racewear.co.uk - from your desktop to your doorstep

Focus On...Losing weight and choosing racewear!

2010-09-23T15:45:00.002+01:00

Every driver knows how being lighter generally means you can go faster - according to Karting Magazine, an added 10kg made driving a Rotax Max around 1% slower - take a peek at the full article it makes interesting reading:

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There's no doubt that the more expensive racing suits help because they are not only better quality but also lighter. Recently we were sending out a couple to Europe and after weighing them for postage we noticed that the Puma Future Cat was about a kilo lighter than one of our entry-level FIA products - who wants to carry around an extra bag of sugar?

Modern, hi-tech racing overalls, boots and gloves are much lighter than traditional designs and while we can't promise to save you half-a-second per lap, if you're racing for long periods then the reduction in vibration, temperature and general stress can be considerable.

But weight saving isn't the only important factor, consideration should be given to the end use. For instance, a pair of Speed Racewear boots weighs in at just 750g compared to the Sabelt Base at 1050g but while racers can change out of their boots regularly, rally drivers and navigators can't so will appreciate the stronger sole of the rally-bred Base. Likewise with gloves, if you compete in an area where gloves continuously get dirty then price becomes important when you're replacing them regularly!

With racing overalls, the choice is even wider with prices ranging from under £100 to over £1000! We've covered this in an earlier blog, Focus on...racing overalls, which I hope will help you decide which overalls you need for your branch of the sport, and given below are some pointers to design features that may be useful:

Stretch panels on sleeves - the Speed Racewear Level 2 kart suit and the Sabelt Stratos FIA race suit both have stretch panels between the shoulders and the back of the sleeves which allow a bit more movement than the traditional "set in" style. By doing this they remove the need for pleats running from shoulder to waist, meaning there's less material, a reduction in suit weight and extra comfort for the wearer as you're not sitting back on folds of material
Fully floating sleeves - an option on the AWS Skyhawk and standard on the Sabelt SK1 kart suit. Here the sleeves are attached to the body by stretch fabric making 360 degree arm movement easier. This is a very popular choice
Lumbar stretch panels - the Puma Trionfo takes this to a new level, with the bottom part of the suit at the back being a stretch panel for extreme movement. Look out for anatomical cut, carefully-positioned seams and breathable fabric when making your choice

Bewildering isn't it? There's no substitute for advice - if you're the slightest bit concerned then please ring us on 08452 604104 and we can give you some unbiased help. Please give us as much information about you, your racing and your budget as you can, so that we can help you make the best choice. That's why we're "the specialists"!

See you on the grid!

Max Tyler
racewear.co.uk
08452 604104

Focus On...Puma Racewear

2010-08-20T17:29:00.001+01:00

racewear.co.uk is proud to have been appointed an agent for PUMA racewear, and I thought it a great idea to give some background as to why it deserves a place in your wardrobe.

PUMA was founded in Herzeogenaurach, Germany in 1948 and is one of the world's largest suppliers of athletic footwear, clothing and accessories. PUMA claims its "four cornerstones" are heritage, sports performance, technological innovation and challenge and has kept true to those principles as it has diversified its brand image and products to become an "alternative" sports brand drawing on influences from sports, lifestyle and fashion. PUMA performance racing shoes were first used in the 1970s and 1980s, and the brand has grown through association with teams such as Ferrari and, latterly, Red Bull.

But enough of the marketing speak...what's special about PUMA for the racing driver?

"Trionfo" is the name used by PUMA for their top-of-the-range products and none more so than the Trionfo race suit.

Lightweight &; breathable satin Nomex 3 layer design offers better weight reduction, breathability, protection and durability than traditional 3-layer lightweight designs
Features Puma's "Extended Movement System" (EMS):

Stretch panels at the back of the arms replacing the soft knit gussets

Reduced weight of the upper arms/chest area

Further reduced bulk of Nomex around the critical shoulder/harness/HANS device

Increased air flow to the chest area

Strategically placed knit Nomex stretch panels located at the knees, calves, and kidney/lumbar areas improve both mobility and breathability
Forward seams for enhanced comfort in the car
Super flat grabstrap design for the ultimate HANS compatibility
Soft knit internal collar with satin outer stops migration under the HANS chest plate allowing safe and comfortable use of the HANS device

This is pro-quality racewear, with a price to reflect it! But if you want the best, then it costs. Further down the range the Future Cat and the Race Cat represent superb value for money for competitors racing in closed cars and/or hot climes.

For the very best in the PUMA range look for the name Trionfo, and that's true of the Trionfo Mid Pro II Race Boot as well! PUMA, with over 35 years of race footwear development, produces the most technically advanced state-of-the-art racing footwear and the PUMA Trionfo Mid Pro II is the most technologically advanced racing shoe ever produced for the professional driver:

Constructed of Schoeller canvas, soft suede, and Nomex lining
Superior transpiration, weight reduction, and increased fire protection (TPP40)
Asymmetrical lacing improves blood circulation, decreases lactic acid build-up (muscle fatigue), and improves heat dissipation within the foot
‘Tongue-less’ body design reduces weight while improving conformation to shape and movement of the driver’s foot
Carbon fibre heel stabiliser provides balance for heel-and-toe combined with a split heel design reduces weight, heat transfer, and vibration
FIA 8856-2000 and SFI 3.3/5 approved

Take a look round an F1 paddock, and you'll see many drivers wearing boots branded with other manufacturers' logos that look "surprisingly" like the Trinofo!

PUMA are also moving into karting clothing too! Drawing on their extensive experience, they have produced the PUMA Kart Cat, a Cordura/cotton 2-layer CIK/FIA Level 2 homologated suit combining high technical featurs with a fresh an cool design:

Full Movement System (FMS)
Knit panels on elbow and knee
Soft knit collar

Wherever you see the leaping cat, you know that PUMA will have given you an exceptional garment, so why not give them a try?

That's all for now - see you on the grid?

Max Tyler
racewear.co.uk
08452 604104

Focus On...Speed Racewear

2010-07-20T16:57:00.000+01:00

Bit of a change this month, focussing on a brand rather than a collection of products - but we think Speed Racewear is worth it!

Introduced as a karting brand, the Speed Racewear range carries some great "crossover" products at wallet-friendly prices. We've sold plenty of this great quality racewear to circuit racers, rally drivers, speed eventers and even just for leisure wear...it's all about looking good, feeling great and not breaking the bank.

Speed Racewear karting boots are perfect for the club racer on a budget. Comfortable, practical and stylish, you can choose from the high style (left) or a mid-height version. There's even an FIA-homologated boot for those that venture into Europe! Check out the attention to detail such as the wrap-around heel and the velcro fixing straps.

If you don't need flame retardant overalls, Speed Racewear hits the spot again! Grass track, track days, powerboat racing and of course karting are all suitable places to wear the 1-layer and 2-layer Speed Racewear overalls. With the 2-layer carrying FIA/CIK homologation, we've got most options covered. Red, blue and black are available off-the-shelf and other colours/designs can be supplied to special order. These are particularly popular with indoor karting centres, and we can make to order with velcro fastenings instead of a zip. Details include stretch panels in the sleeves of the 2-layer version and contrast grab straps/belts - oh and there's kids' sizes as well.

New into stock is the Special Neck Protector. This is constructed of hi-impact expanded foam covered in a washable Cordura outer. Especially designed for karting, we can see this being of use to grass track and powerboat racers where the shock of the bumps on the helmet will be absorbed by the protector for a smooth ride.

So why not see what Speed Racewear can do to help you out? Don't forget items like rib protectors, racing gloves, and ECE helmets - and if there's something you think is missing from this "Crossover" brand, why not let us know? If you run a kart centre or retail outlet and would like to sell Speed Racewear, we'd love to hear from you - we've attractive discounts on all these products and more!

See you on the grid?

Max Tyler
racewear.co.uk
08452 604104

Focus On...Special Clothing

2010-06-23T14:10:00.016+01:00

This month I thought I'd highlight the "something special" that you always promised yourself, and perhaps give you some ideas for yourself. While most retailers can offer you a choice of off-the-peg products limited to colours or styles that are the brainchild of corporate designers, racewear.co.uk is able to go one stage further and use its contacts with manufacturers around the world to produce "something special". We know what can be done, and we can help you turn your ideas into reality. Take a look at some of the interesting customers we've worked with recently:

A high profile powerboat racing star, wearing racewear.co.uk's overalls to victory around the world. Made to measure, custom designs that have to look as good on the podium as they perform in the boat - http://www.shelleyjory.com/

Special Proban overalls for rescue crews at circuits around the country, designed to give flame protection with special requirements for radios, equipment etc

http://www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk/

And there's more......Le Mans pit lane suits for a tabloid newspaper, promotional suits for a major oil company, karting suits for a blue chip computer giant and even a "Michael Caine" lookalike for the Italian Job (that's the Italy to London Minifest, not the film!). Not forgetting clothing for the Greenpower Challenge, the launch of the latest Herbie film, a major rock star....the list goes on and on.

Why do all these customers choose racewear.co.uk for something special? Quite simply because we have extensive experience of customising racing overalls for special usage. Need your kart centre overalls to have Velcro instead of a zipper on the front? No problem! Your sponsor's logo applied to your racing overalls? Just choose the colour!

Whether you're an individual looking for something special or have unique requirements for your company, speak to us first and we'll work with you to meet your needs. We've customised all sorts of products for all sorts of uses from presentations and conferences to top-line car racing so what are you waiting for? Contact us now and find out how we can help you stand out from the crowd, or download our design sheet and simply email it to us for a quote.

See you on the grid

Max Tyler

racewear.co.uk

08452 604104

Focus On...Having Fun!

2010-05-07T16:59:00.016+01:00

With all the pressures of racing, it’s easy to forget that the whole point of this great sport is HAVING FUN! This is why here at racewear.co.uk we’ve started looking for clothing that’s about looking good and feeling great, not just the more “serious” job of flame protection.

Take the “evo" and “eat-sleep-race” T-shirts and hoodies. Bound to bring a smile to your face, we’ve got new cartoons in the pipeline too, which we’ll be launching at our Roadshow events throughout the summer. If you’ve got any ideas of your own or would like your stag party, team name or special event promoted on a T-shirt or racing overall then please get in touch.

If to you “having fun” means blasting your classic car around country lanes then have we got something for you! The Greycar collection includes hats, scarves, gloves and more in the traditional style – perfect for top-down, fun-up driving! This collection of quality British-made clothing makes you part of the scene and is sure to make you smile.

