Macca

Here are a couple of that street super wide to give an idea of narrow...bloody TomTom. I was committed no way out!

Macca

...

John McM

More a walkway, than a road. Suddenly the Fiat 500 makes sense.

CS Mende

I was consciously trying not to look at your mirrors as you went through that!

Macca

The Fiat 500 and the Smartcar make total sense in Italy (narrow roads, no space, touch parking and hugely bumpy pavement). A GT3 DD would rive you nuts here. Unbelievably i didnt really stat to rub the rubber spoiler lip till I came to Nice (high speed speed bumps - hi speed because you have a french man up your *** at 60kmph 1 meter from your bumper dare you slow down!). Only other time any rubbing has been driving fast on roads that get real broken/bumpy....but its not comfort driving on anything other than Autostada in Italy. NZ roads are suprisingly billard table like in comaprison to Italy and some for france as you know...

Macca

This was the narrowest point where Im doing the left to right at the mirrors. Id say 1.85m max given the door height is probably below that...

Macca

Mmmm. This could all have gone wrong in a manual car. Surface was still quite damp from overnight precipitation, first corner was far to tight, broken and wildly cambered not to at least rip the front bumper and so damage under the nose, thats if I would have actually made it without lift a wheel and ending up stuck. The part I didnt post (as it has me staring a the camera while reversing) is that I managed to get it reversed up slowly without drama which was a relief. Sitting there didnt seem possible and certainly would have been almost impossible in the 6spd 993. PDK has its uses!

Here are a few pictures first to give you an idea of what its like leading up and through it...

Macca

Packing a 991 for two (for 3+ weeks on the road).

This luggage set was a cheap tailor made solution fitting perfect in the front giving 110 Litres of storage. Made by Roadster Bags for around 300 nzd for 3 pieces. I think they make them for 964 and 993 for those that are interested. Rear we have a leather weekended bag and computer bag and thats all barr a few jackets worn when outside the car...

O2GO

From the 4th January Through to the 19th I will be at our family Bach at Oakura Bay in Northland. If any RSG members are looking for a decent drive I'd love to see you and share the wonders of the sealed back road through to Russell. It's a brilliant drive with very little traffic with some cool views through remote northland coastal country. I usually do it 4-6 times while on holiday there, early morning's the best... 40 minutes to get a coffee and then back again.

PM me if you're up for it or in the area.

John McM

Highlands on Prime now, if you are quick.

kiwi 911

Good racing. Beard's accident was interesting. Looking forward to being there in person.

John McM

Yes, overtaking a back marker and then put the blame on the car being overtaken. Looks like a red mist accident.

That aside, that's a big long track. Makes the decision as to which car to take, harder.

peterC2S

Macca - your trip so far has been an inspiration. Can't believe the blue skies you have had all the way and the amazing places you have been. Just resolved to do it same time next year and have x-mas in France or Spain. A year to plan and looking forward to picking your brains!

I see you are back in NZ early Jan - when does the GT3 go on the boat again? The Cayman is booked to leave 6/1 and land in Akl 23/2 - surely yours must be close?

John McM

Looks familiar.....

Macca

Hi Mate. Your not alone, seems like a few people on the GT3 forum now planning Euro trips next Nov too! Hope the secret doesn't get out or the accommodation will double. We have booked no further out than 2-3 days on anything, got our first choice most times, mainly 4 star with one 3.5 and one 5+ (Monaco Xmas treat at The Hermitage) and paid on average less than 300 nzd a night including parking and taxes. Happy to give you a few tips on what we learnt from this trip (i.e. a couple of really great drives and a couple to avoid etc!).

We dont finish with our car till 01 Jan and then its a few public holidays and it needs to get cleaned and sent to Germany for the boat so we miss teh 6th and end up on the 21st boat due to arrive in NZ on 19th March which is 6 days out from SITT so making it very touch and go as you can imagine given it will need compliance, registration, tyres, and some general preparation. Even if its 2 days late it will be off the cars for us. Im flying in for a month starting on the 8th and will finish preparation on the 993 (roof pod and roof rack etc) just incase the GT3 doesn't make it. It will be a shame if it doesn't but if thats the case it can do the NITT & Targa Tour in SI in Oct/Nov instead, by then I will have got a while load more driving time under my belt and hopefully some additional tuition from Ray and perhaps someone offshore...loosely thats the plan...