JAGUAR & RACING RELATED EVENTS

ROBBIE'S RANTS,

THIS PAGE IS NOT INTENDED TO BE TAKEN TOO SERIOUSLY (IN MOST CASES)!

I was inspired to produce this page after reading fellow club racer Ralph Hosiers page of madness! RHEL Now I do not intend to even try and compete with Ralph on reasoned logical argument. My thoughts are purely random and mostly irrational! Any similarity to real life people and situations are purely coincidental. (As suggested by my Lawyer). These rantings are not designed to try and change anyones mind on any matter, or even justify my own thoughts and deeds. They are purely designed to allow me to let off steam and avoid going into meltdown!!!!

Firstly I will start of with my latest top 10 of things that really make my blood boil!

1. Why do we have to contend with more & more abbreviations that, rather than speeding up communication drives us non Forum & Text nerds into a frenzy trying to decipher. Hint: A trip to Wikipedia will normally provide the answer, assuming you care! LOL

2. Why do computer nerds/geeks send out "Spam". What does it achieve. I suppose if you are clever, and misguided enough to produce Viruse's, at least there is a chance that you will learn of the chaos and damage you have caused. But spam? Why?

3. Why do motor manufacturers put so much effort & expense these days in the fierce competition between rival companies to produce the ugliest vehicle of the year? And why do so many consumers pay vast amounts of money to encourage them in this most unsavoury activity.

4. Why do so many drivers steadfastly refuse to allow (or even aknowledge) other drivers attempts to get out of a junction when they are themselves stationary anyway. Often the driver hoping for a small gesture of good road manners, is clearly going in a different direction and will cause no delay to the pig ignorrant drivers schedule at all!

5. The Police (justifiably) warn us of the potential dangers of drivers overtaking cars on the inside. Whil'st I have to agree with this, I think they, and a few ignorant drivers should consider the reason why many drivers pursue this dangerous practice. In many cases it is caused by drivers wandering along aimlessley in the outside lane with nothing to overtake or right hand manouvres to make for many miles. The main cause of this anti social behaviour is either laziness, poor driving skills, or the misguided beleif that they have the right to dictate the speed of the cars following them. These drivers and the Police need to take on board that such behaviour is at least as dangerous as those that undertake them!

6. People assume far too much! Why do many shops assume that all their potential customers want to be blasted with Rap, Hip Hop, & House music whils't they are browsing their wares? Why do many people think that if you admit to being a Rock Music fan that you must own the entire back catalogue of Status Quo. Also why do people assume that if you like motorblikes, your dream must be having a Harley Davidson in your garage. And finally (for now) why do many people think that if you are a Jaguar enthusiast that you must equally enjoy Fox Hunting, the local shoot, & going to posh do's discussing the stock market!

7. Why do Companies & Clubs get so bitter & twisted when a bit of competition comes along. Often they have been sitting on their backsides year after year taking the attitude "if aint broke don't fix it" often ignoring growing discent within. Most members "put up & shut up" & some just go off quitely and do something else. But sooner or later one or two will take the attitude that if they can't change things within, they will take the bold step of risking everything and going out and setting up a rival, and basing it on the issues that many members having been banging on about for years. Then the original club or company get all upset about it! Shame!

8. Complaining! The BTCC will be using the Mickey Mouse Indy circuit at Brands Hatch this season. Why? Well this is due to a lack of available testing dates for the support races. Why? Well this is to avoid upsetting the neighbours!!!

If I didn't like the sound of cars haring around a race track, would I move next to a track thats been there for ??? years, and probably will be there long after I'm pushing up daisy's? Mmmmm No probably not!

9. Tips should be earnt, not expected. Customers should not (in my opinion) be made, or expected to provide an extra 10% regardless of whether the service they have received is good bad or indifferent. Some bussinesses have the audacity to include a compulsory gratuity in the Bill. This makes you wonder whether they do this because they would not be confident of receiving a tip if it was voluntary. Some buisnesses have in the last few years asked whether you would like to add a gratuity when paying by credit card. This practice I also find embarrasing & offensive! Tips in my opinion should be offered, not asked for or expected. They should also go directly & wholly to the person who the customer deams has provided an exceptional service. No one else, including the Taxman!

10. Green. I'm sure that most of us would like to do our bit for saving the planet, for the future generations. I can't help feeling however that maybe we've slightly lost sight of our priorities. What is the point of channeling all of our efforts into the ozone layer, when Drug related crime, Terrorism, Poverty and War are out of control? Where does my 3.6L XJS only achieving 28 MPG rank amongst these as deserving major attention by the powers that be? On the other hand, which one is easiest to attack, and take the focus away from the real serious threats to our wellbeing? Better sell the Jag, & invest in a Nissan Micra! Might need the drugs however, to help convince myself that the worlds a better place now that the Jags gone to meet its maker!!!

THE END (for now!)