Evo magazine - seems like everyone's leaving

[AndyDubbya]

Lots of tweets today from Jethro Bovingdon, Henry Catchpole & others saying they're going to DriveTribe, old new Top Gear's internet spinoff, financed by Clarkson, Hammond, May & Wilman amongst others. Anyone know more?

[gymaint]

I thought it was only me that noticed - Nick Trott Editor in Chief, Jethro, Henry Catchpole and Hunter Skipworth - within the last week - It's a massacre.

The middle two guys' words were certainly the only reason I paid the subscription.

What the hell has happened?

Are drive tribe throwing serious money around or has evo management lost its edge following the office move??

[Evolved]

Gave up my sub years ago after it should have changed its name to Porsche monthly!

[limpsfield]

Evolved said:

Gave up my sub years ago after it should have changed its name to Porsche monthly!

Me too sadly, and for exactly the same reasons. Some good writers there though, interesting to see how all this works out.

[limpsfield]

Harry Metcalfe (evo founder) is part of Drive Tribe too.

Hmm. Interesting to see see how this plays out.

[greenarrow]

I gave up my sub too, about 2 and a half years ago for similar reasons to others on here.

I still buy it from time to time and think its one of the better monthlies. Interesting how this pans out.

[David87]

Interesting stuff! Seems the YouTubers are into it too - MrJWW seems to be involved as well.

[darth_pies]

Interesting times. Its a bit like when Monkey, Dickie Meaden and Jethro all upped and went to Driver's Republic, except they were obviously 8yrs early...

Was already thinking of cancelling Evo subscription. Definitely cancelling now.

[vsonix]

I'm surprised there's still much action in print magazines anyway, idk about motoring but I used to write for a few music mags and the money was pretty weak. The full time staffers were on poverty wages!

[WJNB]

EVO & OCTANE too similar? By comparison TOPGEAR never more than a comic.

[PhilboSE]

bks, and I've renewed just this week.

Oh well, I'll see what the next year brings and then make a decision.

[Digitalize]

It's possible they're looking to create a DriveTribe magazine I suppose, but then it could just be they're all going to be journalists/presenters for video content.

[darth_pies]

I particularly like this bit of PH-baiting nonsense on their About page:

"GAMERS HAVE GOT TWITCH, TRAVELLERS HAVE GOT TRIP ADVISOR AND FASHION FANS HAVE GOT, OH, SOMETHING OR OTHER TOO. BUT PEOPLE WHO ARE INTO CARS HAVE GOT NOWHERE. THERE'S NO GRAND-SCALE ONLINE MOTORING COMMUNITY WHERE PEOPLE CAN MEET AND SHARE VIDEO, COMMENTS, INFORMATION AND OPINION. DRIVETRIBE WILL CHANGE THAT. AND THEN SOME."

- RICHARD HAMMOND


Only the TG boys could get away with such brazen BS!

[limpsfield]

David87 said:

Interesting stuff! Seems the YouTubers are into it too - MrJWW seems to be involved as well.

And PH favourite Shmee150.

As an old fart I am not sure how this DriveTribe is going to work: YouTube? Blog? Mag? Certainly lots of clout to start with.

I haven't subscribed to car mags for a few years after taking most of them. Evo got a bit too Porsche-y and samey; Octane was entertaining but a bit too "what larks".

DriveTribe whatever it is certainly has the big names and, you would assume, a fair bit of cash behind it.

[s m]

I wonder if Drive Tribe will go the same way as Drivers Republic

I still enjoy an actual magazine to read but obviously circulation for such things is dropping

[ATG]

Many moons ago I used to read Performance Car, then it got a new editor, went to st in a couple of issues, and low and behold half of the original hacks and photographer turn up (set up?) Evo. Plus ca change. Sad to hear that Evo is imploding, just as I was sad to watch PC fall apart. While I'm meandering down Memory Lane, the back page of PC was handed over to Clarkson for some light entertainment. His car reviews on other pages were light weight compared to the other hacks, but his rambling diatribes on the back page were works of genius.

[David87]

s m said:

I wonder if Drive Tribe will go the same way as Drivers Republic

I don't think it will. Times have changed since then and it seemingly has all the big names behind it.

[limpsfield]

ATG said:

His car reviews on other pages were light weight compared to the other hacks, but his rambling diatribes on the back page were works of genius.

Me too. I can remember reading them in the smallest room of my then flat what must be more than 25 years ago now. Inspired.

[Uncle John]

Performance Car was the best. Then evo, used to subscribe until a couple of years ago but now just buy the copy I'm interested in.

Suppose it's progress. We'll have to wait & see.

[birdcage]

Somebody from the publishing company will read this so can I take the opportunity to say Octane is now the most boring and odd looking car magazine on the planet.

I will buy any car magazines but I cannot bear it. It is impossible to navigate and reads like an Ikea instruction manual.

Look at copies from a couple of years ago, fire the editor and art director and start again please. Its BORING as hell