Delta's Twentea-Twentea Break

[Lancsbreaker]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

On a serious note, there are massive fires all around our area in Mojacar. The last time about 10 years ago a lot of people were evacuated and had to sleep on the beach. The problem is that it's tinder dry down there at the moment with strong winds. Several friends have posted pictures on the Mojacar forum tonight but communications are not the best as probably some of the lines and towers are damaged. We were lucky where our place is the last time however it's a bit of a worry. This is a picture from tonight (Sunday)
Attachment 62266

Not good, Gordon - fingers crossed your place is OK. When we had a place in Tenerife we saw several areas over the years where wildfires had caused major destruction - although the vegetation seems to be adapted to rapidly recover - unlike property, of course.......

[Peter Mallett]

Yes I hope all will be ok Gordon. Not good seeing these things remotely.

[E.B]

Fingers crossed for you Gordon.... I know you were at Brands a few days ago so presume you are trapped in the UK (due to Covid restrictions) and so having to deal with third party reports of what the status is Mojacar. Picture you posted doesnt look too encouraging.... fire all a bit close to the houses. Im not sure what restrictions on travelling to Spain from UK are like atm other than restrictions seem to be relaxing a bit. Best of luck with it all anyway.

[S griffin]

Hope all is sorted. Hope you have enjoyed your time in the UK Gordon especially Brands Hatch, hopefully you can go back home soon. Let's hope the fire is put out before it gets much worse.

At least they are relaxing the restrictions for entering Spain, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. You should be fine and we all wish you the best on here

[morninggents]

Looks bad but I hope it works out OK for you, Gordon. Are you insured?

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by morninggents

Looks bad but I hope it works out OK for you, Gordon. Are you insured?

Hi Pete, Yes we are insured and it looks like the guys with the "water grabbing" flying boats and helicopters have got it under control. I have seen those old flying boats collecting water in Garrucha harbour next to Mojacar a couple of times over the years but never had a camera or phone with me to record it. The helicopters use water and red chemicals.
It's not uncommon for this to happen in this area as it's on the edge of a dessert and is "kin" hot at this time of the year. We are lucky where our place is as it's near the beach and is downhill from the fires and fires tend to like going uphill. However what does happen is that wind can blow sparks in any direction and can start a fire just about anywhere, also the Spanish authorities don't keep many of the firebreaks clear of shrubs

[275 GTB-4]

Sympathy from down under to all in Spain...we have the same problem, Governments refuse to clear the undergrowth which just makes the fires more intense and harder to control...the red stuff could be a nice Bodega...but is more likely fire suppressant

[grantp]

Originally Posted by 275 GTB-4

Sympathy from down under to all in Spain...we have the same problem, Governments refuse to clear the undergrowth which just makes the fires more intense and harder to control...the red stuff could be a nice Bodega...but is more likely fire suppressant

It's been the same in the US, especially West Coast, for several decades and they wonder why the incidence rate of fires is returning to something like the natural rate (pre-humans) plus a top up for the human factor.

NASA has a lot to answer for.

Fun as Space may be, sucking up any intelligence to make their projects happen has to be to the detriment of intelligence in the less exciting part of human existence.

Still, at least they can image it from on high to explain how bad it all is.

[Cliff Ryan]

Tom Cotter who races a 63 Corvette in the US came over to the UK to film some of his Barn Find Hunter series on You Tube and paid us a visit to film an episode.

Not strictly historic racing, but it does feature Dr Rod Longton’s MGB & Daniel’s Escort amongst others.

Grab a coffee when you have a spare 20 mins:

https://youtu.be/Gbnq5jJ-Ap4

[delta]

I wonder how long it will be before hose pipe ban here.

[Peter Mallett]

I give it two days.

[bauble]

Originally Posted by delta

I wonder how long it will be before hose pipe ban here.

Shame if hey do, I always find a bit of hose pipe brings the Good Lady under control.

[justracing]

Originally Posted by bauble

Shame if hey do, I always find a bit of hose pipe brings the Good Lady under control.

I'm afraid despite the innuendo that this a bit too too controversial imho.

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by Cliff Ryan

Tom Cotter who races a 63 Corvette in the US came over to the UK to film some of his Barn Find Hunter series on You Tube and paid us a visit to film an episode.

Not strictly historic racing, but it does feature Dr Rod Longton’s MGB & Daniel’s Escort amongst others.

Grab a coffee when you have a spare 20 mins:

https://youtu.be/Gbnq5jJ-Ap4

That was interesting, Gary Davis doesn't seem to age at all. Hope Sam is OK now and it was a bit of a shock to to hear that Daniel is now in his 30s, time flys.

