Articles by Mike Ryan

They were tipped to be the team to beat before the start of the 2012 Dakar rally, and the flotilla of Minis from the German-based X-Raid team haven't disappointed, winning multiple stages and looking likely to secure an overall class victory in the fortnight-long South American endurance event.

January marks the start of auction season in the US, and one of the first and biggest for the year will likely be the RM Auctions January event, to be held at the Biltmore Resort in Phoenix on January 19 & 20. Amongst the Cadillacs, Ferraris, Rollers and Duesenbergs that are expected to sell well at this auction is a truly rare piece of American sports car history - the fifth production Corvette.

Affectionately known as Melbourne's Festival of Speed, the all-new Rally Calder presented by East Coast Bullbars is now open for entries in all categories. Opening the Bosch Australian Rally Championship, Rally Calder will take place on March 1-4.

Jaguar's XJ6 saloon was one of the most successful and important models in its history, one that endured, in various forms, for more than two decades. The hardtop coupe version of the XJ6, the XJ6C, wasn't quite so longed-lived. However, when new, the XJ coupe attracted a lot of attention and added another chapter to the XJ story.

The first leg of the gruelling, challenging, infamous Dakar rally got underway on January 1, starting in Argentina, and covering over 8,000 kilometres on its way to Peru. Following the withdrawl of the all-dominant Volkswagen Touareg, this year's event has opened up to revitalised teams fielding Hummer H3s and Mini Countrymans.

In January 1948, Ford's first new postwar vehicles were released. However, the new models weren't passenger cars, but trucks. In addition to new styling, the trucks also featured a new identification system - the 'F Series' - which would go on to be the most popular and enduring model range in Ford's history.

Shannons Sydney Summer Classic Auction, their first for 2012, has already attracted a number of Aussie classics amongst the early consignments, including a heavily-modified FJ, Valiant Wayfarer ute, and an FE Special with rare 'Detroit' side trim.

Looking for something different to drive in 2012? You should start by calling in to Shannons Sydney Summer Classic Auction this coming February 20. Amongst the early consignments for the auction are a rare Fiat 1800B Sedan and Citroen 2CV, plus a Jaguar C Type replica, Ford Capri, heavily-modified FJ, Valiant Wayfarer ute, and an FE Special with rare side trim.

After a successful debut in 2011, the Variety Creative Car Cruise (CCC) is set to return for 2012, taking motoring enthusiasts on a four-day run along some of WA's most picturesque roads. Departing from Fremantle on Friday 30 March 2012 this travelling car show will stop in Cervantes and several "mystery" locations, before returning to Fremantle for the official finish on Monday 2 April 2012.

When Andrew Bloye and his wife saw a custom convertible ute at their first Summernats in 1993, they were inspired. So much so that Andrew decided to build a cool custom roadster ute - especially for his wife! Having owned and restored several HX utilities over the years, Andrew's take on the softop ute had to be from the GMH stable, but chopping the roof off a ute was a whole new experience!

Rally fans will be rescued from dull TV this Christmas Day when Network Ten gives the perfect gift: a two hour review of the 2011 Bosch Australian Rally Championship.

Following the release of the Toyota 'FT-86' coupe and its Subaru-badged 'BRZ' twin, Subaru Australia has recently confirmed the RWD-only Subaru sports coupe will be released locally in 2012. The Australian release will mark the BRZ as the first non-AWD Subaru to be available here in 15 years.