Motoring highs and lows of 2010 - what were yours?
Discussion
Highs:
Prescott hill climb in May in my Triumph - first run was all about getting the back end out at Ettore's bend and into Pardon hairpin - great fun. Second run was more about getting the right lines, felt much quicker. Third run would have seen me in the trees.
Le mans in June (TL) - sixth time in eight years. Highlight was running out of beer at the far side of the circuit and being given a crate of 30 with an appology for them not being cold!
Lows:
Headgasket failure on the Saab in February - £1,300 after things got complicated with the LPG conversion.
Coming down from Prescott and finding out that the thrust washers were on the verge of falling out and wrecking the bottom end. Engine out job and 6 weeks off the road.
2011:
Would like to get out in the Triumph more... perhaps a track day.
Prescott hill climb in May in my Triumph - first run was all about getting the back end out at Ettore's bend and into Pardon hairpin - great fun. Second run was more about getting the right lines, felt much quicker. Third run would have seen me in the trees.
Le mans in June (TL) - sixth time in eight years. Highlight was running out of beer at the far side of the circuit and being given a crate of 30 with an appology for them not being cold!
Lows:
Headgasket failure on the Saab in February - £1,300 after things got complicated with the LPG conversion.
Coming down from Prescott and finding out that the thrust washers were on the verge of falling out and wrecking the bottom end. Engine out job and 6 weeks off the road.
2011:
Would like to get out in the Triumph more... perhaps a track day.
Highs:
Hitting full throttle in a 620hp Continental Supersport, chasing an F430 Challenge car around the old Silverstone Bridge GP circuit in a Chevron GR8, and driving my first 'slicks and wings' open wheeler. Oh, and taking the S-bends on the A507 rather quicker than was wise one evening in my Caterham.
Lows:
Being stuck in a 1.6 Focus for some of the best driving roads in Wales back in October wishing I already had 'my' TVR (I bought one a few weeks later...)
Hitting full throttle in a 620hp Continental Supersport, chasing an F430 Challenge car around the old Silverstone Bridge GP circuit in a Chevron GR8, and driving my first 'slicks and wings' open wheeler. Oh, and taking the S-bends on the A507 rather quicker than was wise one evening in my Caterham.
Lows:
Being stuck in a 1.6 Focus for some of the best driving roads in Wales back in October wishing I already had 'my' TVR (I bought one a few weeks later...)
Motoring highs:
The B4391 and A4212 (Penybont-fawr - Bala - Trawsfynydd) back in January in the old black GTO. No other drivers, snow capping the mountains. Those roads remain my all time favorites.
Collecting the red GTO after it's new exhaust a few weeks ago. It now sounds
Motoring lows:
The red GTO's water pump seizing on the way home after buying it, collecting the cambelt, 24 valves and a big bill along with it.
The phone call last week from my wife to say she'd rolled her Ford Focus. Couldn't really care about the car, but in all fairness it stood up to a 50mph roll well enough to allow her to walk away near enough unscathed, which is the only thing that matters.
The B4391 and A4212 (Penybont-fawr - Bala - Trawsfynydd) back in January in the old black GTO. No other drivers, snow capping the mountains. Those roads remain my all time favorites.
Collecting the red GTO after it's new exhaust a few weeks ago. It now sounds
Motoring lows:
The red GTO's water pump seizing on the way home after buying it, collecting the cambelt, 24 valves and a big bill along with it.
The phone call last week from my wife to say she'd rolled her Ford Focus. Couldn't really care about the car, but in all fairness it stood up to a 50mph roll well enough to allow her to walk away near enough unscathed, which is the only thing that matters.
Highs:
- Buying my Jaguar Sovereign.
- This'll sound stupid, but successfully lowering my Vento on cheap coilovers more than a friend of mine with air ride could manage. Bloody uncomfortable though.
Lows:
- Selling the Sovereign, having spent £260 on fuel in a fortnight. I do too many miles to have one as a daily it would seem.
- The last month without a car, relying on public transport and parents for lifts; Finally back in mine today so things are looking good for the start of 2011!
- Buying my Jaguar Sovereign.
- This'll sound stupid, but successfully lowering my Vento on cheap coilovers more than a friend of mine with air ride could manage. Bloody uncomfortable though.
Lows:
- Selling the Sovereign, having spent £260 on fuel in a fortnight. I do too many miles to have one as a daily it would seem.
- The last month without a car, relying on public transport and parents for lifts; Finally back in mine today so things are looking good for the start of 2011!
+ Doing the Dukes Pass for the first time. Got completely lost in the drive.
+ First year with the ST was completely trouble free. Well.... nothing that was the cars fault anyway....
- Clattering a kerb at the start of the year. Unfamiliar area + thick snow = things getting bent.
2011:
Hopefully a great year, doing loads more hoons with the scottish guys and getting a few track days done.
+ First year with the ST was completely trouble free. Well.... nothing that was the cars fault anyway....
- Clattering a kerb at the start of the year. Unfamiliar area + thick snow = things getting bent.
2011:
Hopefully a great year, doing loads more hoons with the scottish guys and getting a few track days done.
Highs: After years of owning various 4 cylinder Corrado's, I finally got the one I always wanted.. the VR6. It hasn't disappointed in the slightest 
Lows: Sending my beautiful (well, it wasn't beautiful like a mint example.. but I loved it) old W124 200TE off for the scrappage scheme so my missus could get a good deal on a new Micra. I don't think I'll ever forgive myself.. but the Merc needed some expensive things doing to it, and I'd never have sold it for more than £500... so it was time to go
I felt like I was sending a family pet to be put down - it was heart wrenching! I'll have another good one some day!
Lows: Sending my beautiful (well, it wasn't beautiful like a mint example.. but I loved it) old W124 200TE off for the scrappage scheme so my missus could get a good deal on a new Micra. I don't think I'll ever forgive myself.. but the Merc needed some expensive things doing to it, and I'd never have sold it for more than £500... so it was time to go
I felt like I was sending a family pet to be put down - it was heart wrenching! I'll have another good one some day! Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff