ON TRACK W/FLORIDA’S SARASOTA CAFÉ RACERS!

Some of our members do more than “break bread & tell lies “at our lunches. Here are some examples of ON TRACK W/FLORIDA’S SARASOTA CAFÉ RACERS! 

ON TRACK W/FLORIDA’S SARASOTA CAFÉ RACERS!ON TRACK W/FLORIDA’S SARASOTA CAFÉ RACERS!Few enthusiast events have the appeal of the Goodwood Revival, and one of ON TRACK W/FLORIDA’S SARASOTA CAFÉ RACERS! Howard Mintz just came back from an exhilarating trip to Goodwood. It included riding “shotgun” with vintage racing car and Ford GT collector Gary Bartlett in his GT40 Mark III, the first customer car of seven built, up the iconic hill! A while back, Howard had struck up a relationship with Gary at Amelia Island, and Gary promised him a ride in his GT40 if he came to the Revival. Gary’s Mark III, chassis #1103, has been beautifully restored to its original 1969 condition and is kept in England for vintage racing events.

Michael McKee and Jeff Cripe (along with friend Paul Azan) will be racing Mike’s #169 BMW (ITR Class) this Saturday, Sept. 20th, in the SCCA Four-Hour Enduro under the lights at Daytona. SCCA is racing all weekend long with one stream for each day.  But be sure to tune in for their Enduro main event at 5 pm Saturday.

Saturday: https://youtube.com/live/TLNztT9cVKc

Sunday: 2025 SARRC Invitational Challenge @ Daytona – Sunday Championship Race Coverage LIVE

ON TRACK W/FLORIDA’S SARASOTA CAFÉ RACERS!Maserati has just announced that they are starting construction on the last MCXtrema racercar, #62 of 62, and it will be going to Sarasota, FL. Historic racer and collector Michael Moss will be taking delivery of the single-seater that’s been called The Beast from Modena. Yeah, he’ll bring it to lunch!

For more information about ON TRACK W/FLORIDA’S SARASOTA CAFÉ RACERS! And the Goodwood Revival, please visit https://www.goodwood.com/motorsport/goodwood-revival/

ROYAL ROVERS @ GOODWOOD REVIVAL

A unique convoy of ROYAL ROVERS @ GOODWOOD REVIVAL paid tribute today to HM Queen Elizabeth II on the first anniversary of her death.

ROYAL ROVERS @ GOODWOOD REVIVAL

In a unique moment of remembrance today, a fleet of nine historic Defender and Range Rover models, navigated the famous track as part of the annual Goodwood Revival. The commemorative drive featured JLR vehicles used by the Royal family in either an official capacity or privately as part of the household fleet. It included vehicles from the Royal fleet, JLR Classic and private collections.

In total, 11 historic models attended the event, with two of the earliest Royal vehicles – the first Series I State Review vehicle and a Series I ordered by HM King George VI – as part of the ROYAL ROVERS @ GOODWOOD REVIVAL on display. It was the first time this unique collection had ever been gathered.

“We are proud of our Royal associations, which stretch back to the very origins of the business, and wanted to honor HM Queen Elizabeth II with a fitting tribute on the anniversary of her passing. We have never gathered such an extensive collection of Royal vehicles in this way and the commemorative parade was a fitting moment of remembrance”, said Lennard Hoornik, Chief Commercial Officer, JLR.

The DNA of the original Series Land Rovers that began JLR’s strong Royal associations is still very much in evidence in today’s Land Rover brands, from the durable Defender, refined Range Rover and versatile Discovery.

Static Display ROYAL ROVERS @ GOODWOOD REVIVAL

ROYAL ROVERS @ GOODWOOD REVIVAL

Series I State Review vehicle

The very first State Review Land Rover featured a custom-designed rear platform and accompanied HM Queen Elizabeth II and HM The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on a six-month tour of the Commonwealth. It forms part of the Royal Collection at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon.

Series I (LXC 894D)

Originally ordered by HM King George VI, it was used by HM Queen Elizabeth II and other senior members of the Royal Family at Balmoral. It was restored in 2010 by Land Rover apprentices and now resides in the Land Rover Classic collection.

Commemorative Parade ROYAL ROVERS @ GOODWOOD REVIVAL

Prototype (HAC 379)

One of the original 1948 pre-production prototypes, of which only 48 were made. It wears the chassis number L31 and was used for test, development and publicity operations alongside its sister vehicle, R32, in which role it was pictured with HM King George VI. It now belongs to a private collector.

