i am sure that it has a sub 9 lap in it if a shonky old sapphire with 3 people in (2 of which weigh 100kg each) can manage one (with a missed gear change from 3rd down to 2nd instead of up to 4th half way around that bent the inlet valves on no.1 cylinder)

bmw suspension is far superior to sierra stuff as you know, and that is what is important on the 'ring. power just gets you up a couple of the hills, but you only have to look at some of the times from lightweight cars with decent suspension and modest power to see that.

don't think i will be there in May, as i may give it a miss this year in favour of something different (road trip in the swiss alps probably ). i do still own a share in a cossie that lives in germany though, so may well have to spank it around again. if i do at the same time that you are there, i will definately take you around again. this car is much more predictable than the estate was when you were a passenger in that so can be hustled around with much more confidence.

i would have liked to have taken my subaru there to see what t will do, but will probably sell it soon for something more practical while i am off work. before i do take it though, i have booked the 2nd feb. track day at bedford to learn the handling characteristics of it. i would suggest that you should do several track days in relative safety on uk circuits / airfields before pushing it much further on the 'ring. you want to know what it feels like approaching the limits. it's all too easy to suddenly come across something on the 'ring and have to back off or brake when you would normally be accelerating and if you don't know how it will react it could get a bit scary.

it's obvious that you are at the 'ring for your own enjoyment and i don't think that enjoyment would be enhanced by a faster car - quite the opposite in fact if it could potentially cost you more should anything go wrong