ALGARVE CLASSIC FESTIVAL

**Peter Mallett** · 16 Jan 2019, 12:44 (Ref:3876472)

Hmm,

Anyone looked at Ferry crossings for this one?

**Mike Bell** · 16 Jan 2019, 12:47 (Ref:3876473)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Hmm,

Anyone looked at Ferry crossings for this one?

How’d you mean Peter? Most trucks go Pompey to Bilbao, leaving the Sunday night w/end before. At the moment I can’t get a booking for Barca, let alone for late Oct!

**Peter Mallett** · 16 Jan 2019, 13:13 (Ref:3876479)

No ferries after Nov 02.

**Mike Bell** · 16 Jan 2019, 13:16 (Ref:3876481)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

No ferries after Nov 02.

That would just affect return then? In which case will have to drive up to Caen or Calais....

**Peter Mallett** · 16 Jan 2019, 13:18 (Ref:3876482)

Yup Caen works.

**Mike Bell** · 16 Jan 2019, 13:22 (Ref:3876484)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Yup Caen works.

All a bit puzzling, as they can’t expect freight to not travel just because it’s winter.... I’ll ask when I next chase them about first trip availability.... I’m wondering if they simply haven’t worked out the timetable that far ahead, as the freight site still shows nothing on any crossing after 3rd Nov!

**Mike Bell** · 16 Jan 2019, 18:09 (Ref:3876548)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Yup Caen works.

Just checked again now I’m home and have a bigger screen to look at, and Britney freight website timetables all stop on November 3rd, regardless of route! So on that basis Caen isn’t an option either, BUT it must be a timetable update thing as the boats operate all year round.....

**Peter Mallett** · 16 Jan 2019, 18:26 (Ref:3876555)

Going to be a challenge then.

**Mike Bell** · 16 Jan 2019, 18:41 (Ref:3876556)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Going to be a challenge then.

On that basis, Yes!

It’s always frustrating when booking as freight with them. I know competitors going to Barca in two months with private car and trailer that have confirmed bookings made before Xmas, but up to this morning no freight space has been allocated on the same boat! Obviously hoping they can get as many tourists on as possible......

Colin McKay · 16 Jan 2019, 23:16 (Ref:3876609)

They'll always hold space for their major freight customers - if you buy through one of the agencies I'm afraid you'll always get the leftovers, if there are any. We befriended a biggish French outfit by giving them lots of backloads, they gave us crossings in return. Worked for tyre repairs as well, after one of ours sat for a whole day waiting for a replacement tyre on the way to Magny Cours (with a pile of tyres for testing). The Robin B'stards tried to charge us the best part of a grand for the privilege, our French friends put it on their account and it magically reduced to £300. That job was for Arrows, blimey that was a long time ago!

**Mike Bell** · 17 Jan 2019, 05:33 (Ref:3876626)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin McKay

They'll always hold space for their major freight customers - if you buy through one of the agencies I'm afraid you'll always get the leftovers, if there are any. We befriended a biggish French outfit by giving them lots of backloads, they gave us crossings in return. Worked for tyre repairs as well, after one of ours sat for a whole day waiting for a replacement tyre on the way to Magny Cours (with a pile of tyres for testing). The Robin B'stards tried to charge us the best part of a grand for the privilege, our French friends put it on their account and it magically reduced to £300. That job was for Arrows, blimey that was a long time ago!

Good story!
I stopped going through an agency after delta got a space by booking direct and I didn't! Since opening an account it's been no problem getting a space, and even choosing where I want a cabin. Only frustration is that they don't seem to release any space until a certain level of tourist bookings have been made. Yes, obviously the regular bulk customers will automatically have space reserved, which is then released near the time when actual requirements are known. That's fair enough!

**Mike Bell** · 17 Jan 2019, 11:28 (Ref:3876676)

Just come off the phone to Britney. Their booking system shows ferry crossings for November and onwards, so sounds like the website and it’s timetables are the issue. Out of curiosity I tried a tourist booking on line and no ferries for November that way either.... Guess using the same timetable / calendar!

**Mike Bell** · 27 May 2019, 17:10 (Ref:3906352)

Looking at travelling straight to the Portimao environs from Paul Ricard, after the PA meeting there this autumn. Quite a few did same in 2017, but the Algarve event was the following weekend, so it meant no down time between. This year there is a two week gap, meaning time for a few days R&R.

The only issue will be finding somewhere to park the truck during the gap. Needs to be reasonably safe, and with electricity to keep the services running, as I’ll be living in it! And before delta suggests the caravan / camp site used before, there is no way I’m going to attempt that again.....

Parking at the circuit is not really an option either, as the outer parking has zero facilities, and the European Le Mans series is racing there on the weekend between anyway.

Any (sensible) suggestions?

Mike Harte · 27 May 2019, 17:19 (Ref:3906357)

Is it possible that the organiser of one of the Portuguese events that posted on here a couple of years ago may be able to point you in the right direction. Afraid I cannot remember his name at the moment, but he did seem to be ever so helpful at the time.