What I learned sliding through gravel at 160km/h [with video]

Behind the clouds of dust and dirt, what’s really going on inside a world rally championship car during the heat of the race? Jane Speechley was lucky enough to get a glimpse.

AS COMEDIAN ROB SITCH said in one of the famous Sh!tscared stunt sketches by The Late Show/Working Dog crew – ‘I don’t have the brown underpants on for nothing.’


To be fair, I was more excited than nervous when the Hyundai Motorsports team first invited me to ride along through a stage of the World Rally Championship course in Coffs Harbour, with their star New Zealander driver Hayden Paddon. 

My rally-loving friends assure me it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and an opportunity not to be missed.

Read more at https://practicalmotoring.com.au/voices/learned-sliding-gravel-160kmh/  

Are you a fan of rally sport? And if not, why not?

I had an incredible opportunity last week. So bear with me while I open with a little boast.

The final round of the 2016 World Rally Championship was held in November in Coffs Harbour. This is big time – previous rounds are held in Monte Carlo, Argentina, Mexico, Spain and China – so it’s a bit of a coup that Australia gets a guernsey, and the final round as well.

After the serious racing was done, I was invited by the Hyundai Motorsport team to ride along with their young-gun driver Hayden Paddon, through the infamous Wedding Bells forest stage of the course.

Read more at https://the-riotact.com/are-you-a-fan-of-rally-sport-and-if-not-why-not/190086

The long and winding road to my Toyota 86

Image courtesy of Jay Bellchambers

Our new columnist, Jane Speechley, tells us about her history with cars and why she bought a sports car.

There are two early experiences that have particularly shaped my attitude towards cars.

To begin with, there was my first car, which is now (sentimentally) referred to as the Hyundai Deathtrap. A well-priced Excel hatchback from a seemingly well-established dealership, I thought I was making a sensible choice.

A little young and naïve, I didn’t notice the paint colour inside the engine bay was different to the exterior. Or that the white smoke coming from the exhaust wasn’t just due to the cold weather.

Yes, yes, I know – did I mention I was young and naïve?

Read more at https://practicalmotoring.com.au/voices/long-winding-road-toyota-86/