The shortest charity radio appeal ever

MY friends in the Mini fraternity are probably thinking of disowning me, because I'm toying with the idea of a Mazda MX-5.

Regular readers will probably already know that I think the British sports car with a Japanese twist is an absolutely cracking invention, a thought not helped even slightly by the fact I've just spent a week with one (more on that later, I promise).

But even I admit it wouldn't be the latest 2.0 litre version I'd be lashing about in, and that's not because I can't afford one. As is almost always the case it's the first of the breed that's the finest, and every time the Life On Cars Mini is jacked up in a garage I'm contemplating the idea of a Life On Cars Mazda MX-5. Any would do, but ideally it'd be one of the early ones with the pop-up headlights, the 1.8 litre engine, the Minilite alloys and Classic Red paint job. Bliss.

After pulling up at the Dune FM studio for my latest spot on Martin Hovden's Live From Studio One show I reckoned, optimistically, that if just a fraction of the station's listeners gave me £1 each to show their appreciation, I'd easily raise the £1,500 needed for a decent Mazzer.



Unfortunately, broadcasting rules mean you can't start charity appeals live on commerical radio. If only I'd known that at the time...

The best of Millbrook, in one handy radio show

I STILL haven't quite got over the joys of being let loose on the test tracks at Millbrook and really getting stuck into some of 2010's most exciting cars.

As promised, there will be a write up of each of the 16 cars I drove, but if you just can't wait to find out whether a Peugeot's 308 RC Z is better than Honda's CR-X or just why the best sports car you can buy is in fact 20 years old than you'd do well to listen to the clip I've uploaded below.

It's from last Friday's Live From Studio One show on Dune FM, and it's well worth the listen. Plenty of car related banter and the Life On Cars verdict on some of this year's most crucial cars, weeks before you'll get the write up.

Enjoy...

Short but sweet

Just how much automotive banter can you get into two and a half minutes?

Dune FM's Martin Hovden gave me the chance to find out last Friday while doing my slightly regular slot on his Live From Studio One show, where I went with a mixture of thoughts on the recent Wheels4Jospice charity classic car show in Formby, the forthcoming Italian Job run in Parbold, and how my Mini (still) isn't working properly.

As usual, it's here for you to enjoy by clicking the links below and above.

Don't worry, I've been promised a much longer slot on May 28, when I'll be fresh from the SMMT test drive day at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire and will have lots of new car news to talk about.

Until then, feel free to briefly enjoy this one...

Radio Gaga

Life On Cars has hit the airwaves again!

This time it's the Mini's fun-loving nature that's taken the spotlight, along with a spot of go-karting, which (hopefully) makes for a slightly offbeat few minutes.

I've also took the liberty of uploading this latest episode both directly onto Blogger (below) and on Facebook (above), after a reader said they had problems listening last time. Let me know which one works better, and I can easily change them.

Either way, enjoy!

Italian Job Mini Run: More information

MORE information on the Mini display in Parbold to preview a cinema screeening of The Italian Job is available by clicking on the picture above, to hear my latest visit to Dune FM.

The run, in case you didn't know, takes place on May 16 and visits the Parbold Picture House, and I urge anyone interested in taking part to get in touch via either this blog or by sending me an email at david.simister@hotmail.co.uk.

I also let listeners of Live From Studio One know more about my race with a train between Settle and Carlisle, which I'm really, really excited about. I'll be posting the results up this weekend, as soon as I know the outcome.

Go on, listen to it. You know you want to...

Motoring vs Man flu

WHICH is more embarrassing; walking down your local high street in your pyjamas, struggling to find first gear in a V8-powered Cobra replica, or trying to speak over a snotty throat on regional radio?

You can find out about the first two by clicking on the links above, but to hear my third interview on Martin Hovden's Live From Studio One show on Dune FM just click the icon above.

It's about Toyota, by the way...

Chasing Cars

HOW do you stop your car skidding on a snowy road? Just how many times should you wash your pride and joy? And what motoring mishap is like putting down a puppy?

All these questions and more can be answered by listening to my latest visit to Dune FM, now posted above for your enjoyment and amusement.

One thing which hasn't made its way onto this clip is presenter Martin Hovden's choice of song to play out the show - I'd been talking about cars and the snow, so no prizes for guessing the tune of choice!

The two radio shows have gone so well I've been approached to bring Life On Cars to the airwaves in a whole new show of its own, an idea which I'm currently toying with.

Should I go for it? Would it work? Let me know what you think by adding your own comments below...

Live On Cars: Episode II

LIFE On Cars is returning to the airwaves!

Some of you may be unfortunate enough to remember my first visit to Dune FM, where all things motoring got a good griling from Martin Hovden, presenter of the Live From Studio One Show.

I thought I went a bit too Northern and might have said "You know" one too many times, but I needn't worry because I've been invited back on again.

If you've got an unusually quiet evening in the Southport or West Lancashire areas this Friday, tune in on 107.9FM between 6pm and 7pm and enjoy the show. Anyone not in the North West can catch up by listening online here.

The original interview, in case you missed it, can be found here.

At least this facelift's better than the Fiat Punto...

AS PROMISED, here’s the interview I did with Dune FM’s Martin Hovden to plug Life On Cars, broadcast on November 6th across Southport and West Lancashire on his Live From Studio One Show.

You might also have noticed a few changes on here lately; that’s because – in order to tie the site in more with the sister column in The Champion newspaper – it’s just been given a facelift, including this snazzy logo which both newspaper and website have in common.

I just hope it’s a better facelift than Fiat (Multipla), Mercedes (SL) and Hyundai (Coupe MK1) can manage…