2025

7-9 November 2025: Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham, uk [www].

4-7 November 2025: SEMA show, Las Vegas [www].

19 October 2025, .au: Bay to Birdwood, SA [www].

12 October 2025, .au: Bathurst 1000, NSW.

12 October 2025: Bonhams Zoute Sale auction [www].

3-4 October 2025 (Fri., Sat.): Deniliquin Ute Muster [www].

25 September - 5 October 2025: The Royal Show, Melbourne [www].

12-14 September 2025: Goodwood Revival [www].

13 September 2025: Bonhams Goodwood Revival auction [www].

9-14 September 2025: IAA Mobility show, Munich [www].

5-7 September 2025: Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace [www].

5-6 September 2025, .au: Birdsville Races [www].

27-30 August 2025, .uk: Salon Prive, Blenheim Palace [www].

24-31 August 2025, .au: World Solar Challenge Darwin-Adelaide [www].

22-24 August 2025, .au: National 4x4 Show Melbourne Showgrounds [www].

22-24 August 2025: Silverstone Festival [www].

21-23 August 2025: Mundi Mundi Bash Music Festival, Broken Hill [www].

17 August 2025: Pebble Beach, Concours d'Elegance [www] (Sunday).

15-16 August 2025: Goodings Pebble Beach Auction [www].

15 August 2025: Bonhams Quail Auction [www].

16 August 2025 (Sat.): Henley on Todd "Regatta", Alice Springs, NT, .au [www].

15-17 August 2025, .uk: British Motor Show, Farnborough [www].

15 August 2025: 80th Anniversary of VJ Day (15/8/1945 Emperor Hirohito announced Japan's surrender).

10-13 July 2025: Goodwood Festival of Speed [www].

11 July 2025: Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed auction [www].

8 July 2025: John Williamson Big Red Sunset Concert, Simpson Desert, Qld [www].

6 July 2025 (#12/24): British F1 Grand Prix.

29 June 2025 (#11/24): Austrian F1 Grand Prix.

27-29 June 2025: Tankfest 2024, Tank Museum, Bovington, uk [www].

27-29 June 2025, .au: Melbourne International EV AutoShow, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre [www].

22 June 2025: Pikes Peak International Hill Climb [www].

16-22 June 2025, .fr: Paris Air Show [www].

15 June 2025 (#10/24): Canadian F1 Grand Prix.

14-15 June 2025: The 92nd 24 Hours of Le Mans [www].

13-15 June 2025, .au: National 4x4 Show Sydney Showgrounds [www].

9 June 2025 (Mon.), .au: King's Birthday public holiday

8 June 2025 (Sun.), .au: Darwin Beer Can Regatta (Darwin Lions Club) [www].

6-9 June 2025, .au: Finke Desert Race [www].

3-5 June 2025, .uk: London Concours [www].

1 June 2025 (#9/24): Spanish F1 Grand Prix.

26 May - 7 June 2025 (Mon.-Sat.), .uk: Isle of Man TT Races [www].

25 May 2025 (#8/24): Monaco F1 Grand Prix.

25 May 2025 (Sun.): 108th Indianapolis 500 [www].

23-25 May 2025 (Fri.–Sun.): Concorso d'Elegance, Villa d'Este [www].

18 May 2025 (#7/24): Italian F1 Grand Prix.

18 May 2025 (Sun.), .au: AoMC National Motoring Heritage Day, Trentham [www].

8 May 2025 (Thu.): 80th annversary of VE Day.

5-8 May 2025, uk: [bbc][5/3/25].

4 May 2025 (#6/24): USA F1 Grand Prix.

3 May 2025 (Sat.), .au: Australian Federal election. If travelling, consider an early or postal vote.

3 May 2025: Bonhams Miami Auction [www].

29 April - 1 May 2025, .uk: Commercial Vehicle Show NEC Birmingham [www].

25 April 2025: Anzac Day.

21 April 2025: Easter Monday.

20 April 2025: Easter Sunday.

18 April 2025: Good Friday.

20 April 2025 (#5/24): Saudi Arabian F1 Grand Prix.

18-27 April 2025: New York Auto Show [www].

13 April 2025 (#4/24): Bahrain F1 Grand Prix.

12-13 April 2025, .uk: Goodwood Members' Meeting [www].

9-13 April 2025: TechnoClassica, Essen [www].

6 April 2025 (#3/24): Japanese F1 Grand Prix.

29-30 March 2025, .au: Booleroo Steam & Traction Preservation Society Rally, SA [www]. (Also see museums.)

28 March 2025: "Cyclone likely to cross Western Australia's north coast [east of Derby] in next 24 hours ..." — [abc]. Check the [bom].

26 March 2025: "More rain forecast as outback Queensland's record drenching cuts off towns ..." — [abc].

25-30 March 2025, .au: Airshow 2025, Avalon, Geelong, Vic., public 28-30 March [www].

24 March 2024, .au: "Man stranded in Simpson Desert with authorities seeking others due to wet weather ... All roads in and out of Birdsville and the Simpson Desert are closed ..." — [abc]. Check NT [www], NSW [www], SA [www], Qld [www] roads and the [bom].

23 March 2025 (#2/24): Chinese F1 Grand Prix.

Results: 1. Oscar Piastri [McLaren]; 2. Lando Norris (McLaren); 3. George Russell [Mercedes]. Also see the FIA [www] and the [bbc]. Lewis Hamilton, who switched from Mercedes to [Ferrari] this year, qualified fastest for Saturday's sprint race and went on to win it ahead of Piastri.

22-23 March 2025, .au: Clunes Book Town Festival [www] Vic..

21-23 March 2025, .uk: Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, NEC, Birmingham [www].

16 March 2025 (#1/24): Australian F1 Grand Prix, Melbourne.

Results: 1. Lando Norris [McLaren]; 2. Max Verstappen [Red Bull]; 3. George Russell [Mercedes]. Qualifying was dry and hot (35°C) but race-day wet, sometimes very wet; in particular a shower on lap 44 caught out many drivers. Qualifying suggested that the cars of Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull are close in performance with McLaren having the edge, at least on this kind of fast street circuit. Also see the [bbc].

14-16 March 2025, .au: National 4x4 Show Brisbane Showgrounds [www].

11 March 2025: "Ex-Cyclone Tropical Alfred turns NSW Northern Rivers properties into islands ..." — [abc]. Also check NSW [www] roads.

10-16 March 2025, .au: Corowa Swim In, 'Year of the Mack and Unimog,' [www].

10 March 2025: Elon Musk's actions in politics have led to a drop in sale's of Tesla EVs, protests at Tesla showrooms, satirical bumper stickers and a drop in Tesla's share price. "Musk's Tesla facilities in US face 'Takedown' protests ..." — [bbc] & [26/2].

10 March 2025 (Mon.): Labour Day, Vic..

8-10 March 2025: Steamfest, National Steam Centre, Scoresby, Melbourne, Vic. [www].

7-10 March 2025 (Fri-Mon): Port Fairy Folk Festival [www].

7 March 2025: "Ecclestone sells [69-] car collection for record price ..." — [bbc]. Possibly for about £500 million.

6-9 March 2025: Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance [www], and ...

6-7 March 2025: Goodings Amelia Island Auction [www] including lot 108 a 1958 AC Ace Bristol, chassis #BEX 494, engine #100D2 864 (sold us$246,400); lot 126 a 1964 Shelby 289 Cobra, chassis #CSX2220, engine #3471 (sold us$857,500); lot 154 a 1954 Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta, engine #0472 AM, engine #0472 AM (sold us$9,465,000).

6 March 2025, Qld: Tropical Cyclone Alfred, see [abc], and the [bom].

6 March 2025, .usa: "... GM offers ... EV portfolio, including the GMC HUMMER EV, the Chevrolet Silverado EV, and the GMC Sierra EV ..." — GM [www].

