Total Trucker - 14 September 2021

GOVERNMENT CHANGES HGV AND TOWING TESTS

In a bid to reduce the backlog of tests and increase the number of HGV drivers, the Government has decided to do away with some of the previously mandatory requirements to show someone was a safe and competent driver. There will only be one single HGV test, for both rigid body and articulated lorries. The hitching and reversing elements are no longer required either. To find out more, click the YesAuto link here.

ONE THIRD OF ULEZ FINES UNPAID

Transport for London (TfL) has vowed to recoup the fines of over 330,000 that are unpaid. The ULEZ will expand, in London, to the North and South Circular roads. Some argue that the current system needs amending before any expansion. To read more, click here for the Autocar article.

SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT HUB OPENED IN SUNDERLAND

Sunderland City Council has opened a sustainable Mobility Hub, for staff, giving them access to 10 Nissan Leafs, as part of their move to sustainable transport for the council. 20 e-bikes will be also part of the initial fleet. These are steps towards the area becoming carbon neutral by 2040. To read more, click the YesAuto article here.

ITALY WANTS ENGINE EXEMPTION FOR SUPERCAR MAKERS

Italy is making the argument, to the EU, that supercar makers should be exempt from the 2035 ICE ban, due to them making so few vehicles and therefore having such a negligible effect on climate change. To find out more, click here for the YesAuto article.

PORSCHE STARTS BUILDING SYNTHETIC FUEL PLANT

Porsche has started building a synthetic fuel plant in Chilean Patagonia. The site was partially selected due to the conditions which enable excellent wind generation of electricity, which means the site and project will be virtually carbon-neutral. The intention is to use the fuel for their own internal purposes, such as their racing teams, but the idea will be to sell it to Porsche owners. To find out more, click the EVO article here.

DOUG FIELD LEAVES APPLE FOR FORD

Doug Field, who is credited with leading the development and design of the Model 3 for Tesla and the mythical Apple car, will be working for Ford as their chief advanced technology and embedded systems officer. He will be overseeing the push into connected services, cyber security and over-the-air-updates amongst other aspects. To read more, click the Autocar article here.

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WRC: ACROPOLIS RALLY

After an eight year hiatus from Greece, the rally returned to the WRC calendar. Rovanperä secured his second win of the season, with a commanding drive, blitzing the field on Sunday, to end up 42 seconds ahead of second place Tanak, with Ogier coming in third. Neuville has admitted his chance of the title and that of the Hyundai’s, is as good as gone. 90 points are left with Ogier 44 ahead. To find out more, click here for the DirtFish article.

To see how Colin Clark judged the drivers, click the DirtFish article here.

To find out what we learned, click the DirtFish article here.

LATE BRAKE SHOW - THE LEICESTERSHIRE EDITION

The Late Brake Show trundled into Leicestershire, with an eclectic mix of people and cars turning up to enjoy the day. The Motoring Podcast was represented by our roving reporter Alan. Who also took one of his fleet along. TO watch a 15 minute video from The Late Brake Show, click the link here.

LUNCHTIME READ: LAMLEY INTERVIEW - IAN CALLUM

Ian Callum is part of the judging panel for the Hot Wheels Legend Tour, where someone’s UK-based car will be made into a Hot Wheels model, as we talked about in last week’s And Finally. This is a great read about Ian Callum, including how die-cast car models have been an important part of his life. To read this week’s recommendation, click the Lamley Group interview here.

LIST OF THE WEEK: 11 COOL CLASSIC SOFT-ROADERS

This week the chaps pour over the options presented by Classic & Sports Car, to try and pick one of the excellent options of classic soft-roaders from years gone by. To go through the list yourself click the link here and don’t forget to tell/argue with the chaps about your choice!

AND FINALLY: 2CV HYDROPLANE

A group of French friends decided they would fashion a plane from a 2CV, utilising the engine and the bodyshell, with a wing slapped on top. Read through and then watch the short video demonstrating it actually taking off, just. To find out more, click the Hagerty link here.