Vaguely Porsche related newsHot off the press for 911virgin towers

An hour and a half race on the Saturday to warm up and then a 5 hour endurance race on the Sunday. Monsoon conditions at times, some teams suffering 2 or even 3 punctures, a dead rabbit, cremated sausages on the bar-b-que, a disco dancing competition on Saturday night and trying to wriggle our way out when the noble leader forgot his wallet at the petrol station after we`d just filled up 200 litres of Optimax ! Click on the photo to read the (abridged), report and see photos from the event.

An eventful race, at one stage we were running in 2nd place overall and 1st in class. To find out how we finished up, to see images from the race and to read the race report click on the photo. Images by world famous motor-sport photographer Paul Cherry

The BBC have contacted us looking for men. If We can`t help feeling they ought to try and spruce up our noble leader a bit or is he beyond redemption ?

By popular demand, WHAT NOT TO WEAR are making a special ALL MALE programme and are currently looking for middle aged men to take part.

Are you a smooth “fashion” operator? Do you dress to impress the ladies? Do you pride yourself on your unique dress sense? Does your clothing attract attention? Have you got an individual but strong sense of style? Do you like to live life in the fast lane? Are you enjoying re-living your youth all over again?

If the above sounds familiar WHAT NOT TO WEAR would love to hear from you. Either email sarah.allen2@bbc.co.uk or call 0208 752 4577

Tuesday 12th April was the date for our Silverstone trackday and what a great day it was. A wide variety of cars included the cream of Porsche`s output, GT3, 993 Rs, 964 RS, 993 GT2, 911 RSR and even some historic race cars from the 1960`s. As well as the exotic more everyday cars were in abundance, the 944 in particular was well represented. Driving standards were high and everyone was worn out come 5.00pm. Henry was there in the recently re-liveried GT3 cup car giving passenger laps as was Tom in his 944 S2 cup car.

Fastlane Paint and Body have teamed up with us to help with our racing this year. The company formed when 3 key members; Mark Hassan, Paul Hassan & Alex Andrea who worked together at a Porsche franchised body shop bought an existing St Albans based VW / Audi approved body shop. Standards of work are spectacular and the guys are always prepared to go the extra mile when the need arises. Handy when they only had 3 days to completely re-paint the car ! Hopefully we won't need to call on their  services too often in the season! For paintwork to your Porsche Alex can be contacted on 01727 852147. Tell them 911virgin sent you !

Our first round of the Britcar series took place Saturday 26th March and a most entertaining weekend it was too. Racing against Ferrari F40`s, 360`s, 355`s, Porsche GT3`s, RSR`s, Dodge Vipers, Lotus, BMW and Marcos the competition was very strong. Not only that but the driver line up read like a who`s who of international motorsport wit veterans from British touring cars, British and FIA GT, Le Mans, Daytona and Bathurst. Click on the photo for a full race report and pictures from the event.

We assumed motoring journos were a breed apart from us mere mortals. Larger fuelled lunches and overnight stays in seedy Welsh hotels on expenses coupled with wine, women, fags and golden backhanders from the car giant's grey suited executives meant they had no place in our little world. But no we get a call from James May, Top Gear's quintessentially English gentleman presenter and it turns out these boys are just like you and I and they actually buy their own cars. Despondent with modern day cars that all taste like chicken, James has decided to treat himself to an old Porker. Do give him a wave if you see him in it !

The BBC have asked us to see if any of our customers or potential customers fancy starring in a new series currently being planned. The idea is simple - they film you working your nuts off to pay back your mortgage in two years. The reward - no mortgage, and even if you fail you get to be on telly and you own a bit more of your house. To be in with a chance you need a house and err... a mortgage! If there are two of you it helps and if you have hidden previously unexplored talents that could earn extra folding then that would be a definite advantage. If you fancy your chances call Cathy Wigley - no that really is her name ! at the BBC on : 020 8752 4457 or email cathy.wigley@bbc.co.uk Tell her Henry sent you !

If you are thinking of selling your car then you`ll need to have a read of our guide, (click on Cars wanted above). We are always on the lookout for good used Porsches and it will let you know the different ways we can help you. But that`s only half the reason for giving it the once over. It`s a sad fact of life that selling a car is not without it`s risks and we have tried to highlight a number of the more common scams you could encounter when selling either privately or to the trade. It`s by no means a definitive guide but all the most common swindles are illustrated and we have seen every one of them either first or second hand, so it does happen and isn`t just fiction to sell newspapers. One of these 2 is a right dodgy git. (The other one drives a 3 wheeler !)

Flicking through the Sunday times the other day whilst waiting to set off to church - (see note) - and what should we see but a little mention of our buyer`s guide, contained elsewhere within this hallowed site. A certain Mr Mirfield from somewhere in deepest Yorkshire was writing in to ask their advice on purchasing a Porker and they referred him to our little corner of the internet world. So there you have it, as recommended by the Sunday Times ! (We are working on Her Majesty the Queen). 

-(Note)- Our legal department has requested that we come clean re: the going to church bit. This is of course merely a ruse to make you think we are decent Christian folk who would rather beat themselves with twigs and wear sack cloth rather than tell a lie or do any form of injustice to our fellow man. We were actually in the saloon bar of the Ferret and Badger public house enjoying our 6th bottle of light ale waiting for lunch to be served up by the good landlord's wife

We`ve edited up a little snippet from our spa race video to play online. This clip features excerpts from both the racing as well as a bit of the free practice. It`s about 5 minutes long and is in windows media format (as are all our video clips). You will need broadband though, the clip is about 14.0 mb in size. There are a couple of other downloads further down the page as well if this tickles your fancy !

Ever wondered what it`s like to drive round Spa in a GT3 ? Well now`s your chance to find out what 150mph entering the blind corner before Blanchimont feels like. All right so you can`t feel the cornering forces but it`ll give you an idea. A word of warning - it`s a big file, around 8mb which means you`ll need broadband to download at anything like a half sensible speed. It`s a windows media file so you don`t have to wait for the full download before it starts playing. Oh yes, and turn up the volume ! Click on the photo to watch an in-car lap of Spa.   (8.0mb Windows media file)

The final two rounds of the 2004 season started on Saturday and whilst qualifying was just about dry (a car wide strip around the circuit !) the race was anything but. Rupert Lewin`s GT2R managed to find the gravel on the green flag lap and again at the same place on the first lap of the race. The spray was horrific and poor old Henry couldn`t see a thing following the cars. Although a little quicker than the Paul Livesey`s GT2 in a couple of places, particularly around the Craner curves, he could do nothing because of the lack of visibility. At one point it really chucked it down and the whole circuit became a sea of water. Rod Carman came a cropper at Mcleans in his GT3 and Paul who had now pulled out a little gap out-braked himself into Goddards to let the noble leader through. P1 + 2 said the pit board. All he had to do was hang on in there and brave the water. In the end the chequered flag dropped and the pit wall went wild Henry had just taken his first outright race win. To say he was a happy bunny would be something of an understatement. A few beers were drunk that night.

Sunday`s race was delayed and by the time the call to the assembly area came the dark clouds that had been looming started to drop rain on the track. A hasty decision was made to switch to a full wet setting, this could well be our lucky day. Everyone else had made their choice on dry tyres and were starting to regret it. On the green flag lap the track was nice and slippy and off the line Paul`s GT2 took the lead but had to brake early for Redgate allowing Henry to catch up and take the lead at the Craner curves. Things couldn`t go wrong - or could they. From nowhere the sun started to shine down on our little piece of Derbyshire and we were knackered. Richard Chamberlain came past on the next lap to take the lead and one by one cars passed the stricken GT3 struggling to keep the car on the road with tyres falling apart and the car rolling  violently. In the end third in class was the best that could be expected but it was oh so nearly a double victory, they say the sun always shines on the righteous well just for that one day we wouldn`t have minded if it carried on raining. Never mind. A great end to a fabulous season. The trophy cupboard is getting nice and full and the times are coming down. Roll on 2005.

