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Above & Beyond: 70 Years of Land Rover

Ali Mir — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 18:14:58 +0000

Every once in a while I like switching things up and going outside of my comfort zone. That day came when I went to watch the WRC rally in Wales with my friend Rob as this was something I have always wanted to watch. Something about rally cars that fascinates me about rally drivers that are driving to their absolute limits with a fine line of in control and imminent roll off into a thick woodland. Maybe its the fact these are road-based cars re-engineered from the ground up for speed, power, grip, traction skirting machines toeing the line between in control and out of control.

I have always said every car has its moment just like how every song in my MINI has a memory attached to it. The vehicle in question that was taken to the WRC was really fitting the ground we were travelling on….
After we watched the WRC, we head to our chariot with the infamous words on the bonnet RANGE ROVER

Yes, Rob deliberately parked it like this!! He was showing off how the auto levelling works on the air suspension.
This wasn’t the first range rover I had been in, but my first encounter with one was back in my childhood at the ripe age of 12 years old with a Mark 1 Range Rover. It was owned by dad’s friend who had two (one black and the other yellow).
Heading back to the Range for comfort, we dial in the sat nav details to lead us to black rocks beach for some off-road action for ourselves. I was presented I was handed the keys to the Range Rover Sport HSE 3.0 TDV6 – 240 BHP & 600 NM on the beach to have my first dose of off-roading fun.

Rob showed me all the buttons and what the functions did with the suspension, ride height, terrain, locking diffs, high and low range. All mind blogging at the time and the excitement of finally driving the king of the hill was immense. My exuberance took full effect when Rob raised the ride height and set it in low range while talking me through all the buttons and tech onboard.
I got a little too excited with the throttle as I was going too fast in low range, so the car told me off followed by Rob saying you gonna overheat the box : / sorrrrryyyyy
After getting familiar with the Range Rover Sport, it was time to see what it could do climbing the dunes and entering craters full of seawater.
This resulted in an impromptu full-on live-action photoshoot.

After the photo shoot, Rob asked how to do a doughnut? I was like that’s easy you just turned the traction control and dump the gas pedal all the way and keep the revs steady and apply opposite lock accordingly to make a circle. Look I will show you??? Firstly I forgot to turn the traction control, so all that resulted in us going an in a circle really fast like I was James May.
I looked at Rob and said sorry my mistake I forgot to turn off the TSC. I then planted my right foot sending the rear tyres into a scrabble as they dug deep into the sand as the front end lifted up to the horizon. The rear end slid away as I guided the front with opposite lock guiding her around to form a perfect circle with the palm of my hand on the steering wheel. I turned back to straight motion and let off the accelerator and said to Rob that how you do it! Let’s switch seats so I can show you?

Rob was dumbfounded on how easy I made it look as he got out and saw the perfect circle in the sand. I said when I had my BMW I used to mess around in the loading area of where I used to work, so I learned a lot of car control just by messing around. Time for you to learn how to drift pro with some car control which resulted in some giggling moments. I am sure the onlookers on the beach were thinking what a bunch of ‘Yobos’.
With offroad test drive done we head back to the asphalt where I got to drive the Sport on the B roads of wales which are tight, twisty and chambered. I felt the Range Rovers size which felt like a battle tank to me as we glided over the road with grace. I felt the sensation to be very commanding on the road as the driving position makes you look down to small cars.
I finally understood why people buy a Range Rover, it makes you feel tank commander! There is nothing that can beat you on the road or offroad and it a nice place to be. You are very much astounded in luxury on board HMS RR Sport in your own gentleman’s quarter. What else amazed me was how the air suspension was levelling out as I was tanking away down the country roads and this BMW couldn’t keep up with me.

This what the BMW saw…….

Amazing as the ability of the Sport was down the road it was this random selective feedback to the wheel. I know I could point it where I wanted to go but there road feel was lacking as it appears one sweeping bend then it just disappears a few seconds later???? This didn’t change in Dynamic mode either which was complexing, but hey at least it’s showing up a BMW. This aerodynamic brick weighing in at 2.5 tonnes and demolishing the ground underneath with ease.
Rob did tell me as I didn’t know that the Sport is essentially a modified Discovery 3 chassis. This makes even more mind-blowing given the Discovery looks like it will fall over if you whipped it around a corner to fast. My hat goes off the LR engineers who made the Sport as it’s a modern marvel to me. It now has a special place in my heart after a few hours behind the wheel. I am sure at some point I will own one add it to ever-growing JCW Adventures fleet.

Now it’s time to fast forward over two years but to the beautiful summer of 2018 where I was invited by Land Rover PR team to make history with them. 2018 was an essential year to them as it was 70 years ago when they Range Rover was launched, so it was only fitting that they graced Goodwood Festival of speed in an opulent manner.
I had my invite, and I knew who I had to take given Rob’s childhood obsession with the brand. You mention the word Range Rover or Defender with him, and you can see the excitement go off in him. I love passion especially when it’s around cars and their stories.
We headed out in my JCW given I wanted to give it a nice run to familiar grounds before to find faults before the heading on the MIR RUN: Euro Trip which would cover France, Germany, Austria, Switerzland and Italy in 10 days and cover over 2,000 miles, 3 Racing Circuits and 4 Car Factory Tours.

Rob had found a gem of a place to stay the night before to allow a more leisurely ride to Goodwood as the traffic queues have got bigger and bigger over time. Plus it allowed us to freshen up, relax and catch up over a meal at a Wagamama.
The sun rose, and it was the next day as we got ready our host had already prepared breakfast for us which was a delight as we conversated in the ambience of the grand room with a beautiful summer’s morning light filtering in. We thanked her for making our stay a pleasant one and we hoped to see her this time next year.
JCW all fired up we headed out to the back roads leading to Goodwood Circuit as Land Rover PR team had a welcoming event, registration and day outline plan to run through to make this one in a lifetime opportunity and a great memory.
There is something about driving to Goodwood: Festival of Speed. Is it knowing what awaits me or is the fact it’s a day driving my JCW in the back roads in the summer with the windows down?

We arrived at Goodwood Circuit to a sight of every iteration of Land Rover every made. We had to take a lap of honour around the parked up Land Rovers throughout the years which is a great marvel in itself.
There was everything from civilian vehicles, special forces, army, emergency services, police, G4 Challenge and special editions to vehicles I didn’t even know Land Rover were remotely capable of manufacturing.
Here are some of those vehicles:

Fun fact for everyone my previous boss David Sparks drove for G4 Challenge who is now the head of branded good for Jaguar Land Rover. He was a great boss and all around nice guy who loved cars, and his car history was an awesome collective mix from a Lotus Exige, Honda S2000, Golf R to a Range Rover Autobiography.
We signed on with JLR for registration and got our wristbands for the festival along with a special booklet, t-shirt and keys to our chariot for the day.

I was given the keys to car number 57 – A Phoenix Orange Discovery Sport in HSE Luxury spec with the black pack. It was a cool looking car on a British summer day which was made even nicer with a luxurious interior.
Once we had done nosing around, we were all brought together for a group briefing to discuss what would happen on the day and how the convoy would drive to FOS.
We would mark history by driving up the Goodwood hill in 70 cars to mark 70 years of Land Rover which is truly an honour.
All the Ranges fired up! We headed out in formation to mark this occasion.

This gave us time to get acquited with the new Discovery Sport which is a massive step from the last Discovery 4. The older Discovery had charm as it was a box on wheels and it felt like when you drove it as it would have massive lean in corners, but it destroys any obstacle under its wheels.
Its often is a car’s faults, and quirks that actually make it a good car in a positive way like the BMW M5 V10 was a great M-Car. The V10 howl is its soul but there are too many settings, drinks fuel and everything breaks on it but you will still love it when it works and you open the taps on it.
The new Discovery Sport drove well and it very much felt like a car but the Diesel engine let it down. It didn’t give it a sense of occasion as it didn’t have low-end torque I thought it would have for an offroader. The gearbox is perfect and but you can run away from the fact there should be shove on hand. There is a massively delay between you pressing the pedal and momentum actually occurring which is let down given how good the outside looks. If that delay would be reduced or completed eliminated the Disco Sport would be a great car as I feel it’s missing that just that bit extra to make it a great car to give you the fizz.

Looking at the exterior of the car as it unmistakable Land Rover in every way and everything is where it should with buttons and layout. The cabin is a great place to be and sit in with leather and soft-touch plastic. The utility of the function of the Disco is perfect in every way as everything is where it should and you can tell it was designed by people who actually take cars offroad.
If you have an offroader, please lock the diffs, take it offroad and get it DIRTY!!!!
We stopped by a farm to regroup and get acquited with one another whilst nosing around each other cars.
Some of her majesty armed forces were with us and they were given a Range Rover Sport SVR which was in Madagascar Orange Metallic paint (vibrant orange paint that contains ChromaFlair giving it a warm yellow to red ‘travel’). By god, it sounds amazing!!! V8 Supercharged glory with a metallic grasp like a swarm of wasps, locusts, rattlesnakes, flying ants, bees and ball bearings fighting out in a dark metallic tube.

So came the time to finally to head to the Hill Climb so we proceeded in a timely fashion and grided up. This was a surreal moment as everyone had their phone outs and they were videoing us like we were some kind of celebrities??? I leaned to Rob said let’s go cement ourselves in history as I smirked.
Who would have thought I would get to drive up the Goodwood Hill? I am just some dude with a car and website there is no special sauce here.
Either way here I am defying all odds like any other plucky brit which is what the Land Rover Brand is all about! It’s about conquering anything in front of you and to go Above & Beyond whatever the obstacle comes your way.
We drove up the hill together making videos and taking as many pics as could to capture the moment. Not too many to miss the moment but saviour the moment which a lot of my generation seem to miss nowadays.

It was a surreal moment as my four years for working for JLR’s owned marketing agency came flooding back. I started doing their marketing since I returned from the states from MINI TAKES THE STATES 2014. Having know people on the factory floor, engineers, artworks, marketers I was proud I was doing their hard work an honour as I rolled this Discovery into the history books.
I was outlining the track layout as I went around to Rob as only a lucky few get to drive or ride shotgun on this asphalt. It only sank in when went under the bridge next to the Goodwood House with the Porsche sculpture captivating the skyline.

We drove near the flint wall which is literally what is and it looks unbelieve sharp. If you take that corner wrong at high speed you will get understeer which will result in you shattering the front end to pieces. Over the years it has become a formidable foe and claimed many race cars and driver’s egos.
Today wouldn’t be my day as switch back past it as I hugged the straw bales and kept the correct line and headed into the woodlands towards the infamous finish line for our own personal victory.
I felt the sense of pride like when Top Gear drove down the mall with everything made in Great Britian.

With history made we parked up next to the Goodwood rally stage all in formation in model years which was another sight in itself. But the temptation to drive on to the rally stage was immense as all I had to was slot the terrain system into loose gravel and mash the throttle into the forest. If Land Rover wants to give me that chance to do that another time I would love to do it…

Having parked up, I bumped in Adnan Ebrahim the founder of Car Throttle who was climbing out the Land Rover Defender Works V8 which sounds exactly what it is. It’s literally Defender with a V8 slot under the hood. I moaned why hadn’t JLR made a G-Wagon rival??? If Mercedes makes the G -Wagon there is clearly a market for Defender to have a V8 with a luxury interior???
Fun Fact: G-Wagon is the most profitable car Mercedes makes in their entire range.
I am glad Land Rover finally did make but they should done it a long time ago!!! But like anything, It’s Better late than never! Let’s hope the next Defender due for 2019 reveal has room for a V8 Motor (Insert Jeremy Clarkson’s American accent).

It was good to chat with Adnan to understand his outlook for Car Throttle and how it has come to age with the manufacturers finally understanding the digital age and communities that surround them. The age of traditional print has moved on and the digital landscape has taken hold to newer generations, and how it opens to everyone in the world wherever they are. Carms & Miss Emma Walsh was in our line up of Land Rovers as well so the world of IG & Youtube royalty was with us on this landmark day.
Rob and I went off to enjoy the rest of the festival of speed. The rally stage part of FOS is the only part I had never been to from all of my six visits since 2011. It was nice hearing and seeing some rally legends in the pit area.

After being done with the rally legends, we headed over the main FOS area to which we had to go through the VIP parking area. Two Mclaren Sennas, Huracan Performante, 670 LT, XJ13, Bullit Mustang, Aston Martin AMR & Giulia Quadrifoglio marked it as no ordinary.

Everyone knows where my next stop is….
MINI’s Stand
MINI Electric Concept – Due 2019
MINI GP3 Concept – Due 2020
Next up was a mix of other brands which I am excited to see and hear on the road and at shows for 2019.
Lamborghini Urus

Hurcan Performante Spyder – Hmmmm that Satin Blue paint

I went over to the URBAN stand to catch with an old MINI friend who works for them as a painter and in sales along with another at the Alpina stand who is in sales.

The next selections of cars were my favourite from the show
The moving motor show had a great selection of the new latest and greatest from Manufacturers.

JLR PR team had a few more surprise for us before we headed home so it was off to the Jaguar Land Rover stand. There was a small presentation with a few drinks to thank everyone who came and brought their own cars to fill in the cars not owned by JLR. Then was the final two gifts left by JLR which was some drifting in Jaguar F-TYPE V6 and offroad experience in the Range Rover to show its capabilities.

First up was Jaggggggggggg and the Ex-racing driver. He told me to buckle as we drifted in a continual onslaught of V6 howl tyre shredders smoke around a short technical circuit with little room for error. Sadly I have forgotten his name but I remember him telling he used to race on real street circuits which were the golden days. I wished myself that it would come back to more towns so people could be inspired and a new generation would follow motorsport and go into motor industry-centric roles.

Finally, the Range Rover arrived, and I took a back seat for this one so Rob could be in his element. We had another driver who took the Land Rover to its limit on the confined course to its climb and descent capabilities. This was a showcase of the full articulation of each wheel separately on the latest Range Rover.

It still amazes me how easy any Range Rover product makes offroading look whilst being basked in luxury. I guess there is nothing like Great British Engineering…

I had a good nose around the Jaguar Land Rover stand and there some fantastic cars for all your needs and terrains. The I-Pace was there which is JLR first full-on plunge into the electric car which is a real contender for the Tesla in every way.

The SVR sunk worked F-Pace which has the full-fat supercharged V8 (This was the last car I did some marketing on)

XE 300 Sport

Range Rover SV Autobiography – Which was in Rob Spec

Range Rover SV Coupe
£250,000 of Two-Door Luxury which will be uber-exclusive at 999 units worldwide

There were a few cars in Darkhorse spec, but the one that caught my eye was Range Rover P400e which is a sign to the future. Hopefully, I will get the chance to drive it and experience where the Range will go into the future…
That was a wrap for the day, and I found more than I thought I would. I got to make history with Land Rover and with creating a great memory with best my friend.

Thank you for everything you have and will do for me Rob, and I hope this friendship lasts a lifetime as I can’t see a day without. Here is to the future and our adventures ahead wherever they make take us. Rob is now part of this once solo team as he will be joining on my adventures and be contributing editor & photographer of the site. Don’t worry he has a Chilli Red R56 JCW N18 as well and few more special other vehicles.
Thank you Land Rover UK PR team for everything and making our time with you priceless & memorable.
A few months later the JCW Adventures fleet grew to have something special amongst the ranks. Here is our Black on Black on Black – Range Rover Velar
Let the Adventures begin….
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Please Take The Next Left: Where has JCW ADVENTURES been?

Ali Mir — Sun, 30 Dec 2018 15:31:06 +0000

Some roads lead you away from your destinations but sometimes it’s the route you need to head down. With that said in mind allow me to reintroduce myself…
I started this MINI Adventure back in 2011 to share my MINI Adventures with my JCW which was built to my spec and she is still with me. Even after all the roads, tracks, counties, magazine shoots, tv appearances, countries and continents she still puts a smile on my face with well over 100,000 miles on the clock I will never sell her. She was made for me and me alone and she has given me so much I don’t think she will ever part from my side regardless of the cost as its memories, smiles, laughs, adventures and friends which have joined me on this MINI Adventure that makes her special to me.
Oh god, she has cost me some money with the high mileage use I do but I couldn’t stay mad when I looked back at her when I parked her or drove her! She just makes me smile every single time after all these years. God, I sound like I am in a relationship with my MINI.

