is owned by Green Savoree Racing Promotions 2, LLC whose other subsidiaries also promote three additional INDYCAR SERIES races, The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio (July 1-3, 2022), Honda Indy Toronto (July 15-17, 2022), and Grand Prix of Portland (Sept. 2-4, 2022).

For more information, visit gpstpete.com, ‘like’ its Facebook page at @GPSTPETE or follow the event on Twitter @GPSTPETE and Instagram @GPSTPETE using #FirestoneGP.

Limited edition Mint 400 collection on sale now at ImpactCanopy.com!

Mint 400 officials are pleased to welcome Impact Canopy as the Official Branding Partner of the 2021 BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400. Impact Canopy has produced an exclusive limited run of Mint 400-branded products, bringing “The Great American Off-Road Race” to life with vibrant signage that will be seen across both the Mint 400 Off-Road Festival on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas and at the Start-Finish Line Midway in Primm on race days. In addition, limited-edition Mint 400 canopies, banners, and more can be purchased now at ImpactCanopy.com.

“We’re beyond excited to team up with Impact Canopy to bring the 2021 BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400 to life,” said Mint 400 CEO Matt Martelli. “Their exclusive line of Mint 400 products from this year’s race feature some of the most striking artwork we’ve ever produced, and they couldn’t look any better on Impact’s full line of accessories. Be sure to pick up your own piece of the Mint 400 and show the world just how much you love off-road racing!”

Impact Canopy and The Mint 400 have teamed up to bring you their 2021 Limited Edition Series for this year’s event. Each product embodies the strength and quality the line deserves. From durable frames to vibrant print, capture the essence of The Mint 400 and are exclusively at Impact Canopy. Click here to shop the full collection, which includes canopies, banners, flags, chairs, and more.

At Impact Canopy, their custom branding solutions surpass other manufacturers in terms of quality, convenience, and customer service. While some other canopy tent manufacturers may offer various different advantages, only Impact Canopy offers the complete service you need when it comes to custom canopy tents.

“As the premier off-road desert race in the United States and the premier off-road branding team in North America, this partnership was predestined.” Says Mike Ohirko, President and Owner of Impact Canopy. “The Mint 400 is the type of entity that holds similar values to that of Impact. We maintain a commitment to support organizations that affect the industry in a positive way.

As racers exhibit their strength and performance on the unforgiving terrain of the Nevada desert, we are eager to demonstrate the durability and extreme quality of Impact products” Mike Ohirko continued.

Impact Canopy was formed in 1999, manufacturing and distributing a complete line of custom canopies, signs, flags, banners, and inflatable products for decades. Not only does Impact offer top quality in all of our products, but also maintain a level of expertise and dedication to motorsports that allows them to preserve their position as the #1 Off-Road Branding Team in North America. Quality, service, and price. The Impact team knows what you’re looking for, on and off the track, and they deliver.

Impact will take your project from start to finish, exceeding your expectations all the way through. Team Impact understands motorsports and have a drive for branding development – providing what you need, on time, and within budget.

The Mint 400 has held the title of the toughest, most spectacular off-road race in North America since 1968 when it was first run. Initially, the race was a public relations event promoting the Mint Hotel’s annual deer hunt. but what started out as a hotel promotion soon grew into a legitimate desert race. Since its 2008 revival, “The Great American Off-Road Race” has only gotten bigger and more prestigious, and deeper fields every year only make it tougher to win.

This year’s BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400 will take place from December 1-5 in Las Vegas. More information on the event for racers and spectators is available at TheMint400.com, or follow the event on Facebook and Instagram. For more information on Impact Canopy, visit www.impactcanopy.com.

