UKMotorTalk

Saturday, 6 October 2018

We're Moving!!

The UKMotorTalk blog has now moved to within the main UKMotorTalk website at:

UKMotorTalk.co.uk

See you there!

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.

More details can be found on the event's website:
www.MikeHawthornGrandPrixOfFarnham.co.uk

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.

UKMotorTalk - The 2018 Sensible Car Shootout

To follow the UKMotorTalk podcast, and not miss a thing, go to:
http://shoutengine.com/UKMotorTalk/

Dacia Duster

Citroen C4 Cactus Hatch

MG3

Kia Ceed

Monday, 1 October 2018

Lewis Hamilton wins - Valtteri Bottas doesn't

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.

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.

UKMotorTalk - Goodwood Revival - A Jolly Good Weekend Of Motoring

To follow the UKMotorTalk podcast, and not miss a thing, go to:
http://shoutengine.com/UKMotorTalk/

Useful links:

Bespoke Rallies - Vintage and Classic car rallies around the world

Bonhams - Auctioneers - Cars and Automobilia

1968-69 Ford P68 F3L

Keith Richards' 1972 Ferrari 246 GT Coupé
'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