Editorial

"The FIA is getting F1 out of the space age and returning it to pure motor racing." So says Ron Walker, Australian Grand Prix chief, in response to this week's news of cutbacks in the ever-escalating costs of F1. Whilst 'swingeing' and 'dramatic' have been used to describe the long overdue actions of the FIA, it remains to be seen whether the wholly good-intentioned measures do actually have the intended effect of spicing up the action, and allowing the smaller teams to remain in the sport.

Whilst Formula 1 is not usually on the agenda of the Classic Driver editorial squad, there is no escaping the fact, like it or not, that the big manufacturers see it as the one big motor-sporting arena to concentrate their budgets and we, as enthusiasts of Jaguar, Ferrari, BMW, Mercedes et al, have to recognise that one of the reasons we like high performance cars, from the great marques, is that they have proved themselves on the race-track.

There has been talk of the likes of McLaren and Ferrari entering extra 2-car satellite teams if the grid numbers drop further. How about this for an idea than; paint last years Ferraris a darker, deeper maroon/red and brand them 'Maserati'. Schumacher transfers to the new team, still wins all the races of course, but a brand new manufacturer wins in its debut year. Job done, Michael can then retire a happy man and we can really see some racing the year after.

You never know - stranger things have happened.


Steve Wakefield
Managing Editor

This week in Classic Driver

CAR OF THE WEEK

Noble M12

What odds would you give a self-taught engineer who left school at 16 and decided to build his own production cars? Ok, to be fair, there were 20 years in between - 20 years when Lee Noble developed the engineering skills to build such cars as the Ascari, and the Ultima...

read the complete article

CLASSIC CAR OF THE WEEK

Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I - 1957

The Silver Cloud, which appeared in 1955, was gracefully elegant. It was a successful restyling exercise of the Silver Dawn which, back in 1949, had been Rolls-Royce's first model to be bodied by the factory. Prior to that, the cars from Crewe had been coachbuilt exclusively to customers' individual tastes...

read the complete article

NEWS

2nd Generation smart cars announced

With the model refinement for the year 2003, smart gmbh is presenting the 2nd generation of the smart city-coupé and smart cabrio. The new features make the two smart models even more comfortable, safe and dynamic...

read the complete article

Porsche 911 GT3 due for March 2003 launch

The sporty 911 Carrera will have a supremely fit and athletic brother with even greater speed and power when Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, launches the new 911 GT3 in March 2003...

read the complete article

12-cylinder twin-turbo SL 600 from Mercedes at Detroit

Performance, refinement, luxury - just three of the outstanding characteristics of the new SL 600, which had its world premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this month...

read the complete article

New 2003 Bristol "Blenheim Speedster"

Most car manufacturers build and test secret prototypes that never reach the production stage. When each project ends they are scrapped which ensures they...

read the complete article

Events

English victory on Rallye Costa a Costa - Spain

Another year on, the classic winter event proved to be the best one yet, with an intensive competetition right up until the end of the rally. No one knew who would cross the finishing line first...

read the complete article

Advertisement
PREMIUM OFFERS

TVR Cerbera Speed 6

5 speed, leather, full history, 18-in alloys, air-conditioning, alloy dash, 6xCD players. Hydratrak, one owner

Colour: Iris blue pearlescent
Interior colour: Portland/Russian blue
Drive: RHD
Year: 2001
Price: 35.950 GBP
Location: UK

Dealership:


Phone: +44 (0) 1252 894786




see all details

Ferrari 275 GTB

restored



Red with Black leather interior, fully restored, the most sought after 275 GTB combination, two cam, long nose with torque tube. Exceptional condiution throughout, includes books, tools and records.


Colour: Red
Interior colour: Black
Drive: LHD
Year: 1966
price 275.000 USD
Location: USA

Dealership:


Phone: +1 516 248-0066

see all details

Classic Kalahari Rally - Namibia
25th January - 2nd February 2003

Rallye Monte Carlo Historique
31st January -2nd February 2003

24th Bristol Classic Car Show
1st - 2nd February 2003

Retromobile Paris
7th-16th February 2003

Christie's Auction at Retromobile Paris
8th February 2003

Bonhams Auction at Hendon, RAF Museum
24th February 2003


see further event details

SERVICE

If you wish to be removed from future mailings, simply reply to this message with REMOVE in the subject header. Or send an email to classicinside@classicdriver.com with REMOVE in the subject.

classicinside@classicdriver.com

If your email address will change, please inform us via mail to:

classicinside@classicdriver.com