Europpomeet, anyone? [Repost for the evening Euro-crowd]

"Out, but with a W - has found the answer" (belg)
08/08/2016 at 15:35 • Filed to: None

As the title says: anyone interested in an Oppomeet on the Old Continent?

What, where and when will probably depend on who, but some initial ideas below:

What: (car-related?) visit + exploring the countryside

Where: somewhere in the middle, Eifel (Nürburgring), Ardennes (Spa), Vosges (Bugatti), Verdun/Reims, Stuttgart/Schwarzwald, ...?

When: September-November 2016, or Spring 2017?

Update: Based on feedback, it will probably take place in Spring 2017 at the Nürburgring (possibly including a drive to Spa as well).

Update 2: Be sure to add yourself to the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! if you’re interested in joining!

Anyway, drop by in the comments to state your interest and/or give more ideas/feedback, we’ll see where it goes from there!

Also, if any of the American organizers read this: any tips?

DISCUSSION (57)

Clemsie McKenzie > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/08/2016 at 05:53

I’m fully in! I created an interactive map that I just posted so we can know where everyone is.

The Ring feels fairly central and fun, although being in France of course I’ll be slightly partial to the Vosges of course! But doing a bit of Autobahn to meet some fellow Oppos sounds like a great thing to do!

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/08/2016 at 06:16

Oppomeet Euro meet sounds great. I’m fairly open about things, although Nürburgring would be awesome. The ideal time for me would be the weekend around the 7th, 8th and 9th of October, that’s when I would have access to our Golf Plus. But then again, I’m open for (almost) everything.

Illegitimus Prime > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/08/2016 at 06:27

Unfortunately I wouldn’t be able to show up this year, even if I can into monies. I’d love to in the future though.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/08/2016 at 06:33

Sound like a great idea. November ‘16 or early ‘17 would be absolutely perfect for me, and we’d be mad not to take advantage of the Nurburgring as a group. Unless Spa allows track days??

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/08/2016 at 06:42

I’m in too! It’s an awesome idea, seeing how well the US one turned out.

If we end up in france, we do need to visit the Schlumpf collection.

Clemsie McKenzie > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
08/08/2016 at 07:03

I think Spa does trackdays, but they’re gonna be much more expensive. Hard to beat the Ring!

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
08/08/2016 at 07:08

Spa has also got something called ‘Public Driving Experience’ on some days, 25 min of track time for €100. It’s more restricted though: helmets are mandatory, and e.g. convertibles without roll bar are not allowed.

They do have a fun museum in Stavelot with some old racing machinery, but it might be possible to combine that with the Ring (1h30 of driving between Spa and the Ring, over great roads).

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
08/08/2016 at 07:09

Yeah, that’s where the Vosges idea came from (+ awesome roads).

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/08/2016 at 07:25

Just make sure you repost it enough, IIRC calls for meetings are exempt from the excessive reposting rule.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
08/08/2016 at 07:31

Looking at the Oppomeet reposts, you’d guess so indeed. I’ll probably repost this one once or twice, before getting more into the details (doodle, signup list, ...).

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
08/08/2016 at 07:31

You would become Oppo royalty for taking the Defender onto the Nurburgring. Haha

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/08/2016 at 08:09

I’d be in, but if it involves a racetrack, I need a gearbox for the Mazda. Otherwise it would be the 505 or the Bel Air, depending on where it would be.

Also: a map showing where everyone lives would be handy to decide where to go. If i get it correctly, you should be able to put a marker on the map and save it:

http://umap.openstreetmap.fr/fr/map/oppo-eu…

THShorn92 - Left his car in America > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/08/2016 at 08:16

I’ll be becoming a UK oppo in November. So I probably won’t have a car yet, but maybe?

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction
08/08/2016 at 08:24

I probably won’t take the MR2 on track either, it gets sketchy at higher speeds.

Clemsie McKenzie just created a general Oppo map ( https://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=2128… ), but we could use yours for just the participants, as those landmarks/destinations are great to have on a map, but could clutter the general one.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > THShorn92 - Left his car in America
08/08/2016 at 08:25

You might be able to hitch a ride, depending on where you’re coming from.

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > Clemsie McKenzie
08/08/2016 at 08:26

Hah, had the same reflex.

I put some locations on there too:

http://umap.openstreetmap.fr/fr/map/oppo-eu…

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/08/2016 at 08:28

Ah, hadn’t seen that one. Might be handy to put the link in the post though.

RT > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction
08/08/2016 at 08:36

Add me if you can. I’m somewhere nearby Oxford and London.

Because of my location though, I’m unsure I could attend a Europpo meet this time, we’ll see.

THShorn92 - Left his car in America > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/08/2016 at 08:45

I’ll be in Brighton. I know we have some people in the area.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/08/2016 at 09:09

If you need help organising it or just want to discuss ideas, you can shoot me a mail at bjorn [dot] v [dot] d [dot] ven36 [at] google’s email service .com

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
08/08/2016 at 09:14

Thanks for the offer, will do! Probably after Friday though, I’ve got an exam coming up.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/08/2016 at 09:30

No problem, good luck with the exam. I’ve got one coming up too, though it is kinda hard to study when not knowing the date of the exam.

duurtlang > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/08/2016 at 10:50

I’d like to join, but it does depend on the activity and location. The Vosges for example is a 7+ hour (one way) drive for me, the ‘ring 4+. It’s no problem to drive that far, but as you can imagine I’m not going to drive 14 hours for a 2 hour meet.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > duurtlang
08/08/2016 at 11:12

Totally understandable, I think the UK Oppos have the same issue. I was thinking of a car related visit (museum, track, ...), combined with driving some great roads and lunch/dinner.

Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/08/2016 at 12:33

Yes. I’m in 100%. Nurburgring is the best place to do as it is the most holy car place in Europe I think.

MultiplaOrgasms > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/08/2016 at 12:44

I’ve been to the Nürb before, the roads in the Eifel are just fantastic and I have relatives slightly north of Cologne. Just make sure it is in spring 2017 because in that timeframe I won’t be occupied with work and I can save up some more. Maybe buy a car as well. All my life was empty without a Nissan Laurel 2.8 Diesel.

So yeah, the Nürb-Spa route I’m totally down for.

KSTN > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/08/2016 at 13:41

Greetings from Finland! I’d totally be in for some sort of meeting in 2017 spring (Gonna do a little roadtrip). SO: There’s a lot of things to be, places to see BUT only one car to drive and I only got two weeks for the whole thing, so I decided that I can’t go further than France. (sorry, Spain/Portugal/Andorra/Gibraltar/U.K./Ireland [maybe next time]).

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > KSTN
08/08/2016 at 13:43

Very cool! Based on feedback, it’ll probably be at the Nürburgring (possibly combined with a drive from/to Spa), so that should certainly be feasible for you.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
08/08/2016 at 13:48

I did briefly consider the Series because it’ll be ready by then, but I’m not a lunatic and I quite like my spine.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
08/08/2016 at 13:57

Have you managed to contact the guy fixing the Series? How much had he done already?

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
08/08/2016 at 14:26

Erm, nothing

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/land-rover-upd…

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
08/08/2016 at 14:46

Well, that’s a misfortune, though I guess it could have been worse.

Schaefft > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/08/2016 at 14:51

I vote for Nürburgring as I wanted to go at one point anyway. Count me in in any case though!

Ideally it would be spring next year as I dont have too many holidays left for this year.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/08/2016 at 14:54

Spring 2017 preferably making use of a weekend would be bloody excellent.

Leon711 > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/08/2016 at 15:44

Pilgrimage to the festival of speed next year?

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
08/08/2016 at 15:44

Kinja'd!!!

You’re not this chap, in short.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Clemsie McKenzie
08/08/2016 at 15:45

Too true. Well, I’m looking forward to it already!

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Leon711
08/08/2016 at 15:49

Ooh, great idea as well! Let’s hope we can still easily enter the UK from the EU then.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
08/08/2016 at 15:50

This chap is far more legendary than I could ever pretend to be

Leon711 > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/08/2016 at 15:53

Even if the wretched government invoke article 50 tomorrow it’ll be two years before any restrictions on free movement will be introduced.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
08/08/2016 at 15:55

I think the driver is most likely a Kraut (LHD ex-NATO model), but I think he earned honorary Englishness with his stunt.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
08/08/2016 at 16:01

Could be an ex-pat Tommy? Most out of base vehicles are converted to LHD and KMP/H so they can convoy correctly. It could in fact be anyone, although you would have expected it to have been struck off the census in the UK, therefore driven across to Germany whether for holidays or export.

DutchieDC2R > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/08/2016 at 16:26

Im up for this!!

Spa allows trackdays, but not in the same fashion as the N’ring does. For Spa, you pay a minimum of a 100 euros for a ‘run’, which is a session. At the N’ring however, you pay per lap (or laps if you buy more). That’s something to consider.

Anyways, spring 2017, HERE I COME!!!!

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
08/08/2016 at 16:32

I’m not sure what’s most impressive (crazy) in that picture: the Series or the spectators casually chillin’ on the guardrail.

Hoccy > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/08/2016 at 17:00

Depends on when, where and if I have a car suitable for Autobahn speeds then. I’d take the 142 if it’s in Norway or Sweden, but that’s not likely at all it seems.

Vlad_the_impaler > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/08/2016 at 17:18

Count me in ! Maybe i will ride all the way there ( no worthy cars to come with sadly )

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Hoccy
08/08/2016 at 17:22

Alternatively, you could perhaps do a mini-meet with the Scandinavians? In a perfect world, we could hold a summer meet at Hell or Gatebil, but I doubt most Oppos would be able to make it up there.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Vlad_the_impaler
08/08/2016 at 17:24

Two wheels good! Would be quite the ride though.

Vlad_the_impaler > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/08/2016 at 17:25

Since i got my licence this friday all i can say is: How hard can it be ?

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Vlad_the_impaler
08/08/2016 at 17:30

Well, if you start riding now, you might arrive just in time for the meet! ;)

Jobjoris > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/09/2016 at 08:23

If the schedule allows (and you’re quite in time for spring 2017): add another Dutchie!

KSTN > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/09/2016 at 08:37

Oooohhell yea!

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
08/09/2016 at 12:48

It think it is a dutch guy, judging by the license plate. Could also be an old Portuguese plate, though those have thicker letters. The plate style combined with the proximity of the ring to the Netherlands leads me to believe it is one of my more crazy fellow Dutchies.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
08/09/2016 at 12:50

Makes sense. The tall torso height that a Land Rover’s seat allows makes it a good comfortable choice for a Dutchman to attack the ‘ring in. *trollface*

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
09/07/2016 at 06:46

Have you tried to mail me yet? Since I haven’t received anything recently so maybe my account settings are off.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
09/07/2016 at 12:01

No, not yet, sorry! I’ve been extremely busy since my thesis deadline, but I’ll try and send something tonight.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
09/07/2016 at 15:38

No problem!