The term ‘Chelsea Tractor’ became a much favoured term of abuse when large SUVs first started to become universally popular and it’s a description one still sees bandied around from time to time. It seemed to have been dreamt up specifically for people who favoured cumbersome, expensive and over-engineered off-road cars for the purpose of suburban toing and froing when essentially they were designed to traverse muddy tracks in the countryside. Since SUVs became more plentiful and have started to come in all shapes and sizes, the term has become less used - perhaps because an awful lot of motorists now have them. The desire to drive a vehicle with added ride height, chunky styling and the practicality that goes with that is less sneered at these days. SsangYong’s Rexton ELX could rightly be described as a Chelsea Tractor in the traditional sense of the term. It’s certainly a huge beast - though given the fact it offers incredible value for money compared to … [Read more...] about Road test: SsangYong Rexton ELX auto
Road tested spares
West Indies thrash woeful England in St Lucia to draw ODI series as visitors are beaten with 227 balls to spare
West Indies vs England, fifth ODI: scoreboard There is an old joke that first the English invent a sport, and then they watch the rest of the world perfect it. But there is one title that England stubbornly refuse to yield: as masters of the batting collapse. And so, on a sumptuous day in St Lucia in a run-laden series, England were inserted to bat first on a true pitch with alluringly short boundaries - and were promptly bundled out for 113. Just like in the astonishing fourth game, when England topped 400, their innings was carnage. This time, though, it was carnage of a very different nature, as England played a series of tame shots to well-directed short balls. By the time Oshane Thomas, the West Indies’ compelling young quick, demolished Tom Curran’s stumps with a wonderfully-directed yorker to terminate their innings, England had been batting for just 28.1 overs. Only twice in their ODI history - a total of 725 games - had they been bowled out quicker. It … [Read more...] about West Indies thrash woeful England in St Lucia to draw ODI series as visitors are beaten with 227 balls to spare
West Indies thrash woeful England in St Lucia to draw ODI series as hosts win with 227 balls to spare
2 March 2019 • 6:55pm West Indies vs England fifth ODI: live scoreboard Auto update On Off 6:47PM There's a World Cup coming up... Wow, what an odd game - and what a difference a few days makes. England chased 360 with their eyes closed last week and made 418 on Wednesday. This, though, has not been so good ahead of the World Cup. The West Indies, on the other hand, nearly didn't qualify for this summer's tournament. Now that they're there, you wouldn't bet against them doing some serious damage. Andre Russell didn't even get on the park here and it would be just like Chris Gayle to sign off in style. It is no mean feat to stop this England side from winning a series. They are some outfit under Eoin Morgan and, really, the off-days like this shouldn't take away from what a fabulous team he has built. Defeats like this, however, do just keep the nagging doubt lingering, that when push comes to shove, they remain susceptible to something like this. … [Read more...] about West Indies thrash woeful England in St Lucia to draw ODI series as hosts win with 227 balls to spare
Open 20-mile road race this Sunday round the NSC
0 Post a comment Friday, 1 March 2019 - Athletics As if 12 laps of the NSC perimeter roadway weren’t enough, long-distance runners have the opportunity to tackle 40 laps in this Sunday’s 20-miler. Isle of Man Veteran Athletes’ Club’s first event of the year is an open road race providing the ideal opportunity for those limbering up for events such as the London Marathon, to test out their pace, kit and nutrition before the big day.Runners will have easy access to a water station and toilet facilities every half-mile.Refreshments and a prize presentation will follow the race. Trophies will be awarded to the first three male and female finishers, as well as spot prizes.Entry forms are available at www.iomvac.co.ukEntry fees: UKA affiliated £5, unaffiliated £8. Postal entries close at midnight tomorrrow (Friday); entries on the day close at 8.45am (plus additional £3). The race starts at 9am.Any member not entering the race but has some spare … [Read more...] about Open 20-mile road race this Sunday round the NSC
College car; need a spare; manual test; upgrading Hyundai; time to go SUV
I am a student looking for a car from 2011. I do about 25,000km a year. My budget is €11,000; has to be a 5-seater. Maybe an Avensis or similar; Golf or similar? I am currently driving a Highline 1.6 Golf 2010 and just changing as it has 230,000km and I think it's better to upgrade. Gillian: As a student, you don't really need a saloon, although that's where good deals are to be had at the minute so we won't rule them out. Coming from a Highline Golf, you should stick with another high-spec model so, yes, another Golf Highline 1.6-diesel would be a good buy. For €11k you should just be able to get into the last of the old 131 shape (so it's newer than your current model). I am not a huge fan of trading up to the same model, especially for someone so young. Buying and owning a car is fun, so I would change to something else personally. A Skoda Octavia or, even nicer, Superb would be an option. A 131 in the Octavia (1.6d) or a 12-reg in the Superb would work; look for both in … [Read more...] about College car; need a spare; manual test; upgrading Hyundai; time to go SUV