After a call from the "Driven" production company...

48 hours before filming was to start, several TVRCC members made the frantic journey to a dis-used airfield in Suffolk to take part in the TVR v Porsche feature. The program can be seen either on Friday 4th or 11th October on Channel 4 (sorry different dates provided by Driven!).

According to those that made it, the day was an "experience" and should make interesting viewing, especially if you saw how it went together.

Heres a report from James Hogg

Following some dramatic re-scheduling I managed a visit to a deserted airfield in Suffolk for Channels 4's" Driven" programme. The airfield turned out to be RAF Bentwaters which, in its heyday was the front line strike base for fighter aircraft. Nowadays it's become a goose farm with the bomb proof hangers being converted into "goose sheds".

The runway is still there and it was here that the Presenters of Driven test, and generally abuse, a variety of cars.

The Tuscan and I arrived in plenty of time despite a 2 hour journey ready for a the 1.30 pm start.By the time the days programme was explained to us by the production crew a fair number of us had turned up including the Porsche drivers club and anybody else who could get there.

All of us were escorted to the Driven studio (a Hanger) and asked to park up were indicated whilst the lucky few, myself included, had our cars invited into the studio.

There was a good turn out of TVR drivers as well as Boxster drivers. Many had parked outside the studio around the Sumo ring!

Filming began of which the results can be seen on Channel 4 Friday 4th October 8.00pm.

We all had a good chance to view both cars on display inside the studio. A silver Porsche Boxster and a yellow TVR Tamora.

There was a good deal of hanging around between takes but this gave everyone, or nearly everyone, the opportunity to test drive both the Boxster and the Tamora. There were a few thrills and spills with everyone trying to get the most out of both machines. There were two Boxsters and two Tamoras for test until one of the boxsters suffered "water" problems and the second one blew its clutch! This left half a dozen people without a drive and even more people without a drive when both the Tamoras were recalled shortly after. I still do not why this happened but it certainly was not due to any mechanical failure!

Very large and wide smiles began to appear across the faces of all TVR owners when the "clutch less" Boxster had to be pushed back into the studio ready for the final voting. It was a very pleasing site indeed to see the yellow Tamora reverse itself back into its original spot. The final shoot of the day was the voting of both the cars. I can officially report that the Tamora won despite all three of Drivens presenters going for the Porsche.

I hope the attached images give you some idea of the days events. I am sure all club members will relish the impressive result TVR had over the Porsche.

JAMES HOGG