Getting that driver’s permit does not come all easy. A lot is taken into account by instructors during driving tests to ensure learners make good drivers. You earn a license for following rules and codes and being competent behind the wheel. However, driver education is not as effective for road safety since few driving hours mean drivers gain fewer hands-on driving skills. Being a good or skillful driver comes much later after understanding your car and experiencing different roads and driving conditions. It takes some getting used to, and this is the phase where most develop good or bad driving habits.
Developing bad habits comes easy once you’re no longer a learner driver. It may be as subtle as driving with one hand to being as crude as taking your eyes off the road. Whichever the case, it’s important to understand that driving is a serious affair, and sharing roads with strangers will never always be business as usual. Awareness of your surroundings, doing the right thing while on the road, and being mindful of other motorists and pedestrians is encouraged. So, if you’re guilty of any of the following bad driving habits, it’s time to break the cycle.
10 Not Using Your Turn Signals
If you frequently drive, you probably understand how important it is to act right for yourself and other road users. And yet, most Americans fail to use turn signals correctly. Why is that? Not using turn signals is not only annoying to drivers behind you, but it’s also dangerous at unsafe separation distances and intersections. It’s also considered illegal in most states and may lead to a fine or ticket from law enforcement officers.
Turn signals are how drivers communicate their intentions on the road. Instead of merging into lanes without warning, using a blinker can improve road safety by letting other drivers know that you intend to merge, exit, turn left or right, or change lanes. It’s just common courtesy. If turn signals are not your thing, why not try to mix them up with hand signs?
9 Tailgating
Tailgating is defined as closely trailing the vehicle in front of you by matching its speed and movement. Not only is this illegal, but it’s also dangerous since there’s a higher risk of rear-ending the other car if it brakes unexpectedly. Most tailgaters are either oblivious to the risks involved or do it because they are in a rush, impatient, or think the vehicle in front is hogging the lane.
To avoid tailgating, it is advisable to keep a three-second driving distance behind the vehicle in front in low-traffic conditions. The distance between you and the other vehicle should be greater if you’re behind a truck or in bad driving conditions, such as icy roads. This distance is essential in helping avoid collisions by ensuring your reaction time allows your car to stop safely.
8 Rolling Through Stops
Most of us have done this often if not daily. You approach a stop sign, you slow down while checking your visibility area to confirm there’s no traffic, all while slowly moving forward. This is morally and legally wrong. Take stop signs for what they are and bring your vehicle to a halt before proceeding. Rolling through stops or even worse, blowing through them, especially at intersections, increases the chances of another ignorant driver crashing into you.
Stop signs are there to ensure the safe use of the road by all traffic at any time of the day. And since you won’t come across a speed hump to slow traffic before a stop sign on primary roads, it’s best to play safe and come to a complete stop. At intersections, give yourself at least three seconds after stopping to check for any oncoming or speeding traffic. It’s not that hard.
7 Driving Too Fast Or Slow
Speed essentially helps in maintaining a uniform and predictable movement on roads. That’s why there are different speed limits on collector roads, parkways, highways, and freeways. Whether you are required to drive below 15 mph or not more than 80 mph, adhering to these speed limits is essential, but what’s even more important is being aware of your driving environment. Ask yourself, does my car match the speed limit? Am I driving too fast? Am I driving too slow? Should I be driving at this speed in this lane?
Asking yourself these questions and being aware will help you answer them. You should know that driving too fast or way above the speed limit puts your life and that of other road users at risk in case anything goes wrong. You should also be aware that driving too slow, especially on the fast lane, even if you’re just under the speed limit, holds up traffic and is unkind to those who intend to use that lane for its intended purpose.
6 Needless Weaving
We’ve all seen them, drivers that seem to be either in a hurry to get to their destination or simply love annoying other drivers around them. Unless you are on a race track, weaving through regular traffic in undesignated areas is frowned upon. It does not matter how skilled you are at changing lanes; one slight mistake could lead to a minor or major collision.
In low-traffic scenarios, weaving at high speeds may seem fun, but it puts your life in danger since you can’t accurately predict the behavior of motorists ahead or behind you at such speeds. In moderate to high traffic, you increase the chances of other vehicles colliding if they have to brake unexpectedly for you to merge. Remember, you are probably sharing the road with less experienced or less skilled drivers, so for safety purposes, it’s best to avoid weaving.
