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To try and take some of the heat out of this argument, regarding Terrys original comment about Gurston being taken out of the calender. Some folk seem to have jumped on this and assumed its going to happen. This is not necessarily the case. As a member of the SSOT who lives in the north, I don't often comment on the open forum but for what its worth I won't support dropping Gurston and if the invites are there I would'nt object to more hills IF that what people want. The issue of multiple events at the same venue is something that will be discussed by the SSOT during the season as that is a valid argument some people have raised. Ultimately every event is up for review at the end of the season when the calendar is being decided but it should be obvious that the best supported events will be in less danger that those that arnt and I'm sorry folks we are never going to please all the people all of the time. All the comments that have been made will be, and are being debated by the SSOT. Previously, competitors expressed the desire to go to new venues hence the addition of Silverstone this year, which was a difficult decision to take as it clashed with Pembrey. It was decided to go anyway as it was a new event, made for a shorter journey for those who whinge about the travelling and was in the south just about, but mainly gave you the competitors some variety. Now it looks like early indications are it seems like more people will still stick with going to Pembrey anyway.............so it seems we can't win. It remains to be seen ! Also some people seem to forget though that we have to be invited to these events by the organising clubs, we can't just decide we can go somewhere if we feel like it. Yes we can approach them and ask but those invites aren't always forthcoming, for all sorts of reasons but if the event isn't supported by the WSCC then they are less likely to invite us.... a bit chicken and egg. The danger of folk not supporting the likes of Gurston or any event for that matter, is that if its a popular event that the organisers can fill easily and if only two WSCC go they have less incentive to invite us as a club. This only adds weight to the argument of reducing the number of events in the calendar overall to increase numbers at individual events. The added problem of calendar clashes is another problem so we try to avoid these where possible as so it isn't always possible to go to an event without having a negative effect on another..... this Gurston/Hethel weekend being a case in point. Im sure if Hethel hadn't been on more would have gone to Gurston. I guess Pembrey/Silverstone remains to be seen Lydden, would have been a consideration this year too but it clashed with OUR OWN EVENT at Blyton. Prescott for example is another none starter as they're not interested from what I can gather, and I'm informed that Longton won't be invited to organise an event there again, because they had the audacity to offer more that two timed runs !!! So its not a simple as some people would think it is. Like Mark Stanton has said the North/South argument has raged on since year one and has been debated to death over the years, and there is NO easy answer. Some people seem to forget that there is East and West as well as North/South. Blyton for example is in the North but if you live in the Midlands it is much easier accessed by the M1/A1 than if you travel from the West across the M62 event though it might be geographically nearer in mileage terms .... The M25 is another story !!!!. Spare a thought for those members in Scotland who are largely excluded from the Speed Series by virtue of lack of venues and viable travelling distance to most SS events. I would personally like to see us return to Knockhill as we did several years ago but I fear the SSOT would be shot at dawn for even suggesting it because folk would think its too far to travel.

No idea will found out trial and error I’m afraid learn as I go , if not I will change it final two pics before Bennett goes back on

package with APC couriers should be there tomorrow

Lets not forget ........................ FUN and ENJOYMENT .................... those two words will increase numbers, will make it sustainable, will bring in badly needed fresh competitors etc and will make all the spread sheets a better read for everyone.

@bigron please get me you address and i courier it to you! barney it has done 10000's of miles in my boot! sorry i forgot!

Yeh lol silly of me to put it up and not out a day lol. Also not technically all you can eat but one of those where you tell them how much you want of everything

