Mercedes-Benz’s W126 – An S-Class Act Three Decades On

Check out my first article on the Guild Of Motoring Writers Breakthrough Blogger award winner, Keith WR Jones' blog.

You can read it here - Mercedes-Benz 300 SE driven

Here's a little 80s themed video I made to accompany the article!

Circuit De Spa-Francorchamps. Why you should pay it a visit this year

Spa, a track that needs no introduction. Eau Rouge, La Source, Hakkinen vs. Schumacher...they all spring to mind when we think of this great track. Well they do for me, a life long Formula 1 fan who favours the 'original' tracks of the F1 circus. Amongst these modern, 'car park' layouts (Mark Webber's words, not mine), there remain a few classic, tree lined circuits that enable Formula 1 to cling onto its roots - excuse the pun.

The F1 calendar has changed drastically in recent years, shifting a large percentage of its calendar East to new modern tracks, designed to encourage overtaking and induce mistakes. Few tracks remain where tarmac was simply laid where it was practical to do so, creating winding corners, natural dips and undulations. As a result, an increasing amount of Formula 1 circuits are arguably becoming rather indistinguishable. The racing is fantastic there is no doubt about it, but many of these tracks lack the character and individuality of Monte Carlo, the old Hockenhiem and Spa, to name a few.

Car park like run offs

With Hockenhiem's layout being trimmed of its frighteningly fast straights, it has lost a large part of what made it special. Monte Carlo remains largely true to its origins but if you don't fancy clinging to a tree, ticket prices can only be described as astronomical. So Spa, one of the last remaining classic gems of the F1 calendar, is also one of few that offers a far more affordable chance to experience Formula 1 in it's natural environment. For this reason, I think that F1 fans of new and old should all experience this great circuit in the flesh.

And there's another reason too. Because 2013 is the last year F1 will use the naturally aspirated V8s that have been raced since 2006. These engines, smaller descendants of the monstrous V10s of the late 90s and early noughties, sound especially epic through the forests of Spa. Last year I visited Spa for the GP, and was absolutely blown away by the presence of the world's most advanced motorsport on one of the world's most beautiful classic circuits. Its not the volume, or even the speed of these high powered machines that affected me most, although both were equally astounding. Instead it was hearing those V8s sing into the distance, through the dense forest that inhabits the track. This experience, is something I think all car fans should get a chance to experience. One that no other sport can match.

A BTCC fan might tell you that one lap of a race has more action than an entire GP. A Moto GP fan may tell you their motorcycles reach a higher top speed. But neither of them can come close to F1 when it comes to that hair raising feeling an F1 engine creates as it echoes through the trees.

A Force India spits a blue flame

Of course, modern Formula 1 cars create much more than just an engine noise. There's the gearbox, banging through the gears at inconceivable speeds. It's something you not only hear, but see with blue flames popping out of exhausts and most strikingly, something that you feel like a sharp bass line in your stomach. There's the sound of 8 cylinders switching to 4 as drivers come off the throttle, creating a harsh and aggressive note distinctive to Formula 1. On top of that there's the smell of burning rubber and cooked carbon brakes. The orchestra of a Formula 1 car is not done any justice on TV - try telling a conductor his band sounds best through your stereo lounge set up. Witnessing an F1 car up close is something very special, and witnessing it in the theatre of Spa is just fantastic. And this could be the final chance to hear the naturally aspirated orchestra we have now, before forced induction engines are released onto track in 2014.

Vettel & Schumacher pushing at Spa

Now I'm not saying the 2014 engines won't sound amazing, I have no doubt in my mind that they will. But forced induction has a habit of quietening things down. So I say experience the fantastic orchestra we have now. Stand at the end of Kemmel Straight and listen to those V8s scream towards you at 18,000 revs, before feeling the gearbox shove down the gears. Walk through the forest in the middle of the track during a busy practice session. You'll be amazed how you're surrounded by nature but can hear nothing but high revving technology.

Anyway, that's enough of me trying to describe the sound in plain old English. From here on I'll let the videos do the talking. Turn up your speakers...

Screaming V8s up Eau Rouge:

Along Kemmel Straight:

Banging down the gears into Les Combes:

And one to show off the speed and phenomenal downforce an F1 car generates through Eau Rouge:

But remember...videos do F1 cars no justice!

BHP or Balance - my thoughts

The motoring world seems obsessed with numbers. Top speed, BHP and 0-60 figures are deciding factors for many car buyers, especially those looking for thrill and excitement. But should these numbers be priority when looking for a fun drive?

Picture the familiar scene. You're onto your second pint, whilst you and your pub companions are discussing the reason why their car is the most fun to drive. One says the kick up the backside of his torquey Focus ST is the reason it's most fun. Another claims his 'charged Jag's 0-60 sprint creates the most exhilarating drive. And the last is adamant his R reg Elise brings an unbeatable smile to his face through the 'twisties'. Then it's your turn to answer. Of course, your car is the most fun since you drive a car that encompasses all of those qualities in it's own way..don't you? We should hope so, because many would agree that for the ultimate driving experience, a combination of these strengths is required to form a capable, balanced car.

Let's take the previous generation of Vauxhall Astra VXR for example, a car I'm familiar with thanks to several spirited outings in one. There's no doubt, the car is stonkingly quick in a straight line. But throw in a change of direction and the front axle doesn't want to play. Under steer and torque steer really take from the driving experience. It's this imbalance of grip between the front and rear axles that will hamper a drivers 'fun factor'. We think going sideways is fun, but having a tail happy car that constantly oversteers damages driver confidence, making them nervous on turn in for fear of a spin. In short, it's not fast and it's not fun.

An understeering classic racer

For the ultimate driving experience, a car with a neutral balance is what we require, because ultimately a car with a neutral balance is under control. Rather than compensating for understeer, or correcting oversteer, the driver can place the car exactly where he wants. And if he wants a little sideways action, he's got the control to make it happen. This gives the driver confidence, and therefore is not only fast, but fun.

An oversteering Chevvy Camero

A car with a neutral balance will also have a wider window for being 'on the limit'. A driver may find that whilst reaching the limit of mechanical grip, the car begins to slide ever so slightly. These slides can be worked with to angle the car at an apex, or to drift towards the exit of a corner. It's here we find the Holy Grail, because these minute slides are where the exhilarating feel of the limit can be felt. And if you make a mistake, which with most of us being B-Road superheroes we inevitably will, there's more time to correct the car, and a smaller correction is needed. By widening the window of that limit, driving on it becomes easier and therefore more fun.

Controlled slide in a 60s Lotus F1 car