5 Blocking Zipper Mergers
We can agree not all drivers are great at merging. And you’ve probably seen someone unskillfully merging into a highway while completely disregarding timing and speed. In the worst case scenarios, the merging vehicle gets rear-ended, or the other vehicle has to swerve to avoid an accident. Okay, we can probably blame that on the lack of skill. However, the worst of merging habits would be blocking zipper mergers since vehicle speed and timing don’t necessarily play a part here.
Situations like road work demand some lanes to be blocked. It’s okay to merge early into the open lane when there’s low traffic. However, in moderate to high traffic, drivers are encouraged to use both lanes and allow zipper mergers. A zipper merge intends to reduce traffic backlog so no one is trying to cut you off. Therefore, once you’re in the open lane around the merging area, it’s ethical for drivers in the open lane to leave room for those in the blocked lane to merge in an alternating fashion.
4 Undertaking
Some drivers will say they do not entirely understand what undertaking is and, as a result, find no fault in their actions. So, let’s start with the basics of passing or overtaking. Passing is legally done on the left lane on a dual-lane road or on the inner lane on a multi-lane highway or freeway. This is a rule all drivers must follow to enhance safe and efficient road use.
So, when you go against this basic rule of passing on the left, say you pass a vehicle while speeding in the right lane, you’re undertaking. It’s generally risky since most drivers expect you to come up on their left. Though it’s not entirely illegal to undertake, especially on multi-lane roads, it’s often discouraged. The worst form of undertaking is doing it on the shoulder. If you often undertake, it’s time to unlearn.
3 Territorial Driving
Being territorial is part of who we are as people. On the road, for instance, it might stem from an inner instinct to protect your car or set genuine or non-existing boundaries. This is why you’ll see some drivers on the road act up simply because you are trying to merge or because you honked at them because they are in the wrong.
Being territorial on the road does more harm than good. It makes you an aggressive driver, sometimes annoys other motorists, and could likely instigate road rage. It’s best for everyone if we’re accommodating in our driving. The road has enough space for us all, and sharing it respectfully means less chaos on the roads so everyone can get to where they are going.
2 Driving Under The Influence
When will we learn? Driving is a serious business, one that we cannot afford to mix with pleasure. And yes, some may argue that they have a high alcohol tolerance and that a couple of shots or bottles of beer does not affect their sobriety while driving, but statistics don’t lie. In a world where truth can quickly be dismissed as hearsay, we can always rely on facts and statistics to make our point.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2021, out of 42,939 fatalities from road accidents, 13,384 of the deaths were alcohol-related. This was a 14 percent increase from 2020 figures, 11,654 deaths, which translates to 37 people lost to alcohol-related crashes daily. These are staggering figures, and it’s unbelievable that the same alcohol that lifts your spirits also sends many to early graves. If you’re guilty of this bad driving habit, it’s up to you to stop giving alcohol a bad name.
1 Distracted Driving
2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz Introduces New XRT Trim with Stylish Upgrades
Hyundai is launching a new trim for the 2024 Santa Cruz. The automaker is replacing the SEL Premium grade with the rugged and stylish XRT trim. This trim has already been added to other Hyundai models such as the Palisade, Santa Fe, and Tucson.
The 2024 Santa Cruz XRT comes with several distinctive upgrades, including fender flares, side steps, bed rails, and lower door garnishes. It also features orange wheel center caps, black door handles, black mirror caps, and an XRT tailgate emblem. Additionally, it has a dark chrome grille and tailgate handle trim, matte black “Santa Cruz” tailgate lettering, and dark front and rear fascias, all of which enhance its visual appeal.
The new Santa Cruz XRT will be positioned below the Santa Cruz Limited in the lineup and builds upon the SEL with Activity Package. The interior boasts black H-Tex seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.
Under the hood, the Santa Cruz XRT features a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters and Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel-drive system. This powertrain delivers 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque.
In terms of color options, the 2024 Santa Cruz will offer the same palette as the 2023 model, including Sage Gray, Phantom Black, Blue Stone, Atlas White, Hampton Gray, and California Sand. LED projector headlights will come standard on all 2024 Santa Cruz models, while dual-zone automatic temperature control and auto defogger will be included on the SEL trim level and higher.
