AUTO MANIA: by Dr. Iain Corness [email protected]

Spanish GP this weekend

Spanish GP.

Two years ago I wrote, “The Alonso fans will be out in full voice, hoping that this will be the GP at which Ferrari comes on even stronger, and the Spaniard fulfills all their dreams, even if Massa was dragging the chain two weeks ago.” Seems nothing has changed since then.
At the same time there were rumors that Mark Webber would go to Ferrari for 2013, something that did not happen. However, there are now rumors that Mark Webber will go to Ferrari for the 2014 season. Motor racing is a wonderful source of rumors!
Back to the GP. Spain has a long history in GP racing, and the Cataluña circuit (aka Montmelo) was built just 20 km from Barcelona. It was actually the fourth circuit in, or near, Barcelona, which has some claim to being Spain’s capital of motor racing.
The 5 km Circuit Cataluña was opened in 1991. A temporary chicane was built at ‘Nissan’ (a very shallow curve) in 1994, but for 1995, ‘Nissan’ was straightened reducing the length of a lap to the 5 km length.
I will be watching the dedicated F1 channel (no adverts during the race) in front of the huge screen in Jameson’s Irish Pub (Soi AR, next to Nova Park). The race will start at 7 p.m. but we get there early and have some dinner from the Jameson’s specials menu. Why not join me for dinner and a beer before the race?
Two years ago (2011) I also posed the following questions, “…can Vettel grab another win before the others catch up? Will McLaren find more speed and challenge? Will Mercedes get Rosberg up on the podium? We will know the answers to all these questions by Sunday night.” Seems nothing has changed at all!

A compact SUV for Mercedes-Benz?

GLA concept SUV.

The Shanghai Auto Show saw M-B reveal the GLA compact SUV concept. The Mercedes-Benz GLA concept becomes the third A series model and the first baby SUV to take on the Range Rover Evoque, BMW X3 and Audi Q3.
A Mercedes spokesman said the GLA - heavily based on the concept shown at Shanghai - goes into production next year and will be shown in production form later this year at the Frankfurt motor show.
The SUV is based on the new A series which looks so much better than the snub-nosed previous A series. The SUV is apparently based on the A250 hatch, the upcoming CLA sedan and the B-Series hatch - and will be available with the same petrol and diesel engines. Measuring 4383 mm, the SUV is only slightly longer than the A-Class.
The GLA repeats the styling of the A250 and other models with a large twin-bar grille and swept-back headlights. But it follows the A250 detail with coupe-style frameless doors, recessed door handles and wrap-around tail lights. The headlights have laser technology that shine more light on the road than other lights and can also become projectors.
M-B expect that this SUV should also attract a younger age group to the brand, in much the same way as the new A-Class has.

The Bangkok Grand Prix

Bangkok Grand Prix.

Despite all my initial misgivings (right through to incredulity and disbelief), it certainly does look as if the Thai Grand Prix will go ahead. The Sports Authority of Thailand is reported as saying that the route for the night race has been approved by foreign experts. The route will run from the Rat Woradit pier, Maha That Road, Na Phra Lan Road, Na Phra That Road, Chakrabongse Road, Phra Sumen Road, Ratchadamnoen Avenue, Maha Chai Road and Thai Wang Road. Each lap in this layout is just under 6 km. Underwriters for this project are the government, Singha and Red Bull. The whole shooting match now goes to the Thai government for approval, which will take up to three months.
Other rumors are that Korea will lose its Grand Prix, and Thailand will get its place on the annual calendar.
Watch this space for further information.

F1 performance in a road car? The top 5 contenders

Ariel Atom V8.

I am sure most of you have heard of the Ariel Atom, a strange vehicle looking like it is made from bent water pipes, and no creature comforts at all. Bad weather? Leave your Atom in the garage.
However, the Ariel people have now gone one better with a V8 engined version which can go from rest to 100 km/h in 2.3 seconds. Yes, you read that correctly, two point three seconds! They should have called the V8 Ariel the Atom Bomb!
The engine is bespoke, made by fusing two Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle engines. This develops 372 kW at 10,600 rpm. The Atom is the quickest accelerating road car without a doubt.
Next fastest is the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport. The Bugatti Veyron Super Sport currently holds the Guinness World record for the fastest production car, with a top speed of 431.072 km/h. And as well as top speed, it is only narrowly edged by the Atom, recording 2.5 seconds for the 100 kph sprint.
Third fastest is the Hennessey Venom GT. This is based on a Lotus Exige chassis with a 6.2 liter GM sourced V8 engine, with twin turbochargers to give it a peak power output of 895 kW and 1565 Nm of torque. Again fearsomely quick with the 0-100 km/h time of 2.7 seconds. The Hennessey Venom GT can also run to 370 km/h in less than 20 seconds.
Next up is the Japanese firebomb, the Nissan GT-R. The stock-standard 2013 model 3.8 liter twin-turbo V6 Nissan GT-R has a claimed 0-100 km/h sprint time of just 2.7 seconds, but this may be a trifle optimistic.
Finally the fifth place in the acceleration stakes, goes to the Lamborghini Aventador. This space ship on wheels has a 6.5 liter V12 and 4WD and a claimed 0-100 km/h sprint time of 2.9s.

