The University of Turmoil

Le Mans 2010

2010-06-22T17:28:00.003Z

Yet another trip (#14?) to La Sarthe for a week of cold drinks and watching motorcars.

We had a decent crew of attendees this year, 6 in our sub-group who camped which 6 of Marshy's comrades plus meeting at the weekend with Dickie, Lucy, Martin the Plumber etc.

Despite forecasts of rain we managed to time movements so we were indoors or under canvas when the heavens opened.

Photos include Friday roadtrip out to the Classic British Welcome at St. Saturnin and the Hotel de France in Chartres-sur-le-loir.

We race itself seemed like it was going to be a Peugeot whitewash after they got the first four places on the grid, but dull German reliability won out with Audi taking the whole podium as each French car dropped out.

Le Mans 2010

South Africa Trip Day Twelve

2010-03-11T13:53:00.002Z

Today we went to Ngwenya Glass to watch some glass blowing (no cameras allowed for some reason) and then to Malotja reserve for a pootle around the tracks and admiring the view whilst eating petrol station pies.

According to the entry log at the reception we were the only two visitors inside the 4,500 acre park today.

South Africa 2010 - Day 12

South Africa Trip Day Eleven

2010-03-11T05:32:00.002Z

Just a touristy day today, went to the Swazi Candles site to check out the tat and eat the world's biggest piece of carrot cake.

Didn't take any photos during the day, so thought I'd not break the chain and get a couple of shots of the evening cooking and the politically incorrect KFC billboard that leers over the back wall.

South Africa 2010 - Day 11

South Africa Trip Days Nine & Ten

2010-03-09T15:25:00.002Z

Day Nine

Visited the Swazi Cultural village for dancing and a guided tour of the pretend village.

South Africa 2010 - Day 9

Day Ten

After a slight delay whilst we jump started the pink pajero after Timothy left the doors open all morning, we went cycling through the Mlilwane reserve amongst several zebras. It was very hot, and Timothy was lying when he said it was all flat.

South Africa 2010 - Day 10

South Africa Trip Days Seven & Eight

2010-03-07T14:05:00.003Z

A trip to Hlane Game Park for camping and driving about looking for animals.

We had a couple of close encounters with some rhino, and saw some lions from a distance behind a fence but no sign of any elephants this time around.

We had the campsite to ourselves other than the tame ostrich that seemed to live there.

The next morning (Saturday) we went a few miles up the road to another game park to meet up with some of Tim and Heidi's friends who'd rented a lodge. Again we camped up without any neighbours.

South Africa 2010 - Day 7

South Africa 2010 - Day 8

South Africa Trip Day Six

2010-03-04T15:47:00.002Z

From Golden Gate National Park to Manzini, Swaziland.

Another long trek in overcast weather.

South Africa 2010 - Day 6

South Africa Trip Day Five

2010-03-04T15:43:00.002Z

The long drive from Grahamstown to the Golden Gate National Park

The roads varied from world class driving roads to ones with huge potholes. Whilst we passed a couple of road crews filling in the holes, they were using dirt rather than tarmac.

South Africa 2010 - Day 5

South Africa Trip Day Four

2010-03-02T14:40:00.003Z

Drove down to Port Alfred in the mist and rain, stopping off at Bathurst to via the Toposcope monument to the original settlers to the area in 1820, some of whom arrived on a ship called the 'Weymouth' . No-one was on the beach.

Wandered around Grahamstown and Rhodes University (where the students are known as Rhodents), there are also several high schools where it seems the pupils must to say 'hello, sir' as they pass you in the street.

Just about to plan the route for the next couple of days back to Swaziland via Clarens.

South Africa 2010 - Day 4

South Africa Trip Day Three

2010-03-01T14:47:00.002Z

Managed to get a good night's sleep, it is amazing how much it helps to utilise an actual bed.

Today's trip was to the Addo Elephant National Park, about an hour's drive from Grahamstown.

Jonathan said that we saw much fewer animals than usual, but as the photos show there were elephants to be found.

South Africa 2010 - Day 3

South Africa Trip Day Two

2010-02-28T15:48:00.001Z

Slept badly yet again. Lack of pillow was the problem this time around, and then the neighbouring pitch's fishing rod alarm went off at 3am. Not had a full night's sleep since Wedsnesday.

We went off bicycling at 05h30 to check out the dam itself.

We were out for nearly 2 hours and only got overtaken by 2 cars.

We left the campsite around 9am for the 4hr drive down to Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape to see Heidi's parents. Other than the last 20 miles that were excellent it was tedious straight roads. Very little traffic. Saw several monkeys.

