(ARA) – When Richard Childress started racing professionally in 1969, he chose car No. 3 as a tribute to driver Junior Johnson and all the other greats who drove the number. Over the next three decades, he and Dale Earnhardt Sr. made the No. 3 an icon within the sport. As a team owner, he remains as active in the sport as ever and is one of the industry leaders. 

Childress shares some thoughts on his interest in racing, wine making, conservation and how he spends his time away from the track: 

Q: You have spent more than 35 successful years in the world of racing. What keeps you so passionate about the sport? 

“Plain and simple, I still have a passion for racing and a desire to win. To be able to associate with great sponsors and fans that are just as passionate about the sport as I am makes my job that much more rewarding.” 

Q: As an active owner of a vineyard and winery, what have you personally found to be the secret to a great wine? 

“The secret to good wine begins in the vineyard and having good grapes and grapevines. The next critical step is what the winemaker does in the blending process. But it all starts with the grape.” 

Q: How would you describe wine to someone who’s never had it and how would you get them to try it? 

“Wine is a food. A good wine complements your palate when you’re eating different things and makes what you eat that much better. A first-time wine drinker needs to start with something smooth and soft like a Chardonnay. Then it’s just a matter of moving into bolder wines like a Cabernet.” 

Q: Conservation and preserving the earth for future generations is very important to you. What tips, big or small, can you give others to help them get involved and do their part? 

“People can help by making a commitment to change at least one thing in their everyday life. Everything from conserving water, using energy efficient light bulbs or recycling is a step in the right direction. Right now we are working with one of our sponsors, Pennzoil, to encourage do-it-yourself oil changers to make a pledge to help maintain a clean environment by properly cleaning up and recycling their used oil as part of the Pennzoil Clean Change Campaign. Go to www.cleanchange.org to get involved.” 

Q: You have traveled the world. What is the one place you would tell someone not to miss?

“Going to Mongolia last year was one of the most rewarding trips I’ve taken. I found the ancient culture and the nomadic way of life that still exists there very interesting. I did go hunting while I was there but, even if I hadn’t, the many things I got to experience while I was there were amazing.” 

Q: What was the first car you ever owned? 

“I think it was a 1950 Oldsmobile coupe. It had a hot rod package in it. Let’s just say it had some ‘history’ to it. On the track, I started out with a 1937 Plymouth I bought for $20!” 

Q: What do you do off the track to take care of your personal cars and keep them running at their best? 

“Using quality products and regularly servicing your vehicle are the top things a person can do to keep their car performing at its best. At RCR, we are fortunate to work with sponsors like Shell that are committed to developing products that prevent and clean up engine gunk left by lower quality gasolines. For example, the new Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines contain a patented cleaning system that helps protect and clean critical engine parts in both conventional and modern engines, which helps consumers get the most out of every drop. Check out www.shell.com/us to learn more about all of the Shell products and its racing program.” 

Q: If the day ever were to come that you decided to step away from racing, what other activities or interests could you see yourself pursuing? 

“I’d travel around the world. I’ve been fortunate over the years to have gone to some amazing places but there are many more I’d like to see. I might also go out to my place in Montana and be a full-time cattle rancher.” 

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: car racing interview, interviews, racer Richard Childress, Richard Childress, Richard Childress interview

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(ARA) – Auto sales plunged to a 26-year low at the beginning of the year, which is why many car makers are offering incentives to entice consumers back to the auto market.

But before jumping into the market, you should gain a clear understanding of your credit and financial profile to know what you qualify for and if it’s the right time for you to buy a car.

“Through a simple check of their credit reports and scores, many consumers are likely to find that they’re in a solid position when it comes to cashing in on these troubled-economy car deals,” says Lucy Duni, vice president of consumer education at TrueCredit.com by TransUnion. “At the same time, it’s important for consumers to set their limits based on their credit position and their overall finances, because there are many costs associated with making a car purchase, including regular maintenance fees and insurance.”

TrueCredit.com is offering simple tips to guide consumers on the road to making a smart car purchase:

Tip 1: Rev-up your report knowledge.

