Members of the motorsports industry are wondering why the government has adopted a rule virtually eliminating a key constituency – and possibly thousands of jobs – while at the same time developing a nearly trillion-dollar stimulus that supporters say is intended to create and protect employment.
At issue is a new federal regulation of lead that took effect just this month. The policy has virtually shut down the part of the motorsports industry that serves children under 12 who want to ride all-terrain vehicles and motorbikes, because some components of the machines – such as tire valve stems – contain lead.
“You’ve got a lot of kids involved in this,” Don Amador, western representative for the the Blue Ribbon Commission, told WND today. “But ATVs, dirt bikes have batteries  in them, components that use lead inside the valve stems on tires, lead in the electronic wiring, lead on battery terminals.” … More info
The Monowheel has never come across as the safest looking mode of transportation to me, but shrink them down so they’re small enough to wear on each foot and you’ve got my attention. That’s what a company called Inventist did with the Orbitwheels, which they were showing off at this year’s Toy Fair. While they look like a monowheel crossed with a pair of inline skates, riding them is apparently more akin to being on a skateboard, though to propel yourself you have to make an ’s-pattern’ type movement with your feet… More info
The first Brazilian jiu jitsu lesson for Mike Budnik came just months after he ended a world-class professional inline skating career. He was a gym manager then, about six years ago, overseeing six facilities in the Chattanooga, Tenn., area.
One day, the general manager of one of his gyms was talking with him about jiu jitsu, which the man taught. He convinced Budnik, whose self image was that of a scrappy New Yorker ready to face any challenge, into attending one of his jiu-jitsu lessons.
Olympic fans may soon get the chance to cheer for another sport.
Inline speed skating is not your average roll around the rink, rather a sport gaining momentum around the world.
The annual Blue Ridge Challenge is the largest inline speed skating competition in the U.S. It’s been held in Roanoke for the past four years. The competition is open to both the young and old.
“Sometimes you fall; like I fell today… it hurts,” says seven-year-old Jake Guill…Â More info
