2024 Rendezvous

[Tel 911S]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

It might still feel like mid-winter here but the swifts have jetted in this morning amidst a cacophony of twittering.

If they've got any sense they'll turn round & go straight back to Africa, not the least because as it is so cold there are no flies buzzing around for them to eat!

Well , that is a funny thing because " Er Indoors " said this morning that there was a lot of flies etc flying around outside . So someone must have sent the Swallows/ Swifts a text saying its time to come .

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Tel 911S

Well , that is a funny thing because " Er Indoors " said this morning that there was a lot of flies etc flying around outside . So someone must have sent the Swallows/ Swifts a text saying its time to come .

I've got cows close by, which normally brings out the little perishers, but not so far!

[Lancsbreaker]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

Condolences from me too Peter. I can smile about it now but after losing my mum I was going through the process of closing her accounts and so on. When I spoke to British Gas, even though I explained the reason for my call, they still insisted that I couldn't close the account myself and they would have to speak to the account holder!

I remember a similar thing with at least one organisation when I was sorting out my Dad's accounts after his death, years ago. It was blatantly obvious that they were just following a script which had no option for "account holder is dead". At the time it upset and enraged me, and I may have spoken harshly to the apparatchik on the other end of the line......


And of course, my condolences too, Peter.

[bauble]

Just seen your sad news, Peter, I hope Mum had reached a ripe old age, I will pray for you both.

Kind regards,

Bob.

[Peter Mallett]

Thanks to everyone for your kind thoughts. She passed on Monday evening, after a long illness, so it was probably for the best. She made it to 90 years; not a bad race even if the last few laps were difficult.

[Lancsbreaker]

Had somewhat mixed feelings this week as it was announced in the Times that 74 is now the age at which one is regarded as "old" - much later than was the case when I was a lad, of course - and it means that I'm not "old"....at least for almost another 5 months...........


Then today it was stated that as IQ has been increasing steadily over the last decades, although apparently the rate of increase has reduced lately for the younger generations. Whether this is because of the reliance on the ubiquitous smartphones, I couldn't possibly comment


Anyway, off to Oulton tomorrow, where Paul D of this parish has apparently achieved a late entry - because a lot of CSCC regulars are at Spa, a few of the races are a little undersubscribed - although Swinging Sixties is full with reserves.......... Fingers crossed it'll stay dry.

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

Had somewhat mixed feelings this week as it was announced in the Times that 74 is now the age at which one is regarded as "old" - much later than was the case when I was a lad, of course - and it means that I'm not "old"....at least for almost another 5 months...........


Then today it was stated that as IQ has been increasing steadily over the last decades, although apparently the rate of increase has reduced lately for the younger generations. Whether this is because of the reliance on the ubiquitous smartphones, I couldn't possibly comment


Anyway, off to Oulton tomorrow, where Paul D of this parish has apparently achieved a late entry - because a lot of CSCC regulars are at Spa, a few of the races are a little undersubscribed - although Swinging Sixties is full with reserves.......... Fingers crossed it'll stay dry.

Have fun whilst you still can, Richard!

I'm not that far behind you but don't feel old yet - or at least I didn't until another customer stepped forward to pick something up for me in the supermarket the other day!

[delta]

That’s good then , I’m still young for another couple of years . Me and MG. Dave are out at Spa. 3 Hour race but I’m in MGB and David in Gilbert . Bit overcast here but OK.

[Tel 911S]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

Have fun whilst you still can, Richard!

I'm not that far behind you but don't feel old yet - or at least I didn't until another customer stepped forward to pick something up for me in the supermarket the other day!

We are all living on borrowed time .
Although the media will not say much about it , life expectancy in the UK has fallen by a lot since the Pandemic . It used to be 86 years for males , but is now 78 years .
So get out there and have fun , its later than you think .

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by delta

Me and MG. Dave are out at Spa. 3 Hour race but I’m in MGB and David in Gilbert

May be you'll see MartinH and friends there, many grids for NL competitors. Given the 3 H race schedule, you wont have much time between Q and the race itself.

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Tel 911S

We are all living on borrowed time .
Although the media will not say much about it , life expectancy in the UK has fallen by a lot since the Pandemic . It used to be 86 years for males , but is now 78 years .
So get out there and have fun , its later than you think .

Ah, but I live in Northern France where most people seem to live into their 90's.

My partner's father is 93, lives alone since being widowed six years ago, learned to cook at 86, does his garden, drives his car most days, rarely needs glasses. He'll outlive us all!

[bauble]

Originally Posted by Tel 911S

We are all living on borrowed time .
Although the media will not say much about it , life expectancy in the UK has fallen by a lot since the Pandemic . It used to be 86 years for males , but is now 78 years .
So get out there and have fun , its later than you think .

I have reached that 86 figure, and only feel old on some days, mostly I wonder why I don't feel older, after all I have every excuse.