About The Mint 400
The Mint 400 is the oldest and most prestigious off-road race in America, and is held each March in the treacherous foothills of Sin City. The multi-day event features a massive vehicle parade down the world famous Las Vegas Strip, a two day festival on historic Fremont Street, and two days of grueling off-road racing on a desolate and punishing 400-mile racecourse. Nearly 65,000 off-road and recreational enthusiasts come to watch 500 race teams in 50+ classes from 25 different states and 15 different countries go door to door, while the Livestream coverage is beamed to over 800,000 viewers worldwide. No other off road race allows fans the thrilling experience of watching the top off-road race teams from around the world battle for fame and glory, in a festival setting – complete with a luxury VIP section. The Mint 400 is “The Great American Off-Road Race”!

TOKYO, Nov 17, 2021 – (JCN Newswire) – SoftBank Corp. and Honda R&D Co., Ltd. announced they have started a use case-based verification of technologies to reduce collisions between pedestrians and vehicles using a 5G standalone mobile communication system (“5G SA”)(1) and a cellular V2X communication system (“cellular V2X”)(2) in the effort to realize a society where both pedestrians and vehicles can enjoy mobility safely and with total peace of mind.

Using SoftBank’s 5G SA experimental base station installed at Honda’s Takasu Proving Ground (located in Takasu Town, Hokkaido Prefecture) and Honda’s recognition technology, SoftBank and Honda are conducting technology verifications for the following three use cases:

Use Case Validation Overview

Use case 1: Reduce collisions involving pedestrians who are visible to vehicles

In an environment where a pedestrian can be seen from the moving vehicle, and when the vehicle’s on-board camera recognizes the risk of a collision such as the pedestrian entering the roadway, the vehicle sends an alert to the pedestrian’s mobile device directly or via an MEC server.(3) This will enable the pedestrian to take evasive action to prevent a possible collision with the vehicle.

Use case 2: Reduce collisions involving pedestrians who are not visible to vehicles

In an environment where a pedestrian cannot be seen from the moving vehicle due to obstacles such as parked cars along roadsides, the vehicle checks with mobile devices and other vehicles nearby about the presence or absence of a pedestrian in an area with poor visibility.

If there is a pedestrian present, the system notifies the pedestrian of the approaching vehicle and also notifies the vehicle of the pedestrian from the pedestrian’s mobile device. When there is a second vehicle in a position to see the pedestrian that is in the area with poor visibility, that vehicle notifies the other vehicle of the pedestrian. These high-speed data communications between the moving vehicle, pedestrians, and other vehicles will help prevent collisions.

Use case 3: Reduce collisions involving pedestrians by sharing information about areas not visible to vehicles

The moving vehicles send information about the areas with poor visibility to the MEC server, and the MEC server organizes the information and notifies vehicles driving in the vicinity. When a vehicle receives the notification and approaches an area with poor visibility, it checks with the MEC server about the presence or absence of pedestrians. If there is a pedestrian present, the MEC server sends an alert to the vehicle and the pedestrian.

These high-speed data communications between the MEC server, vehicles, and pedestrians will help prevent collisions. In this use case, it is possible to send information about an area with poor visibility to vehicles that are not equipped with a camera-based recognition function, which makes it possible to prevent collisions between vehicles and pedestrians regardless of whether vehicles have recognition functions.

SoftBank and Honda had already been working together conducting technology verification for 5G-based connected vehicles by setting up a 5G experimental base station at the Takasu Proving Grounds. Though this new initiative, Softbank and Honda aim to realize a cooperative society where pedestrians and drivers can enjoy mobility safely and with total peace of mind by utilizing network technology that will be created by connecting pedestrians and vehicles. To this end, Softbank and Honda will pursue technological verification with a view to linking 5G SA and cellular V2X, with the goal to complete it before the end of fiscal year 2021 (the year ending March 31, 2022).

(1) Standalone 5G is a cutting-edge technology that combines new 5G dedicated core equipment and 5G base stations, unlike the conventional standalone system that uses 4G core equipment and combines it with 5G base stations.
(2) A communication standard established by 3GPP (a standardization organization that formulates standards for mobile communication systems), which is a technology that uses mobile networks for vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-infrastructure, vehicle-to-network and vehicle-to-pedestrian communications.
(3) MEC stands for Multi-access Edge Computing, a technology that optimizes and accelerates communications compared to cloud servers by deploying data processing functions in locations close to terminals, such as base stations.

