June 2025

What a great month for Fuel the Passion!

Introduction

The FTP Vantage D7FTP at the Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC) Concours at Burghley House, Peterborough, Stamford (June 2025)

Right. Strap yourself in, pour yourself something caffeinated and vaguely unhealthy, and prepare to be dragged—willingly or otherwise—into another gloriously petrol-soaked chapter of Fuel the Passion.

Because this month, things have actually gone rather well. Suspiciously well, if I’m honest. First, and I can barely believe I’m saying this, the Fuel the Passion YouTube channel has finally joined the ranks of monetised content. That means I’ve hit the mythical 4,000 watch hours and 1,000 subscribers, and can now earn approximately the square root of bugger-all every time someone skips an ad to watch me witter on about engines.

But I’m not stopping there. Oh no. I entered the FTP Vantage into not one, but two Concours competitions. That’s right—actual automotive beauty pageants where grown adults judge cars like they’re Westminster show dogs. It required hours of polishing, buffing, and muttering profanities under my breath, and it will, whether you like it or not, take up a large chunk of this month’s blog.

And as if that weren’t enough, I kicked things off with Goodwood Supercar Sunday, where the FTP Vantage rubbed shoulders with machines so fast they can bend time. Somewhere in the middle of all that, my wife and I escaped to Northumberland—because even petrolheads need a break—and I finally ticked off a long-standing bucket list item: visiting the Jim Clark Museum. Spoiler alert: it was brilliant.

So, settle in. Read on. And prepare for the usual mix of fast cars, slow progress, mild chaos, and occasional moments of clarity. This is Fuel the Passion. And frankly, it's about time it paid for its own fuel.

Goodwood Supercar Sunday (Breakfast Club) - my first time showing the car!

Right, picture this: the final day of May, and I’m scooping up the FTP Vantage from Max Care Car in York—where Nick, the detailer/owner, has somehow performed a miracle, turning my car from “needs-a-hose-down” into “show-stopper” in time for not one, but two Concours competitions. And yes, before you can say “wax-on, wax-off,” I’ve driven it all the way down south to Surrey to stay with family because—brace yourself—I’d already booked it into Goodwood Breakfast Club’s Supercar Sunday on 1st June. I arrived on May 31st, dropped the car off, and woke up the next morning in a convoy of supercars. What a way to kick off the month!

Then dawn breaks—not gently, but with the ferocity of a V8 engine starting up—and my dad and I hit the tarmac, heading straight for Goodwood. And by “hit the tarmac,” I mean rolling up at stupid o’clock, with coffee as essential as fuel, because nothing says “Sunday morning” quite like parking your pride and joy among a dozen Lamborghinis before the sun’s even properly up.

FTP Vantage leaving for Goodwood Supercar Sunday

There’s something magical about motoring in the early hours—especially on a Sunday—when the world is still half-asleep and the roads are gloriously yours. And with the FTP Vantage under your fingertips, it’s practically therapy. My route to Goodwood was about 90 minutes from Surrey, with orders to park the Vantage by Woodcote—right at that gripping corner before the chicane, where anticipation crackles in the air.

The game plan? Be there for 8 a.m. and soak in the gradual swell of interesting vehicles joining the convoy. Trust me, it’s always a treat—as you draw closer to Goodwood, the road becomes a magnet for exotica, classic metal, and supercar noise. It’s like a halfway pit‑stop of cool: you don’t roll through alone—you pick up fellow automotive obsessives, and before you know it you’re in a mini convoy of horsepower.

And so it proved. As we edged closer, extraordinary machines began to materialise around us. Our first interesting catch was a petite, sky‑blue Lotus, glinting in that soft sunrise light (see picture below).

Lotus that we joined on the run down to Goodwood Circuit for Supercar Sunday

Driving alongside the Lotus was like an automotive symphony in motion—both of us roaring through the empty, quiet roads, as if we were the last two people left on Earth, fighting for pole position. The drive to Goodwood is a cracker at the best of times, but throw in a few fellow petrolheads, and it becomes something bordering on religious. As we rolled on, we picked up a couple of Porsches and some sports bikes—because of course, nothing says “Sunday morning” quite like a convoy of dangerously attractive machines, all heading towards one of the best motoring events on the planet.

One of the Porsches was a bit of a veteran—a more "mature" model (you know, the kind that’s seen enough to know better but refuses to act its age). The driver wasn’t dawdling, mind. No, he was cracking on—overtaking with impressive speed, yet always keeping it safe. Naturally, the silver Porsche behind him and yours truly in the FTP Vantage, couldn’t resist getting in on the action. When it was clear, we followed suit, as if it were some kind of unspoken, perfectly timed ballet of horsepower (see picture below).

What a cracking drive it was. All within the national speed limit, no dramas—just good, old-fashioned fun, leading us toward what promised to be one hell of a day.

FTP Vantage following and keeping up with two Porsches whilst on route to Goodwood Supercar Sunday

We rolled up to Goodwood, and as usual, the marshals had everything under control, guiding us effortlessly to our parking spot. As per the joining instructions, we ended up right next to that little blue Lotus we’d been tailing earlier, just past the chicane on the iconic start/finish straight. Now, I’ve never driven on a race circuit before—well, not properly—but even parking in the pit area felt like a win, especially with my dad in the passenger seat. You see, Goodwood’s a special place for us—we’ve spent years attending events here, and my dad has been to every Goodwood Revival since it first started. So, to park the FTP Vantage on the track with him by my side? Well, that’s a memory for the ages. Add it to the list.

And then, just when I thought the day couldn’t get any better, I spotted a breakfast van right across from us, slinging out tea, coffee, and breakfast buns. Heaven on wheels. We were set for the day, living the dream, as more cars started to arrive—each more spectacular than the last.

Then, in a truly surreal moment, the driver of a blue Aston Martin Vantage—who’d just parked near to us—walked over and said, "I recognise you! You’re from the YouTube Channel Fuel the Passion!" Blimey. Talk about a surprise. Within five minutes of arriving, someone recognised me—and not just anyone, but a fellow Vantage owner, no less. And not only that, he was kind enough to offer to help promote the channel. Now, I’m not exactly a Facebook guru (I should probably figure it out, right?), but this guy went above and beyond, pushing the channel on a Vantage group he was part of. What a legend.

If that person happens to be reading this—first of all, thank you. It’s moments like these that make the whole thing worthwhile. And it’s not just about the cars; it’s about the community. I’ve always said that doing this full-time has allowed me to meet people who are just as passionate about cars as I am. It’s a privilege to be part of that.

But I won’t keep you here all day, blathering on. I’ve got plenty more to cover, but I’ll just leave it with this: Goodwood Supercar Sunday was an event to remember. The cars? Outstanding. The variety, the calibre, the rarity—it was a feast for the eyes. The standouts for me? Seeing the Aston Martin Valour and Valkyrie up close, along with the Jaguar XJ220—a car that holds a special place in my heart. As a teenager, I spent my Saturday job money on a 1:18 scale model of an XJ220, which lived proudly on my windowsill for years. So seeing the real thing was pretty special. There were only 282 ever made—how many of them are still out there? Where are they now?

And, little did I know at the time, I’d be spotting another XJ220 at the London Concours just a few weeks later. That’s the magic of this hobby—it’s full of surprises.

To get the full experience, check out the video I made on this day. Trust me, it’s worth a watch. So many special cars.

Iconic Ferrari’s on show at Goodwood Supercar Sunday

An amazing Aston Martin Valour on show at Goodwood Supercar Sunday

1 of 282 Jaguar XJ220’s that were made - this being registration L222JJJ, on show at Goodwood Supercar Sunday

After an absolutely epic morning soaking in all the automotive brilliance at Goodwood, it was time to head back to Surrey. Now, don’t get me wrong—the drive home was still enjoyable, but it wasn’t quite the same. The roads, you see, had filled up with everyday cars, going about their business. But hey, the weather was glorious, and the memories from the day were on full rotation in my mind, so the drive was still great!

There’s also something indescribably satisfying about sliding into the FTP Vantage after a few hours of being on your feet, surrounded by a sea of car enthusiasts. That cabin? Absolute bliss. It’s a place where you can just sit, relax, and let the stresses of the world melt away. Pure, unadulterated luxury. For me anyway —the Vantage was the place to be.

My Preparation Day Before the London Concours

Now, the day after Goodwood Supercar Sunday, and the day before the London Concours, was spent getting the Vantage prepped up to showroom perfection. So, I camped out at my parents’ house in Surrey and started getting to work on the car.

It had held up surprisingly well, considering the distance I’d covered—whether it was the drive down from West Yorkshire, or the 90-minute jaunt to Goodwood and back. Nick at Max Care had done an outstanding job, and the Vantage still looked pretty pristine. But of course, it had accumulated the usual suspects: road grime, dead insects (thanks to the infinite number of bugs that seem to have a death wish when it comes to my grille), and just general “road dirt” that you pick up after a few hours on the road.

So, I did what any sensible person would do—I spent hours meticulously cleaning the car. When I say “meticulously,” I mean I treated the Vantage like a newborn baby, giving it the full spa treatment. It was all hands on deck, elbow grease, and a lot of attention to detail.

And if you want to see how this whole process unfolded (and trust me, it’s a spectacle), then head on over to the video I made on the subject. You can watch me transform the car into a mirror finish—if you haven’t seen it already, well, what are you waiting for? Click here to watch it now! (If that’s not a plug, I don’t know what is).

Preparing for the London Concours

One of the reasons I wanted to kick off this blog—apart from my usual need to talk about cars and all things fast—is to share more of the behind-the-scenes action with the FTP Community. You see, when it comes to my YouTube videos, there’s always a tightrope to walk between sharing enough information and not sending you to sleep. Keeping things snappy and entertaining is important, but I know there’s a limit. People, understandably, get bored (and yes, I see the viewer drop-off rates – don’t think I don’t notice).

That’s where this blog comes in. It’s the perfect platform to dive deeper into the nitty-gritty stuff—stuff that I’d love to share with you but just doesn’t fit into the YouTube format. So, if you’re thinking about doing something similar to what I’ve been up to, or maybe you’re considering entering your own car into something like the London Concours, then pull up a chair. This is where the juicy details live.

So, let me break it down for you—what did it take to get my “standard” Aston Martin Vantage into the London Concours as a display car?

Well, it wasn’t just a case of rolling up, tossing the keys to someone, and expecting to be ushered in like a VIP. Oh no. It took far more than that. Let me explain…

London Concours Tickets

First off, I knew I had to attend the London Concours. After all, it’s the perfect event to film and showcase just how extraordinary such a prestigious gathering can be. I was already planning to buy tickets anyway, but what I didn’t know was that each year, they have a specific theme. And talk about perfect timing—this year, they were celebrating ‘A British Icon - ASTON MARTIN’. Now, if that doesn’t make you think fate’s on your side, I don’t know what will.

So, there I was, doing a bit of research on the London Concours website, and I stumbled upon the fact that they were seeking cars from all eras of Aston Martin for the display. Naturally, I clicked the “apply here” button, filled in the form with all the usual details—name, contact info, shoe size, blood type, you know the drill—but also the key information about my car. Now, let’s get this straight: my FTP Vantage is, well, not exactly a limited-edition model. No AMR badges, no rare custom runs. The only thing that might be considered "special" is the Ceramic Grey paint, listed as a Q Special option at a cheeky £3,995. Yes, that’s right—my car came with a hefty price tag for paint. But let me tell you, that Ceramic Grey isn’t just any dull grey. Some may say it’s understated, butI disagree to an extent.

Under the right light, that paint is magic. It can look black, dark grey, or shimmer with flecks of sparkle when the sun hits it just right. I swear, the way the Vantage’s curves catch the light, it almost looks like the paint is alive. It’s a bloody marvel, really. Every time I get in, I find myself staring at the paintwork, thinking, “Is it even possible for a car to look this good?” Yes, it is. It’s the Vantage.

Now, back to the application. I’m pretty sure there was a section where you could provide details about your car that made it unique. And I knew I didn’t have a royal connection or a race-winning pedigree like some of the legendary cars that grace this event. No famous driver had ever owned it, and it didn’t come with any incredible racing history. But for me, it was everything. It’s the FTP Vantage—the very car I’ve always dreamed of owning, the one I can just about afford, and the car I’ve done a ton of stuff with since picking it up from Aston Martin Sevenoaks in August 2024.

But wait—there was one little nugget I forgot to mention in the application. A little thing called Sam from ‘Behind the Glass’. Yes, that’s right. This very FTP Vantage had been driven by Sam himself, on one of his early European Roadtrips, where we ended all the way up the Grossglockner in Austria. And if you’ve seen my early videos, you know how surreal that experience was.

Sam drove my Vantage about 25 meters in all, just to get that perfect shot that i ended up featuring in the video. If you haven’t seen it yet, you absolutely should—check out the video here [CLICK HERE]. The scenery is nothing short of jaw-dropping. Mind you, my channel was still in its infancy at the time, so the editing might not be as slick as I’d like it, but hey, I was learning. And I still am.

Speaking of Sam, he and Tony from ‘Behind the Glass’ have now launched a Road Trip business after the success of two trial tours in 2024. I was lucky enough to be a paying customer on one of those trips—and despite the rain (let’s be honest, it wouldn’t be a proper road trip without a bit of rain), it was an absolutely phenomenal experience. If you're into road trips, sports cars, and stunning European landscapes, I highly recommend checking it out. You can find all the details here: https://www.ontheroad.tours/.

So there you have it. The story behind how my FTP Vantage found its way to the London Concours—a mix of good timing, great connections, and a car that, while standard to some, is extraordinary to me.

Behind the Glass European Tour 2024 (Sam drove the FTP Vantage 25 meters! - Claim to fame!)

Anyhow back to the London Concours!

So within 48 hours, I heard back from the organisers that the FTP Vantage had been accepted. I then clicked on the link, where I had to pay fo the privilage of displaying my car, which I did. What came with this were 2 complimentary tickets for all three days. These tickets were not needed for me, but for friends, family or anyone else who you wanted to give them to, as my Dad and I got free entry with the FTP Vantage. Cost of entering? See the picture below;

The cost of entering the FTP Vantage to the London Concours 2025

Was it worth it?

Well, let’s be honest, when it comes to car shows, there’s always that moment of sticker shock. I was a little taken aback by the cost, but then again, I was probably a bit naïve—having never entered an event like this before. Once I got my head around it, though, and factored in the six tickets (two for each day), the access to the ‘Drivers Lounge’ with free refreshments throughout the day, and the freshly cooked pizza for lunch for both my Dad and I, it started to feel a lot more reasonable.

Was it worth it? Absolutely. I’d been dying to display my FTP Vantage at a prestigious event in the City of London, and let’s face it, this is a chance you don’t just stumble upon every day. On top of that, I was filming it for the Fuel the Passion YouTube Channel, which was the icing on the cake for me. For all the costs involved, I felt it was a privilege—one I was willing to pay for.

So, if you’re thinking about taking your car to a future London Concours, here's the lowdown. If your car meets the criteria for that particular year, expect to pay around £150. This will cover you and one guest, plus access to some really sweet perks like the Drivers Lounge and those pizzas. It's a fantastic experience, and if you're a car enthusiast, I'd say it’s totally worth doing at least once in your life. I'd love to hear about it if you do end up entering in future years—please drop a comment below and let me know how it goes. There’s something special about being part of a community like this, and I’d love to see what cars you’ll be showing off!

The Concours Process

Now, I didn’t really know what to expect from the Concours process. I had the basics down—timing, when the Aston Martin cars would be "examined" or, as I like to call it, "inspected by the judges." But I had no idea how in-depth the inspection would be. Would they check inside the car? Would they open the boot? How much attention would they pay to the engine bay? You can imagine my worry. So, naturally, I prepared the FTP Vantage to the best of my ability, inside and out.

But here’s the kicker. In the back of my mind, I knew the Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC) Concours at Burghley House was just days away—and that event? Well, let’s just say it was going to be on a whole different level of scrutiny. Fellow AMOC members had warned me about the judging there, and it was enough to make me seriously question my life choices. Picture this: judges in white coats and white gloves—that level of detail. I could already hear the sound of tiny brushes and magnifying glasses at the ready. What had I gotten myself into?

Anyway, more on the AMOC Concours later in the blog. Let’s get back to the London Concours.

As you’ll see in the video, I happened to stumble upon the judges while returning to my car. It seemed like they’d already completed their inspection of the FTP Vantage—they were looking at the car next to mine and heading away. They weren’t in white coats. They didn’t have white gloves. The inspection seemed—how can I put this?—pretty superficial.

Did I think all the hard work was for nothing? Absolutely not. For starters, there was still the AMOC Concours coming up, where I would get the full, excruciatingly detailed inspection. But on top of that, my Vantage had never looked better. It had a mirror shine that would make a mirror feel self-conscious. It looked amazing. In fact, it had probably never looked better since I first got it. Big credit goes to Nick at Max Care Care—he absolutely nailed it.

