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Government Agencies Helping Small Business Owners Properly Classify Workers

Posted By Devlin Smith , January 27, 2012

Were the people working in your shop last year employees or independent contractors? Did you properly classify them when filing your taxes? In a recent Grow Smart Biz article, Karen Axelton described new initiatives from the IRS and Department of Labor to help reduce misclassification of employees and improve employer compliance.

The Labor Department will be focusing on enforcing laws and auditing employers, according to Axelton, and the IRS has started the Voluntary Classification Settlement Program, which allows business owners to come forward voluntarily and settle their misclassification issues.

TCI Releases T-Handle Fast-Gate Shifter

Posted By Ashley Smissen , January 26, 2012

The new TCI T-Handle Fast-Gate Shifter features a universal design that can be mounted in virtually any three- or four-speed application. The shifter is meant to be used in high-performance applications and offers a comfortable T-Handle grip, said the company.

The new shifter’s injection-molded cover makes it sturdy enough to handle the demands of racing but stylish enough to use in street applications, according to TCI.

The unit features stamped components to ensure smooth, accurate movements when shifting. It also has a reverse lockout mechanism that eliminates the chance of transmission damage from accidentally shifting into reverse.

Meguiar’s Introduces Detailer Especially for Dark-Colored Cars

Posted By Ashley Smissen , January 26, 2012

Meguiar’s has released its new Gold Class Premium Quik Detailer, a spray-on product designed to deliver a dark, glossy finish. The detailer is formulated especially for dark-colored cars, including black.

The detailer can be used to remove dust and fingerprints from a car’s paint job. It presents a sleek appearance and is safe to use on all paint finishes, said the company.

The Gold Class Premium Quik Detailer can also be used for fast touch-ups, as well as maintenance between washes and waxes. It can be misted on a car and wiped off using a microfiber towel such as the company’s Supreme Shine towel.

Dave Lane Named 2012 Grand National Roadster Show Builder of the Year

Posted By Devlin Smith , January 24, 2012

Dave Lane, owner of FastLane Rod Shop, is the 2012 Grand National Roadster Show Builder of the Year.

Dave Lane, owner of FastLane Rod Shop in Donahue, Iowa, has been named the 2012 Grand National Roadster Show Builder of the Year, show producer RodShows.com has announced. Lane will have a booth at the show, which takes place Jan. 27, 28 and 29 at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, where he will display several builds.

“In his short time as a hot rod builder, Dave Lane has accomplished what many never do in a lifetime,” RodShows.com said in a statement. “Lane has been featured in 36 magazines, won 63 major national awards, three Goodguys Street Rods of the Year (2003, 2008, 2011), and the 2010 Goodguys Hot Rod of the Year, all under a one-man operation. Lane builds all of his hot rods from the ground up with almost no outside assistance other than interior.”

Weekend Car Shows & Events Roundup

Posted By Devlin Smith , January 24, 2012

The 2012 Grand National Roadster Show takes place this weekend in Pomona, California.

The car show calendar is back in full swing this weekend with the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California, and World of Wheels hitting New Orleans and Pittsburgh. Information on these and five additional events is detailed below. More shows will be posted on Hotrod & Restoration’s Twitter throughout the week.

The 63^rd Grand National Roadster Show takes place Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Fairplex in Pomona, California. The show will feature over 500 vehicles inside all of the Fairplex buildings competing for awards including the coveted America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) award. An additional 400–800 vehicles will be on hand Saturday and Sunday to take part in the 7^th Annual Grand Daddy Drive-In. The event will also celebrate the 80^th anniversary of the 1932 Ford. For more information, click here.

World of Wheels New Orleans takes place Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Over $20,000 in cash and awards will be presented in classes including Best Rod, Best Restored, Outstanding Street Rod and Outstanding Street Machine. The show will also feature special vehicle displays, Meguiar’s Car Care Tips, a car audio competition, BMX Extreme Freestyle shows and celebrity appearances. For more information, click here.

Goodguys to Honor Ed Pink & Ed Iskenderian at 2012 Del Mar Nationals

Posted By Ashley Smissen , January 24, 2012

Ed Iskenderian (left) and Ed Pink will be honored at Goodguys' Del Mar Nationals in March.

Goodguys has announced that it will honor hot rod industry legends Ed Iskenderian and Ed Pink at its 12^th Del Mar Nationals. The event takes place March 30-April at the Del Mar Fairground in Del Mar, California.

Iskenderian’s career in the hot rod industry spans over seven decades. He is known as the “Camfather” of the industry and will also be honored with the Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2012 HRR Trade Show earlier that month.

Pink is one of the industry’s most well-known and legendary engine builders. His Southern California-based shop, Ed Pink Racing Engines, is known for churning out one-of-a-kind, state-of-the-art engines.

According to Goodguys, Pink will be bringing his red 1929 Ford hi-boy roadster, in addition to his top fuel dragster called “Old Master” and other hot rods that are powered by Ed Pink engines. Iskenderian will be bringing his 1927 Ford hot rod roadster to the event to be displayed. Pink and Iskenderian will be on-hand to sign autographs for fans. A special “Meet & Greet” with fans will take place on Saturday, March 31.

Date Extended for Free Registration for 2012 HRR Trade Show

Posted By Ashley Smissen , January 23, 2012

The deadline for free registration for the 2012 HRR Trade Show has been extended to Thursday, March 1. Attendees that register for the show before this date will receive their free show passes in the mail.

Attendees that register after March 1 will need to pick up their badges on-site and will be charged $10. Badges can’t be mailed if you register after this date.

The 2012 HRR Trade Show is taking place March 22–24 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Attendees have the option of registering for the show online or via phone, fax or mail.

To register for the show, click here.

Join the conversation on Twitter using #HRRShow.

14 Elements of a Trustworthy Website

Posted By Devlin Smith , January 19, 2012

Is your website trustworthy? Do visitors feel confident enough to share their personal information, or even credit card information, with you?

“… there are the sites that don’t exactly look suspicious (and may in fact be legitimate),” Anita Campbell said in a recent Small Business Trends article. “But still … you don’t have enough information to be sure. No big brand name backs the site to give you confidence. The site has no contact information on it. And there’s nothing to indicate who or what company is actually going to fulfill your order or perform the services.”

To instill your site visitors with a sense of confidence in your website and company, your website should include the following, according to Campbell: