ISSUE_009
Fastand
Furious6 JULY 14TH
a hit
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July 14, 2013
EDITOR’S COMMENTS
Up in yah
I
grill
INSIDE
f you’re reading this on actual paper, we’ve succeeded. If not, then don’t worry we’re going to be trying again. Sure we’ve been quiet for a while, but that’s because we’re transforming how we do things here at IGNITION, starting with a move to print. Sure they claim print is dead, but not to many readers who still prefer the feel of pulp in their hands. The future for us goes like this. We’re now a hybrid publication. No Terminator here, but IGNITION is from this point on part digital, part print. There will continue to be a digital edition, albeit smaller, every week available from the usual sources, our Facebook page (http://www. facebook.com/Ignitionweeklyjamaica), via Issuu, and a straight PDF download also from our FB page. All that, and our usual FB content updates. On the paper side there will be a bi-monthly 16-page publication that will draw from our online content mixed with fresh stuff. Why? Synergy. The move is get readers on both side of the digital fence to enjoy IGNITION. With that out of the way, it’s been a year since Skunk Nation dropped their take on the modified car/party scene and the pent up demand is leading up to a show that should not have been missed. IGNITION has the full feature next week unlike no other. Plus we’ve thrown in a full spread to recap the popular Ms Skunk Nation contest as to allow you to enjoy all the eye candy that was on stage. For the rest we have our usual mix of awesome pictures and words covering everything from news, to Motorsports, to car reviews. You can read it all while you listen to music, and get your drink on.
Ms Skunk Nation RECAP -
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KIG sold -
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INTERNATIONAL US Congress wants to repeal ethanol mandate -
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Loeb’s Peak -
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Make sure to like us online and share. ignitionweeklyja@gmail.com
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July 14, 2013
LOCAL
Fast andI Furious 6 a hit f you haven’t see Fast & Furious 6 yet, head out to any of the Palace Amusement locations this weekend. If you have, it might be better the second time around. The franchise, which was started in 2001, has managed to outlive its original goal of cashing in on the Sport Compact Car scene and F&F6 is the best of them.
Andre Bolt: Was the best of the series because it tied everything together well and set the tone for the rest of the movies to come.
It may have stumbled with F&F 3: Tokyo Drift, yet another attempt to capitalize on an automotive fad, however from the fourth installment its found a second wind with the latest movie beating out established sequels like Hangover III to gross over US$300 million worldwide
to date. The key to its success is a two-fold switch, the first back to the core original cast led by Vin Diesel and a big budget action flick approach. F&F 6 is pure summer fun as the cast is brought back together when Michelle Rodriguez turns up alive and well working for a group of vehicular mercenaries in Europe. Of course the whole gang is brought back together to find out why Diesel’s main squeeze is still alive. This movie brings even more automotive mayhem on the same level as any Hollywood blockbuster along with reality bending stunts. Fans of the series will find a to enjoy as it pulls from all the other movies to clean up the various ends and launch it into a new direction with a shock finale.
Shane Campbell: It was a good movie. I liked the story, the cars and the move to a more action oriented feel.
Andrew Jackson: A great movie, but has moved away from the cars to more of an action movie. The special effects were good.
Jayson Dennis: One of the better in the series. The end is amazing. Cannot wait for F&F7. The tuner crowd rolled out the red carpet for the premiere of Fast & Furious 6.
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July 14, 2013
July 14, 2013
LOCAL
Kayan.
Ashley.
Krissi.
Kahyna. Darielle. Sue Ann.
Shantol.
Marion.
Flamez.
Nuksi. Samantha.
Sonja.
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July 14, 2013
LOCAL
KIG changes hands J
amaica’s oldest automotive dealership Kingston Industrial Garage (KIG) has been purchased by an undisclosed group of investors led by Jeffery Panton. With a reported value of J$800 million, this is the third time in the firm’s history that it has changed hands since it opened its doors in 1908 as the island’s exclusive Ford dealership, a role it still holds today. In 1986 it was made part of the Lascelles deMercado group which itself was eventually purchased in 2008 by CL Financial of Trinidad. At that juncture it was stripped from the spirits side of the business. Panton, currently CEO of Progressive Motors, dealers for Peugeot and Ssangyong, will take over KIG as it stands, but details as to how its brands, Ford, Subaru and Yamaha are to be handled have yet to be revealed. There have been low-key expectations that given Panton’s standing in the Motorsports community this will have influence on the marketing and product line-up of the two main KIG brands. The acquisition of KIG quietly stretches the Panton name back into a serious power position within the new car sales industry since their former ownership of Jamaica’s dominant brand Toyota through Uni-Motors that ended in November of 2000. Pantons Jeffery, Donald, and Desmond between them now represent Peugeot, Ssangyong, Ford, Subaru, Yamaha, Isuzu, Mazda, and Hyundai.
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July 14, 2013
INTERNATIONAL
2014 Kia Sorento is one of 10 best SUV’s under USD$25,000
Kia Motors America’s (KMA) top-selling CUV, the redesigned 2014 Sorento, was named to Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com list of the 10 Best SUV ’s Under USD$25,000. The list, which was compiled by editors at Kelley Blue Book, features stylish and sensible sport utility vehicles. Editors named the Sorento to the fifth spot on this exclusive list of segment leaders. Kelley Blue Book chose the Sorento based on its roomy interior cabin, refined design, premium features and compact size. “The Sorento is one of seven allnew or redesigned Kia vehicles scheduled to go on sale this year and continues the brand’s legacy of world-class design, desirable technology and exceptional value,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. “Being named to Kelley Blue Book’s list of 10 Best SUV ’s emphasizes Kia’s commitment to provide its customers with sophisticated and premium vehicles without the hefty price tag.” With 80-percent of the Sorento built from all-new or re-engineered parts, the popular CUV became a strong contender on Kelley Blue Book’s list. “Big enough to ferry a family of seven yet svelte enough to slide into that last parking spot, Kia’s Sorento feels like the Goldilocks of SUVs,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. “Beyond its just-right size, the Sorento’s well-rounded character shines with an eager and fuel-efficient engine, a long warranty, and fun-yet-functional styling.” The 2014 Sorento, built at Kia’s manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia.
of ethanol in gasoline, which could damage vehicles, harm consumers and wreak havoc on our economy.”
Volvo, Mitsubishi, Road & Track among brands predicted to disappear from US next year
The 2014 Kia Sorento.
Research Institute. The University of Michigan study - Total Cost of Ownership: A Gas Versus Diesel Comparison - was conducted for Robert Bosch LLC and the results were released today at the 2013 Alternative Clean Transportation Expo in Washington D.C. The report analyzed the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for clean diesel vehicles and comparing their TCO to their gas vehicle counterparts. The study developed three and five year cost estimates of depreciation by modeling used vehicle auction data and fuel costs by modeling government data. The study also combined these estimates with three and five year estimates for repairs, fees and taxes, insurance, and maintenance from an outside data source. Highlights from the diesel-gasoline comparisons include: - Total Cost of Ownership: In the three year timeframe comparison, diesel vehicles in the mass market passenger car segment are estimated to save owners significant money, with the VW Jetta owner saving $3,128, the VW Jetta Sportwagen owner saving $3,389, and the VW Golf owner saving an estimated $5,013. - In the luxury segment, all the diesel versions of the Mercedes-Benz E Class ($4,175), Mercedes-Benz GL Class ($13,514), Mercedes-Benz M Class ($3,063), Mercedes-Benz R Class ($5,951) and VW Touareg ($7,819) save owners money in
Diesels cheaper over three to five years of ownership
A new study released today found that diesel vehicles saved owners $2,000 to $6,000 in total ownership costs during a three to five year period when compared to similar gasoline vehicles, according to data compiled by the University of Michigan Transportation 7
the three year timeframe. - Fuel Efficiency: All of the diesel vehicles had better miles per gallon than the gasoline versions with the diesels having between 8 to 44 percent higher miles per gallon. - Fuel Costs: All of the diesel vehicles had lower fuel costs than all the gas versions of comparable vehicles, with 11 of the 12 vehicles showing double digit reductions in fuel costs, ranging from 10 to 29 percent.
