Dream Rides

Giuliano Pavone

Italian motoring journalist Pavone would enjoy a leisurely tour of his homeland.

“O gods of the car, send me a Citroën DS. I know I could have the latest machine, but a childhood dream is worth more to me. Give me 24 hours, a beautiful September day and drop me any of the country lanes in my native Puglia.

Let me settle into those huge, soft seats, turn the handle to lower the window, and breathe in the unmistakable aroma of classic car. I shall drive slowly, lazily maneuvering the steering wheel with my right hand, my left arm resting on the window in the breeze.”

Vicki Butler-Henderson

The route chosen by the presenter of Fifth Gear is dear to her heart.

“My drive would lead me to the Hertfordshire farm where I grew up, where my parents still live. My only companion would be a car I know well — the Honda S2000. Over the last eight years I’ve driven a handful of them a total of 100,000 miles. I’d feel unfaithful if I chose anything else.

Some of my most memorable journeys have been at night. So for my drive the moon would be at its most full and the sky would be cloudless. I’d have the roof firmly folded to heighten my senses, too.”

Richard Meaden

The motoring journalist has driven some of the best and most challenging roads on the planet.

“I would choose what I believe to be the most exciting 12.42-miles in the world: the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb course. Unique in so many ways, this remarkable road repeatedly switches from tarmac to dirt surfaces on its relentless climb to the breathless 14,110ft summit of Pikes Peak. Clearly a road as extreme as this deserves an equally radical car, which is why I’d choose the same car I used in the last events: a PVA-06 open-wheel racer.”