Duz Health n Safety know bout the guy in Red in the back row?

A little surreal but Hey, Chips just rang to say "We've changed his life" !!!

And wot a lovely pic too ...Sooo Eua naturaelllll...Loft i need a doylie!

Silverstone Reunion

Hi Y'all,

Just a swift note to say how much Marsty and I enjoyed the weekend despite me bolloxing up yet another video camera! Yes, moisture again came into play!!!!!!

Its now gotta be sent away to Canon for a quote on how much it will cost. The insurance has asked for it to be checked and not just replace it (like last time).

I can't blame em, I would think it fishy too.

I have plonked a couple of piccies on this Blog, most of the folks who attended should have received an email from Marsty inviting them to Photo Box to view/download/print her photos.

If you haven't received an email please send an email to me and I will get her to send the invite to you from PhotoBox. All photos in there are full size, so printing or using as a desktop will be OK with no pixellation.

Thanks to all who made the weekend great. Special thanks to Milsy and Mrs Milsy, (Nice to see you again, and we don't see Rachel enough), Mr Rees, good to see you too mate, hope you will be on the register for Le Mans 2008?

I didn't see Jeff, I got a call with loads of noise, I assume he made it to Microsft hostility and stayed there. Good man.

And Nigel made it, even though for months he was telling me he couldn't go. I wont believe a word from him in future.

Thats it, nothing else to say.

Glad everyone got home safe and sound.

Take care all.

Mark.

silver stone weekend

another great weekend a big shout too all those that was there what can i say another few days of fun i mean lofto was even crocheying [dc] heres a few pick too give you guy who missed it a rough idea

Silverstone Reunion September 2007

Well That was a GREAT weekend!!! Jammed a week of Le Manning into 48 hours! Good to see everyone again and a reunion will now need to be planned for every year. Good gags Loadsa laughs and I did'nt fall over!! Need to send apologies to the polish guy in room 129...Sorry bout the bar bill, thought it was Skip,s room honest!! See ya all soon...need a baff and me own bed...Cotton

Have A Good Weekend Gang

Hi All

Sat in my hotel room working and thought I would catch up with the Team (weekend now here in Cairo)

Love the car graphics Jase...ideas on a postcard for future graphics please

Anyway - hope you all that are going have a good weekend and I look forward to see the pics next week - just make sure you don't get caught taking ideas from other teams - Costly business!!

Have Fun and be safe - oh is Safety First making an appearance?

Julian

team spanner pace car

team spanners new addition too its car line up our very own pace car

due to be unveiled at silverstone this week end

SIlverstone Le mans Series...End O the week!! Weyhey!!

Hi Ya All..Quick update on the Jamie n Lisa thing. I managed to get hold of Jamie last night and unfortunately he will not be able to make it this weekend. Seems he is holed up in some camp, training and on 12 hour standby for shipping out to Bloody Iraq!! He sends his best wishes to all of the team and says to be sure to have a good time!!! Like all good parents I told him to keep his head down and come home safe, then got Lisa's address LOL, just incase she gets stuck with anything between here n Christmas!
Anywayyyy ...Looks like the weather is set fair..Would be nice to see a car without a rooster tail this year! I will be arriving with Nick and Chips about 5'ish on Friday. Spoke to Skip and it seems tour shirts are for the race on Sunday and those that have 2006 shirts for the qually on Saturday. reason there is as you know I do find it difficult to stay clean!!! We will be booking a minibus from the hotel for the saturday track day from the hotel on Friday night. Anyone who wants to be on that please let us know soonest. Sooooooooo see ya there!!!! Apppeeeee Daze

SILVERSTONE LMS 15-16 September

Hi Guys and Gals,

Our tickets came, so its a goer.
Hotel booked.

Most Team Members have replied to say if they are or are not coming (See original Blog entry and comments).

Andy you never replied as to if there are plans to eat out on Saturday night as a team and when Team shirts are to be worn, Sat, Sun or just Sat night?

Has everyone who is going got phone numbers so the Team can be contacted when others arrive so we can meet?

Dunno if its a good idea to publish phone numbers on this Blog as any bugga can see em.
Make sure if you are arriving later on Saturday or Sunday only that you have a phone number to call so you know where the Team is.

Wishing all a good weekend.

Mark.

Attendance list for Silverstone (Unconfirmed)

Hi Guys and Gals,

Though I would drop a swift note to maybe set some expectations on attendees for the Le Mans Series race in 3 weeksish time.

