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Posted by: DonTraver Mar 31 2010, 08:49 PM

About 6 years ago, went on a trip to Germany, even drove the Ring in a new 997S. Great trip.
While there, I got this weird idea. How great it would be to drive my RSA in Europe and the autobahn.

Well, it’s taken about a year of research and work, but it’s going to happen this year,

I started receiving all the import/export licenses a couple of weeks ago for the RSA. I got all the forms in this week. Shipping has been arranged to ship my RSA in her own private container to the UK with approximate arrival on May 19th.

Found an insurance company that will insure me in 29 countries for about $165 a month.

Joined the Porsche Club Great Britain, got my membership card on 3/31/10. I’m going to Le Mans with them.
They put together a 5 star camping trip to Le Mans every year, they camp in the Porsche Curves at Le Mans, they even put up your tent for you, It runs about $800 for 5 days at Le Mans, Euro Tunnel Pass, tickets, fully catered camp site, private restrooms and showers. How cool is that. I’ll be traveling with the PCGB from the UK to Le Mans, should help me not get lost. I’ll get to watch testing, practice, qualifying, and the race, wow.

I’ve been a member of a 964 Porsche series group for about 7 years. Since I told the group about my plans, I’ve received invitations to all over Europe, Luxemburg, France, Germany, UK, Portugal, Spain, and the Ring. Planning at least a week at the Ring.

After Le Mans heading south, Normandy, Madrid, Lisbon, Valencia, and maybe Monaco. After that head north to Germany, Berlin, Leipzig, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, the Ring. Etc. Want to catch a couple of Formula 1 races, Spa, Ring, etc. At least that’s the tentative schedule so far.

Found this website that lists a lot of the tracks in Europe and if they have open track days, they do. So I might get to drive Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Spa, and a bunch of others. http://www.trackdays.co.uk/tracks/

Just finished a 60k service on the RSA, new rotors, pads, brake fluid, set valves, new tires, new O2 sensor, had a ipod cable put in for tunes, and waxed and detailed her, dyno tested 250hp at rear wheels.

Had a set of PSS10 Coilovers installed, with new alignment and corner balancing last week, sweet.

Oh yeah, since I won’t be in any one country more than 4 months, I get to keep the California plates on her, cool. I wrote a lot of emails to a lot of countries to confirm that, all said fine by email, printed out all those emails, just in case.

The RSA ships in 2 weeks, when I get a confirmed delivery date, I’ll book my plane tickets.

So long story short. I’m going to Le Mans and will be spending over 4 months driving around Europe in my RSA with California plates, a dream is coming true.

Here's a picture of my RS America at the Lake Arrowhead Porsche Timeline last year.

Don


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Posted by: 396 Mar 31 2010, 09:12 PM

You the MAN..have a safe trip

Posted by: Jake Raby Mar 31 2010, 09:34 PM

Great trip!
I attended the classic Le Mans in 2006 for my Honeymoon... We first traveled to the UK and hooked up with some of my clients from PCGB and made the trek via ferry out of Dover.

You'll have a blast! I fully intend to do something similar in a few years.

Posted by: brer Mar 31 2010, 09:49 PM

hey look! Lake Arrowhead still had water in it when that pic was taken.

Posted by: Lou W Mar 31 2010, 09:58 PM

Hi Don

Sounds like you'll have a great time. Take lots of pictures.

Posted by: drew365 Mar 31 2010, 10:08 PM

That's quite a vacation you have planned, Don. Enjoy every minute and take lots of pictures.

Posted by: rick 918-S Mar 31 2010, 10:09 PM

Wow! Cool!

Posted by: KELTY360 Mar 31 2010, 10:10 PM

Bon voyage!

Posted by: JRust Mar 31 2010, 10:13 PM

That is seriously cool! Ditto on the pics too. How many countries you hitting. Document everything. Just think of the coffee table book you could make of that. Or better yet one big ass collage in the man cave

Posted by: 6freak Mar 31 2010, 10:16 PM

Beautiful car ...be safe have fun

Posted by: DonTraver Mar 31 2010, 10:35 PM

I just got a 12mp camera, with a 16gb card it will take 2 hrs of video.
I've got 3 16gb cards, spare battery and car charger. I tested it last week, put it on a tripod and video taped Sebring, worked good. It's made to upload to youtube too. Can anyone say, video of laps at the ring, autobahn, and any other thing I can think of.

I've been thinking, planning, researching this for a long time. I got the most important import licience about 10 days ago, once I had that, all I had to do was start turning everything on, took about 4 days. Since then everythings just falling into place. I don't ever remember being this excited about a trip, all I can say is, Wow it's happening.

Posted by: Elliot Cannon Mar 31 2010, 10:42 PM

Have a great trip Don.

Posted by: Dr Evil Mar 31 2010, 11:44 PM

Couldnt have happened to a nicer guy

Posted by: veltror Apr 1 2010, 02:42 AM

Make sure you visit Mittelmotor!!!

Posted by: rebelmdot Apr 1 2010, 05:30 AM

I hope that you have an awesome trip. It has been many a moon, but Luxemburg was one of the most hospitable places on this planet and you could drive the whole country in less than a day .

I wish I would have known that you were planning, that is what I do for a living and could have knocked a little leg work out for you. When you are re-importing vehicle into USA, let me know if you need any help.

In the immortal words of Mister Mister Kýrie eléison on your travels!

Posted by: nsr-jamie Apr 1 2010, 05:48 AM

How much is it going to cost to ship your car? That sounds like an incredible trip. Cheers!!

Posted by: plymouth37 Apr 1 2010, 09:30 AM

That sounds awesome! I have dreamed about doing a similar trip when I finish school.
Take lots of pics and have a great time!

Posted by: RobW Apr 1 2010, 09:32 AM

"Living the Dream!" Have fun... be safe.

Posted by: championgt1 Apr 1 2010, 10:07 AM

Awesome!!

Posted by: naro914 Apr 1 2010, 11:33 AM

Don,
Wow...what a wonderful opportunity!!

I assume you are a PCA member? Contact Betty Jo Turner with Pano, or Vu at the National office and see about writing a story about trip. This would make one heck of an adventure to be told that all of PCA would love to hear!

Posted by: smontanaro Apr 1 2010, 01:55 PM

Sounds cool. Got any P-cars which need babysitting?

S

Posted by: DonTraver Apr 1 2010, 02:22 PM

I'm keeping notes, records, web addresses, and emails about the complete trip.
Research, prep, names, etc. I haven't decided yet on what to write, article or blog, still putting out some last minute brush fires.

Dave Wilkinson of the PCGB 964 Registry and 964 UK Group let me know this morning about a emission sticker I need to get from Germany to drive into the cities. Don't need the sticker to drive the autobahn. It's called a Umweltplakette, don't ask me to pronouce that, but costs about $54.

I finally figured out how to fill out the form, took a few tries and sent it off. Recieved a comfirmation email for reciept, not approval. Sent them a email about what I was trying to do, even volunteered to get a new smog check if needed to get the Umweltplakette approved. Talked with the smog check station around the corner from me, $50 for a new test, oh well, it's worth it too me.

http://www.umwelt- plakette. de/int_england. php?SID=6n2phd9s 9ndivhe6kq0l198n v0

So now wait and see.

Thanks for the offer to take care of my 914-6, pic attached. But it's been taken care of.

Shipping in its own private container with $50k insurance is about $3500 each way.
But with the RSA in a container, I can pack most of my stuff including my fold up bicycle instead of trying to carry it all on the plane. Years ago while in the Navy shipped a car, its called open shipping or something like that, where they drive the car on and off the ship. The car got vandlized, paint stained by something that leaked on it, personal stuff ripped off. Never ship that way if you value your car. Insurance said tough about claim so did the Navy. Never again.

Thanks for the well wishes.

Later, Don






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Posted by: T H O M A S Apr 1 2010, 07:08 PM

hi don,if you are still in europe on august 13,there is an oltimer grad prix at the nuerburgring ,i am going

Posted by: scotty b Apr 1 2010, 07:41 PM

VERY cool I have plans ( hopes ) of touring Europe someday either in my oval or roadster

Posted by: rebelmdot Apr 1 2010, 07:49 PM

Don, make sure to have a very detailed list of exactly what you are taking in the container for Customs purposes of where the container will unlade. Are you putting the car and goods on a Carnet so that you can move freely in between the countries without having to "import" it into each place that you visit? Do not put any food or consumables in the container, as it could hold up your entire shipment. If you enjoy the adult beverage or two and find a beer or wine that you enjoy, please check with your local ABC about the individual limits in your State if you want to bring any back home. If you have any questions, PM me, I want you to have the greatest time with the least amount of headache.

