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, 1 July 2017
Another Flying Finn hits the Hill - Valtteri Bottas
For a relatively small nation, Finland has always proved herself capable of punching well above her weight.
From giving the Soviet Union more than a bloodied nose at the outset of World War Two to being the home of what was - until the dominance of Apple and Samsung - the most successful mobile phone manufacturer ever, this small Nordic country has exerted an influence on the world which is somewhat at odds with her physical proportions.
Some say that this is due to the harsh winters experienced up there resulting in the population being imbued with a grit, determination and resourcefulness required to survive in such inclement and challenging conditions. Others say that it's because they're fuelled by industrial strength Vodka and indeed there is certainly convincing evidence to support both theories..
But Finland's relation to fuel of a different variety - the distillates used to power racing cars rather than the hardy souls who reside there - has played its own part in another area in which Finland has exerted such a seemingly disproportionate influence, namely that of motor sport.
Indeed, if asked to name a rally or Formula One driver of the last few decades who has partied hard yet driven even harder I can pretty much guarantee that at least 2 or 3 of the names proferred will be Finnish.
Stagger forward then Kimi Räikkönen and form an orderly line - in no particular order - alongside Mika Häkkinen, Mika Salo, Juha Kankkunen, Hannu Mikkola, JJ Lehto, Keke Rosberg...
All exemplars in their field and all brought up to learn to drive in the unforgiving Winter conditions of Finland. If you can drive there, then you can probably drive anywhere and indeed, whether it's on the gravel and ice-strewn special stages of the rally circus or the glittering circuits of the Formula One world the Moniker of 'Flying Finn' is an oft-used and generally well-deserved one.
This season in Formula One there are two Finns vying not just for the coveted World Championship Driver crown, but also for the unofficial right to call themselves the current "Flying Finn" and it's arguably an extremely-talented 27 year old who's keeping his illustrious team mate honest at the pointy end of the grid who can lay claim to this cherished title.
For it is Valtteri Bottas sitting in 3rd position in the 2017 Driver's Championship in the Mercedes W08 - a full 2 places and 38 points ahead of his countryman, the Ferrari-driving vodka-enthusiast Kimi Räikkönen - who is doing the business this year.
After having been poached from Williams in the off-season to replace the retiring World Champ (and Finn(ish) himself) Nico Rosberg, Valtteri has been putting in some stunning performances this year already and is in with of shout of the Driver's Title in his debut year with Mercedes - a prospect that must be giving Lewis Hamilton some sleepless nights..
Graham caught up with Valtteri as he got ready to take a previous example of his company car up to the top of the Hill..
UKMotorTalk - Valtteri Bottas at the 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed
Friday, 30 June 2017
Tiff Needell's Forbidden Drives
What cars can't you find in America..? The list is quite long, with some of the world's greatest cars on it! Based on this, Tiff Needell is currently making a TV series with motor sport online streaming channel, Motor Trend On Demand...
Keep up with the NEW UKMT Podcast.... http://shoutengine.com/UKMotorTalk/
Karun Chandhok and the history of Formula One
Always fascinating to talk to, Karun Chandhok certainly knows his stuff...
UKMotorTalk - Karun Chandhok and the history of Formula One
Keep up with the NEW UKMT Podcast.... http://shoutengine.com/UKMotorTalk/
UKMotorTalk - Karun Chandhok and the history of Formula One
Keep up with the NEW UKMT Podcast.... http://shoutengine.com/UKMotorTalk/
It's Go at Goodwood
So here we are again, and after a day spent perusing the wares of the World's motor manufacturers at yesterday's Moving Motor Show the Festival of Speed 2017 is now in full-swing.
Lengthy queues to get into the event - whilst a chore on the clutch foot - (you're getting old, Ed) are a sign that it's going to be another sell-out weekend and already the place is fair bustling with devotees of all things automotive.
Our intrepid team shall be out and about all weekend soaking up the sights, sounds and smells of - if you'll permit us just the one oft-repeated cliche - a most unique event.
As I write this, a Metro 6R4 - possibly one of the more unlikely but incredibly successful rally cars of the 80s is just darting its way past the fearsome flint wall as it heads for the finish line at the top of the hill, whilst endurance racers old and new - some fresh from pounding the tarmac at Le Mans - are lining up, ready for their turn to do the same.
And as the howl of multi-cylindered exotics reverberates around the estate, in a fitting reminder that nothing ever stands still - especially motorsport - we'll be treated to the sight later on - if not perhaps the sound - of the somewhat less frantic-sounding, yet equally-exciting Mahindra Formula E racer which is making its debut here at the Festival.
Piloted by a man who's held the Hill record for 18 years & who plans to best it - former F1 driver Nick Heidfeld - this really would be a remarkable achievement and proof - if ever any were needed - that alternative power is very much today's technology.
Stay tuned - we're here all weekend..
Lengthy queues to get into the event - whilst a chore on the clutch foot - (you're getting old, Ed) are a sign that it's going to be another sell-out weekend and already the place is fair bustling with devotees of all things automotive.
Our intrepid team shall be out and about all weekend soaking up the sights, sounds and smells of - if you'll permit us just the one oft-repeated cliche - a most unique event.
