NEWS: Wales Rally GB Family Fun

Wales Rally GB is getting closer – November 14-17th – and the UK’s concluding round of the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship not only features a new home in north Wales but also an exciting new competitive route, with plenty on offer for hardened rally fans naturally, but also lots of family-friendly fun too.
The family-friendly fun includes:
• Three new RallyFest Stages aimed at wowing wider audiences
• Special spectator experiences at Chirk Castle and Kinmel Park
• Discounted ticket offers for families booking in advance
The action-packed, four-day schedule includes 22 competitive special stages and features the re-introduction of some classic timed sections in the legendary Welsh forests and around the Great Orme. It will also see the inclusion of some exciting new venues aimed at taking what’s one of the world’s most thrilling and dramatic high speed sports to new audiences.
Stages at Sweet Lamb in Powys on Friday, Chirk Castle near Wrexham on Saturday and Kinmel Park in Conwy on Sunday have been designated as special RallyFest Stages. As well seeing all the top class rally cars in spectacular action twice during the day, all three RallyFests will provide a wide range of facilities and entertainment not traditionally found in the forests.
Setting out to appeal to those spectators either new to rallying or planning to attend with young children and looking to spend the entire day in one location, RallyFest Stages will include a big screen with live coverage, catering village, live commentary, on-stage and static displays of historic rally cars, a chance to win some great prizes plus a range of other attractions to entertain those of all ages. Visitors can also enjoy live music from bands, with The Establishment among those performing at Chirk Castle while The Gramotones will be keeping the crowds entertained at both Sweet Lamb and Kinmel Park.
Further enhancing the experience, significant discounts are available for families attending these RallyFests. Individual adult tickets are priced at just £25*, but the special family offer for two adults and two children, if booked in advance, is an even more affordable £42* with an extra £1* for each additional child. Every adult RallyFest ticket also includes a free programme normally priced at £7.50.
“The move to north Wales has not only allowed us to refresh the entire event but also to make the sport far more accessible to a totally new audience – these family-friendly RallyFest stages are designed to do just that,” said Andrew Coe, Chief Executive of event organisers International Motor Sports Ltd. “Sweet Lamb has always been a very popular viewing spot for rally enthusiasts but Chirk Castle and Kinmel Park are totally new venues.
“More importantly both are close to major road networks and thus just a short drive from large conurbations in Wales and the North West of England such as Manchester and Liverpool,” continued Coe. “Rallying has always had enormous appeal in the UK; it wasn’t so long ago that more than a million people would watch the RAC Rally. Now these new RallyFest Stages will help the sport to re-engage with some of those former fans as well as excite a whole new generation of avid followers.
“All-comers will be treated to some fast-moving, mind-blowing action in Kinmel Park while the more compact Chirk RallyFest is going to be a ‘must see’ family-friendly attraction. Not least as it’s set against the ancient 14th Century ramparts with day-long, high octane entertainment the likes of which the historic National Trust property will never have seen before in its 700year history!”

Discover more here.

MAGAZINE: Road Magazine No.36 Live Now!

Sorry for the wait! Summer break has been a biggie! 

Anywayz, Road Magazine is back – with an SUV special.

Despite their obscene weight/inertia levels, punishing fuel prices and painful VED road tax hits from government, the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) 4x4 market is still booming – so manufacturers are busy trying to out-do each other to claim their slice of the ‘soft-roader’ SUV pie, in all its glorious forms.
So, with Winter approaching, we’ve gathered an eclectic trio together of 4x4s for you – starting with something truly bonkers, Infiniti’s FX Vettel Edition: A super-rare, £100,800 beast of a genuinely sporty utility vehicle (in SUV terms), bestowed with Vettel-designed, unbelievably expensive carbonfibre kit, huge 21-inch rims and a 420bhp V8, capable of 155mph and 5.6s to 62mph. Is it the maddest SUV ever?
We also have two newly-re-worked SUV brands… Jeep’s long serving (now 21) Grand Cherokee in its fresh-look 2014 specification. The Jeep has just gone on sale across Europe and now and comes with a brand new eight-speed trick transmission, devastating off-road capability, monstrous 6.4-litre V8 SRT range-topper and a lavish luxury interior for its good value price tag. And we also have Mitsubishi’s new-look Outlander on test – the most sensible choice of the three featured here, as it’s “Intelligent Motion” diesel engine, lightweight and aerodynamic body enable it to knock out over 50mpg, which is a different take on the SUV cult: Not sporty, but certainly utilitarian.
Do enjoy our SUV special and share our FREE Road Magazine with your mates across your own social media platforms. Thanks! Phil Royle, Editor

PRODUCT: New TomTom GO 6000

The new, top quality TomTom GO 6000 just arrived for testing – and first impressions are utterly awesome! The huge, six inch capacitive screen is deeply impressive, clear and freshly designed – with the aim of making navigation as idiot proof, simple, straight forward and accurate as possible, with loads of new features and real time traffic reports on your route, helping you to avoid traffic jams... which has got to be good, right? 

