Your defense is my annoyance.

Sometimes lawyers go to clever lengths to say "my client is an idiot". I have no problem with that defence. It's honest, and often it's true to boot.

However I believe this sort of defense should have life long repercussions. Take this guy:
Three months' jail for speedster Justin Pickering

A P-PLATER who hit speeds of 255km/h in a high performance rally car during a police chase from NSW to Melbourne has been jailed for three months.

It's pretty clear this guy is not a complete genius; anyone who speeds on the Hume is looking for trouble- with the cops, a truck, a tree etc.

In the TV news, they went to lengths to point out the car was the oh-so-fast Subaru WRX STi, a rare and wonderful car in the right hands at the right time.

...just not in this guy's hands. His defense went a little like this:

Defence lawyer Stan Waites said Pickering was developmentally delayed, and his parents had gone through great anguish to make him recognise he had a problem.

Questions:
1/ WTF is "developmentally delayed"? Late bloomer? Total moron? Immature? Mentally retarded?
2/ How does a "Developmentally delayed" guy afford a $70,000 car?
3/ If he can't afford it, did his mum and dad buy it, thereby reducing their "great anguish" factor?
4/ Can people who are "developmentally delayed" get a license nowadays?

So here's what he got:

Magistrate Robert Kumar sentenced him to nine months jail, but suspended six months. He cancelled Pickering's license for five years, and fined him $2000.

In my mind, the jail sentence is appropriate as he has many car related offence priors (he has lost his license in multiple states) and the risks he took with other people's lives mean a custodial sentence is correct.

The $2000 fine is neither here nor there.

The license suspension for five years is woefully inadequate. If his defense has said he effectively has a mental issue that makes him an ongoing menace behind the wheel, then cancelling his license and banning him from driving for life is the only way forward.

I do not understand why we leave the door open for people to drive again. If he had a gun license and was firing bullets in the air recklessly, we would take the guns away for life. There would not be a suspension; "Are you ready to stop firing in the air randomly? Oh? You ARE? Good then, here they are!". We would just say "that's it bubba, you have blown your gun license"

But this guy could be driving again in five years, and frankly I do not want to share a city with him.

Idiots ride motorcycles too

Some people are frickin' idiots. Riding the scooter this morning, I pull up next to a young bloke on a Suzuki Bandit 250. I look over his bike and while it is clean as a whistle two things grab my eye: the exhaust has a huge scrubbed area- so he's crashed it once. The other thing is so startling that I have to comment. It goes as follows.

Me: Hey mate... can I ask... is that TYRE BLACK I can see there?
P plater on a 250: ahhhh yea.... I'm selling it.
Me: Shit mate, thats fricking dangerous y'know.
P plater on a 250: It's only on the sides.

I look down. Yes, its on the sidewalls. AND around the corner on the contact surface. About 5-7cms. Right where the contact patch would be if you tried to corner it.

P plater on a 250: It's cool. I wanted it to look schmick.
Me: It won't look to schmick if you fall over again.
P plater on a 250: Hey mate... look, you ride a fucking scooter...
Me: Ahhhh ok. Well good luck. See you in the newspaper.
P plater on a 250: ????

I was on TV and I liked it more than it liked me..

Here we go:



Yes, I hit the wipers for no reason in the first bit. It was a subtle sight gag that some have suggested was just me being stupid and not realising that the Ford Focus has its wipers on the right side where the indicators usually are.

But they would be wrong.

Melbourne Motorshow 2008

After bagging the MMS last year for being boring, they really listened to me (!?) and this years effort was a lot less lame.

It was actually really pretty good. I went on the Saturday with the proletariat, a good move indeed.

So, here's my review: sortof clockwise. See all the pics.

Mazda.
A Mazda 2 Rally car for the Australian Rally Series was the major highlight. Kids climbing all over an RX8 was not. The staff were attentive and friendly, but it was a bit of a yawn fest.
Highlight: Mazda 2 Rally Car
Lowlight: No one on their stand knew anything about said rally car.
Overall: C

Lexus
Classy as ever, not a whole lot of exciting stuff (Does a huge range of hybrids do it for you?). The automated reverse parking display drew gasps and ohs and ahs like the first time people saw Pong on a computer screen. Excting at the time, but perhaps not impressive long term. The Lexus Ladies were well dressed, but perhaps a littel cold looking.
Highlight: Monique and her amazing reversing Lexus.
Lowlight: The guy behind me willing it to malfunction and drive off into the crowd like a bulldozer. Had that actually happened, it could have ended up being a highlight.
Overall: B

