View Full Version : Gumball
volospian
04-04-2011, 09:41
After last years euro event (£450 Alfas to Milan and back via the alps and the 'ring) I'm thinking of organising a one off Gumball style race across europe. First thoughts are Folkestone (or rather Calais, thinking meet at Folkestone, cross in the tunnel, then organise a timed leave) to Messina (Sicily). Leave at a set time, then your till receipt at the hotle bar is your arrival ticket. Fastest one there wins nothing but bragging rights.
This is just a thought at the moment, with no set date or particular plans, but I wondered if anybody would be interested...
I'd absolutely love to do something like this, was trying to an entry into the Scumball with some friends sorted but nothing came of it.
I'll be keeping my eye on this thread :)
A race across Europe you say...?
volospian
05-04-2011, 12:59
A race across Europe you say...?
Of course not. Racing on public roads would be illegal.
I'd love to do this but I'm too sensible when it comes to driving (unless I have access to blue lightage and authority ;))! lol! I'd be the James May of the crew!
Justsomebloke
05-04-2011, 19:16
Fastest one there wins nothing but bragging rights.
..
Surely that has to be changed to a Gumball machine. :cool:
Subscribed. :evil:
volospian
05-04-2011, 21:46
I'd love to do this but I'm too sensible when it comes to driving (unless I have access to blue lightage and authority ;))! lol! I'd be the James May of the crew!
*Shrugs* sometimes the hare beats the tortoise. And the tortoise feels good while it cruises past the hare standing on the side of the road, talking to the polizia :D
Haarrumppphhhhfadink.
It could be tempting then.
:p
Psymonkee
06-04-2011, 00:52
I'd love to have a go at something as cool as this.
Need money first though :(
volospian
06-04-2011, 08:25
Well, it would cost...
Overnight Stays - unless you live very near Folkestone, 1 night at the start place then whetever you decide to do after the race. You'd probably need one or two nights on the way home, unless you made a holiday of it in which case it would cost more, obviously. We'll have a few brews at the finish point, and probably meet up the night before the start, but apart from that there's no particular demands on this, so you are free to camp, sleep in the car, whatever you fancy.
Fuel - nuff said
Crossing - I'm intending to make the starting point in Calais, so you are free to ferry or chunnel over the day before (or even prior to the start if you are close enough to do that in one go, but the finish line is nearly 1500 miles away, so I'd recommend some rest before you start).
Toll Charges - depending on your chosen route
Food/Drink - Obviously.
Other costs - if you chose to buy a car for this then obviously you'd need to fund it. Even if you take your existing daily drive you may need to consider breakdown cover, additional insurance costs, a quick service, etc etc.
And of course you'd need to decide what you wanted to do after the finish line...
Pheebs,
Think of it like this. I will probably be taking my Jag. It's a 400hp V8 that gets to 60 in about 5 seconds and is limited to 155mph. Sounds great, but then I only get around 17mpg out of it on average. If you had a car that averaged 34mpg I'd need to stop for fuel twice as often. Considering speed cameras, holdups and so on, I wouldn't have that much of an advantage over a high mpg cruiser.
Secondly, careful route planning and not getting lost makes for a good time. Taking the wrong exit, getting lost or just bad route planning and getting stuck in roadworks could render you hours off the pace.
Then there's breakdowns, flat tyres, getting pulled by the police, and so on...
That's the beauty of endurance events, it's all about the marathon, not the sprint.
In fact, if you look at the original cannonball run stats, second place in '71 were in a van and completed the run only 53 minutes slower than the winners who were in a Ferrari Dino. Not bad when you consider the winning time was 35.53.
For those who are seriously interested in this, PM me so I can invite you to the FB event.
Planning routes... not getting lost... fixing broken cars... replacing flat tyres...
I *will* lose!
But... I'M IN!
Ahahaha! I have no money but I don't care! Sounds fun and life's too short!
Who wants to jump upon the Pheebsmobile!? :D
I'm very interested but it'll depend on dates. I'd be tempted to do it in my car as it's pretty good long distance cruiser.
There's a few spare seats in mine if you wanted to do that rather than drive, Pheebs? You could of course share the driving too if you wanted.
I like brumming! I'd share! My cars... well. It's speshul.
Hahaha! Honk honk! You think it's wise to share a vehicle with moi!? I siiiiiiing in the car!! Ahahahaa!
volospian
06-04-2011, 18:07
Right, I originally wanted to run this after the summer holidays, but so far the general response seems to be "I would, but I've already committed to a holiday this year" or "I have no holiday left at work" or "I can't raise the cash for a while" and so on.
So, while I'm loath to lose the momentum here, I would suggest that the event be postponed until May next year.
Plus points...
People have a year to sort their lives out financially
It will be into next years holiday entitlement
People can plan their holidays around the event.
Gives me a while to arrange everything and gather more people.
if I made it slightly later this year it would bring us into close season and everything will be closed when we get there, so by making it spring next year, we get to go right at the start of the season...
Bad points...
People will forget about it and lose interest, or assume I'm just daydreaming and lose interest.
I know it may seem like a kop out, but I don't want to waste my time arranging it, then turn up on the day and be the only person in the car park, so I'd rather give people enough notice and ensure they can make it. I have already arranged one event last year, so I have a track record of pulling it off (oo-er).
I also have enough experience of people saying they're interested and then pulling out close to the time, which is why I initially said I'd only do it if there was enough interest :()
What do people think? Does this sound reasonable, and would it make it more likely that people could make it if it were next year?
Or would you be less likely to do it if it didn't happen for several months?
I'd be much more likely to join in if it doesn't happen for a while. I'm going to be in Canada for 3 weeks next month so my holiday time and money is pretty much tied up for now.
I wanna be in the pheebsmobile! - later would be better for me though so depends on the timing.
Why not in the autumn/winter this month?!!?
:D
ALL ABOOOOOOARD! HONK HONK! :D
This month??
</nutter>
Ahahaha!
I like this woman.
Ney, I love her!
/\ /\ /\ /\
Kitten, if they're not up for it we should do it ourselves. And if we win we should award ourselves with drinks and oodles of scrummy foods and dancing.
;D
Mambo numero cinquo?
*dons flapper dress and WIGGLES*
:spam:
Sorry Vol, went off tracks a bit there... heh... hehehehe... off tracks... see what I did there? Mmm? MMM? Ahaha!
Jesus what's wrong with me tonight... I feel slightly batty! Happy but batty!
volospian
07-04-2011, 07:58
Sorry Vol, went off tracks a bit there...
That sort of lack of concentration could lose you the race! :p
I'm glad that a delayed start seems to suit most poeple.
I'm proposing sometime mid May next year now. I'll have to find out from any teachers/people with kids when half term is, so I don't coincide with that.
Psymonkee
08-04-2011, 22:17
Yes Next year would be awesome! I'm hoping to be debt free by next year so can plunder money into driving my shed of a Mondeo through Europe! :D
semi-pro waster
10-04-2011, 12:34
I'll keep an eye on this, sounds like it could be a laugh although I've got no idea what I'll be driving next year and generally my exams are towards the end of May so I might have to rule myself out on those grounds.
I'm in for next year :)
:D :D :D :D
I should really reply on Facebook - but im a 'maybe' at the minute, getting close to the Divorce going through and until I know what Ive been left with (im guessing ummm not a lot, I cant commit to much at the minute)
Does sound like an absolute blast though :evil:
I'm deffo interested, have you got a link you can PM me to the facebook thingy?
volospian
12-04-2011, 08:22
How do those serious about attending feel about 2 wheeled entries? I have no concerns about their relative speed as we all know it's about endurance and average times, but I think the bike may gain unfair advantage in its ability to filter through stationary traffic and the like, and their ability to go through a forward facing speed camera without worrying about it too much... however, I don't know much about bikes. For all I know those advantages are outweighed by range between fuel stops and so on...
I think I'd prefer to keep it 4 wheeled if possible. As a biker myself it's clear that bikes would have an unfair advantage.
Can you also PM me the Facebook thing?
Zomg. My brain is completely not working today.
I thought you were talking about wheelchairs for a bit.
I think I'm going to go back to my tiling.
volospian
12-04-2011, 10:38
Yeah, I think we should ban wheelchairs from the race as they would get an unfair advantage due to their speed and mpg. I have looked at google maps and it looks as if it is downhill all the way from Calais to Sicily. They'll be able to coast down and at that distance should be able to get up a fair speed... mind you, they'll need asbestos hands if they don't want to end up in the sea...
How do those serious about attending feel about 2 wheeled entries?
Ooooh a throbbing monster entry ;D
Umm - way unfair advantage, but, if needs must - have a car entry and a bike entry i.e. 2 umm 'races'
Bikes V's Cars would end up with a bike win, that I am sure
Yeah, I think we should ban wheelchairs from the race as they would get an unfair advantage due to their speed and mpg. I have looked at google maps and it looks as if it is downhill all the way from Calais to Sicily. They'll be able to coast down and at that distance should be able to get up a fair speed... mind you, they'll need asbestos hands if they don't want to end up in the sea...
:p
volospian
12-04-2011, 11:58
Ooooh a throbbing monster entry ;D
Umm - way unfair advantage, but, if needs must - have a car entry and a bike entry i.e. 2 umm 'races'
Bikes V's Cars would end up with a bike win, that I am sure
That's what I'm thinking. It would potentially open the doors for more entrants, as my mate would possibly challenge his other biker mates to attend, but as you say "car vs bike" I think would be too unfair.
A Place of Light
16-04-2011, 15:04
The problem with events based on who is the quickest from A to B, is that you do not have time to smell the roses on the way. Given the costs (especially fuel, which is more expensive in almost all of Europe than it is here) I would go out on a limb and say the experience gained will not feel like value for money for the majority of people. You would be better off travelling a route with fixed stops and forgetting the timed aspect completely. That way, you could actually see the sights instead of steamrolling through the scenery/places of interest with nothing to report other than to comment on the quality of Autostrada coffee and the newly earned ability to draw a Jag dashboard from memory.
I'll be going for the experience, the photography, the sights, the sounds and the ROAD TRIP!! I doubt we'll be in it for the win - I guess you'll get out of it what you're willing to put in. :)
It's a good point though, the one thing I was a bit concerned about. I want to experience it, not race through it.
A Place of Light
16-04-2011, 15:17
^
Europe has a LOT of incredible sights to offer.
Blitzkrieging your way through it as fast as you dare is a sure fire way to miss out on most of it. Once you add time into the mix, you will need to choose the fastest route. This typically involves some of the most boring roads you can imagine with, just as it is here, some of THE most expensive fuel you will ever see.
Prize for slowest time?
Problem solved.
A Place of Light
16-04-2011, 21:22
Prize for slowest time?
Problem solved.
Kinda defeats the point of a race though.
Best to ditch the time aspect altogether, select a few interesting points along the route and make those your overnight stops. Get caught speeding in europe and it gets painful real quick, so making it something of a tour rather than a race would make it more enjoyable and give it a wider appeal. I would love to do a race as suggested in the OP, but then I have driven in Europe many times and I am there regularly. Most people, including many in here, would treat something like this as their annual holiday so an event that lets them stop and smell the roses when they like instead of chasing the stopwatch would be a far better plan in my opinion.
If it were me organising it, i'd split it into 'stages' that are easily manageable and let everyone spend a day here or there to enjoy things, then tot up total times at the end if you really feel you need an overall time for it all.
As APoL has suggested above really, it's a big event and spending a week on the motorway might seem a bit of a let down when it's all said and done. If you do it in stages, you can even 'force' the routes onto some more interesting roads so that even the road trip aspect will involve more enjoyment and more scenery etc. than your typical autoroute will give you.
(Suggested route on google maps has you on one road for 455 miles at one point...)
I'd be the James May of the crew!
Only if I stay on this side of the pond. Imagine a 44 year old fart with a greying beard driving a 57 year old Jeep that's only capable of 45-50mph max. And an acceleration rate comparable to a cruise ship.
Mind you, 455 miles in my Jeep would leave me in a wheel chair. More than about 30 miles and I'm in serious need of a chiropractor. That thing has NO suspension movement.
But somehow I don't think I'd ever be able to participate in a function like this. Money is non-existent for just about anything, let alone shipping my Jeep to Europe.
volospian
17-04-2011, 20:51
Sorry guys, I'm not organising a week long sightseeing tour around the prettier parts of Europe. I'm organising a hardcore 24 hour endurance race. However, I'm specifically not dictating where people go, or how long they take to get home, after they reach the finishing line.
You see, the problem with organising a "sightseeing" tour as some of you have suggested is.... who wants to see what sight, where does everyone want to go, at what time, when, how and so on. One persons idea of a beautiful medieval town centre is someone elses idea of a nightmare of shoving your way through crowds of tourists while some Eastern European tealeaf smashes your windscreen and nicks your stereo. Someone elses idea of a great time spent hooning around a race track somewhere is someone elses idea of a noisy, smelly, waste of their life.
I organised a trip last year, Calais to Geneva, through the Petit St Bernard pass into Italy and on to the Alfa museum in Milan, back up through Switzerland and into Germany, stop for a couple of nights at Nurburgring and back to the UK. All with "special stages" along the way, things do to, places to see....
It was a ******* nightmare and, in many ways, one of the most frustrating and disappointing experiences of my life. Everybody wanted to do different things, at different times. Nobody really wanted to stick to the schedule, which meant that we missed out on some of the sights as people sat around arguing about where they were going to stop for lunch or whatever... people were suggesting new routes on the way, or suggesting their own ideas, and then getting into arguments with each other over them... We were driving in convoy as well, which meant that when one person wanted to stop, everybody had to stop. Someone would stop for a pee, then 30 minutes later someone else needed to go and we'd all have to stop again...
The race is designed specifically to be 1 thing all the participants want to do, and then it doesn't matter what everyone wants to do after that. If some want to tour France, or Italy, or go up to Spa or the 'ring, then that's up to them. If several people all want to do that same thing, then great, but if some want to do something different, that's cool too.
After the last time, I have absolutely no interest in organising, or attending, a group trip meandering around the sights of mainland Europe.
Fair enough, I can understand that viewpoint. I'd still be tempted to try and force a slightly more interesting route though. 455 miles sat on the same long motorway is just going to end up a bit boring compared to if you sent people to a couple of slightly off course checkpoints which took them via some more interesting roads.
Otherwise it's essentially just a case of three guys getting a diesel thats economical at 90-100mph, driving and sleeping in shifts and they win without stopping :p
A Place of Light
18-04-2011, 00:06
After the last time, I have absolutely no interest in organising, or attending, a group trip meandering around the sights of mainland Europe.
Then you will struggle to get anything resembling mainstream appeal, but as you used the word hardcore in your previous post I suppose you already know this. Based on that, I cannot see anyone from here attending. You may attract one or two, but I do not see many hardcore racers in here.
volospian
18-04-2011, 09:19
Fair enough, I can understand that viewpoint. I'd still be tempted to try and force a slightly more interesting route though. 455 miles sat on the same long motorway is just going to end up a bit boring compared to if you sent people to a couple of slightly off course checkpoints which took them via some more interesting roads.
Otherwise it's essentially just a case of three guys getting a diesel thats economical at 90-100mph, driving and sleeping in shifts and they win without stopping :p
Well, Calais to Messina is slightly longer than 455 miles. Besides, if the race was only 455 miles, and you were cruising at 100mph, why would you need 3 guys? I can drive on my own for more than 4.5 hours straight without needing a kip. :p
I think some people are missing the point here, somewhat... I'm proposing a race. That, by definition, dictates that you won't be stopping to take in the views. However, the race itself is only 1 part of the experience. I am deliberately not organising anything after the race exactly so people can do their own thing on their way home.
The problem with "interesting roads" is this... what are you interested in? If it's the views, you won't want to be racing along at high speed, so there's no point in driving that route as part of a race. If you are racing, you won't be looking at the views. If you are driving fast on, say, an alpine pass, and you want to live, you do not take in the views... You concentrate very hard on the road, the car and the traffic. I know, I've done it, and apart from the time spent parked up while my co-driver emptied the contents of his stomach, I don't think I looked at anything other than tarmac and gauges. (brake fade to the point of almost zero braking force on a downhill set of switchbacks doesn't sit easily on everyones stomach, although as a driver I found the challenge of managing the fade, while still keeping up with the car in front, to be an "exciting technical learning opportunity" ;) There were so many corners on the route that we managed to boil the power steering fluid as well as the brake fluid...;D)
Also, not knowing peoples driving skills, I would not be happy to dictate any routes to them for a "race" environment. I don't want people to feel pushed beyond their capabilities. The event I am thinking of has no route. If you think you can fit in an interesting pass, or stop for pictures, and still average a greater speed than those cruising down the autoroute, go for it.
The fact that I am simply proposing a race between to points on a map, allowing the contestant to choose their own strategy, their own route, their own vehicle, and then leaving them in the toe of Italy and allowing them to get home whenever they want, in whatever fasion they desire, via any route they so care, with any, or none, of their fellow contestants... and still I get people saying "I think you should do this" or "I think you should do that" proves my point that whatever I arrange, people will still moan about it not being exactly what they want. So, I'll ask my original question again, if anybody is interested, let me know.
volospian
18-04-2011, 09:22
Then you will struggle to get anything resembling mainstream appeal, but as you used the word hardcore in your previous post I suppose you already know this. Based on that, I cannot see anyone from here attending. You may attract one or two, but I do not see many hardcore racers in here.
Well, I know a few people on here from a previous life, and I think some will be very interested. Whether they can afford to go, or have the time to go, is another matter, but there are people interested in the concept.
I don't think anyone was expecting you to organise anyone else.
We're all capable of saying, we'll be 'here' at 'x' time, either you are, or you aren't and we'll go and do our own thing.
I'm probably out now as it sounds a lot less fun from the last few posts :) - think the opening post of
After last years euro event (£450 Alfas to Milan and back via the alps and the 'ring) I'm thinking of organising a one off Gumball style race across europe. First thoughts are Folkestone (or rather Calais, thinking meet at Folkestone, cross in the tunnel, then organise a timed leave) to Messina (Sicily). Leave at a set time, then your till receipt at the hotle bar is your arrival ticket. Fastest one there wins nothing but bragging rights.
This is just a thought at the moment, with no set date or particular plans, but I wondered if anybody would be interested...
sounds more like a set your own pace, there's nothing to win anyway type of thing.
I figured you kinda "race" there and then tour back?!
I figured you kinda "race" there and then tour back?!
That's what I'm planning to do.
I dunno, I'm just not planning on holding anyone back!
Aww you wouldn't! We'd have a mega time :D
volospian
18-04-2011, 12:33
I don't think anyone was expecting you to organise anyone else.
I'm not tlaking about organising people, per se, it's organising routes, times, and so on.
Imagine if the "event" had several "stages" and took in various "routes"... if that was to be pre-ordained (and it would need to be or we'd all just be aimlessly wandering around Europe) then someone would have to plan those routes, decide upon start and stop locations, determine how to calculate times (if time was important). How many routes, what was seen, where we went, and so on... And that's a lot of time and effort and ulitmately too much hassle because you'll never please everyone anyway.
Aww you wouldn't! We'd have a mega time :D
ok well if you're sure. Looks like I'm back in :D
ok well if you're sure. Looks like I'm back in :D
YEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAA!
OMg. We need cowboy hats.
I have a real cowboy hat. And boots ;D
volospian
18-04-2011, 13:05
By the way, as I initially punted this idea to various people in various areas, I ended up with a couple of different lists, some had the same people in more than once, some had people who had said they may be attending, but had subesquently told me they weren't now going to make it, and so on, so I have zapped them all and will create one definitive list on the weekend.
So if you were in one of the various facebook groups or events and suddenly seem to not be in there anymore, that's why. I'll try and set a final date for the start over the weekend and re-invite those who have already said they want to be in, into one main group.
A Place of Light
18-04-2011, 13:22
I dunno, I'm just not planning on holding anyone back!
Do a banger rally instead. It sounds like, albeit from my limited take on you, that it would be far more your kind of thing.
www.streetsafari.com. (or co.uk, I forget which).
Do a banger rally instead. It sounds like, albeit from my limited take on you, that it would be far more your kind of thing.
www.streetsafari.com. (or co.uk, I forget which).
That. Looks. AMAZING!
volospian
18-04-2011, 14:02
That. Looks. AMAZING!
Providing your banger doesn't break down. Then it becomes extremely tedious extremely quickly. I know that from experience too (although it wasn't my car that broke down, it was a mates. They did get home eventually, mind).
volospian
18-04-2011, 15:01
If you guys seriously just want to do a Europe roadtrip, I'd suggest you just get a few mates together, book a few hotels or whatever and do it yourselves.
The trouble with a lot of these banger rally things is that you can end up paying out a sizeable sum to enter (that one is £200 entry fee, then a car that costs less than £250 and getting that ready, etc.) and then still regretting it all. A mate went on the Scumball Rally a couple of years ago and said that the antics of some of the other entrants made him ashamed to be British.
At least with mates you can pretty much guarentee a good time, and you won't have to pay entrance fees, or have to buy cars specifically for the event, etc.
I couldn't do a banger one because if my car broke down the only way I could get it moving again would be to push it ;D
I'd be stuck on one spot! Hahaha!
Well, Calais to Messina is slightly longer than 455 miles. Besides, if the race was only 455 miles, and you were cruising at 100mph, why would you need 3 guys? I can drive on my own for more than 4.5 hours straight without needing a kip. :p
I know that :p
The 455 miles i'm talking about is getting onto the highway in Italy, which you then do not come off of until you are at the south of Italy, it's just 455 miles on one single road.
I just thought things may be a bit more interesting if certain checkpoints were added with proof, such as a photograph of the town clock in X or something along those lines. Just thought it would spice things up a little.
A Place of Light
18-04-2011, 19:39
Providing your banger doesn't break down. Then it becomes extremely tedious extremely quickly. I know that from experience too (although it wasn't my car that broke down, it was a mates. They did get home eventually, mind).
European breakdown cover is inexpensive and takes care of everything. The only worry is caused bu not taking out said insurance.
A Place of Light
18-04-2011, 19:46
A mate went on the Scumball Rally a couple of years ago and said that the antics of some of the other entrants made him ashamed to be British.
At least with mates you can pretty much guarentee a good time, and you won't have to pay entrance fees, or have to buy cars specifically for the event..
I know the organiser of Scumball and it was promoted that way, and all of the rallies are far more professional now.
Taking a banger allows the team to do the event, have a few days at the destination then scrap it and fly home. Driving there and back isn't tor everyone. It's cheaper to fly home and also it takes up less of your hard earned holiday entitlement.
A Place of Light
18-04-2011, 19:49
That. Looks. AMAZING!
If you're interested, feel free to PM/email me and I can give you more information and advice on taking part.
That's what I'm planning to do.
And me.... (subject to finances come D Day)
Honk it down, slow back up (and let the car recover!)
volospian
19-04-2011, 08:14
European breakdown cover is inexpensive and takes care of everything. The only worry is caused bu not taking out said insurance.
They had breakdown cover. You make it sound like some big fairy with a magic wand who will instantly make everything alright. They waited for 2 hours on the side of a 2 lane autoroute for the breakdown truck to arrive, which took them to a German garage, where no-one spoke English. The garage then closed for lunch for 2 hours. The mechanic then decided he needed to ascertain the damage before they could continue. an hour or so later he then presented them with a bill for 1200 euros to repair it, or they could pay to scrap it, and get a recovery back to Calais, then travel over on the train as passengers, then wait in Folkestone for a driver to take them home. I believe they got home around 3am.
Going home a couple of hours out of Calais, after forking out all that cash to enter, isn't all that much fun. Your breakdown cover won't reimburse you your entry fees, hotel cancellations and so on. You may be able to claim some of those expenses on holiday insurance, I suppose, but I doubt they'd cover the purchase cost of the scrapped vehicle, the entry fees and so on...
A Place of Light
19-04-2011, 13:50
^
Who did they get their breakdown insurance from, because it certainly wasn't any of the majors. I've got personal experience of the AA's service and It's nothing like you describe.
BUMP! Any more thoughts on this...!?!?
I might be a two wheeler now! O_o!! :D
volospian
02-12-2011, 14:12
Not at the moment.... However, I am desperate to drive the Transfagarasan pass, so I am discussing with a few friends the possibility of a trip next May/June time to take in the shlumpf collection (http://www.citedelautomobile.com/en/home) in Mulhouse, then on to the Stelvio Pass (http://www.fogonazos.es/2007/08/stelvio-pass-road-48-hairpin-turns-to.html), across to Romania for the Transfagarasan Pass (http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/romania/fagaras-mountains), then back up to the 'ring and home. It looks like it would be about a week or so at the moment, but it's only in discussion at the moment.
A Place of Light
02-12-2011, 23:46
Stelvio is massively over-rated due to the Top Gear effect. It's made up of bends that are so tight you can't do anything but slow right down to negotiate them. Most of Stelvio is as far away from being an involving drive as the M6.
That sounds a little bit like a sightseeing tour around Europe now :p
volospian
04-12-2011, 18:04
That sounds a little bit like a sightseeing tour around Europe now :p
lol, it's not the original concept for sure, but it won't be much of a sightseeing tour either if I want to get it all done in a week. The Fagaras mountains are a long way away :)
volospian
04-12-2011, 18:34
Stelvio is massively over-rated due to the Top Gear effect. It's made up of bends that are so tight you can't do anything but slow right down to negotiate them. Most of Stelvio is as far away from being an involving drive as the M6.
