Author: SM

  • Car Shipping Services – How To Find Out The Rules For Future Shipments

    Car shipping services in the USA have been around for quite some time now. The time gap between destination and origination is probably the biggest factor determining how much of an expense it would cost to ship a vehicle.

    In 2020, the average solo driver will drive about 500 miles a day. The most important rule of thumb for future car shipping estimates calculator is the average solo car driver will travel about 500 miles a day.

    The next best rule for future car shipping estimates calculator is the average car that is shipped is smaller than the destination vehicle. If you have a larger vehicle to be shipped than the destination vehicle, then you may have to pay more for the entire shipping expense.

    In order to get the cost of shipping a larger vehicle than the destination vehicle, you can use the exoticcartransport.com shipping cost calculator to compare the overall weight and size of the vehicles to the size of the cargo container. This method will help you find out how much the shipping cost will be for a larger vehicle.

    Another important rule to know for car shipping is the destination vehicle needs to fit in a container of the same size as the car or larger vehicle. If the destination vehicle is too small or too large, then the shipment will not fit inside the shipping container. In this case, there will be a big increase in the shipping cost for a bigger vehicle than the destination vehicle.

    The rule for car shipping services also states that it is best if the vehicle is unloaded at the airport of the destination instead of leaving it at the warehouse. This method allows the transportation company to deliver the vehicle directly to the customer.

    When the shipment arrives at the customers, it will most likely be very expensive because the company will have to pay extra for fuel to carry the vehicle to its destination. In addition, there are extra charges for insurance on the vehicle as well. Because there are many factors that determine the cost of car shipping services in the USA, a reliable website like Move Car can help you out.

    When using car shipping services, you should take care to ensure the company is licensed, bonded, and insured. and has an excellent reputation in their field.

    There are several websites that are dedicated to offering car shipping service providers. The best way to determine if a particular company offers quality service is by reading reviews from current clients.

    The third rule for future car shipping services is that you should check with the Better Business Bureau for any complaints against the company. Most complaints can be resolved through the company providing you with an explanation for why the complaint was not resolved satisfactorily.

    The fourth rule is to check the company’s background by visiting the Better Business Bureau’s website and look for any complaints filed against the company. It is best to find the company with the highest percentage of complaints and you may be able to contact them for additional information.

    The fifth rule of car shipping services is to make sure that the shipping company provides insurance for the goods they ship. This will cover you should your car get damaged in transit. In addition, you will need to know if they offer any form of coverage for lost or damaged goods.

    Finally, you need to know how long the shipping service provider has been in business. It is best to try to get referrals from people you know who already have experience shipping their cars with this particular company.

  • Classic Car Care: How to Keep That Road Classic Running

    Most car enthusiasts consider it the pinnacle of their car dreams to own at least one classic car. It’s the car that they bring to auto-shows, car meets, and it’s also that one car they bring when they want to show off on the highway. Everyone covets a classic car for one reason or another – some want it for sport, a sense of achievement or they just want to own one at one point in their lifetime.

    Owning this kind of car has its perks but it also has its own share of responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is inevitably caring for the car – not only making sure that it looks right, but also ensuring that the car runs right when on the road. Enlisting moving services to bring it to the auto maintenance shop is only part of the journey. As the owner of a classic car, you’ll also need to make sure that it runs as if it just rolled off the factory floor.

    If you’re none the wiser about how to care for a road classic, then you’ll want to read on.

