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Top Amazing Tips For Buying a Motorcycle Helmet

Photo by Karim MANJRA on Unsplash

Riding a motorcycle can be a fun and dangerous activity at the same time. It can be hazardous if the riders do not take the necessary precautions. There are essential gears that one is supposed to own once you purchase your motorcycle. The important of all is buying a helmet. Many fatalities that are happening around are because of the riders not wearing a helmet. Choosing the most suitable helmet can be a daunting activity due to the various helmets that are available. Several factors are available to help you in the decision-making process. The factors are essential if you are a new rider or an experienced rider. The ones that should be upfront are your safety, protection, and comfort. It can be tempting to put color, price, and color ahead of those dull safety features when buying a helmet. 

Type of Helmet

Always you should decide on the type of mask you want. There are various types’ helmets that you can choose from. They include full-face helmets, half helmets, motocross, modular and open face. For maximum safety, people recommend a full-face helmet as it encloses the whole face. Research reveals that the most affected area during a motorcycle crash is the chin. You will realize that full-face helmets are what most racers wear while on track. Some people may find wearing full-face suffocating, and if you are at a petrol station, you have to take them off on most occasions. They are the standard designs as they offer maximum protection during harsh weather conditions. 

Some of the individuals may prefer modular helmets. They like them because of their flexibility and adaptability. They argue that they can quickly flip them up when they are at the ATM, taking photos, or fueling without taking them off. They are also not suffocating as you can raise your chin to get fresh air when you are in slow-moving traffic. 

Some may prefer adventure helmets. They usually have a visor and peak. However, some individuals prefer to use goggles than visors. Motocross helmets are explicitly designed to be used off the road. They have a peak but no visor; hence are intended to be used with goggles. They have more open ventilation with foam ventilation in the chin.

Safety Standards and Right Fitting

There is some critical tip that you need to keep in mind. Expensive helmets do not mean safety, nor do cheap helmets mean they are safe. A plain-colored helmet will be more affordable to purchase compared to a helmet with some graphics. Every rider has different head shapes, and every helmet brand has another form. You should measure your head before purchasing your helmet. You can run your tape measure around the head just above your eyebrows and the pointy part at the back of your head. Experts recommend that you not buy helmets over the internet unless you have ever purchased that brand before. You should go to the stores and find those helmets that well fit you.

The tips mentioned above can guide you in deciding on choosing a suitable helmet. Accompanied with other factors like price and color but most important of all ensure safety and maximum protection.

Rocket Pro TPO and Paretta Autosport Announce Primary Sponsorship of #16 Chevrolet Piloted by Simona De Silvestro in the Indianapolis 500

· First Female INDYCAR Team to Partner on Content Highlighting Women in the Mortgage Industry
· Paretta Autosport and Rocket Pro TPO to create ‘Rocket Accelerator’ campaign highlighting female leaders in both racing and mortgage industry

INDIANAPOLIS (April 1, 2021) – Paretta Autosport today announced Rocket Pro TPO, the division of Rocket Mortgage which works exclusively with independent mortgage brokers, will serve as the primary sponsor of the No. 16 Chevrolet in the 105th running of the Indianapolis 500.

Piloted by Simona De Silvestro, the #16 Chevrolet represents a groundbreaking achievement in INDYCAR as the first-ever entrant in the Indianapolis 500 from a team that is female-owned, female driven and largely female crewed. As the primary sponsor, Rocket Pro TPO will be front-and-center with dominant branding on the car, firesuit and crew suits.

“Having Rocket Pro TPO come onboard as our primary sponsor for this year’s Indy 500 is a perfect partnership,” said Beth Paretta, CEO/team principal of Paretta Autosport. “We are both huge proponents of highlighting the power of women, while also using technology and speed to be the best at what we do. I cannot wait for what we will be able to accomplish as a team – both on and off the track.”

Together, Rocket Pro TPO, Paretta and De Silvestro will partner on the ‘Rocket Accelerator’ multimedia campaign. The group will use unique and innovative ways to amplify women in the mortgage lending and racing spaces by showcasing female leaders who are thriving in these industries.

This campaign will be just the start of an ongoing commitment from the organizations to improve access to employment in mortgage and racing, increase the availability of mentorship opportunities and build a strong sense of community within the lender’s broker partner network.

“It is an honor to be able to use the Indianapolis 500 to highlight and amplify the important role that women play in our industry, in our company and in independent mortgage brokers’ offices all across the country,” said Austin Niemiec, Executive Vice President of Rocket Pro TPO. “Rocket Accelerator will be a central focus of our business as we look to expand opportunities and access for female brokers, while also creating educational programs for the next generation to give them the keys to unlocking their full potential with a robust career.”

“We all need to have our pedal to the metal and win in our respective industries. At the same time, this isn’t about crossing the finish line first, it is about lifting up others and helping them get there too,” said Stacey Van Roosendaal, President and CEO of Sundance Lending which is a Rocket Pro TPO broker partner. “Women can play a significant role in driving these industries to a better place. It is important we support and cheer for our professional sisters wherever they work.”

Rocket Pro TPO is a division of Rocket Mortgage, the nation’s largest mortgage lender, and part of publicly traded Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT). The company supports the independent mortgage broker community, whose clients seek face-to-face service with the touch of localized expertise, by providing them the industry-leading Rocket technology and process that has enabled so many to achieve the American dream of homeownership.

Paretta Autosport’s formal entry into the 2021 Indianapolis 500 was recently accepted. The team is an extension of the INDYCAR series’ “Race for Equality and Change” announced last July to broaden equality in the sport. Paretta Autosport has a technical alliance with Team Penske.

About Paretta Autosport
Paretta Autosport is a new team competing in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. With a technical alliance with Team Penske, it will attempt to qualify and compete in the 2021 Indy 500 and beyond. More than racing, Paretta Autosport is an initiative to encourage and mentor girls and women to pursue careers in STEM-related fields. The team will incorporate women in key roles: mechanics, engineers, marketing, business operations, and more. Created by female automotive and motorsports executive Beth Paretta, the team is part of the INDYCAR series’ “Race for Equality and Change” initiative.

At Paretta Autosport, the competitive spirit drives us. We work hard and always strive for better: for ourselves, for our team, and for others. For more information go to www.parettaautosport.com.

About Rocket Pro TPO
Rocket Pro TPO is a division of Rocket Mortgage, the nation’s largest mortgage lender, and a part of Rocket Companies, Inc. (NYSE: RKT). It works exclusively with mortgage brokers, community banks and credit unions. Rocket Pro TPO’s partners provide the face-to-face service their clients desire, while tapping into the expertise, technology and award-winning process from Rocket Mortgage. The partner loan officer creates, and maintains, the relationship with the client. Rocket Mortgage approves, underwrites, processes and closes the loan in its name.

For more information please visit www.rocketprotpo.com.

FORMER NASCAR CHAMPION AND HALL OF FAMER BOBBY LABONTE RETURNING TO SOUTH BOSTON SPEEDWAY FOR SATURDAY’S SMART MODIFIED TOUR RACE

Former NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2020 NASCAR Hall Of Fame inductee Bobby Labonte focuses on the task at hand as he prepares for the start of a SMART Modified Tour event. Photo Courtesy Breaking Limits

By Joe Chandler
Public Relations Director, South Boston Speedway

South Boston, VA…..The last time Bobby Labonte competed at South Boston Speedway was in 1991, the year he won the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series championship. Now, 20 years later, he will return to competition at South Boston Speedway on Saturday, this time competing on the SMART (Southern Modified Auto Racing Teams) Tour.

The 2000 NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2020 NASCAR Hall Of Fame inductee will join his fellow SMART Modified Tour competitors for a 99-lap race, one of the headline events of Saturday’s 2 p.m. running of the Pocono Organics’ CBD Day At The Races at South Boston Speedway.

A 100-lap race for the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Late Model Stock Car Division drivers and 15-lap races for South Boston Speedway’s Budweiser Pure Stock Division and Budweiser Hornets Division competitors are also featured on Saturday’s four-race card.

“I can’t wait to get there,” Labonte remarked when asked if he was looking forward to returning to “America’s Hometown Track.”

