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9 April 2008

AUTOSPORTIF

The Autosportif developed Race car won the first round of Time Attack UK at Donnington Park April 6th.

Driven by current British Formula Renault champion and A1 GP rookie Duncan Tappy the 530bhp Subaru Impreza topped all the sessions by 2 seconds a lap even though we were giving away at least 200bhp to the opposition.

For more information or if you want to rent a drive contact www.autosportif.co.uk

11 March 2008

MITUSBISHI EVO 10 LAUNCHED

The EVO 10 launched in Europe this month is set to be even more successful than its legendary predecessors. With over 300 pre orders customers are now just receiving their long awaited new model. PIAA has always had a very strong and successful relationship with Mitsubishi in Japan and of course in the UK.

PIAA products have been featured on all of the previous EVO's and are available from the UK Mitsubishi Dealerships as part of the enhancement range that the has been put together by the UK Mitsubishi Ralliart team.

PIAA are proud to be supporting yet again the Works Team that will compete in this year's British Rally Championship and of course the Mitsubishi EVO Challenges in Britain, Sweden and Ireland.

Visit Mistubishi UK for PIAA products on EVOs

PRESS RELEASE: 14 February 2008

PIAA HYPER LED *PIAA Exclusive*

- The PIA HYPER TERA LED operates at an amazing 6500K which produces a very white HID look with minimal battery drain and can be used in W5W side light fittings.

- PIAA has incorporated a revolutionary adjustable resistor into the HYPER TERA LED for the parking/side light on major European vehicles.

- By incorporating the adjustable resistor PIAA HYPER LED becomes invisible to the highly sensitive on board computer bulb failure systems on most major European vehicles. This prevents the activation of the bulb failure warning, which occurs when using normal LED bulbs with such a system. This adjustable resistor can also prevent abnormal light function of the HYPER TERA LED on certain vehicles.

The retail price is; £78.30 + VAT

NEW SIZE SPOLIER WIPER

PIAA are pleased to anounce that Size 7 - 18 inch/ 450mm wipers are now available in the PIAA Black Sporza Spoiler range of wipers.

This means that there is a Spoiler Blade for both the drivers and passengers side of the BMW Mini and also the Nissan 350Z.

Size; 7

Part No; WS45EFB

Retial Price: £18.37

PRESS RELEASE: 28th January 2008

Brean Stages Rally 26th & 27th January 2008

- Kynaston in control at Brean
- David Kynaston scores second consecutive victory
- Great weather sees crowds enjoy successful 12th running of popular south west event

Last weekend’s UK Farm Finance sponsored Brean Stages Rally was won by David Kynaston and co-driver Andy Russell in their Audi A3 Quattro who scored a resounding victory by a margin of 1m 34s, ahead of Steve and Yvonne Furzeland in a Subaru WRC.

Based in the grounds of the Brean Leisure Park on the North Somerset coast, the 12th running of this highly popular two-day event featured six stages around the twisty asphalt roads of the holiday venue’s caravan and camping sites on Saturday and another six, in the opposite direction, on Sunday. The weekend’s good weather saw 1000s of spectators visit the park to enjoy two-days of fierce competition and spectacular driving from the event’s full entry of 85 crews.

Kynaston stamped his authority on proceedings right from the start by winning the opening stage and then never lost the lead. However, things were close on the first day, when five-times previous winner of the event, Karl Broad in a Metro 6R4, matched Kynaston’s times by all but a second on four of the stages.

Broad almost took the lead prior to the overnight halt when Kynaston collected a puncture on SS5 and then subsequently broke a driveshaft on SS6, the time lost seeing him just one second ahead of the Metro driver for the start of Sunday’s competiton.

But Broad’s charge ended on the second stage of the second day, when a steering arm snapped – thankfully on a slow section of the course. With Furzeland driving a cautious event - his car refusing to start without a push - Broad’s demise left Kynaston with a comfortable lead - and even two broken anti-roll-bar couplings did little to break the Audi driver’s stride.

