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the whole speed series classes and MSA licensing does look a bit daunting to a newcomer but the good news is that it really is not that bad once you get used to it and there is lots of help. The WSCC speed series is probably the must supportive and friendly club series that exists. Basically if you have a normal road going westfield you have 99% of what you need. There are some minor things like labelling tow point and ignition etc that have been mentioned above that you can sort easily. The main change that has come in recently is ROPS or in plain English roll over protection. You must have either the MSA (not RAC) roll hoop with welded rear stays for example as supplied by the factory and made by Caged or supplied by Playskool or you must have a cage. Again the factory via caged and playschool supply homologated cages. If you go a different route you need to check carefully that it meets the spec set out in the MSA blue book. Clothing is easy ... correct spec overalls, helmet and gloves. Shoes don't matter If in a higher class (1C super soft tyres or sequential box . also bike engine ) you will need HANS MSA entry is easy you just need a non race B licence that you apply for online around November. I would pick a first event where you know there will be a few club members entered to help you on the day with any questions etc. David

And I'm trecking up on the train to get him on Saturday, going to be hard to sleep, like being a kid at Christmas all over again..!

I think it's more people don't have standards anymore. I work In an engineering environment where people swear a lot. Including one guy who uses the C-bomb as a term of endearment. But I have been brought up to know that it's not to be done at home or in front of my kids. Yes the kids hear the language in the playground but we've installed into them it's not to be repeated. We as parents have laid down the standards of behaviour. Lots of parents now a days don't do this and expect the kids to learn how to behave from their ipads or Xboxes. We were recently on a 5hr flight home from holiday and there was a kid probably around 4-5 year old. He was running the length of the aircraft the whole flight the crew were tripping over him and asked for him to be returned to his seat at least 3 times. He then found a new game by pressing everyones tv screens as he passed. My 5 year old daughter was sat open mouthed at this kids behaviour. The dad was sat with headphones on the whole time whilst mum was mixing her own vodka and cokes and proceeding to get smashed. I actually felt sorry for the nipper in the end despite his hugely annoying behaviour. What chance does he have.

My car would quake at entering your garage, as its every surface would feel pain as you gently attacked it with your many potions. it would be as comfortable as the over 50's male examination. I am indeed going to use this picture to console my wife that there are people who are even more into their cars than myself

Excellent review @Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Secretary I was in the other speed chills site and again they did a good job.This year was the 5 year at doing a package trip and although a bit more expensive it's very handy. Ian said he was in that site so we popped in (as the wrist bands get you into either site) but didn't see any of you guys . This was the first time at least Mans with speedchills we normally use 1st tickets who organise the piston heads site in bleu nord also a good site but as I went to the Dayton 24hr in January with speedchills and was impressed with the package I decided to do LM with them The two company's packages are Very similar in price and what you get 1st tickets , the pitch layout is a lot better layed out and when you arrived you get a beer token which is really nice touch but the down side is you need to select a time slot in advance for your breakfast and evening meal Which can be a pain and you also get a breakfast on Monday morning Speedchills. camping pitches were a bit all over the place . Meals when you want to eat a big projector in marquee and a live band . The biggest difference between the two is the 1st tickets is a quieter site with a less rowdy crowd

So today was not so much about driving but going to The Haynes Museum and Fleet Air Arm Museum. We took a slow drive in the sunshine from the lovely Wells Cathederal City to Hayes Motor Museum. I was like a kid in a candy shop. Even as we paid our money before we got in the lady at the till said how do you put up with him. Gail said I normally go places twice, second time is to apologise. It really is a must see place if you ever get the chance but despite all the lovely cars we saw including a 7 we couldn't be happier getting back in Mrs P to continue our day. Of to Yeovil next to the Fleet Air Arm. Another must see particularly a Puma helicopter still in its colours from its last active service in Iraq in 91 with kills for taking out 5 Iraqi Gunboats and which also served in 84 the Falklands. Also a Sea Harrier with more kills than I care to mention, many lives lost but we are still free thanks to our armed forces with which I spent 12 years serving with and would do it all again. There are many other fantastic exhibits to stand in awe of Again if you get the chance folks you must go. You would not believe some of the machines man put trust in over 100 years ago. Thankgod for the internal combustion engine which was only foreseen some 660 years ago by Roger Bacon, Franciscan Friar, Philosepher and Scientist. Born 1214 "One day chariots will be constructed with will start and move without the impulsion of man or horse, or any other animal" It was then a slow drive via Glastonbery and a few lovely Somerset villages to tonight's resting place in Taunton. The End

