JAGUAR CARS TO CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF ITS ICONIC E-TYPE AT THE GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED AND REVIVAL

Jaguar Cars will be officially celebrating two significant anniversaries at Goodwood’s popular annual motor sport events this year, with 50 years of Britain’s best-loved sports car - the legendary Jaguar E-Type – being honoured at both the 2011 Festival of Speed (1-3 July) and Goodwood Revival (16-18 September), as well as 60 years since the Coventry marque first triumphed in the gruelling Le Mans 24 Hour endurance race.

Unveiled exactly 50 years ago at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show, the E-Type quickly became the epitome of 1960s cool, as well as establishing an enviable record on the racing circuits of the world, including Goodwood. At the Festival of Speed this summer, the E-Type’s 50th birthday will be marked with an original and highly impactful ‘Central Feature’ installation as a tribute to this incomparable motoring icon.

As well as the Central Feature – once more created by Gerry Judah, who has designed every memorable Festival display since 1997 – E-Types will be much in evidence at the 19th Festival of Speed. A class in the world-renowned Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ concours d’elegance will be dedicated to variants of Jaguar’s most famous model, while the Goodwood Hill will see examples of each notable racing E-Type.

Additionally, the 60th anniversary of Jaguar’s first Le Mans win will be celebrated with a class of the marque’s 24 Hours challengers. As well as the C-Types and D-Types which claimed five victories in the 1950s, Jaguar’s triumphant return to la Sarthe in the 1980s with the XJR series will also be represented, alongside examples of every other Jaguar model to compete at the 24 hour race.

Jaguar E-Types will also have a strong presence at this year’s Goodwood Revival. Saturday’s feature race at the Revival - the Fordwater Trophy - will be a 45-minute two-driver race for E-Types only. In honour of this, the official 2011 Goodwood Revival poster depicts the famous ‘4 WPD’ Noddy Coombs lightweight development E-Type racing at Goodwood.

Jaguar has a long and impressive history at Goodwood. An SS100 won the very first post-War public motor race at the West Sussex circuit in September 1948, and the marque went on to enjoy great success with sports, GT and saloon cars during Goodwood’s active years from 1948 to 1966. It is testament to this special relationship that the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed and Revival are the only UK-based motor sport events officially recognised and supported by Jaguar Cars.

Commenting on this announcement, Lord March says: “I am delighted that we are able to honour Jaguar’s sporting heritage and the 50th anniversary of the E-Type in particular, at Goodwood this year. Goodwood and Jaguar have always enjoyed a very close relationship, and it is entirely fitting that they should choose to celebrate these two very special anniversaries with us.”

Tickets and further information for the 2011 Festival of Speed, Moving Motor Show and Goodwood Revival can be found on the Goodwood website

To coincide with the 50th anniversary, Veloce will be publishing Jaguar E-type – Enthusiast’s restoration Manual by Peter Crespin.
In stock July 2011!
People dream of restoring an E-type, but many fail to complete their project after time or money run out. Do you REALLY need to spend £4000 trimming a two-seater, £6000 on an engine, £2000 on a soft top, or £30,000 for a new body shell? No – you can do it yourself for far less, provided your goal is a solid, presentable, and above all driveable car. If you are time rich but cash poor, this book is for you. More info.


E-type Essential Buyer's Guide's available now!

Click covers for more info.

LICS 2011 - CUSTOM BIKE BUILDING SHOW

Click image to view full size
The London International Custom Show taking place at Alexandra Palace over the weekend of 26th & 27th February is now just five weeks away and events are now starting to move very quickly.

Back Street Heroes are continuing to show their full support for the event, once again previewing the event heavily in the latest issue - click on the image to the right to view their new article.

As last year the event will host the UK affiliate round of the AMD World Championship of custom bike building, the first prize being £5,000 towards bike freight and related expenses for the winning builder to travel to Sturgis, South Dakota, USA to compete in the world championship itself. Last year one of the two London show winners, built by Shaw's Speed Shop of Lewes in Sussex, came home from Sturgis with the prize for the Worlds Best Modified Harley Davidson.

This year there will be four categories in the custom show, Modified Harley, BSH Invitational, Streetfighter and Freestyle. The editorial staff of Back Street Heroes the leading publication in the custom bike world has vetted all the entries and we are hoping to double last years entry list of 60 bikes. As well as first prize of £5,000 the Dutch based aftermarket parts and accessories firm, Zodiac International will be donating vouchers worth 1500 euros in three of the four classes.
More info: www.classicshows.org

Coming soon from Veloce! BMW Custom Motorcycles: Choppers, Cruisers, Bobbers, Trikes & Quads
By Ulrich Cloesen

Customising BMWs - does it work? This book, the first of its kind solely devoted to the BMW custom bike scene, proves it does! Features stunning images of customised BMW singles, twins and fours from contributors around the globe, many complemented by owner's stories and technical descriptions. More info.

ERIK CARLSSON TO ATTEND START OF XIV RALLYE MONTE CARLO HISTORIQUE, REIMS, JANUARY 28TH, 2011

Erik Carlsson at the Monte Carlo Rally 1963
Rally legend Erik Carlsson is to support the centenary celebrations of the Monte Carlo Rally by backing a team who will compete in this week’s XIVth Monte Carlo Historique rally in an exact replica of the car that took him to victory back in 1963.

The classic Saab 96 has been created by German vintage car magazine Oldtimer Markt and will be driven by chief editor Peter Steinfurth and navigator Thorsten Loeber .They will take the start at Reims this Friday (28 January) in a car that recreates the original in every detail, right down to the 283 entry number Erik used that year. He will be on hand to wave them off.

The exploits of Erik, aka ‘On the Roof’, Carlsson helped put Saab on the automotive map in the 1960s. He is a double winner of the Monte Carlo Rally in 1962 and 1963 and also took a hat-trick of RAC Rally victories in 1960-62. Now 82 years old, Erik was born in Trollhättan, Sweden, the home town of Saab, and was a works driver for the company throughout his career. Today, he is still employed as a roving ambassador for Saab.

Erik Carlsson was married to Pat Moss (1934-2008), who was also a successful rally driver with several wins in the Monte Carlo Rally ladies class, She was the younger sister of racing driver Sir Stirling Moss.

Erik’s ‘David and Goliath’ battles against larger, more powerful cars are now legendary in the annals of international rallying. With small two-stroke engines, 748 or 841 cc, the first Saabs lacked power for competition use and to overcome this disadvantage Erik developed a special driving technique. It was necessary to keep the engine revving at all times, so he used left foot braking while keeping his right food hard on the accelerator pedal. This allowed him to make the most of his car’s light weight and manoeuvrability while cornering.
Source: Saab

Coming soon from Veloce! Harnessing Horsepower – The Pat Moss Carlsson story
By Stuart Turner
Forewords by Sir Stirling Moss and Erik Carlsson

Covers the life of one of the greatest women rally drivers of all time, Pat Moss Carlsson.
Sister to Sir Stirling Moss, Pat had a highly successful career in show-jumping before moving into motorsport, going on to become European Ladies Rally Champion no fewer than five times. More info.

Available now! Saab 96 & V4 (Rally Giants Series)
By Graham Robson

The front-wheel-drive Saab 96, later the V4, made the brand into a rally icon in the 1960s, succeeding in events as diverse as the Monte Carlo, Britain's RAC rally, special stage events in every Scandinavian country, and the rough-and-tough Spa-Sofia-Liege Marathon. More info.

JAGUAR E-TYPE TO CELEBRATE ITS 50TH BIRTHDAY AT SILVERSTONE CLASSIC

This year’s Silverstone Classic (22-24 July) will be the world’s premier venue for the Jaguar E-Type’s 50th birthday celebrations. Launched in 1961, the legendary E-Type remains one of the most iconic, elegant and revered sports cars of all time and its golden anniversary will be honoured with a host of special races and displays at the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival.

Jaguar owners clubs in the UK have chosen the 2011 Silverstone Classic as the number one event worldwide to mark the E-Type’s half century. They are forecasting the greatest showing of Jaguar E-Types ever assembled with eager owners bringing their cherished cars from right around the world.

Adding to the festivities, the weekend’s busy on-track schedule includes two races dedicated solely to competition versions of the Jaguar E-Type. With nearly 90 cars already registered with the Historic Sports Car Club (HSCC) organisers, a record grid of more than 50 race-prepared E-Types is predicted.

“The response has been remarkable with huge interest from the UK as well as abroad,” reports Grahame White, Chief Executive of the HSCC. “As the Silverstone Classic is held on the full Grand Prix circuit we will be able to start what’s almost certain to be the biggest grid of E-Types of all time – it promises to be a magnificent site and a fabulous celebration.”

In total, more than a thousand racing and road-going E-Types are expected to join the golden anniversary celebrations at Silverstone and owners are being provided with dedicated infield parking areas and special ticket discounts, plus many other benefits. Notably the Jaguar E-Type Club has set up a unique ‘E50 Birthday Celebration’ weekend package to include a run through some of England’s most beautiful countryside, accommodation and a dinner dance in Shakespeare Country at Stratford-upon-Avon plus three day’s attendance at the 2011 Silverstone Classic.

“With so many E-Types on and off the track, it’s going to be a fantastic occasion – the world’s biggest and best celebration for one of the truly great sports cars,” says Nick Wigley, Event Director. “What’s more, the Silverstone Classic offers the perfect place and timing for the world to celebrate such an important milestone in automotive history. After all Jaguar designed and produced the E-Types just up the road at Browns Lane in Coventry and the very first UK sales commenced in July 1961. It’s going to be an absolutely amazing occasion – a party no classic car fan will want to miss.”

Highlighting the legendary Jaguar’s central role at this year’s Silverstone Classic, one of the very first Jaguar E-Types produced was featured on the event’s award winning exhibition stand earlier this month at the Autosport Show International.

The historic car on display was the 11th Jaguar E-Type car made, chassis number 850011 and will be one of the many contesting the two HSCC Jaguar E-Type Challenge races at the Silverstone Classic in July. These early pre-production cars were sold to selected customers who would race them, gaining valuable promotion. This car went to George Wicken, a successful Formula 2 driver who raced it throughout 1961 against the likes of Graham Hill, Roy Salvadori and Bruce McLaren and was one of only two E-Types entered for the 1961 TT at Goodwood. It now competes successfully in historic racing driven by owner Gary Pearson.

Highlighting the amazing mix of famous competition cars that will be racing alongside the E-Types at the 2011 Silverstone Classic, the display stand at the recent Autosport Show also featured a Maserati 250F from the Fifties, regarded by many as the finest Grand Prix car of all generations, as well as one of the famous V12 Silk Cut Jaguar XJR9s that took the famous British marque back to victory at Le Mans in 1988. Later in the year, both will be lining up on respective HGPCA pre-61 Grand Prix Cars and Group C grids at the 2011 Silverstone Classic.
Source: Silverstone Classic

RACE RETRO TURNS BACK CLOCK TO GOLDEN AGE OF RALLYING WITH LIVE ACTION

Miki Biasion in the Lancia Delta Integrale
A delectable selection of rally cars from the 1970s to the present day are out in force at this year’s Race Retro, held at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry from 25-27 February, demonstrating rear wheel, front wheel and four wheel-drive action on the Live Rally Stage, sponsored by Hero.

The live action, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, sees rally ace Miki Biasion behind the wheel of the Lancia Delta Integrale he drove in the 1990s, showcasing the Italian car maker that 2011’s Race Retro is also celebrating. Joining the celebrations is the Lancia Fulvia HF, an authentic recreation of a 1970s works rally car driven by Tony Graham on his return from Monte Historique.

Also on the starting line is a Vauxhall Chevette HS works rally car, hopefully with original driver Jimmy McRae at the wheel in support of his charity, built by Bill Blydenstein's famous Dealer Team Vauxhall (DTV) outfit at Shepreth in 1978 and run by works manager Gerry Johnstone. The car, in Jimmy's hands, competed in numerous Rallies in 1978, and achieved 7th in Mintex, 2nd on the Circuit of Ireland, as well as starts on the Welsh and Scottish events.

'Jumping' Jeff Williamson will debut his recently acquired ex works FIA Group A Mercedes 190 Cosworth, built for Danny Snobek to drive in the 1987 Monte Carlo Rally. This is one of only seven cars built. The rally programme was subsequently abandoned when these two wheel drive cars were deemed uncompetitive against the crop of new four wheel drive cars. They were subsequently used for the European touring car racing series run on behalf of M-B by Danny Snobeck Racing.

The Firenza V8, a recreation of the 1972 South African GM Dealer Team car used by Jan Hettema, will also make another appearance after its debut in 2010. Only 100 of these 360 bhp cars were built as 'homologation specials' to compete against South Africa Fords, V8 engined Perana (Capri). Hettema himself gave builder Mick Strafford a great deal of technical advice and help with original details during the building of this car to ensure it is a faithful representation of the original works car.

Also in action will be three of the small yet mighty Metro 6R4s, which remain as popular with rally fans as they were 25 years ago. They are joined by two Ford RS200s, a pair of Opel Manta 400s, an Audi Quattro Sport and a Peugeot 205 T16 – models representing the pinnacle of mid-‘80s rallying.

There will also be an example of its arch-rival Ford Escort Mk2, a highly-rare Nissan 240RS and a Triumph TR7 V8. A brace of Talbot Sambas revives ‘80s-style club rallying and proves they can still be on the pace. The pinnacle of ‘70s rallying might is represented by Lancia, Race Retro’s celebrated marque, with a Stratos being joined by a Fiat 131 Abarth and, from the 1980s, a Fiat Strada Abarth.

And big car rallying is represented by a 1986 Rover Vitesse, this rear-wheel drive V8 providing ample evidence that family cars can be on the face just as much as cars with a more sporting pedigree.

There will also be Historic Kart demonstrations including an appearance by racing legend Johnny Herbert at the controls on Sunday!

Adult ticket prices start from just £20 for Friday and Saturday, £15 for Sunday when booking in advance. Children’s tickets are £5 on Friday or Saturday and free on Sunday. Parking is also free throughout. The show is open from 9.30am each day and closes at 5.30pm on Friday and Saturday and 4.30pm on Sunday. To book tickets and for the latest updates, visit www.raceretro.com

From Veloce's Rally Giants series! Lancia Delta 4WD/Integrale
By Graham Robson.

The HF 4WD – a compact, five-door Lancia – dominated world-class rallying for six years, winning innumerable events, World Championships for Drivers, and World Championships for Manufacturers, and making legends out of drivers such as Markku Alan, Didier Auriol, Miki Biasion, Juha Kankkunen and Carlos Sainz. More info.

UK SHOW DEBUT FOR NEW NISSAN GT- R AT AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL SHOW

GT1 GT-R
Nissan GT-R
Sports car fans heading for the PistonHeads Performance Car show, held within the Autosport International event, in Birmingham this month are set for a feast of Nissan horsepower.

The first treat is the opportunity to see the awesome new Nissan GT-R. Revised for 2011, it now packs a 530PS punch and produces 612Nm of torque. This is enough to power the supercar to 0-62mph in 3.0 seconds, making it one of the fastest cars in the world.

Besides more power, the enhanced GT-R is distinguishable by its new wheel design, LED daytime running lights, larger front brakes, improved air intakes, red engine cover and a revised interior. It is available only in one grade known simply as the GT-R but with two interior choices – Recaro black full leather seats with red flashes or premium with a leather and Alcantara seat trim – both available at no extra cost. The car on display at the show will have a Recaro Black interior with the new exterior colour for 2011, Daytona blue.

Sitting alongside the GT-R will be the latest versions of the 370Z Coupe and Roadster, both celebrating the 40th year of Nissan ‘Z’ cars in the UK. Producing 328PS from their 3.7-litre V6 engines, they have come a long way from the original 240Z which was first officially imported into the UK in August 1971 with a 150PS powerplant. Much of this iconic car’s character has been carried over to the latest incarnation 370Z though, including its front engine, rear wheel drive layout and its two seat driving experience. Even elements of the original styling can be seen in the bonnet and roof lines.

Show visitors going beyond Nissan’s own stand will be able to spot some even more extreme Nissans. Performance Tuners Sumo Power will be showing off their stunning FIA GT1 championship race winning GT-R which recently picked up the RAC tourist trophy. The second GT-R race car will be strutting its stuff in the ‘Fifth Gear Live Action Arena’ where spectators will be able to see, hear and smell the car in action. Drivers of both cars will be available for autographs at various times over the four days of the show.

Speed merchants still hungry for more power should seek out the most powerful car to ever wear the Nissan badge; John Bradshaw’s Z drag car puts out a whopping 2,000hp from an engine which uses the same V6 engine block as a standard 370Z. Dressed in its new livery of red and silver it can be seen at the show in hall 7 on stand number 7400.

