Motor Sports, Demon Tweeks and the Modern Hobbyist: Preparing the Vehicle for Racing

The world is full of motor sports enthusiasts racers; detailers; and car preparation geeks whose central joy is the creation and performance of surprising machines. There's a lot of colour and power in these quite focused worlds, all of which have their own shorthand and their own special vehicles. Places like Demon Tweeks (and this is not the only one, by far), which supply the materials and the knowhow to serve the race enthusiasts, exist at the heart of the hobbyist's world.

To understand the products provided by the hobbyist centres, you first have to understand something about the world in which they exist. There are two core concepts at the heart of the racing world: speed and safety.

Speed is the ultimate goal of all racing preparation. It is, in itself, served by a nested set of sub-concepts all goals that the detailer or tuner wishes to achieve in order to serve the overall prize of attaining greater speeds without sacrificing safety. Performance, for example, which is a word you'll hear flying around the pits and garages a lot, is not simply defined as "going faster than everything else". To perform well, a vehicle must be nimble around corners without sacrificing too much forward motion in the process. It must be able to achieve high speeds quickly without losing handling ability.

To achieve good performance, the tuner looks not just at the power developed by the engine, but the ability of the suspension to deal with that power as it is pushed out through turning wheels. As a rapidly moving vehicle changes direction, the bite of the wheels on the racing surface is compromised by the sudden intrusion of lateral and twisting forces which, where rigid suspension is concerned, can be translated into fishtailing and bellying. Modern suspension, then, must be introduced to take more individual control of each wheel effectively allowing the car or bike to cope with changes in directional force as well as changes in the actual architecture of the road beneath.

There's a fine line the tuner and detailer must tread, between weight and power. The lighter a vehicle is, the faster it goes: but then the more powerful it is, the harder it becomes to control without weight sitting over the wheels. The goal is to find the perfect medium between stripping out extra weight and adding more power, so the car or bike may be controlled by an expert without shaving active horsepower out of its performance. "Active horsepower" may be thought of as the amount of power developed by the engine that actively increases the speed of the vehicle, rather than simply allowing the wheels to move the weight of its body.

The second major element of vehicle tuning safety is present throughout all of these considerations. To make a vehicle lighter, for example, a person may also make it much less structurally safe particularly where the major weight elements in the chassis and frame are those installed to keep the driver safe.

To properly tune a car for racing, then, it is necessary to replace key bits of the body with lighter but stronger materials. Carbon is often used for this purpose. Its structural integrity makes it much more robust than metal. Yet it is also much lighter, allowing the vehicle to develop more power and performance.

About Author:
Henry Walker is an amateur racing enthusiast. He has looked at demon tweeks in a recent article for a trade magazine.

The Audi A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI Sport

The Audi A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI Sport is, as you’d hope with a badge that options the word ‘Sport’ not once however double, the sportiest version of the German brand’s smallest automotive. It’s additionally the foremost valuable, cost accounting from $42,500, tho' as a typical premium little automotive there square measure still various ways that to expand your final bill.

Following the trend set by the likes of the mini hatch and edict five hundred, the Audi A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI Sport is filled with choices and style alterations covering each interior and exterior, giving people management over however their A1 can look provided they’re willing to get it.

From different roof colors and totally different wheels, to S line tweaks applied within and out, there’s no shortage of selections once buying this flagship of the four-metre-long Audi. Our Misano red check automotive wore a superb black roof ($720) and half polished 17-inch alloy wheels ($400), however passed over on paddle shifters a further $200. You’ll need to pay far more, though, for sat-nav ($3600 for the MMI navigation and package) associated $490 for an auto-dimming rear vision mirror which may even be expected to air the quality options list.

Open the driver’s door and nestle into the substantiative, and well bucketed, sports seat, tho' and you’ll notice an enclosed that will ‘premium’ higher than any of its rivals, together with the BMW-owned mini. The high-end Audi look and feel the German complete has become therefore synonymous for is true there.

Top-notch materials used throughout the four-seater cabin mix with logical controls and a high-quality show to form occupants feel over a trifle special. The Audi A1 Sportback is equally associate Audi, on par with several of its way more valuable relatives and closely connected in quality and style to the company’s A8 flagship.

The animal skin multi-function sports handwheel is one amongst the simplest within the business associate absolute delight to carry and use and is joined within the cabin by ever-so-slightly-transparent gloss black air vent surrounds that meld cleanly into the imposingly soft-touch dash contrasted by brushed atomic number 13 rings encasing the black air vents.

The rating of the Audi A1 Sport 1.4 TFSI will take it into the realm of larger hatches, and people of the recent selection together with the Volkswagen Golf GTI (from $40,490 in five-door form) and Renault Megane RS265 (from $42,640). however the sportiest Audi A1 Sportback additionally weighs solely 1215kg 2 blokes but a Golf GTI permitting its terrific twin-charged engine to deliver just-as-strong performance and higher fuel economy.

Audi’s A1 1.4 TSI options a similar twin-charged 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine found within the $27,790 Volkswagen Polo GTI. With 136kW at 6200rpm and 250Nm from as low as 2000rpm, the punchy and versatile engine is simply as happy taking part in cart or tearing through the mountains.

One of the key party tricks of using each a compressor for low-down surge associated a turbocharger for mid-range boost square measure stats of 0-100km/h in seven seconds (a bit slower than a GTI however slightly faster than an motorcar Cooper S) and a combined fuel consumption figure of five.9 litres per 100km (more economical than each a GTI and Cooper S). we tend to averaged seven.9L/100km, in keeping with the car’s trip laptop, however saw as low as five.4L/100km.

The Audi A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI Sport’s ride is firm however manages the difficult balance between stiffness and compliance well, ne'er obtaining unsettled over bumps and creating for a confidence-inspiring drive. whereas road joins will jar, the A1 is obscurity close to as rigid as a mini Cooper.

Sharp, direct associated communicative steering is one amongst the simplest on an Audi with a purity and consistency oft missing from costlier Audis, together with even some RS models. The brakes, too, square measure terrific, providing consistent feel and a solid, dependable pedal even when perennial serious stops.

The dual-clutch shell are often a supply of frustration, frequently dynamical from fourth or fifth gear down into third mid-corner, even once in manual mode, associated an odd awkward shift will occur sometimes. Cogs square measure swapped quickly, though, and in additional relaxed driving with cheap runniness. like the dual Polo GTI, there’s no manual various.

With a gap value that sees it square up against a number of the present era’s best hot-hatches with extra space and additional power, the Audi A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI isn't getting to attractiveness to patrons sorting out a cut price. except for those craving for a automotive that includes the four-ring badge at a additional come-at-able value, the Audi A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI Sport could be a little, mighty, luxurious very little package that’s correct fun.

Source CarAdvice

2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed

2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed
On Sale: November
Price: $217,725
Drivetrain: Twin-turbo, 616-hp, 590-lb-ft W12; awd, eight-speed automatic w/ torque converter
Curb Weight: 5115 pounds
0-60 mph: 4.0 seconds, (mfg.)
Fuel Efficiency: 13 city/20 hwy/15 combined

The Bentley Continental GT Speed is the fastest production Bentley ever made, with a top speed of 205 mph. How fast was the second-fastest Bentley ever made? The 2009 Continental Supersports went 204. The 2007 Continental GT Speed went 202. So we're splitting hairs to some degree but the hairs are all on very fast heads. Granted, you're not likely to ever find a place where you could actually go that fast, but it's nice to know you could and to be able to throw out the 205 figure and the phrase "fastest ever" when you're talking about your car.

The first Bentley Speed appeared in 1923 as the Bentley 3.0-liter "Speed Model." That one used twin SU carburetors and higher compression on its four-cylinder engine to reach its performance goals. Ninety years later, the 2013 Speed uses changes to the Bosch ME17 engine management program to wring 49 more horsepower out of the twin-turbo W12, increasing boost 0.3 bar from 1.65 in the standard W12 to 1.95 in the Speed. Thus, horsepower goes from 567 to 616. Torque peaks at 590 lb ft on a broad plateau from 2000 to 5000 rpm. To make the most out of all that power Bentley stiffened the springs, bars and bushings and set it down on 275/35ZR21 Pirelli PZeros. There are even optional carbon ceramic disc brakes to replace the standard iron discs.

Other differences distinguish it from the GT, including ten-spoke 21-inch wheels, dark trim in the grille, quilted leather seats and "Speed" script on the door sills.

By: Mark Vaughn

BMW M135i Sports Hatch Sport Auto

Price: £31,595
0-62mph: 4.9sec
Top speed: 155mph (limited)
Economy: 37.7mpg combined
CO2: 175g/km
Kerbweight: 1500kg
Engine: 6-cyls, in-line, 2979cc, petrol turbo
Installation: Longitudinal
Power: 316bhp at 5800rpm
Torque: 332lb ft at 1300-4500rpm (with overboost)
Gearbox: 8-spd automatic

A mix of dry and damp, tight bends and a narrow road should be challenge enough for a hot hatch with 316bhp to spill from its rear wheels. And if that sounds like a temptingly reckless number then you'd be right it's only 19bhp down on the output of the lately departed 1M Coupe, and the M135i's 320lb ft of torque is identical.

If it comes with the optional eight-speed paddle shifter of our test car, the 135i will zoom-flick, zoom-flick, zoom-flick through the gears to 62mph in just 4.9sec. Go for the six-speed manual and the time actually rises to 5.1sec because its wider spread of ratios are less speedily swapped.

Either way, this new three-door 1-series is eagerly, muscularly and excitingly quick with the potential, you may think, to become a flailing handful if you dare to meddle with the ESP button. But the first bold dive into a rain-sheened bend uncovers grip reserves far deeper than expected deep enough that when that DSC button is prodded for partial disengagement, it takes some lead-foot ambition to get the rear axle's wider 245/35 R18s to get a skate on, the slide part-managed by a brake-deploying virtual limited slip diff.

So it's pretty neat, controllable and reassuring, the more so because this rear-driver is quite a finely balanced tool, as proved by a too-fast arrival into a tight, low speed turn that fails to bring on any plough-on understeer. That said, you can expect to see plenty of the orange light that confirms an active ESP system, which is no surprise given all this energy and rear-wheel drive.

Perversely, it's best to experience all this in the Comfort setting of the £515 Adaptive M Sport suspension, an essential option. It softens off the electronic dampers and lightens the steering effort to produce a satisfyingly communicative, more absorbent chassis and best of all, usefully more feelsome steering. Of course, tripping the Comfort mode slows the shift times and the gearbox's willingness to hold a gear, but that's easily undone by sliding the gearlever to leftwards to Sport, which gets you a more eager gearbox.

The result is a an excitingly rapid drive that sits just the right side of hectic, the excitement of the six's keen blare built on by the 'box's light thumps in sport, the ra-ta-tat of the exhaust's over-run, the lightly clasping support of the seats and an excellent driving position. While some may desire the more uncompromising character of the 1M Coupe, the fact is that this M135i's ride is less maskingly firm, its steering more delicate and its character easier to live with. And it's also a whole lot cheaper, being almost £10k less.

Of course, you do without the some of the 1M's alloy suspension hardware and massive brake rotors although the 135i's enlarged blue-calipered discs are entirely effective but remember that the M135i rides on the latest 1-series platform besides benefiting from bespoke suspension geometry and its own springs, dampers, anti-roll bars and bushes.

More immediately noticeable M135i identifiers include a new front bumper unit with larger air intakes, a rear bumper with twin exhausts and 18in alloys, and tyres, that are wider at the rear. Inside you get leather sports seats (the UK won't be getting the appealing Alcantara/hexagon cloth mix of the test car, which seems a pity), a black headlining, an M footrest, blue accent stitching to the seats, patterned aluminium trim inserts and modified instrument faces. Not a huge amount of differentiation then, but enough to mark this 1 out as something sportier. The cabin is robustly constructed too, although it's not as finely, designed, finished or textured as the cabin of the latest Audi A3.

Much of the M135is's considerable entertainment repertoire is provided by the straight six. This Twinpower motor features a twin scroll variable geometry turbocharger, variable timing of both inlet and exhaust cams, variable valve lift and direct injection, these features managing to almost eliminate turbo lag. Indeed, you must actively search it out to find any, by shifting manually and having the revs build from 1000rpm to the 7500rom limit in second, say. Then you'll uncover a slower-moving tacho needle to 1300rpm. From this point the six has already reached its 320lb ft torque peak, this figure impressively maintained through to 4500rpm, although the revs don't rush at you until this peak has passed, the tacho needle performing a lightning flit to the limiter.

Throttle response is not as instant as you'll find in a normally aspirated M3, but it's sharp enough for most circumstances. Couple the six's breadth of urge to that eight-speeder, and you have a car that powers near seamlessly from a dawdle to its easily struck and restricted - 155mph maximum.

M division has tuned the 135i's exhaust to provide a smoothly busy soundtrack that makes paddling your way through eight ratios an absorbing business, even if the noise can turn slightly wearing. Happily it quietens off at a motorway cruise. And we suspect the same may be true of the ride, which showed signs of choppiness on Germany's mostly smooth roads.

by Richard Bremner

2012 SLP GMC Sierra 1500 4WD Crew Cab SLT

After four days in this truck I began to feel something of an appreciation for how Genghis Khan must have felt as he charged into unsuspecting villages.

The 450 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque were intoxicating in this pickup, and the whine of the supercharger was a quick way to bring a smile to my face.

While docile under normal driving conditions, when dipping into the WEP War Emergency Power of the supercharger, the truck became even more enjoyable.

While the truck is no slouch, given its weight, the additional height from the off-road suspension and its oversize wheels, it feels much faster than a normal Sierra, but not as insanely quick as one would hope with the additional power of forced induction.

The TVS 1900 supercharger kit for the 5.3-liter gives you instant power when you tromp on the loud pedal. And loud it is, because with the addition of SLP exhaust tips, the truck has a burble and growl that makes a great addition to something with a high ride height and badges that say "supercharged" on the door.

Looking under the hood you can tell that this is no stock truck, despite being able to order the kit and products from the dealer without impacting the warranty.

But, the underhood finish of the kit leaves something to be desired. It looks both at home and not quite right. The kit would look better with a little less chrome and more flat accents; the shiny SLP air tube under the hood looks out of place.

The interior was the biggest letdown. Much to my surprise, the Katzkin interior treatment not only mixed two colors you shouldn't mix black and brown but it made it appear that the truck had far more miles on it than it actually did.

Judging from the play in the fabric and finish, I would have thought 30,000 miles had been ridden in the seats. Much to my horror, there were just more than 500 miles on the odometer when I grabbed the keys. I would have preferred the money be kept under the hood and the interior upholstery left stock.

The crew cab provided ample interior space for both front and rear passengers and for hauling groceries.

As I was in the process of moving, I filled the bed with my large items and hauled them to my new place.

The added height from the off-road suspension option worked well for setting and picking items up when loading and unloading.

Overall the truck is a lot of fun and useful if big trucks with big power tickle your fancy. The biggest problem I had over my time with it was keeping my foot out of the accelerator. While I was no fan of the interior appointments, I'll overlook it for the sound of the supercharger and the juvenile smile I often had.

By: David Arnouts

How to Improve your Performance with Softball Training

If there is anything that you can do to improve your performance in softball or in any game for that matter, that is to undergo training. Some people don't have the time to train and yet they wonder why they get tired so easily or why they play poorly every time. Softball training can go a really long way especially if you are a beginner who wants to make it to the professional team or even just your college team. And even if you aren't really a sports enthusiast, some exercises fit for softball training can also be beneficial for your overall health and lifestyle.

So how can you improve your performance with Softball training? Here are a few tips:

1. Some people forget that eye vision is very important in any game. For softball, you have to be alert and you have to keep your eyes focused on the ball. That's why as part of your training, it is also important to have your eyes checked regularly. A perfect example of this is to undergo vision training.
2. Improve your softball and athletic skills by doing softball drills.
3. Increase your running speed.
4. Do workouts that will help you retain your strength, speed and power.
5. Improve flexibility, speed, power, quickness and overall conditioning.
6. Go back to the basics.
7. Learn how to throw farther and swing faster.
8. Attend softball clinics or purchase softball training aids.
9. Set your goals.
10. Ask a qualified trainer to help you assess your overall softball skills and take note of their recommendations.
11. Softball training will also help you alleviate pains and prevent/reduce risk of injury.

There are also several softball training equipments that can be beneficial in improving your overall performance. You can purchase softball training aids in Softball Sales, a leading sporting goods retailer. Investing in a really good, high quality softball training aid is important. You also need to make sure that you are buying from a trusted store. These equipments are not exactly low-priced so go for retailing goods that offer premium equipments.

There are many other ways on how you can improve your performance with softball training. Learn how to increase your speed, improve your endurance, increase your range of motion, improve upper body strength, increase flexibility, improve conditioning, increase core strength, foot speed and agility and so on and so forth are just a few ways. Practicing and doing exercises regularly is also important.

So there you have it. You may not see the importance of softball training right now, but in the long run, you will see how beneficial it is. Just take a look at all the things that you can do to improve your overall performance in the game. You'll come at the game each time more prepared, more focused, more alert and you will be at your best. Now, you'll definitely have more reasons to play softball every chance you get.

To get more softball training aids such as softball pitching aids, please visit www.softballtools.com.