Auf wiedersehen!Allegro charity Euro trip TOMORROW

[Lankytim]

Quick post to say our trip in the Allegro to the Nurgburgring begins tomorrow evening. Its all in aid of the Samaritans of Stoke on Trent and Newcastle and we've raised about £900 so far. I hope the old E series engine can take the pace of the 'ring as we need it to get us home too!

Originally the trip was going to take us up into Scandinavia and to Oslo but unfortunately time and money constraints meant that the trip was cut back, first to Sweden and then just to Germany. Sounds like we bottled it but we were looking at about £1000 extra to get to Norway. Money we ain't got! Maybe another time although £6 a pint is a serious turn off.

Just to recap, the Allegro was bought for £50 back in January with 1 days MOT from a forum member. It had a defective engine, collapsed hydragas suspension on one side and various other faults. With a secondhand engine fitted and all the other faults rectified it flew though the MOT although while we were preparing it for its euro trip quite extensive rust was found which has now all been welded up. I'm sure theres more to be found if I have a good poke though! Just goes to show that even a car that appears to be rust free can really hide the tin worm very well!

The Allegrot has been treated to a set of new tyres, a new exhaust, conversion to electronic ignition, rear belts fitted and has had the windscreen wash topped up. Its also had an oil pressure gauge and voltmeter fitted. I think we've thought of everything!

Last minute setbacks have included a blowout on the M6 which left us stranded thanks to the lack of a spare and an engine being transported in the rear passenger compartment (it was an emergency) falling over and throwing engine oil everywhere, ripping the rear of the drivers seat and trashing the door card. Thankfully all the damage has been repaired thanks to the Allegro club and the carpet thoroughly cleaned. As a bonus the inside of the floor pan has now been rustproofed!

Were taking a pretty comprehensive tool kit and a good number of spares, water pump, alternator, distributor, fuel pump, clutch, not to mention bulbs and fuses.





I know this is a bit late but what do you need to drive on the continent? Do you still need those black triangle things on your headlights? You also need a set of bulbs, hazard triangle and hi viz vests (i think) Anything else thats needed? Any funny laws that we need to be aware of?

Wish us luck!

Oh yeah, our facebook group is allegro2oslo if anybody feels like joining!

[fredtransit]

I wouldn't bother with the beam benders, the continentals don't when they come here. The hi viz vests are a requirement and for your own good, and they can be got from the pound shop these days.

[kevfromwales]

nice one tim!!

good on ya for charity fundraising too

good luck - kev

[briandamaged]

Good Luck guys, I'll be thinking of you!!

[dollywobbler]

First aid kit!

Good luck with it!

[Ray Singh]

Good luck fellas. Open the boot of the Allegro when you go round the 'widow maker' it will help with down force :-)

[Oldbus]

First aid kit that´s not out of date.
Hi Vis vest, 1 per person
Warning triangle.

Telephone No. of the german AA (ADAC 0180-2222222)

Good luck, hopefully you won´t need any of it ;D

[Harold Ramp Bumface Fandango]

Best of luck Tim, sure you won't need it though.

[Lankytim]

Thanks alot for the words of encouragement guys, I have to confess I'm a bit nervous as I havent done anything like this before!

Weve got a first aid kit, and european breakdown which may or may not proove to be completely useless. With a bit of luck we wont have any problems, the Aggs made it to Gaydon and up to Blackburn with no problems whatsoever so longish trips arnt a problem. I guess the best approach is to prepare for the worst as that way youll always be pleasantly surprised!

My co driver is insisting we take a battery charger and tyre inflator but were only going to Germany, not Mars. I'm sure they have service stations there too!

[Stu]

Best of luck! Are you camping at the 'Ring or staying in a hotel? I believe it's going to be a very busy weekend so make sure your accomodation is sorted in advance.

Take it easy on the track and watch you don't cook the brakes on the first lap, it's very easily done even in a relatively low powered car.

Which route are you taking? I usually go E40 from Calais or Zeebrugge (depends which ferry you use) past Liege, down the E42 towards Spa then off on smaller roads towards Prum, Gerolstein etc. and along to Adenau. Always seems a good route and it's a fantastic place when you get there! ;D

If you have any trouble once you get there look for any cars with 'Northloop' stickers on and ask the drivers if they can assist. They are a friendly and knowledgeable bunch and will be happy to offer help if they can.

z8.invisionfree.com/Northloop/index.php?act=idx is the Northloop forum if you want to sign up and ask for any info or tell them to look out for an Allegro on track!

[montythemole]

Have fun! Makes me wish we were doing Staple2Naples or similar this year!

Take sat-nav, music (even if it's an Ipod on some plugged in speakers!), maps.

For the car don't forget spare belts, any spare hoses and hose clamps, cable ties, electrical tape, tank tape, rad weld, random electrical wires and fuses and some of those choc-block quick connect things. It sounds obvious but make sure you have the tools for the parts on the car. When the Porsche suffered a duff alternator in Rome I didn't have any way to undo the 6mm nut on the terminals and had to hunt down a shop and ask for one in faltering French.

You need a GB sticker and the hi-viz vests should be one per person and in the passenger compartment not in the boot so you can get them out as soon as you break down.

[Lankytim]

Were staying in a cheap hotel in Mayen which is about 20 miles away from the ring, its all booked up so no worries there! I understand its a busy weekend as theres GT racing there on Saturday and Sunday with the track open to the public on the Sunday (IIRC). I'm unsure of the exact route were taking as I don't have it infront of me and the usual internet map services think Mayen is in France but wel be using the Satnav to get from Dunkerque to our hotel in Mayen.

[Lankytim]

Ok, were off! Ill try to keep peeps updated but its more likely stuff will appear on facebook as thats where the missus always is on her mobile. Wel take plenty of pics!

Byee!!!

[Lankytim]

Hi Peeps, well we went, then we came back again!

The Allegro performed perfectly with no breakdowns, fluid leaks or any nasties, infact all I needed to do was add petrol and a little oil. we did a total of 1200 miles including a bit of touring around the beautiful German countryside. I was bowled over by the friendly atmosphere at the ring. I didnt know what to expect when people saw the old BL banger, maybe people in much more expensive and faster cars would take offence to us taking an Agg to the ring? Nope- everyone was full of positive comments, thumbs up and cheery waves! Advice on what to do while out on the ring and general ring etiquette was offered and gratefully received. Someone even donated a tenner to the cause, didn't catch your name but thanks!

The Allegro went around the ring pretty well. It was the slowest thing out there although it put up a good show and handled very well, a bit like a big old style mini. We got a very good reaction from the crowd too! We did 2 laps and our fastest was 13mins 30 secs

After our second lap we returned to the viewing area (the one with the huge car parking area right next to the ring) and was told there had been quite a bad accident. A Porsche had spun into the barrier backwards, spilt coolant onto the track and continued on its way. A biker came round the corner, skidded on the coolant and fallen off. I don't know how serious it was but the track was closed for an hour and a half, I hope everyone was ok. It really highlighted that although a visit to the ring is great fun the potential for it to end in tears is very real.

Ill post pics as soon as I upload them plus post more info when I can be ar$ed.

Ive already found a class pic on a ring website but ill need permission to reproduce it anywhere, but heres a link,

z8.invisionfree.com/Northloop/index.php?showtopic=13471&st=0&#entry5027858

Now who's that handsome chap behind the wheel? (I still need a shave)

Pics..

[Lankytim]

Ok, heres the pic I needed permission for,

[Stu]

Well done! It is very friendly at the 'Ring isn't it, regardless of what you drive - great place.

[MiniDan]

Well done Tim!

Glad you made it