2003-2005 Mazda B2300 15 Inch Wheel on 2040-parts.com

Call for reform over road repair funding

FUNDING patterns mean most road maintenance is being carried out in "less-efficient, cold and wet" times, a report from a Government spending watchdog has said. The current pattern of funding, combined with the need to spend money within the financial year, means that most maintenance work goes on between September and March, said the report from the National Audit Office (NAO). It went on: "Although this is less disruptive for road users, it is less efficient than carrying out the work at other times of year because materials can be more difficult to handle in cold and wet conditions, and daylight hours are shorter." The report went on: "As a result of the additional funding for emergency repairs, which is made available at the end of the financial year, almost all highways authorities need extra capacity from the market at the same time, which makes it less likely that they will get value for money." The NAO report said there was a "lack of predictability" over road spending adding that historically, local highway authorities spent more revenue on maintenance, but were now carrying out fewer routine activities such as clearing gullies which are essential to preventing water seeping into roads' sub-structure.

Chris Evans buys Ferrari 250 GT California for £5m

By Tim Pollard Motor Shows 19 May 2008 10:36 The ginger motormouth is a well known fan of scarlet sports cars, but even we were surprised when UK broadcaster Chris Evans splashed out £5 million on an immaculate 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder. Evans blew €7,040,000 on the black sports car, the thirteenth of just 56 built. It was the inspiration for Ferrari's latest 2+2 GT, the new California unveiled in May 2008.The car was sold at this weekend's second annual Ferrari Leggenda e Passione event at Maranello, the specialist auction of all things Ferrari and Maserati.

Michigan summer car events list

The Motor City is gearing up for a summer of events that celebrate the region's automotive heritage. A total of 16 automotive events will take place throughout Metro Detroit this summer, and everything kicks off the weekend of May 31 with the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix. The race weekend features the first Izod IndyCar doubleheader, the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car series and Pirelli World Challenge Championship series.