F.A.T. CAMP
BBC TopGear India|Annual Issue 2024
Take one Goodwood Festival of Speed, shrink it down, add skis and thermal underwear... you've got a recipe for an unforgettable day
OLLIE MARRIAGE
F.A.T. CAMP

I watch as an ancient, bouncing, chuntering VW Beetle finally finds a way past the Hoonitron. It’d been closing in for a couple of laps, and not slowly. A lusty cheer goes up. The Hoonitron, Ken Block’s 4WD EV monster, continues to slither, whirr and wheelspin around, but it’s floundering in the deep, slushy snow. Should’ve borrowed the Corvette’s spiked tyres. They’re the evillest things I’ve seen in a long time. More studs and spikes than a punk reunion.

This is the F.A.T. Ice Race. There’s not really any racing going on. There would have been if the temperatures had stayed colder, but a few days of warmth means the only things that manage to complete a lap at first are the piste bashers. After that it’s pretty much a free-for-all, more automotive mud wrestling than actual competition classes. No one cares: the music’s pumping, the drink’s flowing, the cars are slithering and everyone’s having a great time. There’s a hot tub, bar and firepits. It’s après-ski with added cars.

And it’s not a huge event. You might think it is because we’ve come here to report on it, it’s plastered all over social media and there are big-name brands involved. But it’s not. It’s a cool, little event. Provided you’ve donned a set of waterproof boots to wade across the puddles, you can walk from one end to the other in the interlude between DJ sets. If there are 5,000 people here I’d be surprised.

This story is from the Annual Issue 2024 edition of BBC TopGear India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the Annual Issue 2024 edition of BBC TopGear India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BBC TOPGEAR INDIAView All
The Next Great Family MPV?
BBC TopGear India

The Next Great Family MPV?

“Whoa, that’s a nice-looking Minivan!” Said no one ever.

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024
MG COMET
BBC TopGear India

MG COMET

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD THOUGHT THIS CAR TO BE COMPLETELY useless when it came out.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
BMW i7
BBC TopGear India

BMW i7

WHEN THE i7 PULLED INTO MY GARAGE AND PARKED ITSELF next to the Mercedes EQA and the MG Comet, it just struck me that this is how the future will be.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP
BBC TopGear India

SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP

McLaren's finest faces off Corvette's nat-asp swansong as the Brits and the Americans square up... in a Spanish playground. Expect fireworks

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024
NEXT LEVEL
BBC TopGear India

NEXT LEVEL

Thought the 750S was fast? The McLaren P1's successor - the W1 is ready to spread its wings

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024
MANUAL LABOUR
BBC TopGear India

MANUAL LABOUR

Two cars from opposite ends of the performance spectrum with one crucial thing in common...

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
PRO VS SLOW
BBC TopGear India

PRO VS SLOW

At last, we have our hands on the Valkyrie. But is its performance only accessible for the pros... or can anyone enjoy it?

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
THE OUTBURST OF OFFROADING
BBC TopGear India

THE OUTBURST OF OFFROADING

The high-volume market is a point of interest for all manufacturers here in India.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
THE BATTLE OF CRUISER-COMMUTERS
BBC TopGear India

THE BATTLE OF CRUISER-COMMUTERS

WHO DOES THE BEST COMMUTER WORK WHILE NOT BEING A TRUE COMMUTER MOTORCYCLE?

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2024
LEAVING EVERYTHING ON THE TRACK
BBC TopGear India

LEAVING EVERYTHING ON THE TRACK

FT. YMRP ROUND 3 From being second, I DNF'd from the race on the last corner

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024