Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera at Castle Combe, a Car Chase Heroes Drive

My second drive of the day was the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera. This is one of 618 of the Supperleggera's to be made. This car comes equipped with a 5.2 litre V10 engine that produces 530bhp and a top speed of 202mph. The gearbox is Lamborghini's robotised sequential e-gear system.

I get in without any issues and get acquainted with the cockpit. I like the orange details around the black interior and the matching orange stitching in the seats. I put my left foot out of the way as I will not be using a clutch.  My instructor for this car is Josh, he gets in and informs me that there was a bit of a delay of me driving the car due to overheating, after each session the engine has been opened up and allowed to cool and all the vital levels are checked to make sure the car is driveable.

I put my foot on the brake, turn the key and the Superleggera roars into life.

I pull the right paddle towards me to engage first gear and slowly make my way out of the pit area.

Josh then warns me that in order to change gear, I have to lift of the accelerator before changing gear then back on the gas once the gear has changed up.

The track is clear and it's time to floor the accelerator. As I do, the V10 screams as it send the power to the wheels, I change gear and realise that this car has a really naff gearbox.

Making my way to Avon Rise changing gears and jolting when the gears change before braking and back down to third to turn into Quarry corner, Once out of Quarry it was back on the power and up through fourth and fifth and down the Farm Straight towards the Esses, the Superleggera's engine is screaming and then when you break change down it makes a high pitch growl. Break and change to third for the tight chicane is the Esses. Back on the power and up to fourth round the Old Paddock Band and Hammerdown before going back down to third for Tower Corner, Once through this tight corner, back on the power and then break for the next tight chicane Bobbies.

Once through this chicane back on the power up Westway then onto the Dean Straight before braking and changing down to third for Bybrook and then back on the power through Camp Corner and flat out towards the start finish straight heading towards Folly.

Making my way around the track the car is comfortable apart from the gear changes, the acceleration is fast the steering is good and the brakes are sharp. 

One word springs to mind about this car, and it is "raw".

Raw power, raw noise, raw speed, raw grip and it feels like one mistake and the car will turn on you.

Having said that get it right and it is so rewarding and leaves you smiling.

This is a huge step up from the Evo X in the previous post. but it is fun to drive.

Further information can be found at:

https://www.carchaseheroes.com/

https://castlecombecircuit.co.uk/

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X at Castle Combe, a Car Chase Heroes Drive

If you follow my blog closely, you will know that the majority of cars I have drive have been classic cars. I've driven a few recent cars but not many. Over the next set of blog posts, the focus of my attention will be on modern sports and supercars.

I booked these drives with Car Chase Heroes and the location I have chosen was Castle Combe as last time was great fun I enjoyed the mixture of flat out areas and the tight turns.

Unbeknownst to me when I booked these drives, it would turn out to be the hottest day of the year so far in 2022 with record breaking temperatures.

After arriving at Castle Combe and booking in, the first thing to do was re-acquaint myself with the track by having some sighting laps.

So once completed, I made my way to the first car the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X.

This car has a 2 litre turbocharged engine that produces 276bhp and has a six speed Twin Clutch Sport Shift Transmission. This car is all wheel drive.

My instructor in this car is a chap called Gary Prebble. Gary knows a thing or two about Castle Combe as he holds the record for the most wins at Castle Combe. He has had many a victory in in Evo X, so I'm in good hands.

To start the car, I put my foot on the break, and turn the key. The car then gives off a series of loud beeps before the engine barks into life. To engage first gear, pull the silver disc on the gear shift up, pull the stick back from park to drive and then pull to the right to activate the paddles.

Pull the right paddle towards you to engage first gear, take your foot off the break and accelerate gently as we are still in the pits and the car begins to move.......phew.

I head to the pit exit, before I reach the exit I move up to second. Out of the pit, I have a clear track so it's foot down and up to third, fourth and fifth. The pit exit is at Folly Corner, making my way to Avon Rise before braking and back down to third to turn into Quarry corner, Once out of Quarry it was back on the power and up through fourth and fifth and down the farm straight towards the Esses, the Evo X's engine making a nice noise. Break and change to third for the tight chicane is the Esses. Back on the power and up to fourth round the Old Paddock Band and Hammerdown before going back down to third for Tower Corner, Once through this tight corner, back on the power and then break for the next tight chicane Bobbies.

