Got my ticket through the email for this Porsche Panamera Scotland trip next week. I’m quite looking forward to driving the diesel, hybrid and Turbo Panameras on some open country roads, and soaking up some Scottish light. I’m also liking that I don’t have to write about it for any magazines, so I can run a blank agenda and just do it for myself.

I appreciate your not giving me a hard time when I occasionally talk about new stuff. It’s useful to track new Porsche trends, as new cars are our future classics. More importantly, it’s nice to understand what inspiration Porsche designers draw from their old stuff. I mean what they really draw from it: not what the marketing department likes to talk up. It’ll be fun finding the old bits wedged into the Panamera (aside from yours truly).

Speaking of finding inspiration, surfing Youtube for inspiration the other day, I tripped over this video of überPorscher, James May, reviewing the Boxster Spyder, probably my favourite idea of a new Porsche (not driven one yet). I hadn’t seen this particular Top Gear before and it’s great! Also ace to see James or his stuntman getting the tail out.

Earlier this year, I pitched Porsche a plan to run a Spyder down to the Mille Miglia, and follow our friend Gijs van Lennep over the event in his State of Art 550. It was a solid story idea that fell on deaf ears – should have just nicked a car from somewhere and done it anyway. Apparently, Porsche Italy had Mille Miglia all sewn up: when I win the lottery I will just do all this stuff for my own amusement and stick the lot up here.

However impractical it appears to be, Boxster Spyder is the first used late-model Porsche I’d look at if I was in the market right now. Mine would be white or silver. Gotta love a light Porsche, and this is about as light as they get at the minute.

A great orange RSR hillclimbing video has been doing the rounds of the ad-packed ‘German Car Scene’ blogs lately. It shows the Porsche 911 of Swiss hillclimb driver, Willi Jenni, competing on a number of national championship rounds. This is it:

My orange 911 Carrera 3.0 came from Switzerland, and was maintained out there by former Swiss hillclimb champion, Alain Pfefferle, who won the title in a Porsche 935. Here’s Alain driving Bergrennen Oberhallau 2010 in the car: note this is a real one!

Also note just how tidy these boys are on track: there’s very little opposite lock. Sideways might look fun, but tyres hooked up and pushing the car forwards is the fastest way to go.

Oberhallau 2011 will be held at the end of this month: 27/28 August. You can follow live web timings on the Bergrennen Oberhallau website here. I’m going to have to get myself to one of these events one day: they look absolutely superb.

No matter how many horror stories you hear about the Swiss speed camera obsession, Switzerland is a great place to go mountain climbing in a 911. The drive that little brother Sammy and I enjoyed at the start of the 2010 TwinSpark Racing Bergmeister Tour was absolutely unforgettable. The fact that it was totally illegal might have had something to do with it, but who can tell with hindsight?!

Not been out in a Porsche since I got back from the USA, so thought I’d better fix that. I grabbed some keys and got out in the fresh air.

Finally got the Tangerine 1972 Porsche 911 T I have for sale booked into Tuthills for a service and a suspension set up: ride heights and alignment. On new suspension bushes and new Dunlop tyres, this car is a delight to drive, but a little lower than is right, so worth sending it to Tuthills to be sorted.

While it’s there, they are going to check a few other bits and change the oil and filter, just to freshen it up. Should be absolutely brilliant when it comes back next week. Then it’s out for a photo shoot and we are thinking of entering it for the Goodwood auction in July. Will keep you posted. Email me if you want to know anything about this remarkable low mileage car. I would love to see it go to a good home.

The T is no slouch on its wicked TwinSpark Weber carbs, but the Carrera 3.0 is even perkier. Once back from Tuthills, I pulled the C3 out and took it for a run.

That car is – literally – a tonne of fun. The tax is up in July, so it’ll head off to Racing Restorations in Pershore for a little bit of body and paint, mainly repairing damage inflicted by moi, breaking into it in Monaco last year. Rob Campbell is also going to strip and clean the wheel arches, repaint and waxoyl the lot.

We’ll change all the window rubbers, install the carpet I’ve had sitting here for a few months, and maybe bolt in the mint 1975 Recaro sports seats. Either that or get the centres of my Recaro A8s retrimmed in some orange corduroy or similar. They are light weight, comfy seats: sweeter than the pukka early ones. But then the early ones are more ‘correct’…

While Robert is fettling the bodywork, wiring the heated screen, changing the fuel pump for an uprated modern unit etc, I’m going to send the engine off for a top end rebuild. No idea who is going to do it yet but am working on that.

Once the refreshed motor is returned, we’ll fit my SSIs and a custom exhaust that RaceResto will manufacture and then see what it goes like. I’m also thinking of redoing suspension bushes: need to get in touch with the polybush people and see who has the best deals on.

Driving it today was as much fun as it was when I first got it. This car never ever gets old.

I spent this afternoon watching the 2011 Monaco Grand Prix. It was an absolute cracker. Every time the cars came through Massenet and into Casino Square, I was reminded of the 2010 R Gruppe Bergmeister Tour, and the three days our ten cars spent in Monte Carlo. Watching the F1 drivers blast at 120 mph or more through sections we trickled through at 30 mph was fantastic.

Bergmeister rallyistes used the city as a base for mountain raids up around the principality, to the epic Monte Carlo Rally routes we were driving. Getting in and out of town was easy enough, but getting around was a headache. Traffic along the GP track in normal running is nigh-on stationary. It’s also quite difficult to equate TV and reality, when parts of the flowing circuit are run as one way or no left/right turn during the normal working week.

We did manage a few runs along some famous stretches, and I got told off by the police once or twice for hanging out the windows of moving 911s with a camera, but it was worth it when the pictures made a cover and a big feature in 911 & Porsche World magazine.

If you’re a diehard F1 fan and have not yet made the effort to get down there and drive the circuit, put it on your bucket list. Trust your Uncle Johnny: it is WELL worth the effort. Though it can be trashy in places, Monaco is a unique environment: a shrine to speed that will undoubtedly inspire something within.

Just whizzed my 911 Carrera 3.0 down to the local tyre shop, to fit some all-weather rubber in place of the well-worn Michelin Pilot Sport Cups I had been using. Or not using as is a better way if putting it; not turned a wheel since July of last year.

As ever, the Orange fired up straight away. I just reconnected the battery isolator and the miniature Odyssey battery cranked it into life on the first turn. I crammed four ContiSport Contacts into the cabin and off we went.

The damp weather today gave me some interesting new-tyre moments on the greasy roads. A massive powerslide out of the tyre depot T-junction make a few people laugh, including me.

Off to the UK launch of the new 911 Carrera GTS down in Bournemouth now. Will try to post some pics and details later.

I was deleting some Youtube vids just now and got watching this one again. Sarah shot it when we picked up the Orange in Switzerland from GeorgeK.

I’ll never forget that weekend; what a crazy time. We had a good drive there and back, although it was a looong way to go in two days. The trusty Toyota was hammered most of the way there and back, but it did us proud. I’d love to do it again one day – sounds weird I know  – but to recapture the pure energy of that weekend would be magic.

I don’t think it is possible, however: this car is a one-off. I am 99% certain I will never be as excited about any other car as I was about buying this one. The Carrera 3.0 is the coolest mass-production Impact Bumper Porsche and this is the coolest Carrera 3.0 anywhere. Yes, I am biased!

Life is pretty good at the minute. Freelance has got off to a great start; my little magazine and internet content company – Mighty Proton Media – is doing a good job for its clients, and earning this blogger a bit more than I was making as a salaried employee. It’s also giving me a life back! As spare time is on the increase, so the spanners are flying on some long overdue projects.

