Best fun buys of 2011
We look back at some of the best car kit for fun we’ve reviewed in the past 12 months
Best tent: VW Campervan Tent
Price: £299.99
Contact: 020 7801 6233, www.themonsterfactory.com
This was in high demand all summer after we featured it in July. The four-person VW Campervan Tent is one of the coolest things we’ve tested in the past 12 months, and it attracted a lot of attention wherever it was ‘parked’. Pitching it is simple. The lightweight aluminium poles click together quickly, and then you simply slide the outside layer over the top. The sides secure with Velcro tabs, and the two bedroom tents hook inside. Plus, with its high-sided shape and distinctive profile, the ‘bus’ is easy to spot in a field of tents.
Best DVD: Senna
Price: £10.99
Contact: www.universalpictures.co.uk
Even if you originally saw this brilliant 2010 film at the cinema, it’s well worth watching again on DVD. The 106-minute documentary which follows the life and death of Brazilian Formula One legend Ayrton Senna is quite simply a must-see. It includes superb footage of Senna racing, plus emotional scenes featuring those who knew him best. It takes a look at his risky tactics, too, plus examines the star’s rivalry with French racer Alain Prost. In addition, the bonus features are pretty good: in one, the director gives an audio commentary, and there’s also a profile of how Senna’s legacy lives on through his Brazilian charity.
Best handling course: Prodrive Winter Driving Course
Price: £125
Contact: 01676 536133, www.prodrive.com
Most drivers never reach the limit of their car’s performance; the closest many of us come is usually during the winter, when the roads are covered in snow or ice. But do you know what to do in these conditions? This comprehensive course, which we featured in October, aims to show you how to deal with lock-ups and slides, and how to prevent them in the first place. It’s very well structured, and you get to know exactly how your car will perform and the techniques required. It’s cost-effective, too – the £125 price is less than the excess on most insurance policies.
Best kart experience: Team Sport Eco karting
Price: From £42.95 per person
Contact: 08444 109109, www.team-sport.co.uk
Back in February, we tested a revolutionary and fun driving experience – electric karts. They offer all the thrills of petrol-powered racing, but without the noise or pollution. The karts can hit up to 40mph, are lightweight and deliver superb acceleration, torque and handling. Team Sport has only one venue for the eco karts, near London’s Tower Bridge – we’ve been promised more locations are on the way – but it’s a challenging circuit, and split over two levels. Session prices start from £42.95 per person.
Best scooter: Piaggio MP3 Yourban 300 LT scooter
Price: £5,699
Contact: 00800 818 29800, www.uk.piaggio.com
It’s the weirdest ‘car’ we’ve tested all year, as it has only three wheels. The 300 LT’s wide front track and independent parking brake means it qualifies as a car and not a scooter – and that means you don’t need to pass a bike test to ride it. We found the Piaggio surprisingly quick to master when we tested it in July. It’s stable, there’s an impressive amount of lean in corners and the front fork lock means you needn’t put your feet down at lights. The single-cylinder engine provides plenty of poke, and there’s great grip, too.
Best picnic hamper: Picnicshop Premium Stripe Carnival Wicker Hamper
Price: £69.95
Contact: www.picnicshop.co.uk
You may not be thinking about summer right now, but back in May temperatures were pleasant enough to test 10 picnic sets. Each had cutlery and food space, and although the £70 Picnicshop Premium Stripe came third, it’s the must-have fashion accessory. It’s comfortable to carry, spacious, well built and the basket looks the part.