The new TomTom GO 6000 PND now features an interactive 3D map system, aiming to assist you navigate in urban environments:

And there's also quick search function, a 'My Places' section for favourite destinations and an all-new route bar – loaded with simple, easy to read, all inclusive information, like ETA, distance to destination, delays on route in minutes, speed limit on upcoming cameras, road works detected, zoomed-in speed camera alerts, traffic speed on route (in colours) and distance to the next event etc. 

The PND looks, feels and sounds superb – with every possible function nailed down, and that's just on the home screens; there's a whole host of useful functions, preferences and information in the menus. 

And, even more impressively, there's now lifetime maps and real-time traffic updates supplied – something that would have cost you over £100 previously. Cool eh?

TomTom point out the TomTom GO range is the only navigation device...:

* Which allows you to start navigating in two taps. 

* Where the map with live traffic, is the first thing you see – giving you an immediate overview of the traffic situation around your current location and potential route. 

* With a ‘Jam Ahead’ warning for traffic incidents, which tells you exactly when you’ll hit the jam and warn you in case you’re moving at a faster speed than the traffic ahead. 

* Covering overs 99.5% of all roads allowing you to have precise traffic information wherever you go. 

* Is used by some of the world’s leading brands such as Renault, Daimler, Toyota, Blackberry and the AA.
Batteries last two hours when not plugged into a power source, there's smartphone connectivity, an eight gigabyte internal memory (that also accepts SD cards) and a one year warranty.

Prices are really competitive too:

GO 400 EU £159.99
GO 500 UK/ROI £189.99
GO 500 EU £199.99
GO 600 UK/ROI £229.99
GO 600 EU £239.99
&

The one we have on test, the GO 6000 EU is £299.99. We can't wait to get testing it out in the UK and EU on road trips and will keep you posted just how mega it is over time here, in Road Magazine and on Facebook and Twitter. Stay tuned... 

NEWS: Porsche Carrera Cup Scholarship Launch

Porsche have launched their Porsche GB-supported Scholarship initiative to nurture next generation of GT racers – giving hot shoe young drivers aged 17-22 the chance to compete to win funding worth £80,000 per year for 2014-2015, offering an opportunity to follow in footsteps of 2012-13 Scholar, Dan Lloyd, in Porsche Carrera Cup GB (pictured). 

The 2014 Carrera Cup GB season will mark the next exciting chapter in the Carrera Cup story when the latest 460 hp ‘Type 991’ 911 GT3 Cup is introduced to the Championship. The all-new car will further raise the standard for single marque racing in the UK, and offer drivers the perfect opportunity to participate at the very start of a new era for the Carrera Cup GB.
In 2014, the Carrera Cup GB will offer competitors a sensational bonus with a support race to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A couple of hours before Porsche returns to the marathon race with a factory-entered LMP1 car, drivers in the Carrera Cup GB will race on the famous French track in a special tie-up with Carrera Cup France.
To enter the Scholarship, drivers must be aged between 17 and 22 years on 1 January 2014, already have a National A race licence and have not previously registered as a competitor in the Carrera Cup GB. They must also be able to demonstrate that they can secure the balance of the required budget for a full season of racing.
Four finalists will be selected for assessment at Silverstone, including evaluation at the Porsche Experience Centre and track tests in a 911 GT3 Cup car. The winner will be the driver who shows the best mix of natural talent, potential and presentation combined with people skills, overall drive and commitment.
Any driver wishing to apply for the 2014 Carrera Cup GB Scholarship Programme should send a CV to: carreracupgb@porsche.co.uk, along with the reasons why they think they should be selected. There is no charge to enter the Scholarship. Applications are now open and will close on 30 September 2013. The four finalists will be evaluated at Silverstone during October 2013, and the 2014 Carrera Cup GB Scholar will be announced in early November 2013.

Get involved!

EXCLUSIVE NEWS: New TomTom Traffic Jam Buster Is Go!