One of them is reworking my Carrera 3.0 into lightweight touring guise. It’s a look I’ve had in mind for a while, as the bare paint interior is not quite classy enough for the outside of the car, and a period-trimmed interior would probably widen the Orange’s appeal should I advertise it for sale, as I’ve been considering. I’m not using it as much as I’d like, and the proceeds of a sale would come in handy to finish the studio and garage I’ve been waiting to get started on for over a year. Carrera 3.0s are making good money in Europe and mine has been gone through from a bare-metal shell to be a really great driver’s car. It might be just what someone (besides me) is looking for.

I’d still have my Carrera-arched 911T, a likely candidate for that spare 3 litre motor I’ve got, and the low-mile 944 Lux I have which is waiting to come back to life – that’ll be a great car when it is up and together. Plus I can buy another Porsche in the USA and potentially take it coast to coast. That’s a box I’ve got to tick one day.

The parts for the interior refit are starting to come together. I bought these seats from London-based Porsche mate back in October last year, but have only just got ’round to picking them up. They’re Impact Bumper Carrera Recaro sports seats from 1977, in what looks like black and grey in these pics, but is actually a charcoal with a lighter centre. They are stop-the-traffic gorgeous.

I’ve got a set of plush carpet that I bought from my buddy Scott at Pelican Parts over a year ago, and some new genuine Porsche window seals that came from Jeremy (Tripe) at MBS Car Parts to install, plus a top tint front screen to go in, replacing the plain heated front glass I put in a while back. I’m not sure quite what to do about the cage, as I might have the T caged in steel. I’m considering adding some lightweight central door locking just for convenience, and some rear pop out windows to refurb and fit, as well a bunch of other bits and pieces – can’t remember some of them. A passenger door mirror for one.

I’m ploughing through some of my other project stuff at the mo, but the C3 will soon be up on stands in the back garden getting the full treatment. Looking forward to starting this job as, whether it goes or stays, it’s going to give me another flavour to try.

As I write, the 2010 Le Mans Classic is in full swing.

The weather here is incredibly hot: Porsche restaurant tent temperatures hit a reported 45 degrees yesterday and Arnage lunch was taken in similar heat. Not all that comfortable, unless you went to McDonalds for the air conditioning and free wifi, like myself and Mr Lipman.

As per usual, base for our little ImpactBumpers.com crew is the peaceful Moulin du Prieure in Dissay sous Courcillon, 37 miles south of the track, on the edge of Sarthe province. It’s far enough away to feel like real France: Le Mans town becomes a tourist meltdown and traffic nightmare for this event.

That said; I got my first taste of Le Mans camping this weekend, by visiting the Dutch contingent at Karting Nord for the R Gruppe BBQ, and last night’s Leftovers Special. Their set up of tents around bivouac, with inflatable sofas and permanently active grill is perfect: food for thought in 2012.

I also had my first taste of ACO this weekend, as I arrived with media accreditation instead of my usual Porsche ‘Club Ticket Package’. Have to say I am not super impressed with the media dispensations and would probably have been as well off to travel as a paying enthusiast.

Porsche tent access is a worthy addition to the event and, despite positive confirmation of entry beforehand, it was not available to common or garden journos like me on the day. Talk about disappointed! I did get a very nice enamel badge to carry around and keep as a souvenir though, and the media girls are exceptionally pretty, so thumbs up for that.

Now I am freelancing full time, CLM is a good opportunity to bump into other writers and photographers and catch up with the news. Researching future features in 45 degree heat really shows who walks the walk!  It was good to see two UK classic magazine editors on site: Phil Bell from Classic Cars and Gary Stretton from Classics Monthly. Both were loving it, and I got an update on their own old machinery: an E-Type and a very rare Peerless.

This is the Classic Porsche Blog though, so we’ll post Porsche pics and updates once we’re back at home on Tuesday. In the meantime, check out a few iPhone shots taken in mind-bending high 40s heat. Gotta love Porsche reliability!

Today was the last day in Monaco for the 2010 RGruppe Bergmeister Tour. With no group plan for the day, I was up at 7.30 and out in the Orange 911 Carrera 3.0, to repeat yesterday’s drive up the Col De Turini, and the amazing road from Turini to Sospel.

