Jackie Chan kicks back

Ralliart, the sports division of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, has built a signature model of the Lancer Evolution IX for all-action film star Jackie Chan. Chan took it for a spin around the old Kallang airport runway. Ralliart will make 50 examples of the Jackie Chan Special Edition Evo IX for the world market, each costing around $110,000. In Hong Kong, Chan gets around in an Evo VI.

PORSCHE LEADS

Porsche will dominate the field in next month's Dunlop Targa road race. So far 27 Porsches have entered the five-day event, which goes through Papakura, Pukekohe, New Plymouth, Palmerston North and Hastings and comprises 770km of closed stages and 1500km of touring. Last year's overall winner Jim Richards (Porsche GT3) will be back to defend his title with co-driver Barry Oliver.

USING THE SENSES

A beeping sound reminds many drivers to buckle their seatbelt. But in a few years auditory signals will be combined with physical reminders. Ignore the beeper and your seat may start vibrating. It may also vibrate if sensors detect you are driving too close to the car in front. Another safe-driving tactic being researched is the use of smell: lavender apparently helps calm drivers, and peppermint increases concentration.

RAPPER SUES

Rapper Snoop Dogg - real name Calvin Broadus - is suing a US car dealer for US$2 million ($2.82 million), alleging the dealer misappropriated his image and speech pattern in its advertisements. Broadus claims one advertisement is similar to his line in a recent Chrysler TV commercial: "If the ride is more fly, then you must buy."

FATAL TIREDNESS

Research by the British Government has found that falling asleep at the wheel accounts for up to 20 per cent of crashes on motorways, and as many as one in 10 of all crashes on other roads. Six per cent of all fatal motorway accidents are caused by the sudden failure of under-inflated tyres.

WE ARE THE WORLD

Police in West Hartford, Connecticut, arrested Matthew Flynn, 46, for allegedly threatening to castrate an icecream truck driver with a pair of hedge-clippers. Flynn claimed the driver constantly blared his jingle despite Flynn telling him that no kids lived on the street.