Leading portable navigation device manufacturer, TomTom, has launched a new version of their superb TomTom Traffic – with its real time information service, assisting you in avoiding the hell of sitting in traffic, and keeping you safe.
And until the Government's recently announced £28 billion investment of our UK roads kicks in, the new TomTom Traffic system is the best chance you've got of avoiding traffic jam hell – being accurate down to 10 metres (whereas other services are precise down to 100 metres) and now covering 99.9% of all roads.
Best of all, the TomTom Traffic service is FREE on all if you buy any of the company’s new generation sat nav devices, for the lifetime of the product! A few years ago, a subscription would set you back £100 a year. Bonus!
The new TomTom Traffic also now includes an innovative ‘Jam Ahead Warning’ – which pinpoints the precise location of a traffic jam and sends an early-warning alert so that drivers can safely reduce their speed, or even avoid it by turning off the road they are on.
TomTom say: "This Jam Ahead feature has been developed to help reduce the likelihood of accidents from sudden unexpected jams ahead on the road (e.g. over the brow of a hill or around a bend where the slow moving traffic might not otherwise be seen). Often accidents occur as vehicles are unable to slow from higher speeds to the slow speed of the back of the queue.
"TomTom leverages the accuracy of being able to pinpoint the back of a queue and the relative difference in speed from the approaching road. If the speed difference is significant, drivers are alerted with a message as they approach the jam. On the new range of GO sat nav devices, the navigation bar changes colour to red as a warning.
"In a recent survey of over 1,500 British motorists, 44% say they’ve had to brake sharply because of a sudden traffic jam ahead. Nearly one in four (22%) claim the car behind has driven into the back of their vehicle when they’ve had to brake suddenly because of traffic.
"Whilst 58% of British drivers claim they always leave the required stopping distance between their car and the one in front, only 44% knew the correct distance at 60 mph (240 feet) – with 56% either under-estimating it or admitting they didn’t know.
"According to a recent TomTom survey, awareness of the stopping distance at 30 mph (75 feet) was even worse, with only 35% getting it right and 65% putting themselves and others at risk by under-estimating it or not knowing. Despite these findings, a staggering 90% think they have the necessary skills to be able to judge speed and distance accurately whilst driving!"
The latest version of TomTom Traffic also detects road works on highways, enabling drivers to adapt their journeys to avoid delays or adjust their journey times.
Additionally, the automatic detection of road closures is now extended and includes major secondary roads as well as highways. This improves the accuracy of routing and helps road users save time and fuel from unexpected diversions.
Tests have consistently shown TomTom Traffic, which is now available in 32 countries, to outperform competitor traffic products. Traffic quality should be judged on four key points: reliability of data, road coverage, accuracy of reports and frequency of updates. TomTom Traffic outperforms competitor services on at least three out of four of these criteria.
Cool stuff! Go TomTom... saving us from time we will never get back sitting in traffic jams. That's got to be good, right?  

NEWS: Discounted BMW 325i Racing Opportunity: VLN Nürburgring October 27-28th

How do you fancy racing at the best circuit in the world – Nürburgring Nordschelife? In one of the best race series in the world – VLN? With one of the most experienced teams out there – Jaco's Paddock? In one of the most perfectly balanced, expertly-prepared race cars – a BMW E90 325i (pictured)?
Thought so...! Well, Road Magazine can help you!

We've teamed up with Jaco's Paddock to offer you ONE seat in the superbly set-up, uber-reliable and very rapid BMW E90 325i, racing in class V4 of the VLN on October 27-28th, in less than one month!

You will drive with two other drivers and get two practice lap sessions on October 27th, before you do two laps of qualifying on October 28th – trying to get the best lap time possible – and then it's race time, on the most iconic "Green Hell" circuit, with some of Europe's best race cars, drivers and famous faces, like fellow Road friend, Sabine Schmitz. Tempted? You should be!

This golden drive opportunity is being offered at unreal rates and includes one third of the entire four hour race – so over one hour 20m full-on race time – all the fuel, tyres, event support, hospitality, insurance (600 Euro excess) and everything you need.
All you need to do is arrive, drive and have the time of your life.

NB: Obviously, you also need to be compliant with race licence regulations, which you can read here.

If you are interested, please email proyle@roadmagazine.co.uk ASAP.

Only one slot is available – at a HUGE discount. So, get involved and make yourself some real magic memories...

