OLLIE

was his name cumstain1 ?

be gentle, they are designed to catch when yanked. spray some crc on the mechanism check for anything jamming, thats all i can say, was working fine before i took it off.

For years, Asha Patra and her husband tilled their land in eastern India for a meagre but stable living. Then the communist state government walled it off for a factory to make the world's cheapest car, Tata Motor's Nano, dubbed India's "People's Car". With no land left, they switched to a tea shop, but their pots and cups were stolen three times. Unable to make ends meet, Patra sold her gold earrings, one of her few valuable family possessions, for NZ$40. Her husband soon became silent, withdrawn and stopped eating. One day in December he went to a cow shed and hanged himself. "He was still alive when they found him but he died minutes later," said Patra. Her expressionless face was half-covered with a shawl in her mud hut near the factory wall. "The factory was the problem. Otherwise we could earn a living." Tata Motors, a unit of Indian conglomerate Tata group, is preparing in October to start rolling out thousands of Nanos from its new state-of-the-art factory at a 1,000 acre complex in Singur, a cluster of villages an hour's drive from Kolkata, capital of West Bengal state. Eventually some 250,000 cars a year will be produced in a project that has cost Tata about $466 million. Auto makers globally are wondering if the Nano, selling at about $3100, can successfully revolutionise cheap car design. In India, it has become a nationalist symbol. One newspaper compared its unveiling in January to Man walking on the moon. But back on earth, many villagers like Patra are ineligible or unwilling to accept compensation from West Bengal's government for the loss of land. They have protested for more than a year, and vow to overshadow the Nano's so far good publicity. But time is against the villagers. Their home grain supplies and savings are dwindling. Four farmers have committed suicide. Others survive on neighbours' handouts. "It's a battle of nerves. They're wondering how long we can face these hardships," said Prosenjit Das, a protest leader. "But no factory with so many disputes and needing so many police can bring out its product. The factory needs locals to operate." Villagers vow to be a headache for Tata Motors' operations. They plan to appeal to the Supreme Court and blockade access roads. The protests are a reminder of the obstacles India faces in industrialising and competing with the likes of China as villagers, two-thirds of a 1.1 billion population, demand to be heard. The state of India's farmers promises to be one of the biggest issues ahead of a likely 2009 general election. Other protests over industrial plans have hit India in the last year. West Bengal already shelved plans for a chemical hub in Nandigram after dozens of villagers died in protests. Accept compensation? The problem is that land with good access and transport for industry is scarce. Many villagers have accepted compensation packages for the seizure of their land, the state government says. "A significant majority have accepted. Others have not. It's their choice," Industries Secretary Sabyasachi Sen said. Village leaders say owners of 337 acres, mainly poorer small holders, have rejected any compensation, and will fight. Even some wealthier farmers entitled to large amounts of cash are holding out. Many economists say interest paid on cash compensation packages do not make up for returns on farms. "Land is our mother, and we don't give away our mother," said Paramita Das, a middle-aged woman. Her family had some 1.5 acres. The new Tata factory, with its stadium-like silhouette dominating the landscape, looks unstoppable. Dozens of trucks roll over dug-up land. Concrete springs up everywhere. It was easy to see why Singur was chosen. It lies close to a major highway, a railway and access to a port. It is near a Tata steel factory in the neighbouring state of Jharkhand. Tata says the project will create more than 10,000 jobs and points to a high court judgment in January that rejected petitions from villagers the plant was illegal. "Tata Motors is confident that the plant will become a catalyst for both greater well-being of Singur families and growth in the region," Tata said in a statement . That does not resonate among many villagers. Many sharecroppers - farmers who work land in return for a crop share - and landless labourers are not entitled to compensation. Sellers' remorse Some villagers who sold up have had second thoughts. "Most of those I know who have sold did so out of fear," said 48-year-old Ashok Ghose, referring to concerns that unclear land titles could rob many farmers of compensation. Ghose says he received about $30,000 for just over an acre of land. He wants to marry off three daughters with the money. After that he will be left with just six cows. "The factory may harm us. The price of rice and vegetables have gone up a lot already," Ghose said. But this is one of the state's showcase projects to persuade hi-tech global companies to set up here. "We want West Bengal to become a car-making hub," Sen said. Villagers face an uphill battle against India's economic juggernaut. "There's a depression at the moment, a lot of suffering," said Anuradha Talwar, an agricultural leader who also advises India's Supreme Court on issues of hunger in West Bengal. "But Nano will always be overshadowed by what's happened in Singur. This protest will not be a lost cause." - REUTERS

New Zealand's A1 Grand Prix series challenge has hit a speed bump after emerging battered from a tough street fight on Durban's waterfront in South Africa. Despite qualifying third for both races, driver Jonny Reid finished 20th after an accident on the first turn in the sprint race and spluttered to 10th place in an incident-packed feature race following a pit stop mishap. Black Beauty picked up just two points for the weekend - one point for setting the day's fastest lap and the other for surviving a feature race that resembled a demolition derby at times. Switzerland, with a second place in the sprint and a feature race win, have catapulted into the championship lead with 118 points. France are second 10 points back on 108 points, with New Zealand dropping to third, 20 points behind the Swiss. Team manager John Sears said two incidents spoiled what was shaping up to be a strong weekend. "The onboard data shows Jonny was as quick as anyone, but he was a bit optimistic in the sprint race and the pit lane incident was debilitating when we had started the feature race so well," Sears said. The narrow pit lane and a communication mix-up saw the departing Black Beauty car bump the incoming Mexico during the first scheduled pit stop. Second at that stage, New Zealand lost valuable time replacing the car's nose cone and then had to complete a drive through penalty for causing the collision. Reid said his first races on a street circuit were real eye-openers. "I've learnt the hard way how unforgiving street circuits can be and I'm sure I'll be a stronger driver for the experience," Reid said. "Both incidents could have been avoided, although the sprint race smash was my fault for getting too close to Canada and not appreciating Robert Wickens' braking style heading into the hairpin. "He went off the brakes before braking hard again and I couldn't avoid hitting him." Just three rounds remain in the 10-round series but Sears believed the title was still within the team's grasp. "It's a case of re-grouping and fighting hard. We've reeled Switzerland in from a 19 point advantage earlier in the season and we just have to focus on doing that again." - NZPA

