“I don’t know what type… it’s a blue car… once it gets me from A to B that’s all that matters” – I think everyone has heard this statement or something similar at one time or another – and for some people it is true, but not for most petrol heads. For me it’s a pet hate… and akin to a person saying about their own leg: “I don’t  know what it’s called really… it’s just a limb… as long as it gets me from A to….”!

Since the dawn of the automobile age we’ve seen so many different shapes, makes and models with numerous companies pushing the boundaries of what was possible – safety, style & design, even the combustion engine evolved and motoring needs gave birth to the electric engine. To compete, cars got more advanced and inevitably those developments led to better cars and as people began to spend more of their lives and lifestyles in or around their cars there grew a need for the “Luxury Car” – that safe, mobile haven that had all the creature comforts and security of home.

As someone who loves cars, I believe one of the biggest revolutions was the dawn of the affordable car, pretty much made possible by cars like  Henry Ford’s legendary Model-T. Once upon a time, cars were seen as a luxury but the affordable car meant everyone could could own one – before long the automobile was commonplace – and nowadays many homes boast the title of  being a “two car family” without batting an eye. To meet demand, cars became more and more lavish, with every automotive company offering “luxury models”. There was a car and a specification to suit every pocket.

In recent times though, the global credit crunch has given rise to the question of what is need, what is luxury and what is over-indulgence – as someone who often test drives cars, a question that I have been asked is: “Should car companies continue to produce and develop luxury cars in a world that is in the grasp of financial crisis?” The simple answer is YES – without a doubt.

Apart from the beautiful cars produced, the biggest virtue of “Luxury Cars” such as BMW’s new Z4 is they push the boundaries of what is possible (technologically and as regards safety, as Road Tests prove). One thing that always reigned true is that new developments that start off as exclusive to a luxury car, eventually become a commonplace feature and part of all cars, for example, power steering, central locking and even rear seatbelts (once exclusive to luxury cars only).

One car manufacturer with a new car is Alfa Romeo with their new MiTO. Not content to take the credit crunch and an international reduction in car sales they have come up with a fun addition for their website. Now when you visit their website you can create YouTube styled Mini-clips and Icons… for example, for Valentine’s Day…

Keeping with the theme of lighting the second product to arrive was a complete replacement kit for the OEM Pop-Up lights. After much thought I decided to completely redo the front end of the car and give it a sleeker, more modern look. I was really interest in finding projector lenses which I’ve always liked the look of… so several hours of Google later I found the perfect upgrade. My car needed a set of EVO-R Headlights with projector lenses and full HID kit. Last but no means (the devil being in the detail), third new arrival on the the list was a matching set of projector fog lights. All that delivered it means the front end’s parts are all ready for fitting and paint, with Finbar Cunningham when the car is delivered to him next week.

Next on the project is the tailgate!

Cars (in every sense) have always been a lifelong love of mine… I enjoy everything to do with motors (which probably explains my line of work involving training Driving Instructors) but performance cars have always held that mischivious allure for me! I’ve always wanted to take a performance car and turn it into a Show-car… so you can imagine the countless hours that have been spent on dreaming about the ways I was going to put my own mark on the car!

One car that always held a lot of appeal (in an almost scary way) was Mazda’s RX7. Sadly, the everyday commitments meant that I couldn’t afford to begin this dream project and that it was likely to remain exactly just that… a dream!

Well that was all up until very recently! Of late it seems that things in my life have been improving and I was finally in a position to start considering doing something about getting the car I had always wanted!

And so began the search… Luckily it didn’t take long! I came across a website H&H Performance Imports and they had what seemed to have a good clean example of the Mazda RX7. So… I decided to give them a call and got talking to a John Higgins who I must say was really helpful and to be honest, a pleasure to deal with… there was none of the all too common smarmy sales crap… John was straight talking and a gentleman… In truth I was a little nervous about buying my first Japanese Import (yet to arrive via Britain) but he was able to put my mind at ease and insured that the car was mechanically sound. he walked me through the process and put my mind at ease!

So, two weeks later, the right price and several conversations with John, the deal was done and the car was here in Ireland. When I saw the RX7 2.6 Twin Turbo with Rotary engine I was delighted… SHE was finally here! MY Mazda RX7! SHE was lovely and under the bonnet was untouched (unmodified) as promised with very low genuine miles. Granted there were a few touch-ups needed (purely cosmetic) but nothing that I hadn’t been advised of prior. Only downside was the colour but I’d planned to change that anyway!

With all that done Project RX7 begins! I have already started bringing in parts from Japan and America so I intend to keep a blog diary with info. and photos as the car develops! and if anyone has any suggestions on things to consider for the project or stories of their own please post a comment as I would love to hear them!

The programme is currently being piloted in some 50 schools and is available in 20-hour and 45-hour units, as part of the mainstream option under the Transition Year Programme. It will feature inputs from agencies such as the ambulance service, fire service and An Garda Síochána, as well as providing for visiting speakers, trips out of school, projects and case studies.

Source: Road Safety Authority

Pupils from two schools involved in the pilot programme, St Aidan’s CBS in Whitehall and Malahide Community School joined Minister Hanafin and Minister of State, Seán Haughey T.D., at the launch in Government Buildings today. This national road safety programme is the result of collaboration between the Road Safety Authority (RSA), the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) and the Department of Education and Science.

Launching the new programme, Minister Hanafin said “the resources provide an overview of road safety for pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and motorists. It covers issues such as seatbelts and airbags, driver fatigue, drink/drug driving, enforcement, basic first aid at road crashes, emergency services and rehabilitation. The programme is also supported by digital resources, including DVD support and access to international websites on road safety issues.” Relevant Driver Theory Test learning will be included at the end of each module. The programme does not include driving lessons.

