Rallye des Jonquilles 2014

[LordBretSinclair]

benjj said:

As Mike said, from 11am is bang on. We'll be leaving by 11.45am so time for a coffee and piss before the train.

The latest check in isn't until 1250 - isn't 1145 a bit early then ??????????

Edited by LordBretSinclair on Thursday 27th March 18:26

[benjj]

LordBretSinclair said:

benjj said:

As Mike said, from 11am is bang on. We'll be leaving by 11.45am so time for a coffee and piss before the train.

The latest check in isn't until 1250 - isn't 1145 a bit early then ??????????

Edited by LordBretSinclair on Thursday 27th March 18:26

Large group of old competition cars
+
Plenty of time
=
The best idea

(in my experience )

[benjj]

EN ROUTE MEET-UP

As mentioned above everyone on the 1320 crossing is very welcome to meet up ahead of time at the Folkestone Services at Jct 11 on the M20. This is just 10 mins or so to the tunnel terminal and we'll probably be rolling away from the services at about 11.45am ish. I'll aim to arrive at the services for 11am but will be making an early morning run down from the Yorkshire Dales so may be a few mins either side. If anyone else is making the trip down from the north and wants to pony down together just drop me a PM. I'll be rocking Harrogate - A1/A1M - M25 - M20.

DINNER BOOKING

Ok, not a huge take up for a dinner booking, perhaps everyone is more concerned with getting on the outside of a few continental lagers than putting a nose-bag on.

Anyway, I think possibly best if we let this specific idea gently drift away. I'll certainly get a scoff, probably in the bar we've discussed already, but we'll let a formal booking go.

DRINKING

I'll be in (probably outside smoking) a bar on the Place des Heros called Au Bureau (http://www.au-bureau.fr/) from around 1800 on Saturday evening and will be there until I fall over.

Misc

Remember to pack all your FR specific stuff: GB sticker, hi-viz vest for each passenger (accessible from inside the car), warning triangle etc. Breathalysers are no longer required. SatNav equipment with laser/speed camera monitoring equipment is strictly verboten and can lead to big fines. I also pack a little file with colour photocopies of my car's V5, insurance cover note and MOT. Not strictly required but it does often encourage an inquisitive Gendarme to fk off pronto when I'm in a rush End of lecture.

[LordBretSinclair]

Thanks Ben,

we're coming across from deepest Devon and will have to leave at silly o'clock - will aim to get to the services before your planned leaving time. If not, see you at check in.

really looking forward to this, let's hope the weather is good!!

[sunbeam alpine]

Just booked a room at the "Hotel Moderne". Anyone going to the reception or is it by invitation only? (Haven't heard anything from Bruno on this one).

Would also be up for meeting for a meal (sorry - neglected the thread for a while!).

[Rochester TVR]

Just changed our Eurotunnel booking to the 13:20 so we'll join up with those of you meeting at the services at 11am.

Cheers
Lee

[benjj]

PARKING

I see that the Ibis doesn't have private parking so I asked Bruno for his suggestion. He recommended "Centre Européen Atria" on Boulevard Carnot. It is underground and guarded so a good place for the motors overnight.

It is a 5 minute walk back to the Ibis. I'll be sticking the car there. €10.50 for 24 hours.

He reminded me that the parking on the Place des Héros (where we start/finish) is closed on Sundays so don't get caught out under there or you may be stranded

[benjj]

You won't beach the car on these roads, not a concern.

You've got my mobile, give me a buzz. I expect to get to Arras for mid afternoon, check in, grab a packet of Galoise and settle in at Au Bureau for le duration.

[sunbeam alpine]

Has anyone received any contact from Bruno with instructions/start times/places etc.?

[Rochester TVR]

No emails but their website now has the timings on.

[benjj]

Get your crew and car onto Place des Heros on Sun morning, go and sign on (will be signposted), warm the car up, go

I like to have a tinker with the car and properly warm it up before the start so I'll probably be on the Place by about 0745 on the Sunday morning.

[sunbeam alpine]

We're heading down from Belgium on Saturday as well. Will look out for you at the café.