So this was my first race weekend with the Caterham. I stayed locally at a hotel with my friend and with the lesson learnt from Donny a few years back I packed the earplugs in anticipation of the ridiculous snoring. Luckily I got a good night’s sleep, but woke to very dark sky’s when I opened the curtains. It just started to rain as I left for the circuit and it was not to stop until mid-morning. This was not forecast and I had never driven the car in the wet before. Quali was very damp and oil was dropped over the entire length of the circuit about half way through the session so it was driving on ‘tippy toes’ for most of it. The car felt great on the soft Khumos and I qualified 7th overall in a field of 20, 1st in class. Or so I though. Turns out the entry list was wrong and I found out a little later that the current Champion had decided to put some sticky tyres on and enter my Class for the year. Great. I was just behind him on the grid with a powerful (240 horses powerful) Westie between us (who was clearly going to drive away from us both on the rolling start). The grid was a little muddled-up with the rain mixing up the usual order. Game on. In the first race it was damp when I left the paddock. I wanted to maintain the current set-up as it was a ‘known quantity’ from Quali, but it was a mistake. The sun came out immediately and with a long wait in the holding area and a breeze the track was dry by the time we went to race. Turns out my class competitor was also on wets. What ensued was one of the most epic battles I have ever had. We only changed places 3 times but were side-by-side for nearly 3 corners at one point and side-by-side for many others. He had the legs on my car but I think I was slightly better on the brakes – I went round the outside of him at the hairpin and I’m still not sure how! We both were racing hard, but giving each other just enough room. It was very close racing and great fun. However, it nearly ended in tears when one of the other BS class cars (on full slicks) joined in. I saw him approaching very fast at the new hairpin and thought ‘no way will he stop that’. He sped past me and my competitor, locked up the front and just missed us both (he later apologised as it was a little wreckless) he ultimately gained two places as we both tried to miss him, but we both got past him within a lap. Ultimately, I lost out on the penultimate lap as the leading cars came through and I got held up as I was block passed. I finished second by two tenths but gained fastest (class) lap as consolation. To add to the excitement, my gear knob came loose after about the first lap. I spent the race trying to tighten it up on the straights. It was quite distracting as I had enough to think about!!! Reminded me of this brilliant video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k38LyqmUeM0). When I came into the holding area, I unscrewed it and handed it to my buddy. For comic effect. Race two was dry and sunny. With grid positions determined by the finishing place from race 1 I was along-side my class competitor. It didn’t start well. I got tagged into the first corner by a overoptimistic Saxo, breaking my rear arch (see pic). I carried on nonetheless, but lost loads of time and in my fluster, missed 3rd on the corner exit. I had a bit of clear track so I looked to grit my teeth and get some quick laps in. Then it was red flagged for a car that was stuck, facing the wrong way on the at the other hairpin. Good for me as we would re-start the race. On the re-start, the lights held for a long time. One car accelerated before the lights went out and it spread like the plague. Yes. I was guilty too, but I got away with it along with half the grid. It was another race long battle. We were both on semi-slicks this time so the speeds were greater and we drove away from the others in our class. We both maintained position until a car in front had a tank slapper and my competitor had to take evasive action. He left the track, lost his splitter and returned to track near to me (I was a little worried that he was going to ‘t-bone’ me at one point) but I got the position. Fortunate really. We raced for another 10 minutes, or so (side in many corners) and I was caught napping overtaking a slower car at the hairpin. He passed me with about 3 laps to go. On the last lap I threw everything at it. A last ditch move into Honda (the last corner and a fast right) nearly worked, but I just could not make it stick as he held it round the outside to finish just ahead of me. Close, but no cigar. First looser in both races, but it was intense fun. It reminded me why I am penniless and spent far too many cold nights in the garage. Still, I got two tacky trophies for my efforts. It’s going to be an interesting season. Mike Videos: Mid-Race Battle (Race 1): Manic end of race 1 (I like this video it was crazy out there!): New arch needed.... Silverware:

I’ll be meeting Ben at Bromsgrove, I’ll be leaving Home at 7:45ish & heading to Bromsgrove via Bewdley then Stourport or Kidderminster. @CosKev if your coming we can meet on route & If anyone wants to tag along just shout.

The rear anti roll bars bolt in place on pre-existing chassis brackets. Most rear wishbones now have brackets built in for the arb’s drop links to attach to. Some wishbones don’t though, you could either have brackets welded on, or Westfield and Plays Kool both sell bolt on brackets. Front ARB’s are easier to retrofit, as the droplink brackets are attached to the wishbones fia the same bolt that attaches the bottom end of the spring/damper assembly to the wishbone. Ive got PlaysKool front and rear anti roll bars, and to be honest, think they suit the car much better that factory ARBks that I’ve tried, which seem way to stiff for road use.

That’ll be me! Following in from Dave’s post... My car will be three years old in June: Engine swap... check Gearbox swap... check Dash swap... check ECU swap... check Widetrack swap... check rollbar to full cage... check bonnet swap... check And I’ve not done as much as another Chris I could mention! Now about those 13” wheels...

Like I said in my earlier post don't go assuming any events including Gurston will be cut from the calender. Next years calender hasn't been looked at yet ( and we can't set it until we know dates from the organising clubs). We will of course be discussing it given the comments on this thread and see what we can do. People have lept on Terry's comment about the lack of numbers at Gurston and have taken it that it's getting the chop. That is not the case, as NOTHING has been decided about ANY of the events in next years calender. Like Terry has confirmed we haven't had a full weekend invite from Gurston ( which we would prefer) hence only the Saturday. It's thier decision to invite us, so lack of numbers attending doesn't help the cause. Traditionally the hills are well supported and the organisers can fill them without us. The Sprints tend to be different and the clubs will invite as many other clubs As necessary to fill the event and make it pay.

Fabulous guys thanks!!

Really???? I think your wife might have a different view!

Hi mate, I think @John Williams - WSCC Competition Secretary still has one of mine - if you can prize it from his paws you can have it FOC - just make good use of it! Cheers Barny

Never say never.. but I've two days already booked in May, Cadwell and Rockingham. I'd dearly love to get to Donny at some point, but this one may be stretching the budget for May.

I understand that these things take some time, but I don't think now is the correct time to discuss removing events from the calendar. Having a varied and well spread calendar (date and location wise) is the most important aspect over and above actual attendance numbers when it comes to selling the championship. Many have been guilty of entering the championship because it would allow them to enter a certain event, then not getting around to actually doing it for a few years! Perhaps reassessing what it could be replaced with at the end of the season that would increase the variety would be a better approach (I would never be in favour of removing gurston although I haven't done the wscc round for a few years).

Hi, we have 1 in stock, with a choice of bushes depending what you are currently running either nylon, metalastic or powerflex, £145 including next day UK delivery. Let me know if its of interest to you 01384 400077. Kind regards, Richard.

Welcome! The FW has the one piece hinged nose/bonnet and, as you say, the more modern rear end.underneath the bodywork though, it’s nearly the same as a traditional ZK bodywork car. The key difference is that the FW has a different fuel tank, which sits on a frame over the top of the diff. While the traditional ZK has a different tank, sat difectly on the chassis behind the diff. Both tanks, on injected cars use the same filter and pump, they just sit in different positions. If the car has a rear anti roll bar, then it also sits in a different position for each body style. Note though, as I understand it, the factory do a bar fro FW and a bar for ZK, but both are completely different styles, so individual bits don’t really swap, IFYSWIM. I believe some of the aftermarket suppliers that do rear ARB’s are starting to make FW mounts and drop links though. The interior and front of the car is basically the same whatever body style. Note, the FW will take a slightly different offset wheel at the back, than a ZK, if you’re looking to really fill the arch. Sorry, I can’t recall exactly when the narrow was down dropped - these things are always quite so easy to date, it was around the mid 2000’s, certainly they were still on the price list around 2004 when I bough my previous kit. Widetrack can be retrofitted very easily. In addition to the wishbones and having the geometry re-done, you need longer front brake hoses. But these may come with the kit, also, you often get adaptor brackets to reuse the narrow track spring/damper. But some like to replace them with correct length versions, and do away with the adaptor. If you have a front ARB, then Westfields own are generally either for narrow or wide track and not interchangeable. However, ARB from someone like Playskool just need the bar swapping for a wider one. The GRP bodywork lasts pretty well. It’s quite possible to reboot a car, or replace individual sections. (Providing it’s not a really early car, in which case, very early bodywork isn’t available, but later bodywork would fit, you’d just have to replace it all.) As for rust. Check around the wheels, front and rear, as the chassis tubes and wishbones get pounded by grit and gravel off the tyres quite a bit. Elsewhere, there are quite a few water traps, but then the cars are often dry use, so don’t seem to be a huge problem.

Yeh i usually follow @Sychohe usually finds some random way to go avoiding motorways

A couple of years ago the SSOT came up with a set of objectives/rules, bearing this in mind then all other decisions should be measured by the objectives. • Make the competition simple. • Increase level of new competitors. • Sustain levels of existing competitors. • Keep the cost of ‘starting’ to compete as affordable as possible. • To make the competition sustainable. • Prioritise changes for the good of the organisation/speed series. We published this internally and have been using these as guidelines when we when making judgment calls for the Speed Series. Many Thanks John Williams

Trina and myself all being well with the new car in the next week or two

I’m only thinking out loud here .... but if I remember did you move your rear tub forward to give clearance for the carpet ? If so this would need to be added to marks 40/45 mm measurement putting it in line with your eyebolts, as if measuring from the bulkhead not the tub front edge sorry for playing devils advocate here and throwing another option into the mix

Hut 8 Deanoski Hopefully Hannahski can keep Mattski out of bother with the old billski this year 58 sleeps

Over the last few evenings I've had a bit of time to escape into the garage to do a few jobs. I didn't have a set of radius rod connecting forks for the second car amongst the spares but I did have a set that had been part machined in the past. I'm not sure if these were from the original stock or a later remanufacture but using them would save me a lot of time and expense of getting some made from scratch. This is one of the clevis's on the first car and shows what they should look like And this shows what I have to work with. First job was to drill down the centre for the threaded stud, to make sure everything was centralised I did this in the lathe. Next task was to tap the hole I'd just drilled out to 3/8" UNF And finally it was back into the lathe to part them off at the correct length. There's another two still to make and then the studs need threading to the correct length.

We met at the Flamstead Esso last year, just off the M1 - maybe this could work again?

Sorry I'm late to the party there are a few points that are made here let me address some:- and give you an insight into the conversations/discusions we have. We are too northern! The northern/southern bias; we send a survey out to all drivers last year and we have been accused of being too northern and also too southern in the same breath as we have no Scottish events. We have too many events/ too few events! The calendar was extended to approx. 37 events last season to see if it improved the numbers this didn''t happen. Question By increasing the events we do we thin the field and reduce "the craic" that we are famous for. Also when we had 2 sets of times for novices and experts and then with 32 events and then 8 classes 2x8x32 is 512 (times) which was part of the reason for merging the target times for novice and expert; we then decided that more focus on the awards night be made for the novices. Question: So taking it to the extremes do we reduce to 20 events and then have a big turn out? what is the perfect number? 15 hills & 15 sprint? We are too expert focused and don't want a novice to win! This is why in this years regs we tried to make more focus on novice awards The SSOT is not representive of my views Then if you feel that then please let me know, please remember I can't please everyone all the time. but we actually do want to make the speed series last another 21 years. Other Points Nick is right as a sport we are struggling as you cant take a stock Westfield and enter the speed series because of the rules imposed by the MSA. We have looked at not being part of the MSA or running a separate series (personally I'm not insured if I race under anything that is not msa approved. as I had to declare it on the insurance form) this has been agenda point for the last 2 seasons and both occasions it was decided not to change. So what do I need? A healthy debate and conversation, we have not edited, censored or hidden any posts so far, please do not get personal I think by letting this thread ride you will see the problems the members have trying to do the best for you, Please remember we are all volunteers, unlike some events/series where the person doing it is a full time/part time job. what are our Objectives please see Many Thanks John "Panda" Williams johnpdwilliams@hotmail.com

Mark , although I agree with your comment I feel the MSA has put up a brick wall and locked out all the casual competitors with all the rule changes over the last few years , especially ROPS, tyres, hans, etc. So no matter what the SSOT do they are limited by the winkers at the MSA

Any one doing Donnington on May 11th.. I am booked in... unfortunately I have not been able to do the dates that groups are booked in on this year.. hopefully will catch up with some of you this year!