Hardly any Victory bike leaves the shop without new pipes or other specialty Victory parts and accessories added on.

Exhaust pipes more than any other product seem to grace the rear end of Victory motorcycles so riders can be the baddest and loudest bikers on the road.

Bikers love to customize their motorcycles as they take them to various rallies and cruise nights for that award winning one-of-a-kind look.

And for a company like Victory, their brand quality is reflected in their parts as well. Of course, even the worst bike cannot be improved with the best parts.

Buyers should consider researching the bike that best matches their riding style and determine what parts they need, and what parts are about as useful and kitsch as tassels on the ends of bicycle handlebars.

Chrome always makes a motorcycle stand out well. Sometimes even going for specialty all-black parts can really give a cruiser that dark and imposing look.

Online retailers like Full Throttle Motorsports sell these parts and some of the coolest custom cruisers Victory has made, including the limited edition Arlen Ness designed motorcycles.

Arlen, and his son, Corey Ness, made names for themselves as some of the top crafters of motorcycles today, and could be considered the Ed “Big Daddy” Roth team of modern day chopper bikes.

Even Victory motorcycles, with their leading overall quality record according to JD Power and Associates, typically need repairs and maintenance.

Thousands of Victory replacement parts can be purchased and ordered through Full Throttle Motorsports’ online shopping catalog. Orders over $100 even receive free shipping.

Full Throttle Motorsports, Michigan’s leading powersports dealer even sells parts and vehicles for many other types of motorsport brands, including: Yamaha, Suzuki, Polaris, Scwhinn, Piaggio, Vespa, Vectrix, Victory, Ranger, Aprilia, Big Bear Choppers, Big Dog Motorcycles, and may order parts for off-brand vehicles.

Motorcycle repair experts always advise properly winterizing motorcycles if the local climate reaches freezing temperatures. Some suggest storing a motorcycle with a full tank of fuel so that moisture does not seep in the tank during the winter months.

When getting a bike ready after the long winter months, be sure to check for cracks in any liquid reservoirs on the bike and make sure tires have not lost inflation.

Some motorcycle race tracks change their safety requirement rules from time to time. It is important to check with racetracks to make sure ones bike has all of the most recent safety equipment, in order to ride at any race day event.

Of course helmets and protective leathers are practically a requirement for any kind of riding condition.

Is Formula One racing the most popular sport in the world?

At the turn of the last century Formula One racing was only for the wealthy who used to enjoy spending their money racing on the weekends. It was not until 1950 when the official Formula One World Championship began with the British Grand Prix. In the 1960s, sponsorship deals promoted media and public awareness of the sport. In the 1980s popularity of the sport skyrocketed thanks to world wide television coverage.

Formula One Racing has the largest television viewing audience in the world. Today TV viewing is measured in billions and as a sporting event, rates in popularity on par with the Olympics and the Soccer World Cup. Naturally such attention attracts corporate sponsorship which pays for the advances in technology which goes hand-in-hand with Formula One Racing.

With the immense growth in popularity and insane amount of money thrown at the sport, there is no wonder countries from all around the world have put their hand up to stage the event. It is considered such a status symbol that there are more countries that want to stage the Formula One Grand Prix than there are available dates.

With every successful sport you have your sport superstars and Formula One racing is no exception. Surprisingly, Formula One drivers are highly conditioned athletes. Drivers who will be on the grid
for the 2010 season include:

* Jenson Button who was the winner of the 2009 Formula One World Drivers’ Championship.

* Michael Schumacher who is seven-time champion and holds the record for the most championships.

* Lewis Hamilton who won the 2008 Formula One World Drivers’ Championship.

* Fernando Alonso who won the Formula One World Drivers’ Championship in 2005 and 2006.

Without the drivers there would be no racing and the drivers are the center of attention for almost everyone in Formula One. However, behind every good driver is a very good team and this is very much a team sport. The job of the team is to make sure that the driver has the best machinery running as well as it possibly can.

The leader of the team is known as the team boss or team principal and he is responsible for the running of the whole show. His aim is to recruit the best staff, use the latest state of the art computer technology, build the best car and then find a way to pay for it all. Nowadays the team bosses must be as good at attracting sponsorship as they at preparing racing cars. Some teams worth mentioning are:

* Ferrari – based in the Italy, first season in 1950, team boss is Stefano Domenicali, has won 16 world championships and their drivers are F Massa and F Alonso.

* Williams – based in the UK, first season in 1975, team boss is Frank Williams, won 9 world championships and their drivers are R Barrichello and N Hulkenberg.

* McLaren – based in the UK, first season in 1966, team boss is Martin Whitmarsh, has won 8 world championships and their drivers are J Button and L Hamilton.

Let us not forget the top men of the sport of Formula One racing.

* Bernie Ecclestone is the Formula One commercial rights holder who many say is responsible for the success of Formula One racing today.

