VIDEO: Circuit de Reims-Gueux, a lap.

Seeing as we were thwarted by the Nurburgring's weather, we made our way to Reims and the nearby Circuit de Gueux.

We filmed a lap, sorry about the weather: it wasn't our week!



The original article on the circuit de Gueux can be found here.

Nurburgring Snow: No Go

Nordkehre corner: no driving today then!

After weeks of anticipation, this is what the Nurburgring looked like when we arrived: the locals were actually tobogganing on the track!

Two days of waiting didn't improve matters, infact when the snow started to clear it became impossibly foggy: some things just aren't meant to be.

In our honest opinion the organisers RMA dropped the ball on this one, the weather might not be their fault but their communication was very poor and they left early on the second morning without informing many of the punters what was going on.

We all gathered at the Pistenklause to meet with them only to discover that they were already on the Eurotunnel!

RSR (a local trackday team run by Ron Simmons) did try and resurrect the second day but failed due to the descending fog, but thanks to them for trying.


In the face of adversity the group were amazingly good humoured, in fact we met some great people out there.

Confronted by this implacable weather we found other pursuits. We went looking for the Nurburgring Sudschleife, of which we found some of the road that now runs the same course (that will be for another 'Lost Circuit' article!)

There were also some awesome cars there: the only 3 Nissan GTR's in Europe were all spotted along with the development mule. The Nissan guys let us know that they were developing a new rear subframe, amongst other things for the car's European launch.

When we realised that the chance had gone we returned home, but found time to stop off on the way at the Circuit de Gueux (or Gueux-Reims) and film a video of us tracing the now defunct course.

Better luck next time.

See some more of our photos here.

VIDEO: Fiat Abarth Racing from the 70's

With Rack and Opinion about to get their hands on a new UK spec Fiat 500, it seems a good time to look back at the diminutive Italian: here it is back in the day in spectacular form on track in 695SS Abarth guise.


It's also a good time to remind our readers that we are off to the Nurburgring this week for a two day sampler of the Norschleife with track day gurus RMA. We hear tell that Top Gear star, and general 'ring-damen Sabine Schmitz will be also in attendance as an instructor.

We look forward to getting back to you as the week progresses, as we report on the track, the event and hopefully how we came back in one piece.

BBC Get F1: No more James Allen?

Hoo-Ray! The Cock has been stopped!

That's right, no more James Allen!

And that's not all: no more adverts mid-race, no more banal discussion "Lewis Hamilton, Lewis Hamilton, Lewis Hamilton" from Steve "Jack-of-all-trades" Ryder, and an end to ITV's lowest common denominator reporting.

After a 12 year absence the Beeb will take over TV coverage of Formula One from the start of the 2009 season. Having listened to their coverage on 5live radio I am convinced that they will do a proper job.

The only part I would like to see them carry over from ITV's coverage is Martin Brundle's pre-race walkabouts.



Thanks to N138.com for the photo, who have the T-Shirt available to buy, and to Sniff Petrol for being funny.

Mercedes SL65 Black Series: Sweet Vulcanised Rubber!

SL65 Black (in white) thanks to Autoblog.

It wasn't that long ago that I wrote a post on how power was corrupting Mercedes' approach to sports car building.

First they go and break the 600bhp barrier for a 'normal' (I use it loosely) car with the S65 AMG, now Merc are heading towards the 700bhp one with their new SL65 Black Series.

6 hundred and 80bhp. Does anything need that much power? Perhaps it weighs 2000 tonnes and does a turn as a NASA tractor-transporter, or its a pro-dragster?

What happened to sensible power increases? For decades 200-300 was perfectly fast, and 480, yes 480 made a mad supercar (the Ferrari F40 anyone?).

Perhaps the high price of oil is going to everyones' heads, perhaps Mercedes are going bonkers and this is the their equivalent of a fire sale? I don't know.

The funny thing is 95% of these fantastically powered Mercedes are only ever going to be prowling city centres at 0.05% of their capacity.

I love the car, but sometimes even I won't defend it.

Thanks to Autoblog for the scoop and photo, more can be found in their gallery here.

VIDEO: What Quattro Really Means

Before Quattro meant a heavy drivetrain and lots of understeer it reminded everyone of Audi's rallying heritage.



Thanks to Luke (of SpookyRacing) for this pointing out this glaring omission to our collection of classic motoring adverts. Ta!

Help for a Novice on Car Track Days

So you fancy taking your car for a little quality time together... on track?

