MX-5 OC Forum

 Members from Northampton Area will once again be travelling down to see the London lights on Saturday 3rd December and welcome fellow journeymen

We leave from Sixfields in Northampton at 18.00hrs and travel down the M1 to collect our Milton Keynes chums at Toddington Service Area at 18.30hrs, then we stop off at London Gateway Service Area at 19.00hrs to collect more southerly members before the final leg down to the lights and our parking area in Lincoln Inn Fields, which is just a 10 minute stroll from Covent Garden and Chinatown, where we can find refreshments.

Please note that this is not an organised convoy, nor a touring car assembly - it's just that we are all going to the same place at the same time

Ken Stanbury.  Northampton Area Coordinator

What no Convoy??? Thats the part I was looking forward to. By no touring car assembly, by that I assume you mean NO driving like Hoons....? (Suits me perfect, fuel is not cheap these days?)

 Ah, well you see, there are "issues" surrounding organised convoys and MSA rules   However if we state that there is no compulsion to join the convoy, cars will not be timed and are not required to stop at any of the meeting / collection points, then that's ok.  A sort of voluntary convoy if you like   As the traffic officer for Bournemouth said to me earlier this year (when I was organising the Fish and Chip Run) "what's the difference between 150 mixed makes driving in crocodile along the A31 and 150 MX5s?"    Answers on a post card please!

Ken Stanbury.  Northampton Area Coordinator

These authorities hey!!! Why would the MSA be involved in any case (is there a thread somewhere that would answer that?) Ive no idea what the answer would be from the Police's perspective other than 150 mixed make cars are probably not all going to the same place?

 It's something to do with the Club needing special insurance if the "convoy" can be interpreted as a motorsport event

In high season just about all cars travelling along the A31 are going to Bournemouth! (as indeed is every car going off down the A338)

Interesting, that's open to interpretation and as such I think would be very difficult to enforce, my definition of a motorsport event is akin to that defined in your insurance policy under exclusions i.e. Timetrial/timed racing event etc etc. Or a competitive event where there is a prize for being the "fastest" which tends to be objective of any form of motorsport I have ever encountered!

If a group of enthusiasts are in "convoy" (or driving together for company) and not one of them thinks they are part of a motorsport event then how could anybody justify it as being one??  Sorry for the rant but these fun breakers get on my wick...

I enjoy driving in the company of friends (both old and new) to a mutually agreed venue, There is no way that this could be considered a form of motor sport and any FOOL who tries to tell me different will feel the sharp edge of my tongue. As long as those who take part obey the rules of the road and show courtesy to other road users they should continue to enjoy themselves.

The PC crazy, Heath & Safety obsessed, Risk adverse should learn to use their common sense.

swindondad:

I enjoy driving in the company of friends (both old and new) to a mutually agreed venue, There is no way that this could be considered a form of motor sport and any FOOL who tries to tell me different will feel the sharp edge of my tongue. As long as those who take part obey the rules of the road and show courtesy to other road users they should continue to enjoy themselves.

The PC crazy, Heath & Safety obsessed, Risk adverse should learn to use their common sense.

 

I have sort off sent this thread off topic a little but........

All I am going to say here is take a look at the thread I started in the Members Only section entitled 'National Rallies - why no convoys' and then you will see just how really stupid this issue is.......

It seems we can't even agree within the club what constitutes a convoy or not.

Doh! There I go again

 Please, guys, there really isn't an issue here.  I said in my original post that there is no compulsion to join this trip, nor see the lights; no timings and no requirement to be at certain points at certain times.  That covers us in the eyes of the MSA / Law.  So let's get on and enjoy our convoy

Ken (unless there's trouble, in which case I'm John )

black bess:

Ken (unless there's trouble, in which case I'm John )

LOL, Apologies for sending the thread off topic, but Im new to this game and was bemused by the whole convoy issue, Im still working on a babysitter for the kids so all being well the wife and I will be in attendance :) Might even be able to convince the father in law to bring his MK3 out for a run (even though there may have been salt down on the roads which he dont do!).

 Hi Ken I don't care about convoys but I like the fun but I love meeting old friends, if I can. Can Sam and I come along for the fun I can't promise because I may have to work.

All the best

Terry and Sam woof

 Terry, you know that you and Sam are always most welcome on any of our convoys (ooops.... sorry, I mean unorganised, untimed, non-compulsory drives )

Looks like im not going to be able to make this :( 

Need to save the pennies up for a few last bits for christmas, I look forward to joining in some runs etc in the new year though. Have a great run :)

 Hello all

I am sorry I won't be abile to make this run after all, Sam is going into Vets for a major opperation next week and need time to recover.

But every one have a great day have lots of fun and take care driving

Ps have a great Christmas every one, all the best Terry and Sam