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Roadside Cameras In U.K. To Crack Down On Illegal Exhaust Pipes

Noise-sensing cameras will be used to catch cars breaching sound limits.

The U.K. government is planning to crack down on vehicles that fail to meet noise limits with the help of cameras that measure sound levels and read number plates.

According to the Department for Transport (DfT), the cameras will be trialed at several locations over the coming seven months, with the aim of detecting vehicles that are breaking the law on noise limits, then using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems to single out offenders. The aim is to target vehicles that do not meet the strict noise limits imposed on road-going vehicles – either through illegal modifications or faults in the engine or exhaust systems.

The DfT has stressed that the measures are not designed to target “law-abiding drivers,” but to prevent noise pollution from “extremely noisy vehicles”. The department also says the technology could be used to catch those who “rev car or motorcycles engines beyond legal limits”, making life a “misery” for residents.

In a statement, the department justified its actions on the issue by saying studies showed exposure to noise could have “significant physical and mental health implications”. Heart attacks, type-two diabetes and high blood pressure, the department said, were all “long-term contact with loud environments”.

At present, enforcement of noise limits is based on subjective judgments, but the technology is expected to make cases more clear-cut by determining whether the legal noise limit has been breached after taking into account the class and speed of the vehicle relative to the location of the noise camera.

Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling said the technology would help Britain eradicate “nuisance” drivers and ensure the country’s towns were quieter.

“Noise pollution makes the lives of people in communities across Britain an absolute misery and has very serious health impacts,” he said. “This is why I am determined to crack down on the nuisance drivers who blight our streets. New technology will help us lead the way in making our towns and cities quieter, and I look forward to seeing how these exciting new cameras could work.”

The Motorcycle Industry Association’s CEO, Tony Campbell, said the organization welcomed the technology, which will also target motorcycles.

“With growing pressure on the environment, including noise pollution, illegal exhausts fitted by some riders attract unwanted attention to the motorcycle community and do nothing to promote the many benefits motorcycles can offer,” he said. “All manufacturers produce new motorcycles that follow strict regulations regarding noise and emissions and we welcome these trials as a potential way of detecting excessive noise in our community.”

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Nebraska DUI Suspect Offers 'Ace Ventura' Defense After Crashing Into Tree, Police Say 

He should have turned left—but wound up going all righty, then. A Nebraska man charged with DUI after plowing his Buick into a tree and a wall told responding officers that he’d crashed because, in his own words, he was forced to drive “like Ace Ventura” with his head out the window in the rain because his windshield wipers didn’t work.

According to police documents obtained by The Smoking Gun, on December 1st, 2018, 26-year-old Rocky Dumais was driving his 2005 Buick Rendezvous along Lincoln, Nebraska’s South Cotner Boulevard at around 1 o’clock in the morning when, instead of following the curve to the left, he drove straight on, bounding over the curb and plowing into—then uprooting—a tree in an adjacent front yard, before coming to a stop against a retaining wall. 

The Lincoln Police Department responded within three minutes, according to police; while Dumais had left the scene of the accident, the police quickly thereafter took him into custody. According to the report, Dumais told officers he’d crashed his Buick because his windshield wipers weren’t up to the task of keeping the windscreen clear, forcing him to drive with his head out the window in the manner made famous by Miami’s number one pet detective. 

Testing revealed Dumais to have a blood alcohol content of 0.137.

While Dumais was uninjured, according to police, his Buick was heavily damaged in the accident. The damage to the tree and retaining wall was valued at approximately $500, which, as an aside, makes us at The Drive wonder what sort of papier-mâché they build walls out of in Lincoln, Nebraska. 

Dumais was charged with driving under the influence, possession of drug paraphernalia, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving with a suspended license. It remains to be seen whether Dumais will be able to fit into a parking spot like a glove at his court date. 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=3nOxdKcqC_I%3Frel%3D0
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Mazda Exec Says No to Mazdaspeed, Can't Commit to Rotary Revival

Mazda board member and global president Akira Marumoto revealed in an interview at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show—where the company unveiled the redesigned 2019 Mazda3—that there are no plans to revive the Mazdaspeed brand, and that the automaker cannot commit to bringing back its RX sports car line.

“Mazda is a small player and if that segment has a high particular priority for Mazda my answer would be no,” Marumoto told Drive (unaffiliated), with regard to the hot hatchback segment once occupied by the Mazdaspeed3. “Therefore we are not planning for MPS in the future.”

Additionally, Marumoto advised against assuming that the company’s 2015 RX-Vision concept means that RX models are on their way back, as Mazda has to reach growth targets before it can consider selling rotary models again, be it to reach Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards or to make such a car financially viable.

“RX-Vision is a vision model for design development so we didn’t plan for production or commercialization of this model,” Marumoto continued. “I am receiving this question [sic] maybe 100 times, and I will not commit.”

“Nothing has been decided,” he added.

