Car To Hydrogen

A hydrogen vehicle is a vehicle that uses hydrogen as its onboard fuel for motive power. Hydrogen vehicles include hydrogen fueled space rockets, as well as automobiles and other transportation vehicles. The power plants of such vehicles convert the chemical energy of hydrogen to mechanical energy either by burning hydrogen in an internal combustion engine, or by reacting hydrogen with oxygen in a fuel cell to run electric motors. Widespread use of hydrogen for fueling transportation is a key element of a proposed hydrogen economy.

Hydrogen fuel does not occur naturally on Earth and thus is not an energy source; rather it is an energy carrier. As of 2014, 95% of hydrogen is made from methane. It can be produced using renewable sources, but that is an expensive process.Integrated wind-to-hydrogen (power to gas) plants, using electrolysis of water, are exploring technologies to deliver costs low enough, and quantities great enough, to compete with traditional energy sources.

Many companies are working to develop technologies that might efficiently exploit the potential of hydrogen energy for use in motor vehicles. As of November 2013 there are demonstration fleets of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles undergoing field testing including the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell, Honda FCX Clarity, Hyundai ix35 FCEV and Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell. The drawbacks of hydrogen use are high carbon emissions intensity when produced from natural gas, capital cost burden, low energy content per unit volume, low performance of fuel cell vehicles compared with gasoline vehicles, production and compression of hydrogen, and the large investment in infrastructure that would be required to fuel vehicles.

Man and machine

Man and machine

You all know about the Darwin Awards – it's the annual honor given to the person who did the gene pool the biggest service by killing themselves in the most extraordinarily stupid way. Last year's winner was the fellow who was killed by a Coke machine which toppled over on top of him as he was attempting to tip a free soda out of it.

And this year's nominee is:

The Arizona Highway Patrol came upon a pile of smoldering metal embedded into the side of a cliff rising above the road at the apex of a curve. the wreckage resembled the site of an airplane crash, but it was a car. The type of car was unidentifiable at the scene. The lab finally figured out what it was and what had happened.

It seems that a guy had somehow gotten hold of a JATO unit (Jet Assisted Take Off – actually a solid fuel rocket) that is used to give heavy military transport planes an extra 'push' for taking off from short airfields. He had driven his Chevy Impala out into the desert and found a long, straight stretch of road. Then he attached the JATO unit to his car, jumped in, got up some speed and fired off the JATO!

The facts, as best could be determined, are that the operator of the 1967 Impala hit JATO ignition at a distance of approximately 3.0 miles from the crash site. This was established by the prominent scorched and melted asphalt at that location. The JATO, if operating properly, would have reached maximum thrust within five seconds, causing the Chevy to reach speeds well in excess of 350 MPH, continuing at full power for an additional 20–25 seconds. The driver, soon to be pilot, most likely would have experienced G-forces usually reserved for dog-fighting F-14 jocks under full afterburners, basically causing him to become insignificant for the remainder of the event. However, the automobile remained on the straight highway for about 2.5 miles (15–20 seconds) before the driver applied and completely melted the brakes, blowing the tires and leaving thick rubber marks on the road surface, then becoming airborne for an additional 1.4 miles and impacting the cliff face at a height of 125 feet, leaving a blackened crater 3 feet deep in the rock.

Most of the driver's remains were not recoverable; however, small fragments of bone, teeth and hair were extracted from the crater, and fingernail and bone shards were removed from a piece of debris believed to be a portion of the steering wheel.

Hot-rod

Hot-rod

Late 1930s–1950s

The term seems first to have appeared in the late 1930s in southern California where people raced modified cars on dry lake beds northeast of Los Angeles under the rules of the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), among other groups. The activity increased in popularity after World War II particularly in California, because many returning soldiers received technical training in the service. Many cars were prepared by bootleggers in response to Prohibition to enable them to avoid  agents ("Revenooers"); some police vehicles were also modified in response.

The first hot rods were old cars (most often Fords, typically Model Ts, 1928–31 Model As, or 1932-34 Model Bs, modified to reduce weight. Typical modifications were removal of convertible tops, hoods, bumpers, windshields, and/or fenders, channeling the body; and modifying the engine by tuning and/or replacing with a more powerful type. Speedster was a common name for the modified car.  wheelsand tires were changed for improved traction and handling. "Hot rod" was sometimes a term used in the 1950s as a derogatory term for any car that did not fit into the mainstream. Hot rodders' modifications were considered to improve the appearance as well, leading to show cars in the 1960s replicating these same modifications along with a distinctive paint job.