The judges examining the Aston Martin entries for the Aston Martin Celebration - London Concours 2024 (Judges standing in front of the FTP Vantage)

There was no need to second-guess anything. The judges did their thing, moved on, and I got to enjoy the experience from the sidelines. It wasn’t until the afternoon when the winners started making their way to the presentation area that we got to see the results.

Let’s be real—if you look at the cars around me, it was always going to be a David vs Goliath situation. We had DB2’s, DB5’s, DB6’s, and even the rare Spitfire V12 S Edition Vantage on display. And here I was, rocking a standard FTP Vantage. Let's just say the chances of me winning were about the same as my car pulling off a perfect drift in a parking lot (it’s not gonna happen).

But here’s the thing: I was perfectly fine with it. It was more about the experience—the opportunity to show my car, share it with the Fuel the Passion audience and community, and be part of something special. You know, sometimes it's not about the trophy.

That said, I didn’t exactly leave empty-handed. Oh no. I walked away with a London Concours windscreen sticker, and for me, that’s as prestigious as a Goodwood sticker (trust me, car guys will understand). And of course, there was a lovely certificate (see below), which is a nice little reminder of the whole experience.

Although my Vantage is ‘standard’, I was starting to feel like I was building my own little bit of provenance for the car. Every event, every sticker, every certificate is a piece of the story— and that, to me, is the real prize.

The truth is, a concours isn’t just about the hardware or the accolades. It’s about the memories you create along the way. My FTP Vantage might not have won a prize this time, but it sure as hell looked good doing it, and I’ve got some great stories to share. As they say, it’s the journey, not the destination.

London Concours Certificate for showing the FTP Vantage on Tuesday 3rd June 2025

Meeting the Legends: Richard Groves & Harry Metcalfe

Before I wrap up my thoughts on the London Concours experience, I’d be remiss not to mention a couple of fantastic encounters I had while I was there. It’s moments like these that make events like this truly special.

First up, I had the great pleasure of meeting Richard Groves from the ‘Challenge the Road’ YouTube Channel. Richard’s a bit of a car connoisseur with an amazing and growing collection. He walked around the FTP Vantage, offering his thoughts on what he might do if he owned the car. It was a fantastic conversation. Not only does Richard have a great eye for detail, but his passion for cars is infectious. We talked shop for a while, and it was brilliant to chat with someone who shares such a deep love for all things automotive.

But wait, it gets better!

Later in the day, I spotted none other than Harry Metcalfe from ‘Harry’s Garage’—an absolute giant in the YouTube car world. I had noticed Harry hanging around near his red Porsche early on, and, to be honest, I couldn’t resist the urge to approach him when I saw him near the FTP Vantage. I mean, how could I not?

To my delight, Harry took the time to walk around the Vantage—inside and out—and had nothing but positive comments. To hear such praise from someone who’s been a part of the YouTube car scene for as long as Harry has was a real highlight for me. His feedback made the whole experience feel even more worthwhile.

Both Richard and Harry have been huge influences on me, and I’ve been following their channels for years. They’ve been a source of inspiration in building my own YouTube channel, and to have a chance to speak with them face-to-face was something I’ll never forget.

Who knows, maybe our paths will cross again in the future. You know what they say, the car world is small, and the connections are what make it so special.

Final Thoughts on the London Concours

All in all, my London Concours experience was fantastic. Yes, I didn’t come home with a trophy, but the conversations, the connections, and the memories I made were worth their weight in gold. Sometimes, the real value of events like this lies not in the accolades, but in the people you meet and the shared love of cars.

And to anyone reading this who’s thinking about entering the Concours in future years: do it. Whether you’re after the glory or just the experience, you’ll come away richer in ways you never expected.

Richard Groves from ‘Challenge the Road’ YouTube Channel examining the FTP Vantage at the London Concours 2025

Harry Metcalfe from ‘Harry’s Garage’ YouTube Channel and I standing in front of the FTP Vantage during the London Concours 2025.

To conclude my thoughts on the London Concours—I have to say, it was brilliant! Like so many things in life, it's all about how you approach it. And for me, this event ticked all the right boxes. I love cars, I love London, and I absolutely love experiencing events like this with my car. From the incredible lineup of machines to the opportunity to film and produce a video for you all, it was an experience I’ll cherish.

The cars that were chosen by the judges were nothing short of spectacular—worthy winners all around. But for me, it wasn’t about taking home a trophy; it was about being a part of something special. Getting to display my FTP Vantage amongst such stunning machines felt like a massive privilege.

But the real magic came from the people. Whether it was chatting to fellow car owners, bumping into fellow YouTubers, or just soaking up the camaraderie of the car community, I walked away from the event feeling richer in experiences. It's a community I’m proud to be a part of, and one that continues to inspire me.

Would I Recommend It?

Absolutely. Whether you’re thinking about visiting or entering your car, I’d say do it—at least once! Especially if you’re a car enthusiast. There's something uniquely fulfilling about seeing these machines in their element, and being part of an event that celebrates all the passion, history, and craftsmanship that goes into each and every one.

So, here’s to more events like this, more memories to make, and more cars to admire. I can't wait for what's next—who knows where the next adventure will take me and the FTP Vantage!

The richly deserved winner - A 1967 Aston Martin Volante - Winner of the Aston Martin British Icon Car entries at the London Concours 2025

Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC) Spring Concours - Burghley House, Peterborough, Stamford - The Big One!

Ah, that feeling! It’s like getting ready for a big exam—you know the stakes are high, you’ve put in the preparation, but there’s always that nagging question: Have I done enough? This was the big one, and I knew the competition would be fierce. Everyone I spoke to in the Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC) warned me: Concours is serious business. It’s not just about rolling up and showing off your car; it’s about bringing it to a level where it looks like it’s just come off the production line, fresh from the factory.

And when you’ve clocked over 20,000 miles on the odometer (compared to the 7,400 miles when I first got the car), that’s no easy feat. This isn’t a garage queen—this is a car that gets driven, and it gets driven with pride. But that’s what makes it my car.

The AMOC Concours was something I thought would be a great experience. Not just for me, but also for the Fuel the Passion community. I knew it would be an opportunity to share exactly how I prepared, the trials and tribulations of getting the car into showroom condition, and what the process of the Concours would actually entail.

Even though the Vantage was already in good shape, I could see some signs that it needed more than just my usual cleaning routine. Swirl marks, a few signs of wear and tear on the small patch of factory fitted Paint Protection Film (PPF), in front of the rear wheel arches and—don’t even get me started on the stone chips that would appear after a spirited drive! The small patches of PPF had done their job, but unfortunately, I hadn’t covered the whole car with it when I first bought the car. That, I’ll admit, was a big regret.

So, I needed to fix this before the AMOC Concours. The FTP Vantage deserved to look its best, and that meant calling in Nick at Max Care Care for some much-needed professional help. The car was already booked in for some front PPF and side sills protection in July, but for now, it was all about the AMOC Concours prep.

The Day Before: Cleaning Madness

As I did before the London Concours, I spent the entire day before the event cleaning the car. And when I say cleaning, I mean thoroughly cleaning. Every single corner, every panel, every detail. I covered it up when I was done, hoping it would stay pristine for the early morning drive to Burghley House in Peterborough.

I knew I had to get there early—very early—and it was a two-hour drive from Yorkshire. The pressure was on, and I just prayed for a dry morning, knowing there was only a limited amount of time and cleaning gear to get the car looking spotless once it was parked at the event, ready for inspection by the AMOC judges.

Was I nervous? You bet. After all the prep, all the anticipation, this felt like the final exam. Would it be enough? Only time would tell, but I was excited to see what the day would bring and share it all with you guys.

The FTP Vantage, all cleaned and prepared the evening before the AMOC Concours at Burghley House, June 2025

That's a real positive joining the Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC) and, with your Aston Martin car, it seems like the perfect time to dive into all the AMOC events and the world of Aston Martin enthusiasts. The fact that the car came with free membership for a year from Aston Martin Sevenoaks is a nice touch—an extra perk that sets the stage for even more connections and experiences with the AMOC community.

The AMOC Concours is definitely a great event, with the Burghley House location adding a certain level of prestige. But what stood out here was the fact that £65 wasn’t too bad of a price for entry, considering the number of cars that enter, the level of scrutiny and detail these events are known for. Plus, you’re not just paying for the chance to display your car; you’re also getting access to an entire world of Aston Martin aficionados and members who share the same passion.

Since I was already gearing up for such a high level of prep for my car, it felt great to know that my entry was accepted. The process for getting in seemed straightforward but still very much competitive. I can see how the club offers a great opportunity to connect with others who are just as passionate about the brand as you are, and the Concours itself is a reflection of that shared love.

It also makes sense that joining AMOC gives you access to monthly meetings and various events, making the experience all the more rewarding. National and International events, meetups, and drive-outs all offer a great way to really immerse yourself in the Aston Martin culture, whether you're in the UK or abroad.

If you're looking for more networking and opportunities to get your Aston Martin out on the road, the AMOC is a fantastic platform. If anyone’s reading this and is also considering entering their Aston Martin into a future Concours, the AMOC Concours is definitely the way to go!

FTP Vantage D7FTP AMOC Concours entry fee for Burghey Concours in June 2025

The AMOC Concours was shaping up to be another exciting event, with the atmosphere buzzing even before the inspection process began! The morning prep was all about getting everything perfect, from ensuring the AMOC window sticker was placed correctly to that final check on the paint and trim. The anticipation was building—especially with the weather holding out until the afternoon. I was relieved to avoid the typical British downpour!

Arriving at Burghley House and seeing other Aston Martins lining up was a surreal moment, especially when you’re driving alongside these iconic cars with their owners. The sound of those engines—whether the throaty V6, the growling V8, or the majestic V12—it was music to the ears. And Burghley House itself, with its history and grandeur, is such a stunning location for a Concours event. The ground staff directing everyone only added to the sense of organization and excitement!

The drive within the Burghley House grounds, with all the beautifully maintained Aston Martins, was another highlight in itself—like being part of a moving car show. Once you were in position, though, that’s when it got real, right? Waiting for the inspection and knowing that every little detail was going to be scrutinized.

Aston Martins being directed to their AMOC Concours positions on the showground (June 2025)

Now I look back at the next bit, I can laugh, but at the time I was getting a tad frustrated. Let me explain. So one by one, the cars were shown to their specific parking spot on the field in front of the stunningly beautiful Burghley House. There were some green plastic sticks about 1 metre long sticking out of the ground in a sort of grid system. A nice man in a high vis orange jacket directed me to where I had to go. Then he told me to drive forwards towards one of these specific green sticks. I did just that. The man at this point was standing behind the stick and shouting - “I need you to line up your badge with this” highlighting the green stick. Now, for some reason, I thought he meant the AMOC sticker we had to display on the front of our windscreen in the far corner of the passenger side. So that’s what I did, I thought I lined that AMOC sticker perfectly with the green stick and looked at the man for approval and hopefully a nod or a thumbs up. Instead he pulled a disappointing face which I can’t describe here.. …oh alright, I’ll give it a go - he gave me a look as if to say “Are you joking mate, have you passed your test or what?!” But he didn’t say that. He said calmly, through his disappointing look, “No, you need to re-position. I need your badge to line up.” I thought, ok, well I can’t be far out, as it looks spot on from here, so I moved, what must have been an inch or two, to where I thought this AMOC car sticker lined up with this green stick. Can you imagine the face now! It was one of dismay, to the extent that I think he was considering calling the police there and then and asking them to withdraw my driving licence and seize the car! He repeated his direction again, this time though was different as he pointed and waved both hands either side of the Aston Martin Badge directly in front of the car! At that point and that point only, I cottoned on to what he required of me!

“Oh, I thought you meant the AMOC Window Sticker!” I shouted, trying to alleviate his frustrations. I bet he thought I was a right plonker! A plonker that couldn’t drive! I positioned the car to the exact point I needed and sighed a relief. I think he walked off to have a lie down! It’s interesting, how a tiny bit of confusion (on my part) can lead to complete confusion (certainly with me anyway!) Check out the picture below. You can see I’ve lined the FTP Vantage AMOC window sticker perfectly with the green stick!

FTP Vantage parking up for the AMOC Concours

One by one, the other cars were arriving and quickly finding their parking spots. I was standing there thinking, “What have I gotten myself into?” I watched as some of the other drivers jumped into action. One gent popped out of his Aston, laid down a large mat on the grass, and then proceeded to unload what seemed like an entire cleaning supply store from his boot: a hoover, a generator to power it, a mini jet wash, buckets, sponges, cloths, and every cleaning product imaginable.

Meanwhile, I stood there with my single bucket, sponge, leather, and a wheel cleaner on a stick—feeling a bit under-prepared. I couldn’t help but notice a couple who had just arrived in another Aston. The gent got out, put on overalls over his clothes, and started prepping his car in the same meticulous fashion. I started to panic a bit. Was I doing enough? The pressure was building.

The clock was ticking, and I still had over an hour to prepare. I knew I had to give the car a solid clean before the judges began their inspections. I could already tell that the wheels, wheel arches, and the front of the car had collected enough road grime from the two-hour drive to Burghley House. I had to work out a plan and fast.

I decided to film a few scenes, capturing the other cars arriving and parking, and of course, I had to get some drone footage. I even made a mental note to find where the water supply was so I could top up my bucket. After a quick stop by the toilets for some water, I came back to the car. Time was slipping away faster than I wanted. Now I had only one bucket of water to clean the car, and the pressure was mounting.

I used the water strategically—first wiping down the interior, then the front of the car, finishing with the wheels and arches, and whatever I could reach under the car. I popped the bonnet open and gave it a quick once-over. With three minutes left before the judges would start making their rounds, I emptied the boot to make sure there was nothing left inside—no camera mounts, no packets of Polo mints, nothing. The car had to be spotless. By this point, I had a tidy little pile of personal items about six feet from the car.

Then, I saw them. Dozens of them—the judges. Dressed in pristine white cotton coats and gloves, clipboards in hand, they started moving towards the cars like a slow-moving pincer attack. The tension in my chest grew. Had I done enough? Would they see the little imperfections I couldn’t fix in time? Would my preparation hold up?

At that moment, all I could do was take one last look at the FTP Vantage and hope I had done enough to impress. I knew it was a big moment, and all that was left now was to wait and see how the judges would evaluate everything.

The FTP Vantage looking pristine, still with it’s mirror like shine! AMOC Concours - June 2025

Judges Inspecting at the AMOC Concours, Burghley House - June 2025

I was filming for the Fuel the Passion YouTube Channel, of course, but I was also taking footage for AMOC HQ as they'd asked me to do so. As I tried my best to capture the hustle and bustle around me, I couldn’t help but notice the judges—dressed like something out of a medical drama, with their white coats and gloves, moving around the cars with surgical precision. They were so thorough, placing hands in places I hadn’t even thought to clean!

I kept a watchful eye on the area around my car, trying to gauge when the judges would make their move. The tension was building. Then, it happened. Three judges appeared and surrounded the FTP Vantage.

I took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. I reminded myself of the plan: watch, observe, listen, and assist where I could.

It was time to let go of any nerves and trust in the work I had done.

The three judges who examined the FTP Vantage left no stone unturned. I watched closely as they meticulously inspected every inch of the car—inside and out, from under the bonnet to the rear boot. They checked everything. Each time they moved to a new section of the car, I couldn’t help but wonder, "Had I cleaned that part properly?" I tried to recall when I last washed it, whether it was spotless, whether I had removed every speck of dirt. It was a bit nerve-wracking, especially since I had invested time and money getting the car professionally detailed, followed by days of washing in preparation for both the London Concours and this one. But in the end, I had to remind myself that I was proud of the FTP Vantage. It was my car, my pride, and I felt like it was looking its absolute best.

I’ll admit, it’s probably a biased opinion, but I genuinely felt the car looked blooming good. The amount of effort I put into getting it ready felt worth it. I was happy to have entered this Concours, and it felt like the perfect moment for the judges to see it—well-travelled, well-used, and now looking immaculate. To top it off, the sun peeked through the heavy clouds, adding that perfect sparkle to the shimmering paintwork. Nice touch, right?

Once the judges had wrapped up their inspection, I got back to filming, capturing some of the other examinations taking place around the event. I also took the opportunity to get the drone up and capture some aerial shots. The drone didn’t disappoint, as you’ll see in the video, and I’ve included a couple of shots below to share the experience with you.

