Margaret Adams asked:
The Mazda Motor Corporation has just recently announced to the whole motoring world a new kind of contest that would send all Mazda owners and car and vehicle aficionados racing. Well, racing to get and capture the best photos, that is.
So what is the contest all about? According to Mazda, the contest is actually a photo competition. But unfortunately, not all people can just join the contest. First off, you should be from Europe. If not, you are out of it. And yes, to avoid any kind of bias and issue, you should also not be a Mazda employee.
The winner of the mentioned photo contest would not be winning just those simple Mazda giveaways or just any parts for a Mazda B2000 pickup. The person who has captured the main theme of the contest would be bringing home a new Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe.
Masahiro Moro is the vice president for the marketing arm of the Mazda Motor Corporation in Europe. He backs up the announcement with regards to this contest by saying, “The exhilaration we felt as a child shooting down a hill on our bike – this is what Zoom-Zoom means at its most basic level. And this thrill of movement is what Mazda wants to deliver with every car we design and build. The photo contest’s goal is to capture this ‘emotion of motion’ in a single photograph.”
If you are interested, what you need to do is to click away and send the pictures you captured. You should, of course, be able to show the Zoom-Zoom philosophy which the auto brand is marketing. And when you are ready to send your entry in, you just visit the website which was made especially for the contest, www.zoomzoomphoto.com, and you can submit your captured moment. Those who would be visiting the site would also be able to vote for their favorite shots.
Brenda Williams asked:
One of the largest single-day sporting event in history is the Indy 500. The running of the Indy 500 has been going on since 1911. The 93rd running of the race will take place in May of 2009, making it the 64th consecutive year without interruption. Other names of the race throughout history have been the International 500-Mile Sweepstakes (twice), the International 300-Mile Sweepstakes and the Liberty Sweepstakes. The race has been carried on television and radio. It debuted on radio in 1952 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network. The firs time the race was televised from start to finish was in 1986 by ABC.
The race is held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which was built in 1909. Its first track was a gravel and tar track which was then changed to all brick and then pavement. The first Indy 500 took place on May 30, 1911. The venue currently holds approximately 400,000 people. The first race was seen by just over 80,000 people who paid $1 for admission. The first race included Ray Harroun, the inventor of the rear view mirror. The race was originally an open event which meant that anyone could race in the event if they wished to do so. Now the race is by invitation only. Drivers must qualify for participating in the event.
When the race was an open event the qualifying procedure entailed the admission fee and maintained a certain speed was allowed to join the field. The order of start was determined at random, by determining who handed in their signup forms first. Now the qualifying, since it is by invitation only, is a little tougher. The current speed-based qualifying was started in 1915 and the field was limited to 33 entries, which is still the case for today’s race. The qualifying process today consists of a four-lap distance and it was introduced in the year 1933.
With each race comes traditions at the Indy 500 from year to year. The most popular tradition, and most popular words in sports aside from “Play Ball,” is “Gentlemen, start your engines!” Other traditions include the detonation of an explosive to signal the opening of the arena’s gates at 6am on the day of the race, “Taps” is played to symbolize the remembrance of Memorial Day along with a flyover, “God Bless America” is performed by Florence Henderson and “The Star-Spangled Banner” is performed by a different popular artist each year.
There have been a multitude of accidents during the running of the Indy 500 and a handful of deaths involving drivers, crew, spectators and driving mechanics (which haven’t been used since the early years of the race). The last death during the Indy 500 was in 1973 when Swede Savage died on July 2nd in a hospital from injuries suffered in the race. Some believe that Savage might have died do to contaminated blood from a transfusion. Savage was the 14th driver to die either at the race or after the race to due injuries from an accident or from heat exhaustion
Terry Brown asked:
Do you love your camera? Do you love taking pictures with your camera?
You just might win the big prize during this year’s 2007 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). You see, for the very first time, the event is going to hold yet another grand activity – the 2007 NAIAS Photo Contest. This contest is going to be sponsored by WWJ.
When does this happen?
According to the press release sent out by the organizers of the 2007 NAIAS and the Photo Contest, the competition would be taking place on the 16th this month. All visitors who come with a ticket to the auto show would be able to go about the show an hour earlier than most showgoers. That way, they can go about the displays and click away with their cameras.
Robert Thibodeau, Jr., is one of the senior co-chairpersons of this year’s NAIAS, and on the Photo Contest, he proclaims, “We are so excited to partner with WWJ to provide this unique opportunity to NAIAS attendees this year. Not only do attendees get to enter the show an hour early, allowing them a prime opportunity to take great photos, but they get to have their photos seen on the NAIAS web site and have a chance to win a really cool prize.” Indeed, who would not want to do about their favorite thing and get a prize in the process?
