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And: MG TF UPDATE Autosport Int. Drink Drive? And much more..
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cONTENTS : dECEMBER
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Industry News hONDA mEET tOP sECRET lOCATION nOVEMBER 2009 aUTOSPORT iNT 2009 pREVIEW
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tHIS mONTHS mUST hAVES lONG tERMER uPDATE
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rOAD sAFETY gALASHIELS Picture of the month AlcoSense feature
The tEAM @ www.TarMag.co.uk
Managing Editor - Mark Morris - Mark@tarmag.co.uk Assistant Editor - Garry Bertram - Gary@tarmag.co.uk Advertising - David Daniels - David@tarmag.co.uk General Enquiries : TarMag - 199a Borough Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 2BN
Š 2009 TarMag
Free track and road magazine
Extra care is taken when compiling the contents of this online publication but the staff, contributors cannot be held responsible for any mistakes or errors. TarMag isn’t responsible for any issues arising from any dealings with any advertisers within the publication.
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This month
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Well it’s that time of year when everything is Christmas this and Christmas that. But for our cars, it means extra cleaning with grit, salt being spread almost daily on our roads and pavements it takes it tole on our cars. We decorate our houses with decorations, but why not our cars? If you have seen a decorated car, or you have decorated yours, send us a pic as we are looking for idea’s. This month has been busy for us, as we are planning out 2010 diary with more events than ever before. So be sure to keep an eye out on our website but also the magazine for the latest events. I would like to take this time to thank all of you for reading TarMag, without you guys TarMag wouldn’t exist. We hope to bring you all the latest news, gossip and of course cars for 2010. If you have something you want us to feature, drop us an email to david@tarmag.co.uk and we will look into it. Next month, January see’s the Autosport International show for 2010, be sure to go, as it looks like a jam packed event, we went last year and it was awesome. We have loads of tickets to give away so be sure to check that out. Anyways, enjoy, Seasons greetings and all the best for 2010....
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INDUSTRY NEWS
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THE NEW VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has released the first official images and more details of its new pick-up, the Amarok. The Amarok, which will be available as a four-door double cab version from launch with a single cab model to follow in 2011, combines the robustness of a pick-up with innovative technology, high safety standards, excellent fuel economy and Volkswagen standards of comfort, quality and durability. Production of the Amarok is about to start at the Volkswagen factory in Buenos Aires, Argentina ahead of its worldwide launch starting in its native South America in early 2010 and in Europe next summer, with first models expected to be in UK Volkswa-
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gen Van Centres in September 2010. Key markets for the Amarok include South America, South Africa and Australia; in these countries, because of their versatility, pick-ups are some of the most sought after recreational and commercial vehicles. Thanks to its efficient drive technology and tremendous versatility, the Amarok is also expected to be a trendsetter in the contemporary pick-up class in Europe. Volkswagen will be putting the Amarok to the test as a support vehicle in the tough Dakar rally in South America in January. In the meantime, to see more of the Amarok and to sign up for Amarok news and events prior to its UK launch, go to www. volkswagen-vans.co.uk/amarok/.
MAKES YOU LOOK, MAKES YOU STARE With its ultra-compact, utterly contemporary styling, the Toyota iQ is used to turning heads on the street. Now it’s giving businesses the chance to stand out from the crowd with a free company livery offer that makes the most of its look-at-me design. Toyota has teamed up with its specialist partner Motor Mode UK to demonstrate how iQ’s distinctive size and shape can provide a highimpact canvas for bold, unmissable branding. The free offer, available for a limited period only, is for covering two standard body panels in the customer’s choice of graphics. Motor Mode can provide examples, adapt the customer’s own design, or work in consultation with the customer to create a bespoke, customised livery. For an even higher-impact effect, half and full vehicle wraps can be created, at an additional cost. The offer is available through the nationwide network of Toyota Business Centres and will continue through into the New Year. iQ already presents a strong environmental and financial case as a business car, thanks to CO2 emissions as low as 99g/km (qualifying for zero VED/car tax), combined cycle fuel consumption of 65.7mpg and benefit-in-kind company car tax of just 10 per cent for the 1.0-litre VVT-i model. By doubling up as an attention-grabbing mobile promotional tool, it ticks even more boxes. At less than three metres long – the world’s smallest production four-seater – it’s ideal for life on the city streets, yet is engineered to be equally safe and fun-to-drive out on the open road. In spite of its tiny dimensions, iQ commands a top five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP, adding to a high style appeal that has helped it notch up almost 7,000 sales this year already. 7
LIMITED-EDITION GRANTURISMO S MC SPORT LINE
The limited-edition Maserati GranTurismo S MC Sport Line with Matt White “ICE” finishing was unveiled last week in the futuristic surroundings of the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, in a dedicated event for a selected number of Maserati customers of the Middle East.
