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Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
There are only 70 Mille Miglia Classic Chronographs in the world
The Mille Miglia was more than just a race. It was a national obsession, a moving theatre of speed and resolve that unfolded across 1,000 miles of Italy's towns and countryside, from Brescia to Rome and back. Between 1927 and 1957, it played out on public roads with little more than bravery and precision keeping cars and their drivers on course. It lured the finest drivers and manufacturers of the day, but its true allure lay in its unforgiving nature. With no barriers between racers and the cheering crowds, and no margin for error on narrow, twisting roads, it was as much a battle of nerve as it was of horsepower. La corsa più bella del mondo , they called it. The most beautiful race in the world. On a sun-soaked day in May 1955, the legendary Sir Stirling Moss — arguably the greatest driver never to win a Formula One championship — and his bearded navigator, motorsport journalist Denis Jenkinson, etched their names into racing folklore. Behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, the duo blazed through the 22nd edition of the Mille Miglia at a staggering average speed of 98 miles per hour. Their final time? Ten hours, seven minutes, and 48 seconds. Seventy years on, that record remains untouched. To mark that remarkable feat, Chopard has unveiled a timepiece that captures both the spirit of the race and the elegance of its most famous champion. The Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Tribute to Moss is limited to just 70 pieces — one for each year since the historic victory. The watch is housed in a 40.5mm case made from Lucent Steel, Chopard's proprietary alloy known for its ethical sourcing and remarkable durability. The material, like the man it honours, is understated yet quietly enduring. Vintage design details are thoughtfully woven throughout — piston-style pushers evoke classic engine components, while the screw-down crown recalls the shape of a fuel tank cap. The case curves with a purposeful fluidity, echoing an era when form gracefully followed function. The opaline silver dial is a clear nod to the 300 SLR that Moss drove. Around the dial's edge, a peripheral tachymeter scale frames the scene, with a red-tipped chronograph seconds hand nodding to the signature 1000 Miglia arrow just beneath 12 o'clock. With its tricompax chronograph layout — counters at three, six, and nine o'clock — and luminous Arabic numerals and baton hands, the dial blends legibility with period character. It's handsome in that effortlessly utilitarian way vintage racing instruments tend to be. Inside beats a COSC-certified self-winding chronograph movement, offering a 54-hour power reserve and ticking at a crisp 28,800 vibrations per hour. It's a workhorse with pedigree — just what you'd expect in a Mille Miglia edition. Turn the watch over and the sapphire crystal caseback reveals both the calibre and a finely etched tribute: race date, time taken, and the national emblem of Moss's homeland — the Union Jack — and a chequered flag intertwined. The brown calfskin strap, with its tone-on-tone stitching and pin buckle, looks ready for a spirited drive in a classic open-top. The Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Tribute to Moss is no showy anniversary piece. It's a measured and meaningful homage to a man, a machine, and a moment in motorsport that still stirs the soul seven decades on. For those drawn to the crossroads of racing and fine watchmaking, Chopard's latest creation is a gritty nod to greatness worth considering.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Rare 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722S Roadster With Under 1,500 Miles Hits PCarMarket
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector A 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722S Roadster, one of only 150 ever produced and among just 24 delivered to the United States, has surfaced for auction on PCarMarket. Showing just 1,471 miles, this track-focused, open-top supercar represents one of the rarest and most desirable collaborations between Mercedes-Benz and McLaren. Unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, the 722S Roadster pays tribute to Sir Stirling Moss's 1955 Mille Miglia victory in a Mercedes 300 SLR, famously starting at 7:22 AM, which inspired the '722' designation. This hand-built machine features extensive use of carbon fiber, including a CFRP body, carbon monocoque chassis, and aerodynamic upgrades like a carbon splitter, rear diffuser, and integrated air brake. Finished in model-specific Crystal Antimony Gray Metallic, it retains its Michelin Pilot Sport tires on exclusive 19-inch lightweight forged wheels and has been partially wrapped in clear paint protection film. Inside, the SLR blends motorsport engineering with luxury, featuring black semi-aniline leather and Alcantara, red contrast stitching and seatbelts, and carbon fiber trim. Details like blue McLaren dials, an etched wind deflector, and a 722S badge on the shifter underscore its limited-production exclusivity. Comfort and convenience are not forgotten, with dual-zone climate control and a Bose premium sound system included. Under the hood, the 722S is powered by a 5.5-liter supercharged V8, delivering 641 horsepower and 605 lb-ft of torque through a 5-speed AMG Speedshift R transmission. With a 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 207 mph, it remains one of the fastest roadsters ever built. Regularly maintained at authorized Mercedes-Benz dealerships, this two-owner SLR comes with a clean title and is now offered out of Stony Brook, New York. Serious collectors are encouraged to arrange inspections before this rare opportunity slips away. When buying or selling a world class enthusiast vehicle, having access to the right audience is critical. PCARMARKET has attracted a global community of collectors, race car drivers, and enthusiasts who share a common passion. As a result, PCARMARKET has become one of the fastest growing automotive auction marketplaces in the world. In addition to buying and selling cars, parts, and memorabilia, members gain access to current market data as well as entertaining and informative original streaming content Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Newsweek
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Formula 1 Legends Put on a Show at Goodwood's Festival of Speed
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. More than 200,000 racing fans flocked to the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, England, from July 10 to 13, to witness the world's fastest cars in action at the annual Festival of Speed. A rare pairing of legends – the 1955 Mercedes-Benz W 196 S (left) and W 196 R (right) on display at Goodwood. The number 8 on the W 196 R recalls Stirling Moss's historic win... A rare pairing of legends – the 1955 Mercedes-Benz W 196 S (left) and W 196 R (right) on display at Goodwood. The number 8 on the W 196 R recalls Stirling Moss's historic win at the 1955 British Grand Prix, a defining moment in Mercedes-Benz's dominant season. More Courtesy Mercedes-Benz Founded in 1993 by the Duke of Richmond at his family's ancestral home, the sold-out event is known as the "largest motorized garden party in the world." Crowds roamed the grounds to see displays from leading manufacturers including Porsche, Audi, Aston Martin and Lamborghini, which unveiled its new Temerario GT3 race car, while spectators packed the grandstands to witness a range of sports and race cars tear up the famous hill climb course. The highlights for many were the Formula 1 cars new and old driven by the champions who won autosport's largest prize with them. These included Alain Prost, Emerson Fittipaldi, Nigel Mansell, Jacques Villeneuve and Mario Andretti, who at age 85 drove the famous black-and-gold Lotus 79 he won his 1978 F1 title with up the 1.16-mile course. 1 of 4 Mercedes-Benz had arguably the most expensive car pairings to take on the hill climb, with its W 196 R and W 196 S from 1955. A 196 R was auctioned in Stuttgart, Germany, in January for $54 million. No grand prix racing car has ever realized a higher sum at auction Marcus Breitschwerdt, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH, said: "The Goodwood Festival of Speed, which is legendary and rich in tradition with its colorful, dazzling atmosphere, has been a must for classic car enthusiasts for over 30 years."
Daily Mirror
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
'I drove a supercar at 140mph around Goodwood race track and didn't die'
Mirror Motoring's Stephen Jones is no stranger to fast cars - but has never driven on a race track before now - and Goodwood Like most men my age, I'm convinced had the opportunities fallen my way, I could have been a Formula One driver or, at worst, Top Gear presenter. How difficult can driving at 200mph once every couple of weeks for a few months a year really be? I finally stopped being all talk and took the chance to live out my fantasy and put the pedal to the metal on a track day at the iconic Goodwood Motor Circuit nestled in the rolling hills of West Sussex. Famous for the Festival of Speed being held this week (July 10th-13th), Goodwood is also home to one of the fastest tracks in the UK, notorious for its fabled flowing corners and generous straights which allow for sustained high speeds of around 160mph. I'm following in the tyre prints of legends like Stirling Moss and Jackie Stewart who have made dancing cars around its sweeping bends look all so easy over the years. But as the day arrives, I have to admit, I'm starting to sport a little less bravado as the reality sets in during a pre-race safety briefing by chief instructor Jack Layton. He talks us through what each of the flag colours I might see various frantic stewards waving at me around the track mean - I need to be alert, he explains, to anything from a pile-up to a pheasant on the track. There's talk of racing lines, braking points and how not to spin off into the grass. Everyone else seems to be nodding knowingly while I'm beginning to wonder how I'm going to remember which pedal does what when we're flat out down the Lavant Straight at 140mph. I can't say I felt more ressured at this point, it would be safe to say I was vaguely terrified. It was clear I neeeded to keep my wits about me, so I asked Jack to take me for a spin in a BMW M340d to familiarise myself with the ciruit before I ventured about myself. "I stopped counting how many times I have been round here at 50,000 laps," he cooly explained as I tried not to vomit. "It's all about driving into the apex," he added, as I tried to imagine what Google result I would get for the word 'apex' if I could unclench my grip from the passenger door handle to reach my phone. It turns out that nothing quite prepares you for the sheer gut-twisting thrill of actually being thrown around a race track by a professional driver. It suddenly dawned on me that I am little better than an average driver with no racing experience beyond surviving the daily commute into work on the London North Circular - and that this was serious business. But there was no time to question my life choices as I climbed into a race-prepped Honda Type R (0-60mph in 5.4 secs). There's something deliciously empowering about clambering into a race car in a helmet when you are still basically a nervous amateur. But pulling on the helmet, you do feel transformed - a bit less Mr Bean and suddenly a bit more Lewis Hamilton. There's also a moment - just as you ease your foot off the brake, squeeze the throttle and feel the zipped up engine surge beneath you - when you realise this is a lot harder than it looks on TV... but by that point you are away and it's far too late to worry. I had a list of priorities in my head, number one was trying not to embarrass myself by spinning off the track or worse, into one of the walls. The truth is, I didn't really have any time to think as my first instructor of the day, Brad - who at first seemed calm and patient as he reminded me that the car will do what I tell it to - started screaming in my ear various instructions as I tried to survive my first lap. First lap, I'm tentative - the car feels so sharp, so willing to change direction, that my usual cautious road manners feel totally out of place. Brad shouts instructions over the radio: 'Brake now! Turn in! Feed the power in..!' "Not bad, you broke 120mph," he said after it, possibly sensing that I was wondering 'was that any good or did I look like a twat?' "Let's go again," he said as I that inital thought was quickly replaced in my head with 'try not to die again, Stephen.' But by the third lap, I'm no longer apologising for my driving, I'm grinning like an idiot. Next up was a spin in a Lotus sports car, powered by a supercharged 3.5-litre V6 engine (0-60mph in 4.3 secs) with my next instructor, John, and I could tell things were getting more serious because he was shouting more loudly. "You are too stiff, gripping on to the steering wheel like that, relax," he said. I couldn't argue, not least because I didn't want to explain I was holding on for both of our dear lives. But also, I surprised myself with how I was starting to get a hang of it. It's not that difficult to steer into an apex and accelerate out and hitting 130mph, it turns out, it's just a challenge to remember 'what do I do next?' and where you should be on the racing line in that nanosecond that comes after you breathe that sigh of relief you're still breathing. My final drive of the day was in the big one, the McLaren 750s supercar which, powered by a twin turbo-charged V8, does 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds with a top speed of 206mph. By now I'm feeling brave, maybe too brave? You