The Nissan stand can be located within the PistonHeads performance car show in hall 19 on stand number 19810.

Source: Nissan

Essential reading for GT-R fans!
Nissan GT-R Supercar: Born to race
By Dennis Gorodji

The Nissan GT-R revolutionised modern sports car dynamics. This analysis of its development and racing history provides an original view of the GTR models, plus comparisons with other sports and racing cars. Featuring 400 colour photos, schematics and graphs, this is a must for sports car enthusiasts.
More info.

BAHAMAS SPEED WEEK REVIVAL 2011

Bahamas Speed Week Revival has confirmed an agreement with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism to create a revival in the spirit of the original and will be extending invitations to past and present drivers and car owners to take part in this exciting new venture. The Nassau Speed Week will again take place on it’s traditional date from 30th November to 4th December 2011. The 1st Bahamas Speed Week Revival will provide an opportunity for some of the very greatest cars from the period 1954-1966 to tour New Providence Island and drive on the old venue at Oakes Field.

More info: Official website, Historic Motor Racing News

The Bahamas Speed Weeks
By Terry O'Neil

The vision of one man, Captain Sherman ‘Red’ Crise formed the basis for what was to become the Bahamas Speed Weeks, a series of motor races held on the island of New Providence in the Bahamas. They started in the mid 1950s and continued for 13 years, before ending due to a mix of political decisions, ill fortune and a shift in the direction motor racing had taken over that period of time. These years were described by many commentators as the ‘Golden Age’ of motor racing, where internationally acclaimed drivers attended the Speed Weeks to mix with the many amateur racers from America who came to enjoy the senario of sun, parties and racing. For many drivers the social scene was as important as the racing, and in latter years prize money was an extra incentive to turn up. This well researched account tracks the history of the Speed Weeks with its roller-coaster ride throughout its 13 years existence. Click here for more info about the book.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BIKE IN THE WORLD – THE MV AGUSTA F3

The completely new and much anticipated MV Agusta F3 was recently launched at the world’s biggest and most important motorcycle show, EICMA Milan, where Motociclismo magazine organised a poll to find ‘The Most Beautiful Bike of the Show’. Of over 12,000 votes cast, the F3 captured 39%, nearly twice that of the next entrant and well ahead of every other new model at the show.

MV Agusta describes this new model as ‘a work of art on wheels’ and its exceptional styling and advanced technology will take this classic Italian marque into the middleweight supersports category, with all guns blazing. The competition is already nervously looking over its shoulders!

The F3 completely redefines this category and sets new standards that other supersports bikes will be compared to and judged by. Light weight, enormous power and sophisticated electronics ensure standards of performance that will push the concept of supersports to the extreme.

The styling, as with its bigger brother the F4, is pure MV Agusta genius, but the F3 is even more unique, with incredible attention to detail. For example, the exhaust system has a fabulously distinctive triple pipe, side exit muffler – just one example of design and function in perfect motorcycle harmony.

The three cylinder 675cc engine layout pays homage to MV racing heritage, with this famous marque having won an unprecedented number of grand prix races and world championship victories, in its racing history. This incredibly short and narrow engine, with its unique counter rotating crankshaft, is the most powerful and most compact ever seen in this category.

The electronics have been specifically designed for the F3. For the first time on an MV and on any middleweight bike, there is Ride By Wire, with multi-maps controlling the fuel injection to optimize power output in all conditions. Traction control has been incorporated into the engine management, raising the dynamic control to a new level.

Frame design is advanced, with a combination of a steel frame and alloy side plates, wrapped around the compact engine. A long single sided swingarm improves traction and gives maximum feedback to the rider. Other chassis components are up to the usual impeccable MV standard. Fully adjustable Marzocchi front forks complement the Sachs rear shock absorber. Brembo radial calipers and discs, activated by a Nissin master cylinder are simply the best available and set the standard for others to follow.

The new MV Agusta F3 fuses unrivalled history and high tech future, giving form to the most beautiful and technologically advanced middleweight supersports motorcycle that clearly marks the beginning of a new era.

For the first time in the UK the NEW MV Agusta F3 will be on show at Motorcycle Live, NEC, Birmingham 27 Nov – 5 Dec 2010.Visitors to the stand (Stand 221, Hall 3) will be the first in the UK to see the latest piece of Italian exotica up close.

Source: Carole Nash Motorcycle Live

Coming soon from Veloce!
The book of the MV Agusta Fours
By Ian Falloon

Always produced in small numbers, the MV Agusta Fours are now considered among the classic motorcycles of the 1960s and 1970s. These were the first motorcycles that made Grand Prix technology available to the public, albeit at an almost prohibitive cost. More info.

GOODWOOD CONFIRMS 2011 DATES AND ANNOUNCES FESTIVAL OF SPEED THEME

Further to the recent announcement of provisional dates for Goodwood’s ever-popular motoring events, Lord March can now confirm the finalised dates for 2011. The Moving Motor Show will be held on 30 June, the Festival of Speed from 1-3 July, and the Goodwood Revival from 16-18 September.

The theme for the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed, from 1 to 3 July, will be ‘Racing Revolutions – Quantum leaps that shaped motor sport’, celebrating the ceaseless quest for increased power; greater efficiency; more speed.

From motor racing’s pioneering early days, engineering ingenuity has been the irresistible force behind the sport’s inexorable rise, with designers constantly pushing technical boundaries in search of ‘the unfair advantage’.

For example, in 2011 it will be 75 Years since Auto Union won the European Championship with a ground-breaking rear-engined car; 60 years since increased economy helped the normally-aspirated Ferraris vanquish the supercharged Alfa Romeos; 30 years since the dawn of rallying’s four-wheel-drive age; 25 years since turbocharged engines ruled the roost in F1; and 20 years since a rotary-engined Mazda took the chequered flag at Le Mans. It is therefore especially fitting to celebrate the innovations – both giant strides and iterative evolutions; masterstrokes and blind alleys – that have seen the racing automobile develop from crude behemoth to space-age projectile.

Alongside this central theme, the 2011 Festival of Speed will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, with a stunning gathering of cars and drivers that have written the history of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing”. It will also be 60 years since the C-type scored the first of Jaguar’s seven Le Mans victories, and the iconic British marque’s illustrious racing heritage will be honoured at Goodwood.

Jaguar will be much in evidence at the 2011 Festival, as the 50th anniversary of the E-Type – the ultimate personification of 1960s style, and one of the most admired car designs of all time – is marked in true Goodwood fashion. The E-Type will also be in the spotlight during the Revival from 16-18 September, with a spectacular one-make race.

The Festival of Speed will also feature a glittering array of cars and motorcycles from a huge variety of disciplines, further enhancing the Goodwood event’s reputation as the world’s greatest celebration of motor racing history and culture. Tackling the famous 1.16 mile Goodwood hillclimb will be everything from early Grand Prix and endurance machines, to off-road and contemporary racers and racing motorcycles.

Complementing the overall Festival of Speed theme will be a host of other attractions at the world’s greatest celebration of motoring. Aside from getting close to the action-packed hillclimb and paddocks, Festival-goers will be able to admire some of the most stylish vehicles ever designed at the Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ concours d’elegance, see and potentially try the very latest road cars at the Moving Motor Show exhibition, glimpse into the future of transportation at FoS-TECH, see many of motor sport’s famous faces up close, swoon at the mouth-watering display of supercars, witness the exciting sideways action on the Forest Rally Stage, and become a part of the action at the off-road activity fields and Junior Festival of Speed.

Goodwood Festival of Speed founder Lord March says: “I am really looking forward to having so many great cars and drivers here at the Festival of Speed to celebrate our 2011 ‘Racing Revolutions’ theme. For me it is always magical to see so many of the world’s greatest drivers, riders and machines in action.” He adds, “At the Revival, the E-Type-only race and special track display honouring 100 years since Fangio’s birth also promise to be truly special.”

As in previous years, admission to both Goodwood motor sport events will be strictly by advance ticket only, with 2011 tickets now on sale. All orders placed before January 2011 will benefit from a VAT saving of 2.5 per cent.

New for 2011, young adults aged between 13 and 18 can now purchase Festival of Speed and/or Revival tickets for half the full adult price. Previously all visitors aged 13 or over would have been charged at full price. Children of 12 years or under remain free of charge, as does all car parking.

Source: Goodwood

FORD'S WORLD CUP WINNER NEC APPEARANCE

Ford's 1970 London-Mexico winning Escort is making a rare public appearance at the Classic Car Show in November.


Celebrating the 40th anniversary of its famous victory, the Ford Escort, which was driven by Hannu Mikkola and Gunnar Palm, will be on display from 12 – 14 November at the NEC, Birmingham, as the showpiece of a stand celebrating the gruelling 16,000-mile rally.

In 1970 Ford Escorts secured one of the most spectacular results in rallying by taking 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th and 8th places in the six-week event. Ford celebrated this success by launching the iconic Ford Escort Mexico. The original winning Ford Escort, registration FEV 1H, is retained by the company as part of the Ford Heritage Collection.

Forty years after the Ford Escort proved so unbeatable, the Ford Focus is continuing the legacy. Earlier this year the Focus WRC of Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila won Rally New Zealand, providing the company with its 75th win and making Ford the most successful manufacturer in the history of the FIA World Rally Championship.

John Nevill, heritage fleet administrator, said: "There are few endurance events that compare with the 1970 London-Mexico, which was held to mark England's 1966 football World Cup victory and the start of the following World Cup in Mexico. During this anniversary year our most famous Escort has been in great demand and we are pleased to end the year with an opportunity to display this great car to so many fans."

Source: Ford

The Daily Mirror World Cup Rally 40 – The World’s Toughest Rally in Retrospect
By Graham Robson

Continuing for six weeks, and covering 16,000 miles from London to Mexico City via some of the most varying, tortuous and difficult terrain on three continents, the 1970 World Cup Rally was a unique high-speed event, attracting many serious works teams such as Ford and British Leyland.
Despite the tremendous amounts of money spent choosing and developing new cars, completing months-long route surveys, and analysing every detail of diets, oxygen provision, and the number of crew members, out of an entry of more than 100 cars, only 23 cars made it to the finish.
It was then, and remains now, the toughest rally of all time. More info.

Robson on YouTube!

DONINGTON LAUNCHES HISTORIC FESTIVAL

The future of one of Britain’s greatest race circuits, Donington Park, has been spectacularly confirmed by the launch of its own annual Historic Festival – a new venture which aims to rival the very best UK and international historic motorsport events. The inaugural Festival will be held on the weekend of 30 April to 1-2 May 2011.

To help establish the Donington Historic Festival as a showcase for the very best historic racing, Donington has teamed up with well-known race organiser Duncan Wiltshire, who will be responsible for running the event from 2011 onwards.

Says Kevin Wheatcroft, the circuit’s owner, “After a period of uncertainty, Donington Park’s future as a race circuit is now assured. The circuit has a fabulous history that is an important part of British heritage, from the days of the pre-War Silver Arrows GP cars right through to modern times. The launch of the Donington Historic Festival is one example of how we intend the circuit not only to survive, but to thrive in the years to come.”

As the son of Tom Wheatcroft, who bought the long-disused and derelict race circuit in 1971 and reopened it for racing in 1977 thanks to huge personal investment, Kevin Wheatcroft is carrying on a family tradition by honouring Donington’s history.

Meanwhile Duncan Wiltshire, who will be running the Festival in partnership with Donington, believes that the event has something fresh to offer the historic racing world.

“The Donington Historic Festival aims to fill a very clear hole in the calendar,” states Wiltshire, “by placing the needs and wishes of owners, drivers and knowledgeable enthusiasts at its heart. This will be a truly prestigious annual event, inviting only the very best race series and the highest-calibre cars and drivers. We aim to delight serious historic motorsport fans, and the owners of the most original, most fascinating and most important cars, by focusing on the pure motor racing experience, over and above any add-on attractions.”

The first annual Donington Historic Festival will take place on the Bank Holiday weekend of 30 April to 2 May 2011. Further information will follow, as individual races are confirmed.

Source: Donington

VELOCE AT GOODWOOD REVIVAL 2010

So another great Goodwood Revival Meeting draws to a close. This year we were very fortunate to grab some interviews with some legendary drivers.

We talked to Sir Stirling Moss OBE about forthcoming Veloce book Harnessing Horsepower – The Pat Moss Carlsson story.

Also recorded a video interview with Sir Jackie Stewart OBE about Veloce book Tales from the Toolbox – A collection of behind-the-scenes tales from Grand Prix mechanics which he provided the foreword for.

We also interviewed Desiré Wilson. Desiré became the only woman to win an F1 race of any kind when she won at Brands Hatch in the short-lived British Aurora F1 series in 1980.

Just about to go out on track, Desiré is pictured here signing a copy of Veloce book Fast Ladies – female racing drivers 1888 to 1970.

Chas Parker, author of Veloce book Endurance Racing at Silverstone in the 1970s & 1980s presents Jochen Mass with a copy at the Revival where he was racing. Mass is associated with long distance races at Silverstone over the years and features in the book.

GOODWOOD CONFIRMS OVER 65 STAR DRIVERS AND RIDERS COMPETING AT THE 2010 REVIVAL

Well-known faces from most motor sport disciplines will be in action at this year’s Goodwood Revival, including Formula One stars, rally winners, endurance racing champions, tin top tearaways and top bikers; often competing in the most unlikely of machines.

As an example, current Renault Formula One driver Vitaly Petrov will be racing an ex-KGB GAZ Volga M21 from 1958, and ex-F1 star and ten-time Grand Prix winner Gerhard Berger will be riding a motorcycle in the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy, as well as campaigning a lightweight Jaguar E-Type in the Royal Automobile Club TT Celebration race.

Other ex-Grand Prix stars driving wheel-to-wheel at Goodwood will include popular F1 TV presenter Martin Brundle (driving a Ferrari 250 GTO and Austin A35 – two cars which epitomise the glorious variety of machines competing at the Revival), veteran F1 driver Jackie Oliver (Jaguar E-Type and Ford Anglia 100E), and the only female driver ever to win an F1 race – Desire Wilson (Jaguar E-Type, Austin A40 and unique Formula Junior Nota).

Endurance and touring car stars competing are set to include Emanuele Pirro, Derek Bell, Vern Schuppan, Jim Richards, John Cleland, and eight-time Le Mans winner and Revival first-timer Tom Kristensen, whilst Scandinavian rally legends Rauno Aaltonen and James Haugland are sure to entertain the Revival spectators.

Motorcycling heroes will include Revival regular Wayne Gardner, TT-winners Stuart Graham, Charlie Williams and Ian Simpson, and former MotoGP rider Jeremy McWilliams. Goodwood stalwarts Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jackie Stewart, Jochen Mass, Brian Redman and Barry ‘Whizzo’ Williams will also be in attendance, with a special tribute being paid to John Surtees, who remains the only World Champion on two and four wheels.

Source: Goodwood

‘GRAND TOURING GREATS’ TO STAR IN THE EARLS COURT MOTOR SHOW AT THE GOODWOOD REVIVAL

Following the growing popularity of the annual Earls Court Motor Show at the Goodwood Revival, this key attraction will once again add an exciting element to the annual Revival meeting, the world’s most authentic historic motor race meeting, being held in just four week’s time, from 17-19 September.

The Earls Court Motor Show takes its inspiration from the celebrated London Motor Shows of the 1950s and 60s, with an Art Deco frontage reminiscent of the glory days of exhibitions of the past. This spacious area will give the expected 130,000 Goodwood Revival visitors an insight into how the motoring of tomorrow might look from a pre-1966 perspective, with a display of ‘futuristic’ late 20th and early 21st century cars.

Externally, Earls Court looks like the entrance to a 1950s Motor Show, promising to display ‘cars of the future’ inside. As no post-1966 vehicles are ordinarily allowed on site during the Goodwood Revival, the Earls Court Motor Show enables the event to break out of its ‘period’ timeframe and display post-1966 vehicles. The effect is like walking into a Tardis, offering other-worldly futuristic new cars to see, right up to and including manufacturers’ latest products.

Each vehicle manufacturer’s stand is presented in the style of a traditional Motor Show of the 1950s or 1960s. As with the rest of the Revival, the overall display is not set in a specific timeframe, but rather at some unidentified point prior to 1966. Manufacturer displays are therefore expected to include contemporary cars of the 1950s or 1960s, as well as some ‘concept’ cars showing each company’s vision of what production cars might look like in the early 21st Century. Car manufacturers confirmed to be exhibiting at this ‘motor show of the future’ include Maserati, Jaguar, BMW, Nissan and Rolls-Royce.

In addition to the manufacturers’ stands, there will be a central ‘concours d’elegance’ exhibition. This display will commemorate ‘Grand Touring Greats’, featuring around 25 elegant GT cars, from the 1950s right through to the present day. Expect to see important GT cars such as the influential Lancia Aurelia B20 Coupe, Bentley Continental R, Facel Vega HK500, Gordon Keeble and Ferrari 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona.’

Goodwood’s historic links with Earls Court are very strong. The famous London Earls Court exhibition site was built on land once owned by the Duke of Richmond; the Earl in the name referring to the Earl of March, from whom the present 10th Duke of Richmond, and his son Lord March, are directly descended.

Source: Goodwood

SMART FESTIVAL IS GOING TO BE ELECTRIC

This year’s smart festival is on a charge to be the best ever thanks to exclusive test drive opportunities of the smart fortwo electric drive and an appearance by 2008 Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton.

Taking place on Saturday 4th September at Mercedes-Benz World, Weybridge, this year’s smart festival coincides with the 10th anniversary of the arrival of right-hand drive smart models in the UK.

The additions of the groundbreaking electric version and the Formula 1 superstar to what is the biggest single-day gathering of smarts are certain to add an extra dimension to the celebrations of the production milestone.

Test drives in the smart fortwo electric drive, which uses state-of-the-art lithium ion battery technology and can be charged via a standard 13 amp socket, will be available to visitors on a first come, first served basis. Lewis Hamilton will add to the excitement by presenting the winners of the ‘Most Modified’, ‘Best Kept’ and ‘Best Dressed’ smart competitions with their prizes.

Other attractions at the smart festival include smart arrows formation driving team, a display of models from the striking BRABUS tailor made collection and a host of driving games that include smart football.

The opportunity for visitors to test drive the cutting-edge model comes hot on the heels of the first London consumers taking delivery of their smart fortwo electric drive as part of the UK’s biggest electric car trial and the Plugged-in Report commissioned by smart to understand the UK perceptions around electric vehicles. The full report can be found at www.electricsmart.co.uk

Source: smart

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the little book of smart – New Edition!
By Paul Jackson

In the little book of smart, now featuring a brand new extra chapter, author and smart fanatic Paul Jackson guides us through the history of the brand, its highs and lows, its successes and failures, up to the present day, with the very latest fortwo line-up promising major sales worldwide and, of course, helping to pave the way for a future for smart in the USA. It’s a fascinating tale, told succinctly and in an entertaining style, and complemented by full colour photography throughout. 144 pages packed with over 100 colour pictures and entertaining text make this a great little book. More info.

MOVIE AND TV STARS OF THE FOUR WHEELED VARIETY AT LANDROVERMAX!

Amazing Land Rovers from blockbuster movies and hit TV shows will be attracting the crowds at this year’s LANDROVERmax! held at Stoneleigh Park from 28th to 30th August.

Transferring from the big screen to the showground is the Land Rover 110 used in Tomb Raider and driven by Angelina Jolie who played the amazing Lara Croft. While Land Rovers have featured in many films, including The Ipcress File, The Italian Job and Get Carter, Tomb Raider (2001) really put the world’s 4x4 in the limelight as Lara went in search of hidden treasure.

Also being shown is the dramatic City-Cab from Sylvester Stallone’s 1995 film, Judge Dredd. Based on the forward-control (cab over the engine as opposed to having a bonnet like conventional Land Rovers), 31 examples were made for the film, which was set in 2139. Featuring an all-new body design for the film, bodies were made from glassfibre and were built by Land Rover.

From the small screen is Buster – a 1986 110 owned by Top Gear presenter and Land Rover fanatic Richard Hammond. His example, which began life as a 3.5-litre V8, now runs a heavy-duty 4.5-litre V8 pumping out more than 200bhp, as well as running equally tough suspension. And if that V8 doesn’t offer enough of a soundtrack, there’s a mind-numbing sound system providing the tunes.

According to Richard, he estimates that he has blown £70,000 on it: "It cost more than a new Range Rover and is more expensive to run than a Ferrari Enzo but I always drive it with a big grin on my face."

The biggest star of the show however is the SAS Desert Patrol 110 model, used by the British Army in Iraqi and Afghanistan campaigns. In theatres of war the Land Rover is a vital tool helping soldiers and they have served alongside military personnel down the decades, becoming well-loved for their reliability and strength.

Visit the website www.landrovermax.com for more info.

Coming soon in Veloce's SpeedPro Series! Land Rover Discovery, Defender & Range Rover – How to Modify Coil Sprung Models for High Performance & Off-Road Action
By Ralph Hosier

Buying a Range Rover, Discovery or Defender can be just the start of a wonderful adventure. This book shows the possibilities available to the owner, from big wheels and suspension lifts, under-body protection and tuning ideas, right up to how to convert the car into a high speed racer or an international expedition vehicle. With clear, jargon-free instructions, advice on events like family weekend green-laning, international expeditions and full-on competition, accompanied by colour photographs throughout, this is the definitive guide to getting the most from these exciting vehicles. More info.

BENTLEY DRIVERS CLUB AT SILVERSTONE

3 litre Bentleys in the parade as the rain begins (around 100 Bentleys took part). Image: Peter de Rousset-Hall
The Bentley Drivers Club 61st Annual Race Meeting at Silverstone on August 7th saw fantastic racing from a wonderfully diverse range of Bentleys and other marques. And, in the true spirit of the original Bentley Boys of the 1920s, the event saw a number of owners of modern Bentleys turning out with their contemporary machines tuned and presented for racing against their vintage counterparts.

“The mix of cars of all shapes, sizes and ages really took everyone back to the early days of motor racing,” said Sebastian Welch, Competitions Captain of the BDC, “and it was particularly heartening to see everything from a very early, brakeless, front-axled 3 litre Bentley up to the mighty 2005 GT, which was colourfully vinyl wrapped, just as owners have tuned and developed Bentleys for some 80 years. It’s a tradition that we in the Club are delighted to see continue.”

