SHROPSHIRE ARTISTS WORK WILL RAISE MONEY FOR HOPE HOUSE CHILDREN’S HOSPICES

SHROPSHIRE ARTISTS WORK WILL RAISE MONEY FOR HOPE HOUSE CHILDREN’S HOSPICES

A one off special poster to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the legendary Jaguar Mk 2 is to raise money for children’s charities in Shropshire.

The artwork, which will be a signed limited edition of 250 has been created by Louise Griffin who is a full time artist and art tutor and has exhibited at the Mall Galleries in London.

 Louise said: “ I worked for Stafford college teaching watercolour and drawing for 17 years, leaving in December 2015. I now run my own business teaching painting and drawing whilst undertaking commissions from business and private customers.” 

She added:  “ I was asked by my husband to produce a piece of artwork to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the famous Jaguar saloon. I have produced a poster, which features two examples of the famous car.

 “The original artwork is a watercolour and it is being produced to a high standard so that Jaguar Enthusiasts and anyone who wishes to celebrate the famous birthday can keep it as a memento.” 

Louise’s husband, Tim Griffin, is workshop Director at CMC the famous restoration company in Bridgnorth and said: “ Louise produced a fantastic poster for our 25thanniversary so it seemed fitting that she should produce another one for the Mk2.

Note to Editors:

Hope House Children's Hospices - Hope House at Oswestry and Tŷ Gobaith at Conwy - provide care and support to life-limited children, young people and their families from Shropshire, Cheshire, North and Mid Wales. 

WORLD’S MOST SIGNIFICANT JAGUAR COLLECTION FOR SALE WITH PENDINE

WORLD’S MOST SIGNIFICANT JAGUAR COLLECTION FOR SALE WITH PENDINE

1935 Jaguar SS90 Prototype Zumbrunn-Schmid

Some of the world’s rarest and most historically significant Jaguar cars are to be offered for sale on the open market for the first time ever by Pendine Historic Cars, the UK-based specialists in historic cars for road and track.

The ‘Jaguar Sports Car Collection’ currently belongs to one of the world’s foremost collectors of sporting Jaguars and contains 12 of the most collectable and valuable Jaguars in existence. Among the collection is the first ever Jaguar sports car prototype, the first ever E-Type to be seen in public and the famous ‘lost C-Type’.

Offered for sale individually, the collection presents Jaguar and classic car aficionados with a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire an exquisite piece of Jaguar history, each in Concours condition and restored by the finest marque specialists.

“This is without a doubt one of the most impressive and important collections of Jaguars in the world,” comments James Mitchell, founder, Pendine Historic Cars. “Each car in the collection represents a key milestone through the marque’s early history. Not only have some of these incredible cars played important roles in automotive cultural history, but they are also among the best examples in the world.”

The ‘Jaguar Sports Car Collection’ is the automotive life work of a notable collector, Dr Christian Jenny. Since falling in love with the marque in the early 1970s, Christian has been dedicated to building a collection of Jaguar sports cars that spans the most definitive period of the company’s development. So significant is the collection, a hardback book titled ‘The Jaguar Sports Car Collection; A Personal Endeavour’, which tells the story of each individual car, was published in 2014.

1961 Jaguar E-Type 885005 Geneva Zumbrunn-Schmid

The 1935 Jaguar S.S. 90 Prototype for sale is the first ever Jaguar sports car made and the car that would launch Sir William Lyons’ and Jaguar’s successful motorsport campaign at the very beginning of the marque’s sporting history.

The 1961 Jaguar E-Type in the collection is the first E-Type ever seen in public when it was unveiled to the press and VIP guests at the Geneva Motor Show. As one of the very first hand built, pre-production prototype examples of the model which changed Jaguar’s history forever, this is considered one of the most important non-competition Jaguars in the world.

A hugely significant historic race car in the collection is the 1952 Jaguar C-Type, known as the ‘lost C-Type’ after it became the only one of the 53 examples unaccounted for between the late sixties until 1997. Today it is regarded as one of the greatest ever sports racing cars of the 1950s.

Also in the collection is the first ever production 1935 S.S. 90 to leave the factory, a 1937 S.S. 100 2.2 litre, 1938 S.S. 100 3.5 litre, 1950 XK120 Alloy, 1950 XK120 Roadster, 1955 XK140 Roadster, 1960 XK150 3.8S Roadster, 1961 E-Type and a 1972 V12 Roadster. Each car in the collection, currently located in Switzerland, has been meticulously maintained and stored in a dedicated subterranean garage.

Interested parties should contact James Mitchell at Pendine Historic Cars directly at james@pendine.com or on +44 1869 357126, with sale prices available on request only.

To see the full ‘Jaguar Sports Car Collection’ for sale on the Pendine Historic Cars website, please visit https://www.pendine.com/jaguar-collection/.

