Getting Started: Every epic story has a great start

Ignition. It’s an emotional moment. That strained whirring and ticking, induced by the twist of a key or the push of a button, that divides the still silence from the eruption of the engine. This video, aptly named ‘Getting Started’, shows 33 exotics, both old and new, roaring into life…

So what’s your favourite? It’s a truly difficult question considering the mouth-watering selection. Will it be the romantic purr of the Ferrari 250 Lusso’s 3-litre V12, the lazy, thrumming idle of thePorsche 901’s boxer-six, or perhaps the angry, fuel-spitting V8 in the Jaguar F-type?

While the more modern machines’ engine notes are arguably louder and more in-your-face, we can’t help but feel that, in comparison to the characterful, more mechanical song of the classics, they feel a little synthesised and artificial. Just listen to the distorted and hurried idle of the 1957 Jaguar XK-SS (Steve McQueen’s car, no less), interrupted with short, sharp stabs of throttle – it’s heavenly, and inimitable. Nothing can detract from the sheer diversity in sound, with each and every car offering a distinct tone that perfectly defines its individual looks and personality, be it an American V8, a British inline six, or an Italian V12. Listening to them one after another is a real aural feast. 

Whatever your preferred sound, you can find thousands of classic and modern luxury cars for sale in the Classic Driver Market.

Rossi : « Gagner au Mugello est avant tout une question d’honneur »/ Rossi: ‘Victory at Mugello is a matter of honour’

Le nonuple Champion du Monde Valentino Rossi participera ce week-end au Mugello au 300e Grand Prix de sa carrière, sur l’un de ses circuits fétiches.

Valentino Rossi sera à domicile ce week-end pour le Grand Prix TIM d’Italie, tout comme le team Movistar Yamaha MotoGP qui est basé à côté du circuit de Monza, à Gerno di Lesmo.

Deuxième des deux dernières courses, le pilote italien espère se battre pour la victoire ce week-end sur une piste où il s’était imposé sept fois de suite en catégorie reine de 2002 à 2008. Rossi avait aussi triomphé en Toscane en 1997, en 125cc, puis en 1999, en 250cc. Il avait abandonné l’an dernier après une collision avec un autre pilote dans le premier tour.

« Je suis très heureux d’aller au Mugello », a commenté The Doctor. « C’est une piste magnifique, que j’aime beaucoup. Il y a toujours 25 points en jeu, comme sur les autres courses, mais au Mugello c’est avant tout une question d’honneur. Jorge (Lorenzo) a gagné là-bas ces trois dernières années avec Yamaha, en faisant de fantastiques courses, et ça signifie que la M1 est très compétitive sur cette piste. »

« Ce sera mon 300e GP ce week-end et ça ne me plaît pas vraiment parce que ça veut dire que je suis vieux ! Mais je suis quand même content parce que je suis en forme et que je peux encore être rapide. »

MotoGP™ heads to Tuscany this weekend for Valentino Rossi’s first home race of the year and the 300^th of his career, at the Gran Premio d'Italia TIM.

 race is also a home Grand Prix for the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team itself, being based in Italy at the historic Monza circuit in Gerno di Lesmo.

Rossi prepares to entertain his home fans in good form having been at the sharp end of recent races and having taken a well earned second place on the podium at the last round in France.

The local hero remains the only Grand Prix rider ever to take seven straight wins at his home race, scoring consecutive premier class victories at Mugello from 2002 to 2008.

Prior to this he also had a 125cc win in 1997 and a 250cc win in 1999. He will be determined to forget last year’s unfortunate DNF after crashing on the first lap.

“I am very happy to go to Mugello,” comments The Doctor. “This is a beautiful track and I like it so much. There are always 25 points as the other races, but Mugello is a matter of honour. Jorge (Lorenzo) has won the last three years on the Yamaha, doing fantastic races, and this means that the M1 is very competitive on this track.”

“It will be my 300th GP this weekend and for that I am not very happy because it means that I'm old! But I'm happy because I am in good shape and I can still be very fast.”

jeun's

1979 BMW R 100/7 – Kingston Customs

One of our favourite bike builders in Europe is the super talented Dirk Oehlerking from Kingston Customs in Germany. Dirk is a self-proclaimed perfectionist and motorcycle fanatic. Not only was he the German Enduro Champion as a kid, but has owned 36 racing machines over the years. Now he spends his time building unique customs and pioneering the scene in Germany. After finishing his stunning red R75/6 bobber last year, he decided it was time for a new BMW project. “I really wanted to build a BMW café racer build” says Dirk. “A BMW café racer is nothing new, but I wanted it to look very different in the Kingston style.” Well, amongst other things, we think he has definitely nailed the ‘Kingston’ style.

To keep with that Kingston style, Dirk has ditched the rather large stock tank for a smaller and leaner Yamaha RD50 tank which was customized to fit. The frame has also been altered to achieve a lower stance which helps gives this café racer its beautiful proportions.

Like most of Dirks builds, the engine has been completely rebuilt and brought back to ‘out-of-the-factory’ condition. The engine is breathing through a Norton Universal ‘Dunstall’ style replica silencer. He has chosen classic Metzeler tires 19” on the front and 18” on the back. The café racer bump seat has been custom-built by Kingston and covered in brown leather.

Because of Dirk’s racing background he has added some modern features like disc brakes for better braking power. He has redone the electrics and hidden the battery in a custom-made box. There’s also new handlebar controls from Domino and switch gear made from CNC’d aluminum. The lovely little rear tail light was created from an old school BMW exhaust pipe nut. The bike was then finished off in a deep BMW Ocean Blue Metallic paint.

Kingston Customs have shown us again that their level of craftsmanship is second to none. But as we all know, it’s not just about the design but how it makes you feel. “It’s not very convenient and it is not great for touring.” says Dirk. “But when you ride the bike, it gives you that incredible feeling of happiness. It puts a smile in your face.” What more could you ask for?

via PIPEBURN