Bugatti Owners Club Autumn Classic at Prescott 2011 Report

Well I must say the Bugatti Owners club certainly do know how to end the season. The Autumn classic was chok full of a wide variety of vehicles though out the whole weekend. Along with a free Wall of Death all weekend who could ask for much more.

With my pen full of ink and fuelling myself on chocolate brioche I set about sketching the weekend away! Here are my highlights of the weekend.

I've always liked these Midget racers but having a J.A.P. twin in one as well just makes it even better. This particular example is a Dirt Track Racer designed and produced by Harry Skirrow, Leeds. Running a 998cc J.A.P. engine producing 80bhp on methanol. It has all round suspension provided by two B.S.A. Front Ends and has four wheel drive, driven by chain. This is one of only a handful of remaining cars, possibly the last competitive Midget raced.

1915 Lenox Speedster. Made in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts and imported from the USA in 1998. I just loved the huge elliptical windscreen.

A right hand drive Ford? Yep these were produced by Ford in Canada and shipped over to the UK. Having the US factory in Chicago meant that they could set up a factory for RHD vehicles across the river in Canada and avoid some tax at the same time.

My star of the show was this Bobtail Model T. A incredible single seater.

Phil Wells 1924 T Modified with a V8.

One of the many members of the Vintage Hot Rod Association that were in attendance.

The VHRA have a great website showcasing their members cars and reporting on their escapades. Have a look you won't be disappointed.

I love the front end of a Plymouth (for reasons yet to be divulged on this blog), this sleek example belongs to a very helpful man called Paul. Apparently the square headlamps on this model were only done for an incredibly short period.

This is the White Sewing Machine Company's "Whistling Billy" steam engine racer. The Racer received its nickname because the high pitch release of pressure reminded observers of the sound of a tea kettle. White steam cars were products of the White Sewing Machine Company, a business that thrived till the late 1990s.

Whistling Billy was a terror in the mile and half mile dirt track races across the country in 1905. Driven by the fearless Webb Jay, it set unprecedented speeds and gave better known drivers Barney Oldfield and Louis Chevrolet all they could handle. The racer was a major force in the short sprint races of 1905 to 1912, but it never proved itself in contests of longer distances.

Billy is not currently running but is in the process of being rebuilt with the intent of running her. I for one am looking forward to seeing this beast running.

A gorgeous 1929 Ford Model A Sport Coupe with everything original. The engine has been upgraded to a 21 stud flathead but it is still in keeping with the period. A real traditional rod.

There were a quite a few Indian motorcycles in attendance this one particularly took my ey with is map attachment. Not an original extra but one of the owners innovations who needs sat nav?

This roadster has been running since the 80s and has been nicely executed. A real pleasure to sketch.

I've been seeing this Chevrolet Cab Over Engine truck in mags over the last year. As a huge pick up and truck fan I was really pleased to be able to see this for real. It is the owners daily driver, and why not.

A living room in the back of a truck? Yes that's what it seemed to be. Why not travel in comfort and take your living room with you wherever you go.

If you go to the effort of having your car looking this good I would insist on a matching caravan too.

A Standard Vanguard with a Rover V8 engine, Cortina front and Volvo back axle, everything else is stock. Plus a Damned sticker in the back a true British rod done in style.

The car park was constantly being refreshed with plenty of vehicles to keep the interest going. Unfortunately as I started sketching this the owners decided to go home. Nothing personal I hope.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, online banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk-management products and services. They are a joint of the Global ATM Alliance, a attachment venture of several major international banks that allows customers of the banks to use their ATM card or check card at another bank within the Global ATM Alliance with no fees when traveling internationally.

This bank now processes more transactions online than it does through all of its physical banking centers. However, when a bank tells its customers that its online banking system is safe and secure, most people would be shocked to find out otherwise. Bank of America the leader in online banking rolled out its Mobile Banking service to consumers nationwide in May. The service enables more than 20 million online banking customers to bank directly from their cell phone or smart phone with built-in security features.

The company offers securities underwriting and other investment banking services to corporations. Bank of America has recently spent $675 million building its US investment banking business and is looking to become one of the top five investment banks worldwide. They operates more than 5,700 branch locations from which the company offers investment, banking, and loan services to consumers and businesses. Bank of America, itself a product of several big deals to create a retail bank that stretched from coast to coast, has long desired to be an investment banking power.

Customers looking for the nearest Bank of America ATM or banking center through the new service are served with Microsoft Map Point technology. Customers can seamlessly use Map Point from their phone to find the most convenient bank location around town. Consider One of the world's leading financial services companies, Bank of America is committed to making banking work for customers like it never has before.

Bank of America is a coast-to-coast dominant bank with a powerful and complete consumer franchise. This financial institution is in business is to help make communities stronger and to help people achieve their dreams. They are committed to taking a leadership role in helping to make economic development and environmental protection compatible. They are a leading global provider of integrated working capital management and treasury solutions to business and corporate clients of all sizes, financial institutions and governments worldwide.

Student Bank Accounts

Most of the college or university financial transactions are processed through student accounts. Banks are usually willing to offer students a specific bank account, called a student bank account. The student savings account is offered exclusively to college and university students. A student checking account is available to all full-time students who are at least eighteen years old.

Specifically tailored for students, student bank accounts are generally used to manage billing and payment of student tuition, on-campus housing, and other campus charges. They are offered to students from freshmen to seniors and beyond. Most of the financial aid and scholarship money is directly credited to student bank accounts.