LONDON - Australian Mark Webber fears Formula One bosses will have to make some tough calls to ensure driver safety in a season that could see more crashes than before. The Red Bull racer's concern stems from the introduction of an innocuous-looking box of tricks called a standard ECU, the electronic control unit best described as the car's nerve centre. All cars have the same sealed device fitted this year, allowing the governing FIA to outlaw the traction control systems and other so-called 'driver aids' that have made the cars easier to handle in the past. Many drivers welcome that, feeling that they will be able to show off their talent better and reap the rewards for their skill, but there is some trepidation about what will happen when the weather turns bad. That is when traction control comes into its own, helping the driver to keep the car on the track. "No question about it, there will be more crashes. We've seen it in testing. There are more guys going off, there are more red flags, and that is going to happen in races - that is 100 per cent sure," said Webber when the new Red Bull was launched in January. "There will be some venues where it's going to be very tricky for us," added the Australian, who made clear he was up for the challenge anyway. "The grip level could be incredibly low, so even for us guys who are supposed to be reasonably handy, it's going to be extremely challenging. "And if you've got standing water, obviously that is going to make it even worse," added the Australian. "There are going to be times when the show must go on those days, and that is when we must find the line between 'does it really have to go on?' or 'can it wait an hour or two and be delayed?"' Fuji washout Last year's Japanese Grand Prix at the Fuji circuit illustrated the dangers that drivers face in extreme conditions. Much of that race was behind the safety car in heavy spray and minimal visibility. Webber failed to finish when Toro Rosso stablemate Sebastian Vettel ran into the back of him while the Australian was in second place. Webber said the use of the safety car posed its own dangers, particular when racing resumed. "Everything drops - pressure, temperature - and it is sometimes as dangerous to go back to racing," he cautioned. "A safety car can only go at a set speed and these things (Formula One cars) don't like going that slow. "Sometimes we can't even keep up with the safety car, so it is a very fine line. "There are going to be some interesting calls during the year...it's nearly uncharted waters, it's a new stage of Formula One," said Webber. "Fuji, for instance, could never have gone ahead. There wouldn't have been any cars on the track. We were getting saved all the time (last year) by aggressive TC (traction control) maps and things that could really help you powerboat your way around the track." Team mate David Coulthard agreed that standing water was the big concern. "There is clearly pressure for us all to race in Fuji and if we go there now without TC (and it rains), there won't be as many cars finish. I can guarantee that," said the Scot. More overtaking The good thing about removing traction control is that it gives the car back to the driver. The obstacle to banning it in the past has been ensuring effective policing to prevent cheating, a hurdle now overcome by the standard unit. "It (the ban) gives a driver some more control and we have to do the best job we can with it. Perhaps the better drivers will do a better job," said McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, last year's overall runner-up as a rookie. While those with smoother styles might be expected to benefit, all the drivers have raced successfully without traction control at some point in their careers and will not take long to adapt. "After two or three races, I think we will have forgotten what it was like with driver aids, and the cars will be performing well without them," said Renault's double champion Fernando Alonso. "I am in favor of the TC ban," agreed Toyota's Italian driver Jarno Trulli. "Like many other drivers, I am a little bit concerned about driving in wet conditions without it. Concerned, but not afraid. "For sure we are going to face some problems, maybe it might be slightly more dangerous. But in the end, if 10 or 20 years ago they were driving without TC we can drive as well," he said. "In the last 10 years, the technology has taken over a driver's input so it's good to have a little step back. It's a way to give the car a little bit back to the driver. "It won't change the performance much but maybe it might help to make drivers a little bit more insecure or make more mistakes through the race which might lead to more race competition and overtaking," added Trulli.

closed. get over it. the for sale section is for privately selling bmw parts and cars, not talking about other peoples trade me auctions. If you want to post a link to your own trade me auction that is fine, if you want to post a link to an auction you think people might be interested in that is fine. posting a link to an auction you want to giggle about is not fine ... thats for the off topic section.

closed, have had enough.

$75 GA

Thats right Pendulum Live!! BADASS Who's going? not sure if Antiform is playing live or just a DJ set. Josh? I'm really excited

i wonder if i was the one who wasn't black listed - "would you take $2,000 and a honda city turbo?"

rofl

happy birthday shuey - i'll bring your present to puke, 10 extra HP!!

i love you!now ... i think I might need to change the boot liner panel that covers it to one that will fit around it. (ie one without the little container in it) anybody?

bump - this is worth having

bump, will have this off the car 2moro for whoever wants it.

haha she is as dumb as her tits are big, have you ever heard the sh*t that comes out of her mouth? 10 points for an entertaining read. Most sensible thing said though would have to be the comment about never actually meeting these people and basing your judgment on media propaganda. Womens gossip magazines and the e-channel should be banned, seriously what good does knowing what happens in these peoples life do for us? I'll stick to reading new scientist and watching discovery channel thanks.

can anyone recommend where to get a fuel tank washed out and tested for leaks also welded if necessary?

thread locked. Admin is in discussion with Jared to resolve the problem.

Communication Jared !!

haha badass

sh*t those wheels look clean! dibs on them if you get 16's, I loooove the AC's hard to find tho.

couldn't wish yourself happy birthday this time could yah! happy birthday dude. have a glass of wine, oh wait have a bottle, WTF!!!!!!!!!!

hmmm M60 in an E30, I have both those ingredients .... would be a tight fit.

looks quite nice aye, new paint etc... could be a cool little project for someone

black leather interior looks good