Week in Motoring: F1 in Schools draws would-be racers to Yas circuit

Plus, Hyundai launches i30 in Middle East; Ferrari test drive lands man in hot water; Juke R set for production; and a woman breaks fastest toilet record.

More than 200 pupils, parents and teachers took part in the F1 in Schools UAE National Championship at Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday. A total of 34 teams from schools across the country competed in events such as pit stop displays, team presentations and head-to-head racing. A five-member team called Team Safire Racing, from the German International School in Dubai, was named UAE Senior Champions, while Slipstream, from Dubai College, was named UAE Intermediate Champions. The event aims to introduce engineering to pupils through the excitement of F1 racing. "The professionalism of the teams has been extraordinary," says Richard Cregan, the Yas circuit chief. The winners will compete in world finals later this year.

Hyundai launches its i30 in the Middle East

Hyundai is continuing to use its "fluidic sculpture" design ethos in its new i30 model, which launched in the Middle East this week. The new i30 follows in the footsteps of the completely redesigned Sonata and Elantra, with its flowing lines and "modern premium" philosophy. Two models, the GL and GLS, will be available in the region and the company has a view to appeal to young buyers who want a car that can provide a combination of good looks and solid performance. The cars will come with either a 1.6L or 1.8L petrol engine and six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. Prices for the GL start at very reasonable Dh57,500.

Ferrari test drive lands man in hot water

What is it with test driving supercars in California these days? Just weeks after a Lamborghini Aventador burnt to a crisp on a roadside in the south of The Golden State while out on a test drive, another wannabe supercar owner has got into trouble over a Ferrari California. The man hoping to buy a US$200,000 (Dh734,640) 4.3L V8 Ferrari apparently lost control of the car during testing and landed it into Richardson Bay, just north of San Francisco. The driver was going "a bit too fast", according to Jalopnik.com, when he flew in the air for six metres before landing in the water.

Juke R to be made on build-to-order basis

Nissan has revealed that the insanely fun Juke R concept that Motoring road tested earlier this year will be made available on a limited build-to-order basis. The 3.8L V6 R, which can hit 257kph, made its debut at the Dubai Autodrome in February and Motoring said at the time: "The Juke R takes the fun element of the normal car and fills it with crazy levels of testosterone." Juke marketing man Gareth Dunsmore says: "With such a strong reaction, we decided we had to make the car a reality." Nissan already has three orders, one of which is said to be from a "high-profile member of Dubai society".

Woman breaks world's fastest toilet record

A new world record has been set for the fastest toilet. Believe it or not there is precedent for fast motorised toilets, and Canadian stuntwoman Jolene Van Vugt is now the record holder after clocking a speed of 75kph on a toilet-cum-go-kart in Sydney, Australia. Van Vugt broke the previous record of 68kph set by Edd China in Italy last year. To gain the record she was timed over 100m in both directions. There were some problems when the chain fell out but the toilet was soon repaired. Van Vugt holds various world records for stunts on dirt bikes.