pete f

General consensus from people i've spoken to is that they really enjoyed the day and found it an interesting and informative experience. Even other prodrive employees were amazed to see what went on behind the scenes in certain departments, such as the bodyshop (where i spent all day on sunday talking to people - hello again if i spoke to any of you guys!). I must admit i didn't enjoy putting that kit of parts away this morning before i could get on with the week's work though!!!!! Main thing was that a large sum of money (i'm sure there will be official announcements of the amount so i won't spoil it) was raised for the Oxford Children's Hospital.

Trouble is, that's not really Prodrive's business - they're more interested in demonstrating their technology to potential licencees rather than building cars themselves. They're not geared up to put a car into production. I agree completely. The point of the project (appart from the fact Dave Richards thought it up during one of Prodrive's legendary Christmas parties) was to showcase the capabilities of the company in designing/building a complete vehicle from a blank sheet of paper - and in only 9 months! That's a phenominal achievement for any company to pull off, and i think the P2 does those people who worked their fingers to the bone proud. It's a nice idea that it could go into production, but there's simply no need for Prodrive to go down that route IMO. Was very interested to see the ATD technology in action on a 4WD vehicle having heard do much about it and seen demos on FWD cars. Is certainly an impressive piece of technology.

Gotta be worth a watch - see how the Stig does in the P2 on it's first TV appearance. this sunday (4th)

WOW! What a fantastic turn out at Prodrive - we expected a fair few scoobies but nowhere near the number that turned up, you all just kept comming off the roundabout until there was no space left!. Massive congratulations have to go to everyone who has organised this event - i think its a really fitting tribute to richard; and particularly encouraging to see his dad there clearly appreciating the sentiment. Hope the rain stays away for the rest of your trip, drive safely all of you.

Those workshops are SERIOUSLY clean, even the bodyshop by the looks of it! Fantastic photos btw, good to see you all had an enjoyable time.

just a quick comment of support from an outsider - i think what you're all doing is a fantastic and highly commendable tribute to a truly spectacular man, and I really hope it goes well and touches many, many people with the taking part, money raised and every other aspect. Well done to those who have put in what must have been a phenominal amount of effort to arrange it all. Will hopefully be popping into Prodrive on sat to see you all - they were running Richards/Robert's championship winning car this morning as i believe it is playing some part in this event (although I assume it won't be venturing far from prodrive, if it's allowed to at all). Still, it's excellent that Prodrive recognises what you are doing and is able to be involved. good luck guys/gals.......

Should be very interesting indeed. Autosport said there had been talks about using a cosworth customer engine (which I believe would be a poor choice having experienced dealing with them the other year with Jaguar). Although an existing customer engine is the best option for the first year or so, once things have settled down i think it'd be great for either subaru to develop one or for Prodrive to do it in-house (no-doubt the skill & knowledge is there). Good times ahead for F1, can't wait for the start of the 2008 season already!!!!

F1 is going to a single tyre supplier for 2008, which will improve things no-end IMO. That means that even if it ended up being Pirelli (they've shown an interesting in bidding for the job I believe), everyone would be on an even-keel, unlike in the WRC.

there were certainly loads of those, and of course the obligatory idiots who think it's clever to try and write off their own and eveyone else's cars on the first track event of the season!!!!! was it just me, or were the marshalls even slacker on people driving dangerously than normal? still, was a good day and most people (except the owner of the sierra cossie who rolled at the end) enjoyed themselves by all accounts.

at least it didn't rain this year, and everyone i know came away with the usual red nose/kneck after a castle combe event. Saw you guys on your stand during my strolls round the paddock, you had some very nice scoobies - who's is the dark blue classic with the grey wheels - VERY NICE! http://www.pughosting.co.uk/photopost/data...e015_2_-med.jpg unfortunately my track car wasn't out to play today but i managed to keep myself busy blagging rides off other people and watching the idiots on track that seem customary for the first action day of the year unfortunately.

I totally agree, and what little coverage there is it absolutly rubbish - is it just me or does anyone else find the commentary a little patronising this year? It's being done as if the people watching know absolutly nothing about motorsport, and it no longer includes the relevant information that those of us who follow the sport would like to hear 9decent info on split times, stge times etc). This year's the worst it's been in ages. With the amount of money in the sport you'd have thought they'd have done a better job of TV coverage, especially as it's a sport that so many people rely on tv coverage for as we can't go travelling around the world every 2 weeks to follow it.

something like 11.45pm tonight on ITV - means either a late night or an early morning for those of us who want to know what happened before work in the morning!

it's a small world! lol Thanks for the contact, I'll have to pester BigD to find out some more.....

ah, spot on mate! cheers, I'll definitelly take you up on that. Will no-doubt fall so in love with it I offer you a swap with the pug! no worries dude,i never thought id see the day you of all people bought a scooby!! if you cant wait till pugfest mate give us a bell and ill bring it over to ya one weekend or i may be at coombe on the 22nd but not 100% sure on that score yet[] lol, how things change!.. cheers mate, you're a star. be good to see you at combe - drooling over your scooby would keep my mind off the fact I'm not hooning round the track

lol, today's race was pretty 'pepped up' imo! very entertaining indeed, just a shame Jenson didn't have the race he deserves.