A numbers game
WELCOME TO A VERY special edition of Octane. Special in many ways, of course, as we hope they all are. There is Glen Waddington’s cover story on Newport Pagnell’s fastest and finest, which is 20 years old, but looks like it would still be a winner if they launched it tomorrow. Meanwhile, Mark Dixon catches up with one of the most powerful people in the motoring world globally, in his natural habitat. Not the boardroom, but the paddock at Goodwood, where Jim Farley lets his grassroots petrolheadonism flow freely.
We also have a world first, driving both the first road car from the astonishing Glickenhaus operation and also its battleworn Le Mans racer. Then there is the Porsche 911 Targa prototype reunited with the man who used to run it as a company car – one Jochen Neerpasch – and Belgium’s most astonishing barnfind, the hundreds of distressed beauties in the Mahy family collection.
There is one thing that really makes this issue stand out for me, however, and that’s our coverage of the Historic Motoring Awards. Last year this glittering event celebrated its tenth anniversary with a livestreamed show and thousands of rapt visitors online – but no physical ceremony. It was great, though not the same. A few new categories for 2020, such as Lockdown Initiative of the Year, were a dispiriting reflection of the turbulent times we were in the midst of. This year that category is gone and back are things such as Motorsport
Event of the Year. What’s more, by the time you read this, more than 250 enthusiasts, celebrities and industry figures will have gathered in London for a brilliant night celebrating the very best in both our hobby and our industry. W hat could be better than that?
FINALLY, I WOULD like to wish a big Happy Birthday to our columnist Derek Bell. As well as being a fine and cherished contributor to Octane over many years, Derek has been unfailingly supportive and helpful in everything else that we have done. Of course, that is not news, because it is what pretty much everyone will tell you about him – truly one of the most decent, gentlemanly and downright nice people ever to don a race helmet. Not to mention a gargantuan talent behind the wheel.
So, if you had trouble believing the Vanquish was already 20, you are never going to believe how old Derek is. 80. Yes, 80. That picture in his attic must be in a right state.