[Cliff Ryan]

Sam is ok now, thanks, we really just touched the tip of the iceberg in the video. Time does fly for all of us, except Gary, it seems!

[bauble]

Originally Posted by justracing

I'm afraid despite the innuendo that this a bit too too controversial imho.

Please accept my apologies for giving you offence, it was triggered by a Tony Hancock episode.

PS Been married to the loveliest girl in the world for almost 60 years, Would never hit her.

Bob.

[Gerard C]

We just received a questionnaire sent by our instances. If my understanding is good, one purpose is to find the rate between the cars and all the expenses linked to racing: cars themselves, expenses linked to racing like travels and all the other expenses including the safety ones.
Last questions is why do you race (sometimes I wonder given the costs) and what could be done to have you more often on tracks.
At last a consultation, good move imo.

[Paul D]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

We just received a questionnaire sent by our instances. If my understanding is good, one purpose is to find the rate between the cars and all the expenses linked to racing: cars themselves, expenses linked to racing like travels and all the other expenses including the safety ones.
Last questions is why do you race (sometimes I wonder given the costs) and what could be done to have you more often on tracks.
At last a consultation, good move imo.

I think MSUK sent one out to all licence holders here a while ago. Same type of thing I seem to remember: attitudes towards various costs of racing, motivation to continue (or not), etc.

You're correct - it is good that finally the opinions of us 'normal' club racers are being sought... but I do hope it's not just another 'box-ticking' exercise by the powers that be, to be filed in the 'we've done that now, let's carry on as before' drawer!

[midgetman]

I don't think you can accuse MSA/MSUK of having done that in recent years. You may not approve of all they've done, but there's been one hell of a lot of changes.

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[Gerard C]

I see your point Paul, but here its the first time we are asked. I'd be very happy to be treated as a customer because its a lot about commercial relashionship: increase in costs, lack of motivation, returning customer or not and so on. Add to that some communication made during the lock down about our instances costs and that historic drivers are a good part of the market and you have a questionnaire.

[Paul D]

Sorry max, maybe I wasn't very clear in what I said. I was referring to how, generally (NOT MSUK specifically), those in a position to change things often seek the opinions of those affected but then simply carry on regardless.

It wasn't a dig at MSUK - I absolutely agree that, since Dave Richards took the helm especially, things have begun to change.

And long may it continue: if they want to keep club racers actively involved, and also encourage new ones to enter the sport, I am absolutely convinced that they need to remove a lot of the bureaucracy & red tape involved in competing, whilst at the same time addressing some of the, arguably, unnecessary costs we're all forced to pay to sit on the grid.

I think it's even more important now, in light of the current economic situation created by Covid. Many will be looking to reduce their spending in the short to medium term I think, and motorsport may well be the one 'luxury' that has to go for some. Which means some may never return to the sport after restrictions lift in the coming weeks. Couple to that the fact that, even before Covid came along, numbers were dwindling and not enough new blood was entering the sport to replace those leaving, and it's easy to see that the model is not sustainable long-term.

So, I actually do applaud MSUK for recognising these facts and, hopefully, addressing some of the problems. For years, I believe they did pretty much bury their heads in the sand and hope it would all sort itself out...

[MGDavid]

Originally Posted by midgetman

I don't think you can accuse MSA/MSUK of having done that in recent years. You may not approve of all they've done, but there's been one hell of a lot of changes.

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very true Max; can you remind me of which ones made my racing easier and/or cheaper?

[Alan Morgan]

The droppping of the requirement for an annual medical for over 45s?

[Gerard C]

It seems your driver licences are cheaper than ours but to compare what is comparable we should investigate about the insurances linked to the licences, mandatory or not.

[midgetman]

Paul the Covid-19 situation has to my mind made things much better. Efficient online booking. Online signing on. I think we'll even have virtual scrutineering. At last bringing motor racing out of its horse racing roots and into the 21st century - and the changes to the on the day procedures for marshals and organisers are long overdue.

David - costs. Ah yeah thats more difficult to excuse particularly when online booking puts the organisational onus onto the drivers and not the organisers. That's supposed to bring economies of scale and drive down costs

Just one thing about scrutineering under Covid-19, I'm glad that's going. What's it all about? When we scrutineer on a Saturday after testing we then go back to the awning and change wheels, engine and sometimes even bodywork. Change carburettor regularly during the day. Wet and dry rear bumper. Kind of makes the Saturday afternoon queue pointless.

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