Alpine GT3 trip
Discussion
This is a report from the first few days of out alpine trip in the GT3. Will try and keep it update with pictures, and maybe some video, depending on wifi capabilities in Italy. The first few days have been packed and time has not been enough to start this topic until now.
More pictures will be put up along the way so keep coming back
2012.08.10
Packing at home, i try to get my stuff into as few bags as possible – not knowing the loading capacity of a caged GT3, nor the troubles to expect, trying to cram stuff in behind the cage.
Going to my friend’s house for barbeque and packing his bags to optimize driving time. Lots of bags and our helmets – all stuffed in the car eventually.
The car gets suitably dressed for the trip as well, adding motorway stickers - and extras
2012.08.11
Waking early at my parents. Going shooting for the day. Lots of clay survived the assault – some direct hits where registered as well.
After lunch I say my goodbyes and head for my friend’s house. Heading south, lots of Germans are going home from holiday. We neglect to check the ferry times – and miss a ferry by 4 minutes. Sometimes being too relaxed about stuff is just plain stupid
After the ferry ride I take a power nap in the passenger seat and leave the chauffeuring duty to my friend. 1½ hour later I wake up just after we have switched to the 7. There have been some roadwork’s meaning we have not made up too much time on our ETA. Luckily as evening approaches the roads clear a bit.
After filling the car and its passengers with appropriate nutrition I take the wheel again. Taking our last trip in Germany into consideration, I don’t take the car above 300 kph and settle at a steady cruise around 225 on the speedo. While I drive my friend has been napping, meaning he is ready to take the wheel at the next fuel stop. Last one of the day.
Traffic has cleared even more as we are close to the end of the day, and after changing the destination, we begin to grasp the magnitude of approaching Alp driving – an extra 75 km. to the hotel adds more than an hour to the ETA. Luckily the 96 is almost entirely empty.
Finally we arrive at 2 AM. Room key picked up, garage for the car – sleep!
2012.08.12
Waking up early. To early!
At around 9.15 I wake up to this magnificent view.
Since my friend is already up also I best get moving. Healthy breakfast over, we head for the thermal baths that the hotel is renowned for. Weather looks great, but a spot of relaxation seems in order after yesterday.
However, men can only take so much time swimming around a pool and we have a GT3 waiting to test some alpine driving.
Playing with some video of taking the car out, we head down the mountain in the general direction of Davos and lunch. Down the road from the hotel we take a right turn away from the route we drove up yesterday, as per the TomTom suggestion. Soon we are in hairpin turns, magnificent views, and laybys to pass oncoming traffic. I stop the car an mount a GoPro to capture the spectacle – about 600 meter before we head into a forest and away from the vieas That’s life for you. However, it also takes us through Carrera, where we stop for some photo play
The GPS leads us towards Davos, and on occasion we are reminded that the Swiss have appalling driving standards. Being flashed and honked at in a roadwork zone, after casually passing a guy, that pulled in to let us pass. Weird!
Not remembering my way around Davos from my trip 4 years ago, I miss the lakeside restaurants, meaning we have lunch at the Flüela pass hotel. Sun is out, its reasonably warm and the drive has been good. Being an IT guy, my friend is into his Coke - meaning he has an unexpected better day, when a 0,33 cl glass bottle is placed on the table geeks!
The car is fantastic although not really suited for some of the tighter stuff or bumpy Swiss alpine roads. Brakes are strong (and squeaky), but what really surprises is the lack of oomph at high altitude. The thin air making the GT3 feel asthmatic and clearly not pulling as strong as further down when overtaking.
As we head down from Flüela into Italy and Stelvio – the merits of the car is in for a proper test. From Zernez we hang a left on the A28, not going over Umbrail, we eventually make it down to the beginning of SS38 which we catch on a right turn. Some way in we stop at a hotel for water, pee brake and setting up the cameras.
The emotion I have after launching up the Stelvio in the GT3 can best be described as trepidation. Almost immediately we are caught and overtaken by some psycho on a Ducati. Bikers really are mental! The bike in front is not on our pace, an after a bit of high revving the flat 6 he realizes he is out of his depth and waves us by.
Even at the bottom Stelvio is littered with hairpin turns divided by short stretches of bumpy poorly sighted asphalt. On one such part of the road an oncoming biker has committed fully to a blind bend, leaning in what looks like a grand tourer with saddle bags. Did I mention the strong brakes? Well they were up for the task!
I was not that strong, ans a bit further up we stop for the view – and I am clearly a bit shaken from the event.
In the corner where we stand, another biker is nearly hit after throwing his BMW into the hairpin only to realize a Nissan Quasqai is taking up the part of the road he was aiming to occupy. Again the car brakes exit triumphant leaving me wondering how crazy bikers really are? (with the amount of crazy passes, on blind bends, squeezing through traffic and falling over we witness my conclusion is clear – VERY!)
Reachin the top late in the day means its a bit chilly - but seeing as a special purchase was made for the trip - we talk a friendly biker into taken our photo at the top.
My friend id a bit handy with the camera and gets this shot of the Stelvio
As we head down from Stelvio across Umbrail pass we are in for some return leg of the trip. Dinner at the hotel clearly unreachable from the outset – rain awaits us later – but also the surprise road of the trip.
Albula pass!!
2012.08.13
At breakfast we discuss the merits of the TomTom route getting us back yesterday. Seems like the fastest way a 10 year old TomTom can find – does not sit well with the suggestion from Google maps. We agree that today we want to return to Albula have lunch and drive back to the hotel and visit the therme baths – since that’s the reason we booked this particular hotel.
As you can see, the car is really dirty after some 1800 km. of driving the past days. Having crossed Germany and Switzerland into Italy for Stelvio yesterday, we put on the agenda to find a self-wash station if possible. The return leg in rain yesterday certainly has not helped either.