NEWS: Wales Rally GB £5,000,000 Economy Boost

Organisers of the only UK WRC round – Wales Rally GB, 14-17th November – today say the stella event is set to boost the Welsh economy to the tune of £5,000,000.

They say there will be big benefits for hotels, companies and communities in Wales, a boost to the Welsh automotive sector and overall positive effect to the Welsh international profile and reputation.
The event organisers also claim the arrival of the prestigious FIA World Rally Championship in North Wales later this year is already delivering significant benefits to a wide range of different key sectors within the Welsh economy.
A spokesman said: "The final round of this year’s WRC will have its Headquarters and central Service Park based at a new site located alongside the Toyota Engine Plant at Deeside with a ceremonial start in Conwy and finish in Llandudno. The move not only highlights the automotive industry’s importance to the Welsh economy – more than 15,000 people are employed in automotive manufacturing in Wales generating an annual turnover of £3 billion – but it’s also benefiting local businesses. One obvious example is Mold-based civil engineering contractor FG Whitley which has been contracted by event organiser, International Motor Sports, to carry out major constructions preparing the new site in readiness for the arrival of the world’s top rally teams, much of this work is using Welsh stone, too.

"A large number of other Welsh companies also are profiting from the event. North Wales based graphic design agency View Creative has been engaged by IMS to provide Wales Rally GB with an exciting new look, which is being used on all communications and web-based materials throughout the world. Another beneficiary is Llandrindod Wells-based company Performance Clothing; it has been licensed to produce all the official Wales Rally GB clothing while the Orchard Media & Events Group in Cardiff has been engaged by IMS to produce TV and digital advertising materials.
"The media sector enjoys further benefits, too, with rounds of the WRC being aired on S4C, the Cardiff-based Welsh language TV broadcaster and IMS investing a considerable proportion of the high profile event’s advertising budget with Heart Radio in North Wales.
"With thousands of rally fans and teams members descending on Deeside as well as the legendary Welsh forest stages where the high-speed action takes place, hotels are also gaining from the World Championship’s presence in Wales at what’s a time of low occupancy. IMS alone has reserved more than 600 room nights for its organising team."
And Andrew Coe, Chief Executive of IMS added: "It has been calculated Wales Rally GB brings more than £5m to the Welsh economy – I think that figure is now somewhat conservative taking into account both the investment we are making in refreshing the event and the added interest that is generating in terms of an increase in advanced ticket sales. 

"There are, of course, many other equally important if less quantifiable benefits. The enormous international television coverage reminds global audiences of the spectacular scenery and landscapes of North Wales while, in the actual region, many local charities benefit from donations generated by spectator car parking."
Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport, Edwina Hart, added: "Our support for Wales Rally GB acts as a key driver in delivering the Welsh Government’s key commitment of strengthening the conditions that create jobs, wealth and sustainable growth. The Welsh economy receives an immediate benefit during Wales Rally GB with teams, marshals, businesses and spectators spending considerable amounts on accommodation, food and drink, hospitality – before, during and after the event.
"This world class sporting event is an ideal platform to show a global audience what Wales has to offer. In order to maximise the benefits of hosting the event in Wales, we will also organise events alongside the rally. An industry awareness event for students will be held alongside the new Wales Rally GB Service Park in Deeside and we will also work with Welsh Automotive Forum to plan an automotive conference at Venue Cymru."
For further updates follow Wales Rally GB on Twitter @walesrallygb, join the conversations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/walesrallygb or visit the website www.walesrallygb.com

VIDEO: Ron Burgundy "Anchorman" Reviews The Goodwood Revival: Comedy Gold!

Yup!

NEWS: Wales Rally GB Entries Now Open With New 4, 3 & 2 Day Entries From £600!

Entries for the only-UK-based WRC round – Wales Rally GB 14-17th November – are now open, offering new full (four day), three day and two day entries, from its new North Wales base at Deeside – from £600! 

And, to further encourage more local faces to enter the stella event, and take on the WRC giants, there's a great chance for amateurs to compete in the FIA World Rally Championship, special discounts for local competitors, with all entries accepted on a first come, first served basis... so get involved!
As previously announced, rally crews are being offered three different options to pit their skills against the sport’s elite on this year’s revitalised Wales Rally GB (14-17 November) now based in north Wales:
1. More ambitious entrants can tackle the full four-day WRC event featuring 196-miles of timed sections starting in Snowdonia after dark on Thursday evening. To encourage local teams to gain World Championship experience in the legendary Welsh forests, the organisers are offering a significantly discounted entry fee reduced (£1500 from £2598) for crews where both driver and co-driver hold an MSA competition licence and a British passport.
And for those looking for a slightly shorter challenge, there’s a choice between two different National events. 

2. The three-day National Rally includes no fewer than 11 of the 13 Wales Rally GB stages starting on Friday with challenging tests in Hafren, Sweet Lamb and Myherin. 

3. And the shorter two-day National Rally commences on Saturday morning and shares the same route as the on-going three-day event – this includes the two exciting new RallyFest stages at Chirk Castle and Kinmel Park as well as the historic Great Orme. Adding to the high octane World Championship atmosphere and ambience, teams contesting the National Rallies will be based at the new WRC Service Park in Deeside and finishers will receive their trophies on the newly designed, high-profile WRC Start/Finish Podium in Llandudno on Sunday afternoon.
Wales Rally GB say: "As well as giving amateurs a fantastic opportunity to compete on the same classic stages as the top stars from the FIA World Rally Championship, the two National Rallies offer great value for money. The three-day event includes 114 miles of competitive stages for an entry fee of just £900 while the 72-mile, two-day alternative is priced at £600. Categories for historic and FIA classes are available all with their own awards. A generous Guest Pass package is provided that includes four guest passes that allow access to the whole event. Competitors are also being offered a dedicated low cost hospitality facility to entertain crew, family, friends and sponsors within the Deeside Service Park."
And reported Andrew Coe, Chief Executive of rally organiser International Motor Sports added: "The comprehensive changes we’ve made to Wales Rally GB have been met with widespread enthusiasm from competitors and fans, so we are expecting lots of interest from potential entrants. 

"There are not many sports where amateurs can compete alongside world champions – rallying is special in that respect and we are keen to encourage as many teams as possible to maximise this great opportunity to be part of the high-profile WRC show. What’s more all three alternatives being offered offer great value for money plus the chance to compete on some of the world’s best gravel stages.” 

There are a limited number of entries available for the two National Rallies and initial priority – on a first come first served basis – will be given to those entering the three-day event. The final closing date is Friday 1 November and competitors can enter on-line via the ‘competitors’ navigation on the official www.walesrallygb.com website.

Great value way to take on the likes of Yari-Mati, Mikko, Sebastian, Kris and all the top names, cars and teams in WRC... and make history, for great value entry fees. GO FOR IT!

 

NEWS: ROFGO Cars Hit Goodwood Revival This Weekend

It's one of the stella auto events of the year – Goodwood's retro chic Revival this weekend: A thrilling step back in time, loaded with some of the most iconic cars imaginable – on display and racing the historic circuit – period aeroplanes, amazing classic car parts and accessories on sale and a superb sense of occasion, made by the bulk of the attendees dressing up in period clothing. 

See our last Revival event Road Magazine report here and more images on our Facebook page.
One of the star attractions this year has to be leading specialist in fine historic cars, Duncan Hamilton & Co Ltd presenting a 1965 Ford GT40 and a Mirage M1 GT40 from the world-renowned ROFGO collection. The iconic cars will be on show throughout the revival as well as taking part in the high speed parade on Friday and Saturday.
And Adrian Hamilton, son of renowned British racing driver Duncan Hamilton, will be present at the event and is happy to meet with the media to discuss the cars on show as well as the classic and competition car sector as a whole. 

Check it out and do share your images from the event with us on Twitter and Facebook.

NEWS: Mega Mazda Road Trip: Hiroshima to Frankfurt Challenger Tour 2013

We love a good road trip at Road Magazine – nothing beats a good car, good company and good roads. And we even love a big road trip, getting into four figures, like our last biggie to the snow of Meribel in the French Alps in Subaru's excellent Outback (see it here). But that is poxy compared to what Mazda has just done with its all-new Mazda3... 9,300 miles from Hiroshima in Japan to Frankfurt in Germany! A truly marathon drive. RESPECT!  

A Mazda spokesman said "the new Mazda3 hatchbacks proved to be robust, dependable and fun-to-drive" for the British media and Mazda dealers from the UK who drove the first three legs of the super long, challenging route, which ended at the Frankfurt Motor Show. 

