Saturday May 5th sees the annual Italian Car Day return to the grounds of ‘the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit’ at Brooklands in Weybridge, Surrey.

Last year saw more than 2,000 Italian cars assemble on the grounds – with no less than 240 Ferraris – and this year looks like featuring even more.

Event organiser Phil Ward of GB Promotions says: “The greatest thing about the event is that it welcomes Italian car enthusiasts and owners, regardless of whether they own a famous historic racing car, the latest road-going Ferrari, a much-loved classic or the smallest, most affordable modern Fiat on the market. Anyone who turns up in an Italian car – or motorcycle – forms part of the display, rather than being merely a spectator.”

Last year, 5,000 visitors enjoyed the privilege of viewing some of the most stylish and classiest cars that have ever existed; something that is obviously to be expected from the country of style. Ferraris, Maseratis,  Lamborghinis, Abarth, Bizzarrini, De Tomaso, Innocenti, Moretti, Siata… and so many many more will be on show. The many Italian car club members will be showing off their cars with pride; buffed and bolstered ready for display with a beaming owner stood next to them or in the cockpit. And there’ll even be a few Italian brands that many will not have heard of (I’ll not spoil that surprise for you.)

“In addition to the vast displays of exotica and ‘obscurati’, there is always a good, solid turn-out of classic and modern Alfa Romeos, Fiats and Lancias, so no one need feel outshone when they turn up in their Italian pride and joy and park up with similar models,” adds Phil Ward.

And there’ll be the good and the great too, from Ferrari Enzo, F50, 288GTO and 275GTB, through to the ex-Rob Walker Ferrari 250 SWB that Sir Stirling Moss drove repeatedly to victory in his heyday!

And the fun isn’t just confined to walking around looking at the big, bold and beautiful. Although Brooklands has actually been closed for racing since 1939, there is still a spectacular museum there and a large area of the original banking that has survived since the halcyon pre-War racing times, and the ‘test hill’ and the Mercedes-Benz World test track will be used to run selected Italian cars during the day.

How the event has moved on since its inception in 1986 with 85 people and a champagne picnic back at Syon Park. Moving to Brooklands in 1996, it has become the UK’s largest gathering of Italian cars and the biggest event of the year to be held there.

“We remain true to our original aim of providing a real enthusiasts’ event, with a low entry price, to cater for everyone who owns – or simply admires – Italian cars and motorcycles,” concludes Phil.

Pre-booking and early arrival is advisable for fast-track entry and you can buy tickets from www.brooklandsmuseumshop.com or by ringing 01932 857381 Ext 268. Advance tickets are available until midday on Tuesday 1st May 2012 and are cheaper in advance. You can get a £32 family ticket (2 adults and 3 children aged 5-16) too!

Pardon the pun, but full (Italian) marques to the organisers.

The Earl of March is a right sterling gentleman. It was he who founded the annual Festival of Speed (taking place this year 28 June – 1 July) and Goodwood Revival (14-16 September).

Being the top sterling brass that he is, he’s only gone and announced some of the news highlights for this season’s Goodwood events.

Good man!

The theme of the 2012 Festival of Speed is “Young Guns – Born to Win”. In keeping with this theme is the inaugural Goodwood appearance of double F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel. He’ll appear along with the Red Bull Racing team and his team mate, Mark Webber. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg of the seven current Formula One teams who’ll be attending and competing at the festival.

One of Britain’s most iconic sports car brands – Lotus – will be honoured in true Festival of Speed fashion, as the company’s past, present and future is celebrated with the main Central Feature “installation” outside Goodwood House. In addition, at least 50 significant Lotus race and road cars will be in action and on display during the festival weekend.

Finally, the 2012 Festival of Speed will see expansions and enhancements to the GAS (Goodwood Action Sports) arena, alongside a relocation for the Goodwood Aviation Exhibition within the Festival Parkland and the largest collection of two-stroke competition motorcycles ever assembled at the event.

Not too shabby.

Meanwhile, at the nostalgic 2012 Goodwood Revival, his Lordship promises an at-speed demonstration of the Silver Arrows Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union competition cars some 75 years after their unforgettable race at Donington.

The Ferrari 250 GTO will celebrate its fiftieth birthday with a daily parade of at least half the total GTO production.

Tributes will be paid daily to American racer Dan Gurney 50 years after taking his first Grand Prix victory, whilst two very special races will take place: The Nine Hours night race (60 years after this first Goodwood race in the dark), plus a brand new Goodwood Competition – the Settrington Cup! This will give young drivers a chance to prove their worth in Austin J40 pedal cars.

It’s all sounding good, I think you’ll agree. But, of course, there’ll be many more announcements in the coming months.

Those dates again: 28 June – 1 July for the Festival of Speed; 14 – 16 September for the Goodwood Revival.

This week sees the Geneva Motor Show open up on Thursday (8th March) and go on until Sunday 18th (Mother’s Day – so don’t forget!) With 260 cars on show, some of the finest will be mixing with concepts that may not even have a chance of making it past this show, but which will be the stars that will shine brightest to the 700,000 visitors that are due there?

FERRARI

The Italian car maker will be showing off the fastest ever road car, the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, which was officially launched in February, but why let a little fact like that get in the way of a good rummage around its chassis and luxury?

A snip at £250,000 each

BUGATTI

If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then the Bugati Grand Sport Vitesse is No 1 in the FHM charts. More Italian craftsmanship, it looks fantastic and is “the most powerful roadster of all time”, with 1,200 horsepower emanating from the 16-cylinder engine boosted by four turbochargers and intercoolers.

An upgrade from the imperious £1.2million 16.4 Grand Sport, no news yet on how much this will set any buyer back, but whatever it is, it’s worth it..

JAGUAR

The new XF Sportbrake will be making its debut. It’s based on the XF platform  and powering it will be a range of efficient yet powerful diesel engines in 2.2-litre four cylinder and 3.0-litre six-cylinder form.

More of a practical whistle than an open-mouthed WOW!

VOLKSWAGEN

They’ll be unveiling he most powerful production Golf Cabriolet ever at the Show, with the expected classic GTI design and an electrically powered fabric roof which can be folded away in just 9.5 seconds, even while travelling at speeds of up to 18 mph.

Personally, I can never resist a Cabriolet, so this is pretty damn exciting for me!

And then there are the versions of the new VW city car – the up! There’s the swiss up!, the winter up!, the x up! And the cargo up! Each have different uses, and colours, although VW is always there in design.

CITREON

They’ve been busy. Not only will the New Citroën C4 Aircross make its world debut alongside the newly restyled C1 and Berlingo Multispace, but there will also be a concept version of C3 Red Block

They’ll also be showing off the complete DS line, along with a new DS4 Racing concept and new special editions – DS4 and DS5 Paris Rendez-Vous and DS3 Racing S. Loeb.

VOLVO

I know; not the most exciting reputation. But they’ll be revealing the all-new Volvo V40, a Premium Hatchback with Volvo features that is apparently “ready to overtake the opposition.”

Look out for the world’s first pedestrian airbag on this one too!

BENTLEY

A new version of Bentley’s flagship, the Mulsanne Mulliner is to be displayed in Geneva, with 21-inch wheels and various other refinements making it a ‘sporting’ version.

To quote Bentley: “It is a luxury car that makes the joy of driving its central focus. In an era of mass production, it stands at the pinnacle of British luxury motoring.

LAND ROVER

Last year the Range Rover Evoque: this year the Range Rover Evoque Convertible Concept.

Building on the success of ‘the world’s first premium convertible SUV’, a fully retractable premium roof system with a Roll Over Protection System [ROPS] has been added purely to gauge reaction and assess potential

FORD

Ford are looking at introducing a new range of people movers, starting with the dynamic new Ford Tourneo Custom Concept, with an 8-seat concept, low-CO2 ECOnetic Technology and SYNC voice-activated, in-car connectivity system. Commercial vehicles to follow!

RINSPEED DOCK+GO

Basically a trailer that attached to the sides of small cars such as a SmartCar, it’s designed to be what the makers call a ‘backpack on wheels.’ Aimed towards compact electric cars that give very little boot space, among a number of designs in it is a dock that includes a heated box for pizza delivery boys and another for workmen that has an integrated toolbox.

Look at it as an add-on!

Obviously these are just some of the cars and concepts there, but it’s already looking like the aftershow parties from the Oscars!

Now, anyone got a spare ticket, and flight, and spending money…?

We’re looking at a weekend of hugely enjoyable antique racing action as Le Mans and Daytona 24 Hours winner & ex-Formula One driver Jackie Oliver joins the action. Mr. Oliver will be getting behind the wheel of a “new” Ferrari drive for the festival, sharing a 1961 250 GT SWB with Rohan Fernando in the Pre-’63 GT race. An early-aluminium bodied competition Ferrari, it had a short hillclimb career some fifty years ago but, amazingly, it has never ever been raced before.

That’s right: A 1961 motor will be making its circuit debut at Donington. You can’t buy such class. Or, at least, in this case you can.

Jackie and Rohan will race against Lukas Hüni and Gary Pearson, who will drive Hüni’s stunning SEFAC Ferrari 250 GT SWB. This vehicle holds the poignant distinction of being the last SEFAC competition car ever built. It was the machine that Ricardo and Pedro Rodriquez took to tearful victory in the 1961 Paris 1000km.

By some freak coincidence, in 1971 Pedro Rodriguez and Jackie Oliver joined forces to win the Monza 1000km. This was one of the renowned Mexican driver’s last-ever races.

The “historic” in this festival’s title is no exaggeration, is it?

You can also expect Jonathan Turner’s 1935 Squire Short Chassis – an early entry for the ‘Mad Jack’ race for pre-War sportscars and a very rare piece of British motoring history.

Unmissable? Then don’t miss out. Day tickets cost £18 in advance (£25 on the gate), with weekend tickets costing £30 in advance (£40 on the gate). Children aged under 16 get in for free.

For more information, visit their website.

Don’t panic. It’s just the website that crashes temporarily with all the excitement of people wanting to get to see this brand new little beauty from the pride of Italy. And Twitter was all awash with the buzz too with comments from people who hadn’t even seen it.

Just look at the picture above. There it is. Isn’t it beautiful?

According to Ferrari, and let’s be honest, they are usually right, the Ferrari Berlinetta has been designed to deliver “unsurpassed driving involvement whatever the road or track”.

Tell us more. “The design of the F12 Berlinetta is…a perfect balance of uncompromising aerodynamics with harmonious proportions interpreting the typical elements of Ferrari’s front-engined V12 cars in an original and innovative way,”

And, of course, you will want to know that it is the “fastest road car ever”, with a top speed of 211mph, reaching 0-60mph in 3.1 seconds, courtesy of its 6.3lite V12 engine creating 740 horsepower. Welcome to the world the most powerful road car ever built by Ferrari..

So, what does it replace, or what does it follow; because it will have to have someone to take as inspiration? Well, this vehicle is a successor to the Ferrari 599 which, you may remember, won a host of awards after its 2006 release; and is now currently sulking in the corner of Ferrari’s offices with a 0-60mph of 3.7 seconds, and a top speed of 205mph. No longer teacher’s pet!

So what does this new class(y) favourite have and do that’s so good? Well, apart from that amazing speed.

Let’s list a few things that may tempt you to part with around £250,000 for a little runabout to pop to the shops in. NOT!

• A test track record at Ferrari’s Fiorana of 1min 23 seconds, outpointing even the Enzo supercar to make this the quickest Ferrari road car to lap the famous circuit.
• A growl that could burst your eardrums if too close.
• An all-new aluminium spaceframe chassis, which mixes and matches 12 different kinds of alloys to reduce weight and improve structural rigidity by 20 per cent
• A new rear suspension layout and redesigned rear transaxle
• A smaller, more muscular feel than the still- sulking 599, so more manoeuvrable around the country roads of the UK when you’re not posing down at the harbour or visiting the Beckhams.
• An efficiency that is pretty unbelievable for such a powerful car – it uses 30 per cent less fuel and CO2 emissions of 350g/km are very impressive for a 730bhp V12.
• Exceptional aerodynamics, including an Aero Bridge and Active Brake Cooling.
• The latest evolution of Ferrari’s ceramic brakes and magnetorheological dampers.
• A fully integrated electronic chassis architecture that manages the electronic differential, traction and stability control systems, and ABS.
• Stream-lined cabin and very modern dashboard– part of Pinafarina’s designs, of course

Want more information, and more pictures to drool over, and a video of Formula One driver Fernando Alonso driving the F12 Berlinetta around Ferrari’s test track?

Pop over to the official website at http://www.f12berlinetta.com/

If it hasn’t crashed again that is! They must be more careful with this – it’s cost a lot of money.

At this summer’s Silverstone Classic powered by the AA on 20-22 July 2012, there will be a special gathering of Ferraris in order to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the remarkable Ferrari F40.

To commemorate the anniversary of what many ‘cognoscenti’ regard as the finest showroom model ever created by the highly revered Italian motor company, the Ferrari Owners’ Club of Great Britain is organising the largest collection of F40s ever seen; and where better to have it than at the 2012 running of the world’s biggest classic racing festival.

“Our original aim was to get at least 25 of these Ferraris together and, as I have contacted owners, I have been gratified that so many want to be part of the celebration – so much so that we now have more than 50 F40s registered for the event with more still to come!” reported Nigel Chiltern-Hunt, the club’s co-ordinator for this anniversary gathering and himself the owner of one of these most loved and admired of all Ferraris. “A parade of those F40s present is planned for the Sunday [22nd] and it undoubtedly will be the largest gathering of F40s ever seen anywhere in the world and will certainly beat the club’s own previous record of 40 F40s seen at the Silverstone Classic in 2007.”

The mid-engined F40 was the final car commissioned by legendary founder Enzo Ferrari, and introduced in 1987 to honour Ferrari’s 40th anniversary. With a lightweight body, ultra-lightweight if we are being ultra-correct, featuring many carbon-fibre and Kevlar panels plus plastic windows and designed by Italian design firm Pininfarina, the car was nothing short of phenomenal as it sped along propelled by a twin-turbocharged V8 developing 478 horsepower. In fact, at the time it was the world’s first road car that was produced to reach 200mph and has been widely hailed as ‘the greatest supercar’ of all time.

Maybe the much-held belief that the F40 was “specifically designed to serve as a dramatic and lasting testament to Enzo Ferrari’s track-developed, high performance supercar ethos” isn’t too wide of the mark.

The car originally cost close to £300,000, and between 1987 and 1992, a mere 1315 were produced in Maranello:- and no fewer than 50 of these stunning Italian sportscars will be on show at Silverstone in July.

Firmly established as the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival,  the spectacular three-day features the very best of historic racing covering more than eight decades of motor sport as well as live music from classic rock bands and a wealth of family entertainment including free fun fair, retail outlets, air displays plus huge showcases of classic cars.

And Nick Wigley, Silverstone’s Event Organiser, is obviously a happy man at the Ferrari ‘reunion’.

“Silverstone is the perfect place for Ferrari to be celebrating this important milestone in the incredible F40’s history. It was, of course, at Silverstone in 1951 that Ferrari achieved its first grand prix win and, since then, the circuit has witnessed countless more Ferrari victories, most recently when Fernando Alonso won last year’s British Grand Prix. With such a rich sporting history, it’s no surprise that so many fabulous Ferraris star in many of the major races staged at the Silverstone Classic. Now the promise of a record number of Ferrari F40s lining up on the infield is another major attraction. It’s a truly mouth-watering prospect that no supercar enthusiast will want to miss.”

And it’s not just Ferrari that are holding a celebration at the huge three-day Silverstone Classic Festival.. A host of other car clubs have announced celebrations there: including 50th birthday celebrations for the AC Cobra, Lotus Elan and MGB plus the UK’s first BMW Z-Fest to mark 60 years of the BMW Car Club GB.

As long as they all save me a slice of cake I will be happy.

As if The Geneva Motor Show doesn’t have enough to make eyes pop out of the head and jaws drop to the floor, then the official debut of the new version of the Ferrari California will. More horsepower + lighter weight = faster Ferrari.

Oh yes indeedy!

Technically the weight has been reduced by 30kg and power output increased by 30CV – all of which means that Ferrari California’s GDI V8 engine now delivers 490 hp with maximum torque of 505 Nm at 5,000 rpm, thanks to new exhaust manifolds and engine mapping.

And nothing has really been taken away. It’s all thanks to cutting-edge aluminium fabrication techniques and construction technologies used by the Scaglietti Centre of Excellence in the chassis manufacture that’s led to the 30kg reduction without impinging on the structural rigidity and performance in any way, shape or form.

And these enhancements mean that the Ferrari’s California’s performance has drastically improved, reducing its 0-100 km/acceleration time to 3.8 seconds. More sport for your money without taking anything away from performance and exceptional versatility in this little gem with its retractable hard top and 2+ seating.

Let’s be honest; you’re not going to buy a Ferrari for the school run, are you? – Unless it’s a particularly posh school and turning up in a Nissan Sunny would be frowned upon! You’re looking for the experience of a lifetime; a more dynamic, but not too extreme, driving experience.

So, with this in mind, Ferrari have developed what they call an optional “Handling Speciale” package which introduces modifications to the suspension set-up that minimise body roll and make the car even more responsive to driver inputs.

The Handling Speciale package includes Magnetorheological dampers (of course!) controlled by an even faster ECU (-50% response time) running patented Ferrari software, as well as stiffer springs for more precise body control combined with a comfortable ride. Lastly, the California smaller steering wheel angles (thanks to a new steering box with a 10 per cent quicker steering ratio) means faster turn-in.

All these new features combine to accentuate the California’s sporty prowess.

And it wouldn’t be a ‘launch’ without the obligatory display of a wide choice of colours including two-tone finishes, three-layer paint technology and modern ‘re-interpretations’ of classic colour schemes, all developed by the Ferrari Styling Centre, which increase the  exclusive personalisation possibilities even further. As long as there’s a bright red one I should imagine most buyers won’t care too much about the other choices!

Oh, and the Ferrari California also benefits from the free seven-year standard maintenance programme.

Ferrari Californias are in production already, and guess who is going to get them first?

Europe!

Let’s go and see what all the fuss is about in Geneva.

The 2011 Formula One season has had its fair share of fantastic feats and disappointing decisions. While many had predicted Red Bull’s rise to prominence, the poor performance of the once legendary Ferrari has left quite a few fans yearning for more. Hoping to improve themselves as well as impress their fans, the team is working tirelessly on their new vehicle, slowly getting ready for its unveiling in early February.

Certainly a team to watch out for, the president of Ferrari, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, stated at Ferrari’s Christmas party last Wednesday that the car is nearing its final stages of completion. He said that the year was indeed difficult and that “we know how to lose, but now that’s enough.” Ready to live up to its reputation, the boss said that he is ready to put more energy into the team, revitalizing it for the years ahead.

This moves reflects the motives seen in September at an interview given by the Stefano Domenicali. Speaking to the Associated Press, the team principal revealed that Ferrari is excited about next year’s vehicle and that they were working 100% on it since the beginning of July. With a great deal of investment and though placed in the car, the innovative project hopes to alter more than a few notable details in the vehicle.

Based on the team’s schedule, the first test of the season will take place on February 6^th in Jerez, Spain. This will only be a few weeks away from the opening of the 2012 season in Melbourne, Australia on March 18^th.

A shabby season for Ferrari, its popular driver Fernando Alonso took only one victory this year at the British Grand Prix. While this was certainly not a horrible performance, especially so since he finished in fourth place, it certainly shows a great divide between what Ferrari was and what it is now. Furthermore, Alonso’s teammate Filipe Massa managed to get sixth this year, falling short due to a few crucial mistakes this season. Not having won a single race after this life-threatening accident in Hungary in 2009, there are rumours that he’ll be replaced in 2012.

Trailing behind McLaren as much as Red Bull, Ferrari hopes to correct any flaws with the car and their strategies, readying the team to take its competitors by the horns.

Many of us have gotten into car accidents. While some are more severe than others, we can all agree that they are fairly common occurrences. Capable of happening anywhere and at any time, news channels very rarely have the time to report each and every one of these. However, once in awhile, one occurs that quickly captures our attention, changing the way we appreciate cars forever.

Such an occurrence happened this morning in Japan, where some 14 vehicles caused chaos in the south prefecture of Yamaguchi. Rather than being your run of the mill Toyota’s or Ford’s these were perhaps the most well known vehicles on the planet. Comprising of some eight Ferrari’s, a Lamborghini, three Mercedes and two other vehicles, the news of this ultra expensive crash has been reported all over the world

Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun reported that the accident occurred when one of the Ferrari drivers tried to change lanes but accidentally ended up hitting one of the barriers. One thing led to another and all the cars ended up quite damaged. Video footage and pictures are now spread out all over the web, documenting the event from multiple angles.

Patrol lieutenant Eiichiro Kamitani said that he’d never seen or expected such a thing. He suggested that since the speed limit was only 80 km/h and the cars were as damaged as they were, the vehicles were obviously travelling at considerably higher speeds. Recent reports suggest that the convoy was travelling between 140-160 km/h. At such, the lieutenant suggested that it only took a few seconds for all those cars to come crashing into one another.

Recent reports put cost of this now scrap metal at around 300 million yen or roughly £2.5 million. This is not surprising seeing the huge list ranging from 355’s to F430’s. Indeed, recent reports suggest that while some of the vehicles remained reparable, others were no longer recognizable.

As these vehicles were designed for high-speed collusions this not surprising of to hear that all the drivers escaped serious injury. Indeed, police reports suggest that only 10 individuals were treated for cuts and bruises.

It is certainly a fascinating and sad day to see such beautiful cars lay beaten across the road. While this accident serves as a good example of high-speed dangers, one would hardly believe that Ferrari drivers would ever limit their speeds. Nonetheless, it will certainly be interesting to see how these individuals file their insurance claims.

Few companies have the same pedigree as the prancing horse.  Each and every model is meticulously crafted to be the best I can be, ultimately meeting and breaking certain standards. Constantly innovative, Ferrari has recently unveiled the 599 XX Evo, the latest addition to its car family. Set to replace the 599 and the Enzo based FXX, it looks like the company finally managed to outdo itself.

The Evoluzione, or evo for short, is the next step in the evolution of the model. Similar to the FXX, the vehicle is not street legal but nonetheless offers an incredible boost in speed. In many ways the car offers its very wealthy driver a peak into the next-generation performance technology that will slowly make its way into the standard line.

What sets this car apart from other Ferrari’s is its modified Enzo-sourced V12 engine. Capable of producing 750 bhp at 9000 rpm and 700Nm, it will certainly impress. Furthermore, at 200km/h the car produces a total downforce of 330 km with flaps open and 440km if closed. With all this behind the hood, Ferrari recently stated that the car was capable of completing its notoriously difficult Fiorano test track in just 1 minute 15 seconds.

Furthermore, this car is set to change Ferrari aerodynamic forever, offering numerous improvements over standard techniques. Premiering its ‘open gap’ design, the car uses 2 flaps similar to ones used in F1 cars to judge the downforce between the front and rear axles. These work together with SCM, ESP, ABC and F1 traction controls to balance the car out. Auto-Types has noted that the car will have modifications made to the front and rear splinter as well, helping with its aerodynamics.

Lastly, Ferrari has been ever keen to cut down the weight of the car. Here, aluminum is used to reduce the weight by 77 pounds. Every pound counts, costing the car much needed speed. This decrease combined with its new Pirelli tires has Ferrari hoping that it will be just enough to make this car its best.

To be revealed at the 26^th edition of the Bologna Motor show in Italy, the car will certainly be turning a few heads on tracks soon. While there is no information about the price, if the FXX’s price tag says anything it certainly won’t come cheap. So if you’re in need of a fast track car and are willing to shell out a lot of money then the 599XX Evolution will certainly be the right car for you.