Skoda Factory Road Trip

[P2M]

Originally Posted by devonutopia

Its a NATIONAL Skoda meet? It must be rude of us NOT to go. I hope everyone else is OK with this on the Saturday? Any details on when and where on that day?

The location is at small town called Doksy, which is about 90km from Prague in the same direction as Mlada Boleslav and the airport...see the location here (the airport is on the top of the map) http://www.mapy.cz/?mapType=ophoto&z...3749_146163585

The entrance for the car (no matter how many people inside) is 200.00CZK or 20.00CZK for a man without the car - you can leave the furby on the parking close to the entrance, but it´s better to take it in - at least we will have more cars in our Furby corner .

The plan of the meet is:
10AM: official start of the meet - the jury rates the cars and we can look over the meet
2PM: graceful ride (don´t know the correct word for this ) - most of the cars do the fleet and ride through the surroundings
5PM: some contests
6PM: the most nice car of the meet
9PM: free entertaintment + striptease

Mostly we stay there until the graceful ride and then we go to the airport to have some fun and our hardcore members are waiting for the results.

[VRStu]

Could be a busy day but thankfully I think we could make it by 9pm

[devonutopia]

Originally Posted by VRStu

Could be a busy day but thankfully I think we could make it by 9pm

I was thinking the same thing

[charges up video camera]

It does like a day of fun. I have to be honest and say I think I'd be a little bored just wandering around Prague on the Saturday. I would sooner go to this day-long bit of entertaining, and save the actual Prague tourist bit for a time I go back there on Easyjet or something. They fly out of Exeter there quite often, but I think its Jersey European, not Easyjet. I don't see why we shouldn't have 2 days of Skoda indulgence, as that's kind of why we're there.

What are the "contests" - Is that as fun as it sounds. handbrake turns, etc.

[P2M]

Originally Posted by devonutopia

What are the "contests" - Is that as fun as it sounds. handbrake turns, etc.

No, completely different kind of "fun" - engine head throw and so on. There is not enough space for handbrake turns etc. in the camp where the meet is! That´s why we usually leave to the airport

[devonutopia]

Well, I'm no good at Skoda Olympics myself. Should be good entertainment to watch and video though.

[Makefish]

Seems like I've got a lot to catch up on here after my hols .

Will take stock of everything and give you all an update over the next couple of days. Those that are off to Trax this weeekend we will no doubt have a chin wag about this fothcoming trip.

Just a couple of things for the moment though:

1. What are your thoughts on changing EVERYONES ferry booking to the 4:30am crossing?. Have been thinking that we may need more time on the continient as I had not taken into account adding an hour GMT+1

2. The meet on the Saturday looks really and I want to go too. What are your thoughts on this, are you up for this or do you want to make use of the time on the Saturday 'sightseeing' around Prague?.

3. As far as for meeting up for this and the route plan etc. I will be looking into this over the coming days but am intersted in your thoughts.

PM me if you have anything specific you want to ask.

Steve

[Shifty]

Originally Posted by Makefish

1. What are your thoughts on changing EVERYONES ferry booking to the 4:30am crossing?. Have been thinking that we may need more time on the continient as I had not taken into account adding an hour GMT+1
Steve

Erm.... my thoughts are a late night sailing the day before. Its a long long way to Prague mate, and alot to ask if you are starting that early in the day. I went to Poole and back the other night, a 600 mile round trip, in the dead of night, not hanging about, and it was 8 hours all round, with 3 fuel stops. Not trying to hint at anything, but for those not accustomed to driving long distances, the early start combined with the huge distance is goint to be a grueller, not to mention the minimum 12 hour travelling time, once we hit French soil.

My view on the meet up an Sat is a big YES!. Sounds too good a thing to miss.

Route planning, let me know if you want a hand, I was an international trucker for 12 years, and happy to help if i can.

As for meeting up, its fairly simple - we are all on the same boat, so we will all be in the same queue, a good 30 mins before sailing time

[ag.morley]

Originally Posted by Shifty

I was an international trucker for 12 years

Delivering Chips.............................

[devonutopia]

I'm already on the 4.30. My view is we leave at 4.30, arrive at 5.30, +1 hr GMT = 6.30. Assuming we get straight off (brekkie on ferry) we say 7am onto the autoroute. That leaves 670 miles to do. Assuming no obstructions, this should be doable in 10 hours (not allowing for breaks) so say 2 hours for various little stops, and an average cruise of 80mph-85mph, maybe a little more in the derestricted bits. I think its doable. How many are not sharing the driving as they're the ones who may suffer from fatigue. Dave I'm sure will be fine, but i'm a little worried about Will. I have a driver insured on my car for the trip now, so I'm not worried at all.

If we're all on the 4.30 ferry from Dover, then I say we meet up at 3.30ish in the various queues for the ferry, Its a little difficult to meet outside Dover as we're all coming in from funny angles - M20 for me. Then on the other side we simply all pull over at the first opportunity on the road from the port and make sure we're all together.

