ZUNGU’S APOLOGY GETS HIM ANOTHER CHANCE
Expert advice to drivers preparing to get back on the road when restrictions ease
BONGANI ZUNGU has been handed an international lifeline after apologising to South Africa boss Molefi Ntseki for last month’s Covid controversy. The Rangers midfielder has been named in the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations double-header against Ghana and Sudan at the end of this month after a heart-to-heart with the Bafana Bafana gaffer. Zungu, left, said sorry to his national side on top of his apologies to Rangers boss Steven Gerrard and fans after he was among a group of players who broke Covid rules last month.
Ntseki said: “The club had a disciplinary hearing and decided to address his behaviour in the way they have and he was in the team in the Europa League.
“I spoke to Bongani after the hearing and he explained what happened. He apologised to me. Hopefully he has learned.”
MOTORISTS are being offered tips to relieve driving anxieties and save on repair bills once they take to the roads again when lockdown restrictions ease.
Automotive sector website MotorEasy has uncovered the most common car problems searched on Google – and is now giving advice on how to fix issues.
Key findings showed that flat batteries have been the biggest vehicle headache, with a massive 41,300 average monthly searches.
In fact, the search term “charge car battery” increased by 37 per cent during the most severe pandemic restrictions.
UK drivers have also become more germ-conscious, with a 25 per cent rise in searches for “how to clean car” than in normal months.
Other concerns raised on the internet included car warning lights, flat tyres and squeaking brakes.
To prevent a flat battery, MotorEasy experts advise taking your car for a 30-minute drive (or longer if you can) every two weeks.
Alternatively, you can invest in a battery trickle charger to maintain its condition until you’re heading back out on the roads.
To ensure tyres keep their shape and don’t get a “flat spot”, you can roll your car backwards and forward to reduce the amount of pressure on the same area.
If you’re parking on level ground, consider taking the handbrake off in order to prevent the brakes from seizing. You can always place wheel chocks behind the tyres if you are worried about the car rolling.
Your lights are crucial for safety, so check your high beams, indicators and dipped lights in case any need to be replaced before you take your first drive.
Also, oil, windscreen washer and brake fluids should all be checked before your first journey out and topped up if necessary.
And you should stick to your regular maintenance schedule, such as getting the MOT done and having essential repairs carried out.
If your car has been parked up on the drive or street for a lengthy spell, it may have fallen victim to both birds and debris following the harsh winter weather.
Give your car a thorough clean so there’s nothing obstructing your view. It’s also worth putting a bottle of hand sanitizer inside the cabin for when you are able to resume non-essential journeys.
If you’re heading out for your first drive in a while, stick to the routes you know and try going at a quieter time of the day to ease yourself back into motoring.
The MotorEasy advice – find out more at www.motoreasy.com/ magazine/417/Looking-After-Your-Carin-Lockdown – comes as Leasing Options highlights that carrying out simple maintenance can save you more than £1000 in the long run.
The vehicle provider says regular cleaning and waxing can save you £350-plus in paint repairs, while the cost of a trickle charger for your battery would be about £40.
It’s also worth regularly checking to see if pests are taking shelter under your stationary car’s bonnet, as chewed wires and belts could set you back £220 on average.
Looking after your tyres – checking pressures and tackling flat spotting – can prevent you shelling out £180 or more for a new set.
Keeping your brakes rust-free by taking the car for a spin or ensuring they are as clean as possible could save you about £200, while stopping the handbrake from seizing could prevent a £30-plus bill.
And, finally, ensuring the fuel tank is full prevents a build-up of condensation that can corrode the fuel system and engine – resulting in a £100 average repair cost.
Go to www.leasingoptions.co.uk/ news/blog/at-home-carmaintenance/8395 to discover more.
SCOTS motorsport aficionados are in for a treat with a new book about the incredible Jack Fisher.
Special: Jack Fisher tells his story in detail for the first time – with major input by those who knew him and have competed in his brilliant race cars.
Between 1948 and 1975, the Edinburgh-based garage proprietor built 22 cars to compete in circuit racing and hillclimbing.
Many of these cars are still being used today and are held in very high regard for their design and capabilities.
The book includes a biography of Jack and his business career, which included being Scotland’s first TVR retailer and creating the largest Alfa Romeo dealership in Scotland.
Written by Peter Speakman and Kenny Baird, who have both owned and raced Fisher Specials, there are further chapters on his life as a racing driver and constructor.
It also contains 160 photographs – many of them published for the first time – showcasing Scotland’s most eminent and prolific specials builder of the post-war golden-age of motor racing.
Alongside the images, there is a full explanation and description of the 22 cars Jack built to his own design. Seven Fisher cars are still known to exist and these are also covered, with restoration history and up-to-date photographs.
Special: Jack Fisher can be ordered online at www.licklevalleycreations. com and is priced £20.