Roadster! Issue 9 - August 2025 FINAL-compressed

CONNECT! EDUCATE! INSPIRE! ENTERTAIN! INVOLVE! Supported by:

THE motoring magazine for #KidswhoLOVEtheRoad ISSUE 9! Summer 2025

A Roadtrip to the Alps in the family DUSTER PLUS: ALPINE ALPENGLOW, DACIA SPRING, SLOT CARS, SCALEXTRIC 4 SCHOOLS, TEST TRACK, THEORY TEST, FANTASY CAR COMPETITION, EDDY, AND MORE!

ISSUE 9 SUMMER 2025 PRINT EDITION

£7.00 (+£3 delivery)

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Jaybee Motors: Where Families Feel at Home!

This issue of ROADSTER! is being kindly supported by Jaybee Motors, of Banbury.

Is your family thinking about a new car, or perhaps a cool used one? Jaybee Motors is the place to go!

Based just outside Banbury, Jaybee is not your average car dealership. They’ve been main Renault dealers for over 35 years, which means they really know their stuff and love helping local families roll into adventures with style!

But what makes them extra awesome? ●

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They sell new AND used cars, including super spacious ones perfect for family trips (or hauling school bags and football boots!)

They’re now Electric Vehicle Approved (EVA)—so they can help you zoom off in something clean, green, and super cool!

They have an after-sales service centre that actually cares—friendly faces, no confusing tech talk, and top-notch support Their team is all about being honest, fair, and fun to talk to—grown-ups love them, and they welcome families… kids (like Sam!) give them their thumbs up too!

Whether you're 8 or 80, Jaybee Motors treats everyone like part of the family.

Oxford Road, Bodicote, Banbury, UK, OX15 4AB.

01295 227100 https://www.jaybee.co.uk/

So buckle up—your next big ROADSTER! adventure might start just five minutes from Banbury!

Hello Everyone!

And a special hello to everyone picking up Roadster! for the very first time!

Thank you to everyone who has sent us things, and who have said nice things about our last issue. Test Track went down VERY well, so we’ve made another!

This issue has been EPIC to make! It all started back in May, when we went on an amazing family holiday in the French Alps.

I’ve seen mountains in Wales before, but never like this! We had a great time and we drove on some pretty special roads, which we tell you all about in this issue.

Then there was all the fun we had at the UK Slot Car festival, which led to our fun team up with the brilliant Drift Dynamics Racing team! They even made us a Scalextric Car! Those who have read Roadster! for some time may know that my Dad and I have been nervous about being able to carry on. Lots of people want Roadster! to continue. We have been lucky enough to receive some really generous help from our friends at Jaybee Motors in Banbury. Jaybee are great friends of Roadster! We have bought two family cars from them and I love going to see them. They always let me explore the cars with my Dad, and I’ve sat in some really cool Alpines in the showroom!

My Dad and I want to thank Jaybee for all of the help they have given us. It has meant we could print a lot more magazines!

We hope you like this issue!

Sam, age 11 EDITOR-in-CHIEF

Issue #9 Production Credits

08-09 - SCALEXTRIC 4 SCHOOLS 11 - Summer Roadsigns 12-13 - Racecar Eddy

14 - GRACE WEBB 15 - Bard of the ROAD 16 - TEST TRACK

ROADSTER! is supported by our PATREON FOUNDER Subscribers:

This issue would not have been possible were it not for the support of the following amazing people:

Mark Deakin Duncan Brown George Thurman Vicky Folland Terry Cook Peter Lavington Rebekah Stennett Nicola Lovell Talya Dosaj Helen Eldridge Marny Moruzzi Alison Thorpe Donna Haley Thank you! We are so grateful for your support!

Olivia & Iris. The T. Family, with special props to Richie T! The Birch Family, Mark Jordan, John Dauphin and all the team at Jaybee Motors, Charlie Roper and the PR team at Dacia UK, Grace Webb, Simon Hooker, Ant Cross and the team at Scalextric4Schools, Triumph Visitors Experience, Andy Entwistle and the Team at Automotion Events, Julie Francis and the Cazoo Team, Richard Webb at Gamify Cards, Simon Alpine Cars (UK), Marny Moruzzi, Vicky & Evie Folland, Katharine Morgan and the media team at Goodwood Festival of Speed, James Allinson at Ferrari UK, Julie Scale and the Scale Models team, Lake Annecy Tourist Office, Kim Palmer & Bev Boswell.

Circulation: Ltd print run & pdf download Contact:roadster.magazine@gmail.com Publishing House: Roadster! Publications Signed For Printing: 30 July 2025

05 Alpine Alpenglow 06-07 UK Slot Car Festival

Our Sponsors & Partners

EDITOR-in-CHIEF - Sam P ASSISTANT EDITOR - Carl P MOTORSPORT EDITOR - Peter B. FUN CONTENT EDITOR - Richie T. ROADSTIG - Roadstig PHOTOGRAPHY - Carl P VIDEO CONTENT - Ian B. GEN CONSULTANCY - Rowan Ridley GRAPHIC DESIGN - Sam & Carl P

STEERING COMMITTEE Ben Lane Charlotte McKenzie Belinda Guy Rowan Ridley

Get your parents to find us on social media and like and share out posts. It really helps us!

Image Sources: FreePik, Text Studio, Press Releases, Roadster! Team Roadster! has sought to use original or free to use source imagery which does not require a licence. Roadster! would like to acknowledge and thank all the original content creators for their support with this not-for-profit children’s projectt.

21 - Fantasy Car Competition 22-33 - French Roadtrip 34 - Dacia Spring

35 -Roadster Collective

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Art and Racing: A Winning Team!

NEWS!

Motoring News for Kids!

Hot Wheels x Ferrari: Dream Cars Are Back!

Pedal Power!

8-Year-Old Alyssa Smashes Goodwood Record for Charity!

On June 13th, eight-year-old Alyssa achieved a new pedal car lap record at the Goodwood Motor Circuit, completing the 3.8km (2.367 miles) in her… Austin J40!

This remarkable feat was part of a fundraising effort for Mission Motorsport, a charity supporting veterans and their families.

Alyssa's extensive training and support from individuals like the Duke of Richmond and Derek Bell paid off. Not only did she set a new record, beating the previous one by 10 minutes, but she also raised over £6500 for the charity.

Well done Alyssa!

Where do the Aston Martin F1 Team go to eat?

Fer-nandos! (joke by Sam)

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Get ready, Hot Wheels fans!

After more than 10 years, Hot Wheels and Ferrari are teaming up again to bring you some amazing new cars!

Starting in Summer 2025, you'll be able to grab awesome 1:64 scale Ferrari die-cast cars. Imagine collecting cool models like the super-fast Ferrari F50 or the sleek LaFerrari for your tracks and displays. These will be around £8.99 each.

You'll also find new Ferrari cars in the regular Hot Wheels packs, costing about £1.80 - £2.40.

You can even pre-order a special collector's set with two unique cars: the Ferrari 312 P (a throwback to the very first Hot Wheels Ferrari from way back in 1970!) and the awesome 499P Modificata. This special set is about £118.00.

Have you ever thought about what racing cars and art have in common? A new project called Art in Racing (AIR) is bringing them together in an awesome way!

Disrupt Space, a group that helps Black artists, has started a partnership with two talented young racing drivers (and friends of ROADSTER’S), Lewis Appiagyei and Ruben Stanislaus. Both Lewis and Ruben are Black and want to make it big in the racing world, where there haven't been many people like them before.

A visual artist named Elicia McKenzie is joining the team. She'll be creating art and telling the stories of these drivers' journeys through exhibitions and workshops for young people.

The goal of this project is to show kids from all backgrounds that they can succeed in anything they love—whether it's art or motorsport.

By mixing art with racing, AIR hopes to inspire lots of new artists and racers and make these worlds more welcoming for everyone. Keep an eye out for their amazing work!

ROADSTER CLUB! And finally…

We are pleased to announce the launch of our new Roadster! Club!

Ultimate Membership for fans!

Our new ROADSTER! Club provides all of the issues plus a year of thrilling Roadster! Perks, including a special goodie box with the third issue! ! Available for 50 a year ANNUAL, or £5 a month: Full Details on our website!

Details o

Alpine’s Awesome ALPENGLOW!

Meet Alpine’s Alpenglow… a futuristic hydrogen-powered concept car with a roaring 740bhp “Hy6” engine!

First revealed in 2022, it's now a working prototype, built for performance and planet-friendliness. Instead of petrol, it burns hydrogen, releasing just warm air and water vapor.

Alpenglow is not just high-tech engineering either. Its sleek aerodynamic design is built for speed and sustainability.

Roadster! editor Sam met Alpenglow at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where its sleek design and clean tech wowed the crowds.

Could cars like this be the future?

Write in and tell us what you think!

See our centre pages for an awesome A3 pull out poster!

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reports from the per-fast car, zooming Do you dream of racing a su ng for the win? Slot car around corners, and battli t in miniature — and it’s racing is like motorsport bu seriously cool! e along special tracks with These tiny electric cars rac u control the speed with a grooves that guide them. Yo st us — it’s a lot of fun! handheld controller, and tru ct balance of speed and You’ve got to master a perfe d beat your rivals. It’s easy strategy to stay on track an r, making it perfect for kids to learn, but hard to maste who love a challenge! racing was huge. Clubs Back in the 1960s, slot car d kids (and grown-ups!) popped up everywhere, an games took over, and slot raced for glory. Then video … cars went quiet for a while back!

But they’re making a come

are dusting off their old Parents and grandparents re s are make racing even mo sets, and new digital track ! ist with a modern tw realistic. It’s old-school fun me to race, explore, and Fans from all over Europe ca ere were rare layouts, geek out over slot cars. Th d loads of chances to jump awesome competitions, an great couple of days and in and race! It was a really mends it!

ROADSTER! HIGHLY recom Want to get started? d it’s more fun than ever!

Slot car racing is back — an ner or a future racing Whether you’re a total begin for you! legend, there’s a slot car set

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Roadster! at the UK Slot Car Festival — Full Throttle Fun! We were back at the UK Slot Car Festival at the British Motor Museum — and it was EPIC! Packed with Scalextric tracks, racing competitions, club dis plays, and loads of cool stuff to buy — it was slot car heaven!

Our Stand Was Wild!

For the second year running, Roadster! had its own stand — and we bro ught something totally bonkers: a gravity-defying AFX track fro m the 1990s!

It hadn’t been used in 40 years, but with help from our friends at Ridley Didley Racing, we got it working aga in and even bought brand-new cars to rac e on it. It was fast, twisty, and totally aw esome, and was very popular with slot car fans!.

New Tracks, Old Cars One of the coolest things about Scalextric slot cars? You can race older cars on newer tracks! That means there’s a whole second-hand world of racing treasures waiting to be discovered.

While we were at the Festival, we set ourselves a Top Gear-style challenge: Who could buy the best slot car for just £10? Sam or Dad? - Sam picked a Ferrari F40 — sleek, speedy, and super stylish.

