Day of thunder

Thank you for a great piece on the late Peter Wheeler (evo 294). It brought back so many evocative memories of my time owning a TVR.

While fully understanding the reasons behind the introduction of alternatives to the ICE, one of the things oft written about is the sound that a combustion engine makes, and how it will be sadly missing in the future. I couldn’t agree more.

I was pleased to see that Peter’s wife still has his Tuscan Challenge racer, and with a wistful look I remembered my own experience of seeing him race in the series nearly 25 years ago. Having only recently picked up my new TVR Chimera (Imperial Blue, tan leather) the dealer invited me to the Snetterton round of the Tuscan Challenge as their guest, and to take part in the pre-race parade lap, alongside other owners, to showcase the marque.

Afterwards I settled into my vantage point at Riches curve, at the end of the Senna straight, to watch the race, and it was as close fought and furious as only a one-make race series can be. Alongside the unforgettable sound of dozens of TVR V8s thundering down the straight, I was reminded what an assault on the other senses being close to a race is – something that I fear will be forever lost in racing cars of the future. The smell of fuel, burnt and unburnt, hot exhaust, the thump in the chest, the heat haze from the engines and the smell of hot fibreglass bodywork… not to mention the unique sound an upside-down fibreglass car makes when skating across tarmac at speed!

Thank you, Peter Wheeler, for an unforgettable afternoon in the Norfolk sunshine.

Euan Gibson, St Abbs