Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

A Fine Time To Be A Motorist

ALREADY cash-strapped motorists are paying millions of pounds for minor infringements after a record number of fines were issued, according to claims made by a national newspaper. The Daily Mail said that drivers are paying out £135 million a year after being caught on camera blocking box junctions or straying into bus lanes. Some 1.32 million fines were issued for minor offences in 2011/12, the newspaper said, a record number and a rise of 16% on the previous year.

AutoWeek office swag: Mazda rotary-engine keychain with realistic motion

When I got the keys to our long-term 2011 Mazda 5 last week, they came with a surprise--this aluminum-and-brass keychain in the shape of a rotary-engine housing, complete with moving rotor. The rotor doesn't just rattle around or spin in a circle. Thanks to a thumbwheel on the back of the housing, coupled with a timing gear and offset crank journal, the thing actually moves in an approximation of epitrochoidal motion just like a real Wankel.

Problems with your McLaren MP4-12C? Have a ‘McLaren: The Wins’ coffee table book

Ron Dennis apologises to McLaren MP4-12C owners A couple of weeks ago we reported that McLaren was having some teething problems with their new MP4-12C but weren’t, despite reports to the contrary, halting production. The problems seemed to be mainly software related, with issues including warning lights flashing on and battery drainage issues, which seemed to be because the MP4-12C’s electronics didn’t turn off when the car was halted. But it seemed McLaren were working on the issues with the same sort of zeal we’ve come to recognise from their F1 programme, no doubt spurred on by the wrath of Ron Dennis.