Mazda said: "Featuring a KODO exterior design as innovative as their SKYACTIV technology, all the new compacts withstood the expedition fully intact, demonstrating their robust and dependable Mazda genealogy founded on outstanding build quality. Now, some of the Mazda3 tour cars will be exhibited at the Frankfurt Motor Show which opens on 10 September.
"The overland portion of the Mazda Route3 tour began on 3 August, after the cars had been shipped from Japan to Vladivostok. Starting out from Russia’s Far East, they covered two continents, five countries, nine time zones and some 30 cities.
"Crewed by journalists, media and Mazda dealers, the Mazda3 teams took in a variety of sights, including Lake Baikal, the Altai Mountains and the Kungur Ice Caves. They stood on the border between Asia and Europe, and were escorted on more than one occasion by dozens of Mazdas driven by local fans. During the final leg, they visited four European capitals – Moscow, Minsk, Warsaw and Berlin. Everywhere the all-new Mazda3s went, they attracted waves, smiles, friendly curiosity and sometimes even applause.
"Hidden potholes couldn’t stop them. Football-sized rocks couldn’t stop them. Nor could overturned trucks, herds of livestock and roadworks one was forced to drive through rather than around. The only thing that could delay two of the Challenger Tour Mazda3s was bureaucracy at the Belarusian border. So if crumbling highways were the primary concern particularly during the earlier legs of the tour, there was no lack of suspense during the later stages, either. Now waiting for the go-ahead to cross the border into Poland and the EU, the two Mazda3 stragglers are expected to resume their journey soon."
And Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director, Mazda UK, who joined British Mazda dealers and media from the UK when they participated in the first three legs of the epic tour from Vladivostok to Ulan-Ude, said: "What an adventure! If I had to single out the one aspect of the Tour that was most impressive, I’d say the interaction – of the people along the way, with the Mazda Route3 participants, with the support team, and of course with the cars.
“The all-new Mazda3 hatchback test cars, powered by a 120ps SKYACTIV-G petrol engine mated to a six-speed SKYACTIV-MT manual transmission, were such a joy to drive and at the same time so tough and so reliable, even when conditions were worse than anyone expected. They took everything Eurasia could throw at them."
Four of the Mazda3s will go on display at the Frankfurt Show – one on Mazda’s stand (B12 in Hall 9) and three more at an outdoor area of the exhibition grounds dedicated to the tour.
Mazda fans can re-visit the convoy’s marathon tour progress on a dedicated website at www.mazda.co.uk/mazdaroute3, which features a trip diary with images and videos.

NEWS: Alset Global Joins Hydrogen London Movement

The technology and engineering company responsible for the paradigm-shifting, record-breaking, 160mph zero emissions lapping of the 2013 Nürburgring 24-Hour in a 500PS Aston Martin Rapide V12 twin turbo (as featured here) – Alset Global – has joined the Hydrogen London scheme. 

Alset's ground-breaking Hybrid Hydrogen technology system works with the internal combustion engine to allow today and tomorrow’s passenger cars and commercial vehicles to run on hydrogen, gasoline/diesel or a blend of both fuels. It has been developed as a practical and affordable way to reduce CO2 emissions without comprising driving range, refuelling time or performance.

“Alset welcomes the opportunity to join industry leaders and explore the potential for new technologies and implement sustainable mobility solutions based on Hydrogen. The hydrogen economy will be driven by forward-thinking cities such as London and we have long admired the work of Hydrogen London,” says Gonzalo Auil, Regional Manager of Alset Global. “The hydrogen movement is growing and its voice is becoming louder and more credible by the day. Alset Global brings a more immediate automotive technology solution that can provide carbon-free mobility now while we wait for the hydrogen infrastructure to catch up.”
“In May we have proved the performance, durability and reliability of Hybrid Hydrogen in one of the most challenging environments possible, the next step for Alset Global is to show what this means in real life,” adds Auil. “Joining Hydrogen London enables us to reach out for more clients who are concerned with emission targets and legislations offering solutions with a clear cost advantage.”

Road Magazine believes this hybrid Hydrogen technology could future-proof the high performance car and allow future generations to enjoy V8's, V12's, turbos and all manner of glorious combustion engine etherial loveliness... so spread the word about Alset Global. They are the saviours of big power! And don't just take my word for it. Read what Aston Martin think and why they chose to work with Alset here.

Company history

Alset Global was formed in 2005 and is a technology and engineering company working on clean mobility solutions based on hydrogen. With European engineering headquarters in Graz, Austria, Alset Global has developed a unique, patented Hybrid Hydrogen system, to run on pure gasoline or pure hydrogen or a blend of both, which is designed to offer automotive OEMs, vehicle fleets and cities a clean mobility solution in time for new European emission standards in 2020 without disrupting the industry.

NEWS: Hyundai i20 WRC Testing Mission Is On

Hyundai Motorsport are contuining their development of their fabulous new 2014-spec i20 WRC over the Summer and into Autumn, with a monster series of tarmac tests in France and gravel blasts in Finland (pictured), just the tip of the iceberg of their assault on the WRC.
Test drivers Bryan Bouffier and Juho Hänninen were both in action over a total of ten days with both drivers sharing duties on tarmac before gravel specialist Hänninen assumed control on his home turf.
The latest iteration of the i20 WRC car hit tarmac roads for the first time in the Vosges region of France from August 12 to 16 with the main objective of gathering experience and data on this terrain.
“For our first time with the 2014-spec i20 WRC on tarmac, we adopted a deliberately broad test plan with the main goal of defining the base set-up for that surface,” explained Team Principal Michel Nandan. “We completed good mileage with no major issues, and obtained valuable feedback from both Bryan and Juho, which will allow us to concentrate next on fine-tuning the individual components. Overall, it was a very positive tarmac debut.”
Bryan Bouffier added: “I think this test has given us a very good base from which we can develop further. The roads in the Vosges region allowed us to assess some key components and to identify the characteristics of the i20 WRC on tarmac. I’m very pleased with the behaviour of the car in the fast sections and when the road is bumpy. Of course, we will continue working on some areas but overall I find the car very well balanced and easy to handle.”
From the tarmac test, the team moved to Finland last week to tackle the fast gravel roads and the well-known jumps, which characterise Rally Finland, one of the most technically demanding rallies of World Rally Championship. With local hero Juho Hänninen behind the wheel, the test featured an upgraded version of the 2014-spec of the i20 WRC.
“In Finland we used an evolution of the 2014-spec car, different from the one which we used in France,” added Nandan. “We applied some changes to the shape of the body and during the test we worked on the aerodynamics of the car. The i20 WRC was fitted with a new aerodynamics package and we focussed our efforts in finding a good balance. We wanted to check that all aspects of the car worked properly at high speed, as well as on the jumps, which are extremely demanding. The car can reach extreme acceleration through these jumps so it is essential to study the behaviour of the car and all of its components upon landing. We’ve also tried different suspension and differential solutions to develop the best set-up for next year’s rally.”
Juho Hänninen commented: “I was positively surprised with the handling of the i20 WRC after the first run. When you go to Finland for the first time you never know what to expect; sometimes, it can be really rough and there can be a lot of work required on the suspension. In this case, though, it was really easy from the first day and we were able to work making only minor adjustments. The car reacted very well to every change we made throughout the five days. I felt that I could trust the car immediately and the feeling got stronger day after day.”
With test sessions planned almost every two weeks, Hyundai Motorsport now faces the busiest time of the development phase ahead of its entry into next year’s FIA World Rally Championship.
“With new features on the car on every test session there’s a lot of work to be done not only on the ground but also back at the factory in order to get the car ready. There’s a great team effort and everyone is doing his best,” concluded Nandan.

Team Road wishes all the team at Hyundai the very best in tests and hope they bring as much to WRC as VW have this year. Great to see some great diversity entering the WRC. 

Now come on Subaru! Mitsubishi! Nissan! ;-) 

