craigdmcd

Was in dropping the motor for it's 10,000 service (new guy in service reception, whole lot better attitude than his forerunners), mentioned the day to Harvey and Claire, and didn't seem to know much about it, but would be glad to have it. If I'm not in Jo'burg, then I'm up for it.

It's very simple, the karting in Scotland goes in rotation, First weekend of the month is Larkhall, second weekend is Banff, third weekend is Crail and the last weekend is Golspie way up North. The reason I say last and not fourth is that some months have 5 weekends, and then on the fourth there is nothing (although Larkhall sometimes puts on extra meetings then). Look upText for any info. Cheers Craig

Did anyone go to the Autosport show in January, and on some of the stands, there were retro style jackets with Gulf and Tag Heuer on them (2 long vertical stripes IIRC), well it so happens that I quite fancy one now, and can't source one anywhere. Has anyone seen them advertised anywhere? Thanks

What are you needing to know Dougster, as I can go on at length about karting, one of the main points to be made is that you have to own your own kart, as this is not a hiring circuit, but a competitive set-up can be had for under a grand (how much would you spend on a set of wheels, tyres and exhaust for your scoob?), and the racing is intense. I believe that Crail (just beyond the airfield) and Bondie (near Banff) kart circuits do twin engined Pro-kart races (endurance), where you can arrive and drive, but in all reality, the buzz of 2 stroke "sprint" races is far more exiting. If you need to know more, just ask specifics. Craig

Just to let you know, the kart racing is on at Larkhall tomorrow, if you want to wander by and spectate, everything from 8 years olds on honda cadets, through all the the usual screeming two stroke classes, right up to the maniac gearbox karts. First round of the Scottish championships, so big grids in all classes, racing starts at 10:00, £3 to get in, and if you take the southbound exit from the M74 junction 7, turn right at the top of the slip road, signposted approx 400 yards along the road (just after the end of the dual carriageway). I only know all this cause I'm racing. Craig

Where the feck were you? ( I was looking at houses) As for the brakes, any idea on the warranty issue, also I think that stoptech have more than proven themselves in the states in Imps. Talked to them, as Devlin will testify, at the Autosport Show, and were VERY knowlegable, but, yes, I agree that the 6 pots look supremely impressive.

I'm with Scotty on this question, obviously the AP 6 pot set up is the mutt's nuts, so it should be for £1500 + vat, but what about warranty, etc, is the Prodrive setup a good one?, do either have any problem's with warped discs or noises (chattering or squealing)? And what about the StopTech brakes, slightly overpriced here, but the wife is an airstewardess, and can bring them in from California for around £1000. How do we turn this in to a poll? Oh, and why bother on a 04 PPP WRX, well as my mate who fixes the late Alan Barr's Group A Impreza said, pound for pound, your cheaper to make your brakes better than to make your engine faster by the same amount on lap times. Craig

Obviously a far better salesman than any Reg Vardy site. Did he offer 5 years interest free credit?

Right. looks like me and Barry Devlin are going to compete on the Lanarkshire Car Club event, who else is up for a shot and I'll get the entry e-mailed to you? Craig

A bit too late to post for today, but you could all come to the karting (and no, it's not the same as Scotkart) at Larkhall on the first sunday of every month, third sunday at Crail, 2 stroke karts, 20-60mph in about 4 seconds, top speed about 70mph, only problem is that you've got to own your own. I'm hooked though. Top 7 today in my class today covered by 8 seconds, best lap times seperated by 0.4 sec for same top 7. Don't come and spectate if you have urges to buy motorised fun!!! Craig

"Never mind phoning Clyde Super Scoreboard, I'm a Derek Johnstone impersonator"

