We had come to photograph Ben Nevis (1344m) and were not optimistic, given the thick cloud that had enveloped the upper slopes of Scotland's highest mountain during our approach. From November to January the mountain's summit is in the clouds for 80% of the time. So we could not believe our luck when a weather window opened and the summit and magnificent northern corrie were revealed.
The great
Better days in Corpach.
Arriving in Loch Linnhe we almost immediately came to a large pier that runs for nearly 500m out to the deep water channel. It was built to service a large wood pulp mill which operated her from the 1960's until it closed in 1980. At its peak 900 people worked there. There is still a paper mill and a saw mill on the site.
Fort William and Corpach have reinvented themselves as the UK's outdoor
Fort William and Corpach have reinvented themselves as the UK's outdoor
Autodrome Drummond - PR
Une 12e soirée de course s’ajoute à l’autodrome Drummond pour le même prix, soit 200 $ la passe de saison. Drummondville, Qc 26 novembre 2010-Steve Bertrand, directeur des communications. Même si la saison hivernale est à nos portes, le promoteur Yan Bussière travaille déjà sur la prochaine saison estivale à l’autodrome Drummond. Déjà, plusieurs amateurs se sont procuré leur passe de saison. Pour les personnes hésitantes, sachez qu’une 12e soirée de course vient d’être ajoutée au calendrier 2011, et ce, pour le même prix de 200 $ soit 16,66 $ par programme. |
Pour débuter, on peut vous confirmer la présence de la spectaculaire série World of Outlaws sprint 410 le samedi 30 juillet! Quelques semaines plus tôt, c’est-a dire le mardi 5 juillet nous recevrons pour la 1ere fois sur le tracé de Drummondville, la série All-Star sprint 410, cette série vient tout juste d’être signé par Yan Bussière alors voici l’excellente raison d’avoir ajouté une 12e soirée de course au calendrier. Du côté de la série Super DIRTcar gros-bloc elle nous rendra visite le lundi 18 juillet ainsi qu’un samedi soir de septembre dans le cadre du week-end du Racemania 7. La série Mr DIRT-358 sera également en action le vendredi soir, soit la veille des gros-blocs en septembre. Il reste quelques séries d’importance à confirmer, mais le tout devrait se concrétiser très bientôt. La catégorie modifié 358 sera en action lors des 12 programmes de la saison. Lorsqu’elle sera en vedette, il s’agira de finale de 100 tours et lorsque ces derniers agiront en classe de soutien, ils effectueront 50 tours de piste. Du côté de nos catégories sportsman et pro-stock, on peut déjà vous assurer de les voir en action pour un minimum de 8 soirs chacun! Le calendrier n’est pas encore défini alors soyons pas surpris si leur présence augmente dans les prochaines semaines. Moteur Spec CT525. La saison prochaine un tout nouveau moteur fera son entrée sur nos tracés québécois, il s’agit d’un moteur spec développant 567HP avec 500 lbs de torque! Ce moteur est un moteur GM qui se vend 7600$. Pour débuter la saison 2011, les 5 meilleurs du championnat a Granby de l’an passé auront ce moteur a l’essai, ils devront faire 8 courses avec, soit les 5 premières à Granby et les 3 du début de saison à Drummondville. Ensuite ce sera libre à eux de décider de leur choix de moteur. Les autres coureurs qui voudront se joindre au Clair, Hébert, Bussière, Robidoux et Bernard sont en droit de se procurer le même moteur qu’eux. Championnat Drummond-Granby CT525. Il y aura un championnat pour toutes les équipes qui feront toutes les courses autant à Drummond qu’a Granby avec ce moteur CT525. Le meilleur à la fin de la saison recevra une bouse de 2500$, le 2e une somme de 1500$ et le 3e 1000$. Tous les autres qui auront pris part à ce championnat avec le moteur GM spec CT525 recevront une bourse de 500$. Comme vous voyez, plusieurs changements sont en branle pour la saison 2011, donc n’hésitez pas à vous procurer votre passe de saison au coût de 200$ soit une économie de plus de 225$. Faites le calcul et vous n’aurez jamais assisté a une soirée de course de la série WOO sprint 410, All-Star 410 ainsi que les gros-bloc pour aussi peu que 16,66$ par programme. Le calendrier sera disponible en début janvier donc fait vite, car cette promotion de passe de saison se termine le 31 janvier 2011 ou jusqu'à ce que les 400 passes de saison soient écoulées! L’autodrome Drummond là où l’action et l’excitation est au max! Steve Bertrand Directeur des communications Autodrome Drummond |
Reminiscent of a river: the Loch Eil narrows.
