Fun Stuff

Christopher Lloyd and Michael J Fox reunite to see how hydrogen fuel for the Toyota Mirai is made.

Driving a monster truck is easy. There is power steering, an automatic gearbox, plush suspension and a view that means you can see clear over any SUV traffic snarl.Tickle the gas and you’ve got 1200kW of supercharged power to get you going.But driving one properly? Not me.There is no way I’m going to launch one of these monsters into the air, or headbutt a 5m dirt wall, or crush a couple of runaway cars from a local wrecking yard. I kick the gas a couple of times, and I’m rewarded with a dinosaur-grade bellow and a massive thump from the power, but mostly it’s about ticking an item off my bucket list.My time with a truck called Hot Wheels and its driver Scott Buetow comes as Monster Jam lands in Australia for its annual summer tour. All the toughest trucks, from Grave Digger and Monster Mutt to Metal Mulisha and Zombie have been freighted from America for the events.It’s hard to get things into perspective with these outrageous beasts, but the numbers run from 300 truckloads of dirt for the monster truck course to 150,000 prepaid ticks to four local shows, as well as the 12 trucks themselves and 65 American crew members to build and run the courses and keep the trucks going.“I call myself an entertainer. That’s what I do,” Buetow told me.“Monster Jam is chaos in a ring. It’s controlled carnage. It’s like modern-day gladiators.”That’s not what I want to hear as he gives me a pre-drive check over his truck, the iconic Hot Wheels that he drives for more than 80 nights a year.We start with the oversized tyres that cost $10,000 each, move through oversized suspension with four shock absorbers at each corner, then on to the drag racing-style supercharged V8 that makes 1200kW on methanol fuel, and the fibreglass body that costs more than $10,000 and is regularly trashed.I climb up into the cabin, a trip more like mounting a helicopter than jumping into a car, to be confronted by a single wraparound competition bucket seat, a bank of switches, two pedals and the shift lever.“Don’t worry too much. Once you get going it’s all about the gas,” he said.“Besides, the officials have a radio kill switch. If you get into trouble, or get ahead of yourself, they’ll shut you down.”Hot Wheels is idled out to the track and, after a couple of super-slow laps by radio hosts, it’s my turn for a drive. I know that Aussie stunt star Matt Mingay, a Gold Coaster who makes his living by doing outrageous things with motorcycles and off-road trucks, is having the final run and set to destroy a battered old Ford Falcon.So I strap in tight. I cannot see much, even through the perspex panels that give a view down to the front wheels, but I get through the start-up procedure without a hitch and soon have control.As I get going, the truck feels big and soft and wobbly. The steering feel is vague, the pedals take a hefty stomp, and I cannot see much. In some ways it’s like driving a sprintcar at the speedway.But then I give it full gas, shift to second gear, and feel the kick from the fearsome V8. And then I do it again, just because I can.The officials decide I’ve earned a bonus lap so I go harder, even though the acceleration effect is like sitting in the back of a high-powered speedboat. The nose lifts and I cannot see much, but it’s fun and I know I don’t have to worry about jumps or bumps or trying for a backflip.Once Mingay has done his jump — nailing it in a way that impresses even Buetow and the other hard-marking drivers — I return for a show that’s two hours of mayhem and madness.Three trucks tear wheels off, two complete successful backflips, one destroys an engine in a fireball, and the crowd of nearly 40,000 cheers and whoops and loves it all.

There is motorsport and then there is Monster Jam. It could not be any more different, if you tried, from this weekend's Bathurst 1000.

There is something about monster trucks that captivates young kids, especially boys.

Cops up the pace in McLaren V8

What do The Beast, Rosie, Bluey and Dory all have in common? They have all made the list of the top 10 names young drivers give their cars, according to the RACQ.The results are from a survey of 16-24 year-old drivers.RACQ spokeswoman Lauren Ritchie said close to half of all people surveyed admitted to naming their cars.Women were found to be the most likely to personalise their ride.We're not surprised many drivers give their car a nickname"Many people have a special connection to their car, especially their first one," Ms Richie said."So we're not surprised many drivers give their car a nickname."Ms Ritchie said some of the names were very creative while other drives chose one to suit the car model or colour."If you love your car enough to name it, make sure you care enough to keep it clean, regularly serviced and topped up with fuel," Ms Ritchie said.What nickname have you given your car?1. Kermit2. The Beast3. Betty4. Getsy5. Rosie6. Suzy7. Bluey8. Bubble9. Bumblebee10. Dory

