Some people look at me in a very strange manner when the subject of Porsche 911 driving techniques are mentioned. There’s actually a very large slice of people out there who just don’t ‘get it’. I know good drivers, experienced people, who’ve driven Porsche 911′s and simply don’t like them, cannot see what all the fuss is about. “Engine’s in the wrong bloody place, I prefer my Ferrari any day…” I sympathise and try and explain, reminded of my own first Porsche 911 experience. Then right after … [Read more...] about Driving Tips – Why Learning to Drive a Porsche 911 Takes a Little Time
Drive - Automotive Thoughts and The Process of Driving
I've worked in the automotive and motorsport industries for several decades, from selling specialist cars to working as a freelance writer and, for more than a decade, as a professional track driver coach.
Today, automotive work forms a smaller part of my life. However, the driving element of my life still forms a strong creative outlet for me.
While for many, driving is an evil to be endured, to get to and from work. For me, on the right roads, in the right car, on the right day, it forms a vital part of my creative output.
It's also one of the places in my life where I achieve 'flow', a subject I will be writing much more about.
Three Porsche Drive Videos non-Porsche Owners Must Watch
If you are one of those drivers who doesn’t really ‘get’ the whole Porsche thing, then you must watch these three videos. People who are addicted to the Porsche 911 feel will know exactly what Richard Meaden is talking about. For those who are unconverted, we've written elsewhere about how it takes time to get to know a Porsche 911, so perhaps you simply haven’t spent enough time behind the wheel of them. There’s no doubt that Porsche 911’s aren’t for everyone. And I wouldn’t like it if they … [Read more...] about Three Porsche Drive Videos non-Porsche Owners Must Watch
Those California Backroads and Air Cooled Porsches
I have to admit, when I visited Los Angeles a while ago, I was rather puzzled. I'd often read of the California air cooled Porsche scene, but driving around the streets of downtown LA, I couldn't figure out where on earth these owners would go to drive their cars. Even if you escaped the traffic gridlock for a while, the endless glare of the wide concrete highways, added to the poor shape of the downtown roads, made me think that actually, you're probably going to damage an air cooled Porsche … [Read more...] about Those California Backroads and Air Cooled Porsches
Driving the Elva Mk7
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]For many, the definitive 1960’s sports racing car was the Lotus 23 and 23B. The elegant lines represented everything that was desirable at the time of booming clubman and sports car racing on road circuits and with more than 100 built, it was a popular seller for Colin Chapman. However, there is a less well know sports racing car that, on it’s day, was every bit as effective as the Lotus and which was considerably less numerous on the historic racing car … [Read more...] about Driving the Elva Mk7
Le Mans to Tours via that Mulsanne Straight
Anyone who has visited the Le Mans Museum right alongside the circuit entrance will be left with a burning desire to go and investigate the Mulsanne Straight. The desire to own a grey Porsche 911, stop half way down and light up a Gitance while resting your backside on the ARMCO is a feeling that I’m sure many of us have felt. For many though, the Museum visit is just part of a drive further south. So if, like us, you won’t have time to drive the whole public sections of the track, there’s … [Read more...] about Le Mans to Tours via that Mulsanne Straight
The New Porsche 911R – There’s Life in The Heel Toe Gearshift Yet.
Just when I thought that the 997 GT3 4.0RS was quite probably the last definitive, cerebral Porsche 911, Andreas Peuninger’s team introduce the 911R. In an interview with Evo’s Henry Catchpole, Andreas sets the record straight on his ethos as design head. His passion for driving is clearly evident as he talks about the process that went into developing the 911R. Throughout the chat, he talks far more about the engineering that goes into the feel and pleasure of driving the 911R that the bare … [Read more...] about The New Porsche 911R – There’s Life in The Heel Toe Gearshift Yet.
On Track in The Charente – Circuite de Haute Saintonge in France
France has a rich history of motor racing and while the country did not have the huge number of redundant post war military airfields that started motorsport in the UK, if you're enjoying a driving holiday in France, they have some truly superb tracks for driving and competing. The walled town of Angouleme in The Charente is famous for the Circuit des Remparts street race. Each September, the town centre is closed as historic racing cars from all eras converge for a spectacular, maniac street … [Read more...] about On Track in The Charente – Circuite de Haute Saintonge in France
Porsche Cayman GT4 Road Trip
We know several Porsche Cayman GT4 owners. Without exception,, they are of the traditional Porsche owning breed. While they have an eye for investment and they care for their cars, they are first and foremost drivers, not polishers. Their GT4’s will be for driving, not posing. We talk to driver coach Mike Marot about his yellow Cayman GT4 and why he decided a Spanish road trip was a good way to run it in. This is the first on a series of Cayman GT4 opinions from people who’ve bought the car to … [Read more...] about Porsche Cayman GT4 Road Trip
Autodromo De Terramar – The Sleeping Legend
It’s early, before 9:00am, but even in late September, the heat of the day is making itself felt in Catalonia. I’m in Sitges, just south of Barcelona in Spain, tracking down a circuit I’d heard mention of on occasion, but had never really been able to find out much about. While Sitges may be more widely known as the gay capital of Spain, for me, the Autodromo Terramar holds significantly more fascination. Built in the hedonistic, golden age of the birth of modern motorsport, Autodromo Terramar … [Read more...] about Autodromo De Terramar – The Sleeping Legend
Jaguar F Type S Convertible
The Dynamic Mode including Active Exhaust of the Jaguar F Type S stays set when you switch off the engine. Unlike many other cars with these options, your settings remain as you left them when you return. The owners handbook says that it remains that way for eight hours. It's 6.00 am, the neat alloy door handle flips outwards as it senses the key in my pocket. As I slid down into the seat, the thought passed through my mind, “How long since I parked it?” Because when I push the anodised Start … [Read more...] about Jaguar F Type S Convertible
Brumos Porsche B59 – The Full Story of the Exclusive Porsche 911
Brumos have been in the Porsche business since 1959, both as certified dealers and one time South Eastern USA Porsche distributor in Jacksonville, Florida and also in motorsport as Brumos Racing. Their heritage is almost as impressive as the factory itself and the Brumos Porsche YouTube channel is a great one to subscribe to. Their recent ‘catch up’ video by filmmaker Frazer Spowart shows what has happened to the five Porsche B59 GTS cars from 2011. But Google the term and you don’t get much … [Read more...] about Brumos Porsche B59 – The Full Story of the Exclusive Porsche 911
Racing in The Street
It's been a while. A while since I drove an early, well sorted, lightweight 911. I seem to have spent to much of my time recently in 996 and 997 Turbos. Brutal power of course, with the thrill of the on-boost whoosh throwing you at the horizon as if you'd just left the deck of an aircraft carrier. You learn to drive them not on throttle response, but on boost sensitivity, feeling for the onset of the boost building and driving accordingly. Sometimes even as your foot is lifting the boost is … [Read more...] about Racing in The Street
Is This The World’s Rarest Porsche 959?
I first saw this car towards the end of 2011. I was visiting Specialist Cars of Malton, based in Yorkshire, UK, on the pretext of another car photo shoot. Owner John Hawkins gestures, "Here, let me show you this", heading to a side door. Anyone knowing John will be aware that you should be very cautious when he says things like that. You should also check the bottom of a coffee cup before accepting it. Opening a side door, we're looking at an immaculate, Guards Red Porsche 959. Rare, but not … [Read more...] about Is This The World’s Rarest Porsche 959?
Stealth Fighter – Driving the Jaguar XF Sportbrake
OK here’s some interesting numbers. 2,000 rpm, 8th gear (yes, 8th), 95 mph, 41mpg.That’s the complete recipe for pan-European progress in the Jaguar XF Sportbrake 3.0 turbo diesel. I’m impressed and the more I drive it, the more I’m smitten. Not just by it’s looks, as I think it’a one of the best looking sports-estate cars out there right now, but by it’s combination of relaxed motorway cruising ability and it’s almost Jeckle and Hyde like ability to transform into a very agile cross country … [Read more...] about Stealth Fighter – Driving the Jaguar XF Sportbrake
Mr Blue Sky – Jaguar XKR-S Driven
As the bright blue car burbled it's way into the distance, the exhaust was still set as I left it, popping and crackling in Dynamic Mode, the carbon blade rear wing slowly getting smaller, my driving licence heaved a sigh of relief in my wallet. My Shell points card, of course, was sad to see the XKR-S depart, but my pink licence had grown grey hair and crows feet over the last seven days undertaking the Jaguar XKRS review. The horns on my head slowly disappeared and my forked tail fell off. … [Read more...] about Mr Blue Sky – Jaguar XKR-S Driven
Lexus RX450h Review – We take the F Sport to the historic motorsport town of Angouleme
As I mentioned in the first part of our Lexus RX450h review, Twenty Minutes In post, I'd forgotten the unique feel of Lexus build quality. Even today, with the intense competition chasing the quality mantra very hard indeed, it has an ambience unlike other luxury brands. The combination of technology, soft compliant ride and that quality atmosphere. It's not that Mercedes, Jaguar, BMW are poorly built, far from it. But the Lexus brand has certainly developed a unique feel to it these days. Bear … [Read more...] about Lexus RX450h Review – We take the F Sport to the historic motorsport town of Angouleme