TIPEC All Torque 68

L AL E U Q R TO ARY 2008 U R B E F 8 ISSUE 6

LIVE AND BREATHE THE MARQUE CLUB WEBSITE & ONLINE RENEWALS AT WWW.TIPEC.NET

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3/4/07

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Page 1

ALWAYS ORIGINAL

The last of the great 911s?

November 2006

May 2007

Special Collectors’ Edition

Special Collectors’ Edition January 2007

911 & PORSCHE WORLD SUBSCRIBERS RECEIVE SPECIAL COLLECTORS’ EDITION FRONT COVERS www.chpltd.com

020 8655 6400

TIPEC (0845 602 0052) www.tipec.net All Torque is published bi-monthly by The Independent Porsche Enthusiasts Club (TIPEC). All text & images are © their authors & photographers. Front cover image: Red 964 being ‘buzzed’ by a Hawker Hunter during sunnier days by Robin Pettifer.

Chairman’s Chat Happy New Year, I’m hoping that 2008 will bring much drier weather that allows us to enjoy the many events that are being planned by the Regional Teams.

Please try to support at least one event over the coming year.

Putting things together takes a great deal of time and effort, the reward for the organisers is the number of people who have taken part and enjoyed themselves.

All Torque is based entirely on submissions from TIPEC members.

This is your magazine and we need your involvement!

Send in running reports, Porsche-related stories, how-to articles … anything you think might interest other TIPEC members.

Please send text and images via email, or on CD/DVD (or paper!) to the address below.

Submissions for issue 69 (April) must be in before Monday 10th March 2008.

All Torque editor & designer Tony Blow tony@typescape.com Flat 1/1, 47 Greendyke Street, Glasgow G1 5PX

There are several events taking place this year that I need to mention: Inter Regional Karting Challenge on the 30th March hosted by Derek Flanagan, South East Region.

Printed by The Lavenham Press Ltd, Suffolk (0178 724 7436)

TIPEC’s AGM on the 13th of April, which is an informal meeting that welcomes ideas from the members present.

Advertising in All Torque is managed by TIPEC club office 10 Whitecroft Gdns, Woodford Halse NN11 3PY (0845 602 0052) TIPEC Chairman Sean Smallman (0778 965 7522) sean.smallman@tipec.net Vice Chairman Jim Hearnden (0793 035 3232) tr7v8@phaetonconsulting.co.uk Treasurer Rich Simpson (0771 158 1443) rich.simpson@tipec.net Advertising & Club Liason Clive Gosling (0788 150 0107) clive.gosling@tipec.net Gruppe North Director John Oakes (0113 282 7512) john.oakes3@btinternet.com Gruppe Central Director Eric Finley (0797 159 4211) eric.finley@tipec.net Gruppe South Director Derek Flanagan (0776 725 4820) derek.flanagan@varian.net All Torque & TIPEC are entirely independent of Dr. Ing. H.c.F. Porsche AG, Porsche Cars GB Ltd and its dealers. All registered Trade Marks owned by Dr. Ing. H.c.F. Porsche AG, including the word ‘Porsche’, the Porsche Crest and Porsche Script are acknowledged as such and are their property. Whilst all due care is taken in the production of All Torque; neither TIPEC, its officers or the editor can accept responsibility for the advice, information or opinions expressed herein. Opinions contained in any article published herein are of the author or editor and do not reflect the official position of TIPEC, its management or membership, unless clearly stated by a club official.

Bruntingthorpe Track Day on the 26th April. For those who have thought about it but aren’t sure, I’ve driven 70 miles around there in the past and it’s great fun with plenty of run off areas.

Prescott Hill Climb takes place in May and we have a dedicated TIPEC area. This is an excellent event, where lots of interesting cars including vintage Bugattis take to the hill, you can even have a go yourself.

Classic Le Mans in July, with camping organised by Paul Bird via Travel Connections.

TIPEC ’08 Gaydon taking place on Saturday/Sunday 2/3rd August, Saturday evening is our Back to School 15th Birthday Party and BBQ. The show will be held on Sunday, following our usual format with one or two additions, including the Heritage Museum to look around.

For more details of all these events please read the news section in this and future issues and on the website.

From January the 1st we have a new look membership card, I made some slight adjustments to the hand written ones of old but they still looked pathetic. The new ones are made of gold aluminum and have a ‘member since’ line, a suggestion from last years AGM. Credit card renewals can be paid via the website, though you do need to set up a Google account. Doing it via the website is cheaper for the club and much easier for me.

Happy Porscheing

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Bruntingthorpe trackday Here is a real chance to push your car that bit harder than you dare on the roads without having to fear speed cameras and unmarked police cars!

Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground in Leicestershire offers a unique opportunity and is the perfect venue for anyone that has not taken part in a track event before. There are no hard barriers, tyres or earth banks as the circuit is a former airfield.

That means lots and lots of grass in all directions so even if you spin the car and leave the track you will probably not cause any damage to yourself (or your Porsche!). Indy style circuit with long straight, chicane and a few interesting bends that will offer a challenge to all—whether a beginner or a track day veteran.

TIPEC are planning a track day at Bruntingthorpe open to all members on Saturday 26th April. The event will be an open pit lane with a maximum of 65 cars on the day and 25 cars on circuit at any one time.

There will be a designated TIPEC parking area to gather when not on track for nattering and the swapping of stories.

Cost is only £100 per driver (very cheap for a full track day) with additional drivers at £25 and passengers at £5. Helmets must be worn and arms & legs must be covered (no T-shirts, skirts, etc). All cars are subject to a 98db noise check. On-site safety talk at 9.30am with some slow laps to view the circuit, which opens at 10am and runs till 4pm with a one hour break for lunch. Drivers to book directly with Brintingthorpe: ring 0116 279 9318 and ask for Faye—just tell her you’re with TIPEC.

Inter-region karting challenge All TIPEC regions are invited to enter teams to compete in this year’s karting challenge, hosted by the TIPEC South-east region.

The 2007 event saw ten teams of four drivers from South-east London & North Kent, Thames Valley and East Anglia as well as the South-east region competing. There is a maximum of twelve teams, and entry will be opened up to non-TIPEC teams if the spaces are not filled—so first come, first served … get your entries in!

Date: Sunday 30th March, with safety briefing and practice at 1pm.

Location: The Campbell Circuit, Filching Manor, Jelvington, Near Polegate (just north of Eastbourne).

See www.campbellcircuit.co.uk for details.

Cost: £160 per team of four (£40 per driver) with £40 deposit required.

Race event: Two hour team endurance race (220+ laps) wih pit stops and fuel change.

The organisers (Kart Track) provide overalls, crash helmets and gloves although you are welcome to bring your own if preferred. If you are unable to get a full team of four together, individuals can be placed into teams. All drivers must be 16 or over.

Racing action from last year’s event at The Campbell Circuit

If you would like to enter the karting challenge, contact Derek Flanagan, South-east region RO on 01342 717 754 (mobile 07767 254 820) or via email on derek.flanagan@varian.com

Prescott open hill climb Every year the Bugatti Owners Club open Prescott for this special event that allows amateur owner/enthusiasts an opportunity to take un-timed runs up the classic hill climb circuit. This year the event takes place on Sunday 11th May 2008.

A ‘Paddock Entry’ costs just £42 per car and includes two runs. Additional runs (if available depending on conditions etc) can be purchased for £5 each. Alternatively for those that prefer to spectate you can opt for the ‘Orchard Static Display’ which is £15 per car and will allow you to park up in a designated TIPEC area in the Orchard, to enjoy a picnic and cheer on those doing the hill runs.

A great day out at a truly classic motor sport venue. Entry forms can be downloaded from www.cleevevale.org.uk/classiccar and should be sent off to the organiser as instructed on the form.

Thanks to Paul Harrison and Paul Bird for their photos from 2007’s event.

Targa launching from the starting line

944 at speed halfway up the hill

TIPEC vacancies Membership Secretary Required to process new members, send out membership packs, renewals and bank the cheques. This role takes on average two hours a week, full training and support will be given. This is a great way to get involved with the Club and talk to prospective members.

Regional Organisers Cambridge, East Anglia, Lincolnshire and North London The first three three of these regions require an RO to hold monthly meetings at a local pub, hotel, or similar venue and with support of the members attend/organise local events. North London requires an Assistant RO. If you would like to get involved venues and dates are not set in stone and can be changed to suit whoever is interested. If you are interested in any of the above roles then please contact Sean at Club Office.

May thanks from all of us at TIPEC to our outgoing ROs: John Middleton of South Yorkshire & Notrh Notts, Gary Richardson of the North-east, and Brod Purdy of Lincolnshire. They all put a lot of work into their respective regions and it has been much appreciated.

Subscription price rise At last years AGM we decided to raise the price of TIPEC membership subscriptions by £2. This will take effect from 01/03/08. Renewals paid on time will be £32 for the UK, £42 within the Euro Zone, and £47 for the rest of the world.

2008 TIPEC AGM This years Annual General Meeting will be held at The Heritage Museum at Gaydon on Sunday 13th April. All club members are welcome to attend and have their say in the direction TIPEC will take over the coming year. Refreshments will be available from 10.00am with the meeting starting at 10.30. A buffet lunch will be served after the meeting closes. Please confirm your attendance by the 1st April.

The Heritage Museum is located two miles from Junction 12 on the M40: Leave the M40 at Junction 12, turn left towards Gaydon following the brown museum signs, turn right at the roundabout, then left into the Heritage Centre.

Drive down to the front of the museum and follow the road round to your left, which will take you to the back of the museum and the conference centre. There will be information inside pointing you to our syndicate room.

The agenda: 1. Those present and apologies for absence 2. Minutes of the 2007 AGM 3. Report from the Chairman 4. Report and presentation of accounts by the Treasurer 5. Determination of subscriptions for the ensuing year 6. Election of Officers of the Club and of Members of the Management Committee 7. Amendments to Rules and Constitution 8. A ny Other Business Any club member has the right to propose a candidate for any office. It is required that a seconded nomination, together with an acceptance by the nominee, be submitted to the Club Secretary not later than 14 days before the meeting. If more than one candidate for a post is nominated and seconded there will be a postal vote invited from all members.

If only one nomination is received for any post, this will be put to the vote of members present. If no nomination is received prior to the meeting, then nominations will be accepted at the meeting and put to the vote of members present. Post holders may retain their posts.

All Torque 67 page 5

Goodwood Festival of Speed The Earl of March has confirmed the theme of the 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed, which is ‘Hawthorn to Hamilton – Britain’s Love Affair with World Motor Sport’. Britain has always played a key role in the global motor racing industry, forging successful relationships with the rest of the motor sport world. From Mike Hawthorn, who used a Ferrari to become Britain’s first Formula One World Champion fifty years ago in 1958, to current F1 star Lewis Hamilton, driving a British engineered car with German power, British drivers and engineers have utilised global resources to achieve success. The 2008 Festival honours these winning combinations.

In recognising Britain’s role in shaping motor sport worldwide, the Festival will acknowledge the influence and achievements of iconic British figures, including Jim Clark, John Surtees, Colin McRae, Barry Sheene, Jackie Stewart, Derek Bell, Colin Chapman, Gordon Murray and Adrian Newey. In addition, home-grown stars from the past and modern day heroes are expected to line up alongside their friends and adversaries from around the world at the celebrated 1.16 mile hill climb, in a tribute to global motor sport.

The Festival will also feature the world’s finest competition cars and motorcycles, many of which have been influenced by British engineering or built in partnership with British expertise.

In action will be everything from the pure-bred Vanwall of the 1950s, to the ground-breaking products of manufacturers such as Cosworth, Williams, Lola and Prodrive. And with significant anniversaries in 2008 for two of Britain’s most important race series, namely 50 years of the BTCC and 20 years of the British Superbike Championship, Goodwood will recognise the UK’s role in providing a high-profile, competitive environment for some of the world’s great manufacturers and racing stars.

Porsche 959 at speed on the 2007 Goodwood Festival of Speed hill climb Goodwood Festival of Speed founder, Lord March says: “It will be just fantastic to have so many great cars and drivers here at Goodwood to celebrate our theme for 2008. I look forward with much anticipation to seeing some of the great British drivers and UK-inspired machines in action.”

TIPEC members can buy advance tickets on 01243 755 055 or online at www.goodwood.co.uk

Race Retro 2008 The 2008 Race Retro, the international historic motorsport show, looks set to be the biggest and best ever. In 2007, over 400 exhibitors spanned four halls at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, bringing together historic competition machines from all disciplines, motorsport memorabilia, rare parts and spares as well as race teams and organisers. The 2008 show returns to Stoneleigh Park 14–16 March.

Historic and rare cars and motorcycles from eight decades will be on display, including off road, road legal and track racers. The show is aimed at active and potential motorsport competitors and classic motoring and motorsport enthusiasts, attracting over 20,000 visitors each year. Over 60% of visitors attend race meetings, with 44% owning or sponsoring a competition car.

Vic Elford’s works 911 from 1967. This car won the very first rally cross event With a live stage, a replica Ace Cafe and a Fire Engine Bar, visitors will be entertained with informative seminars, the Bonhams Classic & Historic Motorsport Auction, and the opportunity to conduct private car sales and test drives. Race Retro also boasts two days of thrilling live-action demonstrations inside and outside the halls. The Classic Rally Car Stage features a host of legendary Group Four and Group B rally vehicles and celebrity drivers who will share their motorsport experiences.

There will also be demonstrations of historic kart racing, championship-level autotests and the vintage Wall of Death (a great traveling live show featuring Indian V-Twin motorcycles).

The ‘Slowly Sideways’ club exhibiting Porsches at Race Retro 2007

For more information, visit www.raceretro.com

Writing by David White & photography by Phil Jones (both pages)

All Torque 67 page 7

PORSCH-APART LTD Unit 4, Field Mill, Harrison St, Ramsbottom, Bury, Lancashire BL0 0AH (2 mins from J1 M66)

Tel 07000 924 944 or 01706 824 053 Mobile 07973 379 319 Fax 01706 824 655 enquiries@porsch-apart.co.uk www.porsch-apart.co.uk Porsch-apart is not associated with or approved by Porsche Cars GB Ltd Trim Boxster standard seats - black £250 pr 996 / Boxster black leather front seats £600 pr - 2 pairs in stock 996 / Boxster black ruffled leather front seats £500 pr 996 / Boxster sports seats, black leather from £800 px possible - 2 pairs in stock 996 / Boxster sports seats, boxster red leather £600 px possible large selection of brand new airbags from £200 996 Boxster 3 spoke steering wheel airbags most colours in stock new and used from £250 Instrumentation available for many models.

Over 40 996, Boxster door panels in stock & door air bags.

Boxster & 996 seats - we have over 30 pairs in stock - please ring!

Wheels Boxster / 996 / cayman alloys Boxster 16” 6 + 7 used alloys £225 set Boxster 17” 7 + 8.5 Used alloys with tyres £550 set Boxster 2.7 17” 7 + 8.5 Used alloys with tyres £550 set Boxster S 17” 7 + 8.5 Used alloys with tyres £550 set Boxster S facelift 17” 7 + 8.5 Used alloys with tyres £600 set Boxster 18” sport design (GT3) 7.5 + 9 Refurbished alloys £950 Boxster 18” sport classic II 7.5 + 9 Refurbished alloys £800 Boxster 18” Turbo II 7.5 + 9 Refurbished alloys £900 Boxster 18” carrera 7.5 + 9 Refurbished alloys £900 Boxster 18” technology 7.5 + 9 Refurbished alloys £900 Boxster 04 (987) 17” alloys with tyres - delivery mileage £695 Boxster S 04 (987) 18” alloys with tyres - delivery mileage £1600 Cayman S 18” 8 + 9 alloys with tyres - delivery mileage £1500 996 18” Carrera 8 + 10 alloys refurbished £900 996 18” technology 8 + 10 alloys refurbished £900 996 18” sport design (GT3) 8 + 10 alloys refurbished £950 996 18” sport classic II 8 + 10 alloys refurbished £800 996 18” sport techno 8 + 11 alloys refurbished £1150 996 18” Turbo II solid spoke 8 + 11 alloys refurbished £1100 996 18” sport design (GT3) 8 + 10 wheels and tyres brand new genuine £1650 997 18” Carrera III 8 + 10 alloys with tyres - delivery mileage £1495 997 19” Carrera S 8 + 11 alloys with pirelli tyres -del miles- (new) £1800 997 19” sport design with tyres to fit 4S delivery mileage £1695 997 19” Carrera S 8 + 11 alloys, pirelli tyres, delivery miles - to fit 4S £1695 997 19” Carrera classic 8 + 11 alloys, pirelli tyres, delivery miles - £1695 Cayenne Cayenne 18” turbo alloys with tyres - delivery mileage £495 Cayenne 18” turbo alloys with tyres - used £300 Cayenne 18” S alloys with tyres - delivery mileage £495 Cayenne 18” S alloys with tyres - used £300 Cayenne 19” design alloys with tyres - used £750 Cayenne 20” sport techno alloys refurbished with new tyres £1675 Cayenne 20” sport design alloys refurbished with used tyres £1295 Cayenne 20” sport design alloys and tyres brand new £1750 Cayenne 20” sport design alloys and used tyres £995 924s / 944 / 968 alloys 15” teledial 924S 6” wide - new £90 each 16” design 90 6/7/7.5/8/9 Used from £60 each 16” cup 1 6/7/8 used from £75 each, refurbished £125 each 16” teledials 7/8 used from £50 each 964 / 993 alloys 16” cup 1 6/8 used - from £75 16” cup 2 7/9 used - from £75 17” cup 1 7/7.5/8/9 Refurbished from £200 each 17” cup 2 7/7.5/8/9 Refurbished from £200 each 18” 993 technology 8 + 10 to fit narrow body cars refurbished £900 set 911 alloys Stock required especialy 6,7,8 & 9” Fuch Panels 924 944 front bumpers from £60 924 944 doors £75 924 tailgate & spoiler £80 928 rear pu S4 £250 928 bonnet £150 928 doors £100 928 tailgate with glass £100 944 bonnets from £50 944 cabriolet doors new £400 or used £180 944 tailgate & spoiler £125 944 front wings all models from £90 968 rear o/s quarter panel new £295 968 bridge spoiler and hatch - very good condition £395

968 rear pu - from £150 911 3.2c o/s rear quarter for coupe - new £395 964 engine lid complete £345 964 993 wheel arch liners & undertrays POA 993 964 doors bare £250 993 rear pu from £225 993 front pu undertrays £25 993 engine lid complete £350 with spoiler 993 targa o/s rear quarter new £395 993 lhd doors new £400 each 993 turbo 4S o/s rear quarter panel - new £550 993 turbo 4S rear pu - used £350 pu support bar most models from £50 We now have over 200 new & used pu’s in stock please ring with your requirements We now have a large selection of Cayenne new and used parts please ring Cayenne turbo bonnet used £400 turbo front bumper complete with grills £395 aerokit side sills complete kit brand new £450 aerokit side sills used pair £295 running boards used - with fitting kit £350 Mechanical 911 fuel tank guaranteed 2 yrs, exchange £295 911 turbo intercooler £100 924 used fuel tank - exchange £120 924 fuel tank ( pressure tested and coated ) exchange £195 924 fuel tank (refurbished with lifetime gurantee) exchange £295 928 S4 cylinder heads £250 928 S4 camshafts from £75 928 S4 auto gearbox 60k miles £495 944 S2 gearbox £550 944 S2 driveshafts £45 944 S2/Turbo airflow meters £90 or new £225 944 8V Turbo S2 ecu’s from £175 944 abs pumps £150 944 2.5 Engine £650 944 2.7 Engine £950 944 re-con alloy wishbones with 2yr guarantee (exchange) £175 944 alloy wishbone - used £70 944 T intercooler £95 944 S2 cat convertor £160 944 used steel fuel tank - exchange £120 944 steel fuel tank ( tested and coated ) exchange £195 944 steel fuel tank (refurbished with lifetime gurantee) exchange £295 968 engine 77k miles £1750 968 6 speed gearbox 49k miles £1295 968 re-con alloy wishbones with 2yr guarantee (exchange) £175 968 alloy wishbone - used £70 964 air flow meters £200 964 heat exchangers used £100 964 rear exhaust boxes £90 964 barrels piston heads etc £poa 964 oil tank - used £120 964 final silencer £165 993 oil tank £150 993 oil pipes £160 pair 993 oil thermostat £95 used, £180 new 993 headlamps complete £110 each Hardtops Boxster hardtops Various colours in stock Current stock includes - arctic silver, lapis blue, ocean blue meridian silver, basalt black, seal grey, guards red.

