Goodwood Motor Circuit

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May 3, 2015

Launch of “My Racing Life” by Stirling Moss

Posted by morewheelspin under ferrari, Goodwood Motor Circuit, motorsport, royal automobile club, Sir Stirling Moss, sportscars | Tags: ferrari 250 swb, my racing life sir stirling moss, RAC Club, rob walker, simon taylor, tourist trophy |
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Last week I attended the launch of Stirling Moss’s new book, “My Racing Life”. There have, of course, been many biographies and indeed autobiographies of “Mr Motor Racing” and I was somewhat sceptical that there was anything new to say about his career which effectively ended in 1962.

The launch was held at the RAC Club, the tables adorned with two of the club’s most precious trophies, the gold British Grand Prix Trophy and the exquisite Tourist Trophy – both of which Sir Stirling won on multiple occasions. After dinner there was a question and answer session with Sir Stirling chaired by well known journalist Simon Taylor. This provided an opportunity for Sir Stirling to entertain us with stories and anecdotes, many of which we had not heard before.

All those attending the launch were provided with a limited edition numbered copy of the book signed by both Sir Stirling and Simon Taylor. Having now had a chance to look at the book in detail I am pleased to say that it would make a great addition to any motoracing enthusiasts library. It contains over 300 photos, many taken from Sir Stirling’s own personal scrapbooks, with each photo chosen and explained in his own words by Sir Stirling himself. The vast majority of the photos were completely new to me and have not, as far as I’m aware, appeared in any other book.

To celebrate the launch of the book the Club arranged for the ex Rob Walker Ferrari 250 SWB that Sir Stirling raced to his final TT victory to be displayed in the rotunda. Sir Stirling raced for Rob Walker’s privateer team during the last two years of his career. It was in a Rob Walker Lotus that he had his terrible career ending accident at Goodwood. During the evening Sir Stirling revealed that if it hadn’t been for his accident he would have competed in Formula One that season in a factory supplied Ferrari painted in Rob Walker’s colours.

April 21, 2015

GRRC Easter Monday Members’ Sprint

Posted by morewheelspin under BMW, BTCC, Goodwood Motor Circuit, jaguar, Le Mans, MG, motorsport, porsche, sportscars, Sprint, Uncategorized | Tags: Anthony Reid, BMW CSL, easter Monday Sprint, Gerry Marshall, Goodwood Festival of Speed, goodwood motor circuit, GRRC, Jaguar XKR, Members Sprint, mg SV, Nissan GTR, Noble M600, Old Nail, Piper Le mans, Vauhall Firenza |
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Apart from the odd auto solo, the Goodwood Road Racing Club’s Easter Monday Sprint is the only opportunity for most non professional GRRC members to compete against each other. Even so, this year a fair number of professional drivers were invited to compete including ex Works MG BTCC and Le Mans driver Anthony Reid.

When MG were developing the MG SV Anthony Reid actually tested my car. A photo of him reunited with The Beast was too good an opportunity to miss.

This year Anthony was in my class driving a Works Noble M600.

The fabulous looking M600 has carbon fibre bodywork and eschews high tech for simple power, lightness and rear wheel drive.

This is the works M600 in which Anthony Reid came close to setting FTD at the Festival of Speed in 2014. On that day and at the Easter Monday sprint, traction proved to be a problem. Getting all that power down cleanly with no traction control was tricky and cost the team vital time.

An eclectic mix of cars took part in the sprint. This Piper Le Mans racer attracted lost of attention. Behind, can be seen “Old Nail” the Vauxhall Droop Snoot Firenza of the late Gerry Marshall.

Its rare to see an X150 Jaguar XKR racing. This neat example entertained the crowd with a howling supercharger

Anthony faced stiff competition for the day’s record time from two Nissan GTR’s, which were also in my class. The rest of the cars in the class were similarly modern and all were much more powerful than my MG. The only car with which I could hope to compete was a early Porsche 911 S (997). Eventually I came out on top in that particular duel but all attention was on the battle for overall (not just the class) fastest time of the day between Anthony’s Noble and the Nissans. In the end one of the Nissans pipped Anthony to the award. The fact an amateur driver in a £60,000 car was able to beat a professional racing driver in a £235,000 car was telling.

Another popular entrant was this immaculate BMW CSL racer

October 18, 2014

Goodwood Revival Meeting 2014

Posted by morewheelspin under ferrari, formula 1, Goodwood Motor Circuit, jaguar, Lotus, mclaren, MG, motorsport, rolls royce, Sir Stirling Moss, Uncategorized | Tags: Armstrong Siddley Star Saphire, Avro Lancaster, BRM v16, Chinook Chevy Mk2, Chris Goodwin, Derek Bell, Gloster Gladiator, Goodwood Revival, Goodwood Trophy, Jackie Stewart, jaguar d type, Jay esterer, McLaren Chevy M1B, MG Arnholt Coupe, Singer Le Mans, whitsun Trophy |
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Ever since I went to the first Goodwood Revival meeting in 1998, those three days in September have been the highlight of my motoring year. Goodwood is a fantastic race circuit, fast and demanding of drivers but at the same time beautiful and accessible to the public. When the weather is good there is really nothing to match the place. Lord March does, of course, put on a good party. Racing heroes of the past and the top historic racers of today love to drive at Goodwood as much as the public loves to see them. And if you are a billionaire owner of a Ferrari 250 GTO then nothing underscores your wealth more than allowing your precious car to be raced at it’s limit around such an unforgiving track.

Much though I love the revival I do increasingly begin to question whether I enjoy it as much as I used to. This year there was a record attendance of over 160,000 people and boy, at times did it feel it. Maybe it would not have been so bad if all of those attending had been motoring enthusiasts but many were there on corporate hospitality jollies and clearly had little interest or knowledge of motor racing. When John Surtees was taking part in his laps of honour I overheard, all too frequently, people asking who he was.

Maybe I’m getting grouchy now, but am I the only one beginning to find having to dress in period attire boring? Certainly the whole dressing up thing has become a major industry and whilst it might interest otherwise bored spouses, is it really necessary for the enjoyment of the racing? I understand that there is a desire to create a period feel but in that case why all the adverts for contemporary and anonymous private banks and hedge funds? And why are motor manufacturers allowed to push their new models in the “period” Earls Court Motor Show?

The racing this year was as good as ever but quite often it was the same cars that race every year in the same races with the same drivers. Perhaps Goodwood’s embarrassment of riches gives rise to a certain ambivalence but I no longer get excited by the multi-million pound grid for the RAC TT celebration. As for the St Mary’s Trophy touring car race, the less said the better. A Race where a Ford A40 can lap faster than a Jaguar Mk 1 is certainly entertaining but it is not historic racing.

The highpoints of my weekend? One was watching Giedo Van de Garde sliding his AC Cobra around Lavant Corner on his way to winning the RAC TT celebration with his codriver David Hart. I have often heard elderly spectators say that young Formula One drivers would be incapable of racing sports cars from the 50s and 60s as their forebears used to, because young drivers are so used to massive downforce and slick tires. Giedo proved conclusively that even one of the least high profile young Formula One drivers of today is more than capable of driving the wheels off anything given half a chance.

Another highlight was the fantastic Whitsun Trophy race on Saturday evening. Chris Goodwin, McLaren’s charming test driver, triumphed in his own McLaren Chevy M1B. The racing was very close and the average lap speed the fastest of the whole weekend. Seeing these CanAm monsters hurtle down the Lavant straight at over 160 miles an hour was astonishing as was the noise from their huge V8 engines.

An finally of course, the air displays. This year we had the once in a lifetime opportunity to see two Lancasters flying in formation. A very moving sight.

Goodwood in September..Goodwood Trophy Race

V16 BRM – I had not realised the engine was offset.

Derek Bell pushes his Jaguar D Type towards the grid

Jay Esterer’s sinister Chinook Chevy Mk2 from the Whitsun Trophy race

Chris Goodwin’s Whitsun Trophy winning McLaren Chevy M1B

Lots of fine cars in the Classics Car Park, one of the highlights of the event in fact. This very fine Armstrong Siddley Star Sapphire had come all the way from Switzerland.

A very neat Singer Le Mans, a very underrated pre war sports car.

A rare aerial visitor, a Gloster Gladiator fighter.

A rare MG Arnholt Coupe. Built on a TD chassis in the US in the fifties, these cars are rarely seen in Europe. This one had come from Germany.

Sir Jackie Stewart explains the finer points of his Championship winning Tyrell

Two Lancasters – the roar of eight Rolls Royce Merlin engines. The sound of freedom.

October 18, 2014

Hampton Court Concours of Elegance

Posted by morewheelspin under Aston Martin, concourse d'elegance, ferrari, frazer nash, Goodwood Motor Circuit, jaguar, MG, motorsport, rolls royce, royal automobile club, sportscars, Uncategorized | Tags: Aston Martin DB4, Aston Martin DB5, Aston Martin Owners Club, barnfind, Ferrari 250 TDF Scaglietti, Ferrari 275, Ferrari LaFerrari, Frazer Nash, hampton court concours of elegance, Lord Bamford, Lutzmann Victoria, MG K3, mg SV, rolls royce phantom, Royal Automobile Club, Zagato Jaguar XK140 Coupe |
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The concours of elegance which have been held for the last three years at various royal palaces have emerged as the premier concourse d’elegance in the UK. The first event at Windsor Castle in 2012 was a great success. Last year’s event at St James’s Palace was also good though a rather less grand affair. This year’s event at Hampton Court Palace was the best yet. Held in the grounds of Henry VIII’s palace on the banks of the River Thames, this year’s event was blessed with good weather and a fantastic turnout of world-class cars. Indeed many of the cars in the concourse had been shipped across the Atlantic direct from Pebble Beach. As in previous years, the premier motoring clubs in the UK were invited to enter 50 cars each for a supporting show. I entered my MG SV with the Royal Automobile Club. Having become an established feature of the London motoring scene next year’s event will be held at Holyrood House in Edinburgh, the Queens official home in Scotland. Whilst this will undoubtedly provide grand surroundings and whilst Edinburgh is a fine city, I wonder whether there will be a sufficiently large market to support an event of this nature. We will find out next year.

1933 MG K3 under close examination.

Lord Bamford’s gorgeous 1933 razor edge Rolls Royce Phantom II Continental. The one off coupe coachwork was carried out by Freestone & Webb. Lord Bamford showed the same car at Salon Prive and the Goodwood Revival the following weekend. Well you would, wouldn’t you?

Epitome of 50’s sports cars, 1957 Ferrari 250 TDF GT Scaglietti Corsa Berlinetta.

Old and new. 1896 Lutzmann Victoria and 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari.

The Aston Martin Owners Club brought a fine selection of DB4’s and 5’s.

Jaguar XK120 Jabbeke Coupe. This modified XK120 was built to claim back the Land Speed Record, which it did at Jabbeke in Belguim in 1953 at a speed of 172 mph in the hands of legendary Jaguar test driver Norman Dewis.

This immaculate Ferrari 275 deservedly won best in show from amongst the club entered cars.

This one off Zagato Jaguar XK140 was built after its Italian owner (and friend of the Zagato family) bent the original body in a crash. Zagato hoped that Jaguar might order further cars but they did not. It is much better looking than an XK 140!

A car that attracted lots of attention was this barn find 1934 Frazer Nash. It belonged to an RAF officer and remained in his ownership until the current owner purchased it recently following the first owner’s death. Shabby but with oodles of patina, the current owner was asking for views on whether to restore it or not. I think its best to get the mechanicals sorted but leave the body as is. Its only original once!

By contrast, here is a similar restored Frazer Nash. It looks brand new.

Another view of the beautiful Zagato Jaguar XK140 Coupe.

Patina..

The Beast looking good – compare the lines with the Ferrari 550 Maranello behind.

Old Beauty

MG SV on show

October 18, 2014

London Motoring Week

Posted by morewheelspin under brighton speed trials, concourse d'elegance, Goodwood Motor Circuit, Hill climb, motorsport | Tags: Brighton speed trials, Ferrari F12, goodwood revival meeting, hampton court concours of elegance, la Ferrari, Laguna Seca, london motoring week, Monterey Motoring Week, Pebble Beach Concourse D'Elegance, salon prive, shere hillclimb |
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Monterey Motoring Week in California is famous for its array of top quality international motoring events, all packed into one week in August. Centred on the world-famous Pebble Beach Concourse D’Elegance there are numerous other shows, both formal and informal, together with classic and vintage racing at Laguna Seca. Apart from the lucky few able to travel to California in August, European motoring enthusiasts have not been able to experience anything similar. All that now looks to be changing with what seems to be the emergence of a “London Motoring Week” each September. In fact it is more of a “South East Motoring Week” as it encompasses events across London, Sussex, Surrey and further afield.

The undoubted highlight of London Motoring Week is the incomparable Goodwood Revival Meeting. This has been running every September since 1998. So successful and dominant is it that now other events are beginning to cluster around it. The week before the Revival sees the Salon Prive concourse and motoring lifestyle show at Syon House in London, closely followed by the Hampton Court Concourse of Elegance, The Beaulieu International Autojumble, The Brighton Speed Trials and the increasingly popular Shere Hillclimb in Surrey.

With so many fabulous events crammed into a very short space of time, motoring enthusiasts can find that difficult decisions need to be made as to which events to attend. This year I was lucky enough to attend the Revival, Salon Prive , Hampton Court and the Shere Hillclimb. I unfortunately had to turn down a place at the Brighton Speed Trials due the clash with Hampton Court and Shere. A great shame is this year’s Speed Trials was the first to be held since the event was reinstated following a successful campaign to stop the Green dominated Brighton City Council banning it. Reports on all the events I attended will be added shortly.

La Ferrari and Bespoke F12 Ferrari at Salon Prive 2014

June 29, 2014

Out and About at the Festival of Speed 2014

Posted by morewheelspin under Audi, BMW, ferrari, formula 1, Goodwood Motor Circuit, jaguar, Le Mans, mclaren, mercedes benz, motorsport, peugoet, porsche, sportscars, stuttgart, Uncategorized, volks wagen | Tags: andy wallace, audi e tron, dougie lampkin, ecurie ecosse, emerson fittipaldi, felipe massa, Ferrari, ferrari 512, ford mustang, grand prix, jaguar d type, jaguar f type, jaguar xjr9, Jaguar XKR, jenson button, johhny herbert, John surtees, le mans, max smith hilliard, McLaren, mclaren 650s, mclaren m23, McLaren mp4-12c, Mercedes Benz, mercedes benz uhlenhaut coupe, mini cooper, monte carlo rally, Motorsport, paddy hopkirk, Porsche, renault twingo sport, stuttgart, sunbeam 1920, surtees TS9B, toyota hybrid, vw xl |
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Some interesting new iron (aluminium, carbon fibre …) at the FoS this year. Highlights below.

The new Ford Mustang – finally available in right hand drive. Aggressive retro styling looks good – shame about the awful colour

More “motor show” colours on the McLaren stand. Am I the only one who prefers the simple look of the MP4-12c nose to that on the new 650S nose? Must be as apparently there was so little continuing demand for the old car once the 650S was launched that they have now stopped making it.

The Jaguar F Type Project 7 is an important car for Jaguar. Based on the slightly more extreme concept shown at last year’s FoS , the Project 7 is actually a production car – indeed the fastest production Jaguar ever. Its V8 is tuned up to 575 bhp – 25 more than the R Coupe. It also has bespoke aero, and trick suspension and diff with standard carbon ceramic brakes. The screen has a greater rake than the standard convertible and it has an D Type imitating faring behind the drivers role hoop. Inside it looks fairly standard and weather protection consists of a rather impractical clip on hood like the recent Boxster speedster. Its a striking car and they hope to sell 250, and only 60 in right hand drive. But what’s it for? Too comfortable and therefore heavy for a racer (and the rollover protection looks too scant) yet too uncomfortable for every day use. Is it therefore just for collectors and occasional track days?

This stunning Jaguar SUV concept is far more likely to make JLR lots of money. Aimed at rivalling the Audi Q4, BMW X3 and especially the Porsche Macan it should perform well and in a different segment to current Land Rover products. I would certainly buy one. The bad news is that we are unlikely to see one for sale until 2018, with a hot version not to follow until 2019.

VW ran their diminutive XL electric car up the hill. It looks like the future for urban transport but is very very small and very very expensive.

The new Renault Twingo Sport looks like great fun. Based on the same platform as the new Smart 4-2 it has a rear mounted 1L turbocharged engine. Hot versions later this year should have 140 bhp making the car a mini 911!

There is always a fine selection of Le Mans sports cars at Goodwood ranging from those from the earliest days of racing to the very latest winning machines.

Andy Wallace is reunited with his 1988 Le mans winning Jaguar XJR – 9

This year’s Le man winning Audi e-Tron. Havings stumbled in the early rounds of this year’s World Sports Car championship they managed to win the race that really mattered. Sound familiar Peugeot?

1970 Ferrari 512, just like in the film Le Mans..

Mercedes high speed transporter carrying the fabulous Uhlenhaut Coupe (see previous posts from Stuttgart)

This year’s Le Mans Toyota hybrid

Gorgeous Jaguar D Type Le Mans winners – 55, 56, 57. This Ecurie Ecosse car won in 1957 and provided the design inspiration for the Project 7 Jaguar

Vast V12 Sunbeam racer from 1920 and even bigger 1911 Fiat

Due to restrictions on testing (!) there were no contemporary Formula One cars tackling the hill at Goodwood this year. That did not stop some of the teams bringing cars for static display or bringing cars from previous seasons for their drivers and test drivers to run up the hill. Even then runs were restricted to demonstration performances with plenty of doughnuts and burnouts and very little speed. We had to look to the historic guys for real pace.

Jenson Button in the McLaren MP4-26 he drove in 2012.

Max Smith Hilliard in his 1972 Surtees TS9B. Seconds later he stuffed it into the bales at Molecombe corner. He was unhurt and at least he was trying!

Legendary Brazilian Emerson Fittipaldi driving the McLaren M23 with which he won McLaren’s first world title in 1974.

One of the best things about the Festival of speed is the close access to the drivers available for fans.

British GP winner Johhny Herbert sharing a laugh at the Williams pit

John Surtees was celebrating the 50th anniversary of his world championship with a class of cars and bikes associated with his career in action on the hill all weekend.

An immaculately turned out Paddy Hopkirk reunited with his Monte winning Mini Cooper

Twelve time World Motor Bike Trials champion Dougie Lampkin in action

Felipe Massa reflecting on his good fortune to no longer be at Ferrari

I had a good chat with Andy Wallace about Le Mans in 1988. The XJR made 250 mph down the pre chicane Mulsanne Straight. At night he could see so little as the lights were mounted so low that he had to pick out his braking points by calculating distances from land marks as they flashed by. To this day the XJR is the fastest car to have driven at Le mans. Andy has no desire to ever drive that fast again – he said it was something you could only do when young, fearless and lacking in imagination.

May 31, 2014

72nd Goodwood Members Meeting

Posted by morewheelspin under abarth, alfa romeo, Aston Martin DBR1, formula 1, Goodwood Motor Circuit, jaguar, Lancia, Le Mans, mclaren, motorsport, rolls royce, Sir Stirling Moss, sportscars | Tags: 70s touring cars, beatrice team haas F1, donald campbell, goodwood members meeting, goodwood motor circuit, graham hill, group b rally cars, henri pescarolo, jaguar c type, jaguar xjr8 le mans, jaguar xk150 coupe, lancia delta s4, lauda, le mans, matra 670, mclaren turbo, monte carlo rally 1986, prost, prototypes, renault turbo group b, rolls royce phantom, Stirling Moss, triumph dolomite sprint |
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After a hiatus of 50 years, April saw the return of the Goodwood members’ meeting. Intended originally for GRRC members only, disappointing ticket sales saw invitations extended to other motoring clubs and subscribers to various motoring magazines. The comparatively light crowds may have been disappointing for the Earl of March but they were fantastic for those who attended. Not having to force your way past crowds of bored wives and girlfriends was a welcome contrast to the Revival Meeting as was the lack of corporate sponsors.

The event was blessed with remarkable weather – warm bright sunshine in what was otherwise a wet and miserable spring. The sun, coupled with the lack of crowds created a relaxed atmosphere most unlike other Goodwood events. But the best thing about the event was seeing cars that most of us had never seen before. Wonderful though the Festival of Speed and Revival are, many of the top cars return year after year. Having gone to both events for nearly 20 years I am afraid I have become a little blasé about even the most expensive exotica. Embarrassingly, at the last Revival, I found myself spending more time looking at the cars in the car park than in the paddock.

