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#51 LordAston

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Posted 26 February 2020 - 16:36

So I take it only sabrejet and myself are reading this issue (apart from Samoan)  Come on forum we need to keep him in reading material.



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#52 2F-001

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Posted 26 February 2020 - 18:31

I haven't yet seen the latest one...



#53 Eric Dunsdon

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Posted 27 February 2020 - 09:34

Very nice feature on Willy Mairess in the latest issue which I saw in WH Smiths in Milton Keynes. It took a while for me to decipher the price code of the magazine which turned out to be rather expensive at the time :(.



#54 ensign14

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Posted 27 February 2020 - 10:13

Yeah, for £15 you can get a 400 page hardback book...



#55 sabrejet

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Posted 27 February 2020 - 10:56

Yeah, for £15 you can get a 400 page hardback book...

 

I'm sure you can buy lots of toilet paper for £15 too. Kind of misses the point though.



#56 ensign14

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Posted 27 February 2020 - 16:59

You get less text than you do in Octane or Motor Sport for a much higher price.  Maybe they should take on watch adverts.



#57 68targa

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Posted 27 February 2020 - 17:56

No more watch adverts - please 



#58 sabrejet

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Posted 27 February 2020 - 18:19

You get less text than you do in Octane or Motor Sport for a much higher price.  Maybe they should take on watch adverts.

 

Mmm well there's text and there's text. Still don't get it?



#59 wolf sun

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Posted 27 February 2020 - 21:44

Yeah, for £15 you can get a 400 page hardback book...

 

You should really see what Motor Sport costs down here...



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#60 guiporsche

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Posted 28 February 2020 - 09:07

The price issue is both common to Automobilsport & Motorsport - both are pricey in countries other than Britain or Germany.

Motorsport Magazine I have not bought in a while but it used to cost around 8-12€, which is way too much for all the adverts and reading only Hughes and Oxley.

Price for Automobilsport in France is 17€... And regardless of the (very high) quality of its contents, at least for me it's not a purchase I can justify to do often.  

For that price you can indeed get a very good 400 page book on a scholarly topic - either a new softback in French or a used hardback in English. A matter of personal preference, though.


Edited by guiporsche, 28 February 2020 - 09:08.


#61 nexfast

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Posted 28 February 2020 - 23:15

 

Price for Automobilsport in France is 17€

 

 I buy it for 13€ from LIbrarie Motors Mania in Pau. Sure, in my case there is p&p but since it comes with a few books in the same package the extra price is diluted.



#62 wolf sun

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Posted 02 March 2020 - 09:16

I‘m fully with you regarding prices, guiporsche. 

 

I‘m not trying to convert anyone, either. I used to buy Motor Sport until 10 to 13€ per issue (!) became a bit too much. The last couple of times I flicked through one at the newsagents, I really couldn’t be bothered anymore. Advertisement features seemed to run for pages. 

 

So, late last year I bought an issue of Automobilsport for 12,80€, and liked it. Bought another one this year, and liked it, too - I suppose I would have bought it for the Mairesse feature alone. Since it‘s a quarterly I can live with the price, and I probably won‘t buy each and every issue anyway.



#63 jtremlett

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Posted 02 March 2020 - 17:26

The thing is, the cover price of Automobilsport in the UK was £7.99 up to (I think) issue 21.  Now it is £13.99.  That is a big leap in price and will surely have an impact on sales.  It is no longer broadly in line with the price of other magazines (Motorsport is £5.99).  I like it as a magazine but I also want value for money and I think they've raised the price too much and I haven't bought the latest issue as a result.  Such a big price increase also looks desperate and leads me to wonder how long it will last. 



#64 DCapps

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Posted 02 March 2020 - 19:43

Folks, welcome to the harsh reality of today. The past is littered with the corpses a great many other magazines that seriously tried to do what Automobilsport is currently trying to do. More than a few of them were often brilliant and featured top-notch work of significant historical value in many instances. I fear for the future of Automobilsport, but when who might be its audience don't support it, well, guess what?

 

Believe me, I do understand the many comments regarding the costs, having cut back significantly in my subscriptions. However, in most cases that is because the "product" has become so useless it is of little historical value or interest.



#65 LordAston

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Posted 16 March 2020 - 14:34

ams_cover-en-24_600x600.jpg
 

Formula 1 Season 1970

  • The 1970 season in numbers
  • A dramatic new beginning – Entering the third decade of Formula 1
  • Full of surprises – The first phase
  • The summer of Jochen Rindt – The second phase
  • The reluctant chase – The third phase
  • Lotus 72 – The most successful Formula 1 car of the 1970s
  • ‘I could talk to the car, and the car talked to me’ – Interview with Emerson Fittipaldi

Also in this issue…

  • Eckhard Schimpf on Egon Evertz
  • Ugo Vicenzi on Martin Schanche
  • John Davenport about the Mercedes 450/500 SLC in rallies
  • Jo Ramirez about Spa-Francorchamps 1971
  • Norbert Singer about Le Mans 1973
  • Marc Surer about Brands Hatch 1982
  • Back on Track – Lotus 81 Chassis Nr. 


#66 nexfast

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Posted 27 March 2020 - 11:51

The nice people that publish Automobilsport sent a mail around proposing issues of another magazine called "000" at reduced prices but still not exactly cheap- around 50 € (more or less 45 £). Is anyone here familiar with that magazine and has an opinion about it that can be shared?



#67 SamoanAttorney

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Posted 27 March 2020 - 17:16

The nice people that publish Automobilsport sent a mail around proposing issues of another magazine called "000" at reduced prices but still not exactly cheap- around 50 € (more or less 45 £). Is anyone here familiar with that magazine and has an opinion about it that can be shared?

 

000 magazine is focused on things Porsche. Like the cars it is high performance but that comes at a price, quality writing and design are not cheap.

 

I have a number issues of this magazine and thoroughly enjoy them, like Automobilsport it is for those who want an antidote to the shallow fare that seems increasingly common.

 

I think it only fair to disclose that I have photos published in several issues............so I might be a tad biased.

 

jb



#68 nexfast

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Posted 29 March 2020 - 18:35

Thanks for the "inside" information. 



#69 Dick Dastardly

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Posted 31 March 2020 - 10:55

Have just ordered #24 online [ready to be posted out now] as I can't see me being able to get to a suitable newsagent when it's available to buy over the counter [from April 10th]

 

Edit:  Received yesterday, well worth buying if you haven't already. 7 chapters, from different perspectives / angles, on the 1970 F1 season plus features on Martin Schanche, Mr Rallycross, and Mercedes in rallying :drunk:


Edited by Dick Dastardly, 08 April 2020 - 12:01.


#70 Richard Jenkins

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Posted 19 April 2020 - 19:13

I recently came across the Jan-Feb-Mar 2020 edition. The Mairesse article was outstanding with some quite wonderful photos.
But I thought 50 pages on the BPR series was too much. I understand the magazine has a central theme but I think this would've been better as a series spread over the year. I found my interest waning in the article as it went on and then that was it really
Two main articles and not an awful lot more.
I like the whole idea behind it and I like the writing, the layout, the photos and the feel of the magazine but not quite enough to part that kind of money with it when I could buy a book for the same or similar price.

#71 SamoanAttorney

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Posted 20 April 2020 - 12:44

I recently came across the Jan-Feb-Mar 2020 edition. The Mairesse article was outstanding with some quite wonderful photos.
But I thought 50 pages on the BPR series was too much. I understand the magazine has a central theme but I think this would've been better as a series spread over the year. I found my interest waning in the article as it went on and then that was it really
Two main articles and not an awful lot more.
I like the whole idea behind it and I like the writing, the layout, the photos and the feel of the magazine but not quite enough to part that kind of money with it when I could buy a book for the same or similar price.

 

Richard, 

 

I am sorry to hear that you did not like the BPR piece or rather that it did not engage you.

 

I completely agree with you that it should have been split across several issues, however the editor is firmly in the "I pay, I say" camp........and he is the one taking the financial risk. The money was handy for me in January............

 

One area that I would have expanded on was how B, P and R actually revived GT racing in Europe, after its demise in the mid-80s and what almost killed it off. Indeed endurance racing itself had been nearly assassinated by the usual suspects and only just survived.  Others tried to launch events but the trio succeeded because they each brought talents and abilities to the table...........plus we had great times on a Friday evening with the legendary hospitality in the paddock............even for the peripheral figures like myself it was like being part of a club, or perhaps an extended family.......to me it was that how the game was played mattered more than the result..........maybe I am wearing the rose-tinted spectacles.

 

I also agree with you about the Mairesse piece - first rate.



#72 Richard Jenkins

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Posted 20 April 2020 - 15:37

Hi John,
I did enjoy the BPR article, please don't get me wrong. I read all of it and loved the photos especially. Maybe I should not have attempted to read it all in one go and instead read it in stages. In fact, I may re-read it like that and do it justice.

There was nothing wrong with the article itself, it was more the editorial decision to have all of it one go with not a lot of other articles with it. That seemed odd to me.

As with the Mairesse article, and I said this to Etienne, as long as it was, there was still so much more about the subject to explore. I think the BPR and Mairesse articles could easily be advanced into a book especially with what you have said above.

#73 SamoanAttorney

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Posted 20 April 2020 - 16:27

Richard

 

thanks for persevering with the piece, I enjoyed writing it but it should have been split up.

 

I must confess that around 20 pages of text was the brief, I went mad and wrote almost 100................since then I have written a further 20,000 words on the 97/98 FIA GT Championship for the owner of a CLK-GTR. 

 

A book or two are under consideration, though I would want to interview many of the participants as I believe the human element is as important as race reports......One of the rules in motor sport writing is "When in doubt, ask the engineer not the driver".......funding is always an interesting conundrum but I have a cunning plan..............

 

jb



#74 sabrejet

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Posted 20 April 2020 - 17:03

Well I enjoyed it and I'd also take exception with the "I could buy a book for £13.99" statement. Yes you could, but not of a similar quality. I also looked at '000' and liked what I saw very much. I think I'll stick with AS and Road Rat for now, but both of the latter offer more per issue than I've found in books for twice the price.



#75 BRG

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Posted 25 April 2020 - 16:41

Well I enjoyed it and I'd also take exception with the "I could buy a book for £13.99" statement. 

As the boredom factor cranks up, I went to W H Smiths in Staines hoping to buy a book or two of any sort that took my fancy, not necessarily motorsport, but nothing did.  Instead I saw Automobilsport on the shelf so I thought I would give it a try.  I did buy a Sodoku book as well.

 

The comparative absence of adverts, particularly for ridiculous watches, is welcome and perhaps explains the cover price. It is noticeably German-orientated, but as a German publication that should be no surprise and it is good to have a different angle for a change.  I will see how I get on before I consider buying the next edition, although there is plenty of time for that.



#76 Jack-the-Lad

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Posted 25 April 2020 - 18:00

As with the Mairesse article, and I said this to Etienne, as long as it was, there was still so much more about the subject to explore. I think the Mairesse article could easily be advanced into a book especially with what you have said above.

I know just the man for the job, and I understand he’s recently finished a similar project.......

:wave:

#77 Richard Jenkins

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Posted 25 April 2020 - 19:07

Heh. I think Etienne is the one to light the Mairesse flame. I have already got my 2nd project already...

#78 jtremlett

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Posted 26 April 2020 - 13:20

…As with the Mairesse article, and I said this to Etienne, as long as it was, there was still so much more about the subject to explore. I think the BPR and Mairesse articles could easily be advanced into a book especially with what you have said above.

 

 

In case anyone is not aware, there is already a biography of Willy Mairesse.  See here, for example: www.editions-palmier.com/willy-mairesse-le-chevalier-meurtri-biographies,fr,4,nostalgia002.cfm

 

Note that is in French but has an English translation at the back.


Edited by jtremlett, 26 April 2020 - 13:20.


#79 DCapps

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Posted 26 April 2020 - 14:34

Although I have been steadily dropping my subscriptions to such magazines for some years now, I renewed Automobilsport.



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#80 LordAston

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Posted 27 April 2020 - 19:01

As the boredom factor cranks up, I went to W H Smiths in Staines hoping to buy a book or two of any sort that took my fancy, not necessarily motorsport, but nothing did.  Instead I saw Automobilsport on the shelf so I thought I would give it a try.  I did buy a Sodoku book as well.

 

The comparative absence of adverts, particularly for ridiculous watches, is welcome and perhaps explains the cover price. It is noticeably German-orientated, but as a German publication that should be no surprise and it is good to have a different angle for a change.  I will see how I get on before I consider buying the next edition, although there is plenty of time for that.

