Dave Allcock

@models_by_Russ I currently only use streaming for a small handful of podcasts and a few live events which are not broadcast on TV, but music & movies are almost all locally sourced.

@models_by_Russ Take back control, ditch streaming, go back to discs & local servers, it's not hard, NAS's are smaller and quieter these days. Take a look at Home Assistant, it's one smart home controller to rule them all and helps you ditch all those cloud services. It's cleverer and is free.

When did owning a house turn into running a bloody IT department? I don’t live in a home anymore—I live in a server farm with cushions. Nothing works with anything. Sky needs its app. Hive needs its app. Alexa needs its app. The toaster’s one update away from asking me to verify my identity before it pops up. “Please log in.” I WAS LOGGED IN. YOU LOGGED ME OUT. FOR MY OWN “SECURITY.” Security from what? MY OWN LIGHT SWITCH?! Then comes the password reset. “Must contain 8 characters, a capital, a number, a symbol, and the name of your first pet’s dentist.” So now I’ve got passwords like: H3at!ng_WhyDoYouHateMe_2026 Still wrong. STILL. WRONG. So you go to support. “Hi, can I speak to a human?” “No ❤️” You get some robotic voice going: “I’m sorry you’re experiencing issues…” NO YOU’RE NOT. YOU’RE A MICROWAVE WITH ATTITUDE. “Please describe your problem.” “I want to turn the heating on.” “I found this article: Have you tried accepting your fate?” Fantastic. I’ll just freeze with dignity then. And now… here’s the best bit… You finally lose your rag— you’re stood in your own house, shouting at a lamp: “ALEXA, JUST TURN THE HEATING ON!” Silence. Then suddenly… Everything logs you out. TV gone. Heating gone. Lights flicker like you’re in a horror film. Because let’s be honest—we all know she’s listening. You’ve had a “tone,” and now your own house has reported you to The Ministry of Hurty Words. “User has raised voice. Access revoked. Please calm down and reflect.” So now you’re locked out of your own life, stood there in the cold, apologising to a glowing hockey puck: “Sorry Alexa… didn’t mean it… please let me back in…” “Access restored. Try being nicer.” I DON’T NEGOTIATE WITH MY OWN LIVING ROOM. Honestly… give me back a switch. A proper one. That goes CLICK. No login. No password. No emotional damage assessment. Just… heat. We put a man on the moon in 1969… …and in 2026 my house has got more attitude than a teenager and less reliability than British Rail in the snow. Sort it out.

@models_by_Russ I'll admit, I work in IT, have done all my life. I ditched Sky,I don't have Alexa, I am stuck with Hive. My attitude, if it's not on my servers, I'm treating you as the enemy. No Siri,No Bixby,no MS Copilot.I do have automation, but run it from a secure server on my own network.

@Scalextric Don't just remember it, I was at that Beatties the weekend it opened in the Hounds Hill Centre and was the place I purchased Scalextric, @TamiyaUK Rough Rider R/C car and Tamiya model kits. It was THE place to go on Fylde coast for model supplies,also had a great Hornby display.

How about this for a #FeatureFriday throwback sent to us by James?! Back in 1980, James made it to the Beatties “Search for a Scalextric Star” Grand Final in Blackpool. A nationwide competition, two age groups and the very best heading to the seaside for a grand finale. And the prize giving? Right in the middle of a beauty contest judged by Jack Charlton… different times! Who remembers Beatties?

@bleufiend @IMSARadio @specutainment @radiolemans Watching at home, I'd suggest racing at Sebring at night is as spectacular as Le Mans & Spa. I don't think there's a track that compares to Sebring at dusk. Hope you're having a great time trackside.

@specutainment @radiolemans @IMSARadio taking in night practice from the outside of turn 6 just past the green park bridge adorned with Gazoo Racing signage. Love Sebring racing at night. ❤️

@gzap4me @specutainment Enjoy the set post racing. Sebring always seems like a 4 day party where racing happens.

@Jazzed_on_Java @specutainment Think I paid something like $100ish from a well-known superstore back in 2014. Will be nice to have one that does not leak lol. Im back at base camp getting ready for the night shift. Got night practice and then some live music in the fan zone afterwards. I love #sebring12h

@specutainment ... Came back from midway and found my canopy collapsed and buckled on 2 sides, like completely bowed out. had this canopy since 2014. it survived music festivals, racing, and other camping adventures. Will give me a chance to refresh the flags lol.

@sportscarfan96 Nothing like solid consistency.

Another year of unchanged tracks in IMSA

@IMSA @Petrolheadsarah Fantastic work, absolutely incredible you can get these dates out so early,but great for team and fan logistics. You continue to set the standards others can only dream of achieving.

Happy to Announce the 2027 IMSA Schedule! Featuring artwork by 🎨 Jeremy Smith Daytona - JAN 22-31 Sebring - MAR 17-20 Long Beach - APR 16-17 Laguna Seca - APR 30-MAY 2 Detroit - JUNE 4-5 Mid-Ohio - JUNE 11-13 (IMPC) Watkins Glen - JUNE 24-27 CTMP - JULY 9-11 Road America - JULY 29-AUG 1 VIR - AUG 20-22 Indianapolis - SEPT 17-19 Lime Rock - SEPT 23-25 (IMPC) Road Atlanta - OCT 6-9

@WRCPAST The founder of one of my clients has one of these. Apparently the heafs / valve gear are a big problem,they seize over time requiring a full top end rebuild,and sadly not that many engineers are left who can rebuild these engines to factory spec. They are, however, gorgeous.

**Rare Road Cars** 🇫🇷 1973 Citroen SM 2.7L 78 Licensed and 42 SORN The 1973 Citroën SM is a grand tourer that blended French Citroën's avant-garde technology with Italian Maserati engineering. Produced between 1970 and 1975, the 1973 model year represents a significant point in the SM's production, as it introduced electronic fuel injection (EFI) for European models, designed to address performance and fuel economy needs.  Engine: 90-degree V6, double overhead cams, 2.7 liters (2,670 cc), Type C114-1. Fueling: Initially equipped with three Weber 42 DCNF2 carburetors, later available with Bosch D-Jetronic electronic fuel injection. Power: 170 hp (carbureted) or 178 hp (injection). Transmission: 5-speed manual (most common) or a 3-speed Borg-Warner automatic (introduced 1974). Suspension: Hydropneumatic self-leveling system (similar to the DS). Steering: DIRAVI speed-sensitive power steering, known for self-centering. Design: Aerodynamic body by Robert Opron, featuring six halogen headlights (inner lights turn with steering) This car was spotted near Tufnell Park London. Absolutely stunning car. 🇫🇷 ❤️ 📷 Steven Morrow 👏🏻👏🏻 @Citroen #cars #classiccars #carporn

@TomM833 @IMSARadio @sebringraceway @IMSA Good Morning Tom, how are you? Finishing work early today so I can enjoy live stream uninterrupted. It is Sebring.

@IMSARadio @sebringraceway @IMSA Good Morning Gents!!! It’s going to be a Thursday at work with my earbuds and IMSA Radio!

LIVE NOW @sebringraceway @IMSA RS2 here player.radioshow.limited

@gzap4me @specutainment Good morning Gerry,how are you? Are you at the track? Yes, I like that suggestion. Don't get me wrong, support package for Weathertech races is superb, but I'd like to see WEC back at Sebring, maybe on the weekend following 12hrs so media / camera operators are on site?

@specutainment ...I didnt realize how much I enjoyed the Europeans and super sebring until we lost them. Cut back an imsa support race and give one to EU so the 1000m race doesn't feel like a support race in and of itself. I know this is a hot take...but its what I feel.

@racing_porsche @PorscheRaces @Customer_Racing @PorscheRacesNA @RennsportReport @theracingline @RacecastWx @Rinoire @juanxj56 Thanks for posting this. Saved it into my library for when I change.

This one 👇🏻 #PorscheOnTrack #Porsche919 #PorscheMotorRacing🔴🟡🔵⚫️

@joe_nurton @GOWENYT @IMS Stunning. Was this shot you took yourself or downloaded?

@GOWENYT The solar eclipse at @IMS

Let’s see your guys’ racing wallpapers

@072WGH @GOWENYT Brilliant

@Carroll_LFC @GOWENYT Superb

@GOWENYT Had this one atleast 3 years now

@landofthe80s I found this surprisingly stable, quite precise in use.

This controller was the worst, sometimes it would be all jittery - would destroy your progress in a game.

@RacingFarmer @specutainment At least there's little pain. Take that advice, take it easy and get well soon. My father in law had cattaract surgery last year and it took him a while to recover, but he's in his 80's and his vision is greatly improved, but had similar sensitivity to smoke, dust & bright light.

@Jazzed_on_Java @specutainment Slow can't lift more than 20lbs and can't be in Smokey or dusty environments that's probably gonna be another month or so, but it doesn't actually hurt that much.

@specutainment checking in live for the first time while recovering from eye surgery

@specutainment @radiolemans @IMSARadio Has IMSA considered a book covering the posters for Sebring through these 75 years? There has been some fabulous artwork, I am sure a large format book would be popular amongst fans Globally.

@specutainment @radiolemans @IMSARadio I know on these weekends Mr. Doonan is incredibly busy, but if the opportunity presents itself,next year is 75th running of Sebring 12hrs,might we see some special publications / memorabilia?