Rallye des Jonquilles 2014

[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.

[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.

[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.

[benjj]

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

[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.

[benjj]

Am just up to my elbows in old BMW engine, will reply this eve!

[benjj]

Rochester TVR said:

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?

Yes, all will be in KM. No you can't use special kit! The thing to do is this: on the way down the motorway (in France) you'll see kilometer markers all the way along. Work together and get a specific mileage reading on your tacho. Do this a few times so you make sure it's correct. Then work out the difference factor. When you get your roadbook your nav can quickly work through each using your difference factor to write in the distances in miles. There is only 3 sections so won't take that long. All part of it I'm afraid!

Rochester TVR said:

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?

No worries there, everything in both languages.

Rochester TVR said:

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

At signing on you'll be given the RdJ rally plaque and a couple of cable ties. Cable tie or tape it to the front of the car. Sorted.

Rochester TVR said:

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...

Ta, see you there!

Rochester TVR said:

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

Don't forget your sunglasses and Orange Mivvi.

[benjj]

Re the start: no, at least they didn't in 2012, it was just a giant fk off free for all to get out of the square, out of the town and then just flat out.

Re the French: as above. If in doubt just shout and look indignent. Bloody foreigners.

[benjj]

Good show, have a good hoon.

I have actually gone to the trouble of printing out an A4 sheet with a big black PH logo on it. I'll stick it on my table at Au Bureau so we can all rv there.

Bon route.

[benjj]

Nope, you're in and that's all that counts!

Make sure to bring your driving licence, not for Bruno but for potential Gendarme interface.

[benjj]

I'm not, straight from Calais to Arras and then I'll be on the outside of a few cool, crisp delicious continental lagers.

[benjj]

Je suis arrive a l'aire de Folkestone.

[benjj]

I can certainly feel that I've been sat in a bar for 4 hours. Thirsty work this rallying.

Time for hot cheese, steak, chips and wine now. Then win a rally tomorrow.

[benjj]

I'm glad everyone new to this type of thing enjoyed themselves.

The weather was superb, great cars, great food, great beers, great people.

I'm going to go large on this next year if anyone's up for it: early trip down - booze up in Le Touquet - night at The Westminster - rally - massive night on the lash wherever it is next time.

[benjj]

The Westminster is awesome.

Word has it that the Casino Royale in the Fleming book is a pastiche of it and the casinos at Honfleur and Deauville.

Last time I did RdJ we had 3 nights there before the rally. Was great.

[benjj]

TonyBrooks said:

Sunday 12th April - I did the event last year and really enjoyed it. The web site is not updated yet but I believe it is based around Air sur la Lys

Hello Tony, I was sat next/near to you at lunch last year. Hope all is well.

Yep, that was the word from Bruno. 50/50 whether I'll be there again this year but hoping so.