At approximately 12.30pm, I walked over to the AMOC Marquee as I had paid for a hamper for my lunch. It came in two cardboard boxes, which were laden with individual food containers - all recyclable. Salad, chicken salad, potato salad, cheese and biscuits, a small cheesecake and more besides. I was hungry by this point so it went down a treat. As I was on my own at one of the wooden patio sets of furniture that had been placed out, I was joined by a number of ‘doctors’ - ok, judges in their white coats, who wanted somewhere to sit and talk about the cars they had just examined. I didn’t listen in (I promise!) too much! They weren’t the judges that examined my car, but they were talking about how high the standard was this year and actually how tricky it was ascertain the class winner (that they were inspecting).

After some more filming and chatting to owners in the afternoon, I noticed some activity in an undercover area, where staff from Burghley House (I presume) arrived, with numerous bottles of Pommery Champagne. Now significantly, Pommery Champagne is one of Aston Martin Owners Clubs (AMOC) sponsors/supporters. The Pommery business is located in Reims, with the house being founded as Pommery & Greno in 1858 by Alexandre Louis Pommery and Narcisse Greno with the primary business at that time, being wool trading.

Anyhow, glasses were being filled and AMOC members could come over and grab a complimentary glass of Pommery Champagne. What a nice gesture!

Pommery Champagne which is AMOC Supporter/Sponsor was on hand with a complimentary glass of champagne for AMOC members - very nice!

After all the champagne had reached all the AMOC members, a short while later it was time for the awards. How well had the FTP Vantage scored in its first AMOC Concours? What came next was so close!

As I entered the Marquee, a long set of tables were now filled with various trophies, glassware and small silver shields for those who qualified to receive them. There were quite a number.

AMOC Concours, Awards all laid out ready for tho worthy winners - Burghley House, June 2025

I filmed the majority of the awards being handed out, but if I included all the footage, the final video on the Fuel the Passion channel would’ve been the length of a Lord of the Rings marathon.. So I included a handful of worthy winners and included my category at the end of this section of the video.

It was brilliant hearing about the winners and the impressive cars they had meticulously prepared for this event. And then, the moment arrived – my class was announced. The third-place winner was called out: a black DBS with 87 points. Then, the head judge said: “Second place goes to Dan Thorpe, in his Vantage.” That’s ME, I thought. I handed my camera off to one of the AMOC team members, made my way to the front, and thankfully accepted my small silver AMOC Concours shield.

I couldn’t believe it. I had scored 90 points, and when you heard what the other cars scored, I was right up there, competing with some seriously good machines. That was a huge win in itself! All the cleaning, the polishing, the endless hours spent obsessing over every single detail of the FTP Vantage – it had all paid off. I had come second in one of the toughest Concours events around (though, I would say that, wouldn't I?). Honestly, AMOC is no joke. These judges are thorough. I think my Fuel the Passion video will give you a good sense of just how intense the whole process is.

But hold on, because it doesn’t end there. The first-place winner was announced. Another DBS. Identical to the black one in third place. 90.5 points. Yes, you read that right. Half a point separated me from first place. HALF A POINT!

Now, you might think I’d be gutted. Maybe I should have been. But in reality, I was actually thrilled. I was so close to winning the top spot, it was almost criminal. And then I realised something—those half-point deductions? It was for the London Concours sticker in my windscreen and my black and silver tyre valve caps. You know, the ones that I swapped out because the plastic ones that came on the car were ugly. If I’d only taken the sticker off and replaced those valve caps with factory-spec ones, I could have had the win!

But you know what? I wasn’t going to lose sleep over it. Sure, second place was great, but what mattered was the experience. 90 points! That’s a score I can hold my head high with. The whole thing—the preparation, the dedication, the early mornings—was worth every single second. Life is like that, isn’t it? You get out what you put in. And let me tell you, I got a ton out of it. I walked away with a lifetime of memories tied to one of the finest British brands around: Aston Martin.

Now, if you haven’t already watched the Concours Series, and you’re thinking about entering a Concours yourself—whether it’s for Aston Martin or whatever brand your heart beats for—I’d highly recommend checking out the videos. I went into this whole thing completely naive about what it takes to enter a Concours. Sure, I asked around, did some research, but I still had no idea what I was really in for. After watching these videos, you’ll see just how incredible the process is. Not only that, but you’ll end up with a car that’s probably in the best shape it’s ever been in, just because you’ve put in that effort.

So, if you’re on the fence about entering a Concours—just do it. Don’t think about it, just dive in! It’s the process, the experience, and the memories that count. And, of course, if you feel inspired, drop a comment below! I’d love to hear your stories and see if I’ve convinced you to join the ranks of those who’ve experienced the madness that is a Concours event.

Paul Spiers, President of Aston Martin Works, awarding me (Dan) with the 2nd Place silver shield for Gaydon Class 3 at the 2025 AMOC Concours - great experience!

One of the rather brilliant things about deciding — quite possibly during a lapse in sanity — to write a blog every month for the ‘Fuel the Passion’ YouTube channel, is that I can finally say all the things I don’t have time to squeeze into the films. You see, I could, in theory, cram everything into the videos. But then they’d be about as long as Titanic, only with fewer sinking ships and more carburettors. And let’s face it: no one wants to sit through three hours of me banging on about oversteer and polishing chrome trim, no matter how charming I think I am.

The aim, of course, is to keep it short, punchy, and just informative enough, without making you late for work. Which brings me rather neatly to what this part of the blog will cover: my FTP Concours score sheet. Yes — behold it below in all its slightly crumpled, biro-scribbled glory.

Now, considering I’d already driven over 100 miles that morning, while attempting to film something halfway coherent, and was left with a grand total of 45 minutes to make the car look presentable... it didn’t go terribly. In fact, reading through it felt exactly like getting your school report — only this time, there were no notes about “lack of focus” or “talking too much in class.” No, this was a proper, grown-up result. And I must say... I’m rather pleased with it. Even if, like most things in life, no one else probably cares. But I care. And that’s what matters.

AMOC Concours, Burghley House, June 2025 - Dan Thorpe, 2019 Aston Martin Vantage (The FTP Vantage) Scorecard - 2nd Place winner!

Burghley House - June 2025 the venue of the AMOC Concours - what a special place!

A short trip to Northumberland including two castles and the Jim Clark Museum

Roughly a week after the Concours — which, as you’ll recall, involved more frantic polishing than a jeweller on Red Bull — my wife and I headed off to Northumberland for a couple of nights. Now, I’d cunningly kept the following week relatively car-free in the diary, which turned out to be a stroke of accidental genius, because it gave me time to begin editing the Concours footage for the Fuel the Passion YouTube Channel.

Now, allow me to explain what “editing a video” actually entails. Most people think it's just dragging and dropping a few clips into a timeline while sipping an oat milk flat white. No. It's four days — four actual days — of downloading files that seem to be the digital equivalent of treacle, sorting them out, picking music that doesn’t sound like elevator jazz, then stitching it all together into something that doesn’t make me want to throw my laptop into the nearest river.

And that’s before we even get to the voiceover, which involves writing something vaguely coherent, recording it without sounding like I’m trapped in a cupboard, syncing it to the footage, making at least seventeen edits because “that bit doesn’t quite feel right,” rendering it, uploading it, designing a thumbnail that doesn’t look like it was made in 2003, writing the description complete with a thousand links, and finally updating my Fuel the Passion website — which is, in fact, the very place you’re reading this.

Deep breath.

Honestly, as someone who only recently entered the gladiatorial coliseum of YouTube content creation, I can confirm it’s an enormous amount of work. It’s like producing a television show, except the only budget is whatever’s in your trouser pocket. But — and here’s the thing — I absolutely love it. Which is fortunate. Otherwise I’d have taken up basket weaving or simply gone to the pub and stayed there indefinitely.

And now, back to Northumberland — a place of sweeping coastlines, crumbling castles, and roads so beautiful they make you want to cry. Yes, there will be a video about this trip coming to the channel very soon. So stay tuned, subscribe, click the bell, sacrifice watching one of the soaps on TV — whatever you have to do — because you won’t want to miss it.

Alnwick Castle, Northumberland

Now, yes — Fuel the Passion is technically supposed to be about cars. Engines. Driving. That sort of thing. But on this particular jaunt to Northumberland, I happened to be piloting the FTP Vantage, which means everything we did is, by default, car-related. So I’ve decided to include a few photos from the trip. And before you start moaning, let me remind you — it’s my blog. If I want to talk about castles and scones, I will.

Our first stop: Alnwick Castle. And yes, that’s the one that looks like Hogwarts, only with fewer broomsticks and more pensioners in waterproof jackets. We had a good wander around the place before heading to the hotel. The grounds were immaculate. The castle itself? Jaw-dropping. Genuinely, it was like walking into a film set designed by someone with unlimited money and a slight addiction to gold leaf.

Sadly, we weren’t allowed to film or photograph the inside, as it’s still a functioning private residence. Which, to be honest, made it even more impressive. The rooms, the ceilings, the furniture — it was like Downton Abbey had swallowed Versailles.

Now, there are also gardens nearby — and these come with their very own separate entry fee. They’ve got waterfalls, hedges, fountains, and presumably some bloke called Nigel pruning a rose bush in silence. We decided to skip it this time. Partly because we’d already had our fill of stately splendour, and partly because I felt that money could be better spent on petrol!

After a solid trek around the castle and the surrounding village, we returned to the FTP Vantage. And I don’t care who you are — walking back to a car you actually love is one of life’s great pleasures. A quick check to make sure no one’s dinged it (all clear — thankfully), and then the moment arrives: finger to the Start button… WHUUMPHH! The V8 fires into life with all the subtlety of a jet fighter sneezing. It’s glorious. And yes — that sound is one of the main reasons I went for the 2019 model. I didn’t buy it for the sat nav or the cup holders. I bought it because it shouts like a lion with a megaphone. And honestly? It never, ever gets old.

FTP Vantage arriving at the Marshall Meadows Manor House, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Northumberland

The hotel — Marshall Meadows, in case you’re taking notes — was actually rather good. Now, I’m not saying it was the Ritz, or even the Savoy’s second cousin, but it had charm. Character. That slightly grand, slightly faded British seaside elegance that says, “Yes, the carpet might be from the early 2000s, but by God we’ll still serve you a proper breakfast.”

The room itself? Well... let’s just say it had “potential.” A bit tired, in the way a well-used Barbour jacket is tired — still functional, but one good rainstorm away from retirement. But to be fair, the communal areas downstairs more than made up for it. The staff were brilliant — cheerful, friendly, the sort of people who actually seem to want you there, which is frankly rare these days. And the food? Absolutely outstanding. The kind of dinner that makes you involuntarily say “Mmm” out loud after the first bite, even if you’re British and emotionally repressed.

Would I go back? Yes. Without hesitation. Though there is one small negative. The place is rather close to the dual carriageway. And when the wind’s blowing in the wrong direction — which, let’s be honest, it almost always is in Northumberland — you will hear the occasional whoosh of a Vauxhall Insignia doing 78 miles per hour. It's not exactly tranquil countryside vibes. More... countryside with options.

Now, the drive in the photo above? That’s the short stretch from the dual carriageway to the hotel entrance. It’s not a million miles away — in fact, it’s probably about a quarter of a mile away — so if you’re sensitive to noise or allergic to traffic, maybe do a quick recon on Google Maps before you book. Or better yet, wait for the upcoming video on the Fuel the Passion YouTube channel.

Drone shot of Marshall Meadows Hotel, facing east out towards the sea

The main entrance of the Marshall Meadows Hotel

After our first night at the hotel — we set off on our first full day in Northumberland with one very specific destination in mind: the Jim Clark Museum, in Duns. It was only about 40 minutes away, which, in my world, counts as “just round the corner.” In fact, the hotel turned out to be perfectly placed for this little two-night escape. For once, my planning was — dare I say — almost competent.

Now, visiting the Jim Clark Museum had been on my list for a very long time. And not the boring sort of list that includes things like “get new socks” or “pay council tax.” I mean the real kind — the list of things you must do if you claim to care about cars, racing, or people who can drive faster than you with one arm in a sling.

Of course, Jim Clark died before I was even a thought in the universe, but thanks to a motorsport-obsessed father — the kind who’d talk about Cosworths over cornflakes — I grew up hearing all about him. Clark wasn’t just a racer. He was, by all accounts, a quiet, modest Scottish farmer who just happened to be faster than everyone else. The kind of man who’d win a Grand Prix on Sunday and be back feeding sheep on Monday.

And it wasn’t just Formula One, where he dominated with Lotus, hoovering up World Championships in 1963 and 1965 like it was the easiest thing in the world. In '63, he won seven out of ten races. That’s not just success — that’s turning up, thrashing the lot of them, and being home in time for tea. And it wasn’t just F1, either. Sports cars, saloons, IndyCars — you name it, he drove it. And usually faster than anyone else had the nerve to try.

But Jim Clark wasn’t just fast. He was smooth. Calm. Precise. The sort of driver who could make a lap record look like a Sunday drive to Waitrose. A man with so much natural talent that the car seemed to obey him out of sheer respect.

So yes — a museum in his honour? Entirely deserved.

Now, I won’t say I got emotional walking around the place, but I became very reflective. If only Jim Clark was alive today. I did find myself... paused. Completely absorbed. It’s not a huge museum — you won’t get lost in it like a child in IKEA — but what’s in it? Extraordinary. There’s something powerful about standing in front of a trophy, knowing it was held by a man who carved his name into motorsport history with grace, guts, and terrifying skill.

The cars. The kit. The stories. The trophy room, in particular — just… wow. It's like a jewellery box for petrolheads.

I spent a very happy two hours there, and honestly, could’ve stayed longer. Just reading. Just being in that world. A world where racing was pure, and men like Jim Clark did things on four wheels that the rest of us can barely comprehend.

Oh — and yes, I was allowed to film. So if you’re eager for a peek, keep your eyes on the Fuel the Passion YouTube channel. The Northumberland video’s coming soon. And when you see the shot of that trophy room? You’ll know exactly what I mean.

The FTP Vantage parked directly outside the Jim Clark Museum, during a short stay in Northumberland

Inside the Jim Clark Museum - the Trophy Room - WOW, what a place this was!

If you do one thing in the next year that doesn’t involve streaming forgettable Netflix dramas or arguing with Alexa, make it a trip to the Jim Clark Museum. Seriously. Go. Not just because it’s an extraordinary place that captures the life of one of Britain’s greatest-ever racing drivers, but because it's also run by a proper, honest-to-goodness charity. That means your ticket money doesn’t go toward some CEO’s fourth home in the Algarve — it goes towards keeping the legend of Jim Clark alive. And let’s be honest, that’s money well spent.

Because the man was a legend. Not in the overused “footballer scores a goal and is now a legend” way. No. Jim Clark was the real deal — a driver so fast, so precise, and so impossibly calm under pressure that even his rivals admitted they were basically just racing for second.

And like most people with even a drop of petrol in their veins, I do wish I’d been alive to see him race in the flesh. To witness that magical thing he did behind the wheel. But alas, I wasn’t. So instead, I did the next best thing: I emptied my wallet in the museum shop like a complete child in a sweet shop. A few Jim Clark tea towels — because drying dishes should now come with a faint smell of Castrol R. A classy three-button Jim Clark shirt — naturally. And most importantly, a tiny DB4GT Zagato model. Why? Because Jim drove one, it’s an Aston, and I’m not made of stone.

After I'd hoovered up most of the shop’s contents, I wandered outside to find my wife — who’d sensibly buggered off to the Jim Clark Café while I spent what felt like the gestation period of a horse admiring Jim Clarks life and trophies. I joined her, of course, for a very decent slice of cake and a coffee that actually tasted like coffee, and ended up chatting with a local chap — lovely bloke, lived in Duns, knew the area like the back of his hand. Naturally, the conversation turned to Jim Clark. And here’s the twist: he told me Clark’s grave was just twenty minutes away.

So, off I went. Because when you’ve spent hours immersed in a man’s life and achievements, it seems only right to close the loop and visit the final chapter. Now, I’m not particularly religious — unless the Church of Internal Combustion counts — but something about it felt right. So we drove there. I found the church. Walked quietly through the grounds. And then, there it was: the final resting place of a man who could drive anything, anywhere, faster than anyone. I paid my respects. I spent a quiet moment off camera, just… stood there for a moment. It was humbling. And it gave the whole trip a sense of gravity I hadn’t expected.

From there, the mood lifted — as it tends to when you’re heading to something as peculiar and brilliant as the Lindisfarne Causeway. A road that appears only when the sea feels like it. Honestly. One minute you’ve got tarmac, the next it’s just fish and foam. It’s like a Mario Kart track with weather-based DLC. (Photo below, obviously.)

So yes. The museum. The grave. The road that disappears. It all added up to a truly unforgettable day. And it’s all coming soon — in glorious cinematic form — to the Fuel the Passion YouTube channel. You’d be mad to miss it.

