Catacleansed

This is devastating news and probably the only time I've done a serious post since the very start when I didn't know what this Blog was.

Here is a statement from the BTCC.

There is nothing on the Cataclean-Plato Racing website (at time of me writing this) - although there may be nobody there to update it.

A bit more digging brought up this story.

It looks like Plato Racing has gone out of business less than a year after it was formed.  It has lost a lot of cash but just started to have on-track success and the team will probably go on to thrive.  The administrators are saying as much - although they are basically salesmen here.

I hope Jason (and driver Dan Rowbottom who is also an investor) get something back out of this. They were basically talked into this venture and things were looking up for Plato after he hit rock bottom with two previous suicide attempts while he was there.

It's all a very sudden end considering the optimism back in April. 

I am a huge fan of his and there are massive numbers more out there - his loss to the BTCC will be significant - which is probably why they acknowledge,

Jason is unquestionably one of the BTCC’s greatest stars, and his exceptional record speaks for itself. He has long been – and will remain – a valued part of the BTCC family. Although his involvement with this particular venture appears to have reached its conclusion, we look forward to seeing Jason in the BTCC paddock in the future.

They seemed to have a decent amount of sponsorship and they were a manufacturer team - so how could Mercedes have let this happen?  According to Google AI, which seems to have watched a Kwik Fit video on YouTube,

A manufacturer team primarily benefits from larger financial budgets, direct corporate marketing backing, and enhanced logistical support compared to independent privateers.

The car looks very good:

I think Mercedes should have some spare cash they could splash - the fact they haven't means this story makes them look very bad.

I wonder if a lender has got nervous?

Whatever has happened, the team will be continuing under a different name and without Plato.

Maybe someone has seen a chance to cash in given that the team have finally found a winning formula?

Not sure how Rowbottom fits into this as he is supposed to be driving one of the cars.

I guess we'll find out more this coming weekend when the team show up at Donington Park.

Without Jason.

I wish him future success and good mental health.

Insurance Bond

Today is Back To The Future Day.

But I covered that last week so let's talk James Bond instead.

Here he is getting out of his Aston Martin DB10 - a car you can't actually buy.

Therefore, it would be a nightmare to insure.  I've just renewed my car insurance so I know it can be a bit pricey - mine was not far short of £300.  But I do have full no-claims discount.

One company I didn't ask for a quote from though, was Kwik Fit Insurance.  I've heard several stories over the years of people going in to Kwik Fit Centres with a puncture, or needing some cheap tyres, and being told they need a new exhaust and a new set of shocks.

Shocking.

So imagine trying to get a motor insurance quote and finding out you need life insurance and pet insurance too.

Kwik Fit have also come up with a quote for Mr.Bond.

Here it is.

It seems to take in to account third-party items that I'm not sure he would be liable for - like damage to a Jaguar C-X75 (also unavailable for sale - and unavailable for replace as new) but surely it is the responsibility of whoever looks after Spectre's insurance.  I'd imagine they would accept knock-for-knock on that one.

It also takes into account "Number of near-death experiences" but doesn't mention occupation.  He could call himself "Navy Officer" or "Government Employee" in which case, that might not be too bad.  I don't remember seeing "assassin" on my confused.com form so that may not be an option.

Obviously Mr.Bond will not have built up a no-claims.

Kwik Fit seem to think that Q has to foot the bill.  If so, he could do a lot worse than seeing what Confused can do for him - bound to be cheaper than Kwik Fit's £1.5 million.

And he'll get a free Brian toy.