Ignition Weekly #12

ISSUE_012

INSIDE

More fashion than

exotic cars T he Car park of Gee Wee Restaurant was transformed last Saturday night into a showplace for the latest fashion and some tripped out rides.

The fashion show kick-started the night with a variety of apparel from Aesthetic Designs. It was then paused to allow the patrons to show off their rides, bringing the car park roaring to life with engines and exhaust while the judges from BMW Innovation inspected the contenders for the prizes to be distributed later in the night.

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Drag Racing back in full force -

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No ‘Hollywood’ for Dover Independence of Speed Meet - 6 INTERNATIONAL

The models were tha star of last Sunday’s Exotic Cars ‘N Fashion.

AUGUST 2ND

Hyundai Santa Fe hits one million in sales - 8

August 2, 2013

EDITOR’S COMMENTS

Up in yah

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grill

t’s been a busy few weeks here at IGNITION, not only because of the small changes, but the amount of activity that’s been happening in the automotive world. While I admit we’ve been giving the priority to the more entertainment and sports side of things, we haven’t forgotten the other day to day information automobile owners need to make their lives better. Sure car shows, and motorsports make for very pretty pictures, however when I had to pay the new toll on the way to Vernamfield on Sunday we noticed the increases didn’t get any coverage by us. This could be addressed in the future, but I see no reason to cover stuff that others have done better.

What this brings about is the ebb and flow of automotive news, just like real news and how we go about managing it. IGNITION doesn’t see the need to be like everyone else. What we do see the need to do is present the most news we can in the best possible way. That means some stuff just won’t make the cut. It’s not because we didn’t know about it, we just figured the other sources around that cover that sort of thing would be a better option. I’m not going to lie this week again is another event heavy issue. Worry not, we’ll get to the news, test drives and do-it-yourself information once the tide goes back out.

We gave a quick report of the Exotic Cars ‘N Fashion last weekend, which will lead into a full report with pictures this week. The most significant event has to be the resurgence of drag racing at Vernamfield. Over a hundred competitors showed up and spectators lined the quarter-mile three deep to watch the car. No question drag racing is back, big time.

For Sunday Dover headlines with Independence of Speed. There have been some big shake ups as the new management of the JRDC sets its sights on what they call the bigger picture. Whether they hit their target remains to be seen. They’ve been batting one hundred so far.

Hopefully, we’ll have such a track record soon. Keep reading, downloading, like, share IGNITION. It’s free. ignitionweeklyja@gmail.com

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There was more than enough eyecandy for the men at the show.

August 2, 2013

LOCAL << P.1 The fashion show continued with male apparel form Kolorful Concepts featuring a range of fashionable bow ties, a mixture of evening and beach wear. The designer Cathy Ann Small was excited to see her designs for a third time at the show. She hoped patrons would look forward to her designs in the future and to grow her clothing line with Exotic Cars ‘N Fashion.

Pieces from a pleased Dianna Jordan were next.

They included handbags made of crocus bag, the now trending African print dresses with a bit of lace.

“My designs are inspired by my innovative way of making things out of the box in her attempt to bring light,” Jordan said.

The patrons were promised something exotic and that indeed was delivered by Kimesha Stewart who brought to the stage risqué dresses and lingerie.

Kimesha told IGNITION that her intention was to show the crowd that “lingerie is for everyone’s pleasure no matter their size.” Her display went over well with both males and females in the audience. A mixture of applause and the roars of engines accompanied her final return to the runway.

Even with the race weekend stealing some of the spotlight there were a few gems that held the crowd.

That was not the end of the exotic treat for the patrons as Torain Campbell’s eponym line TC was launched. The body artist intends to introduce a techno touch to the fashion industry, hoping that his designs will become a significant addition to the party scene.

“Fashion is limitless and it would be an innovative way to incorporate paint and fabric to create the perfect outfit,” explained Campbell.

As his models graced the stage, some only in body paint, the crowd went.

The designers delivered a truly exotic fashion show. However, the car show suffered from the race-weekend blues as many of the top teams and rides were being prepped for drag racing at Vernamfield the following Sunday. This left a precious few cars for the main contests.

While the final judging was underway wheelchair bound Daina Weller

This clean old-school EF Honda Civic tries out for the Loudest Exhaust awards, one of six free to enter categories available on the night at Exotic Cars ‘N Fashion.

ditched her own wheels to go for a spin in a Mazda RX-7. Despite Daina’s inability to walk her love for cars was enough to have her out on the town with the S.I.A. team checking out the cars and enjoying the fashion show.

When the BMW Innovation judges completed deliberation, the Best Burn Out award went to Dessington Graham. His extensively modified Diahatsu Mira captured the crowd response. It took 112 decibels for Karim Stephens to win the award for the Loudest Exhaust with his Subaru Impreza WRX. The most anticipated award was that of best Japanese car which went to Marlon ‘Darker Shades’ Powell for his 1995 2-litre turbocharged Nissan Sunny B14 sedan. A lack of interest in the Best Euro award meant no trophy was given out.

None of the winners had any intention to enter the competitions but were quite confident their cars could come out on top.

Tara-Kaye Salmon

There were more Japanese rides than euro cars on display.

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August 2, 2013

August 2, 2013

MOTORSPORTS Dean Shawâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Camaro blast down the 1320 as drag racing returned to Vernamfield full force.

Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re back 4

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egal drag racing returned big time to Vernamfield last Sunday when a whopping one hundred and eight drivers showed up to test their skills down the quarter-mile in front of a packed house.

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The qualifying sessions saw some unusual pairings running down the track, like this Lancer Evolution against a Ford 350 Super-Duty

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August 2, 2013

MOTORSPORTS << P.4 Slated to start at 8:00am, it was well after mid-day before the National Drag Racing Circuit (NDRC) Drag Challenge #1 got off the line as the unexpected size of the crowd created safety concerns that had to be addressed much to the credit of the NDRC. However, there continued to be trouble spots for the rest of the day occasionally forcing the organizers to stop the event, causing further delays at the cost of those that were obeying the rules.

The combination of a late start and the large number of competitors meant the racing would head way into the evening and had to be stopped as light faded way. Regardless, those in attendance easily enjoyed the four qualifying sessions that mixed things up and went home not only safely, but safe in the fact that their sport is still as popular now as it was before drag racing was halted at Vernamfield.

What sprint champion Asfa Powell (left) does when heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got a lot of time on his hands.

They came in all makes and models for all over the island.

The drag rail was king.

Big burnouts could come from anywhere.

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August 2, 2013

MOTORSPORTS

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Party time at Dover

t’s a matter of if you can’t beat them join them, as this Sunday’s Independence of Speed will fit in with the party theme of the holiday weekend according to Jamaica Race

Drivers Club President (JRDC) Christopher McFarlane.

Rather than compete with the host of Jamaican Independence weekend parties, the JRDC hopes to draw revelers with the appearance of

ZJ Bambino playing live for the fans between the motor racing. The news was announced at the media launch of the Independence of Speed two weeks ago.

The hope is not only to attract a crowd that wouldn’t normally not

attend Dover, but help expose the sport overall to them. Title sponsor RUBiS Energy hasn’t forgotten the family plans to erect an energy village that features a play area for the younger ones.

Further publicity is to be gained

Gore - Sitting out the meet in protest of how he feels he’s being treated by the JRDC. McFarlane - taking a risk to hold an event without one of the sport’s major draws.

from a broadcast deal that will see highlights of the previous Dover meets available overseas via SportsMax, with the upcoming meet following as soon as available.

The racing has been overshadowed by the news that Douglas Gore will not be in attendance. Gore who vacated Modified Production class four at the last event over the current tyre rules has made it very public his dissatisfaction with the JRDC and their handling of several issues. Since his rival, David Summerbell Jr. also vacated the only class that would see them com-

pete head-to-head Thundersport there was little chance of them racing directly. However, this is the first big test of the current management as they try to stage an event without one of their biggest draws.

Extra incentive to participate in the meet will come from the Crowd Favourite Award sponsored by RUBiS Energy. Patrons will be prompted after each race to SMS the driver they felt gave the best performance. Drivers will now receive their trophies at the race meet instead of the usual later prize giving function.

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August 2, 2013

INTERNATIONAL

One millionth Hyundai Santa Fe sold

Since the moment it rocked the automotive world at its introduction in September 2000, Hyundai’s Santa Fe has been a powerful player in the crossover segment. That momentum continues, with two all-new models leading the charge to a retail sales growth rate exceeding 40 percent through June, highlighted today by the sale of the one millionth Santa Fe in the United States.

