THE FATE OF THE SLEEPING BEAUTIES REVIEW

The Fate of the Sleeping Beauties by Ard op de Weegh, Kay Hottendorff & Arnoud op de Weegh is reviewed in the latest Classic & Sports Car magazine!


Click here for more info about the book.

VELOCE AUTHOR KEITH LEE IN DORSET ECHO

keith Lee, author of brand new Veloce book Drag Bike Racing in Britain - From the mid 60s to the mid 80s gets a mention in the Dorset Echo. Click here to read the full story.

Showcases amazing machines and their riders in the ultimate acceleration sport – drag bike racing.
Great photographs are combined with the author’s in-depth knowledge, to explore, for the first time, the sport in the UK, and chart its relentless pursuit for ever more speed.
The diversity of motive power and machine design is examined, as is the influence of racers from the home of drag racing – America – in this unique and fascinating look at the most thrilling sport on two wheels. Click here for more info about the book.

BAHAMAS SPEED WEEK REVIVAL 2011

Bahamas Speed Week Revival has confirmed an agreement with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism to create a revival in the spirit of the original and will be extending invitations to past and present drivers and car owners to take part in this exciting new venture. The Nassau Speed Week will again take place on it’s traditional date from 30th November to 4th December 2011. The 1st Bahamas Speed Week Revival will provide an opportunity for some of the very greatest cars from the period 1954-1966 to tour New Providence Island and drive on the old venue at Oakes Field.

More info: Official website, Historic Motor Racing News

The Bahamas Speed Weeks
By Terry O'Neil

The vision of one man, Captain Sherman ‘Red’ Crise formed the basis for what was to become the Bahamas Speed Weeks, a series of motor races held on the island of New Providence in the Bahamas. They started in the mid 1950s and continued for 13 years, before ending due to a mix of political decisions, ill fortune and a shift in the direction motor racing had taken over that period of time. These years were described by many commentators as the ‘Golden Age’ of motor racing, where internationally acclaimed drivers attended the Speed Weeks to mix with the many amateur racers from America who came to enjoy the senario of sun, parties and racing. For many drivers the social scene was as important as the racing, and in latter years prize money was an extra incentive to turn up. This well researched account tracks the history of the Speed Weeks with its roller-coaster ride throughout its 13 years existence. Click here for more info about the book.

JAGUAR XJ220 - THE INSIDE STORY OUT NOW!

Pleased to announce the much-anticipated Jaguar XJ220 – The Inside Story by Mike Moreton is now in print and available to buy. To mark the occasion, Mike suggested we share this video of John Nielsen breaking the unofficial lap record for sports cars round the old circuit at the Nürburgring in 1991. This event, a key milestone in the whole XJ220 Project is therefore directly relevant to the book.



The Jaguar XJ220, the fastest, most exciting and most expensive road-going Jaguar ever built, evolved from Jim Randle’s sensuously-shaped 1988 UK Motor Show concept car.
Named for its targeted top speed, the XJ220 was developed between 1989 and 1994. Just 350 limited edition cars were to have been built by JaguarSport, the Jaguar/Tom Walkinshaw TWR joint venture. Going on sale each with a £360,000 price tag and requiring a £50,000 non-returnable deposit from each purchaser, the XJ220 attracted celebrities, speculators, and the mega-wealthy. It was over-subscribed four times in just one day!
This inside story is an historically accurate account of the project from the Project Manager himself. Having recruited a talented team from motor sport and production car industries, a factory was developed in Bloxham, Oxfordshire. Working closely with Jaguar Design, TWR Group companies and specialist suppliers, the XJ220 team re-designed, built, tested, manufactured and marketed Jaguarís ultimate road car.
Featuring over 200 photographs, many previously unpublished, showing the concept and production cars in all stages of development, with glamour shots and historical photos of Jaguar sports/racing cars, this book is a must for Jaguar enthusiasts. More info.

MICROCARS - 'DISTURBINGLY COMPELLING'

The little book of microcars by Adam Quellin is reviewed in Classic Cars magazine. At just £4.99, this little book would make a super stocking filler this Christmas!

Remember, the truly great thing about giving books at Christmas is ... they're ever so easy to wrap!
Click here for more info about the book.

JEROEN BOOIJ NEW MAXIMUM MINI BLOG

Check out this brilliant blog by Jeroen Booij (author of Veloce book Maximum Mini).

http://info-of-automotive.blogspot.com/

Will there be a Maximum Mini 2? Keep checking Jeroen's blog to find out!

ENGLAND'S GREATEST VIEWS AND HOW TO FIND THEM BY ROAD

Time for a new blog header, this time one of the stunning photos from our brand new book, Roads with a View, this particular shot taken of Ribblehead Viaduct, just over the border from Cumbria into North Yorkshire.

Roads with a View is not just another travel guide. This has been written by a driver especially for fellow motorists, and provides detailed accounts of the best English roads to drive on, and the best places to drive to for that stunning front seat view. Features specially drawn maps, beautiful colour photography, and plenty of travel advice. More info

 

Priced £19.99 UK/$45.00 USA, this book is now in stock, and available to buy now.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BIKE IN THE WORLD – THE MV AGUSTA F3

The completely new and much anticipated MV Agusta F3 was recently launched at the world’s biggest and most important motorcycle show, EICMA Milan, where Motociclismo magazine organised a poll to find ‘The Most Beautiful Bike of the Show’. Of over 12,000 votes cast, the F3 captured 39%, nearly twice that of the next entrant and well ahead of every other new model at the show.

MV Agusta describes this new model as ‘a work of art on wheels’ and its exceptional styling and advanced technology will take this classic Italian marque into the middleweight supersports category, with all guns blazing. The competition is already nervously looking over its shoulders!

The F3 completely redefines this category and sets new standards that other supersports bikes will be compared to and judged by. Light weight, enormous power and sophisticated electronics ensure standards of performance that will push the concept of supersports to the extreme.

The styling, as with its bigger brother the F4, is pure MV Agusta genius, but the F3 is even more unique, with incredible attention to detail. For example, the exhaust system has a fabulously distinctive triple pipe, side exit muffler – just one example of design and function in perfect motorcycle harmony.

The three cylinder 675cc engine layout pays homage to MV racing heritage, with this famous marque having won an unprecedented number of grand prix races and world championship victories, in its racing history. This incredibly short and narrow engine, with its unique counter rotating crankshaft, is the most powerful and most compact ever seen in this category.

The electronics have been specifically designed for the F3. For the first time on an MV and on any middleweight bike, there is Ride By Wire, with multi-maps controlling the fuel injection to optimize power output in all conditions. Traction control has been incorporated into the engine management, raising the dynamic control to a new level.

Frame design is advanced, with a combination of a steel frame and alloy side plates, wrapped around the compact engine. A long single sided swingarm improves traction and gives maximum feedback to the rider. Other chassis components are up to the usual impeccable MV standard. Fully adjustable Marzocchi front forks complement the Sachs rear shock absorber. Brembo radial calipers and discs, activated by a Nissin master cylinder are simply the best available and set the standard for others to follow.

The new MV Agusta F3 fuses unrivalled history and high tech future, giving form to the most beautiful and technologically advanced middleweight supersports motorcycle that clearly marks the beginning of a new era.

For the first time in the UK the NEW MV Agusta F3 will be on show at Motorcycle Live, NEC, Birmingham 27 Nov – 5 Dec 2010.Visitors to the stand (Stand 221, Hall 3) will be the first in the UK to see the latest piece of Italian exotica up close.

Source: Carole Nash Motorcycle Live

Coming soon from Veloce!
The book of the MV Agusta Fours
By Ian Falloon

Always produced in small numbers, the MV Agusta Fours are now considered among the classic motorcycles of the 1960s and 1970s. These were the first motorcycles that made Grand Prix technology available to the public, albeit at an almost prohibitive cost. More info.

ART DECO AND BRITISH CAR DESIGN REVIEWED

Thanks to Classic & Sports Car for this thumbs up of new Veloce book Art Deco and British Car Design by Barrie Down.

Click here for more info about the book.

CALLING ALL PETROL HEADS!

