John McM

You forgot the harness. I'm a bit p'd off. I want to use it throughout the trip, but now I'm told its illegal to use them on the open road.

O2GO

Macca, you are right on most counts. Ron offered for us to join his group for the NI part and I suggested (to not make the group large) that we run in two small groups - his and ours. We depart together and maybe meet up from time to time and he was happy with that. He would be preparing route notes/instructions anyway and was happy to share them with us. He seemed quite happy with that plan. He hadn't sorted out his routes in detail at that stage (a few months ago) only their accommodation.myou can find his offer on the RSG board.

Ron's group are booked into accommodation at Havlock North. I haven't enquiries direct whether there are extra rooms available, hence the suggestion we try the Masonic in Napier for the Art Deco experience. Haven't had feedback on that yet.

So, John and I are back with the original Ron North Island plan now. We are doing the Cape Reinga part in advance of the tour and abandoned the East Cape idea. Too far.

The South Island part wasn't part of the deal with Ron and we were following my West Coast route all the way to Queenstown. They are staying at Punukaiki. There's a nice resort there. We are staying at Franz Joseph. There aren't many B road choices in the SI, almost none on the west coast anyway. It is far more scarcely populated.

Others reading this, last night I posted a three southern alps pass option for the Nelson to Franz Joseph leg over on the RSG board for the west coast route to gauge the interest. Anyone travelling with their wife should not consider it IMO. I think Macca is the only one travelling down with his wife at this stage although I might be wrong.

If you really want to see the South Island I recommend it but it is not for the feint hearted (being a long 9 hour day vs 5.5, ie extra 3.5 hours of sweet SI scenery). I suspect most in older cars or travelling with their wives may want to avoid it and stick to the direct route.

Steve joins us in Wellington, (Steve car TBC, wife TBC (she may fly to Qtn)

For the West Coast route we have:
Doug, John, Macca, Paul, Matt, Chris, Steve.

Pete and Chris freight cars to Chch and fly in, driving through Arthur's pass and meeting us in FJ for the last leg to queenstown.

We have not yet booked Nelson, hawkers bay or Wellington accommodation. Everything else is booked.

Chris, in our planning spreadsheet we have you driving to Wellington and freighting your car to Chch. Ha, that would all be tricky. Can you confirm which option you are taking if you've decided? You were chatting with Pete about freight so assume that's possibly your plan.

Macca, very happy to get input. I'm floating some of these ideas for feedback. To keep miles down, go direct to Wellington and avoid the much longer Ron route - no way you'll miss out on that I know :-)

Happy for you to liaise with Ron if you like, might be best given you know each other well and I'm just the new boy on the block??

Others thoughts/ideas/feedback?

peterC2S

Which seems odd. I guess unless its had an authority card inspection there is no certification that its been done right (although of course it has.)

O2GO

Odd indeed. You could always throw the inferior safety belt on under or over the harness to be sure?

O2GO

I agree with John. We found this better on the recent northern run too, even though doing the same route we broke into groups of 3-4. 2-3 is best IMO.

peterC2S

A few corrections here Doug...

Its Paul and I freighting cars from Akl to Chch (not Chris).

There are 6 of you doing the run from Welly to FJ (not Paul - as he is going through Arthurs Pass with me.)

Chris will confirm but pretty sure he is with you from Welly onwards (not freighting between Welly and Chch).

For freighting we have just 2 down (Paul and I) and return we have 4 (Paul, John Chris and I - with Chris's being dropped off at Pirongia).

O2GO

LOL. I'll still run with you John. I hope one day to have a car that attracts looks as much as your does :-)

Pete, sad day when you change out your aviator from air cooled to water cooled. Looks nice though and I hope it's here in time for the SITT. That's the plan to take the hot red Cayman S, if it is ready, right?

peterC2S

That's the plan - weather is delaying shipments out of UK but current departure is still scheduled to depart on the 11th - due Akl late Feb. 3 week window to land, comply and ship to Chch.... Back up plan if I miss the shipment to Chch is driving with you lot - back up plan if I miss that is a rental car....

I'm e-mailing you an updated spreadsheet for your dropbox - have highlighted all changes in red and in sharing mode.

John McM

As I read the motorsport regs, it would require an authority card to use on the road with a harness..

peterC2S

Correct - that's what I have for the 944.

mikee6421

If its not too late and you still have room I'd like to come along?

John McM

Mike, plenty of room at the inn. See you tomorrow at 11:30. BTW I take no responsibility for anything Macca may talk you in to re mods

mikee6421

Thanks very much. I'll bring some garlic bread, pizza and beer. Re suggested mods, my CFO will take a keen interest...see you all tomorrow (geez I'll have to get up early for a change..)

kiwi 911

For those of you who buy tires overseas, can you give me the details, as 993 tire sizes very limited in NZ......

Cheers
PM

KiwiSean

Assuming you want hi-po street tires? Perhaps try the RS3 Hankook locally through the club- might be able to get a better price than importing something similar?

I went through the rigmorale with Tirerack looking at all the new Dunlops, Michelins and Bridgeys when I was after a Targa Tour tire and it didn't really work out that great by the time you get hit with GST and freight. Others might have a different opinion but for the sizes (18s) I was after I just ended up going for Hankook again.