Another Mazda executive was quoted in a 2017 interview whose transcript was presented as proof that development of the next rotary sports car engine was ongoing. In retrospect, the presented conclusion looks more like a misinterpretation of Mazda’s affirmation that the rotary would become a range extender for electric vehicles, which Mazda confirmed in October. The first appearance of the modernized Wankel rotary is anticipated to be in Toyota’s e-Palette automated commercial electric vehicle, and not a sports car—if ever a sports car again.

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2013 Ford F-150 trucks recalled for second time over transmission update

Ford has issued an update to a previous recall for 123,000 2013 Ford F-150 pickups.

The recall affects trucks that haven’t undergone a transmission software update, and models that have already received the previous fix, Ford said Wednesday. The problem surrounds a powertrain control module for 2013 Ford F-150 pickups equipped with the 5.0-liter or 6.2-liter V-8 engines. The software may tell the transmission to downshift to first gear due to bad software and sensor failure without prior warning. Depending on the speed at which the downshift occurs, it could lead to loss of vehicle control, which increases the risk of a crash.

CHECK OUT: Ford F-Series models recalled again over engine block heater fire risk

Ford didn’t say how many trucks have already been fixed for the recall, but those that have will need to return to a dealership for another transmission software update. The automaker said the original fix was not complete and it didn’t house the remedy intended to stop downshifts to first gear.

DON’T MISS: Charging ahead: Ford F-150 electric pickup truck on its way

Ford will instruct owners to once again take their vehicles to a dealership for a software reprogramming. The final software will fix the transmission woes, according to the automaker. For those who haven’t addressed the recall, they will get the final version of the software to fix the problem

Despite the non-remedy, Ford said it’s unaware of any crashes or injuries related to the problem the recall addresses. The recall is ongoing now.

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Maharashtra's Six Districts To Be Diesel-Free Says Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday said that he has taken up an initiative of making six selected districts in Maharashtra diesel-free for a period of five years. “I have taken up a program to make six districts – Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli and Wardha – diesel-free. I have decided that even a drop of diesel will not be there in these districts for five years. It’s a difficult job. I have set up six factories where bio-CNG will be made for trucks and buses. Currently, 50 buses are running on that. Organic farming is the future,” Gadkari said at the CII National Council meeting.

Gadkari, who is looking after the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways along with Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, said that alternative sources of funding should be harnessed. “We must look forward to alternative sources for financing beyond banks,” Gadkari said. He further shared that in the past five years, around Rs 17 lakh crore was invested in the transport sector.

The districts of Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli and Wardha will be made diesel free  

Gadkari said that the MSME sector has “great potential for growth and potential for progress of the country. and sought support of the private sector in this direction. “We are bringing improvements as per suggestions of industry and request for more recommendations. The central government is very positive and has faith and trust in the industry. Government is investor-friendly and wants to support industries for employment, growth, and exports,” he said.

On the sidelines of the event, Gadkari told media that the Centre is not planning to shut down any industry, but changes must be made in view of national interest. When asked about the issue of electric mobility, he said, “We do not want to end any industry and want to help out. We want to include the private sector in all our schemes so that the growth rate and employment potential in development increases.”

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The list of shoe types you shouldn’t wear while driving that can land you a HUGE fine

You may be aware that driving in flip flops can land you a fine. Around the summer months, there are stories often reporting how certain types of footwear could land you a £5,000 fine. Certain types of shoe are obviously not a good idea to wear when you’re driving including high heels or flip flops as they are unlikely to give you a good grip. During the summer and over the festival season there are also certain types of shoes which motorists will wear that aren’t typically worn throughout the rest of the year such as wellies or sandals which coudl cause issues.

The Highway Code states in Rule 97 that all drivers must have “footwear and clothing which does not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner” meaning a vast variety of footwear could leave many drivers at risk of entering illegal territory.

·You should have a sole no thicker than 10mm and the sole should not be too thin or soft

·Shoes should provide enough grip to stop your foot slipping off the pedals

·Shoes should not be too heavy or limit ankle movement

·All footwear must be narrow enough to avoid accidentally depressing two pedals at once

Danny Bergin, sales manager at Wynsors World of Shoes, said; “It’s shocking to hear that driving in wellington boots for a journey can lead to so many problems and risks.

“Footwear is always an important element whilst driving but not many people would expect their shoes to be a factor in breaking the law.

“We hope our clear cut guide guidance will help those driving to festivals this year as we should all be encouraging people to look at alternatives after hearing about some of the consequences.”

Wynsors World of Shoes has shared a definitive guide on which shoes can and cannot be worn whilst driving.

UNAPPROVED

  • Wellingtons
  • Stiletto heels
  • Wedges
  • Chunky trainers
  • Chunky sandals
  • Knee & thigh high boots
  • Cowboy boots
  • Gladiator sandals
  • Workmen boots

APPROVED

  • Classic trainer or running shoe
  • Sturdy ‘ballet’ flat slip on
  • Desert boots
  • Brogues
  • Boat shoes

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Krass & Bernie Get The Drop on Officer McDonut!

Krass & Bernie have just finished restoring their best muscle car yet: a 1968 Pontiac GTO. Things are going well as the team cruises through town, until their old nemesis—officer McDonut—pulls them over. Officer McDonut is out for blood with harassing inspections of the GTO over the next few days, but the reason becomes obvious that weekend!














