A great day out !

[stylussprinter]

Yesterday Stuart and I went to the Mclaren F1 factory(more like a huge theatre really)to a car show organised by the employees -- curticy of Marty Bailey / F1 eng'r . The building itself is absolutely awesome , more like a brand new film star's kitchen but with nothing on any worktops . Most of their previous year's cars were on show plus loads of motorbikes , cars , powerboats belonging to all the employees , a fantastic array of machinery to browse over. My particular favourites were two Lola's , one open top the other hardtopped . Marty had his American Chevy engined two seat tourer with no mudguards , in a pale green paint. Also chatted to Pete Mckewen (Raceline) who had his new track car on show .
Thanks Marty , nice day out and good to see Johny again .

[norma]

we're not jealous ........
MUCH!

[stylussprinter]

One guy there had a dragster which his 11year old daughter competed in !!!!!! Apparently when she was 8yrs old she had a trial in a similar car and loved it , so Dad bought her this one and since then she's won all her junior events

I said to him '' just out of interest what would this little beast cost ? ''. Imported from America at £20000 and it's the only one in the UK .

I can only remember my father doing everything he could to discourage me from building a Hamblin kit car , based on a 1933 Austin 7 . I was 14 yrs old then so saved up my money working on the farm to buy the Austin for £7-50p , stripped the body off it then stripped the engine down with guidance from my Uncle who was ex REME . He examined it then took all the relevant bits off to Vospers in Pompey for restoration . I rebuilt it , again with his guidance but not actual hands on help . Best thing I ever did , even though the Hamblin didn't get completed because after that I took numerous engines apart over the years , including tractors .
If a thing needs doing etc -------- yourself Never trusted a garage since