Painted to customers colour £995 Fitting kit £45 Delivery can be arranged 986 Boxster hardtop - new - guards red £1250 987 Boxster hardtop 2005 new - guards red £1695 987 Boxster hardtop 2005 used - guards red £1195 Boxter & 996 parts Boxster/996 bonnet badge and gasket genuine porsche £20 Boxster/996 wing used from £70 new £175 996 facelift wing used from £70 new £199 Boxster/996 bonnet used from £120 new £275 Boxster/996 front tub (boot floor) new £299 Boxster/996 front slam panel new £199 Boxster aerokit front pu new £295 Boxster front pu used £150 new £275

Boxster s front pu used £150 new £315 Boxster facelift 2002> front pu new £300 Boxster s facelift 2002> front pu new £345 996 front pu used £160 996 2002 front pu used £150 996 2002 rear pu used £150 996 GT3 2002 front pu new £695 996 Turbo front pu bare used £170 Boxster/996 bumper support bar used £50 Boxster/996 bumper support bar mounting tubes new each £15 Boxster rear pu used £150 new £285 996 rear pu used £125 996 turbo rear pu used £175 Boxster boot lid used £95 Boxster rear spoiler complete with mechanism used £140 Boxster/996 doors used £150 new £250 Boxster rear quarter new £495 Boxster rear quarter vents inc grille used £40 Boxster rear quarter vents 2003 new pair £150 996 cab n/s rear quarter £550 new 996 Turbo engine lid & spoiler £950 996 engine lid & spoiler used £120 996 Turbo aerokit rear spoiler & front lip £1650, painted to colour £1995 996 Turbo aerokit rear spoiler - new £1795 996 GT3 body kit - front pu, rear spoiler & sills - £1950 996 GT3 rear spoiler £995 996 GT3 2003> front pu new £1150 996 cabriolet aerokit rear spoiler with engine lid, also fits coupe £750 996 cabriolet/coupe rear spoiler, new £995 996 hardtop £800 997 hardtop £1500 Boxster/996 headlights amber indicator used each £90 Boxster rear lamps standard each £25 996 rear lights each £35 Boxster/996 side repeaters amber each £5 Boxster smoked light kit £570 (front, rear, quadrants & side repeaters) Boxster smoked headlights £400 pair 996 smoked headlights £549 pair Boxster smoked rear lights pair £115 996 smoke rear lights £210 each Boxster/996 side repeaters smoke pair £30 Boxster/996 front wing liner new £63 Boxster/996 radiator air guide new £47 996 3.4 Engine complete £4000 exchange 986 996 short shift kit £120 Boxster 5 speed gearbox £750 996 C2 gearbox used - 29k miles - £1800 996 C4 manual gearbox £1500 996 C4s gearbox 1k miles £2950 996 C4s gearbox 12k miles £2750 996 C4 2002> tiptronic gearbox new £2950 986 996 short shift kit £120 Boxster 2.5 back box used £80 Boxster 3.2s back box used £110 Boxster brake calipers 2.5 Set of four used £400 996 brake calipers set of four used £400 996 C4 silver calipers - del milage only - £595 set of four Boxster/996 abs pump used £150 Boxster/996 a/c pump new £295 Boxster/996 radiator new £120 Boxster/996 radiator fans new £90 used £60 Boxster/996 rad fan cowl £15 Boxster/996 radiator frames used each £30 new £60 Boxster/996 a/c radiator £90 used or new £169 Boxster/996 o/s window reg new £110 996 exhaust boxes used £75 each 996 Turbo exhaust and cats £400 Most suspension parts available used.

996 Turbo rear shocks - new £120 each Boxster roll bars in arctic silver £99 997 987 parts available - please ring Various electronic services available for 986 996 993Air bag warning light reset Service light reset Enable on board computer Permanent mph from kph Door self locking options etc - please ring Vat to be added to all prices prices subject to change without notice

New Year’s Day at Brooklands

This annual car club gathering at Brooklands Motor Museum (Weybridge, Surrey) is a welcome day out, getting away from the January Sales before returning to work the next day.

Some thirteen bleary-eyed Porsche drivers attended our gathering within our designated prime, park and display area directly in front of the old Brooklands Club house. Unfortunately three of our hardy S.E Region members were texting me no sooner that I had arrived to say they were too unwell threatening to leave us short of display cars.

As soon as the Boxster bonnet was up with a few magazines on show, we started five hours talking Porsche with only a short break for lunch. We had half a dozen genuine enquires that have now been followed up with membership applications.

I needn’t have worried, thanks to the support of Jim Hearnden (Vice-Chairman) and his fellow South-east London & North Kent Region members arriving soon after.

If you attend a similar event during 2008, do the same and you will meet some really interesting characters and potential members.

The Brooklands Motor Museum is always worth a visit and supports many motoring events throughout the year. Aviation exhibits are complemented by the completion of Concorde parked up a short distance from our display. Many car clubs attend and you will see vintage cars through to the latest supercars on display so it’s worth braving the cold of a New Years morning.

I met members that I had signed up at Goodwood and Battle shows, along with a couple who were new members of TIPEC from the Bristol Region.

This was their first TIPEC outing. They were fascinating people that had just rebuilt an early 986 Boxster to get it roadworthy for a fraction of the car’s actual market value.

I took along some All Torque magazines and other club literature just in case there was a slight chance of meeting potential members.

How wrong was I?

If you can remain sober for New Years Day 2009, why not join us? You will be more than welcome.

Writing & photgraphy by Keith Funnell

All Torque 67 page 9

The drive of a lifetime (and it wasn’t a Porsche) John Oakes reports on his day out training and building up to the ultimate track driving experience: ten laps solo in a Formula One car at Rockingham.

John and the car that made his dream come true

Luca Badoer’s Forti-Corse FG03: “Better than anything I had ever driven before”

We all have dreams that we may never get to fulfil. I always wanted to fly on Concorde, which now can near happen, and after my fortieth birthday I said to my wife that we should aim to do the things we have always dreamed of. I have always been interested in motorsport and have tried rallying, hillclimbing and many trackdays, but Formula One has to be the ultimate form of motorsport. Even so, I never thought that I would ever sit in one, never mind drive one.

I had found a website with loads of different types of trackdays but only came across one offering an F1 drive. This really would be a dream come true, so in January I booked the experience with Rockingham racing circuit (www.rockingham.co.uk). It was to take place on the 26th May 2007. I would be driving a steadily faster series of cars around their circuit throughout the day, culminating in ten laps solo in their 1996 Italian Forti-Corse FG03, previously raced in F1 by Luca Badoer.

There were nine of us there that day for the F1 experience. The first car we drove was a Lotus Elise with an instructor showing us the racing lines, where to brake and turn. Not as easy as it seems but cones on the track did help. The second car was a Formula Ford with 115bhp which was much more like it, out on the track by myself. It was not too bad for speed but understeered at the hairpins. I had twenty laps out on the track with three cars out lapping at the same time.

The final car before the F1 was a very nice Formula Three. 160bhp with handling to match and slick tyres. The F3 car was comfortable and easy to drive and went around the hairpins much better than the Formula Ford. Then it was time for lunch. I wasn’t too sure about eating much, my stomach was not too good anyway … but that was due to what was coming next and a dream about to come true.

Writing & photography by John Oakes

All Torque 67 page 10

How does 0-60mph in just 2.8 seconds and 600bhp in a car that weighs around 600Kg feel? Totally and utterly fantastic, from sitting in to getting out of it.

The F1 car had no first or second gear due to the lifespan of the clutch. The car was push started in third gear, which made life much easier, better than stalling it! The track was L-shaped with two hairpins at each end. I was told that I should leave the car in fifth gear and possibly change to sixth on the start/ finish straight. I was sat there looking forward with the engine not running thinking “I am dreaming this?” but then I let the clutch out and with that the engine started. The noise was deafening. The acceleration on the straight was frightening at first but I soon settled down as I drove the car around the circuit, exiting the hairpin in fifth gear doing about 40mph.

Within seconds I was flat out doing 9,000rpm before changing to sixth gear which was around 110mph.

The acceleration, the grip and cornering were unbelievable, better than anything that I had ever driven before.

The ten laps in the F1 car went by very fast and soon I was on the last lap and time to come in.

Again we all went back to the suite for afternoon tea. There was a presentation to each driver with their photograph in the car and a certificate to say what we had all been up to. Leaving Rockingham and travelling back home in the 928 at normal speeds seemed very slow …

COM 1C, CLA 55Y or plain S1 LLY? They won’t make you a better driver; they won’t get you to your destination any quicker, and they could quite possibly get you laughed at by your fellow motorists.

But since 1989 we’ve given over 1,2 billion pounds to the Government for the privilege of using them.

Yes, it would seem that thousands of us see the spending of our hard-earned cash on altering the obligatory registration number of our cars as something of an investment. Not in just monetary terms, a clever little earner, but as a means of making our cars stand out from the crowd and as a statement of our individuality.

It’s not just the Government that profits from our funny ways. Dozens of companies buy and sell plates and make big bucks!

Marin Davies, the owner of The Private Plate Company, sells about 400 private plates a month!

His prices start at £185, with an average spend of about £300. But he has customers that are willing to pay over £100,000 for a number that ‘rings their bell!’

“Boy racers are the least likely customers”, says Mr Davies. Doctors, van drivers, lawyers and cleaners figure far more frequently in his customer base.

The motoring correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, Andrew English suggests that personalised plates have become so commonplace these days that they have totally lost their exclusivity. In fact he goes further; “They are a total vanity and incredibly naff, but it’s a market worth millions. I have no idea why someone would want one, they are so Dallas. You could actually spend that money on making your car better!”

On the other hand, a spokesman for the DVLA says; “They are unique, there will only ever be one” (He obviously hasn’t heard about number cloning!)

“This means they retain their value and are a great investment, a much better investment than other things people don’t turn their noses up at.” But as that ‘Sixties’ icon, Mandy Rice-Davis once said; “He would say that wouldn’t he!”

The professor of economics at Warwick University, Andrew Oswald, has studied the reasons why people

buy personalised number plates, and not surprisingly concluded that it’s all about status.

“If someone buys a Porsche they can claim it’s because it is a high performance car, as well as a status symbol. You can’t say that about these plates as they do nothing.

“That makes personalised numberplates a very pure indicator of how people see their status.

Often they are not aware of this; it’s not a conscious thing. It doesn’t make them bad people, it’s just human.”

So for thousands of owners, personalised plates are a statement of individuality, a prized possession, and a neat investment in a world of grey conformity.

To others they are a statement of ego over common sense and an ostentatious waste of cash.

According to Andrew English, the only acceptable reason for someone to buy one is to avoid a dreaded ‘Q’ number. These are issued by DVLA when they do not know the manufacture date of a car. It is associated with badly made vehicles and as a result it has a stigma!

(The above is a precis of an article written by Denise Winterman for BBC News Magazine and first published there on 7th December.)

On a related topic, from the TIPEC website’s discussion forum (at www.TIPEC.net): porsche: Can anyone help?

I’m looking for some fancy number plates like I’ve seen on other Porsches. You know; the ones with things like the Porsche crest at one end instead of the E.U. stars etc.

I want them to be legal, so has anyone got any advice?

Is it true that they have to have the manufacturer’s name on them and BSAU145 written on ‘em? thegumeister: In one word: No. The crest makes the plate illegal. You are only allowed a ‘GB’ with the EU crest and the correct sized numbers.

If you want the Porsche crest or any slogan written on the plate you have to have ‘show plates’ which technically are illegal for road use. Stick to correct font and size on the numbers and even with, say, a Porsche crest and a TIPEC slogan across the botom you are normally OK … but will have eagle-eyed jobsworths to watch out for. lindsayhbrown: I have never had any issues with mine.

Although bought as show plates they have passed two MOTs!

Writing by Keith Strudwick

All Torque 67 page 11

We love our wheels but do we look after them?

On Sunday 16th December Wicked Wheels in Crawley very kindly hosted an open morning for South East Region TIPEC members.

Proprietor Roger Evans and his son Paul have been running this operation for the past two to three years in Crawley which is growing and gaining a reputation for excellent quality and service at fantastic prices. It was fascinating to see how much work goes into refurbishing the wheels, and how they manage to rescue what appear to be irretrievably scruffy examples.

Since our last visit Roger has invested heavily, leasing the adjacent unit to double his floor space for expansion and development of an automatic conveyor system which will be capable of increasing their output from 150 wheels to 250 wheels a week and a capacity of 750 wheels.

With increasing legislation on chemicals in industry, Roger has gone green and introduced a bespoke shot blasting machine to replace the acid treatments.

This machine was purchased from Rosler in Germany and is the only bespoke four wheel blasting machine in the world stripping four wheels at a time.

The stainless steel shot will strip some alloy wheels in only 20 seconds, especially those from Japanese cars and even the toughest wheels only take 1.5 minutes compared with eight plus hours in the acid baths, unless you have Mercedes AMG wheels which seem to have an impregnable coating that only responds to acids.

The TIPEC South East Region members visiting Wicked Wheels on a Sunday morning

This blasting process dramatically speeds up the overall wheel refurbishment process and provides a prefect key for the powder coating, as well as being totally green as the stainless steel shot is filtered to enable it to be continuously re-used.

There are three stages to wheel refurbishments which were demonstrated to us by Roger and his team: Preparation This starts with removal of the tyre followed by stripping. Any repairs are then performed. It is rarely necessary to perform any welding unless absolutely necessary. We learnt one of the tricks of the trade, which is the use of Quiksteel: a putty compound on a stick which cures like steel and can then be sanded and ground to provide the repair. Apparently the AA and RAC have this magic stick in their toolbox for instant repair of radiators (far better than plastic padding).

Powder spraying This is the second stage. This is spraying of the base material, its usually grey, but white and black are also regularly used. The first step is to heat the wheel upto 220 degrees Celcius for half an hour. The wheel is then removed from the oven and powder sprayed: an electro-static process which ensures a uniform coating of 250 microns all over. This is superior to the manufacturers finish which is typically only 180 microns.

Top coat The third stage is a wet spray process. Firstly the wheel is placed back in the oven for green curing and allowed to drop to 45 degrees Celcius in readiness for wet spraying of the top coat, which is usually silver in colour, followed immediately by a clear lacquer which cross links with the silver to provide a protective and durable coating. This is then finally cured in the oven for 15 minutes. The silver coating is typically 25 microns thick. Most wheel manufacturers only lacquer the visible front faces of the wheels but Roger will lacquer the wheels all over if you wish, to provide maximum corrosion protection. For those wheels with a black silver finish the wheels are coated with black powder instead of grey. The silver coating which is translucent then allows the black to give its black chrome appearance. For this process only four micron silver coats are applied to enable the black to show through.

The shade of black is darkened by each silver coating with up to four coats for the darkest finish.

This time Rob Pettifer was given the opportunity to have a go at the powder spraying and got into the white overall and mask to perform this operation. Surprisingly Rob produced a good finish that got Roger’s seal of approval.

A finished example of deep black silver finish

Proprietor Roger Evans and his four wheel shot blaster Roger gave all members the opportunity of having their wheels refurbished at the special price of only £45 per wheel and a number of members took up this offer including one of our new members Ken Ferrier (944 owner) who discovered that Wicked Wheels can also refurbish his wheel centre discs (as they are alloy and not plastic) thus saving him around £100.

One final tip from Roger is that we should look after our wheels exactly the same as our bodywork: wash them and wax them with the body car wax to provide protection, as they take more exposure to the elements than any other part of the car.

Select your wheel styles with care, as different style wheels are more durable than others.

Desirable split rims look very cool when new but they will deteriorate and corrode quicker than single part wheels as the joints will hold water and brake dust. When selecting your wheels, be aware that those with smooth radiused corners rather than sharp edges also have more durable coatings.

Special thanks to Roger & Paul Evans for their hospitality and opening their facility specially on a Sunday for TIPEC members.

Rob Pettifer, proud of the wheels he powder sprayed himself to Roger’s exacting standards!

Writing & photography by Derek Flanagan

All Torque 67 page 13

Perfect Porsche: my 993 Cabriolet?

When listing my perfect Porsche, there was no doubt: for me the 993 was the car. The 993 2S in fact. That sexy rear, a build quality of legend and depreciation slower than my first push bike.

Where did I go wrong then?

My first Porsche experience was with a 1970s Targa that I test drove in the days when only Porsche dealers had tools like spline and tork drivers. Heat exchangers which cost as much as a good Morris Mini did nothing to encourage my purchase and once again my dreams were put on a back burner.

Many years were to pass before I bought my first Porsche, a very third hand 1980 924. This was quickly followed by a 1988 3.2 Carrera Coupe and more recently a 1991 model 964 Cabriolet. The 924 was a nice car but did not quite hit the spot.

The 3.2 was more like it but after a year it struck me that we only used it in the better weather, so a soft top would suit the family and dogs even better. The 964 Cabby was bought in London in September 2005 and after exactly two years of most

enjoyable motoring, and a heap of upgrading, I found myself in a position to look for my 993.

The pinnacle 993 2S was still beyond the sensible side of my brain, money wise, so my sights were set on a sub 70k miles Cabriolet in the low £20k bracket. Many dark blue examples were dismissed as too difficult to keep looking good and red I’d had before in two of the above mentioned vehicles. It would have to have a full service record, non black interior and some toys like aircon or cruise control. A very low mileage Zenith Blue example was quite tempting but the money was strong and anyway it was sold before I had the chance to view. After a couple more near misses, and almost by chance, I found a Speed Yellow example with 68K miles and full blue leather interior.

The down side was that it had a Tiptronic gearbox and furthermore it was some distance away. Notwithstanding this, the decision was made to go for it, automatic or not. This turned out to be one of my better decisions as the Tiptronic, whilst not my first choice, has its advantages when it comes to town driving and general getting from A to B motoring.

The manual override facility, while allowing you to choose the required gear of the four available, still does not select the gears as instantly as the normal 6-speed manual and leaves the driver feeling slightly less in charge of progress. Overall though I like the auto as it can still be made to deliver the Porsche experience and I’m sure in time I’ll make more use of the gearbox’s pre-programmed driving options. No clutch or dual mass flywheel woes either!

Well, it’s now four months into 993 ownership and the third brake light spoiler is fitted and the RS front splitters are being prepared and painted ready for installation.

The good bits are the near perfect blue hood, the comfortable blue leather interior, very presentable bright yellow exterior and working air conditioning. What do you think?

At 70k I took the precautionary measure of renewing the drive belt to the second distributor as no previous replacement was recorded and failure of this small belt can potentially lead to major engine damage. The original distributor caps were a bit tired and fresh replacements obtained via eBay. The engine checked for correct firing. A good job done and peace of mind for a while.

The Boxster wheels were my doing as I feel they compliment the 993’s smooth shape perfectly.

One or two problems have surfaced, the first of which is the dreaded 993 door stay failure where the door stay bracket within the ‘A’ post breaks away requiring major surgery to repair. (OPC £1,500?) The second less worrying problem is minor corrosion of the driver’s alloy quarter light frame leaving whitish deposits on the otherwise black finish.(OPC £600?)

Many posts have been written in the Porsche club forums concerning these faults and I shortly plan to tackle repairs myself using the advice gleaned from others. I’ll report my progress, with pictures, in due course.

The optional factory built-in wind stop is a real bonus. This is zipped in with the head cloth and folds with the hood: superb.

Our two dogs fit snugly beneath it on the folded down rear seats and, like the front seat humans, are protected from any backdraught on the move.

MPG is down on what I expected at approx 22, this I put down to the auto box, the time of year and some short running. In comparison the manual 5-speed 964, with essentially the same engine, would have been in the mid to high twenties on MPG.

So far then this Cabby ticks all my boxes and once I have the RS front splitters, third brake light spoiler, big reds … oops the wife has just come in … must go!

It is now January 2008 and, with thoughts of the better weather ahead, I look forward to being able to get my cabby out a bit more. Happy New Year all.

Writing & Photography by Martin Whitelaw

All Torque 67 page 15

Aerial Amplification Bruce Bolton bought a 944 S2 and a radio/sat-nav unit to suit … then found himself lacking signal strength. Here’s how he gave the windscreen-mounted 944 aerial a bit of a boost: I bought my 944 S2 last summer from a chap in Douglas, Isle of Man. Driving back to Essex, I resolved that the first job would be to change the circa 1990 radio/cassette for something newer as its audio quality and station finding performance was terrible.

The family transport, a Mitsubishi Galant 2.5 24v (yes, the one with the balance shafts that Porsche use) is fitted with a Blaupunkt Travelpilot. This is a radio/CD/sat-nav unit and works really well, however the navigation CDs are a bit pricey. Logic sort of dictated that I fit a Travelpilot to the 944, then if I want to update the UK CD or buy one for Outer Mongolia, it will work in either car. I had a quick look on eBay and a couple weeks later a pre-owned Travelpilot was installed in the 944. All should have been well, but the radio would not stay locked to the chosen station. The signal was dropping enough for the radio to start station seeking. More so on the French side of the Thames with its Downs and things, travelling in flat Essex it was fine!

Following a post on the TIPEC website, the collective wisdom was that the aerial amp was expired, disconnected or just broken. A quick search on the net found an aftermarket amplifier for approximately £10 from a firm called Westphalia. One soon arrived and I proceeded to fit it.

First off, with the car in the garage to ensure low signal strength, I set the radio to scan FM and MW for stations. This was to get some measure of current performance. Next I disconnected the amplifier power

Bruce’s new 944 S2, with the usual 944 windscreen-mounted aerial supply from the auto antenna connection on the back of the radio and scanned again. Classic FM and BBC Radio Two was the lot, so in reality the amp was doing something. I next connected the new amp in series with the original and applied power, but it was not much better than the first test. At this point the temporary power lead fell off and the background hiss on the station it was tuned to disappeared. Very odd.

Next, I ran a temporary aerial lead from the base of the windscreen to the new amplifier input. Again absolutely no difference from the first test. Despair set in, so I gave up for the day.

The following morning I got out the trusty multimeter in order to check things out properly. I first measured the voltage at the auto antenna connection: only nine volts. I checked the permanent 12v and it was 12 volts. I connected the amplifier supply to the radio’s ignition switched supply and the stations flooded in.

Problem solved.

As the lead from the windscreen aerial goes through a moulded grommet and disappears somewhere behind the instrument assembly I tried connecting the old and new amplifiers in series again and the result was everything I had hoped for.

The question remaining is: Why is the auto antenna connection at nine volts and not 12? Does anyone have an answer?

The new head unit, which highlighted problems with reception strength Writing & photography by Bruce Bolton

All Torque 67 page 16

By the way, if anyone has a Travelpilot Freestyler or E CD for Benelux that they dont want please get in touch!

Running Report: Stewart Gordon’s 944 diesel injection?

You are probably thinking the header is a typing error.

Unfortunately not. I was looking for a winter project to do on my newly acquired Guards Red 944 and boy, did I find one.

On an early Friday morning in October, shortly after changing the steering rack and just before the Scottish Winter Weekend (SWOTTY), I had a senior moment on my way to get the steering track alignment done.

I thought I must nip in and fill up with fuel for the weekend as the warning light had been on for a few days.

So I did, with 50 litres of diesel. At this point I didn’t realise it, unfortunately the staff never spotted my error (wouldn’t it have been good if they had said; “Sir, you just put diesel in a Porsche.

Is that right?”) I duly paid for the fuel and, still rushing, jumped in and drove off … about 50 yards! Then the engine just coughed and went straight to tick over.

It wouldn’t rev and clouds of smoke … that’s when the penny dropped.

12 hours and 40 litres of petrol through the system later, things were not getting better. Oil pressure had dropped considerably and smoke was still coming out in clouds. It was sounding mighty rough. By 11pm the night before the SWOTTY I decided that this engine was dying big time, switched it off and put it to bed.

Since then the dead duck engine is out and a replacement has been sourced, rebuilt, polished to within an inch of its life and laquered ready to go in.

A replacement engine has been sourced, rebuilt, polished to within an inch of its life and laquered ready to go in.

I was sitting in the middle of a busy road with cars driving round both sides of me, horns going, the lot. I put my hand in my rear pocket just to confirm my worse fear, got the receipt … yep, 50 Litres of diesel. The best thing to do now is get out a Hamlet and let the world go by, as this Porsche ain’t going anywhere under its own steam (or smoke).

I phoned the AA and a local mechanic I know, who recommended that I get the AA to tow it down to him and he would drain it down. When the AA guy came out, he told me that this was his eighth callout in four days for people putting wrong fuel in their cars! It was good to know I wasn’t the only plonker who had done it.

As the suspension cross member needs to be dropped I have decided it’s as well to replace wire brush and paint all the arms, springs etc … replace the bushes and ball joints on the front end at the same time, along with a dodgy engine mount (offside of course) … overhaul the steering drop link, replace the steering column bottom bearing … along with some of the engine bay wiring and casings that have gone hard and are ready to snap.

The 8mm wire from the alternator to battery was losing a volt along with the 8mm wire from the battery to the starter solenoid that had been joined, so I replaced those, and replaced the aluminium heat shield in the tunnel area at the same time.

One thing is for sure: All of these jobs are so much easier to do when there is no big four cylinder lump filling the bonnet space! Watch this space for further developments under the bonnet before I’m finished.

Writing & photography by Stewart Gordon

All Torque 67 page 17

Running report: Clive Lusted’s 928 S4 Forgive me, it has been eighteen months since my last running report. Somewhere in that last report is a statement that “the plan for 2007 is for the annual service and maybe one or two little, and hopefully, inexpensive tweaks”.

I believe the phrase I am looking for is ‘the best laid plans …’

The annual service in January last year was not as ‘involved’ as the previous, but was not quite your basic 12,000 mile service. As usual I asked Paul Anderson to check and adjust the flex plate, a definite annual requirement on automatic 928s although apparently still not included in the OPC service, plus a few extras. The gearbox oil and filter were replaced along with the fuel filter and a check of the fuel lines.

I also had the throttle body and engine lifting bracket zinc plated and all of the visible jubilee clips replaced with shiny stainless steel examples.

All very sad I know and I am considering undergoing special counselling.

In February the power steering hose on my 1988 928 S4 decided to spring a leak and, as ATF is extremely flammable and 928s have a tendency to melt when on fire, I immediately made tracks to Stroud and the good Doctor. This also seemed to be a good time to have Paul Anderson fit the recently nickel plated headlight lifting bar and zinc plated top and bottom bonnet catches.

Clive’s 1988 928 S4 at the street concours, under intense scrutiny from the judging team

April saw my biggest outlay on the old girl, and there have been a few. I want to say investment, not outlay, but I am not entirely sure that the words investment and 928 should be linked. From a couple of yards away the Grand Prix White paintwork looked presentable. Up close however, there were a large number of stone chips on the front PU and side sills plus there were some paint runs on the offside wing where a previous owner or, more likely, a garage had ‘touched up’ before a resale. There were also small bubbles of aluminium corrosion by the front arches.

I spoke with Dave McLoughlin of Daytona Coachworx in Stevenage and it was agreed that it would be sensible make it a front end respray and include the bonnet. This is when the job started to grow into a bit of a monster as most of my projects generally do.

Dave explained that he would ‘blow in’ the doors so that the new paint would blend in with the old and therefore not be too obvious. This, he told me would involve taking the side strips and the door mirrors off.

If these had to come off then did it make sense to leave the side strips off and fit GTS teardrop mirrors? Of course it did! Dave advised me of the various retainers, door seals, mouldings and window scrapers etc that would need to be replaced. This was something that I had totally underestimated. Anyone considering this type of work would do well to prepare themselves for it tending to add up quite quickly.

“Right, mirrors off, side strips too … I thought you said this was a ‘front end’ respray?”

During the preparation Dave was kind enough to advise me that he hadn’t found any ‘nightmares’ under the paint and that I didn’t have two 928s welded together, which was nice to hear. Once the car was fully prepared it was treated to 1.5 litres of two-pack high build primer filler. At this stage it was flatted back and any imperfections were removed. Once Dave was satisfied with the results three base coats of Grand Prix White (three litres) were applied followed finally by two layers (2.7 litres) of clear coat. This was then flatted and machine polished to a high shine over the course of two days. I picked her up exactly three weeks and 97.5 hours of labour after the process was started.

The day after collecting the car from Daytona my son Jack and I headed out to Dinslaken in Germany for the huge Aufgallop Zuffenhausener Porsche meeting. This is an annual meeting held on May 1st and is certainly one of the best events I have been to, with in excess of 1,500 Porsches in attendance. Unfortunately I did not manage to make as many excursions into Europe as I have previously and it is something I want to correct for 2008.

Since buying the 928 back in December 2004 I entered the previously uncharted waters of street concours competitions, due in the main to a challenge thrown down by the previous owner. The old girl had been reasonably successful in regional PCGB events in 2005 and 2006. 2007 also proved to be a good year with a first place in the Visitors category down in Dartmouth, third place at the Porsche & Polo event in early July and second in the PCGB National event at Silverstone.

I feel that entering concours competitions (street concours anyway as I do like to drive my car as well) has been of benefit as it has made me continually strive for perfection … more counselling required possibly? However, I have now ‘retired’ from Street Concours due to the frustration associated with it.

I fully accept that judging a vehicle is not a science and that it is fairly subjective but the disparity in points awarded at the various events is difficult to grasp. It is sometimes hard to fathom whether you were actually lucky to win or unlucky to be placed second or third.

Maybe it is that I am just too sensitive and I don’t appreciate any criticism of the old girl, however minor.

After all, she is one of the family now.

Looking good at the end of 2007 with GTS mirrors and fresh paint As for other costs incurred throughout 2007, all four wheels were refurbished (again) and the offside wiper arm and boot carpet were replaced in the vain search for additional Concours points. Mechanically the front EBC Red Stuff brake pads were replaced in May after 16,000 miles and new rear tyres were fitted in January of this year after 23,000 miles.

This year’s service by Paul Anderson was the (long awaited) basic 12,000 mile service. Everything was going fine until Paul ran the engine to warm the gearbox oil prior to checking the oil level. He detected a faint ‘rattle’ accompanying the engine note; after lengthy investigation with his stethoscope he deduced that it most likely a loose cam chain tensioner. There go my plans for an expense free 2008 … but the drive home suggested that there isn’t too much wrong.

It is assumed that the 928 is not a cheap car to run and maintain. It is true that some bills can bring on the odd chest pain but, as with all Porsches, it helps to have a budget and stay on top of maintenance issues. The majority of the money I have spent on my 928 has not been because it was necessary, but because I wanted to have what I consider to be a good example of its type!

Writing & photgraphy by Clive Lusted

All Torque 67 page 19

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Gruppe North Scotland RO Stewart Gordon 01698 841 692 (evenings) 07974 808 342 (mobile) flashgordon944@blueyonder.co.uk ARO Alan Neilson 01324 871 543 07793 234 096 (mobile) alz1933@alanneilson.fsnet.co.uk ARO Neil Fraser 0131 660 0143 07946 616 782 (mobile) neil@fraser72.freeserve.co.uk Meetings are held first Wednesday of every month 8pm at The King Robert Hotel, Bannockburn, Stirling, FK7 0LJ. Happy new year to all our members.

Firstly we would like to wish Steph McDonald a speedy recovery from her major operation on Christmas Eve, get well soon Steph, we are all thinking of you.

Considering the traffic chaos in and around the Stirling area and the fact that it was only one degree above zero, there were still 11 hardy members turned out for our first meeting of 2008 with two further members phoning to apologise for not showing. It’s great that you all took the time to come out.

Cheshire & Staffs

Dancing at the Christmas party weekend sent might look to putting a suggestion or two down and bringing it along to the next meeting or e-mailing it back to myself Alan or Neil. It’s your club, we are looking for your ideas for the region.

February will see us decide on the events for the rest of the year. We are planning a 4/5 day trip to Ulster on either the 5th or 6th September and we are looking for names ASAP for those who would like to go, so if you fancy this one let us know as soon as possible.

An idea under consideration for the spring weekend run is a two night stay, probably Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th April up and around Skye. Again if anybody fancies coming along to that one, let us know ASAP. Our next meeting is on Wednesday February 6th. Let’s see you all coming along, the meeting room is plenty big enough to get us ALL in.

Here’s a suggested New Years Resolution: try and come to at least two meetings in 2008!

The Scottish Weekend of the Year 2007 We sent round by e-mail a request for ideas/suggestions around six weeks ago.

As we did not receive any replies, we revamped the form and printed it off and took it to the meeting, handed them round all that were there and I know that there are at least eight forms in the suggestion box now. We will do the same at our February meeting and then we will have a look and see what new ideas are coming through and discuss them, hopefully all the other members out there who had a form

North West RO John Pye 01706 712 491 07957 818 636 (mobile) tipecnw@tiscali.co.uk ARO Brenda Marginson 0125 483 1766 brenda.marginson944@virgin.net Meetings are held first Monday of every month 8pm at The Thatch & Thistle, Chorley Road, Blackrod BL6 5LA. When this falls on a Bank Holiday, we meet on the second Monday instead.

RO Steve Taylor 07774 912 069 (mobile) stephen_taylor@datascope.com ARO Dave Watson 07901 928 356 (mobile) watson1970@aol.com Meetings are held third Tuesday of every month 8pm at The Whipping Stocks, Stocks Lane, Over Peover, Knutsford, WA16 9EX. Well here we are again, the start of another new year, towards the end of last year the Cheshire & Staffs region held several successful events. Firstly on Sunday 18th November we held a drive out around Denbigh in North Wales, A group of nine met at the Esso petrol station in Ruthin before setting off for the day around the Welsh hills led by Barry Stenhouse in his 964 C4. Barry had an exciting day planned with regrouping points and regular breaks for a drink and lunch. We were extremely lucky with weather and even more lucky with the roads, it seemed we had them to ourselves all day! This meant we could really open up our cars and put them through their paces on some of the best driving roads in Wales, although I have heard several members (myself included) who brought their wives and brothers now have to have a trip back to Douglas Valley Breakers to find some trim panels to replace what now has deep finger nail marks embedded into it! Overall everyone had a really enjoyable time and we look forward to another outing like it again soon.

