WINTER 2011 EDITION 23
PIRELLI.CO.UK
LET’S DANCE
PIRELLI. OFFICIAL TYRE SUPPLIER F1.
Welcome to the final edition of Supercar Magazine for 2011. It has been an eventful year for The Supercar Club. We have delivered two successful and enjoyable driving events – The Supercar Run in June and the Tour Alpina in September. At the same time we created the e-Magazine format which has allowed us to significantly increase our circulation and have worked hard to plan the Giro d'Italia event which will be taking place in June of next year. 2011 also saw the change of ownership of The Supercar Club. I am very happy that Charles Nasser and I were able to find a structure where we were able to acquire the business, make Rachael Bowser an owner and importantly keep Greg Hollamby involved in continuing to help us deliver first class events. We have been delighted with the support we have received from our friends and members and I want to use this opportunity to pass on special thanks to our sponsors who continue to support us in way which really makes a difference to our ability to deliver great events. Over the last few years Rachael has taken increasing responsibility for The Supercar Club, and the investment by Charles and myself should be seen as an investment in her ability to run this business using all of the experience she gained from working alongside Greg. So far my expectations have been exceeded and I am very confident that under Rachael's leadership we can continue to deliver events that go beyond the expectations of our members in the years to come. We really like the Supercar Club as it is though, so don't expect too many changes! This edition of the magazine feels very personal because there has been a lot of contribution from our members. I am grateful to everyone who has written for us and am sure that our readers will enjoy their articles. We will be in touch over the next few months with the usual schedule of motoring events, drinks parties and other fun activities. In the meantime, on behalf of the whole team I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing everyone in 2012.
The Supercar Group, Broadwell House, Broadwell, Lechlade, Gloucestershire, England GL7 3QS Telephone: +44 (0) 1367 860805 Facsimile: +44 (0) 1367 860605 editor@thesupercarmagazine.com www.thesupercarmagazine.com
This magazine is published in house by The Supercar Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is strictly prohibited without the prior written permission of the publisher. Opinions expressed are those of the author and not of The Supercar Group or its’ employees, and are not endorsed by The Supercar Group. All reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy of information at the time of going to press. The Supercar Run is a Registered Trademark, and all copyright work is owned by The Supercar Group, which in turn is a trading name of Vigilant Motor Tours Ltd.
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Introduction
Iain McKenzie
Supercar 3
inbrief...
Hublot enters the world of Ferrari Hublot has become the partner watchmaker of Ferrari. This is not just an agreement to create a tie-in product for licensing or sponsorship. It is a comprehensive agreement covering all the activities of Ferrari and Hublot, embracing brand image and the commercial activities of both companies.
Hublot enters the world of Ferrari
This comprehensive exchange between the two brands, pooling both resources and information has produced a win-win agreement. It was announced on 5 November 2011 jointly by Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of Hublot and Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, President of Ferrari SpA at the Mugello International circuit near Florence, the theatre of the Ferrari World Finals. The World Finals is the event that traditionally rounds off the Prancing Stallion’s season.
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inbrief...
The agreement will involve not just the creation of watch collections via a licence or sponsorship. Hublot will become the exclusive watchmaking partner in the full range of Ferrari’s activities. This includes: “Official Watch” of Ferrari, “Official Timekeeper” of Ferrari, “Official Timekeeper” of Scuderia Ferrari, “Official Watch” of Scuderia Ferrari, “Official Timekeeper” of the Ferrari Challenge and a partner in Ferrari special events. It all starts today at Mugello and will soon to be followed by operations in the emerging markets for example China and the Middle East. Ferrari is one of the leading luxury brands in the Chinese market and Hublot is now establishing itself in China with 3 boutiques at present and 12 openings planned by the end of 2012. The benefits are obvious, each company complements the other. Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, President of Ferrari S.p.A, commented: “Exclusivity, technology, passion, style: Hublot and Ferrari share many core values and this new partnership between two highly prestigious brands is an important milestone for both. Here at Mugello with our clients, tifosi and hundreds of stunning Ferraris we are provided with the perfect opportunity to announce the start of our collaboration with Hublot.
Hublot enters the world of Ferrari
“This collaboration, rich in a host of synergies, gives Hublot a massive boost along the road,” added Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of Hublot.
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Supercar 5
inbrief...
Prestigious and luxurious refurbishment for Beards
Prestigious and luxurious refurbishment for Beards
To echo the outstanding fine jewellery that Beards retails, a newly designed jewellery showroom has now been launched at Beards Cheltenham. This exciting development encompasses the luxury feel, style, quality and attention to detail, similar to that of our new and established designers.
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The contemporary design has been created by Antone (www.antone.co.uk) and is exquisite: the overall finish reflects the beauty of fine jewellery. The mixture of strong lighting, glass, bronze and black finishes ultimately showcase our collections be autifully, with breathtaking results. The design not only looks stunning but brings a whole new pleasure to purchasing a special something. The layout embraces the need for ever changing, enticing window displays, as well as an enjoyable shopping experience once inside the store. We look forward to welcoming you soon.
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inbrief...
Sergio Scaglietti Maranello, 20 November – “Today is a sad day for Ferrari. We lost a friend, a travel companion, a man who had his name forever connected to the Prancing Horse. Sergio Scaglietti leaves behind the legacy of an artist who with his talent created some of the most beautiful cars of our history. Who had the luck to know him like I did will also remember him as a straightforward and honest man, completely dedicated to his work. We will miss him.” These are the words of Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo regarding the death of Sergio Scaglietti, the legendary Ferrari coachbuilder, who created some of the most famous models from the manufacturer from Maranello, such as the Ferrari California, the 250 Testa Rossa, the 250 GTO and the 750 Monza. Sergio Scaglietti was a real and natural talent who made cars with his hands and with his eyes, as he liked to say. Soon the Carrozzeria Scaglietti started to collaborate with the Scuderia Ferrari and a great friendship was born between Enzo and Sergio.
Sergio Scaglietti
“He was one of my father’s best friends,” said Piero Ferrari. “He was next to me with Marco Piccinini also the day my father died and stayed with me the whole night until the funeral. I loved him and he was a very important part of my life. My life will be emptier without Sergio.” The Carrozzeria Scaglietti has been an integral part of Ferrari for many years. To underline his unique relationship with the coachbuilder from Modena, Chairman Montezemolo dedicated him the 612, the 2+2 seater Berlinetta.
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Supercar 7
inbrief...
New Ferrari Showroom Swindon Dick Lovett are delighted to announce details of our new Ferrari and Maserati showroom that will be built in Swindon, just one minute from Junction 16 of the M4. Our new showroom will be one of the first in the UK to display Ferrari’s new Corporate Identity and to feature a fully-detailed 'Atelier' for both Ferrari and Maserati to assist clients with the personalisation of their new car.
New Ferrari Showroom - Swindon
Our new home will also feature a double-story used car showroom with space for up to 50 cars ensuring that our customers get the very best choice when searching for their ideal car.
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In terms of Aftersales care, the new facility will have a state-of-the-art workshop with 18 multifunction ramps and a MOT bay. We will also have full valeting and detailing facilities on-site, so you can be sure that your Ferrari or Maserati will receive the best possible care and attention when in for servicing.
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inbrief...
In our new showroom we will also have offices available for customer use and catering facilities. So when your car is in being serviced, you can work in comfort with full Wi-Fi internet access, telephone and fax facilities. Work on our new showroom is well underway with the build expected to be finished in June 2012. Visit www.dicklovett.co.uk for regular updates or call Matthew Beard on 01793-615000.
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inbrief... 911 Carrera Cabriolet with innovative folding roof 10
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911 Carrera Cabriolet with innovative folding roof • New convertible edition of 911 Carrera on sale in March 3 2012 • Roof mechanism features innovative, intelligent lightweight design to reduce weight • Choice of rear-mounted, flat-six engines offering efficient power and outstanding dynamic performance; 350 hp 3.4-litre and 400 hp 3.8-litre • 911 Carrera Cabriolet priced from £79,947, 911 Carrera S Cabriolet priced from £89,740
On sale in March 2012, the new Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet offers sporting drivers the option to enjoy the renowned dynamic qualities and iconic design of the 911 Coupe combined with the added versatility and driving pleasure offered by its folding convertible roof. The new 911 Cabriolet models offer the same charismatic line-up of rear-mounted, flat-six engines as the Coupé equivalents of the benchmark sportscar. The 911 Carrera Cabriolet features a 3.4-litre engine generating 350 hp (257 kW), driving the rear wheels through a seven-speed manual transmission. The Carrera S Cabriolet offers a 3.8-litre engine developing 400 hp (294 kW), also coupled to a seven-speed manual transmission as standard. Consequently, the open-top 911 models share the characteristic efficiency for which the 911 is renowned; both models return over 28.0 mpg Combined (NEDC). Issue 23
OFFICIAL FERRARI DE ALE R
Dick Lovett As an Official Ferrari dealer Dick Lovett is part of a select network that ensures Ferrari ownership remains a truly unique and rewarding experience. We provide the highest levels of service to Ferrari owners throughout Wiltshire. Our team is dedicated to taking care of all your requirements, making the purchase and ownership of your Ferrari a very special experience. Conveniently situated only minutes from junction 16 of the M4, we are easily accessed from Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. We pride ourselves on providing the highest levels of service and expertise through our experienced team of staff in our sales and after sales departments, from guiding you through the process of purchasing your new Ferrari or pre-owned Ferrari to maintaining and taking care of your car. We look forward to welcoming you to our showroom.
Dick Lovett Ashworth Road, Bridgemead, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 7XR Telephone: 01793 615000 www.dealer.ferrari.com/dicklovett/swindon All trademarks and copyrights are exclusively rights of Ferrari S.p.A.
12:16
inbrief...
Top Marques Monaco It feels like yesterday when the applause echoed at Top Marques Monaco in April as six supercar manufacturers unveiled their world débuts. Top Marques Monaco – witness to excellence and a unique showcase of extreme machines, sophisticated and limited series timepieces by the world’s most prestigious master watchmakers, rare jewels, fast superboats and bespoke luxury artistry, all bonded by visionary craftsmanship.
Top Marques Monaco
TOP MARQUES MONACO at The Grimaldi Forum 19-22th April 2012 www.topmarquesmonaco.com
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inbrief... SCC supports Helen& Douglas House
SCC supports Helen & Douglas House
Helen & Douglas House has the time and expertise to care for children and young adults with life-shortening conditions, and to support their families. Helen House, the world’s first children’s hospice - now celebrating its 30th Anniversary - and Douglas House, the first hospice for young adults, offer specialist symptom and pain management, medically-supported short breaks and end-of-life care, as well as counselling and practical support for the whole family. The aim is to help every young person, aged from birth to 35, who visits us from Oxfordshire and surrounding counties, live life to the full, even when that life is short. The Supercar Club looks forward to helping Helen and Douglas House in 2012 and we plan to do a number of exciting events together so our members and readers can learn more about their great work. www.helenanddouglas.org.uk
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“I’m as high as a kite and strapped 14
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As Freddie said: “Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?” By Paul Whitbread
I got a phone call from a friend recently. “Do you fancy spending a couple of days in Budapest hanging out with the Lotus Renault GP F1 team? Oh, and we get to drive one of their Formula 1 cars around the Hungaroring.” ➤
d into a Lotus Renault Formula 1” I s s u e 23
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The words “F1 team”, “Formula 1” and “Hungaroring” bounced around my head. “Are you serious…?” Yes, he was, and on 5th October 2011 we were on a plane from Heathrow to Budapest. The first evening was ‘meet the team’, have dinner, and try very hard to resist the fine wines on offer, as it was to be a 6am start the next day. Alarm at 05:15 - so we all needed a strong coffee before we piled, slit eyed, into the mini bus for transportation to Mogyoród, the Hungaroring and more coffee. The circuit was built in 1985/6 and in a testament to Hungarian builders’ stamina, took only eight months to complete. It was the first circuit to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix behind the Iron Curtain.
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And it’s a great circuit, at 4.298 km, with lots of run-off areas - a feature that I hoped I wouldn’t need over the coming 12 hours. 06:30 and we arrived at the paddock area to an amazing sight. Lotus Renault GP are based in Enstone, Oxfordshire, headed by Eric Boullier as Team Principle and MD, they had brought over a mini paddock F1 village - everything, including four coaches, two double decker offices joined by four other suites for physio, telemetry, massage and a full restaurant, with a chef! They had brought the full kit and caboodle over two days before - these guys really know how to look after their guests. ➤
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There were six guys in our group, as well as some major sponsors from TW Steel watches and two guys from Top Gear Australia, altogether about 20 of us. We were met by the Lotus Renault team and herded straight into the changing rooms in a scrum for race suits and helmets, then into the first of many drivers briefings. Before lunch, we were going to be out on track for two sessions of about 15 laps to learn the circuit, driving Formula Renault 2.0 cars, then after lunch move into the two Formula 1 cars. It was a tight schedule if we were to all get serious track time, but Renault insisted we would go through the day just as though we were ‘real’ F1 drivers. This meant starting with some aerobic exercise – basically running around the paddock, followed by a massage in the upstairs area of one of the double deckers. Circuit familiarisation came next. I know this sounds really sad, but I’d learned the corners the previous night before going to sleep. I know to my cost that track days are all about knowing the circuit, and no matter how you try to memorize the shape of the track, once you get out there, it all goes Pete Tong! So – 16 turns – R,R,L,R,R,L,R,R,L,L,R,L,R,R,L,R. Fortunately, I’d realised its basically three groups of RRL, then one LRL, one RRL again, then a big sweep to the pit straight via a long right. Out on track, the Formula Renault cars were ready. I’ve had limited time in single seaters on track but this was quite daunting, and a lot to learn in a short time if we were going to prove to Lotus Renault we could handle Formula 1 after lunch. I took the first lap quite slowly, learning the layout and counting through the corners I’d memorized in lieu of fine wine the night before. ➤
“I know to my cost that track da are all about knowing the circui 18
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ays it� I s s u e 23
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-OVE COLLECTION WWW MESSIKA PARIS COM
And that was so useful - being able to read the circuit and position the car at the right place on the track before each turn. After four laps I was starting to relax - just as I saw one of our group go spinning into the gravel on turn one just after the straight. In what seemed like no time at all, the chequered flag was out, and our first 20 minute session was over. Time for the telemetry review, and another fix of coffee to keep the adrenaline topped up. After an hour of further briefings, we were let loose in the Formula Renaults again and this time we were racing. Lotus Renault’s Romain Grosjean had been out in the Formula Renaults and set us a target time of 1 min 52.593 secs. My best time was 1 min 55.598 secs - so I was only(!) just over 3 seconds slower than Romain.
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Feeling quite pleased with myself, I headed for the reaction testing suite. I want one of these machines for my games room. It’s basically a large star shaped array of illuminated buttons which light up at random. As each one lights up, you hit it as quickly as you can, which brings on the next random light. After a few minutes of this, you ache all over, and the count of the number of lights you punched out gives a gauge of your reaction time. Great at parties. So finally, after a light lunch, a litre of Red Bull, and even more safety briefings, I’m as high as a kite and strapped into a Lotus Renault Formula 1 car in the pit lane of the Hungaroring. As Freddie said, “…Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?” As these cars have no starter motor, the guy with
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the oversized Black and Decker at the back of the car was signaled to pull the trigger, and the engine blurted into life. I stabbed the throttle to keep the revs up and prevent a neutral stall. We’d had half an hours lecture on how not to stall, (as famously demonstrated by Top Gear’s Richard Hammond), so my nerves were like razors by the time the pit marshal gave me the crocodile signal – time to go. Increase revs, into first, brake off, moving forward - we’re off. As I drove down the pit lane, the only way I could relate to what I was about to do was to shout at the top of my voice “…I’m in a Lotus Renault Formula 1 car, driving the Hungaroring…”, along with some expletives! It’s a struggle to put the experience into words. You are so low in the car, and the view of those huge front wheels from the cockpit dominates the field of view.
