 Giro Di Sicilia 2016, Another European Road Trip Thread (Picture Heavy!) |
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| 23e Heure |
 Aug 19 2016, 12:57 PM
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#1
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Busy overtaking 911s  Group: Members Posts: 323 Joined: 13-August 15 From: London Member No.: 19,057 Region Association: England  |
As many of you showed a positive interest in another thread about our road trip to this year's Old-timer GP at the Nurburgring, I thought it worth sharing another one from earlier in the summer.
Let me start by warning that this one will be a long thread, with lots of pics of European exotics. Can I also say that if any of it comes across as a bit smug, please don't judge... That is not the aim: Just hope to give some vicarious pleasure to those on the other side of the pond (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) So this is how it started... Rewind 10 years to 2006. I was just back from a trip to Sicily in my (now sadly sold) 2.4E, to attend that year's Targa Florio Centenary celebrations. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633074.1.jpg) 6 weeks later I went to Le Mans Classic. Camped on the pitch next to us were 2 guys - Mike and Brendan - who had travelled to Le Mans in Mike's orginal 2.7 RS. The conversation moved pretty quickly to dream road trips. Mike revealed that his RS was delivered new in 1973 to Palermo. And that he harbored an ambition to one day take the car back 'home'. 2006 was also when I first met a UK car journalist and author, Johnny Tipler. On scrutineering day for the Targa Florio in Sicily, I had blagged myself and the E into the paddocks. When popping back to the car, I overheard the official at the gate arguing with two guys in a hire car, who were waving press cards and trying to gain entry. They were clearly british hacks in need of help, so I pointed at my car and implied in broken Italian that they were my support vehicle. Within short order Johnny and his photographer were thru the gates and parked next to me in the paddock. Since those first meetings, year after year Mike has asked me "When are we going to go to Sicily together?", and Johnny has asked "When are we going back together?". Fast forward to 2016, a decade on from the centenary, and finally all of our diaries sync-ed up so that we were able to make it happen. And as a cherry on the cake, Johnny and I had been invited to participate in this year's Giro Di Sicilia. What better way to hark back to the days of yore...? Drive your car the length of Europe. Once there, add some oil and adjust the tyre pressures, participate in a 3 day historic event. And then drive the car all the way home again. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) And so it was that we set off from the UK on the last Monday of May: Mike and Brendan in their black RS, myself in my green RS rep, meeting Johnny en route at Spa race track in Belgium. |
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| 23e Heure |
Aug 19 2016, 12:58 PM
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#2
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Busy overtaking 911s Group: Members Posts: 323 Joined: 13-August 15 From: London Member No.: 19,057 Region Association: England |
GENERAL ROUTE
The French lorry drivers were o strike at the time, so to avoid the resultant french petrol shortages, we skirted France and followed the Maginot Line on our way to a ferry from Genoa to Palermo: (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633105.1.png) DAY1. FOLKESTONE TO SAARBRUCKEN: Johnny had been covering the previous weekend's 24 Hours at the Nurburgring, so we picked him up en route, in Spa. By the time we collected him, he had spent 3 hours waiting in a bar. Let's just say his photography skills do not improve with Duvel: (Johnny's photo) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633105.2.jpg) It was wet for most of the day. Very wet: (Johnny's photo) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633106.3.jpg) (Johnny's photo) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633106.4.jpg) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633106.5.jpg) |
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| 23e Heure |
Aug 19 2016, 12:58 PM
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#3
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Busy overtaking 911s Group: Members Posts: 323 Joined: 13-August 15 From: London Member No.: 19,057 Region Association: England |
DAY 2. SAARBRUCKEN TO GENOA:
We crisscrossed the French and German borders, then stopped for a boy band photo at Swiss customs: (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633125.1.jpg) After that we spent all morning climbing and taking in the views of the Alps. First person to say "I can see the mountains"... (Johnny's photo) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633125.2.jpg) (Johnny's photo) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633125.3.jpg) Tunnels - and fuel stops - were quite common: (Johnny's photo) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633126.4.jpg) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633126.5.jpg) It was sunny for lunch, as we prepared to take on the famous Gotthard Pass: (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633126.6.jpg) The pass was clear at first, and then we actually passed through the clouds and into the snow: (Johnny's photo) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633127.7.jpg) (Johnny's photo) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633127.8.jpg) (Johnny's photo) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633127.9.jpg) (Johnny's photo) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633127.10.jpg) It got easier on the way down from the mountains. We scooted across the plains past Como and Milan, before being confronted with more hills, lush and green, as we made the final plunge to the sea at Genoa: (Johnny's photo) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633128.11.jpg) And at about 8pm on Tuesday, we arrived at the docks at last!: (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633128.12.jpg) |
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| 23e Heure |
Aug 19 2016, 12:59 PM
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#4
