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Team Hardpoint EBM Unveils 24 Hours of Daytona Porsche 911 GT3 R entry and Co-ed Driver Line-up with VB Enviro Care and Richard Mille

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Official Release
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Christina Nielsen and Earl Bamber photos courtesy Porsche

Full-time Drivers and Team Co-owners Rob Ferriol and Earl Bamber Joined by Katherine Legge and Christina Nielsen for the IMSA WeatherTech Season Opener

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (January 19, 2021) – Team Hardpoint EBM makes its 2021 IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship debut in the GT Daytona (GTD) class, with full-time drivers and team co-owners Rob Ferriol and Earl Bamber joined by Katherine Legge and Christina Nielsen for the season-opening 24 Hours of Daytona at Daytona International Speedway.

Ferriol and Bamber will campaign a Porsche 911 GT3 R throughout the 2021 season, but for the twice around the clock classic, they will be behind the wheel of the No. 88 VB Enviro Care/Richard Mille Porsche 911 GT3 R sporting a livery that will become more familiar to the pairing of Nielsen and Legge in the future.

For Team Hardpoint EBM, the move to Porsche comes in the program and team co-owner Ferriol’s second year of IMSA WeatherTech competition, but first season as the newly minted joint venture between Team Hardpoint and Earl Bamber Motorsport. The move serves as a return to Ferriol’s roots, who got his start in IMSA’s single-make Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA just three seasons ago. It also represents a class change for long-time Porsche driver Bamber, who debuts in the GTD class after scoring championships in the GTLM class.

The 2021 entry will be Ferriol’s first appearance in the 24-hour race.

“So much has been written and said about Daytona over the course of its history, to be able to debut Team Hardpoint EBM at this storied event is just an amazing and humbling opportunity,” Ferriol said. “We’ve been hard at work since the checker dropped not long ago at Sebring, bringing together two organizations to create what we hope will be a lasting presence in the IMSA paddock for years to come.”

“We’ve put together a wonderful team for the 24 Hours, both on and off the track. It’s no secret that Earl, Katherine, and Christina have all had success in IMSA, but to be able to bring all that experience together into one entry, and then join them on track as a driver, is the icing on the cake. I can’t think of a better way to start 2021.”

While Bamber is preparing for his first run in the GTD class, he has three podium finishes in the event – including a runner-up a year ago. Bamber will co-drive the season with Ferriol after their late-2020 announcement introducing the collaboration between Team Hardpoint and Earl Bamber Motorsport.

“I’m really, really excited to join Team Hardpoint EBM,” Earl Bamber said. “It’s the first time for Rob to compete in the 24 hours, and I’m coming off back-to-back podiums there so I think we’ve got a really strong line-up. Rob proved last year that he was a force to be reckoned with in the series and obviously to have Katherine Legge and Christina Nielsen driving with us for the first event is awesome. I can’t wait to get there. Everyone has done a great job this year, the field is absolutely huge so I can’t wait to get down to Daytona.”

Nielsen and Legge Return to the IMSA Paddock for the First Time Since the last season’s 24 Hour Race Thanks to VB Enviro Care and Richard Mille

Legge is also no stranger to the IMSA paddock, with four career wins and a championship runner-up in the season-long GTD championship in 2018. Legge’s 2018 run included a runner-up in the 24 Hour, her best finish in the race to date in eight attempts.

“I am excited on so many levels to get our season kicked off with Team Hardpoint EBM,” Legge said. “Last year was one to forget for me, but my legs are 100-percent race ready and I am chomping at the bit to get back in a race car. I am very grateful to the team and to Porsche for this opportunity, and for helping in my quest to showcase female talent. I believe we will be the first ever equally diverse team to have competed at Daytona 24. I’m looking forward to working with Rob and Earl, and learning how to wheel a Porsche, as it will be my first time with the marque. A huge thanks to our partners VB Enviro Care, Richard Mille, and to Porsche. We are going to do big things this year and I couldn’t be more excited to partner with them.”

Nielsen became the first woman to win a major full-season professional sports car championship in North America with a GTD title in 2016 and is a four-time race winner in the class. Her last win came behind the wheel of a GTD Porsche 911 GT3 R in 2018 at Road America.

“I am thrilled to be joining Team Hardpoint EBM and being with a group of people who have so much experience with Porsche,” Nielsen said. “I look forward to driving the new generation of the GT3 R, since the last time I sat in a Porsche was in the previous model. I am grateful for partners like VB Enviro Care, Richard Mille, and Porsche who have given us the opportunity to showcase that Motorsport truly is an equal playing field for men and women. Daytona is still one of the races in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship where everything hasn’t worked out perfectly over the 24 hours, so I am still very much on the hunt for that podium and that watch!”

The season gets underway officially with the Roar Before the 24, a three-day test session at Daytona International Speedway, January 22-24. That weekend culminates with a one hour, 40-minute qualifying race for the Motul Pole Award. That race will set the grid for the following weekend’s 24 Hours of Daytona.

Christina Nielsen and Earl Bamber photos courtesy Porsche

About VB Enviro Care:
VB Enviro Care was formed by Viscogliosi Brothers, LLC in response to the new normal emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. VB Enviro Care is creating a healthier quality of life for the whole community through 20 years of disinfection experience. The company is by providing the pharmaceutical grade healthcare disinfecting standard where people work, live, play, so they thrive, with confidence. To ensure the highest quality of life VB Enviro Care is proud to introduce surface disinfection mists, portable air disinfection units and personal protection products tested up to 99.9999% disinfection of any indoor space. These cutting-edge technologies and products were developed by the DoD, NASA and MIT to ensure ultimate safety for you and your loved one. To learn more about VB Enviro Care’s products and services visit:

About Richard Mille:
The first watch to carry Richard Mille’s name, the RM 001 Tourbillon, launched the millennium: the year was 2001, and the model marked the beginning of a new era in watchmaking. Today, the collection points resolutely towards the future, while holding stead fast to the time-honored traditions of fine watchmaking. Richard Mille endeavored to apply the techniques and materials found in the most innovative sectors such as in the domains of F1 racing car development and the aerospace industry to watchmaking, with the goal of creating an extreme timepiece, without compromise, without gimmicks.

About Team Hardpoint EBM:
Hardpoint Motorsports was founded by Rob Ferriol in 2018 with the vision of combining his experience as a successful entrepreneur with his passion for racing. Team Hardpoint EBM is a joint venture between Team Hardpoint and Earl Bamber Motorsport formed in late 2020 to combine the resources of EBM and co-owners Earl Bamber and Will Bamber and the early success of Team Hardpoint. Headquartered at VIRginia International Raceway, the team’s 2021 plans include a full-season effort in the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship in a Porsche 911 GT3 R and a multi-car effort in the IMSA Porsche Carrera Cup North America. More information on Team Hardpoint EBM can be found at www.hardpoint.com or through its strong social media presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-05 Team Eager to Start the 2021 Season at the Roar Before the 24

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Official Release
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Brownsburg, Ind. (January 19th, 2021) The 2021 IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship season officially kicks off this weekend at the Daytona International Speedway at the annual Roar Before the 24 test event. The No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-05 will return the following weekend, January 30th|31st for the series season opener, the Rolex 24 at Daytona, where the team Is focused on winning their third Rolex 24 at DAYTONA victory in a row and fourth overall, a feat last accomplished by Chip Ganassi Racing in 2008.

The No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-05 team will debut their new blue and black Acura Daytona prototype along with their exciting new driver line-up at the historic Daytona International Speedway. The driver line-up includes 2020 IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar champions Ricky Taylor and Helio Castroneves, 2020 European Le Mans and WEC champion Filipe Albuquerque and 2016 Indy 500 champion Alexander Rossi. Full-time co-drivers Taylor and Albuquerque will be joined by Rossi for three endurance events (Rolex 24 at DAYTONA, Sebring 12 Hour and Petit Le Mans) and by Castroneves for the 2021 Rolex 24 at DAYTONA.

The Roar Before the 24 will introduce a brand new qualifying format to determine the 59th Rolex 24 at DAYTONA starting grid with a 100-minute qualifying race on Sunday, January 24th. Each entrant will have two drivers per car in the hunt for the Motul Pole Award.

With three very successful years with Acura and Honda Performance Development (HPD) under his belt to-date, 2020 IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar champion Ricky Taylor returns to the No. 10 Konica Minolta team. A veteran to the IMSA podium, Taylor holds two driver championships, one Rolex 24 at DAYTONA victory, one 12 Hours of Sebring victory, and 24 wins.

“It has been incredibly busy for everyone at WTR to learn a completely different racecar in the ARX-05,” commented Ricky Taylor. “It has been so encouraging to see how seamlessly the relationship between Acura, HPD, and WTR has been built. The program already has a winning feeling to it, and I think everyone is thrilled about the possibilities. The Roar Before the 24 is always a busy event, but this year’s will be unprecedented because of the amount of knowledge we are hoping to gather leading into the Rolex 24 at DAYTONA only one week later.”

Filipe Albuquerque joins the No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-05 team after a fruitful 2020 season where the Portuguese driver became the 2020 European Le Mans champion, LMP2 World Endurance champion, and winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The veteran sportscar driver also has one overall and one class Rolex 24 at DAYTONA victory to his name.

“Daytona is a very special race and one of my favorites for many reasons. There’s the track, the ambiance, and with it being the first race of the year we have the feeling of a new start of a season,” said Filipe Albuquerque. “At the Roar you get to see everyone again, all the competitors and old friends to see what they have been working on to be better. Everyone in the race world knows exactly the feeling. I just can’t wait to get my hands on the Acura ARX-05. I am so anxious that I compare this time to when I first started my career.”

Alexander Rossi will drive the No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-05 at the Rolex 24 at DAYTONA, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, and the MOTUL Petit Le Mans endurance events in the 2021 IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship season. The seven-time INDYCAR race winner and 2016 Indianapolis 500 champion rejoins Ricky Taylor and Helio Castroneves after achieving two podiums in his five IWSC races with Acura to-date.

“I’m very excited to get back to work at Daytona in the Acura ARX-05 DPi car,” said Alexander Rossi. “The Roar is going to be a very important couple of days for the whole team to get up to speed with this new package, but I know how detailed WTR has been in terms of making sure we are as prepared as possible going into the event. Fortunately, myself, Ricky, and Helio are incredibly familiar with the car so I feel like we will be able to get everything up to speed very quickly and smoothly.”

The Rolex 24 at Daytona will be the only race with Wayne Taylor Racing, but the 2020 IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Champion, three-time Indianapolis 500 champion and 24-time INDYCAR race winner, Helio Castroneves, will bring his skill and experience of both the Acura ARX-05 and the 24 endurance classic to the team.

“2021 is here and there a lot of new things happening,” expressed Helio Castroneves. “The Roar will be my first racing action with Wayne Taylor Racing and the No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-05 while continuing what Ricky Taylor, Alexander Rossi and I left from last year. And with the addition of Filipe, I can see we are forming a great team and getting ready for the Rolex 24 at DAYTONA.”