QUOTE(DonTraver @ Apr 1 2010, 03:22 PM)

Posted by: Betty Apr 2 2010, 10:09 AM

The trip of a lifetime for sure!

I'm imagining an entire series of pictures of the car, where you can clearly see the California plate on it, in front of all the European landmarks you can find.

I hope you have a safe and wonderful trip!

Posted by: dgw Apr 3 2010, 11:07 AM

Have a good trip, it sounds like a great time.
I also have a white RSA. Mine has white wheels. Its a fun car.

Posted by: Tom Apr 3 2010, 11:20 AM

Don,
That sounds like a trip of a lifetime! Wish you all the luck and success in your travels and yea, take lots of pics.
I keep having this desire to see how many 914 ownwers would like to do a trip around the good old USA and stop off for get togethers with other members. Take say, a month or so.
Again, fair winds and following seas.
Tom ICC(SW) ret.

Posted by: DonTraver Apr 15 2010, 04:22 PM

Well, I shipped the RS America today, wow; it’s on its way. Keith showed up around 8am and we were on the road shortly thereafter. Both Keith and I had a gps in the car, just in case we got separated. The drive up was nice, only hit 3 slowdowns on the freeway. When we got there, Branko Stanojevic of Rinkens International shipping had everything ready. We were done in less than 30 minutes. The only thing on the pre-shipping inspection form was a few paint chips on the front end, not bad for a 17 year old car that I’ve driven cross country 3 times. I am worn out; woke up at 2:30am, not excited or anything. I’ll get to rest while she heads to the UK. The amount of work to put this together just blows me away, especially since I pushed the GO button last month.

I also took pictures of her before we left for LA this morning, then took more when we got there. Took pictures of everything loaded in her a couple of days ago, boy was that a job, packing everything up, inventorying everything. My bags are also packed for the flight next month; I’m not unpacking them until I get to Felixstowe.

Did a full 60k service, new brake pads, fresh brake fluid flush and filled with Super Gold, new O2 sensor, set valves (2 Day job), Fresh Mobil One 15k oil and filter, New PSS10 coilovers, alignment, corner balanced, scrub the undercarriage and wheel wells for customs, full detail. All since March 22nd, when I got the final approval papers in the mail. Wow, I’m impressed,

Spent the next four days, turning everything on. Confirming and paying for Shipping, auto insurance that’s good in 29 countries, joining the PCGB, and applying for the PCGB 5 star camping trip to Le Mans and getting approved, etc.

How many hours on the computer, researching countries, writing emails about driving my car in their countries. Emails to apply for import licenses for car, medicines, and emission stickers, the PCGB and German emission stickers look nice on her. Down loading a pile of forms, filling them out, sending them out, waiting for approval letters. One government office even required that all forms be converted to PDF, they sent you the form in Word. That alone took the best part of a day figuring out how to do that. The first time I submitted the form, it got rejected, of course.

I am so glad that I didn’t delete all the information that I had collected last year. That saved me from having to reinvent the wheel completely this year. But boy, a lot of things changed from last year. Things got a whole lot more complicated and expensive.

Six years of saving up to pay for this, and saving enough to do it in style. Good hotels, food, taking the time to really see things, no one hour tours, off to the next, rush. I love history, now I’ve got the time and resources to see so much of it, and see it in a Porsche.
Does it get any better?

I love the Autobahn. I’ll also be visiting race tracks all over Europe, and the Ring. I’ll get to drive my RS America on the ring, that’s where the idea for this whole trip happened. My second trip to Germany was with Mark and Tina of Autobahn Adventures. Our first stop was the Dorent Hotel at the Ring. I was driving a new 997S Avis rental and got to take in on the track that evening, they didn’t have spotters at the track yet. While I was driving one of my laps is when I had the idea; I want to drive my RSA on this track, how cool would that be, and it started.

So now, relax take care of the small stuff while I wait for my flights to pick her up in Felixstowe, UK. Then Le Mans.

Later, Don

Posted by: jim_hoyland Apr 16 2010, 08:36 AM

Good luck witht the trip Don, looking forward to seeing the pictures. Is the volcanic ash going to cause any issues ?

Posted by: DonTraver May 21 2010, 03:37 AM

I'm in London playing tourist, pick up the RS America in 2 days. Met up with the organizer of the trip to Le Mans last night, he had my ticket packet, so cool. Going on a tour of London today.

Heads is still spinning a bit that this dream is in progress, who'd have thunk I'd be able to put this together and actually do it.

So far have 2 Porsche Clubs and 1 magazine that want me to write the trip up. from the beginning of the planning to the trip details wow. Someone actually wants to hear something I say, lol.

Later, Don

Posted by: ChrisNPDrider May 21 2010, 11:55 AM

That one's a Guiness
Have fun and stay on the right side (left side) of the road!
$3500 to ship it....hmmm, with a good EU exchange rate and demand for nice 914s, you could almost re-coup the shipping after a trip drivin around, hmmmmm

Posted by: jwhcars May 21 2010, 12:29 PM

Have a fun and safe time....We all are looking forward to your updates.

Posted by: AZ914 May 21 2010, 01:04 PM

Awesome, Don. I'm quite envious! Have an great time and keep us posted!

Posted by: DonTraver May 21 2010, 04:04 PM

5/21/10

Where to start.

Met up with Stephen Fowel for dinner last night. He also brought my ticket package for Le Mans with him, nice. Stephen came to my hotel, to save me the experience of getting lost in London again, naw, that never happens, I’m just taking the scenic route again. We went looking for a restaurant down on Oxford St. First place we went into was so noisy that we never even sat down, the 2nd place was better, we could talk without shouting. Got back to the hotel around midnight.

Stephen has been a tremendous help putting this trip together. I can’t thank him enough.

Today, did a bit of shopping. Picked up a cell phone Sim card, it worked. So now I’m not out of touch with those back home.

Bought a ticket on the Big Bus tours. It was really nice, because it’s almost like Autobahn Adventures, only on a bus. You could get off at any stop and go explore the area, then catch the next bus that goes by, with Autobahn Adventures, you can pick your own route to the next destination, which made things more fun. It also is a great way to see all the top spots. I got off a couple of times to see some things. Took quite a few pictures, they’re uploading now to a Flikr account I opened. So far it’s taken 2:15 hours and it’s at 82%, 12mp sized pictures.
Here’s the address: http://www.flickr.com/photos/20206812@N07/

I don’t know if you have to register to view them or not, seems like every website has started to require you to register before you can explore the site.

You can tell it’s the beginning of the tourist season. The Q’s at a few of the sights was quite long. Westminster Abby’s line had to be at least a 2 hour wait. It was 4 deep and over 100 yards long. I didn’t go, got back on the bus.

The weather was in the 80’s today and clear, perfect. The UK Customs Bureau asked me to bring some sunshine in one of their emails answering my questions about bringing the RSA over.

The area the hotel is in is surrounded by pubs and restaurants. At about 4 each afternoon, they really start to fill up, overflowing outside. If you like people watching, this is a great area. One thing that I’ve noticed and been pleasantly surprised seeing is the mini skirt is alive and well in London. I always like them, but then I think most guys do.

When I got the cell phone sim card at the T Mobile place, they’d told me about this thing called a T Mobil Broadband USB thingy. You can connect to the web anywhere with it, and there was a special on it, buy 2 days, get 30 days free, all for 35 pounds. On the way back to the hotel, I stopped to look at it again and bought it. I’m using it to upload the pictures now. It’s a pay as you go deal.

It was easy to install with one exception. When I tried to go to Flickr to upload the pictures, Flickr was blocked until I could prove I was over 18, to prove you’re over 18, it wants you to enter a credit card number, charge you 2 pounds and then gives the 2 pounds back. Sounds easy enough, right.

It only accepts credit cards issued in the UK. The broadband was working so I went to the T Mobile website, found a phone number and called them. It only took about 2 minutes before I was talking to a human, very pleasant surprise. Long story short, I had to go back to the T Mobile store to get the thing unlocked, now it’s working after I proved I was over 18, lol.

