The recently introduced RDX Concept is nearing completion and, according to the shooters at Brenda Priddy & Co., looking pretty close to the actual production model.
Priddy's team says that this prototype appears to be powered by Acura's 3.5L V6 with 273 hp—the same powerplant as the TSX. Priddy also expects an optional 2.3L I4 to be offered.
Look for the RDX to hit dealerships just in time for summer.
Photo: Brenda Priddy & Co.
The recently introduced RDX Concept is nearing completion and, according to the shooters at Brenda Priddy & Co., looking pretty close to the actual production model.
Priddy's team says that this prototype appears to be powered by Acura's 3.5L V6 with 273 hp—the same powerplant as the TSX. Priddy also expects an optional 2.3L I4 to be offered.
Look for the RDX to hit dealerships just in time for summer.
Photo: Brenda Priddy & Co.
INTERNET
By Joe Dysart
Covering Your Assets
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“The significantly lower cost of using the cloud is driving data migration beyond the firewall,” said Nick Brestoff, M.S., J.D., and principal of e-Discovery Legal. “The data is leaving the building.”
The solution? e-Discovery experts said that grilling your cloud service provider (CSP) regarding its policies and practices for managing and protecting data—before your contract with the firm—is Job One if you plan to get any sleep. Key to that research is getting crystal clear on who’s liable for stolen data, according to Matthew Knouff, Esq., general counsel for Complete Discovery Source. Incredibly, many cloud providers now limit or simply disclaim any liability for data that is stolen either physically or via web break-ins on their servers.
“To the extent that you are unable to negotiate a CSP’s standard terms and conditions, you may just have to make an informed risk assessment and then take your chances if you want to benefit from the cloud,” Knouff said.
Added Debora Motyka Jones, Esq., client services manager for Lighthouse Document Technologies: “Ultimately, it is the firm’s data, so the firm is liable. This is an important area to address in the contract between the firm and the cloud provider. If possible, the firm should include an indemnification provision for losses that are the fault of the cloud provider.”
Ensuring that your data remains in a form that can be used by your in-house computers is also critical.
“Many CSPs reserve the right to modify any content that you put in the cloud,” Knouff said. “Understanding how you might lose control over data through proprietary data formats is an important consideration. The ability to modify or alter content can impact your ability to remove data from a cloud or switch to another CSP.”
Moreover, while any reputable cloud provider should be making continual backups of your data, companies should also negotiate for additional physical copies to be provided for storage, either at company headquarters or with another third party.
“Backing up your data should not be viewed as a best practice but as a requirement,” Knouff said.
For best results, you’ll also want to create a map of how data travels through your firm’s network and how that data interacts with the remote systems of your cloud provider.
“When addressing these issues, make sure to form a cross-functional team, including members from IT, legal, human resources and various business units to achieve the most comprehensive and cohesive results,” Knouff said. “Ultimately, the elements of your data security plan are going to be based on a thorough, enterprise-level risk assessment.”
Cloud newbies are also often dismayed to learn that current law allows cloud providers to simply roll over and release your company data without so much as a hint of sweet talk when officials in a government lawsuit make demands.
“A service provider cannot be held liable for disclosing information pursuant to a legitimate government order, and a civil suit cannot be brought against the U.S. government for disclosure violations,” Knouff said. “To make the cloud environment even more risky, disclosure of sensitive data occurs in many cases without the cloud service subscriber receiving advance or even prompt notice.”
Unfortunately, a law firm’s only recourse in this case is to negotiate a notice provision with the cloud provider, which is triggered when any entity, including the government, is seeking release of your private information, Knouff said.
Meanwhile, companies looking to get a handle on data generated by mobile phones will want to investigate a raft of vendors who specialize in backing up those bits and bytes. Verizon Wireless’ V Cast Media Manager will do the trick, as will numerous third-party service providers that offer mobile phone management, on and off the cloud, Knouff said. “Bloove.com and Memotoo.com are examples of cloud-based mobile phone/desktop synchronization tools,” he added.
Today’s backup software also enables businesses to create a forensic image of every mobile phone used in the company.
