Dear Santa...

I've been a really good boy this year. I didn't go bust and let all my members down, I didn't fire any staff and I didn't break any speed limits. (Well, maybe just the odd one or two but that was overseas so it doesn't count does it?)

So, hopefully you'll let me have a few nice toys for 2010. Here's my wish list:

First through the door, hopefully in March would be a Maserati GranCabrio (if it comes with Jodie Kidd too that would be just loverly.)

Shortly after, the Audi R8 V10 Spyder would be nice

Of course the Italia 458 is the one I really want the most, (and on time please in June)

and if its not asking too much, the new Gullwing, pretty please?

[P.S. Don't get me wrong I totally love the McLaren MP4 12C but, contrary to claims that other supercar clubs make about getting this car in 2010, this car won't be launched till 2011 so I'll put it on my list next year.]

Oh, and as a big thank you to all e25 members for supporting the club through this most difficult year, I would appreciate if you could make sure that they each get one of our new 2010 Calendars.

Hohoho. See you all in 2010.

To be or not to be

The "shall I, shan't I?" debate is back on PH with all sorts of interesting economics being used to compare the cost of ownership of a supercar with the cost of being a member of a supercar club.

The Vehicle Owner's Plan, of course blends the best of both arguments. Allowing owners to subsidise the cost of a car that they don't use everyday, and still enjoy being a member of the club.

Of course there are several non-economic reasons for joining the club as well, such as:
-the VARIETY
-access to cars that are still not available to 'ordinary punters'
-avoiding the hassle of ownership
-participating in cool social events and
-meeting other members with shared interests

At least people are debating joining again which is nice to see.

Christmas Ball at Hurlingham

Feeling a bit rough this morning. Despite a handful of last minute drop outs due to illness and inclement weather, the event was well attended with over 60 people. Not bad considering it was our first ever event exclusively for members and their guests.

We handed out the calendar of events for next year, which was really well received, and everything went well.

Definitely a permanent addition to the e25 calendar.

e25 Motorsport

Following the success of our inaugural track event in September, I am delighted to announce our plans for "e25 Motorsport" in 2010.

We have signed up an exclusive partnership with RMA that will allow e25 members the chance to participate in upto 5 organised track days, and a further 5 dates where "arrive and drive" options will be available at discounted rates.

In the new year I will focus on putting together a compelling fleet of track cars for members to be able to book for these or other track day events - as you can imagine, I have already been offered several cars such as an Atom, Boxster Cup, Westfield etc. under the VOP programme, and my plan is to pilot the Syndicate membership scheme to acquire our first e25 branded car.

The organised events are for 10 people sharing 5 cars:
30th March Snetterton
12th May Oulton Park International
26th May Silverstone GP
8th July Brands Hatch GP
3rd August Silverstone GP

and for the arrive and drive, just book your slot and either bring your own car or book one of our specialist track cars:
14th April Silverstone GP
23rd June Silverstone Southern
7th September Snetterton
21st September Silverstone GP
14th October Silverstone National

Lambo London Party

I was at HROwen's Lamborghini London Party last night. It was my first visit to the new Taman Gang nightclub on Park Lane that opened last year which was OK, but in a city with over 1000 clubs I'm not sure it was anything to write home about.

As for the Lambo's, there was nothing new or exciting to report either.

Of course, with the cars on the street, and us downstairs in the club, it kind of didn't really make sense as a Lambo event. We ended up heading down to the Dorchester for some bubbly so as not to have wasted a 'babysitter night' so to speak.

Batmobile in the national press

The wrapping of our F430 made headline news in the Daily Telegraph yesterday:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/6693323/A-new-car-for-1400.html

On a seperate note, does anyone know a company that does competitive personal car insurance for Left hand drive sports cars. I have a member who wants to get his German 997 Turbo insured over here. Cheers

Members Photo Gallery

This is now live - you have to be a member to upload photos, and to email other members who have uploaded photos - but the gallery itself will be available on the main website for anyone to see.
Kudos to Paul Williams for breaking the ice and uploading the first pictures - pretty good ones too. (Here's one of the LP560 outside his house).

We have been doing some member feedback over the last few months, and overwhelmingly people are really pleased with how we have made improvements to the club offer over the last year (rallys, track days, new branches etc) but the one area where we still need to do more is with "member interaction" - members want us to behave more like a "club" creating more opportunities to interact with other members, to make new friends and shares experiences.

So this is the first in a series of steps to improve that.

Other plans include more members-only initiatives such as setting up an e25 Group on LinkedIn, and starting in the New Year will be "Orange Wednesdays" where members can pop down on the last Wednesday of the month for free drinks at the Embassy Club, meet other members and see the latest car. Details to follow in the new year but for now, don't forget our members-only Xmas Ball at the Hurlingham Club on Dec 16th - tickets are £90/head.

New California

Our 'original' California arrived today - only 5 months late!

Thank God I went out and bought the Azzure one in July otherwise it would have been a disaster not having one for the Summer - I think one of the main reasons for joining a supercar club is having access to the latest models. (According to their website GP1 members are still waiting for their first one!)

Anyway, the blue one, as seen here is now for sale. Do let me know if you are interested in buying it - preferential terms are available to anyone wanting to keep it in the fleet under the Vehicle Owner's Plan - and it's quite a good investment too, if you had owned it from new we would have paid you £20,000 for this car to date.