If not now, then when?

Caption: It may seem hard, but think of the long run returns.

Source: thetechstorm.com

Save, Save and Save! What do I mean by this you might ask? Well this blog is about saving your money because ‘if not now, then when?’  What are you waiting for? Think about your future. Do you want to drive that (R Million) Ferrari or even own a Mansion?

You have to take responsibility for your life? If not, now then never. I suggest that you stop making excuses and start now to go for what you want in the future. The key word is: SAVE!!!!  Sadly, so in this day and age, there are so much temptations out there and influences, such as:

1. Peer Pressure,
2. Influence of being better than others,
3. Advertising,
4. Marketing.

These elements not only distract us from our ‘Saving Frenzy’, but makes us think! Why not spend a few (RAND) on that, it won’t cost a lot. In the end, you will be a multi-billionaire! Just believe in your will power and you can succeed!

Do it, do it Now!

The racing scene!

Caption: The construction of a world class truck>

Source: mkr-technology.com

We now take a look at the technical side of Truck Racing, because you might be asking. What do these trucks look like and what gets done differently from those we regularly see around use.

I will now dissect all the technical elements required for one to participate within this form of Motorsport. Trucks involved in this form of motorsport, needs to fit in line with the FIA requirements, and with this said, some trucks are built from ground up, with very stringent specifications.

The trucks are placed in a number of categories from A-F, with different regulations and specification, and to look closer at these trucks they pack a modified engine, which is able to accelerate faster, together with a better steering and braking system. There are also special tyres used and these vehicles are lightened for faster movements and speeds.

The safety elements:

• A cage (bull bar) on the rear of the truck.
• A roll cage inside the cabin.
• A racing seat.
• Racing seatbelts.
• And, ofcourse a racing helmet and driver wearing a racing suit.

I really hope you enjoyed the technical side of Truck racing!

Drag racing in South Africa.

Caption: Louis Lima launching his machine in 2002 with a time of 8.6 seconds.
Source: limapiping.co.za

In South Africa, Drag racing is an established sport, with a number of strips around the country including: Tarlton International Raceway, ODI Raceway and Killarney Racetrack to name a few. Drag racing is controlled by Motorsport South Africa (MSA) and all drivers are required to hold a valid Motorsport South Africa license. Drivers can compete in a number of categories including Top Eliminator, Senior Eliminator, Super Competition Eliminator, Competition Eliminator, Pro Street Bikes, Superbike Eliminator, Supersport Shootout (motorcycle), Street Modified, and Factory Stock. These events are hosted on a regular basis and a schedule can be found on their website: www.wpmc.co.za

Caption: The fastest BMW of its kind on this planet!
Source bimmerboost.com

The sad thing is that in South Africa, we do not have a set drag racing series for Top-fuel drag racing cars or funny cars, but at many national events, you would be able to see these machines, and impressive enough some of South African drag racers have world records, namely: Butler Motorsport with a record time of 7.69 seconds and the machine of choice is a BMW E20, which is South Africa’s first 7-second turbo car, followed by Louis Lima with 8.6-seconds in 2002, which has now been broken but his choice of weaponry was a Nissan Champ 1400 bakkie, which did some crazy wheelies when launching off this line.

If you like what you reading, grab a copy of Speed and Sound Magazine at any stockist and you can obtain the schedules of South African events and even get up to gate on currently events and upcoming monster machines. Grab it while its hot!

Watch this space.

Caption: Need I say more!
Source: blogs.bournemouth.ac.uk

Yes, I’m telling you my reader to watch this space..... because great things are set to happen, not only on this blog, but with the content. My passion for motorsport and writing has grown tremendously over this ‘schooling’ process, and YES from now on in my blogs will be improving on a content basis as well as on a motorsport update level.

A writer aims to please their readers, but in this instance, I’m trying to convert you into the fun side of life (motorsport). And, NO guy’s motorsport isn’t just about going around in circles; there is more that meets the eye, if you actually follow these sports. Therefore, I really hope that you will enjoy the content!

What is drag racing???

Caption: This is drag racing, but always remember to keep it safe!
Source:jalopnik.com

Yes, my fellow readers. It’s once again another awesome week of schooling you about the different forms of motorsport. I truly hope that you are enjoying it! Drag racing is a competition in which specially prepared car (vehicles) or motorbikes who compete, usually two at a time, to be the first to cross a set finish line. The race follows a straight course from a standing start over a measured distance, most commonly ¼ mile for most cars, where as a shorter distance of 300 m for some Top Fuel dragsters and funny cars. Electronic timing and speed sensing systems have been used to record race results since the 1960s.

