Peter Filby and "detail" Dean.

[supersixfan]

Hi all,

Well the Peter Filby debate goes on and on, with no sign of abatting and very interesting it is too (imho of course), but I was wondering how "Fibs" got into the Kit car game in the first place, did he have a publishing background or was he (as has been mentioned on this forum, a "secondhand car salesman".

On a different tack, I feel it would be a feather in Den's cap if he could "poach" Nigel "detail" Dean over to his camp, as he certainly seems to know his onions, his articles make interesting reading, and when I spoke to him down at the "Stafford" show, earlier this year, he came across to me as a "nice" guy.

I realise of course this may not be possible as he may have thrown his hat into the ring with "Fib's lot.

Also he may have taken the huff at Den's jibe that "their mechanic wears slippers"....

[mattstead]

"detail" does seem to know some stuff, but I think that he has already "turned to the dark side" Fear not though, I have a sneaking suspicision that Kitcar will somehow, just about manage to get some perfectly good articles out without him

[kitcarman]

mattstead said:

Fear not though, I have a sneaking suspicion that Kitcar will somehow, just about manage to get some perfectly good articles out without him

Welcome on board Mattstead,
Now that’s an astute observation, why don’t you tell all the boys’ n’ gals what you think might be going on.
Having said that, I wouldn’t be adverse to speaking to ‘detail’ – I think the possibility of being paid regularly might cause him to ‘turn’.

May the Force be with you!

Den.

[spartan_andy]

Yes lets have some more details if you'll pardon the pun

[mattstead]

Just a few details then, kitcar mag is soon going to be literally "racing ahead", with articles ranging from: performance / track driving, your first trackday, how to get a race licence, suspension for beginers, and perhaps most importantly for me...YOUR FIRST RACE!!! Sorry to shout, but I'm just a bit scared, you see it's me that's doing all this, and Den, it's all happening sooner than I planned. I've got an invitational entry for a Ginetta race on the 25th of October at Donnington; 'problem is I haven't got my race licence yet, passed a medical, driven Donnington, or even driven the car! Still, should be exciting at the back of the grid


More to follow soon.

[kitcarman]

mattstead said:

KitCar mag is soon going to be literally "racing ahead", with articles ranging from: performance / track driving, your first trackday, how to get a race licence, suspension for beginers, and perhaps most importantly for me...YOUR FIRST RACE!!! More to follow soon.

It’s good stuff too, judging from his first article (which should be in the December issue).

For the record, Mattstead contacted me during the early stages of this debate with words to the effect that my winning this argument was about making Kit Car better, and not about pointing out that Which Kit? is worse. His opinion is reflected by all of you.

His contribution, I believe, shall add to Kit Car’s appeal and usefulness. I’ve spoken to other members of PistonHeads who are keen for Kit Car to include their build stories over a few issues. I’m wanting to tailor it to your requirements, and what better way than to write about your experiences with warts’n’all. Have you noticed that in Which Kit? they never seem it experience build problems? Ever wonder why?

Den.

[spartan_andy]

Mattstead that sounds like stonking good fun. Will look forward with baited breath re the race license article thinking of doing that myself when I build my next car( not finished the Spartan yet) Will be submitting myself a "wartsnall" rebuild article of the Spartan if anyone is interested. Will have to be serialised mind as the car is a stripped chassis at the moment.

[kitcarman]

Sprtan Andy,
There are 3 golden rules to serialized articles:-

1. They must be of general interest and contain material that has a wider application than simply the case in hand.
2. You must get into the habit of taking photographs as you go. Features w/o pictures (or the right pictures) are IMHO deathly boring. Words can be written at any stage but a lost photo opportunity is lost forever.
3. Kit Car will not start the series until the last episode is complete.

With this in mind, I believe there’s much of what you’ve been through, learnt and yet to go through and learn that could be of benefit to others.

I believe that readers benefit more and learn more about the subject by seeing how others overcome the problems than by reading Eutopian accounts of builds that are problem free.

Den

[supersixfan]

[quote=kitcarman]

I believe that readers benefit more and learn more about the subject by seeing how others overcome the problems than by reading Eutopian accounts of builds that are problem free.



Well Nigel "detail" Dean did have problems fitting the headlamp covers on his Ultima....

[mattstead]

Hi all, and thanks spartan Andy for thinking the idea sounds good, personally I'm a very excited terrified right now....but then again spartan andy must be braver than most for rebuilding a spartan Only joking, it was the first kitcar that I built, and what a lot of fun it was, keep on with it, I'm sure you'll enjoy the finished product.

As for me, I've always been around cars whilst growing up but got into kits when all my friends were tuning up xr2i' and killing themselves with insurance, I went for the cheap to insure and much faster option of a kitcar, since then, cars (and particularly kits) have it's been an obsession to both build and drive. At the age of 28 if owned / built a spartan, a sylva striker, a tiger cat, sylva mojo, westfield Sei (vauxhall), westie Prelit SE, a 3.9 seight, westfield Sei (zetec), and I've just got an ex race ginetta G27, and a Metro 6R4 replica, there was also a mint 192bhp lotus sunbeam a 660cc diahatsu mira avonzato trxx R4 and a 750kg 4.0 V8 sierra 3 door in there as well for a bit of variety as I said, I'm a bit obsessed.
I originally took my race licence back in 1997 when I was running a striker as my everyday car, but then quickly realised after doing the course that I just wasn't quick enough and gave up on the idea...I turned to trackdays for a bit of light relief and got loads of instruction from loads of people, so theory I'm OK with and I understand the physics of it all, but under race conditions???
As for the race, it was a chance meeting with Martin from Ginetta who said "how about bringing your G27 out of retirement?", ......"in 25 days time?"
Now I'd always had in mind doing a series of articles about the stages of getting a licence, testing, and then race day, but now it is here on someone elses terms and I'm getting worried. I'm not going to get chance to drive Donnington before the qualifying session, and might have only driven my car once , plus the fact that I've got to pass my licence again (failed it first time 6 years ago! ) But Spartan Andy, I'm glad that at least you think it's a good idea

Sorry to have prattled on so much, but I think it's nervous tension, any way, I'm off to practice Donnington on the TOCA touring cars game

[BobM]

supersixfan said:

Well Nigel "detail" Dean did have problems fitting the headlamp covers on his Ultima....

... and he damaged a cockpit sidepanel while fitting the seat and had to replace it

Not gloating, to my mind it adds reality to the series of articles!

[Aprisa]

Mattstead
I know how you feel at the moment, due to the delay in the wiring for my kit I spent the sumer getting a 205 ready for the "Stock Hatch" series. Built the car myself got my licence and found myself on the qualifying grid of Castle Combe (not an easy circuit) with 20 other cars with my only testing being 0ne lap of Mallory (brakes failed) and a few runs up and down my drive!

Best of luck with your drive, you will find that everyone in race circles will be extremely helpful and they go to extraordinary lengths to help keep you on the track.

Just don't use your mirror, look at those you want to pass and leave the rest to worry about themselves.
HTH Nick

[mattstead]

Thanks aprisa, I really aprieciate it. Good luck with the stock hatch in the future.

matt.