I am aware of the following bodies being in Northamptonshire on or around the following dates
September 14th, 15th and 16th 2007

Mark & Clare
Steve Rees and children x 2 (Good to see ya Stevie)
Loz and child x 1
Maybe Jeff
Maybe Steve M
DC, Nick and Chips
Andy, Sharon and Jason.

Others....
Alan - Unknown
Dick - Unknown
Jules - Unavailable
Nigel - Unavailable
Lofty - Unavailable
JC - Unavailable
John - Unknown
Lisa - Unknown
Jamie - Unknown

That's it.
If anyone knows differently, please reply on the comments.
Hope I have remebered everyone.

As Chief Orchestrator (Catalyst) of this welcome reunion Andy, on what day/evening are we to wear our uniforms (Team Spanner shirts)?
Is there an agenda, timetable of events?
Are we doing a nice meal somethere on Saturday evening (Not Mickkey Dee)?

Only 3 weeksish to go.

Regards

Mark.

Silverstone

Mark

The only way for everyone to say if they are going would be to add a comment to a post

Some of the team are still not signed up as members, so when they post, the comments need to be moderated and published

If anyone out there hasn't signed in, drop me an email and I will send you another invite and the inital invites have now expired!!

Sadly I will be away in Cairo on business that weekend - have tried to change it but I have a deadline to meet
Cheers

Julian

More info on Silverstone

Hi Guys,

Was about to book my tickets for Silverstone and thought 'What about a g'stand'?
No mention on the website, just a straight 20 squid entrance fee.
So I called em, what a pain in the arse trying to get through, finally did though and the dea is that some G'Stands will be open all depends on how many folk attend as spectaters.
But those that are open are free!!!!!!
So for all bargain hunters, 'Game On'!

Is anyone making a book so we know who is attending and what the agenda is in terms of uniforms, etc on what day/night?

I dont mind doing it, but is there a way the BLOG could be used so all people do is press a button and the BLOG counts for us?
Jules is that possible given the BLOG features?

For those attending I am seriously looking forward to a great Sat day/ night and Sunday race day.

Regards and felicitations to all.


Mark.

1000Km of Silverstone - Timetable

Hi all...Got my ticket and timetable for the Silverstone Le Mans Series today. Looks like there are 6 races over the two days. On Saturday there are two qualifying sessions for the Le Mans series in the afternoon...13.45 - 14.05 & 14.10 -14-30. This is supported with three other races afterwards, fininishing around 17.30 (Thats half past five at night or Tea Time Jase!)

Sunday there are two races in the morning, starting at 09.15 (Reckon I'll miss that one!!) Then there is a drivers autograph session at 10.30 at the ACO truck (Guess I'll need to be there to sign programmes, T-shirts etc!)

Pit walk at 11.00 -11-20 and the 1000Km's starts at 12.00 until 18.00...196 laps with a rolling start....Sooooo That should be a FUN weekend and lets hope we do'nt need the brollies!!!

Happy Birthday Coley. Team Spanner Founder Member

Happy Birthday Mark from all at Team Spanner

Obviously wearing your money belt in this one!

Time to get back on the Special Bus now Mark!!!

Sticker for Damaged Bike

Mark, look what I found on Ebay... something you should add to your bike when she gets back from the Doc's!!!!

You could also put an x on it so we know where to slow down (next time!!)

Hope your feeling better this week

6am here in the US, so killing some time

Laters

wet end part 2

driver 2 takes his eyes off the balls

jamies new mates

hey jamie whos your new mates and dc an skippy you both said "socks an sandals wont catch on" how wrong you are see

Sure was a WET END for the Race!!

You are SOOOOOO Lucky Mark!!! One weekend either way and it coulda been curtains !!!

I'd also Love to see this on the Roundabout!!

Hi J..... Never But Never trust a link to a Bar Steward!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3GIpMIvaow
No wonder the LDV Leaks!!!?

I would Love to see this guy on the Roundabout!!!

Hi All...I was looking thru' some videos on Youtube and came across this maniac in a Mitsibushi!! Check out the link and have a look for yourself
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18IL7ZXffK0

PS....Hope your feeling a bit better today Race D

The best thing about friends......

Is that when you do or say something daft they are there for you.
My extended family of Team Spanner again came to my rescue at the Norschlieffe.
Big thanks to 'The Safety Officer' for looking after me after my untimely parting with my motorcycle on Sunday.
Tended to my wounds, helped me out of my leathers, made sure I was comfortable, took me to the garage so I could pay the recovery fee and then delivered me to my front door to complete the trip.
Nice one mate.
Many thanks.

Mark.

Had the pleasure of being invited along to join Mark and the BMW boys at the Nurburgring this weekend...as you'll be aware Mark decided that he couldn't be bothered to ride his bike home so instead chucked it into the armco so that he could a ride back in comfort in the Audi TT.

