S2N 2006 - The Spacky Racers

Spac02 is no more

2006-09-27T13:58:00.000Z

Fairly early kick off for the Spacky Racers to make sure Spac02 got a legitimate send off. The sound of the engine as scrap man took it into the yard confirmed our suspicions that the engine was completely knackered. We're now in the beautiful Naples airport awaiting our flight home.

Journey complete, Spac02 in Naples

2006-09-25T16:37:00.000Z

We've made it! Spac02 is now planted in a hedge in the Castelvolturno Holiday Inn car park. Steve tested the engine, handbrake and steering to the full on the way in to the hotel ( a road that's more a war zone than a holiday resort ). We're out to the final night at a hotel down the road in a minute then we'll be updating the blog with photos later tonight or tomorrow morning now that we have the modern marvel of the interweb.

Challenge complete, now where's that hotel?

2006-09-25T14:20:00.000Z

With our final stop at a great village on a hill, we are now knocking are way toward Naples with The Boy Cox at the wheel. Steve has crashed out in the back and I'm eating a bizarre potato pizza. Our victorious arrival is just 62 miles away! Cheers for the comments and Bolton news. For all Spac02's efforts, we have managed to keep her well, er, lubricated with heavy gearbox oil. Keep the comments coming! Miles: 1548 Tunes: None, the lights are on :(

Italia comms

2006-09-25T14:00:00.000Z

Apols again for the lack of photos. We have been offered the use of a new fangled device called a "modem" but couldn't get it to work. So we hope to get photos on the blog tonight...

So we found...

2006-09-25T12:21:00.000Z

Colleferro and the news stand we needed to buy a newspaper. Next stop Ceccano, or so we hope - Spac02 is getting vocal with the big end and CV joints knocking like a b'tard.

Miles: 1487
Music: 2 Many DJs

Spacked up

2006-09-25T09:30:00.000Z

We've been a bunch of muppets and managed to go wrong on our first challenge! A missed motorway exit and a lack of attention by the team means we have re-evaluated our first challenge stop as we have done 30 miles too many. Next stop is now Colleferro.

Day 4 to Naples...

2006-09-25T09:21:00.000Z

After a few too many ales and a night in our luxury Viterbo pile (see S2N 05 Viterbo blog), we are now on the final leg to Naples. Today is treasure hunt day, our first stop Frescati. Steve is at the wheel with The Cult providing sound track. Miles 1354 - there are 312 miles to Spac02's 100,000 birthday...

BTW - what's happened to Bin Laden?

Omelette

2006-09-24T14:45:00.000Z

Having passed Bologna, we're on the road towards Firenze. We've dried out almost completely although spac02 had the indignity of being egged not once but twice so we had to get the car cleaned up at one of the services we stopped at ( luckily the perpetrators missed when attempting to add flour to the mix ).. We have 3 of the 5 pictures we need for our challenge, the last included some German school kids who got more than a little bit scared of two blokes in reservoir dogs outfits coming towards them with water pistols as they got off their bus!
1173 miles on the clock as Tim takes on the driving responsibilities while Steve and I ponder what time beer o'clock will be. Pounding tunes coming out of the solar powered ipod supplied by House of Pain.

Wet Wet Wet

2006-09-24T12:38:00.000Z

This has nothing to do with Tim's dodgy taste in music : ) this is to do with the water fight at the petrol station, 6 teams 24 water pistols and 17 surprised Italians. We turn up and are immediatly surrounded, doors open and team spac is soaked. You can only begin to imagine the scene total carnage as people flee through the petrol station hiding behind pumps and cars trying not to get wet, still the hot Italian sunshine should have us dry in no time. Photo 2 accomplished and now we are back on road with Oasis playing and 1070 miles covered.

The Finest Italian Cuisine

2006-09-24T11:13:00.000Z

First of the photos attained for the challenge, only 4 to go. Chris is back at the wheel with Tim rocking the car with choons from Steve's play list.. We have fed and watered at a great italian resturant (well mcdonalds). Currently heading for venice choons playing currently is the great gimme shelter by The Rolling Stones. We,ve hit 1000 miles only 673 till we hit the 100000. Photos of yesterday and today should be up latter connextion permitting.

