Hi Chris Good to see you again at the weekend, Exhaust now competed so I may call in and say Hi when I am flying down the A38 ! In response to the Test Track, count me in, along with DCZ of course, could not go there without her. Congrats to you all on a great NEC stand, how many new members did we acquire over the weekend ? Regards Robin #11431 --- In doc-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Chris Parnham" <chrisparnham1@xxxx> wrote: > > > > I try and reflect my DOC UK members wishes, I am not interested in > controversy or confrontations and would urge my members to bite their > tongues and follow suit. > > However, if I am going to move this suggestion forward, it would be nice to > know the likely level of support, before we get too far down the line. > > My thoughts are:- > > A low cost, short duration meet in Northern Ireland, primarily to enable > members to drive / ride around the test track. > > There would be no expensive helicopter rides or posh hotels. (unless people > choose them) > > Not all members have sufficient funds or time to enable them to go flying > off to various parts of the world to join glamorous international events. In > any case, owner-drivers would almost always be "DeLorean-less" at such > events. > > My personal favoured way to travel to N.I. is the overnight ferry crossing > from Liverpool, where you drive on the boat at tea time, have a nice meal in > the resultant ( included in the ticket price) a few drinks and off to bed > around 11ish. Up early next morning and a full breakfast ( included in the > price) just before the ship docks. Arrive about 08.30ish. Nice drive > around Belfast and eventually ending up at the test track at say mid > morning. But you could pick other routes/ times if you wished. All would, in > any case be booked individually. But I would of course try and get some sort > of group concession. > > A properly organised low speed drive around the track, hopefully taking > none-car owning DOC members as passengers. Until we have all had our fill, > say mid-afternoon. > > For the economy minded, that could be it, followed by some driving around > the NI countryside or Belfast and re-join the boat early evening. > > Or back a B&B or hotel, in small groups, all independently booked from some > suggested lists. The next day could be a leisurely drive up the Ulster Folk > and Transport Museum, where we would all pay independently to view the > pro-types etc. The car park is huge and we could have a good photo > opportunity. > > Again, that could be it for some, drive off back, eventually to the ferry. > Others may choose to extend their stay for another day or two and do some > proper sight seeing. I have been to Belfast numerous times and find the > countryside and residents to be quite charming....especially if you happen > to driving a DeLorean! > > A club member has recently done, as part of his work, a detailed "risk > assessment" and detailed plans for "test track type driving" , which he > personally implemented and organised for a major car maker. And yesterday > volunteered to share his knowledge and documented routines with us. A small > charged would be paid by each car participating in the test track part, this > would go towards the insurance cost. The club would pay the remainder (if > any). > > Although this is primarily aimed at UK DOC members, we now have a good few > members in all parts of the world, including the USA. Because of this, > Yesterday I took the opportunity to seek James Espey's advice, as to when > would be good for our American cousins, should they want to attend. Although > "Pigeon Forge" is happening in June, James thought that late May would be > best. Certainly the weather has traditionally been good in NI around this > time. > > I've tried to ensure that this, in way seeks to take anything away from the > much more elaborate "Euro-fest" event, that is now happening 2 years later, > that incidentally, up till today, had not been a firm commitment. > > If any member thinks he would like to attend, perhaps he could email me, > either privately or through the list. Also mention if you are taking your > DeLorean. > > None DeLorean owners could of course go in their everyday transport and > follow the convoys. > > Your ( Current) secretary. Chris Parnham