- Dad went for a Jaguar XJ220 — a supercar built just down the road from Roadster! HQ! But who won? YOU decide. Have a look at our YouTube channel!

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you? Then how Is racing slot cars not enough for building them from scratch?

about

national competition where Welcome to Scalextric4Schools, a ir own cars! More than just a students design, build, and race the on challenge in creativity, race, Scalextric4Schools is a handsindustry-standard tools like CAD engineering, and teamwork, using software and 3D printers! g into something you can The competition turns STEM learnin h! compete against other schools wit ged not only on their fastest During the contest, students are jud lap times but also on their: ing

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ng their car, explain Video Presentation: A video launchi their design process.

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a showcasing their team Pit Display: A creative display are and car designs.

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Car Manufacturing: The quality and they build.

innovation of the cars

for students to discover how Scalextric4Schools is a fantastic way entially sparking future careers fun and powerful STEM can be, pot t. in engineering, design, or motorspor in starting a team? Ask your And YOU can do it too! Interested teacher about Scalextric4Schools!

HOW ROADSTER! GOT INVOLVED! Motivated by a desire to help other young enthusiasts, we teamed up with Drift Dynamics Racing (DDR), a group of Year 10 students from the Bishops’ Blue Coat High School in Chester who were ready to take their skills to the next level!

We provided the team with money, helping the team get awesome stuff like custom teamwear, paint, and materials for their presentation, giving them a huge boost in confidence!

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For the competition’s "Le Mans" theme, Team DDR designed a car based on the iconic Ford GT40 - the underdog that took on the mighty Ferrari and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times!

Using professional CAD and CFD software, they've engineered a detailed model and prepared three versions of the car—one with a magnet for maximum grip, one without—to test different racing strategies and one sponsor car for ROADSTER! to show off with pride!

We couldn’t wait to see their amazing GT40 in action!

Team DDR: Driver and Technician, Clive; Team Principal and Designer, Aaron; and Social Media and Pit Crew specialists, Sam and Nathan.

Race Day! Roadster! at the Scalextric4Schools Finals When Roadster! rolled up to the Triumph Visitor Centre, the energy was already buzzing! Teams were tearing it up on two custom-built “Le Mans” tracks, racing their hand-built Scalextric cars like pros! It felt like a mini F1 Grand Prix — with teams zipping between the track and their pit zones, tweaking and tuning their cars to perfection!

Pit Zone Power Behind the scenes, it wasn’t just about racing. Teams had set up amazing displays — posters, models, concept cars, and full-on presentations showing their journey from sketch to race day. It was creative chaos in the best possible way!

Meeting Drift Dynamics Roadster! finally met the school team we’d been sponsoring: Drift Dynamics Racing — and they were awesome! Their setup was slick, their team spirit was strong, and their car was getting a SERIOUS workout!

Aaron was using gaffer tape for extra grip.

Sam was cooling the motor with a handheld fan.

The vibe was intense but friendly. Teams were watching each other, learning, and racing hard. Teachers stepped back and let the kids run the show!

Judges were quietly watching everything — from team YouTube videos to pit displays. Roadster! even saw them sneaking into empty pit zones with clipboards, checking out every detail.

Finals Time: Drift Dynamics Goes Full Throttle!

After lunch, it was go-time. Drift Dynamics was laser-focused, solving problems and chasing every millisecond. They dominated the leaderboard — until another team snatched the fastest lap! Did they give up? No way! They regrouped, locked in, and pulled off a flawless relay — each member racing with precision and speed. Their final lap? A jaw-dropping 2:13:0!

Champions Crowned!

As the day wrapped up, teams gathered by the stage. Judge Grace Webb gave a heartfelt speech, and then the awards…

Fastest Lap: Drift Dynamics — 2:13:0 Scalextric4Schools 2025 - Overall Champions: Drift Dynamics!!

We were so proud to support them — their hard work, teamwork, and determination totally paid off.

We had a blast and felt like part of the action all day. We can’t wait to do it again next year — perhaps Sam can convince his new secondary school to build a team?

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“CREW NOT CARGO” PROGRAM LAUNCH! ROADSTER! is on a quest to show that kids are FAR more than just cargo in the back.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES 🚀 Empower Young Creators 🎓 Learn Through Doing 🛠 Build Skills & Confidence 🌍 Bridge Education & Industry

MISSION 001 BACKSEAT SURVIVAL MISSION OVERVIEW Long road trips can mean EPIC adventure - but they can also mean being stuck in the back seats for a LOOONG time! This mission aims to get you through the journey.

MISSION OBJECTIVES ● Bust Boredom ● Smart Snacking ● Hyper Hydration ● Climate Control ● Wise Wellness ● Mission Bonus

We are launching young minds into active orbit on a mission that fuels hands-on exploration, discovery and innovation!

The ROADSTER! Crew forge skills, confidence and curiosity with every launch. Kids are vital crew on our mission!

MISSION BRIEFING - with Mission Specialist, Sam P. Bust Boredom Bring a puzzlebook, sketchpad, cards, and the latest Roadster!

Music is the mood-control module every mission specialist needs! Load up your playlist, charge your kit, and tune in.

Smart Snacking Fuel. Focus. Function. A well-balanced ration plan is essential to sustain high-level backseat operations. I recommend a strategic mix of healthy, dried, and sweet treats. Nuts, seeds, cheese sticks, and stealth-water fruits keep you going. Tactical sweets (in very small doses!) provide bursts of energy, focus, and morale.

Hyper Hydration Water powers your internal systems. Freeze half a water bottle, top it up, stay cool. Supplement it with a juice box or flavoured water with straw for long-lasting refreshment. Sip securely.

