131mirafiori forum

Basic details of 3MA-2008 have now been posted on the website.

The accommodation deal for 3MA 2008 has now been finalised. We'll be staying at the Loch Fyne Hotel & Spa (http://www.131mirafiori.com/lfhs.htm) in Inveraray. Please see the website's Travel and Accommodation (http://www.131mirafiori.com/travelacc.htm) section for booking details.

We have reserved a number of rooms for 3MA attendees but please book your rooms early to avoid disappointment as there's very limited alternative accommodation in the area.

If anything unforeseen happens after you've booked and you need to cancel your booking, you can do so up until the 14th of May 2008 (48 hours prior to the first day of stay).

Hi Theo - Nice job on presenting the hotel website.

Bit concerned about the lack of alternative accomadation in the area so I've taken your advice and booked my room tonight - Killarney was a little different with hotels and B&Bs everywhere.

Thanks for the advice. Oh and you do have to mention 3MA/Fiat/May etc to ensure the room gets allocated to the right group.

K

Good! So there's going to be at least the two of us.  :D  We'll have a great time!  ;D

Unlike Killarney which seemed the centre of the Universe in Ireland, Inveraray is a tiny place by comparison and in the middle of nowhere. But it's very picturesque and after all we don't want 3MA08 to be the same as last year... ;)

Inveraray and the Loch Fyne Hotel and Spa.

Are there any plans to go over to Mull or is it going to be a mainland only expedition?

Would be cool if the Mull locals could see what real rally bred cars were like instead of all those scrotes that were there on the tour of Mull rally 2 weeks ago. ;D

There are no plans at the moment to cross over to the Isle of Mull but I am sure the islanders will be able to hear the 131s!  ;D

A registration form for those attending the 3MA in 2008 has now been set up on the website. Please complete the form at http://www.131mirafiori.com/3ma08Registration.htm if you will be attending 3ma08.

To receive news and updates on 3ma08 as well as future related events, complete the form at http://www.131mirafiori.com/join.htm but only if you haven't already done so otherwise you might start receiving double copies of the newsletter (although I'll do my best to deduplicate addresses).

hello to all... in 2008 it would appeal to to me to come from Turin... but poich? I do not have still the 131 would appeal to to me to come with the airplane... you have some suggestion? which airport I would have to land? salutes michele/effe131 ;)

Glasgow airport is the nearest to the start of the 3MA. But it might be easier for you to fly to a southern airport and we'll find a place for you in a 131 travelling from the south of the UK to Scotland. Whichever airport you fly into you are most welcome and we'll find a passenger seat in a 131 for all the driving.

ringrazio for your interest... within when it must confirm in order to reserve? sapete already how many crews will be composed the 3MA? salutes michele

The reserved hotel rooms will be held for us until February 2008. But it is important to book your rooms as early as possible so we can reserve more if we see they are going quickly. Alternative accommodation is very limited in the area so we don't want to end up with people wanting to join us and nowhere for them to stay! Booked rooms can be cancelled up to 48 hours before the start of the 3MA so please reserve your rooms early.

So far I am the only one who's registered on the website's 3ma08 Registration form (http://www.131mirafiori.com/3ma08Registration.htm) as definitely going  :-[ and Kevin said further up on this thread that he's booked his hotel room so I suppose he is coming.  :-\

Of course I'm coming - Wild horses...etc!  In fact I might even be there b4u!  :o

Registration form duly filled in Theo!  ;)

I know Mark has booked his room as well so thats 3!  ;D

Count me in have to see which of my babies will I bring as I see alot of salt water in the pictures so I will be out with the dinitrol that week :o :o :o

we have also booked up ;D

just booked hotel for me and my brother

still working on convincing Gerald and Holger ...

Brilliant news Rene - You will have a shorter ferry trip in 2008  ;)

Can you send me your address via PM please - I want to send you a DVD of 2007. Ta..Kev

Great news. Good to see we are getting a lot of the 2007 gang coming back for more fun! We must have got something right in 2007...


What can we do to help convince them?

