The howls of protest are getting louder

As I write this column to meet its Monday evening deadline, I can’t help watching through the corner of my eye the news on television that was showing "man on the street" interviews centering on protests and pleadings against the hike of toll fees at the North Luzon Expressway.

First there were those bus operators who were saying that the increased toll fees negated the "breather" brought about by the fare increase that the government allowed them due to the rise in fuel costs. But what was alarming was the pronouncement of those involved in transporting fresh vegetables from the north that their prices would inevitably increase several folds due to the toll fee increase.

What many cannot seem to fathom is the government’s "hands-off" stance on the issue despite the stark fact that the toll fee hike would definitely cause a domino effect on prices of all goods and services that use the North Luzon Expressway. As it is, the present state of our economy brings about the rising cost of commodities. Now, that would require bigger and long drawn solutions. But the toll fees can be stopped or at the very least suspended until the time that the public can afford it, or better still, until the time that the total rehabilitation of the NLE is completed.

Our motorists need a toll fee hike at the North Luzon Expressway like a hole in the head. And indeed the toll fees increase is like putting a hole in every motorist’s head.

News Embargo Notwithstanding

Honda Cars Philippines is at it again! They let the motoring media go through a test drive of a new car offering but with bended knees they would rather not see us write about it or show it on our TV shows.

But with the kind of car that they would rather put under wraps until they officially launch it next Tuesday, I can’t seem to seal my lips. But then I gave my word that I would not mention it — by name that is!

I’m a man who stands by my word so I shall not mention to you the name of the new model that Honda is soon releasing to the local market and would be in all their showrooms all over the country by next week but just probably give you an idea of what it is.

To begin with, I had the chance to drive this remarkable new Honda offering during our trip to last year’s Tokyo Motor Show. It was no less than the deputy head for marketing of Honda Cars Philippines, Arnel Doria, who confirmed to me, as soon as I stepped down from this sporty-looking hatchback after several exciting spins in their test drive grounds, that they would definitely bring it to the country.

This would indeed be a very timely launch considering what no less than the secretary of the Dept. of Trade and Industry, Cesar Purisima said a few weeks ago that he looks at small compact cars and their affordability as possible automotive industry boosters that would even perk up our economy.

Prudence tells me that I should not go any further lest my friends in the industry would cease trusting me with news embargos or blackouts. But let me just say here that judging by that sheepish smile on the lips of Arnel-san while toasting Manila Times motoring editor Vernon Sarne with high-grade brandy at Café Lupe by the Tagaytay Ridge, which stayed on up to the next morning while registering low scores playing against Today motoring editor and SPMJ founding member Popong Andolong and Auto Review producer/host and another SPMJ founder Ron delos Reyes together with Bulletin’s Aris Ilagan, Gadgets publisher BJ Bajar and myself at the Splendido, it’s a sign of confidence that Honda Cars Philippines has a winner that’s just about ready to leap out of the bag.

But how much will it be priced, Arnel? Jazz asking! Oops, sorry, wrong spelling.

Pit Lane Notes

I’m sure a lot of Formula One fans are getting pretty frustrated over how boring and predictable the races are getting. When people don’t get to watch a race for some reason, no one ever asks, "Who won?" instead, I get text messages that say "O, sino nag-second?" It’s already a foregone conclusion that Michael, barring any freak accidents, will be the runaway winner. The French Grand Prix was no exception.

Ho-hum, Schumi came in first, so what else is new? Despite having to suddenly change his tactic from a 3-stop strategy to a 4-stop one, he still managed to pull the rabbit out of the hat. Fernando Alonso, who claimed pole position the night before, came in second. Schumi’s teammate Rubens Barrichello finished about 20 seconds after the Renault driver. Jarno Trulli, also of Renault, came in 4th. BAR-Honda’s Jenson Button finished 5th, while McLaren’s David Coulthard and Kimi Raikkonen came in 6th and 7th respectively. Juan Pablo Montoya, who almost wasn’t allowed to race due to a mix-up as to which car he was supposed to drive, was thankful he ended up in 8th place.

With still 9 races remaining in the season, it’s practically mathematically impossible for anyone to catch up with Schumi now. Nothing against him or Ferrari, but wouldn’t it be exciting if another driver from another team would suddenly surge into contention? Wouldn’t that spice up the extremely bland season we’re having this year? Although it’s already highly unlikely that anyone could challenge Schumi, let’s explore the possibilities. Fernando Alonso? Could be. The young driver has been having quite a season! Although he met that unfortunate accident in the US GP — which, fortunately, left him unscathed — the rest of his year has been nothing short of incredible so far. Renault teammate Jarno Trulli isn’t doing too bad himself — in fact, he’s currently ahead of Fernando by two points in the standings. Another candidate would have to be, of course, who else but the Wonder Boy of the 2004 season, Jenson Button. He has been a major revelation this year, suddenly claiming podium after podium after podium. He is definitely the future of Formula 1, but when will he reign supreme?

Motoring Tip Of The Week

In one of the rare occasions that I found myself a passenger, as I have always preferred to drive myself, the lady I was with who was on the wheel asked me how I found her driving.

I knew she was fishing for some good observations from someone who has a huge hunk of his life dedicated to motoring and I must admit that she was driving quite well except for the fact that she had her left foot resting on the clutch all throughout the time she was driving and loves to press on the clutch way ahead of pressing on her brakes.

She indeed struck me first as a very safe driver — cautiously keeping her distance and consistently reducing her speed before the need to stop and keeps to her lane — but unfortunately she didn’t quite understand fully how the machine she was operating really works. A disadvantage because she was doing damage to her car she truly loves and takes care of and was not really driving that safe without even realizing it.

You see "clutch driving" shortens the life of your clutch lining. This is a fact even if you say that you put hardly any weight on the clutch pedal. Now pressing on your clutch pedal way ahead of breaking can actually be a little unsafe. You see as soon as you press the clutch pedal your vehicle goes freewheeling as this disengages your transmission, just like going to neutral. By doing this you forego of the advantage of "engine breaking" as a way to reduce your speed and which actually also reduces your traction to a certain extent — not a very safe way to drive, if you ask me.

So, save on your clutch lining and be a lot safer on the road — quit the habit of riding on your clutch, but if you just can’t, just switch then to a vehicle with an automatic transmission. But make sure you don’t rest your left foot on the brake pedal — that’s a bigger no, no.

Happy Motoring!!!

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