GREENER MOTORING NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

Exchange and Mart survey reveals greener motoring tops New Year resolution list

Every New Year comes with the dreaded resolutions to find a new job, join the gym and do more for world peace. According to a new survey* from ExchangeandMart.co.uk 37.5% of people made driving-related New Year's resolutions for 2011. Trading in the current car for a greener model tops this year's list of resolutions, showing that the environment is still a key issue for motorists.

"Motorists seem to find their driving resolutions easier to stick to than the usual promises of cutting out the cake or giving up smoking, with 55% keeping the motoring resolutions they made in 2010," says Michael Tang, Marketing Communications Manager at Exchange and Mart. "Most interestingly, of those vowing to make changes, 30% want to trade in their current vehicle for a greener model, and 30% are looking for a smaller model. In 2010, the same percentage of people planned to go for a greener car, but just 20% were on the lookout for a smaller model.

"Reducing mileage, last year's top of the chart with a massive 37%, has dropped to third place with 25% of people cutting down on journeys. This may suggest that motorists are looking for sustainable ways to be greener and cut costs, without the inconvenience of leaving the car at home. Trading in the gas-guzzler for a green machine is a cost effective and convenient way to save money and reduce your impact on the environment, and it looks like the trend will continue for some time to come."

Exchange and Mart Top Motoring Resolutions for 2011

= 1 - Trade in car for a greener model

= 1 - Trade in for something smaller

3 - Reduce mileage

4 - Service car more regularly

5 - Make an effort to drive within speed limits

*Survey conducted December 2010-January 2011, 104 customers were surveyed across the UK.

New book The Efficient Driver's Handbook helps you save money and help the environment too!

This book describes in a clear, friendly manner everything today’s driver needs to know about choosing and using a car in an economical and eco-efficient way. It explains what matters most to the car buyer when optimum fuel economy and lowest emissions are priorities, and why four wheel drive and automatic transmission present challenges to eco-friendly driving.
Highly detailed advice on driving for best fuel economy is supplemented by helpful information on alternative fuels, hybrid powertrains, and much more. Featuring a thorough examination of the advantages and disadvantages of the most promising fuels of the future - electricity and hydrogen – this book is essential reading for the modern driver. More info.

JAGUAR E-TYPE TO CELEBRATE ITS 50TH BIRTHDAY AT SILVERSTONE CLASSIC

This year’s Silverstone Classic (22-24 July) will be the world’s premier venue for the Jaguar E-Type’s 50th birthday celebrations. Launched in 1961, the legendary E-Type remains one of the most iconic, elegant and revered sports cars of all time and its golden anniversary will be honoured with a host of special races and displays at the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival.

Jaguar owners clubs in the UK have chosen the 2011 Silverstone Classic as the number one event worldwide to mark the E-Type’s half century. They are forecasting the greatest showing of Jaguar E-Types ever assembled with eager owners bringing their cherished cars from right around the world.

Adding to the festivities, the weekend’s busy on-track schedule includes two races dedicated solely to competition versions of the Jaguar E-Type. With nearly 90 cars already registered with the Historic Sports Car Club (HSCC) organisers, a record grid of more than 50 race-prepared E-Types is predicted.

“The response has been remarkable with huge interest from the UK as well as abroad,” reports Grahame White, Chief Executive of the HSCC. “As the Silverstone Classic is held on the full Grand Prix circuit we will be able to start what’s almost certain to be the biggest grid of E-Types of all time – it promises to be a magnificent site and a fabulous celebration.”

In total, more than a thousand racing and road-going E-Types are expected to join the golden anniversary celebrations at Silverstone and owners are being provided with dedicated infield parking areas and special ticket discounts, plus many other benefits. Notably the Jaguar E-Type Club has set up a unique ‘E50 Birthday Celebration’ weekend package to include a run through some of England’s most beautiful countryside, accommodation and a dinner dance in Shakespeare Country at Stratford-upon-Avon plus three day’s attendance at the 2011 Silverstone Classic.

“With so many E-Types on and off the track, it’s going to be a fantastic occasion – the world’s biggest and best celebration for one of the truly great sports cars,” says Nick Wigley, Event Director. “What’s more, the Silverstone Classic offers the perfect place and timing for the world to celebrate such an important milestone in automotive history. After all Jaguar designed and produced the E-Types just up the road at Browns Lane in Coventry and the very first UK sales commenced in July 1961. It’s going to be an absolutely amazing occasion – a party no classic car fan will want to miss.”

Highlighting the legendary Jaguar’s central role at this year’s Silverstone Classic, one of the very first Jaguar E-Types produced was featured on the event’s award winning exhibition stand earlier this month at the Autosport Show International.

The historic car on display was the 11th Jaguar E-Type car made, chassis number 850011 and will be one of the many contesting the two HSCC Jaguar E-Type Challenge races at the Silverstone Classic in July. These early pre-production cars were sold to selected customers who would race them, gaining valuable promotion. This car went to George Wicken, a successful Formula 2 driver who raced it throughout 1961 against the likes of Graham Hill, Roy Salvadori and Bruce McLaren and was one of only two E-Types entered for the 1961 TT at Goodwood. It now competes successfully in historic racing driven by owner Gary Pearson.

Highlighting the amazing mix of famous competition cars that will be racing alongside the E-Types at the 2011 Silverstone Classic, the display stand at the recent Autosport Show also featured a Maserati 250F from the Fifties, regarded by many as the finest Grand Prix car of all generations, as well as one of the famous V12 Silk Cut Jaguar XJR9s that took the famous British marque back to victory at Le Mans in 1988. Later in the year, both will be lining up on respective HGPCA pre-61 Grand Prix Cars and Group C grids at the 2011 Silverstone Classic.
Source: Silverstone Classic

NEW VELOCE FACEBOOK PAGE BOOKSTORE

We've added a new 'Shop Now' facility to our Facebook page. This means books can be ordered directly from Facebook using PayPal or Credit Card. Take a look at the page and click 'Like' to qualify for a special introductory discount offer!

CHRISTOPHER HILTON

Dear friends of Veloce Publishing,
It is with great sadness that I have learned of the passing of Christopher Hilton at the end of December 2010.
Christopher needs no introduction to anyone with even the vaguest interest in motorsport, for not only was he a great and hugely respected journalist, and a gentleman, he was also an amazingly prolific author of books.
I was honoured when he chose to come to Veloce with his book on the Toleman racing team - a subject about which he was passionate. His professionalism and enthusiasm shine throughout the pages of the Toleman book, as they do in all his work.
Christoper will be sorely missed by all who knew him, and I very much regret that I cannot continue our discussion on a future book project.
Rod Grainger, Publisher

The Toleman Story – Last Romantics in Formula 1
By Christopher Hilton

BARRIE DOWN PUBLIC TALK AT FLORIDA UNI

Barrie Down, author of Veloce book Art Deco and British Car Design - The Airline Cars of the 1930s sent us this video of a talk he gave last year at Florida International University. Here are some highlights from the presentation. Also included in this video is a comparison with American cars which was not in the book.

The Art Deco movement influenced many different industries in the 1930s, and the British motor industry was no exception. Featuring a comprehensive examination of Art Deco styling elements, and a beautifully illustrated portrayal of British streamlined production cars, this is a unique account of a radical era in automotive design.
More info.

RACE RETRO TURNS BACK CLOCK TO GOLDEN AGE OF RALLYING WITH LIVE ACTION

Miki Biasion in the Lancia Delta Integrale
A delectable selection of rally cars from the 1970s to the present day are out in force at this year’s Race Retro, held at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry from 25-27 February, demonstrating rear wheel, front wheel and four wheel-drive action on the Live Rally Stage, sponsored by Hero.

The live action, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, sees rally ace Miki Biasion behind the wheel of the Lancia Delta Integrale he drove in the 1990s, showcasing the Italian car maker that 2011’s Race Retro is also celebrating. Joining the celebrations is the Lancia Fulvia HF, an authentic recreation of a 1970s works rally car driven by Tony Graham on his return from Monte Historique.

Also on the starting line is a Vauxhall Chevette HS works rally car, hopefully with original driver Jimmy McRae at the wheel in support of his charity, built by Bill Blydenstein's famous Dealer Team Vauxhall (DTV) outfit at Shepreth in 1978 and run by works manager Gerry Johnstone. The car, in Jimmy's hands, competed in numerous Rallies in 1978, and achieved 7th in Mintex, 2nd on the Circuit of Ireland, as well as starts on the Welsh and Scottish events.

'Jumping' Jeff Williamson will debut his recently acquired ex works FIA Group A Mercedes 190 Cosworth, built for Danny Snobek to drive in the 1987 Monte Carlo Rally. This is one of only seven cars built. The rally programme was subsequently abandoned when these two wheel drive cars were deemed uncompetitive against the crop of new four wheel drive cars. They were subsequently used for the European touring car racing series run on behalf of M-B by Danny Snobeck Racing.

The Firenza V8, a recreation of the 1972 South African GM Dealer Team car used by Jan Hettema, will also make another appearance after its debut in 2010. Only 100 of these 360 bhp cars were built as 'homologation specials' to compete against South Africa Fords, V8 engined Perana (Capri). Hettema himself gave builder Mick Strafford a great deal of technical advice and help with original details during the building of this car to ensure it is a faithful representation of the original works car.

Also in action will be three of the small yet mighty Metro 6R4s, which remain as popular with rally fans as they were 25 years ago. They are joined by two Ford RS200s, a pair of Opel Manta 400s, an Audi Quattro Sport and a Peugeot 205 T16 – models representing the pinnacle of mid-‘80s rallying.

There will also be an example of its arch-rival Ford Escort Mk2, a highly-rare Nissan 240RS and a Triumph TR7 V8. A brace of Talbot Sambas revives ‘80s-style club rallying and proves they can still be on the pace. The pinnacle of ‘70s rallying might is represented by Lancia, Race Retro’s celebrated marque, with a Stratos being joined by a Fiat 131 Abarth and, from the 1980s, a Fiat Strada Abarth.

And big car rallying is represented by a 1986 Rover Vitesse, this rear-wheel drive V8 providing ample evidence that family cars can be on the face just as much as cars with a more sporting pedigree.

There will also be Historic Kart demonstrations including an appearance by racing legend Johnny Herbert at the controls on Sunday!

Adult ticket prices start from just £20 for Friday and Saturday, £15 for Sunday when booking in advance. Children’s tickets are £5 on Friday or Saturday and free on Sunday. Parking is also free throughout. The show is open from 9.30am each day and closes at 5.30pm on Friday and Saturday and 4.30pm on Sunday. To book tickets and for the latest updates, visit www.raceretro.com

From Veloce's Rally Giants series! Lancia Delta 4WD/Integrale
By Graham Robson.

The HF 4WD – a compact, five-door Lancia – dominated world-class rallying for six years, winning innumerable events, World Championships for Drivers, and World Championships for Manufacturers, and making legends out of drivers such as Markku Alan, Didier Auriol, Miki Biasion, Juha Kankkunen and Carlos Sainz. More info.

ROAD TRIPS TO DRIVE FOR!

New Veloce book Roads with a View – England’s greatest views and how to find them by road by David Corfield is reviewed in The Daily Express!

Click here for more info about the book.