Getting ready for 3ma12

[Thotos]

Someone had to start this topic  It seems it's always me that starts them though  Does this mean I look forward to 3mas more than anyone else? 

An impending office move (should be done by end of April so I truly hope it doesn't 'spill' into May  ) but also communication from some of us 'hard 3maers' in the UK and Ireland about booking ferries to the Continent, made me put up my 2012 year planner sooner than I would normally do. And of course the first thing marked on the year planner was? Yes, of course it was 3ma12 - marked in orange as usual! 

[Heini131]

Does this mean I look forward to 3mas more than anyone else?  

I am just starting my 3ma-career, but after visiting 3ma in Cornwall I know now
what I missed the last years

I am looking forward to 3ma at least as much as you

[jasonh131]

I am just starting my 3ma-career, but after visiting 3ma in Cornwall I know now
what I missed the last years

)

Heini  what did u miss exactly in the previous years that was in Cornwall .. im curious  of your thoughts
 ..

[Heini131]

Jason, i mean what I missed the last years without visiting 3ma!

Sorry for my english, I only wanted to say that life is better with 3ma, at least once a year

[parrish]

Im trying to find a way to attend, my problem is i have to get on a flight back to Qatar from somewhere on Monday 14th!
Still No 131 im afraid, engines in bits!
I could use the Z3 or Harley from Spain.
Sport Ka from UK.
A nice offer from Albert to take one of his cars on the event.
What to do?
Steve

[Robert]

Steve, accept Albert's offer and try to get a flight to Qatar from Francfort (FRA). We'll be at 3MA2012 with two cars (at least that's the plan - the 131 and either the 166 or the S Class) and could offer a lift to Frankfurt Airport.

[Thotos]

Ferry crossing booked 



Travelling on 8:00am ferry from Dover to Dunkerque so should be arriving at the hotel in Bad Bentheim around 5:00pm I think. Not sure which is the best route yet but the one below seems the most direct (although apparently not the quickest).

[simon131]

I'm booked on to the same ferry too 

Not sure about the route round Antwerp in the early morning Theo. Perhaps that's why it's not the quickest.

[Thotos]

Autoroute suggests going via Duisburg (see below). It's 15 miles longer but supposedly 10 minutes quicker.

[kev131]

I'm also now booked on the same two sailings - For travellers from Ireland, it looks a simpler trip to travel through the UK for both the outward and inward trips.

We'll be staying at the Premier Inn Dover on the 7th where we met A & A last year.

Getting in the mood for this now - Funny how the year speeds around so quickly.

Anyone up for a detour to Guy Morenhout ....unless the 2012 organisers have already built that in to the tour? 

[rallydiego]

The sooner you get into Germany, the better. There are practically no speed limits That's why it takes less time.
Antwerp traffic is worst in the morning between 6.30 am and 8.30 am. beware of  a time delay for about an hour if there's a combustion.after that, traffic is not so bad. If there are no accidents. But Antwerp is still  better than Brussels.  Stay away from Brussels!!
Beware of speed cameras in Belgium, there are a lot of them.

[Robert]

The sooner you get into Germany, the better. There are practically no speed limits  That's why it takes less time.

One of those die-hard myths.

Truth is: there is a fixed speed limit to 120 km/h or less on around 30% of the total Autobahn network and a flexible speed limit between 80 and 120 (depending on traffic conditions and/or time of day) on around 20%; construction zones are limited to 80 km/h, and there are many of them.

Second truth is: in today's traffic, high speed driving (160-200 km/h) will gain you a maximum of 30 minutes on a 400 km Autobahn trip (tested this often enough).

Third truth is: a 131 is no high speed vehicle.

Fourth truth is: German drivers prowling the Autobahn will by any means underrate a) any Fiat 131 and b) any foreigner driving fast (we are not only a country of 80 million national team football coaches, but also of 80 million Formula 1 pilots  ).

[Rob 131]

Looks all very interesting this. With Steve coming over from Qatar, I may try and get over myself if I can combine it with something else considering the distance involved  . I'll make sure I get  Fiat Hire Car   That in itself could be a challenge in that part of the world  

Looking at the extracted map I am surprised that people from the South and Ireland are not going from Harwich to Europort. That would certainly reduce boring (and noisy in a 131 ) motorway travel.

What is the situation regarding security and mindless vandal damage when the cars are parked in Dover. The reason why I mention this, is that I was travelling to Mid France with the family a few years ago and planned to spend the night in Dover. A colleague that had worked in Dover on a contract for a number of months told me of his car crime experiences down there   and suggested that I travelled further into France. I didn't fancy leaving the car with a boot load of holiday stuff based on his advice. We booked a Hotel in France and spent ages   :'(trying to find the Novotel that was just off the motorway 80 miles north of Paris.  

[jasonh131]

Plans are coming along well . was it ferry savers again on DFDS ..?58

[bellamacchina]

Steve,  you planned to come to 3MA?  The Super is waiting for you
Kevin,a visit to Guy Moerenhout is not in the schedule from 3MA, but if you like I can organise something extra