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Written by Joe Holding
In just over a month"s time, the new season of the World Endurance Championship gets underway with the Six Hours of Silverstone: the first of nine rounds on the calendar for 2016.With regulations designed to produce close racing, the series continues to deliver action and excitement at a time when Formula One supposedly the pinnacle of motorsport is suffering as a spectacle.While only four drivers have taken the chequered flag in F1 since the start of 2014, few people could confidently pick out winners from any of the four WEC categories for the forthcoming season. The GTE Pro class looks especially tight, with a Porsche-supported programme up against Ferrari, Aston Martin and new entrants Ford.As well as being exhilarating, GTE racing also benefits from greater everyday relevance than the prototype section, owing to the FIA"s strict rules on cars being based on production models that can be bought by (admittedly very fortunate) members of the public.But, as is the case with all premier forms of motorsport, the vast majority of fans will still never be able to truly appreciate what the very cars they are cheering on from the stands are really like to drive.So, what"s the closest you could get to sitting behind the wheel without physically being in the driving seat?Enter Darren Turner, seven-time class podium finisher at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and works driver at Aston Martin Racing for more than a decade.The 41-year-old will have a naturally aspirated 4.5-litre V8 and a rear wing measuring 1,800mm at his disposal when he lines up on the grid at Silverstone in April; a combination of parts capable of making even the most highly tuned performance car seem lethargic in comparison.Add slick tyres, instant power and featherweight lightness into the mix, and you have a driving experience beyond most people"s comprehension.In Turner"s own words, here"s what it feels like when all of those elements come together
Date written: 8 Mar 2016
More of this article on the Top gear website
ID: 2483
In just over a month"s time, the new season of the World Endurance Championship gets underway with the Six Hours of Silverstone: the first of nine rounds on the calendar for 2016.With regulations designed to produce close racing, the series continues to deliver action and excitement at a time when Formula One supposedly the pinnacle of motorsport is suffering as a spectacle.While only four drivers have taken the chequered flag in F1 since the start of 2014, few people could confidently pick out winners from any of the four WEC categories for the forthcoming season. The GTE Pro class looks especially tight, with a Porsche-supported programme up against Ferrari, Aston Martin and new entrants Ford.As well as being exhilarating, GTE racing also benefits from greater everyday relevance than the prototype section, owing to the FIA"s strict rules on cars being based on production models that can be bought by (admittedly very fortunate) members of the public.But, as is the case with all premier forms of motorsport, the vast majority of fans will still never be able to truly appreciate what the very cars they are cheering on from the stands are really like to drive.So, what"s the closest you could get to sitting behind the wheel without physically being in the driving seat?Enter Darren Turner, seven-time class podium finisher at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and works driver at Aston Martin Racing for more than a decade.The 41-year-old will have a naturally aspirated 4.5-litre V8 and a rear wing measuring 1,800mm at his disposal when he lines up on the grid at Silverstone in April; a combination of parts capable of making even the most highly tuned performance car seem lethargic in comparison.Add slick tyres, instant power and featherweight lightness into the mix, and you have a driving experience beyond most people"s comprehension.In Turner"s own words, here"s what it feels like when all of those elements come together
Date written: 8 Mar 2016
More of this article on the Top gear website
ID: 2483