Author Ian Fleming gave his James Bond hero a DB Mark III in the seventh novel, Goldfinger. A long association between 007 and the marque began on screen with the silver DB5 that appears in Goldfinger (1964) and Thunderball (1965). This was James Bond's company car, and in GoldenEye (1995) and Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) appeared to have become his private car. In On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) a metallic-green DBS appears at the beginning and end of the movie. After an interlude with Lotus, Aston Martins were again used: a charcoal-grey V8 Volante and Vantage in The Living Daylights (1987). After switching to BMW for several films, the Vanquish appeared in Die Another Day (2002). In Casino Royale (2006), James Bond drives both the classic DB5 which becomes his personal vehicle after winning a poker game, and the new DBS which is revealed to be his new company car in Quantum of Solace (in theaters November 2008)
In Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds (film), a DB2/4 Drophead Coupe (convertible) is driven by male lead Rod Taylor and figures prominently in the final scene.
A black Aston Martin Vanquish appears in The Italian Job (2003 film).
In the film Gorgeous (1999) Jackie Chan drives an Aston Martin.
Rowan Atkinson's own DB7 Vantage was used in Johnny English (2003).
In the HBO series Entourage (2006), Vince buys all the guys an Aston Martin DB9 to celebrate the recent success of "Aquaman".
In the TV Series "Las Vegas" James Caan's character Ed Deline drives a DB9 Volante.
In the TV series Desperate Housewives, the character Gabrielle Solis (played by Eva Longoria Parker) drives a Maroon DB9 Volante.
On Youtube, there is a clip of Kobe Bryant, an NBA superstar, jumping over a speeding Aston Martin.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Italian Grand Prix 2008
The circuit of Monza will again host the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Italy from the 12th until the 14th September 2008. The Italian Grand Prix is one of the most popular races on the F1 calendar worldwide. In 2007 the McLaren team was leading the race. The team took the winner’s podium as well as the runners-up spot. The “Autodromo di Monza” is the ultimate circuit for speed lovers. On the long straight distances the Formula 1 pilots can race high speeds. Overtaking is easy, but also very dangerous. A race on the circuit at Monza forces a lot from both the car and the driver. As a result, spectacular crashes are also known to occur. A race at the “Autodromo di Monza” guarantees annual tension and sensation. This race should not be missed by real race fans!
British Racing Drivers' Club
The story of the British Racing Drivers' Club started way back in the days of the famous Bentley team that so effectively, and romantically, dominated the racing scene - Le Mans in particular - during the late 1920s.
The founder of the BRDC, Dr. J. D. Benjafield, one of the famed 'Bentley Boys' at Le Mans, was keen to organise dinner parties after races for his friends and drivers. It was these dinner parties which were the seeds from which grew the highly prestigious and much respected British Racing Drivers' Club that we know today.
The Club was inaugurated early in 1928, with twenty-five members and a clear set of objectives. These were to promote the interests of motor sport generally; to celebrate any specific performance in motor sport; to extend hospitality to racing drivers from overseas; and to further the interests of British drivers competing abroad.
At that time, membership was restricted to racing drivers of proven success and experience, and quickly grew following the decision of the BRDC to move into race organisation. The first Club-organised event, the BRDC 500-Mile Race, took place at Brooklands in October 1929 and the BRDC badge quickly established itself as a regular feature on overalls worn by the Club pioneer drivers.
After the Second World War, the BRDC became a major force in international motor racing, taking over the lease of Silverstone from the RAC in 1952 and subsequently purchasing the site's freehold from the Ministry of Defence in 1971. The Club through its wholly-owned subsidiary company, Silverstone Circuits Limited(formed in 1966 to develop the commercial aspects of the property), then set in motion a major redevelopment of what had been a wartime bomber training base producing one of the foremost motor racing facilities in the world. A Masterplan for the development of Silverstone is currently being implemented, with the long term security of the British Grand Prix the aim for both the BRDC and Silverstone Circuits Limited.
The entry criteria to the Club remains very strict with Full membership offered only to those ladies and gentlemen who have attained international success over a number of seasons. Associate membership is offered to those persons who have made a significant contribution to the sport and Honorary membership is bestowed upon only a special few, including F1 World Champions who by dint of nationality do not otherwise qualify. Every British or Commonwealth World Champion is, or has been in their lifetime, a Full Member of the Club.
Silverstone Circuits Limited promote a number of major international race meetings at Silverstone, including the British Grand Prix, plus rounds of the rounds of the FIA GT Championships, The British Touring Car Championship, Le Mans Series, British SuperBikes, British F3-GT and the Walter Hayes Trophy to name a few.
As a Club, the BRDC has grown to become the most prestigious motor racing club in the world and today, membership totals over 850.
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