The horizon comes at you quicker than your brain can compute the next move, and I could now understand why Lotus Renault put so much effort into the preliminaries in the FR2.0 before letting us loose in these beasts. After exiting the pits, I took the first lap very carefully - they had warned us about not being too confident too quickly. Then around turn 16, into the straight and time to see what I can do - 3rd, 4th, 5th through the gears, the immense power just coming like a steam train against your back. Past the pit exit, screaming my head off, watching for the brake point, down a gear, BRAKE HARD, down another gear - inertia trying to pull my head off – second gear, turn in, feed the power in slowly, clip the right side at turn two, and then charge down to turn three‌ Before I knew it, I was back in the pits and being unbuckled.
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But the fun didn’t end there. Ho-Pin Tung is a ‘proper’ Lotus Renault F1 reserve driver and he wanted to know if I fancied a trip around the circuit in his modified two seater ‘tandem’ F1. My adrenaline levels were already in the stratosphere, so I buckled in behind him and a marshal gave me a button to squeeze - if I wanted to bail out, let go of the button! Not a chance. It’s harder to predict the braking and turning points as a passenger, and Mr Tung seemed to be determined to separate my head from my body. I couldn’t believe how late he left the braking - my head being forced around the cockpit at almost 5g’s on braking, and by the time we got back to the pits after just one lap, I felt as though my brain had been through a spin dryer.
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Our lap time was 1min 39secs, which seemed really quick. But I later learned that in 2004, Michael Schumacher set the lap record in 1 min 19.071 secs in a Ferrari - that’s an eye watering 20 seconds faster on a lap - and he did this in the Hungarian GP - which is 70 laps!!! What really struck me about the whole day is that Formula 1 is an extreme sport - it’s extreme in every respect. Extreme speeds, extreme technology, extreme stresses on the body, extreme competition, extreme glamour, but most of all, extreme, adrenaline fuelled fun. Somehow though, I think I’ve missed my chance to be an F1 driver. So, Real life or fantasy? No doubt about it – Fantasy with a capital eFFF !
t t t t t t t t t
www.trac-group.com
There’s a lot going o
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on for RM right now Modern motorsport is a fast-moving, cutting-edge environment where a season-old race car is as obsolete as a ribbon typewriter. But each and every racing car that has ever turned a wheel in competitive motorsport is part of the fabric of the sport’s heritage, and historic racing cars are amongst the most desirable examples available to the collector car market. ➤
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Of course, like race circuits, nothing can replace real heritage. Current circuits like Monaco and Spa and some of the now disused circuits such as Reims, all conjure images of a golden era of the sport, where some of the finest names in the sport’s history have pitted their skills against one another. With racing cars, true desirability is driven by a fully documented history of that vehicle’s exploits, and the more famous its drivers and the more successful its history, the greater the value is likely to be. RM Auctions is a name that is likely to be well known to most of you. Today regarded as the world’s largest collector car auction house for investmentquality automobiles, RM first entered the European auction scene in 2007, hosting record-breaking sales in Maranello, Italy and London, England. The
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company continued its European expansion in 2010 with the addition of a new sale in Monaco, and in 2011, added an additional two sales including one at the celebrated Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, Italy and another during London’s highly anticipated Salon Prive event. RM’s grip on the European auction market for collector cars has become overwhelmingly strong and the company continues to be entrusted with selling many of the world’s finest automobiles. From an investment perspective, despite fluctuations on the financial markets, the collector car hobby remains vibrant, with exceptional motor cars - rare examples with important provenance and documentation - continuing to garner strong interest from discerning collectors around the world and in
turn, attract great prices at auction. A great illustration is offered by the sale of a matchingnumbers 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Scaglietti Spider, s/n 0492M, at RM’s 2011 Monterey sale. The eighth of just 35 examples built and driven by the a host of racing luminaries including John von Neumann, Phil Hill and Harrison Evans, it attracted spirited bidding on the podium, eventually selling for an impressive $2,530,000 - a record for a 750 Monza by nearly a million dollars. At the same sale, a 1952 Ferrari 340 Mexico Berlinetta, s/n 0226AT, one of three examples purpose-built to contest the 1952 Carrera Panamericana and raced by Alberto Ascari, sold for $3,685,000, further reinforcing the market’s appetite for historically significant racing cars.
There’s a lot going on for RM right now. Most recently, the company concluded its 2011 calendar on a high note, posting over £13.3 million at its annual Battersea sale in London. Attracting an international clientele – bidders represented 22 countries from around the world – top sales honours went to a rare, matching numbers 1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Tour de France Berlinetta, s/n 1039 GT, one of the most desirable competition-bred Ferraris in existence. Glistening under the auction lights, the beautiful red and white 250 GT LWB Tour de France garnered spirited bidding in the room and on the phones, achieving an outstanding final sales price of £2,240,000. ➤
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“The London sale is always a highlight of our auction calendar, and as ever, this year’s event has brought our 2011 auction season to a spectacular close,” says Max Girardo, Managing Director, RM Europe. Additional top-sellers included: a matching-numbers 1965 Ferrari 500 Superfast, one of only eight right-hand-drive examples for £644,000; and, a rare 1972 Autodelta Alfa Romeo 33/TT/3, a boasting Le Mans and Targo Florio history for £588,000. Looking ahead to the New Year, RM returns to Monaco in May 2012 for its biennial sale at the Grimaldi Forum. Coinciding with the 8th Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, the May 2012 auction follows a record-setting debut performance in 2010 which saw the company achieve over €33 million in sales with a successful 89% of all lots sold. The 2012 sale is set to continue the grand tradition, presenting an elite, handpicked selection of 80 automobiles. In addition, the sale will also cater to discerning motorcycle collectors with the consignment of the acclaimed Saltarelli Ducati Collection, the world’s most significant private Ducati collection. “Our inaugural Monaco sale in 2010 set a new standard for collector car auctions with its high quality consignments, impeccable presentation and unparalleled client experience,” adds Girardo. ➤
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“We are thrilled to be returning to Monaco in 2012 and look forward to bringing another exceptional roster of automobiles, and for the first time, motorcycles, to the auction stage. The Grand Prix de Monaco Historique weekend is a ‘must attend’ on the global collector car calendar and a wonderful celebration of the hobby. We are delighted to be part of the weekend festivities once again and look forward to building on our strong debut results.” Leading early automobile entries for the sale is a competition-bred 1968 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 ‘Daytona,’ chassis number 75033-029. One of a select few built for the 1968 international season, this superb and highly-original example boasts one of the few vetted racing histories by marque experts, who contend it was driven to victory at the 500-km
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Imola race by racing luminaries Nino Vaccarella and Teodoro Zeccoli, in addition to performances at Monza, Targa Florio and Zeltweg, among other events. Described as one of the best and most original examples in existence, it is ‘on the button’ and ready to go, both road registered and an active participant in a variety of leading historic events in recent years. A great example of a historic racer with a superb provenance. All in all, if you’re interested in buying, buy the very best you can afford, do your research diligently and buy because you love it. There’s no other collectible that appeals to our sense more, or compares to the enjoyment and memories of owning a classic car.