Another 6R4 driver and former winner of the event Duncan Holder also struck problems when, on Saturday’s last stage whilst holding fifth place, a sticking throttle linkage caused his car to run on three cylinders. Dropping to 12th place, he fought back on Sunday to finish in seventh. Ahead of Holder, James Harvey in a Subaru Impreza and David Jones in a Mitsubishi Evolution IX, both delivered solid performances to finish fifth and sixth respectively.

The battle for third and fourth was between the two Mk I Escorts of Dave Parnell and Kerry Michael. Parnell went into the final stage with a two-second advantage, but admitted to have been waving to the marshals and emerged on exactly the same time as Michael, therefore only securing the final place on the podium after the tie break rule of fastest on the first stage had been invoked.

Fourth place meant that Michael won the over two-litre category, whilst in the other classes Stuart Fossey won the up to two-litre class in his Escort Mk II and, when Andy Gwynne was delayed by two broken suspension joints, Mark Watkins stormed through to collect 1600 honours in his Escort Mk III.

Julian Wilkes posted another giant-killing performance by being the quickest 1400cc car by far and finished 11th overall in his Nova, but confessed to being a little disappointed not to have recorded a top-ten finish after lying eighth earlier in the day.

After recording his second Brean victory in as many years, a delighted David Kynaston said: “Although we won by a reasonable margin, it wasn’t as easy as it looked. It was a shame that Karl (Broad) was unable to continue as we were having a great battle on Saturday and I had to push hard from the start. Even without so much pressure on Sunday I had to maintain my pace to keep concentration and just in case I hit problems too. It’s always great to win events - and especially when its one as competitive as it is here at Brean.

Results
1 David Kynaston/Andy Russell (Audi A3 Quattro) 1h03m50s
2 Steve Furzeland/Yvonne Furzeland (Subaru Impreza WRC) 1h05m24s
3 Dave Parnell/Pete Bold (Escort Mk I) 1h06m24s
4 Kerry Michael/Mark Phillips (Escort Mk 1) 1h06m24s
5 James Harvey/Paul Arberry (Subaru Impreza) 1h06m33s
6 David Jones/Paul Sanders (Mitsubishi Evo IX) 1h07m13s
7 Duncan Holder/Nick Reeves (Metro 6R4) 1h07m33
8 Steve Snook/Chris Snook (Subaru Impreza WRC) 1h07m37s
9 Kev Carr/Bret Wookey (Ford Escort) 1h07m50s
10 Brian Lee/Neil Davies (Subaru Impreza) 1h07m52s

Class Winners
A (up to 1400cc) Julian Wilkes/Will Rutherford (Vauxhall Nova) 1h08m12s
B (up to 1600cc) Mark Watkins/Paul Drew (Escort Mk III) 1h11m39s
C (up to 2000cc) Stuart Fossey/Theresa Fossey (Escort Mk II) 1h08m51s
D (over 2000cc) Kerry Michael/Mark Phillips (Escort Mk 1) 1h06m24
E (over 2000cc 4wd) James Harvey/Paul Arberry (Subaru Impreza) 1h06m33s

visit: www.weston-super-maremotorclub.com

24th September 2007

PIAA CELEBRATES 21 YEARS IN THE UK

Lympsham-based high performance automotive lighting manufacturer PIAA celebrated its 21st anniversary of trading in the UK, when it held a presentation event at RallyDay on Saturday (22nd September) at Castle Combe racing circuit.

Having made its name in rallying, PIAA UK invited a number of guests well known in the sport to a reception marking this milestone in the company's history.

Special guest for the occasion was rally legend Hannu Mikkola, who had travelled from Finland especially to attend the event. Besides being swamped by autograph hunters, the 1983 World Rally Champion got back behind the wheel of a MkII Ford Escort built by Historic Rallysport – a replica of the car he used in the late ‘70s – to thrill the crowds watching the feature rally stage.

