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UKMotorTalk, an independent view on motoring and motor sport with impartial road tests, unbiased advice on buying and selling, insurance, taxation and road safety and all the news that affects your car use.
Saturday, 6 October 2018
Friday, 5 October 2018
Total Elf HTX Mike Hawthorn Grand Prix of Farnham
In just over a week's time, the streets of Farnham town centre will be singing with the sounds of over 100 cars that were raced by, raced against, driven, or would have been of a type sold (at the Hawthorn's own Tourist Trophy Garage in the town) by, Mike Hawthorn, Britain's first Formula One World Champion.
The Total Elf HTX Mike Hawthorn Grand Prix of Farnham will bring together these vehicles, and a large number of enthusiasts, to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Hawthorn winning the F1 World Championship. Everyone is encouraged to come and line the streets from 2pm to enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of some wonderful machines.
We were in the town, nearly ten years ago, when 50 years since Mike Hawthorn's untimely death in a road accident was remembered, (see http://ukmotortalk.co.uk/mike_hawthorn_tribute.html ) and this event promises to be even bigger.
Tuesday, 2 October 2018
Podcast - The 2018 Sensible Car Shootout
Following on from the fantasy world of Goodwood Revival, Graham brings us back down to earth exploring the £10-20,000 new car market.
At the SMMT's test day, he drives the "all new" Dacia Duster, MG3, Citroen C4 Cactus Hatch, and Kia Ceed.
To help with the decision making, Helena considers the car that she would buy in the real world.
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| Dacia Duster |
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| Citroen C4 Cactus Hatch |
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| MG3 |
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| Kia Ceed |
Monday, 1 October 2018
Lewis Hamilton wins - Valtteri Bottas doesn't
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| 2018 Russian Grand Prix, Sunday - Wolfgang Wilhelm |
So what is all the fuss about? Faux-fairness is screaming out of every newspaper headline and media outlet this morning.
The fact is that team orders have been a part of Formula One since its beginning in 1950, so yesterday's team orders for Valtteri to let Lewis into the lead of the Russian Grand Prix was not unique, it was not even uncommon, and is the reality of the business of F1.
As fans we all get excited about the Drivers' Championship, and, yes Lewis will probably now win it, BUT, for the teams, the Constructors' Championship, and the prize money and kudos it brings with it, is far more important.
Ask Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault, Honda, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin. All are in the business of selling themselves, their brand, their cars. For all of them the Drivers' Championship is of secondary importance, despite paying the drivers millions of dollars.
Yesterday, Mercedes' was not the only example of team orders, it was simply the most evident ... and influential on the race result.
Toto clearly took the decision reluctantly, and was contrite afterwards, but he simply had to make the correct "team boss" decision.
Valtteri could have won the race with Lewis second, but Lewis, as the major contributor to the constructor's tally all season, with eight wins so far, could have failed to finish the race if he had become entangled with Vettel, then a close third.
It became an essential strategy call that Valtteri let him through and then keep Vettel at bay so that Mercedes could maximise its points haul... its Constructors' points haul.
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| 2018 Russian Grand Prix, Sunday - Steve Etherington |
Was it a popular decision? NO. Even Lewis was uncomfortable with it! Notice the conversations off mic in parc ferme, and on the podium between the team mates?
Ask Coulthard, Webber, any of Michael Schumacher's team mates ... ask Stirling Moss ... ask ALL the other drivers with team order clauses in their contracts!
Even when the FIA banned team orders it still happened, a coded message was all it took. "Fernando is faster than you" ring any bells?
It sticks in the craw, BUT each understood the importance of their role within the team.
It's simply business. We don't have to like it, we just have to understand why it happens.
Graham Benge
Monday, 10 September 2018
Podcast - Goodwood Revival - A Jolly Good Weekend
Graham, Mike and Jim have a jolly spiffing weekend at the Goodwood Revival 2018, and speak to lots of people who are also convinced that the clocks have been turned back more than 50 years!
They also find that the classic car field is more than just old cars... Technology is helping to keep some beautiful cars on the road.
