White Hat Rally (24-26th Sep) & Euro Banger Rallying
Discussion
White Hat said:
The White Hat Rally is an organised motor rally that won't cost the earth or three weeks holiday, and will give you a trip to remember, driving on some of Europe's finest roads (!) and taking in the scenery. And while you're doing it you raise money for ChildLine.
White Hat said:
The route will take us from France to Italy with our final destination being the water-ways of Venice. During the trip there will also be the chance to visit the famous revolving restaurant at Piz Gloria and enjoy the view across the mountains. Day 0 (Thur) LaonDay 1 (Fri) ThunDay 2 (Sat) LocarnoDay 3 (Sun) Mestre (Venice)
Anyone else doing this?Myself and a few mates have nabbed a Rover 820 (2 litre auto) in a rather fabulous gold colour (fully working aircon though!) to do this in. Will be dressing it up as per the Alan Partridge episode:
Tbh, I thought it would have looked better rattle canned British Racing Green with a Union Jack on the roof but anyway... (
)Anyone else participating in this White Hat Rally or done the one last year?
Anyone had experiences of a 'Euro Banger Rally' and can offer some hints/advice/inspiring pics and write up? Afaik, there are some items that certain countries require to you carry - high vis vest, bulbs etc?
On the way back once the rally is over we plan to drive the Stelvio Pass, drop into Munich for the Okotberfest (and BMW Museum) and also (hopefully) the Nurburgring.
Any help, advice or tips very much appreciated.
I did a very similar one, also going via Piz Gloria and finishing in Venice. Great fun.
You'll need high vis vests, med kit and spare bulbs. You'll want a Swiss vignette (motorway pass thingie) too, but you can just buy that at the border. I'd take some rudimentary tools too - although you'll inevitably find that you can beg or borrow anything you need from other teams.
It's actually surprisingly expensive to get up to Piz Gloria - it's a long cable car ride. I forget exactly how much but I think it was 30+ quid. It's really worth it though, it's a pretty astonishing place. The food in the actual restaurant is terrible though so I wouldn't eat there if I was you.
Here's a pic of our steed, 'Deathproof' Mercedes 500SEL, £250 quid of eBays finest;
You'll need high vis vests, med kit and spare bulbs. You'll want a Swiss vignette (motorway pass thingie) too, but you can just buy that at the border. I'd take some rudimentary tools too - although you'll inevitably find that you can beg or borrow anything you need from other teams.
It's actually surprisingly expensive to get up to Piz Gloria - it's a long cable car ride. I forget exactly how much but I think it was 30+ quid. It's really worth it though, it's a pretty astonishing place. The food in the actual restaurant is terrible though so I wouldn't eat there if I was you.
Here's a pic of our steed, 'Deathproof' Mercedes 500SEL, £250 quid of eBays finest;
Banger rallies are a riot!
I did one a few years ago and really want to do another.
Regarding requirements for driving on the continent, check AA/RAC websites. You'll need hi-vis jackets and warning triangle and IIRC a spare set of bulbs.
Also, if you're driving through Switzerland you'll need a vignette. You might be able to buy one off eBay or if you know of someone who's done a similar rally this year get theirs if they've remembered to not attach it to their windscreen properly. Alternatively go through the official channels, (Iid), as I seem to recall it's more expensive to buy at the border.
Make sure you've got some spares and tools and someone with a reasonably mechanical mind on board. Some of the bodges I've heard of are quite spectacular.
If you're doing Stelvio and/or other passes, overhaul your brakes and REPLACE your brake fluid especially in an automatic!! I had to block a Volvo going down one pass because his brake pedal went to the floor. The idea was that if he couldn't stop, we'd stop him. Not ideal, but we didn't have much choice.
HTH
ETA piccies.
I did one a few years ago and really want to do another.
Regarding requirements for driving on the continent, check AA/RAC websites. You'll need hi-vis jackets and warning triangle and IIRC a spare set of bulbs.
Also, if you're driving through Switzerland you'll need a vignette. You might be able to buy one off eBay or if you know of someone who's done a similar rally this year get theirs if they've remembered to not attach it to their windscreen properly. Alternatively go through the official channels, (Iid), as I seem to recall it's more expensive to buy at the border.
Make sure you've got some spares and tools and someone with a reasonably mechanical mind on board. Some of the bodges I've heard of are quite spectacular.
If you're doing Stelvio and/or other passes, overhaul your brakes and REPLACE your brake fluid especially in an automatic!! I had to block a Volvo going down one pass because his brake pedal went to the floor. The idea was that if he couldn't stop, we'd stop him. Not ideal, but we didn't have much choice.
HTH
ETA piccies.
Edited by Big Rod on Tuesday 17th August 16:05
Big Rod said:
If you're doing Stelvio and/or other passes, overhaul your brakes and REPLACE your brake fluid especially in an automatic!!