Audi
The shovel nosed crew were showing off like drunk teenagers with a stolen skateboard. The "ladies of the stand" were dressed to impress and the men looked like they were off to the horse racing.
Highlight: R8 of course. And a TTS- in left hand drive.
Lowlight: No prototypes. Where is a Le Mans Diesel people? Not getting into the VIP area- DON'T YOU PEOPLE KNOW WHO I AM?!
Overall: B


Saab
Out of the way and out of the spotlight, I may have gone to the Saab stand, but I sure as hell don't recall it. I do however recall driving the 1.9 litre Diesel turbo wagon recently and the turbo lag was such that I wondered if it was in fact faulty. "No" they said, “We make them like that.”
O RLY? FAIL.
Highlight: Leaving to go to Holden's stand next door.
Lowlight: I wish the whole stand was in low lights.
Overall: D+

Holden (GM)
What a nasty bunch the folks at Holden are (when it comes to their main rival Ford). Ford are giving birth to their new Falcon and Holden burst into the delivery room with not one but two DNA-altered, mean-as-Terminator Show Stopper babies.
The W427 with its 7 Litre, LS7, Warp factor 7 engine had plenty of interest and since Holden are well known for using show feedback as a deal breaker on future models (the Torana prototype from a few years ago had lots of VE Commodore goodness on it LINK: http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/2101/Holden-Torana-TT36.html ), expect much of this display car to hit the road in the second half of 2008.
Even if Holden only do a short run of these 427 C inch mutha trukkers (even at $150k AUS they won't make a lot of money on them), it should set the new Ford FPV power figures (as yet unreleased) on their asses. What bastards.
The other Ford happiness killer was the Coupe (can we say Monaro/GTO?) With no specs and perhaps no real plans to build it, the Coupe was definately a toe-in-the-water show car. Should Holden build it? Hell yeah, and whack an LS9 in it to make certain it's the beast people expect it to be. Likelihood? Unknown. There were a few hints of what they are thinking - the little "BioFuel" badge being but one, but then the wheels looked like they didn't fit inside the wheel arches, so the whole thing might be a hoax to generate interest, but not for sale. Maybe we'll see a production run of the Effijy before we see a new Coupe...
Highlight: New 427 and Coupe
Lowlight: 14 yrs olds arguing over what 427 meant.
Overall: A

Volkswagen/Skoda
We've all liked the hot lil' Volksies in all their guises- GTi, Diesel turbos etc for years and while they may be getting a little tiring (especially if you drive a V8 and one of these little buggers gives you the slip in the hills), there was a lot of attention for the cars "for the people". Australians are getting onboard with Diesel engines and Volkswagen are surfing these first waves of interest. Good for them.
Highlight: Good spread of models, attentive stand folk.
Lowlight: Bit dull… I mean... diesels? What are we thinking?
Overall: B


Toyota
They may be the biggest selling manufacturer in Oz, but if you don't race V8s, you don't count. Toyota knows this, so they compensate with rally-bred stuff. We love rally, but we don't rate it since Subaru pulled out in Australia. There were a few of the obligatory engine-cut- away-in-a-perspex- box displays, but it fell away after that. There are only so many ways to display a Corolla. There was a curious looking hybrid prototype thing that drew attention, but it also caused confusion. Putting “hybrid” on a prototype with a closed hood does nothing for sales, but much for confusion.
Highlight: Seeing the Aurion Supercharged engine and its 20 foot long supercharger belt.
Lowlight: Seeing the Aurion TRD again after it tried to kill me and my loved ones with its front wheel drive 250Kw torque steering anger management issues.
Overall: B

Mitsubishi
For a company that just abandoned manufacturing in Australia, many thought that Mitsubishi turning up was an act of war in itself. Not so. All was forgiven when they trotted out the new Lancer Evo X. Mitsubishi’s display was the only stand on two levels. I think this was to create an atmosphere of superiority when no such superiority is warranted.
Highlight: The Evo... in red of course.
Lowlight: Closing their manufacturing operations in Australia. No strictly show-related, but we’re still angry about it, so we'll say it again.
Overall: B-

Proton
Whoops, fell asleep while walking through there.
Highlight: Small stand.
Lowlight: They came at all.
Overall: Not fair to mark them. Oh hell, D.

