Scanning through the entry list of this year's 2009 Western Australian Targa West tarmac rally, I was pleased to see no fewer than 5 Mk1 Ford Escorts entered in the classic competition category. Having owned and competed in this legendary marque, I can't help but admire the tenacity and dedication of the owners and drivers who continue to prepare and race these magnificent vehicles.
Since their release in 1968, the Mk1 escort has consistently featured in Rally competition around the globe. For almost 7 years after it's release, the MK1 Escort dominated the international rally scene, finally passing on the mantle to it's equally dominant Mk2 successor.
Even today the Mk1 Escort is a popular choice for young drivers entering Motorsport. Many famous rally legends have made their start in an Escort. The late Colin McRae campaigned escorts for many years, no doubt influenced by his Father, 5 times British Champion Jimmy who can still be found campaigning Escorts in the Historic competitions around Europe.
Another extremely talented McRae in the shape of Alister will be competing in this year's Targa West in a Ralliart prepared Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 10 in the modern competition category. Alister dominated last year's Classic category in a Porsche 911, I'm predicting he'll be extremely hard to beat.
Having competed for the last 2 years in this event, I'll welcome the opportunity to take a step back and soak in the spectacle from a spectator's perspective. While enjoying the event from the confines of a TVR powered Triumph TR8, I always had one eye firmly fixed on the Mk1 Escort Mexico's and RS2000's in the stages & service parks.
I'll be watching Alister's performance at the pointy end of the field with interest, but my heart will be well and truly fixed back in the classic competition category, where the spine tingling throaty roar of twin weber adorned Mk1 Escorts in full cry will truly be a sight to behold.
If you're puzzling over what to get for your motor sports crazy guy friend, here are 3 ideas for you.
1) Mods and accessories
Guys love nothing more than to modify their rides, giving it a whole new look or beefing up the power. Whether it's a car, bike or even a snowmobile, there are a whole lot of choices to what you can do. Some of the more common mods include a brand new paintwork, bodykit, spoilers, or engine enhancements for better performance. Of course you should talk to him before doing anything. He might not like the idea of driving around in a pink car!
A more conservative approach would be to purchase some motoring accessories for him. This ranges from car alarms, car mats, seat covers, safety helmets for riders or even a new audio system.
2) Tickets to a Motor Sports event
You could get 2 tickets to a motor sports event such as the NASCAR or Formula One races. If these events are held out of the country, it would be a good excuse to take some time off and go for an overseas trip!
3) Games
If your guy is also a video gaming fan, there are a whole lot of motor racing games to choose from. Of course, chances are that he would probably already own them all, but there's no harm checking. Some of the more popular games are the Need for Speed series, Forza Motorsport, DiRT 2, Project Gotham Racing and the Gran Turismo series.
There you have it, 3 unique gift ideas for motor sports crazy guys. Happy shopping!
The connection between cars and luxury men's watches is a strong bond which has inspired the creation of numerous iconic pieces. Watch brands such as TAG Heuer, Rolex, Panerai and Richard Mille, to name but a few have released car-themed collections to enthusiasts eager to own a timepiece whose name and design inspiration is taken from luxury car marques, motorsport teams, drivers or even world famous race tracks.
High precision chronographs are essential timing devices within the world of motorsport. An industry-savvy Jack W. Heuer recognised this and had the vision to connect his watch company with that of motor racing. The release of the Carrera collection, named after the extreme Carrera Pan Americana road race was just the start of a lineage of themed pieces unveiled by Heuer and later TAG Heuer which include the Monza and the Monaco, worn by Steve McQueen in the cult "Le Mans" film in 1970. Another silver screen icon the ultra-desirable Rolex Daytona, named after the racetrack and made famous by Paul Newman in the movie "Winning" has become highly collectable. Rolex continue their motorsport connections through sponsorship of the ultimate endurance event the Le Mans 24-hour race.
Girard-Perregaux formed a relationship with Ferrari which lasted from 1994 to 2004 and during this time released a collection of impressive limited edition pieces including the remarkable Worldtimer Ferrari F1 Edition and the magnificent Girard-Perregaux Richeville pour Ferrari Complication. Recently Ferrari have become connected with the Panerai watch brand. A range of Ferrari timepieces have been unveiled taking inspiration from the distinctive sports car design detailing created at Maranello but with the heartbeat of a Panerai movement contained in their beautifully convex shaped watchcase.
