Dawn raid, anyone?
Discussion
Evening All,
I’m a regular poster on this site, but I think I ought to exercise a degree of caution over what I’d like to propose, so have adopted another user name to remain anonymous. I know if this sort of thing has been mooted before, but at the moment I’m just really posting my thoughts on this subject.
I’m putting together a series of runs in Derbyshire for a classic car day. Derbyshire really does have some of the best driving roads in the UK.
Each of the runs are about 70 miles in length, and also a visit a site of interest, stately home etc, and this event will run in April.
However, by amalgamating the best of each run I could put a route together for PHers of about 120 miles and stuff the stately homes. This route would have good twisty stuff for the Lotuses and long open flowing roads for the TVR’s to stretch their legs.
However there is a problem.
Derbyshire is also very popular with walkers and cyclists, and much as many on this site may not be bothered about them, I feel that the roads get too busy to make a good PH hoon successful.
Early in the morning would be a different matter. I mean, very early, as in up the crack of Dawn.
I’ve been involved in road rallying, and can tell you that at night the roads I’m talking about are absolutely deserted. They remain so pretty much until 9 – 10am. So if we started out at dawn, say 5.30 in the summer, we would pretty much have the roads to ourselves. Not only that, but if we were lucky with the weather this would be a very special time to drive. The scenery in that light would be terrific.
For following the route, I could produce a set of basic roadbooks consisting of instruction and tulip diagrams. Those cars that have two occupants can navigate their way around, it really isn’t difficult, and those who drive alone could tag on the back of a co-driven car. Personally, I think I’d like to cadge a lift in a Tivver and/or an Elise. At least doing it this way the passengers can also be taking part in the drive.
The logistics – how to be there without driving through the night beforehand, which is getting a bit too serious. Searching the net, I’ve found a Travel Inn just north of Macclesfield. If staying somewhere the night before, we need to think about the fact that the cars would be parked outside, and might attract attention. This location does seem to be out of town, and thus would be safer, IMO. There is also a Harvester Inn on site, so that’s the evening (before) meal sorted out.
From that location we could head down into Macclesfield and straight out onto the Cat& Fiddle road, although that might lead us to a spot of bother judging by comments I’ve read re this road on other threads. I don’t know about that road, but when we do pick up onto the route that I’ve actually driven, I can say that at the moment the rest is scamera free. It perhaps might be better to get straight out onto the lesser known roads, but we can discuss this.
As I said, some – a lot - of these roads are really fabulous. The countryside can be very dramatic, the views are tremendous and the roads fast. There’ll be few hairpin bends as well – not continental type hairpins, but as many as you’ll get on one run in England, I would have thought. We can look to finish around 10am or so, wonder if we can find somewhere for a breakfast, then an enjoyable run home for everyone.
Thinking more about it, I wouldn’t need to produce road books. I just e-mail them out, and you all print them out yourselves.
Thing is, I do believe, by running at that time of day, we’d all get a real blat. For 100-120 miles or whatever. But the crunch is – is anyone interested in a really early morning hoon?
I’m a regular poster on this site, but I think I ought to exercise a degree of caution over what I’d like to propose, so have adopted another user name to remain anonymous. I know if this sort of thing has been mooted before, but at the moment I’m just really posting my thoughts on this subject.
I’m putting together a series of runs in Derbyshire for a classic car day. Derbyshire really does have some of the best driving roads in the UK.
Each of the runs are about 70 miles in length, and also a visit a site of interest, stately home etc, and this event will run in April.
However, by amalgamating the best of each run I could put a route together for PHers of about 120 miles and stuff the stately homes. This route would have good twisty stuff for the Lotuses and long open flowing roads for the TVR’s to stretch their legs.
However there is a problem.
Derbyshire is also very popular with walkers and cyclists, and much as many on this site may not be bothered about them, I feel that the roads get too busy to make a good PH hoon successful.
Early in the morning would be a different matter. I mean, very early, as in up the crack of Dawn.
I’ve been involved in road rallying, and can tell you that at night the roads I’m talking about are absolutely deserted. They remain so pretty much until 9 – 10am. So if we started out at dawn, say 5.30 in the summer, we would pretty much have the roads to ourselves. Not only that, but if we were lucky with the weather this would be a very special time to drive. The scenery in that light would be terrific.
For following the route, I could produce a set of basic roadbooks consisting of instruction and tulip diagrams. Those cars that have two occupants can navigate their way around, it really isn’t difficult, and those who drive alone could tag on the back of a co-driven car. Personally, I think I’d like to cadge a lift in a Tivver and/or an Elise. At least doing it this way the passengers can also be taking part in the drive.
The logistics – how to be there without driving through the night beforehand, which is getting a bit too serious. Searching the net, I’ve found a Travel Inn just north of Macclesfield. If staying somewhere the night before, we need to think about the fact that the cars would be parked outside, and might attract attention. This location does seem to be out of town, and thus would be safer, IMO. There is also a Harvester Inn on site, so that’s the evening (before) meal sorted out.
From that location we could head down into Macclesfield and straight out onto the Cat& Fiddle road, although that might lead us to a spot of bother judging by comments I’ve read re this road on other threads. I don’t know about that road, but when we do pick up onto the route that I’ve actually driven, I can say that at the moment the rest is scamera free. It perhaps might be better to get straight out onto the lesser known roads, but we can discuss this.
As I said, some – a lot - of these roads are really fabulous. The countryside can be very dramatic, the views are tremendous and the roads fast. There’ll be few hairpin bends as well – not continental type hairpins, but as many as you’ll get on one run in England, I would have thought. We can look to finish around 10am or so, wonder if we can find somewhere for a breakfast, then an enjoyable run home for everyone.
Thinking more about it, I wouldn’t need to produce road books. I just e-mail them out, and you all print them out yourselves.
Thing is, I do believe, by running at that time of day, we’d all get a real blat. For 100-120 miles or whatever. But the crunch is – is anyone interested in a really early morning hoon?
we would be up for it and you are correct the roads in Derbyshire are fantastic. 
Count me in...
. 
Yes, would be up for it.
From my limited experience with run-outs to the Peaks and North Yorkshire, its best not to post the route on line, and once a pretty much confirmed number are attending carry out all communications via e-mail. The runs where the route has been posted I've seen an unusually high number of the marked T5 estate police cars, when not posted I've just seen the odd astra country side patrol car.
On Ferrari Chat they have come up with a good idea; they call a run S1 or whatever, and the directions are posted on a website. Access to this site is only possible after e-mailing the organiser and getting the required address, etc.
Thanks
MOD.
From my limited experience with run-outs to the Peaks and North Yorkshire, its best not to post the route on line, and once a pretty much confirmed number are attending carry out all communications via e-mail. The runs where the route has been posted I've seen an unusually high number of the marked T5 estate police cars, when not posted I've just seen the odd astra country side patrol car.
On Ferrari Chat they have come up with a good idea; they call a run S1 or whatever, and the directions are posted on a website. Access to this site is only possible after e-mailing the organiser and getting the required address, etc.
Thanks
MOD.
MOD500 said:
Yes, would be up for it.
From my limited experience with run-outs to the Peaks and North Yorkshire, its best not to post the route on line, and once a pretty much confirmed number are attending carry out all communications via e-mail. The runs where the route has been posted I've seen an unusually high number of the marked T5 estate police cars, when not posted I've just seen the odd astra country side patrol car.
On Ferrari Chat they have come up with a good idea; they call a run S1 or whatever, and the directions are posted on a website. Access to this site is only possible after e-mailing the organiser and getting the required address, etc.
Thanks
MOD.
Yes, I agree, been thinking about this today myself. I'm also very keen that the people I'm organising the classic run don't get wind of what I'm up to.
It might be best if those interested continue to put their names forward here, then I'll start sending out e-mails.
Been thinking about running it in June, then if it goes well we can do it again during the summer months!
I am very interested in doing this event, my car is doing Le Mans and eurohoon this year... hopefully it can cope with Derbyshire aswell 
Well if you organise it for a "classic car club" then its good enough for me... so long as your gonna my co driver then.... cos i've seen your driving lol
For everyone attention I Nonny personally any yes he does post on here alot.... too much and not getting anywork done.
Good idea emailing those the route.....
NN speak to you soon
Well if you organise it for a "classic car club" then its good enough for me... so long as your gonna my co driver then.... cos i've seen your driving lol
For everyone attention I Nonny personally any yes he does post on here alot.... too much and not getting anywork done.
Good idea emailing those the route.....
NN speak to you soon
bloody wimp - it's all very well doing donuts round the directors carpark but when it comes down to it..... Gassing Station | Events & Meetings | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff