Archive for August, 2015
Turkington leads BMR Blast Off at Snetterton
Image Credit: BTCC.net
In a truly resplendent Snetterton showing, BMR have shattered the opposition with a dominant 1-2-3 in qualifying, with Irishman Turkington leading the charge. Having grabbed attention with their new livery unveiling, Team BMR have made their intentions clear for tomorrow’s race day. The returning Ford’s however failed to capitalise on their impressive results at the Snetteron test, with Jackson and Cole only managing 14th and 20th respectively in what turned out to be a highly competitive session.
As the field rolled out for qualifying, there was no telling who would top the time sheets. The first two free practice sessions had seen Priaulx and Jordan taking the top spot, all while expectations were high for the returning Ford Motorbase team of Mat Jackson and James Cole. As the results poured in for free practice, I was gearing up to put my money on Priaulx and the ever increasing power of the West Surrey Racing BMW team.
Qualifying started rather badly for Turkington, who very nearly suffered a case of the Yvan Mullers (from Donington 1999) when one of his bonnet pins was not secured properly. Down the back straight, it was looking like the bonnet may completely blow up into his windscreen. Luckily for him however he was able to get back to the pits and get everything sorted, before going out and delivering a near-perfect lap of the Snetterton circuit,
“I put a really strong lap together, we’ve had a strong weekend but it was just about finding the perfect balance and getting the best lap”
Photo Credit: PSP Images
When Motorbase announced their Snetteron returned, a great many of us placed considerable amount of pressure on them. For whether willingly or not, they are in fact emanating the Ford team of 1993, which back then consisted of Andy Rouse and Paul Radisich. The ’93 Ford team started the season half way through, yet ended the year in a near championship challenging position. Having topped the Dunlop tyre test at Snetteron, Jackson was unable to recreate that same success during qualifying. His disappointment was obvious but the determination for race day shines through in his tweet:
“Qualified 14th but not a lot in the times. Going to have to work my way up through the field tomorrow…”
The combination of Jackson and Cole should prove to be a formidable threat to the establishment as the season moves on. They have both proven themselves and with such an epic machine (engine especially) under them, it won’t be long until the podiums start heading their way. And on a more personal note, the new look Fords are stunning things of pure power and beauty. There may be an absence of colour but their presence could not be more colossally kaleidoscopic. There is no doubt that Motorbase will be hauling in the points tomorrow – but is the pressure of the past getting to them? Can anyone stand in the shoes of the great Rouse and Radisich? Not long until we find out!
Special mention I do believe should go the way of the Triple 8 team, who came so very close to securing pole at the hands of Jack Goff. As the session was reaching its final few seconds, Jack Goff was on an absolute flyer of a lap, smashing the sector times, until he missed his own braking point at the end of the back straight. Chances are that was a guaranteed pole, lost only by his own hubris. Andrew Jordan in the truly magnificent silver Pirtek MG has an impressive 4th for the first race tomorrow; not something to be disappointed with at all!
I was a little shocked for Gordon Shedden, who was languishing in a lowly 16th place. In typical racing driver fashion, the fault has been placed not with him but with power steering issues. As annoying as that must be, it will create a great spectacle for the fans to see him carving through the field during the first race tomorrow!
Did I mention too that the top 17 drivers are covered by less than a second? Nothing is more concrete proof of the success of both the regulations and championship as a whole than this. Different cars, different drivers, small budgets and yet well, the results speak for themselves.
With all the bad luck this year, Bushell did well to come from not setting a competitive time in most of the session to placing his Ford in 22nd on the grid. Nic Hamilton did a fine job to qualify 26th and is excited to get mixed up in the pack in the races tomorrow. With every lap, every corner, every gear you can see the improvement. Commiserations must go out to Gallagher in the Team HARD Toyota who had been blighted with engine troubles in FP2, resulting in him starting his Snetterton race day campaign from the back of the grid.
Image Credit: BTCC.net
If the BTCC grid was to be considered as a sandwich, the cars that create the ‘bread’ could not be more appropriate. Going into the Snetterton weekend, BMR unveiled their new liveries and title sponsor. Those of the Sherlock persuasion will notice that the name RCIB Insurance Racing has been seen before. They are the sponsors that Tony Gilham of Team HARD brought into the championship and adorn the Toyota of Gallagher. On top of that, RCIB still have an involvement with Jack Goff, who can be seen sporting their logo, just not as obviously.