So if anyone visits here and gets one, remember to get it unlocked before you leave the store. Biggest reason for getting one, the hotel charges 15 pounds a day for internet access. That’s about what I pay for a month of service at home. Or think of it this way, that’s about 3 gallons of gas a day or a new rear tire every 11 days.

I’d rather have the gas and tires.

Here’s the latest schedule:

London 6 days Trafalgar Square
Felixstowe 3 days
Stonehenge 2 days
Canterbury 6 days
Morton on Marsh 3 days
Folkestone 3 days
Le Mans 5 days Porsche Curves
Caudan, France 4-5 days
Normandy 3-4 days
Luxemburg 7 days
Nurburgring 7 Days May need tires before I leave.

Still need to schedule:
Nehms, Northern Germany
Copenhagen
Berlin
Leipzig
Stuttgart
Lucerne
San Bernardino Pass
Stelvio Pass
Rome
Monaco
Granada
Seville
Madrid
Calais

Just entered the above in Autoroute 2010, about 7000 miles, not bad. I’m sure I can add to that.

Pretty good list and I’ve still got September in the UK and Scotland to fill. Don’t know if I can fit them all in, but I’m sure trying too.

Good news on the return shipping. Branko at Rinkens in LA sent me a email saying that he could accept my credit card and then pay the shippers here in the UK for me. How cool is that. Thank you Branko.

That’s about all for now, Don



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Posted by: poorsche914 May 21 2010, 04:23 PM

QUOTE(DonTraver @ May 21 2010, 06:04 PM)

Posted by: DonTraver May 21 2010, 04:44 PM

I paid 35 pounds cash, no credit card. They had a big sign that said< "Pay for 2 days, get 30 days free. I leave the UK for Le Mans June 9th, that's less than 30 days.

when I called the help line, I asked again, they said youre good to go, just get the shop to unlock it. Time will tell.

Posted by: BigDBass May 21 2010, 04:52 PM

Man, this is the beginning of a great adventure. Awe-inspiring. Thanks for taking us along Don!

Posted by: jeffdon May 21 2010, 05:09 PM

your going to LOVE the Stelvio, except for the huge tour buses coming around a hairpin at you. At first you cannot believe they are actually attempting to do the pass.

Drove it two summers ago in a rented Audi A3 that scooted pretty well. Was glad i did not cheap out for the VW Lupo, I can only imagine how fun this will be in a 914.

Make sure you stop, get an espresso and savor the epic view.



And while taking a break at the top, I ran into these guys.

Posted by: jeffdon May 21 2010, 05:17 PM

Oh, and either before or after the Stelvio, I highly suggest a night in Bormio. Beautiful mountain town, and is refreshingly cool compared to lower elevations once in Northern Italy. And the lakes further south are also mind-numbingly gorgeous.

Have a number of Limoncello shots for me!

Posted by: Silverstreak May 21 2010, 06:54 PM

Good for you...
But seriously, that'd be a dream come true.

Posted by: Nürburg Nomad May 22 2010, 03:03 PM

Amazing story so far and your adventures have barely begun!

Keep us updated and post plenty of photos, and don't forget to take a spin through Switzerland if you have time. I highly recommend Interlaken to Stechelberg!

Posted by: DonTraver May 24 2010, 11:49 AM

Well, I left London and headed for Felixstowe. It took me only 3 hours, I was expecting all day. I caught the trains perfectly. When I got to Felixstowe, I went to the cab stand to get one to the Hotel Elizabeth Orwell. The cab driver chuckled and said, “Why don’t you walk, you can see it from here, it’s on the other side of the Co-op.

So I walked. Nice place. Has a very large picture of the Queen in the reception area, impressive. The hotel staff has already been very helpful.
I received both good news and bad news today. Here’s the bad news, let’s get it out of the way. I’ve been checking the ships website every other day or so, and it’s been saying arrival in Felixstowe on May 25th. I sent them an email the other day detailing my arrival date, hotel, and other contact information. I received a reply today, the earliest I can pick up the RSA might be the 27th, maybe. Worst case, I’ll be here in Felixstowe until June 1st or 2nd. That’s the end of the bad news.

Good news is I was able to extend my stay at the hotel until June 2nd. They also realize I might and to be gone before then, so they said they wouldn’t hold me to the late cancellation fee if I do get to pick her up and leave earlier. They’ve also been great about receiving and faxing custom forms to the shippers for me.

So I might be here in Felixstowe for a week or so. I had originally planned on a week here and even had reservations for that, then canceled them for 6 days in London first. I might have to cancel my reservations at Stonehenge and Canterbury, oh well, so it goes. I should know something in the next day or two. So I’ll just wait and see.

After I checked in, cleaned up and went for a walk to beach. It was pretty nice, also picked up a couple more things for the trip, including a book store, bought a few books, might have time to read them.

So what’s on the schedule tomorrow, laundry, found a Laundromat while walking around, so exciting, and wait for word on the RSA. It’s gonna happen, I just don’t know when.

That’s all for now.

Take care,, Don

Posted by: DonTraver May 28 2010, 12:52 PM

5/28/10

I've Got Her

Made it back to the hotel after filling the tank. They did a great job, everythings there. Now to check tire pressures and get her ready for the road.

Need to call hotels for reservations too.

Later, Don

5/28/10 addendum

Well, she’s all checked out and cleaned up, ready to go tomorrow morning to Stonehenge. I won’t be staying overnight there. I was able to get my reservations back in Canterbury. Set up the GPS, Stonehenge is about 170 miles from here. So I might be checking in late in Canterbury.

After I got her ready, went and did laundry again. When I drove over and parked her, she was across the street from an Auto repair shop. I went and put the laundry in the machine, came back and she’d drawn the attention of the guys in the shop, 5-6 guys standing around her, gotta love that, right Keith. While we were talking, another guy drove up in a 997 Turbo, beautiful car. It made waiting for the laundry go by much faster.

I’m sitting in the parking lot on my little camp chair right now, putting this email together and uploading the pictures from the Imorex Bonded Warehouse where I took delivery. They waited until I showed up to open the container, then let me drive her out of the container down the ramp. I was concerned that the battery might be low or dead, she’s been sitting for almost 6 weeks now. She fired right up, no hesitation at all. The only thing she needed was some air in the tires and the Porsche Air Compressor worked great, they were all down about 3-4 psi.

For you guys back in the states, when I filled her up, it came to 66.90 pounds, that’s about $100 US or more. I did budget for that.

Just finished uploaded the Felixstowe delivery pictures, enjoy.

Take Care, Don

For the pictures:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20206812@N07/

Posted by: KELTY360 May 28 2010, 01:09 PM

Gotta love it when a plan comes together!

Posted by: kharma May 28 2010, 01:18 PM

Love this thread already, and you are just truly getting started! Looking forward to more...

Posted by: DonTraver May 28 2010, 01:33 PM

OMG

Posted by: Nürburg Nomad May 28 2010, 01:35 PM

QUOTE(kharma @ May 28 2010, 03:18 PM)

Love this thread already, and you are just truly getting started! Looking forward to more...

Posted by: DonTraver May 28 2010, 01:37 PM

OMG, this weekend is the 70th aniversary of the Dunkirk evacuation in WWII, they're having a Black Tie Ball here tonight. So who goes walking through the crowd wearing a 914 T-shirt, shorts and flip flops, yep you guessed it. The looks.

Sometimes I just have a knack for stepping in it.

Posted by: Eddie914 May 28 2010, 03:06 PM

Don,

You are living my dream.

Keep up the good work (play).

Cheers,

Eddie

Posted by: DonTraver May 29 2010, 02:48 PM

5/29/10

Today was just so cool. So how cool was it, hit numerous traffic jams and just smiled.

Left Felixstowe a little after 8am, heading for Stonehenge. I hit rain after being on the A12 for about an hour. Then rain the rest of the day. Got within about 10 miles of Stonehenge, 1st gear the rest of he way. I pulled off for gas before I got there, got back on the A303, 1st gear again. I was thinking,”are all these people going to Stonehenge?” No, I have no idea where they were going, but the backup continued way past Stonehenge, like as far as you could see. I was glad to be out of it.

So there was rain at Stonehenge. It wasn’t hard, just a drizzle. Maybe because of that it wasn’t too crowded. So I paid for parking and entry, only 10 pounds. Hey, I got the senior discount, whoa, never thought I’d last that long. I took a lot of pictures, 40+. I don’t know when I’ll be able to upload them.

That T mobile thingy has a maximum upload/download of 3 gigs. I maxed it already with pictures and stuff. Here’s the screwy part, that’s a per month maximum, they won’t sell you any extra until after 30 days. Then they’ll sell you another 3 gig. So even if I buy another one, uploading 40+ 5-6mb pictures will wipe it out quick again. Here’s the next surprise, the hotel just upgraded their wifi, so now it’s not free, it’s 4.95 pounds per hour and can only be connected with in the bar, cough. They did suggest that there’s a McDonalds and Starbucks close by with free wifi. So I’ll try that, might be able to upload a few at a time. It will let you surf, email, and stuff for the rest of the month, just no uploads or downloads. Hey, that beats 4.95 an hours at the bar.

The next surprise, yesterday the hotel confirmed my new reservation. When I got here, I was told, we can only provide a room for one night. But they did make reservations at another hotel for me at the same rate. Oh yeah, they don’t have an elevator either. So I unloaded the RSA and let them carry all the bags and bicycle up the stairs. Thank God for that, I’d be half dead if I’d had to carry all of the stuff up 3 flights of stairs. I’m going to let them carry them back down the stairs too tomorrow morning. Getting old does have some advantages.

I drove the RSA over 325 miles today, most of it in the rain. I like driving in the rain, it takes more skill to drive safely and avoid the other drivers. I saw 4 accidents today and one spin out on the M3. I don’t think anyone got hurt at any of them. Drivers and passengers were just standing around looking depressed,

I really like the GPS I bought in London, it got me to Stonehenge and Canterbury. It’s got all this new stuff my 5 year old one in the States doesn’t. Think it’ll be time for a new one when I get back.

So overall, it’s been a great wonderful day. The RSA ran perfect, didn’t miss a beat. She did start to get a little hotter than I like, so when I stopped for gas around Stonehenge, I pulled the fan relay and hooked up the manual switch operation that I put in years ago to help her cool down after coming off the track. After that, what heat.

The Charger for my Cell Phone died, so I need to find a car charger. So please no calls unless it’s an emergency, it’s already just about dead. Trip maintenance.

I’ve got a couple of questions for the UK guys.

What is a Variable Speed Zone? Does that mean traffic flow or traffic density or something?

Traffic Cameras. I ran into a lot of them today. The GPS would alert me and I’d do whatever it said, however when I did that I was usually getting passed, sometimes like I was standing still. The question is, what’s the fudge factor, how fast over the limit before it takes your picture and they send you those nasty bills with points.
I’d rather not support the government that way. They’d just waste it anyway.

I got a email from someone, brains a bit foggy right now, saying something about a notice or something about me was posted in the PCGB monthly magazine. My copy is on it’s way to San Diego, checked the PCGB website, you guy don’t post the magazine online do you? Would someone let me know what’s going on? I’d appreciate it.

Let clear up something that’s starting to bug me. I’ve been emailed a few times about writing a couple of articles and maybe even a book about this trip. Ya know, that sounds great on paper and it is flattering that someone would actually want to hear something I’ve got to say beyond emails. If any of that happens it’s going to be after the trip is completed and I and my RSA are back home, nor will I drive 3-4 hours one way so someone can take pictures of my RSA. Hey, if we meet up, that’s fine, but I will not turn this trip into work.
I have invested too much time, effort, and money to let anything get in the way of this once in a lifetime trip.
Nuff said.

Well, that’s it for today, I’m going to go find the Starbucks and McDonalds and just look around a bit. I’ll admit I’m tired; but it’s such a nice tired, it’s going to be an early night.

Don

Posted by: pillay2k May 29 2010, 03:22 PM

Nice, looks like you are having a fun trip over here. I was at the University of Bath for 5 years and did the A303 past Stonehenge and M3 towards London quite a few times. A303 is usually quiet, except the 'henge bit where it narrows and everybody rubbernecks to look at some stones!

Variable Speed Zone on motorways usually means overhead signs displaying the speed limit for rain or accident/ blockage ahead, obey on the M25 as they are camera enforced to the limit shown in most places!

Annoyingly they are often left on even when the road is clear.

When no speed is shown on the gantry cameras are off and just travel at the general traffic pace. Which can get very naught on some roads...

Generally cameras give you 10% but 30 and 40 limit cameras i give more respect.

One more is do not speed in France, it is an expensive past time!!

p.s. just read through the post properly... I will be at Le Mans in my bright orange 914!! i will look out for you! Its an experience and a half...
+ If you are ever going to be around the East Sussex coast (google map TN33 0NH) there will be a cup of tea and car chat waiting ;-)

Posted by: roadster fan May 30 2010, 07:56 PM

Woohoo!

subscribed, keep the updates coming, what a trip!

Jim

Posted by: jwhcars May 31 2010, 01:26 PM

Wow what a fantastic trip you have planned. May all things go better than you planned.Have fun and I am looking forward to your updates.

Posted by: DonTraver May 31 2010, 01:49 PM

5/31/10

What a day, just great. Much more than I even imagined.

I’m staying at the Falstaff Hotel (1st built in 1403, wow) here in Canterbury. I like it much better than the Chaucer Hotel. One reason, I was given a ground floor room, they don’t have elevators either. The room is twice the size and the Canterbury West Gate is right outside my window, the windows are partially stained glass too. Parking is nicer and the lot is much larger. The lot is sort of like an inner courtyard, has a gate that you need to enter a code into to get out, the lot and gate are also covered by CCTV cameras. At the Chaucer, they had maybe 10 spots, small spots. Breakfast is a buffet style here verses ordered. Last but not least is FREEE
Hi Speed Internet. So I got all the pictures uploaded today, and I took a lot of pictures today.

I left the hotel at around 8:30am and walked to the Canterbury Cathedral. The Cathedral was incredible, to say I was awe struck doesn’t begin to tell the story. As I walked through the gate, the first thing I said was, OMG, then when I went through the door, it was one WOW or OMG after another. The stained glass was just beautiful, and while you’re trying to take it all in, you realize this was all built over 1000 years ago. If part of the design was designed to humble you, it certainly will. The main floor, crypt, cloisters, vaulted ceilings, towering columns, are just incredible. While I was in the Monks Cloisters, the docent there was kind enough to try to explain each panel of the Stained Glass to me, and how each panel told a story, history. By the time they were half finished, I said I should have gone to the gift store first, to buy a book that would explain it all to me before I saw the windows. I did go to the Gift Shop and they did have a book about the Stained Glass windows, but I think they call it a Coffee Table Book, really big, just don’t have the room for it right now. Once you go into the Gift Shop, you cannot go back into the Cathedral, the sign that tells you that is inside and once the auto doors close that’s it. Before I knew it, it was after 11am. I’m going back tomorrow, there is no way you can see it in just a couple of hours. I’ll read up on the Cathedral online tonight.

From there I went to Canterbury Tales, it was ok, but it’s possible that it was just ok is because I’d just left the Cathedral. It’s pretty much like set scenes. The sign on the outside says, Bold Knights, Men in Tights, and Medieval Misadventures. The scenes were all meant to bring a laugh. I’m glad I went.

The next stop was the Roman Museum and Ruins. It was quite impressive looking at all the Roman artifacts from BC. There are also the excavated foundations for a couple of homes. At one exhibit there was a Roman Soldiers Helmet with a sign saying, “Try it On”, so I did. I didn’t realize how goofy I looked until I uploaded the pictures. One of the really interesting facts is the Museum is about 15-20 underground, Canterbury is built on top of the ruins.

. I found the Tourist Office today. I was surprised to find out, that there are no tours available to see the rest of Canterbury. The only tours offered are walking tours of the city center. So this sounds like a job for the bicycle.
There is a boating tour that I’ll go on tomorrow. It’s called a Punting Tour on the river Stour, ok, fine by me.

I’d like to go on a tour of the West Gate, but it’s only offered on Saturday’s from 11am to 12:30pm. Better be fast for that one.

After all that, my feet were saying, it’s time for a break, so I headed back to the hotel. So took a break and headed back out just sightseeing. There is so much to see here, so much history.

That’s about all for now.

Don

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20206812@N07/

Posted by: Gint May 31 2010, 05:09 PM

That's fantastic Don. Thanks for sharing your trip with us. I'm going to add a link to your photos in your last post.

