News

I’VE ONLY GOT ONE UNIVERSAL SOCKET IN MY CAR…HELP IS AT HAND

With UK households owning an average of 7.4 internet devices, and the average person carrying 2.9 on them at all times, we’ve never been more connected than we are today.  But with all these gadgets comes the challenge of keeping things charged and making sure they are ready when we need them most.

Imagine the annual family road trip. Dad’s in the driver’s seat trying to follow the satnav, mum’s in the passenger seat talking on her phone, the kids are in the back alternating between texting friends and playing the latest games on their tablets. What a great picture, everyone More >

LISTEN UP…REVISED ‘KITCAR’ ACTION DAY AT CASTLE COMBE WITH CKC

Castle Combe circuit has announced the dates for next year’s Action Days, including a new for 2017 event, the ‘Summer Action Festival’. Firm fan favourites, ‘Spring’ and ‘Forge’ Action Days also return, as does the season-ending Mini Action Day, one of the most popular events in the jam-packed Mini show calendar.

The ‘Spring Action Day’ has long been the de facto ‘opening game’ of the season as far as the UK car community is concerned, so it should come as no surprise to learn that the popular show returns for Saturday April 8, bigger and better than ever. Expect on and More >

I LIKE TACHOS…I LIKE BURRITOS, TOO FOR THAT MATTER. A CHIMICHANGA IS NICE TOO!

This new portable optical hand-held tachometer from Laser Tools (part number 6610) is used for non-contact measurement of rotational speeds. It uses include maintenance and adjustment of various machines, conveyor belts, motors and belt drives, etc. It utilises photo-electric, anti-jamming and junction laser technology to provide non-contact measurements over a wide range (2.5 – 99,999 RPM) and at great accuracy (± 0.05% + 1 digit).

A reflective mark is placed on the object to be measured (white reflective tape is provided for this purpose) and this is used as a target for the instrument’s integral laser light beam. The detecting distance More >

GUARDIAN FOR YOUR BATTERY

Mini Spares is now stocking the Battery-Guard Bluetooth battery charge monitoring system.

Battery-Guard is compatible with all smart-phones running IOS, Android or Windows 10 operating systems.

Connect Battery-Guard to the battery and download the app from the App Store, Google Play Store or from the Windows Store under ‘Battery-Guard’.

When the Battery-Guard transmitter appears in the list display you can check your vehicle’s battery voltage on your smart phone or tablet whenever it is within Bluetooth range.

The product is available from Mini Spares at just £29.95 inc VAT with more details from 01707 607 700 or visit www.minispares.com ENDS.

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SILICON FOR SCOOBY

The latest kit from the silicone labs at Forge Motorsport is yet another quality part for the perennially tuneable Subaru WRX/STI GR engine. As history tells us, this will always be one of the scene’s most fettled cars, so anything that can help to keep a lid on coolant temperatures is a good idea. This impressive and all-new seven-piece coolant kit created by the Gloucestershire firm has been designed to cope with the latest OAT coolant formulations used in modern engines.

Subaru is one of many manufacturers that has been quick to adopt the latest OAT (or Organic Acid Technology) coolants. More >

SERVICE!

Did you know that Merlin Motorsport can service and refill the Lifeline Red Zero 2000 (and SPA) AFFF systems at their workshop at Castle Combe Racing Circuit in Wltshire?

As yet they don’t service Zero 360 or Zero Zero – but they hope to be able to offer this service soon.

Bear in mind that your fire extinguisher needs servicing every two-years with label on the bottle showing the date of its last service.

Go to – LIFELINE SERVICING & REFILLS or call them on 01249 782 101 ENDS.

NEW NUMBER FOR TYPE 65

At the recent SEMA show in Las Vegas, Factory Five Racing launched the latest Gen 3 version of their Type 65 Roadster, which looks quite wonderful, from what I can see.

Said to be the world’s largest kitcar manufacturer, in volume terms, FFR’s MD, Dave Smith and R&D chief, Jim Schenck got to work completely re-designing the car originally launched 15-years ago.

The old 4in round-tube chassis was ditched and an all-new spaceframe was created with the aid of CAD, plus floors lowered by 2½in with the result being a frame said to be over seven times more torsionally stiff when compared More >

COOL BMW UNDERPINNINGS FOR SEBRING

I was really pleased to hear from Phil Overall, boss of Sebring International with images of the newly-completed demonstrator, now based on BMW E46 3-Series mechanicals and looking – to these eyes – absolutely exquisite.

BMW components opens the iconic specialist car brand up to a whole new audience and Phil, his wife, Sophie and team have worked long and hard and overcome a few hurdles to get to where they are now; fully ready to offer kit packages and fully built Sebrings.

The range consists of SX and MX and to make these very attractive packages even more mouth-watering is a quite extraordinary special offer included within the kit price.

For a More >

THESE WOULD TART THE OFFICE UP, EH?

There are no shortage of Christmas gift ideas for those with an all-consuming interest in motorsport or performance motoring, but Cobra’s latest trio of products might well appeal.

The racing seat specialist is offering a trio of home furnishings inspired by its range of FIA-approved, multi-championship winning range: the RXL Racing Bar Stool, the Cobra Classic Sofa and a line of office stools based on their signature range of bucket seats.

The RXL Racing Bar Stool is ideal for those that want to bring a touch of hardcore motorsport style into their home, and it doesn’t take too much imagination to see More >

PADDING IN THE RIGHT PLACES

Roll-cage padding is an oft-overlooked item and Merlin Motorsport stocks three different varieties, which would satisfy most needs from low- to high-impact protection.

They range from very affordable to higher price, higher density. Of course you get what you pay for but all are good value depending on your specific needs and budget.

MERLIN ROLL CAGE PADDING (2-metre length) – £16.32 inc VAT

LONGACRE HIGH DENSITY ROLL CAGE PADDING (3ft length) – £16.75 inc VAT

LIFELINE FIA APPROVED ROLL CAGE PADDING (600mm length) – from £32.81 inc VAT

More information from www,merlinmotorsport.co.uk or 01249 782 101 ENDS.

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