Sounds to me like you're doing it wrong. Personally I love driving switchbacks. Brake as hard and as late as you dare, down through the gears, tyres squealing around the bend, with perhaps the back end breaking loose, then you're hard on the throttle and as fast as you dare before you're late and hard on the brakes for the next 180, and all the while the threat of a sheer drop and the stench of boiling brake fluid keeping the adrenaline pumping. I personally find that more involving than, say, the M6.
I may be wrong but I was under the impression the Stelvio is typically pretty busy with regular traffic meaning the above sort of driving isn't really possible?
A few comments to that effect on Pistonheads:
"I also wouldn't recommend the Stelvio for a 911, although it is an iconic road. You'll barely get out of 1st gear and if you don't hit it at dawn you'll get stuck behind something slower anyway. I did it on my bike so I was able to nip past all the cars, but if I was doing it on four wheels it would have been very frustrating."
"I'd also add that having done the Stelvio this Sept I think it's a pretty rubbish road to drive. It's certainly very interesting - and has great scenery - but it's far too busy to be a great driving road."
"Agree completely with this- Having driven the Stelvio in a 996C4S, it was a BIG let down. Generally a lot of traffic, the hairpins are very tight and my front splitter grounded out 3 times- and that's going slowly in 1st gear as you couldn't see what is around the corner. Followed a dumper truck down the last part (heading towards Meran) and he was going some.
There are FAR better mountain passes to try out- all with stunning scenery- and a huge number of them too. A fvaourite circular route for me (and others in the Switzerland forum) is Susten-Grimsel-Furka-Gotthard-Nufenen-Grimsel-Susten. You can't go wrong on these- some nice tunnels on this route too redface)"
"Took a trip through Europe in my 73 2.4S a few years ago. Did Stelvio, as I always wanted to do it, and to be honest it was a disappointment. Not from the magnificence of the scenery or pure madness of putting a road up the side of the mountain but for the driving. Even in a smaller, older 911 the hairpins were too tight to enjoy really. Much better roads out there BUT it is an amazing sight."
The comments are somewhat in reference to the guy planning on doing it in a 911 but the points about traffic apply whatever the car.
Not trying to pick an argument, just trying to be helpful in that i've heard similar to APoL in that Stelvio is hugely overrated because of Top Gear.
volospian
04-12-2011, 21:33
Traffic could well be an issue, but the sharp corners won't. I'm not that fussed about the naysayers anyway. I'm going because it's not a massive detour off the road from mulhouse to romania, so I may as well see it for myself while I'm in the area.
A Place of Light
06-12-2011, 14:18
A good point above that I'd forgotten to mention. The way the hairpins have been built you can easily bottom out a sporty car. Ive done Stelvio many times, both from the trafoi and bormio sides and it's just not that good a road. The surface is iffy in places, the bends are too tight and so on and so on. It's not even anywhere near being the best of the alpine passes.
Aww but but but but that road... as awesome as it is (Sam's ridden it and says it's amazing... and he has veeeery similar tastes to me!)... it gives more for a Super Duke bikey bikey as opposed to my to-be KTM 690 enduro r!!
Still... if it goes ahead let me know as we may come say WEHEY! and whizz off on brum brums!
volospian
06-12-2011, 16:20
Well, *if* it happens, we will definitely be going to the Stelvio Pass, but it'll be a late drive in and stay over in Bormio (or somewhere near anyway). Then it'll be a crack of dawn start to drive the pass (for those who want to) and then via the gavia pass out to Bolzano or Trento (depending on if we go up via Vienna and Budapest, or along the coast, past Venice and through Slovenia down to Belgrade). The latter may be the preferred route as we will be heading for Nurburg on the way back, so that will probably take us around Budapest and Vienna anyway... As I said, it's all just talk at the moment... :)
A Place of Light
06-12-2011, 18:19
Well, *if* it happens, we will definitely be going to the Stelvio Pass, but it'll be a late drive in and stay over in Bormio (or somewhere near anyway). Then it'll be a crack of dawn start to drive the pass (for those who want to) and then via the gavia pass out to Bolzano or Trento (depending on if we go up via Vienna and Budapest, or along the coast, past Venice and through Slovenia down to Belgrade). The latter may be the preferred route as we will be heading for Nurburg on the way back, so that will probably take us around Budapest and Vienna anyway... As I said, it's all just talk at the moment... :)
If you're going to do Stelvio and stay in the area, I strongly recommend the Hotel Tannenheim on the Trafoi side. The boss is a great guy, the food is top notch and the hotel itself is inexpensive and quite stylish.
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