Features

AUTO MANIA: by Dr. Iain Corness [email protected]

Monaco Grand Prix this weekend

Tight squeeze in Monaco.

Following on from the win for Lewis Hamilton and another 1-2 for Mercedes in Spain, is there anyone willing to hazard a guess for the winner at Monaco this weekend? With the limitation in passing opportunities round the Monegasque houses, pole position becomes very important. The most critical part of this Grand Prix will then happen on the Saturday. And that’s qualifying. He who is on pole, has a greater than 75 percent chance of winning. So who will be on P1? So far, all the money is on Hamilton.
Mercedes has built cars that are very fast over one lap (Qualifying), resulting in pole positions at every GP this year, and their cars are nearly bulletproof, as could be seen in Spain!
However, Monaco is the Grand Prix to be seen at this weekend (as opposed to a Grand Prix to see motor racing at). It is not the GP to go to, unless watching B List ‘super-stars’ is your idea of fun. This may, of course just be jealousy on my part, not even making the D List… The harbor will be bollard to bollard expensive yachts and the villa car parks will have all the Lambos, Ferraris, Bentleys and Maseratis you would ever wish for, and so much for the global financial depression. If you go for the atmosphere, then this is the GP for you. If you go for GP racing, forget it and go to Spa. Monaco has been processional for the past decade, and in my opinion is unfit for real F1 racing (but then again, I forgot it is the Bernie Show).
I will be watching the dedicated F1 channel, with no adverts, during the race, from my perch in front of the big screen at Jameson’s Irish Pub, Soi AR, going there at 6 p.m. for a meal and a beer before the race at 7 p.m. Why don’t you join me?
Qualifying is at 7 p.m. on the Saturday 24 May, with the race at 7 p.m. on Sunday 25.

Nitto 3K racing at Bira this weekend

Nitto 3K action

The Nitto 3K promoters have one of their meetings at Bira this weekend. The categories range from 2 liter modified sedans, through pick-ups, Retro cars and even Daihatsu Miras. This is ‘picnic racing’ in its true form. Plenty of racing and drivers competing for plastic trophies, not money!
Now, where is the Bira circuit (named after Prince Bira, Thailand’s first truly international sportsman and winner of the BRDC Gold Star for three consecutive years)? Get on Highway 36 and the circuit is about 3 km past the Regents School heading towards Rayong.
On the Saturday, we will have two Qualifying sessions and two races for the Retro Escort (and its Retro driver) with the one at 2 p.m. probably the best.
On the Sunday, the TBX Retro team will be having our AA Insurances hospitality tent there and you are invited to join us for shade, seats and cool drinks by saying the magic words “Saw it in the Pattaya Mail!” To find the hospitality tent you have to come in the back entrance to the circuit, which is about 50 meters before the main entrance when coming from Rayong. Go through the tunnel and then turn immediately right and go up the hill 20 meters and you will see the red gazebo. Warning: You will be expected to cheer for the TBX Escort!

