BMW 330D or 530D Touring.

Thanks, Gripped, but it's a bit too much of a camper van for me. It ticks a lot of the practical boxes but not many of the emotional ones. And I'm thinking that I might use whatever I buy during next winter as my day-to-day car (or at least have that option). I'm still not quite certain that the R Class isn't a bit over overkill and I shouldn't just go for the E Class. I've seen a lot of R Classes in HK whilst I've been here though and I've warmed to them.

I'd just do an E Class in that case, Dave. I'd just buy the version I owned before the current one. I'd actually like something with a bit more capacity.

Eventually decided to go with the tried-and-trusted E Class

MOTing the driver on Monday, Dave, then I'll be getting my entries in. Will see you at Snetterton after Easter. Really looking forward to it.

Excellent, will be good to see you race after watching the videos at Knockhill for years. Have you been practicing your pit stops?

I'm in Malmesbury and the car's in Inverness so, no, not practiced yet, Dave

The first thing I need to check is that my fuel tank is big enough! I'm pretty sure it is but not, I think, by a big margin.

Is there a preferred tyre vendor? My 048Rs are two or three years old. I've got a bit to sort out but time in hand to do it.

I just recently bought a Volvo XC90 for towing my racebike and I cant see you getting a good one for that budget as they really are at the upper end of the SUV market (I paid 23k or a fully loaded 2012 model with 40k on the clocks).

Good luck in finding a good one and if you do, I can strongly recommend them

It's OK, Clintos, I bought an E Class.

Yes, series sponsor Adams and Page are the guys to go to, main Yokohama dealers with free fitting and balancing too. Give them a call, say you're with the CSCC and they will look after you: http://www.adamsandpage.co.uk/

Tow car is now a tow car (ie complete with tow bar)

The joy of working on a Merc is that, even after 10 years, it's all in great nick and easy to take to bits - lucky because some of the bumper fixings weren't easy to access.

Race licence turned up today and I head up to Inverness on Thursday to drag the Alfa back down the road.

Great news all round! Glad fitting the tow-bar wasn't too difficult. Are the electrics ok?

I hope so, Jim - nothing to test them on but I bought the dedicated Merc wiring kit and everything plugged into the right places without issue.

Just noticed that the reg says they must be Yoko a minimum of 60 profile - that's a challenge - will see if they stock the 205/60R15 tyre. There are very few track-focused 15" 60-profile tyres from what I can find.

Yes, the 205 60 is the one to go for

Is the reg to make the cars look "right" (ie more in-period), Dave?

Do people run a wet tyre too?

We regularly drive from the South of England to the Isle of Arran in Scotland, in a 1993 Transit minibus and it is perfectly comfortable, both to drive and as a passenger. I should think a newer one would be even more comfy.

How about an Alfa Sportwagon? I have just bought one for towing a caravan. It's the most comfortable car I've ever driven.

Oops - just read page two and realised you've already gone for a Merc. I almost got an old Merc but then spotted the low mileage Alfa ...

Thanks for all the posts, AnnieMac. The 156 wagon is definitely a comfortable car - really loved my 2.4JTD. It's too small inside for all my race gear though.

It's a combination of appearance and also an attempt to keep spending a little more under control. By limiting profile size it takes care of alloy wheel and caliper/disc size.

Ah OK - in SMRC, they just said wheels had to be of a diameter fitted in period.

Adams & Page can supply a 200/630 R15

Did the 550 miles up to Inverness (via Glasgow to pick up my daughter) today - all on a tank of fuel. Very comfortable. Next test is to drag the race car back down.

Excellent. Sounds like you bought a good'un!

All the tow electrics have checked out OK. The only mild issue is that the parking sensors sometimes pick up the tow hook. It's a swan hook and it is quite a way back from the rear bumper. I'd read that swan hooks were the best for sensors but also that sensors don't pick up things that are very close to the bumper. This seems to be right n the margin. The fixed flange tow hook on my newer Merc doesn't seem to have this issue though the sensors are much higher.

Well I dragged the race car back without issue (except for 2 hours of delays on the M6 thanks to 3 crashes - WTF are people doing?). 12 hours of driving including a trip to High Wickham for race tyres.

Glad you got back safely; good job you weren't rushing back to race at Castle Combe yesterday - the meeting was called off before anyone turned a wheel, due to standing water alongside the track.

I can imagine, Jim. I'm sure I saw Noah at the local timber merchants.