Fleet owners can save cash

:: JAPANESE car-maker Mazda is helping company car drivers save money following reductions to CO2 emission figures on a selection of its Mazda 6 diesel or Mazda 2 petrol models. As a result of the changes, the various cars now deliver lower Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) and reduced benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax.

For the Mazda6, the improvements bring a CO2 reduction on all 2.2-litre five-door diesel 163 and 180 horsepower models - dropping from 142 to 140g/km, which means a £15 a year VED saving. aBenefits on the Mazda2 include a CO2 reduction on manual 1.5-litre petrol engine models from 135g/km to 132g/km, placing them in the 16 per cent BIK tax bracket (previously 17 per cent). Steve Jelliss, Mazda fleet and remarketing director, said: “At a time when corporate and personal budgets are being squeezed, Mazda customers are able to benefit from cash savings through these emission cuts. The Mazda range is already well known for its style, specification and reliability, and this development further enhances our value for money credentials.”

:: THIS year’s Race Retro is revving up to be the best ever, as it brings together rare and stunning historic motorsport marques on two and four wheels when it returns to Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, from February 24-26. They will have rare and legendary racing cars such as the Group C Porsche 956, the 001 first prototype chassis that was raced in Rothmans livery by Jackie Ickx and Derek Bell and will be on static display. And there’s a tribute to 50 years of the MGB, with a foyer display of two early ex works racecars. The hardtop roadster was driven in 1963 Sebring 12-hour endurance race by Christabel Carlisle, now Lady Watson, former Mini racer and the darling of British race fans in the early sixties, and Denise McCluggage, an American motoring journalist and lady racing driver. The roadster will be joined by the works MGB GT racer that was also driven at Sebring by our own Paddy Hopkirk and Andrew Hedges.