Ready for Spa

It's 1100km, on the way there with one sleep in Germany, the way back on Monday will be without a longer break. Both weather forecasts [wunderground | accuweather] are a tiny bit better than last week. However the chance of rain is still there, so antirain clothes necessary. Looking forward for the event as well as for the drive, it's a while ago since the last longer trip.

See you all there.

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InstSaab 2012 update

The news section at InstSaab 2012 site got an update :

Intsaab2012 is coming very close now, and this is our last newsletter with some instructions:

Meeting :

1. All Intsaab2012 participants are expected at the Place Royale , 4900 Spa.
On Friday 3th and Saturday 4^th of August from 10 AM on, on Sunday 5^th from 9AM on.
2. Please follow the instructions of our Intsaab2012 team and have some patience, more than 500 Saabs are expected!
3. At the info & registration desk please always mention first your participants number that you can find on our website www.intsaab2012.com.

Track :

1. Participants of the Francorchamps by Saab track session are expected Route du Circuit 55, 4970 Francorchamps. This is only on Thursday 2th of August, and you have to be there at 5:30 PM.
2. Please follow the instructions of our Intsaab2012 team. You will get a number and paper to sign.
3. Before you leave home please read again the rules on our website www.intsaab2012.com and do not forget your helmet!

And one last wish from us: bring the sun and happy faces!
We wish you all a safe trip, and a pleasant stay in Spa.

The best picture I could get of Place Royale in Spa is from Google Street View :


View Larger Map

Maybe the classic google map view is better.

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Car apps : internet radio players for Android

For many music fans the streaming radios are one of the important sources for new music hints. I am not an exception and use to listen to them often on the desktop. But this section of the Internet in my Saab was completely closed due to expensive mobile data. This has now changed, I finally could get a mobile phone plan with the data unlimited.

However to find a good free player in my older Android based phone is a different story. I've tried a couple of them and got very different results. Partially because of philosophy of the players but also because of the quality of the code.

So what do I expect from such a player ?

Required features : 1) search function (full text as well as genres), 2) stability of the music play + reliable reconnect if the connection drops, 3) lightweight and simple, 4) support of Shoutcast and 5) to see the track's metadata - artist, track etc.

Nice to have : to send the selected artist and track via e-mail as a reminder to my home e-mail. On one click. Remembering the last listened station or bookmarks.

How I tested : Very simple. Install and drive a couple of hours inside as well as outside of the city, on country roads between towns and villages, where the GSM signal is weaker. Stop somewhere outside, change the station and continue. Hardware : an older HTC Desire with Android 2.2.


Applications :

XiiaLive™ Lite - Online Radio
Pros : Easy to use, can search in genres and text, has history, support tags, writes artist/tracks. The size of 3.6MB is acceptable, a bit at the edge. It's user friendly.
Cons : Unstable, it loose the signal too often. Maybe a larger buffer would help. Battery consumption, but the car charger solves this.

Fusion Radio
The Fusion set of apps seems to be a separate application for each genre or topic. I would buy that concept for music with added value, f.e. when an experienced dubstep DJ selects the best dubstep stations offered in the app. It's nothing like this there. So search button is expected, but missing. Therefore uninstall.

A Online Radio
Pros : much more stable than XiiaLive. Favorites/bookmarks button is great. Very effective text search, however it doesn't search in genres without typing a keyword into the textbox. Hm. Smart app name - it appears at the top of the app list in the phone.
Cons : most of the time it fails to reconnect when the signal drops, which is annoying. Also it doesn't write the radio station correctly. 

Winamp
Pros : Simple UI, music flows on 3-4 clicks. Very very stable. Cca 8s buffer. Search is intuitive and fast.
Cons : 12 MB is a lot. But it allows to install it on SD card. Cca 50% success on reconnect. It doesn't write metadata (artist/track), you have to click for it and it's small. Not very safe for a car.



To be honest I am not very happy with the results. Not one of the app was stable enough in terms of not loosing the signal. I was driving the same roads and the drops were not at the same places, so it has nothing to do with the GSM network itself. Also not one of them could really reliable reconnect.

Winamp provided the most stable music stream and has a great user interface at the start. However the most reliable reconnect came from XiiaLive as well as it shows the most visible useful informations plus a big star/stop button. So these are the two favorites, but not one of them is 100% what I've expected.

I will stick with Winamp for a while, but after dropping it from my Windows desktop (in favor of the great foobar) I have a strange feeling because it's so big and packed with stuff without use for me.

There are more players on the Android Market (whatta stupid name Google Play Market now), so there will come a next round of players in the future. Also I've tried just for fun to use my iPad hooked to the wifi hotspot from the phone. It appeared stable, so let's see.

