After nearly 70 years, MOTOR Magazine is dead

 After 825 issues over 68 years, Wheels Media is retiring its MOTOR masthead.

First published on 9th May 1954 as ‘Modern Motor’, MOTOR has long been Australia’s go-to magazine for performance car reviews and news. Today’s announcement is therefore saddening, though it represents a necessary response to changing market dynamics and consumer preferences in an increasingly digital age.

“Given MOTOR’s prestigious history, today’s decision was certainly one of the hardest we’ve had to make in the history of our business,” Wheels Media CEO Christian Clark said.

“While print remains an important and unique channel for Wheels Media, market conditions are driving a consolidation of titles across the industry. In terms of consumer demand and long-term sustainability, one new-car masthead in Wheels – as part of a comprehensive multi-channel digital and print offering – makes best sense.

“Wheels and MOTOR have always had a subtly different voice and focus, but there is inevitably plenty of natural content overlap. Consolidating our editorial efforts allows us to more effectively entertain and inform our loyal audience of enthusiasts and new-car buyers.”

Wheels Media continues its evolution from a print-focused operation to a multi-channel publisher, powering its rapidly growing digital presence in alignment with its long-term vision for the business.

The good news for fans of the MOTOR brand is that much of its heritage will live on with editor Andy Enright and much of the team moving to key roles with our Wheels and WhichCar titles.

The last edition of MOTOR Magazine will be the July issue, which goes to print in June.

Source: ARE Media

Riding and Driving Glasses for Older Eyes

We recently tested several leading brands of riding/driving glasses, especially for those with ageing eyes. 

We ask whether it's worth shelling out a few hundred dollars for top tier specs, or can you get by with budget glasses? 

Read our full report at Australian Road Rider

First look: Porsche 911 GT3

friend of Motorweb, Damian Reid, seems impressed with the new GT3

 No bad angles. Also, no ecu-assisted exhaust pops, no engine noise piped through the speakers,  no electrically-assisted performance, no drift mode, no turbochargers, no superchargers. Why? It needs not one of them 😁 

The #porsche911 #gt3 is about as raw and as emotional as it gets in the 2022 performance car world. Earthy, natural grunt from its 9000rpm, 4.0, naturally-aspirated six-cylinder just as God intended under the right foot and minimal sound insulation to ram home the message. 

I'll be happily deaf for the next six weeks. They definitely won't be making them like this in the very near future. 

Check these numbers: 375kw at 8400rpm, 92kw more than the Carrera S, 9000rpm redline, 470nm at 6100rpm. 3.4s to 100kmh (Carrera is 4.2) and 328kmh (Carrera S 293kmh). Buy-in? A$500k for starters

Ride Cancelled: Venues stay open. Naked Racer's Rock'n'Roll ride to Bendigo, the Black Swan and Elvis

Due to a most unfavourable weather forecast, I have made the decision to delete the ride component from this Saturday's Bendigo event,

If I haven't called you personally to discuss, please accept this as a formal announcement along with my apology.

On the upside, both Dave Reidie at Castlemaine and Dugal James at the Black Swan in Bendigo have agreed to remain open in the event visitors still want to see these amazing collections. Having seen for myself Dave's collection of historic Harley-Davidsons and Dugal's Indians (and others) I can only describe both as 'jaw-dropping'.

Dugal will be on site at 117/119 McCrae St, Bendigo to receive guests from 2 - 4pm [Google map link]

Dave will be on site from 12-2pm. Please email for directions

Rod Hadfield's Hot Rod Museum will be open as normal at 624 Pyrenees Highway, Chewton

Elvis Exhibition is open as normal. Bookings are strongly recommended.

Food and drink will be available from numerous local outlets

Unless I am advised otherwise, the other venues will be open as normal

Harcourt General Store - Shiraz Republic - St Anne's Winery 

St Annes Winery will be open as usual on Saturday and riders would be most welcome to pop in and have a taste of some of our wines. Should they like to stay and enjoy a ploughmans lunch this option is also available. On Sunday each week we do offer pizzas with our live music amd for these events it is always a good idea to book

Again, I'm sorry we won't be riding, but please enjoy these great exhibitions regardless.

Cheers
Rod

0418 214 028

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