Phew! Been a bit of 'mare getting the engine through customs etc - jst waiting on courier's bank showing the BACS transfer I sent yesterday - pending that: crate is good to go for collection.. unfortunately I am now being charged £24 per day holding fee on top of the £416 charged (better than initial £2000 quoted tho)!!!
Hopefuly Phoenix can move quickly to get across to Prestwick and pick up the 370kg crate.
New site, merchandise shop well under way - new logos incorporated. Passed basic mock-up to Tom to work on a 'teaser' site.
I've now registered the car/team with Rob Barnes for the 'tuner class' for the UK time-attack series for next year. It's about 6 spaced-out rounds dotted around UK's tracks - will need to sit down and chat with JL what resource Phoenix have to support this next year but it's a great opportunity for John and group to promote the workshop as a 'tuner' on the aftermarket. Fingers crossed - given nature of the engine, I'll need regular mechanical support either way. Also need a flatbed to transport car/parts to events. I should have draft regs and dates, from Rob, over next month or so.
www.timeattack.co.uk
Latest pics (April 2011)
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Update - 24th Oct
Bit of a rollercoaster of a day..
Initially Barry's engine was supposed to have touched down on Saturday but no word was heard until today (Tuesday). Chased back through Barry who chased his courier who then contacted Phoenix who then contacted me, phew!
It turns out the engine was stuck in customs and being held in dock. Spoke to the shipper in Glasgow - customs'excise charge was going to work to almost £2K.. argh!
This was because they had used the invoice which showed the insurance value rather than what I had paid. Straight back onto phone with Barry who will duly send the correct invoice for the subsidised value paid. That's being faxed straight over to the lovely Elaine who has been great so far,
Hopefully tomorrow I can pay the cpl of hundred owed and once cleared then Phoenix guys can trip over to Prestwick to collect the engine as planned.. I'll be glad when the engine is safe n sound in the workshop.
On a brighter note - spoke to Martyn @ MVS - carbon bits coming along nicely - he has a cracking Group-C type wing that'll do the job and he hopes to tackle the front end over the winter. Rear diffuser is more or less good-to-go will be deivered over next few weeks. We also discussed a second skin roof panel come scoop that would ram air straight into the Da Vinci 2-bore. This wouldn't be very high but would work a treat...max air flow - minimal drag. The panel could be a complete section inc. engine cover.. Ultima eat your heart out. No massive rush as no plans to get the car into Gary's until end of Jan-Feb anyway.
Medical for race license all green - ards booked for November. One more check-box ticked!
Spoke to Rob Barnes - possibility we may have to replace the marguard front screen to comply with timeattack regs - should be confirmed by New Year.
Off to design a mock-up for Tom for the new website www.phoenixesprit.com
Drop in and buy lots - shop already updated: www.cafe-press.com/phoenixesprit
Initially Barry's engine was supposed to have touched down on Saturday but no word was heard until today (Tuesday). Chased back through Barry who chased his courier who then contacted Phoenix who then contacted me, phew!
It turns out the engine was stuck in customs and being held in dock. Spoke to the shipper in Glasgow - customs'excise charge was going to work to almost £2K.. argh!
This was because they had used the invoice which showed the insurance value rather than what I had paid. Straight back onto phone with Barry who will duly send the correct invoice for the subsidised value paid. That's being faxed straight over to the lovely Elaine who has been great so far,
Hopefully tomorrow I can pay the cpl of hundred owed and once cleared then Phoenix guys can trip over to Prestwick to collect the engine as planned.. I'll be glad when the engine is safe n sound in the workshop.
On a brighter note - spoke to Martyn @ MVS - carbon bits coming along nicely - he has a cracking Group-C type wing that'll do the job and he hopes to tackle the front end over the winter. Rear diffuser is more or less good-to-go will be deivered over next few weeks. We also discussed a second skin roof panel come scoop that would ram air straight into the Da Vinci 2-bore. This wouldn't be very high but would work a treat...max air flow - minimal drag. The panel could be a complete section inc. engine cover.. Ultima eat your heart out. No massive rush as no plans to get the car into Gary's until end of Jan-Feb anyway.
Medical for race license all green - ards booked for November. One more check-box ticked!
Spoke to Rob Barnes - possibility we may have to replace the marguard front screen to comply with timeattack regs - should be confirmed by New Year.
Off to design a mock-up for Tom for the new website www.phoenixesprit.com
Drop in and buy lots - shop already updated: www.cafe-press.com/phoenixesprit
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Update - 8th Oct 06
Started morning - 5am to watch Japan GP - Schuey's engine blew - pretty much handed c'ship to Alonso - not a great start to my day. I'm not tifosi but I'd like to see the old man go out with a 8th title - hopefully he can finish his last ever Gp with a win in Brazil.
LBM cafe-press goodies arrived - after a £9 customs and royal mail charge. However stuff looks good - BB cap, hoodie for wife and team shirt for moi. Guess what folks getting for Xmas this year (LBM goodie bag..lol) + gonna get the guys at the workshop some team shirts.
The great lotus sell-off continues - if all goes well I may find buyers for top end inc. TBs, injectors, BOV, chip etc. Also had some interest on the trannies and looks as if headlights and 2 spare rear wheels will find a home. Waiting on Garry Kemp to confirm back on the main engine. Turbo, c'cooler, spare block and ecu are sold. All money made towards the cause.
Still waiting on shipping costs from Barry - engine dimensions look ok so jst need to confirm G50 housing dimensions and adaptor plate.
Garage re-jigged ready for Esprit's return. Nothing better than a tidy workspace even if all work done down at Phoenix..lol : John & guys are doing a great job and I've no doubts they'll get the job done. News that they will reloom the whole car gave me a warm feeling inside. Jenny got some in-progress pics - will post asap.
Trailer sold to Rog - as soon as I add 1cm to the track on the car then it'd be useless anyway - hoping Pheonix will oblige for testing and most events.
Still exploring wheel-tire options - Stevei at Unique styling is looking into it - 17s look most likely but they need to be light and Garry will need to mod arches to fit but means they don't have to be mega wide as you can't get semi-slicks in silly ass wide rubber and slicks not eligible for timeattack..
LBM cafe-press goodies arrived - after a £9 customs and royal mail charge. However stuff looks good - BB cap, hoodie for wife and team shirt for moi. Guess what folks getting for Xmas this year (LBM goodie bag..lol) + gonna get the guys at the workshop some team shirts.
The great lotus sell-off continues - if all goes well I may find buyers for top end inc. TBs, injectors, BOV, chip etc. Also had some interest on the trannies and looks as if headlights and 2 spare rear wheels will find a home. Waiting on Garry Kemp to confirm back on the main engine. Turbo, c'cooler, spare block and ecu are sold. All money made towards the cause.
Still waiting on shipping costs from Barry - engine dimensions look ok so jst need to confirm G50 housing dimensions and adaptor plate.
Garage re-jigged ready for Esprit's return. Nothing better than a tidy workspace even if all work done down at Phoenix..lol : John & guys are doing a great job and I've no doubts they'll get the job done. News that they will reloom the whole car gave me a warm feeling inside. Jenny got some in-progress pics - will post asap.
Trailer sold to Rog - as soon as I add 1cm to the track on the car then it'd be useless anyway - hoping Pheonix will oblige for testing and most events.
Still exploring wheel-tire options - Stevei at Unique styling is looking into it - 17s look most likely but they need to be light and Garry will need to mod arches to fit but means they don't have to be mega wide as you can't get semi-slicks in silly ass wide rubber and slicks not eligible for timeattack..
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