Anyway here's some pics

Anyway get well soon Mark!!!


Check out the rest of the pics at: http://www.photoboxgallery.com/phouston

Binned it at the Ring

Hi guys,
News on the weekend at the Norschlieffe.
Well I binned it.!
The bike is busted. rear shock parted company with the chassis and so it became a low rider, and that is just about it, the shocklink collapsed as it hit the armco barrier, was unable to ride it so had to be recovered (180 euros) to a local garage in Adenau, BMW assist will repatriate the bike back to the UK.
I am OK.
Whacked my left shoulder, left side ribs are tender, so no larfing, left foot took a whack as I went down (lost front end on the Mini Carousel), foot badly swollen and really sore, so I am walking very painfully and can only wear LARGE shoes or sandals.
Will be OK by silverstone which has also been booked.
Should have some piccies to post when I get them of the bike and the d'mage (French).
Been signed off sick for two weeks, so hobbling around the house, feeling sorry for my self.
Got some pills from the Docs to take for pain and swelling.
Lucky it wasnt the duke I took.
That would have made me cry and probably done more d'mage at it is more fragile that a big K1200 BMW Sport.

Keep ya'all posted.

Mark.

Reference # for Weekend offer at Silverstone Hotel

Hi All....booked my room today at the Holiday Inn Express for the September bash. It seems that the rooms on offer are going quite quick. So if you have'nt booked do it soon. I have a reference number which will log you to the offer. This was given to me when I explained the situation. The # is 67534968. Quote it upon booking and it will take you down from £99.99 to £45.00 per room. All the other details...phone # etc. are on Skip's blog further down the page...Hope that all helps...See ya soon........ Driver # 1

Landy Sign Written

Thanks to Dan at Hollo Graphics for sorting the Team Stickers out - just waiting for the logo to be sent through to get some of those done... He has them on file for next year should anyone want to add them to the Team Vehicles...

Le Mans Takes Its Toll on Driver 1 & Co Pilot!!

I think we need a Caption Competition for this pic!!!

THE TAP vs LOFTY

just like to take a minute to thank a very brave member of the team lofty aka fire saftey officer form his bravery in the line of team spanner duty those of you that turned up on the thursday you missed his valient effort in wrestling the tap at one point the tap had the upper hand and lofty was heard shouting for help which was answered by skippy, me an mark would of helped but both had cameras here is the only pic i took as i was on my knee laughing with mark well done lofty the tap said he will win next year

Silverstone Link...

Here is the link to the Le Mans Series at Silverstone

http://www.silverstone.co.uk/php/rm_leMansSeries.php

Spice Reunion at The Hunaundieres 2007

Here we are on the Mulsanne straight on the famous race track of Le Mans in France...And who should turn up for an inpromtu foto call but the Spice girls and their manager!!! (Clarey Spice)

PS.... Race D standin in for Old Spice !

NOTICE ! " 2007 REUNION " SILVERSTONE

We are planning a get together at Silverstone 15 /16 Sept 2007.We have found a hotel around 10min from the circuit which at the moment has a offer on rooms.£45.00 per night (for the room)Not per person.
This needs to be paid for up front & will not be refunded if cancelled!!
Hotel details:-
Holiday inn Express
Loake close,
Grange park,
Northampton.
NN4 5EZ
e-mail :-gm.northampton@expressholidayinn.co.uk
Booking Line:-0870 400 9670
There is availability at the moment but not sure when the offer is going to end.
Alot of you know about this & a good turn out is looking promising & would be nice to see all of the team there.(That will include you Mark,remember it is a saturday,you wont be able to stay in bed like france!)
Some of us are booking the fri & sat night,some just sat it is up to you? We are planning to get together for drinks and a meal & more drinks on the sat evening.
So we can get an idea of numbers to book the restaurant can you let us no in the comment section of this notice.
For race infomation see the silverstone web site,weekend entrance tickets £20 each booked in advance.

For thoses that might be intrested.Paul (safety first) will be holding at talk on health & safety on sat afternoon.please can you contact him to book you place.

Hi all remember me

Well I decided to miss this years bash , good job I did as my brother booked his stag do the same weekend . 18 of us ( all scottish ) went to Latvia for the weekend , so I did'nt miss out on the alcohol comsumption . :-).

But I did miss you lot..........Sort of

I appear to be out of a job at the moment ( Team Spanner job )

so I will just sit here in the sun.

SPICE TEAM REUNITED (Unfortunately Not Chamberlain)

Hi Ya All....Seems the old SPICE team have got back together!!! .... Unfortunately not the Group C from the old days!!!