Posted by: JRust May 31 2010, 08:20 PM

Amazing Don ! What a trip

Posted by: DonTraver Jun 1 2010, 03:48 PM

I went back the Canterbury Cathedral this morning, spent another 3+ hours there. It still took my breath away and I was able to see a lot of things that I missed yesterday. I was in the Church Treasure Room down in the Crypt and asked the Docent a question about how they keep all the silver from tarnishing, next thing I know, I’m getting the full tour. He showed me each piece and gave me the history that went with it. The oldest piece was a pocket sundial; it had individual holes for each month for the indicator pin to go into. It was over 1500 years old and they’d figured out the sun, months, and seasons well enough to make it, amazing. I took a lot more pictures today and uploaded them to the Flickr site.

After going to the Cathedral, I found the Canterbury Museum. Just finding it took about a hour, the street sign said it was on one street, but I finally found it about 2 street over. Its exhibits go all the way back to Roman times. I tried to take some pictures, but the flash from the camera sort of ruined a lot of them. I finally just turned the flash off, or just put my finger over it, seems to have worked ok. It was well worth the visit.

When I came out of the Museum, the rain that was forecast for today had arrived. So it was back to the hotel for rain gear.

After picking up the rain gear I went back out and saw a sign that said a Norman Castle was down this street, so off I went. On the way I passed a Church with a cemetery, not sure how long it’d been there, but the names and dates on most of the gravestones had weathered away. I got to the end of the road and still hadn’t found the Norman Castle, so decided to take a different street back and there it was. It is completely un-restored and falling down, there were signs all around the exterior warning you to stay away from the walls because of falling stones. As I entered the gate to the courtyard, I heard voices. I walked across the courtyard to read the information display and turned around, there were about 6 teenagers going out the gate. After going around the courtyard I climbed the stairs to get a better view. When I entered the stairwell, I smelled the distinct odor of grass. I started laughing, seems I’d disturbed the party.

It was still raining so I passed on the boat ride on the river. Put that on the list for tomorrow.

I have to admit I like the stares the RS America is getting, not sure if it’s the car or the California Plates, both have received pretty much the same amounts of comments. When they ask about the Plates, I just say, I knew I should have turned left, it’s good for a quick laugh.

That’s all for now. Don

Posted by: tdgray Jun 2 2010, 09:01 AM

Love this Don... you are living one of my dreams!

Keep updating as often as you can.

Posted by: DonTraver Jun 3 2010, 04:35 AM

Well yesterday was just a beautiful day in the neighborhood. The rain had passed, the sun was out. It time to do some traveling. Used a Water Blade to dry off the RSA, then the road.

I first went to Upnor Castle; it was about 40 miles away. It was in 1667 that the Dutch attacked the ships and Castle; they sank 3 English Men of War. Then because they were caught in a crossfire between Upnor Castle and a Battery on the opposite bank withdrew. They had a still life with lights that described the battle. Here’s were I didn’t agree with it. The audio display said the Dutch won, but they never came ashore, landed any troops, sank 3 ships was about it. To me that means they lost, the defenders drove them off.

It was pretty interesting. There was one display that showed the powder monkeys moving the barrels of powder to the upper levels where the guns were. The way they did it was pretty cool. They tied the rope to the barrel and jumped out the window. Their weight counterweighted the barrel and took it right to the top of the batteries.
I assume them knew where to grab the rope so that they landed on the deck below gently, no broken legs.

While I was walking around, this lady and her son came up to me. She said her son really liked the RSA. I looked at him and told him he can have one, all he needs to do is work for it. The lady smiled and said, thank you for saying that, that's what his father and I have been telling him about everything. Cool, my good deed of the day.

After Upnor Castle I programmed the GPS for Rochester Castle, one of the best preserved Norman Castles. It was big and tall. At the door it had a sign saying it was over 200 steps to the top most battlements. They weren’t kidding. The steps were very worn, and steep, but they’d installed handrails. So off to the top I went. They view was spectacular. When I was walking around the battlements looking down, I spotted the RS America perfectly framed way down below by the trees, had to take a couple pictures of her. If I’d parked 10 feet either way, would have missed the photo opportunity. By the time I’d finished exploring Rochester Castle the feet were saying enough.

So it was back to the RSA and head out of town. So far the driving’s going OK, the only problem I’m having is getting used to the roundabouts. There was quite a few that had two lanes. I always tried to stay in the left lane of those, at one of them a guy who was alongside in the right lane decided he wanted one of the exits, cut right across me, I stood on the brakes, put the RSA on her nose. I expect that’ll get better as I get more used to them.

I got to Canterbury and then went for the Riverboat ride. It was pretty nice; the oarsman gave us all a nice history lesson about Canterbury and the river.

Went out for a morning drive this morning, just headed out of Canterbury. Everything was going pretty good until I went over a block of concrete sticking up out of the road. It was one of those holy crap what was that moments. Didn’t hurt anything, but they started showing up about every ¼ mile, took the rest of them slow and with only one side of the RSA. After driving through the countryside, started heading back on a different road, I wanted to avoid those things.

I stopped for gas and to vacuum out the RSA. While I vacuuming her, a guy named Kip (sp) stopped behind me. The first thing he said, “You’re the guy from California, and I’ve heard about you from the PCGB, I have a 993 RS. I saw your car as I drove by, then noticed the California Plates, I had to turn around and meet you.” I was pleasantly surprised and we had a nice talk.

I leave Canterbury tomorrow and head for Morton on Marsh for the PCGB open house on Sunday. Today will be just a relaxing day, get everything organized to fit back in the RSA tomorrow morning. I’m going to try and leave early so I can visit a few more sights on the way to Morton on Marsh. So far I’ve picked out Tonbridge Castle, Leeds Castle, and Dover Castle. That should make for a pretty full day.

A friend asked me if the Flickr website supported Slide Shows, didn’t know, but found out. So if anyone has the same question, here’s how.
Go to the site

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20206812@N07/


Click on any picture, it will open to a larger version of the picture.

Look to the right it'll say don_traver's photostream, under that it will show a picture and just to the right of that it will say how many pictures have been uploaded. Just underneath the number of pictures uploaded it will have a little TV like screen, put your arrow on it, it will say, "view as slideshow". Double click, and it's on.

The adventure continues, Don

Posted by: Vysoc Jun 6 2010, 09:08 PM

Don,


Just checking it's been 3 days since we have heard from you...are the nice folks in Great Britian embracing you???


Looking forward to LeMans and the experience.

Vysoc

Posted by: pillay2k Jun 7 2010, 02:54 AM

Don,

Dont forget to add these two to your trip to Dover or on the way back, both within 5 miles of my house (we live in Battle!!)

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-bodiamcastle

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/1066-battle-of-hastings-abbey-and-battlefield/history/

Hope all is going well,

Fabian

Posted by: DonTraver Jun 7 2010, 02:01 PM

Ok, so much has happened over the past two days. Went to the Porsche Club Great Britain’s Open House. When I arrived I was warming greeted and they even had some small gifts, completely unexpected. They gave me the grand tour of their facility and I have to say I was impressed. The RS America was a hit and I was asked to park it in front of the facility next to Dave Newton’s beautiful 2.7l RS engined 914-6. After all the picture taking I moved the RSA to another parking spot. Because the 914 group was on their way and PCGB wanted to set up photo shots of some the 914’s in front of the facility. I took lots of pictures of them too.

And the answer to Keith V’s question is yes, I wore the RS America shirt to the Open House.

While talking with Dave Newton and his wife, they told me about the Le Mans Classic races in France during July. It sounded a lot like the Monterey Historics, but according to them and others who’d been to the Historics even better. Unfortunately it’s completely booked, but we traded email addresses. If anyone cancels, I’ll get the spot. July’s still completely open, I can do that. It would mean I would have to travel all the way across Germany on the Autobahn back to France. Oh the pain, the pain.

Around 12pm, the 914’s started rolling in, I stopped counting at 43. They were from all over Europe. This weekend was their international rally. I even saw a right hand drive 914-6. All of them were in were in great shape, and sounded good. I’ve never seen so many 914-6 in one spot before, but there were at least a dozen.
At around 2:30 the 914 group held their rally presentations. Then it was time to wind things up and for everyone to head home. Back to Germany, Holland, Switzerland, and a few other countries.

I headed out for Folkestone with the help of the Sat Nav (they don’t call them GPS here). The weather had been threatening all day to rain. It kindly held off until after the Open House. Then it made up for waiting. So I was in the rain all the way to Folkestone. The Sat Nav took me down so many country roads, even in the rain it was fun. I’ve never seen so much greenery, so many roads with the tree canopies arching over the road forming tunnels. It was a great drive. I didn’t get to the hotel until almost 8pm. Don’t think I’ve ever mentioned that it doesn’t get dark here until almost 10pm; the sun comes up at around 4:30am. Makes for a long day.