Only twelve of these limited-edition GranTurismos will be produced in Modena, all for Middle Eastern markets. The same number – twelve - are the world titles which make up the prestigious palmares of the MC12 in the FIA GT International Championship since 2005: two Constructors’ Cups (2005 and 2007), four Drivers’ Titles (Michael Bartels - Andrea Bertolini in 2006, Thomas Biagi in 2007, Michael Bartels - Andrea Bertolini in 2008 and 2009); five Teams’ Titles (from 2005 onwards uninterruptedly with the 8
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Vitaphone Racing Team); one Citation Cup in 2007 with gentleman driver Ben Aucott. A limited and numbered edition of the GranTurismo S MC Sport Line, finished in “Matt Bianco Fuji” with eye-catching pearlescent nuances, will be dedicated to the Italian market. Only eleven customers in Italy will be able to sit behind the wheel of this exclusive car. Blind holes have been added on the inside and outside of the braking surface for more uniform wear of the brake pad and disc surfaces, keeping braking efficiency constant over time. The Maserati Stability Programme (MSP) has also been re-calibrated for the MC suspension, allowing the driver greater freedom of action.
NEW ASTRA RECEIVES FIVE-STAR EURO NCAP RATING
Europe’s leading safety assessment body, Euro NCAP, has awarded Vauxhall’s new British-built Astra five stars for safety – the top rating available in tough new regulations rolled out this year. Outstanding crash performance due to super-rigid cabin and Maximum points received as part of new 2009 regulations
New Škoda Superb Estate: Loaded With Innovation And Luxury
The new Škoda Superb Estate is set to become both the most luxurious and most practical car ever to wear the famous winged arrow badge.
Trim levels and engine choices will mirror those of the Superb hatchback with S, SE and Elegance models available along with the same range of three petrol and three diesel engines. All engines, from 1.4 TSI to 3.6 V6 are equipped with direct fuel injection for optimum fuel efficiency, performance and low emissions. With a choice of manual or twin-clutch DSG gearboxes linked to either two- or four-wheel drive, there’s a Superb Estate to suit everyone’s needs. 9
London has a new must-see attraction with the arrival of the Lexus LFA at Lexus Park Lane. The Mayfair showroom has been selected by Lexus as the centre for all European LFA sales, reflecting the car’s status as one of the most exclusive machines money can buy. The V10-powered supercar has attracted huge attention worldwide since its official launch at the Tokyo motor show and met with critical acclaim for its performance, handling and advanced design and engineering. Just 500 examples are destined to be built, with only a proportion of this total made available to European customers. A car that is as distinctive, sophisticated and sought-after as the Lexus LFA calls for a very special customer purchasing experience. To achieve this, a bespoke showroom has been created within Lexus Park Lane and a Personal Liaison Manager has been appointed to handle all sales matters. A VIP selection room has also been opened, where customers can discuss their requirements on a one-toone basis in comfortable, discreet surroundings.
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12 Feature :
S a t u rd ay t h e 7 t h o f N ove m b e r D u n d e e i n a to p s e c r e t l o c a t i o n s ( a m u l t i - s to r ey c a r p a r k ) to o k h o s t to a m e e t i n g o f H o n d a ow n e r s o r g a n i s e d by w w w. h o n d a c i v i c fo r u m . c o . u k , j o i n e d by fo l k f ro m g r a n i te c i t y civic.com and jdmtas.com. Big t h a n k s to Ke i t h fo r o r g a n i s i n g this !
O u r p h o to g r a p h e r R a d e k a t te n d e d t h e m e e t fo r u s a n d here is his summary of it : ( s i m p l e a n d to t h e p o i n t ) H ow to s u m u p t h e m e e t ? We l l .. great turn out great bante r a n d ve r y ve r y i n te r e s t i n g cars including freshly impor te d w h i te I n te g r a D C 2 , s u p e rcharged ek9, civic eg with a l o n g l i s t o f t a s t y m o d s , a c c o rd type R and the list could go on a n d o n . . . i n to t a l t h e r e we r e 14 c a r s , c row d o f e n t h u s i a s t i c p e o p l e a n d l ove l y a t m o s p h e r e . . . A s p e c i a l t h a n k s to Ke i t h B a r t l e t t ( t h e a r e a r e p ) fo r m a k i n g s u r e t h a t eve r y t h i n g r u n s s m o o t h l y a n d fo r o rg a n i s i n g t h e p h o to s h o o t . Ro l l o n n ex t m e e t ! �
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HONDA MEET - NOVEMBER 2009
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HONDA MEET - NOVEMBER 2009
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HONDA MEET - NOVEMBER 2009
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HONDA MEET - NOVEMBER 2009
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HONDA MEET - NOVEMBER 2009
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24 Feature :
2 010 s e e s E u ro p e ’ s l a r g e s t m o to r s p o r t s h ow, T h e Au t o s p o r t S h ow, c e l e b r a te i t s 2 0 t h a n n i ve r s a r y. N ex t J a n u a r y, t h e a n n u a l eve n t w i l l o n c e a g a i n o f fe r t h e p u b l i c a u n i qu e o p p o r t u n i t y to g e t u p - c l o s e a n d p e r s o n a l w i t h t h e ex h i l a r a t i n g wo r l d o f m o to r s p o r t . A s i n p r ev i o u s ye a r s , t h e r e w i l l b e a n a r r ay o f f a n t a s t i c fe a t u r e s o n s h ow, i n c l u d i n g a n F 1 pit-lane and the adrenalinef u e l l e d L i ve A c t i o n A r e n a . We can already confirm that F1 Wo r l d C h a m p i o n J e n s o n B u t to n w i l l b e i n a t te n d a n c e , a n d h e w i l l b e j o i n e d by a h o s t o f s u p e r s t a r s f ro m va r i o u s m o to rspor t disciplines on both Satu rd ay 16 a n d S u n d ay 17 J a n u a r y 2 010 . T h e s h ow i s s te e p e d i n h i s to r y and traditionally marks the s t a r t o f t h e n ew m o to r s p o r t
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season. There is something on o f fe r fo r eve r yo n e : m o to r s p o r t f a n s , p e r fo r m a n c e c a r l ov ers, and of course competition d r i ve r s . • M o to r s p o r t f a n s : t h e l e a d i n g s t a r s f ro m t h e g l a m o ro u s a n d d y n a m i c wo r l d o f m o to rs p o r t a t te n d t h e s h ow fo r p e rs o n a l a p p e a r a n c e s , Q & A’ s a n d t h e eve r- p o p u l a r a u to g r a p h s i g n i n g s e s s i o n s . T h e L i ve A c t i o n A r e n a fe a t u r e s a s p e c t a c u l a r r a n g e o f r e c o rd b r e a ki n g s t u n t s , a s we l l a s s o m e b r e a t h t a k i n g w h e e l - to - w h e e l racing • Pe r fo r m a n c e c a r l ove r s : P i s to n H e a d s , t h e Pe r fo r m a n c e C a r S h ow, w i l l o n c e a g a i n o c c u py a p r e m i u m l o c a t i o n w i t h i n T h e Au to s p o r t S h ow fo l l ow i n g i t s s u c c e s s i n r e c e n t ye a r s . A c o l l e c t i o n i n c l u d i n g t h e l a te s t exo t i c c a r s a s s o m e