Every trim level of the Santa Cruz will also come equipped with steering wheel haptic feedback for the lane-keep assist and blind-spot collision-avoidance assist systems. Navigation will be available on the SEL with Activity Package grade and above.
Pricing details for the 2024 Santa Cruz have not been released yet. However, it is expected to have a slight increase compared to the SEL Premium trim it replaces, which starts at $38,935 (including the $1,335 destination charge). The Santa Cruz Limited trim currently costs $41,905. The XRT trim is also available on other Hyundai models, such as the Palisade.
The Santa Cruz has been performing well in sales, with a 10 percent increase in the first six months of 2023. Hyundai sold 20,050 Santa Cruz trucks so far this year. Ford’s sales figures for Q2 2023 have not been released, but the company reported 21,478 Maverick sales in the first three months of the year, and Q2 sales are expected to add to that number.
2024 Ford F-150 Tremor Spied In Public Fully Uncovered Ahead Of Debut
In the modern era of large grilles, the upcoming Ford F-150 appears to be going against the trend, particularly with the Tremor variant. These spy images, captured without any camouflage, provide a sneak peek at the 2024 model year. Notable changes can be seen in the truck’s front design.
The grille size has been reduced, eliminating the bottom notch and resulting in a neat rectangular shape. This new look is complemented by a Raptor-style bumper. The refreshed F-150 Raptor has already been unveiled in spy photos, featuring a bumper that is virtually identical to what we see here. Although the Tremor also showcases a robust skid plate in the front, it is not as elevated as the Raptor’s. The updated front design incorporates headlights within the grille surround, enhancing symmetry and further distinguishing the Tremor within the F-150 lineup.
Everything You Need To Know About The New Kia Seltos Ahead Of Its Debut Tomorrow
With the facelift, the Seltos will become a more premium offering by getting a panoramic sunroof and ADAS
-
Kia introduced the “Seltos” nameplate in India back in mid-2019.
-
Exterior updates include a bigger grille and connected LED taillights.
-
Inside, it will get a redesigned dashboard and climate control panel.
-
Additional features will include dual-zone climate control and digital driver’s display.
-
To be offered with three 1.5-litre engine options; each with its own automatic option.
-
Kia could price the SUV from Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom).
The facelifted Kia Seltos is set to break cover tomorrow and various details have already surfaced. It is the first major midlife update for the Kia SUV since its launch in mid-2019, giving it significant design and feature upgrades. Here’s everything to bring you up to speed right ahead of its showcase:
A Fresh Look
With the update, a majority of the differences have happened to the exterior of the SUV. The Seltos will now feature a bigger and newly designed grille, flanked by tweaked LED headlights and LED DRLs. It also gets a redone front bumper while housing the same tri-piece LED fog lamps in each corner. Its side and rear changes are easier to spot as well and include new alloy wheels, connected LED taillights and a slightly tweaked boot design.
Back On Top (in terms of features)
The facelifted Seltos will also get a refreshed and a more premium cabin. Kia will offer it with a redesigned interior and a new dashboard layout, refreshed AC vents and a more premium climate control panel, and even new seat upholstery design.
The facelifted SUV will feature integrated dual 10.25-inch screens (one for infotainment and the other for instrumentation), a panoramic sunroof, and dual-zone climate control. Other features on board the new Seltos will be wireless phone charging, ventilated front seats, connected car tech, and cruise control.
With the facelift, the carmaker will be upping the safety net of the compact SUV by introducing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The SUV’s safety kit will also comprise of electronic stability control (ESC), ISOFIX child seat anchorages, a 360-degree camera, and six airbags.
Also Read: April-June 2023 Recap: All The Major Auto Events That Happened This Past Quarter
A Buffet Of Engine-gearbox Options
|
Specification |
1.5-litre N.A. Petrol |
1.5-litre Turbo-petrol |
1.5-litre Diesel |
|
Power |
115PS |
160PS |
116PS |
|
Torque |
144Nm |
253Nm |
250Nm |
|
Transmission |
6-speed MT/ CVT |
6-speed iMT/ 7-speed DCT |
6-speed MT/ 6-speed AT |
India Launch And Competition
Kia might reveal the prices of the updated Seltos soon after taking its covers off. We expect the facelifted SUV to be priced from Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom). The refreshed Seltos will continue to compete against the Maruti Grand Vitara, Hyundai Creta, Skoda Kushaq, MG Astor, Toyota Hyryder, Volkswagen Taigun, and the upcoming Citroen C3 Aircross and Honda Elevate.