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Summer is back, umm partially

After several depressing days full of rain, the summer came back. Although the weather forecast for IntSaab 2012 in Spa, Belgium isn't the best [wunderground, accuweather], here is summer back and so it should be !

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Tatra 603, the guilty pleasure

To describe her as iconic is probably too much. But she wasn't a mainstream at all, for an average citizen to own her in the production era was close to impossible. She was unique, eccentric and powerful. The Tatra 603.

Why she ? Tatra was produced in former Czechoslovakia and many words in feminine person in czech, slovak and other slavic languages, often have an a at the end. Like Eva or Diana.

Tatra 603

Produced in Tatra Kopřivnice (later in Tatra Příbor) in just two generations or rather facelifts from 1955 to 1975. It was the last Tatra with aerodynamic chassis. The rear placed air-cooled 2.5 liter V8 engine in three versions over the time provided 98.5 - 105 HP at 152 - 166 Nm. [more data].

The rear wheel drive Tatra 603 with more than 5 meter length was more than visible on the road, however the 1400 kg curb weight was less than the impression of at least 2 tons. Mostly black coloured were driving around. Only around 20.000 pieces were produced, mostly by hand. One rumour says that there was an opportunity to export them to the U.S. for highway patrols but the demand was 1500 pieces per month which wasn't possible to achieve. 

It was the representative car for the czechoslovakian government and high level clerks behind the Iron Courtain. Therefore, for many people this car has a very sour flavor. But the car istelf was a masterpiece. Officialy it was possible to buy it, but the price was extremely high, according to historical pricelists in mid 60-ies simillar to Saab 99 but after 1969 the price increased on 44% more than a Saab. I don't know the reason, but speculate, that it can have something to do with being occupied by soviet forces in 1968 and complete close of the borders afterwards. So why not to pay more ... In all cases it was way beyond what an average person could afford.

There were some people buying used Tatras, but 12 L/100km consumption and availability of spare parts was a real challenge. After the change in '89 enthusiasts searched and bought them and also spare parts, formerly stored for "when a failure comes" started to appear. Of course, there are still some, owned by enthusiasts. But unfortunately, it's quite long ago, that I've seen one on the street, several years already. They used to be much more frequent.

Check out the engine sound, this one is the closest to what I remember.

The hassles, that Tatra 603 and it's predecessor Tatra 600 (Tatraplan) were a base for Porsche and VW Beetle are useless. It doesn't matter at all. What matters is the pity that this car couldn't be more known and produced in larger quantities. It was a wonderful piece of engineering and design.

The factory and company Tatra still exists and produces trucks. As I've heard, good trucks.

If you come near Ostrava or Brno in the Czech Republic, definitely dont miss the Technical Museum Tatra in Kopřivnice. It's wonderful, for every car lover a must.

Also, if interested, there is a nice historical video ad for the Tatra 603.

photo credits : Hemmings, idnes.cz, tatra-register.co.uk, tatraportal.sk, world viewer

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Sweet dreams Vol. 2

Another sweet "what if" dream appeared on the net. A black turbo. Not real, just computer graphics, but extremely fine. OMG, me wantz ...

source : facebook

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Music for Cabriolets : Longital - Von von

This is not a typical music for cars, but convertibles aren't typical cars also. Longital, one of the most interesting slovak bands, plays a subtle music focusing on atmospheres, their music is rather minimalistic, sometimes experimental, they are seekers. When the mood is right, Longital's music is great in the car, it flows and has the power to drag you into this flow, giving an additional dimension to the drive without distracting from the road.

Longital is a duo, Daniel on guitar, Sina on bass, both singing plus a bit of electronics. They are regulary playing all around Europe and from time to time in the U.S.. They love to travel with trains.

The video for their track Von von (means Outside) recently won the first price on Formula Mundi Filmfest in the category Art / Experimental / Generative.

Direction and animation: Eva Delincakova.

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Saab on Saab

The most recent photo for the World map of Saabs which arrived yesterday reached me outside, on the mobile phone. It made me smile as every new arrival. But this one is the same generation and color of 9-3 as mine. Although a SportCombi vs. Convertible, the front part looks simillar, so just for fun, here is a photo in photo attempt.

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Sweet dreams

This is a really nicely done sweet dream. A photoshopped Saab 9-5 to a convertible. Would it be successful ? According to the reactions around the web (mainly facebook) yes. Would it be expensive ? Definitely. Will it ever be produced ? No. Why ? Because the patents and know-how are hold by GM unwilling to release, Saab is in coma and even in the case of wake up, the 9-5 is out of the game.

But the dream is sweet, definitely yes. Please in hirsched Aero, 330HP, carbon leather dashboard, 6-speed manual. Tomorrow, 12 o'clock is fine.

Source : facebook, x-tomi virtual tuning

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Spa Francorchamps Circuit at IntSaab 2012

The IntSaab 2012 event which starts in about two weeks in Spa Belgium made an update on their facebook page about the Francorchamps by Saab, which is a possibility to drive some rounds on the racing circuit.

Photos from the event : part one

Experience the sensation of going fast on the world’s most beautiful racetrack in the world !

The Francorchamps by Saab track session option is available for every participant of Intsaab2012, whatever if they are participating to the “Belgium by Saab Tour” or not.

Not going to Intsaab2012 ? Send an e-mail to gofast@intsaab2012.com. If you’re driving in a Saab, and the limit number of cars is not reached yet you will be allowed as well.

It is also possible to order extra sessions for 50€ each session of 3 laps. Send an e-mail to the above address.

What you get

The Francorchamps by Saab option includes 1 session that will allow you to do 3 laps of 7 km on the legendary track of Spa-Francorchamps.

Safe in Saab

As we all want to maintain our Saabs as long as possible on the road, we all will respect the playing rules : SAFETY FIRST !

Playing rules for Francorchamps:

- Entrance on the site ultimately at 5 :30 PM
- Please fill in and sign your participation form before being admitted on the track
-Your Saab must be street legal (insurance/ valid technical control
- The exhaust noise may not exceed 98db
- Maximum 2 passengers per car (The driver and his co-pilot)
- The pilot must be aged at least 18 and owning a valid driving license
- The co-pilot must be aged at least 16 – no license required
- Both (pilot and co-pilot) must wear a helmet – we don’t supply them !
- You will be divided in one of 3 groups: group 1 (96, 99, …) group 2 (900, 9000, …) or group 3 (modern, tuning, …)
- You will get a group number that you have to stick on the upper right side of your windscreen (upper left when you look at the front of your SAAB)

On the track:

- Always stay behind the pace car – 10 cars maximum are allowed to follow it
- Do not overtake
- Always follow the instructions of the organizers or track staff
- Jerrycans, extra fuel tanks, gas bottles are forbidden
- You are fully responsible of any damage to the installations, other cars and persons

Enjoy your ride !

‘Francorchamps by Saab’ is made possible with thanks to our main sponsor SWEEDSPEED


I plan to attend. But after this I don't know. I don't have a helmet and let's see how it will be with the pace car. It will be solved on the place, this is not a must thing.

Photos from the event : part one

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Looking for better times ...

Murphy's law played last week a major role. Equatorial temperatures through the week, rains at the weekend. But at least for a couple of hours at the end of Sunday the convertible weather came back. I took the chance to drive a few kilometers before a new week starts. And to take some pictures.

Currently these days are not the happiest, so these drives refresh a bit the head and also allow to think a bit about how to approach the future. How to setup some mental shields, how to create backup solutions and to react to what comes. The next picture is somehow symbolic.

But hey, the summer is still here, it will create more optimism for sure. Some new ideas should come than. Recently I've came a quote across saying "Worrying will never change the outcome", which is absolutely true. So better times, looking forward to you.

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Have everyday a different ceiling

Great, until now undiscovered ad. Is it official or fan work ? Anyway, this is what convertibles are about.

source : aaronlong blog

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Saab replacement keys

Some keys for the 9-3 were really a pain. Such a great idea with the rubber, they are fitting great in the hand with a feeling that this is not just a key. But the rubber isn't durable enough, after a time it starts to break. I've heard there was a callback for some generation.

Being worry, that my two keys will have the same destiny, even they are after the callback generation, I searched for spare keys. Luckily, the time, when they were super rare is now over, so I've asked a friend who ordered something from Neobrothers to add two front cases, exactly these.

Actually it came something looking like the whole key. It's plastic, not rubber. Neobrothers wrote 
"... we recommend only using the front section of the case with your original backing. Then you will notice a correct fitment, we send out the rear out of courtesy but it is purely the front section that is required.". So I've replaced the front part.

It is a different feeling than the rubber. The buttons are going a bit harder, but it seens to get better with the time. The new front and original rear part are holding fine, however from the start I was a bit worry, that the key falls apart, but it seems to be only my paranoia. To kill it, I will have a backup key with me for a while.

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The signs

Yesterday I drove a good friend of my girlfriend to a place 60 km away from us. It was a kind of a strange situation, because she is afraid of cars in general, is scared of speed and was never sitting in a convertible. Except of that she works as a nurse in an intensive care medical station, so she has seen many bad things.

