Convoy of early 911s to Wales
Discussion
Had a two-day trip to Wales with some early 911 enthusiasts last week (also had one of those new-fangled 911s with us - a 993!)
It was a pretty special trip and we were blessed with great weather and mostly clear roads.
A good friend had organised it and planned the route. We started from his parents' house in Cardiff and worked our way up Wales to the Groes Inn (favourite of the EVO team). Spent Friday morning driving the roads of North Wales (including the EVO triangle) before working our way back to south Wales in the afternoon.
It was the first proper, long drive in my recent acquisition (2.7 hotrod). On the way to Wales I stopped off at a specialist and swapped the early, 380 mm steering wheel for a 350 mm Momo (principally because I couldn't find a comfortable driving position with the larger wheel without it hitting my thigh). The smaller Momo doesn't give me a problem and was perfect for driving on the twisty roads.
It really was a great two days. The driving was amazing, as was the company and the restaurant/hotel stops my friend has organised (I even got to sample his mother's cooking, which as home-cooked Indian food is my favourite of all foods was quite a treat).
On the Welsh roads my car was amazing. I certainly haven't driven another car that would have been better. The steering and handling was sublime and the combination of the Momo steering wheel, pretty stiff suspension and the Avon tyres were superb. So confidence inspiring but also so pleasurable as well, whether carving through the quick bends on the A roads or chucking it around on the bumpy mountain roads.
With ear plugs it wasn't too uncomfortable on the long, boring journey to and from Wales on the motorway. My seats (replicas of the recaros that were in the lightweight 2.7 RS) were also okay, although I think that is because I am just about the perfect size for them.
I think the most revealing aspect of the trip was when I swapped cars with my friend over the Black Mountains. He car looks pretty much identical to mine and underneath is very similar too. However, he has much softer suspension and ordinary tyres (he keeps telling me they were standard fit on Ford Fiestas!) When I drove his car it almost felt like a completely different one to mine. I was quite shocked. Although just as fast in a straight line it didn't give me the confidence to push hard through the corners. He is a much better driver than me but when I followed him in my car, I was able to keep up without a problem (and without feeling like I was out of control). When we swapped and I tried following in his car he disappeared into the distance. Really striking how much difference set up and tyres make.
In addition to the two, replica 2.7 RSs we had an original in Chartreuse. Lust and envy combined every time I looked at it....
Only downside of the trip was returning to the relatively boring roads of Cambridge. I need to plan another one...
It was a pretty special trip and we were blessed with great weather and mostly clear roads.
A good friend had organised it and planned the route. We started from his parents' house in Cardiff and worked our way up Wales to the Groes Inn (favourite of the EVO team). Spent Friday morning driving the roads of North Wales (including the EVO triangle) before working our way back to south Wales in the afternoon.
It was the first proper, long drive in my recent acquisition (2.7 hotrod). On the way to Wales I stopped off at a specialist and swapped the early, 380 mm steering wheel for a 350 mm Momo (principally because I couldn't find a comfortable driving position with the larger wheel without it hitting my thigh). The smaller Momo doesn't give me a problem and was perfect for driving on the twisty roads.
It really was a great two days. The driving was amazing, as was the company and the restaurant/hotel stops my friend has organised (I even got to sample his mother's cooking, which as home-cooked Indian food is my favourite of all foods was quite a treat).
On the Welsh roads my car was amazing. I certainly haven't driven another car that would have been better. The steering and handling was sublime and the combination of the Momo steering wheel, pretty stiff suspension and the Avon tyres were superb. So confidence inspiring but also so pleasurable as well, whether carving through the quick bends on the A roads or chucking it around on the bumpy mountain roads.
With ear plugs it wasn't too uncomfortable on the long, boring journey to and from Wales on the motorway. My seats (replicas of the recaros that were in the lightweight 2.7 RS) were also okay, although I think that is because I am just about the perfect size for them.
I think the most revealing aspect of the trip was when I swapped cars with my friend over the Black Mountains. He car looks pretty much identical to mine and underneath is very similar too. However, he has much softer suspension and ordinary tyres (he keeps telling me they were standard fit on Ford Fiestas!) When I drove his car it almost felt like a completely different one to mine. I was quite shocked. Although just as fast in a straight line it didn't give me the confidence to push hard through the corners. He is a much better driver than me but when I followed him in my car, I was able to keep up without a problem (and without feeling like I was out of control). When we swapped and I tried following in his car he disappeared into the distance. Really striking how much difference set up and tyres make.
In addition to the two, replica 2.7 RSs we had an original in Chartreuse. Lust and envy combined every time I looked at it....
Only downside of the trip was returning to the relatively boring roads of Cambridge. I need to plan another one...
jackal said:
fabulous ! they are all so pretty
whats it like generally in Wales re: recreational driving ?
I was under the impression that they get the Chopper + Searchlights out given the slightest provocation ... round you up and stick you in the nick for a good 30 years or so ?
Sounds more like Switzerland than Wales!whats it like generally in Wales re: recreational driving ?
I was under the impression that they get the Chopper + Searchlights out given the slightest provocation ... round you up and stick you in the nick for a good 30 years or so ?
Not sure I can give an opinion based on one visit (although the friend who organised the trip was brought up in Cardiff and he has only ever talked positively about the roads and driving there).
jackal said:
whats it like generally in Wales re: recreational driving ?
I was under the impression that they get the Chopper + Searchlights out given the slightest provocation ... round you up and stick you in the nick for a good 30 years or so ?
It's a myth by and large. Chief constable Brunstrom has gone now. So be sensible, choose your time and place (ie not Bank Holidays, weekends or a combo of both) and there's a lot of fun to be had without fear of being stopped by the local constabulary. I was under the impression that they get the Chopper + Searchlights out given the slightest provocation ... round you up and stick you in the nick for a good 30 years or so ?
I lived up there for three years, the EVO triangle was 35 minutes from my front door. Weekdays and evenings were the perfect time for an ET assault.
RB_987s said:
The Welsh Police are VERY hot on speeding in villages but on the B roads it's no different to the rest of the country. Watch out for sheep and tractors though
Not just the sheep. Came across three horses standing in the road. Fortunately with enough space to drive between them.Sheep were annoying though. One was stood in the road and didn't want to move. On the third time I came across it (we were driving the same piece of road for a while) I stopped and revved the engine until it finally for the message and wandered off into the moorland!
Edited by Schnellmann on Wednesday 18th June 02:41
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