This is an awesome car to drive. In 2005 I raced the Juno SS3-V6 in the Britsports Winter Series and it just
got better and better.
The car is a mini prototype and driving the car round Snetterton circuit
we were close to LMP2 lap times.
The car weighs just 580kgs with a 6 speed sequential Hewland gearbox with
a V6 engine which produces 385bhp. The chasis has a tubular spaceframe which has been designed using computer
analysis. The car also sports fantastic aerodynamics - you can really feel the grip
through the corners, and you just have to hang on.
The car runs on Avon slick tyres and handles so well, it's also very sensitive
to fine alterations which makes it possible to get a super set-up on the
car.
PORSCHE 911 GT3
This was another highlight in my 2005 season, to finally have a go in a Porsche
911 GT3 which I had wanted to do for a long time.
I drove with Trackspeed in the 6hrs of Vallelunga in Italy called the Gold
Cup, and it was a fantastic weekend.
The car handled good straight away, it was nice and easy to drive with a
6 speed sequential gearbox. The engine rev's to 8,000rpm and produces about
400 bhp through its rear wheels.
The car runs on wide slick tyres also adding to give the car brilliant grip.
FORD FALCON V8
I drove this car in the 24 Hours at Silverstone in 2005 and found the car to be very
impressive.
The car had plenty of power from its V8 engine and with a quick shift 6 speed
H pattern gearbox - acceleration was awsome. The engine produces some 500
bhp with a weight of 1200 kgs.
The car runs on slick tyres for maximum grip.
VAUXHALL MONARO
The Vauxhall Monaro is one of the hottest properties in the Australian supercar market, it is built by Vauxhall's sister company Holden, and in a relatively short period of time has established itself as a winner on and off the track. This high performance coupe has a proven track record, including outright wins in the Nations Cup and the inaugural Bathurst 24 Hour, with its fire-breathing 5.7-Litre V8 engine that generates in excess of 500 Bhp.
The car has plenty of power and a lot of potential to do well. Once this development year is complete, the Monaro will certainly make people turn their heads.
The Monaro runs on big slick tyres which help to generate large amounts of grip, along with a big rear wing which generates downforce in quick long corners.
The gearbox is a 6 speed sequential with a slight lift on the throttle to change gear, it allows the car to accelerate quickly up to speed.
The bodywork is all fibre glass to reduce weight, and stiffened up by a substantial roll cage.
SALEEN S7
As a leading automotive brand, Saleen is relatively new but very popular in the US and they are continuing to sell versions of the S7 supercar for road and race clients in Europe and Asia too. As well as being an incredibly attractive car, the S7-R is proven as one of the fastest in the FIA GT Championship'. The Saleen has a 7.0 litre V8 engine producing power of up to 650 Bhp at 6300 rpm.
Brakes are Brembo lightweight aluminum - six piston calipers with steel discs
The chassis is a lightweight steel space frame with honeycomb composite panels, and is strengthened massively by a very strong roll cage The gearbox is a 6 speed sequential flat shift which helps to give rapid acceleration from the V8 engine.
The Saleen is an awesome car to drive, and the best that I have driven to date. It handles brilliantly and with the massive amount of torque from the engine, makes the Saleen a true supercar.
CORVETTE C5
The Corvette C5 is powered by a 5.7 litre V8 engine which produces 450
bhp.
The car runs on 18 inch rims with slick tyres which gives amazing grip,
and with the weight distribution being 50/50, the car is very stable
through corners. The gearbox is a normal style H box but with 6 gears,
and revs to 6,500 rpm.
The C5 also has massive breaks, which gives awsome stopping power to
cope with the speeds of anything up to 180 mph.
FORMULA PALMER AUDI
The cars have 300bhp Audi turbo engines, with an additional 5o bhp on overboost
which can be used 8 times, and lasts for 6 seconds each. The cars also have
huge grip from the composite wings and big slick tyres.
FPA cars look so good, that instant impressions are that they look like
F1 cars!
UNIROYAL BEETLE
I really enjoyed my first experience of driving this car which was at Spa
in a 25hr race.
You sit in the middle of the car with a huge steering wheel with a normal
5 speed H pattern gear change.
The Beetle-style bodies sit on a tubular steel chassis powered by an 1800cc,
130bhp VW/Audi engine - mid-mounted for optimum balance. And they're quick
too - weighing only 760kg, they have a superb power to weight ratio.
PORSCHE 924
Our car was made in 1980, and has raced in the Porsche 924 championship
for at least the last 8 years, 4 of them driven by myself.
The car is powered by a 2.0 litre Audi engine, and puts out approx 140 bhp.
With the gear box situated at the rear of the car, and engine in the front,
this gives excellant 50/50 weight distribution and therefore makes the handling
superb.
The cars race on Colway retreads, which grip very well for what they are.
NISSAN 350z
I travelled to Australia November 2003, to be part of a four man squad to
compete in the 24 hours of Bathurst (Mount Panarama).
The Nissan 350z with its 3.5 litre V6 engine had plenty of torque and coped
with the high speed straights with ease, reaching speeds of approx 170 mph.
The Nissan 350z was very good on its Michelin slick tyres which meant consistant
lap times were very achievable.
FORD ESCORT XR3I
This car we bought in 1999, and was used to learn all the British race circuits
on Track Days ready for the jump into cars for the year 2000.
The car has a 1.6 litre modified engine. The car has been fitted with Spax
suspension and will be used during the year for tuition for members of the
public.
