Yeah, I was quite into touring cars a while ago when manufacturers like Ford, Volvo, BMW, Peugeot, Alfa etc all had works teams rather than just what, Honda, Vauxhall and Seat these days? I see old favourites like Plato and Thompson are still knocking around and its always good to see some of the up and coming youngsters. Its far better racing action than you'd ever get in F1 too. I've never been to the Festival of Speed before. Its one of those things I keep meaning to do but its often been the same weekend as Glastonbury so that's always taken precedence. I couldn't get Glasto tickets this year so thought I'd give the Festival of Speed a go instead.

I was at the motorshow last year, the Tracey Island Ford set was a bit much, although it was my first glimpse of the ST and I fell in love with it there and then (well, I fell in love with the RS but when they announced they weren't gonna make it I switched my attention to the ST lol). Me and a few mates normally go as one of them works for Mini so we can get hospitality passes and stuff.

blag us a spare hospitality pass lol

yeh, i like chilton, (honda civic type r), he's got a lot of potential, Plato's doin ok this year but not had a win yet - Dan Eaves and Matt Neal have been rather stealing the victories - that integra goes like a rocketship..

The hospitality passes are worthwhile, although it only really granted access to the Mini (Owners) area. We did get backstage on their stunt show though, and met the legend that is Russ Swift. You can normally blag some sort of pass from most manufacturers, tbh, particularly if you own one of their cars. My dad used to always get them from Mazda in the first few years that he owned his MX5. Its cool, because it saves paying a fiver for a burger and Coke at one of the stalls!

Chilton is the guy with Lego Star Wars sponsorship isn't he? His Type-R is cool. I think the BTCC is building up for a comeback, the coverage on terrestrial TV is getting better each year and the spectator attendance at Thruxton was certainly better than in recent years (although that was probably more to do with the weather). Its about time though, it makes for entertaining viewing and is certainly far more "real world" than F1 is ever gonna be. I'm also determined to go to some of the WRC stages when it comes to the UK later on in the year. That's something else I've never been to.

Yeh lego boy.. that him! Ifhe gets a good start, he flies! the coverage on tv is getting better, the motors tv coverage is pants though, but itv cover SOME of the races. I def noticed more people at race meets this year than last year - and yeh its much better than F1, you're almost always guaranteed a smash! - in fact - at Thruxton I was standing right by the barrier where Gavin Smith (astra) spun on race three and he came carerring right at the barrier and me (i started to move to the side as he was coming at the barrier - not that itd go thru but...)

Yeh id love to go to the gb rally in wales. gf isnt keen though - she'd complain about the cold and waiting about! none of my mates really like the rallying for some reason, i guess its sort of acquired taste - and you do hve to wait about alot. when are the stages set for this year? is it sept time??

I have beeen to the GB rally in wales, Ive got some pictures somewhere. I loved it, I had never been to a proper rally before this and it was just out of this world really, totally loved it, I just couldnt get over how high the car went off the road *hehe* It was freezing, but plenty of layers did the jobby, There is abit of waiting around, but every once in a while a rally car will come wizzing past,I only went up for the day. Saw the day and night stages.

cool, yeh, must arrange to go this year.. do you know when it is?

Its the 15th to 18th of September this year

cool, ill be able to go, before going back to college!
u guys (scotty n u) goin? or was last yr a one off?
whats it like finding the various stages, is it well signed up and stuff?

Yeh its all done really well..All the stages are annonced over tannoy and are listed on nearly every tree or post possible!
It was a few years back when i went..I'll try and find the photos and some videos!
I went with my brother last but if i could sweet talk Scotty then maybe we'd be up for it this year! I feel abit of a Meet coming on

as long as its posted well! i dont wanna get lost in wales ha ha.
Yeh, I dont reckon I'll have my ST by then but it can be one of my last trips out in the Puma!

we should see if anyone else is going then all meet up. Parksey was threatening to go this year so..

It could be worked to be a good meet..I know Scott is moving to portsmouth in late September, but im not sure on the dates!
If not then i'll be going up with my bro again

Well if Scotty is going to be in Portsmouth, thats only an hour from me, so we could meet up from there or something?
Where u liev again? - oh - derby..

yeh well Parksey is sort of local to me also so could be a convoy (if he's going too that is)

Derby Derby But from september i'll be swanning all over the country
I'll sweet talk Scotty on his Dinner break
If we can get a few interested it could be really good

cos in september.... you pass ur test or?

yeh cool, let us know.

c ya later

Maybe abit after September with my test, but mainly cus I'll be visiting Scott in Pomepy.
Have a guuuud day