So what is to do in this situation ? Roof down, slow chilling ride with talking and music. Outside of the highway, through the fields and villages, the fine countryside around. Of course she liked it. Before the ride, there was a nervous face, afterwards a big smile.

But even when she was relaxed after the drive, this was a kind of a person, which even without talking about this, reminds you, that bad things can happen on the road. It was one of the signs reminding me to watch out on the road. Even if I don't do a mistake, some other drivers can. And since I am really not eager to write another story about how a Saab saved my life, these signs telling me to be even more careful on the road as usual.

The drive home was safe, through the dusk into the slowly starting night.

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Amazing engine rebuild stop-motion video

This is not a Saab, it's a Triumph (Spitfire ?). But the video is simply amazing, so I couldn't hesitate to share it. Just enjoy ...

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The Map of Saab

It's always a great feeling to see a Saab, while away from home. You come to a foreign city and see, that there are people with the same passion as you have. Than it stops to matter from which era the Saab is. It's a Saab.

As many others I take pictures of spotted Saabs as well as of mine on the road.. There are many of these pictures circulating or just sleeping in the computers. It's a pity when they sleep, isn't it ?

Therefore I'd like to try to create a world map of Saabs. A rather simple one. Each photo has it's own placemark. Right now, they are coming from me and a couple of friends. 

Take a look at the map and the pictures. 

Would you have your Saab or a spotted Saab on the map as well ?

Send a picture and name the location where it is taken. I will add it to the map. It's so simple. The target is to get the map crowded. If you wish to clean the numberplate, just write it.

Larger map

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Shell V-Power Nitro+ : is it worth ?

A friend has seen 2-3 weeks ago in Norway a petrol called Shell V-Power Nitro+. Surprisingly it appeared in the last days in Slovakia. Shell websites (slovakian and norwegian) are stating the same, only a very vague, basic and marketing only information : it cleans the engine (additives ?), some Ferrari blah blah and it increases the engine performance.

About the octane number (RON in our case), they are very shy, they just compare it to the FuelSave stating, that Nitro+ is for performance and FuelSave is about fuel consumption.

I tanked a full tank (5 liters remained from the previous one). It's expensive like hell - 1.71 € / liter in Bratislava, Slovakia. I don't trust these fancy fuels but I was curious.

Results : 

Indeed, after 5 - 6 km I felt a bit increase of performance. Nothing dramatic, maybe even a
placebo effect, but subjectively the car goes quicker after the gas pedal. I remembered myself on the feeling after using 102 (ROZ = RON) at Aral in Germany. It's simillar.

Fuel consumption depends hardly on the drive style. So I've tried to drive the same distance, around 120 km, same conditions 50/50 city/outside (no highways) with the same a bit more sportier style than cruising, but no speeding. With the regular RON 95, the fuel consumption was 11.2 litres/100km. Nitro+ required 10.8 litres. Interesting.

So the situation is : subjective feeling of more power and decreased consumption. 

Is it really worth ? 

If a regular petrol 98 costs around 1.50 € these days, with the above consumptions, 100 km costs 16.8 € and the same ride on Nitro+ costs 18.5 €. That is 1.7 € or ~10% more on 100 km. So in my case the lower fuel consumption doesn't balance the price.

Let's believe, it really cleans the engine more than regular fuel. 

Is the fancy fuel really increasing the engine power ? I found a video regarding this :



The Subaru in the video is weaker than my Saab (275 hp), but it got 14 hp more. In the Subaru case it's 6% difference. In my Saab the 6% hp would be 16.5 hp more = 291.5 hp. (275 + 6%). Nice. And the 16 hp more are definitely to feel. Also it would indicate, that the fuel is at least RON 98 if not 100. But is it worth the money ?

As usual in these situations, some people don't care. I do. A price of 1.71 € / liter is  too much. It stays similar as with the RON 100 V-Power - when I go driving longer distances, I buy it. Otherwise rather not. And until the price difference doesn't drops, it stays so. C'mon Shell, the new stuff is fine, but too expensive for what it offers.

Note : maybe in other countries the Nitro+ is distributed under another name. Pricing can be different. Also, I will continue to measure it. If something significantly changes, it will appear here. 

Update : It's RON 100

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41 degrees Celsius

Tropical temperatures arrived and the majority complains. As usual. At -20°C everybody cries a river for summer, when it's here, than it's too hot. So what, it's summer. Buy a convertible :) If you don't want a Saab, there are tons of others used with good price on the market.

An ideal temperature for me is 25 - 30°C, these day there are 36-38, which is a bit too much. But no special tragedy. Except you let the car for 10 minutes in the sun and than it looks like this :

If I could choose between -20 and this, I would definitely go for this.

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