What Grinds My Gears: Motorists in Wet Weather

What Grinds My Gears: Motorists in Wet Weather

There’s nothing quite like the smell of an afternoon shower on a stinking hot day. But be warned: the smell of steam coming off the bitumen is a heady reminder to stay off the roads, because there’s craziness afoot.

Scientists have worked out what it is in the spring air that causes hayfever. Now I think [...]

What Grinds My Gears: The Elderly Driver

What Grinds My Gears: The Elderly Driver

As I’m sure most Australian car enthusiasts have noticed, there’s been a massive song and dance about young drivers in the media of late. Every couple of weeks there’s yet another story about how they’re out there hooning on the roads.

Much of the mainstream media, trying to out-do each other in hyperbole and outrage, take [...]

What Grinds My Gears: Australian Motor Shows

What Grinds My Gears: Australian Motor Shows

So, thanks to the guys at The Motor Report I was at the Australian International Motor Show Sydney on press/industry day. For free. Getting wined and dined (well, coffeed and sandwiched) by the car manufacturers. Then, the day after, I was back as a guest of Volkswagen for the ‘official’ launch of the Golf GTi [...]

What Grinds My Gears: Car Crushing

What Grinds My Gears: Car Crushing

Every couple of months, the topic of crushing the cars of ‘hoons’ comes up. The latest is from our local pioneers of chequebook tabloidism, 60 Minutes, who are covering the street racing scene in Los Angeles and think that it directly parallels Australia.

The premise being pushed by 60 Minutes is that people who engage in [...]

What Grinds My Gears: The Pedestrian Council

What Grinds My Gears: The Pedestrian Council

Of late, one of my least favourite people is a certain Harold Scruby. He’s the ‘chief executive’ of the Pedestrian Council - a private organisation started by Scruby. Scruby, in case you are unaware, is the crank who petitions the government with mostly crackpot schemes for “improving pedestrian safety”.

What Grinds My Gears - Overwarning Road Signs

What Grinds My Gears - Overwarning Road Signs

While wandering across the web recently, I found an interesting article from behavioural psychologist, John Staddon, on how the proliferation of road signage is actually detrimental to road safety.

What Grinds My Gears: The Peak Hour Shuffle

What Grinds My Gears: The Peak Hour Shuffle

I was late for everything, for most of the last month. Sharing the road during the day with the masses, and the stress that it entails, has been the cause.

Sorry I Put a Dent In Your Car!

Sorry I Put a Dent In Your Car!

This note is hilarious. One of these days, I might do the same thing if I find someone selfishly parked. For those who might have trouble understanding the note writers handwriting the full text of the note is below.
Dear person,

I’m sorry I put a dent in your car. I didn’t want to, but I did [...]

What Grinds My Gears: Jaywalkers

What Grinds My Gears: Jaywalkers

In principle, I don’t mind pedestrianism. I give it a go myself, every now and again. Its a good way to travel distances that aren’t worth cold-starting an engine for, or if you’re pretty sure your destination offers a high probability of seeing your car up on bricks mere moments after you leave it.

What [...]

What Grinds My Gears: The Hypocrisy of Modern Media

What Grinds My Gears: The Hypocrisy of Modern Media

Recently while trawling the various automotive news websites—as one does—I came across the website for a local automotive liftout published by a well-known international news conglomerate. They’d published an article about a gathering and ‘cruise’ for a certain model of performance-oriented Fords. It was a puff piece written by a “regular reader”, about how joining [...]

If Unleaded Petrol hits $1.50 a litre, which of the following best decribes your likely response:

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Upcoming Feature

  • 2009 Honda Civic Type R

  • 2009 Nissan 370Z

  • 2009 BMW 335i Touring