“When the 2001 Santa Fe launched in the United States 13 years ago, not only was it Hyundai’s first SUV, but it was one of the first compact crossovers on the market – just behind Toyota RAV4 and Honda CRV,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. “It was a bold move that paid off and helped position Hyundai as a brand that could innovate in design and package, not just value and warranty.”

Prior to Santa Fe’s arrival in the U.S., Hyundai was known primarily for building inexpensive compact cars. Santa Fe opened doors to an entire new group of car buyers and offered them a new choice in the small crossover class. Entering the market with distinctive design, great equipment and backed by industry leading quality, Santa Fe soon became one of the best-selling crossovers in the industry.

Fast forward to today, and the third-generation Santa Fe continues this trail-blazing narrative as the first U.S.-market crossover with a two-wheelbase strategy – the two-row, five-passenger Santa Fe Sport and the long wheelbase three-row, six/seven passenger Santa Fe – offering Hyundai buyers vehicle choices they can grow with through various life stages.

The Santa Fe is an award winner and has been right from the start. From being top-rated in the 2001 Vehicle Satisfaction Index from Auto Pacific, the first time a Korean brand vehicle lead in a sat-

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isfaction category, to being named in U.S. News and World Report the “Best 3-Row Midsize SUV ” and “2013 Best Car for the Money.”

Santa Fe has deep American roots with assembly today taking place in West Point, Georgia, where the majority of Santa Fes are now produced. Previously, Santa Fe was built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing in Montgomery, Alabama, where today Sonata and Elantra are built. This year, Hyundai will make nearly 500,000 vehicles in the U.S., and sell over 700,000 vehicles here, a remarkably high ratio of U.S. production to U.S. sales.

The Mitsubishi Outlander earns Top Safety Pick+

The Mitsubishi Outlander officially is a safe vehicle, earning a good rating in all of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash test categories - good enough for the agency to give it the Top Safety Pick+ award. The small sport utility vehicle’s little sibling, the Outlander Sport, received the Top Safety Pick award earlier this year.

According to the IIHS, to earn the Top Safety Pick+ rating vehicles must be rated good in at least four out of the five crash tests (including the difficult small overlap front test) and earn no less than acceptable in the rear crash test. The Top Safety Pick rating requires that vehicles be rated good in the moderate overlap front, side, rollover and rear tests, but there’s no minimum rating on the small overlap front crash test.

Mitsubishi designed the Outlander to have greater roof strength (the roof now can support up to five times the SUV ’s weight) and to withstand the moderate overlap front crash test and the recently introduced small overlap front crash test, both of which

evaluate the ability of vehicles to protect their occupants in crashes that bypass the traditional front crumple zone. Crumple zones are designed into vehicles to allow them to deform in a way that protects passengers in the event of a crash. The Outlander was one of two small SUVs to earn a good rating in the small overlap test, the other being the 2014 Subaru Forester. The Subaru earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating.

New Corolla due in September

Production of the all-new 2014 Corolla has begun at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi, Inc. (TMMMS) and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, Inc. (TMMC).

With nearly 40 million units sold, the Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car nameplate in the world, and this year marks its 47th year on the market. The 2014 Corolla will be available for sale in September.

The Mississippi plant initially began production of Corolla in November 2011 further advancing the company’s efforts to design, develop and build vehicles where they are sold. TMMMS has the annual capacity to produce 160,000 vehicles and employs nearly 2,000.

The Mississippi plant will mark the start of production with a Team Mississippi Appreciation Day for team members, supplier team members and their families on September 7 at the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo, Miss. Toyota’s Cambridge, Ontario plant has produced Corolla for 25 years - since 1988. TMMC also builds Lexus RX350, RAV4, RAV4 EV, and produces Matrix for the Canadian market.

Annual capacity for the plant is 470,000 vehicles and it employs approximately 7,000.

Building the Corolla is truly an effort by Toyota team members all across North America. Corolla engines are built in Buffalo, W. Va., engine plant. Cylinder heads and blocks for those engines are produced at both of Toyota’s Bodine Aluminum castings plants, located in Troy, Mo., and Jackson, Tenn.