My Summer Challenge 2011

[robchalmers]

Need to think of simple removeable mods

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by robchalmers

Good point about the beer, french beer is better and cheaper!!!

How is that possible, can you buy mild in France now ? Although Pelforth Brun is superb if you could bring me some back...

I am late to the debate (as usual) however my suggestions would be :

1. Cheap tent from Tesco - they cost £6 and weigh nothing. And you can throw it away and save weight on the way back. Same for any other camping gear - you save on the return journey.

2. 2x5litre cans of Diesel for emergencies. You don't need a full jerrycan but they do sell them in Machine Mart if you feel the need. 2x5 litres should get you ~100-130 miles which should be enough ? They weigh 10-15KG max when full.

3. Tyres to the max for gliding / cruising - this has made the most difference in Helga and I'm obsessive now about when I can feel the ride softening - clue : fillings still in place.

4. Remove the rear seats if you don't need them, same for the spare and jack. Instead uprate your AA card to Europe cover and take a can of tyre sealer.

5. Pressure wash to remove crud which is also weight and also rust

6. Italian tune up before you go + a couple of "0-60 Diesel Additive" bottles. I have an unscientific 5-10% gain from these.

After that its technique such as drafting and coasting where possible. I haven't done that part of France so I don't know it too well - I haven't done Le Mans ... yet maybe.

[320touring]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

How is that possible, can you buy mild in France now ? Although Pelforth Brun is superb if you could bring me some back...

I am late to the debate (as usual) however my suggestions would be :

1. Cheap tent from Tesco - they cost £6 and weigh nothing. And you can throw it away and save weight on the way back. Same for any other camping gear - you save on the return journey.

2. 2x5litre cans of Diesel for emergencies. You don't need a full jerrycan but they do sell them in Machine Mart if you feel the need. 2x5 litres should get you ~100-130 miles which should be enough ? They weigh 10-15KG max when full.

3. Tyres to the max for gliding / cruising - this has made the most difference in Helga and I'm obsessive now about when I can feel the ride softening - clue : fillings still in place.

4. Remove the rear seats if you don't need them, same for the spare and jack. Instead uprate your AA card to Europe cover and take a can of tyre sealer.

5. Pressure wash to remove crud which is also weight and also rust

6. Italian tune up before you go + a couple of "0-60 Diesel Additive" bottles. I have an unscientific 5-10% gain from these.

After that its technique such as drafting and coasting where possible. I haven't done that part of France so I don't know it too well - I haven't done Le Mans ... yet maybe.

1- Buying to throw away is a NONO- resource use, young man!

2. Agreed on the Fuel

3. The french Autoroutes should allow damn good tire pressures- meaning the Glide can be bloody long!

4. Is a spare not a legal requirement in France?

5. TOO RIGHT

6. Italian tune FTW- certainly perked up my bro's polo


Drafting should be good- but more trucks can be found on french A roads- they usually use them to avoid the tolls

[groar]

Originally Posted by 320touring

4. Is a spare not a legal requirement in France?

Not the spare. The fluorescent vests and a fluorescent triangle must be in the cabin.

Denis.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by robchalmers

This year I’m changing the stakes a bit. I’m going to the 24hr of Le Mans. So my challenge is to do the 1170miles on two tanks of in the Polo

I'd forget that challenge, and arrive in France with as little diesel as you dare.
Fill up in France, go as far as you can, fill up so you'll make Calais - or whatever port - again, and fill up again, including the jerrycans if you're allowed to take them on the crossing.

You'll save a fair bit of Pounds by fueling up in France rather than in the UK

[robchalmers]

good points.......

gonna ditch the space saver - pointless littl thing, back seats..... maybe

but I will ballon the tyres!

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by 320touring

1- Buying to throw away is a NONO- resource use, young man!

The cheap ones from Tesco are more or less single use anyway.

Don't bother with a tent, recycle bin bags with tape.

[robchalmers]

I have a tesco one I bought a couple of years back and it still hasn't even been opened....might just make the polo into a camper!

[robchalmers]

Seems My challenge may be over before it starts.....

the 15 year old LHS driveshaft has decided it doesn't want to play anymore without droning at me - damn it

this is putting my whole trip to motorsports mecca in jeopardy

[Arragonis]

C'mon Rob, you have a spare on the other side, no ? Surely although Chug is ill, you have the technology ?

If not, maybe a temp smoker like one of those European charity runs competitors ?

You can't miss LM.

Plus the second option means that, oooh, that BMW 540 is just the ONLY choice...