Rain starts play at the International Bugatti Rally

Held in a different country every year and (brilliantly) organised by the Club Bugatti France, the International Bugatti Meeting took place last week in Provence, in the South of France…

  

It’s rare to have more than a trio of vintage Bugattis at a classic car meeting, so try to imagine 95 together for an entire week. At the International Bugatti Meeting last week, 17 different models were represented, driven by teams from 16 different countries. 

Come rain or shine

There’s a common preconception about vintage Bugatti owners: that they perhaps prefer to admire their cars on freshly mown lawns, rather than actually drive them. But that’s nonsense. The participants of this rally are real gentleman drivers, waking up and hitting the road as early as possible, aiming primarily to enjoy driving their cars at a spirited pace.

You organise a classic car rally in Provence in June for many reasons: the roads, the views, the variety of scenic landscapes and, of course, the weather. Perhaps inevitably, it rained, nay hailed on one particular day. But spirits weren’t dampened (excuse the pun) as the rally arrived in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie for dinner. In fact, many owners said they were pleased to have experienced it, having never driven their cars in such bad weather before. Conditions thankfully improved, albeit only a little, for the rest of the week, with a mix of sunshine, rain and storms, though this was all part of the fun.

The ideal setting

During the briefing, the teams and drivers were told that their cars had been chosen from almost double the number of applicants for the rally, because they were the ‘craziest’ examples. And the range of cars present proved this. While the majority were Grand Prix models, there were several 'Brescias', two striking Type 54 and 59s, and some more luxurious Type 46s, 49s and, perhaps most desirably, 57s.

The route chosen by the Club Bugatti France was fantastic – between traversing mountains and lazing along the coast, from the Gorges du Verdon to the creeks of Cassis, every day brought its ‘pinch me’ moments. The highlight was arguably getting lost in the clouds after tackling the hillclimb up Mont Ventoux. It seemed that the locals enjoyed our presence, too, lining the roads and waving enthusiastically. Provence is certainly the perfect place to enjoy your Bugatti…

A fitting tribute

After a week on the road, you certainly feel like part of a small family, the family of Bugatti drivers who are here to get as much time behind the wheels of their wonderful cars as they possibly can. They’re proud, too, of the brand and its history, celebrating each meal with a toast, “Vive la Marque”. One thing is certain: Ettore Bugatti would be extremely proud. He once famously said, “My cars are made to be driven,” and so they are many decades later. Next year’s rally will take place in Switzerland, and we’ll do everything in our power to be there once again. Vive la Marque!

Photos: Rémi Dargegen for Classic Driver

You can find both modern and classic Bugattis for sale in the Classic Driver Market. 

Variety is the spice of Auctionata’s Classic Cars sales in Berlin

At Auctionata’s two ‘Classic Cars’ auctions, taking place on 26 June in Berlin, a diverse assortment of old and newer classics will cross the block. We’ve selected our favourites…

Rocket science

Honours for ‘star lot’ must go to the Brabham BT23-5, the car in which the young Austrian Jochen Rindt won nine races in 1967, establishing himself as the king of Formula 2. Believed to be one of three remaining BT23s, it’s estimated to fetch between 360,000 and 500,000 euros. TheMercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 (est. 80,000-100,000 euros) of ex-NASA chief and the head of development on the Saturn V, Wernher von Braun, is also very cool, and you’d certainly never tire of reminding your friends of the car’s rocket scientist credentials.

Transformers

Elsewhere, there are numerous rally-bred machines – most notably the Lancia Stratos (est. 360,000-450,000 euros). Delivered as a Stradale, it was subsequently faithfully converted into a Group 4 machine – so faithfully, in fact, that it’s been recognised by the Registro Storico Lancia. Though not 'authentic' as such, the later Martini-liveried Delta HF Integrale is estimated at a reasonable 60,000-80,000 euros. There’s also an Ur-Quattro masquerading as a works car with all the necessary modifications (40,000-60,000 euros).

Big Bulli

The very rare 1952 VW Type 21a is one of the oldest surviving Bullis in the world, and its 200,000-240,000-euro estimate reflects that. Completely different but equally intriguing is the low-mileage (13,500 miles) DeLorean DMC-12. Gifted new by John DeLorean to his then-model/actress wife Christina, the car (70,000-100,000 euros) is accompanied by the original sales contract, as well as extensive maintenance records. 

City smoker

Enthusiasts of more modern classics will be happy with the selection on offer – take the BMW 635CSi estimated at 32,000-40,000 euros, for example. Though leggier and a little less tidy, theAlpina B7 Turbo – estimated at 70,000-90,000 euros – is even cooler.

Oh, and a final mention for the charming green 1977 Peugeot 504. It might have 190,000km on the clock, but thanks to a recent respray and clearly well-looked-after (mustard!) interior and mechanicals, it’s an attractive proposition at 8,000-12,000 euros. The perfect city smoker? Hopefully not in both senses... 

Photos: Auctionata

Auctionata's two Classic Cars sales will take place on 26 June 2015 at the Autodepot Berlin. You can find the full catalogues listed in the Classic Driver Market. 

Aquarama - Bliss aboard the most beautiful of all Rivas

Rémi Dargegen enjoys the boat trip of a lifetime when he’s invited to cruise Lake Iseo on board a very special – and beautiful – boat, the 'Happy Days'…

An invitation we couldn't refuse

If you love classic cars, the chances are that you also admire classic boats; and the star of all such boats (as well as the boat of stars) is the sensual and iconic Riva. In the mid-1960s, this was the must-have craft for movie stars and wealthy businessmen. One of the most famous of Carlo Riva's models is the Aquarama – and after our visit to the company’s workshop and collection a few months ago, we had the privilege of returning to Bellini Nautica for a ride in a very special example from its collection…

A perfect moment

Imagine: a sunny morning on Lake Iseo, a perfectly flat expanse of water and one of the most remarkable Aquaramas ever produced. Firing up the two V8 engines, it was time for a two-hour tour of the lake. It made us feel like Brigitte Bardot (or her husband), admiring the reflection of the sun on the wood, enjoying the wind in our hair as the air filled with the V8s’ roaring music. An utterly perfect moment.

Following in famous footsteps

It would be a wonderful experience in any boat, but even more so in this one: hull number 483, from the 3rd series of Aquarama, just three numbers short of Carlo Riva’s own Aquarama and the last one built by Carlo Riva himself. Only 40 boats like this, with the two side air-intakes, have ever been built. It’s been used in a great many Italian films of the 1980s, not to mention a more recent advertisement with George Clooney. A long stream of famous people have been on board, including Carlo Riva himself, Miss Italia, Miss Venezuela, the former Powerboat World Champion Guido Cappellini, Adam Clayton and, in the 1990s, Naomi Campbell... not bad for a little wooden boat. The craft was fully restored to its precise period configuration some years ago, and subsequently won the elegance award at the Veuve Clicquot Riva Raduno in 2003, here on Lake Iseo.

Try it for yourself...

All good things must come to an end, and it was eventually time to return to Bellini’s quay. We switched off the engines, climbed onto dry land, and took a long last look at the boat to ensure this wonderful morning would live on in the memory. Meanwhile, if you want to experience the same sensations aboard such a boat, you can buy a trip from Bellini Nautica, which has other fascinating Aquaramas in its collection as well as the 'Happy Days'. What a highlight for your next Italian holiday.

Photos: Rémi Dargegen for Classic Driver © 2015

NOVA: B-29 Frozen in Time

30 Years of TOYOTA at Le Mans: 1985-2015

The 2015 edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours marks a special anniversary for TOYOTA as it represents 30 years since the company's first official entry at Le Mans. From 1985 right up to this year's event, this video looks back at all the cars, all the drivers and all the action from 30 years of TOYOTA at Le Mans.

ERC, Ypres Rally : Du beau linge à Ypres ! / an exceptional line-up for Belgium’s classic

L’ancienne cité drapière des Flandres accueille la cinquième manche du Championnat d’Europe des Rallyes FIA 2015 et a réuni un plateau exceptionnel avec Freddy Loix, Craig Breen, Bryan Bouffier, Kevin Abbring, Stéphane Lefebvre…

Sur ces 20 dernières années, Freddy Loix a quasiment gagné une édition sur deux du Rallye d’Ypres. Cette année, il vise une 10^e victoire au volant de la nouvelle Skoda Fabia R5/Michelin dont il a contribué au développement. Le constructeur tchèque reste sur cinq succès d’affilée et entend bien rester maître en Flandre avec sa nouvelle arme lancée récemment en WRC.

Malgré toute son expérience et le potentiel de sa nouvelle monture, Freddy Loix devra affronter une concurrence redoutable ce week-end, qu’elle soit belge ou européenne. Le leader du championnat Craig Breen a signé trois victoires consécutives au volant de la Peugeot 208 T16 engagée par la Peugeot Rally Academy, et, en l’absence de Kajetanowicz, espère bien faire le trou au championnat. Egalement sur une Peugeot 208 T16, Bryan Bouffier connaît bien le parcours d’Ypres et sa pointe de vitesse sur asphalte n’est plus à prouver.

Les pilotes du Mondial Kevin Abbring (DS3 R5) et Stéphane Lefebvre (208 T16) effectueront un détour à Ypres en route vers la Pologne où ils disputeront le Rally Poland le week-end suivant. A suivre également les frères Moffett, le Portugais Bruno Magalhaes ou encore Robert Consani.

La concurrence viendra également du côté belge avec Bernd Casier (Citroën DS3 R5), Davy Vanneste (Ford Fiesta R5), Kris Princen (Peugeot 208 T16), Claudie Tanghe (Peugeot 207 S2000), Cédric Cherain (Citroën DS3 R5) tous équipés pour la gagne.

N’oublions pas les quatre mousquetaires Porschistes (François Delecour, Romain Dumas, Marc Duez, Patrick Snijers) qui, si la météo le permet, pourraient tirer bénéfice de la puissance du Flat-6 pour jouer parmi les R5. La catégorie Junior sera elle aussi bien représentée avec Chris Ingram, Emil Bergqvist, Marijan Griebel, Diogo Gago, Vasily Gryazin, et Gino Bux qui jouera à domicile.

Le parcours de cette 51^e édition est encore plus concentré et rythmé que les années précédentes. En 28 heures, les concurrents vont disputer 17 spéciales et parcourir 253,38 km chronométrés ! Au programme, les incontournables Langemark, Hollebeke, Kemmelberg, Dikkebus, Westouter, Mesen, Watou, se chargeront d’écrémer les rangs… Le Rallye d’Ypres est l’un des plus atypiques et piégeux du championnat avec ses spéciales rapides, étroites, sales et glissantes.

Malgré des prévisions météo optimistes, il va forcément pleuvoir à un moment ou à un autre. Pour parer à toutes les conditions, les pilotes Michelin disposeront de toute la gamme rallye « Compétition-Clients », à savoir R01 (extra soft), R11 (soft), R21 (medium) et R31 (hard).

La Qualifying Stage, qui déterminera l’ordre des départs du vendredi, se tiendra à Nieuwkerke jeudi soir. Les pilotes choisiront leur position vendredi à 13h00, avant le départ du rallye sur la Grote Markt d’Ypres à 16h15. Arrivée même lieu, samedi à 22h00.

 

 

The former Flemish cloth-trading city of Ypres is the host of the 2015 FIA European Rally Championship’s fifth round. The event’s glittering entry includes Freddy Loix, Craig Breen, Bryan Bouffier, Kevin Abbring and Stéphane Lefebvre.

Over the past two decades, Freddy Loix has practically won one Ypres Rally in two. This time, he is targeting a tenth success in the new Skoda Fabia R5/Michelin which he helped to develop. The Czech make has won the last five events and intends to remain the Flemish master with its latest challenger which recently made its WRC debut.

Loix faces stiff opposition from a number of Belgian and European rivals like the provisional ERC leader Craig Breen. After winning the last three rounds of the Euro series in his Peugeot Rally Academy 208 T16, the Irishman will be out to take advantage of Kajetanowicz’s absence to extend his points cushion. Another Peugeot 208 T16 runner will be asphalt expert Bryan Bouffier who has good knowledge of the Ypres stages.

WRC regulars Kevin Abbring (DS3 R5) and Stéphane Lefebvre (208 T16) will also stopover in Belgian en route to the following weekend’s Rally Poland (WRC). Other top international entries include the Moffett brothers, Portugal’s Bruno Magalhaes and Frenchman Robert Consani.

The locals can’t be underestimated, either, with drivers like Bernd Casier (Citroën DS3 R5), Davy Vanneste (Ford Fiesta R5), Kris Princen (Peugeot 208 T16), Claudie Tanghe (Peugeot 207 S2000) and Cédric Cherain (Citroën DS3 R5) all in with a shout.

Spectators will no doubt appreciate the presence of François Delecour, Romain Dumas, Marc Duez and Patrick Snijers whose Porsches could be a match for the R5 runners in dry weather. Last but not least, the Junior contest will feature the likes of Chris Ingram, Emil Bergqvist, Marijan Griebel, Diogo Gago, Vasily Gryazin and Belgium’s Gino Bux.

This year’s route is more compact compared with recent years, and the pace will be faster, too, since the 17 stages totalling 253.38km will be packed into a period of just 28 hours! The menu includes fast, narrow and dirty classics like Langemark, Hollebeke, Kemmelberg, Dikkebus, Westouter, Mesen and Watou which collectively make the Ypres Rally one of the championship’s most specific and taxing events.

The weather forecast is good, but there is usually rain at some point and the Michelin runners will be able to count on the French firm’s R01 (extra soft), R11 (soft), R21 (medium) and R31 (hard) tyres.

The Qualifying Stage that will determine Friday’s start order will take place near Nieuwkerke on Thursday evening. The rally itself will start from Ypres’ Grote Markt at 4:14pm Friday and end at the same place on Saturday at 10pm.

Best Action from Erzbergrodeo and Red Bull Hare Scramble 2015

In the most extraordinary finish ever seen at the Erzbergrodeo, Alfredo Gómez, Jonny Walker, Graham Jarvis and Andreas Lettenbichler were declared joint winners of the 2015 Red Bull Hare Scramble. Take a look back at some of the best moments from the race!

The Hanging Wonder – Cooking Reinvented

My preferred spot for cooking from the beginning of our trip has been on the winch. It is always there and we don’t have to hang up the aluminum shelf. If there is a strong side wind I can hang up this shelf on either side of the Land Cruiser so that we’ll be cooking out of the wind

Our first encounter with an overlander that used a kitchen in the back was up in the Himalayas of India. We were instantly smitten by the simplicity and sturdy solution these Swiss had made on the backdoor of their 6×6 Pinzgauer.

It folds nicely inside a sleeve and stays attached to the backdoor. However, the Pinzgauer door is a big, one-piece door, so has plenty of space to stick a kitchen to it. By contrast, our ambulance doors are narrow and have limited space behind them.

We met Rob at the Overland Reunion 2014 and look what he built on the backdoor of his 70 series. Still a bit too big for our narrow doors, but this is close to what we had in mind.

Recently, when camping at Kon Tiki, on a hill overlooking Mancora, the wind was blowing full force around the Land Cruiser and I could neither cook on the winch nor the sides. The only option was to turn around the car or to cook at the back somehow. Fortunately, I spotted an apparently forgotten workmate

 a few meters away and placed it directly under the left rear door. A perfect fit and a good work height for the Coleman stove.

It reminded me to a similar setup Luis and Lacey of Lost World Expedition used at the back of their 60 series and how convenient all that looked. [image below by Lost World Expedition]

But when after a few days Juerg, the owner of Kontiki, came looking for his workmate and I got stuck with wind blowing all over the place again, I started thinking in earnest on how to make a hinging platform of some sorts on the left rear ambulance door.

I didn’t start sketching as I would normally do, but instead when I needing to access something I lifted the Coleman stove and placed it with one edge on the Spare Tire Carrier Cushion

 while holding it with one hand on the opposite top end. Then the gears in my brain started working and everything fell into place. Low and behold my simple Hanging Kitchen solution.

Two simple hooks that had been lying around for the last eight years finally came in handy.

We have been using it now for more than a week and apart from not being able to use the Coleman Camp Oven

image: http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=landcruadvent-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0009PURJA

 in this set-uo, it’s perfect. So for our baking experiments we still depend on cooking on the sides, front or inside.

Here is a view from the bottom where you can clearly see its hanging. I connected two hooks with a piece of cord that I runs through the rear doorhandle and voilà. I hope you find this simple solution easy to incorporate in your vehicle. Let me know in the comments below what your preferred solution is.