As I write this, a Metro 6R4 - possibly one of the more unlikely but incredibly successful rally cars of the 80s is just darting its way past the fearsome flint wall as it heads for the finish line at the top of the hill, whilst endurance racers old and new - some fresh from pounding the tarmac at Le Mans - are lining up, ready for their turn to do the same.
And as the howl of multi-cylindered exotics reverberates around the estate, in a fitting reminder that nothing ever stands still - especially motorsport - we'll be treated to the sight later on - if not perhaps the sound - of the somewhat less frantic-sounding, yet equally-exciting Mahindra Formula E racer which is making its debut here at the Festival.
Piloted by a man who's held the Hill record for 18 years & who plans to best it - former F1 driver Nick Heidfeld - this really would be a remarkable achievement and proof - if ever any were needed - that alternative power is very much today's technology.
Stay tuned - we're here all weekend..
Thursday, 29 June 2017
Panasonic Jaguar Formula E drivers - Adam Carroll and Mitch Evans
The still relatively new Formula E is growing rapidly, both in popularity and budgets! We speak to Panasonic Jaguar drivers Adam Carroll and Mitch Evans about the world of Formula E...
UKMotorTalk - Panasonic Jaguar Formula E drivers - Adam Carroll and Mitch Evans
Keep up with the NEW UKMT Podcast.... http://shoutengine.com/UKMotorTalk/
Bonhams auction at Festival of Speed - Chairman, Robert Brooks
At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Chairman of Bonhams, Robert Brooks, talks to Graham Benge about the classic car market, how Maserati is the name of everybody's lips, and a nice little Porsche speedster!
Keep up with the NEW UKMT Podcast.... http://shoutengine.com/UKMotorTalk/
Flying Cars - Marco van den Bosch of Pal-V
A vision of the not too distant future... A gyrocopter based flying car, the Pal-V Liberty...
UKMT's Graham Benge talks to Pal-V's Marco van den Bosch.
Visit https://www.pal-v.com/en/ for more details
Keep up with the NEW UKMT Podcast.... http://shoutengine.com/UKMotorTalk/
Audi R8 Spyder V10 Plus - Stephan Winkelmann, Audi Sport CEO
At the unveiling of the new Audi R8 Spyder V10 Plus, Graham Benge speaks to Audi Sport CEO Stephan Winkelmann about its place in the Audi stable, and the future of the marque.
Keep up with the NEW UKMT Podcast.... http://shoutengine.com/UKMotorTalk/
Wednesday, 28 June 2017
From The Archive - Charley Boorman at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2006
In the drivers' garden of the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2006, UKMotorTalk's Graham Benge talks to Charley Boorman about the stresses of the Dakar Rally, and how hard it REALLY is...
UKMotorTalk - From The Archive - Charley Boorman at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2006
Keep up with the NEW UKMT Podcast.... http://shoutengine.com/UKMotorTalk/
UKMotorTalk - From The Archive - Charley Boorman at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2006
Keep up with the NEW UKMT Podcast.... http://shoutengine.com/UKMotorTalk/
Tuesday, 27 June 2017
From The Archive - Renault F1 car sings La Marseillaise at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2006
From The Archive: Goodwood Festival of Speed 2006
Renault's F1 team show off their engine's party trick...
UKMotorTalk - From The Archive - Renault F1 cars sings La Marseillaise at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2006
Keep up with the NEW UKMT Podcast.... http://shoutengine.com/UKMotorTalk/
Renault's F1 team show off their engine's party trick...
UKMotorTalk - From The Archive - Renault F1 cars sings La Marseillaise at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2006
Keep up with the NEW UKMT Podcast.... http://shoutengine.com/UKMotorTalk/
From The Archive - Sir Frank Williams at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
The second interview as we look back into our archive is Graham Benge talking to Sir Frank Williams...
UKMotorTalk - From The Archive - Sir Frank Williams at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
Keep up with the NEW UKMT Podcast.... http://shoutengine.com/UKMotorTalk/
UKMotorTalk - From The Archive - Sir Frank Williams at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
Keep up with the NEW UKMT Podcast.... http://shoutengine.com/UKMotorTalk/
Monday, 26 June 2017
From The Archive - Nico Rosberg at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
In the run up to this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, we look back through the archive to find some classic interviews....
Here UKMotorTalk's Graham Benge talks to Nico Rosberg back in the days when he was at Williams.
UKMotorTalk - From The Archive - Nico Rosberg at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
Keep up with the NEW UKMT Podcast.... http://shoutengine.com/UKMotorTalk/
Friday, 2 June 2017
How TV used to be... Fiat X19 review
Thames Television's "Drive In" reporter, Tony Bastable, demonstrates the sporty Fiat X19.
Tuesday, 30 May 2017
Is the new car market still doing well?
With so much uncertainty with the economy and changes to road tax and emission legislation, are we still buying new cars in the same numbers?
UKMT's Graham Benge talks to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Chief Executive, Mike Hawes, to find out...
Friday, 19 May 2017
Wednesday, 17 May 2017
What will Alonso be driving at Indy 500..?
If you've been wondering what Fernando Alonso will be driving at Indianapolis, Motorsport.tv have kindly produced a 3D model of the McLaren Honda Andretti indycar with mention on many of the differences between it and Fernando's usual runabout....
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