Also Read: Don’t Slip Up: Common Car Care Mistakes to Avoid This Monsoon
Read More on : Kia Seltos diesel
Everything You Need To Know About The New Kia Seltos Ahead Of Its Debut Tomorrow
With the facelift, the Seltos will become a more premium offering by getting a panoramic sunroof and ADAS
-
Kia introduced the “Seltos” nameplate in India back in mid-2019.
-
Exterior updates include a bigger grille and connected LED taillights.
-
Inside, it will get a redesigned dashboard and climate control panel.
-
Additional features will include dual-zone climate control and digital driver’s display.
-
To be offered with three 1.5-litre engine options; each with its own automatic option.
-
Kia could price the SUV from Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom).
The facelifted Kia Seltos is set to break cover tomorrow and various details have already surfaced. It is the first major midlife update for the Kia SUV since its launch in mid-2019, giving it significant design and feature upgrades. Here’s everything to bring you up to speed right ahead of its showcase:
A Fresh Look
With the update, a majority of the differences have happened to the exterior of the SUV. The Seltos will now feature a bigger and newly designed grille, flanked by tweaked LED headlights and LED DRLs. It also gets a redone front bumper while housing the same tri-piece LED fog lamps in each corner. Its side and rear changes are easier to spot as well and include new alloy wheels, connected LED taillights and a slightly tweaked boot design.
Back On Top (in terms of features)
The facelifted Seltos will also get a refreshed and a more premium cabin. Kia will offer it with a redesigned interior and a new dashboard layout, refreshed AC vents and a more premium climate control panel, and even new seat upholstery design.
The facelifted SUV will feature integrated dual 10.25-inch screens (one for infotainment and the other for instrumentation), a panoramic sunroof, and dual-zone climate control. Other features on board the new Seltos will be wireless phone charging, ventilated front seats, connected car tech, and cruise control.
With the facelift, the carmaker will be upping the safety net of the compact SUV by introducing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The SUV’s safety kit will also comprise of electronic stability control (ESC), ISOFIX child seat anchorages, a 360-degree camera, and six airbags.
Also Read: April-June 2023 Recap: All The Major Auto Events That Happened This Past Quarter
A Buffet Of Engine-gearbox Options
|
Specification |
1.5-litre N.A. Petrol |
1.5-litre Turbo-petrol |
1.5-litre Diesel |
|
Power |
115PS |
160PS |
116PS |
|
Torque |
144Nm |
253Nm |
250Nm |
|
Transmission |
6-speed MT/ CVT |
6-speed iMT/ 7-speed DCT |
6-speed MT/ 6-speed AT |
India Launch And Competition
Kia might reveal the prices of the updated Seltos soon after taking its covers off. We expect the facelifted SUV to be priced from Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom). The refreshed Seltos will continue to compete against the Maruti Grand Vitara, Hyundai Creta, Skoda Kushaq, MG Astor, Toyota Hyryder, Volkswagen Taigun, and the upcoming Citroen C3 Aircross and Honda Elevate.
Also Read: Don’t Slip Up: Common Car Care Mistakes to Avoid This Monsoon
Read More on : Kia Seltos diesel
Chevrolet Silverado EV vs GMC Sierra EV: Which One Should You Buy?
First introduced in 2022, Chevrolet is getting ready to introduce its all-electric version of the Silverado, the Silverado EV into the market. Alternatively, GMC is all set to release its all-electric version of the GMC Sierra, the Sierra EV. Both of these electric trucks come with stellar features and performance specs. To begin with, both of these electric trucks offer an impressive driving range. First off, the GMC Sierra EV can go up to 400 miles on a full charge, while the Chevrolet Silverado EV can go nearly 450 miles on a single charge. Additionally, they also come with batteries that are strong enough to power your house for a total of 21 days, and a range of other spectacular features. But if you want to choose the best possible all-electric truck for you, it’s the small details that matter, while both of these electric trucks are unique in their own way, you need to choose the one that suits your needs the best. Here are a few points which you can go through to help make your decision.