Right troops, I am back on the case with this after being in Sunny(not) Hong Kong. I have hijacked these dates that seem to be for the East and North of Scotland from somebody else's post (sorry if it was your post) Date Event Organising Club Feb 12 Aquarius Glenrothes MSC Mar 5 Nuit Blanche Rally EUMSC Mar 12 Gropers Rally SDMC Apr tba Boontree Birl Rally 750MC Apr 16 Teviotdale Rally Hawick & Border CC Sep 3 Autumn Rally Highland CC Oct 22 Caledonia Rally Scottish Sporting CC Nov 19 Early Winter Rally Border Ecosse CC Nov 26 Williamson 100 Rally Aberdeen & DMC Also I know that Lanarkshire car club are holding their Clydesdale Navigational Rally on Sat 12th March, starting at Happendon Services on the M74, and strangely finishing at Hamilton services (don't expect a mad dash up the motorway). I've talked to the organisers, and for those that aren't sure whether this is going to be their cup of tea or not, a 12 car rally is taking place behind the MSA event so you can enter on a reduced fee by paying for just the entry (approx £40) and a 1 day club membership at £1. I have the the entry form on a PDF document that I can e-mail to anyone interested. It's all a little confusing, so if you need some guidance, call me on 07721 610095 and I can put you straight. Also the Glasgow University is holding their Navigational Rally the following weekend as far as I'm lead to believe which is held on the north side of Glasgow. I've probably missed a lot of info, but I'll fill in the blanks as I remember them. Craig

Just read this, SUPERB

Ok troops, I'm on the case now, been talking to the local car clubs etc, all good news, will post a lengthy note in the next day or two to let you know what happening . Craig

My Scorpion alarm reacts in a similar way, have you tried holding the transmitter at different areas of the car (I hold mine just above the driver's wiper blade). Not an ideal solution but it may be worth a try. Craig

Thanks for the reply Andy on when there is an event on, I'll now get on the case and find when other rallies are available since there are a few interested. Barry, if you want, I'll navigate for you on your first couple till you get the jist, Andy, are you willing to navigate for a few novices? AndyJDM, is a 80/90mph average not too boring for you? Keep your eyes peeled for more posts about this, then spread the Gospel, HALLELUJAH!!! Craig

Just thought I'd put a post out to see if anyone else out there does navigational road rallies, as I have discussed them with a few other scooby owners, and everyone seems to be in the dark about them(which is sort of ideal, as they are generally held at night). For those that don't know, a navigational road rally is a rally held in a road legal motor vehicle, which range from a Fiat Cinquecento, right up to Discos, a few Impreza's and all sorts in between. The events are usually held by local district motor clubs, and are usually held on Saturday nights in Autumn and Spring (it gets darker earlier in the evening, but weather conditions aren't so bad as to hinder the running of the rally), usually between 7pm and midnight. The official jist, is that, you have a starting point, and then from that point on, you have to get to the next checkpoint via clues given at the last point, each section being a stage, as in competition rallies (the basics of the timing are very similar in both styles of rallying, therefore, it is an excellent training ground to learn basic navigating skills for stage rallying). You are given a set time between each checkpoint for the stages, which is calculated at approx 30mph (if you haven't already clicked out of this post already, and have just seen 30mph, please bear with me as it's about to get interesting). Let me take for instance, you have a 7 mile section (an average length,as you have generally have anywhere between 12-20 stages, with a total length of approx 100 miles), so you are allowed 14/15 minutes to complete this. Now take into account that the navigator has to work out the clue (say at least 3 mins) so you now have 11/12 mins to do 7 miles, and he is trying to read the OS map you need for the event while you drive down the road (Oh, i forgot to mention, these generally take place on B roads, unclassified roads, and when you're lucky, a little bit of A road to help you make up time), but you miss the turn for the unclassified road, and travel another mile down the road, have to turn back, and head in the right direction. So now you have added another 2 miles to your travelling distance and lost time. Are you starting to understand yet, you get to hoon about back roads, having an absolute riot with your mate, trying to average 60/70/80/-- miles an hour to get to the next point. Oops, and there only is one correct route, with cleverly placed marker boards with letters on them that you note so the organisers can tell you went the right way. You get penalised for being early, being late and missing code boards, and there are rules to get you excluded, but you have to be an idiot to manage that. There are only small tacky trophies, you'll use close to a tank of petrol, and it costs around £30-£40 to enter, but it's an absolute scream. Incidentally, the guy in the Fiat usually wins, he's be doing it for years, gets harder clues than you but still manages to clean every stage, but where's the fun in doing it at sensible speeds. Anyone up for a go? Craig