Sometimes it is best to simply present an article or a press release in its entirety. Exactly as sent and/or received. No edits of any kind. Sometimes we do this because we can’t tell the story any better. Sometimes the craftsmanship of the written effort is just too good to not share. Sometimes, well, the story just tells itself.
To kick off the “This-is-Gonna-Be-A-Great-Year” of 2012, here is our first all-verbatim issue:
From the RMA: Phillip the Tire Announces Run for Presidency (Released Jan. 4, 2012)
Phillip the Tire, the official mascot of the Rubber Manufacturers Association and one of the nation’s top tire maintenance advocates, announced today that he will seek the presidency in 2012.
Phillip says that his core message and campaign slogan will be “America Needs Inflation.” He added that inflation promotes a safer America; helps reduce dependency on fossil fuels and; helps Americans save money.
“I will fight to the finish to boost inflation for all Americans,” boasted Phillip. “No one knows the benefits of inflation better than me.”
The rotund rubber man said he will barnstorm New Hampshire before the Granite State’s January 10 primary in a full-court press to educate motorists about his pro-inflation message. He vowed to take his campaign to other states across the nation.
“Look for me rolling across the states in the coming weeks,” said the pneumatic newbie to the political scene. “Support for me is a way to Be Tire Smart.”
Look for Phillip’s official kick-off campaign video on YouTube at www.YouTube.com/betiresmartRMA.
* * * * * * * *
From Car Talk with Click and Clack (Tom & Ray Magliozzi): Tire Plugs Are Safe, Durable (as published in the Calgary Herald on Dec., 2011)
Dear Tom and Ray:
Between yesterday afternoon and this morning, I have had three flat tires. The tire that was flat yesterday had a screw in it, and the tires that are flat this morning have finishing nails.
Other than the question of "Was this sabotage?" I have a question about repairing the tires. My question is: Are plugs reliable or are patches or tire replacement recommended? I will add that I live in Costa Rica, and tire puncturing is a known technique for robbing foreigners. Thus the idea of replacing tires only to have them punctured again is not appealing.
But even less appealing is having to stop along a highway (they do not have shoulders) and being held up by the people who put the nails in the tire. – Bill
Tom: Well, my first thought was that you need run-flat tires. But I’m not sure that technology is widely available where you live. Run-flats require special equipment to mount, plus they’re expensive, require tire-pressure monitors and may not be as repairable as standard tires.
Ray: So, you need a 200-liter drum of pepper spray mounted on the roof.
Tom: Actually, plugs have been used since the days of the Roman chariots. OK, not that long, but they’re established and effective. As long as the hole in the tire is not too big (and screw or nail holes are not too big), you can insert a plug and expect it to last for the remaining life of the tire – which in your case sounds like about six hours.
Ray: But even better, a plug is something you can do yourself, Bill. You can go to any auto parts store and buy yourself a plug kit.
Tom: It consists of a bunch of plugs, a reamer, which you use to make the hole the exact size of the plug, and a special tool for inserting the plugs.
Ray: So you create the hole, then thread the plug into the insertion tool, and then you insert it and remove the tool. And voila! The repair is done and you’re on your way.
Tom: So then what you need is a cylinder of compressed air that you can carry around in your trunk. Once you plug your tire, you can re-inflate it by the side of the road, hand your wallet to the nice banditos who’ve been waiting patiently for you to fix the tire, and be on your way. Good luck, Bill.
[Editor’s Note: Please feel free to reach out to Mr. Click and Mr. Clack at their website cartalk.com to perhaps help them better understand just how to properly repair a tire.]
* * * * * * * * *
From the Sydney, Australia Daily Telegraph: Tyre King Bob Jane and Son Rodney at War Over a Winnebago (Published Dec. 31, 2011)
The feuding Jane family is headed back to court – and this time a Winnebago is at the center of their legal stoush.
Rodney Jane’s Bob Jane Corporation has filed a lawsuit against his dad and tire company founder, Bob, over the motorhome.