In many ways, having dominant VWs with the RCIB name on is exactly what Gilham would have wanted. After all, it was him and Team HARD that first brought the Passat into the championship those many moons ago. It is just a shame that these VWs are now under BMR control. I have noticed that there has been some malcontent among the fans of Gallagher, who have taken the view that the BMR cars should not take the RCIB name.
But my view, such as that of Tim Harvey is that if there is a good deal to be made with a team that is at the front of the grid, then what is stopping you. Without any insult to Gallagher at all, he is a great driver, but due to problems with his car he is often at the bottom of the grid. If you were a sponsor who wanted a greater motor sport involvement, your success and company visibility will be greatly improved if your name is on a front running car. This is no F1, but motor sport does have a strong business aspect to it.
There is a similarity in look, but if you wanted to get technical, the Gallagher car has black as the main colour, where BMR seem to have white. Furthermore, if they want to expand further into the championship and sponsor more cars and drivers, why bite the hand that feeds? We are living in a time where finances may not be as easily available as they once were. The continued and increasing involvement from RCIB may well ensure the ongoing success of the BTCC.
Either that or this is the start of their plan to take over the world. We have all wondered what happened to them. They disappeared from our television screens in the 90s. But they are back, this is all part of the latest plan by Pinky and the Brain, under the guise of RCIB Insurance…
Roll on race day!
Get involved with the race day chat @lewisglynn69 on Twitter!
Keep Driving People!
Peace and Love!
Travelling Storage: The Birth of the 'Cardrobe'
It’s the future I tell you
On my recent searches through the mysterious world of the internet, I came across an interesting UK survey that was released by insurance company ‘1st Central’ which appears to suggest that we are entering a whole new world; the world of the ‘Cardrobe’. It does not take a master of lexicography to realise that what I am referring to is using your car for storage purposes. Of course, using your car for such reasons is no new phenomenon, but the results suggest a serious surge in popularity. Considering the usual vigour I often possess when I throw myself into the dazzling world of ‘car-culture’, it is time to unleash my brain on this little wonder!
Firstly, let’s take a look at these stats:
- 47% of people leave clothes in their car all the time
- 1.8 million people use their car to hide things from their partner (often expensive items)
- 682,000 people leave something belonging to their ex in their car because they can’t stand throwing it away
- Men are twice as likely as women to hide something from their partners in their car
- Men are more likely to leave sports equipment in their car
- There is an estimated £1 billion worth of football boots stored on people’s driveways
- 18% of people cannot drive without driving gloves (20% 18-24 year olds), most likely due to celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Rihanna being photographed wearing them
- Some interesting items often found in cars include: feather boas, rubber gloves, gas masks and tutus!
Straight off the bat, it would appear the best way to check to see if your other half is being unfaithful is to have a look in their car. Who knows what manner of evidence you may discover? You never know, you might even find that photo of them and their ex-partner that they just couldn’t bring themselves to get rid of, because that trip to the beach was just too special and too memorable!
On a similar note, if you think your loved one may be hiding a fancy gift for you for birthdays, anniversaries or Christmas, you know where to look!
If as a result of this article being published there is a significant increase in the number of domestic arguments and relationships coming to an end, I said nothing. This wasn’t me. Blame the survey!
Now this data has been published, I will say as a word of warning, perhaps move your expensive sports equipment out of your car. Now the world knows of the potential value stored in our cars with, lets be honest, easily breakable windows… Well, you know where I am going with this! Do remember, these things are not necessarily covered in your car insurance. The windows may be repaired, but the contents will be lost forever!
The results of this survey has also given me the perfect excuse for some automotive based propoganda to slyly insert into popular culture. Considering the rise in driving gloves as an example, why don’t we pay Rihanna and Lady Gaga to I dont know, be seen WEARING A SEATBELT and actively NOT TALKING ON THEIR PHONES or even PAYING THEIR INSURANCE. If they can make driving gloves popular, the driving possibilities are endless! Lady Gaga can improve road and driving safety, because after all, she was born this way…
But on a more serious note, the ramifications of leaving so much in your car can be costly, in more ways than one. As I said before, car insurance only covers the car, not the contents. And the more stuff you pile up in your car, the heavier it will become and the more fuel you will therefore need to use. And what does fuel cost? Money. At a time when money is not exactly growing on trees, do we really need to be spending more for no real reason.
