garyw
Moderator
PCGB. Region 9. West Midlands
Tuesday the 6th of March at The Bear, was a bit like an "Okey Cokey (Is that how you spell it ?) Night. "You put your right wheel in, your left wheel out. Give it some caster and shake it all about"!
We were pleased to welcome Chris Franklin, who runs a wheel and chassis set up business, called "˜Center Gravity' and he came to tell us all about it. If you went to the NEC last year, you may remember his display on our Club Stand.
Chris brought along, four tyres to represent a car layout and explained all the complexities of a full set up, together with showing us some common faults. If you think that just having your wheel tracking checked, is the be all and end all, then think again. I knew that toeing in and out of the front wheels was important, but I did not know that the rear wheels could be "˜toed' as well. Along with correct, or should I say suitable caster angles, Chris can set up your car to your specific driving needs. Whether it is just to the shops, or really serious track or racing requirements. Starting, as a basic, with the factory specifications, he can, using height tests, adjustments, change in springs and suspension together with tweeking the wheel settings, improve your driving enjoyment, no end.
With a high tech, special trailer, Chris can travel to you, by arrangement of course and carry out all necessary checks on site. Obviously, there is a cost to this. Normal health checks, with a full report, are in the region of £75, with setting up from £175 plus parts, plus of course travelling where applicable. Foolish man, Chris works seven days a week. To meet our special time needs. To find out more, ring Chris on 07875 850471.
Now we know why the wheels of VW Beetles look so peculiar at times in the local car parks. Thank you Chris and Jane for an entertaining evening.
When you read this report, we shall be on the threshold of May and in fact our next meeting will be on May Day. I hope you will be able to untie yourselves from the May Pole ribbons and join us. Hopefully, we shall be able to meet in the car park, so if you have any tales to tell about your car, let us all gather round. After all, that is what the meetings should be about. I have arranged for "Meguiars" to come along and give us a presentation as well.
Shelsley Walsh.
There are also two other exciting events about to happen. On Saturday the 12th of May we shall again be at Shelsley Walsh, with our reserved podium, grassed, parking area. If the weather is good to us, we shall have a private picnic up there, with perhaps a promise of some Champagne. Look for our banners and bunting. When you approach the general car park, we shall be up on the right. Here are a couple of photographs to whet your appetite. Entry fee is usually about £10. Paul Seagrave and Rob Bird, always at our meetings, will tell you it is a great day out.
Access to the Pits is free and easy, do go down there and let the Porsche drivers, know they are being supported and cheered on by the Club. Region 9 does not own one square yard of the track, for nothing.
The second May extravaganza, is the annual trip to the Isle of Man. Run by Geoff Ives and sponsored by Porscheshop, this is always a must. However, you should already have taken advantage of this now and should be fully booked. Look forward to a report next month and all being well, a short video later in the year when we are again "˜room bound'.
Tuesday the 5th June.
A reminder, that we are invited to OPC Sutton Coldfield this night, instead of The Bear. Alan Westwood has now taken over as Dealer Principal, so let us show our PCGB support for his new venture and enjoy his hospitality.
CURBOROUGH.
The afternoon of Thursday the 9th of August, will see us at Curborough Sprint Track between Lichfield and Burton on Trent. This is situated alongside the old Fradley Airfield, South of Alrewas.
There will be a reasonable limit to the number of cars, to allow sufficient runs, safely, for those
who will be participating. Therefore, I cannot emphasise too much that it will be first come first served. So put it in your diary, but book as soon as you can, to reserve a space. Call me on 01905 620687 to book and obtain details.
CONCOURS.
Having just been to the Workers' Conference, there is a new look towards the structuring of Concours Events. If you are like me, you may have tried once or twice but found that the same cars won every time. This is now, to be put right and not before time. This will be tried and tested at Kirtlington and all being well, put into full operation at the PCGB Festival at Ragley Hall. The general idea is that, finalists and runners up in each Class from Local and Regional Concours, held during the year will compete for national honours at the Festival.
This means, that we need to arrange our own Concours and there will be another opportunity to gather extra points at the Silverstone weekend on the Saturday, so make sure your entries are put as soon as possible. Silverstone details are in Porsche Post. Together with Kirtlington, this will give you polishing enthusiasts the chance to be entered on the PCGB Concours File and advance to greater heights.
A 2007 Programme is now available and several of you will receive one. If you do not, ring me and I will send you one.
Forthcoming Meetings for 2007.
From hereon, Meetings will be on the First Tuesday. Details in the Spring issue of "Porschefile", are incorrect.
Tuesday 1st May. ""
Tales of our cars plus a demonstration by "Meguiars", to help us clean and polish for those Concours moments.
Tuesday 5th June
Evening meeting at OPC Sutton Coldfield.
Weekend Events,
Saturday 12th May "" A reserved Area for us at Shelsley Walsh for the Porsche Championships. Come and join the fun.
Saturday 7th July.
Porsche and Polo at Kirtlington. Concours here, perhaps to practice for Ragley Hall. Contact Geoff Ives on 01865 880626 or see "Porschefile" for E-mail etc.,
Not a weekend event, I know, but by October, we shall be back in our room and I have arranged for Peter Cook, to come and tell us about the Club Archives and show some films etc.,
If you have what you may call common or garden pictures, films videos etc., let Peter know, as what is familiar today, even by dress sense, is history tomorrow.
John Lord.
Tuesday the 6th of March at The Bear, was a bit like an "Okey Cokey (Is that how you spell it ?) Night. "You put your right wheel in, your left wheel out. Give it some caster and shake it all about"!
We were pleased to welcome Chris Franklin, who runs a wheel and chassis set up business, called "˜Center Gravity' and he came to tell us all about it. If you went to the NEC last year, you may remember his display on our Club Stand.
Chris brought along, four tyres to represent a car layout and explained all the complexities of a full set up, together with showing us some common faults. If you think that just having your wheel tracking checked, is the be all and end all, then think again. I knew that toeing in and out of the front wheels was important, but I did not know that the rear wheels could be "˜toed' as well. Along with correct, or should I say suitable caster angles, Chris can set up your car to your specific driving needs. Whether it is just to the shops, or really serious track or racing requirements. Starting, as a basic, with the factory specifications, he can, using height tests, adjustments, change in springs and suspension together with tweeking the wheel settings, improve your driving enjoyment, no end.
With a high tech, special trailer, Chris can travel to you, by arrangement of course and carry out all necessary checks on site. Obviously, there is a cost to this. Normal health checks, with a full report, are in the region of £75, with setting up from £175 plus parts, plus of course travelling where applicable. Foolish man, Chris works seven days a week. To meet our special time needs. To find out more, ring Chris on 07875 850471.
Now we know why the wheels of VW Beetles look so peculiar at times in the local car parks. Thank you Chris and Jane for an entertaining evening.
When you read this report, we shall be on the threshold of May and in fact our next meeting will be on May Day. I hope you will be able to untie yourselves from the May Pole ribbons and join us. Hopefully, we shall be able to meet in the car park, so if you have any tales to tell about your car, let us all gather round. After all, that is what the meetings should be about. I have arranged for "Meguiars" to come along and give us a presentation as well.
Shelsley Walsh.
There are also two other exciting events about to happen. On Saturday the 12th of May we shall again be at Shelsley Walsh, with our reserved podium, grassed, parking area. If the weather is good to us, we shall have a private picnic up there, with perhaps a promise of some Champagne. Look for our banners and bunting. When you approach the general car park, we shall be up on the right. Here are a couple of photographs to whet your appetite. Entry fee is usually about £10. Paul Seagrave and Rob Bird, always at our meetings, will tell you it is a great day out.
Access to the Pits is free and easy, do go down there and let the Porsche drivers, know they are being supported and cheered on by the Club. Region 9 does not own one square yard of the track, for nothing.
The second May extravaganza, is the annual trip to the Isle of Man. Run by Geoff Ives and sponsored by Porscheshop, this is always a must. However, you should already have taken advantage of this now and should be fully booked. Look forward to a report next month and all being well, a short video later in the year when we are again "˜room bound'.
Tuesday the 5th June.
A reminder, that we are invited to OPC Sutton Coldfield this night, instead of The Bear. Alan Westwood has now taken over as Dealer Principal, so let us show our PCGB support for his new venture and enjoy his hospitality.
CURBOROUGH.
The afternoon of Thursday the 9th of August, will see us at Curborough Sprint Track between Lichfield and Burton on Trent. This is situated alongside the old Fradley Airfield, South of Alrewas.
There will be a reasonable limit to the number of cars, to allow sufficient runs, safely, for those
who will be participating. Therefore, I cannot emphasise too much that it will be first come first served. So put it in your diary, but book as soon as you can, to reserve a space. Call me on 01905 620687 to book and obtain details.
CONCOURS.
Having just been to the Workers' Conference, there is a new look towards the structuring of Concours Events. If you are like me, you may have tried once or twice but found that the same cars won every time. This is now, to be put right and not before time. This will be tried and tested at Kirtlington and all being well, put into full operation at the PCGB Festival at Ragley Hall. The general idea is that, finalists and runners up in each Class from Local and Regional Concours, held during the year will compete for national honours at the Festival.
This means, that we need to arrange our own Concours and there will be another opportunity to gather extra points at the Silverstone weekend on the Saturday, so make sure your entries are put as soon as possible. Silverstone details are in Porsche Post. Together with Kirtlington, this will give you polishing enthusiasts the chance to be entered on the PCGB Concours File and advance to greater heights.
A 2007 Programme is now available and several of you will receive one. If you do not, ring me and I will send you one.
Forthcoming Meetings for 2007.
From hereon, Meetings will be on the First Tuesday. Details in the Spring issue of "Porschefile", are incorrect.
Tuesday 1st May. ""
Tales of our cars plus a demonstration by "Meguiars", to help us clean and polish for those Concours moments.
Tuesday 5th June
Evening meeting at OPC Sutton Coldfield.
Weekend Events,
Saturday 12th May "" A reserved Area for us at Shelsley Walsh for the Porsche Championships. Come and join the fun.
Saturday 7th July.
Porsche and Polo at Kirtlington. Concours here, perhaps to practice for Ragley Hall. Contact Geoff Ives on 01865 880626 or see "Porschefile" for E-mail etc.,
Not a weekend event, I know, but by October, we shall be back in our room and I have arranged for Peter Cook, to come and tell us about the Club Archives and show some films etc.,
If you have what you may call common or garden pictures, films videos etc., let Peter know, as what is familiar today, even by dress sense, is history tomorrow.
John Lord.
