**Read first Post** N.I. meet - 8 December 2013 @ Ballypatrick Forest

[Chris Green]

Afternoon folks,

As most of you will be aware, I recently secured a meet in Ballypatrick Forest Park (BFP). The forest features a five mile route through it, mostly tarmac and some gravel, a river also crosses over a tarmacked section of the route. I thought it would be a great idea to hold a meet here, due to the scenery. It also serves as a point of reference for future meets. It has been a lot of hassle to secure this, with various obstacles that had to be overcome.

Ballypatrick Forest Park is run by the Forestry Commission (FC) of Northern Ireland and as such we have been granted special access for the day only. The forest park is not open to public vehicles on 8 December, therefore we will be the only vehicles using the trail. There will still be members of the public such as rambles, dog walkers and families about, so we need cause as little disturbance as possible. On this occassion we are representing both UKSO and TGTT as well as ourselves, so don't let either clubs or yourselves down with questionable behavior.

To make things clear I will lay everything out in sections.

Itinerary

The meeting place is the Centra Westbank in Duncure Industrial Estate (Belfast Harbor). I will be there from around 8:00am, the Centra will be open and serving hot food, so grab a fry while you can.

8:30 - Briefing - this will be done by Jay or myself. It is important that everyone going does attend this.

8:40 - We will make our way round the north side of the docks where there is a single file car park. I though this would be a good spot for a quick photo, as you should be able to get the sea, Cave Hill and of course your EP in the shot.

9:00ish - We will leave for BFP following the below route.

At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto the M2 ramp to M5/International Airport/Carrickfergus

Merge onto M2

At junction 4, take the A8(M)/A6 exit to Larne/Glengormley

At Sandyknowes Roundabout, take the 4th exit onto A8(M) heading to Larne/Carrickfergus/B90/Glengormley/A6

At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Ballynure Rd/A8

Go through 3 roundabouts

At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Drumahoe Rd

Turn right onto Ballyhampton Rd

Slight left onto Ballymullock Rd

Turn left onto Brustin Brae R

Continue onto Drumnagreagh Rd

Turn left onto Coast Rd/A2

Continue to follow A2

At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto The Cloney/A2

Continue to follow A2

Sharp left onto Largy Rd

Sharp right

Turn left

Make a U-turn

Turn right toward Largy Rd

Sharp left onto Largy Rd

Continue onto Garron Rd/A2

Turn right onto Glenariffe Rd/A2

Turn left to stay on A2

It is a total of 53 miles from the docks to BFP, taking the scenic route of course. The satnav estimates it to be 1hr & 30mins, but we may stop to take photographs along the way, should there be a safe place for us to stop. So I'm allowing plenty of time to get there - I would prefer to just cruise up rather than a flat out sprint.

11:30ish - By this stage we should all be at BFP and have had a cup of tea. We will head into the forest for photos, stopping along the way.

1:00ish - Would be a good time to stop for a bight to eat and have a bit of yarn. As you've probably guessed it's packed lunches.

2:00ish - Continue round the trail.

3:30ish - I want to be back in the car park at this stage, with it getting dark earlier. From experience with NILRC the last thing you want is hassle in the forest when it's dark.

4:00ish - Leave for Ballycastle - Gryzor has suggested a nice restaurant for a bite to eat. Of course this is optional, but it would be great to have everyone there.

Cost:

The cost charged by the Forestry Commission is £3.50, but I am going to ask for £5.00. Reason being this is an excellent spot and the FC run 95% of all forests in N.I. there I feel it would be a good idea to butter them up a bit. Should this meet be a success, I will organise more for next year. It is always good to get to different areas for photos rather than the car park at Eddie Irvine's .

I will of course add receipts for the payment to the FC.

Signup Deadline:

Tuesday 26 December, I need your payment by then along with your full name, car registration and mobile number. Payment to be made by PayPal to Chrisgreen1993@hotmail.co.uk. This has been cleared by UKSO staff & Jay from TGTT. Either send the requested details in the PayPal message or by text to 07791117851.

Lastly by most importantly:

Code of Conduct.

Each member must follow both codes of conduct, due to both clubs being represented. As well as additional ones set out below. Please read very carefully.

Codes of conduct can be found here:

UKSO: Click
TGTT: Click & Click

Additional Rules for BFP

1. No littering
2. Max speed of 15mph - either Jay's car or mine will be used as a 'pace car'
3. No unnecessary revving of engines - we want to cause as little disturbance as possible
4. No shenanigans - general unruly behavior

Additionally, we do not public liability insurance. You enter BFP at your own risk. If you think your car is too low, something might catch or you don't like the look of it. Make another member aware, don't risk it. We will watch you over an area you think might damage your car. If your car gets damaged, tough PERIOD. ( I don't mean to sound sharp, but we cannot have people trying to claim of UKSO, TGTT or FC). Speed limit is kept to 15mph because of this. If a complaint is made by the general public, we will not be granted access to any forest park again, so don't ruin it for everyone. There are no staff members attending from UKSO and we have been entrusted with brand - we cannot have bad press coverage in a local paper. Jay will be attending form TGTT.

I may have left a few things out, so there may be further rules applied. - Club staff feel free to add anything further.

Failure to comply with the code of conduct will result in the exclusion of events organised by Jay or myself.

Please bring a camera and take plenty of photos! Also it will be the middle of winter, bring jackets & waterproofs.

Hopefully we will have a very successful and enjoyable meet for everyone.

Confirmed attending:

Chrisgreen1993/EP91_Chris (paid)

Jay/JayStar77 (paid)

Gryzor (paid)

Greenmachine (paid)

SupaStu (paid)

Vizzioarts (paid)

Hookie663 (paid)

Marc_984 (paid)

Ian Parker (paid)

Sacodetoro (paid)

NIStarbo (paid)

Jamie-Glanza V (paid)

Ted (paid)

ZurgirSR (paid)

Marble (paid)

Maps





Not going to the beach anymore.

Edited December 4, 2013 by chrisgreen1993

[Greenmachine81]

put me down to go chris

[Chris Green]

Good to hear mate!

[vizzioarts]

Should be able to make this! I'll let you know.

[monty1991]

aye should be able to join yas if the car isn't away for hibernation lol

[Chris Green]

How does the 8th sound? Quite a few people from TGTT can't make it on the 1st.

Would just be r2r though.

I can do both weekends so, I'm not fussed.

[vizzioarts]

I should be able to do either

Though it would be cool to get a few down to the Japdreamz meet.

[Ryan_EP82 GT]

Hopefully I can get to my first one and meet a few faces. Should have the gt back on the road by then I've never been to room2race chris any good?

[Chris Green]

Yes mate, it's good craic. As long as we don't race AE86's again LOL.

I might do both weekends TBH, seems everyone on here is free on the 1st and TGTT are free on the 8th.

[Chris Green]

Would there be interest is going to a forest or country park that you can drive through? Would be good for photos?

[joel_ep91]

Will try and make one of them

[Chris Green]

Looks like more from TGTT will be going on the 8th, that one might be the best Joel.

[zurgieSR]

free beer?

[Chris Green]

free beer?

Why would there be? LOL

[Ryan_EP82 GT]

Yea somewhere we can drive and park up for photos would be good. Any ideas in mind?

[Chris Green]

Ballypatrick Forrest park has a 5 mile route through it, not sure if open this time of year.

Edited November 16, 2013 by chrisgreen1993

[Ryan_EP82 GT]

sounds like a good plan... 5-mile stageing i think so lol

free beer?

free for us if you buy?? lol

[zurgieSR]

Just sounds good. Should be available for both.

Edited November 16, 2013 by zurgieSR

[Chris Green]

Right guys, I've put quite a bit of thought into this and I want some feedback and opinions.

The ideal situation would be Ballypatrick forest, fingers crossed we will be able to get in. If not I've put another two plans together. I will bring ringing the forestry commission tomorrow to check.

This would be the route we would take if we can get into Ballypatrick. Finishing up at Benone beach - this beach can be driven on.



Back up plan 1



Back up plan 2

[zurgieSR]

beach is a no go for me. I like my rust free car too much.

[Chris Green]

Have you not got yours sealed?

[Ryan_EP82 GT]

they all look great to me bud

[m_prior10]

I should b available for both days so ill keep an eye out

[vizzioarts]

Looks good Chris.

Appreciate the effort.

[Chris Green]

Not surprisingly this is a massive ballache, so many 'risks' in running an event like this. Jay has approved for TGTT, just awaiting approval from UKSO. Once that's done the application goes to the Forestry Commission. If the application is approved, the 'rioting act' will be read. We can't have anyone dicking about as both clubs are being represented.