I'm Glad you liked the Haynes Musium . I'm still trying to work out a way to get that Ferrari engine out of the reception and into the front of the westy

It is indeed a very sad case but to say Doctors are playing god is disingenuous to those in the medical profession. This child by any rational judgment is only alive because the machinery and the skill of those involved in his care and without this he would have already been dead. To compare the two case you have is wrong, the first case was a disagreement of what was the best treatment and it is conceivable that the recovery would have been the same doing what the hospital recommended, he has not been cured by the way, there is still a long way to go there and that child could walk talk breath unaided with full brain function. Sadly Charlie Gard has none of those functions and from everything I have read it is the right decision to withdrawn the machinery that keeps him alive. The parents are understandably upset and have done what they feel is right but now is time to let go. Reading that the mother had been told of kids who had the same terrible illness that their son has who are now riding bikes talking etc. is just giving them false hope. Subjecting this child to treatment is not the right thing. Doctors make life and death decisions every day, they do not play god they act in the best interests of the patient at all times and are bound by strict legal and moral rules. In the case of a child the parents cannot discharge a child if the hospital feel it is not safe to do so, in the case of an adult it is the same and as here courts appoint people to represent them both. This has become a media circus with the Pope, a religious nut job from the States and Trump all getting involved and yet all the medical experts who have seen the case in the UK and in the EU court of appeal all agree GOSH (who are the worlds leading paediatric hospital) are correct. I just hope that this can be concluded and the family can move on, but I fear this will drag on and on and the outcome will still be the same.

Here are a few things that I have learnt whilst on my travels. Its surprising how we all do different things but I have always learnt something different from other people. Please feel free to add to the list. A half hood, half doors and clear wind deflectors will get you through any amount of rain. Half doors are brilliant for touring. You can see so much as the surround on a full door is usually at eye level. Rok straps are brilliant for securing luggage. Buy the ones without the hook on them and then your car doesn't get scratched. Take plenty of microfibre cloths You can always wash them in a hotel sink but they will clean your car and dry up any water / rain. Autobrite Direct, Berry Blast is great for cleaning your car on a morning before you head out for the day. I keep a small bottle behind my drivers seat. A buff is brilliant protecting your face from the cold and in heavy rain. It also stops your neck getting sore if you have a coat with a zip that goes under your chin and irritates your neck. Not everything is about going at a million miles an hour. Relax, enjoy the views and make time to stop. It can be boring for a passenger who just gets to sit. Try to avoid “boring” routes. Plan that it will rain and prepare accordingly. If it rains, find a way to have fun and turn it into an adventure. This is what memories are made of and there is no need to let the weather spoil anything. Take two pairs of driving glasses. Sun glasses for during the day and a clear pair for on a night. You will wear less clothes that you think. You can wear the same pair of trousers for ten days and not stink. A lot of hotels will wash your clothes for you. Its usually about £5.00 per load. You can get everything washed half way round your trip if required. Take an umbrella. It is handy as a quick fix in a short shower. Remember to take sun block and a hat for your head. It is surprising how burnt you can get in a Westfield when driving every day. Make sure you have breakdown insurance that will get you and your car home. A GoPro battery eliminator is brilliant. You can keep your camera turned on permanently and not have to worry about batteries. I have a wireless remote clipped to the dash that operates the camera. Take tools, fuses and a throttle cable. An insulated food bag makes a great armrest if placed between the seats behind the hand brake. It can make a big difference if driving all day as your arm is supported. Plus you can keep all your odds and sods in it. Take a camera and a pocket size pair of binoculars. A she-wee is brilliant for a woman. Dont get to worried about petrol garages. There are more than you think. It can be expensive if stopping for coffee breaks every hour, especially if you are in a group. Budget or plan accordingly. A map book is great to take as well as a SatNav. If you get lost you can see more detail and area in the map book than you can on the SatNav. Keep all your clothes in dry bags. Lomo bags are really good and not expensive. Avon “Skin so Soft” is a brilliant midge repellant. Be aware that if you are in a group, some cars may be lower than yours so be wary of rougher roads. Take a credit card. Keep a small bag of change for parking etc. Don't take jeans or clothes that take too long to dry out or are really bulky. Clothes from somewhere like Mountain Warehouse are really good as they fold small, dry quick and are light and warm.

