Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series 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.

Jaguar F-type (2013) first official pictures

Here comes the F-type, the most exciting Jaguar since...well, the legendary E-type. The F-type is a proper two-seat sports car, with aluminium construction, heaps of tech and strong performance from its V6 and V8 engines. 'If people ask what Jaguar stands for, it's this!' says the company's design director, Ian Callum.

2013 Audi RS6 Avant: The Video

With the new Audi RS6 Avant revealed, Audi has delivered the first video of the new V8 RS6 in action ahead of a public debut. In fact, for many with deep pockets and petrol running through their veins, the RS6 Avant is the ultimate ‘Q’ car; take of the RS badges and no one would know the quietly spoken Audi estate was carrying a very big stick indeed for when it was needed. Mind you, the RS6 Avant only speaks quietly when you’re gentle – give your right foot free reign and it can bellow like a supercar – and even with a V8 instead of a V10, the 2013 Audi RS6 Avant can pull the same trick.