The Cal-look Lounge

For our European friends the calendar is now up for 2008. Anything on the list is confirmed but there may be a date or two to add later on. :)

http://www.outlawflatfour.com/

I really like what you guys are doing with this club.  Keep up the good work, and most of all, keep it fun.

Good luck to the outlaws for 2008 & Keep up the good work, it wouldn't be the same without you 8)

Thanks Ric for your kind words it good that guys over the pond appreciate what we are doing.

And thanks to Ron i know i keep saying it but i will be over soon to say hi.

yer guys good luck from sunny scotland, all the best and keep the pedal to the floor or in Martins case keep the tow rope in under the hood !

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Ha Ha Ha you killing me my sides are splitting. :D

Thanks for sharing Mat, looks like a very interesting year.

Best rgs
Kalle

It was good to have a catch up on Sunday, It's going to be a painful few months waiting for the new season to start

Thanks Ric, we're not quite up with you guys in the States yet but one day who knows?  Whilst I can't speak for anyone else from what I've seen from the sidelines I think it's fair to say it's been a fun ride so far.  The series has been good but I think the European landscape is shifting too and that's complimenting what Outlaw Flat Four has been doing in the UK. DAS Drag Day, The SCC and the European Bug-In for example have all been great news. If you were ever thinking of visiting Europe to see what's going on I don't think there's been a better time. Maybe see you over here at some point? That said we still have to stop play time for our crappy winter, roll on the new season!

:)

Yes we all need to catch up. Give me a call when you are over at Glens next and I'll pop over. Cant do this week end but ok from then on.   

Hi
On which event you like to wellcome some germans ? Or may be some other Europeans ?  :)

Udo

Hi Udo,

First time over it’s probably best to keep it simple so I’d probably say a non MSA meet; on that basis looking at the calendar the Yanks Weekend / 30th Gary's Picnic would be a good one. We did it last year and it’s was a great weekend with a really cool atmosphere and though it’s not guaranteed yet there was talk of putting together a full field Outlaw VW vs V8 challenge so we could maybe use some hired guns from out of town. Since it’s May / June the weather should also be dry which is a good thing for people who are travelling long distances. If you like it you can always stick an MSA license application in the post whilst your here and come back in August too! Looking forward to seeing you over here at some point.

Mat.  :)

The June event was what i thought about . I personaly want to come over to one event . I promised it to Peter and Richie !! :)
What is the next big city to shakespeare raceway ?
Udo

Hi guys,I hope to make it down this year too,would be great with some advice  :)

As Mat has said Yanks American Weekend / 30th Gary's Picnic May 31st & June 1st 2008 would be a good one to come over for.

I have been saying that it would be good to see some of you guys over here racing. ;D

Hi Stian

Hope to see you at Bugin or Dragday too ?

Udo

Hi Udo!
Yes hope so too.If the car stays in one piece through the summer and I hopefully got some money left ,I would like to race at dragday.I'm scared of the left side driving in the UK though,never tried that before :-\What is the next big city to shakespeare raceway..?

Hi Udo, the nearest town is Stratford Upon Avon.

The link to multimap is here: http://www.multimap.com/maps/?hloc=GB|cv37%208ll#t=l&map=52.13553,-1.74467|8|4&loc=GB:52.13553:-1.74467:15|cv37%208ll|CV37%208LL

Motorway links are fairly good, but there are some smaller roads to get the the track which can be a bit of a pain!

See you in June!
Neil

Is it necessary to have a license at shakespeare-raceway? What about the tech-inspection? Is it possible to race a, well, let's say very 70'ish car?

For that meeting, you only need a valid license for the road, and your European one should be fine. As far as the car goes... I'm not sure. There is a basic Tech inspection, carried out by the same guys who do the MSA events if I remember rightly, but I really don't know what they will make of the Pink Panther! I only ever raced there in MSA meetings, so perhaps one of the other Outlaws might have a better idea? Richie, Martin, Mat?

Ole, As Neil says it is a basic tech inspection but cars are getting faster so accordingly the tech gets margianally tougher every year to account for this. If you send me detailed pics of the car I can try to get an opinion on it but it will be no more than that. They are looking at general safety so everything should be sealed nicely, without leaks and the car should be in a generally sound state. From what I remember of the car it should be OK but that's not to say I'm right and it's a long way to come not to have a ride! One thing to bear in mind is that the cockpit should be isolated from stuff like wheels, engine and fuel so any gaps in panels are a potential issue. I can talk to one of the scrutineers in May if I have some photo's and prior to this I can ask a couple of the club guys who are well up on the regulations and who will be able to advise accordingly.


As Neil said Statford-Upon-Avon is the nearest town and it's just South of Birmingham, if you wanted to stagger the journey and head over here a little before the weekend we can sort stuff out this end.


You'll be fine, kind of. The standard of driving in the UK is OK but not brilliant so you just have to look out for yourself and assume no one else will! If you're on the wrong side of the road it'll become fairly obvious fairly quickly. With anything else we'd be happy to help you out at this end like places to stay etc etc. Just let us know.

 :)

Thanks Neil/Mat,appreciate your help.I'll have a talk to guys around here that have raced in the UK like Leif Nyström,and get some more advice regarding the best driving route and so on.How is the track compared to Gardermoen?

Gardermoen appears to be a very good track, I watched fast VW's on it as well as stuff like that crazy 7 second M3 and they seemed to dig in nicely (once it dried out! - SCC 2006). Shakespeare County is probably not quite as good as that but it is nonetheless a good track with quality prep going into it. I say 'not quite as good' as I think it could be argued, based on times that Gardermoen may well be Europe's 'best' track if there is such a thing. I think the average VW will find it to be very similar but the really quick stuff may find subtle differences.
 :)
Thinking about it, it's worth bearing in mind that we don't have as many trees here as you guys so there's probably no point bringing any of the tree fellling gear I've seen used over there.
 :D

Not sure on Gardermoen as I've never been, but from what I read on Eurodragster and places like that, it's pretty good! SCR is also a good track, if a little slow on the clean-up time! Rain can be a problem as they don't have a track drier, although they sometimes hire Santa Pods. Facilities like toilets and showers are basic though! My girlfriend even insisted we bought a caravan... ;)

Ok, but will lumber be provided?  ;)

If you really don't think that you guys could survive a whole weekend without some kind of timber / lumber based activities then I'm sure we can look into providing some.

:D

Plenty of spare timber in the UK, but you'd better be quick!

(http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/africa_enl_1200907905/img/1.jpg)

:)

Stian

Driving on the left side should not be a problem . When i arrived for the first time in 1993 in the night with trailer it rained cats and dogs and we traveled throug the night with no problems .
But never try to stay for some hours on a hotel parking space , they will tell you to move to another place  ;) no matter how big it is .

Udo

Ole,your car will be fine,they check basic stuff like battery being fixed down,seat fixed securly,belts in good condition,brakes working[rear only is ok:-) ]
and 2 return springs on carbs etc,all simple safety stuff,very similar to Bitburg,looking forward to seeing you all in England :)

cheers richie,uk

 :D Thanks for the info Udo,I'll write it down.Hope we can make this trip,would be great to meet you guys again.

Neil, Mat and Richie, thanks for your help. I'll take some pics today and mail them to Mat. I just checked the RWYB safety requirements, they say you don't need a helmet if your car isn't in the 10s... :o
I wonder how often they hear something like "... no sir, I really didn't know my car is that fast..." ::)

Saludos,
Ole

I think what Richie says is correct so you should be fine but I can ask someone to take a look at the photos all the same. On the helmet front if you have one then bring it, having one may not be mandatory but I think they like it when people have taken a little more care than they needed to. It's an extra level of reassurance for them that you are taking safety seriously.

:)

hope to see you guys in action on a couple off times in action. it is a great feast if you guys come. friendly and serious action combined

Yep,he's crazy..

How are you comming over from England to Germany or Belgium  , by ferry or channeltunnel ?

Udo

www.norfolkline.com/ferry/

Dunkerque to Dover

This is how we all come over.

