MAZDA MX-5 NAMED ‘MOST POPULAR CONVERTIBLE’ AT HONEST JOHN AWARDS

The Mazda MX-5 has been named ‘Most Popular Convertible’ at the 2012 Honest John Awards, adding yet another accolade to the model’s ever-expanding trophy cabinet.

This latest award once again proves that the world’s best-selling two-seater sportscar remains Britain’s favourite convertible – judging for the awards was based on which car reviews on the Honest John website (www.honestjohn.co.uk) have been read the most. The Mazda MX-5 took class honours ahead of a shortlist which also included the Volkswagen Eos, BMW 3-Series Convertible, BMW Z4 and Fiat 500C.

Honest John described the Mazda MX-5 as ‘a great sportscar’, praising in particular its handling abilities, ease of use and low running costs, while the website features many more glowing reviews from owners of the car.

“This award confirms that the Mazda MX-5 remains a resounding hit among the British public,” said Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director for Mazda UK. “In spite of a growing number of competitors in this sector, the consistent level of praise for the MX-5 – from journalists and motorists alike – marks it out as the ideal all-year-round convertible.

With the belated British summer just around the corner, Mazda has recently introduced a new special edition of its iconic sportscar – the MX-5 Venture Edition. Available in Soft-top or Roadster Coupe (a retractable hard-top) form, this latest special edition of the world’s most popular open top sports car features upgraded luxurious specification, advanced technology, premium interior trim and exclusive exterior colours.

Based on the Mazda MX-5 SE and Sport Tech models, the Venture Edition is available as a 1.8-litre MZR Soft‑top (SE) and a 2.0-litre MZR Roadster Coupe (Sport Tech), and is priced at £18,995 and £22,295 (OTR). The car retains all of the dynamic attributes, low running costs and open-top thrills that have cemented the Mazda MX-5’s place in the hearts and minds of motorists around the world.

Mazda MX-5 Miata 1.6 Enthusiast's Workshop Manual by Rod Grianger. With open-topped styling and performance evocative of the classic sportscars of the 60s, the Mazda MX-5/Eunos had to be a huge international success and that's exactly what it's become. Now a familiar sight on the streets and boulevards of the world, the MX-5 is owned by real enthusiasts, the kind of people who will want to have hands-on involvement with the maintenance and repair of their prized possession. For those enthusiasts, here is what we believe is the best, easiest to use, workshop manual in the world ... More info.

Mazda MX-5 Miata (Mk1 1989-97 & Mk2 98-2001) – The Essential Buyer’s Guide by Carla Crook.

Having this book in your pocket is just like having a marque expert by your side. Benefit from the authors years of real ownership experience, learn how to spot a bad car quickly, and how to assess a promising one like a true professional. Get the right car at the right price!
More info.

FRANCHITTI CLAIMS THIRD INDIANAPOLIS 500 WIN IN HIGHLY COMPETITIVE RACE

Brits have won for the third year running and have won five of the last eight Indy 500s!

Dario Franchitti slipped the wreath over his head and took a healthy sip of cool milk in the 91-degree mid-afternoon heat in Victory Circle at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. First, however, he donned a pair of white cardboard sunglasses -- a tribute to longtime friend, teammate, competitor and fellow Indianapolis 500 champion Dan Wheldon.

"Now my face on the Borg-Warner Trophy will be on either side of Dan's," Franchitti said of the 2011 race winner who died in October from injuries suffered in a racing accident.

Franchitti became the 10th driver with three or more 500 wins, holding off charges from Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon, Takuma Sato and Tony Kanaan over the final five laps following a restart.

Franchitti, the reigning IZOD IndyCar Series champion, won under caution as Sato's No. 15 Rahal Letterman Racing car made slight contact with the left side Franchitti's No. 50 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car while running side-by-side for the lead on the white flag lap. The contact shot Sato's car up the track and into the Turn 1 SAFER Barrier, bringing out the yellow flag.

Franchitti led teammate Scott Dixon and Kanaan under the twin checkered flags to cap a wild race featuring the new car-engine package. There were a record 34 lead changes among 10 drivers.

A few minutes later, in Victory Circle, Franchitti looked to the sky as a salute to Wheldon.

A few minutes afterward, he and wife Ashley Judd were joined on the victory lap by Susie Wheldon, who earlier in the weekend accepted the Champion of Champions ring and "Baby Borg" trophy on behalf of her husband.

Kanaan, seeking his first victory in his 11th 500 Mile Race and driving the No. 11 car ("my favorite number") for KV Racing Technology, had taken the lead on a Lap 184 restart.

Oriol Servia jumped from the 27th starting spot to finish fourth and pole sitter Ryan Briscoe was fifth. James Hinchcliffe, who started from the middle of the front row, finished sixth and Justin Wilson also had an Indy-best seventh-place finish. Charlie Kimball overcame a practice crash a week earlier to finish eighth, and Townsend Bell was ninth. Three-time winner Helio Castroneves was 10th and Rubens Barrichello was the highest finishing rookie in 11th.



Dario Franchitti of course wrote the foreword and dominates the cover of The British at Indianapolis by Ian Wagstaff!

The British at Indianapolis follows the format of the author’s award winning The British at Le Mans. It recounts the history of the Indianapolis 500 race through the eyes and actions of those British born or British citizens who have driven in it, or been involved in any other way – be it as a designer, mechanic, or official. It also examines the British built cars that have won the Indy 500 and the significance of the rear engined revolution brought to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway by Cooper in 1961, and elevated to success by Lotus and Lola. It includes such names as Jim Clark, Graham Hill and Nigel Mansell. In addition to the 500 it includes other races at the IMS, notably Lewis Hamilton’s victory in the Formula One Grand Prix there. It is a story that goes back to the first 500 in 1911, when London-born Hughie Hughes became the first British-born driver to race in the 500, to the present day, with more British than ever competing in the race and British drivers winning twice in the last four years. More info.