* Jean Todt who was recently elected President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), motor racing’s governing body which looks after regulating Formula One and other international motor sports. He takes over from Max Mosley.

The Formula One car is the ultimate single-seat, open-wheel racing car. The characteristics of a Formula One racing car gives it a completely different appearance to any other racing car. It is the ultimate machine with the technology, materials and design ideas which focus on speed rather than comfort. You can only imagine the rigorous testing these cars go through. Some of the the unique elements of the Formula One racing car include:

* Open wheels. The wheels are not covered like your regular car.

* Central cockpit with room for only one driver.

* Super-light high-tech materials such as carbon fiber are used.

* Aerodynamic wings which are designed to push the car down onto the ground.

There are 19 racing events on the calender for 2010 commencing in March at Bahrain and finishing up in November in Abu Dhabi. The design of the Formula One has been transformed over the years. Each track has a unique layout with their own challenges.

I have only scratched the surface here. Formula One racing is without a doubt one of the most, if not the most exciting and interesting sports out there. It will give you hours of pleasure if you just take some time to learn a little bit about it. It is run on the weekends and thanks to Mr. Ecclestone, you should not have a problem finding a television channel to enjoy the spectacle in the comfort of your own home.

Here is a list of popular Audi cars of recent times -

Audi Q5

Audi Q5 is a luxury crossover vehicles launched last month in India. It was released for the international market in 2009. Audi Q5 is highly civilised to be driven by persons with pinstripe suits. It is also a soft of-roader capable of being taken on long drives.  The Q5 shares it appearance with the larger Audi Q7. Audi Q5 is a sophisticated compact SUV loaded with modern gadgets like multi-media interface, Xenon plus headlamps, Bang &Olufsen surround sound system, rear seat entertainment system with colour display screens,  three-zone automatic air conditioning, acoustic parking system, a rearview camera and leather seats. The Audi driver information system helps driver control a variety of interior and exterior functions.  Audi Q5 comes with a starting price of Rs 38.29 lakh on the petrol variant and Rs 44.19 lakh on the diesel version.

Audi A4

Audi A4 has been one of the most successful car models by the brand, Earlier to being named as A4 it was well known as Audi 80. This model was the first model in Audi range to get a fully galvanised body and a ten year warranty against rust of the metal. It single handedly revived Audi as a luxury car manufacturer. The first generation Audi A4 introduced in 1996 was a huge success.  Audi A4′s captivative Teutonic looks, impressive performance and stylish, well finished interior set the theme for the new Audi models since the 90′s. Though it is available as a sedan, convertible and wagon car styles in the western markets, it is available only as a sedan in India. A4 in India is powered by turbocharged engine teamed with a 7-speed multitronic gearbox. The A4 has all the typical Audi luxuries including the a well lit instrument panel and steering wheel with choice of interface mode and multi-media interface and top of line Audio system. A4 comes with three drive model selection. The shooting brake concept offers an impressive amount space and ample knee room. The A4 has a top speed that ranges from 227 km/h to 250km/h depending on the engine capacity. Audi A4 comes with prices starting from Rs 29 lakh.

Audi Q7

It is the largest vehicle in the Audi model range.  The Audi Q7 is a large luxury vehicle with all the quality and opulence that buyers have come to expect from the manufacturer. The plush interiors and high quality craftsmanship present a sophisticated vehicle. An array of luxury features like the seven person seating capacity with ample legroom, eight airbags, voice activated navigation system, adaptive xenon headlamps, adaptive cruise control, and a panoramic sunroof. Despite its big size, the Q7 offers excellent handling in corners, great traction on all terrain and an all wheel drive system enhances driving pleasure. Audi Q7 was the first in the Q series of vehicles from the marquee. Q7 was introduced at the January 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show.  The prices of Audi Q7 start from Rs 53.40 Lakh.

Audi TT

It is the sportiest of the car from Audi range. It was one of the most dramatic car to come out in the late 90s.  Though Audi TT is called a sports car, but it is not quite sport coupe or a roadster, but in essence it is a front wheel drive two seat GT. Audi TT is named after Tourist Trophy motorsports held in UK. The symmetrical styled aerodynamics design enhance high-speed performance. The 3.2litre V6 engine generates a massive 250 bhp of power and 320Nm of torque.  It could be among the few all wheel drive performance cars. The 3.2 Quattro delivers more punch to the drive on a straight road as it comes with an aggressive engine and exhaust sound. The dual circuit brake system with diagonal split, hydraulic brake assist and ventilated disc brakes on all wheels provide hardbraking at top speeds. Audi TT is one of the few luxury sports cars of the world, where the owner gets to savour opulence while enjoying a sporty drive.  Audi TT comes at Rs Rs 55 lakh onwards.

