How far have you been in you kit?
Discussion
Le Mans and back in a kit car is more than feasible. Pack carefully (and economically), take as many tools and spares as is reasonable and use the sidescreens (or a crash helmet if you've no windscreen) and you'll be fine. If it rains, just remember that you can only get wet once. Once you're soaked through, it no longer matters! If it's a hot weekend, drive past the camp sites where the crowds will willingly cool you off with their water pistols in return for a wheelspin.
We have done Le Mans in Murtaya and Toniq R. Adam is right if you are in a seven, if it rains just laugh at it and drive on as we did in the torrential down pours last year.
We had a big crowd there (as we will have again this year) so had the luxury of a van as a chase wagon for the cars (also contained marquee, beer kegs and gas system for proper 'on tap' beer and lager experience, bbq, hob, disco lighting and sound system, chairs, dining table, fridge - well you get the picture!).
As for parts, spare fan belt, mousse for tyre repairs, fuses and whatever else you can comfortably fit in are a good idea.
Have a great time, smile wave and beep at anything else with a UK plate!
See you down there.
Neil.
We had a big crowd there (as we will have again this year) so had the luxury of a van as a chase wagon for the cars (also contained marquee, beer kegs and gas system for proper 'on tap' beer and lager experience, bbq, hob, disco lighting and sound system, chairs, dining table, fridge - well you get the picture!).
As for parts, spare fan belt, mousse for tyre repairs, fuses and whatever else you can comfortably fit in are a good idea.
Have a great time, smile wave and beep at anything else with a UK plate!
See you down there.
Neil.
I've done Guildford to Alencon (which is just shy of Le Mans), where my brother lives, several times in various kit cars. I always make sure I've got a small toolkit with me after my first 20 mile trip in the first one just after I'd rebuilt it (and several bolts fell off during the trip)
The first couple of times, I also has AA European cover, but the last time I didn't bother.
The first couple of times, I also has AA European cover, but the last time I didn't bother.
Did 80,000 miles in 4 years in a GTM Libra 1.6. Can't say I would recommend it though lol.
It did all sorts, round trips to London in a day from Wales etc... think the longest day was a 600+ mile trip... with a tank that only did 200 miles a go I visited a petrol station 4 times in the end! And yes the next day drove some more and went to a petrol station
The only thing that stopped it doing more was diesel on a corner near a petrol station... well suppose it was more the three visits to a hedge and a curb that finished
One day will return but not as my main car this time!
Bron
I have visited France / Belgium / Switzerland and Germany 9 times in my various kit cars.
This summer 7 of us are doing a monster kit-car trip, touring France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Monaco. I am doing it in my R1 Phoenix with no doors, windscreen or roof. Another R1 Fury and a Caterham R400-and-a-bit-more are also taking part. We will be taking in every major Alp pass, inc. Stelvio Pass, several Monte Carlo rally stages including the Col du Turini, the Mount Venteux Hillclimb, Milau Bridge and the Monte Carlo Grand Prix circuit. I see no reason why you cannot drive halfway round the world in a kit as long as you have correct clothing and the car is maintained properly. Certainly it is no more drastic than going on a big motorbike. Touch wood, apart from writing one car off completely in a mad aquaplaning incident in a storm (!), none of us have ever had any significant mechanical problems, even doing trackdays out there. Preperation is the key, the donor mechanicals are usually from mainstream cars developed by massive companies with massive budgets so they SHOULD be reliable is screwed together properly.
This summer 7 of us are doing a monster kit-car trip, touring France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Monaco. I am doing it in my R1 Phoenix with no doors, windscreen or roof. Another R1 Fury and a Caterham R400-and-a-bit-more are also taking part. We will be taking in every major Alp pass, inc. Stelvio Pass, several Monte Carlo rally stages including the Col du Turini, the Mount Venteux Hillclimb, Milau Bridge and the Monte Carlo Grand Prix circuit. I see no reason why you cannot drive halfway round the world in a kit as long as you have correct clothing and the car is maintained properly. Certainly it is no more drastic than going on a big motorbike. Touch wood, apart from writing one car off completely in a mad aquaplaning incident in a storm (!), none of us have ever had any significant mechanical problems, even doing trackdays out there. Preperation is the key, the donor mechanicals are usually from mainstream cars developed by massive companies with massive budgets so they SHOULD be reliable is screwed together properly.
Had to post to this thred too..
Living in truro cornwall, have ventured to Le mans 2006 and going again this year in my Tiger Cat..
http://www.swtoc.co.uk/lemans06.php
When you think that a trip to Donnington involved 7 fuel stops EACHWAY! plan any route! my only advice..
Living in truro cornwall, have ventured to Le mans 2006 and going again this year in my Tiger Cat..
http://www.swtoc.co.uk/lemans06.php
When you think that a trip to Donnington involved 7 fuel stops EACHWAY! plan any route! my only advice..
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