Read more at http://www.landcruisingadventure.com/hanging-wonder-cooking-reinvented/#qu5rGyz2sBywcggu.99

Ultracar Sports Club : La nouvelle idée de génie de Stéphane Ratel

par Laurent Mercier (Endurance-Info.com)

En lançant l’évènement Ultracar, Stéphane Ratel s’est lancé dans une niche qui fait la part belle aux autos exotiques. Lorsque le patron de SRO Motorsports Group a annoncé cette nouvelle série, il nous avait confié que tout mettrait se mettre en place petit à petit et qu’il ne fallait spécialement s’attendre à avoir beaucoup de voitures lors du premier rendez-vous. Sauf que le coup d’essai s’est déjà transformé en coup de maître. Imaginez un peu : un plateau de 16 hypercars toutes aussi exclusives les unes que les autres. Entre Lamborghini Veneno Coupé et Roadster, LaFerrarii, Ferrari 599XX, McLaren P1, McLaren P1 GTR, Aston Martin One-77, Pagani Zonda et Huayra, Gumpert Apollo et autres Bugatti Veyron, les spectateurs du Paul Ricard s’en sont mis plein les yeux.

A l’heure où le commun des mortels n’est plus capable de faire la différence entre une Ferrari 458 GTE et une 458 Italia GT3, une McLaren P1 GTR aux couleurs Harrods n’a rien d’une Bugatti Veyron. Il est là le coup de génie ou comment mettre sur la piste des autos qui font rêver. En France, il est interdit de réussir, interdit d’entreprendre, interdit d’avoir de l’argent et interdit d’avoir une belle voiture. Les propriétaires de ces hypercars n’ont pas réfléchi une seconde à faire le déplacement sous le soleil du Paul Ricard.

Le meeting Blancpain Endurance Series a permis de réunir 60 GT3 sans oublier la vingtaine de GT du GT Sports Club et le plateau garni du Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo, le tout pour plus de 50 millions d’euros.

Avec le Ultracar Sports Club, pas de vraies courses, juste un roulage sur piste en toute sécurité. Les autos que vous avez l’habitude de voir en statique sur le stand d’un salon de l’auto, vous pouvez les voir en action. Bien sûr, on aurait aimé voir ces monstrueuses autos sur un vrai championnat. Imaginez un Championnat du Monde GT1 regroupant ces GT bodybuildées. Ne rêvons pas mais ne boudons pas notre plaisir de contempler par exemple une McLaren P1. Tous les propriétaires se sont gentiment prêtés au jeu des photos avec un public venu en masse. Pas de jalousie dans le regard des photographes mais de la passion et des yeux qui pétillaient.

On ne peut plus rouler sur les routes, alors messieurs sortez vos GT et rejoignez le Ultracar Sports Club. En plus de vous faire plaisir, vous ferez plaisir…

“On supporte du mieux que l’on peut SRO dans l’Ultracar Sports Club” nous a confié Giorgio Sanna, en charge de Squadra Corse, le service compétition de Lamborghini. “Ces autos sont faites pour rouler et c’est pour nous un plaisir de montrer la Veneno au public. Ce type d’évènement manquait dans le paysage automobile.”

Il est aussi là l’avenir du sport automobile en ouvrant de nouveaux marchés. Toutes les Veneno sont vendues mais combien pourra-t-on en voir de près ? A 3,3 millions d’euros, pas sûr que les propriétaires se risquent à aller sur les départementales. Oui il y a encore un avenir pour des GT qui valent des sommes folles.

Lamborghini a bien voulu nous prêter une Huracan d’un vert pour le moins flashy durant tout l’après-midi du dimanche afin d’aller limer le bitume des petites routes varoises, de Bandol à La Ciotat en passant par Cassis. Il ne s’est pas passé 1km sans un signe de la main, une photo, un sourire ou je ne sais quoi encore. A l’arrêt, les questions fusent : “on peut regarder l’intérieur ? c’est quoi la puissance ? Vous avez une belle voiture.” Malheureusement, cette Huracan n’était pas la notre. Avec plus de 250 000 personnes aux 24 Heures du Mans et des regards qui se détournent au passage d’une GT, non l’automobile de rêve n’est pas morte.

Pour en revenir à l’Ultracar Sports Club, on espère que le rassemblement va se développer au fil du temps. Stéphane Ratel en avait rêvé, il l’a fait…