Wheels Australia - June 2018

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LETTER OF THE MONTH

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CRASH COURSE

Historically, we Aussies have

a thirst for the take-up of a

higher level of ‘techware’ than

most countries, so one can

understand the enthusiasm

for, and fascination with, the

apps and gear we’ve found in

our new cars. However, where

is the crash-avoidance/warning

and auto-braking tech leading

us? Ditto autonomous driving

technology?

If this technology is justified

and worth it – and it has been

available overseas for far longer

than we have enjoyed it – there

must be concrete evidence

and statistics to support

implementations, which all come

at a higher cost, progressively

stepping up prices with each

addition. A cynic might ask

why road deaths here and

overseas have not fallen, and

if we are being goaded and

lulled into sensing that these

tech ‘improvements’ are in the

interests of our wellbeing, or

simply boosting carmakers’

margins?

Chris Miller, Wentworth Point, NSW

Chris, we think the answer lies

in the fact today’s safety tech-

equipped cars are no more costly

than the comparatively spartan

cars of even a decade ago – Ed

CLEAN IT UP

So Stephen Corby would never

buy a diesel-engined car, ever!

That’s a bit rich coming from an

Australian motoring journo. Yes,

in Europe diesels may cause a

smidgeon more pollution than

petrol. But in a country where

91 RON petrol is the fuel of

choice (coming from the UK,

I couldn’t believe it was still

available!) of drivers who keep

the engine running while parked

in summer to keep the air-con

Is th s sa

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JOSS STICK

Great exposure on the new

Brabham BT62. (Wheels May

2018). It does Australia proud to

promote the Brabham heritage

and our ability to produce a

world class machine.

While the current owners

of this project have done a

brilliant job in developing and

launching the car (especially

the masterstroke of making it a

‘Brabham’), there doesn’t seem

to have been any credit given to

the original concept.

Unless I’m very much

mistaken, I’m guessing the

BT62 is an extension of the Joss

Supercar that was launched

to great acclaim at the 2004

Melbourne Motor Show. The Joss

was developed up to a couple of

years ago, but without the right

funding or bureaucratic support,

the operation was eventually

sold to an Adelaide consortiu

Joss creator, Matt Thomas pu

his whole life into the project

including his family, his mone

and his soul, before he had to

succumb to a takeover offer.

As one of the partners

of Elfin Sports Cars (along

with Nick Kovatch), I know

perfectly just how difficult

and heartbreaking Matt’s Jos

journey must have been. Eve

with massive support from

Holden and a few investors,

we had to sadly relinquish th

Elfin brand to Walkinshaw

Performance in 2006.

If, indeed, the Brabham is

a developed Joss, it would be

only fair to show Matt Thoma

the respect he deserves for a

part he may have played in t

beautiful car’s creation.

Bill Hemming, The Elfin Herit

Centre, Moorabbin,

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