Review your credit report on an ongoing basis to ensure it accurately reflects your credit history. Your history will dictate your credit score and your score affects your loan rates. Always know where you stand by signing up for TrueCredit Messenger, a free application that is downloaded to your desktop and lets you know when there’s been a critical change to your report.

Tip 2: Make necessary tune-ups.

Whether or not you’re in the market for a new car now, keep a close eye on your credit report. If you spot something that doesn’t look right, you should first contact the creditor involved. If that doesn’t solve the problem or if the issue doesn’t involve a specific credit or loan account, contact the appropriate credit-reporting company directly. If you have significant issues with your reports, consider delaying your purchase until those issues are resolved to help you get the best rate available.

Tip 3: Protect Yourself.

Your credit behavior influences more than just your loan rate. It often plays a role in determining the monthly insurance premiums for your home and car. If you’re getting ready to shop for insurance, TrueCredit.com Insurance Scores let you see ahead of time how you’ll likely be viewed, allowing you to take proactive steps to improve your own credit health that could result in lower premiums.

Tip 4: Make an age-defying purchase.

Decide if you want to buy a new or used car. Buying a used car can save you a heap of money if you do your research. Since new cars generally depreciate 10 to 35 percent during the first two years, it’s a good idea to check the depreciation rate on the car you’re interested in by looking up the current price and the price for the same car made two years earlier. On the other hand, many of the factory incentives are on new models, so you may get a better deal with a new car right now. It’s important to shop around to find the best deal for you.

Tip 5: Luxury vs. economy — calculate how much you can afford.

Before you decide that a car is right for you, it’s a good idea to evaluate your balance of debts and assets to see how much you can really afford. Also determine if you have a trade-in or down payment to help you pay for the car. These assets can help you negotiate a better rate with lenders and can be especially important if you have problem credit.

Tip 6: Navigate your options.

When you’re ready to talk to lenders it’s a good idea to shop around for the best available interest rate. Visit your local bank or credit union to discuss applying for an auto loan. Financing with the car dealer can sometimes be more expensive, so pricing out your options is a good idea. And don’t worry. Shopping your loan with multiple lenders over a several weeks will generally have the same net effect on your credit reports as checking only with one lender.

For more tips on managing your credit, visit www.GoTrueCredit.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: before buying a car, car buying, credit report, tune-ups

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(ARA) – Right now is a great time to plan your summer road trips — and to get your truck and gear in tip-top shape before you hit the road. Whether going to the lake for a weekend of fishing and relaxation or camping in the great outdoors, you need to have the right gear. 

While there are many experts who can help you determine what gear to buy, getting all those items to your destination safely and efficiently can be the real test. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when packing your truck for summer trips. 

Get organized and save space by compartmentalizing your gear into containers. You’ll be able to find items within seconds of opening the tailgate and unpacking will be much quicker once you reach your destination. Mark Sedenquist, publisher of RoadTripAmerica.com, suggests a combination of clear plastic containers, duffel bags, soft backpacks and cardboard boxes for organizing your gear while traveling. It’s also a good idea to place items you’ll need right away toward the back of the truck bed. For example, pack a cooler with your packed lunch or your tent and sleeping bags last, since they will be some of the first items you’ll want to unpack and set up. 

While your truck bed is a great place to store items during your road trip, you’ll also want to make sure those items are protected from the elements and prying eyes. One way to protect your gear is with a roll-up truck bed cover. These affordable roll-up covers are easy to install and will give you 100 percent bed usage for hauling your gear. You simply roll up the cover to gain access to items in your truck bed. 

A truck bed cover can also provide you with immediate gas mileage improvement, which may come in quite handy as gas prices tend to increase during the summer. A truck bed cover will help you save at the pump by reducing drag and making your vehicle more aerodynamic at high speeds. Most truck owners can see as much as a 10 percent increase in their fuel economy. 

Through a little research you can find many different truck bed covers available. A high-quality and budget-friendly option is the Access Roll-Up Cover, manufactured by ACI (Agri-Cover, Inc), a North Dakota truck accessory company. 