Climate Control Comfort = performance. Mission Specialists should carry a hoodie, blanket, neck pillow, sun shades, lip balm, and their favourite plush (no judgement here!) for system stability.

Wise Wellness Mission control’s medical team recommend that every crew member carries a core medi-pack of tissues, sanitizer, travel bands, sickness bags, meds. Add a first-aid kit for full crew support.

Mission Bonus Gear must be within reach: use a backpack or seat-hanger.

Pack it yourself. Know your loadout. And don’t forget chargers — power = mission success.

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Summer Traffic Signs Warning signs

Wild Inflatables

Excavation Area

Low-flying Parasols

Queues Likely

Water Blasting in Area

Unstable buildings

Inclement Weather Zone

Dive Bombing Gulls

No access for Gulls or Wasps

All work MUST stop where sign displayed

Regulatory Signs

Socks with Sandals Prohibited

Issue 01 07/25

No Dad Dancing

Elements of this poster have been created using resources from Flaticon.com “Socks and Sandals” symbol by Guilherme Appolinário from thenounproject.com

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Meet “Racecar Eddy”—our wild comic-strip hero, created and illustrated by 14-year-old Richie T! So far, Richie’s drawn 8 hilarious Eddy adventures for Roadster!, proving that young minds DRIVE this magazine!

Got an idea? Drop us a line—we’d LOVE to feature your creation!

Ha ha. No. Absolutely not. No. No way. Ever.

No.

Previously in Racecar Eddy, Peter created a time machine…

Ooh, can I use it?

In case you missed the last instalment, Eddy did, of course, use the time machine.

Please don’t hurt me Mr. Gladiator!

Uh oh.

And after inventing the wheel in the Stone Age, now finds himself in Ancient Rome!

Suddenly, to Eddy’s surprise, the gladiator stopped still.

I’ll be off then…

Hey, put me down.

I’m Eddy from Roadster!

Halt!

Oh, thank you Mr. Gladiator.

Yikes, is that the emperor?

It’s off to the colosseum for you…

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...to do some chariot racing for the emperor. If you impress him he’ll free you. If not…

That’s what they all say!

Yikes. But WOW!

An ancient race car!

Slow down, horses! Where are the brakes in this thing?!

This is just like F1!

Hello! It’s me!

Grr!

I’m getting the hang of this now.

Where is everyone else?

Ah ha, behind me!

Think again Road Boy!

Hello again! Or should I say goodbye! You can’t catch Racecar Eddy!

Woohoooooooooooooooo!

Oi!

There was silence in the colosseum, with all eyes on the emperor.

Finally, he smiled…

… and cheers rang out!

Eddy!!

Faster, horses, faster, I need to win!

Uh oh! The emperor isn’t going to like that.

Uh oh!

But then...

Eddy!

Eddy!

Where (or should I say when) am I off to now?!

I can’t wait to tell Peter about this!

Find out in your next edition of Roadster!

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meets…

GraCe WeBB! Roadster! meets the presenter who proved machines aren’t just for grown-ups.

When Grace’s Amazing Machines first hit CBeebies, it was an instant hit with kids who loved engines, power, and wheels. But more than that, it was something new: a presenter who actually rode the motorbikes, drove the fire trucks, and jumped into the cab of a combine harvester — no stunt double required!

Roadster! caught up with Grace at the Scalextric 4 Schools Final at the Triumph Visitor Experience and had a quick chat all about Grace’s Amazing Machines! e how are you?

ROADSTER!: Grac good thank you GR ACE: Hey! I'm emories of hat are your m ROADSTER!: W azing machines? making Grace's am ies! The any good memor m so t go e I'v E: ive, GR AC I got to tr y out, dr at th s ne hi ac m variety of ember the that's what I rem ride, fly. I think different to tr y out lots of le ab g in be is t mos hich I loved, things, some of w amazing ch machine from hi W R! TE DS A RO ost and remember the m u yo do s ne hi mac why? ember the e one that I rem GR ACE: I think th probably g walking plane in w e th as w t I could mos load of senses er ov an as w it e becaus eath away! me! It took your br feel the wind on e wings of anding on the th st om fr ew vi e Th ! It is just… incredible as w e an pl ain the ained in my br gr in is at th something forever. that ere a machine th as W R! TE ROADS you? totally surprised e was a that surprised m e on e Th E: AC which GR ea Breacher”, “S a d lle ca ne you machi etallic shark that m a e lik s ok lo basically controls in e were so many er Th . in ith w t sa pull, and you could push, gs in th e th of s d to term ticks that you ha ys jo as w e er Th rotate. buttons on ctions that had move in all dire surprised at's the one that th k in th I So . do to them s of what I had to rm te in t os m e me th make it move!

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ROADSTER! What was the trickiest m achine to ride or drive?

GR ACE: The trickie st one I would say, was one called an E-Wake, which is like an electric surfboard! You had a remote control in your hand which meant it po wered the board you didn't need to wait for a wa ve like a regular surfe r would do! So you had to ha ve a lot of finesse wi th both your hands and yo ur feet to to balan ce it and control the speed.

ROADSTER! What do you think the legacy of Grace’s Amazing Ma chines is?

GR ACE: The legacy of the show I've seen is through the reactio ns that when I ge t to meet younger kids that ha ve watched the show and that they've they've been brave enough to tr y sitting on a machine that they haven't done before . Some kids have picked up the courage to put a he lmet on where they were a bi t nervous to before, or maybe some children have said that they've de veloped their vocabular y and tried speaking new words and learned new things from it.