• SoftBank, the SoftBank name and logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of SoftBank Group Corp. in Japan and other countries.
• Other company, product and service names in this press release are registered trademarks or trademarks of the respective companies.

News URL: https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/71115/

Imagine a situation where you’re required to be somewhere such as work, a wedding, or an event that requires significant travel and you run into the ever-looming problem that is car maintenance. Either, your vehicle fails to start, overheats frequently, blown fuses cause malfunctioning electronics or a simple wiring issue that causes your lights not to function. Having the knowledge required to solve car-related issues without seeking professional help is invaluable to both your time and wallet.

On average the annual dollar cost of car maintenance ranges between $700-2,000 per vehicle, and that is excluding the other big investment you must make, time. Between scheduling with mechanics, waiting for your car to be diagnosed and repaired, and also potentially having to use a rental car and signing with said companies; the time invested in traditional auto repair is just as significant as the cost. Fortunately, with the entire sum of human knowledge at your fingertips, most of the aforementioned issues can be easily mitigated with online auto repair guides.

With the modern-day interconnectivity we all experience, chances are, someone somewhere has experienced the exact or similar car-related issue and has either posted a solution or asked for help online for the problem you will need to solve in the future with your vehicle(s). Simply being able to diagnose the source of the problem quickly could save hours of troubleshooting from both yourself or your mechanic’s behalf if the problem is significant enough to seek a professional auto-mechanic’s assistance. Whether it’s a simple oil change or complex engine-related malfunction, any automotive issue is where the knowledge from online guides such as YOUCANIC, are worth their weight in gold. The previous statement is equally reinforced by the fact that the guides provided use photos and videos to easily showcase and explain exactly what needs to be done, what they’re currently doing, and how to do it as fast and precisely as possible.

Teaching yourself and learning the skills necessary to learn how to self-repair your vehicle(s) is something that will pay its dividends over time, and the results may not be immediate. The obvious elephant in the room is that it will take time to learn said skills, and as mentioned previously, time is just as valuable as the cost. Perhaps it would be quicker to ignore the fuss and to just simply bring your vehicle in to the shop for each automotive issue. However, the opportunity costs and ease of learning the skills in today’s online ecosystem have never been more time-efficient and both you, your family, and your friends will all benefit from the knowledge gained to solve and diagnose automotive problems on your own.

Whether you’re an up-and-coming student, retired, or somewhere between, learning how to DIY repair your vehicles will save your time, money, and sanity. The internet is vast, and an amazing tool for sculpting your mind so long as you find the appropriate outlets that offer great information. Even just learning a few ins and outs of automotive repair can be equally helpful for saving money and time because simply being able to concisely explain your current car-related issues to your mechanic will save both the cost of troubleshooting and the overall time to repair by using YOUCANIC.

The question of what car stereo is better, a single DIN or double DIN, is one that has been debated for years.

Some say that a single din provides more flexibility and can fit in more places than a double din, while others argue that the size of the screen on a double-DIN makes it ideal.

We will take an in-depth look at both options and let you decide which one is best for you!

What Do Single DIN and Double DIN Mean?

The term ‘DIN’ refers to how high the stereo is. 1-DIN means the stereo is 2 inches high while 2-DIN means the stereo is 4 inches high. However, the width and depth of the chassis of stereos are more or less the same. Stereos are generally 7-inches wide.

What’s Better Between Single DIN and Double DIN?

Single DIN car stereos are smaller and give you more flexibility with the installation process. However, not all single din head units come equipped with built-in Bluetooth or a USB port for charging phones while the ones that do tend to be pricier than double din models. This is because although they’re cheaper on average, it takes more advanced technology to fit in everything in a small chassis which increases the cost of production.

Double DIN car stereos offer larger screens because there is more room for components, but they tend to be pricier than their smaller counterparts. Many double-DIN models also come equipped with touchscreens which can add extra features that you might not find in a single-DIN model. However, it may be hard to find a double din head unit with built-in Bluetooth or a USB port for charging phones at an affordable price point.

Advantages and Disadvantages Between Single DIN and Double DIN?

As we discussed above, there are pros and cons between both types of car stereos.

Single DINs are easier to install, but the lack of features like Bluetooth and USB charging may make it not so enjoyable to have them. And if they do come with these features, you’ll be spending a lot more than a regular one.

They also tend to be smaller which removes large displays out of the equation. However, you’ll find flip-out car stereos that are single-DIN but come equipped with a large touchscreen display that flips out when you turn on the car. But the price? You’ll find those retractable models more expensive than the regular 2-DIN models.

Double DINS offer larger screens built-in, but they can be hard to find at an affordable price point. They also tend to come with touchscreens which add more features like GPS and radio presets that you might not get in a regular single din head unit.

So What’s The Bottom Line?

Overall, we believe that both options have their own pros and cons. Ultimately, it depends on the vehicle you own. If you’re looking for something with basic features like Bluetooth and USB charging at an affordable price point then go with a single din head unit. However, if you want larger screens or touchscreen options along with other advanced functionalities, choose double DIN instead.

Following the epic 2021 Nascar season with Kyle Larson being crowned as the champion, it’s time to look forward to the next Nascar season. The electricity in the air has already started to hum, and for fans of Nascar, it’s time to buckle up because 2022 will be as exciting as ever. Whether it’s through press releases, social media, or mobile apps; it’s important to begin taking the steps to get the most out of Nascar 2022 before it begins in Los Angeles in early February.

New Beginnings

When it comes to the next chapter of Nascar with fresh opportunities look no further than the recent rebranding of Roush Fenway Racing, which has now become RFK (Roush Fenway Keselowski) Racing. Along with the redesigning of their iconic no.6, the livery of the car has also been modified into a black and green behemoth representing the departure from the past, while also leaving nuggets of history within the details. Heralding their new era, RFK Racing intends to come out swinging for the rafters fielding two Nascar Cup teams for 2022. One team will be driven by Brad Keselowski himself, led by prolific crew chief Matt McCall; and the other Chris Buescher led by the powerful crew chief Scott Graves.

New Technology

With the cresting of a new season, new tech also comes along with it. Back in August, new car models were unveiled to be used in the 2022 Cup. The mainstay features include more symmetry, better safety, and allow for more aggressive driving styles without the negative effects. It’s reasonable to expect that alongside the new models and technology, the better and more interesting each race will become, and will make for an enthralling 2022 Nascar season.

New Opportunities

When it comes to mobile apps, Nascar 2022 will also be a bountiful plain of opportunity for anyone wishing to take their knowledge and research and convert it to gains via wagers. Mobile apps such as the 1xbet app are a fantastic way to dive in and learn the terminology that coincides with bets while also providing a method to wager your knowledge of Nascar. Simply keeping an eye on press releases such as both the aforementioned RFK racing and new tech coming into Nascar in 2022, you can easily begin to get an idea of who’s leading the pack and what to prepare and watch out for this coming season to win big.

New Ways to Become Involved

Nascar racing has become something we hold dear to ourselves, and connecting with the community is one of the best, if not the best ways to prepare for Nascar. Nowadays, there isn’t a better way to do it through the use of social media, community gatherings, websites and mobile apps are all excellent ways to educate yourselves and become involved within the wonderful world of Nascar communities.

New Conclusions

No single person truly knows how exciting next year’s Nascar will be, but one can make informed guesses based on all the new energy and excitement that continues to enter the scene every day. News such as the RFK Racing, new car models, and new ways to get involved such as mobile apps are only a small taste of what the next season has to offer. Whether we see another Kyle Larson championship victory, or a surprise champion sneak their way to the winner’s circle, 2022 will without a doubt be another monumental year for Nascar.