Spac Dogs

2006-09-24T08:42:00.000Z

With a good stop off in the, er, delightful town of Aprica your trusty S2Ners have donned Reservoir Dogs gear for the trip down to Viterbo. The challenge: to get photos of us standing next to pump number 3 at 5 petrol stations, with bonus points for getting locals to join in. Chris is at the wheel, with Steve learning how to use an iPod, it's a slow process! Cheers for the messages and apols for the lack of photos recently - Italian comms ain't improved since '05!

Music: Supertramp
Miles: 944

Last leg of the day and challenge completed!!!

2006-09-23T16:29:00.000Z

The photo challenge is complete with 11 of the 20 photos taken, Tim winning most spots getting 6 to Chris' 5. So on to the last pass Chris is back at the wheel with Tim and I celebrating the challenge with beer. Choons - Tim's choice of Sheryl Crow has been veto'd and changed to wonder stuff (Tim is banned from the mp3 player) mileage 888 (786 miles to go till the cav hits 100000) Big up respect to jsal for the sports update.

Towards Chur

2006-09-23T12:06:00.000Z

We have just passed Andermatt on our way to Chur where todays challenge begins - we need to collect photos of scenes in our challenge booklet. Steve has taken the wheel and Chris is still rockin us, currently with Snow Patrol. Spac 02 is cruising.

Miles = 783

Pass One Completed

2006-09-23T10:29:00.000Z

The first of the three passes (Grimsel)is completed. Oil. Checks every 15 minutes to replace the lost fluid. Tim's at the wheel with Chris choosing the choons currently AC/DC its the start of a rock medley. Miles travelled 752 roll on the next pass.

Day 2 begins

2006-09-23T07:57:00.000Z

We're off again, all the cars are assembled in the car park, the group photo has been taken and we're praying to the vauxhall gods that spac02 makes it through the mountains. Updates to follow through the day.

Friday Conclusions

2006-09-22T23:35:00.000Z

Ok, we're set up in a hotel awaiting tomorrows start across the alps. Stelvio? Who knows.... Thanks loads for all the good vibing big end business (ohmmmm indeed) and Ross, thanks for the Uri styles - to our surprise, it's working!!! Here are some photos from Friday...

4th country attained

2006-09-22T17:41:00.000Z

Spac02 has made it to the very efficient roadworks of Switzerland ( Basel to be exact ). We've been regularly checking the oil and the leak seems to have slowed down to a manageable rate now that steve isn't trying to beat Richard Hammond's land speed record!
This being the last leg of the day, Tim and I are partaking in some 'refreshments' while Steve pilots us past lake Luzerne to Sarnen, our port of call for tonight. Mileage : 618, countries 4 ( decided against 5 due to the engine ), no music in the car as the headlights are on.

Still rolling!!!!!

2006-09-22T16:14:00.000Z

Back on the open road after our cross country detour. Car running ok though we are still nursing it, we have 134 miles till todays beer. Big up respect to paul for the golf update, keep all sports scores coming in. Choons - prodigy, miles travelled 553

Will the car make 100k

2006-09-22T15:29:00.000Z

Chris is back at the wheel as we negotiate Strasbourg. With serious oil issues and 150 odd miles to go today it's far from a done deal. Still we remain optimistic and hope to avoid getting lost in the vineyards like we did round here last year.

Miles 528, countries 3

Forced stop

2006-09-22T14:01:00.000Z

And so begins the trouble!!! The knocking from the engine is really bad, we've pulled over and oil is pouring from the engine : ( we've now topped up with oil and rolling again!!! Now we need you all to send us positive vibes we are nursing the car to switzerland. Choons - none (we're listening to the engine) miles - 469 (fingers crossed)

Welcome Luxembourg

2006-09-22T12:16:00.000Z

its change of driver with coxey taking the wheel as we enter country 3.. A brief stop has been had where we have been fed and watered and now ready for the next stage. Car is making a few knocking noises and the back bumper and boot is coated with oil. 404 miles done and phil collins playing on the stero

Belgium ain't so small...

2006-09-22T11:03:00.000Z

The 'bourg is still proving elusive despite apparent rapid progress, clearly we've set ourselves quite a task taking the scenic route. Spac 02 is letting us know what she thinks - the oil light has started to flicker!

Countries: 2
Music: Guns and Roses
Miles: 365

belgique.

2006-09-22T09:44:00.000Z

our swift jaunt through belgium has begun. we're on the road toward namur then we'll be heading for luxembourg. steve's piloting spac02 this morning with tsal on the directions and me in the back grumbling and taking eye spy photos. stereo : kasabian, countries : 2, miles : 265.

