AE NLR Discussion

4Wd Rollovers

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:37:08 +0000

was thinking after coming back from W/P last satdurday ......... there was a land cruiser prado on its side , appearing to have rolled on a straight stretch of 4 lane smooth freeway .

the week before , known to friends of sons , a bunch of uni kids , rolled a land cruiser in a similar area , apparently the driver was changing cd's and veered a bit , corrected and it just rolled .

a few years ago a dad from school rolled his land cruiser on way home from snow after drifting gently at 100k onto the gravel edge and just steering back onto the tar .

another school dad rolled his land cruiser , was following a little pug along a hunter valley b road , there was gravel washed onto the road mid corner , the pug just drove around in front of him , he drove around , 80-90 k only , it went sideways and rolled twice .

is there a safety messsage here to pass on to friends n family ? any other examples ??

[maybe hidden radar traps for land cruisers ?]

Hi Everyone~

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 08:27:33 +0000

G'day guys,

I thought it would be time for me to come above the surface and say hello to everyone in AE ever since i joined this forum. I had much interest in lotus but wasn't sure whether i really wanted one so have been a ghost member for a while reading articles and educate myself till i make up my mind. it will be greatly appreciated if you can help me to point right directions

cheers

DJ

Who's A Cheese Eating Surrnder Monkey Then ?

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 09:29:54 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA34T0kDQEo&feature=player_embedded#!

this just proves what evryone knows . chicks dig RenaultSport drivers

golf drivers , you shoulda waited for that RSM 250 . the blonde at about 47 seconds couldve been yours .

I Got Caught!

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 07:55:16 +0000

Ok, so who out there has seen a Police car hiding in the bushes and thought, "Gee, if I was traveling in the opposite direction I would love it if someone would warn me of such."
So I did and got busted.
It's funny how the world works. The Officer pulled me over and asked me why I was doing it and then went back to his car for about 5 minutes and then came back and gave me a lecture.
He gave me 3 scenarios, "Ok Mr Soole, lets say there was a car traveling at 150kms and you flashed your lights at it and it slowed down by the time it got to our radar, or there was a drunk driver and you flashed your lights to warn him of the Police and he turned a corner and then ran into your wife's car and killed her, or what if there was a car carrying an abducted child and he got away."

I must have spent almost 10 minutes there for him to issue me with a fine for $86 and 1 point. Imagine what he could have done with those 10 mins. He could have caught the drunk driver and the child abductor.
I do understand what he is saying, but the whole world is upside down sometimes, don't you think?

Won't stop me from continuing to warn people!

Too Much Work...

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:21:13 +0000

An amazing amount of work in this. Interesting read - all 23 chapters of it!

Cobra built using billet alloy for the chassis for the CEO of Oracle, Larry Ellison. Took two and a half years!

http://www.kirkhammotorsports.com/book_aoe/

Buying Advice

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 07:38:27 +0000

Manual or Auto, Petrol or Diesel.......

Folks, some of you petrol heads out there might be able to help me with a decision. We are looking at purchasing a new family car and we are getting conflicting information regarding fuel economy and running costs.
We initially were looking at cars that had a manual transmission and a Diesel engine as we believed this produced the lowest fuel running costs.

Manual or Auto
Our experience with our 10 year old Saab 9-5 wagon with auto transmission and having driven manual cars has led us to believe there is quite a marked improvement in fuel economy when you opt for a manual transmission. However all the car brochures and car sales folk tell us that the gap between manual and automatic is very small. For example in the same car a manual car will save you at the most 0.4L/100km over an automatic.

Petrol or Diesel
The Subaru salesman stated that the Diesel engine would have higher maintenance costs as the "expensive" filter would need to be changed frequently because it is not effective on journeys under 20kms so if you are scooting the kids around it will get clogged far more quickly and it costs $1,500!!! Truth or bullsh*t??

The three cars we are looking at are compact SUV's (his is the wife's car so she won't be looking for driver dynamics). It will be all about convenience, comfort and trouble free driving. 4 wheel drive will be nice when needed but not absolutely necessary. I personally wanted to stick with a wagon (driver dynamics?) but usually wagons with leather spec cost more than the equivalent compact SUVs.

We need a tail gate entrance (for the pooch), leather seats and good space inside. We are not looking at European or American brands and this leaves us with the Toyota, Subaru, Mazda, Nisssan, Honda, Hyundai
Our budget is under $40k and the short list at the moment is:

Subaru Forrester XS (I might be able to get a Subaru Liberty wagon in the price range and it apparently has better leg room)
Mitsubishi ASX Aspire (tons of every convenience under the sun as its a very new model, also you can switch between 4WD and 2WD, apparently they have the best warranty. This is probably our favourite at the moment).
Hyundai ix35

Didn't Mitsubishi nearly go under a few years ago? Are they secure? We own a Saab and know how it feels to see parts starting to vanish on what is meant to be a trouble free family car.

Any comments?

Augmented (Hyper) Reality: Domestic Robocop

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:40:35 +0000

One for the geeks - a pretty cool AR simulation.

The latter half of the 20th century saw the built environment merged with media space, and architecture taking on new roles related to branding, image and consumerism. Augmented reality may recontextualise the functions of consumerism and architecture, and change in the way in which we operate within it.

S T I G U N M A S K E D

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:45:12 +0000

http://theage.drive.com.au/stig-unmasked-after-bbc-loses-ruling-20100902-14nwk.html

Fun With Airbag

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:17:53 +0000

Check this for a laugh

Hk Tailors

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 05:35:26 +0000

Hello Jetsetters,

Have a friend off to HK has asked if I could collect the general wisdom on which HK tailor to frequent... and given you were all so helpful with my Singapore electronic needs, I figured I give it another go.

So, who's your favourite snipper and what's his contact details please?

Yours gratefully,

Doc

Motorway Prangs

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:06:49 +0000

Driving home today there was a 3-car pile-up in the right lane coming out of Brisbane at the worst point going south, just south of where the M1 meets the Gateway. So already you have 6 lanes going down to 3, but this made it 2. Traffic at this part is always bad at rush hour, so as expected it was virtually standstill until you go past the smash.

What gobsmacked me, was that this actually caused a bumper-to-bumper traffic jam coming north all the way back to Springwood, with all the retards virtually stopping to take a look! In the UK, I remember feeling sorry for people stuck on the other side behind a smash but I never found myself sat in a jam as result of one! What is this phenomenom!? Do people really have that little going on in their lives that they need to cause this havoc?

People complain about traffic jams like this, yet they are the morons creating them in the first place. Only last week a guy in front of me in the right lane came to a virtual standstill with no cars in front of him to take a look at a rescue truck on the left shoulder. As expected I put my upgraded horn to good use before he put his foot down.

Rubber-necking happens in the UK, but Qlders bring it to a whole new level!! Is this the same in all states?

I guess this doesn't really apply to Sydney, since you guys spend most of your time doing 5kph around the city anyway so you wouldn't notice either way!

Fibreglass Mould

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 04:19:29 +0000

Don't know what I am talking about here (as usual), so bear with me.

I want to create something in fibreglass - or the final unit will be fibreglass. I know I need to shape up a dummy first, from which a f/g mould can then be taken, from which the final article can be made. I want to know how to make up just the dummy shape.
The shape I need to make is about 70 cms wide, 53 cms front to back, and about 25 cms high. The end fibreglass unit will actually be a box with an opening lid, and needs to be light and strong. To make a squarish one out of alloy is the easier ( and fall back) option (for which I would go see prancing wombats !), but I want to try to make a unit up that has extensive curves on it first, as I think it would be more attractive, and might be hard in alloy or steel.

What do I use to make up the dummy - ie the full size shape from which a mould can then be taken ? I looked on surfboard shaping sites and got led to a place called Burford Plastics in Corrumbin, where I believe I can buy blocks of the kind of material used in surfboards blanks that (I imagine) is (relatively) easy to shape using planes and files etc.

Am I heading down the right track here ?

Once the full size dummy is made up, I would get a fibreglass place to do the final article for me. Not going there - I have built a beach buggy many years ago and am finished working with fibreglass !!

Appreciate any ideas / guidance.

Giles

2 Years On - Whats Happened?

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:59:02 +0000

Hi fellas,

This week it is 2 years since Em's accident, hospitalisation and organ donation.

I dont talk about it much but the money raised by AE was put into a memorial prize at Huonville High School, and 2 annual prizes have now been given to Student who demonstrate Community Service, which was Em's big thing. I have intended to attend and give the presentation, the mind was willing , but fortitute weak, so bailed both times. If someone would like to take a day out of their lives in Novemberish and give a 5 minutes of wisdom to present the award then it could be arranged. Nothing is more certain than I wont be able to.

As far as Em's Organ donation is concerned, we have had correspondance from the family of a 1 year old who is thriving on her new liver, and a 30 year old man who unfortunately died a year after his heart/lung transplant, and we have been told that the kidney recipient is living normally off dialysis now.

Jax is now working as a trainee nurse (whatever they call them these days), confidence returning, and has moved up into a Impressa. She has moments, but were only a phone call away!

My eldest son pretty much refuses to drive, which for the son of a bloke with 12 cars is a worry! But I am hoping the ever so serious GF arrangement will fix that!

My wife was the Nurse Manager of the ED in the Royal Hobart, a position she was not able to continue due to proximity, but with our move to the runaway capital of the country, Lyn now finds herself in the same position with Royal Darwin, so her career is restored, and family life balance has a chance!

Its a pity that the old AE site data is lost, as I tried to recover the well wishes for the future, but unforutately its not to be

So thanks to the group for the empathy and provision of a safe haven where my sanity is protected!

Cheers

Brett

(PS please dont respond to this message)

Funny Car Stickers

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 05:11:49 +0000

In amongst the rubbish I've seen some funny car stickers recently. These include...

If I wanted a Hummer, I'd ask your sister

Kids in the back seat cause accidents
Accidents in the back seat cause kids

If you can read this
I can hit my brakes and sue you

Are there any others out there?

The "jesus" Is My Bowling Coach ... / Discuss

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:56:26 +0000

For those in the know...

Is this not the greatest movie ever made?

/ agree with me or I will cut off your Johnson....

Clamping Banned

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 07:07:00 +0000

Interesting development...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1303667/Cowboy-clampers-prey-millions-parking-private-land-outlawed.html

Only private land, but about time to be honest.

License Suspended

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:24:09 +0000

OK, so the RTA just sent me a letter to kindly inform me that my license will be suspended for 3 months for 3 minor speeding offences in 3 years. Boggles my European mind, but there you go.

Sooooo, i gotta ask... if i drove anyway, occasionally and only if i have to - what is the penalty if caught? Is it bad enough to really not want to risk it? I can't seem to find much.

Selling A Car To Someone Interstate

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:32:46 +0000

Anybody had any experience with this? Particularly someone from vic selling a car to someone interstate.

Mostly concerned about finding a way to have fast secure payment. I'm thinking possibly have the person do a direct deposit either the day before so it clears by the time they come to pick it up (person is looking at picking car up saturday if sale is to go through). Or having the person deposit the money at a branch with me there and then handing the keys over.

Otherwise is it best to just push the sale till the following week so that everything goes smoothly. I'm hoping there is some way to do the sale and secure the funds on the weekend as it saves me having to renew the rego (it expires this weekend) then having to cancel the rego again to claim it back when the person picks up the car say the following week.

Any feedback would help a lot.

Thanks
John

A Condensed Version Of Political History

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 08:08:10 +0000

Doing the rounds of our office...thought it was worth sharing

Humans originally existed as members of small bands of nomadic hunters/gatherers. They lived
on animals they killed in the high country during the summer and would go to the coast and live
on fish in the winter.

The two most important events in all of history were the invention of beer and the invention of
the wheel. The wheel was invented to get man to the beer.

These were the foundation of modern civilization and together were the catalyst for the splitting
of humanity into two distinct subgroups:
1. Liberals, and 2. Labor.

Once beer was discovered, it required grain and that was the beginning of agriculture.

Neither the glass bottle nor aluminum can had been invented yet, so while early humans were
sitting around waiting for them to be invented, they just stayed close to the brewery. That’s how
villages were formed.

Some men spent their days tracking and killing animals to bbq at night while they were drinking
beer. This was the beginning of what is known as the Liberal movement...

Other men who were weaker and less skilled at hunting learned to live off their labour by
showing up for the nightly bbq’s and doing the sewing, fetching, and hair dressing. This was the
beginning of the Labor movement.

Some of these labour men eventually evolved into women. They became known as girlie-men.

Some noteworthy Labor achievements include the domestication of cats, the invention of group
therapy, group hugs, and the concept of democratic voting to decide how to divide the meat and
beer that the Liberals provided.

Modern Laborites like imported beer (with lime juice added!), but most prefer white wine or
imported bottled water.

They eat raw fish but like their beef well done. Sushi, tofu and French food are standard Labor
fare. Another interesting evolutionary side note: most of their women have higher testosterone
levels than their men.

Most social workers, public servants , journalists, and group therapists are Laborites.

Liberals drink domestic beer, mostly Carlton or XXXX. They eat red meat and still provide for their
women. Liberals are big game hunters, construction workers, firemen, medical doctors, police
officers, engineers, corporate executives, athletes, members of the military, airline pilots and
generally anyone who works productively.

Liberals who own companies hire other Liberals who want to work for a living.

Laborites produce little or nothing. They like to govern the producers and decide what to do
with what they produce. That is why most of the Laborites created a business of trying to get
more for nothing. It’s called “public service”.

Here ends today’s lesson in world history:

It should be noted that a Laborite may have a momentary urge to angrily respond to the above
before forwarding it. A Liberal will simply laugh and be so convinced of the absolute truth of this
history that it will be forwarded immediately to other true believers and to more Laborites just to
piss them off.

Let your next action reveal your true self, I’m going to have another beer even though it’s a bit early.

Top Gear Season 3

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 03:28:15 +0000

Guys

If you have an interest in seeing whether the next season of the locally produced version is any better than the last two, there are FREE tickets available HERE

Usual rules apply - first in blah blah blah...

Given the lineup of presenters has changed a bit, it might just be worth a try - hopefully they have learnt from the mistakes previously made

Where In Singapore For Cheapest Electronics?

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:51:24 +0000

Off to sunny Singapore for a week, where do the jetset recommend as best e-gear purchase places?

Probably just looking at cameras at the moment. And haven't decided between a point-n-click or a decent DSLR. Or maybe updating the video. Or maybe both.

Ideas, opinions?

Again, not looking to be the next Easton, but .. .

See Baz; Those Hard Bike Seats Do Affect You

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 09:26:57 +0000

Now; I have too much respect for my penis to call it names..

<---------

Did I ever tell you that "The Most Beautiful Redhead" and I were checking out an art show in the old houses of parliament.

Its was getting quite late.

We left the art show and walked into the old Lower House. Just dawdled in there.

Not a soul in there... amazing.. such history...

..

After gigling about it, I said to T.M.B.R .. "How about I show you my standing member" ... was just about to drop the trousers but then realised that there must have been security cameras galore in there...

Funny...

Member Of Advance Years

Sun, 08 Aug 2010 23:52:56 +0000

Someone messing with the membership titles over on the LH side there ? !!!!!

<----------------

Whoo Hoo....... (What A Crock!)

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 21:12:52 +0000

Watched this on Telly last night.

Seem to forgot a few pretty important issues.

1. Melbourne has a massive city footprint
2. Melbourne gets all it power from coal?!?

Does anyone on the power generating inductry have plans for increased output, or can we wind up the coal fired plants by x%?

And Brumby made some smartarse comment about it being the largest trial of its type on the world (180 cars?!)...... So what are the thousands of electric cars running about London and Paris doing?

I am so sick of our governments. I am genuinely interested in electric cars, fascinated even. But the politics, half truths and spin is sickening. And whatsmore people are lapping it up. So much for being an educated country!

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/plug-in-and-drive-away-with-the-mitsubishis-fully-electric-i-miev-car/story-e6frf7kx-1225901851566

:-(

Bucket Seats

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 00:17:50 +0000

Is this truly the origin of "bucket seats" ?

Funny Sh*t

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 06:51:15 +0000

Whilst looking through the internet (ebay etc) for kids DVD's e.g. Mork and Mindy etc I came across one of the funniest live performances I have ever seen. Robin Williams live at the Met, an hour and a half of real funny sh*t. He covers so much content in such a frenetic pace you don't get a chance to stop laughing. This is quality stuff as against his latter (Elvis) years

If you have never seen this stuff here are a few links from youtube
Alcohol and Mrijuana http://www.youtube.c...j-c&feature=fvw
Guns, God and Fish http://www.youtube.c...feature=related

The Great Aussie Elises Cycling Thread

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:52:40 +0000

So, I've been thinking about replacing my get around bike for a while now, but just haven't "gotten around" to it.

Get it?

Now, I'm not likely to go barrelling down some hillside at light speed, nor am I likely to try to climb Everest on a bike either, but something I _can_ bash about in if I so choose might be nice.

Anyway, bike shop down the road has a Silverback (think it was??) with "alizio" kit on specialI'm guessing bottom of the range. Question is; is Silverback reasonable kit for the money or is it crap?

So, I'm in the shop having a look around and thinking, maybe all these lycra boys on AE might have something. Should I buy a road bike as well just to get some exercise and he shows me a Colnago he has on special with, apparently, carbon forks and seat post and "deore" ?? kit for about a grand.

If I'm gonna spend the cash, will this do the trick or do I really have to upsell myself? Remember; I'm not looking to be Cadel, Lance or Alberto?

What should I be looking for/at to make this as comfortable as possible?

2010 Ms Gong Ride

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:09:53 +0000

Seeing as Winno's been openly expressing the love of his new Bianchi on the forum recently and a few cyclists have popped their heads up. I was wondering if anyones keen on getting an Aussie Elises team together for the Sydney to Gong ride in November?

I haven't done the event previously but apart from the crowds it sounds like a good experience. Its also quite a way off, so you have the chance to dust of the old bike (hell, even Mackie could be half fit by that time)

Anyone interested?

Update: I've signed up and started team Aussie Elises. If you'd like to join in go to:

Team Aussie Elises

It'll be a fun day!

Looking For A Good And Trustworthy Mechanic In Act

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 02:02:45 +0000

Hi dude

I am heading to ACT to buy a used car as a second car after my Lotus. I have not bought anything in ACT before so I did not know any mechanics in that area. Does anybody know any good ones so I can take the car for a check before paying the seller?

Many thanks

Cheers

Phan

Thanks One Hd

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 09:54:58 +0000

Thanks to ONE HD for offering up a motorsport marathon tonight.
Saves us from watcinhg the wing-nut vs the 'ranga, or the wannabee cooks.

In Car Video Camera's

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:50:48 +0000

Guys,

I've been thinking about a inboard camera for the car recently (for track days, sprints, etc - but also to put on the kids bikes, skateboards, etc) and was wondering what those in the know are using ? Were is the best place to buy and approximate $, etc ?

Cheers,

Craig

Carbon Fibre Tube.... Where To Get It

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 22:13:45 +0000

Hi Peeps,

Anyone know where I could get 1.8M of Carbon Fibre Tube 25 - 32mm OD?

Its for my A-class cat as all the peeps Im racing against have CF booms and mine is alloy..... Just looks naff?!? (I enquired about a CF boom made up and choked on my beer!)

Cheers

Brett

The Entabulator

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 02:14:04 +0000

The Entabulator what we all need...

Anyone Know What Happened To Nthe Oz-Clubbies Site?

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 21:47:51 +0000

Seems to have just disappeared!

Nlc; Went Into My Garage Today...

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 05:15:24 +0000

...and saw the mower looking all sad.

Then again; maybe it is just forlorn..

Hypothetical Car Choices

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:21:45 +0000

ok , so lets imagine you need to get a fresh car thats more useful than a Z4... suitable for a swmbo , preferably auto but could handle a manual , 4 doors are ok but 2 at a pinch are acceptable . must not be japanese except if its a mitsu or renault-nissan product [ don't mention the war ] , must be under 100k , must be fun to drive and be a thing of pleasure not boring . must have a back seat for puppies .

would you choose a 135i coupe auto

or a brand new model best hot hatch in the world megane 250 [ manual only ]

or an evo x sst

or a cheaper but still fab clio 200 trophee [ again manual only ]

really sweet dream cars like m3 / evora / gtr are out as way too exy , not useful for shopping / parking / puppy transportation and too valuable to leave lying around shopping centre carparks .

whats the drum ?

Not Bad For A P2 Driver ! Well Done Webber

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 13:38:23 +0000

Webber was really dark before the race but what a great result. Got to love his comment back to the pits
Red Bull Pit "Well done Mark, you can smile now (oouch bitchy)"
Mark "Not bad for a number 2 driver (take that Red Bull favouritism to Vettel)"

Championship
Hamilton 145
Button 133
Webber 128
Vettel 121

Idiot Drivers

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 09:21:16 +0000

So im driving down the road, and without notice (And im not racist) and Indian guy just changes lanes.
I have to swerve instantly to avoid him, but that resulted in my rims getting smashed into the gutter.
So I catch up with him, and he wont pull over.
He stop at the lights, I get out and go to his car.. Still can get him to open the door.
My Rims are ruined... Im standing there next to his car in the middle of the traffic..And this guys wife is in the car laughing.

He is lucky Im not a young whippa snappa... what happened to the days of smashing there windows and dragging them out of the car for a good old beating. So I have his rego... but what can I do.. seeing he never hit me.. ahhh

Sorry for the long post.. Just I need to vent my frustrations....

Supa (Angry)

2010 Tdf

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:31:19 +0000

Well as the FIFA winds down the tour in going full swing.
Our brother Cadel is looking pretty good so far...

Way To Make A Buck!

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 02:59:59 +0000

Freaking amazing what some people can come up with...

HOW MUCH?

Do the math.

How much do you reckon his tumbleweed Arizona condo costs?

Smokey

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:26:11 +0000

This is out of left field and I hope we have someone here who can advise....

Our neighbours (nice old couple) heat their house by burning wood in their fireplace. The chimney vents out all the smoke which makes its way all of the 20 feet across to our house. The problem is it gets in through our chimney stack and through our front door and I end up with sore eyes and the house starts to stink of it!

As the childrens bedrooms are on that side of the house it also is constantly surrounding that area of the house. Surprisingly the childrens bedrooms don't seem to be affected as we keep the windows closed.

However I am concerned that they may be burning wood that has been treated and as the fumes being let off have a very sharp smell and as I said my eyes tend to get rather sore after a few hours and the whole downstairs smells.

Our Chimney has a rotating vane on it and we have set the fireplace to its closed position but it makes no difference. The front door has insulation all around but that all makes no difference. I think that the smell is so sharp even a small amount of smoke getting into the house has a very noticeable affect.

So what are my options?

Talk to the neighbours? This will likely upset them as they probably purchase the wood they "want/can afford" to buy.
Pay to have our Chimney sealed - Cost and bother etc
Pay to have a veranda built around the front door way - Cost and bother and added inconvenience coming and going easily (extra keys etc)

I would also like to know what my legal options are as I feel sure something is not quite right about the wood they are burning.

Any environmental / legal experts out there?

New Gen Diesels

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 12:11:32 +0000

Hey peoples,

Been a while since my last posts. Apologies, work has kept me from having a private life.

Last weekend I got to test drive a new Mazda 3 Diesel. This didn't happen because I always wanted to drive on of those (can imagine more exciting things), but rather because I am commuting to the Northern Beaches now (Sydney) from the CBD area. My CX-7 was a gas guzzler and I decided to grab something a bit more economical.

In any case, I couldn't believe my ears when I turned the ignition key in the demonstrator. I was expecting the little Jap tractor to spring alive with rattles and plenty of vibration. To my surprise there was non of all that at all to be heard or felt in the cockpit. Not bad. Then I take the little oil burner onto the main road and notice how Mazda has given the new 3 a beautifully short 6-gear manual. As I prepare to hit the accelerator I am still laughing away at the sporty design inside. Then I get on the gas to test the diesel and, erm, I am impressed. 150bhp, 2.2 litres, and the thing goes like stink. Yeah, you hit the redline at less than 5000rpm's. But there's virtually 360nm of torque all the way to there. And then there's the fuel consumption: 5.7l average with 150bhp. Wow, I am impressed.

It's funny. I've signed the contract, traded in my CX-7 (1:1 swap) and I am looking forward to take delivery of my commuter Diesel late next week. And, don't worry, the Elise/Exige is next on my list.

Support Marulan

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 12:18:13 +0000

http://www.marulanregion.com/

the neighbours are trying to shut it down .

theres a vote at the very bottom of the page . please support gary willmingtons little enterprise ... its needed !

You May Have Missed This

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 02:55:19 +0000

If (like me) you are a bit time poor and you quickly scan AE to keep up with what's going on in the Lotus community you may have missed this post in the suggestions section:
http://aussieelises.com/index.php?/topic/742-for-those-wishing-to-support-the-running-costs-of-the-forum/

Thanks Ashton and your merry band of helpers.

International Car Insurance

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 01:24:22 +0000

If I live in the UK, and insure my UK registered car there, I can drive to France / Germany, or overseas generally, without a problem, still covered by my UK insurance.

However, in Australia, Aus insurance companies will only insure your car in Australia. If I want to ship my car to NZ or the US and drive it there, they are telling me to call an NZ or US insurance company and insure it with them. But if I do that, because the car is registered in Australia, and I am not resident, they will not insure me. And I cannot register my car in NZ or the US because I would only be there as a tourist, not a resident.

How do the guys travelling to NZ to do the big tour over there insure their cars whilst driving on NZ roads ? How did Ian Wilson insure his car when he drove across the US (unless it had UK insurance which covered him) ? How do people who drive around the world insure their cars ?

I can't believe this is not possible. Anyone in the insurance business here ? I have called the Insurance Ombudsman, and have tried a couple of brokers, and they all throw their hands up in the air. God, Australia really is inward looking on issues like this ! Any ideas ?
Giles

Very Good Way To Sell A Car

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:29:39 +0000

I saw this off a side ad from my gmail account, very cool way to sell a car.

Rob you will love it...

Renault

Double Glazing !?

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 02:16:36 +0000

Folks, we are looking at having a few of our windows double glazed and I wanted to see if anyone here has had any companies which delivered a good service. We were considering of secondary glazing to avoid having to re-render but I think it is probably not that effective and may not look that good. So a rip out of the windows (some of them are quite large) is probably called for.

My concern is that you sometimes get quite poor finish or poor product and as it is probably going to be a sizeable investment I wanted to learn from others experiences.

Please note that I am based in Melbourne.

Many thanks in advance.

Shitbox Rally 2011

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:16:36 +0000

Blanche (swmbo) and I are are driving from Brisbane to Darwin in 2011 as part of the Shitbox rally.

Its a fundraising event with all proceeds going to the cancer council of australia.

Its a fairly simple premise, we need to raise a minimum of $4000, from which we buy a car with a value of no more than $1000. we then drive it half way up Australia, then auction it off and fly back home. any funds raised from the auction go back to the cancer council.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE donate what you can support cancer research.

Its easy to donate - just go to http://www.everydayhero.com.au/fate_amenable

Thanks

Barry & Blanche (Team: Fate Amenable to Change)

V Nice Fairlady Z !

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 03:44:13 +0000

http://www.j-spec.com.au/featured/1968-Nissan-Fairlady_Z-2000-15064.html

seems cheap too !

Et Phone Home

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:22:12 +0000

One of the best gifts I've given was to get an I-phone for my wife. She loves it, and I'm slowly being seduced by its ease of use, many apps and practical uses.

My crackberry looks quite pedestrian, but I've resisted crossing to the dark side, even though my contract is long overdue for renewal and a new handset.

When I learnt that the email app with the Blackberry adds around $30 per month to the phone bill, I told Telstra to stick it, so I just use the phone as a phone. (shock horror). I detest SMS but if I have to message, then a full keypad and no predictive text is my personal preference. And I use Telstra simply because travelling the country in ancient motor cars involves a certain element of uncertainty and Telstra's coverage has proved to be superior.

The most important app for me is the ability to sync my contact database and diary with my pc. I use a database called ACT! which is a CRM tool.

I've just read this article about Android phones:
http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/mobiles/androids-invade-smartphone-market-20100624-z0du.html

and I wonder what suggestions will come from our tech savvy forum?

Gran Turismo 5

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:52:07 +0000

i guess my xmas break is fully booked now...

Rudd's Gone - Will The Welsh Red Head Be Any Better?

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 23:38:16 +0000

Well?

I know you all have an opinion.

Motion X Gps Must Have Iphone App

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 08:22:46 +0000

This is one of the best apps for free on the iphone without a doubt I've found. Motion X GPS is a very detailed GPS logging app that allows you to pre-load all the map data of where your going as you typically don't have any phone signal when your out trekking/riding and log your entire trip, all stats everything and then upload it to twitter, facebook, or plain old email whilst your in the field still. It has so many features you just have to check it out.

As by example, Brendon and I went out for a long ride in the Royal National Park today to christen his new mountain bike. This is what it generated:

http://www.beddysblog.com/WindowsLiveWriter/MotionXGpsMustHaveIphoneAppfortheoutdoor_105F8/RNPridestats_1.jpg

and to be truly amazed open up the following Google Earth file it generated and make sure the 3D terrain layer turned on, its amazing!
http://www.beddysblog.com/images/Mark%20%26%20Brendon%20RNP%20ride.kmz

If you dont have Google Earth, this is a snippet of what it looks like:

http://www.beddysblog.com/WindowsLiveWriter/MotionXGpsMustHaveIphoneAppfortheoutdoor_105F8/RNPridemap.jpg

Anyone Hate Horses ?

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:41:29 +0000

http://if*ckinghatehorses.com/

stumbled across this .

hilarious . the author is the best p*sstaker on earth . or he really doesnt like horses . not sure .

anyway , theres a few on here who'll love his sense of humour and earthy responses to critics [ winno where are you ? ]

edit ; help , phill , the filter killed the link ...

anyway , google the words above with a 'u' instead of a * and you'll get straight there .

I Think The Cat Is Sick....

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:58:30 +0000

...well; its definately feline unwell..

A Poor Mans' Porsche

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:34:37 +0000

dedication...

http://www.ostfrallan.com/tips/6174/budget-Porsche?forumid=250646

i thought noel and mark was handy with their tape work!!

Wtf? No Christmas Party?

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 06:40:50 +0000

We've just had the email informing us of the date of the work Christmas Party so we can all keep the date free.
Only thing is, this year we're not having a Christmas Party.

It's a frikkin "End of Year Celebration".

I replied to all and asked if this was in addition to the Christmas Party.

End of which year? Not the Islamic Year. Or the Hindu Year. Or even the Financial Year.
I bet they wouldn't have the balls to rename Eid al Fitr or Chinese New Year or Deepavali, so why is it OK to do so with our traditional Western European festival?

The Redhead Sees A Midget

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 09:47:44 +0000

So Digs,

Wills in the bath. Kerri and I have a little time to ourselves.

Quiet time.

So we are sitting at the dinner table together, TV off...

..

Funny; after two minutes it is still quiet... She realises we must say something, as we have "quiet time"

.. But isn't quiet time just suppose to be that...??

Gawd I love my wife... we love each other. Today has been hectic for both of us, and we just want to relax.

I can see that she is trying to think of something. We have already talked to each other about our day. We are both happy and we are content in our little lives... but its quiet time and we have ran out of things to say...eyes dart around...

So; I am already noticing that she is uncomfortable.. she thinks of something and comes out with this to start the quiet time coversation.. By this time, I was already nearly in tears with watching her think of something... SO ..its time she is going to talk. To break the silence.. and she comes out with this cracker...

"Oh, saw a midget today..."

I am in tears. She is in tears. Absolute utter tears of laughter...

Funny little times, in our little family.

Gawd I love her. Who would ever have thought that after 15 years of being together I would now find her as charming, funny, intellegent and beautiful as the day we first met.

...

That is all..

Winno..

3 Massive Cheers For Mark Skaife

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:14:00 +0000

Has anyone heard/read Mark Skaife's most recent outspoken comments about driver training, speed limits..... AND

wait for it .....

ACTUALLY policing the OTHER road rules.

Hip Hip .....

The Bianchi Is Finished...

Sun, 13 Jun 2010 10:42:01 +0000

Hey Digs..

NLC: just me - harping on about bikes..

So; the lovely Specialized that I dragged over to Ireland, rode Mount Wellington in Tassie and did a heap a K's on, got flogged out of the back of the Camry some three months back..

OH the tears...it's been as much of part of my life as the Lotus, as it was bought at about the same time.

The lovely Redhead thought that I did unnatural acts to both, as I love them so much.

So that was about 3 months back. Ever since then,I have been obsessed with building a new bike that I would love. Bit by bit. Piece by piece. But what type of bike?

It had to be Italian. Why? Dunno - it had to be better than what I had before (Taiwanese with an Amercian accent), so Italian sounded good. Dura Ace instead of 105. Mavic SL instead of Aksiums.

So I bought this bike piece by piece, Slolwly getting exactly what I wanted. Finally on Friday all the pieces came together. Here's the pic (at the back of my joint).

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af104/Winno27/IMG_2306.jpg

__________

Specs.

Frame: 2007/8 Bianchi Nirone 7. 7005 Alloy with Carbon front forks and back stays. Frame is an "RC" which stands for "Reparto Course" (Like saying its a "M" BMW). One of the last to be made in the old Italian factory before it burnt down.

Groupset: Total Shimano Dura Ace 7800- not the newest (which is 7900 or Di2) but Lance rode it to 7 wins of the TDF. Shits all over 105. Total 7800 from Brifters to chain to 11-23 to bottom bracket and Crank. Changes gear with the rifle-bolt precision. People who know their stuff recommended it to me as some say the 7900 is not as good. Think of it as a Honda engine in a gorgeous Italian chassis.

Handle Bar: Carbon - oversized.

Head stem: Pro (Shimano) Vibe Alloy.

Wheels; Ordered Ksyrium SL but ended up with Aksiums, as got a cheap deal on them and SLs were destroyed in transit (didn't end up paying for them so will rebuild them). Had Aksiums on the old bike for 7,000k's and never threw a spoke. Unbelievebly strong, if a little heavy (circa 1900 grams. SL's are 1500 grams ) Good training wheels.

Seat Post: Sella San Marco "Ponza". Carbon fibre Bianchi "RC" seat post...

Tyres; Michelin Open Pro 3 slicks. Grey with white walls.

__________

Weight; Dunno yet, haven't measured it, but I am hoping about 8kgs. Not light, but am hoping over time I can change some bolts to Titanium, some to alloy, so will get lighter over time. Hoping about 7.5 kg's, but still be bullet proof. As said can save 400grams if get the other wheels get rebuilt..

Picked up a Carbon 53cm frame fully built up. Total weight 5.5 kgs. Holy crap that was light.

Its a bit disgusting that I have excess weight on me than WEIGHS MORE THAN MY BIKE WEIGHS!!! but hope bike can do something about this

So its done. As said after riding 100ks in two days, I am happy as a veritable pig in veritble do do. Only had to adjust front derraillieur to trim front gears correctly.

Thanks for watching. Sorry to be a bore, but its what i have been up to lately. Now back to obsessing about the weight of cars. Funny; the bike scene is very similar to cars, and -of course- a lot of the stuff on bike is applicable to cars. Same Physics/mechanics apply I suppose.

Cheers all
Winno..

Fifa 2010 World Cup Thread

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:53:57 +0000

Finally, after four years of waiting it is back: the 2010 World Cup.
I can't wait for the action to begin.

Let's post our joy and our grief here as this amazing event progresses and we see our favourite teams play.

Go Australia!!!
Go Germany!!!

New Extended Honda Ad

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:49:40 +0000

Even got Scuffers to fly the plane!

http://www.youtube.com/user/HondaVideo?v=g7zuA2PGfE8&feature=pyv&ad=4947312568&kw=honda%20crf%20450

Wow; What A Redhead....

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 08:14:35 +0000

Digs,

This has nothing whatsover to do with Lotuses, but I thought I better let you know.

Watching the movie "Sherlock Holmes" on the weekend (yunnow, just having a beer with my good mate Rusty, watching a bit of humugous LED 104 foot telly) and well a HOT redhead popped up...

Ah for all thats holy in the name of the Lord, I said to Russell, She's GORGEOUS...

Her name is Kelly Reilly... and it turns out that that the feckless Guy Ritchie has caught himsellf something decent.. well at least something with less wrinkles than my scrotum..

Anyway, without further adoo here she is...

http://anythinghollywood.com/wp-content/2008/10/kelly_reilly_bio.jpg

STEAMING....

..

That is all...

..

Now: I'm off for a cigarette...

Renault Spider

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 06:41:12 +0000

I remember seeing one of these for sale some years ago, and theres another one on carpoint now

http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/dealer/details.aspx?R=8823883&__sid=128EE6BA4D44&__Qpb=true&Cr=0&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32%7c1%7c%7cpCar_Price_Decimal%7c1%7c%7cpCar_Make_String%7c0%7c%7cpCar_Model_String%7c0&keywords=&__N=834%201216%201247%201282%201252%201246%204294963762%204294967166&seot=1&__Nne=15&trecs=1&silo=1011

not quite elise performance, but an interesting alternative to anyone who likes to collect cars and has an interest in Renaults (nudge nudge Rob)

Temporary Work - Driver Required For 2 Week Contract

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 23:33:28 +0000

Friend of mine in the recruitment industry is looking for a driver, aged over 25 to deliver high value sports cars (I'm told Ferraris etc)in the Sydney area. The pay is $21 per hour but the contract starts this Monday (June 7th) and runs for 2 weeks, so this is very short notice.

From what I gather, the recipients of the cars are high value clients, so the person would need to be presentable, have a good driving history and have the gift of the gab. Hours would be 8-5pm and there's the possibility of weekend work (less hours). That's all I know.

Anyone interested should ask for Nikki Sparkes on 02 8270 9711. Mention me (Warren).

I realise that this thread will probably drift to oblivion, but if you know anyone that fits the bill, please put them forward as it will help a good mate of mine.

Cheers
Warren

Cams Carnival

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 02:35:54 +0000

http://www.camscarnival.com.au/

anyone know much about it ?

Ipads Required

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 23:27:10 +0000

all,

i need to buy 3 x 64gb 3G ipads - anyone know if anywhere has them in stock ?

Hairy Indy Smash

Mon, 31 May 2010 06:24:18 +0000

Who's a lucky Brit then?

What To Do..

Mon, 24 May 2010 04:37:49 +0000

Hey guys,

I am currently working for Xstrata Coal - Newlands Surface Operations as a contracted administation assistant clearing up their messy paper playground they call the training records department. Unfortunately I have recently found out the funding for the job is being cut and reassessed due to the severity of the job. This means I will no longer be working for Newlands Coal. The human resources manager is on the lookout for a permanant position for me however this is extremely difficult due to my lack of experience.

Long story short I need a job (to pay off my elise) and am currently on the lookout.

I have had experience as:

Administration Assistant- Xstrata Coal - working with microsoft excel, word and outlook. I am very computer savvy and have been taught about microsoft office and autocad. I also self teach myself many things such as hacking and game/program modification.

University Student - James Cook University Townsville - Accepted into and spent a year in Engineering and Microbiology but found my lack of money to be very hindering on my progress (the reason I wen't to the mines).

Air Force - Went to the Air Force base in Townsville for work experience during school and passed the testing to become a fighter pilot however due to my age I could not continue onto the next stage for training.

Labouring - I have spent a couple months as a Labourer for various companies doing carpentry, plumbing, cementing, painting, and other forms of labour. My father is a carpenter by trade and I assist him with home and work projects on occasion. Also worked at the checkout of a hardware store aswell as doing stocktake etc.

Interests: Lotus Elise ...of course, Guitar (self taught), Motorbikes, Computer program and game design.

I am a mature young man, physically fit and a very hard worker, I figure if I am getting paid then I am there to work and not muck around, waste time etc.
Will be paying about $1500 a month to pay off the elise so I do not mind working long hours.

Just interested to see what kind of response I get on here. Would prefer a job where I am learning a skill to allow me a broader scope of work.

Cheers,
Codie

Freaky Bendy

Sun, 23 May 2010 23:42:42 +0000

Got this e-mailed to me today, thought I'd share.
Watch past the 60 sec mark.

Elastica chicks

Hamilton Charged

Sun, 23 May 2010 07:19:57 +0000

So Lewis is formally charged for the Melbourne F1 incident - for "intentionally losing control of a motor vehicle"

That should be easy to defend...

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/motorsport/lewis-hamilton-to-face-court-over-aussie-burnout-stunt-20100523-w3kv.html

Motorbike Vs Lotus Experience - Am I Missing Something?

Sun, 23 May 2010 03:42:36 +0000

After starting to learn how to ride a motorbike, while waiting on my car to be fixed and preparing for my Vietnam trip, I have been struggling with my feelings for it.

I always thought that a bike was the ultimate experience in feeling connected to the road - It's just you, 2 wheels and the elements. And I keep seeing ads for how riding is associated with "freedom". You even hear people say how a lotus is a "4-wheeled" motorbike.

And yet, I feel more "free" and "connected" in the lotus. Take the roof off the exige and have the wind on your hair as you blast up a mountain is a more "free" experience than having a helmet on, leathers and gloves. I feel a little less connected to the road as I'm riding higher than I sit in the lotus. I'm sure I'm not picking up all the subtleties through the bars (as opposed to the wheel) due the fact I'm still learning. I can feel how the bike looses grip and how it is reacting to the road and I'm sure that will get better with more experience. The hypervigilance that you have to maintain, and threat of being run over, is awesome though.

I can't help but feel a little disappointed. Am I missing something?

My friend who is learning with me, and has driven my car for extended periods of time, feels completely the opposite. Although the lotus makes him "grin", he feels much happier on the bike. He's gone out a bought a Honda VT 400 cruiser.

I've just tested a Suzuki LAMS Gladius which was fine. I put a refundable deposit on it, pending a test ride of a Honda CB400 and my darkhorse option - a royal enfield, but I'm just having second thoughts on it. I'd really love a Triumph bonneville or something - but none of these are learners approved. I know a second hand option would be better - but I don't want the hassle.

I really want to ride with my friend.

Is it just me?

SM.

Dad Defies Death Again

Sun, 23 May 2010 00:36:16 +0000

While I was at Eastern Creek yesterday my father was at Wakefield for the VW Nationals in his rat Beetle. After setting another 1:15 on 5" road tyres the right rear brake drum broke and locked the wheel coming though the left hand kink up the hill.

The car rolled 3 times mid-air and landed on it's roof.

This not the first time he has rolled a VW, first time was Bathurst in 1963. Dad spent a few hours in Goulburn Hospital for obs but is fine and is off to the VW show today at Fairfield in his Porsche Spyder. What a legend!

http://i960.photobucket.com/albums/ae86/Paulc1964au/Wakefield%202010/IMGP2357640x425.jpg

http://i960.photobucket.com/albums/ae86/Paulc1964au/Wakefield%202010/IMGP2505640x425.jpg

6:58:16

Sat, 22 May 2010 11:38:17 +0000

Guys,

Check this out - Craig D might give it a run for its money !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJj8atDGBzk

Cheers,

Craig

Pricing Analysts

Fri, 21 May 2010 07:37:33 +0000

Just wondering if anyone on the forum may be a pricing analyst/consultant or have a solid knowledge base on the profession and the skills required?

I'm considering a job change and am interviewing with a firm on Tuesday. I'm currently casually lecturing postgrads at Sydney uni in the Economics and Business faculty since quitting my previous role as an Area Manager for a large FMCG food retailer.

Any help and advice would be appreciated. My passion lies in conceptual thinking and analysis and I reckon this role is much more stimulating for the brain than what I was doing previously.

Many thanks.

Mac Use - Connection To Exchange

Fri, 21 May 2010 06:52:07 +0000

Just setting up a new office and a couple of managers want to try out Macs (never used them before but they do have iPhones )

The biggest issue that our IT company have raised is that Macs don't talk to exchange over the internet (local connection no problem apparently). This is a major issue as we all travel a lot and need connectivity wherever we are.

SO - how do you mac users do it????

Thanks
Steve

Funky Friday Video

Fri, 21 May 2010 01:48:05 +0000

Can't be assed figuring out how to embed it.

Click here and have a look.

http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/video/xcv6dv_pixels-by-patrick-jean_creation

D-Drive Infinitely Variable Transmission

Thu, 20 May 2010 10:43:57 +0000

I saw this video posted over on the overclockers.com.au forum and thought it might be of interest here.

D-Drive prototype

It would be interesting to see the total weight of a drive like this at Lotus HP. I don't know that I'd ever give up a manual drive for a CVT unless I was regularly commuting through peak hour traffic.

Speed Traps: Saving Lives Or Raising Revenue?

Thu, 20 May 2010 03:18:52 +0000

Have a read of this article if you haven't already:

http://www.cis.org.au/policy/spr03/polspr03-1.htm

And following on from a thread drift!

Matt, on 20 May 2010 - 10:01 AM, said:

Driver training is only a small part of it and it needs to be relevant too, unfortunately all of the commercial "Defensive" courses that I'm aware of are outdated and at best vaguely relevant to today’s cars and conditions. Better than nothing granted but not the "Silver Bullet" to fixing the bigger issues.

One of the simplest solutions is to decrease the number of road users. Improve the public transport network, make it efficient, cheap and accessible and you'll cut by a magnitude the number of people on the roads.

Enforce the "Power to Weight" rules for young drivers. Frankly there is no excuse for an inexperienced driver to be behind the wheel of a high performance car (that includes a Lotus IMO). The current system is so badly flawed and so easy to circumvent it makes a mockery of why it was setup in the first place. Yeah I'm sure that Pearl Flake Purple Rex with flames, custom interior, 20" Tempe's is the "Family" car.

Make it more expensive to obtain and maintain a licence (including appropriate training), no apologies from me on this. Yes the "well to do" will be advantaged but F.F.S, get over it, they are advantaged anyway. If you have to pay real money and not just a token sum for a piece of plastic (and make it even more expensive if you lose it through stupidity) let’s see how much more respect it gets.

Frankly I have no sympathy for people who have lost their licence due to multiple speeding fines (not a popular opinion on a car forum I'm guessing). Regardless if the rules, limits, enforcement methods are correct or not, they are there. If you value your licence as much as I do you generally obey them. With the prevalence and availability of track days and club motorsport activities there is more than enough outlet for the wannabee race car drivers of the world to get their jollies, hell they may even learn something that keeps them alive. And the next time some pimply faced moron in their fully sick GTREVOREX says "but my cars not insured on the track" I'm going to belt them, just shows how much value people place on an object as opposed to human life.

JTT, on 20 May 2010 - 12:39 PM, said:

Agree.

I'm always shocked at how rude drivers are in Sydney. It's almost as if people deliberately don't let other drivers in. Or maybe it's just because because people absolutely anticipate nothing at all whatsoever on the road. Drives me insane.
For some reason driving in Germany is much less stressful. Even at 'cruising speed' on the Autobahn....
Believe the death toll is much lower as well. Might be due to the fact that you actually have to take driving lessions with an instructor (30-40 hours is absolutely normal). Also, the driving tests can be quite tough, too. Has its cost as well, sitting at around a comfortable 2000 Euros.

I think that the instructors are not correctly trained or policed properly. I pulled up aside a learner a few weeks ago at a set of traffic lights and the LEARNER DRIVER was texting away on her mobile phone! Furthermore, while I understand 'P' plate drivers are inexperienced and still learning, most of their maneuvers I witness are completely insane. I think they really aren't taught everything they need to drive safely, motorway driving is definitely not covered! The learning and testing methods need to be way more stringent. In Europe everyone drives quicker, the driving culture is completely different and the drivers are more aware and alert to everything going on, hence less accidents. When I lived in Germany I used to drive the Autobahns at 250kph and it felt way safer than driving to work on the M1 in Qld!!

Public transport is clearly non-existent in Qld. So while I agree the need is there, the cost of getting it to a useable state in another astronomical implementation, forever out of reach.

As for merging, that's another fantasy, only experienced by those to leave these shores. It's definitely awareness. Drivers follow slip roads to the end like they only see 2 feet ahead and need to be told to turn, only using their mirrors at the last second (or do they even ever use them!!?). It's more like "Indicate & Turn". If your car happens to be in the way then you'd better brake or you're another statistic....

Body Shop In Seq / Gold Coast

Wed, 19 May 2010 07:36:10 +0000

Dear All,
The family car has developed a patch of rust around the top corner of the windscreen. To fix it, I think the windscreen will need
to be removed, the area ground down, anti-rust/filler applied and the area repainted. Does anyone have any recommendations
of a good place to get this done on the Gold Coast? Or, maybe more importantly, ideas of where not to get it done?
Many thanks

Convertibles Could Be In Trouble

Mon, 17 May 2010 12:36:06 +0000

Drivers face fines for unlocked cars

Unlocked car doors and discarded cigarette butts could leave smokers and motorists lighter in the pocket thanks to tough new fines to be enforced from today.

Police will fine motorists in the Yarra Ranges up to $358 for leaving their car doors unlocked or windows down.

Sergeant John Morgan, officer in charge of the Yarra Ranges traffic management unit, said police had decided to enforce fines after a spike in theft of and theft from unsecured motor vehicles.

The ‘‘look, lock, leave’’ campaign will be ongoing and could extend to other areas of the state, he said.

Sergeant Morgan said motor vehicle theft affected the whole community.

‘‘It puts our crime stats up, it wastes police man hours in investigating the crimes in the first instance and ultimately it will put up insurance premiums,’’ he said.

Sergeant Morgan said he did not expect a negative community reaction to the fines.

‘‘I believe if the public are aware of it ... I don’t think they will be agitated by it,’’ he said.

Theft of valuables from cars in the Yarra Ranges have increased 10.1 per cent in 2009-10.

Under the new Road Safety Road Rules 2009 legislation, motorists can be fined for leaving car doors unlocked, windows down, parking brakes unengaged or keys in the ignition.

Leading Senior Constable Graeme Rust said the campaign put motorists on notice to ensure their cars were properly secured.

‘‘Police keep telling people to lock their cars, yet we still find a large number of people do not heed these warnings,’’ he said.

The legislation applies when motorists are more than three metres away from the vehicle.

When the only people left in the vehicle are aged under 16, the motorist must remove the keys from the ignition.

If no one is left in the vehicle, windows can be left open up to two centimetres before it is classed unsecured.

The legislation applies to all motorists who leave their vehicles on roads, except those who have been granted exemption under the legislation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

you have to love this

Caddy Ad ...

Sun, 16 May 2010 23:41:24 +0000

ok, so i know its a caddy - but still some impressive skills !

the launch of cadillac in china ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=SbuDRA4zNbw

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=SbuDRA4zNbw

Dirty Bacon

Wed, 12 May 2010 00:29:25 +0000

Just curious as to what the situation is with listing unmarked car details on websites here? I was considering putting a new page on my website in the UK that listed the dirty gets.

I started noting down the details of those around the Gold Coast. I've only got 4 so far, but I always see the same ones around so probably pretty useful to others in the area.

Just wondering whether anyone else is doing or has done this?

Help From Nsw Please

Mon, 10 May 2010 04:13:24 +0000

Need some advise on how long it would take to get from A-B in Sydney please.

Americans arriving Sydney at 6.30 am on Friday the 21st May. Forgetting they lost a day en route, ( ) they have booked a Bridge Climb at 9 am.

So, Assuming they came out of the airport at 7.30 pm, how long would it take to drive from Sydney Airport to 3 Cumberland Street at the Rocks on a Friday ? Can I do it in 1.5 hours ? Or should I try to change the Bridge Climb time to about 10 or 11 am ?

Thanks,

Giles

PS No comments please about the Yanks who forget it takes more than 7 hours to fly from LA to Sydney and that we are on the same time zone as them !! I have already told them what I think !!

Opera Mobile

Sat, 08 May 2010 07:07:40 +0000

Hey folks, I find that Opera Mobile Browser on the mobile PDA doesn't work on AE!?
When you tap in this comment box it doesn't detect the frame as a text entry field. This means I have to revert to crappy IE Mobile. Opera Mobile works very well with all other sites !

Any ideas webmasters !?

Citroen Ds3

Tue, 04 May 2010 14:03:01 +0000

Just stumbled across this preview of the new Citroen DS3 Racing, what a cool little car. Gotta love the French style!

Shipping From Uk

Mon, 03 May 2010 00:16:05 +0000

Anyone had anything shipped from Europe recently - is the volcano still disrupting deliveries, or are we back to the usual 3-4 delivery time from EliseParts?

TIA

N A S C A R

Sat, 01 May 2010 04:05:06 +0000

I think I've found a cure for insomnia. Is it just me? What's there to like about this? Is it an acquired eye that's needed to see it's particular nuance of motoring magic?

That Lancaaster Bomber Kit

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:42:59 +0000

There's a magazine being advertised on the telly that has parts (mostly balsa wood) that build into a big-ish model of a Lancaster bomber. The first copy is $1.50, but other issues are $14.95. Fine, you might think, I wouldn't mind a nice model of a Lancaster.

However. A look on the website reveals that you'll need to buy 125 issues of the magazine/parts supply. 125 x 414.95 = $1855.30. HOW MUCH??? Then there's paint, glue, and anything else needed to finish it.

Just thought this was a poor bit of advertising. Better to get the new 1/24 Airfix Mosquito at about $200.

BTW - Triking Models in Perth have a 1/18 die-cast Europa (The Elise-based one) in White. And a few 1/43 black Elises for $8.50.

Nokia N8

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 11:18:25 +0000

Thought you may be interested to know Nokia has (literally) just announced the new N8.

Product page

Some of the feature-set is outstanding, some of it is (admittedly) simply playing catch-up to the rest of the market.

I've used one and Symbian ^3 (fully open-source OS) is, thankfully, light years ahead of where it's come from (S60), and the addition of a dedicated graphics processor means responsiveness has improved ten-fold.

Be interested to know what you think.

4Th Place Today

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 05:49:23 +0000

Got a 4th today on a flowing course in Washington state.
Also finally got around to hooking up the GoPro camera, so I'll post some video in the next few days from practice before the event.

My Drive Of A Formula 1 Car

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 22:27:09 +0000

Today I drove a Formula 1 car flat-out at Circuit de Catalunya. I have wondered for a long time how it would be to actually drive a F1 car, but my imaginings could not prepare me for the actual experience. It was awesome beyond words, thrilling, genuinely un-nerving and such a violent and overwhelming assult on all of the senses. Despite your brain saying this is crazy, this car is going to kill you, just enough concious will remained to keep the throttle flat.

I would like to be able to say that I drove like Michael Schumacher, but I cannot. This is a whole new solar system of car performance that I just could not come to grips with in the 5 laps I had. I drove it as fast as I dared, but not so there was any chance I would suffer the ignomy of crashing their very expensive F1 car, like one other driver did... It was made all the more difficult by my too-large feet fouling the accelerator and brake, causing a few tense moments when I couldn't release the throttle fully...more on this later.

Anyway, I did experience an F1 car at full throttle, reaching over 300kph on the front straight, talk about INTENSE. Very similar intensity to skydiving. The F1 car I drove was the Benetton that Giancarlo Fisichella campaigned in 1998 and got one Pole Position, has a 780hp Cosworth V8 and weighs just 600kg, including me!

Details
The day started with being driven around the circuit for track familiarisation. We would be using the shorter 'National' circuit, not the full GP circuit. As this was an event conducted in Spain by a French company and I was the only English speaking driver, I was given a 1-on1 with the only guy that spoke a little english. The other 4 guys went in a group.

Next was some quick instruction on how to drive the Formula 3e car, 2 litre, 200hp, 450kg, full wings and slicks and a sequential gearbox. It had a clutch that you have to use on up/downchanges, so left foot braking was out.
The 5 of us were sent out together for 6 laps to get the feel of the circuit and the F3 car. For me this was my first time in an open wheeler, so it was a bit of a foreign experience but one I enjoyed. The acceleration was a bit stronger than my Exige but not startlingly so, the steering much more direct, basically like a go kart with a bit more straight line stability. Fortunately I was the fastest of the group and was able to enjoy a few passing moves as I lapped most of the field. Feedback from the instructors stationed at each corner was that my car control and lines were very good but I was driving it like a conventional car and not getting the most out of the downforce, surprise surprise.

The second session was much better, it's amazing how a decent break and feedback allows your brain to absorb the experience and be prepared for more. In the second session I tried braking much later and much harder early (degressive braking) and to my amazement it works! I was now braking for the slow right hander (60kph) at the end of the long front straight (240kph) at the 100m board, it takes real will to go waaay past your mental braking markers. I was also feeling the car move in the corners and getting the benefit of downforce in the faster corners, carrying speed well beyond what my exige could. I could get used to this, it was a really enjoyable drive. Again I was fastest of the group and the instructor feedback was that I could still brake later (I was having to accelerate again a little before the corner!) and my turn-in should be crisper to get the back of the car just movinng out, I was being a bit too smooth.

We had lunch where Sharen and I sat with a promising F3 driver who spoke english which provided us with our first proper conversation with anyone other than ourselves all day.

Now I was called-up as the first driver in the F1 car. I had a choice of a 1996 Arrows, 1999 Williams or the 1998 Benetton. I chose the Benetton as it was the most successful of the cars, having achieved a pole position in Austria against the mighty McLarens of Hakkinen and Coulthard in the hands of Fisichella. It was fitted with the 3.5l Cosworth V8 engine that Michael Scumacher used in his debut Drivers Championship in 1994, 780hp @ 15,000rpm!!
After an all too quick rundown in very broken french/english on how to operate the car, e.g ("very importanto, never to change up before 3 green illuminations" and "very importanto, only use clutch two times, 1 time, at the start, 2 time, when you stoppa"). Other very importanto things were just too hard to translate to english so I ignored them.

So now fully briefed on the operation of an F1 car! I was now ready to take one by the scruff of the neck. As there is no time for a seat fitting, the seat consisted of a bit of rubber placed into the tub. I slid down into it until I thought I was in, i.e I could no longer move, but no, I still had another 6 inches to go! A push down on my head sent me home the final 6 inches until I was now literally lying with my feet higher than my ass. A crazy driving position, so much more extreme than the F3, with literally no elbow room, I would be turning with wrists only, legs down a very narrow tunnel to some too-small pedals. I was certainly not comfortable and the lack of a crotch strap when lying in the car meant that if I did go in head-on, I would be found in the footwell. Oh well, not chickening out now!

The wheel was also so small I could barely get my thumbs through. These cars are definitely not designed for normal sized guys! After a lot of fussing about at the front due to a clutch sensor problem, I was ready to go.

The start sequence was Clutch Out, Ignition on, hold exactly 8% throttle, manual starter from the rear and Whoomph, it was alive The sensation at the 6,000rpm idle was frightening enough, the whole car vibrated, it was so loud I could no longer be told what to do, truly menacing. Clutch in, select first on the paddle shift and eeeaaassseee the clutch out, bam! instant stall. I barely moved the clutch but it grabbed enough to pull my foot further back and stall. If I had my way I would have given it a bit more of a bootful but they were insistent on 8% throttle. So, we try again. This time I'm really careful and hold it right on the take-up point, lurch a bit and kangaroo hop a bit and stall again, bugger! 3rd time they decide on a push start, 2nd gear and a dump of the clutch and I'm away, trundling down pitlane in a god damn F1 car!

I cruised around the first half lap just getting a feel for the brakes, steering, throttle and gearbox. Immediately I noticed that my feet were too big and getting fouled between the accelerator and brake pedals. The effect was that sometimes the throttle wouldn't release fully and sometimes I couldn't get my foot to the brake. Yes, I can't believe it but I was not left foot braking, I didn't realise until afterward why I was having such a problem, but I was trying to drive an F1 like a conventional car, stupid stupid stupid. Goes to show how maxxed out my brain was just dealing with the car and it's performance...

Anyway, onto the back straight and I give the throttle a stab in 3rd, traction control, 4th traction control, man the tyres are cold and there is just no bite. I weave the remainder of the lap until the long catalunya front straight. 3rd gear out of the right hander onto the straight and I squeeze in 100% throttle. Holy crap!, the noise is deafening a deep roar and a scream that physically hurts, an overwhelming push forward like a rocket and I'm pulling gears like a computer game. I can't bear to hold the throttle flat for more than 1/2 the length of the straight, it's just too intense. Helmet being thrown left and right while being pulled simultaneously up from the aero and back from the acceleration. Vibration that makes the already difficult vision more difficult and speed nothing like I have experienced before. This thing wants to get from here to there, immediately!

2nd lap and Inow have tyres that are working for me but I have absolutely no idea where the limit is. A few people told me, just go out and drive it flat out, which I really wanted to do, but it is just so alien, so precious. How do you know where the limit is in such a short period of time in something that is way beyond your mental model of what a car can do? So I pushed it a bit and drove through the corners like I would with my own car, onto the front straight and this time I hold it flat and the gears through to the redline. I can't describe the performance, I had tried to imagine what it would be like, but I had tried to do it from the reference of what I knew. i.e 3 times the power to weight of my S/C Honda Exige, amazing brakes and downforce assisted cornering. But I could not imagine the true experience of it, the way that it ovewhelmed all of the senses, all at once, the noise, the violence, quite simply another solar system even from the F3 car.

4th Lap and I've finally gotten comfortable enough to push it in the corner until I feel some slip from the tyres and to hold it flat the full length of the straight. I still chicken out and brake at the 200m board at over 300kph, it should be able to do 150m or 100m, but I just can't force myself to do it in such a short time.

Before I knew it, it was over and I was pulling into pit lane. On exiting the car I babbled on about 'amazing', 'increbible' etc... Even now 24hours later, if I think about the experience, my heart pounds. It really was just another league altogether. Now I can't wait to go again, to try and get more out of the car. I can't recommend the experience more highly if you have the opportunity to do it. The organisation was very professional and their resources immense, I think the guy that owns Tag Heuer owns it. They have 18 Formula 1 Cars! Have the rights to all of the Cosworth engines and had 20 staff at the track. The company that ran it was LRS Formula 1 (French) and I organised it through Wildside Adrenaline in the UK.

If/when I do it again, I will be sure to somehow get some practice in a proper open wheeler downforce car and some time in a car with a crazy power/weight ratio to calibrate the brain/body for the experience so that it is less overwhelming on the day. However it was an experience that for me could not be topped.

Greg

Next Gen Iphone Leaked

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 01:31:03 +0000

Pretty certain this is the real deal,

http://gizmodo.com/5520164/this-is-apples-next-iphone

My guess is Steve Jobs is in hospital right now, from a heart attack

Seeking Employment?

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 22:27:50 +0000

Guy's,

Have been in Australia for two and half years (PR). Came out to run a business in the traffic technologies and dynamic contents sector (Mobile, Web and Navigation). Cut a long story short, the business is being put into administration and now seeking a new direction or challenge. I am a tech savvy, business development guy and at 52 have pretty broad experience. I have also set up and ran my own business for 13 years in the UK. So any leads very welcome right now.

email me if you have any info or indeed interest.

Danny

PS BTW I am looking for a good personal reference from Ashton :-)

Test Drove Z4 And Boxster S Today

Sat, 17 Apr 2010 13:21:02 +0000

The wife and kidneys are overseas so I thought I'd grab the chance and see if the latest incarnations are worth considering.

Auto geeks would love the Z4, its got so many gizmos it would keep them amused for ages. Unfortunately the performance doesn't live up to the marketing hype. I found the steering vague, suspension soft and the brakes non-existant, like really non-existant! But the double clutch gearbox is NICE! Incredibly smooth and fast. And the 50/50 weight distribution is certainly evident though the curves. Overall however it was actually quite a disappointment but there you go.

Next stop Chellingworths, Boxster S. I'm not sure why everyone calls it a poor mans porsche. At least compared to the Z4 it beats it hands down. Its got a touch of luxury without the beamer over-the-top gadgetry. Even though I only had a quick run in it, cause the dealership is located just down the road from me, I knew how every single corner and roundabout should feel like. Overall the performance is more similar to the lotus but not quite as precise or raw. So close but no cigar. Maybe when I get a little older and want a few creature comforts the Porsche may be worth a closer look.

Now back to building my planter.
Shane

Help And Advice

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 10:20:10 +0000

First let me apologise for posting anonymously but my reasons will quickly become obvious.
I am a long term AE member and I come to you with news of an agonising and very personal nature in the hope that some of you can help me through the experience that I have to take. I look upon this community as my only place of solace and trust you with my deepest feelings. I have no family in Australia and the closest thing I have to that is you my dear friends for advice. Any of you who feel able to offer advice can do so by posting directly or sending me a PM.
Over the last few years I have been going through what many in married life would call a “difficult time” with my wife. It has become obvious that I can’t go on any longer and I have made the difficult decision to end my marriage. On top of the usual feelings of regret, anguish and anger is the heartbreaking prospect of further affecting my children.

I have taken this decision with them as the number one priority and truly believe that if as parents we can’t show them the good role models they need in life to stay together any longer only does them more harm. I could go on but the reason for writing to you is that along this journey I have two overriding things that plague my mind. The first being the children, but secondly the doubt of what will happen to me both financially and emotionally. I already feel irreparably scarred and I look on the last few years as daily torment and soul destroying experiences. I am bitter and concerned that all I have worked for may end up counting for nothing and that all those dreams, access to my children, my financial security and ultimately my happiness are now areas of further future disappointment.

I have read much about the biased court system and how fathers are the marginalised in court rulings. There are enough statistics that recount stories of husbands descending to even lower levels of despair than produced by the already devastating effects of a marriage breakup. Even the lawyers are biased and lean towards the easier task of defending the wife!! This alarms me almost beyond comprehension. I want to be able to provide for my children and a fair deal will allow this for all of us. An unfair settlement will not. Our combined efforts have produced a high standard and I am sure that if either ended up with less than an equitable outcome it would only cause more pain and further impact our ability to get on with our lives and look after our children.

The areas of contention are
1. Access to my children – I suspect my wife will want majority custody and may not be open to allowing as much access as I want (i.e. overnight stays, weekends etc) only provide infrequent access and I plan to fight this as far as possible.
2. Financial Security - If I am to support my children and do more than just exist I want a fair settlement and expect my lawyer to fight for me and not just take the easy road. Many may say it’s not worth it but I think otherwise. I am a person who still believes in right and wrong, and have worked damned hard to let it all be taken away. However let me say I am not willing to fight through court if the settlement is anywhere near fair. I just want to avoid walking away the ability to merely exist. At my stage in life this is not acceptable.

Parenting Plan
I have put a parenting plan together that helps start the difficult conversations. It sets out the best possible outcomes for the children and what the options are to achieve this. It talks of how the parents can be fairly represented. It talks about shared access to children, joint attendance at special events (e.g. birthdays and holidays etc). For example, as it is unrealistic that the children attend two lots of holidays and birthdays and unfair for one parent to have to pay and do all the work for these events I recommend we work together to provide equal funding and effort. It allows both parents to be part of these special times and shows the children how much they are cared. The children have had the time of their life because my wife arranges such amazing events and these are the rare occasions where we actually have a good time as a family and an ‘acceptable’ time as a couple. This offer also provides much needed support to my wife as she is not very fit and finds it difficult looking after two energetic children on holiday and it would spoil the children’s experience if she was stressed.

I think we can keep this from getting nasty and dragging in the lawyers but know this is a knife edge we are about to step onto and any help and advice would be very much appreciated.

I am sorry if some of this sounds conflicted or even a bit clinical but my heart is cold and I can only look to what the future holds and hope for a fair outcome.

Gonna Be Living In Australia For A Few Months, Any Tips?

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 23:51:10 +0000

Hey there, my name is Eric and I was pointed to this board from lotustalk.com. I own an Exige and live in Los Angeles. I do visual Effects, and will be down in Sydney working at Animal Logic for 4 months.

I just wanted to say HELLO, and see if I could drum up some insider info on living in Sydney, and where I could get my speed/Lotus fix. I'm not going to be able to bring my car down obviously, and I'm not planning on renting one as they are going to put me in a hotel close to work. Work is on the Fox lot by Central Park as I understand.

Can't wait to come down, upset I missed the GP!!!

Rta To Ban Re-Regesteration Of Repairable Writeoffs

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 06:08:22 +0000

Seriously what is wrong with these people??

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/newsevents/downloads/minister_releases/100408_car_rebirthing.pdf

Crack a clam and that's the end of your car! Great!

What Would You Import?

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 05:42:37 +0000

Hi All,
Starting to do research in relation to what vehicle(s) we would bring back with us after a year long stay in the UK. Looking at bringing one or two (one for me and one for wife). I would probably sell at least one of them on our return (to fund some home reno's) (I'll be keeping my Exige). I have done a bit of reseach on prices. I could spend approx $50k pounds max. Some of the options I have looked at. Prices in pounds.

Aston Martin V8 vantage: $40k
Aston Martin DB9: $45k
Aston Martin Vanquish: $45 - 50k
BMW E90 M3: $33k
BMW M6: $30k
Ferrari 360: $35-40k
Lotus S1 Exige: $20k
AMG SL55: $25k
AMG SLK55: 25k
AMG C63: $45k
Lambo Gallardo: $55-60k (stretching the budget- but would be nice )

I was initially thinking a S1 Exige was a definate for one of the cars, but it may be more economical to bring something else to sell for the profit and then get a S1 Exige (when a good one comes up) - (given that I'm going to have to buy as soon as I get there) brought over by SSC.
So what do you guys think?
Regards
Michael

Forum Question

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 11:10:37 +0000

I'm confused about the "View New Content" function in this forum. I always use that function when i log in, obviously to see what's new. I tried it this evening, and only got 3 new entries (haven't been on the forum for 24 hrs). But when i browse the threads manually, i see there is much more new content then what the View New Content function shows me.

How come? I checked my preferences but can't really find anything there. Tips?

Parking Tickets?

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 07:39:51 +0000

damn this is one good one!

http://nextround.net/2010/04/05/australians-are-good-at-disputing-parking-tickets/

Its Not Only Our Prancing Wombats Showing A Bit Of Fight!

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 01:24:05 +0000

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/flowerdale-man-attacked-by-wombat-20100406-rnqk.html

Official Lotus Racing Drink

Sun, 04 Apr 2010 17:45:05 +0000

www.lr8.com

Comments on Seloc... Whats it like?

"Nobody knows - every time you try and open a can the ring pull snaps off and you have to take it back for repairs."

"Extruded aluminium tub... just like an Elise"

"A load of the cans had to be recalled due to the gasket around the head leaking?"

"Series 2 batches went straight to toni and guy, supposedly their target market"

"I see the marketing dept are as ground breaking as ever ! ....wheres the limited edition can with different colours?"

But my Favourite

"the older cans are much lighter"

Cheers

Brett

suffering from a bad case of jetlag... a hangover without the highlights :-( )

Witty Number Plates

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 02:15:36 +0000

Here's a couple I've spotted recently:

On a Porsche: "Nein 44"

On an old ute, V8, big mudflaps, bull bar etc etc: "Maaate"

Perfect Addition To The Elise

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:34:42 +0000

My link

Supercarmafia

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 09:58:27 +0000

Oh I can hold it no longer, these guys have been providing me with literally whole seconds of entertainment for 2 weeks now. If not just for their Audi R8 review of a full 25 seconds titled 'Audi R8 Car Review – Learn How The Pros Do It' yeah really, how they can squeeze this much reviewing talent into 25 seconds astounds me.

Basically these tools are going around Sydney’s prestige dealerships blagging test drives and trying to get their cameras in. At BMW rushcutters bay they sneaked a supposed female member of staff to a local cafe for a 'interview'. I have on good authority that that women doesn’t even work at BMW Rushcutters Bay, here comes the ‘T’ word again TOOLS!

The Exige CUP 260 review is just amazing though, Chris from Lotus Sydney must have seen the big glasses wearing tool coming from 100 metres off and told him to stash his camera. So what did he do, well set up his camera in his VW Golf and blabber on about 'how it grips the road like, so well' whilst driving home. How much footage do we see of the Exige CUP 260, ZERO, yep here comes that word again TOOLS!

http://www.supercarmafia.com/

F1 Driver Stresses Martin Brundel

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:23:33 +0000

Interesting video of F1 Driver stresses on body by Martin Brundel.

Rally Stratos At Full Noise

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:22:09 +0000

http://jalopnik.com/5497768/if-you-listen-to-nothing-else-today-listen-to-this

gotta love it .

sounds like the hpe [ or docs car ] on heat .

check out the spectators inches away .

makes the turbo 4wd brigade look and sound a bit dull ?

Ebc Brake Pads

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 07:16:20 +0000

Hey guys,

Just a random question, has anyone used the EBC red's?

I have had greens (they were great) I know a few people on this forum use EBC's, but i wonder if anyone here has had experience with the red ones?

if so can you let me know if

They make much dust?
Are they noisy?
Are they hard on Discs?

Cheers

looney

Ausslie Elises F1 Driver Doppelganger

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 03:02:40 +0000

I could be way off base here because I've only met this person once but does anyone else here think this looks like someone off this forum?
http://www.munificent.com.au/images/doppelganger.jpg

Those From Western Australia

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:33:58 +0000

Frontiersmen? Pioneers? Hawaiians?

Mclaren Mp4-12C

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:37:34 +0000

From Pistonheads:

Hexagonal aluminium wiring saves four kilos over circular wiring.

You'd have to be a proper enthusiast to get excited over that. Which makes me one.... I'm more and more impressed by the new McLaren

http://images.pistonheads.com/nimg/21679/12Cassembly2-L.jpg

Viral Marketing ......

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:57:37 +0000

have always been fascinated by marketing and advertsing and my son has just completed his studies in advertising . [ he wants to be another zed ! ]

the son subscribes to a site that sends out the best adverts and this one is up there as one of the best . viral internet marketing seems to be the big thing and whoever did this ad has got it right .. here i am posting it on a car forum to share with friends and there i was buying puma driving gloves this a.m as a result !

http://www.pumahardchorus.com/

the casting is perfect . [ son thinks theyre all genuine soccer hooligans as they all sing like that at games ] check out the intensity of the guys at the front . the little guy with the facial scars half way thru . the old guy at the side . the quality of the flming . wow . goosebumps !

the idea is amazing and i assume the results are good for puma + theyd be collecting a heck of a lot of email addresses .

zed , what you think ??

maybe we can post any other special adverts here to look and admire the creative work some of these geniuses get up to .

ps; i sent this love song to SWMBO with a messgae to thank her for letting me go to bathurst without her over easter . she'll probably give me a liverpool kiss when i get home

New Formula 1 Mobile Application

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 03:52:11 +0000

Looks very cool, live timing, stats, driver profiles etc http://www.formula1.com/mobile_services/live_timing.html

My device is supported (HTC HD2) and it looks quite good. Can't wait to see the timing screen

What Would You Do?

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:19:10 +0000

What would you do?

Country road. 7pm. Very little traffic. Excellent driving conditions. Capable modern sports car crosses double white lines to overtake you. It is travelling somewhere close to the speed of sound. 5 minutes later you pull into a service station and Speedy Gonzales is filling-up in front of you. You cross paths on the forecourt. Do you:

a. Give him a nod of encouragement, he was driving the car as the maker intended.
b. Do nothing. He seemed to be in control, and the last thing this country needs is another nanny
c. Voice your disapproval at his driving by meekly shaking your head in his direction
d. Go over and tell him he's an idiot and he'll end-up wrapping his car around something hard

With the benefit of hindsight I'm not happy with the choice I made...

New Lotus Elite!

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:32:18 +0000

From LG???

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/08/lg-lotus-elite-hands-on-its-red-square-and-marginally-attrac/

Nice product naming! hehehe

Melbourne's Wild Weather

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 08:09:18 +0000

I hope our Victorian crew are keeping safe and dry. Yesterday's storm in Melbourne looked crazy and I notice a some heavy rain going through at the moment.

Someone Needs A Hug...

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:21:55 +0000

I'm not a massive Sacha Baron Cohen fan, (well not other than the very early Ali-G series) but really...

"BRITISH comedian Sacha Baron Cohen has been axed as an Oscars host over fears that famous director James Cameron would storm out over his planned Avatar skit"

(from http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/bruno-axed-from-oscars-over-avatar-skit/story-e6frfmqi-1225837063920)

Bit much isn't it? Gotta admit I'm having a fair old chuckle at his expence right now!

Sorry bout the drivel... Dull night (@ home before I get into trouble for not working again! ;-) )

Pigster Spotted At Mardi Gras

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:42:09 +0000

Yes folks, as going by the photos from the forum, I think I spotted our very own 'pigster' working at the Sydney Mardi Gras parade!:

Illegal Tyres.......

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:31 +0000

http://theage.drive.com.au/speeding-lamborghini-driver-loses-car-licence-20100302-pdw3.html

I really really hope the tyres are not illegal and the Cop is smaked hard.

Driving at 109 in a 60 zone while easy to do is reprehensible, but the villification of sports cars is a worryng trend!

Now that Smoking has been banned, and they are getting a handle on taxpayers drinking, the villification of other excesses (sports cars) will follow!

What would be bthe issue with the Tyres on that......?

Bling Section

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:28:03 +0000

Weird new tyres for the Blingster

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn71/Cal289/tyre1.jpg
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn71/Cal289/tyre3.jpg
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn71/Cal289/tyre2.jpg

Ae New Look...

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:24:56 +0000

Good job guys (Ashton ?).........Had to join again and now listed as a newbie but aside this all looks to have improved......

Porsche Or Kia ?

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:21:12 +0000

Ok...now

Q: In that picture. Is that the rear end of a new Porsche or Kia ? Why ?

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_JxCo9STjIlg/S4e8lZ38bmI/AAAAAAAAABc/afmV8M-DOA4/PorK.JPG

Your Cup Of Tea Is Ready

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:02:10 +0000

................ waits for moderators to delete.

http://img3015.photobox.co.uk/62390497d6436846e0d395a769f3c012c981e55aacd2f183e9e20a385a91a59a4cdee405.jpg

Undetectable Radar ?

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:55:16 +0000

The current 'Unique Cars' has an advertisement for undetectable radar, see page 181 of the Feb/March issue or visit
http://www.dontgetcaught.com.au/home.html

As far as I'm aware, speeding is such a valuable revenue resource that protecting yourself against providing additional revenue to government coffers carries heavy penalties. What are the penalties, and what is the opinion on the claims that the radar is not detectable?

Would any of our group ever consider using one of these fiendish devices?

disclaimer:
as a senior citizen, grandfather and pensioner, I do not condone these devices, don't use one, don't speed, don't smoke, don't chase loose wimmin or any other kind of female, never use bad language, eschew alcohol, have never smoked and I avoid TRANS fats.

Winter Olympics.....

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:18:19 +0000

its coming out time . been glued to fuxtel with the boys watching it all . we've evn won medals . cheering when the yanks or the reds fall over to let the aussies thru . cringing when the downhillers fall over at 100kph . the nutters on the ski jumps . the lunatics in the skeltons .. why would you want to slide down an icehill headfirst on a drinks tray at 100k ? seriuos adrenaline shortage in the brain for sure .

watching the aerials ... the speed skating , even the friken curling . usa v canada hockey . slalom , the awsome moguls , gees we even watched and cheered those infernal snow boarders in the half pipe .

if the aussies arent in it , cheering for canada and korea or anyone from scandanavia . and bodie miller .

but this guy takes the cake:

http://tinyurl.com/yh8pw7j

what a champion . cross between alberto tomba and eddie the eagle . he's got our vote at home .

anyone else nuts for the winters ?

Tom Switzer On Krudd....

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:57:46 +0000

For any readers of the Speccy, this might not be new, but I like it nonetheless...

Kevin Rudd is a man of many masks, says Tom Switzer. Who can say they have seen his real face?

‘At one time or another, he had espoused almost every worthy principle, often repeatedly,’ Newsweek once observed of Richard Nixon. ‘But in practice he violated enough of them to make all of his protestations suspect.’

Could the same thing be said about Kevin Rudd? In Question Time this week, the rattled Prime Minister berated several Liberal MPs for changing their position on his emissions trading scheme: ‘Where lies consistency?’ he cried. Never mind that Copenhagen went up in smoke and that none of the world’s major polluters will cut back on the greenhouse gases that the increasingly discredited Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says cause global warming. The point here is that Rudd is an opportunist of such proportions that the only thing that exceeds his reach is his grasp.

This is a man who defined himself during the 2007 election campaign as an ‘economic conservative’, committed to low public debt, fiscal rectitude and free-market reform, but who now represents the reincarnation of Whitlamism and a big-spending, big-union, big-government, debt-ridden agenda that caused so much economic angst in the 1970s. A man who derides the ‘neo-liberal’ legacy of John Howard and Peter Costello, but who, like Tony Blair, has been the economic beneficiary of the conservative government that preceded him.

A man who appealed to the metropolitan sophisticates by weakening Howard’s border protection controls, but who now panders to Howard’s battlers by preaching a ‘hardline’ policy against ‘evil’ and ‘vile’ people-smugglers. A man who insisted before the election he’d turn back the boats, but who, a year later, laid out the red carpet to thousands of unlawful arrivals.

A man who claimed climate change was ‘the great moral challenge of our time’, but who now, in a changing (political) climate, jettisons the evangelical language and hardly raises the subject in stump speeches. A man who pledged to lead the globe on man-made warming, but who now tells us we will ‘do no more, no less than the rest of the world’ — which means doing nothing, since hopes for any verifiable, enforceable and legally binding global agreement are a chimera.

A man who promised not to means-test the baby bonus and the private health insurance rebate, but who is nonetheless now trying to do so in the Senate. A man who railed against corporate greed and unfettered capitalism, but who is watering down already modest proposals to weaken the fat cats’ ability to pay themselves obscene salaries. A man who promised the Commonwealth takeover of the public hospitals if their performance did not improve, but who has hardly even raised the issue since he’s been ensconced in the Lodge.

The power of this vacillator’s U-turns and reverse gear is up to the best international standards.

Now, when I say that Rudd is Nixonian, I do not mean he is guilty of dirty tricks or obstructing justice. I mean that, like America’s 37th president, the Prime Minister has no sense of philosophical identity, conviction and inner core. A man who commissions hundreds of inquiries and 2020-style summits but who never does anything has no true beliefs.

Looking at Tricky Dick’s political career from 1947 to 1974, it is difficult to identify anything in which the disgraced president seemed genuinely to have believed other than his own political success. One moment, he was a staunch anti-communist who championed a Pax Americana; the next, he was a realist advocate of detente and international multi-polarity. One moment, he was a champion of fiscal conservatism and the Jeffersonian ideal of states’ rights; the next, he was an unashamed Keynesian who centralised federal power at a rate that would have made LBJ proud. One moment, he was Taiwan’s best friend and Mao Tse-tung’s bête noir; the next, he went to Red China to sup with the devil himself. Sure, the friction of playing the role of conviction warrior while being in reality a malleable politician was only one of many frictions that contributed to Nixon’s downfall, but it played its part.

Looking at Rudd’s political career since 1998, it is also difficult to identify anything he seems genuinely to believe other than his own political success. How else to explain someone who spent years currying favour with the likes of Greg Sheridan and the Australian’s editorial team on the Right as well as Phillip Adams and the Monthly on the Left. During the past three years in the limelight — first as opposition leader, then as Prime Minister — he has executed one stunning U-turn after another.

Say what you like about John Howard, you always knew where he stood and what he was about. He was an unapologetic nationalist, economic reformer and social conservative. On several politically unpopular issues — Iraq, the GST, Telstra privatisation, industrial relations reform — Howard was never afraid to challenge popular opinion and provoke people into thinking and then arguing about the causes he sincerely believed were in the nation’s interest.

When Rudd, on the other hand, assumes the role of tough guy on any given issue — public spending, people-smugglers, global warming — there is always an air of detached calculation about his performances, a sense that in different circumstances he could just as happily be arguing the opposing case.

Until recently, he has been subjected to very little media scrutiny. Alan Jones is unquestionably the most fearsome inquisitor in the nation. So awesome is his reputation that Rudd has gone to great lengths to avoid being interviewed by him, preferring instead the celebrity-style ambience of FM Radio and the Seven Network’s Sunrise crew that helped promote his rise from obscure backbencher in 2001 to alternative prime minister five years later. But those of us hoping for blood at breakfast last week were not disappointed. Why? Not because of anything Mel and Kochie did, but because of probing questions that ordinary Australians were allowed to ask. Without any warning to the PM, the talkback TV segment included three questions from voters in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. He badly failed two questions — one on government allowances and another on incentives for mums to return to work — and he struggled with another one.

The episode gave the impression that Rudd is manifestly divorced from reality, that without talking points and proper tutoring from his minders he is devoid of substance, and that if probed hard enough all the contradictions and inconsistencies that are part of his political make-up will wash off.

What Adlai Stevenson once said of his old nemesis Richard Nixon could also be said of Kevin Rudd: ‘This is a man of many masks. Who can say they have seen his real face?’

I Have Now Seen It All...

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:56:58 +0000

This man allegedly converted his Gallardo into a Mustang. No, that is NOT a typo. Although it looks more like he took a Mustang and dropped in a Lambo engine...

Check this out.

Gopro Hd

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 02:56:42 +0000

What is the best "editing for dummies" software for the Gopro HD footage?

What are people using?

Where? Downloads?

My laptop and software are getting on a bit and the old windows movie maker doesn't seem to agree with the higher res.

Thanks.

Forza Motorsport 3

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:34:18 +0000

So is anyone else here a gaming geek and plays Forza 3?

i thought perhaps if so, this may be a good thread to show the custom designs we have made in the game.

here is an Exige 265E that i made

Whaddyuknows

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:41:47 +0000

Some useless information! Learn something new everyday....

'Stewardesses' is the longest word typed with only the left hand.

And 'lollipop' is the longest word typed with your right hand.

No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver or purple.

'Dreamt' is the only English word that ends in the letters 'mt'.

Our eyes are always the same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stop growing.

The sentence: 'The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog' uses every letter of the alphabet.

The words 'racecar', 'kayak' and 'level' are the same whether they are read left to right or right to left (palindromes).

There are only four words in the English language which end in 'dous': tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous.

There are two words in the English language that have all five vowels in order: 'abstemious' and 'facetious.'

TYPEWRITER is the longest word that can be made using the letters only on one row of the keyboard.

A cat has 32 muscles in each ear.

A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds.

A 'jiffy' is an actual unit of time for 1/100th of a second.

A shark is the only fish that can blink with both eyes.

A snail can sleep for three years.

Almonds are a member of the peach family.

An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.

Babies are born without kneecaps. They don't appear until the child reaches 2 to 6 years of age.

February 1865 is the only month in recorded history not to have a full moon.

In the last 4,000 years, no new animals have been domesticated.

If the population of China walked past you, 8 abreast, the line would never end because of the rate of reproduction.

Leonardo Da Vinci invented the scissors.

Peanuts are one of the ingredients of dynamite.

Rubber bands last longer when refrigerated.

The average person's left hand does 56% of the typing.

The cruise liner, QE2, moves only six inches for each gallon of diesel that it burns.

The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket.

The winter of 1932 was so cold that Niagara Falls froze completely solid.

There are more chickens than people in the world.

Winston Churchill was born in a ladies' room during a dance.

Women blink nearly twice as much as men.

Now you know more than you did before!!

Where's Noel?

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:45:44 +0000

Dig's

So where's Noel.. Haven't seen him lately?

Noel: if you are out there, all is OK... We miss you. You add a definite S3 character to this forum.

OR: does anybody have a personal email that I can contact inviting him back?

Ta for your help

Winno...

Are All New Cars Really Crap ?

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:16:36 +0000

to balance winnos entertaining thread putting the affirmative case [ ie ; that all new cars are crap ] , thought would put up the negative case [ ie ; not all new cars are crap ]

now , we better leave toyotas out of the equaton / discussion while the recalls are under way [ cheap used pious with throttle stuck on anyone ? ]

theres a few new cars at sensible prices that would find their way into my garage if lotto comes good this week... better still , some of them can be bought used at a significant saving .

FPV F6 ... what a great value sports sedan / tourer . i just want one . fabulous . did trips to snow in my mates and it was M5 speed and comfort for taxi money .

BMW 135i .... what a great little sports sedan , plenty of go , SWMBO could go to the shops in it and actually find room to park it , the dogs could fit in the back seat , yet you can have a ball punting it around the country side or even a track day . and not badly priced for an import .

RS clio 197 .... the worlds best small hot hatch . useful . and as much fun as a barrel of monkeys . even better , the 200 cup coming to oz very soon . used 197 in as new nick can be had in the 20's

RS megane 250 . arriving in oz this year , dominating the euro magazines as the 'headline' hot hatch . very useful with plenty of seat down luggage space , plenty of go , plenty of stop , plenty of cornering . its all good ... at the price of an optioned up mazda . oh yeah . in yellow thanks .

the LOTUS range .... well theres a few truely great cars for you that arent crap . could lotto buy one of each please .

so what else is there in the sensible money range that lights the fire of desire of a typical lotus fan boy ?

note ; this thread is a rice free zone please . should we limit it at 100k ?

Shutter Island Premiere Tickets

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 03:06:35 +0000

Landesk are giving away tix to shutter island premier on the 18th feb, 18:15 for drinks followed by a short marketing blurb then the movie at 19:30 - fill out feedback form & get 2 more free movie passes.

register at www.shutterislandpremiere.com.au

i have !

Need Help: Project Manager Wanted

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:18:33 +0000

I need some help; There's this guy, let's call him "Bob", and he's being a real pain the Rs - I mean, we have identified him as a great candidate for this role we've got, and OK, we've out him through the wringer a bit on the tests and interviews, but FFS, he is complaining now that we're asking him to reveal commercial and confidential detail about his current employer to his possible future employer; well, what on earth is wrong with that?

All joking aside, Winno, I hope it's all going swimmingly; now, I have a related favour to ask you my friends.

I currently have an interesting role as the project manager for the design and planning of the NSW Ambulance Service's new infrastructure, which bascially involves working with Ambulance and Health Infrastructure to agree locations, design guidelines, business case and organisational and operational change process for the four year process of building quite a few Ambulance stations (no names no pack drill I'm sure you can appreciate!).

Snag is, I have also been lucky enough to be offered a role that actually sits even more comfortably in my sweet spot, and which I have agreed to take. But I don't want to leave the good folks at Ambulance in the lurch, so in the next two weeks, I need to try to find my replacement to give time to handover etc before I finish here on 12th March.

So, if you know anyone (particularly if they are called Bob) who might be interested in the role, please put them in touch; the core skillset required is as follows:

Well tuned Project Management skills (mastery of MS Project, well defined PMO capability)
Excellent Client Engagement skills (could be from a consulting or commercial background)
Strong Problem Solving capability

...and obviously Patience, given this is the public sector we're talking about

Email me directly at aroskillATambulanceDOTnswDOTgovDOTau or call on 0408 202 208

If this doesn't generate any leads I'll have to call the agencies later in the week! Simon, prepare for the call

Need Help: What Is The Norm?

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 01:31:03 +0000

Hola Diggers,

Lets say I have friend. Lets call him "Bob"

"Bob" decides to go for a job."Bob" already has a nice job, but this job is 50k more than what he is on now. "Bob" quite interested in this job.

Then when "Bob" goes for the role, they want him to truly jump through hoops.

Tests: Medical and Pschological.

Interviews: Numerous..first 1 hr with HR manager, then another interview for an hour and half with CEO, CFO and HR manager. For "Bob" this inteview is like the Spanish Inquisition - truly wearing and time consuming. It fecks "Bob" for the rest of the day.

"Bob" comes home on weekend to find numerous messages from HR consultant to do work over the weekend filling out further forms.

Then the last straw; "Bob" finds the company has set him "homework". They want him to do a full business report. Yep a full report on one part of said company's existing business. FFS.

"Bob" is caught in a pickle. Consultants get paid good money to do a said business case, but these feckers what "Bob" to do it for free. As a test.

At what stage does "Bob" tell them to stick it up their cake hole??

Is this the norm? Do they want "Bob" or should "Bob" hold his ground and tell em ter feck right off..OR May be set boundaries... Do a sh#t hot report, and say that "Bob" has done report, and if they employ me they get it for free. If not they pay Consultants rates.

"Bob" is very confused..

So what jumps have you had to go through to get a Hi Po exec job? What is the line that is not crossed. When is it just rude or too far...

Pray tell what you think "Bob" should do??

Ta

Winno.... ( a good friend of Bob's)

Are All New Cars Crap?

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:16:23 +0000

Greetings Diggers that make my extended AE family,

Seriously thinking of getting rid of the Camry-oh-chum (... as in "life is a ..." /cue: singing in a Liza Minelli voice)

..But every new car I seem to sit in seems to be just a cheaper version of the car that came before it..

Take the Mrk 6 Golf. Same car as before, but just seems to have been "De-contented" (or industry speak for being made more boggo..)

Just for a laugh sat in a new Camry (..Life is a..Don't stress would never do it.. but you gotta admit that 300k km's in the old one that is still without a squeek, rattle, 7.5l per 100k's, great aircon, ugly as a Urangutangs anus is quite good)and found cheap plastic hinges that would last about the same time as a Beer coupon on a hot day, and VERRY ogly smelly plastic everyhwere...

Sat in a Lease-special (hey look what you can get for $250 bucks a week) new BM 3 series. Christ; the leather was doing a great impresion of vinyl (not even MB tex quality vinyl), similar ugly pastic bits as the Camry, crap stereo, and sat nav cost about the same as Nigeria's debt to the IMF.

So sat in a (Lease-special)G6E Falcon... actually not a bad interior, amazingly goood looking for an Aus car, great engine, BUT weighed the same as a small island!! FARK these cars are heavy.. It felt the wrong side of 2 tonnes...It felt the same weight as a 4wd Landcruiser my dad used to own...

So what is the go with new cars... To me Kerri's 2002 Golf GTI interior is better than most new cars, and seems to be rock solid compared to todays offerings...

Is anybody else as disapointed as me???

Ta

Winno...

Commercial Power

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:40:59 +0000

I’m getting a bit confused on commercial power types, can someone explain these to me?

Single phase vs 3 phase,

15 amps vs 30 amps

Does 30 amps always mean 3 phase for example?

Regardless of the above, Its all 240 volts in Aus yes?

Google Vs. Conroy

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 03:42:42 +0000

If you're interested in Conroy's internet censorship plans (and who wouldn't be...), read this

Stanford's Robotic Audi To Brave Pikes Peak Without A Driver

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:30:15 +0000

Always interested in driverless technology.... this lab is a leader. Play the vid for details. Have driven Pike's on the PS3 only - quite challenging. Anyone done it for real?

Mechanical Vs Hand Polishing?

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:17:40 +0000

Hi all

I'm not really into car detailing but after my last wax I though I'd better find out out more. I found I still had lots of minute bumps in the paintwork. So I did some research and ended up buying some Meguirs clay bars and polish to build upon my exsiting rudimentary car wash and wax routine.

I'm now toying with the idea of getting a dual action polisher. Any one use these? Is the finish that much better than by hand, ie are they worth the money???

I went to a few stores to check them out and no one had any. They did have randon orbital sanders/polishers though. Are these the same thing?

What do you guys use?

Elise Like On The Water...

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:59:25 +0000

When I first joined here after purchasing my Elise S I was a little surprised
not to find anyone else interested in Thundercat boating. These inflatable
boats are built with the same philosophy as the Lotus: light weight,
relatively low power, and great handling. They will outperform most other
power boats on the water and go where most would fear, in breaking surf.
A real go-kart on the water. At least they are allowed on Syd'arbour.
They were developed in South Africa, and there are racing series there and
here for the 4.1m boats (lost sound?) . I have not raced myself.

I mention this now as I am selling my old faithful, having purchased an
upgrade just recently. This rig can provide a cheap entry for a try-out and
ongoing use by someone who does not mind spending some time doing a bit of
ongoing maintenance on the hull. Just to give you an idea, this hull weighs
less than 40kg, motor + fuel 55-70kg, plus a person, with 30hp driving it.
All the 4.1m boats racing above are a stock 50hp outboard (70-80kg) on a
80-95kg hull with 2 pilots.

If you like the water and driving an Elise then you should look into
Thundercats. I find it a more intense adrenalin shot than track time in the
Elise, and it really can go just about anywhere, great for exploring.
People that use them often say "More fun than a human deserves".
To quote an ex of mine: "Most fun I've had with clothes on!"

OK I expect a post about 100hp on a surfboard next...

Thanks,

Our Road Saftey Ads Are Nothing!

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:21:33 +0000

LINK

If they REALLY want people to drive properly on the roads in Aus, then they need to run ads like these. Even NZ has a better campaign than ours.

Can imagine it now, everyone complaining that it was to graphic and to pull the ads off TV. No more graphic than the real thing.

Where Can I Buy Good & Fresh Lychees In Sydney?

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:09:01 +0000

Hi everyone,

Quick question: Where can I buy good & fresh lychees in Sydney?
Flemington market? Those lychees in my local supermarket sucks

P.S Girlfriend love it

Thanks

When Online Aus Store Puts Up The Wrong Price?

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 02:19:38 +0000

Does anyone know whether an online australian store are legally obliged to honour a sale when they accidently put the wrong price on a product?

I'm after a solid state hard drive for my PC, this store seems to have mixed their 64GB and 128GB prices around and I've ordered a 128GB for the price of the 64GB..

This has happened before when purchasing a compact flash memory card many years ago, the store just cancelled my order and said I had to pay more if I still wanted to go ahead with it. Of course I cancelled!

Importing An Elises

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 04:52:10 +0000

A guy I know has asked me how much it would cost to bring a car in from the UK.

He has seen an Elise sc for 29000 pound, on the internet some where.

Would any one here be able to give a ball park cost on doing this and is there any down side to it.

And who would he have to talk to about doing this.

I have know idea so I thought I would ask you guys

Cheers Eric

Moron Drifting On Current Affair ! .........

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:18:33 +0000

tonights fish wrapper beat up show , current affair , had a you tube clip of a moron drifting on a wet nasho and a dry industrial road . found the original clip here . wrecking it for everyone !

the first bit with his face they cut out . what sort of moron would post a you tube clip like that , esp with his face on it and number plates ? presumably he had spotters with radios for safety purposes . if not ........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS6gwFgzvlA

ps ; even morons can drive sometimes , even if in a totally inappropriate place wouldnt be suprised if his car is impounded tonight .

Necker Nymph Submersible

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:26:14 +0000

http://www.dubdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Necker-Nymph-Submersible.jpg

This could be quite cool.

Don't Mess With The Ginger! One For Winno

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:50:00 +0000

Ginger 1 Shark 0

http://images.smh.com.au/2010/02/02/1085350/Shark-attack-420x0.jpg

New Logo

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:44:07 +0000

Sorry for the rather undemocratic approach to brand update, but while our old logo has stood us in great stead for six years, it was generally felt time to update it....

So, Zed has worked his magic (so be careful before you slate it ) and has given us four options based on this one you see - essentially they all have similar content, but one is shorter and one is the same length as this but has the Lotus logo (which we don't have permission to use!) and a 2-11; so I have put this one up as it fades nicely to the colour of the board skin (which we are struggling to change!) which makes it look made for the job!

Attached are the other options - if you prefer one of them particualrly strongly, post on the poll.
And if you think they all miss the point, let us know and I'm sure Zed will be happy to hear your thoughts

Omg

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:22:23 +0000

Prepare for the worst.

Can't blame this on yank rednecks, Aussie bogans, Indian wannabes. Some people just don't deserve to own a car.

I mean Orange! Why would you paint the car orange. I suppose it could be worse, he could have painted it yellow.

Congratulations To Andy Murray

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 11:47:47 +0000

Well done that man! Upholding the fine traditions of English Tennis... by not winning.

Cracking final though...

Now off to mention the same thing on SELOC... or is that cruel?

Here We Go Again

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 05:49:50 +0000

Wife and Child with Caravan in tow on the way to relatives.

Reg Location Name Date / Time Type Status Size
REGION 13 EMERALD STEWART RD 31/01/10 03:41:00 PM GRASS GOING MEDIUM

Presently 23 trucks in attendance.

I could walk there.

Wind change expected shortly with possible rain?

Incident Information:
There is a small, fast moving bushfire in Stewart Road, Emerald area. This fire is expected to impact anytime within the next two hours. It is travelling in a southerly direction.
This bushfire is approximately 4 hectares in size and is Out of Control.
This fire is expected to affect the towns of Avonsleigh and Emerald.
There are two small fires in the area, another fire is also burning close to Paton Road, Emerald.

The joys of living in the hills eh?

Happy Birthday Randall

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:54:31 +0000

As said...

Happy birthday... Betcha went dressed to yer own party in fancy dress. Looking like Magnum PI..

A Great Day In The Lotus

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:16:48 +0000

Last year I was invited to a trackday on January 28th at Wakefield by a company that supplies work network equipment, little did I know how much fun it was going to be...

It was a half day track time which started at about 12:30 with BBQ lunch and finished at 4pm, all provided with the opportunity to drive the current V8 Brute and previous versions. My assumption was other customers were also coming down to take rides and drive their own cars.

V8 utes to drive.

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/2060/img0307y.jpg

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/9904/img0309r.jpg

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/4582/img0310x.jpg

Nice brakes

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/4039/img0312f.jpg

Old version

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/7237/img0308q.jpg

My little Lotus

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/9396/img0315bp.jpg

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/2528/img0314bl.jpg

I get to the track to find the only cars to go around the track was the two V8 Brutes, my Lotus and possible an EVO of another customer who did not turn up.

Lucky I picked up some brand new Kuhmo's on Monday, check the tyre pressures filled out some forms and was promptly told by the racing driver "get out there"... A few warm up laps later came in to check tyre pressures, gave Lee the equipment vendor and employee some hot laps as passenger in the Exige(they were very impressed) and proceeded to do lap after lap with only me and two utes on the track.. I was so excited I completely forgot about lunch and came in after about 30 laps to get a drink, had a chat with the guys and went back out. At one point the current V8 ute came onto the track as I was starting on the straight, it was certainly fun chasing it for three laps and find it was braking earlier than me. If only I had some more Lotus drivers to chase.

At 3pm the V8's packed up, I had forgotten to drive them while being in the zone with my Lotus. I was left to the track by myself for an hour, at 3.45pm as I lost a little power coming out of turn 9 to discover no bars left of fuel. This was after 61 laps on the aim lap timer (best of 1.11.12) with another 9-10 it did not pickup as the sensor had worked itself loose.. Luckily Mike (from Mikes Manor) was working on his formula 3 and had some fuel to get me into town.

The drive home was a little interesting on the Hume with at least 8 aqua-plain moments before I decided to take the long way from Picton to Apin, through bulli pass to the national park with no-one on it..

What a great day, never thought to be on the track with so few cars.

Dent Removal Recommendations?

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:11:36 +0000

Have one serious ding and a bunch of baby dings in my new daily driver I want to get straightened out.

Has anyone used or can recommend any paintless dent removal companies in sydney?

Had one come out years ago and pull some dents out of my Monaro CV8 - they did a top job, but have lost their business card over the years.

Cheers,

Mark

When Too Much Grunt Is Not Enough

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:12:40 +0000

heres a little go kart that might be a little scarey to actually drive . http://jalopnik.com/5050770/six+wheeled-yamaha-r1-kart-ensures-youll-die-smiling

doc , this must be in your line of interest ? fast enough ??

Luck Ran Out

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:24:54 +0000

Coming home from work yesterday and ended up in a bloody car accident.
Turning out of the work carpark like I have done a thousand times - and this time there just happened to be a car (who I believe) was speeding up over a blind hill.

Luckily I wasn't in the lotus - but my sacrificial daily driver (95 Ford Probe)

Impact was concentrated in the front wheel/axle of my car. Car is a total writeoff - but I am unhurt - besides a bit of dented pride and a bloody sore neck for not turning left instead of right out of what I know is a dangerous spot. Spent 10 hours in hospital waiting to get seen to - what a joke.

Other car was totalled also - no way the guy was doing the speed limit as it was a pretty decent impact, but that is a moot point as I am the one who will end up with probable demerit points/fine as he had right of way.

Insurance company has been great so no hassles there. Just something I really didnt need after a shit day at work.

Just one of those things I guess. Just thank my lucky stars Im ok - and I wasn't in the Lotus!

Time to hit carsales and drum up another cheap daily driver. Probe was decent bang for its buck while it lasted. Never missed a beat in the 6 months I had it, and a decent car to toddle to and from work.

Cheers,

Mark

New Benz Gullwing Sls Amg

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:41:31 +0000

'sit jus' me or does anyone else find this thing ugly?

Piccies

One Out Of Left Field

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:08:26 +0000

'Reliable' worker ad discriminates against the unreliable

From the UK

A Little Grounding....

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:24:53 +0000

...for when you are feeling a little too big for your boots...

My Pagani Factory Tour Story

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:33:01 +0000

As Easton put up his recent Lotus factory visit I thought I would share my Pagani factory visit in Italy from 6 months ago together with my other half.

We had a very hard time finding the factory, all I had going for me was a not-to-scale pictorial map of the area from EVO magazine and a very bad sat nav from Hertz rental. We tracked it down to a very industrial looking industrial estate around lunchtime, just as we were going to give up our search. In contrast Lamborghini and Ferrari’s factories were easy to find, like fairgrounds as you approached them.

The Pagani factory is very small, around the size of 4 or 5 tennis courts and it contains a front courtyard with cobbled footpath lots of bushes and a small showroom/reception area.

The front security gate was wide open and no one was around, ‘hmmm must be open for viewing’ we thought. We wondered into the grassy courtyard and there was a car fully under a silk show cover, its shape was quite unmistakably Zonda. I lifted up the corner to find a just built Zonda Cinque, only 5 were going to be made, and I had hit the factory at the right time!

Then we wondered into the reception/showroom area. We found another Zonda Cinque number 2 of 5 and I posed quick for this photo.

http://www.beddysblog.com/dropzone/pagani1.JPG

Still no one around as I shouted out ‘hello, anyone around’. I was secretly hoping there wasn’t as I was enjoying a secret unguided tour so far. Next in the showroom we found a Zonda engine polished up and on display, a Pagani carbon fibre and metal hi-fi with turntable and a laid back Pagani motorbike with cool switches down on the side, take a look.

http://www.beddysblog.com/dropzone/pagani2.JPG

http://www.beddysblog.com/dropzone/pagani3.JPG

http://www.beddysblog.com/dropzone/pagani4.JPG

These object were laid out in the corner as if they were the made for a bit of fun by the engineers when they weren’t designing or building their exquisite cars.

Still calling out for if anyone was around, we ventured deeper into Pagani’s world as the door to the factory was wide open. The actual size of the factory could only contain 4 cars at max, I would say the same size as Lee’s Lotus workshop in Balmain for reference. I spotted these 2 cars in a half built state in the factory, the 1 in front was not the Cinque and im not sure what it is, maybe the Zondas replacement, who knows? Who knows what the one in the back is either, it has a Porsche 911 shape to me.

http://www.beddysblog.com/dropzone/pagani5.JPG

I put the camera back in my pocket and a casually dressed man briskly walks towards us from the back of the room, he starts speaking to us in Italian then switches to English as soon as we say ‘sorry, we’ve come to look around the factory, were huge Pagani fans’.

In an mix of disgruntled English and Italian we were nearly physically escorted out of the door of the factory, into the showroom, out into the courtyard past the Zonda cinque under cover and out through the open security gate at the front.