Current owner, military vehicle dealer Nick Mead, wants £25,000 for the bus and plans to list it on eBay."It's a unique piece of social and political history," Mr Mead said."It's still in working order and, although it's not exactly looking its best these days, someone who wanted to would be able to restore it to a good standard pretty easily."I bought it in 2012 because it was a fascinating vehicle but it's big, ugly and it's in the way now so I'm keen to send it to a good home. Given the American fascination with Maggie Thatcher, it may sell well over there but I'd prefer for it to stay in the UK.The windows are made of 50mm thick, bullet-proof glass"The bus is just as it was in period; we even found a ladies' umbrella on board – whether it's Margaret Thatcher's or not I don't know but we like to think it might be."The bus was built by military vehicle specialist Glover Webb and is based on Foden running gear.The 60cm thick, honeycomb macrolite floor is capable of withstanding a landmine blastIt is powered by a 12-litre, supercharged V12 Rolls Royce diesel engine that can propel the coach to a top speed of 130km/h.The windows are made of 50mm thick, bullet-proof glass, while the 60cm thick, honeycomb macrolite floor is capable of withstanding a landmine blast.With seating for 36 people and space at the rear for an office desk, the coach even had its own auxiliary, roof-mounted motor that could pump clean, carbonised air to the sealed cabin in the event of a chemical, biological or nuclear weapon being deployed.With just 22,000km on the clock, the bus was used to ferry passengers on the dangerous Derry Airport – Belfast route during the 1980s.It was also previously owned by the Met Police, used as transport for the Royal Marines band and as a viewing platform at a Ministry of Defence research facility.

Since the Northern Territory government derestricted a stretch of the Stuart Highway, manufacturers have started using it for high-speed hot weather testing.The new hybrid Honda NSX was spotted crossing the outback a few weeks ago, and now Porsche has had a go in its million dollar 918 Spyder. While the 918 isn’t for sale in Australia, Porsche has been using it as a (very fast) tool to promote its e-hybrid versions of the Cayenne and Panamera models. The 918 is the most advanced production car that Porsche has ever built.During its outback blast the 918 travelled the first 25km of the Stuart Highway in silent emissions-free electric mode before the 4.6-litre naturally aspirated V8 was fired up at the derestriction zone. Porsche claim the 918 can cover around 30km at 150km/h in electric mode – making it significantly more capable than its McLaren and Ferrari rivals, the latter doesn’t even offer an electric mode. Over a period of around 40 seconds, the 661kW 918 went from a leisurely 60km/h to its top speed of 350km/h on the public road. Porsche had spotters located along the high-speed test route to ensure the run would be as safe as possible – obviously this isn’t something we recommend you attempt in your own car. The 918 is the most advanced production car that Porsche has ever built, packing a hybrid all-wheel drive system, active aerodynamics and carbon fiber structure.The Porsche is powered by a 453kW 4.6-litre race-bred V8 engine which drives the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch PDK automatic gearbox.An electric motor mounted on the front axle adds 95kW, while another electric motor mounted between the engine and rear wheels adds another 114kW. The total combined output is 661kW/1274Nm, enough to send the 918 to 100km/h in less than 2.8 seconds. Porsche also claim a phenomenal combined fuel consumption figure as low as 3.0L/100km. While here in Australia the 918 also lapped the Australian Grand Prix circuit with Mark Webber at the wheel and set the production car lap record at Philip Island a few weeks ago. The Porsche 918’s local publicity tour is now over however, and the car will soon be shipped back to Germany. 

Jeep has revealed seven new off-road concept vehicles ahead of their debuts at the Moab Easter Jeep Safari in Utah later this month.Four out of the seven concepts are based on the highly customisable Wrangler, while the Grand Cherokee, Cherokee and new baby Renegade models have also been modified for the Safari. Every year Jeep wheels out a range of concepts for the safari to showcase its production and prototype Mopar and Jeep Performance Parts accessories to give owners an idea of how they can modify their own vehicles.Jeep Wrangler AfricaThe Wrangler Africa is designed for long-range off-roading with extra cargo space and room for auxiliary fuel tanks.Based on the four-door Wrangler Unlimited, it is powered by a 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine and fitted with a two-inch lift kit, sway bar links and front and rear Dana 44 axles from Jeep Performance Parts.Inside it’s designed to be tough and durable, and the floor, roof and cargo area are finished in spray-on truck bed coating.Jeep Grand Cherokee OverlanderThe Grand Cherokee Overlander is designed for off-road enthusiasts who like to camp out in their vehicles overnight.It features a two-person rooftop tent, integrated front winch, tow hooks, off-road rock rails, front and rear skid plates and 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tyres.The Grand Cherokee-based concept is powered by a 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Jeep Wrangler Red Rock Responder This Wrangler-based concept is a purpose-built support vehicle  designed for emergency off-road situations. It’s filled with spare parts and tools, while also equipped with the off-road hardware needed to conquer the toughest terrain.It features 37-inch mud terrain tyres, four-inch Jeep Performance Parts lift kit, Fox shocks, Dana 60 axles and prototype rock rails.Power comes from a 3.6-litre petrol V6, fitted with a cold air intake to help air flow.Jeep Cherokee Canyon Trail The off-road capability of the Cherokee is increased further with the Canyon Trail concept, which adds rock rails, two-piece fuel tank skid plate, two-piece underbody skid plate and all terrain tyres that give 1.5-inches of extra lift.The Cherokee is powered by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, mated to a nine-speed automatic gearbox.Jeep Renegade Desert HawkEven Jeep’s baby Renegade SUV has been toughened up for the Safari, with both styling and mechanical tweaks. It features desert tan exterior paint, a bonnet decal which depicts the ‘Fins and Things’ Moab trail and unique seat covers.Underneath the Renegade gets rock rails and a skid plate for improved off-road ability.Jeep Staff CarThis Wrangler-based concept was inspired by the military Jeeps used in the Second World War.It does without doors, a fixed roof and interior luxuries, but features a roll cage, Sandstorm exterior paint, military-style wheels and tyres, and 3.6-litre V6 engine with a manual gearbox.The Staff Car concept is fitted with a Jeep Performance Parts two-inch lift kit, Fox shocks and Dana 44 axles.Jeep ChiefThis Wrangler is a throwback to the 1970s Jeep Cherokee, designed to excite hipsters, surfers and fans of 70s retro styling.It features a unique two-tone ocean blue and white color scheme, unique chrome grille and bumpers and 17-inch ‘mag’ wheels.Inside it boasts a Hawaiian themed interior with seats trimmed in floral leather and cloth material, Rosewood grab handle plus a modern 8.4-inch touchscreen multimedia system.Eagle-eyed viewers will notice the doors and windshield have been chopped down two-inches compared to a standard Wrangler and it features a two-inch lift kit.This author's instinct suggests that if Jeep were to put this concept into production right now, they wouldn’t be able to build enough of them. It’s the right car for the moment – everything old is new again, right?

Celebrating the Chinese New Year today, Ford has farewelled the outgoing Year of the Horse with a smoke-laden Mustang video.Pro-drifter Vaughan Gittin Jr takes a Mustang V8 GT on a tour of Ordos, China in a manner similar to Ken Block's tours of Los Angeles and San Francisco.Unlike like the Mustang's last tyre-shredding appearance on film, Gittin Jr is not trying to impress a romantic interest; instead taking in the completely vacant city on his own.This new video encompasses the impressive Genghis Khan Plaza along with other areas of what is said to be China's biggest ghost town.The lack of... well, anything, really... gives Gittin Jr the opportunity to demonstrate just how effectively the Mustang can remove rubber from its rear tyres has he slides around the city through plazas, empty six-lane highways and bridges.The choice of location does, however, raise a few questions.For example, is Ford suggesting the new Mustang will conquer the known world as Genghis Khan did in 13th century?Or, will the new Mustang be a spectacular piece of engineering on a grand scale...that no one will actually use?We're guessing the former, but we'll find out for sure in November when new Mustang arrives in Australian showrooms.