Octane June 2023

I HAVE MANY happy memories associated with McLaren F1s, but then it is testament to the importance of the car that everyone seems to remember their every interaction with one, however small. That could be seeing one static at a concours, spotting one on the road (it does happen) and onwards and upwards from there. I am well aware that my own dealings with the BMW-engined Murray/Stevens masterpiece have been more privileged than most so apologies if what is to come seems boastful – it is not meant to be, it is simply trying to emphasise how much this car matters, to me, to enthusiasts, to motoring history. The first time I went in an F1 was as a passenger. It was in 2002 at Bedford Autodrome, I was in the…

JOHN BARKER ‘In the early ’90s a 627bhp V12 was utterly devastating, partly because the lightness of the car it powered seemed to multiply its effect. Two days with the McLaren F1 was a series of unforgettable moments… and probably still would be today.’ John recalls his early acquaintance with the unrepeatable McLaren F1: pages 56-66. NIGEL HARNIMAN ‘Imagine driving through the Swiss Alps on empty roads, being wafted along by the silky-smooth straight-six in the fresh mountain air. Chrome detailing, handcrafted leatherwork and curvaceous wings convey the chic elegance of the 1930s.’ Nigel photographed the one-off MG WA Drophead on pages 70-78. ASTON PARROTT ‘I have photographed a 22B, Best Impreza Colin McRae Edition and Colin McRae’s actual 555 rally car, so it was awesome to get the opportunity to shoot…

To take advantage of this month’s special offer and get three issues of Octane for £5, either visit octane.co.uk/subscribe or call +44 (0)330 333 9491 and quote code DAPR23 Buying your issue of Octane – new and old PRINT ISSUE Octane is available at the usual branches of UK shops, such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and independents, as well as WH Smith High Street and Travel. You can order the latest magazine or a back issue, delivered direct to your door, by visiting magsdirect.co.uk and searching for ‘Octane’. DIGITAL ISSUES Download the Octane Magazine app on Android or Apple and you will be able to enjoy the new issue. Alternatively you can source the digital edition via either Zinio or Readly. SUBSCRIBE You can find superb offers on print (order…

The Three Legs of Mann, 17-18 March The funny thing about hardcore rallyists is that the worse the weather, the more they tend to enjoy the challenge. So they must have loved HERO-ERA’s trip to the home of the TT to honour the 60th anniversary of the first Manx Trophy Rally, because, even in the words of the organisers, the weather was ‘dire’. Regardless, there was a Volvo one-two finish with Dan Willan and Mark Appleton winning in their PV544 (above left) while Amazon crew Paul Dyas and Martyn Taylor were runners-up. Ford Escort-mounted Steve Head and Graham Raeburn (this picture) impressively rounded off the podium on their first HERO-ERA event. RALLY THE GLOBE GENERATIONS RALLY, 24-26 MARCH The north Pennines hosted the second of these popular events. Novice Sophie…

29 April Brooklands Italian Car Day Italian cars descend on Brooklands, the rarest and most interesting of them displayed in the new ‘Nuvolari Paddock’. brooklandsmuseum.com 29-30 April Donington Historic Festival A busy schedule for 2023 includes the three-hour Royal Automobile Club Pall Mall Trophy for GTs, Touring Cars and sports-racers. doningtonhistoric.com 30 April Audrain Veteran CarTour Pre-1908 cars from across the USA meet at the Audrain Automobile Museum before chuffing off for a 50-mile trip around Rhode Island. audrainmotorsport.com 30 April Curborough SpeedTrials The VSCC Speed Championship gets underway at Curborough, which hosted its first sprint meeting 60 years ago this year. vscc.co.uk 30 April Vintage Velos Assembly A gathering for owners and fans of vintage bicycles, free to attend for paid-up members of Bicester’s Scramblers club, and £5 for…

Join us with a group of 17 cars, both classic and modern, for a 2-night/3-day West Country weekend getaway, with great driving and superb hospitality. Your home from home will be a private 100-acre farm nestled in the rolling Dorset hills just a few miles from the Jurassic Coast. There will be scenic driving routes through Somerset and Devon each day (including a spectacular drive across Exmoor), with relaxed lunch stops along the way before we return to our idyllic Dorset retreat. This will be much like a weekend at a friend’s country home, with superb food and a fully-stocked, help-yourself bar. After a great day’s driving there will be plenty of time to relax on the terrace with a glass or two of rosé (or perhaps a swim or…