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Moved to Somerset eight months ago. WW2 veteran in next village liked my books but died recently before I could interview him. But met his daughter last week. Mentioned 2CV racing, an interest shared with her brother: Jon Davis who recalled a old codger who did same. What are the chances, as they say?

I'm looking to run in the 24 Hours next year, twenty years after the last outing at Mondello. I've maintained a National A but can beginners (mature ones, that is) be entered, with which licences, or do they have to undergo some sort of circuit training first?

Yay, so Brands is back in April. Little yay, I've moved to Somerset, closer to the missing Pembrey, but great news nonetheless. Lydden 2016?

You may remember PJ's racer. Hasn't been out for a couple of seasons. Somewhat battered after an off at Oulton but re-fettled. If anyone's interested I can put you in touch.

So much for tradition. No doubt it works better in black & white. But a cherished link with the Brooklands heritage disappears, replaced by a dud image linked to that so-now word 'passion' plus a few other ps. ' We developed a brand promise for all other stakeholders,' says the designer in the Spring mag. God help us...

That's it I think, the end of my 2CV racing career! Nothing further south than Pembrey & none of the old favourites: Silverstone, Brands and Mallory, though the last might be dead and gone anyway. Pity there can't be more of a geographical spread but no doubt it's all down to money. Anyway thanks to the Club for some wonderful (if off-and-on) racing 1996-2013. It was fun, as they say, while it lasted.

Very civilised timetable: sign on 10.10-10.25, scrutineering 10.25-11.25, qualifying 11.40-12.05, race 14.40...

House-move prompts clear out. Have old style steel steering wheel, grey, Azam etc? Plus repro old-style grill. Free to whoever collects near Rye, Sussex. 01797 230468 or email [email protected]

Message for Maria re.copyright of your pix of my shunt at Silverstone. BBC South East News want to do a small item on my racing/writing activities. They'd like to include a selection from the sequence of the roll at Brooklands corner. I can probably get you a credit but do you require more than that? Can be contacted on [email protected] or 01797 230468,
Cheers,
Frank

Do you fancy an on-board lap round the Le Mans circuit with Mike Hawthorn in 1956, complete with normal road traffic including cyclists and pedestrians? Wonderfully refreshing stuff in this age of health-and-safety, with no speed limits in force, no armco, just a few straw bales in place and damned dangerous all the way. And this a year after Pierre Levegh's Mercedes flew into the grandstand killing hundreds, mentioned by Hawthorn almost  in passing without any referennce to his own part in the catastrophe. Another world, then, which I witnessed as a young reporter, in which drivers, when they got it wrong, tended not to walk away with a stiff neck as they often do today. Of course Hawthorn was a survivor of that era himself, retiring as Formula One World Champion, only to be killed in 1959 at the wheel of a Jaguar on the Hog's Back near Guildford. But it's interesting to hear his voice spanning fifty-plus years and sounding like it was yesterday.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk2irKVQB41

Thanks to a change in circumstances I'm offering for sale a 425cc (original engine) Paris-built Azam I've only just bought. It's in exceptional condition mechanically and bodily. It did a little light competition work last year, coming third in class in the Liege-Brescia-Liege microcar rally, and although it performed faultlessly the engine was completely rebuilt by professionals including adapting it to take unleaded fuel. These models are increasingly valuable & this example would be a great opportunity for further development to concours standard. Offers on £2,995 via this site or to [email protected]. I've got good photos, including an action shot on the rally, but can't work out how to attach them,
Frank Barnard 8/9/2009

Just got Aubrey's e.mail saying entries for the above should go to Steve Panas, not the BARC. WHAT?! Has anyone noted today's date? We've been asking for weeks how to accomplish this usually simple process. I for one thought I had finally understood how to do it & submitted my entry for both races to Nicola at the BARC, taking care to explain the added complication that I've taken over Nick Roads entry and will be driving a Hollis Motorsports car. I spoke to her on a number of occasions, to obtain clarification, and at no time did she mention Mr Panas as the man to contact. And now, SIX WORKING DAYS before the event we're informed the whole thing has apparently got to done all over again, another way. Or was it in the small print all the time? Like the changes to the regs? Come on, this is getting a little tedious. I cancelled a drive at Mallory in 2007 (although I was there) surrendering my rentadrive fee in protest at the AGM debacle. Are all racing clubs like this, or is it just the 2CVs? Maybe it's my age, but I feel my patience wearing thin...

I'm buying Nick Roads' entry for Silverstone, driving one of the Hollis Motorsport cars. Nick is about to pay the up-front entry fee for the season as he'll be doing all the other counters. Can someone advise if he should, at this stage, mention that FB will be driving at Silverstone or is it okay to leave this until the submission of an entry form for this particular meeting? I only ask because the BARC appears to be acting a touch pedantic at present...

I 'phoned Nicola @ the BARC re.the above, as last year was a bit of a scramble. She says there are unresolved issues that need to be sorted out. Do they relate to timing & venues, do we know?

At this early stage, does anyone anticipate having a Silverstone entry (both races) up for grabs?

It may be heresy to talk of another marque but a neighbour has a Mark 1 Toyota MR2 about to be scrapped. It was roadworthy eighteen months ago. Engine and box are good, the interior ditto, the bodywork suspect. Is anyone interested in rescuing it for restoration or spares? Alternatively, it could be prepped for the MR2 race series, in which case I'd put some money in. Could fill the gaps between the 2CV dates. Can be viewed near Rye, Sussex.

I know Paul has already initiated a discussion on this subject but the trail is so long that I guessed any further comments might be lost.
First, it seems a pity not to mark this in some way and, if it isn't, could be seen as a lost opportunity to promote and strengthen the Club. The first step, I'd suggest, is to ask why bother? What would be gained? Attract more members? Boost funds? Invest in the future health of 2CV racing? Secure better track options by raising awareness and understanding amongst circuit owners and organising clubs? Build on the popularity of 2CV events with the public? Just a few possibilities and I'm sure there are many more to be identified.
If, then, objectives could be agreed a plan, even a relatively modest one, could be devised to attain them. Someone proposed involvement in blue chip classic meetings. A great vision but perhaps a pipe-dream. Others have suggested a commemorative illustrated book of some sort, or merchandise such a t-shirts and caps.
My own idea (I can hear the loading of ammunition now) is to link a special 'display, with the 24-Hours at Snetterton; perhaps negotiate with the circuit to allow, say, half a day to be devoted to track rides, for public and press (print, radio & TV), and also celebrities who might be tempted to drive in the event itself. The value of this would be that all the cars are there & one assumes available. The track time would not be so significant as to affect preparation or mechnical health. It would, most of all, be fun and colourful and focus even more attention of the 24-Hours itself. All this assuming, of course, that the Club would clearly understand why it was doing it!
Just a thought anyway because, like everyone, I've got a lot out of this form of racing over the years (yes, even coming coming last at Mallory) & would like to see it continue for many years to come. Maybe even twenty...

Can someone advise please on how to order prints of the excellent Maria Cooke shots?

I'm looking for a drive at Mallory, preferably for both races. Doesn't need to be a front-runner, midfield or even further back would be fine as long as it's reasonably reliable...

Still a resounding silence about the supply of the above, ahead of Silverstone. Could whoever is designated to carry out this task please respond & put me (and I think a number of others) in the picture? My completed renewal application was despatched pretty promptly back in February(or was it January?) and I find the delay inexplicable. There ain't that many members & time has been found to cash the dosh! Twitchy? Maybe. But candidly, I don't take anything for granted after the Mallory fiasco...