McLaren 720S at Castle Combe, a Car Chase Heroes Drive

My penultimate drive of the day is the McLaren 720S. From the Dihedral doors to the sweeping lights front and back, it's fair to say I love the design of this car. 

This car comes equipped with a 4 litre Twin Turbo V8 that has 710bhp and a top speed of 212mph. All this goes to the rear wheels and is controlled by a 7 speed Seamless Shift Gearbox. 

My instructor for this trip around Castle Combe is Eduardo. I get in, get comfortable and pull the door down to close it. The interior of this car is quite conservative compared to some of the cars I have driven today but there is beauty in it's simplicity. There is a combination of leather, Carbon Fibre and Alcantara with some small yellow details around the cockpit. 

To start the car,  place the key in the designated space, press the start button. The electrical systems will start and beep. Once this finishes, put your foot on the break and press the start button again and the engine fires into life. Pull the right paddle towards you, take your foot of the brake, accelerate gently and we're off.  

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, fifth and sixth and down the farm straight towards the Esses, the 720S's V8 engine is roaring behind me. 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. 

The 720S is an amazing car, it goes like a rocket, handles beautifully, feels planted in the corners and thanks you for driving it quickly.  The gearbox is as smooth as silk and you get plenty of feedback from the steering and the rear wheels.  You don't need to be a highly skilled driver to have this car make you smile. If that's not enough the exhaust notes from the engine are also pleasing.

I wanted more time in this car but sadly today was not that day. I pulled into the pits and sat for a couple of minutes to gather my thoughts about this car.

Some say always leave your audience wanting more, today the 720S did just that.

For further information, please visit

https://www.carchaseheroes.com/

https://castlecombecircuit.co.uk/

 

Lamborghini Huracan at Castle Combe, a Car Chase Heroes Drive

My next car to drive was the Lamborghini Huracan. This car has a 5.2 litre V10 engine that produces 620bhp and will propel you all the way up to 199mph. The gearbox is a 7 speed dual clutch operated by the paddles behind the steering wheel and is all wheel drive.

For this trip around Castle Combe, I'm joined by Craig. Getting into the Huracan there are no issues and it's comfortable one inside. I love the interior of this car, especially the start stop button with the pop up red cover. Its like the missile button in a fighter jet. It tells you that this is not going to be a slow experience. 

To start the car, you put your foot on the break, lift up the red flap, press the start button and the engine comes to life. Release the parking break and select first gear, lift off the foot brake and accelerate gently and we make our way to the pit exit. 

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 Huracan's V10 engine is screaming. 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. 

Taking the Huracan around Castle Combe is fantastic, it feels so planted around the corners and quick down the straights. When you steer the car, it goes where you want to but you don't get much response from the steering wheel. It's a different kind of fun from the Superleggera, this feels fast but dare I say it safe. Still, driving this car at speed will leave you grinning from ear to ear like a driving superhero. 

For further information, please visit

https://www.carchaseheroes.com/

https://castlecombecircuit.co.uk/

 

Ferrari 458 Italia at Castle Combe, a Car Chase Heroes Drive

My final drive of the day would be the Ferrari 458 Italia. You can't drive supercars and not have a go in a Ferrari. The last time I drove a Ferrari was a manual 360 Modena, when I'd finished driving it I felt like I'd been to the gym.

This Ferrari 458 comes with a naturally aspirated 4.5 litre V8 engine that produces 562bhp and a top speed of 202mph. It has a dual clutch 7 speed gearbox and it's rear wheel drive. 

In my opinion this is also one of the best looking modern supercars.

 

I get into the 458 and I'm joined for this trip around Castle Combe by Sami. I get comfortable and get used to this where everything is. A lot of the controls are on the steering wheel. Everything from the lights to the engine settings can be found on this wheel. To start the 458, put the key in the ignition to turn the 458's electrics on, foot on the brake then press the engine start button and the engine comes to life. Pull the right hand paddle to engage first gear, take your foot off the brake and accelerate gently as I head towards the pit exit.

I have a clear track so it's foot down and up to third, fourth and fifth, the lights on top of the steering wheel telling me when to change gear. Making my way to Avon Rise I pass a stricken Aston Martin Vantage and General Lee that are off the racing line. I then brake and change gear back down to third to turn into Quarry corner, Once out of Quarry it was back on the power and up through fourth, fifth and sixth and down the farm straight towards the Esses, the 458's V8 engine is screaming behind me. 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 car is phenomenal. The acceleration is quick as you'd expect from an engine that produces 562bhp and the V8 scream is a joy to hear. You cannot imagine how well this car handles and the steering is razor sharp, you feel very connected to the track. You would have to be careful of this on everyday roads until you got used to it.

I was asked if  I'd like extra time in this car, my answer was hell yes. more time meant more smiles and more memories.

