Octane July 2016

I LOVE THE THOUGHT of Lauda tearing around in a 288 GTO back in the mid-80s. Forever measured against James Hunt, inevitably the much quieter Lauda is thought of as being rather characterless, but of course that’s not the case – and he certainly enjoyed the Ferrari to the full, as you’ll gather in the feature. We also added a little extra on some of the cars owned by other F1 stars in period, which makes for an interesting read. Some are well-known, others not so, but my personal favourite is Mike Hailwood and his Citroën SM (which is actually currently for sale). His widow, Pauline, told me very enthusiastically a couple of years ago at the Isle of Man TT how much they used their SM, and how much…

MASSIMO IELBÒ ‘Dario Benuzzi told me the history of Ferrari development since the Daytona – technically and emotionally. And Corrado Lopresto’s Alfa Zagato prototype made me believe that his new approach to preservation could turn the classic car movement into an art’ Read about Benuzzi on pages 76-77 and the Alfa SZ on pages 82-90. ROBERT COUCHER ‘The call came inviting us to the desertlands of Utah, USA, and I said yes straightaway. Then I found out I’d be driving a Jeep Grand Wagoneer – in effect, America’s Range Rover. Neither car nor scenery let me down’ Robert helps celebrate 75 years of Jeep on pages 92-98 – and tests the rare and beautiful Porsche 904/6 on pages 124-134. SIMON MOORE ‘When I wrote The Legendary 2.3 back in 2000,…

IT HARDLY SEEMS possible that Group B rally cars were outlawed from the World Rally Championship exactly 30 years ago, given the power they still have to stick in our minds. For many the thought of a Lancia Delta S4, a Peugeot 205 T16, an Audi Sport Quattro, a Ford RS200 or a Metro 6R4 cannoning through the stages, wastegates chuntering and stones flying, defines what rallying is all about. Today’s owners of these mad machines often seize the opportunity to demonstrate them, and the anniversary gives this year a special resonance. The biggest British event will be Classic Nostalgia on 16-17 July at Shelsley Walsh, the Worcestershire hillclimb that is Britain’s oldest still-functioning motor sport venue. A roll-call of Group B rally cars will storm the hill, while others…

HRDC A35s at Goodwood After much speculation, we’re delighted that Goodwood has announced that this year’s St Mary’s Trophy at Goodwood Revival will be an all-A30/A35 race. These will be the HRDC Academy cars that Octanehelped to develop with Julius Thurgood at the HRDC. More than 50 cars are now built or in build. Saturday of the Revival will feature VIPs in the little Austins; Sunday will be for owner-drivers. The Revival takes place on 9-11 September. Doctorate for US restorer Renowned Massachusetts-based restorer Paul Russell, responsible for so many Pebble Beach concours entrants over the year, and who looks after many of Ralph Lauren’s cars, has been awarded an honorary Doctorate of Applied Arts by McPherson College. The college celebrates 40 years of automotive restoration education this year. Alfa…

This year’s classic car tour to the always-spectacular Concours of Elegance takes place on Sunday 4 September, and runs from Wormsley Estate to the concours at Windsor Castle. Places are available now at £175 per person. The 90-mile tour will take a scenic route to the castle, starting at the 2500-acre Wormsley Estate in the heart of the Chilterns at 9.30am and arriving at The Long Walk outside Windsor Castle at midday. Participants will be shown to a dedicated Octane Tour display area close to the Cambridge Gate. The price includes breakfast, maps, entry to the concours, a three-course lunch with wine, and afternoon tea. To enter please email poppy@gtoevents.com.…

‘People say I drive like him: erratic, fast, aggressive. I still haven’t developed consistency but I’m working on that’ James Hunt’s lookalike son Freddie, at the announcement of the Hunt celebrations at the Silverstone Classic, 29-31 July. ‘It’s a car with no brakes and lots of power. What’s not to like?’ Geraint Owen on driving Babs at Pendine Sands, 90 years to the day since it set the Land Speed Record at 171.02mph. ‘Bring on Dennis the Menace!’ Octane’s publishing director Geoff Love on the news that Octane and The Beano are competing for a PPA Award. ‘Steve McQueen said “racing is life, everything else is just waiting”. I say Goodwood is life and everything else is just waiting’ Emanuele Pirro, five-time Le Mans winner, who will be racing at…