Just got back from France/Italy/Ring

Just got back from France/Italy/Ring

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AlexHancock

Original Poster:

466 posts

269 months

Monday 18th August 2003
quotequote all
Just got back from my usual trip to Italy via a friend's house in Bergerac.

The 3200 performed perfectly down to Bergerac but the A/C failed whilst there - all the gas leaked out suddenly so a leak had developed somewhere. This meant a hot trip to North East Italy - the car didn't mind but we lost a few lbs!

Visited a tuner near Verona that promised 45 more bhp and 25% more torque. My car's still under warranty so ... but amazingly it now goes a lot quicker anyway.

On the way home I decided to treat myself to a loop or two of the 'ring. I got there late on Saturday and stayed in a hotel in Koblenz. Got up early on Sunday ('ring opens at 8 am) only to discover that some ***** had badly keyed the bonnet, left front wind, left door, left rear wing and ripped the left mirror off (only held on by the cables). So some time was spent in the local cop shop before I was able to get to the 'ring about 10:30. A nice Swiss chap (C Pulver) was able to secure the mirror - he does about 1000 laps a year at the 'ring in 8 mins!!!).

The 3200 is probably not the weapon of choice for the 'ring but was lots of fun anyway. I managed to scare myself in a few places and cooked the front tyres so had to stop as they had to get me home. But must say I'm now hooked and I'm thinking about mods to the 3200 or acquiring a more specialist car - e.g. exige. Either way I'm going back soon and will take my MV if I'm feeling brave. I can see why people get hooked and the variety of trick cars/bikes is a petrol head's dream.

I now need to get the car repaired and serviced but I'm more than happy with this car than can take me all over Europe at massive speeds, fly around the 'ring with all my luggage in the back and still cruise home at 120 mph!

If you're waiting...

Cheers

Alex

AlexHancock

Original Poster:

466 posts

269 months

Monday 18th August 2003
quotequote all
Thanks Tony.

No, I couldn't get the A/C fixed in Italy and the weather was starting to cool off so not really a big problem.

The manual's harder to drive but worth it - also software changes can improve things no end.

AlexHancock

Original Poster:

466 posts

269 months

Thursday 28th August 2003
quotequote all
A PistonHeads trip could be in order???