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Auto Talk: Jodie Kidd
31 January 2007 Alex Eckford talks to the petrolhead's perfect woman and finds out why she buys Auto Trader instead of Vogue. "I love Jeremy Clarkson. I owe everything to him," says Jodie. "I started racing cars because of him - I have a lot to thank him for. He takes the piss out of me constantly. I don’t think he liked a blonde model beating him." Jodie Kidd, a 6'1" supermodel and international racing star, has a genuine love of all things four-wheeled. She's undergone a transformation in recent years, making the switch from catwalk to racetrack. Jodie now holds an international racing licence. "My first introduction was doing the Gumball 3000. I went along because some friends were doing it. The next thing I know Jeremy Clarkson is asking me to go on Top Gear." Showing off her new found racing skills, Jodie beat the competition to become the fastest Star in a Reasonably Priced Car. "I'm totally obsessed with cars now. I just love cars, full stop. I don’t buy Vogue anymore, I buy Auto Trader," says Jodie. How did Jodie feel when she heard about Richard Hammond's 288mph jet car crash? "I was absolutely mortified," says Jodie. "Crashing at that speed is seriously scary. When I'm going round a track in my Ferrari it seems incredibly fast. I can’t imagine what it must have been like with a flippin' jet engine strapped to his backside. He's a great man." Jodie also took part in the 2004 BBC Two show 'Stars in Fast Cars', performing stunts alongside Patrick Kielty and Jimmy Carr. "Let me tell you about Jimmy Carr," says Jodie. "(Stunt driver) Russ Swift was teaching us to race Mini Coopers around the track. We had four Minis and he blew the clutch in all four of them. He was the worst driver I've ever seen in my life, then two years later he goes on Top Gear and thrashes everyone. I was amazed." The 28-year-old's latest racing adventure is Shell's 'Britain's Best Driver', a series of webcasts on www.shell.co.uk/bestdriver which pit men against women in gruelling racing tasks. But it isn't all going according to plan. "It's a lot of fun. But I didn't like losing the first round," says Jodie. How did Jodie get involved in the competition? "I was approached by Shell because of my motor racing expertise. The competition is very apt as there are some great women drivers racing these days. It's always been a male dominated thing," says Jodie. What's been the best moment on the show? "I really loved going around the track in the Lotus Exiges," says Jodie. "I love really technical tracks like Imola. I don’t know what time I got, I don’t know what score I got, but that for me was the most fun." It's pretty clear Jodie is the real deal, talking about cars with real passion. But how can she prove she's a real petrolhead? "When I start bringing up stats on new cars across the dinner table, my husband thinks I'm pretty scary," says Jodie. "I love cars. I appreciate everything from the design to the engine to the feel of them. I love really well designed, beautiful cars, whether it's a Ford Focus or a Bugatti Veyron." "In fact that would be my ultimate car - I've sat in one but they wouldn't let me drive it. "Or the Maserati MC12 - I've driven one and I loved it. She's just got the biggest, fattest arse. I wouldn’t be able to get it down my drive. I'd have to have her airlifted in," says Jodie. Finally, the most important questions of all - the ones from YOU, our readers. Obi Wan asks 'What cars do you own at the moment?' "I have a silver Ferrari 550, but she's an old one – 1998. She did the world speed record. She's one of only ten in the world. She's very, very special to me. She's got a rollcage and an extra 25bhp and a huge sound system. "I've got my black Maserati Grand Sport, which I love – it's my everyday car. It's fantastic fun to drive. It's got a 4.2-litre V8 so it's super-quick, but it's somehow understated. I love her and she's gorgeous. "We did have a Lamborghini Murciélago, but my husband is going to swap it for a Evolutioné. He's Lambo mad," says Jodie. Usman from Stockport asks 'What is the fastest road car you have driven and owned?' "The Lamborghini Murciélago. I think because it's got a 6.2 V12 engine it just beats the Ferrari 550. I love driving that car." Coco H asks 'Do you get more of an adrenalin rush from playing polo or racing cars?' "Racing cars – there's nothing quite like it. It's very full on, and very satisfying. It's about bettering yourself, getting the fastest lap times you can, it's about working with your mechanics – and I love the people who are involved in racing." RTH asks 'Did you get a proper drive in the AC Ace from the Marks and Spencer advert you starred in?' "Yes! I drove all of that on my own. What a great car. I drove it round and round London in the middle of the night. The windscreen was a little bit too low. The airflow was hitting the top of my forehead." Auto Trader links Auto Talk: Richard Hammond External links Auto Trader is not resposible for the content of external sites |
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