Connoisseur Ep 114

Welcome Connoisseur.Living the high life is hard, but we have got you! Because you are a Connoisseur!

A note from the Editor - Good morning every Monday at 6am I bring you the hottest list of curated content on vehicles of all types. If you are a well-heeled entrepreneur or just a dreamer starting out, you will enjoy the short content with numerous outbound links.

I've introduced a section called The Rabbit Hole, this tends to be all the additional material I have found in my research which may or may not be directly linked to the main piece but it is a great place to get stuck in if you the like the subject.

Enjoy!

P.S. Please share this with others, I will make sure that they are entertained.

Radford Type 62-2

Now the Radford Lotus Type 62/2 may not be new to you, if you are a car aficionado you probably were aware of the car from 2021 but as Radford recently made a rather daring announcement, more on that in a moment, we thought we would give you a quick flashback as to what the Radford Type 62-2 is.

The car is a limited-production sports car from the revived British coachwork company, Radford. Based on the Lotus Exige S, it debuted at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last year and features bespoke carbon-fibre bodywork, a unique interior, and significant chassis and powertrain upgrades.

Only 62 units will be produced, split into three variants: base, Gold Leaf, and the range-topping John Player Special (JPS), with just 12 JPS units made. Powered by a supercharged 3.5-litre V6, the engine outputs vary from 430bhp (base) to 600bhp (JPS). The JPS model achieves 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds and has a limited top speed of 186mph.

Built on a bonded aluminium chassis with carbon fibre composite bodywork, the Type 62/2 is lightweight, with the JPS model weighing around 1000kg dry. The base price is $440,000 (£360,000), but options can increase the cost by another $200,000 (£160,000). The Radford Lotus Type 62/2 represents a niche market trend focusing on bespoke driving experiences over ultimate performance.

Watch the video below to see how manic this car is going to be.

Recently, Radford unveiled a new Type 62-2 Pikes Peak Edition, and this is the announcement I got a little excited about. The extreme version of the sports car designed to compete in the iconic Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

Tanner Foust will be the driver for the 13.5-mile race. The racer's supercharged 3.5-litre V6 has been upgraded to produce 710bhp, and its weight has been reduced to 861kg. The Pikes Peak Edition features a wider body, large central air intake, huge front and rear wings, and bespoke suspension and chassis upgrades. The 2023 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb begins on June 25.

The Rabbit Hole

Pikes Peak

The Pikes Peak Hill Climb has seen many remarkable performances over the years, with recent winners showcasing the potential of both internal combustion and electric powertrains. In 2018, Romain Dumas set a new overall record with the all-electric Volkswagen ID.R, completing the course in a stunning 7 minutes and 57.148 seconds. This feat demonstrated the immense capabilities of electric vehicles in motorsports, especially in challenging high-altitude conditions.

In 2019, Peter Cunningham took first place in the Open Wheel division, driving a 2018 Acura TLX GT, while Clint Vahsholtz claimed victory in the Time Attack 1 class with his 2019 Ford Open. Robin Shute emerged as the overall winner in 2020, driving a 2018 Wolf GB08 TSC-Honda, covering the course in 9 minutes and 12.476 seconds.

In 2021, Paul Dallenbach took the top spot in the Open Wheel category with a 2006 PVA Dallenbach Special, while David Donner emerged victorious in the Time Attack 1 class driving a 2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport. These recent winners illustrate the wide variety of vehicles that compete in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, from purpose-built racers to modified production cars, making it a truly exciting event for car enthusiasts.

The Rabbit Hole

The Brando

With all the car-crazy intensity of the last two sections, I thought you might like to sit back and relax while you imagine yourself visiting The Brando, a private island resort in the French Polynesians, in the video above.

The Brando is a luxury eco-resort located in French Polynesia, specifically on the atoll of Tetiaroa, which is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of Tahiti. This exclusive resort is named after the late actor Marlon Brando, who fell in love with Tetiaroa while filming the movie "Mutiny on the Bounty" in the 1960s. He later purchased the atoll and dreamed of creating a sustainable paradise. The Brando officially opened in 2014, after his death.

The resort features 35 private villas, each with its own plunge pool and direct access to the pristine beach. It offers an array of activities, including snorkeling, scuba diving, paddleboarding, and bird-watching. The Brando is committed to sustainability and uses several eco-friendly technologies, such as solar power, deep seawater air conditioning, and a wastewater treatment system that helps preserve the atoll's natural beauty.