On the evening of Friday 30th November a group of 20 went to the Bengal Dynasty near Northwich for a Curry. This went very well and the evening passed very quickly.

The quality of food was exceptional and the surroundings very pleasant as well, I’m sure with the curry addicts in the region this will become an annual event .

For me personally, the absolute ultimate event was on the morning of Saturday 8th December when the region descended on TDi Northwest in Warrington for a Dyno

Morning. TDi Northwest is a tuning house with a 450bhp, four wheel drive rolling road. 16 members had their cars booked in and we all started gathering at Unit 11 Porsche for breakfast provided by the boys (Roger, John, Danny and Mike) at 9am, we then headed across the road with a varied selection of cars: a 944, 944 Turbo, 944 Cab, 911 3.2’s, 964 C4, 964 C2, 964 RS, 993 RS’s, 996 GT3, 911 Turbo SE Flatnose and a Boxster. Each of the cars went on the rolling road in turn performing a gentle run first followed by three power runs, the closest two runs being taken as the power reading.

It just goes to show the quality of the Porsche marque every car performed either as expected or even better. There’s nothing quite like the atmosphere of a rolling road with 16 Porsches all warmed up and ready to go and their owners looking in the other direction as their pride and joy’s are taken up to the limit.

I would like to say a big thank you to Unit 11 for supporting the whole day, Roger for providing breakfast, John for assisting TDi Northwest in strapping down the cars and ensuring that nothing went wrong, Danny for inspecting and checking members cars over in the Unit 11 workshops and of course Mike for keeping everyone fuelled up with Tea and Coffee.

I would like to take this opportunity to Congratulate Dave and Ingrid Watson who became proud parents again on the 12th December to a baby boy called Aaron, on behalf of the region and its members we would like to wish them all the best and many happy memories.

Don’t forget everyone the region meet on the third Tuesday of each month at The Whipping Stocks on the A50 between Knutsford and Holmes Chapel from 8pm, the Pub serves excellent home cooked food so anyone wishing to eat may do so.

Over the next few months we have several events to organise. I will keep all our members up to date regularly by e-mail.

If any member is not receiving my e-mails please let me know and I will add you to the list. Also if any members would like to suggest an event, or have any ideas that would benefit the region, please let either myself or Dave Watson know. Remember it’s your club and you’re the members so feel free to talk to us, when and where possible we will endeavour to please.

North East

Yorkshire

RO Andy Blythe 01642 809 031 ac.blythe@mbro.ac.uk ARO Simon Poole 07759 694 059 audisi@btinternet.com

RO John Oakes 01132 827 512 john.oakes3@btinternet.com ARO David Levin 01132 250 268 asmidir@hotmail.com

Meetings are held first Sunday of every month 7:30pm at The Sporting Lodge, Low Lane, Stainton Village, Cleveland, TS17 9LW, just off the A19.

Meetings are held first Tuesday of every month 7:30–8pm at The Windmill, Hull Road, Dunnington, York, YO19 5LP.

Six members turned up for the first meeting of the year, a good start to hopefully a busy year for the region. Main news of the night was that I handed over the RO position to Andy as work commitments are increasing for me and I felt that I could not do the role justice. Andy is keen and we all offer him our support. Simon was the only one to arrive in a Porsche, his 968, so come the end of winter there will be a lot more activity, starting with a coastal run to be arranged soon.

Lincolnshire ARO Mike Daniels 07770 968 159 (mobile) mike@jwhartonagriculture.co.uk Meetings are held second Wednesday of every month 7:30–8pm at The King’s Head Inn, Kingsway, Tealby, LN8 3YA. RO required, to host monthly meetings at a local pub/hotel with support from the members and attend/organise local events with the assistance of the ARO. From Brod Purdy, outgoing RO: Unfortunately I have had to stand down owing to family considerations, a more active role in my local Parish affairs and, last but not least, both Carolyn and I need to become more pro-active in raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. This last has, unfortunately, taken a bit of a back seat recently and I believe that if one cannot give fully, then it is time to stand down and let someone else have a go. I would like to thank all those who turned up at our meetings. Lincolnshire needs a good RO to take over … it should not be too difficult to follow in my footsteps! I shall still attend the meetings when other commitments allow. This was not an easy decision. Good luck in the future … I met many new friends and enjoyed the short time I had as RO.

Our calendar of events for the year is coming together. Here’s some highlights: 8th June is the Harewood House Show, which is always a good day out with lots of Porsches amongst around 400-500 cars.

Free food and drinks supplied by Strasse of Leeds. There will be a 928 meeting in the main arena, so please just come along and meet up with me on the day.

Sunday 29th June will be our Chatsworth House day out.

11th–14th July is the Classic Le Mans Event.

Although sometime to go to this event it’s time to book your ferry if you fancy going.

Ticket price for the whole weekend is about 45 euros and camping cost very near to the Dunlop Bridge is 25 euros each. Please let me know if anyone fancies coming along for the trip.

25th–27th July is the Silverstone Classic Event. I went there last year and had a great time looking around.

The only bad part of the day was that there was too much to look at, could do with going for two days if possible. This has now become the PCGB National Event for the year.

3rd August is the TIPEC National Day at Gaydon.

Sunday 12th August will be our run out to Sledmere House & picnic.

Paintwork & Polishing nights Glyn O’Donnell from Carnoisseur will be coming along to club nights in the summer and showing us how to look after your cars with paintwork and polishing tips.

His website is www.elite-detailer.co.uk Check out Glyn’s work and the cars that he has been doing recently.

All Torque 67 page 23

Gruppe Central South Yorkshire & North Notts.

RO Paul Drury 01777 228 028 07842 171 681 (mobile) paulandjude@yahoo.com ARO Dean Lancashire 07860 198 627 (mobile) dean@tachart.com Meetings are held first Sunday of every month 5–5:30pm (meeting proper begins 7pm) at Ye Olde Bell Hotel, Barnby Moor, Retford, Notts, DN22 8QS.

SYNNers out on show, despite grey skies The year could be summed up as a year of progress and of change which has resulted in a club with a high level of stability and a nucleus of members who are looking forward to moving the club forward into the future. Over the past twelve months club nights have been well attended with an average of 25 persons—a big increase from a couple of years ago. It is also pleasing to note that attendance on our trips out has also always been good despite the awful weather we experienced.

visited a vineyard, visited the Coventry Museum of Transport and attended race meetings at Silverstone and Donington Park.

In addition to this two of our members and their partners went over to the Nurburgring.

This was a most enjoyable experience and it is planned to go over again in 2008, this time hopefully with a number of other members in attendance. In September two members joined the S/E London & North Kent group at the Le Touquet Classic car event in northern France, another event we are thinking of for the whole region.

The SYNN Christmas Party held at the Old Bell was enjoyed by all. The move from our previous meeting venue to the Old Bell initially caused some concerns but has been very successful and it is nice to be able to meet at an establishment that seem genuinely pleased to see us on our meeting nights. The perfect large rear car park is outside the meeting room with large adjacent gardens for possible hot summer alfresco meetings? They serve excellent food in extremely pleasant surroundings.

Visiting Le Touquet, a trip we plan to repeat in 2008

Main Issues from January meeting.

officers for the year. All posts (i.e. RO, ARO and Treasurer) were up for nomination.

Following the usual arm twisting and gentle coercion the new team were elected; unfortunately due to work commitments John Middleton has stepped down as RO and with the formation of the new neighbouring East Midland region SYNN ARO Chris Belfield has taken the reins as RO over there. Many thanks and our gratitude to both of them for the work and effort put in, taking the region through a difficult period. They will both still be very active in SYNN events and meetings and be on hand to help the new team. Promoted from treasurer to RO is Paul Drury and ARO will be Dean Lancashire, who both still looked stunned at the end of the meeting, and unanimously in as replacement treasurer is Judy Drury-Phillips.

A magnificent turn out for the time of year, over 20 on a wet January night.

A brief AGM was held to vote in the club

The 2008 WOTY will be in the Cotswolds and was initially planned to be held over the early May Bank Holiday period.

We have drafted a provisional programme of events for 2008 and we all look forward to what should be another successful year with the club moving forward from strength to strength.

We attended a total of nine car shows between the months of May and September which made for a busy few months. In addition to the shows we had our WOTY in the Lake District and did various drives around the country involving visits to the seaside (for fish and chips), a car restoration garage (Sherwood Restorations) and Morgan Cars (based at Malvern).

It was agreed earlier in the year by regular meeting attendees that to maintain members’ interest it was important we become involved with different activities but still attend the long established events that we enjoy supporting. To meet this requirement we had a treasure hunt,

TIPEC members lined up outside the Coventry Transport Museum

East Midlands RO Chris Belfield 01530 413 527 07720 471 150 (mobile) kathy.belfield@virgin.net ARO Graham Waller graham.waller@polypipe.com Meetings are held third Tuesday of every month 7pm for food (meeting proper begins 8pm) at The Anchor Inn, Loughborough Road, Hathern, Leicestershire, LE12 5JB. Another 2007 car show, another wet day out …but a good turnout nevertheless After some further discussion it was agreed that we would move the date to be one week later to avoid the usual Bank Holiday visitors the area naturally attracts. We then noticed the Prescott Hill Climb Open Classic Car Event was on in the Cotswold’s that very weekend and decided to join the Central and Bristol regions there. On Saturday 10th of May there is a 50 mile Cotswold tour, a dinner on the Saturday evening then on Sunday 11th the option of paddock parking and hill runs or orchard static display and cavalcade. Booking forms for the 2008 Prescott event are available at www.cleevevale.org.uk/classiccar Hotel arrangements will be finalised for next meeting. None of the Prescott elements are compulsory but a lot of enthusiasm was shown at the meeting. All places are limited so anyone interested please book A.S.A.P. Anyone interested without internet access ring me and I will get the appropriate booking form to you.

On Easter Sunday March 23rd we are proposing to do a Porsche Easter egg/toy run to a local children’s hospital or hospice, details not yet finalised. Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice at Dinnington has been suggested. We will follow up with details on the website as next All Torque will be out after Easter.

The date for the track day to be held at Bruntingthorpe has now been agreed and a number of our members have expressed a desire to attend. Information was handed out on how to book a place at the event.

£30 instead of the usual £35 per head.

Please arrive for 2.30 for kitting out etc, to start racing at 3.00. Then onto Akbar’s, dining at 6.00pm on Meadowbank road, Rotherham. Very near to Junc 34 M1.

Please let Dean or me know if you are attending both or either of the events.

We have then got a trip to the Meguires the polishing people on the morning of Saturday 15th March at Daventry followed by an optional meal afterwards, this one is with East Midlands and organised by Chris Belfield.

We are having a trip into Yorkshire and visiting Gmund and RPM (who offer TIPEC discount) on Sunday March 30th with a drive around the scenic local area and a meal.

If anyone from any other region would like to join us on any of the above we would be very happy to see you and also any new or existing SYNNers (previously SYNDies) members who have not attended a meeting recently please come and begin/renew your acquaintance with us, a warm welcome awaits you. It’s your club, please support it and with your input we will continue to go forward.

North London & Herts

Forthcoming Events:

RO Gary Adams 07799 895 274 (mobile) garyadams_1980@hotmail.com

Dean has organized karting and a curry for Saturday February 9th. Starting at Avago Karting (www.avagokarting.co.uk) for a full Grand Prix. Reduced rates for TIPEC booking

Meetings are held third Thursday of every month 7:30pm at The Robin Hood, The Ridgeway, Botany Bay, Enfield, Middlesex, EN2 8AP.

The Region is very much still finding its way and we are trying very hard to build the membership in order that the club can become well established.

We currently have an official membership level of approximately 24 people, the majority being ex SYND members who now fall into our designated catchment area following the recent TIPEC boundary changes.

Since the very first meeting we have had great support from a number of fellow TIPEC members from the SYNN and Central Regions in particular and from Sean Smallman as well. Thank you all, it has been much appreciated.

Over the past months we have also attracted a number of potential new members and these people will be focused on in the coming months in an endeavour to get them to be regular attendees at future club meetings and events we organise.

The Region has been in attendance at a number of events including a visit to Morgan Cars, a race meeting at Donington Park and a visit to the Coventry Museum of Transport. We also held our first Christmas Party at the Anchor Inn during December and a most enjoyable evening was had by the dozen people who attended.

We have prepared a draft programme of events for 2008 and this will be developed further by the time you read this.

We have within the club a number of extremely enthusiastic people, couple this with our commitment to establish the club within the TIPEC structure, and I am confident that we will have a successful and enjoyable 2008.

All Torque 67 page 25

Bristol

Central

RO Paul Harrison 07884 116 971 (mobile) paul@harrison167.freeserve.co.uk

RO Paul Bird 01922 428 409 07831 877 983 (mobile) paulpsb928@yahoo.co.uk ARO Brian Rowledge MyMerak@aol.com

Meetings are held first Tuesday of every month 8pm at The Fox, Easter Compton, B35 5RA, one mile West of M5 J17 (Cribbs Causeway).

May I wish you all a happy New Year to begin with and I hope you all have a year of merry Porsche motoring! We finished 2007 with a bang with the region’s Christmas Lunch at The Bowl in Lower Almonsbury. Thank you to Mick and Sue for suggesting the venue. Great food, brilliant company and a good time was had by all!

Our January meeting was delayed by a week to account for the first Tuesday being New Year’s Day. By the way, I hope nobody spent New Year’s Day evening wondering where everyone was …

We already have a few events on the calendar for 2008, most of them being joint with other regions: May sees us returning to Prescott, this time with at least two other regions running up the hill, and July sees us returning to the Classic Le Mans, again in common with at least two other regions.

I also hope that we can get enough people interested to make a presence at the Central Region’s trackday at Bruntingthorpe in April. For our part, we aim to have a visit to Porschemode, a Sunday drive and lunch, and, venues permitting, Scalextric and PS2/ GT4 nights. Also in the planning stages are a visit to the local OPC (as long as we can get enough numbers) and a dyno day. We’ll probably need numbers from other regions for those so if you’re interested, get in touch.

For my part, the clock is ticking as the engine is halfway out of my car and the replacement has just begun preparation for being fitted. It should be done by the end of February but you all know how these things always take longer than you anticipate …

Fingers crossed, we can see whether it works at the March meeting!

All of the dates are listed on the Bristol Region page of the TIPEC website and there are links to information for all the events.

Have a browse and start marking up your calendar. If you haven’t got out and about already, make a New Year’s resolution to come along to an event and meet everyone … You never know, you might enjoy it!

Meetings are held second Monday of every month 8pm at The Red Lion, Lady Lane, Earlswood, B94 6AQ. Last issue I asked you to watch this space for our 2008 plans. Here’s our full events schedule for the coming year!

Saturday 23rd February Curry Night at Vakas Balti. Now an established part of the Central Region calendar and not to be missed.

Saturday 15th March Visit to Birmingham Motor Tyre Repository (BMTR). This Company specialises in the fitment of high performance and racing tyres. See www.bmtr.co.uk for more details.

This event is subject to final confirmation.

Sunday 23rd March Midlands Festival of Transport at Weston Park, Weston under Lizard, Salop. Download entry form here: www.transtarpromotions.co.uk Fill in and send off as per instructions. Just email Paul and confirm attendance to aid planning.

Sunday 13th April TIPEC AGM at Gaydon. See Club website for details.

Saturday 19th April Visit to Center Gravity. This company specialises in the set up of wheels, steering, chassis, suspension and geometry of high performance vehicles. See www. centergravity.co.uk for further details. Details of this event are to follow but it will comprise of a short talk, practical demonstration and finish up with a questions and answer session for club members.

Saturday 26th April Track day at Bruntingthorpe. This event has been organised by Central Region but is open to all regions so if you wish to enjoy you need to register quickly. Full details on the Club website and forum. To Book ring 0116 279 9318 and ask for Faey.

Sunday 4th May Shelsley Walsh hill climb Porsche Champs.

Sunday 11th May Prescott Hill Climb. Details and booking form can be downloaded here: www.cleevevale.org.uk/classiccar Just download and complete the entry form for either the Orchard static display or Paddock entry and send off as instructed.

Please send Paul an email to confirm that you have booked.

Sunday 15th June Trentham Transport Festival. Classic show at Trentham Gardens Stoke-on-Trent.

Download entry form here: www.transtarpromotions.co.uk Fill in and send off as per instructions.

Just email Paul & confirm attendance to aid planning.

Sunday 22nd June Cotswold drive out culminating at Bourtonon-the-Water to visit the Cotswold Motor Museum, Birdland or the shops in the village as you wish.

Sat/Sun 5th & 6th June Cars in the Park, Lichfield. Great Classic show with Paul Keeling playing host to a club stand for 20 cars on both days.

Contact Paul Keeling for details on 01543 271 116.

Thurs 10th to Mon 14th June Club trip to the Le Mans Classic including a convoy drive from Dover to Le Mans and dedicated club camping at Tetra Rouge corner. Details on Club website & forum.

Sunday 27th June Silverstone Classic Sunday 3rd August National Event at Gaydon Heritage Centre Saturday 13th September Trip to Coventry Motor Museum Date TBC (September) Sprint day at Curborough Fri 3rd to Sun 5th October Weekend of the Year (WOTY) Details to be confirmed.

Fri 14th to Sun 16th November Classic Show at the NEC Saturday 22nd November Curry Night Monday 8th December Christmas dinner at the Red Lion.

South Central RO Geoff Cox 01235 815 880 07740 452 586 (mobile) geoff.b.cox@btinternet.com ARO Debbie Oakley 0160 486 2285 theavonlady@tesco.net Meetings are held fourth Wednesday of every month at The Crooked Billet, Kingswood, HP18 0QJ, on the A41 between Bicester and Aylesbury.

The Christmas meal on December 19th at The Crooked Billet was well attended with some excellent food combined with the normal silly chat.

Flight simulators: dull from the outside On the Saturday between Christmas and New Year we spent a fascinating day at Oxford Airport, playing with their various flight simulators, used to train commercial pilots. This excellent day came about thanks to Brian, Steve and John who work at the airport and are TIPEC members. We managed to land the planes relatively well with few aborted landings thanks to some excellent guidance from our hosts. We had just the one catastrophic failure when our Chairman (Sean) pressed the “DO NOT PRESS” button, leaving Mark Saving with no instruments at 10,000 feet … The favourite

Flight simulators: Look at all the instruments on the inside! Which one’s the boost gauge? simulator was the Boeing 737 one, which moved around on pneumatics leaving the occupants to scream as our hosts put the plane through impossible actions. After playing on the simulators we met at the local pub for a meal and to calm down after all the excitement.

I hope to have our full 2008 listing out to you in the post during February but in the meantime please see below list of forthcoming events.

Wednesday 23rd January, club night with Scalextric racing.

On Saturday 2nd February we will be going to the Coventry Transport Museum, where we have pre-booked our own parking area outside the entrance. Entrance to the museum is free. Please meet at the OPC in Towcester at 9.30am, where we will head off in a group at around 10.00am

On Saturday 1st March we will be going to Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands to look around their very impressive facilities.

Many of you may wish to pre-book test drives for the day, simply let me know your requirements.

Please meet at the Oxford Services on the M40 to the East of Oxford at 9.30am, where we will head off in a group at around 10.00am.

On Sunday 30th March we will be going to a view an extensive private collection of cars and military vehicles, which are used in the film industry, near Windsor. Please meet at the Oxford Services on the M40 to the East of Oxford at 9:30am, where we will head off in a group at around 10:00am. The collection is all under cover and contains lots of memorabilia as well as cars, tanks, motorcycles from the 1920s to 1950s. For more details see www.historyonwheels.co.uk.

Cambs & Lincs Winter meetings are held first Sunday of every month from midday at The White Swan, Conington, Cambridge, CB3 8LN. RO required, to host monthly meetings at a local pub/hotel and with support from the members attend/organise local events.

International TIPEC South Central Christmas dinner at The Crooked Billet

RO Dave Warren Dave will be the new point of contact for members in Wales, Ireland and overseas.

All Torque 67 page 27

Gruppe South South East RO Derek Flanagan 01342 717 754 07767 254 820 (mobile) derek.flanagan@varian.com ARO Keith Funnell 01293 886 601 07790 753 697 (mobile) keith.funnell@btinternet.com Meetings are held second Wednesday of every month 8pm at The Shipley Bridge Inn, Antlands Lane, Burstow, RH6 9TE, on the B2037, off the A23, one mile North of Crawley M23 J10.

Mid Sussex Porsche Christmas Party Six members of the S.E. Region accepted an invitation by Mid Sussex Porsche OPC and PCGB R23 (Sussex) to their Christmas party night at Mid Sussex OPC in Burgess Hill on 4th December. This was a relaxing evening which coincided with the soft launch of the new Boxster. We also had the opportunity of some Christmas shopping from the Porsche Selection range of accessories and regalia.

SE Region Christmas dinner Instead of our normal December meeting we held our Christmas dinner at the Shipley Bridge. 22 members attended including three employees from Mid Sussex Porsche, namely Peter Rowe, Tony Tedeschi and Dave Brown who also supplied us with a large selection of Porsche Posters to give away to our members at the January meeting.

We held our annual raffle with 20 prizes and made a profit of £46 for our regional funds, special thanks to members who donated prizes. John Wallin also donated a bottle of Champagne from his TIPEC SE Region lotto winnings last month which was won by Nick Barnes (924 & 928 owner).

SE Region Member Of The Year (MOTY) This is the ninth year that we have held our Regional Member of the Year. This year we announced the awards at our Christmas dinner. This award goes to the member who has made the biggest contribution to our Region based on attendances at our monthly meetings, participation and support of our Regional and National events. This year it has been impossible to differentiate

between two members, so for only the second time we decided to announce two Members of the Year.

For the third time I was pleased to announce John Wallin (924 owner) as one of the winners. John was our first ever Regional MOTY in 1999 and also joint winner in 2005. John attends virtually every monthly meeting and almost all our regional events, including our WOTY and Goodwood FOS and even attends the TIPEC AGM. This year John also organised two events, the Silverstone Rally and our annual narrowboating day. Congratulations John and many thanks for your dedication and commitment.

Thames Valley RO Nick Ramsay 07973 183 220 (mobile) tipec@witzendcs.co.uk ARO Jason Gibson 07958 459 725 (mobile) jasongibson@blueyonder.co.uk Meetings are held first Tuesday of every month 7:30pm at The Red Lyon, Henley Road, Hurley, Berkshire, SL6 5LH.

TIPEC Thames Valley’s Christmas party

John Wallin (right), joint MOTY winner Our other winners were the partnership of Rachel Barnard & Rob Pettifer. Once again Rachel & Rob attend virtually all monthly meetings as well as attending most of our events. When Rachel & Rob attend we are guaranteed two cars as Rachel turns up in her blue 993 with its Turbo style rear end (which appeared on the Goodwood FOS stand) and Rob always arrives in his red 964. Whilst Rachel adorned our stand at the Goodwood FOS this year, Rob was travelling upto our TIPEC National day.

Congratulations to Rachel and Rob. Both John and Rachel & Rob were presented with their MOTY certificates, a special limited edition Porsche mug and a book.

Rachel Barnard & Rob Pettifer, also winners

Thames Valley held its annual Christmas party on December 7th at Jagz nightclub in Ascot this year. A fun-filled evening of eating, drinking and dancing was enjoyed by the eleven attendees.

… with entertainment in the background The only other meet was a somewhat poorly attended New Year’s Eve drive out which consisted of four Porsches and an AMG SLK320 Mercedes. The Merc was seen going sideways during a spirited drive along a two and a half hour route through the Bucks & Berks countryside … no Porsches displayed similar tendencies! The drive was followed by a well-earned pub lunch.

Four Porsches and one Merc at New Year

Southern RO Gordon Collins 07835 798 734 (mobile) gtsc.dkm@virgin.net ARO Jim Tarrant 01202 601 886 jim.tarrant@hotblack944.fsnet.co.uk

This year we will have more trips out, we will have all the old favourites and we might just see more of the SC!

We had a BBQ at Jon Mitchell’s in September

Meetings are held first Tuesday of every month 7:30pm at The True Lovers Knot Pub, Tarrant Keyneston, Nr Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 9JG. Hello folks welcome to the yearly round up. As you will know the region was been fairly active throughout 2007. As well as the usual club nights we have had a few drives out and days doing things. We started the year with an ordinary club night and quiz in February. All club nights were well attended. We had the Easter egg hunt which started from the OPC in Bournemouth and visited some lovely spots during the course of Jim’s route. Even the SC saw the light of day.

Club nights are nothing formal just a beer, some tyre kicking and chat. Come along and feel free to make suggestions of things you would like the region to do. I will be there to kick things off and will buy the first person arriving a pint!

Wessex … and there was this in the workshop!

RO Pete Blackler 07779 203 278 (mobile) pete.blackler@freenet.uk.com Meetings are held fourth Tuesday of every month 8pm at The Wheatsheaf Inn, Braishfield Road, Braishfield, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 0QE.

We finished 2007 with a Christmas meal

There was a big turnout at Poole Quay

Brett won a prize …

My word, is that the SC again?

… so did Dekkie

Although damp, the Funday was still fun!

Some good looking visitors attended …

Cars were cleaned for the first time in years

… and so did Jim

Firstly, Happy New Year to you all and thanks again for the support throughout 2007. Hope you all had a happy and peaceful Christmas and that your waistlines haven’t suffered too much! Let’s hope 2008 is another good year for our area and for the Club.

Our monthly meetings continue to be well attended and it’s good to see wives and partners coming along too. All being well we’ll try to plan a few more events this year including a weekend away in the spring (depending on everybody’s work commitments). I have also been given the dates for the Broadlands Show which are 24th & 25th August 2008. Perhaps we could attend both days and make a weekend of it?

The Christmas dinner on 7th December at the Hunters Inn was a very enjoyable evening and a total of 36 attended including the TR Drivers Club. A big thank you to Ian from the TR Club who made the cakes. I’ll probably plan to go there again this year but if anybody has any other ideas, please let me know.

The ladies of TIPEC Wessex at our Christmas dinner

All Torque 67 page 29

SE London & North Kent RO Jim Hearnden 0163 430 8062 0793 035 3232 (mobile) tr7v8@phaetonconsulting.co.uk ARO Paul Greer 0779 941 2870 (mobile) prgreer@blueyonder.co.uk

The food was great and a comment I heard later was that this was the best Christmas dinner yet! Very many thanks for OPC Tonbridge for providing the gifts, we even have a few left which will be used for events later in the year. There seems to be a fair amount of interest for a mid-year meal in around May so I’ll pursue this.

I still have not been able to release the 2008 calendar at present as we are awaiting various events to provide dates. It looks like our first event will be the karting at Fliching Manor on March 30th starting at around 13:00, this will be with the guys from the South East. We need names of people for this ASAP, together with a £10 deposit. Please, if you are a budding Lewis Hamilton or even just a David Coulthard then that can only help improve on our previous years efforts.

Latest piece of news is that the Bull Hotel has a new owner, Martin Deadman, who took over the Saturday before Christmas.

He seems quite happy to have us there so we will have to see how things progress.

December Aside from the normal Club meet on the 7th, the 8th saw the Club Christmas dinner at the Bull Hotel. A fantastic turn out of 13 people meant we couldn’t fit into the Lounge so ended up taking over the corner of the restaurant. In a major change from last year, OPC Tonbridge had provided gifts for all the ladies present. These had been wrapped and numbered by Paul & Rachel Greer, the numbers even having a Porsche theme as they were numbered 911, 968, 944, etc!

Unfortunately, there wasn’t a 997 inside January New Years Day saw a variety of cars from both the SE group & SELNK at Brooklands, the weather was a little damp but nothing that too bad. Keith Funnell had arranged entry to this with Brooklands staff and a very good job he had done. This included being well prepared by way of various TIPEC items, whereas the only thing I had remembered was the TIPEC SELNK banner.

The turnout of Porsches here was fantastic, including the three cars from the SELNK area. The variety of cars at this meet is amazing, ranging from the very beginning of motoring e.g. London to Brighton vehicles, through pre & post War cars (with some fantastic examples), right up to moderns ranging from Ferraris, through various American cars to MGFs. Becky and I did a tour of the new Concorde that they now have on site. It’s a good display, which lasts around 30 minutes, including various DVDs showing the stages of its life. Sad that it is no longer flying, especially as I was too poor to get a flight on it when it was in service.

East Anglia RO Mark Flintham 01473 735 497 mark.flintham@tecnisis.co.uk

SELNK Christmas dinner

RO Steve Switzer 01208 816 397 07867 556 869 (mobile) steve_switzer@mac.com Meetings are held second Sunday of every month 12:30–3pm at The Winds of Change, South Petherwin, Near Launceston, Cornwall, PL15 7LP. Please contact Steve in advance so that he can advise the restaurant of probable attendee numbers.

Meetings are held first Friday of every month 7:30pm at The Bull Hotel, Bull Lane, Wrotham, Kent, TN15 7RF. Well I talked in the last All Torque of variable turn outs to meetings, the January meeting surprised Paul and I by having nine people, despite the most disgusting weather!

Cornwall & Devon

With some regret, due to very adverse weather conditions (50 MPH wind gusts) over the Moors and high ground of Cornwall and Devon, I had to cancel the January meeting.

It’s rather sad to have to start the New Year of 2008 with much the same words that I had to use to close 2007.

It is an unfortunate reminder to us all that the calm blue days of the summer sun are a long way away from the more rugged parts of our beautiful shores.

We had hoped to meet up to talk over and plan possible activities for the coming year.

Cornwall and Devon is the land of superb scenery and wide open spaces over the twisty roads of the moors. Averaging even 30 miles an hour while driving our great cars can be quite a challenge.

I have (up my sleeves as it were) a number of planned driving routes. Nothing arduous; an hour or so in the morning and the same again in the afternoon.

When you couple these to places to meet and have coffee as the starting point, a great pub or inexpensive restaurant to have lunch and then a final end point to finish up with a Cornish or Devon Cream tea, almost all of it off the beaten track, you have (weather permitting) the opportunity to have a great day out.

Meetings are held first Tuesday of every month 8pm at The Crown, Old Ipswich Road, Ardleigh, Nr Colchester, CO7 7QR.

We will also possibly be changing the day, venue and time of the meets this year.

RO required, to host monthly meetings at a local pub/hotel and with support from the members attend/organise local events.

Discussions as to changing things will be going ahead shortly, so watch (as they say) this space.

www.TIPEC.net You can use the TIPEC website to register or renew your club membership, advertise (or buy!) cars and parts for free, download old issues of All Torque, and keep up-to-date with events in all of TIPEC’s regions. Additionally, if you look to the bottom-left of the homepage, you will find a link to TIPEC’s brand-new online discussion forum. This is the place to trade banter with fellow club members on a day-to-day basis, ask questions and share knowledge with each other, up and down the UK (and worldwide!) Here’s a couple of recent examples.

911 Aircooled Topic: Switches! What do they do? nrwilliams: I have noticed two factory fitted switches on my ’87 911 just to the left of the steering wheel mounted under the clocks on the underside of the dash.

Can someone tell me what they are supposed to do? grbspeedster: One is for changing the electric mirror adjustment and the other is for the high pressure screen wash. (It is in mine). Check under the hood; you should have a second screen wash bottle up towards the bulkhead on the fusebox side which supports the high intensity 3601 - All Torque_Artwork:Layout 1 5/9/07 wash (only works when headlights on). seg1959: There should be two switches on the face of the dashboard: one for the

rear wiper, if one is fitted, and one for the ‘intensive wash’. The two switches underneath are the ‘door mirror selector switch’ and the one under the clock is … you’ve guessed it … the ‘clock adjustment switch’.

911 Aircooled Topic: Strut braces DPJ: Hi just wondering if anybody has fitted a strut brace and actually felt any turning in improvements? When the wallet has recovered I’m thinking about this as its a quick bolt-on job. As my car’s a Targa, I just wondered if it gives the shell a bit more rigidity?

09:44 Page 1 DekandGord: It is the lack of bulkhead/ firewall at the front of the car that is the problem. If nothing else a strut brace will

allow you to take some of the chassis sag into account, as the older 911 seems to suffer from this. A good alignment shop should also be able to use the brace when setting your car up. mwcarrera: I installed a front strut brace to my 964 cabby two years ago and remember at the time feeling an improvement to the turn-in and steering feel. Now with my 993 I intend to fit another. Can’t honestly say for fact that a strut brace makes a huge difference, but I felt there was enough of an improvement to justify the purchase.

Gary Rich: I fitted a strut brace to my 911SC and it made it feel a lot more confident when turning and tightened it up. A lot better upgrade than Turbo tie rods in my opinion.

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