I have been very lax with my blogs recently, but there is a very sad reason for this poor state of affairs.

Skidmarques has suffered a terrible loss of one of our team in the most horrific of circumstances. Such is my grief, at this loss that I could not bring myself to write anything and still cannot write his name.

You will have known him as our dis-advantaged fitter who was forced to wear a welder’s visor at all times to mask his embarrassment. Sadly, he is no more. There is no easy way to tell the awful circumstances of his demise, and if you are of sensitive disposition, please stop reading now.

Our friend, I will call him that, out of respect for his short and tortured life, met his end during an unnatural act with a cheetah. I must point out that this was not some hideous bestial act, as the cheetah in question, is a piece of equipment peculiar to tyre shops. It is, in fact, an air tank with a tapered tube and valve attached, which can be pressured, to literally blow certain types of tyre onto the rim.

We will never know if in his simple mind, the words blow and job were rationalised in a way that is beyond our comprehension, but for whatever the reason, he did what he did. The exact details are too explicit to be published here, whether it was an exquisite moment of pleasure or 200 psi of compressed air that stopped the beating of his heart, it matters not. I wish to simply record his passing.

Rest well, little friend, we miss you.

The charming, polite young men of Skidmarques are holding a Ladies’ Motoring Evening this coming Wednesday 10th August 2011 at 7pm. at our Prospect Way HQ.

The evening is being held in conjunction with Michelin will be hosted by Victoria Nurse of Michelin (UK) and supported by our good friends, Lance James The Jewellers.

As stated in our ads, this totally respectful and non patronising evening aims to give ladies of all ages an insight into basic car maintenance, looking after your tyres and making them last longer together with wine and buffet and the chance to win a Gourmet Dining Evening for two.

We’re holding the evening in response to the often repeated complaint  that garages and tyre shops often speak down to ladies and unfortunately are not always honest and truthful in their dealings.

This is our opportunity to address these shortcomings and hopefully display the opposite to be true, at least at Skidmarques. Entrance to the event is free of charge, so hopefully we’ll see you there.

Take care

Daddyskid.

Picture a luxury hotel discretely perched high in The Alps, snow clad peaks, an obvious metaphor for the cloak of secrecy thrown around the edifice and grounds. Rayban glazed men in dark suits, guard the perimeter, whispering short, meaningful messages into their lapels. Only those authorised enter here. Inside, two factions much settle their differences and a way forward must be delivered. Each side has an entire floor for it’s team, it’s territory. Negotiators and aides shuttle back and forth, carrying suggestions, subtle shifts in position, small concessions, but no sign of weakness. Tired faces tell a story of many late nights, long days of discussions to finally bring unity, concord and agreement.

Now the world can be told, Skidmarques and the foremost radio station for Brentwood and Billericay, Phoenix 98 FM are united!!!.

Well, actually, Phoenix 98 FM’s daily Events Guide is now to be produced in association with Skidmarques, the foremost tyre and alignment centre in Brentwood and Essex.

And while the truth is being revealed, our negotiations were not that dramatic. Paul Golder the Chairman of Phoenix 98 FM ( who I must whole heartedly thank for his help and advice), and I, sat down, rolled our sleeves up, had best of three at arm wrestling, and agreed terms.

Anyway, as of the 1st of June, you will being hearing the Skidmarques name on the airwaves around Brentwood and Essex.

TTFN Daddyskid

Skidmarques were proud to provide sponsorship and our Skidmobile as the support vehicle for The Charity Classic Car Run, which took place on Easter Sunday from Brentwood to Audley End.

The event was organised by the Chelmer Valley Car Meet and the Charity Classic Vehicle Club in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Cars taking part were as diverse as Lanchester to Lamborghini, with many drivers and passengers wearing uniforms or costumes appropriate to their vehicles.

We were able to help a couple of drivers that had problems with their vehicles, and with only one vehicle failing to complete the route to Audley End, it is a testament to the enthusiasm that the owners have for maintaining their cars.

Daadyskid would like to express his thanks to everyone on the run for making us all feel most welcome, we look forward to doing it again next year.

With valentines Day but a fews day away, it seems an appropriate time to appeal to the fairer sex on behalf of one of our own, Mong our Mutant Fitter. We’ve noticed some worriying changes in Mong recently. He stands in his litter tray and paws aimlessly at the wood shavings in the corners, and on other occassions, he will gently swing his head from one side to the other like a caged bear. But crucially, on the odd time when we let him take his welding mask off, he stares at some point in the far distance and he smiles. To be fair we have noticed him smile before, but usually because he doesn’t really know what’s going on. But this is different, it’s a smile of happy thoughts, deep in his conciousness something is stirring, something primeval, something basic and primative, this is instinct in it’s purest form, Mong is yearning for a mate. Like Anthony and Cleopatra, Romeo and Juliet, Shrek and Fiona…. he’s wishing for his Mrs Right, and as long as her first name is not Always, good luck to him. Which takes me back to my appeal to the fairer sex, Mong is naturally shy does not find human interraction comfortable,and usually needs coaxing to come into any brightly lit area. However, he’s loyal, obedient,and  house trained,( well, he always uses the llitter and not the carpet). Obviously, it would be too perverse to suggest that anyone would want to enter a trans species relationship with Mong, so what we are asking for is a charitable young lady to become his honourary girlfriend, a bit like a pen-pal but more public, as your correspondence will be published in Daddyskid’s blogs. So if you want to be a soul mate to Mong, please e-mail us preferably attaching a hopefully un-adorned picture of yourself,(Purely so we can judge your suitability) and we’ll publish Mong’s choice in a future blog.

In the spring a young man’s fancy turns lightly, not to love but speed. As mother nature casts off her wintry cloak and the Spring days get longer and warmer, it’s the time of year for daffodils, baby lambs and track days. So now’s the time to get your whells prepared, so that you can enjoy your trackdays to the full. Whether you use a dedicated trackday special or your daily transport, thorough preparation is key. Brakes, tyres and most importantly alignment set-up. Having the steering and suspension geonetry of your car adjusted to settings more suitable to the track, will sharpen your car’s response and make it grip and handle better, thus improving lap times and ultimately your enjoyment. Four whel alignment equipment, in skilled, knowledgable hands can transform your car, and it costs less than you think. At Skidmarques, we’ve set up many different types from Porkers to Ford GT’s and MX5s to RS Focus’s, all of which have been improved with sympathetic mods. We will also adjust to track specs before a trackday event and then return the car to road trim after, for one reasonable price. We are always happy to discuss your requirements, either by e-mail or telephone and we’ll do our best to help or advise, it costs nothing to ask. Take Care Daddyskid.

Motorists in and around Brentwood, Essex will have had their lives enriched by seeing our company’s Mercedes Vito van on their travels.

Our Vito is a 150 Compact tastefully wrapped in Rob James’ wonderful design which has been skillfully executed by Ian, Chris and their partners in sign, at Morgan Signs, Brentwood. The tasteful yellow, black and red livery is complemented by the 20in Wolfrace Vermont Alloys running on 275/35 20 Falken tyres, accentuated by lowering the van by 50 mm, which not only improves it’s looks, but also the handling. Chrome side steps, grill and door mirror cappings complete the look. Please take the opportunity to study the image, as we will shortly be fitting a dump valve and having a engine re-map, so the van will merely be a blur as it passes you by.

The Skidmobile will earn it’s keep as transport for the business, to and from our customers, as a support vehicle for vintage and classic car rallies, and as a promotional tool at car club meets and displays. So, if you want to improve the image of your business, talk to Skidmarques about enhancing your van.

The progeny of my son Damien and myself, was brought kicking and screaming into the world on Sunday the 1st, Skidmarques lives!  Some had unkindly said, that he is a grudge baby, as someone in Maldon, had in it for us, this could not be farther from the truth, as the birth was into a loving family.  The Mayor of Brentwood, Councillor David Tee cut the metaphoric cord, actually a black and yellow ribbon, and with a handslap from assembled friends and family, our baby drew breath and screamed “open for business.” The sleepless nights had already started, weeks before the birth, worries about little details crawling into bed in the early hours, their restless insistence keeping us both awake. Like all proud parents we dismiss this as worth it, as Skidmarques finds his feet and grows.

To help our little darling successfully toddle along a path to his chosen profession as Tyre and Alignment Specialists, we’ve given him all the best and latest toys, Hunter Alignment System,  4 Post Lift with jacking platforms, Hofmann Megaplan Tyre and Balancing Machines, Paddock Stands and static Tyre balancer, so that the Bikers can ride in and out, and, a gun that makes Nitrogen, so that he can play with the Trackday Racers. I know that we’ve spoilt him, but we all try to give our kids things we didn’t  have ourselves, and we know he’ll pay us back soon.

The Grand Opening Day, was a fitting baptism, a wonderful crowd, good food,(Thanks to Kay, Nat, and Mario who worked so hard) and tuneful tunes from Three Flats and a Sharp.

I make no apology for these emotional new parent ramblings, hopefully my hormones will have subsided by next week, and I will be able to write a coherent blog on a contentious  motoring topic, as I will continue to do over the coming weeks and months. Until then, take care, Daddyskid.