THE FASTEST JAGUAR EVER

Jaguar today announces that during a secret speed trial at the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, an XFR prototype recorded a stunning top speed of 225.675mph (363.188km/h), making it the fastest Jaguar ever.

The car – powered by the all-new AJ-V8 Gen III engine – beat Jaguar's previous speed record of 217.1mph (349.4 km/h) set in the XJ220 in 1992.* Paul Gentilozzi – the owner of Rocketsports Racing who successfully led the Jaguar XKR to five series victories between 2001 and 2006 in the Trans Am series in the USA – drove the car on the record-breaking run.

*Note: The Jaguar XJ220 – a mid-engined sports car produced by Jaguar in collaboration with Tom Walkinshaw Racing between 1992 and 1994 – held the record for the highest top speed of a production car until the arrival of the McLaren F1 in 1994.
source:newspress

New in stock! Jaguar/Daimler XJ40 – The Essential Buyer’s Guide by Peter Crespin.
A practical and highly-illustrated hands-on guide, taking you step-by-step through examination and purchase of Jaguar’s highly-developed flagship saloon, which took the company from the Leyland years into private ownership once more. Covering all engine and trim versions, here's what to look for, what to avoid, and whether the car is likely to suit your needs, plus relative values and the best places to buy. Also includes full details on back-up organisations and literature.
Click here for more info about the book.

VELOCE ON YOUR CAR OF THE DAY

This image of a Mercedes 300SL i supplied (taken from the Veloce book La Carrera Panamericana by John Tipler) was awarded car of the day yesterday on the popular website. Click here to visit the site.

New! La Carrera Panamericana – “The World’s Greatest Road Race!” by John Tipler.
The story of the legendary Mexican road race, which lasts for 7 days and covers 2000 miles of central Mexico. Click here for more info about the book or here for Gary Faules review of the book on his renowned Carrera Panamericana blog.

NISSAN ANNOUNCES NEW GT-R SPECV MODEL

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd today announced a new limited-production Nissan GT-R SpecV model, which goes on sale at specially selected Nissan dealers throughout Japan on February 2, 2009. The GT-R SpecV is targeted specifically at enthusiast drivers who desire race car-level performance in a street-legal vehicle.
Developed around the multi-dimensional Nissan GT-R sports car, which was introduced just more than one year ago to universal global acclaim, the new SpecV model builds on the original’s “ultimate supercar that anyone can enjoy driving anywhere, at anytime” philosophy – taking it to an entirely new level of “oneness between man and machine.” The SpecV model includes unique body, interior and performance equipment and modifications, raising the GT-R’s unmatched performance to even higher levels.
The GT-R SpecV’s new exterior features include a carbon fibre rear spoiler, a carbon fibre grille, and carbon fibre brake ducts. The SpecV is available exclusively in Ultimate Black Opal (RP) body colour. Inside, the SpecV’s unique two-seat interior (non-SpecV GT-R models also include a two-place rear seat) offers special Recaro carbon fibre bucket seats, while carbon fibre insets embellish the rear centre storage box, instrument panel and other trim areas.
Performance is enhanced with a new high gear boost control device, which momentarily increases boost of the engine’s twin turbochargers for greater torque in the intermediate-to-high speed ranges to provide a more powerful feeling of acceleration, while also allowing the engine to operate at a lower speed for improved fuel economy. Other modifications include a titanium-coated exhaust system and carbon-ceramic brakes that provide powerful stopping performance.
The GT-R SpecV is also equipped with lightweight, racing-style forged aluminium wheels that were developed for this model and have been sold by Nissan Motorsports International (NISMO) since September 2008. The lighter unsprung weight provided by the new wheels, together with the enhanced braking capability, an exclusive suspension and high-grip tyres, combine to deliver the SpecV’s exceptional performance.
Source:newspress

Forthcoming Nissan GT-R books from Veloce!

BRM BRAND REVIVED IN ITS 60TH YEAR

Electric racing car to enter Speed Hillclimb Championships in 2010 and revive BRM marque in its 60th anniversary year

On 16 October, Bee Automobiles Ltd announced that the Bee Four electric racing vehicle (ERV) designed by Martin Ogilvie, would participate in the British Speed Hill Climb Championship, with Graeme Wight Jr as the driver. Bee is now delighted to announce that the ERV will race as the BRM Bee Four ERV, reviving the BRM brand in its 60th year.
The BRM Bee Four ERV - code-named the 'Watt 4' - is an all-electric 4WD vehicle, capable of producing 700hp or 520kW. The ERV uses motor technology developed at Oxford University. Bee is a partner with Energy Efficient Motor Sport - EEMS.
The BRM Bee Four ERV will revive the famous BRM brand. BRM is a previous winner of the British Speed Hill Climb Championship, the F1 world Drivers' and Constructors' championships and a total of 17 F1 Grands Prix, with Graham Hill and Sir Jackie Stewart as two of the winning drivers.

2009 is the 60th anniversary of BRM, so it is very appropriate to revive the brand in an innovative new car. BRM was founded just after the Second World War by Raymond Mays, who had built several hillclimb and road racing cars under the ERA brand before the war, and Peter Berthon, a long-time associate.

Fantastic BRM books available from Veloce. Click covers for more info!

A PACKET OF SWEETS TO PLUG A SPLIT PETROL TANK ...

bathroom sealer to waterproof an engine ... exhaust brakets from a wire coat hanger ... just a few of the many low-cost tips you can find in this new Veloce book.

New in stock! How to Build a Successful Low-Cost Rally Car – For Marathon, Endurance, Historic & Budget-car Adventure events
By Philip Young.

Simple, cost-effective, basic and reliable tips to ensure that any rally car stands a chance of reaching the finishing line. If you are planning a road-based rally, don't even think of leaving home before reading this book and implementing the tried and tested mods it describes so well.

This book concentrates on preparing a car for the many forms of road-based rallies, including Historic Rallying, from weekend club events to the Classic Marathon, with useful preparation for long distance events like the Peking to Paris, road-rallies for modern cars, and the “Budget Adventure” events like the Mongol Rally and Plymouth to Dakar. It concentrates on tips for reliability...items like waterproofing, ensuring the exhaust doesn’t fall off, the radiator doesn’t vibrate lose, engine mountings and the like are regular setbacks on all manner of events and this book gets back to basics, packed with workshop photographs. There is also an event guide, useful contacts, and chapters on personal preparation including staying healthy, coping with borders, and seeking sponsorship.

Philip Young is a former Fleet Street journalist who once helped to run the Daily Mail News Desk...he has written for The Observer, The Times, and The Guardian as well as the Daily Mail, edited two motoring magazines, and twice was awarded the Guild of Motoring Writer’s Motoring Journalist of the Year Award. Philip Young is also the author of the Veloce best-seller Peking to Paris 2007 – The ultimate driving adventure.

Generally credited with having kick-started the historic-rally movement with events like the Pirelli Classic Marathon, Monte Carlo Challenge and Peking to Paris, Philip Young has organised 65 major events and has seen how the same problems crop up time and time again that could have been prevented with some simple modifications in the garage before the start. He co-founded the Historic Rally Car Register in 1982, and more recently started up Endurance Rallying in Britain, events restricted to 1400cc cars with standard engines, such as the Lombard Rally.
click here for more info about the book.

PERAVES MONOTRACER

Found this on a great website called Your Car of the Day, which sends a free daily email bringing you the "hippest, kookiest, most sublime and outrageous automotive moments ever captured on the internet and beyond."
Well worth a look!
Click here for more info about the Peraves Monotracer.

OPENING OF BUS LANES FOR BIKES

London’s red route bus lanes open to motorcyclists for commuter ease and safety.

Honda (UK) today led a snow sprinkled ride out with a number of motorcycle industry partners and the London Mayor’s Director for Transport Policy, Kulveer Ranger, to celebrate the opening of London’s red route bus lanes for motorcyclists, following Transport for London’s (TfL) announcement to allow motorcycles to use red route bus lanes for an 18-month trial period starting from today.

Although red routes make up just 5% of London’s roads, this move by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, will significantly help cut congestion and keep the Capital moving and safer for all red route bus lane users.

The new ‘Code of Conduct’ for motorcyclists is available through the TfL’s website, www.tfl.gov.uk, or, from the MCIA’s website www.mcia.co.uk

source:honda/newspress