I think the main lega cy is is that it's it's ac cessible to a lot of childre n and that they're gaining different experienc es in their own way th at I hope will last forever with them.

ROADSTER! Thanks for talking to us Grac e!

GR ACE! Thank you!

I hope to see some Roadster! kids soon!

ROADSTER! Would like to thank the Year 10 students from the Bishops’ Blue Coat High School in Chester, for carrying out the interview with Grace on our behalf, and Grace for being such a willing interviewee!

Bard

Geoffrey Gearhart Road of the

ROADSTER! introduces Sir Geoffrey Gearhart, our very own time wandering Bard of the Road.

Here he shares the true story of the first ever car…

The Ballad of Bertha & Karl Come gather, young dreamers, come close, lend an ear, For a tale full of wheels—and a woman of cheer!

It starts with Carl Benz, a thinker so deep, Who built the first car while the world was asleep.

A mechanical mind, with big ideas in sight, He met Bertha Ringer, and saw a new light.

From Pforzheim she came, with a spirit so keen, She invested her dowry, a generous queen!

Together with Carl, a power couple was born, She stood by his side, from dusk until morn.

“An idealist," Carl wrote, so certain and true, Encouraging his dreams, seeing each one through.

New Year's Eve, 1879, she whispered, “Let's try!"

And their engine first fired, beneath the night sky.

By 1885 testing a three-wheeled machine in the yard, The Benz Motorwagen, a patent earned and hard!

But the press just scoffed, and the church called it sin, No one believed in the marvel within.

So in 1888, to prove the invention worthwhile, Bertha took charge, with a sparkle and a smile.

She left Carl a note: “To Mother's we've gone" He'd not know how, until the day was well on!

An epic road trip, the first ever made, 106 kilometers—a brave escapade!

At Wiesloch, their little engine was near empty, An apothecary sold Ligroin, a spirit providing plenty.

“You'll poison your horses!" the chemist did warn, But instead the first filling station was born!

When wooden brakes wore, she knew what to do, A shoemaker helped, with a fix strong and new.

With leather from shoes, the first brake linings laid, She secretly planned, on August the Fifth, With two sons, Eugen and Richard, a remarkable gift! Through villages onward, no longer delayed.

They got up early, before the lark, Uphill, young Richard drove, while Bertha did push, Pushing machine silently, past the police in the dark!

She used her hatpins to clear clogs in a rush!

She used her garter to fix frayed ignition wire, Such clever solutions, her spirit on fire!

At Pforzheim they arrived, their journey complete, The first to go driving through dust and through heat.

A telegram from Carl: his machine really ran!

The world would know thanks to Bertha’s bold plan!

So remember, young roadrunners, curious and small— Sometimes it’s your turn to answer the call.

When zooming with dreams, on the path far ahead, Think of Karl and of Bertha… and push on instead!

Roadster’s Sam with a replica of the Benz Motorwagen. You can see the replica at the British Motor Museum in Warwickshire.

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Q1: A driver is approaching a zebra

to crossing. Pedestrians are waiting cross. The driver should: (ONE answer only) A. B. C. D.

Give way to the elderly and infirm only Slow down and prepare to stop Use their headlights to indicate they can cross Wave at them to cross the road

ed aximum specifi Q5: What is theitmhout insurance? w fine for driving nly) (ONE answer o £50 £500 £1000 £5000

Questions from the UK Driving Theory Test!

A. B. C. D.

It's just like the real thing!

Answers on Page 35!

(See the centre pages!) rsonal learning to drive Our Test Track! is your pe Test Track! to fit standard tool kit! We've designed d can actually see how roa die-cast toy cars, so you es work. markings and driving rul es figure out key driving rul Test Track! will help you d! roa hit the real before you are ready to Test Track! section, like Every issue drops a new EPIC theory test course. puzzle pieces to build an st cars and learn some Grab your favorite die-ca real driving skills!

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Q2: What does this sign mean ?

A. B. C. D.

Low bridge ahead Tunnel ahead Ancient monument ahead Traffic danger spot ahead

Q3: What MUST you have to park in a disabled space?

(ONE answer only) A. B. C. D.

A Blue Badge A wheelchair An advanced driver certificate An adapted vehicle

Q4: What does this sign

tell you?

(ONE answer only) A. B. C. D.

No cycling Cycle route ahead Cycle parking only End of cycle route?

The 2025 Fantasy Car Contest!

In partnership with www.gamify.cards educational trading cards that spark imagination

We want YOU to design an awesome fantasy car!

There are four easy steps: 1) Draw or design your dream car in any way you like 2) Write some awesome facts all about your car. We want designer details and fabulous facts… what makes YOUR car the ultimate fantasy car - is it powered by marshmallows?

Can it drive underwater or fly through clouds?

3) Take a photo of your design and turn your drawing into a magical masterpiece with the help of AI! What would your car look like if it were real? (you may need a parent to help you - a full guide is available on our website).

4) Send in your fantastic design bundle to our email address: roadster.magazine@gmail.com

The Prize… ● ● ● Last year’s winner: 10 Year old Noah from Bicester!

● ●

A family ticket to the 2026 British Motor Show An annual subscription to our new ROADSTER! Club High quality prints of your fantastic design A feature in Roadster!

A fantastic art bundle!

ELIGIBILITY Open to UK residents aged 5–16.

Submissions must be made by a parent or guardian on behalf of the child.

Roadster! staff and contributors may submit designs for fun but are not eligible for the prize bundle.

Closing date: 30th November 2025 Full details on the Roadster! website

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The engine hums, the morning glows— Swapping screens for winding roads.

From island shores, through Chunnel dark, We chase the sun with the morning lark.

Past Reims, Dijon, and fields of vine, Where hilltops tilt and sunflowers shine.

At Aires we stop for rest and open air, Breaking bread, moments shared.

The autoroutes sweep, fast, powerful streaks Bear us towards the distant peaks Through tunnels carved, across viaducts wide, We gasp, we grin, as mountains glide.

Lake Annecy holds our spellbound gaze, Its shimmering waters, a golden haze.

No screen can capture this alpine view, No app can taste the morning dew.

A brother points, a sister grins, A story stirs, a song begins.

We share the view, the jokes, the seat, On mountain roads in the summer heat.

We chase the clouds, the gentle breeze, Past silver falls and rows of trees.

The road bends high through pastures green, Cowbells chime through a wildflower sheen At Col du Marais, where silence flies, And eagles carve the cobalt skies.

Then Glières—untamed, a breathless rise, Where gravel speaks and history lies.

We pause for crêpes, for genepi ice cream, For cheese that melts into a dream.

For flea markets, and for a myrtle tart— A feast of France, the beating heart.

These gifts the open road provides, A cure no doctor can prescribe.

Not apps or games, but hills we climb— Pure magic made in precious time.

So look up, kids! The world's outside!

A widescreen epic, stretching wide.

Then—just for those who truly see: "La vraie splendeur de la vie."

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The Car…

By ROADSTER! Dad

DID YOU KN

OW?

More than half of Du ster ’s componen ts are sha red with other Dac ia and Re nault vehicles. T his helped to minimise c osts and k ee good valu e for mone p the car y.

When it came time to plan our big French road trip, Sam and I faced a surprisingly tricky question: What is the perfect car for a proper family adventure?

Our ideal car needed to be reliable and offer comfort for everyone — front and back. It had to provide ample storage for a week's worth of gear, plus extra space for snacks, books, chargers, and souvenirs. Fuel efficiency over long distances was crucial, as was good visibility and the capability to handle whatever Alpine passes we might encounter. This car wouldn't just be transport; it would be our rolling living room, games den, and nap zone for the week.

Most car shows and magazines focus on a very different kind of journey, with the "perfect" road trip car being some sleek, low-slung supercar with stiff suspension and lots of horsepower.

After much discussion and research, we made a surprising discovery: the perfect car for our road trip might already be sitting on the Roadster! HQ driveway — our 2020 Dacia Duster.

Our family decided to have a holiday in the French Alps during May half-term, and after weighing up whether to travel by train, plane or road, we decided that travelling by road offered the best option.

Our family's road trip car had to be different.

Our mission was to comfortably and efficiently travel the 720 miles from Roadster! HQ to our Alps campsite (and back), hauling our family of four, all our luggage, our gear, and several kilograms of French cheese on the return trip!

?

DID YOU KNOW mania Dacia o R t n ie c n a In t at-cha’) mean ‘d d e c n u o n (pro “home”

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Disclaimer Jaybee Motors are sponsoring this issue of Roadster! but this car is our own family car, purchased from Jaybee Motors before the first issue of Roadster! was even conceived! The views and opinions expressed in this piece are entirely our own.

Unveiled at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, and built at

Pitesti in Romania, the second-generation Dacia Duster is rugged, spacious (yet compact), and delivers comfort and quality at an affordable price. With a large, practical boot, plenty of cabin space, numerous storage pockets, and front and rear charging sockets, it was starting to look like a strong contender. Features like automatic headlights, keyless entry, a multi-view camera, blind-spot warnings, climate control, and air conditioning only added to its appeal.

The car’s 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine provides decent horsepower, plenty of torque, good fuel consumption and low CO2 emissions - perfect for the long journey to the French Alps.

Most of all, it was already ours, complete with a brand new MOT, a fresh set of tires, and an extended warranty.

It was fully serviced, insured, and ready to go — meaning no rental costs, no uncertainty, and no stress.

We realised we didn't need a flashy badge or an Instagram-friendly adventure van to go the distance. We simply needed our Duster!

Our car was supplied by Jaybee Motors, who are also kindly sponsoring this issue of ROADSTER! Jaybee, based in Banbury, is a family business that has been established for over 30 years, providing a personal and friendly service. Jaybee are main dealers for Renault, Dacia and Alpine.

Oxford Road, Bodicote, Banbury, UK, OX15 4AB

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EPIC ROAD TRIP! Our epic road trip to the campsite for our holiday would see us travel a huge 733 miles to reach our destination…

Leg 1: We actually kicked our journey off quickly after school… setting off from Banbury, down the M40 to Richie T’s house just inside the M25. We stayed at Richie T’s house overnight, ready for an early start the following morning…

Leg 2: A quick dash to the Kent coast, anti-clockwise around the M25, and down the M20 motorway to the Eurotunnel… we had a train to catch!

After a quick stop at the Eurotunnel services we drove right onto a train bound for France! Whizzing 35 minutes under the English Channel felt like something out of a spy movie!

Leg 3: The serious driving begins!

We came off the train in Calais and we were straight onto the French Autoroute (and straight onto the right-hand side of the road!), as we zoomed along the A26, then the A5, and A31 to Dijon.

The aim of this leg was to cover a large distance quickly before stopping for a bit of rest and recreation in Dijon.

We loved spotting brown landmark signs along the way, hinting at castles and history. For quick stops, we'd pull into handy Aires – French rest stops perfect for grabbing a snack and stretching our legs before hitting the road again.

After a day of great progress, we pulled into Dijon.

Leg 4: After a good night’s sleep we awoke in Dijon to a fantastic poolside French breakfast – yummy croissants, fresh juice and Sam discovered apple compote! Fully refreshed, we set off again for the easy three-hour final stretch of on the A39, then the stunning A40. The vineyards slowly turned into rolling hills, and soon, massive mountains filled the view – the majestic French Alps!

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Finally, we arrived at our campsite, nestled close to the sparkling blue waters of Lake Annecy and surrounded by those incredible mountains. What a journey!

The Chann el Tunnel, also known as th e "Chunnel," is the longest und erse world, stretc a tunnel in the hing 31.35 m iles (50.45 km), w ith 23.5 mile s (37.9 km) under th e English Ch annel.

e sea — it st go under th ju ’t n s e o d l e through a The tunn eers carved in g n E . it h g th the goes throu marl benea lk a h c f o stable layer ength. sen for its str seabed, cho

nnel Boring Eleven colossal Tu g the tunnel Machines (TBMs) du the rock with by chewing through tracted the rotating teeth, ex nnel lining as spoil, and installed tu they went.

The French engineers gave their machines women’s names: Brigitte, Europa, Catherine, Virginia, Pascaline and Séverine.

The American Society of Civil Engineers named it one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

Before the twin train tunnels were built, engineers dug a smaller service tunnel down the middle. This “pilot bore” helped check the geology, remove spoil, and provides access.

met rench teams F d an sh ti ri After B British seabed, a e th h at e n e b n Bear d a Paddingto e ss a p r e e in de eng the French si to ll a w e th h throug make the assenger” to — the first “p full journey!.

The ROADSTER! guide to… The Channel Tunnel! (“it’s not bore-ing at all!”)

ROADSTER’s epic road trip began… with a train journey! In order to get to France we had to travel from the UK across The English Channel. We drove our car onto a “Le Shuttle” train which took us through the Channel Tunnel, under the sea to France. The Channel Tunnel isn’t “just a tunnel” - its a marvel of civil engineering…

set ject o r p el ling Chunn tunne y. r o e f h T s per da record world 75.5 metres k. 1,719 e : speed tres per we More e h t m n … o m 428 d in s per tunnel bore e r t e m f mile o than a s!

30 day

It’s Actually Thre e Tunnels: A northbound trai n tunnel A southbound trai n tunnel A smaller centra l service tunnel

“Le Shuttle” trains carry c ars, vans, and tru cks through the tunnel in double-decke r carriages. Th e trains can ca rr y over 100 veh icles at once . By 2024, over 10 0 million vehic les and nearly 50 0 million peo p le had crossed vi a Le Shuttle!

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Four Roads, One Dream: Roadster! drives a Haute-Savoie Grand Slam Over the course of one unforgettable family road trip, we tackled four of Haute-Savoie’s most iconic driving routes. Each road delivered a different flavour of the Alps—some serene, some wild, all deeply memorable.

Stage 1: A40 – The Gateway to the Alps Nickname: L’Autoroute Blanche Vibe: Fast, bold, dramatic!

Best For: Access to the mountains with scenery that makes your jaw drop!

The Autoroute signs were telling us we were nearing our destination. We were on France’s so-called “White Motorway”, travelling along a stretch called “Autoroute des Titans”.

We were about to discover why…

A lengthy tunnel cut through the Jura Mountains before emerging onto the dramatic Viaduc de Nantua - a sweeping 86 metre high motorway carrying viaduct, passing through mountainsides, and by sleeping villages and peaceful lakes. We knew we were somewhere special, with every curve feeling like the opening widescreen shot of a spy thriller. We stopped at the “Aire de Ceignes Cerdon”, just to catch our breath!

Highlights: ● The three lengthy tunnels with engine roaring! ● Emerging onto the Viaduc de Nantua - just WOW! So cinematic! ● The surreal moment when the Alps reveal themselves all at once

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Stage 2: D909A – Annecy’s East Shore Nickname: The Lakeside Drift Vibe: Serene, shimmering, and a little bit sporty Best For: Coasting with the windows down and the water in arm’s reach Our holiday destination. The D909A is the quieter side of Lake Annecy, the road wrapping the eastern edge of the lake like a grey ribbon. This is one of the most picturesque drives in Europe, and it’s not even trying. The road threads its way through postcard villages, with the lake by your side.The light here does something magical.

Time slows. We drink in the views. No matter which way you look there is beauty. Look up paragliders catch the thermals. Our favourite place to enter the water was here, a small stretch of grass and layby near the village of Balmettes.

Highlights: ● “There’s the lake!” ● Lakeside pizza in Angon. A very romantic setting. ● Coasting downhill before taking in the lake’s beauty. in neutral, engine off, soaking up the silence

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Stage 3: D12 – Faverges to Thônes Nickname: The Cheese Trail Vibe: Rustic, restful, and steeped in tradition Best For: Meandering through meadows, cowbell soundtracks included Starting in Faverges-Seythenex and winding north to Thônes, this road climbs gently through forested slopes and sleepy hamlets. The high point is Col du Marais at 843m, hairpin bends and broad alpine views. It’s not a flashy road, but is certainly dramatic in places!

Highlights: ● Beautiful towns with bakeries, balconies, and charm ● Waterfalls and dramatic woodland ● Watching the cyclists battle uphill

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Stage 4: D55 – Route de Glières Nickname: The Resistance Road Vibe: Remote, rugged, and rebellious Best For: A drive with guts, grip, and respect for history We were looking for one of those dramatic hairpin mountain roads that cling to the mountainside. We found one.

The D55 is not for the faint-hearted. Climbing to the Col des Glières at 1,440m, this route mixes 12 hairpin turns with steep climbs and unguarded drop-offs. It’s a fun, but slow drive!