    • Keep It Somewhere Safe. Now that you’ve got that classic car you’ve always wanted, surely, you’ll want to store it somewhere it won’t get tarnished or stolen. This is where those movers come in handy. You also need to find a garage to store it in, if you don’t have one yourself. Some garages can be rented out where you can store your car, and most of them are available at an affordable price. You also don’t need to worry about keeping your car there – most of them may have clients, classic car buyers just like yourself, that are keeping their vehicles there as well.”
    • Take It out for a Spin Regularly. Most cars nowadays don’t need to be driven as frequently as old cars do, but if your classic belongs to that generation, then you’ll need to take it out on the road as much as you can. Remember that these cars also need to reach their best running temperature before going out on the road. You’ll need to do this or you’ll run the risk of having the brakes stick or the other parts of the vehicle malfunction.
    • Do a Regular Overhaul. Old cars need an extra amount of care than newer models, and by that, we mean checking the oil and cooling system regularly. Changing the oil should be a top priority – after all, it is the lifeblood of the engine, and even newer models have it changed regularly during routine checkups. The same goes for the coolant, which is always replaced with an even mix of coolant and distilled water. This helps your classic remain running smoothly for a long time.
    • Always Keep it Shiny. While old cars don’t always need to be waxed, they should be kept clean. An old and dusty classic is not a pleasant sight to look at. Having it old and dusty also means that there might have been impurities on it at one point, and that eats away at the car’s classic finish. If you want to keep your old classic with that car show luster, then you know what you should do – visit the car wash every so often.

    They say that caring for an old car is a lot like caring for a person, and that might be true. But isn’t it the same when you’re taking care of something you’ve worked a long time for? Keeping your old classic clean and presentable should be easy – that is, if you’re a person used to keeping everything that you have in the cleanest way possible.

  • Early 2021 Rankings: Top 20 NASCAR Drivers

    Early 2021 Rankings: Top 20 NASCAR Drivers

    The 2020 NASCAR season may have only ended a few weeks ago, but many experts and fans are already looking ahead to the 2021 season. With the likes of Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliot, and many others having had stellar seasons. 

    But the question is, at this early stage, who are the favorites for the 2021 season? Who will be taking home the most wins and the crown at the end? Maybe you hedge your bets on the favorite? Or take a chance on a dark horse? 

    Kevin Harvick

    Kevin Harvick was arguably the best driver of the 2020 season. As many experts have said, the only thing that stopped him from being the best was missing out on the championship. However, if his form continues, 2021 could easily be his season. 

    He finished the season with a career high 9 wins and a series-best average position of 7.33. His severely disappointing Round 8 allowed him to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, but as mentioned, if he goes into 2021 the way he finished 2020, every other driver could be fighting for second place behind Harvick. 

    Chase Elliott

    The youngest championship winner since Jeff Gordon back in 1995, “Chokin’ Chase” most definitely destroyed that moniker this past season. He put in incredible performances when he needed them most, and put together back to back wins for the first time in his career, sealing the title up. 

    Considering he almost definitely had the best season out of everyone (he did win the title after all) he will likely go into the 2021 season as the outright, or titled favorite with Kevin Harvick. 2021 is already set up to be a blockbuster between these two drivers. 

    Denny Hamlin

    Denny Hamlin had another ‘almost’ season, something which can describe his driving career so far. He put in great performances and got great results, but they just weren’t enough.

    He is definitely getting on in age, and his career is drawing to a close, but there is, like always, the strong possibility that next season will be the one. Hamlin is purely on this list because he deserves it, just like how he deserves a championship

    Kyle Busch

    Kyle Busch may have had a disappointing season in 2020, he may have won a race for the 16th season in a row, but he missed out on the playoff, and 2020 was the first time he missed out on the championship since 2014. 

    However, we are still talking about Kyle Busch here, a man with talent and skill, that is clear for everyone to see. The kind of skill that is always difficult to write off, no matter what kind of season he had the year before. Expect a major comeback when 2021 rolls around. 

    Aric Almirola 

    Almirola’s 2020 season was definitely disappointing compared to 2019. He didn’t manage to win a race, and an overall finish of 15th in the standings is not where he wants to be. He also missed out on numerous top 5 finishes. 

    However, considering he had a great 2019, and a below-par 2020, you feel like he will want to bounce back. He has the car and the skill to win races, and 2021 could be the season he finally breaks through and takes the victories he deserves. 

    Tyler Reddick

    A driver to keep your eye on in 2021 is Tyler Reddick. If you take Cole Custer out of the picture Reddick was easily the best rookie of the season. The 2-time Xfinity Series Championship winner put himself in the running to win multiple races, something his team hasn’t done since 2018. 

    He put his name on the map, outperforming what many believed he was capable of, added to the fact that he was a rookie who had an amazing season, seemingly out of nowhere. A championship may not be on the cards just yet, but Reddick can easily pull off a few surprises next season. 

    Joey Logano

    Joey Logano’s season didn’t quite pan out like his 2018 championship-winning season. He may have put in some great performances, but obviously came up short. However, Logano has proven to be a driver who can win at the right time. 

    What Logano does so well is just quietly put in solid results, and constantly keep himself in the fight. This consistency is what sets him apart. Once again, 2021 could be a season where this almost silent assassin can sneak into championship contention, it is clear he knows how to win it as well. 

    Brad Keselowski

    Someone who was sometimes ignored as a title contender, Brad Keselowski’s incredible season was overshadowed by the fact that he was constantly playing second fiddle to the Hamlin, Harvick, and Elliot show. 

    He had his best standings finish since his championship-winning 2012 season, but some bad luck, and not being able to compete with Elliot might have cost him the championship. However, next season, Keselowski is more than ready to take home another title and championship. 

    It may be too early to predict who will be the drivers that succeed and stand out from the crowd in 2021, but if 2020 is anything to go by, there are some major surprises in store, unlikely winners, and maybe even a surprise champion at the end of it all.

  • What Are The Dangers Of Being A Trucks Driver & How To Avoid Them

    People don’t think too much about how the products they buy on a daily basis make their way to the shelves. There is a long supply chain involved with the most integral part being the truck driver who brings the freight right to the loading dock of the store.

    Without these drivers, the shelves would be absolutely bare. These truck drivers put their lives on the line every day to make sure they keep that supply chain running. It should be obvious what kind of a risk these men and women put themselves under. 

    If you are thinking you might want to be a truck driver, then you have to know the risks yourself. In this article, I will go over several of the dangers that you’ll be facing if you decide to get behind the wheel of a big rig. 

    Other drivers

    No matter how well you trained in defensive driving to avoid an accident, there are hazards thrown in front of you all day by the horrible driving habits of those you share the road with. 

    The prevalence of driving under the influence of smartphones is so pervasive that it is poised to eclipse the number of accidents caused by drunk drivers. Ask any truck driver and they will tell you that they are seeing more distracted drivers than ever before. 

    These drivers often drift into other lanes which are nearly impossible to predict when you are driving near them. And if they cut you off then it is very difficult to avoid a collision.

    There may not be much you can do to avoid an accident in some cases, so make sure that you have a dashcam in your cab to record an accident and then go right out and speak to a truck accident specialist.

    Tired driving

    Truck drivers are pushed to the limits of how many miles they can drive to get the freight to the destination ahead of schedule. The more drop-offs you can make in the least amount of time the better. 

    All of which means that there are some tired truck drivers on the road driving with little sleep. There are federal laws which limit how many hours a driver can be on the road in a day. Even with those limits, it can be long and tedious and many drivers can fall asleep while they’re driving. 

    Make sure to know the signs when you are starting to lose your focus and pull over to take a quick nap. Even if you haven’t hit your limit for the day yet.

    Suppose you are losing focus while driving; it might cause an injury to you and others. Even if your company has an experienced trucking injury lawyer and can get you out of this mess, the damage and trauma that is caused by your negligence will be there to haunt you.

    Always do a circle check

    Do a once around your truck to inspect it before setting out. Look for signs of leaks that could signal a potential problem. And make sure that all of your lights are working properly. 

    If you don’t do this you run the risk of a dangerous problem getting overlooked until it’s too late. It only takes a few minutes and can be the difference between an accident and getting home in one piece.

  • McLeod & Tifft’s Live Fast Motorsports, 2021 Newest Team

    McLeod & Tifft’s Live Fast Motorsports, 2021 Newest Team

    When in October 2019, Matt Tifft collapsed with a seizure at Martinsville, many thought this was the end of his NASCAR career.

    This was not what Matt Tifft thought.

    Instead, the 24-year-old will become the youngest team owner in the Cup Series. The new Live Fast Motorsports team will be jointly owned by Tifft and his friend and mentor B.J. McLeod.