Guests can reach The Brando by a 20-minute private plane ride from Faa'a International Airport in Tahiti. The resort is known for its seclusion, luxury, and commitment to sustainability, making it an ideal destination for those seeking an exclusive and environmentally responsible tropical retreat.

The Rabbit Hole

Cirrus Vision SF50

The Nautilus has withstood the test of time and is now regarded as one of the most sought-after timepieces in the world. Although the model is commonly associated with the durability of stainless steel, Patek Philippe introduced versions of the Nautilus in precious metals and two-tone finishes over the years.

The Cirrus Vision SF50, also known as the Vision Jet, is a single-engine, very light jet (VLJ) designed and manufactured by Cirrus Aircraft, an American aircraft manufacturer. The Vision Jet is the first civilian single-engine jet to enter the market, and it has received significant attention for its innovative design, advanced technology, and ease of operation.

The Vision Jet is designed to accommodate up to five adults and two children, with a cabin that features a unique panoramic windshield, providing exceptional visibility and a spacious feel. The aircraft is powered by a single Williams International FJ33-5A turbofan engine, which provides a maximum cruising speed of about 300 knots (345 mph or 556 km/h) and a range of approximately 1,200 nautical miles (1,380 miles or 2,223 km).

One of the most notable features of the Cirrus Vision SF50 is the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS), a whole-aircraft parachute system designed to provide an additional layer of safety in case of an emergency. This system has been a standard feature on Cirrus's piston-engine aircraft and has been adapted for the Vision Jet.

The aircraft's avionics suite, called Cirrus Perspective Touch+ by Garmin, is state-of-the-art, with touchscreen controls and advanced flight management capabilities. The Vision Jet is designed for single-pilot operation, making it an attractive option for owner-pilots and small business operators seeking a cost-effective and easy-to-fly jet aircraft.

The Rabbit Hole

Formula One

Miami

F1 are back, back to back in fact, one week ago we were half-way across the world in Baku this weekend it was the Miami Grand Prix.

Qualifying was a rather dramatic affirm in Miami with the track surface seemingly being to blame for a lot of the drama across the field. The main issue was that the grid fell off a cliff when you moved from the racing line and this caused some interesting moments.

Lewis Hamilton could not get enough heat in his tyres and ended up being knocked out of Q2 and starting 13th on the grid. In Q3 Leclerc was blisteringly fast but just pushed his Ferrari too far and crashed causing a red flag and due to there being only 1.45 left of the session it was stopped.

This meant a very mixed-up grid, Perez on pole followed by Alonso then Sainz. It was looking like Sunday might bring some exciting racing as the grid's natural order was all out of place.

Max Verstappen secured victory in the Miami Grand Prix, advancing from ninth on the grid to achieve his third win of the season. With a different tyre strategy compared to leading Perez, Verstappen overtook his teammate in the final laps, claiming victory in Miami. Fernando Alonso completed the podium for Aston Martin, with George Russell and Carlos Sainz finishing in the top five.

Sainz made an undercut attempt on Aston Martin to overtake Alonso but soon came under investigation for speeding in the pit lane. A five-second penalty was imposed, negating Ferrari's efforts. Verstappen pitted on lap 45, rejoining the race 1.5 seconds behind Perez with fresher tyres. Perez defended his lead, but Verstappen eventually overtook him in the next DRS zone.

Hamilton made a few good overtakes aimed at recovering from a challenging weekend, overtaking Gasly and then Leclerc's Ferrari in the final few laps.

Verstappen crossed the finish line first, followed by Perez and Alonso on the podium, and Russell and Sainz completed the top five in the Miami Grand Prix. The thrilling race some anticipated never really appeared.

Sidenote for all the McLaren fans, things have gone backwards.

Next Race - Emilia-Romagna (Imola) - 19th May - 21st May

19th May Practice 1

19th May Practice 2

20th May Practice 3

20th May Qualifying

21st May Grand Prix

Other News, Links and Stuff

Whats-The-Fuss

Other dates for your diary:

Gumball3000 - 10– 17 June

Atlantic Road Trip - 30 June– 09 July

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

Looking for the ultimate luxury road trip experience? Look no further than the journey from Stockholm, Sweden to North Cape, Norway. This trip is the pinnacle of road trips, featuring breathtaking scenery, perfect driving roads, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will leave you with memories that will last forever.

This is not your average road trip – it’s a bucket list moment that will only be done once. You will travel the road less travelled, experiencing some of the most beautiful and remote landscapes in Scandinavia. For nine days, you will witness epic scenery that will take your breath away.

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