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I was planning on heading over this year but not so sure at the moment as I've committed to a couple of holidays for the year including quite a few drives. I might go over as a passenger, share the costs and hoon someone else's car round. Chip-mk1 makes a fair point though. Prices in other areas have increased a fair bit since becoming more popular. Even in the eateries within a dozen miles or so of the circuit that used to be dirt cheap (but for good grub and beverages). Cheers for the posts chaps.
Patience! LOL! :rasp: Currently have a slight issue / setback due to external factors but it REALLY is not far away. Promise!
Thanks Vikki. I'll be giving you guys a bell when it's back and we'll have to sort out a drive and/or bite to eat. Watch this space as they say...
I certainly did, Matt. Perfect weather and hardly any traffic. It just all came together today and the V6 was spot on. It was definitely one of the best drives I've had in a long time!Sounded like you had a nice drive in the V6. Still trying to work how I can afford one
Fancy going halves on one? 
Yes mate. I had a good chat with Fred today and the result should see the car being sorted in around 5 weeks or so time. Obviously he's still struggling with his arm but alternative plans have been discussed should there be any problems. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. If we'd waited until all the bits had been ordered and had arrived (i.e. the bits that weren't faulty!) then I wouldn't have lost 4 months or so at the beginning of the build! Obviously this wasn't envisaged so Fred had my car stripped down almost instantly from when I dropped it off. Oh well, as said - hindsight is a wonderful thing!
I'll probably be out driving it mate!
Plus a few bombar- postis, pics and updates I'm sure. Of course there'll also be a review once I've had some time behind the wheel. Lots of Welsh roads to enjoy for sure. You should give some of them a try mate... Talking of which, I haven't forgotten. I just need a bit of time as I've literally just sat down after a long day and I've still got other shizzle to sort through! But, rest assured, I'll be on it. Promise!:rofl: Eternally! I think your Cup and my T should get together (along with Marc?) once I have it back.
Oh I dunno mate... Marc and I had to go down the ITB route to simply keep up with your standard beast!
Thanks mate. I'm confident it will be up to my expectations. I went into it with realistic expectations and I'm not expecting to be chasing down Lambo's
The bottom line is that I wanted an engine that I knew was healthy; hence a new engine build and a few quid extra into the pot as well (for a few upgrades along the way). Basically it has all been thrown away apart from the block and the crank. I won't be getting rid or breaking it. But I will be making sure I get some enjoyable miles out of it!Oh mate... it's a long story. It's all in the thread and I can't be bothered to go through it all again in detail! LOL!
In a nutshell, it's been a comedy of mishaps. Delays on waiting for parts (in the order of months), parts arriving that turned up faulty and had to be returned, changes to the specification where we've not been happy with parts being used, parts that have required additional machining, injuries resulting in no work being able to be carried out, ... the list goes on It's not a money thing; that's been ready and waiting since day one (otherwise I wouldn't have made a start on it). I'm a bit old-fashioned when it comes to the pennies and don't like debts or owing people, hence prefer to save up and have the money to hand.
So... today I said goodbye to the Trophy...
But thankfully it's only temporary whilst Fred and the BTM Performance crew do their stuff to it.
After a snowy drive up to Birmginham it was (as always) great to have a chat with Fred and Zoltan (my new Hungarian friend!) and to go over the work I'm having done. Basically I gave Fred a specification, a budget and will leave the rest to him. I know it's in good hands and I have a feeling this will be third time lucky. Following a brief walk around the car he already noticed a few issues with it and he also got a bit of a surprise when the bonnet was popped. But then again, so did I! I knew I had an oil leak or two but it had actually got even worse between the time I last popped the bonnet and by the time I dropped it off at BTM! It is a bit of a mess. But it's bloody annoying more than anything as this problem was supposedly fixed before. Twice. However, as I say, I feel a lot happier now that it will be fixed properly this time around.
With a bit of luck (and time) Fred said he might be able to send over photos as the work is carried out so hopefully I'll be able to provide a few updates along the way.
Cheers fella. It's been 'interesting'
See belowSo all the parts are in and just require assembling? Freds broken arm must be costing him a fortune
And yes, it's not helping his business at all. And I hear that physio is not exactly cheap either! The Vee wouldn't be suited to some of the roads I don't think mate... the turning circle would mean 3 point turns on a lot of the hairpins! (Or a quick squirt on the loud pedal to bring the back end round).It's a shame the tour of Scotland isn't sooner mate. It'd be a blast in the VEE
Well... I didn't want to be cheeky and suggest it.
Although I believe he's probably more capable with his feet than some places are with their hands!Wahey! Cheers mate! Yes, it's been a long time and - being honest - my patience is starting to wear down a bit now. But thankfully I am a patient / laid back sort of person and there's not a lot that could have been done to prevent the delays anyway. No point in flying off the handle because it won't solve anything, nor will it make things happen any quicker. It will get thereHAPPY ANNIVERSARY Andy !! Over 12 months now you are the worlds most patient man!
Seriously thou Really hope this is worth it mate you so deserve it after all the stuff you've been thru with this car !
What stage is it at now then any pics ? Is It all built up just awaiting mapping now still ?
Yes, definitely a keeper mate. Since day one of ownership I've always maintained it's a keeper; and - despite the odd hiccup here and there(!) - that's not changed my mind in any way. I've spent a lot on it and it's dead money; money I'll never get back if I sell it. But, that said, I have spent the money to get it how I want it and always with the view that it's not going to be sold on. Otherwise I wouldn't have persisted through all the troubles and then spent a couple of hundred quid on the rebuild. LOL!
Importantly I didn't choose these mods to chase figures though. Obviously that's a game for the forced induction guys, which is a route that doesn't hold any interest for me as far as the Trophy is concerned. Sure, I love a well-specced and prepared boosted Clio (was blown away with Chip's for example) but I just prefer the wheezy and asthmatic NA character To sum it up, yes... I was after a little more oomph but mainly wanted a healthy engine and to improve the driving experience; both for trackday use and 'fast road' (I hate that term as it makes me sound like a damn streetracer when it's not the case!)I can't remember off the top of my head how many owners it had before me. All I know now is that it looks increasingly likely that it wasn't in the best of health when I bought it all those years ago (in terms of engine health). If only I knew back then what I know now. It's certainly been looked after whilst in my ownership!
Such a sore loser...
Thanks mate - fingers crossed it's all straightforward from here.
As for the Vee as a long-termer... I'm not sure Fred would ever let it out of his possession again now! I can understand why he's missing it.
Nothing much more to add right at this moment in time but plans are in place and still on track.