This soft roll-up cover is made of heavy-duty, double-coated vinyl material that holds up to the elements and numerous years of use in all different weather conditions. The roll-up cover installs quickly and easily with a clamp-on installation and is designed specifically to fit your truck model. When not in use, the cover can be rolled up behind the cab and never has to be removed when hauling your gear, making it a great option for road trips. 

“I put on many highway miles during the year and in talking to other owners with a similar truck without a box cover, I am amazed at the savings in gas mileage I’m getting with my cover. The Access Roll-Up Cover is such an attractive addition to my truck. It really finishes the look I want,” says a customer from Bismarck, N.D. 

For more information on the Access Roll-Up Cover and to find out how it can protect your gear this summer and save you money at the gas pump, visit www.agricover.com or call (888) 685-2558. 

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: truck bed covers

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(ARA) – In today’s economy, every dollar counts. If you need to purchase an expensive necessity item like a car you must do so with serious thought and attention to detail. Here are some things to consider.

First select a sturdy, efficient car that has a proven track record of performance and dependability. Thought must be given to a variety things including: type of car, size, gas mileage, maintenance, service contracts and insurance. Some cars carry a higher insurance premium due to the theft ratio. With the fluctuating price of gas, consider models that get the best gas mileage.

With the automotive industry in crisis, be on the lookout for over-zealous car dealers who are trying to turn every consumer visit to the dealership into an immediate sale. Shop around various dealerships for the best bargain you can find. It is important to be an informed shopper. Read the automotive section in the newspaper to become familiar with prices and deals available. An informed consumer can force the dealer to reduce his offer two or three times.

Consider your needs, lifestyle and road travel requirements. A mother with children who is active in the community car pool may consider an SUV to be the best fit. A business executive who often travels with clients, customers and potential customers may look for a more traditional four-door sedan as a good fit. A single person without a lot of family ties may be interested in a sporty, fast, two-seater vehicle as a perfect fit.

Make sure you select a car that is affordable for your budget and lifestyle. It is important to select a vehicle that will have a payment plan that allows easy manageability along with other financial obligations such as mortgage, rent, food, utilities and recreation. Buyers are encouraged to pay special attention to financing rates.

“Shop the financing before you buy. Buyers can be approved for a dollar amount and fill in the car later. Then check what the dealer is offering,” says Robert Lindquist, professor of business at Argosy University, Orange County.

Lindquist also recommends car buyers make sure that a low-interest quote is simple interest, and not add-on interest which doubles the rate and, ultimately, costs the consumer more.

In addition, Lindquist advises buyers to consider purchasing an extended warranty, particularly if you finance the car for longer than 36 months. The average car warranty is three years or 36,000 miles.

All of these factors are crucial when selecting the right vehicle for you. It is important that consumers are thoughtful in choosing a car that complements their lifestyle, and is affordable for their wallet.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: budget, buying a car on a budget

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(ARA) – Spring has arrived. Cherry blossoms are blooming, robin redbreasts are chirping and the roads have lost the slushy mess now that winter has melted away.

It’s time to take a drive, which means paying attention to what you’re driving on — which, in the near future, could be tires made from orange oil. This new eco-friendly product is about to hit the marketplace and could change the way Americans view one of the most underappreciated, yet technologically-advanced parts of a car..

“An orange oil tire,” explains Mark Chung of Yokohama Tire Corporation, “mixes rubber with orange oil and helps the environment because they are 80 percent petroleum free.”

Chung says the orange oil used in Yokohama’s dB Super E-spec, the world’s first orange oil passenger tire, comes from a juicing plant in Japan. “The tires use more natural rubber (a renewable resource) and are lighter, which conserves gasoline by reducing rolling resistance up to 20 percent. Low rolling resistance tires improve fuel efficiency by minimizing the energy wasted (as heat) as the tire rolls down the road.”

In non-tech terms, this means fewer trips to gas pump (money-saver) and less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (Earth-saver).

