French Frolic 11 - 2013
Re: French Frolic 11 - 2013
Think I got about 150. Hopefully manage higher on the way back if I get a clear run although the screaming passenger might not like it
Exige V6
French Frolic 11 - 2013
At least he made the trip!
Missed your lunacy you big chutney
Missed your lunacy you big chutney
AMG GT-R
Atom 4
Lotus Esprit S4S
G30 M5 Comp
Atom 4
Lotus Esprit S4S
G30 M5 Comp
Re: French Frolic 11 - 2013
Eh?! Not one of our lot then?! Assume he gets it back after a certain time frame?!Andy G wrote:One chap lost his license before he even got to Lemans...
Can just imagine Benny and Rolfe in their best German trying to find a lappy bar!!!
Re: French Frolic 11 - 2013
Fair to say our English wasn't "best" by that stageRag_It wrote:Eh?! Not one of our lot then?! Assume he gets it back after a certain time frame?!Andy G wrote:One chap lost his license before he even got to Lemans...
Can just imagine Benny and Rolfe in their best German trying to find a lappy bar!!!
Hockenheim was close by.. If only we could ID another German track...
Ferrari 458
Porsche 993 C2
Disco V
Porsche 993 C2
Disco V
Re: French Frolic 11 - 2013
Just back today.
Brilliant trip. Dom and me managed to do the Davos to Stelvio road on the way back. Magic.
See next years' trip is up on LOT today.
Brilliant trip. Dom and me managed to do the Davos to Stelvio road on the way back. Magic.
See next years' trip is up on LOT today.
Re: French Frolic 11 - 2013
Good effort Frank! Hope the ring went well. Did Dom do the Stelvio in the rental Touran thing??
Next years trip is invite only currently, but there is a Scots aimed more extreme frolic in the works........
Next years trip is invite only currently, but there is a Scots aimed more extreme frolic in the works........
AMG GT-R
Atom 4
Lotus Esprit S4S
G30 M5 Comp
Atom 4
Lotus Esprit S4S
G30 M5 Comp
Re: French Frolic 11 - 2013
Hi Andy, yeah, don't think Dom will be buying a Touran anytime soon.
Ring was the busiest I've seen it yet.
We got on but couldn't get digs within 30km of the place, so no steak this time
Ring was the busiest I've seen it yet.
We got on but couldn't get digs within 30km of the place, so no steak this time
Re: French Frolic 11 - 2013
Thanx guys, for the support after the bullitproof Speedster had let me down. Appearantly it's an issue with pistons.
The banter, good and bad jokes, pax seat drives, I got to drive Kev's Exige, etc. it makes the week what it was, epic.
The like for like car that recovery service had provided, a Touran, is pretty useless on track. I could barely keep up doing the site seeing laps at Anneau du Rhin.
I was more than happy in your pax seats instead of being a mobile chicane.
Missed the Speedster in the mountains as bad as on the track, but at least it had airco, cruise control and a fantastic sound system and got me home less exhausted than I usually am after a long trip.
The banter, good and bad jokes, pax seat drives, I got to drive Kev's Exige, etc. it makes the week what it was, epic.
The like for like car that recovery service had provided, a Touran, is pretty useless on track. I could barely keep up doing the site seeing laps at Anneau du Rhin.
I was more than happy in your pax seats instead of being a mobile chicane.
Missed the Speedster in the mountains as bad as on the track, but at least it had airco, cruise control and a fantastic sound system and got me home less exhausted than I usually am after a long trip.
"Speed has never killed anyone, suddenly becoming stationary... That's what gets you." - Jeremy Clarkson
Re: French Frolic 11 - 2013
it was a great trip.
Started on a bit of a downer with poor Stu returning home before frolic had even begun. Unable to convince him to take his other steed and join me on the drive to the chunnel, i set off at 530am last Saturday.
A nightmare at work late Friday meant i hadnt had a chance to fuel the Atom, and East Lothian isnt known for its 24 hor petrol stations, meaning that as nothing in Dunbar was open, my first adventure was to coax the car (showing exmpty) further on to Berwick to try and find fuel there. I made it, just!
