Ten things we learned this week: 12 August 2016 edition

Crashing into an expensive motor is an experience most of us wouldn’t wish on our worst enemy. The reality is that sometimes, it happens.

Just such an occurrence took place at a ‘Cars & Coffee’ meet in Virginia a few days ago, as the driver of a Mercedes 380 SL somehow managed to beach her vehicle on top of a Ferrari 458 Speciale, reportedly whilst attempting to parallel park.

Luckily no one was hurt, although the lady in question was left visibly shocked by the severity of the damage caused. Spare a thought for the owner of the Ferrari too, who was understandably less than impressed.

“Are you serious? That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen,” he said as onlookers, um, looked on. Given the amount of space he’d left in front of the car, he might not be far wrong.

Image credit: novacarz

We can’t think why anyone would possibly want to aim a gun at a speed camera, but German company Vitronic has decided it’s a problem that needs solving.

Their solution is the formidably named ‘Enforcement Trailer’, a 1,250kg manoeuvrable unit made from bulletproof panels, wires and not a lot else.

According to their demonstration video, the trailer can be transported and positioned by one person alone, and the battery lasts long enough for it to catch motorists speeding for five days straight.

The French government were so impressed by the invention, they ordered 250.

Image credit: Vitronic

What’s the best way to communicate information about traffic delays? We have no clue, but ‘writing it on the traffic itself’ is one idea that’s being tested in London at the moment.

A six-month trial is being conducted on route 344 between Clapham Junction and Liverpool Street in the UK’s capital, with Transport for London (TfL) using its ‘Variable Message Sign’ network to relay reports of congestion directly to drivers.

The electronic boards have been placed on the rear ends of several buses, and it is hoped that anyone following behind will be able to pick up on information that could save them time on their journey.

TFL’s Garrett Emmerson said: “We're focused on keeping London moving and on giving drivers real-time information through a range of channels to help them avoid congested roads and reduce wasted time and needless pollution from idling cars.”

Something we can all get on board with, right?

He might be known to many as ‘The Iceman’, but Kimi Raikkonen’s heart has been well and truly melted by model Minttu Virtanen since they became an item a couple of years ago.

Having welcomed their first child in January 2015, they made the most of F1’s summer break to exchange vows last weekend in a ceremony in Tuscany, Italy.

This is Raikkonen’s second marriage, following a decade-long relationship with former Miss Scandinavia Jenni Dahlman.

When asked if he would take Miss Virtanen to be his lawfully wedded wife, we can only hope the groom replied: “Leave me alone, I know what to do.”

Image credit: Andrea Pitti

We’ve all seen those traffic cop shows: police pull over a driver with no licence, confiscate the offending vehicle, and then congratulate themselves on a job well done.

However, that’s not always how it unfolds. Back in June, it was reported that a Lamborghini belonging to hire company City Supercars was contentiously seized by Met Police, who refused to recognise evidence that the car had recently had its insurance renewed.

When the Huracan was eventually released, data from its tracker revealed that it had hit 63mph in a 30mph zone whilst in the care of the bobbies who impounded it.

This week it was announced that the officer behind the wheel had received three points on his licence, whilst a colleague was subjected to a “management action”.

In other Lambo news, the Italian manufacturer announced a while back that in addition to its Formula Junior, Young Driver and GT3 Junior programmes, it would also launch a karting initiative as well.

The first training session took place at the Adria International Raceway this week, at which 14-year-olds Justas Jonusis and Muiz Gafar, 20-year-old Cristopher Zani and 29-year-old Mauro Simoni were selected for the programme.

In partnership with five-time karting world champion Danilo Rossi and his company DR Racing Kart, the programme aims to set more drivers on a path towards racing in GT series across the globe.

Lambo’s Head of Motorsport Giorgio Sanna said: “Ever more frequently young drivers approach the world of GT competitions with interest, because they are aware that this category represents a solid alternative to open wheels.

“The Kart Drivers Program therefore aims at introducing the world of Gran Turismo to the young drivers who are undertaking a career in motorsport.”

If you haven’t got the money to splash out on an entire Bugatti Veyron, then you could always lower your sights and invest in part of a Veyron instead. And no, we’re not talking about a time-share scheme.

TMB Art Metal have taken the aluminium from the front wheel of “the lightning-fast Veyron OZ Racing” and converted it into a batch of bespoke cufflinks, a pair of which are pictured above.

Taking the shape of the original 12-spoke wheel, the ‘tyres’ are available in either bronze or chrome black at a cost of £295. They’ll also do a set of 23mm Veyron-shaped models, which can be ordered on request.

“With the launch of the new Chiron, Bugatti has underlined its ability to make the greatest sports cars on the planet,” said TMB’s Christopher Bennett. “These cufflinks pay tribute to another of Bugatti’s glorious creations, and are a much more affordable way for owners and fans alike to carry a piece of the Veyron around with them.”

There are cool jobs, and then there’s having 'Lamborghini’s chief test driver' on your business card. That was how Valentino Balboni earned his crust for nearly 40 years. He hung up his driving boots in October 2008 having drifted nearly 80 per cent of all Lambos ever produced.

However, he’s not spending his time as a retired gentleman doing Sudoku and feeding the ducks at the park. Instead, Balboni has entered the tuning market, setting up a parts company under his own brand, VB. They’re performance add-ons specifically for – you guessed it – Lamborghinis.

His first product is a trick titanium exhaust system for the Aventador SV. It weighs in at just 6.3kg, is cast from grade 2 titanium (including the mounts) and TIG welded by hand for 350 hours. There’s no word on whether it’ll help nudge the 740bhp further skywards, but we're sure it'll make one hell of a noise.

Only 30 units will be made, so if you want one (it doesn’t say you need an Aventador, as you could theoretically put it on the bathroom wall) you better put your name down quick.

Now here’s a piece of art Neil Buchanan would be proud of. The Peach State Challengers (a Dodge car club from Georgia, USA) had such an eclectic colour palette of Challengers at a recent meet, they decided to weave 76 of them into a colourful V8 rainbow lattice.

Pretty, innit? And fair play to the person who painted theirs pink. You took one for the team there.