 

 

Don't wish to pick hair here but didn't you four years ago say you didn't  think too much of Automobilsport?  Glad you have come round to our way of thinking

 

https://forums.autos...could-be/page-2    post 95



#81 BRG

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Posted 27 April 2020 - 19:12

Don't wish to pick hair here but didn't you four years ago say you didn't  think too much of Automobilsport?  Glad you have come round to our way of thinking

 

https://forums.autos...could-be/page-2    post 95

Well, we established back then that my German was very deficient.  I didn't think much of the edition that I looked at then. 

 

I wouldn't have bothered now if it were not for the need for something to fill the shining locked-down hour.  The current edition has some quite good stuff - I found the Mercedes rally article very interesting - but mostly the articles are a bit of a gloss. From what people here have been suggesting, I expected a lot more depth, but they seem no more insightful than Motorsport's efforts.  At £14 a throw, I doubt if I will bother again unless a we are still locked down come July.



#82 Collombin

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Posted 27 April 2020 - 19:32

The magazine's supporters within this thread seem very defensive of any implied criticism of it. Makes me intrigued enough to seek out what I might be missing - who knows, I may even end up joining the cult myself.

#83 BRG

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Posted 29 April 2020 - 12:15

The magazine's supporters within this thread seem very defensive of any implied criticism of it. Makes me intrigued enough to seek out what I might be missing - who knows, I may even end up joining the cult myself.

Yes, there seems to be a sort of desperation to 'prove' it is a better product than poor old Motor Sport. 

 

But I don't think it is.  It has really good photographs but the accompanying text is comparatively brief and doesn't delve far below the surface.  For instance, the interview with Emerson Fittipaldi in the current edition is little more than a casual chat whilst waiting for the kettle to boil, compared to MS's 'Lunch with' series which range far and wide and always throw up stuff that wasn't well known before. 

 

I know it is lock-down and we have time on our hands, but I got through Automobilsport rather too quickly for something costing so much.  I am looking forward to the new MS on Friday to see how it compares.



#84 68targa

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Posted 29 April 2020 - 13:06

I brought my first copy of Automobilsport  #23 a few weeks before the 'lockdown' since I thought that I ought to see what all the comments have been about.  I had not really heard about this mag until I looked at this forum (where had I been you ask)

 

I agree with Richard Jenkins that  the BPR article was a bit too long for one issue but I did enjoy the Mairesse feature and some of the other smaller pieces. 

Price at £13.99 (UK), yes it is steep but it is a quarterly.  £4.66 per month is pretty good these days.(Subscription is less)  It is a hefty mag, nicely produced, very few adverts and it has it's place.  I don't think it is fair to compare with Motor Sport which as a monthly has to come up with more material and covers some road cars and a wider spectrum, it also has a lot more adverts.

MS has good issues and less so. The current issue has just popped through the door and looks to have some really good content (Moss). I always manage to read it cover to cover.



#85 LordAston

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Posted 20 June 2020 - 16:25

AUTOMOBILSPORT-25-Cover-EN_600x600.jpg

 

Cover story
Audi Quattro in rallying

  • An idea gives birth to Ggnius – Secret development phase 1978–1980
  • The winning begins – 1981–1982
  • A hard fight – The 1983 season
  • The of greatest success – 1984
  • The quattro overtaken – Tougher competition in the WRC 1985–1986
  • A final fling – Group A entries 1987
  • First among equals – Michèle Mouton

Also in this issue…

  • Eckhard Schimpf on Günther Isenbügel
  • Harold Schwarz about the March 707 und 717
  • Rainer Braun about Renault Sport Germany
  • Thomas Nehlert about the Porsche 906 LH
  • Jo Ramirez on Ricardo and Pedro Rodríguez
  • Norbert Singer about Weissach 1971
  • Marc Surer about Le Mans 1978
  • Back on Track – BMW F286/1


#86 sabrejet

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Posted 20 June 2020 - 19:45

Looks like another epic issue; probably another month before it hits newsagents in the UK though.