As we approached the tidal narrows at the mouth of Loch Eil...
...the summit of Ben Nevis was still lost in the clouds.
In the narrows, the west going flood starts at -0435 HW Oban (+0220 HW Dover) and the east going ebb starts at +0130 HW Oban (-0400 HW Dover). The spring rate in both directions is 5 knots. We were in the narrows an hour before the end of the ebb and were surprised to be
...the summit of Ben Nevis was still lost in the clouds.
In the narrows, the west going flood starts at -0435 HW Oban (+0220 HW Dover) and the east going ebb starts at +0130 HW Oban (-0400 HW Dover). The spring rate in both directions is 5 knots. We were in the narrows an hour before the end of the ebb and were surprised to be
A very modest Ben, above Loch Eil.
At first we made rapid progress down Loch Eil.
Every so often the sun would break through the grey blanket of cloud...
...that hugged the Lochaber landscape.
We were averaging about 7-8km/hr...
...with the help of the ebb tide.
Our bows cut through the calm water but all too soon...
...we drifted to a stop. The scenery just grabbed our attention.
Stop/start was to be the order of the day.
Every so often the sun would break through the grey blanket of cloud...
...that hugged the Lochaber landscape.
We were averaging about 7-8km/hr...
...with the help of the ebb tide.
Our bows cut through the calm water but all too soon...
...we drifted to a stop. The scenery just grabbed our attention.
Stop/start was to be the order of the day.
Glen Sannox, Arran from Portencross, Ayrshire
A 31km day trip from Portencross to Glen Sannox on Arran and back via Brodick and the Arran ferry.
HMS Dragon was on sea trials in the Sound of Bute as we crossed...
...towards the magnificent vista of the Glen Sannox mountains.
There be dragons at the end of rainbows in the Clyde!
Clyde ore, prawns and peninsulas.
Making the most of short winter days.
This dragon does not belch smoke!
HMS Dragon was on sea trials in the Sound of Bute as we crossed...
...towards the magnificent vista of the Glen Sannox mountains.
There be dragons at the end of rainbows in the Clyde!
Clyde ore, prawns and peninsulas.
Making the most of short winter days.
This dragon does not belch smoke!
AMERICAN CANADIAN TOUR TO FLORIDA OVER SPEEDWEEKS
For Immediate Release ACT – 112410-64 Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour (ACT) announced today that an agreement has been reached with New Smyrna Speedway (NSS) to bring the ACT Late Model teams from the Northeastern US and Canada to the historic ‘World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing’ at New Smyrna, Florida during the Daytona Speedweeks. |
There will be two 100-lap events for ACT teams with back-to-back races on Sunday, February 13 and Monday, February 14, 2011. “We mentioned to our teams at the end of this past season about the possibilities of a winter trip to Florida, and we have received great response from both sides of the border. This is really the ultimate ‘vacation racing’ for the northern teams. For many decades Robert Hart, Promoter of NSS, has created a great atmosphere for short track fans throughout the country with his 10-day ‘World Series’ event. ACT is excited to be the latest edition”, said Tom Curley, President of the American Canadian Tour. “Early interest for the event has been very diverse from the large group of ACT teams throughout the region”, said Nick Bigelow, Media Director for ACT. “Joey Polewarczyk, Jr (Pole), from Hudson, NH was the first to commit to the project. There is a solid list of teams ready to see if they can stop his 2010 year-end momentum at the ‘World Series’ --- Jonathan Urlin of London, Ontario, Lee USA Speedway 2010 Champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr. from Dover, NH, two-time Oxford 250 Champion Eddie MacDonald from Rowley, MA and former ACT Castrol Champion Donald Theetge from Quebec City, along with defending Champion Karl Allard from Ste. Felicien, QC are among 25 plus teams that have indicated they plan to attend the first time ACT southern swing,” concluded Bigelow. In recent years ACT drivers Joey Pole, Eric Chase, and Patrick Laperle have all attended the World Series and have been very successful. “Our team is really happy about this opportunity. We really enjoyed our trip to NSS in the past, and now with our own ACT cars and procedures, racing on that big ½ mile should be a great way to jump start the season. I can’t wait,” said Joey Pole. For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963, www.acttour.com, or media@acttour.com. -30- |
Sea of tranquility in Loch Eil.
