The Wonders of E-bay

Purchases so far for the MM Golf -

2x Castrol decals
2x Shell decals
2x Mille Miglia decals
2x Magneti Marelli decals
2x Champion Spark Plugs decals
1x Full Golf MK3 GTI Interior
1x Racing Style Exhaust Trim
4x Driver/Co-Driver decals
2x White Viper Stripe decal
2x Tow decals

And there's still 6 months to go!!

72 again

We have confirmation that our number will remain as 72 for the Scally Rally 'Mille Miglia'.

The Disappearance of Sam's Pants

So, the first stage of the 'Mille Miglia' Golf has been completed and it has resulted in the disappearance of Sam's pants. The decals which adourned the car have now been removed, ready for the new 'retro' race car look (Quite how a Golf MK3 is going to look like a classic race car is anyone's guess!). It has to be said that it looks strangely bare at the moment, but not for long as there are lots of lovely new decals to be placed on the car - pic's to follow.

The Worlds Greatest Road Race

Here we go again! The worlds greatest road race, the Mille Miglia, gets the Scally treatment and as a result I have decided that the Golf deserves to be given a much greater test - especially after it coped with the Ireland run so well this year. Having registered already, we await confirmation of our number (72 again with any luck) and preparations for next June have already begun in earnest. The Mille Miglia is steeped in history from its beginnings in 1927 through to 1957 and in order to take nothing away from it we have been informed to take a more 'retro' approach with the design of the car. This means taking off the decals from this year and starting again but then isn't that half the fun?! So armed with new viper stripes and motorsport decals we hope to achieve a look akin to the racing greats of the 60's and 70's. Much like this in fact -

Our Scally Rally Soundtrack

After 1700 miles covered in our MK3 Golf it was essential that we had plenty of music available for our travels. As a result, here our some of our favourite tracks from this years rally -

1. I Gotta Feeling - The Black Eyed Peas
2. 99 Problems - Jay-Z
3. Shipping Up To Boston - The Dropkick Murphy's
4. Used To Couldn't Dance (Tight Pants) - The Eagles Of Death Metal
5. Holiday - Dizzee Rascal
6. Power Of Love - Huey Lewis and the News (Inspired by Team 88)
7. One Day Like This - Elbow
8. Life Is A Highway - Rascal Flatts
9. Edge Of Seventeen - Stevie Nicks

I think I managed to subject Mat to 4 days of rock music before he realised that there was actually some hip-hop and a little R&B on the i-pod!!

A Scally Review - Coming home.

20/10. Tuesday morning. Time to chill out with a walk around Kinsale in the daylight and it quickly becomes apparent the beauty of this harbour town. Brightly coloured buildings, little fishing boats, and scally cars dotted around. A few teams have already left, and it feels strange not having a daily challenge to do. We take a drive along the coast up to Rosslaire for our 9pm ferry crossing realising what we have just achieved, the 3rd place trophy on the dashboard. 3hrs on the ferry and a long slog down the M4 home, you suddenly start wishing for a random B-road to drive down as it's much more fun. In through the front door at 5am and the comfort of my own bed, Bliss. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Already thinking of next year!! Mileage total - 1700.

A Scally Review - Day 4

19/10. Monday morning. Up early - 7.15am and all set set for the last day we head for Kinsale, taking in some proper rally stages around the Ring of Kerry. Should be fun!!. We're looking to round off the rally in style by going for the win - Sam would have loved this, he's on our dashboard and apart from taking the piss out of us early on he's looked after us. Some awesome roads today, especially through Killarney National Park. Wheelspin, tyre screeching, sheer drops either side and hair-pin turns, un-believeable!. A quick stop in Kenmare for more task related stuff, today includes more dressing up, singing and finding traditional irish food before almost disaster as we encounter a herd of cows. Now this wouldn't normally present a problem but when your travelling at 60mph around a fairly blind turn and realise there's 50 tonne of beef heading towards you it becomes quite scary, thankfully we discover our brakes in good working order. Up towards Bantry from Kenmare and the weather changes dramatically - rain, mist and tight twisting roads make it a challenge for anyone but in £50 worth of car it heightens the excitement. Mizen Head and a force 9 gale makes the visit tough going, rain slapping you in the face with unbelievable force and the bridge crossing is even more scary than it should be. We set off from Mizen Head for Kinsale at a pace, trying to get to our destination so that we don't miss our 8pm deadline. We make it to Kinsale with 2hrs to go but with 70 points still to get on our daily challenge. A quick pint and I'm trying to find some Irish dancers, now on a Monday night in Kinsale it's pretty quiet so you can imagine my frustration until the girl behind the bar offers to help. Commence much running around town for supplies - black bin liners, coloured card, and sellotape, it would make Blue Peter proud. 2 irish dance costumes made and 50 point gained, bonus. We know now that we are guaranteed 3rd place and that's where we finish. The hard work, mileage and lack of sleep are all worth it. The wrap party is time to celebrate, relax, and enjoy a beer with our new found friends. Mileage total - 1297.

