1: What do you think about CW6 being so far down south, rather than in the midlands?
If it’s in the long term interest of the meeting then fine and to be honest it has given the meeting a spark again. Both drivers and spectators are talking about it again, everyone’s keen for it. Especially the drivers, all of them this year are up for the fight, almost as much as they were the first year when no-one expected us to win.

2: Last year many folks thought that the Northern Army acted like individuals rather than a team, do you feel that and if so have you got plans to stop it happening this year?
Yes and sort of! We weren’t as clued up as we should have been and it affected us. It didn’t help matters when we had cars fail scruitineering and a few no show’s. Add to this fact several drivers had “one of those days”, blowing engines, injuries etc, it all matters. As for plans for this year, we do have some but iam hardly likely to reveal them on the internet am I! And if anyone thinks they can do better, the job is available for the 2006 Civil War. And you can enjoy the phone bill as well!

3: Do you think support is needed ‘down South’, if so, apart from the INCARACE coaches, do you know of any other organized trips where the costs can be cut for spectators?
The only other organized trip iam aware of is the route iam taking, someone else is driving and it’s on company diesel! Yes, the support is needed. Arena Essex, despite being a top venue, suffers from a lack of an atmosphere at the big meetings but iam sure with the two sets of fans backing their respective teams this will be changed. And if our’s are louder and it fires the drivers up further it’s all the better.

4: How do you choose the drivers for the war ?
Be a mate of mine and paint Northern Steam on their car! Not realy,It’s about talent & commitment, car building & car repairing. It’s about being keen & wanting to be at the meeting, to play a part of what is one of the biggest banger teams in history. Yes, the majority of the team is made up of drivers who I know and have shared a beer with at some point. But I also know these are the same people who will try their hardest at the meeting & wont mess us about. The racing world is full of messers who say one thing but do the other and when your trying to organize 80 people to be in the same place at the same time you don’t need the hassle they bring. Anyway, rant over. New Northern Steam out January 23rd!

Thanks to Stu for taking time out, in a very busy period of his life, to answer my little questions... Oh I believe that there will be a Northern Steam out on 23rd Jan.. Im surprised he didnt mention that...