Or you may think that “having fun” just means a good, hard drive in your everyday car on a cracking road. Accelerate – brake – heel-and-toe – it’s a harsh environment for a shoe and now we have the answer. Piloti driving shoes have patented roll-control heels with re-inforcement on the right shoe for those quick flicks on the throttle as you down-shift! When you get to the other end, Piloti shoes are smart enough to let you go about your business without changing footwear, and comfortable enough to keep on all day. Have a look at the contemporary “Touring” and timeless “Lusso” ranges, check out the karting and FIA-homologated “Motorsport” boots, and discover the technology behind the comfort – I’ve got a pair of Sebring shoes, and they’re quite simply the most comfortable day-to-day shoes I’ve ever worn!

Whatever you’re looking for, we’re your clothing supplier of choice! Keep racewear.co.uk bookmarked, and watch out as we find more ways of helping you have fun!

STOP PRESS - your chance to win 6 exclusive T-shirts with your own design! Simply send us your idea for a humourous, motorsport-related logo to put on the front of our next production run, and if we use your idea we'll make six especially for you with your autograph to prove how special they are. Simply email your ideas to max@racewear.co.uk and we'll do the rest! Competition closes 30th June 2010. Terms and conditions available on request.

See you on the grid?

Max Tyler

racewear.co.uk

08452 604104

Focus On...Piloti Shoes

2010-04-21T16:59:00.008+01:00

New to racewear.co.uk for summer 2010 is the fabulous range of Piloti hi-tech shoes for road and track. Here's what makes Piloti so special...

They're so comfortable your other sports shoes may collect dust and are enjoyed by the likes of Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, and Chad McQueen - even the band members of Aerosmith. But what makes Piloti really special is the unique blend of styling and comfort for everyday use on the streets. Key features include:

Patented Roll Control™ spherical heel for unique cushioning behind the heel bone while in the car. Once outside the car, it supports your natural stride with a rubber heel wrap for durability and grip

Athletic construction offers you good cushioning under the foot; unlike typical racing shoes or driving moccasins that have none. The unique "Toe Spring" aids in all-day comfort in and out of the car

Reinforced Lateral Side of the Right Shoe for easy heel-to-toe downshifting. Plus, the reinforced upper and outsole rubber wraps up the side of the midsole

High-quality suedes and leathers with pigskin and tongue facings

Removable sock liner supports orthopaedic needs

Roll Control™

During the Le Mans 24 Hours, many drivers receive medical attention for heat and vibration related foot problems. In fact, most teams have Podiatrists as part of their training and medical staff.

Piloti’s patented Roll Control™ spherical heel system is designed to counteract this problem. It extends the cushioning up the heel and along the sides of the shoe and also at the forefoot to cushion the contact with the sides of the foot well.

Well, that's the official recommendations, now here's mine:

I've been wearing a pair of Piloti Sebring shoes every day for some months now and they're quite simply the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. There's no doubt I'll HAVE to get a pair of FIA homologated racing boots as well, now! But don't just take my word for it - see for yourself...

Max Tyler
racewear.co.uk
08452 604104

Focus On...racing boots

2010-03-24T17:08:00.011Z

This month’s Focus On… covers racing boots and driving shoes in all their forms.

In the past racing boots have been thought of as the luxury item in racing clothing – a “nice to have” but probably not as important as a new tyre. “I’ve got a good pair of shoes” was the normal comment, and truly they were an expensive option. But with the opening up of the global market the price of racing boots has fallen to less than the price of a reasonable pair of trainers, and it’s our opinion that it's safer to drive in racing boots than training shoes.

There’s no minimum standard for racing footwear in the UK as long as they fully cover the foot and heel and are not open-toed (!), and at racewear.co.uk we’ve a range to suit all budgets.

Non-homologated racing boots are often referred to as “karting boots” but in truth they are acceptable for any racing unless FIA-specification clothing is required. We’ve got some end-of-range examples available at just £22.95 with the most popular costing £35.75. Choose from high or low cut, both are perfectly acceptable in most forms of UK racing.

FIA-homologated boots have a flame-retardant lining to the famous FIA 8856-2000 standard and are required if you compete in Europe or further afield, in either karts or cars. Style, form and function dictate the price here, starting at just £55.20 for FR lined suede boots and rising to over £200 for leather boots with a carbon fibre sole insert!

New to the range is the leather Pole Position Classic boot, bound to appeal to the historic racer for its understated, traditional looks. Currently available in black these English-made boots are sure to become a popular option.

Many people choose our Pole Position karting boots as a leisure shoe, and we’ve worn them ourselves at shows because they are very comfortable. They are supple enough to give great pedal control, and stylish enough to be worn with everyday clothing!

Exciting news is that the new range of “Piloti” driving shoes and FIA-homologated racing boots will soon be available at racewear.co.uk – keep checking back to see one of the nicest developments in leisure footwear for some time.

All for now - see you on the grid?

Max Tyler

racewear.co.uk

08452 604104

Focus On...racing overalls

2010-02-24T13:19:00.017Z

I hope everyone found our last Focus On... covering helmets and gloves interesting and useful. If you haven't caught it yet, please look here.
This month's Focus On... covers racing overalls. Firstly, a brief guide to what the terms often seen in descriptions and regulations mean.

Glossary

"Fireproof" and "flameproof" are a bit misleading. I don't know anything that's "fireproof" short of solid steel! Most textiles will burn, it's how they react to that burning that matters

"Flame retardant" (FR) is the correct term. Fabrics may burn while flame is applied, but to be termed "flame retardant" the fabric must extinguish the flame when the heat source is removed, and there is a limit to the amount of charring that occurs

EN533, BS6249, ISO6940 etc are the national and international standards that regulate the FR properties

FIA 8856-2000 is the latest standard that the governing body of circuit racing, rallying etc (the FIA) has decreed is suitable for car racing clothing. It refers not to the "flame retardancy" of the fabric, that's covered by the standards above, but how much heat the fabric transfers to the wearer. Broadly speaking, they apply flame to the outside of the material and measure the temperature on the inside, and there is a minimum time required to get to a specific interior temperature - roughly 12 seconds before serious burns occur. Note: This can be substantially reduced if the fabric is wet. For full details look here, but it's a dry old document!

Multi-layer racesuits - to meet the FIA standards will require more than one layer of material. This doesn't make the suit more "fireproof" but more insulating, and the air gaps in between the layers help this as well. Either two or three layers of cloth are normally required, but the FIA has NOT made that compulsory because it recognises that there can be advances in cloth technology

CIK/FIA kartsuits are tested for abrasion resistance if you fall off the kart. They have no flame retardant properties and are not suitable for car sport if there is a risk of fire

CIK/FIA Level 1/Level 2 overalls are specifically designed for outdoor kart racing. Level 1 is the minimum required for National racing, Level 2 the most protection you can get and OK for International karting. Note: in the UK there is an older CIK/FMK standard that is also acceptable

Proban (Trade Mark) - a well-known brand of FR workwear fabric. For our purposes it is a heavyweight cotton drill that is treated with an FR finish and exceeds en533 after 50 washes - this doesn't mean the FR properties wash out, it's just that the test is taken after 50 washes and it still passes!

Nomex (Trade Mark) - possibly one of the best known FR brands in the world. Also passes world & European FR standards, it's much better at holding back heat for the weight of fabric used, and so is more comfortable in use and passes the FIA 8856-2000 test . There are other fabrics used that are cheaper and as good, but "Nomex" has become a generic rather like "Hoover"

What racesuits do I need?

This varies depending on the rules for your part of the sport, but I hope this guide will help with the minimum standards. Please remember this is only a guide and you should not rely on it as the definitive regulation for your racing class - please check if any doubt

Track days & indoor karting - Indoor karting overalls, Proban overalls, FIA overalls
Grass track - Indoor karting overalls, Level 2 karting overalls, Proban overalls, FIA overalls
Outdoor (MSA) karting - CIK/FIA Level 1 or 2 overalls, the "old" CIK standard overalls. Commercial operators normally allow any racing overall as long as it covers legs and arms and doesn't flap in the breeze
Oval racing - Proban overalls, FIA overalls
Hillclimbs/sprints - Proban overalls (until 31-12-11), FIA overalls both to the old Norme 86 and latest FIA 8856-2000
Rallying - FIA 8856-2000 overalls
Circuit racing - FIA 8856-2000 overalls

What should I look out for?

Quality, fit and comfort are the 3 major factors to take into account when buying a racing overall. Drivers of a larger build should consider a UK or German brand as they tend to bit a bit larger - some of the Italian manufacturers use slimmer models! If you're buying an FIA 8856-2000 or Level 1/2 suit, you can be sure that there are minimum manufacturing standards that have to be met.

I only do track days, do I need an overall at all?

Well, no, but responsible operators should ensure you have arms and legs covered and a clean pair of overalls will fulfil that and keep you smart and feeling the part. I've heard scary stories of people getting their clothing caught round the pedals, and overalls can prevent that. If you don't want FR overalls the Pole Position Indoor Karting overall is great and at under £50 suitable for working in too!

Why's there such a huge difference between prices in FIA 8856-2000 overalls? Surely if they pass the standard that's all I need?

Nomex 3-layer suits tend to be hot, hot, hot! Our Uvex rs1 and rs3 overalls are light, breathable and the ultimate in comfort. F1 quality! If you race in hot climes, or in a hot car, then these will keep you comfortable throughout a long race - the first time I wore one, I couldn't feel I had a suit on and I couldn't believe that I didn't have to hang it up to air after a sweaty race!

At a clubman level, the Sabelt Stratos suits are slighly lighter than the AWS Skyhawk, and slightly stretchy in use. This means they move with you and don't restrict you as you turn the wheel or reach for switches.

As with everything in life, there is a wide choice out there to suit most budgets! If you want any advice please contact us at racewear.co.uk or telephone 08452 604104 to chat through the options.

That brings us to the end of Focus On... for February. Bookmark this blog to keep up-to-date with the latest postings or sign up as a friend of our Facebook page which will carry a link when a new post appears.

See you on the grid!

Max Tyler
www.racewear.co.uk
08452 604104

Focus on...helmets and gloves

2010-01-27T12:21:00.014Z

There have been some changes to MSA rules regarding helmets and gloves for 2010, and I thought it useful to make sure everyone's aware of them. If your branch of the sport isn't covered, then please email me to let me know so I can pass on the information to our customers.

Helmets

For 2010, the old "blue" BS6658 Type A is no longer acceptable for MSA licenced motor sport, meaning if you have one of these it must be changed for a BS6658 Type A/FR (red label) or Snell 2005 approved version.