Series II State Review Vehicle               

The second official ceremonial review Land Rover featured blue side light lenses, which were switched on whenever a member of the Royal family was being carried. This example was a reserve vehicle, which explains its low mileage of approximately 13,000 miles. It forms part of the Royal Collection at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon.

Series IIa Station Wagon (OGU 362D)

Driven by HM Queen Elizabeth II, this was the first Station Wagon of its kind to be fitted with a six-cylinder engine. It also features a host of special features including leather seats, a wooden dog guard and side steps, to help it fulfil its Royal duties. It now forms part of the Royal Collection at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon.

1974 Range Rover State Review Vehicle

The first Range Rover to take the role of ceremonial State Review vehicle entered service in 1975 and was used until 2002. Its specially modified rear included foldaway seats and a lectern containing concealed umbrellas. An additional exhaust silencer ensured noise from the V8 engine was kept to a minimum for its Royal passengers. It now forms part of the Royal Collection at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon.

Defender 130 ‘Jumbo’

With three doors on each side, this long wheelbase Defender 130 is nicknamed Jumbo and was modified for the Royal Family to support outings at the Sandringham Estate, where it is still a working vehicle. It took its place in the Goodwood Revival parade after obtaining approval from HM King Charles III.

1990 Range Rover State Review Vehicle

The third State Review Range Rover featured in the image chosen by HM Queen Elizabeth II for her 1994 Christmas card, where she and HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, were pictured attending the 50th Anniversary of D-Day Landings in Arromanches. This vehicle is part of the British Motor Museum collection.

Defender 110 V8

A personal vehicle used by HM Queen Elizabeth II at the Sandringham estate. This vehicle is part of the private Royal collection and, having been commissioned by HM The King, is part of the active Royal fleet.

2009 Range Rover (CK58 NPJ)

There are numerous pictures of HM Queen Elizabeth II behind the wheel of this Range Rover, as it was her favoured vehicle after it joined the fleet. The famous Labrador mascot that adorned the bonnet has been removed for safekeeping.

2015 Range Rover State Review Vehicle

The current Range Rover State Review vehicle dates from 2015, is based on a long wheelbase model and features diesel electric hybrid propulsion – enabling it to run on purely electric power during state occasions. It was designed and engineered by JLR’s Special Vehicle Operations division.

For more information about the latest models, please visit https://www.landroverusa.com/range-rover/range-rover/index.html?gclsrc=ds

GT40 UNCOVERED!

Showcasing original technical drawings, cutaways and period photos, GT40 UNCOVERED! treats readers to a unique look at the engineering story of Ford’s multiple Le Mans winners: GT40, Mark II and Mark IV.

GT40 UNCOVERED!GT40 UNCOVERED is more than simply a book. It’s a lavish production of a condensed research library, giving the reader rare access to the evolution of Ford’s iconic Le Mans-winning GT racecar via an almost endless cache of archival blueprints, drawings and photos. There are more than 250 original technical drawings, plus illustrations, graphics supporting period photos. Coverage also includes the Mark I and Mark III GT40 road cars. Calling GT40 UNCOVERED! “a book” is akin to labeling Ferrari’s 250 GTO, “a car.”

GT40 UNCOVERED!

From birth as Roy Lunn’s Lola MK6-influenced Ford GT to the retired Le Mans winning Mark IV, this museum-quality book not only covers the interior and exterior details of each car line, but chapters are devoted to Concept, Chassis, Engines & Transmissions (transaxles) as well as Suspension, Brakes & Steering. The engine chapter covers the 255 Indy, 289 race and road, small-block Gurney Weslake and the 427 that powered the 1966 and 1967 Le Mans-winning Mark IIs. Plus, stunning cutaways of Claude Nahum’s GT/101 R, and GT40 P/1078 and Mark II P/1016.

To better understand the quality presentation of this book – a 176-page, cloth-covered hardback measuring 16.5 x 16.5 inches – one only has to look at the resumes of its author and co-author, Claude Nahum and Steve Rendle, respectively. Nahum raced while he was going to engineering college and in 2002 bought his first GT40 and competed in historic racing. Since then, he has owned a second GT40 and has commissioned two concours-quality recreations. He owns a treasure-trove of original GT40 drawings, but is probably best known for his GT/101 R, a superb recreation of the long-gone first Ford GT prototype, above, currently on display at the museum at Le Mans.

One of the high points Nahum experienced while working on this book was taking legendary Ford racing engine builder Mose Nowland for a ride in GT/101 R at Goodwood, above. Nowland was involved in the building of 427 Le Mans engines at Ford Engineering and was the recipient of the Spirit of Ford award in 2005 for 57 years as a Senior Motorsports Engineer. Co-Author Rendle is a passionate motorsports enthusiast, technical writer, editor, author, and publishing project manager.

