Hi All...Steve-UK, I hope with all your planing for the weekend xfire meet that a sunny weekend is included? Have been tiding and cleaning my xfire ready for the meet, I have fitted the go faster stripe's, the Ken & Jane names strip across the screen, and finished it off with my lucky swinging dice from the mirror.

The only resent additional item fitted I don't like is the £400.00 tax disc!!

See you all on the 12th & 13th July

Cheers
Ken

 

I've just got my bill too. I'm ready for it, but even so...

It smarts more when I'm behind a smelly old car which is pumping out clouds of grot, like I was on Saturday. I feel that emissions based car tax should be based on samples taken at the last MOT inspection. This will encourage people to maintain their cars.

 

I was at Chatsworth on Sunday at the Festival of rallying. Had a trip down memory lane with the Opel Manta club there and with fine weather had a great day watching rallyings finest show what those cars are made for ! There were a number of car clubs there in "car club corner" but as a rallying event the marques had some sort of association with the sport.

It was good to take a look at the place and see what the grass is like, there are lots of areas to park and the ground is Ok to drive on, even without a 4x4.

There are a number of entrances and places to go. I know that Steve is planning a recce and it looks a good place to meet up.

cheers

Paul

 

WOW seeing that Manta brings back some memories - I had a Manta 400 back in 1985, One of most awsome beasts on 4 wheels, (or in my case often just 2) You needed nerves of steel on the bends but my lord she was fast!
This was when Jimmy Mcrea was blasting one one of these round top level rallying and it caused a stir where ever it went. The car allways seemed to going sideways as he fought to convert the power into traction with spectacular results for spectators

 

that was my era as well. I used to rally a Manta, only at club level. That is my most memorable car and until the Crossfire, haven't really owned a car I actually liked driving as much. The Manta was a superb vehicle, and as you say especially the handling, there is something special about rear wheel drive !

Interesting you are a fellow ex Manta owner, I wonder how many other Crossfire owners have a memorable car like that ?

cheers,

Paul

 

With the Rover V8 3.9 the Marcos also a rear drive vehicle was a beast at speed and corning needed neves of steel..I guess that is why the Marcos club presented me with a baseball cap with "Sideways Hallett" printed on the back! My wife would not ride in either of the two Marcos car I owned...a long story for another time One was a 1989 V8 Mantula and the other a 1997 Mantra. V8. Jane loves the Crossfire as I do. I have not blasted it around Castle Comb as I did the Marcos, but from Steve-UK's report it corners well. Looking forward to the meet.

Cheers
Ken.

 

The only car of note I've owned in the past was a Morris Minor. 1 litre engine, you could measure a 0-60 with an egg timer. But a great fun car.

Everything else has been Skodas. Functional, but mostly soulless.

 

I knew that you were secretly coveting my dice!

Jean

 

Hi Jean, Looking forward to seeing you and your chap on the 12/13 July. Is life treating you well, since you departed the collage life!

Cheers
Ken.

 

Yup. Life is good.

My hotel cancelled on me because they wanted a two night booking! Currently struggling to find anywhere but I am sure we will find something for Saturday night even if it is a bit further waay.

Going to Alaska on a cruise after Wednesday but return 2nd July.

Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Best to Jane from us.

Jean