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legendary and iconic machines f ro m ye a r s g o n e by • C o m p e t i t i o n d r i ve r s : Fro m k a r t i n g to Fo r m u l a 1 , eve r y r u n g o n t h e m o to r s p o r t l a d d e r i s r e p r e s e n te d , m a k i n g T h e Au to s p o r t S h ow a m u s t fo r a l l d r i ve r s . T h e r e w i l l b e t h e u s u a l o p p o r t u n i t i e s to m e e t fe l l ow d r i ve r s a n d c a t c h - u p o n s o m e s h o p p i n g fo r t h e s e a s o n a h e a d v i a a s e l e c t i o n o f m o to r s p o r t t r a d e s t a n d s . W i t h key m o to rs p o r t c o m p a n i e s r e p r e s e n te d , d r i ve r s a r e g i ve n t h e o p p o rt u n i t y to s p e a k to t h o s e a l l impor tant contacts within the industry T h e Au to s p o r t S h ow we b s i te w i l l ke e p yo u u p d a te d w i t h t h e 2 010 s h ow ’ s n ew fe a t u r e s a n d o f fe r s v i s i to r s a w i d e r i n s i g h t i n to t h e h i g h - a d r e n a l i n e wo r l d o f m o to r s p o r t . I n 2 010 t h e s h ow w i l l b e o p e n to t h e p u b l i c o n S a t u rd ay 16 a n d S u n d ay 17 J a n u a r y. Ad u l t t i c ke t s s t a r t a t £ 2 9 p e r d ay, w i t h c h i l d r e n ’ s t i c ke t s c o s t i n g £ 14 . 5 0 . To b o o k v i s i t w w w. a u to s p o r t - s h ow. c o m o r c a l l 0 0 4 4 ( 0 ) 8 4 4 57 9 31 8 8 . 26 TARMAG
Competition Time TO P P R I Z E S I N C LU D E 4 x E n t r y T i c ke t s fo r S a t u rd ay 16 J a n u a r y 2 010 4 x E n t r y T i c ke t s fo r S u n d ay 17 J a n u a r y 2 010 ( t i c ke t s a b ove i n c l u d e a c c e s s to t h e L i ve A c t i o n A r e n a w h i c h fe a t u r e s a s p e c t a c u l a r r a n g e o f d e m o n s t r a t i o n s , a s we l l a s s o m e b r e a t h t a k i n g w h e e l - to - w h e e l r a c ing. With some great competit i o n s a n d ex t r ava g a n t s t u n t s , i s o n e o f t h e eve n t h i g h l i g h t s ) RUNNERS UP 10 x G e n e r a l E n t r y T i c ke t s fo r S a t u rd ay 16 J a n u a r y 10 x G e n e r a l E n t r y T i c ke t s fo r S u n d ay 17 J a n u a r y S i m p l y e m a i l d av i d @ t a r m a g . c o . u k a s to w hy yo u s h o u l d a t te n d t h e s h ow i n n o l e s s t h a n 2 0 wo rd s . C o m p e t i t i o n c l o s e s 2 3 rd D e c e m b e r, t i c ke t s w i l l b e p o s te d b e fo r e t h e s h ow ’ s d a te s . Fu l l l te r m s a n d c o n d i t i o n s a p p l y ( av a i l a b l e o n r e qu e s t )
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29 This months Must Haves - book special Jaguar: All the Cars First published in 2003, this extensively researched guide provides exhaustive reference detail for all Jaguar models, supported by facts, figures and photographs. Information provided includes technical specifications, production changes, chassis numbers, production quantities, colour schemes, options and accessories. This is a definitive reference work for enthusiasts, those looking to buy a Jaguar and anyone with a general interest in the marque. www.haynes.co.uk
F1 Season Review 2009 Now firmly established in its sixth year of publication, The Official Formula 1 Season Review 2009 - in the shops just three weeks after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - is a must-have Christmas purchase for every fan of Formula 1. Here is the full, in-depth story of the 2009 Formula 1 World Championship, This is an unrivalled insight into the on-track action and behind-the-scenes details of the 2009 Formula 1 season. www.haynes.co.uk
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The Brawn Story In December 2008 Honda suddenly announced they were withdrawing from Grand Prix racing. The team faced oblivion, but their master on-track strategist, Ross Brawn, used all his tactical skills to put together a management buy-out - and Honda became Brawn. The team worked feverishly to fit Mercedes engines into the car and, with very little time to test it, took it to the season’s opener in Australia - and Jenson Button, their driver who’d waited a decade for a real chance, won like a champion. Button won five of the next six races, too, and he and Brawn bestrode Formula 1 in a way never seen before. This is the full story of Brawn - the man, his team and their season.
www.haynes.co.uk
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Haynes Desk Diary 2010 The Haynes Desk Diar y 2010 is now in its four th year and much loved by all who use it, so the 2010 edition is sure to be a hit. The format is the same as the time-honoured Haynes Manual, with week-to-view presentation on high-quality p a p e r.
registration letters (year and area identification) and UK distances
All housed in a robust, ‘Haynes Manual’ style cove r. F i t fo r t h e w o r k b e n c h , fine enough to grace any desk. With single-spread year planner s for 2010 and 2011, the Haynes Desk DiEach month features a clas- ar y 2010 is the per fect gif t for enthusiasts of cars and sic cutaway drawing from c a r D I Y. . the Haynes archive along with a summary of the car por trayed, while at the back www.haynes.co.uk are appendices of useful automotive-related data including conversion factors,
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long term fleet
MG TF LE500 1.8 16V Coming to an end, its almost time to say good bye to our TF LE500 and say hello to a 85th Anniversar y edition. We can’t wait for the swap to show you the details, we are planning a full video review of t h e n ew c a r, s o w e a r e g o ing to take it somewhere to show it off at its full potential. So keen an eye 32 TARMAG
out for it! We are at the time of year when the roads get slipy and dir ty, so having a white car isn’t much fun when you have to wash it 2-3 times a week in the cold! But the MG is small enough that it doesn’t take long to wash. Interior also is easy reachable
with the hover i.e. all the gaps and hard to reach places are actually easy to gain access to.
ward to testing the LE500 in the snow, but also then compare it to the 85Th anniver sar y.
Driving the TF in the winter conditions is a bit fun, but you do need to take extra care in corners and when the roads are slipy, but it’s the same with any c a r. We a r e l o o k i n g fo r-
A big thanks to you all who have emailed us questions about the 85th Anniversar y edition, we look forward to giving you an in-depth reply in the magazine over the next month or two. 33
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38 FEATURE : Road Safety : galashiels The Galashiels roadshow was the last of a series of Roadshows about the work that the Scottish Borders Road Safety Working Group does to make the roads safer in the Borders. With inputs on engineering measures and solutions from the Counc i l s Te c h n i c a l S e r v i c e s followed by distractions and drink related driving
ROAD SAFETY : Galashiels
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to the Golden Hour by the fire service the Roadshow finally moved onto modifications by Lothian and Borders Police. The 125 attendees then enjoyed some refreshments bags which inlcuded leaflets and information on road safety matters whilst we moved onto the serious business
of judging the car of the night competition. The winners this round were a Nissan Skyline and a honda bongo van whilst the runners up inlcuded a Lexus with a huge sound system, a bodykitted corsa and a sweet renault 5 turbo. The organisers would like t o t h a n k Te s c o ’ s f o r t h e u s e of part of their car park!!
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ROAD SAFETY : Galashiels - The Winners
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PICTURE OF THE MONTH
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FEATURE :
Low cost, reliable and ever yone can af ford it. You’ve got to love the AlcoSense ONE! Entr y level yes, but not baseline components. Using new technology like MEMS sensors the AlcoSense ONE beats the competition hands down at a similar price point. Independently Approved AlcoSense ONE is the lowest priced product EVER to be approved by the tough US Dept of Transpor t Standard for Hand Held Breathalysers. The US DoT Approval process includes hundreds of accuracy tests at dif ferent temperatures, humilities and alcohol
your level of intoxication in % BAC (percent of blood alcohol content) and shows your reading in increments of 0.01 (If you require a more detailed readout or in mg/l please see the AlcoSense Elite). AlcoSense ONE reads up to 0.12%BAC – 1.5 times the UK Limit. If you would like your AlcoSense to automatically warn you not to drive if you are near to or over the limit please consider the Lite or Elite. New ‘ZERO’ Technology The AlcoSense ONE features new ZERO™ technology to make sure the unit always reads at its best.
concentrations. The US shares the same drink drive limit as the UK, but sadly no UK approval process exists. Easy to Use Like its bigger brothers, the AlcoSense ONE has been designed to be as easy as possible to use. To do a breath test all you need to do is turn the unit on, wait for it to count down to zero and then blow until it beeps and shows your reading. Easy! Easy to Understand Results Slightly dif ferent to the rest of the range, AlcoSense™ ONE shows
ZERO™ technology is best explained by comparing it to ‘tare’ on a set of scales. Using clean air the user can regularly zero the unit meaning that sensor drif t, where the sensor drif ts out of calibration within a shor t period of use (a prolific problem amongst many rival entr y-level breathalysers), is almost eliminated completely.
AlcoSense ONE
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Sleek Design Its high gloss black design can discretely be kept anywhere. AlcoSense™ ONE measures only 19mm x 30mm x 16.5mm and weighs only
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66 grams including batteries. Use it Again & Again AlcoSense ONE can be used again and again. As the unit features no chamber cleaning or purge technology for the most accurate results we recommend waiting one hour between tests. If you wish to do multiple tests in a shor t time we recommend considering the AlcoSense Lite or Elite for their sensor clean and purge features. Accurate AlcoSense ONE is the lowest priced product ever to meet and exceed the US Dept of Transpor t accuracy tests (there is no UK standard). Ever y AlcoSense
unit is tested for accuracy three times before leaving our factor y. As a result our quality control is arguably the best in the industr y meaning that you can have 100% faith in our products. AlcoSense ONE has industr y leading accuracy of +/-0.25‰BAC which is unique in this price range. Why Delay? Par t of the responsible enjoyment of alcohol is to understand its ef fect on the body and to understand when you are safe to drive, AlcoSense™ helps people do exactly that and takes out the potentially fatal guess work the morning af ter. Don’t leave it to chance, order yours today.
AlcoSense ONE - COMPETITION Win 1 of 4 AlcoSense One Units Thanks to AlcoSense we have 4 of these great devices to give away this month in TarMag. All you have to do is answer this simple question:
How many AlcoSense one units do we have to give away? A) 2 B) 5 C) 4 Send your answers to david@tarmag.co.uk
Closing date is 21/12/09 the unit will be sent to arrive in time for christmas. Competition subject to terms and conditions ( available on request)
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The tEAM @ www.TarMag.co.uk
Managing Editor - Mark Morris - Mark@tarmag.co.uk Assistant Editor - Garry Bertram - Gary@tarmag.co.uk Advertising - David Daniels - David@tarmag.co.uk General Enquiries : TarMag - 199a Borough Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 2BN
Free roadMagazine magazine Freetrack Track and and Road Š 2009 TarMag Extra care is taken when compiling the contents of this online publication but the staff, contributors cannot be held responsible for any mistakes or errors. TarMag isn’t responsible for any issues arising from any dealings with any advertisers within the publication.