Messages

I forgot to mention that our driver Jez Clark was out in the Max5 at Silverstone today. He came from 24th on the grid (dry practice) to win in the wet.

It seems that most are against the possible race at Snet, for reasons which I can well understand. However, if it is on, Team Fine print will probably be there.

Despite the wet, the wind and the cold - and that's just the engine - we all also enjoyed the race, just as much as ever. Thanks to Steve P and all the others who helped organise it - I do recall just how much hassle it can be.
We've got a bit bored with trailing round near the back for the past two races, so we are going to try just a bit harder for next year. Putting the exhaust and the inlet manifold gaskets on the right way round will be a good start !

Best wishes to all, Martin H

Paul Davey, who runs the Strenneth guest house, 10 mins from the circuit, has a 5 berth caravan to hire out for the w/e. Cost is £350, including delivery to and collection from the the paddock. Contact him at [email protected]

Accomodation near Snet
 For several years, some of us at Team Fine Print have stayed at the Strenneth Guest House. This is in a small village about 10 mins drive south of the circuit, through the charming village of Kenninghall.
 It is run by Paul Davey and his wife, and they have various types of accomodaton, from en-suite to bunk rooms at quite reasonable prices. His breakfasts are excellent and he does not charge for the unused room on the race night. He is an excellent host and has Buffy's ale on tap.
 Contact him at [email protected]
Martin H

Well, it can't make us any slower than last year, so we'll have one too.
Martin H, Team Fine Print

Nope -tell us more !

Is it me, or is there a potential problem out there with getting hold of the specified Michelin tyres for the 24 hr ?

I normally use a well established firm in the Midlands, Lodge Tyre, based in Birmingham. My friend Melvin there is the ony man I know who will take the trouble to balance my 2CV wheels. He and his colleagues know a lot about the tyre business.

I asked them for a quote for 6 of the specified tyres. He has come back to me saying that they are no longer in production, he can't get hold of any and in his words, they have 'gone vintage'. I checked a couple of vintage tyre sites and the prices are looking like £55 each. Now, that's a lot of money for just one race - albeit a nice long one.

Does anyone have any ideas on this ?

Happy New Year to all, Martin Harrold / Team Fine Print

Sorry, Pete - yes I did find a whole lot more. Many are all about the finer points of mounting - but, sadly in a picture framing sense. But, I can give you the address of a very interesting website in Russia and you can make your own interpretation of the words.  :twisted:

Sorry: all thumbs tonight. It should read: [email protected].

Hello all:

Yes, I'm still around but, sadly not racing again this year. Business is taking up more time than ever - and I should be thinking about retiring.  Team Fine Print does have drivers and cars all ready for the '06 24hr, so we are looking forward to that.

(If you own almost any Epson printer or all-in-one, Fine Print will have something simple and reliable and costing £80 or so which will reduce your ink costs by 90% in October. If that's interesting for you contact me at [email protected].)

In case it has not been written up anywhere, we had Wayne's 2CV on display at the BTCC meeting at Snet. 15,000 people came along and we had a lot of interest. My man Jez Clark was in the Porshe Cars with Team Autosport Porsche GT3. He enjoyed it, but, ahem, he had a little trouble with the gearchange, and fried he clutch three times. Whoops.

I've been having a big sort-out of accumulated stuff in my office. I've found three copies of the video of the 2003 24hr. One I'll send to ATB for his club archive. The othe two, I'm happy to send out FOC to the first two to ask. All I need is your mailing address. Send it to [email protected]

Ive been following the discussion over race formats for '06. I share Steve P's view that when he and I came in, the grids were spilling over and we had to qualify. That helped us all get our licences for the Spa 2hrs. And what a race that was ! Yep - I still recall going flat through Eau Rouge. That was an exciting season, if a trifle expensive with Zolder thrown in.

Maybe more excitement and variety is what is needed. And - what about some kind of weight handicap system - I'm sure Pete would not mind winning every race. The weird system used in BTCC seems to make thse races exciting - although, thinking about it, they only get 14 cars on the grid - so maybe that is not such a good idea. But I think money is the big issue there. But, then again, I think that James Tucker is hoping to fill all 80 grid slots for his 24hr race at Silvers - and some of the teams are spending serious money there.

It's true that the MX5 grids are full to overflowing. Simple cars, possibly no more expensive to run than 2CV's and with much less 'black art' involved in the engine building and chassis set-up. And lots of sticker space.

Best wishes, to all. Martin H

I guess this query is for Paul or Phil:

I see that the regs show that the garages are for 2CV's. Will the tarmac area behind the garages be roped off to stop other cars and support vehicles creeping on ? Other racers may not appreciate just how much space all our motorhomes and stuff take up.

Martin H  :roll:

Chris.

You may well be right about the 'F' connector. But, my vague re-collection from last year is that the connection boxes take a normal co-ax connector.

Problem apparently is that some other selfish occupiers of the garages during the season rip the boxes open, making things difficult for other users.

Martin H

OK - thanks. MH

Last year, plumbed-in fire extinguishers were optional. Are they compulsory this year ? :roll: [/b]