Planning events abroad.......does France have an MSA???

[malmedy]

Hi, I'm considering planning a driving event that starts in the UK, takes a short ferry ride and then spends a day driving around Northern France before returning to the UK the same day.

Sounds dead easy, and it's been done before with a limit of 12 cars without problem, but organising it for the membership of a national car club with potentially around 100 vehicles would probably mean lots of faffing around with various authorities to contact if the UK is anything to go by.

Would anyone know who or where to get in touch with? The route's no problem, but do the French police etc need to be informed like they do here? Do EU countries in general have an equivalent association to our MSA? Is it done, if at all, by departement, region or nationally?

Any pointers much appreciated, TIA

[fluffnik]

Do you have a sister club in France?

They'd likely know the local skinny and might even offer some hospitality.

[malmedy]

We have a satellite area in France of the GB club, not sure it's very active but could be worth a try.

[heebeegeetee]

I realise that you probably want to organise the event yourself, but I can tell you that Jonathon Bowles who runs this company http://www.continentalcartours.co.uk/ has infinite experience of doing what you want to do, and has done many events for existing car clubs for years. He could do everything for you, organise ferry crossings, hotels and supply superb routes, but he will want a cut for himself, naturally. Still need not work out too expensive though.

I do know that this company http://www.classicrallytours.com/ sprang up simply because it was easier for an Englishman to organise a competitive event in France than it was to do so in England, but i do know also that the authorities in Europe have tightened up on such events, so you might need to take advice. Perhaps just a phone call to Jonathon might reveal the info you want.