Staffordshire duo in Top Gear-style old car Alps challenge

Two men are set for a Top Gear-style challenge when they drive an old banger across the Alps for charity.Ashley Brough was tasked with buying a car for £1,000 or less, so he could take part in the Rusty Rally organised by young people's charity The Outward Bound Trust.He and friend Wayne Murcott, from Shenstone, Staffordshire, will be one of 10 teams on the four-day tour, which will take the convoy through France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany and Austria.Mr Brough, from Uttoxeter, told BBC Radio Stoke he had decided to take on a 25-year-old Mercedes diesel estate car, which "smelled like someone had died in it" when he got it,
"I've been using a lot of air fresheners," he said."My wife calls it a hearse. It was pretty ropey, I'll be honest with you, but I think that's the beauty of the challenge."
'Stunning scenery'
The adventure begins in Annecy, France on Wednesday, with Mr Brough and Mr Murcott driving under the team name "Les Knobbies".As part of preparations, the vehicle has been checked over by local dealership Angus MacKinnon and Mr Brough said that while he was a "little bit worried", he was confident he would not have a brake or tyre failure."It's going to be bittersweet, because in one half of my mind I'm going to be worried to death that were going to be breaking down," he said."On the other hand, it's going to be the most stunning scenery that I'll be taking in."
Mr Brough, who chairs The Community Foundation for Staffordshire and Shropshire, has already raised more than £10,000 for The Outward Bound Trust so far, with the event as a whole aiming to raise £100,000.The charity runs outdoor adventures and courses for young people with the aim of encouraging them to get out of their comfort zone.
Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Auto Blog

9 hours ago

• Auto Blog

Honda Won't Like The Horsepower On This New VW GTI

Volkswagen is turning heads with its 2026 Golf GTI Edition 50 Volkswagen has revealed the 2026 Golf GTI Edition 50—and it more than gives Honda's Civic Type R a run for its money. The Golf GTI Edition 50 features 321 horsepower, six more than the Civic Type R and just seven less horsepower than a Golf R. This special edition Volkswagen also boasts 310 lb-ft of torque, matching the Civic Type R. While horsepower is an essential component of the Golf GTI Edition 50 and Civic Type R rivalry, it doesn't tell the whole story. Let's take a closer look at these two vehicles' performance to more clearly illustrate where each model stands. 0:04 / 0:09 Audi A5 replaces A4: So, what's changed? Watch More Performance spotlight: Golf GTI Edition 50 vs Civic Type R The Golf GTI Edition 50 is Volkswagen's fastest production Golf to date in track performance, completing the world-famous Nordschleife circuit in seven minutes and 46 seconds. However, the 2025 Civic Type R set a Nordschleife front-wheel drive (FWD) record with a lap time of seven minutes and 44.881 seconds. Honda's Civic Type R comes standard with high-performance summer tires providing excellent grip, but they're not the Golf GTI Edition 50's optional full semi-slicks. The GTI's semi-slick Bridgestone Potenza Race tires, combined with its available adapted suspension mounts, likely offer a higher ultimate grip threshold, especially in dry conditions. This Volkswagen's optional GTI-Performance package, which includes the Bridgestone Potenza Race tires, also comes with 19-inch Warmenau (associated with Volkswagen's R division) forged wheels and a lightweight R-Performance exhaust system with a rear titanium silencer. The Golf GTI Edition 50 further optimizes front grip and agility with stiffer springs, making for a more track-like ride feel, while the Civic Type R's adaptive damper system better balances daily and track driving. The Civic Type R's broader range of adjustability could've been the primary factor causing it to edge out the Golf GTI Edition 50 at Nordschleife, given the track's long, complex design. Golf GTI Edition 50 vs GR Corolla Toyota's GR Corolla is right in the hot hatch mix alongside models like the Civic Type R, but it offers less horsepower and torque than its Honda and Volkswagen competitors, with 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The GR Corolla also hasn't logged an official lap time at Nordschleife, but it offers standard AWD for those not interested in the Golf GTI Edition 50 and Civic Type R's FWD configuration. While pricing info hasn't yet been released for the Golf GTI Edition 50, the GR Corolla is a better bargain, starting at $40,055 compared to the Civic Type R's $47,045 base MSRP. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Volkswagen Golf GTI — Source: Volkswagen Final thoughts Production of the exclusive Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 is scheduled to begin in Wolfsburg, Germany, at the end of 2025, with deliveries starting in early 2026. While the Civic Type R has Nordschleife lap bragging rights, the Golf GTI Edition 50's higher horsepower, near-equivalent track time, and optional performance package supply this Volkswagen with extra cachet, amplifying the models' rivalry. The Golf GTI Edition 50 also outperformed the Golf R 20th Anniversary edition's Nurburgring lap time of seven minutes and 47.31 seconds, Volkswagen's previous record production pace achieved in 2022. About the Author Cody Carlson View Profile

Auto Blog

9 hours ago

• Auto Blog

Audi May Take Drastic Action To Dodge Tariffs

German Media Fears Massive Costs The ongoing uncertainty around how bad tariffs may get ahead of the July 9 deadline for agreement, for European automakers in particular, is no reason to stay idle. Regardless of what the final impact will be, tariffs aren't going anywhere anytime soon, and according to German magazine Der Spiegel, Audi is considering building a production facility somewhere in the southern U.S. to minimize the effects. But it's not an easy call to make. As noted by Automotive News, building a plant here would be 'the more expensive option out of a number of scenarios being considered, with company sources estimating costs of up to €4 billion (approximately $4.6 billion). So will it happen anyway? An Audi spokesperson has confirmed that the automaker intends to build its U.S. presence, but that's typical non-committal public relations speak. 0:04 / 0:09 Walmart is selling a 'heavy duty' $89 step ladder for $48, and shoppers say it's 'sturdy and secure' Watch More Audi Will Make A Decision This Year, Probably Source:'We are currently examining various scenarios for this. We are confident that we will make a decision this year in consultation with the [Volkswagen] Group on how this will look in concrete terms,' the spokesperson wrote in an email. Audi has been rumored to be examining the viability of a U.S. plant for several years, but up until now, the automaker has been performing relatively well in America, although Audi's 2024 sales showed a sharp year-on-year decline of 14%, indicating that changes must be made somewhere, regardless of current or future tariff measures. To help effect that change, Audi is working on a fresh new design language, and U.S. manufacturing (or at least assembly) may help future arrivals find broader appeal with competitive pricing. BMW has been producing cars in South Carolina since 1994, and in those 30-odd years, it's grown to become the largest automotive exporter by value in the U.S. Perhaps Audi would benefit from a similar approach. Where Audi Could Put Down Roots As part of the Volkswagen Group, Audi wouldn't necessarily have to start from scratch. The VW brand operates a plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where the ID.4 EV and the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport SUVs are produced, and its Scout Motors brand is building one in Columbia, South Carolina. But that's it – Porsche won't be moving production to America because its sales volumes would not justify such extensive investment, and its customer base is not unused to absorbing exorbitant price increases. As we noted earlier, Audi hasn't made a decision yet because it's exploring other options. One of those reportedly is to negotiate a tariff import deal with the U.S. government, which compatriot automakers BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and VW are said to be collaboratively pursuing alongside the Ingolstadt-based manufacturer. BMW and Mercedes are the only exporters in this group, but all have made significant investments in the U.S. About the Author Sebastian Cenizo View Profile

The Sun

10 hours ago

• The Sun

Roger Moore's favourite James Bond car hits auction… but the motor used in an iconic chase scene is not an Aston Martin

Douglas Simpson Published: Invalid Date, BOND star Roger Moore's favourite James Bond car, seen in iconic chase seen, is due to be auctioned. It's not a vintage Aston Martin due to sell but a small French hatchback used in the iconic For Your Eyes Only chase scene. 8 8 The tiny Citroen 2CV is currently available for purchase after it was rescued from a French scrapyard. Six of the little motors were destroyed during the filming of the chase scene. This is the only one of the six to ever be offered up for sale at auction. A month long online bidding war has been started for the little car with bids already reaching $120,000 or £89,000. It's hoped that the motor will fetch a price of about $500,000 or £370,000 by the time bidding closes on July 17. The iconic chase scene featuring the little 2CV sees Moore jump into the passenger seat of Melina Havelock's (Carole Bouquet) Citroen to escape the gun fire of villain Hector Gonzalez's goons. In the ensuing chaos of the chase the 2CV ends up flipping onto its roof to avoid a bus. It's then flipped back onto four wheels by Bond and some helpful locals before fleeing once again. The small 2CV is eventually rolled down a hill by one of the pursuing Peugeot's, ending up partially crushed before being reversed off towards a sharp turn by 007. In the iconic chase scene Bond takes the tiny Citroen off-road through olive groves and says the famous line: "I love a drive in the country, don't you?" Iconic 90s Ferrari Jeremy Clarkson dubbed the 'greatest car in the world, ever' up for sale for eye-watering price Six bright yellow 2CV's were left damaged in the filming process of the chase scene which sees Bond jump one over the last pursuing Peugeot. The 2CV up for auction is one of only three to avoid complete destruction. All three surviving 2CVs received a few dents and scrapes with the model up for auction boasting a missing headlight and a fair few scratches in the paintwork. The models used for filming were fitted with more powerful engines not available in standard 2CVs. Standard 2CVs were powered by a 602cc flat-twin engine mustering around 33bhp. 8 The six Bond vehicles used in filming featured a larger 1.1-litre engine that was lifted from the Citroën GS. No roll cage was fitted to the one up for auction as it was used specifically for driving shots with Moore and Bouquet. Moore gave a Top Gear interview stating the little French hatchback was his favourite Bond car writing later in his memoir about the fun he had driving the small motor. The three surviving motors were split up after filming with one sold off to a UK collector. One was taken by Citroen for the firm's private collection and the third, which is now up for auction, was sent to a recycling facility in Paris. The famous little car was rescued from the scrapyard and sold to its current owner in 2004. It has been fitted with replacement yellow doors and boot lid, yellow roof, and seats. The car is being sold for display purposes only and is not considered to be roadworthy. A certificate of authenticity will be provided to the winning bidder. 8 8 Car Auctions: How To Nab A Bargain Car auctions are a way to sell vehicles based on a bidding system with the highest offer securing the deal. Auctions aren't restricted to the rich and famous as thousands of cars are sold at motor auctions in the UK each week. Here's what you need to know before attending an auction: Be prepared: Do your research on the car you would like to purchase beforehand. Check the car: Cars will usually be lined up before the start, so make sure to arrive early to inspect the desired car thoroughly. Have a back-up: Be ready for disappointment as your desired motor may be sold to someone else and select a few back-ups. Be realistic: Realise that there won't be a "perfect" car at an auction and adjust expectations accordingly. Set a budget: It is easy to overspend in the heat of the moment during bidding. Ensure you have set a budget and do not go over it. Key phrases to look out for: 'No major mechanical faults' – suggests that there shouldn't be any issues with the car's drivetrain, gearbox, suspension, or engine. 'Specified faults' – the auctioneer will read out specific faults. 'Sold as seen' – the vehicle is sold with any problems it may have. The auction company will rarely entertain complaints regarding the mechanical or cosmetic condition of these vehicles after sale. 'Sold with a warranted mileage' - The car is being offered based on the report, which confirms the mileage through an independent check.