Suitably re-engerised, and with 660bhp per tonne at my slightly overly excited right foots disposal, the A1 was a canter. Such overtaking ability meant the road felt "empty" and a small squeeze of the throttle gave you that lovely feeling that only those in the millenium falcon have experienced.......insane passing ability.
Newcastle was past moments later, and the slog south continued. A1 was shut, diverted to M1, and then sat with the rest of the pikees in the usual Q for Dartford.
Met Uncle R at the Chunnel, bit of banter on the crossing, and then onwards for Le Mans.
Text came through to tell us a frolicer had already lost their license 30m from Le Mans, so we throttled back, and enjoyed the weather & mutliple Peage Grand Prixs.
Atoms number plate only being held on it transpired with tape, meant it started to flap about - we pulled over (thanks Ron) and as it did so it fell off. Cable ties in place we cracked on.
Arrived at Le Mans to find the boys already well beered and waiting on taxis to town. Out for a few monster pints, and dinner.
Le Mans the next day was magic fun. Brave pills taken for the first corner it was great fun. The Atom wasnt the most assured thing at that pace, unlike Neils V6S which would mueller through at 135mph or so flat - thanks for the shotty! Some other cars running, such as the GT4 spec 211 on slicks, were really rapid. Some huge smiles in the pit lane, and some good banter. Ms Benny & Madame Rolfe turned up somewhere around 11am, taking the Paine prize for timekeeping, and proceeded to enter the fun.
Atom SC belt was starting to fray badly, but i had a spare with me, and it did the day. Feeling slightly tired headed to the sandwich van for a cheeky cold one before heading back to the hotel -nectar. Met Wayne from Sincs, who then decided to change the SC belt for me for free! What a legend. All Ron and I were hoping for was an explanation of what to do etc - 15 mins later it was done, and we were off to Le Mans again.
Next day things didnt start quite so brightly, apart from Benny and Rolfe, who left earlier than they had on the trackday! We found a lake between Le Mans and Dijon and headed there for a swim!
Ali C lent me one of his gansta headwrap things to keep my forehead from being further burnt, and we charged onwards.
A quick Panache at the lake, and a swim for Ali C and myself, and onwards to the Ibis Gare at Dijon. Golding told us where his fav restaurant was and off we headed for some steak.
Next morning we rocked up at Dijon - led the sighting laps, and felt something happen to my driverside rear on lap 2! Got out, couldnt see anything, went back out to lead the 3rd session. Then on my 1st lap out, puncture! Gutted. No ZZR stockists in Dijon!!!
Anyway, Golding had a "kit" to plug tyres - out of date, and never having used one Jordan got in amongst it, and plugged it! With rubber concrete setting, I left it for a bit, and then went out for a play! It held. Rain, darkness, and generally "warm knockhill" weather followed complete with Benny & Rolfe finally turning up in time for a Paine style briefing in the rain, while we watched from shelter.
The afternoon saw the resumption of the Atom vs 211 challenge that Scotty and i did in 2008, but this time with Ali C, and me having an SC! Great fun. I think we did about 5 sessions together.
Came away smiling from ear to ear - just a great day out with your mates!
I actually got up for a run the next day, before we hopped in the cars and headed to the next location, Addaneu du Rhin on the French/Swiss/German border. We got going early to dodge the forecasted rain and it was a wise move, as the rain that fell kept us hemmed in a pub most of the afternoon it was so heavy.
Dinner of the pikees followed...........
The track the next day was a private members circuit = you pay E2500 pa and you can drive down and use the track in the evenings. Some of the beasts in the garages ranged from 90's Ferrari F1 cars, to classic Buggatis. 458 Challenge cars, Gallardos etc. We even saw Stu's 211 (well I wished it was Stus!) With a great canteen, and a decent track it was a great spot for the final day. The wet track early on made it epic though.
I think i was the only driver out there willing it to rain again, but it never did. It was fun in the dry, but insane in the wet. I had a couple of pax's in hysterics after some of the muppetry the Atom was doing. It was like being on a bucking bronco. You couldnt relax for a second, or it would remind you who the daddy was, and my god was it all encompassing.
