3MA-2008

[Thotos]

Some more photos (I take a lot of photographs!)

[kev131]

Fantastic work Theo & Simon - I'm not sure everyone realises the effort and expense that you have gone to in order for everyone else to enjoy the trip - Very selfless of you! 

Fab photos too - Nice combination of roadshots and scenery - If we are lucky enough to get similar weather as you did we will be doing very well.

Sorry that you had to do this in a Renault Scenic but at least it means you will enjoy them all the more in your RWD Fiats!

[Andy c]

Hello all but especially to Theo and Simon, can we just say a great big thank you for the wonderful pictures you have taken of Scotland and what a wonderful place for Andy and I to spend our 1st anniversay at, can I just say though Kev that for me personnally the Renualt Scenic would be a more preferrable car haha only joking ( or maybe not), we have always looked forward to this 3MA and now even more so, role on May.

See you very soon Anita and Andy

[Thotos]

On the BBC news website today:

Talks are set to take place between the Grangemouth oil refinery management and striking workers as staff return to the plant after a 48-hour walk-out.

The industrial action disrupted fuel supplies and halted much of the UK's North Sea oil production.

It is expected to be at least a week before the plant is fully operational again after 1,200 workers walked out.

The whole of that story can be seen at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/tayside_and_central/7372367.stm

As already reported, Simon and I didn't see any of the reported fuel shortages while we were in Scotland so we didn't think it was the major crisis as reported by the media. If things are going to be back to normal in about a week we'll certainly be fine for the 3ma starting on the 16th of May.

[Thotos]

Following the recce weekend of 26/27 April, some of the driving routes for the 3ma have been changed so the latest itinerary and driving is now like this:

Friday 16th May: The 3ma08 will start at 10:00am at the Gretna Green Services on the M74 (between Junctions 21 and 22).  We'll depart at 11:00am, by which time the European convoy would have reached us, and head to Ayr via Dumfries to pick up the Irish convoy.

We'll have a long and leisurely lunch in Ayr (most likely at Cecchinis or the local Brewers Fayre pub restaurant) and wait for the Irish convoy to arrive from Stranraer.

Once joined with the Irish convoy, we'll head north and cross the river Clyde by the Erskine Bridge which is the most downstream of all the Clyde bridges, and is the last point at which the estuary can be crossed by road. The bridge diverts traffic away from Glasgow and while it used to be a toll bridge, the tolls were abolished last year to reduce congestion.  Once we cross the river Clyde, we'll pick up the A82 and then onto the A83 heading  to Inveraray across the watershed between Loch Lomond and Loch Long to Arrochar near the head of Loch Long. We'll then go round the head of the loch, down the western shore for a short distance, before going westwards, up Glen Coe into the section of road known as the Rest and be Thankful, which is the hillclimb pass through the Arrochar Alps from the shore of Loch Long to that of Loch Fyne. The driving distance from our 3ma start point to our hotel in Inverary is approximately 180miles (290Km) and we expect to arrive at our hotel by 6:00pm.



Saturday 17th May: This is going to be our  longest drive at just over 200miles (330Km). We'll leave Inveraray early in the morning (9:00am) heading north for the highlands on the A82 towards Fort William. We'll stop on the way for several "Kodak moments" and arrive at Fort Augustus in time for lunch.  Fort Augustus is a small village on the Southern shore of Loch Ness where we'll spend some time to relax. You may take a boat trip and go monster hunting in Loch Ness if you like or simply have lunch in one of the many places available.

We'll leave Fort Augustus heading back South on the same A82 route but just after Ballachullish we'll turn off the A82 and take the Argyll Coastal route on the A828 heading inland on the A85 at Connel.

We expect to be back at the Loch Fyne hotel by 6:00pm



Sunday 18th May: This is the day of our static show and for that we'll head east to Falkirk where we've arranged with the management of Falkirk Wheel  to hold our display show in their grounds. Total driving for Sunday will be approximately 150miles (240Km).

We need to be at the Falkirk Wheel holding carpark by 11:30am and we'll then be escorted in convoy to the Wheel's Special Display Quadrant where the cars will be on display until 4:00pm.

We'll get discounted entry to the boat rides and we've even been promised a tour of the wheelhouse!



Monday 19th May: We'll head east again this time to Stirling Castle taking in some spectacular drives as well as picturesque drives  through the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. Total driving distance on Monday will be approximately 155miles (250Km).

[kev131]

Those distances look more appealing than the original ones Theo - Thanks for posting these.

Will there be a route map that we can download and print or should we print these maps?

[Thotos]

Will there be a route map that we can download and print or should we print these maps?

A Route Book complete with maps and detailed driving instructions will be available for the 3ma and everyone joining us will get a printed copy; so there's no point in printing the maps above.

I hope to have the Route Book  finished over the weekend and if I do, I'll post it on the website for people to download and become familiar with the routes and itinerary in advance.

[nigel131sport]

wish my car was ready for this trip, getting a bit jealous of you guys that are going, don t think of me still at work!!!!. my sport is going to mick covill ( he had the alitalia replica with the supercharged engine and who now has a twin engined alfasud a nd a rear engined beta) and with the speed he works at should see this summer yippee!!! have a great trip and take plenty of pics ( especially orange ones!!)

[kev131]

Sorry to hear you are not going Nige - That's 2 3MAs missed out on now. Hope the Italian trip (3MA09) is a possibility for you.

Any chance you will be ready for the October event in Ireland instead? I cant wait to see how orange your car is in the metal!! Even if it is not you could take the 127 Sport - We are expecting at least 3 to attend (Orange, Black & Silver)

http://www.131mirafiori.com/GKRun

[bellamacchina]

Only 10 days! We are counting off to meet our forum friends!! Still not ready but isn't that everybodies problem all the time?!

[bax131]

Enjoy the 3MA-2008! Can't wait for those pics of the 131 amidst all the awesome scenery. All the best guys!

[Thotos]

Thanks for the well wishes 

Just 4 days to go!    I am almost ready... 

[ger]

Hi Lads,

just a few lines to wish ye all the best for the 3MA. Have a great few days, no dought both Kev & Theo will be able to give us a stream of pics of the encounters along the way........Happy motoring  . This is the first time i got the chance to post anything since we got back from Brooklands..that was a brilliant day , nice to have met and seen the lads and the 131's and the other cars too.
cheers Ger

[gerafiori]

have a safe and fun trip all ye 3ma,ers
if yez see rab c nesbit tell him i said arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
gerry

[simon131]

Thanks for all of your best wishes guys. Only 24 hours to go until the off and soooooo much still to do

I've decided that the Abarth won't be getting the 'full manicure' treatment as it will have to drive 290 miles to the Lake District and then a further 60 miles to Gretna Green before anyone else sees it , so I should save some time here.

I was searching through my garage looking for spares to take with me, and simply can't find the condenser, points and rotor arm that are all in the same bag. I've found a new dizzy cap, but not the other bits - and I know I've put them in a 'safe place'! It's always the way isn't it?

I've packed a new fan belt, new front pad set, rear brake compensator valve , dizzy cap, some lengths of new petrol hose (both sizes as used on the 131!), trolley jack, full spanner set and tool kit, my 'spare nuts and bolts' box, my cigar lighter powered air compressor, bucket, sponge, Autoglym Super Resin polish and rags, chamois, etc., etc., ........no doubt I'll find lots more to take when I'm searching again tonight.

Clothes No, I've got no room for them with all of the spares I'm carrying Besides, I've got to make room for the new windscreen I purchased the other week, that I've got to collect from Manchester on the way up

Now where did I put those ignition parts..................