TYRE-SHREDDING CARNAGE AT SANTA POD!

In this week's video, I headed to the iconic ​⁠‪@SantaPodTV‬ drag strip for a recent ​⁠‪@Petrolheadonism‬ event, where I got to catch up with some of my good pals in the industry and also try out some seriously tasty metal on both the quarter-mile raceway and its adjacent handling course.
One of the highlights was trying out the ​⁠‪@GreatBritishSportsCa‬rs' Zero - a beefed-up version of Colin Chapman's iconic Lotus Seven/Caterham silhouette, promising to pack a serious dose of driving excitement.
I perform a quick review of this gorgeously rewarding machine, putting the car & its tyres @Yokohamauk through their paces. Trust me, it really is as fun to drive as it looks!
Things then got a little crazy as Benedict Fowler from ​⁠‪@RoadToSuccessOfficialPodcast‬ threw me the keys to some incredibly expensive Italian supercars for even more frolics up the strip.
Enjoy the video as things slowly descend into chaos...!

[@gerryjamesedwards1227]

I'm beginning to think that some of the most famous Stigisms were actually just Ben being Ben LOL

[@BenCollinsDrives]

busted

[@derekcoaker6579]

They absolutely were.

[@tom.m]

Ben, you and your crew are absolutely nailing this. Thanks for the top tier motoring content. And shout out to damo for the awesome fpv shots!

[@earthtaurus5515]

Enjoyed that. 7:00 hahaha. The drone operator was top class, definitely added alot of quality and dimension.

[@BenCollinsDrives]

yes I'm keeping him - top drawer !!

[@colinscutt5104]

I will Watch pretty much anything Ben does now

[@samuelgarrod8327]

He's the only reason I watch any Drivetribe videos now.

[@BenCollinsDrives]

thank you - got some good stuff brewing

[@Andybarney555]

The Collins!!

[@ciarancdc]

That spoon won the gunfight

[@jumpjetcaptain495]

I used to have Yokohama A008R on my '84 Honda CRX. Amazing grip!!!

[@DaveVantage]

If the Stig can't work launch control, what hope do the rest of us have 🤣

[@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13]

Some say he doesn't need launch control

[@seanoxborough5830]

Two chances ,slim and none

[@BenCollinsDrives]

hahaha - I expect stuff to work and to be simple. If it takes 10 seconds to "configure" something I'm out - never mind in a drag race

[@howarddavies136]

​@BenCollinsDrives you'll be blaming the old Gluebird next 😂

[@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13]

@@BenCollinsDrives I totally agree with that... If it takes 10 seconds to engage, then I've already dropped the clutch in my old school machine and disappeared while my opponent's computers are having a meeting.

[@MaDMaXGroW]

Awesome at the end, was my fav bit, Stig showing off his skills.

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@MaDMaXGroW]

@@BenCollinsDrives You're the best Ben, I've always rated you and I'm so happy to see you back on my screens. I apprciate Talent when I see it.

[@ElvisKremmen]

Loving these episodes Ben, keep em coming please.

[@ashleyphotog]

Next, lets see the Ben Collins/Cleetus McFarland Co-lab we all want to see!

[@timfagan816]

Pretty much just you who wants to see this, cleetus is an absolute tool!

[@TiptronicSS]

"Well.. Looks like I F'ed that one up" 😂😂😂 very honest 😂

[@MichaelJShaffer]

The ginger colored letter captions are killing me😂😂😂.

[@BenCollinsDrives]

he needs captions that lad

[@johnchism]

Nice to see you using YOKOHAMA's, I use them for my truck and car and have never had any issues.

[@JimboXX78]

I have tried them and they cracked within a couple of years, never had that before. I guess it's how they were stored, but it has put me off

[@derekcoaker6579]

Have 49k on my year old Geolander ATs. I really like them.

[@rhythmoftheknight4609]

Ive been loving all the uploads on this channel and the gaming channel ben, between your books and your videos you produce some seriously interesting content. It was awesome seeing you at drivetribe live. You're a legend

[@BenCollinsDrives]

thank you and the DT element is a lot of fun. let us know what you want to see next it all helps shape the ideas

[@jason5492]

Workplace health and safety gone mad.

[@deltamme82]

Love the content Ben keep them coming !

[@BenCollinsDrives]

will do :)

[@taurota1554]

Awesome content as always.Thanks for sharing and taking us along

[@BenCollinsDrives]

thank you

[@AndrewMcDonald]

Love that GBS 7!

[@MarcSob22]

Love the Pista!!

[@mikematthews2k181]

Love the drone footage Ben 👍 Adds another element to your videos matey 👍

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@proautojapan6152]

I enjoy your vids - thank you ❤😂

[@briangschaefer7048]

Brilliant stuff! Magnificent little car that GBS!

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Indeed it is!

[@petewatson9866]

Another excellent video from Ben, always keeps his content flowing, but different every time.

[@BenCollinsDrives]

I appreciate that!

[@benfowlerfisheries]

That was fun mate! The pistas launch is terrible on that surface! What great fun though.

[@BenCollinsDrives]

don't understand it.. remain baffled

[@JakeSoulFreeTravels]

WHAAAAT, Ben Collins isn't perfect?! come ON! I'm....just kinda shocked..., he's a human. Still my hero, from the inside out. I think he's one of 2 people that I'd like to meet on this planet...I just mentioned the other one the other day...but I already forgot who it was. heh I would like to talk shop with Andy Willman though... My co-host reminds me of Ben, he's a Pikes Peak racer having a go at presenting, super sharp guy, yet still dopey enough to be relatable. heh Sadly, I know cars well, but I'm heavier on the production side.

[@denttrails5182]

LOVE THIS CHANNEL REAL DRIVER AMD REAL MACHINES❤

[@kuukeli]

Love the video

[@ldarm]

The drone shots 👌

[@ajw1983]

This was a great day

[@withoutfurtheradoforever]

That drone footage is epic!

[@BenCollinsDrives]

yeah he's sick

[@famtastic6367]

@7:00 don’t worry we’ve all had our first time at the lights at Santa pod 🤣🤣

[@flacjacket]

Have we? I guess I must still be missing my start then lol

[@wretchedrider2157]

I've heard tales of this British health and safety madness my whole adult life (via Top Gear!) but seeing it captured in real time/unscripted, here, is so nauseating. Excellent job handling them, though, Ben! 🍻

[@TheRflynn]

The mario kart doesn’t need them, because if he flips hands are his last worry.

[@TheRflynn]

The visor thing…try getting a bee in your eye at anything over 40km/h. It hurts.

[@Arcturuseyes]

Camera drones are changing racing, very cool views

[@SARSteam]

Mens day out ! Nice one 😁

[@BenCollinsDrives]

The best

[@wbssigns]

Should let terry have a go at the drifting, love santa pod!

[@lloydlee5905]

Awesome content love it🎉

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Glad you enjoyed

[@dzzope]

You didn't red light, so you timed it perfectly. Easy to see you've v little to no drag racing experience (at least at a proper strip) but I gotta say, I would be V interested to see you jump in something that will actually launch. Sub 1.20 60ft ideally and sub 8 or 7 second capable. Hell, I'd love to see you hook up with ole Cleeter, do some of the stranger motersports they have out there.. jet boat racing maybe? They look super fun. Ever think about a look into drifting? I know modding cars isn't really your thing but the results can be amazing when done well or to make a car very good at 1 thing rather than the generalists road cars are. (Love stock stuff too but the other side is interesting too)

[@BenCollinsDrives]

I'm terrible at reading instructions and the whole drag race thing is so different to what I'm used to - but I was fairly happy with a couple of the launches.. I was always good off the line in racing. Yes drifting pro would be v interesting - its different to sliding cars like in the movies where you can't modify them much.. lets see!

[@Arcturuseyes]

Hey, if you flip, you're going to love those "handcuffs" bc you'll still have your arms,

[@shadlad91]

I agree with safety but a car under 300 hp going in a straight line in the 14 to 13 seconds quarter mile doesn’t need them. Here in Canada at our strip where I live no roll cage is needed on cars 13 seconds or slower. Even open tops. I get they have to be safe because idiots show up but there is a balance right.