All too soon it was home time, and after a brief delay while Ali drove back to get his rain cape, we headed for Calais (well 100k short) about 370 miles away. Got caught in various diversions & roadworks. meaning it was mid-night before we arrived at the rape hotel - the only hotel i've ever checked in via a machine. Still not that it mattered, knowing we were back up at 630, i think i must have been concious for at least 2 minutes from getting in the room!
Final blast to the tunnel, we got there so quickly we got moved up a crossing, and then up another one, as we were first in boarding line, and the train about to leave was empty! Result. Still, progress on the M11, then A1 soon dashed any thoughts of being home for 3pm.
I've missed tonnes, but if you've not done one of these, hopefully you'll think about coming. Its a genius trip, SE at its best. (Scottish contingent is now the largest part of the trip by a fair way - so much so we'll be telling you about another plan for 2014).
Gutted that after such a long wait, it was by in the flash.
After losing Ali due to insane traffic on the A68, i turned off just after Soutra on the road to Haddington. Having driven it rather rapidly 10 days prior in the 6 series i wasnt expecting what followed - the Atom went down the next section so quickly it was as if it had been fast forwarded. it even made up for the trip being over............almost. The first time I've done a trip like this still in awe of a car a week later.
Till 2014 my fellow frolicers, and to those of you that couldnt make it - better luck next time, its more than worth it.
PS - on the ZZR front - I wont buy anything else going forwards. To those that know me I'll put it this way, Frolic road miles & 3 trackdays & 1 wet KH on 1 set, and they still arent dead........need i say more?
Started on a bit of a downer with poor Stu returning home before frolic had even begun. Unable to convince him to take his other steed and join me on the drive to the chunnel, i set off at 530am last Saturday.
A nightmare at work late Friday meant i hadnt had a chance to fuel the Atom, and East Lothian isnt known for its 24 hor petrol stations, meaning that as nothing in Dunbar was open, my first adventure was to coax the car (showing exmpty) further on to Berwick to try and find fuel there. I made it, just!
Suitably re-engerised, and with 660bhp per tonne at my slightly overly excited right foots disposal, the A1 was a canter. Such overtaking ability meant the road felt "empty" and a small squeeze of the throttle gave you that lovely feeling that only those in the millenium falcon have experienced.......insane passing ability.
Newcastle was past moments later, and the slog south continued. A1 was shut, diverted to M1, and then sat with the rest of the pikees in the usual Q for Dartford.
Met Uncle R at the Chunnel, bit of banter on the crossing, and then onwards for Le Mans.
Text came through to tell us a frolicer had already lost their license 30m from Le Mans, so we throttled back, and enjoyed the weather & mutliple Peage Grand Prixs.
Atoms number plate only being held on it transpired with tape, meant it started to flap about - we pulled over (thanks Ron) and as it did so it fell off. Cable ties in place we cracked on.
Arrived at Le Mans to find the boys already well beered and waiting on taxis to town. Out for a few monster pints, and dinner.
Le Mans the next day was magic fun. Brave pills taken for the first corner it was great fun. The Atom wasnt the most assured thing at that pace, unlike Neils V6S which would mueller through at 135mph or so flat - thanks for the shotty! Some other cars running, such as the GT4 spec 211 on slicks, were really rapid. Some huge smiles in the pit lane, and some good banter. Ms Benny & Madame Rolfe turned up somewhere around 11am, taking the Paine prize for timekeeping, and proceeded to enter the fun.
Atom SC belt was starting to fray badly, but i had a spare with me, and it did the day. Feeling slightly tired headed to the sandwich van for a cheeky cold one before heading back to the hotel -nectar. Met Wayne from Sincs, who then decided to change the SC belt for me for free! What a legend. All Ron and I were hoping for was an explanation of what to do etc - 15 mins later it was done, and we were off to Le Mans again.
Next day things didnt start quite so brightly, apart from Benny and Rolfe, who left earlier than they had on the trackday! We found a lake between Le Mans and Dijon and headed there for a swim!
Ali C lent me one of his gansta headwrap things to keep my forehead from being further burnt, and we charged onwards.
A quick Panache at the lake, and a swim for Ali C and myself, and onwards to the Ibis Gare at Dijon. Golding told us where his fav restaurant was and off we headed for some steak.
