Issue 43 - Fuel the Passion (FTP) Weekly Roundup
Week Ending 27th September 2026
Your guide to Issue 43
From Aston Martin's latest motorsport developments and the Valkyrie's return to Fuji, to a century-old Grand Prix car still racing in the same family, this week's Roundup has plenty to discover. We also return to Goodwood Revival for historic racing, auction results and the latest chapter of our collaboration with Blackthorn Racing.
Read it from beginning to end, explore the sections that interest you most, or return whenever you have a quiet moment. However you choose to enjoy Issue 43, thank you for spending some of your time with FTP.
Take your time.
There's plenty worth discovering.
Image © Fuel the Passion. A Line up of Aston Martin DB4GT’s at Goodwood Revival 2026.
Editor’s Introduction - Dan, Fuel the Passion
Good morning or afternoon, whenever and wherever you’re reading this. Welcome to Issue 43 of the Fuel the Passion Weekly Roundup.
I'm still recovering from another wonderful weekend at Goodwood Revival. There's something quite extraordinary about watching historic racing cars being driven as they were intended, surrounded by the sights, sounds and atmosphere of a circuit that seems to transport you back in time. With plenty of Aston Martins taking to the track, I certainly wasn't short of things to photograph and film. I'll share some of my favourite moments later in this week's Roundup.
Following last week's look behind the scenes with Blackthorn Racing at Silverstone, Goodwood provided another opportunity to spend time with the team as our developing collaboration continues. This time, I was behind the camera following a rather different V8-powered machine, and there's a short film on its way to the Blackthorn Racing team's YouTube channel.
Away from Goodwood, it's been another interesting week in the Aston Martin world. We've had fresh developments surrounding the Formula One team's preparations for Azerbaijan, further discussion about Fernando Alonso's future and some encouraging news about Aston Martin's plans for next year's sports car racing season.
There's also plenty to enjoy away from the racetrack. This week's selection of videos takes us from the potential pitfalls of buying a beautiful but troubled V12 Aston Martin to the extraordinary sound of three Valkyries at Monza. We then return to British roads, where Harry Metcalfe has been spending some quality time with the Valhalla. His extended experience raises some interesting questions about what Aston Martin has achieved with its remarkable hybrid hypercar.
Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd & Aston Martin Aramco. Used for editorial purposes.
Meanwhile, the international motorsport calendar shows little sign of slowing down. We'll revisit Aston Martin's performances at Indianapolis before looking ahead to another busy weekend, with the World Endurance Championship visiting Fuji and Formula One heading to the streets of Baku.
As always, there's more to explore in the FTP Motorsport Hub, where you'll find our detailed race reports and championship coverage. Here in the Weekly Roundup, we'll concentrate on the stories, developments and people shaping another fascinating week in the Aston Martin world.
So, grab a coffee or other drink of your choice, settle in and enjoy this week's Roundup.
Before we look ahead to another busy weekend, there's some unfinished business from Indianapolis. Aston Martin's Valkyrie and Vantage teams were back in action at the Brickyard, with plenty to report across the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Michelin Pilot Challenge. Let's revisit the weekend's racing and see how the Aston Martins fared.
Last Weekend in Motorsport
Indianapolis: Strong Pace, Frustrating Results for Aston Martin
There was plenty of encouragement for Aston Martin at Indianapolis last weekend, although the final results didn't entirely reflect the pace shown by its cars. The Valkyrie ran as high as fourth in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, while the Heart of Racing Vantage GT3 led almost half of its race in GTD. In the Michelin Pilot Challenge, the team's Vantage GT4 continued its impressive qualifying form with another pole position.
Valkyrie fights through the field
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. THOR Valkyrie.
Ross Gunn and Roman De Angelis brought the #23 Aston Martin THOR Team Valkyrie home eighth in GTP after an eventful race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Starting tenth, Gunn made steady progress through the opening stint, climbing to sixth before handing over to De Angelis. The Canadian continued the charge and briefly took the Valkyrie into fourth place, raising hopes of another strong result following the car's season-best fifth at Road America.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.
Roman-De-Angelis in car.
Unfortunately, a late caution changed the complexion of the race. De Angelis restarted fifth but was forced off the circuit by another competitor, dropping to ninth. He recovered one position to finish eighth.
Readers may remember the extraordinary events at Road America, which we covered in Issue 36 . The Valkyrie crossed the line second before a post-race penalty dropped it to fifth, its strongest official result of the season. We returned to that performance in Issue 38 , when Aston Martin undertook further development testing at Silverstone.
With Petit Le Mans approaching on 3rd October, Aston Martin has one more opportunity to turn that improving competitiveness into a strong result before the IMSA season concludes.
Heart of Racing leads 46 laps
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. #27 Vantage.
The #27 Heart of Racing Vantage GT3 also had good reason to leave Indianapolis wondering what might have been. Tom Gamble and Dudu Barrichello combined to lead 46 laps in GTD, with Gamble moving into the lead early in the race and Barrichello maintaining the team's challenge after taking over. However, a caution with approximately an hour remaining and a difficult restart disrupted their progress.
Barrichello eventually crossed the line fifth, a disappointing outcome after such a competitive performance.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.
Dudu Barrichello.
There’s still plenty at stake. Heart of Racing leaves Indianapolis third in the provisional GTD championship standings, with Gamble and Barrichello retaining a mathematical chance of securing the title at Petit Le Mans.
Another pole for the Hannahs
In Saturday's IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge race, Hannah Greenemeier and Hannah Grisham added another impressive qualifying performance to their season in the #26 Heart of Racing Vantage AMR GT4 Evo. Greenemeier secured pole position with a lap of 1:29.351, giving the team its fourth GS pole of 2026 and its fourth in five races. The pair went on to finish sixth, matching their best result of the season.
For the full Indianapolis race reports, results and championship developments, visit the FTP Motorsport Hub.
Indianapolis may have left Heart of Racing wondering what might have been, but Aston Martin's ambitions in American endurance racing extend well beyond this season. With attention already turning to 2027, another Vantage GT3 team has confirmed its plans for the IMSA championship. Car Blanche is preparing for a full-season GTD PRO campaign, bringing two familiar Aston Martin factory drivers together for its next chapter.
Car Blanche Confirms Full-Season Aston Martin GTD PRO Campaign for 2027
When Car Blanche arrived in the IMSA championship earlier this summer, its striking white Aston Martin Vantage GT3 quickly attracted attention. By the time we revisited the team in Issue 36, it had already achieved two GTD podium finishes from its first two appearances.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Car Blanche Aston Martin Vantage GT3.
