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One of the most noticeable-looking vehicles…..to hit the scene for many years was launched at last weekend’s Stafford show. It’s called the F4 and comes from Vindicator Cars and is based on Ford Mondeo.
According to Vindi-boss, John Butler the car is inspired by a Phantom F4 fighter.
To say it turned a few heads at the show is a massive understatement.
The pre-production prototype features two seats in-line (tandem arrangement) under separate canopies (optional double rear seat if preferred). The engine and gearbox come from a stricken Mondeo ST220 complete with 2.5-litre Duratec V6). The F4 also features a custom-made steering rack, front suspension comprising double unequal length wishbones, similar to the arrangement on Vindicator Sprint, plus adjustable dampers, but with lighter springs.
The rear suspension arrangement has Mondeo struts (lowered) with an adjustable version to follow in the next phase of chassis testing.
The foot-holes in the sides and step-treads on rear arches, to enable easier access, are among the jobs next in line for development.
For more information contact www.vindicator.co.uk or 07703 289 833 ENDS.
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| Dramatic-looking Vindicator F4 was launched at Stafford show last weekend. |
New LR1300 from Lynx AE…….is based on the race-proven technology of the LR1, and the new LR1300 (Lynx Racing 1300) is a true two-seat bike-engined closed-top GT car. With many attributes inspired by the legendary Porsche 956/962, the Le Mans winning Audi R10 and the Peugeot 908, the LR1300 has looks and performance to match.
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| New LR1300 from Lynx AE... |
The spaceframe chassis and GRP body makes this a lightweight yet strong affordable, trackday or race package. The car incorporates many speed and handling enhancing features thought up by its designer/creator, Jon Lee, from his many years of involvement in motorsport. With many components manufactured by former F1 technicians the quality is as you would expect.
The package can be tuned to match any driver or conditions with fully adjustable Rose-jointed suspension, adjustable rear wing and position adjustable pedal-box. Weighing in at less than 460kg, the Suzuki Hayabusa gives an enviable power-to-weight ratio. Large AP Racing F3 calipers and fully floating discs means it can stop, too!
Lynx AE has recently competed in their first race with the new car, POWERnights, in August, in which they qualified on pole!
More details from http://www.lynxaelr1.co.uk/LR1300/LR1300-main.htm ENDS.
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| ...sure looks sweet! |
Glad to hear from Nigel Brooks………..MD of NG custodians, Findhorn Cars recently, who tells me that they are still very much around and supplying TC and TF kits, while also working away on an all-new car called the TX that adds extra width and practicality to these classic kitcars.
Details are deliberately guarded at the moment but we’ll bring you more information as soon as we can…
More from www.ngcars.co.uk or 01730 823 647 ENDS.
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| Findhorn Cars are working on a new model. There isn't an image available at the moment, so here's a nice one of a TC! |
Power in your socket……….technology is great - when it works. The problem with today’s mobile technology is that all too often, just when you need to make that important call from your mobile or send that email from your PDA, you have no power because the batteries have died.
This frustration need never happen again thanks to the new Travel PowerCharger from Ring Automotive.
Small enough to fit into your pocket, desk drawer, bag or car glove compartment, the Travel PowerCharger has been designed to power mobiles, MP3 players, PDAs, digital cameras and games consoles, even when you’re miles from the mains. It is one charger for all your needs.
Thanks to its lightweight Li Ion (lithium ion) battery technology, the charger offers incredible performance of up to 96 hours of reserve power.
It comes complete with adapters for the most common mobile phones, including old and new Nokias, Sony Ericsson, Samsung and Motorola, the new Nintendo DS and Sony PSP. A USB port means it is also ideal for recharging MP3 players, iPods and digital cameras.
The Travel PowerCharger can be recharged using an in-car 12v DC adaptor or from a laptop, as well as from 240v ac mains.
The compact stylish design is perfect for both work and leisure, suitable for using on trains and planes, as well as in the great outdoors.
The Travel PowerCharger is the essential companion for all modern mobile gadgets, providing power when you need it most.
The portable multicharger has a recommended retail price of £29.99. For details of stockists, contact Ring Automotive on 0113 213 7389 ENDS.
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| Handy charger from Ring Automotive. |
Drive you nuts……Sealey have just introduced a new line of 7mm Locking Hose Clip Nut Drivers to their vehicle service range.
The Nut Drivers innovative design aids the tightening/loosening of hose clips, ensuring faster and easier work in confined spaces. The comfortable high-grip, textured handle and simple lever type lock/unlock feature enables one-handed operation.
To celebrate the launch, all three models are featured in Sealey’s Vehicle Service Tool promotion, running until the end of December 2008. The VS0651, with 75mm shaft, is on offer at £11.69 inc VAT, the VS0652, with 175mm shaft, has the special price of £12.87 inc VAT, while the VS0653, with 380mm shaft, saves you £9 off list price.
To get your hands on a copy of Sealey’s ‘Vehicle Service Tools’ promotion and their current catalogue, contact your local dealer or call Sealey’s literature hotline on 01284 757 525. Alternatively, visit the website www.sealey.co.uk for further information ENDS.
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| Another handy, affordable addition to your tool collection from Sealey. |
How to save on vehicle repairs at MoT time…around one-in-three vehicles will fail the annual MoT according to the Department for Transport. Motorists can ensure a first time MoT pass and avoid non-required repairs by carrying out basic preparation before their test, claims a new report.
Mail order specialists, Car Parts Direct claim most vehicles that fail their MoT do so because the owners fail to carry out simple checks or procedures. They leave themselves at risk of having vehicle repairs carried that may not be required. The UK is one of the few countries in Europe where the person carrying out the MoT is also legally allowed to carry out repair work on the customer’s vehicle.
Mark Cornwall of Car Parts Direct said: “Something as simple as revving the engine before parking up for an MoT. Even adding a fuel cleaner is enough to help ensure a vehicle passes the emissions test – it’s things like this that motorists can overlook.”
Mark also claims some rogue mechanics see females as an easier target and are more likely to find additional work at MoT time. A survey carried out by the company found women are 11 percent more likely to fail an MoT than their male counterparts.
Car Parts Direct recommends leaving an MoT check list on the passenger seat of the vehicle when going for the test. Using an MoT Station where vehicle repairs are not undertaken can increase your chances of passing first time.
Motorists are also advised to check the price of parts before being persuaded in to have an MoT failure repair carried out. Mark Cornwall said: “Some garages will offer a very low labour rate and then overcharge for supplying the parts to do the job – so it’s always worth shopping around or ask the garage if you can supply your own parts.”
A free MoT checklist for motorists can be downloaded, and prices on over 200,000 of the most common parts to be replaced, can be found at www.carparts-direct.co.uk ENDS.
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| Car Parts Direct can help you save money at MoT time. |
Washing and waxing……….keeps the outside of the car sparkling, but what about the interior?
The new Metro 12-volt Portable Vacuum Cleaner is the easy answer to keeping the car interior clean without the need for brushes, dustpans or a domestic Hoover or Dyson. Simply plug the cleaner into the lighter/universal socket and the three-metre power cord lets it reach every part of the car, and an extension nozzle will get into the most inaccessible corners.
Even cleaning out the vacuum is simple thanks to an easy-to-clean dust reservoir and a washable dust filter.
Keep the vaccum in the boot, ready for use at any time, at shows or just to make your look spick and span without having to cart the Dyson or the Henry outside onto the driveway! The product retails for under £10.
For more information contact 01488 689 400 or www.saxon-brands.com ENDS.
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| Now, you can get rid of the pie crumbs and crisps from your interior... |
With Clarion already able to boast……..a host of double-DIN multimedia dashboard dazzlers, the world's largest mobile entertainment and navigation specialist has now added a standard sized 'single-DIN' solution to its award-winning line-up, with the release of the VRX388RUSB.
Offering the kind of spec you'd expect to see in a bigger unit - including DVD R/DVD RW, CD R/CD RW, MP3, WMA and AAC file playback, as well as USB and direct iPod control - Clarion has delivered multimedia to the mass market by adding a built-in 3.5in TFT, colour LCD monitor to show off its talents.
The VRX388RUSB's hideaway USB terminal allows for the link-up of portable MP3 players and subsequent access to 255 folders, each supporting 15,000 tracks, whether they're MP3, WMA or the iTunes-friendly AAC files, while the new unit is also equipped with the industry's latest method of video compression, 'DivX', to deliver comprehensive video playback.
The ability to integrate the unit with a car's OEM steering wheel control, stream telephone calls via optional Bluetooth set-up, and add a rear-view camera via the unit's video line-in, also make the VRX388RUSB one of the safest to use multimedia units on the market.