We took the ferry from Calais to dover when we traveled to Santa Pod in the 90's . So we only have to choose may/june or end of june  ???

Udo

The May/June meet (Gary's Picnic) is the one to try and make I think. The NSRA meet is great but we have an agreement with the NSRA whereby the number of VW's are limited which helps ensure that the Hot Rod focus of the event is preserved.

 :)

(http://www.offdrc.co.uk/images/gallery_2007_002/photo_2007_002_062.jpg)

Hi Matt,

Hope you're doing fine.

We (all DAS member) would like to know what would be the best week-end to come over.

What are the facilities ? Entrance fee ? and so on, tell us everything in order for us to organize this properly....

Mike told me, he (or Kobus) already had a word with you guys concerning the possibility to orgnanize a kind of "European Challenge"

including races at
- BUG IN 2
- DDAY 6
- SSC
- UK ?

any interest ?

Thanks

C U soon and take care guys ...

Christofe

Mat and others told us the 28 may - 1 june event would be the best . For us 28 june event would be ok. Don't know what is going on there . A european challange would be nice !

Udo

Hi Christofe

Hope you are well May 3rd, 4th & 5th/August 23rd, 24th & 26th are MSA rounds. So the May/June meet (Gary's Picnic) would be best for everyone. I can not find how much it is to get in this year Mat may know. But last year it was at Santa Pod and it was £25 for the weekend. Facilities are not the best in the world bit like Bitburg but they are hot showers and they are some food vans there. As it is near Stratford-Upon-Avon they are lot of hotels and bed and breakfast 5/10 minutes away  if you do not want to stay at the track.

Hope this help a little I'm sure Mat or Richie will be on here with more info.

Found on the American Car World site:

Yanks Weekend & NASC 30th Gary's Picnic
10am - 6pm Saturday 11am - 5pm Sunday
Entry Fee: £10 Sat - £15 Sun - £20 weekend
RWYB Track Fee: £20 per day or £35 weekend
Location: Shakespeare County Raceway, Warwickshire
Contact: www.shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk
Email: enquiries@shakespearecountyraceway.co.uk
Tel No: 01789 720 180
Comments: Celebration of American cars & American drag racing (getting upset by a bunch of VWs! ;))

:)

Nice one ginaga any news on your car

Correct me if Im wrong , but upsetting Detroit mussel is what got this whole cal look thing going in the first place
GO OUTLAW'S  8)

The Shakey website isn't the most useful I've seen!

This may be of use to visiting folk, Run Wot You Brung info PDF (http://www.shakespearecountyraceway.com/docs/2008%20SCR%20GENERAL%20SAFETY%20RULES.PDF)


All I know is the container's on its way. Mind you, all these ships shedding loads and beaching is making me nervous!  :o

That's why i'm sort of glad our car han't left yet :)

Hi Christofe,
All good here though it's been pretty busy. It would be great if you guys came over too, I think you'll like it. OK to address your questions and at risk of repeating what people have already said it's going to be about £30 to get in and to sign on for the RWYB for the weekend is I think about the same again. In terms of the facilities they're actually OK, on paper Santa Pod has more loos than SCR and has had extensive development but the crowd at SCR isn't generally there for a party and are more interested in racing so everything tends to be in a much better state over the course of an average weekend. The track can be pretty quick too, it works pretty well for us; last year we had a meet there where 3/4 of the cars took Personal Bests! For any help required getting over here mail or PM me or one of the other guys and we'll help sort anything out. If anyone is thinking of coming over a few days earlier or leaving a few days later or both I'm sure we'd be able to find places for people to stay. A European Challenge is a good idea and with the type of race focussed events that are starting to dominate the European landscape this is probably a good time to do it. We can probably sort something out with the track. I think we should maybe get together and talk on the phone or something?
Thanks for the interest!
Cheers, Mat.
:)

I'm having a busy week and didn't get to read all the above fully before posting, for the prices see Ginga's post above, it's more accurate than my guess work!

 :)

Really want to join the racing at the May/June meet (Gary's Picnic).Got a quote today from DFDS,the ferry from Stavanger to Newcastle.Almost fell of my chair when I read it,with three of us-car-trailer and the cheapest cabin below deck-£895!With cabin over deck-£1096! :o Now looking if there are other options.Maybe ferry from Oslo to Kiel,drive from there to Dunkerque and then ferry to Dover-is this a possibility..?Fjord Line had a route from Kristiansand to Newcastle,but don't think it's active anymore.Mat/Richie,what ferry did you use to SCC? Other suggestions are much appreciated.

Regards, Stian

Hi Stian,
If I should take my car to the UK from northern Sweden I would use the vessels that export paper. We have vessels leaving three days a week to he UK from the small harbour in my town.
I hve checked the price before and it is about 3000 SEK.
Maybe some Norwegian paper or pulp exporter could make the same deal?

Hi Roman,nice to hear from you!
That's one thing I really have to check out.If I don't find that kind of option here in Norway,maybe we could leave from Sweden..?A friend of mine checked with a freight boat,they wanted almost £1000-one way..Do you have a email or name to that paper export company Roman?

Stian :)

The company I asked was SCA and the shipping company SCA transforest. They have a quite big manufacturing unit in Mölnlycke, Sweden.
What I would check if I was you was Wallenius Lines. They are a swedish company and transports Volvo, Saab etc to the UK. Gothenburg is not far from you, right? Wallenius is the bigges car carriers in the world with 180 vessels!

Why not travel Oslo-Frederikshavn and then drive the last bit ?  Must be a lot cheaper, and it can´t take that much longer.

And there must be a couple of ferries that sails to Hirtshals as well - right ?

We did the Newcastle to Kristiansand route and I think that was the last year they ran it, the equivalent route now is the Stavanger one. The best alternative seems to be a long drive and then get across the channel on one of the cheap ferries. The Wallenius Lines lead could be interesting though.

Here`s another one;

From Brevik to Hull there is a ro ro boat going. It costs 750,- pr meter. Drop of your trailer and car there, take a cheap flight from Sandefjord Torp (which is close by Brevik) and pick up your trailer and car in UK.

And this goes for the other way around as well.

Best rgs
Kalle

Sounds like a good way of doing it, not a bad run from Oslo. Is that Is that 750 Norwegian Kroner?

this year,we decide to go to the major event with Ingrid new car so,surely go to EBI II,DDD,frenchy races  and we're actualy try to estimate if we can also go to one of your event in england... ;)
I remenber my first trip in UK for a night of fire in santa pod...awesome ;D ;D
                            JR

Sorry for my late reply - Yes it is Norwegian kroner, approx. 70 GBP pr meter.

Thanks for confirming that, I was hoping that would be the case and that it wasn't in Euros! Definitely an option to consider.

:)

Mat

I have seen on a map that it is something about 300 km from Dover left to London !?

Ferry price from Calais to Dover is very cheep , 200-250 euros for both ways .

Udo

Hi Udo,

300km's about right, it's a fairly straightforward drive but Friday M25 traffic can be pretty bad. It may be better to break the trip and head over on the Thursday if possible.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=17294274281267480658,51.120948,1.313208&saddr=52.136228,+-1.755517&daddr=Harbour+House,+Waterloo+Crescent,+Dover,+Kent,+CT17+9BU+(Port+Of+Dover)&mra=pe&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=7&sll=50.520412,2.735596&sspn=4.904277,10.217285&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=8

Like I said if you need help sorting anything let me know.

Cheers, Mat.

I think we will cross England on thursday night ! There are a lot of ferries booked out , so everybody who wants to came over should watch for ferries .

Udo

Ferry is booked . :)

Udo

Look forward to seeing you over here, are you arriving in the UK on the Friday?

 8)

We arrive 12,15 friday morning  :) at Dover

Udo

Ferry booked...  8)

Cool see you guys soon. ;D ;D

Anyone else booked a ferry ? Or only 2  1on1 Bitburg members  :D
A lot of ferries are booked out !

Udo

Winter's over, we're back. Roll on the weekend...

(http://www.offdrc.co.uk/images/news_2008/news_2008_005.jpg)

 :)