“South Boston is one (track) I look forward to going to because I have been there about a half dozen times. It’s a great racetrack. I look forward to going back just because it has been awhile since I’ve been there, and it was always a nice place. I know there is a lot to be proud of what South Boston Speedway has done for the community.”

Labonte, who races with Team 25 owned by Mike “Andretti” Smith and pilots the No. 25 Cook-Out sponsored entry, notes that the competition on the SMART Modified Tour is very tough.

“These are the best Modified racers in the south,” Labonte said.

“It’s a tough deal. I think it’s going to be a great field of cars. It’s going to be hard to win and hard to finish in the top three, but we’re going to give it our best shot.”

One of the keys to victory in Saturday’s 99-lap SMART Modified Tour race at South Boston Speedway will be tire management. Drivers will have to make decisions as to how hard they can push their cars during the race and have enough left in their tires to be competitive at the end of the race.

“You’ve got to manage your tires because you don’t get but one tire for the race,” Labonte explained.

“You can come in and put one tire on it, but you can’t put four tires on it. If you watched the Bristol dirt race, they wore the treads out. This is similar. You’ve got a lot of power and you’ve got a really soft tire that’s fast, and it’s going to wear out if you abuse it. You have to manage that. You can run as hard as you want, but sometimes that’s not always going to be the best way.”

Labonte has won in all three of NASCAR’s top circuits and says winning at South Boston Speedway on Saturday, or winning any of the SMART Modified Tour races, would be special.

“It would mean a lot,” said Labonte, who enters Saturday’s race sitting fourth in the series point standings.

“I’m excited that we have a chance at it, and I’m excited about the way our car is running. If we can win one of these, whether it’s this weekend or not, it will be special for me.”

Competing in the SMART Modified Tour is fun, according to Labonte.

“I really enjoy it,” he remarked.

“I raced at Bowman-Gray Stadium a couple of years ago with Burt Myers. Last year running the race at Florence (South Carolina) I kind of got the bug. I enjoyed it. They (the Modifieds) are a beast to drive. You’ve got a lot of tire, and you’ve got a lot of horsepower. I just like the way they drive. It’s been good.”

In addition to Labonte, Saturday’s 99-lap SMART Modified Tour race will feature some of the best Modified drivers in the country. The projected entry list includes NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Preece who drives the No. 37 JTG-Daugherty entry in the Cup Series. Preece, a standout in Modifieds, won the 2013 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship, is a two-time Modified champion at Thompson Speedway and a three-time New Smyrna Speedway Modified champion. Preece has a Modified pole win and race win at South Boston Speedway.

The projected entry list for Saturday’s race also includes the Myers brothers, Burt Myers and Jason Myers of Walnut Cove, North Carolina, Frank Fleming and James Civali who each have two career Modified race wins at South Boston Speedway, one-time South Boston Modified race winner Brandon Ward and New Yorker Tommy Catalano who holds the South Boston Speedway Modified qualifying record of 103.979 mph which he set in March, 2019.

Adult general admission advance tickets for the event, the first of three special events at South Boston Speedway this season, are available online on the South Boston Speedway website for $15 each plus a $1.50 processing fee, for a total of $16.50.

Advance tickets will be available online on the South Boston Speedway website until midnight on Friday before the race. Tickets at the gate on race day will be $20 each.

South Boston Speedway is participating in the Advance Auto Parts My Track Challenge, a contest for NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series tracks. Fans have the opportunity to vote for their favorite NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series track through Tuesday, April 27 and can vote up to three times a day. When fans cast their vote they will be entered to win NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series prizes. Votes for South Boston Speedway can be cast at https://bit.ly/VoteForSoBo.

The six tracks that receive the most votes after April 27 will be part of a two-day final round of voting that is scheduled to start on Sunday, May 9.

A $50,000 prize will be awarded to the winning track that can be used toward facility enhancements and community-based programs. The runner-up track will receive $15,000 and the third-place track will receive $10,000.

The latest news and updates about South Boston Speedway and its racing events can be found on the new South Boston Speedway website at www.southbostonspeedway.com and on the speedway’s social media channels. Fans can also subscribe for e-mail updates on the speedway’s website.

