GoMW LAUNCHES NEW MENTORING SCHEME

TV star Mike Brewer has signed up to mentor young recruits

Richard Aucock has signed up to mentor young recruits

The Guild of Motoring Writers has launched a mentoring scheme for new young members, enabling the rising stars of motoring journalism to tap into the Guild’s deep pool of experience.

Nearly 20 high-profile GoMW members have agreed to join the scheme, which will see all new members under the age of 30 offered a mentor.

Mentors have agreed to share their contact details with the new Guild members, so if the newcomers ever need to run something past them, ask a question about their career or simply have someone to mull things over with, they’ll know where to turn.

The brainchild of Guild committee member James Baggott, the mentoring scheme is just one of a number of initiatives the GoMW is rolling out in 2013.

“When I first started in this industry I could have done with an experienced journalist who I could turn to for advice,” explained Baggott. “Knowing there is someone you can talk to in confidence, who has been in the industry a little longer than you have, will make a big difference to many up-and-coming young journalists.”

Many high-profile Guild members have agreed to join the mentoring scheme, including TV star Mike Brewer, who fronts Wheeler Dealers and Trading Up on Discovery. Autocar editor Jim Holder, former Top Gear presenter Sue Baker, The Guild of Motoring Writers chairman Richard Aucock and national newspaper writers Nat Barnes and Honest John are also on board.

Guild chairman Aucock added: “This is yet another fantastic initiative by the Guild that shows how we are supporting our young members and helping to attract new blood into joining. We’ve had an influx of younger journalists signing up to be members in recent months, and this mentoring scheme will be something they can tap into immediately.”

Membership to the Guild costs £97.50 with a joining fee of £25. For under-30s that is reduced to £62.50 with no joining fee. Members get access to a host of benefits – including free AA breakdown cover – as well as the chance to enter the coveted annual awards.

The full list of mentors is as follows:

1 Sue Baker
2 Sarah Bradley
3 John Kendall
4 Richard Yarrow
5 Richard Aucock
6 Simon Harris
7 Jorn Madslien
8 Tristan Young
9 David Williams
10 James Baggott
11 Mike Brewer
12 Chris Wright
13 Ben Pulman
14 Paul Horrell
15 Andrew Noakes
16 Honest John
17 Nat Barnes
18 Jim Holder
19 Matthew Carter

Source: Guild of Motoring Writers Ltd

VIDEO: HOW TO MODIFY A MOTORCYCLE FOR A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME TRIP AROUND THE WORLD

Part 1 of a series of videos filmed by Jonathan Yates on his once-in-a-lifetime motorbike trip across 35 countries on a Yamaha Ténéré XT660.



Coming soon from Veloce!
The Real Way Round - 1 year, 1 motorcycle, 1 man, 6 continents, 35 countries, 42,000 miles, 9 oil changes, 3 sets of tyres, and loads more ... by Jonathan Yates.

This book captures one man’s real experience motorcycling around the globe – no back up teams, no spare bikes, no film crews. 42,000 miles through 35 countries, seeing amazing things, meeting fascinating people, experiencing different cultures and coping with extremely challenging conditions.
This book is not only proof anyone can do it, but also a guide as to how to do it. It is not a technical guide, but rather a broad-brush approach covering some of the key tasks needed to plan and complete a similar trip yourself. With dozens of inspirational photos of stunning scenery and intense experiences, plus an informal, straightforward commentary, this is an eye-opening and practical account of biking around the world. More info.

THE BIGGEST TOURING CAR REVIVAL YET

The 2013 Silverstone Classic (26-28 July) will celebrate Britain’s evergreen passion for bumper-to-bumper touring car racing with a record number of saloon cars grids from the sport’s golden eras. For the first time in the evocative event’s history, this summer’s staging of the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival will include three packed touring car grids alongside as part of an amazing line-up of 24 races for unrivalled numbers of historic F1, GT and sports cars.

With a capacity 58 car field, the Under 2-Litre Touring Car (U2TC) showdown for saloons from the early Sixties is an established crowd-pleaser at the Classic, and the Super Touring Trophy introduced in 2012 proved to be an instant success for fans of more modern tin-top racing in the Eighties and Nineties. Both return in 2013 but now are joined by a new Trans-Atlantic Touring Car Trophy grid featuring many of the mighty V8 muscle cars that dominated saloon car racing in the second half of the Sixties.

Indeed it’s almost exactly 50 years ago that Silverstone witnessed the arrival of the first ‘Yank Tank’. It was on 11 May 1963 that saloon car legend Jack Sears debuted the 6.9-litre NASCAR sourced Ford Galaxie at Silverstone, promptly trounced the reigning Jaguars and totally transformed the sport for the following epoch.

It was unquestionably a defining moment and two Trans-Atlantic Touring Car Trophy races staged over the action-packed weekend will mark the golden anniversary of Sears’ first win. Harking back to that halcyon era both will witness large numbers of the crowd-pleasing American machines taking on their more nimble European rivals from the same unforgettable period.

The two-driver U2TC race also honours another important milestone in saloon car racing history – 50 years of the esteemed Lotus Cortina. Last year’s capacity 58-car grid included more than 25 of these racing deities and another huge turn out is guaranteed in July in a packed field that will also flaunt packs of battling Alfa Romeos, BMWs and Minis.

Turning the clocks forward, the Super Touring Trophy puts the spotlight on two equally memorable eras. The Group A era is well represented by flame-spitting Cosworth Sierras and their long-standing BMW M3 adversaries, while a growing number of super tourers epitomise what’s widely hailed as the zenith of the MSA British Touring Car Championship during the Nineties. Adding to the history, several of the famous drivers from that period are rolling back the years, too. Two-time BTCC champion John Cleland and ebullient Patrick Watts have both found one of their old racers and are planning to rejoin the fray.

Source: Silverstone Classic

Available from Veloce!
British Touring Car Racing – The crowd’s favourite – late 1960s to 1990
By Peter Collins

Evocative pictures of British Touring Car racing – the crowd's favourite – from the flares of the late 1960s to the turbos of 1990.
More info.

VELOCE AT THE LONDON BOOK FAIR 2013

A few pics from The London Book Fair (15-17 April 2013) at Earls Court.
Launching new book Mike Brewer's The Wheeler Dealer Know How!

Jude & Rod with Mike Brewer.Rod with John Groton Sales Director of our US distributor QDS.Rod with Martyn Chapman, Commercial Director at Orca Book Services.Jude with Stefano Nada of Giorgio Nada EditoreRod with Giorgio Nada papa of Stefano and owner of Giorgio Nada Editore (The Italian publisher leader in motoring books).Another fair over ... phew!
More photos from the event on Veloce's Facebook page.

LAMBORGHINI'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

“100 Years of Innovation in half the time"



In 2013, the 50th year since it was founded, Automobili Lamborghini is participating in the annual Techno Classica fair at Essen, where Lamborghini will be showing two of its supercars that have made automotive history, at pavilion 7. Introduced in 1964, the 350 GT was the first mass-produced Lamborghini, while the 1972 P 400 Miura SV was the final evolution of the legendary Miura - the first super sports car with a modern design. Both vehicles on display were taken from the extensive collection of historic cars in the Lamborghini Museum at the company's headquarters in Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy. An expert on replacement parts for classic cars will also be at the stand to provide information on original spare parts for early Lamborghini models. Source: Lamborghini

One of the most talked about car videos on YouTube this week is a Lamborghini Miura SV on fire in central London. Petrolheads look away now!



Available from Veloce!
The Lamborghini Miura Bible by Joe Sackey.

Written by a world-renowned authority on the subject, featuring, among other things, a never-before-published factory chassis production register, technical illustrations, studio-supplied images and exclusive interviews with the designers of the car: this is essential reading for any Lamborghini fan.
More info.

KAWASAKI Z1 - NUMBER 27

Thanks to Dave Orritt (author of Kawasaki Z1 - Essential Buyer's Guide) for sending us these pics of his latest acquisition from Los Angeles Jan 2013.

This Kawasaki Z1, was no.27 off the production line (from the first hour of production), August 1972.

Dave thinks this is the earliest Z1 currently in the UK and possibly Europe, having had one US owner and covered 134000 miles, with original engine.







Packed with good advice on choosing the right Kawasaki, with a comprehensive inspection guide and in-depth analysis of strengths and weaknesses, this book covers desirable upgrades, modifications to avoid, valuation and predicting which models will become collectable (if they aren’t already). Illustrated throughout with photos of key areas to check and foibles to be aware of, and featuring details ranging from the Kawasaki community, to whether a Kawasaki Z1 or Z900 will suit you and your lifestyle, this is the complete guide to choosing, assessing, and buying the Kawasaki of your dreams.
More info.

MIKE BREWER DAY AT VELOCE!

Yesterday, the staff at Veloce Publishing got 'Brewered' and were proud to celebrate the arrival of their brand new book, Mike Brewer's The Wheeler Dealer Know How!

At just £16.99 this brand new hardback book by Mike Brewer, cheeky chappie and TV's best-known car dealing expert - provides everything you need to know about buying, preparing, and selling collectable cars!

During the day the Velocisti wore Mike Brewer masks and posed for photographs at Veloce's Dorchester headquarters clutching wads of Monopoly money. Veloce's Chelsea made cupcakes featuring the mod-style target logo used by the Wheeler Dealer TV series, now in its 9th season. Veloce had 14 Wheeler Dealer's for the day, including one canine Brewer!

All this fun was recorded on Veloce's Facebook page and Twitter feed, using the #MikeBrewerDay hashtag. The day ended with a photo of staff crammed in a vintage 1929 Chevrolet AC International Roadster.

Veloce publisher and co-founder Rod Grainger commented "This was a great way to celebrate a terrific new book that Veloce is proud to have published. Mike is a great character and this is a book that has been eagerly anticipated by classic and collectible car fans around the world, not to mention the 84,895 people who like Mike's Wheeler Dealer Facebook page, and nearly 30,000 followers on Twitter."

Veloce will launch Mike Brewer's The Wheeler Dealer Know How! at the London Book Fair at Earls Court next week.

AMÉDÉE GORDINI – BOOK OF THE MONTH!

Amédée Gordini – a true racing legend by Roy Smith is BOOK OF THE MONTH in the May 2013 edition of Classic & Sports Car magazine!

Click image to view full size
This is the story of a man, a team, and their life and times, as well as a complete record of all their achievements and failures. It logs the financial and personal cost of racing in the prewar and postwar periods. It tells of how the mighty car company Renault became involved with them in the late 1950s, and how Amedee Gordini became known throughout the world as one of the greatest engine tuners of his time.

Watch the interview with Roy Smith!

Click HERE for more info about the book!