    Live Fast Motorsports

    When Go Fas Racing team owner Archie St. Hilaire decided to reduce his schedule to just six races, placing his full-time ownership charter on the open market, Tifft and McLeod purchased the charter and the resulting organization has been christened Live Fast Motorsports.

    The new NASCAR Cup Series entry in the No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Ford Mustang was unveiled Friday by the pair. The team will be based in Mooresville and operate with a partnership with Stewart-Haas Racing.

    Live Fast Motorsports has entered this strategic partnership with Stewart-Haas Racing, a 10-time Cup Series winning organization in 2020, “to assist the team in the competition and navigate the difficulties of developing a successful NASCAR Cup team.”

    “Live Fast Motorsports is excited to be joining an incredible group of owners, as well as the new teams and ownership coming into the sport,” the release stated. “ Live Fast Motorsports and its partners are ready to take on the challenge to grow and develop as a team.”

    First of all, NASCAR is a TEAM sport consisting of all of the amazing people who work behind the scenes to support the driver and help him win. And, also one of the most popular sports to bet on. Among other sports, on sites like sbo.net, you can wager on a NASCAR driver or a team as a whole, check their performance, and if they seem to win a race or series, it can be quite good. In regards to this, we are eager to see how McLeod & Tift’s Live Fast Motorsports team will perform in the upcoming 2021 season.

    Old Relationship

    The two first met when Tifft was 12 and participating in a driving school in Florida.

    “I’ve been with him since the Late Model days,” Tifft said about his new business partner and old friend.

    “I was his first Truck Series driver at Martinsville and getting a top-10 there with him really launched my career. He was a groomsman at my wedding, so we’ve been together for a long time. When we were racing, he was my Friday night movie buddy.”

    McLeod also has nothing but good things to say about his friend and their new partnership.

    “Matt is going to make me stronger. He’s got some really good qualities about him that I’m excited about helping some of the weaknesses that I might have and just what we can do together.”

    “It’s literally decades of dreaming, decades of work, decades of being focused, just a lot of relationships being built to get us to this point,” McLeod said.

    Matt Tifft

    Although he is still not completely sure that his driving career is over, Tifft is entering his new NASCAR role after much thought and questioning.

    “I went through several months there, where first, I was dealing with the health problems and second, a dark space because I worked my entire life to get (to the Cup Series) and all of a sudden, that was gone.”

    “I explored all kinds of avenues, whether that was being involved from a PR standpoint or sponsor standpoint,” Tifft said. “I looked at some driver coaching stuff. I couldn’t drive, so when you spend your entire life being a driver, it’s pretty hard.

    But this is not the first time he is facing such a big challenge, also involving health problems. In 2016 he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. This required surgery and caused him to miss time. But Tifft was far from giving up – that season he was a part-time Xfinity Series driver, and he returned to active competition 11 weeks later!

    B.J. McLeod

    Tifft’s partner, the 37-year-old B.J. McLeod is also a very striking individual.

    He already operates a multi-car team in the Xfinity Series and has served as a driver-owner in the Truck Series in addition to owning Super Late Model. One of the most respected individuals in NASCAR, he is also an unusual owner in the Cup Series: He usually sports slicked-back jet-black hair, often held in place by a backward Hurley baseball cap, and completed with his signature Affliction shirt.

    “My new dream is to be a Childress, a Gibbs, a Hendrick, or whoever,” McLeod said

  • 23XI Racing announces sponsors; Our Motorsports fields two cars and NASCAR at COTA

    23XI Racing announces sponsors; Our Motorsports fields two cars and NASCAR at COTA

    The Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin owned team, 23XI Racing (pronounced twenty-three eleven) has announced their sponsorship for the 2021 season.  The No. 23 Toyota Camry with driver Bubba Wallace behind the wheel will have DoorDash, McDonald’s, Columbia Sportswear, Dr. Pepper, and Root Insurance on the car and is fully sponsored for the 2021 season.

    “This is an opportunity of a lifetime for me and there are no more excuses. We want to go out and win and I know we’ll have everything we need each week to make that happen.” Wallace said.  “To have great partners in DoorDash, McDonald’s, Columbia Sportswear, Dr. Pepper and Root Insurance come on board and show their support of me and this team is really cool.”

    Wallace has driven the No. 43 for Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) in the past three seasons.  Wallace had three top-5’s and nine top-10’s in the three years with RPM.  Wallace also has six total NASCAR Camping World Truck Series wins. Erik Jones will join the RPM organization in 2021 as the driver of the No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE in the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS), made famous by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty.

    23XI Racing will have a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR).  Wallace will finally have the sponsorship and alliance that he did not have at RPM that can make him one of the favorites picks at DraftKings in February at Daytona International Speedway.

    Hamlin confirmed on Friday that his former crew chief Mike Wheeler will be Bubba Wallace’s crew chief.  Wheeler was Hamlin’s crew chief from 2016 to 2018.

    Howard to full time at JD Motorsports

    JD Motorsports has announced that 19-year-old Colby Howard will move to full-time status in 2021 with their team in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS).  Howard will drive the No. 15 Chevrolet Camaro with Wayne Carroll as his crew chief.

    “I cannot thank (team owner) Johnny Davis and Gary Keller enough for the opportunity to run a full season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series next year” Howard said.

    Howard had 22 starts last season with seven top-20 finishes.

    Its now two cars for Our Motorsports

    Our Motorsports, a NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team will expand to a two-car program for the 2021 season.  Two-time NXS Champion Tyler Reddick and NASCAR Cup Series regular will drive the team’s second Chevrolet Camaro in Daytona in February, but the full driver line-up and sponsorship for the second entry will be announced at a later date.

    “I’m very thankful to Our Motorsports for the opportunity and am looking forward to partnering with Brett to get the season off to a solid start,” Reddick said.

    Brett Moffitt, a former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver has been confirmed to drive the team’s No. 02 Chevrolet in 2021.

    Inaugural May 21-23 NASCAR at COTA Event Weekend Announced

    After careful consideration for what will create an unforgettable experience for the fans and an incredible challenge for the drivers, Speedway Motorsports officials have selected the iconic 3.41-mile long course for all competition during the inaugural May 21-23 NASCAR at COTA event weekend.

    “We took a hard look at both the 3.41-mile long course and the newly reconfigured 2.2-mile short course,” said Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith. “There’s no doubt the long course will be the most entertaining for the fans. There are more sightlines and opportunities for hillside viewing, plus we’ll have additional options for trackside camping.

    “Every NASCAR driver will be challenged by the same 20-turn, counterclockwise circuit designed for Formula One racers.”

  • 5 Upgrades You Should Do To Your GMC Canyon

    5 Upgrades You Should Do To Your GMC Canyon

    It is always good that you should upgrade your GMC Canyon. Trucks are a great vehicle and they can be an indispensable tool for work, a great way to have fun, or simply a reliable way to move you or your cargo from one place to another.

    Time to move on to your GMC canyon Lift Kit!

    5 Upgrades You Should Do To Your GMC Canyon – Always Look for Better and Bigger 

    The GMC is a new generation of cars that are designed concerning future tendencies and technologies. Although there are varieties of upgrades you can do to your GMC Canyon, we have picked up the most favorite ones for you.

    Let’s have a look at the list

    • Floor mats
    • Side steps
    • Tonneau cover
    • Exhaust modifications
    • Mud Guards

    So, without wasting more time, let’s move towards the bonus upgrades!

    Floor mats – Where to keep your feet?

    Undoubtedly, mats are important when you plan to upgrade your vehicle. Although it is a minor modification, having an amazing interior will change in general the feel of your vehicle. 

    These mats can be washed easily because once they become dirty you can simply remove and wash them. You no longer need to worry about thorough cleanups as it has a reservoir trap that will carry fluid away from your feet. 

    You must also note that these mats will eliminate the possibility of your car going dirty because of their absorbing effects the dirt will not carry away to other parts of your vehicle. 

    Also, it doesn’t only take seconds to put in but will surely make a huge difference to your truck.

    They are made up of high-grade material which will perform flawlessly in even extreme conditions. This material will provide elevated strength, high friction, and your feet a tactile surface to rub and kick. This is a key pain point for several drivers and we ensure that our floor mats won’t disappoint you. 

