BA - The Club - Five of the most epic drives

Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica to Carmel, USA

Says who? Damon Hill, former Formula One World Champion (June 2017)
“In 1979, I did this trip in a 1929 Le Mans-winning Bentley driven by 1961 Formula One World Champion Phil Hill. When Hill did the drive, he reached Carmel, raced the car at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, then drove it back home to Santa Monica. I was probably too young to appreciate the privilege when I did it, but it was still an incredible drive.” Editor's note: Due to a debris slide on Highway 1, this route is now closed until late summer 2018.

Car of choice: A black 1968 Dodge Charger (like the one in Bullitt)

Photo: Getty Images

Rome to Brescia, Mille Miglia, Italy

Says who? David Gandy, British model (August 2014)
“I once co-drove this leg of the famous Mille Miglia road race with Yasmin Le Bon in a 1950’s Jaguar. This event couldn’t exist anywhere other than Italy. It’s utter madness at times, but as much about the passion of the locals as anything else. The weather was terrible on the first day, but hundreds of people lined the route, still cheering after midnight.”

Car of choice: Jaguar XK120

Photo: Getty Images

Nürburgring, Germany

Says who? Nick Mason, Pink Floyd drummer (February 2016)
“Not to be confused with where they had the trials: I once met a race team that sent a car to Nuremberg instead. The track was actually built by the Nazis to bring jobs to the area, and is a well-respected race circuit. It’s 16 miles long, with 170 corners, and has incredible drops and climbs. It’s surrounded by greenery, which was why F1 driver Jackie Stewart nicknamed it ‘the green hell’.”

Car of choice: Lola T297

Photo: Alamy

Great Ocean Road, Australia

Says who? Claire Williams, deputy team principal of the Williams Formula One racing team (December 2016)
“During my gap year in Australia, I experienced the Great Ocean Road in a 20-seat minibus with people from all over the world. The scenery was phenomenal – Apollo Bay and Port Campbell in particular were breathtaking.”

Car of choice: Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster

Photo: Getty Images

Gorges du Verdon, Route de Napoleon, France

Says who? Guy Smith, British motor-racing driver and former Le Mans champion (December 2013)
“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 Lac de Sainte-Croix.”

Car of choice: Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder

Photo: Getty Images

Five of the most epic drives

Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica to Carmel, USA

Rome to Brescia, Mille Miglia, Italy

Nürburgring, Germany

Great Ocean Road, Australia

Gorges du Verdon, Route de Napoleon, France

Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica to Carmel, USA

Rome to Brescia, Mille Miglia, Italy

Nürburgring, Germany

Great Ocean Road, Australia

Gorges du Verdon, Route de Napoleon, France

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