God yes, do this. The brakes get seriously hammered coming down the swiss passes. Our Merc ones had smoke pouring off them when we got to the the bottom of the Furka.hairykrishna said:
Big Rod said:
If you're doing Stelvio and/or other passes, overhaul your brakes and REPLACE your brake fluid especially in an automatic!!
God yes, do this. The brakes get seriously hammered coming down the swiss passes. Our Merc ones had smoke pouring off them when we got to the the bottom of the Furka.The brakes on my Omega were glowing when we got to the bottom of a few of the passes, you have been warned.
So far as I know there've been no fatalities, but you don't want to be the first do you?
The Crack Fox said:
Got a link ?
http://www.whitehatrally.co.uk/kzscripts/default.asp?The thing I think we'll struggle with is raising money. I can understand people getting sponsored to run 26 miles or jump out of a plane, but will people actively sponsor a bunch of blokes on a weekend Euro trip!?
Big Rod said:
Regarding requirements for driving on the continent, check AA/RAC websites. You'll need hi-vis jackets and warning triangle and IIRC a spare set of bulbs.
Also, if you're driving through Switzerland you'll need a vignette. You might be able to buy one off eBay or if you know of someone who's done a similar rally this year get theirs if they've remembered to not attach it to their windscreen properly. Alternatively go through the official channels, (Iid), as I seem to recall it's more expensive to buy at the border.
Make sure you've got some spares and tools and someone with a reasonably mechanical mind on board. Some of the bodges I've heard of are quite spectacular.
If you're doing Stelvio and/or other passes, overhaul your brakes and REPLACE your brake fluid especially in an automatic!! I had to block a Volvo going down one pass because his brake pedal went to the floor. The idea was that if he couldn't stop, we'd stop him. Not ideal, but we didn't have much choice.
Good advice, thanks. Also, if you're driving through Switzerland you'll need a vignette. You might be able to buy one off eBay or if you know of someone who's done a similar rally this year get theirs if they've remembered to not attach it to their windscreen properly. Alternatively go through the official channels, (Iid), as I seem to recall it's more expensive to buy at the border.
Make sure you've got some spares and tools and someone with a reasonably mechanical mind on board. Some of the bodges I've heard of are quite spectacular.
If you're doing Stelvio and/or other passes, overhaul your brakes and REPLACE your brake fluid especially in an automatic!! I had to block a Volvo going down one pass because his brake pedal went to the floor. The idea was that if he couldn't stop, we'd stop him. Not ideal, but we didn't have much choice.
Drove the Rover last week, certainly seems to go (albeit slowly!) and stop well. Handles like an arse though. Will certainly look at the brake fluid to be replaced. It has a leaking header tank (apparently common on these engines) that my mate has bodge fixed with some tape.
What's the score with Euro breakdown cover?
What's the score with insurance?
g3org3y said:
What's the score with Euro breakdown cover?
What's the score with insurance?
RAC or AA will cover you for 70-80 ish quid for a week, I seem to remember. We didn't bother as we decided it was cheating.What's the score with insurance?
Your insurance probably covers you already - check your policy. You might have to give the insurance company a bell to let them know you're going and get a Europe specific cover note. It almost certainly won't cover you on the 'ring.
g3org3y said:
What's the score with Euro breakdown cover?
What's the score with insurance?
Depends on what you want.What's the score with insurance?
I insured my car with my incumbent insurance company temporarily for about 3 - 4 weeks for european driving. Enough time to shake the car down and drive to Italy.
Some people take out policies and cancel within the 14 day cooling off period.
Breakdown insurance?!?!?!?
It's a banger rally FFS!! Do you want an adventure or not?
Etidid fur speelin.
Edited by Big Rod on Tuesday 17th August 16:59
Mastodon2 said:
And you only have 37 (more like 36 now) days to make £1000 minimum! Time to get some serious fund-raising underway!
I know!!
If anyone can think of any cunning plans... I think we're supposed to do it via this: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/giving/Big Rod said:
Breakdown insurance?!?!?!?
It's a banger rally FFS!! Do you want an adventure or not?
Etidid fur speelin.
We're using a Rover! I was tempted to get one of those Euro Train ticket jobbies as back up! It's a banger rally FFS!! Do you want an adventure or not?
Etidid fur speelin.
Edited by Big Rod on Tuesday 17th August 16:59
Anyone who has done this gone down the company sponsorship route with company logos displayed on the car for a sponsor fee? Might be a good way of raising some cash as opposed to dribs and drabs of fivers from people who seem quite sceptical about giving me money for a 'driving holiday'.
Finalised a route with my codrivers a few days ago - very excited about it all!
Still using the crap Rover *grumble grumble*
Finalised a route with my codrivers a few days ago - very excited about it all!
Still using the crap Rover *grumble grumble*
GC8 said:
Three weeks? Bloody hell, three or four days is more common. Im not sure if thatd be brilliant, or whether youd be wanting it to be over, because Ive usually had enough on Monday evening after starting on Frriday morning...
It is 3 days, we're just spending a further 7 out there for the banter.
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