Basing from the name, off-road contests are events which are participated in by automobiles with certain modifications. Basically, these cars or automobiles are expected to compete with the other cars and they usually do these kinds of contest in the natural environments. Most of the time, motorists or drivers are expected to compete driving on hard and unpaved roads even in extreme and harsh conditions.

The roads which will be taken by these participating automobiles are usually covered with sands, stones, snow, rocks, and mud. As a matter of fact, any kind of terrain which you may want to think is all possible places where these types of competitions are to be held. Generally, the more difficult and challenging a terrain is the more skills the driver is required to have. Moreover, it is also a way by which the manufacturers of the competing automobiles are tested.

Of the many different off-road contests that are taking place, the Dakar Rally is considered as the most popular all over the world today. Its other name is also known as the Paris Dakar Rally. Although this kind of competition is called a rally, it is still considered as an endurance contest.
Since the evolution of this contest began in 1978, participants in the event are expected to undergo long distance driving. Usually, the start of their journey starts from France all the way to Dakar in Senegal.

Off-road race lovers are in for more treats, as superstars will take part in the series.  Supercross driver Ricky Johnson, off-road top racers Justin Matney, Luke Johnson, Jessie Johnson, and Andrew Cadell, and rally driver Samuel Hubinette are among those who already said yes to the event. Viewers will also get to see NASCAR Truck series’ Justin Lofton race at the upcoming series. Aside from all of these big names in the racing industry, Gordon invited off-road veterans Danny Thompson, Walker Evans and Ivan “Ironman” Stewart as well.

While Stadium Super Trucks is still a small series, it is expected to make a mark already, especially that it will be aired on TV. SpeedTV, ESPN2, and other television channels set aside a lot of airtime for the series, making it available to more off-road lovers. Even viewers who would not be able to watch live can follow the event by watching it on TV regularly.

The announcement of Stadium Super Trucks was welcomed by off-road racers and enthusiasts. It will be the first indoor off-road contest since Mickey Thompson organized his own indoor off-road event in 1979. Thompson’s series was done in various stadiums such as the Los Angeles Coliseum. It was the start and inspiration that led to off-road arcade games, which became a hit in the 80s and 90s. This is why all eyes are on the upcoming Stadium Super Trucks series and many are expected to support it.

NASCAR driver Robby Gordon aims to bring back stadium off-road racing to the scene. Gordon, the son of former off-road superstar “Baja Bob” Gordon, rolled out the Robby Gordon’s Stadium Super Trucks. The series is scheduled to start next year, 17 years after the reign of a famous off-road event series started by the late Mickey Thompson ended. Gordon promised to announce further details as the event draws near.

The Stadium Super Trucks will offer an award of $40,000 to the winner. The runner-up will get to take home $15,000, while the third placer will receive $5,000. The series champion wouldn’t just receive the cash prize, as he will also bag a payout of $500,000. The rewards are seen as a good start for the series even if they are not as grandiose as NASCAR prizes. It is understandable though because the series is just beginning, with only a single sponsorship from Traxxas, an R/C car builder. People and off-road race experts are waiting if the series can gain more sponsors to make it a bigger event. Renting a Car in Italy.

I guess since you are currently asking about a car rental in Italy you have made a research and you have found out that the public transport is not fulfilling your need. A friend of mine was in Italy a couple of years ago and to tell he was really pleased with car rental companies. I don’t remember the name of the company he used, but I think it was Hertz – after all they are worldwide famous and they have proven their qualities lots of times. 

There are some important tips you need to know about the major car companies in Italy. First of all you need to know what is included in your car rental and what is not. By signing with a car rental company you will get unlimited mileage and fire insurance plus liability insurance for damages and injuries of the persons outside the vehicle. Also have in mind that the rental includes Theft Protection for the vehicle you are currently renting.The rental also includes Collision Damage coverage.

The rental does not include gasoline or diesel and you are expected to return the car with a full fuel tank plus you need to retain the copies of the gas receipts. Of course there is a pre-paid fuel option and in this case you can return the car with empty tank but have in mind that there is no refund for the unused fuel. By the way there is a road tax in Italy and it is approximately 4 euros per day – the maximum charge is 20 days. Plus there are additional taxes if you are going to use highways.

Now I will tell you a few words about the cars. Unfortunately I can’t give you exact prices or things like this but I know one thing that is going to be 100 % true. If you are going to rent a car and if you are not a pretentious type then I would recommend you to rent an Italian one. Since you are in Italy you may expect that their cars will be cheaper than the prices for rent for a foreign car. So clear your mind and pick Fiat or Alfa Romeo.

By the way I don’t know where you have accommodated in Rome but if you haven’t made a reservation yet I would suggest you to rent Apartment in Rome – if you search closely you might be able to find even cheaper apartments than Apartment Milan or apartment Florence which are known as cities that are offering cheap apartments.
I’m pretty sure that if you read closely everything I wrote you will be able to clear your mind and choose the best renting company and car. But anyway have in mind that renting a car is really expensive and the country doesn’t matter here. Prepare some extra money because when you pay for the rent you will have to pay for gas, fees and so on. I think that is all.