Once through this chicane back on the power up Westway then onto the Dean Straight before braking and changing down to third for Bybrook and then back on the power through Camp Corner and flat out towards the start finish straight heading towards Folly. This is the section of the track I like most as you can get up to some high speeds before having to break and change down the gears.

Making my way around the track, it's easy to see why Gary has had success racing this car, it's acceleration is quick and the steering and breaks are sharp. The gearbox on this car is smooth and there is no discomfort or clunkiness when changing gears. There are corners where you can feel the suspension and tyres battling to keep the car balanced and on the tarmac.

For an opening car, this has been a blast, It's quick and the handling is great. I feel that this would be a great car to drive in the wet due to the handling and the all wheel drive. 

This would also make for a great everyday family car for the above reasons as well as plenty of room and a good sized boot.

 For further information, please visit:

https://www.carchaseheroes.com/

https://castlecombecircuit.co.uk/

 

Classic Touring Car Racing Club (CTCRC) at Thruxton Circuit.

On the 10th July, I attended the Classic Touring Car Racing Club (CTCRC) events held at Thruxton Circuit in support of The British Truck Racing.

The CTCRC was formed by a group of amateur racing drivers in 1974 to promote affordable racing of popular saloon cars of the 1950's and 1960's. 48 years on the club now has 7 different championships:

Pre 66: Four seater saloon cars marketed before 01 January 1966.

Pre 83 Four seater saloon cars marketed before 01 January 1983.

Pre 93: Four seater saloon cars marketed before 01 January 1993. 

Pre 03: Two wheel drive, four seater saloon cars marketed between 01 January 1993 and 31 December 2002. 

BOSS: Blue Oval Saloon Series, Four seater saloon cars manufactured by the Ford Motor Company based on the standard production shell marketed before 01 January 2011.

Thunder: Classic and Historic Thunder Saloons. Four seater saloon cars based on the standard production shell marketed before 01 January 2011 and Historic Thunder saloon cars marketed before 01 January 1983.

Jaguar Challenge: Open to a wide range of Jaguar Saloon cars from the 1960's through to 2000. 

Super Tourers: Genuine period correct touring cars built to FIA technical regulations.

Looking at these championships, there is a mouth-watering prospect of some close wheel to wheel racing.

Below are my photos from the event.

The Super Tourer Nissan Primera's of Anthony Reid and David Leslie. Anthony Reid is racing his car in the Super Tourers Championship. Richard Wheeler is driving the car that David Leslie used to drive.

The iconic Texaco liveried Ford Sierra RS500 driven by Mike Manning.

Cars lining up in the assembly area.

Pre 66 and Pre 83.

Stephen Primett in the No 1 Mk I Ford Escort and Jonathan Corker in the No 85 Datsun 510 battle for position around the chicane. 

Keith Wright in the No 68 Morris Minor followed by Brian Bedford in the Austin A40 Farina. 

Jason Christie driving the No 10 Ford Escort RS 2000 defending his place from Jonathan Corker in the No 85 Datsun 510, Mark Cholerton in the No 81 Ford Escort Mk II and Stephen Cripps in the No 40 Ford Escort MK II RS2000.

James Ibbotson driving the No 1 Hillman Imp Super.

Stephen Primett in the No 1 Mk I Ford Escort with Pat Kennealey in the No 201 Ford Lotus Cortina and Colin Claxton in the No 86 Triumph Dolomite Sprint in pursuit.

Mike Broadway driving the No 88 BMW 2002.

Piers Grange driving the No 65 Ford Mustang.

Malc Best in the No 43 Ford Carpi leading Billy Kenneally driving the No 52 Ford Anglia.

Douglas Heale driving the No 97 Hillman Super Imp.

Nathan Berrisford driving the No 118 BMW 1800ti. 

Billy Kenneally driving the No 52 Ford Anglia.

