Rabbit Run 2005 (london-barcelona-london)

[D11VE:J]

Mussy,

Any car that drives on any European Road with stickers that promote, advertise or suggest any sort of group activity is breaking the European Highways Rules. Just like parking on double yellow lines, it is not a criminal offence, in Spain, Barcelona it is a breach under section 52.2 of the highways act. The wording is; "holding an organised motor event on a public road without permission" that is the offence. The numbers on the car and cars speeding are all a further problem and are offences. The cars can be driven at 65mph and they are still breaking the highways act (rules) and you will be fined if the Police so wish, it is indefensible. Appeal is wasting time and money, 10 hours detention whilst they check out your papers is nothing short of infuriating when you have done nothing wrong other than carry stickers the organisers insist you carry.

If you want to know why most events no longer go through France and Spain, it is because of this, The rule there is; Stickers = Law breaking = Fines.

Here are the 4 golden rules to a happy event;

No stickers, No speeding, Consideration for other road users, Phone and let the Police know your route first in each country.

Max ran the route into Morroco last year, fabulous Max, you didn't feed me properly, you messed up on the boat to suit others, which caused the Spain debarcle, however, Morroco was worth going for on its own. What did Max do, organised it properly, stickers in that case didn't matter, I don't believe any event would be invited back though Morroco though, the carnage was awful, quite a few public and drivers narrowly escaped fatal injuries. i.e. racing on public roads took place.

That is what happens when events, or part of events are poorly organised, fines or carnage, both are bad news.

I wish the very best to every car event, they probably intend to be good fun, if ethics are not put in on organisers the whole thing will be banned before much longer. Already the subject is at European Perliament level, block fines and endorsements, road racers go to prison, one guy in Spain got 3 years for 135mph in a Porsche near Barcelona, speeding means automatic confiscation of your cars to pay fines if you do not pay them, bad driving can be any of these.

It is up to entrants not to tolerate poor organisation and do not accept stickers on your car without clearing one vital point, If the organiser wants sponsorship monies for himself for the event, then let him pay the fines. Insist upon it. You will kill the sport if you do not take better care of it. No more Gumball or any other ball.

D11VE:J

[Jeff4505]

Originally Posted by D11VE:J

I wish the very best to every car event, they probably intend to be good fun, if ethics are not put in on organisers the whole thing will be banned before much longer. Already the subject is at European Perliament level, block fines and endorsements, road racers go to prison, one guy in Sapin got 3 years for 135mph, speeding means confiscation of your cars, bad driving can be any of these.

This is why I especially like Kim's idea of running it through countries without the capabilities to chase such vehicles. However, I would not at all be suprised if Kim's "It's not a rally, it's a race" talk got the UR banned before it started. Promoting road racing on his website like that is asking for trouble.

[D11VE:J]

Jeff,

If you get caught doing 180mph trying to outrun the Police you will get locked up for a long time. "Drive with haste, repent at leisure" remember that.

If you kill someone, including yourself, how smart are you?

Look after these events, you can not outrun the system, if you push it too hard it will bite, remember these words before you start driving fast around Europe in future. Ayreton Senna was bullitt proof.

D11VE:J

[D11VE:J]

Originally Posted by Jeff4505

This is why I especially like Kim's idea of running it through countries without the capabilities to chase such vehicles. However, I would not at all be suprised if Kim's "It's not a rally, it's a race" talk got the UR banned before it started. Promoting road racing on his website like that is asking for trouble.

No such countries exist today, they have guns where they don't have cars to drive.