The Supercar Kids Issue 4 - December 2012
The New Shmeemobile Is Here Earlier this year I flew to Germany for a visit to Ingolstadt, home of all things Audi. In 35 degree sunshine I was allowed an opportunity to roam wild in the local roads in an R8 V10 Spyder, not just any R8 I must confess as it featured a number of performance upgrades from Motoren Technik Mayer (MTM) including a power boost to 588hp. Knowing full-well my former car, an Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster was nearing 3 years of age and due to run out of warranty - a position I wasn't overly enthusiastic about, my mind was slowly starting to consider what to buy next. This wasn't the principal nature of my visit - it was to shoot a video overview of the car (found here http://bit.ly/MTMR8) - but that day was to be quite a pivotal one.
Having never previously driven an R8, it was a complete eye-opener; the balance and composure of the car feeling an absolute dream, the sporty R-Tronic gearbox firing away in a style the Vantage simply couldn't achieve even though they are similar systems. Endless laughs as the car popped and crackled away on overrun and downshifts - although to clarify the MTM exhaust system packed quite a punch on this front.
I quote from my video of the R8 Spyder, "I want one of these for myself" and a few months later it was to be! Having started the hunt then for the right car with criteria set on a V10 Spyder, very specifically fitted with the normal V10 10-Y-spoke style wheels and a decent specification it was limited to very few cars available on the market.
Watching them come and go over the months it was a while before my ideal model arrived; Sepang Blue paintwork, black interior with white contrast stitching, extended leather package, carbon atlas inlays, reverse camera - the spec was loaded. Fortunately the V10 Spyder model has most of the 'normal' stuff that Audi charge through the roof for included but still this car will have carried an original list price around ÂŁ132,000. That is the exact reason I chose to buy a used model, the lowly 7,000 miles that had previously been driven brought the price down by around ÂŁ50,000 with the car still feeling almost new.
Major reasons for choosing the R8 are my intended plans to drive a minimum of 12,000 miles over the next year with trips to various European countries; a good servicing schedule and comparible affordability to other cars in the class paid a key component. Not to mention the confidence and reliability when a long way from home. I previously owned an S5 Cabriolet also in Sepang Blue and had enjoyed that experience. The first month has been no exception with 1,300 miles driven including a visit to family in Yorkshire and fantastic fun on sweeing country lanes, a far cry from the usual traffic of central London.
From putting down my deposit, it was just 72 hours until I was to pick up the car, one I had been to visit as soon as it arrived on the market. Being winter and the early arrival of darkness, jumping in with very little instruction at the close of the day meant for an awkward drive home, but safe in the knowledge the new Shmeemobile had arrived, already armed with my number plate.
There are so many good points about the car; the level of technology is great; the nav system letting you know which fuel stations are coming up so I can plan my Shell V-Power trips, reversing camera for backing up to the line when you can't really judge the length of the rear, driver computer with all the info you could need and options to scroll though, and let's not forget quite how blisteringly quick it is. I knew it would be fast, but genuinely I think the first time I put my foot down in Sport mode I actually scared myself with the rate it accelerated. One of my favourite features is the ability to lower the rear window, driving in rain or shine it really lets you hear those downshifts if you'd rather keep the roof up; on which note, WOW the downshifts! It's such an immense noise followed by some light popping and crackling - I don't think anybody in their right mind could get bored of the sound.
With any car there are always some bad things and by far the weakest point of the R8 Spyder is the severely limited boot space. 100 litres in an awkward shape does not allow for heavy packing, my first Eurotrip with the car will certainly be an interesting experiment. A minor issue is how the rear window is too much vertical glass that in your rear view mirror at night, all you see is reflections of the oncoming cars as if they were behind you, it can be very disorientating but is easily solved by dropping the window.
My car came with a few minor problems; there is some sort of weird squealing noise from the rear-left wheel/brake, there's a rattle when you have the rear window up that goes when it's down, and the bonnet doesn't properly unlatch on one side every time; but all of these are now fixed under warranty. Another bad point - so many trips to petrol stations! However I'm not one to complain, turning that key is a special moment every single time, and long may it continue to be. I have plans to look into a potential wrap for the car, a change of exhaust system, potentially a remap and who knows what else! Watch this space in The Supercar Kids for further updates in the future as changes are made and I can report back on the ownership experience of an Audi R8 V10 Spyder. The photoshoot attached to this article is the work of light-painting genius, Nick Williams from NWVT Automotive Photography. Shot in pitch black over a series of images with specific lighting techniques the car really pops out from the background. Nick has the style down to a fine art and is available for private car shoots via his website www.nwvt.co.uk.
Don't forget to head over to my YouTube channel, Shmee150, to see all of my supercar adventures and video uploads. Article by Tim Burton Photography by NWVT Automotive Photography
Editorial Thank you for picking up the fourth issue of The Supercar Kids magazine. In this instalment we bring you the month's latest supercar news from around the world after we first look at TSK Travel and Technology tips. Here you'll find some in-depth coverage of the 2012 SEMA show in Las Vegas and we also took a trip to Top Gear Live UK. During the last month we also held another event of our own, Bringing Monte Carlo to London. This issue features a look at how the world of supercars can contribute to charitable causes with the likes of Gandys Flip-Flops and Mo My Ride. In addition we've also put together a variety of great reading, including the last 11 Speed Record Holders, the Need for Speed Most Wanted launch event, the Monza Rally Show and the Zurich Autoshow. Thank you for reading and we hope you will join us again next month.
Mahmood Ansari - Founder & Director Tim Burton - Managing Partner Adam Gordon - Creative Director
Contributors Rick Hollister Gurps Kandola Philippe Collinet Louis Karsenbarg Fayaz Ismail Filip Kovacic Alex Brogan Daniele Abbondanza Matt Clifford Arnaud Bailly
Sponsored By
Shmee150
Supercar News
The changes to the Venom don’t end in the engine bay. In addition to the engine upgrade, the new Venom GT2 will have an optional 7-speed paddle-shift transmission. By now, most petrol-heads and speed The GT2’s body is altered slightly from the demons have at least heard of the mighty Hennessey Performance GT, the infamous old Venom GT. Air dams, reshaped mirrors Bugatti-fighter created by John Hennessey. and the overall body shape have been tunnel-tested and reshaped accordingly to Previous models of the Venom GT boasted provide maximum aerodynamic efficiency. horsepower figures in the 1200+ range, and The Venom GT’s active wing will remain, providing adequate downforce to keep maintained 0-60 time under 2.5 seconds. those back wheels down. As if that wasn’t enough for some, Hennessey Performance plans to crank the In addition to the performance and aerodypower into the 1500+ area with the help of namic changes, a few styling and functiona new 7 litre twin-turbo V8 engine. ality changes were implemented as well. The pushed-out roof allows for more head While exact figures aren’t set in stone, the room for taller Venom owners. Lastly, the power to weight ratio of the more powerful 2013 model is rumored to work out to more exterior styling is rumored to look more aggressive and unique in comparison to the than 1 horsepower per 1 kg of car, which would make it the industry leader in power- older Venom GT models. Hopefully that will save some owners from the all-too-common to-weight ratio for the hypercar market. “Is that a Lotus?” question at local car With figures like 1500 horsepower, and meets. previous 0-60 times as quick as 2.2 seconds, we expect the Venom GT2 to be Article by Adam Gordon one of the scariest cars in a straight line. 2013 Hennessey Venom GT2 set to push Power to Weight Ratio Even Further.
TSK TRAVEL:
RALLY BARBADOS When many petrol-heads and rally fans from around the world are looking for an international adventure, the Caribbean is often overlooked. However, with the rising poularity of the rally scene in the islands, this rubber-burning paradise will no longer remain in the shadows of the big players.
In recent years, the rally scene has found its way to several Caribbean nations, such as Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago. Within the Caribbean, Rally Barbados is the most popular on an international level, and upon closer examination, we find that it’s not just because Barbados has a lower crime rate. The culture here is unforgettable, and as with any rally event, the fans are as passionate as the drivers themselves.
Annually, Rally Barbados attracts well over 100 teams to the 24-year old tradition of rallying across the island. Drivers and fans come from all corners of the globe, including competitors from Canada, Australia, Japan, South Africa, United States, and most commonly, the UK. Some of the cars featured in the rally are ex-WRC cars which are right at home on the streets of Barbados. For some drivers, this coming together of car and island culture is the highlight of the year. Paul Bird, the 2005 UK National Rally Champion and the winner of Rally Barbados 2012 said, "This win means more to me than the British Rally championship". When talking to locals and Caribbean nationals, it’s easy to see why Rally Barbados has become a hot-spot for rally enthusiasts. The energy on the island is electrifying. The fans are engaged, the officials are friendly and the road course is one of a kind. With Rally Barbados growing in size yearly, we’ll be keeping our eye on the island Rally scene. If you’re looking for an exciting vacation, Barbados is one destination you can’t overlook. For more info, check out http://www.rallybarbados.bb/ Article by Adam Gordon
Photography courtesy of Rally Barbados
TSK Tech: Veho Established in 2006 in the UK, Veho was formed with a plan to become a fresh, energetic and unique consumer electronics brand. Since conception, it has already created a strong global market presence and become one of the world’s fastest growing consumer electronics brands. With a focus on strong brand indentity, attractive retail-friendly packaging and accessible retail price points, Veho continues to take market share from traditional names. Veho’s product range blends niche with mainstream and fulfils consumer’s ever increasing love for technology and gadgets. Veho's in-house product design team are dedicated to planning, creating and building products without compromise. We decided to test out their innovative products starting with the Pebble, a portable power gadget, and have to saw we were impressed. It does exactly what it says on the box, and more. We deliberately used up all the power of our laptop while travelling and working on something important, just to see if Veho could save the day. They sure did! Within just a few seconds our laptop was charging without the need for any panic. The Pebble Pro Portable Battery pack has the ability to charge most popular mobile phones, laptops and tables to give the consumer a minimum of 2-5 hours usage depending on the device. It is a must-have emergency battery pack when you need power on the go and it can easily fit in your coat pocket or bag. The device can simply be plugged in and charged for quick power boosts on the fly. Next we tested their 360 earphones. The sound quality is great on everything we tried, an iPhone, iPod, various other mobile devices and even a Walkman we managed to dig up! The appearance is definitely unique and the flex 'anti-tangle' cord system makes it much less of a hassle to keep them in your pocket while not in use. Their design allows them to fit perfectly in your ears without worrying that the will fall out. These stylish 360 noise isolating earphones allow you to hear your personal soundtrack the way it was meant to be enjoyed.
Now in the mood for music, we were excited to test out the 360 Bluetooth Wireless Speaker straight away. The perfect size to be portable, it stands only at 6.5cm high with a diameter of 5.5cm and contains a rechargeable battery that allows a playback up to 5hrs. What we loved about this speaker is the fact that is also contains a microSD slot, so if you happen to be stuck with an empty iPod list but a phone full with music, you can simply insert the microSD card in the speaker and save your house party, or continuing to dance away alone when no one is watching, Finally, as if we weren’t enjoying playing with all the other products, we tested Veho’s MUVI HD NPNG bundle on one of the supercars by taking it for a cruise around London to see how well it would work.
As described by Veho, the quality and performance was professional allowing us to capture those epic moments we otherwise may have missed, or would certainly have been hard to capture ourselves. We took it for the test around London after all so anything could happen! Not only is it hands free but it also comes with a waterproof case for the more adventurous among us, or simply the ones who are a bit clumsy. The waterproof feature was the first thing we rushed to test by 'accidentally' dropping it into water where it entirely stood up to expectations. But the biggest question everybody must be wondering is how does it stack up to the more well known GoPro? The quality is not only just as good, but you get so many more features with the Muvi Camera. If you're looking for a high quality gadget at an affordable price this is just the camera to capture whatever stunt you're planning. Veho is bringing a whole genre of electronics and lifestyle gadgets to a new audience, to see more of their product range, visit http://www.veho-uk.com
Article by Mahmood Ansari, Tim Burton and Adam Gordon
BRINGING
MONTE CARLO TO LONDON
In November, The Supercar Kids held a networking event at the Park Tower Casino in London, a location perfect for gather a number of supercar owners and enthusiasts in the car industry for an opportunity to mingle and discuss all things automotive.
With the theme of 'Bringing Monte Carlo to London' and the glitz and glamour of supercars, the setting could not have been better. From Lancaster Ferrari Colchester bringing along a 458 Spider to Team Ghostballers' Rolls Royce Ghost that will be seen on next year's Gumball 3000 supercar rally, a great selection of cars turned out as well as some interesting people to enjoy the casino setting. To keep track of the events that TSK organise, follow the Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/thesupercarkids Article by Tim Burton Photography by Alex Penfold & The Video Box London
Gandys Flip Flops
Dominic spotted a gap in the IT marketplace whilst working for another start up in 2002 and he started Converged Solutions with another business partner to address that need. Having successfully built that business up he exited and started up Comtact Ltd on his own, all self funded and he still owns and runs it today with no external investment. Comtact is noted for being a super fast growth IT services provider, having achieved the Micro-
Dominic List (@dominiclist) is not only a successful entrepreneur, but also a lifelong supercar fanatic. From fantastic achievements in business he found himself able to attain his long standing dream car, a Ford GT, and then more recently adding the daily usable McLaren MP4-12C that's seen 2 trips on the Dodgeball Supercar Rallies during 2012.
soft Tech Track 100 and Deloitte Fast 50 award top rankings many times. The latest adventure Dominic has undertaken is to support social enterprise and business start-up, Gandys Flip Flops (www.gandysflipflops.com). Gandys is a unique brand that was started out by 2 young brothers, Rob and Paul who have an incredibly compelling story and purpose for the path of Gandys and the charitable cause called Orphans for Orphans.
During 2004, Rob and Pauls parents moved to Sri Lanka as part of a large world tour to teach their children about the world. Little did they know that the events of Boxing Day of that year would change their lives forever as the Tsunami swept in. That morning would be the last time they would see their parents as tragically, they were orphaned. Determined to find a positive outcome for the events that had taken place, the brothers cotinued their lives and travelled to many destinations across the word during which they developed an idea to help others that they met on the way. One morning following a festival with some friends, Rob stated he had "a mouth like Gandhi's Flip Flip" and so the idea popped into his head!
The term was developed into a brand representing everything learnt on their travels and having lived in flip flops for so many years whilst travelling, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to build something they truly believed in. The concept of Gandys was developed which has a unique social mission, whereby each pair of flip flops the brothers sold, they would donate a percentage of the profits to help build orphanages in developing countries in honour of their parents. They called this mission Orphans for Orphans. When Dominic stumbled upon Gandys, he was stirred by the story and intrigued to be involved and help out in any way possible. Using the knowledge and business accumen he has aquired through his own ventures, he's helped push the flip flop brand into the high street and around the world, spreading their mission as they grow and his own experiences are enabling him to assist and guide the brothers as the company grows. Dominic has always been an entrepreneur, and had an eye for what can and can't work and he also believes passionately in helping others, making him an almost ideal partner for Gandys. Dominic also has a number of other companies, and it is the success of these other companies that has enabled him to fuel his other passion for supercars. Currently Dominic's garages are home to a stunning Ford GT, with a modified 750hp supercharged 5.5 litre V8 tucked in the all aluminium racing car style frame and the new McLaren MP4-12C, widely regarded as one of the most usable supercars, a car in which he has cleared 13,000 miles in just one year! A good chunk of this comes from his enjoyment of travelling and taking part in supercar rallies, this year alone he took part in both the Dodgeball Winter Rally from London to Verbier, Switzerland followed by the Summer Rally to Saint-Tropez. He’s also previously done other Rallys including Gumball as Dominic doesnt think cars like this should sit in the garage gathering dust, they need to be used, properly! As any car fan, Dominic is already starting to think about what comes next. The environmentally friendly BMW i8 is currently stealing his attention with its super-modern looks and supercar performance while still managing in excess of 100 miles per gallon. Dominic is a keen 'Tweeter' so be sure to follow what he's up to, both his business moves and also his supercar adventures on his stream at http://twitter.com/dominiclist Article by Tim Burton Photography by Richard Pardon
SEMA 2O12
TSK Favourites
Once a year the biggest automotive brands in the world gather in Las Vegas, California to showcase top-of-the-line performance modifications, aftermarket tuning abilities and unique styling by any means necessary. SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) has been one of the most popular automotive shows in the world for several years. The 2012 show, which took place from October 30 to November 2, attracted over 60,000 domestic and international buyers. Since most supercar-fans are well aware of SEMA, we’ll jump right into our favourites from this year’s show:
Walking past the Underground Racing booth, the matte red Audi R8 GT would almost blend in with the surroundings at SEMA. That is until you learned what the visually appealing R8 was showcasing. Underground Racing, famous for tuning just about every supercar with an engine in the rear, has developed four stages of performance modifications. The least powerful stage 1 pumps the Audi’s horsepower to a respectable 700 hp. For those of you who aren’t satisfied until they’re pushing 4-digit power numbers, the stage 3 and 4 editions can push the R8 beyond the 1,200 hp range on race fuel. That should satisfy even the most eager petrol-heads.
WTW Corp went all in for SEMA this year. Their booth featured at least 10 cars, with the main focus on the newest line of Giovanna wheels. In addition to the RDB LA Aventador, the Ferrari FF and the Panamera pictured above, they also showcased the McLaren MP4-12C, BMW M5, BMW 6-series, Bentley Continental SS, Ferrari 458 Spider, Rolls Royce Ghost, and a Porsche 911. For excelling both in quality and quantity, the WTW booth gets TSK’s “Heavy Hitter” award for SEMA 2012. Well done.
If you’ve seen the recent block-buster, The Avengers, this Acura NSX roadster one-off should look familiar. Featured at this year’s SEMA show was the one-of-a-kind NSX roadster used in the film. While still technically a concept, the NSX’s presence at the show, and the positive reactions it received, lead us to believe that this dream car will soon become a reality for Tony Starks everywhere.
Lexus brought the LFA ‘Nürburgring Edition’ to North America for the first time, implying that a handful of the 50 expected to be built will be for the American market. The luxury automaker decided to go one step further, and set up a pair of LFAs on a dynamometer for visitors to experience the 550+ hp of screaming japanese technological innovation for themselves.
Last, but certainly not least, is this stunning piece of automotive artwork by Toyo Tires and LB Performance. While the inner workings of the Murciélago remain unknown, aside from upgraded brakes, this wide-body Lamborghini earns a spot on our list thanks to its show-stopping fighter-jet appearance. Article by Adam Gordon
Photography by Alex Brogan
Autogespot is an international platform where car enthusiasts meet, share photos and get the latest updates about exotic cars. It is for the fans, by the fans. The core of the website is formed by the spots. Anyone in possession of a camera who spots an exotic car can send their pictures to share them with a large, and constantly growing community of enthusiasts. Every day, thousands of spots from all over the world are uploaded. Why not head to www.autogespot.com now and submit your pictures of cars you've seen? This Month’s Highlights:
Lamborghini Aventador LP760-4 Oakley Design Nasser Edition London, United Kingdom Spotted by Shmee150
ZXX Ferrari Enzo by Edo Competition Beckum, Germany Spotted by Philipp LĂźcke Automotive Photography
Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 2012 Aartselaar, Belgium Spotted by CoLLi
Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse Port Elizabeth, South-Africa Spotted by ADP.Photography
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Dubai, United Arab Emirates Spotted by Patrick3331
Gumpert Apollo Sport Fancorchamps, Belgium Spotted by slabate
Live It was that time of year again, Top Gear Live UK, the annual opportunity for the public to get up close and personal with the Top Gear team of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. A time to see them at their best; arguing, shouting and occasionally crashing things! This year's attendees were able to witness an innovative tribute to 50 years of Bond, a Clarkson/Stig collaboration involving a duel with armed forces, a new world record attempt by the fearless Top Gear stunt team, and a never before seen game of motorised side-car polo - which as always ended in disaster. The Live Arena show was also celebrating 10 years of the Top Gear TV show, the first episode in the current format having had its debut on BBC2 in October 2002. All of the various elements added up to a fantastic day's entertainment for families, petrolheads and loyal Top Gear fans.
Just like last year, Top Gear Live fans got the chance to experience the world of Top Gear with their very own eyes. A world of cheap leather seats, dodgy hair and old cups of tea. In the Exhibition, the visitors also got a chance to see some of the most expensive cars from famous manufacturers, all shiny enough to do your hair in the window reflection. Television screens were scattered all around the exhibition to show some of the most ambitious – yet obviously rubbish – challenges in the TV show’s history, and when the visitors reminded themselves of those, they finally got up close to some of the actual Top Gear Challenge cars. This year, the live action was split between the Arena performance and the Top Gear Live track. Just like the TV track, it attracted a baffling amount of A-list stars to drive their reasonably-priced car. Just a few of the celebs brave enough to take on the slippery circuit last year were Chris Evans, Rupert Grint and Mark Cavendish. But obviously, the biggest star never took off his helmet. Some say he has a full-size tattoo of his face... on his face. All we know is, he’s called the Stig. He was on driving duty again this year. In addition, the lineup included some legendary pro drivers. This year, former boyband, Boyzone, member-turned-drift-star Shayne Lynch was behind the wheel to show everyone some tricks he’s been busy practicing. All in all we have to say it was a fun packed day where there was something for everyone. Make sure you don’t miss next year’s Top Gear Live UK by subscribing to their newsletter at www.topgearlive.co.uk where you can see more information on not just this year’s show but the previous shows as well. Article by Mahmood Ansari
Photography by Matt-Media
The World’s Most Expensive Business Card We all know that there are some amongst us that look to go beyond the 'simple' luxuries in life, whether that's a product like the most expensive supercar in the world, or the most expensive watch. One such niche that has now been filled is the world's most expensive business card! Black Astrum, founded by Sufian Khawaja, originally started as a result of a one off request from a wealthy Middle-Eastern family. Sufian, with his design and engineering background was approached by the client in 2010 to create a luxurious business card like no other. After several designs, a diamond encrusted version was created and believing there could be a demand for the card, he formed Black Astrum to design further cards. Black Astrum have offices in London with the production team based in Berkshire, England. They produce their unique business cards exclusively for small groups of selected clients from around the world. The Black Astrum Signature range of business and membership cards promote much more than wealth – it rivals the world’s most exclusive clubs and organisations in which only an elite few are eligible to join. The craftsmanship is unprecedented as each handcrafted business card is tailor made for each individual user.
The Signature Card Black Astrum offers the ultimate business and members card, carefully crafted to be a highly distinctive status symbol of status and wealth The Signature cards are handcrafted from precision cast Swiss Hesa-Glas and stones of the highest quality. Offered in not only Diamond, but also in Swarovski encrusted variants for the customers who do not wish to obtain the diamond card just yet; Black Astrum presents its members with a card that is truly designed to make an immediate statement. Specially coated with a glossy abrasion resistant finish, the card elegantly encapsulates the pre-eminence of the individual or organisation.
Design Process The company’s team of designers and craftsmen provide a full design service by working closely with its clients to produce a product tailored to the specification. Clients may supply their own artwork or logos to form the basis of their card design, or alternatively a design can be created for them. Once a design has been approved, the lead time is approximately 3-6 weeks, dependant on the order size and design requirements. Signature and card options include: Front & Back Design, Diamond or Swarovski Stones, Quantity of Gemstones, Engraving Colour and Presentation Boxes.
Price As each signature card is tailor made to a client’s specification, as a result the price varies from client to client. The exclusive Diamond encrusted Signature cards start at £159 per card with the Swarovski encrusted Signature cards starting at £99 per card. Although Black Astrum have produced Diamond Signature cards as high as £1000, the current average selling price is around £500 per card.
Clients Due to the confidentially of its clients, Black Astrum is unable to identify specific individuals. However, current clients include members of wealthy families from the Middle East as well as distinguished individuals from Europe and China. Black Astrum aims its products at an invited group of ultra high net worth individuals, but will occasionally consider expressions of interest from other individuals or organisations.
For more information on Black Astrum visit their website at www.blackastrum.com Article by Mahmood Ansari Pictures from Black Astrum
Mo My Ride Mo My Ride (www.momyride.com) is a website that was set up by Louis Karsenbarg, who is also the founder of car enthusiast website Life On Unleaded (www.lifeonunleaded.com) which features news, features and other video content. Below he tells us everything how this unique and charitable idea all started.
