Cost of Running an Auto Racing Team

Posted on May 22, 2013 by admin

Fans at a race track are there for the thrill of watching cars speed by at seemingly impossible speeds and to catch a glimpse of the new rockstar drivers. While some may complain at the cost of a ticket to attend the race, most don’t give a second thought to how expensive it is to keep a single race team running from week to week.

The short answer: the average NASCAR team spends $400,000 a week. For Formula 1, it can cost as much as $50 million to field a team for a season.

Biggest Investments

While an F1 car can cost $7 million out of the box and NASCAR’s base price is $100,000, it is the cost of an engine and upkeep that plays a factor on a weekly basis. In NASCAR a car can go through one or more engines in a single event at $100,000 each. Smaller teams try to use the same engine for two or three races. any engines are leased and require paying for an engine specialist.

The other big investment is the driver. Top NASCAR teams will provide a salary to elite drivers combined with a commission based on winnings. Smaller teams forego the salary and simply give the driver 50 percent of his/her winnings. This means that losing drivers on small teams go home with next to nothing while top drivers make as much as $185,00 a week during the season. For F1 drivers, the salary is usually a seasonal figure, with the top drivers pulling contracts worth as much as $13-$15 million.

Payroll for other team members such as mechanics, engineers, pit crew, truck driver, PR team, etc., generally averages $83,000 week. Smaller teams will cut those expenses by having one person do two or even three jobs and having fewer positions for non-driving areas such as PR and finance.

Other Costs

Travel and hotel expenses are part of the financial picture. Whether NASCAR teams have a private plane for transport or fly commercially, the average cost is about $500 a person. Rental cars in each town combined with paying for around ten hotel rooms will vary from city to city but are usually high due to the premium rates charged during race weeks.

While the average car needs about $50,000 a week in parts like axles, suspension, drive shafts, bearing, gears, and even bolts and nuts, tires alone are about $2,000 a set plus disposal fees for all the ones they use up.

Insurance and sanctioning fees can add up, and when combined with money for meals (whether purchased or produced by a team chef) make up another $18,500.

The Dangers of Driving on Tires with Low Tread

Posted on May 21, 2013 by admin

Most drivers wait to buy new tires and
rims until their tire tread falls below 2/32 of an inch. (The tread on new tires is generally 10/32 of an inch). Most people use the old penny test to measure their tread, unless their car has a built in wear indicator. Others will do a manual measurement and begin to think about replacing their tires when the tread falls below that depth. However, some studies have shown that worn tread can become dangerous much sooner. Some tests suggest that once tires lose half their tread they begin to create problems.

Driving on car tires with low tread can affect how the vehicle performs in already hazardous conditions. For example:

On wet roads, low tread can have a significant impact on brake times. Cars can take as much as three to six feet longer to stop in wet conditions. This is very similar to what happens when you are cycling on a wet road.

Cars will hydroplane sooner if the tread is less than 4/32 of an an inch.

Tires will loose their ability to grip on snow or icy roads as the tread wears off. This can result in the tires taking longer to accelerate and can reduce the tire’s traction by nearly 15 percent if a tire has even half of the tread gone. Bald tires perform at even worse levels.

photo by: Fabio Aro

Classic Cars are an Investment

Posted on May 20, 2013 by admin

With the mass production and necessary features of automobiles today, designs have become uniform and practical. Modern cars cannot compare to the unique beauty of classic cars that appeals to collectors and car fans. Whether it’s an old Model T, a Studebaker, 1940s Ford truck, a ’57 Chevy, a classic 60s Mustang, or something else, classic cars are an investment worthy of the time, effort, and money for the avid collector who plans to do more than hide their classic car in the corner of the garage where it will never be seen or appreciated.

Investing in Classic Cars

If you purchase a classic car, odds are you are going to spend quite a bit of money. Of course, the amount you spend initially depends much on the condition of the car. If the vehicle has already been restored, you can expect to pay more than if you are buying a classic car in need of restoration. This is just the initial purchase, however. If you plan to restore your classic car, you will be investing in interior and exterior work, part replacement, the cost of cleaning and storage. If you plan to show off your new source of pride, you will also have to pay the costs of car shows and rally’s, and there is also the matter of ensuring the classic car is legal through inspection, tags, title, licensing, and the payment of property taxes.