This is a RaO post for those of you who might be thinking about going to a track, but have been put off by nerves, safety concerns, or the countless disaster videos that the web provides.

I am going to try and give you some tips about how to have an enjoyable, and safe day while allowing everyone participating to have the same.


1. Perhaps most importantly find a quality track day company, with a good reputation. The difference in support and safety provided between a top notch trackday organiser and a group who just hire the track is huge.

Proper briefing, marshaling and a close eye on peoples' behaviour make such a difference to the accessibility, safety and enjoyment of a day on track.

Here in the UK I prefer RMA and Goldtrack, I'm sure many of you will have suggestions about others, especially if you are overseas.

Please feel free to leave a comment on this below.


2. Make sure you have your towing eye in (for ease of extraction after a visit to 'the beach'), and check your car over thoroughly.

I mean that. Just because your car can drive to the circuit without spilling its valves over the tarmac, doesn't mean it can take the acute stresses of circuit driving.

Check all fluid levels, tyre tread and pressures and make sure your brakes are up to it, and make sure that if you have glass headlights (or are required to do so) tape them up.

Also, don't allow your fuel to go beneath 1/4 full, because those lateral g-forces in long corners can cause fuel starvation.


3. Familiarise yourself with the rules on the day. This generally means overtaking on one side only and with the cooperation of the person being overtaken, i.e. they indicate and move out of the way.

Most people remember this from the overtakers point of view but it is just as important if you are having a good drive on what seems like an empty track, it's probably because of a queue behind you. Keep an eye on your mirrors and let people through.

They will generally give you a wave, how nice!


4. General etiquette.

Don't be aggressive, ever. This isn't a race, this isn't even a race test day. There will be drivers of all ages and skills and just because you have a new Porsche Turbo doesn't mean you are any more important than them.

Wait for them to see you and allow you to pass.

Don't overtake in the corners. People can generally handle a car on a straight, but corners are often where most people come unstuck, too much speed on entry, too much gas on exit. This will be compounded by there being two of you on a narrow bit of macadam, and one of you is surprised.

Leave passing 'til the straight (if they're not moving out of the way -speak to them or report them, I know it sounds OTT but it's for the good of the group that these people are reminded of the rules, usually no.3)

Explore the limits of your car without exploring your own limitations. A red flagged session (when the session is stopped) because you are in the gravel will cost everyone valuable, and expensive track time, and not make you popular.

Don't drive at 10/10ths.

If this all sounds a bit preachy, and your worried that you will be under too much pressure, you won't I promise. If you are considerate and cautious you will be completely safe, and have a great day.

If you are still worried then there are loads of novice trackdays (or novice sessions on certain days) out there for people to acclimatise to driving on circuit without the pressure of faster drivers around them.

These are just general rules-of-thumb, but they should give you a good basis for your day.

Happy driving, if you have any additions or comments please leave them below.

Nissan 370Z Shapes up to Stun

Japanese concept artwork: the new Nissan 370Z

Now there's been no doubt that the Nissan 350Z has done an excellent job of reviving the idea of the sporty Nissan, reminding us of the Datsun 240Z and preparing us for the new Uber Nissan, the GTR.

But far from being forgotten in the wake of the arrival of it's more illustrious big brother, the 350Z (it appears from the Japanese press) will soon become the 370Z, with a commensurate rise in cylinder capacity from 3.5 to a 3.7l V6.

The 350Z's outgoing engine has lately provided propulsion in the order of 300bhp. With the increase in capacity it looks as if the 370Z will build on the 350Z's reputation as a real driver's weapon with a likely 330+ bhp and RWD.

A siginificant power increase might put an end to Boxster comparisons and place it firmly in Porsche 911 territory.

But the big story is the looks.

The 350Z's design managed to appear butch, without any real drama or beauty.

The rear haunches seem much better resolved than those of the slightly leaden and overly 'styled' 350Z. The overall design seems to possess a more compact cohesiveness whilst the short overhangs continue to give the impression of agility.

If the 370Z does indeed take its design cues from this shapely concept artwork it will be a stunner indeed.

That's enough design-babble wittering from me!


Thanks to Autoblog for the break.

VIDEO: Where'd I put the Torque-Wrench?

Umm, Sure I could forget one nut, but five... on each wheel?!

9ff GT9 Crushes all before it

It was never going to happen.

As we trekked to Bruntingthorpe to watch the peacock displays of a hundred snorting sports cars at the Vmax event, the record they all wanted had been moved firmly out of their reach.

Just weeks before, the team from car magazine Evo had brought the latest ubercar from German Porsche specialists 9ff to the track: a 990bhp special, designed and built by 9ff as their own unique model (rather than a heavily fettled 911).

It smashed the Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground speed record.

This car was the 9ff GT9.

The GT9 incorporates a lower roof line and 4 litre flat 6

So back to Vmax, where at Bruntingthorpe, a private runway, we had already witnessed a car do an astonishing verified 211mph.

That was a customers 9ff, brought along by the factory, a 997 Turbo Cabriolet with a 'running in' spec 750bhp (rather than the full 900+) and it eclipsed the previous record, of 207mph, held by a 997 shape Ruf RT12.

But as we gathered last weekend rumours had already surfaced about the Evo team's achievement, a verified 221mph on the same 1.8 mile runway. A speed that was comfortably 10mph faster than the next competitor.

As it happened the Ruf RT12 equalled the 9ff Turbo cab's 211 on the day, but the ultimate record had moved out of sight for good with the 9ff GT9's 221mph run.

There are rumours too that this astounding car will be gunning for the Bugatti Veyron's 254mph world record soon at the Nardo test track.

Having met some of the 9ff boys, I don't doubt that they are committed enough and crazy enough to do it.

Traffic Jams: How they Form

The Mathematic Society of Traffic Flow, Japan (yes there's really a society of traffic-flow-analysing mathematicians!) produced this video to explain how traffic's own natural motion can cause "shockwave" jams by speeding up and slowing down.

If anything it promotes the idea that we should leave a sufficient gap to the car infront to prevent the need for any severe braking: the action that seems to bring the whole circle to a standstill.

Porsche Ups Stakes in Battle for London

The war of words is over for now between Mayor Ken Livingstone and Porsche over the proposed increased levy of £25 to use London's congestion charge.

Instead the matter will be proceeding directly to court for a judicial review Porsche has announced on its dedicated website.

Andy Goss the MD of Porsche Cars GB said:

"The new £25 charge will have no meaningful impact on congestion and TfL's own figures show the anticipated CO2 emissions savings in a year could be equivalent to less than four hours of emissions from Heathrow. All it will do is unfairly hit large numbers of drivers in London and undermine London’s attractiveness as a place to do business.

We are therefore formally applying for judicial review to challenge the Mayor’s proposals and we are confident we have a strong case."

The ball is in Ken's court.

Ken Plots Further London C-Charge Extension

The existing charge zone (with western extension)

As the London mayoral elections near a blow has been struck by mayoral challenger Boris Johnson.

Johnson has revealed plans by the incumbent Ken Livingstone that outline the introduction of a large extension to the existing pay-as-you-drive scheme which has been kept secret in the run up to the May 1st mayoral election over worries it would prove unpopular with voters.

The existing zone, which was recently increased in size despite a consultation, which pronounced it unpopular, would under these plans be stretched again to cover outer London from Harrow to Ilford.

It all seems a little underhand, and I find myself having some sympathy for Boris Johnson's statement that Ken treats London like his personal "fifedom".

Personally, I would like to see the whole idea of a Mayor of London sent back where it came from. It seems fundamentally undemocratic to have so much power vested in one man, whoever that man may be.


See the PDF of the Boris Johnson document here

Classic Motoring Advert #17: Competitive Components

Too new to be a classic, but we enjoyed this Renault advert so much that it has found its way onto our blog.

Vmax Redline Gallery

F430 ready for a run. c.184mph

Ruf RT12 after producing a winning run of 211mph.

The other side: a little slip-sliding in a Honda NSX

and an M5's rear boots show the strain.

For further images see my Flickr gallery HERE.

Vmax Redline Update: 211mph wins it again

So another Vmax has passed. Praise be to Craig, Andy and James for a top day.

Conratulations to LeonS who won the event with a disturbing 211mph (in just 1.7 miles) in his utterly insane Ruf RT12 (in all its 650+bhp, RWD, turbo 997 glory).

The winning car

His speed equals the record set by 9ff at the last event.

I will be reporting in full, with pics tomorrow, but for now watch the speed list grow over at Pistonheads.com HERE.



Thanks to Autofocus and Dunlopix for the photo.

Vmax Redline is HERE!

Finally after months of waiting another Vmax has arrived.

We are off early tomorrow morning to Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground with a list of cars to drool over: including Porsches, Ferraris, TVRs. See the full list HERE.