[@BondoV2]

@@shadlad91 a 13-14 second run is still quick enough to flip if you lose it

[@shadlad91]

@@BondoV2 My friend , If you lose it at those speeds or less then the tech either was asleep during the inspection or the driver is very inexperienced.

[@BondoV2]

@@shadlad91 but things happen. Either way safety is there usually because something happened for it to be there

[@shadlad91]

@@BondoV2 last part I get. Kind of what I was saying at the end of my comment too. Idiot shows up no skill , no common sense and then ruins it for everyone else. We can agree on that I’m sure. We have had some great cars meet around here that were ruined and stopped for good because of those types. Only take ones indeed

[@tezwozere]

Nothing like burnt rubber lol thanks for a distraction from my pain wish I was driving again lal💜🙏💜🧙‍♀️

[@PandA-yx5ne]

Would rather have the zero.

[@teutates619]

Gotta remove that Airbag label on the sun visor of the Lambo. It's a lucky one, since it seems to just be fitted with stitches, instead of a heat transfer label. Cut the stitches and have a neat black sun visor on the passenger side. Much cleaner for that camera angle =)

[@MyGod-gw4bt]

I'm venturing a guess, this is going to sound weird but I think the original 'Stig' helmet is an Arai GP6 PED (FIA Homologated) with the yellow flames on blue motifs by JLF Designs. With the top ventilation ducts being broken in 2009 in Bathurst and replaced in 2011 for the 6hrs of Silverstone along with the addition of the chequered flags.

[@RickTheSpud]

That whole arm restraint is a nonsense! The Go Kart doesn't have to have them, or seat belts, and he only checked they were on, they're so long they wouldn't save your arms from anything! 😂 I thought he was gonna say he wanted your arms covered...

[@spdcrzy]

It's because go-karts are top speed limited. This is not. This is FAST.

[@RickTheSpud]

@@spdcrzy What does that Kart top out at? My mate races superkarts that do about 140!

[@spdcrzy]

@@RickTheSpud superkarts are different though. And this is a drag strip. I doubt that kart goes more than 50 or 60 at MOST.

[@simonarmstrong5845]

Well done

[@Arcturuseyes]

I guess in the Lambo you could turn off the traction control to warm up the tyres, then change it to grab the road surface once the tyres are hot

[@Arcturuseyes]

Ben, if you want a real Drag Racing experience, have Freddie.Connect you with Cleetus Mcfarland in florida, he is currently having a ProMod (5,000hp!) Drag race car built. He has at least a few drag race cars now, including Leroy, originally a (C5?) corvette, with no body panels...yet,

[@nicde800]

Could you just imagine it... Garrett would go nuts about having the stig there .. half his content nods it's head to top gear..... I've been on at him in his comments to do a trip over to the UK/Europe

[@benfowlerfisheries]

"passed test a couple of years ago" (*8 years later) 🤣

[@DJSvenNo1]

Drone work is great, thanks for sharing!

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Thanks for watching!

[@greenbean7853]

They must have thought you were going 8.50 or something to need those goofy arm restraints. I have never seen that before

[@cmarshall4559]

All open top cars obviously will require arm restraints

[@shadlad91]

@@cmarshall4559why ? Not trying to be a ass but here in Canada at the strip where I live restraints are based on trap speed times Most cars under a 11.5 second quarter are required to have a cage and full restraints. Open top cars included the arm restraints. Any car in the 13s or higher only requires the factory restraints be working properly and driver has a certified helmet and no passenger. So the car Ben had wouldn’t be under 13 seconds so why the extra restraints??

[@BenCollinsDrives]

they were very strict - I thought it was an early bath for me until I found out you can buy them at the shop. I'd rather have full use of my arms to prevent the accident than have the kind of crash that severs limbs

[@shadlad91]

@@BenCollinsDrives Yeah I agreed But one idiot some where probably showed up lacking skill and common sense and ruined it for every one else since. Agreed , you need your arms for our enjoy…. Uh I mean your safety. Ahem , totally what I meant bud 😆

[@85aw11]

Having seen a open top car that rolled and the guys arm was gone. They are a good idea who knows what might break and happen.

[@Maxel.F]

for the ferrari 488 you have to preset the LAUNCH-RPM first its set to low at first because you might not be able to handel all the 700hp at ones from standstill so pick a rpm that the cars stays strait from launch a to high rpm makes you go sideways and slam the wall

[@6r4metroman]

WHAT... I have no words!

[@Snidee]

Is that the humble k20 I can hear?

[@peterdelamare]

Ben, you need to drive my Caterham Levante.

[@TravisRayLive]

Wait, what happened to you guys switching cars? And what time did the jet car run? The scene cut before its time was put up.

[@fnherzog]

Great video! I got a question regarding steering technique. When you drive cars with no power steering, do you tend to use more of a push-pull / cow-milking technique?

[@MichaelSmith-us9ch]

FUN!!!!!!!!

[@shadlad91]

If I ever win the big lotto I am gunna buy a nice car collection then let Ben beat on every one of them lol. Hey ! let me have the dream alright 🤷🏻‍♂️😆

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Deal!

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

"Spoon to a gunfight",.. sure, until you spoon is a Redeye Trackhawk, or the LSXcalade.

[@harrismagnum04]

"professional driver"

[@shadlad91]

We know he is. Amateurs can’t drift a bottle like that.

[@allanmorris6324]

Did you have a go in trucker Tim's V8 Scania lorry? 👌🏼

[@derekcoaker6579]

Imagine being the "EX" Stig, and still thinking you gotta sho skills. 😊

[@haralamc]

I wonder has Ben ever driven a top fuel dragster

[@jritechnology]

@23:19 Drone bounce.....

[@BenCollinsDrives]

he's a don

[@Mapa356]

Ben wins!

[@georgesos]

Mythical zero.

[@jimgoodwin6440]

I can't believe you've never encountered arm restraints. I would have thought they are required in formula cars.

[@petermascall1158]

Gets told off in Biyron for doing donuts and now in Santa pod for wheelspinning in the wromg place. Oops.

[@flyboy126]

BEN!! how can you do an entire video about drag races and not show us a single time or speed for any of the passes??? You're killing me man!! Been a fan for many years and love the channel sir! Keep it up (but give us stats for the cars/races).

[@samuelgarrod8327]

The video is an advert for the car. Of course they won't show times.😂

[@flyboy126]

@@samuelgarrod8327 The times would make it more impressive. It's a quick little car let's see how quick.

[@boziewz6125]

Apart from donnie, santa pod is one of thee best places on earth.

[@gaycha6589]

If driving in a straight line is your thing, yes.

[@boziewz6125]

@gaycha6589 have you been to santa pod? Definitely do more than just drag racing my dude. In fact, I have videos of my kids in drift cars at santa pod. And donnie is not a drag strip either, so saying apart from donnie, kinda would have gave it away, I'm definitely into more than just drag racing.

[@gaycha6589]

@@boziewz6125 Yes I have and also many UK circuits which I have driven in various machinery. TBH drag racing is not my thing, drifting even less so. I was attracted to video because of the Caterham clone, Having driven a few, including the mighty 500R on slicks, a few times over the years.

[@boziewz6125]

@gaycha6589 they do some spectacular shows mate, like I say, it's not purely about the drag, it's a large part, but that not why I love the place. It's the atmosphere, the smell, the walk down pits. But my first time was when the rear stand was still there and they gave you a free dose of cancer, because you could stand directly behind the jetcars and top fuelers 🤣

[@gaycha6589]

@@boziewz6125 sure I get it and each to his own. An open pit circuit day with a race prepped Caterham or similar floats my boat more, especially when there are punks race teams testing various exotica. Don’t get to go often these days, but am lucky enough to have a GR Yaris for my B roads Sunday blasts.

[@josephmatuszak3855]

I was looking around, and I for some reason... cannot find Ben in any modern "Professional" drift cars. I would think a man like himself might want to try the Irwindale bank with 1000hp sideways...

[@usualdog]

At the start of the video you said you didn't want to break a drive shaft with too much wheelspin. Guess your priorities had changed by the end! 🤣

[@iphoie]

You have to be in race mode not CT off for the best Pista launch. Should hold revs at near 4k. If it’s not, then something is wrong with the car.

[@sportbikejesus6297]

I thought the guy asked if you had army stripes.

[@gaza2322]

What are the wrist belts supposed to do/prevent?

[@KusacUK]

Well hopefully you keep the car with the wheels on the bottom. If not, the wrist belts prevent your arms from leaving the vehicle and possibly getting some nasty injuries off the tarmac.

[@TheRflynn]

What the roof would normally do

[@michaelbrooks8332]

I wonder if Ben chose cuk as his plate on purpose

[@Andybarney555]

The one day this summer you found thats been dry....

[@Arcturuseyes]

Big rule, no burnouts in the staging lanes.

[@dielaughing73]

Yeah you gotta respect the venue's rules

[@oler777]

Man, I really love when people spoil the first five seconds why watch the whole thing and you already know it's gonna happen

[@JimboXX78]

You probably shouldn't do the burnouts before the race. Its ok with slicks, but you risk having damp tyres when you have a tread pattern.

[@SteelyEyedH]

Why no times? Saw one through the screen, 11.6 for the Ferrari (which is a Tesla Model 3 performance time, so seemed slow)

[@SteelyEyedH]

Actually, I paused it, 11.16 so faster than a Tesla for sure, still slower than I thought it would be for that much power

[@FOX11GUY]

launch control was invented for the average supercar buyer. It's a gimmick for right foot experts.

[@MrJHDK]

Launch control was invented for professional motorsport. Provided such an advantage that it got banned.

[@jonathansanchez1305]

6:51 straight up interference mate!!

[@matroas]

Some say… he’s STILL trying to sort out that launch.

[@Sundance001]

Would you like to borrow a proper Caterham? 300bhpN/A 6sp H pattern box, My car, and then have a go, nice copy of the Cat, MK also do one, but just not as agile as a Cat, or as light, especially mine 😊 I'm more than happy to give it to you for the day 👍

[@stiffmeister0hYeah]

Well I guess the F[type without launch control will be fine on the street. Not going to wait for someone else to push all their buttons!!

[@Andybarney555]

Missed a trick not calling his channel THE COLLINS!

[@scooby45247]

i just wish i had someone to work on cars with..

[@johnnyboy1586]

I thought the ferarri would win but not by that much

[@AjG007]

I love what Ben does. I think that it is sad and demeaning that he feels that he has to refer to himself as stig/ex-stig!

[@iamtherealzombie]

It's what made him famous, and it likely brings more traffic to his channel than if he didn't use the title.

[@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13]

There's been a bunch of Stigs, but there's only one THE Stig and that's Ben Collins

[@coletrickle-km7cl]

Ben didn't know about arm restraints? I've 👀 seen those decades ago. Most 🇺🇸 dragstrips wouldn't bug you about those stupid arm restraints.

[@StonedCherry1]

needs a turbo

[@scooby45247]

when it comes to Caterham and its kin, its about power to weight.. everyone talks about power but that isnt important in a race now is it?? induction anyone?

[@BoSSLeVeLs]

ARM RESTRAINTS ? huh lmao

[@deldridg]

"As nature intended, basically". A lovely little _sideways_ comment there...

[@Arcturuseyes]

I make fun of Ben F. for being Rob Beckett's fat cousin, but he has a really nice car collection. Cheers Ben

[@LordInter]

noice

[@tezwozere]

Go drive it like you stole it makes it more fun if you didn't but am bit nuts and blew a few bikes and cars up tbh lol lal💜🙏💜🧙‍♀️

[@masoniain]

Some say he has absolutely no idea how to go in a straight line.

[@sammygirlie345]

God that other chap is annoying as

[@seansweeney3562]

Seems like too many people at that track trying to dignify their position 🤨