New Car Sales January 2015

Irish car and van sales increased in 2014 and have continued to do so into January 2015 according to the latest figures from the SIMI. Car sales were up 30% to 29,948 units and light commercial vehicles were up  60% to 5,051 units vs January last year

Combining the figures for car & van sales, year to date Ford are on top with 4,515 units, Toyota are in 2nd with 4,282 and VW in 3rd with 4,166 units.

“Coming on the back (pffft!) of strong industry sales in 2014, these figures show that the turnaround is thankfully showing some endurance,” said Ford Ireland chief Ciaran McMahon. “Of course, we are delighted that Ford was the top-selling vehicle in the combined car and van market, but what is particularly heartening is the continued growth in the van sector and what that says about the economic recovery in Ireland. When company owners are confident enough to renew their van fleets, that points to ongoing economic growth for the country as a whole.”

This will be Ford's best January performance in eight years with their car sales up more than 38% and van sales up a mighty 130%.

“The indications are that the general market uplift will continue during 2015 – all of which augurs very well for the Ford brand, as the company has a range of new models hitting the showrooms this year including the new Mondeo and Focus which have recently arrived and new versions of the C-MAX, S-MAX, Galaxy and last but certainly not least, the all new Ford Mustang – first time that Irish customers will be able to buy a right-hand drive version of the iconic nameplate,” concluded McMahon.

Whilst Ford have 2 cars in the top-five best-selling models it's the ever popular Volkswagen Golf that tops the sales sheets

	Top Five Models Jan 2015	Units
1	VW Golf Range	1,549
2	Ford Focus Range	1,238
3	Toyota Corolla Range	1,025
4	Ford Fiesta Range	911
5	Hyundai IX35 Range	882

Tim Holmes Design: 2015 F1 Concept Livery

Halifax based Motorsport media company Tim Holmes Design have come up with a series of livery concepts for the 2015 F1 season. We reckon  a lot of them are cooler than the current designs.What do you think?

Williams

Audi

Caterham

Mclaren

Ferrari

Force India

HAAS

Lotus

Marussia

Mclaren

Mclaren

Mercedes

RedBull

Sauber

Torro Rosso

Williams

Being a big BTCC fan Tim also decided to see what some of the current crop of Touring Car liveries would look like on F1 cars. MicksGarage supported team BMR are there too! :)

Winter Driving - Everything you Need to Know

This article contains all you need to be well prepared for the roads this Winter. You will find details on what checks you need to do, what  essentials you should have in your boot and how to drive safely on snow and ice.

 Preparing your car for the Winter months

Tyres 

• Make sure your tyres are up to it, the more thread the better
• Correct pressure in your tyres
• Snow Socks can make life a lot easier

Firstly, ensure that your tyres are in roadworthy condition. While the minimum legal thread depth is 1.6mm we recommend not letting it get this low. Your tyres should have the correct pressure to give you the best chance of remaining safe while driving, this can be found in the owner's handbook. Winter tyres are incredibly useful if there is sustained snowfall but are also an expensive investment considering the sporadic weather. A more affordable way of increasing your grip on snowy roads is by using snow socks, these can be a life-saver during heavy downfall, especially for unsure drivers.

Windscreen Wipers

• Wiper motor and blades in full working order
• Wiper blades not perished or damaged

Your windscreen wipers are crucial to your safety during the Winter. Visibility is your number one priority, you don't want snow resting on your windscreen while driving! Make sure that your wiper blades aren't perished, it is a relatively cheap fix that will see you right through the harsh weather. 

Lights

• Lights on at all times
• All bulbs working as normal

As you will be driving with your lights on at all times you will need them to be in full working order. Bulbs can be replaced by yourself within minutes and will make a remarkable difference both during the day and at night. It also helps your car be noticed by other motorists during the bleak conditions.

Fluid Levels

• Anti-freeze windscreen wash
• Check oil, battery, brake and power steering fluid and coolant

Your last bit of maintenance before the possibility of snow and ice increases is to top up your levels! Anti-freeze windscreen wash is a godsend, it will reduce the chance of ice forming on your windscreen as you drive and will also keep your view clear. You should also check the other areas such as oil, battery, brake and power steering fluid and coolant.

  

Winter Essentials to Have in your Boot

Scraper and De-Icer

• Have an Ice Scraper close to hand
• De-Icer and Gloves will make the job easier

There are some items to purchase that are going to make the Winter far easier for yourself and your occupants. The first thing that happens in the morning will be to scrape the snow and ice from your windscreen, windows and mirrors. It helps if you have gloves to hold the Ice Scraper, De-Icer will make the job far easier also.

Snow Shovel

• Snow Shovel can come in handy to remove packed snow
• Old carpet under drive wheels will help increase traction if you become stuck

If you do get in a spot of bother then you need to get out and get digging sometimes! A snow shovel is ideal for this, old carpet is also particularly handy to place under the drive wheels to increase traction. 

Hi-Vis Vest and Warning Triangle

• Use a Hi-Vis Vest to make yourself more visible to other motorists
• Place a warning triangle some distance behind your car if you are stuck/broken down

A Hi-Vis Vest and a Warning Triangle are essential if you are stepping out of the car for an extended time, it will give other motorists longer to react if you are stranded in the middle of a road. Be careful when outside as other vehicles will take longer to stop and have reduced visibility, injuries also increase from people losing their footing and falling so tread carefully.

Torch 

• A torch is a vital piece of your Winter Kit, spare batteries are also useful

A torch with spare batteries should be part of your Winter Kit as there is a lack of sunlight as we are all well aware. 

Warm Jacket & Blanket

• If you need to keep warm while waiting for assistance then an old heavy, warm jacket is a must

If you unfortunately do breakdown or become stuck and are waiting for help then you will need a jacket. Pack an old warm heavy jacket in your boot and leave it there, you may be glad of it some day, and while you're at it a blanket as well, in case you have any back seat passengers who may also need to be kept warm and cosy!

How to Drive in Snow and Ice

Your Route

• Only drive if you must
• Stick to the main roads where possible

First off, only undertake your journey if it is necessary. If possible, stick to major roads which are going to be in better condition and will have been salted most likely.

Give Yourself Time

• Leave early and take your time
• Remember to leave more distance than usual between yourself and other vehicles

Allow yourself more time and drive slower than usual. Increase the gap between you and the car ahead for obvious reasons. 

Keep Your Cool

• Avoid doing anything rapidly. Steering movements, acceleration and braking should be done smoothly

Drive smoothly, avoid harsh acceleration or braking, this will make the whole thing far easier for you. Brake on the straights, you should not have to brake during a corner. Adjusting the steering should also be done in a considered and delicate manner, wildly turning the steering wheel will cause the wheels to lose traction.

If you Skid

• Keep cool, reduce acceleration and gently brake. Steer in your intended direction

If you do lose traction and find yourself skidding then try not to worry, we know this is tough but it is the best approach. Reduce acceleration and gently brake, avoid slamming on the brake pedal which is the natural reaction. Steer in the direction of the skid, correcting the car gradually.

If you find that you need any of the items mentioned above then you can find them in our Winter Driving section. Safe Driving!

New Penalty Points. Dec 8th 2014

Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe today announced a raft of changes to the Penalty Points System.  The one that everyone has their knickers in a twist over seems to be the NCT test.  The minister claimed that the average waiting time to get an NCT appointment is just 11 days  but the anecdotal evidence that has spewed forth drastically contradicts that and months rather than days seems to be the norm

Here's what you need to know:

New offences

The new offences that will now draw penalty points include:

• Failure by learner or novice drivers to display L plates or N plates respectively on their cars;
• Drivers breaking a ban on U-turns;
• Breaking rules on the use of mini roundabouts;
• Offences relating to the size and weight of larger vehicles;
• Going beyond no-entry to vehicles signs;
• Disobeying traffic control signs;
• and driving without a licence plate or with one that has been altered inaccurately.

Offences that will now face a change to the number of penalty points they now carry will include:

• Driving without a test certificate; 
• Dangerous parking;
• Failure to keep to the left-hand side of the road;
• Dangerous overtaking;
• Driving across the road’s middle line;
• Failure to stop for a stop sign;
• Failure to yield at a yield sign or yield line;
• Not following traffic signs at junctions;
• Breaking traffic light rules;
• and breaking of speed restrictions.

For a full breakdown of the new points and associated fines see the table below

  

New Laws to Tackle Drug Driving

On the 27^th of November 2014 the RSA (Road Safety Authority) launched a Christmas and New Year road safety campaign in conjunction with the Medical Bureau for Road Safety in UCD  and the Garda Síochána. The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness of the new Roadside Impairment Testing (RIT), which has been introduced by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr Paschal Donohoe.

The RIT (Roadside Impairment Testing) gives the Gardaí the authority to request a driver that they suspect to be driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) to complete five impairment tests:

Test 1: Pupillary Examination – A Garda will ask a motorist to look straight ahead and keep their eyes open, and will measure the driver’s pupil for dilation.

Test 2: Romberg Tests – A Garda will ask the driver to do a short counting exercise with their eyes closed, which measures balance and an awareness of body positioning.

Test 3: Walk and Turn – A Garda will ask the driver to walk 9 steps along a straight line and turn without counting aloud. This measures both balance and ability to focus.

Test 4: One Leg Stand – A Garda will ask the driver to stand on one leg for approx 8 counts. This measures ability to balance.

Test 5: Finger to Nose – A Garda will ask the driver to touch his/her nose with both right and left index fingers with eyes closed. This measures ability to perform a basic motor task.

The minister said that he intends to introduce new roadside chemical testing devices, which Gardaí could use to accurately determine if the driver has taken illegal or prescribed drugs. Professor of the Medical Bureau for Road Safety, Denis Cusack said the new measures were aimed at “people foolish enough to put themselves and others at risk”.

Are these impairment tests enough to determine if someone is under the influence of drugs?

Words By Niall.

This is Definitely Breaking the Rules of the Road

In recent times I've noticed an increasing number of  middle lane hogging.

1. What is middle lane hogging?

Middle lane hogging is where the left lane is relatively free of cars but a driver still remains in the middle lane instead of only using it for over taking. According to Irish Road Traffic legislation, you must return to the left hand lane after overtaking a slower-moving vehicle and remain in the left hand lane if the road ahead is clear. 

2. What’s wrong with middle lane hogging?

It not only causes road rage and undertaking (overtaking to the left of the car) which is extremely dangerous but it can lead to congestion. As the inside or left hand lane is not being used properly the remaining traffic is limited to the middle and outside lanes.

Statistics from a survey on over 2,000 motorists in the UK:

• 6 out of 10 motorists admitted to middle lane hogging.

• 43% of the hoggers drove in the middle lane as it was an “easier way to drive” and “saves me changing lanes”.

• A quarter of the hoggers said they do it because “it is a safer way to drive on the motorway”.

• 38% of hoggers said they only do it when the road is quiet.

• 18% said it was a driving habit.

Statistics Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

‘Hogging’ a lane in Ireland could get you €60 fine and a penalty point! And some very frantic hand gestures from drivers infused with road rage!

Words by Niall

A Long Awaited Update on Schumacher

Jean Todt, FIA president and friend of Michael Schumacher has released a long awaited update on his friends condition. Todt visited the Schumacher family in their home in Switzerland and reported that he will be able to live "a relatively normal life within a short period of time". He also stressed that we should be grateful that “he is living" and "that his family is close to him”. He also added that his friend should be left to recover in private.  

Michael Schumacher was in an induced coma for 189 days after his tragic accident in the French Alps last Christmas, he now resides in his home in Switzerland with around the clock care which is estimated to be costing £100,000 a month.

I look forward to hearing more positive news in the near future. As always, we wish him a full and speedy recovery.

Words by Niall

Some information about Our Soapbox Race chosen charity

On the 2nd November MicksGarage.com is holding our first charity SoapBox race in aid of the Jack and Jill Foundation Here is a small insight into Jack & Jill and why we have chosen to support the charity.

The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation provides direct funding, to families of children up to the age of 4 with brain damage who suffer severe intellectual and physical developmental delay, enabling them to purchase home respite care. We also provide end of life care.  These are children who as a result of their condition require intensive home nursing care. The Foundation gives these families the Gift of time, time to do the things that we so often take for granted like shopping, taking their other children to the park, a night’s sleep etc.

