Cars, cars, cars...

pblakeney

pinno said:

rjsterry said:

focuszing723 said:

capt_slog said:

focuszing723 said:

capt_slog said:

pinno said:

I phrased it wrong. The sound is uninterrupted linear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlxZs2-gICc

I've never been to the TT races, so forgive what might be a stupid question.

Do spectators ever cross the road between bikes?

If so the advent of electric bikes is going to add a new level of terror.

Marshals can warn the spectators.

But I suppose those marshals are also listening for the bikes?

Yep, you've kind of p1$$ed on my chips there, ummmm.

I guess they could make a synthetic speakery noise?

Electric motors aren't completely silent, especially not at that speed.

Remember those plastic things that you could attach to your bike and it would hit the spokes and play tinky tonk tinky tonk tinky tonk noises?

Given the choice I think I'd go with Darth Vader's Tie fighter. 😉
If it's not going to be real then may as well go for proper fake.

Stevo_666

rick_chasey said:

Stevo_666 said:

rick_chasey said:

Stevo_666 said:

rick_chasey said:

If you don’t like the morality of getting your oil from places like Saudi, wait until you find out about the wars going on to control the mines that dig out stuff needed for batteries.

See my posts above about the hydrogen combustion engine. Nobody has the hydrogen supply cornered...

Same goes for hydrogen fuel cells.

Think you’re a little too long in the tooth to see that become the norm

As mentioned above, I'll get to drive I want in any event until I'm too old to care.

That’s the spirit. Screw the young.

You seem hell bent on screwing the old, so you're just getting it back with a bit of top spin on. People in glass houses etc...

focuszing723

rjsterry said:

focuszing723 said:

pinno said:

focuszing723 said:

rick_chasey said:

pinno said:

rick_chasey said:

Stevo_666 said:

rick_chasey said:

Stevo_666 said:

rick_chasey said:

If you don’t like the morality of getting your oil from places like Saudi, wait until you find out about the wars going on to control the mines that dig out stuff needed for batteries.

See my posts above about the hydrogen combustion engine. Nobody has the hydrogen supply cornered...

Same goes for hydrogen fuel cells.

Think you’re a little too long in the tooth to see that become the norm

As mentioned above, I'll get to drive I want in any event until I'm too old to care.

That’s the spirit. Screw the young.

Says he who often fly's.

Have started taking the boat tbf.

I hope it's a sailing boat. Those ships use heck of as lot of nasty oily dinosaur squeezings.

Electric wind and solar powered ferries. Now there's a thing or...
Gigantic pedalo's?

Swedes to build wind-powered transatlantic cargo ship (yes, it’s a sailboat)

https://thenextweb.com/news/swedes-boat-powered-by-wind-sailboat-ship-cargo-transatlantic.


That would be an interesting sight, all these passengers frantically peddling.

I remember seeing a model of a container ship with sails retro-fitted. Apparently it dated from the 1973 oil crisis, when ship owners were looking for alternatives.

The revolutionary Japanese sail-assisted tanker, ‘Shin Aitoku Maru’ (1980) was built for use in the Far East as a result of the 1970s oil crisis that saw rationing of petrol and diesel fuels.

The vessel looks like any other plying the Sea of Japan. But in a favourable breeze, an onboard computer unfurls a pair of rectangular canvas sails and sets them to the wind enabling the engine to close down and the ship to operate at speeds of up to 12 knots under wind power alone.

‘Shin Aitoku Maru’ is almost the same size as the ‘Cutty Sark’ but in contrast to the latter’s 2400 square metres of sail, the tanker carries just 200 square metres of canvas stretched taut by rigid metal frames that more resemble windmill paddles than the billowing sails of a clipper. Moreover the sails act as stabilizers, ensuring less pitching and rolling than on a conventional ship.