I set up Mo My Ride because I struggle to grow a moustache and in addition to my ow attempt at Movember (as poor as it may be) I wanted to do something that little bit extra with my petrol head nature. I wanted to create a way that allows automotive enthusiasts, be it cars, bikes, trains or buses to take part in Movember in a way that's a bit quirky. It's also a way for women to take part and as we all know they can't grow a moustache apart from the unfortunate ones). I also noticed some employers don't let staff grow facial hair so this is another way for people to do their bit. We sell moustaches of varying sizes for all modes of transport and donate all the profits to Movember. So far we have raised over ÂŁ500 and given it's the debut year it is considered a success. We organised a rally with help from The Supercar Kids and have had orders from all over the world; America, Canada, Italy, Belgium, Dubai, Singapore, Australia - you name it! Buyers have sent in their pictures on cars, motorbikes, vans, fire engines and even a tug boat. The charity, Movember, supports causes that help aid the early detection and prevention of male cancers such as prostate and testicular. It's a cause close to my heart with a very close family friend who is thankfully still with us today having suffered from the latter. Mo My Ride allows me to combine my obsessive love for cars with a desire to do a bit of good in the world. If I can have fun with my car and raise a bit of money for charity then I'm happy, and I've got a lot of ideas for the future! Article by Louis Karsenbarg
The Merdad Collection Merdad 902 Coupe 2013
The Merdad Collection is characterised by audacity of form, purity of line and strength of spirit. Merdad is delighted to be presenting the 902 Coupe, not only does it sound amazing but this unique creation offers a bespoke and luxury interior along with a complete exterior redefinition that leaves the SUV with a distinctive but elegant figure. As company director, Merdad Hoodeh explains; "I'm extremely proud of our team of dedicated craftsmen. They have continued to pursue excellence by designing, engineering and assembling hundreds of unique parts to complete their unique look." The Merdad Collection options include Supersound exhausts, Merdad racing seats, newly designed front and rear middle consoles, custom racing steering wheels, 40mm lowering module and new 22" forget wheels. All put together, the 902 highlights everything that Merdad represents; uncompromising luxury, superb design and ultimate exclusivity. Merdad will also be offering the Merdad five-door Cayenne with a lavish interior and a super-streamlined exterior for customers who want the practicality of an SUV without sacrificing the unique and aggressive look that the 902 Coupe adds to the model.
Merdad Mer-Nazz 2013 Merdad recently introduced the Mer-Nazz, a highly individual, bespoke and dramatic car designed to enhance the dynamic and sporting profile of the original car with its strong front and rear bumper shapes, providing a purposeful and muscular design. The new bonnet adds to the front-end drama, creating a powerful profile which alludes to the car's tuning and performance capability. The stance of the car is enhanced by Merdad's 22" alloy wheels - coupled with the wider arch treatment. The styling theme is continued in side elevation by adding to the car's sporting lines with ground hugging sills and featuring intakes blended into the new arches. The Mer-Nazz reveals taste, style and desirability; incorporating modified body styling throughout. Their tuning illustrates a more aggressive appearance for the car with the overall design execution impeccably crafted with fine carbon fibre detailing. You can see more of the Merdad collection at www.merdadcollection.com Article by Mahmood Ansari Photo by The Video Box London
11 Speed Record Holders Cars have always been getting faster and faster... and faster. But how fast will the laws of physics allow road cars to go? With top speed records come the ultimate bragging rights: “We make the fastest car in the world”. It's the ultimate spec in Top Trumps, more so than horsepower or price and here are the last 11 record holders for the fastest production car. Ferrari 288 GTO - 188mph in 1985 Ferrari created the 288 GTO to participate in Group B, but the series was canceled before they could enter. As a result, the successor to the infamous 250 GTO never competed in a race series. It was one of the most beautiful and one of the fastest cars in the world for a time before the Porsche 959 took over. Although Ferrari’s claim of 190mph was never proven, it did manage 188mph in the hands of Auto, Motor und Sport magazine.
Porsche 959 - 195mph in 1986 Like the 288 GTO, Porsche made the 959 to go rallying in Group B. Homologation required 200 road cars resulting in the 959 we have today. During its production, it was the most technologically advanced supercar there was. AWD was unheard of on a sports car before. The 959 set the precedent for technology combined with motoring; hadn’t it been for the 959 we wouldn’t have the likes of the Bugatti Veyron today.
Ferrari F40 - 201mph in 1987 The Ferrari F40 was many things- it was the last car overseen by Enzo before his death. It is regarded by many as the ultimate drivers’ car with no electronic aid or luxuries to speak of. It is also the first road car ever to break the 200mph barrier; nothing to write home about in 2012, but an achievement beyond belief in 1987. The F40 was the complete opposite of the Porsche 959. The Porsche was a technological masterpiece whereas the F40 had little more than a set of pedals, a gearstick and an enormous turbocharged V8.
Bugatti EB110 GT - 209mph in 1991 You couldn’t accuse the Bugatti EB110 of being boring - it had a V12 engine with no less than four turbochargers producing 603bhp, in 1991! Even Michael Schumacher owned one. On its debut year, Auto, Motor und Sport magazine clocked it at 209mph, making it the fastest production car of the time. Despite this, sales never really took off as the world was in the middle of a recession, and Bugatti went bankrupt. The EB110 has never really received the recognition it truly deserves.
Jaguar XJ220 - 217mph (banked circuit) in 1992 Like the Bugatti, the XJ220 is largely a forgotten supercar. Customers wanted a V12 and AWD when they placed orders- the production car got a turbocharged V6 with two wheel drive. Even so, racing driver Martin Brundle took it to 212mph on the famous Nardo track in Italy. After removing the catalytic converters and increasing the rev limit to 7900rpm, the XJ220 maxed out at 217mph. It was calculated that the car would have exceeded 223mph on a straight road, hugely impressive for 1992.
McLaren F1 - 241mph in 1998 The McLaren F1 is legendary, in part due to the fact that it held the top speed record for seven years (over a decade if you consider it began production 5 years earlier). When McLaren began producing the car, they expected it to top out at 231mph. It would be five years until Andy Wallace piloted the XP5 prototype to 241mph with a higher rev limit. During the test, Wallace humorously observed: “It will not go faster than 391 (km/h).. but still, 391km/h is quite fast, isn’t it?”. Even today, 20 years later the Mclaren F1 remains the world's fastest naturally aspirated car.
Koenigsegg CCR - 241mph (banked circuit) in 2005 When the CCR launched in 2005, Christian Von Koenigsegg suspected his car could break the mighty McLaren’s 7 year reign. So in February he and a group of Koenigsegg engineers reached 241mph on the banked Nardo circuit, matching the top speed of the Mclaren F1. Like the XJ220 before it, the car could have been faster on a straight road. Unfortunately the Bugatti Veyron came and broke the record a mere two months later, shattering the CCR’s chance to be king.
Bugatti Veyron - 253mph in 2005 The Bugatti Veyron could accelerate to 62mph in just 2.5 seconds, and keep going all the way to 253mph. It is a first in the automotive world, not because it can reach an insane speed, but because it does so with ease and immense comfort for the driver. It has a cabin upholstered in leather, airbags, air conditioning, and an automatic gearbox. The Veyron is such a car that anyone could hop in and max it - provided with enough space of course, because at top speed you’ll be covering the length of a football pitch every second.
SSC Aero - 256mph in 2007 SSC beat the Bugatti Veyron in 2007 by 3 mph. The SSC Aero had come a long way from it’s conception, where the first few were built on space frames made for Pontiac Fiero based Lamborghini replicas. It has a Corvette C5R race car engine producing over 700 hp. For the top speed run, SSC had a 12 mile section of highway closed in Nevada.
Bugatti Veyron Super Sport - 267mph in 2010 Volkswagen AG spent 6 years designing the Veyron, so you could understand why they were slightly upset when the Aero SSC broke their record after two years and by just 3mph. They didn’t hang around for long though, as three years later they gave the world the Veyron SS. It has 1200bhp and a slightly redesigned all carbon fibre body. A Bugatti test driver managed to do 267mph, but they are limited to a meager 259mph at production to prevent the tires from disintegrating.
Koenigsegg Agera R - 273mph in 2012/13? The Koenigsegg CCR never really got its chance to shine, but the Agera R should change that. An even more powerful version of the already insanely fast Agera, the R has never been tested to top speed. Koenigsegg say it could theoretically reach 273mph and there’s no reason to doubt them - the Agera R already holds the acceleration record, going from standstill to 186mph in 14.5 seconds. Given time, this could be the fastest car in the world. Koenigsegg will have to hurry though - if rumours are correct, Bugatti will be introducing a 1600bhp Veyron at the Frankfurt motorshow in 2013.
Article by Fayaz Ismail
Photography by Alex Penfold
La Cle
You already own one of the world’s most exclusive supercars, but you want to customise it further. If you appreciate high quality jewellery and Swiss engineering then this is the luxury product for you. Crafted with the engineering skills and technology of Swiss watchmakers in La Chaux de Fonds and VallÊe de Joux the new key is guaranteed to be of the highest quality, and can be personalised as you wish using your own combination of precious metals and stones to suite your own tastes and complement your cars features, guaranteeing a unique edge to your supercar.
Upon purchasing the key you become a member of the exclusive La ClĂŠ owners club, which gives you access to supercar showrooms, completing the impeccable service.
The key is hand built using the finest materials for maximum engineering quality, for example the moving surfaces are coated in a Nickel Teflon reducing friction and increasing connectivity with the electronic card showing every attention to detail has been given. Bespoke electronics are used that complement the high quality of engineering, using silver for electronic connections. The stunning piece contains an antenna and detectors which control the opening and closing of the cars doors, the key also contains an accelerometer.
