Budget 2012: How motoring groups reacted

THE price of petrol will go up by around three pence a litre later this summer, motoring groups have warned this week after Chancellor George Osborne announced his Budget.

Among the changes the Conservative/Lib Dem Coalition announced this week were changes to car fuel benefit charges, a revision of how car company tax operates, and the announcement that the price of fuel will go up by around three pence in August.

Here's how a wide variety of motoring groups reacted to the announcements in the Commons:

"A free-flowing national network cannot be built without proper road charging. If the Prime Minister's advisors have not told him this simple fact he needs to replace them with people who understand the problem.
"A true leader will explain to motorists that we cannot expect a first-class strategic road network without paying for it."
- Environmental Transport Association

"The Chancellor has squandered a very real opportunity to support UK industry, jobs and economic recovery, by his Budget policy on fuel duty.
"Mr Osborne has lost an opportunity to benefit every household in the UK and he must be persuaded to change his policy."
- Freight Transport Association

“Future changes in company car tax rates and capital allowances will drive fleet managers and drivers into lower emission cars at a faster rate.
"We are, however, disappointed that the Chancellor has decided to press ahead with the August 1, 2012 3.02p per litre rise in fuel duty."
- The Association of Car Fleet Operators

“The Chancellor’s actions to improve research and development tax credits and develop a catapult for transport systems and future cities will help trigger substantial extra business investment in the years ahead."
"The UK automotive industry is attracting major levels of investment and creating real opportunities for engineering and manufacturing businesses."
- Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders

"At a time of record prices at the pumps the August increase in duty is a budget blow-out which will force drivers off the road and could bring a summer of discontent for many."
- AA

"George Osborne said that taxes should be fair, simple, predictable and support work. Motoring tax fails on at least three of these measures and it is time for a review of exactly what fuel duty is for and who it impacts most." - The RAC Foundation

Do you think the 2012 Budget has helped or hindered motorists? Share your thoughts by sending an email to david.simister@champnews.com or call 01704 392404.

The future of motor racing?... Or are we already there?

Since man invented the motor car, his primal instinct for excitement and speed has always compelled him to race it against the next man's motor car.

Never before though has there been such pressure for our favourite method of transportation to become less polluting and less energy consuming. The effects can already be seen in many race series where economical diesel race cars have been competing and indeed winning for years now, and where many motorsports are aiming to cut costs and cut their carbon emissions as they travel around the globe. Even in the high octane world of motor racing, every little helps.

But what if we look further into the future? One man, Moritz Martin, has done just that with his concept for the futuristic 1 Liter Racing League. The concept is Mr Martin's degree project and is apparently inspired by "the insanity of Swamp Buggy, Land Speed Record races and the Eco Marathon". The idea is to use tactics and skill to finish the race on just a single litre of fuel. The driver's cause is aided by being able to skim the car across thin layers of water and other varied surfaces to use as little energy in movement as possible. The car can be aided in sliding by rear-wheel mounted air nozzles for "frictionless steering".

(Images: Moritz Martin)

It's a facinating concept, and one that looks a lot of fun. However... what if you want to take part in some eco-friendly racing here, and now? Your options are clearly a little limited - after all, motor racing is hardly the most eco-friendly sport in the world. That isn't to say though that it isn't possible - if you look hard enough.

Kei Car Racing

(Image: Speedhunters.com)

If you live in Japan, you've probably come across this already. Kei-Jidosha are Japan's answer to overcrowding on the roads, and thanks to their minimal proportions and even more miniscule engines (660cc and 63bhp is the current maximum limit), they're the perfect choice for low-consumption racing. There are series for Keis both old and newer, and of course you could always take one to an autocross event like this Daihatsu Copen on YouTube, where small proportions and low inertia do wonders for cornering ability.

Eco Marathons

(Image: Thinkorthwim.com)

Events like the Shell Eco Marathon are growing in popularity all the time and the records for miserly fuel consumption tumble quicker than the times at a 100m race with Usain Bolt. The current World Record is a mind-boggling average of 10,705mpg, achieved by team Microjoule in 2003. Of course - these aren't really "cars" so much as tiny engines in composite cigars with a driver filling the rest of the available space - but it's still a race of sorts and like the 1 Liter Racing League aims to use as little fuel as possible over a set distance. And you can certainly do the race on a small budget too, even if the top teams spend a little more to achieve the figures they do. You could turn up with a lawnmower-powered soapbox racer if you wanted.

Citroën 2CV racing

(Image: Maria Cooke @ 2cvracing.co.uk)

Perhaps a bit of a wild card, but even so, people do race the tree-hugger's wheels of choice and there are thriving race series for the little cars all over Europe - the UK Classic 2CV Racing Club has been around for over 20 years! The cars are cheap to buy, prepare and run, and with the weight of a feather in a helium updraught even the modest power from a tiny 600cc engine is able to provide plenty of fun without using a lot of fuel in the process. It's probably one of the cheapest and most economical circuit racing series in the World.

Okay - so none of the above are quite as high-tech as Mr Martin's concept, but they prove that even today you can take part in motor racing that doesn't break the bank, and doesn't pray too heavily on your environmental conscience...

My thanks to Mr Martin himself for his permission to use the 1 liter pictures. Tarmac wishes him the best of luck in his degree!