Shipping my RS America To Europe, Going to Le Mans and a 4 month drive around Europe Options

[DonTraver]

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

[DonTraver]

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