Many track day organisers have traditionally stipulated that helmets must comply with MSA recommendations. Some have changed this rule to give the old standards a new lease of life but PLEASE CHECK before you turn up at scrutineering. It's unlikely you'll get a good deal if you have to buy one "on the day"!

A big change for karting comes in 2011, when all Cadet drivers will have to wear helmets homologated to Snell-FIA CMR 2007 or Snell-FIA CMS2007. These must not weigh more than 1550g, and are specifically designed for children's heads rather than being scaled-down shells. There are still stringent impact tests to pass, so these tend to be of tri-composite carbon/kevlar/fibre construction. From 1-1-2013 this standard will be compulsory for ALL kart drivers under 15. Note that you cannot wear these helmets after the age of 18.

Karting only helmets are denoted by a K after the SA number. They cannot be used for car racing as they do not have an FR lining.

Prices range widely for helmets. Why the difference in price? Quite simply, quality and weight. Above £300 (f/f) are lightweight tri-composite shells while the cheaper ones are made from fibre glass and somewhat heavier. There is also a difference in quality of finish, too, but not as much as you would expect. Which you buy is your choice,...if you wear your helmet for long periods at a time then comfort may become a factor, but hill climbers may not find it so necessary when they only have the helmets on for a minute or so. All helmets are different, it's worth trying on before you buy. We will refund or exchange without quibble if you do not like your helmet (provided it has not been used of course!).

How do I know which is which? The BS standards are on a sticker on the outside of the helmet - the one you want is red, neither the blue nor the green ones are acceptable. Snell 2005 & 2010 labels are stuck to the helmet liner on the inside of the helmet itself. Peel back the cloth lining, and you'll see it underneath - not easy to get at, but worth checking it does genuinely say Snell!

Gloves

It's now compulsory to wear gloves in speed events and karting, but strangely not in circuit racing or rallying until 2012! Likewise, track day drivers do not have to wear gloves, but many choose to take advantage of the protection.

Speed event drivers MUST wear "flame resistant" gloves, with no minimum specification - expect scrutineers to be looking for at least a Nomex label or something saying ISO6940 - and notice that it must be on EACH glove. Also acceptable is the FIA 8856-2000 standard, which can be used in any motor sport up to F1.

Karters and track day drivers do not have any minimum specification except to cover the wrist - most like to tuck their overall cuff down inside. Polycotton backs and leather undersides are popular, often with extra padding in the palms.

We have our glove options on www.Racewear.co.uk/gloves

What's the difference between fire resistant the standards? The ISO6940 fire resistant gloves are 2-layer Nomex backs with faux leather lowers, while the 8856-2000 homologated gloves are 100% Nomex with leather grips stitched onto the palms, offering far more protection. Well worth the extra money, they should last longer too.

That brings us to the end of Focus On... for February - bookmark the blog or become a fan of our Facebook page which will update you when we add more articles.

Max Tyler
www.racewear.co.uk
08452 604104

Happy New Year

2009-12-31T22:02:00.003Z

Nearly 2010, and you know what? I'm looking forward to it. Racewear.co.uk is entering a team in the Club 100 Rookie endurance championship which should be huge fun, and a chance to show off the brand new Racewear Roadshow. Pencilled in for Roadshow dates this year are:

Race Retro
Silverstone Classic
The Rally Show
GP de l'Age d'Or, Dijon

If your club or kart centre would like us to visit on a one-off or even regular basis to bring along racewear for your members, please let me know!

And who knows, thanks to Santa bringing those elusive engine parts, I'm nearly ready to start assembling the MG Midget race car....may even make a race or two myself - watch this space.

Happy New Year everyone!

2009-12-06T17:35:00.002Z

Alex got in the final of the kart racing at Combe again today...it's really tight for positions 2 - 6 in the overall championship, he's in there fighting, it all goes down to the wire on 20th December. Go Alex!

Speaking of kart racing our latest Level 2 Pole Position suit from Speed Racewear is a popular gift this Christmas. Priced at under £90 it's easy to see why!

So busy at the moment, and it's been one hectic weekend. One engine customer came over from France yesterday morning - that's devotion for you - and I took another to Peter May Engineering for onward shipment to Japan! Another car coming in to strip this week, need to get rid of the current one first of course.

Add to the weekend's activities cycling, 10k Run (organising, not competing!) and it's easy to see why all I want to do now is put my feet up with a large glass of wine.....

Classic Driving

2009-11-04T14:53:00.004Z

racewear.co.uk racing with midgetmax.com was on the podium again on Sunday, well done Alex in the Castle Combe junior karting league! Speaking of karting, keep an eye on the web site for a new range of quality kartsuits....they're UK made and at recession-busting prices for indoor/outdoor commercial karting and UK MSA karting.

Exciting times here at racewear.co.uk - we're expanding again :-) We've found a growing market for classic car drivers who are not race car drivers - or they may be but they don't drive racing cars all the time!

Check out the new Classic Driving selection of premium products for period petrolheads. Traditional caps, flying helmets, cashmere scarvews, driving gloves and more, a perfect complement to your classic car.

Speaking of classic racers, the Jays Historic suit continues to grow in worldwide popularity, with our latest sale being to Japan. The reach of motorsport and the internet gets ever bigger - just last month we sent some Lico Silver suits to Portugal to be used in a new Mitsubishi advert.

2009-10-22T16:20:00.002+01:00

What excitement! When the BBC wanted to record an interview about how a mail order business was affected by the postal strike, they turned to us! Spent an hour or so chatting with a journo from the local BBC radio station and she turned it into quite a natty little audio diary...really lucky for us that the phone rang and we had a courier delivery while she was here, great sound effects for them :-)

Surreal experience this morning, was in the village shop and heard my voice blaring out across the assembled throng from the radio. I paid for my stuff and beat a hasty retreat...wonder if I get PRS payments?

As soon as I find how to upload an mp3 file into a player I will do ;-)

2009-09-10T15:54:00.005+01:00

It's some time since I blogged - perhaps a sign I've been working hard! What with racewear.co.uk sales booming and SKID CAR sessions most weekends, it's been hard to set aside time to do this properly.

But I must just note that racewear.co.uk racing with Midgetmax.com has achieved its first trophy of the year! Alex took second place in the Castle Combe junior kart race meeting last weekend - just missed out on the win, being overtaken by the championship leader on the very last lap :-( Well done, Alex, showing the rest of the team the way to go!

Here he is on the podium, picture courtesy of proud parent (me!) He's the one on the left in the blue Sabelt Stratos K kartsuit. Mind you, winner Will is another racewear.co.uk wearer, also a Sabelt Stratos K

I am desperately trying to get some more content onto the web site this week. We've just been appointed dealer for Lico Racewear, and we'll be holding a range of their products here at The Racewear Place. Lico is Sparco's "entry level" brand, made to the same quality on the same production lines, and we're really pleased to be chosen as one of a select handful of dealers in the UK.

Anyway, enough, better get back to it - please do keep an eye on www.racewear.co.uk and see the new range as I upload...

Working hard and holiday cover....

2009-08-15T18:40:00.003+01:00

Just had a few days away in Norwich - wish I hadn't, I have come back to shed loads of work! Well, I suppose that's good, at least we've been selling things :-) But it's made us realise, we need an assistant in the office....part time, mornings only, job description includes picking & packing, managing the advertising strategy, looking after the shop, taking parcels to post office on the way home. We've a pay rate in mind, so if anyone reading is interested email me. You need to be in easy commute of Lacock of course!

Just finally got confirmation that our latest batch of flame proof Motorsport Gloves has left Pakistan. Honestly, we placed the order at the end of May, it's been one delay after the other, but at last they're on their way and will be in stock soon. We also have some window nets arriving, look out for them on the web site in the very near future.

Hot off the press, I've been offered a drive in the MGDavid Montego again :-) Sharing at the MG Car Club's Snetterton 4 hour relay race. The last race was fun, this should be a hoot behind the wheel for longer. I had hoped to have the Midget ready, but we're just so busy the rebuild's gone out of the window (see above!).

I've nearly got all the bits ready to put the engine back together. Kim at Magic Midget has done most of the floor welding, just a small bit to do, I need to go on a hunt around the house for all the bits now LOL! We'll deffo have it out next year for a bit of fun......although I think I may have said that last time :-( I've promised Waz Pablo a drive and I intend to honour it ASAP.

Silverstone Classic weekend

2009-07-31T10:40:00.005+01:00

Classic Weekend was great - we had a tidy stand and made several quality sales. And then when it got quiet we just popped up over the bank and watched beautiful cars racing!

With the cream of European historic racing on display, it was an opportunity to show some top-of-the-range racewear. The Uvex lightweight suits generated a lot of interest, but the star of the show was (unsurprisingly) the Dunlop Historic. As a replica of the sixties, it is almost de rigeur wear at the Revival and we spoke to many drivers preparing for that and other classic festivals such as the Grand Prix des Remparts at Angouleme.

The Silverstone weekend could join those major events, but it needs a bit of tightening around the edges to fully deserve its place. I couldn't comment on it from a driver's point of view, although I've heard some gripes, but I think the trading area needs tidying up, and something given back to us in the form of communcations. Perhaps even a reception? On the whole it was close, but needs a bit of work to be special. We put every bit as much work into our businesses as the racers to their cars, and contribute to the overall Festival atmosphere, it would be good to get some recognition that we're all working together. But we'll go back next year, there's such a good captive audience of racing drivers looking for something to do :-)

One downside of the event though - I had a yearning to be racing! I can watch GPs, Le Mans, BTCC etc with no pangs at all but this weekend my heart ached. I can relate to these cars and drivers, and just want to be out there with them. The Midget is unlikely to be welcome of course, so maybe an MGB build is called for? Let's get this one finished first - absolutely nothing done to the car since the last post! Time and tide wait for no man, so 2009 season is written off. Here's to 2010 already???

Photos of the weekend on my Facebook page, more to come soon.

Racing at Silverstone

2009-07-13T11:17:00.004+01:00

Great weekend!

Was a bit cautious about driving a Montego at first, it's a long time since I raced a tin-top. Practice was steady without going mad, but the race was mental! Lap times weren't good but there were some really good dices - looking at the official lap times, I always crossed the line in close company with other cars. You know, because the Montego isn't very fast but has superb grip, braking distances are miniscule....5th gear through Copse and Maggots, brake after the right hander for Becketts and stick it up the inside of supposedly faster cars who slowed for the left kink (!). Lose the drag race to Abbey hairpin, thread the way through the middle of them again, lose the drag race up to Bridge, past them again on the outside of Bridge or inside of Priory and try and be as wide as possible coming onto the start straight, only to have to do it all over again after they blast past on the run down to Copse. Top fun!

Tyres went off of course, and we found a fuel pick-up problem. But the car finished two half-hour races with no other problems.

Wore the new Uvex rs3, everywhere I went I got cries of "It's the Stig!" Fantastic :-) Suit was supremely comfortable, all the exertion had no effect physically because I stayed cool. Bet it's great in a long hot race. I need a new helmet next year, bet it'll be the Uvex fp3, it's comparable quality.

S-o-o much better than the Spa kart race, just wish it had lasted longer! Ah well, probably me done for 09 unless the Midget's ready for an end-of-year blast.

Goodwood, Silverstone and a new kart uit

2009-07-09T06:59:00.003+01:00

Been a busy few days. We were invited down to the Festival of Speed on sumday, unfortunately couldn't leave until nearly lunchtime so we only spent an afternoon there. Great fun, Alex couldn't leave the side of the track there was so much to watch. I suspect Sunday afternoon was one of the quieter times, there were few stars about - but Alex got Jenson's autograph so he was delighted. Nice afternoon and the sun shone for once.

racewear.co.uk's web site is steadily growing, I've spent more time uploading new products and even got some on special offer (ouch, that hurts!). A really nice budget-priced CIK/FIA Level 2 kart suit has come my way, I wore one at Spa and it was really comfortable so I've included it in the range. With full homologation, it can be used up to and including international level - take a sneaky look now, you know you want to!

All ready for Silverstone this weekend. Mike and I are sharing MGDavid's Montyzoomers Revenge in a 30 minute 2-driver race, just praying that I hand it over in one piece to Mike and that I'm the quickest of the four drivers behind its wheel this weekend :-) I reckon we'll only have time for about three laps each in practice, so it's a steep learning curve.

Wish us luck!

Wedding wear and random thoughts

2009-06-27T23:16:00.003+01:00

Sat here blogging while Sarah's got the "girls" round. They're outside in the cold, I'm inside watching Franz Ferdinand at Glastonbury. Just the way I like Festivals.....none of this nasty camping in the dirt rubbish!

Went for suit fitting today for Col's wedding - I'm Best Man! Downside is, it's the same weekend as Barry S-S's 1 hour race at the Spa 6 hours meeting. I'm s-o-o peeved. I've told Col so! But back to the story. Had the fitting. Felt like a cross between a Victorian Bank Manager and a penguin - why do people insist we wear this stuff? Being honest, Col, you're spending £250+ on this, we'd look just as smart in our ordinary suits, why not put the money towards a kart race? Ah well, "ours not to reason why..." And no, I'm not posting any pictures.

Went to London yesterday, Kew Gardens and the London Eye for Sarah's birthday present. Kew not really something I'm interested in, but the Eye was good. Actually would happily have spent more time on the South Bank watching the performing arts.

Midget rear wings are coming on well. Bit of fettling tomorrow and they'll be ready for spraying :-)

Alex did well at karting last week, made the final. You can just see him on Will Foulkes's video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jb0_U6fGWjY - 6th on the grid, blue Sabelt Stratos-K kartsuit. Bought him a black visor for his crash helmet this week - see what you think on www.alextyler.co.uk - it clearly worked for him!

Said this was random thoughts. Now just got to decide whether to pour another large whiskey or have a cup of coffee. Decisins, decisions......

State of the Nation?

2009-06-12T11:28:00.005+01:00

Hah, somewhat prophetic comment from me: "Chatsworth Rally Show...[is]...a toe-in-the-water exercise". Never SEEN so much water falling from the sky. Really kept the paying customers away, and such a shame because it was a good event. We sold some stuff - another Uvex fp3 out there in use, so it wasn't all bad - but the crowds weren't there. Nil desperandum though - we're out again at the Silverstone Classic race meeting. Well, we've got these terrific printed stand backdrops from T5 Design, it's such a shame not to use them :-) And we may make some money, besides the brand-building opportunities.

Been looking at the business accounts, and during this downturn/recession/depression/opportunity (according to your views) we're increasing our business by 22% year-on-year. I've been spending a fortune and a lot of time on marketing - mind you, it's my qualification, I should do! - and it's helping us grow at a time everone else is cutting back. Quiet today mind you, so mustn't count my chickens.

Ooh, just remembered, great excitement, my shiny new racing licence will actually be used this year after all! Got a seat in David's MG Montego at MG Live in July. Huge excitement. The Midget won't be ready of course (although it looks a treat now on its RWA wings and Kim's going to do the welding next week) so a race in Monty Zoomer's Revenge should be a hoot. I'm sharing with Mike Heath - we're about the same size, so changeovers should be slick. Bouncing up and down in anticipation already.

2009-06-06T10:09:00.000+01:00

Blogging in the rain at Chatsworth. Cold and wet but are we downhearted? Nah, it's just the typical English summer. I was going to camp in the awning but thankfully sanity prevailed and the Ibis is warm and dry. Passer by just said it will be biblical rain tomorrow :-(

2009-06-04T16:16:00.001+01:00

Rally Show Chatsworth

2009-06-04T16:08:00.004+01:00

Wow, the variety of the international racing driver....two weekends ago racing at spa, last weekend marshalling at an MG Car Club event at the Charmy Down airfield just outside Bath, this weekend working on the racewear.co.uk stand at the Rally Show at Chatsworth! Can't get much more diverse than that.

Last weekend was fun, Alex's first attempt at marshalling and I had him timing and measuring like a good 'un. (Pic will follow) All went pear shaped when I got back and sent 4 hours in casualty after the mother fell over and cut her leg :-( Nothing serious thankfully.

The car's packed now, ready to go to the Rally Show. I don't know what it'll be like, so I'm only taking a few samples of racesuits and some gloves and accessories for sale. Very much a toe-in-the-water to see who goes along. I'm on my own on Saturday, but Andrew's coming on Sunday to help out, so I should get off the stand and see some of the fun. Looking forward to it! I'll keep you posted.

Club 100 10 Hours of Spa

2009-05-27T07:21:00.002+01:00

It wasn't to be. We were rubbish. Two of us hadn't driven a kart since last November, two of us had only drive a 2-stroke twice before...so I suppose it was only to be expected that racewear.co.uk racing with midgetmax.com would prop up the rest of the field at Spa. What was particularly disappointing was the distance to the rest of the teams, but even then I suppose giving away 10 - 20kg when there's an uphill hairpin is always going to make it difficult to get on terms.

Top weekend away in Belgium though. Sun shone from breakfast to bedtime, must have been 30 degrees. Spa town is a bit quiet, they roll up the sidewalks at 11:00pm and all the bars shut. Still I do enjoy sitting in the fresh air sipping red wine and it was great while it lasted.

Race Report

Our race strategy was simple: drive as fast as you can. So we did, it just wasn't fast enough! We all circulated within half a second of each other, we had about as many mechanical problems as I would expect of one of my own cars (that's lots then!), and nothing exciting happened. The circuit was testing with a couple of quick corners for us to make up time, and we got p-ed all over. Heigh-ho, serious diet and loads of practice required.

Thanks to john and all the Club 100 team for a great event - here's to being better next time :-)

Web site problems while excitement mounts

2009-05-19T22:46:00.001+01:00

Strewth, that was foresight when I wrote "it's quiet...so I'll add extra content to the web site". Within two days the site crashed, possibly brought down by a DDoS attack, and the only restore point they had was just before we went live :-(

Spent Monday replacing products, amending photos and generally getting it all back to where we were on Tuesday the week before. Haven't got it all on-line still, although I've taken the chance of adding new products....

....speaking of which I'm testing some of them out this weekend :-) Spa, Club 100 10 Hours (well, quadruple 2.5 hours really). I'm trying out the new Motorsport Overall, and the latest style of Motorsport Boots - if they survive this OK they'll be perfect for anything! Basically, it's non-homologated karting overalls made to homologated spec but without the expense of that label. Seem to be comfortable and - pleasure of pleasures - I now fit into a size smaller. All that fitness training coming good at last.

Excitement mounting in the racewear.co.uk racing with midgetmax.com team, we're really looking forward to the race. I'll try to send a couple of photos and race reports from my phone while we're over there, and at the very least blog it all next week. Wish us luck!

One step forwards...

2009-05-12T07:04:00.002+01:00

Yes, finally got some serious work done on the race car last night. The sqare arches were a bit dggy, especially at the bottom of the wings behind the wheels. They also restricted tyre size, meaning I would be condemned to another season of 155 tyres, not what I wanted. So I've acquired a pair of fibre glass wings to convert to round wheel arch, and at the weekend I cut into the car with the grinder...despite my worries, I'm pleased with the results. And I now have the only RWA/SWA car in captivity!

Pics are on my Facebok site here.

Got some welding to do - well, Kim's going to do it - and of course the other side, but then we're ready to start re-assembling the shell :-) Of course, there's still the engine to do so I doubt I'll be at MG Live, but it's progress of sorts.

It's quiet at racewear.co.uk at the moment, so I'm taking chance to update some content. Keep your eyes on the site to find exactly what!

Silverstone Classic

2009-05-07T14:01:00.002+01:00

Went to Silverstone to deliver a Uvex rs3 yesterday, and I thought I'd died and gone to heaven! It was the press and media/test day for the Silverstone Classic race meeting - Group C cars, historic saloons, Supertourers, sports racers, all were there. And to cap it all, Sir Stirling Moss was at the wheel and I was able to earwig as he got ready and drove out. Sometimes this is a horrible job, but someone's got to do it!

Didn't get much work done after that!

Just had to break off from the blog for a delivery. Final part of a big order of helmets, overalls and balaclavas for a company doing the corporate games next month. I like these, it's fun pulling all the bits together although it can be a bit fraught but terrific when it all works. Now just got to arrange delivery wihch may be easier said than done! Best get back to it...

2009-05-07T14:00:00.000+01:00

Sir Stirling Moss, Silverstone, May 6th

Soon be racing....

2009-04-29T17:22:00.002+01:00

....May 23rd's getting closer-------our first race of the year :-) It's a TEN HOUR kart race at Spa in Belgium using Club 100's 115cc racers. Team of four of us, spread over 4 x 2.5 hour races, it's going to be hard work and huge fun (I hope). Keep an eye on the blog, I'll post how we're getting on via my phone and also try to update my personal Facebook page.

