WRC SARDINIA 2017

FIA WRC RALLY SARDINIA 2017

A WEEKEND TO FORGET

Text and Photos: Reinis Babrovskis

It was the Estonian Ott Tanak who claimed the victory behind the wheel of the M-Sport's Fiesta WRC on the gruesome Mediterranean rocky gravel roads in the 2017 WRC Rally Sardinia. Rally Italia – one of the toughest rallies on the calendar; the drivers love it, the fans love it, the media loves it; however, it was not all fun and games as many drivers found out.

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2017

GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED 2017

WELCOME TO HEAVEN

Text and Photos: Reinis Babrovskis 

 Welcome to Goodwood festival of speed, welcome to heaven…

Goodwood – a place where petrol heads from all over the globe gather for a week’s long, non-stop fuel infused orgy to celebrate the human's desire for speed. It is an event that cannot be labelled, described or depicted on film or photography; one simply must experience it to grasp the sheer size and magic this event has to offer.

BMW M3 E36

BMW M3 E36 Saloon

THE FAMILY HOOLIGAN

Text and Photos: Reinis Babrovskis

If there ever was a game changer in the car industry, it would most certainly have to be the BMW M3. It is one of the most iconic vehicles ever made and let’s be honest any true petrol head desires to own one at some stage in their life. Whilst it wasn’t anything unusual for a manufacturer to add a sportier model in their line-up, none of them ever attempted to release an affordable road legal race car, and yet that is exactly what the German manufacturer did.

Jaguar XK

Jaguar XK 4.2 V8 Coupe

IT’S A REAL MAN’S CAR

Text and Photos: Reinis Babrovskis

Designed with elegance in mind, complemented with a wicked power unit and accompanied by a tremendously engaging exhaust soundtrack the Jaguar XK was one of the finest grand tourers ever sold. First released in 1996 The Jaguar XK was promoted as a 2+2 coupe incorporating luxury and performance. Just like its predecessor the facelift XK was an instant hit with the GT community, particularly due the fairly limited and brutal looking competition it had at the time of its release.

BUILT

BUILT

BUILT NOT BOUGHT

Text and Photos: Reinis Babrovskis

BUILT – latest Northern Irish car show took place on August 13 and proved to be a huge success, attracting high number of spectators and entries alike. The show was hosted at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast and featured a large variety of standard, modified, classic and motorsport vehicles, as well as bikes and BMX’s both indoors and outdoors.

Ferrari 70th Anniversary - UK Tour

Ferrari 70th Anniversary - UK Tour

Lucy + Peter

LUCY + PETER 

JULY  29, 2017

JAPANESE CAR CULTURE 2017

JAPANESE CAR CULTURE 2017

FROM THE LAND OF RISING SUN

Text and Photos: Reinis Babrovskis

Japanese invasion: on July 9th Belfast was taken over by hundreds of Japanese cars; it meant only one thing: the return of the highly successful “Japanese Car Culture” (JCC) show that debuted last year. As before the event was hosted at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in the heart of Belfast, Northern Ireland and attracted large crowds and entries from both NI, Republic of Ireland and UK. The event proved once again to be a major success, all thanks to the guys behind Car Culture NI.

Cultra Hill Climb 2017

CULTRA HILL CLIMB 2017

OUR LITTLE GOODWOOD

Text and Photos: Reinis Babrovskis

With just a few days to go before the largest festival of motorsport in the world - The Goodwood Festival of Speed it is time to look back at the alternatives here in Northern Ireland - The Cultra Hillclimb (our little Goodwood) that is quite impressive for the small island of Northern Ireland. And to be fair some of the machinery tearing up the short hill here is equally impressive.  

Limitless 2017

LIMITLESS 2017

TRACK BEATS SHOW ANYDAY

Text and Photos: Reinis Babrovskis

The car-show seasons in Ireland are very impressive, with lots of new shows being announced annually. One of these newcomers for the 2017 season was the “Limitless” car show held on the grounds of Kirkistown racing circuit located in Kircubbin, Northern Ireland. It combined a traditional show with a track day, so how did it do?

Porsche 911 GT3 RS

PORSCHE 911 GT3 RS

YES PLEASE

Text and Photos: Reinis Babrovskis

The ultimate modern super-car, one of the fastest accelerating road vehicles on the planet, the widow maker or as we know it: The Porsche 911 GT3 RS. The 911 has always been the pinnacle of the motoring world. It is a vehicle one could take to a Monaco casino in the evening, whilst in the morning take it round the green hell in Germany, and it would feel at home on both situations.

BMW 6

BMW 645Ci

DARTH VADER

Text and Photos: Reinis Babrovskis

Contrary to the popular belief there actually is some sunshine in Ireland, and when the big yellow thing is in the sky the convertibles come out to play. Baron, the owner of this stunning BMW 645i, believes the car roof should stay down no matter what the conditions are, so he opted for this car as his daily vehicle.  

Ford Mustang

FORD MUSTANG 1967 FASTBACK

THE AMERICAN DREAM

Text and Photos: Reinis Babrovskis

 

Oh God, please bring us back to the 1960s when cars were more than just a means of transport. They weren't ran by computers, instead the engine bay was reserved for some real petrol-thirsty engines, they were driven by real men with hands covered in motor oil; they were not just a tool for commuting or a way to showcase your society status; they were a way to celebrate our human engineering skills, our talent to create something beautiful. And there was no greater place on Earth back then than the almighty Detroit in USA.

Loughgall Festival of Motorsport 2017

LOUGHGALL FESTIVAL OF MOTORSPORT 2017

SHOW AND SHINE OR DIRT AND PROUD?

Text and Photos: Reinis Babrovskis

I have always been a huge fan of Loughghall Festival of Motorsport and yet again it didn't disappoint this year. Held in the beautiful park of Loughgall and blessed by a good weather it was attended by many spectators, amazing cars and as always entertained by loads of rally vehicles.

 

Cars at the Mill

CARS AT THE MILL

TEN OUT OF TEN

Text and Photos: Reinis Babrovskis

For a car show to be so successful on the first year it is run is really unheard of, but somehow “Cars at the Mill” managed to pull that off. Not only did everybody get blown away by the picturesque setting at the Raceview Mill, Broughshane, but also by the huge variety of vehicles on display. On top of that the crew behind the Cars at Mill raised a mind blowing £7,000 for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust beyond their and everyone else’s expectations. The charity car show took place on Sunday, April 30 at a local business park filled with coffee and souvenir shops, and even a live music in the small village of Broughshane, Northern Ireland.

GTINI DUBSHED 2017

Dubshed

A SHED FULL OF DUBS

Text and Photos: Reinis Babrovskis

The car show season has officially launched here in Northern Ireland, and as usual it was “Dubshed” that opened the curtains for the rest of the 2017 season. For the eight year running Dubshed has been organised by the local dub enthusiast club “GTINI”, and for the second year in a row the event was hosted at the Eikon complex in the old Lisburn prison maze. Still very much aimed at the German automotive clientele, Dubshed has actually evolved over the years and has opened the doors to the rest of the global automotive manufacturers. And you know what, it looks the ‘Japanese’ are taking over.

Mazda 3 MPS

MAZDA 3 MPS

DARE TO BE DIFFERENT

 Text and Photos: Reinis Babrovskis

We are certainly spoilt for choices when it comes to choosing a sports hatchback; plenty of manufacturers worldwide had a go at building one since the 90ies, Japanese manufacturers in particular. Although, one of the vehicles from the Land of the rising sun that often got overlooked is the Mazda 3 MPS, or as the rest of the world knows it - the Mazdaspeed 3. This powerful hatchback really is a rare sight on British roads. So why did this car really fall under the radar - at the end of the day it went faster and was cheaper than all of its rivals at the time?