Start

2006-09-22T08:07:00.000Z

and we're off! First across the start line, our quest is to take in at least 5 countries whilst completing todays challenge - eye spy using a digital camera. We've opted to get photos of objects beginning with c. Steve is at the wheel as Belguim beckons.

Countries so far: France
Miles completed so far: 158
Music on the Matsui: Green Day

Calais 2006

2006-09-21T22:18:00.000Z

The etap has once again taken our pin code and we're in our high quality 5 star room. We're registered and fed ( no lasagne this year ) so we're all set for tomorrow's start at 8am. The car park outside is full of S2N cars looking pretty good but not a scratch on spac02. As promised, here's a snap of the big lad with spac02 outside Bowmans. If you didn't know, Hughie has housed spac02 for the past 2 months on his driveway to help us out with the council, the tax inspectors, the police and steve's neighbours. We'll have updates on the site throughout the day tomorrow so stay tuned!

No more english coppers

2006-09-21T18:57:00.000Z

We've made it to the eurotunnel and we're all set to make calais. The mighty spac02 made it to folkestone in double quick time, let's hope that stays! There has already been police interest as a car that came in with us was wheel spinning and the 'filth' came a looking. Slight problem with tsal's wiring of the stereo means that when the lights are on, the stereo ain't!
Photo of our main sponsor, the big lad, Huggy W will be uploaded as soon as we get some inet access.

Return of the Spack!

2006-09-18T20:32:00.000Z

After 9 months of preparation, 3 cars and many rolls of masking tape, The Spacky Racers are back to defend their crown as almost winners of Staples2Naples 2005.

To ensure smooth passage, this year we have decided to decorate our motor as a cop car, featuring police-friendly logo courtesy of MC Skid Mark -->

Blogging will start this Thursday afternoon (21st September) as we make our way down to Calais, through to our triumphant arrival in Naples next Monday.... or so we think!

Let the Spacktacular begin!!

[cue fanfare]

Naples, a time to reflect

2005-09-27T12:37:00.000Z

We're here, the mighty Prairie made it but our blogging was delayed due to power issues on our blog phone. We didn't win, but the challenge was well and truly taken and conquered. As for yesterday, it wasn't our fault!! The organisers have admitted their faults as the Celeste hunt was their error so points galore for us. Unfortunately we didn't win the rally and I have the sad news that the Prairie is now in the hands of an Italian scrapyard.

Chaos in the challenge

2005-09-26T15:53:00.000Z

We didn't break the code, either we got a clue wrong or the judges made a mistake we believe the latter is the case..... So we will never meet Celeste in his paper shop in Gaeta.....
.
So now we head for the 30K to the finish... its started to rain even though the sun is beating down.

Chris is @ the wheel no music on the radio.... Chris is trying to out do jons 10 meter wheel spin so far he's not beatin it... we will see?.

Who is Celeste?

2005-09-26T14:20:00.000Z

We are one clue away from Finding Celeste.... Jon is driving with air playing on the radio.... we are heading to Pontecorvo... the beer is already flowing for Tim and Steve; Jon will be joining soon when the ginger one takes the wheel.....

more than half way to celeste

2005-09-26T12:42:00.000Z

we are now 3 clues in and back on the motorway. the next stop will be ceccano in about 20km for our next clue. apologies for the lack of picture fun but the italians seem to have done a deal with the french to supply their telecoms!
controversially, the stereo is off.

There's a red light on the dash....

2005-09-26T11:11:00.000Z

telling us that the sliding rear doors are open. This is our preferred travelling style as the temperature nears 30. We now have the first clue for todays challenge and are now heading to Velletri for the second.
Steve has taken the wheel with BIues Brothers providing entertainment.

It's the final day!

2005-09-26T08:55:00.000Z

Day 4 and we're off on the final leg. We're off from our palacial b&b towards naples with our latest challenge in hand. We've got to collect clues from photos that are given to us and then crack a da vinci style code to find a man called celeste who will sell us a postcard. It's hot, Tim is driving and officially old ( 31 ).
Stereo watch : And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead

Day 3 Complete!

2005-09-25T18:36:00.000Z

A sweet 3 gear overtaking manouevre as we enter Viterbo rounds off a great day for the Spaccar. AII we need to do now is find the hotel...

These days don’t get any shorter

2005-09-25T17:15:00.000Z

After a soaking at the last petrol station from another team, Steve is now at the wheel with 50k left to drive. Finished the challenge and hopefully will remember to show the organisers pictures tonight (unlike yesterday).

Just heard Team 29 are having a few major problems outside Firenze but surprisingly most cars still seem to be holding up. Italian graffiti seems to be doing the job as we are getting loads of hooting, thumbs up and flashing. Police have shown an interest but so far resisted a closer inspection.

Funny looking girl from Echobelly singing on the stereo.

A1 progression

2005-09-25T14:24:00.000Z

A few weeks ago, friends RL+DR were driving Ferraris round Modena. We're here now, with a little less performance but a load more style, oh yes! Driving duty has returned to Jon with Embrace on the Goodmans (not a live track, fortunately...)

A very hot Italy

2005-09-25T11:38:00.000Z

We're heading around lake Iseo to the North of Brescia at the moment, pointing towards the motorway. There's 500km to go today to Viterbo so maybe that leisurely McDonalds stop wasn't the wisest of moves! Pic should be attacehed showing that the Italians are getting into the spirit of our team.
Stereo watch - Meat Beat Manifesto ( guess who's driving )

Day 3 and the hangovers kick in!I

2005-09-25T08:56:00.000Z

Off we go.... 1st challenge dress up like clint eastwood from Fist full of dollars.... we improvise... Jon with bathmat and disney stetson.... Chris Tim and Steve wearing rugs from the market and dodgy cuban style hats.... with the water pistols and cigars we look the part....

the next challenge is to get pictures of 5 number 3 ESSO petrol pumps.......

Currently Cox @ the wheel with the leaves on the stereo!..

DAY 2 COMPLETE ITS ANOTHER COUNTRY

2005-09-24T19:08:00.000Z

Well the magic of the prairie has done it again..... here we are in Tirano Italy.... Let the drirking begin.....

Winner of the car comp is Miss K Young.. well done......

Thats why more detailed maps are required

2005-09-24T17:02:00.000Z

Well the A'lbulapass has finally been completed and the photo challenge over... Tim has now taken the wheel... so on to Stelvio.....or as we find out we passed it earlier (whoops) so instead we are going on the Piz Berrnina pass to our final destination TIRANO........ BIG shout to the prairie....

Renegade Master playing on the radio

To win prairie prize text us the name of the name of the artist!

the elusive stelvio

2005-09-24T15:57:00.000Z

we are pushing on towards stelvio but still yet to decide our route due to timing. action jackson is still at the wheel with the charlatans on the stereo.

Chillin' in Chur

2005-09-24T13:46:00.000Z

We're in Chur, getting the Prairie ready for it's trip up Stelvio. Still, could we worse, Pinky stacked it and the badgers are having the same sort of issues as us :

Andermatt a go go

2005-09-24T12:00:00.000Z

Still making progress, Steve taken over from Chris. Water still leakin, petrol still stinkin and now brake burning into the mix - these mountain passes are craaazzy. Still, could be worse, we've just passed an S2N 3 car sandwich leaving Andermatt.Bring on Stelvio! Tunes = Human League, EIectric Dreams

S2N 2005 - The Spacky Racers

2005-09-24T10:17:00.000Z

Lunch break high in the Swiss mountains letting the car cool down so we can get some water in the radiator. We're starting to see more and more cars with issues as they start working harder.
Pics from last night's hotel, this morning's start point and a quick break on the way up the Grimselpass.

TEXT US +447896256210

2005-09-24T09:27:00.000Z

Thanks For All Your Text Message's they make us laugh please continue and pass details on to every one...... roll on the PRAIRIE......

Day Two - The Beverly challenge

2005-09-24T09:03:00.000Z

We have just been handed the second task, oh jesus! Another photo challenge but this time we have to match 20 pictures that the organisers have just given us. Beautiful views but the car has already started to smoke and only been driving for an hour. Heard a few horror stories of cars not making it yesterday, especially the VW van that lost a wheel and the girls in Snooty fox 2 that had to scrap the car in Belgium (Steve very upset).

Music playing: Franz Ferdinand

S2N 2005 - The Spacky Racers

2005-09-23T22:38:00.000Z

The end of a cracking day brings extra good news, hotel rooms!!!!! We were looking like it would be the Prairie for accomodation but we're in Kerns with the slowest barmaid in all of Switzerland. Finally able to get some pics on the site as the Swiss know how to sort out comms unlike the bleedin' Frenchies. The relevant pics should now have been added to previous updates as well as some here that didn't fit into any posts.

Day One Completed

2005-09-23T19:12:00.000Z

SARNEN welcomes the PRAIRIE She's made it and is now parked up having a rest and we are off
for beers..... blog updates will be drunken messages from here ......... BRING ON DAY 2....

At last we hit Switzerland

2005-09-23T17:46:00.000Z

Border reached... Led Zepplin pumbing out the Prairie.... Customs lad waves us through... as if by magic the price of everything has doubled.

No alcohol on board as Switzerland is zero torlerant however thats not a problem as we're all high on petrol fumes.

Found......

2005-09-23T17:13:00.000Z

Well we are back on track.... we almost lost Steve in the vineyards but managed to intice him back into the car with a can of stella... we believe we are now only a few hours away from the bar....

Lost!

2005-09-23T16:22:00.000Z

Anyone know how to get from Molsheim to Sarnen? 240km to go and limited pain chocolat...

Traffic!

2005-09-23T15:45:00.000Z

Whilst trying to avoid the Strasbourg rush hour we've found a new jam in Saverne. Car good, Jon still motorin'. PS. Apols for no photos - crap French GSM.

Ginger takes the wheel

2005-09-23T12:46:00.000Z

Calais-Verdun completed, averaging a good 110kph. Water loss minimal but fuel smell lingers. Chris now steering us toward Strasbourg and beyond, we hope... Tunes : GLC

Five 2 Two....Challenge Complete

2005-09-23T12:07:00.000Z

Prairie is cruising.... Foo's are blaring from the stereo the odd English car that passes toots and laugh's we have completed the snooker challenge.... the cheers in the car are that of soccer am's EASY EASY..... passing through Metz next stop Strasbourg......

Challenge 1

2005-09-23T10:56:00.000Z

On route to Switzerland we have to play S2N snooker where we need to take photographs of coloured cars in the same order you would for snooker.... red blue red black red green etc..... we are having issues with red it appears french people think red is the colour of scum too....

On the stereo is now phil collins

12.04 update

2005-09-23T10:11:00.000Z

after springing more leaks than a New Orleans levy, we are heading down the a26 towards reims in a very hot car with Tim at the helm. Opening the windows stinks the car out with petrol!
morale high as we have pan chocolat, yop & fizzy sweets.
Stereo watch : Green Day

And so it begins

2005-09-23T08:41:00.000Z

As we leave the start it becomes apparent we have a water and petrol leak... MASTIC ls our HERO..... now 2 hours behind schedue.... roll on

Dsc02028

2005-09-22T21:26:00.000Z

Dsc02028
Originally uploaded by Coxey.

Etap Hotel, Calais

Checked In

2005-09-22T21:19:00.000Z

Prairie gets us to Cite Europe ETAP Hotel...... now for the beers and introductions to the other teams....

Mauro & Paulo

2005-09-22T18:59:00.000Z

100_1299
Originally uploaded by Coxey.

Dover has been reached and Italian friendship has been attained!
Early ferry should get us to Calais 2hrs earlier than scheduled.
Time for a beer.

M25 stuck in traffic

2005-09-22T16:00:00.000Z

Heading to Dover slowly but as somebody booked a ferry at 10pm tonight we don't have to worry just yet! Slight smell of petrol, don't light a match.

Ready for the off

2005-09-22T11:02:00.000Z

The beast is ready - but where are the team?

Ready for the off
Originally uploaded by jsal.

Its about to start

2005-09-22T09:54:00.000Z

So its 11am the car is being loaded and we are ready for the off.... NAPLES here we come!!!

Text the car - +447896256210

2005-09-22T09:26:00.000Z

Keep The Spacky team entertained and send the Prairie a text message.

Simply send a text to 07896256210 and your witty message may even make it to the site.

The badgers on tour

2005-09-21T16:24:00.000Z

In the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship, The Spacky Racers wish the
Banger Badgers all the best for S2N 2005.

http://www.justgiving.com/staples2naples

Five days to go!

2005-09-18T20:20:00.000Z

The Spacky Racers are less than a week away before they speed out of London on the epic journey across Europe.

SPAC - 1

2005-09-18T13:40:00.000Z

DSC01504
Originally uploaded by jsal.

No mistaking the mighty Nissan Prairie.