Good! :D We'll discuss a convoy for us Southerners a bit nearer the time.   ;)

yup im booked in 2 cant wait

Hi all, i will be there also.The other love of my life Kay is also comming.
She may be talked into driving my other 131 to Scotland ??? ???

Uhm, well, nothing much, maybe find someone to pay the trip?!  ;D

(but I'm working on it...)

it is with great regret two orange 131's are not going to scotland was talking to brendan from balinkill tonight he told to post his regret also

You will both be missed... :'(

Thats a shame guys - I was hoping you would both come.

Just heard from Mike (another orange 131 man) this morning and he is looking to sort out dates so that he can come along. Scotland is probably a shorter journey for him than Killarney!

Sorry to hear about the non-attendees :'( Perhaps next time (2009) - when it could be Italy :o.... eh lads? Let's hope so 8)

I have now booked my room at the hotel in Inverary so should be there in the Abarth...........March MoT permitting :-\

Also, this time I am being joined by the wife, so might have to bring a blind fold and 'calming' pills (for her!!!! Just in case you were wonder 'Nita! ;D :D) if I am to enjoy the driving half as much as I did in Killarney ;D ;D

dont think I will make it as my new purchase is going to use up the last of my money. Scotland should be good as did it 3 years ago for the exxie national meet and the police are even sound as I got followed for pulling out sideways in the middle of a village but all he wanted off me was where to get parts for his exxie back in the station ;D ;D

Doubt we'll be there with the blue beast , and have it from Andy H that he has other commitments that weekend too .

What can be more important to a 131 owner than the 3MA ???  ;D ;D

Latest assessmemt is that we have 10 cars committed from the UK, Ireland and the continent. We also have a strong likelihood of another 4 with possibles numbering 10 or more.

This is solely gleaned from this forum and a few external e-mails. Proper canvassing has not yet begun. I would be confident that similar to 2007, there are people who intend to attend but just have not gone public about it yet.

It's all been said now, about the fun that everyone had in Killarney - The cars and the mix of attendees made it a special event both from the social and the driving perspectives.

If you own a 131, you are a person who appreciates something a little out of the ordinary, you are knowledgeable enough to appreciate the qualities of this wonderful car and there is a bit of a boy in you that wants to have fun. Ask yourself how many opportunities present themselves each year to enjoy the ownership of your pride and joy to this extent and whether you will regret it if you do not come along...?? ??? :-[

Would you just like to see the pictures...or to be in them????? 8)

Oh, OK then. If you put it like that I might come along...

Having had a telephone enquiry about 3MA-2008 today, it would seem there's some confusion on dates and itinerary for 3MA-2008 so here's the plans and itinerary so far:

Officially, 3MA-2008 is a four day event as was the 3MA in 2007. That means it starts on the Morning of Friday 16th May  and ends after dinner on the Evening of Monday 19th May.

Most people will be using Thursday 15th May as the "getting to 3MA" day and will be heading for Scotland. Tuesday 20th May will be the "travel home" day. We have not made any accommodation plans for Thursday night (15th May) and it's up to individuals to sort out accommodation on Thursday if they need it. Having said that, once we have the details of who is coming and when and from where, we might arrange accommodation on Thursday night to suit everyone or at least as many as possible. The officially arranged accommodation for 3MA-2008 is in Inveraray for the four nights of the 3MA (Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday). If you are planning to join us but have not booked your accommodation in Inveraray yet, please do so as soon as possible.

Not everyone has to join in for all four days (although it would be nice if everyone did) and in fact as Kevin has mentioned in another post (http://131mirafiori.com/smf/index.php?topic=561.0) it seems the majority, if not all, of the Irish contingent will be crossing the Irish sea from Belfast to Stranraer in Southwest Scotland on Friday 16th landing in Stranraer at 14:15. We have not decided yet if we are to change our Friday plans and drive to the west of Scotland to pick up the Irish convoy and then  head together to Inveraray or weather to stick to the original plan of heading north down the middle of Scotland. That way we get to go to places such as Rest And Be Thankful (http://www.answers.com/rest+and+be+thankful?gwp=11&ver=2.3.0.609&method=3), have lunch at the Oyster Bar on Loch Fyne (http://www.lochfyne.com/Restaurants/Locations/Cairndow.aspx) and arrive in Inveraray early afternoon with enough time for a visit to Inveraray Castle (http://www.answers.com/inveraray+castle?gwp=11&ver=2.3.0.609&method=3) and/or Inveraray Jail (http://www.answers.com/inveraray+jail?gwp=11&ver=2.3.0.609&method=3).

