HairyDJ

Hello Si, good to know you're still alive and in scoobyland Presume it's a WRX if it's a turbo wagon - welcome to the clan! What colour should I look out for waves from? Was it bought locally, or any clues where in the UK it might have last lived . . . Cheers, David

If you can't get ebay involved due to not using paypal, then speak with your own bank's fraud department. They may not be too keen to bother unless you pressure them, but getting the bad guys' account flagged as linked to a fraud complaint can come in handy. Might get you little help, but could stop another getting stiffed and ultimately no bank = no business

Great news! wishing you a long and happy life together. Cheers, David & Chrissy

Specifics on Somerset Stages marshalling via http://www.somersetstagesrally.com/marshalls.html Take a tour of http://www.volunteersinmotorsport.co.uk/ for more info on getting started. Rally marshalling can have a higher proportion of "people management" due to the nature of forest stages etc, but some are on closed sites such as MOD sites or airfields which are competitors / officials only with no public access. Also worth a look at http://www.aswmc.org.uk/marshal.htm and maybe contact Roger for more info later? http://www.marshals.co.uk/ and http://www.brmc.org.uk/ are the two main members' sites for marshalling - loads of dates / contacts etc. Cheers, David

If the organisers are being quite specific that the ONLY spectator viewing area is the advertised one, ought a nice respectable club like SIDC be discussing or considering going to other stages when they specifically ask that this doesn't happen? If you want to do closed stages, then train and attend as a marshal

I love playing silly sods with statistics - so only 49% are exceeding 55mph - means we can spin that to say you're more likely to die if you're doing under 55mph. Also love the fact that teens & young adults die the most - how can you be more dead than someone else, or is that because us oldies are halfway there already?

Looks to have just been launched - mentions on faceache and twatter in the last few days. Quite surprised that they havent press released to SIDC or True Grip, as it's quite a significant offer. Also be fascinated to see what our own insurance guru thinks?

http://subaru.co.uk/buying-guide/unlike-other-accident-management-you-get-genuine-subaru-support- Bit early for April 1st, so looks like a cracking offer - cynic in me says it's just clever marketing to get the repair work into their dealerships, but well worth keeping in mind. Copied the full text below in case the small print changes later ...... SUBARU ACCIDENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME EVEN WITH A SUBARU, ACCIDENTS ARE NOT UNCOMMON. If you are an existing owner of a new or pre-owned Subaru, you are automatically a member of the Subaru Accident Management programme (SAM). As a member all you need to do is call SAM first on 0800 777 127 within 48 hours of your accident and let us sort everything out for you. No matter where you are in the UK, what has happened or whose fault it is, we will take care of everything. UNCOMMON COVER. Members of the Subaru Accident Management programme are entitled to the following:* ■A full management service including dealing with any insurance claims and keeping you up to date on progress ■For non-fault accidents, a replacement Subaru while your car is off the road (if for any reason we can’t get you a Subaru we will give you something similar). If you happen to be at fault, we will work with your repairer to provide a courtesy vehicle (subject to availability) ■Recovery for your vehicle if it can’t be driven, and onward travel for you and any passengers to your destination ■Delivery of your vehicle to a Subaru approved repairer ■In the case of personal injury or non-insured loss recovery, an in-house Legal Advisor will take care of any claims that may arise and act on your behalf *Terms and conditions apply UNCOMMON MEMBERSHIP, IT’S COMPLIMENTARY. If you bought your Subaru from one of our dealers, either new or through the Proven approved used programme or if you become a Subaru owner through another route, you are automatically a member. And best of all, this service is completely free of charge. ■No matter who your insurer is, calling us first is the easiest way to ensure that your car is repaired by Subaru ■Your car matters to us: we look after your Subaru as if it was our own ■We only use Subaru approved repairers – the best, not the cheapest ■Only qualified Subaru technicians will work on your car ■We always use Subaru genuine parts, nothing less Accidents are always stressful. But having the experts on your side makes all the difference when it comes to dealing with the situation. UNCOMMON ADVICE. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT? 1.Stay calm and call SAM first on 0800 777 127 as soon as you can 2.Don’t get involved in an argument or discuss who is to blame – never admit responsibility at this point 3.Exchange contact details with the other person, including 1.Name 2.Address 3.Phone number 4.Car registration number 5.Insurance company 6.Policy number 4.Take the names and contact details of any witnesses who are willing to give them to you 5.Make a sketch of the scene or use your mobile to take a picture – note where the cars were when they collided, plus any other important details 6.Record any damage to your car – take photos if possible UNCOMMON SUPPORT, WHAT WE WILL DO FOR YOU ■Complete claim handling in liaison with your appointed insurer ■For non-fault accidents, provide a replacement vehicle (were possible a Subaru, subject to availability) ■Provide you with online claim/repair progress reports ■Carried out repairs through the Subaru Approved Repairer network ■Use only Subaru approved parts ■Carry out repairs to manufacturers recommended processes, controlled under PAS125 standard repairers ■Maintain the integrity of your Subaru ■Provide Legal team support for any personal injury claims WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO? If you are a Subaru driver, absolutely nothing. You are automatically a member. However, to ensure you always have the number to hand, why not save into your mobile phone today so you can contact SAM first. Save SAM into your mobile now: 0800 777 127. We hope you never have to call but if you do, you can be sure that you and your Subaru will be in safe hands.

Oilman posted back in January here I've decided to drop from 10w50 to 5w40 next purchase based on his advice

http://www.abingdonfayre.com Sunday 8th May

hope it's a good 'un Cheers, David & Chrissy

So, who's hitting Silverstone in the morning? Maybe me if the postman delivers a parcel early enough to let me out ....

You might find help in the specific Sigma Sam thread - an alarm genius! Meanwhile, you'll need to dig out as much info as you can about supplier and model of the anti hijack kit. In the absence of names, then the odd piccy or description might just find you a fellow owner. good luck

Maybe gone, but not forgotten

no need to change any signage - national speed limit is already variable depending on the nature of the road (and your vehicle), so could be done easily. When they brought the 70mph limit in on the early motorways, the typical car was a ford anglia with drum brakes - way scarier at 70 than pretty much any modern car.

Keep them going please Imy - I read them and am still fascinated to see how the ball is rolling on and on .... Don't judge a thread by the number of replies, or even the read count - your subject lines keep the name and memories alive.

Ok, here goes with a “South of the Border view” as requested. I’ve been skulking around here for about 5 years now – joined up just before Wilky’s manic Richard Burns run. At that time, the club was full of people and events that really added to the fun of Scooby ownership. Over the years, I’ve noticed that SIDC is just like all the other clubs & societies I’ve been part of – we have highs & lows, we make good friends, and we have fallings out. That’s life chaps! Whilst I’m all for civilised debate, I accept that things do get heated at times and sometimes a few sweary filter dodgers can make a point effectively / strongly with the odd # - annoys me less that text speek. Also, remember that the D in SIDC stands for Drivers – we should not run our club / forum to allow for the presence of those under the legal driving age. What SIDC does seem to have more than its fair share of is people who work hard for the club, but then take too long to realise that it’s time to stand down & take a break. So many of those who have done good things have then vanished in anger, and we’ve pretty much lost them completely ever since. What we really seemed to do well was to act as a gathering point for various groups to get to know one another and then squabble and break away .... I feel that what destroyed the credibility of the previous committee was the way so little was announced to members (or non-members), yet there seemed to be a fair number of people who knew much of what had not been made public. I really want the new committee to learn from this and be much more open, but with that openness, we need to be a little less quick to dive in and slag them off if we disagree with something announced or proposed. Maybe things would be helped by making “business” announcements from specific user accounts, rather than personal accounts with “officer” labels? For example, let Stu make his True Grip announcements from an editor’s account, and leave him free to speak openly with his personal opinions from his normal account. Similarly, let our Chairmen, Secretaries etc. be “one of the lads” from personal accounts, whilst running their admin stuff separately. A bit of extra login / out hassle for them, but easier for anybody to search for business related posts by username? My biggest gripe over the past few years has been the unacceptable secrecy regarding our financial affairs, so I am genuinely looking forward to finding out what has happened in the past and what state we find ourselves in now. The rumours that are creeping out about being in a poor state currently worry me, but better to know and plan, than continue to blunder on blindly. Hopefully, the financial position will be published shortly before the AGM, to allow any responses and AGM decisions to be well thought through and considered, rather than knee-jerk / waffle in the heat of the moment? If, for example, it will take a third of our subscriptions to fund the SIDC forum would that change attitudes regarding paid membership? Personally, I renewed last time just to get my discount from my dealership, but will definitely renew this summer to give the new team a full year to show us if / how things have changed.

got 15k out of mine so far and down to about 4mm - worst wear was on the front insides. Seems really strange for rears to be so different from fronts in such a short time

Welcome to the frozen South Chris Look forward to flashing your wee beastie if you drift a little bit further West any time. Blue wagon (54 plate) with McRae & Burns stickers on the front. A few of the folk around here run at the Pod from time to time, so I'm sure the Death Star will get a good welcome if you give it a run. Cheers, David

Some pretty intelligent coverage on the tyres and insurance here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11975643 A very good source if you get any hassle would be this page - if an insurance company gives them such a positive write up ....... http://www.churchill.com/motor/winter-tyres.htm More coverage here is trying to collate insurance company problems http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/Winter-Tyre-Friendly-Insurance-Companies.htm I've retired my old Toyo SnowProx after 3 winters and 25k miles (usually get 15k on normals), and now have a new set of Pirelli SottoZero II. First impressions of them is pretty good, but need to tweak the pressures to get the balance and feel right. I'm finding the front end grip so good that it's causing over-steer on occasions. Mine were fitted via Event Tyres after seeing them track side - top service and fair prices. Oh, and my collection of wheels & tyres were declared on insurance. Hopefully Gary will be able to give us an insiders view of the insurance position?

Yaris or a Smart as your loan car? and for those who don't recognise it, CS = Cotswold Subaru. Between us, we're keeping them nice and busy. Fingers crossed for a quick fix (with the usual SIDC discount too).

missin' ya awwlreaaady xx Thanks for all the effort you've put in - hope the rewarding days made the others worthwhile .... Cheers, David & Chrissy

Just had this little email message ... 5p off per litre on Shell V-Power Unleaded & Diesel For just one day, on the 12th November 2010, we're offering you 5p off every litre of Shell V-Power fuel purchased at participating sites, while stocks last. Remember to put this date in your diary.

Hmmmm, Think I spotted you at the pod on Anglia TV news this evening - -didn't quite break 15 seconds in your latest motor http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3180287/Mobility-scooters-need-for-speed.html http://www.youtube.com/user/colinfurze