Caption: This is a purpose top-fuel dragster, with common times of 5-6 seconds!
Source: dragracingonline.com

An example of a drag race: You are placed in your category from A-Z for normal cars, and you line up next to your competitors, you now have a minute to warm up your tyres to get the perfect traction (grip) off the line, which would assist you in gaining a faster time. Warming up your tyres in this sport is commonly known as burn-outs, following this process. You line up next to your competitor, and you wait for four white lights, which indicates, that you are lined up correct. The next step would be to raise the revv count, which would give you a perfect launch and with this you’ll have to react quickly because a set of red, amber and green lights will go off in a few seconds, which now unleashes you and it’s you and your competitor on track, until passing the finish line, and if you won (well done).

If you want to try this out (drag racing), Killarney Racetrack in Cape Town regularly hosts Street to Strip events, in where you would be able to race your vehicle in the confines of a safe environment.

Formula 1 – A technical background

Caption: In cockpit with Lewis Hamilton.
Source: dixonbaxi.com

Now that you know a bit about Formula 1 let’s move onto the technical elements, which separates this sport for the others. There are 15 elements, that ensures the successful running and participation of all teams in Formula 1, which will now be discussed. Read and enjoy!

Caption: Aerodynamics is extremely important in Formula 1.
Source:research-racing.de

1. Aerodynamics
The modern Formula One car has almost as much in common with a jet fighter as it does with an ordinary road car. Aerodynamics have become key to success in the sport and teams spend tens of millions of dollars on research and development in the field each year, which sets this sport apart from the other forms of motorsport.

2. Brakes
Formula One cars are surprisingly closely related to their road-going cousins, as ABS anti-skid systems have been banned from F1, but these brake systems and kits have been adapted to the stress and pressure that these machines place on them, for example the high corner braking heats up the brake pads, which then cause a red glow and normal cars would catch alight instantly, but this is a story for another day.

3. Cornering
Cornering is vital to the business of racing cars, and Formula One is no exception. On straights the battle tends to be determined by the power of engine and brakes, but come the corners and the driver's skill becomes more immediately apparent.

Source: Jenson Button showing you how fit you need to be.
Caption: yallaf1.com

4. Driver fitness
Formula One drivers are some of the most highly conditioned athletes on earth, their bodies specifically adapted to the very exacting requirements of top-flight single-seater motor racing. They are projected to forces that could snap a neck (break neck speeds).

5. Flags
Marshals at various points around the circuit are issued with a number of standard flags, all used to communicate vital messages to the drivers as they race around the track.

6. Fuel
The fuel it runs on is surprisingly close to the composition of ordinary, commercially available petrol.

7. Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS)
The acronym KERS stands for Kinetic Energy Recovery System. The device recovers the kinetic energy that is present in the waste heat created by the car’s braking process.

8. Logistics
Logistics plays a key role in Formula 1 because it deals with the transportation of these cars from country to country.

9. Overtaking
One driver can only occupy on pole position for a race, and the entire grid wants to finish on the top step of the podium, overtaking is of vital importance in Formula 1 not only for the championship, but also for the business side of Formula 1.

10. Pit stops
The precisely timed, millimetre perfect choreography of a modern pit stop is vital to help teams to turn their race strategy into success - changing a car’s tyres, which is the only thing that can be added to the car as the 2012 rules have stated that no refuelling can take place.

11. Race control
Overseas the entire weekend of motorsport (Formula 1).

12. Race strategy
The team employees’ key strategist, which solely works to improve the performance and chooses options that, would best suit the team.

13. Steering wheel
Modern Formula 1 cars steering wheels focus on elements to control parts of the car to create an advantage, to slowing the car or even turning up the motor, another famous gadget is the flappy paddle gearbox, which it uses.

14. Suspension
Suspension is what harnesses the power of the engine, the downforce created by the wings and aerodynamic pack and the grip of the tyres, and these elements are all controlled by the FIA with their strict rules and regulations.

15. Tyres
A modern Formula One car is a technical masterpiece. But the tyres are still a race car’s biggest single performance variable.

My favourite Cat in the Hat book is ‘How the Frinch stole Christmas!’; because.....

Caption: A very interesting story, which was converted into a movie.
Source: en.wikipedia.org

Honestly, who can’t remember this book even before the release of the movie, which started Jim Carey. The book discusses how the ‘Grinch hates Christmas’ and wants to stop it from coming by all necessary ways. So he forms a devious plan to impersonate Santa Claus and to steal the Christmas presents, which would be delivered on Christmas eve.

But on the Christmas morning, the Grinch is in for a shocking surprise. He did not stop Christmas from coming! And the Grinch realizes something new. That maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. That maybe Christmas . . . perhaps . . . means a little bit more!

This is bluck of the story, but other than that what is your favourite book, in the Dr. Suess collection?

Motorsport + Formula’s = Formula 1

Caption: The amazing Formula 1 logo.
Source: 514ink.com

That is a simple motorsport equation. Yes, dear reader it is officially another week of schooling you about the world, my world for that matter, which revolves around this form of motorsport. Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the ‘FIA Formula One World Championship”. The "formula", designated in the name, refers to a set of rules with which all participants' cars must comply with.

The F1 season consists of a series of races, known as Grands Prix which is held on
purpose-built circuits and public roads across the world. The results of each race are combined with a points system to determine two annual World Championships, one for the drivers and one for the constructors. The racing drivers (Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton), constructor teams (Ferrari, Mclaren, Redbull, Mercedes etc), track officials, organisers.

Caption: These are a few teams in Formula 1.
Source: f1wolf.com

Formula One car’s are the fastest circuit-racing cars in the world and this is a fact, owing to very high cornering speeds achieved through the generation of large amounts of aerodynamic downforce. Formula One cars race at speeds of up to 340 km/h with engines limited in performance to a maximum of 18,000 (RPM) in relation to the rules and regulations put in place by the FIA. The cars are capable of lateral acceleration in excess of 5 g in corners. The performance of the cars is very dependent on electronics – although traction control and other driving aids have been banned since 2008 – and on aerodynamics, suspension and tyres.

Caption: Fernando Alonso leading the pack into the first corner in the 2012 season.
Source: mail.com

Now that you have learnt a bit, let me move on to the technical elements of Formula 1. I truly, hope that you are enjoying this read!

Five Easy Steps to Become a Drifter

Caption: Otto Graven, the first South African drifter to participate in Formula Drift.
Source: formulad.com

Have you ever thought of becoming a drifter? Well, I have 5 easy steps that would ensure that you could become a potential drifter sooner than later. Drifting of the art of taking corners at high speeds while the rear of the car is at an angle to the corner. The drifting scene has exploded on South African soil, with many local events being hosted around South Africa. There are many people out there who fit the criteria to be a drifter, but they most likely don’t know what, where and how to get involved.

Caption: Tips on putting your car sideways!
Source: dsc.discovery.com

Ernest Page a well known motor journalist and judge said, “....get a banged up rear wheel drive car. Make it reliable, lock the differential and put it sideways”. Advice given from professional drifters across the world is that you should watch drifting videos, as some videos demonstrate the techniques that we as professionals use within our careers.

Before you can actually master the art of drifting you should practice, practice and even more practice is needed as once you have mastered to control the machine (vehicle) you have one foot in the door. Some advice from the top South African drifters are, “.....don’t buy a brand new drift car, before you have learnt the art of drifting, settle for something rear wheel drive, that would survive some torture before, you really get deep into drifting, where you then will require a serious drift machine as you then enter Drift competitions and series.

Caption: Otto Graven in the house!
Source: automodified.co.za

Otto Graven, the South Africa Drift King (D.K) said, “....If you would like to be a drifter you must eat, sleep, drink drifting, it must take over your whole life. My business revolves around drifting, so if you’re serious about drifting Monstermob has an extensive drift programme for beginners.

If you have not picked up the five steps they are: you should eat, sleep and drink the sport, buy a banged up rear wheel drive and lock the differential, watch some drift clips and try to get your hands on a copy of the Drift Bible and Initial D, practice continuously and remember not to buy a brand new car for learning how to drift, as you will damage it!

Why I have conversations?

Caption: Conversations assist in sharing all forms of information.
Source:thevantagepoint.ca

Well, without conversations information can’t be exchanged, and ideas can’t be formulated, but I will now give you tips on how to have a great conversation:
1. Be confident – Being around confident people makes you feel good, in where the other person energy and enthusiasm would be infectious, and makes all the conversation participants feel confident and comfortable.
2. Find out about the person you’ll be talking to before you actually talk to them, if you can – basically do research into their work, hobbies etc.
3. Ask Questions – What do they like to do? What sort of things have they done in their lives? What is happening to them now? What did they do today or last week? Etc.
4. Listen – This is one of the most important parts of your conversation because without listening you won’t be able to respond appropriately. Pay attention to what is being said.
5. Consider your response before disagreeing – If the point was not important, ignore it rather than risk appearing argumentatively.
6. Don’t panic over lulls – This could be the point where you could easily inject your thoughts into the discussion.
7. Remember that sometimes of a conversation isn’t going well, it might not be your fault – Sometimes the other person is distracted/lost in thought, isn’t willing to contribute, or is having a bad day.
8. Know when the conversation is over – Even the best conversations will eventually run out of steam or be ended by an interruption.

Think about this, and in your next conversation use these tips, and let me know how it goes!