“Guidance Software’s EnCase Neutrino is one of the most widely used and accepted tools to forensically collect data from mobile devices,” Knouff said. “Other tools include AccessData’s Mobile Phone Examiner, Paraben’s Device Seizure and Logicube’s CellDEK and CellDEK TEK.”
There are even solutions for mobile phones that have been lost or stolen.
“One such product, Lookout, is a third-party application that allows users to locate a missing or stolen phone and wipe it remotely, prevent viruses and outside intrusion, manage content and back up data,” Knouff said.
Companies can also save themselves a great deal of potential legal headaches by engineering everyday e-mails that disappear immediately after they are viewed by the intended recipient.
“For example, if I send an e-mail to a colleague confirming a lunch appointment, my employer may incur needless costs associated with recording and storing this communication,” said Cathy Duplissa-Lopez, project manager for electronic data and e-discovery at Fennemore Craig, P.C. It makes more sense to simply make such e-mails disappear, she said.
Long term, companies also need to prepare for the possibility that they could get hit with a lawsuit that mandates e-discovery or the court-ordered retrieval of company electronic data that resides in the cloud, in cell-phone accounts and across all social media. Instead of viewing an e-discovery request as a five-alarm fire to be handled on the fly, e-discovery programs and best practices need to be integrated into a company’s day-to-day operations, according to Dara Scott, senior project manager for Excelerate Discovery.
Scott said that company legal teams will utilize workflow-based project management technology and practices to move from a reactive approach to e-discovery to a measurable, repeatable business process. “This effort will be driven by e-discovery legal practitioners with broad knowledge bases in both law and technology,” he said.
Bottom-line: With a bit of thoughtful planning, your company can go a long way toward insulating itself from most of the risks associated with working with the increasing volume of data and applications residing on computer systems outside the enterprise.
Contact: 646-233-4089; joe@joedysart.com; or www.joedysart.com
INTERNET
By Joe Dysart
Covering Your Assets
| |
|
“The significantly lower cost of using the cloud is driving data migration beyond the firewall,” said Nick Brestoff, M.S., J.D., and principal of e-Discovery Legal. “The data is leaving the building.”
The solution? e-Discovery experts said that grilling your cloud service provider (CSP) regarding its policies and practices for managing and protecting data—before your contract with the firm—is Job One if you plan to get any sleep. Key to that research is getting crystal clear on who’s liable for stolen data, according to Matthew Knouff, Esq., general counsel for Complete Discovery Source. Incredibly, many cloud providers now limit or simply disclaim any liability for data that is stolen either physically or via web break-ins on their servers.
“To the extent that you are unable to negotiate a CSP’s standard terms and conditions, you may just have to make an informed risk assessment and then take your chances if you want to benefit from the cloud,” Knouff said.
Added Debora Motyka Jones, Esq., client services manager for Lighthouse Document Technologies: “Ultimately, it is the firm’s data, so the firm is liable. This is an important area to address in the contract between the firm and the cloud provider. If possible, the firm should include an indemnification provision for losses that are the fault of the cloud provider.”
Ensuring that your data remains in a form that can be used by your in-house computers is also critical.
“Many CSPs reserve the right to modify any content that you put in the cloud,” Knouff said. “Understanding how you might lose control over data through proprietary data formats is an important consideration. The ability to modify or alter content can impact your ability to remove data from a cloud or switch to another CSP.”
Moreover, while any reputable cloud provider should be making continual backups of your data, companies should also negotiate for additional physical copies to be provided for storage, either at company headquarters or with another third party.
“Backing up your data should not be viewed as a best practice but as a requirement,” Knouff said.
For best results, you’ll also want to create a map of how data travels through your firm’s network and how that data interacts with the remote systems of your cloud provider.
“When addressing these issues, make sure to form a cross-functional team, including members from IT, legal, human resources and various business units to achieve the most comprehensive and cohesive results,” Knouff said. “Ultimately, the elements of your data security plan are going to be based on a thorough, enterprise-level risk assessment.”
Cloud newbies are also often dismayed to learn that current law allows cloud providers to simply roll over and release your company data without so much as a hint of sweet talk when officials in a government lawsuit make demands.
“A service provider cannot be held liable for disclosing information pursuant to a legitimate government order, and a civil suit cannot be brought against the U.S. government for disclosure violations,” Knouff said. “To make the cloud environment even more risky, disclosure of sensitive data occurs in many cases without the cloud service subscriber receiving advance or even prompt notice.”
Unfortunately, a law firm’s only recourse in this case is to negotiate a notice provision with the cloud provider, which is triggered when any entity, including the government, is seeking release of your private information, Knouff said.
Meanwhile, companies looking to get a handle on data generated by mobile phones will want to investigate a raft of vendors who specialize in backing up those bits and bytes. Verizon Wireless’ V Cast Media Manager will do the trick, as will numerous third-party service providers that offer mobile phone management, on and off the cloud, Knouff said. “Bloove.com and Memotoo.com are examples of cloud-based mobile phone/desktop synchronization tools,” he added.
Today’s backup software also enables businesses to create a forensic image of every mobile phone used in the company.
“Guidance Software’s EnCase Neutrino is one of the most widely used and accepted tools to forensically collect data from mobile devices,” Knouff said. “Other tools include AccessData’s Mobile Phone Examiner, Paraben’s Device Seizure and Logicube’s CellDEK and CellDEK TEK.”
There are even solutions for mobile phones that have been lost or stolen.
“One such product, Lookout, is a third-party application that allows users to locate a missing or stolen phone and wipe it remotely, prevent viruses and outside intrusion, manage content and back up data,” Knouff said.
Companies can also save themselves a great deal of potential legal headaches by engineering everyday e-mails that disappear immediately after they are viewed by the intended recipient.
“For example, if I send an e-mail to a colleague confirming a lunch appointment, my employer may incur needless costs associated with recording and storing this communication,” said Cathy Duplissa-Lopez, project manager for electronic data and e-discovery at Fennemore Craig, P.C. It makes more sense to simply make such e-mails disappear, she said.
Long term, companies also need to prepare for the possibility that they could get hit with a lawsuit that mandates e-discovery or the court-ordered retrieval of company electronic data that resides in the cloud, in cell-phone accounts and across all social media. Instead of viewing an e-discovery request as a five-alarm fire to be handled on the fly, e-discovery programs and best practices need to be integrated into a company’s day-to-day operations, according to Dara Scott, senior project manager for Excelerate Discovery.
Scott said that company legal teams will utilize workflow-based project management technology and practices to move from a reactive approach to e-discovery to a measurable, repeatable business process. “This effort will be driven by e-discovery legal practitioners with broad knowledge bases in both law and technology,” he said.
Bottom-line: With a bit of thoughtful planning, your company can go a long way toward insulating itself from most of the risks associated with working with the increasing volume of data and applications residing on computer systems outside the enterprise.
Contact: 646-233-4089; joe@joedysart.com; or www.joedysart.com
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| Melanie Rushforth |
Melanie Rushforth started her business—Rushforth Wheels—approximately five years ago in Tacoma, Washington, and, like many others within the automotive aftermarket industry, she enjoys the people she meets at shows and other venues. With the help of the Internet, she has also built many relationships through Rushforth Wheels’ online forums.
Rushforth’s current project vehicle is a ’64 Buick Skylark. It's the ultimate love story. Rushforth and her husband were looking for a project and found this ’64 Skylark on Cragislist.com. The car had everything they wanted and the original owner lived about a mile from their front door. Like a dream come true, the Skylark was at its new home that afternoon. Today, you might see Rushforth, her husband and the car that was meant to be theirs from the start taking a cruise on the beach.
However, Melanie’s true passion is late ’40s/early ’50s trucks, which she would use to transport her dogs and bikes and play in style.
On a personal note, Rushforth spends much of her time volunteering with non-profits and in the rotary. She is also an officer on the Board of Tacoma Community College and was named a 40 Under 40 in 2009 and a 2010 Woman of Influence in the Puget Sound.
Rushforth and her husband share their excitement for the industry with their 16-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter. Even though they travel a lot for work, it’s not nearly enough for pleasure. “If everyone we knew bought wheels from us, I’d make a point to spend more time on the beach in a tropical location,” she said.