Transition Year is now a key element of provision in over 500 second level schools and is taken up by more than 27,000 students. It offers students a broad educational experience with a view to promoting increased maturity, before proceeding to completion of senior cycle. Students participate in learning strategies which are active and experiential and which help them to develop a range of transferable critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills.

Minister Hanafin went on to say “while 2007 was one of the safest years on Irish roads in over 40 years, the stark fact is that 338 people lost their lives last year. Behind these figures are individual human and family tragedies. Education and raising awareness of road safety issues as well as informing and influencing behaviour are key to reducing casualties on our roads. The Programme for Government commitment aims to ensure that education is provided in road safety at different stages of the school system, including a specific Transition Year course.”

The Minister thanked all those involved in developing the programme, the Road Safety Authority, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and the Transition Year Support Service, the editorial group of teachers who assisted in the development of the programme, and the 50 or so schools which have provided important feedback throughout the pilot phase.

“I would like to encourage schools to take up the opportunity to use this new programme in the year ahead, and do their part in helping to make our roads safer. The feedback has been very positive from the schools participating in the pilot, indicating that the programme is viewed to be stimulating and thought provoking for students, and promotes greater awareness of the importance of responsible attitudes and behaviour in regard to road safety issues” said Minister Hanafin.

“I would like to encourage schools to take up the opportunity to use this new programme in the year ahead, and do their part in helping to make our roads safer. The feedback has been very positive from the schools participating in the pilot, indicating that the programme is viewed to be stimulating and thought provoking for students, and promotes greater awareness of the importance of responsible attitudes and behaviour in regard to road safety issues” said Minister Hanafin.

Other ways that road safety is highlighted in primary & post primary schools

The Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme, which is mandatory in primary schools and at junior cycle level, has a specific personal safety strand within the programme. This provides a mechanism through which road safety issues for all can be best dealt with in an age appropriate way.

Seatbelt Sherriff & High Glo Silver (7-9 years old)
Seatbelt Sheriff is aimed at primary school children in 1st class and is a fun way to get children involved in saving lives. This initiative is run with Renault. Seatbelt Sheriff is now in its 4th year and has been very successful.

The Road Safety Authority/MACE “Safe to School” campaign at primary level was launched in February 2007. It includes a DVD, posters, information leaflets, teacher worksheets for use within the SPHE curriculum, a guide for parents and a picture competition for students, and has been circulated to all primary schools. There is also a website www.safetoschool.ie which includes a walking guide, quizzes etc.

The Department of Education in conjunction with Bus Eireann and the Road Safety Authority sent a DVD and poster to all primary schools, featuring Dustin, informing students about the need to “Belt Up Safely” when on the school bus. This was backed up by a national radio, cinema, TV and newspaper advertising campaign.

The Streetwise programme for junior cycle pupils was launched in UN Road Safety Week in April 2007. It covers road safety across nine topics – walking, cycling, seatbelts, airbags, speed, driver fatigue, motor cycle safety, hazard recognition and the engineering aspects of road safety, to be delivered over approx nine class periods.

Officers from An Garda Síochána regularly visit primary and second level schools during which the themes of crime, road safety, personal safety and substance abuse are explored as part of the SPHE programme.

Michael Schumacher is set to lend his name to a skyscraper in Dubai. In an article to appear in Sunday’s edition of Arabian Business, the managing director of German company ACI is quoted as saying construction of ‘Michael Schumacher Business Avenue’ will begin in the next three months.

A German tennis legend will also be immortalised amid the emirate’s property boom, with ACI to call another skyscraper ‘Boris Becker Tower’.

“We are talking about two of the biggest sporting names anywhere in the world, so when it comes to branding a project, it doesn’t get much better,” ACI’s Robin Lohmann said.

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Mondeo drivers clock up more speeding fines than any other car owner, according to figures compiled using speed camera data…

Cumbria Safety Cameras spokesman Steve Callaghan said that the highest proportion of people caught speeding came were middle-aged men and company car drivers aged 31-40.

‘You would think more powerful marques would feature in the top 10, but they are marketed to a group of drivers who seem to be more responsible,’ he said.

Most speed camera fines by model
1 Ford Mondeo
2 Ford Focus
3 Vauxhall Vectra
4 VW Golf
5 VW Passat

Most speed camera fines by make
1 Ford
2 Vauxhall
3 Volkswagen
4 Peugeot
5 BMW/Mercedes/Renault (joint equal)

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posted by Patrick James

According to a sheriff’s office report, he was taken to Tacoma General Hospital with severe but not life threatening injuries.

His legs, feet and abdomen were worst affected, but some injuries went as high as his chin.

The man had been repairing a Lincoln Continental for about two weeks at his home near Southworth in Washington state, about ten miles from Seattle.

He had successfully removed all but one wheel-nut on the right rear wheel and resorted to firepower out of sheer frustration on Saturday afternoon. REPORTS the TELEGRAPH.CO.UK

[Source: Telegraph, BBC]

Local authorities have been urged by the Office of Environmental Enforcement to use innovative means – including the hiring of helicopters – to seek out unauthorised vehicle scrappers, who can face fines of up to €15 million as well as jail sentences of up to 10 years.

The move follows a successful operation undertaken by Cork County Council. The local authority used a helicopter to identify 60 unauthorised car scrapyards, many of which were not visible from local roads and which were subsequently inspected and served with warning notices by the council.

Following the Cork County Council initiative, some 15 closed down, nine are in the process of closing down, and nine have applied or are in the process of regularising their situation.

Details of the crackdown were provided at a conference of the State’s environmental agencies, including local authorities, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Environmental Enforcement and gardaí, which took place in Wexford last week.

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by Patrick James