No need to worry. If you're searching for the perfect gift for any car enthusiast there's still hope. Here are 12 that will get his or her motor running .
An Unforgettable Adventure
Conquer the great outdoors with an off-roading adventure at the Land Rover Experience Driving School in Montebello, Quebec. Tackle steep hills, rocky descents, and deep ditches. And there’s no need to own one – the school has a range of Rovers to test. Prices start at $250. Add an overnight stay at the Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello, the world’s largest log hotel, and it’ll be an adventure you’ll never forget. www.landrover.com.
Thrill of a Lifetime
On Bridgestone Racing Academy’s Thrill of a Lifetime course, you get behind the wheel of a single-seat Reynard Formula car and hit the race track for $295. Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy and BMW Driver Training also offer courses for beginners to advanced road warriors. Gift certificates available at www.race2000.com, www.bmw.ca, or www.Mercedes-benz.ca.
Dress the Part
Fire-retardant racing suits range in price from $500 to $2,499 for this Sparco Extrema RS-10. At 700 grams, it is 10% lighter than the Sparco Superleggera, the previous lightweight champ. Made of new technology called Hocotex it offers three levels of protection in a single-layer suit. Visit Johnston Research & Performance, Inc. in Mississauga, ON or www.jrponline.com, www.perryautolaval.com, www.sparcousa.com.
To complement the suit, Sparco’s newest helmet the WTX-7 Air is made of super lightweight carbon fibre. Hans clips are pre-installed for extra safety, as well as a removable, washable lining ($999).
Lightweight Alpinestars auto racing shoes provide lateral foot support. $149 to $349. Available at www.jrponline.com, www.perryautolaval.com, www.alpinestars.com, www.sparcousa.com.
Emergency Safety Kit
The kit comes with one-year roadside assistance, premium booster cables, a 7,500-lb tow strap, air compressor, glass breaker, cell-phone charger, and first-aid kit. Available at Canadian Tire, $79.99. Other types of road hazard kits are available at Walmart, Sears, and at www.redcrossproducts.ca.
Built for Offline Use
The Hipstreet Traveler’s GPS navigation system requires no mobile data usage nor Bluetooth connection. You can listen to your favorite tunes on the go, and connect to the Internet via wi-Fi to download apps. Available at Canadian Tire for $199.99, Best Buy, Future Shop, Staples, and Walmart.
'A Driving Force in Car Care'
Made in Germany since 1950, the Sonax product line includes upholstery and alcantara cleaner, a car wash shampoo, insect remover, 2-in-1 foam leather cleaner, an acid-free wheel cleaner, and tire gloss gel. Available at www.jrponline.com, www.sonax.com, or www.eshine.ca $11.95-$99.95.
Little Black Box
The 4Sight Dash Cam Pony acts as a vehicle’s black box, recording your travels on the road. It captures 1080P HD video on an 8GB SD card. Two lenses including a wide angle and telescopic adjust 180 degrees to capture all angles from the front windshield. With a date and time stamp, it may be an evidential aid in an accident. Available at Canadian Tire, $149.99 or www.pc-canada.com. Garmin dash cams available at Future Shop and Best Buy.
A Roaring Good Time
A Mustang 50-year anniversary desk clock marks each hour with the roar of a 1965 Mustang engine ($39.99).
Celebrating a Classic
This Mustang party bucket with four glasses, 12 coasters and a small towel ($19.99) suits any holiday party. Available at Canadian Tire or the Ford Merchandise Store, www.merchandise.ford.com
Crystal Clear and Tough as Nails
The JVC GC-XA2 Adixxion camera records in full HD video (1920 x 1080) to capture any fast-moving activity in crystal clarity. It is waterproof up to five metres, can withstand a two-metre drop, is tough against dust, and resistant to freezing. It can also record stills and videos simultaneously. Built-in Wi-Fi makes enables you to upload video. $299.00. Available at www.jrponline.com, www.jvc.ca, www.henrys.com