To ensure the VRX388RUSB performs as well as the spec reads, the new multimedia stunner boasts a two-band parametric equalizer, Z-Enhancer Plus sound customisation, Magna-Bass EX dynamic base enhancement - including separate Subwoofer volume control - and 4 x 50 watt MOS-FET amplification. A 24-bit D/A Converter delivers brilliant audio resolution and clarity along with built-in high-pass and low-pass filters to match the audio signal to each channel, creating superior acoustics in the subwoofer, front and rear speakers.
The VRX388RUSB is available via Clarion appointed dealers across the UK, with a typical selling price of £399, and for more information on your nearest stockist, as well as full details on this multimedia masterpiece, call Clarion (GB) Ltd., on 01793 870 400, or visit www.clarion.co.uk ENDS.
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| Another top-notch multimedia solution from Clarion. |
Sealey’s NEW 2-in-1 Test Light/Voltmeter…….Sealey has just launched their NEW 2-in-1 Integrated Test Light/Voltmeter.
With a range of 3-48V DC, the PP5 is suitable for motorcycle, car and HGV applications making it extremely versatile! The LCD meter draws minute currents making this tool safe to use around delicate electronic components. It comes in a handy box and includes interchangeable probes, leads and clips with Ø4mm banana-type quick couplings.
This innovative little tool is currently featured in Sealey’s Autumn 2008 Vehicle Service Tools promotion with a special price of £52.82 inc VAT. The deal includes a FREE Jumper Test Lead set featuring x5 pairs of leads worth £9.95! The promotion, which is valid until December 31 2008, offers amazing discounts on hundreds of must-have tools for the professional workshop technician and those into DIY.
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| These come free with the Sealey Voltmeter |
Contact your local Sealey distributor or call Sealey direct on their hotline 01284 757 525 for your copy of the promotion. You can also check out their website www.sealey.co.uk to view a copy on-line ENDS.
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| New Sealey Voltmeter kit. |
Presenting the impressive……….RAGE3-S 210mm Multipurpose Sliding Mitre Saw.
Evolution Power Tools are always looking beyond the realms of convention. Challenging ingrained expectations and normality. If an existing power tool is to be reduced in size it is only normal to think it would have a disappointing reduction in performance. But Evolution’s brand new 210mm Sliding Mitre Saw challenges this theory with tremendous conviction.
The superb RAGE3-S 210mm Multipurpose Sliding Mitre Saw is a smaller version of the revolutionary RAGE3 255mm Sliding Mitre Saw, although it’s difficult to comprehend this when you see it in action.
Utilising Evolution’s innovative RAGE® technology the extremely portable RAGE3-S will produce a fast, clean cut through Steel, Aluminium, Wood and Plastics (even wood with nails). When cutting steel the RAGE3-S cuts cold (no coolant is required), leaving an instantly workable finish.
The compound tilt and slide mechanism on the RAGE3-S allows larger materials to be cut on a mitre, which would not be possible otherwise. Other key features include a unique in-line handle and switches, enabling right or left handed use.
With an incredibly competitive price of £129.98 the RAGE3-S is impossible to ignore especially when you consider the standard of this machine.
More information from 0870 609 2297 or www.evolutionpowertools.com ENDS.
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| New Rage 3-S Sliding Mitre Saw. |
The Lucas Oil Dragster……..driven by Andy Carter, powered to the 2008 FIA European Top Fuel Championship recently at Santa Pod Raceway, in Northamptonshire.
Andy Carter claimed an unprecedented Hat-Trick of European FIA Top Fuel Championship Trophy wins after a sequence of drives that swept him into top qualifying position and ultimate victory, despite starting the final weekend five points adrift in second place.
Three times winner Andy Carter paid tribute to the supporting role of his Carter Motorsports team and its key sponsor:
"The team has been the most consistent throughout the season and the results would not have been achieved without the support of Lucas Oil Products. The Lucas Oil Top Fuel Dragster runs on Lucas Oil and uses products from across the Lucas Oil lubricants, additives and car care ranges. Despite the poor weather, the car not only performed superbly, but it looked and felt great throughout. I think sponsor, team and driver all got what we deserved," said the new 2008 FIA European Top Fuel Champion.
Andy drove to victory with the help of Lucas 75/90 Synthetic Trans & Diff Lube.