This morning, got up, had breakfast at the hotel, asked the front desk where the closest car wash was. The guy minding the front desk walked me out the front, pointed up the hill and said there it is. Folkestone has a lot of one way streets, so I had to take a round about route to get to the car wash. I did it without the Sat Nav too, I was rather proud of myself for that one. It was a do it yourself carwash, which I prefer over machine washes. While I was drying her off, John Tipler and a photographer(sorry I forgot your name, just went blank) from 911 & Porsche World pulled up. They had driven down from York along with Angus with his Carrera RS to do a article on both cars and to note the differences between them. Johns 964 was Mint Green and Angus’s Carrera RS was a Ruby Red, colors I’d never seen before on any Porsches. Very striking and pretty.

So we started off taking some pictures of both cars across the street at a skate board park. After that we drove down the coast to take some more pictures, both still and driving pictures. Spent most of the day doing that. I never knew it was so time consuming and complicated putting together a magazine article. I took plenty of pictures of all the cars too. See, I’m not the only one with obsessive compulsive disorder when it come to Porsches, it’s a guy thing, so there Chris.

We got back to Folkestone around 4pm or a little after. We all said our goodbyes and they headed back to York, and I headed back to the hotel.

That’s when the day turned into one of those days. I was unloading the car, and dropped the Sat Nav. When I picked it up, the face plate had cracked. It would still power up, but you couldn’t program it. So I was off and running, first to the front desk. Who in town carries Sat Navs, where are they, walking distance, if not how far.

They pulled out a map, and gave me directions, walked up a really steep hill, I mean steep. I wasn’t the only one breathing hard going up it. Went to the first store, oh sure we can get you one in a couple days. I leave for Le Mans day after tomorrow. So they say go to this store, I finally found it, yes we carry them, get to the counter, no we don’t. Try this store, go to customer service, sure we carry them, I’ll show you. Oops, we don’t carry them anymore.

The woman at customer service says, wait here, and let me see what I can do. Says there’s an auto parts store around the corner, leaves her store and takes me there, the store is closed. We walk back to her store; she gets on the phone, starts calling all over town. She locates one at a Halfords that’s not within walking distance. She takes me out to a cab stand, gives the cabby the directions to the store, and off we go. We get there and the cab driver goes into the store with me, he turned his meter off, we get the Sat Nav, pay for it and we are out of there, on our way back to the hotel. I change my mind and ask him to take me back to the store. I wanted to thank her one more time and I did. By then my blood pressure and pulse were returning to normal.

So that was the end of the drama for today and everything’s fine again. I should be able to find the Euro tunnel day after tomorrow to make the trip to Le Mans with the help of the Sat Nav. Instead of going in circles all over Folkestone.

So it’s been a couple of really full days and I’m wiped out right now. I had planned on visiting Fabian tomorrow, he posts on the 914 world site, but I think I’d better beg off to when I come back to England in September. What I need to do is a dry run to the Euro tunnel with the Sat Nav so I don’t get lost and miss my appointment on the 9th, yes you do have to have reservations for the Euro tunnel. I asked some questions about the tunnel at the PCGB Open House. I was told you drive your car onto the carriage, about 4 cars per carriage, and then you can either sit in your car or stand next to it. The trip takes 30-35 minutes. Cool. If you miss your appointment, they will still get you on a train, just may take awhile. I’d rather make the appointment.

As far as picture uploads go, that may be a while. The hotels “free” internet is there, you just can’t connect very often, too many people trying to connect.

I don’t know it there’s anyway to write from Le Mans, so it may be after the 14th before you get another update from me. I’ll be at Le Mans watching Testing, Practice, Qualifying, and the 24 Hours from the Porsche Curves.

Don

Posted by: Vysoc Jun 8 2010, 04:59 PM

Don,

Take pictures of the Flying Lizards, last year and every year the Porsche Turns are where a lot of action is taking place...ask Darren Law. Hopefully the Lizard Team can receive a break this year and make the podium. I can not wait for the race on Saturday.

Thanks for sharing your great journey!!!

Vysoc Go Lizards

Posted by: DonTraver Jun 14 2010, 12:13 PM

Woke up at around 5am, I’m going to Le Mans today. I arrived at the Euro Tunnel about 45 minutes early. Saw a PCGB Porsche with the Le Mans car entry ticket installed, never did find the owner. At around ut
The track was open from 4pm to 12 am for testing and practice that evening. They were coming into the Porsche Curves so hot, lighting up the brakes, it was great. The berm in the Porsche Curves where we’re camped is about 20-25 feet about the track, excellent vantage point. I’ve tried taking pictures as they go by, but my camera just can’t handle the speed they’re going. So when I do upload the pictures and you see an empty track, I just couldn’t click fast enough. I watched them until midnight. The loudest cars were the Corvette’s with the GT 40’s a close second. We’re close enough to the track that the Corvettes exhaust bass notes just pounds your ears, so cool.
The next day woke up around 4am to rain, it finally stopped around 10am, sun came out, it was nice. Around 4pm, more rain, heavy rain until 10pm. Practice and Qualifying still continued despite the rain, slower but still fun to watch.
I’d ridden my bike into Arnage that morning, by the time I got back I was soaked, mud up to my knees, the roads, just mud, mud, and more mud. But hey, I’m at Le Mans with my RS America, what’s a little rain and mud.
The next day was dry, so I caught a ride to the Pits and shops at the track. It was really cool, took some pictures. Didn’t buy anything, just don’t have room.
OK, its official, I brought too much stuff, over packed, don’t have any room left. When I get to Bernards’s after Le Man, I’ll either mail some stuff home, or just toss it.
I’ve been invited to the Le Mans Classic in July, that really sounds like fun. Schedule is empty, think that’s going to happen.
Today’s race day and we woke up to rain, it finally stopped around 9am, yes. I was offered a ride into central Le Mans this morning, so I said yes. There’s a picture of the suspects and me somewhere downtown.
The track was open for practice this morning and they were doing warm up laps just prior to the start. The track was completely dry for the start. I’ve just come down from watching to try to catch up. There’s just so much going on, it’s hard to keep up, but I’m trying.
The PCGB campsite is very well done. The food tent has great meals and snacks and has let anyone who wants to too run a tab in pounds or euros for meals and drinks. Makes it so much easier than paying each time and having to run to the ATM for more cash. They also have two plasma screen TV’s, so you can not only watch the cars streaking through the Porsche Curves, but get updates and see what’s happening on the rest of the track. Saturday night was BBQ night, it was very good, love those ribs.
Now for you younger guys, if you like to PARTY, Le Mans is for you. It was one non-stop party, fireworks, really bad karaoke, and distorted music, all with the sound of the race in the background. Some of them were so ripped, they were prime candidates for the Darwin Awards. Thursday night a group of Danes camped on the other side of the fence, fencing in the PCGB paddock, they’d brought their home stereo with them, have you ever seen a +300 pound shirtless drunk man trying to do a pole dance while singing Karaoke at 1:30am. I assure you, you don’t want too either, it hurts both your eyes, ears, and brain. I should have taken a picture.
Yesterday, after getting back to the camp from the Pits, I had a few hours before the track opened, so I sat down and wrote an article for the Porsche Post. I started the article from the beginning of the dream 6 years ago. I let a few of the members proof it. They liked it, so I’ll send it off when I get internet access again. You can read it after this update.
I’ve been listening to the old hands who have been to Le Mans numerous times, taking their hints, places to go, giving me rides to track events and the towns. I think I’ve been adopted. How cool it that. I’m having the time of a lifetime, enjoying every minute, wet, dry or muddy.
I had stayed up all night watching the race, both on the Porsche Curves and on the TV. Finally crashed and burned around 9am, I got up in time to catch the last hour of the race. Last night after Audi won 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Porsche won GT2 everyone was quite happy with the results, then at 5pm Formula One came on. I missed that, I went back to bed.
Later that night, I got called up to the front during announcements, Stephen the organizer for the PCGB said some really nice things about me and they gave me a really nice PCGB alarm clock.
Left Le Mans this morning, it had rained again this morning, so the roads were muddy. There is a DIY carwash right outside the gate from the track. I washed the RS America before heading out. Once again the rain dance worked, the drive to Caudan was about 4 hours, most of it in the rain.
I’m in Caudan, France visiting Bernard and Magali. Bernard had a RS America, but sold it last year. He now has a 1964 Lotus 7, he took me for a short ride in it, it’s a really neat car. Getting in and out is an experience. First you open the window and hold it up, then you stick your leg in as far as you can, then bend in half and get your upper body and head in, fall into the seat, and bring your other leg up as high as you can, and get it in. To get out, you unclip the window and hold it out, pull yourself into a squat on the seat, pull one leg up until your knee is touching your forehead and get that leg out, bend in half again and get your head and upper body out, put your weight on the leg that’s already out, and pull your other leg out. All without falling on your butt.
Tomorrow we’re going to the Manoir De L’Automobile Museum. Should be fun. We’re going out to dinner later tonight.
I’ve probably forgot all sorts of stuff, there was just so much happening day and night. I’ve also got over 120 pictures to edit before I upload them. Maybe over the next couple of days.
So that’s the report from Le Mans.