Last Sunday Jim and I left Glasgow at 6am. We were bound for the head of Loch Eil which is deep within the mountains of Lochaber. We dropped one car off (as our shuttle) on the shores of Loch Linnhe, just north of the Corran Narrows.
Not a breath of wind disturbed the waters of Loch Eil and to the west, the mountains above Glen Finnan were perfectly reflected on the calm water. From left they
Not a breath of wind disturbed the waters of Loch Eil and to the west, the mountains above Glen Finnan were perfectly reflected on the calm water. From left they
A hall of mirrors in Loch Goil.
The dying sun shone through...
...gaps in the cloud layers and illuminated strips of the mountains high above us.
Down below we paddled on in the gathering gloaming.
The reflections on the glassy sea created a bizarre vision of an alternative world, like a fairground hall of mirrors.
Navigation is easy in a long narrow loch like Loch Goil. We could not even paddle past our destination as it
...gaps in the cloud layers and illuminated strips of the mountains high above us.
Down below we paddled on in the gathering gloaming.
The reflections on the glassy sea created a bizarre vision of an alternative world, like a fairground hall of mirrors.
Navigation is easy in a long narrow loch like Loch Goil. We could not even paddle past our destination as it
Un deuxième volant pour l'équipe FAZZT en 2011
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ACT - Announces 2011 Schedules
ACT Tours Top $1 Million FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ACT-112210-62 Waterbury, VT – The 25 year-old American Canadian Tour announces over $1 million in purses and prize funds for its touring events in 2011. ACT releases 2011 schedules for its two Late Model touring series; the American-based ACT Late Model Tour and the Canadian-based Série ACT Castrol Edge. Schedules consist of 12 events for both tours including three combination events plus several non-point counting special events. |
The ACT Late Model Tour will begin their campaign on Sunday, April 17 with the traditional NH Governor’s Cup 150 at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH. They will then have three events during the month of May starting with the Merchants Bank 150 at Thunder Road in Barre, VT on Sunday, May 1. Oxford Plains Speedway in Oxford, ME will have their first of two (2) events in 2011 on Sunday, May 15. The Tour will then complete their May schedule with their first ever trip to Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Fair Haven, VT on Sunday, May 22 with the 37th Annual Spring Green 111. The Tour will make its annual visits to White Mountain Motorsports Park in North Woodstock, NH (Saturday, June 18), Twin State Speedway in Claremont, NH (Saturday, July 9), and Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough, ME (Saturday, July 30). After making its second trip of the year to Thunder Road for the Bond Auto Labor Day Classic on Sunday, September 4, the 2011 ACT Late Model Tour will decide its champion in the Fall Foliage 200 at Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY on Saturday, October 8. The 2011 Série ACT Castrol Edge schedule will commence on Saturday, May 21 with its first of three events at Autodrome St-Eustache in St-Eustache, Quebec. The second St-Eustache event will be a 200 lap grind on Saturday, July 16 and the final event on the 1/2 mile speedway will be the St-Eustache 300 on Sunday, September 18. The Série will run two 100-lap events at Autodrome Montmagny in Montmagny, Quebec, the first on Saturday, May 28 and the second on Saturday, July 2. It will also visit Autodrome Chaudiére in Vallée-Jonction, Quebec for two point counting events in 2011. They will be held on Saturday, June 4 and Saturday, August 6. Circuit Riverside Speedway in St-Croix, Quebec will host two stand alone point counting events on Saturday, June 18 and Saturday, July 9. The 2011 Série ACT Castol Edge Champion will also be crowned on Saturday, October 8 following the Fall Foliage 200 at Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY. The two tours will compete in three combination point counting events in 2011. The first will be the recently announced “Short Track Showdown” at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, NH on Friday, August 12 and Saturday, August 13, while the second will be the Riverside Can-Am 200 at Circuit Riverside Speedway in St-Croix, Quebec. The third will be the season finale Fall Foliage 200 at Airborne. Competitors from both sides of the border will also enjoy four (4) special non-point counting events again in 2011. The Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway on Sunday, July 24 is one of the premiere Late Model events in the North America, while the “Showdown at Chaudiére”, an All-Star event, held at Autodrome Chaudiére will be run for the fourth consecutive season on Saturday, September 10. Two of the biggest special events of the year include the 3rd Annual ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, NH on Saturday, September 24. The event will again be included in the September NASCAR weekend at the “Magic Mile.” The 49th running of the People’s United Bank Milk Bowl at Thunder Road in Barre, VT will complete the 2011 special events on Sunday, October 2. 2011 ACT LATE MODEL TOUR SCHEDULE 2011 SÉRIE ACT CASTROL EDGE SCHEDULE -30- |
Cédules ACT et ACT CASTROL EDGE - saison 2011
Pour diffusion immédiate (22-11-10 -45) LES DEUX SÉRIES DE L’ACT COMPORTERONT 12 COURSES Waterbury, VT--- La direction de l’American-Canadian Tour vient de finaliser le calendrier de ses deux séries dites touring, soit l’ACT Late Model Tour et la série ACT-Castrol Edge. Chacune d’elle comportera douze épreuves dont trois combinées qui compteront pour les deux championnats ainsi qu’une série de quatre prestigieuses confrontations hors championnat. Le tout totalisera plus d’un million de dollars en bourses et bonis. |
La série ACT-Castrol Edge prendra son envol à l’Autodrome St-Eustache, le 21 mai prochain avec la présentation de la première de trois courses à cette piste des Basses-Laurentides. Puis, la semaine suivante, c’est à l’Autodrome Montmagny que seront invités les pilotes. Au pays de l’oie blanche, une autre course est inscrite au calendrier, le samedi 2 juillet. En ce qui concerne St-Eustache, les deux autres dates sont le 16 juillet (200 tours) et le St-Eustache 300, le 18 septembre. À l’instar de l’année dernière, trois épreuves, dont deux comptant pour le titre ACT-Castrol Edge auront lieu à l’Autodrome Chaudière de Vallée-Jonction qui cette année, célèbre son 20e anniversaire. La première est prévue pour le 4 juin, la deuxième pour le 6 août alors que le Showdown, mettant en vedette les meilleurs de ces deux championnats, est inscrit pour le 10 septembre. Également, le circuit Ste-Croix/Riverside Speedway, sera le théâtre de deux courses du championnat, soit le 18 juin et le 9 juillet alors que le 27 août on reviendra avec la présentation de la Can-Am 200, une course comptant pour les deux couronnes. Contrairement aux saisons précédentes, c’est lors du Fall Foliage 200 à la piste Airborne de Plattsburgh, le 8 octobre prochain que l’on connaîtra officiellement, les titulaires de ces deux championnats. On remarquera également que cette saison, deux épreuves auront lieu lors de week-ends importants au New Hampshire Motor Speedway de Loudon. La première dans le cadre de l’Indy Car Izod aura lieu les 12 et 13 août et comptera pour les deux titres de l’ACT alors que le 24 septembre au cours du Sylvania 300 de Nascar, on présentera la 3e édition de l’Invitational de l’ACT. Les quatre épreuves hors championnat où les pilotes des deux séries sont conviés sont ; l’Oxford 250 le 24 juillet, le Showdown de l’Autodrome Chaudière, l’Invitational au New Hampshire Motor Speedway ainsi que la 49e édition du Milk Bowl qui est prévue pour la première fin de semaine d’octobre. En ce qui concerne l’ACT Late Model Tour, mentionnons qu’il prendra son envol à la piste de Lee au New Hampshire, le 17 avril prochain pour se terminer à la piste Thunder Road de Barre au Vermont, le 4 septembre. SÉRIE ACT CASTROL 2011
12. sam 8 oct Airborne Speedway Plattsburgh, NY 200 *** - hors championnat Série américaine de l’AMERICAN-CANADIAN TOUR
12. sam 8 oct Airborne Speedway Plattsburgh, NY 200 Sujet à changement sans préavis. -30- Source : American Canadian Tour (802) 244-6963 |
Carrick castle and the leading lights of Loch Goil
We crossed the mouth of Loch Goil...
...and arrived at the grim stone keep of Carrick castle.
Carrick Castle was originally built in the 14th century. It is thought to be named after Robert Bruce who was Earl of Carrick (South Ayrshire) before becoming King. It was later used as a hunting lodge by King James IV. The current building is 15th century but has some 14th century features and
...and arrived at the grim stone keep of Carrick castle.
Carrick Castle was originally built in the 14th century. It is thought to be named after Robert Bruce who was Earl of Carrick (South Ayrshire) before becoming King. It was later used as a hunting lodge by King James IV. The current building is 15th century but has some 14th century features and
War and peace at Carraig nan Ron.
Carraig nan Ron (seal rock) is a navigational hazard to both the warships and civilian ships that ply Loch Long. It lies off the point which separates Loch Long from Loch Goil. The light beacon is operated by a solar panel. In the distance is the Royal Naval Armament Depot at Coulport. Unlike Glenmallan, which services surface warships, Coulport is specifically designed to service submarines