November 2018 Auto & Trucking Atlantic

auto

FRAN

CARS • TRUCKS • JOBBERS

C-STORES • INSTALLERS • RECYCLERS

& trucking

A PIT-STOP GLANCE AT TIRE HISTORY (STORY ON PAGE 30)

CARWASHES • SERVICE STATIONS DEALERS • GARAGES • BODY SHOPS

NOVEMBER 2018 $4.95

THE MIKE KAPLAN STORY (SEE PAGE 18)

THE END FOR THE ‘PEOPLES CAR’ (SEE PAGE 36)

2018 AUTO SECTOR COUNCIL EVENT (SEE PAGE 40)

WIN PRIZES!!!

A RUST CHECK SWAG BAG OF GOODIES OR A STANLEY 123-PIECE SOCKET SET FROM NAPA!

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SALT SEASON ON ITS WAY: CAR WASHES IN WINTER OWNED AND PUBLISHED BY ALFERS ADVERTISING & PUBLISHING INC.

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Page 4

HUMBOLDT TRAGEDY A WAKE UP CALL FOR TRUCKING INDUSTRY – A national tragedy spurs a call to action.

Page 9

EDITOR Carter Hammett carter@autoatlantic.com

SALT SEASON’S COMING: CAR WASHES IN WINTER Contributer Jon Barry waxes investigative on the necessity of maintaining your car’s health during winter.

Page 12

THE BIG INK – YOUR SKIN IS THE CANVAS. Your automotive passion is the art that graces that canvas.

SALES TEAM Meg Devries meg@autoatlantic.com

Page 14

THE ATLANTIC ROAD REPORT – New Brunswick invests $5.5 million in paving projects this year. • More!

Page 18

MIKE KAPLAN HEADING INTO MARITIME MOTORSPORTS HALL OF FAME – Tim Terry writes about a racing veteran whose time to be recognized has finally arrived.

Page 21

RUST NEVER SLEEPS – Did you know that our longer winters and the ridiculous amount of salt we put on our roads costs approximately $1000 per driver per year?

Page 24

NEWS OF THE WEIRD – Funny guy Jimmy Kimmel to the rescue after mom gives birth in the front seat of her vehicle and leaves it all kind of gross…

Page 28

WOMEN IN CAR WASH: CELEBRATING PROWESS FOR GROWING SUCCESS – Brenda Jane Johnstone introduces the first event of its kind in Canada.

Page 30

A PIT STOP GLANCE AT TIRE HISTORY – Tires have come a long way since Edouard Michelin patented the first effective useable back in the 1800s.

Page 34

NAPA OWNER SAYS, “THE BETTER THEY DO THE BETTER WE DO” – …and that’s because they play a key role in the community of which they’re a part.

Page 36

EL VOCHO IS STILL SCURRYING AROUND IN MEXICO – Wouldja believe Hitler (yeah…that guy!) is credited with the VW Beetle’s iconic styling? This and other factoids about a highway enigma, in a spotlight by Kenneth E. Seaton.

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Page 45 Page 46

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Letter from the Editor

HUMBOLDT A WAKE-UP CALL FOR THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY

A

By Carter Hammett

S WE WERE PREPARING TO GO TO PRESS WITH THIS ISSUE, A NEWS ITEM POPPED UP THAT PROVOKED A REMINDER ABOUT A HORRIBLE EVENT THAT OCCURRED ON APRIL 6 THIS YEAR.

That was the day when truck driver Jaskirat Sidhu collided with a bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos hockey team, resulting in 16 deaths and 13 injuries north of Tisdale SK. The news feed reported that Singh was scheduled to return to court October 2 where he was expected to choose an avenue in which his case would be heard. As of this writing, Sidhu hasn’t entered any pleas in response to the 29 charges of dangerous driving causing death and bodily harm.

Transport Canada, along with other agencies, has collected data on the work environment of truckers. It’s estimated that truck drivers are involved in about 20% of all Canadian accidents annually.

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The tragic events in April of this year shed light on the working conditions and risks many truckers experience and the picture presented is nothing short of alarming.

It’s not uncommon for drivers to clock 14-to-16 hours in a day. Often they have to load and unload their own trailers, which might cause back injuries. The sedentary life style results in fatigue, stress, poor diet, virtually no exercise and this in turn can be contributing variables to conditions including diabetes, stroke, hypertension and sleep apnea.

It’s been reported that up to 50% (!) of all truck drivers have a combination of risk factors and medical conditions.

Truckers are one of the leading groups for claiming worker’s compensation and their injuries cost the health care system millions of dollars a year in North America.

The situation gets complicated even further by a severe driver shortage. This forces trucking companies to hire more drivers—in part because some of their experienced workforce has been sidelined with injuries—to hire younger drivers who may not be sufficiently trained. The

company that hired Singh was a new start up and reportedly needed drivers on the road immediately.

It goes without saying that the industry is vulnerable and requires an overhaul.

Certainly, health and wellness—including mental health—programs are a step in the right direction. But so are flexible working hours, better training and even parking improvements. All of these changes and more, could dramatically reduce tragedies like the Humboldt.

Currently, Ontario is the only Canadian province that has regulations requiring suitable driver training. It appears Saskatchewan is poised to follow suit in 2019.

A major study on sleep apnea and trucking safety is currently underway at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute.

The first-of-its-kind research in Canada will look at 1,000 drivers, and compare identified cases of sleep apnea to records on the road. Sleep apnea affects about 10% of the North American population, about 18 million in total. The shocking thing is that up to 90% of these people never receive a formal diagnosis.

Apnea isn’t the only source of driver fatigue but it is a major concern. Last year, Rolling Strong launched a mobile app aimed at helping drivers improve health and wellness during long distance treks.

The app includes healthy menu suggestions, exercise routines and certifications.

Additionally it can synch with your FitBit and even connect you with a wellness coach.

Drivers can even earn redeemable points from participants like truck shop operators.

But that’s just one solution—albeit a positive one— among many currently on offer. It’s beyond tragic that events like the Humboldt crash need to serve as a wake up call for our industry.

If nothing else it serves as a catalyst to establish policies, programs and wellness training for people entering a risky and often unhealthy field.

These changes can’t come soon enough.

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SALT SEASON CAR WASHES I

N ON ITS WAY: IN THE WINTER

By Jon Barry

F

OR MANY CAR OWNERS, REGULAR UPKEEP, MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING ARE JUST PART OF THE PRICE OF GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR EXPENSIVE VEHICLE. BUT WINTER TIME IS WHERE SOME END UP SLACKING ON THEIR UPKEEP JOB. The idea of cleaning your car in the winter seems pointless and futile to some. The roads are covered in dirt and salt that endlessly collect on your car.

Plows constantly hammer your vehicle with a fresh coat of whatever was collecting in the snow, and brutal winds throw whatever they pick up right on top of your spiffy new wax job.

But savvy car owners know those excuses are exactly why you have to double down on your car washing in the winter. Jason Kaye, president of The Canadian Car Wash Association says salt is the main culprit but the salt chemical combo known as brine is also rough on cars: “It’s harder to get off than salt.

Salt is very corrosive and a lot of people don’t really understand how bad it is for their cars.” Kaye is trying to do his part to raise awareness about the havoc that salt can wreck on your car: “It’s just amazing how many people don’t have the right education about it. We actually have signs in our hallway educating customers about salt, that it can be quite damaging to the car and it is important to get it off.”

I also spoke to Marc Adams, who has years in the car wash industry and is involved with installing the many different types of wash stations available

on the market. Adams says the reasons customers come in so often for washes in the winter are safety, cleanliness, and preventative upkeep against corrosion: “I’d say because of the salt and because of vision. In our area here in Halifax... the majority of our road clearing is done by salt for icing.” As both Adams and Kaye pointed out it’s not just the salt on the road you have to worry about. The Atlantic provinces have to be even more diligent in keeping their cars clear of corrosive material. They have the added factor of the Atlantic Ocean doing its own part to add salt to the air and surrounding atmosphere all year long.

While some avoid the car wash in the winter, the clever car owners double down, and the car wash industry knows it. The Canadian Car Wash Association releases quarterly reports on the average revenues of its members wash stations. The report is conducted by Kent Group Ltd, a research firm specializing in the car wash and gas station industries. The numbers speak volumes about when car washes really make their money throughout the year. If we look at the months between April, May and June (Q2), average revenue of surveyed stations was $56,560 in 2017. July, August and September (Q3) was only slightly better at $59,693. But in October, November and December (Q4), average revenue jumps to $75,015 as the winter gets going. Once we are deep into the snow season in January, February and March (Q1) average revenue rockets up by over $25,000 to $101,294 in 2018.

Once the cycle repeats, revenues dip back down in Q2 of 2018 to $74,100.

While winter is boom time for car washes, they still have a few bumps in the road when worrying about how to operate their business in the most effective way during that time of year. Frigid temperatures can lock up bay doors for both self-service and touchless car washes. Adams explains: “When you have

very severe winters, one of their biggest expenses is heating the bay.” “...It’s very important when you are starting into the winter season that your overhead doors are working properly. If you have a door that misfires or breaks down, well then there’s all your heat going literally out the door”. “And if it’s cold, your site is in trouble. We have had issues where... the furnace has died or there’s been an issue with a door or what not. We’ve had issues where there was thousands of dollars of damage because the pumps inside the equipment room freeze, break and you could easily spend anywhere between $2,500.00-$7,500.00 on that.

When it gets too cold out it might not be worth the risk keeping the wash open.

For Adams the answer is simple: “Close it down until the weather improves or you have more man power on site in order to keep an eye on things.”

In the summertime many thrifty vehicle owners that would regularly wash their car at home end up taking the winter off. Trying to wash your car in the ice cold winters can be a massive pain in the neck, if you still had feeling in your neck after being frozen solid. For those with more time on their hands and some bravery in their heart, the old school driveway wash is an accessible and effective option to make sure you keep the winter grime off your vehicle.

But be wary it might not be the most environmentally-friendly option. Or legal.