Posted by: Zimms Jun 14 2010, 12:31 PM

Sounds like a blast! Thanks for sharing.

Posted by: tdgray Jun 14 2010, 02:44 PM

AWESOME as ever Don... thanks

Posted by: biosurfer1 Jun 14 2010, 03:00 PM

wow..there needs to be a mega jealous icon!

Posted by: DonTraver Jun 15 2010, 02:38 AM

Here's the article I wrote while at Le Mans for the Porsche Club Great Britain. The picture is of the Porsche that started this crazy dream.

The seed was planted for this adventure in 2004 when I visited the Nurburgring with a new Porsche 997S. I had just finished a few laps, parked the 997S and walked over to the entry gate to watch. A white 1980’s 911 Carrera with a whale tail pulled up to the starting gate to enter the track. While I took a picture of the 911, I was thinking, that should be my 1993 RS America. I finished my laps and when back to the Dorint Hotel and the idea stayed in the back of my mind as I continued the tour with Mark and Tina.

The idea came back when I returned to home to San Diego, Ca. What would I have to do to ship my RS America to Europe, drive the Nurburgring and tour Europe, just what permits, costs for shipping , flights, hotels, food, incidental expenses. I started researching online and writing European Government Offices import/export law and regulations for each country I wanted to visit. It wasn’t long and I started getting replies to my emails.
While waiting for them I was researching shipping companies on the Better Business Bureau. What grade had the companies been given, if any complaints, what were they, how were they resolved. I picked the top 5 companies and wrote giving them my requirements for shipping. I needed an individual container, $50k shipping insurance, ship to England. I asked them what documentation would be needed, what could I do to smooth the shipping, what would they do, and complete cost from California to England and how long would the transit take.
I then contacted via email several UK banks asking if I could open an account with a minimal amount to start and then wire transfer the bulk of the funds prior to the start of the trip. I didn’t get a reply from any of the UK banks. So I had to come up with a new financial plan. I contacted my banks and asked if they could help. They all said yes we can help you set it all up for Europe. So I started cutting expenses to pay for the trip, I didn’t want to get a loan or max out my credit cards.
As I started receiving emails from European Governments, what it all boiled down to, was as long as I shipped the RS America for my own personal use, stayed less than 6 months, and shipped her home at the end of the trip, she could be imported with no government fees or taxes. She could also keep her California license plates and registration.
This was still a pleasant pipe dream; I still hadn’t had to spend any money to get all the information. As I thought of any other questions, I’d simply send out another email asking for clarification. When I receive the answer, I’d print it out and put it in the file I’d started.
In 2007 my doctor wanted to change the medicines I’d been taking and doing quite well with, agreeing and trusting my doctor was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made. The new medicines came so close to just totally destroying me. Went into the hospital twice, changed my vision, massive weight gain, attacked the nerves in my feet, couldn’t walk, couldn’t wear shoes, I couldn’t walk 100 yards without needing to change clothes, affected my jaw bone, I lost 14 teeth. In 2008 they started talking about removing my jaw bone. My doctors couldn’t figure out why I continued to deteriorate. I was checking drug company and FDA websites to figure out why I just kept going downhill. I became a recluse, I wasn’t happy, I wasn’t sad, just numb. All these were side effects of the medications.
One day I went out to check the mail, while I walking out, I realized I hadn’t left the house in 10 days. I looked back and there were many periods like that. I went back into the house and did a general web search, Cymbalta and excessive sweating. It took me to a website of people who were having the same problems I was. I read it and sent the address to my Mom. Then called her on the phone and asked her to read it and get back to me with her thoughts. A couple of hours latter she called me, she said what I was going through was all explained by this website, and I needed to get off all of the medicines now. I wrote another email to my doctor with the web address and said I was going to stop taking all of the medicines. I received an email back from my doctor telling me I was not allowed to decide what medicines I put in my body. They got fired. Shortly afterwards, I fired the rest of my doctors and started detoxing myself off all the the medicines. It was over a year before all the withdrawal symptoms finally went away. Then I started an exercise program, joined a gym, and started riding bicycles because I couldn’t walk any distance anymore. It started slow, but got better over time. As I got better I reconnected with my family and friends. The most common comment I heard from them was, “It’s nice have Don back.”
As I got better the idea to ship my RS America to Europe came back. I still had all the previous information and sent out more email asking if the requirements/regulations had changed, they had. I then started applying for new import/export permits.
I received the final approval needed in March 2010 from the UK Home Office. It was on. I spent the next 4 days on the phone, sending out emails, confirming all the details, setting up shipping dates for the RS America, flights for me.
Then I set up a maintenance schedule for the RS America, she needed to be in top shape for this adventure. Performed a 60k service, set the valves, new O2 sensor, new tires, flushed and filled the brake system, made arraignments to have Bilstein PSS10 Coilovers installed, corner balanced, fresh alignment.
I made a packing list, packed it all, loaded all of it into the RS America to make sure it all fit. Signed up all my utilities, Satellite TV, phones, credit cards, and cell phone, for auto payment. Started transferring funds into a central account to pay for all the bills and fund the trip.
April 15 arrived, all the maintenance and upgrades for the RS America were completed, she was ready.
My friend Keith V of the rsamerica.net website had graciously volunteered to follow me to Los Angeles to turn her in to Branko and Rinkens International Shipping. The drive up went smooth and was uneventful. Branko had everything waiting for us, it took less than 30 minutes to complete all the paper work.
As Keith and I headed back to San Diego, I had the thought, “OMG, it’s really happening.” A 6 year dream was finally coming to fruition. All the wheels had been set in motion, there was no stopping it now.
Then the separation anxiety set in, I missed her already. I had 4 weeks to wait until my flight to London.
I was able to track her progress on the ship on the company website. Her arrival date in Felixstowe kept changing daily, not sooner, but later. So I adjusted my hotel arraingements so that I could play tourist in London for a week before heading to Felixstowe to pick her up.
Four days before my flight to London, I reconfirmed all my auto pay arraignments, had the Satilite TV, cell phone, and internet subscription shutdown for the duration of my trip.
May 18th arrived, the day of my flights to London. My Mom picked me up and took me to the airport. I had a non-stop flight to London. The plane was packed, there wasn’t a empty seat on board. While in London playing tourist, I found a Sat Nav for the UK and Europe. Essencial equipment for a visitor in Europe.
I left London and headed for Felixstowe to meet my baby. I had planned on just a couple of days in Felixstowe. After I arrived and checked into the Hotel Elizabeth Orwell, I checked my email. The ship had experience a further delay. I took my laptop down to reception and asked if I could extend my stay until my car arrived. They had room. I enjoyed my stay in Felixstowe, but wanted my RS America.
The delivery day arrived. I was waiting at the hotel for the phone to ring. It finally rang, she had just cleared customs, been loaded on a truck and was heading for the Imorex Bonded Warehouse for delivery. I jumped into a taxi and we headed there. The truck had just arrived as we got there. I went into the office, they took me to the truck, removed the seal and opened the doors. There she was and she looked perfect. They started removing the blocking and tie downs and installed the ramp to unload her from her container. The guy walked up to her, stopped, turned around and asked me if I wanted him to drive her down the ramp or would I like to, I was up the ramp like a shot. I jumped in, turned the key and she fired right up, she sounded wonderful.
I signed the final delivery papers and I was off driving for the first time on the wrong side of the road, just a bit nervous.
I found a gas station, filled her up and found my way back to the hotel. As it was early afternoon, I decided I’d leave the next day. I spent the rest of the day, checking her out and getting her loaded.
We headed for Stonehenge the next morning, she was just purring down the road. After Stonehenge, we headed for 6 days in Canterbury. Stayed at the Falstaff Hotel, I’d recommend it to anyone. Visited the Cathedral, museum, Roman Dig, a Norman Castle, and took a boat ride down the river. Went for a drive and found Upton and Rochester Castle. When I was up on the battlements of Rochester Castle I looked down and the RS America was perfectly framed by some trees, I took the picture.