4 March 2025: Plainly prepared to throw Ukraine – and who else – under Putin's bus "Donald Trump pauses all US military aid to Ukraine after Zelenskyy clash ..." — [abc]. (This should not be a surprise but what hold does Putin have on Trump?)

(22 March: "... Why Trump is struggling to win fast ceasefire in Ukraine ..." — [bbc].)

3 March 2025, recall #REC-006300: "Tesla Model Y and Model 3 2022-2023 ... Due to a software issue, the Electronic Power Assist Steering system (EPAS) may not operate as intended. This may result in a loss of power steering assist and could require greater steering effort from the driver. ..." — .gov.au [www].

2 March 2025, .au: "Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred likely to head towards south-east Queensland coast from Tuesday ..." — [abc]. Check the [bom].

1 March 2025, .au: The start of Autumn.

28 February 2025, recall #REC-006285: "Audi Q5 2021-2023 ...Due to a manufacturing issue, the modules installed in the high voltage battery may be defective. During charging a thermal overload could result in a vehicle fire — .gov.au [www].

27 February - 2 March 2025, .de: Retro Classics, Stuttgart [www].

27 February 2025: "Criminal gangs using key programming devices to steal cars at level not seen in Victoria in decades, police say ..." — [abc]. (It seems to be "vehicles with push start buttons ... as they [do] not require an ignition key."

26-28 February 2025 (Wed.-Fri.): F1 pre-season testing, Bahrain.
Drivers and teams for the 2025 F1 season: Pierre Gasly, Jack Doohan [Alpine]; Lance Stroll, Fernando Alonso [Aston Martin]; Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton [Ferrari]; Esteban Ocon, Oliver Bearman [Haas]; Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris [McLaren]; Andrea Kimi Antonelli, George Russell [Mercedes]; Isack Alexandre Hadjar, Yuki Tsunoda [RB]; Max Verstappen, Liam Lawson [Red Bull]; Nico Hulkenberg, Gabriel Bortoleto [Sauber]; Alexander Albon, Carlos Sainz [Williams]. Ferrari, Haas and Sauber use Ferrari engines; Aston-Martin, McLaren, Mercedes and Williams use Mercedes engines; RB and Red Bull use Red-Bull/Honda engines; Alpine uses Renault engines. First race – 16 March, Melbourne.

26 February 2025: "[BP] today introduced a fundamentally reset strategy, ... increasing oil & gas investment to ~$10bn p.a. ..." — BP [www]. I.e., a lot less green.

24 February 2025: Three years since Vladimir Putin launched Russia's war against Ukraine.

So far in 'talks', Putin:2, Trump:0, e.g., [bbc].  20/2: "Trump echoes Russia as he upends US position on Ukraine ..." — [bbc].

21-23 February 2025, .uk: Race Retro historic motorsport show, Stoneleigh Park [www].

21 February 2024, .au: "Major coral bleaching event along Ningaloo Coast [WA] ..." — [abc]. (Also see WA [www] Parks.)

20 February 2025: "Stellantis-developed automated driving technology is ready for deployment. Hands-Free and Eyes-Off (SAE Level 3) functionality available up to 60km/h (37mph), even at night and in challenging weather conditions. ... Level 2 (hands on) and Level 2+ (hands off, eyes on) capabilities at higher speed ..." — Stellantis [www].

20 February 2025, .au: "Recreational access banned on Kati Thanda - Lake Eyre ..." — [abc]. (Also see SA [www] Parks.)

16 February 2025 (Sun.): Victorian 4WD Show, Lardner Park, Vic., .au [www].

16 February 2025: AoMC British & European Motoring Show, Yarra Glen Racecourse, Vic., .au [www].

15 February 2025: "'Eerie' atmosphere as fires threatened communities on Tasmania's West Coast ..." — [abc]. Check Tas. [www] fire.

13 February 2025, .au: "... passage of the Scams Prevention Framework Bill in Parliament today. ... Banks, certain digital platforms, including social media, and telecommunications providers will be the first sectors required to comply with the legislation. ..." — ACCC [www].