If anything, the message to take away for this is to tidy your house a bit and find room for the contents of your cardrobe. Tidy house, tidy mind. Tidy house, emptier car. Emptier car, cheaper running. Cheaper running, more money. You see where I am going with this I am sure!
They may need a little clear out
As much as I may attempt to think logically and sensibly, car clutter, cardrobe, whatever you want to call it truly defines the character of your car. So many times in the past I have written about how cars are not just machines; they have their own culture, identity and personality. In my case, my car has a pair of walking boots in the back that never leave. I am aware I could take them out and only use them when I need them. On the back seat too lies a blanket. Why do I need a blanket in my car? I do not. Alas there it remains.
Without trying to get too philosophical here, the car is the extension of the self. It helps to define the identity of its driver. The possessions contained within such therefore hold great significance, even if just subconsciously. The football boots, my walking boots or even the cherished memory of a past relationship all comes together to reveal the true character. The car is after all a home from home. The commuter may well spend almost as much time in their car as they do in their own home. So why not transform your car into more of a living space?
It all makes sense really.
Maybe new cars should have wardrobes installed in them in the future. Or maybe they will be transformed into a fully habitable life pod. Like a house boat. A house car.
Not exactly what I mean but you get the idea!
Don’t forget to follow my antics on Twitter @lewisglynn69
Keep Driving People!
Peace and Love!
Contact Private Fleet
If you are looking to buy a new car, any new car, and are based in Australia, then we can help!
Our buying power means smaller buyers (individuals, small businesses etc) can tap into discounts that are not normally available to the public. Plus, you save all the hassle, haggle and running around.
To find out more, if it’s currently during business hours, simply pick up the phone and give us a call on
1300 303 181
Otherwise click here to make an online enquiry.
Thanks for looking 🙂
Private Fleet Car Review: 2016 Mitsubishi Triton GLS Manual.
Big, boofy, simple. Kinda like Lenny from “Of Mice and Men” or the Warner Bros. cartoon equivalent. That’s an easy way to think of Mitsubishi‘s revamped Triton range, especially with a manual in the GLS.
This is not damning with faint praise, however. Steinbeck’s classic novel has Lenny as one of the twentieth century’s iconic characters so to draw the parallel between the two is fair. Triton has been around for some time; the name plate goes back as far as 1978. In current guise it’s big (over five metres in length and one point seven in height), reasonably roomy but not without quirks.
It’s boofy, in that you CAN take it off road (with an advanced electronic four wheel drive system) with barely an issue (one team took the Exceed to the Simpson desert) and simple, in that you get exactly what you see and there’s no pretentiousness about it.
A Wheel Thing once sold Tritons (in a former life) and welcomed the second Triton in three weeks to the driveway after a break of a few years. Again, it came in blue, much like the aforementioned Exceed, sans hard top canopy, luggage rack on the roof and chrome nudge bar. The height and length are physically imposing, as is the fact that it weighs 1950 kilograms, dry. There’s a humungous three metre wheelbase, one of the longest you’ll find, yet a nimble track of 1520 and 1515 mm, front and rear, respectively.
When loaded up to the brim, Mitsubishi says the Triton dual cab spec will weigh 2900 kg’s; as a result, Mitsubishi has thrown in its grunty 2.4L diesel to move the best around. At 2500 revs, the donk twists out 430 metres of Mr Newton’s torques. 
Below that point there’s still plenty of pull; around town the Triton (with a six speed manual fitted, in this case) will happily do 60 kmh in fourth with just 1500 revs and do so without struggling. At 120 kmh the GLS lopes along, with a mere 2000 rpm on the tacho with sixth engaged.
It’s economical too; drinking from a 75 litre tank, Mitsubishi quotes 7.2L used for every 100 kilometres covered. That’s a combined cycle usage, too. As a result, one could comfortably drive from Sydney to Melbourne (around 880 km) on a single tank and have diesel to spare.
