AIR: Around Ireland Rally

Post by **alex_holden** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 5:32 pm

This is a very tentative idea that I'm throwing open to see if there's any interest. I've wanted for several years to do a driving tour around Ireland. I started reading the guide books and doing some vague planning back in 2004, but then Real Life got in the way and it never happened. Now that Fenchurch is back on the road I may be in a position to do it sometime in 2008. While we were on the LEO run, the question of "what next?" came up several times. My idea was: why not find out if anyone else is interested in coming over to Ireland in their Minor with me and turning it into a Minor rally?

I expect the run would take about a week and I would be aiming to stay in Youth Hostels as much as possible to keep costs down, though of course there are plenty of B&Bs over there if you prefer.

How about it?

Post by **iandromiskin** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 4:06 pm

Hi Alex,

Keep me posted on this one as I would love to either do it all or part of it with you. As you know I live in Ireland near Dundalk so the idea certainly appeals to me !

Some guys locally also do a similar rally every year for charity, with mixed classics, so don't know if you want to link it to a charity run, but as I say I would definetly be on for it. Not to clash with the Aniversary next year of course.

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 4:26 pm

yes yes yes definitely.

my van won't be on the road till next year though

so don't get this arranged too soon Alex!!

keep us posted!

Post by **alex_holden** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 4:41 pm

Cool

I'll make sure it doesn't clash with the National, and I can't do it until after my next annual-leave period begins anyway...

Post by **alex_holden** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:57 am

judge wrote:At the moment Alex I would like concentrate on expanding the LEO Run. However providing the AIR was run during school holidays we could be interested.

Another point to bear in mind. Am I right in thinking the school holiday dates vary around the UK?

Post by **Orkney** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:13 am

yes - 2 weeks earlier here and only other example i know is i think a weeks difference beetween southwest and midlands.

Post by **Judge** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:15 am

alex_holden wrote:
judge wrote:At the moment Alex I would like concentrate on expanding the LEO Run. However providing the AIR was run during school holidays we could be interested.
Another point to bear in mind. Am I right in thinking the school holiday dates vary around the UK?

Yes, you are right Alex.

Post by **stevey** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:34 pm

well us poor people get off earlier over here so when we go over to england your all still working hard!!! peace and quiet.

Post by **grahamt7** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:09 pm

Mentioned it to her indoors today, and didn't get shot down! (Might be something to do with the fact that we are sunning our buns in Marbella!).

So keep me informed please, as long as it doesn't conflict etc etc.....

But I will need some advice on the standard box of spares! Suppose if I search for it it is here somewhere.....

Post by **alex_holden** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:23 pm

Cool. Would you be coming as a couple?

I don't think there is a "standard" set of spares as such. For the LEO run I just put two big plastic crates in the back of Fenchurch, filled one with tools and the other with spares. There were all sorts of unlikely bits and pieces in there. Two of the spare parts proved useful for one of the other cars on the run (that's one big advantage of travelling in convoy), and a few of the tools got used too. I'm sure if I'd brought fewer spares with me then more things would have broken!

Post by **grahamt7** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:27 pm

Nope, would be on my own, or perhaps with the lad. Wife doesn't appreciate short runs in the mog, never mind long runs!!!

Post by **alex_holden** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:13 pm

After catching part of "Britain's Favourite View" on ITV last night, I think the Mourne Mountains have made it onto the itinerary.

Post by **Judge** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:24 pm

Alex, are you aware of the Bandon Experience, and the Gordon Bennett Rally being held in Ireland next year? Not forgetting of course http://www.mmoc.org.uk/modules.php?op=m ... sid=irish2

Have to start organising my calendar now

Post by **Judge** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:47 pm

That's an idea, what about trying to combine one of the above into your planned run

Post by **Jay-Minor** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:48 pm

sounds like a great idea alex, providing it dos'nt clash with other things i have planned such as the MOT France we (the family) may be interested

Post by **alex_holden** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:51 pm

It might be worth considering popping into the Irish National for half a day or so if the dates match up. I'm not sure us joining up with the Gordon Bennett Rally would be worth it - they seem to be charging a fairly hefty entry fee just to drive along with them for a relatively short distance. I can't find much information about the Bandon Experience.

Post by **alex_holden** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:53 pm

Jay-Minor wrote:sounds like a great idea alex, providing it dos'nt clash with other things i have planned such as the MOT France we (the family) may be interested

Excellent, I can see I'm going to have to start thinking seriously about possible dates...

Post by **iandromiskin** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 9:29 am

I have to say I havn't heard of the Bandon Experience being run for the past few years, though I may be wrong.

I think your beginning to get a good bit of interest too so as you say you or somebody is going to have to draw up a provisional timetable to work off. The two biggest shows in Ireland are at Mosney (usually in early June) and Fingal (not Fingle). But there is no rule to say that you have to drop in or attend any of these shows. Its just a run around Ireland and will surely stand alone as an event anyway. Should be fun.

Post by **Judge** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 11:40 am

iandromiskin wrote:I have to say I havn't heard of the Bandon Experience being run for the past few years, though I may be wrong.

I believe it's being started again and called 'Bandon Revisited'.

Post by **Steve_S** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 1:06 pm

We were considering going to Ireland next year (hoping for better weather than last year's MOT in France!). Does anyone know any details about Bandon 2008 as I have not been able to find any on the net.

If Bandon is a goer we could at least meet up at this.

Steve Summers