Thanks to PistonHeads
Discussion
Thought I’d write about my weekend’s events courtesy of PH to show my appreciation to them.
My motoring weekend actually started Thursday evening. After securing a spot on the list to the WRC on Friday I decided to drive up to sweet lamb the night before. It was over three hours and over 150 miles there, so you would probably expect me to say I took a modern hatchback or alike but no… I took my old mk2 fiesta. You are now probably thinking “what was this guy thinking” or “he needs help” I too can understand your thinking
! But I maintain the car well and I had full faith it would make the journey there… well I was 80% confident.
I set off just after 7pm, driving into the night with only a pair of candles lighting the roads and it was still unknown if the destination would be made
. The first half of the journey was rather dull and no not just because of the headlights I may add but also because the roads were mainly dual carriageways and motorways. The second part of the journey was more interesting. Fantastic winding roads with bends that could easily catch you out… luckily I managed to keep all the power of my 1117cc ohv in the fiesta under control and on the road . However I did have a truly scary experience, it was around 9.30 and I was only doing around 45mph but I was going round a bend somewhere in the heart of Wales when I came across a person walking along my side of the road dressed completely in dark clothing holding their thumb out. I still don’t know how I missed them but I nearly did give them a lift to somewhere they probably didn’t want to go 
. Now nearing sweet lamb I came across a sign warning of sheep, I crossed the cattle grid and was immediately greeted with a number of sheep in the road, thankfully they had more sense than any pheasant I’ve come across before and moved away from the car instead of towards it.
At last the lights of the entrance to Sweet Lamb, the old car made it in one piece! Once parked up I made the luxurious and spacious back seats into a five star hotel. Surprisingly it was actually quite comfortable and warm.
Morning broke… the forecast was saying it was going to be dry during the days leading up to the event however I know the welsh weather can be rather unpredictable so I was prepared and thankfully I was because it was rather wet and misty. Fully kitted in waterproofs I made my way down to the spectator area around 8am. Coffee in hand I made my way over to the PH gazebo, there was a great bunch of PHer’s and of course the PH team to talk to. More members turned up and it was time to watch the WRC guys in action.
Sweet Lamb was a great place to watch from as the views were fantastic of the cars coming into and leaving the bowl. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a Friday, the sights and sounds of WRC cars sliding through the welsh hillsides was brilliant. Ogier was dominant and set the pace on the first run through. After the WRC competitors went through it was time for the national rally. It was a real mix from mk1 escorts to a rwd Peugeot 306 with plenty of other in between. A couple of highlights apart from the escorts was the V8 Vauxhall of Jimmy McRae and a Datsun 260z. After lunch it was time to watch the second and final run through for WRC cars. By this time the rain was still coming down but the hard core spectators didn’t care, its part of the tradition of rally GB along with the mud. It wouldn’t be the same without it! The second run through was equally as impressive. I headed for home after the main WRC competitors went through.
A couple of videos as well
https://flic.kr/p/NzWjZk
https://flic.kr/p/NxnQuw
Now out of my rather wet and muddy waterproofs in the safe comfort of the fiesta it was time to turn the heater up full and warm up on the drive home. The drive home went without problems. A different route through Wales sent me on some more stunning roads with equally stunning scenery. Having a low flying RAF Hercules heading towards me through the mist was a sight I’ll remember! The fiesta did well and soaked up the miles with ease, it’s surprisingly nice to drive on long journeys.
After the Big Wales trip the drive to Alexandra Palace for the Classic and Sports Car show was a relatively short 160 mile round trip for the fiesta. I arrived at the rather foggy SS car park just after 9am and there was already many stunning cars filling the carpark. The E28 M535i was one of many stunning cars in attendance, it made me feel guilty for parking my old rusty Ford with so many nice cars.
Once inside it was time to look at some stunning classic and some modern vehicles. Not sure of the artists name but briefly spoke to them when they were sketching the DB5, he showed us some of his previous sketches which were very impressive. I remember the art lessons at school where I dreamed of being able to draw, unsurprisingly I can barely draw a stick man today let alone a car ! Out of every car in the show though, there was only one that I really would love to experience. The Ferrari F40, I know there was a lot of other stunning car like the Ferrari 250 and Mclaren F1 to name a couple but there’s something about an F40, it proportioned perfectly and I can’t imagine what it’s like to experience that engine. I know it would have nothing on a modern hyper car but it looks a damn sight better in my opinion.
After having a good look around it was time to head for home, another great SS. Arrived home without problem and after writing this dull thread it’s nearly time to watch the F1 to round out a great weekend.
Thanks to PH for the tickets and hospitality at both events, also to all the fellow forum members that make these events fun and friendly to attend.
Also this weekend the fiesta has served me well, lots of miles covered and it held up. Bangernomics does make sense… sometimes!
(sorry for the poor quality pics)
Regards,
Matt
My motoring weekend actually started Thursday evening. After securing a spot on the list to the WRC on Friday I decided to drive up to sweet lamb the night before. It was over three hours and over 150 miles there, so you would probably expect me to say I took a modern hatchback or alike but no… I took my old mk2 fiesta. You are now probably thinking “what was this guy thinking” or “he needs help” I too can understand your thinking
! But I maintain the car well and I had full faith it would make the journey there… well I was 80% confident. I set off just after 7pm, driving into the night with only a pair of candles lighting the roads and it was still unknown if the destination would be made
. The first half of the journey was rather dull and no not just because of the headlights I may add but also because the roads were mainly dual carriageways and motorways. The second part of the journey was more interesting. Fantastic winding roads with bends that could easily catch you out… luckily I managed to keep all the power of my 1117cc ohv in the fiesta under control and on the road . However I did have a truly scary experience, it was around 9.30 and I was only doing around 45mph but I was going round a bend somewhere in the heart of Wales when I came across a person walking along my side of the road dressed completely in dark clothing holding their thumb out. I still don’t know how I missed them but I nearly did give them a lift to somewhere they probably didn’t want to go . Now nearing sweet lamb I came across a sign warning of sheep, I crossed the cattle grid and was immediately greeted with a number of sheep in the road, thankfully they had more sense than any pheasant I’ve come across before and moved away from the car instead of towards it. At last the lights of the entrance to Sweet Lamb, the old car made it in one piece! Once parked up I made the luxurious and spacious back seats into a five star hotel. Surprisingly it was actually quite comfortable and warm.
Morning broke… the forecast was saying it was going to be dry during the days leading up to the event however I know the welsh weather can be rather unpredictable so I was prepared and thankfully I was because it was rather wet and misty. Fully kitted in waterproofs I made my way down to the spectator area around 8am. Coffee in hand I made my way over to the PH gazebo, there was a great bunch of PHer’s and of course the PH team to talk to. More members turned up and it was time to watch the WRC guys in action.
Sweet Lamb was a great place to watch from as the views were fantastic of the cars coming into and leaving the bowl. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a Friday, the sights and sounds of WRC cars sliding through the welsh hillsides was brilliant. Ogier was dominant and set the pace on the first run through. After the WRC competitors went through it was time for the national rally. It was a real mix from mk1 escorts to a rwd Peugeot 306 with plenty of other in between. A couple of highlights apart from the escorts was the V8 Vauxhall of Jimmy McRae and a Datsun 260z. After lunch it was time to watch the second and final run through for WRC cars. By this time the rain was still coming down but the hard core spectators didn’t care, its part of the tradition of rally GB along with the mud. It wouldn’t be the same without it! The second run through was equally as impressive. I headed for home after the main WRC competitors went through.
A couple of videos as well
https://flic.kr/p/NzWjZk
https://flic.kr/p/NxnQuw
Now out of my rather wet and muddy waterproofs in the safe comfort of the fiesta it was time to turn the heater up full and warm up on the drive home. The drive home went without problems. A different route through Wales sent me on some more stunning roads with equally stunning scenery. Having a low flying RAF Hercules heading towards me through the mist was a sight I’ll remember! The fiesta did well and soaked up the miles with ease, it’s surprisingly nice to drive on long journeys.
After the Big Wales trip the drive to Alexandra Palace for the Classic and Sports Car show was a relatively short 160 mile round trip for the fiesta. I arrived at the rather foggy SS car park just after 9am and there was already many stunning cars filling the carpark. The E28 M535i was one of many stunning cars in attendance, it made me feel guilty for parking my old rusty Ford with so many nice cars.
Once inside it was time to look at some stunning classic and some modern vehicles. Not sure of the artists name but briefly spoke to them when they were sketching the DB5, he showed us some of his previous sketches which were very impressive. I remember the art lessons at school where I dreamed of being able to draw, unsurprisingly I can barely draw a stick man today let alone a car
! Out of every car in the show though, there was only one that I really would love to experience. The Ferrari F40, I know there was a lot of other stunning car like the Ferrari 250 and Mclaren F1 to name a couple but there’s something about an F40, it proportioned perfectly and I can’t imagine what it’s like to experience that engine. I know it would have nothing on a modern hyper car but it looks a damn sight better in my opinion. After having a good look around it was time to head for home, another great SS. Arrived home without problem and after writing this dull thread it’s nearly time to watch the F1 to round out a great weekend.
Thanks to PH for the tickets and hospitality at both events, also to all the fellow forum members that make these events fun and friendly to attend.
Also this weekend the fiesta has served me well, lots of miles covered and it held up. Bangernomics does make sense… sometimes!
(sorry for the poor quality pics)
Regards,
Matt
Well done fella, same applies to me, about 240 miles started 11pm Thursday got there at 3.45am, also
had a sheep near miss, got very damp and sloped off slightly early for another 240 miles got home at
8.30pm.
Much shorter drive this morning about 25 miles through suburbia, top down ,foggy but not cold, stayed
nearly 4 hours today and drove home in the muddy Fiat.
Best weekend of the year.....almost.
Sorry, weekend in Italy with Mille Miglia and Moto GP at Mugello has to trump it.
had a sheep near miss, got very damp and sloped off slightly early for another 240 miles got home at
8.30pm.
Much shorter drive this morning about 25 miles through suburbia, top down ,foggy but not cold, stayed
nearly 4 hours today and drove home in the muddy Fiat.
Best weekend of the year.....almost.
Sorry, weekend in Italy with Mille Miglia and Moto GP at Mugello has to trump it.
Iva Barchetta said:
Well done fella, same applies to me, about 240 miles started 11pm Thursday got there at 3.45am, also
had a sheep near miss, got very damp and sloped off slightly early for another 240 miles got home at
8.30pm.
Much shorter drive this morning about 25 miles through suburbia, top down ,foggy but not cold, stayed
nearly 4 hours today and drove home in the muddy Fiat.
Best weekend of the year.....almost.
Sorry, weekend in Italy with Mille Miglia and Moto GP at Mugello has to trump it.
Cheers, spotted your little Fiat in the car park today had a sheep near miss, got very damp and sloped off slightly early for another 240 miles got home at
8.30pm.
Much shorter drive this morning about 25 miles through suburbia, top down ,foggy but not cold, stayed
nearly 4 hours today and drove home in the muddy Fiat.
Best weekend of the year.....almost.
Sorry, weekend in Italy with Mille Miglia and Moto GP at Mugello has to trump it.
AdamIndy said:
Sounds like a great weekend matt. That little fez is serving you well!
Mark bought an ST170 this week so I spent yesterday lay under that. I should have came with you after all!
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