Should we have some kind of secret sign?

[benjj]

I'll be wearing a skin-tight Union Flag jumpsuit and cape, you won't miss me.

[sunbeam alpine]

benjj said:

I'll be wearing a skin-tight Union Flag jumpsuit and cape, you won't miss me.

If I wear my jockstrap and waders, we'll blend in perfectly!

[benjj]

Nice!

What I will do in reality is print out a large A4 Pistonheads logo which I'll leave on our table at the bar so everyone knows which on is ours.

[Rochester TVR]

sunbeam alpine said:

benjj said:

I'll be wearing a skin-tight Union Flag jumpsuit and cape, you won't miss me.

If I wear my jockstrap and waders, we'll blend in perfectly!

[Rochester TVR]

benjj said:

Nice!

What I will do in reality is print out a large A4 Pistonheads logo which I'll leave on our table at the bar so everyone knows which on is ours.

Even though the formal dinner booking was cancelled, I've booked a table for me and my old man for 7pm (im going to change this to 8pm I think) in case the place gets busy. Same place you mentioned before. Anyone that wants to join us in welcome.

Also because I'm a sad bd I thought make a list to see who is meeting us at the Folkstone Services at 11am and going on the 13:20 Chunnel crossing.

Rochester TVR - Cerbera
Benj - Porsche 944
Keepitstiff - Hillman Avenger Tiger
LordBrettSinclair - MG

Anyone else?

[sunbeam alpine]

Rochester TVR said:

Even though the formal dinner booking was cancelled, I've booked a table for me and my old man for 7pm (im going to change this to 8pm I think) in case the place gets busy. Same place you mentioned before. Anyone that wants to join us in welcome.

Also because I'm a sad bd I thought make a list to see who is meeting us at the Folkstone Services at 11am and going on the 13:20 Chunnel crossing.

Rochester TVR - Cerbera
Benj - Porsche 944
Keepitstiff - Hillman Avenger Tiger

Anyone else?

We'll join you for dinner if that's OK - Sunbeam Alpine + 1

[LordBretSinclair]

Rochester TVR said:

Even though the formal dinner booking was cancelled, I've booked a table for me and my old man for 7pm (im going to change this to 8pm I think) in case the place gets busy. Same place you mentioned before. Anyone that wants to join us in welcome.

Also because I'm a sad bd I thought make a list to see who is meeting us at the Folkstone Services at 11am and going on the 13:20 Chunnel crossing.

Rochester TVR - Cerbera
Benj - Porsche 944
Keepitstiff - Hillman Avenger Tiger
LordBrettSinclair - MG

Anyone else?

8pm dinner for Lady S and myself would be excellent, thanks

[Rochester TVR]

Right we have a table of 10 booked for 8pm. here; http://www.au-bureau.fr/ Ben, ironically this is what you suggested all along... anyways, I've included you and your navman. So that makes 8 of us with space for 2 more. Keepitstiff will you be joining us?

Dinner at 8pm
Rochester TVR - 2
LordBretSinclair - 2
Sunbeam Alpine - 2
Benj - 2


Ben,

I've just been reading over your instructions for the nav etc and have a few questions...

I assume the distances are in km? I'll be judging distances by the TVRs odometer which is in miles... (probably not very accurate) would I be allowed to use some kind of distance recording app on my phone? Do you have any other ideas? Whats everyone else doing for this?

You mention that there may be questions / tasks we need to complete during the day. Place names of photos etc...

Basically I don't speak / read a single word of French, are the roadbooks also available in English to help us understand what we need to do?

Whats the deal with 'Rallye des Jonquilles' stickers? I've seen on a Youtube video that some cars have them, some don't...

Also, I thought it might be of interest but there is a TOTAL Garage just down the road from the underground carpark in Arras. I'll be filling back up when we arrive on Saturday as I'll need a full tank for sunday.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps?q=petrol+station&amp...

Lastly the weather is looking good! Dry at least.
http://www.accuweather.com/en/fr/arras/135568/week...