Less than two months later, the programme has taken another significant step. Car Blanche has confirmed a full-season GTD PRO campaign for 2027, retaining Aston Martin factory drivers Valentin Hasse-Clot and Marco Sørensen in the #68 Vantage GT3 Evo.
It's a substantial commitment from a team that only adopted the Car Blanche identity in June. Having already demonstrated its potential in GTD and gained valuable experience in GTD PRO, the team is now preparing for its first complete season in the championship's professional GT3 category.
From a new identity to a full-season commitment
Car Blanche emerged following YRB Racing's acquisition of the former van der Steur Racing operation ahead of June's Watkins Glen round. The new ownership retained much of the existing team, including Team Principal Christopher Deely, while introducing the striking all-white livery that has quickly become its trademark.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes.
Car Blanche's early results gave the new programme considerable momentum. Following its GTD podiums at Watkins Glen and Road America, the team began gaining experience in GTD PRO, initially partnering Hasse-Clot with Scott Andrews before Sørensen joined him at Virginia International Raceway.
The Frenchman and Dane finished fourth in GTD PRO at VIR, providing an encouraging early result for a partnership that will now continue throughout 2027. From a new identity in June to a confirmed full-season GTD PRO campaign for 2027, Car Blanche has wasted little time establishing its ambitions.
Two familiar factory drivers
The choice of drivers provides continuity as Car Blanche prepares for its first complete season in GTD PRO. Hasse-Clot has been central to the team's development throughout 2026, competing in both GTD and GTD PRO as the programme has evolved. Sørensen brings extensive experience from Aston Martin's international GT and endurance racing programmes, including his current involvement with the Valkyrie Hypercar and GTP project.
Team Principal Christopher Deely has made the team's intentions clear: Car Blanche is entering GTD PRO with the ambition of competing for the championship, rather than simply making up the numbers.
Mattia Drudi joins the team for Petit Le Mans
Before attention turns fully to 2027, Car Blanche has one more important assignment this season. On Monday, the team confirmed that fellow Aston Martin factory driver Mattia Drudi will join Hasse-Clot and Sørensen in the #68 Vantage GT3 Evo for Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta on 3rd October.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Car Blanche Aston Martin Vantage GT3 in action.
The ten-hour race will be Car Blanche's first appearance in GTD PRO at an IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup event. It also gives the team an opportunity to gain further experience with an all-factory driver line-up ahead of next year's championship campaign.
For Aston Martin supporters, the announcement adds another interesting storyline to the IMSA season finale. Alongside Heart of Racing's championship ambitions and the continuing development of the Valkyrie, there will now be another Vantage GT3 to follow as Car Blanche prepares for its next chapter.
From Aston Martin's expanding ambitions in American endurance racing, we turn to Formula One, where the team faces a rather different challenge. With the Azerbaijan Grand Prix approaching, attention is focused on the AMR26's final developments, Honda's continuing work on its power unit and what Aston Martin can learn from the closing races of the season.
Inside Aston Martin Formula One: The AMR26's Final Developments, Honda's Next Steps and AI Behind the Scenes
Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd & Aston Martin Aramco. Used for editorial purposes. Lance Stroll, Madrid Grand Prix 2026.
With Aston Martin preparing for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, two development stories we've followed throughout the summer are approaching another important stage. The extensive aerodynamic revisions introduced in Hungary, which we examined in Issue 34, have now given way to the AMR26's final weight-saving programme. Meanwhile, Honda continues to refine the revised power unit introduced at Zandvoort, a development we followed in Issue 39.
Regular readers will also remember that last week's Roundup examined the additional development opportunities available to Honda under Formula One's regulations. With the team now heading to Baku, we'll look at the latest developments in both programmes, alongside a fascinating insight into how artificial intelligence is becoming part of Aston Martin's everyday Formula One operations.
From Hungary to Baku: Completing the AMR26's Development
Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd & Aston Martin Aramco. Used for editorial purposes. Fernando Alonso, Hungarian Grand Prix 2026.
When Aston Martin introduced its substantial aerodynamic upgrade at the Hungarian Grand Prix, the intention was to establish a more competitive foundation for the remainder of the season. Further refinements followed at Zandvoort, including changes to the front wing and floor.
As we reported in Issue 41, Chief Technical Officer Enrico Cardile subsequently confirmed that the team's major aerodynamic development programme was effectively complete. The remaining work would concentrate on reducing the car's weight. That programme is now approaching its conclusion.
Cardile expects the AMR26 to be very close to Formula One's minimum permitted weight at Baku. The work has involved numerous component changes, including more substantial engineering modifications to the chassis, rather than the introduction of another major aerodynamic package.
Reducing weight offers benefits across several aspects of a car's performance, from acceleration and braking to changes of direction. However, Baku will provide a demanding test of the overall package. Its exceptionally long straights place considerable emphasis on power-unit performance, while the slower corners require good traction and predictable handling.
For Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, the weekend offers an opportunity to assess how effectively the developments introduced since Hungary are working together. Baku represents the culmination of a development programme we've followed since Hungary, rather than the arrival of an entirely new aerodynamic package.
Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd & Aston Martin Aramco. Used for editorial purposes.
There’s also a longer-term purpose to the remaining races. Cardile has explained that the team intends to use the experience gained with the AMR26 to inform its 2027 design. Although next year's car will be a fresh project, the lessons learned from this season's aerodynamic development and weight-reduction programme will help guide the engineering team.
Honda: Additional Development Opportunities and the Road to 2027
Honda's progress remains another important part of Aston Martin's preparations. In last week's Roundup, we explained that the manufacturer had qualified for additional development allowances under the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's (FIA) Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) system.
Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd & Aston Martin Aramco. Used for editorial purposes. The HRC & Aston Martin F1 Team at Baku Street Circuit 2026.
The regulations are intended to help manufacturers whose internal combustion engines fall sufficiently behind the leading power unit.
Following the FIA's initial assessment, Honda was among the manufacturers found to be more than four per cent behind the benchmark, qualifying for additional development opportunities.
These include further permitted engine upgrades, increased development spending and additional time testing engines on a dynamometer, a specialised facility that allows engineers to evaluate an engine's performance under controlled conditions.
Honda introduced a revised power unit at Zandvoort, and subsequent work has concentrated on improving driveability, calibration and the delivery of the engine's available performance. Its chief engineer, Shintaro Orihara, has indicated that another major hardware upgrade isn't currently planned before 2027, although smaller improvements remain possible.
Additional development allowances don't automatically translate into an immediate performance improvement, nor do they mean Aston Martin will arrive in Azerbaijan with another extensively revised engine. Instead, Honda faces two connected challenges: extracting the greatest possible performance from its existing power unit during the remaining races and using the additional development opportunities to strengthen its preparations for next season.
For Aston Martin, the closing stages of 2026 will therefore provide valuable opportunities to improve the relationship between its chassis and power unit while gathering information for 2027.
Artificial Intelligence: From the Drawing Board to the Pit Wall
Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd & Aston Martin Aramco. Used for editorial purposes. AMR26 at Baku Street Circuit 2026.
Away from the circuit, Aston Martin has offered a fascinating new insight into the technology supporting its Formula One operations. Last week's Roundup explored the contrast between Adrian Newey's traditional approach to developing early design concepts and the sophisticated computational tools used once those ideas enter the engineering process.
This week's announcement from Aston Martin and its technology partner CoreWeave takes that story a stage further. Rather than concentrating on how a car is initially designed, it explains how artificial intelligence is helping the team interpret the enormous quantities of information generated during development and race weekends.
Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd & Aston Martin Aramco. Used for editorial purposes. HRC & Aston Martin F1 Team crew at Baku Street Circuit 2026.
One application involves improving the relationship between aerodynamic simulations and real-world performance. A racing car doesn't operate in the perfectly controlled conditions of a computer model. It encounters changing weather, uneven track surfaces, kerbs and disturbed air from other cars. Engineers must understand how these variables affect performance and why the car sometimes behaves differently from their simulations.
Another application concerns radio communications.
During a race weekend, engineers must process a constant flow of information from the team's own operations while also monitoring publicly available communications from competitors. Aston Martin is using AI-assisted transcription, classification and search tools to help its personnel locate relevant information more quickly. The scale of that task is considerable.
Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd & Aston Martin Aramco. Used for editorial purposes.
At a circuit such as Monaco, the combined communications can amount to hundreds of thousands of words over a race weekend. Searching and interpreting that information manually would require substantial time and resources.
The interesting development isn't simply that Aston Martin is using AI. It's how the technology is helping its engineers turn enormous quantities of information into decisions they can act upon. The technology doesn't replace the judgement of Aston Martin's engineers, designers or drivers. Its purpose is to help them identify useful information more efficiently, recognise patterns that might otherwise be overlooked and concentrate their expertise where it can have the greatest effect.
Further along that process, increasingly sophisticated computing systems are helping engineers evaluate those ideas and understand how they perform in the real world.
With Aston Martin refining its current car, developing its 2027 challenger and working alongside Honda to improve the power unit, the ability to learn efficiently from every simulation, test and race weekend will remain an important part of its preparations.
While Aston Martin's engineers continue working to improve the AMR26 and prepare for 2027, there's another question surrounding the team's future that remains unanswered. We've followed Fernando Alonso's options closely in recent editions, and this week, Pedro de la Rosa has offered a further perspective on what might lie ahead for the two-time World Champion.
Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd & Aston Martin Aramco. Used for editorial purposes.
Fernando Alonso's Future: Aston Martin Prepared to Wait
Regular readers will know that we've been following Fernando Alonso's uncertain future for several weeks. In Issue 42, we explored his comments about the possibility of racing Aston Martin's Valkyrie in the World Endurance Championship in 2027, alongside his concerns about Formula One's current regulations.
There’s been a further contribution to that discussion this week. Aston Martin ambassador Pedro de la Rosa has reiterated the team's desire to retain Alonso, while recognising that the Spaniard needs time to decide whether he wishes to continue in Formula One. The team is considering its options, but no decision has been announced.
This follows De la Rosa's comments about Lance Stroll's underlying speed, which we also examined last week. His latest remarks concern a different question: how Aston Martin approaches its driver line-up while Alonso considers his next chapter.
For now, the possibility of a Valkyrie programme remains just that. We'll revisit Alonso's future when there's a substantive development rather than repeat the speculation surrounding his next move.
While Fernando Alonso considers what the next chapter of his Aston Martin career might look like, there's more immediate business on the track. With the Valkyrie and Vantage LMGT3 cars in action at Fuji and Formula 1 heading to the streets of Baku, it's another busy weekend for Aston Martin in international motorsport.
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Looking Ahead: Valkyrie at Fuji and Formula 1 in Azerbaijan
It's another busy weekend for Aston Martin in international motorsport, with the Valkyrie Hypercars and Vantage LMGT3 cars competing at Fuji Speedway, while Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll tackle the streets of Baku.
FIA WEC: Six Hours of Fuji
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Valkyrie in action.
The Aston Martin Valkyrie returns to action in Japan on Sunday 27th September as the FIA World Endurance Championship visits Fuji Speedway. With Mount Fuji providing a spectacular backdrop, the six-hour race presents another opportunity for Aston Martin's Hypercar programme to gain valuable experience against some of endurance racing's leading manufacturers.
The Vantage LMGT3 entries will also be in action as the championship moves into its closing stages. Fuji's combination of a long main straight and demanding technical sections will provide an interesting challenge for both Aston Martin programmes.
The race starts at 3am UK time on Sunday, meaning it will already be under way when this edition of the Weekly Roundup is published.
Formula 1: Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Image © Honda Motor Co. Ltd & Aston Martin Aramco. Used for editorial purposes. Fernando Alonso on the Baku Street Circuit 2026.
Meanwhile, Aston Martin's Formula 1 team faces a very different challenge on the streets of Baku, where the Azerbaijan Grand Prix takes place on Saturday 26th September. The circuit's extraordinary combination of narrow streets, heavy braking zones and one of Formula 1's longest straights makes it a demanding venue for drivers and engineers alike. Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will be looking to make the most of the AMR26 as the championship heads towards its final rounds.
THE STORY CONTINUES
We'll have our usual full race reports and Aston Martin analysis from both events available early next week in the FTP Motorsport Hub.
ENTER THE FTP MOTORSPORT HUBWhile Aston Martin's racing teams prepare for another demanding weekend on the international stage, there's plenty happening away from the circuit, too. It's been a busy September for the Aston Martin Owners Club, with new leadership, a successful charity event, a new partnership with Champagne Bollinger and plans already taking shape for 2027.
AMOC News: New Leadership, Charity Success, a New Champagne Partner and Plans for 2027
It's been a busy September for the Aston Martin Owners Club, with a successful charity event, the appointment of a new Chairman and Champagne Bollinger joining as the Club's new official champagne partner. Plans for next year's Spring Weekend are also taking shape, while members have several dates to look forward to as the Club prepares for its Autumn Concours and the final months of 2026.