One thing for the route - I would suggest having a universal signal for wanting to pull in - or have designated places to pull over as an 8 strong convoy will find it tough going to stay 100% together for the whole trip across Europe. (or just rely on mobile phones?)

[Shifty]

im on the 530, so will be in France at 8am local time. You will be an hour earlier. Some or most of us will need to refuel, so maybe we could all gather at the first petrol station in Belgium on the autoroute. The big Texaco if you remember it Jase.

I dont have a problem changing to the 430 by the way, I was just expressing my concerns.

A checklist might be handy for anybody who hasn't driven abroad before too.

[devonutopia]

Oh, I remember that fuel station yup. It's a fair way from Calais and ideally I want to run dry on UK fuel at Dover so I can tank up on cheap stuff straight away. That Texaco makes a nice first short stop en-route though.

[Makefish]

Originally Posted by Shifty

A checklist might be handy for anybody who hasn't driven abroad before too.

Not so much a checklist but you will all be getting 'Road Trip Packs' which will contain information including about driving in Czech Republic, schedules, meeting points, mobile numbers, etc etc.

[stopan1j]

Originally Posted by devonutopia

That leaves 670 miles to do. Assuming no obstructions, this should be doable in 10 hours (not allowing for breaks) so say 2 hours for various little stops, and an average cruise of 80mph-85mph, maybe a little more in the derestricted bits. I think its doable.

Jason dont underestimate the drive speed limits in France is 80mph and in Belgium,Holand and Czech republic are 70mph (reduced in some countries if raining)some of the last part of your journey in Germany will be on non-motorway, driving through the day the Roads will be very busy with a lot of Freight Traffic - there are only 2 lanes of Motorway on your Journey - You will hit numerous Motorway Roadworks that will flow but your speed will again be restricted.

I often do the Journey you are doing in reverse (Prague to Calais) in daytime and recon Prauge to Calias is acheived in about 10.5hrs with just fuel stops and a quick lunch time stop. In Germany where allowed and traffic permitting I seldom drop below 100mph and do go up to about 110/120 with all limits adherred to in the other countries and Germany - there are too many speed traps

John

[Makefish]

IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY AND ACKNOWLEDGE

I need EVERYONE to PM me your address. This is so that I can send out Road Trip Packs which will have mainly information for the drivers but other useful information about the trip.

Would you also send me your mobile telephone numbers + a name and contact telephone number of someone we can contact in the unlikely event that an incident happens while you are away.

I have decided that we should also change ALL channel ferry crossings to the same time of 4:30am to give us enough time to reach Prague at a sensible time (this will incur a £10 admin fee for which I apologise ) . We should all meet at the Ferry Terminal in Dover by 4:00am at the LATEST!.

In the meantime I would ask you all to check the following:-
1. Make sure your passport is not out of date.
2. You have sufficient car insurance cover you on your trip
3. You have European AA cover or something similar, (I ain't towing anyone!).
4. Order any Czech currency you want, it can take up to a week!.
5. EHIC cards and/or health insurance
6. You have a Photo Driving Licence and take it with you.

Edit: Added 5&6 1/9/06 @ 2:30pm

This trip is approaching fast and one that I'm very much looking forward to and sharing with you, it's gonna be a good 'un I think

[VRStu]

Done big fella.

A note about insurance -

Most companies provide free Europeon cover to it's insured parties. This cover is the minimum required to travel in Europe. Those of you driving cars that you value and couldn't afford to lose should consider contacting your insurer and ask for a Green Card which will allow you to enjoy the same cover in Europe as you do at home. I have just been to Europe this weekend and a 5 day policy cost me £9.00 so it doesn't break the bank.

[Tigger_1979]

Just about to send PM to you Steve
add to the list EHIC card
and everyone needs a Photo Driving Licence
to drive in Czech

[Makefish]

Originally Posted by Tigger_1979

........add to the list EHIC card
and everyone needs a Photo Driving Licence
to drive in Czech

Thanks, added to list.

Also, would you please acknowledge reading this by either Pm or posting here.

Thankyou,

Steve M.

[Shifty]

Read and understood.

[delcac]

Read and worried.....No photo license through post yet.

[devonutopia]

1. Make sure your passport is not out of date. ITS IN DATE
2. You have sufficient car insurance cover you on your trip L.V = 6 MONTHS EU AS STANDARD
3. You have European AA cover or something similar, (I ain't towing anyone!). NOPE, BUT TAKING ALONG TWO MECHANICS WITH ME....
4. Order any Czech currency you want, it can take up to a week!. UMMM, DAMN GOOD POINT!
5. EHIC cards and/or health insurance. IN MY WALLET FROM RING TRIP. :COOL:
6. You have a Photo Driving Licence and take it with you. YUP, DO INDEED.


Read and understood.