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...

Burble · 04-04-2011, 09:49

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

Jonny69 · 05-04-2011, 12:42

A race across Europe you say...?

volospian · 05-04-2011, 12:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonny69

A race across Europe you say...?

Of course not. Racing on public roads would be illegal.

Pheebs · 05-04-2011, 18:50

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by volospian

Fastest one there wins nothing but bragging rights.
..

Surely that has to be changed to a Gumball machine.

Subscribed.

volospian · 05-04-2011, 21:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pheebs

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

Pheebs · 05-04-2011, 21:54

Haarrumppphhhhfadink.

It could be tempting then.

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.

04-04-2011, 09:41	#1
volospian Vodka Martini Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 786	Gumball 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...

05-04-2011, 12:42	#3
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	A race across Europe you say...? __________________

05-04-2011, 18:50	#5
Pheebs Deep Throat Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6,512	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! __________________ http://www.spiffingdesigns.co.uk

05-04-2011, 21:54	#8
Pheebs Deep Throat Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6,512	Haarrumppphhhhfadink. It could be tempting then. __________________ http://www.spiffingdesigns.co.uk

06-04-2011, 00:52	#9
Psymonkee A cat wearing a wet suit Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: St.Andrews Posts: 2,023	I'd love to have a go at something as cool as this. Need money first though __________________ Sonisphere FMC Code: 1k949178

04-04-2011, 09:49	#2
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	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

06-04-2011, 08:25	#10
volospian Vodka Martini Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 786	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.