    Side steps – Know your way to step up!!!

    Who wouldn’t want to step out of their car smoothly and safely?

    Firstly, you need to know that there are two types of side steps available in this vehicle:

    • Tough metal: It is more durable, will provide more resistance, and will ensure that you enter your car safely.
    • Rubberized platforms: These will help you enter your car more safely as rubber provides more grip than the metal ones and will eradicate the effect of free fall.

    Hence, it is important to see which one suits your needs. There are advantages and disadvantages to both of them and you need to make a calculated decision about which one to buy. Indeed, it depends on what you require.

    Tonneau Covers – Protect your Car and Cargo

    They are easy to install and will cover the bed of your truck completely. Also, these can roll and unroll easily and you can operate them with a single hand.

    Moreover, you can protect your goods and other essentials securely, safe, and dry as it will completely cover the bed of your truck.

    The two most important types of covers available are:

    • Trifold Tonneau cover: This is useful if you want to secure your cargo under a bed cover and you hardly ever need to use your whole bed.

    Stick till the end to find out more!

    Exhaust modifications – Improve power output

    Never chain down your beast with restrictive stock equipment. Rather set it free and let it unleash every pinch of power it can pump out.

     For that, an upgraded exhaust will help improve the power output of your vehicle. Therefore, as more air will flow out of your car’s engine, the more air will flow in.

    A variety of exhausts are available in the market:

    • Firstly, cat-back exhaust will help your truck engine to escape exhaust fumes quickly and easily. Their exhaust sound seems to be like a roar. 
    • Secondly, the side exhaust is of great help too. This will deposit fumes off to the side of your vehicle and you can hear the exhaust noise more easily. 
    • Lastly, you have exhaust tips. If you don’t want to spend a lot, these are great. They are simple to install and won’t cost an arm or leg. 

    Mud Guards – Keeping your vehicle clean and clear

    This special upgrade plays an important role in your vehicle performance. 

    Want to know how?

    As you all know that rocks, gravel, and salty slush always put your vehicle’s paint in danger. Therefore, this upgrade will act as a strong shield and keep your truck finish clean and scratch free. 

    The duo purpose mudguards are designed to support your car’s cleanliness and ensure that you reach your destination in a decent look. Mud guards will also clear out any dirt that comes as a reaction to your driving.

    Mud Guards will block dirt from ruining your truck and will not make it look messy at all. Also, they can be installed easily without any hassle.

    Conclusion:

    Although there are a variety of options you need to consider whenever lifting GMC Canyon and the upgrades discussed above will be a great place to start from. It will help to improve the feel, performance, and looks of your GMC Canyon.

    As we have discussed in detail about how the various aspects of this vehicle can improve your performance output here are a few tips to boost your aura:

    • Don’t rush into a performance upgrade as each feature has its benefit.
    • All these features will eventually add in enhancing how your lift canyon goes by.

    Meta description:

    Why do you need to upgrade your GMC Canyon? Will it improve your vehicle’s performance? Here is the answer to all your questions.

  • Fun and Fulfilling Pastimes Your Child Should Try Out

    How has your life been? It’s been almost a year since stay at home orders were issued across the country because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that you and your kids haven’t been able to go outside and do your usual pastimes like practicing a sport or attending art workshops.

    You’re just stuck at home going between work or studies and sedentary activities, like Disney Christmas movie binges. Although government-approved coronavirus vaccines are on their way, it’ll be months before you can get them.

    However, you don’t want your kids to stay inactive. There are a variety of benefits to having hobbies for children.

    • Improved confidence – One of the best things about having a pastime is getting better at it. When your kid starts mastering their hobby, they get a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment from it. And because their sense of accomplishment is still mostly tied to the praise they get from adults, the compliments you give them will have a large influence on their confidence and self-esteem as they grow up. If they participate in a hobby that requires them to work with partners or a team, they also learn to be confident when it comes to communicating and working together with their peers.
    • Additional bonding experiences – Practicing a hobby together is an excellent way to spend time with your kid. You get to create things and experiences that both of you enjoy and will look back on fondly. It also helps both of you express and understand each others’ emotions better, especially if your pastime involves art like drawing, music, painting, and more.
    • Growth through exploration – Growing up involves moving out of one’s comfort zone and trying new things. Having a hobby teaches your child this valuable lesson and jumpstart their hunger for learning. Just make sure that they actually like the pastime you’re getting them into, so they can be motivated to learn it.