SEMA's Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) thanks Rushforth for her continuous support.
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| Melanie Rushforth |
Melanie Rushforth started her business—Rushforth Wheels—approximately five years ago in Tacoma, Washington, and, like many others within the automotive aftermarket industry, she enjoys the people she meets at shows and other venues. With the help of the Internet, she has also built many relationships through Rushforth Wheels’ online forums.
Rushforth’s current project vehicle is a ’64 Buick Skylark. It's the ultimate love story. Rushforth and her husband were looking for a project and found this ’64 Skylark on Cragislist.com. The car had everything they wanted and the original owner lived about a mile from their front door. Like a dream come true, the Skylark was at its new home that afternoon. Today, you might see Rushforth, her husband and the car that was meant to be theirs from the start taking a cruise on the beach.
However, Melanie’s true passion is late ’40s/early ’50s trucks, which she would use to transport her dogs and bikes and play in style.
On a personal note, Rushforth spends much of her time volunteering with non-profits and in the rotary. She is also an officer on the Board of Tacoma Community College and was named a 40 Under 40 in 2009 and a 2010 Woman of Influence in the Puget Sound.
Rushforth and her husband share their excitement for the industry with their 16-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter. Even though they travel a lot for work, it’s not nearly enough for pleasure. “If everyone we knew bought wheels from us, I’d make a point to spend more time on the beach in a tropical location,” she said.
SEMA's Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) thanks Rushforth for her continuous support.
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| Brian Deegan was awarded the 2011 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Driver Of The Year. |
Brian Deegan Named 2011 Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series Driver of the Year
Brian "The General" Deegan dominated the 2011 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Season (LOORRS) Championship Awards Banquet January 21, much in the same way that he dominated the 2011 LOORS season, taking home a total of four awards for the night.
Deegan visited the stage a number of times to accept his awards for a stellar 2011 racing season. He finished the 2011 LOORRS season atop the Pro-Lite class and was awarded his second consecutive Pro-Lite Championship title. He also accepted awards for Pro 2 Rookie Of The Year and the Pro 2 Championship title. No other driver has ever won the LOORRS Pro 2 class as a rookie. In addition, Deegan set a record by being the first racer to win two separate classes in the same season.
Topping off the night, Deegan was awarded the 2011 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Driver Of The Year, which is voted on exclusively by the LOORRS drivers.
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| Hawk Performance Products Group (HPPG) has partnered with Road America Inc. |
Hawk Performance Products Group Partners With Road America
Hawk Performance Products Group (HPPG) has partnered with Road America Inc. HPPG, which includes the Hawk Performance, Cragar and Black Rock brands, will be represented at Road America events in Plymouth, Wisconsin. As a part of the HPPG partnership with Road America, the track’s historic festival will adopt the brand’s name and the landmark tunnel into the paddock will also be named in its honor. HPPG branding, including both Hawk Performance and Cragar, will be visible around the track throughout the season..
“The Hawk with Brian Redman” will be part of Road America’s 2012 season schedule and will debut July 12–15, at the Road America track. A signature vintage gathering, “The Hawk with Brian Redman” will include all the International Challenge traditions, drawing thousands of vintage enthusiasts and car owners for racing, touring and Road & Track magazine’s “Concours d’Elegance.” A Lola T70 Marque and Historic CAN-AM will also be featured.
The landmark paddock tunnel—now the “Hawk Tunnel”—serves as the main entrance to the infield and runs under the track near Turn 13. HPPG’s large exterior signs measuring 36 ft. wide and 168 ft. long are visible from the main competitor gate and several spectator-viewing areas. HPPG and Road America’s partnership began in June 2011 with the naming of the Hawk Performance Bridge—a pedestrian walkway spanning the track from the Briggs & Stratton Motorplex to the outside of Turn 12, just past the exit out of the Carousel Turn.
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| Aileen Melendez and the rest of Team Moroso put on a show during the 2012 NASCAR Preview. |
Melendez, 'Team Moroso' Making Most of Chance With Hot Rodders of Tomorrow
As NASCAR's past and present were on display at the inaugural NASCAR Acceleration Weekend, the sport's future was well-represented by high school junior Aileen Melendez of Anaheim, California, who showcased her engine-building skills to a captive audience during the NASCAR Preview event.
Melendez is a member of Loara High School's automotive tech program. She is one of five students—the only female—that comprise "Team Moroso," which tore down and rebuilt an engine in a record-breaking 21:08 to capture the title of 2011 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge champions this past November at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. She has won more than $20,000 in scholarships through her participation in the program.
In addition to scholarship money and the championship title, NASCAR Performance and Edelbrock included a trip to Charlotte, North Carolina, for NASCAR Acceleration Weekend as part of the prize package for the Loara High School championship-winning team.
During NASCAR Acceleration Weekend, Melendez and her teammates also attended the 2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and participated in a meet and greet with 2012 inductee Junior Johnson. They also toured NASCAR Technical Institute, the NASCAR R&D Center and Stewart-Haas Racing to gain valuable insight into what it takes to become a NASCAR team member.
More information is available.
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|
| Robby Gordon Motorsports has partnered with Torchmate CNC cutting systems for the 2012–2013 season. |
Robby Gordon Partners With Torchmate Racing for 2012–2013 Season
Capitalizing on a 10-year relationship with Lincoln Electric, Robby Gordon Motorsports has embraced the new addition to the Lincoln family and welcomed Torchmate CNC cutting systems. Gordon, who has acquired the Torchmate Racing built TTB car for the upcoming Griffin King of the Hammers event, will begin testing the rebadged Speed Energy #77 car this week and he has tasked rock-crawling champion and former Pirate4x4.com owner Lance Clifford to navigate.
The new relationship will put Torchmate CNC cutting systems to work in both Robby Gordon Motorsports North Carolina and Southern California facilities, and will see Torchmate as an associate sponsor of Gordon's new venture into Ultra4 racing as well as his current SCORE Trophy Truck and Dakar off-road programs.
| |
|
| Brian Deegan was awarded the 2011 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Driver Of The Year. |
Brian Deegan Named 2011 Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series Driver of the Year
Brian "The General" Deegan dominated the 2011 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Season (LOORRS) Championship Awards Banquet January 21, much in the same way that he dominated the 2011 LOORS season, taking home a total of four awards for the night.
Deegan visited the stage a number of times to accept his awards for a stellar 2011 racing season. He finished the 2011 LOORRS season atop the Pro-Lite class and was awarded his second consecutive Pro-Lite Championship title. He also accepted awards for Pro 2 Rookie Of The Year and the Pro 2 Championship title. No other driver has ever won the LOORRS Pro 2 class as a rookie. In addition, Deegan set a record by being the first racer to win two separate classes in the same season.
Topping off the night, Deegan was awarded the 2011 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Driver Of The Year, which is voted on exclusively by the LOORRS drivers.
| |
|
| Hawk Performance Products Group (HPPG) has partnered with Road America Inc. |
Hawk Performance Products Group Partners With Road America
Hawk Performance Products Group (HPPG) has partnered with Road America Inc. HPPG, which includes the Hawk Performance, Cragar and Black Rock brands, will be represented at Road America events in Plymouth, Wisconsin. As a part of the HPPG partnership with Road America, the track’s historic festival will adopt the brand’s name and the landmark tunnel into the paddock will also be named in its honor. HPPG branding, including both Hawk Performance and Cragar, will be visible around the track throughout the season..
“The Hawk with Brian Redman” will be part of Road America’s 2012 season schedule and will debut July 12–15, at the Road America track. A signature vintage gathering, “The Hawk with Brian Redman” will include all the International Challenge traditions, drawing thousands of vintage enthusiasts and car owners for racing, touring and Road & Track magazine’s “Concours d’Elegance.” A Lola T70 Marque and Historic CAN-AM will also be featured.
