Due to the new EU regs last year, all electric cars need to be "heard" - a good thing when you think about it...So it got me to thinking.
Looks like we can look forward to 36 episodes over 3 years, well that's initially, however the BBC are now probably a little sore after the estimated slump in revenue and not to forget the loss of over 4 million viewers within a week. That's now behind the guys though, not only have Clarkson, Hammond and May moved, but so has the Top Gear producer Andy Wilman, and in addition the team have been given carte blanche to create their own unique car / antics motoring show. When are we likely to see the new show? Well it's looking like 2016 and that's globally, kind of makes sense really. We can't wait to see how this new motoring show will make it's marque :)
Update:- Wilman who quit over the incident involving Clarkson and the Top Gear producer, has announced that Clarkson and co will start filming this autumn. Originally the clause in the BBC contract prohibited Clarkson and co form creating a new show for a UK broadcaster for 2 years, however the clever team have sidestepped this by signing a contract with amazon Prime, who are not beholden to Advertisers - great news
The title says it all
What a place, Dub Haus in Chorley is exactly as it sounds a mecca for VW, they specialise in the supply of used parts, after the Mk2's break in on Friday afternoon in Lancaster, Asda, I had to find some tricky to find VAG parts including a green tinted window and inner door handle.
First I googled VW breakers in the area, and came across DubHaus, gave them a quick call, reeled off the list of needed parts, guy said he'd check his yard and call us back, so far so good. As we are impatient we rang back with 15 mins, he had sourced a window, that's all we needed to hear.
Set up the iphone as the GPS had been lifted in the smash n grab, and set off to Chorley bound on the M6, got to the M61, and changed for M65, till the Bolton turnoff then 5th exit, and headed towards the town. Entered a small industrial etate peppered with VW cars, Mk4 Golf, Jetta, Beetle and Beach buggy, loved it already, the guy appeared brandishing a window, mint, then the veedub love tookover, why not get this and that.
After 30 mins of requesting a cigar lighter, practically brand new gator, door handle and window I was finished, thought £40 - £50, got everything for £25, real genuine Volkswagen loving company.
I'l be returning when I decide which wheels to buy.
Thank you Dub Haus
Well nearly, Donington Park is to host the Formula E preview, which will debut the latest motorsport which appears for public consumption next year.
Now you are likely to have of Formula E unless you've been living Little Miss Sunshine's yellow bay camper.
According to USA Today, 1 in 3 deaths caused by high speed chases are the deaths of innocent bystanders – a shocking figure that US authorities are now seeking to change with new police car GPS cannons.
GPS cannons fire a GPS tracker onto the car being pursued, allowing the police to track its location without a car chase. Preventing any need for dangerous driving and allowing criminals to be caught safely.
High speed car chases look exciting on the big screen but in reality, they’re very dangerous and put lives at risk every year. They risk the lives of police, the suspects and innocent bystanders and can cause expensive vehicle damage.
So is it time to stop the chase and implement GPS cannons?
In Florida and Iowa in the USA, a new cannon called Starchase is being tested. During a car chase, police fire a ‘bullet’ containing a GPS tracker at their target.
Once the tracker has been fired from the police car and is connected to the vehicle in pursuit, police can back off and track the vehicle from a distance – without the need for high speed.
In fact, it’s already been a success in the US. Police can track the car’s whereabouts and arrest them shortly after – allowing them to catch criminals without any damage to police cars and without any bodily harm to the people involved.
Unfortunately, the reality is that these GPS cannons are expensive. Very expensive in fact, but far less costly than a human life.
Each cannon costs around $5,000 to install on a police car and each round or ‘bullet’ costs $500.
However, this is less expensive than the damage that would be caused to vehicles in the event of a crash.
And while they’re currently being tried and tested in several American states, it could be a while before they’re rolled out throughout the whole of the US – and even the UK.
Do you think they’d be worth the money? Would you like to see police car GPS cannons used in the UK? Let us know what you think below!
Unicom Insurance are UK based regulated specialists of Motor Trade Insurance. You can connect with Unicom Insurance on Google+ to keep up to date with all the latest news and stories from the Motoring Industry.
At first it was a hoax, then within hours the truth came to light, Paul Walker star of the Fast and Furious films had been in a car crash with his friend and his new Porsche Carrera GT. This story isn't here to detail the crash, rather it's a celebration of his great car career and his love of cars in general. RIP Paul Walker, the Fast and Furious films will never be the same without you, fond farewell Brian Spilner (Brian O Connell).
If one day the speed kills me, do not cry because I was smiling
'attributed to Paul Walker'
What a glorious July, perfect weather for Car Shows, whether your into German, US Muscle Jap or old skool Euro cars, and it's only going to get better.
planet auto are on the Volkswagen and Audi show circuit this weekend Cumbria VAG, watch out this week for a report from VAG show hosted at the Westmorland Show ground, Cumbria.
We've already had Goodwood FOS, GTI international and Bug Jam is this weekend, to mention a few, and their are many to come including MITP, Ultimate Streetcar and Coventry fesival of speed.
Which ever Car shows you wish to visit in 2013, please drive carefully and enjoy.
for more info on the latest car events visit our Car show guide 2013 - 2014
have a great summer
Ben, Michael and Annabelle
It's November already, car shows well and truly finished for 2013, except for club meets etc. This makes it the busiest time for the pa team, hence why news is a little thin on the ground. Currently Michael and I are sourcing and adding as many car shows is possible, today we are adding VW festivals, next it's, well whatever we find Vauxhall, Ford, French Euros you name it.
If you would like your show adding please comment with the shows details below or add a car event here.
The Sun was shining, the car planet auto Golf was gleaming it was time to head to the Heaves Hotel for the KLMC Cars the Star Show, as we pulled off the A590 there were two VW Campers pulling out onto the carriageway, concourse in looks.
The entry was £5 per person or £10 per car, very reasonable, we made our way to the car park a grassy field filled with a range of fine motor cars Ferrari, classic Mini's, Alfa Spider, Corvette Stingray, AMG Mercedes, M3 BMW even a US Made Mercury, bear in mind this was just the car park.
The show was organised into different clubs as well different categories from pre 1960 to Military and utility, there was well 70 cars ranging from the the classic the Rolls Royce to the Robin Hood 2B kit car, it was strange to see what was considered a classic in todays eyes Citroen ZX, Honda s2000 even a Saab Viggen 9000 Convertible.
Their was wide array of Rally cars on display including, the Mk2 Escort Mexico and RS2000, Mk1 Escort Mexico, Lotus Sunbeam and a Mini 1275 GT, one of the highlights had to be the Ford racing Puma, a wide bodied version of the popular Puma hot hatch.
The Cumbria and Lancashire Porsche clubs were representing with the 911 & 944, a few of each.
Watch out for our short videos on the Planet Auto YouTube channel.
NGMWNorthern Group Of Motoring Writers
Annabelle Quirk Vice Chairwoman
Ben D T Quirk Member