NASCAR wants to reduce two-car drafting this year

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Since the system isn't broken, NASCAR officials have no plans to change it -- at least nothing radical.

The sport enjoyed one of its most exciting seasons ever last year, culminating with Tony Stewart winning his third Sprint Cup championship in the last race of the season. NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France said the sport is "in a very good place" as it moves toward another season beginning next month with the Daytona 500.

But France also believes it can be even better.

So while NASCAR will pretty much leave well enough alone, they will make a few minor tweaks including taking some measures to address reducing two-car tandem racing at Daytona and Talladega.

"We have had a breathtaking number of close finishes at those tracks, but the fans want a mixture of styles including a return to a more traditional 'pack racing' and that close side-by-side competition that's unique to Talladega and Daytona," France said Thursday at NASCAR's annual preseason press conference. "NASCAR and the teams are working hard on this and based on the test earlier this month, we're encouraged that we're making progress."

France said the two-car tandem racing "evolved into something that no one saw coming, and now we're going to deal with that."

NASCAR's vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said some changes will be made to the cars including adding a slightly larger restrictor plate, a smaller spoiler and softer springs.

Those changes will be made beginning at Daytona next month.

"All of these combinations will help the qualifying be more exciting," said Pemberton. "... The changes we made in the cooling system and the aero package we believe will aid in getting back to the more traditional style pack drafting that we've come to expect at Daytona and Talladega."

Pemberton also said NASCAR will be implementing some similar adjustments to the Nationwide and the Camping World Truck Series.

"We know that the fans want to see more of the traditional style pack drafting, and so do we," said Pemberton. "We won't be able to totally eliminate the two car push. It will be a valuable tool that the teams will be able to use from time to time. However, we do believe that we've come up with a rules package that will help it be the exception rather than the norm."

Pemberton said test results at Daytona earlier this month were productive.

"We've received great feedback from the teams, and it was unprecedented, it really was," said Pemberton. "The communication was second to none."

While the 2012 season will be one of continuity rather than major change, NASCAR will introduce electronic fuel injection into the Sprint Cup Series.

"EFI excites the manufacturers and technology companies," said France. "To attract new companies (to the sport), we've had to take a little different view of that."

France said NASCAR is "very encouraged" by increased television ratings across its three national series - the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck series.

He also pointed to attendance gains at a number of venues.

"While we are still in a tough economic climate that is still difficult, we are pleased with some positive steps we saw last year," he said.

NASCAR did make some changes off the track this week.

They announced Wednesday they'll make all fines public in the future, a change from past years where they were kept secret.

The big changes for NASCAR will come in 2013.

That's when the re-styled NASCAR Sprint Cup cars from Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford and Toyota will make the sport more relevant to manufacturers and technology companies. Ford earlier this week unveiled its 2013 Fusion prototype with the other original equipment manufacturers to follow in the near future.

A closed test of the cars is scheduled early next month with additional testing to follow before final specifications are drawn.

"This is certainly a milestone in our sport," said Pemberton. "We've worked very closely with the manufacturers on the new car and the four new models are simply outstanding. I think the fans are going to love them and it is going to be such a positive step in helping our race cars become more and more relevant with our fans past, present and future."

France pointed to initiatives begun a year ago including a simplified points structure in all three national series and a "wild card" twist in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup that placed a greater emphasis on race victories.

All of that culminated in what France called "a championship battle that will be talked about for decades to come."

via standard.net

Yahooo Daytona here we come

Riverdale wary about townhome project

I like the concept but hate the location of these townhouse being on a busy road now that Ritter has become closed to East bound traffic.

1500  becomes the entrance to two large subdivision and the test driven road for Larry H. Miller. Also one thing to remember with Larry H. Miller dealerships location,  this created traffic for the Alpine Church to be directed from around the back of Millers to down the 1500 road and through the adjoining neighborhood.

If there is 60 home there could easy be upward of 30 kids playing on and in the area crossing streets to get to the play areas.

 This could cause a safety for the kids. If you notice the play areas are right next to the road way I know this is just in the first phase of drawing but I see it as a safety. I would love to hear your thoughts

Here is the the feed back from the Standard Examiner

By Deanne Winterton

Standard-Examiner correspondent

Wed, 01/25/2012 - 10:02pm

 

RIVERDALE -- City council members met a new townhome proposal with some resistance over the possible long-term fate of such a project.

Brad Wilson, president of Destination Homes, detailed aspects of a proposed luxury townhome community at 1500 West on what has been referred to as the Hayward Business Park property south of the new Larry H. Miller auto dealership. The area is zoned transitional residential.

A preliminary concept site plan shows 60 units on 4.86 acres. Wilson said the units would range in size from 1,200 to 2,000 square feet and include two-car garages. The site would include three common green areas, including a tot lot.

"Our buyer for this product is the young professional, transitioning from college to first career," Wilson said. "It is very different than an apartment. It is an opportunity to build equity."

Councilman Mike Staten said a townhome project in the area would prohibit business from creeping into residential areas.

"The idea is great, appropriate for the area," he said.

Some council members are worried the owner-occupied units would turn into rental units in the future. They say the city has enough rental units now.

"Short-term, this is a nice project," Councilman Norm Searle said. "Long-term, this is just another bunch of rentals. Already, 42 to 45 percent of people in Riverdale live in rentals. I am not in favor."

"When they turn to rentals, they turn to decay," Mayor Bruce Burrows said. "That is the naked truth."

Searle and Councilman Alan Arnold voiced concern over room to store snow removed from the project's streets. Burrows is concerned the sewer infrastructure in the area would not handle the increased load.

Wilson said he would consult a professional homeowners' association about how to ensure units remain owner-occupied

 

Relying On An Agent | LinkedIn

Check out this website I found at linkedin.com

Relying On An Agent
by Carla Hill
An application for REALTORS®

The latest NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers showed a growing trend among recent buyers.

The latest figures show that 89 percent of buyers purchased their home with the help of a real estate or broker. This is a sharp increase from a decade ago in 2001, when only 69 percent of buyers enlisted the help of an agent or broker.

Why do today's buyers buyers choose to work with an agent? Let's look at just a few of the many reasons an agent can be your biggest ally.

First, agents are licensed professionals, which means they had to complete coursework and pass an exam in order to become and agent. They have the education and experience to help you navigate what will be one of the biggest purchases of your life.

They also have access to a wide range of properties and can guide you to those that are the best fit for you, which can save you time and energy. If you are unsure what type of property you're interest in, an agent can help explain the pros and cons of things such as condo life versus single-family detached living.

Where are the up and coming neighborhoods? Which areas are more walkable or have access to better schools? These are all issues an agent deals with daily.

They can also ease the burden of buying by simplifying the process. They set up showings, drive you to appointments if needed, and help you handle the intricacies of negotiations.

Today's market also presents challenges that simply weren't present or didn't dominate the market a decade ago. Buyers are faced with some great deals, but through some complicated channels, such as short sale or foreclosure. How does one handle these sort of contracts? Your agent or broker will know.

According to the NAR, "More than ever home buyers are relying on real estate agents and brokers to help them with their home purchase regardless of whether the home they are buying is a foreclosure, short sale, or even a FSBO sale because they need a real estate agent to help them through the process."

Finally, buyers are unsure if now is really a good time to buy. They need to rely on someone with local market knowledge. Is this a good neighbor to invest in? Are prices still dropping in this community? How long do homes take to sell? What is the median selling price? Buyers want the best deal out there.

The 2011 Profile found that more buyers are opting against dual agency, where the agent represents both the buyer and seller. This could signal that today's buyers are very cautious about getting into the market. While a dual agent isn't supposed to harbor any bias, buyers now want to be extra sure they are getting the best deal possible. In fact, "60 percent of recent buyers had an oral or written arrangement with the real estate agent or broker so that the buyer's agent only represented the buyer and not the seller."

If you are considering entering buying a home this year, be sure to strongly consider using a real estate agent. They could be your biggest ally.

Published: January 17, 2012