A New Chairman Following the 2026 AGM
The Club has announced the outcome of its 2026 Annual General Meeting, which saw Jason Karr elected as its new Chairman, succeeding Tom Westley. The AGM also marked the introduction of the Club's recently appointed President, Dr Ulrich Bez, who addressed members at the meeting.
Deborah Tyler-Curtis continues as Director of External Relations, Sponsorship and Marketing, while Peter Saglietti takes over as Director Rest of the World from Jim Tweddle. All four resolutions presented at the AGM were carried.
The meeting was held with both in-person and online attendance, and members attending in person also had access to the adjoining Aston Martin Heritage Trust museum. The Club thanked its outgoing directors for their contributions as Jason Karr began his tenure as Chairman.
Charity Clay Challenge Raises More Than £40,000 at Auction
The AMOC has also reported a successful charity clay shooting event at Holland & Holland in aid of The King's Trust. The day combined shooting, lunch and presentations from representatives of the charity, who explained their work supporting young people. An auction hosted by Dylan Williams raised more than £40,000 across 11 lots, with the proceeds from other fundraising activities still being calculated.
The event proved popular enough that the Club is already discussing the possibility of repeating it in 2027.
AMOC Welcomes Champagne Bollinger as Its New Champagne Partner
Image © Fuel the Passion. For illustrative purposes.
There's another reason for Aston Martin Owners Club members to raise a glass this week, following the announcement that Champagne Bollinger has become the Club's new official champagne partner.
In an email to members on 23rd September, the AMOC confirmed that discussions with Bollinger had followed the champagne house's appointment as Aston Martin's official global champagne partner in September 2025. The Club's close relationship with Aston Martin has now helped bring the two organisations together.
The announcement follows several years of partnership with Champagne Pommery, during which members enjoyed champagne at Club events and opportunities to visit Pommery's historic cellars in Reims, France. The Club hasn't specified whether Pommery will retain any involvement following Bollinger's appointment.
For AMOC members, the new partnership brings Bollinger into the Club's social calendar, from enjoying a glass with fellow enthusiasts at an event to celebrating a memorable drive or anniversary.
The announcement reflects the shared emphasis that Aston Martin, Bollinger and the Owners Club place on heritage, craftsmanship and bringing people together. With the Club's Autumn Weekend taking place at Bowood House this weekend, the timing seems particularly appropriate.
Aston Martin Owners Club
Spring Weekend
& Concours 2027
The Aston Martin Owners Club has confirmed plans to hold its 2027 Spring Weekend in conjunction with the AMOC Festival at the British Motor Museum.
The British Motor Museum provides a fitting setting for the occasion, bringing together Aston Martin owners and enthusiasts for what promises to be a substantial Club gathering.
Autumn Weekend, Goodwood and the Classic Motor Show
As this week's Roundup goes live, the Aston Martin Owners Club's Autumn Weekend is taking place at Bowood House in Wiltshire on 26th – 27th September. Saturday's programme includes a scenic drive through the Wiltshire countryside, followed by a reception and dinner, while Sunday's Concours brings together a wonderful selection of Aston Martins in the grounds of the historic estate.
Unfortunately, Fuel the Passion is unable to attend this year's event, but we'll certainly be following proceedings from afar. We look forward to seeing the photographs and coverage shared through the AMOC website in due course.
Looking further ahead, AMOC members have been invited to join the ACO Club's track day at Goodwood Motor Circuit on Wednesday 28 October. The event is open to eligible sports and classic cars weighing between 800kg and 1,800kg, with 15-minute track sessions and breakfast and lunch included for participants. Members interested in attending should consult the Club's announcement for the full requirements and booking details.
Image © Fuel the Passion. Classic Car Show, Birmingham NEC, 2025. AMOC Stand.
The AMOC will also return to Birmingham's NEC for the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show on 13th – 15th November. This year's theme, Debutant, celebrates cars appearing at the show for the first time. The Club has shared a ticket discount code for members, offering £4 off adult tickets or £2 off family, child and multi-day tickets.
With members gathering at Bowood House this weekend, further events approaching and plans already taking shape for 2027, the Aston Martin Owners Club has plenty to look forward to as the year enters its final quarter.
The Aston Martin Owners Club brings enthusiasts together today, but some families have maintained their connection with the marque across several generations. That enduring passion is at the heart of a fascinating Hagerty feature, which explores one family's remarkable relationship with Aston Martin over the course of a century.
Green Pea: The 1922 Aston Martin Grand Prix Car Still Racing in the Same Family
Some Aston Martins are carefully preserved as museum exhibits. Others continue to do precisely what their creators intended, even after more than a century.
In a fascinating Hagerty feature published on 23rd September , journalist Nik Berg meets Rob Murray and his remarkable 1922 Aston Martin Grand Prix car, affectionately known as Green Pea. It's a car with an extraordinary racing history, but perhaps its most appealing quality is that it remains very much a part of everyday family life.
From Count Zborowski to the French Grand Prix
Green Pea was one of two Aston Martins commissioned by Anglo-American racing driver Count Louis Zborowski for the 1922 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy. The cars weren't completed in time, making their competitive debut instead at the French Grand Prix in Strasbourg that July. Zborowski drove Green Pea, while Clive Gallop competed in its sister car. Both retired with mechanical problems, but the experience marked an important early chapter in Aston Martin's international racing history.
The car subsequently enjoyed greater success under the ownership of Marion Agnew. With Bobby Morgan driving, it finished second in the 1923 Grand Prix de Boulogne, while Agnew herself secured victory in the 1924 JCC Ladies Race at Brooklands. More than a century later, Green Pea remains a remarkable survivor from Aston Martin's earliest racing years.
£150, Three Generations and a Lifetime of Memories
The total paid by Rob Murray's father in 1958, including £5 for delivery.
Rob was born eight years later and grew up with the car as part of the family. It was also the first car he ever drove. Today, the Aston is destined to pass to his son Jake, who is taking on its competitive driving duties at sprint and hill-climb events. Rob, meanwhile, increasingly enjoys using it on the road. It's a refreshing approach to a historically significant car. Green Pea has never been restored to pristine concours condition. Its paintwork carries the marks of its long competition history, and the Murray family has no intention of treating it simply as an investment.
Keeping a Century-Old Aston Martin on the Road
Keeping a 1922 Grand Prix car running requires considerable ingenuity. When Jake Murray's first competitive outing ended with a collapsed rear axle, replacement parts had to be specially manufactured. Over the years, the family has also tackled engine and clutch problems, sometimes finding solutions in unexpected places, including components originally designed for a Fiat 126.
