M1 Convoy to DD3

[trev]

I know it's early but we might as well start thinking about it.

A good few of us should be heading up the M1 towards Bishopscourt for DD3 in a couple of weeks time. For DD1 I met up with a few at IKEA on the M50, for DD2 I met up with some at M7 Midway Portlaoise and then another meetup at the M1 Lusk Services (or maybe it was Castlebellingham?) and then I got ye all lost going through Newry and beyond!

So this year does anyone want to suggest times and places for meeting points? What time do we need to be at Downpatrick on Saturday? Was there mention of Buggyboyshane offering a cuppa somewhere along the route?

discuss































oh, I'm not leading the convoy this year

 

[Brian Raftery]

and then I got ye all lost going through Newry and beyond!

oh, I'm not leading the convoy this year

So you got people lost two years in a row! yeah maybe its a good idea to let someone else lead the way

 

[trev]

no, the first year we went straight to the dyno in Armagh and then on to Caddy's. Aside from a small detour in Armagh city we got straight there. And I'd like to point out I didn't seize the opportunity to be convoy leader either time. The rest of them feckin made me do it!!

 

[Brian Raftery]

no, the first year we went straight to the dyno in Armagh and then on to Caddy's. Aside from a small detour in Armagh city we got straight there. And I'd like to point out I didn't seize the opportunity to be convoy leader either time. The rest of them feckin made me do it!!

Do you not remember the country lanes you brought us down doing Dukes of Hazards jumps along it?

 

[gary1998]

i'm sure there will be a eireball convoy heading up on the Saturday
nothing planned yet but keep an eye on t2i or fb page

 

[RattyOval]

I vote liam doesnt lead either.

He brought scenic route to a new level.

 

[69bug]

I vote liam doesnt lead either.

He brought scenic route to a new level.

That's not me either...that's the other Liam, and I followed him :rroulette: I really felt like a tourist....

 

[trev]

right, in lieu of anyone volunteering any information, let's make a list of possibilities from down south, heading up the M1 for DD3:
(I'm just editing Caddy's list of entrants to get the people that I know/think are from the south-ish parts of the country and who'll be likely to be travelling up the M1, please add/remove as necessary)

Padraig Kelleher - Ghia
Herbie Graham - Beetle
Colin Taylor - Beetle
John Knightly - Baja
Michael Eccles - Beetle
Edward Toolan - T25
Yip Van Wenkel - Bay
Conor Farrell - Bay
Kevin O'Brien -Beetle
Colm Burke -Beetle
Deckie -Beetle
Kyle Lawson -Golf
Padraic Bolger - Beetle
Eamon Mc Evoy - Beetle
Brian Raftery - Bay
Pat Best - Splitty
Trevor Brady - Jetta
Pete Carr - Beetle
Tsar Sheane
David Cole

There was mention on the FB page of Shane at Lawlors Customs hosting a breakfast coffee meet on the way (he's only a few miles from the strip) but I'm thinking that coming from down south, 7.30 - 9AM is very early to try to get there.

I have yet to find out what time DD3 starts at on Saturday. Once I do, I'll work out what times the convoy needs to be at which points on the journey.

 

[56oval]

Folks we start at the same time as the past 2 years.

11am track will be open for a full days qualifying session. Gates will be open from 9am.

 

[trev]

OK, thanks Ben. I also got a message from Dave saying pre-race briefing will be at 10.30AM so maybe I should retract my earlier statement and aim to be at the strip for 9AM afterall. Which would mean we could descend on Lawlors Customs along the way for a cuppa.

So, working backwards from 9AM at the strip and bearing in mind I'll be driving my slow diesel Westy, towing a car so I'll be slow enough on the back roads and only 50MPH on the motorway If ye don't want to get stuck with my lumbering caravan of rusty shite then of course drop the hammer and I'll see you at the strip!

8AM at Lawlors Customs, Loughinisland for a cuppa and to stretch the legs, only a few miles then to Bishopscourt

7AM passing through Newry (30ish miles along twisty roads and towns/villages to Lawlors)

6AM Castlebellingham Services J15-J16 M1 motorway for breakfast then 20 miles to Newry

5.15AM the M1/M50 interchange heading North, 40 miles to Castlebellingham Services

4AM J17 M7 motorway, 60 miles to the M1/M50 interchange

holy fuck, that's an early start!! Times as guides only, there should be little or no traffic anywhere at that hour of a Saturday morning.

Ed Wackerwacker did make a suggestion though about getting as far as Castlebellingham on the Friday night, late as you like. Park up for the night and get some sleep leaving only a short enough spin the Saturday morning and a few bonus hours in bed. Looking at the timeframe above, it makes a bit of sense

I think the Kerry contingent are going to have to leave the house on the Tuesday to get to Bishopscourt for 9AM Saturday...

 

[caddy]

the Kerry lot are coming up Friday to my place . break up the journey . you can do the same if you want.

 

[trev]

you still in the same place you were for DD1 Dave?

 

[trev]

actually, after looking at the map again, I think Ed's idea of getting as far as Castlebellingham on Friday night and onwards to the strip in the morning would be the easiest option for me. Thanks though Dave

 

[wackerwacker]

Ed Wackerwacker did make a suggestion though about getting as far as Castlebellingham on the Friday night, late as you like. Park up for the night and get some sleep leaving only a short enough spin the Saturday morning and a few bonus hours in bed. Looking at the timeframe above, it makes a bit of sense


I will doing this I will be setting off from my place about 9.00pm on the Friday. all going well

 

[whatucolm]

i might tag along with you,Trevor and Ed, to Castlebellingham on Friday,if thats ok with ye?my brother probably coming along with his camper too.

 

[kvinyl]

I'll tag along to Castlebellingham for the Friday night too - I did this on my last outing to Bishopscourt and it made the whole thing a good bit more relaxed. I'll bring a sleeping bag this time though, it gets cold at 3am in the back of the van with only a hoodie thrown over you

 

[Lazy Dog]

actually, after looking at the map again, I think Ed's idea of getting as far as Castlebellingham on Friday night and onwards to the strip in the morning would be the easiest option for me. Thanks though Dave

Team Lazy are reckoning on this being a good plan too........!!

 

[trev]

Getting close now! Arrive at castlebellingham whenever you like but I reckon we'll have to be setting the alarms for around 6am to give time to grab some brekkie at the services then onwards to Shane's for 8am-ish. I've been talking to Shane about the best route to his place, I was suggesting Newry-Mayobridge-Shanes place but he suggested if we wanted to stick to motorways and dual carriageways then we could push on past Newry to Lisburn and turn for his place there. It's a bit further but not by much.

I'm thinking if I'm towing then my average speed will be low enough to render motorways useless so I'd be inclined to go via Mayobridge.

Any opinions?

 

[trev]

whatuColm says he'll be heading straight to the strip tomorrow, must have some midnight oil that needs burning on his clutch issues.

so I expect there to be Wackerwacker, Kvinyl, Team Lazy and me at Castlebellingham tonight. Maybe more?

 

[kvinyl]

When are you expecting to get to Castlebellingham Trev? Trying to decide whether to go tonight i.e. In an hour or so or grab a few hours sleep at home and aim for Castlebellingham for 6am?