Key to this event is the informality of a true club meeting; grass-roots motorsport at its very best. “Although many of the cars are true museum pieces, they’re not kept in museums – we race them as they were always intended to be,” commented Clive Morley, who campaigned two vintage Bentleys at Silverstone, “and there’s a great atmosphere in the paddock. People can get really close to the cars – even sit in some of them.”

It’s also a superb family event. Spectators of all ages had plenty to entertain them, including the magnificent sight of 100 Bentleys old and new parading around a rather wet Silverstone, and exhibition laps by the Le Mans development car, EXP Speed 8. It was also a family event for the racers themselves, with husbands and wives competing against each other and, in the case of Clive Morley and his family, three generations out on the track.

The Bentley Drivers Club also continued the tradition of the race meetings of decades ago by inviting other marques to attend, which added to the excitement and spectacle. Two Morgan races were hugely entertaining, while other races featured Bugatti, D-type Jaguar, Lagonda, Allard, Frazer Nash, Aston Martin, Austin-Healey and MG, to name but a few.

Not surprisingly, this hugely popular meeting attracts overseas enthusiasts, not just to watch but also to compete. One competitor drove his 41/2 litre Bentley from Brussels, then campaigned it out on the track – again, very much in the spirit of those early racers.

“We were delighted with the event,” concluded Sebastian Welch. “We had full grids for a number of races, a strong turn-out of spectators, close-fought, exhilarating racing and that inimitable, relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that makes our annual Silverstone meeting so special.”

Source: Bentley Drivers Club

GOODWOOD TO PAY TRIBUTE TO TWO GREAT BRITISH MOTOR RACING LEGENDS AT THE 2010 REVIVAL

In just seven week’s time Goodwood will be marking the important contribution that two British legends have made to the sport of motor racing over the decades when it pays tribute to multiple World Champion John Surtees and the celebrated British Racing Motors (BRM) marque at the 2010 Goodwood Revival (17-19 September).

The Goodwood Motor Circuit has played a significant role in the careers of both racing driver John Surtees and BRM (for which Surtees drove), so it is entirely fitting that their achievements are celebrated with special track parades at the 2010 Revival to mark two important anniversaries.

50 Years Since John Surtees’ First Car Race

Already a multiple World Champion on two wheels, it was 50 years ago this year, in March 1960, that John Surtees began his switch to four wheels, entering a Formula Junior race at Goodwood and finishing a close second to Jim Clark.

Within a matter of months, Surtees had scored his first pole position and podium finish in Formula One, and in 1964 he became F1 World Champion. His achievement in winning World Championships on both two wheels and four remains unmatched to this day. Add victory in the inaugural CanAm championship in 1966, and a spell as a team owner, and his is a career whose achievements will perhaps forever remain unique.

At the 2010 Revival Goodwood will pay tribute to John Surtees, with a gathering of the landmark cars and bikes that shaped his unparalleled career, as well a number of drivers and riders that he competed with and against.

Amongst the 25+ ex-Surtees cars and motorcycles forming part of an impressive grid will be his 1949 Vincent Black Shadow, 1952 Comet 500, 1960 Cooper-BMC T52, 1964 Ferrari 158 and 1973 Surtees-Hart TS15.

60 Years Since BRM’s First Race Victory

On September 30th 1950, the fledgling British Racing Motors (BRM) scored its very first victory, here at Goodwood, when Reg Parnell triumphed in the Woodcote Cup. From then until 1977, when its doors closed permanently, BRM enjoyed a career which, perhaps more than any manufacturer before or since, was epitomised by glorious highs (17 Grand Prix victories and both World Championships in 1962) and ignominious lows (the calamitous failure of the much-heralded V16, and the team’s eventual demise), but which never failed to capture the public’s imagination.

This year’s Revival celebrates 60 years since that first win at Goodwood, with the world’s largest ever gathering of BRM cars. With up to 40 of the known 53 BRMs still in existence on the grid at Goodwood, highlights will include the infamous BRM V16 MK 1 of 1950, the 1953 V16 P30 MK 2, Type 25, P48, P261, P153 and the final P207 of 1977.

Source: Goodwood

KEITH BOOKER - ALFA ROMEO CENTENARY

Alfa Romeo Giulia GT Coupé - The Essential Buyer’s Guide
By Keith Booker

With the aid of this book's step-by-step expert guidance, you'll discover all you need to know about the car you want to buy. Unique point system will help you to place the cars value in relation to condition. This is an important investment - don't buy a car without this book's help.
More info.


Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider – The Essential Buyer's Guide
By Keith Booker and Jim Talbott

Buying a classic car is an expensive business and mistakes can prove costly financially and in time, effort and stress. Wouldn’t it be great if you could take an expert with you? With the aid of this book’s step-by-step guidance from a marque specialist, you can! You’ll discover all you need to know about the car you want to buy. The unique points system will help you to place the car's value in relation to condition, whilst extensive photographs illustrate the problems to look out for. This is an important investment - don’t buy a Spider without this book’s help. More info.

LA CARRERA PANAMERICANA AT GOODWOOD

Another highlight of the Festival of Speed was the 60th Anniversary of La Carrera Panamericana. I caught up with authority on the subject, Johnny Tipler (full interview video coming soon). In the meantime, here are some pictures of the cars representing the 2100-mile open road Mexican epic in Class 4 at the event.

Johnny (centre) with his book.
Picture courtesy Tipler
Picture courtesy Tipler

Picture courtesy Tipler

Picture courtesy Tipler
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By Johnny Tipler

The story of the legendary Mexican road race, which lasts for 7 days and covers 2000 miles of central Mexico.

Click here for more info about the book.