Special K

Nige - cost for brakes? Swap my 17" kit. Spec K

FWIW I did exactly the same thing last year at Faith's meet, so I know how you feel ! Unfortunately I shall be in Cumbria next weekend..... I hope to pick my car up on Friday and I've got 500 miles to do before Monday... that's if everything goes to plan.. Spec K

Looking good, Keethos! Cannot wait to see 'BeeVee' back to health... (Not sure about yellow... common as muck, now.... there must be at least 87 of 'em floating about.. ) Spec K

Nigel - you are awesome! Apart from anything else - where on earth do you find the time to do all this? I reckon you must have the National Elf Service hidden in your glove compartment... goes with the snow white cars... Spec K

Pitman uses Evans waterless coolant, might be worth dropping him a PM... I use Millers Synthetic Oil / TRD filter but the general consensus is that it's wasted money if you're not doing trackdays, the original Toyo oil/filter is perfectly adequate for road use.. 5 litres engine oil. Spec K

I am currently running Team Dynamics 17" x 9.5" with Conti Contact 5's fitted - if we get to a trackday, Keethos, you're welcome to try 'em out. Probably going 10" on rears.... we shall see.. Spec K

James - when you've got it sorted we should look at organising an 'Essex Meet'..... I hope to pick my car up from Fensport w/c 23rd March to test before Snetterton TSS round on 29th. The following weekend is Easter..... hmmm, boring without a leisurely sojourn around the countryside... and there is an 'r' in April.... Oysters and Guinness? Ambrosia... Spec K

Nigel - I've run out of time to visit Fensport before you collect the car, I have to be in London at 2.00pm this afternoon.. Best if I collect bits from you - rear wing/uprights are my main interest (which one is it?), give me an indication of how much you want for it by PM. Would like to collect/fit by 26th March for trackday before Snetterton.. (Feel sorry for Steveoexige - seeing his project being ravaged by vultures..) Spec K

Wahey! At 1726 this evening Ruth Elizabeth Louise (Special K) was born at Basildon Hospital. My first grandaughter and sister to 3 year old Marcus. Me is a happy bunny...!! Except for the extra mouth to feed, more Crissy and birthday prezzies and go-kart lessons... hrrmph.. GrinSpec K

Baby's in intensive care. She was five weeks premature and even though she weighed 5lb 8oz her lungs are underdeveloped - it's the sort of situation that hospitals are well used to dealing with (and Faith would handle in her stride...) so we're not too phased by it.. Just bought cakes for the whole firm.. Gawd, if I taste another gooey muffin/doughnut in a month I'll throw up.... I need a decent g&t to take the taste away.. Spec K

Thank you all.... yes, Nick, they live in Basildon. Following sight of a pre-birth scan, Marcus exclaimed "She looks like a frog!" - so 'twinkle toes frog' it is.... Spec K

Yep... looking very positive, Nigel. A little bird tweeted to me that you may be picking up your new road wheels from Fensport this weekend. If this is the case, I need to tell my wrecking crew, so that they can get up there and spot the bits I'm gonna steal off you... no, not 'steal' - I shall make you an offer you can't refuse... (where did that horses head come from.. cor leone^w blimey..) Spec K

Mike, you can carry forward any points earned.... .... and don't forget it's the best five from six that count... Spec K

Toni, each to his own I agree. But there's nothing wrong with the auto box for road use, especially in sport mode. And an auto box car - the only one on track in the UK - won the inaugural F2 class in the GT86 Cup last year. Admittedly that's with a £2grand upgrade but that's way cheaper than a 6-speed sequential, which is the only way a manual will box outperform it. Oh, and it's cheaper road fund tax... (Awaits anguished screams from the pudding-stirrer brigade..) Sp[ec K

Lauren - you just scrag the ar*e off your car... my wheels hides itself in a corner and quivers in abject fear when you're around... Spec K

James - yes, you can realistically expect 225bhp at the flywheel. You won't get rid of the torque dip completely but it will be greatly improved. If you get above 180bhp at the hubs you've got a result.. For dyno runs I would recommend TDI at Thurrock or Mark at Abbey Motorsports. Quick thrash down the A12/M25 for you.. gets the car nicely warmed up, heh heh... Spec K

Sympathy - as you deserve it. Alas, all 'direct' UK spares come from Belgium and essentially it is down to them what they stock for Europe... if they don't perceive the demand they won't stock it.. ... can I also add that it is because of this 'intermediary profit centre' (1) between Japan and UK that we (Europe) pay such an exorbitant price for our cars and spares. You don't get the same situation with USA or Australia, which is why their purchases are inherently cheaper.. (1) a.k.a. pencil-pushing, box-ticking, money-grabbing, greed-driven, jobsworth bar stewards.. allegedly... Spec K

A very nice job, Teg.... ... respect... Spec K

All new drivers - whether approved by a UK Testing facility or immigrant using an Int'l Driving Permit - should have a microchip implanted in them for their first three years which will "read" their distance travelled/speed attained/legal parking/stupid turning/volume and type of in-car music preferred. A panel of three worthy people in the UK - and I offer myself as one - should have the arbitrary right to ban 'em, without leave to appeal. This would include all EU lorry/coach/car drivers as well... Vote for me.... Spec K

Ian - I don't think it's acceptable.. but I had the same situation 18 months ago with a chassis part, which they had to source from the production line as I was the first, allegedly, to need it in the whole world... I suggest that, if you have not done so already, you speak with Toyota Customer Services. Quite often they can 'expedite matters'.. let's face it, an unhappy GT86DC member is not their ideal pr client... and one would expect at least a half decent courtesy car whilst the matter is resolved. Spec K

Hi Remal, welcome Spec K

Dave... you're a sly old fox, you never said a word about this when we met up in Worcester... !! ... ah, but thinking about it you had the missus with you, so you wouldn't, would you.... Spec K

Awesome, my friend.... ... really glad it's coming together... can I be second in line after Riceburner for a guest drive..? Spec K

I looked into the figures a little more.... I have *NO IDEA* why they think the Subaru will have a greater residual value after depreciation.. it is sold on its chav appeal and will be thrashed beyond its lifetime... same with the Spanish salami.. I have *EVERY IDEA* why the GT86 blasts the comparos on brakes, agility... .... pity they don't quantify the "...fun factor.." ... oh, and the FERWD "..learning curve..", which is foreign to every indiginous Brit under the age of 45, 'cos they were taugh, trialled, tested and trapped into the FWD brainwashing which Sir Alec Issigonis perpetrated.. The only sub 45y-o's, living in the UK (legitimately), who have been educated, learning that front wheels steer, rear wheels drive are .. ..........?? (Answers on a £100 voucher payable to Fensport, please - gotta raise some dosh - over revving at Oulton by a certain heavy-hoofed person has cost me a new exhaust manifold and a trashed TRD engine mount (escaping exhaust gases cooked it ). Guys - it was my invite for the hoofer to drive, therefore no blame. I just wanna wind the person up a bit... no names... blurry tart... Spec K

Nick, get it re-mapped first and re-cambered second - Mark at Abbey is your nearest Toyo superstar. Enjoy Bedford, you'll learn a lot about your car and yourself. Spec K