2024 Rendezvous

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

Went to see the Audi vs Lancia film yesterday & thought it rather good. Yes, there is some dramatisation but guess that is inevitable in a non-documentary film. The driving scenes alone were spectacular & reminded one of just how brutal those cars. The testing scenes of a couple of 037 prototypes at Balocco (I think) were almost worth the 8 euros entry alone. There was one very questionable scene on one rally but I won't spoil it for others.

I think Henin-Beaumont must be a bit short of rally fans on a Tuesday afternoon as I was the only one in the cinema!

Next week they are showing 'Une Vie' (A Life) which I must see, so as one who normally goes to a cinema about once every 10 years I shall go two weeks running.

John, I managed to watch the film on-line (via a slightly dodgy looking but apparently above-board streaming service) and agree with your comments completely. They were interesting days and due to the dramatisation I did need a few large pinches of salt, but as you say some of the (hopefully) genuine archive footage was fascinating (I do like to see behind the scenes type stuff). I highly recommend watching the film too.

[E.B]

Ditto the above given the salt required for some of the dramatisations. Overall it was certainly good and worth downloading as I managed to do. I thought Riccardo Scamarcio's playing of Cesare Fiorio, Lancia Team Principal was excellent.

[midgetman]

Sorry to intrude, more Bromham Babblings.

The "Flood" sign outside Lake Titibrombrom got damaged in the storm. We have a new one! Relocated to higher ground so it is easier to see!

Unfortunately they drained the lake two days beforehand.

So good to see someone confident in their work.


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[Lancsbreaker]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

How many of the panel have had problems with trying to use DVLA lately ?

I've had a lot of instances when trying to do checks online of getting messages that the site was unavailable - "Secure Connection failed" - but whether this is a Gov.uk or DVLA issue I don't know. Just had to tax a car I'd bought from salvage (so no V5c or green slip) and had to apply for the V5 and try to tax it - happily my local Post Office said they'd try to process my forms and did so. When I'll get the V5 is anybody's guess........

[Lancsbreaker]

Just posted in the Tributes forum about the news of Tony Sugden's passing. Having become frailer of recent times he was latterly very poorly but went peacefully, I understand.


Having started racing on motorbikes, he changed after 10 years or so to four wheels, and his career included some 34 years in Special Saloons - with cars as memorable as a Daf V8 and the Chevron-based Skoda, racing against contemporaries such as Dave Brodie and Gerry Marshall.



I shared a Safety Car with him a few years ago and he was a great companion, and his driving belied his being in his late 80s.



RIP, Sugs.

[Peter Mallett]

Great shame, RIP Tony.

[John Elwin]

There is a DAF Coupe lurking in the undergrowth outside a house I pass quite regularly. It looks quite up-together too, although you never know.

I always thought the Coupe was quite a pretty little car but assumed it was not terribly exciting to drive. With a V8 however...

[Peter Mallett]

Here's a pic from the Pom for Lancsbreaker:

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Here's a pic from the Pom for Lancsbreaker:

And me! That is just perfect., thank you Peter.

[rbs]

Here is the very same Alfa Zagato at Silverstone in 1955 when owned and raced by J Bonnier.

[Peter Mallett]

Good bit of history there, thank you.

[MGDavid]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

How many of the panel have had problems with trying to use DVLA lately ? .....:

The cynic in me says it's all part of the global anti-motorist green/eco/net zero agenda. Someone somewhere wants us all riding bicycles or walking.

[midgetman]

Nope no problem with DVLA here. SORN, taxing cars, buying cars, all done speedily online.

I suspect that any problems are cock up more than conspiracy, results of employing fewer staff ever more cheaply - paying peanuts to get monkeys. And not very many of them either. "Save money by offering a lower standard of service" seems to be the mantra of both the public and private sector these days.

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[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by midgetman

Nope no problem with DVLA here. SORN, taxing cars, buying cars, all done speedily online.

I suspect that any problems are cock up more than conspiracy, results of employing fewer staff ever more cheaply - paying peanuts to get monkeys. And not very many of them either. "Save money by offering a lower standard of service" seems to be the mantra of both the public and private sector these days.

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You know that this is what I thought too, Max. However, we are partially right and partially wrong.

