RE: PH does the Alps
Discussion
West4x4 said:
Did Alps las year in a rover P4 with a 200tdi land rover turbo diesel fitted. Did petite st bernard and cormet de rose lend amazing roads
had a little incident on cornet de roselend with a van driver on our side of the road meaning this happened
That's fantastic. Love the conversion - I bet it made it into a really useable classic.had a little incident on cornet de roselend with a van driver on our side of the road meaning this happened
Was it totally knackered after the "tilt"? Any pics of "after"? Shame really - I do like that.
Was a amazing motor fast and frugal and very comfy. It didn't really roll more flop onto its side we hit the bank on inside avoiding the van and fell over. Damage was bent steering arm and pushed the B pillar out of line meaning doors wouldn't open and once open wouldn't stay shut. Some feindly german bikers pushed back over and we limped into Bourg san Marice to camp up and do some repairs. witht he aid of a ratchet strap and lump hammer
Made it all way home with no problems even did a lap of the Nurburgring
Made it all way home with no problems even did a lap of the Nurburgring
The Pits said:
Some myth debunking needed here.
1. You can drive a Caterham to the Alps. It's really not that arduous at all. I drove one without a windscreen to Le Mans and back so a Caterham with screen and weather gear would be fine. Yes they are cramped but not uncomfortable. Much faster and much more enjoyable than trailering anyway.
2. GT3/2 at the 'ring? Really? Fine if you're Walter Rohl but for mere mortals something smaller, lighter and narrower gives you what you need most at the 'ring - more margin for error.
I. Not so sure nowadays - but then I'm an old fart now.1. You can drive a Caterham to the Alps. It's really not that arduous at all. I drove one without a windscreen to Le Mans and back so a Caterham with screen and weather gear would be fine. Yes they are cramped but not uncomfortable. Much faster and much more enjoyable than trailering anyway.
2. GT3/2 at the 'ring? Really? Fine if you're Walter Rohl but for mere mortals something smaller, lighter and narrower gives you what you need most at the 'ring - more margin for error.
2. Totally agree. Find myself being more and more drawn to simpler, lighter more 'fun' machinery these days. I've raced at The 'Ring and have been happy to 'put it on the line' in some quick stuff but I wouldn't call it 'fun'.
Found this article really inspiring, and timely, having just invested in a small motorhome which will be towing the Caterham over to the Alps etc., a couple of times later this year. Ok nothing will beat blasting the Fezza up and down some famous passes but on the limit(ish) good honest fun is easier to find in simpler toys IMHO.
West4x4 said:
Did Alps las year in a rover P4 with a 200tdi land rover turbo diesel fitted. Did petite st bernard and cormet de rose lend amazing roads
had a little incident on cornet de roselend with a van driver on our side of the road meaning this happened
had a little incident on cornet de roselend with a van driver on our side of the road meaning this happened
You've just trumped any supercar pic for style there!
As everyone else is doing it:
I camped near Bern, then put the pass in to my GPS with shortest route (include trails, much to my confusion when I forgot and ended up on some farm tracks). The bike was handling very badly thanks to too much weight over the back, but probably good as I wasn't going at sports-bike speeds which the bike can handle just about - but not sure if my skill could with the big drops etc!
I camped near Bern, then put the pass in to my GPS with shortest route (include trails, much to my confusion when I forgot and ended up on some farm tracks). The bike was handling very badly thanks to too much weight over the back, but probably good as I wasn't going at sports-bike speeds which the bike can handle just about - but not sure if my skill could with the big drops etc!
West4x4 said:
Was a amazing motor fast and frugal and very comfy. It didn't really roll more flop onto its side we hit the bank on inside avoiding the van and fell over. Damage was bent steering arm and pushed the B pillar out of line meaning doors wouldn't open and once open wouldn't stay shut. Some feindly german bikers pushed back over and we limped into Bourg san Marice to camp up and do some repairs. witht he aid of a ratchet strap and lump hammer
Made it all way home with no problems even did a lap of the Nurburgring
you should have hit the van, i'm sure the rover would have come off very well, my father once dented his bumper writing off a ford cortina.Made it all way home with no problems even did a lap of the Nurburgring
A cracking read.
Had occasion and opportunity to drive a hire car from Tuscany to Auvergne region in France and as my hire car was a BMW 120d, decided to do the Mont Cenis pass yesterday afternoon. No where near as capable as a Caterham and hampered by engine/gearbox reach and poor traction in tight hairpins, but still had a ball.
Just planning a different route back later in the week. Now what's that pass used in the Rallies further south? I know it was featured in EVO recently. Col De Turini?
Had occasion and opportunity to drive a hire car from Tuscany to Auvergne region in France and as my hire car was a BMW 120d, decided to do the Mont Cenis pass yesterday afternoon. No where near as capable as a Caterham and hampered by engine/gearbox reach and poor traction in tight hairpins, but still had a ball.
Just planning a different route back later in the week. Now what's that pass used in the Rallies further south? I know it was featured in EVO recently. Col De Turini?
Thanks all for the shared stories and pics - really been enjoying seeing what else folk have got up to, especially West4x4. Great stuff!
And, in mitigation FestivAli, please bear in mind the fixed camera in the clip doesn't necessarily reflect the actual sight lines from the driving seat. And with a RHD car you have to open them up as and when you can, safely of course. Not about 'the racing line' really. For instance, like I said in the story, you actually get a pretty good view of the road ahead when you're coming up to hairpins by looking over your shoulder before you turn in. Which feels a bit weird at first but does mean you can see what's coming up! But that's not apparent from the camera angle of course.
And, in mitigation FestivAli, please bear in mind the fixed camera in the clip doesn't necessarily reflect the actual sight lines from the driving seat. And with a RHD car you have to open them up as and when you can, safely of course. Not about 'the racing line' really. For instance, like I said in the story, you actually get a pretty good view of the road ahead when you're coming up to hairpins by looking over your shoulder before you turn in. Which feels a bit weird at first but does mean you can see what's coming up! But that's not apparent from the camera angle of course.
Dan Trent said:
like I said in the story, you actually get a pretty good view of the road ahead when you're coming up to hairpins by looking over your shoulder before you turn in. Which feels a bit weird at first but does mean you can see what's coming up!
Indeed, as anybody who's driven on roads would soon realise.It has to be said that craning your neck around to look around the hairpin is easier without a roof/pillars or on 2 wheels.
Brilliant.
I got back from an Alpine jaunt yesterday, and wish I'd done it years ago...
Just me, and my 997 - 2,880 miles in 8 days. I took in the old Gueux Reims GP circuit on the way down, stayed in Monaco (arrived at via the Route Napoleon) then drove the Col de Turini, Col De La Bonnette, Col de L'iseran (down into Val D'Isere), the Petit and Grand St Bernard passes, the St Gotthard, Furka, Grimsel, Susten, San Bernadino, Umbrail and Stelvio, before heading North to Stuttgart.
On Friday I had breakfast at the Porsche museum, lunch at Hockenheim (during a rain-sodden GP practice session), and dinner in my apartment overlooking Adenau at the 'ring.
I managed 3 laps of the Nordschleife/GP circuit during a truncated session on Saturday evening.
I had breakfast on the balcony at Adenau on Sunday, and was at home in Warwickshire 6h45m later for lunch. I somehow found time to take over 700 photo's along the way, and the memories will last forever.
For anyone contemplating something similar, it was an entirely hassle free wonderful experience,, and I'll gladly share route/accomodation information via PM.
I got back from an Alpine jaunt yesterday, and wish I'd done it years ago...
Just me, and my 997 - 2,880 miles in 8 days. I took in the old Gueux Reims GP circuit on the way down, stayed in Monaco (arrived at via the Route Napoleon) then drove the Col de Turini, Col De La Bonnette, Col de L'iseran (down into Val D'Isere), the Petit and Grand St Bernard passes, the St Gotthard, Furka, Grimsel, Susten, San Bernadino, Umbrail and Stelvio, before heading North to Stuttgart.
On Friday I had breakfast at the Porsche museum, lunch at Hockenheim (during a rain-sodden GP practice session), and dinner in my apartment overlooking Adenau at the 'ring.
I managed 3 laps of the Nordschleife/GP circuit during a truncated session on Saturday evening.
I had breakfast on the balcony at Adenau on Sunday, and was at home in Warwickshire 6h45m later for lunch. I somehow found time to take over 700 photo's along the way, and the memories will last forever.
For anyone contemplating something similar, it was an entirely hassle free wonderful experience,, and I'll gladly share route/accomodation information via PM.
Doing an Alps jaunt 12-17 August, me (integrale martini 6) and mate in 2004 imprezza wrx sti.Rough plan is:
1st overnight stop Strasbourg via spa region
heading down to Andermatt via Black Forest
overnight stop in Andermatt to do Furka-Grimsel-Susten (both ways at least once !)
any other interesting roads in the area
head home thursday via Reims etc.
Can't wait now hotels,ferry etc all booked total cost per car inc fuel,food,beer etc approx £650.Feel free to join us if your in the area !
Richard
1st overnight stop Strasbourg via spa region
heading down to Andermatt via Black Forest
overnight stop in Andermatt to do Furka-Grimsel-Susten (both ways at least once !)
any other interesting roads in the area
head home thursday via Reims etc.
Can't wait now hotels,ferry etc all booked total cost per car inc fuel,food,beer etc approx £650.Feel free to join us if your in the area !
Richard
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