THURSDAY 8TH MARCH 2012, 7.30 PM.
GREYSTONE CENTRE, NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE,
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
ALASTAIR FISHER, WRC RALLY DRIVER
ALASTAIR FISHER, WRC RALLY DRIVER TO VISIT LIMAVADY CUSTOM CRUISERS
THURSDAY 8TH MARCH 2012, 7.30 PM.
GREYSTONE CENTRE, NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE,
THURSDAY 8TH MARCH 2012, 7.30 PM.
GREYSTONE CENTRE, NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE,
X the TEXT, PSNI COLLISON INVESTIGATION
X the TEXT, PSNI COLLISON INVESTIGATION UNIT AND DAMIEN COLL CHIEF FORENSNIC SCIENTIST VISITS
LIMAVADY CUSTOM CRUISERS
The PSNI Collision Investigation Unit and the Chief Forensic Scientist gave
an enthralling presentation at a meeting of Limavady Custom Cruisers on how
they determine the cause of a fatal road traffic collision. Representatives
from Allstate NI demonstrated the 'X the txt' campaign and those in
attendance had the opportunity to realise how dangerous it is to text whilst
driving.
Sergeant Amanda Kenny of the PSNI and Damien Coll, the top forensic
scientist in Northern Ireland, outlined how the Collision Investigation Unit
goes about determining the cause of a traffic collision via undertaking a
detailing reconstruction of the events leading up to and involving the
traffic collision.
an enthralling presentation at a meeting of Limavady Custom Cruisers on how
they determine the cause of a fatal road traffic collision. Representatives
from Allstate NI demonstrated the 'X the txt' campaign and those in
attendance had the opportunity to realise how dangerous it is to text whilst
driving.
Sergeant Amanda Kenny of the PSNI and Damien Coll, the top forensic
scientist in Northern Ireland, outlined how the Collision Investigation Unit
goes about determining the cause of a traffic collision via undertaking a
detailing reconstruction of the events leading up to and involving the
traffic collision.
- Such items which are examined to ascertain the cause of a collision are;
Tell tale signs on the road surface such as skid/braking marks to
indicate the speed the vehicle was travelling in order to determine if that
had a contributing factor - The position of the occupants in the vehicle and whether or not they
had been wearing seat belts prior to the collision - The weather conditions and road surface condition at the scene
In the event of a fatality, the driver's mobile phone is seized and using
bespoke PSNI software examined to find out if the driver had been on the
phone or sending/in the process of writing a text message at the time of the
crash. Also mandatory blood tests would be taken to rule out the presence
of drink or drugs in the drivers' system.
bespoke PSNI software examined to find out if the driver had been on the
phone or sending/in the process of writing a text message at the time of the
crash. Also mandatory blood tests would be taken to rule out the presence
of drink or drugs in the drivers' system.
Damien Coll presented a case study of a road traffic collision which took
place on New Years Eve several years ago. The incident involved a car with
four occupants which failed to negotiate a bend, striking a tree. The front
seat passenger, was killed instantly, whilst the two other rear seat
passengers suffered horrific life changing injuries. The driver was
relatively unhurt.
place on New Years Eve several years ago. The incident involved a car with
four occupants which failed to negotiate a bend, striking a tree. The front
seat passenger, was killed instantly, whilst the two other rear seat
passengers suffered horrific life changing injuries. The driver was
relatively unhurt.
Mr Coll explained the step by step reconstruction and how they determined
that the cause of the collision was a combination of the car having a
defective valve fitted to the rear driver side wheel, reducing the tyre
pressure and the driver having an above a legal limit of alcohol reading. The PPS prosecuted the driver for driving with excess alcohol.
that the cause of the collision was a combination of the car having a
defective valve fitted to the rear driver side wheel, reducing the tyre
pressure and the driver having an above a legal limit of alcohol reading. The PPS prosecuted the driver for driving with excess alcohol.
Meanwhile, Stephen Lomas and Christina McGrath from Allstate NI, as part of
the 'Thumbs up to X the txt' campaign undertook an experiment with
participants into the effects of texting whilst driving on a driver's
ability to safely control a vehicle. The test involved using a Nintendo Wii
and the game Mario Kart.
the 'Thumbs up to X the txt' campaign undertook an experiment with
participants into the effects of texting whilst driving on a driver's
ability to safely control a vehicle. The test involved using a Nintendo Wii
and the game Mario Kart.
Participants had to enter a predefined text message as accurately as
possible whilst completing a lap of the track in the game. It quickly
became apparent to the young participants that it wasn't as easy as they had
thought with many crashing repeatedly during the lap.
At the end of the night Inspector Stephen Haslett in thanking the speakers
highlighted the dangers of distraction driving, in particular texting while
driving and said "everyone had the opportunity to use technology to
demonstrate the effect of texting on their driving skills through the X the
Text campaign. The Police Collision Investigation Unit coupled with the
work of Chief Forensic Scientist Damien Coll demonstrated only too vividly
the dangers associated with not paying full attention to the road and how
their skills can determine the causation factors in a road traffic collision
and anyone charged with causing death by dangerous driving can receive a
custodial sentence".
possible whilst completing a lap of the track in the game. It quickly
became apparent to the young participants that it wasn't as easy as they had
thought with many crashing repeatedly during the lap.
At the end of the night Inspector Stephen Haslett in thanking the speakers
highlighted the dangers of distraction driving, in particular texting while
driving and said "everyone had the opportunity to use technology to
demonstrate the effect of texting on their driving skills through the X the
Text campaign. The Police Collision Investigation Unit coupled with the
work of Chief Forensic Scientist Damien Coll demonstrated only too vividly
the dangers associated with not paying full attention to the road and how
their skills can determine the causation factors in a road traffic collision
and anyone charged with causing death by dangerous driving can receive a
custodial sentence".
NW 200
Everyone sat is rapt attention as local man Mervyn Whyte and organisers
spoke of the fascinating history of the North West, significant milestones,
the associated logistics, the 800 required volunteers, the 300 page safety
manual and costs.
Mervyn regaled us all with stories from the NW200’s history, while Gerard
McAuley spoke about the safety aspect of running the event and the
challenges of his first year as Operations Director. Cathal Cunning
emphasised the thrill of getting involved in an international event as a
volunteer, some of the many tasks and skills required coupled with the
opportunities to get up close and personal to the racing teams while John
Creighton spoke of the communications logistics.
William Semple, Club Chair concluded the evening by thanking the team for
taking the time to come and talk to the club and said “the NW200 brings joy
and excitement to many and as evidenced tonight it would not be possible
without the hard work, dedication and commitment of many people, many of
who are volunteers.”
spoke of the fascinating history of the North West, significant milestones,
the associated logistics, the 800 required volunteers, the 300 page safety
manual and costs.
Mervyn regaled us all with stories from the NW200’s history, while Gerard
McAuley spoke about the safety aspect of running the event and the
challenges of his first year as Operations Director. Cathal Cunning
emphasised the thrill of getting involved in an international event as a
volunteer, some of the many tasks and skills required coupled with the
opportunities to get up close and personal to the racing teams while John
Creighton spoke of the communications logistics.
William Semple, Club Chair concluded the evening by thanking the team for
taking the time to come and talk to the club and said “the NW200 brings joy
and excitement to many and as evidenced tonight it would not be possible
without the hard work, dedication and commitment of many people, many of
who are volunteers.”
Working on skyline
Thursday 24th November by Paul Corscadden
Well it was the first night at working at the skyline. The first thing on
our list to do was to strip out the interior. We started by taking out the
simple stuff like the seats etc, and then moved on the more complex
components. These proved a little tricky at times. Our goal was to remove
everything without breaking it to allow bits of the interior to be sold to
raise some money. We also had to clear out the garage at the back of the
tech to allow us to store the bit safely. This proved easier said than
done as it was already full of stuff, also there was no light so some of
the guys decided they would make a light for it. This consisted of
searching the tech for suitable bulbs to ‘borrow’ and then wiring them into
a simple circuit. After that we began to tidy out the garage and pack our
stuff which had been labelled and packed in boxes safely out of harm’s way.
