38 replies to this topic

[Ryang556]

So would I. The only Roller I've driven was a Silver Shadow which my wife used to own (12 mpg on a good day). Before that I used to think that Rollers were driven slowly because they were driven by 'poseurs' and old men - now I know they are driven slowly because they are unsafe at speed! I think (hope) they have improved both road-holding & handling since the Silver Shadow.

They look nice though in my opinion!

I'm sure they've improved a bit now because the Phantoms are BMW based now anyway?

[Cooperman]

Yes, Cooperkid said it was fantastic to drive - just very big compared to his Mini. But he started driving in my BMW 730i when he was 10 on tarmac rally stages when we went to help organise, so he has driven all sorts of things in all sorts of conditions. I even took him on a skid-pan when he was 15 for an hour in the Mini Mayfair he restored and showed him how to steer with the handbrake using the steering and full power to balance the car in a constant radius turn. Great fun and really good experience.
Have to encourage you young people and show confidence in you.

[Ryang556]

I'd love to have a go on a skin pan in my mini! Looks like great fun!

[Cooperman]

I'd love to have a go on a skin pan in my mini! Looks like great fun!

You need to go with someone who can teach the technique of steering by squeezing the handbrake whilst keeping full power on in 2nd gear and using the steering wheel to give opposite lock to simply balance the turn. It's a great way to learn low-speed car control and give confidence on slippy surfaces. If you can find a skid-pan book a session.

[Bean]

Did you find out what the garage was?

Congrats Ryan!!!

[Ryang556]

I'd love to have a go on a skin pan in my mini! Looks like great fun!

You need to go with someone who can teach the technique of steering by squeezing the handbrake whilst keeping full power on in 2nd gear and using the steering wheel to give opposite lock to simply balance the turn. It's a great way to learn low-speed car control and give confidence on slippy surfaces. If you can find a skid-pan book a session.

I'll have to have a look out for one, will help if someone happens in cold conditions as well!

[Ryang556]

Did you find out what the garage was?

Congrats Ryan!!!

I'll phone up the apprenticeship organiser tomorrow and let you both know!

Thanks!

[RawlinsGTR]

Congrats Ryan :)

You're doing exactly what I'm planning/ wanting to do once I've left school :)

Good luck with it mate, and let us know what garage it is.

I'm going down to a classic cars restoration place near mine soonish to have a look, talk to some people and get my face shown about. They do classic Aston martins, but best of all, specialise in datsun 240z's. ^^

[oli8925]

Bah! Congrats and make the most of it. I've been looking for an opportunity like that for the last 5 years but no matter how many I apply for or how many garages I visit nothing happens

[Cooperman]

Congrats Ryan :)

You're doing exactly what I'm planning/ wanting to do once I've left school :)

Good luck with it mate, and let us know what garage it is.

I'm going down to a classic cars restoration place near mine soonish to have a look, talk to some people and get my face shown about. They do classic Aston martins, but best of all, specialise in datsun 240z's. ^^

Datsun 240Z's - wow! I used to rally in a 'works' 240Z - well, several actually. Here's a photo om Kevin Videan and me with our 240Z in 1974at the start of a rally. Look at our long hair!!

[Ryang556]

Cooperman you are a hero!

[brad-the-bear]

Congrats Ryan :)

You're doing exactly what I'm planning/ wanting to do once I've left school :)

Good luck with it mate, and let us know what garage it is.

I'm going down to a classic cars restoration place near mine soonish to have a look, talk to some people and get my face shown about. They do classic Aston martins, but best of all, specialise in datsun 240z's. ^^

Datsun 240Z's - wow! I used to rally in a 'works' 240Z - well, several actually. Here's a photo om Kevin Videan and me with our 240Z in 1974at the start of a rally. Look at our long hair!!

which one is you may i ask?

[MaxAndPaddy]

Chuffed for you Ryan....big congrats!!!

[Ryang556]

Chuffed for you Ryan....big congrats!!!

Cheers!

Just hope I get it now, will be the greatest phone call I would have ever received if I do haha

[Cooperman]

I'm the one on the right and I was 33 then and my wonderful son Mike had just been born. He is 38 now and I'm 'effing' old!
I may have some funny Mini stories, but they are nothing compared with the true stories I could tell about my time rallying with Kevin Videan in the 'Big-Z' and other cars. Kevin was an awesome driver and great fun. We were known as 'The Terrible Twins' as both our names started with 'V'.
That Big-Z had about 240 bhp and did 0 - 100 in about 13 seconds in the dry. It was LHD and great fun to drive. A very strong car as well but the brakes were not as good as the Escorts which were our main rivals at the time. The car just seemed to suit us and we had some exellent results. It did about 5 mpg on a rally stage with it's Jap-copy triple 50DCOE Webers.