Stephen Cripps in the No 40 Ford Escort MK II RS2000 is now ahead of Mark Cholerton in the No 81 Ford Escort Mk II and Jason Christie in the No 10 Ford Escort RS 2000.

Alan Greenhalgh driving the No77 Ford Falcon Sprint.

Mark Cholerton driving the No 81 Ford Escort Mk II.

Thunder and BOSS Race.

The field of cars making their way through the chicane. 

Malcolm Harding in the No 101 Ford Escort MKII BDG defending his place from James Janicki in the No 19 Nissan Skyline.

Mike Manning driving the No 35 Ford Sierra RS500.

Nick Vaughan driving the No 66 Audi A3.

James Dunkley driving the No 22 Ford Fiesta XR2.

Malcolm Harding in the No 101 Ford Escort MKII.

Tom Abbott driving the No 62 Ford Sierra.

Jason Davies driving the No 155 Ford Sierra Cosworth.

Martin Reynolds driving the No 27 Ford Escort Mk II.

Alan Breck in the No 126 Ford Capri leads Chris Brown in the No 12 Ford Fiesta and William Hunt in the No 70 Ford Fiesta.

Malcolm Wise driving the No 14 Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth.

Robert Salisbury driving the No 14 Honda Accord.

Malcolm Harding in the No 101 Ford Escort MKII BDG defending his place from James Janicki in the No 19 Nissan Skyline and now Ian Bower in the No 90 BMW has joined the battle.

Chris Brown driving the No 12 Ford Fiesta.

Alan Breck driving the No 126 Ford Capri.

James Janicki in the No 19 Nissan Skyline passes Malcolm Harding in the No 101 Ford Escort Mk II.

Andrew Wilson driving the No 97 Holden Monaro. 

Colin Claxton driving the No 86 Ford Escort RS1800.

James Janicki driving the No 19 Nissan Skyline.

Ian Bower driving the BMW M3.

Problems for Alan Breck in the No 126 Ford Capri as he signals and heads into the pits.

Pre 93, Pre 03 and Super Tourers. 

Anthony Reid in the No 23 Nissan Primera leads Richard Wheeler in the No 8 Nissan Primera and Tony Absolom in the Vauxhall Cavalier.

Ian Bower driving the No 90 BWM M3.

Richard Wheeler in the No 8 Nissan Primera leads Tony Absolom in the No 67 Vauxhall Cavalier.

Simon Mann driving the BMW E46 328ci.

Anthony Reid driving the No 23 Nissan Primera.

Jamie Sturges driving the No 87 BMW M535i.

Richard Wheeler driving the No 8 Nissan Primera. 

Jim Pocklington in the No 50 Vauxhall Cavalier GSI.

Steve Walden driving the No 36 BMW E30.

Mike Broadway driving the No 88 BMW 2002.

Tony Absolom in the No 67 Vauxhall Cavalier.

Anthony Reid driving the No 23 Nissan Primera.

Jamie Sturges driving the No 87 BMW M535i leading William Hunt in the No 70 Ford Fiesta.

Ian Knight driving the No 666 Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Stuart Waite driving the No 77 BWM E36 M3.

Jim Polkington driving the No 50 Vauxhall Cavalier GSI.

William Hunt driving the No 70 Ford Fiesta.

Neil Ashcroft in the No 119 Honda Civic Type R EP3 takes to the grass to try and overtake Luke Bennett in the No 177 Honda Integra. 

Stephen Cripps driving the No 40 Ford Escort Mk II RS2000

Anthony Reid challenges Richard Wheeler into the chicane for the last time in this race. Reid started this race on pole, dropped to fourth, worked his back up to take the lead, but left the door open for Richard Wheeler to take the victory in this race.

I enjoyed watching the action provided by the racers and cars of the CTCRC, there was a lot of close racing and a wide range of cars racing.

I'm hoping in the future, they are able to run more Super Touring Cars but I also understand that these cars not not easy to come across and are not cheap to run.

I will hope to be going to see this championship again soon, my highlight of the day was meeting Anthony Reid prior to his race.

For further information on the CTCRC, please visit:

https://classictouringcars.com/