Wayne Taylor enters his 15th season as a team owner with high expectations for the No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-05 team. After a strong 2020 season where the team brought home the winner’s trophies at the Rolex 24 at DAYTONA, Motul Petit Le Mans, and secured the 2020 IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup for the first time, Taylor is looking to bring Acura it’s first prototype victory at Daytona.

“It has been a very short off season,” said Wayne Taylor.” And I don’t think anyone could have made so many changes like we have in these two months. I don’t know where we would be without Travis Houge, Brian Pillar, and the entire crew. They have been working nonstop and I just hope they get enough sleep! This has been such a team effort for everyone who works for Wayne Taylor Racing and I can’t thank them enough for the passion they have. The quality of people who are around us have made the hard work so worth it. It’s fantastic coming to the Roar with Konica Minolta as my lead partner, thank you to Rick Taylor and Michel Mathe for their continued support for many years. And of course, it has been an absolute pleasure to work with HPD and Acura Motorsports, they are very motivated and really want to win the Rolex, Sebring, and all endurance races and I hope we can do that for them. We certainly have prepared the car, team, driver line-up, and our spares package. I think we have the ingredients to be competitive. I’m looking forward to the Roar where we can see where we shake up against the Mazdas and Cadillacs.”

The Roar Before the 24 begins this Friday, January 22nd at 11:30 a.m. ET. Qualifying will be broadcast on IMSA.TV on Saturday, January 23rd from 2:55 p.m. to 4:05 p.m. ET. The event will conclude with the Motul Pole Award 100, a 100-minute sprint race to determine the starting grid for the 59th running of the Rolex 24 at DAYTONA the following weekend. Live broadcast of the sprint race will be on TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold from 2:05 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. with the NBC Sports broadcast following from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 24th.

About Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. is reshaping and revolutionizing the Workplace of the Future™ with its expansive smart office product portfolio from IT Services (All Covered), ECM, Managed Print Services and industrial and commercial print solutions. Konica Minolta has been recognized as the #1 Brand for Customer Loyalty in the MFP Office Copier Market by Brand Keys for thirteen consecutive years, and the World Technology Awards recently named the company a finalist in the IT Software category. Konica Minolta, Inc. has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for nine consecutive years and has spent three years on the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World list. Konica Minolta partners with its clients to give shape to ideas and work to bring value to our society. For more information, please visit us online and follow Konica Minolta on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter. Wayne Taylor Racing’s existing lineup of partners that also features Harrison Contracting, Acura Motorsports and CIT.

CORVETTE RACING AT DAYTONA: New Season, New Lineup, Same Expectations

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Official Release
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CORVETTE RACING AT DAYTONA:
New Season, New Lineup, Same Expectations

  • Annual three-day test at Daytona for new-look 2021 Corvette Racing lineup
  • Sunday qualifying race to set grid for following weekend’s Rolex 24
  • Corvette Racing, Chevrolet coming off 2020 sweep of full-season GTLM titles

DETROIT (Jan. 19, 2021) – A new season beckons for Corvette Racing, which begins defense of its GT Le Mans (GTLM) titles in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship during the next two weeks. The 2021 campaign starts with the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the start of the IMSA season. Before that, however, is the traditional Roar Before the 24 – three days of testing at Daytona International Speedway’s road course.

It will mark the first 2021 running for Corvette Racing’s two mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette C8.Rs. After winning six races and sweeping the full-season GTLM championships in 2020, success at Daytona is one of the major goals in the new season.

The six Corvette Racing drivers all will be in attendance. Defending GTLM Drivers Champions Antonio Garcia and Jordan Taylor are back with endurance teammate Nicky Catsburg in the No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C8.R. The new-look lineup of Tommy Milner and Nick Tandy, plus long-distance driver Alexander Sims, will make its public debut in the No. 4 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Corvette.

This will mark the first time that the Roar and the Rolex 24 will fall on back-to-back weekends, and there is an additional caveat: a 100-minute race Sunday will set the starting grid for the twice-around-the-clock endurance event.

Corvette Racing is a three-time winner of the Rolex 24: it won the race overall in 2001 and scored back to-back GTLM wins in 2015 and 2016. A year ago, the team debuted the C8.R with a fourth-place finish for Garcia, Taylor and Catsburg as the No. 3 Corvette recorded more miles than any Corvette in the race’s history. What’s more, Garcia and Taylor – who each have two Rolex 24 wins – claimed the first win for the C8.R at Daytona in the first race following a lengthy break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also was Corvette Racing’s 100th victory in IMSA.

On the other side of the garage, this year’s Rolex will mark the first change in lineup for the No. 4 Corvette since 2016. Milner was part of the 2016 race-winning effort at Daytona while Tandy won the GTLM class in 2014. Meanwhile, Sims is at Daytona for the first time since 2018.

The mid-engine C8.R and Corvette Stingray street car were developed simultaneously, and the race car and production vehicle share more technology and parts than any previous-generation Corvette. When initial Corvette C8.R design and development work began more than six years ago, Corvette Racing engineers worked closely alongside Corvette production personnel with a heavy emphasis on wind tunnel and simulation testing.

Corvette Racing will open its 2021 season with the Roar Before the 24 from Jan. 22-24 and the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 30-31, which will air beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 30 across NBC, NBCSN, TrackPass and the NBC Sports App. A 100-minute qualifying race from the Roar will air on TrackPass at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jan. 24 and again same-day at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. IMSA Radio will air full qualifying and race coverage at IMSA.com.

ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “We have continuity for this year and need to carry over the work we did in 2020. We have our own tools to develop to work on the car off and on the weekend. Things won’t be easier in 2021 for us, but we do have a year of experience on our side with Jordan and Nicky. Perhaps the 4 car will be in the same situation as us with new additions to the team. They probably will be working to find what is the best compromise among the three drivers, get up to speed and get to know each other. One other good thing about Nick coming over is the addition of his experience coming in from another program. That should be a big benefit to us all on both sides of the garage.”

JORDAN TAYLOR, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “This is going to be a hectic month with the Roar and the Rolex on back-to-back weekends. It’s a lot harder on the team than the driver. The turnaround time for them to get the cars prepped for the Rolex 24 is huge. It’s usually nice to have a couple of weeks to take the cars apart, look at it and rebuild it because that’s the race where you want to be 100 percent. We learned a lot on-track and off-track at the simulator. We’ll be very prepared by the time we get there. Hopefully by the time we get to the Roar, we are just running through some small changes that we want to confirm on-track that they work and run through little items that we need to fine-tune. I have a lot of confidence in this team. They’ve had a ton of success at that race and there is no reason we can’t be successful again there in 2021.”

NICKY CATSBURG, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “I’m obviously really looking forward to start the season again. I like the new concept of the Roar with it and the race being within one week. It’s different than normal but that’s nice. I am looking forward to seeing how far the Corvette has come since the last time I was at Daytona. It has been a full year with a lot of good results and development. The December test was great, and I think everyone is on the same page. We all have high hopes for Daytona and are eager to come away with a good result.”

TOMMY MILNER, NO. 4 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “I’m excited about my two new teammates. I’ve been racing against Nick for many years now. I know how strong a competitor he is. Obviously I’d much rather him be in my car and not have to fight against him! Both of those guys, I’ve raced against them quite a bit. They’re both true professionals, super fast on the track and their results speak for themselves. I’ve not interacted a lot with them outside of some track stuff, but they’re both characters in their own way. I’m excited to go race with them and work toward the goals we’ve set for 2021.”

NICK TANDY, NO. 4 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “I’m sure being the new boy will be a challenge during our first weekend together. For sure there are people that need to get to know each other, I need to get know everyone else and my teammates. I hope the actual driving of the car will be the thing that comes most naturally. I’ve been in a situation during the last 10 years or so where I’ve driven for numerous different teams across the globe and I’ve had to integrate in a short amount of time. It’s going to be new for all of us. I know from previous experience that the best way to bond in a new team is have a good weekend and a good result, and that’s exactly what we are aiming for at Daytona.”

ALEXANDER SIMS, NO. 4 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “I’ve missed racing in IMSA, and I’m keen to experience this first race in the Corvette. Our December test at Sebring went very well, but racing is why we do all this. It’ll be exciting to get out there and compete with the team. Getting the seat time at Sebring is a big deal as I don’t have go into Daytona feeling concerned about getting to know the car. There is a little work to be done on my side to get super-familiar for racing situations so you can react without thinking too much. But I got a feel for the fundamentals of driving the C8.R around the track at Sebring. The pace seemed to be good and there should be no issues there. I’m really looking road to getting back to racing in IMSA, racing the Corvette… it’s been a great car in testing. I’m excited to see how it does in racing conditions.”

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 75 countries with nearly 4 million cars and trucks sold in 2019. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found www.chevrolet.com.

Can A Damaged Car Windscreen Be Repaired Multiple Times?

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SM
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Photo by Toan Nguyen on Unsplash

If your car windshield experiences repairable damage, your or a technician can use resin to fix it. The chip or crack is repaired, and the car becomes roadworthy again.

With resin properly injected, the damage will not spread. If however, it is left unrepaired, the damage could quickly spread as you drive. This is even more possible when you drive on rough terrain or you hit potholes.

But what happens if the crack does spread even after being repaired? Can it be repaired again?

Can a Windscreen Be Repaired More Than Once?

In some instances, the crack, chip, or star could spread after being repaired. This is usually due to the resin not being injected properly, which can often occur with DIY repairs. At this point, you should talk to a technician for professional advice.

If the damage has occurred in a previously repaired area, it should not be repaired again. It will not be safe to drive the car in such a condition. No experienced technician will remove old resin or re-inject new resin in the same area.

Windshield repair is the most cost-effective way of dealing with a small rock chip and can be easily done by a mobile windshield replacement service. In most cases, the windshield repair is covered by your auto insurance company.

To make sure the car is roadworthy when damage reoccurs in the same area, you must have the windshield replaced.

On the other hand, the windscreen glass can be repaired a second and possibly even multiple times if the damage occurs in a different position each time.

Why Did Damage Spread After the Repair?

Most often, the resin injected did not adhere well to the glass. It is meant to seal in the gap between the two parts of the glass, but for some reason, it did not work properly.

So, what led to this? There are a number of reasons, below are the most common:

  1. When the weather is cold or temperatures are extremely low, resin does not adhere well. This is especially true in winter when resin injected does not cure properly.
  1. It could also be that the repairer did not inject the resin properly and especially at the edges of the crack. This can cause the damage to spread further.
  1. If dirt or debris is not removed fully from the crack, it will inhibit the proper cure of the resin.
  1. The chip could also be complex such as a combination break and only part of the damage was repaired.

What Should You Do To Make Sure Windscreen Repair Does Not Fail?

The first thing is to understand what could lead to repair failing. It could be dirt in the chip, an unprofessional repair, or poor weather.

The most important thing is to have the damage assessed by an expert who should also repair it. A specialist will avoid the common mistakes and will give proper advice on aftercare.

