Connoisseur Ep 107

Welcome Connoisseur.

We are back with another packed episode, featuring the new AC Cobra 😍 a very fast boat, a fast hot-hatch - it is a collectors item so I think we can all agree it deserves it's place here. We also discuss the NC500 and if you have ever fancied racing at Silverstone and Brands Hatch then we can introduce you to Capture Motorsport.

And of course we have Formula One back on our screens this weekend with a very interesting race that was made more exciting by the fact that Max Verstappen was starting down in 15th after drive-shaft issues.

Thanks again for joining us on a trip around the world of 'cool'.

AC Cobra GT Roadster

AC Cars, the UK's oldest active vehicle manufacturer, has announced the launch of its new high-performance sports car, the AC Cobra GT Roadster. Powered by a V8 petrol engine delivering up to 654bhp (663PS), the car uses a highly advanced extruded aluminium spaceframe chassis developed specifically for the model.

The exterior bodywork and interior design, developed by a team of world-class designers, combine modern materials and technology with a timeless aesthetic. The new AC Cobra GT Roadster is expected to cost from £285,000 including VAT in the UK, with prices varying according to exchange rates and taxes in the country of delivery.

The limited production model will go on display in April 2023, with the first customers given the chance to see the car at exclusive spring and summer preview events in Europe.

Fast Boats

Along with luxury cruising and lounging in the sun on a motor yacht we also like a little bit of speed, so what is the first fast boat we introduce to Connoisseur, why it is the Twisted T300S of course. I've had great experiences driving Twisted Land Rovers so I am sure the T300S is going to carry over some of that hand tailored finish, so lets dive in.

The T300S is the ultimate adventure craft - it is a Twisted edition of the iconic Axopar 22 and 25ft hulls. Twisted Marine has gone above and beyond to enhance the functionality and speed (up to 60MPH) of this already incredible sports-adventure boat, securing a limited number of hulls to make this dream a reality.

This collaboration has brought together the expertise of Twisted, a renowned marine and automotive adventure brand with a reputation for building high-performance Land Rovers and expedition vehicles, and the award-winning design of Axopar Boats, the pioneers of adventure boating worldwide. The result is a flawless blend of innovation and craftsmanship, making the best even better.

With the S-Series developments showcased on the Bahama Gold T300S, it sets the standard for customised adventure boats. And they can offer fully customised adventure boats to the 'Twisted Defined' standard or the option to modify your existing Axopar or adventure boat to create something truly special and tailored to your exact specifications.

There is one for sale in their Twisted showroom in Yorkshire.

Or commission your own version by visiting the Twisted Marine website.

Renault R5 Turbo 2

The 1983 Renault R5 Turbo 2 is a mid-engine hot hatchback produced by the French automaker Renault. It was the successor to the original Renault 5 Turbo, which was launched in 1980.

And this week I stumbled across this video so I had to share it. Nicole Johnson, the commentator swings between interesting and a bit over the top, but we're here for the car...so back to the R5.

The R5 Turbo 2 featured a rear-mounted, turbocharged 1.4-liter engine that produced around 160 horsepower. This engine was mated to a five-speed manual transmission and could accelerate the car from 0 to 60 mph in around 6.6 seconds. The top speed of the R5 Turbo 2 was around 130 mph.

One of the most distinctive features of the R5 Turbo 2 was its mid-engine layout, which gave the car excellent handling characteristics. The car also had a wide track and large wheels, which further enhanced its handling abilities.

The R5 Turbo 2 was produced in limited numbers, with only around 3,000 units made. It was primarily intended for rallying and was successful in that arena, winning several international events. R5 and being homologated in the FIA group 3 and 4 categories of the rally championship which became Group B.

Today, the R5 Turbo 2 is a highly collectible car, with examples in good condition commanding high prices on the collector car market.

And grab a coffee for the next video as it is really geeky about the R5 Turbos 😍

Now you know all there is to know about this hottest of hatches. 🔥

Scotland's NC500

Last week I was chatting with Road Trip Connoisseur about some of the interesting things they have done. Along with a few stories about Gumball there was a little gem that caught my eye and that is the topic of this weeks Whisky Files. Scotland's North Coast 500, NC500, and whisky tour.

Both Gurps Kandola (Founder & CEO of Road Trip Connoisseur) and I have a thing for whisky so I asked him to write a post about his own road trip north from his home in London to Scotland's famous route.

Gurps points out that the route was only really created in 2015 and since has brought with it not just tourism money, but also controversy as not everyone has treated the area or roads with the respect that they deserve, so lets say that respect needs to be given and move onto the beauty of Scotland.

And that is actually why you want to visit Scotland because it is beautiful. This is the back drop to a a whisky tour, epic seascape, wild beaches, looming mountains and misty lochs. And within miles you have new scenery from white sandy beaches, that would not look out of place in the Bahamas, to movie locations like the Glenfinnan Viaduct from Harry Potter, or scenes from James Bonds Skyfall.

But we are also here for Scotland's other great feature, Whisky, from the Gaelic (uisge-beatha) “water of life”. On his tour Gurps managed to get to Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Macallan, Balvenie, Torabhaig and Talisker distilleries. Macallan being a highlight.

Someone had suggested doing the NC500 anti-clock wise and having done a number of parts of the NC500 myself on a few family road trips I think I'd agree with that sentiment. Starting from Edinburgh and heading up to Inverness is a strong highland start that's gives way to the beautiful west coast as you head back down south.

I have visited a few distilleries myself but reading Gurps full post I was excited to start planning another trip North. You can read the post here, and if you need help planning your trip with a group just give him a shout and follow him on the socials.

The Roadtrip Connoisseur welcomes you to our world of bespoke tailor-made travel where our zealous international organisation of travel technicians excavate the most marvellous destinations and craft the most delightful travel adventures for you and yours. From leisurely hotels to luxury apartments to the most exquisite resorts and retreats, we meticulously construct trips, holidays and excursions that are cut from a different cloth, exceeding your appetite’s expectations. Check out Roadtrip Connoisseur for more details.

Race Car Hire

Ever wondered what it was like to race at the world famous Silverstone or Brands Hatch? Well now you can, by hiring a race-prepped TCR car. Capture Motorsport are a race winning team who offer a number of race and track day packages tailored specifically to you.

If you want the cars for a corporate or team track day they provide all you need for the track running, they provide the mechanics and the crew, but in the spirt of teamwork you can also help change the wheels and check the levels prior to running the cars out on the track.

If you want to up the ante and actually race at club level the cars and team are for hire for you. You will need a race licence to compete at the UKs famous circuits, this is an ARDS license in the UK. Once you have your license you are ready to take to the track and race seasoned racers who you can test your metal against.

Capture Motorsport have hosted race drives for ex Moto GP riders, celebrities and those looking to take their first steps into motorsport. Prices range from £3500 to £13500.

Download the PDF and contact the team and get ready to race.

Formula One

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Let me start this by saying Lando is still waiting for that £18m so he can sit out this season, McLaren are getting off to a shocking start. That is the first of the spoilers so if you have not seen the results already do not read any further.

As I mentioned in the introduction, qualifying did not get off well for team Verstappen with a drive shaft issue, meaning he had to stop in Q2, effectively making himself 15th.

This promised to be a good thing for the race as it is usually interesting to see the faster cars coming through the pack, however, it was all too easy and the only man that had an answer to the Red Bull driver was the other Red Bull driver. So far, this season looks like it is going to be a Red Bull white wash and I'm not looking forward to that, just for the sake of 'racing'.

At the start, Alonso got off the line really well and had the better of Perez into the first corner and the Aston led the race for a few laps. However, the moment Perez got DRS, he moved in front of the Aston Martin. Soon after that, Alonso received a 5 sec penalty for being out of his box on the starting grid.

After a safety car was called out for Lance Stroll's stricken Aston Martin, the race restarted at lap 21. By this point, Verstappen had made it onto the back of Russell who was in 3rd at this point. The Mercedes was another easy pass for Verstappen as soon as DRS was enabled. Verstappen soon crept up on Alonso; the Spaniard did not even try to stop the Red Bull as the speed difference was huge.

Lewis came alive briefly, overtaking the Ferrari of Sainz with the medium tyres, only to get stuck behind Russell who would not let him pass. Russell soon showed his own pace. Perez held Max off with a 5 sec gap, however, Max got the fastest lap of the race to grab one point, which now means he leads the championship by one point.

The podium was Perez, Verstappen, and Alonso. However, in one final twist of the race, after all the celebrations, the Aston Martin driver was given a 10-second penalty. The reason was that as Alonso came in to serve his previous 5-second penalty, the jack operator on the team touched the car with the jack, which means the penalty was incorrectly served. Meaning Russell was promoted to third and Alonso to fourth.

Then in a final-final twist Aston Martin was able to have the penalty overturned. More on that in this article below.

Next race is Australia 💪

Australian Grand Prix - 31st Mar - 2 Apr

31st Mar - Practice 1

31st Mar - Practice 2

01st Apr - Practice 3

01st Apr - Qualifying

02nd Apr - Grand Prix

Any-Other-Business

Other dates for your diary

Silverstone Grand Prix - Fri 7– Sun 9 July 

Goodwood Festival of Speed - Thu 13 – Sun 16 July

Goodwood Revival - Fri 8 – Sun 10 Sept

The Atlantic Road Trip

Join the Sixty8 team once again for a slice of Scandinavian supercar action for the Atlantic Road Trip of a lifetime. 

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