Stutopia

Much as I loved my one track outing in the Cayman, I spent more time worrying about sending it off into the hedge and a mammoth bill, than I did about finding out where the limit of grip was. Track insurance for it was just silly money, so I have been sniffing around auto trader looking for something slowish and cheapish to play with on track without being crippled by financial anxiety. I initially test drove an ND MX-5 with the sexy new angular looks and 180bhp, but found the seat to be too high when forward enough for my little legs and also the pedals to be quite offset to the right. Much as I liked the interior and the exterior, being comfy comes first. Accordingly, I test drove an NC a couple of weeks ago and much preferred the seating setup. Yes it's 20 odd bhp down on power and a bit more lardy but it fitted me much better and was a hoot to drive. Before I knew it I had put down a deposit on a 2013, 2.0 manual Roadster, that's been only ever been driven by one lady owner, to church and the Mazda dealer (every single year!). Naturally, for British convertible driver, I picked it up on Day 1 of the current endless hurricane, so I've not had a chance for any topdown fun, but I couldn't resist an extended B road run to see what all the MX5 fuss over the years is all about. Obviously, it's a bit lacking in out and out pace compared to the Cayman, and the body roll scared the life out of me initially, compared to the flat attitude I'm used to, but once I adjusted myself to the feeling I absolutely loved it. The gearbox is so sweet, even better than I had on the BRZ. The lightweight and lowish traction are so much fun on wet roads. I can't wait to give it a try in the sunshine. For now, I'm mostly leaving it alone, aside from a stereo that's not from the dark ages and some new pads and fluid for a shakedown at Blyton Park on 12th March. After that, I've got my eye on some coilovers and one of the BBR GTI tuning packages - supercharger sounds like so much fun...

This has brought back painful memories, had to do the same on mine and it took an age. I assume you’re trying the method that’s in this thread? If not, try that. If you are, don’t mean to be an arse but check the new fob battery is good and correctly oriented. Then just keep at it. Took me plenty of goes, think I was a bit slow on the key turning to start with. Is there any step you get to in the process where it fails, or just a complete nothing?

Totally worth it. Once you get past Carlisle you can get straight on to some great roads and the time flies by, compared to sitting on the motorway. I'll save you a couple hours work and share a decent variation on the route too. Top tip, go anti-clockwise, that way the scenery just gets better and better as you go around. https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/2/edit?mid=13hTAPW2flJ9ZVhPRKWthJY8XMPOqeFwG&usp=sharing

Think they've all landed now, even the spare one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eUZaOal3sM

Congrats mate, cracking looking motor (especially from the back end). Check with Matt Spatt on exhaust mods, I think the one he picked up had some deleted items and the noise was quite considerable!

Not a bad one to have on the doorstep, do you ever cut off the top right bit and go up along Loch Shinn?

Yeah, that’s what I run, it’s totally fine for the money. It’s not like a real race car vibe but I don’t need a full F1 simulator setup, way more fun than a pad, even if it’s a bit slower.

Sounds like great excuse for a PS5

Not cheap, but in the long run, great value for money.

Excited there’s a PS5 title that gets me going. Preorder in!

It appears everyone has received their calendars, which means I have a spare if anyone wants it.

Sooooo tempting, I need something super comfy for treks across the country, but I don’t have shares in Shell. GLWTS

Something just twitched, you know, down there.

Thanks everonye for the positive feedback, I'd love to take credit but I just pick the best ones and pop them in. The people who really deserve the thanks are all the Members who sends in photos, particularly given how hard it was to get out and about the last 12 months.

Please can you add a price and it's up to you, but I wouldn't suggest you put your phone number on the ad, keep it for PMs

Morning Gang Calendars were shipped out first class, signed for, yesterday afternoon. They should be landing with you shortly. Apologies this is a bit later than ideal, the responsiveness of support at the printers has been a bit underwhelming this year. That said, I expect that everyone will get theirs in time for the official start on 1st Feb. Traditionally Royal Mail lose at least one each year, if you have not received or had a note through the door in the next few days, let me know and I'll check the tracking. Last but not least, thanks for supporting the club in this way, it is a helpful contribution to the annual club costs. 👏 Thanks, The Team.

Love this! Congrats mate.

Sold - thread locked

It's with a heavy heart that I have to announce Graham @glrnet has decided to hang up his spurs and start playing golf, or fishing, or whatever it is retired people do. Graham has been on the Team since 1935, long before I joined the club, and has been involved in all manner of work to keep the lights on over the years. A true team player, who's given countless volunteer hours to sustain and improve the community. Hopefully he will stick around to keep an eye on us for years to come. Thanks so much for all the time and effort you have put in Graham, I am certain it's safe for me to say, on behalf of others, both the Members and the Team are hugely appreciative of everything you've done and wish you well in retirement. If you get bored, you're more than welcome to come back.

Happy new year to you too mate, great to see some more shots of the work. Keep it up!

defo unintentional, he dragged half the infield onto the circuit

Rubbish! I saw it in my rear mirror on track at 150% of grip limit

I'm not usually into white, but this is IMMACULATE, love it!

I love it when "science" confirms my prejudices against products with names and packaging designed to appeal to toddlers. Also, now you've confirmed Iron DeTox is definitely the exact same as Revolt, I start buying that, after my new thing runs out...

Having lived without it now, I wouldn’t consider it a must have at all.