Stuff you!

Stuff you! - time for a bit of defiance in adversity I reckon.

So, for some reason today felt the right day to put some graphics on BRP I was planning to do just before the last stage rally. In fact this task was on my to do list for that morning before the seizure got in the way.

I had decided to just put the graphics on and wait for people to notice but as the rallying is somewhat curtailed due to circumstances beyond my control - here it is.

Yes, my motto! We'll have the car out again competing and it will still raise a smile or two I hope. I moved the car today and just looked around it and it struck me that I finally have BRP in a position to be used so it would be rude not to!First off though I'll probably have to be navigating.

I won't let just anyone drive it though but I have every confidence in Sarah so she's first choice driver. It's strange really as I have never been in a car she has driven but we have hit it off as novices together. Both of us have the interest and same enthusiasm so Sarah, over to you anytime you like.

A little thing like another seizure and how the MSA feels about it won't stop me in my ultimate aim though - if it has to be 2020 before I drive on the Manx then so be it, I'll be there, make no mistake. In BRP too!

Anyway, just under the rear window you may just be able to see a second graphic which refers to another gentleman, not Mr Pond though.

Here's what it looks like close up.
I'm just a sentimental old git really you see. When I started rallying again this year I realised I would be visiting alot of old RAF airfields and my dad did this in WW2 as an instructor so it felt like I was following in his footsteps.

So, why not a tribute to him in his RAF days on my car was my thought.

Daft, sentimental, soppy? I don't care, it's there because I wanted it there.

Title change

Now it's Project Manx 2020!

It looks like the MSA will let me compete in stage rallies again in 2019 providing my health has been good for 10 years so, that's what the new aim is.

Never say Never.

In the meantime there'll be other motorpsort to do so watch this space

It's all over

I am very sad to day that I think the Project Manx dream is over

Yesterday, whilst collecting the spares and tools together for the Jack Neal Memorial Rally I collapsed in my garage.

I am "fine" now after a visit to hospital but I expect that after further investigations I will be diagnosed with epilepsy (after a similar incident 18 months ago) - the MSA will not allow anyone with this to take part in stage rallying.

It's going to take some time to come to terms with this if it all pans out as I expect but, rest assured, there'll be some other cunning plan in due course

Rust proof and brake

Completed the rustproofing of both TRs yesterday - nice to have done this as it's better to preserve than put right.

It's just a case of regularly topping up on BRP really which is good for the car but not so nice for the service crew who may have to work on it!

With the ragtop it's a case of getting some on the repairs that others have done but not bothered with - hopefully I can keep it in a good condition for longer this way.

Talking of the ragtop, that's now in at the local garage for a service as I don't have time to work on it as well as BRP.

I am chasing up a local graphics company for something I want on the car for this weekend - I somehow doubt it's going to happen but you never know. It'll be a secret for now but should raise a smile or two.

Finally, I have found someone to do the machining on the AP calipers and left it with them tonight. Once the Jack Neal rally is completed I should be able to collect the calipers, discs etc and fit them to BRP. Then it's a question of getting the Historic Vehicle Identity Form sorted and I can enter historic stage rallies.

It's along way to my goal but it's important to just keep putting one foot in front of another!

A quick blast

Just wandered out under the car port as you do.

I painted over a metal patch welded on the nearside inner wing of the convertible - in the rally car blue (tahiti) which is nowhere near the cavalry blue of the car but some paint is much better than the grey primer that was there.

Then I ventured inside the car and pulled the carpets back in the footwells / front bulkheads. As I suspected from some photos I have of work done to the car there has been metal welded in but on the inside no rust protection done at all. In fact some of the old metal is still there with new welded over from the outside.

Solid enough to pass an MOT but not the standard I know several of the readers of this blog would be happy with.

Still - I am not planning to spend lots of time on this car (he says hopefully) but I do want to make some attempt at keeping it in a useable condition for as long as possible. So, these areas got a quick blast of dynatrol in an attempt to keep rust away for some time.

Next for this car is a new set of tyres and then I reckon I'll get it into the local garage for a service and the misfire fixed - I have enough on with the rallying without spending time doing this kind of work on UNJ.

Speaking of which, I may do a thorough rustproofing job of both(?) cars tomorrow and then switch attention back to BRP - the next rally is less than a week away now so stay tuned.