| Big wheels keep up to the marque by buying flash
AS ECONOMIC barometers go, there could hardly be any more dashing a $580,000 status symbol on wheels and at least 80 Australians have already placed their order for Ferrari's slick new model, the F430 Scuderia. The latest street incarnation of the world's most famous motor racing emblem is an eight-cylinder, 503-horsepower, high-performance vehicle its Italian makers would seem wholly justified in touting as a "unique supercar perfect for passionate and sporty customers". Then there's the Porsche 911 turbo, retailing at $370,000. More than 100 Australians put themselves behind the wheel of one last year, and others are queuing to take delivery of the next generation GT2 priced at $425,000. Property developer Zac Brankovic, 38, who has been driving Porsches for about five years, shelled out $260,000 for his Porsche Carrera S convertible.
Little Fiat sexiest car ever
Top Gear magazine has voted the humble Fiat 500, which looks like a cross between a Mini and a VW Beetle, No 1 for setting pulses racing. It tops a list of 100 sexiest cars because the mag claims anyone behind the wheel looks sexually charged ? even a nun. Contributing editor James May defended the bizarre choice yesterday, saying: The Fiat 500 advertises nothing about its owner, except that its someone who doesnt need to try. Top Gears top ten sexiest cars: 1. Fiat 500; 2. Aston Martin DBS; 3. Maserati Quattroporte; 4. Chevrolet Camaro; 5. Citroen C6; 6. Lincoln Continental; 7. Bentley Continental S1 Fastback; 8. BMW M1; 9. Rolls-Royce Phantom; 10. Sally the Porsche 911 Carrera (from the animated film Cars). .
Hometown Hero: Brennan playing well for Bentley
Kim Brennan said she didn't know what to expect when she joined the Bentley women's basketball team last fall. But given the way she has performed, being out of the loop might not be such a bad thing.
The 5-8 point guard from Locust Valley High School is the highest scoring freshman in the Northeast-10 conference after 19 games. She is averaging 11.3 points per game. Although she has led Bentley (13-6, 11-3) to an impressive start, Brennan will likely get better as she gets further acquainted with the college game.
"I'm still learning out there," she said. "I enjoy playing every day and being with my teammates. I'm really happy with my decision to come here."
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MoD launches inquiry into laptop theft
Defence Secretary Des Browne has launched an official inquiry into military security after the loss of a Royal Navy laptop containing the personal details of 600,000 people. Browne also revealed that two other laptops had been stolen, one in Manchester in October 2006 and one in Edinburgh in December 2000, neither of which were brought to light until now. The Conservative Party lambasted Browne over the loss during a parliamentary meeting, producing statistics claiming that more than 600 Ministry of Defence laptops and PCs had been stolen since 1998. Shadow Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox said: "In many ways this is worse than the loss of the child benefit records because we know this fell into criminal hands." Data security firms have also slammed the government over yet another loss of data, pointing out that the information could have been protected in a number of ways.
Open-wheel deal is done, and gears shift with season opener coming ...
With America's two open-wheel series finally unified, the calendar poses the next roadblock: The season-opening race is just five weeks away. At this point, nobody knows how many teams and cars will move from the now-defunct Champ Car World Series to the Indy Racing League's IndyCar Series in time for the March 29 opener at Homestead-Miami Speedway. "The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive," IRL spokesman Fred Nation said Saturday. "There has been great interest from most of the Champ Car teams. They will be welcomed with open arms as we have teams from CART (the forerunner of Champ Car) over the years. Already there is a wonderful sense of camaraderie and relief that this long family squabble is over." The IRL is planning a meeting Monday in Indianapolis for most of the Champ Car teams.
NASCAR in need of a villain
Even the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series world. Sometimes the world embraces its villains. Javier Bardem, who won an Oscar for his role in "No Country for Old Men," played a villain that the Hollywood world has embraced. Darth Vader, the Sheriff of Nottingham, Cruella de Ville, Racer X - all intriguing characters and all necessary to telling the stories that made Luke Skywalker, Robin Hood, Pongo the Dalmatian and Speed Racer heroes. But who in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wants the label of villain? No one really. Too many corporate faces are frowning on any negative publicity originating from NASCAR drivers who double as spokesmen for the companies that sponsor their teams. But this is the new NASCAR, in which drivers can be themselves and not worry so much about how they act, what they say and who they sat it to.
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Dinner and dance benefit victim's sons
The friends and family of Erick Shepheard will host a chicken and beer dance Saturday night at Bel-Air Bowl in Belleville to benefit the slain man's two young sons. Shepeard was found shot to death Jan. 2 in his burned-out home in rural Freeburg. His wife, Cindy, was charged with first-degree murder three days later. Admission to the benefit will include a chicken dinner, draft beer and dancing to Boulderdash along with 50-50 drawings and a silent auction. All proceeds will benefit Shepheard's two sons, who are now living with his family's relatives; one boy recently turned 7 while the other will celebrate his 1st birthday on Feb. 19. Doors will open at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 and dancing from 8 to midnight. Tickets are $20 each in advance and $25 at the door.
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