With an amazing range of over 300 books on cars, motorbikes and trucks, which we're adding new books and apps to all the time, we're excited to let you know about our brand new Veloce News App, available now through the iTunes App Store.

The FREE 'Veloce News' app pulls all of Veloce's social media activity into one app giving you the inside track on what is happening in the automotive world. 'Veloce News' includes exclusive video interviews with authors, photos and much, much more ... More info

AVAILABLE NOW (for FREE!) through the iTunes App Store. 

GOODWOOD CONFIRMS 2011 DATES AND ANNOUNCES FESTIVAL OF SPEED THEME

Further to the recent announcement of provisional dates for Goodwood’s ever-popular motoring events, Lord March can now confirm the finalised dates for 2011. The Moving Motor Show will be held on 30 June, the Festival of Speed from 1-3 July, and the Goodwood Revival from 16-18 September.

The theme for the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed, from 1 to 3 July, will be ‘Racing Revolutions – Quantum leaps that shaped motor sport’, celebrating the ceaseless quest for increased power; greater efficiency; more speed.

From motor racing’s pioneering early days, engineering ingenuity has been the irresistible force behind the sport’s inexorable rise, with designers constantly pushing technical boundaries in search of ‘the unfair advantage’.

For example, in 2011 it will be 75 Years since Auto Union won the European Championship with a ground-breaking rear-engined car; 60 years since increased economy helped the normally-aspirated Ferraris vanquish the supercharged Alfa Romeos; 30 years since the dawn of rallying’s four-wheel-drive age; 25 years since turbocharged engines ruled the roost in F1; and 20 years since a rotary-engined Mazda took the chequered flag at Le Mans. It is therefore especially fitting to celebrate the innovations – both giant strides and iterative evolutions; masterstrokes and blind alleys – that have seen the racing automobile develop from crude behemoth to space-age projectile.

Alongside this central theme, the 2011 Festival of Speed will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, with a stunning gathering of cars and drivers that have written the history of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing”. It will also be 60 years since the C-type scored the first of Jaguar’s seven Le Mans victories, and the iconic British marque’s illustrious racing heritage will be honoured at Goodwood.

Jaguar will be much in evidence at the 2011 Festival, as the 50th anniversary of the E-Type – the ultimate personification of 1960s style, and one of the most admired car designs of all time – is marked in true Goodwood fashion. The E-Type will also be in the spotlight during the Revival from 16-18 September, with a spectacular one-make race.

The Festival of Speed will also feature a glittering array of cars and motorcycles from a huge variety of disciplines, further enhancing the Goodwood event’s reputation as the world’s greatest celebration of motor racing history and culture. Tackling the famous 1.16 mile Goodwood hillclimb will be everything from early Grand Prix and endurance machines, to off-road and contemporary racers and racing motorcycles.

Complementing the overall Festival of Speed theme will be a host of other attractions at the world’s greatest celebration of motoring. Aside from getting close to the action-packed hillclimb and paddocks, Festival-goers will be able to admire some of the most stylish vehicles ever designed at the Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ concours d’elegance, see and potentially try the very latest road cars at the Moving Motor Show exhibition, glimpse into the future of transportation at FoS-TECH, see many of motor sport’s famous faces up close, swoon at the mouth-watering display of supercars, witness the exciting sideways action on the Forest Rally Stage, and become a part of the action at the off-road activity fields and Junior Festival of Speed.

Goodwood Festival of Speed founder Lord March says: “I am really looking forward to having so many great cars and drivers here at the Festival of Speed to celebrate our 2011 ‘Racing Revolutions’ theme. For me it is always magical to see so many of the world’s greatest drivers, riders and machines in action.” He adds, “At the Revival, the E-Type-only race and special track display honouring 100 years since Fangio’s birth also promise to be truly special.”

As in previous years, admission to both Goodwood motor sport events will be strictly by advance ticket only, with 2011 tickets now on sale. All orders placed before January 2011 will benefit from a VAT saving of 2.5 per cent.

New for 2011, young adults aged between 13 and 18 can now purchase Festival of Speed and/or Revival tickets for half the full adult price. Previously all visitors aged 13 or over would have been charged at full price. Children of 12 years or under remain free of charge, as does all car parking.

Source: Goodwood

BRITS AT INDY COMES HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

New Veloce book The British at Indianapolis by Ian Wagstaff gets a great review in this month's Classic & Sports Car magazine!

Click here for more info about the book.

BLUEBIRD FLIES AGAIN: NEW RECORD ATTEMPT

Don Wales, holder of the UK Land Speed Record for an electric car, announced today (Tuesday 9 November) that he will attempt to break his own electric record and exceed the outright record set by his grandfather, Sir Malcolm Campbell, in 1925 in the early spring of 2011.

Speaking after successfully completing the RAC Brighton to London Future Car Challenge in a hybrid car, Wales said: "I have held the record for over ten years and it's now looking very vulnerable. I want to set the UK record well beyond 150mph – the speed Sir Malcolm clocked in 1925. Ideally, I'd like to match his record of 1927 – 175mph."

The attempt is part of the Campbell family celebration year of the centenary of Sir Malcolm Campbell first christening a car Bluebird at Brooklands in 1911.

Don Wales and the Bluebird Electric Team set the current record of 139mph in August 2000 on Pendine Sands, Wales. They will return to Pendine Sands – the venue for Sir Malcolm's successful land speed record attempts in the 1920s – in spring of 2011.

Wales also has plans to attempt a new world land speed record for a battery car and has his sights set on 500mph, and is currently evaluating several design options. He says: "At last the world is making real progress with electric vehicles as a viable alternative to the internal combustion engine. Ten years ago electric vehicles were unheard of in the news, and people couldn’t understand the importance of electric car technology. Now there's a whole new generation of electric road cars in production. The UK is a world leader in automotive technology, particularly in the cutting edge and highly competitive field of motor sport, and Land speed record projects have a history of boosting technological developments which is why I'm planning a world beating battery car”.

Project Director Martin Rees said "Don's ambition to be the fastest in the world is a goal we are all working hard to achieve and his recent speed record breaking exploits, and those we achieved in the electric Bluebird ten years ago, are testament to his undoubted dedication and commitment to excellence". Rees added, "Taking the car back to Pendine next Spring with improved drive and bodywork will be another chapter in the Campbell and Wales and Pendine story.”

Don Wales, who is the nephew of Donald Campbell – another famous record breaker – has clearly inherited the quest for speed. In May this year he twice broke the world land speed record for a lawnmower leaving it at 87.833mph. He also holds the world record for a steam powered car (148mph) as a member of Charles Burnett III's British Steam car team at Edwards Airforce base in August 2009.

Source: Bluebird Electric Team

New books from Veloce!
Bluebird CN7 - The inside story of Donald Campbell’s last Land Speed Record car
By Donald Stevens
Records the development, construction and operation of the last wheel-driven land speed record breaking car that the UK produced, and tells how the tragic demise of Donald Campbell prevented it from reaching its full potential. A unique account of a legendary feat of engineering.
More info.



Electric Cars – The Future is Now!
By Arvid Linde
What if we all had to say goodbye to petrol cars tomorrow? Would you be ready? This book will help you find out. With a concise catalogue covering the best production models and the most promising prototypes, this book is the definitive guide to the future of motoring. More info.

DRAG BIKE RACING IN BRITAIN BOOK REVIEW

Thanks to eurodragster.com for their excellent review of brand new Veloce book Drag Bike Racing in Britain - From the mid 60s to the mid 80s by Keith Lee.

Here is an extract from the review: "With the Festive Season fast approaching, Drag Bike Racing in Britain should be placed immediately at the top of the Christmas list of any drag bike fan, or indeed any drag racing fan. It is available direct from Veloce Publishing at www.veloce.co.uk for £14.99 plus postage and packing."
Click here to read the review in full.


Check out this Drag Bike video from Keith Lee's YouTube channel!

VELOCE AUTHOR ARVID LINDE WINS AWARD

Congratulations to Arvid Linde who has won the headlineauto 2010 award for RISING STAR OF THE YEAR (TRADE)!