Fastest Production Motorcycle

LS-218

Lightning Motorcycle revealed the LS-218 electric Superbike at the Quail Motorsport Gathering held in Carmel, California.
Lightening claim it is the most technologically advanced and highest performing street-legal production motorcycle in the world - the Lightning Superbike LS-218!
“Since 2006 the Lightning team has been dedicated to developing electric motorcycles that meet and exceed the performance of the best ICE (Induction Combustion Engine) alternatives,” said Richard Hatfield, CEO of Lightning Motorcycle. “To have broad acceptance from the motorcyclist community, we need to provide design, performance and value that competes head to head with the best gasoline motorcycles on the market. Lightning’s R&D team has developed electric vehicle technology through years of competition at racing events around the world. We believe that the LS-218 offers consumers the best of design, performance and value in today’s market.”
The Lightning LS-218 presents the first opportunity that consumers can purchase a production motorcycle capable of setting land speed records and winning road racing competitions that is as easy to ride as a 250 cc commuter bike. Lightning’s LS-218 IPM liquid cooled 10,500 rpm electric motor can produce in excess of 200 hp and 168 ft/lbs of torque. Lightning’s proprietary Ultra High Power Density Drive system allows max power setting without any concerns of overheating. At highway speed, LS-218 can exceed 100 miles range per charge with the standard battery package. You can use the standard power outlets to charge LS-218. At public fast charging stations, it will take less than 30 min to charge.
The Lightning LS-218 is a direct street legal version of the same bike that won AMA and FIM races and set land speed records. Customers can purchase a Lightning LS- 218 and have the same opportunity to win an FIM EPower race or set a land speed record themselves while still using their LS-218 as daily commuter bike.
“Consumers no longer are required to pay more for less performance to support green technology,” said Richard Hatfield. “The Lightning LS-218’s can compete with the best ICE alternatives today. Lightning achieved the goal we set in 2009 to compete against and win against the best gasoline race bikes. In June 2013 at Pikes Peak Lighting won first overall competing against 93 other motorcycle teams (electric and gasoline) by over 20 seconds.
In addition to the performance, Lightning provides customers unprecedented options to personalize their Lightning LS-218. Some examples of available options are fully programmable Android display, carbon fiber swingarm and frame, titanium fasteners, custom graphic wrap and seating.
The Lightning LS-218 has more horsepower, more torque, more speed and more performance than any other production motorcycle on the market.
And why is it called the LS-218? Because it was officially clocked at 218 MPH (350 KM/H). I think I would need a double dose of brave pills at that sort of speed!

Jensen returns from the dead (again)!

Jensen CV8

Jensen, the rather exclusive British brand was founded in 1934, but has had a checkered history since then, popping in and out of the Receiver’s Offices many times since then.
Jensen began with the two Jensen brothers, Alan and Richard, building special bodies for various UK makes such as Singer, Morris, Wolseley and Standard. In 1935 US actor Clark Gable got them to design a car using a Ford V8 flathead engine, the hot-rodders engine of choice in those days.
Clark Gable’s special evolved into the Jensen S-Type, and these were selling well, until Adolph’s bun fight in 1939 stopped production.
In 1946 commenced production again with the luxurious Jensen PW saloon. That was followed, from 1950 to 1957, by the popular Interceptor. These were followed by the 541 and the CV8, the latter using a Chrysler V8 engine instead of the in-line Austin 6.
Jensen also built bodies for Austin-Healey, and produced their own sports car - the unfortunate problem-prone Jensen-Healey.
At various times Jensen also produced bodies for Goldie Gardner’s record-breaking MG K3, the Volvo P1800, Sunbeam Alpine and a variety of trucks, buses and jeeps.
The company was taken over by the Norcross Group in 1959 and by US car distributor Kjell Qvale in 1970. In mid ’76 Jensen stopped trading, crippled by the Jensen-Healey’s dismal record of troubles.
Following this, Britcar Holdings got involved, but soon sold out to Ian Orford who put the Interceptor back into production as the Mk IV. Only 11 cars were made before the company was sold to Unicorn Holdings, which also produced just a handful of cars.
A striking two-seater cabrio, the Jensen S-V8, was launched at the 1998 British Motor Show, and 110 orders were placed. However, only 38 made it to the production line and of them, only 20 ever left the factory. The company went into administration in mid-2002. In 2010 SV Automotive had a go, followed by JIA and then CPP.
With that less than auspicious history Gregg Alvarez, who worked at the original firm as a young apprentice, and Steve Barby, both well acquainted with Jensen techniques are now doing ground-up restoration of old Jensens in a bid to keep the name alive.
Jensen Motors Ltd. has ambitious plans to produce eight examples of authentic Jensen models to celebrate 80 years of the marque this year. “We want to keep preserving and protecting Jensen cars as a prime example of British engineering and heritage,” he said. Unfortunately, that usually means it leaks oil on the floor and has a myriad of problems. However, there are many Jensen enthusiasts still around, so hopefully this time the Jensen name will continue.

Autotrivia Quiz

Last week I asked which auto founder gave automaking away to run supermarkets? It was William Crapo Durant, the founder of General Motors who went into the supermarket business in 1932.
So to this week. What car is this? A postwar car it had a pre-war chassis, the engine came from a tractor, the suspension and rear axle from a failed sedan and it had a simple wire mesh grille. It had a top speed of 107 mph, Americans loved it, but it was made in the UK.
For the Automania free beer this week, be the first correct answer to email [email protected].