Of Course we have to start with Ginger Spice.....


Definately Scary Spice !!!

This Looks like Sporty Spice!

I think this is Baby Spice!!

And This MUST be OLD Spice!!! AKA Posh

skippys top photos

my bag

his feet

a fench

a window
ldv

me getting in the cobra


as you can see from these pictures if you want sumone to take sum pictures of you doing sumthing thing skippy is the last one you should ask when dave took me for a blast in the cobra {cheers dc} i asked skippy too take sum pictures and this is a small sample of what i got there was about twenty all together cheers skippy
{fuel man}

race directors missing friday night

hope this sheds sum light on your friday night you adviously drunk a lot but as you can see you did spill a lot as well

{fuel man}

Team Pictures

Thanks for reminding me John

All of the pics and my short video clips come to about 4.5gb

So a little too much to upload and download for everyone, so I will be cutting some DVD's for everyone and will send them to the Team Managers (Skip & Race Director) to distribute - will try to get them done this week - if work doesn't get in the way!!!

Race Director informs me that there have been some remarks about the lack of contribution from the BMW boys, so just to let you know we are still here.

Survived the trip back, fortunately "Safety First" Paul slept almost the whole way and woke up on the ferry a new man! I have, however warned the authorities at the Nurburgring to watch out for a naked ginger bloke in a hi-viz vest this weekend.

Given that is sounds like we can write off any video from Mark, what's happening about sharing the photos?

John

Website Update...

Team...

Hope your liking the site - good fun and easy for everyone to communicate with each other.

You all should now have access to publish material and anyone can make comments that are moderated.

I have also setup a group email address and you should see an email from it with this post details - lets see if it works with my mail server at home...

If you haven't got access, text Skip and he will let me know and you can be setup within minutes

Speak to you soon

Julian

News Just In - Driver 2's Co Pilot Buys New Car!

Lisa has just bought a blue Focus ST.

It is a little dirty after driving it all weekend, so a picture will follow when her man servant (that's Jamie - driver 2) cleans it...

Come on Jamie - get your hands dirty!!!

Team Spanner would like to dedicate a moment to our honorary member "Gip"
without whom the LDV support vehicles would probably struggle to reach French soil
but he has never actually made it to Le Mans himself!!!
Best mechanic going..... despite the odd coach fire or two!!! ( see live footage)
Thanks Gip we'll get you there one day!!!

Love all at "Spanner Racing"

Happy "30 th" Lofty.........
Hope you don't get any refusals
You'll have to show it one day!!!!!!!
Love Shazza x

HAPPY BIRTHDAY (LOFTY) FIRE OFFICER

LOFTY!
This is what age does to you!(DONT WANT TO WORRY YOU)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
FROM ALL AT :-LDV

Race Director

Well my friends,

Good news has finally arrived, the Insurance company (gawd bless em) have coughed up a serious amount of dosh to yours truly.
The other good news is that at this present moment in time, they havent insisted I send the 'buggared one' back as technically it is now their property.

Give it a couple more weeks and I will attempt to open the 'buggared one' as carefully as I can (of course) and retrieve the tape.
I just hope that it can still be played and the 'moisture' that 'did' for the camera in the first place hasn't also 'buggared' the film.

A fella in a shop told that sometimes the film gets stuck on the head in the camera.
Lets hope this doesn't happen, other wise any record of the valiant and extended display of courage in the face of freezing water pumped at well over 'normal' pressure by our resident Fire Officer will be lost forever, well, till next year, cos he'l have to do it again.

Have a good weekend.
Happy birthday Fire Officer!!!

Mark.

Happy 30th Birthday "Lofty"

The Team want to wish "Lofty" aka Nick our Fire Officer Happy Birthday for Saturday 7th (070707)

LDV Convoy!!

Here are a few pics of our LDV crew...on the way home

Lofty - get a turbo fitted for next year...

H n S wants £2.50 a shot! Is he that good?

Hi All....Got some lovely pix from Paul (Health n Safety) of the # 1 & #2 cars in the paddock.
Go to www.photoboxgallery.com/phouston and you won't have to pay £2.50 per shot! As I did before I realised he was giving em away for Free!.... 11.1 Months to go! Cotton

2008 Booking Form...

Team

I have got the booking form for next year if anyone wants me to email it to them - drop me an email or comment.

Dave - its for Camping Permits...but I reckon there will be a Spanner Racing Booking form in the next few months!!

In Memory of our Missing CEO!!

The Year.....2001
The Place....Le Mans pit straight
The CEO......Chicken Entertainment Officer!
PRICELESS