Huge erection problem in Rochdale

Rochdale council's planning department is apparently in chaos as computers have banned the word “erection” from emails. A bit of a problem as the word is one of the most commonly used terms in applications for building works.

Full story in the Manchester Evening News - Computer Says No

If you've submitted a planning application for an erection of your own, and assuming that your e-mail gets to the planning department, you'll need to take a look at your home insurance. And if your construction is non-standard, in a flood plain, prone to subsidence, built of wood or perhaps you've done it yourself, it could be your insurance company's computer that says "No!"

Well, give us a call (free) on 08080 772266 or visit our website for a free quote from the specialists!

Modified Nationals This Weekend

If you're looking for something to do this weekend, then look no further than the Adrian Flux Modified Nationals show. After the washout over the Bank Holiday, it looks like summer is finally on its way. And what better way to spend a warm day than checking out some awesome motors, stunning girls, amazing track action and top nightlife, all in one place.

Adrian Flux are the main sponsors of this year's Modified Nationals show at Rockingham Motor Circuit near Corby. We'll be going of course, along with 25,000 of you, and we'll be taking some awesome cars along for good measure. Visitors to our massive stand will also be able to meet the famous Flux Babes! If you haven't already got your tickets, you'll need to pay your entry fee at the gate.

For more details, check out our previous post: Adrian Flux Insurance Blog: Adrian Flux Modified Nationals

French Car Show - Sunday, 28th May

The French Car Show, sponsored by Adrian Flux, is this weekend. If you haven't already got your tickets, you'll need to pay your £12.50 at the gate on Sunday.

The biggest and best show for enthusiasts of Gallic Motors is held at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground in Leicestershire, easily accessible from the M1 and M6. This year's event - the biggest yet - promises to be a great day out for the whole family. And under 14s get in for free!

The event promises a packed programme of attractions and activities including:

• All day track action on circuit (2.1 mile circuit)
  
• 0-60 sprint track (twin lane, dedicated return road)
  
• Live Skills Test
  
• Massive trade area/village
  
• Car Club of the Show Award
  
• Meguiars Show Arena
  
• Euro Car Arena
  
• Club stands/displays
  
• Fast Car Stand
  
• High Speed Circuit Rides
  
• VIP Corporate Hospitality
  
• Pro-Kart circuit
  
• Mobile Rolling Road
  
• TV @ FCS 2006
  
• Fun Fair
  
• Motorsport Teams
  
• Kids activities
  
• Aircraft museum
  
• Supercars
  
• Motorsport demos
  
• Motorsport personalities
  
• and much much more......
  

So if you're still stuck for something to do over the Bank Holiday then get along to the French Car Show - you won't be disappointed!

Five Top Tips for Younger Drivers.

According to statistics, drivers aged 17-24 are the most at-risk group of motorists in the UK, which is why insurance for younger drivers, particularly young men, costs so very much.

But the bare statistics don't tell the whole story, and many insurers seem to use them as a convenient excuse to wring as much cash as possible out of their younger policy holders. Here at Adrian Flux, we take a different approach, and our highly trained underwriters will evaluate your premium, taking into account many additional factors.

That's why our younger customers have found that we are frequently able to save them hundreds or even thousands of pounds on their insurance.

But if you are a young driver, here are a five simple steps you can take yourself which could cut your premiums down to size.

1. If you've passed your test recently, get yourself a PassPlus, IAM or Max Driver qualification and we can knock 25% - usually hundreds of pounds for teenaged drivers - or even more off your premium. All of these schemes give the novice driver additional skills. The Max Driver scheme (set up by Adrian Flux in association with Max Power magazine and the Institute of Advanced Motoring) has been shown to vastly reduce the likelihood of accidents involving drivers who have taken it. And that means cheaper insurance.
   
   
2. If you will only be driving a few thousand miles a year, then tell us, so we can get you onto a limited mileage policy.
   
   
3. Are you in an owners club or online forum? If not consider joining one. People who are enthusiastic about their car and learn all they can about it will take better care of it, which is why you could get an extra discount of up to 15%.
   