- Depreciation: Eleven of the 12 diesel vehicles held their value better than comparable gas vehicles over the three year timeframe with eight vehicles showing double digit percentage savings ranging from 17 percent up to 46 percent. - Nine of the 10 diesel vehicles hold their value better than comparable gas vehicles over the five year timeframe, with five vehicles showing double digit percentage savings ranging from 10 percent up to 39 percent.
US Congress wants to repeal, 2007 ethanol mandate
The battle over selling a higher ethanol blend of gasoline in light-duty vehicle fuel is back in the headlines, as some members of Congress are now suggesting an overhaul of the 2007 ethanol mandate, the Detroit News says. Arguments for the adjustments of the ethanol mandate is the fact that Americans are using less fuel. They’re using less fuel thanks to general improvements to fleetwide fuel economy. The US Supreme Court struck down an effort to block public sales of gasoline with a 15-percent ethanol blend (i.e., E15). The American Petroleum Institute (API) has been leading a number of groups, including AAA, to argue that ethanol’s higher alcohol content causes engine damage. Those arguments got louder last year when the US Environmental Protection Agency started allowing public sales of E15. In the US today, most standard gasoline is blended with a 10-percent ethanol mix. An API representative told the AP, “The ever increasing ethanol mandate has become unsustainable, causing a looming crisis for gasoline consumers. We’re at the point where refiners are being pressured to put unsafe levels
A financial news and opinion website, has identified 10 big brands that it believes will disappear from the US market within the next 18 months. The list “reflects how industry trends can accelerate the demise of certain brands,” says the publication, noting the “brutally competitive nature of certain industries and the importance of not falling behind in efficiency, innovation or financing.” Failure of a brand may happen for a variety of reasons, but the website points out that declining sales, rising costs, losing market share and a loss of customers are nails in an impending coffin. According to the report, automotive brands with market shares under half a percent cannot remain competitive against giants like Volkswagen Group, Toyota, General Motors and Daimler AG. Citing the loss of Suzuki when it filed for bankruptcy last year, the website is predicting that Volvo and Mitsubishi will follow, exiting the US by the end of 2014. Mitsubishi’s sales were down 15.51 percent in April - making it the weakest performing automaker on our monthly By the Numbers roundup. Another tough business sector is print advertising, as digital and online media avoid the legacy costs of materials, printing and distribution by truck and mail. 24/7 Wall St. called out Martha Stuart Living and Road & Track as two American brands living on borrowed time. It also predicts that Road & Track, celebrated as the oldest automobile magazine in the country will likely roll up with Car and Driver, as both brands are based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and owned by the Hearst Corporation. However, R&T’s editorial staff recently underwent a major turnover as the magazine relocated to the Mitten State from California, and Hearst backed a top-to-bottom revamp of the publication’s print and online properties.
July 14, 2013
INTERNATIONAL Loeb added a new world record to his long Motorsports career.
Kia Optima’s on the podium in Texas.
Yoshinari Matsushita.
Loeb creates eightsecond club at 2013 Pikes Peak
Nine-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb of France set the racing world ablaze Sunday when he obliterated the overall race record in the 91st running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. In his first appearance in the “Race to the Clouds,” Loeb maneuvered through the 12.42mile course in 8:13.878, more than a minute-and-a-half faster than the previous race record of 9:46.181 set by Rhys Millen last year. “I felt really good in the car, and I pushed it hard from the start to the finish,” Loeb said. “I made no mistakes, and I felt the race was really good.” Driving a Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak in the Unlimited class, Loeb averaged 87 miles per hour while setting the record. Millen was a distant second with a time of 9:02.192 in his 2013 Hyundai PM580T, and Jean-Philippe Dayraut of France also topped the previous record with a time of 9:42.740 while driving a 2011 Mini Countryman. Paul Dallenbach finished in 9:46.001 in his 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe to also eclipse last year’s record and win the Time Attack class. As expected, with the entire course now being a paved track, numerous records fell at the historic race. The race was delayed twice in the morning wave after a pair of motorcycle riders were injured after crashing off the course. Michael Applehns of
Denver, racing in the Pikes Peak Superbike 750 class, went off the course in his 2006 Suzuki GSXR, and Alex Moreno of Dublin, Ohio, also crashed his 2008 Honda CBR1000RR off the course. Both riders were airlifted to Colorado Springs-area hospitals, and their statuses were unknown.
Podium for Kia at Pirelli World Challenge event
Like a bull rider in a Texas rodeo, Mark Wilkins grabbed the reins of his No. 38 turbocharged Optima and rode it to a well-deserved and hard-fought second-place finish in round five of the Pirelli World Challenge (PWC) at the world-renowned Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. The relentless Texas heat wreaked havoc on drivers and tires alike, but Wilkins managed the race well from the driver’s seat and held off Jack Baldwin’s hard-charging Porsche Cayman S for the second step on the podium after a late caution flag bunched up the field of 51 cars with less than 10 minutes to go. “It was a great weekend for Kia Racing. To grab our first podium of the year feels darn good. The Kinetic crew did an awesome job preparing the No. 38 Optima, and the adjustments they made for Sunday’s race paid dividends,” said Wilkins, who had never driven COTA until this event. “We learned a lot from round four on Saturday about tire wear, so on Sunday we focused on being patient and more
consistent with the car. The Optima performs so well that, naturally, you want to push it, but we had to make sure we had traction left at the end of the race, and I think our results show that we did a good job of tire management on Sunday.” Teammate Nic Jönsson drove his No. 36 turbocharged Optima to fifth place in round four following fourthplaced Wilkins across the line. Kia Racing’s momentum continued into round five, with the Optimas running third and fourth throughout much of Round Five’s 50-minute contest. With a little over 10 minutes remaining, however, a full-course caution bunched up the field, and on the ensuing restart, Jönsson made heavy contact with the second-place Camaro heading up the hill into turn one. The jarring hit broke the front-right suspension and brake rotor, and Jönsson subsequently collided with the raceleading Camaro, damaging his own car to such an extent that he was unable to continue. Jönsson was credited with a 22nd-place finish and slipped to ninth in the Driver Championship. “We had a really good car Sunday, and after the caution flag, I felt like we had something for the GTS leaders; I had been saving the tires for the end and this was my chance to make a move,” said Jönsson, who was running third at the time of the incident. “I had a run on the second-place car heading up the hill, but everyone is battling for every inch of race track out there and we just got together. Once that happened, I lost my brakes and couldn’t avoid further contact. It’s unfortunate I collected Lawson while he was
in the lead.” Televised coverage of is scheduled to air on the NBC Sports Network. Race fans can always tune in online for live race coverage at www.world-challengetv.com, and catch the latest news and updates from the track at www.facebook.com/kiaracing and can follow the team on Twitter at @KiaRacing.
Rider Matsushita killed during Isle of Man TT qualifying
The 2013 Isle of Man TT has been darkened by the death of Japanese motorcycle rider Yoshinari Matsushita. During qualifying, 43-year-old Matsushita crashed on Ballacrye corner and passed away due to his injuries. In 2011, Bill Currie and Kevin Morgan died after their sidecar machine crashed in the same location. An investigation into Matsushita’s accident has been launched. Auto Cycle Union Events, the organizing body behind the Isle of Man TT, said in a statement that it passes its deepest sympathy to Matsushita’s family and friends. Autos.ca quoted Gary Thompson, Clerk of the Course for ACU as saying, “Yoshi was a really popular competitor who had a large number of friends in the TT Races paddock. He was a genuine and friendly character who always had time for everyone. He will be sorely missed.” Matsushita is the 240th fatality attributed competing in the Isle of Man TT since the race began in 1911. A total of 21 people have died in competition since 2000. 8