Jim, Mike and Graham look forward to a summer of motor sport and car shows.
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For more on BritCar at Oulton Park:
https://www.britcar-endurance.com/events/oulton-park-3
To watch Jules in the BritCar at Oulton Park LIVE on YouTube, the 90 minute race is scheduled for 14:25 BST Saturday 25th April 2026:
https://www.youtube.com/live/NVrjXXH5EXs?si=bocpdEZKtBAHJrW9
AI Summary of the episode
This UKMotorTalk podcast episode, titled the “Volvo 240 Special Edition,” covers a wide range of automotive topics, from the hosts’ personal fleets and classic car mishaps to professional motorsport news.
Introduction and Seasonal Reflections
The episode begins with the hosts—Michael Gates, James Baxter, and Graham Benge—reconnecting after an Easter break. They briefly discuss the unpredictable spring weather, noting the transition from freezing temperatures to warm sunshine. This leads to a conversation about the challenges of driving classic or sporty cars without air conditioning; while open-top cars are enjoyable in the sun, they can become uncomfortably hot when stuck in traffic, as the driver is essentially “sat surrounded by an engine, cooking”.
Classic Car Challenges
Graham shares a recent observation of an Austin Ten broken down on a narrow road. He reflects on the inherent dangers of older classic cars that lack modern safety features like four-way hazard flashers or indicators. The hosts reminisce about “simpler times” in motoring, such as:
- Manual Wipers: Using a string to manually move wiper blades during a failure.
- Vacuum-Operated Wipers: Peculiar systems where the wipers actually slowed down as the car moved faster.
- Weak Electrics: Driving older vehicles with failing headlights or batteries that lacked longevity.
Fleet Updates: Deaths and Additions
The hosts provide updates on their personal vehicles, highlighting the mix of reliability and mechanical failure in older cars:
- The Volvo’s End: Graham announces that his Volvo has finally gone to “Valhalla” after its automatic gearbox failed. With a repair cost of £1,500 exceeding the car’s value, he has replaced it with a Honda CRV.
- The High-Mileage Mondeo: Jim and Mike discuss a recently acquired 2010 Ford Mondeo with nearly 150,000 miles on the clock. Despite having “matching scuffs” on both rear doors from a previous owner’s driveway mishaps, the car has proven exceptionally economical, covering 580 miles on a partial tank of diesel.
- The 290,000-Mile Volvo: Mike recalls selling a Volvo with 287,000 miles to a family who successfully used it for a holiday to Cornwall, underscoring the legendary durability of the brand.
Maintenance and Parenting
Mike shares a story about involving his seven-year-old son in car maintenance by having him help change a starter motor. The conversation takes a humorous turn as they joke about “practical parenting tips,” such as whether it is acceptable to “snow foam” children while washing the car. Additionally, Mike recounts a frustrating, near-midnight brake change on a Jaguar, noting the extreme weight of the components (nearly 20kg for the brakes alone).
Motorsport News
The podcast covers several updates from the world of racing:
- Julian McBride (Jules): The hosts wish luck to Jules, who is racing a modified BMW E46, ahead of his next outing at Oulton Park.
- Oulton Park Memories: Graham recalls a terrifying experience at Oulton Park being driven on a motorcycle sidecar with minimal safety gear, describing it as “the most frightened I’ve ever been in any vehicle”.
- Jason Plato and Boiler Room Motorsport: Graham discusses Jason Plato’s transition from a successful touring car driver to a team boss. He highlights Plato’s honesty regarding his mental health struggles after retiring from racing and the “scrappy” start of his new team, which involved using a salvaged Mercedes shell from a river to build a mule car. The hosts agree that while Plato can be a divisive character, his return to the BTCC paddock as a team owner is a positive development for the sport.