2013 Lamborghini Gallardo Photo by Philippe Collinet Photography
Mercedes-Benz World Mercedes-Benz World is situated in the heart in the heart of the Brooklands facility in Weybridge, Surrey. It was opened on October 29th 2006 and is open to view by the general public for free, 7 days a week. The building has 3 floors with over 300 cars on display including F1 cars, AMG legends, the current Mercedes-Benz range in different specifications, a Smart Car section, a Maybach section and every so often they change the cars on the second floor to something iconic. For example, when we visited they had the DTM Champions vehicles on display. Mercedes-Benz World is not only for the petrol heads but is great for a family day out with lots to see and do. You can enjoy the beautiful cars as well as other experiences offered by Mercedes-Benz World such as: - 4x4 experiences where you can enjoy the 10 acre purpose built off road circuit - Under 16 years old can enjoy a driving lesson in a Mercedes-Benz A-Class - AMG Hot Laps around the handling circuit where you can experience the most challenging driving techniques by the experienced racing drivers - AMG driving experiences including the SLS and the C63 AMG Black Series - Ultimate SL (Gull-wing) driving experience, where you can get behind the wheel of the original, legendary SL
Mercedes-Benz World provides a complimentary guided tour on the weekends at 11.30am and 2.00pm and during school holidays. During the tour you will not only learn about the history of Mercedes-Benz, but you will get the opportunity to see the vehicles up close. There are always exciting new exhibitions on display and this can all be found on the website under the events calendar, this way you can track exactly what is going on and when. You can also book your experiences online in advance to avoid dissapointment especially during busy periods. Mercedes-Benz World also has facilities to hold conferences, no matter how big or small your party is, whether its for friends, entertaining clients or promoting your business, Mercedes-Benz World promises to look after your needs with their highly accomplished catering teams. You can contact Mercedes Benz World’s friendly team for enquires on +44 (0) 870 400 4000 or visit their website at http://bit.ly/MBWorldBrooklands Brooklands Drive Weybridge Surrey KT13 0SL Article by Gurps Kandola Photography by The Video Box London
Monza Rally Show November 22nd-25th saw the traditional parade of aces in the event that concluded the 90th year of activity of the Autodromo di Monza. This even included participation by none other than Valentino Rossi in his quest for a third victory in the Monza rally. For those of you who weren’t able to make it down to enjoy the cars gleaming in the sunshine, we’ve got the highlights for you! The entries for this show included the man himself Valentino Rossi, driving a Ford Fiesta RS, and many champions of car and motorcycle circuit racing, as well as Italian and foreign rally specialists. Another unique and exciting feature of this 4-day spectacular show was the "Grid Exhibition"(November 23rd), in which the cars were placed in the pit lane and lined up in starting order within reach of the spectators, who had access to the pre-start area to admire the cars and be close to the drivers about to set for the opening stage of the Monza Rally Show. As in previous years, on the afternoon of the final day, the main straight line of the Monza track hosted the Master Show "Trofeo Marco Simoncelli," which was broadcast live on Rai Sport. If you happen to be in Monza next year when this marvellous event occurs, then be sure to check it out. The Monza Rally Show has something for every rally fan to smile about. Article by Mahmood Ansari
Photos by Daniele Abbondanza
Zurich Autoshow 2012
25 Years ago, a small show started in the “Züspa-Hall” in Zurich, which is now one of the biggest and most well-known car shows in Europe.
From the 8th to the 11th of November 2012, over 60,000 people attended this year’s Zurich Auto Show. The Show itself consisted of over 650 cars, and more than 30 Swiss premieres including the new Aston Martin Vanquish, Citroen DS3 Roadster, Bentley Continental GT Speed and the Maserati Gran Cabrio MC. A popular favourite at this year’s show was the “Police Cruiser” Audi R8 GTR brought by Hankook. The Zurich show featured everything from factory models to impressive tuning packages from companies such as Novitec Rosso, Novidem, Dähler and many more. Other showstoppers included a Le Mans Formula 1 exhibit and the original BMW M3 from Martin Tomczyk. The 27th Auto Zurich Car Show will take place next year at the same place between the 31st of October and the 3rd of November in 2013. To learn more about future Zurich Autoshows, or to read more about this year’s, visit their official website at http://www.auto-zuerich.ch/. Article by Filip Kovacic & Adam Gordon Photography by Filip Kovacic
NFS -Most Wanted Paris Release Run On Monday November 29, two days before Need For Speed: Most Wanted was released, Electronic Arts and Criterion put together a great event to celebrate this occasion which had Paris hosting a gathering and parade of 50+ supercars for the launch. For those unfamiliar with the game and franchise, Criterion took on the role of redeveloping the original Most Wanted game, in which you can cause trouble by racing, chasing and exploring a vast and connected world of incredible cars, police chases and multiplayer competition. For the users to be most wanted, they will need to outrun the cops, outdrive their friends and outsmart rivals.
It all started at 2:15 pm with the cars gathering at Place Vauban with the start of the parade at around 3pm. At 3:30 pm, after a quick visit to Place de la Concorde, the cars ascended to Champs Elysees to Place d’Etoile with the parade then continuing on to Pont de l’Alma where they arrived around 4pm. If you happened to be in Paris during the parade, there is no doubt would you have heard the exceptional roaring sounds from machines such as the Lamborghini Aventador, Maserati Granturismo and Porsche 911 GT3 just to name a few. We love seeing companies putting on such great events for their fans, as it gives a chance for everyone to get involved and be a part of the game. We recently saw a similar event by Forza Horizon this year in which 10 cars did a Paris to Birmingham run and certainly look forward to more events in the future, not only for gaming, but all the companies involved in the exciting world of supercars. For now, you can read all about what game companies have to offer in our previous issue on our website at www.thesupercarkids.com. If you know of any similar events happening in or around your area, don’t hesitate to let us know! We will try our best to get a team over there to provide in-depth event coverage to bring to you in future issues. Article by Mahmood Ansari Photos by Arnaud Bailly Photography