Greetings Race Fans!

You find the Jonesey Racing Team on their annual holiday in Portugal where I had hoped to be spending my time at Estoril but instead all talk of motor racing has been banned.

Even worse after praying for rain at the races I find my prayers have now been answered and the rain is falling not just on the plain but also on me.

As I tried to put thoughts of the ageing MG gently dripping fluids onto the garage floor behind me I was devastated to discover a relative of one of the racing teams is performing in the hotel each night.

Dave Neaves plays piano says the poster! I could tell he was related as he starts off very slowly during practice and then half way through the tune he really puts his foot down until he skids off his piano stool at the end!  

Anyhow, back to the racing as the time fast approaches for the Silverstone Dead or Alive Meeting.

As usual a massive entry has been received for the PBIC and Class B is currently showing 16 entries on their own….at this rate they will soon need a separate race for themselves.

A few familiar and some unfamiliar faces are making an appearance this year.

S/S Live sees the return of former Clockwork Orange owner Paul Rayment in his MGF Cup car. Not sure if this is going to be a regular competitor with us or if he’s just shaking it down in readiness for next year’s season in the Trophy Series, but he is expected to be quick following the sale of the Orange to the man known only as Wilson.

Also sees the return of Andy Young in the notorious MGC. Those of us in the slower classes (which will be all of us I imagine) will need to keep an eye on our rear view mirrors…..unless the much threatened ballast has been added ay Andy?

Incidentally I hear there will be a mobile rolling road at the track….now wouldn’t it be interesting to have the cars checked out and see what power they really are running???? I am happy to be the first one tested but I reckon I might be the only one to turn up!

Team Neaves have entered three cars but it remains to be seen if the brothers Grim will be able to resolve their clutch problems and also take their towing tests, buy tow-cars and then buy trailers…..hmm.

Paul Rigg will be debuting his Metro and Margaret will be out in the MGF….so who will do the race report I ask?

Ewart Kitson returns in the ZS after the engine blow up earlier in the year and Lew Bergonzi buoyed with his victory at Brands has splashed out his Cold Weather allowance on a Silverstone entry.

Burchill and the Loony self publicity team have been at work with a nice article in MGE Mag this month…it was nice as there was no picture of Blagger Burchill in it.

In light of the excellent response received to the Blaine Neaves / Rod Stewart Special which seemed to strike a chord with everyone (how do I do it I hear you ask) and in keeping with the Dead or Alive Theme (You spin me round like a record etc), I have decided to do yet another special & compile a Pop Top Ten for the drivers;(well I got to thirteen but will leave the rest to you lot).

So as Doom cranks up the gibber-o-meter, and in no particular order here they are:

1. Simon Cripps – Rocket Man (40)
2. Dave Brooke - Long haired lover from Liverpool (11)
3. Pete Burchill - Slow boat to china (13)
4. Alan Jones - What estate I’m in …is that a real record? (45)
5. Michael Piggot - Jake the Peg (60)
6. Simon Tinkler - Mellow yellow (18)
7. John Wreck-it. - I love the sound of breaking glass (5)
8. Pete Bramble -  How low can you go (69)
9. Barry Holmes  - The dove from above…not a record but you see where I’m going with this (37)
10. Dan Ludlow - Anything by Sandy Shaw  (70)
11. Blaine Neaves - Bob the Builder (7)
12. The Everley Brothers (Dan & Ollie) – Happy Trail(er)s (3/4)

13. Weasley You spin me round


And finally…Until we meet again (Vera Lynn) at Silverstone, I thought I’d end with a proverb this month, so here goes:

The grass is always greener of the other side of the track. (This will require the introduction of the obscure-o-meter I think)

Jonesey