Now this is strange there is a patent registered by former Rare founder Tim Stamper that dates from
01.01.2009:
http://www.faqs.org/patents/inv/253382

This patent seems to be about Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts:
http://www.faqs.org/patents/app/20090005138

Is the vehicle idea so old that it is still based on Tim's design?!?
I thought it came up rather late after ditching a more traditional Banjo design?
Anyway, the patent has obiviously been filed long after N&B's release (must not mean much, though).

Made me think what the Stampers are up to today; here's a quote from Rare's Wil O. from the Retro Gamer's forum:
"Sorry, Carol (Tim's wife) finally left Rare a few months back. As far as I know, though, Tim still owns the old Rare place just up the road in Twycross and yes, we have seen him going in from time to time. No-one that I've spoken to knows what's going on though. When they left, Tim sent out a cryptic email wishing us well and saying that he and Chris were setting sail on the good ship Golden Girl, whatever that means."

If you ask me, "setting sail on the good ship Golden Girl" sounds a lot like they start a new company on the old Rare premises... or am I reading to much into this.
It's funny, to see such a mysterious email, just like the old manuals of them LOL

I can say 100% that there is something going on at the old Rare premises and it involves the stampers!!

Thanks Wozza. Very interesting!

It's just too bad a lot of valuable Rare employees have already left Rare

Yes, way too much talent has left Rare lately. Guys like Steve Malpass, who created the awesome Showdown Town city in the last Banjo game or Chris Peil, who has been an artist for Rare for the last 20 (!) years - from Wizards and Warriors to the Avatar stuff.
Many more have left earlier this year.

Concerning the Stampers' current operations: Tim Stamper's work adress is the old Rare HQ!!
See here he has several domains registered under the old adress:

http://whois.domaintools.com/thenoids.com

There are some wild rumours that the Stampers are working on starting a new games company and that many of the guys of left Rare in march are following their old bosses. I have no idea at all though how much truth there is to it, just rumours as far as I know...

I wouldn't be surprised by this, smells a lot like the selling off the Ultimate company to US Gold and then creating Rare. Now they sold Rare and create ...TheNoids?

The e-mail just made me smile. It sure sounds like they are up to something big, but one little step at a time. I can't wait for what's in store later on!

Interesting, does it involve making games or are they up to something else?