Related: 10 Reasons Why The Chevy Silverado EV Is A Threat To Every Other Electric Truck
1. The GMC Sierra EV And The Chevrolet Silverado EV Are Equally Powerful
If performance is what you’re after, then the GMC Sierra is the better choice out of the two. The Chevy EV Silverado comes fitted with two electric motors that are capable of generating a combined 516 horses, this is for the base trim. With the costlier RST trim, the number goes up to 664 horses. But if you were to use the Open-Wide Watts mode, then you can unlock a staggering 754 ponies alongside 785 pound-feet of torque.
Sierra EV and Silverado EV Specs
Quite similarly, the GMC Sierra EV also comes studded with two electric motors and is capable of generating a whopping 754 ponies alongside 785 pound-feet of torque when Max Power mode is in play. Furthermore, this all-electric truck is capable of accelerating from a standstill to 60 mph within just 4.5 seconds.
2. The Chevrolet Silverado EV Is Cheaper Than The Sierra EV
Although the Chevrolet Silverado EV is as powerful as the GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1, it is more affordable than GMC’s Sierra EV. Both seem to be quite similar in a lot of ways, the Chevy Silverado EV price starts at around $75,000 for the 3WT trim and can go up to nearly $107,000 for the RST. Chevy had earlier announced that there will be a cheap base WT trim starting at $39,900, but has now pulled the plug on it. A $50,000 trim is in the reckoning, but at the time of writing this, there are just three trims available.
Pricing
The GMC Sierra EV’s only available trim, on the other hand, will cost you an approximated $108,695 which is slightly more expensive than the Silverado EV’s most expensive RST trim. But even though the Silverado EV costs less, it does not fall short of power nor does it have any dearth of features.
Related: Why The Chevrolet Silverado EV Is Better Than The Ford F-150 Lightning
3. The GMC Sierra EV Features “CrabWalk”
Although both of these all-electric trucks come with four-wheel steering technology and multiple driving modes, the GMC Sierra EV is better suited for off-roading. For starters, the all-electric pickup truck comes with “CrabWalk”, a unique feature that allows the electric truck to move diagonally. To be accurate, this feature lets the rear wheels turn in the exact direction and angle as the front wheels, this way the all-electric truck can quite literally move diagonally, which makes it easy for the electric truck to get out of tricky spots. But the “CrabWalk” feature can only be used at low speeds. This feature can also be of great help in maneuvering the EV through tough terrains and trails.
4. The Silverado EV Is Better Suited For Off-Roading
In comparison to GMC’s Sierra EV Denali Edition 1, the Chevrolet EV Silverado is better suited for off-roading. Silverado EV’s Trail Boss trim is meant for off-roading purposes. This electric truck will cost you roughly about $85,000 (destination included). There isn’t a lot of information that has been released about this, but you should expect this trim to have slightly smaller wheels and offer a little less than 400 miles of driving range. Moreover, you can also expect it to have lifted suspensions, all-terrain tires, locking differentials as well as air springs. Another reason for Silverado taking the lead here is because the GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 was meant to be driven on city roads, and GMC is also releasing the 2024 GMC Hummer EV this spring which comes with better off-roading capabilities.
Related: Why The GMC Sierra EV Could Be One Of The Best Mainstream Electric Pickup Trucks
5. The Sierra EV Is Much More Feature-Rich
Although there are limited details available, it does seem like the GMC Sierra EV comes with a lot more features as compared to the Silverado EV. The standard Chevy Silverado EV comes with 11.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display system and if you were to opt for the higher models you will get a 17.0-inch display system alongside an 11.0-inch digital gauge display, standard for all trims. On the other hand, the GMC Sierra comes fitted with a standard 16.8-inch infotainment display system as well as an 11.0-inch digital display gauge and a 14.0-inch diagonal multicolor Head-Up display. The panoramic roof on the Sierra EV comes with tinted glass and infrared/UV coatings to keep the interiors as comfortable as possible. Furthermore, the SuperCruise Driver Assistance technology offers a plethora of safety features such as hands-free driving, automatic lane change, and much more. If you’re looking for an electric truck with tech-laden interiors, then the Sierra EV does seem like the right choice.