Without question, winter is the time of year when your vehicle requires the most care to be taken as it will be constantly exposed to the extreme harsh elements such as: road salt, ice, snow, constant rain and cold temperatures that could potentially cause damage to your paintwork if it is not protected. The Swissvax winter paint protection detail usually starts from £200.00. However, Bespoke Valeting Solutions are offering this service at a fixed price of £150.00
Swissvax Winter Protection Detail Process • Pre-spray car with power wash to loosen road film and brake dust build up. • Pre-spray wheels using a pH-neutral wheel cleaner and soft wheel brushes to agitate and loosen any embedded dirt. • Pre-spray lower half of the vehicle, door shuts and wheel arch liners with a de-greaser, to remove road film, followed by rinsing off. • Stage 1 Snow foam covering the whole car, which is left to dwell then power wash off. • Stage 2 Snow foam as above, then soft brushes and soft lambs wool mitt used to wash car thoroughly incorporating the two bucket method, then rinse off. • Hand-dried using 'deep pile' micro fibre drying towels. • Road tar deposits removed. • Full Paintwork decontamination using Swissvax paint rubber, which will remove embedded contaminants and leave a glass like finish.
• Single stage machine polish using Swissvax Cleaner Fluid Pro, removes light swirls and scratches prior to applying wax. • Apply 2 coats of Swissvax Shield for ultimate protection. • Full wheel decontamination and protection using Swissvax Autobahn, containing ptfe for maximum protection • All exterior vinyl and rubber trims dressed. • Dress tyres with Swissvax Pneu. • All bright work (chrome and aluminium) surfaces polished. • Interior dry vacuum and dust down. • Estimated time: approx 4-5hrs
Please call for more information or to book your Winter Protection Bespoke Valeting Solutions 07903 105143
G J X U T P J [FQJYNSL XTQZYNTSX prestige & sports car specialists
Christmas with The Supercar Club and Quintessentially Gifts
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In the lead up to the holiday season we’ve enlisted the help of bespoke gifting specialists Quintessentially Gifts to give us the run down on their top 10 most exclusive Christmas finds that will keep on giving well into the New Year. ➤
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Cigar Style The last word in timeless luxury, Airdiem’s impressive, purpose-built Macassar ebony cigar cabinet is both stylish and practical for the avid smoking enthusiast. This French company is the world’s leading manufacturer of deluxe smoking accoutrements and designer narghiles (or shisha pipes), and their limitededition handmade cabinet holds up to 150 cigars. This is an entertaining centrepiece if ever we saw one. £3,680
Child’s Play Everyone covets the memory of driving their first car – it is one of life’s most memorable milestones. Why should your nearest and dearest wait? Bring it forward with Nika Zupanc’s Konstantin B brass polished Toy Car. This charming sit-on ‘child’s’ toy (although we’re quite sure that adults will enjoy it too) has been polished to streamlined perfection (coming in a choice of black, yellow, green, red or white) and harks back to the day of hand-made wooden toys, rather than one-play mounds of plastic. And best of all it doesn’t need registration, tax or insurance. £1,036
Customised Time
PARMIGIANI PERSHING 002 CHRONOGRAPH WATCH Parmigiani Pershing 002 watch. Solid 18ct rose gold 42mm case with an 18ct rose gold unidirectional bezel and anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass. Case back engraved with Pershing boat. Graphite Cotes de Geneve dial with a date display at 3 o'clock. Parmigiani inhouse automatic chronograph calibre 334 movement. Fitted on a black Hermes alligator leather strap with a push release 18ct rose gold deployment clasp. Water resistant to 200 metres. www.beards
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Hermès Bag Sourcing Service Why wait two years for the Hermès Birkin or Kelly bag that you or your partner has been lusting after all year? Quintessentially Gifts offers a bespoke Hermès bag sourcing service that will have an emerald green Crocodile Birkin or gris Togo leather Kelly in your very hands before the week is out. Perhaps you’d prefer the hardware heavy Medor studded clutch, mini Mykonos blue Birkin (it’s just large enough to carry an iPhone and is the ultimate evening accoutrement), or the cult classic Constance – carried by style icons from Jackie O to Mary-Kate Olsen. Simply contact Quintessentially Gifts with your requirements, and they’ll help you skip right to the front of the queue. C'est formidable!
Skating Spot For kids (big kids) and teens alike, sport meets art with Damien Hirst’s custom printed skateboard deck. Stamped with the superstar artist’s signature, this deck is both for the wall and for the floor. And perhaps best exhibited in that order. £480
Stjx Showers It’s difficult to stand out from the crowd when it comes to the heavens opening – read: boring black brollies. Personalise your standard umbrella with Stjx, the Italian company who specialise in unconventional accessories with the contemporary man in mind. Their values start from saving the handicraft tradition and renewing it with cutting-edge technologies. Case in point: the ‘smart’ linen used for their Billiard Ball Umbrella that is treated with a 100% waterproof breathable membrane. Now that’s a custom crafted brolly. £900 ➤
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Spur Of The Moment It’s not often you find a jewellery brand that caters for both men and women in the one piece. Describing her collections as “jewellery for men that girlfriends will steal,” at Hannah Martin you can buy a gift for her, which you can borrow and vice versa. Win-Win and especially when it comes to these 18 carat gold and pavé black diamond Spur Cufflinks. £3,250.
Constant Companion Have a roll-on case in need of an urgent upgrade? It’s time to get serious about luggage this holiday season with Globe-Trotter’s Centenary Trolley Case. This cool roll-on is the natural companion to any seasoned jet-setter and will take you from New York to St. Barths or Hong Kong to Gstaad looking both stylish and timeless. And what’s more, you can customise the Centenary with your own colourways. Now that’s first class. £680
Bespoke Briefcase Start the new working year with a truly personalised briefcase of the finest quality by Ethan K. The London-based design talent is a fourth generation leather artisan, specialising in limited-edition bags made from the highest quality exotic skins. The skins he uses are sourced from his family’s renowned Singapore tannery which is the largest independent supplier to the world’s leading luxury goods houses from Louis Vuitton to Hermès. Sit down with Ethan to design your own briefcase from a wide range of leathers, choosing your own personalised hardware and interior linings. The experience is just as impressive as the outcome. This deluxe croc version is priced from £7,980.
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McQueen’s Motor of Choice Commemorate the legend that is Steve McQueen and his sporting prowess with this collector’s edition vintage Porsche poster. This rare original commemorate Steve McQueen’s 1970 racing successes at Sebring (where McQueen drove with a cast on his left foot from a motorcycle accident two weeks prior), Holtville and Phoenix driving the Porsche 908. The poster is conservation linen mounted, framed and glazed - ready for instant hanging. Size: 105 cm x 74 cm. £7,800. For further information on any products click through www.quintessentiallygifts.com for endless creative gift suggestions.
Quintessentially Gifts’ Managing Director Lee Coleman shares her top 5 tips for making Christmas gift giving easy. 1) “Think outside of the present box when it comes to the types of stores you choose to shop at. Instead of department stores, what about a gallery gift store? Unusual stores equal unusual presents.” 2) “It sounds obvious but when you are choosing a gift for someone, put yourself in their shoes. What’s new in their life, what may they need? What wouldn’t they splurge on for themselves? The best gifts are ones that someone would have thought about, but never indulged in buying for themselves.” 3) “Don’t forget experience gifts – such as a cooking class with their favourite chef, a Ferrari drive package or a butler service for a week. These are the types of gifts that really keep on giving.” 4) “Present wrapping: Always ask at the store that you are shopping at if they do gift wrapping. Most do in the lead up to Christmas. It will save you on paper costs, time and also the possibility of ruining the surprise by someone bursting in on you at home.” 5) “Finally – if you really have no interest in shopping - avoid disappointing your family and friends and get someone else to do it for you. We’re here to help. And at our offices, it’s never too late!” I s s u e 23
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Breath taking! By Tommy Wareham
What happens when you combine two British brothers working as design and technical engineering consultants at some of the finest automobile manufacturers in the world, who also have backgrounds in driving race cars professionally? The answer, one day following a moment of boredom or insanity they decide to make their own small production, single seat, road legal, track inspired Supercar.