It’s this overfamiliarity with the usual Goodwood fare which made the cars at the Members meeting so interesting. For the first time we were shown cars that raced after the date the circuit closed in 1966. Le Mans prototypes and Turbo Era F1 cars did demonstration laps whilst colourful 70s touring cars battled it out in full on races. It was fascinating stuff and I can only hope that the event is repeated in a similar format next year.

In a previous post I mentioned my love of the Matra 670 that Graham Hill and Henri Pescarolo raced to victory at Le Mans in 1972. Imagine my delight when I found the very car at the members meeting. I also got to hear its V12 howl as it accelerated away from the chicane – something I had been longing to hear for years.

The fantastic 70s touring car race is going to do wonders for the price of neglected 70s saloons. Dolly Sprint anyone?

The Dolly Sprints below seem to have lost a little oil….

Sports Car Heaven – Alfa leads Aston Martin and Jaguar C Type

Jaguar Le Mans Prototypes exit the chicane

Jaguar XJR8LM

Martini Lancia Abarth 038 Delta S4 – this Group B rally car won the 1986 Monte Carlo Rally

Group B Rally Renault 5 GT Turbo

Prost and Lauda Turbo Era McLarens

Beatrice team Haas Turbo Ford’s

Visiting Rolls Royce Phantom with serpentine horn!

Donald Campbell’s Jaguar XK150 Coupe – in Bluebird blue.

The great Sir Stirling Moss checks out the 70s touring car grid. He drove touring cars in that period as an unsuccessful reprise to his career.

October 19, 2013

Seasons End

Posted by morewheelspin under Goodwood Motor Circuit, MG, motorsport, Uncategorized | Tags: brighton and hove motor club, bruntingthorpe proving ground, farnborough and district motor club, Goodwood, harrier jump jet, Luffield Speed Championship, mg SV, MGCC, prescott, rushmoor |
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Today I should have been taking part in the last event of my season, a sprint at Castle Coombe Race Circuit. Unfortunately I left my application too late and did not get an entry for what is always an oversubscribed event. Its a real shame as the SV is perfectly suited to fast circuits like Coombe and I am sure I would have done quite well.

Looking back over the season I can see some improvement in my driving as I slowly got use to the car. Sprints and hill climbs are not like circuit racing – you get far less track time and as such it takes longer to learn the peculiarities of car. Whilst I had two coaching sessions at Bruntingthorpe proving ground I suspect I should have done some track days – there is no substitute for track time. Still, any improvement is good and if I can get a couple of track days in before next season begins I should do a lot better in the championship that I race in, the MG Car Club Luffield Speed Championship. Below are some photos from the season.

On the start line at the Farnborough and District Motor Club’s Rushmoor Sprint, Aldershot, April.

At the splendid Sevenoaks and District Motor Club Crystal Palace Sprint, London’s only competitive motor sport event.

At the Brighton and Hove Motor Club’s Goodwood Sprint, August. The mocked up Earl’s Court building was being prepared for the Goodwood Revival Meeting in September.

Exiting the chicane at Goodwood.

Fast grey British engineering genius, and the Harrier isn’t too bad either. Bruntingthorpre Proving Ground, September.

At speed at Prescott Hillclimb

In the paddock at Prescott Hillclimb, October. The Beast is parked next to a new works MG3.

October 4, 2013

Rolls Royce Wraith

Posted by morewheelspin under Goodwood Motor Circuit, rolls royce, Uncategorized | Tags: arnold schwarzenegger, bentley, bmw, bmw mini, Geneva motor show, Goodwood, mg, rolls royce ghost, rolls royce phantom, rolls royce wraith |
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Rolls Royce Wraith, Geneva Motor Show, March 2013

A few years ago I visited the Rolls Royce factory at Goodwood. It was hard not to be impressed by architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw’s futuristic semi subterranean building which looks more like a bond villain’s lair than a car factory. Hidden partially underground at the behest of the local planners it still manages to be light and airy. The quality of the construction matches the quality of the architecture – the plant truly is a triumph of British architectural, engineering and construction know how. Such a shame then that, on touring the interior, it soon became apparent that what was being built there were not Rolls Royces but BMWs.

At the time the range was limited to the huge slab sided Phantom. Not an unattractive car it is nevertheless designed and engineered in Munich, where the body and all the major components (engine, transmission, power train) are also made. The plant at Goodwood merely assembles the parts, and paints and trims out the shells. That’s not to say no craftsmanship is employed at Goodwood. The quality of finish on the trim, the leather working and marquetry is exceptional. But depressingly all the names of the managers of each of the key works stages (paint shop, assembly etc) are German.

A sporting Rolls?

Bit I suppose we must not grumble. At least the brand lives on in motor car manufacture and keeps Britons in jobs. Bit it is odd that when Jaguar are lambasted for being Indian owned and MG for being Chinese owned, there is far less criticism of RR and Bentley. Unlike Jaguar and MG, all modern Rolls’ and Bentley’s are largely designed and engineered overseas with little of the “clever” work or indeed manufacturing of the key components being undertaken in the UK. An MG 3 is more of a British car than a Rolls Royce Phantom.

A big Austrian tries a big German… Arnie gets the measure of the Wraith

Whilst the Phantom has sold well BMW have widened the range to include first the cheaper Ghost and now the fast backed Wraith. It’s clear the Wraith is intended to be a car driven by its owner rather than a chauffeur. It even has (shock) sporting pretensions. It has a shorter wheel base than the other cars in the range, firmer damping and an engine more powerful than that in a McLaren MP4-12c. I first saw the Wraith when it was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March. It’s a fantastic looking car – far more imposing than the Ghost on which it is based. There is even decent headroom in the back. If I was in the market for a super luxury German sports coupe I would buy one. But remember this is not really a Rolls. If you want a well engineered British made product worthy to wear the Rolls Royce badge you need to be in the market for aero engines…..

Ghastly Ghost, compare with classy paint job behind

July 22, 2013

Back to the Festival of Speed

Posted by morewheelspin under ferrari, Goodwood Motor Circuit, mclaren, mercedes benz, MG, motorsport, porsche, sportscars | Tags: Ferrari, Ferrari 458, Festival of speed, Goodwood, lotus, mclaren mp4-12, Mercedes Benz, mg SV, Peter Stevens, Porsche 911, sir jack brabham, supercars |
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Beast’s claim to fame is being the oldest surviving production MG SV. She was a works car and was used for promotion work when the car was launched in 2003. That year she was prepared for the Goodwood Festival of Speed and spent the weekend in the supercar paddock and being driven up the hill by luminaries such as Australian multiple F1 champion Sir Jack Brabham and the designer of the car (and the McLaren F1) Peter Stevens. So when earlier this year the Goodwood Road Racing Club announced that there was to be a new area of reserved parking at the Festival of Speed for visiting supercars I was determined that the Beast should have the chance to mix it with the Ferraris, Lambos and other exotica. The organisers were supportive and allocated me a ticket when they found out the Beast would be revisiting the Festival nearly 10 years to the day since she was last there. Getting a ticket was not as easy as it sounds as the organisers had a list of what they thought of as supercars and MGs were not on it! Only two door Ferraris were allowed, and amongst the volume brands only Jag XJ220’s (no other Jags) only Lotus Esprits and Evora S, 911’s but for this year only, and only SLS Mercs (no AMGs). So pretty exclusive company!

The Beast attracted lots of attention, indeed more than the McLaren MP4 12 c and Ferrari V12 parked next to it. In fact there were 23 McLarens present so they were considerably more common than the MG! Surprisingly there was only two Ferrari 458’s when I had been led to believe that they were, when compared to the McLaren, the better car. Clearly the Festival crowd are a patriotic bunch.

McLarens – any colour as long as its orange..

As it was the 50th anniversary of the 911 there were plenty of Stuttgart’s finest. Next year its said they won’t be allowed amongst the supercars but this year the super car car park would have looked a bit empty without them so it would not surprise me if they get a reprieve.

I suspect the attention focused on the Beast was the result of her striking looks and the fact she is such a rare car. One of her admirers turned out to be someone who had worked for the Isle of Wight company who had made the carbon fibre blanks used to construct the bodywork of the car. The Beast was the first complete SV he had seen.

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