Restoration

Restoring a classic car can cost a lot of money. Some people do cut corner, but the car loses much value by doing this, and why would you cut corners when the point of restoration is to replicate the original condition of the classic car? Depending on the condition of the car when you purchase it, restoration will be either moderate or extensive. Most classic car restorations are pretty extensive, replacing all necessary parts as close to original as possible and restoring both the interior and the body to optimal condition. Replacement parts, especially engine and motor components can become expensive, even for modern vehicles. Classic parts can be difficult to find and often cost even more. Interior restoration probably won’t cost as much as other aspects of your project, but utilizing original leather or upholstery, steering wheels, pedals, dashboards, stereos, etc., will run a pretty penny.

As for the body, you will want to rid the classic car of any dents, scratches, holes, signs of rust, and you will most likely want to give her a fresh coat of paint, preferably in the original color or a color used by the manufacturer of your particular car. Of course, you can also use the color of your choice. Remember that if you want a head-turning paint job, the bodywork and painting will run at least a couple thousand dollars, if not more. There are kits and tools you can use to do this yourself, but you must ensure that you do know what you are doing; otherwise, it might be wise to seek the skills of a professional. Your restoration is likely to run several thousand dollars, on top of other expenses and fees associated with owning and showing off your prized classic automobile.

Classic Car Value

Classic cars are worth a lot of money. Even as mere shells, some bring in a few thousand dollars. Fully restored and well-maintained, classic car value increases over the years. In owning a classic car in great condition, you have invested in an asset you can love and appreciate for years to come. Should you decide to sell it, or if you had this in mind from the start of your project, you can turn quite a profit, as many classic cars have sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars in private auctions and sales.

Martin Simmons is a retired accountant with a passion for restoring classic cars. In addition to contributing stories to popular automotive blogs, he occasionally writes financial posts for sites like moneymutual

The Business of Race Cars

Posted on May 19, 2013 by admin

When popular racers like Danica Patrick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. mingle with fans, they are signing autographs, giving high fives, and chumming it up like any celebrity. To the public it appears that the driver lives the good life of any celebrity. Behind the scenes though, the auto racer is more like the beating heart of a giant enterprise. They are the product and capital of a massive business. Sure, the driver gets to experience an opulent life, complete with lines of adoring fans; but their work is intense, draining, and critical to the support of a brand.

Off The Track

Racers are the main focus because they are the face of the enterprise. They are the ones we cheer for, but there is so much more to it than winning the race. The complex organization behind the driver includes intricacies such as:

Pit Crews
Assistants
Business Administration
PR Agents
Marketing
Accountants
Sponsors
Endorsements
Logistics

The Role of the Race Driver

The main responsibility of the driver is to generate money for the business and act as the brand ambassador.

race car Money is generated from winnings, sponsorships, and endorsements. Some sponsorship agreements also include endorsements, such as Danica Patrick’s relationship with GoDaddy. They sponsor her brand, and she endorses them.

With most drivers, placing in the top five means more money. Not only are there winnings, but there are often bonuses from sponsors involved. Then the money is used to pay the driver, pit crews, and all others who work for the organization.

Accountants Make it Happen

In addition, the driver’s organization foots the bill for the logistics of moving the team from track to track. For Kansas City Scott Tucker its his Level 5 Motorsports team. This involves mobile garages, race cars, RVs, hotels and airfare, meals, and more. All of these expenses are tracked and managed by accountants that specialize in the business or racing.

Without accountants to keep all the money in line and the bills paid, drivers would go broke and the racing industry would vanish. It would be an unfortunate because in addition to providing entertainment to the masses, race car enterprises are a valuable source of innovation in engineering.

Keeping the finances in order is necessary for keeping our favorite racing drivers doing what they do best…winning and being celebrities. We all reap the benefits one way or another thanks to stimulated economy and advances in engineering.

