You are not logged in

Petrol Head's views - July 2005

So how many of you folks voted for Blairs Mob and kept him in number 10 and the rest of them in cushy lifestyles with big expense accounts?

Well you should damn well be ashamed of yourselves if you voted for that outfit!

Our wonderful Government has unveiled plans that if passed, will effectively kill off auto grass events such as hill climbs and trials that are carried out on agricultural land. I suppose this would also hit motor cycle scrambles and even rallying.

The Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA is it's known) reckons that motor sport damages the land. Farmers who allow it to take place on their land will not get the subsidies they currently enjoy.

One thousand motor sport events were promptly cancelled and the future of many others hangs in the balance.

A decision has been postponed until March 2006.

We all know that the weekend Country Set in their 4X4's do little to help rural congestion, and that the Kings and Queens of the lanes on their nags do little to enhance the quality of true rural life, although the mess they leave behind is good for the roses, but whatever next?

The rally and show season is in full swing, and yours truly travelled to the depths of Norfolk for a Steam Engine rally complete with classic cars and side shows etc.

The £7.00 entrance fee was probably the norm for a large event held over a Bank Holiday weekend. That price included parking in a field and also an obstacle course across what resembled an army training area when it came time to go home. Suspension and exhaust pipes suffered as a result.

The show itself was okay, not many classics there on the Monday as they had probably all opted for the Sunday instead.

One thing that did leave rather a nasty taste was the food on offer. Not the actual grub, but the prices. £2.50 for a Cornish Pasty as an example!

I suppose that whenever there's a captive market, the licenced bandits can charge what they like.

I know that at Silverstone it's possible to buy a slice of roast pork in a bun, with a dollop of soggy stuffing thrown in for about three and a half quid. Maybe Jamie Oliver should step in and help the classic car and motor sport fans out.

I'm told that the price of a decent MGB is coming down. I wonder if that's due to the recent MG/Rover crisis and lack of public confidence in the marque.

If so then whatever for?

The spares suppliers specialising in classic MG spares can supply all you'll ever need to keep a B on the road, so any worries in that area are in my view rather short sighted.

Surely if prices really are on the wane, then now's the time to invest in an MGB and experience some open top fun.

That's all for now folks.

Petrol Head

If you wish to make contact with Petrol Head regarding this article then visit the contact us page and we will forward your messages on.

The views represented here are those of 'Petrol Head' and do not necessarily reflect those of Classic Car Times.