smudge 1020 Report post Posted April 27, 2015 Since I first saw this advertised back in September 2014, I've been gearing up to take part in Pure Rally UK which is essentially a scaled down version of the Gumball Rally for the UK. http://www.purerally.co.uk/ This involves a gruelling journey of over 1,000miles in just 4 days up and down the UK, broken up by go karting, parties every night and a full team of staff to ensure you're experience is the best it can be. Starting from Ace Café in West London on Friday 1st May, we then venture to: Cardiff Manchester (2nd May) Edinburgh (3rd May) and back to London (4th May) Luckily I'll have a co-driver to share some of the driving, but nevertheless it's still a heck of a journey! The car is currently being serviced at Abbey Motorsport to ensure she's all good to go for her 1,000 mile tour. Baring in mind that I don't even do 1,000 miles in a month, this is very different to the norm for my car. I'm have no doubts it'll be a stroll in the park for the GT86, but with the likes of Aston Martin V12's, BMW M5's, Porsche 911's and a bunch of other insanely quick cars, she will be tested along the way. So, I thought I'd make a little "diary" of my experience. I know the guys that run it really well and this is their biggest year by far. But with plans for another 3 UK rallies in 2015, a London to Paris to Barcelona run and possibly an American Rally in 2016, these events will just get bigger and better. I'll be updating this later on in the week with the car all stickered up and ready to go and then making updates along the way (when I manage to...) so you can all keep a lookout for me or any of the other Pure Rally cars over the weekend. I'm doing this with 3 of my closest friends and we've all put a lot of time, effort and money into making sure we do this in style 7 Omer86, Keethos, Tweedbean and 4 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Omer86 40 Report post Posted April 27, 2015 Sounds awesome mate have a blast Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Special K 442 Report post Posted April 28, 2015 Awesome, man! And you never mentioned a frigging word! I am really, really, envious. Timed road sections? Any circuit experiences, or just karting? <.. musing...> Hmm... if 50 of us put in £300 each we could buy/prepare a 'Club' GT86 for next year... I'd throw in my tonka toy as support vehicle... bring it ON!!!.... Spec K Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kodename47 446 Report post Posted April 28, 2015 Timed road sections? Any circuit experiences, or just karting? <.. musing...> Hmm... if 50 of us put in £300 each we could buy/prepare a 'Club' GT86 for next year... I'd throw in my tonka toy as support vehicle... bring it ON!!!.... It's not a real rally, it's just expensive/nice cars in convoy visiting places and partying. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Special K 442 Report post Posted April 28, 2015 It's not a real rally, it's just expensive/nice cars in convoy visiting places and partying. Bring it on! I love partying.. so long as nursey doesn't get an invite, those pyjamas she straps me into are so scratchy... I fancy the Barca run in August... Spec K Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted April 29, 2015 The Barca run is very tempting! No timed road sections though Keith, it's more of a jolly up with some expensive cars, expansive bars and a load of nutters! Can't wait for tomorrow to get he car a ready Nothing like last minute preparation eh?! 1 Tweedbean reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JamesP1991 222 Report post Posted April 29, 2015 Just try and avoid the M6 if you can as they have average speed cameras everywhere on that stretch past Birmingham Sounds like an awesome trip though buddy! I'm sure the 86 will hold its own! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tweedbean 151 Report post Posted April 29, 2015 I look forward to seeing your posts on this, it's going to be a hoot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Subota Boy 402 Report post Posted April 29, 2015 Nice one! Hope all goes well matey!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike 458 Report post Posted April 29, 2015 Just try and avoid the M6 if you can as they have average speed cameras everywhere on that stretch past Birmingham Sounds like an awesome trip though buddy! I'm sure the 86 will hold its own! I saw a Gallardo on the opposite side of the M6 the other day... looked so wrong to see one doing 50mph on it's own! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JamesP1991 222 Report post Posted April 29, 2015 I saw a Gallardo on the opposite side of the M6 the other day... looked so wrong to see one doing 50mph on it's own! Exactly the same on the A14 and A12 too! Everything feels so pedestrian at that speed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted April 29, 2015 I don't know the route exactly but I think we're trying to avoid the M6 from what I've heard. The drive across the Brecon and from Manchester to Edinburgh will be fun! Just to give you an idea of some of the other cars on this, and what my car will be looking like (hopefully!) tomorrow: *gulp*... 3 Omer86, Keethos and Special K reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted April 30, 2015 Picked her up from Abbey at 8.30am before heading home for a full clean to add the Rally stickers and sponsors! Shiny! And after almost 5 hours of applying stickers, she is finally ready! Can't wait for tomorrow! 