A Supercar Master Speaks
Discussion
I was researching material for a book , and came across this passage written by Valentino Balboni in about 1984 which I thought some Pistonheader's would enjoy .
Although written about the Countach , it is equally applicable to other supercars .
I have copied it out in full - in Valentino's charming Italian-English :
'' Of course the Countach , as well as its specific road qualities , conceals numerous hidden possibilities . For many its essential function is not that of giving its happy owner the intoxication which occurs as 300 km/h are reached , or the stupor of its frequently unused acceleration , moreover it is the pleasure of owning something which classifies and personalizes an existential philosophy which only fortune can allow . Nevertheless , I consider that the acquisition of such a car cannot be anything but the result of a dream come true for a lover of automobile art '' .
Although written about the Countach , it is equally applicable to other supercars .
I have copied it out in full - in Valentino's charming Italian-English :
'' Of course the Countach , as well as its specific road qualities , conceals numerous hidden possibilities . For many its essential function is not that of giving its happy owner the intoxication which occurs as 300 km/h are reached , or the stupor of its frequently unused acceleration , moreover it is the pleasure of owning something which classifies and personalizes an existential philosophy which only fortune can allow . Nevertheless , I consider that the acquisition of such a car cannot be anything but the result of a dream come true for a lover of automobile art '' .
It was on a visit to the Lambo factory back in 2003 it just happened that i met Balboni outside in a Murcielago , he offered me then my wife a trip around the local roads it was superb his driving was so smooth and the car was just fantastic we both will never forget that i a hurry.
A true gent as well i remember.
A true gent as well i remember.
I would say this video is a more animated representation of the spirit of Lamborghini (and Balboni's view of what is acceptable driving on the road 
https://youtu.be/dRxP8p3x0hY?t=98
even more 'Italian' driving at the end of the video:
https://youtu.be/dRxP8p3x0hY?t=676
https://youtu.be/dRxP8p3x0hY?t=98
even more 'Italian' driving at the end of the video:
https://youtu.be/dRxP8p3x0hY?t=676
Edited by paulmnz on Monday 9th November 17:21
cayman-black said:
It was on a visit to the Lambo factory back in 2003 it just happened that i met Balboni outside in a Murcielago , he offered me then my wife a trip around the local roads it was superb his driving was so smooth and the car was just fantastic we both will never forget that i a hurry.
A true gent as well i remember.
Thanks, the very definition of the right place at the right time. A true gent as well i remember.
paulmnz said:
I would say this video is a more animated representation of the spirit of Lamborghini (and Balboni's view of what is acceptable driving on the road
https://youtu.be/dRxP8p3x0hY?t=98
Classic video. And everything the late David E. Davis* says is spot on.https://youtu.be/dRxP8p3x0hY?t=98
*He's the guy in the video with the great facial hair
Hi supersport ,
Thank you for very , very , much the encouragement .
It can be tough going at times .
The final drafts are due in by 31st Jan 2021 , with publication in about June .
The original plan had been for the release to coincide with the LP 500 Countach prototype's 50th anniversary Geneva debut in March , but sadly Covid put a wrecking ball through that plan .
The KTM Governing Board put us through our paces , but once they were happy , gave us every bit of technical information that we asked for - hence that book is full of detail that we just couldn't leave out .
I'm sorry that it is hard going , but it was a onecein a lifetime opportunity , and we wanted to include everything relevant .
It would really help if you could marry up what you are reading with looking at a real life example sitting in front of you .
Hopefully once Covid has retreated and the car shows start up again you will be able to do so - i'll happily talk you through the details should we meet up at Beaulieu or Wilton etc .
As to getting an X-BOW , I'd highly recommend one .
I had the prototype Brooke 260RR for 10 years prior to getting the X-BOW R , and the build quality and R&D is light years apart .
Dallara's expertise coupled to KTM's financial might really tells .
I couldn't begin to afford a new one , so waited 10 years and bought one which was essentially brand new , with about a thousand miles on the clock , and had never seen a track .
I too don't use mine on track -- its great fun on the road -- I call it my ''round-about car'' , as that's where you get the thrills .