Single-Day tickets go on sale today for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

Eleven total races will be featured on track during the 17th annual event

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (April 1, 2021) – Single-Day Grandstand and General Admission tickets are on sale today starting at 10 a.m. ET for the 2021 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Multi-day weekend tickets are also still available online at gpstpete.com.

The spectator gates will open in 22 days for the event set for April 23-25, 2021. Action from six different racing series will be back on Bayshore Dr., speed onto the runways of Albert Whitted Airport, and roar alongside the waterfront and downtown St. Petersburg skyline for the 17th consecutive year.

A 3-Day General Admission ticket offers the best value at just $60 to experience all the action throughout the weekend. Daily general admission tickets are $25 for Friday, $40 for Saturday, and $55 for Sunday. Three-Day Grandstand seats are $145 and $115 for upper and lower rows, respectively. Single-Day Grandstand seats are $110 in upper rows and $85 in lower rows. Junior pricing is available for ages 12 and under. Only a limited number of tickets are being sold in advance, and no tickets will be sold at the gates during the race weekend. Reserved grandstand seating will remain socially distanced across groups.

The on track action will feature 11 different races headlined by the 100-lap NTT INDYCAR SERIES race on Sunday, April 25, with the green flag set to wave on the field officially at 12:42 p.m. ET as the big finale to the weekend. The SPEED Energy Stadium SUPER Trucks are making their much-anticipated return to the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg with two races in store for these high-flying vehicles. Doubleheaders are also planned for all three open-wheel development levels of the Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires, which includes the return of Indy Lights this year, and the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich providing some fender-to-fender, showroom stock racing thrills.

The event will operate using specific health and safety protocols for COVID-19. Fans should visit gpstpete.com/covid19 before attending to review all these protocols. Competitors, spectators and all associated with the event will be subject to a health screening and temperature check before entry is permitted. All attendees will be required to wear masks or facial coverings at all times unless when eating or drinking. Hand sanitizer and hand washing stations will be prevalent across the venue.

For complete ticket pricing and the weekend schedule just posted, visit gpstpete.com. Also, follow the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on social media using #FirestoneGP for additional updates and news.

About Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg:
The 17th annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is a race event held during Florida’s spring break season each March and rescheduled to the last weekend of April this year. 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 races, The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio (July 2-4, 2021), Honda Indy Toronto (July 9-11, 2021), and Grand Prix of Portland (Sept. 10-12, 2021).

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

Cash for Cars – A Great Option

Most individuals choose not to have a car payment, particularly if it would take four or even more months to accumulate off. If you have the funds, spending cash for a vehicle is usually a safer option than borrowing or leasing. Many who pay cash for cars lose much less time in the long term than those who make deposits so they escape different lender fees per month. 

Besides, unlike leasing, the customer purchases the vehicle completely rather than returning it to the car business at the end of the contract. Paying cash may be the only choice for consumers in some financial circumstances, including those lacking strong credit or a credit card.

Owning an automobile is a costly endeavor in and of itself. According to a AAA survey from 2014, the total cost of vehicle ownership is about $9,000 per year based on 15,000 miles driven. This covers all of the expenses involved with maintaining a vehicle running, such as compensation, licensing, repairs, and petrol. However, borrowing money on a house makes it much more costly.

Reasons to pay Cash for Cars

You’ll Save Money

It would be daunting to clear your bank account to purchase anything as costly as a nice vehicle while recognizing that inflation would be a concern from the start. Funding can sound more enticing at first, even if many customers end up paying more than their loan than the vehicle is worth. Overall, the only money you’re going to put away is the personal loan and possibly your exchange.

Most consumers don’t care much about the vehicle’s value at the end of the car loan because long as the car payment is reasonable. However, debt accumulates, and borrowing becomes a more costly proposition over time.

Determine What You Require in a Car.

Customization options, product kits, and high-end trim tiers are where manufacturers earn cash. Meanwhile, dealers benefit from providing products and repair contracts that connect you to their service center. A salesman may persuade you to buy a car that has more choices than you wanted or that comes to seat cushions and grippy tires that were added later.