NEWS: Wales Rally GB 'Road To Wales' Initiative Offers Eight FOC WRC Entries

Wales Rally GB’s 'Road to Wales' initiative is all go – offering eight prize drives to national competitors for the epic only-UK WRC round, 14-17 November.
There are two deciding rounds left of the 2013 British Rally Championship and BTRDA Rally Series and the top three finishers in the overall MSA British Rally Championship as well as class winners in both British Junior and RallyTwo Rally categories will all be offered free entries into the concluding round of the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). Additionally, the winner of the NGK Spark Plugs BRC Challenge will be awarded a free entry into the three-day National Rally that runs alongside the WRC event in the legendary Welsh Forests.
Currently, Jukka Korhonen from Finland leads the BRC ahead of Tom Cave (from Gwynedd), with Alastair Fisher (based in County Tyrone) and Jonny Greer (from Belfast) tied in third place in the championship standings. Daniel McKenna (County Monaghan, Ireland) heads the RallyTwo Championship table, as Benjamyn McKay (Oswestry, Shropshire) leads the charge in the British Junior category and Russ Thompson (from near Clitheroe in Lancashire) has collected the most points so far in the BRC Challenge.
Wales Rally GB also has a similar partnership with the British Trial and Rally Drivers Association (BTRDA). The REIS-Get Connected BTRDA Rally Series is the most popular Championship in the UK with over 260 registered contenders this year, and incorporates selected rounds of the MSA English Rally Championship and Pirelli MSA Welsh Forest Rally Championship within its nine round Series.
The crew that captures the premier Gold Star Championship will be rewarded with a free entry into the three-day National Rally (15-17 November) being run alongside Wales Rally GB. What's more the winners of the BTRDA Rally First Championship - a class for lower cost two-wheel-drive production cars - will receive a free entry into the two-day version of the National Rally (16-17 November) once again running on exactly the same classic Welsh forest stages as Wales Rally GB.
Charlie Payne (Harrogate, North Yorkshire) is the leading Gold Star Driver in the championship standings after the seventh round, and James West (London) is currently in the running for winning the Rally First series.
“I’m watching the BRC and BTRDA leader boards in anticipation, as we edge closer and closer to Wales Rally GB, which is now just 10 weeks away! With the two national series nearing their end of season, it’s exciting to see which names will be potentially lining up on the same forest stages as the leading WRC competitors,” said Andrew Coe, Chief Executive of IMS.
BRC Managing Director, Mark Taylor, commented: “It’s a pleasure to be working with the Wales Rally GB organisers in an even closer capacity this year, to promote rallying in the UK. Providing incentives to our drivers to compete at a higher level on the WRC stage is the best way to open up the sport and encourage more people to participate, whether it be competing or spectating. The competition is very close in this year’s BRC, and our drivers will be fighting it out to try and make sure they get one of the valuable starts in Wales in November.”
BTRDA Championship Coordinator, Steve Gregg, said: “We are looking forward to seeing two of our BTRDA competitors taking up this superb opportunity to compete within a world-class event, at the pinnacle of rallying. As our Championship is now heading towards its penultimate round, we wish our drivers in contention for the Wales Rally GB drives all the best and I personally can’t wait for what will be a truly classic WRC event in North Wales.”

Wales Rally GB Tickets

For general admittance, Wales Rally GB adult tickets to individual forest stages on the day have been reduced to £15* (from £20 in 2012) while Day Passes have been re-introduced providing multiple stage access for just £33* including the Qualifying Stage at Llandegla on Thursday morning. Moreover all adult tickets include a free programme priced at £7.50. The popular ‘Kids for a Quid’ scheme has been extended providing those aged between 9-15 years old with a four-day ticket giving access to all 22 stages for just £1*. Those aged eight and under are admitted free. Though included in Day Passes, individual tickets for RallyFest Stages are also available priced at £25* with significant discounts available for families. The price for two adults and two children, for example, is £42* with an extra £1* for each additional child. The World Rally Pass is available for just £99 (down from £130 in 2012). Full details can be found on the officialwww.walesrallygb.com websites, now with a dedicated version optimised for mobile phones via www.walesrallygb.com/mobile/home.php.

For further updates follow Wales Rally GB on Twitter @walesrallygb, join the conversations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/walesrallygb or visit the website www.walesrallygb.com.

NEWS: McLaren & Audi Join RMA Track Days

Road Magazine luxury track day pals, RMA Track Days – running the best (open pit lane, over-taking either side, no over-crowding & jaw-droppoing cars) circuit events at Europe's premier tracks – have lined up McLaren to join their forthcoming track day hoon at Silverstone on September 18th, and Audi are all set to join in the RMA brand of tyre-pounding fun at Belgian super-circuit, Spa-Francorchamps on 23rd and 24th September too. Sweet as...! Get involved!   

Selected RMA track day participants will be able to try out McLaren's amazing, 592bhp, 205mph high-tech hypercar – the MP4-12C – on the full Silverstone Grand Prix circuit on the 18th. And Audi will be bringing a brace of R8 V10 Plus', RS6 and RS4 to the simply superb Spa for potential clients to try on track. 

Does life get much better? 

We think not... 

See you there at one of RMA's fab forthcoming events:

• Silverstone GP, 18th September 2013, from £425 - 105 dB(A)
• Spa Francorchamps, 23rd - 24th September 2013 from £395 - 106 dB(A)
• Donington Park, 14th October 2013, from £275 - 98 dB(A)
• Goodwood Exclusive, 23rd October 2013, from £525 - 105 dB(A)
• New revised Donington Park, 8th November 2013, from £225 - 98 dB(A)
• Spa Francorchamps, 24th November 2013, from £295 - 106 dB(A)