The FTP Vantage parked up alongside a road which is often submerged by the sea - Lindisfarne Causeway

Ah yes — the Lindisfarne Causeway. A three-mile strip of road that appears twice a day like some sort of biblical magic trick, then disappears again under the sea faster than you can say “Where’s the sat nav gone?”. It connects the Holy Island of Lindisfarne to the Northumberland mainland — but only when the tide decides to be in a good mood. Otherwise? It’s not a road. It’s a swimming lesson with an audience of confused puffins.

Now, we could have pressed on and driven all the way across into the island, but we didn’t. Why? Because we had a date with another castle. And because I’m quite fond of keeping water on the outside of the car, not sloshing about inside it like I’ve just done a lap of Monaco in a submarine.

Still, as detours go, this was a good one. The weather was being charming for once, the sun was dancing off the Ceramic Grey flanks of the FTP Vantage, and the light made the whole thing look like a Richard Curtis film — only with more horsepower and fewer emotionally constipated Hugh Grants.

From there, it was onwards — to a castle so visually staggering it looks like it’s been photoshopped onto the landscape by a seven-year-old obsessed with Game of Thrones. Bamburgh Castle.

Now, approaching Bamburgh is an event in itself. You catch teasing glimpses of it over the hedgerows — like a celebrity hiding behind a lamppost — and then suddenly, boom. There it is. In all its stone-clad, turreted glory. And your first instinct is: I must park somewhere and stare at it until my eyes hurt.

Naturally, the sensible visitors in front of us all turned into the village car parks — those neatly signposted, family-friendly zones designed for coach parties and people who wear walking boots even in supermarkets. But we weren’t having that. No, we powered past all of them in the FTP Vantage — partly to avoid people with backpacks and ice creams, and partly because, let’s be honest, we wanted VIP parking.

And we found it.

There’s a slip road to the right as you get close, and if you follow that, there’s a hidden car park perched right by the castle itself. It’s £6 for the day — which, given you're literally parked underneath a medieval fortress, is a bargain. Better yet, the car park attendant seemed rather taken with the Vantage. So much so, he plonked us next to his hut for “added security”. Translation: he wanted to stare at it all day, and frankly, I don’t blame him.

Now, if you don’t fancy playing Guess The Slip Road, there’s also a massive car park opposite the castle just around the bend. Perfectly acceptable, but obviously not as prestigious as being parked 12 feet from a gun canon turret.

The only downside? The car park surface was gravel. Not the nice sort — more like driving across a collection of discarded Lego bricks and regrets. But the Vantage didn’t mind. It rumbled in, low and proud, and settled itself like a knight returning from battle. Probably wondering why its owner keeps dragging it around historical monuments instead of Spa-Francorchamps.

Anyway, castle spotted. Car safely parked. And another glorious stop added to a road trip that’s quickly turning into the British version of Top Gear meets Time Team.

Stay tuned for the video.

The view of Bamburgh Castle from the FTP Vantage

After thoroughly inspecting every inch of Bamburgh Castle — inside, outside, and from every angle short of abseiling off a turret — we ventured into the village for a nose around. And I have to say, it’s charming in that particularly British way where everything looks like it was designed by a Sunday afternoon and a pot of tea. You’ve got your pubs, your bakers, your butchers... No candlestick maker, which frankly felt like a missed opportunity.

There are gift shops for people who enjoy tea towels with castles on them, and enough places to grab a coffee and a traybake to satisfy even the most Instagram-hungry wanderer. But this isn’t Vegas — you’re not here for the nightlife. You’re here for the vibe. And possibly a pork pie.

After a lazy mooch through the village, we strolled down to the beach — and what a beach. Not a narrow stretch of pebbles and despair, but an absolutely vast desert of sand, thanks to the tide being out. It was like walking across the set of Lawrence of Arabia, only with more dog walkers and fewer camels. You could’ve landed a light aircraft on it. Several, in fact.

Eventually, we trudged back up the hill to the car, which, as always, was a joy to behold. There’s something deeply satisfying about returning to your car, especially when it happens to be a snarling, muscular slab of British V8 excellence, (although I appreciate the engine came from AMG - it still gets tampered with by the British Aston Martin Brand engineers!) The FTP Vantage. Still there. Still glinting in the sun. Still not stolen. Excellent.

And then — the best bit. Back to the hotel for dinner. No cooking. No shopping. No arguing about who’s washing up. Just the agonising decision of whether to order the steak or the lamb shank, followed by someone else bringing it to you while you sit there smugly sipping a cold pint. It’s civilised. It’s luxurious. It’s... exactly how life should be.

Frankly, the only downside was that the Vantage had to sit out in the car park while I stuffed myself on sticky toffee pudding. But I suspect it understood.

The stunning village of Bambugh with the infamous castle in the background

The FTP Vantage Throws a Tantrum

Now, up until this point in the trip, things had been going rather well. Castles had been admired. Beaches had been conquered. Dinner had been devoured without so much as lifting a finger — and the FTP Vantage had performed like a thoroughbred on a light steroid cycle.

And then... disaster.

We returned to the hotel after a day of exploring Bamburgh, parked the Aston right outside the front doors like a pair of VIPs — because of course — and began unloading our worldly possessions. My wife went on ahead with bags in tow, while I stayed behind to perform the usual post-drive ritual of fiddling with camera gear and making it look like I knew what I was doing.

Then, I did what every Aston Martin owner does with a smug flourish: I pressed the key fob to lock the car.

Nothing.

No click. No beep. No lights. Not even the faint whimper of a confused British V8 wondering why it was being ignored.

I pressed it again. Then again. And again. As if, by sheer repetition, the car would suddenly snap out of its tantrum and behave like a well-bred automotive butler again.

Still nothing.

Now, I don’t know if you’ve ever stood outside a £84,950+ car that refuses to lock (I’m just quoting the price I paid for it, I appreciate it’s depreciating all the time!), in front of a hotel, with people peering out of the lounge window sipping wine and judging your life choices — but I can assure you, it’s not an enjoyable experience. Leaving the car unlocked was not an option. Not with that glorious grille and those seductive curves exposed to the elements and opportunists alike.

Yes, I was aware there was a manual key buried within the fob, a sort of secret agent escape plan, but without the metal emergency locking tool, it was about as useful as a chocolate brake pad.

So, in the spirit of British resilience and mild panic, I did what any desperate man would do — I tore the fob apart in the hotel lobby and waved the tiny battery at the receptionist like it was the last slice of civilisation.

“Ever seen one of these?” I asked, hopefully.
“No,” she replied. “But I can Google it.”

Within minutes, we had a plan. Argos, bless them, had the battery in stock. Ten minutes down the road. Still open. Off we went, with my wife acting as security detail — because there was no way I was leaving the car alone in a retail park while I went battery shopping.

Inside the shop, I bought four coin batteries. Because if I was going down, I was going down fully charged. I replaced the dead battery with the energy equivalent of a Red Bull and a slap to the face — and instantly the Vantage came back to life, like a defibrillated racehorse.

Crisis averted. Heart rate returning to normal.

And let me tell you, if this had happened somewhere deep in Europe — say, on a cobbled back street in rural Slovenia — it would've been an entirely different story. Finding a CR2032 battery in a village that still thinks electricity is witchcraft? Forget it.

From this day forward, I will never travel without spare batteries, a precision screwdriver, and perhaps a ceremonial chant to keep the Vantage gods appeased. Because as I learned that night — technology will betray you the moment it knows you’re in love.

And if this is what it’s like when a key fob battery dies... imagine the horror when your entire car is a battery.

I’ll stick with my V8, thanks.

Parking outside the Hotel, I then discovered no power left in the car fob key, so I couldn’t lock the car. Aaahh!?

Fish, Chips & Forty Cylinders – A Day Off (Sort Of)

Now, after all the drama of key fob batteries, tidal causeways, and castles rising out of the mist like something from a Ridley Scott film, you might think I’d had enough excitement for one week. But no. Just a few days later, there was another entry in the diary: an Aston Martin Owners Club drive out to Whitby.

It had everything you could want from a British motoring day out: scenery, seafood, and a small army of hand-built GT cars humming across the moors like a Bond film on a tea break.

But here's the thing. I made a decision.

No filming.

Yes, I know. Shocking. Unsubscribe. Unfollow. Send help. But hear me out. You see, I already had six — yes, six — film projects sat on hard drives, glaring at me like hungry dogs waiting to be fed. The editing backlog was becoming a bit ridiculous, and frankly, my brain was beginning to resemble the inside of a Canon lens cap.

So I did the unthinkable for a man whose YouTube channel revolves around fuel, passion, and pushing V8s to their operatic limits: I put the camera down.

Well… almost.

I did still take a few shots. Because I’m not a lunatic.

But the rest of the day was spent doing what Aston Martins were made for: driving, eating, and enjoying good company, without having to worry about framing a B-roll shot or whether my microphone was picking up wind noise and Yorkshire sheep.

The weather was warm, the fish was fried, and the view over the sea at Whitby was as magnificent as ever — though, unfortunately, half of Britain seemed to agree. The place was rammed. Streets overflowing, chip queues snaking like Nürburgring corners, and every other person wielding a seagull-attracting ice cream cone.

But then again, it was Saturday, and the sun was out. This was exactly what we expected — and somehow, the madness of the crowds only added to the charm.

Before the seafront chaos, we’d all met at NY500 in Pickering — a petrolhead’s sanctuary with Minis on the roof and coffee strong enough to power a DB11. Area 6 of AMOC (Yorkshire’s finest, naturally) had gathered, and with around 25 Astons lined up, it looked like a concours event had broken loose and decided to go for a drive.

And what a drive it was.

A glorious two-hour convoy across the North York Moors, with that unmistakable Aston Martin soundtrack echoing through the hills — a symphony of naturally aspirated joy. Locals stood agog at the side of the road, mouths open, cameras raised, as one glorious shape followed another.

I glanced in the rearview mirror and saw a line of Aston Martins stretching back like a V8-powered train of elegance and excess. In front, more gleaming bonnets, sweeping over the road like a pack of perfectly tailored wolves.

And in that moment, I thought:

How did I get here?

And more importantly...
Why didn’t I film this for a video on YouTube?!

What a Month That Was…

And just like that — June is in the rear-view mirror. What a month.

From dual carriageways outside hotel windows, to trophy rooms filled with the legacy of Jim Clark, via tidal causeways, medieval castles, moorland convoys and a slightly stressful trip to Argos — this one had it all. There were highlights, hiccups, heartwarming moments, and horsepower.

But it doesn’t stop there. Not even close.

You see, June wasn’t just about road trips and museum visits. It was also a planning month. A logistical symphony involving maps, dates, and weather apps. Because July? July’s shaping up to be another belter. There's more filming, more driving, more storytelling, and (inevitably) more trips to petrol stations that demand the GDP of a small country for a full tank.

First up, I’m heading to Snowdonia. Because apparently there’s a group of roads known as the EVO Triangle that petrolheads have been whispering about in reverent tones for years. So it’s time to see what all the fuss is about — properly — in the FTP Vantage. If you’re not familiar with it, think Top Gear, moody skies, and corners that want to hug you and throw you off a cliff at the same time.

This will all be coming soon to the Fuel the Passion YouTube Channel — so if you’ve made it this far down the blog (and thank you, sincerely, if you have), please consider subscribing. It helps massively, and it fuels the creation of more films, blogs, and ridiculous moments involving V8 engines and poor decision-making in remote car parks.

And hey — I’d love to hear from you.
Was this blog too long? Too short? Did I waffle on about Jim Clark too much? Not enough? Would you rather see more behind-the-scenes insight or more location guides? Leave a comment down below and let me know.

Until next time, thank you again for coming along for the ride.
See you in the next video — and hopefully somewhere out there on the road.

Take care, drive safe, and always carry spare key fob batteries!

– Dan, otherwise known as FTP!

May 2025

And we’re off!

Introduction

As the title suggests, May was busy. And not just the “forgot my anniversary” kind of busy — I’m talking full-throttle, camera-rolling, coffee-fuelled, why-do-I-own-a-tripod-this-heavy kind of busy. The motoring calendar doesn’t so much start in May as it explodes — and I was right in the middle of the blast zone.

Nearly every weekend (and more than a few cheeky weekdays), I was out gallivanting to car meets, filming everything that moved — and quite a few things that didn’t. The result? A mountain of content. Some of it polished and live on the Fuel the Passion YouTube Channel, and some of it still hiding on memory cards, quietly mocking me with their unedited chaos.

If you haven’t subscribed to the channel yet, now’s the time. Seriously — it helps. A lot. Every click, like, comment, and thumbs-up nudges the algorithm gods in my favour, which means I get to keep doing ridiculous car things and justify it as “work.” Plus, it tells me you’re enjoying this — or at least politely tolerating it — which is more than I can say for my neighbours when I start the Vantage at 6 a.m.

So, with caffeine in one hand and the FTP Vantage key in the other, let’s dive into the first stop on this month’s automotive madness…

We Start May with Sports Cars in the Park

The first outing of the month? Sports Cars in the Park at Newby Hall — a stately location with the sort of manicured gardens that usually frown upon people turning up in cars loud enough to scare the fish.

This was my first time at the event, so naturally, I did my homework — which in today’s world means squinting at grainy YouTube videos and scrolling through 14-year-olds on Instagram who apparently think a Vauxhall Corsa on coilovers is peak engineering.

Thankfully, the event did not disappoint. A huge range of machinery turned up — from proper old-school classics to modern supercars, and a fair number of things that looked like someone’s midlife crisis turned into carbon fibre. There were enthusiastic owners, beautiful backdrops, and just the right amount of low-speed posing.

It was a cracking start to the month and a reminder of why these events are such a vital part of car culture. People coming together to stand around cars, drink bad coffee, and nod approvingly at polished exhaust tips. What’s not to love?

FTP Vantage navigating it’s way to its parking space at Sports Cars in the Park Event - May 2025

The Event, the Car Park, and the Petrol Station Philosopher

Sports Cars in the Park? Cracking event. Hundreds of cars turned up — the sort of turnout that makes you realise just how many people are willing to wake up at 5 a.m. on a Sunday to polish a bonnet. Some clubs were grouped together in neat little patches, others were scattered around like someone had shuffled a pack of Top Trumps and spilled them across a field. It was gloriously chaotic.

I opted for secure parking — a tenner well spent, if only so I didn’t have to drag half of Jessops around on my back. That parking area, right in front of the stables, offered peace of mind and a much-needed break from impersonating a camera mule. Pro tip: it fills up fast. If you're thinking of going next year and don’t fancy babysitting your own car all day, book early. Preferably before you’ve had your second coffee.

Now, if you haven’t seen the video, it’s already live on the Fuel the Passion YouTube Channel — and yes, it starts exactly where all great car films should: at a petrol station. Why? Because this is Britain, and no road trip is complete without a bacon bap, the faint smell of diesel, and someone awkwardly complimenting your car while trying to buy Rizlas.

Which is exactly what happened.

A random bloke approached me mid-fill-up, and instead of asking where the toilet was, he launched into a full philosophical discussion about Aston Martins. As you do. We chatted — some of it made it into the video — and he was genuinely complimentary. Not just about the FTP Vantage, but about how people react to it. Because unlike, say, a bright orange Lamborghini that looks like it should come with its own DJ, the Aston Martin gets a very different sort of attention.

In fact, we both agreed: the British public like Aston Martins. You get smiles, waves, conversations. Whereas a friend of mine, who drives a Porsche GT3 RS with a wing the size of a dining table, reckons he mostly gets rude gestures and people deliberately cutting him up at junctions. That’s the thing — some cars scream, “I have money and bad taste!” while the Aston politely whispers, “I’m classy, but I still go like hell.”

That said, not everyone on the road gets the memo. I’ve had a couple of encounters with the kinds of drivers who think a quiet B-road is their personal Nürburgring.

Exhibit A: White Van Man. It’s early, I’m cruising along at the national speed limit, minding my own business, when out of nowhere — FLASH FLASH FLASH. A van appears, practically mounting my rear wing. Now, I assumed something was wrong. Flat tyre? Boot open? Dead badger on the roof? So I gave him space to pass. Did he overtake like a reasonable human being? Of course not. He just sat there, on my bumper, flashing intermittently like an impatient disco.

Exhibit B: A BMW 3 Series. Not just any 3 Series, mind you — one wrapped in matt black, lowered to the floor, with green headlights (illegal) and a windscreen so mirrored it could blind satellites. For two miles, this creature of Halfords’ darkest dreams tailgated me as if trying to fuse with the Aston’s exhaust system. I remember thinking: “You’re trying so hard to look cool... and failing miserably.” Meanwhile, my Vantage didn’t even have to try — it just was cool, in the same way Sean Connery never needed skinny jeans or a vape to get noticed.

