The Skinny on H&R Springs: H&R Special Springs offers 3 different stages of spring kits, 2 stages of matched shock and spring packages, wheel spacers, a large selection of 60mm (2.3") race springs, as well as numerous special order racing applications. OE Sport Springs are a Stage 1 modification which means that they provide minimal lowering level and a just slightly more aggressive stance. The Sport Spring kit in the Stage 2 group offer more for styling appearance and increased stiffness of 25-30%. The Race Springs are a Stage 3 modification and provide extreme lowering as well a much firmer, higher performance ride.

The H&R Special Springs: Cup Kit and Coil Over packages are matched shocks and spring sets that are tuned for excellent high performance handling yet still maintain a very compliant ride quality. The Stage 3.5 Cup Kit package differs from the Stage 4 Coil Over package in adjustability and intended use. Cup Kits are a performance street suspension that offers lowering of 2" or greater and have a fixed ride height, whereas Coil Overs are inteded for high performance street use as well as light track use and offer adjustable lowering of 1-3" or 3-5" lowering based upon the kit and application. More radical full race kits are available.

H&R Wheel Spacers: When it comes to all-out cornering performance, one rule applies: wider is really, truly better. H&R TRAK+ wheel spacers let you balance the handling and performance of your car to suit your aggressive driving style, and without spending the time, money and trouble of springing for bigger wheels and tires. Most manufacturers, even Porsche and BMW, leave 20 to 30mm of extra space between the wheels and the fenders, to suit arcane regulations or to leave space for flapping tire chains. These light-alloy spacers push your existing wheels or even your hot, aftermarket alloys out to fill the wheelwells properly, giving you better cornering, better aerodynamics and even better looks. Wheel spacers are also great for making more room for those BIG Porsche brake upgades.

Since its inception, The Snow Tire FAQ has helped thousands of people learn about snow tires and has helped them make the right choice for their needs. “There are many people making many claims about tires. We try to help the consumer see through the confusion and make clear choices,” says editor John Werner.

To that end, the Real World Snow Tire Tests were started in 2001. The Tests provide both quantitative and qualitative evaluations of snow tires in Real World conditions. “While testing tires for ice traction on a hockey rink has the definite benefit of being very reproducible, it doesn’t necessarily correlate with the conditions that are likely to be found in the real world. Very seldom have I seen bare, flat, glare ice on the roads. Usually I see snow with a mix of ice and pavement, and none of it is flat.”

The 2006 edition of the Real World Snow Tire Tests marks the 4th time the tests have been run. For this year, three manufacturers agreed to provide a total of four sets of tires to be tested and reviewed:

• Green Diamond Icelander
• Nokian Hakkapeliitta 4 (studded)
• Nokian RSI
• Vredestein SnowTrac 2

The snow tires are fitted on nearly identical cars that are driven on real roads throughout the winter weather that Rochester, NY has to offer. The weather provides a good mix of snow, dry, ice, and mixed conditions road conditions. It is the driving the cars in the real world that forms the base of the qualitative reviews.

The quantitative evaluations come at the Shoot-out. In the Shoot-out, the fore/aft and lateral acceleration of the tires is tested. The testing includes braking and acceleration tests along with a series of timed runs through a closed course.

According to John Werner, “the Shoot-out provides us with hard numbers to back up the opinions of the drivers. It also provides the testers with the chance to make further qualitative evaluations under identical conditions.” [PRWEB]

tagTRAX: snow tires | acceleration tests | real world | john werner | snow tire

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HappyBalls.com, online retailer of antenna ball toppers, and In-Concept, Inc., (www.AntennaBalls.com), developer and distributor of custom antenna toppers, today announced an agreement to join forces.

“This alliance is a perfect fit,” says Jeremy Turner, founder and owner of the Florida-based HappyBalls.com. “Our website carries over 500 hundred unique and collectible antenna toppers,” says Turner. “This partnership will create one of the largest antenna ball manufacturing and distribution companies in the United States.”

In-Concept, Inc., has been manufacturing and distributing novelty products and accessories since 1997 to a diverse distribution pipeline encompassing over 20,000 sports, entertainment and automotive retail outlets nationwide. It has produced over 40 million custom antenna toppers for high profile clients and is now focusing on its efforts on high quality Window Graphics at their online store GlassTatz.com. Jason Wall, founder and President of In-Concept, Inc. says, “Happy Balls’ commitment to their business, customer service, and the growth of the market, has made this decision a good one for all antenna ball fans worldwide. We could never have imagined a better alliance.”

“The next time you are driving down the road, look at people’s antennas,” says Turner, “You will be amazed at how many antenna balls are out there. Companies seeking effective advertising methods should consider the low cost of antenna toppers,” he says. “At its peak, Union 76 sold 4 million antenna toppers each year, and if you saw one of their antenna toppers, their advertising message worked – and it worked well. This is viral marketing at its best,” Turner says. “You can get your message across much more cost effectively with four million antenna balls than just one 30-second television commercial. Your customers and potential customers carry your advertisement with them wherever they go for the entire world to see — a constant reminder of your product or service,” says Turner.

Turner says the new combined company will initially focus on the key areas of custom marketing, wholesale, retail and distribution. In-Concept, Inc. will maintain a direct relationship with its large national retailers, while HappyBalls.com focuses on the end consumer, distributors, and smaller retail chains. [PRWEB]

[Ed: How do you attach them to antennas embedded in windshields?]

tagTRAX: antenna toppers | antenna balls | antenna ball | business customer service

According to e-TireChains.com, whether you are driving in snow, mud, rain, or ice, tire chains are a great way to give your vehicle added traction, providing extra safety for the most important cargo you have - yourself, your kids, and other passengers. [PRWEB Aug 26, 2005]