With 2020 fading into the rear-view mirror, many motorsports participants are letting out a sigh of relief. The challenges and difficulties of last year were many, and like you, Lockton Motorsports is wishing for more health and happiness for everyone in 2021.
Even so, every day at the track is a chance for self-reflection and an opportunity for improvement. Reflecting on our own 2020, we see many positives that motorsports participants can carry forward into 2021. Here’s our 2020 Motorsports Year in Review:
2020 Motorsports Year in Review: Improvement and Safety
Handling the Risk of Trailer Accidents
A trailer is great to have for towing track cars, moving non-running projects and storing tools and equipment, but it is not without its risks. Even as you get ready for the motorsports season ahead, it’s useful to remember some of the risks of the road and how to handle them.
Last year, we looked at how accidents can happen off the track, with trailer accidents all too common. We cover six factors that can lead to a trailer crash and offer eight tips for getting to your destination safely. Plus, you’ll find valuable information about how to protect your track car off the track.
HPDE Activities During COVID-19
Like everything else, HPDE events across the country were affected by the COVID-19 health crisis, with many events cancelled or postponed. But many motorsports fans found ways to pass the time away from the track and we shared our list of stay-at-home HPDE activity ideas with readers.
Drivers took the opportunity to clean out the garage, tune up their track car and research new tracks. We hope the days of closures, quarantines and stay-at-home orders will soon be behind us, but even on a rainy day, these activities offer a chance to stay busy.
Track Walk Tips
A track walk helps you drive faster and safer. That’s because walking a track gives insight you can’t get any other way. You can check elevation, blind spots, grip, texture and more, all before your first lap around a new track.
If you haven’t done a track walk before, check out the 8 tips from our track walk article to find out how to stay ahead of the curve.
Staying Cool at the Track
When the summer rolls around again, motorsports participants will want to make sure they don’t overheat at the track. Last year, we wrote about how to stay cool at the track during the hottest days of the year.
Gear such as cool shirts and vests can help, as can pro cool suit kits. Preparing before the event, staying hydrated and doing repairs and adjustments at night during your events can help. For extra safety, make sure to check out our 10 signs of heat exhaustion.
Minimize the Risk of Vehicle Fires
Before you’re next track day, we hope you’ll check out our tips on vehicle fire prevention and safety. Cars can catch fire at the track without warning and flames can spread rapidly in a matter of a few seconds.
Fortunately, you can help prevent most vehicle fires with our seven safety tips about maintenance, fuel line damage and vehicle capabilities. We’ve also included five emergency fire procedures that can minimize car damage and save your life.
Insuring Car Modifications with Agreed Value Basis
Last but not least, we took a look at how Lockton Motorsports Agreed Value Basis coverage can help you protect your investment in improvements and modifications to your track car. Looking at some common car mods, motorsports enthusiasts often spend $5,000 to $10,000 or more on improvements beyond cash value. Our blog gives tips on how to get the right coverage, choose a deductible and file a claim.
2020 Motorsports Year in Review: Entertainment
Along with providing tips to be safe and fully enjoy your time at the track, we also had some fun in 2020 with track features and a look at iconic classic cars:
Track Feature: MotorSport Ranch–Cresson
Early in 2020, we took a look at the track at MotorSport Ranch–Cresson, located about 14 miles south of Fort Worth on 304 acres. MotorSport Ranch was the first of its kind—A track and country club concept which has now spread to Pennsylvania, Virginia and Illinois.
The Ranch features a 1.7-mile track with 11 turns and 30 feet of elevation changes and a 1.3-mile course with seven turns and over 70 feet of elevation change, combining for a 3.1-mile circuit.
The Ranch is currently open with events starting to fill up the spring track calendar.
Track Feature: NCM Motorsports Park
Later in the year, we checked out another popular track—NCM Motorsports Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, located next door to the National Corvette Museum and GM’s Corvette plant. With five track configurations on 200 acres, NCM Motorsports Park has a lot to offer.
The track design is modeled on the famous La Sarthe in Le Mans, France, and features a 4,000-ft. Mulsanne Straight with a Mulsanne Kink and Corner. You can bring your own track car to HPDE events or go on a Corvette ride-along with a pro.
NCM Motorsports Park is currently open with events coming up on its track calendar.
10 Great Pop Culture Cars
Last year, we took time to remember some of our favorite great pop culture cars. Knight Rider’s 305 cubic inch Chevy V-8 gives Tesla a run for its money with its grappling hooks, lasers and “ski-mode.” James Bond’s 1964 Aston Martin DB5 with a 4.0 L Straight-6 became an on-screen icon. And Bullitt’s Steve McQueen driving a Highland Green 1968 Mustang GT with a Ford FE V-8 in a daring chase scene through the streets of San Francisco were a movie first. It turns out that everyone loves a fast car, especially when it’s iconic.
While we provide helpful tips and HPDE Insurance, we are also enthusiasts for all things cars and motorsports.