Road safety different for the aged?

Yup, it would seem so. If you’re bored, and I mean really bored, click on the link to see what the Arrive Alive folk are blabbering on about. One thing that needs attention more than all their ideas is that older folk, like really old, should have annual eye tests and reaction tests to see if they can still handle a car on our ever more dangerous roads. Not only will it save their lives, but other road users too. Well that’s my take on it, leave a comment if you agree or not…

Click for the age old story

Daddy Nissan confirmed for SA.

The current range of performance Nissans is awesome in SA. There’s a grand total of ONE model, the 350Z. While this is a nice piece of French-engined Japanese metal, Nissan fans would surely like more of a choice. Enter the replacement for the Skyline R34 GT-R – the GT-R (they’ve stayed away from the Skyline name and just given it the letters that count to performace junkies).

It seems that someone at Nissan has politely removed one body part from inside another and thay have announced that they will be bringing in the GT-R soon, although there are already a few driving around, but you never heard that from me… This car is a true monster, it runs on a twin turbo V6 of 3800cc which gives the car insane performance figures. Power will be between 350kW and 400kW, which all depends on the state of tune the cars arrive in, something that will most likely be dictated by our fuel grade and quality. Still, 0-100km/h should be reached in a little over 3-seconds and a top end sprint will stop your heart well over 300km/h!

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Richard Jordaan hits the Number 2 ranking

The battle for the quickest four cylinder title has once again changed hands. As we all know, 2008 has seen a titanic battle between Nasen Padayachee in the front wheel drive Nascar Opel and the rear wheel driven Nissan Champ of Richard Jordaan, both chasing Louis Lima’s five year old 4-cylinder record of a 8,6 seconds. At the last Sport Compact, Nasen stormed to a record storming 8,74 seconds, a world class achievement for a front wheel drive Unibody vehicle, which placed him firmly behind Louis’ time. Yesterday though, things changed once again.

During Wednesday’s National Drag meeting, Richard Jordaan blazed through with a time of 8,72km/h. He ran an 8.76, an 8,75 and two 8,72s, a highly consistent performance. The scene is now set for the final instalment of Sport Compact where the two will finally clash and perhaps topple Louis Lima’s old record. The question on everyone’s lips will be: Will Nasen spring a surprise on the Jordaans and beat them to it?

Emotion breaks another record

He’s done it again! Marius Lloyd, the diminuitive owner and racer of the bright orange Emotion van, cemented his position as Africa’s quickest 4-cylinder normally aspirated vehicle by posting a 10.98 second run at the
Nationals practice day at Tarlton Raceway on Sunday morning. The scariest part is that he ran a 10.97 the Thursday night prior without the use of trackbite.  ”As soon as I can sort out by trans brake problems, the car should be launching even quicker. I’ll be saving it for the next Sport Compact on the 9th of November.”

35 000 unlicensed drivers caught in six months

More than 35 000 people were caught driving in Cape Town without valid driving licences in the first six months of 2008 – and more than 19 000 unlicensed cars were pulled over. According to the Metro Police’s quarterly report, Cape Town’s traffic department dealt with 19 234 unlicensed drivers and just under 11 000 unlicensed vehicles in April, May and June, 2008.
Traffic spokesperson Merle Lourens said the high number of unlicensed drivers could be because of the testing backlog. It could also be caused by motorists who did not want to get a valid driver’s licence.

Bonneville record-chaser dies at 385km/h

A rider chasing a world record for the fastest two-stroke, two-cylinder motorcycle has died after crashing at 385km/h on Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats. The American Motorcyclist Association said 49-year-old Cliff Gullett of the Team Bullett Costella-Gullett Racing tem was competing in the 500cc Streamline class.
Gullett owned Team Bozeman Motorsports, a motorcycle and snowmobile dealership, in Montana. He had set a few world land-speed records, according to news reports, and wanted to become the first to reach 640km/h on a two-wheeled Streamliner.He leaves a wife, Leanne, and two children. – Sapa-AFP, motoring.co.za

SEAT SA Closing down.

VWSA has announced that they will be phasing out the SEAT brand over the
balance of 2008 in SA thanks to a new marketing strategy. A press release
issued by VWSA reads:

Volkswagen of South Africa to cease new SEAT vehicle sales operations by the
end of 2008. Volkswagen of South Africa, owners of the SEAT Franchise in
South Africa, will start a process to cease the SEAT new vehicle sales
operations in South Africa.

“Current and expected circumstances make the ongoing importation of a niche
brand in the South African market non-viable,” explained Mike Glendinning,
Director of Sales and Marketing, VW of SA.

“Volkswagen of South Africa will continue to provide comprehensive after
sales support for the 2 600 SEAT models sold since launch in June 2006. SEAT
customers are currently being informed that continued after sales service
will be offered by a dedicated group of Volkswagen dealerships in South
Africa. These dealerships currently service SEAT vehicles. All warranties,
service plans and roadside assistance relevant to the SEAT Brand in South
Africa will be honoured.”

“Of paramount importance to us is the continued after sales care of our
existing SEAT customer base. We will offer all existing SEAT customers a
preferential deal, on the purchase of a new Volkswagen,” committed Mr
Glendinning.

The end of LHD in S.A?

Thousands of classic left-hand drive cars in South Africa may as well be buried with their passionate owners when they die. New legislation will soon make it impossible for these imported vehicles – valued at millions of rands – to be transferred into another person’s name, registered and given certificates of roadworthiness, ultimately leading to the end of the road for left-hand drive vehicles. The Department of Transport will soon publish this new amendment made, it claims, because it is not safe to drive such a vehicle on our roads. The decision has left local classic car fans steaming mad.
Sam Monareng, spokesman for the department, said current regulations allowed the operation on public roads of left-hand drive vehicles that were registered or licensed before 2000. A vehicle registered before this date could be transferred into another driver’s name. However, Monareng said the “15th amendment” to the regulation would be published soon and such vehicles exempted from being registered. If the owner of a left-hand drive vehicle dies, the registration is void the day the estate is wound up or the vehicle is acquired from the estate.
Mike Egan, owner of Thundersport, which imports parts for American vehicles, said it was the “height of absolute stupidity” and people responsible for the decision had “obviously never owned such a car”.
Alan McNab, who owns two left-hand drive vehicles, asked how many accidents involving such vehicles had been recorded.

“Most people who own them probably take them out for a drive once on a Sunday.”

End of the road for left hand drives
September 6th 2008

Article by: Bronwyn Gerretsen

For more information visit:  http://www.moby302.co.za/end_of_lhd_sa.html

How to drift with a Maybach 62 S

Maybach 62 S is not exactly the car I’d buy to drift like a god, but rather drive it in town to get a couple of chicks. However, there are people that would like to use all the 612hp to make it run as fast as possible even thought it weighs 2,800 kg. So how hard do you think it is to drift with a Maybach 62? Imagine sitting in the back with a tuxedo, some fine champagne, cigars and a skilled driver that would take curves … “that” way. It must be fun.
The guys at iMotor did it, so they should know exactly. Here’s the video.

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