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.

Autoweek in review: The Woodward Dream Cruise and Pebble Beach Concours, Ferrari F12 and a lost Cunningham Corvette

For 2012, Autoweek dove headfirst into covering one of the best rolling car shows in the world, the Woodward Dream Cruise. With a whole section devoted to its build-up and celebration, we've got photos, videos and stories galore. At the same time, the West Coast got the annual treatment in Monterey for Pebble Beach Concours and all the car-crazy events that go with it.

LA Design Challenge 2012: Highway Patrol Vehicle 2025

The LA Design Challenge has called for design studios from around the world to compete and create the ultimate law enforcement vehicle for the year 2025. Design studios from Bentley and BMW have taken up the challenge while General Motors, Honda, Hyundai and Subaru – entrants in last year's competition  – have returned in a bid to showcase their creativity and talent and be honored in this annual contest. Our world is constantly evolving as new technologies and countries rapidly develop, and as such it creates a real challenge for law enforcement as they strive to keep pace and allow them to do their jobs to the best of their ability.