Conquering the Peaks: Navigating Cumbria’s Legendary Routes with Performance Icons and a Rally Maestro
The United Kingdom, particularly the breathtaking expanse of the Lake District, offers a driving experience unlike any other. It’s a landscape sculpted by time and weather, demanding respect from both driver and machine. As an industry professional with a decade immersed in the automotive sphere, I’ve traversed countless tarmac arteries, but few possess the raw allure and challenging character of Cumbria’s famed byways. Today, we embark on an expedition to uncover these hidden gems, not with any ordinary conveyance, but with a trio of performance machines representing distinct eras of automotive engineering, guided by the unparalleled local insight of a motorsport legend.
Our chosen chariots for this exploration are as diverse as the Cumbrian scenery itself. We have the commanding presence of the Aston Martin DBX S, a 717-horsepower behemoth designed to blend opulent luxury with formidable capability. Complementing this is the tenacious Toyota GR Yaris, a compact dynamo boasting 276 horsepower, forged in the crucible of World Rally Championship development. Completing the ensemble is a piece of automotive history: a 1989 Audi Quattro 20v, its 217 horsepower a testament to an era where mechanical ingenuity laid the groundwork for modern all-wheel-drive prowess. This isn’t just a collection of vehicles; it’s a curated selection designed to engage with the varied demands of the Lake District’s iconic roads, from sweeping A-roads to the more intimate, winding B-roads.
At the helm, orchestrating our journey, is none other than Malcolm Wilson OBE. For those unfamiliar with the name, Wilson is a titan of the motorsport world. His career trajectory reads like a curated history of British rallying: from a formidable competitor to the visionary force behind M-Sport, a team synonymous with success on the global rally stage. His recent elevation to FIA Deputy President for Sport only amplifies his standing. It’s a rare privilege to witness such an individual engage with his passion for driving on these very roads that have, in many ways, shaped his illustrious career.
Our rendezvous point is the hallowed ground of M-Sport’s headquarters at Dovenby Hall. Even on a typically blustery Cumbrian Tuesday, the air crackles with anticipation. While the Aston Martin and the GR Yaris represent the cutting edge of automotive performance, it’s the venerable Audi Quattro 20v that immediately captures Wilson’s attention. A gentle nudge from his son, Matthew Wilson – a accomplished rally driver in his own right, now leading the M-Sport Dakar team – confirms the elder Wilson’s immediate affinity for the classic German machine. It’s a poignant reminder that true driving DNA transcends horsepower figures and modern gizmos.
With the trio assembled and the drivers assigned, our primary objective crystallizes: to explore the Lake District’s most exhilarating driving roads through the eyes of those who know them intimately. This isn’t a typical road test designed for sterile circuit analysis or highway cruising. This is about uncovering the soul of driving in a region renowned for its natural beauty and challenging terrain. The Lake District’s charm, it’s often said, is inextricably linked to its frequent rainfall, which today, is generously contributing to the atmosphere. Our preparation, however, is robust: three potent, all-wheel-drive performance cars and drivers keen to push their capabilities within the bounds of public road driving.
As we depart the M-Sport facility, the Audi Quattro 20v, driven by Malcolm Wilson, sets a brisk, almost defiant pace. It’s a pace that immediately signals this isn’t a leisurely tour, but a genuine engagement with the road. The Toyota GR Yaris, piloted by Matthew Wilson, follows with determined agility, while I take my position in the Aston Martin DBX S, providing a commanding vantage point to observe the unfolding spectacle. The Quattro, despite its age, demonstrates a surprising turn of speed, its distinctive engine note echoing through the early morning air. It’s a symphony of performance, a blend of classic and contemporary, all set against the dramatic backdrop of Cumbria.
Our initial foray leads us through the quaint streets of Cockermouth. Malcolm, with the windows of the Quattro wound down, greets familiar faces, a testament to his enduring connection with the local community. This isn’t just about the driving; it’s about the experience, the connection to place, and the shared appreciation for mechanical prowess. It’s a powerful illustration of how these vehicles, when guided by skilled hands, become more than just modes of transport; they become conduits for enjoyment and connection.
As we venture south of Cockermouth, the landscape begins to unfurl. We navigate the sinuous curves that hug the shores of Crummock Water, with the imposing silhouette of Grasmoor dominating the horizon. The road, embraced by fallen leaves in vibrant autumnal hues, twists and turns, demanding precision and responsiveness. In the Aston Martin, with its considerable girth, I find myself instinctively holding my breath during tighter encounters with oncoming traffic, carefully deploying the V8’s immense torque. Meanwhile, the Wilsons ahead appear to be reveling in the engagement, their pursuit of the Quattro a masterclass in skilled driving. The V8’s resonant soundtrack, however, provides a certain solitary pleasure.
Our route guides us towards the iconic Honister Pass. Even under a brooding sky, the ascent is a spectacle. Water cascades down the tarmac on its steepest inclines, rendering the landscape almost otherworldly, evoking imagery straight from a fantasy epic. The valley floor is strewn with colossal rocks, as if dropped from the heavens, and at the summit, the entrance to a disused slate mine, now repurposed as the Sky Hi Cafe, stands as a stoic sentinel.
“If it were tourist season, we wouldn’t be here,” Matthew explains as we pause for refreshment. The Honister Pass, he elaborates, transforms into a bustling artery for cyclists and mountain bikers. Even he, a keen participant in these activities, admits the narrow, serpentine route can become exceptionally congested. Yet, for those who time their visit judiciously, the experience is undeniably rewarding. Malcolm recounts a childhood memory of collecting slate for his family home, a vivid anecdote illustrating the pass’s inherent challenges and the ingenuity required to navigate it.
Reluctantly, Wilson relinquishes the driver’s seat of the Quattro. His reflections on the car are particularly insightful. “I had two Quattro road cars when I was driving for Audi Sport in the 80s,” he recalls, “but they weren’t 20-valve models like this. They had significantly more turbo lag; the power delivery was very much an on-or-off affair, and you really had to anticipate it. This current iteration is vastly superior.” His appreciation for the Quattro’s improved drivability and refined performance highlights the evolution of automotive engineering, yet also underscores the enduring appeal of its foundational capabilities. The journey of the Audi Quattro driving experience has undoubtedly been a long and impressive one.
Our car swap introduces a new dynamic. Malcolm now takes the wheel of the Aston Martin DBX S, Matthew slides into the Audi Quattro 20v, and I assume command of the Toyota GR Yaris for our descent towards Seatoller. As the road widens and its gradients and radii become more forgiving, the pace quickens. We then proceed through Borrowdale, tracing the path of the River Derwent, with the majestic peaks of Scafell Pike providing a constant, awe-inspiring backdrop. This section of the drive offers a chance to appreciate the sheer comfort and effortless power delivery of the Aston Martin DBX S, a stark contrast to the raw, mechanical engagement of the Quattro.
The scenery shifts dramatically as we approach Keswick and head north towards Bassenthwaite and Dodd Wood. A turn north-east towards Uldale and Caldbeck ushers us into a more open, moorland environment. The tourist throngs dissipate, replaced by stretches of straighter road offering excellent visibility, interspersed with gentle crests. This terrain, it becomes clear, is a former haunt for Malcolm’s intensive testing. His pace noticeably quickens, a testament to his profound familiarity with these roads. He navigates with an almost uncanny intuition, anticipating the rare appearance of farm vehicles or slower-moving cars. The presence of fast, cambered corners and varied gradients ensures that the driving remains consistently engaging. This, he later reveals, is also his preferred route for accessing the M6 to the east, circumventing the notoriously congested A66. Exploring the best driving roads Lake District is clearly an art form when guided by local expertise.
After a few miles of spirited driving, we pull into a roadside gravel car park. A brief pause allows for another car swap and the exchange of initial impressions. Malcolm is effusive in his praise for the Aston Martin, particularly marveling at how such a large, heavy, and potent vehicle can be engineered to feel so composed and user-friendly. He also expresses genuine pleasure in the Toyota GR Yaris, acknowledging its sheer fun-to-drive factor. However, he voices a mild critique regarding the car’s overwhelming deluge of information and electronic noise, questioning its necessity for the everyday driver. “Who needs to know all that?” he muses, a sentiment that resonates with a desire for a more focused, analog driving experience in a digitally saturated world. The Toyota GR Yaris performance is undeniable, but its interface is certainly a topic of discussion.
The consensus, however, leans heavily towards the Audi Quattro. Both Wilsons are captivated by how its performance characteristics remain remarkably well-suited for road driving, even decades after its production. They are impressed by its progressive grip, steering feel, ride quality, and handling when coaxed with just the right amount of momentum. Its tactile engagement, compared to its modern counterparts, is palpable. The allure of the Audi Quattro legacy continues to captivate enthusiasts.
As our exploration draws to a close, a short drive brings us back to M-Sport for Malcolm and Matthew. Their day, though filled with an impromptu petrolhead tour, clearly hasn’t been a burden. The shared passion for driving, the camaraderie forged on these challenging roads, and the opportunity to showcase the capabilities of these exceptional machines have provided a welcome, albeit unofficial, diversion from their demanding professional schedules. The Aston Martin DBX S review would undoubtedly be glowing, but the true story lies in the experience it facilitated.
For those seeking to discover the unparalleled driving experiences that the Lake District has to offer, we invite you to explore these legendary routes. Whether you’re drawn to the raw heritage of classic all-wheel-drive, the modern intensity of rally-bred performance, or the luxurious potency of a grand tourer, there’s a Cumbrian road waiting to be conquered. Let local knowledge be your guide, and prepare to be captivated by the natural beauty and exhilarating driving dynamics this region so generously provides. If you’re considering purchasing a performance vehicle or seeking expert advice on tuning your existing car for spirited driving, reach out to our team today. We’re passionate about connecting drivers with the ultimate automotive experiences.
