31 · Tuesday, December 29, 2009 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Safe driving in winter is no accident! (NC)--Preconceived notions on the part of over-confident winter drivers can threaten the safety of others on the road. So with temperatures falling, the time has come to clear up the misconceptions and change bad habits to good by providing reliable, comprehensive information on winter driving...above all, because our winters are nothing if not unpredictable! Cold temperatures: more dangerous than snow Winter conditions can take us by surprise. On October 8, 2009, unexpected snowstorms in Alberta led to multiple road closures. Just six days later, Montreal saw the first snowflakes of the year fall! However, the first snowfall is not the best indicator that it's time to have winter tires installed, because a drop in the temperature has the same negative effect on tires. When the mercury dips below 7°C, summer or all season tires begin to lose their elasticity, which reduces their adherence to the road. For this reason, it is much more dangerous to take the wheel early in the morning when the temperature is low than in the evening when roads are snow-covered. The art of braking Regardless of road conditions, it's important to be aware of the risks that come with cold weather. Contrary to what many believe, ABS brakes do not make it easier to brake if the vehicle is not equipped with winter tires. Likewise, four wheel drive systems provide no Chevrolet Camaro SS to pace 2010 Indianapolis 500 Metroland Newspapers Carguide Magazine advantage when the vehicle must be brought Officials from Chevrolet and Indianapolis to a stop. All such electronic and mechanical Motor Speedway unveiled the 2010 Chevrolet systems are dependent on the vehicle's wheels being in contact with and adhering to Camaro SS Indianapolis 500 pace car at the Speedway's Hall of Fame Museum on the road. December 18. The 2010 Chevy Camaro Indianapolis 500 SUV and CUV drivers beware! pace car is a 21st century sports car that looks Too often, the robust design of SUVs and CUVs give drivers a false sense of security. to the future with a nod to both the car's and Compared to smaller cars, the elevated the race's heritage. The first year for Camaro weight and centre of gravity of these vehicles to pace the Indianapolis 500 was in 1967, the put them at greater risk of rolling if the driv- year the Camaro made its debut. Camaro has since paced the race in 1969, 1982, 1993 and er swerves suddenly or loses control. 2009. This year's pace car features an Inferno Avoid losing control Orange Metallic paint scheme with White The best option is to avoid losing control of the vehicle, as it can be extremely difficult Diamond rally stripes that travel from the to regain. However, should this occur, the front to the rear over the top of the body, as experts at Michelin strongly advise you to well as extending to the instrument panel. look in the direction you want to go rather The design is a modern interpretation of the than at the object you risk hitting. The original rally stripe that debuted on the 1969 results of this simple technique are impres- Indianapolis 500 Pace Car. "Chevrolet has done it again with the 2010 sive! Chevy Camaro SS Pace Car, it is simply beautiful," said Jeff Belskus, president and CEO of A single destination for guaranteed the Indianapolis Motor Speedway safety at the wheel Corporation. "The car's tribute to `500' histoTo provide drivers with the tools and knowledge they need to successfully ry and its sports car feel will be a big hit with manoeuvre through Canada's winter driving our fans, and it will look great leading the conditions, Michelin's experts have developed Indianapolis 500 field on Race Day." This year's pace car is equipped with a a brand new online Winter Driving Academy. stock 400 hp 6.2L V-8, an RS appearance Visitors to the site www.michelinwintercentre.com have access to video capsules, package and leather interior with Inferno animated features, and user tests to help Orange interior accents. The pace car also them avoid having to say "if I'd only features unique design cues that further known..." and ensure they drive safely and enhance the Camaro's head-turning design. Starting with a V-6-powered model, the worry-free all winter! The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Indianapolis 500 pace car, unveiled at the Speedway's Hall of Fame Museum on December 18 and geared up to lead the famous race on May 30. Camaro is a budget-friendly sports car that doesn't sacrifice on performance. Despite recent economic challenges, the Camaro has overtaken its closest competitor to lead the regular sports car segment in sales for the last six months. Chevrolet sold more than 6,000 Camaros in each of these months. The public will get their first look at the 2010 Chevy Camaro SS Indianapolis 500 pace car when it makes its auto show debut at the Indianapolis Auto Show starting on December 26. Established in 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has long prevailed as an icon of motorsports excellence. The 2009 racing season marked the 100th anniversary of the Speedway and for 2010, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will play host to the Indianapolis 500 on May 30.