F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel stars in music video
Double Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel has taken on a driving job with a difference—starring in a music video with double Grammy-winning US R&B star and protégé of Jay-Z, Melanie Fiona. The Red Bull Racing driver and Infiniti Global Ambassador plays a central part in the official global music video for Fiona’s track ‘WatchRead Full Story
Austin-Healey: The Bulldog Breed (Haynes Classic Makes Series)
Reviewed by Mike Tate The title of this book is somewhat of a misnomer, as not only do we enjoy Healey’s BMC relationship but also some of the company’s other associations with Nuffield, Riley, Nash, Alvis, Innocenti, Leyland, BMH, BLMC, Austin-Morris, of course, and latterly, Jensen. Donald Mitchell Healey was a staunch Cornishman and aRead Full Story
2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI: The Compact Performer
Here is some good automotive news. Volkswagen Canada, celebrating its 60th year in Canada, has released its sales figures for the first half of 2012 that show a seven per cent increase over 2011 sales, with 33,669 new vehicles sold through its 135 Canadian dealers. Considering that last year was a record year for VW,Read Full Story
First production Lotus Exige S comes off the assembly line
The first production Exige S came off the assembly line July 24, 2012, and very soon the first customers will experience this new Lotus. Lotus Chief Operating Officer, Aslam Farikullah stood proudly by the production line and talked about the significance of this event How do you feel about reaching this particular milestone? Aslam Farikullah:Read Full Story
2012 Land Rover LR4: Improved capability
Land Rover’s good-looking LR4 keeps its Jaguar 5-litre, direct injection V8 engine for 2012. At 375-horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque, the LR4 has 25 per cent more power and 19 per cent more torque than the previous LR3 model year, which makes it more nimble both on- and off road. Other improvements include newRead Full Story
Vintage Racers Recycle Historic Trophies!
Front: the Abbotsford Trophy; Back left to right: the SCCBC Trophy, ‘The Battered Cup’, the Pete Lovely Memorial Award, the Westwood Trophy – Johnston photo Tom Johnston, Chairman of the Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia’s upcoming British Columbia Historic Motor Races (visit the BCHMR web site: www.bchmr.ca for more info) has announced that theRead Full Story
Exciting New Program for the 25th BCHMR!
This year will be the twenty fifth running of the British Columbia Historic Motor Races. To mark this significant milestone, the race organizers have expanded the weekend program to provide a very exciting and interesting motor sport festival for both participants and fans. Two races have been added to the VRCBC’s usual program andRead Full Story
AUTOBOOKS: Morgan 4/4: The First 75 Years
Reviewed by Mike Tate The Morgan Motor Company itself is batting just over a century in cricketing terms, but the Morgan 4/4 as an automobile within the Morgan marque has been 75 years in production and is surely the very DNA of this traditional manufacturer. Even today, that particular 4/4 look is still recognizable inRead Full Story
ABFM prize winner enjoys new ProGarage floor
Steve Blake’s 1949 MG TC now resides in surroundings that reflect the beauty of his award-winning vehicle. Thanks to his wife Susan, who entered the contest draw at this year’s 2012 Vancouver All British Field Meet at VanDusen Botanical Garden, their garage now boasts a brand new floor from ProGarage valued at $2,000. The environmentallyRead Full Story
BMW Group scores at 2012 Engine of the Year Awards
Engines that remain unbeaten titleholders, as well as triumphant newcomers, have secured the BMW Group’s renewed pre-eminence at the 2012 International Engine of the Year Awards. Powerplants guaranteeing efficient power delivery in current BMW and MINI models topped no fewer than four out of eight displacement categories. The quartet of trophy-winners comprised two four-cylinder engines,Read Full Story
BCAA partners with Kidney Car Program
June 3-9, 2012 is Canada’s Environment Week and vehicle owners are being encouraged to donate their unused vehicle(s) to the Kidney Car Program. The Kidney Car Program is part of a unique series of “recycle for life” programs developed by The Kidney Foundation of Canada that benefit the environment, vehicle owners and people affected byRead Full Story
David Cohen cleans up at 2012 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
Vancouver resident David Cohen’s 1933 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS 6th Series won the “Gold Cup” at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy A 1933 Alfa Romeo that its owner longed for as a youngster growing up in South Africa took home the “Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este” honors at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.Read Full Story
Class Winners at Vancouver ABFM 2012
A heartfelt thank-you to all sponsors, car owners and enthusiasts who turned out on Saturday May 19, 2012 and once again showed why the Vancouver All British Field Meet is worthy of being dubbed “The Greatest Show on British Wheels.”—Patrick & Joan Stewart, event organizers. New this year: The British Columbia School of Technology (BCIT)Read Full Story
Winning Tickets from Vancouver ABFM 2012
The winning ticket number for the 2012 Vancouver ABFM Virgin Atlantic trip for 2 is: 3993 Please contact jstewart@westerndriver.com to claim your prize. Winner must present ticket stub with matching number and must claim prize by July 1, 2012 for use in 2012, according to Virgin Atlantic’s schedule of flights from Vancouver International Airport (YVR).Read Full Story
In Memoriam: Carroll Shelby
Carroll Shelby, the automotive icon whose innovation and influence spanned more than a half-century, died on Thursday May 11, 2012. Shelby, who was 89, had been in failing health for some time. Shelby standing next to a Maserati 450S that he raced in 1957. He won the first race at VIR in a sister carRead Full Story
2013 Ford Taurus SHO: Stealthy sleeper is sportiest Taurus so far
The new Ford Taurus SHO (Super High Output) is the sportiest Taurus yet to wear the coveted performance badge. With its unique blend of the award-winning, fuel-efficient EcoBoost engine, enhanced driving dynamics and performance-inspired design, the new Taurus SHO shows it means business. An unprecedented combination of horsepower, technology and fuel economy takes this sportingRead Full Story
Truth in 24: Every Second Counts
Truth in 24 II: Every Second Counts is a documentary chronicling the Audi team’s attempt to seek its 10th victory at the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France in 2011. When tragedy struck twice, one lone Audi R18 TDI race car remained to fight three Peugeots. Risks were taken, boundaries were pushed andRead Full Story
VRCBC at the 2012 ABFM
The Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia (VRCBC) had another very successful day at the 27th ‘running’ of the ABFM. The Club’s display included some of their members’ racing versions of this year’s featured marques for this year; MGB and Lotus, as well as a couple of ‘Big’ Austin Healeys. Visit the VRCBC’s web site (here) for more photos.Read Full Story