The BMW 120d M

So, as promised, here it is (albeit very belatedly). My review of the BMW 1-series. As I have previously mentioned, I won a motoring journalism competition and driving this car was my prize. Consequently, I went to Brands Hatch in March to try out the 120d M.

The first thing that hit me when I entered Brands Hatch was the sound. The roar of the Formula Ford engines came from the track, and the commentator’s voices boomed out around the complex.

Excited, but a little nervous, I entered the YoungDrive briefing room. An instructor told us about the track, and a little about what we would experience in the next few hours. We were divided into groups of three, and each assigned to an instructor; then we found our cars- BMW 120d M’s.

My two group members and I got into the car, and our instructor drove us down to the track. I could see pick-up trucks racing by on the other circuit. When we arrived he showed us the basics, like steering and changing gear. The first person got into the driver’s seat and tried it for himself. As he pulled off, I sat nervously in the back, knowing that in a few minutes it would be my turn to drive.

That drive finished without incident, but now it was my turn. Petrified, I got in. I had driven before, but never in a manual car. After putting the car into neutral, I cautiously pushed down on the clutch pedal. I pressed the start button, and as the engine roared I was horribly aware of the power I was now in control of. Slowly, I released the clutch and applied some throttle. The instruction was good, and I felt certain that I was in safe hands.

 I pulled away, and was confident enough to put some power down on the first straight. The car was fairly responsive, but seemed a little unstable. The instructions continued through the first corner, which I was thankful for as I wasn’t entirely sure what to do. As I accelerated out of the corner, I changed up, which went quite well, although it was a little jerky. However, I got better as I went round the track, and by the time I got to the cone slalom at the end, my shift times had decreased. I manoeuvred around the cones fairly well, although I was over-steering a little. I noticed the car had a tendency to do this, which was frustrating as a driver. After executing a three-point turn, I went back round the track and completed the second set of cones a lot more successfully than the first.

I enjoyed the whole experience of YoungDrive at Brands Hatch, and I certainly feel more prepared for when I can really take to the road.

The Pagani Zonda R

Hi! Recently MSV (motorsports vision) ran a contest to try and find the young motoring journalist of the year. The prize was to win a drive at Brands Hatch in a BMW 1-series. Although it looks like a volvo estate stuck onto the end of a hatchback, it still looks oddly sporty. Once I have driven it (27th March), you can expect a full car review!

Today I am going to review the car currently winning in the best car poll, the Pagani Zonda R. When you look at the stats, you cant be blamed for thinking that this particular Zonda is totally useless. Not road-legal, not race-legal. But then you look at the car, and everything changes. You realise that it doesn't matter how inpractical it is, because that's not what the Zonda R is about. It is about it's sporty, angular, agressive looks, and the roar of its Mercedes V12. And, if you have the money to buy a Zonda R, I'm sure you won't mind paying some extra for private land to drive it on!

Overall, The Zonda is inpractical, but that is partly the point! Without its unique personality, the R would be just another Zonda.

A car I actually HAVE driven- The Lamborghini Gallardo lp560-4

Hi guys! I'm glad to see some of you are voting on my best car poll. Today I am going to be reviewing a car I have actually driven (on a driving experience day): the Lamborghini Gallardo.

The Lamborghini Gallardo has many different models, my personal favourite being the superleggera. The model I drove was the lp560-4. Let's start with the looks. As is Lamborghini's way, it is very angular rather than curvey. It looks 'cool', rather than pretty. But how does it drive? Well, it has great accelaration and has a brilliant flappy-paddle gearbox. It corners well, but does have a tendency to lose a little of it's stability at high speeds. It has a great top speed of just under 200mph, making it a direct rival of it's Ferrari equivalent, the f430(top speed 196mph).

Overall, the Gallardo is a thrilling car to drive, and I would reccomend buying it to anyone. Who happens to have 180,000 pounds going spare...........

The Ferrari 458

Hi again! A big thank you to all the people who viewed my blog.  Today, I will be reviewing another great car, the Ferrari 458.

In contrast to the car I reviewed last week, the Sesto Elemento, the Ferrari has smooth, gentle curves. Where the Lambo is ruggedly handsome, the Ferrari is beautiful. It is sleek and smooth. Statistics-wise, it has 562 bhp and a top speed of 202 mph! As for the downsides, it really isn’t at all practical. It can only manage 16mpg, and it’s tyres wear quickly.

To conclude, then. The Ferrari 458 is an engineering marvel, but is impractical in the real world. I hope you liked the review, comments will be much appreciated. Also, if you like my blog, please feel free to follow, as more reviews will be on the way!

My first post- The Sesto Elemento

On my first blog, I think one thing should be made clear from the outset. I am obsessed with cars. I own pretty much every Top Gear box set in existence, my bedroom is plastered with pictures of sports cars, and I have been known to kill time looking up cars on eBay for absolutely no reason whatsoever.

There is only one thing that holds back this obsession of mine. The fact that legally, I am not allowed to drive! Despite this drawback, I can still formulate strong opinions on cars, based on looks and statistics. Which I do. A lot. So, to save my family from constant reviews of cars, I have decided to make a blog for people who actually care!

I will start with my favourite car, the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento concept. It is a stunning car, its looks are breathtaking, and it is a real feat of engineering. The car is made almost entirely of carbon fibre, hence the name Sesto Elemento, meaning ‘sixth element’. The sixth element is carbon. It has a brilliant angular look, like every corner has been sharpened. I love everything about it apart from one thing. Technically, it’s not actually real! As it is a concept car, the company do not actually make it. It is purely a chance for the car designers to be creative and come up with something special. This they have done. And although the car itself will never be made, Lamborghini have said that the Sesto Elemento is the way forward for Lamborghinis to come.

Well that’s it for now. I hope you enjoyed the blog and I can assure you there will be more on the way!