Octane Gossip - Part 3

Rant – The Real Way to Cut Road Deaths

by Neill Watson on September 24, 2010

Subaru Impreza Ice Driving car in Sweden

Not really sure why, but the road safety subject is a very hot topic this week. First off, we’re treated to the wise results of a survey that tells us that young, newly qualified drivers can be stopped from crashing by banning them from driving after dark and with other people their own age – no shit Sherlock…

The chances of that happening are, or course, very remote, but nontheless, there’s no doubt that young drivers out posing with their mates are at risk. The combination of the urge to show off, inexperience, massive belief in your own invincibility at that age, plus of course, girls, is a risky thing. I know, I have the shunts to prove it from years ago…. But stopping them driving at night won’t be a solution.

Next off, the IAM tell us that the measures taken over the last few years have resulted in a downward trend in road deaths, something that we should not be complacednt about, they warn. Quite what the measures taken were are not mentioned in the press release.

On the very same day, good old ROSPA chime in… They reckon that we’re not looking enough and for once, I have to say that they may well have a point. Try sitting behind someone in the middle lane of a motorway, brains on standby to save the batteries, while you wait for him to wake up and take a glance in the mirror and you’d agree with ROSPA.

But one thing I’m amazed to find myself agreeing with ROSPA once again on is the fact that improving driver skills would have a major impact on road safety. Halleluya, at last someone has said it. ROSPA have come out with some real tripe at various times, but this time they’re got it right.

If I cast my mind back to the skills I had when I first qualified, it’s frightening. And the only way to get more skills was to get out there and hopefully survive long enough to have a few ‘wobbly knees’ moments and learn from them. I’m heavily involved with Ice Driver in Sweden each year and every year, we have a long list of people who recognise that wherever they are in their driving careers, they need more training. And it’s not just new drivers, we’ve had everyone from 12 year old future rally drivers to multpiple world motorsport champions. One thing they all have in common is that they know that they still have things to learn about driving.

And that’s something that everyone who holds a driving licence should accept. World championship golfers, tennis players, footballers all have coaches. If you value your driving skills, why shouldn’t you have a driver coach?

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Lotus – Back In The Supercar Den

by Neill Watson on September 20, 2010

in Driving

We’ve become accustomed to seeing lovely, lightweight, nimble cars from Lotus this last few decades. Little is spoken about the days of old when they had aspirations with the Esprit Turbo to go Porsche and Ferrari hunting, but judging by the price tag of £115,000 for the new Lotus Elite, they’re jumping right back in. Only the sketchiest of details so far, but it’s sounding promising, with a 5.0 litre V8 and KERS enegery thingy providing a bit of hybrid action. They think there’s a market for it, here’s their soundbyte from the press release: [click to continue…]

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Lamborghini – The Leopeard That Changes It’s Spots?

by Neill Watson on September 20, 2010

in Driving

Here’s an unusual press release from Lamborghini. As long as anyone can remember, Lamborghini’s have always had outrageous top speeds. I’ve first hand experience myself of the stellar acceleration of the big V12′s, so it comes as a mild shock when the latest press information says that they’re giving up on thier quest for ultra high top speeds.

Remarkably sensibly, they reckon that there are lots of cars out thyere now with a 300 kmph top end and that it’s a speed that you can’t often hit anyway…. Erm, yes well we’ve known that for quite some time. I needed the generosity of the Royal Air Force to get the best from the LP640.

However, let’s not be too cynical, there’s lots of good info too. They’re shifting the whole emphasis of their design philosophy away from engineering cars for top end speeds and more towards shedding weight and improving handling. So future Lamborghinis will have less weight and better handling. Good or a bad thing?

I read it with mixed feelings. On one hand, there’s no doubt that these cars are extravagant and that they don’t really fit in with the future plans of the human race. On the average handling circuit that I work on, an LP640 can feel muscle bound and caged, lighter, sharper handling cars like Porsche’s GT3 snapping at their heels and once past, screaming off around the tighter bends.

But get one on a wide open expanse of tarmac, as I was lucky enough to do and there’s no doubt you get a huge huge buzz out of the big acceleration beyond 100 mph. Even at 150 mph, when most cars are running out of steam, it’s still hard on it and with two gears left.

So yes, Lamborghini are right, they don’t fit with the carbon future. But really, they didn’t fit in with our past either, but people still bought them and loved them.

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Just Another Helicopter Rescue Vid? No..

by Neill Watson on September 8, 2010

in Flying

There are literally thousands of helicopter videos on YouTube, a large slice of them rescue footage. I never tire of watching the amazing airmanship of the pilots and the bravery of that guy on the winch. But what made me want to comment on this one is that it shows how what can be a normal day can gradually turn into somewthing extraordinary.

This one is around 10 minutes long and after the first 90 seconds you may want to click away, but don’t, keep watching. The early part shows the routine rescue using two machines, but then when one is diverted away leaving just one to lift 22 sailors to safety, then the weather goes bad, it all gets a bit interesting.

Watch at around 7 minutes in as the waves begin to break around and grab at the hovering helicopter. You might want to make your self a coffee first….

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New Stratos – What a Relief

by Neill Watson on August 19, 2010

in Driving

I‘ll always (hopefully) have the memory of the first time I ever saw a Stratos. I can’t recall how old I was, probably around ten, standing in a forest in Yorkshire, waiting, waiting, getting a bit bored ( I was at the “are we there yet?” stage).

I heard it before I saw it, echoing through the trees, crisp, sharp exhaust bark, driver sending the revs soaring skywards through the gears, then it seemed to be moving away again as it grew quieter. Then a few seconds later, much louder, it bursts into view, rear snaking as it [click to continue…]

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Red Bull Airrace for HANS?

by Neill Watson on April 22, 2010

in Flying

Post image for Red Bull Airrace for HANS?

My pal Andy McKenna and I had been talking about how competitive Red Bull Air Race is this year and how aggressive the flying is these days. A couple of years ago, you could turn up with pretty much any Unlimited Aerobatic machine and expect to be in the hunt, but not any more. We love the flying and the fact that the Silver Haired Brits are at the sharp end!

We’d also commented on how hopefully we’d be wrong, but the odds were shortening on a shunt….

My heart skipped a beat when I saw the headlines in Perth, but the word ‘survived’ brought a lump to my throat. Low level aerobatic accidents are not survivable. But watching the footage and seeing the incderibly professional emergency crews on scene within seconds and whipping Adilson out was truly impressive. They obviously practice A LOT.

Nigel Lamb’s website gave his grounded viewpoint on the whole thing, including the interesting fact that the centre section of the Edge was intact. So, now that we know that a high speed water impact is potentially survivable, perhaps it’s time to look to motorsport for the next advancement.

In the seventies, a HANS device in F1 was pointless. Whiplash was the least of your problems as the chassis crumpled around you then more than likely caught fire. Today, massive impacts are survivable, so HANS is mandatory in many forms of motorsport. So with a tightly harnessed pilot, a crash proof structure and great emergency crews, the next thing is surely making sure that the pilot is still conscious to get to oxygen and that he hasn’t suffered irreparable brain injury?

Perhaps it’s time for HANS in Red Bull Air Race?

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The S Word…

by Neill Watson on April 21, 2010

in Flying

Sorry, but I can’t pass by a Tweet, magazine, bookstore or DVD without stopping if it has the word “Spitfire” written on it… So when I caught this DVD release being dicussed on Twitter, I had to take a look. It’s an Australian production by indy film maker Simon Van Der Spoel and documents the sacrifice and experiences of Australian aircrew and groundcrew fighting with the Spitfire in World War Two.

It’s a new take on a familiar subject and looking at the trailer, there’s a great combination of archive footage and interviews of veterans, something I always find fascinating. Take a look at the the trailer below, then click through to the website where you can order a copy via PayPal.

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This Is Going To Be Expensive…

by Neill Watson on April 21, 2010

in Driving

Not sure who’s idea this was, but they quite possibly don’t understand the competitive nature of racing drivers, regardless of their age… The press release from Volkswagen reads:

Five legendary names from the world of motorsport will line-up on the grid at Hockenheim this weekend (23-24 April), as the famous German track plays host to the inaugural round of the new Volkswagen Scirocco R Cup. Volkswagen racer and rally champion Carlos Sainz will be joined by Frank Biela, Jacques Laffite and the British pairing of Derek Bell and Martin Brundle.

I’m still undecided about the look of the new Scirocco, but by Monday, you can be sure that the cars these guys will be driving will look a little, er…, different…

Still, the spec sounds good, 220ps, 203 ft/lbs and a push to pass button that gives you a short 30 PS tweak. The series is supporting the German DTM, so the whole event should be pretty good. If anyone can tell me a way to watch it here in the UK, I’m all ears….

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Large Humble Pie Time

by Neill Watson on February 4, 2010

in Driving

OK, so it’s humble pie time.

Discovery 3 used as a camera platform

In fact, not just a slice, better just pass me the whole thing over…

I’d be the first to admit, my opinion of Land Rover’s products left a lot to be desired. In my long experience in the motor trade, I’d had nothing but trouble with them and everyone I knew had had the same experience.

In my view, the company were masters of branding and marketing a product range that should have long ago had simple problems engineered out that were still there.

Me? Toyota Landcruiser every time. Never let me down, hard as nails, totally dependable.

So fast forward to last month when I’m due to to a whole load of miles from Yorkshire to Birmingham to Wales, then [click to continue…]

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Schuey’s Back?

by Neill Watson on December 22, 2009

in Motorsport

So Schuey’s back. And not before time too, in my view. I always felt there was a bit of a vibe about his departure which meant that he didn’t leave 100% willingly. But when the Dream Team of Brawn, Todt and Byrne was coming apart at Ferrai and the fast new kid from Finland was Incoming, it might just be time to go. But I think he felt there was unfinished business. [click to continue…]