Hyundai i30 – Short Review

EngageSportMode’s BTCC Correspondent recently went on holiday to France. Whilst he was there, he found himself with a Hyundai i30 at his disposal. So what did he make of the Korean hatchback? Hyundai Holiday Hell? Quite the Opposite… I was recently lucky enough to have a mini break in the South of France. On arrival…

The Nissan ZEOD RC – Is it all new?

As a break from discussing Formula 1 tyres, instead EngageSportMode examines Nissan’s new electric Le Mans challenger, and the craziest car you’ve never heard of. Is the Nissan ZEOD RC really from the 1970s? A couple of weeks ago, Nissan unveiled its new electric racing car – the ZEOD RC. Following on from 2012’s DeltaWing…

Top Gear Returns – Series 20, Episode 1 Review

Top Gear is arguably the biggest motoring-related television programme in the world. So for what is now the 20th (!) series, EngageSportMode will be writing a short review of each episode. So here we go [warning, contains non-aerodynamic spoilers]: Top Gear Series 20, Episode 1 – UK Air Date 30th June 2013 I’m not sure…

More Thoughts on the 2013 Pirelli F1 Tyre Drama

If this current 2013 Formula 1 season is set to be known by one thing, save for some even greater drama later in the year, it’s the impact that the tyres offered by Pirelli have had on the outcome of races. At Silverstone last weekend we witnessed the dramatic and dangerous failure of Pirelli tyres…

That Whole Sebastien Loeb Pikes Peak Thing

Yesterday Sebastien Loeb, the Frenchman who brought the World Rally Championship to its knees by winning everything, set the fastest ever time at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The previous record stood at 9 minutes 46.164 seconds; Seb managed a rather incredible 8 minutes 13.878 seconds. Loeb set his time in the “Unlimited” class which, as…

2013 BTCC Round 5 – Croft Review

With the sunburn now just about faded, and shoes dried out, here is the full review of the 2013 visit of the British Touring Car Championship at Croft Circuit by our correspondent. Turkington Dominates at Croft Colin Turkington achieved, not only his best results since his return to the BTCC, but his best ever points haul…

BTCC @ Croft 2013 – Photo Gallery

After yesterday’s teaser, EngageSportMode can now bring you the full photographic wonderment captured at Round 5 of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship on the 23rd June 2013. Still to come this week is a full report from ESM’s BTCC Correspondent, along with some reflections on how this race weekend compared to others we’ve…

ESM @ Croft BTCC 2013 – Quick Highlights

Wow! EngageSportMode spent today at the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire. We left sunburnt, soaked and satisfied after a great day’s BTCC action, including a superb three races for ESM favourite Colin Turkington. ESM’s BTCC correspondent will be bringing you a full raceday review soon, and there will…

Could Volvo Return to the BTCC?

This week Volvo Australia announced it would be unleashing the S60 Polestar on the V8 Supercar series, in a tie up with the respected Garry Rodgers Motorsport team, to see them on the grid for 2014. Volvo has a history of competing Down Under; the company won the 1986 Australian Touring Car Championship using the…

BTCC Round 4 – Oulton Park Review

A year ago EngageSportMode was at Oulton Park for the British Touring Car Championship. Although we might not have been there in person this time round, ESM’s BTCC correspondent still brings you the lowdown on all the action: Plato’s on Fire with Double Oulton Park Win Jason Plato secured his first victories since the opening…

EngageSportMode Shares the R-Line Love

If you just cannot get enough of hearing about my Polo R-Line, but would rather read about it elsewhere, then you prayers have been answered. Over the coming months I’ll be documenting my ownership of the R-Line over at PoloDriver.com But in all seriousness, I am genuinely honoured to have been asked to contribute to…

Friday Photo from the Archives #7

Some car ideas work better in certain places than others. Some, such as the BMW 5-Series GT, don’t really seem to work at all – at least not in America that’s for sure. The Volkswagen Jetta (or Bora/Vento/Golf with a boot) is one of those propositions that has never really taken the UK by storm….