I haven’t been writing here for a while, partly because of a lack of time, partly because of a lack of Aston Martin news worth writing about. But today I must, because yesterday’s Aston press release re-ignited my Aston passion to the max. I am very happy to see Aston Martin can still do that. So what am I talking about? Well, look at it first and then we’ll talk: This is the new, limited to 100 examples, Vantage GT3 Special Edition!
The BIG5 track day at Spa Franchorchamps is one of the most popular BIG5 events, so participants are distributed are two days, the Monday and the Tuesday. I was driving on the Monday. However, during my track-day, I heard that there would be 4 One-77’s participating on Tuesday, maybe even 5! So on Tuesday, before I drove home to Amsterdam, I went back to the track, to see if I could snap some pics of the One-77’s. I was able to make some quick photo’s in the pit lane, but did not have enough time to make real work of it. Luckily, my friends Alexander van Boekholdt en Paulien Aerts were there the entire day AND were so friendly to allow me to use some of their great photos. Thank you!
I love driving my V12 Vantage on the track. And I am proud to say, I’m slowly getting better at it too 🙂 Last week at the BIG 5 track event, I was able to do about 40 laps around my favorite circuit, Spa Franchorchamps. Here’s one of my laps, filmed by my friend Mark with his phone while in the passenger seat. It’s a bit shaky, but I think it gives a good impression of what it’s like to drive a V12 Vantage around this beautiful track. Enjoy:
Yesterday I posted my pit lane pictures for this week’s event at Spa. Now here’s some action pictures of Astons driving on the track. Most picture taken by me, except for the ones that show me and Red on the track, which are taken by my wife Sytske.
This Monday and Tuesday my favourite Aston Martin Big 5 event was held again: the track days at Spa Francorchamps. I had signed up for the Monday, so I spent most of the Monday doing my rounds of the track, of course in my favourite track beast, the red V12 Vantage. However, I did find the time to make a lot of picture too. Here’s my selection of photos taken in the pit lane.
This weekend we organized another edition of the 2-monthly Sunday Drive for the Dutch Power Beauty Soulmates. This time, we created a nice route through Brabant, the mid-southern part of the Netherlands, taking us over beautiful roads and through many nice villages.
We’ve already seen some Lagonda spy shots in May, then later a render of the new Lagonda appeared. But today, Aston Martin has officially confirmed that a new Lagonda is coming, with the first official pictures:
Aston Martin just announced a Roadster edition of the V12 Vantage S! And, it is going to be a regular production model, unlike the V12 Vantage Roadster which was limited to 101 cars. It looks amazing and I am 100% sure this will be a wonderful car to drive. However, if I am completely honest, I am pretty disappointed about this announcement, as it makes my “limited” edition V12 Vantage Roadster a lot less limited and special. When the V12 Roadster was introduced, it was presented as a one-time only limited run Roadster edition of the V12 Vantage. And now, 2 years later, a new V12 S Roadster appears and as a production model too. Okay, mine’s got a cool old-skool manual, but still…
Last April I already visited Biarritz together with my friend Eduard, to plan routes in the Pyrenees for the club trip in June. So last week, we went again, but this time for real, with twenty Aston Martins! Two days driving from Amsterdam to Biarritz, 4 days in the Pyrenees, then back to Amsterdam in 1 day. Next to my job as “route manager”, I was able to make lots of photos of Aston Martins at beautiful locations (and fuel stations 🙂 ). Here’s a selection:
“De Dijk” is a home for the mentally disabled and people with an autistic disorder or acquired brain injury. It’s the Amsterdam location of the “Ons Tweede Thuis” foundation (“Our Second” Home”). Last Sunday, we visited De Dijk with four Aston Martins to take 15 residents for a nice ride along the Amstel river and a short highway run. Resulting in big smiles and many happy faces 🙂 A quick impression: