Get racing with VEE-TV
All you petrol heads unite – VEE-TV has hit the roads and the racetracks to bring you the low-down on cars and their fans.
The thrill of speed attracts devoted followers who love to watch high-speed racing - or take part. And for many people, their car can enhance their image and they use it to reflect their own personality.
VEE-TV spoke to a variety of people whose choice in car reflects who they are such as Faye who says she is a chav and that her modified car reflects that. Then there is James, who collects Italian classic cars and hot-rod champ Sean O'Leary who has been into racing since he was a child and now has a Citroen Saxo to race.
To find out more about the exciting world of motor-racing VEE-TV visited Santa Pod in Northamptonshire the home of European drag racing.
Drag Racing is a flat-out race between 2 cars with speeds of up to 300mph along a quarter-mile strip. Drag Racing was born in the USA and began in the forties when teenagers raced each other between traffic lights down the main 'drag' of their sleepy Californian towns. As this practice became more popular, the authorities moved racers off the streets and onto the surrounding dry lakes and disused airfields that were left after World War II.
These days drag racing takes place throughout Europe too with events at Santa Pod attracting up to 40,000 spectators.
VEE-TV spoke to racing legend Ian Turboville who races drag motorbikes which only travel in a straight line.
All you petrol heads unite – VEE-TV has hit the roads and the racetracks to bring you the low-down on cars and their fans.
The thrill of speed attracts devoted followers who love to watch high-speed racing - or take part. And for many people, their car can enhance their image and they use it to reflect their own personality.
VEE-TV spoke to a variety of people whose choice in car reflects who they are such as Faye who says she is a chav and that her modified car reflects that. Then there is James, who collects Italian classic cars and hot-rod champ Sean O'Leary who has been into racing since he was a child and now has a Citroen Saxo to race.
To find out more about the exciting world of motor-racing VEE-TV visited Santa Pod in Northamptonshire the home of European drag racing.
Drag Racing is a flat-out race between 2 cars with speeds of up to 300mph along a quarter-mile strip. Drag Racing was born in the USA and began in the forties when teenagers raced each other between traffic lights down the main 'drag' of their sleepy Californian towns. As this practice became more popular, the authorities moved racers off the streets and onto the surrounding dry lakes and disused airfields that were left after World War II.
These days drag racing takes place throughout Europe too with events at Santa Pod attracting up to 40,000 spectators.
VEE-TV spoke to racing legend Ian Turboville who races drag motorbikes which only travel in a straight line.
"The thrill of going at such a speed so quickly in a straight line is better than any thrill you could imagine.
At the start of the race everything is focussed so much that everything goes into slow motion. Then when you hit the throttle, it's a big bang, you're gone and if you're not ready for it, you can be in big trouble."
Monster Trucks
Another growing obsession in motor sports are Monster Trucks – custom-designed vehicles with huge wheels which are driven and jumped over old scrap vehicles or raced against each other. They look like giant toy vehicles – but seem terrifying to drive.
Michael Murty drives a monster truck. He explains about the sport;
Deaf biker Mark explains what he loves so much about his sport.
Another growing obsession in motor sports are Monster Trucks – custom-designed vehicles with huge wheels which are driven and jumped over old scrap vehicles or raced against each other. They look like giant toy vehicles – but seem terrifying to drive.
Michael Murty drives a monster truck. He explains about the sport;
" It's about causing as much destruction and annihilation as possible to old scrap cars and having fun and doing it safely at the same time. There's a great deal of experienced required before you can do live demonstrations."But Michael explains that the sport is tough on the drivers.
"In America, the monster truck drivers tend to only have about six to eight years before their back gives up, so it's tough on the body."
Deaf biker Mark explains what he loves so much about his sport.
"I'm a deaf biker. It's in my blood. I've always loved bikes the bigger, the more beautiful. To own one is a dream come true. I have a need for speed. I taught myself to do tricks and wheelie and how to control the bike. I went to a friend to the Ace Café and met more deaf bikers and I just knew they were the crowd for me."
The Deaf Bikers Group which is run by volunteers and is non-profit making is a network of bike enthusiasts who are deaf or hard of hearing. The organise lots of events and also aim to fight against discrimination and improve road safety for their members.
Martine Laverty took on a huge VEE-Challenge when she had a go at banger racing at a Rookie Bangers event. Rookie Bangers is a good way to get into banger racing as the cars are safer and there is less 'contact' or bashing into each other. Even so, Martine found the whole experience quite a bone-shaking event. Find out more about her race by reading her diary.
Do you love your car?
Does it reflect your personality?
Tell us more by visiting the VEE-TV forum.
To find out more about cars, racing and all things with wheels visit these sites.
Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of third party websites
4car
www.channel4.com/4car/
Everything you need to know about cars is here.
Monster Jam
www.channel4.com/sport/microsites/M/monsterjam/
Find out more about the exciting world of monster trucks and freestyle motocross.
Monster Garage
www.channel4.com/science/microsites/M/monstergarage
A Channel 4 series with mechanics transforming vehicles into mad hybrid monsters.
Deaf Bikers
www.deaf-bikers.org.uk/
A social and political organisation aimed at deaf motorbike enthusiasts.
Santa Pod Raceway
www.santapod.co.uk
Santa Pod Raceway in the UK is the home of European Drag Racing and host to the televised FIA European Drag Racing Championships.
Stockcar Racing
www.stockcar.co.uk
Site dedicated to stockcar racing with lots of information about events and race meetings.