1952 Jaguar XKC023 Zumbrunn-Schmid

RAPID RESPONSE (2ND EDITION) MY INSIDE STORY AS A MOTOR RACING LIFE-SAVER

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RAPID RESPONSE (2ND EDITION) MY INSIDE STORY AS A MOTOR RACING LIFE-SAVER

By Dr Stephen Olvey

Foreword by Alex Zanardi

Afterword Dario Franchitti

Publication date: 25 April 2019

• UK price: £25.00 ● ISBN: 978-1-910505-39-7
• Hardback ● Format: 234x156mm ● Page extent: 312pp
• Illustration: 56 photographs, mainly colour

Originally published to great acclaim in 2006, Dr Stephen Olvey’s memoir Rapid Response makes a long-awaited return to print — complete with new text and a new afterword by Dario Franchitti — at the same time as the release of a documentary feature film of the same title. This book is the compelling story of the author’s often tragic, sometimes funny, and frequently frustrating journey through the volatile world of professional motorsport. Along the way, he introduces the reader to many of the characters — geniuses, good guys, bad guys — that he has encountered during his quest to save lives and make motorsport safer. This book is a captivating read for all motorsport fans.

• Among the racing legends with whom Dr Olvey has worked — and who have their places in this book — are Mario Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi, A.J. Foyt, Graham Hill, Nigel Mansell, Rick Mears, Johnny Rutherford and Al Unser Jr.
• Dr Olvey attended his first race, the 1955 Indianapolis 500, at the impressionable age of 11, and saw his favourite driver, Bill Vukovich, killed in a fiery crash while leading.
• He began working at the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway while attending medical school, making his first professional appearance there in 1966, when his first on-track rescue involved Graham Hill in his ‘rookie’ year.
• Dr Olvey organised the first travelling medical team in motorsport and was eventually joined by long-time colleague and friend Dr Terry Trammell.
• Continuing to work together over several decades, Dr Olvey and Dr Trammell have used their study of the cause and effect of racing crashes and injuries to make significant advances in safety, with many lives saved and serious injuries avoided.
• The writer of the foreword is Alex Zanardi, whose life Dr Olvey helped to save after a violent accident in Germany in 2001, and who subsequently returned not only to motorsport but also to handcycling, becoming a three-time Paralympic gold medallist.

The Author: Dr Stephen Olvey has been involved in saving lives and improving safety in motorsport for nearly 50 years, primarily in his role as Medical Director for the Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) racing series in the US, a position that he held from 1979 to 2003. He remains active in motorsport as a member of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile Medical Commission, a consultant to Indy Car Series and Motor Sports Director of the University of Miami Concussion Program. He is an associate professor of Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine.

EISENBERG TO ATTEMPT ‘FASTEST CAR ON SAND’ RECORD

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EISENBERG TO ATTEMPT ‘FASTEST CAR ON SAND’ RECORD

Land speed racer and record-setting motorcycle rider Zef Eisenberg and his MADMAX Race Team have got a new target in their sights. On the weekend of 6-7 April 2019, Zef will aim to become the first person to achieve a British land speed record on bike and car within a year. The goal is to hit 200mph and beyond in a crazy 1200hp specially built road-legal Porsche 911 Turbo S on the sand. 

The attempt will take place at Pendine Sands in South Wales. In May 2018, Eisenberg became the first person to exceed 200mph with a wheel-driven vehicle, at this world famous speed track. He reached 201.572mph on his supercharged Suzuki Hayabusa laying down the marker as the ‘fastest motorbike on sand’ in the world, just 20 months after surviving Britain’s fastest-ever (230mph) motorcycle crash. Eisenberg spent three months in hospital, followed by 3 months in a wheelchair, but defied the odds to race again in under a year.

Since the crash, he’s set numerous records – including an ACU sanctioned flying quarter-mile, flying kilometre and flying mile, on his MADMAX road legal supercharged Suzuki Hayabusa, albeit heavily modified. This ‘twin’ record attempt, however, is something very different, as is the outrageous car that MADMAX Race Team has built specially for it.

“I’m well known for setting records on bikes,” said Eisenberg, “so people started asking me why not cars?”

It got Zef thinking, so after meticulous research into what would be needed to top 200mph on sand, Eisenberg settled on a 2015 550hp Porsche 911 Turbo S. There was just one problem: Although this car is very fast, it will ‘only do 175mph’ in a mile on Tarmac. To achieve 200mph on tarmac within a mile would, the car would need 750bhp at the wheels. Sand creates a lot of resistance and tyre slip, so we worked out that we’d need at least 1000 bhp at the rear wheels, which equates to a crazy 1200hp at the engine, compared to just 550hp from the factory.

The MADMAX race team, therefore, hand built a bespoke 4.2-litre Porsche motorsport engine with new stronger internals, upgraded Turbo’s, plus a new E85 fuel system, advanced cooling set-up and far more. A lot of work was done to ensure that the monstrous power would come in as smoothly as possible in order to limit wheelspin on the loose surface. To cope with such an extreme output, the gearbox and clutch needed to be extensively upgraded, and the brakes and suspension modified to allow for different wheels and tyres.

Apart from a full FIA roll cage, competition seats and safety harness, the Porsche’s interior is completely standard.

“Weight is actually your friend on sand,” said Eisenberg. “It’s about stability – putting enough weight on the tyres to increase traction. Even though we have accidentally made the car 140kg lighter than standard, we have no need to strip weight out. The car is actually road legal so we will drive it from the hotel onto the beach and to the restaurant after, hopefully, to celebrate.” 

For the two-wheeled part of the record, Eisenberg will be riding his specially built 350hp supercharged Suzuki ‘MADMAX’ Hayabusa. The Pendine attempt comes 55 years after John Surtees won the Formula One title, becoming the first – and so far only – man to win the world championship on two wheels and four. It was also in 1964 that Donald Campbell CBE became the first man to set speed records on both land and water in the same year. Pendine is the same venue that Sir Malcolm Campbell raced his aero engine Bluebird to a maximum speed of 174mph in 1927.

“I’ve well and truly caught the speed addiction,” concludes Eisenberg. “It’s in my blood. Each run itself might only be between 25 and 40 seconds, but a new record is just the icing on the cake, after years of research and experimentation. Those who are addicted to speed will understand – “it’s all about the quest to overcome the challenge and battle the laws of physics.”

Spectators are welcome to attend the land speed record attempts in designated safety areas.

About Pendine Sands and Record Breaking:

Pendine is considered the holy grail of land speed, where the best racers in the world have tried to set records. The beach has hosted record-breaking attempts since the 1900s. When mother nature is kind, the beach delivers a firm, flat sand surface creating the longest straight line race track in the UK. Motor Cycle magazine described the sands as "the finest natural speedway imaginable".

The first person to use Pendine Sands for a world land speed record attempt was Malcolm Campbell in 1924. On 4th February 1927, Campbell set the land speed record at Pendine Sands in his 2300hp Bluebird Railton, with an average Flying Mile of 174.224 mph. In May 2015, the actor Idris Elba achieved an average Flying mile speed of 180.361mph during the attempt in his 650hp Bentley Continental GT Speed for a BBC documentary.

Each year in May, hundreds of racers and spectators make the pilgrimage to Pendine beach in the hope of setting new records.

NEW BOOK TELLS THE FULL AND FASCINATING STORY OF THE ASTON MARTIN DB4 G.T. CONTINUATION CARS

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NEW BOOK TELLS THE FULL AND FASCINATING STORY OF THE ASTON MARTIN DB4 G.T. CONTINUATION CARS

Aston Martin DB4 G.T. Continuation

History in the making

By James Page

Published by Porter Press International

Publication date: February 2019

Jacketed Hardback ● RRP: £40.00 ● ISBN: 978-1-907085-71-0

128 pages ● Format 240mm x 280mm ● Over 100 photos

The latest title from Porter Press takes readers behind the scenes at Aston Martin to witness the resurrection of the DB4 G.T., one of the most desirable cars ever made. When the British marque announced in early 2017 that it would build 25 Continuation examples of this model, first made from 1959 to 1963, author James Page was granted exclusive access to key people involved in the project and to the Aston Martin Works factory where the cars took shape.

The result of this privileged insight is the complete story of the DB4 G.T. Continuation cars, their technical authenticity and their historical significance – explaining why the cars sold for £1.5m apiece. The author tells how exacting attention to detail ensured absolute authenticity and how the DB4 G.T. was raced in period by such great names as Stirling Moss and Jim Clark. One the most beautiful of all Aston Martins, the DB4 G.T. was also one of the greatest cars from a marque with motorsport in its DNA.

Story highlights

• The full story of the DB4 G.T. Continuation project, from green light to completed cars.
• In-depth interviews with key people, describing the challenges that had to be overcome to restart production.
• How the team at Aston Martin Works tackled each section of the car, from engine and gearbox to bodywork and trim.
• A comprehensive analysis of the DB4 G.T., including its racing history during the late 1950s and early 1960s.
• The full story of Aston Martin’s famous works in Newport Pagnell, from Salmons coachbuilders and Tickford to the present day.

The author

James Page is former Editor of Classic & Sports Car magazine. He continues to contribute to this title, as well as journals such as Octane and Autosport, as a freelance motoring writer. In 2017 James co-authored a book in the Porter Press ‘Great Cars’ series about the Jaguar E-type Lightweight of Peter Lumsden and Peter Sargent.

SUTTON LAUNCHES ‘VIP CLASS’ RANGE OF ULTIMATE LUXURY PEOPLE-CARRIERS AT LONDON CLASSIC CAR SHOW

SUTTON LAUNCHES ‘VIP CLASS’ RANGE OF ULTIMATE LUXURY PEOPLE-CARRIERS AT LONDON CLASSIC CAR SHOW

1967 Sutton Mustang GT500CS

Sutton Bespoke is launching its new ‘VIP Class’ vehicles – a new range of high-specification, highly luxurious people carriers based on Mercedes-Benz V-Class and Sprinter models.

The bespoke people carriers can be specified with a range of seating configurations and are customised using the finest materials. An extensive list of available luxury options includes electric heated and cooled seats with a 10-point massage function, advanced infotainment for all passengers, and a driver’s partition for enhanced privacy.

Sutton Bespoke is displaying two of its coach-built VIP Class models at this year’s London Classic Car Show (14 to 17 February, London ExCeL), showcasing many of the available VIP Class enhancements.

VIP Class Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

The first example on display is a new deluxe bespoke reimagining of the Mercedes Sprinter, finished in Obsidian black and trimmed in soft-touch ‘bio-leather’. Between the driver and passengers is a custom electrically-actuated partition providing privacy for the rear passengers to enjoy two 40-inch 4K Smart TVs and a cinema system with seven-zone audio. All interior panelling is clad in the same luxurious soft-touch bio-leather with custom stitching, and there is high-quality thick-pile carpet throughout. The six rear seats have been upgraded to include full reclining functionality, and all have access to a console with a control panel, cup holders and lockable storage unit containing a champagne bucket. To further enhance privacy the vehicle is fully tinted, and sound insulated. The price of this show car is £160,000 plus VAT for business buyers (and £192,000 incl. VAT for private buyers)

The second is based on the Mercedes-Benz V-Class, with a subtle Obsidian black exterior and a spacious cabin with seven seats retrimmed in ultra-soft Nappa leather (all with black centres and grey bolsters). A double-glazed panoramic roof is surrounded by a stitched headlining in platinum suede, which also covers the A-, B-, C- and D-pillars. Between the two front seats is a two-tone quilted lifting armrest, which tops a large integrated fridge and cup holders with four cut-crystal glasses. A roof-mounted antenna provides 4G connectivity for occupants who also have access to Apple TV, DAB and FM radio via the centre console-mounted touchscreen television. The whole passenger compartment is trimmed in a luxurious thick-pile black carpet. The price of the show car is £92,000 plus VAT for business buyers (£115,000 incl. VAT for private buyers).

Sutton Bespoke Mustang models also on show

Also on the Sutton Bespoke stand at the London Classic Car Show will be a very special 1967 Sutton Mustang GT500CS. This contemporary interpretation of the original GT500 is truly unique and provides a full ‘restomod’ specification, with contemporary high-performance upgrades.

Alongside this will be a Sutton Bespoke GT700CS – a modern UK-spec Mustang with a selection of Sutton Bespoke and official Ford Performance upgrades. Sutton Bespoke fits a Ford Performance supercharger, active exhaust and Recaro sports seats among many other enhancements. The price of the Sutton Mustang GT700CS is £95,000, on the road. Sutton will also upgrade customer Mustangs to their specification using Ford Performance parts.

The mighty Mustang CS800 displayed in 2018/19 model guise features an all-new enhanced Whipple supercharger, which means the car now produces a massive 850hp and 660 lb/ft of torque. The show-spec CS800 is priced at £115,000, on the road.

Sutton Monster Raptor CS520

Also on display at its first UK debut is the right-hand drive Sutton Monster Raptor CS520 off-road performance pick-up truck. The CS520 is remanufactured with an uprated intercooler and a remap, helping it produce 520hp and 515 lb/ft of torque. The truck is re-engineered in right-hand drive and distributed by Sutton in the UK, Australia and across South East Asia. The on-the-road price of the vehicle is between £107,000 and £125,000 plus VAT, depending on options.

JBR CAPITAL UNVEILS EQUITY RELEASE TREND IN CLASSIC CAR MARKET

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JBR CAPITAL UNVEILS EQUITY RELEASE TREND IN CLASSIC CAR MARKET

Ferrari 275 GTB - credit Salon Privé

JBR Capital, the UK’s leading independent high-end vehicle financier, has confirmed a 54 per cent increase in equity release and refinancing deals in 2018, compared to the previous year.

This trend is revealed as more and more classic car owners are turning to equity release to free up cash from their cars, to put towards other purchases and investments.

Equity release enables motorists to keep hold of their classic cars, either as long-term investments or part of cherished collections – even when the capital in these high-value vehicles is required elsewhere.

The staggering increase in this type of premium car finance, within a year, coincides with the growing value gap between the very best and less favourable examples of collectable classics.

Darren Selig, Executive Chairman at JBR Capital, said, “The classic car market didn’t grow in 2018 to the level of previous years, but we’re still seeing the very best cars hold if not increase their value, whereas poorer examples are no longer as desirable, so prices have stagnated and fallen.

“We’ve seen a big increase in equity release, as classic car owners want to release cash from their cars without having to sell them – both to benefit from the future value increase and to use their money for other things.

“One client, for example, released equity in his collection of classic Ferraris to free up cash for a property investment – a common use of capital among our clients. Thanks to our bespoke underwriting process, our client had access to the cash within a matter of days, enabling him to move quickly on his property purchase.”

For more information on high-end vehicle finance, go to www.jbrcapital.com. JBR Capital offers tailored equity release, refinance, auction and restoration finance solutions.

Visit JBR Capital on stand C50 at The London Classic Car Show (14-17 February) where a rare right-hand drive Porsche 2.7 RS Lightweight valued at £1 million will be displayed, courtesy of Hexagon Classics.

SWIND ANNOUNCES LIMITED PRODUCTION RUN OF ELECTRIC CLASSIC MINI

SWIND ANNOUNCES LIMITED PRODUCTION RUN OF ELECTRIC CLASSIC MINI

Sixty years after the iconic Mini first hit the streets, a British technology company has unveiled the first production electric classic Mini at the London Classic Car Show. The Swind E Classic Mini combines a fully-restored body and bespoke powertrain developed in-house by industry leaders Swindon Powertrain, specialists that have been providing engineering expertise to automotive and motorsports industries for over 40 years.

Produced in Wiltshire at the firm’s recently-upgraded facility, the Swind E Classic Mini instils all the affection of the original with state-of-the-art EV technology to create an individual, nippy, zero-emissions city car with character. While retaining the same look, proportions and spirit of the original Mini, the bespoke 80kw motor and single transmission ensures responsive and smooth power that can be used without incurring congestion charge fees. Available to order immediately in either left- or right-hand-drive, the limited production run of 100 cars starts at £79,000 and comes with an unlimited mileage one-year warranty and MOT.

Standard features

• Lithium Ion battery containing 24kWh of energy and electric motor producing 80kw of power (the equivalent of 110bhp)
• Fully charged in four hours via a female Type 2 connector (Fast charging option available)
• Range of 125 miles (200km) with regenerative braking system
• Top speed is 80mph (130km/h)
• 0 to 60mph (0-100km/h) in 9.2 seconds
• 30-50mph (50- 80 km/h) acceleration time of 4.3 seconds helps the Mini offer punchy overtaking
• GVW of 720kg (increase of 80kg from starter car)
• Improved weight distribution (57 per cent/43 per cent compared to 68 per cent/32 per cent of the original car)
• With the petrol tank no longer required, boot space is increased to 200 litres
• Standard features include USB charging ports, underfloor heating, heated leather seats and front and rear windscreen
• Options include infotainment and sat-nav system, power steering, a full-length sliding fabric roof, air conditioning, performance tuning packs and bespoke paint colours
• Choice of six standard colours with a contrasting roof

To ensure the E Classic Mini can stand up to the rigours of today’s driving, the prototype has completed over 10,000 real world miles alongside thousands of hours of virtual simulations of the bespoke powertrain. Contemporary corrosion protection together with completely new brake and suspension parts ensure Swind’s E Classic Mini is substantially easier to live with than other classics.

This highly-advanced Swind E Classic Mini is the brainchild of Swindon Powertrain’s managing director Raphael Caillé, who saw an opportunity to produce an electric car with a soul that people from all walks of life would instantly fall in love with. “This is the first time an electrified classic Mini has entered production,” confirms Caillé. “There have been one-offs and prototypes before, but Swind is the first company to launch such a car to the public. The classic Mini has such a special place in people’s hearts, not only in the UK but around the world. The packaging of Sir Alec Issigonis’ 1959 design was truly ground-breaking and now we are making it relevant again. Its compact size and good visibility, together with contemporary performance and handling, makes it a car you’ll want to drive in the city and put a smile on your face.”

For more information visit www.swind.life

IT’S THE BEGINNING OF CITROËN’S CENTENARY YEAR, SO THE CITROËN ORIGINS VIRTUAL MUSEUM HAS HAD A MAKEOVER

IT’S THE BEGINNING OF CITROËN’S CENTENARY YEAR, SO THE CITROËN ORIGINS VIRTUAL MUSEUM HAS HAD A MAKEOVER

The Citroën Origins virtual museum is an immersive experience that allows fans to browse through, and even get behind the wheel of, some of Citroën’s most iconic models. Originally launched in 2016, the website has now been re-designed with a Centenary-themed look and even more for visitors to see and do. The site is now accessible in over 60 countries and features almost 80 Citroën models. UK visitors are invited to head for www.citroenorigins.co.uk/en

AN ANNIVERSARY DESIGN

Citroën Origins now features a unique bronze design theme, specifically created to celebrate the brand’s centenary. All of the Citroën vehicles on the site, which have played their part in making the brand as iconic as it is today, have web pages decorated in this celebratory colour.

AN EVENT-BASED PROGRAMME TO KEEP TRACK OF ALL CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

Citroën is offering all fans the chance to immerse themselves in the anniversary celebrations, with the launch of a specific centenary page within the Citroën Originsvirtual museum. This page, in particular, allows fans to access new content about the celebrations in 2019, plus the centenary catalogue listing the Citroën models that have defined its history. The page also provides a calendar of events and news relating to the centenary – organised by Citroën itself or by its partners – as well as giving fans access to the online shop: lifestyle.citroen.com where there is a wide range of iconic miniatures and gifts for sale.

A POP-UP EXHIBITION AT THE HEART OF THE VIRTUAL MUSEUM

The current pop-up exhibition – Retro’Inside – showcases the iconic Citroën vehicles that real-life visitors were able to see at the Rétromobile show in Paris (from 6 to 10 February 2019). Anyone who missed this annual gathering for fans of collectors’ and vintage cars can still experience the exhibition thanks to the Citroën Origins virtual museum.

Retro’Inside tells the story of selected models in three categories, which are so characteristic of Citroën:

• 100 years of comfort: From models such as the 2CV and the C6 coupé to light commercial vehicles, this section of the exhibition shows how comfort has always been part of the brand’s DNA.
• 100 years of innovation: A parallel is drawn between the brand’s heritage vehicles and those of today. The exhibition shows how Citroën has never stopped reinventing itself.
• 100 years of achievements: This section of the exhibition revisits the many different competitions, rallies and challenges that the brand has succeeded in over the years.

The wide range of new features on offer within Citroën Origins fit with an overall desire to offer comprehensive centenary content to the widest audience possible. Following the addition of 13 new vehicles and 6 new countries in 2018, the site is set to add a further 4 new vehicles in 2019 and become available to 21 additional countries.

For more information, please visit: www.citroenorigins.co.uk/en

FREE MV AGUSTA WITH EVERY SUPERCAR MEMBERSHIP FROM AUTO VIVENDI!

FREE MV AGUSTA WITH EVERY SUPERCAR MEMBERSHIP FROM AUTO VIVENDI!

Supercar Club Auto Vivendi has launched a special membership offer which should create quite a stir amongst bike fans this month.  The Club, which provides members with the use of a stunning collection of the latest supercars alongside a packed events calendar, is giving away an MV Agusta worth over £16,000 to everyone who joins the Club in February on their special ‘MV Agusta’ membership.

This exclusive membership promotion is being run in conjunction with MV Agusta in Italy and everyone who joins on this special membership will also be flown to the MV Agusta factory on the shores of Lake Varese, for a factory tour and a chance to ride some of the latest bikes from this powerhouse of Italian engineering art.

This special Auto Vivendi ‘MV Agusta’ membership offer (£19,950 + VAT plus the Club’s standard one-off joining fee of £1,625 plus VAT) ends on February 28, 2019, and members will receive 220 Club points (which should equate to around 20 days of supercar use), their choice of one of three MV Agusta bikes (customers can choose from the Brutale 800 RR America Limited Edition, Dragster RR or Turismo Veloce Lusso, each worth over £16,000) plus a VIP trip including flights to the MV Agusta factory in Italy.

MV Agusta has a strong link with the world of high-powered cars with AMG Mercedes previously taking a stake in the company and F1 biking fan Lewis Hamilton putting his name behind the F4 LH44 model.

Supercar Club Auto Vivendi is the largest and longest running business of its kind in the world.  It has an unrivalled collection of cars including the Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster, Ferrari 488GTB, McLaren 720S and 600LT, Aston Martin DBS Superleggera and Rolls-Royce Wraith amongst many more of the world’s latest supercars.  Members also have access to special pre-launch events from supercar manufacturers, exclusive parties and track days at Ascari private race resort in Spain.

Auto Vivendi memberships can be bought for personal or business use and bikes will be delivered to new member’s preferred MV Agusta dealership.

In the past, the Club has run similar promotions with Abarth, Fiat and Hublot and this time they hope to attract new members into the Club from the biking community.

To make the Club accessible to people who live outside of London, members can also upgrade to an ‘Out of Town’ version of this special membership which includes delivery and collection of cars to anywhere within 250 miles of London.

Richard L Thomas, Managing Director of Auto Vivendi commented; “From our experience with our current members, we know there is a clear link between supercar driving and motorcycle riding. So we decided to reward people who join the Club in February with a joining gift of a brand new MV Agusta bike worth over £16,000 which we are hoping will capture the attention of prospective Club members!  Such unique and exciting membership offers have worked well for us in the past and we are hoping that giving away stunning MV Agusta bikes will capture the attention of people who love both bikes and cars.”

Find out more at www.autovivendi.com or contact hello@autovivendi.com  / 0207 625 9400.

FERRARI IN ART – THE SPORTING LEGACY

FERRARI IN ART – THE SPORTING LEGACY

A special exhibition comprising of 25 exclusive paintings celebrating over seventy years of Ferrari was officially unveiled last night at the Royal Automobile Club.

‘Ferrari in Art – The Sporting Legacy’ is a collection of unique artwork celebrating everything Ferrari. The cars, the drivers, the history and most importantly of all, the passion. Ferrari has an unrivalled position in the automotive world.  The name itself conjures up the very essence of beauty, design, speed, style … and of course winning. The new series of works by international artist Mark Dickens in collaboration with renowned F1 photographer Keith Sutton encompasses all the features that make Ferrari so special. 

Keith Sutton tracked down all the influential figures associated with Ferrari to get involved. For each painting, drivers, owners, fans and motorsport personalities were asked to express in their own handwritten words what ‘Ferrari’ means to them. Over 125 handwritten (never been seen before) quotes were obtained directly from the individuals and transferred on to the 25 pieces of artwork which artist Mark Dickens worked tirelessly to create. The outcome is a unique, contemporary and historical collection of Ferrari art.

Several notable guests attended the launch event, having kindly contributed to the artworks. One of which was Ross Brawn OBE, former Ferrari F1 Team Principal. Speaking of his time at Ferrari, Brawn said “It was a very special period in my life. Ferrari is very much a team spirit. I love the history of Ferrari, it wasn’t manufactured, it was organic, Enzo Ferrari didn’t sit down and say we are going to create this empire, and this is how we are going to do it, everything just evolved to be the world-famous car racing team and car manufacturer that it is today. To be a small part of that is very special. I’ve been lucky enough to stand on the podium at Monza when Ferrari have won and there’s no better sensation than that. Seeing the huge crowds and the emotion and passion of the fans”.

Brenda Vernor reflected on her time as the Personal Assistant to Enzo Ferrari for 20 years “It was the best years of my life. I was the only woman, an English woman working with 199 men from drivers to mechanics. You couldn’t do that now”.

Seeing his quote adorning the Enzo Ferrari artwork Uberto Selvatico Estense, the President of The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari said “It’s unbelievable and makes me very proud to see this. For me it’s a dream, to be part of the Ferrari legend is something incredible”.

Speaking about the project Keith Sutton said “It’s taken over 9 months to obtain the 125 handwritten quotes from the various personalities associated with Ferrari; however, everyone that I approached was genuinely enthusiastic and delighted to take part in this unique project”.

British artist Mark Dickens is world renowned in F1, his work can be found in the Royal collections of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to numerous Grand Prix circuits and collections around the world. He was commissioned by Bernie Ecclestone in 2011 to be the official F1 artist creating a painting for every Grand Prix. Dickens artwork involves collaborations with people and places which take the visual format of mixed media, building layers of photographic transfers, paper, gold leaf, fabric, paint and handwritten texts set in resin. The various textures of the composition are very tactile.

It’s the second time Mark Dickens and Keith Sutton have collaborated together. In 2014 they created ‘World Champions in Art’ which comprised of 32 paintings, one for each Formula 1 World Champion. The collection was purchased by four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel.

As before the artwork is being sold as a complete collection and there are some interested parties already. Whilst the exhibition will not be touring, a limited-edition box set of signed prints will be available for others to buy.  One of the box sets will be presented to Jackie Stewart OBE who clinched the World Sportscar Championship for Ferrari in 1967 driving alongside Chris Amon, and whose quote features in the collection.  Sir Jackie will auction his set off at the Australia F1 Grand Prix to raise money for his charity ‘Race Against Dementia’. 

Reading the names of those that have contributed to the artwork is like a ‘Who’s Who’ of Ferrari – from the Designers who helped create the dream to World Champions who realised the dream, – from Team Principals who guided the dream to Collectors and Owners who live the dream – from Engineers who maintained the dream to the die-hard fans who love the dream! All of which provides a fascinating, historic and personal insight into Ferrari.

NEW HERITAGE RACING INITIATIVE POSITIONS ASTON MARTIN AT THE HEART OF HISTORIC MOTORSPORT

NEW HERITAGE RACING INITIATIVE 
POSITIONS ASTON MARTIN AT THE HEART OF HISTORIC MOTORSPORT

: Aston Martin’s increasing commitment to historic motorsport has been cemented with the creation of Aston Martin Heritage Racing - an over-arching brand that unites the company’s assorted historic motorsport activities under one banner.

In the first of several major new initiatives, Aston Martin has joined forces with Masters Historic Racing - one of the world’s leading historic race event organisers and promotors - to become its official automotive partner. The partnership places Aston Martin and its customers at the heart of the action, through a number of core activities.

The most visible of these are the supply of Aston Martin road cars as Official Pace cars and Course cars for Masters Historic Racing. For 2019 this will see Aston Martin’s driver focused sports car - the Vantage - head each of the grids at selected MHR race weekends, leading the field around the track at speed before releasing the cars for the rolling start. Course car duties will be performed by a Rapide AMR, giving further exposure to the brand.

Aston Martin is also title partner of the Aston Martin Masters Endurance Legends Series. Run for racing cars from the more recent past, AMMEL is the premiere series for modern historic Le Mans and ALMS prototypes and GT cars from 1995-2012. As this period encompasses Aston Martin Racing’s victories in the GT1 class with the DBR9, plus the many other successes in the LMP1, GT2 and GTE categories, the AMMEL series regularly features Aston Martin competition cars amongst the varied and colourful grids. Indeed, one of the fabulous ex-works Gulf-liveried Aston Martin DBR1-2 LMP1 cars was a regular outright winner during the 2018 season and is a firm crowd favourite.

With large grids, generous track time and exciting double-header race weekends, the AMMEL race format allows for one or two-drivers with a mandatory pit stop and a race duration of a minimum 30min and maximum 45min. Frequently afforded top billing, AMMEL treats spectators and fans to an evocative taste of top-level endurance racing featuring many of their favourite modern classic machines.

2019 Aston Martin Masters Endurance Legends calendar

Mar 29-31, Le Castellet Motors Cup weekend, Paul Ricard, France

May 10-12, European Le Mans Series support race, Monza, Italy

Jun 28-30, French Historic Grand Prix, Magny Cours, France

Jul 26-28, Silverstone Classic, Silverstone, UK

Aug 9-11, AvD Oldtimer Grand Prix, Nürburgring, Germany

Sep 27-29, Spa Six Hours, Spa, Belgium

ASTON MARTIN HERITAGE RACING FESTIVAL SERIES

Building upon the huge success enjoyed by the triennial Aston Martin Racing Le Mans Festival events held as a support race for the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2012, 2015 and 2018, the Festival concept has been developed into an annual AMHR Festival Series.

Driven by the desire to create a ‘home’ in which owners of eligible modern era competition and special series Aston Martins can race regularly, the AMHR Festival Series will comprise two race events in 2019, expanding to three race weekends per-season in 2020 and 2021.

A celebration of Aston Martin’s 21st century competition success, The AMHR Festival Series is conceived to encompass the majority of Aston Martin Racing’s back catalogue. All GT1, GT2, GT3, GT4 and GTE cars are eligible, with the exception of the Lola-Aston LMP1 prototypes and the latest generation Vantage GTE, GT3 and GT4 cars. There is also an invitation class for special series cars such as the Aston Martin Vulcan, and for other unusual Aston Martin race cars, such as the Vantage GT8 that raced in the Nürburgring ‘N24’.

Open to one or two drivers per-car, the Festival race format will remain flexible to take advantage of opportunities to run double-header races where possible and allow the series to evolve over time. A pit stop is mandatory, and a handicapping system will be applied to create a fair level of competition between keen amateur and elite professional and former professional racers. A strict code of respectful driving will be encouraged and enforced, with AMR factory driver and three-time Le Mans winner Darren Turner advising on series regulations and driving standards.

Run under the newly created Aston Martin Heritage Racing banner, for 2019 the AMHR Festival Series will visit the iconic Grand Prix circuits of Silverstone and Spa, with the first race at July’s Silverstone Classic - the world’s biggest historic race meeting - and the second at the Spa Six Hours weekend in late September.

Returning to the Silverstone Classic and Spa Six Hours in 2020, with a third iconic venue to be announced later this year, in 2021 AMHR Festival competitors can look forward to three more race weekends. The Festival’s objective is to provide owners of modern classic Aston Martin competition cars with a ‘Road to Le Mans’ and the chance to fulfil the dream of racers and enthusiasts everywhere.

While racing is at its heart, the AMHR Festival Series it is not just about the on-track action. Each Festival weekend will also be a social occasion and a highlight of the AMHR year. Aston Martin will invite celebrity drivers to take part, plus a variety of current and former AMR factory drivers. Hospitality will be provided for competitors and their guests. Selected friends of Aston Martin will also be in attendance and there will be an exclusive party on the Friday or Saturday night of each festival race weekend.

2019 Aston Martin Heritage Racing Festival Series calendar

Jul 26-28, Silverstone Classic, Silverstone, UK

Sep 27-29, Spa Six Hours, Spa, Belgium

ASTON MARTIN HERITAGE RACING TRACK EXPERIENCE

Held at selected Masters Historic Racing weekends, the Aston Martin Heritage Racing Track Experience events are another new AMHR initiative for 2019. Combining attendance of a live historic race weekend and top-level hospitality with an assortment of road and track sessions in new Aston Martin road cars, a variety of weekend packages are tailored for existing and prospective Aston Martin customers as well as fans of the brand.

The first of these events is to be held March 29-31 at Paul Ricard, home of the French Grand Prix, during Masters Historic Racing’s first race weekend of the 2019 season. Located in the beautiful Provence region of southern France, guests will enjoy the unique thrill of driving their own Aston Martin or one of Aston Martin’s demonstrators in dedicated 30min sessions which intersperse the races throughout the weekend. They will also have the opportunity to take accompanied test drives on breathtaking roads and, of course, spend some relaxing downtime enjoying first class hospitality and the spectacle of Europe’s best historic racing.

Each Track Experience weekend will run to a schedule tailored to the specific event, but in addition to on-track driving sessions and all-day hospitality each will feature additional daytime activities such as hot lap rides alongside pro drivers in Aston Martin road or race cars, guided tours of the pits and paddock, karting, plus evening entertainment such as relaxed BBQs and organised wine tastings.

Whether an existing Aston Martin customer who likes the idea of enjoying the freedom of driving their car on a race track, or a prospective or existing customer who would like to experience a new model in a test drive with a difference, the added atmosphere and excitement of being part of a historic race weekend ensures each AMHR Track Experience immerses guests in an exclusive high-octane environment that petrolheads will love, combined with a level of quality and attention to detail that provides a true taste of Aston Martin lifestyle.

2019 Aston Martin Heritage Racing Track Experience calendar

Mar 29-31, Masters Historic Racing weekend, Paul Ricard, France

*Further dates to be announced in the near future

Andy Palmer, Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group CEO, said of AMHR: “The creation of Aston Martin Heritage Racing draws together our various historic motorsport activities and provides a platform from which we will continue to extend the scope of our presence in the vibrant and hugely popular international historic racing scene. Our official automotive partnership with Masters Historic Racing sees our Vantage and Rapide AMR models serving as official Safety Cars and Course Cars, while our title sponsorship of the Aston Martin Masters Endurance Legends Series supports a spectacular grid of iconic modern classic machines that once competed in some of the world’s greatest endurance races.

With high profile races confirmed at this year’s Silverstone Classic in July and Spa Six Hours historic meeting in September, three race weekends in 2020 and all providing a Road to Le Mans, we can look forward to seeing the finest Aston Martin competition cars of the more recent past racing on some of Europe’s best circuits.”

Ron Maydon, Founder and President of Masters Historic Racing: “It’s a tremendous endorsement of historic racing’s popularity that such a prestigious brand as Aston Martin has chosen to partner Masters Historic Racing (MHR). Few car companies have a better fit with historic racing, thanks to a thread of motorsport success tracing right back to the company’s origins more than a century ago. Much like Aston Martin, MHR likes to innovate and evolve, and so I’m especially proud that Aston Martin is title partner of the Masters Endurance Legends Series, which has pioneered the concept of modern historic racing with dazzling grids of prototype and GT racing cars that were eligible to compete at Le Mans and other top-level endurance races between 1995 and 2012. With this period encompassing some of Aston Martin Racing’s greatest 21st century successes it will be an absolute pleasure to see some of these iconic machines once again do battle with their period adversaries.”

To take part in the Aston Martin Heritage Racing activities or for further information contact AMHR@astonmartin.com.