Jack and Jill needs to raise over €3 million per year to provide these services. Less than 19% of our budget comes from the Government so they rely on innovative fundraising campaigns to reach our target. Please help us to help these families by making a donation or by holding a fundraising event on their behalf.

How Jack & Jill began

On 29 February 1996 Jack Irwin was born – a bonny bouncy baby. Two days later he suffered some invasive trauma in the hospital’s nursery.

While history does not reveal the immediate aftermath of this drama, it is probable that he died and was resuscitated. Certainly from that moment on, Jack could not swallow and was probably blind and deaf. His parent’s dreams were shattered and the heartbreaking task of keeping Jack alive began. 

"The senior pediatrician in the hospital was brutal but honest."

Asked for a route map of care for Jack once he left their intensive care unit, it was made clear that there were simply no services in Ireland available in 1997 to a baby like Jack. He cautioned that Jack’s needs would threaten the marriage and certainly damage the childhood of his healthy brothers and sister. To escape this trap, he advised the only way out was to get him admitted to one of the children’s hospitals. Then and only then would the State have to take responsibility for him.

"Spine chilling advice that resolved Jack’s parents to take action. Never again would any Irish family have to face such a horror"

Jack lived for 22 months – a desperate and painful life. A mix of drugs, physio, postural drainage, seizures, reflux operations, gastronomy and suctioning. The only saving grace was that he was cosy and warm and nursed around the clock by a dedicated band of five nurses and carers from the neighborhood.

His short life showed his parents the ideal way in which little children like Jack can be nursed. From their experience evolved the home respite care that has now been offered to over 1700 children and their families all over Ireland since 1997.

This leads to a situation where the Jack & Jill Foundation not only has to raise funding of up to €2.7 million per annum but must act as advocate for it’s families helping in securing a carer’s allowance, a medical card, correct housing, special equipment or a primary medical certificate.

Why is this the case?

In a rich country like ours, why do our families have to struggle to be granted even the most basic entitlements?

The root problem of this is historic. The State has previously taken the view that children such as those cared for by the Jack & Jill Foundation would die, probably before their second birthday, and therefore were never taken onto the State’s books.

Thankfully this attitude is slowly changing and the Jack & Jill Foundation applauds this.

At all times, we are mindful of the isolation and loneliness that families experience and we pay particular attention to the needs and emotions of the healthy brothers and sisters who can so easily be overlooked.

Read the stories of families that Jack and Jill have helped. MicksGarage.com have created a MyCharity page for our SoapBox Race Fundraiser, please click here and donate.

Thank You
Words by Amy

Cannonball Route Details

Cannonball  will be kicking off this Friday 12th September from Dublin and will bring 160 Super Cars on a weekend tour of Ireland raising funds for Make a Wish Ireland. It is free for spectators and there are some fantastic festivals planned around the country to tie in with Cannonball. Spectators can get up close, take pictures and chat to the drivers and owners of some of the rarest and most spectacular cars to be seen in Ireland. Some of the towns are running weekend long Cannonball festivals with free music and entertainment for visitors and SoapBox races!! (we like these!) 

Some of the awesome cars that we are excited to see on this years on Cannonball are the New Lamborghini Huracan, Ferrari California, Lamborghini Aventador, Ferrari 458's & 430, Dodge Viper SRT10, the much anticipated BMW i8 not to mention BMW M5's M3's and many many more. 

If you would like to catch up with the Cannonball to see any of these cars here are some of the best places to do it are listed below. 

Friday Startline - The Point Village Dublin (O2/3 Arena) from approx 9am to 11:30  

Coffee Break -  Astoria car park,  Bundoran, Co Donegal arrive approx 4.45pm & dep 5.45pm

Friday Finish Line - Connell St, Sligo -  arrive approx  6.30pm & dep

Saturday Startline - Connaughton St car park dep 10.45am 
Lunch Break -  Lunch: Crockets on the Quay, Ballina - arrive approx 12.45pm & dep 3.15pm
Saturday Finish Line - Finish Line: Seapoint Promenade, Salthill, Galway

On Sunday morning the Cannonballers will leave Galway at 10.30am and go to Cahir, Co.Tipperary for a lunch at the Cahir Gravity Festival. From there the cars will close the Cannonball Festival in Tullamore, County Offaly at 6pm for the finish line where the roars of the engines will compete with a cheering crowd of over 10,000 people. We will add exact details of Sunday's route as we get it. 

Words by Amy

Cannonball 2014

Cannonball is the largest organised road trip in Europe and the most exciting motoring and social event of the year. The trip typically features 160 cars including the world's top makes: McLaren, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Porsche, Masseratti, Rolls Royce and Bentley. Over 100,000 people will line the streets as Cannonball blazes a trail through towns and counties in spectacular style. With festivals and gatherings all along the route. Cannonball Ireland has raised over 580,000 euro for Irish Children Charities. This year Cannonball Run is in aid of Make-A-Wish Ireland.

Just some of the Super Cars appearing on Cannonball 6 are the New Lamborghini Huracan, Ferrari California and the much anticipated BMW i8 

The Route:
This year Cannonball 2014 consists of 3 action packed days taking in some of Ireland’s most scenic routes. On day one, the cars will leave Dublin at 10am and arrive in Slieve Russell Hotel in County Cavan for a lunch stop at 12.30pm. The next pitstop is in Bundoran (Astoria Car park) for a cup of coffee, in the middle of the beautiful scenery Donegal has to offer us. The gleaming convoy of supercars will then proceed to Sligo town centre arriving at 6pm.

Day 2 on Saturday September 13th, Cannonball leaves SLIGO at 10.30am to take in a stunning drive through Sligo and Mayo counties. Arriving in Ballina on the quays for 1pm for a bite and to take in the breath-taking views. Finally we arrive in Galway (Sathill), the social hotspot of West Ireland for a night out! 

On Sunday morning the Cannonballers will leave Galway at 10.30am and go to Cahir, Co.Tipperary for a lunch. From there the cars will close the Cannonball Festival in Tullamore, County Offaly at 6pm for the finish line where the roars of the engines will compete with a cheering crowd of over 10,000 people.

It's great fun for a good cause. It's four-wheeled masterpieces and their roaring melody. The most prestigious and unique cars of the world roll through breath-taking landscapes and the charming cities and towns of Ireland, making this the most memorable motorised masquerade you have ever seen. Find out more about Cannonball on the cannonball.ie

Posted by Amy

Bugatti to Build The Last Ever Veyron; A 1500bhp Machine

Bugatti is a symbol of technology, power and engineering genius and it’s about to get even better. I find it hard to comprehend the specifications and abilities of supercars but the new Bugatti is going to be truly mind blowing. Who can forget when James May brought a Veyron to the Ehra-Lessien track and reached its top speed of 253mph. It made his eyes water and mine too (a little).  In fact, I just watched the video of it again and I got goose bumps. It was a moment where technology and engineering were pushed to their limits.

James May Driving the Bugatti Veyron

The new Bugatti is called Ettore Bugatti to commemorate the founder of the firm. The initial cars he produced were famous for their eloquent design, clever engineering and light weight frames. Little did he know that a car that’s capable of over 400km/h will be named after him. The design of the new Veyron will also pay tribute to one of the most famous Bugatti's ever made, the 1932 Type 41 Royale.

It will feature an updated version of the current 16 cylinder engine with hybrid technology and Bugatti are once again pushing the limits to produce a 1500bhp engine that's capable of a top speed of 408kmh. As this model will be one of the last Veyrons to be made, it comes with a price of €2.35 million. It will be revealed at the Quail Motorsports Gathering on August 17^th at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Will someone take me there? Please!

Words by Niall

Schumacher's Medical Files Theft Suspect Found Dead in his Cell

In July, a man was arrested on suspicion of stealing Michael Schumacher’s medical documents who subsequently offered them to the media for a fee of £40,000 (€50,000). The documents in question contained confidential information on the seven-time Formula One champion’s treatment and condition. The French prosecutors were able to track the IP address of the computer that was used in the theft. It was later released that the IP address led them to the Swiss Air-Ambulance company, Rega; the company involved in Schumacher’s transport to hospital after his accident.

Schumacher receives first aid by the French rescue team

The suspect was arrested and taken into custody for questioning by the police but denied any wrong doing. In the morning of his scheduled hearing before a judge he was found in his cell after committing suicide. The police have stated that there was no one else was involved in his death. CEO of Rega, Ernst Kohler said “We are deeply affected to learn ... that a Rega employee, taken into custody yesterday upon suspicion of violating professional secrecy, committed suicide in his cell,” No information on the man’s name, nationality or age have been released by the Zurich prosecutors office but they have expressed that the man should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

 Spokeswoman, Sabine Kehm

The spokeswoman for the Schumacher family, Sabine Kehm has said that the family are “at a loss for words and deeply shocked,” 

Schumacher’s accident happened on the 29^th of December in Meribel where he sustained severe head injuries while skiing. In early July, Schumacher had reportedly shown some signs of improvement as he emerged from a medically induced coma. He was able to communicate to with his wife and children Gina-Maria, 17, and son Mick, 15, by way of eyelid movement. He remains in the Lausanne clinic but there has been no major press releases since he had emerged from his coma in June. 

Words by Niall

Smith wins again from pole in Snetterton

Chrome Edition Restart Racing’s Árón Smith was fresh with confidence after the championship’s six week summer break. Looking to return to the podium again after a disappointing weekend at Croft, the Oulton Park race winner was hoping that Snetterton would reward his efforts as it did in 2013.

Despite a mixed set of free practice sessions on Saturday morning, qualifying came together for the Irishman as the rain just held off for the session. Qualifying his MicksGarage.com supported machine in seventh, this put Smith in an ideal position to move into the podium mix early in the race.


                           

Glorious sunshine set the scene for round 16 of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at noon. An eventful opening race to the weekend where Árón was initially running as high as fourth eventually resulted in a sixth place finish at the line.

Starting from the outside of row three for race two, the Safety Car was deployed for the first four laps just after the start as contact between Adam Morgan and Alain Menu left the Swiss driver’s Passat CC on the track and in need of recovery. When racing got back underway, Árón made the most of his restart to challenge Fabrizio Giovanardi for seventh position. Despite a clean and fair battle, Smith was unable to find a way past the Italian and brought his Restart Energy Drinks Volkswagen Passat CC across the line in eighth place.

However race three would be the highlight of Árón’s weekend. Benefitting from a reverse grid draw for the second time this season, Árón found himself on pole position for the final race of the weekend. Converting pole to a race victory in Oulton Park, Smith pulled up to the front of the grid looking typically cool and collected, knowing a clean start was going to be key in securing a repeat performance. With a brace of Motorbase Ford Focus’s around him, Smith did indeed make a good getaway but was under some heavy scrutiny from Giovanardi during the opening laps of the race. As the Motorbase pair started their own battle, Árón opened up a slender advantage in front but approaching the closing stages of the race, Mat Jackson was now starting to look for a way past the Team BMR driver. Smith, who looked very comfortable in his Passat all weekend, performed a master class in defending his lead while at the same time trying to conserve his tyres. A dive coming into the last corner on the penultimate lap was Jackson’s final attempt to take the lead before Árón managed to secure his advantage over the final lap to take the chequered flag and secure his third British Touring Car Championship career victory and the second for Warren Scott’s Team BMR.

                            

Árón Smith - #40 Restart Racing Volkswagen Passat CC:
“I have never won in the dry in the BTCC so this win was a sweet one and I now feel I can conquer it all! Both Motorbase cars kept me honest and I tried to keep as much distance between us as possible. The team made it happen. I had a bit of an off earlier in the week testing and they turned it around and into a race winner - no other team could have done that.”

Words by John Smyth, MicksGarage Marketing Guru!

N-Plates & More Penalty Points

I’ll never ever forget the day I passed my driving test, I took my mother’s car for a 5 hour drive showing off my independence from those stigmatic stickers. Unfortunately, From today on (August 1st) a person who passes their driving test will be considered as a novice driver for 2 years. This means they must display N-plates on their cars for 2 years and adhere to a much stricter penalty point system.

If a novice driver is caught speeding, using a mobile phone or not wearing their seat belt they will get 3 penalty points – as opposed to 2 for regular drivers. If they accumulate just 7 penalty points they will be banned from driving for 6 months. They must also adhere to a stricter blood alcohol limit – just 20mg instead of 50mg.

What many people did before was simply not display their L plates, however if a novice driver does this they can expect a €60 fine.

What most newly qualified drivers will be worried about is their insurance premium. Dominic Finlay, head of corporate affairs for Liberty Insurance has said “initially we see no significant difference in insurance rates for those on N-plates as opposed to those passing their tests right now…we will be looking at it, though, and if there is a need to raise rates then that will have to happen.”

The good news: novice drivers do not need to be accompanied by a qualified driver!

Stay safe on the roads!

Words by Niall

The Engine Room Show Podcast - Episode 84

This week in episode 84, Dave, Dave & Stephen have a visit from Sesame Street, talk about getting high on haribos, go through the fastest production car ever, along with what the most efficient car on the market is - well worth a listen as always:




You can see more stuff from Dave Moore, Dave Humphreys & Steven Cooper by checking out The Engine Room Show Facebook page, Twitter and their very own website which you can find over here. They also do random things on YouTube!.

Challenging Croft for Smith and Team BMR

Coming off the back of an impressive lights to flag victory in race three at Oulton Park, confidence was at an all time high in Árón Smith’s side of the Team BMR garage coming to Croft. The Yorkshire venue had been the base for the majority of the team’s pre-season testing and as a result the aim was very much to return to the podium before the championship’s summer break.

             

After a solid morning Free Practice, Qualifying had been going to plan for Dublin based Driver Árón Smith. However as the session was drawing to a close, Smith had set the seventh best time which was then disallowed by the Stewards for breaching the controversial new for 2014 track limits rule. Smith set about improving on the time but cruelly the session was cut short with a red flag putting the MicksGarage.com supported driver in 11th for Sunday’s opening race.

Opting to save his Dunlop Soft Tyres for race three, Smith started race one like many others on the hard type option. A good start off the line put Smith into the mix at the first corner. However some customary pushing and bumping dropped him one place to 12^thwhere he remained for the early part of the race. As he closed in on Dave Newsham for 11^th, heavy contact from Fabrizio Giovanardi sent the Restart Energy driver wide and down the order to 15^th. Clearly carrying damage from the impact, Smith limped his car around the track for the remainder of the race to try and save his weekend and secure a decent starting position for race two. At the flag, Árón was rewarded with 23^rd for his efforts to get the car home.

 

Once again the Team BMR crew worked miracles on the car to repair what turned out to be quite a significant amount of damage from the contact with Giovanardi in race one. However a short turnaround window between races meant that only the most significant damage could be repaired in an effort to get the car out for race two. Hoping to reward their efforts, Smith did his best to carry his ailing Volkswagen Passat CC up the order from a starting position of 23^rd. By the end of the race, Árón crossed the finish line in 15^th place which would also become his starting position for the final race of the weekend.
 With a fully fighting fit Volkswagen Passat CC for the final race of the day, Smith was focused on making his way quickly up the order. An opening lap clash at the head of the field brought out the Safety Car for the first three laps before racing got back underway on lap four. By now Árón had promoted his MicksGarage.com supported Passat up to tenth and was keen to continue up the order. Going onto the final lap of the race, now hot on the heels of Adam Morgan for sixth, Smith ran ever so slightly wide at the last chicane dropping him back to ninth position where he would remain to the flag. Proof that the Team BMR Volkswagen was capable of so much more was found in the fact that Árón set the outright fastest lap of the race during race three.

Árón Smith - #40 Chrome Edition Restart Racing Volkswagen Passat CC:
“Well I think it’s fair to say that race one really made it difficult for any podium return this weekend. Having to carry some of that damage into race two really hurt any potential to make our way back up the order. Race three was much more representative of our true pace setting the outright fastest lap, which is a real shame as the team did a fantastic job again this weekend and that pace should have had us back on the podium. But we’ve got the mid-season break now to reflect on the first half of our season and we’ll be back at Snetterton ready to return to the podium!”


Words by John Smyth, MicksGarage Marketing Guru!