Useful links:
Bespoke Rallies - Vintage and Classic car rallies around the world
Bonhams - Auctioneers - Cars and Automobilia
Keith Richards' 1972 Ferrari 246 GT Coupé
'Le Venus Noire "Josephine Baker"' - Mascot by A Renevey c.1926
'Le Venus Noire "Josephine Baker"' - Mascot by A Renevey c.1926
Hall & Hall - Preparing and restoring historic single seater and sports racing cars
KW Special Projects - KW Heritage - 3D Scanning
Porsche Classic - Factory restoration of classic Porsche vehicles
Tuesday, 4 September 2018
The trials and tribulations of motoring Sur le Continent
Like any responsible motorist, especially a motoring journalist, planning a long trip I prepared my car thoroughly...
Intending to drive around 1100 miles to southern France, and back, to visit friends lucky enough to have a euro bolt hole, I wanted a trouble free journey. The car I was using is a decade plus old (Classic?) Volvo estate. We needed space for 4 and our luggage.
I gave the car a full service a few days before, including checking all hoses, pipes, belts, exhaust sections, the tyres (including the space saver spare) and cleaning the entire air intake system while replacing the air filter. Oh, and I checked and cleaned the plugs. So far so thorough, but it's an old car so the day's work was well warranted.
Next I checked my tools and packed a small but comprehensive tool kit. A small bottle jack, a jump starter, a tyre-inflator and an aerosol tyre-inflator. A box of spare bulbs and fuses, cable ties and pipe clamps, and finally two warning triangles, two fluorescent vests and an old coat to lay on if needed. So, fully prepared for all eventualities ... or so we thought .. we set off...
The first 250 miles of day 1 were all ok until the roadworks on the motorway. I still don't know what we hit, something sharp on the road, at about 65mph. The front left tyre blew up, and tore itself to pieces.
Luckily no one was close by so we could roll to a hard shoulder halt. Triangle out, vests on, out comes all luggage on the side of the road, off comes a wrecked tyre and on goes the space saver.
It is then I noticed the right front also going down fast. Oh b#######, now we need the tyre aerosol inflator as well and a minor disaster just become a major problem.
Cue my daughter's O level French and mobile phone skills.
She finds a tyre place in the next town still open for just 2 more hours of today (Saturday), but closed on Sunday.
They have two tyres of the right size, and good price, so we limp there.
It's then they tell us, yes, they have the tyres, but are far too busy to fit them... "Come back Monday!!"
Enter teary grandson and pleading daughter and they say ok will do in one hour. 5 minutes later a mechanic appears, and since he has a gap he will do it right now.... brilliant.
Half an hour later we have two new tyres balanced and fitted and are ready to go after parting with 130 euros. They have even taken off the fitting charge as a gesture of goodwill or sympathy. That sum goes to 5 year old grandson as a performance fee!!
However, not all the news is good.
The mechanic explains that the wheel is slightly damaged. And so it proves. Apart from vibrating around 55mph like having a missing wheel weight... it is warped but driveable.
We gently ease speeds up to 70mph/110 kph and all is ok ... phew. Let's hope that its problems are over...
... and they were for the next 850 miles until our journey was almost over.
Leaving the ferry, nearly home, we stalled, or so I at first thought, on the ferry's exit ramp. But car won't restart and ALL the warning lights are lit.
I then stepped out of the car and straight into a puddle of petrol!!
Not good.
Blocking the only exit, crew and several drivers push us off down the ramp and to one side. Time to call the breakdown service, but it's now about 4 am and they tell me earliest they can get to us is 2-3 hours. Ok, so be it... but then I put my thinking head back on...
If the car won't start, all the warning lights come on, and there is only new petrol under the car when I try to start it, there must be a fuel line problem.
Time for a torch and a look underneath. There I find that bumping on the exit ramp has neatly separated the exit pipe from the fuel filter which sits quite low on a V70. I push it back on carefully, and the car starts 3rd turn. Hooray!!
Cancel breakdown call, and DFDS ferry staff even assist us through customs and passport control so we don't have to turn the engine off again!
Soon after, home safely. Tired and relieved!
The moral of this tale .... You can be fully prepared for a trip abroad, reckon you've thought of everything, but two bizarre incidents can still catch you out.
If you want suggestions as to what to carry for emergencies take a look at our "What's in YOUR emergency kit?" video. I was never a Scout but I do try to be prepared.
Graham Benge
Friday, 24 August 2018
Podcast - Musical F1 chairs, FIST in action, and the Mike Hawthorn Grand Prix of Farnham
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| © Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool |
It's the time of year when F1 drivers get restless and start swapping seats... and it is hard to keep track!
The Fiesta ST has been on track, and bringing smiles to a few faces.
