Mmm

Andy (L):

"...I felt that if this was not discussed ahead of time then we would have to all book into the hotel for the weekend with the length of time that this meeting would have taken with no prior discussion.

Unfortunately Marcus has sent an email to the Register for circulation so it has taken away the idea of an open forum discussion...."

Above from you appears rather contradictory Andy. One document (that you clearly seem to agree with) should be discussed ahead of time but another in response or if you prefer in support of Proto should not even have been circulated? Mmm.


In addition, I don't agree with you regarding cost (of Proto); you refer to Sunroof, however the fact is that you can get a 1.9L K series race spec short motor (block and contents) for €1595 self assembly of €2200 assembled. At today's exchange rates that is £1690 assembled. Assembled, a 2.0L race motor is €4400 (£3,385) sans head. Some people want to be able to work on own engines as well as the rest of the car. The above figures require an exchange motor of any description (i.e. 1.4,1.6 or 1.8) to be sent in order to commence the process. One of those can be acquired on e bay for £very little.

In many respects it is very arguable that a hare has been set running that should have been kept in its box at least for another year.

The discussion document which was circulated with the agenda was written by me on behalf of the committee to put forward a number of the issues and opinions that had been discussed by the committee and which members had expressed to us.
In no way could it be regarded as any one person's view - indeed it's obvious that it contains too many options and different views for that.
It is intended to get us all thinking ahead of the Drivers Meeting and to put forward constructive views. We will not all agree of course but I think it's important that we do it constructively and without any personal conflict.
Looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday.

Andy,

Whilst you're right in principle about 'the more power, the more wear and tear', the engine issues I've experienced have not been down to the increased power. One was a crank bearing failure as a result of either me pushing my luck by not getting an unknown quantity rebuilt over the winter, or maybe by not having a 'gold' oil pump (so called, because that's obviously what they're made of to cost that much). The other was due to my engine having an unnatural appetite not just for fuel and air, but also nuts, bolts and other circuit debris.

Several gearbox issues on the Elite sequential may well have been down to the additional power, despite their specs saying it would not be. But as we all now know; in standard form, it's made of chocolate. Even when it's been beefed up it still needs regular inspection. Perhaps, with hindsight, the decision to only permit the cheapest option was not the right one.


Ian

Now perhaps folk who think I should stay with clubmans can see why my car is for sale we have the blind leading the blind clubmans is losing it's roots and becoming a rich man's formula catering for the rich the fun has gone the paddock has lost it's sparkle, not surprising really when drivers are being run by proffesional teams in what is supposed to be an amateurs championship it is always the same with all clubs when people start paying money to have experts assist them the fun is gone I went to Thruxton to watch the MGOC racing the day after Oulton ,the racing was closer the atmosphere in the paddock greater and not an artic to be seen and by the way and perhaps the most important point of this post ,there were a mixture of different cars racing in different classes in the same race ........Why?because they all know to maintain a good grid they need each other so for the lords sake clubmans take a leaf out of their book and stop the backstabbing and squabbling.

Martin, don't confuse open discussion and democracy with backstabbing and squabbling. This is healthy and I doubt you'll find a better bunch of racers anywhere.

Professional teams, artics...? Really? Clubmans is amateurs and owner drivers as far as I can see. Look at our champion - Alex has engineered his own car and driven it with extreme skill.

Martin; not sure what you are talking about? With all Clubmans racers and the people around i have a very good relation. Always friendly and welcoming in the paddock, money or no money, "works" teams have always been there from year 1

Yes we do not all agree on wich class is best for eachother and Clubmans but that has nothing to do with the fact that we all love Clubmans!

Quite right Onno - well said.
Exactly why so many of us have been in Clubmans for decades.

Pete

If you have not seen arctics in the paddock with people being paid to run drivers ie professionalls(paid for services provided) you must be more blinkered than I thought you were and as for Alex great guy great engineer great driver but if that great he should be looking to do better for himself than club racing he should be seeking to push his talent much further and I am sure he has the ability to do so. Let's not forget I watch both races at Oulton it was like watching paint dry just cars going by quickly often with in excess of a hundred metres between them at least apart from the front few sorry mate but things have to change it has become boring I can and I will speak my mind as others should

Onno

With respect mate if it is as great as you say you would have made the effort to be at more meetings, before you answer I know you have had other commitments and understand the cost of coming over but life is about choices and clearly your other racing must have been better fun !! I agree with what you have said about clubmans but in the past it was better we need to get back to that I am not the only one that feels that things are not the same but perhaps I am the only one who is prepared to speak up it needs change we are in a changing world and it is my fear that some in clubmans lack change capability if certain people want one class fine let's have one class but with an engine to suit all maybe ford maybe Suzuki people have to many passions about what they favour so let's all change and have a fresh start but it does need to be affordable and reliable no good having 200 horses sat in the garage at most meetings !!