After Canterbury, it was on to Morton in Marsh for the PCGB Open House on 6/6. The 914 registry was having a international meet close by and most of them then came to the Open House. I also have a 1970 914-6, so it was really nice to meet and see all of them. I bought my 914-6 from my step dad John, he owned her for 30 years and sold her to me 10 years ago.
When the Open House was over, it was on to Folkestone to the Euro tunnel and Le Mans.
The tunnel crossing went without a hitch and the drive to Le Mans went smooth, no tickets.
The excitement of going to Le Mans continued to build the closer we got, and then we were there. Wow.
I’m only a couple of weeks into this adventure. The struggles over the past few years have become moot. I have reclaimed my life, the wonder is back. To those who helped and supported my crazy dream, thank you.
The dream continues.


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Posted by: veltror Jun 15 2010, 04:47 AM

Make sure you go to see the Schlumpf collection!!

Posted by: DonTraver Jun 17 2010, 11:19 AM

Uploaded the Le Mans pics. Deleted the ones where all you could see is a blur, and they were braking and still blurred.

Went to Manoir De L'Automobile Museum today, incredible. I'll upload those pics after I resize them.

Here's the website for the Museum http://www.manoir-automobile.fr

Leaving Caudan, France for Normandy Saturday, then Luxemburg on Monday.

Later, Don

Just finished uploading the museum pictures.

Posted by: JRust Jun 17 2010, 01:21 PM

Absolutley awesome DON! Congrats on living your dream. We all really appreciatte you sharing it with us

Posted by: ChrisNPDrider Jun 17 2010, 02:04 PM

When I do the rain dance, it is to keep the clouds AWAY from me and the 914

I hope to find time to look at all those pics soon, the stories are great

Posted by: DonTraver Jun 18 2010, 04:15 PM

Today was a clear and warm day, perfect to go see some of the local sights. Bernard jumped into his Lotus 7 and I followed in the RSA. If any of you are wondering what a Lotus 7 looks like, think back to the late 60’s early 70’s TV show the “Prisoner” with Patrick McGoohan. It’s the same car he drove in the series. Following Bernard, you could watch all the heads turning as he went by. I’ve uploaded some pictures of the Lotus if you can’t remember the TV show, or you’re not ancient.
Anyway, we went to a couple of places I won’t even try to pronounce, much less spell, nice roads, nice sights, nice sunny drive, does it get any better. The first place was a small village and we parked next to the river that connects to the sea. There’s one picture of a house with a thatched roof, rare now days.
Then we went to a port city with a very large Port Castle. Parking was terrible, so eventually we parked illegally. Didn’t see any cops, ran into the castle and did a fast and quick tour. Apparently others liked our idea of parking and there were several cars parked behind us illegally too. When we pulled out, there were a couple of cars waiting to take our illegal parking spots. We made a fast exit.
Later in the day, Bernard took me to meet some of his Biker friends; the club is called the Hed Kelt’s. You’ll find some of their pictures uploaded. Really nice group of guys. I had my Ipod with me, so I was able to show them some pictures of my bike, a 1980 FXWG Harley Davidson that I’m the original owner of. I’ve ridden her all over the US over the years. I’m on my 5th engine, wore the other 4 out. Just added up the miles on the engines, I’ve ridden her about 200, 000 miles, never added it up before. My longest ride was 6 months in 1991. The guys really liked the pictures of my bike and me with long hair. I only cut it off a few years ago. Now I’m starting to think about letting it grow again. I can hear my Mom and Dad going, oh God, here we go again. The President of the Club gave me a Club Shirt, so I put it on and gave him my Monterey Historic’s shirt. He liked it. They also have a club band and website. http://www.hed-kelt.fr/ it’s pretty cool.
One of the guys had a beautiful 1968 Chevy Camero there today.
The bikes were looking good. So I took pictures of everything, bikes, car, clubhouse (they built it themselves) and the HOG member, see if you can pick him out. One of the guys had a really impressive 3 wheeler with a Vdub engine in it, very detailed, all built by him. All of the bikes were built by their owners. I really respect that, all of my bike has been built by me, the flame paint job, saddle bags, custom parts, bike lift (I can have the rear wheel off the ground in about 15 seconds), electrical, engine, and tranny.
Just a great day. Tomorrow I’m off to the Normandy coast for a couple of days, then on to Luxemburg.
Bernard and Magali have been exceptional hosts during my stay here in Caudan; they have an open invitation to visit me in San Diego. Bernard gave me a French Porsche Club shirt the other day, when I wear it, it will bring back fond memories of them both. I hope to meet up with Bernard again at the Le Mans Classic next month.
Well the bags are packed, the RSA and I are both ready.
The open road is beckoning.
Don

Posted by: DonTraver Jun 23 2010, 02:00 PM

6/20/10

I visited the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach this morning. I left the hotel in Caen early after programming in the GPS coordinates from their website. I arrived around 8:15am; it didn’t open until 9am. I’d passed a small café on the way in, so I went back looking for coffee. They were still closed when I arrived, but they saw me drive in with the RSA and when I walked up to the door to see if they were open, they met me and asked if I’d like some coffee. After serving me some coffee, we talked, they asked if anyone in my family is buried in the Cemetery. I said no, but my step-dad John Gimble was in the North African Campaign and D-Day.

I finished my coffee and drove the RSA back to the Main Gate, parked and waited. I looked in my rear view mirror and there was about 6-8 cars behind me waiting. They opened the gate about 5 minutes early; maybe they saw the cars stacking up. I drove in and parked the RSA. I got out and just looked around.

Off to my right I could see through the trees to a small village and the coast, so that’s the way I went. I crossed a parking lot, then a grass field. I could see an obelisk and walked in that direction. It was for the 1st Division, also known as the Big Red One. After reading the engravings, I walked toward Omaha Beach. There was a monument to Fifth Engineer Special Brigade; it’s on top of an empty German Shore Battery. You can see the complete beach from this vantage point.

I wanted to go down to Omaha Beach, I found a narrow path overgrown with thistle plants, I think. Anyway, wear long pants, not shorts like I was in. I made it all the way down to Omaha Beach in one piece, the hills are quite steep. I walked out on the sand, picked up some sand, let it trickle through my fingers and turned around an looked at the hills those guys had to climb, all while being under deadly fire from the Germans. If you’ve never been shot at or heard the terrified scream, “incoming”, you won’t be able to imagine what it must have been like. Standing there, imagining, made my tour in Viet Nam pale into insignificance.


After standing there awhile, I started walking up the hill. It was a good climb, now do it while you’re getting shot at and shelled. Damn.

When I reached the top, I walked over to the Visitors Center, went through security, today’s world, security at a Cemetery. I signed the Visitors Log and added ENC USN, Retired. It’s been awhile since I signed anything as a Chief Engineman, kind of felt good. The lower floor is where the majority of the displays and movies are. I went through it slowly. If it weren’t for the sound of the movies, you could hear a pin drop. Even the children were quiet. As I was leaving the Visitors Center, there way a woman’s voice reading the names of the dead buried in the Cemetery. I used to read the names of the service men and women from San Diego who died in Viet Nam on Memorial Day with the Viet Nam Veterans of San Diego. When you’re reading the names, you have to not think of what you’re reading, if you start thinking of what each name represents, you will choke up, you will not be able to continue.

I walked to the gravesites. The grounds are beautifully kept. I rounded a corner and there the crosses were. It almost stuns you when you first see them. As I walked up to the crosses, I discovered something I didn’t know before. All the crosses are made from marble, I always thought they were cast concrete. I like the idea of marble much better, they deserve it.

As I walked among the crosses and the monuments, I thought of what all this meant. This is the price of freedom. Freedom has always been paid for with blood, usually the blood of the young. As I left, I said a prayer for those who gave their blood for my freedom.

This visit was an emotional journey for me, I’m glad I went; it will stay with me as it should.