To acknowledge their support of PIAA during the past 21 years, Managing Director Chris Hutchings presented over 20 awards to particular guests who had supported and promoted PIAA lamps during the past 21 years:

Hannu Mikkola - 1983 World Rally Champion.
Peter Collinson - Co-ordsport.
Mark Deans - formally Ford Motorsport.
John Taylor - formally Ford Motorsport.
David Richards - Prodrive.
Martyn Spurrell - Autosportif.
Pentti Airikkala - RAC Rally winner 1989.
David Williams - driver management.
John & Dilys Trevethick – ANCRO.
David Campion – formally Prodrive.
Mark Solloway – Historic Rallysport.
David Sutton – David Sutton Cars.
Richard & Jan Asquith - Asquith Motorsport.
Alex Burns - Richard Burn’s father.
Gwyndaf Evans - works driver for Ford, Seat. MG & Mitsubishi.
Guy Wilks – Suzuki & Mitsubishi works driver.
Ian Robinson - Suzuki GB.
Paul Brigden - Mitsubishi UK Ralliart.
Julien Gallier - PIAA Director.

After the event Mr. Hutchings said: “What a great day! I’m delighted that so many of the guests attended – we had a 95% acceptance rate for the invitations, which for me made it a very special occasion indeed. To be able to acknowledge many of the people who have supported me since I established PIAA in the UK was a perfect way of celebrating our 21st anniversary.”

In addition to his guests from the world for rallying, Mr Hutchings also made presentations to members of PIAA UK’s directors, staff, key customers and suppliers.

For further details, please visit: www.piaa.co.uk

ENDS

Photo: MVG Photographic. (copyright free)

Notes for Editors

Constant development in both performance and quality has made PIAA a leader in the automotive lighting market. Its innovative product ranges set new standards for bulbs, auxiliary lamps and professional lighting systems.

Many of its products have been tried and tested by the world’s leading rally and racing teams - in some of the most arduous of conditions. Having surpassed the demands of competition, performance and durability are now hallmarks of PIAA, the benefits of its technology and design built-in across its range of lighting products.

For ultimate vision PIAA also manufactures its revolutionary range of Super Silicone Wipers, which coat the screen with a minute and invisible layer of silicone and causes the rain to ‘bead’. Subsequently the droplets maintain a smaller surface area, resulting in a clearer screen and improved visibility.

Also, just launched, is PIAA’s range of VISION screen care products, comprising a powerful cleaning solution, a wash additive and a screen protect and coat fluid.

Available from December 07

HEW PIAA LAMP PO DS

PIAA UK is pleased to announce that the following new Lamp Pods will be available from December 2007

- PLP1616WL Suzuki Swift 06 on model Halogen Bonnet Pod - RRP £369.75

- PLP888WL Vauxhall Astra 06 on model Halogen Bonnet Pod - RRP £398.75

- PLP5558WL Subaru Impreza 08 on model Halogen Bonnet Pod - RRP £398.75

- PLP1010WL Mitsubishi EVO 10 Halogen Bonnet Pod - RRP £384.25

- PLP10101RWL Mitsubishi EVO 10 Halogen Right Hand Corner Pod - RRP £181.25

- PLP10101LWL Mitsubishi EVO 10 Halogen Left Hand Corner Pod - RRP £181.25

Click on PODS for more details

PIAA PRODUCTS: June 2007

H89 Platinum Competition bulb

PIAA have redeveloped the most popular competition bulb, PIAA’s unique gas mix which includes Xeon and the glass tube colour enable the bulb to produce equivalent output of 150 watts on dip and main beam yet only drawing 80/80 watts. The application for this bulb is competition/off road use.

Ideal for historic rallying were HID lamps are not permitted and regulations that limit the auxiliary lamps to 80 watts power draw.

H89 H4 P43T 80/80=150/150 RRP £37.70 per bulb