And the Midget's actually had some work done on it too! There's an outside chance it'll be ready for MG Live in July, which would be great. I've nearly got all the parts assembled to build up the engine.

Got to pay for it somehow though, and I've been busy uploading more content to www.racewear.co.uk. Nice range of Sabelt kart suits, very professional and really well made. Need to get one of those for myself :-) It'll go alongside my Uvex race suit - it's such a lightweight suit it's almost like wearing a second skin. S-o comfortable. And the protection levels are claimed to be good, too.

Our International sales reputation is growing----sold some karting gear to a chap in New Zealand today. Can't get much more international than that.

Got to go, sun's shining. Want to get out on the bike to make sure I fit these gorgeous race suits I'm buying for myslf LOL!

Racing at Combe

2009-04-14T13:21:00.003+01:00

Racing at Castle Combe, Easter Monday. Great to be there as a spectator, just laping up the sunshine. video from Alex's phone, trying out the VideoDJ stuff. This series seems to be almost "Run What Ya Brung" LOL!

Why do they do that?

2009-04-05T21:17:00.002+01:00

Took Alex karting to Combe today (he went really well, only j-u-s-t missed out on getting to the Final) and we used the Sprite - not my race car, but the tidy little road car I acquired last year. Roared out of the parking area at the Circuit, got to the first speed hump and........it d-i-e-d. Just petered out :-( Frantic diagnosis indicated the fuel pump so I shook it, prodded it, fiddled with the leads all to no avail so I resorted to the ultimate tool. I reached in the boot for the wheel brace so I could give it a good clout - and the pump started ticking and hasn't missed a beat since!

Ruddy cars.

Still, it was nice to drive it in the sunshine. Hood was down of course. Lovely drive round the country lanes of North Wiltshire. Fantastic! Here's to the next one.

Redoubling the effort on the race car now. Got a couple of sneaky plans up my sleeve, it may be a bit different to what's expected. Watch this space!

New season underway

2009-03-31T08:42:00.005+01:00

I actually got to spend some time on the race car this weekend. It's depressing - the floor has been badly bodged, and the bodge is now showing its age. Little holes are appearing - I don't have the facilities or the money to put a new floor into it so it's going to be another bodge! Heigh ho.

On the bright side, the block's back and the crank's on its way to the machine shop. I've got a head down in Kent waiting for collection, so it'll soon be a matter of putting all the parts together. And now the weather's a bit better I can get into the garden to work on the car - and glory of glories I've just acquired a council garage around the corner to run the whole lot from. MG Live at Silverstone is the target, and Waz Pablo even says he wants to share a drive. Fantastic. Oh, and I've been offered some seat time in the MGDavid Montego as well which should be a hoot.

Trying to find some accomodation so we can stay at the circuit - motorhomes are so expensive though, I could have a proper holiday for the money it costs us to rent one for a weekend. Hmm, lateral thinking cap on.

Business-wise it's been a busy start to the season. Our Sabelt range of racewear is very popular, but the real star is the Uvex Car Racing line. If you've never worn a modern, lightweight racing suit then think again, this could be a very worthwhile investment particularly if you drive a hot car in a hot climate. The fp3 HANS helmet is superb value for money and selling very well - it's carbon/kevlar/fibre glass composite with such superb attention to detail. It's even on special offer this month so strike while the iron's hot!

I've done a couple of teaching sessions at the Actiondrome lately. It really is a good course for anyone wanting to learn how to tackle bad weather - not just snow and ice, but a real eye-opener for what problems rain can cause as well. Take a look at the web site and see what we can offer.

Race Retro stand

2009-03-20T20:31:00.000Z

Here it is, our Uvex dedicated stand at Race Retro

Race Retro - what recession?

2009-03-18T17:43:00.002Z

It's been a bit of time since I blogged but here we are, weary after the excesses of Race Retro! But it was a great show...some people said the numbers were down, but every single one seemed to be interested in Uvex and Sabelt racewear :-) I'm pretty hoarse, but happy with the weekend.

Thanks of course to Andrew and Neville for helping on the stand, and especially to Andrew and his tfive company for providing such great stand graphics.

Thanks also to everyone who came and saw us - old friends and new friends alike made it a great weekend out for racewear.co.uk and a great launch for the new web site.

On the racing front.....nothing's happened!

I titled this blog "what recession"? There are still some big spenders out there, and people prepared to spend money on their hobby. Given that racewear is a totally frivolous purchase - you don't need to go racing - the fact that my company is growing fast speaks volumes. It's true that there are redundancies, but these seem to be from industries that have got fat, lazy and inefficient. This was always going to happen, we couldn't continue at the current rate. I think a new world is emerging, and I intend to be at the forefront. Watch this space!

Up and running

2009-03-10T15:24:00.002Z

At last! The new web site on www.racewear.co.uk is working and taking orders! Hooray. Thanks to the guys at Impress Media in Warminster (www.impresss-media.co.uk) who got everything working right, first time :-) It was the easiest web site transition I've been involved in.

No resting on our laurels though...it's headlong into the pell mell that is Race Retro (www.raceretro.com). We've had a load of superb Uvex stuff arrive, and Sabelt is due in tomorrow - quite the most stock I've taken for some time. I'm pretty excited by all the opportunities.

Found time to pick the Midget block up at last this morning....maybe I will get an engine built LOL!

Got to go, busy, busy, busy

Oh the waiting's murder!

2009-03-06T16:59:00.003Z

Waiting on tenterhooks here...the new racewear.co.uk web site has been finished, approved and signed off--------and immediately developed a glitch! I'm sitting waiting for it to be done while the clock is ticking on the old one being closed down and the IP tag being pointed at the new DNS server. Oh yes, I've learned all the language!

But it'll be good. I know that, I've had some positive feedback already so finger's crossed it all works in time for the IP change!

Can't do much about it over the weekend, got a SKID CAR session tomorrow morning to run. Quick pint with fellow instructor Waz afterwards, then back down here to meet a new racewear customer. Busy, busy, busy.

Stone me, is that Chris Evans on the radio? That means it's time to go home - and it's still daylight. I s-o love the spring time, the days get steadily longer and I adore daylight. Goodbye and good riddance to winter!

Motor racing season gets ever closer. Just bought a new head for the 1380 Midget engine, that's all coming together nicely. Not planning to do much, just the MG Car Club MG Live event at Silverstone this year. Better go home now and start polishing my conrods or something technical....or maybe just have a beer on Firsty Friday.

Roll on tomorrow - new web site!

2009-02-26T14:25:00.003Z

First of the new Sabelt kart suits came into stock this week - and I'm really impressed! Nice quality, towelling lining with shiny nylon outer and swinging sleeves. The first one just happened to be Alex's size for sampling when racing at Combe this weekend LOL!

A bit bored at work at the moment - twiddling my thumbs. The new racewear.co.uk web site will mean a lot of full-on work for me but the first draft won't be ready until tomorrow at the earliest. So no use doing any work on the old one, either! And given that my marketing programmes are based around the new site, and it's damned hard to write press releases and newsletters without seeing it, there's not much for me to do.

Frustrating, especially as there's a £1500 grant from Business Link riding on it being completed in time.

Roll on tomorrow!

Starting MGs - the season gets closer

2009-02-14T21:45:00.003Z

Saturday - no formal work - no snow - nice early Spring day. MG time!

Wash the ZS. Wash the Peugeot - OK, not an MG but it needed washing. Turn to the red Sprite. Connect it up to the ZS battery - YES! - it runs! Car's not been started since October, but good old British engineering shows through.

Started so easly I didn't even need to put on my new mechanic's overalls :-( Saves getting them dirty I suppose.

Should be able to get the 1380 block back this week. Then when I've sold something else I can send the crank away and we're close to engine build time.

Oh take a peek at our Facebook page - I've found a couple of great videos on YouTube about CarbonX and Uvex racing overalls. There's these guys setting themselves on fire just to prove how good their clothing is...MAD! Nice that they do though as it makes a good film on our web sites :-)

Karting, skidding and working too hard

2009-02-03T15:06:00.003Z

Took Alex karting to Combe on Sunday, latest round of the Junior Championship. Lord it was cold....Was wearing my CarbonX underwear set just to stay warm - and I wasn't going to catch fire, either! Bit of an oiverkill I know, but I did stay toasty warm.

Alex didn't do too badly. A couple of points up on his pre-Christmas average and considering he hasn't been for over a month that was pretty good. Don't they grow quickly at this age? He's already out-running his current kartsuit, good job we've got the latest Sabelt Stratos-K online, looks like he'll be the guinea pig.

Snowy days are made in heaven for a SKID CAR instructor :-) I've really enjoyed wheel-spinning around the car parks, but I do get disapproving looks from miserable old ladies of all ages and both sexes - lighten up guys, it only happens every now and again, and I reckon I know what I'm doing. Remember the word "FUN"?

Not that there's been a huge amount of time for that, we've been really busy. We're quoting for bespoke motorcycle racing leathers, indoor and outdoor karting overalls and supplying loads of FIA-homologated suits to comply with the latest rally regulations. It's great, we're busier than ever, just imagine what it could be like when the recession ends!

Back to it then - look out for our latest newsletter to drop into your inbox. Not signed up? Then do so here straight away!

Alex karting

2009-02-01T17:23:00.001Z

Adrian and chocolate cake

2009-01-31T00:42:00.001Z

Busy time at racewear

2009-01-26T06:42:00.003Z

It's been a busy time at www.racewear.co.uk. We've just supplied a dozen FIA suits for the F1 circuit in Bahrain again. It's for the doctors at the track, they were on duty at the A1 GP race and are getting ready for the F1 event too. We've done them for a couple of years now, but we were let down by TNT's delivery. Why are carrier companies SO incompetent? I'm at the end of my tether - the only good part about the whole sorry affair is the it was the customer's carrier account, not mine. Phew!

Sabelt racesuits are coming on stream now. I've sold the first "Stratos" FIA suit to be imported into the country (!) and there's some really interesting products in their catalogue which will be going on my site soon.

WANTED - someone to help us with our Facebook strategy! Got some time on your hands? Like to help us develop new media strategy? We're looking for someone to help develop racewear.co.uk via blogs, Facebook, YouTube and other social sites. It's fun, part-time work made in heaven for a petrol head. Healthy discount on racewear and the chance to join our Midgetmax Racing kart team FOC, and possibly even my MG racing team at Historic events around Europe. Interested? Contact Max Tyler max@racewear.co.uk

Sold some bits to pay for my race engine over the weekend, looks like I'm going to be able to get the block and crank prepared soon, but need to decide what spec to build first of all. 1380 or 1330? I bet the 1330 will be as powerful at my level, but it's more expensive to build because I need pistons. There again, they'd come with rings, and the rumour is that there's a shortage of 1380 Powermax rings. Hmm, decisions, decisions!