#87 LordAston

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Posted 27 June 2020 - 14:07

SF_PreviewBanner26_1188x250_RZ_06-06-20_



#88 LordAston

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Posted 03 September 2020 - 13:22

AUTOMOBILSPORT-26-Cover-EN_200x200.jpg

 

Sorry image not big but the other wise was way too big


Edited by LordAston, 03 September 2020 - 13:23.


#89 LordAston

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Posted 06 January 2021 - 14:34

AUTOMOBILSPORT-27-Cover-EN.jpg

 

Cover story
Rallye Monte Carlo 1971

  • The grande dame of rallying – 40th Rallye Monte Carlo 1971
  • Retirements galore – Arrival and opening loop
  • Showdown – The night of the long knives
  • ‘A rally to forget’ – Interview Jean-Pierre Nicolas
  • ‘I don’t think we could have done better’ – Interview John Davenport
  • ‘All I wanted was to finish the Monte’ – Interview Jean-Claude Andruet 

Also in this issue…

  • NEW SERIES: Uwe Mahla about the Deutsche Rennsport-Meisterschaft
  • Eckhard Schimpf on Hans-Joachim Stuck
  • Jo Ramirez about the Prost-Senna rivalry at McLaren
  • Norbert Singer about Weissach 1994
  • Marc Surer about the 1984 European Grand Prix
  • Thomas Nehlert about the BRM P351 and BRM P301
  • Jacob Queißner about the Gran Premio Perón 1951
  • Back on Track – Gebhardt JC853
  • and many more!

 

The BRM article should be interesting.

 

But I doubt anyone will read this so I don't know why I bother posting it.



#90 john winfield

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Posted 06 January 2021 - 15:50

AUTOMOBILSPORT-27-Cover-EN.jpg

 

Cover story
Rallye Monte Carlo 1971

 

But I doubt anyone will read this so I don't know why I bother posting it.

 

Aston, you've made me happy just by posting that cover shot of the A110 sideways in the snow!  Thanks.

 

I wonder who it is. That registration doesn't seem to have participated in the 1971 Monte and, as there don't seem to be any visible entry numbers on the car, perhaps it's the works practice machine. Is it Ove at the wheel? I'll have to buy the magazine.....



#91 Myhinpaa

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Posted 06 January 2021 - 16:15

That looks like Ove Andersson, who went on to win the event with David Stone as his co-driver.

 

The reg. doesn't seem to feature among works entered cars, looks like it was used by the team as a recce car only.

 

Tamiya made a nice model which featured that reg. https://www.scalemat...1600-sc--129383



#92 BRG

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Posted 06 January 2021 - 20:36

Aston, you've made me happy just by posting that cover shot of the A110 sideways in the snow!  Thanks.

 

Likewise!!  

 

But as none of us have read this thread....



#93 proviz

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Posted 19 February 2021 - 12:28

Has anyone got issue #3 of Automobilsport with part 1 of Toyota's 1960's sports racing story titled "Unlucky 7"? Curious to know if the ill-fated Peter Brock designed BRE Toyota JP6 is discussed in it at all, or even better, if there's a photo of it. Advice much appreciated.



#94 Parkesi

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Posted 19 February 2021 - 13:45

Proviz! I just checked Automobilsport #3 but Peter Brock`s Toyota is NOT mentioned and there is NO picture.  :down:

I´m afraid for a new magazine (01/2015) your insider question is one hurdle to high... 



#95 proviz

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Posted 19 February 2021 - 14:03

Thanks, Parkesi, didn't have high hopes.... To be fair Brock's  car was rather group 6 than group 7 and judging by the title Automobilsport's feature focused on the latter.



#96 SamoanAttorney

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Posted 20 December 2022 - 13:55

An envelope arrives from Germany....

 

It is #34 featuring the 333 SP, Boutsen and Brun, Berger and Alwin Springer plus all the regular goodies.

 

Been a while since the magazine got a mention.

 

AMS34-Cover-EN-web.jpg



#97 sabrejet

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Posted 20 December 2022 - 20:46

Yes I enjoyed the Alwin Springer article; I'm relishing the 333SP main course too. It's still a great magazine!



#98 LordAston

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Posted 01 February 2023 - 17:18

So the latest issue is on the DTM 1992 season. Next one will be a good un. It will be a Ferrar at Le Mans issue.  I presume done in a similar way to the Porsche one was back in 2014 when they returned.