Such add-ons may only cost a few bucks more per quarter over the next 60 months, but they may add value to the property more on the average sticker price. Any cash offer should be worried about this. It’s also an important consideration when deciding whether you need some all SUV when a simpler and more gas front-wheel-drive sedan or luxury sedan would suffice.

Paying in cash entitles you to printable coupons.

There are a few aspects that owning the car outright that will result in extra savings. Personal vendors, for instance, often market their cars for significantly less than what retailers ask for them. In some other examples, dealers may be able to go cheaper with a used automobile to even get rid of it so they don’t have to buy it. Funding is nearly often more difficult for a used vehicle. 

So that you can pay cash, you still have more choices so you can conveniently pick among private sales and vendors. Discounts from the auto dealer or supplier can get forfeited for those who borrow by their preferred lender or community bank.

Avoid Loan Repayments

The most apparent benefit of spending cash on a vehicle is that you save making payments. For instance, if you borrow a used automobile for about $12,000 at an interest rate slightly below 6% for 60 months, you would end up spending about $15,000 at the end of the loan. 

The greater the loan term, the higher the rate level, and the higher the vehicle price, the more you will end up spending in the end. And if the interest rate is less than 1%, the additional sum on each dollar borrowed adds up.

Enhances Your Credit Score

Cash payments are also a great way to boost budgeting skills. Most financial institutions take into account the fact that the majority of people have loans. When paying for a credit or debit card, loan, or personal loan, not making a car payment indicates that you do have less debt and therefore not prone to be default risk.

If You Do Have Your Cash, Here’s How to Pay Cash for the car at Car Dealer.

If you’re spending cash for just a car out of your bank account from some origin, bring a refund check. Many car dealers wouldn’t want to take individual deposits, and you certainly don’t want to cart a stack of cash around you.

A safe idea is to speak with the boss to inform them that you’ll be making payments and determine the right means of payment. Any dealer can take credit cards based on the cost. It’s better whether the card has little interest or gets connected to a loyalty scheme, such as frequent flier miles. Nonetheless, owing to the fees involved with the purchase, it is typically a losing proposition for the dealership.

Will You Tell the Supplier That You’re just a Cash Purchaser?

While some auto dealers can be cold to cash customers, wise dealers realize that if they handle the consumer well, it usually means a quick sell and positive ratings. It also ensures that there is no chance of the transaction going through in the finance manager due to the purchaser’s credit ratings.

Conclusion

The first step has always been to ensure that you depart with the word. Don’t leave in your new car without it. The primary way to be cautious about is any vehicle in which the driver does not have all of the required documentation. And if there are valid grounds for losing documents, there are far too many dangers. The owner may simply apply for a missing title or change the title on the paperwork.

A DMV is an ideal place to make the platform for cash trading. You’ll be in a public location and will double-check if all is in order. Normally, you can pay in cash or a cash register check. You may also meet at a market to deposit the trade if you prefer the above choice.

Tips for Starting an Auto Parts Ecommerce Store

Photo by Manuel E Sankitts on Unsplash

Right now, only one out of three aftermarket auto parts businesses use e-commerce as part of their business strategy. This is problematic, as consumers are gravitating more and more toward online shopping. If you want to gain a competitive edge, your brick-and-mortar store isn’t enough.

As history has shown, running a successful e-commerce business for auto parts depends on two key factors: convenience and trust. Nail these two factors, and you’ll be well-positioned for e-commerce success.

Convenience

E-commerce for automotives must be convenient for customers. If they experience any roadblocks to making a purchase, they’ll soon try a different e-store or drive down the road to their local dealer.

It’s therefore important that your sales team are consistent in their approach to customers and you can ensure this by creating a sales playbook of the knowledge and tools necessary for easy sales. It can help to make sure that you have clear strategies, processes and tangible examples to help you and your team manage any sales situation or scenario.

For a business owner who’s probably more passionate about spark plugs than web marketing, consider outsourcing certain tasks to an expert to ensure a seamless customer experience.

It does not matter if you are selling Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota, or even Honda parts. Having a selection of specific parts such as ford parts canada does for each manufacturer. This will give you the edge over your competition by giving your customers the convenience to shop for the specific part or by the manufacturer.

Choose the Right Selling Platform

If you’ll only be offering a limited range or specialize in very niche parts, consider selling via a platform like Amazon or eBay. You’ll make a smaller profit on your parts but the bulk of the work will be done for you.

If you’d like to sell a large range of parts or wish to build a strong brand image, consider launching your own online store like conquest auto parts with the powerful automotive eCommerce platform. This option requires more work at the start, but the earnings and relationship you maintain with your customers will be 100% yours from the get-go.

This will heavily depend on your business model, but you have to keep your long-term business goals in mind. While it’s always possible to expand your offering, it’s best to accommodate any big moves early on as part of your growth strategy.

Create Keyword-Rich Content

Once you create your online store, you need to make it easy for customers to find you. Auto parts customers usually know what they’re looking for and search by the part name along with the make and/or model of their car. You will need to fill your website with content that specifies these details to help you appear higher in internet search results.

Keep in mind that content should also be full of useful information and not fillers. Describe your products in detail in a way that helps your customers make their buying decision. Things like compatibility with certain makes and models, alternative SKUs, and installation instructions may accommodate your visitor and turn them into a buyer.

Establish Simple Product Filters

After a customer lands on your site, guide them quickly and effortlessly to the parts that they need. Most e-commerce for auto parts sites offer a product filter with any or all the following categories:

  • Make
  • Model
  • Year
  • Trim
  • Engine
  • Fuel

When the customer clicks on the part that they want, they’ll be interested in the features and benefits of the product. Make sure you list all compatible vehicles on the product page, along with warranty details and an accurate, professional product image.

Make Myriad Payment Options Available

Ultimately, the goal of your e-commerce site is to convert web traffic into sales. In order to finalize the sale, you’ll need to partner with an authoritative processor like Unicorn Payment to set up secure, affordable, PCI-compliant payment solutions.

Some of the best merchant providers will allow you to provide a variety of payment options to customers all around the world. Look for a provider that offers all of the currencies that your customers use as well as alternative payment options like Apple Pay and even cryptocurrencies. Meanwhile, strengthening the checkout flow with effective measures for preventing payment fraud can help ensure that every transaction remains both secure and trustworthy for customers.

Offer Expedited Shipping

Ideally, e-commerce for auto parts caters to all kinds of people—from the local mechanic who’s servicing a luxury BMW to a young college student who’s been tied up at home with a flat. Whichever sector you choose as your primary market, the reality is that the customer will need their parts quickly

To fulfill delivery expectations and reduce delays, research the third-party shippers in your area and ask about overnight and expedited delivery options. You’ll also need to pack the parts securely, so have plenty of boxes and bubble wrap on hand.

Trust

For better or for worse, e-commerce for auto parts has suffered greatly when it comes to trust. The high number of auto-parts traders that deal in stolen, secondhand, and faulty goods has forced genuine dealers to raise the bar as far as proving that their parts are authentic.

Describe Your Inventory Accurately 

To build trust with your customers, make sure that you describe your inventory accurately:

  • Is the produce made by an OEM (original equipment manufacturer), third-party manufacturer, or produced in your own aftermarket facility?
  • Which vehicles is it compatible with? Which parts can it replace?
  • What kind of warranty is available?
  • Do you cover return shipping?

Stay in Touch 

Provide constant confirmation messages, such as when a customer completes a purchase when their order is shipped, and when delivery is confirmed (tracking numbers are a must). You can also offer shipping insurance for added assurance. 

To further build trust with your customers, consider adding an automatic email follow-up to request reviews for products purchased. Glowing reviews from satisfied customers go a long way towards raising sales!

Provide Reliable Customer Support 

Even with a detailed product filter, you’ll still have customers who need more assistance or prefer to talk with a customer representative. More importantly, customers want to know that there’s someone on the other side who can answer their questions and quell their concerns.

If you don’t have a staff member who can be available throughout the day for answering messaging, calls, emails, and web forms, consider adding a chatbot to the site or your WhatsApp business account (if you have one) for a more guided and supported experience. You can look for a Website or WhatsApp chatbot builder to develop one at an affordable price. Just make sure to follow up promptly with real human support.

The Takeaway

Branching out into e-commerce for auto parts is a smart move in a digitalized world. To make sure your online venture is a success, decide which products you’ll sell online, hire a web expert to build (and/or run) your site, make the process easy for customers, and build trust with well-described, guaranteed products. 

Soon, you could find yourself enjoying a thriving online business with happy customers and growing profits.

Top Three Storylines Going Into 2021 Formula One Season

"Hamilton" by AFP is licensed under CC BY 3.0

The months of March and April are always exciting for motorsport fans. Typically around this time, the NASCAR season is in full swing and both Formula One and IndyCar are on the cusp of starting.

This year is no different — even amidst the pandemic. Matter of fact, Formula One’s first race of the year, the Bahrain Grand Prix, gets underway on Sunday, March 28. It’s the opening competition of a 23-race slate that takes the season all the way through December. 

It’s only preseason, but we could be in for a doozy of an F1 season. There’s a lot to look forward to and while we wait for the Bahrain Grand Prix, let’s countdown the top storylines:

Hamilton’s History Chase 

As usual, all eyes are on Lewis Hamilton. During the offseason, he was embroiled in on-again, off-again talks with Mercedes on a new contract. The two finally settled on a new deal in February, but a surprise for most, it was only a one-year contract. 

We’ll likely see this contract drama play out again at season’s end, but by then, Hamilton might have extra bargaining power as the undisputed greatest Formula One driver of all time. We mean, he already has a strong case, but another Drivers Championship in 2021 would be his eighth — breaking a tie with Michael Schumacher for most ever.  

Another milestone in Hamilton’s sights is 100 wins. No F1 driver has ever hit the century mark in Grand Prix victories, and Hamilton is currently at 95. Hamilton is heavily favored to accomplish both feats in 2021, but it’s not like he doesn’t have stiff competition nipping at his heels….

Red Bull Primed To Shake Up The Pecking Order

Without a doubt, the biggest challenger to Hamilton’s throne is Max Verstappen. He is 13 years the junior of Hamilton, which sets up the classic storyline of the king vs. the heir apparent. Can Verstappen spoil Hamilton’s pursuit of history?

If the preseason tests that transpired in Bahrain are any indication, Verstappen and the rest of Red Bull Racing certainly have potential in the spoiler role. The RB16B, the team’s newly-revealed F1 challenger, performed like a thing of beauty during the trials. Heck, Verstappen even ran the fastest lap with a blazing time of one minute and 28.96 seconds.

Also worth noting that during the same preseason tests, Mercedes struggled immensely. In fact, the squad racked up the least mileage out of all the teams. Most pundits shrugged off the early struggles — this is Mercedes, after all, winners of seven straight Constructor’s Championships — but momentum definitely felt to be on Red Bull’s side. 

One more thing that Red Bull Racing has going for them is a new addition — Sergio Perez. Competing for Racing Point a year ago, where he placed fourth in the final standings, Red Bull lured him away to team up with Verstappen in 2021. It’s a dynamic pairing that even Hamilton said could create a “battle we’ve not seen in some time.” 

Welcome Aston Martin

Speaking of Racing Point, they are no more. Instead, the race team has been renamed to Aston Martin, which will be competing as a constructor for the first time since 1960. 

Its newest F1 car, the AMR21, left a lot to be desired at the Bahrain pre-trials, akin to Mercedes. Issues with the gearbox, turbo, and electricals meant that Aston Martin’s car sat idly, accumulating the second-to-last laps of all teams. 

The car troubles also gave Aston Martin’s top driver — Sebastian Vettel — all of a meager 117 laps to practice. Over the offseason, Vettel, a four-time Drivers’ Championship winner, jumped ship from Ferrari to the newly-minted Aston Martin. 

The two teams are polar opposites from one another. Ferrari deployed a high-rake concept, whereas Aston Martin has only recently switched to low rake. Vettel himself even admitted the difference would be a “steep learning curve.” Tack on the preseason struggles in Bahrain and Vettel could be due for an especially slow start to the season. 

Like we said before, brace yourself for a doozy of a Formula One year. All bets are off once things get going at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Martinsville to host rain-tire testing for use at select short tracks

Photo by Christian Gardner for SpeedwayMedia.com.

