Latest news with #Rockingham
The Sun
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Battered 80s car Jeremy Clarkson bought on Top Gear could be yours for £15,000 – but there's a catch
A BATTERED motor that Jeremy Clarkson once bought on Top Gear for just £450 can now be yours - but for a hugely inflated price. A 1989 Alfa Romeo 75 V6 3.0 Veloce that was driven by the presenter for an episode of the show is selling for a staggering £15,000. 4 4 4 The Alfa appeared in episode three of series 11 back in 2008, when the three presenters - Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond - were tasked with buying a car for under £1,000. Clarkson is known for his fondness for Alfa Romeo cars, once saying that you need to own an Alfa Romeo to be a true car enthusiast. He bought this 75 model for just £450 at the time and praised its 3.0-litre Busso V6 engine, calling it "one of the best engines ever to go into mass production." Throughout the famous episode, the car faced several challenges, including a track day at Rockingham Motor Speedway. It also featured in a calendar photoshoot, as well as the Auto Italia Stanford Hall Concours - where Clarkson personally repainted it in a shade he called ' Sk o da Green'. Today, the car has much of its original paintwork - as well as a few battle scars from its TV exploits. Its listing, courtesy of Iconic Auctioneers, says: "Following its appearance on Top Gear, the Alfa Romeo 75 has been meticulously maintained during 11 years of current ownership, with approximately £4,500 invested mechanically. "Important work has included a cam belt service, a new clutch, and a gearbox rebuild. "With just over 51,000 miles on the clock, the car comes with a comprehensive history file, original handbooks, stamped service book, old MOT records, and a detailed DVLA ownership history. "The sale includes replacement doors and bonnet for those interested in returning it to standard specification." 'It's a fabulous off roader' - YOU can own James May's Caterham built for The Grand Tour for just £30k The listing added: 'A great opportunity to buy a TV 'star car' that starts, runs and stops. 'Last MOT expired in 2017. Category 'C' Insurance Loss. 'Vehicle extensively damaged but repairable. 'Insurer decided not to repair it.' Rob Hubbard of Iconic Auctioneers said: 'This Alfa Romeo 75 is an enjoyable and quirky piece of Top Gear history, ideal for those who appreciate characterful cars with an engaging backstory. "We're delighted to present cars like this, celebrating automotive passion at every level.' Fans of the show can fork out on the Alfa Sunday, August 24, at the Silverstone Festival in Towcester, Northamptonshire.
Irish Examiner
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Arugam Bay puts rivals to the sword
Arugam Bay showed herself to be a rapidly progressive sort by turning Wednesday's feature at Tipperary, the listed Coolmore Stud Little Big Bear Tipperary Stakes, into a procession. Trained by Patrick and Eddie Harty, and ridden by Chris Hayes, for whom she was winner number 1,001 in Ireland, the filly popped out in front and dictated matters with a degree of ease. Her four rivals sat just behind the pace but she had them in trouble quite a way out, and Hayes had the luxury of easing up just a touch as his mount raced through the line, clear of runner-up First Approach. 'That was great,' said Patrick Harty. 'We've liked the filly since we got her in January, and she's just a quick, straightforward filly. She's one of those filly who enjoys company and, at home, we've never seen where the bottom is. 'We've always thought she was a nice filly. We only ran her over six furlongs at Fairyhouse because she was so well treated in those auction races, and it didn't make sense to go elsewhere. 'We came here today quietly confident that her home work was suggesting that she would be good enough, not necessarily to do what she did there but to bring home black type. 'I'm impressed by what she did there because to go out in front is unusual for her, and she put them all under pressure a long way out. She's learning all the time, and potentially a very good filly.' Harry's Hill provided trainer Martin Hassett with a welcome tonic by taking the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race in fine style, for what was his ninth career victory. Fourth in the Rockingham on Derby Day at the Curragh, he was turned out quickly but revelled in conditions of the race to win a shade cosily from the odds-on favourite, Sir Yoshi. 'Twenty days ago I had a triple heart bypass so that is better than any medication,' said Hassett. 'He's a star, and every year he pulls something out of the bag. For a small yard like ours, he's bringing us to places we wouldn't normally be going. He's won nine times and won over €160,000 and only cost €12,000. 'Wayne said he just dipped his head as the gate opened in the Rockingham. We wouldn't have beaten the winner, but he still ran a great race. 'He was second in the Joe McGrath last year at the Curragh and we could aim for that again.' A little restraint, with a little help from the application of cheekpieces for the first time, went a long way for Kansas as he ended a frustrating run of placed efforts with victory in the opener, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. Jack The Bachelor set off at a blistering pace and for much of the race he looked to have all of his rivals in trouble. Credit to the Aidan O'Brien-trained and Wayne Lordan-ridden winner, though, he put his head down and collared the long-time leader close home to make it fourth time lucky. Cousins Sam and Ben Coen enjoyed a profitable evening with the former taking the Tipperary Town Apprentice Handicap aboard the Gavin Cromwell-trained Skillman Ave, and Ben teaming up with Johnny Murtagh to record a double with Amber Blossom and Onemoredance. Amber Blossom was under pressure a long way out but showed a good attitude to withstand the late effort of Kinda Tiny by a length, while Onemoredance, who is part-owned by Dublin footballer Ciaran Kilkenny, raced home clear in the @TipperaryRaces Handicap to complete the near 36-1 double. 'She likes the track and has now won twice here,' said Murtagh, of the latter. 'She ran well the last day and Joseph's horse that beat her won again last night. 'She is much easier to manage now — she was tricky at the start of the year. I think she's just settled into the system now and likes being out in the paddock after she rides out. 'It's great to have the owner (Kilkenny) here with a smile on his face after last weekend.' There was a huge upset in the finale, the nine-furlong Handicap, in which 40-1 chance Chou Chou shed his maiden status at the 23rd time of asking. Brought wide and late by Killian Leonard, the four-year-old left all previous form behind as he collared Thegooseiscooked in the final strides to give local trainer Eamonn O'Connell a popular success.
Irish Examiner
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Moore shows his class on Skukuza
Long before his Derby success on a hectic afternoon of nine races at the Curragh, jockey Ryan Moore gave an exemplary ride to take the listed Colm McLoughlin Celebration Stakes aboard the Ed Dunlop-trained Skukuza. Winner of a handicap at the Guineas meeting here, he was well drawn for this step up in class and Moore took full advantage. Quickly out of stall one, he took up the running and once he had established his position, he dropped anchor and dictated matters in a style which gave his rivals least chance. Quickening from the front, he went clear in the straight, and was beyond recall by the time the well-backed Alakazi found full stride. In the jockeyship stakes, Dylan Browne McMonagle wasn't far behind as he was also at his brilliant best when taking the listed Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Dash Stakes aboard the difficult-to-win-with Vespertilio, trained by Willie McCreery. Bidding to bridge a gap of almost two years since her sole previous success, McMonagle settled her out the back and while that resulted in some luck being required, it also helped to keep her from hitting the front too soon. Brought between horses to lead inside the final furlong, she repelled the persistent challenge of My Mate Alfie. In the opener, the €100,000 Dubai Duty Free Premier Handicap, the lack of a recent run proved no barrier to success for 78-rated handicap debutant Sujet, trained by Dermot Weld and ridden by Chris Hayes, who sported the colours of Juddmonte. Slieve Binnian, a smart sort when trained by the now retired Michael Halford, picked up the day's second premier handicap, doing so under a fine ride by Luke McAteer. Having just his fourth run for David Marnane, and building on some fine efforts, he was perfectly positioned throughout and found plenty to win with a degree of comfort. Keke was tremendously progressive in 2024 and his clearcut success in the Rockingham suggests the ceiling of his ability has not been reached. Billy Lee delivered Eddie Lynam's five-year-old to lead inside the final furlong and they won with far more authority than the one-length winning margin might indicate. Two-time Irish Derby winner Jim Bolger was amongst the winners when Fleetfoot, given a strong ride by Declan McDonogh, got up late to land the Tulfarris Hotel And Golf Resort Irish EBF Ragusa Handicap. The GAIN Summer Fillies' & Mares' Handicap was the fifth €100,000 premier handicap on the card and the John Kinsella-trained and James Ryan-ridden Bellaphina was most impressive. A potent turn of foot carried her clear inside the final furlong and she readily held the late run of Dance Night Andday. Willie Mullins saddled the first two home in the finale, a two-mile handicap, and it was the lesser fancied in the market, Lot Of Joy, who landed the spoils under the evergreen Seamie Heffernan.
