2010 trip Proposal.

[alexblack13]

Here's what I am going to do.

This is Plan A...

Visit to Goodwood festival of speed. ( July 3rd/4th/5th) We could use this as a meet up point. Use campsite for the weekend. Eat, drink & be merry...

Then on to the Lemans Classic (9th - 11th july) Leaving on (A?) ferry to N France say 6th/7th or 8th (after Goodwood). Meet up in N France with others?.. Tour to le Mans via places of interest. 1 Poss 2 night en route depending on where & when we get the ferry and what tour we decide on (suggestion).

Camp at le Mans.. Mainly for the fun of it. Beer/ Barbi /etc etc...(OR book hotel?) Take in the weekend.

Drive back for ferry (In my case up to Zeebrugge with a night or (two ??) in either Brugges or Gent (Also V nice town).

This is just a brief plan, but I will be doing something like this. Carol and I are making a 2 week hol' out of this trip and we will be using the Elan.

Let me know if interested. I would suggest a group size of max 10 cars. More than that ? would be another group ' with different management/leaders. I doubt if we will get that many though.

Alex B....

[alexblack13]

Nobody up for this? I thought it was a great plan!

Looks like the troops are into an Alpine trip right enough.

I am off cruising again for a week spring next year and just fancied doing these two great events later on. I plan on making this my main holiday for summer time. Should be a super trip methinks. I am going to get in touch with the French club(s) to see if they are setting up camp at Le Mans.

Keep you posted....

Alex B....

[Peter Wareham]

Hi - I might be interested in the Le Mans trip. Would go from and back to Portsmouth.
Peter
S4

[alexblack13]

Ok Peter. That sounds like a good idea. Portsmouth to ? I was thinking Pool to St Malo (?) What day/date do you propose travelling/Ferry?

I have asked the French for info / help etc. Awaiting reply.

Alex B...

[trw99]

Hi Alex

I hope you get a good few takers for your trip, it sounds fun. Unfortunately at that time we have our national championships for the yacht racing that seems to occupy too much of each of my weekends from March to November!

We shall have to see about doing a dirty weekend in the autumn/fall or early spring. Dirty, by the way, in terms of rolling about in the wet and dirt trying to fix something underneath someones Elan - why, what did you think I meant?

Tim

[alexblack13]

I knew exactly what you ment and its nout to do with Elans...

Aye.. We could do something uk wise. Not fancy the Goodwood weekend? Could you make that ??

No pressure at all.. CU there...

Alex...

[richgilb]

I wonder if you might have got a bit more in responses if it had gone under things in common? Or are +2s not invited?

[alexblack13]

OH dear, My mistake never even gave it a thought.

All Lotus enthusiasts welcome of course. Bring what you got...

Should be good. Awaiting reply from the French Lotus Club..

AB..

[tvacc]

I am up for it....but the trip across the "pond" might be a bit hard on the car.
But to be serious...some day I am going to do just that. Bring the Elan, Elise or the Caterham over and drive around the UK and Europe.

[alaric]

Hi. I'm definately keen to join a trip. I often forget to look in this section of the forum though. I'm sure you'll get more response with a new thread in things in common. Count me in anyway though. I live near to Poole and usually head to St. Malo from there. Then we head down the motorway to the south west of France, passing Terryp's place on the way. Have you decided where to go yet?

All the best.

Sean.

[alexblack13]

Early days yet. What we need to do is get certain things booked. For E.G. Tickets for Goodwood and Le mans. Ferry. Etc. Only one that needs doing quick will be Goodwood I suspect so I am watching their website. We need to have camping pass tickets.We need to tell them we are part of a group so we can get into the same campsite and area therein. I will talk to goodwood as soon as I see tickets for sale. (They are not yet available.) I am sure they can allocate a space for the group.

Ferry would be next then Le mans.

Ordering tickets and booking ferry will be up to each person to do themselves. Hotels on route can be group booked if need be as these can be cancelled ok and paid on departure.

I am going to book Goodwood as soon as I can as I am doing this regardless. (I am also going over to Le Mans). I suggest anyone wishing to join the group does the same . But.. wait untill I have a ref' to get us into the same campsite etc. I will publish this (if they give one!) as soon as...

I suggest we use Goodwood as the meet up point.

I have tried to contact the French about Le Mans.. I will keep you informed as to how that goes.

Where we go on route/way back is something I will have a look at but I could use suggestions.


PM me with details if you are up for this...

http://www.lemansclassic.com
http://www.goodwood.co.uk

AB

[alexblack13]

E Mailed Le mans this am.. Content below

Hello,

My Name is Alex Black. I am contacting you on behalf of a group of Lotus classic car owners who wish to visit the classic event at Le Mans.
We are not yet sure of our numbers as we are just starting to take the names of those going. Some are from the UK, some are not. We would like to occupy part of one of your campsites as a group if this can be arranged. Could you advise if this is possible and what the ticket & camping cost would be for the entire weekend. Possibly departing Monday AM latest.

Regards.

Alex Black
I will keep you posted when I get a reply.

AB.....

[alexblack13]

Reply from Le Mans ticket office..

... Call back end October. No details available yet. www.lemans.org/ticket .. Keep your eye on this. Don't book until you have contacted me. I want a ref' for the group. ...

ADMIN... I would like to use the reference for our group ''elan.net group '' ? Will this be ok?

No reply as yet from CL or CL France.

No reply as yet from Goodwood.. Early yet though..

AB..

[Bruce Crowthorne]

Sounds like a great idea.
Since I live about 5 miles from Goodwood - I'll meet you there!

IMHO the key things to book is the ferry (Portsmouth to wherever ....) they will all get booked up early.
Other thing is accomodation (?) at LeMans. If you intend camping then we need to organise something soon. Campsites get booked up VERY early!
How about hooking up with the Seloc group? They go to Houx Annex I think. although on second thoughts they might be a bit "lively" for oldies like me (I'll admit to 50+).
Never done a hotel near Lemans but might be a good option if we can find somewhere.
I have never done the hotel thing - but camped for 10+ years - am I getting too old for it?

Tickets won't be a problem for either Goodwood or Lemans.
Goodwood you just book enough in advance (even a month before will do) and Lemans entry you can buy on the gate (actually that is the cheapest way - the agencies just mark them up!).
Other thing I would suggest is a grandstand ticket. Avoids the crush at the start and the end, plus if you choose the right one then you can even see one of the big screens.

The Sussex Lotus group is pretty active so they may want to host us in some way.....

So who is up for it so far?
Bruce

[alexblack13]

Hi Bruce /All,

5 'cars' interested so far. Meeting up at Goodwood would be good.

Tickets for Le Mans not on sale yet. Camping / local hotels details (prices) still to come from them. Again ticket prices etc not yet finalized

Goodwood is the same. End of Oct' earliest. I have asked Onsite events for info' also. They have V good VIP camping available and will give ref' for a group booking. Quote the ref' when booking and get 'sited' with the rest.

Grandstands tickets etc will be up to individual choice. No probs with that at all. All bookings will need doing by each 'car'.. Book ferry/ hotel/ entry tickets etc individually (Use ref where need be) I am happy to do the ground work though and come up with a tour route. I would then send out the route (s) in GPS format. All negotiable of course. Local info / help appreciated.

Mrs B is now telling me she is not keen to Camp! (no en suite tents!) So hotels will be looked for. I would still take part in Campsite 'activities' etc at both venues. (By the way.. I am 50+ also Bruce!!) Good hotels are still available close to both venues so far. Onsite can supply a package of Ferry/camp or hotel/entry/ etc. But can't take bookings just now as they have no prices yet.

I have e mailed the french club (No reply as yet), but Any help from Local clubs will be fine. Cub Lotus so far no reply.

Seloc welcome... Sussex group likewise..Local knowledge allways a good idea!

I might have a mate with me in his (non Lotus) car. He has still to decide.

Still early days as I said. But not big interest so far............ PM ME IF INTERESTED. OR DEF' GOING.

Anyone going to NEC for classic show?? We could meet up and discuss.

AB....