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Well it happened - I raced my electric Westfield in a proper, MSA approved, sprint race. Although other electric cars have appeared at various race events, I think that this might have been the first time in the UK that an electric car has officially competed in an approved series. It's thank's to the WSCC that I've been able to do this. The car is one of seven cars developed 3 years ago. It has a 120KW motor (that's about 130bhp at the wheels), one gear and weighs 900Kg !!! The motor generates about 300 ft lb from zero speed - even so, being geared to do 115mph with no gearbox means she's slow of the line. Power rises from zero to 120KW at 50mph - after that is a constant 120KW up to 110mph. Without a power band as such and no gear changing means the power sensation is more like thrust. Although not fast by Westfield standards, the car was still faster than some of the other cars - not a bad start particularly as both me and the car had never been on the track before. So, now I have to sort out the suspension (too soft), put the car on a diet, boost the power and find some talent - normal racing problems I guess. Cheers John

Happy St Georges day to all Englishmen

Others have much more experience than me but this is broadly the advice I got and follow: Give the car a good look over during the week before - check fluids, that everything is torqued up, brake discs/pads, tyres and all okay plus pressures and wheel bolts torqued. Remember your driving licence, helmet, boots etc and refuel (but don't overfill) before you get there. Take a basic tool kit, plenty of fuel - 20 ltrs, duck tape, WD40, torque wrench for wheels, pressure gauge, pump and some spares (fuses, oil, front brake pads, exhaust bobbin, throttle cable etc) - the atmosphere in the pits is generally friendly and other will help out if you don't have something. Worth taking an umbrella and fold up seat if you have the space. Ideally go with a group and agree who's taking what from a tools, awning, spares perspective Get there well in time, listen to the safety brief and do the sighting laps. Work your way into, it a warm up lap followed by 6-8 fast laps and a cool down lap then come in and reflect on what went well and what you need to focus on. Check the car over - fluids, pressures, brakes and wheel nut torque etc. Repeat as often as you can but take time to chat to others, possibly go for a ride with more experienced drivers to see their lines/gears/speed through corners etc. Get some tuition perhaps 2 x 20 mins mid morning and mid afternoon. Last of all enjoy yourself and stop when you're getting tired, don't over do it in the last hour - especially if you have to drive home.

Was the error a misplaced elbow?

Got to be honest, I've just spoken to them about insurance for the westfield, very very helpful and freindly guy on the end of the phone, who knew about cars too, not just some mindless loon following a script in a call centre. Think my age / postcode / current car helped, but just over 150 quid a year, with commuting and the missus on the insurance too. Limited to 5000 miles, but the car is a 2001 that's only done 10K so far, so I'm sure it'll be under that!!! Very very please - also discussed a sensible 3rd car and what can be done with NCB. Annoyingly, very very reasonable folks who understand what I'm trying to do and work with, rather than against you!!! 10/10. Can't fault. Fingers crossed I never have to claim

I'm there for the whole weekend. If you come find me on the snack bar when you arrive on Monday I shall make you a warming brew I'm leaving the Westfield at home this year and taking the tin top instead so if any Essex members are looking to buy something that they may not be able to get home come find me and I'll see if I can help you out.

We try hard! It's true, there is a mind boggling array of variations as everyone personalise their car and tweaks it to their needs. Try not to let it overwhelm you though; there will be cars out there perfect for you, the key thing is to find your way through the big differences, and not stress to much about the small ones. The best way to do this is to experience plenty of cars. Normally monthly Area meets are the best way to do this, as you get to see the cars, chat to the owners and blag pax rides! Nothing compares to Stoneleigh though, for the shear amount of variety. Both amongst the Westfields and the owners - or to be precise, what the owners want from their cars. Whether it's hard core track cars, fast cruisers or something to enjoy quietly on a Sunday, after a thorough clean and polish on the Saturday. Never was a truer thing said. The hardest part is stopping us, once you've got us going!

^^^ This ^^^ Probably harder to get us to shut up!

I thought my 111S (160 bhp) K series Elise was fantastic. Just the right power to push to the limit with getting silly. Comfortable and covered the miles effortlessly. I understand what the OP is saying and he's right to ask opinions here. For what it's worth I would advise he keeps it through the summer and get some nice warm mileage out of it. If, after that, he still not "getting" it change to something else.

You need to just pitch in and ask questions. TBH a Westy owner likes nothing better than talking about his car. There is no such thing as a stupid question - only a stupid answer.

Thank you Scott. It should be the best place to get a feel of what would be right for me. The more I look the more confused I get ! I've been reading the forum for the last six months and would say it is a great resource and a very friendly club.

having had a total loss on my westfield and having had to claim through my policy with A-plan, they were more than helpful and filled in the gaps and followed up any issue that Liverpool Victoria were not clear on. so top service. From A plan As always i had the odd issue with LV not understanding what a westfield is and what it looks like at call centre level at the start of the process but as soon as I got past the guys and girls on the LV phone desks and got through to the correct department they quickly agreed to pay for the transportation back to the factory rather than the local tin top body shop. From then on in things progressed smoothly, it took a couple of weeks until A specialist insurance assessor could get down to the westfield factory to carry out a independent assessment of the damaged and confirm what Mark had already told me. The assessor was helpful and came across as a enthusiast of anything petrol powered with a good knowledge of seven type cars and I am pleased to Say he agreed with my sensible valuation from his agreement it was only a couple of days until I was paid out. During the process of the claim i had follow up calls from the A-Plan Thatcham office just to check I was ok and that things were progressing to my satisfaction, any issues I had they quickly followed up with LV . My impression is that the underwriters and their call centres are just script readers but that the guys and girls at A plan do have a real knowledge of specialist cars and offer a very proficient service hope this helps Alan

My Westfield is my only car, so it can be weeks on end between me driving anything else. I get used to Mr Toad and it is quite a shock to be reminded just how much better the safe cornering speed and acceleration are compared with a typical tin top. I take the approach that GadgetMan and others here have described. On roundabouts and other potential danger spots, if there are other vehicles about I'll back off to something like the speed that other drivers expect a car to negotiate it. From push biking experience I'll try and make eye contact with drivers that may pull out. So far so good, but I am also very glad that a Westfield can brake in a much shorter distance than most tin tops as well . I think driving modern tin tops give you an illusion on invulnerability. They are so quiet inside that what is going on outside doesn't seem real. The unengaging drive means it is to easy for you mind to wander. In a Westfield you have to concentrate all the time. I know that if I am in a crash it is going to hurt. I save engaging warp drive for when there are no other vehicles around and it is safe. Jen

A note on being defensive.......My limited experience (only had my Westie a month) has taught me that at traffic lights with crossroads with the car in front of me turning right the oncoming people tend to look through the windows of the car in front, and when they don't see you (because we're way down low) they just assume they can cut across....... makes for some brake humping fun..... So...... I politely give a blast on the air horns..... and in 3 outings I reckon I've saved some brake and tyre wear..... Nem......

Restoration was too quick for my liking. Should have taken at least 7 years not weeks

Indeed. One of the guys here is well into his music (did a digital sound engineering degree), so uses noise-cancelling headphones for driving so he can hear his music better - not safe at all IMO!

I drive mine just like I do when out on my motorbike or push bike, treat everyone as a blind idiot and don't presume anything. Loud exhausts also save life's as if they can hear you they may just take a second glance to actually see you.

My Westy is black and yellow (see <<<). I fitted a pair of Halfords DRLs between the headlamps and the Caterham indicators. All my lights are as bright as possible (LEDs and Xenon Hids) Still have the occasional problems. Being so low makes overtaking more difficult and equally makes you more difficult to see from the opposite direction. My aunt used to say "Just imagine if you were coming in the opposite direction!". Works well for me.

There is a reason. I've posted this before. The eye sees an object but the eye is just a lens. The brain interprets what the object is. The brain has to learn to recognise objects. Some peoples brains have learned a very narrow definition of what a car is. A 7 type car doesn't fit that definition so they don't "see" your car as a car and it becomes invisible. The same applies to motor bikes hence the "Think Bike" campaign. I've found that all animals, human animals included, have a recognition of natures warning colours which are black and yellow, usually in stripes. I painted my car black with a yellow roll bar and I don't have the problem as much. When the car was BRG with a black roll bar I could drive (quietly) past the horses being ridden on the roads where we lived. Then, when it was black and yellow, the horses would shy away, even if I stopped and switched off for them to pass. One reared up and nearly threw it's rider.

Do you know what make dampers are?

I will not spend a penny on a Dell product - one bitten, twice shy! Long story short I bought a PC, it turned up broken. Spent 4 weeks trying to get a replacement (which they repeatedly failed to sort) and a further 2 months involving conversations with a Dell Board member to get a refund. They still owe me £30 to cover the repeated calls to their Indian 'Help Centre'.

I'd definitely be interested in the Brands day in May