“Classic” cars

Many years ago, I was asked if there were any “classic” cars in Pattaya, and whether the owners would be interested in tailored “classic car” insurance. I replied that the closest thing in Pattaya that went to being “classic” was probably a 10 year old Isuzu baht bus!
That was then, and the scene in Pattaya has changed dramatically. Every day we seem to be unearthing more and more old cars, and there is now a viable market for both sellers, buyers and restorers.
Of course, to find some of these older vehicles in concourse condition is exceptionally rare, but “finds” do happen. One chap was in the right place at the right time and became the owner of an immaculate 1970 MGB roadster. This car had to be seen to be believed. In fact, when the previous owner imported it after a ground up restoration in the UK he was hit with horrendous import duty by the Customs department. When he protested and said, “Look, this car is 30 years old,” the stony-faced Customs official then smiled and replied, “But look new!”
Now that a decree has been made banning importing cars, where does the intrepid collector go now? The choice is now only cars that were either imported many years ago or were built/or assembled here. And these are the cars that have been hiding in sheds, disassembling yards, or if they have been very lucky, sitting in somebody’s collections somewhere.
What cars were also built here? How about a Holden HQ Monaro two door of 1971 vintage? After a week, this became not one, but two, and amazingly they have consecutive VIN numbers! Both Monaros (the performance model) with the 253 V8 engines. Now how rare is that? Holdens arrived CKD in the early 70’s and were assembled here, and there are still quite a few of these early Holdens around!
Now that I am racing a Mk1 Ford Escort (with sponsorship from BBX/Acorn Pub) a little delving brought out that Escorts were actually built in Thailand in the early 1970’s and not imported. This explained why there were quite a few of this model around, and as I write this I know of at least 15 that are sitting in sheds around the place. One is a red post office van bodied one as well. Just where did these cars come from?
Going back even before the Mk1’s there are other Fords which have turned up in paint shops and upholstery places in Pattaya including a couple of 105E’s and the early reverse back window Anglias.
Fiat and VW must have also sold well in Thailand, if the number of 1100 Fiats and Beetles are anything to go by. VW in particular must have sold their Kombi wagons in large numbers, and I know of three being used as mobile “cocktail cars” in Pattaya and another couple in body shops.
American iron is also turning up. Within one km from my office there is a purple notchback Mustang and a Mercury Cougar.
So, are the classic cars that are being unearthed part of a country-wide resurgence of interest in older vehicles or what? Having met quite a few of the owners, there is nothing there to suggest the answer. The ages range from 70+ to 30 year olds, but all have a genuine interest in the older vehicles. Long may this continue. And long may my Mk1 Escort continue to confound much younger cars on the race track.

Natter Nosh and Noggin

The car club meets at Jameson’s Irish Pub on Soi AR next to Nova Park. The next meeting is on Monday May 13 at Jameson’s at 7 p.m. A totally informal meeting of like-minded souls to discuss their pet motoring (and motorcycling) loves and hates (plus lies and outright exaggerations). Come along and meet the guys who have a common interest in cars and bikes, and enjoy the Jameson’s specials, washed down with a few beers. A couple of the members are scrutineers at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, so they may have some scuttlebutt about the F1 scene. Always a fun night. Be prepared to laugh a lot at some of the antics of the members (when they were younger)! The Car Club nights are always on the second Monday of the month (not every second Monday)!

Autotrivia Quiz

Autotrivia Quiz
Last week I mentioned that the Cosworth-Ford DFV engines were designed to be a stressed member of the chassis, but were not the first. I asked which car was the first? It was the Lancia D50, remembered for the two pods between the wheels, used as fuel tanks. Six were made, and Juan Manuel Fangio won one of his World Driver’s Championships in a D50.
So to this week. A 30 cylinder engine was built during WW2. What was it used for?
For the Automania free beer this week, be the first correct answer to email [email protected].