The landmark paddock tunnel—now the “Hawk Tunnel”—serves as the main entrance to the infield and runs under the track near Turn 13. HPPG’s large exterior signs measuring 36 ft. wide and 168 ft. long are visible from the main competitor gate and several spectator-viewing areas. HPPG and Road America’s partnership began in June 2011 with the naming of the Hawk Performance Bridge—a pedestrian walkway spanning the track from the Briggs & Stratton Motorplex to the outside of Turn 12, just past the exit out of the Carousel Turn.
| |
|
| Aileen Melendez and the rest of Team Moroso put on a show during the 2012 NASCAR Preview. |
Melendez, 'Team Moroso' Making Most of Chance With Hot Rodders of Tomorrow
As NASCAR's past and present were on display at the inaugural NASCAR Acceleration Weekend, the sport's future was well-represented by high school junior Aileen Melendez of Anaheim, California, who showcased her engine-building skills to a captive audience during the NASCAR Preview event.
Melendez is a member of Loara High School's automotive tech program. She is one of five students—the only female—that comprise "Team Moroso," which tore down and rebuilt an engine in a record-breaking 21:08 to capture the title of 2011 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge champions this past November at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. She has won more than $20,000 in scholarships through her participation in the program.
In addition to scholarship money and the championship title, NASCAR Performance and Edelbrock included a trip to Charlotte, North Carolina, for NASCAR Acceleration Weekend as part of the prize package for the Loara High School championship-winning team.
During NASCAR Acceleration Weekend, Melendez and her teammates also attended the 2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and participated in a meet and greet with 2012 inductee Junior Johnson. They also toured NASCAR Technical Institute, the NASCAR R&D Center and Stewart-Haas Racing to gain valuable insight into what it takes to become a NASCAR team member.
More information is available.
| |
|
| Robby Gordon Motorsports has partnered with Torchmate CNC cutting systems for the 2012–2013 season. |
Robby Gordon Partners With Torchmate Racing for 2012–2013 Season
Capitalizing on a 10-year relationship with Lincoln Electric, Robby Gordon Motorsports has embraced the new addition to the Lincoln family and welcomed Torchmate CNC cutting systems. Gordon, who has acquired the Torchmate Racing built TTB car for the upcoming Griffin King of the Hammers event, will begin testing the rebadged Speed Energy #77 car this week and he has tasked rock-crawling champion and former Pirate4x4.com owner Lance Clifford to navigate.
The new relationship will put Torchmate CNC cutting systems to work in both Robby Gordon Motorsports North Carolina and Southern California facilities, and will see Torchmate as an associate sponsor of Gordon's new venture into Ultra4 racing as well as his current SCORE Trophy Truck and Dakar off-road programs.
| |
|
| Brian Deegan was awarded the 2011 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Driver Of The Year. |
Brian Deegan Named 2011 Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series Driver of the Year
Brian "The General" Deegan dominated the 2011 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Season (LOORRS) Championship Awards Banquet January 21, much in the same way that he dominated the 2011 LOORS season, taking home a total of four awards for the night.
Deegan visited the stage a number of times to accept his awards for a stellar 2011 racing season. He finished the 2011 LOORRS season atop the Pro-Lite class and was awarded his second consecutive Pro-Lite Championship title. He also accepted awards for Pro 2 Rookie Of The Year and the Pro 2 Championship title. No other driver has ever won the LOORRS Pro 2 class as a rookie. In addition, Deegan set a record by being the first racer to win two separate classes in the same season.
Topping off the night, Deegan was awarded the 2011 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Driver Of The Year, which is voted on exclusively by the LOORRS drivers.
| |
|
| Hawk Performance Products Group (HPPG) has partnered with Road America Inc. |
Hawk Performance Products Group Partners With Road America
Hawk Performance Products Group (HPPG) has partnered with Road America Inc. HPPG, which includes the Hawk Performance, Cragar and Black Rock brands, will be represented at Road America events in Plymouth, Wisconsin. As a part of the HPPG partnership with Road America, the track’s historic festival will adopt the brand’s name and the landmark tunnel into the paddock will also be named in its honor. HPPG branding, including both Hawk Performance and Cragar, will be visible around the track throughout the season..
