Event Wanna come Autotesting? 18th Jan 2026

[Bucketeer]

Here are my pics and video from last weekend. A bit late I know but this is first time I've been near internet and sober at the same time since then.
I only took a few pictures from a couple of locations, so very much nowt special.
 
A couple of the perky Puma being battered round the course by Der_Moog.
 

 

 
 
Our lass giving it some baked beans. What she lacked in finesse she more than made up for in gusto, tyre wear and non-stop giggling.
 

 
 
Spartacus and the Golf. I think it was just a bit too wide for the course (that was the excuse we settled on, right Giles?).
 

 

 
 
Njgleeds and the auto Eunos. It was an auto. Slow to get off the line. Because it was auto. Times suffered because of the automatic gearbox. I don't think Neil mentioned that it had an auto box. Which slowed his times down.
 

 
 
An onboard video of me pootling round the course.

 

https://youtu.be/82S9mjVCT4g

 

 

And some other stuff.

This guy spent his runs looking like he was tickling an angry tiger. Lots of furious power.

 

 

 

Whereas the Saab looked more like an attempt to thread a needle with a slab of square sausage.

 

 

 

The Proton was fast and noisy in equal measure.

 

 

 

And the SS1 with twin carb 2.0 Zetec was fast, noisy and pissing oil out of some technical orifice or other. They sorted the leak and decided to keep running it 'til it blew up, as they had another engine for it anyway.

 

 

 

All in all, I had a grand time. The girlfriend also had a grand time, so much so that she has subsequently decided she needs a second car for motorsporting. Hopefully one or both of us will get up for the next event in September, although I'm still not going to ride shotgun with anyone.

[NorthernMonkey]

Are automatics slower off the line, then? Oh, never realised....

[dollywobbler]

Just got wind that the Manchester fun is not open to open cars. Tracey is going to check whether an MX-5 with the roof up counts as an open car. I may keep one of my own motors on standby...

[NorthernMonkey]

I've got a hard top for it if it's an issue, Ian. It'll be fine...

[The Moog]

Had confirmation through that I am booked for the Sunday.

 

 

I think someone might have mentioned that Autos were slow off the line...

 

 

End of the Video it was almost like you breathed out deeply Mr Bucketeer!

[dollywobbler]

Yup, I've booked for the Sunday too. Looking forward to this!

[NorthernMonkey]

My entry was in the post last night so should be with them soon. Just hope there's a place left...

[320touring]

My entry was in the post last night so should be with them soon. Just hope there's a place left...

Depends, was the post van auto?I hear they're slow off the line

[Bucketeer]

^^^^ Aww I feel bad now. He really didn't mention it that much. Really.

He has a slightly obsessive streak, much like me. Mine was hidden by a shaky hangover that day.

[dollywobbler]

Hold on. Auto?!

[NorthernMonkey]

Hold on. Auto?!

I don't like to mention it...

[spartacus]

Those mk3 Golfs are fucking massive!

It doesn't help that I'm so short I can't see the corners of the car, even with the seat at its highest!

[The Moog]

We are at the classic car show today.

 

It is just the Puma and the Eunos.

 

I have added a new AS dealer sticker for extra bhp. It will be removed during Bucketeers runs as he doesn't need the help.

 

Also increased the tyre pressures a bit as that is supposed to help the sidewalls

[SiC]

Are automatics slower off the line, then? Oh, never realised....

Three words ... Torque Converter Stalling.

 

I'm not responsible for the mechanical abuse if you're sat on the line doing that before the timer starts.

 

Actually more useful for turbo'd cars as you can be on the boost with the turbo spinning when you set off.

[hairnet]

Get out of my town /ironic not in same country

[Mr A Lawrence]

We are at the classic car show today.

It is just the Puma and the Eunos.

I have added a new AS dealer sticker for extra bhp. It will be removed during Bucketeers runs as he doesn't need the help.

Also increased the tyre pressures a bit as that is supposed to help the sidewalls

Were you the ones giving the passenger rides??

[Mr A Lawrence]

Me, my wife & mother in law were at the classic car show yesterday & my wife had a passenger rally drive in the purple micra with a girl driver with seat bucket & 5 point harness... ( You go round track 3 times for tenner) the driver, she was good....

 

Then, they asked my wife if she'd like to go round again (no charge) think they were short of passengers & the drivers needed to get some laps in as they were timed. The wife, then, went in another car (red micra) with just normal seat & seatbelt. The male driver, on 2nd & 3rd lap lost it going round tight figure 8 & I thought the car was gonna turn over but he saved it, crazy... Wife was laughing hilariously, she loved it. My opinion is she's crazy, the more dangerous the better for her. She drives her little Abarth 595 crazy. Proper girl racer. Oh yeah, forgot to say, mother in law had a go too. Like mother, like daughter!

 

I prefer green landing )

[The Moog]

Gentleman racers

 

[320touring]

Gentleman racers

 

Its like the original (old new) top gear lineup

[andy18s]

Me, my wife & mother in law were at the classic car show yesterday & my wife had a passenger rally drive in the purple micra with a girl driver with seat bucket & 5 point harness... ( You go round track 3 times for tenner) the driver, she was good....

 

Then, they asked my wife if she'd like to go round again (no charge) think they were short of passengers & the drivers needed to get some laps in as they were timed. The wife, then, went in another car (red micra) with just normal seat & seatbelt. The male driver, on 2nd & 3rd lap lost it going round tight figure 8 & I thought the car was gonna turn over but he saved it, crazy... Wife was laughing hilariously, she loved it. My opinion is she's crazy, the more dangerous the better for her. She drives her little Abarth 595 crazy. Proper girl racer. Oh yeah, forgot to say, mother in law had a go too. Like mother, like daughter!

 

I prefer green landing )

Did you not go for a run in the Group B cars?

[The Moog]

 

 

Me, my wife & mother in law were at the classic car show yesterday & my wife had a passenger rally drive in the purple micra with a girl driver with seat bucket & 5 point harness... ( You go round track 3 times for tenner) the driver, she was good....

 

Then, they asked my wife if she'd like to go round again (no charge) think they were short of passengers & the drivers needed to get some laps in as they were timed. The wife, then, went in another car (red micra) with just normal seat & seatbelt. The male driver, on 2nd & 3rd lap lost it going round tight figure 8 & I thought the car was gonna turn over but he saved it, crazy... Wife was laughing hilariously, she loved it. My opinion is she's crazy, the more dangerous the better for her. She drives her little Abarth 595 crazy. Proper girl racer. Oh yeah, forgot to say, mother in law had a go too. Like mother, like daughter!

 

I prefer green landing )

It's an absolute hoot.

 

Hazel is the driver you had first. She is pretty quick.

 

If they liked it they should come along an drive. That's even better .

 

We have pleasure of seeing group B up close after each session.

 

[The Moog]

In action

 

Bucketeers second run of the day

 

https://youtu.be/U7a15Tae7eE

 

NJGLeeds getting it perfect

 

https://youtu.be/ORQdLeoSERY

 

Bucketeer having fun with added handbrake

 

https://youtu.be/hNwMd0x4-Rg

 

Last hoon before finishing

 

https://youtu.be/XSCpY0M-8JM

[dollywobbler]

The videos really don't convey how much fun this is. I had an AMAZING time. I also learnt a lot about understeer and oversteer, often in the same bend, always below 30mph. I also reminded myself about cadence braking. Brilliant.

[The Moog]

Results published today for anyone who may be interested

 

 

The next Blackburn services one is 2 & 3rd December. Can't recommend it enough.

 

I am slowly probably going to be at the Neil Howard Memorial show doing passenger rides at Oulton Park on 4th November.

[dollywobbler]

Is Oulton Park invite only?

 

I was dead chuffed to finish seventh in class at my first attempt, even if that was only out of eight. We were obviously slower because it's an auto...

[The Moog]

Not sure. Dave was going to email the details, once I know I will let you know.  I know it was passenger rides rather than a competition I think. 

[dome]

Good work gents. I did a bit of autotesting many years ago. Always fun even though I occasionally got lost half way round...

[dollywobbler]

Not sure. Dave was going to email the details, once I know I will let you know.  I know it was passenger rides rather than a competition I think. 

 

I really enjoyed the passenger ride side of things. I hope my passengers did too...

[The Moog]

A combination of poorly car and getting that look from missus Moog means that I am not going to make Saturday for the Neil Howard autotest.

[dollywobbler]

I've still heard nothing at all about this one, so have other plans now.