The reward at the top is the Glières Pass. A vast, flat valley at an ear-popping altitude of 1400-1500 metres. A huge Alpine pasture with cows grazing, cow bells ringing, conifer trees, farms, chalets and gîtes.

The plateau was a site of fierce fighting during World War II, between the French resistance, and the German Army, and a vast monument would dominate the landscape were it not for the dramatic scenery of the surrounding mountains.

Highlights: ● The amazing 12 tight hairpin road. ● The beautiful landscape of the Glières Pass. ● The monument: solemn yet defiant

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Sam’s Rear View Mirror Sam reflects on his French Alps adventure…

Well, that was EPIC! It was a lot of fun and the scenery was absolutely amazing, with some of the best views I’ve ever seen. I’ve never seen mountains like that in real life! And the food! I LOVE French crepes!

The road trip was good. Although it was a long way, the car handled the trip without any problems (we broke down on holiday once before and I always worry it will happen again!).

The French roads were nice and smooth, but even amazing roads can’t make really long drives feel short.

Breaking up the journey is a must—it keeps everyone sane and safe.

My only gripe with the Duster is that is became a bit of a uncomfortable after a while… My sister really needed more leg room, and we were short on cup holders, charging ports, and decent air flow in the back. If you’re going long-distance, the back seat need to work harder!

My favourite parts of the holiday…

● ● ● ● ● ●

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Crepes Ice cream Macarons!

The campsite swimming pool!

Swimming in the lake Feeling that mountain air on my face!

OPINION A breath of French aire?

French motorways are SO much better than UK motorways!

During our epic family road trip through France, we clocked countless hours on the French autoroutes. But the moment we re-entered the UK, we hit a massive traffic jam—worse than driving all the way through France!

British Motorways: Free but Frustrating Here in the UK, the road reality is quite different. It’s a smaller, more densely populated island than France, which means more traffic and more tension.

It got us thinking: are we missing a trick with British motorways?

Most motorways are free, making them accessible—but also heavily used. More vehicles mean more congestion, slower journeys (with 70mph limits, sometimes lower on “smart” motorways), and plenty of groans from the back seat: “Are we there yet?”

French Autoroutes: Smooth, Speedy, and Stress-Free The autoroutes we used in France were mostly toll roads. You grab a ticket at the entry barrier, pay when you exit (or switch sections), and voilà—you’re on roads that feel like a giant, perfectly ironed carpet.

Smooth, quiet, and virtually jam-free.

Why? Because they’re expensive.

Locals tend to stick to regular roads for daily travel, leaving the autoroutes largely to long-distance drivers and tourists. The result? No traffic, faster journeys (thanks to 80mph limits), and an almost peaceful driving experience.

Rest Stops: Aires vs Service Stations French “Aires” are a standout feature.

Spaced every 15–20 km (by law), they range from full service stations to peaceful green areas with loos and lush green picnic spots. Some service station serve up regional cuisine like fresh pastries and sit down meals (we called in at “Aire du Poulet de Bresse - a “gastro aire” celebrating Bresse chicken, served roasted with frites!).

British service stations are a world apart—fewer, busier, noisier, and often pricier. Fast food dominates, and the atmosphere can feel more frantic than restful. It’s more pit stop than proper break.

And then there’s the classic UK motorway moment: stuck in traffic, someone needs the loo... but the nearest services? Who knows. It could be miles away!

Time for a French-inspired rethink?

We think UK motorways could be improved by: ● ● ●

Prioritising traveller well-being Building smaller, but more frequent, family-friendly “Aires” Exploring toll funded maintenance (where there are easy alternative roads for locals) to improve journey times and ease congestion

There’s real value in roads that make journeys more comfortable and enjoyable. It’s better for everyone!

So, over to YOU. What do YOU think? If you were a UK motorway designer what would YOU do?

Share your opinions with roadster.magazine@gmail.com

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BACKSEAT

DRIVER DACIA Spring Spring has Sprung!

Sam ponders whether the new Dacia Spring could be a perfect starter car once he has passed his driving test…

● ● ●

Okay, so I'm 11, and my driving test is still six years away (2031!). The government has targets meaning most new cars will be electric by then, so my first car will probably be electric too!

Dad says it's super lightweight, making it a fun, "bouncy" ride. It's nippy for city driving and gets to 50 mph quickly, but struggles after that – which is good for my safety!

Dad got a Dacia Spring loan car snd it got me thinking! I like Dacias (we've had two Dusters), and I like the Spring because:

As it is light it doesn't need a massive battery. It goes about 140 miles on one charge, perfect for daily school runs or shopping. It charges fast, even from a regular plug! My sister could use it for her college commute 20 miles away, just charging nightly.

It's Electric! Good for the environment, which I care about.

It’s Small & Practical: Perfect for college, family help, or adventures with friends.

It’s Not Too Fast: That’s safer for a first car.

It's a "city car," made for short trips and tight parking, not long motorway journeys. It’s practical and cheap to run around locally.

Wow! I LOVE This Little Car! Like Doctor Who’s TARDIS, it feels "bigger on the inside". It is really roomy with clever "YouClip" spots for phone holders and things.

It has a good boot and secret hiding spots.

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It has a tough, cool design and good safety features (though more expensive cars have a lot more).

Best of all, the Dacia Spring is one of the cheapest new electric cars in the UK! For a future new driver, that's a huge plus! It’s definitely on my list!

Disclaimer Jaybee Motors are sponsoring this issue of Roadster! But this car was supplied as a courtesy car when our own car went in for a full service.

The views expressed in this piece are entirely our own.

Dear Roadster!

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