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F1 Cars: Rock Star Superstars
The world of F1 has been thrown into intense debate with the recent announcements regarding the the 2014 season. Over the last few days, a selection of the top teams have released the official designs of their new cars. McLaren, Lotus, Williams and Ferrari have all proven that the new cars definitely are…different. The visual assault to the eyes mixed with the array of other regulation changes have resulted in a military barrage on the credibility of the sport. And so I thought it was about time to bring some light hearted happiness to proceedings. In the world of motorsport, F1 represents the pinnacle of what is meant to be possible. And as it turns out, mind blowing lap times and rib cage rattling power is not all that is possible. Once their day job is over, they take to the night and their secret passion is let loose. For an F1 car, is a rock star.
The new McLaren 2014 F1 car and its distinctive ‘gentleman sausage nostril’. I think we all need a distraction
I have been scouring the web of late and I have come across some absolute gems.
May I present to you a selection of F1 cars and their greatest hits. Stand aside AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Queen and Black Sabbath, here is a whole new lesson in music, a V8 powered lesson.
I would like to kick off proceedings with a celebration (probably). Somewhere around the world, it is someones birthday. And so, let us take a moment to celebrate *insert name here*. Happy Birthday! (whoever you are)
As awesome as this video is, I would also like to draw your attention to the gentleman on the far right of the video. He is standing mere inches from a ear shattering brute, and he feels no need to cover his ears. You sir, have ears of steel, and I commend your bravery.
2. Top Gun Theme – Mercedes F1
There are not many people in the world who are not Top Gun fans. The Top Gun theme is nothing but a timeless classic. But I can bet you have never heard a version like this…
3. God Save The Queen – Renault F1
It is time to stand up and salute. This is the Renault F1 car doing the UK proud with this whole new version of the British National Anthem. Perhaps during the Golden Jubilee celebrations it should not have been Brian May performing this on top of Buckingham Palace…
4. The Star Spangled Banner – Red Bull F1
You know those Americans love any excuse for some patriotism, so maybe next time they should roll out an F1 car. The power, the theatrics, the glory, what more could they possible want to make them feel more American?
5. When The Saints Go Marching In – Minardi F1
Minardi were never overly successful in their F1 adventure, so perhaps they should have discovered music earlier. What makes this video that extra bit more special is the presence of a wonderful conductor. He really does give it the performance of a lifetime. This is definitely worth a watch.
6. Deutschlandleid – Red Bull F1
They have been gifted with the best car in the field and a German superstar to match their need for glory. And so it would make perfect sense for the Red Bull machine to blast out the German National Anthem. A fitting tribute to a man who will most likely become a legendary name in F1. This one really is an orgasm for your ears.
7. La Marseillaise – Renault F1
Renault are a French-based team, so it was only a matter of time before they got their personal god powered rock god to belt out the French National Anthem for them.
8. We Are The Champions – Renault F1
There has been a whole host of famous musical names who have attempted to cover the irreplaceable Freddie Mercury on a song that is known by people the world over. And you know, seeing as F1 is meant to be a motor racing event that tops all other racing events, what other fitting song to end this greatest hits run through than this? The anthems to end all sporting anthems. Freddie would be impressed, guys.
The Power, The Theatre, The Legend. Finally there is another musical titan to cover the great man…
I hope you have all enjoyed my brief ride into the world of musical motoring greatness. If any of you have found other examples of great F1 covers of some musical classics, I would love to hear about it!
Follow me and join the musical madness on Twitter @lewisglynn69!
Keep Driving People!
Peace and Love!
Tips for Tradies
Tradies. Contractors. Those vital people who come around to your place to do something practical that you can’t do for yourself. They come in all flavours – gardeners, electricians, cleaners, plasterers, carpenters, builders, interior decorators, etc. etc. Perhaps you’re one of them.
Now, one thing that every tradie needs is a decent vehicle. There are some jobs that you just can’t do using public transport or on a bicycle. But what do you need to look for in a set of wheels if you are a tradie? What do you need to keep in mind before you head over to our car reviews to pick yourself the right car for your work?
- What tools do you need? You are going to have to carry everything you need with you to every job. This means that you’re going to have to put it somewhere in your vehicle. This doesn’t necessarily mean that a van is a must, in spite of the popularity of vans with tradies. Anything with a decent dollop of luggage space will do the trick – even a ute will do if you carry gear that can stand getting wet. MPVs, 4x4s and station wagons are other options. If your business is less tool-intensive (e.g. mobile computer whizzes, pet groomers or piano tuners) then something smaller can work – a hatchback allows easy access to the few tools that you do have.
- Do you need to pull a trailer? Builders, gardeners and carpenters often have to haul around a trailer, either to take large amounts of stuff to the clients’ places (builders, carpenters) or to take stuff away (gardeners). You’re going to have to consider engine size and type in this case.
- Ground clearance. Some jobs need a decent bit of ground clearance, especially if you’re going to have to take the vehicle over rougher ground to get your gear right where you want it. Others don’t so much. Utes and 4x4s have good ground clearance, which is why they’re popular choices for most tradies. However, a lot of contractors just run around on regular roads in the suburbs and can park on the street or in the driveway, so ground clearance isn’t always necessary.
- Signage. Are you planning on putting your business logo and contact details on your vehicle? It’s a good way of attracting new business. In this case, you may have to consider the colour of your vehicle. If your usual logo is plain black, it’s not going to show up on a dark coloured van or 4×4. If you have more than one vehicle for your business, it’s good if the vehicles match. However, if you’re a sole trader or owner/operator and you only need the one, then you can be a bit flexible when it comes to colour. White isn’t the only colour for a van or work vehicle. I knew a tradie once who scored a van cheap because the previous owner had given it a metallic pink paint job. One quirky logo later and he had a very eye-catching work vehicle that stood out among the fleets of white ones. Similarly, there is no rule that says that gardening/landscaping contractors have to have dark green 4x4s in spite of the “close to nature and good in the bush” image these tend to have.
Autosport International 2014: The Racing Car Show
The Autosport International Show is an annual automotive event that takes place at the legendary NEC in Birmingham. It brings together all the icons of the motoring world in one weekend long celebration of the greatest spectacle on earth; motorsport. The ‘Performance Car Show’ runs in tandem with the main show, showcasing the best in the world of high quality motoring. For any car enthusiast it is an event not to be missed. And for this devoted monk who prays on the V8 powered altar of motorsport, 2014 was the year I made the pilgrimage to this hallowed land.
As I pulled into the NEC in my own MG ZS (yes, sometimes I do like to pretend I drive an old school BTCC car) I was quite simply blown away by the size of the event. It is not often that you park your car at a venue and have to then take a shuttle bus to even get to the main entrance. This was going to be big. And then I walked in…
The NEC is an amazing venue – you get a real idea of just how much there is to see
The freezing Midlands air rushed away as my senses were replaced with what I can only describe as a monumental wall of awesome. Words cannot express just what it felt like to see everything I love about cars under one roof. Whether I tackle this article from a personal or objective stance, the conclusion will always be the same. It is just about time you found out why.
The show offered everything that any car lover would need. Let’s say for example you were fascinated by major developments within engineering. The Autosport Show had a dedicated engineering inception (a show within a show if you will), with over 200 specialists showing off everything that is new and exciting from the industry. I will not pretend to have understood everything about a lot of what I saw, but the best part was that there was always someone on hand to explain. Anything from aerodynamics, to small parts, to exhausts or fancy computer developments, it was all there.
The show offered unrivalled access to all types of cars and just how they work
The ‘Live Action Arena’ gave audiences the chance to see some of the amazing machinery in action. To be totally honest this was probably the only disappointing part of the show. The Autosport Show is meant to be everything that is new and exciting about the world of motorsport yet the live arena did nothing but roll out the stereotypes. Live car shows are meant to be thrilling and enthralling, not just another drifting display followed by a motocross team doing some funky jumping off some ramps. The Stock Car disciplines gave me hope, but these seem to be cut rather short and as I was just getting used to these awesome machines, they had disappeared forever.
I would have much preferred to see this beast roaring around the Live Action Arena…
I wanted to see super cars; I wanted to see the latest race cars. If I wanted drifting and bikes I could go to any local car show. The rest of the event was so modern and so innovative that the live action arena felt a bit old fashioned. The reaction of the audience seemed to reflect my views; even the hosts seem to struggle to get some life out of the 5,000 strong crowd. But it is after all a very well known fact; there is nothing on this earth that is perfect. As amazing as the event was, it was no exception.
One of the greatest BTCC machines from its greatest era. This is the Reid Mondeo from 1999
As a recently graduated Masters student, I completely understand the value of education; if you do not instil the seed of excitement into the younglings at the most basic level, how will they germinate and blossom into a vast forest of motorsport quality that propels the industry forward into the vast unknown that is the future? Motorsport can only evolve and change with new technology, and one of the only ways to ensure its survival is training new engineers and pioneers. The show boasted a comprehensive university and college sector, advertising the opportunities available through taking degrees towards motorsport. Each of these stalls gave visitors the chance to chat to professors, students and even famous graduates, proving that the right course can in fact lead you headlong into the dazzling world of Formula One.
The Autosport Show gives young people the route they need to enter the world of F1
Motorsport is the essence that unleashes the pure animalistic enjoyment among every single person. The Autosport Show gave visitors the unrivalled chance to interact with the cars that we all cheer on from the usual comfort of our sofas or grandstands. Never before have I managed to get up close and personal with some of the machines that defined motorsport through the ages. Formula One, British Touring Cars, World Rally Championship cars, GT races, Le Mans Prototypes, Karts, this list could go on. Every form of motorsport was shown off.