Due to a back problem can anyone recommend a good lumber support/ memory foam pad? This is the one I have now (cheap off eBay) so just wondering if anyone else has the same problem

So after a hearty breakfast we left Taunton for Exmoor taking in Dunkery Beacon, the highest point in Somerset and not a bad single track road with a few twist and turns. We stopped for a brew in Exford, theres a national trust car park and loos. It was then on to the coastal towns of Coombe Martin, Illfracombe with ice cream, Gail had clotted cream on her ice cream and was in heaven, Woolacombe was next and then a refuel at Barnstable before joining the Atlantic highway(A39) and we soon got bored of that A road so headed for the coastal roads to Bude and the Heritage coast, single track, grass growing in the middle, 30% gradients, hairpins, blind crests, blind corners, we were smiling again. Particularly the road from Widemouth bay to Crackington Haven. The biggest problem so far has been all the cider farms I have had to pass as no room for a gallon or 2 on board this vessel! It was then the B3263 via Boscastle to our bed for the night in Tintagel, we've not seen Merlin yet but you never know. Our country continues to surprise us and make us smile, some of the views we can't try to explain. You need to try it yourself one day if you get the chance.

Dripping

It's about £45 I think, £25 to MSA and £20 to the scrutineer who attends the car. It's a really simple process, takes 15mins. You just call your local scrutineer as listed in the blue book and they'll sort you out.

Will do

If the cage was from playskool, it was probably made by caged, and is probably OK. If there is no sticker check with Luke at playskool to sort it

Beam breaker at front of car. Dimensions are in blue book. Just put yellow tape on the lead. If you have a FIA battery cut off switch put a sticker next to it and you will be good! No need for hatches etc.

Mine are GG so from this i will be fine then. Is there anythong else i should/ need to look at?

These days its actually called a vehicle passport rather than a logbook. the application form is actually pretty simple, compared to those you would have filled out at IVA! the application form here https://www.msauk.org/assets/vehiclepassportapplicationform.pdf and the scruiteers guidance notes here give a resonably good idea of what the inspection involves. https://www.msauk.org/assets/applicationguidancenotesforscrutineers.pdf

Well after being caught out in the monsoon yesterday the car was manky. So gave it a good scrub then finished off with the sonax stuff thrusty recommended. It's very good stuff. Especially for 8 quid a bottle. Brings up the shine a treat. My only gripe is the spray head on the bottle is crap. It squirts it out rather than sprays. Cheers for the heads up

My Sophie hates many animals being on our telly, but none more than the dog in the Flash advert.

My parents dog would watch '1 man and his dog ' very intently but would go around the back of the telly to see where the sheep went.

If the weather is good I will be there :-) I'll try not to take the bottom of the car this time.

Peanut butter rules ......

@Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Secretary How did your legs cope with the heat ?better than they did a Silverstone last year I hope

I know a story about a wife and peanut butter and its banning material on the forum

If you decide to run slicks you would be in speed series class H. You can run slicks on any Mod prod , sports fibre or racing car class

Similar on our site, pitches were all marked out, and seemed pretty organised, but I've nothing to compare against We had the projector and screen setup with rolling coverage, (Eurosport?) We did have something on in the marquee on the Saturday night, a pub quiz or something, there was music too, later, but TBH, by that point we were more intent on getting a few hours shut eye, before heading out again, around midnight to the Porsche Curves to watch some night racing and see the dawn in. In a way, I quite liked the "scale" of our site, and although it was only a short walk to the main entrance, ~10 minutes? It also felt far enough out to be a bit more chilled and gave you the opportunity to catch your breath, when you wanted to.

It's not really surprising, the tories have hardly been subtle about their desires to privatise the health service, they're just doing it insidiously by slowly defunding it so people think privatisation is the only way to fix it, when in reality that gets you the immoral mess they have in America. My favourite statistic after the election was that the £1.5b DUP deal could have paid for 1200 doctors for a decade. I would gladly pay more taxes if I knew it was going to pay for doctors, nurses, firemen, policemen, teachers... I'm not currently in need of surgery, my house isn't on fire, I'm not currently being robbed, I don't have kids, but if any of those circumstances change I'd be glad to have public services we can rely on and be proud of.

With many hospital A & E departments closing (latest I saw was Weston Super Mare closing 10pm to 8am meaning transport to Taunton or Bristol for treatment) I hope nobody needs an A & E dept. very urgently when there are closed.

Travelling home from France... I keep missing the trips ... sorry. Have a good day

You'll be class F chap

Doctors are human and there will always be rouge people, Shipman comes to mind and that is why the rules were changed to ensure that never happens again. Medical negligence claims is an issue but many times pay outs are made and this will continue to rise as people's expectations grow. For example, children who in the past were born before abnormalities were found, now if a scan misses a problem, negligence is claimed as the cost of keeping a child who has disabilities is huge. It is a strange dilemma now as in the past Doctors would have taken risky treatments now they err on the side of caution as they fear medical claims for the slightest thing. My FIL is 90 and needs his Gaul balder removing, there is only one surgeon who is willing to do this and spent almost an hour explaining the risks are very high of not coming around after the operation and making sure we are aware and agree to this action before he will do it. Again the incident in Southampton was acted out in the media and facts were distorted, there is no evidence to say the treatment the NHS was going to use was a worse treatment and as said the boy is not yet cancer free. The proton machine was on order having just been approved for use by Nice, the hospital does disagree with the story as told to the press. Now I admit I probably am biased as I have a daughter who is a Doctor in Coventry hospital and my wife is a FD in the NHS and the demands on the NHS are now out of control. We spent £22million on gender reassignment last year, god knows how much on cosmetic surgery and treating those who come from abroad who contribute nothing, that is not what the NHS should be doing in my opinion. As for waste, that case as reported is the tip of the iceberg but they have too many who are not business savvy and if every bill you see for changing a socket is £300 and everyone quotes the same, then purchase managers feel that is correct. Waste in any government organisation is shocking and in my wife's role she is trying to cut that but it is difficult when PFI agreements are signed on political nods and there is a culture of empire building that has to be changed and that is from NHS England down. The NHS has faults but it is one of the best in the world for most medical things. Yes there may be specialist centres worldwide that are better for some things, but ours is up there overall. Now back to the Charlie Gard case, the Judge has agreed to fly over the American Dr, whose evidence this new case revolves around, so he can examine the child because he says these drugs could give a 10-56% chance of helping but the have never been tested on a human, just mice. He then went on to say if as GOSH have reported his head has not grown that it would mean recovery is unlikely. So the "hope" that has been given to the parents and being whipped up in the media, is from a Dr who has not examined the child, using a drug that has only been used on mice, who is guessing between a 10-56% chance of it being of use but will not give him back the abilities to run, breath unaided, is that a life improvement? I suspect when he gets here the judge will still be forced to side with GOSH and there will be many who still feel it is wrong. Sometimes doing the right thing seems so wrong.

Take it from me. As a first time competitor at blyton this year it is amazing and if you have most of the car sorted already it's very easy to start. I loved every minute of last weekend even if the car didn't run till 11am on Saturday. The bug has bitten me and I'm sorting the car now so I can getting another event in by the end of the season. You'll love it

Fantastic news It's always been one of the aims of Blyton and other events to give everyone the opportunity of experiencing sprinting and attracting new competitors. @John Williams - WSCC Competition Secretary and the SSOT will be most pleased.

Might be @chriss1455 and myself there next year too!

This is the day after our Llandow Track Day.................... Could make it a double header lol

the wife seems partial to things smeared in peanut butter, Perhaps I could get her to clean my tyres up too?

I think a blade and a V8 sit at opposite ends of the engine spectrum. As @CosKev said, the blade will give you high revving brutal acceleration enhanced by the light weight of the motor whilst a V8 will give you loads and loads of low-down grunt and pulling power. The V8, by definition, will be a much heavier car. The two engines will give you a very very different car, the blade more suited to quick bursts and blats, the V8 for longer road-touring runs. IMHO the V8 soundtrack cannot be beaten too but that's a personal thing.

No F in Way

So the choice is Midges or Chavs - tough call

And don't smell it........

So with some last minute additions to the 30 year old pre lit. I think I'm ready for my first event, just hoping some of you lovely bunch will give me a few pointers if I can accompany you round the track walk and also have a look to make sure I'm blue book compliant for scrutineering. Feeling like a kid at Christmas. See you all Friday