I set out on this day to drive a set of sports and supercars to bring myself up to date and to see if what's been written before is true. I would say, if you can and are able to, have a go and judge for yourself.

Each of them has different things that make them amazing cars to drive as well as things that make them not the easiest cars to live with.

The cars had their own personalities:

Evo X - The family sports car that's up for a bit of every kind of driving. 

Superlegera - Your mate at the pub who is generally happy but will hurt you if you spill a drop of their drink.

Aston Marin - The one you would take for a high brow job interview or party.

Huracan - A close friend you can rely on.

720S - The track day athlete.

458 - The all rounder for the road and track.

I would like to thank all of the staff at Car Chase Heroes for making me feel welcome and the instructors for their time and expertise helping me to maximise my driving.

Also a thank you to the staff at Castle Combe for having and maintaining a fantastic track.

For further information, please visit

https://www.carchaseheroes.com/

https://castlecombecircuit.co.uk/

2021 Aston Martin Vantage at Castle Combe, a Car Chase Heroes Drive

 

My next drive of the day was the 2021 Aston Martin Vantage

The last time I drove an Aston Martin was at Goodwood and it was a Series I DB4, so this will be hugely different to drive. 

This Aston Martin comes equipped with a twin turbo 4 litre V8 engine that produces 503bhp and a top speed of 190mph. The engine in these cars are made by Mercedes AMG.

I get in, comfortable and get used to the cockpit. This car is very stylish and modern looking, the dash is easy to read and the control panel is easy on the eye.. The interior is black with green highlights and the seats have matching green stitching as well as the Aston Martin logo. For this trip around Castle Combe, I'm joined by Barry.

To start the car, you put turn the key, put your foot on the break, press the start button and the engine comes to life. Its a unique sound to Aston Martin and I love the noise this car makes.

Pull the right paddle behind the steering wheel to engage first gear, take your foot off the the break and you are away. With the Vantage, there is no lifting between gear changes and makes this car easier to drive than the Lamborghini.

The photo's taken by the professional shows me overtaking a white Porsche and are not the best photo's.

Luckily for me this was the one car drive where the video footage recorded.

My video of the drive.

https://youtu.be/_tdz9ahniC0

There are lots of reasons to like this Aston Martin Vantage, it looks and sounds fantastic, it handles beautifully, the steering and breaks are sharp and the ride is comfortable. I really enjoyed my time behind the wheel but I feel that a better drive is to come from me in this Aston somewhen in the future. I did however enjoy flooring it and overtaking the Porsche.

For further information, please visit

https://www.carchaseheroes.com/

https://castlecombecircuit.co.uk/

Middlewick House Open Gardens

I recently attended an event at Middlewick House in aid of The Wiltshire Air Ambulance and The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust. For those of you that don't know, Middlewick House is owned by Nick Mason, the drummer from Pink Floyd. Nick has a collection of around 40 car that you can take a look at while you walk around the garden. There are also trade stands, barbeque food and a designated children's area on site. 

Guests were also allowed to display their cars in the field opposite the house.

D-Type Jaguar

Ferrari F40

McLaren F1 GTR

Aston Martin Ulster's

Ferrari 365 GTB\4 Competizione (Daytona)

Bentley 4 1/2 Litre 

Frasier Nash Le Mans Replica

Ferrari 250MM

Austin Seven Chummy

Bugatti Type 23

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

Alpine A110

Ferrari 599 TGO

Ford "The Shazz" 3 Window Coupe

Ferrari SF90

Ferrari F12 TDF

Ferrari LaFerrari

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato

Bugatti Type 35 R

Ferrari 512 S

March 86C

Ferrari 512 BBLM

Lola T2 297

Guest Cars

Dodge Challenger SRT

Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

Aston Martin Vantage AMR V8

Ferrari 458 Italia

McLaren 570S

Ferrari 488 GTB

Ferrari 812 Superfast

Lamborghini Countach 

Ferrari 360 Modena

Ferrari 430 F1 Spider

Mercedes Benz AMG GT S

Ferrari F355 Challenge

Aston Martin V8

McLaren 650S

Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera

Ferrari 308 GTB QV

Ferrari SF90

Ferrari F430

McLaren 570S

Jaguar Project 7

Ferrari 488 GTB

Jaguar F-Type SVR

Ferrari 488 Spider

Ferrari 488 Pista

 Ferrari Portofino T V8

Lamborghini Diablo SV

Ford Mustang

Ferrari 488 Pista

Ferrari 250 GTE

Ferrari Challenge Stradale

Ferrari F355 Spider

Jaguar E-Type

Jaguar Mk II

This is a fantastic event and was very popular. At £8 a ticket it's good value. There was a great selection of Nick's cars on display and a good turnout of guest cars.

Nick was walking around and was happy to chat to people, have his photo taken and sign items. 

If this event returns next year, I will be going fir another look.

For further information, please visit.

https://middlewickhouseopengarden.com/