Keep the ISO rating down on the D40!
play with Fstop.
and last hint.. don't make photo's with the subject (dad's challenger) in the middle! keep it on 1/3 of the frame...
shoot over 200 pic's and there will be some nice pic's in there
good luck!
...and on the editing, post your pic's here or in the photoshop "srtforums...../f21" and ask for a quick touch up... i'm sure there will be some guy's that want to help you out