Beauty has no limits…
My favourite aspect of this was the F1 and Autosport stages that were the very epicentre of proceedings. Famous faces from the world of motorsport came out and gave us all the chance to ask them our own questions. Some of these guests included the absolute legend that is John Surtees, race driver supreme, Martin Brundle, driver and commentator, Adrian Sutil, new Sauber driver having moved from Force India and a host of current British Touring Car drivers. Some of the interesting conversations that arose brought up some fascinating news about both Touring cars and Formula One, but I shall save them for another day.
It is not everyday you get to have a chat with two legends of motorsport
The entire event was mind blowing beyond all forms of brain function. It may seem slightly strange to say but for me to fully immerse myself into a world I have spent my life in love with is an opportunity that does not come around very often. If I had to put forward my favourite part of my experience, it would very much have to be the British Touring Car displays, coupled with the interviews with some of my racing heroes. Matt Neal and Jason Plato have been true gods of the BTCC since the golden years in the 1990s; to see them talking about their famous clashes, their favourite moments and plans for the future of the discipline was truly a moment that will stay with me for years to come.
The BTCC is once more becoming a force to be reckoned with in motorsport
Autosport International 2014 has, in my mind, blown everything else out the water and for one very good reason. The social media revolution has given everyone a voice in all aspects of industry, and with evolving technology comes progress. The show was truly interactive in all its elements; the visitors were given every chance to become part of the show. This could be as simple as participating in the discussions with the big names of the show, getting to try out some modern engineering innovations or getting to grips with the best that the motorsport video game industry can offer. It is not every day you get to play the latest Formula One game while sitting in the cockpit of an actual Formula One car.
And here was something a little different. This is Jaguart…
All in all I would say that the Autosport International Show 2014 was an amazing experience that I cannot wait to go back to next year. The show brought together everything that is enthralling about the motorsport world, and has cemented its place within modern society. Motorsport is not just about the individual; it is about the car, the team and the entire industry. Motoring is an essential aspect of modern society, spearheaded by the majesty that is motorsport. The interactive nature of the show encapsulated audiences and gave them the ride of their lives. For any petrol head this is a must-see international event. The mixture of motorsport, engineering and live action really does excite the senses.
Stock Cars may not have commercial recognition, but you cannot deny how good they look
The discussion does not end here. Watch this space for where I reveal some of the news, discussions and gossip I gathered from the show.
For my full coverage from my day at the show, please follow me on Twitter @lewisglynn69
The Autosport International Show: the holy land of motorsport under one roof, this will truly become an annual pilgrimage for me.
Keep Driving People!
Peace and Love!
Motoring Resolutions for 2014
So it’s now 2014, and as this is my first post since we turned over the calendars, I guess I’d better do something new year-ish. As usual in the motoring world, 2014 will see heaps of new versions and things being launched onto the Aussie market and you should be able to keep up with all the new developments on Private Fleet’s car reviews page. On the more personal front, the only big event in my motoring life for this year will be my teenage son going for his licence – I won’t be on the lookout for a new set of wheels (assuming neither the Ford nor my husband’s Nissan Navara work ute blows up). But it probably is time to draw up a list of New Year resolutions for driving. Perhaps the rest of you might like to use this as a little inspiration. After all, all of us could do with some improvements in our driving lives and habits somewhere.
- Keep the car clean inside and out. OK, my Fairlaine isn’t as messy inside as my friend’s Toyota Starlet but it’s high time I gave the seats and the floor of the car a good vacuum. And I need to take out the mats and give them a good shaking, followed by putting them back straight. Maybe finding a rubbish bag to corral old chocolate bar wrappers, receipts and cider bottle caps would be a good idea.
- Use the car less. How many of us have decided (yet again) that we are going to lose weight this year? Ditching the car for short journeys is one simple way of adding a bit more exercise (and is cheaper than a gym membership).
- Keep up the fluids. Oil, brake fluid, the radiator, the window washing fluid…
- Upskill in some area of my driving and car-related activities. Everybody’s got something that they could improve when it comes to cars. Perhaps you/I/we could work on parallel parking without relying overly on the parking assist cameras (one day, you’ll have to drive a car without them, so knowing how to do it without electronic aids is a real must). Perhaps backing a trailer. Perhaps learning how to do a bit more DIY when it comes to car maintenance and repairs – not every job requires a mechanic, after all. Or becoming more comfortable with a manual transmission system if you mostly drive an automatic.
- Sort through the collection of CDs in the car and rotate them so I don’t always end up listening to the same thing every time I get in the car. I’ve got rather eclectic taste in music but even so, I’d like a different set of choices from the options I’ve had over the last month or seven (for those interested, they are a collection of Celtic music, an obscure German electronica/trance album, several CDs of classical music and a Chris Rea album). Better still, see about getting a new audio unit that has USB input so I can plug in an MP3 player.
That should keep me busy for a while, anyway. Happy New Year to all of you and happy driving in 2014.
Level 2, 9 Help Street