Channel Ferry/Tunnel with GT3

[anonymous-user]

I plan to finally take my 996.2 GT3 to the UK this year - first to visit the Goodwood Festival of Speed and then potentially to track the car somewhere.

Given the low ride and the significant big bumper/splitter overhang of the 996 I am looking for an advice regarding ferries or train. I am afraid of ripping the splitter off at one of the ramps at a ferry terminal. I have not used a ferry to the UK but all ferries I have used somewhere else had massive steep ramps. Is there a bumper-friendly ferry? Is the Eurotunnel train any better?

Thanks
Marcus

PS: The picture has nothing to do with the topic but I thought you'd like it.

[MDL111]

Tunnel should not be a problem imo - never had an issue with 997 GT2 and there are plenty of UK cars going abroad on the tunnel

Ferry I only did in the 355, which I think bottomed out a little, but no real issue

[psi310398]

I got my Alfa 156 GTA on and off the Tunnel train with no splitter problem. It's the effing speedhumps in London that kill me...

[gred]

Book onto the Train as a 4x4 with a roof rack and you will be directed onto the single deck carriage and there is no ramp to negotiate. Simples.

[Jd27]

I had a 997.1 GT3, if you go on the tunnel make sure you go on the bottom level, they always directed me there anyway and never had any problems. Did the ferry once and it was ok, I had to approach it at an angle (as you're probably used to). Was quite a few years ago but no problems getting on but I think the front scraped when I got off. I'm guessing all ferries are different so might be easier on some than others

[hoegaardenruls]

gred said:

Book onto the Train as a 4x4 with a roof rack and you will be directed onto the single deck carriage and there is no ramp to negotiate. Simples.

This, easiest way..

[Dan911]

Great picture... Mine is the one on the left (from last Saturday I believe)

You'll be fine on a standard euro tunnel, just make sure when you come down the ramp to board the train you go into the lower carriage. (I think the staff know as I'm always directed to the lower carriage)

Dan

[anonymous-user]

Thanks, Dan. Nice to meet you. Saw your car during the rainy interruption after three cars had accidents during one lap. One of them upside down at Brünnchen. As ypu will have guessed, the car on e right side is mine.

I think I will try the ferry from Dunkerque first as it is much cheaper than the train and it seems to be a one storey ship without any ramps.

[anonymous-user]

In the unlikely case you don't know: https://www.racetracker.de/event/picture/2804832-e...

[GT03ROB]

I've done train & ferry in mine. No problems.

Loading crews on both seem familiar enough with low sports cars & directed me to the best locations on each avoiding ramps. Loading onto the ferry just approach the loading ramp at an angle..

[Dan911]

vilfredo said:

In the unlikely case you don't know: https://www.racetracker.de/event/picture/2804832-e...

I only did 2 laps.. Nice to see both cars on the same bend.

[Digga]

GT03ROB said:

I've done train & ferry in mine. No problems.

Loading crews on both seem familiar enough with low sports cars & directed me to the best locations on each avoiding ramps. Loading onto the ferry just approach the loading ramp at an angle..

^This. The loading crews don't want your car beached on a ramp (with other vehicles stuck behind it) any more than you do. They will ensure you get on and off fine.

Only issue to note is for drivers of wider sports cars - book into the freight/van/bus carriages, as they do not have the same kerbs as the passenger car carriages. My mate's R8 GT will not comfortably fit into the car carriages and this is what he does. Again, there's no faff or problem with ramps.

Edited by Digga on Monday 22 May 09:50

[2stis]

You should be fine with either. When I have gone by ferry I have spoken to the loadmaster and they have waved me on during a lull and I have been able to go up the ramps at a diagonal.

I have used Eurotunnel quite a few times and have been fine on the lower deck but one time some jobsworth was telling me that I didn't get to choose lower or upper deck. After a stand off for a few minutes she let me board the lower deck but since then I can't be bothered with the aggro and just tick the 'over 1.85 metre' box. It's the same price and the boarding ramps are marginally easier but the biggest improvement is the width of the lane inside the carriage - no worries about kerbing pristine alloys in these ones!

[anonymous-user]

Thank you all! I now have even a pic of a 6.2 GT3 on the train. Always happy about the narrow body, not only on the Autobahn (top speed) but also in the LeShuttle.

Will let you know how things will work out,