The thought of orange oil tires conjures up some fun, interesting notions, but Chung says, “the tires really aren’t orange colored and don’t smell like fruit. However, by using citrus instead of petroleum, it’s one way Yokohama can utilize technology to make better tires for consumers and the environment.”

The tires have been so successful, racers will be burning orange, er, rubber on the race track this season in the 2009 Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama. It’s the first race series in the world where every car on the track – in this case, Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars – will be on environmentally-friendly orange oil tires.

Chung was quick to say that orange oil tires are just a part of the solution to help the environment. ‘When it comes to tires, there are many ways consumers can be more eco-friendly…and save some money on gas, too. The real key is keeping your tires properly inflated.”

Chung offers these tire tips:

* Once a month, when the tires are cold — at least 3 to 4 hours after the vehicle has been driven — check tire pressure with a reliable tire gauge. Be sure that the valve stems have a plastic or metal cap to keep dirt out and seal against leakage.

* Tires should be rotated at least every 6,000 to 8,000 miles and the alignment should be checked once a year. Misaligned tires can cause the car to scrub, which lowers mileage and causes unnecessary tire wear.

* An overinflated tire changes and increases wear on the center of the tread. A tire is designed to run with the vehicle’s weight spread correctly in the road contact zone.

For additional tire care and safety tips, consumers can go to www.yokohamatire.com, the Rubber Manufacturers Association at www.rma.org and AAA Club at www.aaa.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: eco-friendly, orange oil tires, tire tips

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(ARA) – With SUVs, trucks and large cars growing in size, backing up can pose a serious problem for drivers. Even the most accomplished driver can’t see blind spots, which can lead to costly repairs or serious injury.

A back-up camera is a small investment to protect your car, and those around you. It is especially a good idea if you live in an area with many pets or children. Between 2001 and 2003 alone, over 7,400 children ages one to 14 were treated for injuries after being hit by a car backing up. Many of these accidents could have been avoided through enhanced vehicle safety features, such as a back-up camera.

Some new cars come standard with some kind of sensory device or camera to help drivers with rearward motion. A small camera system is mounted above the rear license plate and a color LCD monitor mounts to the inside front windshield with suction cups. The screen can be anywhere from 2.5 inches to seven inches, in size for easy viewing, and is wirelessly connected to the camera. The system provides greatly improved rearward visibility when backing up and helps drivers judge distances better when maneuvering backwards to park.

In addition to being a must-have safety device, a back-up camera also saves users a lot of money from repairs needed from avoidable accidents. While the average back-up camera costs $100, repairs to a mirror can be as much as $500, and back bumper replacements and repairs can run as high as $2,000.

A PEAK Back-Up Camera System assists with parking and general rearward motion. It is relatively inexpensive, easy to install and can bring much piece of mind. Back-up cameras aren’t just shiny new gadgets built for luxury. They can be cost effective and life saving. It’s a small investment to make your vehicle safer and provide great peace of mind.

In addition to, or as an alternative to cameras, drivers can also become more alert and take measures into their own hands with other tactics. Mirrors are often bumped in tight garages or even while a car is out on the street. Checking to be sure they’re properly aligned, even just once a week, can make a big difference in being able to see. Also, checking blind spots before getting into a vehicle, and again before making any sudden movements, is always good idea.

Regardless of how you do it, making sure your blind spots are addressed when driving a vehicle of any size can not only save you money and insurance headaches, it may just save a life.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: blind spots

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(ARA) – The mechanic gave you the news at your last oil change. Lincoln’s head doesn’t hide between the treads anymore, and with the winter season upon us, you really need to get new tires.

New tires, particularly all-season ones, save time and money by going the extra mile. Many consumers like yourself purchase all-season tires because, with tight budgets, the tires need to perform under all wet, dry, hot and cold conditions for the next four to six years. Unlike Ultra High Performance sport or winter tires, you don’t want to spend the money on new tires every spring and fall as the temperatures change.

The informed tire shopper can save a lot of money asking themselves and the salespeople the following questions:

1. How much rain or snow do you drive through annually? Calculate the amount of time driving in hot conditions, including rain, or cold conditions, including ice and snow.

2. What line do you want to drive between price and performance? A less expensive brand of tire, like Kumho Tires, often costs 30 to 50 percent less than top tier brands with only a 1 to 5 percent drop-off in the performance, if any. The price does not mean the tire is cheap. Nanotechnology, tire compounds and tread design even the playing field to your benefit.

All-season tires have an aggressive tread design on the edge of the tires to handle rain and snow, but the middle of the tires are designed to minimize road noise and increase tire life on the vehicles they fit.

Plus, all-season tires maintain a 50 to 70 percent range of elasticity even in the freezing weather of winter, and they last between 40,000 to 60,000 driven miles, or between four and six years for the average drivers.

Kumho produces all-season tires for all vehicles. The company has some tips to help your tires to go the extra mile:

* Maintain tire pressure according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Low air pressure in the tires not only reduces the vehicle’s gas mileage, but also wears out the tire faster.

* Rotate tires every other oil change, or about every six months. Your car’s tires wear differently depending on their position, and rotating them slows the wear, allowing you to use the tires longer.

* Check your alignment. When wheels lean too far in either direction, bald spots will appear much earlier in the tire’s life. Your car’s alignment can be altered every time the wheels hit something on the road like potholes or railroad crossings.

* Investigate your tire’s balance. This means both the weight of the tire and the wheel are compensated for once the tire is mounted. Uneven balance is indicated by a vibration as the tire rotates or irregular tread wear. Leaving the wheel unbalanced causes the tire to lose its durability.

To learn more about all-season tires before purchasing your own, visit www.KumhoTireUSA.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: buying tires, tire buying, tire shopping, tire shopping tips

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The Golden Rules of ATV Riding: Keeping Kids Safe

Keeping Kids Safe

(ARA) – As a child grows, he or she goes through many stages of mobility. One day they’re crawling, the next they’re walking, and shortly thereafter comes the fascination with wheels sending parents rushing off to the sports store.

Most children start out with a tricycle, then a bike with training wheels which ultimately come off and most kids gravitate towards some sort of battery-powered ATV that replicates the real thing as a stepping stone for the future.

The reason for going through all these stages is so a youth can build up the skills and confidence needed to play with wheeled-vehicles safely. “We feel that similar stages — rights of passage if you will — are necessary for kids to stay safe on ATVs as well,” says Mike Adamek, all terrain vehicle (ATV) communications and safety coordinator for Minnesota-based OEM Arctic Cat.

Adamek points out that children who are too young to drive a car should not be operating an adult-sized ATV. “It simply isn’t safe,” he says. “We recommend families that are interested in riding visit their local dealer to find an appropriately sized ATV for their youth and take an ATV safety training course. It’s also a one-stop shop for all your safety gear too.”

That very recommendation is one of the Golden Rules of ATV riding according to the All Terrain Vehicle Institute (ASI), a not-for-profit division of the Specialty Institute of America (SVIA). Here are the others:

1. Always wear a helmet, gloves, eye protection and long sleeved shirts and pants when riding.
2. Never ride on public roads; another vehicle could hit you.
3. Never ride under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
4. Never carry a passenger on a single-rider vehicle. Extra weight may upset the balance of the ATV causing it to go out of control.
5. Parental supervision is needed for riders younger than age 16. ATVs are not toys.
6. Ride only on designated trails and at a safe speed.
7. Take an ATV rider safety course.

“One of the biggest challenges we face in this industry is making it clear to parents that they cannot put their children on an adult-sized machine. Until they reach a certain size and maturity level, kids just aren’t capable of handling the size and power,” says Adamek.

Arctic Cat’s recommendation is that riders ages 6 and up start out on a 50cc machine capable of reaching maximum speeds of 15 miles per hour. Once they reach the age of 12, children are ready to move up to a 90cc machine that can be speed governed up to 30 miles per hour.

New on the market this year is the Arctic Cat 150 4×2, a transitional model meant for riders 14 and older. It arrives from the factory with a governed top speed of 20 miles per hour, but as the young rider progresses in skill, so can the speed; upwards of 30 miles per hour, also governed by the parent.

