Had exaclty the same problem on my standerd block put some steel seal gasket sealer stuff in it lasted fine on 1 bar ct9 until I could afford a forged motor then drove up to td for mapping not as bad a trip up as I thought it would have been
Meet time is 7 they leave at 7.30 2 hour drive mate so might be abit early leaving at 4 if your all leaving at 4 would mean id have to leave at 3 to convoy