Fun Stuff

Some people think motor scooters are a menace. A survey by AAMI Insurance came up with that result, but it's obviously the view of people who are not looking to the future.There will soon be more scooters in Australian cities, and not only in Queensland, where car-licence holders can ride a 50cc two-wheeler.Scooters are going to become more popular as urban infill reaches its peak, petrol prices continue to rise and more people realise an easy-going two-wheeler meets their real transport needs.A short commute, ducking down to the shops or dashing to a coffee shop is easy on a scooter. I know because I've been riding a Vespa for a few weeks to see what the latest generation of baby bikes is like.The answer, at least for the 250cc four-stroke Vespa, is comfy and convenient. And it looks good, too, with a great retro style.A Vespa is not cheap. My GTS250ie costs more than $9500, but that is for a steel chassis, a classy engine, good brakes, a digital dash and even a handy hook for holding takeaway bags.A scooter takes some adjusting to. It has bicycle-style brake levers and an automatic transmission. But the 250 jumps away at the lights and cruises at 100km/h on the highway.And it is fun, the sort of fun that's being lost from a lot of 21st-century motoring.More people should put a scooter in the garage, or even the foyer of a flat, to maximise their motoring enjoyment with minimum stress and expense. They are a great solution to a lot of today's motoring needs.Yes, I am a fan. And it took less than a fortnight and a single bill for $11 of unleaded to win me across to the scooter team. Fast factThe Vespa motor scooter was created in 1946 and helped put Europe back on wheels after World War II. 

This year carsguide is launching their inaugural search for the ‘Dealer of the Year’.

Don't forget to check out the "Stunt Driver Experience" video at the end of the story, and let us know what you think.Crunching down the gravel driveway at Sandown Racecourse, I noticed that I had arrived early enough to watch the morning stunt group screeching through the last few minutes of their session. I parked the hire car and perched myself on the guard rail for a closer view of the action. In five minutes I saw cars spinning out of control and one up on two wheels. They’re not really going to make me do that are they??Soon, the other participants in my group began to arrive, and we chatted awkwardly at speed - the way you do when you are scared but putting on a brave face.As the morning session wound down, we meandered across to a small hut where we were introduced formally to the group members and the two instructors. One of them, the instantly likeable owner of Driver Dynamics, Kevin Flynn, gave us a short background of his company before ushering us into part of the racetrack grandstand for some tea and bickies, and a more detailed description of the day.The softly spoken and cool Flynn described the stunts we were going to perform, together with some safety instructions, and then handed out sheets of paper with a wry smile. “Now you can have a read of this or I can sum it up for you in one sentence. If you crash, burn and die today, it’s your fault, not ours.” His tongue in cheek comment was received with a nervous chuckle and sideways glances. It was a worryingly short prep session. We were in and out of the classroom in minutes. I got the impression that Flynn and his crew strongly believe that actions speak louder than words.Multiple 360 degree spins  With gawky helmets at the ready, we stepped out onto the track to have a crack at what we came here for. First, the multiple 360 degree spins on a special ‘Split Surface’ System (a length of thick wet vinyl).To give us an idea of what to expect, the instructors take us through the first run. We only do this once, so I make sure I listen hard. Then it’s straight into the drivers’ seat for my turn. The first time is the hardest. At the top of the run I stop and gaze down the track. With heart in mouth I release the clutch and ease into first, then second, and third. “Hold at sixty. Concentrate on your speed.” Flynn instructs firmly. With seconds to go before hitting the vinyl surface he yells “clutch!..”, then as the tyres hit the mat, “…now brake!” And with that I stomp on the brake like I’m trying to plunge it through the floor and keep the steering wheel straight. It’s out of my hands from that point as the car spins out of control and the G force lurches me into a screeching spin. With a jolt I’m facing back where I started. From then on, the adrenalin is pumping, my endorphins are raging and with a loud “wooohooo!” and more than my fair share of expletives, I get straight back up to my mark for a second, third and forth go.The instructors seem to get a genuine kick out of my excitement. They are calm, patient and generally great fun.Box park  The second stunt is the box park - a neat handbrake turn into a parking spot. It’s amazing how easy the professionals make something quite fiddly look so easy. Everyone has their turn and improves with each try.Ramp to ramp jump  Now for the ramp to ramp jump. I had been secretly hoping that one of the ramps was faulty, or that the rain would somehow deem the jump too dangerous and it would be called off. Alas, it was not to be. Fortunately, Flynn recognised the fear. “Ok this is where everyone goes quiet” he jokes. He takes everyone for a test jump then makes his way back to the group for the real thing. “And now this is where the instructors go quiet” he sighs with a hint of sincerity. I chuckled inwardly and stepped forward to get it out of the way. Flynn gets a bit more serious for this one, as a constant speed heading up to the ramp is critical. I head down the straight keeping a keen eye on the speedo. Everything else is blanked out as my tyres meet the ramp. Up we go! There is a brief feeling of weightlessness before I have had time to think, and I meet the other ramp with seamless ease before gliding back down to the track. It’s hard to believe how easy it is – almost like driving over a mount of soft dirt - and I relish the opportunity to do it again and again.Two wheels  Finally, we get a taste of what it’s like to drive up on two wheels, just like in the movies! The instructors drive for this one as it takes around two years to get it right. Driver Dynamics is the only group in the world to offer this experience to the public. I have to say, it ain’t that comfortable and when you crash back down to four wheels, it proves to be one jarring experience. But it’s great fun none-the-less and I’ll never forget it.At the end of the day, certificates are given out as proof to the world that we are now fully fledged (well, kind of) stunt drivers The no-nonsense approach that Driver Dynamics holds is refreshing and lets you get stuck in to the exciting, hands-on aspects of the course, with minimal theory. Kevin Flynn and his team are consummate professionals, giving you peace of mind, allowing you to relax and enjoy the day.I got back into my hire car exhausted, exhilarated and proud. All my fear had melted away within minutes of the first stunt, and all I could think about was how I could wangle another trip down south to be a stuntman, just one more time. Driver Dynamics "Stunt Driver Experince" Cost: Melbourne Only $335.00 AUD per driver including GST. Sydney only $435 per person.Telephone: 1300 652 693http://www.driverdynamics.com.au/

We’ve launched a new “m-site” which is specifically designed for mobiles.

Watch the video now!            

Former Big Brother contestant Krystal Forscutt has taken her first step towards international fame by being chosen as a character in a popular video game.Forscutt is one of two females who feature as a digital version of themselves in Need For Speed's new ProStreet computer game, to be released later this year, with a potential worldwide audience of 40 million gamers."It's my first sort of international appearance, I guess,” Forscutt told The Sunday Telegraph."It will probably weird me out a bit to watch. It's like when I see myself on TV - I can't stand to watch it, but I'll definitely play the game.”Representatives from international gaming company EA approached Forscutt after spotting her in a bikini shoot in men's magazine Zoo Weekly.She was flown to EA's Vancouver headquarters where she was photographed and filmed for artists to create her character - a starting girl in the race series.It is not uncommon for celebrities to be in computer games but this is thought to be the first time an Australian has had a character in an EA game.International names to have featured as characters in games include Hilary Duff, Christina Aguilera and Natasha Bedingfield.Forscutt, believed to be one of the most financially successful of Big Brother contestants, poses regularly for men's mags and appeared recently on Seven's It Takes Two."I wouldn't say that I live a life of complete luxury but financially I'm pretty stable,” she said."People might think things have been given to me, but I've had to work hard to keep my face out in the media and not just sort of fade away.”Forscutt, 20, has made no secret of undergoing breast enlargement but insists she's had no other surgery."I wouldn't be game enough to and I am completely happy with who I am,” she said.She says posing topless or nude is something she'd never do."I have no desire to do that,” she said."I would just like to keep some dignity. I have got nothing against girls that choose to do that, it is just not me. I don't think I need to do that to get anywhere.”

The $US2.2 million ($2.8 million) built-to-order stretch Rolls-Royce Phantom boasts state-of-the art gadgets including an LCD entertainment system. It also has two rows of rear seats, facing each other. "It was the most expensive car we've ever done," says Robertson. He wouldn't disclose the name of the buyer.Robertson was in Hong Kong last week for the unveiling of a fleet of 14 new Phantoms for the city's Peninsula Hotel, the world's largest such order. They were built to meet the luxury hotel's needs, including larger boots for luggage and refrigerators for chilled towels, Robertson says.The total amount of the deal was not disclosed.China has overtaken Japan as Rolls-Royce's biggest Asian market, with 60 per cent sales growth this year as the country's newly rich entrepreneurs splash out to display their wealth.

The carsguide car of the year 2008 finalists have been announced. Check out the videos, photo galleries and stories.  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Eligibility is for cars launched on the market from November 1, 2005, to November 1, 2006, regardless of the price.* The contenders must be either new models or be substantial upgrades, including major engineering updates.* A garage of 20 cars was pruned down to 10 after careful consideration by News Limited's national judging panel.* There are no second chances - 10 finalists will come down to one winner, which will be announced on December 1.How we tested the field:* Eight drivers examined 10 cars through exhaustive testing across three days.* Each judge painstakingly pored over every car in relevance to interior functionality, fit and finish, build-quality, space and ergonomics.* The field was driven on a wide mix of environments and road conditions: wet, dry, city, freeway, highway and country towns.* Each car was also let loose on Goulburn's Wakefield Park race circuit.* There were no stop watches, hence no lap times as this was no fast and furious exercise.* The object of the exercise was to see how competent all cars were in critical driving situations - steering, handling, braking, acceleration - within the legal confines and safety of a closed environment.* From the racetrack activity, testers were able to better assess grip thresholds, tyre balance, chassis performanceand suspension.How the winner is determined* From 10 criteria, judges are asked to award marks out of 10.* Judges come up with an aggregate for each car.* They then list their choices from 1-10 (1 being the best).* The winner is determined on a points basis after all judges' scores have been collated.

In an entertaining 20-minute qualifying session, Holden stars Kelly, Todd Kelly and Garth Tander - took turns at lowering the lap record set by Ricky Kelly during practice earlier in the day.But HSV Dealer Commodore driver Rick Kelly ensured he kept the record, lowering the benchmark in the qualifying session with a time of 1min 49.1004sec - almost 1.5 seconds faster than Mark Skaife's 2004 lap record.Tander, Kelly's HSV Dealer teammate, was second quickest with a time of 1min 49.2448sec while Ford driver Mark Winterbottom made a late charge into third position with 1min 49.2563sec.Todd Kelly, Rick's elder brother, was fourth in 1min 49.3668sec.Provisional pole position is an ideal start to the weekend for Rick Kelly, who sits second in the overall championship title just 101 points behind series leader Craig Lowndes.Lowndes, the defending Gold Coast champion, wasn't quite up to speed in his Falcon - qualifying eighth with a time of 1min 50.1445sec.However, Lowndes will have a chance to steal his first pole position of the year tomorrow when the top 10 qualifiers return for the shootout to determine the lead grid positions for race one.

That's right, the V8 Supercar ace is now a door decoration and on call to put his personal stamp on any room in any house.Skaife has grabbed pole - or door - position as a Melbourne company begins local operations with a unique printing process which will be used to create a full range of 'Hero Doors'.The boss of the Holden Racing Team, who has just equalled Peter Brock as Australia's most successful touring car racer with 37 career wins, has been captured in a pose with his full 2006 racing kit.He will eventually be joined by lineup of the biggest football stars from the AFL, rugby league and soccer codes as the company behind the dream doors, Decradoor, expands its range.Peter Brock is also likely to be a door star."We have exclusive rights to the special printing process in Australia and supply standard doors that will fit almost anywhere. Double doors are not a problem," the managing director of Decradoor, Ray Groarke, says.The 'Hero Door's don't come cheap, with a pricetag of $950 before GST and shipping, but each one will be personally signed by Skaife. For all the details go to pr@pempub.com.au