johns

Is anyone available to assist me with setting up at Alford on Saturday afternoon.

I'll need assistance for an hour or two from about 3pm onwards to set-up the fencing, cones etc.

We'll also need some assistance early on Sunday morning to get a few other things done (like set-up the PA, sweep any loose stones off the track etc).

We'll also be looking for a few volunteers to assist for 30 - 60 minutes during the course of the day, to stand beside a fire extinguisher, hand out leaflets to people arriving, collect donations for charity, judge the show and shine competition etc.

All assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Let me know by replying to this message if you can help in any way. All efforts will be greatlyu appreciated.

John

Cal,

I'm hoping there will be a big turn out

We will indeed have a burger van there again this year, though it's a different chap.

John

Hi Stan,

there are so many fantastic roads around the West Coast you literally are spoiled for choice!

The A82 through Glencoe is very scenic, and ideal for photo opportunities. Watch out for police on this road though, there is an almost constant police presence as it's a busy tourist/commuting road. I can recommend the Isle of Glencoe hotel as a good place to stay for a night or two. Always had great food and service there. The coastal road north of Oban is great. As you've got some time to spare, the trip up to Mallaig is well worth it, even though it is a dead end and you have to come back again (unless you take the ferry to Skye!).

The road from Fort William up to Kyle of Lochalsh is a cracking road. Open, fast flowing and excellent scenery. Remember to stop at Eilean Donan Castle on your way up. A few places in Kyle/Plockton (where the palm trees are!) for lunch/dinner etc.

You must go over to Skye and spend a day on the roads there as well.

On the way back, go over the road to Lochcarron. This starts off fast and flowing, but climbing rapidly. It then gets very tight and turns into a single track road with passing places. Views from the side of the mountain are superb. There's even a tunnel as you near Strathcarron to exercise your car along!! There's an art gallery/restaurant before you reach Strathcarron itself which was very good the last time I was there a couple of years ago.

When you get to the T junction out of Strathcarron, turn left to go through Lochcarron. There's an excellent seafood bar selling fresh local seafood a few miles along the road at Kishorn village. Out of Kishorn, take a left to Applecross. It's a single track road, but very steep and great views at the top and the way up. Good coffee/cakes etc at the cafe place in Applecross. Then continue along the coastal road to Shieldaig (reasonable pub lunch in the hotel there). You can then go along past Torridon and you have a choice of routes. I'd go left along the coastal road to Gairloch (say hello to JK who has a cottage there!) and onto Ullapool, but you can also continue right through to Achnasheen and on towards Garve. Here you can drive on one of the amazing stretches of fast open road in the UK. Nice wide road, smooth tarmac, excllent visibility and endless gentle sweeping bends. At Garve turn left and head up to Ullapool, again a great driving road.

North of Ullapool is my favourite driving road of all time on the way to Laxford Bridge. It starts off slow, but then opens up into an amazing fast stretch of road with lots of gentle corners. The single track road from there down to Lairg is superb. Very quiet, and very surreal, almost lunar landscape to start with. I'd recommend this on the way back, but on the way up, head north to Lochinver, and once you've had lunch there etc, you can head further north to the NW corner. Some great roads (mostly single track), and some of the best beaches in the UK (I kid you not!). The road from Tongue across to John O Groats is quite dull in places if truth be told, and I wouldn't bother visiting JoG unless you really want to say that you've been there.

If coming down via Lairg to Conon Bridge, and onto Inverness, then take the short-cut mountain road, instead of following the A9 around the coast. Much more interesting, and usually faster! Watch out for police on the A9 though, and stick to the speed limits on it at all times!

Those are some of my favourite roads in the area, and I'm sure the others will add in their favourites as well.

John

Only 30 slots will be available on the day, and these will be allocated on a first come first served basis. The cost will be only £10 for as many runs as you can fit in during the day.

There will only be one car permitted on track at any time for safety reasons.

Cars will form up in lanes in the parking area behind the control tower. Each lane will be numbered, and we'll call out the lanes numbers over the PA system. That way when you come off track, you can form up in the lane again and then spectate, have lunch etc without having to stand next to your car and push/drive it forward every few seconds

As we are doing passenger laps for charity, anyone willing to take a passenger out around the track, will be entitled to join a special lane after they have been out on track, so you'll get at least twice as many runs

Each car will be issued with a number which they need to stick on the inside of their rear window. That way we can keep track of how many runs each car has done to ensure that no-one is lane jumping

Once you have done enough runs for the day, simply return your number to the control tower, so someone else can have a go

John

We've got 4 splendid trophies to give away at the show and shine competition at Alford (along with much Kudos and bragging rights on the forum )

The categories are:

Best Classic

Best New Age

Best Modified

Overall Car of the Show

So as not to be seen as biased, I'd like two volunteers who aren't taking part in the competition to assist with the judging.

A modified classic can be qualify to win the best classic, best modified and/or overall car of the show for example.

All you need to do is to register for the competition on arrival (at the control tower). We'll judge all the cars around lunchtime, and arrange for the winning cars to get a prime spot (photo call) at the top of the hill after the announcements

John

Been looking through my photos from last year. Also got a photo (sorry about the poor quality) of the trophies that are up for grabs in the show and shine competition

John

Just had confirmation that the Grampian Police Impreza will be there for a while on the day, and the PC will be happy to talk about the car, road safety, advanced driving etc.

We're also going to be getting coverage by the local radio station (Northsound 1 & 2), so there's a chance to be famous by taking some of the reporters out in your car around the track if you want. Best brush up on your interview skills!

