An everyday supercar!

'Everyday supercar' - There's a phrase that' been misused before. It seems that any supercar with a boot big enough for one Tesco bag, a CD player and rear seats for your legless friends can be justified as an everyday supercar. Although, that's not something I agree with.

An everyday car has to do a lot more, for instance, it needs enough space for those family days out, what if you, your wife and 3 kids wanted to go on a picnic somewhere, with the dog as well? And what about for work, you may need to carry a lot of tools or equipment but don't fancy a van, would you have enough space in your R8? And for a true everyday car, you can't be sweating every time you take it out, petrified you might damage your pristine paintwork etc...

So, can such a thing exist? Can you get a car big enough for a full family, rugged enough for your work horse  and not so stupidly expensive that you're scared to drive it - but with Ferrari rivaling performance?

Yes, you can, and it's with great pleasure that I introduce you to the Audi RS6 (C5), and in particular, the avant. Here we have a 4.2 litre twin turbo V8, with 5 seats and a boot plenty big enough for most everyday challenge.

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The car was produced from July 2002, up until September 2004, and was Audi's top of the line product throughout these years, boasting over 400bhp, a beautifully spec'd interior, with leather Recaro bucket seats, very similar to those in the Aston Martin Vanquish. The RS6 also took advantage of Audi's brilliant all-wheel drive Quattro system, which made the RS6 a very usable car on the roads.

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So, with 5 seats and 455 litres of space in the boot of the avant, it's clear that the RS6 adheres to the everyday part, but how well does it perform as a supercar? In order to check this, let's compare the RS6 to a supercar of the day, the Ferrari 360 Modena. Now, every supercar needs a healthy dose of power, if it didn't, what would owners of them have to boast about? The Ferrari has a more than satisfactory 395bhp from it's 3.6 litre V8, but the Audi manages a brutal 473bhp from it's twin turbo V8, a huge difference of 78bhp - or that of a small VW engine.

But power is nothing without torque, and Ferrari know this, which is why the 360 Modena produces a more than capable 373 Nm. Again, the RS6 can blow this figure away, as it produces a huge 560 Nm, almost 200 Nm more!

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However, these are just numbers. It doesn't matter how much power the RS6 makes, it needs it, after all it's a heavy estate car, whereas the Ferrari is a purpose built supercar, low to the ground and much lighter that the RS6, which means it needs a lot less power. This doesn't mean you'd get left behind at the traffic lights in your RS6 though, as the 0-100kph times are only 0.4 of a second slower than the Ferrari, at 4.7 seconds. That's pretty damn fast for a 10 year old estate car! It doesn't stop there either, as the Audi will continue to speeds over 170mph, at which point it will stop, thanks to the Brembo front brakes, with 8 piston monoblock brake calipers coupled with floating and radially vented brake discs. 

So there you have it, an everyday practical motor that has genuine supercar qualities. It's not like they're even expensive cars, with a kick-off price close to only £7k, they're more than £3k cheaper than a new base spec fiesta! Needless to say, if something big goes wrong, don't expect a fiesta sized repair bill, and that's one point of supercar likeness any car could do without!

Thanks for reading!

Image sources: Here (1)
here (2) and here (3)

The Blue Train Bentley

Throughout the 1920's and 30's, a race existed that was known as the 'Blue Train Races', in which the gentlemen of the era would step up to the challenge of beating Le train Bleu from start to finish, either in their personal motorcars or sponsored to do so by others.
This was by no means any easy task, Le Train Bleu ran from Calais, down to the French Riviera, and the majority of men who stepped up to the challenge often lost the bet. However, in January 1930, the Rover Light Six became the first successful competitor of this event, which gained a lot of interest for the accomplishment.

However, one gentleman by the name of Woolf Barnato heard of this achievement, and unlike the rest of the crowds, he has not so impressed by the victory over the train. In his opinion, this challenge was not as difficult as others were making out, but merely required the right attitude, driver and car. 
The car that Barnato considered to be right was the 6.5 litre Bentley speed six, a high speed performance motor car often seen in races, such as the 24 hour race of Le Mans, where in 1929 & 1930 it claimed victory, one of the drivers being Barnato himself. In addition to it's very credible racing history, this particular style of Bentley also made for a very impressive roadworthy motor car, and it was a re-bodied version that was chosen to take on Le Train Bleu.

It was in March 1930 that Barnato stepped up to the challenge, and to make things more interesting, 100 pounds was bet that he could beat the train, and actually arrive at his club in London before the train reached Calais. So, the challenge was set, and the next day, Barnato and a friend of his set off.

(1) It was 17:45h that the train left from Cannes, and so did Barnato and his Bentley. During the journey, things were not made easy - obstacles such as heavy rain, fueling issues and heavy fog did not make the journey an easy one.
Despite this, continuous driving through the night along dusty, bumpy Route Nationales enabled Barnato to reach the border by 10:30h; after crossing the channel and proceeding onto his Conservative club on St James street, they arrived at 15:20h, a mere 4 minutes before Le Train Bleu reached Calais. Barnato won his bet, and received a hard earned 100 pounds for accomplishing his challenge. However, it wasn't entirely a happy ending, as he was actually fined a considerable amount more than his prize money for racing on the streets for the length of France!

That's the story of Woolf Barnato and his Blue Train Bentley - I saw this Bentley a few years back, up for sale in the Netherlands. It intrigued me, so I went home and looked into the story. In my personal view, it's one of the greatest racing stories that has been told over the years, one of a true gentleman racer.

Here's a couple pictures of the car, one of my favourite pre-war designs.

Thanks for reading!

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Image sources: Here (1)
here
and here (3)

The European Rallycross Championship

Rallycross is a form of motorsport that, until recently, I have known very little about. In my mind, rallycross has always been a 'grass roots' form of motorsport, in which anyone could sign up to, bring along their car, and whizz around a dusty hill for a day, on a budget. 

I'm sure it does exist at that level, and more professional levels too, but I've never really been aware of how serious a sport it is, until someone kindly introduced me to the sport, and in particular, the European Rallycross Championship (ERC).

This championship has run from 1973, and became an official FIA sport in 1976, which already proves the sport has pedigree. In 1978 the need for a class system was realised, and so two classes were created; one for touring cars, and another for grand touring cars. 
However, in my opinion, a real turning point for the sport was in 1986, when Group B cars were banned from WRC due to numerous safety issues. In was in the following year that 'Division two' was set up for these Group B monsters to compete, side by side, bumper to bumper in the ERC. Famously brutal cars, such as the Metro 6R4's, Audi Sport Quattro's and Ford RS200's could now be seen thrashing round these rallycross courses, providing a unique experience of seeing these beasts racing alongside one another, fighting for positions.

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During this period, interest for the sport began to rise, and up until the early/mid nineties, the sport continued to grow. An effect of this was that drivers began to make a name for themselves, and those with the skills to win time and time again became quite famous within ERC circles.

One name that kept cropping up during my research of the ERC was that of Will Gollop. Will was a very talented and competitive ERC driver, and from what I can see, the most successful British driver the sport has ever encountered, alongside another skillful driver by the name of Trevor Reeves, also a British driver who also achieved a great deal when competing in the sport. Will Gollop achieved his greatness in the legendary Metro 6R4, with fantastic results in the years 1988-93, giving consistent podium finishes in the ERC for five years running; an incredible accomplishment in any sport.
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Much like any sport though, the limelight somewhat faded from the ERC during the nineties and noughties, as new drivers with new cars were introduced to the sport, with a high amount of WRC spec (or similar) Citroen's, Ford's, Mitsubishi's and Peugeot's being the weapon of choice for this period in the sport.

So, where is the sport these days?

It can be argued that the ERC is once again gaining interest as a sport in these modern times, with phenomenally rapid machines being skillfully handled round familiar tracks, such as Lydden Hill, by some of today's most talented drivers, one of which being Tanner Foust, someone who even put Ken Block to shame at his own game.
As for the cars, in a class of their own. For instance, Ford Fiesta's that accelerate from 0-60mph in 1.9 seconds, put into context, that's faster than a Formula One car! The type of racing that these cars provide is simply amazing, and guarantees 'edge of your seat' viewing.

Researching the ERC has been a pleasure for me, to see this wondrous cross between WRC & BTTC, (or that's how I at least see it), showing cars literally battling with one another for positions, with mud spraying up onto the windscreens blinding the drivers of the 500bhp+ monsters, as they glide from one corner to the next.

I seriously recommend to everyone that they give this sport a closer look, it really does provide brilliant racing and can only be considered jaw-dropping to watch! Here's an onboard video to get you started, make sure you get onto YouTube and watch some more, and check out the link at the bottom of the page for more info on where and when it's taking place.

Click here for the ERC official website

Many thanks for reading!

Image sources: Here (1)
 (2) and here

URBAN OUTLAW

A truly inspirational film.

That is the reaction of many who watch this, and I have seen no negative feedback for it. At all.

If you're into cars, then this is for you; quite simply an amazing piece of film and a must see for you.

The video here is only the trailer, the link for the half hour film is just below this text.

Enjoy!



Click here for the full film.

Power. Beauty. Soul?

Aston Martin. A brand everyone is aware of, even if you're not remotely into cars, you've heard it. In recent years, polls have been taken to reveal the single coolest brand in existence, two years on the trot it's been Aston Martin, ahead of such brands as Apple and Armani.

Let's have a little look at their cars, before I get to the main point of this post.

I'll start with the DB2, where Aston Martin really began to take off, in terms of production cars. The DB2 is a beautiful and elegant design, which makes for a very graceful 50's tourer, a real gentleman's car for the era. Not too 'shouty' or 'in your face', but yet it doesn't blend in with the everyday motor.

The DB4. In my opinion, perfect! A beautifully timeless 60's design, the ultimate grand tourer, especially in GT or GTZ spec. The throaty roar of the exhaust fills the cabin, and so does a rich smell of the finest leather. In my opinion again, the purest of all Aston Martin designs from that era, mainly due to the upright headlights, as opposed to the cowelled units on later 60's cars.

The DB5. The most famous car of all time, or so named. James Bond's car in Goldfinger, recongisable by so many people as the typical English 60's tourer, almost like an exclusive E-type. Not much bad can be said about this car, a true design masterpiece.

The DB6. It may arguably be uglier than the DB5 & 4, but due to uprated brakes and suspension, amongst other changes, a much better car to drive in standard guise. Once again, making a truly incredible grand tourer for the English gentleman.

Now, let's skip to the 80's, and namely to the V8 vantages of this era. Powerful brutes, but still remaining that Aston Martin elegance, muscle cars in tuxedos. They are incredible cars, thunderous machines and just fantastic cars to be associated with! many people would agree, that they are one of the most beautifully striking cars of the 80's, not quite at Countach levels, but certainly 288 GTO competitors.

To the 90's it is, and it's a brief stop here. The re-incarnation of the V8 Vantage; who doesn't want a two tonne barge with 550bhp?! Simply magnificent machines!

What do these cars have in common though, mainly those from the 60's, 70's and 80's? Hand built, personally specified and individual British masterpieces; and with prices for some rising towards the £2million mark, who can argue against them being masterpieces? In the time they were drawn up, all of them had very capable amounts of power, even today they are fast machines. They are achingly beautiful cars, it's a given with any classic Aston Martin, they are illustrious designs that make grown men go weak at the knees. Finally, who can argue that a classic Aston Martin doesn't have soul? - Men who adore these cars, design these cars and dream up of these cars, they are the men ( & women ) who have put blood sweat and tears into the production of them, taking incredible amounts of care, in order to produce the customer with their 'dream machine' - an Aston Martin.

So, those cars certainly tie in with the 'Power.Beauty.Soul.' tag line that Aston Martin give to their cars nowadays, but what about the cars that leave the factories now?

Sure they are powerful, I'd love to hear someone try and justify claiming that a 700bhp+ V12 doesn't class as powerful, so that is a given.

Beauty? Sure, I'll give them that. This is because unlike many upmarket car manufacturers these days, Aston Martin do not design their cars around science. The 458 and MP4-12C for example, those curves are their because it helps make them drive round a track quicker, not because it's what the designer originally dreamed up of. So, I'll stick to my opinion, Aston Martin's are still beautiful.