Yet Green Pea remains a car to be enjoyed rather than simply preserved. Rob Murray now prefers driving it on the road, while his son Jake is taking on its competitive duties at sprints and hill climbs. It's a wonderful example of a family's determination to keep an important piece of Aston Martin history alive.
For those interested in discovering more, Nik Berg's Hagerty article explores the family's story and the challenges of maintaining Green Pea. There's also an excellent video from Brooklands Museum, filmed during its GP100 celebrations, offering a closer look at the car and its remarkable history. Click on the image above to view.
Read: The Tricks to Keeping a 100-Year-Old Aston Martin on Track and in the Family — Hagerty
From a Grand Prix car that's remained in the same family for nearly 70 years, we turn to a rather different Aston Martin ownership story. This week, YouTuber Samcrac takes us into the world of the V12-powered DBS Volante, where the appeal of owning one of Aston Martin's most desirable grand tourers comes with a few unexpected challenges.
You're halfway through Issue 43
A good moment to pause, grab a coffee or carry on exploring. There's plenty more Aston Martin news, remarkable cars and behind-the-scenes stories still to come.
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A Beautiful DBS, a Troubled V12 and the True Cost of a Bargain
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Aston Martin DBS.
The Aston Martin DBS occupies a special place among the marque's modern grand tourers. Its muscular styling, naturally aspirated V12 and unmistakable James Bond connection give it a presence few cars can match. The Volante adds the pleasure of open-air motoring to that combination. However, as we've discussed extensively in our own DBS Buyers Guide, buying one requires considerably more than falling in love with its appearance.
Image © Aston Martin Lagonda. Used for editorial purposes. Aston Martin DBS.
YouTuber Samcrac has provided a fascinating real-world illustration of precisely that point. His latest purchase is a white 2011 DBS Volante, acquired from the wholesale stock of a Florida exotic car dealership. With attractive bodywork, a clean title and the promise of a relatively affordable route into V12 Aston Martin ownership, it certainly looks the part. Unfortunately, its engine barely runs.
The video follows Sam's initial attempts to diagnose the problem, uncovering evidence of previous mechanical work and an engine that continues to run erratically. It's the sort of situation that can quickly turn an exciting purchase into a costly and frustrating restoration project, particularly when the car's previous repair history is unclear.
In our FTP Aston Martin DBS Buyers Guide, we devote considerable attention to exactly these risks. A healthy DBS V12 should start cleanly, idle smoothly and perform consistently when both cold and fully warmed up. Rough running, hesitation, misfires and engine-management warnings should always be properly investigated, rather than dismissed as quirks of an ageing performance car.
We also emphasise the importance of detailed service invoices, documented repairs and a comprehensive pre-purchase inspection by an Aston Martin specialist. The DBS's carbon-ceramic brakes, adaptive suspension, carbon-fibre bodywork and, in the Volante's case, its roof mechanism all deserve careful attention. Any one of these can introduce significant additional expenditure if problems have been overlooked.
There's often a reason why an otherwise desirable Aston Martin appears considerably cheaper than comparable examples. Sometimes that reason is straightforward and manageable; occasionally, it can prove rather more complicated.
None of this should discourage anyone from considering a DBS. A properly maintained example is an extraordinary grand tourer, combining beautiful proportions, a magnificent V12 and a driving experience that feels increasingly special as the years pass. The key is understanding what you're buying, establishing its mechanical condition and keeping a realistic maintenance budget.
We'll be following Sam's progress with interest. Hopefully, this beautiful Volante can be returned to the condition it deserves. In the meantime, his latest video makes an entertaining companion to our Buyers Guide and demonstrates why a thorough inspection before purchase is money very well spent. You can watch the video below;
From a DBS V12 that's proving rather reluctant to run, to three Aston Martin V12s that certainly aren't. We're heading to Monza next, where the Valkyrie is providing a rather spectacular soundtrack.
A Few Valkyries Singing at Monza
Last week, we featured the Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH's arrival in iRacing, including a remarkably convincing recreation of its naturally aspirated V12 soundtrack. This week, we're leaving the simulator behind and heading to Monza, courtesy of YouTube channel NM2255 and Aston Martin's 2026 UNLEASHED programme.
The footage brings together three remarkable interpretations of the Valkyrie: the road-going original, the track-only AMR Pro and the unrestricted Valkyrie LM. Each delivers its own interpretation of that extraordinary naturally aspirated V12 soundtrack, with Monza providing a fitting stage for all three. It's a wonderful opportunity to hear these cars without music or lengthy commentary competing for attention.
There's really only one thing left to say: turn up the volume and enjoy!
After hearing the Valkyrie’s extraordinary V12 soundtrack at Monza, we’re staying with Aston Martin’s mid-engined creations, but returning to rather more familiar roads. Harry Metcalfe has spent five days living with the Valhalla, discovering whether its remarkable performance translates into genuine driving pleasure and how it copes with the realities of British roads.
Five Days with the Valhalla: Harry's Garage Puts Aston Martin's Hybrid Hypercar to the Test
When the first independent Valhalla reviews arrived earlier this year, we devoted a substantial section of Weekly Roundup Issue 18 to understanding what Aston Martin had created. The verdicts were remarkably consistent. Here was a car with extraordinary performance and considerable technical complexity, yet reviewers kept returning to its natural handling, accessibility and unexpectedly comfortable ride.
Nearly six months later, Harry Metcalfe has spent five days with the Valhalla on British roads. His latest Harry's Garage film provides something rather different from the initial press-launch reviews: an opportunity to discover whether those early impressions survive the realities of living with the car.
Harry approached the Valhalla with some reservations, particularly about its price and the considerable changes made since Aston Martin first announced the project. By the end of his time with it, however, he found himself repeatedly looking for excuses to take it out for another drive.
Extraordinary performance, surprisingly natural handling
The Valhalla's combination of a heavily revised twin-turbocharged V8 and three electric motors produces 1,079PS. The electric assistance provides immediate response, helping to fill the gap before the turbochargers deliver their full boost.
This closely reflects what we reported in April. Chris Harris, evo and several other reviewers found that the Valhalla's defining achievement wasn't simply its speed, but how naturally it delivered that performance. When we returned to the car in Issue 38, ThatDudeinBlue was similarly surprised by its approachable handling and road comfort.
Harry's experience adds weight to those earlier impressions. A car that feels impressive during a carefully organised press launch is one thing; a car that encourages an experienced reviewer to keep taking it out on familiar roads is quite another.
The compromises become clearer
Extended time with the Valhalla also revealed some frustrations.
Harry independently weighed his test car at 1,940kg. That figure isn't directly comparable with Aston Martin's published dry weight, since the two measurements use different conditions, but it does illustrate how substantial this technically complex machine is.
