DORSET’S JURASSIC COAST COMES TO BOURNEMOUTH'S WESTOVER ROAD

August 5 saw the opening of an exhibition of photographs featuring the breath-taking beauty of Dorset’s coastline, but from a different perspective – viewed from the sea.

The evocative images by photographer Steve Belasco take you on a journey from Lyme Regis in the West to Old Harry Rocks in the East – a journey that features some of Dorset’s best known and most secret coastal places.

Steve says:
"When I first arrived in Dorset as a newspaper photographer, I was stunned by the scenery, particularly the drama of the Jurassic coastline. A quarter of a century on, I still am.
"So I decided to combine three of my passions – photography, boats and my adopted home county – to create a collection of photographs taken from Dorset’s best viewpoint... offshore.
"The coast may not be quite as it was 190 million years ago in the Lower Jurassic period, but it’s still pretty spectacular!"

Steve’s book ‘Dorset from the Sea’ (published by Veloce) accompanies the exhibition and is available either as a full size or handy pocket-sized ‘explorers’ edition.

Both are available to purchase at the exhibition, together with ‘miniblocs’ of each of the images which make a unique memento. There is also the opportunity to order limited edition canvases of the images themselves, signed by the photographer.

The exhibition runs from August 5-30, 2015, at the former Tourist Information Centre on the corner of Westover Road and Gervis Place.
This free exhibition is supported by the Meyrick Estate, Langtry Manor, Wood Lodge and Windsor Court Care and a proportion of proceeds from the sale of books and photographs will help to support the tremendous work of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.

Dame Ellen says:
“It's great to see Steve's exhibition promoting Dorset's Jurassic Coast which, for most people not lucky enough to have seen it from seaward, gives a different perspective to this familiar and beautiful coastline.

“It would be wonderful if these images encourage more people to get out on the water to enjoy it for themselves.
“On the subject of enjoying the water, it's also great that this show is helping support young people recovering from cancer and leukaemia by rebuilding their confidence through sailing. Thank you!”

The building, which has been a prominent sight on the corner of Westover Road for the last 25 years, is soon to take on a new role as a restaurant but is being made available to stage these exhibitions whilst final plans are put in place

George Meyrick, Chairman of the Meyrick Estate says:
"We are delighted to make one of our properties available to this and two other free exhibitions during August and September - offering yet another aspect to Bournemouth’s ever-growing choice of summertime activities".

SUMMER HOLIDAY READING

Are you going on holiday and looking for something good to read on your travels? We've got some ideas ...

We've handpicked a selection of essential Veloce summer holiday reading that will fit perfectly in your travel bag: click here.

Prefer reading on an eReader, tablet or smartphone? Take a look at our eBook picks.

ME AND MY CAR/MOTORCYCLE No.16MORGAN 3 WHEELEROWNER: PETER DRON

Peter Dron bought his Morgan 3 Wheeler in 2013, and then decided to write a book about the new 3 Wheelers, which is now available.

"Once you have reached a certain age, it is important to do at least one daft thing per year. Thus, in 2013, I bought a Morgan 3 Wheeler: the new model that had entered production in 2012.
For 2014, I wrote my book about how Morgan returned to making three-wheelers. I related in detail the various development problems – severe bump steer, fractured chassis, failed compensators, cracked exhaust pipes, fried voltage regulators, shredded timing belts, worn-out drive sprockets, screaming bevel boxes, and so on.

My M3W left the factory in September 2014, by which time the chassis tubes had been strengthened and braced (further stiffening has since been incorporated), and it had the interim ‘Mk 2’ compensator, far better than the original type but not nearly as good as the apparently bombproof CENTA unit now fitted.
Some owners did not mind the bump steer. I certainly did, so I had the so-called ‘comfort pack’ fitted. The comforting thing about it is that it allows you to stay on the black stuff.
I was dealt my share of grief. I had to replace two voltage regulators – and, consequently, two batteries. The most serious failure occurred when the crankshaft pulley retaining bolt worked loose, destroying the timing belt. This was inconvenient but not disastrous, as the engine is of the ‘non-interference’ type.

All the aggravation arose from the rush into production, and many M3W owners have acted as development testers. The latest versions are far more reliable than mine, which was itself a vast improvement over earlier examples.
You still have to be borderline barking to buy an M3W. This is motoring at its most basic: there are no doors, no heater and no weather protection, while luggage capacity is minimal. The engine makes a deafening row, and there are all sorts of other weird and worrying noises. If you do not feel vulnerable when you clamber into this wild little machine, you have limited imagination. But what visceral fun it is to drive! It may not be quite as rapid as the claimed performance figures, but it certainly feels fast.
I use the past tense in relation to mine, because I recently sold it. I am about to take delivery of a brand-new Morgan 4/4. Perhaps that is this year’s act of mild lunacy. I enjoyed owning a Morgan 3 Wheeler."
– Peter Dron

ONE MILLION YOUTUBE VIEWS!

We're feeling chuffed to have passed the one million video views milestone on YouTube! With over 125 bespoke videos, the Veloce channel has featured contributions from Sir Stirling Moss OBE, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, Adrian Newey OBE, Derek Bell MBE, Alain De Cadenet, Desiré Wilson and Tony Mason. Subscribe now!

THE DUCATI ‘SPECIALE’ CHALLENGE

Ducati UK has announced the launch of the 2015 Ducati ‘Speciale’ Challenge, a competition to find the best modified Ducati in the UK.

Ducati Diavel Carbon – Ducati Performance

1299 Ducati Panigale S accessorised
Ducati has always been synonymous with performance and design and most Ducati customers modify their bike in some way using the extensive array of Ducati Performance accessories available. To celebrate some of the best examples of self-expression by UK Ducatisti, Ducati UK will invite six finalists to display their bikes at the Silverstone round of the British Superbikes Championship on the 3rd and 4th October. Here a panel of judges led by Tim Maccabee, Managing Director of Ducati UK will jointly select the winner and runner up before awarding the trophies at the hospitality unit.

The winner of the Challenge will receive a bespoke trophy by designer Dan Taylor, £1000 worth of Ducati Performance vouchers and a 2016 season pass for two for Ducati hospitality at selected BSB rounds. The runner up will also receive a bespoke trophy and £500 worth of Ducati Performance vouchers. The remaining four finalists will each receive a £250 Ducati Performance voucher.

The bikes will be displayed outside the Ducati UK hospitality unit in the main Silverstone paddock where the race day crowd will have chance to view the final entries. The finalists and a guest will also have the opportunity to enjoy Ducati hospitality throughout the weekend.

Ducati Monster 1200S Ducati Performance
To take part in the competition, please email your entries to reception@ducatiuk.com with images and a description of modifications made. The deadline for entries will be the 1st September with the finalists announced on the 14th September.

All Ducati Performance vouchers are to a value including VAT and can only be redeemed by purchasing official Ducati accessories and/or apparel from an official UK Ducati dealer. By entering the competition entrants agree to their names and bike images being posted on the ducatiuk.com website, Facebook and other social media channels.

VESPISTI AROUND THE WORLD – IN PICTURES

This post is dedicated to Vespisti around the world who have made the Vespa what it is today – immortal. How do you Vespa?

Enjoy over 470 more pictures in the brand new Veloce book!

Vespas have split opinions ever since they first appeared on the scene. The members of one camp bemoan “those horrible things,” while those in the other camp develop a twinkle in their eyes. For some, it’s just another motor scooter, for others, a revelation, and, for a few, an entire religion. Born in the turmoil of the immediate postwar years, the Vespa grew up in the Swingin’ Fifties, came of age in the Golden Sixties, and remains immortal in the third millennium.

Eighteen million Vespas have buzzed their way into the world since 1946. Stood end to end, they would form a line measuring 32,000 kilometres – 20,000 miles – in length. This is an almost inconceivable statistic, as with many things that transcend conventional measures and at some point achieve cult status.
How did the little machine come so far? The answer is simple. The Vespa has always remained the Vespa, true to itself, and has what others lack: real character!

This book tells the Vespa’s story via over 470 photos, corrects many misconceptions and lets the reader become immersed in the culture of Vespa and la bella vita.

Vespa – The Story of a Cult Classic in Pictures by Günther Uhlig is available now! Order your copy here.

JUNE INSTAGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

A look back at some of our Instagram highlights from last month ...

Alfa Romeo Giulia at Grand Prix de l'Age d'Or 2015
Photo by @DriveGuideGuru

We celebrated the arrival of our new book Vespa – The Story of a Cult Classic in Pictures.

Happy 105th anniversary to ‪‎Alfa Romeo‬! Founded as A.L.F.A (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili) on June 24, 1910.

One of several Lola T70's on track at Grand Prix de l'Age d'Or.
Photo by @DriveGuideGuru
Follow us on Instagram here.