Motoring News
STAR90: Gone but not forgotten
Posted on May 24th, 2013, by Rob Marshall, in Motoring News
One would have thought that a car manufacturer, which closed down almost 30 years ago would be long forgotten by now, let alone another famous name that has not featured upon a British made vehicle for almost half a century. Yet, classic car fans could not get enough of the relics, as they flocked to STAR90 (Standard-Triumph Anniversary Rally), which was held last weekend, between the 17 and 19th May. … read more
University finds that motoring gadgets help boost driver safety
Posted on May 16th, 2013, by James Luckhurst, in Motoring News
Research by Loughborough University has shown that motoring gadgets, such as satellite navigation systems, bring positive changes to drivers’ behaviour, making them feel safer and be more fuel efficient. The €15 million international TeleFOT – Field Operational Tests of Aftermarket and Nomadic Devices in Vehicles – study was one of the biggest traffic ICT projects in Europe. Driver support services tested included static and dynamic navigation systems, green driving support, … read more
Jail for 122mph motorcyclist
Posted on May 14th, 2013, by James Luckhurst, in Motoring News
A speeding motorcyclist who persistently lied to the police and admitted his deception on an internet forum has today been jailed for eight months. York Crown Court heard how Andrew John Kelly finally admitted two counts of perverting the course of justice and one charge of speeding after being caught riding at 122mph on the A63 at Newthorpe, Selby on 20 June 2012. Kelly looked to the internet motoring forum, Pepipoo, … read more
Rob’s news highlights for April
Posted on May 7th, 2013, by Rob Marshall, in Motoring News
Several interesting news stories managed to escape the Spam Filter on the Chez Marshall computer last month, kicking off with the Classic and Sports Car Magazine item that reported thieves are targeting easy-to-steal classic cars. Many older cars are worth more in parts and, thus, restoration projects are viewed as especially vulnerable. According to the article, Minis, Ford Escorts and Volkswagen Campervans are being targeted specifically. Older car-orientated publications have … read more
Coast on the motorway
Posted on May 2nd, 2013, by James Luckhurst, in Motoring Advice Articles, Motoring News
Thank goodness for motorways. They’re the backbone of most countries’ road infrastructure. At their best they offer the opportunity to cover long distances briskly and economically. But when things don’t go so well you can be stuck for hours and hours… Positive news to start with… if you follow the advice in this chapter we can reduce your risk levels to almost zero. But before you venture onto the motorway, you … read more
Speeding teenager must retake driving test
Posted on April 30th, 2013, by James Luckhurst, in Motoring News
A teenage motorist must take his driving test again again after a court found him guilty of speeding in North Wales. Caernarfon Magistrates Court heard how Kyle Johnson’s Citroen C2 was clocked by a speed measuring device at 84mph at Pant Glas, Caernarfon in March 2012. Andrew Perry, prosecuting, told the court the offence was captured by PC Brazel of North Wales Roads Policing Unit. As a result Johnson was reported for … read more
British Motoring Heroes Celebrated
Posted on April 10th, 2013, by Rob Marshall, in Motoring News
Amid the doom-and-gloom of a depression-addled Britain, several motoring milestones were celebrated at the end of last month, all of which looked back at our proud manufacturing heritage, which remains very much alive. The Oxfordshire factory that produces MINIs today is celebrating its 100th year of carmaking, since William Morris’s Oxford emerged in March 1913. Although the home of Morris Motors initially, the Cowley plant survived throughout the British Motor … read more
It’s pay-back time for criminal transport bosses
Posted on April 9th, 2013, by James Luckhurst, in Motoring News
Two former directors of a transport company have been order to pay £1,835,793 by a judge, following a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing at Carlisle Crown Court. On 25 March, 65 year old Patrick James Boyle and 36 year old Mark Anthony Boyle, who are both from Newry, Northern Ireland and former Directors of Boyle Transport Limited, were found to have benefitted from their criminality to the sum of … read more
March MoT test changes
Posted on April 2nd, 2013, by Rob Marshall, in Motoring Advice Articles, Motoring News
Further items will be included within the MoT Test, from the 20th March. Most of these items cover systems fitted to newer cars but it has taken over a year for the EU directives to be transposed into UK law. Still, one has to keep bureaucrats in employment somehow… Fortunately, the changes are not unreasonable and will not result in a great deal of extra work for the MoT … read more
What has delayed the Chinese ‘invasion’?
Posted on March 14th, 2013, by Rob Marshall, in Motoring News
Yugos, Ladas and Moskvitchs used to cater for the very bottom end of the new car scene. Generally, these machines were inferior to Western products in virtually every way, apart from their price. The real expense came at trade-in time, when the owner discovered the one-time ‘bargain’ was almost worthless. Those brands have now disappeared from the UK. Just as many carmakers, including Ford, Fiat, Citroen, Volkswagen and Renault have … read more