4 Lauren, Keethos, JamesP1991 and 1 other reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ztox 230 Report post Posted April 30, 2015 Damn Smudge, that is a fine looking GT86! Have fun Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JamesP1991 222 Report post Posted April 30, 2015 Certainly won't look out of place with the more expensive machinery! Done an awesome job there! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rob275 1817 Report post Posted April 30, 2015 Just because everyone is complimenting you, i'm going to say it looks shit 5 Tweedbean, JamesP1991, GT86Jay and 2 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted April 30, 2015 Thanks guys (and Rob I guess...) 1 rob275 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keethos 842 Report post Posted April 30, 2015 It really does look awesome with all those stickers on! Have a blast dude! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Test Drives Unlimited 278 Report post Posted May 2, 2015 As I said on your FB Timeline you really need a nice private number plate on your car Jordan Sent from my Archos 53 Platinum using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted May 2, 2015 Been absolutely flat out since we started So Friday morning it was an early start to get to Ace Cafe in West London. We were one of the 1st to turn up and were a bit sceptical at first, but then some of the big boy cars rolled in... Over 50 cars ranging from a A reg SL Mercedes to the Aventador. Seat Ibiza, Audi RS4, Aston V12 vantage, M3's, various Porches and BMWs. A great mix of cars with a great bunch of people So we started out at about 10am, did some go Lartington near Cardiff before pulling into the hotel. Headed out into town for an awesome night out leaving us all a bit fuzzy this morning... But we all sobered up pretty quickly after some breakfast and headed into the Welsh Valleys Some fantastic driving roads despite some poor weather, before stopping at a great little pub for a BBQ and a drink for some co drivers More driving into the Welsh countryside before heading up the M5 to Manchester where we had a convoy of about 20 cars at one point. We should have some awesome footage put together a few days after we finish so I'll be sure to upload that All in all, fantastic value for money so far and a great bunch of fellow enthusiasts with a range of cars and backgrounds. One guy in a Porsche GT2 decided to have a row with the staff saying he expected more and was disgusted by it all, and everyone else's response was along the lines of "what did you want for £300?!" We've been put in great hotels, breakfast included everyday, a party in a privately hired part of a club each night and a chance to drive with a bunch of similarly minded people around the UK. Fantastic value in my mind! Tonight we're supposed to be watching the big fight but I doubt we'll make it to 4/5am if we have to be up and on the road by 11am for the trip to Edinburgh... Car is getting compliments left, right and centre. Mainly about how awesome she sounds but also how it's surprising a few people with the power. She's done us proud so far! Only major incident is the Aventador has apparently developed an issue on today's route...what a shame! Oh and the MR2 has decided to throw a strop every now and then but has made it here safely in the end. Loads and loads of video footage which I'll make into something short and sweet at some point 4 Keethos, Lauren, Omer86 and 1 other reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keethos 842 Report post Posted May 2, 2015 Awesome stuff dude, looks like an awesome event. What exactly was the Porsche dude expecting? What was he problem? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted May 3, 2015 Awesome stuff dude, looks like an awesome event. What exactly was the Porsche dude expecting? What was he problem? I dunno but I think he was a bit stuck up in my opinion. He wasn't really talking to anyone else, whereas everyone else is so alike we all just mingled and chatted like we'd known everyone for years Don't need people like that on it anyway. The organisers can provide you with a basic level of entertainment but it's down to the individuals to make the most of it by getting involved Time for some breakfast before team briefing at 11.30 and then leave for Edinburgh! Woop woop! 2 Lauren and Keethos reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted May 3, 2015 Just checked in at the hotel in Edinburgh. Had a couple of stop off points along the way so everyone could convoy together which was just epic. The little town of Moffat didn't know what was going on as we essentially doubled the population with 60 cars rolling in for a quick break before a spirited drive into Edinburgh along the back roads Time for a drink, relax and get ready for the finishing party before a 10 hours drive home tomorrow...lots of pictures and videos are being uploaded so I'll hopefully get a chance to post some soon 1 Keethos reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JamesP1991 222 Report post Posted May 3, 2015 How are you finding the car Smudge? Dealing with everything you are throwing at it so far?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 1020 Report post Posted May 3, 2015 How are you finding the car Smudge? Dealing with everything you are throwing at it so far?? Absolutely mate It's the 1st chance I've really had to throw her into some twisty roads as there's nothing near me in London. Stuck to the road like glue in the bends, catching a lot of the big boys out in a straight line too Found a whole new love for her this weekend 2 Lauren and Keethos reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites