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Music To Our Ears
Once again, I am daring to disagree with my fellow blogger Lewis. A tad before Christmas, Lewis sang the praises of Queen, Queen and nothing but Queen as the thing to play on your car stereo (and threw in a list of his top favourites).
This is all very well… if you like Queen. I don’t. I have a very eclectic music collection that rotates its way around the cycle of the family Ford Fairlaine, my husband’s Nissan Navara work ute and the sound system in the house, but Queen is conspicuous by its absence. However, I reckon Lewis got it bang on right when he mentions the great electric guitar solos as being good for driving to. Especially on the open road where you can put the pedal down… at least as far as the cops will let you.
However, there are sections of road where hard rock with plenty of driving guitar will just leave you frustrated. It’s more like heavy traffic than heavy metal. In situations like this, you need something that will calm you down, and probably something that you can sing along to. The car is as good as the shower for working on your singing technique, although you don’t quite get the acoustics. Pro singers always rehearse and practice at the car, although putting the sheet music on the steering wheel in front of you is probably a dumb idea (I’ve seen it done).
Taking yet another scenario, on a long interstate drive where the road is straight and the scenery is starting to get monotonous, soothing quiet music is a recipe for disaster (anyone else remember the scene in Mr Bean’s Holiday where Sabine falls asleep at the wheel of the Mini after Mr Bean hits Brahms’ Lullaby on the phone ring tones?). Some of the road safety boffins say that playing music can be a good stimulant for helping you keep alert during a long-haul trip, but they forgot to say that not all music is created equal…
So here goes: my hints for creating a driving playlist for all situations.
For open road driving and the wide open spaces: Electric guitar is king. Personal picks for the playlist would be U2, Midnight Oil (come on – an album named “Diesel & Dust” is just made to be driven to) and Chris Rea. From the classical section of the music library, the fast final movement of Summer from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons – that fast violin work rivals the slickest electric guitar work out there.
Slow traffic in town: Chill-out jazz and moody Celtic keeps you in the right headspace – calm and collected in your metal and glass bubble in spite of the madness around you. They’re also good for singing along to. If, however, you have small children in the car with you on the school and shopping run, singing will be a must. Also action songs to keep the kids from screaming with boredom. Looks like the Wiggles or the Fairies will hijack your sound system again.
Long drives when you need to keep your mind alert: Disco and electronica – that pumping beat is designed to get you pumped up and dancing driving all night. However, if it’s that sort of electronica that is highly repetitive and goes on for ten minutes per track, avoid it, as the repetitive music plus the repetitive flicker Audio books are another hot pick, especially when it’s getting dark. Pick a story with plenty of action or comedy (preferably both) rather than something intellectually heavy – Terry Pratchett’s Discworld sort of thing rather than To Kill A Mockingbird or The Brothers Karamazov.
PS: Keep the music to your car sound system or to the innate music of the exhaust in a well-tuned V8 engine. Musical horns (with the possible exception of the General Lee horn from the Dukes of Hazzard) and tinny tunes played as a reversing warning drive everyone insane, as I found out when living next door to a car that played Für Elise very badly every morning when it backed out the drive.
The Age Of The Underdog: BTCC in 2014
Andrew Jordan celebrates his first championship. Photo Credit: BTCC.net
The 2013 BTCC season was truly a return to greatness for the series. The championship went down to a thrilling final race weekend at the rain sodden Brands Hatch GP. And any fan of the BTCC will tell you a wet and windy season finale at Brands Hatch will always give you the climax you wanted, as proved by the final race of the 2001 BTCC season. And 2013 did not disappoint. Starting at the back of the grid, Andrew Jordan battled his way from 25th to 9th, cementing his position at the top. It truly was a champions drive. My only criticism of the 2013 season was the predictability of the top 6 finishers in most races.
Honda, Honda, MG, Honda…
Due to the manufacturer-based funding of the Yuasa Honda and MG teams, they clearly had the most superior cars in 2013. And the independent Pirtek team were essentially gifted the same car as the factory Honda team. As such, Jordan, Neal, Shedden and Plato were usually the names at the top. This became so commonplace that dare I say it, it became monotonous. The extra performance even gave mediocre drivers such as Jeff Smith the chance to bring in top 5 finishes. Usually this wouldn’t be a problem but Smith doesn’t have the same experience as some of the veteran drivers and often took lessons from the Giovanardi school of driving and used brute force and unfair tactics to gain position.
However, despite this the season was by far the best it had been in the last 10 years. But why is this you may ask. One word, underdog. 2013 was truly the year of the underdog, and every now and again spurts of god-fuelled genius saw these underdogs fighting at the top. This post is a celebration of their achievements and a reminder to the big boys that the 2014 season may well be the year of the revolution. Are we seeing the dawning of a new age? Is this the age of the underdog?
The 2013 season gave close, hard racing, and some spectacular shots. Photo Credit: BTCC.net
BMW and Turkington: Mixed Success in 2013
The BMW team started slow, but their influence picked up speed as the season went on. Photo Credit: BTCC.net
The Ebay Motors BMW team brought a colourful, quirky new look to the BTCC last year, and under the control of Nick Foster, Rob Collard and returning champion Colin Turkington, by the end of the year the team were a constant threat for race wins. However, it was clear that 2013 was a year of development for the BMW team. The start of the year saw a string of mid-pack performances, until Turkington’s first win in race 3 at Donington Park. In fact, Turkington’s performance proved just how good a driver he is. He took a brand new car and battled his way to the top of the time sheets consistently.
Clearly though the existence of the 13 was the icon of bad luck for the BMW team, as they were often riddled with mechanical problems, bad performances and unlucky mishaps. The worst of which was the embarrassing start to a race at the final weekend at Brands Hatch. The last thing you want to see as team manager is two of your cars facing each other at the exit of the first corner…
I imagine there were a few heads on desks back at race control… Photo Credit: BTCC.net
Adam Morgan: Potential in a Brand New Car
In 2013, Adam Morgan impressed with a string of top 5 finishes in his very handsome Toyota Avensis. As the year went on, the name Morgan began to grow in popularity and success. Morgan and his Ciceley racing team showed the talent needed for future championship success. He was one of the few drivers who could really stick it to the big boys, and dish out the same hard driving ability that was often shoveled in his face.
Morgan has made the headlines in 2014 following the announcement of his choice of car for the upcoming season. In fact, he is introducing a brand new manufacturer to the illustrious list of names that have graced the championship with their presence. This car is often one you would associate with the DTM series, but Adam Morgan is bringing his Mercedes A-Class to the BTCC in 2014. Considering the high levels of success Morgan was achieving by the end of the year, I predict that once he has gotten to grips with his new machine, he will be right back at the top once more. I will be shocked if he has not climbed the top step of the podium at least once by the end of the year.
Adam Morgan is making the switch from his handsome Toyota to a Mercedes A-Class for 2014. Photo Credit: BTCC.net
Soft spot for Squelch
In every series, I always find myself having a soft spot for a certain driver or team, regardless of their successes. This usually comes down to the attractive nature of a machine, matched with the determination of a team. And in 2013, I most definitely had a soft spot for Dan Welch in his Proton. Welch (or Squelch as I began calling him) was never battling for top 5 finishes, but he was always filled with a positive attitude and the determination from his team really did impress me. Not only that, but I really did enjoy the look of his car; it truly was a joy watching that little monster charging around the track. I have every faith that with the new season there will be new successes for the team. I would love more than anything to see Squelch at the front end of the pack this year. Proton deserves to continue the success first gained by the late great David Leslie in the early 2000s.
The Sopp+Sopp Proton of Dan Welch was always my personal favourite of 2013. Photo Credit: BTCC.net
Volkswagen Passat on the Menu for Success
Under the expert control of Tom Onslow-Cole, the VW Passat surprised everyone in 2013, taking podium finishes at Thruxton and Croft. And this year, under the new management of Team BMR, the VW will be the seat of one of the biggest names in the business. Recently, I posted an article on the ‘Return of Alain Menu’ to the BTCC, and the great man himself will be driving the Volkswagen Passat in 2014. Considering the surprising success in 2o13, I have a feeling that Team BMR are going to have a highly fruitful season this year. The skill of Alain Menu will bring about not only high finishes, but I will stick my neck out here and say that multiple race wins too.
It is massively exciting. Especially if the legend can show the big manufacturers that the smaller teams are a true force to be reckoned with.
What a good looking beast… The Volkswagen Passat in 2013. Photo Credit: BTCC.net
The Young Juggernaut
Jack Goff had a very low key start to 2013 in his Vauxhall Insignia, but to say the same by the end of the season would be an insult to everything that was good and right in this world. The final race of the year saw Jack Goff in an inferior car take on ‘Flash’ Gordon Shedden in the planet destroying Honda Civic. Whatever Flash did Goff was right there on his tail. Not only that, he was so fast he was even flashing his lights to get Shedden out the way. The titans at the top did not know what hit them. How dare SOMEONE ELSE take on the top men? Well I am sorry to tell you, just because you are safe in the car front, there is a juggernaut of talent just waiting to take the title from underneath you.
2014 will see Jack Goff return in his Vauxhall with team BMR. Goff and Menu in one team? Watch out Honda and MG, team BMR are out to get you. Jack Goff will be a champion one day. He has the talent, the aggression and the determination to be a champion in the future. I wish him all the best for 2014!
Out of the frying pan…. Jack Goff has the talent for greatness. Photo Credit: BTCC.net
The Ultimate Underdog: The People’s Champion
I have named an array of the teams and drivers that I have tipped for good things in 2014, but I have of course saved the best for last. Last year, I may have had my guesses for champion, those I had a soft spot for and those who I did not like, but despite all of them there was still someone else who was my favourite.
It could only be Rob Austin in his Audi. If you asked any fan of BTCC who the fan favourite was, chances are Rob would be only name on the list. Rob and Sherman (yes, he even named his Audi) combine to form the ultimate underdog. Ever since Rob returned to the series in a severely under performing Audi, he has grown in popularity. I first remember a race at Snetterton in 2012 where Rob decided to turn everything up to 11, knowing he would only complete a handful of laps. As expected, he came to a thundering halt after only a few laps, but in the process had set the fastest lap by quite a considerable distance. Go hard or go home is his motto. He may not have had a shot at the title, but in 2013 Rob won his first race at Rockingham. You would have thought he had just been crowned ruler of the world. That is the mark of a driver who truly loves what they do. It is not about overall glory, but seeing that much emotion after winning a race is THE reason why the sport loves him.
Rob has been hard at work over the winter break, and the recently released 2014 Sherman is meant to be beyond impressive. Audi have not been at the top since 1996 when Frank Biela won the title. Maybe, just maybe, is that about to change? If Rob Austin can rise to the top this year, with that car and that personality, it will make the racing world a much better place for it.
The fan favourite. The BTCC world is hoping for good things from Austin and Sherman this year. Photo Credit: BTCC.net
The BTCC is fast returning to its place at the top of not just British, but international motorsport. 2014 has a capacity grid with numerous teams in reserve. Champions left, right and centre, new cars, new teams, the championship literally has everything you could ever want.
The factory teams thought they had it all their own way. Not any more. Watch out top dogs, the underdogs are here, and they are coming to get you. BTCC 2014 will begin the era of the underdog.
It all begins in March, you won’t want to miss this.
As new announcements are made regarding the 2014 BTCC season, do not worry, I will be right here to report on them just for you.
Keep Driving People!
Peace and Love!
What's On The Menu for 2014
The 2014 British Touring Car Championship has been blown out of the stratosphere with an announcement to end all announcements. Team BMR has been teasing fans and media alike for some time with rumours regarding the identity of its four driver line up. Throughout the day, the phrase ‘Double Champion’ was thrown around. And only a few minutes ago, fans of the BTCC were given the greatest gift they could ever have asked for.
Joining Jack Goff, Aron Smith and Warren Scott for Team BMR is the absolute legend of motorsport, Alain Menu.
Alain Menu is one of the greatest living touring car drivers. He managed to conquer the BTCC twice during the Super Touring Era, which can be described as the galactic emperor of touring car racing. Success in the BTCC during the 90s gained international recognition; to win a championship propelled you into the history books as one of the great racing drivers. To win this title twice in this time, this was more than your average champion.
The distinctive No.2 Renault Laguna of Alain Menu defined the BTCC in the mid-90s
I first became aware of Menu in 1992 in which he drove a BMW, with little success. From 1993, Menu began his love affair with the Renault team. The Renault 19 seemed to only really work in the rain, which in Britain is never a bad thing. However, it will not gain you championship success. In 1994, the 19 became the Laguna, and for 3 years in a row Menu finished second in the championship. That is three times coming so close to ultimate glory. And then in 1997, the Williams Renault team and Menu had had enough. Not only did he win the championship, but he absolutely annihilated the competition, securing himself the championship just over half way through the season. Never before had such a dominant display been shown without accusations of cheating. (I am of course referring to the 1994 Alfa Romeo challenge, but that is another story). In 1998, Menu was still the best driver on the grid (in my humble opinion) but due to a run of bad luck, his championship challenge left him 4th overall.
This is what you call bad luck…
It must have felt so good to finally have No.1 on the side of his car after 3 years of near misses
In 1999, Menu joined the flagging Ford team with Anthony Reid and together gained significant success with the new name. However, it was in 2000 that Menu proved the flame was still very much alive. In a Ford team with the two other legends of Rickard Rydell and Anthony Reid, Menu proved that he was still the one to beat. However, unlike in 1997 the title went down to the final race at Silverstone.
The Super Touring Car era was over. And what a moment to end it on. The greatest touring car driver winning the final Super Touring championship in the greatest manufacturer to have ever been involved in the sport. It was an emotional moment I have to say. Especially because it was a night race.
The multi-million pound Ford Mondeo brought Alain Menu his second BTCC championship in 2000
From 2005 t0 2013, Menu made the move to the World Touring Car Championship with the Chevrolet team. When he first joined, the team was driving the Lacetti, soon to be replace by the Cruze. By 2011 and 2012, Menu was back to his winning ways, finishing 3rd and 2nd respectively. As great an achievement as this is, by this stage the FIA had once again ruined yet another racing series and Chevrolet was the only team that really mattered in the WTCC. It was clear that Menu wanted a fresh new challenge. While Menu was travelling around the world, the BTCC was recovering from its early 00’s slump to become something magical again. The BTCC is his home. No one can resist its charm. Let alone the true God of the sport.
The Chevrolet Cruze defined the WTCC in the last few years. And for Menu it proved successful
Alain Menu defines what it means to be a Touring Car driver. He has the speed, the consistency and the regulated aggression needed for greatness. He knows how to race on the limits of what is possible without having to break the rules to get what he needs. He is one of the few drivers who can race and pass others cleanly without feeling the need to push him out the way to get what he wants. He possesses talent, a rare and indeed powerful ally for any race car driver.
He also has one of the most infectious personalities on the BTCC grid. Always smiling, always there with a cheeky wink. I have met the man twice and he is seriously one of the nicest men you will meet. Always willing to chat and have a picture with you. When asked who they think will win the 2000 BTCC season, only he could get away with…
“If I had to pick anyone, it has to be me, eh?” *cheeky wink*
Hearing that my favourite living race driver is returning to my all time favourite race series has made me the happiest person I could be. I was already excited for the upcoming season, but this has just taken it to a whole new level.
Good luck Menu, it is time for you to show these people what racing really is once again.
Menu will be driving the Volkswagen Passat CC. Only the Season Launch at Donington Park in March will reveal the look of the car that will seat the great man himself.
The stage has been set. The legend has returned. Here we go…
The face of a legend. Oh that smile…
Keep Driving People!
Follow me on Twitter @lewisglynn69
Peace and Love!
When Smart Keys Go Through The Wash
When I first encountered them, I considered smart keys to be a bit of an unnecessary frippery. However, I have grown to like them very much, especially on our recent family camping holiday. If the kids discovered that there was something they needed in the boot or the back of the family Ford Fairlaine after we had turned in for the night, there was no need to go through all the palaver of wriggling out of bed, pulling on dressing gowns and getting out of the caravan (hence the need for a large-engined Ford) and unlocking the car. One press of the button and the MP3 player or book could be retrieved by Mr or Miss Forgetful. I guess heaps of us have also come to enjoy the convenience of smart keys as well. Some of the modern ones (especially on some of the recent releases from Mercedes) get even smarter, unlocking the door for you if you get within a certain radius and no need to even press a button.
However, the other day, seeming disaster struck. In spite of the family policy of putting car keys in the wooden bowl on the fridge where they belong once you’ve finished driving, a set of car keys got left in the pocket of a pair of jeans (and it wasn’t me who did this, incidentally). And the jeans went through the wash, smart keys and all. The keys were only discovered at the bottom of the washing machine after going through the full wash, rinse and spin. Panic. Did they still work? (We do have a spare set – always a good idea, as accidents happen).
They didn’t. However, all was not lost. For one thing, the actual key bit can still be used to unlock the door and the boot manually the old-fashioned way. There is a way to get them working again without all the hassle of having to order a new one and get it activated – a lengthy and expensive process. It was very simple, too:
Step 1: Open up the fob of the smart key. There’s a weeny screw on the back of our set that needs an equally weeny screwdriver to open up. Every home should have a tiny screwdriver in both flat and Phillips for jobs like this. Other keys may open in another way, so have a good look at what you’ve got.
Step 2: Take out the battery.
Step 3: Dry the battery and let the rest of the key’s innards dry out properly. Leaving it in the sunshine is the best bet. Don’t be a muggins and try putting it in the microwave or in a conventional oven.
Step 4: Put the battery back in and put the key back together again.
Hey presto – one key almost as good as new again, unlocking and locking the door and the boot again like magic. If we wanted it to be just as good as new, we could have changed the battery – they do run out after a while.
A quick bit of research has also revealed that if your smart keys fall into liquid that isn’t fresh water (i.e. not the washing machine, toilet or swimming pool), an extra step can be added between Steps 2 and 3. This step will involve giving everything a good rinse in clean fresh water to get all the salt water/beer/coffee off the working parts. However, I can’t vouch for this one, not having tried it personally.
If you are really unlucky, the “open it up and let it dry” method won’t work and your smart keys are stuffed. In this case, your only hope is to either (a) use the spare set, (b) resort to locking and unlocking the car manually or (c) getting a new $et of $mart key$ from your local lock$mith.
And guess who’s going to be checking pockets before doing the laundry now?
Level 2, 9 Help Street