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The results could have been catastrophic, costly and a complete disaster. In most other cases this is generally the result. The Brother’s Briggs however have created a stunning vehicle, compliant on both road and track, wonderous to look at with build quality comparable to the most elite of Supercars. The BAC Mono is quite some vehicle and from the look of their sales charts, doing remarkably well. Looking at the Mono, which the brothers tell me has taken styling indications heavily influenced by Bjork’s music video “All is full of love” and the F-22 Raptor
fighter jet, which makes for an interesting combination. However the car is quite possibly one of the most intriguing cars you will find on the road today. Parked on a side street it simply looks as though Lewis Hamilton has popped off the racetrack mid-flow to pick up a loaf of bread and a pint of milk. Which I hasten to add the shopping for the mornings breakfast can be carried in the ample, if you use the word loosely, boot space, normally used to house your crash helmet should you choose to wear one (which is not essential). ➤
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The heart of the Mono comes from a very proven and tested Cosworth 2.3 litre engine, generating 280bhp and 206 lb ft, coupled with a six speed Hewland gearbox lifted straight out of an F3 race car, AP racing brakes, Sachs racing dampers and Gems EM40 electronics. The cars construction components are like a who’s who of the racing industries big hitters. The body construction is carbon fibre, compliant to FIA safety structure, which whilst being safe and rigid, allows the cars weight to be an incredibly low 540kg. This combination produces a spectacular 520bhp per tonne, 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds, 0-100mph in 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 170mph. So just what is this car like? Well with near perfect weight distribution and all the equipment loaded into it from the industries finest, simply put… breath taking! From the moment you step foot into the Mono’s single seat, you sink into the belly of the beast. Connect your detachable steering wheel and instantly you feel like you are about to do 70 laps with the worlds best. The feeling you get from just being sat in this car in your garage is quite phenomenal and completely different compared to any car which you will have owned or driven before. There is no passenger space or room for someone to accompany you on this journey, which to begin with is strange, however when you start to drive the car you instantly understand why. The balance this vehicle has through the corners is simply perfect, you become in tune and at one with the Mono from the off. For those who have raced single seaters, or driven go-karts then you can understand the feeling of just being part of the machine, which you are controlling. Every turn, every change in road camber, your body simply knows how the car will react and instinctively you know how to control it. Within 10 minutes of driving this car on roads you know, you could excitedly have the tail sliding and entering or exiting corners at speeds you never thought possible, all under total control and with the confidence and skills of a F1 driver. The grip and braking ability on this car is nothing short of spectacular. ➤ 42
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The grip and braking ability on this car is nothing short of spectacular
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It is expected that 50% of these cars are unlikely to see a track in their time, so it was important to our brothers that the car was as good on the road as it would be on the track. The standard suspension settings are incredible; drive along a bumpy road and rather than your bones breaking at the sight of your first cats eye the ride is quite smooth, absorbing most surfaces. The gearbox has a clutch and the car has three pedals like a conventional road car, however the benefit with the Hewland gearbox is to either use the clutch for a little more smoothness to your ride or engage the perfectly balanced gears with a punch of the carbon fibre paddle shifters. The ride height is set to tackle speed bumps and the visibility near on 360 degree perfect. There has been no other road car that I have ever driven which gives you this much feel or involvement in the drive. Near perfect in how it handles, the most rewarding feelings it gives when you just get it right. Couple that with the ability to park a £90,000 car next to a £1m car and upstage it, why do we not all have one already… The answer, they are simply not building enough of them!
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-al i g ht we i g ht , ul t r ahi g hpe r f or ma nc e , r oa d l e g a l s por t sv e hi c l ede s i g ne da ndma n uf a c t ur e dus i ngt hel a t e s t r a c i ngt e c hnol og y . 280bhp-540k g-0t o602. 8s e c onds170mph
Offic i a l Dea l er
Offic i a l Dea l er
S upe r Ve t t ur aS a l e sL t d-S a l e sofExc l us i v eMot or c a r s www. S upe r Ve t t ur a . c om 1We l l i ng t onAv e n ue S a l e s @S upe r Ve t t ur a . c om Vi r g i ni aWa t e r +44( 0) 1344842222 S ur r e y +44( 0) 7541888310 GU254HU
The 2012 Giro d’Italia By Rachael Bowser
Throughout the last few months The Supercar Club team have been full steam ahead with planning the return of the Giro d’ Italia in June 2012, something that we are very excited about. We are currently well on our way to filling the event and have been delighted by the response we have received from our friends, members and sponsors who continue to be as enthusiastic as ever. ➤
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Having said all of that, we are also very keen to introduce new members to our events and look forward to welcoming people for their first time next year. For those of you who haven’t been on an event before, The Supercar Club events and the Giro d’Italia in particular are about driving great roads with like-minded people and enjoying some of the best accommodation and dining Europe has to offer. As always the scenery will be spectacular and will vary from mountain passes, rolling countryside, beautiful coastlines and ancient cities. Next summer we will visit some of the most famous roads and routes known to supercar enthusiasts, along with a whole host of spectacular but unknown roads which I know everyone will enjoy. Starting in Florence on the 2nd of June, the route will see you driving your supercar from luxury hotel to luxury hotel, typically driving between 200 and 250 miles per day. The variety and quality of roads will be superb as you tour the beautiful country side passing through Toscana, Emilia Romagna, Lombardia, Liguria, and the Portofino coast before finishing in Monte Carlo. Here you will spend the night at the fabulous Hotel de Paris and the gala dinner and prize giving will take place in the spectacular Salle Belle-Epoque at the Hermitage.
A TYPICAL DAY Following a hearty breakfast you will depart your hotel at around 8.30am to head off on a route of carefully researched empty roads that wind their way through the Italian countryside. Throughout the day you will stop at pre- determined places to try and solve the clues that we set en-route, call in for coffee in local cafés, or perhaps lunch in a historic town. You should arrive at your next hotel between 5.00pm and 6.00pm in time to relax, have a swim and to freshen up before pre-dinner drinks at 7:45pm followed by a delicious dinner. Throughout the event you will experience the support and benefits that follow, together with a whole host of small details which make this holiday an unforgettable experience. Event Marshals and Technicians – A team of experienced marshals and fully qualified technicians will be on hand to provide you with day-to-day assistance during the event. Tyres – A dedicated Pirelli truck will follow the event with tyres specific to your car should you require any repairs and/or replacements along the way. Route – You will be provided with a fully researched and detailed, specific route together with all necessary maps. Luggage – As many supercars have minimal luggage space, for an additional cost, we will provide a luggage van to transport your suitcases to and from the event and between the hotels during the event.event and between the hotels during the event. Car Logistics – Fully insured and covered car transportation is available to take your supercar to Florence, thus giving you the option to fly. The same service is available to take your car home again from Monte Carlo.
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The cost per car, with a team of two people, including six nights’ accommodation in luxury hotels, drinks receptions and dinner each evening, Gala dinner and prize giving on the final evening, event literature, road book, maps, prizes, memorabilia, branded clothing, a full support package and much more besides is £7,500 inclusive of VAT. If you would like to join the event there are still a small number of places available – please contact myself or Chrissie on 01367 860 805 if you have any questions or to enquire about availability.
Giro d’Italia 2-7 June 2012
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Perfect gifts for the discerning gentleman GTO London’s iconic range of gentlemen’s accessories has evolved out of a passion for classic Ferrari cars – the inspiration for this luxury lifestyle brand. Each design owes its distinguishing features to the elegant interiors and components that grace these glamorous automobiles. ➤
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For 30 years GTO Engineering, a company founded on an enthusiast’s intrigue, has been dedicated to locating, refurbishing and reconstructing antique collectible Ferraris. By fusing the aspirational with engineering expertise, the company has developed into one of the world’s leading makers and suppliers of Ferrari parts. Decades of refurbishing, restoring and reconstructing the most iconic of machines, is the heritage of GTO London. A collaboration of skills brought together – from the designers and craftsmen who create each piece to the Ferrari mechanical engineers who check for accuracy and exact detailing. GTO London’s appreciation and recognition of exceptional quality is reflected in this ever expanding range of ‘collectable’ designs. Lovingly made by hand, using quality materials, every detail is painstakingly replicated - and the finest processes are used to produce a supreme collection that is to be desired and enjoyed.
Gift Sets GTO London has created a diverse selection of new luxury gift sets, including a bespoke ‘create your own’ option; so you can select the perfect gift for the discerning gentleman. Carefully chosen from GTO London’s wide range of jewellery pieces, these luxury gift sets include cufflinks, wallets, tie pins, key fobs and more; they are available in four variants.
Large Wallet Collection This exquisite gift set includes a hand crafted Daytona Nero Wallet which is created using soft cowhide, monogrammed satin lining and a sterling silver wheel emblem. In addition is an 80’s Cambio key fob, handmade using sterling silver and black rhodium metal; completing this set is a specially processed, ‘cross hatch’ engraved premium pen. 52
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Pocket Wallet Collection Featuring a popular 250 GTO Nero credit card wallet, handmade from premium cowhide, monogrammed satin lining and a sterling silver wheel emblem; this gift set also includes a charming set of 60’s Cambio cufflinks and a specially processed, ‘cross hatch’ engraved premium pen.
Gentlemen’s Accessory Collection To compliment your shirt and key’s, this gift set includes a distinct set of sterling silver Pneumatico ‘Tyre Tread’ cufflinks, a beautifully hand-crafted Volante ‘Steering Wheel’ key fob featuring sterling silver and an enamelled centre; and a specially processed, ‘cross hatch’ engraved premium pen.
Custom Collection In true GTO London style, you can customise your gift set to include any of the products available. You can team your preferred wallet with a set of cufflinks, key fobs, tie pins or any other gentlemen’s accessories of your choice. RFM (Real Ferrari Metal) metal is available to include in your custom gift set and the number of items is unlimited. I s s u e 23 Supercar 53
Bluebird Cufflinks In celebration of the 100 years since Sir Malcolm Campbell first named a car Bluebird – at Brooklands, in 1911 – GTO London have created a range of strictly limited-edition gents’ accessories. Just 100 pairs of hand-crafted cufflinks are available, replicating the iconic wheel design of the 1920s Bluebird land speed record-setting car. Each are formed from hallmarked sterling silver, finished with Iolite stones in the clasp and wheel centres. GTO London founder, Victoria Lyon, said of the new range: “Bluebird is an automotive icon and a triumph of design and engineering. Marking the centenary of the name with beautifully-designed and preciselyengineered cufflinks was a natural thing to do. They are a perfect extension to our accessories range and add diversity to our core products.” All GTO London Bluebird Centenary pieces have been developed with the Campbell family and carry their official approval, as part of their wider centenary celebrations of the Bluebird legend.
Fragrances New from GTO London are fragrances. Offered within this varied gift set are three unique blends of fragrance. Berlinetta combines top notes of citrus teamed with warming compilation of nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves. Prototipo, combines woody notes with spices and The entire GTO London range is available, with items leather. Finally Competizione, arranges a scent delivered priced from £60, on the official website by precious woods, fresh herbs and spicy floral notes. www.gtolondon.com or call +44 (0) 118 940 4430.
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N E W
L U X U R Y
G I F T
S E T S
cufflinks | key fobs | tie pins | wallets | money clips | fragrances
Create your own unique set, or choose one of our luxurious collections.
www.gtolondon.com telephone +44 (0)118 940 4430
2012 Ferrari Enzo During an exclusive interview with evo, Ferrari CEO, Amedeo Felisa confirmed we will see the arrival of an all-new Ferrari Enzo at the later part of 2012 and it will be powered by a normally aspirated V12.
“When we started the Enzo replacement program, we made some 8-cylinder development cars but later, we decided that we needed to maintain a V12 on this car because, for me, the V12 engine is Ferrari. The very first Ferrari was a V12 and I think we have to try to maintain this tradition but give it meaning in today’s market.” Felisa explains. “Today, our V12 in the FF and 599 GTO is one of the best engines we have ever done, so why throw it away? I think the V8 bi-turbo, GDi engine we are working on is a big step forward towards CO2 reduction but we don’t need to use it first on this sort of car.” I’m surprised, as fitting a V12 engine has to result in a heavier car, yet back in 2007, Ferrari were keen to show us the Mille Chilli concept (which translates as 1000kilos), which was described then as being a vision of what a replacement Enzo would be like. “Agreed, we did not make the 1000kilo target but thanks to extensive use of carbonfibre, the new Enzo will weight just 1200kilos.” That’s still an amazing achievement, when you consider Felisa’s next surprise when he tells me the new Enzo will come with a performance boost function, similar to the system used in Formula one and known as ‘KERS’. “In a way, having a performance boost function when you already have a very powerful 12 cylinder engine is stupid but I still wanted you to be able to ‘percieve’ when the extra torque was delivered.” 56
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Evo understands the V12 engine in the Enzo replacement is closely related to the one fitted in the FXX and will be tuned to deliver around 800bhp in road-legal form. Felisa later hints you need a boost of at least 10% (say 100bhp) to give the driver the perception of this extra power being delivered, so evo expects the new Enzo to have a total of around 900bhp available, giving the new Enzo a the power to weight ratio of around 750bhp/tonne. “You can chose between either using a steering wheel boost button or on the throttle to deliver the extra power but my preferred option is through the throttle. By using this electric power boost to help with emissions, we can achieve official fuel consumption figures very close to today’s Ferrari 458.” I ask whether you be able to drive the new Enzo on electric only power? “We have the capability but I don’t think we will use it. We need more experience before we enter this field. The duel clutch transmissions lets us move to hybridisation but I only want to use it to protect our V12 engine, we don’t require it on the 8-cylinder cars as we have other solutions like turbo charging and 6-cylinder engines.”
Combat Stress to battle the stigma of Veterans’ mental health Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity specialising in the treatment of Veterans’ mental health, today launches a campaign to battle the stigma of psychological disorders that prevents hundreds of Veterans from seeking help. The campaign, funded by Comic Relief and launching on World Mental Health Day (Monday 10th October), will address the stigma that surrounds Veterans’ mental health disorders. It will raise awareness of the charity’s services, and battle the perception of shame that deters these brave ex-Service men and women from seeking treatment for their mental wounds. In a recent survey carried out by Combat Stress, 81% of Veterans who responded revealed that they feel ashamed or embarrassed about their mental ill-health. The fear of stigma and discrimination means that more than one in three of those people don’t even feel able to tell their families about their problems. On average Veterans wait 13.1 years between leaving the Armed Forces and seeking help from Combat Stress, the charity that has been caring for Veterans with mental ill-health since 1919. This delay often results in their mental health needs becoming worse. In 2010/11, seven of our new Veterans had waited 40 years or more. Without a diagnosis, appropriate treatment or support, Veterans’ psychological problems can lead to their marriage breaking up, unemployment, social isolation and substance abuse, and even suicidal. A significant minority of Service men and women suffer from mental ill-health as a result of their experiences. Research suggests that of the 191,000 personnel who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, about
7,600 people (4%) could develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Another 37,600 people (19.7%) may be battling other debilitating mental health problems, such as depression, mood disorders and anxiety. 4,600 Veterans are currently receiving support from Combat Stress. The charity has a UK-wide network of multidisciplinary Community Outreach Teams who provide clinical care and welfare support at a community level. Commodore Andrew Cameron, Chief Executive of Combat Stress said: “Combat Stress was founded in 1919, so we’ve seen the effects of stigma for the last 92 years. Every week I meet men and women who have bravely fought for their country but, now battling mental health problems, are too ashamed or embarrassed to seek help. “At Combat Stress we have found that on average people wait just over 13 years after leaving the Armed Forces before getting in contact with us. This is too long. The longer they wait the worse they get. I am urging Veterans and their loved ones to pick up the phone and call our Helpline (0800 138 1619 or text 07537 404 719).” “We are also hosting an online pledge on our website where members of the public can show their support for Veterans. Visit www.combatstress.org.uk to sign the pledge.” I s s u e 23
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Oasis Flight a personal touch By Iain Mckenzie
At the end of September’s Tour Alpina I joined some of the members on a private flight back from Switzerland to Oxford airport. Flying privately is a huge treat which I really enjoy, but this flight was particularly noteworthy because the aeroplane is owned by Robert and Teresa Foster’s company, Oasis Flight. Robert and Teresa have been friends of the Supercar Club for many years having been on many events with us. I really enjoyed the flight so thought it would be fun to look them up and find out what they have been up to by spending a day at their offices in Oxford. ➤ 58
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As one might expect from Robert and Teresa, they are not hanging around. In two years Oasis has grown into a multi-million pound operation with two King-Air Turbo-Props and a couple of smaller planes. And in the early part of 2012 they are going to take delivery of their first jet. Serious stuff - but with a personal touch and a level of service that is lacking with some of the aeroplane brokers out there. The King-Airs are a great proposition for private travellers. Most importantly, our in-flight experience was fantastic. Great food, a customisable wine list and a cabin which is spacious, quiet and barely discernable from that of a jet. I thought it would be slow and noisy, but it wasn’t. In fact the flight times are very similar to those in jets. Journeys can even be quicker because turbo-props have better “short-
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field performance” – meaning they can land on shorter runways. So they might be able to get you closer to your final destination. And if you ever tried to charter a jet for a family group with small kids and all of the kit they need to travel with, you might have found Oasis Flight a lot more accommodating for luggage space given the weight capacity of the King-Airs versus other planes. All for about half the cost of the same flight by jet. In addition Oasis Flight have a couple of smaller planes that can get you around the UK very quickly and for a lot less money than I would have expected. “Our current fleet allows us to appeal to most private charter requests. The King Airs are spacious, have amazing range and capacity and the Twin Pistons are excellent cabin class Air Taxis offering ➤
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very economical private travel around the UK and northern Europe. We believe that our key difference is service,” said Teresa. “If our customers want a chauffeur driven car from home to the airport, we can organise it. We can customise food, wine and champagne. And if people want to take a flight for which one of our planes isn’t suited then we work with a network of partner aviation companies to source the right plane for you anywhere in the world, whilst at the same time maintaining the customer service which Oasis Flight is becoming known for. The addition of our first jet next year will open up a new market for us bringing new opportunities and exciting new destinations like Russia and the Middle East.. We have come a long way in the 2 years since achieving our AOC in 2009 and we are hoping that the next couple of years will be just as exciting.” It was a real pleasure to visit a new, fast growing business which has come so far so quickly. My visit got me thinking that private flying is more accessible than I thought. If you ever need to make a trip which commercial airlines can’t accommodate or want to perfect a European weekend by taking away the hassle of airports, I highly recommend you give Oasis Flight a call. 62
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Oasis FLIGHT Pleasure - Business - Air Freight - AOG - Medical
Private Flight Charter It’s about time
www.oasisflight.co.uk Tel +44 (0) 1865 841642 Fax +44 (0) 1865 375798 Mob +44 (0) 7753 931695
Oasis Flight Ltd London Oxford Airport Oxfordshire, UK OX5 1RA
Certified by the Civil Aviation Authority AOC No. GB 2364
The ‘Rather Cool’ Porsche Panamera By Greg Hollamby
I am trying to recall when the first super saloon was built, and am thinking Mercedes 300 SE 6.3 which was launched in 1968 and had a 0-60 time of around 6 seconds, which in its day was pretty impressive. Doubtless there are other examples of similar cars out there, and the point could be argued until people are blue in the face for other cars that may have come before it, but a small production run Bentley doesn’t qualify in my book. ➤ I s s u e 23
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What followed the 6.3 were few and far between, with AMG and BMW’s M department leading the field and with AUDI joining in with the S8. Everything else anyone built was an oddity or deeply unreliable and in some cases a bit of a joke. This to a great extent continued to be the case until very recently when Porsche decided to have a go. But Porsche don’t really have a go at anything, they either throw everything at it and succeed or don’t bother. This is why they have managed to produce a very sleek and (in my opinion) rather cool Super saloon. In turbo form it is shockingly fast, giving enough performance to pretty much knock on the rear bumper of anything short of a Ferrari 458, and yes I know if you were in the Alps in your
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Supercar, and the sun was shining and you were driving well, you think you could outrun a Panamera Turbo, but you are probably wrong (unless your name is Nick and you sell lots of bicycles). In all other formats its either very fast or just fast. They don’t do a slow one, although that is how some rather slow people still see diesel cars. The Panamera we are looking at here is the ‘slow’ one and I think its makes rather a lot of sense. Like many people, I potter about Europe and the UK covering some reasonable mileage and I am not keen on standing at a fuel pump, freezing to death whilst watching money pouring away into the fuel tank when I am merely heading from A to B. This of course must be balanced with some driving pleasure and I am the first to admit that as good as I am sure
some small hatchbacks that do north of 60 mpg are, I do not want to drive long distances in one. So what do you think the MPG is on a Panamera? Well its a lot more than most people think, and on test we drove the car in normal driving conditions on a good run, including A roads, B roads and motorway, keeping up with the traffic and using the outside lane on the motorway. The result was a jaw dropping 45.6 MPG. I know, impressive stuff and when you then look at the car that manages this feat, you have to scratch your head and wonder why on earth you don’t have one. I did. ➤
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It handles nicely, is more than fast enough, has a sporting character when you want to press on, is supremely comfortable for four people, has a hatchback so is easy to load kit into, including the dog, is beautifully appointed, and has all the latest kit on board. It’s also quite rare, so you don’t see many about. Add to this what appears to be glacially slow depreciation, due in some part to rarity I should think, and its compelling. Quite a package then, and you are no doubt thinking, “oh it can’t be that good”. Well it is, and I am fortunate enough to be able to afford one, so I bought one. Not much more to say really, other than if you have the budget and don’t look at this when you want to buy a new car, you are mad.
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Super Fun Story & Photography: Peter Wallman, RM Auctions
RM’s Max Girardo and Peter Wallman Spring From Paris to Monaco in a Ford GT (via some very nice hotels) When Max invited me to join him on the Supercar Run (June 4th – 9th 2011) in his newly acquired and as-yet unseen Ford GT, it was with great excitement and, due to a rather hair-raising experience on a previous rally, just a little trepidation that I agreed to co-drive. ➤
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Neither of us had even seen – never mind driven – the Ford GT I s s u e 23
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Being the work-conscious types that we are, we made a very early start on the 6:30 a.m. Eurostar on Saturday to visit a couple of clients and their cars in the Paris area, followed by a hearty and excellent luncheon with a French colleague in a Parisian favourite of his. We headed off after lunch to join the other Supercar ralliers at the start from the Trianon Palace Hotel in Versailles. Neither of us had even seen – never mind driven – the Ford GT, and there it was: low, aggressive and ready to go...well, it would be once we had cleaned it, got the number plates fitted (they were in a paper bag on the passenger seat), filled up with fuel and decorated it with sponsors’ stickers. We registered with big smiley faces with the delightful young ladies responsible for the event; Greg Hollamby, the man behind the
Supercar Club, had taken ill a couple of days before the start and sadly could not be there – we wish him well and a very speedy recovery. We dumped our bags and met by the car with our sleeves rolled-up ready for action. Slithering into the very comfortable seats (perforated for fear release), we were careful not to slice the tops of our heads off when closing the doors, fired the beast up and realised that there was about the same amount of fuel in her as in an average-sized Ronson lighter. No one seems to carry rivet guns with them anymore, so we headed out into Versailles in search of jet fuel and a car accessory shop to fit the number plates. We found the perfect petrol station nearby as a very nice French chap in biker leathers approached us to admire the Ford GT – or at least that’s what we
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thought until he proceeded to present us with his badge and question why we were driving such a monster with no licence plates. “Documents please.” Do you think that Monsieur Girardo could charm additional bids in French out of French punters at auction without being able to charm nosy French coppers? Of course not! “Oui, oui Monsieur Policeman [smile], just arrived [cheesy smile], rivet gun [cheesy, cheesy smile], [giggle…]” Somehow, we got away with it, filled-up (ouch) and found a little tire-fitters around the corner who improvised, made up some brackets and got our number plates riveted on, finally all set to go. “How quick do you think this thing is? Whoa...speed hump!”
Great hotel, excellent dinner, an observation: “Oh look, there’s the Miura SVJ that we sold at the London auction in October. Oh no, that would be all we need if it doesn’t start in the morning.” Next morning we wake up, bright and fresh after a couple of aspirin and several gallons of water, to see that the heavens had opened during the night and the Miura wouldn’t start. RM to the rescue! We said hello to the owner and his wife, who were on their first old car experience, and lifted the back to find that the engine was submersed in water. We advised that the cylinder heads needed “blowing off,” yes exactly, and all would be fine. Twelve plugs, aching wrists and 90 minutes later, all would have been well had the starter motor helped by engaging! ➤
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The rally ended with reserved parking in Casino Square in Monaco Sleeves rolled up again, we bump-started the car, and after a bit of coughing and wheezing, one by one, all 12 cylinders came to life. It sounded absolutely glorious. “Yes, but you’ll have to bump start it all the way.” And so, “as part of the RM post-auction service, we’ll run with you on the Rally, pick your brains for the treasure hunt clues and be your pushers...as long as you always park facing downhill.” The owners, Leigh and Vicky, were great company, and we were joined by John and Debbie in a Ferrari 360 Spyder to run in convoy and had a superb time running behind the Miura SVJ (some of the time), reveling in the exhaust note and drooling over the sublime and purposeful super-low-slung stance through the twisty mountain roads. 74
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Next, we picked up a Ferrari 275 GTB Alloy 6-carb in our cavalcade and the owners of this particularly rare and cool Ferrari turned out to be rather good at treasure hunting, eventually going on to win the overall prize of two very nice timepieces. However, after a day or two of driving in our company, they realised that we were rubbish, no help whatsoever at working out Greg’s rather odd clues (a cross between the telegraph crossword puzzle and the crypton factor), so they pretended to drive really slowly and we lost them. As the week unfolded and the roads South just got better and better, twistier and twistier (“slow down, that’s a huge drop with no barrier and there are cyclists coming down the mountain!”), we gradually familiarized ourselves with the incredible yet smooth power-band
and go-cart-like handling of the Ford GT. The hotels were all up to the same high standard, the food and wine continued to hit the spot, and the company was lots and lots of fun and extremely engaging. Quite refreshing on this rally was that most of the participants, being traditionally Supercar owners (Ferrari 599 GTOs, Mercedes SLSs, California Spyders, Ferrari 458s, etc), were genuinely curious and interested in what we do and shot us many probing questions about RM Auctions, the world of collecting classic cars and the associated bonus of not worrying about piling-on the miles and losing £50,000 each year. We may just have converted some “new-car guys” into “old-car guys,” although obviously the topic of non-engaging starter motors on Miuras was taboo at dinner. ➤ I s s u e 23
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We covered about 1,000 miles of superb, winding French roads on-route to Monaco, drove over the highest mountain pass in Europe and were pleasantly surprised that the Ford GT did not miss a beat after lots of horror stories about the clutch and that its fuel consumption was nowhere near as bad as people make out. The GT was comfortable, even docile where needed, head-turning and had a turn of speed delivered in a very controllable way that could easily run away if you allowed adrenalin to take over too much (I admit to squirting Max with my water bottle at one point). The rally ended with reserved parking in Casino Square in Monaco, a black-tie gala dinner on the terrace of the Hotel de Paris overlooking the cars and the Casino, a couple of cartwheels for good measure under the instruction of Vicky, formerly a member of the British gymnastics team, and a few quick ones at Sass Cafe after dinner, before being safely tucked-up in bed at the Hotel de Paris and ready for the Easy Jet flight
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home. Back to reality with a big bump! Our very best wishes and sincere thanks to Greg, Rachel and Chrissie from the Supercar Club for the excellent organization, for inviting us and for making our week extremely memorable. Story courtesy RM Magazine, www.rmauctions.com.
LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO LP 560-4 BICOLORE Available now. Please contact Pete Sanderson of Lamborghini Reading.
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PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ARRANGE A TEST DRIVE.
Lancaster Reading Aston Martin Bennet Road Reading, Berkshire RG2 0QX, UK 0118 965 8500 www.jardinemotors.co.uk/aston-martin
Owning and driving By Peter Saywell
I thoroughly enjoyed owning a 599 GTB. It was a true GT car in every sense of the word and ideal for longer journeys. So when the announcement of the GTO was brought to my attention by Nigel McMorrough at Meridien Modena I was very excited about what was to come. By the way I can only say good things about Meridien - nothing is ever too much trouble. ➤
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g a Ferrari 599 GTO
“It was ‘I’ve got to have one’ scenario” I s s u e 23
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My introduction to the GTO was a visit to my work facility from Nigel and two representatives from Ferrari. They took me through a very professional presentation, refreshingly different from the hurried 5 minute sales pitch you get in a lot of cases. I new straight away that this was one of those “I’ve got to have one” scenarios! Choosing colours and specifications is very complex with Ferrari and in my view colours on a larger car make even more of a difference than they might on something like a 458. I this case I chose yellow. Or to be more accurate, Giallo Tripili Strato. Not for everyone, but I think it looks great.
I could write pages on the rest of the options for this car (a lot of which should be standard) but one particularly nice touch on the GTO was a plaque inscribed “Part of the Saywell Collection” which makes the car fit in nicely with the others. So the car finally arrived in December 2010 and was immediately “grounded” by bad weather. I did finally summon up enough courage to take it out into the raw of winter and was finally able to experience what it’s like to drive: Exhilarating, but you feel safe and importantly I felt in charge of its shattering acceleration. Windows are constantly down for tunnels
“Yellow it was to be or more technically correct Giallo Tripli Strato” 80
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and the noise is music to the ears. We are all school boys at heart! It’s a huge car but it doesn’t feel like it. And noise-wise it is borderline on most tracks but with sensible driving you can meet the limits. During the course of the year it has been to various events including a trip to the Nurburgring where my wife was very brave and did a number of laps - living to tell the tale. It has also been to Le Mans and took part in the Driver’s Parade with one of my son-in-laws driving and that was televised and broadcast on local TV. In September we joined the Supercar Tour Alpina, driving from Austria-Italy-Switzerland which involved lots of mountain passes. Once again my wife was very brave as she isn’t keen on speed or heights but I thoroughly enjoyed both experiences and the car was a dream in all aspects of the event. So this is something rather special. Definitely one to keep for some years!
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The Supercar Club would like to thank all their sponsors for their support during 2011
Fine Jewellers
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keltbray