Some Alpine Roads - Summer 2011

[BR51TOL]

Finally getting around to piling through the footage from this summers European Tour. Mini one this time as I had work commitments so 'just' a week away in the S1 Elise for our first jaunt together. We joined my uncle with his 996 C4S on day two and made our way through the French, Swiss and Italian Alps together.

Last time out we took the GTR, which was comfy and ate up the miles with no dramas but once on our favourite twisty roads really struggled, especially with the hairpins. Previous trips have been in a Cayman S and S2 Exige so we were happy to get back in a RWD, mid-engined 2 seater, although this time without a fixed roof.

Engine had 1500 miles on day 1 since the DVAPower rebuild and 2 sessions at Emerald, the second after PSR Automotive replaced our little Janspeed manifold with Eliseparts big bore alternative, decat pipe and backbox which really pops and spits flames on the overrun. In addition we had oil temp / pressure gauges, shift lights and toe links fitted for peace of mind.

I'll post the videos as I upload them so will start now with the very narrow Klausen Pass. Wasn't much fun at all in the Nissan but the narrow Elise and lack of traffic made it quite enjoyable this time out.

http://vimeo.com/29909120

[BR51TOL]

Stelvio Pass

http://vimeo.com/29909639

I've speeded up the slow / traffic sections. Not the clearest run up, and some rather industrial HnT action going on!

[BR51TOL]

Passio di Gavia - On the other side of the famous Stelvio, but offering something different with fast flowing twisties although quite narrow in places. Probably my favourite road of the trip, and I didn't even drive it.

http://vimeo.com/29912538

[huwp]

Great videos. Thanks for sharing.

[kazino]

Nice vids, love the klausen pass, must do it again someday

[tozerman]

Nice videos I enjoyed watching those, we did the stelvio last June in my civic 1800 type S and had a great time, we went fron north to south though and joined the stelvio half way down via the Umbraill Pass, narrow doesn't come close to describing parts of that road, anyway well done.

Cheers.....Tony..

[Brigand]

Brought back some memories watching those vids, although you got a lot higher up than I did!

I attempted the Stelvio back in May 2010, although it looks like the group I was with started on the Passio di Gavia side. We didn't get all that far up as there was a few small landslides blocking half the road in a few places. The mountains around us were all snow-capped, and eventually we reached a barrier stopping us from getting anywhere near the top.

Looking at the map, it seems we were only about 1/3 of the way up, if that. Shame.

[dcb]

Brigand said:

I attempted the Stelvio back in May 2010, although it looks like the group I was with started on the Passio di Gavia side. We didn't get all that far up as there was a few small landslides blocking half the road in a few places. The mountains around us were all snow-capped, and eventually we reached a barrier stopping us from getting anywhere near the top.

Snow can be expected at almost any time of year on the Stelvio, it's that high.

If it's raining in the valley, you can pretty much guarantee it's snowing
at the top.

I really didn't think I'd need my winter tyres in July ;->