Factory Tour - anything to be aware of?

[anonymous-user]

I had a very unexpected but welcome call from Ian at McLaren Birmingham just now. Seems like I'm off to the factory later this month for the tour and hopefully see enough colours on the production line to make my mind up on my 540 spec.

I've been told not to take a camera but is there anything else I should be aware of?

Also, what's the traffic like around there as my tour starts at 9am which is earlier than they normally do. Am I destined to get there for 8 to avoid the rush hour!

Thanks
Gary

[johnnyreggae]

Enjoy: M25 from A3 Junction north to next junction for Woking can be quite nasty at that time of day

[anonymous-user]

johnnyreggae said:

Enjoy: M25 from A3 Junction north to next junction for Woking can be quite nasty at that time of day

I'm actually coming from Bucks, High Wycombe, so will be heading South.

[Jagmanv12]

I guess you'll be passing Heathrow on the M25. Be prepared for it to be slow moving (or stopped if accident happens). McLaren factory is 2-3 miles from J11 so not far but will be busy with commuters going into Woking. I'd guess you need to allow about 50 minutes from M40/M25 junction to MCL.

[anonymous-user]

I'll be getting on the M4 at Junction 8/9 and then onto the M25 from there.

Sounds like I should leave around 7 so that I can be near McLaren around 8 and then I'll just go for a local coffee.

[cgt2]

When I was there for a factory tour I got on the wrong bus from the gate to MTC itself which turned out to be for employees. We pulled up next to space age pod sticking out of the ground, I just followed everyone in. Went through a load of underground passages like something out of Star Wars.

Got to the end and went up in a lift and it turned out I was on the mezzanine level by Ron's office. I got back in the lift and went back down to reception and pretended I had just shown up at the main entrance.

Getting lost in MTC was as much fun as the tour itself

[johnnyreggae]

garyhun said:

I'll just go for a local coffee.

Easier said than done apart from maybe the petrol station half mile before

[anonymous-user]

cgt2 said:

When I was there for a factory tour I got on the wrong bus from the gate to MTC itself which turned out to be for employees. We pulled up next to space age pod sticking out of the ground, I just followed everyone in. Went through a load of underground passages like something out of Star Wars.

Got to the end and went up in a lift and it turned out I was on the mezzanine level by Ron's office. I got back in the lift and went back down to reception and pretended I had just shown up at the main entrance.

Getting lost in MTC was as much fun as the tour itself

I like this idea

[anonymous-user]

johnnyreggae said:

garyhun said:

I'll just go for a local coffee.

Easier said than done apart from maybe the petrol station half mile before

Thermos it is then!!!

[BlackCup]

I live half a mile as the crow flies from the MTC, as above your closest option is West Byfleet for a coffee. That's about 10mins crawl through traffic so not bad. If you do fancy it, look up Bel Amico, then park up in a bay along the road. There are some 20min spaces too round just next to the station near the tunnel.

Very jealous- would love to be in there spec'ing my very own McLaren.

Matt

[mrloudly]

If you get a chance check out the chips in the canteen Interestingly, the whole eating area is kept at a slightly lower pressure than the rest of the factory so as not to distract the workers with the smell of food!

[andrew]

garyhun said:

...but is there anything else I should be aware of?

don't mention f1
hth

[anonymous-user]

andrew said:

don't mention f1
hth

God (Ron) forbid!!!!!

Thanks all for the suggestions.

[TISPKJ]

Hi Gary, what day you going ? I'm booked for the afternoon of 14th

[anonymous-user]

TISPKJ said:

Hi Gary, what day you going ? I'm booked for the afternoon of 14th

Same!

[TISPKJ]

Would have been nice to meet up but I doubt we will overlap.

[anonymous-user]

TISPKJ said:

Would have been nice to meet up but I doubt we will overlap.

Yes it would. We're due to finish at 12 and I guess you'll start at 2?

[mikey k]

garyhun said:

johnnyreggae said:

Enjoy: M25 from A3 Junction north to next junction for Woking can be quite nasty at that time of day

I'm actually coming from Bucks, High Wycombe, so will be heading South.

My old stomping ground
I had a nightmare with traffic until I got past Wycombe on the M40
If I were you I'd set off super early and stop for breakfast near Woking

Ask lots of questions, the side wall of the paint shop has mini car bodys of all the current colours on it

ETA
I came back M25/M4/A404M/M40 to avoid some of the M25 around heathrow

Edited by mikey k on Thursday 1st October 08:29

[anonymous-user]

mikey k said:

My old stomping ground
I had a nightmare with traffic until I got past Wycombe on the M40
If I were you I'd set off super early and stop for breakfast near Woking

Ask lots of questions, the side wall of the paint shop has mini car bodys of all the current colours on it

ETA
I came back M25/M4/A404M/M40 to avoid some of the M25 around heathrow

Edited by mikey k on Thursday 1st October 08:29

Thanks Mikey - your return route is the route I'm taking unless I decide to go cross country via Winkfield and Bagshot.

The plan is to leave at around 7am to get to Woking around 8 and find somewhere for breakfast (no eggs though, egg stains probably look a little out of place at McLaren )

[TISPKJ]

garyhun said:

TISPKJ said:

Would have been nice to meet up but I doubt we will overlap.

Yes it would. We're due to finish at 12 and I guess you'll start at 2?

1pm for our tour.