At the Autosport show this weekend I took a quick breather from Gerrys stand to rest my voice and wandered onto the Pirelli stand to make enquiries about some spare 345*35*15 tyres for stock against the day mine wear out. Bad news, none available at the moment, good news, when pushed, was that there is a "secret stock" that might be released to deserving cases. I might qualify WHEN I actually need them but not until then.

We then had a further discussion about the best tyres for the Stratos and this is where it is getting a little more exciting. I was showed an Italian brochure and it's English equivalent on a laptop detailing various tyres that are coming to the market in the next few months as a direct response to the demand from the historic rallying scene for alternatives to the Michelin range.

Included in this range will be tyres to suit the Gp4 Stratos in the original sizes used in period with the same style as the original but using a variety of modern rubbers. They'll be in touch as soon as the new tyres are available so I guess it's time to get the spare set of coffin spokes out of the loft and painted in anticipation! Watch this space!

Guy