Friday driving plans will be finalised once we know who is coming from where and when.

So the 3MA-2008 Itinerary at the moment looks like this:

Friday 16th May: The start at a point just inside (or just outside) the Scottish/English border. Head north into Scotland taking in some "131 drives" with a possible westward kink to pick up the Irish convoy or an eastward kink to pick up the Continental convoy. Either way we'll end up on the A83 heading from outside Glasgow 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 Croe 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. We may even get to meet Dario Franchitti's nephew (he runs a burger bar at the top of the hill). Hopefully we'll get to drive the Military road built in 1753 which is referred to as the 'Drovers Road'; a great 131 drive! Lunch stop to be confirmed and will depend on the actual route taken. We expect to be in Inveraray sometime in the mid to late afternoon depending on the exact route taken.

Saturday 17th May: This will be the day with the most driving so an early start from Inveraray heading north for the highlands on the A82 towards Fort William. We'll stop at  Loch Ness for a bit of monster spotting before heading to the Inverfarigaig Corkscrew on the B852. After driving another military road, General Wade's, we'll head towards Torness for the tightest and steepest set of hairpins in the country before heading back South to Inveraray. Saturday's driving will be in excess of 200 miles.

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 (http://www.answers.com/falkirk+wheel?gwp=11&ver=2.3.0.609&method=3) to hold our display show in their grounds. We are still in discussion with Fiat Auto UK and the local Fiat Dealer (Arnold Clark) for their support but we do not have anything confirmed yet.

Monday 19th May: We'll head east again this time to Stirling Castle (http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/properties_sites_detail.htm?propertyID=PL_275) taking in some spectacular drives as well as picturesque drives  through the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park.

Dinner on all the 3MA evenings will be back at our chosen hotel  (http://www.131mirafiori.com/lfhs.htm) and of course we expect after dinner stories to go on into the small hours of the morning. Our Gala Dinner will be on Sunday 18th May.

Of course ALL of the above is subject to change at the moment.

Great effort, Theo.
I'd like to request the GoogleEarth lat/long coordinates, maybe you can put it beside the 'name of the place' you mention there where possible.
We can track and enjoy your journey using GoogleEarth, that'll be interesting  ;) Thanks.

The Google Earth suggestion sounds like a good idea but unfortunately there's very little detail in the TerraMetrics images once you get into the Scottish Highlands as can be seen from the view (or rather the lack of!) of the Inverfarigaig Corkscrew in the photo below.

It's ok Theo, maybe later you can help to plot using handheld gps of those interesting places.

Last year we kept everyone updated on a daily basis with details and photos on each day.

http://131mirafiori.com/smf/index.php?topic=214.msg1105#msg1105

We'll hopefully be doing the same this year. Don't worry, we'll do our best to make all of you who can't make it to the 3ma very jealous!!  ;D

... this year maybe can try make it more unique Theo? ;) ..
I observed there is something missing there, none of the cars carry the groups 'signature'? ???

I suggest our forum members all over the world install the url stickers at the rear of the screen. ??? the one in the photo maybe too large >:(.

I'll kick off to install one later, the only one in M'sia.? ;D

Well, all the 3maers did have a "signature" sticker in the form of the specially commissioned 3ma stickers (all present with a 131 got one). We also had numbered plaques on each car.

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/photos/3ma_stickers.jpg)

Similar 3ma stickers will be available again this year  :o And we are also looking into producing website URL stickers so we should have "double signatures" at 3ma08.  ;D

That is good news, Theo  :o  Once you're done with the url design, pls let us know .. we can take the design and send to advertising shop to computer cut out the stickers, I'll display it on my car  ;)

Having had a recce weekend on 26/27 April, we've changed parts of the itinerary and some of the driving routes so the original message here has been deleted. Please click on the link below for the new posting giving the finalised (subject to change!) itinerary and driving routes.

http://131mirafiori.com/smf/index.php?topic=508.msg5965#msg5965

We originally agreed with the hotel to hold the reserved rooms for us until the end of February but  we managed to extend the holding of the rooms until the end of March. There's not much of March left and there's no way we'll be able to hold any rooms into April so if you are thinking of joining us but haven't yet booked your room(s) then please do so as soon as possible. Booked rooms can be cancelled giving the hotel a minimum of 48 hours notice (so any time up to Wednesday 14th May) so if in doubt please book your rooms now and cancel in time if you then find you can't make it.

Due to a proposed worker's strike at Scotland's only oil refinery in Grangemouth, the refinery's management have decided to shut down the refinery.  Details of the news story can be seen on the BBC's website at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/tayside_and_central/7356235.stm and additional details at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/7360339.stm.

Initial information from contacts within Scotland would imply that the situation is not as bleak as it seems reading these news stories but panic buying of fuel has resulted in some petrol stations rationing supplies and/or running out of fuel. 

We are monitoring this situation and we hope that it will all be resolved by the time of the 3ma in 3 weeks time. Simon and I are flying tomorrow to Scotland for the weekend to do our customary recce of the 3ma driving routes and we will of course get a better idea of the situation when we are there. If any of our Scottish members are reading this perhaps they can let us know if there's a real problem or not.

Our suggestion at the moment is that it may be a good idea to have some extra fuel in the car during the 3ma and to fill up at every opportunity but of course we don't want the 131s to be extra large mobile Molotov cocktails! Too much fuel in the cars will only slow us down and we don't want to do that!

We'll update this after the weekend when Simon and I will have first hand information. Watch this space....

Simon and I flew to Scotland for the weekend and we can now report that the fuel situation didn't seem anything as bad as the media seemed to be reporting. A few stations had run out on one or two pumps and some were limiting the amount of fuel people could buy but for the majority of filling stations it was simply business as usual with plenty of stock of fuel. Certainly all the locals we spoke to didn't seem to think there was a problem so it would appear  the media reports were just sensationalism and an attempt to create the news rather than simply report it. Hopefully the situation will even improve over the next 3 weeks and we won't have any problems at all.

We were very lucky with the weather for our recce weekend and for sure I can't wait to drive some of those roads in the 131; the Renault Scenic Megane that Simon and I hired for the weekend did not encourage spirited driving.

Here's some of the roads you are going to drive and and places you are likely to see during the 3MA:

Some more photos from our recce in Scotland:

And some more photos from our recce in Scotland:

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

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! ;D

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

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.

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 (http://www.motorwayservices.info/area.php?area=107) 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 (http://www.cecchinis.com/) 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 (http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/features/featurefirst107.html) 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.

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/3ma2008/Fri16alt2.jpg)

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 (http://www.answers.com/fort+augustus?cat=travel&gwp=11&au=1&ver=2.3.0.624&method=3) in time for lunch.  Fort Augustus (http://www.answers.com/fort+augustus?cat=travel&gwp=11&au=1&ver=2.3.0.624&method=3) 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

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/3ma2008/Sat17.jpg)

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!

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/3ma2008/Sun18.jpg)

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).

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/3ma2008/Mon19.jpg)

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?

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.

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!!) ;D

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

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

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

Thanks for the well wishes  ;)

Just 4 days to go!  :D  I am almost ready...  :-\ ;D

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  8) 8) 8). 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

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

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

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 :D, 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 :o, 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 ;D 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 ;D ;D

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

Don't forget a tow rope.Hopefully you won't have to use it,but any make of car can break down.I always carry one,but so far never had to use one,however i have had to tow other people who have broken down.
To everyone who is going to Scotland,wishing you all a safe and plesant journey,have a good time,and be sure to take plenty photos.
Best regards/Slan go foill.Eugene

Too quiet here  :D. Anyone with wireless broadband?

Hi Bax131,

I was just thinking the same thing................ :-[.
Kev131 pulled into Roscrea on the way on Thursday evening. He met up with Theredx and BrenSport also, outside of town. Took a few pics 8). I think Kev said that Theo might have his Lap-top with him so expect posts soon ;)

Cheers Ger

its oh so quiet musnt be a lap top, my god this site is like a drug to me & i am missing my fix, lol, looking forward to some scotland pics next week.