The ship is environmentally friendly in other areas, too. Sludge is treated onboard with a homogenizer and burnt with fuel oil. Sewage is also treated and burnt. No extra hands are required for this ’sailing ship‘; the ship’s crew is just six in total.

http://www.change-climate.com/Transport_Land_Sea_Sustainable/Assisted_Ships_Sails_Solar_Projects_Marine_Pollution/JAMDA_Shin_Aitoku_Maru_Japan_Marine_Development_Association.htm

focuszing723

https://splash247.com/rigid-sails-and-solar-power-for-zero-emission-shipping/
Interesting too, rigid solar sails.

pinno

focuszing723 said:

rjsterry said:

focuszing723 said:

Na-ion batteries do sound promising though. It looks like they need some evolving to get to Li-ion power to weight goodness, but it's great that they use such an abundant material.

Yes they do look good, and produce less heat, which is wasted energy/fire risk.

China’s Climate Goals Hinge on a $440 Billion Nuclear Buildout
China is planning at least 150 new reactors in the next 15 years, more than the rest of the world has built in the past 35.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2021-11-02/china-climate-goals-hinge-on-440-billion-nuclear-power-plan-to-rival-u-s#xj4y7vzkg

I still think there are big risks with them, but...

If you had many Nuclear power stations, surely you would be more keen to avoid conflict because of the threat they pose if hit?

pinno

rjsterry said:

focuszing723 said:

pinno said:

focuszing723 said:

rick_chasey said:

pinno said:

rick_chasey said:

Stevo_666 said:

rick_chasey said:

Stevo_666 said:

rick_chasey said:

If you don’t like the morality of getting your oil from places like Saudi, wait until you find out about the wars going on to control the mines that dig out stuff needed for batteries.

See my posts above about the hydrogen combustion engine. Nobody has the hydrogen supply cornered...

Same goes for hydrogen fuel cells.

Think you’re a little too long in the tooth to see that become the norm

As mentioned above, I'll get to drive I want in any event until I'm too old to care.

That’s the spirit. Screw the young.

Says he who often fly's.

Have started taking the boat tbf.

I hope it's a sailing boat. Those ships use heck of as lot of nasty oily dinosaur squeezings.

Electric wind and solar powered ferries. Now there's a thing or...
Gigantic pedalo's?

Swedes to build wind-powered transatlantic cargo ship (yes, it’s a sailboat)

https://thenextweb.com/news/swedes-boat-powered-by-wind-sailboat-ship-cargo-transatlantic.


That would be an interesting sight, all these passengers frantically peddling.

I remember seeing a model of a container ship with sails retro-fitted. Apparently it dated from the 1973 oil crisis, when ship owners were looking for alternatives.

Exxon Valdez - Waterworld?

masjer

focuszing723 said:

I better pop in Coulthards Valkyrie to restore the threads balance. Look at that diffuser, you could camp under that. Also, it looks like you need an intercom to be able to talk to your passenger because it's so bloody noisy.

Guernsey number plates. Not very useful on an island with a 35mph speed limit.

pinno

That diffuser would look great on a Volkswagen Up.

Stevo_666

masjer said:

focuszing723 said:

I better pop in Coulthards Valkyrie to restore the threads balance. Look at that diffuser, you could camp under that. Also, it looks like you need an intercom to be able to talk to your passenger because it's so bloody noisy.

Guernsey number plates. Not very useful on an island with a 35mph speed limit.

Looks like that pic was taken somewhere other than Guernsey - probably Monaco. If you've got enough dosh to own a car like that then you can afford to take it to the continent for a good blat.

masjer

Stevo_666 said:

masjer said:

focuszing723 said:

I better pop in Coulthards Valkyrie to restore the threads balance. Look at that diffuser, you could camp under that. Also, it looks like you need an intercom to be able to talk to your passenger because it's so bloody noisy.

Guernsey number plates. Not very useful on an island with a 35mph speed limit.

Looks like that pic was taken somewhere other than Guernsey - probably Monaco. If you've got enough dosh to own a car like that then you can afford to take it to the continent for a good blat.

Nerve-racking getting it up/down the ferry ramps, though.

Stevo_666

masjer said:

Stevo_666 said:

masjer said:

focuszing723 said:

I better pop in Coulthards Valkyrie to restore the threads balance. Look at that diffuser, you could camp under that. Also, it looks like you need an intercom to be able to talk to your passenger because it's so bloody noisy.

Guernsey number plates. Not very useful on an island with a 35mph speed limit.

Looks like that pic was taken somewhere other than Guernsey - probably Monaco. If you've got enough dosh to own a car like that then you can afford to take it to the continent for a good blat.

Nerve-racking getting it up/down the ferry ramps, though.

True. Also I remember Top Gear wouldn’t let cars on the 'Stig' lap time leader board if they didn't pass the 'speed bump' test. Personally I prefer practical fast cars.

carbonclem

Stevo_666 said:

masjer said:

focuszing723 said:

I better pop in Coulthards Valkyrie to restore the threads balance. Look at that diffuser, you could camp under that. Also, it looks like you need an intercom to be able to talk to your passenger because it's so bloody noisy.

Guernsey number plates. Not very useful on an island with a 35mph speed limit.

Looks like that pic was taken somewhere other than Guernsey - probably Monaco. If you've got enough dosh to own a car like that then you can afford to take it to the continent for a good blat.

Roads in the Monaco area are probably the most congested I've known. Awful place to drive around generally.

Stevo_666

carbonclem said:

Stevo_666 said:

masjer said:

focuszing723 said:

I better pop in Coulthards Valkyrie to restore the threads balance. Look at that diffuser, you could camp under that. Also, it looks like you need an intercom to be able to talk to your passenger because it's so bloody noisy.

Guernsey number plates. Not very useful on an island with a 35mph speed limit.

Looks like that pic was taken somewhere other than Guernsey - probably Monaco. If you've got enough dosh to own a car like that then you can afford to take it to the continent for a good blat.

Roads in the Monaco area are probably the most congested I've known. Awful place to drive around generally.

It's not that difficult to get out into Southern France from there. Hence my point above.

rick_chasey

Nothing

Stevo_666 said:

masjer said:

Stevo_666 said:

masjer said:

focuszing723 said:

I better pop in Coulthards Valkyrie to restore the threads balance. Look at that diffuser, you could camp under that. Also, it looks like you need an intercom to be able to talk to your passenger because it's so bloody noisy.

Guernsey number plates. Not very useful on an island with a 35mph speed limit.

Looks like that pic was taken somewhere other than Guernsey - probably Monaco. If you've got enough dosh to own a car like that then you can afford to take it to the continent for a good blat.

Nerve-racking getting it up/down the ferry ramps, though.

True. Also I remember Top Gear wouldn’t let cars on the 'Stig' lap time leader board if they didn't pass the 'speed bump' test. Personally I prefer practical fast cars.

Modern trend for heavy powerful cars rather than light is stupid though.

One is much more fun than the other without breaking the law.

Stevo_666

rick_chasey said:

Nothing

Stevo_666 said:

masjer said:

Stevo_666 said:

masjer said:

focuszing723 said:

I better pop in Coulthards Valkyrie to restore the threads balance. Look at that diffuser, you could camp under that. Also, it looks like you need an intercom to be able to talk to your passenger because it's so bloody noisy.

Guernsey number plates. Not very useful on an island with a 35mph speed limit.

Looks like that pic was taken somewhere other than Guernsey - probably Monaco. If you've got enough dosh to own a car like that then you can afford to take it to the continent for a good blat.

Nerve-racking getting it up/down the ferry ramps, though.

True. Also I remember Top Gear wouldn’t let cars on the 'Stig' lap time leader board if they didn't pass the 'speed bump' test. Personally I prefer practical fast cars.

Modern trend for heavy powerful cars rather than light is stupid though.

One is much more fun than the other without breaking the law.

Not sure how that's relevant to my point point as the cars that failed the TG speed bump test were generally lightweight track day specials. See section on non-qualifying vehicles.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Top_Gear_test_track_Power_Lap_times

Anyhow, that's what track days are for if you want to 'drive it like you stole it'. Loved my track days

veronese68

The most fun I've had in cars certainly hasn't been in the most powerful ones, although a bit more power than a car can handle is entertaining. Even on a track day the guy in the fastest car isn't necessarily the one having the most fun. I passed a guy in a Ferrari at thruxton when I was driving a mildly tuned MX5. He was probably aware of how expensive any damage would be, whilst I was ragging the nuts off a cheap car and having a ball without a care in the world.

pinno

Most fun I have had was in a Dutton kit car with a Ford 1700c cross flow.
Bloody noisy though. There was no point having a stereo in it.