    Useful Hobbies to Get Into

    Apart from school and work, your kid may pour most of their time and energy into their hobbies. As such, you need to make sure that the pastime they choose is actually worth their time. Here are examples of hobbies that are both fun and fulfilling.

    Model kits

    If your kid is interested in the mechanisms of cars, aircraft, and more, get them a model diesel engine set. You could also build model train kits with them if they’re into it. These toy hobbies don’t just keep your kid entertained, some of them provide realistic insights into what it’s like to build such machines. It’s the perfect balance between fun and learning.

    Learning an instrument

    Learning an instrument provides a wide variety of advantages for your kid. A study from Northwestern University found that music training changes a kid’s brain for the better. The paper, featured in TIME Magazine, analyzed the effects of music training on kids’ brain processes. They found that highly motivated and engaged music students had larger improvements in the way their brain processed reading and speech compared to the less-involved respondents.

    Making music also improves your child’s motor skills. They’re pushed to hone the coordination between their hands, eyes, and ears for every note they play. As your child learns new pieces of music or memorizes musical patterns, their brain creates new connections that are vital for memory and problem-solving. This is why a variety of studies have shown that musical training can increase a kid’s literacy skills and verbal memory. Everyone gradually loses these connections as they grow older, which is why it’s vital to stock up on it while you can.

    Gardening

    Gardening is one of the healthiest hobbies anyone can get into. Plants naturally filter outside air. An international study also found that being around plants has stress-reducing benefits. The researchers tested the effect of having plants on a work desk and having workers take care of plants during their break time.

    They found that the respondents who had plants on their desks, especially those who actively participated in taking care of the plants, felt less stressed and fatigued compared to those who didn’t have plants on their desks. Plus, moving pots and plants around under the sun is also a great physical activity. Start by having your kid take care of one plant and having them stick to a consistent routine in taking care of it.

    Having a hobby during this pandemic is a great way to pass the time while also learning new knowledge and skills. This is especially important for the development of your kids’ problem solving and social skills, as well as creativity. The recommended pastimes above are both fun and fulfilling for both you and your kid. You’ll never know when a simple hobby will turn into a full-blown career for your child.

  • How Can You Become an Established Racecar Driver?

    Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsports. From a global population of over 7.8 billion people, there are currently only 20 starting F1 drivers. 16 of them are wealthy Europeans. Without being pessimistic, the chances of a regular person making it as an F1 driver are slim to none.

    So how do these guys do it? How is it possible? For some, like Brazilian legend Ayrton Senna, it’s about supreme talent, about being better than everybody else. For others like Michael Schumacher, it’s a combination of incredible ability, timing, and hard work. Max Verstappen belongs to a third group, those who made it through skill and lineage. His father Jos was also an F1 driver and paved the way for his 17-year-old son to become the youngest professional F1 driver in history.

    However, F1 is not the only option available at your disposal. If you are passionate about cars and driving and want to make it a career, there are plenty more choices you can make. All include interesting possibilities, travel, and the chance to have exciting, adrenaline-filled, unforgettable experiences doing something you love.

    Two options you could look into are production car racing and touring.

    Production Car Racing

    As the name implies, a production car is a vehicle made for mass production, one you would find in a showroom. Unlike Indy or F1, it is not a prototype car. As such, it is nowhere near as advanced. Yet, racing can be just as exciting, equally fulfilling.

    An aspiring professional production car driver should consider these tips:

    • Start with karting. A local go-kart course will do. If you find yourself not enjoying it after a few times or you can’t beat your 12-year-old nephew consistently, perhaps racing is not in the books for you.
    • Consider taking some lessons. Like anything, there are levels to this. Driving fast on the highway doesn’t mean you’re ready for the big leagues.
    • Once you have enough experience, join the Sports Car Club of America. The SCCA will not only provide you with the necessary license to compete but also give you important advice on how to start your career and races to take part in.
    • Buy a car and enroll in a few races. Before racing, get the services of a creditable auto detailing shop to make sure your car is in top shape for competition.
    • With a few victories under your belt, start looking for sponsors or assemble your own team.

    By following these steps, you will be well on your way to becoming a professional race car driver.

    Sprint and Endurance Tourism

    Tourism is divided into sprint and endurance racing. Sprint races are usually around two hours, whereas endurance might take a few days to complete. If your focus is on sprint, you can race on your own. Endurance racing, on the other hand, requires a team.

    The main difference between production car racing and tourism is the car. While a production car is a “regular” car, one used for tourism is outfitted specifically for racing. This means a more powerful engine, different transmission systems, and added wings for aerodynamics. Also, the tourism car is provided by the team, the manufacturer.

    As a talented driver, a good rule of thumb would be to enroll in a top touring car racing series such as the World Touring Car Cup or the British Touring Car Championship.

    Managing Expectations

    Not all can be Lewis Hamilton or Sebastien Loeb. But that doesn’t mean we cannot be professional race car drivers. Success is not measured based on the category or series in which you race. It is also not just about making a lot of money. It’s about being happy, fulfilling your dreams, and living out your passion for cars and speed.

    Why not start with production car racing or tourism? Both are amazing journeys to embark on, journeys a car lover will not regret.

  • Can you follow NASCAR results and positions live online?

    Can you follow NASCAR results and positions live online?

    NASCAR Motorsport is hugely popular in the United States of America, with it having a rather huge popularity amongst many in the southern states of the country.

    Due to its popularity, there has also been a growing betting market on the sport, with many looking to get in on the high-octane action that each race can provide. With a plethora of different things that can happen in a race, whilst there are many meetings across the whole year, it should be no surprise that many bettors find it a great sport to place a wager on.

    However, when placing a bet on the action, many will want to remain up to date with what is happening, just as they would when they place a bet on other American sports such as American Football, Baseball, Basketball and Ice Hockey, for example.

    Can NASCAR results be followed live?

    But, can bettors follow those results and the positions in which race drivers are in whilst the action is happening live online?

    Indeed, the NASCAR website is a great option in which bettors can access and use to find minute-by-minute updates of the race in progress, as well the full race calendar for the year and detailed information on drivers, although it must be said there are not too many other great options available.

    Naturally, there are also some social media sites such as Twitter that can help to provide some real-time updates as well, but there are some improvements that can still be made to help potentially attract new bettors to this ever-growing market.

    For example, sportsbooks and betting operators should look to provide punters with the ability to watch the action live on their pages, thus giving bettors a top-class betting experience as they can look to place in-play bets on the action.

    In the future, we hope that more sites like Oddspedia add NASCAR betting and live results on their pages and popularize it even more, as this will surely only help to add the sport to the gambling map and potentially draw in new fans to this epic motor racing sport.

    Are there enough markets available to justify NASCAR being followed live?

    It could be argued that there are not enough betting markets available for the sport, with three of the main markets available in NASCAR typically designed regarding the finishing result of the race or the championship.

    These available bets include the Futures bet – which will see bettors place a bet on the driver that they believe will win the entire competition from the beginning or the early stages of the season; the outright bet – which will see a bet placed on which driver will win the race meeting that is happening in the immediate future; and the head-to-head which will see gamblers look to predict which driver will come out on top from a pairing that has been selected by the bookmaker.

    Some bookmakers do offer Prop Bets

    However, there are some online sportsbooks that are starting to provide bettors with the chance of placing wagers on Prop Bets. These bets do not generally have anything to do with the end result of the race, but they can make things even more interesting.

    Some of the most popular prop bets include:

    Who will lead the most laps?

    Which manufacturer will win?

    How many caution flags?

    How many racers will finish?

    All of these are props that a lot of sportsbooks will offer at the time of a race.

    For prop bets involving numbers, the book will give an over/under to pick between or provide specific choices with different odds for each.