Category: Ford News

Motorists are starting to point the finger at the media for their constant assault on the six cylinder market segment and their impacts on the environment.

Internet, print and multimedia articles have slammed the use of the six-cylinder family car and labeled them as ‘gas guzzlers’ compared to smaller, less powerful cars.

Headlines such as NEWS.com.au’s ‘Six cylinders emerge as the latest dud buy’ have given readers the impression that the six cylinders cars days are strictly numbered.

In the article, the AU Falcon was slammed for it’s poor resale value and inability to sell quickly on the used car market.

With constant negative media attention the six-bangers are receiving, many motorists believe that the down turn in sales could be blamed partly on the negative media attention.

A recent study by the NRMA has shown that some larger cars have cost only a mere $11 a week more to run due to their size, something which to some people is a small price to pay for an increased level of occupant safety and comfort.

Category: Motorsport

You can’t deny the fact that the V8 Supercar series run on pump 98 fuel isn’t impressive, what will get even more impressive is all teams will be switching to E85 blended fuel as of next year.

E85 is a mix of 85% blended ethanol fuels with 15% regular fuel, original recipe which in turn creates a higher RON rating of the fuel.

“You can absolutely take it from me that the Championship and Fujitsu series will be going to E85 next year,” Tony Cochrane confirmed.

“(From an education perspective) our job is very much based around ok, if we can run (it in) our cars, then maybe it’s the fuel the average motorist can use,” he said.

“It’s just getting the ethanol message out there that it is a viable product.”


The supplier of the E85 mix will be names at this years Supercheap Bathurst 1000 endurance race later in the year, one of the highlights of the yearly motor racing calendar.

Cochrane has also announced new plans to ban wind tunnel and other high end testing in the sport in an effort to reduce overall team running costs. As of January 1, no team will be permitted to wind tunnel or other high end exclusive testing such as shaker rigs on any V8 Supercar team car.

“You pick up a V8 Supercar and fly it to the United Kingdom or US (and) it’s expensive.”

“Our teams have done it over the years… and it’s one of the cost cutting things we are outlawing.

Category: On the Street

In a bizarre new move, disqualified drivers will be asked what punishment should be worn for their crimes in an effort to reduce the amount of on-road antics being carried out around Australia.

The Victorian Sentencing Advisory Council will be asking drivers why they still drive on suspended or disqualified licenses and what would it take to stop them from getting behind the wheel.

Drivers who have also lost their right to drive will too be asked for their input in helping the situation with a newspaper advertisement circulating that will urge errant drivers to join the focus group in making a difference.

SAC chairman Arie Freiberg is very interested to hear what the younger make group influence is on the focus group with their percentage making a substantial amount of the disqualified driver range.

"We want to know what motivates them, what might deter them and what they think of the fairness of driving laws," he said.
"If people think the laws are unfair, they are more likely to disobey them."

Category: Misc

It’s not everyday you walk into a panel shop to see the mangled rear end of a R35 GTR. Word has it that the GTR was rear ended on a TOP GEAR Magazine photo shoot by an Audi R8 which was clearly out braked by better stoppers and more talent.

Witnesses report that the GTR was fixed in a flash and it was out and about to fulfill other media commitments in a few days much to the delight of Nissan engineers.