Europe in style - Subiaco-based Automotive Events Management is behind a tour with an automotive flavour that takes in the sights of Europe in the luxury of fine automobiles. Called Grand Tour, the event includes a bit of a drive around the grand prix circuit in Monaco. The tour is scheduled to take place during May 2008 with 10 couples given the opportunity to drive luxury hire cars around the south of France, Monaco, Italy and Germany. Besides being behind the wheels of the likes of a BMW Z4 3-series convertible, Audi A4 Turbo Cabriolet or a supercharged Mercedes-Benz SLK along the glorious Mediterranean coast, tour highlights include a visit to the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Germany, the Monaco grand prix circuit drive, plus some breathtaking sightseeing. Each couple can drive at their own pace or drive in convoy. The Grand Tour costs $9,780 per couple and airfares are not included. The package includes luxury car hire, hotels, airport transfers, specially designed roadbook, maps and museum entry. Battle royale - The last drift battle of the year will be held at the Barbagallo Raceway in Wanneroo on October 20. Seen in many Hollywood movies and imported from Japan, drifting is the fastest growing form of competitive sports, according to The West Australian Sporting Car Club website. Drifting is the art of driving sideways through a special course while at the same time maintaining the speed of the car. Far from being a hoons’ pastime, drifting is subject to the strict rules of the Confederation of Australian Motorsport – burnouts are prohibited and unsporting behaviour penalised. The competitors are mostly judged on their technique and the emphasis is placed on car control, rather than time. About 2,000 people are expected at the event, which starts at 10.15am with the battle to begin at 1pm. Bright idea - New headlights that offer energy efficiencies over standard halogen lamps will be on sale at Western Australian-owned and operated auto parts retailer, Malz, from next month. Called High Intensity Discharge lights, the kits claim to be between 300 per cent and 400 per cent more efficient than the standard globes. Not only that, but Malz says they have a longer lifetime, produce a better quality of light that projects further and provides clearer vision for motorists. Traditionally, HID lighting is only available in high-end European vehicles. It is the same technology used in Xenon car headlights, which feature in some BMWs, Lexus and Mercedes Benz. Imported from China, the HID kits will be available at Malz at a retail price of $220.