Beers are on me tonight....

[Paul Thompson 'Hooligan']

Hi all -

After the win at Brands last weekend with the TVR I prepare and a rather nice write-up in Autosport I'm on a bit of a high this week...

Made even better today after passing my ARDs test at Thruxton Motor Circuit this afternoon.

Whilst I've had a National A-Open Sprint Licence for 12 years or so, I had not taken the ARDs test which is a pre-requesite for a Race Licence in the UK.

The owner of the TVR, Julian Dodd and 2nd driver Matthew Truelove thought it would be a good idea for me to get certified and so booked today as a 'thank-you' suprise for me as a thank you for recent works.

Anyway, to say I'm chuffed is an understatement - The trackwork was just great and the examiner I had was an ex-touring car competitor of old which was kind of cool.

I know for many of you this is no big deal but it was all the more enjoyable for me as I had never even been round Thruxton before, which is one of the UKs fastest motor circuits so my driving standards/ability were being judged after the first 3 laps onwards...

To cap it all, the weather was just great today so I biked down there on my GSX, the A272 is a seriously fun road. Roll on Sunday when I'm off again on the bike from West Sussex to Edinburgh - Aberdeen - Shetlands - Orkney - John O'Groats - Tomlintoul - Edinburgh - West Sussex
(but not all in one day! )

So, Virtual Bar is open all night and I intend to get well and truly 'lubricated'......

[Mike Pass]

Well done Paul. You sure know how to enjoy yourself. All you need now are a lottery win and a friendly pole dancer!
Cheers
Mike

[glen]

i'll have a double guinness to celebrate the lisence!! i also love the 272, 281 also!

[Mark Paris]

Well done Paul!
If it wasn't so late in the evening, I'd pop over to clink glasses (or bottles) with you...

Have a great week away; see you on the 19th or soon after.

Mark

[Ron Earp]

Originally Posted by p thompson

Hi all -

After the win at Brands last weekend with the TVR I prepare and a rather nice write-up in Autosport I'm on a bit of a high this week...

Made even better today after passing my ARDs test at Thruxton Motor Circuit this afternoon.

Congratulations, I'll have a beer or three for you as well. PBR, you won't owe me much.

Which means you can come over and drive a Lola in the 13 hr????? Might have some seat for you as I understand Malcolm and Glenn are having none this year due to lots of other MS activities.

R

[Mike Inglis]

Well done Paul, about time you made yourself legit. Now you can drive at test days, see you at Brands soon.

[Paul Thompson 'Hooligan']

Oooh now that looks nice Mike...and thanks.

Will have to make a visit over to your toyshop again to 'catch up'.

test days are now as you say 'legit'.

[Iron Sheik]

Well done, Hooligan,,,,,in your honor I will have tea and "English" sandwich,

[Paul Thompson 'Hooligan']

Originally Posted by Ron Earp

Congratulations, I'll have a beer or three for you as well. PBR, you won't owe me much.

Which means you can come over and drive a Lola in the 13 hr????? Might have some seat for you as I understand Malcolm and Glenn are having none this year due to lots of other MS activities.
R

Sorry Ron - not sure how I missed this and a very kind offer too although I would not feel at home in the Lola without a few lesser events under my belt beforehand. How's it coming along? Got any progress pics we can view. ?

Next time I do come over I'll bring Helen over too as she loved the look of the area from the pics of last visit and hell I can always find a horse riding facility I'm sure.....

Now post some piccies for us all to drool over.

[Paul Thompson 'Hooligan']

Originally Posted by Faili F

Well done, Hooligan,,,,,in your honor I will have tea and "English" sandwich,

Faili - as always, you crack me up and bring a ray of sunshine to my day.

(just as well as I face a 470 mile trip on my GSX in the rain in about 3 hrs time.)

[Malcolm]

Well done Paul, thought you would do it!