RE: Autosport highlights
Friday 13th January 2012
The show's already busy and that's before the weekend rush so there's a great buzz about the NEC and plenty of cool stuff, from stickers to full-blown race cars to spend your cash on. Even if you're just tyre kicking there's still plenty to enjoy and here are a few things that caught the attention of the PH camera as we paced the show yesterday.
Like this Metro 6R4 on the Coy's stand for instance. Metro 6R4? Senna? Yup. The man himself drove this car back in 1986, having admitted he knew nothing about rallying other than watching it a few times on TV. "I deliberately haven't listened to anyone about rally driving. I want to find out for myself." So said Senna before his drive in the 6R4 for a feature in Cars and Car Conversions.
More conventional Senna machinery can be found in the special display containing everything from a kart he raced to the iconic Marlboro McLarens, including the MP4/8 he drove in his legendary win at Donington in 1993. Pay your respects...
This GT3 spec Ginetta G55 looks the business though the bonnet aero features might not do it any favours.
It'll face some stiff competition, not least from the very mean looking Mercedes SLS AMGGT3. Moody, even in white.
The McLaren MP4-12C GT3 is another stunner - GT racing is certainly looking good for 2012 with grids full of cars like this.
And there's a glimpse of the future too with the first UK appearance for the hybrid Porsche 918 RSR.
Road cars aren't forgotten though - if you've not had a chance to look at the new 991Porsche 911 there's one here at Autosport to check out.
And BMW have a chrome-wrapped M3 that pushes the boundaries of decency a little.
Classics aren't a huge thing at Autosport but there are some lovely ones about, including this ex-Hawthorn 'long-nose' D-Type valued at £6m.
The Coy's area has some great stuff ready for the auction on Saturday too, including the original (really!) Chip Foose Eleanor Mustang used in the filming of Gone In 60 Seconds.
Back in the Autosport heartland we were rather taken with this 600hp Impreza Time Attack car driven to class victory by Crossroads Subaru dealer principal Jon Mathers. We'll be driving the road car this has inspired next week and Jon somewhat unwisely said we could have a go with this too. Watch this space!
Autosport highlights
A few titbits from Autosport and The Performance Car Show to whet your appetite for the weekend...
Coming to Autosport and the Performance Car Show over the weekend? We thought we'd share a few quick things you might want to check out, once you've popped across to the PistonHeads supercar paddock and admired our fabulous selection of cars. The sofas are rather comfy too!
The excitement over last year's Senna film doesn't seem have died down one bit and the great man's presence looms large over the show. In some unexpected places.
There are plenty of new racing cars to appreciate too.
There's plenty more to see too of course and feel free to share your personal highlights here. And if you're at the show be sure to drop by and say hello!
Discussion
Norbury90 said:
Funny that the 918 RSR is all roped off, when I went to the Dubai motor show we got to stick our heads in and have a proper poke round, I doubt the security guy would have liked us sitting in it though! Interesting car.
I suspect that all of the rope is because come the public days tomorrow... [Less civilised]DiscoColin said:
I suspect that all of the rope is because come the public days tomorrow... [Less civilised]
I was at a public day in Dubai... that said, there was hardly anyone there 
The only cars that had a queue to sit in were the SLS and SLS Roadster, everything else was pretty quiet. The good thing about going to a show there was that people thought you were mega rich, and even though i'm 21 they were offering me test drives in all sorts of stuff! Just got home from the show now,really enjoyed it,lots to see and drool over,then get depressed because I could never afford a fraction of anything there.
The only downside was the live show,the cars may as well of been electric as you could barely hear(the main reason we go) the cars due to the overly loud drum and bass music blasting out at a million decibels every time a bloody car come out!!!
The only downside was the live show,the cars may as well of been electric as you could barely hear(the main reason we go) the cars due to the overly loud drum and bass music blasting out at a million decibels every time a bloody car come out!!!
Yeah that M3 was pretty nasty.
I've posted my days experience from Thursday on my blog here: http://slinky1989.wordpress.com/2012/01/14/my-day-...
Took me 4 hours to sort that out not including photo editing!
Great day though, came out with job prospects and a remote control helicopter
I've posted my days experience from Thursday on my blog here: http://slinky1989.wordpress.com/2012/01/14/my-day-...
Took me 4 hours to sort that out not including photo editing!
Great day though, came out with job prospects and a remote control helicopter
Slinky1989 said:
Yeah that M3 was pretty nasty.
I've posted my days experience from Thursday on my blog here: http://slinky1989.wordpress.com/2012/01/14/my-day-...
Took me 4 hours to sort that out not including photo editing!
Great day though, came out with job prospects and a remote control helicopter
I've posted my days experience from Thursday on my blog here: http://slinky1989.wordpress.com/2012/01/14/my-day-...
Took me 4 hours to sort that out not including photo editing!
Great day though, came out with job prospects and a remote control helicopter
Quality write up!
Sadly I'm missing it this year - but by all accounts its sounding like a much improved show this year
Mike Gill said:
That m3 made me vommit
Was it a wrap or actually some kind of factory coating. The wrap back on most of the panels I looked at was, well, to the point I couldn't tell if it was wrap.A very thorough job!
Just a shame they didn't adhere to the 2BM cleaning method as it looked very swirly
Dave
Mr Whippy said:
Was it a wrap or actually some kind of factory coating. The wrap back on most of the panels I looked at was, well, to the point I couldn't tell if it was wrap.
A very thorough job!
Just a shame they didn't adhere to the 2BM cleaning method as it looked very swirly
Dave
It was a wrap, and it looked scratched to buggery!A very thorough job!
Just a shame they didn't adhere to the 2BM cleaning method as it looked very swirly
Dave
Overall was a decent day, far too busy today but some interesting metal around.
Live show was a big let-down after the last one I saw, though.
I went Friday. Very good show.
Few of us had a moan at Lotus for having their stand barriered off, and a security guard?! The only stand in the whole arena with a security guard?! Plus the Lotus staff were being quite elusive, so you couldn't speak with them. And no Exige. So they got an earful.
Few of us had a moan at Lotus for having their stand barriered off, and a security guard?! The only stand in the whole arena with a security guard?! Plus the Lotus staff were being quite elusive, so you couldn't speak with them. And no Exige. So they got an earful.
chrisgtx said:
I'd reccomend going,save yourself a tenner a dont bother with the live action arena,or rather,the loud music clip show with some cars driving around in the background.
I cant seem to find any reference to tickets without the live arena...!hmm.... might just go anyway, although i have been on trade days in the past so i expect it to be rammed.
darkcat said:
been for the last 5+ years... was going to go today...
just looked up the price of a the price of a ticket + live arena + parking.
im not going.
Yep, £8 parking is a rip-off.just looked up the price of a the price of a ticket + live arena + parking.
im not going.
I left on Thursday and no one was checking anyway (was late at about 6:15pm), so best to take a gamble I reckon if you are leaving late
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff