It's nice to run a car that's as highly regarded as the VXT and I felt especially proud as another example dazzled all who drove it at eCOTY. Unfortunately our car couldn't make it up to Scotland to fight Vauxhall's corner, as it's been out of action for nearly a whole month. Ever since KE03 arrived it's had a bit of a notchy gearshift, not drastically so, but a bit obstructive. Getting reverse without a nasty crunch was impossible. So back it went to Vauxhall for an inspection - and there it has stayed for some considerable time.

I haven't got to the bottom of exactly what the problem is, but the fix is simple and dramatic - a new gearbox. It has taken Vauxhall three weeks to find and fit the new unit, which doesn't bode well if you experience similar problems and have to go through a dealer. I thought the problem would be a minor glitch and sent it back to Vauxhall rather than a dealer because our VXT had been subjected to some pretty extreme circuit work (at a couple of evoactive events at the end of the summer) and therefore deserved to be cut some slack.

Hopefully KE03 will be back and better than ever in the next few days (just in time for the wind, rain and hopefully a bit of snow). If you're a VXT owner and you've experienced gearbox troubles please let me know via fastfleet@evo.co.uk And if you own a VX220 check out www.vx220.org.uk - a website dedicated to VX ownership with plenty of info on performance mods and exclusive trackdays.