Engine swaps often involved fitting the Ford flathead engine, or "flatty", in a different chassis; the "60 horse" in a Jeep was a popular choice in the '40s. After the appearance of the 255 cu in (4.2 l) V8, because of interchangeability, installing the longer-stroke Mercury crank in the 239 was a popular upgrade among hot rodders, much as the 400 cu in (6.6 l) crank in small-blocks would later become. In the 1950s, the flathead block was often fitted with crankshafts of up to 4.125 in (104.8 mm) stroke, sometimes more. In addition, rodders in the 1950s routinely bored them out by 0.1875 in (4.76 mm) (to 3.375 in (85.7 mm))due to the tendency of blocks to crack as a result of overheating, a perennial problem, this is no longer recommended. In the '50s and '60s, the flatty was supplanted by the early hemi. By the 1970s, the small-block Chevy was the most common option, and since the '80s, the 350 cu in (5.7 l) Chevy has been almost ubiquitous.

Classic Car

Classic Car

Classic Cars: Driven By Obsession?

Ever since the exploits of 19th century German motoring pioneer Karl Benz (of Mercedes Benz fame) the world has been in thrall to the lure of the motor-car. And when what started as the preserve of the few became accessible to ever greater numbers thank to the pioneering production line of Henry Ford and his famous Model T, the blue touch paper was well and truly lit; there was no stopping the growth in the popularity of cars.

While the automotive industry has changed significantly in the intervening years, there’s still a fascination with cars that many find hard to shake off. And perhaps the best evidence of that is the strength of the classic car scene and its many enthusiasts worldwide. Yes, without a doubt, classic cars are not going out of fashion anytime soon.

To some, classic cars conjure up images of expensive models beyond the reach of the ordinary car lover – the vintage Ferraris, Lambourginis, Porsches and the Rolls Royces. Yet while there’s no denying these super models of the classic car world cost a pretty penny to find, purchase, refurbish faithfully, maintain and house, the many many classic car clubs across the country is testament to the hobby’s affordability and accessibility.

Classic models well within reach

Contrary to popular belief, classic cars doesn’t necessarily mean sleek motoring heroes of yesteryear. These days, eighties classics are just as much in demand as ancient models.

Saab

A good example of eighties favourites with a big fan club in the classic car community is the Saab 900. Introduced originally in 1979, the Saab 900 has been one of the UK’s top classic cars for many years. Its angular, chunky styling may not appeal to everyone, but there’s no doubting its unique look and feel, which has given it a cult following.

Mercedes

The name Mercedes is synonymous with luxury motoring. But surprisingly, there are past models in the Mercedes range that are not beyond the reach of ordinary enthusiasts. Like the Mercedes 190 – a sporty slice of car history (some with spoiler!) about the same price as a second-hand Mondeo. But obviously a lot more desirable sitting in your drive.

Porsche

Another car make that gives you a warm glow and your bank manager a heart attack. Again, as with Mercedes, the classic car world is host to many past Porsche models that are not the stuff of fantasy in terms of affordability. Incredibly the classic beauty and sporting style of the Porsche 944 can be bought for under two thousand pounds.

The MG

The MG is a bona fide British classic, oozing Swinging Sixties style from every pore. These covered coupe MGB GT is an especially highly desirable model. And again, it’s possible to get hold of them for around under the two grand mark.

Things to watch out for

Buying a classic car is just one step of ownership however. Remember, these beautiful machines do take some looking after – which can be a full-time job and over time, potentially a bit of a money pit. Do your homework thoroughly before going for it.

Then there’s safety. Yes, some older classic cars may not handle the same way as today’s models, requiring a much more ‘hands on’ approach to driving. Plus you need to be confident every part of the vehicle is in good order – or it could lead to an accident. And let’s face it, personal injury claims would take the edge of the classic car experience!

Wooden Car

Wooden Car

Check out this amazing wooden car found on eBay The car was built by Vasily Lazarenko from Chernovtsy, Ukraine. Built by hand, half the body has a retro look and the other half a more modern styling. The Ukrainian woody car is built on a chassis and engine from a 1981 Opel model with a 100 HP engine. Although the car isn’t registered (wonder why…), Lazarenko admits that he has taken the car out for the occasional spin. All I have to say is that I’m never touching a bottle of Vodka for the rest of my life….