Well it was the first night at working at the skyline. The first thing on
our list to do was to strip out the interior. We started by taking out the
simple stuff like the seats etc, and then moved on the more complex
components. These proved a little tricky at times. Our goal was to remove
everything without breaking it to allow bits of the interior to be sold to
raise some money. We also had to clear out the garage at the back of the
tech to allow us to store the bit safely. This proved easier said than
done as it was already full of stuff, also there was no light so some of
the guys decided they would make a light for it. This consisted of
searching the tech for suitable bulbs to ‘borrow’ and then wiring them into
a simple circuit. After that we began to tidy out the garage and pack our
stuff which had been labelled and packed in boxes safely out of harm’s way.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Skyline Strip Down
Blog for week of November 23, 2011 by MickySham
After lasts weeks trip to Ai Autosports the Limavady Custom Cruisers where all set and raring to go and get started on the new latest project and so tonight the long journey began! Tonight the stripping down of the car started and so first out, the seats! Followed by everything and anything else. But then we hit a bit of a problem, where was the interior going to go? And so then the clearing of the store started, working with little light we finally got there, meaning that the interior will be kept safe and dry. Of course along the way everybody having a laugh and keeping a team spirit going, and to help us along Linda put on the Christmas music of Michael Buble… lovely…. At the same time as all the cleaning out was going on there was many other things, including Mark who was in seeing how his car was on the test machine.
So now the latest project is defiantly under way and will be making progress every week, but maybe not with Micky Buble playing….
So now the latest project is defiantly under way and will be making progress every week, but maybe not with Micky Buble playing….
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
PRESS RELEASE. Date: 22 November 2011
LIMAVADY CUSTOM CRUISERS AVAIL OF SPECIALISED DIAGNOSTIC ASSISTANCE
Limavady Custom Cruisers were recently hosted by AI Autosport at their specialist workshops in Randalstown.
Members had the opportunity to learn more about the new project cars, the Nissan Skyline R33 and the Ford ST220 as owner Jonny Armstrong demonstrated the use of their four wheel drive Dastek Rolling Road and its diagnostic facilities.
In preparation the cars had the petrol drained, new hi-octane fuel inserted and engines left to run warm. The diagnostic outcomes were worth waiting for, with the Nissan Skyline running an impressive 231 bhp @6510 rpm and the Ford ST220 running at 224 bph @ 6546 rpm. Over supper, Ai Autosport staff talked with members on how the information obtained could be used to improve the cars performance.
William Semple, Chair, thanked Jonny Armstong, and AI Autosport staff for hosting the club and giving up their time, expertise and equipment. He said: “Sincere thanks is expressed to Ai Autoparts for sourcing parts urgently from London to enable the club’s visit and we look forward to availing of Ai's invitation to return after the car modification project is complete to use the Rolling Road again.”
William Semple, Chair, thanked Jonny Armstong, and AI Autosport staff for hosting the club and giving up their time, expertise and equipment. He said: “Sincere thanks is expressed to Ai Autoparts for sourcing parts urgently from London to enable the club’s visit and we look forward to availing of Ai's invitation to return after the car modification project is complete to use the Rolling Road again.”
Linda McKee, DPP Manager continued, "As we enter road safety week and focus on 'Too Young To Die' the club continues to play its part by practically demonstrating how to modify a car safely. We will endeavor to improve peoples’ attitudes to road use and ultimately improve driving skills. Further information can be obtained from the club’s website: facebook.com/limavadycustomcruisers.”
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
New Project launched
Crowds flocked to the Greystone Centre at North West Regional College last Thursday evening to support Limavady Custom Cruisers as it commenced its latest project - safely modifying a Skyline.
William Semple, Club Chair said “there was a real buzz about the workshops and car park where exhibitors were showcasing vehicles from various motorsport disciplines and cars were entered into a Show and Shine competition. A key attraction was the locally based SATS Cosworth Supra, driven by Mark Luney, European Drift Champion Holder and 2011 British Drift Championship runner-up. We are indebted to people and businesses associated with motor vehicles and motor sport who have given freely of their time and knowledge over the years and we look forward to continued partnership with them.
Rosemary Savage, Club Treasurer and DPP member said “we were all very encouraged at the support shown by the local community. This particular project is in its infancy, club members will be involved in making the decisions, learning how to project manage and along the way gain more knowledge in particular about road safety.
She continued “Greg Hyndman and Jonny Mullan, two club members, told the assembled crowd how they had benefitted from club membership, participated in the first project build and the excitement of being involved in the development and raffling of the car, club activities, meeting new people and learning at first hand the horrific consequences of having a crash and the impact it has on those concerned and their families. Jonny informed everyone present that he had completed his Advanced Driving Test which had improved his driving abilities and they encouraged other young drivers to join the club.”
Inspector Stephen Haslett continued “unique across Northern Ireland, no young person was involved in a fatal or serious road traffic collision in the Borough last year. The club will continue to work hard to maintain what has been achieved and everyone is welcome to become involved. Similar to the last project, we will modify a car legally and safely and through an innovative education programme work to change attitudes to use of the road and improve driving skills."
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