Cars
Q7 due to go soon – what next?
As the Q7 lives out its twilight years with us, I ponder its replacement – a harder decision than any Porsche I may buy.
Test drive lined up at Silverstone for RS.2
I’m invited to drive the GT3RS.2 this Monday. As somebody who is currently in denial, will this brief encounter spark my interest again, or enforce the notion that a 997 RS.1 is good enough?
An automotive Menage a Trois
The wettest track day ever, combined with a rear engined, rear wheel drive car on Michelin Pilot Sport Cups = many 50 pence, 5 pence moments. Still doesn’t detract from the sheer awesomeness of the GT3RS.
As I am hugged by a GT3 carbon bucket, I relax in relief
The Green RS springs on me familiar feelings of comfort through competence and excellence.
LOL good one England, nice joke.
Snow owns the shit out of me.
What’s new pussycat?
Whilst telling Porsche GB that they would benefit mostly from a reach-around, I decide to take matters into my own hand and buy myself a replacement car.
Society 1 – Cem 0, Focus RS leaves the house
My face is awash with tears of short term nostalgia as I reminisce old days with the Focus RS on its day of departure. Read: Thieves desperate to steal my car, so Focus RS is now sold.
Porsche GT3RS.2 Preview Event at Silverstone
Porsche officially launch the new GT3 RS in the UK. Screw the recession, this I gotta get.
Alpina rebuild well on the way….at last
Alpina gets a major part of it’s restoration complete, as it comes out of the bodyshop sparking with newfound youth and vigour.
Argh, Porsche, you break my heart.
I’ve been running around like a headless chicken, jumping from car to car, all in good faith, mind. However, I end up a loner as Porsche do a dirty on me.
Focus RS on track, 100% for effort
As the Focus RS rips its own backside to shreds in a valiant demonstration of capability and merit, a dawning realisation is thrust upon me.
Winter toy – Ford Focus RS
I treat myself to an RS, although probably not the type you’re thinking of!
Whirlwind romance ends
GT3 is sold in a frenzied panic of commerce and sensibility, whilst Bdog ponders his decisions over a late mug of coffee during a game of Forza 3
First day on track – Snetterton
Another super duper day at the wonderful Snetterton, this time in the new GT3. “What are the differences?”, I hear you all ask in a chorus of poetic voice.
Actually wait…this thing is mental
Further exposure gives the GT3 more time to shine as I explore some of its further territories, closing in on limits as much as one can on the road. In the name of educating others, of course.
170 miles later in the red GT3
So now I gotta call the car ‘red’ to differentiate between the new and old GT3. Don’t think of it as a name. Anyone who names their car needs mental help. They suck.
And it’s landed….
First picture of the new GT3 arrives bathed in the sexiest clothes possible for a car.
Frankfurt Motorshow (Read: I travelled 2000 miles to see the new GT3 RS)
Frankfurt motorshow launches the new Porsche GT3 RS, I need no further excuse to pop over.
RS deliberations
Porsche responsible for causing mass confusion and hysteria (but seriously, how hot does this look?)
A quick video of my final GT3 huzzah
A great little go-kart track allows us a bit of farewell drifting in the GT3.
GT3 for Sale (yeah yeah, the herald angels sing) EDIT – SOLD, 180709
After two and a half years of awesome love / love relationships, I have put the car up for sale. Time has flown with this car, but imminent arrival of the new car means this must go. Good price too.
GTR plagues the mind
Two GT3’s flank a new GTR in a failed attempt to grab some decent photos.
GT3 Mk2 preview event at Silverstone.
GT3 Mk2 Preview event at Silverstone showed the one and only RHD GT3 in the world, together with a technical breakdown of the new car. Oh and some juicy information about the new GT3 RS.
Colour choices send me tripping
Really didn’t think colour would be such a difficult choice with the Gen2 GT3. At first, white looked a suitable choice but echo’s of ‘been there, done that’ played through my mind. How the hell would neighbours see that I’d got a new car? Then I looked at the new Aqua Blue, which is a [...]
One for the road, sir?
France provides me with some ideal, farewell memories before I make a decision to part from the GT3.
Have you ever polished a juggernaught?
Washing the Q7 was a mammoth task but the results were amazing.
Q7 swallows motorbike
Q7 doubles up as a black hole and devours a scooter. Naturally, none of this is true, but for the sake of literary license, please understand the validity of the claim.
Spec time on the next GT3
Like a kid in a candy store, I go mental at Porsche speccing the new car.
Henry wakes up and smells the GT3
Henzarozza ditches his M3 for a car that can actually give him a chance on circuit. His replacement, a 997 GT3, looked awesome in the sun today.
Boxter turns up again
A welcome return to a Porsche Boxster that is enjoyed during some generous summery days.
Another percentage found at Silverstone
Chasing zen and the ultimate driving accolade, the GT3 brings me closer to my spiritual place of content whilst at Silverstone.
[EDIT] Videos added.
79th Geneva Motorshow 2009
Another trek, lugging myself around from one VIP lounge to another, having to put on a brave face with models after models asking me for my deepest desires and wishes, surrounded by exotic machinery and first class food. The sacrifices I put myself through…
What the christ does a trackday cost?
I remember selling my Skyline GTR to buy the Porsche because it was cheaper to run, more economical and cost less to own! Ah bitter sweet irony.
Porsche in “This shit just got real” GT3 tickler
As details of the new GT3 Mk2 are released globally, Blow Dog suffers cerebral apoplexy as a result of uncontrollable muscle reflexes and child like whooping noises. Timing is a mass conflict of yes and no as it’s a perfect opportunity to upgrade, but then the world has gone to shit.
Return of the supercool?
Fiat takes the fight to Mini – please don’t let this car outsell itself.
I’m a fair guy but this heat is making me crazy
Hey – It’s bargain time. Let’s go shopping. You may not have any money, we may be paupers, the economy may be forcing us to go uphill racing on the marmite motorway, but what’s a little fantasy shopping between friends?
Dances with Wolves (Silverstone)
My presence at Silverstone provoked inexplicable directional changes to the GT3, ultimately altering trajectory and velocity in an almost out of control, yet perfectly placed, balletic display of show-boating and one upmanship. (Read; oversteer everywhere)
New GT3 pictures surface – I want my mommy
So it’s been over 2 years since the launch of the current model 997GT3. I’ve owned this car for the same time, having bought this car from new and yadda yadda yadda, you know the rest. But with these images released and talk of product details launching end of this month, my mouth salivates with [...]
Henry’s new M3 chases the bloodline
Having mastered the M3 CSL for the extended period he owned it, opting for a factory new E92 M3 was proof of Henrys avoidance of expected conventionalism. Excellent at doing the GT thing and equally competent on circuit. A couple of cheeky photos with the C2 Alpina showed a comical trace of the 3 series bloodline that went back over 22 years.
Video: GT3 hooning on the German Autobahns
This was on a trip between the Nurburgring and Papenburg. There’s a fantastic delimited motorway between these two locations that lasts for about 100 miles.
I saw an indicated 207MPH on this trip which was an incredible experience. You can empty a fuel tank on this autobahn in 20 mins.
997 GT3 and 535d BMW on Autobahn
Henry [...]
Oh and the Q7..!
Yeah it’s been a nice year. In removing the Golf from the household, we need a replacement family steed – in steps the Q7.
I can feel the anger already and I’ll only plead you dispel with your internet raging so I may justify the reasons for having what is possibly the largest utility vehicle this [...]
Oh forgot about the C2..!
In my chaotic deliberations of the last year, I’ve ommitted to share with the world wide intraweb some of the more interesting acquisitions I’ve made of late, specifically this Alpina C2 2.7.
I’ve been looking for an E30 BMW (80’s 3 series BMW) for a couple of years now and have just been watching them with [...]
Glamour shoot for Cargo magazine
Way back in 2003 when I had finished pretty much all my work for the V-Spec Nur GTR, I was approached by Cargo magazine, an American mens lifestyle magazine. For its launch issue, they wanted to showcase a handful of cars that the US market were not able to obtain and the GTR was one [...]
At Snetterton with the GT3
Casting my mind back even as recent as last year, the thought of impending rain on a trackday would do nothing other than send me into a fit of depression that could be broken only by the decision to return home and chew my own face off.
Aside from rain at the ‘ring (that’s a [...]
Video: GT3 v GT3RS at Snetterton
Main article has already been posted.
Anyway, here’s a video of a chase with the camera in my car and following Glenn who’s a Porsche Cup racer (had to add that in) in his GT3 RS.
Apologies for the stupid camera placement, I’m a recording n00b and I should know better.
Cem’s GT3 + Glenn’s GT3 RS Snetterton [...]
Video: Skyline racing with Dirk Schoysman
I play with Dirk Schoysman in the Falken Race car at the Nurburgring GP circuit in my own Nur – only a fly-by, but great noise.
Around Nurburgring GP circuit, November 2003 (R34 Skyline GTR V-Spec 2 Nur)
Video: Clash of the Nurs
A certain well known black car plays with a certain well known sparkling silver car with some serious high speed driving on an autobahn. German Autobahn, November 2003 (R34 Skyline GTR V-Spec 2 Nur x 2)
8 months later and none the wiser
Doesn’t time fly? It’s been a sturdy 8 months since the last time I convinced myself that I had something of note to write, sure that there were interested readers out there. Despite the delusion, I do have pangs of regret for not keeping this site upto date. Life always completes a full circle and [...]
Monza!!
I’ve been intending to do a trip to Italy in my GT3 ever since I bought the car in Jan 2007. It’s been over 18 months of unparallelled ownership and I simply cannot think of anything that could replace it, short of another one (and yes, I’m looking). But this trip to the legendary Monza [...]
My Golf GT TDi
I had this Golf for nearly 2 years as it acted as the family steed. However, it quickly became obvious that for a family of 4, it simply isn’t big enough so it was sold on to make space for the Q7.
In the time we had it, the car gave us absolutely no problems and [...]
E30’s 4eva
Met up with Dave today to see his M3 and compare with both our cars. Surprisingly chalk and cheese cars, both with strong merits and characteristics.
Some pictures:
So I drove a Superleggera today
Ahhhh…..the Gallardo. I loved the way this car appeared and suddenly gave Ferrari something serious to worry about. Until this pocket Italian V10 exotic arrived onto the scene, aside from the 360 and subsequent 430, there really was no other choice.
And so I drove the GTR today
After Ben Linney (GT Culture) kindly invited me to his abode today, I really was looking forward to seeing the GTR in the flesh for the first time. I’d passed up many opportunities recently to see the car face to face, either in Tokyo or in more local arenas. I’d brushed alongside them many times on the ring during their testing, but never seen one in production trim. Today was an opportunity to finally put to rest my opinion on its aesthetics and hope to grab a ride as a passenger.
Video: GT3 v GT3RS at Donington
Donington is one of my favourite circuits, if not the favourite. It is currently closed as they rebuild the whole circuit in preparation of their inclusion to the 2009 F1 calendar – madness!
Still, here you’ll find Glenn in his 997 GT3RS (host car with camera) chasing me in my white 997 GT3. It’s a pretty [...]
Shit where’s my 6th gear gone!?
I sample the delights of Porsche DNA in a most attractive package.
Lord, won’t you buy me a 67 Camaro SS
I consider 40 year old cars.
Rain at the ring? No goddamn way!
Eat enough jam and you’ll vomit all over your alcantara steering wheel.
Ford GT
Did you know the Ford GT40 was called that because LOL yeah I know.
Am I still perverted for the GT3?
Eight months with the car, I look back on all the things that make this a wonderfully exciting car
I go on a trackday pilgrimage, come back a loser
I return back home with my tail between my legs.
GT3, urm, trackified?
JZ Machtech take the GT3 in for some pre-trackday season alterations.
Ordering the new Nissan GTR
I try to order a new GTR, am met with inadequately equipped sales staff or indeed senior management.
The super car washer upper
Will clean car for money.
200MPH, the world sideways and conquered fear
An epic journey with the GT3 across the continent takes us drifting, v-maxing and ‘ringing.
Dr Strangegrip (Or how I learned to love Bedford Autodrome)
My second trackday in the new GT3 took me to Bedford for some naked motoring revelations.
1000 miles and my honeymoon period is over
My first article published in Total 911 magazine
Patrick Judson takes a couple of snaps of the GT3 whilst at Silverstone
Patrick took a couple of nice photos of the car whilst at Silverstone. They came out quite nice and look all the better in black and white.
I won the competition the moment I entered.
I champion the tuning scene with visions of grace, fluidity and existence. My entry for the GTR Register tuning photoshop render 2007.
My first trackday with the GT3 at Silverstone
Well this is easy? Let’s take this corner nice and OH MY GOD I NEARLY DIED.
Highway code says “double your braking distance” – computer says “no”
I think I’m supposed to treat the roads with more respect when it’s raining. I’d tend to agree, but the car is getting jealous as it vies for all the attention.
Blow Dog queues for Booker prize, is told the McDonalds queue is nextdoor.
One of my ambitions was to become published of sorts. I now write a monthly long term for Total 911 Magazine.
RED FERRARI
I just thought red and white cars look SO gorgous together darling.
Stephen Hall immortalises 3 GT3’s and a Gallardo in some fabulous photography.
Stephen is a remarkably talented photographer and is also someone I’ve worked with before so there was no real dilemma when looking for somebody to take some photos of our new cars. All four of us, Glenn, Pete, Moz and myself had just taken delivery of our cars and as newly weds, photographs are a [...]
North Circular – in high resolution.
I take a reality check as I find it hard distinguishing pixels from real life.
3 x R34 GTR’s at night
Glen, Jamie and Cem
Nissan Skyline GTR V-Spec MFD
Pictures of MFD (Multi Function Display)
RS4
Ian Suttons RS4
Why the 997 GT3 is the best car I’ve ever owned.
That’s right folks, I’m being entirely radical by claiming ownership of the king of the ring. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you my case and all I ask is a fair and just hearing. My lord.
GT3 at the London Eye
I pick the car up from the dealer and drive all day – it’s not until nightfall i realise I’ve taken no pictures. Where can I find lots of light…?
GT3 at the dealer showroom
I couldn’t wait all day at home so I grabbed a camera and went over to the showroom!
GT3 arrives at the dealer
I get a phonecall from the dealer to tell me it’s arrived – he also sends me these pictures.
GT3 Launch Party at Thruxton 2006
Porsche choose Thruxton as a venue to launch the new 997 GT3
Still no launch dates confirmed, although an estimated delivery of first models due Aug/Sept 06.
Amazed at how few people have actually stumped up a deposit on the GT3. My dealer has only 5 paid deposits for the car, with someone like Aberdeen having zero. [...]
GT3 party at Brands Hatch
Soon I will see. Porsche are asking me to spec the car – so far I’m thinking white, zenons, PCM, carbon buckets, club sport and sport chrono.
Geneva 2006
Geneva, Switzerland
Blowdog returns to a semblance of normality
550 was sold today – but not without blood and sweat. It was a beautiful car and it really was a fine specimen. It deserved infinitely more attention than it received, but the market is well and truly dead. For those looking at buying an exotic car, beware.
The car’s gone, but not without some parting words.
550 at Silverstone
Enjoyed a great day at Silverstone with the 550 today.
Performance on circuit…hmm.
How the other half live….
Was very happy to be invited to a gala black tie event at Graypaul Ferrari in Nottingham. Celebrity D-lists aside, there were some cracking cars.
Newport Pagnals finest hour cometh
That’s right, Blow Dog has his name down for an AMV8 – should do wonders for their sales once people find out the invincible is down for one. Late 2005 they say? Thanks Adam.
Flipping Falken
I’ve tried to be nice to them but they continue to mess me about. I’m never going to see the tyres they’ve promised to return to me from Germany.
550 goes on the catwalk
Lots of pictures were taken of this car but I just haven’t had the time to upload any. Well I still don’t have time but what the hell…
Sup Maranello Buddy
Whilst a child, I longingly gazed at posters aplenty, walls lovingly adorned and Athena shops worshipped. Italian has always been the motoring Mecca of the world.
So long, and thanks for all the fish
Well, that’s what my Porsche GT3RS said as I left it in the hands of a Porsche Centre – it’s been sold. Question is, what’s next? Who knows!?
Dagenhams Finest
By the way, I picked up my new Porsche 911 GT3RS about a month ago. So far, I’ve done Spa and the Nurburgring 24h race.
Tortoise and the Hare…..a story of high speed driving
Thoughts of driving in Germany always conjure up images of barren, limitless Autobahns with never ending targets on many horizons. Combine this with a party of cars including 2 GT3s, a GTR and an Evo8 and you’re guaranteed an interesting trip. This was certainly one of the best I can ever remember…
GT3 mk1 v GT3RS
Ian Suttons splendid GT3 meets up for some crocodile steak
Escort RS Turbo
Cancelled the order for the GT3 for two reasons. 1st, I got fed up waiting. Supposed to be a March delivery and, well, we’re just into May. 2nd, I bought something else. I’m very excited about it but reluctant to mention anything until the keys are in my hand.
550 Competes at Vmax
A PistonHeads organised event, Vmax is basically a top speed event which measures your speed at the end of a 1.75 straight. Pictures by Trackdemon. Trap speed was 175MPH
Schnell
Ordered a new 911 GT3 back in December, as hinted below. Speed Yellow and in Club Sport trim, I’m positively bursting from excitement. I’ve been promised a March build date with a collection scheduled for sometime March/April. I say collection because I’m going to Stuttgart to do a factory collection – look out for a [...]
Light a candle folks
Well, I can pretty confidently say that this sale has been the hardest yet. I honestly thought I felt some last minute doubts just as bankers drafts were being exchanged. To then see it driven away from me was quite a sad experience, this GTR has been the best car I’ve ever owned. It’s also [...]
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