   
4. Keep your car garaged if you can, and install the best alarm system you can afford and you'll pay less.
   
   
5. In the past new cars have been out of reach of all but the wealthiest of young drivers, due to the costs of both the car and insurance as well as the extreme difficulty of finding comprehensive cover when a younger driver is invlolved. But that could change with a new scheme run by the Young Marmalade club. Under the scheme, members of the club can buy a discounted brand new car from a wide selection with a range of attractive finance options. But the best bit is the insurance - when you buy a car under the scheme you get a 9 month insurance policy at a huge discount (e.g. a 17 year-old male would pay just £700, females over 19 and males over 21 pay nothing). And at the end of the 9 month period, you can renew your insurance at a competitive rate with the equivalent of a full year's No Claims Bonus.
   

So if you're a young driver, make sure you do what you can to save as much as possible on your car insurance. And then give us a call on 08000 83 88 33 or visit www.adrianflux.co.uk for a pleasant surprise.

Adrian Flux Modified Nationals

Adrian Flux are the main sponsors of this year's Modified Nationals show at Rockingham Motor Circuit near Corby. We'll be going of course, and taking some awesome cars along for good measure. Visitors to our massive stand will also be able to meet the famous Flux Babes!

There's plenty more going on as well of course - here's what the event organisers have to say about it.

Adrian Flux Modified Nationals 06 - it's going to be massive

June 2nd - 4th
Rockingham Motor circuit, Corby, Northampton

The Adrian Flux Modified Nationals is one of the fastest, biggest modified car shows in the UK. A full-on weekend of the hottest cars & sexiest girls with 2 days of track action and 2 wicked party nights.

With bookings going through the roof this year, it's time to remind you that weekend ticket advance bookings close May 29th. To buy online go to http://www.modifiednationals.co.uk/shop.html

Got a weekend ticket? Gates open Friday 2nd at 12 noon and you can arrive any time until 11.30pm, giving you plenty of time before the Fuel & Spin Central party tents get all fired up. The funfair, mini motos and forbidden club get going from around 7pm till late.

At 9am on Saturday & Sunday, the 3rd & 4th of June, the gates open to one of this years hottest shows, featuring everything from the best show cars and the modified car club stands, to a top bargain hunting trade area as well as Death Skateboard demos, Mirage Racing R/C Monster Truck demos, Fast Car live stage with Tash & Miss FC & the FC Dancers, Live Bands, IASCA and DB Drag sound off areas, Clarion ICE zone, and the heats of the Modified Nationals Bikini Babe competition plus loads more. For all those that want to see what their car can do, the oval and infield tracks open at 9am and the 0-60 kicks off at 1pm with D1 Drift demos twice each day.

Saturday After Dark Kicking off at 7pm for all those with weekend tickets

The purple Dome Party tent is hosted by FUEL and Fast Car and features the FC Breast in Britain - wet-T-shirt comp, Breakdancers, Miss FC and the FC Dancers and the Fuel girls Stage show to finish your night off.

If that's not enough for you, you can visit The God's Kitchen Marquee with resident GK DJs, awesome lighting, full screen visuals, lasers, and podium dancers this tent is going to be off the hook!

Still looking for something else? The Forbidden Room what can we say if you've been before then you now what to expect if you haven't ask someone that has.....You're in for a show you will never forget, 3 shows each night, the best £5 you will ever spend

The Ladies room - girls, you asked for it - for the First time ever we have a full-on over 18's ladies only room, the show starts at 7.30, £5 entry - Girls Enjoy!!!

There will also be Funfair Rides, Bars, Catering, Evening traders, Rodeo bull and Mini Moto racing to keep you busy, its a Full-on, Flat-out weekend.

For more info or to book tickets go to www.modifiednationals.co.uk,

Weekend tickets £30 in advance or £40 on the gate - the price includes, FREE Camping, FREE Parking and FREE under 14's (2 per adult) plus evening entertainment Friday & Saturday Night & 2 Show Days Saturday & Sunday.

Day tickets £12.50 in advance or £15 on the gate.

See you there

The tickets really do represent excellent value for money as there really is loads to do and hundreds of extreme modded cars to see, and with a whopping 25,000 visitors expected over the three days, we're sure it will be the best modified show of the year.

And of course if you have a modified car, Adrian Flux offers great value insurance that will cover all your mods on a like for like basis, and could save you pots of cash too. Click here to get a quote online, or here and we'll call you back.

Hope you can make it!

Are your insurance details safe?

How organised are you with your insurance?

Would you be able to quickly lay your hands on the insurance details you would need in the event of a claim, along with all the correct documents?

And what if you needed to make a claim while away from home?

If you're like me, thinking about that has got you worrying, but luckily there is an answer! Adrian Flux Insurance has launched a free online service that allows users keep track of all their insurance policies and contact details on one convenient, secure web site.