Driven normally, the GLS is left in two wheel drive (as displayed by a simple icon in the dash between speed and tachometer). There’s a sense of wave like oomph up to 3000 revs before running out of said oomph as maximum power of 133 kilowatts is delivered at 3500 revs. Redline starts at 4000. The six speed manual is surprisingly in its untruck-like smoothness. There’s a good weight to the mechanism, a true sense of refinement in its movement but doesn’t always slot home correctly and does not like being hurried. The clutch is also similarly well weighted, with a pickup point that is natural in the progression of the pedal.
Externally, the Triton retains a design issue that hasn’t changed since the current look was unveiled in 2007. Yes, it’s tall. Yes, it has big doors that open wide. Yes, you still have to duck your head when you get in. If you want metallic paint, you’ll need to shell out another $550 as well.
The main changes to the 2016 range are cosmetic yet do add a sense of modernity; chrome now adorns the front grille, LED driving lights inside the restyled head light cluster, a crease in the front and rear flanks to join the two together visually and a restyled bumper set (front and rear) finish off the behemoth.The test car also came with a fabric tonneau cover, tub liner and chrome bar behind the cabin.
Internally it’s been refreshed with an updated dash layout, simple in its presentation yet exceedingly readable as a result, a centre console mounted four wheel drive selector knob (high and low range with diff lock) that lights up the aforementioned icon in the main dash display and sitting atop a monochrome multi information screen, a simple to read and use aircon control set and a 6.1 inch touchscreen for audio and settings usage.
There’s also a digital tuner, one that is not as sensitive, unfortunately, as those supplied to other brands tested. The cabin also gets Bluetooth, steering wheel mounted phone controls, USB and Auxiliary inputs.
Trim wise there’s a pretty serious problem: there’s way too much reflection from the upper dash into the windscreen, causing a blurred view forward thanks to that reflection and providing a potential safety issue. Either a non reflective coating for the inside of the ‘screen or, more effectively, a proper matt finish for the dash is needed. There’s a couple of nice touches, with a leather bound gear lever knob, chromed interior door handles, whilst safety comes with curtain airbags and a kneebag for the driver. 
Oddly, the headlight switch doesn’t offer an “Auto” option. Not a glaring oversight but it does detract, somewhat, from the safety aspect of driving.
The seats are comfortable, cloth wrapped and manual in adjustment, with enough finger room to easily slot home the seatbelt. A minor point but there are some big cars around that make this a somewhat difficult operation. With 860 mm of rear leg room, back seat passengers shouldn’t feel cramped either, along with 970 mm of head room (once you’ve ducked your head to get in…).
On the road, the big ute handles pretty well, archaic leaf sprung rear suspension not withstanding. On some road surfaces it skipped about at the rear but, to be fair, it’s been driven unladen. The steering is on target enough to have a driver pretty well connected with the direction the GLS is going, with no noticeable rack shake either. Its offroad prowess is nothing to sneeze at either; with a proper and dedicated transfer case, it’s readily eats up gravel and mud surfaces as easily as it does tarmac. The rubber is from Toyo, in a 245/55 size, wrapping a stylish set of 17 inch diameter alloys.
The final ratio gearing and that effortless delivery of torque make it an ideal highway cruiser, but being aimed mainly at suburban usage, the torque also offers right foot controlled flexibility in the mid gear range as well.
The Wrap.
Quite simply, the Mitsubishi Triton is a car/truck/oversized ute I’d more than happily own. A grunty diesel, a decently appointed cabin which is roomy enough for the family, a very good manual gearbox (the auto is five speed only…) and liveable ride quality combine to give it enough to win the heart. The range starts from the high $30’s (figure around $38K driveaway for the four door cab ute). The vehicle tested was: $40990 plus tub liner, tonneau, metallic paint and HaymanReese towing kit, taking the GLS to just over $45K.
There’s also Mitsubishi’s warranty, (five years or one hundred thousand kilometres), roadside assist and capped price servicing for four years or sixty thousand kilometres (whichever comes first) to consider as well. For all details, go here: Mitsubishi Triton range.
It’s big, boofy and simple. That isn’t a bad thing. Neither was Lenny.
Level 2, 9 Help Street