Been busy wth the Actiondrome. Spent the last couple of weekends teaching, to the extent that yesterday (Sunday 25th) was my first day off since New Year. Had some really good lessons in the last couple of weeks, working with Waz Pablo. I think our customers really got a handle on some simple steps to keep themselves safe in slippery weather - and had great fun driving the SKID CAR!

1500 Midget engine for sale

2009-01-25T14:21:00.001Z

Autosports International

2009-01-18T22:53:00.001Z

Racewear.co.uk stand

Autosports International - what a great show!

2009-01-12T21:10:00.003Z

With mixed feelings I took up a last minute (cheap!) deal for a stand at Autosports. Last minute? 4:15 the night before it opened!

So off we went to promote Uvex and sell some stuff to try and cover the costs.....objectives met! Despite having the wrong stock with me (Doh!), despite not having much stock (wasn't expecting to go after all!), despite the credit crunch...against all expectations I met some good potential clients and sold some stuff as well.

Show had improved, lot more focus on the sport, less on "souping up" cars for noise and style rather than outright speed around a circuit. Interesting displays, good to see a whole stand devoted to my hero, Ronnie Peterson. Plus TWO Lotus 72s with his name on the sife and an F3 car. Terrific.

Interesting point though, as credit gets crunched, cash is king. Of all our sales only two were by card - and they were debit card, not credit card. Mmmmm, maybe all that money thrown at the banks isn't enough to get the public trusting them. Whatever, I'm happy to receive them!

Oh, just thought....new web site started this week....watch out for www.racewear.co.uk changing!

Autosports international

2009-01-11T07:06:00.002Z

Andrew tries on his suit but forgets to take it off the dummy first

It's my party.......

2009-01-01T10:06:00.004Z

.....well, my birthday and the party was at someone else's but you get the drift.

New Year, new promises. I really *will* get the Midget racing this year. Spent a few hours last week developing the dashboard to take the rev counter in the centre instead of behind the steering wheel where I can't see it. I'm rubbish at this sort of thing, but at least the scruffy cutting will be hidden by the bezel ;-) Also made a mount for an orange oil-pressure tell-tale light, I've got one of thse gurt big Land Rover indicator things :-)

So the job list has two things taken off it! Except that I found more to do to the engine...the head I planned to use from the 1380 needs quite a lot of work, thanks to a valve having recessed into the seat. It's standing proud from the others by a good couple of mil, and it fails the leak test. Grump.

Spent a bit of time last week sprucing up http://www.midgetmax.com/ - not much content change but I think it looks nicer, so do take a look. I'll be adding more to it soon!

Off road at the Actiondrome

2008-12-26T10:33:00.001Z

Christmas Break?

2008-12-26T08:17:00.004Z

It's Boxing Day, not particularly early, but I'm the only one up again. Sarah's in bed with a cold again, Alex is (thankfully) still asleep recovering from the excitement of the Big Day. He was more excited than ever this year, bouncing in to our room at 7:20 - in previous years we've had to wake him up!

"What sort of Christmas did you have"

"Oh nice, quiet...."

Sometimes I don't WANT to do quiet, I'd like to find rip-roaring, carousing, noisy, rioutous and wake up with a hangover. Ah well, perhaps New Year...we're going out so you never know your luck.

Along with Pete, Amanda & the boys, we popped in to see Derek, Judith and family who were working in their shop 9:00 - 1:00 yesterday, that was fun. There was a bunch of very shifty looking coves came in, two blokes and a pregnant woman. They were looking to shoplift we're sure, but sheer weight of our numbers meant they couldn't and had to pay for their food. Poor unborn kid, what chance does it have when Christmas lunch is a microwaved burger, tinned peas and a 10-pack of Vodka WKD. Jeez.

So, got another day off today, but back to work tomorrow (Saturday). SKID CAR session, working with Wayne. Should be fun! Then SKID CAR on Monday and Tuesday day off (? - plenty of racewear work to do!) before my birthday on 1st January :-)

Speaking of racewear, we made an internet sale via eBay on Christmas Day! Only a pair of Nomex gloves, but they do represent excellent value any day of the year so it's not surprising.

Sound of movement upstairs - need to start ministering to the sick I suppose. Happy Christmas one and all!

Such a long time....

2008-12-22T07:32:00.005Z

I've just realised it's TWO WEEKS since my last posting - so much has happened, yet so little. Been busy sending out racewear orders, which is good. Last year was the year of the Proban racesuit, this year was the year of the Sabelt Start FIA gloves. Which is a b*gger when you've got loads of Proban racesuits in especially, and very few Sabelt Start FIA gloves. Still, we got through.

Euro rate's massacring (massacreing? massacre-ing? Soddit - killing!) the prices though. We're going to have to re-price on the basis of 1:1. New business model required as most of my supplies come from Germany!

Alex kept the racewear.co.uk racing with midgetmax.com flag flying yesterday with a good result in the Junior Grand Prix at Castle Combe. He was 3rd in the points standing, but came off worse in the first lap rough-and-tumble in the rain, finishing the Grand Final in 5th place. Showed god fighting spirit though, and never gave up - which resulted in a few incidents as he came into view in maximum-attack - but he got away with it! Well done! Alex is setting himself up to race under the kidsonwheels.co.uk teamed with alextyler.co.uk banner, as Kids on Wheels is his part of the business.

Sat here listening to Johnnie Walker as I write - anyone would think it's Christmas! Mind you it's 0750 and still dark outside, but at last the days will be lengthening and then we're heading towards the racing season. Really must get round to bulding the race engine. I've decided for 09 to refresh the 1380 "as is" and save up for the ultimate motor. So that won't happen then! I'm just wondering which class to race the Midget in----it's SWA so I can't get 6" wheels under the arches which make it uncompetitive for Midget Challenge, I can't run to racing in Europe this year, so maybe it's looking at some MGCC races. I think holding off on a "quick" engine may have to wait until I see where it'll find a home, anyway.

Oh actually, it's not "as is" because I've got a hotter cam and offset rockers, so maybe it'll give a few more ponies.

Got to go into work today, although I thought I was going to have a few days off. Got some orders to go out ('raaay) and need to finish off the shop area so it's ready to open in the New Year. Happy Christmas to all.

Max

2008-12-06T07:56:00.003Z

Strewth, is it the weekend already? Funny old week. Ran a couple of SKID CAR sessions, quite busy picking & packing racewear orders, and even got to send out some MG spares!

Am tearing my hair out with delivery services though. I sent a fuel gauge to Chile and it's not arrived...and my UK carrier has now lost a fuel tank! I say that you make your own luck, but when things like this happen I really despair.

We've got a busy weekend converting our office at Griffin Farm into a new racewear shop. We're getting more and more customers calling to the office, and a shop is a better way to display our goods. It's all coming together, need to get the walls repaired and painted early next week.

At some stage I've got an engine and gearbox to get out of a Midget too! So on with the therals and out into the garden we go........will report later.

racewear.co.uk racing with Midgetmax.com

2008-11-30T22:38:00.004Z

Woo-hoo - 2nd overall in the Thruxton 2 hour enduro! And boy was it wet-----and cold-----and miserable. But hey there we are, second overall. About one lap down on the winners, cool! We lost a fair bit of time with kart problems too-----one day we'll mount that top step!

Left to right above: Colin, Billy (real name Steve), Max and Matt. Watch out for racewear.co.uk racing with midgetmax.com again soon - we need to get another practice race in before our Club 100 event at Spa next May.

Also racing were Chris & David, arch FISC-rivals. It was an eye-opener to them I think - I know David has never been so unhappy in a racing machine! Their team battled through to 8th, good result for a group of first-timers.

Sat up working now, frantically changing web site prices thanks to Darling Alistair...sales just died the moment he sat down last Monday, only now beginning to pick up again. I hate Governments! It's not even that there's a huge price change on our goods costing £23.44!

SKID CAR tomorrow morning, group of 3. Hope it stays a bit damp, much easier on the body. You know, it really is a good tool, I reckon every single driver out there can learn something from the driving and/or the chats we have about what's been going on. Sign up now!

What's happened to the race car? errrr - nothing! Hope to get some work done over Christmas, weather permitting......

2008-11-21T06:49:00.003Z

Got to run a SKID CAR session today, a company from Hereford. We did half their team on Wednesday, and I think it went well. Everyone seemed to learn. It's quite a lot to take in for a driver, sometimes it seems the driving is worse than when they arrive, but it's easy to confuse yourself. If you do ever take a SKID CAR course, just relax and let your driving do the work. It soon falls into place in the real world.

Another Midget turned up last night, don't know why but I seem to be home to lost causes. Looks like the engine has been sold to a German, otherwise think we're only looking at diff and suspension off this one to make any money. Next Saturday I should be able to drop the 1500 shell off at John's in Tamworth which will mean I can get this one on the trailer and make room for another! And so it goes on...good job I've got understanding neighbours (and wife for that matter!)....

We had a bit of a rush on racewear sales at the start of the week, and it's slowed a bit now as has tended to happen for the past couple of years. I can't understand it, we're still 50% up on this month last year and 43% up on the same time in 2007...not complaining mind you, but it's worrying - are we going to be hit badly but later by the recession? Oh, why can't I accept good news without worrying!

Sarah's off on a girls' weekend away in Brecon today so Alex & I are on our own........brave of her to leave us! I need to get down to Poole tomorrow and pick up a seat for the ZS, and Sunday's supposed to be snowy. At least they say so, but it never gets bad round here so I'm quite confident we'll miss it again. Strange, bad weather catches us out to the extent that the weather forecasters now cry wolf so many times. Ah, just checked the BBC weather site again and now we're forecast to have light rain on Sunday instead of heavy snow! Told you!

Mind you, could do with some snowy days to remind people they need a SKID CAR lesson...

2008-11-16T09:50:00.002Z

Been a bit remiss on the old blog lately, but in my defence I've been working :-)

Tried to engineer a management buy out of the SKID CAR but it wasn't to be. Not too worried, I could do without finding my share of the stake just at the moment. Longer term though I'd feel a bit more secure about the whole thing if I owned it, I'm a little bit worried that all my hard work may disappear on me. We'll have to see what happens.

racewear.co.uk is building up to the Christmas rush. All our stocks are in place ready for you to come and buy! It looks as though no deal has been done about Autosports International, so if we have a stand there it will be a last minute arrangement.

Funny old world, have been contacted lately through various web sites by a couple of old school friends. I suppose we're all getting on a bit now, people wanting to re-connect with their youth. Natch, I'm not as old as all my contemporaries so haven't felt the urge yet, must be MGs keeping me young....

....speaking of which (he says in a contrived radio link), it looks like I've got another couple of wreckers coming here soon. I've stripped the 1500 bodyshell, and am ready to deliver that to John in Tamworth. There's at least one more 1275 coming to me - possibly two - and we could even end up with a Sebring-fronted MGBGT. Interesting, it could even make a good race car - Sebring C replica although of course with B running gear. Big decision to make there, it's years since I raced a B in the Car Club's BCV8 series. But it may be more welcome on the continent, and the technology's the same. AND - - a big plus - - I can get in the damned thing more easily!

To work! Need to make more space around the house for the next arrivals :-)

2008-11-06T07:09:00.002Z

News item today......Interest Rates to go Down? Fat chance of that happening to customers, all that happens is the banks make more profit. Not that they're short of a bob or two anyway, any losses are just revaluation of assets.

Interesting meeting on Tuesday, inaugural SKID CAR Users' Association meeting. Good to chat to other operators. We had it at Millbrook Proving Ground - automotive heaven. Chap who took us round had the coolest job in the world........track manager, meant he had to drive everything regularly to check it.

Still looking to find somewhere to keep my next racing project, can't collect it until I do :-( One thing I need to look at with the new shell is how I'm going to mount the belts so that the HANS device works. Still, with a new build everything is accessible and easy to do. In theory.

Actually I've got a bit of a deal on with HANS devices. TRS are importing a batch from Stand 21, and the more I sell the better discount I get so I'm trying to put together a buying consortium. Anyone interested contact me on max-at-racewear-dot-co-dot-uk

That Monday morning feeling

2008-11-03T07:40:00.002Z

I know I'm really lucky working for myself and at my choice of hours, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't rather stay in bed on a Monday morning.....but I believe that the harder I work the luckier I get, so here I am firs tthing, blogging away. Just printed off the orders for despatch today - some racewear and a Midgetmax parcel to pack. Then I think I'm being taken to buy some carpet........

Lewis finally did it then! Talk about edge-of-the-seat stuff........wow, what a way for ITV to leave F1, if you'd read that in a film script you wouldn't have believed it! Well done that man, hope it inspires lots more young people to take up the sport - and buy racewear of course ;-)

At a more mundane level, Alex struggled in the damp and cold at Combe in his kart race. He just needs to get his head down and work harder, but at 11 years old it's hard to realise that. One positive to take away, in his last race he was blinding on the dry bits, needs more experience of how the opportunities of the rain can fall his way.

Got a 1500 Midget to strip down this week. Not much to take off, but then it's not much weather to do it in! David's just bought us one to sel with a Lenham front - wonder how I can persuade him to let that fall my way. Oh, nearly forgot, I got that RWA rolling shell I was after! Need to find somewhere to store it until I can find time to paint & build the new race car. Cool!

Weekend work...

2008-11-01T08:21:00.002Z

Off to Tewkesbury today to buy another rusty Midget for spares. Sarah's delighted about having yet another in the garden. It's a 1500 so there's bits on I don't know much about, but we should be able to salvage the front suspension, diff (it ought to be a 3.7 so anyone looking for one please contact me...) plus of course the engine and gearbox which are alleged to be good. Drop me a line - max-at-midgetmax-dot-com - if you need anything!

Interesting week for www.racewear.co.uk - we ended up quoting for a huge number of gloves and boots for a major corporate event company. They'll be made in the far East of course, and prices can be very realistic at that quantity. Fingers crossed, it could also be a springboard for our Uvex range. Speaking of which, Andrew is negotiating to launch at Autosports International. I can take it or leave it, but there will be our target market there.

Alex is karting tomorrow at Combe. Hope the weather cheers up. I always stand outside - never did like the building there, always seems claustrophobic. As the clock's gone back we should be home in time to watch the GP. Hamilton or Massa? Should have been Hamilton weeks ago, interesting to see how he stacks up under real pressure.

Actiondrome's first session for the council's Y-DIE initiative worked well, hope we can get a few more of those under our belts. Frame gave problems, managed to sort it out but was drenched in hydraulic oil :-( Ah well, at least Wayne's working today not me :-)

2008-10-29T21:33:00.003Z

Been musing on one of the Midget bulletin boards about the possibility of converting my new gearbox to electronic clutch actuation so that I can left foot brake. One of the contributors reckons it could be done reasonably easily...what a hoot! The plan is to use the standard clutch for starts, then have a micro-switch system on the gear shift for racing changes.

Remember the Lotus 77? Ronnie Peterson used it but soon went back to the 72 because it was far too complicated. It had an electric clutch and four pedals, with one brake pedal either side of the steering column, a clutch for starts and a switch on the gearstick to trigger the clutch. Brad reckons we could try a Triumph Spitfire lever with the overdrive switch fitted...

...but I know it's a pipe dream! My paucity of budget is only matched by my paucity of engineering skills :-(

Interesting day at the SKID CAR tomorrow. First of our days with Wiltshire County Council, teaching newly-qualified teenaged drivers how to stay out of hedges in slippery weather. Jamie & I working together on it, nice project to work on during the year. We're promoting it as "Bad Weather Simulation Course", no reason why we can't roll it out to companies and other organisations.

Fun, fun, fun!

2008-10-28T05:34:00.003Z

So, it's been announced that Ferrari will withdraw from F1 if the FIA proceeds with its plans for standardised engines....sabre rattling! Where else could they go? Ooh, they've just said that there is no-one tendering for the engine contract...1380cc A-Series F1 anyone :-)

Now "Wake up to Money" on 5-Live is talking about cuts in interest rates down to 2%....bet it doesn't filter down to the man (or business) in the street. It'll just give bankers more profit on their loans.

We've just won the Wilts County Council road safety department contract for the SKID CAR and we've got the first batch of sixth formers to run through on Thursday. It's a good initiative, teaching road sense in a fun way to try and keep teenagers off accident statistics, we'll be showing them what happens when adverse weather hits the road surface. Just a "taster" for them, try and encourage them to take full training, and it's still a reasonable earner for us.

Busy day at http://www.racewear.co.uk/ yesterday, I'm not sure where all the money's coming from when you listen to the dire stories of doom & gloom on the radio. Chap bought a "Retro" historic-style suit, having been round the houses on all the web sites and chosen ours. Good one, makes all my hard work worth it! Oh, we've got a grant from Business Link to take our site on to the next stage - nice to get something back for once.

Jeez it's cold this morning. Don't know why but I'm awake early again, and I'm sat at the computer before the heating comes on. Quite frosty outside, quite chilly in here....

Couple of jokes I've just heard on 5-Live:

How do you make a city banker a millionaire? Give him a billon and wait....

The best place for your money in this credit crunch is the Post Office. By the time you get to the counter it'll be over....

Enough frivolity, time to get some work done!

2008-10-27T06:41:00.002Z

Successful weekend then, back to the grindstone now. Basically had a day ding NOTHING yesterday - no trips to see racing, no work on cars - NOTHING. Drove me mad, but I feel better for it. Raring to go is I think the phrase - bring on the sales!

Got to work on the www.actiondrome.com web site this week, smarten it up a bit and try and replicate what's working on www.racewear.co.uk We've got our first SKID CAR Users Association meeting next week and I volunteered to be Chairman. Mad impetuous fool. Better get some work done towards it then...so looks like it's going to be a SKID CAR week.

But speaking of racewear.co.uk....which we weren't...I've just launched our Club Scheme. Have your club listed on our site, give us a reciprocal link, and we'll offer all club members a 5% discount across the board. What does the advert (almost) say? Driving down the cost of racing!

Still interested in that RWA shell for my racer...watch this space!

2008-10-26T05:58:00.002Z

Well here we are at 0555 and blogging. What a sad thing to do on a Sunday! But everyone thinks "Oooh clocks going back, extra hour in bed..." PAH! Wake up at same time, but it's an hour earlier, Sarah and Alex still asleep so what else is there to do? Humbug.

Finished my work on the little red Sprite yesterday. It sits nicely now. The problem was it had been fitted with some cheap Chinese rear springs. No strength in them, they were made without the pads in betwen the leaves and the tiny supprting leaf at the bottom was missing. You only have to hold them side-by-side to feel the difference in weight, they couldn't possibly do the job as well as the heavier OE type. Warning to self....

There's still a possibility of me re-shelling my racer into an RWA shell, another has come out of the woodwork. Interesting to see what comes about.

Actually did some work on the ZS yesterday! Well, changed the oil...you konw it cost nearly £15 for a couple of litres of oil at Sainsbury's, under £25 for 5 litres plus a filter at our local factors. Go figure.

Got to get up in the loft today and start clearing out MG bits. eBay once, if no sale down the tip. Busy busy busy!

2008-10-23T09:43:00.002+01:00

Hey guess what? Doing some electronic filing, I've found my report on the 2007 FISC season! It's not comprehensive but you can get a flavour of FISC racing here. Select the Season 2007 tab!

2008-10-23T08:45:00.002+01:00

Well, email from Toby first thing this morning asking for RSS details. After a brief hiatus while I tried to run his email through my translator only to discover it was written in English, just too technical for me, we're now syndicated. Whatever that is! Thanks Toby :-)

It's normally a quiet time of year at racewear.co.uk, but we're still quite busy. Reckon it's people buying their racewear before they get made redundant! We've even sold something to Sri Lanka this week...Racewear International!

Johnny Walker's on the radio at the moment talking about cars with a smile on their face - what about our own Frogeye? Surely the most cheerful car ever!

I've got the shopping cart live on racewear.co.uk so it's time to do some work on www.actiondrome.com. Christmas is a busy time for vouchers, it'll need a bit of bringing up to standard, and the shopping cart there is the same as racewear's so I'm pretty practiced with that now.

Midgeting? Well, none! I went in the loft yesterday and there's a load of stuff I need to get out and on to eBay - nothing exciting, anti roll bar kit, old bumpers that kind of thing. If they don't sell, it's down to the scrapyard with them. I'm drowning under old parts---I know they'll be valuable "one day" but so many opportunities, so little storage :-(

Perspective is an amazing thing. Took Alex karting the other day and on the way back I said "You'll be able to sprint the Midget at 16". "Dad that's FIVE YEARS" was his reply. I'm thinking "Oh no, it's only just over 4 years...no time at all" As I said, perspective. Maybe I'll have got the new 1380 built by then. RAOFLMAO

2008-10-20T19:09:00.002+01:00

Ah-ha, found some fuel over the weekend for the mythical 99.99p per litre. That's a quid in my book but what the hell....I remember when people were complaining the price was going to rise to £1 per gallon - guess that just makes me old. Blast.

Got one of the rear springs changed on the red Sprite over the weekend, need to do the other one now then get it sold - could do with the money! S-o many projects on the race car for next season. Think the engine's not going to be much more than a refresh, then run it a bit before selling it to put towards a new one for 2010....unless I win the lottery, at which stage that Lotus 20 FJ car may find its way into my garage....at least, after I've bought a garage!

Revamped web site for www.racewear.co.uk is nearly finished. When the shopping cart is up-and-running, I'll publish a discount code on here for anyone to use - just a little bit to say "thank you" for reading! Be glad when it's done, far too much like hard work for me ;-)

Have given up "Morning Musings", getting up so early was crucifying me. So it's Evening ????? What? Answers on a post card please....or by email to me......max-at-racewear-dot-co-dot-uk.

I should be at the gym or circuit training now, but you know what? It's pouring down & I couldn't face it. I need to get the fitness levels up, got a kart race end of next month and I need to be shape. Midgetmax Racing are taking on Team FISC, I've kind of challenged them so we need to whip their arses......

2008-10-17T06:47:00.002+01:00

Difficult times, but the price of oil is coming down and petrol was "only" 103.9 yesterday. Nice to watch the Government squirm - spent weeks in the spring persuading us we have to pay more for our fuel to save the planet, now calling for the oil companies to drop their price..........go figure!

Our wedding anniversary today - 21 years makes me feel really old, I'd be out by now if I'd murdered her etc etc - yes all the old jokes come to the fore.

To more interesting things: racing. Alas, at this time of year there is none. I need to get the block and crank to Zebs for machining, would like to do that before Christmas, but I'm a touch short of money for racing, having bought the SCCR. Blast. Had a quick squint at the TSR Midget racing web page which is energising me to get more work done, but I'm not keen on the Midget Challenge. All that hassle for 15 minutes racing....I don't know what the Legendary Circuits are planning for 09 but I'd like to do that. If not, maybe another quiet year. Have decided I'd prefer to do fewer races of better quality, can't get excited about 10 laps around Mallory compard to 2 hours a Monza....been spolit I suppose.

Thursday 16th October

2008-10-16T06:40:00.003+01:00

Half way through the month already - so little done, so much to do.......where does the time go? I *still* haven't started that red Sprite, but it's set fair for the weekend so perhaps Saturday.

Radio this morning was full of doom and gloom, millions thrown unemployed by Christmas, soup kitchens on the streets, complete cessation of all economic activity. I don't think it's going to be *that* bad but I suspect we'll all be a little quiet. Racewear may certainly experience a downturn, but I've high hopes that our SKID CAR activities will still be in demand. After all, what better way to save money than not crashing your car in the first place?

That SCCR gearbox I bought turned out to be a gem. It's even got a hydraulic clutch thrust mechanism on it, that's worth a few bob. So gearbox sorted, now need to spend more time acquiring engine bits. Oh and earning money to do so!

Signed up for the Club 100 kart race at Spa Francorchamps - everyone thinks I'm doing the full circuit on a 100cc kart, now THAT would be daft! Should be a good weekend and is stonking value. We've got a new team member in Midgetmax Racing, so we'll try and get a test race at Thruxton first - welcome aboard Matt.

More web site work today...I've got the shopping cart working, I want to finish the customer facing pages before integrating the two. It's not hard work but frustrating, as the pages seem to re-format themselves for no reason sometimes :-(

Got to go, time to wake up the rest of the family.

Reflections in the pre-dawn

2008-10-15T06:40:00.002+01:00

Wednesday Wanderings? Really will drop the alliteration, it's annoying me too...

Collected my SCCR last night, had a long chat with the guy who sold it to me...chap I've known for a couple of years through FISC racing. He's re-structuring his business, thinks it'll be hard going for a bit of time. Reckons motor sport may be in a downswing. Good job we're doing a lot of gear suitable for racers who don't go MSA circuit racing. I think there'll be a rise in events that have smaller barriers to entry - track days, oval racing etc etc.

Sold some gear to Bulgaria yesterday! Didn't know there was a huge following there but I'm not complaining, it keeps the figures up.

Am working hard on the racewear.co.uk web site. The shopping cart developers are going to finish off their side this week, I need to finish the product page amendments. Not a hard job, but long-winded and I'm bored to tears...ah, it'll be worth it in the long run.

Taken out an ad in Motor Sport magazine for its 1,000th edition - just a small one, but I'm proud to be associated with the brand. I like the mag, I think it's regained its gravitas.

You know, Lloyds TSB online business banking really is rubbish. I cancelled a direct debit online yesterday, but they stll made the payment today. It's another "thing" to sort out, another 5 minutes I'm not concentrating on the important work in my business. It's only a small niggle, but life seems to be made up of lurching from one small niggle to another, sorting out what someone else hasn't done properly. Or am I just a grumpy old man?

They've just said on the radio that Coleford in Gloucestershire put up its Christmas decorations last weekend and are unveiling the tree - in fact they were being put up in 70 degree heat! Is it me? Bah, Humbug!

I'm going to grump my way to breakfast now. Keep an eye on racewear.co.uk to see how it's developing.

Morning Musings

2008-10-14T06:51:00.003+01:00

Given up with the alliteration, it only worked with Thursday Thoughts :-(

Quite a quiet day yesterday. Bank manager refused my offer of a tenner to add to the £17 billion he's been lent by me (yes,by me personally, have you seen my tax bill....). It's a dull time of year, after then end of the season and not yet into the Christmas rush. There's a few people needing FIA suits because they've got rallies on in the next couple of weeks, and of course it's becoming mandatory that drivers & co-drivers wear FIA suits w.e.f 1-1-09, so now's a good time to make sure your clothing complies.

Customer is returning a suit to me for exchange because the size is wrong, but it's got lost in the post. I can't swap it because it never reached me, so it really pays to use recorded delivery if you're returning anything. But please put enough postage on! I go stung for £1.06 to receive a £2.94 balaclava..........

I've got to get some work done on my "sales" Sprite today. Nice little car, needs a new pair of springs and I hate doing that :-( Try and find some time this week to get it finished then it will make someone a nice little runabout on fine days.

Oops, that's the news, need to get the rest of the house up.....

Monday Musings

2008-10-13T07:25:00.002+01:00

Went to Mallory yesterday to deliver some panels I'd sold through Midgetmax. Andy is another Midget racer, in the MGCC Midget Challenge, and he was spectating as well having sold his car. Top fun to watch at! Having been brought up on a diet of processional Castle Combe races, to watch real racing was cool. Alex & I really enjoyed ourselves.

Must get my car out for next season, but I don't know about UK club racing. There's a lot of cost for 15 minutes......Legendary Circuits next year will be FOUR 25 minute races :-) OK it's expensive, but huge value. I need to start saving - can everyone get buying racewear please?!?

Interesting times at work. It's our annual review with the bank manager today - I'll see if I can lend him a couple of quid, Lloyds TSB have got the bowl out for 10 billion I think.

Couldn't get out of bed this morning....so I'm late and the musings will have to be cut short.

Saturday............

2008-10-11T07:04:00.003+01:00

Thank God it's Saturday eh? Bother, got to work on the SKID CAR. Then hurry home because Phil's picking up an engine and gearbox. Still off to Mallory tomorrow - pity it's only to spectate :-( but it's nice to be around racers and racing.

Speaking of which, I'm still looking at a shell replacement, there's another RWA option now. I think it'll be nice to start with something "proper" rather than try to bodge this one.

Been a quiet week business wise, I think there's some fear out there what with faling stock markets but more importantly it's the end of the racing season - who wants to buy more racewear at this stage in the year? Hope the Christmas period picks up. Could do with a dose of bad weather soon to get people scared about driving in the wet and cold, get them flocking to the SKID CAR.

Ah well better go. Breakfast beckons, scoot off to work and then back to list some more Midgetmax stuff. The busy life of a thrusting young executive - I wish! More like the bsy life of a middle-aged racing trying to make ends meet!

Friday Foughts

2008-10-10T07:01:00.003+01:00

OK, OK already, the alliteration failed today! Still, it's the thought that counts.

I've had to change the host for the blog. There were strange things happening to my laptop since I've been regularly logging on to Bravenet's site. We caught a virus, and now there's loads of odd stuff in my virus vault. Probably coincidence, but I'm not going to take the risk.

0700 and it's still dark. I hate winter time.

Went circuit training last night again, managed to pull something in my hip. It hurts. Blast.

Interesting day at racewear.co.uk today. Got to send out some racesuits to Singapore - I'm supplying gear for a little boy's birthday party. We really do have some varied clients - one minute it's major blue chip companies, the next it's young children halfway round the world!

Still watching that race-prepped rolling shell on eBay. Tempted......at this time of year next season seems so far off, but onc we get through the Christmas rush we'll be headlong into preparation time. At least I hope there'll be a Christmas rush, what with credit crunches and general gloom & despondency. James Whale was on TV last night saying for God's sake cheer up, we're talking ourselves into recession. Tend to agree with him - mind you, glad we've got a house we bought well before the boom.

Thursday Thoughts

2008-10-09T17:58:00.000+01:00

Like the new title? I'm trying alliteration. Corny but true!

Only there aren't many thoughts today. I'm watching a bodyshell on eBay that could be a good replacement for my current race shell - RWA, caged already etc etc. A possibility instead of repairing my race car.

Foggy morning at the moment, think I'll work from home today. That's the advantage of running your own company I use on on-line Exchange server for emails and Office Live Workspaces as document storage so I can actually work from anywhere. Handy...

Collect my SCCR next week - pretty important that I do because I've just sold my standard "race" box! At the moment I've got a bodyshell that needs repair, two engines in pieces and no gearbox - great way to go racing!

It's quiet at work at the moment too. I don't think it's the "credit crunch" it's just a quiet period every October. Not too bad because I need the time to get that red 1275 A-H Sprite I bought recently finished and up for sale. I need to change the springs so it stands level, sort out the driver's door window and a tiny bit of bodywork. It's even MOT-ed so it should be a good buy for someone.
Circuit training tonight - I'm really looking forward to it but not the state I'll be in on Friday and Saturday!