Suzuki
One gets the impression that Suzuki are finding a nice newish niche in being the fun and funky car maker. The little rally car they had their combined with nice, fresh designs means they could be the new Subaru, now that Subaru have decided to be the new Volvo.
Highlight: the SX4 rally related display car
Lowlight: The new B-King motorbike being put into what looked like a large fish tank where we couldn't inspect it or take photos that didn't make it look ridiculous.
Overall: B

Peugeot/Renault
The manufacturers of the Frogmobiles might hate being bundled together, but then if they really did hate it so much they would not "arrange" to have their stands side-by-side. This confuses the public and the occasional motoring scribe.
Highlight: The new 207 Megane.
Lowlight: Not realising the above car does not exist
Overall: C

Land Rover
One upon a time, simply bringing any prototype to the Motor Show was enough to guarantee interest. Now you need to bring over an interesting prototype with things that go “bing”. Land Rover failed on all accounts. Their prototype was neither interesting nor compelling. For starters, you could not see inside it as the windows were painted. FAIL. Meanwhile they had a supercharged 4WD for pulling that really big horse float. YAWN.
Highlight: The supercharged super tank thing
Lowlight: The lame and ludicrous prototype.
Overall: C-

Volvo
After many years of trying to shed their "boring shoeboxes with wheels" image we can finally admit it: Volvo failed. The "funky for the sake of funky" C30 and the XC models have that aroma of "please say I'm cool" when they really are not. I felt sorry for Volvo, so I went to sit in one of their cars, but immediately aged 10 years once bum hit velour. Damn teenagers, no respect. Etc.
Highlight: The rear window on the C30
Lowlight: Wondering if my wife and yet to be born baby would like one. What's happening to me?
Overall: B-

Ford
Holden crashed the party, urinated on the new Falcon and then took all the publicity, but the folks at Ford were still proud ‘n loud as they ought to be. The new Flacon may not be a billion dollar baby like the VE Commodore, but there is much to be proud of at their stand. The FPV’s drew attention and applause and the G series didn't quite put me to sleep (went close however). The turbo FPV is the pick of the litter- the dark wheels and “Alice Cooper eyes” of both the GT and Turbo work really well and rumor has it they will jump over HSV in power figures across the board.
So, the new Falcon should sell in volume, but for how long? Why build a better mousetrap when they are being bred out of existence?
Highlight: The FPV tuned Territory 270Kw Turbo. Cayenne killer?
Lowlight: The smell of fear: what if we fail?
Overall: B+

Nissan.
The staple of all Motor shows in 2008, Nisaan had a new GTR there. The new GTR. Here in Australia. In Right Hand Drive. But also In The Show. This show. The Melbourne MotorShow.
I saw it, and it looked at me.
Highlight: The new GTR.
Lowlight: There was a nice 350Z that obscured my first views of the GTR. Damn thing.
Overall: A+. For the GTR. C- without it.

Kia
Kia are like a demanding, precocious but talented kid nagging you. You want to dislike, deny and ignore them, but you do so at your peril.
They had a few “niceish” models on display, though they do lack any punch in the interest nor the power stakes.
So I went back to form and ignored them.
Highlight: A people mover. Just kidding.
Lowlight: The families poring over a people mover with no stability control. They should be called people MOWERs.
Overall: C-

Hyundai
It's a pretty sorry state of affairs when a brand like Hyundai have one of the prettiest, most interesting prototypes on show. Add in the market research girls who seemed to be doing genuine surveys about the desirability of the proto and you get the feeling the chip, chipping away that Hyundai have engaged in is starting to work; they may actually make a car that you might want to buy.
Highlight: The orange prototype
Lowlight: The orange prototype being ultimately the only item of note.
Overall: B-

Subaru
I said earlier that Subaru have decided to become the new Volvo and boy they mean it. After all the effort they made opening their garage doors to the Boy Racers- they have absolutely slammed that door shut. Instead of a WRC car on display they have a cut-away of car with airbags deployed. Instead of a boxer turbo cut up and naked for all the world to see, we get the Tribeca's engine and drive train. “It’s a Volvo, but even more dull”. That’s my ad for Subaru 2008.
Highlight: The Liberty STi looked hott.
Lowlight: A mother and daughter in the WRX saying "how cute" it looked. It’s come to that.
Overall: C+

BMW
In the absence of Mercedes (They are all in Germany, on bail or had better things to do) it fell to BMW to be the Other Big German Marque. They sure meant business. They tried there best to be Mercedes-like with a mind boggling array of cars with numbers and letters that began to blur in front of ones' eyes. One nomenclature stuck out: X6. They know they will sell a lot of these now as people who clearly had the money showed clear interest. And in the end that’s what a motor show is all about. Moving “units”. So I’m told.
Highlight: X6 hands down.
Lowlight: The VIP lounge. Yet another place I was not allowed into.
Overall: A-

Honda
When someone working for you shit-cans the stand they are working on, then you know you have a serious problem. When the Accord V6 is your flagship, you have a problem. When Hyundai is making more interesting (and probably faster) sports cars; you have a problem.
So it was with the Honda stand. How can a manufacturer with F1 and MotoGP credibility have such a lame duck range and therefore motor show stand? The hottest car on show was the S2000. A car you cannot buy/order/see/own unless you steal a second hand one. The next hottest was a front drive Civic R Type. A Civic? Front wheel drive? Good God! Where is a new NSX or equivalent? Nissan have the drool worthy GTR on the other side of the room next to a 350Z- also no slouch. Over at Honda we have a Civic and an Accord or something else equally dull. I nearly died of boredom and were it not for the stand attendant keeping be interested by also sticking the boot into Honda, I might have had a nap in one of the cars. Undisturbed too.
Highlight: They were in the corner out of the way.
Lowlight: The EPIC FAIL nature of Honda today.
Overall: F. Worst stand and range by a margin.

The "others"
No it's not an allusion to Lost, but rather the smaller stands of note.

Ferrari/Masterati/Lamborghini/Alfa Romeo/Fiat.
Italians love Melbourne- the inner city suburb of Carlton is well known for it's strong Italian heritage- along with a less savory Mafioso element. And so it is (without the mafia bit) with Italian cars- right at home in the Melbourne Motor Show.
The Supercars were beautiful and the stands were also beautiful. But the public were separated by some margin from the cars- in keeping with the unattainable nature of the cars themselves. The Fiat stand- heavily promoting the new 500 (it will be the F1 "celebrity" support race car next week) was a very cool, very retro looking thing with hot stand girls in a mixture of all white outfits. The cars were cute, the girls were hot.

Elfin/Bolwell
Two local hand builders in varying degrees of development and success.
Elfin have had a very mixed year. Highlight: new Streamliner and Clubman models looking great, accelerating like fury (LS1 engine + 900Kgs=??), but a lowlight when Elfin co driver Paul Flintoff was killed in a tarmac Rally in early November last year. Rumors about build quality issues and engineering shortcuts harmed their brand, but being owned in part by Walkinshaw and HSV has meant that support is not far away and the recent seconding of senior HSV engineers means Elfin should get back on track in every sense. The "No Fear" show car looked the goods and drew plenty of interest.
Meanwhile Bolwell are a blast from the past. In the 70s their Nagari almost-supercar was a desirable and sexy object and 30 years later they are looking to release a new Nagari with a Toyota V6 supercharged (from Toyota’s Aurion TRD) as a rear engined, 0-100kms/h sub 4 second, 300km/h genuine supercar. From the front and sides the prototype looks the goods. I did feel it was a bit ugly/unresolved in the rear compared to other similar cars. Campbell Bolwell, the driving force behind this project has the motivation, skills and two supportive and talented sons to get this car on the road and one hopes that they do get a viable car out there. Custom handbuilt cars are going the way of the typewriter and any builder still having a go has my support. Link: http://www.bolwellcarclub.com.au/new%20nagari.htm

Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge
Despite the non appearance of Mercedes, fellow Dainmler (or whatever they call themselves this week) companies Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge put on quite a show with plenty of pretty lassies, show bag giveaways and a fairly strong range of vehicles. No Viper, no Ram, but the Nitro has plenty of appeal for those stupid enough to think it's a Hummer H3. (hint: It’s better and cheaper)

Hummer
Speaking of which, the Hummer still draws support at any motor show. Usually only from those who have neither driven nor been a passenger in one. If you have then you would know the H3 in Australia, with its asthmatic 3.7 ltr 5 cylinder waste of time engine and poor road manners, is not worth crushing into toy Hummers, let alone real ones.
But why spoil the annual car-Christmas that is the motor show?

Shannon’s Auctions.
Tastier than the whole motor show put together, the classic auctions coming-soon list included a 1971 GTHO. In brown, sure, but its still the 351 Engine, still looks like sex on wheels and has gone up a little from its original asking price of $5000... to more like $600,000+. A world gone mad- in a good way.

Summary
Last year I told anyone who would listen that the Melbourne Motor Show was a waste of time. It was bad by Australian standards and a total non-event on a world scale. They must have listened to me- poor fools- but nonetheless seemingly the organisers and exhibitors have gone to some lengths to stop it becoming a glorified parking lot. Well played all round.

www.flickr.com thomasrdotorg's Melbourne Motor Show 2008 photoset

A blat in them there hills

Loving the new Speed Triple 1050, a real goer and a definite improvement over my sad, old 955 version . This is not a review as I have to get some things done, however you can view the data track here
3-feb-08.zip

Courage; defined.

Courage is not about being tough when you have no choice, it's about doing something dangerous when you do have a choice.

Just watch the first minute of this and consider what is required- physically and mentally.

Travis Pastrana. Legend. Madman.

Pic Post 2: Rally of Melbourne- my ride

With Adrian Rowe in tow, we went up to the Toolangi state forest for a visit to the testing site for the Rally Of Melbourne where Neil Bates took me for a wild ride in his Toyota Corolla S2000 class rally car. I have been in cars with several race drivers and I have never, ever seen a driver as busy as a rally driver. Sawing the wheel back and forth like Mr Miyagi's "wax on wax off" scene and more toe tapping than a blues gig, it's a busy office for the rally folk.

I would hasten to add, that until you experience travelling through the bush at warp factor ludicrous... well maybe you haven't lived.

www.flickr.com thomasrdotorg's Rally of Melbourne photoset

MotoGP weekend at Phillip Island

What a busy, insane, fun, triumphant, and satisfying weekend.

Broadcaster, producer, news reporter, interviewer, host, MC, commentator and- above all else- MotoGP fan.

www.flickr.com

More pics here.

Off to Bathurst we go

In this:


Ford FPV R- Spec Typhoon Turbo.

Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) has released its new limited edition F6 R-Spec Typhoon, featuring FPV's innovative R-Spec suspension and handling package. The F6 R-Spec is the first of FPV's six-cylinder models to feature the R-Spec suspension. The stylish new addition to the FPV stable is identified with distinctive R-Spec badging, and ''Dark Argent''gunmetal accents on the wheels and rear spoiler as standard. With production limited to just 300 units, the new F6 R-Spec will come with a unique build certificate of authenticity.

Another reason to have children:

When I have kids, they get to sit in one of these!:

Good looks apart, BMW's child seat comes with a height-adjustable backrest including a belt carrier and side support as well as a headrest for extra safety. What’s cool though is the fact that the backrest and side support interact with one another, automatically adjusting the seat width as a function of seat height. As a result, the seat literally "grows" with the child sitting in the seat, the correct position being shown by a centimeter scale on the backrest indicating the body height currently set on the seat.

[via carscoop]

Simply Awesome

Was a pleasure to witness this moment:


Casey, well done. Many said you couldn't do it- including me.

I have never been so glad to be so wrong.

Casey Stoner- MotoGP champ this weekend?

casey-poster copy, originally uploaded by thomasrdotorg.

Oh Spring- how lovely thou art! Now while the single horsepower spring racing carnival is looking shaky, the machine based high horsepower racing season is looking more exciting than ever. Alonso vs Hamilton: too close to call! V8s- Bathurst looking as exciting as all get out.

To top it all off, we are perhaps a week or so away from having Casey Stoner crowned MotoGP world champion: our first in the four stroke era and our first since Mighty Mick Doohan. While the GP corporation would ideally have this Championship decided at Phillip Island (and so would the fans no doubt) it looks more likely that the Japanese round at Motegi on the weekend of 22/23 September looks the likely round (trust me, we've sat down and done the points scenarios!).

To celebrate 3AW has organised to have the Station Hotel in Greville st Prahran booked out for MotoGP fans to watch the race on the Sunday 23rd. Being in Japan, the race is one hour earlier- so no late Sunday night! From midday, join Australian Superbike Champion and 3AW commentator Adam Fergusson (and other guests) and me as we preview the race, review the season and watch the race on the multiple projectors and plasma screens at the Station hotel. Numbers will be limited, so get along early!

Entry is FREE, so get along from midday Sunday 23rd September! Here's the poster link.

Now for some sensible talk | The Australian Janet Albrechtsen Blog

Now for some sensible talk | The Australian Janet Albrechtsen Blog:

"PHEW, Live Earth is over. The seven concerts on seven continents featuring a bunch of jet fuel-addicted rock stars summed up the problem with much of the talk about climate change. Hypocrisy aside, the climate change rockers and other zealots would have us believe there is no problem more uniquely modern than climate change. When it comes to mapping out solutions to this most 21st century of problems, history can teach us nothing. We are on our own. Right? Well, actually, no. Wrong. Dead wrong."

Yes Janet, maybe history can teach us.

For starters, I have no problem with Rock Stars (and Al Gore et al) flying around the globe to spread the message. It's a standard line the deniers: "if they are anti Co2, why do they fly?". It's so tired and lame that I guess I can only address it by saying this:

Its the same as those who sent troops to Iraq to fight for peace. See, you create more of the problem (war/Co2) to prevent/reduce the problem (war/Co2).

The difference is that you can't really fight for peace in a country like Iraq. The more you fight, the more you encourage fringe thinkers into becoming outright fighters against you.