Its considerable width requires attention on narrower roads, while the electrically driven front axle occasionally introduced torque steer over uneven surfaces. Some of the aerodynamic components beneath the car also proved vulnerable to scraping.
The spectacular dihedral doors presented their own difficulties. They're heavy, and Harry found their operation less intuitive than he'd hoped. Inside, cabin noise became noticeable during longer journeys, while electric-only driving range proved limited in his particular use.
Then there's the complete absence of a conventional luggage compartment.
Regular readers may remember that this was one of the most consistent criticisms in our original review coverage. Aston Martin has produced a car that reviewers find surprisingly comfortable to drive, but that doesn't necessarily make it a practical grand tourer.
What’s changed since those first reviews?
Harry's findings give us an opportunity to revisit the opinions we've followed throughout the year. Rather than another collection of favourable quotations, the comparison below shows where his experience reinforces our earlier coverage and where spending several days with the Valhalla has revealed something more.
The Valhalla Verdict
Harry's Garage compared with our earlier Weekly Roundup coverage.
| Subject | Harry's findings | Earlier FTP coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | Extraordinary acceleration and immediate electric torque assistance. |
Our initial review coverage highlighted
the same effective hybrid integration.
Issue 18 |
| Handling | Precise steering, a responsive front end and genuine driver engagement. |
evo also praised the Valhalla's
engaging character.
Issue 23 |
| Road comfort | Surprisingly compliant on familiar British roads. |
ThatDudeinBlue also found the
Valhalla approachable and comfortable.
Issue 38 |
| Practicality | Heavy doors, cabin noise and no conventional luggage compartment. |
Luggage space was already a concern.
Harry provides a fuller ownership
perspective.
Issue 18 |
The question of value
Harry's test car also raises the inevitable question of price. With a starting figure of approximately £850,000 and an extensive options list, the specification he drove approached £1 million. He questioned whether that represents good value, particularly given some of the practical compromises. Nevertheless, his initial scepticism gradually gave way to genuine enjoyment. The more time he spent with the car, the more he appreciated its character and the engineering behind it.
Harry also floated an intriguing idea: what if Aston Martin could produce a simpler, less expensive mid-engined model that retained some of the Valhalla's driving qualities? It was his own suggestion rather than an indication of any confirmed Aston Martin production plans.
What Harry adds is a clearer understanding of the compromises. The Valhalla may be surprisingly enjoyable on ordinary roads, but its size, doors, noise and lack of luggage space ensure it remains a highly specialised machine.
Perhaps the most revealing moment is that, despite those reservations, Harry kept wanting to drive it. For an Aston Martin designed to demonstrate extraordinary engineering, that's a rather satisfying outcome.
FTP Car of the Week
1933 Aston Martin 12/50 Le Mans — A Lifetime of Competition
Image © Fuel the Passion. For illustrative purposes.
Some Aston Martins are remarkable for their originality. Others have lived extraordinary lives, evolving through successive owners and decades of enthusiastic use. This week's selection belongs firmly in the latter category: a 1933 Aston Martin 12/50 Le Mans with an extensively documented history and a competition record stretching back more than 35 years. Offered for sale by pre-war Aston Martin specialists Ecurie Bertelli, BME 119 has been part of the firm's history since 1986. Its story, however, begins considerably further north.
I'd planned to call in earlier this year while filming our Vanquish series at Aston Martin Works, but filming took rather longer than anticipated, and we simply ran out of time. Hopefully, we'll have an opportunity to visit later this year or in 2027 and discover more about the remarkable work carried out by the team.
It's also a particularly timely choice, as I'm still reminiscing about last weekend's Goodwood Revival. It was another breathtaking year, with wonderful historic machinery taking to the circuit and reminding us just how special cars of this era can be. More on our time at Goodwood later in this week's Roundup, but for now, let's return to BME 119 and discover how its story began.
From Northumberland to Le Mans specification
The original Aston Martin Works Record Card confirms that BME 119 was delivered new to Mrs Armstrong of Hethpool, near Wooler in Northumberland. It looked rather different in 1933, leaving the factory as a two-tone grey, four-seat tourer.
It was also a bespoke commission. Its original specification included twin exhaust pipes, an additional rear-seat door, an outside hood and a special 6:1 final-drive ratio. The Works Record Card documents its early servicing, including a visit in August 1934 at 2,774 miles. By October 1948, the recorded mileage had reached 21,062.
The transformation into the car we see today began in the mid-1950s, when its chassis was shortened to Le Mans specification and a MkII engine was installed. A subsequent owner, John Dunne, intended to complete the conversion with Le Mans bodywork during the 1960s, although that ambition remained unrealised.
The decisive chapter began in 1986, when Andrew Bell and his father Preston acquired the car. Under Preston's direction, Ecurie Bertelli completed its conversion to Le Mans specification, with BME 119 returning to the road in 1990. The firm has maintained and campaigned it ever since.
Image © Fuel the Passion. For illustrative purposes.
A familiar sight on Britain's circuits
BME 119's competition history is extensive. During the 1990s, it appeared regularly at Silverstone, Goodwood, Brands Hatch, Mallory Park, Oulton Park and Wiscombe Park, accumulating class victories, handicap awards and concours honours.
Its achievements include winning the St John Horsfall Trophy at Silverstone in 1999, alongside numerous successes in historic racing and sprint events. The car also appeared on the front cover of Inman Hunter's book Aston Martin 1913–1947, photographed in action on a race circuit.
Rather than spending its later life confined to a collection, this Aston Martin has continued to be enjoyed in the environment for which its present specification was developed.
At a Glance
| Model | 1933 Aston Martin 12/50 Le Mans |
|---|---|
| Registration | BME 119 |
| Chassis | D3/252/L |
| Engine | New MkII, E4/429/L |
| Colour | Red; originally two-tone grey |
| Asking price | £150,000 |
| Seller | Ecurie Bertelli, Olney, Buckinghamshire |
Ready for its next chapter
Today, BME 119 wears red bodywork and is fitted with a brand-new MkII engine, described by Ecurie Bertelli as barely run in. Its specification also includes a Brantz rally meter, additional driving lights and race catch tanks. The car is accompanied by its original Works Record Card, an extensive history file, AMOC Register documentation and a FIVA card. Ecurie Bertelli also identifies it as eligible for a wide range of historic motorsport events, subject to the relevant event requirements and documentation.
At £150,000, this is an opportunity to acquire considerably more than a pre-war Aston Martin with attractive Le Mans bodywork. BME 119 comes with a documented history extending back to its first owner, decades of competition experience and the continued familiarity of the specialists who have cared for it since the 1980s.
For its next custodian, there's every opportunity to add another chapter to that story.
FTP Update: Goodwood Revival, Historic Aston Martins and Our Latest Blackthorn Racing Film
Image © Fuel the Passion. Goodwood Revival 2026.
It's been another busy and thoroughly enjoyable few weeks for Fuel the Passion. Following our first weekend filming with Blackthorn Racing at Silverstone, I headed south for the Goodwood Revival, where historic racing, extraordinary machinery and a wonderfully atmospheric paddock provided plenty of opportunities to get behind the camera.
This year's Revival took place from 18th – 20th September, bringing together an extraordinary collection of racing cars from across several decades. For Aston Martin enthusiasts, there was plenty to enjoy, from pre-war Ulsters to the DB3S sports racers of the 1950s and the beautiful DB4GTs of the early 1960s.
Aston Martin at Goodwood Revival
Image © Fuel the Passion. Goodwood Revival 2026.
One of the pleasures of Goodwood Revival is being able to wander through the paddocks and see these remarkable cars being prepared for competition. Unlike a conventional motor show, they're not simply there to be admired. They're being maintained, driven and raced, often remarkably hard.
I managed to photograph several Aston Martins during my visit, including some particularly lovely DB4GTs, DB3S sports racers and a pair of bright red pre-war Ulsters.
The DB4GTs: Stirling Moss Memorial Trophy
Image © Fuel the Passion. Goodwood Revival 2026.
The DB4GTs competed in Friday evening's Stirling Moss Memorial Trophy, a 45-minute race for pre-1963 closed-cockpit GT cars. With the race continuing into the fading evening light, it provided a wonderful setting for a grid that included Ferrari 250 GT SWBs, Jaguar E-types and several Aston Martins.
Image © Fuel the Passion. Goodwood Revival 2026.
The green #64 DB4GT pictured above was shared by Harrison Newey and Aston Martin works driver Darren Turner. They finished tenth, immediately behind the #46 DB4GT driven by Gregor Fisken and Dario Franchitti, which took ninth place.
Another DB4GT, the #60 shared by Josh Cook and Andrew Smith, finished twelfth. Although victory went to Alexander van der Lof and Yelmer Buurman in their Ferrari 250 GT SWB/C, Aston Martin was well represented in a competitive field of historic GT machinery.
The DB3S: Freddie March Memorial Trophy
Image © Fuel the Passion. Goodwood Revival 2026.
A wonderful collection of Aston Martin DB3S sports racers, including the green #5. The DB3S entries took part in Sunday's Freddie March Memorial Trophy, a race celebrating the sports cars associated with Goodwood's famous Nine Hours events of the 1950s.
The #5 DB3S driven by Mathias Sielecki qualified tenth and finished sixth, the highest-placed Aston Martin in the race. Chris Ward secured victory in his Jaguar C-Type, ahead of Theo Hunt's HWM-Jaguar and Bill Shepherd's Ford Thunderbird.
The DB3S is particularly appropriate for this event, given Aston Martin's remarkable record in the original Goodwood Nine Hours, winning all three editions held between 1952 and 1955.
The Pre-War Aston Martins: Brooklands Trophy
Image © Fuel the Passion. Goodwood Revival 2026.
Two striking red Aston Martin Ulsters, numbers 27 and 5. Among the oldest Aston Martins I photographed were two beautiful red Ulsters competing in the Brooklands Trophy, a race for sports cars from the pre-war era.
The #27 Ulster driven by C. Mason finished 22nd, while Holly Mason brought the #5 home in 23rd. Elsewhere in the same race, Aston Martin enjoyed a much stronger result with Alan Middleton finishing fourth in the Speed Model known as Red Dragon. Patrick Blakeney-Edwards won the race in his Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza.
Seeing these cars in their natural environment is a reminder of just how extensive Aston Martin's motorsport heritage really is. From the lightweight pre-war machines to the DB4GTs of the early 1960s, every generation has its own distinctive character.
Catching Up with the Aston Martin Heritage Trust
Image © Fuel the Passion. Goodwood Revival 2026.
It was also lovely to catch up with the team from the Aston Martin Heritage Trust, who had their own marquee at Goodwood Revival. Taking pride of place was a beautiful dark green DB MkIII, a car we'd previously filmed during our visit to Aston Martin Works earlier this year for the Fuel the Passion Vanquish series.
Seeing familiar faces again, this time surrounded by the extraordinary atmosphere of Goodwood Revival, was another highlight of the weekend.
Goodwood Revival Market Watch: Three Aston Martins, Three Very Different Outcomes
Aston Martin featured prominently at the Bonhams Goodwood Revival sale on 19th September, although the results revealed a mixed market for some of the marque's most desirable historic models. A beautifully restored DB4 eventually became the sale's highest-priced car, a rare pre-war competition Aston Martin sold considerably below its estimate, and a valuable DB4 Vantage Convertible failed to find a buyer.
Image © Fuel the Passion. For illustrative purposes.
1961 Aston Martin DB4 Series 3
£370,800
Sold after the auction · Estimate: £350,000–£400,000
This matching-numbers DB4, chassis DB4/718/R, had an unusual first owner: Castrol Limited. Originally finished in Snow Shadow Grey with dark blue leather, it was rediscovered in California in 2014 before undergoing a comprehensive restoration by Trinity Engineering, with expenditure exceeding £300,000. Initially unsold on auction day, it subsequently changed hands for £370,800.
Image © Fuel the Passion. For illustrative purposes.
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Vantage Convertible
No sale
Estimate: £700,000–£900,000
One of only 30 Series IV DB4 Convertibles and equipped with the desirable Vantage engine, this example had remained with its original owner's family until 2012. More than £300,000 was subsequently spent on its restoration, but it failed to sell against its substantial estimate.
Image © Fuel the Passion. For illustrative purposes.
1936 Aston Martin 2-Litre Speed Model
£345,000
Sold at auction · Estimate: £500,000–£600,000
One of only 15 Speed Models built, this example carried extensive competition history, including an appearance at the 1948 Spa 24 Hours. It was later owned by Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason and has continued to compete in historic events. Despite its rarity and provenance, it sold well below its pre-sale estimate.
What the results tell us
The contrast between these three cars is particularly interesting. The DB4 Series 3 eventually achieved a price within its estimate, while the Speed Model's £345,000 result was substantially below expectations despite its competition pedigree. Meanwhile, the DB4 Vantage Convertible, carrying the highest estimate of the three, remained unsold.
