Over The Counter: CAA-Quebec Calls For Emissions Testing Program

CAA-Quebec Calls For Emissions Testing Program

CAA-Quebec is recommending that the government implement mandatory inspections for motor vehicles more than eight years old, because this would result in significantly fewer emissions being produced by Quebec’s automobiles.

As such, it supports the proposal presented to the government by Round Table on the Environment and Road Vehicles, to bring in legislation making such inspections mandatory.

CAA-Quebec believes that mandatory inspections would afford the government an opportunity to make a tangible gesture in favour of the environment. It is important to note that a vehicle more than eight years old that has been properly maintained can release as little as half the amount of atmospheric pollutants (toxic gases and greenhouse gases) as a vehicle of the same age that has not.

“This is borne out by a number of studies,” says Sophie Gagnon, CAA-Quebec’s senior director, public and government relations.

“Repairing an antipollution system, for example, contributes greatly to emissions reduction, all the while improving vehicle performance and fuel economy.”

CAA-Quebec, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1904, provides automotive, travel, residential, and financial services, benefits, and privileges to its 925,000 members.

World Automotive Kicks off Shad’s Fundraising

World Automotive Warehouse once again kicked off the Shad’s R&R charity fundraiser, benefiting Muscular Dystrophy Canada, with its annual contribution.

The Toronto-based warehouse has made a donation every year in lieu of buying holiday gifts for customers and employees.

This year, the contribution was even larger than usual– though the amount is a closely guarded secret–as a result of a raffle ticket draw held for employees last fall.

Information Breakthrough for NASTF

The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) has announced that the Secure Data Release Model (SDRM), which allows properly vetted American technicians and security professionals to access key codes, immobilizer PINs, and other securityrelated information, has been released to the industry.

“The NASTF Vehicle Security Committee has been working on the SDRM model for over three years, and we are pleased to have achieved this historic agreement. Until now, there has never been general access to the security-related information available directly from the vehicle manufacturers,” said NASTF chairman Charlie Gorman in a statement.

Details about the SDRM are now available on the NASTF website at www.nastf.org. This information covers the registration process and the requirements necessary for a U. S.- based repairer or other security professional to access this security-related information.

“The NASTF Board of Directors is extremely proud of the Vehicle Security Committee members whose hard work and dedication helped develop the answer to one of the most difficult and important questions regarding information access,” said Gorman.

NASTF was established in 2000 to identify, communicate, and resolve gaps in the availability and accessibility of automotive service information, service training, diagnostic tools, and equipment for the benefit of American automotive service professionals and their customers.

Castrol Continues Kennington Sponsorship

Castrol has announced that it will sponsor DJ Kennington again this year.

That makes the relationship between Castrol and the Number 17 car Canada’s longest continuous motorsport sponsorship, as the driver and company began their affiliation in 1994. This year, Kennington will reach for the points championship in the NASCAR/ Canadian Tire Series, after finishing a solid second in 2007 with two wins and eight Top Five finishes. Marsha McLaughlin, communications manager for Wakefield Canada Inc., the company that distributes Castrol lubricants in Canada, is optimistic that DJ will win this year’s season but says that the sponsorship is one the company can be proud of no matter how the team finishes. “DJ is always in the race and we can count on the 17 Castrol Dodge to be competitive every outing. That’s the way it has been for 15 years.”

NGK Takes 20 to NASCAR Race

NGK Spark Plugs Canada Limited has announced its “Race Away with NGK” winners.

Picked from more than 16,000 ballots, the winners of the grand prize received an all-expense-paid trip to the Texas Motor Speedway for the 2007 Dickies 500.

While in Dallas they stayed in a Triple-A four-diamond hotel, the Omni Mandalay, and attended three races in NGK’s luxury suite.

They were hosted during the weekend by Andy Fazakas, NGK district manager, Ontario; Denis Amiot, NGK district manager, Quebec; and Bob Matthews, NGK marketing manager for Canada.

Affinia sent one lucky Canadian technician to the NASCAR Daytona 500, and rewarded others with prizes in its Raybestos One-Two-Three Foose Promotion.

While Alain Langlois of A Performance in l’le Perrot, Que., watched the NASCAR season kickoff event live, Genevieve Paquin of A. C. M. Vezina Inc., Ste-Julie, Que., could sit back and watch it at home on her $5,000 home entertainment prize package. And Charles Taylor of Taylormotive Service Ltd., North Vancouver, B. C., got to decide what to do with a $5,000 cash prize.

The grand prize in the promotion, a Chip Foosedesigned “Stallion” Mustang, went to Randall Hauck, Hauck Car Care Inc., Tulsa, Okla.

Technicians received entry ballots by purchasing Raybestos brand brake pads, hydraulic parts, and rotors. The promotion ran Aug. 1 through Oct. 31, 2007.