One fast Guy and his six epic drives

Le Mans winner, Guy Smith was born in Yorkshire in 1974. He is one of Britain’s most successful motorsport competitors, and in 2003 won the Le Mans 24-hour in a Bentley. His relationship with Bentley continues.

Now in his ninth season with New York State-based Dyson Racing, Guy landed his first Sportscar title by winning the American Le Mans championship in 2011. His team-mates over the years have included Tom Kristensen, ‘Dindo’ Capello, Martin Brundle and Stéphane Ortelli.

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Nürburgring Nordschleife, Germany

I’ve swept around here in a full-blown Nissan GT racecar, in the 24-hour race, and a Ford Focus rental car – but it’s exciting no matter what you’re driving! A toll road in the week, that you can enjoy for €24, and a 12.9-mile race circuit with 154 turns on weekends, its nickname – the Green Hell – is justified.

Car of choice: Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

Photo: Alamy

Marine Drive, Great Orme, Wales

The Marine Drive is a four-mile scenic route from Llandudno’s north to west shores, which I’ve driven only once – in a Mark 1 Ford Escort during a rally. As you climb up this most exciting and beautiful road, with the sea on your right-hand side, you get a really fantastic view over the water.

Car of choice: I’d love to take that Escort rally car out there again.

Photo: Alamy

Le Mans, France

One of the fastest and most challenging circuits in the world, Le Mans is very special to me. A large portion is made up of everyday roads, including the famous Mulsanne straight. On race weekends rally cars shift around as they negotiate the uneven surface of this public road at 220mph – which certainly grabs your attention.

Car of choice: A Bentley Continental GT Speed.

Photo: Corbis

Buttertubs Pass, North Yorkshire, England

We have so many great roads in Yorkshire, but Buttertubs Pass, which runs from Hawes to Thwaite, is as challenging as they come. The closest thing to an Alpine pass in the UK, it’s exhilarating at any speed, with sheer drops on one side as the road winds through deep limestone potholes called the Buttertubs.

Car of choice: A Jaguar E-Type, of course.

Photo: Alamy

Gorges du Verdon, France

The Gorges du Verdon in Provence is a beautiful drive from Trigance taking the D90 south to the D71. Built to give the best views of the Canyon and river, this road is not for the fainthearted. Reward yourself with a lunch stop at Aiguines overlooking the gorge and the Lac de Sainte-Croix.

Car of choice: A Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder.

Photo: Getty Images

Tail of the Dragon, USA

A fast and flowing road on the North Carolina and Tennessee border in the Great Smokey Mountains, the Tail of the Dragon is an 11-mile stretch of the US 129, which has no fewer than 318 stomach-churning twists and turns. Thrilling but unforgiving to drive.

Car of choice: Small, fast and agile, the Audi TT RS coupe would be ideal.

Photo: Alamy

Guy Smith

One fast Guy and his six epic drives

Nürburgring Nordschleife, Germany

Marine Drive, Great Orme, Wales

Le Mans, France

Buttertubs Pass, North Yorkshire, England

Gorges du Verdon, France

Tail of the Dragon, USA

Nürburgring Nordschleife, Germany

Marine Drive, Great Orme, Wales

Le Mans, France

Buttertubs Pass, North Yorkshire, England

Gorges du Verdon, France

Tail of the Dragon, USA

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