It drew a lot of criticism in the press for not being as raw as a Caterham , and indeed it isnt .
But I suspect that KTM were aiming , whether they really knew this prior to the launch is debatable , at a quite different type of customer .
The car feels really solid , much more so than any light-weight trackcar i've driven ( I have sat in , but not driven a Mono ).
Its a good feeling , but at 890 Kg , it doesnt have the immediacy of response that the 550 Kg Brooke had ( 296 bhp vs 260 bhp // 300 Nm vs 200 Nm )
I also love that it is windscreenless , doorless , and roofless .
I see that Lambo , aston and Ferrari are now bringing out multi-million pound very limited edition cars designed on the same lines .
I cannot think of a lightweight car with the X-Bow's degree of solidity , that one can buy for the same price as a second hand X-BOW . Dallara's team took us both out , and allowed us to drive their Stradale (£250K ) in anger, and the similarities outweighed the differences -- slower sure , but handled similarly .
For me its a keeper .
Do look at one with an open mind -- I feel that the magazines short-changed the X-Bow -- Its actually a very mature car , as you would expect with all that Dallara input .
Thank you for very , very , much the encouragement .
It can be tough going at times .
The final drafts are due in by 31st Jan 2021 , with publication in about June .
The original plan had been for the release to coincide with the LP 500 Countach prototype's 50th anniversary Geneva debut in March , but sadly Covid put a wrecking ball through that plan .
The KTM Governing Board put us through our paces , but once they were happy , gave us every bit of technical information that we asked for - hence that book is full of detail that we just couldn't leave out .
I'm sorry that it is hard going , but it was a onecein a lifetime opportunity , and we wanted to include everything relevant .
It would really help if you could marry up what you are reading with looking at a real life example sitting in front of you .
Hopefully once Covid has retreated and the car shows start up again you will be able to do so - i'll happily talk you through the details should we meet up at Beaulieu or Wilton etc .
As to getting an X-BOW , I'd highly recommend one .
I had the prototype Brooke 260RR for 10 years prior to getting the X-BOW R , and the build quality and R&D is light years apart .
Dallara's expertise coupled to KTM's financial might really tells .
I couldn't begin to afford a new one , so waited 10 years and bought one which was essentially brand new , with about a thousand miles on the clock , and had never seen a track .
I too don't use mine on track -- its great fun on the road -- I call it my ''round-about car'' , as that's where you get the thrills .
It drew a lot of criticism in the press for not being as raw as a Caterham , and indeed it isnt .
But I suspect that KTM were aiming , whether they really knew this prior to the launch is debatable , at a quite different type of customer .
The car feels really solid , much more so than any light-weight trackcar i've driven ( I have sat in , but not driven a Mono ).
Its a good feeling , but at 890 Kg , it doesnt have the immediacy of response that the 550 Kg Brooke had ( 296 bhp vs 260 bhp // 300 Nm vs 200 Nm )
I also love that it is windscreenless , doorless , and roofless .
I see that Lambo , aston and Ferrari are now bringing out multi-million pound very limited edition cars designed on the same lines .
I cannot think of a lightweight car with the X-Bow's degree of solidity , that one can buy for the same price as a second hand X-BOW . Dallara's team took us both out , and allowed us to drive their Stradale (£250K ) in anger, and the similarities outweighed the differences -- slower sure , but handled similarly .
For me its a keeper .
Do look at one with an open mind -- I feel that the magazines short-changed the X-Bow -- Its actually a very mature car , as you would expect with all that Dallara input .
Thank you for the detailed response,
I can’t remember having seen an X-Bow before, a Mono yes and very impressive it looked. I have driven an Atom and that was pretty amazing.
I am enjoying the book, it is very detailed. It’s less hard work than Brock Yates’ Enzo biography, which I have just finished.
I can’t remember having seen an X-Bow before, a Mono yes and very impressive it looked. I have driven an Atom and that was pretty amazing.
I am enjoying the book, it is very detailed. It’s less hard work than Brock Yates’ Enzo biography, which I have just finished.
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