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One of Ferrari's Rarest Track Day Cars Is Coming Up for Sale

When it comes to special-edition cars, Ferrari is picky about its buyers. This is especially true with the track-only variants of its supercars, like the Enzo and LaFerrari. You have to have already owned several other Ferraris and be in good favor with the company. If you’re not willing to put in that effort, here’s an alternative: This 2006 Ferrari FXX is coming up for auction in Monterey via RM Sotheby’s.

Welcome to You Must Buy, our daily look at the cars you really should be buying instead of that boring commuter sedan.

The FXX is the ultra-exclusive track-only version of the Ferrari Enzo, predecessor to the LaFerrari. Thirty examples were built, each powered by a high-strung 789-horsepower version of the Enzo’s 6.3-liter naturally aspirated V-12. Covered in wings, shod with racing slicks, and sporting a set of insect-like headlights, it was more hardcore than the road-going Enzo in every way.

This example is being offered by the first owner, and comes with all the necessary accessories needed to run it at your local Ferrari Corsa Cliente track day, including several boxes of tools, a racing suit, shoes, and even a helmet. The listing doesn’t mention sizing for these items, so you might have to bring your own gear if it doesn’t fit on you.

RM Sotheby’s says this is the first FXX to be offered to the public in several years. The last time we saw one pop up for sale was in early 2017. The auction house estimates it’ll bring in somewhere between $2,850,000 and $3,250,000 at its Monterey event happening August 15th-17th. This a rare chance at access to one of Ferrari’s rarest, most unobtainable modern cars without having to jump through the company’s hoops. Register now before it’s too late.

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Chase Elliott to run 'awesome' NASCAR paint scheme in Southern 500

Chase Elliott will drive a paint scheme similar to the one driven by ‘Awesome Bill’ back in 1981.

Chase Elliott has once again dipped into the family archives for his throwback paint scheme for the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.

The fourth-year Hendrick Motorsports driver will fly a design that his dad, Bill Elliott, drove back in 1981. This paint scheme features the year the elder Elliott captured his first pole in the spring race at Darlington, the Rebel 500. He finished fourth in that race. He also earned seven top-10 finishes that year.

The No. 9 Ford Thunderbird was owned by his father, George Elliott.

This is the fourth season in which Elliott has honored a family member in the annual throwback race. In 2015, his scheme was based on the Coors car Bill Elliott drove in 1985, the year he won the Winston Million bonus by winning the Southern 500.

In 2017, he raced a light-blue Chevy based on his father’s scheme that debuted at Rockingham Speedway in 1976. Last season, he took a yellow paint scheme to Darlington modeled after a car that his late cousin Casey drove back in 1993.

“It’s always a cool thing to be able to honor family or throw back to something within your own blood,” the youngest Elliott said. “I have enjoyed doing that the past couple years. I felt like it was another good opportunity to do so, kind of fits the NAPA colors, car looks good and hopefully it goes fast.

“I look forward to getting to the track and seeing it live and in person.”



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Aston Martin Confirms the Valkyrie Will Race at Le Mans

Aston Martin has become the first manufacturer to reveal its Le Mans “hypercar”, under the new rules for 2020-2021.

The British brand will return to the top class of the endurance race, and compete in the full FIA World Endurance Championship season, for the first time since 1989. Its weapon of choice for a first victory since 1959 is, of course, the Valkyrie.

Aston has been developing the Valkyrie in conjunction with Red Bull Racing, and has so far confirmed both a “regular” road car and a slightly hotter track variant that it calls the AMR Pro.

A Le Mans Hypercar-category racer would represent a third variant. Though Aston Martin has created the car with that sort of extreme performance in mind, it isn’t entirely ready made for a 24 hour race.

Valkyrie, says Aston Martin, will be the platform for the Le Mans challenger. It shouldn’t be significantly different in terms of form, but the regulations for the category limit the cars’ power well below the 1,100hp that the Valkyrie puts to the road. In fact the hypercar rules limit the combustion engine to 697hp, with a maximum 268hp from a front-wheel motor hybrid system.

The good news is that Aston Martin won’t be doing away with the Valkyrie’s heart. It’ll keep that naturally aspirated, 6.5-liter Cosworth V12, but Aston Martin Racing will have to turn the wick down from its 1,000hp peak.

Aston Martin’s president and CEO, Dr. Andy Palmer, comments:

“We have always said that we would one day bring Aston Martin back to Le Mans with the intention of going for the outright win when the time was right – now is that time. David Brown came here in 1959, with a car and a team of drivers capable of winning. We intend to do the same in 2021.

“The Aston Martin Valkyrie is primed for such a challenge and sits perfectly within the ACO’s new ‘hypercar’ rule framework. Bringing to bear all of our previous experience and knowledge of competing at the top levels of motorsport, we embark on this most ambitious project with the necessary ingredients for success. What could be more evocative than the wail of an Aston Martin V12 leading the charge into the night on the Mulsanne straight?”

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