Repairing a Windshield Multiple Times

As long as the damage is not in the same location or the windscreen has not been repaired too many times, it can usually be repaired again. 

Take the car to a windshield specialist who will properly assess the problem and offer the best advice. As soon as you notice the chip, star, or the crack, have a technician repair it. 

Get to understand the process and how you can take care of the glass once the repair has been done. In addition to this, if you do not know auto glass repair, do not attempt it. You do not want to make a costly mistake.

The Rise of Pickleball

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SM
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Photo by Joan Azeka on Unsplash

Do you know that Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States with more than 3.3 million fans? Over the years, the majority of people have only believed in football, basketball, ice hockey, and baseball. However, some people know little about Pickleball. Probably because it’s not been popular among fans of various games. 

What is Pickleball?

If you are thinking of trying a game with simple rules, you shouldn’t hesitate to try pickleball is the way to go. It’s a sport that involves the use of paddles and combines elements of games such as tennis. It’s played using a paddle and a plastic ball with holes.

Despite the simplicity of the rules, you may as well find it challenging. That can be when playing with experienced players who know every tactic of playing it.

For you to play the game effectively, you must be around a kitchen line. The kitchen line should be about seven feet from the net. You should be aware that serves should not fall in the kitchen area. If a player finds themselves in the area, they will have to give one point away. That applies to both players even after the clearance of the ball. This is one of the reasons why multi use game areas are so beneficial.

Regardless of the rules, Pickleball remains a perfect game. Especially if you are looking for an easy game to play in the evening with friends. It’s a game that you can play in the evening and wake up energized for other regular duties.

Other games may make you tired the following day to the extent of failing to do other activities. But, that is not the case with pickleball.

What has led to the rise of Pickleball?

Consider the highlighted factors below to understand the reason behind the rise of Pickleball. You can check out pickleballer.com is a good resource if you want to learn more about this sport.

A social activity

Pickleball offers the majority of the players the opportunity to interact with other players without distractions. In other games, interaction, as you play, may not be easy. Furthermore, there may be limited time to do that.

However, with Pickleball, the players can convert a  tennis court to a Pickleball court. A tennis court can host approximately four pickleball courts. That can allow you and your friends to play closely and also share a fantastic moment.

Fitness activity

Most of the diseases that affect us today arise from failure to exercise. If you don’t exercise, you accumulate toxic substances in your body, making your body and the general immune system weak.

That provides a perfect pathway for chronic diseases. Additionally, the majority of people like eating junk foods and fail to exercise. That may lead to the rise of diseases in their bodies.

However, when you indulge in a Pickleball, you will fully engage yourself in the best form of exercise. As a result, you will burn all the calories that may be present in your body. That is why the majority of people prefer pickleball.

Not complicated to learn

Some games require the players to practice extensively to master the skills. However, that’s not the case with Pickleball. You don’t need top-notch skills to succeed in the game. Also, you can combine other gaming skills such as those used to play ping pong to play the game.

Despite your level of experience in the game, you can opt for pickleball. You will undoubtedly find it easy to become an expert in the game within a shorter period of gaming.

A perfect game for parks 

Anyone who loves going to parks would not mind getting a perfect game to play. Some people always think that tennis is the only outdoor game they can enjoy. However, Pickleball joins the list of the popular outdoor games that one can enjoy playing too.

Those who own parks have also realized the rising demand for outdoor games. After figuring it out, the majority of them opted to install the game because it’s not costly. That justified the rapid rise of the game.

Easy acquisition of the playing items

What makes it difficult for other games to become famous is the acquisition cost of their equipment. If you love pickleball, you can be sure that it will not cost you much to acquire the outdoor pickleball pole. Besides, the plastic ball and the pickle ball paddle set are not expensive either.

Pickleball remains a perfect game for you and your friends. You won’t get tired of playing it. Furthermore, it’s a game that is easy to master since the skills required are few. It’s a game that fits almost everyone who loves both outdoor and indoor gaming.

What makes pickleball truly special is its versatility and accessibility. It’s a game that suits nearly everyone, whether you prefer outdoor activities or indoor recreation. With minimal equipment and space requirements, it’s easy to set up and play wherever you are, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a fun and inclusive way to stay active.

Snap-On announces three-year extension with Cruz Pedregon Racing

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Official Release
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Today, longtime racing supporter Snap-on Incorporated announced the extension of its contract with two-time National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Funny Car World Champion Cruz Pedregon. As the primary sponsor of Cruz Pedregon Racing (CPR), the agreement will extend the contract for three seasons through the 2023 season.

“Snap-on and Cruz have had a partnership since 1992 that showcases the brand on the track, in the pits, and off-track in repair shops where critical work is done,” says Samuel Bottum, Snap-on chief marketing officer. “We were a sponsor when Cruz won his first NHRA Funny Car championship, and over the years he’s fought hard to bring together the best crew members and put down so many great runs in the Snap-on Funny Car.

“Cruz is the quintessential driver from a family known for its dedication to the sport. He loves everything that makes cars and trucks go, so he’s a great ambassador for the brand who knows the tools and products and enjoys talking about them with techs and fans.”

“I appreciate Snap-on continuing our long-term partnership,” said Pedregon. “Especially in tough times, it’s gratifying to have such a strong sponsor with more than 100 years of business success. It’s that type of high-caliber sponsor that keeps this sport and our team ready to race another day. Thanks to Snap-on and its commitment to CPR, we’ll continue to bring the excitement only NHRA drag racing can deliver to the dedicated fans who support the sport and keep it popular on TV, online, and at tracks across the country.”

Pedregon’s 36th career win in the Funny Car ranks moves him past the legendary Don “The Snake” Prudhomme into fifth place for all-time wins in Funny Car. His 2021 primary Funny Car paint scheme will pay tribute to the Makers and Fixers of the world. To learn more, go to www.makersandfixers.com.

Tower Motorsport Reveals Lineup for Rolex 24 At Daytona

By
Official Release
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TORONTO, Ontario, (January 18, 2021) – After closing out the 2020 race season with a second place finish at the Twelve Hours of Sebring, Tower Motorsport is back for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Challenge’s season opening event, the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The No. 8 Tower Motorsport Oreca LMP2 07 will be driven by John Farano, Gabriel Aubry, Timothé Buret, and Matthieu Vaxiviere.

Farano and Aubry will join forces as the full season drivers, with Buret and Vaxiviere stepping in to finish out the Rolex 24 At Daytona lineup. Farano, a seasoned veteran with two championships to his name (Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge GS Class in 2012 and European Le Mans Series P3 class in 2018) closed out the 2020 IMSA race season with a win at Petit Le Mans and as second place finish at the Twelve Hours of Sebring. He also raced in the LMP2 class in the 2019/2020 Asian Le Mans Series, scoring one win in two races.

“I am very happy to be back racing in the IMSA Wheatertech Sportcar Series and greatful to Peter Baron who will continue to support our 2021 program and do what he does best, calling strategy. We are all very much looking forward to welcoming back our crew from 2020 as well as new team members to our program including: Team Engineer Matthieu Leroy, Crew Chief Rick Capone, Lead Mechanic Erwan Barreau, and many more talented staff members that I can’t wait to meet.

“There is always so much excitement surrounding The 24 Hours of Daytona and I believe this years event, will bring more excitement than ever with more than 40 of the most competitive and talented LMP2 drivers coming from all over the world, all competing for the coveted Rolex watch. I could not be happier to be reunited with Gabriel Aubry and Matthieu Vaxiviere, whom I have had the great pleasure to work with in the past and to welcome Timothe Buret, who we have great confidence in, rounding out our talented 24 hour lineup.”

Gabriel Aubry started racing single seaters in 2015, and just three years later had advanced to compete in the World Endurance Championship with Jackie Chan DC Racing. He finished runner up in the 2018-2019 championship, with three wins and three additional podium finishes. In 2019, he finished second place in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, followed by a second-place finish at the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

“I am happy and grateful to join John and the Tower Motorsport for the full 2021 IMSA season,” said Gabriel Aubry. “After two years of doing the Michelin Endurance Cup, it is a step up and the experience gained over the season will be massive. LMP2 field will be much better than what it used to be and we are set for a challenging year ahead.”

Timothé Buret first raced in North America in 2015, competing in the Road to Indy’s Pro Mazda series with Juncos Racing. The Frenchmen was a championship contender in his rookie season, earning one win and eight podiums in his North American debut. The following season he entered into the world of sports car racing, where he raced in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) and the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. Over the next four years, Buret has only expanded his resume, venturing into the GT World Challenge Europe and GT4 Europe.

“I am so happy to be joining John, Gab, and Matthieu for the Rolex 24 at Daytona,” said Buret. “I love US racing. To be back here will be something very special for me. I have so many good memories here back in 2015 when I was competing in the Pro Mazda series, winning my first major race at Indianapolis, fighting for the Road to Indy title and living in the US. It will be my first appearance at Daytona but our ambition is high as my motivation is.”

Like most race car drivers, Matthieu Vaxiviere began his motorsport career racing go karts and just six years later, he earned his first championship title in the French F4 Championship in 2011. He has since climbed up the motorsport ladder, racing in the Formula V8 3.5 series, Series, ELMS, GP3 Series, and the FIA World Endurance Championship, concluding the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times, resulting in two podium finishes. He made his IMSA debut in 2019, earning two podium finishes in the Konica Minolta Cadillac.

“I’m glad to race in LMP2 with one of the best teams in IMSA and to be able to fight for the victory,” said Vaxiviere. “Winning Daytona has been on my wish list for a long time. I’m looking forward to race again with John, who I had a great feeling in Silverstone when they call me for a one shot. To be alongside Gabi and Tim, two drivers that I know well, will be something good for the global atmosphere of the team.”

Tune-In
The TRACKPASS via the NBC Sports Gold app will again stream all IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship races live, with IMSA Radio continuing their thorough coverage of qualifying and race sessions. The Motul Pole Award 100 will air live from 2:05 PM to 3:45 PM ET, Sunday, January 24, 2021. The 59th Rolex 24 At Daytona live coverage will begin at 3:30PM ET.

SOUTH BOSTON SPEEDWAY GENERAL MANAGER CATHY RICE STEPPING DOWN AT THE END OF THE 2021 SEASON

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Official Release
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South Boston Speedway General Manager Cathy Rice (left) and South Boston Speedway received an appreciation award in 2020 from the United States Marine Corps II Marine Expeditionary Force in recognition of outstanding cooperation and assistance in a Marines training exercise held this past fall in Halifax County. Rice is pictured receiving the award from Investigator Jason Bettis, Training Assistant to the United States Marine Corps, Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Photo Courtesy Joe Chandler/South Boston Speedway

By Joe Chandler

South Boston Speedway Public Relations

South Boston, VA…… When Cathy Rice took the reigns as general manager at South Boston Speedway in 2000, she became a pioneer of sorts in being only the second woman to become a general manager at a NASCAR-sanctioned speedway.

While serving in that post for the past 20 years the Cluster Springs, Virginia resident has helped make South Boston Speedway one of the true gems among NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series short tracks.