My Insurance File, holds details of all your insurance policies, from any insurance company and all types of insurance - car, household, personal effects and health insurance, life assurance, pet insurance and more.

Once your details are on the system, you can get at them from anywhere with internet access, with full SSL security. The service also offers a number of useful add-ons, including free reminders of when policies renewals and tax and document deadlines fall due, and the ability to get automatic quotes to renew your policies.

To use the new service, just click to My Insurance File and follow the instructions.

Travel News Websites

If you're planning a long journey of more than a few minutes, it may well pay you to check ahead that there are no problems on the roads. For all that modern Sat Nav systems, and local radio travel news can keep you up to date once you're in the car, there are many web services available, which are hundreds of pounds cheaper than a Sat Nav system with traffic capabilities and more comprehensive in coverage than your local radio station.

The main choices for UK coverage are:

• BBC Travel News - lists all the counties for local reports, or you can view an interactive map of the UK. Also has live webcams for the usual traffic hotspots as well as public transport info, and loads of links to other useful info.
  
  
• Highways Agency Traffic England, Traffic Scotland, Traffic Wales - less detailed than the other sites, particularly in regard to the exact positions of problems. Their Trafficmap site might also be useful for those undertaking long motorway journeys, you can get a junction by junction update on what's happening, current average speeds, weather conditions and even what warnings individual motorway signals are displaying.
  
  
• AA Roadwatch - good coverage from national down to regional level. You can also search by indivdual main roads. The interactive maps showing colour coded traffic flow information are a great tool, although some colourblind users may have trouble with the similar tones of red & green used. You can also set up an SMS alert covering your journey and they'll text you if something comes up once you've set off.
  
  
• RAC Traffic News - a little basic compared to the others but what is there is done well.
  
  
• GetMeThere - from Toyota, has a very impressive mapping service, but information on the delays is somewhat cryptic (there does not appear to be a key to their symbols either) and the information seems a little patchy, especially outside of London.
  

If you set out on a long journey without checking at least one of these services, then you'll only have yourself to blame if you find yourself stuck in a huge tailback with your Sat Nav screaming at you to drive in circles!

BaitCar.com - Steal One. Go To Jail.

Would you like to see car thieves getting their comeuppance?

In that case, you'll want to visit BaitCar.com.

It seems that the law enforcement agencies of British Columbia in Canada have decided on a new tactic in the fight against car criminals. They park desirable cars in high crime areas. They get nicked. Unfortunately for the crooks, though, the cars are fitted with an array of high-tech gadgetry and surveillance equipment, and after they've let the perps incriminate themselves sufficiently, the police swoop and arrest the villains.

Then they put the videos on their website.

Of course, if they tried that over here the offenders would probably scream for a Human Rights lawyer before you could say "Cherie Blair."

Check your Bike for Summer

After spending the winter in your shed, garage or under a tarp, it pays to make sure your bike is still in full working order before youj set off for a ride. Even if you've used it every day during the colder weather and into spring, giving your bike a thorough health-check this weekend could save you from more than just the Eastenders omnibus

Bike insurance claims show a definite spike at this time of year, as bikers start making the most of the warmer weather, and in many cases the claim - along with resulting injuries and inconvenience (not to mention increased premiums) - could be avoided by giving the bike a once once over and following the checklist our BikeSure team have put together.

Rob Balls, from BikeSure says "A much greater proportion of the claims we get in the spring are related to maintenance issues. Whether from breakdown insurance, or accidents related to maintenance issues, the winter takes its toll on your bike, and too few people check the points. Bikers stand to benefit if the level of claims go down, because the fewer claims you have, the lower your insurance will be next year. It's vital to give your bike a thorough going-over if you've stored it during the brass monkey weather."

So here's Rob's checklist of simple maintenance tasks which could save you money and might even save your life.

1. Review any notes you made when you put your bike into winter storage. It's easy to forget little things like that small part you removed to get a matching replacement and never got around to replacing.
   
2. If you removed the battery for winter storage, check and clean the battery terminals before refitting. A bicarbonate of soda solution works well to clean the terminals.
   
3. Charge and refit the battery. Positive lead first!
   
4. Change the oil and filter, and check the grease and other lubricants.
   
5. Check all cables and lubricate with the specified lubricants.
   
6. Drain the fuel tank, clean and refill with fresh. This especially applies if you left it nearly empty during the winter. An empty tank will have air inside, and that air will have moisture, which will condense out in the cold as water.
   