Currently the car is for sale on eBay for $120,000 This is a jump up for the expired eBay listing of $100,000 which no one bid on.

Glass Car

Glass Car

UK design blog Dezeen have collaborated with car manufacturer MINI at London Design Festival this year to create an exhibition of commissions exploring the future of transportation. Far from a showroom for shiny self-driving cars or connected-car dashboard concepts, was eclectic collection of exploratory interpretations by artists, designers and architects was on display in the ground floor entrance of design and furniture fair designjunction The exhibition space itself embodied the theme—architect Pernilla Ohrstedt teaming up with 3D-scanning specialist ScanLAB to create her contribution 'Glitch Space'—an enormous arrangement of vinyl white dots meticulously laid out across the exhibit floor as a representation of the swaths of environmental data that will flow through the city in a future of driverless cars.

On the same theme, Dominic Wilcox ever the inspiring out-of-the-box thinker, turned a lot of heads with the revealing of his incredible 'Stained Glass Driverless Sleeper Car.' Not just a pretty piece of craft, Wilcox's creation is actually a profound reflection on the future design possibilities for the automobile. In a future in which cars are self-driving and super safe, the forms, materials and uses that have constrained automotive design in our time may no longer apply. Although Wilcox'sfictional future car manufacturer's website shows a spectacular array of possibilities this could present, the stunning stained-glass model on view demonstrated the equally appealing option of rolling around town in a half-car, half-bed 'hybrid,' revealed when lifting up the hood (below).

Cars of the Future

           Los Angeles Design Challenge: The Mercedes-Benz SilverFlow

   

            

The Mercedes-Benz SilverFlow is among the highlights of the Los Angeles. Design Challenge, in which eight car design studios in southern California were given the assignment to create the “Robocar 2057” as a combination of vehicle technology and artificial intelligence. Accordingly the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Center of North America in Irvine, California, which is headed by Gorden Wagener, looked 50 years into the future and came up with the shimmering silver and gold Vision SilverFlow car. With its long, flowing lines and narrow, exposed wheels, this vision of the future is highly reminiscent of the golden years in motor racing during the 1930s.

In fact the physical characteristics of the SilverFlow are even more exciting than its shape. It consists of billions of microscopically tiny metallic particles which are formed into variable but stable configurations by magnetic fields. This means that the driver can perfectly adapt the vehicle to its intended purpose. The one-seater highway configuration is extremely aerodynamic, while the city version is short and spacious. The pre-programmed vehicle variants can be selected at any time at the touch of a button, whereupon the assembler electronics reshape the car from one form to another within a few seconds – specialists refer to this as morphing. Any desired shape is conceivable in principle. As a particularly convenient feature when parking, the intelligent control system completely disassembles the vehicle structure and compacts the ferro-magnetic particles into a small, space-saving configuration. And thanks to these flexible metallic particles, dents and paint damage are also a thing of the past.

The disadvantage of the Mercedes-Benz SilverFlow is that so far, it only exists as a two-dimensional graphic design.

The SilverFlow study, which – if at all – will only be realisable decades into the future, clearly shows that while car designers certainly live in the present, their working environment is the future. Professor h.c. Peter Pfeiffer, Senior Vice President Mercedes-Benz Design: “The Los Angeles Design Challenge is certainly a creative challenge with this futuristic concept. The SilverFlow reflects our successful motor sports history, while boldly suggesting innovative solutions for the individual mobility of coming generations.”

Mercedes-Benz has established Advanced Design Studios in the USA, Japan, Italyand Sindelfingento look well into the future and engage in stylistic research for the cars of tomorrow. The task of the designers is above all to be receptive to current signals from other cultures and incorporate these into Mercedes-Benz design.

Car hybrid

Car hybrid

A prototype of the future Toyota Prius Plug-in

With all of these new hybrids and plug-in cars hitting the market in 2010, what’s going to happen to the quintessential hybrid model, the Toyota Prius? After a spate of complaints in late 2009 about poor braking, Toyota can’t afford to rest on its laurels—even though the company continues to sell more Priuses than all other hybrid combined. Therefore, expect the Prius to continue to evolve.

With the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf threatening to steal the green car halo, the company isaccelerating its plans for a plug-in version of the Prius It won’t become available until 2011, but expect news about its trial run of 500 plug-in Priuses to continue to gain attention. At the same time, rumors of an entire Prius family of cars—from a subcompact hybrid to a crossover—will continue to percolate. We suspect those rumors to turn into real product announcement as early as the 2010 Detroit Auto Show in January. By the time a family of Priuses hit the market, the automotive world will be well on its way to offering 30 or 40 hybrids of all shapes and sizes, from low-cost to high-horsepower, from vehicles that barely save any fuel to ones that run almost exclusively on electric power.

BMW X6 Hybrid

·         BMW’s High-Horsepower Hybrids: X6 Hybrid and Active 7 Hybrid

The BMW X6 is a crossover SUV that has crossed over into sports car territory. The company calls the vehicle a “sport activity coupe.” Its chief characteristics are a sleek profile, sloping roofline, low-slung stance, short front overhang, long rear overhang, long wheelbase, muscular wheel arches, large wheels, four-wheel drive, stability control, and lots of performance. The X6 will probably get an unhybrid-like 480-horsepower 4.8-liter V8 engine—yielding acceleration from a standstill to 60 mph in about 5 seconds. The 20 percent improvement compares to the conventional X6 is less impressive. But if luxury and high horsepower—with a smidgen of fuel efficiency restraint—is your thing, you might also consider the BMW ActiveHybrid 7, also due in 2010. It’s the fastest-accelerating hybrid sedan in the world, according to BMW. Expect fuel economy about 15 percent better than the 750i, which gets 15 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.

·         Dodge Ram Hybrid

Despite its problems, Chrysler still plans to roll out a hybrid version of the Dodge Ram pickup in 2010. Pickups continue to be the largest segment of vehicles sold in the US, so maybe an advanced technology high-mpg Ram will improve Chrysler’s fortunes? That’s unlikely. GM’s hybrid pickup, the Chevy Silverado Hybrid developed in the same collaborative program that produced the Ram Hybrid, is selling about 200 units per month. Rising gas prices could conceivably convince Chrysler to produce the Ram Hybrid in bigger numbers, but pickup buyers shouldn’t hold their breath. Nonetheless, the technology is impressive: a multi-displacement 5.7-liter pushrod HEMI V8 gas engine mated to two 60kW electric motors allows the truck to use electricity, four-cylinder, eight-cylinders, or a combination 

the car covered in gold

                              the car covered in gold

Nothing’s more luxe than a gold-covered car, but Chinese police did not react with ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ to a gold Infiniti G-37 parked curbside. Instead, the shiny, eye-catching vehicle was towed.

China has a rising class of luxury lovers and a yellow-gold covered Infiniti G-37 is definitely symbolic of that. Impressive and stunning, the unique car drew plenty of onlookers and, unfortunately for the owners, police attention.On Tuesday, March 29, in Nanjing, China in a crowded street, a super shiny gold covered Infiniti G-37 pulled up to the curb. As a crowd began to gather, a very well dressed man and woman got out of the car and headed to the sidewalk. Once on the sidewalk, the couple waited.

As the crowd grew in size, the couple continued to stand there silently, until the police took notice. First, the couple was slapped with a fine. Then the police noticed that the car had no license plates, so they decided to tow it away.Amidst the camera flashes of the ever-growing crowd, the police managed to bring in a tow truck. While the towing was taking place, and even as the gold-colored car was vanishing into traffic, the couple continued to remain silent.

Apparently the incident was as completely random as it sounds – although the custom made gold car was evidently the product of a nearby auto shop, so it could have been all for the publicity. After all, it’s not every day that a precious metal-colored car appears and disappears.  Source

the heaviest car in the world

the heavie

st car in the world

The Brass Van is the unique art car ever on Earth which is completely covered with brass items. The van, also known as “California Fantasy Van”, takes almost 22 years to get into its current state.

The Brass Van currently belongs to Hunter Mann, but the original idea was from its previous owner Ernie Steingold. Ernie Steingold, the repairman, first created the van by brass in the early 1980s. The work continues until more than 20 years later. Three brass elephants were attached to the hood as decoration first, and then Steingold came up with the thought to cover the 1975 GMC van with brass coins (almost $15,000 worth of coins). At this time, there are around 5,000 pieces of brass attached to the vehicle, which helps to make the weight up to 10,000 pounds.

 The Brass Van is the unique art car ever on Earth which is completely covered with brass items. The van, also known as “California Fantasy Van”, takes almost 22 years to get into its current state.

The Brass Van currently belongs to Hunter Mann, but the original idea was from its previous owner Ernie Steingold. Ernie Steingold, the repairman, first created the van by brass in the early 1980s. The work continues until more than 20 years later. Three brass elephants were attached to the hood as decoration first, and then Steingold came up with the thought to cover the 1975 GMC van with brass coins (almost $15,000 worth of coins). At this time, there are around 5,000 pieces of brass attached to the vehicle, which helps to make the weight up to 10,000 pounds.

         

When it’s not on tour, the Brass Van can be found at ArtCar World, a museum for art cars, in Douglas, Arizona. Just in case you were wondering about how much such a unique vehicle costs, the Brass van was appraised at $350,000.

                       

the oldest car in the world

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- A steam-powered car, billed as the oldest car in the world that still runs, was sold at a Hershey, Pa. auction late Friday for $4.6 million.

The auction company, RM Auctions, had estimated that the car would sell for about half that much. It represents the highest price ever paid for an early automobile at auction. The price includes a 10% "buyer's premium" which goes to the auction company.

The name of the buyer has not been made public.

The car was built in France in 1884, about a year before Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz of Germany, who went on to found the carmakers that would become Daimler (DDAIF, maker of Mercedes-Benz luxury cars, built their first experimental gasoline-powered cars. (The two were working independently of one another.) Henry Ford finished his first garage-built car 12 years after this one. He later went on to found the Ford Motor Company (F Fortune 500 and incidentally, he also founded the carmaker that would ultimately become the Cadillac division of General Motors (GM, Fortune 500

The four-wheeled De Dion-Bouton et Trepardoux, nicknamed "La Marquise," was originally built for the French Count De Dion, one of the founders of the company that built it.

Fueled by coal, wood and bits of paper, the car takes about a half-hour to work up enough steam to drive. Top speed is 38 miles per hour. The car came close to that speed during what has been billed as the world's first automobile race in 1887, according to RM Auctions.

The car had last been sold in 2007 for about $3.5 million at a Pebble Beach, Calif. auction. 

the most expensive car in the world´

            Lamborghini sesto Elemento $2.2M

blockbuster Furious 7, where the Lebanese supercar crashed through not one, not two, but three skyscrapers in Dubai. In a franchise filled with high-end exotics and one-off custom creations, the fact that the Hypersport got so much focus is a testament to its magnetism.

Let’s start with the styling, which includes jewel-encrusted headlights, scissor doors, and an interior ripped straight from science fiction. It looks like a pissed off armored car from the future, and its performance is right on par You may recall the Lykan Hypersport from its starring role in the with its image. The Hypersport boasts a 3.7-liter, twin-turbo flat-six that yields 770 hp and 708 lb-ft.

It’s not just Dominic Toretto who benefits from this level of performance though, as the Abu Dhabi police force has drafted the Hypersport into patrol duty. Although it’s mainly used for marketing and public relations purposes, the high-flying stunner assures that the authorities can keep up with any baddie that tries to get cute on the freeway. Pedal to the floor, 0 to 62 mph is accomplished in just 2.8 seconds, and top speed is a downright scary 240 mph.

2. Lamborghini Veneno ($4.5M)

                                  Laferrari fxk $2.7M

Poison. That’s the name Lamborghini chose for the modified Aventador you see above — translated from Italian of course — built to celebrate the automaker’s 50th birthday. We can’t speak for the company’s motivations, but the name is fitting for a vehicle that looks so positively deadly, so undeniably venomous.

The car is absolutely stunning from every angle, and to this day, we’re not convinced it isn’t an alien spacecraft surveying our planet for eventual takeover. It just doesn’t seem real. The only thing more remarkable than the look is the price — a whopping $4.5 million.

The Veneno is fast, and that should come as no surprise. Its 6.5-liter V12 spins all the way up to 8,400 rpm to deliver 740 hp and 507 lb-ft, surging the car to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds.

                                      McLaren P1 ($1.15M)

McLaren has its roots in racing, originating as a dominant Formula One team before expanding into mass-production. Those racing roots poke through in their cars, marvels of carbon and steel that showcase British engineering at its best. McLaren’s design philosophy is embodied in the P1, a lightweight speedster that can easily break speed limits and the bank. The first thing one might notice about the P1 is just how slight it is. The svelte body is designed to be aerodynamic, with the ornamental trappings of typical cars removed for the sake of speed. Titanium and carbon fiber are used throughout to keep the P1 lightweight, part of McLaren’s singular desire for performance.

The P1 looks impressive, but how does it drive? Quite fast, it turns out. The P1 can go from 0 to 62 mph in 2.8 seconds. It has both a twin-turbo V8 engine and an electric motor, which can be used in conjunction. Front and rear wings adjust automatically to changes in speed and downforce, reducing drag to keep the P1 gliding. A rocket on wheels, the McLaren P1 is a dream for anyone who wants to feel the power of a Formula One car in a street-legal package. It’s a shame that it’s completely sold out.

                         Rolls-Royce Phantom Serenity ($1.1M)

It used to be that owning a particular make or model car was a sufficient display of wealth. Today, however, it seems like every Youtube rap sensation or Saudi Prince can afford a Maybach. Rare models just don’t seem rare any more. Enter the bespoke car. Luxury manufacturers have begun to emphasize customization, creating unique takes on high-end models that are as much pieces of art as they are automobiles. Case in point: the Rolls-Royce Phantom Serenity, a unique version of the well-known Phantom coupe with a tranquil pearl paint job and an interior that draws on Japanese artwork.

While the outside of the car is the very portrait of austerity, the interior is a temple to opulence, with silk upholstery inspired by the textiles of imperial China. Blossoms drawn in classic Japanese style adorn the walls of the Serenity, emphasizing the zen aesthetic. The technical aspects of the Phantom are well-documented; it handles well and can go from 0 to 60 mph in under 6.0 seconds. What makes the Serenity unique is its singular aesthetic, a commitment to luxury that makes it seem more like a royal litter than a car. Rolls-Royce is banking on the Serenity as a harbinger of things to come in the luxury car market, of a future where the wealthy commission bespoke cars just as the princes of Italy funded renaissance paintings. Those who want this rare beast may be out of luck; so far, only one exists.

CHOLMONDELEY Power and Speed.

CHOLMONDELEY Power and Speed. It might sound like the world’s poshest brand of energy drink but it’s actually a vow to bring three days of high octane fun right here to the North West.

Chances are you’ll already know it by its not that dissimilarly named predecessor, the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power. It’s long been a good idea; give the grounds of a stately pile in deepest Cheshire over to some car nuts for three days, flood the grounds with every Jaguar XJ220, Noble M600 and Ariel Atom you can find and see what happens.

For the past eight years the Pageant of Power’s managed to win over folk who don’t normally go to car shows. Don’t me get me wrong, I love wandering around parks looking at rows of Ford Anglias but I fully understand if it’s not your thing. Cholmondeley, on the other hand, offers you the chance to see Ferraris being raced against the clock and to hear the anarchic growl of Group B rally cars being driven in anger. It’s got a thrill factor that pulls in people with even the faintest interest in cars.

Yet – even as one of the event’s biggest fans – I’ll freely admit the same thing every year was beginning to feel a bit staid, which is why I’m glad the people behind it are vowing it’s not just a case of Opal Fruits being rebranded as Starburst.

For starters all the car clubs, who for years have been relegated to the edge of the public car park, an eternity away from all the exciting stuff, are being moved somewhere visitors will actually find them. That’s great news because they always bring along scores of wonderful cars – think TVRs, Audi Quattros and Nissan Skylines – and now you won’t have to walk miles out of your way to see them.

The renamed event also has more in the way of tie-ups with car manufacturers – including the chance to drive some of them for yourself on the opening day – as well as a renewed focus on having lots of supercars being put through their paces at this year’s event. It’s also telling that while the organisers could have picked somewhere in the North West to announce everything, they did it in London instead. Yes, that London, all the way down there in the South. The new Cholmondeley will be so good that people ‘daahn saaf’ will want to join us!

The one thing I’m keeping my fingers crossed for is Cholmondeley resisting the rather obvious path of becoming the North’s answer to the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Having been to both I actually prefer what we’ve got because it’s friendlier, less corporate and – crucially – you see cars rather than the back of people’s heads. Whatever happens, make a date for June 10-12.

Just when I was going to give Cholmondeley a miss this year because I’ve seen it all before they go and shake things up a bit. Even if it does sound like a posh energy drink.