BUKC 2014

Back at Uni for my MA, I'm able to race in the British University Karting Championship again. Studying for my MA at Coventry University means I'm racing for the Coventry team for 2014.

As a University of Leeds graduate and a founding member of the Leeds University Union Motorsport Society (way back in 2009), I still have a massive soft spot for the Leeds team and so wish them all the best this year..."Unnnaaayyy." But with our A team at Coventry being so strong thanks to a good level of experience, this is probably my best chance of fighting for the Championship ever.

Fellow Coventry University student and motorsport photographer, Stu Stretton, was drafted in to produce the highlights video for the Qualifying races held in November 2013. Ahead of the first round of the Championship at Buckmore Park on 12th February, he's pipped our team as one of the favourites. Let's hope he's right; I certainly can't wait to find out.

Evo Magazine

Since the start of 2014 I've been working part-time for one of the World's biggest car magazines, Evo. Largely I have been contributing to the News pages on the website, but I have also been able to contribute to the magazine itself.

For Issue 193 (March 2014), my name is featured in the contributors list, with my words being used in the A-Z feature of the magazine. I was given the task of writing about the best used bargains of 2014, so check out my piece under the letter U

Audi’s Lasers Hint At A Brighter Future

Audi has confirmed its plans to introduce laser headlight technology into its cars with the unveiling of a laser concept car at this week’s CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas.

Set to increase lighting range for the driver, the laser headlights will also improve the car’s visibility to surrounding road users. Using intelligent technology, Audi’s Matrix Beam Lighting adjusts accordingly to road conditions and the surrounding environment, to maximise vision for the driver whilst avoiding incidents of startling or the blinding of oncoming traffic.

The technology is created using two illuminating systems combined into one, comprising Matrix LED and laser light technology. The LEDs will provide far brighter lighting than conventional dipped-beam headlights, whilst the lasers will illuminate the road as far as 500m ahead for full-beam lighting situations.

Aside from hinting at a far more visible future for driving, the laser system installed in Audi Sport’s Quattro Laserlight concept also suggests Audi’s future line up will possess even more aggressive looks than its already snarly looking current cars. The smaller lighting units also allow for more effective packaging, as well as improved weight distribution over the front overhangs.

No time scale has been confirmed by the manufacturer as to when these lights will hit the road, but with the technology in advanced stages of development a not-so-distant future of laser Audis seems very likely.