7. Check the tyre pressure and wear of tread. If you had a special winter pressure, remember to change it for summer. Don't use a tyre cleaner on bike tyres - it will make them hard and slippery.
   
8. Check all lights. Don't forget the flashing ones!
   
9. Check brake fluid level and ensure brake pads and shoes aren't worn.
   
10. Clean the inside of your helmet with a mild soapy solution and ensure it is dry. Examine it for hairline cracks.
    
11. If you put away your winter cover during the summer, air it properly, then store it somewhere warm and dry. Don't let yourself suddenly discover it damp or mildewy next winter when you suddenly need it again.
    
12. Start a new log book for the year and write down your starting mileage - and all the actions you took to get out on the open road again. Promise yourself that you will keep it up to date this year!

Law Lords in sensible decision shock!

In a triumph for common sense the Law Lords have come down in favour of motorist Charles Glendinning, who, it was alleged, had signalled a warning to other motorists of a police speed trap on the A303.

http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/news-story.jsp?news_id=14514

The DPP and the other proponents of stealth cameras on Britain's roads had been hoping this case would set a legal precedent, effectively banning anyone from warning other motorists of a speed trap's location. Instead the law has come down on the side of the motorist.

To bring this kind of case again, in order to prove that they have been obstructed in performing their duties, the police would need to demonstrate that either a car which would have been speeding past the location of the trap had slowed down as a result of the warning (which is impossible to demonstrate) or that the motorists had been speeding at the location of the warning - farcical, because the warning could easily move if the speed trap did.

Paul Smith of the SafeSpeed campaign asks the following pertinent question:

"The camera partnerships tell us continually that: 'they don't want our money, they just want us to slow down'. They can't have it both ways. Motorists warning others of speed traps is extremely effective in slowing traffic. If they don't want our money, then why bring this case?"

While we would never endorse speeding, perhaps the traffic police have got their priorities wrong. Especially when you consider that uninsured drivers currently cost every motorist in the UK over £30 each year.

Classic Car Insurance Claim Gaffes

Submitting a claim for car insurance is a stressful business, but it certainly pays to double check what you have written on your claim form, as the genuine car insurance claims statements below prove.

• A car drove away at speed catching our client who went up in the air and his head went through the windscreen and then rolled off at the traffic lights a good few feet away. The car then sped off and miraculously our client remained conscious and managed to cross the road.
  
• A pedestrian hit me and went under my car
  
• A truck backed through my windshield into my wife's face
  
• An invisible car came out of nowhere, struck my car and vanished.
  
• As I approached an intersection a sign suddenly appeared in a place where no stop sign had ever appeared before.
  
• Coming home I drove into the wrong house and collided with a tree I don't have.
  
• First car stopped suddenly, second car hit first car and a haggis ran into the rear of second car.
  
• Going to work at 7am this morning I drove out of my drive straight into a bus. The bus was 5 minutes early.
  
• I collided with a stationary truck coming the other way
  
• I didn't think the speed limit applied after midnight
  
• I had been driving for forty years when I fell asleep at the wheel.
  
• I knew the dog was possessive about the car but I would not have asked her to drive it if I had thought there was any risk.
  
• I am responsible for the accident as I was miles away at the time.
  
• In an attempt to kill a fly, I drove into a telephone pole.
  
• I had been learning to drive with power steering. I turned the wheel to what I thought was enough and found myself in a different direction going the opposite way.
  
• I had been shopping for plants all day and was on my way home. As I reached an intersection a hedge sprang up obscuring my vision and I did not see the other car.
  
• I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my mother-in-law and headed over the embankment.
  
• I pulled into a lay-by with smoke coming from under the hood. I realised the car was on fire so took my dog and smothered it with a blanket.
  
• I saw a slow moving, sad faced old gentleman as he bounced off the bonnet of my car.
  
• I saw her look at me twice. She appeared to be making slow progress when we met on impact.
  
• I started to slow down but the traffic was more stationary than I thought.
  
• I started to turn and it was at this point I noticed a camel and an elephant tethered at the verge. This distraction caused me to lose concentration and hit a bollard.
  
• I thought my window was down, but I found it was up when I put my head through it.
  
• I told the police that I was not injured, but on removing my hat found that I had a fractured skull.
  
• I was backing my car out of the driveway in the usual manner, when it was struck by the other car in the same place it had been struck several times before.
  
• I was driving along when I saw two kangaroos copulating in the middle of the road causing me to ejaculate throught the sun roof.
  
• I was unable to stop in time and my car crashed into the other vehicle. The driver and passengers then left immediately for a vacation with injuries.
  
• I was going at about 70 or 80 mph when my girlfriend on the pillion reached over and grabbed my testicles so I lost control.
  
• I was on my way to the doctor with rear end trouble when my universal joint gave way causing me to have an accident.
  
• I was on my way to see an unconscious patient who had convulsions and was blocked by a tanker.
  
• I was sure the old fellow would never make it to the other side of the road when I struck him.
  
• I was thrown from the car as it left the road. I was later found in a ditch by some stray cows.
  
• My car was legally parked as it backed into another vehicle.
  
• No one was to blame for the accident but it would never have happened if the other driver had been alert.
  
• No witnesses would admit having seen the mishap until after it happened.
  
• On approach to the traffic lights the car in front suddenly broke.
  
• On the M6 I moved from the centre lane to the fast lane but the other car didn't give way.
  
• Q: Could either driver have done anything to avoid the accident? A: Travelled by bus?
  
• Q: Do you engage in motorcycling, hunting or any other pastimes of a hazardous nature? A: I Watch the Lottery Show and listen to Terry Wogan.
  
• Q: What gear were you in at the moment of the impact?A: Gucci sweats and Reeboks.
  
• The claimant had collided with a cow. The questions and answers on the claim form were - Q: What warning was given by you? A: Horn. Q: What warning was given by the other party? A: Moo.
  
• The other car collided with mine without giving warning of its intention.
  
• The accident happened when the right front door of a car came round the corner without giving a signal.
  
• The accident happened because I had one eye on the lorry in front, one eye on the pedestrian and the other on the car behind.
  
• The accident occurred when I was attempting to bring my car out of a skid by steering it into the other vehicle.
  
• The car in front hit the pedestrian but he got up so I hit him again
  
• The gentleman behind me struck me on the backside. He then went to rest in a bush with just his rear end showing.
  
• The guy was all over the road. I had to swerve a number of times before I hit him.
  
• The indirect cause of the accident was a little guy in a small car with a big mouth.
  
• The pedestrian had no idea which way to run as I ran over him.
  
• The pedestrian ran for the pavement, but I got him.
  
• The telephone pole was approaching. I was attempting to swerve out of the way when I struck the front end.
  
• Three men approached me from the minibus. I thought they were coming to apologise. Two of the men grabbed hold of me by my arms and the first slapped me several times across the face. I kneed the man in the groin but didn't connect properly so I kicked him in the shin.
  
• To avoid hitting the bumper of the car in front I struck a pedestrian.
  
• We had completed the turn and had just straightened the car when Miss X put her foot down hard and headed for the ladies' loo.
  
• When I saw I could not avoid a collision I stepped on the gas and crashed into the other car.
  
• While proceeding through 'Monkey Jungle', the vehicle was enveloped by small fat brown grinning monkeys. Number three fat brown monkey (with buck teeth) proceeded to swing in an anticlockwise direction on the radio aerial. Repeated requests to desist were ignored. Approximately 2 minutes and 43 seconds later, small fat brown monkey disappeared in 'Monkey Jungle' clutching radio aerial.
  
• Windscreen broken. Cause unknown. Probably Voodoo.

Supercar Showdown

If you're stuck for something to do this weekend and you like seeing some of the world's most expensive and glamourous cars doing battle on the race track, then has Silverstone got a treat for you:

Silverstone Supercar Showdown

As the only British Leg on this year's FIA GT Championship this is a unique opportunity to see cars like Aston Martins, Ferraris, Corvettes, Porsches, Maseratis and more.

And if you're lucky enough to own one, then you know where to come for your insurance quote.

500 horses - must be the new Shelby Mustang

American car enthusiasts would just love to get their hands on the steering wheel of this beauty. And no wonder!

The new Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 has been officially rated as pulling 500bhp and 487 ftlbs of torque from its supercharged 5.4l V8 engine.

More here.

Of course not everyone will be able to afford the new Shelby, but nowadays many american classics and muscle cars are very affordable to the UK enthusiast and owning your own piece of Americana is no longer a pipe dream for many.

Adrian Flux have a number of schemes specially designed for American Cars. Get a great value quote here or call on 08000 83 88 33 and see how much you could save!