As we redistribute GoPro cameras and our gear we agree to hunt for a supermarket before heading for Albula.
6 liters of Evian water later we are on the right path. Not having done the TomTom route down its clear that timewise not much is gained. However, as the road is wider and better sighted it’s clear that this would have been a better route yesterday in the rain. Once again being to relaxed has seen us not only have a more stressful drive home – but ultimately missing out on the prepaid dinner at the fabulous Red Room restaurant at the hotel. Bugger!
As we reenter the tunnel I relish in the thought of 1.6 km. of fun in there. Sadly much more traffic is present, and I end up only with the sight of the late model Alfa Spider in front of me to keep spirits high. Along with the occasional sprint in 2. gear.
We mount the cameras at the bottom of Albula pass road in front of a country club. Onlookers range from tired cyclists to puzzled golfers. The road starts open and flowing and it feels like pure GT3 country. Later on, the villages narrow it and throw cobble stones our way but once the road starts to wind up the mountain the GT3 is once again in its stride. Traffic is mercifully light and I push on. The car feels fantastic on the road. Smooth tarmac executed with pinpoint precision and lots of grip from the rear tires. Hairpin turns here are more open, and not as steep as at Stelvio, meaning the car has better grip and can actually turn the corners on the inside of the hairpin without scraping.
As the road meanders up through the forest we hit roadwork’s showing the efficiency of the Swiss. Meticulously cared for fields line the road and on more than one occasion I find myself wondering how they cut grass on near vertical slopes. Not to mention WHY?
In the forest the road is bumpy, narrow and used. The pavement shows signs of loads of winters and the car wiggles and squirms. The steering takes some input and effort to keep the car straight, but rewards in full with minute detail about the state of the road beneath the front wheels. Once heated through, the brakes are strong, silent (to a certain degree) and only of real use, when the front wheels have solid contact with the surface. The balance of the car is still perfect even when the road climbs at a rate that has cyclist short of Contador and Wiggins gasping for breath and shifting for lower gears.
As we close in on the tree line the road opens more and with great sight ahead more application of the throttle is possible. We have caught up with the Boxster that passed while we were setting up the GoPros and up here we can make a safe pass and go for the top.
Cows are roaming free at the top of the pass, adding to the spectacle and things to look out for. The road is open, flowing and clearly sighted meaning even in 3rd gear we can open the throttle. The way down quickly passes the tree line and as the road narrows we are back in 2nd. Oil temp had risen to 110 on the way up but is quickly dropping, while the brakes are heating up instead. Not knowing the road I apply them early and repeatedly into corners and blind bends.
We catch up to a Corolla at the latter part of the route and clearly he is in a hurry, or just not keen to have a GT3 in his rear view mirror. He forces overtaking situations in an aggressive manner but makes better progress than we manage, before we start looking for a place to have lunch in the sun.
After which we turn around and my friend goes over the pass behind the wheel of the GT3.
On the way back to the hotel we pass a big self-wash and stop to treat the car to a little love and hot water. It’s extremely dusty sitting in the sun outside for some pictures, but cleans up pretty nicely with some soapy water.
Dirty GT 3
Cleaning the GT3
Clean GT3
Both our trips across Albula are on 3 GoPro videos - we will cut and put up the video when we return to Denmark. Looks good though.
We are leaving the Therme Vals now heading for Trento. Will update tonight wifi permitting.
Enjoy the read and pictures.
CK
More pictures will be put up along the way so keep coming back
2012.08.10
Packing at home, i try to get my stuff into as few bags as possible – not knowing the loading capacity of a caged GT3, nor the troubles to expect, trying to cram stuff in behind the cage.
Going to my friend’s house for barbeque and packing his bags to optimize driving time. Lots of bags and our helmets – all stuffed in the car eventually.
The car gets suitably dressed for the trip as well, adding motorway stickers - and extras
2012.08.11
Waking early at my parents. Going shooting for the day. Lots of clay survived the assault – some direct hits where registered as well.
After lunch I say my goodbyes and head for my friend’s house. Heading south, lots of Germans are going home from holiday. We neglect to check the ferry times – and miss a ferry by 4 minutes. Sometimes being too relaxed about stuff is just plain stupid
After the ferry ride I take a power nap in the passenger seat and leave the chauffeuring duty to my friend. 1½ hour later I wake up just after we have switched to the 7. There have been some roadwork’s meaning we have not made up too much time on our ETA. Luckily as evening approaches the roads clear a bit.
After filling the car and its passengers with appropriate nutrition I take the wheel again. Taking our last trip in Germany into consideration, I don’t take the car above 300 kph and settle at a steady cruise around 225 on the speedo. While I drive my friend has been napping, meaning he is ready to take the wheel at the next fuel stop. Last one of the day.
Traffic has cleared even more as we are close to the end of the day, and after changing the destination, we begin to grasp the magnitude of approaching Alp driving – an extra 75 km. to the hotel adds more than an hour to the ETA. Luckily the 96 is almost entirely empty.
Finally we arrive at 2 AM. Room key picked up, garage for the car – sleep!
2012.08.12
Waking up early. To early!
At around 9.15 I wake up to this magnificent view.
Since my friend is already up also I best get moving. Healthy breakfast over, we head for the thermal baths that the hotel is renowned for. Weather looks great, but a spot of relaxation seems in order after yesterday.
However, men can only take so much time swimming around a pool and we have a GT3 waiting to test some alpine driving.
Playing with some video of taking the car out, we head down the mountain in the general direction of Davos and lunch. Down the road from the hotel we take a right turn away from the route we drove up yesterday, as per the TomTom suggestion. Soon we are in hairpin turns, magnificent views, and laybys to pass oncoming traffic. I stop the car an mount a GoPro to capture the spectacle – about 600 meter before we head into a forest and away from the vieas
That’s life for you. However, it also takes us through Carrera, where we stop for some photo playThe GPS leads us towards Davos, and on occasion we are reminded that the Swiss have appalling driving standards. Being flashed and honked at in a roadwork zone, after casually passing a guy, that pulled in to let us pass. Weird!
Not remembering my way around Davos from my trip 4 years ago, I miss the lakeside restaurants, meaning we have lunch at the Flüela pass hotel. Sun is out, its reasonably warm and the drive has been good. Being an IT guy, my friend is into his Coke - meaning he has an unexpected better day, when a 0,33 cl glass bottle is placed on the table
geeks! The car is fantastic although not really suited for some of the tighter stuff or bumpy Swiss alpine roads. Brakes are strong (and squeaky), but what really surprises is the lack of oomph at high altitude. The thin air making the GT3 feel asthmatic and clearly not pulling as strong as further down when overtaking.
As we head down from Flüela into Italy and Stelvio – the merits of the car is in for a proper test. From Zernez we hang a left on the A28, not going over Umbrail, we eventually make it down to the beginning of SS38 which we catch on a right turn. Some way in we stop at a hotel for water, pee brake and setting up the cameras.
The emotion I have after launching up the Stelvio in the GT3 can best be described as trepidation. Almost immediately we are caught and overtaken by some psycho on a Ducati. Bikers really are mental! The bike in front is not on our pace, an after a bit of high revving the flat 6 he realizes he is out of his depth and waves us by.
Even at the bottom Stelvio is littered with hairpin turns divided by short stretches of bumpy poorly sighted asphalt. On one such part of the road an oncoming biker has committed fully to a blind bend, leaning in what looks like a grand tourer with saddle bags. Did I mention the strong brakes? Well they were up for the task!
I was not that strong, ans a bit further up we stop for the view – and I am clearly a bit shaken from the event.
In the corner where we stand, another biker is nearly hit after throwing his BMW into the hairpin only to realize a Nissan Quasqai is taking up the part of the road he was aiming to occupy. Again the car brakes exit triumphant leaving me wondering how crazy bikers really are? (with the amount of crazy passes, on blind bends, squeezing through traffic and falling over we witness my conclusion is clear – VERY!)
Reachin the top late in the day means its a bit chilly - but seeing as a special purchase was made for the trip - we talk a friendly biker into taken our photo at the top.
My friend id a bit handy with the camera and gets this shot of the Stelvio
As we head down from Stelvio across Umbrail pass we are in for some return leg of the trip. Dinner at the hotel clearly unreachable from the outset – rain awaits us later – but also the surprise road of the trip.
Albula pass!!
2012.08.13
At breakfast we discuss the merits of the TomTom route getting us back yesterday. Seems like the fastest way a 10 year old TomTom can find – does not sit well with the suggestion from Google maps. We agree that today we want to return to Albula have lunch and drive back to the hotel and visit the therme baths – since that’s the reason we booked this particular hotel.
As you can see, the car is really dirty after some 1800 km. of driving the past days. Having crossed Germany and Switzerland into Italy for Stelvio yesterday, we put on the agenda to find a self-wash station if possible. The return leg in rain yesterday certainly has not helped either.
As we redistribute GoPro cameras and our gear we agree to hunt for a supermarket before heading for Albula.
6 liters of Evian water later we are on the right path. Not having done the TomTom route down its clear that timewise not much is gained. However, as the road is wider and better sighted it’s clear that this would have been a better route yesterday in the rain. Once again being to relaxed has seen us not only have a more stressful drive home – but ultimately missing out on the prepaid dinner at the fabulous Red Room restaurant at the hotel. Bugger!
As we reenter the tunnel I relish in the thought of 1.6 km. of fun in there. Sadly much more traffic is present, and I end up only with the sight of the late model Alfa Spider in front of me to keep spirits high. Along with the occasional sprint in 2. gear.
We mount the cameras at the bottom of Albula pass road in front of a country club. Onlookers range from tired cyclists to puzzled golfers. The road starts open and flowing and it feels like pure GT3 country. Later on, the villages narrow it and throw cobble stones our way but once the road starts to wind up the mountain the GT3 is once again in its stride. Traffic is mercifully light and I push on. The car feels fantastic on the road. Smooth tarmac executed with pinpoint precision and lots of grip from the rear tires. Hairpin turns here are more open, and not as steep as at Stelvio, meaning the car has better grip and can actually turn the corners on the inside of the hairpin without scraping.
As the road meanders up through the forest we hit roadwork’s showing the efficiency of the Swiss. Meticulously cared for fields line the road and on more than one occasion I find myself wondering how they cut grass on near vertical slopes. Not to mention WHY?
In the forest the road is bumpy, narrow and used. The pavement shows signs of loads of winters and the car wiggles and squirms. The steering takes some input and effort to keep the car straight, but rewards in full with minute detail about the state of the road beneath the front wheels. Once heated through, the brakes are strong, silent (to a certain degree) and only of real use, when the front wheels have solid contact with the surface. The balance of the car is still perfect even when the road climbs at a rate that has cyclist short of Contador and Wiggins gasping for breath and shifting for lower gears.
As we close in on the tree line the road opens more and with great sight ahead more application of the throttle is possible. We have caught up with the Boxster that passed while we were setting up the GoPros and up here we can make a safe pass and go for the top.
Cows are roaming free at the top of the pass, adding to the spectacle and things to look out for. The road is open, flowing and clearly sighted meaning even in 3rd gear we can open the throttle. The way down quickly passes the tree line and as the road narrows we are back in 2nd. Oil temp had risen to 110 on the way up but is quickly dropping, while the brakes are heating up instead. Not knowing the road I apply them early and repeatedly into corners and blind bends.
We catch up to a Corolla at the latter part of the route and clearly he is in a hurry, or just not keen to have a GT3 in his rear view mirror. He forces overtaking situations in an aggressive manner but makes better progress than we manage, before we start looking for a place to have lunch in the sun.
After which we turn around and my friend goes over the pass behind the wheel of the GT3.
On the way back to the hotel we pass a big self-wash and stop to treat the car to a little love and hot water. It’s extremely dusty sitting in the sun outside for some pictures, but cleans up pretty nicely with some soapy water.
Dirty GT 3
Cleaning the GT3
Clean GT3
Both our trips across Albula are on 3 GoPro videos - we will cut and put up the video when we return to Denmark. Looks good though.
We are leaving the Therme Vals now heading for Trento. Will update tonight wifi permitting.
Enjoy the read and pictures.
CK
Edited by CK_N4S on Tuesday 14th August 20:39
OP - thanks for sharing, great write up and pictures
Martian O said:
Nice write-up. I must do Stelvio and the other passes sometime soon.
Having done a 5,000km+ Euro hoon this year in my GT3, I think the Stelvio is hugely over rated. It is very narrow in places (especially the Davos side), and many of the apexes are 1st gear - coupled with bikers and camper vans on the wrong side of the road it does not make for a great drive.In my opinion, many of the Swiss passes are far better, San Bernardino, Furka, Grimsel, Susten.....
Alpe D'Huez is also a great ascent, provided you are lucky enough (which we were) not too encounter 100s of cyclists.
As mentioned in the text, Stelvio is not really suited for a GT3. Granted, mine is on complete coilovers and sits lower and stiffer than the standard car, but even so it was terrible with bikers and cyclists.
Albula is a far better place!
Have arrived in Trento now, going out for some touristy stuff in town. If back in early I might update with more pictures and a write up for the travelling done today.
Mostly video, so not sure if we can get any of that online. Although the wifi here is great
CK
Albula is a far better place!
Have arrived in Trento now, going out for some touristy stuff in town. If back in early I might update with more pictures and a write up for the travelling done today.
Mostly video, so not sure if we can get any of that online. Although the wifi here is great
CK
Lovely write up CK, looks and sounds like you're having a blast. Keep the recommendations coming for alpine passes as I'm going in a few weeks.
Planning on doing the Furka, Susten, Grimsel and if possible the Albula as you suggested if time allows, along with The Stelvio again and the Grossglochner pass in Austria. Also doing the St Leonardo Pass on route SS44 which was recommended on another thread recently.
Planning on doing the Furka, Susten, Grimsel and if possible the Albula as you suggested if time allows, along with The Stelvio again and the Grossglochner pass in Austria. Also doing the St Leonardo Pass on route SS44 which was recommended on another thread recently.
Dazreb: some of the Albula is really spectacular. Some bits are still old, bumpy and patched up. Still better than Stelvio though.
Not to many pictures from today sadly - most our time was spent just driving in a relaxing pace from hotel to hotel.
This morning we left Therme Vals hotel
Heading for some juice for the GT3 we set the TomTom to avoid motorways and are rewarded with a 5 hour route, taking us over Albula again. Once there we mount the GoPros later on the pass than the day before, and head up the hill (after shooting some pictures of the forestry helicopter working close by). More traffic (in both directions) means the trip is prolonged, but still the bumpy sections are uncomfortable on the stiff suspension on the car. Near the top we finally pass the last car and have a short blast across the pass and down the flowing section on the other side. Funny thing to notice was that even caught in traffic, the oil temp crept up to 110 degrees in the climb but quickly falls down when you start using the engine to brake down the mountain.
Then its a sharp left in La Punt-Chamues ch towards Zernes on the 27. I let my friend take the wheel as alpine driving is tiring on your mental capacity. From Zernes we follow the 28 over Offenpass. Here my mind seems like it's playing tricks on me, as I seem to remember parts of the trip, some of the sights but not clearly. Making me have major deja-vu, only to realise this was the route we took for Stelvio 2 days ago. Must have been paying more attention to the road and not the view from behind the wheel. Showing just how hard you are concentrating on the road, the surface and oncoming traffic when behind the wheel.
Once in Italy we stop for lunch seeing as we have Euros in cash, but no Francs. I blimb behind the wheel again, and follow the signs towards Merano. The road is more opne here and the drive is relaxed but hot. Since we are now more on the south side of the alps, the temperaturen has gone up by 5 - 7 degrees and the aircon is hard at work.
I miss the turn for Trento only to find myself on the motorway the TomTom was trying to keep us from. As I settle in a quick pace I relish the opportunity to relax a little behind the wheel, and just make progress on the autostrada.
We pass an immaculate Ferrari Daytona with a very young guy behind the wheel. Don't know which one of us is the more lucky one
In Trento we are confused by roadwork but manage to find the hotel in the end. After check in we head to the city center for dinner and sightseeing.
CK
Not to many pictures from today sadly - most our time was spent just driving in a relaxing pace from hotel to hotel.
This morning we left Therme Vals hotel
Heading for some juice for the GT3 we set the TomTom to avoid motorways and are rewarded with a 5 hour route, taking us over Albula again. Once there we mount the GoPros later on the pass than the day before, and head up the hill (after shooting some pictures of the forestry helicopter working close by). More traffic (in both directions) means the trip is prolonged, but still the bumpy sections are uncomfortable on the stiff suspension on the car. Near the top we finally pass the last car and have a short blast across the pass and down the flowing section on the other side. Funny thing to notice was that even caught in traffic, the oil temp crept up to 110 degrees in the climb but quickly falls down when you start using the engine to brake down the mountain.
Then its a sharp left in La Punt-Chamues ch towards Zernes on the 27. I let my friend take the wheel as alpine driving is tiring on your mental capacity. From Zernes we follow the 28 over Offenpass. Here my mind seems like it's playing tricks on me, as I seem to remember parts of the trip, some of the sights but not clearly. Making me have major deja-vu, only to realise this was the route we took for Stelvio 2 days ago. Must have been paying more attention to the road and not the view from behind the wheel. Showing just how hard you are concentrating on the road, the surface and oncoming traffic when behind the wheel.
Once in Italy we stop for lunch seeing as we have Euros in cash, but no Francs. I blimb behind the wheel again, and follow the signs towards Merano. The road is more opne here and the drive is relaxed but hot. Since we are now more on the south side of the alps, the temperaturen has gone up by 5 - 7 degrees and the aircon is hard at work.
I miss the turn for Trento only to find myself on the motorway the TomTom was trying to keep us from. As I settle in a quick pace I relish the opportunity to relax a little behind the wheel, and just make progress on the autostrada.
We pass an immaculate Ferrari Daytona with a very young guy behind the wheel. Don't know which one of us is the more lucky one
In Trento we are confused by roadwork but manage to find the hotel in the end. After check in we head to the city center for dinner and sightseeing.
CK
iguana said:
Aha thats a familiar reg plate, but it seems you & you pal both had haircuts since it was spotted it 'ring 
Hahaha... Yeah she gets some use at the 'Ring also. Haven't brought the beards this time We are going there monday for the trackday - working on getting the trackwheels delivered there before we arrive.
CK
So seeing as today has been spent making sure the car is still in great shape and then doing touristy stuff at
Lake Garda - perhaps a write up of yesterdays trip is in order.
The starting point is the hotel here in Trento, where we startet out hoping to make Livigno for late lunch, and then home. According to the TomTom it should take us a bit more than 3 hours to make it there - meaning we would be back for a late dinner in Trento when allowing for fuel and lunch.
Turned out we were back in TomTom-lala-Land but more on that later.
Heading for Tione di Trento we head up the mountains past the beautifull Lake Toblino just following the SS237. From Tione we turn towards Madonna di Campiglio as my friend had asked to go there when we planned the trip from home. It's fun to see a focused winter sports city in the summer and notice how much of the infrastructure is planned and suited only for winter activities and plenty of snow.
On the way there we stop for a photo opportunity. Sadly my friend trips and smashes his camera. From now on I'm on my own for pictures. Happily that means the Custard comes out more
From Dimaro we turn left following the suggestion of heading over the Passo de Tonale from another recent PH'er alpine trip. the TomTom navi we have brought along thinks alpine driving is always done at an optimistic pace over the speed limit, meaning at this time, we are already behind schedule with 1½ hour. So we stop for lunch in Vermiglio. Looking for pizza we find a local place only serving pasta once again, that's life!!
Going further along we notice the cabel cars are in action, and take a quick decision to do some touristy stuff. At the ticket counter I learn it's only 15 degrees at the top, and purchase the double tickets to take us there, knowing my friend is in flip-flops The cabin lift for the first part is great - but the chair lift for the last leg is even scarier in the summer, when you have hard rocks and cold clear blue water under you.
The views are amazing though.
The chair lift is not as cold as feared from below, but at the glacier it's clear that going up in shorts, a t-shirt and driving shoes is frowned upon by the more trekking oriented clientele at the top. Funny looks are also given at my friends flip-flops
Back in the car we begin to discuss timing of the day, and decide to press on at least for Bormio, rather than turn around.
Next alpine pass is the SS300 - passo Gavia - which looks nothing special on google maps and starts out with a great newly paved wide road - which quickly dissapears. From then on, the road is mostly narrow enough to only pass bikers while moving both vehicles. Laybys are present but mostly unused as they never seem to be around when needed. Combined with the fact that the road is very steep, the notoriously high geared GT3 does not feel at home at all. To wide, to restrained and boucing on the rough surface, the drive is exhausting for me.
The views are breathtaking however, and to give me some room to relax we stop often for photo opportunities, getting some spectacular shots. This however means we prolong the daytrip with an additional 2 hours.
From just after the road narrows in the forest
From the top of the pass
Going down the other side
At the top we spotted a 2CV with a very happy couple. With the way the GT3 felt dead and unresponsive on the throttle, I cannot even begin to imagine what the trip must have been like, starting out with barely a tenth of the horsepower available. I'm guessing mostly 1st gear was used on the trip.
Going down I manage these shots of some impatient bikers, and the little french soldier car
In Bormio the day has progressed to such a state that we try the TomTom for the quickest route home. When it suggest we turn around and do the Gavia again i refuse. Simply put I was exhausted from that pass with no mental capacity to do it again.
The alternative route takes us over Stelvio. Not exactly a favorite - but as I discover - Jethro Bovingdon is completely right when he pointed out in the recent 458 Spider vid' that this way Stelvio is not to bad. Out of Bormio we realise a new challenge. Fuel. Not realising this to be a challenge dispite warnings from others before the trip I keenly puch the GT3 up to Stelvio - arriving with 86 km left in the tank according to the trip computer.
Next petrol station is in some 45 km - but even so I gently roll down Stelvio. The hairpins that did not suit the car going up, feels tight and bumpy going down as well. After reaching the valley the road widens and we find the first petrol station. Which does not have "Super Plus". Next one is not far away, and i keenly press on in high spirit. Next station has 101 octane fuel and preports to be self service. It does not however, accept either a Visa or a Mastercard as payment.
As I dont speak or read Italian, I'm not sure about how paying in cash at the machine works. So between the 50 and 5 Euro notes I carry, I decide to find a manned station.
I'm now securely into economy mode. Still reading 90 km left in the tank at this point.
6 closed stations later I'm annoyed, hungry and feeling late for dinner - which I cannot enjoy before having fueled the car. At the autostrada I'm even more annoyed! First station is closed, and the next one only has super (95 octane fuel). It is however manned and in desperation I fill 10 liters on the car to ease my mind.
Next station is open and has 100 octane fuel!
A large pizza later I'm ready for bed!
CK
Lake Garda - perhaps a write up of yesterdays trip is in order.
The starting point is the hotel here in Trento, where we startet out hoping to make Livigno for late lunch, and then home. According to the TomTom it should take us a bit more than 3 hours to make it there - meaning we would be back for a late dinner in Trento when allowing for fuel and lunch.
Turned out we were back in TomTom-lala-Land but more on that later.
Heading for Tione di Trento we head up the mountains past the beautifull Lake Toblino just following the SS237. From Tione we turn towards Madonna di Campiglio as my friend had asked to go there when we planned the trip from home. It's fun to see a focused winter sports city in the summer and notice how much of the infrastructure is planned and suited only for winter activities and plenty of snow.
On the way there we stop for a photo opportunity. Sadly my friend trips and smashes his camera. From now on I'm on my own for pictures. Happily that means the Custard comes out more
From Dimaro we turn left following the suggestion of heading over the Passo de Tonale from another recent PH'er alpine trip. the TomTom navi we have brought along thinks alpine driving is always done at an optimistic pace over the speed limit, meaning at this time, we are already behind schedule with 1½ hour. So we stop for lunch in Vermiglio. Looking for pizza we find a local place only serving pasta
once again, that's life!! Going further along we notice the cabel cars are in action, and take a quick decision to do some touristy stuff. At the ticket counter I learn it's only 15 degrees at the top, and purchase the double tickets to take us there, knowing my friend is in flip-flops
The cabin lift for the first part is great - but the chair lift for the last leg is even scarier in the summer, when you have hard rocks and cold clear blue water under you. The views are amazing though.
The chair lift is not as cold as feared from below, but at the glacier it's clear that going up in shorts, a t-shirt and driving shoes is frowned upon by the more trekking oriented clientele at the top. Funny looks are also given at my friends flip-flops
Back in the car we begin to discuss timing of the day, and decide to press on at least for Bormio, rather than turn around.
Next alpine pass is the SS300 - passo Gavia - which looks nothing special on google maps and starts out with a great newly paved wide road - which quickly dissapears. From then on, the road is mostly narrow enough to only pass bikers while moving both vehicles. Laybys are present but mostly unused as they never seem to be around when needed. Combined with the fact that the road is very steep, the notoriously high geared GT3 does not feel at home at all. To wide, to restrained and boucing on the rough surface, the drive is exhausting for me.
The views are breathtaking however, and to give me some room to relax we stop often for photo opportunities, getting some spectacular shots. This however means we prolong the daytrip with an additional 2 hours.
From just after the road narrows in the forest
From the top of the pass
Going down the other side
At the top we spotted a 2CV with a very happy couple. With the way the GT3 felt dead and unresponsive on the throttle, I cannot even begin to imagine what the trip must have been like, starting out with barely a tenth of the horsepower available. I'm guessing mostly 1st gear was used on the trip.
Going down I manage these shots of some impatient bikers, and the little french soldier car
In Bormio the day has progressed to such a state that we try the TomTom for the quickest route home. When it suggest we turn around and do the Gavia again i refuse. Simply put I was exhausted from that pass with no mental capacity to do it again.
The alternative route takes us over Stelvio. Not exactly a favorite - but as I discover - Jethro Bovingdon is completely right when he pointed out in the recent 458 Spider vid' that this way Stelvio is not to bad. Out of Bormio we realise a new challenge. Fuel. Not realising this to be a challenge dispite warnings from others before the trip I keenly puch the GT3 up to Stelvio - arriving with 86 km left in the tank according to the trip computer.
Next petrol station is in some 45 km - but even so I gently roll down Stelvio. The hairpins that did not suit the car going up, feels tight and bumpy going down as well. After reaching the valley the road widens and we find the first petrol station. Which does not have "Super Plus". Next one is not far away, and i keenly press on in high spirit. Next station has 101 octane fuel and preports to be self service. It does not however, accept either a Visa or a Mastercard as payment.
As I dont speak or read Italian, I'm not sure about how paying in cash at the machine works. So between the 50 and 5 Euro notes I carry, I decide to find a manned station.
I'm now securely into economy mode. Still reading 90 km left in the tank at this point.
6 closed stations later I'm annoyed, hungry and feeling late for dinner - which I cannot enjoy before having fueled the car. At the autostrada I'm even more annoyed! First station is closed, and the next one only has super (95 octane fuel). It is however manned and in desperation I fill 10 liters on the car to ease my mind.
Next station is open and has 100 octane fuel!
A large pizza later I'm ready for bed!
CK
Yet another great post, I can empathise with so many of your discoveries whilst on the latest leg of your epic trip. This really does serve as a useful 'lessons learned' for anyone contemplating doing a Euro hoon across mountain passes.
Fuel stations can be few and far between in these areas
Many fuel stations are unmanned and are cash only
97/98 RON fuel is sometimes not available
Personally, I would always try and refuel when on 1/3 - 1/4 of a tank, and ensured I had plenty of cash when I was driving in the mountains. On a couple of occasions I did top up fuel levels using 95 RON unleaded rather than suffering the stress of knowing I was running out of fuel and the next few stations may be closed. In summary - grab fuel when you can!
My Garmin also had similar 'la -la' characteristics to your TOM-TOM, it was useless at predicting journey times in the mountains. In my experience, simply add 50% to the journey duration predicted by the Sat Nav.
We too drove the Passo di Gavia, and like you say it's not suited to GT3s, it is little more than a track in places, and passing places are limited. That said, the views are fantastic, and I would do it again.
The SS42 to Passo di Tonale is a fine driving road as is the SS239 towards Trento. Anyone contemplating a driving trip in this area should include these on their 'to do list'.
I look forward to your next installment!
Fuel stations can be few and far between in these areas
Many fuel stations are unmanned and are cash only
97/98 RON fuel is sometimes not available
Personally, I would always try and refuel when on 1/3 - 1/4 of a tank, and ensured I had plenty of cash when I was driving in the mountains. On a couple of occasions I did top up fuel levels using 95 RON unleaded rather than suffering the stress of knowing I was running out of fuel and the next few stations may be closed. In summary - grab fuel when you can!
My Garmin also had similar 'la -la' characteristics to your TOM-TOM, it was useless at predicting journey times in the mountains. In my experience, simply add 50% to the journey duration predicted by the Sat Nav.
We too drove the Passo di Gavia, and like you say it's not suited to GT3s, it is little more than a track in places, and passing places are limited. That said, the views are fantastic, and I would do it again.
The SS42 to Passo di Tonale is a fine driving road as is the SS239 towards Trento. Anyone contemplating a driving trip in this area should include these on their 'to do list'.
I look forward to your next installment!
.....thanks for the read....I will be doing an Alpine/Italy trip come the beginning of September but first I will be visiting the Porsche Museum and then it's going to be a lot of following my nose and going where the fancy takes me but I know I will be spending a few days North of Venice in the Dolomite foothills in and around Vieneto.....
Thank you all for your replies and time to read through my ramblings and musings. This serves also as a sort of trip diary for me so your input is highly regarded.
Yesterday was spent making sure the car was in great condition, and then heading for dinner at Lake Garda. Today was used for crossing the alps and heading south into enemy territory Tonight I'm sleeping in Maranello. The receptionists reply as to our destination was simply "hmmm, wonder why "
We went north out of Trento with the car fully loaded. The extra weight on the front axle disrupts the balance a little but not to much. Fun to se what a comparative little weight difference can do to the car. Making me appreciate the great set-up the car currently has.
Heading for the SS42 and passo Tonale once again, our aim was Como and ultimately Maranello. There was loads more traffic today nad campervans really are unsuited for alpine driving is my conclusion. There was however also times where traffic was light and playtime could be had with bikers. Who seem oblivious about the fact that sometimes on twisty roads, they are not the fastest things on an alpine road. They all took it in great spirit though.
We had neglected to do research about where to go at Lake Como, we thought Como city would be the right place to head for a marina (thinking it would be like Monaco or Saint Tropez) Oh how wrong we once again were just managed the shot below on my iPhone, before we opted to head for Maranello for dinner and the hotel.
While trying to find our way in Maranello, since the TomTom did not recognise our hotel, we come across a Ferrari California 4 people up, with a camera on the bootlid. As they where going out of town we follow. Out on the SS486 the California joins slowly, letting the traffic draw out a gap - waiting behind in 1st I just spot the squat of his car and then bury the throttle. The jump in reaction time is all the space the California gains, and at close to 200 I just see the gap close before we apply the brakes. Not sure if he lifted or if there is greater speed in the GT3 at those speeds, as we then turned the GT3 around and headed for the hotel, which we had spotted going out of town behind the California.
Dinner at Drakes - great moderne place, and the only place with any life tonight in Maranello it seemed.
Tomorrow the Museo Ferrari. Can't wait!
CK
Yesterday was spent making sure the car was in great condition, and then heading for dinner at Lake Garda. Today was used for crossing the alps and heading south into enemy territory
Tonight I'm sleeping in Maranello. The receptionists reply as to our destination was simply "hmmm, wonder why " We went north out of Trento with the car fully loaded. The extra weight on the front axle disrupts the balance a little but not to much. Fun to se what a comparative little weight difference can do to the car. Making me appreciate the great set-up the car currently has.
Heading for the SS42 and passo Tonale once again, our aim was Como and ultimately Maranello. There was loads more traffic today nad campervans really are unsuited for alpine driving is my conclusion. There was however also times where traffic was light and playtime could be had with bikers. Who seem oblivious about the fact that sometimes on twisty roads, they are not the fastest things on an alpine road. They all took it in great spirit though.
We had neglected to do research about where to go at Lake Como, we thought Como city would be the right place to head for a marina (thinking it would be like Monaco or Saint Tropez) Oh how wrong we once again were just managed the shot below on my iPhone, before we opted to head for Maranello for dinner and the hotel.
While trying to find our way in Maranello, since the TomTom did not recognise our hotel, we come across a Ferrari California 4 people up, with a camera on the bootlid. As they where going out of town we follow. Out on the SS486 the California joins slowly, letting the traffic draw out a gap - waiting behind in 1st I just spot the squat of his car and then bury the throttle. The jump in reaction time is all the space the California gains, and at close to 200 I just see the gap close before we apply the brakes. Not sure if he lifted or if there is greater speed in the GT3 at those speeds, as we then turned the GT3 around and headed for the hotel, which we had spotted going out of town behind the California.
Dinner at Drakes - great moderne place, and the only place with any life tonight in Maranello it seemed.
Tomorrow the Museo Ferrari. Can't wait!
CK
This is written after my return to Copenhagen.
The last days where filled with lots of days travelling and spending time with friends in Nürburg - so pictures and video is still being edited here at home.
We arrived early at the Museo Ferrari. Having been there before it was a welcome trip back for me. The museum is not that big, and could do with an overhaul soon. Since I was last there, cars had been changed and rooms given new priority, but in all it would benefit from more history of the company presented in writing - and more of the older not so known Ferraris being present.
We did manage to get some shots of good metal there.
They also had this boat on display, of which I had never heard before. GReat story behind its creation and lobbying for a Ferrari F1 engine. Not sure that could happen today
Read more at RM Auctions
Obligatory F40 and 250 GTO shots also
To commemorate Gilles Villenueve, the museum has a special exhibition at the moment, where they have an old car of Gilles. The sign below need no explanation I think!
With the museum tickets we had purchased a trip around the factory and Fiorano. This is conducted in a bus and you are not permitted to take photos during the tour which takes about 1 hour. 9 Euros per person is a good spend, and I would recommend you do it if the time is available.
Before the busride we had been ooglin the various rental companies around the museum, where you can get to drive a Ferrari. I was not really interested, and so we jumped in the car, and headed north for the closed Lamborghini factory. With the TomTom not being able to find either Lamborghini or Sant'Agata Bolognese I was left to drive on hunch and memory. Which turned out to need the assistance of an SMS with the address to load to the TomTom
With another SMS we also found Pagani.
After that we headed back to Maranello for the Ferrari shop, and some pictures at the old gates of the factory. While there, rental cars kept zooming past at revs. My friend wanted to see if we could get a deal on a rental, and so we went to check the last place we had not been, across from both parking places in front of the museum.
Gratouitous pic of the Brazilian "salesgirl" (with car in shot)
Video below of the exploits - we did not really argue that he had had less than 10 minutes behind the wheel, when they let us walk away without charging us extra. Apparently the below is "normal" for a Ferrari.
Not for a Pork
http://www.youtube.com/embed/sMEO8JyH51c
Next day was spent driving to Nürburg!
Monday was spent on a Trackdays.de trackday at the Ring - open pitlane.
Some nice metal had showed up, but nothing like the GranTurismo days the Swedes arrange down there.
I was booked in with the GT3, and had some time to play as well. Getting 14 more laps in to the total this year.
With little traffic and the car in shape I had thought to myself that a sub 8 BTG lap should be possible. Video below?
http://youtu.be/depZJVeDQJo?hd=1
Anyway, the trip has been everyting you could hope for, with driving 10 days around Europe in a GT3.
Might update with additional pictures and video as we get it edited.
CK
The last days where filled with lots of days travelling and spending time with friends in Nürburg - so pictures and video is still being edited here at home.
We arrived early at the Museo Ferrari. Having been there before it was a welcome trip back for me. The museum is not that big, and could do with an overhaul soon. Since I was last there, cars had been changed and rooms given new priority, but in all it would benefit from more history of the company presented in writing - and more of the older not so known Ferraris being present.
We did manage to get some shots of good metal there.
They also had this boat on display, of which I had never heard before. GReat story behind its creation and lobbying for a Ferrari F1 engine. Not sure that could happen today
Read more at RM Auctions
Obligatory F40 and 250 GTO shots also
To commemorate Gilles Villenueve, the museum has a special exhibition at the moment, where they have an old car of Gilles. The sign below need no explanation I think!
With the museum tickets we had purchased a trip around the factory and Fiorano. This is conducted in a bus and you are not permitted to take photos during the tour which takes about 1 hour. 9 Euros per person is a good spend, and I would recommend you do it if the time is available.
Before the busride we had been ooglin the various rental companies around the museum, where you can get to drive a Ferrari. I was not really interested, and so we jumped in the car, and headed north for the closed Lamborghini factory. With the TomTom not being able to find either Lamborghini or Sant'Agata Bolognese I was left to drive on hunch and memory. Which turned out to need the assistance of an SMS with the address to load to the TomTom
With another SMS we also found Pagani.
After that we headed back to Maranello for the Ferrari shop, and some pictures at the old gates of the factory. While there, rental cars kept zooming past at revs. My friend wanted to see if we could get a deal on a rental, and so we went to check the last place we had not been, across from both parking places in front of the museum.
Gratouitous pic of the Brazilian "salesgirl" (with car in shot)
Video below of the exploits - we did not really argue that he had had less than 10 minutes behind the wheel, when they let us walk away without charging us extra. Apparently the below is "normal" for a Ferrari.
Not for a Pork
http://www.youtube.com/embed/sMEO8JyH51c
Next day was spent driving to Nürburg!
Monday was spent on a Trackdays.de trackday at the Ring - open pitlane.
Some nice metal had showed up, but nothing like the GranTurismo days the Swedes arrange down there.
I was booked in with the GT3, and had some time to play as well. Getting 14 more laps in to the total this year.
With little traffic and the car in shape I had thought to myself that a sub 8 BTG lap should be possible. Video below?
http://youtu.be/depZJVeDQJo?hd=1
Anyway, the trip has been everyting you could hope for, with driving 10 days around Europe in a GT3.
Might update with additional pictures and video as we get it edited.
CK
Great report, I've never seen that boat at the Galleria before, and I've been quite a few times.
Always find Modena better for food than Marranello, but then we have friends there so tend to congregate there instead anyway.
What an epic trip, for me what Porsches were designed to do, love it.
Always find Modena better for food than Marranello, but then we have friends there so tend to congregate there instead anyway.
What an epic trip, for me what Porsches were designed to do, love it.
Fantastic road trip! I always love seeing these cars being used as they were meant to with the owners enjoying them for what they are.
I spend a lot of time in Italy and keep my 911 there, recently did the Furka/Susten/Grimsel passes and would highly reccomend them as they are ideal for a 911, if you happen to drive back that way.
Thanks for the heads up on the areas around Trento, that will be my next road trip in early September. Will very likely give Stelvio a miss, sounds too "popular" for my tastes.
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