12 February 2025: "Tropical Cyclone Zelia [cat.2] beginning to impact the east Pilbara coast and adjacent west Kimberley coast ..." — [bom].  13th: cat.5, still loitering off-shore.  14th: cat.4, crossed the coast east of Port Hedland. Check WA [www] roads and the bom.

12 February 2025, recall #REC-006261: "Ford Escape PHEV 2019-2023 ... Due to a manufacturing issue, there may be a defect in one or more cells within the high voltage battery. ... Loss of motive power whilst driving increases the risk of an accident, and battery thermal venting, potentially resulting in a vehicle fire. ..." — .gov.au [www].

11 February 2025: "The international fight over eFuels, internal combustion's would-be savior ... synthetic gasolines ..." — SAE [www].

10 February 2025: "Flash flooding and emergency warnings as storms lash Victoria's east ..." — [abc]. Meanwhile, bushfires continued to burn in the Grampians and the Little Desert National Parks. See Vic. [www] roads and [www] fire.

7 February 2025: "North Queensland bracing for more severe weather ..." — [abc]. Check Qld [www] roads.

6 February 2025: "Nissan set to step back from merger with Honda, sources say ..." — Reuters [www]. There had been talks of a "merger", then of a "take-over" of Nissan by Honda.

5-9 February 2025: Retromobile, Paris [www].

6 February 2025: Bonhams The Grand Palais auction, Paris [www] including lot 120 a 1957 AC Ace Bristol roadster, chassis #BEX 281, engine #100D 528 (sold € 218,500); lot 136 a 1990 Range Rover Halt'up V8 T2, chassis #SALLHABM8GA406637, ex-Paris-Dakar with Patrick Tambay (sold €80,500); lot 144 a 1954-55 Ferrari Tipo 555 'Super Squalo' 2.5-litre F1 chassis #555/1-FL 9001 (sold €1,983,750).

4-5 February 2025: RM Sotheby's Paris auction [www] including lot 119 a 1939 Bentley 4¹/₄-litre convertible by Vanvooren, chassis #B197MX, engine #N7BL/S5BG (sold €359,375); lot 233 a 1998 Williams FW20 F1 3-litre V10 chassis #FW20-03 (sold €218,500); lot 262 a 1964 Ferrari 250 LM by Scaglietti, overall winner of the 1965 24-Hours of Le Mans, chassis #5893, engine #5893 (sold €34,880,000).

5 February 2025: "Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar unveiled as the pure-bred contender ... 6.5-litre V12 ... derived from a road-legal hypercar ..." — AM [www].

3 February 2025, .au: "... lightning strikes spark new fires amid Victorian heatwave ..." — [abc]. Grampians (Gariwerd), Little Desert and Great Otway National Parks – check Vic. [www] fire and [www] parks. And, "Intense rainfall to ease across north Queensland but risk of dangerous flooding remains ..." — [abc]. 5 Feb.: "North Queensland on alert for flash flooding ..." — [5/2]. Check Qld [www] roads.

1-2 February 2025: Heritage Vehicle and Machinery Display, Lardner Park, Vic. [www].

1 February 2025: "1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen €51,155,000 sold" — RM Sotheby's [www]. Also see, "Mercedes raced by Moss and Fangio sells for record £42.75m ..." — [bbc][2/2].

1 February 2025: "Severe weather warnings issued as parts of Queensland face major flood fears ..." — [abc]. And, "... Bureau of Meteorology warns of 'flood disaster' ..." [2/2]. Check Qld [www] roads and the [bom].

31 January 2025: Ford announced that it would enter the 2027 24-hours of Le Mans — [www].

30 January 2025: Marianne Faithful (1946-2025) died, e.g., see [abc], [bbc].

30 January 2025, .uk: "Vehicle production dips [-11.8%] amid EV transformation and intense market pressure ..." — SMMT [www].

29 January 2025, .au: "Bushfires blaze across western Victoria after lightning and hot weather ..." — [abc]. Grampians and Little Desert National Parks – check Vic. [www] fire and [www] parks.

27 January 2025: Holocaust Memorial Day: Auschwitz-Birkenauwas was liberated by Russian troops on 27 January 1945, 80 years ago, e.g., [abc], [bbc], [2].

27 January 2025 (Mon.), .au: Public holiday re Australia Day (Sun.).

26 January 2025 (Sun.): Australia Day.

25 January 2025, .uk: "Eowyn strongest storm in 10 years, says Met Office ..." — [bbc]. (Check MetOffice [www]. And, 26th: "another low-pressure system moved in on Sunday ... named as Storm Herminia by the Spanish Meteorological Service ...")

25 January 2025: Bonhams Scottsdale Auction [www] including lot 130 a 1961 Land Rover Series II 88-inch HT, originally owned by Arthur Miller and his wife Marilyn Monroe, chassis #144-103461, engine #151119002 (sold us$28,000); lot 154P a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe, chassis #198.040.6500063, engine #198.980.6500071 (sold us$1,490,000).

24 January 2025: RM Sotheby's Arizona auction [www], including lot 130 a 1967 Volkswagen type 2 '21-window' de luxe sunroof Microbus, chassis #257052732; engine #AE 025626 (sold us$145,600); lot 141 a 1984 Audi Sport quattro, chassis #WAUZZZ85ZEA905035, engine #KW 000 067 (sold us$758,500); lot 159 a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, chassis #198.040.6500100, engine #198.980.6500106 (sold us$2,040,000).

23 January 2025: FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem must be very sensitive: "F1 drivers face bans for criticising ruling body ..." — [bbc].

23 January 2025, recall #REC-006248: "Mazda MX-5 (ND) 2023-2024 ... Due to a software issue, the parking assist control unit in the vehicle that detects obstructions when reversing may not operate as intended. ... could increase the risk of an accident ..." — .gov.au [www].

20 January 2025: Donald Trump "sworn in as the 47th president of the US ..." — [abc].

20 January 2025, .au: "Severe Tropical Cyclone Sean category 3, impacting the western Pilbara coast [WA] during Monday. ..." – [bom].  (21 Jan.: "... 570km west southwest of Ningaloo and 500km west of Carnarvon and moving south southwest at 18km/h ...") Check WA [www] roads.

19 January 2025: AoMC Festival of Motoring, Cruden Farm, Vic.. .au [www].

19 January 2025: A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began in Gaza. This is "what's left of Gaza" now — [abc][17/1] & [bbc].

17 January 2025 (Fri.): Finish of Dakar 2025, Saudi Arabia, Bisha to Shubaytah [www]. (Started 3 Jan.) Bikes 1. Daniel Sanders (RB KTM); Car 1. Yazeed Al Rajhi & Timo Gottschalk (Overdrive Racing); Trucks 1. Martin Macek, Frantisek Tomasek & David Svanda (Mm Tech.).

16 January 2025: "Storms hit Sydney and regional NSW, SES receives more than 2,000 calls for help ..." — [abc].

18 Jan.: "Wave of storms pounding NSW declared natural disaster ..." — [18/1]. Check NSW [www] roads.

15 January 2025, .uk: "National Pothole Day 2025 ... [the AA] attended 643,318 pothole related incidents in 2024, compared to 647,690 in 2023 ..." — The AA [www].

13 January 2025: "Queensland hit with heavy rains, with BOM predicting more wild weather on the way ..." — [abc]. Check Qld [www] roads.

10-20 January 2025: Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS) [www] (8th media, 9th industry, 10th charity, 11-20 public).

10 January 2025: "Light Mobility Vehicle - Request for Information, Ministry of Defence ... tender_479205/1440960 ... The Ministry of Defence [MOD] has a requirement for the production, supply, in-service support and training for a Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) as part of the Land Mobility Programme (LMP). LMV will explore multiple options including delivery of a wheeled utility platform to modernise capability in roles currently filled by Land Rover and Pinzgauer with a Common Based Platform delivering warfighting roles across the Joint Force. ..." — MOD [www] #army #military #uk

10 January 2025: "WMO confirms 2024 as warmest year on record at about 1.55°C above pre-industrial level ... The past ten years 2015-2024 are the ten warmest years on record ..." — WMO [www].

