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blindside

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blindside last won the day on October 9 2023

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About blindside

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  • Name
    Jimmy
  • Car
    Lotus Evora GT430; Porsche 911 991.2 GT3 RS; R.S. Megane IV Trophy-R; Mini Clubman JCW 306HP; Subaru Impreza Spec C Type RA
  • Location
    N. Ireland

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  1. Yes, Trump has unsurprisingly already expressed a very hard nosed protectionist/ tariff heavy view on trade with China if he is elected later this year, (which is probably likely). Based on his previous term as President it’s not just empty rhetoric. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/01/27/trump-china-trade-war/
  2. Joe Biden says Chinese EVs could pose a security threat to the US: https://www.ft.com/content/40003f25-23e9-433f-83a3-a2244fb8b942 Thankfully someone in his administration managed to wake him up and insert the right medication.
  3. https://www.motorfinanceonline.com/features/chinas-ev-dominance-from-domestic-powerhouse-to-global-leader/?cf-view “On the other hand, the UK is doing very little to tackle the problem, which in addition to the threat of a post-Brexit EV trade tariff being imposed by the EU, paints a gloomy picture for the UK’s auto market competitiveness. Jim Saker highlights how production targets and government regulations are pointless, given the country does not have solid supply chains in place: “When [former Prime Minister] Boris Johnson launched the UK 2030 ICE ban, which was completely kind of random, there was no reason for 2030, he didn't guarantee the supply chain, he handed over the UK motor industry to China. This is because China controls 95% of the world's supply of batteries, and the raw materials that make up their supply. They've got the Belt and Road Initiative that runs into Africa with something like 80% of the world's cobalt from the Democratic Republic of Congo. So, therefore, what you've got is a kind of a situation where you basically place the UK in a very difficult position.” Even though the ICE ban has been effectively pushed back to 2035 for car buyers, government targets for car manufacturers remain unchanged. Starting in 2024, 22% of newly sold cars must be zero-emission vehicles.” It is one thing dumping ICE vehicles for BEV without market demand pushing changes. It is quite another to effectively hand control of the market to Chinese companies.
  4. It looks absolutely stunning & the performance figures are impressive. The relationship with Mercedes has clearly had a positive impact; not least with the drivetrain. Aston appear to be on a roll at last. Long may it continue.
  5. Being 9.5% down on the first day of listing on Nasdaq will be very disappointing for Geely. Reading the marketing blurb I can’t see the USP. More premium SUV shaped BEVs into a US market that’s already overcrowded with similar and adjusting downwards? Trump inbound and more US market protection measures likely…. Not worth a punt. A short sellers field day.
  6. Add to that a collective lack of strategic thinking, or even a rudimentary SWOT analysis. Where’s the reality check occurred around UK governments ability to deliver on anything significant. Most of all our energy supply and transportation infrastructure needs? Naive would be a polite way to describe their approach if they anticipated anything other than virtue signalling followed by can kicking. With the notable exception of Toyota, and to a lesser extent the Germans, they’ve all drunk the cool aid and embraced the massively hyped ‘globalist’ agenda around climate change, net zero etc. No clarity of thought about the fundamental business considerations around unproven technology, a dubious value proposition, non-viable transition timelines and the inability to coordinate complex public/private investment needs. The biggest surprise is that they’ve effectively given the Chinese manufacturers an open goal if they continue with EVs as their primary product. They are not subject to the same energy supply, work force & production cost constraints. Once they have gained sufficient intellectual property to provide real cutting edge, affordable quality cars it will be a survival of the fittest contest. I wouldn’t back the greedy, complacent manufacturers to come out on top.
  7. I would be very happy to place a large bet on the Government’s ill considered, market force denying EV timelines being completely undermined well before 2030. US/European manufacturers who have staked their future exclusively on EVs are already panicking at huge losses and diverting resources like crazy. 2030 EV compliance is a total pipe dream.
  8. Attended a fantastic B&C Lotus event at Hethel on Saturday 7th Oct with fellow Northern Ireland Lotus owners @RP420 & @Chris28. It involved a 1200 mile round trip which was an event in itself! We were very fortunate with the weather which provided ideal road & track conditions. Epic road trip!
  9. Jonny’s @The Pits latest video adds a useful 430 owner specific dimension to this discussion:
  10. Hope you’re OK now & fully ‘back on the road’ Paul.
  11. Totally agree! Plus there’s that V6 soundtrack that harks back to early 90s F1 cars. For the trained ear not much out there sounds as good, (with the possible exception of V12 Vantage). 😎
  12. Nice colour combo; crayon on satin aurum (gold) rims. Great mate you have Paul & super roads in the Lakes to drive it on. With Porsche GT cars the 991.2 RS with the Weissach pack is the real sweet spot in my opinion. Still analogue enough for an experienced amateur driver and very practical with the large front boot retained. I was fortunate in finding one in the exact spec I was after back in Feb and did 2k miles touring the Pyrenees/Andorra in it back in June. It included 7-8 hour shifts behind the wheel with no discomfort whatsoever. Also goes like shit off a shovel as you know, but not overpowered. Tbh it is the best all round performance car I’ve ever driven by a good margin.
  13. Yes Paul, although the RS models are always primarily designed to be the track focused version. That said they are still very practical & easy to live with for regular road use & touring etc. So some compromise is provided. However, as you point out the most recent 992 GT3 RS has really pushed the boundaries towards an outright (albeit still fully road compliant) track car. No storage space, active aero & active driver inputs to dampers, LSD, TC etc to suit track conditions. No criticism of it that I am aware of, rather most enthusiasts are absolutely blown away by the capabilities it provides. Of course it is impossible to get one unless you pay double list.
  14. Just have to use the term “garage queen” in any context to bring out the attack dog in you Andy. 😂
  15. WTF? How did that assumption creep into the mix Andy. Pretty sure a number are tracked regularly based on historical input to this group. It is in large part what I bought my car for. The comments about the empire green 430 just reflect a reality check on its apparent condition.
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