Trent Bakker is a financial professional who loves sports — especially racing. In addition to following the industry behind motorsports, he has written blog posts and news features about subjects like forensic accounting, business appraisal, tax codes, and basic accounting.

Virginia’s Roads Were Made For Driving

Posted on April 22, 2013 by admin

Virginia is a beautiful state with an incredibly interesting and dynamic history that predates the country. One of the interesting aspects of it is that it is likely, or at least possibly named after Queen Elizabeth the First of England, which is associated with its colonial days and it is also frequently referred to as the Mother of Presidents because more US Presidents were born in Virginia than in any other state. This is just one interesting aspect of the state and we’ve only talked about its name and frequent nickname. The duality of Virginia doesn’t end there and many of the tourists who visit the state and stay in one of the Virginia luxury hotels are extremely interested to learn about the state’s history and its importance to the establishment of this country.

Queen Elizabeth was the contemporary ruler of England when Sir Walter Raleigh began establishing the colonial region known as Virginia. He had been sent to the New World by a special charter from the queen to explore and establish a colony that would be north of what was then considered to be Spanish Florida. The reference to the Queen in that state’s name may be associated with the fact that she was purposely and deliberately known and referred to as the Virgin Queen of England. This was in large part a political move on her part and it helped to ease the tremendous pressure on her to marry and form a political alliance with another country.

The US Presidents that were born in Virginia include George Washington, the first President this country has known. Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor and Woodrow Wilson round out rest. It has been a popular superstition that young women would move to Virginia to raise her family because it increased their odds of one day becoming President. This often ignores the fact that the frequency decreased greatly after the 12th President Zachary Taylor and has only produced one since then.

Article written and provided by Virginia Beach Heating & Cooling

American Le Mans in 2013

Posted on February 2, 2013 by admin

American Le Mans is the closest thing that Americans can get to the real thing. Started in 1998 as a single 10 hour endurance race, it has grown into a complete series attracting the best teams and drivers to compete for an invitation to the 24 Hour at Le Mans event. Sure, the series is set to merge with the Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series, but there is still one year left, and it promises to be a good one.

American Le Mans qualifying Firstly, American Le Mans represents a unique kind of racing: endurance. Races last anywhere from 2 to 12 hours. Drivers aren’t restricted by the number of laps they take, and their machines must stand up to punishment for up to half a day at a time. It’s no small feat for the driver, mechanic, or car. But that is what makes it so interesting. The driver can’t go all out to take an immediate lead without risking a mechanical failure, and if that happens then the skill of the pit crew can be just as instrumental in winning as the gasoline they burn. are all well aware of the advantages of having car insurance for our personal cars I wonder what type of insurance these professional race car drivers need to carry. I imagine it must get pretty complicated when all of these issues and contingencies have to be planned for.

But back to the 2013 series. It’s only 12 races total, but each one offers a unique track with unique layouts that are sure to be thrilling, even from the stands. 12 Hours at Sebring offers long straights, while Long Beach boasts an exceptionally short, but infinitely entertaining city street course. Meanwhile Laguna Seca is sure to turn some heads with the famous “corkscrew” turn, and Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta will put the teams collective mettle to the test, with 1,000 total miles to cover.

It’s especially exciting because of the neat stuff the various teams are doing. Audi, for example, is bringing a hybrid to Sebring. BMW, which is always very competitive, is bringing on newbies John Edwards and Maxime Martin, both of which have shown a lot of promise in other leagues. Even more entertaining is the fact that Patrick Dempsey, along with the soccer star Alessandro Del Piero, have formed their own team and are attempting to get to Le Mans proper, employing Joe Foster and Michael Avenatti to drive.

They are yet to show off their cars or livery, but with politics and big names like those up against established racers like Scott Tucker, this year promises to be amazing.