Daily Mail
21-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Cops share new CCTV after senior Comanchero bikie was left dumped outside hospital with gunshot wounds
New CCTV footage of a group of Comanchero bikies allegedly planning a shocking attack on one of their own has been released by police in a bid to solve the case. Leslie Grantham, 51, a senior member of the notorious gang, was found dumped with gruesome injuries outside Rockingham Hospital, in Perth, about 10pm on May 14. Grantham, nicknamed 'Lethal Les,' had burns and multiple gun shot wounds to his upper body and leg - believed to have been attempts to remove some of his tattoos. He was rushed to Perth Royal Hospital and has since been discharged, but is refusing to co-operate with authorities. CCTV released on Friday appeared to show a group of people arriving at Auburn Grove Train Station in three separate vehicles. Police believe the group were meeting and swapping vehicles as part of their plans for the alleged attack on Grantham. Detectives also released footage from after the incident, which showed one of the vehicles from the earlier meeting entering Rockingham Hospital emergency department carpark. That car was a white and grey Holden dual-cab utility, with WA registration 1BFC417. Police believe the ute was used to transport Grantham to the incident location, and then to the hospital afterwards. Detective Senior Sergeant Todd White said police were continuing to seek public assistance in their investigation. 'If you're thinking of joining an outlaw motorcycle gang, think again,' he said. 'This man has been left with brutal, life-changing injuries due to his association with an outlaw motorcycle gang.' Grantham was previously jailed in 2017 over threatening to shoot a man unless he paid $10,000 to compensate a prostitute he had allegedly mistreated. He was also jailed in 2015 along with nine other Comanchero bikie members over a plot to extract 'protection' money' of $10,000 a month from the owners of a karaoke bar in Sydney's north shore. The Comanchero motorcycle gang was first established in Sydney in 1966 and has since grown to over 500 members nationwide. The patch features an old western wagon wheel on a red background.
News.com.au
20-06-2025
- News.com.au
Police share new CCTV after gruesome attack on bikie trying to leave gang
New CCTV footage of a group allegedly planning a gruesome attack on a man intending to leave a bikie gang has emerged after he was found with his tattoos burned and shot off outside an emergency room. Police shared the new footage on Friday as they work to find those responsible for the gruesome alleged attack more than a month on. Leslie 'Lethal Les' Grantham, a 51-year-old senior member of the Comanchero bikie gang, was found outside the Rockingham Hospital, in Perth's south, about 10pm on May 14 with multiple gun shot wounds to his upper body and leg, as well as burns, police said. In the new footage, which police allege shows bikies planning the alleged attack, three cars, a white SUV, a black ute and a white ute are seen arriving in a car park at Auburn Grove Train Station. A group emerges from the white ute, which is first to leave the car park, and those people are seen getting into the white SUV shortly after. One person exits the black ute and appears to pass something to the group in the SUV as it also leaves the car park before driving off as well. The white ute, with number plates 1BFC417, was later captured pulling into Rockingham Hospital, allegedly with Mr Grantham inside. It has not been seen since. Police allege Mr Grantham had been trying to leave the outlaw motorcycle gang when the group turned on him. It is alleged his tattoos were burned off, he was repeatedly shot and set alight before finally being dumped and left for dead outside the hospital. Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Thompson told media at the time of the attack anyone who was considering joining an outlaw motorcycle group should heed the 'callous' attack as a warning. The senior sergeant said Mr Grantham was well known to police and had been left with life-changing injuries. 'He's got burns to his legs, and we suspect that's a product of other people trying to remove his tattoos,' he alleged. 'He was a patch member, and he was a senior member, and he held a position of authority within that club. 'If you're thinking about joining an outlaw motorcycle gang, think again, this person has now been left with life-changing injuries … solely because he was a member.' Mr Grantham has since been released from hospital, but is refusing to co-operate with authorities.
