I'd love to hear about the members who drove to Le Mans
Discussion
Hi all.
As I am planning a big driving event for next June, I am looking for all the good bits/bad bits about the journey down, not specifically the route, as mine won't be in France, but what parts of such an undertaking were most enjoyable, what little things made a big difference, what bugged you, what you would add/change/remove all together.
I know a bunch of guys drove to the event together, so thats right up my alley.
Any tips/suggestions that I might be able to consider/incorporate for enjoyment/remove for annoyance would be very helpful. Also, its just great to hear about your adventures!
Adventure is the name of the game, right?
As I am planning a big driving event for next June, I am looking for all the good bits/bad bits about the journey down, not specifically the route, as mine won't be in France, but what parts of such an undertaking were most enjoyable, what little things made a big difference, what bugged you, what you would add/change/remove all together.
I know a bunch of guys drove to the event together, so thats right up my alley.
Any tips/suggestions that I might be able to consider/incorporate for enjoyment/remove for annoyance would be very helpful. Also, its just great to hear about your adventures!
Adventure is the name of the game, right?
Thanks guys, naturally I won’t be looking at any motorway stretches unless it’s totally unavoidable or teams want to make up a bit of time and catch up by driving at (ahem) 70 for a bit.
Our cars will have stickers and we will certainly have a few cars, so that’s that box ticked, mostly A roads throughout Wales, England and into Scotland. Check.
Can’t really add in the CB Radio link although believe it or not we did discuss that idea and even brought a set for testing distance! Cost essentially killed the idea but also traffic... we are aiming for 80 teams, that’s a lot of static
So far so good, ticking the right boxes then.
Our cars will have stickers and we will certainly have a few cars, so that’s that box ticked, mostly A roads throughout Wales, England and into Scotland. Check.
Can’t really add in the CB Radio link although believe it or not we did discuss that idea and even brought a set for testing distance! Cost essentially killed the idea but also traffic... we are aiming for 80 teams, that’s a lot of static
So far so good, ticking the right boxes then.
Totally agree on Le Mans, and I will drive there, possibly next year for an event, be it the 24 hours or Classic Le Mans.
My events’ route starts from West London and heads west towards Wales, then into the South and onto the North of Wales where we arrive late afternoon and let the nightly-festivities commence. It’s back up and out the next from Borth Wales back into England, heading North through the Lake District and furthur on towards Glasgow, stopping for the night again at our site on the Scottish Coast close to Glasgow. Again a night of fun before the next day heading North towards Skye, not driving on to but camping very close and very remotely near there. Awaking for our last day, we slice East across central Scotland and towards Edinburgh where we have a final party and awards evening.
The route isn’t 100% decided as I am letting locals and experienced drivers guide me when planning the greatest route, and most of not all will be A roads.
I figure it’s best to set an ‘official’ stop halfway through the day but generally leave teams to do what they want, perhaps mention a few POIs along routes, and then that allows for variations in the stories that people have from their day of an evening.
My events’ route starts from West London and heads west towards Wales, then into the South and onto the North of Wales where we arrive late afternoon and let the nightly-festivities commence. It’s back up and out the next from Borth Wales back into England, heading North through the Lake District and furthur on towards Glasgow, stopping for the night again at our site on the Scottish Coast close to Glasgow. Again a night of fun before the next day heading North towards Skye, not driving on to but camping very close and very remotely near there. Awaking for our last day, we slice East across central Scotland and towards Edinburgh where we have a final party and awards evening.
The route isn’t 100% decided as I am letting locals and experienced drivers guide me when planning the greatest route, and most of not all will be A roads.
I figure it’s best to set an ‘official’ stop halfway through the day but generally leave teams to do what they want, perhaps mention a few POIs along routes, and then that allows for variations in the stories that people have from their day of an evening.
Totally agree! That final sense of arriving at Le Mans would be unbeatable, and that’s probably why it’s such a huge occasion and always draws a huge crowd.
In regards to the rallies, I don’t think any of them are trying to emulate the feelings of arriving at Le Mans, I think it’s about participating in something, feeling part of a group and getting out there and enjoying driving in a way that you wouldn’t do on a daily commute.
For me it’s about bringing fun back into driving, associating that fun with other fun things like socialising, camping, few drinks and some music, rolling it all into a big ball and making it something great to be a part of.
I asked about those who drive/drive to Le Mans as I just wanted to know specifically what makes people take on the journey, and it seems that it’s the event itself. Haven’t heard much praise in regards to the roads driven, seems all about getting there - which is great, I was just wondering if there were other drivers behind the decision to go every year.
In regards to the rallies, I don’t think any of them are trying to emulate the feelings of arriving at Le Mans, I think it’s about participating in something, feeling part of a group and getting out there and enjoying driving in a way that you wouldn’t do on a daily commute.
For me it’s about bringing fun back into driving, associating that fun with other fun things like socialising, camping, few drinks and some music, rolling it all into a big ball and making it something great to be a part of.
I asked about those who drive/drive to Le Mans as I just wanted to know specifically what makes people take on the journey, and it seems that it’s the event itself. Haven’t heard much praise in regards to the roads driven, seems all about getting there - which is great, I was just wondering if there were other drivers behind the decision to go every year.
Clearly the buzz around Le Mans is a huge one! Look forward to taking the journey myself.
Just to clarify, I started the thread to ask what made the trip special to see what I could use from that and incorporate into my own event.
You have all been very helpful, it has helped shape my event and although I dare not mention my own event as I have been removed several times, those who enjoy driving trips and a spot of camping are more than welcome to join.
Thanks again to all those who contributed.
Just to clarify, I started the thread to ask what made the trip special to see what I could use from that and incorporate into my own event.
You have all been very helpful, it has helped shape my event and although I dare not mention my own event as I have been removed several times, those who enjoy driving trips and a spot of camping are more than welcome to join.
Thanks again to all those who contributed.
Hi Mark,
I’m glad you brought up your fears and I’m also glad that you mentioned that you worried as a petrolhead.
I too am a petrolhead, hence why I am getting involved in this event in the first place. Every participant so far is also a petrolhead, and I anticipate that how ever many cars we leave London with, they will all be petrolheads.
The reason I am so confident in saying so is that this isn’t a rally like most, seeking Lamborghinis and Ferrari’s to drive fast between parties and hotels. It is an event set up to provide some adventure to drivers. The sort of people that speed, drink drive, hit reckless speeds and endanger other motorists are not the sort of people who will happily pitch a tent between other car fans, go without a shower, sit and enjoy one another’s company in the middle of nowhere, where even phone signal is unheard of.
That, combined with the demographic of people that have signed up and those I am carefully targeting, leads me to believe that your fears can rest easy about this event, anyway.
Robert.
I’m glad you brought up your fears and I’m also glad that you mentioned that you worried as a petrolhead.
I too am a petrolhead, hence why I am getting involved in this event in the first place. Every participant so far is also a petrolhead, and I anticipate that how ever many cars we leave London with, they will all be petrolheads.
The reason I am so confident in saying so is that this isn’t a rally like most, seeking Lamborghinis and Ferrari’s to drive fast between parties and hotels. It is an event set up to provide some adventure to drivers. The sort of people that speed, drink drive, hit reckless speeds and endanger other motorists are not the sort of people who will happily pitch a tent between other car fans, go without a shower, sit and enjoy one another’s company in the middle of nowhere, where even phone signal is unheard of.
That, combined with the demographic of people that have signed up and those I am carefully targeting, leads me to believe that your fears can rest easy about this event, anyway.
Robert.
Thanks BJW, indeed I am.
The 4BallR is coming along nicely with everyone’s help so that’s brilliant. From peoples responses, I think I get what it is to plan something special, and using my own trips that I loved as a template, it’s shaping up superbly.
Although we don’t have a world famous 24 hour race at the end, what we have got along the way is utterly fantastic roads, wonderful places to stop and some great entertainment every evening alongside the adventure of camping together. It’s not for everyone but then neither is Le Mans... those who love it will do it again and again, those who hate it will find something else to sign up to.
😄
The 4BallR is coming along nicely with everyone’s help so that’s brilliant. From peoples responses, I think I get what it is to plan something special, and using my own trips that I loved as a template, it’s shaping up superbly.
Although we don’t have a world famous 24 hour race at the end, what we have got along the way is utterly fantastic roads, wonderful places to stop and some great entertainment every evening alongside the adventure of camping together. It’s not for everyone but then neither is Le Mans... those who love it will do it again and again, those who hate it will find something else to sign up to.
😄
I think I’ll leave the stereo choices to the participants but I could certainly make some recommendations!
Music is a huge part of the event. Just now in talks to book some amazing artists for our evening entertainment. I’m what you would call ‘off the charts excited’ by recent emails!
Music is a huge part of the event. Just now in talks to book some amazing artists for our evening entertainment. I’m what you would call ‘off the charts excited’ by recent emails!
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