My declaration at 5.30am that ‘we’ve lost the Ashes’ may have been a tad premature

Who could ever forget the Citroën DS21 GT3?

On The River’s 45th anniversary, here are two of my favourite things: - The album itself - Foster, an adored member of my family Man, I miss that cat

I’m proud to work in motorsport. But never wanted to just be the poor man’s version of Dad. No disgrace because he was great, but I am lesser. Think of him every time I’m at a track. Missing him and his advice greatly right now. Hopefully see friendly faces at Brands this weekend.

Not every day you wake up and immediately get to listen to a new Born to era Springsteen track. The album had the right eight songs. But it’s a treat to hear what else was going on.

Another Springsteen release imminent? Sure. I’m okay with that.

Five years without MA. She’s missed a lot. HOWEVER, the more she misses, the more those of us left are making the most of the time we’ve got. It ain’t no sin to be glad you’re alive. Be good to those you love and enjoy today 🏁🧡

Race track 🏁

Just revisiting one of the great nights of my life. I’ll never forget it.

Stopped at the supermarket on the way home from work tonight. Needed lemons. They didn’t have any. But I figured Le Mans was close enough.

Was dispatched to the supermarket for broad beans. Didn’t find any, but this seemed pretty similar. Should do the job.

What a two car garage that would be…

Good news: My Citroën 2CV is back on the road 🇫🇷 Also good news: I’ve bought a Renault 4CV 🇫🇷

Popped to big Tesco. Didn’t get anything useful. However…

At the Oulton Park Gold Cup for the first time in a couple of years this weekend. So in the spirit of Dad, here’s what he would have photographed for his Motor Sport column. Forever the greater motorsport Arron. Someone who’ll always be thought of at this meeting 🏆

A good day at work.

At a racing circuit…

Pottered into Le Touquet earlier today and accidentally stumbled across a classic car gathering. Much was French, and I was bloody delighted.

Today’s motorsport question I wasn’t asked, but have answered anyway: What could it have looked like if, instead of racing an RS500 in the BTCC, Asquith decided to enter F1 with Karl Jones in the mid-80s?

So that’s what Michael Stipe has for lunch

Popped out to the shops for breakfast. Found something to eat, but also…

Today’s motorsport question nobody asked but which I answered anyway: What might it have looked like if Toyota had entered F1 in the early ‘90s, bringing across personnel from the BTCC team, including Will Hoy as lead driver?

Imagine being a rider on Le Tour and waking up every day knowing you have to race against Pogačar. Brutal.

Today in motorsport questions nobody asked but I’m answering anyway: What would it have looked like if, instead of entering F1 as an engine supplier only in the mid-90s, Peugeot had entered a fully fledged team with its BTCC driver line-up of Patrick Watts and Simon Harrison?

One suspects Chris Amon would have been particularly excellent on today’s stage of Le Tour de France 🏁

This morning’s motorsport question nobody asked but I still decided to answer: What it would look like if, instead of getting a BTCC deal with Volvo in the 1990s, TWR had been asked to run the manufacturer’s F1 entry?

Today’s motorsport question which absolutely nobody asked, but for which I’ve offered an answer anyway: What would it have looked like if, instead of entering the BTCC, Mazda had entered F1 in the early ‘90s with Patrick Watts as its lead driver?

That season’s title fight 👌

Tonight in motorsport questions nobody asked, but which l’m answering anyway: What might it have looked like if Vauxhall had entered F1 with John Cleland in the early 1990s?

Today’s question nobody asked but which I’m answering anyway: What would it have looked like if Citroën had entered the BTCC with a pair or factory BXs in the late ‘80s?

Breton cidre and the Grand Départ. This is summer 🟡

Earlier this week, my seat number at the San Siro and hotel room were appropriate for someone who is a fan both of Pedro Rodriguez and old Peugeots 👌

We went to the San Siro. We ate cheese, tomato and carbs. We had a great time. Thanks, Bruce. See you further on up the road.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s 2023-25 tour ends tomorrow. I was there when it started, and I needed it. After many stops along the way, I’ll be there at the end. Not emotionally prepared for the idea that it could be the last one. I hope it isn’t. But what a ride.

Oops

It’s not every day you get home and are able to open seven new albums from your musical hero. Each with their own artwork and notes and accompanied by an overarching book with extra bonuses. This isn’t just a selection of previously unreleased tracks, it’s an event. Wow.

Spotted a race circuit this morning. This one is absolute mustard.

A few moments I captured 📸

Checking out of Brands Hatch at the end of a really good weekend. Fab cars, fun racing, and enjoyable chat with many familiar faces. A lovely reminder of why I do this. On to the next one.

Got to see one of my all-time hero cars in the metal today. What a treat.

It’s not every day you get to listen to a new Springsteen album on the way to work but still have another six to enjoy later on. What a time to be alive.

Popped to Sainsbury’s for some dinner essentials. Remembered to get them all. Also came home with this, though…

The reaction of a man who watched the 1993 BTCC season review far too many times as a child 🤩

This was really bad. But Bruce returned with a lovely rendition of Growin’ Up, my favourite, which I’d not seen in years. What followed was a masterclass in crowd pleasing. I was soaked to the bone and exhausted. But what an experience, one I’ll never forget. Thanks, Bruce.

Currently experiencing my first ever safety car period during a Springsteen show. Hail, thunder, lightning. Unsafe for racing in the street. Well, I’ll always remember it.

Things I didn’t expect to see in WH Smith but did: Jim Richards

I suppose I wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for Oulton Park giving Arron Sr the motorsport bug. Always a pleasure to drop in.

Went to the supermarket. Struck gold.

I was supposed to see Springsteen in Prague tonight. But I cancelled it (and other plans) for life reasons - nothing awful, just one of those things. Feel pretty melancholy. But what a time I’ve had watching that man and his band this year. I am lucky. And we’re not done yet 🙌

Not an all-time classic edition of the 24 Heures du Mans. But not all of them can be and I was still hooked. As I always do by this time on Sunday, I feel slightly bereft that it’s all over. Is it next year yet? Congratulations to the yellow AF Corse Ferrari 🏁