Is it realistically do-able?
Discussion
Following a little session on Forza, I got to thinking. Which when related to cars, is usually a bad move. 
I have been wondering, about the possibility of a little road trip. I’m thinking a little boat trip. Followed by, if dates allow, a track day at Road Atlanta, a little jog across the states, then a day at Laguna Seca.
Now, I have only just started looking into this. I know the sensible thing would be to hire, but hell, if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing!
Shipping is a big cost. A quick google search revealed a small car to the states will be circa £520 + insurance http://www.autoshippers.co.uk/rates.htm, and I am guessing it will be the same back again.
Importing seems to be no problem. http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/TempInf... I would plan to bring it back, is it that easy? Just a DOT HS-7 form?
Track events. Biggest hitch is timing. Ideally, it would be good to attend one that a US Mazda Owners club are attending. Found one or two days... but this is a plan in the making for next year/2011. Probably once the ‘5 is forced induction.
The drive across the states needs to be researched. Some nice sights and sounds en route would be good.
I am fully aware that there must be loads of ways of doing those two tracks more economically, but the way I see it, plenty of people spend more than this on a holiday, so why not? A large part of the appeal is the thought of using my own, UK car, which adds interest to the trip. It's not all about the tracks, it's about the trip and planning!
I have been wondering, about the possibility of a little road trip. I’m thinking a little boat trip. Followed by, if dates allow, a track day at Road Atlanta, a little jog across the states, then a day at Laguna Seca.
Now, I have only just started looking into this. I know the sensible thing would be to hire, but hell, if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing!
Shipping is a big cost. A quick google search revealed a small car to the states will be circa £520 + insurance http://www.autoshippers.co.uk/rates.htm, and I am guessing it will be the same back again.
Importing seems to be no problem. http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/TempInf... I would plan to bring it back, is it that easy? Just a DOT HS-7 form?
Track events. Biggest hitch is timing. Ideally, it would be good to attend one that a US Mazda Owners club are attending. Found one or two days... but this is a plan in the making for next year/2011. Probably once the ‘5 is forced induction.
The drive across the states needs to be researched. Some nice sights and sounds en route would be good.
I am fully aware that there must be loads of ways of doing those two tracks more economically, but the way I see it, plenty of people spend more than this on a holiday, so why not? A large part of the appeal is the thought of using my own, UK car, which adds interest to the trip. It's not all about the tracks, it's about the trip and planning!
sounds mega! Just watch two movies before you go, Deliverance and Dangerous Minds.... Just research a bit and know which bits to steer clear of, that is a serious note. There are a few places out there you really do not want to find yourself! I would ask lots of advice on USA driving forums, I am sure there is a few people there who can advise. I'd love to do it in mine, but I would probobly scorch to death and my car would warp and melt in the heat!! Good luck!
I have thought about it from time to time. I had made enquires and costed shipping, temp import regs etc. Then planned some routes and researched hotels, motels, areas of interest etc. There are many pre-planned routes available on the internet. If I was going to drive across the US over several weeks, I would rather do it in my Bentley than a rental.
In the current financial climate, I have shelved the idea though
Good luck with it.
In the current financial climate, I have shelved the idea though
Good luck with it.
I am giving myself planning time.
The earliest this could happen is summer 2010, so research is going to be over the next few months. I have only spent about 30 mins googleing stuff.
I think some US owners clubs could be a useful source, and cheers, I will have a quick search for some routes. Haven't googled routes yet, any sites you happen to know of?
The earliest this could happen is summer 2010, so research is going to be over the next few months. I have only spent about 30 mins googleing stuff.
I think some US owners clubs could be a useful source, and cheers, I will have a quick search for some routes. Haven't googled routes yet, any sites you happen to know of?
We did it in 2005 with 40+ Caterhams 
<edited due to name and shame rules>
There is a link on that page to http://www.horizonautoservices.com/ Horizon Auto Services who WERE Great!
we landed in Houston, drove up through Texas, New Mexico, across the Rockies, and over to Highway One on the West Coast via Las Vegas. Finished at San Francisco.
Fantastic trip, and would love to do it again if funds ever allow!
Go for it, you'll love it.
<edited due to name and shame rules>
There is a link on that page to http://www.horizonautoservices.com/ Horizon Auto Services who WERE Great!
we landed in Houston, drove up through Texas, New Mexico, across the Rockies, and over to Highway One on the West Coast via Las Vegas. Finished at San Francisco.
Fantastic trip, and would love to do it again if funds ever allow!
Go for it, you'll love it.
Edited by ThatPhilBrettGuy on Saturday 28th March 08:16
The Bentley Drivers Club has organised several such runs over the years, coast to coast and so on in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, India, the Far East. Too rich for me I'm afraid, and focused more on the real Bentleys rather than branded Rolls Royce's like mine. But if I ever come into money. It is wonderful reading about the journeys though and seeing all the pics in the quarterly club review.
Edited by Balmoral Green on Saturday 28th March 13:00
I have no confidence about the original price, so I will get one in due course from Horizon Auto, as recommended above.
This is a plan early in the making. It may be that costs rule it out, but early indications are good. By my thinking, it can't be too bad. After all, there are some just imported cars for sale from about £2000 pounds upwards. Thinking backwards, that price must include a margin for the dealer, and original cost, this means the transport shouldn't be that bad... (Even though there is an obvious difference for trade)
It may be worth it. It's a trip I would remember a long time! If it does go ahead, I will keep a record of the costs/companies/route etc. Anyway, nothing is in stone yet.
This is a plan early in the making. It may be that costs rule it out, but early indications are good. By my thinking, it can't be too bad. After all, there are some just imported cars for sale from about £2000 pounds upwards. Thinking backwards, that price must include a margin for the dealer, and original cost, this means the transport shouldn't be that bad... (Even though there is an obvious difference for trade)
It may be worth it. It's a trip I would remember a long time! If it does go ahead, I will keep a record of the costs/companies/route etc.
Anyway, nothing is in stone yet.Edited by Dimski on Sunday 29th March 15:53
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