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

London Taxi maker Manganese Bronze bought by China’s Geely

China automotive giant Geely has bought Manganese Bronze – makers of the iconic London Black Cab – in an £11.04 million deal. The iconic London Black Cab has been an accident waiting to happen for years, as under investment in making the Black Cab fit for the 21st century saw competition – like the Mercedes Vito Taxi and the Nissan NV200 Cab – start to offer serious competition to the taxi that identifies London. Despite an investment by China’s Geely – when Geely bought 20 per cent of Manganese Bronze, makers of the Black Cab – and the bulk of the Black Cab being produced in China and bolted together in the Midlands, the final nail in the coffin for Manganese Bronze was the recall of 400 TX4 cabs over a steering fault.

Belgian Grand Prix (2011) RESULT

Belgian Grand Prix 2011 As always, Spa threw the weather in to the equation in qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, with Button ending in 13th place on the grid after a rapidly drying track left the McLaren driver stranded in 13th place as others took advantage, despite being obviously quicker than most of the pack. Without the rain errors it could have been a McLaren front row, but Hamilton at least managed to show the McLarens were quick at Spa and joined Vettel on the front row with Webber in third and Massa fourth. But all the promise came to nothing for Hamilton as he reverted to type and drove like a petulant child – straight in to Kamui Kobayashi on lap thirteen – ending McLaren’s hopes of a win.

F1 2010 – an enticing prospect

The 2010 F1 season kicks off this weekend at the Bahrain F1 Circuit There have been accusations that Formula 1 has become boring; just a procession of cars going round in a circle many say. And at times over recent years it’s not always been easy to disagree. But 2010 looks like it could be shaping up to be the best season in F1 for a generation.