But those were rare blips. Ninety-nine percent of people I’ve met through the car — on the road, at events, or in petrol stations while fumbling with a GoPro — have been warm, positive, and genuinely curious. Why? Because Aston Martin is a British brand, it’s beautiful without being brash, and it makes the kind of noise that turns heads without splitting eardrums. In short: it’s got presence without the peacocking.

And if it keeps giving me moments like that conversation at the petrol station, it’s worth every single flash of a high beam from a lunatic in a Transit.

Back to the Cars… and the Mad Max Porsche

Now, back to Sports Cars in the Park — because let’s be honest, if you like cars even a little bit, this place was absolute heaven. Thousands of visitors. Hundreds of cars. And a footprint big enough that even with all that metal and humanity crammed in, it never felt like you were at risk of being elbowed into a bonnet vent by someone wielding a DSLR.

Everyone was relaxed, the cars were gleaming, and — best of all — the owners weren’t the usual grumpy types who panic if you so much as breathe near their paintwork. Ask them about their pride and joy, and you’ll get a detailed history, a restoration story, and probably an unsolicited rant about “how they don’t make ‘em like this anymore.”

One such gem was a classic Lotus Esprit, which instantly transported me to the world of James Bond. And I don’t mean the gadget-laden, invisible-car nonsense from the Pierce Brosnan years. I’m talking proper Bond — Roger Moore. Safari suits. Eyebrows. And a submarine button where the ashtray should be. The interior? Honestly, it looked like someone upholstered a spaceship in suede and 1970s optimism. Glorious.

Then, just when I thought things couldn’t get weirder, I stumbled upon a Porsche straight out of Mad Max — complete with machine guns mounted on the bonnet. Yes, really. This wasn’t someone’s slightly over-ambitious cosplay attempt — this was an actual prop car used in the Top Gear Live Shows. It looked like it had rolled straight out of a post-apocalyptic drag race. It was for sale too, and if you squint during the video, you’ll see the phone number plastered across the front bumper. (Classy.)

If anyone reading this is deranged enough to buy it — firstly, I salute you. Secondly, please get in touch. Because if those flame-throwing machine guns actually work, I’d quite like to film it. Possibly from behind a very large and very solid wall.

Would I recommend Sports Cars in the Park? If you like cars — even if you're just mildly curious about what happens when grown adults obsess over bits of metal, rubber, and fuel injection — absolutely. There was something for everyone: pre-war classics, modern supercars, family saloons with turbochargers the size of dustbins, and whatever that Mad Max Porsche was supposed to be.

A superb day out. Great cars, great people, and not a single moment where I thought, “I could’ve stayed home and done the garden.” Which, frankly, is all the recommendation you need.

A 1977 Aston Martin V8 entering Newby Hall Park, North Yorkshire

An Evening Blitz to Britain’s Booziest Summit

The week after Sports Cars in the Park, the FTP Vantage and I once again found ourselves on a mission. This time? A convoy of sports and supercars from SC:UK, charging across the Yorkshire Dales with one very specific target in mind — the Tan Hill Inn, which just so happens to be the highest pub in the United Kingdom.

And before you ask — yes, that’s elevation, not quality of beer. Although the pints are decent too.

I’d never been before, which is odd, because it feels like the sort of place Jeremy would’ve driven a V8 through a snow drift to reach while shouting “POWER!” at sheep. The whole thing felt like a Top Gear Christmas special, but with slightly more GoPros and slightly fewer budget cuts.

Naturally, I filmed it — the drive, not the sheep. The video’s not quite ready yet, but it’s coming. Think of it as Lord of the Rings, but instead of a ring, there’s a pub, and instead of hobbits, it’s a group of adults driving wildly inappropriate cars up a hillside for a pint.

The route? Glorious. Proper roads. The kind that make you want to downshift just to hear the engine snarl through a stone-walled village where the speed limit is "don’t scare the ducks." There were winding lanes, charming hamlets, rolling green views that practically scream “Visit Britain,” and the odd startled pensioner with a Labrador.

The pub itself sits right at the top of everything — bleak, beautiful, and perfectly windswept. And of course, just as we arrived, the clouds parted like something out of a Spielberg film, and the sun made a dramatic cameo. The FTP Vantage looked stunning parked outside, framed by golden light and general smugness.

Now, the drive back... well. Let’s call it “character building.”

Imagine this: pitch black, no road lighting, twisty lanes narrower than an Ikea hallway, and more wildlife than a David Attenborough documentary. Rabbits darting like suicidal popcorn. Sheep loitering mid-bend like bored security guards. Add in mist, dips, blind crests and the constant paranoia that you're about to wedge your £100K sports car into a dry stone wall, and you’ve got the perfect James May nightmare.

But we made it. No animals harmed. No wheels kerbed. Just a brilliant adventure and the feeling that the FTP Vantage earned its stripes as both a showpiece and a tourer.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. But next time, maybe a bit slower... and in daylight... and possibly with a Land Rover acting as sheep scout.

Video coming soon. Bring snacks.

A Spring Evening Drive, with SC:UK, which ended up at the highest Pub in the UK, where we just about caught the sunset!

The Coffee, The Castle, and The Card I Forgot I Had

So, picture the scene: back in August 2024, I buy the FTP Vantage from Aston Martin Sevenoaks. Lovely dealership. Lots of polished glass, expensive smells, and people who say things like “sir” without flinching. As part of the transaction, someone slides a form across the desk, I sign it — probably assuming I was agreeing not to drift through village greens or something equally obvious — and that was that.

A few weeks later, a tiny box shows up in the post. It looks like it should contain a commemorative coin, or something from a Bond film. But no — it’s a credit card-sized membership to something called HLS – High Luxury Supercars. Fancy.

Naturally, I did the British thing and ignored it.

Fast-forward to early 2025, and I get an email from HLS, inviting me to a Coffee & Cars morning at Gawsworth Hall, near Macclesfield — which sounds like the sort of place where Jane Austen characters go to argue about hats.

And my word… I’m so glad I went.

Because this wasn’t your typical cars-and-coffee meet-up in the corner of a Tesco Extra car park next to the bins. This was elegance on wheels — parked on the historic grounds of an actual stately home. The kind of venue where the lawn is so perfect, you feel bad treading on it. Honestly, if you put a DB5 on the gravel driveway and squinted, you'd expect Sean Connery to appear and order a martini from a butler called Clive.

And yes, the weather — for once — played along. Blue skies, warm air, birds singing, and a light glinting off the bonnets of Aston Martins like something out of a high-budget perfume advert.

The cars? Oh yes. Glorious. A hand-picked mix of Aston Martins, Ferraris, and Porsches, all glimmering in the sunlight like the crown jewels if they ran on V-Power.

Naturally, I made a beeline for the Astons. There was a new Vantage, a Vanquish, and a DBX lounging in the shade like royalty. Now, the Vanquish wasn’t exactly my cup of tea in terms of spec — think more Tom Ford at a rave than Savile Row sophistication — but it was still a stunner. The curves. The presence. The suggestion that, yes, this car could casually outrun a meteor strike while keeping your latte at precisely 68 degrees.

The grille? Yes, still enormous. A bit like a Cheshire cat wearing braces. But slap a plate on it that says D1FTP, and suddenly it starts to work. Confidence does that to a face — and a car.

If the stars align, maybe one day we’ll get one on the channel. And if we do, prepare for a lot of slow, sensual panning shots and me saying things like, “Good grief” in a voice that suggests emotional turmoil and V12 combustion.

In short: the HLS Coffee & Cars morning was a delightful surprise. Great setting. Great company. Great machines. And all because I signed a form and forgot about it for six months. If only all surprise memberships were this enjoyable.

Video’s already up on the channel — give it a watch. And if you’re curious about HLS, there’s a website, of course. But be warned: you may find yourself justifying a second supercar for “networking purposes.”

Club HLS Spring Cars & Coffee Morning at Gawsworth Hall, Gawsworth, Macclesfield

Time to Hit the Runway: Where Cars Become Jets

Imagine the roar of engines, the smell of burning rubber, and a parade of the most spectacular cars you’ve ever seen — all lined up not on some dusty car park, but on an actual runway. Yes, runway. The kind pilots use, but with slightly less turbulence and far more horsepower.

I attended this jaw-dropping event recently, and let me tell you, it was something else. The variety and sheer quality of cars on display made it feel like the automotive version of the Oscars — but with more carbon fiber and fewer speeches.

The photos below? They barely scratch the surface. These machines didn’t just sit prettily for admiring — no, most were driven flat out along the runway. The noise, the speed, the smoke — it was like watching a bunch of missiles with steering wheels. You could almost feel the G-forces through the screen.

The video is out now and when you watch it, you’ll see exactly why this wasn’t your average Sunday drive.

For now, feast your eyes on the snapshots below and start dreaming of what it’d feel like to be strapped into one of these beasts as it rockets down the tarmac.

Runway ready? Oh yes.The video is out now!

The amazing McMurty Speirling all electric fan car at ‘The Runway’ Supercar event at Sywell Aerodrome

A couple of amazing Aston Martin Valour supercars at Sywell Aerodrome at ‘The Runway’ Supercar Event

Say ‘Cheese!’ — A Day Behind the Lens with SC:UK

If you didn’t already know, I’m part of a rather fabulous club called SC:UK — the kind of super/sports car collective where the cars are fast, the company is good, and the parking spots vanish quicker than a Tesla’s battery charge.

Recently, I managed to snag a place on their much-coveted Photography Day. This isn’t your average weekend picnic with a camera phone — no, this is a full-on photoshoot extravaganza, complete with professional photographers, multiple jaw-dropping locations across Yorkshire and Derbyshire, and cars so photogenic they’d make a supermodel weep.

The weather decided to behave — which in England is basically the first miracle of the day — providing perfect conditions for glossy shots of gleaming metal and curves that could cause spontaneous swooning.

I won’t spoil the full story just yet — I filmed the whole shebang and will be turning it into a slick video for the Fuel the Passion YouTube Channel soon. But here’s a teaser: the photo below is so good it might just become my new YouTube banner (with full credit to the wizard behind the lens, of course).

Keep your eyes peeled for the video, because if you think the cars look good here — wait till you see them in motion, and hear those engines sing.

FTP Vantage D7FTP posing at a fantastic location in Yorkshire

When an Email Arrives… And You Just Can’t Say No

So there I was, minding my own business, when—ping!—an email lands from a dealership. They’re asking if I’d like to book a slot to come and gawp at the new 2025 Vanquish Volante. Now, how on earth could I say no? Especially when the Vanquish is basically Aston Martin’s answer to the automotive gods.

If you’ve watched my videos, you’ll know I’m utterly obsessed with this design. Heck, in my YouTube video ‘Time Well Spent’ I even used the Aston Martin configurator to spec out my dream Vanquish. If you haven’t seen it yet—what are you waiting for? Click here!

Seeing the new Vanquish in the flesh? Absolutely thrilling. But what really stole the show was the roof—the way it elegantly disappears to the rear like some high-class magic trick, and then pops back up again like it’s saying, “Surprise!” All of which I captured on camera, naturally.

Now, the big question: what colour would you choose for your Vanquish? I give you my pick in the video—you never know, one day I might just make it a reality. Until then, we’ll keep dreaming.

Dan from Fuel the Passion, attending Aston Martin Leeds to film and review the new Vanquish Volante

Digging into Aston Martin’s Legendary Past

The Aston Martin Heritage Trust does a cracking job of gathering, preserving, and showcasing thousands of bits and bobs — including some truly special cars that make petrolheads weak at the knees. It’s housed in what I’d best describe as a stunningly atmospheric barn, filled to the brim with automotive history.

Now, here’s the kicker: it’s only open on certain days, and none of those days seemed to align with my trips to that neck of the woods. But there’s no way I was going to let a whole year slip by without paying my respects. So, I booked a slot online and made the trek — a proper good few hours on the road.

Was it worth it? Absolutely. The whole day was an absolute joy, like stepping back into the golden age of British motoring. I’m holding back the full story until I finish editing the video (which will drop after the Concours series, so stay tuned). But trust me when I say this: if you love Aston Martins — whether you own one or just drool over them from afar — this place is a must-visit.

If you fancy booking a visit yourself, or just want to learn more, head over to the Aston Martin Heritage Trust website here:
https://amht.org.uk/

Go on — treat yourself.

I attend the Aston Martin Heritage Trust (AMHT) Museum, which is in a stunningly beautiful barn in the beautiful Oxfordshire Countryside

Dan from Fuel the Passion, taking a good look around the AMHT Museum

A number of various Aston Martins from a range of era’s formed up for the Aston Martin Owners Club (Yorkshire) Anniversary drive out

Celebrating 90 Years of Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC) — And a Bit of Drama

On May 25th, 1935, a legendary motoring club was born — the Aston Martin Owners Club. I’ll probably do a deep dive on the origins another time, because frankly, it deserves its own proper salute.

For the 90th anniversary, the Yorkshire AMOC crew decided to mark the occasion with a lovely meet-up at the Manor Golf Club. Tea, coffee, maybe a bacon or sausage sandwich — the essentials before setting off on a scenic two-hour drive through some of Yorkshire’s most picturesque roads. Around 25 Aston Martins and their equally lovely owners showed up, gleaming and ready to roll.

If you haven’t caught the ‘Marking 90 Years’ film on the Fuel the Passion YouTube Channel, you really should — just click here.

The day was ticking along beautifully. I was out filming the cars, soaking up the atmosphere, when suddenly — smash! A loud crash cut through the air. Myself and a few other owners tracked down the source… and well, let’s just say it wasn’t the kind of souvenir anyone wants to bring home. (See the photo below if you dare.)

Ah, the joys of classic car gatherings — never a dull moment!

Aston Martin DB6 victim of a misplaced golf ball during Yorkshire’s 90th Aston Martin Owners Club drive out day to Wentworth Woodhouse

The poor, embarrassed amateur golfer shuffled over to the cars, hand covering his mouth like he’d just witnessed the end of the world. Muttering nervously to his golfing mate, clutching the offending club like it might bite, he finally approached and asked, “Did I... erm, did I smash a window?”

“Er, yes. Yes, you did,” came the reply — a tad sheepish but honest.

Turns out, he’d struck a golf ball with such enthusiasm and accuracy that it cleared every hole, every bunker, every patch of manicured grass, soared over the access road, and smacked square on the windscreen of a DB6. Talk about unlucky! And if fate has a cruel sense of humour, this was the oldest and probably most valuable Aston at the event — parked right next to my Vantage, no less (my car is the one on the left in the picture above, looking innocent as ever).

The DB6 owner and the golfer exchanged details — with smiles, laughter, and a few knowing nods. As more drivers emerged, prepped for the drive to Wentworth Woodhouse, they were greeted by the spectacle of a shattered window and shared looks of disbelief.

As the Astons began their majestic procession, I hung back to film as many as I could in motion — because nothing beats watching these beauties on the road. Thanks to another generous owner, I managed to strap one of my cameras onto a V12 Vantage Convertible, capturing some fantastic shots along the way for the upcoming video.

The drive wrapped up perfectly at the breathtaking Wentworth Woodhouse — a venue so stunning, it’s almost criminal not to stop and stare. The photos below say it all. And yes, there was a well-earned cream tea waiting for the drivers. After all, even motoring royalty deserves a proper treat!

A group of Aston Martin cars parked outside Wentworth Woodhouse, Yorkshire on 25th May 2025 to celebrate AMOCs 90th Anniversary

The FTP Vantage, D7FTP parked in front of Wentworth Woodhouse, Yorkshire on 25th May 2025 to celebrate AMOCs 90th Anniversary

FTP Vantage D7FTP covered in snow foam at Max Car Care Detailing

Preparing for Concours

In the last week of May, I entrusted my Aston Martin Vantage to Max Car Care Detailing and Valeting Service in York. Although I’m quite confident in cleaning my car myself, I had entered two Concours events—the prestigious London Concours and the Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC) Spring Concours at Burghley House in Stamford. With no previous experience entering a Concours, I wanted professional help to get my car looking its absolute best.

A few weeks earlier, I met Nick from Max Car Care for an initial assessment. We talked about what I thought my Vantage needed and when he could fit me in. Nick’s diary was packed—jammed full of bookings. Seeing that busy schedule actually gave me reassurance: if Nick was that busy, he must be offering a top-notch service with great results. Having never used a professional detailer before, this was a positive sign, and thankfully it proved true.

Nick struggled to squeeze me in before the Concours dates — and I had only myself to blame for leaving it so late. Maybe it was my stubborn pride, thinking I could clean the car as well as anyone else. But after repeated washes, seeing those inevitable swirl marks, tiny stone chips appearing, and then stepping back after hours of effort only to admit, “Yep, it’s clean — but it’s not Concours clean,” I finally relented and sought out a professional.

