Engine Punk

This must have been one of the best Royal Cornwall Shows ever. The free-style motocrossers were amazing. When you see it on your screen it looks pretty cool but there's always the thought that it might have been digitally enhanced in someway. Seeing it done live - and while the guys are giving a running commentary on their helmet mikes - frankly had me dumbfounded. Traditionally it rains for Royal Cornwall and I have a happy memory of pushing cars out of the car park when I was kid and getting spattered with tiny droplets of mud from the spinning wheels. Me and my gang looked a complete mess as we set off for home, wearing the badge of our strength and helpful natures but by the time we got home our clothes dried out and the little droplets of mud just brushed off. No mothers got amped about our dirty clothes so that really was a great day, collecting brochures and stickers and sitting on the tractors. This year was the first time I've attended for about 10 years. On that...

Phil Hosken, chairman of the Trevithick Society, tells me that, when it comes to branding, a five letter word is important. Some companies go to great lengths to create a suitable five letter word for their corporations and trademarks. It's not universal but once you start the five letter word game, it's difficult to stop. Says Phil, "One sees companies like Toyota and Panasonic choosing prestige names such as Lexus and Lumix for their top of the range models. Think of made-up names like Yaris. Notice the Austin 7 cars weren't called Chapmans (or Colins come to that!). What happened to Turners? Have you noticed a change in emphasis from Chrysler to Dodge for imports from Daimler-Chrysler? General Motors, which wavered about using the acronym GM, is now solidly known as GM (Gee-em). Same with BLMC. A whole host of names from Wolseley to Nuffield Tractors filtered down to Em-Gee Rover." Consequently, Phil chose the name Be-Tec for his zero carbon ...