Fun Stuff

Suzuki Australia spokesman Eoin Black says the last time they had a price rise was in October 2009. Since then, the bikes have become the first motocrossers to introduce electronic fuel injection which is now widespread across the segment. The new race-ready RM-Z450 and RM-Z250 are little changed for 2012 with new colours and graphics. However, Suzuki is introducing an improved spares kit with the addition of frequently used spares such as air filter, oil filter, piston ring set and o-ring oil filter cover. Black says the RM-Z models are also now included in their Suzuki Finance Holeshot 4.99 per cent campaign. Suzuki's Support Rider program will also have "generous contingency payments" for the upcoming Super X season to riders competing on Suzukis. Black says sales of their MX range are up 5 per cent so far this year while the off-road sector is down 7.5 per cent. He says racing success underpins the sales success of the RM-Z range. Both are strong competitors in Australian and American motocross and supercross. Errol Willis recently claimed the Under 19 2011 Australian National Motocross Championship on an RM-Z250. At the heart of their success is the battery-less EFI that uses a capacitor-assisted starting system for easy kick-starting.It is powered by a durable, lightweight magneto-generator after starting. The EFI system in the RM-Z450 ($11,590) has three fuel maps (lean, standard and rich) to allow riders to fine tune their preferences to suit track conditions. Following in the footsteps of its big brother, the RM-Z250 ($10,690) was the first, quarter-litre production motocross machine to feature EFI. The little MX has a sturdy connecting rod and mirror finishing allowing a stunning 13,500rpm maximum engine speed. Both models now sport a red gripper seat cover and black fork leg protectors with new graphics in Suzuki's traditional yellow and black livery.Suzuki motocrossersPrices: $10,690 (RM-Z250), $11590 (RM-Z45)Engines: 449cc, four-stroke, single-cylinder, liquid cooled, DOHC, 4-value; 249cc,four-stroke, single-cylinder, liquid cooled DOHCTransmission: 5-speed, constant meshWheelbase: 1475mm (250), 1480mm (450)Seat: 955mmLength: 2170mm; 2185mmWidth: 830mmHeight: 1270mm; 1260mmKerb weight: 104.5kg; 112kgFuel tank: 6.5/6.2 litres

The synchronised spinning team put on the performance at the Infineon Raceway in California.

A truck fire at a St Patrick's Day celebration in Sedan, Minnesota, was put out by a cross dressing fire crew. Fire fighting volunteers Ted Aubart and Ben Tehaar were attending an annual parade dressed in flowing gowns to raise money for new fire fighting equipment when a truck caught fire nearby. Rather than wait for more appropriately dressed fire fighters to arrive, the pair rushed to their fire truck and promptly put out the blaze all the while wearing their best frocks.The incident was captured on video, and has gone viral around the world.

Australians are gettng the chance to use their mobile phones to authorise a parking spot. European-born Parkmobile - which lets your mobile phone authorise a parking bay and pay the fee without using a meter - starts in Sydney this week after success in Melbourne.NSW was initially excluded from the concept because of a clause within government legislation that prohibited payments by a mobile phone. NSW Roads minister Duncan Gay, who instigated the change to the legislation, said:"It was clear to us that there was a need to adapt with the times and allow councils and parking authorities to provide an easier way for residents and businesses to park in their area''. Parkmobile's managing director for Australia, Michael Doherty, says more than 5000 Victorian motorists have signed up to use the system. He says growth is daily and he's expecting a similar response from Sydney."Together with the relevant council, we make a number of carbays available on the street or in parking centres,'' he said. "The motorist who's registered with us simply parks in a designated bay, uses the mobile phone's app to confirm the bay and then the payment is deducted direct from the motorist's credit card account.'' Traffic wardens can check the car is legitimately parked by accessing Parkmobile's database through the council-provided hand-held device."There's no extra cost to the motorist - even registering with us is free - as our cost is paid for by the council,'' Mr Doherty said. "The benefit to the motorist is quick and easy parking while the council gets easier policing, lower maintenance of meters and control systems in major carparks.'' Mr Doherty said that Parkmobile, which started in the Netherlands in 1999 and expanded to the US in 2008, has future plans for road sensors that detect a car's identity in a car bay.He said in the future, councils will be able to remove ticketing meters and control gates in major carparks and on streets as more people elect to use Parkmobile's pay-by-phone system.

Let's just call it the dumbest stuff on wheel.

Xperia Studio, Pixelbite and Dr. James Brighton have taken the game "Reckless Racing" to a new level, controlling a real-world rally car with just a smartphone.

But this is the star of our own new animated campaign. The Carsguide computer car was created by the CumminsRoss agency and Plaza Films from a series of Carsguide pages, some imagination and a few long hours in the parallel universe of digital wizardy.  Initially the thought was to build a real vehicle, but using CGI meant freedom from the shackles of mechanical design - and time.  “We were excited about the creative opportunity to build the car from computers, but time was against us,” Plaza Films producer Josh Jenkins says.  “We further developed the concept and decided to build the car in 3D animation. That gave us fantastic creative control.” Jenkins says that after developing the shape of the car and the movement of the ‘camera’, the 30-second commercial was plotted out in detail.  “We deliberately designed the entire spot to be done in a continuous shot in order to streamline the 3D and compositing into a single process,” he says. “We then moved into an intricate design phase as all the screens, mesh, textures, reflections, background environment and lighting were created using the powerful Mirage VFX render farm to process the bulk of the complex geometry.” The final stage brought all the elements together with music, sound design and voice-over to deliver the final car for ‘launch’. “It allowed us to bring it to life as a real object, and an engaging and fun campaign,” CumminsRoss executive creative director Jason Ross says.

Gateways are so hard to drive through. And you often see people clip or scuff the sides. It's probably a good idea to head straight through the gate. Or if in doubt, just try and take out the gateposts entirely. They’re only getting in the way, aren’t they?

How do the professional stunt drivers get their cars driving on one side with such skill. The Stuntbusters team shows us how.

It explodes, it flips, it flies – and it rolls over and over in the air, shedding bits and pieces of body and parts as it goes. The Stuntbusters team gives us a spectacular taste of what happens in the perfect car explosion.