In contrast, people can get on board with reducing their carbon foot print. They don't have to kill anyone to do it. They can save money into the bargain. win/win.

Still, as a national columnist it's difficult to give any real thinking to this. You just have to job out something controversial and topical every three or so days, so skipping on the thinking part is de rigeur.

And before I get shouted down for being a motoring journalist talking about carbon footprints etc, I'd like to point out the following:

• Despite all my talking/writing/blogging about cars, I don't actually own one.
• I catch public transport a lot- I have a 10 trip ticket in my wallet at all times.
• When I do need to make a vehicular trip, I ride my low carbon output motorcycle, or ride my bicycle or, heaven forbid, I walk.
  
• I am about to start offsetting my car tests.
• I have been pushing via my on air appearances hybrid cars (special on the 18th July, already did a feature on the Volt electric car in December of 2006, and called for F1 to be a hybrid category in the coming years)
  

Valentino Rossi: a beaten man?

Sportal > Motorsport > News
Valentino Rossi:

"'We'll need to find new motivations because we've already won everything,''Rossi, a five-time world champion, told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport."

I think this is the first sign that he is beaten. When you talk about how you are satisfied with your achievements, you show the present is not that important to you. When you say you need new motivations when you are not even leading the championship as you so comfortably have done so in the past, you show you are beaten.

Casey Stoner, now is the time to play the very same game as Rossi has played on so many before him. Get into the press talk about someone else as your main rival. Talk about how you think other riders believe they can take it up to Rossi. Press home this psychological advantage. Remember: Rossi would break you like he broke Gibernau, Biaggi and any one else who tried to get on the same anthill. It's Karmic retribution, but it's also how this sport works.

On air WED 06/06

DSC_0144, originally uploaded by thomasrdotorg.

Preparation for driving or leaving your car (and coming back!):

• If you have a Diesel car/4WD, then you should shoot for about 50%+ Alpine Diesel (a special fuel with an additive to stop it freezing). • Check what time the servo closes if you need Alpine Diesel (or any fuel for that matter!) Mid-week the country town fuel stops are not open very late.
• • Long term stayers- it's not a bad idea to park off the mountain- check all long term storage issues though (battery, tyres, coolant, oil)
• An old tarp/blanket in front of the radiator and over the top of the engine will help insulate the engine bay and minimise any condensation on the engine. Especially useful for older cars.
• •Apply a small square of masking/duct tape over the door locks to resist icing up. (Otherwise you can't get your key in to open the door!).
  
• •Anti freeze, anti boil. You can run very higher ratios of this product in high performance engines, but 40% is fine in most Australian conditions. Note: you must have some water in your radiator as coolant on its own has a high freezing point!
  
• Wiper blades up or down? If you have the new silicone blades they are less prone to freezing and sticking to windscreens. Also, wiper blades up are a dead-set invitation for snow-bogans to snap them off, especially if it's a Melbourne supporter's Range Rover! If you do leave your blades down and they stick, the a few minutes of demisting the windscreen will loosen them just fine.
• If you drive an older car with a carby that could be stubborn to start when cold, carry a can of aero-start, it's great stuff. •
  
• Add some metho to the wiper/wash reservoir. This will prevent the fluid from freezing and also helps to cut through road grime. •
• If your battery is having a few problems before you go, then said problems will be exacerbated once in the cold. Get a new one!
  

Chains:

• • Cars, diamond pattern only. 4WD either diamond or ladder style, but diamond is the recommended style. In Victoria, chains must be carried at all times from Queens birthday weekend until end of the season. This applies to cars and 4WD's.
• SUVs (with the exception of Subaru 4WDs) are not considered 4WDs at some mountains and are required to fit chains at the same time as cars. For those heading to NSW resorts, 4WDs are not required to carry chains. The average penalty for not carrying chains varies, but is generally a $400 fine and 2 or even 3 demerit points.
• Carry an old tarp and some rubber gloves to stay drier and cleaner when fumbling around under the car fitting chains.
  
• When parking long term above or in the snowline - reverse in where possible and fit chains prior to parking if snow is forecast. It's a lot easier to extract a vehicle with them already on!
• After fitting chains, check them after 200 metres to make certain that they are ok. (do it safely in a chain bay)
• Take your chains off when it is safe to do so, but don't go to early as black ice often is below the snowline- especially at night when cars have dropped snow melt.
  

Driving:

• Smooth, smooth all the way. No sudden movements of the wheel on ice and watch for oncoming cars out of control. Keep your wheels turning if you don't have ABS- use "L" in you auto or a low gear in a manual.
• Snow is actually easier and safer to drive on than ice, so stay calm in unfamiliar surroundings, but understand snow is your friend. Ice is never your friend (unless its in your G+T in the ski lodge)
• No need for low ratio in 4WDs generally speaking. Over revving the engine can be more expensive than a gentle slide into a snow bank.
• Stay an extra night if tired and drive home in the morning.
• Hazard lights are for when you are in trouble, not for driving with.
  
• Pull over if you are holding up traffic.
  
• Clear snow off your car. It might look cool to arrive in South Yarra with a roof load, but you may create a road hazard, not to mention the roof load of snow landing on your bonnet and blocking your view.
• Take a shovel and leave it in a place that's easy to access.
  

Other issues:

• Rental cars are not covered above the snow line.
• Comprehensive insurance covers you in the snow.
• Keep a storage bin in your boot and stuff your snowy/wet gear in that!
  

• Let it snow, let it snow, let it SNOW!

Black and blue but not bruised...

DSC_0037, originally uploaded by thomasrdotorg.

Ahhhh the sweet beauty of the modern icon.

here we see the delectable (love that front end!) Mercedes Benz SLK280 sitting alongside the cute (but BITEY!) Mini Cooper S "Chilli".

Neil seemed to like them both, but particularly liked the Mercedes-Benz. perhaps I am finally convincing him it's time to admit that he can spend $100K and not end up in the poor house.

It does however mean his offspring would not find themselves having a drive in Dad's car- and well they might NOT.

In the garage: Mercedes Benz SLK280

HDR-merc-front, originally uploaded by thomasrdotorg.

Yes folks on test at the moment: the sexy and sleek SLK280.

Do I like the looks? yes?

Do I think this car is "perfect"? No, I do not!

We'll be featuring this car on the show this Wednesday so no spoilers from me. you'll have to tune in!

Go go gadget cart.

Radio's a funny old game.

When I started at 3AW I had no idea that: a/ I didn't have a segment sponsor (I didn't know I'd get one!) and b/ I needed, but didn't have, a "cart" or pre recorded segment intro.

Until I survived my baptism of fire; that being the six shows I did at the end of 2006, I was not a confirmed member of the regular team. That's cool- I had to strut my stuff and they wanted to see said stuff. So during this period I had neither sponsor nor cart.

All of that changed in 2007 when I was confirmed as both a member of the regular first XVIII and I got a sponsor- Penfold Holden and an intro cart.

• My first cart

Now I don't want to sound ungrateful- but WHAT'S THAT ABOUT? It sounds like a Datsun 1000 starting up (Mum owned one when I was born). Horrifying!

So, being an audiophile/sound tech guru I rejigged/mashed it up into this:

• My preferred cart

There's nothing that a Top Fuel drag car can't sort out.

They should send them to Iraq...

3AW- K1200R audio

In the week prior to the F1 Grand Prix, I was out at Sandown for the Neil Mitchell show- turning a few laps on air aboard a BMW K1200R:

It was part of the promos for the celebrity race. They were in BMW 120i's and I was on a 200 kilo bike with more horsepower...

The big K1200R hit a cosy 240km/h down the straight. I was under strict orders NOT to crash (of course just as well I was told NOT to crash- coz I just LOVE to chuck it down the road...) so 15km/h extra went begging. Neil was a little concerned... but it was GREAT radio. The audio from the day is a bit fuzzy- but that's how it happened.

• Here's the audio

In The Garage

It's been a busy time; hence no blogging. One thing after another!

Some excitement on the not so distant horizon, will tell as it approaches (or I'll remain silent if it doesn't pan out!)...

Today marks episode one in an ongoing series called "In The Garage"- where I will post pics and occasional reviews of cars I am testing, driving or viewing.

Audi's TT- Turbo 2ltr 6spd Manual spent Easter with us. No eggs sadly, but unlike the mythical bunny, this is the real deal: handles like a dream, the engine is somewhat peaky (as an old two stroke rider I get it) and can get boggy if you don't take the whip to it. The brakes are fabulous; progressive, firm and the suspension/tyres combo is spot on. The driving position is kinda weird at first- very racy and there's plenty of adjustment there for those who like to fiddle (guilty, sir). I love the look of this thing; angry yet graceful.
NEIL MITCHELL: buy this damn thing.
Grouse: Engine (when spinning about 4,000 RPM), the brakes, slick gearbox, the handling, the bad arse looks, the dash layout and colours. Best front wheel drive (ie notso torque steer-y) on the market.
Notso: Back seat is a joke. Rachel could not sit upright and Kat Riley banged her head as we went over a bump. The ride is too firm for most. Small odd shaped rear storage, price, front wheel drive. Rachel described the car as the sort "a guy buys when he leaves his wife". Apparently that's bad...


Oh there's a tough choice right there: Triumph Speed Triple vs Audi TT. I own the Trumpy and I can take her out anytime. I'll call her the wife. The Audi is the mistress and as a result, we had a wild weekend together.

Holden HSV Clubsport R8. The wild child is still wild, but now has some manners.
Previous versions of this long term stalwart of the HSV family did not have the outright kilowatt-ness of this one, but were far more brutal in handling, brakes and refinement. A triumph of brutality over refinement so to speak.
Thankfully, the VE models have not only received the makeover of the VE body, but the suspension and brakes that a 400Hp+ car should have. The V8 is still throaty under a firm pedal (methinks it's mainly induction not exhaust noise) and with the traction control on it's well mannered and sits flat and firm on sweepers and higher speed stuff.
With serious legroom for all passengers (the middle passenger seat is a middle child seat- not quite plush-o-rama) the HSV Clubsport is a big car but feels smaller thanks to lively handling and THAT engine.
Speaking of THAT engine, with the cruise control engaged at 100km/h and in 6th the fuel economy drops to around the 8-9ltrs/100kms. It's a moot point because as soon as you want to pass another vehicle or the road gets twisty, then you best not look at the instant fuel economy gauge coz the 8 pot screamer will be going at it like Oliver Reed on his way to a media commitment. HSV's line is "if you have $65k for a car, then you have $150/week for fuel" Maybe so.
Right on cobber: 6.0Ltrs of V8 goodness, legroom, THAT engine, firm handling, ergonomics (seat, wheel, pedals), the LS2 donk, muscular appearance, stereo is spanky loud. At $62K very keen price. Is not European.
Bugger orf: Clutch/gearbox can take some getting used to, scary with traction control off for amateurs, middle rear seat sad/small, no fold down seats- just small "hatch" (does not fit surfboard well!), annoying bogans want to talk to you every time you park it (not annoying for me- they are "my people"). Still not a European car. Likes a drink.


Saab Aero 9-3 Turbo Above we see wife and mother setting off "Thelma & Louise" style. I was in the backseat, so that was short lived.

If Rachel was choosing a car for Mitchell, N. then he'd be off in pretty much the same car he's getting rid of: a convertible Saab. This GM owned company are still banging away at their CAD desks producing refined versions of this oh-so recognisable body shape.
I found the turbo 2.8 in this one to be lively and I think in a "real" manual it would be of greater interest. The tiptronic gear option doesn't really liven things much; I think I'm just too old school for tiptronic perhaps? The handling is ok- finding a balance between sports handling and comfort can be a really difficult balancing act. Rachel and I are a good example- I like taut, sporty handling and Rachel regards cars that feel like that as "having something wrong with them". Horses, courses.
Of course at a tick under $100K one might expect a 'fun" button that hardens up the suspension, winds up the turbo boost and ditches the stability control, but perhaps it snows so much in Sweden that supplying such an option might result in 9-3s spinning into the fjords at an alarming rate.
The seats (heated up front, natch) all round are excellent- comfy, easy to set up and still leave room for those poor unfortunates in the back.. Leather can be a challenge in a convertible (especially in Oz). Not only does the UV attack leather like a Biggest Loser contestant attacks a hamburger, but they can get hot and sweaty- yes, yes, just like a like a Biggest Loser contestant.
I'm a boring old fart really, so I need to have a quick whine about the torque steering of a hi-po turbo front wheel drive and then shut up about it. Selah!
God: (Swedish for good. Talk about pretentious!) Convertible roof is firm, fast and real glass rear window, rear end is sexy-ish, refined all round package. Pleasant motor. My wifes likes it. (so might yours)
Svår: (as above but the opposite) Too pricey at $97+, Tiptronic is a waste of time. and... frankly... a bit boring to boot. Your wife will like it. And your mother. Probably your mother in law too. Sheesh!

K1200R

Oh we did have fun with this beast- what a joy to behold!!

World Supers this weekend

It's World Superbike's this weekend at Phillip Island!

I'm off tomorrow for the weekend and I'll be reporting for 3AW as ever! See you there!



GO Baylisstic!

Del.icio.us and Scouta...

I'm trying out Del.icio.us and soon I'll be adding Scouta for my radio related stuff.

We'll see!!

Metzger has a serious crash...

Cycle News Online:

"Freestyler and Supermoto racer Mike Metzger suffered a broken back yesterday while performing a back flip for the Discovery Channel near the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California, according to the Long Beach Press Telegram"

While injuries are par-for-the-course in FreestyleMX, I just hope that the Godfather has not lasting effects. This sounds pretty serious and ominous.