Col de Turini is the heart of the Monte Carlo Rally. As Monte has been a dream event for me for many years, driving the core stage of this monumental test of man and machine was a must.

At just 1607 metres high, Turini is a relatively low mountain pass, but that does not take away from the sense of occasion one enjoys upon reaching the summit. Once at the top, there was no doubt in my mind: a life goal had been reached.

After driving up the Col, I spent the early part of the morning seeking out locations for a photo shoot planned for later that day. I came up with some places and plans, which ultimately did not work out anything like I’d intended but, regardless of the operational challenges, it was great to spend time with the five faithful Gruppers who returned to the mountains to help me with the work. Many thanks to Leonard, Jan, Guenter, Gerd and Martin.

Tomorrow we drive to Le Mans, for a weekend at the biannual Le Mans Classic. It’s my first time there with press accreditation, so I’m looking forward to the challenge of working at Classic Le Mans, rather than just being there as a Porsche fan and car guy in search of entertainment.

Not that there won’t be entertainment to hand! My fellow Bergmeisters are all coming to Le Mans, where we’ll be joined by the ImpactBumpers.com crowd, and the Dutch R Gruppe posse. The Amsterdam massive includes good buddy Arjen Bosman, who has rented a (British) caravan to camp at the event: bound to be unmerciful fun.

The exception to the attendees will be little brother Sam, who flies back to Dublin from here tomorrow. He has been to every CLM with me so far, so it’s going to be strange not having him with us this time around.

We leave Monte Carlo at 7am. After today’s drive down from the mountains through Castillo and the other lovely villages overlooking the bay, I’m missing it already.

Crazy day today, moving cars around and dragging my Carrera 3.0 out of storage, to give it a quick service before tomorrow’s departure on the RGruppe Bergmeister Tour, followed by Classic Le Mans.

Today was the first time I had done valve clearances on a 911. I was using a standard feeler gauge and I can tell you it’s not so much fun. Eventually got through it – hopefully the Orange will sound good when the fresh oil goes in tomorrow. I put the rocker covers back on with 100% silicone gaskets.

I also changed the plugs from yuk Bosch (just don’t like Bosch plugs) to platinum NGK B8-EVKs. I ran these spark plugs in my SC Cab and they made a nice difference, so let’s see how they do in Orange. I installed some ultrasonically cleaned injectors too, though I doubt they’ll have a huge effect. I saw the buildup of gunk through the open ports of my metering head a while back, and think that needs to come apart next: no time to do it just at the mo.

Bye Bye Bosch Plugs

Got lots of bits to finish off tomorrow: grab a Knecht filter and a pair of drain plug washers at Tuthills, get some oil and a couple of new fan belts from my spares place in Banbury and go get a cigarette lighter to throw in the glovebox, to power the sat nav. It needs a tyre change and perhaps a bit of a wash. Then I need to throw my luggage in and the other stuff I’m bringing for people: t-shirts, badges, number plates and the like! I just spent tonight sorting out my camera bag.

We’ve had the TomTom-friendly RGruppe Bergmeister routes through from RallyAtlas and they all look pretty good. I’ve already modified my Day One file to pick me up at Rotterdam and take me to way point 5 on the list, close to the Belgian border. Don’t want to get sent to Amsterdam first. I also booked my return trip with SeaFrance which I am really looking forward to. The Tunnel is fast but it has no romance: I’d like to round this trip off with a little bit of style.

Split Fan Belt: got to find a pair of these tomorrow

I’m looking forward to getting away and getting down to work. I’ll be diarising/photographing the Bergmeister Tour for a feature and then covering the IB boys’ fun at Classic Le Mans for a separate piece, so should be some great stories in there. We might also find a feature car or two at Le Mans: I’m hooking up with Jamie down there so the pics for those are gonna be good.

Hope to bump into some Classic Porsche Blog readers at Classic Le Mans. Definitely say hi if you spot me. If I go a bit quiet on here, it’s just a lack of wi-fi. I’ll post when I can!