Street racing is dangerous and illegal. If you are interesting in racing, there are many closed tracks that accept a fee for use. Racing on the street can get you killed, put in jail, or even worse, kill an innocent by-stander. Imagine the guilt of such an accident that would be hanging over your head after such a an accident.Yet many youths still participate in street car racing. It is a thrilling ride, full of adventure that involves the most enthusiastic drivers who have a passion of driving cars. Street car racing now takes place in almost every part of the world.

In Street Car Racing the cars run at very high speeds and some of the faster street racing cars can go up to 60mph in just 4 seconds. So, one can imagine the pace at which these car races take place. Some of the faster street racing cars have a speed of up to 180mph. Many cars have neon underbody lighting system that looks amazing when the cars are running at high speeds. Normally these races take place at nighttime, so the lighting system looks very good. Generally most street racing cars have a Nitrous Oxide system that can double or even triple the horse power of a car. The latest street racing cars come with onboard entertainment system with as many as five television screens.

Any person can participate in illegal street car racing, yet the danger and risks are not worth it. Racing on a closed track can be just as thrilling. Street racing appeals to people because the only requirements are that the person has a car. However, many people prefer to watch motor sports rather than experiencing them their own, since this involves a lot of risk to drive the cars at such high speeds. Generally people with a lot of money and time to spare take part in such a sport as this. It takes a lot of money to customize a car for racing.

Generally young people are more attracted towards this sport than the older ones. People customize their cars and even upgrade for maximum boost with suspension, tires, turbo and nitrous. But the drivers of illegal races need to be careful of the cops since to drive at such high speeds on the streets is not officially allowed and as mentioned, is extremely dangerous. If the cops catch you they will likely seize your vehicle or put you behind the bars. Some youngsters feel it to be a thrill when an actual cop is chasing them but actually the thrill is gone when the cops trap you, or a telephone pole does. Speeding can cause a loss of someone’s life and is not to be taken lightly. If one takes conscious efforts to drive within the speed limits on the streets and saves racing for closed courses, then the experience can be an absolute thrill.

By Andrew Fullard

Rally cars race on different courses from other motor sports: rather than racing on a specially created circuit, as for example with most Formula 1 races, rallies take place on public roads, from surfaced roads to rough dirt tracks or mountain roads.

The second main difference between rallying and most other forms of motor sport is that instead of competing directly in head-to-head races round circuits, rally cars compete indirectly over timed stages, setting off at regular intervals in an attempt to record the fastest time. Rallies consist of a number of stages and the team with the fastest time at the end of the final stage win.

The final major difference between rally cars and the cars used in most other forms of professional motor sports is that the rally cars in which drivers race are very close in design to production cars that the public drive in everyday life – indeed, rally cars are licensed to drive on normal roads out-of-competition, though of course that is very uncommon. Of course, rally cars are adapted to take account of the conditions under which they have to perform, which can vary from snow and ice to choking heat and sand, but in their basic design and specifications they are not far removed from their street model counterparts.

Rallying has a long and distinguished history, stretching back all the way to the nineteenth century. The first rally to be so called was the Monte Carlo Rally of 1911, and rallying soon took off as a sport. The next few decades saw the great city-to-city races of Europe, such as the Mille Miglia in Italy, involving competitors from Britain, France, Germany and Italy in particular. Longer races included New York to Paris and even, in 1907, Peking to Paris!

After the war, as rally cars became more powerful and reliable, rally races spread around the world, and modern rallies such as the Acropolis Rally and Finland’s Rally of the 1000 Lakes were established. Today the annual World Rally Championship takes in 16 races around the globe, from Scandinavia to New Zealand, and drivers from all over the world compete for the title, with the most successful in recent years coming from Finland and France. Rally cars are an important sideline for major manufacturers such as Citroen, Peugeot and Subaru, whose advertising for their latest models often trades heavily on the successes of their rally cars.For a rally driving experience visit car driving gifts.

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By Bob Benson

NASCAR is actually an acronym for the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. The organization was founded in 1948 by Ed Otto and William France. The two men recognized the fact that people enjoyed watching car races, and that there needed to be some standardization behind the racing industry in order to attract more racers and to make the races equitable for those who entered. Having more who were willing to enter the races naturally increased the number of fans who were willing to pay to watch – a natural step in the marketing of Nascar.

During those early years of Nascar racing, cars were “strictly stock,” meaning they were basically exactly as the manufacturer released them. But a few accidents convinced those in control of the racing events that some modifications for safety would be a prudent step. It wasn’t long before other modifications were allowed to increase speed, handling and other racing performance issues.

After about another decade of this type of racing, those who were serious about the sport began creating cars that were exclusively for racing. In those cases, the cars typically incorporated all the modifications allowed by the Nascar officials. For several more years, the body of the cars would continue to resemble the stock cars of the early racing days – though in appearance only.

The fact that so many people were attracted to Nascar wasn’t lost on companies that wanted to find advertising opportunities. This period of Nascar history marks the beginning of full-time jobs as drivers, promoters and pit crews of Nascar racing. The earliest companies who used the advertising opportunities were largely car manufacturers, though the 1970s saw a marked increase in the number of companies that sponsored racers.

Some who aren’t tried-and-true Nascar fans think there is only a single Nascar racing circuit, but the fact is there are several circuits sanctioned by the parent organization. Some of the largest events are televised and it’s probably this fact that has created the number of fans that follow the sport so closely.

The sheer number of fans has created superstardom for many of the Nascar drivers as well. Not only do those drivers make their living by racing, many are also spokesmen for products and companies, making their Nascar status even more profitable.

There’s no doubt that Nascar has a huge following. Most people have heard of Nascar and even those who don’t watch the sport can name a few of the more successful drivers. And it started because two men realized the potential for a racing organization to oversee the sport.

By Gavin Drake

At the end of World War II there was a surge of high performance, fast and sporty cars that began to emerge. The soldiers who were returning home from war were instantly attracted to these fast sports cars, many which were exported by Britain. At that time the British were building high quality sports cars at a price many could afford. The British sports cars were superbly engineered and quickly began taking the sports car world by storm. Their sleek and sporty design made them highly desirable.

The fast and sporty British cars began to really take off when the Triumph came out with the TR2 in 1953. At the time Triumph produced some of the most sought after cars in the world. The United States fell in love with it and soon began seeking other British sports cars.

Taking A Look At The Cars

The Jaguar is probably the most popular fast, sport car the British offer. Many people see the Jaguar as the top of the line automobile. The brand new Portfolio which is being unveiled in March 2007 brags of a speed of 155 mph and can reach 60 mph in only 4.9 seconds. The Portfolio features a 4.2 liter engine and the car will be offered worldwide.

BMW is also offering a new coupe and convertible in their 3 series. These are supposed to be the most appealing BMW fast and sporty cars to date. These come with aerodynamic styling and lower suspension which offers a sportier look and ride. These sport modes are offered in Silver, Black, Blue, Graphite, White, and Red.

Aston Martin is announcing improvements to their famous Vanquish S. This automobile is famous for its luxury and unique style. It was also made famous by James Bond in the movie “Die Another Day”. The Vanquish S Ultimate Edition will showcase many of the features of the Vanquish s that many Britons love. With only 40 being built, these cars will be offered as a limited edition and predictions say they will all be sold in only a few weeks.

This edition will be produced in Ultimate Black and this will be the only car available in this color. The interior will be trimmed in leather and stylish black chrome. It will offer a top speed of 200 mph. This car is the result of customer research and request and contains the features most sought after by the public. It comes with a high price tag but will be considered an investment since the car will likely maintain or increase in value.

Generally speaking, antique cars are those that are at least 25 years of age. The costs of insurance policies for antique cars are also very low and tend to vary between $100 and $250 per year to meet minimum legal requirements.

These cars are usually viewed at car shows because most are not driven around anymore. Vintage cars are typically exposed to such light service that they are not expected to have any valve seat problems.

Classic cars are generally considered to be high-quality vehicles from the pre-World War II era. Unrestored original antique cars are extremely hard to fine, especially the low-production ones. I’ve been told that these cars are hard to find and when you do find one the price is out of this world.

Many run of the mill antique cars are worth a lot less then its street rodded sister. These older cars are seldom suited to long pre-touring runs and carrying them on trailers is a costly business.

The antique cars are always very busy during the summer and is one family ride that families like to take when they are in that part of the park. Vintage and antique cars are now fetching record prices at auction.

Most antique cars are owned by private collectors who don’t advertise rentals, but in fact many of them are more than willing to provide the service. Collectors of these cars are ever eager to display the vehicle they have spent time and money refurbishing.

These classic cars are exempt from Personal Property Taxation. These cars are always a head turner anywhere in the world. Antique cars are more likely to be stolen.

These vintage cars are generally prided and kept in pristine condition. They are even more damage prone than regular cars and the worst part is that their repairs are costlier too.

What is more amazing is how owner’s of these antique cars maintain their priceless vehicle. Restoring and driving these cars is not a sport for paupers though. The Ford Model T Pickup truck was the truck that began the great tradition af American pickups.

By Jonathon HardcastleHave you ever wondered about the differences in the tastes of men and women when it comes to cars? Clearly, men prefer cars that look tough and masculine and ooze power while women prefer cars that are “cute” and stylish, right? Well, that’s true to a certain extent, according to a recent study on car ownership between the sexes. However, what may be surprising to some is that there are areas of common interest between men and women and that both actually share a liking for the same favorite cars.

According to registration records for new 2005 and 2006 car models (January 2006 to the present), men love luxurious, high performance cars, preferably with a horsepower of 367 or more. On the other hand, women prefer cars that are affordable, practical and safe. They also put a premium on design flair in their cars as evidenced by the popularity of the Eclipse Spyder convertible, which had the highest percentage of female registrants of any car on the market. The preferred horsepower for the women’s cars were way below the standards of men, with the top five models having only an average 172 hp compared to 367 hp in the men’s favorites. It was just like you expected, right?

It was interesting to see the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder on top of the list of women’s favorite cars. If you take a good look at it, it does somehow seem like a feminine-looking car. But hold it. The Eclipse Spyder also happens to be the car of choice among 34.2% of male registrants. In fact, the study showed that registration records indicate that men sometimes buy feminine cars but women rarely purchase male-oriented, testosterone-fueled sports and luxury cars.

The thing is, what really makes a feminine car? I mean, I always considered the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder to be a masculine car ever since I first saw it in the 2003 movie “2 Fast 2 Furious,” particularly since it belonged to the angry, muscular ex-convict played by Tyrese Gibson.

The next popular cars for women were the Toyota RAV4 sport utility vehicle (SUV) and another Mitsubishi favorite, the hardtop Eclipse coupe. The men’s favorites were the Honda Acura NSX sports car and DaimlerChrysler’s Mercedes-Benz S55 AMG performance sedan.

Although all sports cars are exotic, many consider cars such as Jaguars and Ferraris to be truly exotic. They are considerably expensive and the insurance too can be very high compared to other cars.Exotic sports cars will have to be insured to a higher amount because of their higher value in the market and different usage options. A few factors such as make of the car and certain elemental natural forces that might prove to be a risk to the car are considered before an insurance agent provides a quote.An exotic sports car naturally has a higher cost of insurance policy compared to a standard vehicle. Sports cars are usually for pleasure driving and are normally driven faster and are more prone to more dangerous and harmful accidents than others. Also, they are highly priced in the market than the other utility vehicles.

Some companies take insurance for a sports car as a specialized field in insurance. Such companies tend to deal with the insurance of sports cars and exotic cars and are liable to provide lesser insurance policies than the other insurance agents who deal with insurance policies for all vehicles. The companies that deal uniquely with exotic sports car insurance have brokers specialized in this field. They would are able to guide the customer in all the areas pertaining to the cars that needs to be considered for insurance.

These specialized companies take into account the age of the driver, the driver’s driving records, and accident history before offering a quotation. Some insurance agents also consider the annual mileage coverage during the negotiations.

By Scotty Johnson

There are many types of racing and can be categorized as follows:

(1) Rally Racing: Rallying involves racing in off-road areas where general people don’t drive their vehicles. The drivers and the co-drivers rally at some point and then leave the place at regular intervals to reach a particular point. The drivers and their co-drivers can explore the track beforehand in order to have a better idea of the roads. The co-drivers help the drivers to choose the best possible way to reach the destination. World Rally Championship is the most popular championship in this type of race.

(2) Single-seater Racing: This is one of the most famous motor sports and involves a lot of specially designed high-speed cars. These are open-wheels cars and generally the cars have aerofoil wings in the front and as well as rear to have a better adhesion to the track. Formula One is a World Championship that is now known to every motor sport enthusiast. This championship is the highest level of motor sport and every car racer wants to participate in this competition.

(3) Ice Racing: This type of racing takes place in snow or on frozen lakes. Obvious requirement for such race is extreme weather conditions and this motor sport generally takes place in high latitudes. These cars involve full rubber and studded tires for a better adhesion.

(4) Touring Car Racing: This type of race involves highly modified production cars and it is comparatively slower than the sports car racing or the single-seater racing. The most popular championship is the World Touring Car Championship.

(5) Stock Car Racing: This type of car racing is similar to Touring car racing and is an American version of the same. The car racing series popular in this type of racing is the NASCAR. This is generally conducted on ovals and the cars used in racing are similar to production cars but are specifically built for racing.

(6) Drag Racing: Drag racing involves completing a particular distance in the shortest possible time. Generally this distance is 400 m and the range of cars participating in this race can be everyday car to high class racing cars. It depends on which type of car is being used for drag racing as a street racing car can cover 400m in 15 sec and the same distance can be covered by a specially designed fuel dragster car in 4.5 sec.

(7) Sports Car Racing: Sports car racing takes place in a closed circuit and in this race, purpose-built cars and sports cars production versions compete with each other. This race is particularly for long distances like 1000km and that is why this race involves more than one driver switching between them.

(8) Off-road Racing: The name tells it all, the racing of some modified cars takes place off road i.e. away from city traffic. Off road famous championship series is CORR.

(9) Hill Climbing: This type of race involves racing for the best time completion. The cars have to climb the extremely steep hills and the car with the best completion time is the winner.

(10) Kart Racing: Generally, most motor sport enthusiasts start their career from Kart racing. The racing tracks are quite small and the karts used in the race are quite different from the normal cars that run on roads.