10 January 2025, .usa: The Los Angeles wildfires continued to burn, e.g., [abc], [11/1], [16/1], [bbc].

9-12 January 2025, .uk: Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham (9-10 trade only) [www].

8 January 2025, .au: "Hiker Hadi Nazari found alive after 13-day search in NSW Snowy Mountains ..." — [abc].

8 January 2025, .au: "... Halls Gap reopens after Grampians fire ..." — [abc].

8 January 2025, .usa: As wildfires burned, "... Red Flag Warnings remain in effect through Friday evening for much of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties due to gusty offshore winds and low humidities ..." — weather.gov [www]. Such severe fires in January (winter)  are  were unknown. Also see the [bbc].

8 January 2025: "Landmark investment [£300,000,000] crowns record year for bespoke ..." — Rolls Royce [www].

7-19 January 2025: Mecum Auctions Kissimmee Auction, Florida [www] including lot B152 a 2016 Land Rover Defender, 1,470km, chassis #SALLDVBR8GA478898 (sold us$99,000); lot S237 a 1969 Porsche 917K, chassis #917-022, Steve McQueen's Hero Car from the movie 'Le Mans' (1971) (passed in); lot S258 the 'Shaguar' 1967 Jaguar E-Type Series I Roadster, chassis #4E8526 from the Austin Powers (1997+, Mike Myers) movies (sold us$880,000).

7-10 January 2025: Consumer Electronics Show (CES) (& media 5th & 6th) Las Vegas [www].

4 January 2025: "First heatwave of 2025 engulfs Australia's south-east while monsoon and cyclones mysteriously missing in action ..." — [abc]. Check the [bom], and Vic. [www] & WA [www] fire.

3-17 January 2025 (Fri.-Fri.): Dakar 2025, Saudi Arabia, Bisha to Shubaytah [www]. There is no 'Quad' class this year. And, "Watch the 2025 Dakar Rally exclusive and free on SBS On Demand from January 4 to 18. ..." — SBS TV .au [www].

3 January 2025: "Stellantis Italy output falls 37% in 2024 ..." — Reuters [www].

3 January 2025: "Hume Highway partially reopened after [four]-truck crash near Gundagai ..." — [abc]. Check NSW [www] roads.

2-5 January 2025 (Thu-Sun): Summernats Canberra, ACT [www].

2 January 2025, recall #REC-006234: "Hyundai Genesis G80, GV60 & GV70 2021-2024 ... Due to a software issue, the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) may develop an internal fault causing the 12-Volt battery to stop charging. This could result in a loss of motive power whilst driving." — .gov.au [www].

2 January 2025, .au: 2024 was "... Australia's second-warmest year since national records began in 1910, with the national mean temperature 1.46°C warmer than the 1961-1990 average ... Nationally-averaged rainfall was 28% above the 1961-1990 average at 594.0mm ..." — [www] at [bom]. (6 Feb.: final version released.) Also see 10 Jan. above.
(BTW: "Abrupt reduction in shipping emission as an inadvertent geoengineering termination shock produces substantial radiative warming ..." — Tianle Yuan et al, Comm. Earth and Env., 5, #281, May 2024 [www].)

1 January 2025, .au: "Fast-moving bushfire engulfs property near Acacia Prison east of Perth ..." — [abc]. Check WA [www] fire. "More rescues overnight as record rain and flash flooding hit parts of Queensland ..." — [31/12]. Check Qld [www] roads.

January 2025, .au: National road deaths in 2024: "During the 12 months ended December 2024, there were 1,300 road deaths. This is an increase of 3.3% from the 12-month period ending December 2023." — bitre.gov.au [www].

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