Arvid Linde is a car engineer from Estonia, with an MSc in Engineering and Logistics. Electric cars and other means of alternative transportation are his favourite subjects. Having successfully completed his Masters project on Electric Car Economy, and following extensive research in the field, he is now editing an independent green motoring blog at electriccarnews.co.uk.

Arvid has been known to take a rather sceptical stance on electric cars, but in this book he shows, even-handedly, both their good and bad sides; ultimately encouraging people to embrace the future of green motoring.

Headlineauto describe Arvid's writing style: "Grabs his readers by the throat, throws them against a wall and pummels them with facts until his point is hammered home."




Electric Cars - The Future is now published in summer 2010 is his first first book title in the English language and is referred to by headlineauto as "The consumer guide to the world of green motoring."

What if we all had to say goodbye to petrol cars tomorrow? Would you be ready? This book will help you find out. With a concise catalogue covering the best production models and the most promising prototypes, this book is the definitive guide to the future of motoring.

Look out for Arvid's next book for Veloce Preston Tucker & Others – Tales of brilliant automotive innovators & innovations.

MINI TEAMS UP WITH RALLY LEGENDS AT RAC BRIGHTON TO LONDON CAR CHALLENGE

Rally legends Paddy Hopkirk and David Richards will go head to head driving MINIs at the RAC Brighton to London Future Car Challenge this weekend. The inaugural RAC Brighton to London Future Car Challenge will showcase to the latest electric, hybrid and low-emission passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. Royal Automobile Club trophies will be awarded in different categories for the most energy efficient vehicles that have completed the 60-mile Brighton to London run starting in Brighton at 8am. These future cars will be on display in Regent Street from 12.30am till 4pm.

Former British and World Rally Champion, Paddy Hopkirk, drove to victory in the Mini Cooper in the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally. On Saturday 6th November Paddy will be back behind the wheel of a MINI; this time a MINI Cooper D – the brand’s most efficient model, emitting just 99g/km CO2 and achieving an impressive 74.3 mpg (on the combined cycle).

Prodrive boss, David Richards CBE, will drive MINI’s 100% electric powered car – MINI E. As well as being a former British and World Rally Champion, David Richards is today best known for his more recent successes in motorsport. His latest venture will see MINI returning to the World Rally Championship with the latest model – the MINI Countryman in 2011.

Paddy and David will drive the differently powered MINIs in a 60-mile challenge. Each will be trying to be the most efficient in terms of energy used by their respective cars.

David Richards said “The MINI E is an incredible car and this event will highlight its amazing versatility. I am really looking forward to the event and competing against Paddy to see who can be most efficient. However, I will have to dampen down my competitive spirit, as will Paddy, to ensure we get the most miles out of the MINIs to take the trophy in each of our classes.”

Source: MINI

BRITISH PUBS WEEK CELEBRATED AT THE HISTORIC “CAPE OF GOOD HOPE”

To celebrate “British Pubs Week” author John Rosamond held his latest book signing of Save the Triumph Bonneville - The Inside Story of the Meriden Workers' Co-op on 3rd November at the canal side pub “The Cape of Good Hope”. Situated in Lower Cape Warwick, publicans Sandra and Mick Barfoot provide hospitality second to none. This picturesque pub has particular relevance in the history of the Triumph Motorcycle Company as it was here that workers from the temporary Warwick factory relaxed after long hard shifts during the Second World War when the Coventry Priory Street Triumph factory was destroyed by the Luftwaffe in The Blitz of 14th November 1940. A temporary operation was set up in a former foundry building in Cape Road Warwick. The foundry's most eye catching feature was a corrugated iron structure that resembled a church complete with bell tower and was known as the “Tin Tabernacle”. This temporary facility equipped with tooling rescued from the Priory Street rubble became Triumph's home for about 2 years whilst a new “shadow” factory was built on green belt land at Meriden north west of Coventry.

FORD'S WORLD CUP WINNER NEC APPEARANCE

Ford's 1970 London-Mexico winning Escort is making a rare public appearance at the Classic Car Show in November.


Celebrating the 40th anniversary of its famous victory, the Ford Escort, which was driven by Hannu Mikkola and Gunnar Palm, will be on display from 12 – 14 November at the NEC, Birmingham, as the showpiece of a stand celebrating the gruelling 16,000-mile rally.