Almost all of the major banks offer student bank accounts with a wide range of services and facilities. Certain financial institutions offer incentives and gift vouchers when students open their accounts. Just like normal current accounts, the facilities offered by student bank accounts often vary enormously from bank to bank. With student bank accounts, one can view the account transactions by date or by term. Unlike other bank accounts, student bank accounts do not pay interest.

One of the major advantages of student bank accounts is that they provide instant access to funds. Moreover, they offer credit cards and interest-free overdraft facilities, but the amount of overdraft varies from bank to bank. Besides, they provide flexibility wherever possible in order to help students meet their financial obligations. Before opening a student bank account, one must be aware of the services offered by a bank. To open a student bank account, a student must provide personal details along with a reference from his parents or college principal.

There are several factors to be taken into account while opening a student bank account. Proximity of the bank to the campus is of importance as it facilitates greater access. If there is no branch nearby, then Internet banking facilities and telephone banking are the best alternatives. Overdraft rates and charges on authorized overdrafts are the other factors to be considered when opening a student bank account.

Classic Bike Article and Autumn Classic at Prescott

Classic Bike Article

If any of you read Classic Bike (Classic Bike Web Page) you may have spotted that I have made it into another magazine due to my sketching exploits at the VMCC Festival of 1000 Bikes. The guys at Classic Bike liked my work so much that they kindly included me in a small article in this months issue. If you have not seen the article click on the image below.

Special thanks to Rick Parkington for a smashing little mention in the magazine.

Autumn Classic at Prescott 1st & 2nd October

The Last Event at Prescott is being held on the 1st weekend of October I will be there hosting a stall and getting about with the sketchpad. I missed this event last year and so I'm very much looking forward to it this year. It is an all American weekend with a whole plethora of Flatheads and vintage hot rods going up the hill. Also the Wall of Death will be thrilling audiences throughout the weekend, I'm hoping to be able to catch one of their shows as I've been waiting a while to see them perform.

More info on the Autumn Classic can be found on the Bugatti Owners Club Website:

http://www.prescott-hillclimb.com/events/october2011.aspx

Hope to see you there.

Blog Revamp

On a final note you may have noticed that I have just revamped the Blog Page to include a shop as well as a few other extra features. The blog is a continual work in progress and I always welcome comments and constructive criticism, in order to improve it. Hope you like the improvements!

Business Banks

Business banks are universal banks, which offer the best of retail banking as well as investment banking. For example, Citigroup, a very large American bank, is involved in commercial and retail lending. It owns a merchant bank (Citicorp Merchant Bank Limited) and an investment bank (Salomon Smith Barney), operates a private bank (Citigroup Private Bank), and its subsidiaries in tax-havens offer offshore banking services to customers in other countries. The majority of all large financial institutions are diversified and involved in multiple activities. Big banks in Europe and Asia are very diversified groups and also distribute insurance as a service. In spite of the small market share held by the large American banks, they are listed as some of the most profitable corporations. For example, the largest bank, Citigroup, has only a 5 percent market share even though, for the past 3 years, it has been more profitable than any other company in the world.

The objective of the Business Bank is to provide its target market customers a full range of financial products and banking services, giving the customer a one-stop window for all his/her banking requirements, including savings, fixed deposits, current and demat accounts, auto loans, loans against marketable securities, personal loans and loans for vehicles plus a free ATM Card, Interbranch banking, NetBanking, BillPay, 24 hour PhoneBanking and ATM banking, debit card and mobile banking, among others. The bank also offers a wide choice of mutual funds to suit individual needs, and expert advice on choosing the right funds based on in-depth market analysis. Also, the banks offer services like foreign currency exchanges, traveler's checks, and foreign exchange demand drafts, to meet your travel needs. Banks also now offer life insurance and pension solutions to complete the entire range of offerings.

Sandown Park International Toy Fair

Donald Campbell's 1965 Series 1 Jaguar E-Type fixed head coupe

alongside a mock-up built by the Norris brothers

of their proposed Bluebird CMN8 rocket car

outside Donald’s house in 1965.

A4 Watercolour on Bristol Board

I was recently asked by Speed Record Models and Memorabilia to produce the above commission piece to be be released in conjunction with a limited edition model of Donald Campbell's E Type.

The original artwork along with a limited edition Giclee print and postcards will be available alongside the model at the '50 Years 0f E-Type' event hosted by Sandown Park International Toy Fair this Saturday 3rd September. More information on the toy fair can be seen here:

http://www.barrypotterfairs.com/

Bought New from H. R. Owen London in early 1966 by Donald, GLM 37C was driven by him daily to and from lake coniston during his final water speed record attempts in Bluebird K7 between November 66 and Janurary 67.

Bluebird Mach 1.1 (CMN-8) was a design for a rocket-powered supersonic land speed record car, planned by Donald Campbell but thwarted by his subsequent death during a water speed record attempt in Bluebird K7 in early 1967.

The limited edition 1/43rd model of Donald Campbell's E-Type is exclusively available from Speed Record Models and Memorabilia only

If you are interested in obtaining one of these models please contact:

Geoff Holden at Speed Record Models and Memorabilia

email: geoff.holden@gofast.co.uk

tel: 07957 631 113

Speed Record Models and Memorabilia also has a facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Speed-Record-Models-and-Memorabilia/211743038882435

Pre War Prescott in The Automobile

1920 Bugatti T22

(A4 Watercolour on Bristol Board)

If you read The Automobile (http://www.theautomobile.co.uk/) you may have spotted that I was mentioned in the write up for Pre War Prescott. If you have not seen the article click on the image below.

Thanks to Peter McFadyen (http://www.petermcfadyen.co.uk/) for the article.

More info on Pre War Prescott can be found here:

http://www.prewarprescott.com/