A Scally Review - Day 3

18/10. Sunday morning. Finally some sleep! and day 3 starts nice and early with a new challenge. 28 different forms of transport to find and be photographed with - come on!. We manage to get 5 sorted before we've even got back to the hostel. We leave Westport for Tralee, another 380kms ahead of us and on the lookout for the other 23 modes of transport. We drive through some of the most amazing scenery this morning along some of the worst roads ever, pot holes, understeer and roadworks - nightmare. We stop off in Galway for an hour and get a few more challenges ticked off the list as we trawl the sports shops, shopping centre and toy shops. Big thanks to the Early Learning Centre!! Another quick Mcd's and we hit the road again with about 3hrs driving still ahead of us. Much more of the same roads in changing conditions and we just about make the Killimer ferry, we approach down the slip road blasting our horn and they have to undo the gates on the ferry to let us on. 10 other teams on board and 2 more challenge photo opportunities taken. Last trek into Tralee in the dark and its not easy. We manage to find the hotel with relative ease, another few beers, kebab and early-ish night. Joint first after todays challenge and chasing the win tomorrow, need to be up early. Mileage total - 1057.

A Scally Review - Day 2

17/10. Saturday morning, a few hours sleep and 375kms ahead of us. The day starts a bit foggy as we pick up our directions and daily challenge, today's task involves dressing up as 4 characters associated with Ireland, An American tourist, Mr Tayto, Arthur Guinness and Michael Flatley so we intend to find the nearest charity shop for supplies. A 60 miles trip up to Fanand Head and Tubbs Flatley works his magic, dressed in tights and headband, his 'riverdance' is a sight to behold - it had me a fits of laughter!. Back to Ballybofey and the weather begins to brighten up, as we reach Mullaghmore we are bathed in glorious sunshine and decide it is time for lunch and more photo opportunities. Here we become Arthur Guinness - to Arthur!!, along with the tourist and with the help of some yellow face paints, Mr Tayto. After a hearty meal and a pint of the black stuff we head on to our destination of Westport. Team sheets in and joint first after day 2. Mileage total - 810.

A Scally Review - Day 1

16/10. Friday morning. We are up at 6am, shower, breakfast, and a few final touches to the car. The addition of the Scally plate and toy golf clubs to the windscreen wipers look great but unfortunately the damp means that the putting green roof is going to have to wait until we reach the docks for the start, hopefully the drive will dry the roof off a bit. We drive across town to get to the start line. This is our first opportunity to take a closer look at the fellow scalliers cars and there are some great cars. 3 hearse's, a bunch of Merc's, a MK1 Golf, MK2 Golf and 2 Mk3's (including our's), various Japanese models, BMW's and Jag's grace the south docks of Belfast. Now we have time to put the roof on, out comes the doublesided tape, superglue, plastic golf balls, and golf flag. We think it looks great and seems to be stuck down sufficiently. 9am comes and with a blast of the air horn Scally Rally Ireland begins, we collect our daily challenge and directions for the day. Belfast to Ballybofey along the Causeway coastal route, can't wait. As we leave Belfast, the sight of 50-odd bright decorated cars is a definite sight to behold. We are on our way out of Belfast when all of a sudden there is an almighty rip from above - we have lost the putting green!! 10 minutes in and somewhere along the M2 it flies through the air and hits a Peugeot 206 2 cars behind which isn't even taking part in the rally - sorry about that !!. Travelling up the Causeway route is really quite something, the colour and the views are quite awe-inspiring. All the locals are out to witness a convoy of scally cars driving through their little towns and villages, there is much waving and photo-taking going on. We reach our first attraction - the causeway rope bridge which I decide not to cross after last nights debacle. We then get back into the car and travel 6 miles up the road to Giants Causeway itself, now this is some place. A sight to behold, almost mystical and much bigger that I thought it would be. Everyone seems to be enjoying the first stint of the day and we meet a few more of our fellow scalliers, checking out their cars and enjoying the scenery. We then drive up to the Magilligan ferry which we miss by 10 mins so sit and wait along with Jake and Ellwood, the Sardines, Banger me Skanger and The Stigs. The locals ask questions as to what we are doing and are quite amazed at what we are trying to do, even they haven't been to half the places we hope to go. As we come off the ferry we decide to head straight for Ballybofey as we realise it'll be dark by the time we get there and the sun is already setting on an amazing first day. Mileage total - 590.

