Time to start uploading my Euro Rally photos. I'll attempt to post them in batches that cover each day of the trip. Check back for regular updates, and don't forget to visit the Euro Rally website (where you can reserve your place for this year's trip):
http://eurorally.net/july-16/
There has been a great deal said about the plight of foreign folk trying to get into the UK (legally or otherwise) of late, but let’s take a moment to reflect on the luxury that EU member state petrolheads have in being able to take advantage of free movement within the union. It might be a benefit that most of us take for granted, but it’s also one that can be fully exploited when it comes to octane-fuelled adventure in the countries of our continental cousins.
It was with that in mind that Retro Cars joined forces with established driving experience outfit, Euro Rally, and took on a four-wheeled challenge that spanned seven countries in seven days. France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Belgium and some ol’ place named ‘Blighty’ played host to our charge across motorways, mountain passes and motorsport venues, although it should be said that some of those who decided to join us notched up even more of a country count by setting off from faraway lands including Ireland and Malta.
Day 1: Meet in Dover, set sail for Paris!
Of course, the act of steering old tin across thousands of miles of unfamiliar terrain always promised to provide a challenge for some of the vintage vehicles in attendance, although nobody expected the early retirement of Colm Carberry’s Satin Red Vauxhall Cavalier Turbo 4x4 on day one. Despite months of preparation in advance of the trip, our man from County Kildare was left stranded on the edge of the Emerald Isle when his mega Mk3’s fuel tank split during the first leg of its journey to our meeting point in Dover!
Fortunately, Colm’s travelling companions persuaded him to leave the impotent Griffin at the side of the road before inviting him to continue the journey from within the confines of their Series 2 Escort RS Turbo. Driven by chief spanner-wielder, Joey O’Neill, and assembled just hours before the off, the fruity Ford carried its human cargo from Dublin to Holyhead and onward to Kent without complaint, whereupon it was welcomed by a wide variety of metal ready to set sail across the English Channel.
Euro Rally head honcho, Glen Horscroft:
As expected, modern machinery was well represented in the form of the Skoda Octavia VRS of father and son duo, Bill and Adam Togni, George Bonney’s MG ZS, a lofty number of Bimmers (many of them wearing the legendary ‘M’ badge) and Nick Gaunt’s stunning 2005 Porsche 997 C2S. His wasn’t the only Porker present; Euro Rally head honcho, Glen Horscroft, and his stepson, Josh Bailey, spent the week riding around in a tastefully modified Boxster. It was, however, the tasty 911 83 SC of Cambridgeshire couple, Peter and Litte Andrews, that caught our attention. Equipped with the 3.2-litre lump and chipped ECU of an ’88-plate, the car packs uprated suspension, a trick exhaust system and well executed body modifications that extend to overrider, spoiler and bumper blade deletion. Nice!
In addition to Peter’s red road rocket, the Retro Cars influence on proceedings was plain to see thanks to the appearance of Jonny Parkinson’s throttle-bodied, C20XE-equipped 1979 Vauxhall Chevette L. In fact, there was plenty of modified old-school cool to gawp at throughout the week, not least of all Mark and Sam Croxford’s beloved Polo Coupe S. Known to all as ‘Huyi’, this heavily tuned Volkswagen found itself splashed across the cover of Retro Cars a few issues back, and it didn’t fail to impress as we navigated our way across Europe.