Sid,it's the calm before the storm.Next week it will be a storm of photos :D.Eugene

Hi eugene its been so quiet that i have visited all the celica sites & have updated my project threads, when i start work on the131 will post a thread here, so i am looking forward to the storm.

its a bit like that film with robert carlyle 28 days or 28 days later just waitin for the photos to happen, ha ha ha lol.

where are they?
they must have got lost in the scottish highlands
am looking forward though,
when the pics do go up it should be worth looking at how many users
are on line at one time
cheers gerry

here you go just a taster of whats to come

oops

Hello guys,

Back in Enfield after a 7.5 hour drive including two fuel/comfort/coffee stops. Sorry it's been so quiet but no internet access even though I had a laptop. Then again we were far too busy having loads of fun to be internetting  ;D

I'll try and post a taster of photos later but now I must unpack and repack because  early tomorrow morning I am off to Belgrade in Serbia for the Eurovision Song Contest !  ;) :D So I am afraid it will still be quiet from me for another 6 days.

welcome back you guys,
feed us with lovely pictures
 :D :D :D

As you can all see in Andy's top pic, my Abarth managed the trip up to Scotland at the weekend for the 3MA08, and I'm glad to report, also managed to get us home again without mishap ;D

In total I covered over 2,600kms, which equates to about 1,600 miles, and all of them were great fun ;) 7.5 hrs home from Inveraray, including a detour round Birmingham (via the M5 and M42 instead of the M6 Toll Rd). More miles than Theo by quite a bit - but the same time. I think you're getting slow in your old age T-O. ;D

It was superb to meet up with my old mates Kev, Mark, Mick and Michael from Ireland (some with their 131s and their Ladies! ;D), Andy and Anita from Eastbourne, and also Rene from Germany. It was also great to to meet new friends Albert from Holland and Mike from Kerry. Not forgetting the 'main man' Theo too ;), without whom none of this event would have been possible....Good on ya Theo! ;D

I'll post up some pics soon, but I've not the chance tonight.

just back home myself had a great time met someold friends and made some new ones i covered 1200 milles in my 131 never missed a beat  :)

Back from 3MA this morning again in Holland. The first longer trip with the Volumetrico and it did not miss one single beat. A lot of great driving through these wonderful scenery and  Ela, my girlfriend even started to like it really after the 1st day!Trailerloads of fun and a lot of new friends! So, it is also up to ALL other forummembers to finish or just take your cars and come to next event with at least 25 or 30 cars!!
All the friends we made in Scotland, thanks for the pleasant stay, we both hope to hear you on the forum and see you in real life!
And especially for Jan and Rene who made the longest trip of all getting there, thanks for being together and hopefully you also liked the small 3MA finish in Holland!!

Just literally in the door (1.05am) after 10 hrs driving today (eyes closing along the Nenagh bypass) , 2100 kms over the 5 days and my camera locked with >400 photos on it.  >:( Luckily all are copeid to Theo's laptop so they are not lost.

Fab weekend again - Well worth the effort and expense - Looking forward to next year already - We had a quick chat on Monday night to agree on the basic format of 3MA09!!  ;D

Total driving for me was 1652 miles so the same as you Simon. I too took a detour on the way back via Stoke On Trent and the A50 to M1 to avoid the M6 Toll. Plus my car was a bit noisy on the way back so not comfortable at 3ma speeds  ;D (all will be explained soon  ;) ).

For now here's a small selection of photos as promised:

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/images/3ma2008/Select/1.JPG)

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/images/3ma2008/Select/2.JPG)

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/images/3ma2008/Select/3.JPG)

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/images/3ma2008/Select/4.JPG)

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/images/3ma2008/Select/5.JPG)

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/images/3ma2008/Select/6.JPG)

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/images/3ma2008/Select/7.JPG)

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/images/3ma2008/Select/8.JPG)

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/images/3ma2008/Select/9.JPG)

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/images/3ma2008/Select/A.JPG)

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/images/3ma2008/Select/B.JPG)

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/images/3ma2008/Select/C.JPG)

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/images/3ma2008/Select/D.JPG)

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/images/3ma2008/Select/E.JPG)

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/images/3ma2008/Select/F.JPG)

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/images/3ma2008/Select/G.JPG)

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/images/3ma2008/Select/H.JPG)

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/images/3ma2008/Select/I.JPG)

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/images/3ma2008/Select/J.JPG)

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/images/3ma2008/Select/K.JPG)

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/images/3ma2008/Select/L.JPG)

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/images/3ma2008/Select/M.JPG)

(http://www.131mirafiori.com/images/3ma2008/Select/N.JPG)

Hi you fellas on the other side of the world. What GREAT photos .The sound of music was good but the SOUND OF 131s in those hills etc Would have been 7th heaven.Win Lotto and you could have a Kiwi at the next 3MA. Cheers Gary

You leave your 131 unattended for a minute or two and some fat blokes come and either sit on the front wing or lean up against it :-\

Loose your keys for a few minutes and suddenly find your missus using your Abarth to drive round Scotland with all of her new found female friends. Apparently because all of us guys weren't driving in the same way as the ladies would have liked ??? even though we were thoroughly enjoying ourselves ;D :D ;) (Perhaps that was the problem ??? - I'll never be able to figure out women :-\).

Hello all you guys,

we also made it back (almost) home safely yesterday evening (staying at our parent's place for the weekend). Thank you all who've been there. Very nice to meet up with old friends and making new ones. Enjoyed every minute of those days feeling like it must have been weeks. Special thanks to Albert and Ela for the warm welcome to their house and having lunch.
- YES, it was great!!
For everybody who missed the event here just a very small selection of pics:

more pics

... and more ...

... another 2 ...

... last ones for today:

Hello everyone!

Just like to say what a fantastic day I had on the Sunday at Falkirk Wheel and what a pleasure it was meeting new and old faces. I was so glad I made it and it was worth every 640miles of it.

I made last minute decisions and it all started on the Friday.

I dug out my newish Janspeed exhaust system which I bought brand new in 1996 when I was 18, used for 2000miles on Black BGP 755X and then sold the car for my Croma Turbo. I had smeared engine oil all over it before I stored it and it still looks like new.

The Janspeed system was fitted to a Janspeed 4 branch, new Cambelt was fitted as well as a Tensioner bearing and engine oil and filter. Gearbox oil was checked and diff oil was changed. I also changed the propshaft as my centre bearing rubber had collapsed. I drove the car home from my garage at 11pm Friday for the 15 mile journey home and just wanted to carry on driving all night. The exhaust sounded awesome with the 40's.

Saturday was a day of cleaning and preparing for the 640mile run. I went to my dad's garage and dug out a spare fuel pump, distributor set up, clutch cable, throttle cable and a hand full of other bits and tools.

I picked my cousin up at 5.15am on Sunday (Derby) and was in Falkirk for 10.45am. We waited at one of the entrances and caught a glimpse of a red Sport and decided to follow it. I ended up following Andy's replica and have got say; it looks mean on the road.

A day was spent admiring and drooling over 131's and a chit chat with fellow members. I finally met Kev and his exceptional Sport/racing and have to say it was a pleasure!  I especially can't get the VX out my system- what an amazing piece of Italian engineering with credit to its owner. (Hello)

Mark Williams, have you found the previous ownership of the black trim panels on the rear quarters?!!

A trouble free return journey was done, I was home 11.45pm after a quick pint in Falkirk!

All in all a big thank you to the organisers, you did a fantastic job with great commitment, not forgetting everyone who attended. I'm looking forward to 2009 already in a Super series 2 or 3.

Pictures to follow.

Bobby Sev

Anyone get any video? BTW Great pics everybody.

hi bobby good to meet you at 3ma
didnt find out about rear trim yet i did however find the paperwork
for a black 131 sport that i belive was yours many years ago
reg no is bgc764x thats the car we spoke about had twin 40s short gear stick
full janspeed quickest 131 sport i ever had came from radburne raceing
have you any old pictures of it