johns

A few Lotus owners have been in touch about running a beginners only session as part of the track day on Saturday 10th July from 9am to 1pm. The proposal is that between 9:20am and 9:50am (after the driver's briefing and warm up groups), that the track will only be open to beginners (first timers, or only done a couple of events). Regulars can sit alongside as passengers, offering advice on lines, reminders to look in mirrors etc but there will also be a Knockhill instructor available to use free of charge throughout the whole event (might have to limit him to 3 or 4 laps at a time so he can get around as many cars as possible). After about 15 minutes, one or two regulars will go out on track driving at about 80 - 90%, to give the beginners experience of being caught and overtaken etc. With about 5 to 10 minutes to go, another few regulars will go out on track, giving experience of a busier track, and some faster cars etc. We will also recommend that beginners come into the pits at least once during the session, to get used to leaving the track, and joining an open track by using the lights. After that it will be the usual open pit lane, and everyone can go on track when they like for as long as they like. If we get around 10 people confirmed (I think there are 5 to 7 Lotus owners already), then it will make this viable. John

As you may be aware, it is the SIDC Scottish national day at Grampian Transport Museum in Alford in just under two weeks from now on Sunday 1tth July. Last year we had the guys from the local round table come along and provide a BBQ for us. They are a volunteer organisation though, and this year they can't get enough individuals free on the Sunday to put on a BBQ for us again. So the position we are in means that we are looking for either a group to provide the catering, with profits ging to charity, or even a humble burger van that is free on the day. I'm swamped at work just now, so don't have the time to look or phone around, so I'm turning to the wider community to help us out here. I'm sure there is someone one here in Scottish Scoobies who knows someone who could help out Please note that we don't charge companies anything to attend on the day (ie all profits are theirs to do with as they please) Many thanks in advance John

I'm getting there slowly with the pics. I suffered a memory card failure and lost a whole batch of shots and have been spending time trying to recover some of them with limited success. It might have been something to do with the heat, as it was 32 in the shade with track temps closer to 50!!! Quite a few cars failed to finish the event due to the heat. Anyway, here's a few shots from the event: Scott during morning warm up: Fee on the entry to Druids Paul in the Badger: Gav doing his thing in the banana: More are being slowly added to the gallery at http://www.flatoutphotography.com/gallery3...x.php/TA2010-BH John

You will have to book up for the SIDC track event on the 10th July Open pit lane, so no sessions to worry about. There are some very quick and interesting cars booked on already, but still plenty of spaces left. Les than 20 people booked on so far - ideal for those who like an empty track to play on! John

Yes, T&C are still the Subaru parts supplier in the Aberdeen area.

http://www.topgear.com/uk/videos/stig-hill...mpreza-cosworth

Another cool drifting video I watched yesterday: http://vimeo.com/12196170

Nice to see the action from the inside!

This morning, I drove my standard SpecD to the top of a mountain! The view from the top Cairn at the top. If you look very closely at the top right of the picture, you will see what looks like a gap in the small trees - that's my car parked up! The view looking east, and yes we were up in the clouds! Same view as the first photo, but with the Scooby bonnet in shot View from where I parked, looking over to the cairn Given the rather rough nature of the road (there aren't that many that take you right to the top of a mountain!), I reckon I might have been the first Impreza to drive up there. John

It's hard to tell from the clip. Any rattling/knocking noise like that isn't a good sound. I have heard a car like that before which had suffered big end failure. Sounds a bit too rattly to be piston slap to me.

Nice write-up Scott. Hope you get the brakes all sorted in time for Brands John

I'm heading down to Brands as well, I'll drive it for you

Looking good. Will you have it ready and run in properly in time for Brands Hatch at the end of next month?

Welcome Sal, you'll be within a reasonable journey time of Aberdeen - well compared to your usual commutes! Hopefully catch up with you at some point. John

Overall crime levels in Aberdeen and shire are very low, and as mentioned above you just need to avoid a few areas. I would say the first thing to find out is where your offices are based. If it's in Altens area, then I would recommend somewhere south of the city live Cove, Muchalls down to Stonehaven area for an easy daily commute. Alternatively the west end of the city would be a safe bet, though a bit pricier. If your company is based in the Bridge of Don area, then maybe somewhere further out like Balmedie (close to the beach) out to Newburgh. If you are going to be based in Dyce, then somewhere like Kintore or Inverurie would be perfect for a 15 minute commute in the mornings. Virtually all the houses for sale (and rent) in the Aberdeen area can be found on www.aspc.co.uk I would recommend renting a nice house somwwhere for say 3 to 6 months until you get to know your way around the city, do some exploring and find the sort of places you would like to live. This will give you enough time to have a good look at dozens of houses for sale. John

Got your PM OK - I'll go and look on Saturday morning for you Hill Climb - yes they do still run it, and Dale is right there was one just over a week ago. Great day out for not much money John

I pass this place twice a day, but at 8am and 6pm, so it is always closed. Cars are on the forecourt though. Probably the earliest I could look during opening hours would be Saturday morning, so I could have a good look inside, hear it running and take it for a test drive etc. I've only got my car at work once more this week (car share on alternate days) and have a meeting that day, otherwise I could have picked you up one lunchtime to have a look over it. If next week isn't too late, then thats an option. Cheers John

Here's a couple of my photos. John

Great shots everyone. Neil - love the subtle substitution of the sponsor name with your flickr link

Very well done guys. Tremendous effort. Cars were looking superb - a very high standard of preparation

lovely and warm if it was zero

Why not look at some of the diesel Impreza hatches that are available ? I'm sure with decent suspension, brakes, wheels and a re-map, they could be quite a potent run-around as well as being economical.

The gobstopper sadly won't be there, but there will be quite a few interesting Imprezas there The Red Brick racing EVO will be there, and that should be well worth a look: http://www.timeattack.co.uk/index.php/2010...o-breaks-cover/ with DTM spec carbon brakes.

For anyone that is interested, I've got my photos from round 1 at Oulton park in my gallery: http://www.flatoutphotography.com/gallery.html John

I'm heading down from Aberdeen as well. I've even got the SIDC trophies for fastest Subaru in each class in my posession now, including the ones that didn't arrive in time for the Oulton Park round I'll be the one wandering around my a camera in my hand most of the day John