And we preview the Total Elf HTX Grand Prix of Farnham on 14th October...
More from www.MikeHawthornGrandPrixOfFarnham.co.uk
UKMotorTalk - Musical F1 chairs, FIST in action, and the Mike Hawthorn Grand Prix of Farnham
To follow the UKMotorTalk podcast, and not miss a thing, go to:
http://shoutengine.com/UKMotorTalk/
To follow the UKMotorTalk podcast, and not miss a thing, go to:
http://shoutengine.com/UKMotorTalk/
Thursday, 9 August 2018
Podcast - Race Prep 101, the New Focus, and Motoring Of The Future
UKMotorTalk's Michael Gates and James Baxter show us their track car, a Fiesta ST that they've acquired for some budget motor sport.
They also discuss the brand new Ford Focus, and its competition in the market sector it joins.
To follow the UKMotorTalk podcast, and not miss a thing, go to:
Monday, 30 July 2018
How to Increase Your Car's Resale Value
Naturally, you’ll want to recoup as much money as possible on a car when the time comes to move it on. While substantial depreciation means that you’ll make a hefty loss on it, there’s still a good chance of getting decent value on it – and possibly taking a whack off the amount of your next purchase – once the vehicle is kept in proper condition and all the paperwork is in order.
The best place to start is to make sure that the basics of the vehicle are working properly and that there is no visible damage. Windscreen wipers, steering wheel controls and lights all need to be bested to ensure that they’re in full working order, while all fluids should be topped up and the car should be given a thorough cleaning inside and out. It won’t do any harm, either, to take the vehicle to your mechanic so that they can check for any major defects which could seriously affect the car’s value. Even if all seems to be well, it’s a good idea to have it serviced while you’re at the garage.
After you’re satisfied that the car is in near-perfect nick, ensure that you have any documentation which the dealer or private buyer will need, such as the registration certificate, service records and history report, along with your most recent insurance policy.
If all that is in order, you stand a good chance of getting an above-average deal on selling the car. If you want to get even greater value from the sale, a little market research goes a long way. Does the car have features that prove popular with motorists? Emphasise these. Is the odometer approaching a significant milestone? Sell it before then, as a car’s value drops notably when it passes a certain landmark (i.e. selling at 99,900 miles will get you a far better deal than 100,050).
Here is an infographic from Woodstock Motors with further tips on how to get the best possible deal on a car resale...
Thanks to: Woodstock Motors
Monday, 23 July 2018
Podcast - William Medcalf Vintage Bentley
UKMotorTalk's Graham Benge sits down for a chat with William Medcalf of William Medcalf Vintage Bentley.
William describes the importance of keeping vintage cars running, and running well using modern technology and business methods.
UKMotorTalk - William Medcalf Vintage Bentley
To follow the UKMotorTalk podcast, and not miss a thing, go to:
http://shoutengine.com/UKMotorTalk/
To follow the UKMotorTalk podcast, and not miss a thing, go to:
http://shoutengine.com/UKMotorTalk/
Monday, 16 July 2018
Goodwood Festival of Speed 2018 - The Podcast
Saturday, 14 July 2018
Saturday Goodwood Sights
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| Sir Jackie Stewart |
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| Lotus Consul |
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| Billy Monger stops for autographs in his Carlin F3 |
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| The Duke poses for photographs! |
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| AMG Petronas F1 |
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| 1968 Alan Mann Racing Escort |
Friday, 13 July 2018
Some Goodwood sights...
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| 1968 FORD MUSTANG FASTBACK (BULLITT – ‘559) |
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| Indy500's Borg-Warner Trophy |
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| The first autonomous race car up the Goodwood hill - Roborace |
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| Le Mans winning Toyota TS050 Hybrid |
The sound of the Supercars
The sound of the cars gathering for the Supercar Run at #festivalofspeed— UKMotorTalk (@ukmotortalk) July 12, 2018
Whatever great things electric cars will achieve, this is one part of the experience that will certainly be missed. pic.twitter.com/Tb3xZuiRG4
Thursday, 12 July 2018
Cartier Style et Luxe @ Goodwood Festival of Speed
A hat-trick of Jaguars...
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| Jaguar XJ220 |
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| 1954 Jaguar XK120 |
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| 1956/1963 Jaguar XK-D |
... and a veteran electric car from 1901!
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| Harrods 1901 Waverley Electric Cleveland 3HP with owner Michael Ward |
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