The Busy Bee

Vol. 2, Issue 1=========================================================January 04, 2013 ---------------- Lifestyle ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subaru of America Recalls more than 630,000 Vehicles Not in my car-hold, Not Calif. I dont have a particular interest in Subaru. The company makes great cars, but their cars just dont appeal to me. Ive sampled the Group N specification Subaru Impreza WRX as provided by the DirtFISH Rally School, but I felt the steering inputs were a little too disconnected for my tastes. The car turned wonderfully on gravel, but it just didnt feel like it was turning properly. This wasnt my first sampling of Subaru vehicles either. In 2002, I sampled a Subaru Impreza from a rental agency in the Sandwich Islands. I wasnt impressed with the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine, or with the weight of the vehicle. I havent been impressed with the driving experiences in any Subaru, but it doesnt discount the fact that Subaru brand has produced some of the best off-road vehicles to have competed in the various rally championships throughout the world. So, it kind of saddens me to announce that my sources indicate a ridiculous failure in the off-road design of specific Subaru vehicles. Subaru of Americas recall affects certain 2009 to 2012 Forester, 2010 to 2011 Outback, and 2006 to 2012 Tribeca; specifically vehicles equipped with the puddle lights installed underneath the doors to illuminate the ground when entering or exiting the vehicle. Apparently electrolytic moisture can cause these lights to short and start an electrical fire in the mirror housings. Im a little disheartened that a company with such off-road experience could build a car with so little resistance to winter driving, but if you have one of these vehicles, please go to your local Subaru dealer to have the problem repaired for free. Granted, Im of the opinion that the only lights you need on a car are the driving lights, turn signals for road sections, reverse lights, brake lights for legal purposes, and a hand held flash light. All of the other lights are pure frivolity.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bite-Sized Morsels ---------------------2013 European Rally Championship Kicks Off with International Jannerrallye Austria Officially starting the 2013 European Rally Championship with shakedown on January 3, 2013, the Janner Rally is a challenging opening event. 10 special stages were hosted on a combination of asphalt and snow earlier today, and the rally will end with an additional 8 stages, to be completed on January 5. Czech Jan Kopecky is currently in the lead in his Skoda Fabia S2000 by a margin of 20.2 seconds over Frenchman Bryan Bouffier piloting a Peugoet 207 S2000. They lead a field of over 40 cars. Follow the action on the officieal ERC website, http://www.fiaerc.com. ----------------- Classifieds -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Used Tokico HP non-adjustable shocks and springs for RX-7 (FC). $250 OBO. Lompoc, CA. Pictures available. Email: furui_ga@yahoo.com 4-15 Steel Wheels. Stock for Kia Forte, 5x114mm bolt pattern. $20 ea or $60 for all 4. Lompoc, CA. Email: furui_ga@yahoo.com