We've also had confirmation that Glenburgie Subaru will have a stand on the day, and will have various bits and pieces for sale. If you need any advice on modified your car, buying 2nd hand/used parts or even building a rally Impreza then please have a chat with them during the day

John

We are pleased to announce that two local companies are now offering discounts to SIDC members on the production of a current membeship card

Firstly, Dave Andrews of Motorsport Juntion in Kilmarnock is offering a 10% discount on most products He had a great response from the members who attended the recent show at Galston & was most generous with the large discounts he gave on a wide range of car care and other products for the duration of the weekend. Dave can be contacted at Motorsport Junction

Secondly, Derek Barr of Autoguard Paint Protection is offering club members fantastic deals on car protection products, notably the superb Armourfend range from 3M If you are interested in protecting your car from those inevitable stone chips, then this clear almost invisble film is just the thing for you! Contact Derek on Derek Barr

Happy shopping!

John

Just a reminder for everyone that this event is happening this Sunday at Alford.

We're looking for a superb turn-out of cars, both from the local area and from across the country

We've got some superb trophies for the show and shine competition on their way up in the post.

Track action on most of the day as well, for those who want to try their car on track (one at a time, so very little risk).

See you all there.

John

I presume it's Sunday 10th July

I might be interested, but will need to check the diary. WIll let you know soon.

John

Can't make tonight, got something else on

I'm sure a few others will be up for it though

Welcome Karl,

hope to see you at an event soon!

John

I'll just add to the comments above to say that you are very lucky that you haven't seriously damaged the engine by running at peaks of 1.8 bar and not had the ECU remapped to cope. The hesitation could be due to det, and the noises are most likely the turbo, as it wasn't designed to be run at that boost pressure and will be well outside it's efficiency range. The fuelling and timing will likely be well off, and by default the ECU will most likely pour in lots of fuel to try and make it safer, which in itself will cause hesitation and poor running.

On the standard turbo, I'd recommend no more than about 1.4 - 1.5 bar peak (when properly mapped), dropping down to about 1 - 1.2 bar at the top end.

John

David,

we may well do that. I'm planning to produce a single page flyer to be handed out this year. It took us a long time and lots of hassle to do the multi-page ones last year. Advertsiign space will be limited, but it is available if you have anyone in mind.

So far we are struggling to get any suppliers along on the day!!!

It may just be the show and shine competition track time, plus other bits and pieces. It will still be a good day out though!

Cheers

John

Nice video

Got a call from the Ford RSOC last night who are havgin a big event on at Knockhill this Sunday. They have an open pit lane event on track from 9am to 5pm, with an hour for lunch and there are a few spaces available at a cost of only £100.

Contact Ron Walker on rsocscotland@hotmail.com or by phone on 07977 443167 if you are interested in a place.

They are looking for good quality cars to take part only (ie cars that would be eligible for the hot marques event). The usual cars and drivers that take part in Hot Hatch events will not be welcome (ie usual rusty fiestas, metros and the like).

It should be a great day out, and there are even concours competitions going on etc.

I can't make it along myself (it's fathers day and I've got previous arrangements), but I'm sure some of you will be keen on the chance of a full day track event at a sensible price.

Cheers

John

Pete,

Google Maps

just enter the address you are looking for, and a few seconds later clear and accurate road maps!

Basically, as you head towards Aberdeen, take the harbour road (sigposted football traffic). Go over the flyover and you'll come to a roundabout with Burger King on the left and a Shell petrol station. Go straight ahead down the dual carriageway (watch out it's a 40mph limit and regularly watched by the local camera partnership) until you come to the next roundabout. Take a right here, and you'll come across another smaller roundabout. Go straight ahead here (past the white Nexen building on your left) and a bit further on (downhill section), you'll come to another roundabout.

Take a left here and this takes you onto Minto Drive.

Please note that the main road and this area in general can be very busy around 8am - 9am, so allow 10 - 15 minutes for this last part of the journey to be on the safe side.

Good luck with the interview.

John

BTTT,

discs from any turbo from MY99 onwards will do, even from bug/blob-eye cars which were fitted with 4 pots.

The condition is really un-important - they can be warped and/or rusty - as long as they are in one piece!

John

Dave,

I've not had a chance to see Alan yet. Hopefully he'll be home tonight and I can confirm our entries tomorrow.

John

Just to let everyone know that Black Circles have some superb prices on tyres in their warehouse clearance at the moment, particularly 18 inch tyres:

Cheap Tyres

Prices include mail order delivery and VAT.

Stocks are limited, so order quick if you will be needing new tyres in the next few months.

John

Hi everyone. Glad you all thoroughly enjoyed yourself.

I was very surprised the weather held out for almost the whole event as well - makes a big difference if the weather is the same for the whole event.

No complaints about driving standards this time

Roll on the next one on the 25th September. Same time, 9 - 12 on a Sunday morning. Sorry the times aren't ideal, but it's all we can get at a weekend this year due to the race calendar.

John

Ian,

got your PM. My mobile number is printed in True Grip if anyone ever needs it

John

Yes,

it's still all systems go for tomorrow

John

Hi Rob,

sounds good. Not got the PA sorted yet, but wasn't expecting that to be a major problem. Still trying to find timing equipment for the event.

Other car clubs more than welcome

John

I'd also like to add my personal thanks to Dougster for all his efforts, and wish Billy all the very best in his new role.

John