It's a useful reminder that rarity, provenance and restoration expenditure don't necessarily translate into a predictable auction result. Equally, an unsold car doesn't establish its market value; it simply means the bidding failed to meet the seller's requirements on the day.
For readers interested in the full auction results, Magneto's detailed Goodwood Revival sale report provides further background on all three Aston Martins and the wider sale.
Behind the Scenes with Blackthorn Racing
Image © Fuel the Passion. Goodwood Revival 2026. Julien preparing for the Whitsun Trophy race next to the 1966 Attila-Chevrolet MkIII.
Of course, another reason for attending Goodwood was to continue our new collaboration with Blackthorn Racing. Regular readers will know Blackthorn through its Aston Martin Vantage GT3 programme, with three cars competing across various championships. We follow the team's progress throughout the season in the FTP Motorsport Hub.
However, Blackthorn's activities extend beyond modern GT3 racing. The team also manages and maintains other competition cars, including historic racing machinery. One particularly interesting example is the 1966 Attila-Chevrolet MkIII driven by Blackthorn's Commercial Director, Julien Draper.
Image © Fuel the Passion. Julien Draper speaking to FTP prior to the race. Goodwood Revival 2026.
Julien was competing in the Whitsun Trophy, widely regarded as the fastest race of the Revival weekend. With its enormous V8-powered sports prototypes, including Lola T70s, McLarens and Ford GT40s, it's a spectacular event.
I spent time with Julien before the race, filming his preparations and interviewing him about the car, his experiences at Goodwood and the challenges of competing against some considerably more powerful machinery.
Despite encountering brake problems during the build-up, Julien qualified sixth, putting the Attila among some very serious competition. Unfortunately, the race itself didn't go to plan. To find out what happened, watch the film which will be arriving on the Blackthorn Racing YouTube Channel soon.
These extraordinary machines demand considerable preparation, and sometimes circumstances intervene despite everyone's efforts. Julien was philosophical afterwards, already looking towards a possible return next year.
A Different Style of Motorsport Film
Image © Fuel the Passion. For illustrative purposes.
I've now completed an approximately 11-minute film following Julien's Goodwood experience, from his pre-race preparations through to our conversation after his retirement. For videos produced specifically for Blackthorn Racing, we're adopting a different approach from the presenter-led films normally found on Fuel the Passion.
Rather than appearing on camera myself, I'm allowing the drivers and team members to tell their own stories. My questions are largely removed during editing, leaving the interviews, natural conversations and behind-the-scenes footage to carry the narrative.
Blackthorn founder and driver Claude Bovet was also at Goodwood Revival. Claude regularly competes in an Austin-Healey, although he wasn't racing at this particular meeting. Hopefully, we'll have opportunities to see both Claude and Julien competing at future Goodwood events.
What's Next for Fuel the Passion and Blackthorn Racing?
Image © Fuel the Passion. Goodwood Revival 2026. Julien Draper & Claude Bovet, Blackthorn Racing.
Our collaboration is still in its early stages, but we've already captured a considerable amount of footage.
The Silverstone Michelin Le Mans Cup weekend provided material for a team-focused production for Blackthorn Racing and a separate Fuel the Passion film exploring what it's like to spend a race weekend behind the scenes with a professional GT3 team. We’re still jointly unpicking relevant licensing restrictions for those films, but hopefully that will be progressed.
We've also completed the Goodwood film featuring Julien, alongside shorter videos from our recent filming. Once the remaining administrative arrangements have been finalised, we hope to begin releasing these productions on Blackthorn Racing's YouTube channel.
Fuel the Passion will continue producing its own films, giving viewers a different perspective on our experiences with the team, the racing and the people involved. We'll announce new releases here in the Weekly Roundup and on the front page of the FTP website as they become available.
In the meantime, I'd encourage anyone interested in following the collaboration to subscribe to both channels:
Image © Fuel the Passion. Goodwood Revival 2026.
Finally, a word about Goodwood Revival itself. The atmosphere is genuinely extraordinary. From the period clothing and beautifully presented paddocks to the sights and sounds of historic racing machinery, it's an event unlike almost anything else on the motorsport calendar.
If you've never attended, I thoroughly recommend it. I'm already looking forward to returning, hopefully with another opportunity to follow Claude, Julien and the Blackthorn team.
From the extraordinary historic Aston Martins at Goodwood to our first films with Blackthorn Racing, it's been a particularly enjoyable few weeks for Fuel the Passion. With plenty more footage to share and some exciting projects taking shape, there's much to look forward to as we head into autumn. Before we finish, though, a few closing thoughts on another busy week in the world of Aston Martin.
Closing Thoughts: A Change of Pace as Autumn Arrives
Image © Fuel the Passion. The Area06 AMOC drive to Whitby earlier in 2026 - Fantastic day & memories!
As September draws to a close, I'm beginning to look forward to a slightly different pace at Fuel the Passion. It's been a wonderfully busy few months, with plenty of miles covered, fascinating people met and more footage captured than I've had time to edit. One of the pleasures of running FTP is never quite knowing where the next opportunity might lead, although I'm discovering that every new adventure seems to add another project to the editing list!
With winter approaching, the calendar naturally becomes a little quieter. There'll be fewer long journeys and events to attend, giving me an opportunity to spend more time at home, catching up on filming projects, refining the FTP website and beginning to plan what promises to be an exciting 2027.
Image © Fuel the Passion. FTP Vantage.
Of course, the FTP Vantage will need some attention, too. After another busy season on the road, a thorough clean is certainly overdue, although I have no intention of putting it away simply because the temperature starts to fall. A crisp autumn morning and an empty Yorkshire road can be every bit as enjoyable as a summer drive.
Then there's the small matter of decorating the house, which has somehow slipped down the priority list while I've been travelling around the country filming Aston Martins. I suspect I'll have considerably fewer excuses once the event calendar quietens down!
Image © Fuel the Passion. The Area06 AMOC drive to Whitby earlier in 2026 - Fantastic day & memories!
For now, thank you for continuing to follow Fuel the Passion, whether you're a regular reader of the Weekly Roundup, watch our films or have recently discovered the website.
There's still plenty to come before the year is out, and I'm looking forward to sharing it with you. 💚💛
Until next Sunday, enjoy the road ahead. See you on the next one! 👆
Kind regards,
Dan
Fuel the Passion — Where Every Drive Tells a Story
3 Questions From This Week
We'd love to hear your thoughts. You can answer any of the questions above, or simply leave a comment about something else that's caught your attention in this week's Roundup. Whether it's Aston Martin's racing future, its remarkable heritage or the stories you'd like us to explore at Fuel the Passion, the conversation is always open.
