Metal beam in the door or along the side of the passenger compartment that adds additional protection in the case of an accident. It reinforces the side of the car. Read More »

This is a generic term used to describe several of the racing series where the rules for the series specify a certain chassis, or motor that the racers are required to use. Thus, the reference to “spec.” Examples of a spec series is the Formula Atlantic series, where all the cars must use the Toyota engine. Read More »

Works in conjunction with the shock absorbers to absorb the impact of bumps in the road. Attaches the rear wheel to the frame of the bike with a single pivot point. It connects to the frame near the rear of the engine. Read More »

Similar to those used on a horse, saddlebags hang on either side of the passenger seat. Bulky items may be stored here, as long as the weight capacity of the bag is not exceeded. Some motorcycles are equipped with a hard set of bags (plastic or fiberglass). Soft saddlebags — leather or canvas — may be purchased to fit just ... Read More »

The panel instrument that measures your roadspeed in miles or kilometers per hour. Read More »

Devices that pull the seatbelts tight in the event of a collision, taking up extra slack and reducing the force with which the occupant’s body hits the belt. They are sometimes referred to as “pretensioner,” though this implies that they deploy when a crash is imminent, which is misleading. Tensioners are generally tied into the same sensors that trigger the ... Read More »

A vehicle totalled in an accident and then repaired. There is no guarantee of street worthiness for a salvaged vehicle. It may look good, but be hazardous to drive. Read More »

A race car that spins around due to being tapped, racing too close to another car, or clipping another while attempting a pass. Read More »

To 49ers and those who followed, no expression characterized the rush to California better. They announced they were “going to see the elephant,” an unusual experience in those days before zoos and wild animal parks. Those returning from the west claimed they had seen the “elephant’s tracks” or the “elephant’s tail” but not the elephant — meaning they had seen ... Read More »

Slang for a high-performance car, possibly due to the reaction of passengers with an over-enthusiastic driver. Read More »