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Busy overtaking 911s Group: Members Posts: 323 Joined: 13-August 15 From: London Member No.: 19,057 Region Association: England |
DAY 3 - ARRIVING IN SICILY:
The ferry from Genoa to Palermo takes 21 hours, and leaves Genoa at 11pm: Plenty of time for a good night’s sleep, and then to sit in the bar all next day looking at stuff on the laptop. The evening weather was hot and sunny, as Palermo expanded to fill the horizon: (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633146.1.jpg) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633147.2.jpg) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633147.3.jpg) Circumventing Palermo's infamous traffic and the standard of driving of the locals is never much fun. But it was made worse the evening we arrived, as the next day was a national holiday, so even more people were out on the roads. I have no photos of Mike's first encounters with the infamous Palermo traffic. Perhaps Brendan does. Possibly best that we do not (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)... |
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| 23e Heure |
Aug 19 2016, 12:59 PM
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#5
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Busy overtaking 911s Group: Members Posts: 323 Joined: 13-August 15 From: London Member No.: 19,057 Region Association: England |
DAY 4 - PREP FOR THE GIRO DI SICILIA
We spent Thursday morning relaxing at our wonderful agriturismo: This was my 4th stay here, and won't be my last. The place is ideally located in the Madonie hills, nestled in the middle of the old Piccolo Madonie configuration of the Targa circuit. Owned by the Pucci family since the early 20th Century, it is steeped in history, and offers lush surroundings, delicious cooking (90% of what is on your plate is harvested on the premises), and wonderful views down to the sea. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633168.1.jpg) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633169.2.jpg) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633169.3.jpg) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633169.4.jpg) With 500+ miles of hard driving ahead of me on the Giro, after breakfast Mike and I tinkered with the timing on my car: (Johnny's photo) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633170.5.jpg) (Johnny's photo) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633170.6.jpg) And then took it on a short run to clear its lungs, passing by the old pits at Cerda: (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471633170.7.jpg) Then Johnny and I set off west along the coast, back into the centre of Palermo to sign on and have the car scrutineered... |
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| Vapor_locked |
Aug 19 2016, 01:47 PM
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#6
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Member Group: Members Posts: 74 Joined: 1-August 12 From: the middle of the time before Member No.: 14,746 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
Incredible! True bucket list stuff!! The scenery is stunning! - Thank you for sharing this!
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| jrblackbox |
Aug 19 2016, 02:29 PM
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#7
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Member Group: Members Posts: 285 Joined: 8-September 15 From: Easton, CT Member No.: 19,140 Region Association: None 
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Great pics! Thanks for sharing!!
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| Frankvw |
Aug 19 2016, 03:14 PM
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#8
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working on my first 914 ! Group: Members Posts: 651 Joined: 13-April 16 From: Holland, the Netherlands Member No.: 19,896 Region Association: Europe |
you guys make fun and interesting trips. Wow. really nice.
Thanks for the post ! |
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| Catorse |
Aug 19 2016, 03:19 PM
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#9
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Member Group: Members Posts: 194 Joined: 27-August 15 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 19,106 Region Association: Southwest Region |
Thank you for sharing! Sicily is my ancestral home. LOVE IT.
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| Gustl |
Aug 19 2016, 03:24 PM
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#10
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914 enthusiast & historian Group: Members Posts: 11,502 Joined: 16-June 04 From: TIROL / Austria Member No.: 2,212 Region Association: Austria  |
QUOTE(Frankvw @ Aug 19 2016, 10:14 PM)  you guys make fun and interesting trips. Wow. really nice. Thanks for the post ! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) |
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| 23e Heure |
Aug 19 2016, 03:57 PM
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#11
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Busy overtaking 911s Group: Members Posts: 323 Joined: 13-August 15 From: London Member No.: 19,057 Region Association: England |
NIGHT 4: GIRO DI SICILIA
The "paddock" was on a very fancy shopping boulevard, closed off all day for competitors to line up in echelon, in order of start position. There we met Rosario, the race director, who took us to a local hotel to get registered and our road books: (Johnny's photo) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471643843.1.jpg) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471643844.2.jpg) And then we stickered up: (Johnny's photo) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471643844.3.jpg) Gianni e Vince: (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471643844.4.jpg) Mission control for the next few days: (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471643845.5.jpg) |
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| 23e Heure |
Aug 19 2016, 03:58 PM
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#12
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Busy overtaking 911s Group: Members Posts: 323 Joined: 13-August 15 From: London Member No.: 19,057 Region Association: England |
8pm and they start sending the cars off at half minute intervals.
30 secs to our start: (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471643907.1.jpg) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471643908.2.jpg) We got sent around Palermo's fancy buildings and squares, to let the local press get their snaps: (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471643908.3.jpg) |
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| 23e Heure |
Aug 19 2016, 04:02 PM
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#13
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Busy overtaking 911s Group: Members Posts: 323 Joined: 13-August 15 From: London Member No.: 19,057 Region Association: England |
And from here is when the whole experience kick into another gear...
What we had anticipated to be a relaxed tour for classic cars around the island turned out to be fierce and fast road racing... And all the better for it! For the first few kilometres we had to press through an endless narrow tunnel of cheering locals, then headed out of town and up into the mountain roads, west along the coast. It was dark and fast. A mix of sweeping long stages, punctuated by twisties with sheer drops to the sea. Every other town we passed had a timed checkpoint, and on the first night everyone and their mother was out in the streets cheering, clapping and taking photos. A true carnival atmosphere. In some towns we had special timed stages through the narrow streets: it was pretty good fun getting the back end out on the cobbles, rounding ancient town squares replete with fountains and centuries old churches 8-) Although officially we are meant to be obeying the speed limits, the police were treating it as a legalised road race, holding traffic back and taking photos themselves as competitors pushed on by. As a result most of us were going flat flat out. Our car was running very strong, despite a tendency to backfire dramatically on the overrun. Running a 2.7MFI 911 made us one of the quickest cars in the line up (of almost 200 runners!), but we couldn't hold a match to 2 locals in their Stingray, who seem intent on breaking some kind of record for derring do. On the first night we finished about 1am, and I almost fell asleep fully dressed as soon as we got to the hotel. |
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| 23e Heure |
Aug 19 2016, 04:06 PM
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#15
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Busy overtaking 911s Group: Members Posts: 323 Joined: 13-August 15 From: London Member No.: 19,057 Region Association: England |
We finished the night stage in one piece, somehow not having got lost in the dark on a seriously complex route, using just the road book, a small torch and some good humour.
(Johnny's photo) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471644376.1.jpg) We then had a fast 30km transfer to our hotel in the company of the leader at the close of day 1, a sicilian 2.2E. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471644376.2.jpg) We rocked up to a beautiful palazzo. They lined all the cars up around the premises, it was already past 1am, so we headed to bed pretty sharpish. (Johnny's photo) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471644376.3.jpg) |
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| 23e Heure |
Aug 19 2016, 04:07 PM
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#17
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Busy overtaking 911s Group: Members Posts: 323 Joined: 13-August 15 From: London Member No.: 19,057 Region Association: England |
(Johnny's photo)
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471644446.1.jpg) (Johnny's photo) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471644446.2.jpg) |
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| 23e Heure |
Aug 19 2016, 04:10 PM
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#19
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Busy overtaking 911s Group: Members Posts: 323 Joined: 13-August 15 From: London Member No.: 19,057 Region Association: England |
...hilltop climbs to lunches in old towns
(Johnny's photo) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471644626.1.jpg) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471644627.2.jpg) (Johnny's photo) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471644627.3.jpg) ...runs on local race circuits.... (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471644627.4.jpg) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471644628.5.jpg) |
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| 23e Heure |
Aug 19 2016, 04:11 PM
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#20
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Busy overtaking 911s Group: Members Posts: 323 Joined: 13-August 15 From: London Member No.: 19,057 Region Association: England |
Working with road books is all well and good when you are experienced, but not when your navigator confesses he's not used them before.
Note the "!" reference to "dosso". There were a F*q of a lot of serious (bumps), mainly on the road bridges, and we hit a good dozen over the weekend, at high chat. 2 or 3 properly grounded us :shock: I checked it all out after every checkpoint, and that tough little car took everything in its stride. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471644688.1.jpg) Doesn't help if your navigator is distracted when the route sends us by historical monuments: (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471644688.2.jpg) And loses focus trying to make you linger too long in the outside lane for tracking shots of the cars we are passing: (Johnny's photo) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471644689.3.jpg) You can lose your page in the road book, worry for 5-10 mins if you are off track, only then to catch another car up, follow them... and start to wonder if they too are lost: (Johnny's photo) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i13.photobucket.com-19057-1471644689.4.jpg) |
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