“Just because a 14 year old is 6-feet tall doesn’t mean they are capable or responsible enough of handling an adult-sized ATV. The new 150, which weighs about 250 pounds, is manageable and fun for a Youth. It does a great job of bridging the size gap safely,” says Adamek.

For more information about Arctic Cat ATVs and safety equipment, log on to www.arcticcat.com or visit your local dealer.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: all terrain vehicles, ATV, ATV Riding, ATV Safety, safety

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If you are looking to purchase quality muscle car parts it can be very difficult to find good information on where to get them.  This article is here to help you.  For the most part if you are doing a restore or repair on your drag car you are looking for muscle car parts that have not been produced in a long time.  Sometimes you can find quality reproduction parts, but if you are trying to make a one hundred percent authentic car you will need to find used muscle car parts.  This article with give you some tips on where and how to find the best parts.

The Junkyard Dog – A Used Muscle Car Parts Dream

I found the Junkyard Dog website a couple years back and I have been using it ever since to find and purchase used muscle car parts.  There are several things about this website that make it very useful for anyone trying to do a genuine restoration job, or even just doing some basic repair work.

The first thing you notice about the page is how long they have been around.  Junkyard Dog was founded in 1998, so you can be assured that they are not trying to rip you off and that they will provide exactly what is advertised – a way to track down parts for your car.

The next thing that this site offers is the ability to track parts by your cars’ make and model.  This allows you to quickly and easily search to find the part you’re using for by year and make.  Instead of wasting hours and hours contacting local junkyards you can quickly search thousands to hone in on the muscle car parts you are looking for.

The website also has a section entitled “muscle cars rotting.”  This section has a few good references on where to find older muscle cars that can be restored.  For the most part these are becoming a dying breed and are nearly impossible to find.  However with a little bit of effort there are still some great bargains out there to be found.

In addition to using the internet for your car part search I highly recommend going out and scouring your local junkyards for parts.  There is nothing that can replace actually being there and looking around.  While this may seem to be extremely tedious you have no idea the number of treasures you can uncover by getting out there and looking yourself.

Tags: Muscle Car Parts

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There are a lot of people on the road right now that are driving without any sort of car insurance coverage. This is a big problem because if they cause an accident, there is no one to pay for the repairs of the other person’s property.

While some people say, well, it then just falls onto the shoulders of the driver without insurance, it is simply not that easy. More than likely, if the driver did not have the money for car insurance, they are not going to have to money to pay for repairs to another person’s property such as their car or a fence they ran into. This is not to mention if they hurt someone and there are medical bills to be paid and lost wages to consider.

Those people driving without insurance may feel that they do not have any other choice and that they try to be safe. They will say that if they could afford car insurance, or if they could find low cost car insurance, that they would be covered. But the fact is, if you cannot afford insurance at all, then you cannot afford to drive a car.

To be realistic, people can afford what they want and what is important to them, in most cases. There are low cost car insurance policies out there that they could afford if they made some changes in their spending habits. If someone is smoking or drinking then they should cut down on those in order to pay for their insurance. While that is an example of how people could make changes, it is hard to get people to really do it.

Finding the Right Policy

Maybe people did try to call and get a quote from somewhere and was given something that was completely out of their reach. If they were not focused on actually having low cost car insurance, they may have just given up at that point stating that there is nothing out there that they can afford. But something that too many people forget to remember is that every insurance company can charge a different rate. It is not a set price across the board so all a person has to do to find low cost car insurance is to keep calling around. With enough effort and dedication to the job, it can be done and then everyone will be safe.

Also, if we all would start paying better attention to advertisements, we will see that there are a few companies out there whose whole goal is to attract the attention of those who need low cost car insurance. Whether it is because of money, because their credit is bad, or because they have had a few bumps in their driving record, these companies are offering up low cost car insurance. All someone has to do is pick up the phone and call. If an uninsured driver is not doing everything possible to find themselves a low cost car insurance policy then they never really cared to have a policy in the first place.

Tags: Low Cost Car Insurance

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