This afternoon has seen a braai luncheon and some swimming.

South Africa 2010 - Day 2

South Africa Trip Day One

2010-02-27T17:54:00.002Z

[Introduction for those I haven't mentioned it to... I am visiting my brother and his family for 2 weeks]

My Friday night flight on Branson's airline left 2 hours late due to a French air traffic controllers strike. Then the screenback entertainment centres stopping working properly, so it was a bit of a dull flight. Luckily there were several empty seats and I'd chosen one with a space next to it, so I could lift the armrest and have loads of room (in the style of Kevin Smith)

On landing it took a bit of effort to find the area of baggage collection where they dump the 'fragile items' eg. golf clubs, kiddies pushchairs and Timothy's bicycle.

Next step was to catch the courtesy bus to the Southern Sun airport hotel for a wash and brush up. The 'independent' porter thought Tim was my son :-(

The hotel's bellman helped us assemble the bike and for a fat tip took all the bubble wrap and cardboard off our hands.

Then onto the road. Driving across the Free State to Gariep Dam. About a six hour drive. Timothy only had to pay off one Police man in cash.

Our camping spot is beside the reservior itself and I'm writing this sat on the grass under a full moon, using a 3G dongle to connect to the outside world.

South Africa 2010 - Day 1

Snow 2010

2010-01-05T20:34:00.001Z

By law, one has to photograph any snow that falls in southern England.

Snow2010

Xmas 2008 Trip to Pretoria and Swaziland

2009-01-01T14:45:00.001Z

Photos from two weeks in the sun visiting my brother and his family.

xmas2008

Spa Funcup 25hrs 2008

2008-07-16T21:22:00.000Z

Here Come the Belgians.

Spa25hrs2008

Le Mans 2008

2008-07-16T21:21:00.000Z

The Greatest Race in Motoring.

Le Mans 2008

British GT 2008 - Rockingham

2008-07-16T21:20:00.000Z

RockinghamBGT2008

British GT - Knockhill 2008

2008-07-16T21:18:00.001Z

North of the Border race action.

Knockhill2

British GT Media Day 2008

2008-03-10T22:19:00.002Z

The new IMS Motorsport Ginetta G50 made its debut at last Thursday's British GT Media Day. Trev and Paul from Richmond Racing had been up at the Ginetta factory in Leeds earlier in the week building the car. The finished racer was delivered on the LNT artic to the team garage on the morning of the test. Pictures in the album....

British GT Media Day 2008

Trip to western Ireland

2007-09-19T20:56:00.000Z

Ireland Trip

Pictures from a long weekend trip to County Clare to visit an old school friend.

Le Mans 2007

2007-08-05T11:49:00.000Z

This year's trip to Le Mans was a wet affair. It also saw a record minimum amount of spectating, only 5 of the 24 hours.

http://picasaweb.google.com/universityofturmoil/LeMans2007

Silverstone FIA GT

2007-05-10T19:50:00.000Z

Silverstone050507

The first outing with the new £50 digicam was to Silverstone for the FIA GT meeting. So here's a few paddock snaps. The field for the GT3 race especially was excellent with 40-odd cars starting.

Ton Up.

2007-05-10T19:48:00.000Z

During last weekend's travels the Dirty Volvo passed the 100k milestone, and, by law, a photograph had to be taken.

Here Come the Belgians!

2007-04-22T20:52:00.000Z

The guest championship at Dono was the Belgian GT championship, they run to similar GT3 regs to the British GT championship but using Michelin tyres.

Once some laptimes get posted on t'internet, it would be a good comparison between the two tyres brands....

Belcar - Donington 22nd April 2007

British GT - Donington Park 2007

2007-04-22T20:38:00.000Z

Rounds 3 and 4 from Donington Park. A rather depleted GTCup class this weekend, with the G20 out, a Dave Dove's Ferrari also not showing, there were only 4 cars to start the Saturday runs. The Team Tiger Marcos blew its engine during practice, so it was just the three cars starting the race (The RPM 911, the Morgan and the 'ice cream' Ferrari) and when the RPM car pulled up after flames were seen coming from its engine, there weren't enough finishers to fill the podium. Thankfully the 911 was back in rude health for Sunday's race and all three cars made the finish.

I'll post a link to the league table once I find one....

Link to the full album.
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/universityofturmoil/BritishGTDonington22ndApril2007

Opening Round of British GT - Oulton Park - Easter2007

2007-04-13T20:05:00.000Z

The first couple of races of the British GT championship were held at Oulton Park over the Easter weekend. It was mixed fortunes for the Richmond Racing G20, with it being well up on last year's pace, but the new engine gave out as the car crossed the finish line.