As we were being walked out I said ‘ Im sorry we didn’t mean to offend, everything was wide open and there were no signs about no public access’ in any language, the guy just said as he shut the gate behind us ‘ you wouldn’t walk into someone’s house that was unlocked would you!’

We both felt so guilty, like bad kids, but as we drove out of town we realised what a experience we just had, and a great car nut story to tell.

Happy Australia Day. How Did You Spend Yours?

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:13:59 +0000

We starred in the Camden street parade in Pop's A Model Ford. Damn it was hot!! Nice to see Winno there too.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4305380683_1a10943fe2_o.jpg

The Movie Critic

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 06:42:47 +0000

I figured, we've got the Photo thread, the Spotted thread; we end up with the occasional joke thread. Why the hell not a Movie Critics thread?

Seen any decent flicks lately? Let the rest of us know. A recommendation is always better than on spec.

Car With Finance Owing At A Dealer?

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:21:16 +0000

Hoping somebody could give me some advice on how I can clear the matter up that follows. I am ready to pick up an elise from a dealer. Haven't layed down anything concrete where I would lose any money yet.

I have done a check with the road authority and the car is showing to have a matching rego engine number and vin. However when checking if any money is owed on the car, the rego comes up that a car with that rego is under finance. However speaking with the person who did the check, the car under finance has a different engine number and vin and is infact a totally different car. I couldn't get any further info than that (or know how to get anymore info either). The person I spoke to though believes that it is likely a clerical error where the finance company has mistyped the rego. Obviously though I want to clear this matter up as assuming it is just an error I definitely want the car.

Any advice?

Thanks
John

Looking For A Native Thai Speaker

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 01:53:57 +0000

Or if not native, someone who's pretty bloody good at it.

Have we got any on here pls?

Doc

Hot Sunny Day Under Blue Skies In Sydney

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 11:34:29 +0000

Geez what a day. 43 and sun sun sun at my place this arvo, but the aircon was goood.
Then the change came in and relieved us all.

The perfect day to:

• Wash the elise

• Go to the beach

• or hang out in the pool drinkin beer with a few mates

Must suck to be in the UK at the moment! Why wouldn't you just move to the lucky country.

PS
Or some G&Ts in the arvo. Now that'd be good, with reheated left over BBQ morsels

Import Duty Costs

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:08:20 +0000

Just doing a bit of research on costs involved to import some wheels and other parts.

Example 3: Import of goods (other than tobacco products or alcoholic beverages) valued above $1000
AUD$
Customs value (Cval).........................................................2000.00
Customs duty (Duty) @ 5% of Cval......................................100.00 (Payable)
International transport and insurance or postage (T&I)............150.00
Value of the Taxable Importation (VoTI) (Cval+Duty+T&I)........2250.00
Goods and Services Tax (GST) @ 10 per cent of the VoTI.......225.00 (Payable)
Total payable Duty + GST.....................................................325.00

So they charge you GST not only on the duty (tax on a tax) and your goods but on your international freight as well! Cheeky buggers.

Problem is if I split up the packages to bring it under 1000 the freight costs kill it anyway.
Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
A bit more research on local prices needed I think.

Removable Steering Wheels

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:01:57 +0000

Have been looking at replacing the Lotus jobbie with a Momo with appropriate adapter so I can remove the wheel from the car.
I heard on the grapevine that the RTA prohibits use of removable steering wheels on road cars.

Can anyone shed any light on this? Is it fact, or an old wives tail Had a brief search through some RTA propaganda - err guidelines and nothing jumped out at me.

One such link was http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi_06_-_guidelines_for_light_vehicle_modifications_nov_2007.pdf

With the pound so weak at the moment I am tempted to grab one while prices are so good

Cheers,

Mark

The Memory Of Oran Park Lives On

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 02:23:47 +0000

For those who have not seen this.

The Stig Has Been Spotted

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 02:19:55 +0000

Be careful they are watching you

Manual Map Tracking Video Attempt

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 01:10:19 +0000

I have been playing with techniques to line up maps with in-car footage recently and thought I'd share the results as im quite happy. There was no GPS recording involved here, I just had the original in-car footage taken from last October and the map trcaking data was done manually using animation keyframes. It took a good couple of hours to feed in the correct keyframe points on the map and fine tune them all but im happy with the final product.

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=sWcDBZNSdVU

name="allowFullScreen" value="true">http://www.youtube.c...U&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340">

P.S I've tried the 'insert media' button and even inserting the HTML embed code from youtube when swithcing to 'toggle HTML source' but it wont allow me ot embed the video.

Jalopy Run-About Needed In Bne

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:56:33 +0000

Hi Fellas,

may have need of a jalopy for running around BNE for a few months. Anyone got or know of a cheap run-about looking for a new home?

Doc

Formula 1 'course' - Anyone Done It?

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 06:31:41 +0000

SWMBO has kindly arranged for me to do a Formula 1 driving course while we are in Europe in April. SWMBO's reward is a ride in the 2 seater. I'm doing mine at Barcelona (Catalunya) with Wildside and they claim these are the real-deal cars, V8 or V10, 750hp, not detuned and not speed limited.

Apparently you get the morning training in Formula Renault cars and 5-10 laps in the F1 car in the afternoon. With the pound in the toilet, the price is at an effective 40% discount, so no time like the present.

Just wondering if anyone else has had the opportunity to do this and whether it is worthwhile?

Cheers

Greg

A Decent Coffee In Melbourne ?.. Ok Where ?

Sun, 17 Jan 2010 01:47:12 +0000

So.. Im looking for a decent (ie strong and flavoursome) coffee when i visit Melbourne.. any suggestions ?
So far I have tried a bunch of different cafes in and around the Melbourne CBD but cant seem to find a decent consistant coffee - most seem to make a weak coffee, which is safe for the masses i suppose, and ofcourse asking for a double doesn't help as they don't really get it in the first place so end up with something horribly bitter..
quite happy to jump on a tram for a good coffee so any hot tips or suggestions in the inner suburbs could work..

Thanks in advance !!
Ben

One For You Boys In The Uk.....

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:05:12 +0000

DIARY OF AN ENGLISHMAN LIVING IN THE HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND

'Our First Winter'

DEC. 20TH
It's starting to snow. The first of the season and the first we've
seen for years. The wife & I took out hot toddies and sat on the porch
watching the fluffy soft flakes drift gently down, clinging to the
trees and covering the ground. It's so beautiful & peaceful.

DEC. 24th
Woke to a lovely blanket of crystal white glistening snow covering as
far as the eye could see. What a fantastic sight everything covered
with a beautiful white mantel. I shovelled snow for the first time
ever and loved it! I did both our driveway & the pavement.
Later that day a snowplough came along & accidently covered up our
driveway with compacted snow from the street. The driver smiled &
waved. I waved back & shovelled it away again. The children next door
built a snowman with coal for eyes & a carrot for a nose and had a
snowball fight - a couple just missed me & hit the car so I threw a
couple back & joined in the fun.

DEC. 26th
It snowed an additional 5 inches last night and the temp. dropped to
around minus 8 degrees. Several branches on our trees & bushes snapped
due to the weight of the snow. I shovelled our drive again. Shortly
afterwards the snowplough came by & did his trick again! Much of the
snow is now brownish/grey.

JAN. 1st
Warmed up enough during the day to create some slush, which soon
became ice when the temp. dropped again. Bought snow tyres for both
our cars. Fell on my arse in the driveway. Went to physio but nothing
was broken.

JAN. 5th
Still cold. Sold the wife's car & bought her a 4X4 to get her to work.
She slid into a wall & did considerable damage to right wing. Had
another 8 inches of white shite last night. Both vehicles are covered
in salt & iced up slush. That bastard snowplough came by twice today.
Where's that bloody shovel?

JAN.9th
More f***ing snow. Not a tree or bush on our property that hasn't been
damaged. Power was off most of the night. Tried to keep from freezing
to death with candles & a paraffin heater that tipped over & nearly
torched the house. I managed to put the flames out but suffered 2nd
degree burns on my hands. Lost my eyebows & eyelashes. Car hit a
f***ing deer on the way to casualty & was written off!

JAN. 13th
F***ing bastard white shite just keeps on coming down. Have to put on
every article of clothing just to go to the post box. The little shits
next door ambushed me with snowballs on the way back. I'll shove that
carrot so far up the little pricks arses; it'll take a good surgeon
hours to find it. If I ever catch that arsehole that drives that
snowplough I'll chew open his chest & rip out his heart with my teeth.
I think the bastard hides round the corner & waits for me to finish
shovelling & then he accelerates down the street like Michael f***ing
Schumacher & buries the f***ing drive again.

JAN. 17th
16 more sodding inches of f***ing snow & f***ing ice & f***ing sleet &
God knows what other white shite fell last night. I am in court in 3
months time for assaulting the snowplough driver with an ice pick.
Can't move my f***ing toes. Haven't seen the sun for 5 weeks. Minus 20
& more bastard snow is forecast.

This place really is the arse end of nowhere. I'm moving back to
civilisation.

400Hp, 110Mpg V8 Engine

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:34:49 +0000

Would love to see these guys become successful.

Very interesting tech. But it could very well be a load of bullocks.

Their GT40 based supercar (verdict?):

http://images.pistonheads.com/nimg/21346/verde2-L.jpg

Anyone Travelled To Vietnam?

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 06:25:05 +0000

Hi guys,

Just wondering if anyone has been to vietnam and has any advice with regards about things to see and do.

Ever since I saw the topgear vietnam episode it has been my dream to do it.

So I am.

This June/July I'm flying out with a friend to Ho Chi Minh, buying some cheap motorbikes and plan to ride up the east coast to Hue and Hoi An and then onto Hanoi. Need to get to Halong bay too.

Plan to do it on the cheap too. Just want the experience.

I have a rough idea on the prices and I plan on having a budget of about $5000 for 14 days - which should be heaps from what I reckon. I'm also going to try to get a bike license (although not necessary) just to get some experience.

Any advice?

Cheers,
Naresh.

Sydney Weather Warning

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 05:07:06 +0000

Just had torrential rain and hail here in Bowral. Heading your way.

Site Performance Issues

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 07:38:50 +0000

Initially I thought it was Pato's pics but maybe not. Has anyone noticed the new site runs a lot slower. The is especially the case when you try to open up a thread in a new window. Opening in the saem window is also very slow but it is admittedly faster.

As reference, my TomTom post (ie no pics) took close to 2min before anything came up at all and 3min before the various little icons came up. It was 7 min before everything had finished downloading everything. The little icons and some images in the pujlic/stule_images/master take the longest.

This is on my work PC so I imagine we have a pretty fast connection. I'll check it out at home (8mb/s) and see if I get the same thing.

Anyone experiencing the same thing of is it just me?

Kiddie Naughty Photos

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:33:21 +0000

So my wife studied fine art @ uni and worked for Roslyn Oxley for a while, curating Bill Henson back in the 90's. We've been following the current scaremongering going on in the news re the "new & improved" child porn laws coming in which will classify images of naked children as porn & the photographer as a pornographer.

So what happens if I hold a naked kid up to a speed camera?

Stratos Conclusion

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 11:42:57 +0000

The Stratos from the AE1 thread sold to an Aust. buyer for $152,000.

And just for Beddo a Ford GT sold for $180,000 (LHD)

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn71/Cal289/stratosUC.jpg

Charging A Tomtom

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:44:01 +0000

For those who have a home charger for the XL340, what is the voltage and current rating? I'm thinking I might be able to use my blackberry charger as it has the same connection.
ta
Shane

I Love Living In The Ranges

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 06:57:25 +0000

40+ temperatures, wind picking up.
Get home from work.

Fire sirens.....

Turn on scanner, or check on line streaming.

Cockatoo apliances called out....

Check CFA Vic Incident summary, grass fire in Cockatoo...going

TV off, quite everyone........all atention on scanner

5....10 minutes....

"Cockatoo tanker...false alarm...returning to station"

Huge sigh of relief.....

Whats for dinner? Bloody hot weather!

Do You Have To Be Called Kyle To Live In Campbelltown?

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 10:47:08 +0000

In the (very short) five minutes it took me to pass through the Campbelltown area en route from picking up the car this morning I saw no less than four cars with the rego KYL **** - Doc, have you something to tell us

Bloody Funny Toyota Ad

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:33:18 +0000

No sub-woofers here:

Very few S2 owners would get through.

need a name

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:50:37 +0000

Well our new house is finally there. We move in next thursday...
I need you guys to help me come up with a name for the place.
It is a 10 acre piece of land, with rolling hills and a dam. Lots of serenity...
I want to call the place Bonnydoon. You know, from The Castle : cue Michael Caton voice: "we're goin to Bonnydooooon" , "how's the serenity?" etc.
Kylie rekons its too corny, and we will always have to explain why we called it that!

We thought of "EMELTO", which is the first 2 letters of out kiddies names. But to me it sounds tooo much like "cameltoe" , and that is unfortunate.. UU

Open to suggestions::

Adding emoticons

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:51:02 +0000

I have a feeling dave has beaten me to the punch on this one, but I've found how to add emoticons (OK, so the boomarang is a little lame, but I thought the chicken perfect for Scuffers )

If anyone has found a good source of emoticons they'd like to share, let us know!

The Assumption song

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:50:37 +0000

I LOLed

Forum suggestion: Can we enable embedding of Youtube clips.

Not very noisy

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:25:00 +0000

...........on here, is it ?

Heelllooooooooo. Any one out there ?

Friday funny

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 06:35:19 +0000

John Key (NZ Prime Minister) appears on the Letterman show in the US tomorrow when he will present a list of reasons why people should come to NZ:
Our scenery is almost as good as the movies.
Even if you stand on a chair, you still can't see Russia.
Don't worry, lots of us don't understand irony either.
We dislike the French too.
Apart from Michael Laws, we have no poisonous animals.
We actually put coffee in our coffee.
We're 20 years behind the times, but hey, we're first to greet the sun every day.
Yours and our leaders are identical; they both have homes in Hawaii and neither is a Kenyan-born Muslim.

And questions Letterman may ask John Key:
Could you beat the Prime Minister of Australia in a fight?
Is it true that some of the orcs in Lord Of The Rings were real New Zealanders without makeup?
Can you ride a sheep in New Zealand?
Do all the women in New Zealand look like Rachel Hunter and Zena Warrior Princess?
Do all young men in New Zealand look as weird as the Flight of the Conchords and Rhys Darby?
Any relation to Allen Key? I hear he's really good at putting cabinets together.
How does it feel to be more girly than the last prime minister?
Isn't it about time you stepped aside and let the Bill and Ben Party run the country?

Google Wave

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:58:57 +0000

Anyone looked at Google Wave? I think they have nailed the way communication will go. Email as we know it is so old fashioned in it's structure, like snail mail only faster. Wave is a totally new concept that I reckon will replace all email very fast and make forums like this redundant!

Yes I'm a bit of a nerd.

Now here's a thought...

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:33:34 +0000

There's a function in the software we're running that allows us to pose a series of questions for anyone wanting to become a member.

So, just HOW hard can we make it

We can add any questions we want....(opening the floodgates )

The Dust

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:10:26 +0000

Drove the elise to work today in all of the dust.

Once i got over about 80k's on the M4 all of the traffic kept dropping back due to the rooster tails of dust the car was throwing up.

There was only one problem, was running late and didn't have time to apply the blue tape to the car so it is now filthy.

Bad risk management on my part....

Parramatta vs Bulldogs

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 02:33:45 +0000

I hate them both but thought we needed some footy chat since this is the NRL discussion forum.... Oh, hang on.