In 1970 Ford Escorts secured one of the most spectacular results in rallying by taking 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th and 8th places in the six-week event. Ford celebrated this success by launching the iconic Ford Escort Mexico. The original winning Ford Escort, registration FEV 1H, is retained by the company as part of the Ford Heritage Collection.

Forty years after the Ford Escort proved so unbeatable, the Ford Focus is continuing the legacy. Earlier this year the Focus WRC of Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila won Rally New Zealand, providing the company with its 75th win and making Ford the most successful manufacturer in the history of the FIA World Rally Championship.

John Nevill, heritage fleet administrator, said: "There are few endurance events that compare with the 1970 London-Mexico, which was held to mark England's 1966 football World Cup victory and the start of the following World Cup in Mexico. During this anniversary year our most famous Escort has been in great demand and we are pleased to end the year with an opportunity to display this great car to so many fans."

Source: Ford

The Daily Mirror World Cup Rally 40 – The World’s Toughest Rally in Retrospect
By Graham Robson

Continuing for six weeks, and covering 16,000 miles from London to Mexico City via some of the most varying, tortuous and difficult terrain on three continents, the 1970 World Cup Rally was a unique high-speed event, attracting many serious works teams such as Ford and British Leyland.
Despite the tremendous amounts of money spent choosing and developing new cars, completing months-long route surveys, and analysing every detail of diets, oxygen provision, and the number of crew members, out of an entry of more than 100 cars, only 23 cars made it to the finish.
It was then, and remains now, the toughest rally of all time. More info.

Robson on YouTube!

GP MECHANICS TRUST 2010 REUNION

Awesome video by speedmerchantsmedia of the recent Grand Prix Mechanics Charitable Trust reunion. Featuring Sir Jackie Stewart, Damon Hill, Patrick Head & Martin Brundle.



Tales from the Toolbox –
A collection of behind-the-scenes tales from Grand Prix mechanics
By Michael Oliver
Foreword by Sir Jackie Stewart

A unique collection of behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes as told, in their own words, by former Grand Prix mechanics who have worked at the top level of the sport during the past 50 years.
40% of all royalties to the Grand Prix Mechanics Charitable Trust.
More info.

DONINGTON LAUNCHES HISTORIC FESTIVAL

The future of one of Britain’s greatest race circuits, Donington Park, has been spectacularly confirmed by the launch of its own annual Historic Festival – a new venture which aims to rival the very best UK and international historic motorsport events. The inaugural Festival will be held on the weekend of 30 April to 1-2 May 2011.

To help establish the Donington Historic Festival as a showcase for the very best historic racing, Donington has teamed up with well-known race organiser Duncan Wiltshire, who will be responsible for running the event from 2011 onwards.

Says Kevin Wheatcroft, the circuit’s owner, “After a period of uncertainty, Donington Park’s future as a race circuit is now assured. The circuit has a fabulous history that is an important part of British heritage, from the days of the pre-War Silver Arrows GP cars right through to modern times. The launch of the Donington Historic Festival is one example of how we intend the circuit not only to survive, but to thrive in the years to come.”

As the son of Tom Wheatcroft, who bought the long-disused and derelict race circuit in 1971 and reopened it for racing in 1977 thanks to huge personal investment, Kevin Wheatcroft is carrying on a family tradition by honouring Donington’s history.

Meanwhile Duncan Wiltshire, who will be running the Festival in partnership with Donington, believes that the event has something fresh to offer the historic racing world.

“The Donington Historic Festival aims to fill a very clear hole in the calendar,” states Wiltshire, “by placing the needs and wishes of owners, drivers and knowledgeable enthusiasts at its heart. This will be a truly prestigious annual event, inviting only the very best race series and the highest-calibre cars and drivers. We aim to delight serious historic motorsport fans, and the owners of the most original, most fascinating and most important cars, by focusing on the pure motor racing experience, over and above any add-on attractions.”

The first annual Donington Historic Festival will take place on the Bank Holiday weekend of 30 April to 2 May 2011. Further information will follow, as individual races are confirmed.

Source: Donington