Well it's not actually called the Student Gumball rally, but the Student Brakeaway Rally !

Anyway, my good self and a couple of Uni friends have decided to enter this years rally, and the subject of what car to use has obviously arisen......

and a certain Fiat Coupe 16v Turbo has been voted as the firm favourite!

I was more than likely going to sell my Coupe at the end of summer, so that fact that it is my car is not the issue. We have already agreed that my mates would effectively buy 2/3rds of my car from me for the purposes of the rally.

But i am a bit dubious of how my beloved Coop would hold up! The bulk of the rally involves driving from San Sebastian (Northern Spain) to Valencia in 4 days, which is roughly 1600KM in the Spanish heat !
Then there is the small matter of driving back to England which is going to be another 1600-2000KM at least!

We would obviously treat the coop to a deluxe full service before we set off, and for the last 6 months i have had no mechanical problems (touch wood!!!) but still...... i'm not sure it is the wisest of moves!!
What do you guys reckon, you think the coop is up for a 3000km european tour??

Nick

If i could afford it i'd RACE YA!

I don't see why I wouldn 't cope. Your coop has to endure crappy British weather for 10k miles between servicing.

I'd go for it. TBH if it breaks, then at least it will break doing what it was meant to do, not popping down to Sainsury's for some milk!

Tell ye what, i think ill get some things in motion for next years event. Thatd be a supurb way to round out my time at uni as it would be the end of my final year.

Gives me time to sort sponsors, team, girls etc.

Hmm, i'll need a good coupe mechanic no doubt, do u think Rog would be interested if i can get hima student card?

Theres some fantastic team names in this years event :

Audi do it
3 Wheels, 2 Cox, No Hope
E for Idiots
The Royal Menstrual Cycle Display Team

"Dont tell my mum" is a cracking name, don't think i'd be telling my mum until i was a couple of miles from Valencia!

"Hi mum, yea i've decided not to spend my savings going to Hong Kong, Australia or Brasil and having a life enriching holiday, i've acually gone for a 7 day drive around spain!"

That is really cool! It looks and sounds excellent. The Coupe should be fine. Just needs a bigger fuel tank...

Dave

if your going to be in mega heat for a long time maybe a coolant flush/refresh would be a good idea,recharging aircon if fitted,make sure your cars running perfect or dont bother doing it

Bloody students.....

your just jealous

suppose i am! jealous of not being a student any more, but not of taking the Coupé around europe - would be mortified it my LE didnt come back in one piece.....

One of the cars in the gallery (old red Porsche) has a stuntcock clothing sticker on the side - isn't that run by someone on the forum?

European rallies are the new package holidays.

We are currently working out the rough cost of the trip, and listing the things the coupe would have to have done to it before we left.
So far i reckon a full service at Motormech is the main one. What will this include though? i'm guessing coolant, oil, filter change and a general check that the car is OK...?
I think it is also sensible to budget for 4 new tyres as we are going to be doing a lot of motorway miles in high heat!

Any other recommendations??

Brakes would be a good one, maybe change the disks/pads and brake fluid?

Lights, they point the wrong way and AFAIK you can't use beam converting stickers on them. You might get away with setting them very low, but I am not sure if that is legal and you wouldn't be able to see a damn thing given how naff coupe lights are anyway.

This sounds wicked, if any1 seriously fancies looking at doing it in 2008 then i'm more than interested. It'll be just after i finish me Motorsport Technology degree, perhaps i could prep the car for my FInal year project,

lol

Mr C

I didnt realise it was at the end of August, apparently there are going to be a few ltd places releases although the official deadline has gone.

Very tempted to keep my coop now and do this, but i have no aircon, so will burn beyond recognition

Mr C

Dont worry, he'll be in the clubs when it's dark. Pretty sure its all just day driving.

Yea, it's all daytime driving! Night-time is reserved soley for women and beer!

You can use beam deflectors on the coupe, you just have to be very careful where you place them.

Right, Team Topguns been registered

Nick, and ideas on the payment deadlines? cant find em on the website.

Need to get these deposits off, but my stingy uni friends r skint till loans come through in just over a week!!

Mr C

I'm not sure about the deadlines. I think that you have to pay tour deposit, then wait until those extra entires become available

We actually missed the original deadline too, but have all paid out deposits, so waiting for our confirmation to come through!

Gin'll Fix It!

cool, well we had a confirmation email saying we were registered and able to take part, they said that the deadline info is in the FAQ section, but it aint.

I need to get these deposits paid, which will be fun, with stingey friends

Mr C

ooh now i want to do it this year too :Cry: think i'll have to ignore these threads and just close my eyes and put my fingers in my ears untill next year.

What car are you thinking of doing it in Mr C, your coop??

Come on Truffle, you know you want to! My mates resisted for about 2 days, so i reckon you will be posting with your team details by tomorrow evening!

For me its a simple lack of funds, next year, next year. I'll save up for it especially.

No point forking over all this cash and then not having any left to actually enjoy myself with once i'm out there.

not sure yet, possibly a volvo 850 glt 2.5litre 20valve.

Not too exciting, but has aircon and lots of room 4 our stuff.

Team Topguns we are, so it'll look more like a fighter plane when we arrive

Mr C

aaaaahh i cant wait! It's gonna be awesome!

you driving down to spain? we are.

Problem i've got, is ive paid me deposit but the other 3 cant till they get their loans, bit worried it'll cause issues, cant really afford to cover every1 till then

Mr C

Na, we are gonna catch the ferry if we manage to get a space! Will be wanting to keep the coop as fresh (and reliable :D) as possible for spain!

You thought about how you are going to get home yet?? We are considering a small detour to the south of france! But thats just pub-talk at the momemt!