The website of Adam Sloman, freelance motoring journalist and author.
Diary
From Hamburg to a Beetle.
Jul 18th
It’s been an action packed few days for me, since I’ve just finished my first international launch, for the new MINI Countryman.
Hamburg's harbour
I’m remaining tight-lipped on my thoughts about the car, (you’ll be able to read them soon enough through one of my usual outlets!) but I thought I would blog anyway!
Leaving home at an eye-watering 2:45am, I headed off to Heathrow, booked on Lufthansa’s business class, with little idea of what to expect. I’m not ashamed to admit I was somewhat apprehensive. Luckily, I was in the company of a good bunch of fellow journos, and once in Germany, I was buddied up with the hugely experienced Brett Fraser, and we were soon putting the big MINI through its paces.
Hamburg is one of Germany’s most famous cities, a huge port, and former home to The Beatles. The hotel itself was nestled in the St. Pauli district of the city, home to the legendary football club, and the infamous Reeperbahn. With a bit of time on my hands, I took the chance to get a few bottles of Astra beer to bring home, and found myself a St. Pauli scarf (it was 29 degrees centigrade, but winter will be here soon enough!). The hotel was great, with one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept in, normally when I’m away I do it cheap and cheerful, so this was quite step-up from my usual Travelodge!
After a cocktail reception for the invited journos from Britain, Ireland, Germany, Canada and the US, our hosts were kind enough to lead us on a tour through the Reeperbahn, offering to show us the ‘sights’ and boy, did we see ‘em! I’ve also learnt that you haven’t seen Back to the Future III until you’ve see it ‘auf Deutsch’; (‘Was ist das, Marty?!?). The actual press conference was good fun, and everyone from MINI did there utmost to make sure everyone was kept happy. It was also a good chance to get to know some of the guys I was there with, and actually allowed me to relax!
The following morning we were back out in the cars, only for a combination of road closures and sub-par sat-nav putting an end to any chance of us following the carefully planned out route on offer. Back at the airport I got my brownie points in check with a perfume for Mrs S and a Hamburg teddy bear for little Miss S before getting back on the 737 to come home.
Although I could have stayed in bed all day today, I had already booked myself a gig, finishing up a photo shoot on an immaculate collection of VW’s owned by a local chap. The sun was shining up on Dartmoor and we were able to get some great shots of his mint GTi Cabriolet and perfect ’56 Beetle. He’s got four VW’s in total, and I’d already shot one, so I was glad the threatened rain never appeared, and we were able to finish it off-there’s nothing worse than ringing someone to cancel.
The Bus earns its keep-out on a shoot.
His cars are all perfect, and the Beetle in particular, is special, since its been in family since new. It’ll be coming up soon in an issue of VW Golf+, I’ll let you know when! The only downside with spending time with people who have a collection of cars is that it just makes me want to add a few to the Sloman fleet!
So a full-on weekend, and I’m set to do it all again this week, with SEAT whisking me off for a couple of days in Barcelona.
I feel tired just thinking about it…
The same, but different
Jun 30th
My sister has recently come back to the UK to visit after four and a half years in Australia, and while there are many similarities between the UK and the Aussies, it’s remarkable how many things are different.
My sis brought back a load of Aussie mags and brochures, and in amongst them is the sales bumpf for the Holden Sportwagon range, where the smallest engine is a 3.0 litre V6, all the way up to massive six litre V8.
6.0 litre V8-cheap to run down under
Now, over here in Blighty, the idea of a 6.0 litre, 300+ break horse estate is almost unthinkable, as European manufacturers focus increasingly on frugal diesels, hybrids and electric cars, most manufacturers seem almost embarrassed to shout about the higher performance models in their ranges. But then, sis explains that petrol is about 60p a litre, where as over here, it’s near the £1.20 mark. At those prices it’s not difficult to understand how and why people are able to run such big cars. If the situation was replicated in the UK, I can think of a whole host of cars I could afford to run!
Of course Vauxhall has dipped it’s toe in the water, importing the Holden as the VXR8, but Down Under, these big engined beasts are the norm, with petrol-heads generally split into two camps, Ford or Holden.
My 18 year old nephew has just bought a Ford XR6, with the (by Aussie standards) small V6 engine. When I was his age, the closest I got to anything with a ‘V’ in it was my 1991 Rover 214. There’s other little differences too, thankfully the Aussies managed to keep the steering wheel on the correct side of the car, but my sister was totally befuddled by my sat-nav barking instructions in yards, not metres, and felt that at 70mph, we were ‘flying’ !
It seems to me that Australia may well become the last refuge for the petrol-head, where Bathurst becomes a monument to speed and the smell of hot engines and burning rubber.
Maybe I ought to get myself on a plane and go and take a look for myself, before I forget what a V8 sounds like.
Anyone want to buy me a ticket?
Stig in training?
May 23rd
Well I’m shattered. Absolutely shattered.
'She's a great model and she goes like stink. And the car's not bad either! Come on, let's go burn some rubber!' I do my best Alan Partridge pose..
