Motorsports

Free Food, Free Drinks, and the World Car of the Year (Kia EV3), But

Published

6 months ago

May 26, 2025

Free Food, Free Drinks, and the World Car of the Year (Kia EV3), But

You’d have thought the Kia EV3 “launch” by a local car dealer at a prestigious sports club would have attracted Aussie car buyers like flies! However, Majella and I attended and were surprised by how few people showed up. The event had been well advertised on Facebook. We were met at the door and issued our wristbands and a choice of beverages. Majella had red wine; I had a beer. Waiters circulated constantly with trays of “yummies.” All very upmarket, befitting the World Car of the Year.

As announced at the 2025 New York International Auto Show, the Kia EV3 has been officially crowned as the 2025 World Car of the Year. Globally, Kia sold 22,000 EVs in 2024 (a 74% increase) — 3,610 were sold in Australia.

Behind the sports club, there were four cars on display under spotlights. About 8 sales people and the dealer principal were on hand to answer questions. At times, the number of salespeople almost exceeded the number of enquirers. The cars were gorgeous, the drinks and food were free — where were all the “punters”? Only about 20 members of the pubic showed up. Once again, I was forced to ask — what does it take to sell EVs in Australia?

Perhaps the minimal interested from the public was the reason most of the salespeople spent the evening chatting to each other. Majella went and sat in the car and played with its “bits,” while I engaged with a salesman. His main point of conversation was that the world would not reach “net zero” by 2050 and the main culprits were China and India. The batteries were the main culprit — making way too much pollution during manufacture. I suggested that for a person trying to sell electric cars, that was probably not a good conversation piece. He appeared to double down and give me more of his “opinions” regarding renewables and EVs. Another tried to interest me in a PHEV Subaru.

Meanwhile, Majella was exploring the cars. Three family groups were clustered around the top-of-the-range model — the Kia EV3 GT line. They were attended by 3 salespeople, So, Majella checked out the base model. A salesperson approached her as she sat in the car. “Oh, you’ve turned it on?” he asked, surprised. She had pressed the start button to be able to check out the screens. She explained that it was similar to the EV5 which we had looked at previously. He proceeded to tell Majella about the cars — different ranges, differences in specifications between the models. He explained the process of charging and demonstrated the co-located Ocular charge boxes. He did a great job.

I made sure the staff knew who I was, and handed out business cards, encouraging them to look at the information to be found on CleanTechnica.com. At least 3 salespeople, including the self-styled “big cheese,” offered to contact me the next day to arrange for a 3-day “test drive” of the EV3. Not one has contacted me in the ten days since this event.

One of the sales reps told me she drove an Atto 3, so she had some experience with EVs. The big cheese drives a BYD Shark. “A year ago, I never would have thought I’d drive an electric car,” he said. He finished the anecdote by telling me with pride in his voice that he has only plugged the PHEV Shark in twice since he bought it. He also told us that the dealership will soon be stocking the Deepal EO7 and the electric Foton.

One salesperson told me that the base model Kia EV3 was the same price as a similar petrol version — AU$47,600. However, a quick google search identifies the Kia Seltos as a petrol-powered similar vehicle. The base price of the Seltos is AU$30,000. So, Kia has a way to go yet. The base Kia EV3 sells for the same money as the premium BYD Atto 3. The Kia has seven years warranty compared to the BYD’s 6 years.

You can check out a technical review of the Kia EV3 here.

After chatting with the salespeople and looking at the cars, we settled down with our second drink and had more “horse doovers.” We found ourselves sitting with two couples who were interested in EVs but were fearful of the misinformation that was floating around. Once again, we found ourselves dispelling myths and doing the job which should have been done by the abundant salespeople who were chatting to each other nearby.

One topic of conversation we all agreed on was the fact that we would find the ambient lightning a distraction.

Majella explained and demonstrated PlugShare. I told them of the long trips we had done in our Tesla, despite its six-year-old short range (320 km). They still seemed to think that they had to “go somewhere to charge.” If you have your own battery-powered pump for the tyres, you never have to go to a servo again — unless you have run out of milk or bread in the middle of the night, or you have a desperate need for a chocolate milk and a toasty on the way to an early morning shift.

The Kia EV3 is a beautiful hi-tech driving machine. I would be proud to own one. However, this experience taught me a couple of things. First, sometimes even free beer will not lure people to look at a vehicle. Second, car salespeople still have a lot to learn when it comes to selling an EV — it is not just a car, it is a mindset and an eco-system. It was quite the contrast to the launch of the Tesla Model Y, which attracted hundreds to a warehouse, without even offering free drinks.

We need more education? Who will provide it? I would suggest that sales will lift when we have a concerted effort throughout the buying public: carmakers, dealers, media, salespeople, and grassroots owners telling their neighbours and family. Or perhaps the answer is “Lower your price or offer more for the same money.”

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Michael Annett, former NASCAR winner has passed at age 39

Published

6 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

JR Motorsports has issued a statement

Former NASCAR driver Michael Annett has passed away.

Annett climbed from the ARCA Menards Series to the NASCAR Cup Series. He ran with JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series from 2017-2021.

He was a Daytona winner with JR Motorsports. He won the season opener in the 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series season.

He also spent three years in the NASCAR Cup Series. He raced for Tommy Baldwin Racing (2014), HScott Motorsports (2015), Hillman-Circle Sport LLC (2015) and H Scott Motorsports (2016).

Annett was 39 years old.

At this time, there is no further information on his death.

JR Motorsports statement

JR Motorsports posted the following on Friday night:

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Annett family with the passing of our friend Michael Annett,” JR Motorsports posted.

The team added, “Michael was a key member of JRM from 2017 until he retired in 2021 and was an important part in turning us into the four-car organization we remain today.”

Annett suffered a leg injury and retired following the 2021 season.

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Lando Norris pips Max Verstappen to go quickest in FP1

Published

6 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Lando Norris went quickest in opening practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on the weekend that he could claim his maiden Formula 1 world championship.

The McLaren driver set a 1m24.485s on used soft tyres, which meant he pipped second-placed Max Verstappen who is also his nearest challenger in the championship.

Norris will become champion should he claim a podium on Sunday, as he is 12 points above the Red Bull driver and 16 ahead of team-mate Oscar Piastri who was one of nine drivers to sit out first practice.

That’s because F1 rules dictate that drivers must skip at least two FP1s during the season and give their seat to a driver with no more than two grand prix starts.

IndyCar star Pato O’Ward therefore took Piastri’s place and he was one of nine rookies to contest opening practice at Yas Marina Circuit, which was hot and sunny for the final weekend of the 2025 campaign.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images

With it being the season finale, all cars were quick to enter the track during the opening five minutes, and it was Verstappen who set the early pace with a 1m27.130s on the hard tyre.

This was 0.038s quicker than runner-up George Russell on the same rubber, though not everybody started on the hards with O’Ward using soft tyres and several others – including Norris – opting for the mediums.

Such variety took place during an opening 30 minutes that was dictated by track evolution, as various names greeted the top of the leaderboard from Norris to Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto and Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar – who this week was announced as Verstappen’s Red Bull 2026 team-mate.

It was only until the halfway mark when drivers converged onto the softs that the usual frontrunners rose to the top. Verstappen was first to do so, breaking the 1m25s barrier with a 1m24.493s on his opening soft tyre run, 0.026s quicker than Norris and 0.074s above third-placed Charles Leclerc.

The championship top two would then trade positions as Norris pipped the four-time world champion by 0.008s with a lap time that would subsequently go unbeaten.

That’s because several cars went back onto the other compounds, including Verstappen with the hards, to complete their long-run programmes in a dramaless end to FP1.

Arthur Leclerc was one of nine rookies in action in FP1

Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images

So, the leaderboard largely remained as it was following the short soft-tyre window, as Leclerc completed the top three with a 1m24.501s, 0.016s behind Norris, but still complained of no grip and being “so slow”.

Mercedes teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli was then 0.123s off the Monegasque in fourth with Nico Hulkenberg completing the top five. Russell was sixth in the sister Mercedes, 0.248s off the pace and one spot above Hulkenberg’s team-mate Bortoleto in a strong showing for Sauber, which will enjoy its final race before becoming Audi.

The top seven times were all set on the soft tyre, and it was Oliver Bearman in eighth who went quickest on the mediums, as he completed a 1m24.759s for Haas.

Carlos Sainz and Franco Colapinto then rounded up the top 10, meaning all nine rookies finished in the bottom half of the order.

Endurance world champion Ryo Hirakawa was quickest of the nine with a 1m24,934s, ahead of Paul Aron (13th), O’Ward (14th), Arvid Lindblad (15th), Arthur Leclerc (16th), Ayumu Iwasa (17th), Luke Browning (18th), Jak Crawford (19th) and Cian Shields (20th).

F1 Abu Dhabi GP – FP1 results

Photos from Abu Dhabi GP – Practice

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Paul Aron, Alpine F1, Arthur Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Alexandra Saint Mleux

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in photos

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Ex-NASCAR driver dead at 39 as JR Motorsports issues statement – Motorsport – Sports

Published

6 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

JR Motorsports has confirmed the death of former driver Michael Annett.

On Friday, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s NASCAR team, JR Motorsports (JRM), announced that Annett, the 39-year-old former driver for the team, had died. Annett had spent time driving in the Cup Series, Xfinity Series — now called the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series — and Truck Series.

In October 2021, Annett announced he would retire from full-time competition at the end of the 2021 season. The news of Annett’s death comes days after JRM revealed a new color scheme honoring the late Dale Earnhardt Sr.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Annett family with the passing of our friend Michael Annett,” JRM’s statement on social media began. “Michael was a key member of JRM from 2017 until he retired in 2021 and was an important part in turning us into the four-car organization we remain today.”

The Xfinity Racing X account also posted on Annett’s passing, writing: “We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of former Xfinity Series driver Michael Annett at the age of 39. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Annett family in this difficult time.”

Sign up to our NASCAR newsletter here.

Drivers from throughout the various levels of NASCAR also posted their condolences after hearing the news of the 39-year-old’s death. “RIP Michael Annett — I was on the radio with him at Hawkeye Downs Speedway the first time he drove a big car on asphalt. Life is precious,” Landon Cassill posted on X.

Front Row Motorsports’ Noah Gragson added: “Love you diesel Mike. Will always cherish my time with you buddy!” Ricky Stenhouse Jr. also posted: “Sad to get the news of Big Mikes passing. Raced each other for a long time coming up through ARCA together. Spent a lot of days in the gym together before he retired.”

Zachary Tinkle, a driver in the ARCA Menards Series East, posted a lengthy message on social media, recalling memories of the recently passed Annett. “Saddened to hear of the loss of Michael Annett tonight, gone way too soon,” Tinkle’s post on X began. “I’d like to send my thoughts and prayers to the Annett family during this difficult time.

“I will always fondly remember seeing those Pilot / Flying J colors Michael had on his car on the racetrack growing up as one of my favorite cars to see on the Nationwide/Xfinity series track every week, and watching live to see Michael finally break through to win at Daytona. You will be missed by everyone in the NASCAR family, Rest In Peace, Michael.”

NASCAR star Matt Tifft added: “Thoughts and prayers with Michael Annetts family and friends tonight, one of the nicest guys in the garage.”

Annett’s cause of death is currently unknown.

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Viking Motorsports Expands to Two-Car Operation for 2026 Season – Speedway Digest

Published

6 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Viking Motorsports announced today that the organization will expand to a two-car NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series program for the 2026 season. The team will field the newly established No. 96 Chevrolet, driven by Anthony Alfredo, with Josh Graham — who previously worked with Alfredo earlier in his career — returning as his crew chief as the pair reunite for another competitive run together.

This expansion marks a major step in the team’s evolution as Viking Motorsports enters its second full-time season at the national level. The move underscores the organization’s commitment to continued growth, performance, and long-term competitiveness.

Team owner Don Sackett expressed his enthusiasm for the team’s next phase:

“Expanding to a second full-time car is a major moment for our organization. Anthony brings experience, professionalism, and a tremendous work ethic that aligns perfectly with where Viking Motorsports is heading. Reuniting him with Josh gives us a strong foundation for this new team. Their chemistry, trust, and history together will help accelerate our growth and elevate our entire program.”

Alfredo, who joins Viking Motorsports with multiple years of NASCAR national series experience, is eager to reteam with Graham.

“I’m fired up to join Viking Motorsports and drive the No. 96 Chevrolet in 2026. Having the chance to work with Josh again is something I’m really excited about — we’ve had success together, and I know what we can accomplish as a team. You can see how much Viking is building and investing in its future. Being part of their expansion to a two-car program is a big opportunity, and I can’t wait to get going.”

The team will announce primary and associate partners for the No. 96 Chevrolet in the coming weeks.

Viking Motorsports PR

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Motorsports

Mark Martin is worried about the NASCAR lawsuit hurting the sport

Published

7 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

“I’m worried about our sport. I want it to thrive.”

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are currently suing NASCAR for alleged antitrust violations. The trial began on Monday and they have been in court every day this week.

There’s been a lot of news to come out of the trial. Both NASCAR and the teams involved have egg on their face as private messages surface in court.

Richard Childress is considering legal action against NASCAR he was called a ‘redneck’

The trial is expected to last just a few weeks. However, the loser will likely appeal, dragging this case on for a lengthy amount of time.

A settlement could bring it all to a stop. Settlement discussions took place leading up to Monday’s opening in court but the two sides were unable to reach an agreement.

All of this has Mark Martin worried…

NASCAR team owner says he’s lost $100M in the sport

Mark Martin comments

“This lawsuit is devastating to the sport we love. I really hope we as fans come out of this better off, but I just don’t see a pathway that leads us to that,” Mark Martin stated via X.

He added, “I’m worried about our sport. I want it to thrive.”

He’s not alone. Earlier this year, Brad Keselowski noted that this lawsuit was the greatest threat to the sport.

Brad Keselowski says the NASCAR lawsuit is a threat to the sport

Before the trial began, Judge Kenneth Bell encouraged both sides to come to an agreement before trial. He noted that otherwise, both sides would be “burning the house down”.