Next morning we rocked up at Dijon - led the sighting laps, and felt something happen to my driverside rear on lap 2! Got out, couldnt see anything, went back out to lead the 3rd session. Then on my 1st lap out, puncture! Gutted. No ZZR stockists in Dijon!!!
Anyway, Golding had a "kit" to plug tyres - out of date, and never having used one Jordan got in amongst it, and plugged it! With rubber concrete setting, I left it for a bit, and then went out for a play! It held. Rain, darkness, and generally "warm knockhill" weather followed complete with Benny & Rolfe finally turning up in time for a Paine style briefing in the rain, while we watched from shelter.
The afternoon saw the resumption of the Atom vs 211 challenge that Scotty and i did in 2008, but this time with Ali C, and me having an SC! Great fun. I think we did about 5 sessions together.
Came away smiling from ear to ear - just a great day out with your mates!
I actually got up for a run the next day, before we hopped in the cars and headed to the next location, Addaneu du Rhin on the French/Swiss/German border. We got going early to dodge the forecasted rain and it was a wise move, as the rain that fell kept us hemmed in a pub most of the afternoon it was so heavy.
Dinner of the pikees followed...........
The track the next day was a private members circuit = you pay E2500 pa and you can drive down and use the track in the evenings. Some of the beasts in the garages ranged from 90's Ferrari F1 cars, to classic Buggatis. 458 Challenge cars, Gallardos etc. We even saw Stu's 211 (well I wished it was Stus!) With a great canteen, and a decent track it was a great spot for the final day. The wet track early on made it epic though.
I think i was the only driver out there willing it to rain again, but it never did. It was fun in the dry, but insane in the wet. I had a couple of pax's in hysterics after some of the muppetry the Atom was doing. It was like being on a bucking bronco. You couldnt relax for a second, or it would remind you who the daddy was, and my god was it all encompassing.
All too soon it was home time, and after a brief delay while Ali drove back to get his rain cape, we headed for Calais (well 100k short) about 370 miles away. Got caught in various diversions & roadworks. meaning it was mid-night before we arrived at the rape hotel - the only hotel i've ever checked in via a machine. Still not that it mattered, knowing we were back up at 630, i think i must have been concious for at least 2 minutes from getting in the room!
Final blast to the tunnel, we got there so quickly we got moved up a crossing, and then up another one, as we were first in boarding line, and the train about to leave was empty! Result. Still, progress on the M11, then A1 soon dashed any thoughts of being home for 3pm.
I've missed tonnes, but if you've not done one of these, hopefully you'll think about coming. Its a genius trip, SE at its best. (Scottish contingent is now the largest part of the trip by a fair way - so much so we'll be telling you about another plan for 2014).
Gutted that after such a long wait, it was by in the flash.
After losing Ali due to insane traffic on the A68, i turned off just after Soutra on the road to Haddington. Having driven it rather rapidly 10 days prior in the 6 series i wasnt expecting what followed - the Atom went down the next section so quickly it was as if it had been fast forwarded. it even made up for the trip being over............almost. The first time I've done a trip like this still in awe of a car a week later.
Till 2014 my fellow frolicers, and to those of you that couldnt make it - better luck next time, its more than worth it.
PS - on the ZZR front - I wont buy anything else going forwards. To those that know me I'll put it this way, Frolic road miles & 3 trackdays & 1 wet KH on 1 set, and they still arent dead........need i say more?
AMG GT-R
Atom 4
Lotus Esprit S4S
G30 M5 Comp
Atom 4
Lotus Esprit S4S
G30 M5 Comp
Re: French Frolic 11 - 2013
Great write up Andy, Sounds like the usual antics
Just gutted that I have actually been at home waiting on visa's and could have gone in the end. Next year, definitely.
Just gutted that I have actually been at home waiting on visa's and could have gone in the end. Next year, definitely.
Elise S2 260
GR Yaris
BMW M2 Comp
RRS HST
VW Caddy
Mk1 Escort (bare shell)
GR Yaris
BMW M2 Comp
RRS HST
VW Caddy
Mk1 Escort (bare shell)