But soul, this is where I struggle. Produced abroad an no longer hand built, I'm assuming for economic reasons, and that can be justified, as Aston Martin have never really been known for not going bankrupt. But, I do have an issue with the number produced, sure that ties in heavily with the economic needs of the company, but does every car they produce have to be done in such high figures? It's fine producing specials like the One-77, but what about their ordinary cars? For instance, a DB9 is no longer an exiting sight on the roads anymore, but merely just another Aston Martin. As was shown on a Top Gear episode many years back (2006 I think), the Mondeo ST220 was produced in lower figures that the DB9, and the DB9 is still in production. This is the main reason why I personally feel Aston Martin have lost the feeling of soul in their cars ( along with the fact that, to many, they all look the same! ). Classic car owners and enthusiasts will surely agree with me on this. When you get into something as cheap and basic as, say, a Ford Anglia, it feels special, it makes you smile, and people will wave when they pass you - it's a great and warming sight.
Now, climb into a DB9 and it's a different feeling, sure you'll be happy, they are fantastic cars, but, it's just another one. The guy down the road, he has one, it's exactly the same - and no-one will smile and wave at you, it just doesn't have the same effect.

So, I'll stop there, I have gone on quite a rant, and I could go further, but maybe I'm just picky? I'd love to hear your opinions, have Aston Martin taken the soul out of their cars?

Thanks for reading.

Image source: Here

WRC - a dying sport?

I went along to the Welsh rally this year, in September just for the day with my brother. We had a fantastic day, despite each section being £25 pp with no re-admission! However, we saw plenty of awesome cars, old and new, and got surprisingly close - as proved with my picture of the 206 below!

However, I've always been a fan of the Group B rallying, due to the monstrous power and sounds of the cars, and I personally feel that the modern WRC is lacking in comparison. It isn't so much about the cars, as safety regulations have restricted them since Group B - and the restrictions actually make for very competitive racing! So, if it isn't the cars that disappoint me, then what is it?

It's you guys! Where are you?! Well, I think I'd better develop on that point. Take a look at this picture below, taken on a rally stage exactly 30 years ago. I haven't specifically chosen this one, all I did was type 1982 WRC rally crowd into Google and pick the first relevant one! Anyway, take a look at it, notice the huge crowd? Now take a look of the modern one, see any differences?

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Now, clearly there are more crowded areas on modern rally stages, but this is the general view at any given point, and I think is what has lead to very poor television footage and rising prices of the WRC these days. So, what can be done about this? - Simple, take a look at the 2013 calendar when it comes out, find one you like the look of, and take a trip down for a weekend and have a great time! The WRC is a fantastic event and I'd love to see it come back as a mainstream sport.

Here's a few of my favourite pics I took from the 2012 Welsh rally, I hope you like them!

Image sources:
Here (1)
and here (2)

BTTC Champion 2012 - Gordon Sheddon

Today, Gordon Sheddon won the 2012 BTTC championship in his Honda Civic touring car, making him the first Scottish BTTC champion since John Cleland in 1995. This got me searching the net for some of his most memorable moments, so here's just a few of them!

Here's the champion earlier in the year on Snetterton, with his description of what happened.

(1)  “I was coming round the last bend and then there was a pop, like a misfire or as if the car had run out of fuel… as I started coasting into the pit lane flame suddenly flashed up the side of the car. 
"My first reaction was to get it to the Team Dynamics pit garage as quickly as possible so we could get it extinguished.”

Sadly, last year Gordon Sheddon didn't have so much luck on Brands Hatch, especially on the practice laps when he ended up buried in the gravel!
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Here he is, celebrating his first ever win at Oulton Park in 2006. He's always had a racing relationship with Matt Neil, as they've been teammates for many a year. Sheddon said how "it’s brilliant to have a teammate that I can learn so much from" - it would appear after the results of today he's learnt all he needs to!
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 Congratulations to Gordon Sheddon, and everyone else who made this years' 
season a brilliant one!


Image sources:
Here (1)
here (2)
and here (3)