"ANOTHER HIT FOR VELOCE" - TrackDriver

Le Mans Panoramic by Gavin Ireland is reviewed in TrackDriver magazine!

Click here for more info about the book!

75% OF BRITS DON’T CHECK CAR’S ENGINE OIL

Recent survey by Mobil 1 revels three-quarters of UK motorists don’t know how to check their car’s oil – a vital element in basic vehicle maintenance.

A staggering three out of four Brits don’t know how to check the oil in their car, according to new research from Mobil 1. More worryingly still, almost half of the drivers questioned were oblivious as to why oil is even used in their vehicle’s engines.

The research also found 94% of motorists were unaware that using the correct oil can significantly prolong the life of their engine, as well as potentially improve fuel economy. All of which means that at a time when British car owners are feeling the pinch like never before, they could be driving blindly towards expensive engine problems in the future.

Mobil 1 commissioned the survey in order to gain insight into motorists’ habits, specifically in the areas of engine maintenance and servicing. The study discovered that although as a nation Britons are typically on the lookout for ways to save money, they are significantly less savvy when it comes to understanding how to cut their motoring costs.

“It’s clear from this research that drivers are largely unaware of the benefits of using synthetic motor oil – and in some cases people don’t even have a basic understanding of the fundamental role played by engine lubrication,” said Dan McGoldrick, Field Marketing Advisor UK, Nordic and Benelux for ExxonMobil Lubricants & Specialities, makers of Mobil 1. “Using the right oil for your engine can potentially improve fuel economy, reduce engine wear and save lots of expense in the long run. Our aim is to help make drivers aware that checking oil is essential for keeping cars running smoothly and efficiently.”

Source: Mobil 1

This book pays for itself in one oil change!
Caring for your car - How to maintain & service your car
By Trevor Fry.
Aimed at the driver who wants to do his or her own basic car maintenance and servicing without the need for in-depth mechanical knowledge, or a technical manual. It covers areas such as oil, brakes, tyres, transmission, electrics, etc, allowing the owner to address the most regularly serviced items without forking out for additional costs. Illustrated with full colour photographs throughout, and featuring clear, easy-to-follow instructions, this book is a must-have for all drivers. More info.

CLASSIC VEHICLES NOW EXEMPT FROM MoT

Classic vehicles will be exempted from the MoT test, Roads Minister Mike Penning announced today.

Classic and historic vehicles are often very well maintained by their owners and have a much lower accident and MoT failure rate than newer vehicles.

The current requirement to undergo an MoT test goes over and above the obligations set out in European legislation. Following a public consultation which showed high levels of support for the proposals, vehicles manufactured before 1960 will be exempted from the MoT test from 18th November 2012 reducing costs for owners.

Owners of affected vehicles will still be able to take exempt vehicles for an MoT test on a voluntary basis.

Mike Penning said:

"We are committed to cutting out red tape which costs motorists money without providing significant overall benefits. Owners of classic cars and motorbikes tend to be enthusiasts who maintain their vehicles well - they don't need to be told to look after them, they're out there in all weathers checking the condition of the engine, tyres and bodywork.

“Owners of classic vehicles will still be legally required to ensure that they are safe and in a proper condition to be on the road but scrapping the MoT test for these vehicles will save motorists money.”

The response to the consultation can be found here.

Source: Department For Transport

VELOCE BOOKS TOP TEN SALES APRIL 2012

1: Caring for your car's body work and interior (RAC) (Nixon)
2: How to Restore Classic Car Bodywork (Thaddeus)
3: VW Bus EBG (Cservenka/Copping)
4: How to Build Motorcycle-engined Racing Cars (SpeedPro) (Pashley)
5: Gulf-Mirage 1967-1982 (WSC Giants) (McDonough)
6: Le Mans Panoramic (Ireland)
7: How to Restore VW Beetle (Tyler)
8: Porsche 911 (993) EBG (Streather)
9: Porsche 993 Essential Companion (Streather)
10: Jaguar XK8 & XKR EBG (Thorley)

THE BRITISH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2012

Celebrating its 10th anniversary the The British Sports Book Awards will take place today at the Savoy Hotel in London.



The event will celebrate the very best in sports book publishing from the last year with two new awards (Golf and Motorsport) being added to the line up.

Veloce has two books shortlisted for the Motorsport category! Audi R8 (WSC Giants Series) by Ian Wagstaff and Driven by Desire - The Desiré Wilson story by Alan Wilson.

The history of the world’s most successful endurance racing car: the Audi R8. Featuring reports of all of its 80 races, plus profiles of the 35 drivers who raced the car between 2000 and 2006 – as well as the Audi R8R and R8C of 1999. With individual chassis details, results and observations from significant individuals involved with the R8, and iIllustrated in colour throughout with many previously unpublished photos, this book is a must for all endurance racing fans. More info.

The story of the driver rated by many as the best woman ever to race cars, and the most capable ever to have driven in Formula One. Her 50-year career began at the age of five in South Africa, moving to Holland and England and then the USA, before gaining renewed life at the famous Goodwood Revival historic race events. This fascinating story shows that a woman can, and did, fight her way to the top of motorsport.
More info.