[Peter Mallett]

Iain has sent me a photo to post. I'm somewhat busy today but will try to post it tomorrow.

[Gerard C]

Second Red Flag of the 30' session… Its seems no other MG can outperform M Lambert and his B (3'13"5!), I feel MG David had some issues (several 3'31"), my blokes missed the gap to send the best driver on track because the session will not restart (had barely two laps to go). Hope the two drivers of each car can drive tomorrow.

[Lancsbreaker]

Mr Hammond of Top Gear and the Grand Tour fame was at the CSCC meet at Oulton today, with his Smallest Cog MGB in Swinging Sixties - but this time instead of Abi Eaton sharing the car with Anthony Greenhouse as has been the case so far, Richard stepped in in her place.



His times in qualy weren't too bad, although they claimed 35th place, with Hammond getting the second fastest of their best 3 laps.


In the race they came 20th out of 30 finishers (38 starters) with conditions getting slightly tricky as a light shower played with drivers nerves....Hammond's times in the race were mainly quicker than his qualy times, and pretty consistent, but Greenhouse was generally quicker, with a string of significantly quicker laps to finish the session.


Inevitably there was a lot of media attention (They had been given a spot immediately outside race control ) with cameras filming presumably for the Smallest Cog or Drivetribe Youtube channels, and other accredited media bibs much in evidence, as well as lots of selfies. From what I saw all the team coped well with the attention, with Hammond posing for selfies and signing autographs, but it must be very distracting having all that attention.

[MartinH]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

May be you'll see MartinH and friends there, many grids for NL competitors. Given the 3 H race schedule, you wont have much time between Q and the race itself.

My guys are there & did a good job in the ‘81 qualifying session plus another good session for the 3hr qualifying with an Elan.

I’m laid up at home with severe knee problems, but keeping an eye on them via the live timing.

Bit of a shocker for my former racing co-driver in elan # 13 in the 3hrs qualifying. They were sitting pretty in 6th overall, but lost their (only) quick lap due to crossing the pit exit white line so now will start around 36th !! Bit of a harsh penalty, that one imho.

Martin

[Gerard C]

Hi Martin! Sorry for your knee problems (were are Sunday…).

The track limit thing at Spa can be tricky and the marshalling in the pits too. What I saw myself is they don't have enough competent poeple, at least in the pits. Each time I went there, I had to discuss in a closed room and lost one lap… On track, depending on the post and chief of post, its sometimes hard to understand how to avoid a penalty. All in all, a good meeting, schedule apart.
Because radios are forbidden we feel there's no real strategy to adopt, drive well and fast till the 70' limit. It's been hard to adapt the suspension settings to Avon's requirements… I'll follow from my computer too.

[Gerard C]

Tenthers at Spa SC after Q: A Newall 8th, MartinH friends 37th, Fast Lambert 48th, GilbertDave 57th, my blokes #56 12th.

[delta]

Clark of the Course spoke about crossing the white line . I’m not supprised about penalty . Brian told me to get in the car after 1st Red Flag . First flying lap and that pesky Gilbern got in my way . Good job I love MG David . Then second lap was going so well but got passed by Mustang on entry to Blanchemant and of corse he hit the brakes and messed up my lap . Pitted and let Brian do the rest . Car feels good . Spoke to MG David and they had the panard rod pull out . Not seen them this morning to find out if it’s fixed . Nice blue sky so perhaps this is the Spa Summer Classic ?

[Gerard C]

You should check the front grill of your MG, Iain. May be you'll find GilbertDave Panhard rod… Who knows! In the meanwhile we're talking about strategy by phone. No secret found so far: flat out whatever it takes and see who's first at the check flag.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by delta

Clark of the Course spoke about crossing the white line . I’m not supprised about penalty . Brian told me to get in the car after 1st Red Flag . First flying lap and that pesky Gilbern got in my way . Good job I love MG David . Then second lap was going so well but got passed by Mustang on entry to Blanchemant and of corse he hit the brakes and messed up my lap . Pitted and let Brian do the rest . Car feels good . Spoke to MG David and they had the panard rod pull out . Not seen them this morning to find out if it’s fixed . Nice blue sky so perhaps this is the Spa Summer Classic ?

Gawd, I remember when a Martini Porsche overtook me into Blanchiment, then immediately slammed its brakes on. Resulted in me spinning my Capri.

[Peter Mallett]

As promised yesterday, Delta sent this pic of the team.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Gawd, I remember when a Martini Porsche overtook me into Blanchiment, then immediately slammed its brakes on. Resulted in me spinning my Capri.

Exactly same experience but I thought I had a good lap so promptly aovertook from outisde in the wet grass. Which was not appreciated by the marshalls…

Nice picture, bend heads give an idea of the slope in the old pits straight.

[Gerard C]

Ooops, two pit stops for the B, one SC and now stopped on track?

[Gerard C]

Back on track but 12 laps have been lost. How are your friends, Martin?