It was only recently that since 2010, the civil service numbers have actually hugely increased. This has happened, though, at the expense of experienced higher levels, even the top level, of civil servants and employing junior members who have no idea what they are doing without proper supervision by knowledgeable people.

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by midgetman

Nope no problem with DVLA here. SORN, taxing cars, buying cars, all done speedily online.

I suspect that any problems are cock up more than conspiracy, results of employing fewer staff ever more cheaply - paying peanuts to get monkeys. And not very many of them either. "Save money by offering a lower standard of service" seems to be the mantra of both the public and private sector these days.

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Absolutely, my problem was trying to speak to an actual person ! I tried for a couple of days and failed, the ring back service is just a joke that simply doesn't work even leaving it for an hour, even if it worked the chances are that I probably wouldn't be able to understand them anyway ! but I won't go there Meanwhile i'll pop back into my cave

[Paul D]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

You know that this is what I thought too, Max. However, we are partially right and partially wrong.

It was only recently that since 2010, the civil service numbers have actually hugely increased. This has happened, though, at the expense of experienced higher levels, even the top level, of civil servants and employing junior members who have no idea what they are doing without proper supervision by knowledgeable people.

I think you've nailed it there Mike. I have several younger relatives who've entered the Civil Service in recent times, all of them inexperienced in their roles. And all of them report that all the experienced, knowledgeable (read higher paid!) staff have gone, to be replaced by inexperienced, ill-equipped (cheaper!) younger employees. They also claim, unanimously, that they've had insufficient training to do their jobs effectively!

So what chance have we got when dealing with any body staffed by such people?

[midgetman]

"Avon" race tyres to return? (Note the company name is a puzzle worthy of a Bauble)

https://novamotorsport.com/?fbclid=I...9TzmjTqjs#next

[Lancsbreaker]

Originally Posted by rbs

Here is the very same Alfa Zagato at Silverstone in 1955 when owned and raced by J Bonnier.

Attachment 79317

Thanks, Peter and RBS Its a bonny car (no pun intended.....)


on the subject of government efficiency: Applied for our replacement passports online on Friday 9 Feb....and milady got her new one last Friday (16th) with mine arriving the next day. Both with texts advising us of progress through the week. Can't realistically ask for better than that.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Paul D

I think you've nailed it there Mike. I have several younger relatives who've entered the Civil Service in recent times, all of them inexperienced in their roles. And all of them report that all the experienced, knowledgeable (read higher paid!) staff have gone, to be replaced by inexperienced, ill-equipped (cheaper!) younger employees. They also claim, unanimously, that they've had insufficient training to do their jobs effectively!

So what chance have we got when dealing with any body staffed by such people?

Thank you, Paul. I do actually have a source with his ear to the ground concerning the civil service; my son, who worked there 30 years ago, but left because he didn't feel truly appreciated. However, like he has all his life, kept in touch with friends that he made there. And they have told him a lot about the mess that the service is now.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by midgetman

"Avon" race tyres to return? (Note the company name is a puzzle worthy of a Bauble)

https://novamotorsport.com/?fbclid=I...9TzmjTqjs#next

Would be a good news. Seems they try to test interest in sizes and series coming from competitors, importers and dealers ATM. To revolutionise the world of competition tyres sounds an ambitious programme.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by midgetman

"Avon" race tyres to return? (Note the company name is a puzzle worthy of a Bauble)

https://novamotorsport.com/?fbclid=I...9TzmjTqjs#next

Nova has bought the moulds and will be making them somewhere abroad.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Nova has bought the moulds and will be making them somewhere abroad.

So much for their "British heritage" as stated on their glitzy website!

[midgetman]

Mike it's exactly that. "British Heritage" not "British Made." What is "Heritage"? A nice nebulous word making us think of Cotswold stone and craftsmanship.

I doubt there's anywhere in Britain that can make tyres now and there won't be a big enough market to set up a new factory. It's Buggin's Choice.

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[Paul D]

Two questions that spring immediately to mind re the Avon/Nova debate:

Will the price go up?

Will the quality go down?

Be a shame if that was to prove so, but I guess we just have to wait and see...

[midgetman]

Of course it will is the answer to either or both questions

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