Some municipalities have bylaws against washing your car in your driveway, due to oil, fuel and soap running off into the storm sewers. While the bylaws are well intentioned, they are often confusing and not enforced. For those eco-minded winter warriors thinking the driveway wash uses less water than a car wash, The CCA claims car washes actually use about 1/2 the amount of water on average compared to a driveway wash.

There is also the traditional coin operated drive in methods, but Adams has

At The Car Wash

seen a decline in installs at the DIY coin stations: “It’s less common to be building the coin base, the Do It Yourself”.

But their popularity is still high in Atlantic Canada: Because we do have a relatively mild temperature compared to other parts of Canada, you still see quite a few people using ...the self-serve coin mech based.” he says. Since the coin ops should have a proper drainage system unlike your driveway, they are also a great option for those who still want to do a thorough hand wash but want to be environmentally-and-bylaw conscious.

One of the big debates between drive through car wash options is the never ending battle between brushes vs touchless drive through. Some argue that brush washes end up harming your car by reintroducing rust, salt and other grime picked up from previous washes back onto your vehicle. Others argue that touchless options can operate at too high of a water pressure and can cause water to get into already weakened areas under the body of a car and cause further corrosion, espe-

BY-LAW BEWARES

M

ANY MUNICIPALITIES HAVE THEIR OWN REGULATIONS AND BYLAWS THAT PROHIBIT DRIVEWAY WASHING.

Calgary for example has a fine of $500 for the first offence and it is regularly enforced. Unfortunately similar bylaws are often not enforced in other municipalities and they can also be confusing.

Kaye explains the situation: “So it’s quite funny. I think Calgary has an enforced no driveway washing bylaw. And technically Toronto does and I think the fine is $20,000 $15,000 (it’s $10,000), but the problem is that it’s marked as you cannot wash things into the storm sewer, so it doesn’t say you can’t wash your car in the driveway, but you can’t have suds go down the storm sewer.

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cially with a poorly maintained recycled water system. Adams explains his experience of the debate: “The thing is today, the technology for both the brushes and the servicing of vehicles has changed a lot, however most of the customers I’ve talked to at our touchless sites, they are scared to death of brushes. Myself personally, if I come across a nice brush wash like a tunnel...in my opinion it does a nicer job and is a lot easier on the environment.”

Kaye also has a preference for the brush wash. “...Friction’s the way to go. The problem with touchless is, A) you’re using way more water and B) your using way more chemicals and much more harmful chemicals. And the chemicals need to be monitored...If the chemicals aren’t being monitored enough they can actually do damage to the car. But in the end a lot of car dealers will end up sending customers to whichever one suits their preference.

“You have some car dealers that tell you “Don’t go to a friction wash, you have other dealers that say don’t go to a touchless wash.” says Kaye.

one has ever been charged for that. So that to me needs to change...You can’t enforce something when the fines are that big.”

Halifax also has a bylaw similar to Toronto’s. The Respecting Discharge Into Public Sewers bylaw states: “No person shall discharge, into wastewater facilities, sewage or wastewater containing one or more of the following:” which includes fuel, and detergents “that may cause excessive foaming.”

The penalty in that law starts at $500 dollars per offence but can add up with additional offences to a total of $50,000 or 90 days in jail if you are unable to pay. What that law actually means seems to be anybody’s guess however, because, like Toronto, it doesn’t seem to be enforced in relation to driveway washing.

In the car wash industry there is also a movement towards using reclaimed water systems as a cost saving measure and often to comply with environmental regulations.

Wash stations with water reclaim systems use water that

november 2018

Of course the greatest result for winter upkeep and auto body maintenance is spending the big bucks and going all out on a detailing package. Adams explains that a couple details a year on a vehicle combined with a regular wash is the best defense: “Myself personally...I get them detailed twice a year. Maybe in the spring and in the fall. And then going through the touchless washes maintains that finish. I am a firm believer in having your vehicle professionally detailed.” Adams continues: “The customers that are happiest are the ones that go and get a professional detailing done.”

In the end whether you decide to be brave and go DIY in your driveway or a coin op, visiting a touchless or brush drive through, or splurging on the full scale detail will depend on your individual time, budget and bylaw restraints.

What is important is that you find a method that will work for you. The car wash industry will survive just fine throughout the winter, but unfortunately your vehicle’s auto body might not.

was previously used on earlier vehicle washes that is then cleaned and reused.

Adams explains the driving factors towards adopting water reclaim systems: “One of the advantages of recycled water is of course cost. Some municipalities will only allow a car wash within their borders if it has a reclaim water system...because they are only going to allow you to use so much water. And if you use more than what they are going to allot you then you can be fined very heavily. But the downside with water reclaim systems is… they are very expensive to purchase originally and they require a lot more maintenance...and of course that’s going to affect your bottom line.

But if you don’t have it, [in some places] you won’t even be allowed to open.” While it has some detractors, Adams still praises the ability of a reclaim system to do a good wash: “The only time you are using reclaimed water is mostly when the high pressure water’s on. When you’re getting the soap put on with low

pressure, you’re getting the wax, that’s all still fresh water.

If you maintain your reclaim system, there’s very good filters if it’s reclaimed.”

With both driveway washing and professional wash stations there are a bunch of regulatory movements within the car wash industry but it’s not always unified across different areas, and often not fully enforced.

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Carter’s Corner

THE BIG INK

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By Carter Hammett

HEN YOUR SKIN IS THE CANVAS, THE SKY’S THE LIMIT. BUT FOR A CERTAIN TYPE OF DRIVER, CARS EVOKE MEMORIES, OR SYMBOLIZE POWER OR SUGGEST DREAMS NEVER REALIZED. ONE WAY TO REACH THOSE GOALS IS TO GET ALL TATTED UP. They say you can never get just one. I kind of dismissed that idea five years ago after receiving my first tattoo, a typewriter with words flying off a page. It was meant to acknowledge a love of words and I

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gifted myself with a tatt for a milestone birthday. That was a while back and next month I get my fourth tattoo, so maybe they’re on to something.

Few things are more personal than what we choose to adorn our bodies with.

The skin becomes the canvas and a tattoo is the embodiment of a lifetime commitment to an image. For years I dismissed tattoos as the result of drunken Saturday night dares; wondered how much regret tatt recipients would feel during their golden years? Slowly things started to turn around. I started noticing some real eye-catching images people were sporting. That Norval Morriseau-type artwork on your shoulder kind of looks….dare I say it? Cool.

Today’s tatts are being recognized for the art form that they are. In Toronto you can wait up to one-and-a-half years for some artists who are hailed for inventive

designs and painstaking attention to detail. In some circles, it’s considered gauche not to have a tatt.

But what happens when you commemorate the love of your rig with a homage on your body? The results can be wildly memorable. Herewith a few of our fave inks that we’ve stumbled across in recent years.

Not all of them are selected for the art.

Some are selected for what they represent, or the message being conveyed. Some are just kind of cool. We salute the artists and their creations and celebrate the talent that goes into making this particular kind of art!

Still others show a love of the job and all the mysteries that go along with it.

Not to be outdone, automobile tatts are just as ubiquitous, especially hot rods it seems. Here’s a beautiful piece of artwork that’s amazingly rendered.

East Coast Road Report

ATLANTIC ROAD REPORT NEW BRUNSWICK

Investments in Moncton-area roadwork The provincial government will invest about $5.5 million in paving and chip seal projects in the Moncton area this year as part of its 2018-19 capital budget.

“To keep the economy moving forward, we need to maintain and improve our existing transportation infrastructure,” said Moncton East MLA Monique LeBlanc. “Strategic investments in roads not only stimulate the economy and create job growth; they also keep our roads safe, which is a top priority of your government.”

LeBlanc attended for Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Bill Fraser.

A 2.4-kilometre section of Route 15 between the Harrisville Boulevard interchange and the traffic circle will be paved, as will a 300-metre section of Route 134 from the Kierstead Road area towards

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Sawdust Road and a 400-metre section of Route 15 from Painsec Junction at the railway overpass to the new Route 11 interchange area.

Repairs will be done on the Rabbit Brook No. 1 Bridge on Route 15.

Chip seal will be applied to three kilometres of New Scotland Road from Route 126 to Route 490, and to a 3.5-kilometre section of Victoria Road between New Scotland Road and Indian Mountain Road.

Under the Municipal Designated Highway Program, the government and the City of Moncton will fund the micro-sealing of one kilometre of Route 134 (Shediac Road) from Lewisville Road to Vista Street.

The program allows municipalities to apply for funding assistance for capital upgrade projects. Its funding has more than doubled since the 2014-15 fiscal year, increasing to $25 million in 2015. It has remained at that level as part of a government commitment to sustain funding for

municipalities.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure’s $688.2-million capital budget reflects the government’s priority of investing strategically in its buildings, highways and bridges. Strategic investments in infrastructure are a key component of the multi-year New Brunswick Economic Growth Plan, the government’s framework for growing the economy and creating jobs.

NEWFOUNDLAND

Contracts Awarded for Highway Construction Cameras The Department of Transportation and Works has awarded three contracts valued at $81,000 in total for proponents to provide services to monitor the speed of vehicles in construction zones during the 2018 construction season.

The contracts have been awarded to Shanahan’s Investigation & Security, Red-

East Coast Road Report

flex Traffic Systems, and Sensys Gatso Group.

The technology provided by each company will be present at highway construction zones in the coming weeks.

The RFP for services to monitor the speed of vehicles in construction zones was issued in June.

Submissions were evaluated on best overall value and cost, technology used, ability to monitor and report traffic activity, and the proponent’s experience in providing the service.

Before the start of the road construction season next year, the department will review the information collected and the technology used to determine the services that will be required in the future.

Information on active highway construction zones throughout the province can be found at www.roads.gov.nl.ca.

NOVA SCOTIA

Province Announces $195 Million to Twin Highway 104 Nova Scotia is improving highway safety and creating jobs with a $195 million investment in twinning Highway 104.

The federal government is contributing $90 million to the project, which will see 38 kilometres twinned between Sutherland’s River, Pictou Co. and Antigonish.

“Nova Scotians want us to improve the safety of our roads and we are committed to doing just that,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “Highway 104 is an essential piece of infrastructure connecting communities in our province and our province to the rest of the country. I’m pleased our federal partners are working with us on this project that will make the highway safer and create jobs.”

The project will include a new, 10 kilometre, four-lane alignment between Barneys River and James River, south of the existing Highway 104, made necessary by the area’s topography and terrain as well as a river and rail line.

“Twinning and upgrading Highway 104 is about improving road safety, creating good, middle class jobs, and making it easier for people – and products – to move across the province and the country,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“Our government will continue to listen to communities, and make historic investments in the infrastructure they need, today and for the future.”

Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2020 with the goal to have that portion of Highway 104 twinned by 2024.

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Building stronger communities across Prince Edward Island with federal Gas Tax Fund Investing in modern, efficient public infrastructure is key to promoting economic growth, strengthening the middle class and developing healthy sustainable communities.

The Government of Canada has delivered the first of two $8.25 million annual installments of the federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) to Prince Edward Island. In total, the province will receive over $16.5 million this year through the fund.

The GTF is a long-term, indexed source of funding that supports local infrastructure projects across the province each year. In Abrams Village, the GTF will support the construction of new sidewalks, storm drains and ditches to increase pedestrian safety. The Town of Souris plans to build a multi-use cultural building for residents of surrounding communities. It will include a new public library, a space for an early childhood development organization, and space for theatrical and community events.

North Rustico will use their GTF contribution to develop a fully serviced subdivision for single family homes, affordable housing, senior assisted living facilities and green recreational spaces. Tignish will replace 785 metres of sewer mains to improve wastewater infrastructure in the town. Culture, capacity building, wastewater infrastructure and roads are only four of the 18 project categories eligible for funding under the program. This wide range demonstrates the flexibility of the GTF in allowing communities to direct their allocations to their most pressing local needs.

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Atlantic Racing News

KAPLAN HEADING INTO MARITIME MOTORSPORTS HALL OF FAME

By Tim Terry

D

ARTMOUTH, NOVA SCOTIA’S MIKE KAPLAN HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN MOTORSPORTS SPANNING BACK SIX DECADES. Whether it was stock cars, drag racing, truck and tractor pulls, from driving to promoting and announcing and all points in between, Kaplan’s motorsports involvement crosses all different aspects and various disciplines of motorsports.

It only makes sense that Kaplan will find himself as an inductee into the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame on November 17th, 2018. Kaplan, along with nine

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others, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame with a gala ceremony at the Best Western Glengarry in Truro.

Most will know Mike for his involvement with stock car racing but his motorsports career began in 1965 on straight line tracks without left turns. Being already involved with several drag racers at the Maitland track, he purchased a new 225CI Dodge Signet. With encouragement from his friends, they convinced him to race. The track put Mike in with all the small eight cylinders and they would be running against National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) records for handicap. As he recalls, the worst thing happened that day, he won the class and got runner-up to the small stock eliminator. The trophy was his first and hooked him into racing.

Not mechanically inclined at the time, Mike had bought a car run by Chuck Rich-

ardson in 1996, a Barracuda Formula S. Chuck had taken all the racing parts off the car but that did not slow Mike down as he broke several track times set by Chuck. The Barracuda with Mike at the wheel was always a contender for middle stock eliminator, which he won many times.

Mike purchased a 1966 Chevrolet Caprice 427 with 425 horsepower in 1967 from his mentor Roy Currie. Roy would maintain the car and Mike would break many track records with it. The car set a fast time of 11.99 seconds. The car was named the “427 Hot Shot” and would be feature on the front cover of the racing program when Drag City opened.

The next year, A.E. Fowles approached Mike and Bob Blumenthal, two of their salesman, if they would be interested in running a drag racing car. A 1968 428

Cougar XR7 was put on order and sent to Barry Poole to be set up. Mike and Bob picked the car up in Ontario and on the way back they saw a sign that read “Cayuga Racing Tonight.” Five record holders were there that night and over the course of the night Mike eliminated four of them en route to getting runner-up to top eliminator. For the first time racing the car, and to be running right on the NHRA record, was rewarding.

The car would be named “Charlie Brown.” Fred Carroll maintained the car but it was Mike who discovered something about the setup of the car to make it go faster. He shared it with nobody, but they knew something had changed. The NHRA record for the class was 12.77 seconds and Mike had the car turning 12.23 seconds.

Mike and his fellow racers got together and decided it was time they helped promote and grow their sport and formed The Twin City Racing Team. Mike was voted in as their President, which he held for two years. The Halifax Herald was approached at a drag racing event to raise funds for the Rainbow Camp for underprivileged children. Doug Lively, who owned the track at the time, was approached and he said he would donate gate proceeds providing the staff would donate their money and the drivers would donate their winnings. It was all agreed to and was a great promotion for Rainbow Camp and the sport of drag racing.

Mike would go on to win the overall championship in Charlie Brown, beating out PEI’s Dave Mosher in the last run for competition class and had his picture on the front page of the Halifax Herald.

Mike was a well known drag racer at Maitland, Drag City, Amherst, Scoudouc and Pennfield. He raced against notables including Junior Hanley, Terry Clattenburg, Andy Hebret, Richie Jenkins, Lennie Currie and many, many more.

Mike announced a big snowmobile event at Atlantic Speedway and at the end of the race was asked if he would be interested in announcing the next season of stock car racing. He accepted the offer which was a one year role as Jerry Lawrence returned the next year. Mike never left motorsports and kept the microphone close, a position he first filled in 1967 while also racing at Drag City.

Mike’s stock car driving career was short. Mike and Bob bought a stock car which was registered with No. 31. The first time it got it, it was totaled. Mike then built a Mini Brut to race within the Halifax Forum. The area of the race was outlined in hay bales and the floor was slick. Mike’s

car was the first one on track during that one off race and he sold it at the end of the day. Mike’s stock car driving career would end with no hardware, compared to the 115 trophies he amassed in drag racing.

Gail Crooks would contact Mike in the late 80s and he met with Gail, Jack Osmond and Harry Poole, who made him an offer to announce at Scotia Speedworld.

Up until this time they had a hard time

keeping announcers. His first race was the January 1st Brass Monkey Race where 69 cars entered and Mike only had a piece of paper with numbers and name to keep track of them. If the group was satisfied with Mike after that day, he would have the job for the coming season.

As they say, the rest was history. Mike kept the racing folks entertained at Scotia Speedworld for 18 years. Whether it was his pre-race shows where he would invite

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Atlantic Racing News

kids down on the track or his smooth race calls, they loved Mike at the oval.

Mike would promote the sport over the years through various car shows, parades and events. Mike organized shows at Penhorn Mall for years that would see the mall filled with race cars before the opening of the season. Mike also organized a show at the Rodeo Lounge in Dartmouth for three years where he had CTV and Scott Boyd live on location. The shows were a big hit. With his time with the Maritime Pro Stock Tour, Mike appeared in 16 parades with the pace car and other race cars.

Mike was instrumental in bringing the Legend division to the Maritimes once introduced in 2000. Mike negotiated the first Legend car race in the Maritimes to be held at Scotia Speedworld and was held with five cars. That night, Mike held down not only the announcing position but was also the race director. The Maritime League of Legends Tour was formed in 2005 and has since flourished to a proving ground for both up and coming talent and young at heart.

Over the years while at Scotia Speedworld, Mike sponsored five race cars. The deal was they would not tell anyone – no

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displaying of his name, no thank yous or anything or the sponsorship would be taken from them. One of those cars was Terry Roma, to which the track now runs 38-lap Sportsman features following his passing in 2012.

Mike was honored by the Dartmouth and District Shrine Club in 2004, inducting him into the 100 Million Dollar Club for his work that he did with them at Scotia Speedworld. Mike was also a founding member of the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame and currently serves as the Director for Nova Scotia.

For two years, Mike hosted a TV show with Ernie Ledwidge on racing from Scotia Speedworld. The show aired each Wednesday and featured taped footage from the weekend prior. He also cohosted the Nick Storey “Energy Hour” once a month on Fredericton’s 95.7 The Wolf once a month until 2017. He has also penned a number of columns in the past, including for this publication.

While Mike will be entering the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame, like others within the hall, he remains active within the motorsports community in Atlantic Canada. Mike is the Series voice of the NAPA Sportsman Series that competes

MIKE KAPLAN (RIGHT) IN 1968

at Riverside International Speedway and was also the voice of Cape Breton Miners Memorial Speedway during its revival. He is the voice heard at most events at Shediac’s CENTRE For Speed and has been involved for many years with the Atlantic Stock Car Championships. He also can be found at truck and tractor pulls in Antigonish along with the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition, where he hosted the event throughout the week this past August.

Mike is always one for his attention to detail. While you will likely hear him at a race track before you see him these days, his traditional white pants and genuine smile will catch your eye. He has helped mentor many folks in the motorsports community, including bringing on yours truly to Scotia Speedworld in 2007.

This just scratches the surface of Mike Kaplan’s vast motorsports resume. He, along with Gerard Clow, Bob Duncan, James MacKinnon, Mitch Cooke, Danny Fahie, George Koszkulics, Stan Miller, the Atlantic Canada Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club Inc., Debbie Livingston-Martin and Paul MacKenzie, will be inducted as the Class of 2018 to the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame.

Tickets for the induction ceremony can be found at MaritimeMotorsportsHallofFame.com, stopping by the Hall of Fame at 5 Hooper Lane in Petitcodiac, New Brunswick or by calling (506) 7562110.

Industry News

RUST NEVER SLEEPS

T

HE AUTOMOTIVE PRESS WILL TELL YOU THAT CARS ARE BETTER BUILT THESE DAYS, THAT GALVANIZED METAL, PLASTICS AND BETTER ENGINEERING MEAN THAT YOU DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T SEE RUSTY CARS ON THE ROAD ANYMORE.

reaction continues throughout the year eating away at your car from the inside out. Modern automotive construction does not help, the thousands of robotic spot welds that hold your car together damages the pre-coated sheet metal leav-

ing it more susceptible to rust. Introducing brine residue into these areas can do significant structural damage that can cost thousands to repair.

The use of these new de-icing compounds has seen rust damage to areas

Those of us in the front lines of auto repair know better. Look around the next time you are stuck in traffic, you will see rusted out rear wheel arches, rocker panels and tailgates. And who knows what horrors lay beneath?

The real villian in this story is not the manufacturers but our weather and the method with which we make our roads safe for winter travel.

Rock salt has been used for decades to melt ice on the roads. Traditional rock salt or sodium chloride lowers the freezing point of ice, but in the presence of water and steel, produces an electro-chemical reaction that speeds up corrosion.

Once rust has taken a hold on the surface of steel it exposes fresh metal and begins a cycle that ends with an expensive hole in your car or truck.

To save money highway departments have begun to replace salt with more modern chemical brines. Why? Granulated salt requires expensive trucks and their drivers to wait for snow to start falling before they can be deployed, otherwise the salt would be blown away or displaced by passing traffic.

In the Maritimes, Quebec and Ontario liquid brine containing calcium chloride and magnesium chloride is sprayed in advance of expected snow falls. The brine, with a little help from mixed in beet sugar, sticks to the road and is activated only when the snow begins to fall.

The salty spray that coats your car every winter is the residue of these brines.

Calcium chloride and magnesium chloride are not any more corrosive than rock salt, the problem is they are deliquescent, meaning that they absorb moisture.

Once the snow has melted, a fine crystalline dust remains that can get into every nook and cranny of your car. The brine residue in and on your car attracts water causing rust wherever the chloride comes into contact with unprotected aluminum or steel. The corrosive chemical november 2018

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Industry News

of vehicles usually free from corrosion; stainless steel exhausts, brake pad backing plates, frames and suspension components. Radiators and aluminum rims are particularly predisposed and have seen a shorter than normal life span.

Electrical components are also affected by brine dust penetrating sealed multi-pin connectors resulting in drivability issues. Some famous examples of late model rust issues serious enough to warrant recalls includes Toyota pickup and

SUV frames, Tesla power steering bolts, Ford Escape subframes and Dodge truck fuel tank straps.

On a larger scale the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a warning in 2015 to all drivers in “salt states”. Drivers were advised that within eight years vehicles would have enough corrosion to produce dangerous structural problems, “putting you and your passengers in danger”. This dire warning grew out of an earlier investiagtion into a spate

of accidents due to rusted brake lines. The cost to drivers across North America is in the billions. According to AAA, the annual cost of rust damage to cars in the US is $3,000,000,000, with the average repair due to corrosion estimated at $490. Given Canada’s longer winters and even more salt use, our costs per driver is significantly higher at nearly $1,000.

For the Atlantic climate, the only effective option available to protect your automotive investment is the annual application of an oil based solution. A light weight hydrocarbon spray blown through the car panels as a mist, using a selection applicator guns and wands, ensures coverage to every hidden seam and weld. A heavier weight oil is recommended for the chassis and undercarriage.

The benefits of an oil spray is that it will creep into all areas, displacing water and creating a barrier to brine residue. An additional benefit is that the oil protects mechanical parts as well as wiring and electrical components.

Rust Check dealers are located through the Maritimes or you can do your own rust proofing with Rust Check’s Rust Inhibitor for inner panels and Coat & Protect for underbody and wheel wells.

I want my auto & trucking atlantic!

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Carter’s Corner

NEWS OF THE WEIRD BITS AND PIECES OF THE STRANGE, BIZARRE AND NEGLECTED, COMPILED FROM AROUND THE INTERNET . . . SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO! AND BABY MAKES . . . EW! Autoblog recently reported about a mom of (now) five gave birth on video in her minivan on the way to the hospital in August. As if that weren’t enough to tell

Filmed by the father who was also driving the car, mom Alexis Swinney was only minutes away from the hospital when her daughter decided she’d had enough with waiting and made her debut right there

birth to their new sister.

Obviously the car was a complete mess after giving birth, so Kimmel did the best he could to help them out.

“We were concerned that things might not be clean in the car anymore, so we called our friends at Chrysler ... so we’re upgrading you. Go ahead, go in there, have a couple more kids,” Kimmel said.

CALL ME OUT APP DISCOURAGES DISTRACTED DRIVING

the grandkids about, the story continues.

Funny guy Jimmy Kimmel steps into the picture and out of the goodness of his heart decides to gift the family with a brand new Chrysler Pacifica minivan.. He brought the now viral family live on air to talk about the crazy experience.

in the car. Meanwhile Swinney told Kimmel, “The whole time I’m watching, I’m thinking put the camera down and drive the car!” As she gives birth, he swivels the camera back to their other children in the rear seat with shocked looks on their faces — they just witnessed their mother giving

Another Autoblog story caught our attention after it was announced that Chevrolet is launching a new smartphone app that challenges distracted driving by encouraging drivers to leave the phone alone while operating the vehicle. The result of a college student hackathon, the app leverages the influences of your friends and your beloved smartphone (the new friends and family?) to keep your eyes focused on the road.

The Call Me Out app encourages users to enlist friends and family members to record messages, which are then used to remind them to keep their hands off their devices and on the wheel along with the graphic of a wagging finger. The app uses the phone’s accelerometer and GPS to detect when the phone is being physically picked up whenever speeds increase above 5 miles per hour. There’s also a scoreboard and rankings that rise the less you handle your phone while driving.

Distracted driving claimed 3,450 lives in 2016, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, though it doesn’t break out how many of those cases involved cellphones. The agency says around 481,000 drivers are using their phones while driving during daylight hours.

Call Me Out was the winning idea from a Chevy-sponsored hackathon with students at Wayne State University in Detroit. It’s available free from the Google Play Store for Android users.

NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES . . .

SOME WEAR APRONS So you’re stranded with hundreds of other cars on a California highway for hours. What’s the best vehicle to commiserate with?

luxury car dealer, I always want to offer my customers the very best buying experience and this partnership will allow anyone around the world to purchase our vehicles faster and easier.”

Currently, Bitcoin sits at $6,429 a coin, meaning you’ll need around 55 Bitcoins to buy a $350,000 Rolls, at current exchange rates. That number may fluctuate.

How about a food truck that sells their product at half the price.

That’s the exact thing that happened on the 105 Freeway in Hawthorne, California on a recent August morning, Motor 1.com reported. A fatal and fiery tanker truck crash caused a gridlock on the highway, which stranded several commuters, many of them were on the way to the Los Angeles International Airport.

As hours went by, tummies went empty, which could really be a hassle especially when you have kids with you in the car.

Thankfully, an unlikely hero saved the day in the form of a food truck owned by AC Catering. Presumably, without second thoughts, the food truck opened its doors to the famished commuters to at least solve one of the many problems caused by the gridlock.

The best part is, the food truck employees decided to sell their products at half the price. Well, if you think about it, that wasn’t really necessary because if I were in that situation, I will buy anything regardless of the price just to feed my aching tummy. But, AC Catering did it anyway. Its employees deserve some medal or some sort.

The gridlock was caused by a tanker, which crashed around 5:00 a.m. and caused an inferno across all lanes of the freeway. Two people were killed in the crash involving the tanker and a silver Range Rover. Eastbound lanes were then opened at around 8:00 a.m

YOU CAN NOW BUY A NEW ROLLSROYCE USING BITCOIN You’ll need 55 bitcoin for a $350,000 Rolls – at today’s exchange rates.

I’ll admit, I still haven’t quite grasped the concept of bitcoin, but we do know it’s finding itself in all the right places.

Now a Houston-area dealership will accept Bitcoin as payment for new RollsRoyce models. This isn’t the first dealership to accept Bitcoin; however, it is the first Rolls-Royce dealership.

“The rising of Bitcoin sparked my interest,” Tilman Fertitta, owner of Post Oak Motors, told local media. “Being a premier november 2018

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Carter’s Corner

Since Bitcoin hit its peak in December, the value has steadily declined, losing half its value from its nearly $20,000 less than two months later. Customers hoping to spend some hard-earned Bitcoin will have to use Bitcoin processor BitPay “We’ve noticed people prefer to make larger purchases with Bitcoin since it is a simple way to make payments,” Sonny Singh, Chief Commercial Officer of BitPay, told the publication. “This partnership is timely with the increasing popularity of ultra-luxury vehicles. Post Oak Motors has a great reputation of selling the finest cars and we are thrilled to be partnering with Tilman.”

INVESTMENTS IN YARMOUTH, NS FERRY TERMINAL

T

HE GOVERNMENTS OF CANA DA A N D NOVA SCOTI A RECOGNIZE THAT STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS IN PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE - INCLUDING FUNDING FOR CULTURE AND TOURISM PROJECTS - PLAY A KEY ROLE IN SUPPORTING DYNAMIC COMMUNITIES WHILE CREATING GOOD JOBS THAT HELP GROW THE MIDDLE CLASS AND CANADIAN BUSINESSES. Today, Colin Fraser, Member of Parliament for West Nova, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Zach Churchill, Nova Scotia Minister of Education and Early

Childhood Development, and Member of Legislative Assembly for Yarmouth, Pam Mood, Mayor of the Town of Yarmouth; Leland Anthony, Warden of the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth and Richard Donaldson, Warden of the Municipality of Argyle announced more than $9.7 million in joint funding towards the phase one redevelopment of the Yarmouth International Ferry Terminal.

The governments of Canada and Nova Scotia are both contributing up to $3 million through the Small Communities Fund.

The Town of Yarmouth, the Municipality of Yarmouth and Municipality of Argyle will contribute the remainder of project funding.

Work includes upgrading and relocating passenger inspection line booths, replacing the pontoon and transfer bridge, and improving overall terminal facilities such as external lighting and passenger

waiting areas.

Once complete, the redeveloped ferry terminal will establish the port of Yarmouth as an international tourist destination, improve visitor experience, and provide new economic opportunities for businesses in the area and across southern Nova Scotia.

QUICK FACTS Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities. $25.3 billion of this funding will support social infrastructure in Canadian communities.

More than $10.1 billion of this funding will support trade and transportation projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

These investments complement the Atlantic Growth Strategy, a 2-year federalprovincial action plan aimed at stimulating economic growth in the region through five priority areas: Skilled workforce/Immigration; Innovation; Clean growth and climate change; Trade and investment; Infrastructure.

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At The Car Wash

WOMEN IN CARWASH: CELEBRATING PROWESS FOR GROWING SUCCESS

I

By Brenda Jane Johnstone

N 1914, TWO DETROIT MEN OPENED THE FIRST CARWASH BUSINESS, WHICH THEY CALLED THE “AUTOMATED LAUNDRY.” FOR DECADES, LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN THE GROWING CARWASHING INDUSTRY WERE OCCUPIED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY BY MEN. But then things began to change, and it happened without anyone really noticing. A poll conducted earlier this year found that twenty per cent of today’s leaders in the industry are women. They didn’t need any special treatment: it happened organically, and their numbers appear to be growing.

Just twenty years ago the story was very different. I remember being somewhat shocked by how few women were at the first carwash industry trade show I

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attended. Other than the “booth bunnies” and a few women who walked demurely with their husbands, the proportion of women attending the event was negligible. Getting those working at a booth to speak with me was a frustrating endeavor: I had to tap them on the shoulder and ask them specifically to talk to me about their products.

Fast forward to 2018. Women are no longer just passengers in the industry, but many are the drivers who not only take their cars to their favourite carwash but now manage or own it. Just recognizing this new reality is already breathing fresh energy into it, and we want to take that even further April 29 to May 1, 2019, at the first-ever Women in Carwash™ conference.

Women in Carwash™ will be held in beautiful Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada to celebrate women working in the carwashing industry and to bring together some of the industry’s leading women role models.

The reception will be an opportunity to

kick back, have a cocktail and meet peers from across North America before heading to dinner and enjoying a keynote presentation that will gear everyone up for the rest of this groundbreaking event.

Women in Carwash™ is driven by the realization that a growing number of women have independently earned their place in the industry. As a woman who made her own way in the convenience and carwash magazine business I am very excited and delighted to have the opportunity to make this very special event happen. We want to bring these industry leaders together for an inspiring event and send them back with a heightened prowess for growing success. For women working in the carwashing industry, it’s not to be missed!

Women in Carwash™ is for everyone working within the carwashing industries, and we look forward to seeing you in Niagara Falls. For more information and to register visit www.womenincarwash.com or call 204-489-4215 or 778-772-3057.

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Tires and Treads

A PIT-STOP GLANCE AT TIRE HISTORY

D

By Kenneth E. Seaton

U N L O P , GOODYEAR, MICHELIN, THE NAMES ROLL OF THE TONGUE LIKE…WELL, TIRES ON A ROAD. JOHN BOYD DUNLOP, CHARLES GOODYEAR AND EDOUARD & ANDRE MICHELIN COULD ARGUABLY BE CALLED THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF TODAY’S TIRES. WITHOUT THEM DRIVERS, QUITE POSSIBLY, COULD STILL BE DRIVING AROUND ON THEM “OLDE TYME” TIRES! Before the late 1800s carriages and the

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like, travelled around on tires consisting of heavy solid iron-clad wooden wheels.

Over time a leather rim was added to make for a smoother ride. These tires eventually evolved into wheels that were made from solid rubber. These eventually morphed into the more modern pneumatic, or air inflated radial tires of today.

Because their tires were permanently mounted to the wheels, whenever the rubber tire wore out, drivers had to replace the entire wheel. This procedure often turned out to be a very time consuming and difficult process. In the early 19th century the paths & roadways were made of hard earth, stone and often just unpaved fields. At that time, wood or metal tires were the only wheels that could withstand the harsh road conditions.

There are claims that in 1890 some British inventors first came up with the concept for the detachable pneumatic tire.

However, the first effective useable tire is

generally credited to Edouard Michelin.

He patented his version for bicycles in 1891. Shortly after, in 1911 Philip Strauss invented a combination tire and air-filled inner tube pneumatic tire that automobiles could travel on.

RUBBER RULES THE ROAD Rubber’s role was greatly transformed for the better, when in 1839 American inventor Charles Goodyear, came up with the process to vulcanize rubber. Apparently, he invented the process by accident while working on another project. He toiled on it for years and in 1844 patented the process. However, it would take another 50 years or so before the first vulcanized rubber tires would appear on cars.

The Scot’s were also focusing on tires.

In 1845 Scottish inventor Robert Thomson created and patented the process for constructing an inflatable pneumatic tire that

had an inner tube. Unfortunately, since his design was considered so ahead of its time and also very costly to mass produce, it attracted little interest.

The concept of a pneumatic tire was re-invented in the 1880s by another Scotsman. John Boyd Dunlop was an inventor and veterinary surgeon who wanted to give his young son a more comfortable ride on his bike. He developed the first practical pneumatic or air-holding cycle tire. Once in production it became an instant hit with bicyclists.

In 1888 Karl Benz, one of Mercedes Benz’s founders, invented a new type of tire for Mercedes Benz’s newly built automobile to run on. It had a metal framed tire that was covered with rubber and filled with air. Purportedly, this was the birth of the automotive pneumatic or air filled tire and it went on to revolutionize the automotive world.

Karl Benz’s tire was filled with air but it didn’t have any tread and was as bald as today’s racing slicks. It wasn’t until 1905 that tread – because of the typically wet and muddy road conditions – was added to a tire’s surface. The addition of tire tread was also a move to try and prevent tires blowing out and also to help protect vehicles undercarriages. Up and until 1923 automotive tires were mostly thin and tall, much like the today’s modern bicycle tire.

The Michelin brothers, André and Édouard raced on pneumatic tires for the first time in the 1895 Paris-Bordeaux-Paris automobile race. At the time, the tires that their competitors were racing on were made up of either iron or solid rubber.

Derision followed the “air tyre” and it was at first branded as impractical.

It’s noteworthy that during the course of the race their car experienced a large number of flat tires. Conversely, the vehicles frequent flats may also have been a result of the substandard turn of the century road conditions. Perhaps resultantly, in 1904 mountable rims were introduced that allowed drivers to fix their own flat tires.

the General Tire Company came out with its own larger tire by releasing its General Balloon Jumbo automotive tire. The companies advertising material claimed that the tires “required much lower air pressure and provided a far more comfortable ride than conventional tires”.

Due to the development of the balloon tire, vehicle manufactures were now able to build lighter, more maneuverable automobiles that delivered superior gas

mileage. Other major driver benefits – resulting directly from the wider and thicker tires – were; smoother rides as the tires absorbed so much more road shock, vehicle steering became easier and was greatly improved, drivers could drive for longer periods with much less fatigue.

Originally, for the first 25 years or so, automotive tires used to be white. This was a result of the addition of a strengthening agent named “zinc oxide”. The zinc

LARGER TIRES MADE FOR SMOOTHER RIDES The 1920s was a period famous for “Flappers” but it also became known as a period were automakers decided that bigger was better! In 1923 the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company launched the “balloon tire”. Its new low-pressure tire greatly improved vehicles handling and performance. The larger tires came with a much larger contact area to connect with the road surface.

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Tires and Treads

oxide was added during the manufacturing process to reinforce the rubber, but one unusual side effect was it also turned the tires a bright white.

Researchers – similarly in the early 1920s – in an effort to make tires even more resilient, used carbon black to make tires more durable and longer lasting.

Adding carbon black to the untreated rubber increased the road-wear abrasion factor by almost 100 times. This also improved the tires tensile strength by as much as 1000% and similarly reduces hot spots on the tires.

In 1931, the DuPont Company refined the use of synthetic rubbers. This accounted for an increase in tire production in an industry which used to be totally dependent upon natural rubber. Synthetic rubber shepherded in a turning point in the development of tire production. All modern tires employ a blend of natural and synthetic rubber first pioneered by Du Pont.

BIAS PLY, RADIAL, TUBELESS AND RUN FLAT TIRES In 1910 tire manufactures developed a new tire making process. Sheets of cotton cord material were cut to an angle, layered and then it was molded into sheets of rubber. Voilà, the “bias ply tire” was born.

It went on to become an industry standard for the next fifty years. Nowadays, bias-ply tires can be found as original equipment on antique and collector cars, as well as a select number of off road tractor tires.

Steel-belted radial tires were first invented in Europe and in 1948 the Michelin Tire Company produced and introduced the first commercially available steel-belted radial tire into the U.S. market. Steelbelted radial tires derived its name from the way that the tire’s cords were positioned at a 90 degree angle (radially) to the wheel.

Radial tires provided uniform contact of the tread with the road surface, which resulted in better driving stability at higher speeds and longer tread life. Additionally, the tires ran with less rolling resistance which increased fuel economy. However, steel-belted radial tires radials have a harder riding quality, and are about twice as expensive to make as other tires.

Tubeless tires were developed in 1947 by the B.F. Goodrich Company as they and other manufactures were looking for ways to relieve the high cost of oil prices.

Tubeless tires contributed to the lessening of the vehicle’s weight, thus accounting for a significant savings in a vehicle owners fuel costs. The design became standard in 1955 when Goodrich won the patents for its tubeless tires.

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Through a method of reinforcing the outer walls of the tire B.F. Goodrich developed a way to eliminate the inner tube.

By storing the pressurized air directly within the tire walls they were able to, not only greatly improve a tire’s life span & reliability, but also make for a much more comfortable ride.

For many years, vehicle tires were made up of an inner tube that contained compressed air and an outer casing. This casing not only protected the inner tube, but it also provided the tire with traction.

The 1954 Packard Clipper was the first U.S. car to run on tubeless tires.

The run-flat tire was an idea that had been hanging around since early in 1937.

Early tire manufacturers toiled on the concept of a tire that would allow for limited mobility even in the event of a flat tire.

The run-flat tire was finely developed in 1979 and tires were manufactured that, even with a puncture, could continue driving at 80 km/h for another 80 kilometres.

WHEN WHITEWALLS WERE ALL THE RAGE AND OTHER NOTABLES The first whitewall tires – picture Oreo cookies – were made by Vogue Tyres of Chicago in 1914. The process developed when a carbon black tread was melded with a zinc white sidewall. Originally, whitewalls were on both sidewalls of the tire. Since, cars in those days had open fenders pedestrians were able to see both sides of the tires as the car motored by.

The first white side walled tire was another fortunate accident. When tire companies first began to roll new cars off the assembly line with black tires – due to production costs – they only added carbon black to the tread surface. The result was a tire driving on tires with a white sidewall.

As the look became more popular, eventually a strip of white rubber was added to the tire’s now all-black carcass during the manufacturing process. Fashionable new car buyers could upgrade their vehicles to have them equipped wide whitewalls. The look was popular for quite some time and is now associated with classic cars.

Tires with white raised lettering appeared in the late 1960s and were often marked with car or tire brand names.

The tires were manufactured in the same fashion as whitewall tires. An extra step covers the sidewall with black, and then a grinder is used on the tire rubber to let the white letters show through.

In 1934 Finland introduced snow and winter tires. Nokian Tyres manufactured

snow tires for trucks that were designed for handling stormy winter weather. They also came out with the “Hakkapeliitta” the first snow/winter tire for passenger cars in 1936. Nokian tires are considered to be one of the best in the industry and are still in production today.

From the – it will be history at some point file – is NASA’s new “spring tire” for its future space rovers. NASA has developed a wheel made up of a strong and light alloy that will be able to return to its original shape if it becomes deformed.

The airless tire is composed of several hundred coiled wires, which are woven into a flexible mesh resembling chainmail.

AND FINALLY…FROM THE BELIEVE IT OR NOT FILES It may be hard to fathom but the LEGO Company is the world’s largest tire manufacturer. Producing a staggering amount of 318 million miniature tires annually, that’s 870,000 per day. In 2012 LEGO was awarded the Guinness World Record for “Largest Tire Manufacturer per Year”. Who knew that a kid’s imagination could pave the way to heavy profits?

Did you know that the “Michelin Man” a world-wide recognizable mascot, actually has a name? His name is Bibendum – Bib to his friends’ – and he has been the much-loved face of the MICHELIN brand since 1898.

Throughout his early years he was portrayed as gladiator, a kick boxer and a lithe ballroom dancer. For a time he was even depicted as a “good time Charlie”, who drank beer and smoked cigars. It wasn’t till the 1920s, that he became the more familiar refined, family-friendly image of today.

Research compiled by the American Automobile Association (AAA) found that almost one-third or 28%, of 2017 new model vehicles did not come equipped with a spare tire. According to automakers this move was to help reduce weight and improve fuel economy. Interestingly, in 2016 the AAA responded to emergency assistance calls from over 450,000 members. These calls were from members with flat tires and their cars were not equipped with a spare tire.

The World’s Largest Tire is 12-ton, 80-foot-tall tower of rubber. It first appeared as a Ferris wheel at the 1964-1965 New York World Fair. The Uniroyal tire currently sits on the grounds of the company’s corporate offices located in Allen Park, Michigan. Built to withstand hurricane-level gusts, the tire once – according to urban legend – broke loose and rolled across interstate highway I-94!

Around the Atlantic

NAPA OWNER SAYS: ‘THE BETTER THEY DO, THE BETTER WE DO’

NAPA STORE OWNER ATTRIBUTES SUCCESS TO SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES

By Susan Bradley

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H E N YO U O P E R AT E A NAPA STORE IN THE ATLANTIC PROVINCES, YOU ARE MORE THAN A JUST A AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCT SUPPLIER. The service supplied by stores such as Kent Auto Parts in Richibucto and Bouctouche, N.B., provides valuable support to a wide range of businesses and people.

There is a sense of community and a bond between NAPA stores and their customers, says Derek Price, who, with his wife Wanda, bought the two New Brunwick stores 25 years ago.

“All our customers, we know them very well. We know their wife, we know their kids. Some of them are related to us. It’s much better if everyone works together.” NAPA Auto Parts distributes over 500,000+ quality automotive replacement parts, tools, accessories and service items

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across North America.

That makes Kent Auto Parts a crucial supplier for its varied customer base, Price says. “They are farmers, fishermen and local garages, which we deal with a lot. We work closely with the local garages,” he says. “The more they do, the better they do and the better we do.

We help them develop their business - we set them up with the equipment they need and the tools.” Price says taking the guesswork out of ordering is a big plus.

“Everything is computerized at NAPA so it is simple for them. We just sent people from NAPA there, they hook up their computers directly to us and when they want parts, they just order them.”

The close proximity of NAPA’s regional warehouse, in Moncton, N.B., is another positive aspect of being part of the NAPA family. “We get two deliveries a day,” Price says, adding that each Kent Auto Part store has two delivery vehicles “that are going pretty steady.”

The opportunity to join the NAPA chain of suppliers arose in 1993, when the previous owner of the stores in Richibucto and Boutouche decided to retire, he recalls. “We bought the two stores at the same time, it was all a package deal,

in 1993. We came in as a partnership with NAPA, under their joint venture program and we stayed with them for nine years with that program and then we bought them out and we’ve operated ever since on our own,” he says. And the stores continue to operate under the NAPA banner.

Price was already well-established in the automative and heavy equipment fields when he took the helm at Kent Auto Parts. “I started off in automotive and went to welding and went back to automotive. I started (in the business) when I was 13 years old.

My uncle had a service station. It’s about the only thing I ever knew,” he says.

“I worked as a shop foreman for about eight-and-a-half years at a heavy equipment place, in forestry. So we had bulldozers, activators and trucks and trailers on the road.”

Forestry has long been a major industry in New Brunswick. “Back in the 80s, it was booming, a little less now,” Price recalls. Some health issues have reduced the time Price spends at the stores these days. He credits his 11 staff members with helping to keep the stores running smoothly. “We’ve got good staff, they all pull together and make it run.”

Classic Cars

EL VOCHO IS STILL SCURRYING AROUND IN MEXICO

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Sad, yes sad, that this once mighty transportation enigma is slowing disappearing from our highways & byways. The VW Beetle should be considered an enigma because it was – as anyone who has ever owned/driven one will attest to – constantly coming up with new ways to baffle and exasperate its driver.

You either loved ’em or hated ’em and there was no middle of the road. The bug was usually too hot in the summer & always too cold in the winter. It almost always refused to start in any type of wet weather without first getting a shot of WD40 to its innards. And, once it got going, it would leak like a sieve. Yet, in spite

By Kenneth E. Seaton

H AT E V E R YOU CALL IT, BE IT; VOLKY IN PUERTO RICO, FOXI OR FOXY IN PAKISTAN, KODOK IN INDONESIA, PONCHO IN CHILE, TORTUGA IN PANAMA, BUG, BEETLE, PUNCH BUGGY IN THE USA & CANADA, OR EL VOCHO IN MEXICO, ETC., IT’S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE, NOT TO EXPERIENCE A SAD TOUCH OF NOSTALGIA WHEN YOU ARE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO SEE ONE DRIVE BY!

WASTE OIL FURNACES THAT BURN HOT & SAVE MONEY!

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Tel: (506) 458-9322

Fax: (506) 459-6110

360 Route 10, Fredericton, NB E3A 7E1 idealequipment@outlook.com www.idealequipmentltd.com Still have Cleanburn parts and service for our customers!

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of its quirks, EVERYONE wanted to own and drive one.

PUNCH BUGGY ADOLF HITLER TO MEXICO WITH LOVE It’s purported that in 1933 Adolf Hitler met with Ferdinand Porsche to discuss the development of a “Volks-Wagen” or “People’s Car”. He wanted to produce a low cost, basic automobile that could transport two adults and three children at speeds of up to 100 km/h. Hitler’s even credited with the vehicles iconic style, as he reportedly said that “It should look like a Beetle, you have to look to nature to find out what streamlining is.”

Over the years, Volkswagen produced

and sold over 22 million Beetles or People’s Car worldwide. In a 1999 international poll for the world’s most influential car of the twentieth century, the Beetle Type 1 came in fourth. Placing behind the Ford Model T, the Mini and the Citroën DS. Production of the Beetle motored past that of Henry Ford’s Model-T, when the 15,007,034th car drove off the line at Wolfsburg, Germany in 1972.

In 1954 Volkswagen de Mexico (VWM) began its foray into Mexico by importing completely assembled vehicles. Included in its first shipment from Germany were 250 Beetles. Studebaker-Packard in 1955 entered into a joint venture arrangement with Volkswagen to assemble Beetles in Mexico from fully disassembled kits.

The first Mexican Beetles rolled off an assembly line in 1962 at a plant in Xalostoc, a city in the state of México. To cement their future with Volkswagen, also in 1962, the Mexican Government donated land in a town called Puebla and began construction of a new assembly plant.

Production shifted to Puebla in 1967, with the first Vocho rolling off the assembly line on 23rd of October in 1967. The Puebla plant churned out 21 million Type

1 beetles from 1967 to 2003.The final Vocho – with much fanfare, tears and (typically Mexican) serenaded by a mariachi band – drove off the assembly line on July the 30th in 2003. It went directly to the Volkswagen museum in Wolfsburg, Germany.

In-between 1967 and 2003 VWMPuebla produced an extraordinary 21,529,464 Beetles. For decades, the Vocho was the biggest-selling car in the country, known for its reliability, strength and for being cheap on gas. Mexican’s loved the beetle and by 1973 one out of every three cars sold in Mexico was a Vocho.

EL VOCHO BECAME THE “GO TO” TAXI IN MEXICO For a number of years, the green and white beetle (later red & gold) was the most common taxi to be seen rushing around the streets of Mexico City. In 1971 there were over 120,000 Vocho taxis picking up passengers throughout the city (Figure 1). Riders could often be seen scanning traffic, looking & waiting to ride in a Vocho.

This was especially true in its declining years, when Vocho fares were often

cheaper than that of newer taxis. Today, with some luck, you may still be able to find and grab a ride in a white painted Vocho taxi. They’re still some to be found, roaming around the streets of Taxco, in the state of Guerrero and/or in Cuernavaca which is located only 89 kilometers away from Mexico City.

With its distinctive sound – unmistakable even from blocks away – and shape, Vochos were easy to spot, especially in the midst of the often chaotic Mexican traffic. Once it was considered to be the workhorse or “Donkey” of the Mexican taxi fleet. It was so baptized by a taxi driver, who was overheard exclaiming, “A horse can run fast, but it doesn’t endure.

A donkey does endure, just like this car.”

Since the beetle had no trunk space to speak of, in Mexico its drivers yanked out the front passenger seat to make additional room for cargo, or extra passengers. The rear bench seat was often a softly padded torture chamber for the back and butt. Little or no springs or shocks often meant for a bumpy ride and exhaust fumes escaping into the passenger compartment frequently caused many a rider’s face to turn blue!

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While most Mexican Vocho taxi drivers – who always carried a hammer and screwdriver to make repairs – swore by them, the majority of passengers just swore at them! Every ride was an adventure. A not uncommon roadside sight was to see a Vocho taxi pulled over with its driver’s legs jutting out from under it as he made repairs. Still, one would often hear the drivers’ cry of “Una Mas (One More)” as they shoehorned another passenger into the Vocho.

EL VOCHO GOES GYPSY With some hesitancy, back in 2003 the Mexico City government citing safety concerns passed a directive that from then on all taxis must have four doors. This was a long overdue response to a continuing problem that had been plaguing El Vocho passengers on a nightly – also sometimes in broad daylight – basis.

Since its front passenger seat had been removed, riders would step in and usually ended up sitting right behind the driver.

Robbers and kidnappers alike were able to open the side door and the trapped passengers’ became easy prey for them.

Additionally, the combination of age, absence of parts and its inability to meet stricter new emissions standards also helped bring about the end to this once proud city icon.

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Nevertheless, as with all things Beetle, it somehow manages to endure. In fact, there are parts of Mexico City where it even prospers. The city has – as in many other major cities worldwide – some areas that are considered so dangerous that licensed taxis refuse to go there. The lack of transportation in Mexico is often solved by riders using unlicensed or Gypsy Vochos. “Sure it’s a bit risky at times,” said Arturo Velasco Hernandez 45, gypsy driver and El Vocho devotee, “but what isn’t nowadays and I love the people here” He’s been driving his 91 Beetle for “more years than I can or want to count!” Arturo is a rather large man who somehow manages to still squeeze himself behind the steering wheel, driving 6 days a week for up to 10 to 12 hours a day.

He swears that no matter how many people or how much of their junk he piles in, “Rosalita” just keeps going and going.

“Oh, she does have her moments,” he grunts while wiping condensation off the windshield so he can see out. He proudly brags that he once had to use a lady passenger’s panty hose to replace his fan belt.

He also admits to once having squeezed 13 passengers into the tiny cab!

FROM THE END OF THE ROAD TO “VOCHOMANIA” Mexicans have had a long and pas-

sionate love affair with the Beetle. Nowhere, was it more evident than in their appetite for “Herbie” – Number 53 – the Disney film series about the much treasured bug. In 1980 “Herbie Goes Bananas” came to Mexico. In the film Herbie; does battle with an enraged bull in the arena, helps dismantles a network of Aztec artifact smugglers and drives like it was Formula 1 racing car. A large portion of the movie was filmed in the Mexican cities of Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara and that most famous of tourist cities, Tijuana.

It’s almost seems as if the beetle was designed and built with Mexico and Mexicans in mind. In many parts of the country, a small tough nimble car that had great traction and could run on an economical fuel was exactly what drivers were looking for. The Vocho, like most Mexicans turned out to be wiry, hardworking and able to withstand punishment and to just keep slogging no matter what!

Parts for the Beetle were usually easily come by and they normally could be picked up at reasonable or even cheap prices. Most drivers, with often a little Mexican ingenuity could not only figure out, but also make their own mechanical repairs with little or no professional help needed.

This only added to the bug’s appeal and for a long time it was a very common

fleet vehicle for many companies. Generational loyalty was often passed down from family member to family member.

For many years and for many families the Beetle was the only affordable private transportation choice for many Mexicans.

With the passage of time there are only a few private Vochos left that are still scurrying around the city streets. Others may be stumbled upon, squatting (Figure 2) curb-side, striped and abandoned waiting for whatever the fates have in store for it. Or they can be found, piled like cordwood in junkyards adjacent to the city.

Still others found unlikely homes, like; the 3000th edition Vocho that was presented to Pope John Paul II, a World Cup Bug created for the 1986 World Cup, a Huichol (a Mexican indigenous group) Beetle that was decorated with their traditional glass beads – currently its showcased at the Museo de Arte Popular in Mexico City –, or a green and white beetle taxi that can be located at a car museum in Berlin.

In Mexico City there a number of “Vochomania” clubs run by dedicated beetle collectors who are working hard at keeping the Vocho dream alive. They are quick to point out to any interested bystander

that – aside from some modifications – essentially there are very little mechanical differences between the 1945 and 2003 Vocho. The “Volks-Wagen” or (“People’s Car”) was truly well named!

This Just In – Volkswagen’s going to Squash the Beetle!

Volkswagen just announced that it will stop production of its iconic Beetle in 2019. To mark this momentous occasion VW is releasing two special edition models; the Final Edition SE and SEL. Hinrich Woebcken, President and CEO of VW America, is quoted as saying, “The loss of the Beetle after three generations ... will evoke a host of emotions from the Beetle’s many devoted fans,” However as with all things Beetle, somehow it just manages to not only stick around, but also gain in popularity. As Woebcken also acknowledged that, “there

are no immediate plans to replace it,” he added, “I would also say, ‘Never say never.’” Truly words have never been spoken as after all, the Beetle has returned from the dead before.

Last year Volkswagen announced that it was planning to revive another oncelegendary model, the hippie-era Microbus.

It will make its triumphant return early in the coming decade as a battery-electric vehicle. There’s even some speculation that the Beetle will be relaunched with a battery pack nestled under its hood.

ATA of Atlantic Canada

2018 AUTO SECTOR COUNCIL EVENT

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EPT 20TH AND 21ST, 2018 SAW THE AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR COUNCIL EVENT WHICH FEATURED AN EVENING OF NETWORKING, SPEAKERS AND FUN WITH GLOW PARTIES CASINO GAMES TO ENHANCE THE EVENING’S ENTERTAINMENT! Along with a morning of technical training and business symposium. Many thanks to all that helped make the event such a success, with Industry Event Sponsors including Gold Sponsor Maclellan and Associates along with Industry product donations, the event shaped up to be an informative and fun event had by all.

Marjorie Davison, CEO of the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency addressed the guests who were all stakeholders in the motive power industry. Her message to delegates was on the importance of strengthening our partnerships through strong collaboration with the Automotive Sector Council and continuing to support the needs of industry. A focus on awareness and understanding the Apprenticeship system and increasing youth opportunities were highlighted. She remarked on the upcoming collaboration with the Council to travel Nova Scotia and help connect industry with resources.

Other speakers were Kelli GordonSkinner, Women Unlimited, Matt Hall, Dartmouth Dodge, Chris Gallant, Skills

APPRENTICESHIP PANEL- ELISE MACINTYRE, BROGAN HARTLEY, CORY RAFUSE.TIF

Canada NS, and Cory Rafuse, Native Council of NS. The overwhelming message heard by delegates supported diversity, engagement and addressed the critical state of industry by engaging welcoming workplaces and “being a part of the solution!”

The ATA/RGDA scholarship draw was awarded to Dylan Parker whose grandparents are Tom & Dana Parker of Parkers Esso in Middle Musquodoboit, Nova Scotia. Dylan plans on attending the Pictou NSCC Campus for Heavy Duty and Truck & Transport Repair. The ATA/ RGDA scholarship Award is open to any

ATA /RDGA member’s family who will be attending a post secondary institution and will receive $2,000 in funds over the course of their schooling. The scholarship is awarded annually via a draw.

This 2019 will see Nova Scotia as the host province for the National Skills Competition and with our industry in desperate need of skilled workers, apprentices and journeypeople, this event highlights the value of trades. However, the Auto Collision Repair and Car Painting competitions are at risk of cancellation. These two events have experienced low enrollment and to ensure that not only will AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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Nova Scotia have a strong Representation in other trades, as we host, we as an industry must pull together, pay attention and participate to ensure the Motive Power Industry will be showcased. To enroll your apprentice please visit skillsns.ca/ registration to pre-register deadline is November 9th, 2018.

Friday Morning boasted a Business Symposium and two technical training sessions instructed by Brandon Roy, Ax-

alta , ICAR Vehicle Technology & Trends and for Automotive and Truck & Transport the OBD II for Diesel instructed by Dave Giles, NSCC. These sessions were well attended, and surveys indicate the need for more opportunities of this nature.

The Business Symposium began with Kim White, Labour and Advanced Education, on the resources and programs available for Nova Scotia Businesses. There are funding opportunities that support train-

ing where the technology of today has far outpaced the industry’s ability to keep up.

For more information on these resources, contact the Council at www.automotivesectorcouncil.ca .

Speaker Panels consisted of Apprenticeship, Immigration, WCB and Labour Standards.

Topics ranged from Working to well, and the value of Employers managing their rates as presented by Lise Jeffrey, Relationship Manager for WCB

IMMIGRATION PANEL MAI AL NABHAN , MOHJA ALIA , MARY-JO MACKAY, SHIRLEY MITCHELL.TIF

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and the latest Labour Standards presented

by Michael David, Senior Labour Standards officer within the Province’s Labour Standards Division.

The Immigration Panel had the Office of Immigration of NS with Mary-Jo MacKay who presented on the Atlantic Immigration Project and how employers in Nova Scotia could close their labour gap with the Pilot that gives access to highskilled workers.

ISANS coordinator Mai Al Nabhan and manager Mohja Alia presented on the Trades Practical Assessment Program and Youth programs available. The trades specific direction and success of the programs showcased by the successful placement of New Canadians in our industry.

Coast Tire’s Manager of Human Resources Shirley Mitchel prepared a SWOT analysis as an Employer who has participated in all of the immigration strategies on the panel.

The Apprenticeship Panel had Youth Apprentice and former TestDrive Student Brogan Hartley, employed with Dartmouth Dodge, Red Seal Certified Technician Elise MacIntyre employed with Steele Chrysler and Cory Rafuse Red Seal Certified Technician employed with Native Council of Nova Scotia. All panelists recounted their experiences in the industry, 42

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both challenges and highlights.

Brogan cited social media would be the way to connect with young people, “You would really get their attention through that!” He also credits his teacher and parents for supporting him into trying out this career and having gone through this experience has helped him to focus on Truck and Transport which he believes is his pathway to the future. He continues to work for Dartmouth Dodge part-time as a Youth Apprentice collecting hours toward his future Apprenticeship.

Elise took the Women Unlimited program, was class valedictorian and went on to the NSCC automotive service and repair where she graduated with honours as college valedictorian and entered the trade.

She achieved red seal certification in 2017 and continues to be employed full time. “I love giving back to Women Unlimited and anybody entering the trades whenever I can” she said.

Elise feels that educating young people, and especially the public, about the value of working in the trade is so important. She was discouraged from the Automotive Service Technician trade and she continues to advocate for her chosen career.

Cory Rafuse has been a Red Seal

Technician for 12 years, with 21 years in the industry. “As you get older you start to think about the future and how you can give back. I always enjoyed training my Apprentices and seeing them succeed. I thought going back to school and becoming a Trainer for the industry.

Until I saw an add from the Native Council of Nova Scotia looking for an Aboriginal Trades Officer. As a Mi’kmaw person living off reserve all my life I thought it would be a great fit for me to promote trades as a career option to our people.”

In closing the Automotive Sector Council held their AGM and feedback from the Board of Directors was positive, where the next Strategic Plan is underway and with direction from the BOD, the next three years will focus on youth engagement, attraction & retention and increased employer participation in automotive training events and increased access the resources promoted by the Council.

Chairperson Beth McNeill, of McNeill Shell Autopro Elmsdale, concludes “Our industry needs help and with the Council connecting needed resources and information for employers to access, the only thing missing is more participation from employers!”

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PHONE

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NAPA Auto Parts

1-800-263-2111

napaonlinecanada.com

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NAPA Auto Parts

1-800-263-2111

napaonlinecanada.com

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NAPA Auto Parts

1-800-263-2111

napaonlinecanada.com

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NAPA Auto Parts

1-800-263-2111

napaonlinecanada.com

33

NLS

1-800-465-0500

nlsproducts.ca

41

NLS

1-800-465-0500

nlsproducts.ca

42

NLS

1-800-465-0500

nlsproducts.ca

INSERT

Parts For Trucks

1-800-565-4700

partsfortrucks.com

Prime Lift / MJS

1-866-461-1045

mjsholdings@ns.aliantzinc.ca

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Uni-Select (BtoB)

1-506-857-8150

uni-selectcanada.com

27

Qué-mont

1-800-361-1932

quemont.com

39

Rotary Lifts

1-866-461-1045

rotarylift.com

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Rust Check

1-888-RUSTIES

rustcheck.ca

13

Shell

1-800-661-1600

shell.ca

37

Stark Auto Sales

1-416-654-7222

starkautosales.com

18

Traction Truck Parts

1-506-857-8840

Worldpac Inc. 1-800-888-9982

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traction.com

worldpac.com

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21 47

LIFTS MUST PASS TOUGHER TESTING TO EARN ALI GOLD

I

T’S NOW A LITTLE MORE CHALLENGING FOR A VEHICLE LIFT TO EARN AN AUTOMOTIVE LIFT INSTITUTE (ALI) GOLD CERTIFICATION LABEL – AND THAT’S GOOD NEWS FOR LIFT OPERATOR SAFETY. ANSI/ALI ALCTV is the safety standard covering vehicle lift design, construction, testing and validation. The current edition, ANSI/ALI ALCTV: 2017, took effect July 24, 2018, replacing its predecessor, ANSI/ALI ALCTV: 2011. While the major design and construction requirements of the standard remain intact, significant updates were made to strengthen the testing that must be performed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory to confirm that a lift meets these requirements.

Changes include expanding the testing requirements for loadholding devices (also known as “latches” or “locks”) and increasing the number of test cycles.

International Building Code and a number of state, provincial and local regulations mandate that only lifts certified to meet ANSI/ALI ALCTV can be installed. These certified lifts wear the ALI Gold Label and are listed in ALI’s online directory of certified lifts found here: www.autolift.org/ali-directory-of-certified-lifts/.

All lifts that are certified to meet the current edition of the standard are listed.

“ALI and our members take our lift safety mission very seriously,” said Dale Soos, ALI senior project engineer. “Since introducing the ALI Lift Certification Program in 1993, the committee responsible for the standard has continuously improved it to promote technician safety on the job and wherever a vehicle lift is used.” In addition to the testing requirement changes, ANSI/ ALI ALCTV: 2017 explains the difference between lift accessories and lift attachments and clarifies which aspects of the standard apply to each. The current edition also includes a new section of requirements for wireless controls.

Facilities with lifts that were certified to the prior edition of the standard do not need to take any action as a result of the update. However, when shopping for a new lift, do not assume that a previously certified model is certified to the current edition of the standard. Any lift model that was certified to the 2011 edition of the standard had to be tested to verify that it met all the new requirements in order to be recertified. To confirm that a lift is certified to the current standard, visit www.autolift.org/ ali-directory-of-certified-lifts/ or look for the new ALI Gold Label with ANSI/ALI ALCTV: 2017 at the top.

Copies of the ANSI/ALI ALCTV:2017 “Safety Requirements for Construction, Testing, and Validation” standard can be ordered from ALI at www.autolift.org/ali-store/.

For more information about ALI and its lift safety initiatives, visit www.autolift.org or call (607) 756-7775. You can also connect with ALI on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LiftInstitute, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LiftInstitute, and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/LiftInstitute.

Crossword Contest

CROSSWORD (ANSWERS IN THE NEXT AUTO & TRUCKING ATLANTIC)

SEPTEMBER 2018 WINNER!

Wilf Jones, of Dartmouth, NS, is our latest Crossword Puzzle winner!

Congratulations on winning your new Rust Check package of goodies. Deadline for entry is November 15th, 2018

IT’S SO EASY TO WIN!

CROSSWORD BY MURRAY JACKSON - THECROSSWORDGUY.COM

YOU COULD WIN THIS SWAG BAG OF GOODIES FROM RUST CHECK THAT INCLUDES A JACKET, BALL CAP, TOUQUE AND TWO RUST CHECK PROTECTION PRODUCTS. ENTER WITH YOUR CORRECT PUZZLE ENTRY, AND IT COULD BE ALL YOURS!

Fill out info below and fax your crossword to us in Halifax, NS at: 902-423-3354, or mail us: 51 Bethany Way, Halifax, NS B3S 1H6, or Email us at: rob@autoatlantic.com NAME: ADDRESS:

PHONE:

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Area missed by side mirror (5,4) 6. Tachometer letters (1,1,1) 8. Trip odometer button 9. Crustacean found in a roll 10. Highest bidder vehicle sales 11. Vegan’s burger material, maybe 13. Wet Arm wiper feature 14. “Keep the ____ side down” CB slang 17. Fixer-upper car ad words (2,2) 19. Opposite of “import” car 22. Terrifically tight turn 23. Tot’s sandbox truck brand 24. Tractor trailer, to a trucker 25. Dusty routes (4,5)

1. The ____ MacNeils, NS Celtic music group 2. Summer windshield coating 3. Cleaned car to the nth degree 4. Orange traffic control devices 5. Car tire liner, in days past 6. PT Cruiser and ‘02-’05 T-Bird styling 7. Comet and Cougar brand 12. Ford Windstar replacement (‘03-’07) 13. Snowbelt driver’s concern 15. CB radio requirement 16. Repair shop’s courtesy car 18. Timmies treat topping, perhaps 20. Biker’s leather legwear, perhaps 21. Slangy PEI product

IT’S FUN! IT’S EASY! LAST ISSUE’S CROSSWORD

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NAPA Guess & Win contest

NAPA GUESS & WIN! BROUGHT TO YOU BY

E

mergency vehicle fans, last issue we had the RCMP cruiser. Now, tell us anything about this ambulance, etc! Maybe you can name what it is, or anything more about it.

Details please and a FREE Stanley 1/4” and 3/8” Drive SAE 123pc Socket Set from NAPA is all yours! The more the better!

Send in your answer at autoatlantic.com/Contest.htm or Fax us at: 902-423-3354, and make sure to include your name, town and province and telephone number. Maybe this time it’ll be you! Deadline for entry is November 15th, 2018.

Congratulations to Jenica Cutler of Carmanville, NF who correctly answered that the vehicle in the photo as a ‘12 Ford Taurus with the police interceptor package, which came with either a 3.5L or 3.7L engine. Car was designed to replace the Crown Victoria police interceptor package.

Thank you to all who entered our contest, you could be next!

YOUR NAME: DAYTIME PHONE: CITY / TOWN / VILLAGE: PROVINCE: EMAIL: YOUR ANSWER:

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