All photos must be taken with the use of a camera. However, your mobile phone’s camera does not apply. You can submit your entries starting on the 16th up until the 21st. You can upload them on www.naias.com and even check out the pictures other contestants have been taking and so you can also check out the competition. Who knows? Your cool snapshot of those Eibach wheel spacer units may have a twin among all other photos taken. “NAIAS attendees have a great eye for cars so I know we’ll get some great photo entries this year. This contest is a great way to add to the fun and excitement that the NAIAS brings each year,” shares Carl Galeana, yet another co-chair for the event.
There are some things you may have to keep in mind though. There are certain categories that you must follow or else your photos may not make it to the top. The list of subjects and topics include Fast and Flashy in 2007 (all photos on convertibles, coupes, and sports cars), Cutting Edge Concepts (all about those concept vehicles), Luxury (those that are simply glamorous enough even without the red carpet), Coolest Close-Up (small details or small parts that give people an even bigger story), Snapshots at the Show, and Black and White photos.
Rika Susan asked:
Cheap auto insurance can cost you a bundle if you don’t keep a few crucial tips in mind. You have to do your homework to ensure that you understand the fine print – especially if you have a teenager on the verge of discovering the joys and freedom of driving. You don’t want to discover too late that your cheap auto insurance policy doesn’t provide coverage for a young driver…
It is an unfortunate fact that teenagers cause a spike in claim rates. Research has shown their accident rate to be up to ten times as high as that of older, more experienced drivers. This high risk group has a direct effect on quotes. The premium can almost double in some instances. Fortunately there are ways to soften the blow as far as your cheap auto insurance package is concerned.
1. Type Of Vehicle: While choosing a low risk vehicle for your teen may have you out of the running as far as the popularity contest is concerned, it will affect your insurance quote significantly. Companies frown on an expensive, fast sports car with a teenager behind the wheel. Don’t dangle temptation in front of your teen. Choose that older, heavier car and you will qualify for a much lower premium, as well as a measure of peace of mind. Get a list of the no-go wheels from your insurer.
2. Driving History: Try to get your teen to understand that their driving history is just as important as their credit history. Avoiding a black mark in any shape or form is vital. Don’t claim for small mishaps. Tickets for speeding are a no-no.
Passing a course at a reputable driving school will also enable your carrier to see the teen as less of a risk. Why not join your child in a Defensive Driver Program, in order to qualify for a cheap auto insurance discount? This will equip both of you to cut the risk of rear-end crashes, while teaching you and your teen to use emergency brake procedures correctly, to use safe following distances, and to drive safely in foul weather.
Expecting your teen carry his or her share of the coverage is a great way to create a careful driver and teach responsibility.
3. Avoid Distractions: Teach your teen to concentrate on driving and driving alone when in the car. No distractions are allowed. No cell phone calls. No fooling around with passengers. In fact, putting restrictions on carrying passengers during the first year or so of driving is probably sensible and can help to get you cheap auto insurance. In some states teens are now barred from carrying more than one passenger. It has been proven that having three or more passengers makes the driver up to three times as likely to be involved in an accident. The new laws also prohibit driving during the dangerous late night and early morning period. This already seems to have a beneficial effect on premiums.
4. Seat Belt Safety: Seat belt use is without question one of the most vital aspects of driving. Your teen must know that his wheels will be confiscated if he ever drives without wearing a seat belt. This also applies to passengers. By signing a seat belt wearing undertaking, you may increase your chances of landing cheap auto insurance.
5. You Are The Role Model: Remember that you are your teen’s role model when it comes to driving. If you don’t stick to the rules, you can’t expect your kids to do so. Your example over the years will play an important role in the way they approach their own driving later on.
6. Change Driver Status: Your teen may qualify to be an occasional driver, which will draw a lower premium. At first it will also be less expensive to have teens covered under your personal protection plan. They can change to their own plan later on, once they have established some sort of record.
7. Liability Coverage: Never, ever try to save on liability coverage when taking out cheap auto insurance. This is absolutely vital. If at all possible get a comprehensive umbrella policy. This will give you a huge cushion in case of a serious accident. It is astonishing how costs can add up if such an unfortunate incident occurs.
8. Get Good Grades: A number of companies allow generous discounts of up to 25% for good grades! Make a B average or higher a provision for allowing your teen on the road.
9. Company Car: If you have your own business, your teen may be able to use the company car without you
being slapped with a higher premium. Investigate this possibility.
10. Carry-Over From Your Teen: An important fact that is often overlooked is that your teen’s carelessness or risky behavior may bump you into the high risk category with sky-high premiums! Your kid has to understand that his or her driving record is serious business, likely to affect the whole family. If not handled with responsibility, it may void your chances of ever getting cheap auto insurance.
