Land's End to Ness Point, midsummers evening 2017
Discussion
heebeegeetee said:
I have used that, but added the post codes of petrol stops to give sat nav something to aim for. Just finished sorting car, satnav, phone for music, radar detector, if I crash I will strangle my self with all the cables😃
Bluesgirl said:
So is this the list for Saturday so far?
Team Blaine
Team Heebeegeetee
JamesUK
Writhing
Bluesgirl - silver 997.1
Anyone else? Do you want to add your cars to the list so we know who's who?
I'm getting a bit
And I've got a job interview in the darkest depths of South East London in the morning.
I'll be doing it with 4 mates too on saturday nightTeam Blaine
Team Heebeegeetee
JamesUK
Writhing
Bluesgirl - silver 997.1
Anyone else? Do you want to add your cars to the list so we know who's who?
I'm getting a bit
And I've got a job interview in the darkest depths of South East London in the morning.
iamdjka said:
We went right down to the point on top of the cliff at the start but there probably isn't enough room for 10 cars, may get 3-4 if you structure your parking really well!
[Snip!]
We parked here last year, just behind the visitors centre. Could squeeze 10 cars in (there's space to the right of the photo). Everyone coming saturday, keep an eye on this thread, I will try and turn up early (8.30-9pm) and see if we can get away with using this spot again.[Snip!]
Thought I'd do a little write up:
Our little team comprised myself and Brian in the Z4 Coupe and Sypher in his Supra. We had the vaguest of plans but were essentially unprepared. My prep involved putting some drinks and a Jamaican jerk chicken pastie in a cool-bag and buying a £20 set of 2 way radios off ebay. We'd been monitoring the thread here for tips and had decided, last minutes, to follow Burnie's suggestion of a meeting place (Unfortunately, poor time-keeping and traffic, but mostly poor time-keeping, meant we were late and arrived after everyone else had gone). The drive down was lovely but mostly uneventful. We had a little fun and the Zed did itself proud against the much more powerful Supra. To a torrent of racing driver excuses from Sypher - "It didn't change down" and "I wasn't on boost" being the most popular. After a quick walk about and something to eat and drink we headed off to Lands End.
Brian with the Zed
At Lands End we spotted iamdjka's Audi and a C63 was rolling in just behind us but there was little else around so we wandered down to the point itself. There we found quite a few others milling about. There was a couple of bikers, not doing the run but there to see off everyone who was. A young lad in a GT86, a couple of guys and an exceedingly pretty girl in 2 Saabs plus the bikers were milling about. As we were chatting a chap rolled up in his Tesla (a welcome relief from the Supra-bores discussing hybrid turbos, spool times etc etc). Turns out he had set off at 4am that morning from John O'Groats! Not bad for a car that, as it was rolling up, we were all laughing at the prospect of attempting the run to Lowestoft in due to lack of range!
Anyway, with the clock ticking, it was time to get ready. Space was limited at the point itself so we decided to launch from the visitors centre. A quick coffee and bladder voiding stop and we prepared at the start point.
Starting from the actual point were the Saabs, S2000, an MX5, the GT86 and a 3-Series.
After lining up for pics and the time of 21:36 rapidly approaching it was decided, by someone else, that I would lead off. Now, as background, I am not a fast driver. I enjoy driving and I'll blatt along faster than most but compared to some serious petrolheads I am slllooowww. So it was with some trepidation that I agreed and sat watching the clock. Provided with a countdown from the other crews I launched out of the carpark at 21:36 exactly, the wrong way down the one way system, an onto the roads proper. It quickly came apparent that traffic was going to be a problem and some were more commited than others in terms of over-taking. The first couple of mobile chicanes were taken quite easily. Later, as traffic became heavier the drivers quickly left behind the people merely operating a vehicle. The S2000 was first to catapult past. Quickly followed by the C63 and Supra, followed a little later by the TT.