Link to Ginetta pics:
http://picasaweb.google.com/universityofturmoil/G20OultonPark060407

British GT Media Day 2007

2007-03-16T21:40:00.000Z

To an overcast Silverstone for the first motoring excitement of the New Year, and the British GT media day.

After the official photo shoot, It was a chance for the RR boys to shakedown the G20 after its winter rebuild.

Some new sponsors on board this year.

Marner Brown - a Beat Combo.
EasyTac - The solution for downloading, viewing and reporting digital tachograph data.
FileNet - 'An IBM Company'

Link to the Full Gallery

Silverstone British GT 2006

2007-03-09T00:17:00.000Z

The final round of the 2006 season for British GT.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/universityofturmoil/SIlverstone230906

Brands Hatch British GT - 2006

2007-03-09T00:15:00.000Z

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/universityofturmoil/BrandsHatchBritishGT260806

British GT Rockingham 2006

2007-03-09T00:11:00.000Z

I'm a big fan of the setup at Rockingham. Perhaps the economics will never add up, and it will be bulldozed for another housing estates, but we can enjoy it while it lasts.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/universityofturmoil/RockinghamBritishGT230806

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/universityofturmoil/MonaroRockingham230806

Snetterton British GT 2006

2007-03-09T00:07:00.000Z

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/universityofturmoil/SnettertonBritishGT160706

British GT Oulton Park 2006

2007-03-09T00:05:00.000Z

And so to sunny Cheshire.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/universityofturmoil/OultonBritishGTG20

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/universityofturmoil/OultonBritishGTOthers

British GT Media Day 2006

2007-03-09T00:02:00.000Z

The first public outing of the Richmond Racing Ginetta G20 was at the British GT championship media day.

Full image galleries, G20:
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/universityofturmoil/BGTMediaDay2006G20GTR

and other vehicles:
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/universityofturmoil/BGTMediaDay2006Others

Le Mans - 2005, 2006 and Le Mans Classic 2006

2007-03-08T23:50:00.000Z

The Pilgrimage to Le Mans is now an annual events, it seems that the numerous cold drinks consumed had an impact on the number of photos taken. Some of the following were taken on a camera phone...
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/universityofturmoil/LeMans2005

There was also a weekend trip to the Le Mans Classic in DP's Roush Mustang.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/universityofturmoil/LeMansClassic2006

Other Things - 2005

2007-03-08T23:49:00.000Z

A couple of galleries from 2005, Britcar from Brands Hatch...
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/universityofturmoil/BrandsBritcar160405

...and some Caterhams at Dono.
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/universityofturmoil/Donington2005Caterhams

Ginetta G20 - 2005

2007-03-08T23:47:00.000Z

Some more pictures from 2005, this time the Ginetta G20 championship.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/universityofturmoil/Donington2005Ginettas

It was a bit wet at Croft....
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/universityofturmoil/CroftGinettas2005

British GT 2005 Pictures

2007-03-08T22:48:00.000Z

Our first batch of archive pictures is from the 2005 Season of the British GT championship.

Brands Hatch:
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/universityofturmoil/BrandsBritishGT240905

Donington:
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/universityofturmoil/Donington2005BritishGT

Croft, plus Ginetta G20 championship shots.
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/universityofturmoil/CroftG20sAndBritishGT2005

Nurburgring Trip - Oct 2006

2007-03-08T22:29:00.000Z

A diesel Volvo is not normally near the top of any list of vehicles you would want to drive on the infamous Derestricted Tollroad in the Eiffel mountains. Having sampled Ring Racing's rental BMW 325i the previous day, the extra torque from the oil burner made up for this pilot's lack of skill and knowledge of the route around the North Loop.

The highlight of the weekend was getting a couple of passenger laps in Matt's VX220 turbo, where 130mph was seen on the clock without much effort.

The Full Gallery can be found at http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/universityofturmoil/RingOct06

First Post

2007-03-08T13:42:00.000Z

You've got to start somewhere....

My plan for this so-called blog is to link to my photo site and add some brief comments on the events shown in them.

My old collection of photos on the Smugmug site have now gorn, and my pictures are now stored in a Picasa web album.

Whilst the Smugmug site looked professional, they did charge $30 per year, whereas these google owned tools are gratis, which for my purposes is ideal.

The link the main photo album page is :- http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/universityofturmoil

Feel free to add comments anywhere in this blog or on the picture site.

You can also subscribe to this blog using RSS or atom or similar using the link at the bottom of the page, this will alert you to any new postings.