This small pickup truck also comes with real engine sounds and they are played and heard over a speaker. It also offers a compartment for storage underneath the seat.  As for the lighting features, this little Ford toy truck comes with working lights. If your child weighs not more than 44 pounds then rest assured that this magnificent toy truck from Fisher-Price and Ford can carry your child.

The Ford toy truck F-250 seems to look like its real version, which is found in most Ford dealership shops and centers. Like the real one, this toy truck also comes with big and beefy wheels made of plastic. The wheels also come with big chrome grilles and 4 big square headlights. Those are the similarities of the real Ford truck and the ford toy truck. While the real truck can bought in 6.7 L turbodiesel V8 and 6.2 L V8, the toy F-250 is only powered by a child’s feet.

The Ford toy truck is a cool collection indeed but there wasn’t a word yet that came from Fisher-Price and Ford as to whether or not they will also take time developing a Platinum trim version that was given to the real one where it will be launched for the 2013 Super Duty F-Series.

Sometime this late April, the smallest and super duty truck was introduced by Fisher-Price to the public and captured a great attention and recognition among the spectators.   Vehicle enthusiasts have gathered altogether in the launching event of the said smallest truck ever, which has also struck not only the attention of the grownups but the senses of the kids as well!

The small truck was produced by Fisher-Price in collaboration with one of the giants in motor manufacturing, the Ford Motor Company. The smallest truck is not like the ones you see on the streets and on the road. This one is small in the sense that it is intended as a toy. However, aesthetically, you will come to perceive it as something like a real truck but only its size segregates it from the real ones.

The introduction of the smallest truck was made possible by the collaboration of two famous companies, Fisher-Price and Ford. The toy was developed and has captured the attention of adults and much more to the delight of kids. What is really great and cool about this smallest truck is the fact that it is rideable. In fact, it is the toy version and replica of the famous Ford Super Heavy Duty truck.

The 2012 Bakuriani International Off-Road Contest was successfully held in Georgia earlier in February. The recent driving contest was participated by more than 30 countries from around the world.  The main competition was composed of several categories including the extreme, monster and standard class competition. In the extreme category, Armenian driver successfully won in the division. Meanwhile, Gary Gasparyan was able to achieve the victory in the standard class division. The Mitsubishi Pajero 3 stands out among other off-road vehicles in the said competition. A Jeep Wrangler was considered as the most powerful vehicle to win the extreme-class category. Ludwig Ermazyan from Armenia was able to defeat 20 teams in the recent off-road challenge in Georgia. The most dominating team in the event was from the country of Armenia. The winning Armenian team was fully supported by the Beeline trademark company or also called ArmenTel.
Meanwhile, the ACU 2012 British Sprint Enduro Championship was attended by several off-road racers from different parts of the world. The successful event was able to showcase some famous American racer like Ricky Dietrich. The enduro racing features the Enduro World Championship.
In other news, the 2012 King of Hammer Championship title was captured by Erick Miller, followed by Rick Mooneyham. Shannon Campbell ended at the third spot of the recent off-road competition. Graham Jarvis claimed the championship title and called as the King of Motors in desert enduro racing held in Southern California. The recent event was a huge success for the entire off-road racing community.
Charlie Mullins is currently the champion at the GNCC series off-road motorcycle competition. The young motorcycle driver achieved the 2012 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country championship. Despite of the tough competition over the years, Mullins is the first off-road racer to reclaim the title after 4 years. He was able to compete with many off-road motorcycle racers in the past and has been active for more than 7 years now.
Justin Davis recently earned the 2011 Dirt Sports Rookie of the year after the incredible performance last year. He also gained a nomination for the Dirt Sports Driver of the Year, although he was unable to win the award. Davis of General Tires earned the recognition by the age of 18. Davis was very thankful for General Tires for supporting his career. On the other hand, Carl Renezeder joined Davis as one of the recipients in the yearly Dirt Sports awards.

The 2012 Ford and Harley-Davidson F-150 deliver a high-performance 6.2-liter V8 engine that is capable of 411 horsepower and 434 lb-ft of torque. The Ford Harley truck lineup continues to satisfy the entire community for more than a decade.

2012 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150

The unwavering partnership between Ford and Harley-Davidson brings the new generation of super duty truck models. The new F-150 provides the most excellent truck styling with the same ensemble from last year. On the other hand, the F-150 welcomes a new 4-wheel drive transfer case with a little bit of detailed enhancements. As a result, the new F-150 drives a whole new level of facade for this year.
The Harley F-150 features a 36-gallon fuel tank where it is capable of running up to 600 miles for every tank of petroleum. Based on the recent test drive, the F-150 runs about 65 mph and consumes an average of 14 mpg overall in the city fuel economy. At some point, the EPA fuel economy numbers are not as good with the F-150 V-8 engine. The new F-150 offers a 6R80 6-speed transmission mated with the twin spark-plug engine. The new transfer case is probably the only major update for the new Harley F-150. It is capable of lasting all-wheel drive and low-range at some point.
The general exterior graphics of the all-new F-150 are extremely aggressive.  In addition, a snakeskin design can be noticed in the truck graphics as well. It is fully-equipped with 45R22 high-profile tires, which brings a very unique character for the pickup truck. Meanwhile, the new rims are somewhat different from what is expected. Ford and Harley-Davidson F-150’s overall payload weight is about 1,000 pounds as per the record or a bed capacity of at least 700lbs. You may check out the new productivity LCD screens to learn about the fuel economy and the current performance of the new Harley F-150.
There are several customary features of the new Harley F-150 including power inverter, back heated seats, a back-view camera, elegant lighting, the touch screen navigation system, and a whole lot more. The impressive features are indeed worth the value of the new F-150 model. According to reports, the base price is around $53,000 with an option of a tailgate step and a bed extender. There might be some minor setbacks with the F-150, but overall, it is one of the best pickup truck that came out this year.

One of the most anticipated pickup trucks for this year is the 2012 Dodge Dakota. This new truck is one of the newest Dodge Ram model lineups to compete against rival brands this year.  The new Dodge Dakota truck is going to face its solid competitors like the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, and the Chevrolet Canyon. Despite of the tough competition over the years, Dodge was able to overcome many difficulties in the market. Dakota has gone through radical changes through these past few years in order to maintain its position in the global industry. There have been several revisions and updates on the new pickup truck model. On the other hand, the 2012 Dodge Dakota is more expensive compared to its previous models. The entry-level full size truck model called the Ram 1500 is seemed to be faced out with the introduction of the new Dodge Dakota pickup truck.
So what’s new with the 2012 Dodge Dakota? There have been better features that are added in the new model truck. It is also noted that some of these features are not visible in the older models. There are several highlights of the new Dodge Dakota including the 6-speaker Alpine System, a keyless entry controlled via key fob, and the addition of the new Sirius satellite radio feature. Due to the shortage of the company’s manpower, outsourced workers were hired to complete this new project. The platform of the new Dakota is going to be based from the minivan type of vehicle. Meanwhile, some critics profusely said that the platform is based from the Jeep Scrambler model.
The Dodge Dakota’s first model was introduced in the late 80s. During that time, Dodge Dakota is the most popular pickup truck among other brands like the Ford Ranger and Mitsubishi-Ram 50. Today, the 2012 Dodge Dakota has climbed over the mountain and marked its name as a lifestyle truck. However, the sales of Dodge Dakota are significantly decreasing over the years with the lowest sales of below 60,000 units. The average sales of the Dodge Dakota since 1992 are at least 100,000 units every year. The 2012 Dodge Dakota has a 4-cylinder V6 and V8 engines. Meanwhile, the Dakota’s platform is a set of dimensions, rather than a set of parts. Each year, Dakota becomes heavier and dramatically expensive. The 2012 Dodge Dakota boasts a reasonable fuel economy, improved handling, and sufficient power.

Earlier this month, the 2012 King of the Hammers Champion was awarded to Erik Miller of Maryland, USA. Miller earned the famous title after completing more than 150 miles in the Johnson Valley field. He was able to finish a brutal course and successfully defeated more than 60 racing drivers in the said racing off-road racing event. The Johnson Valley is considered the largest field in history according to the promoter of the off-road racing challenge.  There were several obstacles along the way, but Miller was able to overcome the challenge and competitively ended the course for the huge win. Rick Mooneyham of Arizona finished at second place, while Shannon Campbell came for the third sport.
Meanwhile, Graham Jarvis was named as the 2012 King of Motors in the invite-only off-road race held at the Johnson Valley. The English enduro racer successfully earned the title after completing the challenging desert race. Jarvis is known for his undisputed enduro skills, which led him to grab the victory on the said off-road competition. The King of Motors is the first-ever motor race that was attended by almost 20 of the most excellent off-road racers in the industry today. The first-ever off-road competition is certainly considered as a motorcycle survival race in a literal manner.  The 79-mile course was the most brutal field that has heavy duty and high speed rock-crawl segments. During the event, the off-road racers were unable to seek for an outside help except for the spectator’s full support. On the other hand, Kyle Redmond entered as the second placer. Redmond was one of the most competitive racers in the event but had only achieved second due to the GPS breakage. Meanwhile, Destry Abbot came in last at the end of the course.
The 2012 Best in the Desert Parker 425 Champion was handed to Robby Gordon. The off-road contest was held at the most brutal terrain in Arizona. The 141-mile loop off-road challenge is the 41st race in the most legendary racing event. Gordon was able to drive the Class 1500 truggy designed by Geiser Brothers. Troy Herbst took the second place, while Mark Weyhrich grabs the third overall spot. Ray Griffith, who also drove the Class 1500, became the fourth overall champion in the BITD Parker 425 off-road challenge. The Mint 400 will be the next major racing event to be held in Las Vegas within this year. Based on reports, there are six more scheduled off-road BITD racing competition to look forward to in the coming months.