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We decided relatively late on (a couple of months back) and just went for the day. I think you could easily spend two days there, one watching the cars up the hill and another exploring the paddocks and stands, and potentially the rally stages too. So much to see. Might camp over next year. My biggest challenge was the fact that Sunday was my wedding anniversary. I’m getting comfortable in the dog house 😱😱🤣🤣

I’ll post some more pictures up from the Festival of Speed I attended yesterday, but one of the starkest contrasts whilst there was between previous generations of F1 cars and what we have now. The new cars are huge and heavy, and just so complex in their design. They may well be faster than before but they sound awful, very quiet and not a particularly nice noise. We visited the Red Bull Paddock where they had cars from each of their twenty years in the sport. Placed diagonally on the stands, the RB01 fitted easily, where as the latest cars extended well beyond the rope across the front. The most beautiful looking car to my eyes (and my 22 year old son) was the McLaren MP4/5b (I think) Senna’s No. 27 car from 1990. It is so small, simple and lightweight as were all the cars back then. Kerb weight quoted on the web is 450kg, although F1 minimum weight at the time was 500kg not including driver. Now it is 798kg, albeit including the driver. I didn’t get a particularly good shot of a contemporary car, but you can see the differences in those I did. The engineering quality and design is unquestionable, and the design and build of the carbon fibre aerodynamic surfaces are works of art. But this grumpy old man just finds it all a bit much. And finally sound. Max Verstappen was driving a contemporary car up the hill and when doing burn outs, the engine was barely noticeable! You couldn’t hear the car coming up the hill, whereas the older cars you could hear them going off the start half a mile away. Much as I would love to say a Ferrari V12, my favourite car from that perspective was the BMW FW26. 950bhp from a 3 litre V10 screaming to 19000rpm, just amazing. The sound carries so far and is just so brutal and visceral, it completely changes the whole experience for me. I’ve posted some images (mine) and YT links (not mine) from this year and one of Mika Hakkinen in the McLaren from 2 years ago as examples. I know, progress is progress and without things like Halo Grosjean and a number of others would be dead, but this massive increase in size, weight and the loss of the sound changes my enjoyment of the sport completely. Now, just to show I’m not a complete Luddite, I found the McMurtry Spéirling to be absolutely stunning! No, it doesn’t have the noise, but it is tiny, beautifully engineered and ‘other worldly’ fast; it is hard to comprehend just how quick it is up the hill. 39 secs vs most other cars being in the 50s somewhere. This one I did ‘get’ as it seems to be about minimalism and doing more with less; with ‘only’ 1000bhp, it was much still much faster that some of the ICE beasts with 1500 bhp, or the electric stuff with 2000bhp. Put twenty of them on a track and 😱😱😱🤣🤣🤣. This has become, unintentionally, a bit of an essay, but am interested to know views on the above.

The V10 era was a sweet spot for noise I think .. you can have loud cars that sound awful, but a V10 at the top of its rev range is glorious. I too miss the sounds of old, and the overtaking opportunities short cars give you. But if we are to continue having car racing and F1 as its pinnacle it needs to address safety and environmental issues too, otherwise it won't be around at all. Great post for nostalgia freaks though

I'm a lifelong lover of Formula 1, don't think I've missed a race since I was a nipper 😂 You are right, the modern cars are huge, I too understand the safety concerns making the cars larger but it's the noise I miss the most.... One of my fondest memories is being on the start line of the Silverstone F1 race in 2006, the noise of twenty two V8's revving to 19000rpm was actually painful! That was also the year Hamilton overtook 2 cars at Becketts. I tend to do the FOS every two or three years (its a long trek from Derbyshire!) but it's a real must for any petrolhead! An alternative way of experiencing some classic F1 cars up close is to get to one of the off season testing sessions. @Garry Bunn - Derby & Notts Joint AOand I managed to get to Donington for the Masters testing earlier this year. Loads of classic F1 and Sportscars on track, hardly any spectators, free roam of the curcuit, an open paddock and to top it all.... its free!

Brilliant, I'm under the thumb too. Before I got the Westfield I was always under her feet and in the way. Now apparently I'm spending too much time in the garage! Honestly you can't win. Yeah it would need to be camping for me to make the journey worthwhile.

A good friend of mine was (very many years ago!) a pupil at Stowe School, quite near to Silverstone, and on test days for F1 cars the boys who were well into their motorsport could tell from the sound of a single racing car where on the circuit the car was, from the sound of the car changing gear, accelerating and braking. Mind you, in those days (1960's) the track was a bit simpler than it is now. No chicanes in those days.

Great show. We were not in prime spot but had a great laugh and got a fair bit of interest . We had our resident dog Jesse with us and our new recruit Tily. Need to find her a small hat.

Yep, we left at 5am and were in by 7.43am according to my photo timing. Last five miles were slow, but it was still only half an hour longer than it should have been with a clear run. I wouldn’t want to arrive there much later though as it can then get horrid. Agreed on packed lunches, though we did buy food there as we just ran out of time. Bacon butties were £7.50 for breakfast and burgers were a tenner for lunch, very nice ones though, not rubbish. We found a great spot on the hill after Molecomb. The spectator area there is sloping so if you stand towards the top of that you can see down to the corner over people’s heads, and over the bales so get a really good view. Saw Travis hit the bales at Molecomb from there! I like the full experience so don’t go for ear defenders 🤣

Great post Stuart, I too was there yesterday as offered a ticket late Friday night. Early start Sunday for a 2 1/4 hr drive from Bristol but then 45 mins queue to get in car park and 30 mins to walk to gate 2! Top tip for next visit - Camp and do split days like you said track v stands. Also need step/chair/selfie stick and ear defenders (Air pod pro work well) Packed lunch or snacks helps - bacon butty and coffee £12-14! Pint not bad at £8...

Hiya Stu, a great piece & it certainly looks like it’s a must do when time allows. As for Car v’s Noise this reminded me of Le Mans 10 yrs ago. Getting stand seats and watching the first hybrids (Toyota & Audi) coming thru & there being literally no sound but intense speed made the rest of the pack look about as quick as my X-type 2.2 diesel estate - but we all agreed that the best car from a spectator point of view was the Corvette V8 - I swear you could hear it accelerating with a full thumping bumble out of Mulsanne whilst waiting 2 minutes for it to be seen. And then swearing at it at 02:00 hrs when camping 500 yards from the circuit when trying to sleep with ear defenders.

You are absolutely right @Stuart Davis AO - Devon Cornwall & Somersetespecially about the noise. When I was a lad my grandfather lived in Buckingham, it's 6.47 miles from Silverstone as the crow flies. On a Grand Prix weekend we could hear the cars going round the track from his house!

May as well make the most out of the quiet roads and some sun. Nice little 60 mile blast.

I started my Westfield journey 20 years ago next week paying the deposit on my starter kit, joined the club and had no idea how valuable it would be. After many upgrades and hours of fun I sold my car today, mixed emotions but glad it has gone to a new owner who will no doubt enjoy it. Just wanted to say a big thank you for all of the support the club has given me! Steve

The FOS has sadly become another place to be seen like Henley or Wimbledon. in the early years it was more focused on the cars and drivers were out and about more. i was in the gents when in came Stirling Moss and John Surtees who were either side of me. We were there one year when Paul Stoddard owned Minardi and was there. I was with my FIL and we were invited in to look in the team transporter and workshop. Trying to keep him from breaking things( think Uncle Albert only fools and horses) as he was picking things up one of which was the carbon fibre steering wheel valued £30k like a child would, but that was the access you had and they were happy to talk to enthusiasts as that was in the main the people there. i agree modern F1 cars are a shadow of the theatre that the V10 era gave us,

Silverstone festival coming up August Bank Hol is another good opportunity to see these fire breathing historic F1 cars 😍 WSCC last year: Me in Pits last year close enough to enjoy the fumes!!!!

Just thinking we should at least say hello if a number of us go next year. Not sure I can but would certainly like to so I’ll pop something up before to see who is there and when.

Yep, the V10 is the daddy of all F1 engine sounds, absolutely ear shattering but totally beautiful ❤️

I'd love to go one of these years, but I think it's become something you need to plan a year in advance and there's always something in the way.

I've still got windrawal symptoms from our great Euroblat - it's quite a shock when you've been Westfielding all day for 12 days in a row with great company and scenery to suddenly be back home/work and no Westfielding, hence it was great to get out yesterday with the Peaky Gang! @Julie Hall - WSCC AO Representative never fails to deliver and mananged to help bring back great Euroblat members by combining key obstacles, namely lycra louts, swinger boxes and mobile toilets all into the run at the same point!

It turned out not to be too wet today. Some drizzle, but no real rain. We managed 4 cars instead of the 9 booked in, but I totally understand why some didn't make it. The organisers must have been devastated after the previous sunny years.

Looking dry so yes, I’ll be there.

More info on the events calendar below and in current WW mag 👍

The original poster @Greenstreak-Andy D wrongly assumed all would know all about this great event which doesn't help attract new comers to the event. Hence Hopefully next year, he'll advertise is better 😉 For me personally 'the gloss' has gone off the event as it was originally free for as many kits for the whole weekend and now it's paid and limited in numbers for car clubs. Thanks for sharing a good idea.

Gotta say guys it sounds interesting and is obviously popular but after reading all the posts I still have no idea what this event actually is! So for others like me who have never been or even heard of it, here's a link to the info.... https://www.oultonpark.co.uk/2024/july/gold-cup

The M25 yesterday between J10 & 11. Closed for new bridge at J10.

Just a quick update on the East meets West breakfast run planned for next month, breakfast at the Chalet Cowfold Current list and availability. East Duncan 11/8 and 25/8 OK AndyF 11/8 and 25/8 OK Mike 25/8 only Richard 11/8 and 25/8 OK West Martin 11/8 OK, 25/8 (need to be back for lunch!) SteveB 11/8 X , 25/8 OK GarethS09 11/8 OK, 25/8 OK IBakes 11/8OK, 25/8 ?? IanT 25/8 OK Richard 25/8 OK David J 25/8 OK Probably easiest if you DM me if you are interested in tagging along and I will edit and maintain the list. cheers, Martin

Just for those not in the WhatsApp group - 5 Westies (4 7's and Marks 11) at Anstey today. Nice to meet everyone. We bumped into John from Wokingham with a green sew with a twin cam. For all these years I thought mine was an 'only child' 😆

Looks like you had a great day 😎 sorry to have missed it 🥺 but travelling back home from Cornwall . Here is our food picture I knew the exhaust was not just to look pretty, it’s a pasty warmer 🤣

Good to see @BugMan Steve’s car aka Lewis (LWS) back on the road 😎

Great drive out - caught in rain on way home ! Some of Mo's pictures that were not blurred😁.

I just hit this milestone on a early morning blat today. 3200 miles of that I have done in the last 14 months.

Chin straps! I use these. You get two sets. I can personally guarantee if attached correctly they are safe into 3 figure mph speeds 😂 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/332594937195?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=kcLl8Z8RSAe&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=QRblEOOHQaG&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY When not strapped under the chin they lay nicely across the peak where it joins the main part of the cap. I tried for years to get my McLaren F1 cap to stay on, no hope. Lost it and recovered it at least 6 times (can you tell? 😁) before finally tethering it. Tried all sorts of caps and hats with peaks (has to have one or the sun blinds me), elastic bands, ear defenders (which just blew off as well) none of which really worked when the speed got high. Then I remembered I had a brand new Vodafone cap still in it's bag. I had stupidity assumed it would be the same as the McLaren one, wrong! I found that even a small variation in the type of cap can make all the difference. It fits better and stays on because the rear strap sits just below the lump on the back of your skull whereas the other cap sat on or just above it and that made all the difference! With any peaked cap if you have an aeroscreen like I do and look up at the sky doing 60+mph you are asking for trouble, unless you are very short! I still use the chin straps though as then I KNOW 100% it won't fly off. I also have it tethered just in case.

Fortunately not. Was a bit concerned it might bottom out the suspension but it was fine. Tyres were pretty close to the arches! 😱

https://www.carbuilder.com/uk/extra-small-indoor-car-cover-34m In case anyone is looking for one. It's just thin material, but good enough to keep the dust off during the winter. Nice snug fit, so I don't see it getting blown about if the doors are open. Trial fit whilst I'm away from some much needed

At the Powderham Historic Vehicle Gathering today, between rain showers!

Day 12 - Mon 8th July 2024 - Hulll to Home Might even get home dry! We're not the only ones with stickers earned Soon off the boat and into Hull morning chaos. 'Eskimo' @Jim cunliffe not managed to shake the BAC Mono off his tail yet.............. @Tim.Coles needed to head south to work in the Afternoon. @Si.Dalziel, @Jim cunliffe and I headed towards the Cardingsheds. Another drink for the cars and the team was splitting up further, change of plans. My vintage shorts- lots of history! Car emptied and cleaned off. Put back in the toybox.

Day 11 - Sun 7th July 2024- Duesseldorf to Rotterdam Porka, needs some help and a rubber block to get off. I didn't. Checking the car over this weekend, shows otherwise 🤦‍♂️ A little bit of traffic to avoid getting to our first stop in the Netherlands. We didn't get very far, the OAP needed more Coffee! https://www.bevrijdendevleugels.nl/ Another drink for the cars, but no Ice Cream as the shop was shut on a Sunday😂 Back on the big boat. A BAC Mono has joined us The last beers, to celebrate an Epic trip. We scraped a lowly joint 3rd in the quiz! It's quite apt that the onboard entertainment is called 'No drama'. We've had none all trip😃 Luckily I can handle my drink and no photos/videos exist of me clowning about in international waters ............

Day 10 - Sat 6th July 2024 - Großglockner Hochalpenstraße Pass and back to Innsbruck Since arriving at this hotel, we've only turned left out of the carpark and @Si.Dalziel was itching to drive the roads to the right, so as we left the hotel, he's dreams were made true. Heading for the blue bits Some stunning blue scenery More nice blue bits ahead Not exactly the widest roads, so it was good to have a local buffer in front of Tango Leader @Si.Dalziel Honda's leading the way as usual 😉 The signs aren't wrong, @Si.Dalziel may get freckles! Some more motion lotion. As we'd approached the pass, signs warned of cycle race and a road closure for 1.5 hours. Will we make it in time? We made it up to the top and down the opposite side just before the race started. So parked up and took in some lunch whilst the lycra clad loonies raced. It's hard enough pedalling our cars up and down these tight passes, never mind on a push bike. Total respect too them! The sausage of a wild boar More drive by 'Spray freckle booth' opportunities The Honda sang well over that pass Another round of drinks for the cars. Parked up ready for our pre train meal just 15 mins from the station in Innsbruck. Another excelent, light snack. Another glug for the cars and some sleeping juice purchased ready for boarding the 'Tenko Express' which will no doubt have been thoughtly pre-heated during this gloriously sunny day in Europe. Getting ready to load. Only the 2nd car on after all the bikes. There's not much room either side of the Porsche's wheels is there! Goodbye Austria, you've been great as always! Rather than stand on the platform waiting for the train, this year's new recruits came up with the great idea of taking in some sleeping juice in a bar in the station, which has the added bonus of making it harder for the train loading staff finding me to mither about my open car not being completely empty (I'd loaded all my belongs into Si's driver's seat and footwell any how!). There was a certain football match on as well and I endured watching the last 20 mins or so including mard-A*** time too. @Si.Dalziel assumed his normal seated location in readiness for his bedtime story........................ Here's a short update on well, er, my shorts!

Day 9 - Fri 5th July 2024 - Passo Giau & The Three Peaks of Lavaredo Another peaky breakfast (well my third plate was cakes). Another pass blatted. Bambi for dinner! The three Peaks of Lavaredo, are heafty hike from the car park here, so we didn't bother! - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tre_Cime_di_Lavaredo Yet another Coffee for @Jim cunliffe Is this Doc Brown, of back to the Future fame?

Day 8 -Thu 4th July 2024- Galleria Passo San Boldo I awoke early, so crept out of the 'snore cave' and headed out for a run, which was also to reccy the area for somewhere to eat in the evening. Despite it being early, there was still a lot of traffic on the roads and there was no footpath, so I was at risk fo being squished between vehicles and armcco or rock faces, so I took off down a side road and found a nice route along side this beautful reservoir. I ended up doing slightly more miles than expected and hence was out longer and I didn't want the others thinking I'd be late for breakfast etc, so I sent my live location in Whatsapp, so they could see I was heading back- I was rewarded with being filmed! The car's were slighlty damp and good to see @Jim cunliffe up and raring to go as always. I'd earned a peaky breakfast! The forecast was promising. Another McCoffee stop for @Jim cunliffe We'll try the cream coloured pump, what could possibly go wrong 😉 ]] It's just terrible when TomTom show's the roads ahead 😉 A bagpuss coloured Biker Chic, wanted to try my car on for size. She paid by fitting Pass stickers to our cars for us, (Just like being at Pagani 😉 !) We stopped on the way for a quick photo shoot Still only pizza 1.0 each @Stu Faulkner 'Boosted brothers' for life

Day 7 - Wed 3rd July 2024- Pfunds, Austria to the Dolomites - via Passo Karer, Passo Sella and Passo Gardenaielerhoehe @Jim cunliffe all ready to roll and @Tim.Coles all ready to start '10 bag Jenga' 😂 @Si.Dalziel demonstrated his steering wheel remote start function also comes with a 'jump and grab the handbrake' function to avoid kissing the car in front. Nearly as close as some of 'Eskimo' @Jim cunliffe overtakes! About to leave the hotel. More dodgy weather forecast! Terrible traffic and views, as usual. A different flavour of 'motion lotion', no Shell in these parts of Italy- but still 100 RON 😎 A German Swinger box enthusiast having a test fit in @Jim cunliffe's car. A twelve year old fuel attendant had filled all our cars. He's finished school for the summer and spoke excelent English. It soon warmed up. A quick 'wild wee' stop on the Passo Karer to admire the mobile toilets struggle round hairpins 😉 The cars are thirsty again. @Jim cunliffe cautiously seeking a place for a 'wild wee' after my OMV Austrian experience. Still on the good stuff. We struggled to find high octane fuel in 2023, when two of the cars needed it (the 'boosted brothers' @Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman and @Stu Faulkner) However with some reseach and help from our Italian members @mTT97 & @LoneWolf I'd used various Q8 and AGIP apps to identify suitable stations and checked with Google Street View to ensure they weren't fibbing. This generally worked well, though we did find one station that should have had high octane and the pumps were taped up. Non of the cars on this trip needed high octane but they run better on it. We've arrived at our next hotel for 3 nights. More stickers aquired. It's going to be cosy in here, the 4th bed is arrowed. The bar didn't open until 6, so we had to check in and shower before our first beer! After Dinner we decided to inspect the Italian version of speed camera's which have been nicknamed 'Hedley hidey holes' after @HB46443 We doubt a single one we say actually had a camera in and many you could see straight through! Surely they'd be much easier to sabatage being so low?

Day 6 - Tue 2nd July 2024 - Bielerhoehe, Furkajoch, Hochtanberg, Flexen & Arlberg Passes Probably not the best place to stop for a 'wild wee' They were using a radar gun to catch motorists on entering the pass. It's 60kph all the way 🤦‍♂️ I Asked the nice lady officer if she'd have a selfie with me but politely decline. Who can blame her! They said we were slightly fast but they'd not flagged us down. We'll have to try harder. Luckily we'd got a Sport 250 leading us today. https://www.silvretta-bielerhoehe.at/de/Silvretta-Hochalpenstrasse The SilvretteStausee @Jim cunliffe has found another coffee A further sticker awarded. @Jim cunliffe was tempted to upgrafe to a Motability scooter with a merkin seat cover, but they wanted too much cash + the Sport 250. After buying some rather expensive OMV fuel from an unmanned service station. I took a 'wild wee' discretely down thr side of the garage as arrowed. Only to be on the receving end of a torrent of racist abuse from the owner from the windows arrowed. Apparently this happens six times a day and I should have rang the bell to use the toilet (no sign to advise as much). The Dirty Ingerlander wasn't tought any manners at school. Nothing is going to grow there now, apparently. I stopped mid wee and he continued the abuse from the other window. I've left a nice review on google maps for him. This fella blocked the pump for ages too. More Vpower Racing More stickers awarded. A final visit to the duty free petrol station in Switzerland before we move to the Dolomites in the morning. No 1.5 Pizza's each this year @Stu Faulkner 😂

Day 5 - Mon 1st July 2024 - Stevlio and Umbrail Pass A moist start to the day. Let's not look at the Forecast. We've snook out of the hotel early, but still managed a full breakfast, even though it doesn't start till 7:30am. The early start was worth it, we only had one or two cars to deal with on the way up. We 'found' a biker from the USA who'd rented a bike in Germany and was going to join us for the run down the Umbrail pass. We didn't need fuel at the bottom of the Umbrail pass in Switzerland, so we drove back up it and down the other side of Stelvio into Bormio, Italy and took some fuel there. After a short coffee break for @Jim cunliffe we headed back up Stevlio and down the otherside in rather heavy rain back towards Austria. Another visit to our favorite duty free petrol shop. @Jim cunliffe Turbo Snail I let you draw your own conclusions as to how the Honda boys are parked up first and havn't got their bonnets off 😉 @Jim cunliffe even got a merkin seat in the hotel!

Day 4 - Sun 30th June 2024- The Kaunertaler Pass https://www.kaunertaler-gletscher.at/ This is a private toll road to the top of a mountain. There's no point driving a light weight car if you don't keep your own weight down, so I woke early and went for a trot. The car's were moist and it was raining slightly, so perfect for running. Eskimo @Jim cunliffe had stuffed his nose into the hedge- Our hotel's down there, somewhere, and I can still hear snoring............ The sun's up and that's the direction we'll be heading. Bagpuss looks to have had a rough night! The team's nearly ready to roll. The results of a great run up the pass. Fresh cow dung! Time to wrap up, it's getting chilly. Team Honda awaiting the Sport 250 boys. More Vpower Racing. And an Ice Cream A brief leg stretch. A squad of German Morgans. Team Sport 250 lagging behind the Honda boys again................... A quick visit into a duty free zone in Switerland along a great road, for yet more Vpower Racing and a few beers. On arrival back at the hotel, there was even less space than the night before. However the helpful owner sent her 78 year old dad out and he took us on a journey round to the back of the hotel and we obtained our own private car park in the Garden! Our rooms opened out into the garden so ideal for loading/unloading each day! Why didn't we find this parking last year! Another great day nearly over.

Day 3 - Sat 29th June 2024 - Innsbruck to Pfunds, via Soelden Day light, noise and movement helped us wake bright and early! We're just a bit NW of Munich. The forecast ahead was looking great, too. Should we be worried? It's not Pulp Fiction, or is it ? When we left Hamburg, the cars were being towed behind us, but by some kind of overnight magic, they were now in front of us! One of the team's toneau cover was only affixed with Vecro as he plans to remove it after the trip and hence didn't wish to drill the body work. He's about to find out if it worked backwards and forwards! Waiting to unload the cars in Innsbruck. As well as the usual mix of tin tops and motor bikes there was a squad of Norwegian's including this McLaren on the top deck. Good to see @Jim cunliffe is well prepared for the Alps with his Merkin seat cover. His love for Mobile Toilet's was become more and more obvious. We briefly assemled in a loading bay, and got all are luggage sorted out, headset's repaired ready for a good day's pass blatting. We're only 30 mins away from the fun stuff. The first pass sticker aquired on the way to Soelden for the 007 Elements museum. Just by magic, I end up in exactly the same colour co-ordinated parking spot as last year 😉 Tickets bough and up we go. Outside the museum After a quick visit to the museum, we took the cable car back down and continued our blatting. The next pass was Timmelsjoch, but no sticker for this one as it was added to the route after the stickers were produced. More fuel and the mandatory ice cream. We arrived at our hotel to find the car park rather busier than last year, but we managed to squeeze in. A quick beer before check in. Cars all covered up for the night.

Day 2 - Fri 28th June 2024- Rotterdam to Hamburg Looks like it's going to be a warm one! Carb loading before we get off- @Jim cunliffe on his first coffee of the day. Waiting to crawl through passport control A little bit of traffic to avoid on our way out of Rotterdam. Given we've got 330 miles to cover to get to Hamburg instead of Duesseldorf, we've got no option but to take the Autobahn. Cars needed a drink. Soon across the border into Germany @Jim cunliffe neeeded a coffee. 1st Sticker of the trip aquired. As Tim's flight landed into Hamburg about 3pm, we advised him to head straight to the train station and check I'd identified the loading area correctly, given we've normally loaded at Duesseldorf previous. We weren't far away at a nearby Shell Station. Vpower Racing 100 Ron, again. It would be rude not too 😉 That's 799 km's covered since leaving home. Don't ask what the highest legal speed we saw on the Autobahn was, all I'm saying at this point is the two Honda's were way in front 😉 @Tim.Coles appeared as we arrived at the station in his business atire and quickly wrestled his car of his son William. A quick team photo. William the 'stand in stunt driver' was then sent home via train and plane to go and work on his Audi S4. We'd suggested joining us for a few days in the Alps at least, though given how 'light' @Tim.Coles travels, it's probably best he didn't! @Si.Dalziel and @Jim cunliffe clearly missed them memo on bringing a cool bag for the trip and didn't want to buy beer at the last Shell station and prefered to buy it just before boarding the train to ensure it's cold. They also ensured it was well shaken too 😉 The first burocracy of the trip occured, when we were asked for our V5's at check in for the train. This has never happened but we've always brough them with us as they are a legal requirement to drive in Europe./ I've always declared the weight of my car as 650kg's(It's actually 647kg) on the train paperwork, but my V5 shows 715kg which I suspect included me! Hence I was fined EUR35! We were then guided onto the station to drive onto the trains, given Hamburg is the end of the line. A fellow traveller filmed us going into the station too, I'll let you work out why they didn't manage to record the two Honda cars, but managed to record the Sport 250's. Cars safely loaded. Though as I don't have a roof, the Train Loaders insist on my entire cockpit being emtpy, so rather than hump it all onto the train @Si.Dalziel kindly allowed me to store in in the driver's footwell and seat, before he fastened down his toneau cover. First beer with Tim. Not sure why Si is drinking Rat Pi55. Each to his own, I guess. But if it helps him sleep on the overnight 'Tenko Express' it's worth a go. We'll wake up for breakfast just before we arrive in Innsbruck.

A little late, however we only found time to provide trip updates via FB whilst on our trip. A week prior to our departure, whilst I was in Germany on a business trip @Tim.Coles sent a message wanting to talk...........It sounded ominous. Tim needed to be in Paris on the Thu night that we were sailing from Hull and asked if he could travel a day later. Yes, for the Ferry but no chance for the train as they are now every two weeks for the route we wanted. Hence plan B was quickly hatched and Tim advised he'd hired a 'stunt' driver, his son William to pedal his car to Hamburg and Tim would fly from Paris to Hamburg to reposses his car. william's never driven his dad's car in EcoBoost form- what could possible go wrong............... Day 1 -Thu 27th June 2024- Home to Hull Here's what I need to take ready for loading. Trip sticker plate fitted. Car loaded up and ready to roll. As expected, everyone's eager to go and we set off from our respective homes earlier than expected. In fairness it's much better to be sat with car friends talking cars than sat at home on your own etc. Though the big boat won't sail any earlier etc. Here's the team's locations as I set off. William and I were meeting at Tagg Lane Dairy in the Peaks which has become our traditional start location and Jim and Si would meet us later on at the Cardingsheds. Given I'd publised our departure, several other members met us along the way which made for a great start to our trip. We were joined at Tagg Lane by @Jakejmagee and his lovely tiger and also @Stu Faulkner a previous Alps veteran. As per the rules, Ice Cream's were consumed @Greenstreak-Andy D As we set off from Tagg lane, we could see Jim and Si already at the Cardingsheds We had a dry and pleasant run there with just a police attended RTA to drive through. @Andy Walker had kindly agreed to meet us on Holmemoss and was standing by a large pot hole in a hi vix coat, to avoid us being damaged. A member of the LRN2 team had lost their sump a week earlier, so we didn't want to repeat. @Marcus Barlow - Show and Events Co-ordinator took the afternoon off work to join us and a nice car focused lunch natter took place. We even found a donor vehicle but the owner wouldn't part with his plate or his car for spares for our trip. We then had a seven car convoy to Hull with Andrew and Marcus Peeling off when they'd had enough. On arrival at the Pub in Hull for tea, we were met by @Geoffrey Carter (Buttercup) & shortly afterwards @AndrewBClarke (sorry, I don't appear to have a pic of your car!). For the 2nd year in a row the pub has been moody about taking orders before 5pm. So we left Andrew, Jake and Geoffrey to dine and we settled for a tesco sandwich on the way to the ferry as we prefered to get boarded and in the bar! I doubt we'll use this pub again. Car's all fueled up ready to board. The first beer of the trip. You see some 'interesting' sights on Ferries! These two fella's were handcuffed together for some reason!

Hi All, Just to mirror my WhatsApp posting This weekend @I Taylor has informed us of a open invitation from the Kent CSC club on Saturday 13th, meeting at the Moat, Wrotham, TN15 7RJ 9:00 ~ 11:30 We also had loose plans about a run taking in the car meet at the Pine Lodge (Bagshot) golf course this Sunday morning and then carrying on down to Alton to drop in on the Classic Car show that @Euan Hoosearmyproposed. https://altonevents.co.uk/events/vehicle-show-and-family-fun-day/ Yet again the weather does not look very promising but its only Tuesday🤞🏻 I was just looking to guage interest in both suggestions so I know where to focus attention. Looking to next month ( either Aug 11th or 25th) we are trying to organise an East meets West in Cowfold with the SKCC members. Cheers Martin