Summer Driving in a 406

[trufflehunt]

Most of my driving is relatively local, with the odd 20 mile trip 'up North' to Bristol.

Last couple of weeks I've been able to get in some real driving, which reminded me of
my 1970's days of driving open-top Triumph TR sports cars. And also reminded me how enjoyable
my HDI 110 can be. Comfortable, quick enough for me, and sure-footed.

Week past Sunday I drove 70 miles to a classic car meet south of Salisbury at Breamore. Right by
a place called Downton. ( Former home of Downton Tuning for anyone here who ever hotted up their old Minis).

On the way home I detoured onto a couple of real good driving roads. Sweeping curves, decent straights, some swoopy hills,
little traffic. The A350 and A354 around Blandford.

And last weekend I was down near Salisbury again. On the way home, I aimed for the A303. It was packed, so I detoured
onto Salisbury Plain towards Devizes.

Yes, really enjoyed driving again. Windows down, sunroof open.

Some weight on the accelerator......

[waue1978]

Right by a place called Downton. ( Former home of Downton Tuning for anyone here who ever hotted up their old Minis).

Where my Dad grew up. If I'm remembering right, Downton Tuning was something to do with Richard Longman who was a British Touring Car Champion in a Mini in the 60s. My Dad said he remembered seeing him in his road Mini nailing it on icy roads (highly irresponsible)!

Last time I heard about Richard Longman he was building Touring Car engines for the factory 406s. Spooky eh?

[GingerMagic]

I think Richard Longman had a garage in Christchurch, where I used to deliver a few years back. I know the Salisbury / Downton area well as I am born and bread in these parts.
I especially remember a humped bridge hidden on a back road near Old Sarum to Wilton, being taken way too fast in a Peugeot Boxer and pretty much smashing the gearbox through the floor when I eventually landed..

I too only really do short trips to work and back, around 25miles, but this week I have been to Weymouth on Monday, Legoland Windsor on Wednesday, Radstock tomorrow and maybe Southampton on Sunday, all on half a tank of fuel so far.....Car behaved impeccably, good times