In the end, Nick made it happen. He even rearranged his busy schedule and worked a Saturday just to ensure my Vantage would be ready in time. I was incredibly grateful — and relieved — to leave my car in the hands of someone who knows exactly what it takes to restore that factory-fresh shine that Concours entrants strive for.

Drone view of Nick in the process of cleaning the FTP car - D7FTP Aston Martin Vantage

Four Days to London Concours

Just four days before the London Concours—opening on June 3rd, the day my Vantage was to be shown—I set off from my home in West Yorkshire, driving through pouring rain all the way to York. You can catch a glimpse of those weather conditions in the very first of the four-part Concours Series on the Fuel the Passion YouTube Channel, in the video titled ‘Preparation.’

I stayed with Nick, filming as he worked his magic on the car until around midday. Then, a pre-arranged Uber took me to York Railway Station, where I caught a train home. It felt a little strange returning to public transport — especially a train — something I hadn’t done in quite a while. The last time was during my London commute years ago, and it brought back a flood of memories: countless trips, packed carriages, trying to squeeze in reading a book or listening to podcasts, but mostly daydreaming or people-watching. I’d often find myself gazing out the window, imagining one day owning an Aston Martin.

Returning the very next day to collect the car was a special moment. To see my Vantage looking probably its best ever, freshly detailed and shining, felt incredible. Over time, I’ve genuinely come to feel like I’m building a relationship with this car—how it drives, its unique quirks and sounds, learning when to shift gear by ear, how thirsty it gets depending on my driving style, the places we’ve been, and the memories we’re creating together. It’s more than just a car—it’s a companion.

FTP Vantage collection, after detailing completed by Max Care Care

Right, picture this: I stroll into the detailing unit on collection day, and it’s like the grand unveiling all over again — that moment nearly a year ago when I first laid eyes on the FTP Vantage at Aston Martin Sevenoaks. “Wow” doesn’t even begin to cover it. In fact, I actually titled the YouTube video Wow because, frankly, it was spot on. Two reasons for the double “wow”: one, my car looked so good I could’ve checked my teeth in it, and two, the sheer number of jaw-dropping machines at Goodwood Supercar Sunday/Breakfast Club had me drooling harder than a St. Bernard in a butcher’s shop. (If you haven’t seen the video, — click here!)

Now back to my beloved FTP Vantage. The paintwork? Mirror finish. I mean, I usually clean the car myself — no slouch — but this was next-level. I could see clearer reflections than in my bathroom mirror after a steam clean. Honestly, it was so perfect I almost expected to find my own face staring back at me. Big thanks to Nick at Max Car Care, who worked his magic and made my car look like it just rolled off the factory floor. If you’re in Yorkshire and care about your pride and joy, Nick’s your man. Link’s below, you’re welcome.

In the video, you’ll catch Nick and me doing the obligatory car nerd walk-around, even popping the bonnet for a steam clean — yes, even under there. I was ready to hit the Concours circuit... or so I thought. Then reality hit: a four-hour trek south to Surrey, filming at Goodwood, a showcase at Woodcote on the legendary Goodwood Race Circuit, and then a blast through London to display the car at the London Concours. And don’t get me started on the weather — what if it rains? What if the paint suffers? What if the Vantage ends up looking like a drowned rat by Burghley? Was this madness? Maybe. But hey, that’s what makes it fun.

You’ll have to wait for the June blog (coming in July!) to find out if I survived the adventure in one shiny piece.

April 2025

Right, April rolls around, and even though the weather still insists on playing hard-to-get — cold, a bit grim, and basically auditioning for a winter comeback — you can actually feel the car world waking up from its hibernation. People start chatting, plans get hatched, and the dust starts settling on those neglected machines, ready for the hopefully-warm months ahead.

This was going to be my first proper summer with the FTP Vantage, and I was buzzing. I’d already clocked plenty of miles with the car, especially on that European Road Trip with the Behind the Glass Podcast last September. We zipped through a bunch of countries and wrapped up at the top of the Grossglockner on Austria’s High Alpine Road — a route so epic it almost made you forget the weather was miserable pretty much every day. Calling it a washout is generous; it was more like the car and I became professional rain dodgers. Still, the fun was real, and I really got to know the FTP Vantage inside out. If you haven’t seen those videos on the Fuel the Passion YouTube channel, you’re missing out — although I’ll admit, I was still getting my YouTube sea legs back then, talking to a tiny camera lens like it was a stubborn parrot.

Anyway, back to April — I kicked off the month heading to Helmsley in North Yorkshire for an SC:UK meetup and a drive out to the NY500 Café in Pickering. And guess what? This was all on a Thursday evening. Because who doesn’t want to mix workweek stress with some proper driving fun?

Cue the SC:UK Blakey Ridge to NY500 Evening Drive!

I always cling to the hope that when I sign up for club drives, the weather will behave itself. Leading up to this particular Thursday evening drive early in April, the forecast was your classic Yorkshire mix: patchy, gloomy, with a strong chance of rain. On the way to our meeting spot — a charming little village square in Helmsley — the heavens decided to open, and not just drizzle, but proper, buckets-down rain. Wipers going like mad, I pressed on anyway. After all, this is Yorkshire — where the weather flips faster than a pancake on a Sunday morning.

I got there a bit early, which was perfect because I planned to film the drive and wanted time to set up cameras before the other brave souls showed up, unfazed by the miserable weather. If they thought a bit of rain would keep them home, they clearly hadn’t met Yorkshire drivers before.

It wasn’t long before the other SC:UK drivers started rolling in. Sure, a handful had dropped out thanks to the weather, but we still had a solid 12 to 15 cars — not bad at all. What was less impressive, though, was the sky’s decision to throw another tantrum right while we were waiting. The rain was on-and-off all the way through the drive, but things really kicked up a notch when we hit Blakey Ridge — where visibility dropped so low, I half expected to see a sheep in a wetsuit appear out of the mist. Driving there was like navigating through a cloud with a dodgy pair of glasses!

Fellow SC:UK members arriving at a rather damp Helmsley Market Square, prior to leaving for a drive across the Yorkshire Moors to NY500 Cafe, Pickering

SC:UK Drivers Briefing

After a drivers’ briefing during a rare five-minute pause in the rain, we set off in convoy towards our final destination—the NY500 Cafe in Pickering.

The briefing is always a good thing. It’s where we cover the route, any issues—like, say, the weather—and who’s taking the lead. We also decide how many batches of cars there’ll be and introduce the ambassadors. These ambassadors are basically the experienced pros of the group, keeping an eye on everyone to make sure no one takes a wrong turn, gets lost, or gets left behind. If you do fall behind, no biggie—they keep the lead driver in the loop and decide if it’s worth stopping to regroup. Basically, they’re the friendly sheriffs making sure our motley crew stays on track.

Still intent to film the occasion, I held off at the back of the convoy, as it was great for the camera to capture the line of cars stretching out in front of the FTP Vantage, when we hit some of the Yorkshire Moor Roads. However, it turned out that I was lucky if I could see the car in front of me, let alone a row of cars stretching out into the distance!

The further into the drive we went, the worse the weather conditions seemed to get. Whilst at Helmsley, I decided not to put any cameras on the outside of the car and I was so pleased I didn’t. Visibility got increasingly worse, the higher and further we drove into the moors. Although it was still a driving experience, and looking back, I’m still pleased I went and did it, there wasn’t going to be a Fuel the Passion YouTube Video, worth publishing as a result of my efforts. I’ve still banked the footage, so maybe I’ll consider pulling together a short ‘experience’ video to share later this year - especially in the wintry months, when the weather dictates I won’t be able or wise to take out my rear wheel drive V8 Vantage! By the way, since moving to Yorkshire in 2017 from Surrey, we’ve had snow every winter without fail! Anyhow, see the picture below, as we drive across the Yorkshire Moors. Note the very safe gap, I’ve left between me and the car in front, which you can just about see the rear lights! There were also sheep walking about, some deciding to go for a stroll in the middle of the road, which is always nice!

View from the FTP Vantage - Driving through clouds of rain, Yorkshire Moors during an April 2025 SC:UK club drive

The NY500 Cafe in Pickering is a bit of a motoring legend — and not just because it has three brightly coloured Minis perched on the roof like a bizarre automotive hat (see picture below). It’s a proper magnet for car and bike enthusiasts from all over the UK, a haven for anyone who appreciates petrol in their veins and a good cuppa in their hand.

After our soggy, foggy Yorkshire moorland adventure, arriving there felt like reaching the promised land. Time for a refreshing drink and maybe something to eat — because after dodging rain and sheep, you earn it. Some SC:UK members were like, “Enough already!” and dashed off into the wet, but I decided to hang back, hoping for just a tiny break in the rain to launch my drone and get a proper aerial shot. Luck was on my side, and I did get the shot — proof that even on a grim day, the NY500 still looks impressive from above.

But I didn’t linger. After a quick snack and drink, I set off homeward, utterly knackered. There’s something about navigating wet, foggy roads that turns your brain into mush. I slept like a log that night — which, frankly, these days feels like a small miracle.

It was nice to arrive at NY500 Cafe after a wet and foggy drive across the Yorkshire Moors following an SC:UK Club drive in April 2025

Next outing for the FTP Vantage and I was a dryer affair. I was heading to Stratstone Ferrari, Manchester, where numerous Ferraris and other lovely cars had a drive out into Wales!

Cavallinos & Coffee - SC:UK & Ferrari Stratstone

The Sports & Supercar Club I joined — SC:UK, for those in the know — teamed up with Stratstone Ferrari to throw a proper petrolhead party. The plan? Gather at the showroom, admire some jaw-dropping Ferraris, then all pile in and drive to Wales for lunch. Or, as they say in the business, a cream tea at Pale Hall. Now, I’m not one to say no to a convoy of Italian firepower, so I was well up for it.

I filmed the whole shebang — the cars that turned up for the drive, and the scenic Welsh roads leading to our posh tea stop. The place itself? Stunning. The video’s cheekily titled ‘Outnumbered’ — because, well, I was definitely the odd one out among all those Ferraris! If you fancy seeing me getting outnumbered by a fleet of prancing horses, click HERE to watch.

I rocked up at the Stratstone Ferrari garage nice and early — when there were only about five other cars hanging around. They kindly showed me where to park, which, as you can see in the photo, was politely shoved off to the left, at the end of the line. After all, this was Ferrari territory — Aston Martins don’t usually get invited to these parties!

Before long, it was like the Ferrari factory exploded — one after another, they rolled in, filling the lot with a sea of red (and a few other fancy colours). Sure, I don’t own one — and probably never will — but I’m not exactly complaining. I’ve always had a soft spot for the brand. Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love the look of most Ferraris? They’re like the rock stars of the car world — flashy, loud, and impossible to ignore.

The front FTP Vantage wheel looking out to a silver Ferrari at Stratstone Ferrari, Manchester

Ah, the delightful world of sports and supercar gatherings — where petrolheads are as eager to talk about their metal babies as I am about my morning coffee. Most of the Ferrari owners I chatted with probably have more cars than a small dealership. I mean, it’s like their hobby is collecting red fire-breathing beasts! I wandered about filming a motley crew of these machines, and even managed to get my drone airborne for some aerial shots — because nothing says “professional car video” quite like a bird’s-eye view.

After soaking up enough horsepower, I strolled down towards the Ferrari showroom. It was packed with jaw-dropping cars, mostly for sale, of course — but a couple of ‘show’ cars loaned by customers just to tease us mere mortals. Naturally, I asked a staff member if I could film inside. The answer? “No.” Ah, the old “customer privacy” line. I get it — secrets and all that. Although I’ve seen plenty of other YouTubers sneak past that rule (maybe with Ferrari HQ’s blessing), I’m still the newbie fumbling my way through the rules of this YouTube jungle.

Outside, the crowd had grown — drivers, passengers, photographers, onlookers snapping away, all drawn by the magnetic pull of beautiful machines. It’s incredible how huge and passionate this car community is — probably worldwide. But with all this electric car talk buzzing around, I sometimes wonder if we’re living in the final glorious days of the internal combustion era. Are these golden times? For me, yes. Because, let’s face it, it’s not just about the looks — it’s the noise. That glorious, throat-ripping roar of a proper engine.

And that, my friends, is why I chose a 2019 Aston Martin Vantage. You see, 2019 was the last hurrah before stricter emission rules muffled the sound with particulate filters. Put my car next to a 2020 Vantage, and you’ll hear the difference louder than a football crowd on derby day. A few fellow Aston owners ask me about aftermarket exhausts, amazed that mine sounds this good straight from the factory. “No mods,” I say. “It’s just how it came out of the showroom.” Cue wide eyes and dropped jaws.

So yes, is this the best era of the motorcar? Well, with the noise, the passion, and the sheer beauty on display, it’s certainly a blooming good time to be alive — and revving.

FTP Vantage, which was joined by a lovely red 2023 Ferrari 296 GTS S-A, at Ferrari Stratstone, Manchester

After a bit of milling about, someone from Ferrari and SC:UK climbed a few steps — and called all us drivers over. Well, all of us who had decided to risk our tyres and sanity by driving to Wales. Naturally, I was in.

Then came the drivers' briefing. The Ferrari mob would be setting off first, majestically leading the convoy like Italian stallions on a charge — while the rest of us in ‘lesser’ brands (that’d be me, in the Aston, a car that doesn’t need a prancing horse on the bonnet to feel special) would follow a few minutes behind. We in SC:UK had walkie-talkies, which made us feel like we were on a secret MI6 mission rather than a scenic drive with people who polish their exhaust tips more often than their shoes.

Now, on motorways, staying together is about as easy as herding caffeinated cats, but once we escaped into the countryside — the glorious, sheep-dodging, hedge-lined twisty bits — we were back in formation, the cars in front and behind a glorious conga line of combustion. There’s something genuinely magical about seeing a stream of exotic metal slinking through the landscape, knowing everyone’s here for the same reason: petrol, noise, and not being stuck in an SUV.

At one point, a Ferrari SF90 — the automotive equivalent of a fighter jet in a tuxedo — was right behind me. Gorgeous thing. Fast enough to bend time. But — and here’s the important bit — it sounds like a dishwasher humming in the other room when compared to the snarling, rude, antisocial growl of my 2019 FTP Vantage. The SF90 crew even radioed in to say they were enjoying the sound of my car. That’s like Andrea Bocelli complimenting you on your karaoke.

And that’s the thing. Yes, the SF90 is a technical masterpiece. It’s got more computers than NASA and probably burns less fuel than a kettle, but it doesn’t sing like my V8 Aston. Not even close. I caught the compliment on camera too — it’s in the video. Go watch it. Relive it with me. Because thanks to YouTube, you’re not just hearing about the glory. You’re riding shotgun.

For a large part of our symphonic blast through the Welsh countryside, I found myself following a Lexus LC500 — yes, a Lexus. Now, before you wrinkle your nose and mutter something about golf clubs and silence, let me tell you: this thing had a V8. A proper one. The kind that burbles like a whisky-drunk bear. I’d filmed it earlier at Stratstone Ferrari, mostly because you rarely see one in the wild. It's like spotting a unicorn wearing a Japanese business suit.

It was a lovely car to follow — stylish, composed, clearly built by people who think buttons should feel like piano keys. But if we’re talking noise? The LC500 was a polite cough. My FTP Vantage, on the other hand, was a pub fight. Every tunnel, every hillside, every unsuspecting sheep got the full Aston Martin thunder — a sound so magnificently antisocial it probably caused a few birds to fall out of trees. Still, credit where it’s due: the Lexus was a superb companion on this drive — elegant and civilised, like a Japanese butler.

Then, after a few hours of glorious hooning through scenery that looked like it had been painted by Turner during a midlife crisis, we swung left and entered Pale Hall. And good grief — what a place. It was less of a hotel and more of a country estate where you half expect to be greeted by a man named Charles who offers you a cigar and a pheasant. Absolutely stunning.

Turning into Pale Hall wasn’t exactly a dramatic entrance — more of a cautious creep. The turn was tight, the bump in the road big enough to make you wince, and so we all tiptoed in like nervous pensioners avoiding speed bumps at Waitrose. But once you were through, the whole scene changed. We eased along this postcard-perfect driveway, and immediately you knew — this wasn’t just a hotel. This was somewhere. The sort of place where people say things like “my grandfather shot a stag here in 1892.”

Eventually, I was waved down by a very well-dressed chap — the kind of man who probably irons his shoelaces — and guided into place like I was parking a fighter jet. And then… wow. Just… wow.

Now, let’s be honest. An Aston Martin in front of a stately home? That’s not a car. That’s art. It’s like serving fine whisky in a crystal decanter — it just fits. The Ferrari contingent? They looked fabulous, yes, but they were slightly out of place. Like turning up to a countryside wedding in a crimson velvet suit. Brilliant in Milan, maybe. But this is Wales, not the Amalfi Coast.

That said, the sight was still jaw-dropping — a sea of exotic metal on perfectly manicured gravel. But let’s not pretend: the Aston, in that setting, wasn’t just a car. It was home.

The Ferrari convoy, FTP Vantage and SC:UK cars arrive at Pale Hall. Quite a lovely setting indeed!

Spot the FTP Vantage, parked at Pale Hall

Inside Pale Hall was, as you might expect, every bit as majestic as the exterior. The kind of place where you half expect a liveried butler to offer you a brandy and a cigar before you’ve even sat down. The staff were impossibly polite — like Downton Abbey had crossbred with the Ritz — and I was ushered out to the garden where a table awaited, shaded beneath one of those ornate umbrellas that says, “Yes, I have eaten a scone with clotted cream in the last 30 minutes.”

Afternoon tea, in the sunshine, surrounded by fellow car obsessives and parked just yards from a collection of Ferrari-shaped ego — this was bliss. A few finger sandwiches later and it was time to head off. But not before one last slow stroll around Pale Hall, where every window frame looked hand-carved by someone called Charles in 1782. And yes, if you’re wondering — you can stay here overnight. If you’ve recently sold a kidney.

The drive home to West Yorkshire started gloriously — sweeping, curvaceous roads with delicious national speed limit signs and the occasional sheep for dramatic tension. But then it happened. I hit that stretch. Miles and miles of cruel, soul-draining 50mph average speed cameras. The kind of road that makes you question your will to live — or at least your will to drive.

I cruised, I sulked, I fiddled with my music playlist in protest. And eventually, with motorways ahead and the sweet thrum of that glorious 2019 V8 purring under the bonnet, I found my zen again. Because after a day like that — exquisite cars, stately mansions, and roads that didn’t just twist but danced — even the average speed cameras couldn’t ruin it. Well… not entirely.

Flamborough Head Drive

The very next morning — yes, the next day — I was back in the driver’s seat for another SC:UK adventure. This time, we were heading east, to Flamborough Head and its rather majestic lighthouse, presumably in search of windswept cliffs, bracing sea air, and the chance to make seagulls nervous with V8 noise. This time, I had my wife along for the ride — which meant no loud music, no overly enthusiastic gear changes, and absolutely no comments about overtaking everything in sight “because I can.”

We left early. Stupidly early. The kind of early that makes you wonder if civilisation has been wiped out overnight. Hardly any cars on the road, just the quiet hum of the FTP Vantage and the sun lazily dragging itself up from the horizon like a teenager forced to attend school on a Saturday.

And let me tell you — the camera loved it. Golden rays illuminating the bonnet, road ahead aglow, and at one glorious point, a crow performed a stunt display right in front of us. Proper Top Gun stuff. I don’t know if it was territorial or just showing off, but either way, it looked spectacular framed against a sunrise and the Aston’s sculpted lines.

Honestly, if you’re going to film one drive in your life, make it at sunrise — it turns even a trip to a car park outside York into something bordering on cinematic.

On route to the meet up point in York, beautiful sunrise and an acrobatic crow! - Before a scenic drive to Flamborough Head - SC:UK Drive, April 2025

It took about an hour and a half to reach the meet up point, but I didn’t mind that at all as the journey there, took us through some beautiful sights and countryside. As we turned up, we found about a dozen cars had already arrived, but car after car could be heard turning up, one after the other. It was a good turn out!

After all who were due to turn up, turned up, we held a drivers briefing, which is focused on driving safely, the route, any dangers etc. Because there were quite a few cars — enough to form a respectable grid at Silverstone — we split into two groups. Each group had a lead car, a few ‘ambassadors’ with radios, and absolutely no police outriders… which is a pity, frankly. These ambassadors are essentially the cruise directors of the tarmac world. They keep things running smoothly, call out any road hazards, and generally act like a calm voice in your ear saying, “You’ve missed the turning, you muppet.”

The beauty of it all? It’s so ridiculously well organised that even if you’re not the next Sebastian Vettel, there’s no pressure to go flat-out. You drive at your own pace, whether that’s “spirited GT tourer” or “Sunday gran with scones in the boot.” Everyone just wants a good drive and a good time. And that’s what makes it brilliant.

Roughly halfway into the drive — just as our legs began fusing to Alcantara and our kidneys had taken all the suspension abuse they could handle — we pulled into a pre-arranged car park in a charming little village. The sort of place with a bakery that smells of actual bread and locals who walk their dogs without the need for Bluetooth headsets.

Now, picture this: one moment, peace and quiet. The next? Thirty sports and supercars erupt into town like a grid of angry wasps wearing designer sunglasses. It caused a stir, of course. Curtains twitched. Dogs barked. One elderly chap in a flat cap nearly fell off his bench. But here’s the thing — people loved it. They always do. There’s something about seeing a convoy of V8s, V10s, and the occasional V12 that turns fully grown adults into star-struck teenagers. And rightly so.

Take the Aston Martin Vantage, for instance. I’ve never had anything other than admiration thrown its way — here in the UK or even abroad. You park it, people nod. It’s the automotive equivalent of wearing a tuxedo to a pub: everyone just quietly respects it.

And speaking of Astons — for the second half of the drive, I found myself behind a rather special one. A 007 Edition Vantage. Yes, that one — shaken, not stirred, and limited to just a few. It’s from the same glorious era as mine, what the boffins at Aston call the Gaydon Class 3, or AM6 V8 Vantage. A mouthful, yes, but it’s Aston-speak for “the last of the properly noisy ones before everyone went all Greta Thunberg about it.”

More on that particular beauty once we reached Flamborough Head. But for now, let’s just say: if James Bond had been driving behind me, I wouldn’t have blamed him.

FTP Vantage, behind the Limited Edition 007 Version, on route to Flamborough Head - April 2025

The drive? Sublime. The weather? Practically Mediterranean — if you squinted and ignored the sheep. The route twisted through some of Yorkshire’s finest countryside, the sort of scenery that makes you consider buying a thatched cottage, three Labradors and a tweed jacket. It was one of those spring mornings where everything just clicked: the roads were clear, the engine was purring like a smug tiger, and the sun even had the decency to show up. Glorious.

And then, just as if someone at the National Trust had written the script, we rounded the final few bends and were greeted with the perfect cherry on the cake — a lighthouse. A proper, windswept, white-painted beacon of nautical Britishness perched right on the edge of the world. It looked like something out of a postcard... or an overly dramatic period drama. Either way, it didn’t disappoint.

The roads by now were starting to fill with tourists in beige Nissans doing 27mph in a 60, so the last stretch was more of a gentle coastal cruise than a spirited charge. But frankly, after a drive that good, I didn’t care. We’d had our morning thrill, the car was still shiny, the tyres were still round, and we were about to stare at something spectacular by the sea.

Photos below, because of course there are. You don’t drive all that way to a lighthouse and not take a picture. That would be madness.

SC:UK members arrive at the final destination - Flamborough Head Lighthouse

Flamborough Head Lighthouse looking out to sea

As I busied myself filming like some low-budget David Attenborough of the car world, more and more SC:UK cars began rolling in. One by one, they slotted themselves neatly onto what was optimistically called the "Overflow Car Park" — in reality, a slightly uneven patch of grass that could double as a sheep field with a better PR team.

The line-up? Glorious. A multicoloured parade of noise, carbon fibre, and questionable fuel economy. Locals and tourists alike wandered over, drawn in as if by a strange metallic Pied Piper, wide-eyed and whispering things like “Ooh, that’s a McLaren, isn’t it?” or “I think that one was in a Bond film.” Probably wasn’t, but let them have their moment.

And that’s the thing — you don’t normally see cars like this unless you spend your weekends at Goodwood or accidentally marry into royalty. Seeing them all parked up in a sleepy corner of the British coastline? It’s like finding a Bugatti in a garden centre car park. Utterly brilliant.

After a bit of airborne faffing about with the drone — which is essentially a very expensive way of saying “I’m filming from slightly higher up” — I wandered over for a proper gander at the Limited Edition Aston Martin Vantage 007 Edition. Now, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: seeing a rare Aston Martin in the wild is a bit like spotting a unicorn in the queue at Greggs — magnificent and deeply confusing.

Naturally, it had all the Bond-inspired gadgets you could want... short of an actual ejector seat and a button marked “Oil Slick.” And yes, I absolutely loved every silly, fanboy-ish detail — from the subtle badging to the ski references that make you want to shout “Roger Moore!” at passing traffic. I asked the owner, more in hope than expectation, if it came with the famous skis and roof rack. “Oh yes,” he replied, “they’re at home.” At home! Where presumably they sit unused, like a fondue set or a gym membership.

Brilliant stuff. Pure theatre on wheels. And if you want to see the cinematic nods and nostalgic nonsense for yourself, you can, because — surprise — it’s all on the YouTube video. Go on. Have a look. Try not to hum the Bond theme while you do it. You won’t succeed.

My wife and I ducked into the café—one of those quaint little buildings that look like they’ve been there since time began—and ordered hot drinks and a cooked breakfast. Now, I won’t pretend it was Michelin-star worthy; it was more “builder’s breakfast” than “gourmet delight,” but honestly, after a morning’s drive, it hit the spot perfectly. Nothing fancy, just good honest fuel for the soul and the stomach.

By this point, the café was packed tighter than a clown car at the circus, every seat filled with hungry souls. From our window, we spotted quite a crowd gathering outside, admiring our SC:UK car display on the grass—clearly, even the locals appreciate a bit of automotive eye candy.

Before heading back to the car, my wife and I took a leisurely stroll along the cliff edge. And let me tell you, the view was so spectacular it nearly made me forget the breakfast was just okay. Nearly. See for yourself in the photo below.

As we peered over the cliff’s edge, we spotted what looked like a seal convention—dozens, maybe even a hundred of the blubbery fellows lounging about, soaking up the sun like they owned the place. Now, I’m terrible at guessing numbers, but trust me, it was a proper seal party down there. Every now and then, one would decide to splash about for a swim, probably wondering what all the fuss was about up here.

Seeing the seals lined up on the beach was almost as satisfying as seeing the SC:UK cars all parked up in a neat row — I suspect the seals get just as much attention from passersby’s as the SC:UK line-up.

I guess if you live by the sea, this might be just another Saturday, but for me? It was a genuinely lovely sight, like nature’s own motor show, only with more fur and fewer horsepower.

After a cracking morning, we packed up our bits and bobs and decided it was time to head home. Plenty of SC:UK cars and their owners were still hanging around the cafe, no doubt planning their next adventure or just enjoying the scene. Some probably went off exploring more of the coastline, but my wife had her heart set on spotting some puffins—those cheeky little birds that look like a penguin’s slightly rubbish cousin.

So off we went, to a spot where a couple of puffins had apparently made an appearance earlier. Did we see any? Nope. Not a single one. Apparently, a few puffins had been spotted earlier, but by the time we arrived, they were off doing puffin things elsewhere. After a good stare and some intense bird-watching squinting, we conceded defeat, hopped back into the FTP Vantage, and enjoyed a calm, cloudless cruise back to West Yorkshire.

All in all, a brilliant day — cars, cliffs, seals, and nearly puffins. What more could you want?

FTP Vantage leaving Flamborough Head for home - April 2025

An airport and a bunch of supercars — what’s not to like?

The following weekend kicked off with a proper treat: two SC:UK events back-to-back. First up, on Saturday, a drive out to Leeds East Airport for a coffee morning meet at the DMB Collection — basically a supercar showroom parked next to a working airfield. I met up with about 20 other SC:UK cars about half an hour away from the airport, and then we all convoyed in like a small-scale automotive parade.

Pulling into the airport, we were greeted by quite the gathering. Seems half the club had beaten us there. It was a brilliant location — a working airfield buzzing with small planes and helicopters, and right next door, a showroom filled with enough supercars to make any petrolhead drool. Location, location, location indeed.

The FTP Vantage arriving at Leeds East Airport behind a brand new Audi and a bright yellow McLaren - nice start to the day!

Once I’d parked up—after expertly squeezing the FTP Vantage into a spot that probably had less clearance than a Formula 1 car in a supermarket trolley bay—I lingered around the now very brightly coloured car park. And by brightly coloured, I mean supercars flashing every shade of the rainbow, each one screaming, “Look at me!”

More cars kept arriving, and the spaces were disappearing faster than a politician’s promises. Thankfully, SC:UK had parking attendants playing traffic cop, expertly directing Ferraris, Lambos, and the odd Aston to their designated spots like it was some sort of automotive ballet. From a filming perspective, it was pure gold—I managed to grab some cracking ‘B-roll’ footage of cars rolling in and slowly parking, including a particularly green Lamborghini that looked like it was auditioning for the next Fast & Furious.

Before I even thought about stepping inside the DMB Collection, I figured it polite to ask the owner if filming was allowed. Luckily, he was more than happy. Inside, the collection was something else: an absolute feast for anyone who’s ever dreamed of throwing their money at some seriously tasty machinery. Porsches, McLarens, and enough shiny metal to make James Bond feel a bit inadequate.

I had a good wander around, soaking it all in—and yes, every single one of those beauties was for sale. So, if you’ve got a spare million or two knocking about, here’s your chance. I’m not going to flood you with pictures here though—that would spoil the surprise. Instead, I’ve got a shiny YouTube video waiting for you to click RIGHT HERE. Trust me, it’s worth your time.

A Special Porsche on display at the DMB Collection, East Leeds Airport - April 2025

Needless to say, I spent a while gorging myself on the cars and doing spot of filming for the short video I produced. It was a great way to spend the morning. After bagging enough footage and gawping at the cars, dreaming of a lottery win, I grabbed a quick coffee from the cafe just across from the showroom and then made for home. Another great SC:UK event. That’s the beauty of being part of a car club - you get the opportunity of seeing things, visiting places and being with fellow car enthusiasts, that you wouldn’t necessarily otherwise meet!

SC:UK Peak District Drive

The very next day following the amazing DMB Collection visit, was another SC:UK meeting. An early morning start to the pre-arranged meeting place, being a pub that I had never been too, in the heart of the Peak District. Again, it was nice to be out and about before most other people in the FTP Vantage. Let’s just say the car was well warmed up, by the time I arrived at the meeting point!

FTP Vantage, waiting patiently for other SC:UK members to arrive before heading off for an epic drive through the Peak District - April 2025

After 30 minutes or so, about a dozen cars from the club had arrived and the it was decided the drivers briefing could start. After that, we got in our cars and pulled out the pub car park and off we went.

I was intending to produce a short film of this drive and had cameras rolling, but I decided not to pull together an edited film for this one and take the day off!

After approximately 2 and a half hours driving through some epic Peak District roads and through one quaint village after another, we concluded the drive at the Oil Can Cafe in Holmfirth! It was quite handy, as I know that Cafe very well as I don’t live too far from it! It was nice to conclude an organised drive at a venue not too far from home.

The picture opposite is a nice one, a Ferrari out in front, with SC:UK cars behind me, driving through a lovely Peak District Village during the drive. What a great day!

Inside the Oil Can Cafe, Holmfirth, following an epic SC:UK drive through the Peak District - April 2025

For those of you, who have never been to the Oil Can Cafe, as you can see from the photographs, it’s a great place for car and bike enthusiasts to pop into for some refreshments.

There’s always a great atmosphere there, with a selection of cakes to choose from, or of course a menu full of meal choices!

As well as being a cafe, it’s also on the same site as the Oil Can Garage, where they store, service and repair cars of all types. Some of which they display and you can take a walk around and have a good look round (as the picture on the left shows you).

Time for New Tyres!

When I bought the 2019 FTP Vantage in August 2024, it still had the same Pirelli P Zero’s it had, when it came out of factory. Due to the car only doing 7,400 miles from new, the tyres (when I bought the car), were still in really good shape, with plenty of tread depth left on them. However, now that I had joined SC:UK and was doing more and more miles, not to mention the European road trip I took part in last year, which I did with a number of other cars along with the organisers being Sam and Tony from the ‘Behind the Glass’ Podcast - YouTube Channel, my rear tyres were getting to the stage where they needed to be replaced. They were still above the legal limit, but I could feel the tread bar indicator in the tyre and due to their age, I was keen to get them changed.

I had originally planned on getting all four changed together at the end of July and whilst I was visiting Aston Workshop in Durham, approximately 7 weeks prior to heading across Europe again, this time on my own - but I’ll be joining dozens of other Aston Martins at the 90th Anniversary of the Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC) in Austria, and yes, I’ll be filming my adventures and taking you with me! A new series will be emerging on the Fuel the Passion YouTube Channel in early October, so stay tuned for that later in the year - exciting stuff!

Anyhow, back to the tyre situation…

To be honest I was keen to replace the Pirelli PZero tyres, not because I didn’t like them, far from it! I thought they were great, however, I was starting to experience a bit of ‘slippage’ on some spirited drives, especially with the SC:UK drives, where in the national speed limits, I accelerate hard when it’s safe to do so. I also noted the feel of the tyres, wasn’t as great - glued to the road, as they felt when I first bought the car. The fact is, the tyres were getting ‘on a bit’ in relation to their age and the rear ones - their tread depth.

So I decided to change just the rears for now, and keep the fronts until the end of July, when I’ll get them changed as I had originally planned at Aston Workshop.

Now I needed to decide where to take the FTP Vantage to get the tyres changed. That was not an easy decision, as apart from the main Aston Martin Dealership, my closest being Leeds, I didn’t know anywhere that had a good reputation and whom I could trust to look after the wheels and car whilst changing having the tyres changed. That’s not to say that good reputable tyre garages weren’t out there, it’s just that I didn’t know about them. Having moved up to Yorkshire from Surrey about 7 years prior, my knowledge about performance tyre specialists in Yorkshire was not great. So I started my research!

This is where being part of clubs like SC:UK and AMOC really paid off. I reached out through WhatsApp groups and asked around for recommendations. Fellow members shared their experiences, reassuring me about garages that took great care of their cars and wheels when changing tyres. One garage kept coming up again and again—Harworth Tyres in South Yorkshire. To be sure, I checked online reviews and found they matched what the club members had said. That’s when I knew I had a plan.

Finding a place you can trust is such a relief. You want to walk in confident your car will be treated well, and that you’ll be driving away with fresh rubber — and no scratches or damage.

What really impressed me was how easy Harworth Tyres made the whole process. Their website was super straightforward: I just typed in my registration, confirmed the tyre sizes, picked the brand and specification I wanted, and booked a fitting slot — all online. Simple, painless, done.

A few days later, I headed over to Harworth Tyres for the fitting. I even made a short video of my experience, where I talk about tyre pressure monitoring and show exactly how well they handled the car and wheels. If you want to check it out, just CLICK HERE and I’ll take you right there!

FTP Vantage at Harworth Tyres for new sets of rubber on the rear - April 2025

As you can see, I changed my rear tyres from Pirelli to Michelin Pilot Sport 4S’s. Why I hear you ask? Well, I’m sure most of you will have an opinion on this already and some of you will have your own experiences - I didn’t, until I did more research! Pretty much every Aston owner I spoke too, recommended me to switch from Pirelli’s to Michelins, stating they feel better, they offer more grip, better wear and even looked better, with their soft to touch Michelin brand name tyre wall.

I also watched numerous tyre reviews and when tested the difference between Pirelli’s and the Michelins were very very close, almost identical, however the Michelins just about scored better. It was time to make the change and see for myself.

As you can see from the picture on the right, they do look good! It’s like buying a new pair of shoes, only this time, they’re for my beloved FTP Vantage!

FTP Vantage in the Harworth Tyres Garage getting new Michelin Pilot Sport 4S’s on the rear - nice!

To date, the Michelins have been fab, I can’t complain about anything. They grip, the road noise is no different, they look good and they handle very well. I’m just looking forward now to the end of July, beginning of August when I get the fronts changed. I’ll be filming that too whilst at Aston Workshop and already have their permission to film all the areas of their workspace. I know they sell some pretty lovely Aston Martins there, so I’m looking forward to that in July./August.

Whilst we’re on the Aston Workshop element - I’ve decided to now take my FTP Vantage to them - an independent Aston Martin Specialist, for the ongoing care, servicing and MOT, rather than take it to my local Aston Martin, Leeds main dealer. I’m not a millionaire and I suppose if I were, I may stick to a main dealer. But it’s no just that, ie; the costs. Before I move on from the costs, I watched a YouTube video, where the owner of a car the same model as my own, had a puncture which couldn’t be repaired. So they took it to their local Aston Martin dealership and got the tyre changed. The cost of labour was a lot of money, which the owner of the car said, he could’ve taken his car to an independent tyre specialist and not get charged for the ‘labour’ costs at all! From that experience, he vowed not to return to the main dealer for tyre replacement purposes.

I suppose the issue there, like the issue I had, was having the confidence to take your pride and joy elsewhere, to an independent tyre specialist you can trust. Well I did it and it worked out fine for me, all I would say is research, research and research. Don’t just rely on internet reviews, ask around - fellow motorists, friends, car club members etc. It will all pay off in the end.

Back to servicing and ongoing maintenance. So I’ve decided that Aston Workshop will take over that responsibility for the FTP Vantage. I won’t labour the point too much on here, at this time, as I’m going to cover it in a future video, but as well as cost savings, certain independent specialists, like Aston Workshop, have now acquired brand new AMDS2 equipment, which allows them to service the more modern Aston Martin vehicles, which includes my year and model of Vantage. They can also maintain the DB11, DB12, DBS Superleggera and DBX. Many of these specialists also have such excellent knowledge and such an extensive background, many mechanics are ex-Aston Martin trained mechanics. Not only is it more cost effective, not only do they have the specialist knowledge, but they also care for their customers. A lot!

I’m not saying that I’ve had a poor experience from Aston Martin Dealerships, far from it. In fact, I feel I’ve built up a really good relationship with my local Aston Martin Dealer. However, Aston Workshop is a family established and run business, with years of experience. These guys build cars from scratch, using genuine or manufactured parts that they build themselves! Now it’s too early to comment on the service that Aston Workshop will provide to me, but I bet it’s going to be excellent. Everything i’ve researched, tells me that’s going to be the case, and I’m looking forward to get to know the team there. I’ve already introduced myself to them, as they had a marque at Goodwood Revival last year, where they were demonstrating the lengths they can go too - but building your own specification, bespoke Aston Martin DB4. Amazing. I’m looking forward to the visit in July/August, so if you haven’t already, why not subscribe so you don’t miss that episode! CLICK HERE and I’ll take you right there, where all you have to do is click SUBSCRIBE.

Finding some great driving roads in Wales

Towards the end of April, my wife had bought some tickets for ‘Wonder Wool in Wales’. Admittedly not my scene, but I wasn’t going to turn down an opportunity to drive her there, drop her off at the Wool show and then I could hit the roads and find some amazing countryside, views and tarmac to drive! We made it a short stay. I had a great day discovering some great roads, many of which had some stunning views. We also stayed in a lovely lodge off the beaten track. I filmed the experience so you can take a look if you haven’t yet seen the video, called ‘A Perfect Combination’. CLICK HERE and I’ll take you straight to it!

The FTP Vantage at a great spot overlooking the breathtaking Welsh Countryside at the Brecon Beacons, Wales - April 2025

I had visited Wales whilst a child on family holidays, but I can’t remember it that well. I have heard time and time again that Wales had some stunning roads, little villages and views. I couldn’t wait to get started! But first, we drove to our lodge, where we were going to stay the night. It wasn’t until the next day that I could be let free and explore!

Left Picture: Me about to talk to camera filming for ‘The Perfect Combination’ video

The journey to our lodge was fine. The motorway was a tad busy and came to a stop/start situation for a short distance, but apart from that we arrived in good time.

As we turned off the beaten track, down some tight country lanes, at which I was slightly apprehensive about meeting another vehicle, as there were only a handful of passing points, we drove over a small bridge, with a stream gently running underneath, turned right down another country lane for about a quarter of a mile, then we came to our lodge. It had a nice, freshly tarmacked drive, which was all smooth and lovely.

We actually came across the owners of the lodge, who were just finishing up preparing the lodge. We had a brief chat and they briefed us on a couple of points to do with the lodge, then they left us to it! It was a lovely little place, which had only recently been refurbished. The owners had thought of everything, from great instructions, to items we would likely need, to a basket of food goodies! It was a very comfortable little residence for a nights stay. We actually wished we were staying for longer!

If you haven’t seen the video, and would be interested, I provide a quick tour of the lodge, which is always nice to see if you fancy staying there yourselves! Watch the video - CLICK HERE. All the details of the Lodge are in the description of the YouTube video, or they’re on the ‘Videos & Locations’ pages, where you get to see the videos that are already live or are coming up soon.

After we settled in, it wasn’t long before we headed to a little nearby village where we had booked a table, at probably the cutest and smallest pizzeria in the country! It’s called the Proper Pizza Company Ltd, if you want to find out more and visit their website CLICK HERE.

As we entered there were only two, quite large, wooden tables by the side. You could probably seat 8 people around each table. We were greeted by the very friendly staff, and shown to one of the two tables, where we sat down and peered at the menu. The smell from this little pizzeria was fantastic. It’s always a good sign, but it wasn’t long before the phone was ringing in the pizzeria and people were coming in and out collecting pre-booked orders. Two ladies walked in, all very friendly, as if they used the pizzeria regularly. They certainly seemed to know the owners and people who were working there, they were having a good chat. Then they were handed about ten Pizza’s, all in boxes, stacked one on top of the other. One of the ladies took the stack of freshly cooked pizzas, they said their goodbye’s and left, with the lady carrying the pizzas just about peering round the boxes she was carrying to see where she was going! The restaurant was clean, recently decorated, so looked new and like I say, it was busy! I was happy we were going to get a great pizza!

Once we placed our order, it wasn’t long before the kitchen were freshly making our order, right before our eyes. The base was made fresh, then the toppings were put on, then into the pizza oven. A few minutes later, the cook swiped in the huge flat server into the oven and pulled out one of our freshly cooked pizzas.

Let’s just say they went down a treat! I included some film clips in the relevant YouTube film, As you’ll see for yourself, it’s a lovely little Pizzeria - we would definitely recommend. If you’re in the area, get in there and order your delicious and freshly baked pizza. You won’t be disappointed! The only bit of advice I would have, is book first, as I’ve described, they’re a small venue and a busy venue - they obviously have a good reputation with the locals and visitors alike, so secure your collection or place at one of the two tables first to avoid disappointment!

It wasn’t long before the Pizza’s were gone! In our now little round tummies, although now slightly rounder than usual!

The next day had arrived. After a coffee and a light breakfast, following our delicious Pizza the night before, we got our stuff together, packed the car, then we headed off. I was to drop off my good wife to the Wool show, where she would spend most of the day, then I was free to go driving and enjoy the driving roads of the Brecon Beacons! I was looking forward to this!

During the video, I show a Google Maps image and show the viewers my planned route for the day. I had planned to drive in a large circle, which took me down the A4069, over the Black Mountains, then back north on the A4067 back towards the venue where I dropped off my wife at the beginning of the day.

Any good road trip, just has to start with ensuring the car is filled with the best quality petrol you can get your hands on, this was no exception! As I didn’t have local knowledge, I headed for a petrol station I had already driven past on route to dropping off my wife. I filled up with their version of Shell E5 V-Power, which was a 98 score, then off I went on my pre-planned route.

Incidentally, talking of petrol, I don’t no about you, but I always try to fill up at a Shell Petrol Station, not only due to having their reward card app on my phone and collecting their loyalty points, but also because of their V-Power product and all the positive reviews that accompany that fuel. I just think it’s the best out there and that’s not to say other providers don’t provide a product that is just as good. I’m sure the petrol is pretty much the same, but Shell claim some really good benefits to V-Power and the reviews that I’ve read seem to support that. The fill ups on this trip however were not Shell, as I just didn’t come across a Shell Garage at a time I needed petrol.

FTP Vantage at the base of a hill. As I placed cameras on the car, I had a chat with a nice chap in his camper. He was in the process of cooking himself breakfast! Nice views!

During my drive, I encountered a real mixture of road conditions - traffic wise. Mostly the roads were quiet, often I didn’t see another car for a good few miles, which I was surprised by. After all it was a weekend, the sun was shining and it felt warm. It was a great day to get out for a drive or a ride on your bike. However, there were occasions when the traffic increased quite a bit, but as soon as it came, it disappeared into the distance. The roads were brilliant and I honestly can’t recall coming across more than two or three speed cameras - until the foot of climb shown in the picture on the A4069. The climb and subsequent sections of the road, were covered by average speed cameras, however, some of these had been cut down, criminally damaged, so didn’t appear to be working, although I didn’t take any chances.

One thing I would say about driving in Wales, or certainly the roads I was using for his trip - they are loved by bikers. There were a lot of bikers, solitary bikers, bikers in groups, some of them large, as in 20 plus. I did my best to pull the the left when it was safe and let them through, but some of them seemed to like the rear view of my FTP Vantage and stayed with me for miles, despite having ample opportunity to overtake. I didn’t mind, nor did I blame them, as the rear end of the Vantage is a nice view to have, not that I see it that often from the drivers seat!

As I approached the base of a climb, which would take me over some great high roads across the Black Mountains, I pulled over to fix some action cameras to the car, so I could capture some footage for the video. I pulled over next to the camper van in the image above. Inside was a middle aged gent, who was in the process of cooking himself breakfast. What a lovely spot he had chosen. We had a brief chat, said our farewells and I left driving up the road, which was covered by average speed cameras, albeit some cameras were damaged.

To be honest, there were some tight and narrow roads, as I drove upwards and the views were stunning. As I progressed up the mountain road, I came across an ideal spot to stop and take in the views. It’s the image that actually made the final thumbnail for the YouTube film and is shown below. How can it get much better than that - the FTP Vantage - my dream car and that view. Hence the name of the video - A Perfect Combination!

The FTP Vantage parked on a layby in the Brecon Beacons. What a stunning view, which became the Thumbnail picture of the accompanying film

The stunning reflections of Welsh woodlands, as the FTP Vantage is driven through fabulous roads in the Brecon Beacons - April 2025

The above photograph is testament to how clean I keep the FTP Vantage! The reflections of the passing woodland on the paintwork of the car are just stunning! I love the shape and contours of this car! I know people tend to prefer the versions with air louvres in the bonnet or other aero slits here and there, or a sporty back wing etc, etc. I like mine with as few ‘race’ editions as possible, sleek, refined, understated. That’s what the FTP Vantage is to me. Just perfect!

I’ve heard many people say that the Aston Martin DBS is one of the best looking cars ever made. We could all list a number of cars that could be up there, I’m sure, cars made by Alfa Romeo, the Jaguar D and E-Type, the Ferrari 250 GT SWB, the list could go on and on, after all it’s all about personal preference - beauty is in the eye of the beholder - as they say! The reason I mention this, referring back to the DBS, is that yes, I agree it’s a beautiful car, but it has the bonnet louvres and a number of other modifications to make it look ‘racier’. Compare it to an Aston Martin DB9 GT version - sleek, smooth and sophisticated. I would take that version any day, but I know people will disagree and that’s fine. Beauty to a degree is subjective.

Before long my drive around the gorgeous Brecon Beacons was nearly over, as I passed the petrol station where I filled up with petrol earlier that same day. I pulled in again and filled up the Vantage for the journey home. I then went around the corner and collected Mrs T, for the drive home. Mrs T had a great day and purchased a few items that she was very pleased with. I had had a great day with my trusted companion, the FTP Vantage exploring some great Welsh roads. Now back home to Yorkshire!

The final car related ‘event’ for me in April, came from a problem with the FTP Vantage!

Whilst on the trip to the Brecon Beacons, I noticed the ‘coolant’ warning light came on and then off again. This flashed up a couple of weeks beforehand, but went away again. I had checked the coolant levels and all seemed fine. With this light reappearing again, I decided to book the FTP Vantage into Aston Martin, Leeds to see if they could check the issue. They had already checked it once, a few weeks after it’s service, as the light appeared then, but they checked it, ensured the coolant was at the right levels and it all seemed fine.

To cut a not very interesting story short, they diagnosed the issue as a faulty coolant monitor which was in the coolant tank. It was registering coolant levels incorrectly due to a faulty sensor. It was under warranty, so they ordered a new part to be fitted. I re-attended the dealership to have the part fitted, but this time I filmed their current line up of stock, which was a great thing to do. It could also help generate sales from prospective buyers of an Aston Martin - you never know whose going to view your videos once you’ve uploaded them!

The video is called ‘Time Well Spent’ as ever if you haven’t yet seen it CLICK HERE and I’ll take you straight there!

The video will show you all the lovely Aston Martin’s that were for sale, both brand new ones and those for sale as part of the Timeless Range. There was some beauties in and outside the showroom, as always!

I also had a go at the configurator afterwards, as looking at all the materials you could choose from in their showroom, enthused me to spec my dream new Aston Martin, a new Vanquish. What colour did I choose - check out the video to see. You never know, it may happen one day!

Just some of the stunning Aston Martin cars on show at Aston Martin Showroom, Leeds - April 2025

So spring had definitely arrived, April proved to be quite a busy month. I was very much looking forward to more car events, drives and functions in May, where we started off with a load of other sports/super cars…. …in a park! check out the May blog, which will be published in the first week of June.

I’ll hopefully see you on the next one, in the meantime why don’t you go and take a look at the Fuel the Passion YouTube Channel RIGHT HERE or have a browse in the FTP online shop RIGHT HERE.