Wendy

I too would prefer everyone had to retake their test every 10 years, plus have to take the Advanced Driving Test and retake this regularly too. Restrictions of power (bhp/cc) related to driving age and experience too. What to do about those who refrain from purchasing Insurance though ? What are penalties / fines for this ?

While I agree the £17 extra per month may not be much, I think its everything, an extra fiver here, extra £10 there - on a variety of differing items that make costs add up and become pricey and create the doubts. It is also the way many have fallen foul and gotten into serious debt. The way I console myself - is saving where I can plus renewing and updating various contracts where I can control my spending.

Google your question. There will be loads of suggestions, pictures, or view photographs of the period of racing drivers. I went last year, fantastic event. Glad you are dressing up for it, you will feel so much more part of it. Although yes many men will wear Tweed and the likes, there are also plenty who break away from this. Good comfy shoes yes are essential. !!!!!!! Expect to have brain overload, so much to do and observe. If you like photography the opportuntiy to get some stunning shots is vast !! Enjoy, fingers crossed the weather is good for you.

Everyone still going to this ? Assuming we do not have a massive downpour on Sunday, I will make this too.

The Zed is telling you something !!! You should be keeping her !!! She will want to go to Wales next year and Scotland !!! As for stripping her - how rude !! :lol:

I do not even start to understand why anyone would do this. At what point do you just think- Oh wait I will just damage this car as I walk by ? !! Not exactly good parenting if these are the things that are taught.

In my Mk 11 16v Golf GTi - the first car I had where you could get the mpg read outs on the dash - after I bored myself with seeing the maximum fuel economy I could get, I then did this - so much more fun !!!

More seriously - I would recommend Graeme Glew as an Track Instructor. (He has taught many young inspiring race drivers), was also being recommended on Piston Heads too some time back. He has moved companies since I did loads of Track Days with him a few years back, I found him here. http://www.racemanagers.com/ Don't be put off by The Race Driver aspect of the site - he is very approachable and if no longer actually running the courses himself he will put you in touch with folk he would recommend. I know his son now does the same - but can't think of his name or the company - will try to hunt it down for you. Alternatively turn up at a Track for a Track Day and book their resident Instructor.

We can make Sunday's drive a start ?? !!! :lol: If you can keep up .........................!!! Running for cover !!

Definetely agree with the comments of live in the house for at least 6 months before you decorate or buy larger items of furniture if you can. Many ideas you initially have will change over this time as you come to realise what really is most important. For now, use sturdy boxes for side tables etc if you need them etc etc. Charity shops and Secondhand shops and Freecycle (on the Internet) are excellent for getting you through without major expense. Expect everything to cost more than you thought and sadly take longer too. Remember the finish on a job is only as good as the prep work you put into it. !! If you have a garden consider starting with that, you enjoy the summer/autumn now and so it is growing, while you think what to do in the house, it will also be more ready for next summer. Consider when ready, buying items in bulk, so all the kitchen appliances, bedroom furniture etc - gives you more buying power with pricing. Beds consider buying a mattress with a frame, means you always have the frame as a piece of furniture to sell if you get bored with it. Regarding colours inside the house - the colours that flow will make the house look better overal, whether walls, carpets, or other flooring etc. Exciting times, just remember to live as well !!!

I think the Civic Type R's have improved their looks massively over the years. Albeit they are not really my thing looks wise, I have done masses of Track Days in them, properly planted, very little roll and work extremely well when driven high on the Rev's. A good fun, reliable car. More power top end wouldn't go a miss though !!!

I am currently using Manhatten Motors in Coventry - so 25 minutes drive north of Banbury in Oxfordshire ! I did huge amounts of research in the area for a full restoration/respray on my VW Corrado, before deciding on these guys. They were not the cheapest, nor most expensive. I know others who have used them and are happy to also recommend them They have a huge range of vehicles in the Bodyshop - from Vintage, through Porsche and general accident repair vehicles.

Either of those you have already searched, or even both if you can. No amount of extra tuition, guidance is an issue and always helpful. Novice Days as suggested above I hear are good too. Skid Pan days can be quite good for gaining the experience and better understanding of over and understeer too. Then the Advanced Driving Test can be good for aiding driving techniques for the road and free, just the test to pay. All are excellent fun, so enjoy.

Either of those you have already searched, or even both if you can. No amount of extra tuition, guidance is an issue and always helpful. Novice Days as suggested above I hear are good too. Skid Pan days can be quite good for gaining the experience and better understanding of over and understeer too. Then the Advanced Driving Test can be good for aiding driving techniques for the road and free, just the test to pay. All are excellent fun, so enjoy.

Wow, some of the lengths you chaps have gone too. Plus the financial outlay required for it all. I am not knocking it, anything but. Quite sad though that these lengths are required in some areas to make your your car is safe. I remember one time my nephew coming to stay and I left the garage door open while working in the house, he was horrified and only 14 years old. He lived in Luton and said the garage would be emptied in minutes where they lived. I know its not an option for many due to a number of reasons, but think i would be wanting to move.

I don't think all birds are banned from Track Days !!! Anyone remember the Rabbit or Hare running along then across the Track at Silverstone during a F1 Race donkeys years ago ? !!

Wow, I also was not expecting that result. Well done you. Hope you are going to treat your cars to some new goodies with the extra cash.

I would agree with Dan, apart from really liking the looks and general drive when I bought my Zed, has taken 18 months or so, to grow to be In love with my 350. No way could I call it a boring car. I drove a Z4 and that gave no feed back or excitement to drive what so ever in my opinion and that was really one of my considerations when looking for another car. On the 350z. I had expected initially the interior to be a whole lot worse than it is. However there are not many that look really great. MGP - never owned cars that are much better, so not an isssue. Boot space - well aids me for sure not trying to take the kitchen sink everywhere !!!! None of these items make a car boring for me, just the look and drive does that.

Nothing worse than the bottom fall out of your world feeling when you think you car may be gone. Fortunately your deterrents worked along with your neighbours assistance. There was one time my neighbours came rushing out of the house onto my drive having heard my car start up, they were not aware I was at home and it was me. Good to know there response time is good !!! (Ex Coppers) !!

Best is, sounds like fun and that you enjoyed it.

Glad you had a good day Andrew and Ken I presume. Brilliant weather for you, good to hear the Beemer was handling better. Where next ? So hope I am free to join you.

I really feel for you. I would be really mad, let alone the costs of repairs to yourself. As others though - sadly I feel there is little that can be done that will assist the situation other than trying to park elsewhere and reporting it. If someone has the mentality to do this, they are not likely to be too reasonable. Think hard before approaching them

AMG 63 - has to be the one I reckon. M3 and RS4 both fantastic cars in their own rights, I feel the AMG is in a different league entirely though. Certainly less on the road too - always a good thing !! Mustang - Just No !!.......... Not in the UK

Sshhh !! Already been discussed just a few posts back

Ian - to keep the love of Zed's - You can take mine for a spin - if you promise to treat her nicely and drop off some cufflinks at the same time !!!!!!