The lawsuit was filed in the Victorian County Court two days before Christmas.
The Bob Jane Corporation, of which Rodney is a director, claims in court documents that Calder Park Promotions, of which Bob is a director, sold the 2007 Winnebago Alpine without lawful authority.
It is alleged that in April 2009 the Bob Jane Corporation agreed to buy $361,300 worth of assets from Bob Jane’s Australian Motorsport Club, and that included the luxury Winnebago.
According to a statement of claim, the money was handed over, but last month Calder Park Promotions allegedly sold the vehicle. The Bob Jane Corporation is seeking damages, interest and costs from Calder Park Promotions and Bob Jane.
According to the statement of claim, Bob Jane allegedly negotiated the sale of the Winnebago and delivered it to the new owner, trading as Robert’s Winnebago.
"Robert Jane, in his capacity as a director of Calder Park Promotions, procured or directed Calder Park Promotions to engage in the conduct and thereby convert the Winnebago to its own use and wrongfully deprive Bob Jane Corporation thereof," the court documents state.
Bob Jane, 82, said yesterday that the Australian Motorsport Club had owned the Winnebago until he sold it last month with a clear title.
The motoring legend has described the action as "nonsense,” also saying the matter was "distressing.”
"He (Rodney) can sue me for whatever he likes, it does not worry me one little bit."
Earlier this year, Rodney Jane began legal action in the Federal Court to stop his father from using his own name in a rival business.
The court last month restrained Bob Jane from selling vehicle tyres, wheels, batteries and accessories under the mark Bob Jane, Bob Jane Global or Jane Tyres.
Bob Jane is seeking to have the order set aside. Rodney Jane and his lawyer could not be contacted for comment.
* * * * * * * * *
From WANE-TV Ft. Wayne, Ind.: Vet Gets More Than he Bargained For at a FW Tire Store (Broadcast Dec. 20, 2011)
A disabled vet got more than he bargained for at a Fort Wayne tire store. An assistant manager at Discount Tire Company gave the man four tires for free.
One good deed means the world to disabled Ohio vet Ray Long. He considers what happened to him as a Christmas blessing.
Just a couple of days ago he was driving on tires with very little tread. On Long’s way to the VA Hospital in Indianapolis, he noticed one of the wheels began to wobble. That’s when he took it into Discount Tire thinking it was something wrong with the alignment.
"He went out and checked and came back in and he says you’re going to need some new tires. And I was like yeah I know later but I don’t have money for it. I can’t afford it. He says well one of them is all the way down to the belt," disabled veteran Ray Long explained.
Assistant Manager of Discount Tire, Ryan Wannerton, said the tires were too dangerous for Long to be driving on. He tried to make a bargain with him but it just wasn’t in Long’s budget.
"He had been buying tires from us for years. He is a long-time customer. He has bought several sets from us," Discount Tire Co. Asst. Manager Ryan Wannerton said, "It just wasn’t working. It wasn’t in the plans this close to Christmas. Just doesn’t have any money to throw out, especially on tires."
Long said he told Wannerton to just balance the tires and he’d be back later to buy new tires. When he came back to pick up his car, the sales associate at the front desk said they put four new tires on his car.
"And I’m thinking oh no is this a mistake you know am I going to have to wash tires or something to pay for these things," Long said.
What the associate said next brought Long to tears.
"He says that’s why we put new tires on your car. And he said Merry Christmas. And he gave me the tires."
Wannerton said he gave Long the tires for free to keep him and everyone else on the road safe.
"It gives me piece of mind at the end of the day when I get home and lock the door knowing that everyone that came through my building is going to leave safe and safer than when they showed up. You know it’s not only them or me but for all of our friends and friends that are out on the roads driving," Wannerton said.
Long says this act of kindness means the world to him because he is having a lot of problems with his back and will have to make repeat trips to the VA hospital in Indianapolis.