The 2021 season will be Rice’s last full season as general manager of South Boston Speedway, as she plans to step down from a full-time role at the historic speedway.

“I am not walking away, I am just slowing down,” Rice explained.

“I do need to slow down. We all do in time. Everybody at some time or another looks at doing different things and seeing different places. With my husband now retired we will be able to do more things together. I want to spend more time with my family. I want to spend more time with my grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“I don’t want anybody to think I’m leaving because I’m not,” she continued.

“My health is good. I feel I can still come here and help whenever needed. I’m going to stay on as far as maybe consulting or something along that line. I will always be here for whomever comes in and steps into my position.”

South Boston Speedway CEO Nick Igdalsky points out that Rice is much more than South Boston Speedway’s general manager.

“Cathy Rice has been the lifeblood of this historic racing venue during her tenure and will continue to be involved with the speedway in some capacity well past 2021,” Igdalsky said.

“No one has fought, advocated, promoted or has been more passionate about South Boston Speedway over the past 30-plus years than Cathy Rice. She has put so much care, effort and passion into her work at SoBo that we often joke that the track is her third child!

“Her daily presence will be missed by all who frequent the speedway, but her legacy will be passed on as Cathy will personally train her replacement this entire season,” Igdalsky continued.

“I am so proud of her and what has been accomplished at South Boston Speedway during our time working together. Please join me in thanking Cathy for all she has done for South Boston and Halifax County and congratulating her on her amazing career at South Boston Speedway.”

Rice said she has had a plan in place for the time when she felt the need to slow down and step back.

“I had always told Nick that as long as my health would permit me to do so I would give him a year’s notice because I would love to bring someone in here and let them see what it is like during the winter months, how we start our season, how we go through our season during the summer months and how we end our season,” Rice explained.

“Whomever steps into my position needs to experience what all of that is like, and they need time to get to know people in the community.”

Rice has spent 33 years on the operational side of things at South Boston Speedway, serving in a variety of capacities ranging from secretary to scorer, to promotor, and her present post of general manager.

When Rice was named as the track’s general manager in 2000, becoming only the second woman to serve as general manager of a NASCAR-sanctioned speedway could have led to mixed feelings and a lot of pressure. It wasn’t that way for her.

“People have asked me how I feel being a woman in the position I am in,” Rice remarked.

“Being a female in a male-dominated sport didn’t make me feel any different. I didn’t feel any pressure. I feel the competitors respected me as well as I respected them. Today, the situation is different. There are a lot more women involved in the sport, and they are involved in many different ways.”

Rice says she is very grateful to have the opportunity to work for the Mattioli Family and grow South Boston Speedway.

“You will never find anybody to work for as good as the Mattioli Family and Nick and his family,” Rice remarked.

“That is one thing that makes this really hard. When you come to work here you are like a family. We are family oriented. We have fun at what we do, and we get the job done.”

One of the things Rice credits for her success and the success of the speedway is a dedicated, hard-working and talented staff.

“There is no way I could do this by myself,” Rice said, “and I thank everybody on the speedway staff over the past and present years for their hard work and dedication to the speedway.

Rice very much appreciates the support the South Boston-Halifax County, Virginia community has shown to her and to South Boston Speedway over the years.

“I thank my family and friends for their support through all of these years,” Rice said.

“I also thank the Halifax County Board of Supervisors, South Boston Town Council and all of our other local governmental agencies, all of our law enforcement agencies including the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Fred Clark, the South Boston Police Department and former Police Chief Jim Binner, the Virginia State Police and the Town of Halifax Police Department. My thanks also go out to the South Boston and Halifax fire departments as well as to all of the other county fire departments, the Halifax County Rescue Squad, all of our town and county emergency services agencies and personnel and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

“In addition,” Rice continued, “I also thank our track service providers including Franklin’s Wrecker Service and Donnie Ellington, our officials, our past and present sponsors, all of our competitors, and especially the people of South Boston and Halifax County and our many loyal race fans for their support.”

Rice has received numerous honors during her tenure as general manager at South Boston Speedway. She has been honored by NASCAR for her outstanding work, twice being named the recipient of the NASCAR Team Player Award. In addition, Rice serves on the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) Appeal Board. Rice will continue to serve on the board. She also received the Old Timers Racing Club’s Promotor of the Year Award in 2013.

On four occasions Rice and South Boston Speedway have received appreciation awards from the United States Marine Corps II Marine Expeditionary Force in recognition of outstanding cooperation and assistance in Marines training exercises.

Rice has enjoyed a longtime involvement in racing that dates back to 1972 when she married Allen Rice, who was a mechanic and crew chief for his brother’s racing team. Her first working experience in motorsports was as a co-owner and crew member of a Late Model Sportsman Division car with duties that included timing and scoring.

In the 1980s she worked with former NASCAR stars Jeff Burton, Elliott Sadler and Hermie Sadler. Rice traveled with Jeff Burton in 1989 on what was then known as the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series (the series now known as the NASCAR Xfinity Series) circuit. During that time, she handled timing and scoring for Burton.

Rice began her career at South Boston Speedway in the early 1990s and served in a variety of roles that included secretary, scorer, promotor and general manager. Her tenure as general manager started when the Mattioli Family purchased South Boston Speedway in 2000.

In addition to her duties in racing, Rice is active in the South Boston-Halifax County, Virginia community. She is a longtime member of the Halifax County, Virginia Chamber of Commerce and has served three years on the organization’s Board of Directors. Also, Rice has served on the Halifax County, Virginia Tourism Board for nine years, and served multiple terms on the former Halifax County, Virginia Motorsports Academy Advisory Board.

Rice has been a member of the South Boston, Virginia Rotary Club for 17 years. She has served as secretary of the civic organization and is a recipient of the Rotary Club’s Paul Harris Fellow Award.

An active member of Second Baptist Church in South Boston, Virginia Rice has served on various church committees and as a member of the church’s board.

Fr8Auctions Expands Partnership with Front Row Motorsports in 2021

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Official Release
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Asset Liquidation Firm to Support McDowell in Six Races

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (January 18, 2021) – Fr8Auctions, the Atlanta-based Asset Liquidation Firm that auctions excess freight inventory, has expanded their partnership with Front Row Motorsports (FRM), Michael McDowell and the No. 34 Ford Mustang team in 2021. Fr8Auctions has been a long-time partner of FRM and will increase its involvement by supporting the organization at six events in 2021.

Fr8Auctions will once again be the primary partner of McDowell beginning at the road course event at the Daytona International Speedway on February 21. Fr8 Auctions will also be the partner of McDowell for many of the Southeast events including, the Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 21, the Martinsville Speedway on April 10, Official Throwback Weekend at the Darlington Raceway on May 9, the 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 30 and once again at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on July 11.

Fr8Auctions partners with freight lines, distribution companies, and consumer product-based businesses to help sell excess, discontinued or damaged inventory outside of traditional distribution channels. Utilizing industry leading merchandising techniques, product presentations, and a competitive bidding environment, Fr8Auctions offers both their partners and buyers opportunities to maximize returns on their investments. With over 1 million total square feet of space at their corporate headquarters, Fr8Auctions can support even the most robust demands of their customers. With COVID challenges in the market, buyers across the nation can now access online (sealed bid) auctions to bid on thousands of pallets of merchandise, which can range from gas grills, to ceiling fans, to cleaning products. Merchandise for each auction can also be previewed at Fr8Auctions.com.

“We have found a great home to promote our auctions with Front Row Motorsports and Michael McDowell,” said Fr8Auctions Founder, Marcus Barela. “Michael and everyone at Front Row Motorsports have been great to work with and have helped us on and off the track. We are proud to increase our partnership and look forward to another great year together.”

Not only will Fr8Auctions be featured on the car, but they will also partner with McDowell and the team to promote the Brave Like Wyatt charitable organization.

Brave Like Wyatt was established in 2019 to honor the memory of Wyatt Hatcher, who loved life and loved superheroes. He was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and had a heart transplant right before his second birthday. His heart transplant allowed him to enjoy life for 9 more years. He fought cancer and won in 2019. Shortly after he was declared cancer free it was found that the chemotherapy medication had damaged his donor heart. Wyatt lost his fight in January of 2020 and is loved and missed every single day. Brave Like Wyatt’s mission is to help ease the burden of families dealing with similar life circumstances by contributing to community resources, providing financial assistance for household bills, travel assistance and, when needed, funeral expenses.

“What makes Marcus and the team at Fr8Auctions so great is their desire to help others,” added McDowell. “That’s why they have been a great fit for Front Row Motorsports and I’m grateful for them stepping up with us. We’re taking the next step at FRM and it’s because of partners such as Fr8Auctions who are making that happen.”

For more information about Fr8Auctions, visit Fr8Auctions.com and follow Fr8Auctions on social media: Twitter at @fr8auctions and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Fr8Auctions-165690083576986/.

About Front Row Motorsports

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

ALEX SEDGWICK TO RETURN BACK TO THE UNITED KINGDOM AFTER SUCCESSFUL ARCA TEST IN DAYTONA

By
Official Release
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Alex Sedgwick returned to the United States this past week after an exciting change of fate for the British driver, having a sponsor come forward just in time to support his testing efforts at the Daytona International Speedway. Greg Thomas of NBA 2K 21 notified Alex’s manager Ryan Johnston just in the nick of time that they would support Alex’s testing efforts in Daytona this past Friday and Saturday. Alex went into “GO” mode and booked his flight, and since there was a complete lockdown in the U.K., Alex had to complete his physical and drug testing on Thursday, the day before the test began. “Everything came together rather quickly, and miraculously, it all worked!” said Alex.

In only his second proper oval experience, Alex climbed up the speed charts on Friday by mid-afternoon to be 3rd fastest in single-car runs and settling to 5th before the larger drafting packs started to go out. “Making my first runs on the 2.5-mile superspeedway was an incredible feeling. I am used to my body leaning to the side while cornering; however, at this track, you sink in your seat because of the 31-degree banking in the corners,” said Alex.

Coming back to Daytona to drive was a dream come true for Alex, who watched as a guest of NASCAR during the Daytona 500 held last season. “Watching the Daytona 500 with my father, we both agreed that one day I would come back to race at the superspeedway, only I did not think it would be this soon,” said Alex. “I appreciate NBA 2K 21 and Greg Thomas tremendously, without their support, none of this would have happened.”

Greg Thomas, President and Co-Founder of Visual Concepts, the creator of NBA 2K 21 said, “We are pleased with Alex’s efforts during his test and we are looking forward to his rise in NASCAR.” Ryan Johnston of InterPhase Entertainment who manages Alex said, “Without NBA 2K 21 coming forward, Alex would have missed this test and would not have the opportunity to come back to compete on February 13, 2021 in the season opener. We are in talks with top NASCAR Xfinity Series teams to place Alex in the road course races this year, as he has an enormous amount of experience racing throughout Europe and as far as Dubai.”

Alex is flying back to London from Miami this evening, hoping to come back as soon as he can, to compete in as many races in the ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series races in 2021.

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