Stevo_666

veronese68 said:

The most fun I've had in cars certainly hasn't been in the most powerful ones, although a bit more power than a car can handle is entertaining. Even on a track day the guy in the fastest car isn't necessarily the one having the most fun. I passed a guy in a Ferrari at thruxton when I was driving a mildly tuned MX5. He was probably aware of how expensive any damage would be, whilst I was ragging the nuts off a cheap car and having a ball without a care in the world.

True, although that Ferrri clearly wasn't the fastest so maybe he was having fun I had an Evo 6 and a 205 GTI as track cars and they got driven rather enthusiastically

Remember that we are debating this point with some people who have no clue about how much fun cars can be and simply see them as a way of getting from A to B. Hence all the bollox about everyone having to get smaller, more economical cars for the 'greater good'. Sod that, life's too short

rjsterry

Stevo_666 said:

veronese68 said:

The most fun I've had in cars certainly hasn't been in the most powerful ones, although a bit more power than a car can handle is entertaining. Even on a track day the guy in the fastest car isn't necessarily the one having the most fun. I passed a guy in a Ferrari at thruxton when I was driving a mildly tuned MX5. He was probably aware of how expensive any damage would be, whilst I was ragging the nuts off a cheap car and having a ball without a care in the world.

True, although that Ferrri clearly wasn't the fastest so maybe he was having fun I had an Evo 6 and a 205 GTI as track cars and they got driven rather enthusiastically

Remember that we are debating this point with some people who have no clue about how much fun cars can be and simply see them as a way of getting from A to B. Hence all the bollox about everyone having to get smaller, more economical cars for the 'greater good'. Sod that, life's too short

Doesn't your comment about the 205 Gti and V68's MX5 support the idea that big heavy cars aren't so much fun. Not many people take a Range Rover to a track day. The former client who actually raced drove a Lotus.

Also don't know why you have so much difficulty accepting different people find different things fun. It's not that they don't understand.

masjer

I keep seeing someone tearing around in their Ariel Atom. That seems to fit the bill as something that's light and fun.
Cr@p in the rain and going shopping.

pblakeney

rjsterry said:

Stevo_666 said:

veronese68 said:

The most fun I've had in cars certainly hasn't been in the most powerful ones, although a bit more power than a car can handle is entertaining. Even on a track day the guy in the fastest car isn't necessarily the one having the most fun. I passed a guy in a Ferrari at thruxton when I was driving a mildly tuned MX5. He was probably aware of how expensive any damage would be, whilst I was ragging the nuts off a cheap car and having a ball without a care in the world.

True, although that Ferrri clearly wasn't the fastest so maybe he was having fun I had an Evo 6 and a 205 GTI as track cars and they got driven rather enthusiastically

Remember that we are debating this point with some people who have no clue about how much fun cars can be and simply see them as a way of getting from A to B. Hence all the bollox about everyone having to get smaller, more economical cars for the 'greater good'. Sod that, life's too short

Doesn't your comment about the 205 Gti and V68's MX5 support the idea that big heavy cars aren't so much fun. Not many people take a Range Rover to a track day. The former client who actually raced drove a Lotus.

Also don't know why you have so much difficulty accepting different people find different things fun. It's not that they don't understand.

Maybe we should discount the base Tesla 3 from future purchase options as it comes in at 2445 kgs whereas the base MX-5 comes in at 1015 kgs.
Smaller and lighter is better, right?

rjsterry

pblakeney said:

rjsterry said:

Stevo_666 said:

veronese68 said:

The most fun I've had in cars certainly hasn't been in the most powerful ones, although a bit more power than a car can handle is entertaining. Even on a track day the guy in the fastest car isn't necessarily the one having the most fun. I passed a guy in a Ferrari at thruxton when I was driving a mildly tuned MX5. He was probably aware of how expensive any damage would be, whilst I was ragging the nuts off a cheap car and having a ball without a care in the world.

True, although that Ferrri clearly wasn't the fastest so maybe he was having fun I had an Evo 6 and a 205 GTI as track cars and they got driven rather enthusiastically

Remember that we are debating this point with some people who have no clue about how much fun cars can be and simply see them as a way of getting from A to B. Hence all the bollox about everyone having to get smaller, more economical cars for the 'greater good'. Sod that, life's too short

Doesn't your comment about the 205 Gti and V68's MX5 support the idea that big heavy cars aren't so much fun. Not many people take a Range Rover to a track day. The former client who actually raced drove a Lotus.

Also don't know why you have so much difficulty accepting different people find different things fun. It's not that they don't understand.

Maybe we should discount the base Tesla 3 from future purchase options as it comes in at 2445 kgs whereas the base MX-5 comes in at 1015 kgs.
Smaller and lighter is better, right?

Battery weight probably one of the bigger problems to tackle alongside charging infrastructure.

Stevo_666

rjsterry said:

Stevo_666 said:

veronese68 said:

The most fun I've had in cars certainly hasn't been in the most powerful ones, although a bit more power than a car can handle is entertaining. Even on a track day the guy in the fastest car isn't necessarily the one having the most fun. I passed a guy in a Ferrari at thruxton when I was driving a mildly tuned MX5. He was probably aware of how expensive any damage would be, whilst I was ragging the nuts off a cheap car and having a ball without a care in the world.

True, although that Ferrri clearly wasn't the fastest so maybe he was having fun I had an Evo 6 and a 205 GTI as track cars and they got driven rather enthusiastically

Remember that we are debating this point with some people who have no clue about how much fun cars can be and simply see them as a way of getting from A to B. Hence all the bollox about everyone having to get smaller, more economical cars for the 'greater good'. Sod that, life's too short

Doesn't your comment about the 205 Gti and V68's MX5 support the idea that big heavy cars aren't so much fun. Not many people take a Range Rover to a track day. The former client who actually raced drove a Lotus.

Also don't know why you have so much difficulty accepting different people find different things fun. It's not that they don't understand.

I wasn't arguing otherwise. Some of the best track day cars are open wheelers like Caterhams and lightweight specials like the one Masjer posted above. Although that's mainly because power to weight and cornering speed are what matter.

Doesn't mean that bigger cars can't be, but very heavy cars with high centres of gravity like SUVs and people carriers, generally aren't.

Regardless, there are people on here who (based on what they post) appear to have no clue about having fun in a car, regardless of what else they find fun.

rjsterry

Ah, them again 😁.

Maybe they understand but just don't find cars that fun.

monkimark

Best way to really lighten up a car and make it fun is to remove two of the wheels

pblakeney

rjsterry said:

Ah, them again 😁.

Maybe they understand but just don't find cars that fun.

In which case they don't really understand.
Much like most people can cycle but don't understand those who do it for fun.

morstar

pblakeney said:

rjsterry said:

Ah, them again 😁.

Maybe they understand but just don't find cars that fun.

In which case they don't really understand.
Much like most people can cycle but don't understand those who do it for fun.

So, there's not understanding why something is fun but still appreciating that other people find it fun.

Or there's not finding it fun but assuming those that do are wrong.

Or there's finding it fun and assuming those that don't are wrong.

Anyhow, a few months ago, I was at the brother in laws when a few males were gathered, about to head off to the football.

I am not anti football but I most certainly don't choose to watch it beyond the world cup. One of the guys who was only 19 or so made a really passionate case for how football is so brilliant to him.

It is the best argument I'd ever heard. I got it like I have never understood before. And yet, at the same time I didn't really get it!

Make of that what you will.

rjsterry

pblakeney said:

rjsterry said:

Ah, them again 😁.

Maybe they understand but just don't find cars that fun.

In which case they don't really understand.
Much like most people can cycle but don't understand those who do it for fun.

I can grasp which bits of driving a car might be fun. I just find those things a bit meh.

rakkor

I grew up with motorcycles and have never been able to equate driving cars with fun, too slow, too ponderous and invariably stuck in traffic somewhere.

Stevo_666

rakkor said:

I grew up with motorcycles and have never been able to equate driving cars with fun, too slow, too ponderous and invariably stuck in traffic somewhere.

I guess you didn't grow up with Caterhams
https://youtu.be/FUopO25QQ8w