A Scally Review - Day 0

15/10 Thursday morning. So day 0 ends with a bang - literally!. The alarm goes off at 3am having had around 5hrs sleep, load the Golf up and pick Mat up at 4am for a 4.15am meet at Mcd's. We set off for Holyhead to get the 10.15 ferry to Dun Laoghaire. The weather's good and we have a nice run up to Holyhead, 4hrs 30 mins and 270 miles. The car's running great considering its only done 15 miles in the previous 4 months!!. We arrive at Holyhead and join the queue for the ferry, lanes are closed so no worries, time for breakfast. We spot the golden arches 5min walk up the road so we set off leaving the car in the queue. A double sausage mcmuffin, hash brown and OJ go down well so we walk back to the car to find it all alone, the lanes have opened and everyone has driven around us!!. We get through check-in and immediately find ourselves pulled into the security check area - do they honestly think that we are going to be carrying anything suspicious in a car covered in decals and hammerite numbers?!?. The security guy asks us if its our car - yes, if we packed our bags ourselves - yes, if we are carrying knives - yes but in the toolbox we didn't have to use!, and bizzarely if we are carrying fireworks!?!. Hilarious!!. We then get in the wrong lane for the ferry and have to jump the queue to get on, I'm convinced at this point that Sam is winding us up from on high. After just over 2hrs on the ferry we arrive in Ireland, we leave the ferry terminal and we are on our way. The route planner proves no good at all - Thanks AA!, thankfully we spot our first scally car - Team 66, 'the flaming stuttgarts', and with that the chase is on. We follow as quickly as possibly their Mercedes, its quick and we have to jump a red light to keep on their tail. Luckily they spot us as we get out of Dublin and with a quick flash of the hazards we start our 2 car convoy. A quick fuel stop, cream cakes, and we are on our way again reaching Belfast in good time. We find our hotel, check in and hit the bar - we need a beer!. Quick shower, then we head for the Crown Bar for registration. The pub is packed with fellow scalliers and the introductions commence, needing food we discuss where to go but standing outside with my beer it all goes horribly wrong. A wobble then BANG, blackout, ambulance and 3hrs in Belfast City Hospital A&E for a cut eye - Great. Now Belfast A&E is like a warzone on a Thursday night so god knows what its like on a weekend, thankfully I don't wait to find out. Back to the hotel @ 1am, no stitches, and a few hours sleep before a 6am start for our first Scally Rally. Mileage total - 400 miles.

Test run completed

Took the opportunity to take out the Scally Golf today and I'm glad to report a clean bill of health! Went out for a 15 mile round trip and had real fun in the car, a little bit different to the Scirocco i'm currently driving but even in the rainy weather we had today everything seemed to work in the way it should do. So roll on next week when we do it for real.

2 weeks and counting

Spent today on the phone to HIC organising insurance for the Scally car, don't be too surprised if you see a Blue Golf covered in decals and pink flowers driving round town over the next 2 weeks. Need to give it a good run before it tackles the 1700 miles or so around Ireland and back home. All the accommodation is now sorted and its just the ferry left to book. Can't wait!

3 becomes 2

With just under 3 weeks to go, we are now down to a team of 2. Unfortunately Ray 'Moose' Chappell has had to pull out due to family commitments. Ray so desperately wanted to join us given the circumstances with regards to the team dynamics but the fact that he has recently fought so hard for access to his daughter I think it is the right decision for him at this time, who knows there's always next year!.
So it's left to myself and Mat to head for the Emerald Isle for a week of challenges that face us in the form of this years Scally Rally Ireland.

Sam's Pants, part 2.3

The grand unveiling, brightens the car up a little bit!

Roo, Moose, Tubbs, and Sam

Front on view

Side on view

Sam's Pants, part 2.2

During, making sure the positioning is correct

The hibiscus beginning to be unveiled

Sam's Pants, part 2.1

Before, Cleaned and decal free

Sam's Pants!!

The inspiration for the next stage of decals!

Not long now

With just under 4 weeks left before we depart for Ireland and final preparations are underway. The last of the decals for the Golf are due to go on very shortly, ipod playlists being put together, and accommodation being arranged. For those who are unaware, unfortunately one important member of the team won't be joining us for the journey. Sam 'Tiger' Brooks was killed 3 months ago whilst doing what he did best - enjoying a night out with friends, so this becomes even more important now. Mat 'Tubbs' Bignell and Ray 'Moose' Chappell will be accompanying myself (subject to Ray getting time off work - fingers crossed) on the adventure and as for Sam, he will be with us in spirit I'm sure. Here's to a great week!!

It's here!!

Finally recieved the handbook this evening via e-mail so the planning starts in earnest now.... car still to insure and tax, ferries to book and hotel accomodation to sort. So much to do, can't wait though!!

Repairs and more decals

So with the start line creeping up on us (approx 7 weeks to go!) today was spent doing some minor repairs as well as a few more decals. Managed to get the car booked into the workshop at work for an EVC (express visual check) where it was deemed ready for the 1700 mile journey we are going to subject it to - minor issue with the rear shocks but nothing to worry about, also required a rear bulb replacing. So a trip to Halfords resulted in purchasing a can of tyre-weld (always useful, and on offer!), WD-40, and a fibre-glass repair kit to fix the hole in the floor. With an able assistant in tow - Claire - we both set about more scally scarring. Claire decided that along with painting the wheel caps she would also go about playing with more decals. Meanwhile after playing with aluminium mesh to cover the hole in the floor the fibreglass came out to fix it. The smell of fastglass resin filled the air and took me back to the days of fixing my first cars!! soon the hole was nowhere to be seen which means that Tubbs' arse will be ok for the journey!!! So we are nearly there, have made enquiries for the insurance and just waiting for the official handbook to appear.

Fun with decals

The Car

Team members

Charity page

Team name

Fun with Hammerite

White steels!!

Looking nice

A bit smudgey

Still a bit smudgey

Spent today playing with hammerite and realising that it's probably not the best stuff to use to paint numbers onto the car!! Still it's not meant to be perfect is it.....

Quick update

A quick update before the weekend..... We now have the decals in place for our designated charity. A big thank you to Ryan @ Heron Signs who is in the process of producing our signange for the car. This weekends plans include the first stage of our car prep - a trip to Halfords for some Hammerite and painting the car number onto the vehicle as well as a general clean up. Photo's will follow....

We're on the entry list!!

Had a look on the Scally webpage this morning and we're on the entry list at last. Awaiting confirmation now that our 2 new recruits, Moose and Tubbs, are also officially in. Just need to start work on the car now.......

New Team Members

Welcome Aboard!!

Time to introduce 2 new team members to the 'Easy Ryders'. Mathew 'Tubbs' Bignell who is Sam's step-brother and Ray 'Moose' Chappell, Sam's house-mate. Ireland you'd better watch out 'cos we're gonna drink you dry - or have a good go at least!!!

Number 72

We have recieved the e-mail which confirms our entry as Team 72 - The Easy Ryders. Here'sto Ireland 2009, Get in!!!

Team Number?

Is it "4"?

Please be 4?

We've officially registered

It's official. Have just paid our £150 entry fee online and requested our team number - to be revealed but not difficult to work out if you read the previous blog entry.

New Theme

So, we've decided to go for the obvious 'Golf' theme as we have bought a Golf. Imaginative I know.

So, team name possibilities:
Dukes Of Water Hazzard
Crazy Golfers
Easy Ryders
Tiger Wouldn'ts
We've Got A Golf So Are Going With An amusing Golf Theme
Rallying Fore Charity
........

The New Car

The hole in the floor from below, may have to be careful not to set fire to the carpet when welding!!

Some sign's of rust......

The power unit to get us around Ireland!!

Apparently cassettes are making a comeback!!

In it's original 'un-scarred' glory

All is ok now

Problem solved. We now have managed to obtain a 'K' reg Golf 1.8 with 132,000 miles on the clock. MOT until end of year and new paint job to sort - shouldn't be a problem. As for the hole in the floor (!!!!) will hopefully get one of the techies at work to do me a favour. So pictures to follow but back on track, hurrah!!!!

Disaster Strikes!!

Nightmare!, we have 'lost' the Scally car. Turns out that we have lost the car due to it being lent out with a customer from work and it's not coming back so all the plans and preparation that have gone in so far are all in vain and we now have to start the search for our £100 car again. So, we are checking ebay daily and i'm hoping that someone comes into work with a banger they want to replace with a nice shiny new car - here's hoping!!

Much discussion on the Scally Rally forum with regards to the theme for our car - everything from blueberries to golf balls (don't think i've got the heart to knock lots of dents in it or paint it white!) to a golf buggy (again don't think the police will let us drive without door's or a boot) besides, driving around Ireland with effectively an open car could get both cold and wet!!. We appear to have agreed on some crazy Mexico World Cup 1970/86 theme - not sure how this is going to turn out yet but trying to keep costs down by calling in some favours and twist some arms. Will hopefully get some more photo's on the page in the next week.....

The StartLine

So, the car is bought, a lovely purple VW Golf.

The team name is decided upon as well.

So, we're pretty much ready to go. Only a few minor details to sort out.