Audi R8

Audi R8 is a legend in motorsports. It is among the few motorsports car which have been adapted as production models. It is one of the high performance Audis ever made. Audi R8 is an attempt to take on the exotic cars of the world. It is also the first mid-engine car offered by the brand. The R8 is the culmination of Audi racing history. The R8 is followed by R10 which was unveiled during the 100 years celebrations. The Audi R8 has won several motors sports events including the 24hours Le Man races.  Much is its space frame is similar to Lamborghini Gallardo. It won the world car of the year for 2008. It is one of the rare breed of exotic cars that can be driven on race circuits as well as business. The engine belts out 420 bhp of power and the slick “R Tronic” sequential-shifting manual transmission with an automatic mode offers drivers an exhilarating drive.  Owing to its excellent motorsports history, Audi R8 comes with a price of Rs 1.13 Crores.

The mission of Youth Learning Academy (YLA), started in 2003 by President and Founder Tamara Cavanaugh, is to help at-risk youths participate in project-based learning activities that will bolster their academic career and life skills.  YLA has created programs focusing on the construction and motorsports industries to prepare their students for successful careers upon graduation.

YLA’s motorsports focus is called the Race 2 Success program.  Race 2 Success provides YLA’s students (ages 4-18) with an opportunity to gain knowledge about the motorsports industry through a wide array of activities.  These include classroom exercises, guest speakers, hands-on technical instruction, and video conferences with industry experts.  The ultimate goal is to teach students the technical skills necessary for successful careers as pit crew members, engineers, or mechanics. 

Building on YLA’s regional success, 919 Marketing will increase the national exposure of Race 2 Success by getting athletes and other celebrities involved with the program.  919 Marketing will also drive revenue for Race 2 Success by securing grants and corporate sponsorships.

“We picked 919 Marketing because of their proven ability to bridge the gap between corporations, athletes, and programs like Race 2 Success,” said Cavanaugh.  “919 has a unique and insightful understanding of the non-profit world and NASCAR which will be crucial in generating revenue and exposure for our program.  Most importantly, 919, of all the firms we interviewed, brings big ideas, creative firepower, and passion we were looking for to the table.”

“YLA and Race 2 Success are right in our sweet-spot,” said David Chapman, 919 Marketing’s Founder and CEO.  “This project leverages our extensive non-profit experience and our connections with NASCAR, athletes, and corporate America.  We are excited about helping YLA expand their program across the United States.”

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About 919 Marketing Company:

919 Marketing is a nationally recognized marketing, consulting and public relations firm with a proven track record of helping underdog companies of all sizes discover their competitive advantage and drive profitable business growth.  Headquartered just outside of North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park, 919 was founded over a decade ago by CEO David Chapman. 919 is an unconventional firm with an uncanny ability to develop winning marketing strategies for a roster of companies including The Rosetta Stone, Kerr Drug and Jersey Mike’s Subs.

919 marketing provides strategic planning, public relations, interactive marketing and creative development services – each utilizing proven processes that have been refined and validated over hundreds of client engagements. For more information, visit www.919marketing.com.

About Youth Leadership Academy:

Youth Leadership Academy is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 by Tamara Cavanaugh that works to help young people address their needs in academics, career pursuits and life skills.  YLA provides students with structured classes, job shadowing experiences, and many other activities to help them avoid impoverishment and poor life choices.

Race 2 Success is one of YLA’s most successful educational programs.  It was initiated to create opportunities for at-risk youths in the design, engineering and motorsports-related fields.  Intensive participation in these programs has already improved academic position for many students as measured by GPA, job placement, and in passing the Standards of Learning examinations.  For more information, visit www.youthlearningacademy.org.

Women enter into karting for the similar reasons as men do; for power, performance and speed. Go karting is also called as kart racing. This is a motor sport, which can be enjoyed by all people regardless of the age barriers. Children above eight years of age can even participate in the kart racing competition.

There are around 120 tracks organized by the world karting association all around the globe. Karting was established in US in the year 1971, and it is the largest body that sanctions karting all around the world. Kart racing has gained its popularity in the 1950’s when the karters started racing in the parking lots. The popularity of this sport grew rapidly thereby making it an organized motor sport event. Now more than 100,000 people in US enjoy watching as well as participating in this recreational activity.

Types of go karting

The sprint kart racing is conducted in specially built circuits that range from 400 to 1600 meters. Sprint races are normally short races that last for only around fifteen to twenty minutes. The championships that are conducted by the karting world championship and the FIA are sprint races.

The endurance kart racing is a long period race. The period of this race can even go up to twenty-four hours.  This race mainly focuses on the reliability and the pit strategy rather than speed. In US, the endurance race is called as enduro, and the race only takes around forty to fifty minutes without the pit stops.

The speedway races are conducted on asphalt or clay tracks. The tracks normally have two straight lengths and four left turns. The speedway races are normally conducted between four- twenty laps. These are the major types of go karting races conducted all around the globe.

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