Ode to: McLaren F1

In an earlier post I mentioned I have three all-time favourite cars: the Classic Mini, the Aston Martin Vanquish and the McLaren F1.

The McLaren F1 was launched in the early nineties and with internet coverage being a lot less than today, I’m still wondering how I picked up on its existence.
It might have been an appearance on Blue Peter (which may or not be a figment of my imagination, I can’t find any reference to it online. If anybody else can, please let me know). I could have seen it appear on Top Gear, when Tiff Needell threw one around the Goodwood track. Or I might have read an article about it in a car magazine. Most importantly though: I saw one, I fell in love and I wanted one.

Everything about this car was amazing. Designed by Gordon Murray, who used his vast F1 knowledge to create a car that was not only a performance car but also a driver’s car.
It was the first car to have a carbon fibre chassis, which made it superlight for a supercar. Today’s modern ‘lightweight’ cars aren’t even close to what the F1 weighed in at: a ‘mere’ 1,263 kg.
The F1 had three seats; the central driver seat was revolutionary, but it gave the driver optimum views around the car.
Weight reduction was also required for the interior of the car. The leather used to upholster the seats was shaved thinner. The sound system had to be light as well. Gordon Murray had talks with a few manufacturers but only Kenwood was willing to adhere to the stringent demands. Murray had stated that the whole sound system should weight no more than 38 kgs. When Kenwood returned, they had shed 30 buttons, only leaving 5. They had also created the smallest 10 cd changer which was able to work properly at the car’s top speed and would not falter when cornering at around 1.5G
More importantly, the whole system, including speakers, amplifier and the wiring, weighs an incredible 8.5 kgs. Oh yeah, no radio, Gordon Murray apparently never listened to the radio, so ‘his’ car didn’t have one.
And the F1 gave the driver and his/her passengers something other supercars were lacking: actual luggage space. Placed before the rear wheel arches, the F1 offered room for McLaren’s bespoke luggage or, if you were so inclined, the bespoke golfbag.

Let’s not forget the fact that the engine bay was lined with gold because it was the best heat reflector available. Stuffing a large V12 engine into a tightly packed car will create some impressive heat. Heat you do not want touching the chassis in any way. They looked at the options available and found that gold foil was the way forward. Which is why every F1 has 16 grams of gold in the engine bay.

Then there is that insane top speed. Officially the F1 clocked in at 241mph, giving it the world record for fastest production car. Actually it still holds part of that record. You see, the F1 houses a naturally aspirated 6.1-litre, V12 engine. All other cars which later claimed the ‘fastest production car’ record were all fitted with turbo.
Take this into consideration: the F1 ‘only’ had that naturally aspirated 6.1-litre, V12 engine; the Bugatti Veyron required a 8.0 liter W16 with 4 turbochargers attached to it. When Bugatti broke the record, it had only gone 15mph faster than the F1. That doesn’t seem that much seeing the size of the Veyron’s engine and the engineering which goes with it.

Going through all the specifications is amazing and way too many to list here (but should you be interested read this Evo article).
Even today motoring journalists cannot get enough of this car, which is quite something, seeing which cars have been released between 1994 and now, but that just shows what an impressive feat the creation of the F1 was.

But while all of the above is amazing, it does not explain why I love this car. Initially it was probably the speed which caught my attention, but over time I have come to look at the whole picture. The design, the aerodynamics, the overall look simply draws me in and fascinates.
I will probably never drive a McLaren F1, so I can only comment on how this car looks. But sometimes, to love, you need only to sit back and admire the aesthetics. Which this car has in spades.

Driving a Lamborghini Aventador

Whatever car you consider to be a supercar, chances are you either have a Lamborghini on that list or would be happy to place on on it when suggested. Whether you actually like Lamborghini or not is beside the point, right?

The above is pretty much me.
I have always been very aware of Lamborghini, but was never a fan. On average, I found the cars’ lines too sharp and the overall took to square. Even though I always looked when I saw one, I never paid an awful lot of attention.
Until the day I saw an Aventador.

I was at my usual track, Prestwold, for my annual driving experience. The Lamborghini was parked with its rear to me. My first thought was: “That is one WIDE car!”.
My second thought was in fact the realisation I liked it. It was unmistakably a Lamborghini: sharp lines, low, wide, but a bit less square. I found it strangely attractive. So much so, that I decided I wanted to drive it.

This was what I saw one day at Prestwold.
© All Rights Reserved

Fast forward quite a few months and I had put the Aventador lower on the list of cars I wanted to drive. There was always something else on offer that I chose over the Lamborghini. My best friend decided to put a stop to that.
For my birthday she got me another go in the Aston Martin DB11 (always a pleasure!) and she added the Aventador.

During the drivers’ briefing I was told that the pedals in this car are located a tad to the left. There are only two pedals and they are placed in the centre of the footwell. They said it is a slightly strange experience, because it makes your seating position a bit awkward. That was most certainly true!
It wasn’t uncomfortable, but the positioning of the pedals makes it feel like your right foot is constantly on the brake. Obviously the brake pedal position is just downright unnatural. Thankfully I got used to it quickly enough.
Don’t think this is a normal driving experience, though. Apart from the strange pedal position, the car is also incredibly low and it seems the seats are even lower within it. You have to lower yourself into the car. The rear window is tiny, so there isn’t much to see in the rearview mirror. The wing mirrors are a decent size, but on a track these are used by the instructor, so you, as the driver, haven’t got the usual visibility. Thankfully you only really have to look ahead of you when driving on a track.

© All Rights Reserved

I have mentioned this car is wide. The instructor told me to stay closer to the middle of the track otherwise I might go off track with the left wheels. That instruction was certainly a first!

Perhaps it’s just me, but I expected a Lamborghini to be as brutal to drive as it looks. The Aventador may look a bit more elegant than the other Lamborghinis, it still looks like a brutal and fast piece of machinery, so I fully expected something similar to the time I drove the Nissan GT-R (which almost ate me alive). I was wrong.
The Aventador is a surprisingly sophisticated car. Yes, it’s powerful and fast, but it handles very, very smoothly.
Like with previous reports of my track experiences, I have to note that I, of course, do not know if these cars are limited in any way. What I do know is that they do allow you to floor it, so no limitations there. For some reason I had expected to be pushed into my seat incredibly hard when flooring the Lamborghini, but no. It all felt like a little more than cruising.
Since the car is so wide, cornering is actually quite easy. It’s not hard to control the car at all, whatever you are doing – speeding up, braking, cornering.

© All Rights Reserved

Does this mean I didn’t enjoy the drive? No, I really did enjoy it. I’m happy I finally drove the Aventador, because it certainly is an adventure. One thing is certain, I never want to drive it on the road. Visibility is a bit of a nightmare and the car’s size simply doesn’t help.
But it is fast and it is a beast, albeit a very well-behaved beast.

Geneva International Motor Show 2019

It has kicked off in spectacular fashion once again.
Compared to previous years it seems busier. I could be wrong; perhaps the people just queue longer before the press conferences of their choice. It is probably not surprising to see people gathering at Aston Martin Lagonda’s stand 45 minutes before their allotted time, seeing AML has made the headlines quite a few times in the past 12 months. But at Mazda, by comparison, all available seats were taken 30 minutes before the conference started. The press sure seems eager this year.

Do they have a reason to be?
Let’s have a look at some impressions of the first day.

Audi

The focus is very clearly on electric. Not only did they unveil two electric cars, the stand has only electric vehicles.
The new cars were introduced by their designer who used superlatives almost exclusively. At least it’s clear the man is proud of his work. And so he should be; the sportier of the two is quite nice. And considerably lower than the A7, apparently.

One of the new Audi models presented.
© All Rights Reserved

They mentioned ‘electric as a system’. Unfortunately they did not expand on that, so at this time it’s not clear what that exactly entails.
It is interesting to note that almost every car manufacturer present at the show seems to have some ‘system’ that is unique to them and, of course, better than the others. Let’s keep in mind these are all electric vehicles, though.
However, we should also keep in mind that the vast majority of current cars have an internal combustion engine running on petrol and those are not exactly the same either. The basics may be the same, there are differences, especially since technology has advanced since this type of engine was first created. I think we should start keeping a closer eye on how different manufacturers implement electric systems.

Bentley

Bentley is 100 years on 10 July this year. And they have already started the celebrations.
They have made two special edition cars. The first is a Bentayga commemorating the company’s founder, W.O. Bentley.
Ironically, they brought the No. 9 Continental to Geneva, which is made to celebrate the Bentley Blower. The reason I call this ironic is because apparently W.O. Bentley rather disliked that car (read that as a typical English understatement).

The No. 9 Continental, limited to 100 cars.
© All Rights Reserved

Bold claims were made that Bentley has defined grand tourers for the past 100 years and will continue to do so for the coming 100 years. Now, call me biased (because I am), but I question this. How can you ‘define’ anything if in recent history your newest (and I mean all new) model – the Bentayga – is 4 years old?
Don’t get me wrong, I like Bentley. During the factory tour I got to appreciate the company’s history with many racing victories and beautiful cars, but also the craftsmanship that goes into creating a Bentley. But I disagree with the ‘defining’ claim. To me it seems Bentley are quite comfortably staying right where they are.

Aston Martin Lagonda

With the relaunch of the Lagonda brand I cannot possibly call the company ‘Aston Martin’ anymore – especially since they brought a new Lagonda to their stand.
Just after the presentation I heard someone say that AML had ‘the shock of the show’. That might well be correct, because I don’t think any other manufacturer brought four cars to unveil.
Granted, one we basically already knew: the Valkyrie. Previously we had only seen models and prototypes, this was a verification model. If I’m not mistaken, that means this one is fully functional.

The other three cars are probably more exciting then. Project 003 (now named AM RB-03) is the third mid engine hyper car AML are building, after Valkyrie and Valkyrie AMR. I have already seen comments on social media that it’s just another Valkyrie, but that’s incorrect. It is a new car. Apart from the V6 (built by AML) we will have to see how else it is different from Valkyrie.

Project 003 or AM RB-03
© All Rights Reserved

The Vanquish Vision Concept is possibly the biggest surprise. It has only recently been replaced as the flagship model by DBS Superleggera, and even though AML do reintroduce names, they tend to wait a little longer.
It is also not your usual production model anymore. Now it’s a mid engine beast. It will be interesting to see what that eventually turns in to.

Last, but not least is that Lagonda I mentioned. It’s not exactly a SUV, it’s a crossover. You could argue about the differences, I’m just stating what I’ve heard. It does look a bit like the Vision Concept unveiled last year. The front has links to that car, albeit a bit less, shall we say, wide?
It looks spacious and different on the inside, it’s big, it’s different. Apparently it will go into production in 2022.
The new Lagonda is trying to get into the super luxury segment of the market. Let’s wait and see how it gets on.

Mazda

Mazda is celebrating the 30th year of the MX-5, which is also known as the Miata.
A limited edition MX-5 can be seen on the stand, but otherwise there wasn’t much said about it. All focus went to the CX-30. This new crossover (so not a SUV, then!) is to sit between CX-3 and CX-5.
It’s the second car to get a ‘Kodo design’, after the Mazda 3. The other models will get or already have gotten a looks upgrade.

We can also expect a new engine: the updated version of SkyActiv, called SkyActive-X. The explanation of that engine baffled me a little, since it was explained that it combines petrol and diesel techniques. In other words: it uses spark and compression. Now, the last time I checked, petrol engines already used compression. The thing with diesel is, of course, that if compressed enough it will self combust. Something petrol does not do, hence the need for a spark.
In short: Mazda has given me homework.

Mazda CX-30
© All Rights Reserved

The plan for the coming years is to bring down emission dramatically and also introduce hybrid and electric options at some point. But – as promised last year – no mention of autonomous driving.
You can’t get that ‘Zoom Zoom Zoom’ feeling if you don’t control the car!

General observations

Initially I intended to see the unveiling of Ginetta’s new car, but decided against it as it was uncovered all day, only to be covered up just before the presentation. It has also been shared on social media etc. before the show. So I guess that who wants to know already knows.

Toyota and Lexus stood out because of their lack of any presentation at all. Their press conference was available online and on demand. I wonder how many people bothered.
I did not check it out, but I did go to their stand. Interesting to see they have yet again revamped the Corolla. The car that is deemed so reliable has been given a new lease of life and Toyota brought many of them. Their virtually unbreakable car, the Hilux Invincible, is unfortunately nowhere to be seen. Pity, because I like that car a lot.

Volkswagen brought some electric vehicles, as was to be expected, but also a new Passat. This could be my ignorance, but I thought the Passat CC and later the CC replaced the Passat, only to be followed up by the Arteon (also present here). Anyway, I think the Passat was always a decent station, so it makes sense to not let it die a silent death.

In general there is a very heavy emphasis on electric vehicles at the show. This is not surprising, with the threat of legislation making zero emission compulsory in a few decades looming over Europe.
Compared to last year there are hardly any autonomous cars to be seen. Some are autonomous driving ready, but the clear focus I noticed in 2018 is not there now.
I guess they’re all too busy fighting for their spot in the electric vehicle market. Some don’t have any on the road as yet, so this will be an interesting development to keep an eye on.

Ode to: Ford Capri Mk II

When I started this blog I wrote a piece on the About page in which I explained that I have loved cars for as long as I can remember. What I did not mention was the very first car I truly adored. That car was the 1974 Ford Capri Mk II 1.6 GT.
I realise that is very specific, but it is the way it is. That’s not to say I won’t like other Mk II Capris or even the Mk I or Mk III. But it’s that specific car I will always remember and I still would love to own one now (despite my love for Aston Martin).

I saw this Capri at the Autosport International Show in 2015.
© All Rights Reserved

A bit of history

The first Capri was built in 1968 and unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show in January 1969. It was meant for the European market. The idea was to give the Europeans their own Mustang.
It does make me wonder how they thought to achieve that, considering the car is based on the Cortina – not exactly the epitomy of muscle and power.
I guess if you put the old Mustang and the Mk I Capri side by side, you won’t really see the point either. However, the Capri is quite a bit sportier than its predecessors. It’s also fairly big, which is probably why I liked it. My theory is that I prefer large, wedge shaped cars because the Capri was my first love.

Anyway, moving on.
The Mk I Capri came with a large number of different engine options, from 1.3 litre to a 3.1 litre engine. Even though the Capri was meant for the European market, it was sold in Australia, North America, South Africa and Japan.
My favourite, the Mk II, was introduced in 1974. Some changes were made to the body, which anyone who knows the Capri is undoubtedly familiar with, but the engine range remained largely the same (1.3 to 3 litre).

Despite the fact the bonnet is actually shorter and the cabin larger (but a larger body overall!) than the Mk I I love the Mk II because it looks so long and is quite large.
© All Rights Reserved

The Mk II was produced until 1978. By that time they had already stopped selling them in North America and sales were falling in Japan as well.
The Mk III was basically an upgrade on the Mk II, so the difference is smaller than between Mk I and Mk II. They must have done something right at Ford, though, because – despite focusing more on the UK market – they produced the car until 1986. In 1992 it was unofficially replaced by the Probe (which I also love dearly, I have to admit) and for some time now there has been talk of a Capri revival. I’m not surprised, because there is a very clear trend among car manufacturers to ‘regurgitate’ their popular models (VW Beetle, Fiat 500, MINI, etc.).

Why do I love it?

It’s surprisingly difficult to specify one’s love for a specific car. I guess this is especially true when you were only 5 when you first saw the car. And for obvious reasons my memory about all this is a bit blurry. I remember that by the time I was 8 years old it was well established that I loved the Capri and I have always remembered which one, but I can’t go into much more detail than that.

However, I do know that I am so certain about the specific model, because of the details I loved. Like the Mk I it has square headlights and the bonnet dips between them. The lines on the bonnet also stood out to me as very beautiful. Despite my dislike of most very typically 1970s things, I truly love this car in brown with a dark brown or black vinyl roof. It is so typical, but to me iconic (because I’ve seen quite a few with a vinyl roof).

Growing up I firmly remained in love with the Capri Mk II. I started to realise I really like big cars. I will not turn away from a car simply because it’s smaller, but a big car will get my attention sooner. The wedge shape – which I mentioned earlier – is also attractive to me. That long, swooping bonnet, then uphill over the window, over the roof and swooping back down over that long rear window. It’s a flowing kind of shape which appeals.
Of course I can see the model is quite dated now, but I think it holds its own. It’s still impressive – not in the least due to its size! – and it still looks great. I like the sharper lines on the bonnet, but also along the sides, which often got accentuated by a metal strip or a simple line.

Apparently it’s a beast to drive: its nickname is ‘the widow maker’ (lovely!), but I still hope to own one some day so I can find out how hard it is to handle for myself. A girl can dream…

© All Rights Reserved

NOTE: Anyone who knows the Capri will have noticed that the photos are not of my favourite Mk II. Unfortunately I see very few Capris and these are the only photos I have. Sticking to my ‘rule’ of only using my own photos whenever possible, I had to go with these.

Red 10

When AMOC announced that they were going to hold their Spring Concours at the same time that Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. were going to open the doors to their soon-to-be new factory in St Athan, it was an opportunity too good to miss.
The day was utterly amazing as we blogged about here but it also started a very special story: the story of Red 10.

There always seems to have been a link between Aston Martin and aeroplanes. Not only did they build aircraft engines during WWII (like so many other factories), the current Gaydon factory stands on former MOD ground, and the new St. Athan factory stands on part of a larger site belonging to the MOD. And let’s not forget they named their first track-only hypercar after the Avro Vulcan bomber.
I assume that due to this history Aston Martin Cambridge started commissioning very special cars. They commissioned the V8 Vantage S Blades Edition, to celebrate its links with the British aerobatics team. They also were the dealership behind the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Spitfire 80, a tribute to the Supermarine Spitfire.

Then they commissioned 10 very special Vanquish S to honor the famous Red Arrows. All cars were sold, except Red 10. This car was gifted to the RAF Benevolent Fund, the charity established to provide support to former servicemen and women and their families. This fund decided to raffle the car, at £10.00 a ticket, all proceeds going to said fund.

The car was presented to the public on 9th April 2017 in St Athan during the AMOC spring concours.
© All Rights Reserved

When the winner was announced I was quite curious as to what they would do with the car. There is always a chance that with it being such a special car the owner might turn it into a garage queen, only to be seen by a select few.
Much to my delight the owner was actually taking the car around to various events, showing off the car and collecting donations, all on behalf of the RAF Benevolent Fund. This was when I learned the winner was an ex-serviceman himself, making the win just that little bit more special.

I was extremely lucky when I went to AMOC’s Spring Concourse at Englefield House on 3rd June 2018. The day was a celebration of the Aston Martin Vanquish and many different Vanquishes were on display, including Red 10. It was a delight being able to see the car ‘in the flesh’. I already think Vanquishes are the best looking Astons around but Red 10 really stands out.
Not only because because of the colour, but the details in the car are utterly astounding.

This is the side view of Red10:

© All Rights Reserved

And here is the air inlet showing XX232, which is the registration for the Red10 jet, flown by the squandron leader:

© All Rights Reserved

Not only seeing the car was great, but I was also able to have a lovely chat with the owner’s wife. We spoke about the impact owning such a special car has. Not only financially of course, the car was kept in a secure compound, but also personally. She spoke about the amount of people they have met during the shows where Red 10 was on display and the great conversations they both have had with members of the public, but also (former) servicemen and women.
She pointed out all the little details in the car, showing the incredible craftmanship and attention to detail.

Details such as the ceiling. This would be the pilot’s view:

© All Rights Reserved

This is the side panel in the driver’s seat door.

© All Rights Reserved

And this is the headrest on the driver’s side, the red embroidered aircraft of course representing Red10

© All Rights Reserved

Recently it was announced that Red10 was to be put up for sale with half of the proceeds going to the RAF Benevolent Fund. The car is advertised on the Aston Martin Cambridge website
Where ever this beauty goes next, I do hope the new owners also take it out, show it to the public and continue to raise funds for a great cause.

Driving a Classic Mini

With birthdays come presents and surprises. My best friend is the absolute best when it comes to suprising me on my birthday, so when she said she had found the perfect gift for me, I was really excited. On the day, we drove down to Devon, which in itself is a wonderful drive. It was in a town called Wrangaton, a company called Self Drive Classics, where I found my surprise – my ride for the day – a beautiful and lovingly maintained Classic Mini (b. 1989). I was over the moon, this was truly perfect; my birthday present was driving around in a Classic Mini.

© All Rights Reserved

Now to be fair, most of the driving I have done has been in modern cars, with brake assists, power steering etc. This Mini, of course, had none of that. I really had to get to used to driving a classic. There were some issues with finding the right gear, turning corners proved a bit of a bother and braking was quite interesting. But once I had driven her around for a bit I got the gist of it. And then I could really appreciate driving my dream car. 1000cc engine with 50bhp doesn’t give a lot of oomph but but when you are driving the smaller country roads in Devon this doesn’t really matter. You also appreciate the size of the car when passing other (modern) cars on the narrower roads, she just slips through quite easily. But what truly is amazing was her cornering prowess. Honestly, it felt as if she went through corners like a rabbit suddenly changes direction. Hardly any braking, just keep the power on, steer on time and she goes through very smoothly. It was exhilarating to say the least!

The goal of our trip was Dartmouth Castle, a castle built purely for defence. It has huge cannons which could sink ships a mile away. It also was possible to raise a chain which spanned the river and would stop even the biggest ships from sailing down the river Dart.

Dartmouth Castle
© All Rights Reserved

Thankfully the weather was really nice so we could have a picnic on one of the benches overlooking the river. That’s were I got my ‘birthday cake’: a cupcake with a candle in it. So cute!
We stayed for a few hours and then decided to make our way back. Which turned out to be quite interesting…..At the end of the road out of the castle, there was a hill upwards, which led onto the main road. I had to drive up the hill, stop at the top to make sure there was no traffic and then drive on.
Which was the theory.
Practically, however, it was very different.
No matter how much power I put on it, I could not get the car up the hill far enough to give me a view of the main road. So we tried applying the handbrake, but for some reason that would not work, she slipped through the handbrake and fell back. I can be quite level headed, but at that moment, the realisation that I was driving a classic car, which was owned by somebody else, made me panic a little. Thankfully, there were some very kind people around who were very helpful and gave the car a push up the hill, to a spot where I could safely park and check the road.

Apart from the beginning (getting used to the car itself) that was the only mishap we had. Otherwise, it was just a glorious day. I have always wanted to drive a Classic Mini and experience the whole package. And it didn’t disappoint, it truly is a total experience. Partly because she was a older car, with no assists whatsoever, which makes the handling very direct. And you have to work hard. The steering is of course a bit heavier, you need to turn the steering wheel all the way around to turn a corner. You also have to calculate your braking distance, with no assistance it takes longer and if you going down a hill, it will take you even longer because of the momentum.
Everything creaks and groans. When you close the door, it sounds incredibly tinny. The noise from the engine and the road is loud. Every bump resonates through the car. The whole car vibrates, my rear view mirror kept dipping down, meaning I had to rely on my wing mirrors, which also were not perfect, but it was enough to ensure I could keep an eye on my surroundings.

© All Rights Reserved

To be honest, once we got the car back to Self Drive Classics, I was quite relieved. Even though I did love the whole thing, driving a classic when you are used to driving modern cars is daunting. Driving a Classic Mini is not for the fainthearted: she is a small car, a very small car compared to all other cars out there and you are aware that there is no crash protection, no airbags, no side impact bars. But that doesn’t take away the sheer joy of driving a Mini. It was an amazing, exhilarating and terrifying experience for me but I would probably do it again. In a heartbeat. That is how much fun I had.

And you know what also made it a great day? The attention. I will never deny the fun I had seeing people smile as I sped by. The questions I got about her. The people walking past her and stopping to admire her. She was not mine, but I did feel a swell of pride when people complimented the car. The number of people telling me that they also used to have a Classic Mini (or seven!) and how much they loved it. It’s amazing and gives me an inkling of a idea what it is like owning one.

Me and “my” Mini.
© All Rights Reserved

My friend drove us home. The owner of the company had advised that anyway, as seeing I was now ‘used’ to driving without assist, the first time I would brake in our car, we would both probably fly through the window. All in all, the day could not have been more perfect. The weather, the car, the company, it was great.
And at the time I wasn’t sure if I would do it again, or if I would want to have my own Classic Mini, but after writing this piece, remembering the day, I would do it again. I would drive another Classic Mini and yes, I think I would really really enjoy having my own.

Women in motorsport

For some time now this has been a hot topic. But why? Why are there so many different opinions on this? Why can’t girls/women simply compete with the boys/men without comments being made in the media and elsewhere? I’ve given this some thought in the past few months.

On 7 March at the Geneva International Motor Show FIA held a press conference about their new initiative: European Young Women Programme. In several European countries girls between 13 and 18 can compete in karting races on road tracks specifically created for these events. The winners from each event will take part in the final. This is followed by two training camps in 2019. They said there were already 3,200 competitors at that time. And those are just the girls who want to race. So girls who want to become an engineer, journalist or anything other than driver are excluded from this number. It also excludes all girls younger than 13 and older than 18.

One of the people present was Susie Wolff who launched her initiative – Dare to be Different – in 2016 with the aim to inspire young girls and show them they can work in motorsport. Susie herself, of course, has a lengthy career in motorsport, most notably driving for F1 team Williams as a test driver. This very same team also has a female deputy team principal.

Nicki Shields and Susie Wolff during the FIA press conference in Geneva.
© All Rights Reserved

Now you know when I started thinking about this subject in more details than before, let’s look at the reason.

Motorsport is a male dominated world. That’s a well known fact. Question is: is that a problem?
I would say that it doesn’t have to be. For example: most nurses are female. Large number of cabin crews on airplanes are female. I believe there are more male pilots, however, than female pilots.
My point? For the jobs in my examples no one stops the people of the underrepresented gender from doing that job. The very fact that women in motorsport is such a hot topic suggests to me that the situation here is different.

Of course I should not portray things so black and white. I am certain men in female dominated jobs have and still do receive backlash. The same goes for women in other male dominated jobs.
But motorsport is very visible on a large scale and the women are trying to kick in the door. Logically the voices of opposing options (men and women) will also be louder. And there you have it: it becomes an almost unavoidable subject.

During the press conference in Geneva the term “equality” was used. I expect that very soon it will be dirty word, alongside “communication” and “feminism”. I believe this happens due to different people meaning different things. Misunderstanding leads to dislike.
I have an issue with “gender equality”. Too often that is used to say men and women are equal, the same. But we are not!
Regardless of upbringing, social status. lifestyle, etc., men and women do things differently, think differently and are physically different. And that’s ok.
But that doesn’t mean that we can’t do the same things. So what if you have to work harder or maybe have to be kinder, softer to do a job traditionally carried out by someone of the opposite gender? THAT is equality: if you want to do it, you can.
So I say no to “gender equality” and yes to “equality”.

The #75 Aston Martin (Optimum Motorsport) driven by Flick Haigh and Jonny Adam. The media was in a frenzy due to Flick’s driving and consequent team results after the British GT race at Oulton Park in March this year.
© All Rights Reserved

Apart from Susie Wolff, who was present at the conference, I will not name anyone else, because it doesn’t matter who they are. Their achievements, or lack thereof, and opinions do. That’s where my focus should and will be in this piece.
A very brief history lesson: women have taken part in motorsport (driving or otherwise) for decades. Don’t believe me? Look it up.
Point being: it’s nothing new. I guess it’s a sign of the times it has come to the forefront now. Due to the noise you hear a lot of opinions, but the main opposing one is probably: “women are physically not strong enough”.
I repeat: so what if you have to work harder than someone of the opposite gender?
And I have news for people who think women are not strong enough. Some men are physically weaker and some women stronger. It’s nature. Not all men are very strong, not all women are less strong. With the right training anyone can become fit and strong enough to drive a race car. Quite a few male drivers have said so. They do this training, so I reckon they know what they’re talking about.

Another thing mentioned in the media was that gender specific series are required. I disagree for two reasons.
Number one is mentioned above. With the right training and commitment anyone can do it.
The other reason has to do with a comment made during the press conference. It was suggested to start girls off with girl only races and at 16 or thereabouts allow them to race with the boys. That’s setting them up for failure. If the girls’ races and training are not on par with the demands of motorsport in general these girls run the risk of falling behind compared to the boys. It’s best they know from the start what they’re up against, boys and girls alike.

One more thing I want to say. I take issue when a woman says that women cannot do what men do, whether that’s in motorsport or anywhere else (I work in IT myself). Even though these women have a right to their opinion, the facts are against them. More often than not they say this due to their own insecurities, inabilities and failures. By saying this they potentially harm other women’s chances.
This is where equality comes in. No matter who you are, if you’re a woman or a man, you do not have the right to stop anyone from pursuing their dream. We’re equal, which means we all make our own choices. By all means, state your opinion, but don’t state it as fact. And do not let your own personal situation reflect on anyone else. They are not in your shoes and you are not in theirs.

Jamie Chadwick races in BRDC British F3 at the moment.
© All Rights Reserved

There is no way that this piece was not going to turn out as a political piece. It’s my opinion, after all.
Even though I follow the various initiatives to get more women active in motorsport with interest, I do not necessarily agree with their existence. When I go to a race a female driver will be the same to me as a male driver. If she wins, she does so due to team work, great driving skills, probably a good car and perhaps a little bit of luck. That’s no different for her male counterparts. A woman who does well in a race should not get so much attention that it overshadows the men. That’s not fair to these men, because they’ve raced as hard as they could as well.
I believe the same for any woman who doesn’t do so well. Just because she’s a woman doesn’t mean she has no place in the sport. There are many men who don’t make the grade they aim for and most don’t get ridiculed (F1 being the very harsh exception).
As far as I’m concerned it’s utterly ridiculous this divide still exists. I just go to the races to enjoy them, no matter what level or gender of the drivers. But then again, that’s my opinion. If you want to support a female driver because she’s female, please keep on doing that. Because, despite my opinion, she may be struggling for whatever reason and could use your support.
If you feel women have no place in motorsport, please think again. What exactly is your negative view going to achieve? If you feel women bring the sport down, then please, let’s have that discussion. I can’t imagine any other reason to try and keep women out of motorsport.

I reckon this will be a hot topic for quite some time longer, especially since women don’t seem to be able to agree on how to tackle the issue. I’ll keep on following the discussion, but don’t expect me on the barricades.

Mini Minis everywhere!!!!

When asked about my favourite cars, I always say that I have 3: The McLaren F1, The Aston Martin Vanquish S and The Classic Mini.

© All Rights Reserved

I don’t know when I fell in love with the Classic Mini. I can’t remember the first time I saw one, nor how I reacted to it. To my mind, they have always just been there. Maybe the fact that my parents had a Mini when I was a baby left a subliminal imprint in my head. As soon as I spot one, I squeal with happiness, day totally made. I love the way they look, I love the way they sound, I love the history. So when my best friend told me about the Oulton Park Mini Festival, it was a must to attend.

The first Oulton Park Mini Festival was in 2014 and I remember it well. We had seats on the Old Hall grandstand, perfectly placed to watch the cars storming down from Druids to Old Hall Corner, before screaming up towards the start/finish line. So many classic Minis racing that day. Mini Miglia, the Sevens, it was amazing.

Seeing Brian Johnson (yes, he of AC/DC fame, and a total petrolhead) race his Mini around Oulton Park was great. Watching Darren Turner (Aston Martin Racing) throwing a Mini around the track at least 20 seconds faster than anybody else was a joy to behold.

© All Rights Reserved
Darren Turner racing the #76 Swiftune Mini

So I was sold, I loved that first Mini Festival. We decided this festival was going to part of our racing calendar.

This year was the 5^th time we went and, as usual I was really looking forward to it. Just being at a racetrack makes me happy and watching Minis zip round makes me even happier.

We went to park the car and there were already some pretty cool Minis parked, so we had a little browse before going into the restaurant for some breakfast.

© All Rights Reserved

That is when we found out that there would be no Classic Mini racing. At all. It broke my heart a little. As stated before, I love watching those brave little cars racing round and you would think that at a Mini Festival, there would be some. To be fair, we always book our tickets well in advance, and at the time it is not always known what will be happening on track on the day, but if I had known that there would be no classic Minis racing, I would not have gone to this festival. This has nothing to do with Oulton Park and the organizers of course, they can only work with what is offered.

But being at Oulton Park is always a good day out, so I decided I would visit the Trader’s Market to check out the Mini merchandise. The market comprised of 6 stalls, 2 of which were selling car parts; the other 4 did sell some things with Minis on them but no stands especially for Minis or having a large array of Mini merchandise. My disappointment grew.

Of course we watched some racing on track. Oulton Park is an amazing track with great views and wherever you sit, you can always see a large part of the track. We watched the qualifying for the 7 Race Series (Caterhams) and the Heritage Formula Ford Series. We also watched the qualifying for the MINI CHALLENGE – Cooper S, Cooper Pro/Am and JCW. The latter series are for the new MINI. These cars can produce some awesome racing, but they are so not Minis. They are too big to be a Mini, and I really cannot love them. So watching them race is pretty cool, but it was not why I was there.

The weather wasn’t really helping either, so we decided to call it a day quite early on in the afternoon. Before we left, we looked at all the Minis which were parked out in the display area. Many of them so so loved and well maintained.

© All Rights Reserved

This will definitely not be my last Mini Festival, I will certainly go to another one next year, get my ‘Mini fix’. I know that Snetterton and Brands Hatch also host a festival, so maybe next year I will do some homework before booking tickets and ensure that I will be seeing some Original Minis on track.

AMOC Racing, Oulton Park, 12 May 2018

The Aston Martin Owners Club 2018 racing season kicked off at Oulton Park in grand style.
It was incredibly busy, probably due to the fact this meeting was held during a VW weekend. However, all these Volkswagen fans certainly seemed to enjoy what was going on on track! Throughout the day I saw many people settled in front of their VW vans or somewhere on the grass near the track watching the races.
An additional bonus for the Aston Martin fans was that there was quite a bit more off track entertainment, market stalls and food/drink stalls. And of course the atmosphere was even better than usual.

© All Rights Reserved

This time I was lucky to have a media pass, which meant I could go into the ‘danger zone’ between the armco and the mesh fence. If, as a spectator, you do not already appreciate the work the marshals do, you certainly will if you ever make it to their area. They were very helpful and explained the rules to me, but I did also see them glance in my direction every now and then. I can imagine they don’t really need the additional work of baby sitting media people, but they are there to ensure everything goes smoothly and safely.
One downside to being allowed pretty much anywhere is that I went where I couldn’t hear the commentators. So, unfortunately, I had to miss information on who was in what position or what happened to a car that I couldn’t see coming around again, for example.

This time there was no pre-war race, which I thought was a pity. However, a new race – two, in fact – was the Welsh Sports & Saloon Car Championship. The grid is quite a mix of cars, but it’s great fun to watch.

© All Rights Reserved

My favourite car, the Aston Martin DB4 Lightweight, was once again present. That car always puts a smile on my face, simply because it is stunning.
The other DB4 was also a very welcome sight, but I think my favourite surprise was the 1952 DB2 which raced in both the Equipe Pre ’63 and the Jack Fairman Cup (inc. the JEC XK & Hawthorn Challenges). As you can see by the name, they do tend to put a few races together. This results in rather large grids which of course creates more interesting racing. I mean, how many cars can fit through the first corner at the same time? Even when the cars start stretching their wheels and the grid spreads out there isn’t a very long time that you don’t have anything to watch on track. In fact, with the visibility at Oulton Park being quite good, you can probably always find a car to watch.

© All Rights Reserved

During lunch there was a track parade. It was a little bit disappointing to see they only got two laps and I do hope this was not due to the fact there were not as many cars in the parade as I have seen at other race meetings. Thankfully some of the drivers understand the attending petrolheads really well and held back every now and then, only to speed up and let the engine roar. If any of those drivers reads this: thank you. It was awesome.

In 2018 AMOC has five races planned. I’ve been attending only a few years now, but enjoy this so much I hope to be at every race this year. If you still haven’t been to one and you happen to love Astons, I suggest you go. Friendly atmosphere, great racing, great variety of cars on track, in the paddock and the parking areas and – most importantly – it is all about Aston Martin. What’s not to love?

The 88th International Motor Show，Geneva

This year’s edition of the International Motor Show in Geneva is already in full swing, a few days before the public arrive.
Yesterday was Press Day 1 and it was busy.
Last year I was lucky enough to have a press pass, but could only go for the larger part of Press Day 1. This year I’m better prepared and will attend both Press Days and part of the first public day on Thursday.

If I had to summarise the first press day I’d say that the focus seems to be quite heavily on electric vehicles and (eventually) autonomous driving. But not all companies are interested. Mazda certainly stood out with their statement that they will not be focusing on electric, autonomous driving, because surveys have shown that 2/3 of drivers want to drive themselves, even if autonomous driving is available and that they still firmly believe in the petrol engine. So, Mazda concludes, they will keep on improving the petrol engine and supply products for this demand.
Enter SkyActiv-X, a new version of Mazda’s SkyActiv engine, but now with fuel compression. They claim that will bring even better fuel efficiency. I am quite interested in that. I currently drive my second Mazda and from the previous generation to the current one fuel economy has improved considerably.

The new Lexus UX.
© All Rights Reserved

Lexus is of course known for their hybrid vehicles, but will be venturing into the world of autonomous and fully electric vehicles. Their presentation had a large emphasis on their Limitless range, of which the newly presented Lexus UX (see above) is one of the models. The term ‘Limitless’ refers to the fact that you can choose any power unit Lexus provides and they will build it into your Lexus of choice. That gives quite some flexibility and I can see why they hope to reach 100,000 cars sold in Europe within a few years time.

Ford has presented their new cars, including a new Mustang which is a celebration of a very famous car (Bullit, anyone?). I did go see it and, to be honest, I’m not impressed. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t think the old American muscle cars were more interesting than their more modern successors. Unfortunately that is the case here. From the front the car looks rather bland, without character. From the rear it’s yet another Mustang. No innovation there at all. And it doesn’t hold a candle to the original, no matter how many family members of Steve McQueen they throw at it. Sorry, Ford, try again.

Volkswagen is slowly becoming one of my favourites. I was never a fan before, but since the CC and now the Arteon they have my attention.
The new I.D. Vizzion concept stood out. This concept is an electric car with autonomous driving abilities, however, VW claim it has artificial intelligence. As an example: it should be able to calculate (‘see’) where the road markings are (or should be, if they are vague, damaged or missing) and keep the car on the road in the correct lane. As they explained it in the brochure: other autonomous cars have loads of programming code to account for all possibilities you may encounter on the road. If the programmers miss any eventuality, you have a problem. Volkswagen have therefore tried to make their car more intelligent and self-learning (this is getting scary, right?) to ensure it can truly handle every situation. I would love to see that in action!

The Volkswagen I.D. Vizzion concept.
© All Rights Reserved

Let’s look at Toyota. They too are looking to go further and further into hybrid and electric vehicle creation. Autonomous cars are also on the map. They brought several concepts (called ‘i-Drive’). The thing is that most companies, like Toyota, bring concepts, but you can’t actually try the cars yet. So the experience may still be far away. Toyota found a way around that, after a fashion.
They brought a virtual experience which allows you to be in the self-driving car (first in the front seat, then in the back) and see what it would be like. The surroundings presented to you are not very realistic, but you do get a feel of what it would be like. The Fine-Comfort Ride concept allows everyone to turn their seats so they would be able to have a meeting in the car while it takes them to their destination. The windows can be used for presentations etc. Cutting edge, it would seem, but I wonder how far away this is?

I know there are companies that already provide glass/windows with technology that allows you to manipulate the display etc., but to build that into a car?
Interesting stuff, nonetheless.

Last, but never least: I had a look at the new and bigger Aston Martin stand. They promised surprises and they brought them.
I have to be honest, the Vantage race car was revealed alongside the road going version some weeks ago, so not much of a surprise there. And we were already told about the Valkyrie track version (AMR Pro, what else?). But I think no one had yet seen the track Valkyrie. The bright colour and additional wing and fin look great on her, but I am mostly curious about the specs. The road going Valkyrie is insane, to say the least, so how much more can this version do? It has not yet been revealed, unfortunately.

The new Lagonda concept car.
© All Rights Reserved

I guess the main surprise was the Lagonda concept car. The aim is to revive Lagonda as a fully electric luxury brand and the cars will be autonomous.
I managed to have a closer look at the car and I have to admit I’m not that impressed. Yes, it’s big (a bonus in my books), but it is not very good looking. Of course everyone has their opinion. The car was greeted with several whoops from the attending press, so quite a few people like it. Let’s keep in mind this is a concept, so at this point it’s hard to tell what it will look like when it’s about to go into production.
Apparently this car was created from the inside out. Again, I am not sure what to think. It seems very minimalistic inside, I’d even say rather empty. I don’t find it very inviting at all. But of course this is due to my taste. I like big cars to have bulky interiors. I find that those look comfortable (and usually are). The large open space in the new Lagonda is strange to me. At this point I can’t say if I simply have to get used to it or if I will never like it. Time will tell.

So far the Geneva International Motor Show has given me plenty of things to think about, but mainly about electric and autonomous cars. I am a petrolhead. I prefer the smell of petrol, the roar of the engine and I love driving. I fully expect to have an electric car at some point, if the government gets their way at the times they currently envision to make electric cars compulsory. At this time I’m not looking forward to it, even though I am fascinated by the progress being made. I also wonder what brands like Mazda are going to do if electric becomes compulsory. Will they come to the party too late or do they have a trick or two up their sleeves? Or, perhaps, they will pull out of the European market? I doubt that, but the future is fairly uncertain and very interesting!