Tag: motor

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Hippy Moo Car!

Erm… Happy New Year even – obviously not in my right mind. And WOWOWOWOWOW has it really been this long since I last posted. Sorry folks, life has been totally crazy these last few months with my work having a rebrand and new product launch, me getting my tonsils ripped out and the usual joys, work, chaos and fun of December and, of course, Christmas!

And so we are now in the new decade – no-one seems to know what it will be called yet with the Teenies or the Tennies being the favourites right now. Of course, some argue that we are not yet in the new decade until next year but I’m just going to follow common consensus and go with this being the first year of the Deccies (hey, you never know what it’s gonna be called!)

I can’t help but be totally stunned by the last decade – it seemed to go by so quickly, only seems 5 minutes ago we were all celebrating the Millennium and the doomsayers were predicting that all the computers in the world were gonna destroy us all and take over the world (or something like that)

In fact, to summarise, the last decade saw:

  • Me and Mrs H tying the knot in 2000 – so it’s the big 10 this year!
  • The birth of our 2 lads and countless birthdays
  • Me finally passing my driving test
  • 3 jobs
  • 1 house move
  • The Hartleys getting together more regularly than ever
  • Some really great family holidays
  • 2 Formula One races, several touring car races and even some test days.
  • All our kids going through playschool and into primary school – with the eldest now in year 8 at secondary school (year 2 to me and you!)
  • Me falling away from God, then Him welcoming me back with a great big bear hug
  • Mrs H and our Daughter getting baptised
  • And so much more I can’t think right now!

This year alone is going to see big things happen, with big changes at work and a great family holiday with my parents and Uncy Roo – the last time we went away together was an amazing time and we all really enjoyed it. Cannot wait for it really!

I’ve also felt that this year is going to be a time of growth, change and challenge for us with God having so much for us. There is so much going on at KingsGate as well with there being a huge raft of world-class guest speakers coming in the next couple of months alone. In fact, with everything going on I just pray and hope that I am open to all the God has in store for us as a family and me as a person, father, friend and husband.

My prayer for anyone that reads this is that you will have a truly blessed year, with peace and prosperity and good health – and that you will come to know Gods love in new and exciting ways.?

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By the SEAT of their pants

I admit it – I’m not a big fan of Seat cars, nor their race teams and I am definitely not a Jason Plato fan… but I am stunned and disgusted by their almost cavalier announcement this week that they are quitting the British motorsports scene straight after the BTCC finale on the 21st September.

This means the end of Seat as a works team in the BTCC as well as the end of the pretty exciting Seat Cupra Cup support series which has been used by youngsters, wannabes and BTC “rejects” for the past few years and is always a laugh to watch, with some good racing as a bonus.

Now what really disgusts me – and yes, that is the right word as this affects a lot of people who work and race for the company – is the fact that the announcement has been made so late. The drivers heard about it on the same day as the rest of the world (incidentaly Plato was only one year into a 3 year deal with the team – breach of contract perhaps???) and the crews and all drivers will now be faced wondering what on earth they will do next.

Darren Turner has said he’s looking into GT – and good on him, he’s a great driver and I have enjoyed it when he has done well (which is a problem when he beats manufacturers I like)

It’s also a stun as BTCC is going through a major revival recently – it’s got brilliant TV coverage, Alan Gow is running the series really well and the racing and attendances have been getting better and better with each weekend… SO WHY PULL OUT NOW???????

It just doesn’t make sense – just when we thought the heyday of BTCC was about to re-emerge, this comes along and slaps us in the face. We need MORE not less manufacturers… why don’t Ford race their Mondeo against the new Insignia with VW putting the Scirocco in alongside the Accords/Civics of Honda and the Laguna Coupes of Renault with BMW 3 series being pushed all the way by the Toyotas/Lexusesesessss.

Yeah – there’s a credit crunch… our bank balance feels it all the while of late – but this form of marketing is great and hugely entertaining.

Come on manufacturers – open your eyes to the wonders of the British (and indeed – why not the WTCC) racing scene!