Once we had endured the very long process of changing the gearbox oil using the worlds thinnest tube, and then replacing and bleeding the brake fluid in the MR2 it all needed bottling up ready to be taken to the recycling centre. Predictably we filled up the spare bottles and still had some left, so I grabbed the nearest bottle. This being the Stratton household meant that was rather embarrassingly a wine bottle, so we ended up with VT Racing Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine encompasses a rich blend of vintage gearbox oil and DOT 5.1 brake fluid with plant leaf extract. For the sophisticated palate with it’s eggy aftertaste, it is best enjoyed with engine block BBQ’d meats.

Apart from general arseing around we, or more accurately Ian, changed the rear brake discs as they had worn down to their minimum thickness in around 18 months. EBC Yellow Stuff pads may be very good, but this is one of their downsides. The old discs were naturally removed using a hammer, and the shiny new ones replaced using a bit more care. I’m just glad for the cars next outing on a track day at Snetterton Ian will be the first to use the brakes when he drives the sighting laps. I might stay in the pits and watch.

The other activity for the day was swapping the spark plugs, a job so simple that even I can do it, although it was Ian doing it as I was in the kitchen making another brew. I know my place. Anyway… a job that’s simple but only when you have four matching spark plugs. When one wouldn’t fit properly, and the problem followed this particular plug we got a bit suspicious, which was then confirmed when removing it the whole thing sheared into two pieces. Putting them side by side this plug was slightly different to the others which is why it wouldn’t fit properly and that probably lead to it snapping. This’ll be an interesting conversation on Monday morning trying to send it back…