NASCAR will hold a test session Thursday at Martinsville Speedway to look at the possibility of using rain tires on NASCAR’s shorter ovals. They are not discussing racing in the rain but being able to race on a wet track which should shorten rain delays.

Officials for NASCAR are already at the Martinsville track testing the Next Gen car with Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota manufacturers.

Kyle Larson will participate in the test with the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet and Chris Buescher will drive the No. 17 Roush Fenway Racing Ford. The test will be conducted on a dampened track.

Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer, described the purpose of the test as a step toward determining if the use of rain-tires can decrease the length of rain delays.

“I think the overall goal is anything we can do to speed up the drying process, regardless of the technology, to allow us to get back to racing more quickly is a benefit to the fans,” O’Donnell said. “We’re always trying to innovate, and you saw that with what we’ve done around the track-drying system and that’s worked out well. We’ve always looked at what’s the next iteration. If you’ve looked at what the teams have been able to do with more road racing coming into the fold, the idea of short tracks and could we work with Goodyear to find a tire that would allow us to get back to racing sooner under wet-weather conditions.”

O’Donnell emphasized that the intent is not to be able to race in the rain but to be able to shorten lengthy rain delays and return to competition quicker.

“I think at this point, we’re not talking about if it’s actually raining, “he said. “It’s more so, can we get back more quickly than the track being completely dry, which is what we require now. That’s part of the test, looking at where’s the limit, where we would feel comfortable for the drivers. We want this to be safe, so that will be part of this test — talking to the drivers, what are they comfortable with — then obviously talking to Goodyear and (director of racing) Greg Stucker and his team about how they feel and how the tire performs, what if any tweaks we could make to that tire coming out of Martinsville, so there’s a lot that we’re hoping to learn here in terms of grip levels. Each track is unique, so this is something we’ll have to look at for multiple venues.”

There is no timetable for how quickly the use of these rain-tires could be implemented at various short tracks as the decision will not be made solely by NASCAR but will be discussed with the team owners, drivers and Goodyear.

“Too early to tell, but I would say if this worked and we felt comfortable with it — and that would be both Goodyear and reaction from the drivers and teams — this is something we would look to implement as quickly as we could,” O’Donnell said. “We all know that if we can deliver a race on time or shorten those delays, that’s a benefit to the entire industry.”

AIR FORCE VETERAN MAKES HISTORY WITH THE SPORTS CAR CLUB OF AMERICA

(Left to Right) VETMotorsports National Vice-President Robert Dickey II, Air Force Veteran Karah Behrend, MSR-Houston’s James Rogerson.

Collaborative enables first handicapped female to obtain her SCCA Road Racing license during Women’s History Month.

ANGLETON, Texas, March 31, 2021 – VETMotorsports, with assistance from the Sport Car Club of America Foundation and their Women on Track Program, Warfighter Made, Hands-On Driving Academy, and MSR-Houston, enabled the first handicapped female to obtain her SCCA Racing license during Women’s History Month.

Over the course of 3 days, Air Force veteran and racer, Karah Behrend participated in MSR-Houston’s competition driving school to earn her full competition road racing license. Hands-On Driving Academy furnished her with a car equipped with Monarch II hand controls.

VETMotorsports places active military, National Guard, Reserve, Gold Star families, and veterans with service-connected injuries and their caregivers inside the ropes and behind the wheel at motor racing events across the country. Since its founding in 2012, the organization has helped more than 200 injured veterans participate in over 100 motorcycle and auto racing events nationwide.

“This was a tremendous accomplishment for the racing community,” said VETMotorsports CEO & Founder Peter Cline. “This would not have been possible without the collaboration of all the organizations. We wish Karah great success in the future and look forward to her first SCCA road race weekend.”

“The whole program was really amazing,” said Behrend. “MSR-Houston provided the school and a hand-control car from Hands-On Driving Academy, Warfighter Made paid for my travel, and VETMotorsports assisted with the lodging and logistics. It truly was a team effort! I’m hoping to take advantage of this opportunity and get on track before the end of the year.”

More information about VETMotorsports is available at www.vetmotorsports.org.