Unless you have been living under a rock the past year, you would have heard about the semi-conductor crisis. These microchips are a small but very significant part in building cars. The first wave of Covid-19 caused huge supply issues, from which the industry still hasn’t recovered. With no new cars being built as a result, an estimated 1.4m cars are now effectively missing. The result? Used car prices have boomed, with some cars being worth as much as 30% more than the year previously. We spoke to our friends at Prestige Cars Kent who commented, “Used car prices have been at an unprecedented ..read more

Jaguar XFR? 5 litres of raw power with a supercharger thrown in for good measure. The best thing however is all this comes with bags of luxury and comfort to match its performance. The Jaguar is known by many to be an old man’s car, but what’s wrong with growing up? Its something that happens to us all. It’s how you grow up that counts. The time eventually came to grow up for me and move from my Vectra VXR that I had owned for over 4 years. This was more than a car to me. This was MY car. A car that I had brought from stock to fire breathing 408bhp monster. It’s successor needed to be somethin ..read more

Over 3 months since the last track day at Blyton and the day has arrived once again! Plenty of time meant plenty of upgrades! Upgrades such as a Miltek exhaust, 15% Kavs supercharger pulley, a Newman ph3/4 cam, 550cc injectors and a upgraded air intake. All this, along with a custom map from our friends at JWS Developments meant we now had a tasty 209bhp on tap. Minimal body roll on the Tein coilovers! So effectively we now had a mini with the power of a JCW but with a lot less weight. That will do for us for now! We also have the bucket seat and a very tasty spoiler to be added, but unfortuna ..read more

The day finally arrived! Blyton Park, 30th May 2021! The day we finally see how our mini goes for real. With the timing chain done by JWS Developments as well as geometry set up. Well set up the best they could do with the limited adjustability we currently have. JWS advised we need top camber plates as without enough camber, we are liable for understeer. Which I think is fair to say we probably did experience a little, but it still went fantastic! Just gives us room for improvement! Current spec? We are still pretty much stock engine and power wise, coming in at 175bhp on the dyno. However w ..read more

Here we are, only 1 week to go until track day! You would think we are obviously all fully prepped by now then yes? Er… No! Assuming over 2 month prior would be plenty enough time to order items was our mistake. Whether its covid or brexit, something held things up for us! The good news however is that with great support from JWS developments and a good mechanic friend, Lee Baxter, we are certainly on track to get on track! Myself and Jay have been busy doing the work that we can by stripping pretty much most of the interior amongst other things in the weeks leading up to now. Early stages of ..read more

Does a new timing chain increase performance? No. However if your old one was stretched or the tensioner weakened, then there is definitely a big increase in performance to be had! Our Mini Cooper S started rattling randomly in our very first video. Since then we took it for performance runs, mainly 30-70mph on our gps dragy box. Most of these runs landed in the 8s. A trip to JWS Developments for an health check discovered the timing chain to be needing changed. The guys down there did a fantastic job with the timing and also changed us a few other bits and bobs. The dyno showing 175bhp clear ..read more

Why did I buy a BMW M135i? Simply because I wanted the only hatchback with a 3.0 and 6 cylinders out there at the moment! A nice step up in performance frommyold TT too! She does everything I ask of her, at a very nice pace. From my many trips to Santapod to road trips around Wales. It just keeps delivering time after time! I’ve even done 3000miles on my trip to Portugal in 38c temperatures this last year and she didn’t skip a beat! Santapod I love getting to Santapod when can for a RWYB. However the Dial in day is also a fond favourite of mine. The Dial in day adds competitiveness to the day ..read more

Project TCS has been quiet for some time now. Along with the on going Covid issues and lockdown, we’ve also had Christmas and New year to contend with. It’s been taken slowly. However our Mini track car donor has now had a full health check from the experts at JWS Developments as well as big issues rectified. As suspected the exhaust was indeed blowing, so the manifold gasket has been changed. It does still need additional exhaust work though as the flexi does seem to still have a slight blow. This will give us reason to get a custom system made up soon though! So not major heart ache. Timing ..read more

I bought my Ford Focus ST brand new back in 2016 so I’ve had her a few years now. The reason? Because why not? I’m semi retired and wanted to treat myself. So I walked in to a Ford dealer and came out shortly after a few quid down… One test drive was all it took to fall in love. It really was a “love at first sight” situation with my Focus ST. The fact my partner owned a new Golf R also helped me along the way. Simply because I needed something to keep up! A few choice mods definitely helps close the gap. Modifications 315bhp RaceChip GTS K&N air filter 5 Spoke 19″ Riviera Wheels AirLift ..read more

What made me choose my Fiesta ST180? It was a very simple and obvious choice for me. I had previously owned a 1.0 EcoBoost Fiesta that always served me well. Wanting something better and faster, why not go for the flagship of what I already have? As soon as I test drove her, I knew I was making the right decision. The power, the handling, the way it put it all to the tarmac. It was perfect for me! I know I made the right decision that day, as other than an aged coolant pipe, the car has been faultless, even after modifying it! Tell us more about yourself Well I live in Derbyshire, in a little ..read more