“The Hawk with Brian Redman” will be part of Road America’s 2012 season schedule and will debut July 12–15, at the Road America track. A signature vintage gathering, “The Hawk with Brian Redman” will include all the International Challenge traditions, drawing thousands of vintage enthusiasts and car owners for racing, touring and Road & Track magazine’s “Concours d’Elegance.” A Lola T70 Marque and Historic CAN-AM will also be featured.
The landmark paddock tunnel—now the “Hawk Tunnel”—serves as the main entrance to the infield and runs under the track near Turn 13. HPPG’s large exterior signs measuring 36 ft. wide and 168 ft. long are visible from the main competitor gate and several spectator-viewing areas. HPPG and Road America’s partnership began in June 2011 with the naming of the Hawk Performance Bridge—a pedestrian walkway spanning the track from the Briggs & Stratton Motorplex to the outside of Turn 12, just past the exit out of the Carousel Turn.
| |
|
| Aileen Melendez and the rest of Team Moroso put on a show during the 2012 NASCAR Preview. |
Melendez, 'Team Moroso' Making Most of Chance With Hot Rodders of Tomorrow
As NASCAR's past and present were on display at the inaugural NASCAR Acceleration Weekend, the sport's future was well-represented by high school junior Aileen Melendez of Anaheim, California, who showcased her engine-building skills to a captive audience during the NASCAR Preview event.
Melendez is a member of Loara High School's automotive tech program. She is one of five students—the only female—that comprise "Team Moroso," which tore down and rebuilt an engine in a record-breaking 21:08 to capture the title of 2011 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge champions this past November at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. She has won more than $20,000 in scholarships through her participation in the program.
In addition to scholarship money and the championship title, NASCAR Performance and Edelbrock included a trip to Charlotte, North Carolina, for NASCAR Acceleration Weekend as part of the prize package for the Loara High School championship-winning team.
During NASCAR Acceleration Weekend, Melendez and her teammates also attended the 2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and participated in a meet and greet with 2012 inductee Junior Johnson. They also toured NASCAR Technical Institute, the NASCAR R&D Center and Stewart-Haas Racing to gain valuable insight into what it takes to become a NASCAR team member.
More information is available.
| |
|
| Robby Gordon Motorsports has partnered with Torchmate CNC cutting systems for the 2012–2013 season. |
Robby Gordon Partners With Torchmate Racing for 2012–2013 Season
Capitalizing on a 10-year relationship with Lincoln Electric, Robby Gordon Motorsports has embraced the new addition to the Lincoln family and welcomed Torchmate CNC cutting systems. Gordon, who has acquired the Torchmate Racing built TTB car for the upcoming Griffin King of the Hammers event, will begin testing the rebadged Speed Energy #77 car this week and he has tasked rock-crawling champion and former Pirate4x4.com owner Lance Clifford to navigate.
The new relationship will put Torchmate CNC cutting systems to work in both Robby Gordon Motorsports North Carolina and Southern California facilities, and will see Torchmate as an associate sponsor of Gordon's new venture into Ultra4 racing as well as his current SCORE Trophy Truck and Dakar off-road programs.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is holding a public workshop February 3, 2012, in San Francisco to gather additional information on how to implement a tire fuel efficiency consumer information program. The program is required under a 2007 law. In 2010, the NHTSA established the test procedures to be used by tire manufacturers when rating the fuel economy, safety and durability characteristics of replacement tires. However, the agency is still debating how to convey the information to consumers at the point of sale and online. The NHTSA is specifically interested in whether to base the fuel efficiency rating on the rolling resistance coefficient or the rolling resistance force. The NHTSA is also interested in reviewing the experiences other countries have had in pursuing similar programs.
The premise for the program is to allow consumers to compare ratings for different replacement tires and determine the effect of tire choices on fuel economy or the potential tradeoffs between tire fuel efficiency (rolling resistance), safety (wet traction) and durability (treadwear life). The consumer information may be conveyed in the form of a 1–5-star rating system or some similar approach, and included on a label affixed to each tire. The 2007 law included a SEMA provision exempting tires that have been produced or imported in annual units of less than 15,000, and do not exceed 35,000 tires in total brand name production.
Questions: contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.