30 Mei 2012

Incredible collection of private supercars worth more than £50m goes on display at Shanghai's F1 track

This jaw-dropping collection of around 80 supercars worth in excess of £50million shows the incredible rise of the rich in China.

The supposed 'People's Republic' is one of the fastest growing markets for premium UK car makers such as Bentley, Jaguar and Rolls-Royce.

But these British beauties wouldn't have attracted a second glance at Shanghai's F1 track on Sunday when the Unique Motorsport Club Superclub Challenge took place.

Orient excess: A jaw-dropping haul of more than 80 supercars worth around £50million lines up on the starting grid of Shanghai's F1 track

Orient excess: A jaw-dropping haul of more than 80 supercars worth around £50million lines up on the starting grid of Shanghai's F1 track

Ultra-wealthy petrolheads from across the country showed up at the racetrack with their 200mph-plus supercars for an annual parade.

On the front row of the grid were five cars worth around £18million between them - including three Bugatti Veyron Super Sports which cost in excess of £4million each.

Making up the front five were a Swedish-built Koenigsegg Agera and track-only Pagani Zonda R.

Incredibly, the standard Bugatti Veyron, which has 1,001bhp and a top speed of 253mph, wasn't deemed good enough for the front row and was relegated to the second tier.

Parked alongside the bog standard Bugatti were two Ferrari Enzos worth £1 million each and a Pagani Zonda Cinque, which would have set its owner back more than £2 million.

Money spinners: A £4million Bugatti Veyron Super Sport and a £2million Pagani Zonda Cinque lead the dizzying array of supercars around the Shanghai F1 track

Money spinners: A £4million Bugatti Veyron Super Sport and a £2million Pagani Zonda Cinque lead the dizzying array of supercars around the Shanghai F1 track

Wheely special: A £1million Ferrari Enzo followed by a black Bugatti Veyron Super Sport and a white Ferrari 599 GTO. 1,600 supercars were sold in China last year - a 100 per cent increase on 2010

Wheely special: A £1million Ferrari Enzo followed by a black Bugatti Veyron Super Sport and a white Ferrari 599 GTO. 1,600 supercars were sold in China last year - a 100 per cent increase on 2010

These stunning photographs were taken by Yang Yunfei, who was lucky enough to be invited to the exclusive event.

He said: 'It was amazing to see all of the world's exotic supercars in one place at the same time. I couldn't believe my eyes, it was like a dream.'

Supercar sales are still relatively small in China, with around 1,600 sold last year - a 100 per cent increase on 2010.

Double trouble: Two Bugatti Veyron Super Sports each capable of a staggering 268mph and worth a combined £8million lead a a Pagani Zonda, Koenigsegg Agera, Ferrari Enzo, Ferrari 599 GTO around the track

Double trouble: Two Bugatti Veyron Super Sports each capable of a staggering 268mph and worth a combined £8million lead a a Pagani Zonda, Koenigsegg Agera, Ferrari Enzo, Ferrari 599 GTO around the track

Photocall: Ultra-wealthy petrolheads from across the supposed communist state showed up at the track with their dream machines. On the front row of the grid alone were five cars worth a combined £18million

Photocall: Ultra-wealthy petrolheads from across the supposed communist state showed up at the track with their dream machines. On the front row of the grid alone were five cars worth a combined £18million

This figure is expected to rise to 2,000 this year with the likes of Lamborghini and Ferrari both announcing record sales.

It was revealed earlier this year that the average Lamborghini buyer in China is 20 years younger than in Europe.

Italian and German car companies made up the bulk of the cars but there were a number of Aston Martins representing Brand Britain.

The Gaydon-based car maker plans to open 11 dealerships across China this year alone.

It's Mount Roo-shmore

Footie star Wayne in sculpture with
Becks, Gazza and Stuart Pearce

David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Paul Gascoigne and Stuart Pearce in Mount Rushmore-style sculpture
Footie heroes ... fans voted for four players to grace Mount Rushmore-style sculpture
Published: 29th May 2012

DAVID Beckham and Wayne Rooney have been turned to stone in a giant Mount Rushmore-style sculpture to celebrate England’s best players of the past 25 years.

Paul Gascoigne, who seems to be crying thanks to a water feature, and Stuart Pearce complete the line-up for the rockery unveiled in a London garden ahead of Euro 2012.

Beckham, 37, topped a poll of 2,000 sports fans to find England’s most inspirational player over that period, with 32 per cent of the vote.

Gazza, who famously wept on the pitch at the Italia ’90 World Cup, was runner-up with 25 per cent.

Gazza water feature
Crying game ... Gazza water feature makes him look as though he's shedding tears

Current England striker Wayne Rooney, 26, was third with 18 per cent, followed by Euro ‘96 legends Stuart Pearce on 13 per cent. Alan Shearer just missed out on 12 per cent.

The sculpture, dubbed Mount Score-more, took artist Adrian Hynes six weeks to create.

It is made of fibreglass and concrete, weighs 9st 7lbs and is one metre tall and 1.5 metres wide.

Mount Rushmore-style footie sculpture
Pitch up in the garden ... the monument is set to go in lucky fan's garden

The sculpture was specially commissioned as part of Lotto’s “What Would You Do?” campaign.

Lotto say they hope that the monument will inspire Roy Hodgson’s Three Lions to “win big” this summer.

England fans can win the artwork in time for the kick-off in Poland and Ukraine by entering a Lotto competition on Facebook.

Worker uses paint brush to perfect sculpture
Finishing touches ... worker uses paint brush to perfect sculpture

A Lotto spokesman said: “What better way to celebrate England’s forthcoming Euro campaign than with a unique garden-based homage to our national team?”

DUIT