The Porsche Open series was invited to compete in the GTP tour at Spa this October. The race followed on from Castle Combe the previous weekend with that particular race held is very greasy conditions, just what you needed when you`re heading off for the ferry on Wednesday. Accident damage wasn`t an option! (in the end Henry drove a very conservative race to take another class win).

Spa is a special circuit set in the Belgian mountains amongst the trees. First qualifying at 8.30am was almost a religious experience with the mist drifting across the track from the trees. Time wise Henry set a respectable 1.44 although Tony Brown was a fraction quicker in his 964 RSR. The second qualifying session was rather busy and Chris Egginton had a little moment at the top of Eau Rouge resulting in a caution and Chris needing to order a couple of bottles of T-cut from Le local Alfords. The incident was cleared and with a deserted circuit Henry slipped in his fastest lap beating Rival Tony Brown`s 1.43 with a 1.42.

Race one started on the Green Flag lap when Tony Brown pulled up with mechanical problems, then as the lights went out the drama continued with a bit of contact between the GT3`s of Jason Young and Craig Rapp and Rupert Lewin`s GT2 RSR. In the end Jason Young took 2nd in class on the final corner leaving Henry Third in class and with victory over friend and rival Stuart Scott`s class 1 GT3.

Race 2 started well enough. Tony Brown and Stuart Scott were just where they needed to be - behind our piece of Orange loveliness. Pushing hard to get some air between himself and the two main rivals our noble leader made a rare error and put the car on the grass at Les Combes. This allowed both Tony and Stuart past. Henry was now a man on a mission with Tony the first target. A move down the inside into Eau Rouge now saw Tony in the rear view mirrors. Some late braking at La Source on the next lap and Stuart Scott was also dispatched to admire the rear view of the GT3. So the race ended, another third in class - very respectful given the quality of turnout for the event. (click on the photos for a large selection of images from Spa).

The poor salesman didn`t know what hit him. The moths flew from our noble leader`s wallet as he went to pay for our latest acquisition in the office. Seeking change from a ten guinea note we had to explain that they were no longer legal tender and young man would need payment by a cheque in the normal manner. As befitting our multi million pound status we have changed the drinks machine! The finest beverages from around the world are now on offer for your enjoyment. We are currently seeking out a suitable star from the moving picture industry to formally open the machine but in the meantime help yourself !

As if that wasn`t enough we do of course have a selection of carbonated soft drinks in the chiller below as well, (just don`t tell Henry - he wouldn`t be able to cope !)

The annual Porsche club festival took place at Brands Hatch over the August Bank holiday and we were there. For the first time the event was based around a race meeting with our noble leader competing in both the Bill Taylor memorial race as well as Monday`s round of the Porsche Open. There were some stunning cars on display including one of Porsche AG`s Carrera GT`s driven at full tilt with the traction control off ! Click on the picture for a few photos from the event. Racing pics to follow.

If you have broadband and want to see what it`s like racing from inside a GT3 then click on the photo. It`s a 4 minute clip from Snetterton. You will need broadband as the file is just over 9.0mb. It`s a Windows Media file which means you won`t have to wait for the full video to download before it starts playing. Enjoy !! Don`t forget if you want to get involved sponsoring the GT3 and using it to promote your business just click the link at the top of this page.

Many thanks to Michelin who arranged a trip to the tyre test day in preparation for this year`s Silverstone grand prix. Not only that but after a bit of haggling over the price John Cheadle from Michelin arranged for Henry to pop Kimi Raikkonen`s McLaren Mercedes round the track for a few laps. "It was a bit quicker than the GT3 said the noble leader after posting a mid 1.18. Both Michael and Jenson came up and congratulated me afterwards and we swapped notes around the circuit. Which was nice..."