United States of Brands: The American Speedfest Thunders Back to the UK
Image Credit: speedfest.co.uk
American Speedfest has never just been a race weekend; it is a no holds barred celebration of muscle, speed and extravagance drenched in American patriotism. Where can you find pageant shows, hot dog eating contests, live music and driving displays alongside mind blowing on-track action? For one weekend in June, the Kentish lands were transported stateside. America had come to the UK like never before. For the guests of Stopwatch Hospitality, they were treated to an unforgettable experience that for any motorsport fan was something truly special.
Private Fleet Car Review: Subaru Forester L and S diesel.
It’s always nice to do a back to back comparison of like models from a manufacturer. In this case, the new diesel auto Foresters from Japanese maker, Subaru, were parked in the driveway and A Wheel Thing checks out the L and S models.
Powersource. Two litre engines seem to be the rage and there’s no difference here, plenty of torque at 350 Nm, from 1600 to 2400 revs and a surprisingly low 108 kW at 3600 revs. These two, though, aren’t intended to be high revving diesel sports machines, they’re family friendly load luggers. Hence the addition to the range of the automatic option, in the form of a CVT (constant variable transmission).
It’s here where, in A Wheel Thing‘s opinion, the Achille’s heel is exposed. The way the CVT works sapped performance and response, didn’t provide the instant on throttle response from standstill a hydraulic auto does and blunts rolling throttle response as well… For an explanation on CVT’s, click here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuously_variable_transmission
From a standing start in Drive, there’s a lag, a hesitancy, almost as if you’ve asked someone a question and they need a moment to process it before answering. With other diesels of same size and torque matched with a hydraulic ‘box, there’s more of a instant response, providing quicker acceleration and potentially a safer environment with oncoming traffic.
A P-Plater In The Family
My teenage son got his provisional licence last week. I guess that most parents in this situation will have a mixture of emotions: relief (no more having to sit in the passenger seat! no more Mum’s taxi duty!), worry (I’ve read the stats on young male drivers…), wistfulness (my little baby boy is all grown up) and pride (hasn’t he done well!). I had expected that I would be a lot more worried the first time he drove solo (out to his uncle’s place for dinner and to drop off some furniture). When it actually happened, I was more worried that he was going to not tie the furniture onto the deck of the old ute properly and have it fall onto the road.
Which brings me neatly to one thing that the parents of P-platers need to remember: P-platers are still learning. They may be able to drive solo, saving you some of the hassle of running them about, but they still have got a lot to learn. My son still needs a few lessons in tying loads onto the deck of a ute or a trailer (it’s part of driving in daily life, after all), and in driving in snowy or icy conditions, for example. Your P-plater may need other advanced level lessons to sharpen up their skills.
BTCC Memorable Drives: The Unsung Hero of 1999
Image taken from: Speedhunters.com
The 1999 British Touring Car Championship is remembered most fondly as both the year that Laurent Aiello won the title as well as the first time an independent won a race outright when Matt Neal stormed to victory during the first feature race of the year at Donington. Perhaps even many would remember the first ever night race in the BTCC at Snetterton where Peter Kox became the first Dutchman to win a race. However when I look back to 1999, I think of the return of a true legend who echoed what Ford did in 1993, competing in less than half of a season yet storming up the [independent] field. May I present the unsung hero of the 1999 season, the late great Mr Will Hoy.
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