Fill up a drink, grab a packet of chips a hold on to your seat. It’s time for
another AutoSpeed DVD/video review...
Best Motoring International (BMI) 13 – Enduro Challenge
BMI 13 – Enduro Challenge is the latest release from the team at Best
Motoring International.
By now you’re probably aware that the BMI series is a benchmark for
production quality – the camera work, audio, translation (from Japanese) and
narration are all top-level. And what about the quality of the content? Well,
the BMI series hasn’t let us down yet – and neither does BMI 13...
The feature theme for BMI 13 is an endurance challenge between some of the
hottest Japanese and European performance cars. This is different to most track
battles because there’s a lot of focus on each car’s oil and water temperature
(each measured with additional Defi gauges) and the temperatures of the tyres and
brakes are taken after each of 20 minute heat. There are two heats, for a total
WOT time of 40 minutes.
The famous Tsukuba circuit sets the scene where the latest Evo 8 MR RS, STi
Spec C, NSX-R, M3 CSL, S2000, RX-8 Type S and Integra Type R go head-to-head.
It’s a hot day for the challenge and, not surprisingly, there are a few vehicles
that run up to - and beyond - the safe limits of oil and water temperature.
In-car cameras capture the driver’s view, the fancy foot work and watch the
status of the additional gauges.
We really admire the way the BMI crew run the test - everything is well
documented and there’s plenty of subjective feedback from the drivers. There are
also some alarming close-ups of the front tyre wear. We wonder who pays for
tyres?!
And the winner?
Well, there’s one machine that trounces the rest of the field from start to
finish. We won’t tell you which.
Next, the stakes are raised with the Ferrari Challenge Stadale Super
Test.
The Yatabe high-speed proving ground sets the scene for a duel between the
incredible Ferrari Challenge Stradale (essentially a worked-over version of the
Modena), Lambo Gallardo E-gear, Porsche 911 GT3 Clubsport, M3 CSL and NSX-R.
Each machine is put through its paces down the quarter mile and in top speed.
These are all 12 second ET cars – but the way they drive at high speed is
markedly different!
The Ferrari Challenge Stradale also hits the Twin-Ring Motegi circuit at the
hands of N.Hattori. The sound is pure F1. The gearshift is pure F1. And the
speed isn’t far off!
There’s also a segment where Gan-san takes the latest Porsche Carrera GT for
a hoot around the Suzuka racetrack. The 600hp (445kW) supercar looks and sounds
awesome as it slinks from apex to apex but its obvious there’s something holding
it back. Gan-san isn’t overly rapt with the level of tyre grip. Chances are
this is the only time you’ll get to ‘go along’ for a ride in the big Porsche
beast.
Next, the drivers that are put to the test.
Using a Lancer Evo 8 MR test car, the BMI team pits its own ‘road race’
drivers against some WRC talent – Gilles Panizzi. There’s some strange clowning
around but there is some determined driving to enjoy. And, judging by the
on-going tyre squeal, we reckon there’s yet another set of trashed
tyres!
Bonus footage is included. The BMI team takes you to a World Rally Team
conference where you chat to Mikko Hirvonen (a rising star), Petter Solberg and
go for a brief ride. This is a bit of a non-event, but at least it’s a
bonus...
BMI 13 runs for 91 minutes and is rating exempt. It retails for AUD$38.94
(plus postage) and can bought through the AutoSpeed shop. A good buy.
Best Motoring International (BMI) – Drift Bible
It’s not the latest BMI production but the Drift Bible is full of the good
oil that withstands the test of time.
This DVD features Keiichi Tsuchiya (the "Drift King") sharing his magnificent
techniques for ‘doing the drift’. Keiichi takes you through how to execute each
of the six primary drift techniques – the side (aka E-brake), shift lock, power
over, braking, feint and lift-off.
Keiichi begins showing the technique for beginners using his specially drift
prep’d Nissan S14. In addition to verbal instruction, Keiichi’s technique is
highlighted by a camera on his feet, a road speed display and brake pedal force
graph. When watching from outside, a red light mounted on the vehicle nose also shows when the brakes are
applied. Clever.
Once the basic techniques are covered, the DVD shows how to drift cars with
different handling characteristics. Keiichi explains what he’s doing with every
brake application, throttle application and steering input he makes while
drifting various machines around the Maza race track. The so-called ‘G-ball’
(which is essentially 3 balls rolling around with a camera mounted above) shows
weight transfer and smoothness during handling transitions. Cars drifted at Maze
include a Nissan S13 (which understeers), a MR2 (which oversteers) and a low
power vehicle – a Toyota AE86.
A Practice Menu is also suggested for beginners. It suggests a few manoeuvres
to master at Stage 1 and then progresses to some more advanced techniques.
Drift Bible is not as highly polished as the current BMI productions (and
Keiichi looks a bit younger!) but it is still very well assembled. Many of the
innovative ‘teaching aids’ will help a budding drifter understand how to get
sideways like a pro. And that’s what the whole DVD is about.
BMI Drift Bible runs for 70 minutes and has a G rating. It costs AUD$38.94
(plus delivery) from the AutoSpeed shop.
This is one you’ll watch over and over again to pick up every little detail.
Ticket to Ride
We decided to review this particular production after reading that it "puts
you in the hot seat" at Le Mans, desert racing, Isle of Man and more.
We didn’t realise Ticket to Ride is from the mid ‘80s. And is available in
video form only.
To be fair, there are a few enjoyable moments and you can’t help appreciating
how hard drivers (and riders) had to slog it out back then. There are some
exhilarating moments onboard an Opel Manta (with Ari Vatanen at the wheel) and
crammed into an outrageously fast Porsche 956 Le Mans beast. There are also
some interesting moments in the ‘80s Porsche 911 SLC Rothmans rally car.
If you like going fast on two wheels, you’ll enjoy attacking the Isle of Man
on your 1985 Britain RS 750 bike. There are also a few minutes at the Calder
Park raceway with Wayne Gardner at the handlebars.
There are a few enjoyable moments and you might learn a bit about what
competition cars and bikes were like ‘back in the day’ but we wouldn’t rush out
for this one. AutoSpeed has recently dropped Ticket to Ride (and other Duke
productions), but you might find a few copies left over at other retailers.
Expect to pay AUD$25 – 30 – but only if you absolutely must have it...
Did you enjoy this article?
Please consider supporting AutoSpeed with a small contribution. More Info...
|
More of our most popular articles.
|
|
|
Email a friend
Print article
|