TVRs then... yet another bunch of COTW that I haven't really driven much and was looking forward to.
A lot to get through this week so straight down to some action.
All the cars got an oil change and an engine overhaul if it was due, otherwise they were completely stock.
In chronological order we have the
V8S first from 1991 with 250 bhp and 455PP. The first thing to note is the great big V8 sound rumbling away, which sounds great. It's not that powerful though really (by modern standards, not US V8 standards!) and the car doesn't accelerate that quickly (or slow down even remotely quickly), but it is an enjoyable drive with not too much sliding around.
Laptime round Nurburgring GP/F was 2:32.775
Moving forward 3 years we have the
Griffith 500 with 352 bhp for 499PP. Still a V8 but it doesn't sound like it!
This is much harder to control and requires some early braking in a straight line to prevent sliding off track, but it is noticeably quicker than the V8S and I managed a 2:25.515 lap this time although I did find this car hard to get to grips with.
Another 3 years in time brings the
Cerbera Speed 6 '97. This is a different beast from the Griffith with much less understeer and better acceleration and better brakes. Power is 364bhp giving 502 PP. A good looking car this if you like that sort of thing.
Laptime was 2:26.371, although that was only after a couple of laps and I could do better.
This next one belongs in a category of it's own really as an insane idea that never saw real production. I give you the
Cerbera Speed 12 with two straight six engines joined together and 838bhp.
From some angles it looks great, all brooding an menacing, but from others it just looks like
garuchan car gone wild.
Trying to drive this car in the stock SH tyres is "interesting" with wheelspin in 3rd gear if you even try to give it full throttle too early. I managed a 2:23 at the GP/F and only just managed to keep it on the track.
Sports Soft tyres give a bit more control and I did 2:15, but the real revelation is with Racing Softs. The acceleration is mind blowing really and you won't get anywhere near top speed at this track, but it is great fun.
This weeks challenge then is to get under 2 mins in the Speed 12. I did 2:03.186 with RS and I'm sure others will go a lot faster, sub 1:55?
I did the speed test as well and the figures are pretty amazing.
0-60mph in 3.57sec, 100mph in 6 sec dead and 1 mile coming after just 24.364 seconds! Top speed was 223mph.
Back to actual road cars now for the
Tuscan Speed 6 '00. 368bhp after oil change and I liked this one a lot. It looks great and goes quick as long as you remember to brake early enough. Laptime was 2:24.6.
What ho jerry! Fancy a race?
The Race Modified version is, as you would expect, even better with terrific acceleration and (at last) excellent brakes. Putting out 396bhp and with 562PP this is great car. Looks beautiful and drives like a dream, fast and grippy.
Laptime was 2:05.964, but I'm sure others will go a lot faster with this great racecar.
Tamora next from 2002 and this is one I was familiar with having used it for 500PP seasonals. After an oil change we had 356bhp and 502PP.
This is a worthy successor to the Griffith and clearly has the same DNA.
2:25.496 laptime and a nice drive with not too much understeer.
Overcooked this one though, too deep in the corner at the end of start/finish straight (again), but dap of oppo and I was away.
Lastly we have the
T350C '03. I haven't used this car before as I always thought it was too ugly. However after a coat of paint it doesn't look too bad on the track. Power was 367bhp and 495PP.
It turns out to be pretty good, with definite similarities to the Tamora. Laptime was 2:26.098.
My favourite? Either the V8S or the Tamora. Or the Tuscan....
A good choice this week for COTW to celebrate a now defunct marque which did things differently and were perhaps the epitome of the British small manufacturer. Which is also why they are no more.
Cheers