Scooter

Ok is it time to start a list of names going then? and is this the place to do it, or do we want another thread?

Firstly this is not an objection just a suggestion(s). It may be that we could extend the route (or combine both) in the knowledge that only a few will do the whole trip. I think with regular stops (the duration of which may have to be less to fit it in) 300+miles in one day is not out of the question. This based on the antics of the euro trips and Steve W's Elvington jaunt etc. I'm just that for it to be more 'Gumball like' i'm in favour of a higher % of driving time. I can't really see many people being able to do both days (especially at shortish notice) and so an extended version of the one day to maybe 8am - Til late pm (if you wanted to do the whole route) may appeal more to people. maybe i'm wrong on the above and maybe the extra miles would spoil it, i don't know, perhaps we should start at the lower end and see how it goes............... All just my thoughts, speculation and opinions

Have a great trip. I know i'm missing out, but other considerations mean I won't be coming.

So i got within 0.285 sec's of (presumably) your best time, with my first attempt without taking into account possible track diff's. I think I can live with that

John re the 16's on the rear, apparently not i'm afraid.

BTW Andrew, no NOS, average driver i spose, and with the roundabouts its more that the car inspires confidence. Plus i knew what company I was in so i was making sure that i was constantly at 4000rpm or above. Away from the strip and in the real world it only takes the TT driver to stay in 6th to accelerate while I redline 4th and 5th for a good impression to be made:D Ricepilot FYI the following are taken from two genuine Santa pod slips. One of my standard TT and one of my standard sz-r (both 6-speeds) NB TT time is my best time from about 6 trys in April, the sz-r slip is the only run i've ever done in it (this summer) so while it was an OK run its unlikely to be its best. 60ft TT : 2.472 SZ-R : 2.399 330ft TT : 6.299 SZ-R : 6.639 1/8 mile TT : 9.244 (83.74mph) SZ-R : 10.081 (72.20mph) 1/4 mile TT : 13.875 (107.37mph) SZ-R : 15.485 (90.33mph) [1.5 sec diff equates (roughly) to being 60m behind at the end of the 1/4 mile]

I agree but mine cheats slightly as it does have 6 gears and should have a few more HP than a non vvti NA (BTW I assume mine is a vvti although there is no change of colour of the plug cover or 'VVTI' embossed on it like there is on the TT's) The gearing means it would top out way below a TT and possibly below the 5 speed NA but it means it's very lively at normal to high cruising speeds. It does also have the REAS suspension, and without doubt the car is much more chuckable and 'seems' to wallow less than my old TT, although this is probably partly due to the difference in the suspensions age / condition. The immediate throttle response is great, the lack of the second turbo surge is not! If you've not got the time / inclination / money to mod a TT the NA is not that far short of a standard TT especially when you consider the price of some of the 97/98 models are half that of the TT's.

i've kinda been through a few, no auto's though, not that i ignored them just that I do prefer manuals and they came along at the right price. I'm unique (i think) on the board for going back to an NA, but i did this due to various factors, but mainly to end up with a car half as old with half the mileage in the best (obviously IMO) colour that would not give me any major (touch wood) mechanical problems, and that is almost as quick for about the same money You have to take my 'almost as quick' comment with a pinch of salt. The TT i had was standard and the NA i have now is about 1.5 secs slowly over the 1/4 mile. BUT on paper there is meant to be 1.5 seconds between their 0-60 secs (approx 5 and 6.5 sec's i think are the quoted figures) Above 50-60 and the acceleration of the TT will toast an NA, and i do miss this on the motorway, but its more fun through the twisties as its noticeably lighter and the car being only 5years old is noticeably 'tighter'. I would reccomend getting a drive in a TT before getting carried away the the 'looks' of the NA. Many people have regretted getting an NA and have later moved onto the TT. However as long as you don't pay over the odds for the NA upgrading later is not a problem.

Standard wheels are 50 offset. I've been looking into wide ie 9" and larger 18's myself. For handling to be maintained its been advised that you stick as closely as possible to this offset. However i know some of the TT boys go 18 x 9 fronts and 18 x 10 rears and they have a lower forty something offset (i believe) so the ideal offset can change if you move away from standard widths. I think this width is over kill for my NA so I am looking into staying with the 18 x 8 front and 18 x 9 rear with the 50 offset. From what i gather reducing the offset will push the wheels further out from the arches (better looking) but will effect the steering geometry potentially bad tramlining etc (still researching this). Jap wheels like Volks etc cater for the supra sizes but are not cheap. Other than imported wheels, Oz Super leggera's are avaliable in the correct sizes and offset (48 or 51) Without phoning round it appears to be very difficult to get details of offsets for most alloys eg Mille miglia's Masiitaly etc etc. NB Everyone:- please feel free to correct me on any of the above

Ash FYI, i've been doing a bit of digging around for european cover (cheers to everyone for the links /info) and it seems the AA will cover non members for the two days for £18 ish. This is for the full recovery home / put you up in a hotel if need be type cover.

Boys I currently have no Breakdown cover but realise that sod's law will probably come into play if i don't sort out some. To stop me phoning round does anyone have normal annual cover that allows a few days abroad every year?

Working on it, don't want to confirm until i'm 100%, if someone beats me to the spare ticket or you have to book rooms without me, go ahead, i'll make do or sort something when / if I get out there.

i think I should too, just need to negotiate re a couple of things that other people think i should be doing!

Keith / Earth....I take it this means if I were to sort out my insurance /breakdown cover (amongst other things) over the next couple of days then a ticket would be available?

Am I the only one who just waits for something to stop working before I get too concerned. From what i've read here the gearbox is almost indestructable, and plenty of people have replaced flywheels and bearings etc to reduce their noises. But also people put in lightweight flywheels that rattle, so whilst I accept a standard car rattling is a sign of wear, should we be particularly concerned by a little noise if the gearboxes operation is fine?

Apoc, could you let us know how the cars effected when this is fitted, particularly the exhaust note / volume. Cheers

i thought it was probably not going to be possible to switch but you don't know til you ask

Geeza, are you going to the Southend thing the week later? If so maybe the powers that be could move the Gumball back to that week and we could circle round from Kent and end up in Southend that evening? Mawby jive etc, this is just an idea to include someone obviously 100% interested in the event and also gives the gumball a final destination. I'm pretty flexible on the timing but realise others may not be............what say you? PS imo I don't think it should be precessional.

Far was that a problem or was it FUN!

I've been to a pub in Westerham (A25 between M25 5&6) with Geezabloke, SteveW, and Roy + a whole bunch of skylines. This certainly had the parking capacity we may/will need and could make a good meet / rest point. Then how about Bolney (near A23/ A272)? didn't go myself but am assuming there was a sizeable pub around. Then straight down A272 to Winchester and either up to the services (Sutton Scotney) on the A34 just south of the A303 junction and then down the A303 to the west or north to Swindon, Oxford and round to possibly Milton Keynes and essex? or down to the services on the M27 between junctions 3 & 4 and onto Bournemouth, longleat Swindon etc. obviously routes optional but included to give some reference between possible grouping points. Is everyone still keen?

Ar.........the smell of two stroke in the evening, the stale sweaty lids, the thought of cramped forearms and bruised hips the following day.........I'm really starting to look forward to it.............

I'm up for this, should be a bit more of a level playing field than i'm used to! Justin Foden Barry Davies(?) Mark Ayling Pete Sharp Matt Harwood Little Roy Keith Churchill Bobbeh + poss 1/2 others AndyP Suprapito + poss another Dave Rothman (Geezabloke) Scott Parratt (Scooter)

Rob, you know i had the same problem recently. A auto electrian mate was able to disconnect the alarm for me so that it could be driven but had no alarm or immobiliser at all. I sold the car like this as the new owner was going to fit a modern Cat 1 alarm system and this has been done with no ill effects that i'm aware of (i have seen the new owner since) So whilst i don't know how myself the alarm can be disconnected/ bypassed (took matie about 30mins to do). Sounds like it may be time for a different alarm. BTW at the time of my troubles i was kindly offered (by 'Christian' on this forum) an old uk alarm. As it turned out I didn't need it to sell my car so he may well still have it, could be worth a PM Feel for you mate, it really pissed me off and it only happened the once, hope you get it sorted.

Thank F**k for that, always feels a bit awkward when you're old car has problems. BTW Chris, Ian's seen your car in the flesh, he even followed it up the strip once :flame Dev

ok sounds relatively straight forward, i may just give it a go! cheers for the tip re doing the fill plug 1st just the sort of thing that i'd balls up:)