But I’m a happy bunny. I’ve just got back from Rockingham, after almost 14 hours (we left home just after half eight this morning) I’ve got my first proper track-time under my belt.
And I loved it.
I was behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Lumina (or Holden Commodore or Vauxhall VRX8 depending on which part of the planet you’re on) that raced in a one-make series at Bahrain in 2008 (hence it being badged Chevorlet, rather than Holden).
With a top speed of 160mph, the 5.7 litre engine develops around 400 bhp, throwing it from 0-60 in just 4.5 seconds, impressive stuff.
Once the drivers briefing was out of the way I was handed a rather natty blue hair-net (which was eerily remiscent of the day I interviewed for a job at a bacon-packing plant, but that’s for another time.) and then grabbed myself a lid. Being big bonced, I ended up with an XL, and soon realised open faced helmets do nothing for yours truly.
After a couple of brief familiarisation laps in an ’09 MINI Cooper, it was soon time to get into the Aussie machine. Strapped into the car I had to then over-come the fact I’ve only ever driven a left hooker once before, at MG, when I test drove the Chinese spec Six, and after years of using my left hand to change gear, I admit I was a tad apprehensive.
The most difficult thing I found was the idea of setting the car up to turn just once, out on the road we make loads of adjustments as we corner, but not on track. Wayne (the school’s instructor) was telling me to give the car more power and unwind the steering, but my head was struggling with the idea! Still, after a while I was starting to get to grips with the car, and the circuit, brake at the red cone, turn in at the yellow, power-out at the blue. Simple. Well, maybe not but after a little while I was soon getting some positive comments from Wayne. There’s so much to think about, my brief session in the car really was hard work, my brain was on over-drive to make sure I kept the car on the racing line (or at least try to!). I’ve always been a big motorsport fan, but today I gained a new level or respect for racing drivers, how on Earth they manage to do all that work, and worry about everyone else trying go that bit better than they are, I don’t know.
It was a brilliant day, from start to finish, and something that I definately want to try again. I’m sure with more time in the car I could really get to grips with the technique, one thing is certain, being on track is bloody addictive, and I think I am hooked!
Next stop the Bathurst 1000? Probably not, but it's nice to dream, eh?
A busy week for a busy boy…
May 3rd
Well it’s been a busy week for me.
Wednesday I travelled upto Longbridge, sorry MG Birimingham, the home MG Motor UK for a first look at the new MG6 for everyone’s favourite MG magazine, MG Enthusiast.
Yours truly with the new MG
Of course you’ll be able to read my thoughts and reactions to the car in a coming issue of MGE, go and buy a copy, you know it makes sense. While at Longbridge sorry, MG Birmingham (that name change is going to take some getting used to I think) I also spied this beast:
Colin Turkington ZS BTCC racer
It was great to see an old West Surrey Racing ZS up close, and how great would it be to see MG back in Touring Cars, and Colin Turkington racing them again. Well, we can only hope I suppose.
Talking of the BTCC, yesterday’s round at Brands Hatch was a washout. I should know. I was there. The wind and rain was non-stop and by the end of the second Touring Car race, I’d had enough. You know its time to pack it in when your shaking so much from the wet and cold that you can’t point a camera! Still, what racing I did see I enjoyed and it was great to visit Brands for the first time, it’d just be great if it was a little drier next time, please?
A very, very, very, very, very, very wet day at Brands Hatch
Well hopefully things will keep up at this pace, got a couple of really nice pieces to put to bed for Triumph World, and I’ve got plenty of ideas bubbling away too, in the mean time, keep watching the Tweets!
Diary of a Bus Driver #1
Apr 9th
Here’s the first part in my (occasional) series detailing our ownership of our Citroen C3 Picasso. It may seem dull, but hey, if you’re thinking of buying one, you might find it useful! Apologies for the lack of decent pictures-I will get my camera out soon!
Well, it’s been a little over a week since the Sloman Family Fun Bus (as Mrs S insists on calling it) came home and overall I’m pretty impressed.
The car has done it’s job perfectly and become a firm favourite with Mrs S, since loading our daughter and all her kit is a doddle. The rear doors swing open nice and wide and even with the front seat slid forward, there’s still plenty of room for front passengers. Our Jack Russell is also adapting to the new car, having lost his place on the back seat for his very own travel crate, tucked away safely in the boot.
Speaking of front passengers, well these days, that’s me. Mrs S is so keen to drive the bus that more often than not my involvement in the journey is limited to adjusting the airvents, or changing radio stations.
MG ZS to C3 Picasso, driver to passenger. Yup, I’ve had an automotive vasectomy.
Still, when I have got behind the wheel I’ve been pleased. The Bus rides the bumps well, and on the run to Thruxton last Sunday for the opening round of the BTCC, the car coped well with four blokes and various bags etc. It needed a little encouragement to climb a few hills, but nothing drastic. So far, fuel economy is coming in around the 46 or 47 mpg mark, a drastic improvement over the petrol MG the C3 replaces, but I still think there’s room for us to get more for our money.
Disappointments have been limited, and I am nitpicking truth be told. The boot is a tad small, but extra space can be gained by slipping the back seats forward, or dropping the boots floor to it’s lower level. The glove box is a very odd shape and limited in what will fit inside (due to the placement of the cars electronics and the fact we drive on the correct side of the road!). Given the glovebox’s shortcomings I would have expected a wider array of cubby holes compared to the SEAT Altea I recently had on test, stowage in the Citroen is limited. I’ve ordered an Armster Armrest that should give us a bit more space and give me somewhere to put my elbow on longer journeys (assuming I get to drive!).
My only other niggle has been the paint on the rear bumper, it’s incredibly easy to scratch and our car has suffered already. I’ve now invested in a bumper protector and a fold-out mat to cover the bumper as well.
So all in all, a great first week with the little Bus!
A busy few weeks
Apr 5th
Yup, it’s been a while since I’ve blogged and things have been rather busy for yours truly.
Firstly, our ZS is gone and it’s been replaced by our very own Family Bus, a Citroen C3 Picasso. While I am sad to see my MG go, things change and it’s been great to have owned what was, in my opinion, the best front wheel drive car MG built.
The Bus!
Our new car is totally different, but it fits our new family like a glove. It’s a funky little bus and is widely considered one of the best cars in it’s segment. I can’t wait to load it up full of stuff and head off on an adventure.
In another act of shameless self-promotion I had some rather natty business cards mate up
I also made my first appearance on the BBC, on Tony Livesey’s 5 Live radio show, discussing Dr. Who and my dislike of the show, I must admit to being a tad nervious and probably said the word ‘naff’ a few times too many, but on the whole it was great fun and I hope to do it again. Big thanks to all those who text in to agree with me that Doctor Who is, erm, naff! (For the record I did watch Matt Smith’s debut on Saturday. Good actor, average story, poor VFX if you’re asking!)
Easter Sunday meant the return of the BTCC, and another trip to Thruxton. A great days racing and 400+ photos, and thankfully no rain. ITV4′s coverage also managed to feature yours truly as well, so I managed to get on BBC and ITV in one week!
Work is ticking along nicely with a few jobs to finish for Triumph World but the need and desire to do more is as strong as ever!
Time, or the lack of it.
Mar 16th
Time, sinking away...
I wish I had more time.
I wish I had more time to clean the car, properly. I wish I had more time to write. I wish I had more time to drive the cars I love and then write about them. I wish I had more time for my photography. I wish I had more time to spend with my girls, and the dog. I wish I had more time to catch up on all the stuff sitting on my Sky + box. I wish I had time to get through the stack of car magazines piling up on my desk. I wish I had time to finish the fourteen or fifteen half-completed video-games I own. I wish I had to time to watch the blu-rays I got for Christmas.
I guess everyone feels like this, at some point in their lives. There just doesn’t seem to be enough time at the moment, there’s so much I want to do, and so much I need to do. Still, your favourite writer will keep plugging away, and like Sarah always says ‘We’ll get there one day!’. I am sure we will, Mrs S. I’m sure we will!
A busy week…
Mar 11th
Well my week as a full-time motoring journo is over, and, like Superman when he’s at the Daily Planet, it’s time for me to slip on a shirt and tie and return to being Civilservantman! Triffic.
Still, it’s been a blinding week, to be fair. The journey back from London yesterday was great, the sun was throwing some incredible colours over the horizon as I bombed past Stonehenge, heading Devonwards, all nicely soundtracked by Supergrass, Elvis Presley and others.
It’s great to be home and be back with the girls and the pup, I just hope that this little taster I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy this week is a sign of things to come.
Big thanks to Sarah’s Auntie Lorraine and Uncle Peter for putting me up, and for Ian Robertson, the legendary Editor of Diesel Car, for giving me the chance to be a proper journo for a few days.
And finally, in other news, in a move to follow seemingly every other motoring journo in the land, I’ve joined Twitter. You too, yes you, can follow me now at http://twitter.com/Adam_Sloman
Living in the dream
Mar 8th
So, here I am. After two years of hard work, I am finally working as a Staff Writer. OK, OK, it’s only for three days, but it’s a start.
I’m working in London, with Trojan Publishing, publisher of What Diesel, or Diesel Car, as it is soon to be re-christened.
Today was my first day, and it was great, a bit of sub-editing, and some news copy for the website, the day was soon over. One down, two to go, sadly. It’s difficult being away from Sarah, Lily and Ralf, but it’s also great to finally be living my dream-if only for a short while!
Getting Busy
Feb 17th
As well as becoming a Dad almost a month ago (where have the last four weeks gone?) I’ve become increasingly busy on the freelance front. After working for Classics Monthlywith Gez on the 6th, I spent the last weekend working for another two mags, Total Vauxhall and MG Enthusiast.
Two very different cars, two very different owners, but with one thing in common.
Their love of their cars. It’s a big part of why I love doing owners stories so much, some will turn their nose up and say ‘pfft, it’s only an Astra’ but to the owner, it’s so much more than that. It’s their pride and joy, their passion and their hobby. Even if you don’t like the motor, you’ve got to love the passion.
