20 years of evo - the interviews - Richard Porter, Columnist interview - 20 years of evo

This year evo celebrates its 20th birthday. To mark the occasion, in this series we’re asking key members of the team to recall their most memorable evo moments

Tell us your earliest evo memory

I started at evo helping out with sub-editing during press week, so my first memory isn’t thrashing supercars across open moorland. It’s late nights in the old office, John Barker having a crafty rollie out of the window, Dickie Meaden making excuses for why he hadn’t done his Ed Speak words, Harry Metcalfe padding around asking for news stories to fill up a gap in the front section, Peter Tomalin quietly corralling the whole thing from the corner with overseas cricket commentary waffling from the little radio on his desk. My earliest, and possibly my fondest, memory.

What was the first car you drove for evo?

Some kind of sporty Astra. An SRi, maybe? I can’t remember now. It was pre-production and the middle of the dash appeared to be painted in undercoat. It wasn’t bad. The chassis and stuff, I mean, not the Dulux trim.

What was your first car launch for evo?

The 1.6-litre version of the Audi A2 in Germany (evo 044). You’re jealous, I can tell. It was the first petrol Audi with direct injection. But not the first petrol car with direct injection. That was the 1954 Mercedes 300SL gullwing. I didn’t get to go on the launch for that one.

What’s the most memorable evo test you have been part of?

I’ve been on a few Car of the Year tests. They’re usually not too shabby. Loads of nice cars, good locations, couple of drinks with the team in the evening. Not much to complain about there.

And your most memorable evo drive?

Car of the Year in 2014 (evo 203). Jag F-type R, chasing someone in the Ferrari 458 Speciale back to the hotel across the Scottish Borders as the sun went down. Not something you forget in a hurry. That and trying to drive an Elise from Land’s End to John O’Groats in one day without using motorways (evo 068), which is a stupid idea, as it turns out.

Your worst evo moment is…?

Horrible loss of front-end grip and also talent in a 911 at Bedford Autodrome, right in front of the photographer (Cayman v 911, evo 077). Ever since that pic has been used whenever evo wants to illustrate ‘understeer’. Do you want to hear my track driving excuses or are you just going to run the photo again? Thought so.

Tell us about the most disappointing car you’ve driven while at evo

One day this Toyota Corolla T-Sport turned up at the office. I don’t think anyone had asked for it, but Toyota thought it might make a good addition to the Fast Fleet. It was hopeless. I think it was John Barker who made the delicate phone call to Toyota asking them to come and take it away again.

Your favourite evo story by a colleague?

I’m a big fan of the hirsute stylings of Henry Catchpole. His McLaren to the Atlas mountains story (evo 173) sticks in the mind for starters. I know people on YouTube say he’s just a poor man’s Jon Bentley but I think we should give him a chance.

What’s the one car you wish you had driven during the last 20 years?

I was horribly jealous of the Ferrari unicorns story (evo 064) and in particular of the people who got to drive the 288 GTO. But then, you know, maybe you should never meet your heroes.

And finally, what’s your favourite car launched in the last 20 years?

I know this is an awful evo cliché, but it’s a Porsche. The 997.2 GT3 RS, if you’re interested. Just every bit of power and precision and feedback and howling excitement we look for, all in one lovely tin. Although obviously I was very annoyed that I couldn’t get it to understeer. Ha ha ha!