Tips to Buying a Car Online

Posted on December 20, 2012 by admin

old fashioned car lot Increasingly, it’s getting easier and easier to purchase a car online, and it’s no secret that these cars are being found much easier through various online sources and databases than they have in the past. While it may seem ridiculous to search for, research, and even purchase a car online, it is something more and more people are using as they look for great deals and make it so they come up with the best cars possible at the best price.

In fact, there are several main sources for those looking to purchase a car online, and the availability of cars on all these sources is surprisingly reliable, open, and transparent for all to see.

CarMax

CarMax has brick and mortar stores, of course, to purchase cars, but what they also have is an unbelievable online database of cars in stock on their lots all around the country. Not only can you surf the CarMax web before you even begin to think about shopping in the physical store, you can also find out exactly which car is best suited for you based on make, model, mileage, and a whole lot more.

Additionally, CarMax provides you the option to choose cars and have them shipped from any of their dealers across the country to the dealer that is closest to you, for a flat shipping fee, done all online. You can search for the perfect car online on any of their databases around the nation, ship the car to your neighborhood dealer, and purchase it on the spot. Couldn’t be easier!

Craigslist

Craigslist gets a bad name sometimes, but it’s incredibly handy as a marketplace for a lot of things, including cars. You can shop Craigslist as your virtual marketplace, searching for a wide variety of cars online in quite a large area as you try to figure out exactly what is right for you and your needs.

No more guessing about the availability of cars in something like the Yellow Pages or through the phone; online on Craigslist, you have a living, breathing database of available cars at your disposal that you can use to purchase the one of your dreams, no matter what.

Your Local Dealer is Probably Online, too!

Believe it or not, your local car dealer himself is likely online with a database of available cars, prices, and specials. You can browse dealership inventory online without ever leaving your pajamas, and use your laptop or smart phone to score and track down great deals without driving all over town to do it.

From tracking down great prices, to actually making the purchase on the car itself after you take a test drive and check it out, you can do everything that you need to do online when it comes to purchasing the car of your dreams, whether from CarMax, an independent Craigslist dealer, or anywhere else on the Internet that sells automobiles.

by Harry Apted — writer and guest blogger. Harry likes to write about computers, software and the internet. He frequently gives advice to businesses about new technology on blogs and site like this one.

What Makes a Popular Race Car?

Posted on November 8, 2012 by admin

Auto racing has become one of the most popular sports today. It has the second highest television ratings of sport in the US. Today, more drivers get offers to endorse products and be on television commercials, print advertisements, and TV specials. Names like Dale Earnhardt Jr, Jeff Gordon, and Jimmie Johnson are recognized by people who aren’t fans of the sport.

In the 1980s, NASCAR began to be sponsored by Fortune 500 companies, bringing a new prestige to the sport. Over 18 million viewers tune into the Daytona 500 race.

What Makes a Race Car?

While a race car may look like a street car, there are very little similarities between the two. In fact, the differences make the race car unable to be treated like a regular car.

Power management

The race car is powerful but it requires the driver to work to maintain control. Unlike a street car, there are no mechanisms to help the car be manageable. The driver is responsible for controlling the car to keep it on the track at fast speeds.

Suspension

The suspension system on a race car would not make for a comfortable ride out on the street. However, this is ideal for a race driver because it allows them to feel the road conditions to determine the level of traction for the surface and keep from spinning out of control.

Durability

Most people expect their cars to last for several years. With a race car, durability is the last thing engine builders think about. They want power and speed and build a strong, lightweight engine that often barely makes it through a single race. They are constantly rebuilding engines for the next race.

Popular Car Models

Sterling Marlin Miccosukee Chevy Impala

Chevy has won the most manufacturers’ championships with 27. They relied on the Monte Carlo for many years, but replaced it with the Impala after the Monte Carol was discontinued. They have the best horsepower and performance especially with a Hendricks engine under the hood.

Ford has changed models over the years and used popular choices such as the Thunderbird, Taurus, and the Fusion. Ford race cars are known for their fuel mileage, which means they need to stop and refuel less often than other cars and can give drivers that needed edge.

The Dodge Charger has been a popular choice for drivers for many years. It unveiled a sleek 2013 model with features that allow it stand out from the crowd on the track. Unfortunately, Dodge has announced that it won’t racing with NASCAR next year so fans will just have to remember the old Chargers in their glory days.

Race car drivers would all agree that the race car is the most important component to their ability to win. Choosing the right car make the difference between first place and coming in second. And since much of the design gets translated into the new street models in the future, fans also get excited to see new models unveiled.

What to Expect When Detoxing

Posted on February 6, 2012 by admin

If you are trying to kick a drug or alcohol addiction, then the first thing that you need to do is detox. Once you stop drinking or doing drugs, detoxing will start. This can be a scary and dangerous thing to go through and ideally shouldn’t be attempted on your own. The best place to detox is at a rehab center where they have drug detox services. Why? Because a lot can happen to you, both physically and psychologically while detoxing. And having a medical staff helping you out can be a life saver.

Delirium tremens (DTs)

When your body is used to a certain amount of alcohol or drugs and you quit cold turkey, the first thing you can experience is what is known as the DTs. You’ll become shaky, sweating and nauseous. You may also experience heart palpitations. Hallucinations can also occur, both visual and tactile. DTs are not to be taken lightly – they can, in some cases, cause death if the patient experiences autonomic instability, including tachycardia, fever and hypertension.

Digestive issues

While detoxing, you may also lose your appetite and feel nauseous. There can also be bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea, sometimes severe, as your body gets used to not having any alcohol or drugs.

Mental anguish

Detoxing will also affect your mental state and some patients experience insomnia, anxiety and depression as their mind tries to not only deal with the lack of drugs or alcohol, but also tries to convince them to use again.

When you detox in a treatment center, you will still experience some of these symptoms. But you will be in an environment where there will be people who can help you through it and make the detox process as harmless as possible.

For more information on treatment centers check out the Drug Rehab Comparison Directory

Funkmaster Flex and the Need for Speed

Posted on December 8, 2011 by admin

It doesn’t take an extensive background of knowledge in the history of cars or the complexities of mechanics to be able to appreciate a solid ride. Sometimes a little bit of knowledge can go a long way, and too much about something can take the magic right out of it. So it is easy to see why things that come naturally to some folks can be more essential and elemental. But in the case with Funkmaster Flex , it’s a combination of street knowledge as well as extensive technical knowledge that makes him worth listening to.

This goes for the music as well as the cars. There are equivalences between the two seemingly-disparate arenas that speak to origins of each. Both car culture and hiphop culture are in the streets, the literal metaphor for the spaces where cultures and technologies meet and mash up to become something else, something altogether different and still consistent. There is an integrity about a Jay-Z song just as there is an integrity about alloy wheels. They seem to be entirely different things, where Jay-Z’s rhymes are vehicles for the song, and wheels are for carrying a vehicle, but they both have a core of self-expression that is entirely based on qualities and degrees of transcendence.

For Flex, musically speaking, it’s necessary to have the old and the new always close at hand simultaneously. A local show with Wu Tang Clan can be an historic event, but a new, underground show by the reclusive kid up the block can also be as transformative, because hiphop is always moving in new directions, and always steps ahead of anyone’s capacity to perceive. The new does rise on the shoulders of the giants who came before us, and it sometimes takes the energy and passion of the next generation to remind everyone about the roots that give birth to this, again, and again. It is not, by chance, then, that he comes from the Bronx, widely celebrated (and often contested) as the birthplace of the music before the 70s even began.

The Bronx is also the place where culture expresses itself rhythmically in other ways, with tires rolling against the pavement, kumho tires proving themselves on these testing grounds after having passed the test of the track. And perhaps it is a stretch to connect the two kinds of tracks in this way, but master djs are enormously dexterous and versatile, so that when there is a move from the air to the street, it is a reflection of an aesthetic, not a disjunction in meaning. Culture moves constantly, and quickly, and it takes certain well-trained eyes and sensitive ears to capture the multiple tracks when they play at the same level.

Zickets

Cars, Racing and the Automotive Lifestyle