We will be sure to bring back pics and video from the day to show to you all.

Our Winter Playground

Photos courtesy of www.trackdemon.co.uk

UK Government in common sense shocker!

Car sharing lanes?

Usually with the Government's new motoring ideas* we have a half hearted appraisal, expensive implementation and poor results.

Work on the M1 continues

So thankfully before we spend millions on implementing another one these, powers that be have seen fit to can the ill starred proposal of car sharing lanes.

But why? What a good idea it seems you say!

But no the 'High Occupancy Vehicle Lane' (the HOV -boys love acronyms) is fundamentally unsafe says a new study.

"It warned that if the HOV lane was in the outside lane of the motorway it would trigger crashes as drivers - frustrated by slow-moving cars ahead - swerved into inside lanes to "undertake".

It also said there were no refuge areas next to the outside lane for broken-down vehicles.

Moving the scheme to the inside lane was dangerous too - it would force drivers to cut across the HOV lane to leave the motorway."

So congratulations Ruth Kelly for seeing sense.

*Congestion charging/using the hard shoulder as a lane at peak times/poor road design/speed cameras etc.


For more see the excellent article (and post by one Marc) from thisislondon.co.uk.

Five Minute Filler: Super Slo-Mo Tyre Deformation

Amazing hyper slo-mo video from the drag racing scene.

The deforming of the tyre is unbelievably severe, some powerful forces at work there!

RaO Image of the Day: Tiff and the Ruf's

old vs new and surprisingly well matched

Former racing driver Tiff Needel enjoys his day out reviewing the Ruf CTR (the Yellowbird of Gran Turismo fame) alongside a heavily modified (c.650bhp) Ruf 996 GT2.

The finished footage was shown on Fifth Gear.

Five Minute Filler: Evocative WRC Video

I first saw this several years ago, and it wowed me so much I still watch it regularly.

Now it takes me back to a time when I found rallying indescribably exciting. The music (Linkin Park's 'In the End') sets off the footage so, so well.

Enjoy.

In Praise of Principles: The VW Polo Bluemotion

If there is one thing I love in a car, it's principles. Sounds ridiculous but find a motive to build a car and then go after it with no concessions to anything outside the original remit, not to marketing nor packaging -none.

You will have at worst a good, at best a great car.
For example:

• The Smart Four Two = Brilliantly packaged city car
  

• The Ariel Atom = pure exhilaration
  

and at the other end of the scale...

• The Bugatti Veyron = total luxury and galactic, record-breaking pace

• The McLaren F1 = unremitting devotion to speed and light weight

But I'm in love with a different car for the same reason.

The ideal in this particular vehicle is low fuel consuption and to this end it is every bit as uncompromising as the aforementioned. This car is VW's Bluemotion Polo.

Hydrogen fuel cells aren't here yet, electric cars suffer from packaging and range restrictions, but here we have a car that takes what we can do -and makes a car that does it.

It becomes economically (not to mention ecologically) sound by honing the different parts of a car that will aid it to that end: it gets 70+mpg from its 1.4 diesel engine without being the gutless box-of-fruit you might expect.

How does it do it?

• Look at the grill, front valance, look at subtly smaller door mirrors and side skirts that all help aerodynamic efficiency.

• Look at the small section wheels and tyres that reduce rolling resistance.

• Look underneath the bonnet the engine has been tuned for maximum fuel efficiency, but still peps happily along on a motorway.

Until we get to the promised land of guilt free, clean fuel I for one want to put my hand up and say well done VW.

It's not all rocket science, it's devotion to simplicity and for that, this car deserves to be on a pedestal with those cars at the top.

Classic Motoring Advert #16: This is Sant' Agata

Don't walk.

Renault Paper-Weight: The Clio Trophy

While this little red hatchback may not be so obviously appealing as some of the more exotic cars we feature, its understated (though comic-book colour) appearance hides something very special underneath.


As cars get heavier and heavier, driven by society's consciousness of safety, the driving experience in modern cars can become muted, diluted, as a chassis is forced to deal with all the extra momentum created by this weight.

This Clio is an example of all you could ever need in a car. It's diminutive form is just 1080kg (bear in mind a Golf mkV weighs around 1400kg). This is the Renault Clio Trophy which combines small proportions, low weight and fantastic dynamics to create a car of real purpose.

Taking the Clio out for a drive on some of my favourite roads in East Anglia is never less than incredibly good fun: it seems to reveal hidden talents to me every time I turn into the first corner.


Given the perfect bit of road with clear sight lines (and hence the promise of a safe outcome after a tempting corner) the Clio never disappoints in its willingness to grip with alarming tenacity through tight and sweeping bends alike.

The way the front of the car -no matter how fierce the cornering forces- stays nailed on chosen course throughout the corner, with the rear coming into play only if needed, instils a confidence I have yet to feel from any other car I’ve driven.

The car simply flows down any road, the busy ride at low speeds disappearing at higher speeds as the bespoke (and expensive) Sachs dampers come into their own.

The Trophy transmits every detail through the chunky steering wheel, giving you so many options at any moment through its wonderfully balanced and composed chassis.



The brakes also belie their small proportions, working tirelessly and remainig fade-free even after mile of track abuse: another advantageous facet of driving a true ‘lightweight’ car.

While cars these days become more and more ludicrously powerful, an irony considering the ever more crowded roads and draconian speed enforcement in the UK, the Clio’s 180bhp is simply put: perfectly judged, not too much, not too little.

These along with the aforementioned handling talents of the little red ’Jack Russell’ creates a car that is altogether perfectly suited for fast road use.


So if you ever get the chance to drive (or dare I say it own) one of these special little cars, grab the opportunity with both hands and you will be amazed by the depth of its talent in delivering pure driving entertainment.

This car is all anyone could ever need and shows, at least in my humble opinion, where the future of the motor industry needs to lie… simple, light, affordable, and well-engineered little heroes!

Classic Motoring Advert #15: Bull by the Horns

Audi reinforce their ideal of an RS's controlled power with this heavyweight ad.

BMW CSL: Keep the female side of your brain in check*

Seeing as a new BMW M3 has surfaced, it seems like a good time to reflect on what is now being left behind, the ultimate E46 M3: the CSL.

When argument raged (and raged, and raged, and raged) across the internet about whether the CSL or Porsche's GT3 was the superior car you knew that BMW had the makings of a new icon on their hands.

Sure the brakes were inadequate for their stated purpose, but to even to be mentioned in the same breath as Porsche's specialist track and fast road car despite being some £10k cheaper was something of a coup. It gained more respect for the 'M' brand than a million 'M' convertibles ever could. BMW was seen to be heading back towards its leaner, harder, motorsport roots; back towards the original icon of the brand, the E30 M3.

Driving one today is no different, forget the glitz of the carbon fibre roof, the first thing you notice is the deliberate lack of sound deadening. The intake growls under heavy load at low revs and the screaming 6 zings along at high ping: they both dominate the ride.

So it looks rude and sounds still ruder (if there is a better sound this side of an LP640 and CGT, I haven't heard it) and with Michelin's Pilot Sport Cups fitted it will make drain the blood from one side of you brain whilst cornering; the female side that is.


The gearbox can be a source of problems and being SMG (a sort of 'manual' tiptronic) it does make you feel more remote from the action than perhap you should with a car of this remit. However its gratuitous blips on downshifts make up for it and the violent upshifts feel positively brutal.

So without that pesky, sensible female side-o-the brain you are free to feel like a grade A, graduated boy racer. You know you should know better when you drive this thing, but who cares. The sport button is mandatory, of course as is trying too hard to ease the back round in any well sighted corner. This much fun should be illegal... oh it probably is.

One tip though: stick with the standard tyres. You might still have your whole brain to answer to, but you won't have to deal with savage and unpredictable grip levels and instead enjoy one of the finest, most pliable and benign fast road and track weapons I have ever experienced (except the GT3, just kidding) -and screw your sub 8 minutes Nurburgring time. Go on screw it.


*ahem, the more empathic side of your brain, which can multitask and generally avoid dangerous boy-racer type situations.

Group B Rallying: Dangerous? Na

After the deaths of drivers and spectators alike, the bright flame of Group B rallying was extinguished forever.

This short clip of the monstrous Audi S1 charging through crowds may go some way towards illustrating why.

Endo Smoking Exo-Skeleton

"Madder than Mad Jack McMad!"

It seems that one of the fastest accelerating cars in the world wasn't fast enough for some people.

Somerset based Ariel motor company will now produce an Atom that packs a 500bhp punch (the same as an M5) in a package of scaffolding weighing 3 times less than the BMW (500 kilos).

Well I suppose we now have a winner for this years Autocar 0-100-0 challenge, I just hope the handling is resolved.

Thanks to Cartribe.co.uk