wouldn't get much change from a £300,000 for one of these, and god knows what a scratch might cost to repair. But again I have no time to worry, I just put my foot down, listen to my instructor and pray. I have driven one of these on the road before and it's a joy, but on the race track the McLaren is pure theatre, the steering is razor sharp and the throttle so sensitive that a sneeze might send you into a barrier... but when you get it right, it sings. The engine howls, the gearbox snaps through the gears and on the straights, it's brutally quick - and oddly, that's the easy bit. The real trick is staying calm when you fling it into the double apex Madgwick Corner at speeds that would earn you an instant ban on any normal road. There was a moment on the Lavant Straight when I glance at the speedo and see we are nudging 140mph - and for a fleeting second, I feel like I understand what makes these cars so addictive. It's not just the speed, it's the noise, the smell, the sense that you're dancing on a knife edge between control and chaos. My instructor sounds more full of praise than relief as he explains 'you just need to relax more." I'm just keen to do it again, and again. After I park up in the paddock, relieved I have survived, and elated I haven't crashed any of the cars, I realise my heart is hammering and my face is aching from grinning. I was buzzing, and that's the magic of it, really. A Goodwood track day isn't about pretending you're a racing god, though you'll certainly feel like one for a few glorious seconds. It's about stepping into a dream that, for most of us, lives on YouTube clips and Sunday night Top Gear reruns. By the end of the day, I'm sweaty, slightly deaf and wondering if I can sell a kidney to pay for my own super car to do this every other weekend. There's an addictive quality to that rush, once you've tasted it, your sensible family saloon will never feel the same again. As I peel off my helmet, I catch one last look at the cars lined up in the pit lane, engines ticking as they cool. They're not just machines, they're invitations to live out every boy-racer fantasy you've ever had. For a few heart-stopping laps round Goodwood, they're yours. Would I do it again? In a beat of my heart, which I left somewhere near the chicane after bend seven. * Goodwood Festival of Speed runs from July 10-13th 2025. The Motor Circuit runs a variety of track days and driving experiences in a range of cars all year round. Full details:
Top Gear
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Here are nine of the wackiest motor races you've never heard of
Advertisement No doubt you've heard of lawn mower racing, but are you aware of the jewel in the crown – the British Lawn Mower Racing Association 12 Hour? Yep, it's an endurance race for mowers. Heck, the first one in 1978 was won by Stirling Moss and five time Le Mans winner Derek Bell. Advertisement - Page continues below Imagine a banger race on a tarmac oval where all of the cars are FWD and have metal plates welded under their rear wheels. We assume that was the elevator pitch for Skid Plate Racing, and it's just as entertaining as it sounds. Who said motorsport has to be fast? These things top out at around 35mph. You might like Extreme Barbie Jeep racing Extreme Barbie Jeep Racing involves fully grown Americans racing downhill on dirt tracks while riding plastic Power Wheels cars designed for kids. Extra points for a unicorn liveried Jeep, we hope. Advertisement - Page continues below How do you make the US pastime of figure eight racing even more chaotic? Why, you chain two more cars to the back of yours, stick a second driver in the rearmost one and then pray you don't get T-boned crossing the track. You may recall Sabine Schmitz and Chris Harris having a go in S25 E1 of the TV show. The TukTuk Tournament traverses Sri Lanka in a three-wheeled rickshaw. Teams take on a magical fantasy quest to slay dragons and find fake gems, all with the goal of being crowned champion while raising money for charity in the process. It's weird and we love it. Another uniquely British event, the Nifty Fifty is a five hour, off road endurance race for 50cc mopeds. Teams fit knobbly tyres to otherwise standard mopeds, before four riders take on the climbs and jumps of a motocross dirt track. Hope you like the sounds of teeny four strokes. Of course it was those zany Dutch who decided motor racing would be more exciting if everyone was driving backwards. This was made possible by the DAF 66's Variomatic CVT transmission, which allowed it to hit its top speed of over 70mph in reverse. Cars do get a little erm... unstable, though. Advertisement - Page continues below The annual Pig-N-Ford races take place at the Tillamook county fair in Oregon. There's a Le Mans style start with drivers running to pick up live pigs from the other side of the track. Carrying said pigs, they then start their Model Ts with a hand crank and complete three laps, stopping each lap to swap pigs. Bonneville barstool class The 'World of Speed' happens every year at Bonneville. It's not just 500+mph streamliners stretching for a top speed – there's also a class specifically for actual barstools fitted with 12V electric motors. The current record is 55.935mph. Advertisement - Page continues below Top Gear's Top 9 Motorsport News See more on Top Gear's Top 9
