The Final Party

Jan and her team once again demonstrated their ability to host a party to remember. A memorable party in which the winners accepted their Bronze, Silver and Gold special edition Cannonball Monoposto shoes from our sponsor Vitallo. Craig from Cannonball ran his film of the week and the Cannonballers once again aplauded the resiliance of the Spaniards who after trashing their Ferrari 360 at the Hungaring got straight back into the event courtesy of a hired Merc E class diesel! (Checkout the footage on Youtube.com)

Fastnet 993 also took the opportunity to say goodbye to new friends;

Dave and Bruce of Godspeed

Brett and Paul with the F430 (well done for achieving what seems to have been the top speed of the event on the Autobahn)

Peter and his son in the Black Monaro

Jamie - who amazingly completed the entire event on his own in his BMW 530d

Tony and Sara in the 993 Turbo - thanks for the track driving tuition at the Hungaring

Keith and Nora in the Aston Vanquish

and all the other competitors who conspired to make such a fantastic week! Hope to see you in 2008.

The Cruise Home

Calais had been the start of our timed stages, and was also the end. The results were set, Cannonballers could relax and relive some of the enploits of the last few days;

Leg 1 - Sandown to Dover
Leg 2 - Calais to Lake Garda
Leg 3 - Lake Garda to Bratislava
Leg 4 - Bratislava to Budapest and the Famous Hungaring
Leg 6 - Budapest to Berlin
Leg 7 - Berlin to Antwerp
Leg 8 - Antwerpto Calais
Leg 9 - Dover to Oatlands Park, Surrey

What week, 3000 miles, 10 countries, fabulous parties, 1 dead Ferrari, 10 speeding fines amongst the 55 entries (Fastnet 993 zero!) and some impressive results in the daily breathaliser. Steve Mac in the Merc SL55 won the award for failing the test every day and Bruce from Godspeed for being over 5 times over the limit on the final morning. "Blow Me", the guys doing the daily breathalisers did a fantastic job in making sure that no cars left the morning checkpoint until the driver was within the limit.

The final run up from Dover gave a fantastic opportunity to get some of the cars into convoy for the drive and share some final driving moments. Godspeed exercised their blue flashing lights, and drivers swapped order in the sedate convoy to get as many of the cars on the Godspeed video camera as possible.

A Fantastic event, an amazing week, new friends, shared experiences and for Fastnet 993 thoughts turn to next year and perhaps an addition to the car collection for the 2008 Cannonball.

Porky Prevails over Pull Out Plonkers - well almost

Well guys we finished, car in one piece - almost, brakes maybe squeeking, engine is asking for a rest little but in all Porky has pushed 160mph several times, she has blatted around a track and most of all she completed 3000 high speed miles across 10 countries in 5 days. Not bad for a 14 year old car. Oh and I forgot to mention the 80mph 180 degree spin on the Hungaring Grand Prix circuit.

So what can I say about today - so near but yet so frustratingly far. Our mistake was not going faster on the Autobahn the previous day to have a margin for saftey. Our solution was to go even faster today, our downfall - - -- - - - - - - -Ghent traffic. After 45 mins plus stuck in traffic my bladder sought to help. After a quick cal of nature we decided that the hard shoulder needed some Cannonball attention - and boy it got it. We got out of the traffic and back on tour, the distance was only 75 miles to Calais but it seemed a millenia. We have to apologise to Belgian and Dutch drivers for the uncharacteristic aggression, but why ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh why do drivers of small Citroen and Peugot shopping trollys insist on pulling out on cars closing on them at high speed!!!!!!!

So Team Fastnet 993 made serious time after the road works - problem was Guessy Nav at 1?? mph was not working - perhaps not helped by the shake from the Froggy Gendarme van joining the motorway just b4 the turnoff to Calais. Suffice to say we missed the turn, squandered our lead but fought back mighty hard................................. With only a short slip to the Ferry we managed to take out the Black Monaro and the TVR before a UK coach driver decided he wasn't going to let us past and made a good attempt at putting us into the Concrete barrier - thanks! Not for the first time this trip we noted the gulf in the driving ability and habbits of the Germans versus the Dutch, Belgians and English!

In all we arrived 30 mins after our required arrival time, and a place in the top ten.

Obiter - a few words about the Sponsors.

http://www.monoposto-drivingshoe.com/en/driving

A big thanks to all those people who helped make this event happen. Firstly and to our title sponsor Vitallo and their fabulous Monoposto Driving Shoes. Peter and Michael are a fantastic couple of guys, enthusiatic about this event, our entry and especially their unique product - bespoke driving shoes in colours of your choice. Fastnet 993 have been wearing Monoposto all week and they have certainly created a stir at the event, especially in the pit lane at the Hungaring on Tuesday. If you have the sports car you need these shoes. We have worn them for 3000 fast miles and they have been incredibly comfortable - you don't even know you are wearing them.

Other thanks need to go to;

Simon at http://www.porsch-apart.co.uk/ for selling us Porky in the first place. Simon is your one stop shop for Porker parts new and used.

Robin at http://www.lakelandspring.co.uk/ for supplying the bottled water that has kept us hydrated all week, along with http://www.teamnutrition.co.uk/ who helped to keep us energised with specialist hydration products as supplied to leading F1 teams.

Mission 4 - Bandit Country

The Start - Berlin, The Finish - Antwerp, and only a matter of 500 miles and a warning of the Polizei waiting for us in the Rhineland.

The first job of the day was to bring Porky up from the fabulous Herbst Bosch service centre we found under the Berlin Hilton. At 7pm last night these guys took Porky in for a full Valet - yes the second one of the trip, and allowed us to use their facilities to check oil, water and tyres. If only UK garages / dealers were half as helpful and eager to please as these guys. At 7.30pm last night we even took in the BMW M530 Diesel of Godspeed that was suffering serious engine and brake vibrations. By noon today these guys had ordered the new parts from BMW, fitted them and the Tractor boys were back on tour with renewed vigour, albeit a few hours behind the rest of the Ballers. I am told the tractor was again embarrassing much more expensive machinery this afternoon. The Ferrari 430 of Welsh boys Paul and Brett is still reeling from the ass whipping they took on Wednesday!

An unfortunate follow on from the notorious Gumball is the German police's intolerance for any car rally, even one as well managed and regulated as the Cannonball. At the starting checkpoint in Berlin complex routes were handed out to divide the cars and avoid the worst of the Smokies (Polizei) lying in wait in the Rhineland. Team Fastnet 993 however had a problem for which there was one solution. The problem a 17mph average deficit on the leaderboard due to a detour earlier in the week to get the car cleaned up for sponsorship photos. The solution, courtesy of Felicity the Becker Sat Nav, was a direct route, straight through the Smokies Rhineland trap! A route that should, and did cut an hour plus off the official route.

Team Fastnet 993 lost over 45 mins getting out of Berlin but soon were making time. At the Start we programmed Felicity for the Hilton Antwerp and she was out to prove that she is back on form and intent on moving us up the leaderboard. We were dubious of the routing at first, but we of little faith - she was perfection today - the relationship is once again secure.

Once on the move we made an effort to avoid unwanted attention, setting a a rapid, but respectable pace. The German Audi, VW Touareg, X5 drivers etc on the other hand were largely to be found buzzing past us at +20 - 30mph of our speed. But no matter. The average UK driver has much to learn from the Germans, their lane discipline is excellent and when a faster car comes up behind they simply move over to let them past, it was a pleasure driving there. The least said about the Belgians and Dutch however on this subject the better. I didn't know they had so much in common with the Brits! (apols to my Dutch friends).

As we hit the Rhineland and the unrestricted (or at least we conveniently assumed they were), we had a driver change over and bouyed by the other German drivers we decided to press on and see whether we could make up the lost time. If we could make Antwerp in 7hrs, an average of 72mph we would eat into our 17mph deficit. The challenge was on. We could not match the blistering speeds of the previous day, but hey ho Porky probably welcomed the less demanding pace.

Porky nonetheless rose to the challenge, engine howling, tyres biting into the quality German asphalt and sticking two fingers up to the heavy rain clouds that once again dogged our drive. Felicity maintained her calm and brought us safely and efficiently into the centre of Antwerp and directly to the hotel and the reception commitee. Another day, another 500 miles and a successful journey in around 7hrs. We think today should be a good one for Fastnet 993, esp as the 993 Turbo fabulously driven by Sara and Tony left 45 mins before us, and arrived 30 mins after us!

Mission 3 - Smokies and the Bandit

What a day - the Mission to drive from the picturesque Budapest on the banks of the Danube to the Heart of new Germany - Berlin, a cool 600 miles away. Our strategy hatched over a couple of lite ales the evening before was to ignore the minimal 4 hours sleep, drag our sorrow bodies from bed and get on the road early and before the Polizei were warned of our impending arrival by hourds of English reg plates balsting along. Fastnet 993's secret weapon - a T Total Co driver!!

The Smokies and a Bandit convoy (1 BMW 530 diesel M Sport, 1 standard 530d and the Porker of Fastnet 993 - held together by the craic of the Irish, a loose adherance to the route plan, 2 walkie talkies and a combined intent to make time!! This was our first real convoy of the trip and what a fantastic day. We had everything; vile weather, again learning that lack of weight in the nose of a 911 makes her a handful in treacherous conditions, route issues (our convoy but not us today), some great top speeds and a 6th car arrival place into Berlin - oh and topped off by finding thee' best service centre in Europe.

Heavy rain made driving conditions very difficult for a time, at one point the Irish lost sight of the Porky under a blanket of spray. But once out of the rain we showed the tractor boys (diesel drivers) why a Porky deserves its reputation!! But don't tell my mum about the speedo pic!

Travelling in convoy and chatting on the radios as we go was for us the raison d'etre of this event , and it proved to be today. Unfortunately about 200kms from Berlin our superior routing (we had to get it right one day) saw the tractors go straight, us to find a brand new highway. After a futile attempt to allow them to catch up we decided to PRESS on and make the Porky feel properly at home in Germany! Once back on home ground, Germany, Felicity the Becker Sat Nav redeemed herself and took us right to the Hilton door.

Overall a great drive and we arrived into Berlin as 6th car.

ps found an amazing service centre underneath the hotel. The Porky got levels topped up, and yes - another full valet! The Irish tractor boys put in for more major surgery with serious vibrations from engine and brakes - fingers crossed for good news tomo.

Mission 2 - The Mission to Lap

Mission 2, Day 2 and the Track Day. But first a 200 mile drive to get there - oh and a well earned wash and brush up for the Porker.

Team 993 took an unrouted detour in Bratislava to get the Porker looking its best for the track day. Not much English was spoken but the guys did a great job of cleaning off 1500 miles of grime.

With the car clean Team 993 had a fantastic blast from Slovakia to the Hungarian border and beyond. Long straight, clear roads meant only 1 thing.

Today was the day we could get the sponsor's logo back on the car, following her thorough clean up. All graphics were removed at Calais to avoid unwanted attention from the Gendarmes on the route through France. The late arrival at the track also gave others time to get any frustration out of the system - 1 Ferrari will not be continuing after a dougnut and a concrete barrier took no mercy on Maranello's finest.

Craig took the first few laps easy and built speed under the expert eye of Tony (fab purple 993 Turbo) and a former racing instructor. Tony's tuition helped build on the experience of previous track days and the performance driving instruction prior to the event. That said we did manage to overcook a sharp right hander and demonstrated what Porsches of old are famous for! Witnesses yes, but fortunately no pictures and thankfully no damage.

A fantastic day and after 15 or so laps we decided that we had pained the car enough for 1 day. Fabulous learning experience and really good fun. Now off to enjoy tonight's party and look forward to tomorrow' restart and daily breathaliser. (all drivers are breath tested each morning to check they are safe to drive).

Mission 1 - the drive through hell!

Mission 1 - London to Lake Garda - 818 miles.

Team Fastnet 993 got their first mission as they crossed the start line at Sandown - The Mission to meet for breakfast by the side of the beautiful Lake Garda. Little did we know what we had to come.

We drove for around 17 hours non stop last night through some of the most horrific weather you can imagine. Rain, sheets of standing water and this was not the time to learn French motorways do not have Cats Eyes! The car was surfing at times and even the Porsche wipers blessed with a 3rd speed could not keep up.

We were doing well on time , although well off the maniac pace set by a couple of Ferraris and a Merc SL55 AMG who arrived 4 hours before us, or 3 hrs after our time adjusted for the hour spent looking for the checkpoint hotel. Note for next time - buy a Tom Tom that you can programme hotel details into!

Time lost overnight on some routing issues was extremely frustrating at the time and only added to the fatigue from the long drive. But after an hour to chill, the focus switched to the restart after breakfast by the Lake - only another 500 miles to drive to the next Checkpoint - Bratislava.

The Porker is well suited to making time across Europe, although I need to suggest Porsche add floats and propelers to the option list after last night.

Sunday 1st July THE START, THE CAR, THE SPONSOR

Team 993 arrived at Sandown Park in Esher raring to go. Vitallo, manufacturers of fabulous handmade, bespoke driving shoes have supported Team 993 with a pair of their shoes for both driver and co driver.

Team Fastnet 993 with the Teddington Lifeboat

Visit Justgiving to Support Team Fastnet 993

http://www.justgiving.com/fastnet993