Commercial success is not the only reason for collaboration between watch brands and motorsport. Take Chopard, for example, it is no secret that Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Vice-President of Chopard , sponsors of the Mille Miglia rally is himself a classic rally entrant and a keen car collector and enthusiast. The brand also sponsor the Monaco Grand Prix Historique and have released outstanding sporty watches with true motorsport heritage such as the Mille Miglia Gran Turismo XL and the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique Chronograph. Another race fan Giuliano Mazzuoli has designed the Mazzuoli Contagiri (Italian for tachometer). This amazing watch looks more like the rev counter of a sports car than a wristwatch and is produced for buyers of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione concept sports car.
The world of Formula 1 continues to mix with that of luxury watches. Brand ambassadors include the brilliant Brazilian driver Felipe Massa for Richard Mille and Audemars Piguet have released tribute pieces of the fabulous Royal Oak Offshore for both Juan Pablo Montoya and Rubens Barrichello. Oris are also sponsors of the Williams F1 team.
Motorsport and luxury watches share unique passions, technical prowess and in some cases even certain construction materials. If a sporty timepiece is your thing, then these models are more than just a way to own the brand if you cannot afford the car, they are undeniably cool wristwatches, often a shrewd investment and are always a conversation-starter.
Volkswagen was one of the first manufacturers of the campervan. The VW campervan, also known as a minibus, was first introduced in 1950 and gained in popularity as an inexpensive way to take the family on vacation. In the 1950s, the Volkswagen campervan, also know as Type 2, was one of two car models produced by Volkswagen. The VW campervan is not only a classic but also holds iconic status in recent American history, as it was closely associated with the counter-culture of the 1970s.
The VW touring van inspired several imitations in the United States. Similar models came out from Ford, Chevy, and Dodge. However, the VW version remains the most widely recognized.
The VW campervan can be found either used or new. It was originally marketed as a family vehicle, and therefore was designed to sleep two adults and two children. New models now sleep up to four adults. In addition to sleeping quarters, VW campervans also have a small kitchen with a sink, gas stove, a small water tank to provide running water, and refrigerator. Some models also have satellite TV, wireless internet, pop up roof, sliding side door, privacy curtain, rotating front seat, large windows and extra cabinet space. They also come in several different color combinations.
The VW camper van has a few advantages over other RVs. First of all, it is far more affordable than your standard RV. Second, it can serve as a second vehicle for a family, in addition to being a vacation vehicle. Finally, it gets much better fuel economy than other RVs, making the overall cost much lower.
To find a used VW Campervan, begin with classifieds. You can also find vintage models in classic car magazines or from classic car dealers. Collector's magazines are another good option. eBay and craigslist are other good options. Sometimes you can purchase VW mini bus and have it converted into a campervan, which is a good option if you want to customize the features.
If you decide to purchase a VW Conversion van, be sure to find proper insurance. Insuring a campervan is not the same as insuring a car, and you will need to find insurance that reflects that. Your policy should be similar to car insurance and home owner's insurance combined. In addition to covering accidents, natural disasters, and personal effects, you also want a policy that offers 24/7 roadside assistance, emergency assistance, vacation liability and graffiti.
As we enter another season of Formula One racing, many fans' hopes rest on Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen and other F1 superstars; but let's not forget that it takes a lot more than just a good driver to win a F1 race.
In order to be successful in the highly competitive world of F1 motorsport, every technical advantage helps - no matter how small. Firstly, if you take a look at an F1 car, you'll find a huge amount of technology under - and over - the bonnet, and everything from the gears to the gas pedal has been meticulously designed and refined to create a lighter, smoother, faster car. Meanwhile, ongoing testing of the car's aerodynamic properties continues to create faster vehicles that stick to the road, and every single surface of a modern F1 car, from the tyres to the driver's helmet, has its aerodynamic qualities considered and researched.
At the centre of F1 is the safety of the drivers, the pit teams and the fans. The heart of each car is built with an extremely strong structure nicknamed "the tub". This is the driver's cockpit and survival cell, and is constructed mainly from carbon fibre. The fact that so many drivers have walked away (or at least been helped out of) some seemingly catastrophic accidents is testament to the highly successful protective construction on the survival cell. The cars are also designed so that drivers can get out of the cockpits in the least possible time to avoid burns. The current regulations state that all drivers should be able to get out in no more than five seconds without having to remove anything except the steering wheel.
Many might be surprised to hear that F1 drivers are some of the most highly conditioned athletes on earth. You might think that little physical prowess would be needed for a sport that involves sitting in a car; but on the contrary, a huge amount of stamina and endurance is required, with drivers having to endure high G-force cornering which can cause extreme stress to their bodies. Due to the hot climates that many of the F1 races take place in, such as Australia, Singapore and China, the drivers must be able to handle high temperatures for long periods, and they can lose as much as 3 litres of sweat during a race!
And let's not forget the other members of the team that are so vital to success in this fast paced motorsport. Drivers may get most of the attention, but F1 is a team sport, and the speed and precision at which a team's pit-crew can refuel and change a tyre or make more serious repairs will have a significant impact on the driver's lap time and position in the race; a well oiled pit-crew can perform their tasks in just seconds.
So without taking anything away from the drivers of F1, we can see that it really is a team sport, and without all the research, technology and hard work from their team mates, those wining drivers wouldn't be able to spray each other with champagne on the podium.
You've leafed through hundreds of racing magazines and seen countless race photos of the some of the fastest machines on the planet fighting for that last inch of the track. You tell yourself next time you go to a race, you'll bring a camera and come back home with pictures just like those. But how?
1) Get a DSLR
While it's true that equipment can wind up playing a relatively minor role for many types of photography out there, motorsports is one of the few glaring exceptions. For example, a small point and shoot pocket camera when in the right hands can potentially capture a more stunning landscape shot than a beginner can with a cutting edge DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex), but all these rules go out the window when that motorcycle roars by at close to 200mph: You need a DSLR. Or more specifically, the speed and responsiveness of a DSLR. The key features that come into play is a high frames per second shooting mode, high-speed auto focus, and near-absence of shutter lag. The faster the above the better although even an entry-level DSLR these days will do the job. A higher end, faster DSLR will just make your job easier. As for lenses, obviously the longer zoom range you have the more options are available to you but that doesn't mean having a short lens will mean it's hopeless. Work with what you have, and don't spend time thinking about what you don't have.
2) Know the Track
Unless you've been to the track numerous times, it's important to explore the track as best as you can to scope out good potential spots to shoot from. If you have never been to a racetrack before at all, it's easy to get caught off guard by just how huge a track can be. In some cases getting from one end of the track to the other can easily be a 20 minute walk or more. When it's time to shoot the race, you want to know exactly where you can go after you've finished grabbing all the shots you want at a particular spot. If you're unprepared, you'll either get stuck in the same place the entire time or miss numerous laps (or possibly even the rest of the race) from walking around trying to find another suitable spot to shoot from. A race weekend will usually include practice sessions for the racers. You can use them as your practice sessions too.
3) Know the Sport
While it's not necessarily imperative to have deep knowledge of the sport to get great shots, it can probably help make a difference or at least shorten the learning curve a bit. Back to the example of motorcycle races. Looking to get a picture of racers dragging their knees? A relatively tight, high speed corner is your best bet. How about a rider tucked in low under the windscreen? Stay away from braking zones where they need to sit up to prepare for corner entry. Want to grab a stand-up wheelie shot? No one will be performing any celebratory antics in the middle of a race, so wait until the end.
Although the above three tips may give you a head start of sorts, what they can't replace is practice and an inevitable amount of trial and error. The first time out may prove to be a rude awakening, but once you get more acquainted with the speed of your subjects and the capabilities of your equipment, it will come together soon enough. Most importantly, have fun!
For all that the two men came from the same small part of the world - southern Scotland, they appeared to be very different people. Where Jim is remembered as a quiet, shy man of few words, who let his driving do the talking - a BBC documentary on his career, which aired earlier this year, was titled The Quiet Champion', Jackie was and remains a flamboyant, outspoken personality, never afraid to say what is on his mind. He campaigned hard on driver safety, and an astute businessman, he was perhaps the first to see race driving as a 'career' in the modern sense of the word. What the two men did have in common was that they were the outstanding talents of their age.
Despite its achievements in the F1 world, motorsport has a low profile north of the border. The two big Scottish newspapers, The Scotsman and The Herald, generally provide only the most cursory coverage of the sport (in marked contrast with some London-based broadsheets, perhaps most surprisingly the left-leaning and hardly car-loving Guardian which has, perhaps, the best coverage of the lot). Nor does it much impinge on the popular consciousness. Certainly, in my office, I'm in a minority of one in being more interested in Button vs. Barrichello vs. Vettel than in the Auld Firm rivalry and the latest tribulations of Hearts under its Lithuanian owner. I don't think anyone else regularly tunes in to BBC1 for the F1. And as for any other forms of motorsport....
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