We quickly settled into a nice rhythm. Tailing the MX5 and Team Saab, who, it has to be said, had clearly done their prep. It was lovely to follow folks who knew where the cameras where! We were a little concerned by the sat-nav giving us an arrival time of 05:20 (Sunrise was 04:30) but we had plenty of time to catch up. The A30-A303 route seemed to be working well and barring the odd speed-camera we were making good progress. By this stage, Sypher and the Supra had hooked up with Team Saab and were about 10 minutes ahead (waaaay out of range of our radios - £20 well spent!). We eventually caught Team Saab but then lost them again after a chaotic and early petrol stop (all pumps were being used, I needed the toilet, I had an oil warning light, I got into an argument with the guy behind the counter etc etc) putting us about 10 minutes behind them again. This was also the time for Brian to jump in the drivers seat of the Zed.
It was at this stage we started seeing signs for the M3 closure. Thankfully, and God bless Google, the satnav suddently decided to suggest an alternative route that would shave 7 minutes off the time. This was to come off the M3 (avoiding the closures and loooong 50mph area), take the A33 to join the M4 and then on to the M25. This proved to be highly beneficial as by the time we hit the M25 we were suddenly 10 minutes ahead of Team Saab and the Supra who had gotten tangled in the mess around the M3 closure.
Now it was the chance to make up some time we thought. The satnav still had us arriving after 05:00 and we were concerned. We needn't be. Some quick sprints between traffic controlled spots on the M25 got us down to 04:59 by the time we hit the A12. Now, we had been given some warnings about traffic police on the A12 but we knew it was clear of cameras so it was time to really gain some ground. And thankfully tis a road conducive to such driving! Before long our ETA was beating the 04:30 sunrise. As we got on track however disaster loomed in the shape of the A12 being closed. Cue some panicked navigating, hooning down narrow country roads and much swearing we were back on the A12, ETA 04:31. More committed driving from Brian and we soon had the ETA down to 04:05. Loads of time.... until they decided to close the A12 again! Another bit of frantic navigating including a screeching u-ey and waking a sleepy village with some BMW Straight-6 howling and we were back on the A12 again with only 4 minutes lost - 04:09 (Incidentally, navigating while on the phone to Team Supraab is every bit as skillful as driving I reckon!)
Before long we were rolling into Lowestoft, with 04:01 showing on the ETA, feeling confident. Not even the swing bridge being up with a painfully slow ship rolling past could dent our confidence (okay, it dented mine, I was fretting like a little girl, Brian was calm and collected however). We finally arrived at 04:07. After initially believing ourselves to be the first there, we subsequently spotted the rest down on the actual front for much handshaking and congratulations. Team Supraab arrived shortly after. The GT86 last to arrive, of those that made it, but with plenty of time in hand.
We had time to mill about and chat as the sun rose then we all eventually headed off. Some to hotels and airbnb's, some to begin the long drive home! Overall, thoroughly enjoyable and although we made it with 23 minutes to spare it wasn't without its moments of excitement to really make the whole thing a night I'll remember. I thought I'd be exhausted but honestly I felt no fatigue at all such was the adrenalin and concentration required. Proud to have completed it and glad to have had a lovely bunch to do it with.
EDITS: Fixing pics!
Our little team comprised myself and Brian in the Z4 Coupe and Sypher in his Supra. We had the vaguest of plans but were essentially unprepared. My prep involved putting some drinks and a Jamaican jerk chicken pastie in a cool-bag and buying a £20 set of 2 way radios off ebay. We'd been monitoring the thread here for tips and had decided, last minutes, to follow Burnie's suggestion of a meeting place (Unfortunately, poor time-keeping and traffic, but mostly poor time-keeping, meant we were late and arrived after everyone else had gone). The drive down was lovely but mostly uneventful. We had a little fun and the Zed did itself proud against the much more powerful Supra. To a torrent of racing driver excuses from Sypher - "It didn't change down" and "I wasn't on boost" being the most popular. After a quick walk about and something to eat and drink we headed off to Lands End.