My absence from posting has been for multiple reasons with work, life and other commitments taking me elsewhere so finding the time to sit down and write became difficult.
Fortunately, the adventures did continue past MINI TAKES THE STATES with the now infamous invite only M.I.R Runs, MINI Shows, Press events and European road trips. I have plenty more tell everyone now along with being able to offer advice on how to keep an R56 going past 100,000 miles. It’s even more so given my JCW is LCI model but with the much misunderstood and underappreciated N14 Engine.
Along the way, I have helped join my lifestyle with the MINI community or actually help them purchasing a 1st, 2nd or 3rd Gen BMW MINI. There will definitely be buying guides coming out from to help you look for a used hero or building one to your spec I will give you the low down on everything you need to know.

There will be an official launch of JCW Adventures shop, monthly runs, new and used reviews and partnerships with brands.
Along with this, there will be a relaunch of the Youtube channel as many of you have requested me to get in front of the camera instead of being behind of it.
JCW Adventures will expand further across the automotive landscape as the fleet has increased beyond my R56 JCW. I wanted to touch base with everyone again and just to let you know as with all great legends I will be making a comeback.
Here is a sneak peek to what I have been up to…
Thank you for all your support over the years from all corners of the world!
As Always It’s a MINI Adventure Try to Keep up!
Ali
Founder of JCW Adventures & Owner of BT11WRK

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The post Please Take The Next Left: Where has JCW ADVENTURES been? appeared first on JCW Adventures.

Goodwood: Festival Of Speed 2013

Ali Mir — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 13:39:39 +0000

The biggest and fastest car show of the year is here with the numbers to match with Porsche 911’s 50th, McLaren’s 50th, Aston Martin’s 100th, Lamborghini’s 50th, WRC’s 40th, Le Mans’ 90th and of course the 20th anniversary of the Festival of Speed.

The centre stage was set already for these top marques to strut their stuff on the certain to get a look from lucky 5% of the world’s population who can afford them whilst the rest if us mere mortals sat there like patting dogs.

2009 was my 1st visit to the show in my JCW after it had been run in but this time I round my JCW has had alot of MINI adventures and is well know and adored by MINI owners across the globe.

I always get told by my work colleagues or people who know me that MINI should make their brand ambassador as fully distilled in lifestyle that is MINI. I am not gonna lie the JCW is always a talking point and some how I always wriggle in my MINI to any topic so I am really a self-confessed MINIac.

99.9% of any of my social media posts are about my MINI so it wasn’t hard for MINI UK to pick up my obsession so much so I was invited to attend the Festival of speed as a VIP guest and bring a few people with me.

I keep in regular contact with Christine all the time as we a good catch up and giggles on the weekend. I told her I managed to blag some more tickets for Goodwood and whether she would like to come with along with my younger sister and little brother.

She accepted and the stage was set for her to go her first festival of speed. We met up at a service station near by Goodwood estate so we drive in together in convoy. As we drove up together we met to what seemed like the sultan of Brunei’s car collection had come out to see who their new friends would be.

There were a lot of Porsches as we drove and parked up into our VIP parking. Here is a fun fact for you all – 80% of all Porsche 911s ever made are still on the road.

As I previously said the number of exotics, super cars and legends of the automotive world was staggering number but wait a second we were still in the park.

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As we passed all the tasty exotics we were met with race cars legends ranging from rally cars to Le mans racers with the infamous Martini livery.

Bentley was showing off its return to Le mans bringing its two race cars which ran in the race in June (They weren’t washed).

Too be honest I think they were trying to show off as they brought their recently unveiled GT3 race car.

Porsche wasn’t too far behind all staged up with its race winning cars. Don’t quote me on this one but Porsche has won the most races overall in motor sport.

Then I spotted the uber rare M1 racecar which really got to perform on the track as race series it was built for stopped so BMW was left with a big bill. It was a troubled birth to begin with as Lamborghini was commissioned to build the cars for racing but conflict arose so BMW made the cars themselves. This BMW rarest car as road going cars were made due to homologations to which 209 were built.

Remember I told you all about Bert???

Yes Bertie that small little Mini cooper sport well it might be small but its mighty. Ian his owner decided to put his Mini in competition to win centre stage at the Goodwood festival of speed on the MINI stand.

Your never gonna guess what happened?

That little guy, no not Ian! Little Bertie won the competition and the minions from MINI gave him the call to tell him they would coming soon to pick him up.

Ian was given a loan car for the duration that Bert would be away which was amusing given Ian recently picked up his 5th MINI – Cooper S

You can clearly see he was jealous of my JCW colour and decided to copy me but give his own twist on the interior with toffee lounge leather. He has given his new MINI the name of chewie because it reminds him of chewbecca from star wars (He has a little plush toy to match which sits in his cup holder).

Bert was picked up bundled into a trailer for transportation to be detailed for his BIG day out on the MINI stand for the Goodwood festival of speed. Ian was given VIP hospitably by MINI UK whilst Bertie was under their car with photo shoots and very famous racing driver Paddy Hopkirk coming down to say Hi.

What do you mean this isn’t the 3rd Gen MINI??

I wasn’t gonna let Ian have all the fun!!! As we all know why you buy a MINI is to have fun behind the wheel. So we parked our bums in some of the MINIs line up of model with me looking at the JCW paceman thinking it need more power while my sister was dreaming of drop top posing in the Kite blue coupe. Little Adam was more bothered about jumping on the MINI bumper cars!!!

Yes you heard me right MINI bumper cars. Plenty of go with no need for insurance but the potential of mess hair and shaken brain topped with a BIG Grin on your face.

Well I let the kids so first as I didn’t want to show them up with my epic driving skills as I am gentleman racer which has nothing to the lovely ladies working on the MINI stand *PROMISE*

Little Adam was enjoying himself with the wind in hair and road rage activated. I guess you have to start from somewhere.

We weren’t the only loonies who wanted to join in on the fun as the whole Wacky racers crew came down to settle the score once and for all.

It was across the way to the BMW stand where M was the word with the M5, M6 & M135i taking front stage with the all new 435i M Sport lurking upstairs in the owners lounge.

Next is the upcoming sensation of 2014 the Alfa Romeo 4C with its light weight carbon fibre tub with 240 BHP rear wheel shenanigans which will see the brand win back heart of enthusiasts worldwide.

Remember you not a real car person until you own a Alfa….

There are a few brands which I hold dear to the petrol filled heart – MINI, BMW, Lotus, Porsche, Mercedes, Lamborghini and Pagani. So you guys and girls can now imagine what my ultimate seven-day car garage would look like.

I love the lunacy of the AMG marque as its like going out on a date with axe murderer in pinstriped suit. You know it looks dapper and will show you a good time whilst its drunk but it has all the power in the relationship, however don’t fall asleep before it does as you might not wake up.

Which neatly brings me on to the V8 C63 AMG which will be last hurrah for the V8 as the V6 twin turbo arrives in the next C Class AMG

I wouldn’t mind have a 507 Edition C63 AMG

Black Series, enough said…

You have all heard, watch and read about the Mercedes new offering in the hot hatch market with the CLA & A Class AMG.

I am not sold on the CLA visual appeal as it looks the designer finished his final look and some backed into the clay model. On the other hand the A class is the looker of the bunch and interior is beautifully finish with nice touches here and there but whatever you do not buy it in south sea metallic blue.

Its staggering how AMG’s first attempt at hot hatch market with 2 litre turbocharged engine that produces 360bhp and dispatches 0 to 60 in 4.6 seconds making it the quickest hot hatch you can buy.

You have seen it on Top Gear when Jezza took out this electric beast around the track with 4WD, 740bhp & 738lb ft – 0-62 mph in 3.9 secs , 155 mph, 155-mile range, 3 hr fast charge and 2110kg. Weight for the price tag – starts at €416,500.

SLS AMG Electric drive

As we headed out the Mercedes booth the red arrows had begun their display over head in formation and showing why they are the best at what they do.

The Italians didn’t like to be out shined by anyone and the prancing horse was out in force with the V12 F12 Berlinetta with the ludicrous 730bhp going to the rear wheels only. THE BRAVE MAY ONLY APPLY…

Ferrari had brought their ‘Entry’ level super cars with them

The land of the rising sun was there with some OOOOOOHHHH DRRRRIIIIIIIFFFFFTOOOOOOOOO ACTION with the Toyota GT86

If you ever wondered why I say AHHHHH DRIFFFFTTOOOOO –

Here is what is happening in my head when I say it

Here in Great Britain we have our gentlemen racer and when we do drive ONE must take their time and enjoy the opulence. Once conditions are clear one puts down their right foot like a sir in the RR…

Wraith is the most powerful Rolls-Royce in history. Behind the deep-set Pantheon grille sits a potent 6.6 litre, twin turbo-charged V12 engine. Delivering 624 bhp with 800 Nm of torque, it powers from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Even with this formidable power, Wraith is every inch a refined Rolls-Royce with electronically controlled air suspension that creates the signature ‘magic carpet ride’.

If that much power wasn’t enough the land speed legends were soaking up the rays in the sun

The festival of speed is called this for no reason as there is little squiggle of tarmac called the Goodwood hill climb were the money is object supercars and exotic battle it out for the coveted King of the hill.

The first hyper car I was the Koenigsegg Agera whilst humming away at its idle with an AUDI R8 GT behind it taking in the exhaust fumes of Sweden’s finest.

The line up front was too bad either F12 on pole, Careera 4s and waving the British flag the Noble M600

The Mclaren boys were up next with MP4-12C, MP4-12C GT and the successor to the McLaren F1 the P1 was there to flex its power & F1 tech.

We moved from the new boys to the old but still gold warriors of the tarmac

It wouldn’t be true car show without a Bugatti

The V12 7 litre Jaguar XJR-9 Group C and XJ13

Ferrari 512 and 25O GTO

An early 911 in race spec

For my MERICA the Camaro

I had never heard or seen this BMW before but it hell is it a looker -1958 BMW 507

It was only fitting if there was an Mclaren F1 if its offspring were here

Salmon pink Bugatti Veyron – not sure what to think of it

Uber rare and under appreciated Porsche GT1

Still my all time fav the Ferrari F40

Mercedes 540K spezial roadster

Lamborghini countach (The word Countach is italian slang word to describe a hot chick)

This was Porsche’s show so this year its was their sculpture dawning right into front of the goodwood house

Take a good look at this line up as this is all the models Lamborghini has ever made

As you all know we don’t truly group as all that happens is that our toys just get more expensive. What happens when I say this …and now here they are!!!! The most daredevil group of daffy drivers to ever whirl their wheels in the WACKY RACES. Competing for the title of worlds wackiest racer. The cars are approaching the starting line.

Back to BIG BOY toys with the track star that is the 993 GT2

930 turbo flatnose called Flachbau in German, straight from the factory was offered as the ultimate 930 Turbo, the this model had an upgraded body and a 330 bhp engine. Costing nearly double the standard model, the Flachbau was rarely ordered. Before 1986, Porsche had offered the Flachbau body option out of its customer service department known as Sonderwunschen.

Despite the panels being slightly heavier, they were modeled after the 935 race car for top speed. The conversion required extended rocker panels, wider rear flares with scooped vents and flip-up headlights up front with functional louvres allowing a top speed of 171mph.

The Revtastic V10 Lexus LFA in the perfect colour – pearl blue

Nismo felted 370z

Track focued Jaguar XKR-S GT – that rear wing is not very jag like

Running Jaguar concept called Project 7

Aston Martin’s present to itself the CC100 speedster (Only two existence – 1 for Aston and one for deep pocketed customer)

Zeee Germans weren’t too far behind with their black magic SLS AMG Black series

Morgan Aeromax which was supposed to be a one-off but 100 were built given customer reaction (Hamster from Top Gear brought one – think it got written off in a 3 car pile)

Epic Clapton’s one-off Ferrari specially built homage to the 512 BB to which he has owned 3 but that’s not the only 3 to the story as it has been reportedly costed £3 million.

F12 berlinetta & 458 Italia spider

Another Italian stallion the Maserati Granturismo MC Stradale

Ruf GT5

The under appreciated Spyker C8 Aileron

Koenigsegg Agera

Close one of the M4-12C GT

Pagani Huayra

Peugeot Onyx concept

McLaren had its own stand with its road & race cars

Long tail Mclaren F1 in Gulf livery

Mclaren F1 LM

Mclaren P1

Formula 1 Mclaren

Porsche had its usual stand and grass area for the off road experience. The stand had all the Porsche through the ages.

That wraps up the day I spent at Goodwood with my veins filled up 99 octane fuel, my lungs filled with exhaust fumes and ears vibrating to the sounds of revving engines.Till next year Goodwood…

Next Blog Post: MITP 2013 – 1/4 Mile Heaven

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