Considering its size, price ($420 to $600) and quality, exactly who was this oversize, highly technical tome actually written for? Certainly, not the enthusiast looking to add another coffee table book to his collection. However, if you own a real Ford GT, GT40, Mark II, are considering buying, or in the process, of restoring one, or constructing a replica, it was written for you. Racing historians, research libraries, and racecar museum curators should own copies.

GT40 UNCOVERED!

As an automotive journalist, author, editor of Hi-Performance CARS magazine in the 1960s-1970s, who road tested the prototype GT40 Mark III in 1967, was longtime friend of the late GT40 Godfather, Roy Lunn, left, and owner of a 2006 Ford GT, I highly recommend this impressive tome.

Because of the limited number produced (365 copies), I suggest ordering now or be prepared to pay a lot more when copies pop-up on the secondary market. For more information about GT40 UNCOVERED! ordering details, pricing and its publisher, please visit, https://porterpress.co.uk/products/ford-gt40-book

Goodwood Festival of Speed to celebrate 50 years of BMW M

Gareth Herincx

3 days ago
Auto News

Goodwood Festival of Speed Central to celebrate 50 years of BMW M

The Central Feature at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed will pay homage to half century of BMW’s Motorsport division.

The impressive sculpture at the event, which takes place between June 23-26, will showcase some of the most iconic models developed by BMW M.

Since the first Central Feature in 1997, the Goodwood Festival of Speed has become synonymous with the bold and innovative sculptures which each year celebrate the extraordinary achievements of a different manufacturer or milestone.

BMW’s Motorsport division was launched in May 1972 with only 35 employees. However, it soon became one of the most successful racing departments in the world.

Today, BMW M GmbH stands for compelling driving every day on the road, as well as on the racetrack – and 2022 sees BMW M celebrate its 50th anniversary, with a number of exciting launches and celebrations planned throughout the year, including the Festival of Speed’s monumental Central Feature.

Attendees of the Goodwood Festival of Speed can look forward to seeing BMW M’s most celebrated vehicles take to the Hill across the weekend, with many of its famous drivers behind the wheel alongside other special moments.

BMW will be present in two main locations; BMW M at Trackside and within the iconic Stable Yard – both locations will enable visitors to see the latest cars up close.

“We are delighted to be celebrating 50 years of BMW’s hugely successful Motorsport division at this year’s Festival of Speed, and it is especially fitting as we prepare to honour ‘The Innovators – Masterminds of Motorsport’,” said the Duke of Richmond.

“BMW M’s success can of course be attributed to half a century of innovation and we look forward to honouring the marque’s past, present and future achievements at Goodwood in June.”

Check Also


Volvo C40 Recharge

Why running an EV makes financial sense

The annual running cost of an electric vehicle is now £579 cheaper on average than a …

Boxing champ Nicola’s knockout new motor

Gareth Herincx

4 hours ago
Auto News

Polestar and Nicola Adams in new partnership

Double Olympic gold medallist Nicola Adams and Swedish electric performance car brand Polestar have announced an official partnership.

The 39-year-old’s first Polestar experience was at the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed during a passenger ride up the famous hill climb in an experimental version of the 100% electric Polestar 2.

Now, as a member of the Polestar family, Nicola’s taken delivery of a Polestar 2 Long range Dual motor. The 100% electric performance fastback is capable of travelling up to 299 miles on a single charge and accelerating from 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds.

Nicola-Adams-drives-her-new-Polestar-2

The partnership cements Polestar’s focus on performance, while bringing sustainable personal mobility to a new audience via the retired boxer’s following.

Nicola recently launched her own documentary film, Lioness, which tracks her inspirational journey to becoming the first female Olympic boxing champion. A common theme in the film is the sexism she faced as a young female athlete.

Polestar hopes the partnership “will foster further opportunities to stand together for a more sustainable, equitable and innovative future”.

“I am passionate about making sustainable choices and doing my bit to help the environment and tackle climate change, starting with what I’m driving,” said the former Strictly Come Dancing star.

“Being 100% electric, the Polestar 2 ticks that box perfectly. It also doesn’t hurt that the design is sleek, it features the latest tech such as Google Assistant, and it’s the perfect size for myself, Ella and our dog.”

The equal rights champion added: “I am so excited about this partnership, hopefully it will inspire more people to go electric.”

Check Also


Lotus-Elise-Exige-and-Evora-productions ends

End of an era at Lotus

Production of the Lotus Elise, Exige and Evora sports cars has ended in readiness for …