6. The Silverado EV Is Available In More Trim Levels
The GMC Sierra EV as of now is set to be released in just one trim, although there are a couple of trims set to be released in the coming years, the GMC Sierra EV Elevation and the GMC Sierra EV AT4. Currently, the only available trim is the Denali Edition 1, whereas, Chevrolet offers the Silverado EV in three trims, although you can expect up to six in the near future. The 3WT, 4WT, and RST are the ones confirmed for now. Expect Trail Boss and High Country to join the fray, too.
Related: 10 Ways The GMC Sierra EV Is Better Than The Ford F-150 Lightning
7. The GMC Sierra EV Comes With A Rather Luxurious Interior
If you’re paying over $100,000, then you ought to expect to get luxurious interiors. The interior of the Denali Edition 1 features leather and open-pore wood. Apart from all the premium materials used to make the interior, GMC uses a top-tier seating material “CoreTec”, this material is custom-engineered and can provide better stain resistance as well as durability. Furthermore, GMC also gave the Sierra EV a Galvano chrome finish to the all-black interior. Whereas the Silverado EV dawns interiors that make use of vinyl, PVC, and a slew of other sustainable and recycled materials.
8. The Chevrolet Silverado EV Boasts A Better Towing Capacity
When it comes to towing capacity, the Chevrolet Silverado EV takes the cake here as it clearly comes with better towing capacity as compared to the GMC Sierra EV. To begin with, the GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 offers a total towing capacity of 9,500 pounds, falling a little short as compared to the Silverado EV. To Chevrolet’s credit, the Chevrolet EV Silverado can tow up to 10,000 pounds which is almost as much as the Ford F-150 Lightning. Furthermore, it can also haul up to 1,300 pounds of payload. In addition to that, Chevrolet plans on introducing models that can tow up to 20,000 pounds. The base WT trims, on the other hand, come with a maximum towing capacity of 8000 pounds.
Related: Here’s Why The Chevrolet Silverado EV Is A Masterstroke
9. The Sierra EV Offers More Cargo Space
The GMC Sierra EV comes fitted with a 5-foot-11-inch bed along with the MultiPro Midgate system that can be opened to give way to additional cargo space of 9-feet-11-inches. In addition to that, the MultiPro Tailgate can be further used as an extension which allows the all-electric truck to offer a combined generous 10-feet-10-inches of cargo space. The Chevy Silverado EV also offers a total of 10-feet-10-inches of cargo space with an additional “frunk” which offers about 10.7-cubic-feet of space, while the Sierra offers a total of 11.0-cubic-feet of space.
Interior Dimensions
Related: Here’s Why The Chevrolet Silverado EV Is A Masterstroke
10. The Chevrolet Silverado EV Will Arrive Before The Sierra EV
The Chevrolet Silverado EV was first introduced to the public in 2022 and is all set to go on sale by the fall of 2023, on the other hand, the GMC Sierra EV will go on sale early next year, 2024. So, if you’re looking to buy an electric truck as soon as possible, then the Chevrolet Silverado EV is a very fine choice. You can expect the base trim to be released first, after which you can expect the costlier trims to go on sale. The Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 will be released early next year, and you can expect the Sierra AT4 and Elevation to go on sale by 2025.
Factory Sherco 250 GP Bike
Privately owned race team DC Racing has achieved the goal of receiving full-factory support from Sherco for the 2023 season and beyond. This achievement is the result of years of hard work and support from team owner Dallas Chidester and his trucking company, Chidester Transportation.
Mason Ottersberg, the current AMA West Coast Hare Scramble 250 Pro-class champion, has been a member of the DC Racing family for two years. In the upcoming 2023 season, he will be competing on a Sherco 250SE in various West Coast-based off-road series. We spoke with Dallas and the DC Racing team to learn more about Ottersberg’s race machine.
The Scoop
Ottersberg is one of four riders on the DC Racing team who will be riding the Sherco 250SE. The team, based in Arizona, is focused on developing the best setup for the bike. Ottersberg’s experience in various off-road disciplines has been instrumental in setting up the new Sherco. As the first professional-level team to compete on Sherco SE models in the faster West Coast-style off-road racing series, the team had to start from scratch when it came to setup.
Precision Concepts, a prominent player in off-road racing, handled Ottersberg’s suspension needs. Team manager Scott Perkins explained, “Mason prefers a progressive suspension setting, with a softer overall feel that tightens up towards the end of the stroke. We worked with Bob Bell from Precision Concepts to find a comfortable base setting that we can fine-tune throughout the season for different types of events.”
The team will be participating in the entire AMA West Coast Hare Scrambles series, as well as select AMA National Hare & Hound and National Grand Prix Championship events. Therefore, ensuring that Mason is comfortable with a general setting is crucial.
Considering that Ottersberg will be on the bike for a minimum of 60 minutes in each race, rider comfort is of utmost importance. His bike is equipped with 12-degree low-bend Flexx handlebars, customizable elastomer grips, non-breakable levers, a smoother-pulling throttle, and a switch for on-the-fly adjustability options.
DC Racing Sherco 250
Like most race bikes, the DC Racing Sherco 250SE has undergone performance upgrades. The engine modifications are conducted by the Factory 1 Sherco crew and Race Tech’s engine department to increase midrange and top-end power. Rocket Exhaust, a reputable company that now operates under new ownership in Arizona, worked closely with the DC Racing team to develop the race team systems for the bike. The team has seen success early in the season, thanks to the high-quality Sherco 250 systems.
Other performance enhancements for the engine include Rekluse clutch components, Moto Center AZ high-pressure radiator hoses, and custom-programmed mapping. Protection is another vital aspect the team has focused on, with the use of a Reflex hand-guard system, full-coverage skid plate, rear chainguide, radiator guards, shark fins, fork lug guards, swingarm guards, and a foam-insert system called Mousse Balls to prevent flat tires.
DC Racing Team Sponsor List:
Sherco USA, FXR, A’ME Grips, Antigravity Batteries, ASV Inventions, BRP, Bulletproof Designs, DDC Racing, EPIC Garage Designs, Fasst Company, FunnelWeb Filter, GPR Stabilizer, G2 Ergonomics, Innteck USA, IWC Motorsports Tire Pros, Kenda, Matrix Concepts, Maxima USA, Modified Machine Works, MotoSeat, Mr. Wolf Solve, Precision Concepts, P3 Carbon, RAD Custom Graphics, Rekluse Motorsports, Reflex Racing, RK Excel, Rocket Exhaust, SKF Group, SXSlideplate, TrueWerk, Works Connection, Moto Center
With Sherco USA expanding their efforts beyond the successful FactoryOne Sherco Hard Enduro team and venturing into the West Coast off-road racing series with DC Racing, it’s no surprise that Mason Ottersberg and his DC Sherco have been achieving podium finishes. It seems only a matter of time before they secure a win.
Rocket Exhaust is under new ownership and working closely with the DC Racing Sherco team.
The SXS skid plate provides full coverage protection.
GPR’s Version 5 stabilizer and Fasst Company Flexx bars provide rider comfort at high speeds.
The initial engine performance package specifications are provided by the FactoryOne Sherco crew and performed by the Race Tech engine department.
2023 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Schedule of Events
Get ready for the 2023 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The four-day event will take place from July 13 to 16, 2023, and promises a lineup of exciting activities for the entire family.
To help you plan your visit, here’s the full schedule of events. Due to the size of the event, there will be multiple locations hosting the festivities, including the Harley-Davidson Museum, Harley-Davidson Powertrain Operations, Grant Park Beach, Bud Pavilion at the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, Veterans Park, Lakefront Brewery parking lot, Cathedral Square Park, and Greenfield Avenue in West Allis, Wisconsin.
On the final day, don’t miss the official Harley-Davidson 120th Anniversary Motorcycle Parade that will pass through downtown Milwaukee. Harley Owners Group members have access to a premium parade viewing area.
Thursday, July 13, 2023
The Harley-Davidson Museum and Harley-Davidson Powertrain Operations will kick off the festivities at 10 a.m. The Museum will remain open until 8 p.m. and offer various displays and demos, as well as live music performances. Powertrain Operations will provide model year demo rides, factory tours, food options, and police skills riding demonstrations.
In the evening, the Harley Owners Group 40th Celebration event will take place at the Bud Pavilion, exclusively for HOG members. There will also be a community Bonfire on the Beach event at Grant Park Beach.
Friday, July 14, 2023
The Museum and Powertrain Operations will continue their programming from the previous day. The Museum will host the Flat Out Friday Boonie Bike Race and live music performances. Powertrain Operations will add food options from Johnsonville Big Taste Grill to their lineup.
Veterans Park will have a box office, food and beverage vendors, merchandise, and various shows and live music performances throughout the day. There will also be a Block Party on Greenfield Avenue and the ongoing Bastille Days festival at Cathedral Square Park.
Saturday, July 15, 2023
The events at the Museum and Powertrain Operations remain largely the same. The Museum will feature the Vintage Motorcycle Field Games Showcase and more live music performances. Veterans Park will have shows, live music, and a Burger Build Off hosted by Matty Matheson. There will also be a Block Party on Greenfield Avenue and Bastille Days festival at Cathedral Square Park.
Sunday, July 16, 2023
The Museum will start the day with a Harley-Davidson Membership Coffee Fuel-Up event. The Mama Tried & Friends Motorcycle Show will also take place, along with various displays, demos, and shows. Powertrain Operations will continue providing their usual lineup. Community events for the day include Bastille Days and the Harley-Davidson 120th Anniversary Motorcycle Parade in Downtown Milwaukee.
To attend the Homecoming Festival, you can purchase two-day or one-day general admission passes on the official Harley-Davidson Homecoming website. Children under 10 can enter for free with a ticketed adult. Prices may vary based on availability.
2025 Lincoln Navigator Spotted with New Design and Nautilus-Inspired Features
The Lincoln Navigator is getting a significant overhaul, which is evident from recently leaked spy photos. The large luxury SUV is draped in a tightly wrapped camouflage that covers most of its boxy frame. Although parts of the SUV’s updated face are concealed by white covers, a few design cues suggest that the 2024 Nautilus’ look will influence the Navigator’s new design.
The redesigned Navigator’s front end boasts a restyled grille, a new front bumper and redesigned headlights. It’s difficult to discern any distinctive styling features at this point, and the Nautilus’s potential influence on the fascia is challenging to spot. While there are no interior photos available yet, it doesn’t appear that the Nautilus’s 48-inch dash-spanning display is part of it. However, this may change as the development cycle progresses.
Toyota Prius High Speed Police Chase In Arkansas Doesn’t Last Long
Getting involved in a police chase is always a bad idea. Worse, if it’s a two-lane rural highway bordering on the southern edge of the Ozark Mountains with state troopers that know every dip and curve of the road. When it involves a third-generation Toyota Prius, it’s probably safe to say the driver’s made more than a few wrong turns in life.
The third-generation Toyota Prius is a reliable hybrid that makes an excellent commuter car, getting up to 48 mpg on the highway and 51 mpg around town. It’s practical and capable of many things but does not make a good chase vehicle. With a 0 to 60 mph time of 9.8 seconds and a top speed of 112 mph, plenty of vehicles will outrun it.
If someone ever made a remake of “Smokey and the Bandit,” rural Arkansas, where this chase occurred, would make a good backdrop, but the Prius would be crash fodder or a punchline. Maybe the modern equivalent to Burt Reynolds would sail a Chevrolet Camaro customized with a Trans Am beak over one, but the Prius would not be a hero car.
The driver of the Prius is no hero either. Traveling at speeds over 100 mph with the rear bumper cover partly torn off, she is taking a lot of risks in a futile attempt to evade the police. The Prius would already be forced off the road at lower speeds or in a less busy area.
Even so, the chase doesn’t last long. About nine minutes into the video, it appears the Prius sheds a tread on one of its tires but keeps going. More chunks of the tire fly off and the driver skids off the road, pinned by the police cars against the berm of a railroad track. The driver is quickly handcuffed but puts up a fight as she’s taken away.
No reason is given as to why the young lady was running from the police. At one point someone mentions that the driver is 17 years old, which might complicate how she is charged. But one thing is for certain, neither the car or the driver will be on the road anytime soon.