Brian with the Zed
At Lands End we spotted iamdjka's Audi and a C63 was rolling in just behind us but there was little else around so we wandered down to the point itself. There we found quite a few others milling about. There was a couple of bikers, not doing the run but there to see off everyone who was. A young lad in a GT86, a couple of guys and an exceedingly pretty girl in 2 Saabs plus the bikers were milling about. As we were chatting a chap rolled up in his Tesla (a welcome relief from the Supra-bores discussing hybrid turbos, spool times etc etc). Turns out he had set off at 4am that morning from John O'Groats! Not bad for a car that, as it was rolling up, we were all laughing at the prospect of attempting the run to Lowestoft in due to lack of range!
Anyway, with the clock ticking, it was time to get ready. Space was limited at the point itself so we decided to launch from the visitors centre. A quick coffee and bladder voiding stop and we prepared at the start point.
Starting from the actual point were the Saabs, S2000, an MX5, the GT86 and a 3-Series.
After lining up for pics and the time of 21:36 rapidly approaching it was decided, by someone else, that I would lead off. Now, as background, I am not a fast driver. I enjoy driving and I'll blatt along faster than most but compared to some serious petrolheads I am slllooowww. So it was with some trepidation that I agreed and sat watching the clock. Provided with a countdown from the other crews I launched out of the carpark at 21:36 exactly, the wrong way down the one way system, an onto the roads proper. It quickly came apparent that traffic was going to be a problem and some were more commited than others in terms of over-taking. The first couple of mobile chicanes were taken quite easily. Later, as traffic became heavier the drivers quickly left behind the people merely operating a vehicle. The S2000 was first to catapult past. Quickly followed by the C63 and Supra, followed a little later by the TT.
We quickly settled into a nice rhythm. Tailing the MX5 and Team Saab, who, it has to be said, had clearly done their prep. It was lovely to follow folks who knew where the cameras where! We were a little concerned by the sat-nav giving us an arrival time of 05:20 (Sunrise was 04:30) but we had plenty of time to catch up. The A30-A303 route seemed to be working well and barring the odd speed-camera we were making good progress. By this stage, Sypher and the Supra had hooked up with Team Saab and were about 10 minutes ahead (waaaay out of range of our radios - £20 well spent!). We eventually caught Team Saab but then lost them again after a chaotic and early petrol stop (all pumps were being used, I needed the toilet, I had an oil warning light, I got into an argument with the guy behind the counter etc etc) putting us about 10 minutes behind them again. This was also the time for Brian to jump in the drivers seat of the Zed.
It was at this stage we started seeing signs for the M3 closure. Thankfully, and God bless Google, the satnav suddently decided to suggest an alternative route that would shave 7 minutes off the time. This was to come off the M3 (avoiding the closures and loooong 50mph area), take the A33 to join the M4 and then on to the M25. This proved to be highly beneficial as by the time we hit the M25 we were suddenly 10 minutes ahead of Team Saab and the Supra who had gotten tangled in the mess around the M3 closure.
Now it was the chance to make up some time we thought. The satnav still had us arriving after 05:00 and we were concerned. We needn't be. Some quick sprints between traffic controlled spots on the M25 got us down to 04:59 by the time we hit the A12. Now, we had been given some warnings about traffic police on the A12 but we knew it was clear of cameras so it was time to really gain some ground. And thankfully tis a road conducive to such driving! Before long our ETA was beating the 04:30 sunrise. As we got on track however disaster loomed in the shape of the A12 being closed. Cue some panicked navigating, hooning down narrow country roads and much swearing we were back on the A12, ETA 04:31. More committed driving from Brian and we soon had the ETA down to 04:05. Loads of time.... until they decided to close the A12 again! Another bit of frantic navigating including a screeching u-ey and waking a sleepy village with some BMW Straight-6 howling and we were back on the A12 again with only 4 minutes lost - 04:09 (Incidentally, navigating while on the phone to Team Supraab is every bit as skillful as driving I reckon!)
Before long we were rolling into Lowestoft, with 04:01 showing on the ETA, feeling confident. Not even the swing bridge being up with a painfully slow ship rolling past could dent our confidence (okay, it dented mine, I was fretting like a little girl, Brian was calm and collected however). We finally arrived at 04:07. After initially believing ourselves to be the first there, we subsequently spotted the rest down on the actual front for much handshaking and congratulations. Team Supraab arrived shortly after. The GT86 last to arrive, of those that made it, but with plenty of time in hand.
We had time to mill about and chat as the sun rose then we all eventually headed off. Some to hotels and airbnb's, some to begin the long drive home! Overall, thoroughly enjoyable and although we made it with 23 minutes to spare it wasn't without its moments of excitement to really make the whole thing a night I'll remember. I thought I'd be exhausted but honestly I felt no fatigue at all such was the adrenalin and concentration required. Proud to have completed it and glad to have had a lovely bunch to do it with.
EDITS: Fixing pics!
Edited by Mike1977 on Friday 23 June 14:19
Mike1977 said:
Now, we had been given some warnings about traffic police on the A12 but we knew it was clear of cameras so it was time to really gain some ground.
Glad you had a great trip, and I hope nothing spoils it, but…..er……there are several sections of active average speed cameras on the A12 these days!CAPP0 said:
Glad you had a great trip, and I hope nothing spoils it, but…..er……there are several sections of active average speed cameras on the A12 these days!
Apologies, you are correct. They are well sign-posted however. Perhaps what I should have said was that where were no surprises.From our original recce along the A12 I was sure there was a static camera in one of the 30mph villagey areas also. We didn't see any on the night but we kept to the limit through those anyway. IMO you can make good progress without being silly and having to drive dangerously through residential areas.
The JM said:
I will be at Lands End on Saturday ready to go. Looking for a co driver, but will do it solo if required. Its not like conversation is very easy in the Corvette!
I don't have the time to travel all the way to Lands End, but if you fancy a co-driver from somewhere around the A303 or early M4 (depending on which route you take) to Ness Point and back to the same location then I'm up for the challenge.As an aside, I spent 3 years with a C6 as my daily and currently have an LHD 360 here in England !!
Mike1977 said:
Apologies, you are correct. They are well sign-posted however. Perhaps what I should have said was that where were no surprises.
From our original recce along the A12 I was sure there was a static camera in one of the 30mph villagey areas also. We didn't see any on the night but we kept to the limit through those anyway. IMO you can make good progress without being silly and having to drive dangerously through residential areas.
There's one south bound at the Aldeburgh turning, so won't effect the trip to Ness Point, but none through the villages that I can recall.From our original recce along the A12 I was sure there was a static camera in one of the 30mph villagey areas also. We didn't see any on the night but we kept to the limit through those anyway. IMO you can make good progress without being silly and having to drive dangerously through residential areas.
blaineuk said:
We have arris at our overnight accommodation, the S2000 died in Birmingham so was transported back home, we went and picked a fiesta st up, that has now got a clutch problem.
We have gone to the pub and left it until tomorrow.
Oh dear, best of luck. We have gone to the pub and left it until tomorrow.
I'm planning on stopping for a bite here between 6 and 7 pm https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Travelodge+Wadeb...
I think last fuel is near here too.
Leave there 8ish I guess to get to Land's End 8.30 ish.
Blue 54 plate MINI, likely parked in disabled 'cos of my bad knee, hope I don't miss any photo opportunities with other cars.
Mike.
blaineuk said:
We have arris at our overnight accommodation, the S2000 died in Birmingham so was transported back home, we went and picked a fiesta st up, that has now got a clutch problem.
We have gone to the pub and left it until tomorrow.
Hope everything works out, hope to see you later.We have gone to the pub and left it until tomorrow.
I'm ready to go, just waiting to pick up my co-driver. Might make it to the station house depending on time. It's a 6 ish hour drive and we're setting off at 1.30pm.
See you all at lands end.
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