Wednesday 25th December 2013

PH2013: Chris Harris vid of the year

Done the Queen's speech? Now reprise Chris's best video moments from 2013!

---

What are your TV options today? Well, obviously you've got Her Majesty at 3pm. And Doctor Who is probably acceptable entertainment for the whole family. But Christmas specials of Downton Abbey, Call The Midwife, Alan Carr Chatty Man or Mrs Brown's Boys? No ta.

While the rest of the household is taking their pick from the above we recommend grabbing some manner of portable device, plugging in your headphones and drowning out the dross with tyre squeal. Lots and lots of tyre squeal.

Yes, Chris has burned a lot of rubber and driven some fabulous cars this year in the name of video-based entertainment. And from the bromance with Coulthard at the Nurburgring to cruising along at the end of the Mille Miglia in an ex-Fangio Jaguar C-Type, beer in hand, there have been some great moments. Here we bring you five of the most viewed Harris vids of 2013 though, judged by the number of clicks each story got on the PH homepage. You may be surprised to see what's at number one...

Merry Christmas and here's to more of the same in 2014!

---

5 - Ferrari 458 Spider
 
Chris Harris is, famously, officially still banned from driving Ferrari press cars. And yet here he is in one. How on earth did that happen? Who can possibly say. Still, a memorable video and that, through one solitary frame grab, inspired one of the funniest and epic Photoshop-based threads ever seen on PH. See all 48 pages of it here...

---

4 - Porsche 911 GT3

One of the most important new cars in the PH sphere in 2013 and one prompting an unusual amount of soul-searching based on that decision to go PDK only. As a serial GT3 owner who better to rule upon its impact on the hardcore 911 than Mr Harris...

---

3 - Ferrari F40 vs F50

This one doesn't really need a whole lot of explaining does it. Two iconic Ferraris handed over to Harris with the instruction 'make them look good on film for me' by their very understanding owner. With a cameo appearance from another PH hero with experience of them 'in period' this vid deserved to be among the favourites of the year.

---

2 -The Singer
 
Be careful who you share this video with. It's not one for sharing with the family to demonstrate your passion for cars on film. Show them the 458 one instead - lots of skidding and not much chat are an easier sell. No, the Singer vid is long, deeply, deeply geeky and definitely preaching to the converted. But we're a receptive congregation. And when a car and the story behind it are this fascinating you'll happily give up the time.

---

1 -Tuned Audi S4 vs RS4

And the most popular Harris video of 2013 among PHers is ... not a Porsche or Ferrari but instead Harris's own dog hair encrusted Audi S4 being raced up a runway against its modern RS4 equivalent, before and after a bit of cheeky laptop based tuning. It's a simple formula and a great vid. Unless, possibly, you own an RS4.

[BeirutTaxi]

I still don't understand Chris's glowing review of the Dacia Duster praising it for being back to basics and cheap, and then a video by Chris having a dig at the MX5.

[deltashad]

BeirutTaxi said:

I still don't understand Chris's glowing review of the Dacia Duster praising it for being back to basics and cheap, and then a video by Chris having a dig at the MX5.

But the dacia is a basic and cheap car. I don't get the MX5 thing either.
There seems to be some sort of pre requisite on this forum to praise them.
Not everyone feels the same way.

[mattshiz]

for someone who owns/drives cars which would bankrupt the majority of the population I'm not surprised he doesn't warm to the mx5, but for people who can only afford a sub £2k but still want fun and reliability then theres not many better choices.

[e21Mark]

I see Peugeot are making a big deal of getting back to basics with a lighter, more driver focussed car. I imagine other manufacturers may well follow suit. I hope so anyway. I guess the Dacia appeals in the same way as the Panda and Swift do?

As for the videos? I'm struggling to choose between the Ferrari F40 Vs F50 and the Singer 911. Maybe I can just split my vote between them?

Personally I'm waiting Chris to make a video covering his e30 M3 when it's finished.

[iva cosworth]

Sod the videos,i just clicked on the thread with all the photoshops of him in a Ferrari...

[BeirutTaxi]

deltashad said:

BeirutTaxi said:

I still don't understand Chris's glowing review of the Dacia Duster praising it for being back to basics and cheap, and then a video by Chris having a dig at the MX5.

But the dacia is a basic and cheap car. I don't get the MX5 thing either.
There seems to be some sort of pre requisite on this forum to praise them.
Not everyone feels the same way.

Speaking as an owner... the MX5 is a dirt cheap and basic car with a good, oversteer biased chassis and a lovely twin cam engine.

I think the biggest thing for me is that the MX5 can 'feel' fast. I've driven much quicker cars but a lot don't excite, like drinking Champange without the sparkle.


The pre-requisite is there for a reason IMO.

Edited by BeirutTaxi on Wednesday 25th December 22:07

[GrahamC230K]

It was a good video, I'm not so surprised it got the no.1 slot.

[Six Cylinder]

I like old things: My faves were the Goodwood TT Lister Jag film and the Mille Miglia Jag film.

Think Mr Harris shows that he just likes cars.

Singer film was good, who does'nt like an early 911.

Good viewing all year though and the films are always something to look forward for each week.

Shame the Beeb don't have something similar to show!

[smilo996]

I know it was not in 2013 but just for the fun of it and because it is the best vid he has done with certainly the best all round porn action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXgWWNJVdYA

The Classic Pirelli Rally tire launch.

[toerag]

Tuned Audi S4 vs RS4, I bought my S4 Avant on the strength of this vid, lol i'd never seen or driven one have to say everything Chris said was spot on & loving the car.

[carinaman]

Monkey missed an opportunity not having a backwards facing Go-Pro showing the flying buttresses of this Testarossa with the BBQ smouldering away between them.

But it would have been difficult to show without doubts of Top Gear type staging or horses head in bed revenge plots for criticising the harem of prancing fluffers that massaged their press cars.

A colleague has discovered Monkey's motor sport videos so hopefully I'll be able to discuss some of Monkey's of road cars with them in 2014.

[Truckosaurus]

Six Cylinder said:

I like old things: My faves were the Goodwood TT Lister Jag film and the Mille Miglia Jag film.

Likewise. Although I noticed that (according to YouTube's viewing stats) the Mille Miglia video was one of the least watched of the Harris videos. Hopefully that will not put the /DRIVE team off from producing such things in the future.

[Mr Tidy]

Always look forward to the Harris videos, and these are brilliant!
I love the F40 / F50 video - fair play to the owner!

[Leggy]

That Singer is a thing of beauty. The video is proper in depth stuff which is so lacking in main stream TV car shows.
Hope we get a load of these in 2014!

[Amirhussain]

deltashad said:

BeirutTaxi said:

I still don't understand Chris's glowing review of the Dacia Duster praising it for being back to basics and cheap, and then a video by Chris having a dig at the MX5.

But the dacia is a basic and cheap car. I don't get the MX5 thing either.
There seems to be some sort of pre requisite on this forum to praise them.
Not everyone feels the same way.

Yeah, some people on here gobble him of too too much...

[urquattro]

Oh I wish I had car control of that quality etc etc, superb videos and understand that Ferrari can be a little difficult after the 458's work over - bet it had never been that quick before.
Thanks CH, it always entertaining and educational as well.

[sideways man]

smilo996 said:

I know it was not in 2013 but just for the fun of it and because it is the best vid he has done with certainly the best all round car porn action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXgWWNJVdYA

The Classic Pirelli Rally tire launch.

Agree with the general order of this year's video. Tuned audi one is a worthy winner,as it's probably unique in subject,certainly at this level of exposure.

My real favourite is the pirelli tyre test one. Nearly makes up for their formula 1 shambles

[e21Mark]

BeirutTaxi said:

deltashad said:

BeirutTaxi said:

I still don't understand Chris's glowing review of the Dacia Duster praising it for being back to basics and cheap, and then a video by Chris having a dig at the MX5.

But the dacia is a basic and cheap car. I don't get the MX5 thing either.
There seems to be some sort of pre requisite on this forum to praise them.
Not everyone feels the same way.

Speaking as an owner... the MX5 is a dirt cheap and basic car with a good, oversteer biased chassis and a lovely twin cam engine.

I think the biggest thing for me is that the MX5 can 'feel' fast. I've driven much quicker cars but a lot don't excite, like drinking Champange without the sparkle.


The pre-requisite is there for a reason IMO.

Edited by BeirutTaxi on Wednesday 25th December 22:07

I think an early MX5 is incredibly good value for money. My last, was a good solid, UK 1.8 with LSD and cost £400. I really don't think there is anything better for the money. It felt fast and could easily be pushed beyond its limits of grip, without having to do high speeds. The engine and transmission were strong and reliable and it seemed to relish being thrashed. I was fortunate enough to look after Mazda's press fleet, back when they were new to the UK, and I've enjoyed them ever since. I'd love to do a race in one sometime. I don't know many people, who've driven one, who don't think they're good cars.

[marka1781]

Best vid I'd say Goodwood in the Lister real boys own stuff, the variety of Monkey's weekly motoring hoon is what I love the most. Electronic Merc, Delta wing, 918 syder can 2014 get any better?!
Can he get his hands on a P1 or LaFez? Wanna see more rallying, generally though Harris your work & passion for delivering these weekly treats are to be saluted

[likesachange]

He really should have done the S4 vid with the pulley upgrade too which adds another 70-80 bhp!

S4 in next 12 months for me